The New Vanguard! Frostbite Issue #9 - New team, old problems!

Battlebug nodded, adjusted his eye holes so he could see then said "I'm ready boss.", rolling his neck and dangling from Frostbites' hands over the seething mass far below.

Was Frostbite about to drop the boy to his death? Had he bitten off more than he could chew? He had so much raw unfettered power but was vulnerable - against Eurotrash radiation had done for him. That might be something Wandafar could cook up, a suit to protect him instead of the hand me down overalls he was wearing. His enthusiasm, willingness to dive into danger and need to prove himself were infectious... and might possibly cost him his life some day. His power was erratic too. It could burn out at any moment. Literally leave him practically powerless. He could be snuffed out in a heartbeat.

Was this that day?

"Boss?" asked the teenager, glancing up.

Frostbite looked at the seething mass. He was a leader. There were no risks he asked of others that he did not take himself. He released the youngster who shouted "Wait! I'm not readddddddyyyyyyyyy!" causing Frostbites' heart to jump before the teenager added "JOKING!" and vanished into the midst of the imps below!

OOC BATTLEBUG HP 100 buying 3 dice. Battlebug HP 79

GOING FOR BROKE +16/-24 Adren Surge 21 + 3D + Roll(5d12)+0: 12,8,12,11,12,+0 Total:24 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0: 6,7,+0 Total:37 (58) vs
OV8 + Multi 4 + 16 GFB + Roll(2d12)+0: 11,7,+0 Total:18 (46)
+5 (to 26) vs RV 8 + Multi 4 + so RV12 - 24 GFB meaning RV-12=38 RAPs.

Dex boosts by 38 (to 46) Str by 38 (to 44) and Power Reserve by 38 (to 45)
Power Reserve:
Jumping +5 (to 11)
Kinetic Absorption +15 (to 19)
Energy Absorption +18 (to 23)

The youngster plummets into the seething, boiling, burning mass and vanishes. The fire from these creatures - so many of them - as each has a burning body and roars flames like a dragon... is so intense even Frostbite can feel it from several hundred feet up!

Had he made a mistake? What had he done? Shouldn't something be happ...

OOC MULTI ATTACK ON 125 DEV ATTACK Dex 46 + 3D M arts (1D Acro) + Roll(5d12)+0: 4,5,10,1,10,+0 Total:20 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0:
3,6,+0 Total:29 (75) vs
OV7 + 2D Acro + 14 Multi + 8 Dev Attack + Roll(4d12)+0: 7,9,1,6,+0 Total:16 (45)
+8 (to 52) vs RV8 + 14 multi - 12 Dev Att so RV10=42 RAPs. 125 Imps are DOWN and OUT!



Suddenly there is a sound like a bomb going off and a shock wave smashes outwards in every direction, even up as a circle clears in the seething mass and bodies fly everywhere, flashing into flames and disappearing into nothing.

There is a HUGE crater near Stonehenge now, fifty or more feet deep and three times that across. Fires burn in it and at the bottom crouches a dot, a tiny figure knelt on his own.

Then the seething mass poured in and blasted with fire, pouring it on and filling the crater with fire!

Frostbite had to back off as he saw hundreds more imps pour in on top of the youngster in the crater, screaming, roaring, yelling, pouring fire out and engulfing him, so that he was no longer in view and buried under dozens of Imps!

OOC You, too, can do the same! The way we now do things has changed massively. We now rely on dice to get the results required but the old system basically had anyone with a giant stash of HP able to do what BBug just did simply by spending their way to victory. You can try a multi attack on up to 125 foes (+14 to OV/RV). With energy blast 22 + a decent roll you could have a decent stab of beating 28 OV/22 RV but you may want to try fewer targets as it's a lot of reliance on dice and you've not got a huge amount of HP...



As usual I'll sort the mechanics but the sort of Superhero landing you just saw is something Marvel have been doing rather well int he Avengers films. This system emulates it quite nicely I think, but without Hero Points?

That would have failed, absolutely, no question.

Admin wrote:OOC You, too, can do the same! The way we now do things has changed massively. We now rely on dice to get the results required but the old system basically had anyone with a giant stash of HP able to do what BBug just did simply by spending their way to victory. You can try a multi attack on up to 125 foes (+14 to OV/RV). With energy blast 22 + a decent roll you could have a decent stab of beating 28 OV/22 RV but you may want to try fewer targets as it's a lot of reliance on dice and you've not got a huge amount of HP...



As usual, I'll sort the mechanics but the sort of Superhero landing you just saw is something Marvel has been doing rather well int he Avengers films. This system emulates it quite nicely I think but without Hero Points?

That would have failed, absolutely, no question.

Frostbite would have had to pick his jaw up off the floor if it wasn't for the fact that time and training meant he just got with the programme and targetted as many of the imps as they massed so that he could take them out as had Battle Bug. Erratic no doubt about it, but the boy had such huge potential, Frostbite was so glad he was on their side.

OOC: Going to go for the same, buying 3 dice and doing as you suggested perhaps a few fewer targets Uh heck looking at it 60 - 61 is a big leap, so for one more +1/+1 die I get to double the number of targets, so I think we might as well do what BB did, or try. You are right about this being like Avengers, this is epic battling - we could never have done this in GH rules. Nicely Done.

Sj

Frostbite saw the youngster vanish under a hoard of bodies and knew he had to help him! Unfortunately he was at a disadvantage being vulnerable to fire and had to keep his distance.

The heck with that, he need to help!

Flying to a height of forty feet he swooped over the crater/seething mass and blast. He could hardly miss!

OOC I think you'd have been better targeting less but we'll see what happens.

AV22 + 3D HP (FROSTBITE 1HP REMAINING) + Roll(5d12)+0: 3,10,1,2,10,+0 Total:20 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0: 9,8,+0 Total:37 (59) vs
OV7 + range 2 + 2D Acro - Blindside (above) 2 + Multi 14 + Crit Blow 4 + Roll(4d12)+0: 8,2,3,6,+0 Total:14 (39)
+6 (to 28) vs RV8 + 14 Multi - Crit Blow 6 so RV16=12 RAPs damage. 125 Imps are DOWN and OUT!

Frostbite put both hands together and spun on the spot in the air, blasting in an ever widening spiral! He hoped he'd not hit the youngster but he seemed unusually resistant to energy unless it was radiation. That was something Wandafar might be able to help with in the form of a suit.

The beam lanced down into the night smashing Imps into the air where they burst into flames and vanished! Frostbite poured it on and pretty much emptied the crater, save for the youngster at the bottom who was crouched and waiting for his end!



With what was left of his costume in tatters the sooted and scorched youngster stood and looked about, the cold crystals of ice all about and the crater devoid of Imps. He looked up and gave a thumbs up to Frostbite who turned his attention to the rest of the horde.

They stood, glowering, waiting... looking up at him.

They could attack en masse, and just one hit with the fire would strike him down. Maybe Wandafar could do something for him too on the costume front.

Then Frostbite saw what they were waiting for.

The giant fiery demon strode across the land and shook trees, dry stone walls and the earth itself with its passing!

Stopping a hundred yards or so away the fiery giant breathed out flames, the heat enough to blacken and char stone hundreds of feet from it.

"MORTALS." it rasped in a gravelly booming voice. "THE BROOM. HAND IT TO ME. NOW." it snarled.

The imps started backing away from Stonehenge in fear, knowing what was about to come from their great lord! There was a distant crack of thunder - like the sound barrier being broken! Not just once... MULTIPLE times! Frostbite couldn't see that far into the darkness but knew help was on its way!

OOC Initiative...

Roll(3d12)+0:
9 Frostbite (+28)=37
12 BBug (+22)=34
6 Gehenna (+30)=36

Frostbite is up first, then Gehenna (the Balrog thing) then Battlebug

Admin wrote:OOC Initiative...

Roll(3d12)+0:
9 Frostbite (+28)=37
12 BBug (+22)=34
6 Gehenna (+30)=36

Frostbite is up first, then Gehenna (the Balrog thing) then Battlebug

Nodding to Battle Bug, Frostbite took a moment to radio in on the others, "Reflex give me sit rep on you, and JE'Nadenn are you OK?"

Frostbite waited, what else could he do, as the situation played out, he hoped Thoth had something up his sleeve. He was pretty much useless against this thing and already had proven that the Imps were a dangerous liability to him. Its aura of fear could make them all flee, and have little chance of standing before it let alone fight it.

OOC: I'm kinda waiting to see what it does next, since there is little I can do, in fact little any of us can do against something so formidable at this stage.

Sj

Steph squawked on the crackling radio link. "The ward Thoth put up held. We're ok. Kind of ineffective against so many of those things and JE'Nedann ... can we call her Barracuda or something? Anyway, we had to stay away from the fires. Well out of her comfort zone! At some point she needs to get back in water or she'll suffer."

"Moond Girl and Stonehenge are still here. Stonehenge changed back into a young girl. A pretty one, probably not too much older than Flea. Don't tell him though, he's uncontrollable already!"

"Hush." said Thoth. "This spell requires concentration!"

"Hmmph. We're stuck in here, you're out there with the bad guys... Be careful J... Frosty!"

He looked into the night sky. A distant fast moving dot confirmed something was approaching at high speed. Even miles away at supersonic speed it would not take long in getting here!

The fiery giant breathed in and Frostbite moved out of the way as it targeted Stonehenge (the monument) and the ward, testing Thoth's power!

A torrent of fire spat out and bathed the ancient monument in a firestorm!

Frostbite cried out for Reflex and the others to get into cover but they were already gone from sight and the roar of the fire drowned out his voice!

No! NOOO!!! he cried out, helpess as the fire started to sap his powers even from a hundred yards away! He knew he would have to be up close and personal (within 10') to suffer but a single blast of that flame might be enough to blast him into ash! His ice might slow it but that fire would soon enough burn through it...

The torrent continued and Battlebug hissed over the comms. "The heck with this! BOSS! Hold my beer..." as he rolled his neck, sucked in his power and tried to leap in the way of the flames!!!

OOC Adren Surge 21 + Roll(2d12)+0: 8,4,+0 Total:12 (33) vs
OV7 + Roll(2d12)+0: 1,8,+0 Total:9 (16)
+6 (to 27) vs RV7=20 RAPs. All added to Energy Absorption.

Battlebug leapt INTO the path of the flames, vanishing from view!

No! What was the boy...

OOC Flame Project 20 + Roll(2d12)+0: 7,10,+0 Total:17 (37) vs
Energy Absorption current APs 25 + Roll(2d12)+0: 12,11,+0 Total:23 (48)

All aps of the the attack are absorbed.

Suddenly the fire stopped, and seemed to be drawn to Battlebug who stood there bare chested, arms wide and seemingly sucking up all the fire into his body!

Frostbite turned and saw that the ward around Stonehenge had held but he rocks were blackened and singed. Much more of that and the ground on which the ward had been based would have burned up!

That got the giants' attention. "GNAT. YOU HAVE OPPOSED ME FOR THE FINAL TIME BOY. IT IS TIME TO DIE!"

OOC Frostbite can act this round and then the next round initiative is...

Roll(3d12)+0:
1 Frosty (29)
11 BBug (33)
2 Gehenna (32)

Admin wrote:That got the giants' attention. "GNAT. YOU HAVE OPPOSED ME FOR THE FINAL TIME BOY. IT IS TIME TO DIE!"

OOC Frostbite can act this round and then the next round initiative is...

Roll(3d12)+0:
1 Frosty (29)
11 BBug (33)
2 Gehenna (32)

On the one hand, Frostbite was mad at Battle Bug for such a reckless action, moreover because every time he succeeded it made him more prone to taking bigger risks. But at the same time, the boy had such huge potential, Frostbite had to admit he was constantly surprised, which suggested he'd also underestimated the boys potential.

Knowing he could do nothing against the ancient behemoth, directly he spoke to Battle Bug over coms and offered to distract whilst he set Bug up for an attack. "BB I'll call in some bad weather to try and hamper this things sight and when I do, you give him all you've got to that fat ugly kisser of his. Who knows we may even deal him a blow that will send him home crying to his mama. But it might have other senses so watch for its back hand."

And with that Frostbite knowing that his powers were all but ineffective against the creature called down a sudden storm of hail and wind and fog as he could muster in a localised effect around the creature, seeking to hamper its vision and provide Battle Bug with the opportunity to attack back.

Sj

Changing the weather conditions to something that would distract the behemoth would be tricky to enact.

OOC


There are '8 Column Shifts' from the existing weather to the weather required. That means an OV/RV of 16

Frostbite weather control 15 + Roll(2d12)+0: 6,11,+0 Total:17 (32) vs
OV 16 + Roll(2d12)+0: 3,9,+0 Total:12 (28)
+3 (to 18) vs Rv16=2RAPs.

Suddenly a wind whips up, dragging debris into the air which is filled with rain which changes to freakish golf ball sized hail as it freezes and pummels the giant! It covers its eyes and whilst it's distracted Frostbite calls out "Go round the side of it!"

Battlebug, in his rags and covered in dirt from head to foot, bounds to the side and notes Frostbite is concentrating his distraction on one side and left the other for Battlebug to attack without being afflicted.

OOC Next round...

Battlebug crouched, fist clenched and sucked in a huge breath again.

"Come on..." Frostbite heard over the comms. "Do it again. You can do this."

OOC Battlebug spends 30HP BATTLEBUG HP 49

MULTI on two abilities GO FOR BROKE +16/-24 Adren Surge 21 + 4D + Roll(6d12)+0: 1,6,3,10,2,6,+0 Total:12 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0: 2,7,+0 Total:21 (42) vs
OV8 + Multi 2 + GFB 16 + Roll(2d12)+0: 10,8,+0 Total:18 (44) failed.

Battlebug mutters "Oh no."

OOC he piles Power Reserve 7 into Dex (15) and dodges like crazy as best he can...

The Giant, despite being distracted, blasts at Battlebug with fire!

OOC Flame Project 20 + Roll(2d12)+0: 3,5,+0 Total:8 (28) vs
OV15 + 4D Acro + Distraction 4 + range 2 + Roll(6d12)+0: 6,2,4,1,9,7,+0 Total:16 (37)

The torrent of flame follows the youngster about as he hops around yelling "yowch hot yowch hot yowch hot" as the inferno blasts the ground and fuses the rock into an orange mass! The youngster manages to stay ahead of the fire - just - and yells out "Boss! A lil help?"

OOC Frosty is up. The storm will last for 16 seconds (four rounds) and this is round 1. It isn't powerful enough to bother Gehenna but is good for a distraction. High wind sort of cancels fog but driving hail would get anyone's attention.

Admin wrote:The torrent of flame follows the youngster about as he hops around yelling "yowch hot yowch hot yowch hot" as the inferno blasts the ground and fuses the rock into an orange mass! The youngster manages to stay ahead of the fire - just - and yells out "Boss! A lil help?"

OOC Frosty is up. The storm will last for 16 seconds (four rounds) and this is round 1. It isn't powerful enough to bother Gehenna but is good for a distraction. High wind sort of cancels fog but driving hail would get anyone's attention.

With the storm raging about, Frostbite shifts and puts up ice hard walls between Battle Bug and the monster, trying to cool the air so that it to can assist and distract the monster from tagging Battle Bug.

"Come on Thoth, we can't keep this up for much longer, one solid blast at either one of us will turn us to ash..."

Frostbite was getting angry, frustrated, they were going for broke and his plucky little band of misfits were somehow holding their own. But for how long. Battle Bug was powerful but erratic, he was useless like a fly trying to swat a fly swatter, and yet something had to be done. He felt at a loss as to what to do, options were scarce and trying to make the most of his powers to keep the creature from getting the Broom. How on earth had that item come to possess so much power? Wasn't there a code red for the magic types to get here and give Thoth some help? Casting a quick glance at Stone Henge Frostbite tried to see if the others were ok? If the Monster turned its attention there, then Thoth's spell might possibly be disrupted. Frostbite refocused and tried again to impede the progress of the beast.

OOC: OK trying to give some assistance and cover to BB whilst he gets himself in a position to take advantage of the limited cover he's got from my weather control

Sj

Frostbite creates a steel hard ice dome to block the creature from seeing Battlebug and looked over to Stonehenge.

The ancient site still stood, albeit rather charred with the grass burning in places. Thoth scurried around and waved his hands, chanting and sprinkling something on the floor, then on the broom, and tipping the dust from the broom onto the floor.

Reflex and Je'Nadenn were out of their comfort zone and knew it. The best they could do is watch from behind the ancient stones.

Moon Girl looked frustrated. She could attack at a distance but wasn't doing. Presumably the ward that Thoth had put on prevented attacks in and out - so long as nothing crossed the line. If she attacked the ward spell would vanish and Thoth, like the others, would be vulnerable. Stonehenge (the heroine, now in human form) was still unconscious. Frostbot of the future couldn't attack for the same reason but stood ready to defend Thoth.

A sound like thunder alerted Frostbite and he spun.

Finally!

The hero known as MAJESTIC swooped in towards the giant beast and Frostbite saw hordes of Imps fly up to battle him. Majestic was flanked by CRYSTAL QUEEN who Frostbite had met before and another hero who appeared to have a body made of Diamonds! All three launched into the attack against the Imps and the giant looked extremely annoyed!

In the distance was an armoured flying personnel carrier with more UKChampions presumably!

OOC initiative...Roll(6d12)+0:
5,12,11,1,8,5,+0

Frostbite 28 +5 (33)
BattleBug 29 +12 (41)
Gehenna 30 +11 (41)
Majestic 42 +1 (43)
Crystal Queen 22 +8 (30)
Jack of Diamonds 29 +5 (34)

Like a speeding bullet Majestic swooped in. A long established hero and name that most citizens recognised, this Majestic was actually the brother of the original who'd gone missing. Powerful, often said to be the second most powerful hero in Britain by the press but the reality was different. A class 4 superhero by the governments' measure he was fast, strong and virtually impervious to pain. How we he deal with the burning giant?

Without a word the red, white and blue clad hero swooped in to the fiery giant to deliver a blow to its head!

OOC Majestic attacks!

CRIT BLOW AV16 + 4D M Arts + Roll(6d12)+0: 7,3,5,3,1,3,+0 Total:6 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0: 3,8,+0 Total:17 (27) vs
OV 5 + Crit Blow 4 + Roll(2d12)+0: 4,2,+0 Total:6 (15)
+5 (to 30) vs RV 33 - 6 Crit Blow so RV27=3 RAPs damage. GEHENNA ON BODY 17/20

"Ye gods!" he exclaims. "What on earth could withstand my punch like that?"

Battlebug moves out of the protection of the dome, sees the UKChampions have arrived and whoops! "Yes! Finally! Me n Frosty were having to do all the work!"

Crystal Queen called out "Get out of here boy, this is no place for civilians!"

Battlebug didn't answer that, instead summoning his power again from within!

OOC Battlebug spends 21HP for three dice. BATTLEBUG ON 28HP

Multi on 3, GO FOR BROKE +12/-18 Adren Surge 21 + 3D from HP + Roll(5d12)+0: 2,12,2,2,7,+0 Total:19 (40) vs
OV8 + Multi 4 + GFB 12 + Roll(2d12)+0: 2,9,+0 Total:11 (35)
+3 (to 24) vs RV8 + Multi 4 - GFB 18 so RV -6=30RAPs.

Dex +30 (to 38) Str +30 (to 36) Power Reserve +30 to 37 (Kinetic absorption up +18 to 22, Energy Absorption +19 to 24)

Battlebug goes for a devastating attack on Gehenna...

Dex 38 + 0D m Arts (all for defence) + Roll(2d12)+0: 6,6,+0 Total:12 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0: 11,8,+0 Total:31 (69) vs
OV5 + 8 Dev Att + Roll(2d12)+0: 11,8,+0 Total:19 (24)
+6 (to 45) vs RV 33 - 12 so RV21=24 RAPs damage. Gehenna absorbs 8 RAPs (for 36HP) and is on Body 1/20 STUNNED with 14HP remaining.

There is a sound like a thundercrack and once more the boy vanishes, reappearing a heartbeat later at Gehenna's face where the giant is toppling backwards to the floor! Imps scream and scramble aside but many are squished and vanish in a poof of flame! Despite the giant being a fiery mass of flames the youngster was none the worse for wear (OOC no point rolling with energy absorption so high).

"What the ...?" spluttered the Diamond man. "That's... that's..."

Majestic looked at the youth who'd landed in a crouch. "That's impossible! Who ARE you?"

"Never mind that! Hit the giant!" shouted Jack of Diamonds. He levelled his arms and blasted at the giant!

OOC Projectile weapons 19 + Roll(2d12)+0: 5,5,+0 Total:10 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0: 6,5,+0 Total:21 (40) vs
OV5 + range 4 + Roll(2d12)+0: 6,12,+0 Total:18 (27)
+5 (to 24) vs RV33=no damage.

"My diamonds don't even scratch his hide!" said the aptly named JACK OF DIAMONDS. "Yet the kid just flattened this thing when Majestic barely scratched it!"

"Maybe Majestic weakened it?" asked Crystal Queen , fending off some flying imps and swooping for a shot at the giant.

Frostbite saw his chance to act. The Giant was down but to make a dent he'd have to pour on a blast of power to ensure it stayed down!

OOC you're up!

Admin wrote:"My diamonds don't even scratch his hide!" said the aptly named JACK OF DIAMONDS. "Yet the kid just flattened this thing when Majestic barely scratched it!"

"Maybe Majestic weakened it?" asked Crystal Queen , fending off some flying imps and swooping for a shot at the giant.

Frostbite saw his chance to act. The Giant was down but to make a dent he'd have to pour on a blast of power to ensure it stayed down!

OOC you're up!

Frostbite was tempted to tell them not to get any ideas, Battle Bug was part of the Vanguard family, but then again he thought better of it. There was still a demon to try and take down and he saw an opening he wasn't to miss, at least he hoped not. And so with sudden anger and focused determination, he gave it his all pouring all he had into what he hoped would be that which would finish of the beast before it could regenerate and could be shuttered off from this world for now at least.

OOC: Not sure if, in-game terms, a devastating attack is necessary, or even desired - I mean if I fail to hit it looks pretty silly for me. However, if I hit but don't do enough damage...same again. So I'll let you decide what would be most expedient - knowing, in the end, the dice can make us look foolish or fantastic just depending on which way they come up. :-)

Sj

OOC Well in game terms this guy has a 33 Resistance Value (his armour against damage) and you do 22 damage so you need a bonkers high roll or a Devastating Attack which reduces his defence by -12 to 21. He's badass and hard to injure, and will be more so when... ahh that would be telling. We'll go for a DEV ATTACK.

Remember that your Acting Value with Energy Blast is 22 against his pretty lowly Opposing Value (his defence) of only 5. You can add a Devastating Attack and still not need a great roll against such a big and slow opponent!

DEV ATT Energy Blast 22 + Roll(2d12)+0: 2,9,+0 Total:11 (33) vs
OV5 + Range 2 + Dev Att 8 + Roll(2d12)+0: 4,9,+0 Total:13 (28) HIT
+3 (to 25) vs RV33 -12 Dev Att so RV21=4 RAPs. Gehenna absorbs all 4 points and has 4HP Body 1/20 STUNNED

The Giant remains conscious - somehow - and Frostbite gets a cold chill down his spine. If he heals as fast as the smaller versions, all of Battlebugs efforts - and Frostys - will be for naught and it will be as strong as ever!

Crystal Queen swooped in "Why won't it stay down?!" she screams.

OOC DEV ATT Laser Beam 13 + Roll(2d12)+0: 4,6,+0 Total:10 (23) vs
OV5 + 8 Dev Att + Range 2 + Roll(2d12)+0: 8,12,+0 Total:20 (35) Missed!

She groans as she snatches a powerful shot off and misses!

OOC initiative (now with new added sorting!)



Majestic rolls his neck. "I MAJESTIC, shall defeat this beast!"

OOC DEV ATTACK Dex 16 + 4D M Arts + Roll(6d12)+0: 6,12,12,11,8,10,+0 Total:24 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0: 5,7,+0 Total:36 (52) vs
OV5 + 8 Dev Att + Roll(2d12)+0: 8,4,+0 Total:12 (25) Hit +7 (to 32) vs RV33 - 12 D Att so RV21=11 RAPs.

Gehenna does not have enough Hero Points left and succumbs, getting walloped! He crashes back to the floor and sends up a cloud of dirt and dust! The imps scream, wail and start flying around in chaos.

Thoth suddenly shouts something and the ward vanishes from Stonehenge. Where he's stood there is a circular portal of some kind with flames bursting from it and a huge wind whips up, grabbing any fliers who weren't strong and starting to suck them towards the portal! Thoth shouts and Reflex grabs his hand, holding him though she was struggling! The UKChampions in the air (Majestic, Jack of Diamonds and Crystal Queen) struggle to stay aloft!

The first imps are sucked into the portal and vanish, then more and more come...

"Yowch!" shouted Battlebug as he's started being dragged along the floor by the wind and gets smack in the face by an imp tumbling through the wind!

Frostbot of the Future creates an energy 'scoop' and starts pushing those imps who are trying to fly away from the portal. Moon Girl is fighting the suck of the wind with her flight and blasting at Imps to distract them as they are being 'hoovered' into the portal!

Frostbite sees several problems...

OOC
1) Battlebug is struggling to grip onto anything and is being dragged towards the portal as several imps have thudded into him and are dragging him along...
2) Reflex finds her strength draining away and she and Thoth (and the broom!) may be sucked into the portal
3) The unconscious Stonehenge (heroine) is sliding towards the portal!
4) Some Imps are far enough away that they are escaping the scene
5) The UKChampions are more concerned with preserving themselves and fighting the fierce wind
6) The giant, Gehenna, may be a rapid healer!

Admin wrote:Frostbite sees several problems...

OOC
1) Battlebug is struggling to grip onto anything and is being dragged towards the portal as several imps have thudded into him and are dragging him along...
2) Reflex finds her strength draining away and she and Thoth (and the broom!) may be sucked into the portal
3) The unconscious Stonehenge (heroine) is sliding towards the portal!
4) Some Imps are far enough away that they are escaping the scene
5) The UKChampions are more concerned with preserving themselves and fighting the fierce wind
6) The giant, Gehenna, may be a rapid healer!

Frostbite shouted to the others, as what was needed right then wasn't ego but action. "Majestic you and the others get that thing into the portal, you others lend a hand, BattleBug on me, let's help the others from being sucked in. Anyone who hasn't got a job, round up the Imp's and fling them this way. That beast will regen in moments so time is of the essence."

And with that, Frostbite swooped down, grabbed Battle Bug and ran to the portal, to anchor down the others, who needed assistance from being swept with everything else into the rift Thoth had opened.

OOC: When on the ground going for super dense and strength to anchor the others down, depending on who needs it

Sj

Suddenly weighing more than half a ton Frostbite swooped down with a hand for his young team mate who was by now engulfed with Imps!

He saw a fist thrust up and punch an Imp and grabbed it, taking off and fighting against the powerful wind as it sucked towards the portal.

Glancing down he heard Battlebug scream as Imps bit him and clawed at him, some of them on fire and scorching his skin! Landing, Frostbite turned to blast the Imps whilst Battlebug kicked them off all the while leaning into the wind and starting to slide towards the hole...

Majestic swooped down and scooped up the giant on his own. The massive being appeared weightless to someone who could (in theory) lift the great pyramid of Egypt! He turned and soared towards the portal as Crystal Queen, Moon Girl and Jack of Diamonds continued to blast at Imps.

"Frostbite!" screamed Reflex over the howling wind. The Vanguardian turned, ignoring an Imp that clawed at him and saw Reflex had reverted to her human abilities and clung onto Thoth with a few fingertips!

"I see it!" yelled Battlebug as he stomped another Imp into the floor. There seemed no end to them!

The boy leapt across Stonehenge, only for the wind to blow him off course! He landed like a spider on a stone block and immediately started to be peeled off it as the wind grew in intensity! Those imps in the circle found their flames snuffed and any in the air were sucked directly into the flashing portal.

Thoth called out "Creatures of darkness! Begone you mmmph!"

Frostbite saw Imps engulf the mage and start to prise the broom from his grip!

Suddenly, even though it was dark a massive shadow covered the ancient monument and Frostbite gaped. The fiery giant had mostly guttered out but he was about to be thrown at the ancient stone circle! If the portal didn't do its thing everyone would be crushed under its weight!

Frostbite spun and saw a group of three Imps taking aim whilst clinging onto the rocks... two were peeled off, leaving claw marks in the ancient stone but the last was going to breathe fire at Frostbite! Battlebug was out of view under a mass of bodies that slowly rolled and tumbled towards the portal, Reflex was trying to concentrate enough to use her power and JE'Nedann was swinging a stone as a weapon at Imps.

Frostbot of the future continued to blast away, his dispersed form ignoring the wind and taking out dozens of Imps at the same time!

Crystal Queen shouted "Majestic! You can't throw it! The others aren't clear!"

"What?" he bellowed, buried somewhere under the huge mass of the fallen giant.... which was about the time the giant started to wake...

Admin wrote:Crystal Queen shouted "Majestic! You can't throw it! The others aren't clear!"

"What?" he bellowed, buried somewhere under the huge mass of the fallen giant.... which was about the time the giant started to wake...

Thoth and the others were the important ones, shouting for Majestic to hold for a moment, and praying he'd have time Frostbite sped toward Thoth to defend him and throw the others clear of the portal, whilst keeping purchase of the ground himself.

OOC: Oh boy, right so either trying to pull people away or get them to a safer place, but the main aim is to get Thoth free... it's kind of what seems the most important situation.

Sj

Frostbite was almost thankful for the wind!

A jet of flame blasted at him... and instantly veered away as the wind caught it and sucked into the portal! The Imps around were too busy fighting against the wind with their wings as their fiery bodies burnt out and claws raked the grass to get a grip and stop them being sucked in...

Frostbite flew to where Thoth was buried under Imps and started to tear them off. Those that were unprepared for vast (OOC 15) superhuman strength flew into the air and into the portal! Finally Thoth was at the bottom, his suit in tatters and face bloodied but he was alive and conscious and just about keeping a grip. He looked up, past Frostbite and saw the giant floundering in the air!

"RISE! RISE!" he bellowed, uttering something under his breath! The portal began to rise... and the wind REALLY took off, sucking from both sides into the depths of wherever these things had come from! by now words were impossible and imps by the dozen, the hundred, began to screech and fly into the portal!

The UKChampions (Crystal Queen, Jack of Diamonds, Moon Girl) were all suddenly fighting for their lives to stay out of the hole and helped each other...

Frostbot of the future fired out a huge energy hand to catch Reflex as she screamed and flew through the air... and caught her, moving her beyond a stone block where she cowered. JE'Nedann used all her strength to grasp hold of a rock but she screamed as her grip loosened...

Imps flew at Thoth, Frostbite batted them away then started to slide towards the portal...

"DROP THE GIANT!" shouted Thoth.

"WHAT?" came the distant voice of Majestic. Suddenly the giant - stronger even than the hero - twisted in his grip and fell towards the ancient monument site, engulfing it completely...

"Oh no..." said Thoth. "HOLD ON EVERYONE! WIDEN! WIIIIIDDDDDENNNNN!!!" he screamed...

And the wind REALLY picked up now, tearing at all those in range, ripping Imps from far away backwards... a car from... somewhere ... tumbled through the sky and into the portal... and the Giant fell to the portal, arms flailing as it batted Majestic with a powerful hand!

Frostbite fought against the wind and a quiet voice in his head said 'Disperse'... Frostbot.

He did so and the wind passed through him thankfully... he suddenly turned and saw the heroine Stonehenge - unconscious and in human form - sliding towards the portal! She started to rise off the floor...

Frostbite flew to catch her and she flopped about like a rag doll as he solidified his hand and screamed with the pain as it tore at him!

The giant fell, hitting the portal and vanishing and Thoth shouted "CLOSE! For gods sake, CLOSE!!!!"

The portal vanished.

Exhausted heroes dropped to the floor with a thud in the suddenly quiet darkness.

His body aching, on fire with pain, Frostbite forced himself to sit up. He'd saved the girl. Three of Stonehenge's stones were on their side. Clutter, rubble, rocks and debris from distant houses including bricks, tiles, a tv and a mass of plants, were still dropping from the sky...

He groaned, then staggered to his feet.

A look around.

Frostbot of the Future held Reflex - unconscious - in his arms. He gave a thumbs up where he stood fifty feet away. Je'Nedann was slumped against a fallen stone but intact. The UKChampions had slumped to the ground, stirring but not rising as yet. Majestic looked like a bus had been dropped on him after being batted by the giant. Thoth was lying on his back, broom in hand, moaning.

Everyone was here, thankfully. Everyone except...

"Battlebug?" asked Frostbite.

He looked about.

Battlebug was gone.

Admin wrote:"Battlebug?" asked Frostbite.

He looked about.

Battlebug was gone.

"Battlebug respond...Battlebug respond..."

OOC: I am assuming he has been sucked in and on that basis...(if not ignore this)

Frostbite flew to Thoth, "The young man who is part of my team, Battle Bug..." Frostbite would later confess he was staggered by the depth of feeling that was overwhelming him at that moment. The guilt that the young man with such potential might have been snatched from them. The fact he'd not done enough to save him, and the fear gnawing at his insides as he contemplated what he was going through if he had indeed been sucked into the portal and what he might face to bring him back. "If he is in there...we...I have to go after him. I will not let him alone." Frostbite didn't even know what he was saying, but the truth was he was not going to let this go...he was fighting to keep his anger from displacing his control of the situation. It was via with guilt to overwhelm him, but so far he was holding it in check...just. Taking Thoth, by the remains of his suit, he brought him upright moved in close and said slowly with a great emphasis..."I have to go after him. I will not let him alone...He's...He's family! We have to get him back!"

Frostbite fought his voice rising and his anger as he spoke, however, there was no one whom he blamed more than himself!

OOC: OK if I've got to go charging into whatever dark domain those things came from, let's get to it. However if I've just shown a side of myself that perhaps has lain hidden till now, well so be it. If BB is around here somewhere, I'll get over my emotional discharge.

Sj

Thoth, dazed, rose off the floor, feet dangling a foot above the grass.

"Wha... who?" he spluttered, battered, cut bruised and bleeding from a number of wounds. "The boy... if he's gone in there.. I'm sorry. I can't ... can't open it up again. They'd come through... he's... he's gone. If he's strong he'll last a while but... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

Majestic flew down, looking quite battered himself. He pinned a finger to his ear and said "What? Are you sure? I don't think that... No, I'm not saying that but... Look, it doesn't seem... I don't agree with this." he looked angry and shook his head before saying "ALRIGHT... alright. This could be tricky though." He turned, shouting "UKCHAMPIONS! To me!"

Walking up to Frostbite who set Thoth down (who then collapsed onto the floor) Majestic towered by a foot or more and as wide as the Vanguardian. "Frostbite. This is not my call but... I have to take the boy into custody. He's classed as an uncontrolled weapon with his power level. We can't leave him running around without supervision. His power level is too high. The people at GCHQ have been going nuts with UKChampions central and measured several richter scale tremors when the boy used his powers. he has to come with us... one way or the other. I'm sorry."

"What are you saying?" asked Moon Girl. "The boys an idiot but there's no doubting what... where is he?"

Crystal Queen landed on shaky legs. "He fell into the portal. he was pulling Imps away from Stonehenge and lost his footing." she said, sadly.

"What?" shouted Moon Girl. "You mean he DIED, saving one of us? And you have the... gall... to want to take him into custody?" she shouted at Majestic.

"Now hold on..." said Majestic, hands up. "Let's not..."

Jack of Diamonds slumped on a rock with head in hands.

Je'Nedann came to stand next to Frostbite. "I am sorry I was not able to help the boy." she croaked. "I need... I need to get to the sea."

Reflex was still unconscious.

Thoth was on his knees, broom at his side. "I'm so sorry." he mumbled. He looked shattered.

Frostbot of the future appeared at Frostbites' side. "My commiserations. I have a feeling that this may have been the battle which cost you your life. The boy it seems, has taken your place."

Frostbite looked about the place, disconsolate. It looked like a bomb had gone off, several times. Trash was littered all over, exhausted heroes laid out.

Thoth looked up, eyes welling up. "There are still Imps... they need rounding up..." he mumbled.

Majestic, head bowed, spoke up. "I'm sorry. They give the orders and... I'm sorry."

=========

Elsewhere...

It was hot. Damn hot. Scorching. The dark sky was broken by what looked to be a blood red eclipse, and he was lying on a plain like a desert of ash. Distant mountains broke the gentle undulations of ash hills up.

The boy pulled his mask off, gasping for air. It was so hot, every breath felt like fire!

He rose, covered in black ash and looked around. No trees, no people, no roads. No Stonehenge. No Frostbite, no Vanguard no UKChampions. He was alone. "Hope you made it Frosty." he croaked, throat parched. A rumble of distant thunder cracked over the mountains and red lightning lanced down there.

Looking about he sighed. "I'm dead then. This is it." With a trembling lip he slumped to his knees, head bowed.

END OF ISSUE #9

OOC HP awards to come.

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

Elsewhere...

Looking about he sighed. "I'm dead then. This is it." With a trembling lip he slumped to his knees, head bowed.

END OF ISSUE #9

OOC HP awards to come.

OOC: Frostbite is going to take this very hard, he would feel very responsible for BB, and this will be a blow that he will take very personally because of BB's age and all that. The heroes journey is never an easy one...

Sj

Admin wrote:OOC Huh, might have time tonight.

216HP you can boost Power Reserve by 1 point or pretty much any of your abilities, powers or skills by 1 point. The exception is any ability that is linked (shown with a *) which are more expensive to raise.



Heck, if you wanted to go all out you can really boost your Energy Blast and propel Frostbite into the next higher level of ass kicking. The problem is an unbalanced rise like that might see you able to dish it out but not take it. It's worth putting 45HP into Energy Blast to bring it up from 12 to 15 (yes it really is only 15HP per point because of its burnout limitation) and possibly higher still. Whack the 10 power reserve on top and... well, serious ass kicking.

Food for thought. Working on Issue #10... "FALLEN"

OOC: Hmm, I'll give this some thought and probably reply tomorrow.

Sj

Admin wrote:OOC Huh, might have time tonight.

216HP you can boost Power Reserve by 1 point or pretty much any of your abilities, powers or skills by 1 point. The exception is any ability that is linked (shown with a *) which are more expensive to raise.



Heck, if you wanted to go all out you can really boost your Energy Blast and propel Frostbite into the next higher level of ass kicking. The problem is an unbalanced rise like that might see you able to dish it out but not take it. It's worth putting 45HP into Energy Blast to bring it up from 12 to 15 (yes it really is only 15HP per point because of its burnout limitation) and possibly higher still. Whack the 10 power reserve on top and... well, serious ass kicking.

Food for thought. Working on Issue #10... "FALLEN"

OK, I've been thinking about this and I think you are right, taking the energy blast up is going to be a must. With what I've got left I am wondering what would work best to spend it on, without depleting the bank so so I've got no emergency to spend if need be. I would like to be in the situation where I dipped into HP as a last resort, and that the powers I had felt sufficient for the task at hand without having to keep back a ton of HP that made it pointless having higher stats, to begin with. How much would it take to raise martial arts, if at present I'm largely a one-trick pony with energy blast being my main attack, I'd like something more to be able to go toe 2 toe if need be. But I'd appreciate you're take on this to Paul. I'm not so interested in min maxing but filling out flavourfully without being a complete douch when it comes to combat.

Sj

Admin wrote:OOC Fluid Form is defence that adds to defence (avoid being hit) and resistance and at 70HP a point there will be good value.

Energy Blast to 15 for 45HP is a no brainer. You can boost that higher by 20 per point but bear in mind the fact you may be facing guys who can hit as hard. Could you withstand that level of power or would you be one shotted? Defence needs to be thought about.

Power Reserve costs 150HP to boost a point so maybe best to save that for next time.

120HP will Boost Dex to 11 (and flight to 11) improve initiative and improve attack/defence in physical combat.

90HP boosts Str to 11.

80HP increases Density Increase to 6 which boosts Str and Resistance value (damage reduction).

A new power like mind or magic field (to protect against those kind of attacks) would cost 200 to buy at 0 then you'd need to spend 60 per point. Maybe something for the future.

Some food for thought!

Hey, Paul, I will go with the 45 hp cost to energy blast and the 120 to boost dex since that is always on, that seems like a win-win situation and I will consider the other options when we get to it. Thanks, mate.

Sj