The New Vanguard! FROSTBITE ISSUE #10 "Fallen"

Admin wrote:Frostbite heard one of the Dark Knights speak. "You are... an outlander. We cannot feel you as alive but you have a form of soul. You shall feed us, outlander, and the prisoners shall go back to their cells. Before you die you will tell us where we can find more like you." the Knight hissed.

Battlebug crouched, ready to pounce but checked himself and glanced at Frostbite. He was learning, but when unleashed the boy could be spectacularly effective and he was raring to go at the Dark Knights who seemed - as yet - unaware of the danger nearby.

Signalling to the others, Frostbite indicated that he and Battle bug with go either side and Melody from above. Frostbite lowered the Sorceress gently so that she would remain safe away from the battle. "Let's try and wrap this up with the minimum of fuss and Frostbot of the future may know where the others are"

And with that, the team flew in to attack the unsuspecting Dark Knights from their advantage of surprise and working together to blast at them.

OOC: Team attack, I'll hit one side, Melody and BB the other flanks and we'll see if we can't take them out as best we can.

Sj

With a point to Battlebug to circle and strike from the side and Melody to swoop in from above, he watched both Vanguardians nod then wait for his signal. Then as one they moved!

OOC BATTLEBUG Go for Broke +8/-12 Multi on three abilities, Adren Surge 23 + Roll(2d12)+0: 10,7,+0 Total:17 (40) vs
OV8 +8 GFB + 4 Multi + Roll(2d12)+0: 6,8,+0 Total:14 (34)
+3 (to 26) vs RV8 + 4 multi -12 GFB so Rv0=26RAPs

Dex boosts to 34, Str to 32, Power Reserve to 33, 31 on Kinetic Absorption now 37, 1 each on Dex and Str (35/33)

Frostbite swoops to the side and blasts four Dark Knights!

OOC Energy Blast 25 + Roll(2d12)+0: 5,6,+0 Total:11 (36) vs
OV11 + Range 2 - Surprise 4 + Multi 4 + Roll(2d12)+0: 3,10,+0 Total:13 (26)
+4 (29) vs RV20 + multi 4 (RV24)= 5 RAPs. Dark Knights #1-#5 are all on Body 5/10

Melody blasts at two Dark Knights!

OOC Sonic Beam 20 + Roll(2d12)+0: 5,1,+0 Total:6 SONIC BEAM BURNS OUT!

"NO!" cried Melody. "Not now! My powers! Frostbite!"

Frostbite winced. Sometimes powers did their 'own thing' and he'd been on the receiving end of that himself.

He glanced across at Battlebug on the other side of the group...

OOC Battlebug Crit Blow Multi on 10 Dex 25 + 4D M Arts + Roll(6d12)+0: 10,7,2,8,4,10,+0 Total:20 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0:
7,4,+0 Total:31 (56) vs
OV11 + Multi 8 + Crit Blow 4 - surprise 4 + Roll(2d12)+0: 10,7,+0 Total:17 (36)
+6 (to 39) vs RV20 + Multi 8 - Crit Blow 6 (RV22)=17 RAPs. ALL DARK KNIGHTS ARE DOWN AND OUT

Battlebug leaps in amongst the Dark Knights and tears into them! Some are injured already and fly into the air as a kick or punch clatters against the armoured Dark Knights and it becomes clear that the youngster feels he needs to make up for lost time... Frostbite winces as an armoured face is buckled with a fierce repeated headbutt until the Dark Knight keels over backwards and crashes to the floor even as the youngster leaps to the next one and rams a fist - hard - in the gut followed by a knee to the face!

"I don't... I don't believe it..." muttered Melody as she floated down next to Frostbite. "The boy... he's lethal!" she glanced at Frostbite. "What happens if he ever went bad?"

Frostbite watched as Battlebug held a struggling Dark Knight by the throat and battered him mercilessly, repeatedly, ferociously before tossing the limp body aside casually and spinning about, looking for another target.

The crowd was silenced. Orcs, Goblins, Ogres, Trolls and other creatures of legend gaped as the youngster kicked a limp Dark Knight ten feet through the air after a painful looking foot to the groin. Frostbite was superhuman and he could barely register the speed and power the youngster had used. Melody had a point. If Battlebug ever went bad, could Frostbite stop his protege?

Frostbot of the future removed the flickering blue field and for an artificial life form looked very relieved! "To maintain my power takes concentration and I could not defend AND attack. My thanks to you, and I am glad to see you still alive and well." said the Android representation of the living computer program within Frostbite. It stared at Battlebug who was moving amongst the limp Dark Knights and applying an extra backhand to those who were still stirring.

Inside Frostbites' head he heard Frostbot translate FOTF's thoughts 'The Android is thinking that the youth is more brutal than a hero should be. The Dark Knights deserve the treatment, but being above such emotion is important for heroes to keep uppermost in their thoughts. On another note He found Nowhere Man but the dark clad vigilante abandoned him to defend the freed slaves on his own because 'there was a bigger picture'. Then he vanished. The man has no honour.'

"Sorry I let you down." said Melody. "My powers sometimes conk out. I'm hoping to get better with that." she added, downcast.

"GET UP!" roared Battlebug. "COME ON! You can fight slaves but you can't fight US!" he snarled and kicked at an unconscious Dark Knight. The crowd about backed away, fearfully...

Admin wrote:"Sorry I let you down." said Melody. "My powers sometimes conk out. I'm hoping to get better with that." she added, downcast.

"GET UP!" roared Battlebug. "COME ON! You can fight slaves but you can't fight US!" he snarled and kicked at an unconscious Dark Knight. The crowd about backed away, fearfully...

Moving over to Battle Bug, Frostbite put a hand gently on his arm. "It's over Battle Bug, and as much as I know you are hurting we need to process that pain in a better way or it will end up being something a bad guy can use to manipulate you. I know anger makes you feel stronger, but it also makes us all make mistakes. You did good, lets take that as enough for now."

Frostbite spoke gently, in a...well for want of a better word a fatherly tone. At least what he hoped passed for such, since he'd never had children of his own.

Turning then to Melody, "It happens, as it does to us all. It's why being a team is more effective we cover for one another. Right, Battle Bug?" He added turning back to the hero with a smile to show he wasn't disappointed in the boy. For boy, he was, even though his power was considerable. Though nearly an adult in age, Frostbite grew up in a time when growing up was a thing a boy did by 18 especially if he was drafted into someone else's war.

With a sigh, he turned to Frostbot of the future. "You did well, thanks for helping these people out. This isn't the way things used to be. Now we've got Battle Bug back we've got a job to finish here. Have you seen Thoth?"

Frostbite was keen to see if the strange Magician or wizard or whatever he passed for, was captive to the dark lord or still on the loose. He wondered if the man could be the means for the dark lord to drain his magic along with the broom. They had to regroup and start to take down the dark knights, only then could they start to wear away at their dark master's powers and have a chance of stopping him.

Sj

Battlebug took a deep breath then nodded, head bowed. "Sorry Boss. I just... when I go up against people I picture the Chicago Champions, the group my uncle was a part of. It gives me extra strength, determination, to get the job done. I know they were good guys but being in that group got my uncle killed by one of his team mates. One day I'll get to America and set things right."

Melody speaks up "Revenge will never make things right Battlebug."

"No it won't but justice will. They never answered for what happened. My uncle died young, a bit younger than me with no one to mourn him except those who should have been looking out for him. Until I make my peace with them I will carry that in my heart. I can't help it, it's part of who I am." he admitted. "I'll work it through. I have to."

Frostbot of the future watched the young man then turned to Frostbite. "Nowhere Man said the Dark Lord was his target. He is a 'loose cannon' and history does not remember him as far as I can tell. There was a suggestion that Thoth had been surprised, overwhelmed and captured by Dark Knights and taken to his fortress."

The Sorceress hurried over to the battle site and crouched, placing a hand on each Dark Knight in turn. They shrivelled at her touch and she glowed with stolen magic! When she rose, the air positively crackled around her and she looked around. "More. I want more." she hissed.

"We can arrange that." said Battlebug.

=========

Over the next few hours, stretching into the day, the Vanguard hunted the hunters.

A group of twelve tracked Melody down to a tavern where she sat in rags covering her costume, surrounded her and closed in... only for Frostbite and Battlebug to crash in through the roof after having hovered high in the sky and smash the Dark Knights to a pulp! Frostbot of the Future rose from the floor to stop their escape...

Others tracked the Sorceress and Frostbite to a dingy hovel only for Battlebug, FOTF and Melody to rise from the pile of rubbish and set about them. The Dark Knights got wiser, travelling in larger groups but that availed them little. Frostbite used his ice to separate them into more manageable groups which his team mates dispatched. After several more groups Sorceress was able to join in and eagerly sapped their power to use against them!

Word spread. Orcs and their kind started to leave the city in droves, slaves were freed and they joined in, the spark fanning into a flame into a wildfire as the hope of freedom spread across the vile tent city! The Sorceress doled out the stolen magic to the citizens who joined the revolution and by dawn of the next day with Frostbot of the Future stood watch while Battlebug and Melody slept and Frostbite sat away from the fire with Sorceress.

"I would not have believed it. You and your team have in one day reversed the despair from this place. Look." she said and gestured to the ground which was hard and parched... and now green shoots started to grow. "The magic is coming back. The Dark Lord constantly drains it but without his Knights he is starved and the land fights back. In days this place will be green, as if rain came to a parched desert and it bloomed with joy."

Frostbite glanced at the distant fire and at his slumbering team mates, exhausted but successful.

Just then he shivered and Sorceress hissed, waving a hand and creating a shimmering field in the air!

A man clad in dark robes wearing a concealing helmet and with a background of some grim dark throne room behind him spoke with a hiss.

"You have turned down my offer to rule at my side." snarled the Dark Lord. "Now you recruit outlanders to help you!"

"Heroes, Elias, like you used to be!" hissed Sorceress. "We were UKChampions, and not so long ago! You are drunk on power! You saw something that was yours not to take and took it anyway, but now we are taking it back!"

"So you say, former wife. I say... you have delayed me, nothing more! The Charlatan THOTH is in my grasp and the secrets of the artefact he brought with him shall soon be unlocked! A new land will be opened to me, unwitting, which I shall drain then I shall come back to claim this one! I will not then be stopped, despite surrounding myself with inept minions! I will be supreme here in Albion, then step back through the gate to Earth and drain the magic there! You... 'heroes' punch holes in walls and blast energy, fly through the air... but in my experience you are practically powerless against magic! Run, Sorceress, flee! If you do not, I shall drain you unto death! I am beyond mere mortal emotions and feel nothing for you now woman! Soon, in hours, I shall have broken Thoth. Then... oh yes... you will see!"

He vanished!

"We do not have long!" said the Sorceress. "I have managed to track him, but his power... in his own fortress.. how are you against magic, as he has suggested?"

Admin wrote:He vanished!

"We do not have long!" said the Sorceress. "I have managed to track him, but his power... in his own fortress.. how are you against magic, as he has suggested?"

Pulling himself together, Frostbite normally impervious to any sensation of cold was amazed at how magic even not directed at him, had still affected him. "Against Magic, it turns out not good." He said grimly. But then added, a thought puzzling him. "Why did you ex-husband, Elias, tell us of his plans? Why come here, why monologue - do you think he is setting us up for a trap and that in fact, he hasn't got all he wants?"

Frostbite pondered whilst he allowed the Sorceress chance to answer. Thoth was no one's fool and with the Nowhere Man going up against him, maybe, just maybe Elias was more concerned and wanted to get them to come to him - hoping perhaps to capture and use them as leverage against the others! He mused on. Perhaps they were making a difference the fact that the land was returning some of its vigour so readily suggested, perhaps the threat was one that was unforeseen and put urgency on Elias' time table? Of course, it was all speculation but Frostbite wondered if their course was having a bigger effect and that before turning to the stronghold, especially since none but the Sorceress where magic empowered, might give them a necessary perhaps vital chance in defeating him.

OOC: Depending on what Ms S says, I think we might want to continue to whittle away at the Dark Knights and see if we might not see if the land might itself lend a hand. If after all, it's returning to its original state and vigour might not others who are magical in nature - Elves like Elsieth, for instance, lend a hand.

Sj

Sorceress frowned. "You have a point. He could surround himself with an army or escape at any moment. He wants something. He has... seen... something."

Frostbite glanced about. What could the Dark Lord have seen? He saw Melody chatting with Battlebug and she was admonishing him for hitting far harder than he needed to, that to be a hero meant showing restraint instead of battering the opponent into the floor.

He looked at Battlebug and shiver ran down his spine.

The Dark Lord might control or possess the boy in some way. He imagined Battlebugs incredible adrenaline fired Agility and Strength, Class five by the measures the British Government used, at his peak anyway. Possessing Melody would present a problem but not one that Frostbite couldn't overcome. He had a horrible feeling that Battlebug in a one on one fight would be very difficult to defeat, and he didn't fancy being on the receiving end of one of the boys' punches...

Sorceress glanced to where Frostbite is looking. "Do you think Elias is after... the boy? He must know that his Dark Knights were easily crushed and if he can enslave the youth or... copy him somehow..." she shuddered. Frostbite gaped. "He can do that?"

"With the power of the Broom, possibly. Imagine... an army of his Dark Knights infused with the boys' ability to generate vast adrenaline surges like he has demonstrated. I'm no expert on superhumans but I've seen that kind of power before though nowhere near on the level he exhibits." she said.

"Yo, boss! Want me to go looking for more of these guys? I wanna send a message to these guys." he laughs.

Melody raises an eyebrow and shakes her head. "You shouldn't be so confident. What if...?"

"Confident? We pasted these guys! We need to free the people. I'm willing to risk anything... even my life... to set these slaves free. This world is... wrong... and we need to make it right."

Frostbot of the Future walked over to Frostbite. "Many thanks for your timely assistance." it said. "The youth does have a point. With the combined power we have we can move from settlement to settlement and free the captives."

Admin wrote:Frostbot of the Future walked over to Frostbite. "Many thanks for your timely assistance," it said. "The youth does have a point. With the combined power we have, we can move from settlement to settlement and free the captives."

Frostbite nodded in agreement, "If Elias is after Battle Bug, going up against him only plays into his hands. But if and as we whittle down his men, it will also make him more desperate. I've already risked my life to rescue the boy once, I don't want to have to do it again - especially as he clearly has a lot of pent up anger."

Now wasn't the time to have a discussion about that, nor the grief and resentment that was clearly fueling some of his more extreme tendencies. His sheer power, despite his imprisonment with the demons, had not diminished his cocky attitude. One that left unchecked could easily be used to goad him into some rash action which would play into Elias's hands and greatly impact their hopes for rescuing this land. Frostbite would need to take a moment to lay that out to Battle Bug, in the hopes that he would see it and be guarded against such a move.

But right now they had work to do. "We're moving out." He told the others, letting Future Frostbot map their routes, Frostbite encouraged the newly freed slaves, to treat everyone according to the customs and laws that existed before. Justice would be fair, property restored, all were to look out for all, or else all would be for nothing. "And we will be back to check. Anywho are for peace and the rule of law are welcome to stay, if not then the lands around are yours to do as you might wish. Choose wisely."

More than once, talking of the rule of law and heading off reprisals, Frostbite looked at Battle Bug but the time to talk properly would have to wait for a bit longer. But not too much, as he did not want Elias to spring a trap, nor for Battle Bug to get too carried away with exercising his darker nature. Letting his anger out was good, as long as the means was good, if not it might well feed a beast that would be worse than Elias ever could.

Sj

The group of the Sorceress, Frostbite, Melody, Battlebug and Frostbot of the Future left the tent city, scaring the Orcs and Goblinkin where they lingered.

More and more slaves were freed and it seemed they attracted a caravan of former prisoners. Dozens... hundreds of them. They gathered food, weapons, clothing, anything of use along the way and Sorceress muttered "I can sense the magic in the land growing where the people walk. Their hope is restoring the magical power."

"We can't take them all with us." said Melody. "But the Queens' castle is big enough to hold them."

Battlebug added "We can't defend them if the bad guys attack. Melody might be right."

Frostbot of the Future added "I know not of this Queen to which you refer but I must concur. The freed citizens will be imperilled if they travel with us."

Sorceress thought for a moment. "That could play well into our hands. The Queen - Elesieth I believe her name is - gains her power and magic from the land and it's people. By restoring the magic from these people to her seat of power the Queen might be able to marshal others to her cause and start a series of events that sees Elias drained of power. Once his power is cut off, we will have a chance - no more than that - of defeating him in his fortress."

Frostbot spoke inside Frostbites' head. 'I can plot a course towards the Queen's castle. Sending it to my future counterpart now.'

"Received." said Frostbot of the Future. "That is a substantial distance and one these people cannot walk. However I can form an energy sphere to encapsulate a large number of people and transport them at high speed, assuming my power supply holds out."

Suddenly there were cries of alarm from the trail of people and many started to run towards Frostbite and the small group. The heroes followed the pointed fingers and saw... dark dots in the sky!

"What ARE those?" asked Melody.

"Too far away to see." muttered Battlebug. "There are a few of them though."

Frostbot of the future formed a pair of binoculars from blue energy and looked through them...

OOC Adren Surge 20 + Roll(2d12)+0: 12,12,+0 Total:24 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0: 7,3,+0 Total:34 (54) vs
OV1 + Roll(2d12)+0: 5,10,+0 Total:15 (16)
+9 (29) vs RV1=28 RAPs. Force Manipulation to 29, Body 1/Telescopic Vision 20/Illusion 8 (to make a projector)...

The strange binoculars seemed to project a 3D holographic flickering image in the air of the approaching creatures... DRAGONS!!! Six... no eight of them! They were massive, huge creatures with bodies the size or larger than houses and huge wingspans!



They were heading for the column of people and would be on them in minutes at the speed they travelled at!

The image flickered out and Frostbot of the Future spoke up. "The incoming creatures are large enough to cause significant death and injury amongst the people we have rescued. They may also have other weapons of legend, including fiery breath." he said with an emphasis on the last words for Frostbites' attention...

Admin wrote:They were heading for the column of people and would be on them in minutes at the speed they travelled at!

The image flickered out and Frostbot of the Future spoke up. "The incoming creatures are large enough to cause significant death and injury amongst the people we have rescued. They may also have other weapons of legend, including fiery breath." he said with an emphasis on the last words for Frostbites' attention...

Frostbite spoke without hesitation but he knew that his especially strong weakness to flame or heat would make him very vulnerable. "Sorceress draw whatever power you can from around you and get these people to some safety. Frostbot of the future, Melody, Battle Bug and I will form up and take the fight to the dragons before they get too close. Make sure we are the target. Battle Bug fly with me when I drop you off jump between them. Melody, whatever you can do to blind them and distract them, sound, light or colour the works."

Frostbite rose grabbed his protege and signalled for the others to follow all the while wondering if the suit that Wandafar had given him would survive and how much by.

OOC: OK I am going to drop BB on one of the wee beasties and then start blasting at another. Full-on attack Devastating aiming to their faces, eyes, or failing that wings so they fall, or fail to target...I'd rather not kill them, but if its a choice, they made it.

Sj

OOC Gah. My bad. I'd concocted the costume (which isn't great but better than nothing) and not added to the character sheet/taken off the points. Taking off the points now (and adding the suit) costs 49HP and puts Frostbite on -7HP so you have nothing left to spend for the remainder of the adventure and owe 7HP from the award you'll get. However, bearing in mind my DOH! moment I'm thinking of awarding half the HP halfway through the adventure which should give you a few points to spend.

I *have* deleted the points for Battlebugs suit from his total but the suit isn't here so I will add those HP back on his total.

Don't know how this will show up on the screen...



I just figured out how to put the other pages into the same file. Hadn't realised there were other pages till now...

"Whadda revoltin development." moaned Battlebug as Frostbite carried him into the air.

"I'll have to figure out how to fly at some point. Beetles can do that can't they?" he grumbled.

To his left flew Melody, Frostbot of the Future to his right.

The Dragons had excellent vision and split into three 'packs' with two dragons to the left, two to the right and four in the middle...

"Wonder if they are wanting to talk. Can anybody speak Dragon?" yelled Battlebug.

"Shut him up!" cried Melody. "I'm needing to concentrate!"

OOC Initiative...



Frostbot calls out "I suppose there is no point in trying to reason with them. They appear to be taking on an offensive stance."

He levelled an arm and blasted at the nearest one as it closed into range! They were so big it seemed virtually impossible to miss!

OOC DEV ATTACK Energy Blast 20 + Roll(2d12)+0: 1,10,+0 Total:11 (31) vs
OV5 (large target) + range 3 + Dev Att 8 + Roll(2d12)+0: 11,12,+0 Total:23 (39) attack missed!

Despite such a large target the creature veered and weaved, meaning Frostbot of the Future hit nothing but... air!

OOC CRIT BLOW Sonic Beam 20 + Roll(2d12)+0: 8,2,+0 Total:10 (30) vs
OV5 (large target) + range 3 + crit blow 4 + Roll(2d12)+0: 9,5,+0 Total:14 (26)
+3 (23) vs RV21 -6 CB so RV15=8 RAPs. Dragon #2 takes 8 damage and is on 3/11 body.

Melody blasts a Dragon and it howls in rage!

"Yeah!" yells Battlebug then he twists in Frostbites hands. "Ok boss, toss me in ... that direction!" he points to where four dragons are circling!

OOC MULTI GFB +8/-12 Adren Surge 23 + Roll(2d12)+0: 9,11,+0 Total:20 (43) vs
OV8 + Multi 4 + GFB 8 + Roll(2d12)+0: 1,12,+0 Total:13 (33)
+4 (27) vs RV8 + Multi 4 - GFB12 so RV0=27 RAPs. Dex is 8+27 (35) Str is 6 + 27 (33) Power Reserve is 7 + 27 (34)
Power Reserve gets a point to str and dex (now Dex 36 Str 34) and: 7 points to Jumping (now 13) 15 points to Energy Absorption (now 20) and 10 points to Kinetic Absorption (now 14)

Multi Attack on four Crit Blow Dex 36 + 3D M Arts (1D acro) + Roll(5d12)+0: 4,7,5,8,4,+0 Total:8 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0: 6,5,+0 Total:19 (55) vs
OV5 + Multi 4 + Crit Blow 4 + Roll(2d12)+0: 7,8,+0 Total:15 (28)
+7 (41) vs RV21 + multi 4 - Crit Blow 6 so RV19=22 RAPs. Dragons #1,#3,#4,#5 are all DOWN and OUT!

The youngster in the ragged sack cloth bounces from Dragon to Dragon delivering a jarring blow to each head that causes Frostbite to wince. Literally there is a shock wave from each punch and each massive creature (they are 80' long, probably half again as wide from wingtip to wingtip and have a body about the same volume as a house) goes spiralling down towards the floor!

As does the youngster!

"Arrrrrggggghhhhh!" he yells. "I'm faaaalllllliiiinnnnggggg!" Frostbite is about to race off after him until he realise the boy is in a controlled fall and is just showing off... Indeed, he's falling 'on his side' as if reclining on a couch.

Melody shakes her head. "How does he do that?" she cries, looking at the four huge creatures taken out of the fight!

Frostbot of the Future calls out "Frostbite! Look out! They are preparing to breath fire!"

The Vanguard leader can hear Battlebug laughing as he falls to the distant ground, twisting in the air and landing on his feet!

OOC You're up. Anything the boy can do... you can do better? You have 25 APs energy blast. Multi attack on the remaining four? Crit Blow? Devastating Attack?

Admin wrote:[color=#0033cc]OOC You're up. Anything the boy can do... you can do better? You have 25 APs energy blast. Multi attack on the remaining four? Crit Blow? Devastating Attack?

OOC: Sorry away all day yesterday no chance to reply, and working just going to stop to reply ;-)

Frostbite new the boy, reckless as he was was still so powerful. He had to hope he could only muster his own powers sufficient to the task at hand. He aimed at the group of dragons clustered together and threw all he had at it. Shock and Awe was what they needed.

OOC: OK so go for one of the other clusters, of dragons and all in for Energy Attack with Devastating looking to be my way forward.

Sj

OOC Don't worry about any delays - I'm not going anywhere! Well, apart from work but hopefully this week I should get more 'me time' especially at the weekend which is the first one off for over a month... It's been awful and a proper grind. Next year I plan to be more proactive and use annual leave to break up the 'month long' agony and taking off a weekend in the middle.

Frostbite placed a hand on his other forearm to steady it and took aim at the four other Dragons in the air, as if lining up a rifle at a fairground attraction!

The Dragons swooped about and looked to be lining up their own shots - Frostbite had to make this count!!!

OOC Frostbite shoots... MULTI on four and DEV ATTACK Energy Blast 25 + Roll(2d12)+0: 7,1,+0 Total:8 (33) vs
OV5 + Multi 4 + Dev Attack 8 + Range 3 + Roll(2d12)+0: 4,1,+0 Total:5 (25)
+4 (29) vs RV21 + multi 4 - Dev Attack 12 (RV13)=16RAPs. All remaining Dragons are DOWN and OUT!

Cheering filled the air and Frostbite glanced down as the unconscious Dragons spiralled and tumbled to the ground below!

The noise spread and people jumped about, waving and cheering with joy. From this high up Frostbite could see something odd. The land, barren, grey, lifeless... appeared to be spreading out with a wave of green! Frostbite guessed they were sprouting shoots, grass at first but it seemed the land was coming back to life with the hope and joy emanating from the people. He watched, astonished, as the wave crept outwards in every direction.

"Woot!" yelled Battlebug. "Check it out Boss! the desert is coming back to life, as if it were raining!"

As if on queue the permanent iron grey cloud cover suddenly split and sun - absent from this land for so long - broke through with a single beam that bathed the crowd in golden sunshine! An awed silence crept over them... until sounds of sobbing and tears of joy carried from the ground!

The land had tasted its first chance of freedom in an age... and the Vanguard had opened the lifeline to the people with their suppression of the Dark Lords' minions!

Floating down to land with the others Melody came over. "I'm still bummed out that my sonic blast conked out but... this is amazing!" she said, twirling about as flowers started to bud about her feet!

Battlebug came over. "We gotta smash the bad guy boss." he said, a grin on his young face as a light sprinkle of rain started to fall from the clouds above, not unpleasant seeing as the land was dry and parched and practically dead.

Frostbot of the Future looked at the Dragons. "Look."

The jet black skin of the creatures was changing... to blue or green... white or red... gold or a lighter shade of black.

The creatures had been ensorcelled and it appeared that magic was wearing off!

"If they kick off again we need to put them down - harder." said Battlebug. "Hate to do it because... well, look at them! But we can't let them be controlled again. Too dangerous."

"You bopped them pretty good! Both of you!" said Melody. Battlebug glanced at Frostbite and grinned "We're the Vanguard! Nothing can stop us, only maybe slow us down for a while!"

=========

"ArrrrRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!" roared the Dark Lord, sweeping a table clean of a map, a goblet and various trinkets!

His bodyguards stood impassive whilst mage advisers cowered from their lords' wrath.

"They smash my Dark Knights, sweep aside the wave of Dragons I mind controlled... The power I draw from the land is waning, I feel it diminishing by the moment! If this continues the power will drain from me and I will be forced to take very drastic action!" he roared.

Elias (the Dark Lord) mopped sweat from his brow. The plan had been simple and it had worked! Now it was unravelling, thanks to second string superheroes who shouldn't even know about this place! He'd been so careful! The planning, the execution... the hijacking of the magick Thoth had used to draw and capture him here...

"The Vanguard will stop you..." said the Mage who was floating and rotating slowly whilst trapped in an energy field that shimmered and crackled. "Every time they thwart you, your magic weakens. You are spread too thin Dr Mystical! All it will take is one lapse of concentration and before you know it your old comrades in the UKChampions will be along to shut you down... assuming Frostbite and his team don't do it first!"

"SHUT UPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!" screams the 'Dark Lord' and he gestures, creating an energy gag on the trapped Mage's mouth!

=========

"We need to spread out, far and wide and spread the joy and hope that we have seen here." said Melody as grateful citizens/freed slaves gathered around the team.

Battlebug shrugged "Sounds like a plan."

"It would be unwise to split up. We should head for the Dark Lord's fortress and stop him." said Frostbot of the Future.

Frostbite had a choice to make. Continue to liberate the land or head straight for the neck of the snake and strangle it?

Admin wrote:"We need to spread out, far and wide and spread the joy and hope that we have seen here." said Melody as grateful citizens/freed slaves gathered around the team.

Battlebug shrugged "Sounds like a plan."

"It would be unwise to split up. We should head for the Dark Lord's fortress and stop him," said Frostbot of the Future.

Frostbite had a choice to make. Continue to liberate the land or head straight for the neck of the snake and strangle it?

"If Elias is draining the land then stopping that is the equivalent of laying siege to his food supply chain. Dry up the lake and then we can capture the snake. Hopefully, the Sorceress will start to regain her own power, and who knows Thoth as well. Our strength is in our numbers..." he said glancing at Battle Bug, still aware that if the Mage tried to control BB like he controlled the dragons then they'd all be in for a pasting unless Frostbite could get him near radiation. "We stick together, that is what being a team is about. Right let's start liberating some other towns of dark minions and spread some hope..."

Sj

Over the next day the heroes moved from village to town to city across the stricken land.

Their power and the surprise factor meant that when they came across Dark Knights or other minions of the Dark Lord they could batter them into submission and the Sorceress drained them of magic. Freeing slaves from their servitude, reuniting them with families freed from prisons or work camps and sending the dark forces packing had a near immediate effect. The land woke, as if from a deep sleep! Grass poked from the ash and parched land, breaks in the cloud gave sunlight and fresh warm rain and it mixed with the tears of joy from the freed peoples. Everywhere they went word was spreading until the Vanguardians came across a settlement close - in the shadow in fact - of a mountain upon which the Dark Lords' citadel stood, brooding, grim and forbidding. The guards had left leaving the citizens fearful and bewildered, expecting some trick or trap until the super heroes arrived and explained the land was being freed. Many more settlements remained. Dwarven mines, Elven forests, Hobbit holes and more besides were liberated wherever they were found.

"The Dark Lord has spread himself too thin, too far, and his power is great but spread across such a wide area he weakens himself so that when we face his minions they are of little challenge." said the Sorceress, sat with the others around a fire as dinner cooked.

Sat away from the flames Frostbite considered her words. They could be at this for weeks, months, and yet just one day had restored his faith that being a hero was more than just punching bad guys in the mouth who were trying to rob a bank. The simple act of leading these powerful superhumans to free the enslaved people of this land gave him a sense of achievement and he knew they would soon have to face the dark lord for a reckoning. He looked up at the citadel. A huge iron jutting monstrosity on the side of a mountain, raised with magic and impenetrable to armies he knew the Vanguard would have the power and guile to defeat their foe if they could continue to weaken him.

"We have a visitor." said Battlebug, rising and looking across the clearing to where soldiers spread out, looking and watching but with hands on their weapons in sheaths.

Frostbite stood, knowing somehow that these were not the Dark Lords minions. He was right. Something about the armoured soldiers told him they were not human and he recognised Elves, like Elesieth.

One, garbed in shining gold armour, walked through the honour guard who bowed their head with his passage before resuming their watch.

"I am Prince Elesian of the Elves. You know my sister, Elesieth. I have heard word of your deeds and of your power. The magic IS returning to the land." he says, though his youthful looking face looked troubled. "I bring word of calamity, however. My sister, the deposed Queen, has been taken by the Dark Lord and we received word that if you do not surrender, she will be executed!"

Admin wrote:"I am Prince Elesian of the Elves. You know my sister, Elesieth. I have heard word of your deeds and of your power. The magic IS returning to the land." he says, though his youthful looking face looked troubled. "I bring word of calamity, however. My sister, the deposed Queen, has been taken by the Dark Lord and we received word that if you do not surrender, she will be executed!"

Frostbite inwardly berated himself he was so focused on depriving the Elias of the supply train he forgot to cover his own back door. In truth, Elsieth was only one possible route he could have gone. Frostbite couldn't cover them all. But the loss of her would be grave to the land and to the people indeed. He knew Battle Bug would want to take the fight to the front door, the other would be more cautious. The whole thing was clearly a trap with and there was no way that Elias was going to let them all escape. But he was wanting to bargain, to keep them from doing what they'd been doing. So this was a delaying tactic.

Either way Frostbite thought about it, turning it over within his agile mind, he knew that there was risk involved.

"This is grave news indeed. Elesian, it would be good to have seen you but not with news like this. Elias clearly is threatened by what we are doing. So it must continue, but to allow him to carry out this threat would be a grave crime to the land and the people." Turning to the team he spoke quickly.

"Battle Bug, Frostbot of the future and Melody, and Sorceress, I want you to carry on defeating the Dark Knights, that way we stop him. Elesian you will take me to the citadel! If I can buy you all time to take down more of the Knights and have a stay of execution for Elsieth, do as much as you can then join me maybe then, together we stand a chance of defeating Elias."

Frostbite already anticipated resistance from the group, including Battle Bug, but he held up his hands. "Part of being a team is that we all play our part and follow through. None of us is so critical that the team cannot carry on. We all risk our lives and with that risk, we might lose our lives. But that is the chance we take. If we give in to the fear we will no longer be able to do what we do -as we'll always play it safe. And sometimes there isn't a safe place to stand. So I am ordering you to stick together fight back the Dark Knights then come join me."

And the last words he spoke looking around the group but ending on Battle Bug, with a hand on his arm he said to him specifically, "I'm counting on you to do what I say, so we can all do what we need to do. And I trust you with this."

After leaving time to give the others chance to take it all in, Frostbite suggested they wait to first light then be off. Rest was what they all needed before the coming battles tomorrow.

OOC: OK I'll let myself be lead in and go from there. Not sure what else to do so this is my play for now.

Sj

Battlebug was strangely silent, accepting Frostbites words.

Frostbot of the Future said only a few words. "This is ill advised. This 'Dark Lord' is without honour and will stoop to any depth in order to achieve his aims. I have run a number of projections and the most likely outcome is that you will be controlled or enslaved in some manner. If you go, your power will be turned against the people of this land. The land will suffer and most likely fall. Despite the youth's abilities your power is greater and therefore we three would be ranged against you with abilities heightened by magic."

Melody spluttered "This is bonkers!" she ran her hands through her red hair. "I mean... walking into that place and handing yourself over? The robot guy has it right! you can't trust him!"

Battlebug spoke up "Frostbite is the leader. He's spoken. That's the main thing and it's good enough for me."

Melody gaped, eyes wide "I can't believe this! You want us to keep carrying on whilst this Dark Lord fellow enslaves our leader? Are you nuts? Do you think YOU could do his job, keep the team together if something happens to him?"

Battlebug held his hands up "Not me. I'm a kid, a screw up, this is all new to me. I punch stuff. My powers come and go. I do know that I need to learn, and to follow orders, and if the boss says this is what we have to do? I'll do it. So should you. And you." he said to Frostbot.

Battlebug thrust out a hand for Frostbite to shake. "Good luck boss. We'll keep hunting down the Dark Knights to weaken the creep. Hopefully you can smack 'im around and we'll be waiting for a call, a word, a sign, anything."

Melody scowled and walked to sit off on her own. Frostbot of the Future had am impassive look on his face. Battlebug straightened, stood to attention. "You can count on me Boss."

Sorceress stared at Frostbite then sighed, shaking her head. "This is a mistake." she said quietly.

=========

Frostbite rose, ate, washed, made ready. Frostbot of the Future, Sorceress and Melody stood waiting.

"The boy said good luck and set off early. Said he had some frustrations to work out on Dark Knights heads. The Elves led him to where a group of the Dark Knights were besieging one of their towns." said the Sorceress. "He's an idiot. Young, headstrong, torn. Wants to follow your orders, be like you, then he wants to charge in and save the day. He'll get himself killed."

Prince Elesian arrived "Your youthful friend has attacked a large group of Dark Knights that have besieged an Elven town in the forests. His abilities are... remarkable. Without our magic we are warriors, skilled but far short of our potential. The boy - on his own - decimated a small army of Dark Knights. When last I saw he was tackling ensorcelled Giants and scattering them. Their strength paled before his."

Frostbite felt a swell of pride. He'd expected the boy to throw up the biggest objections, be the hardest to persuade, to keep to the course. Instead he'd thrown his power in to the task he'd been set.

Melody shook her head. "This is a mistake."

Sorceress shrugged. "You may have signed the death knell for us all."

=========

Frostbite stood in the shadow of a lonely tree, shadows casting across him save for the blue chestplate.

He looked at the mountains that dominated the landscape and the huge iron fortress that was the base of the Dark lords power.

He watched as Dark Knights - a score of them - rode down a dusty track on horseback towards his location. They would be here in minutes. The Dark Lord had no doubt detected him. Any chance he'd hoped to have to surprise or sneak up on the place would have been a mistake. The Dark Lord's magic would allow him to scry and see/hear all that had been said whenever he was referred to.

=========

"I can't believe you!" screamed Melody.

Battlebug was silent. pulling on what looked to be leather and chain mail armour, crafted for him as a gift by the Elves. The final part was a helmet/mask and he did indeed look like some kind of bug fit for battle, complete with spines, arm and shin guards and badass look.

"What do you think? I'm thinking 'too much like bondage gear'." said Battlebug, frowning. Melody rolled her eyes, walking away.

Frostbot of the Future came over. "Are you really sacrificing your leader, your friend?"

Melody stopped and turned, waiting for the answer. From her place by the fire, Sorceress looked up. Battlebug had said little since apparently smashing a small Dark Knight army on his own.

"What do you think?" said Battlebug. "He gave me an order, told me, specifically, he expected me to follow it, as if I would be the most likely to disobey him and charge in like a nutcase and mess stuff up. He would be really disappointed in me, heck, blazing mad if I disobeyed him."

"So that's it then? All of a sudden you are toeing the line, being the good boy, the good soldier, following orders no matter how foolish, how suicidal?" said Melody, disgusted.

Battlebug paused, looking at all of them. Then he grinned. "That sound like me? Whoever that is you're describing ain't me. You know what I'm going to do. Frostbite probably knows it too. He can kick my ass after I've saved his!"

Melody's eyes widened, the Sorceress shook her head, grinning and Frostbot of the Future nodded with satisfaction.

OOC Frostbite is facing twenty Dark Knights riding towards his position in a forest at the base of a mountain upon which the Dark Lords' citadel is situated.

Admin wrote:OOC Frostbite is facing twenty Dark Knights riding towards his position in a forest at the base of a mountain upon which the Dark Lords' citadel is situated.

OOC: I know you like to say there is no right or wrong way of doing things, or else there is only a predetermined plan and not player freedom right. But I loved the dialogue above, it does make it seem that this is really a bad idea. But to be honest I didn't see any other way to save Elesiath, or at least not abandon her and see her killed without trying to prevent it.

Frostbite stood resolute. Tactically this was a disaster, but then he wasn't going for cold hard tactics he was going for the life of a queen whose land he had begun to rescue from the blight that lived in the castle ahead. He knew that taking on the knights or indeed, storming the castle may achieve his aim, but that Elesiath would be dead before he got the first blast off. Getting into the castle was now solved, staying alive, long enough to make something of it was going to be his next hardest step.

As the Knights approached, he dematerialised. He knew their blades being magical could still harm him, but he didn't intend to be manhandled and bundled unless necessity required it. Rather he intended to fly to the castle unaided with the knights. He wanted to take in all he could in case there was anything to learn about structural weaknesses, flaws or possible opportunities. He mentioned this to Frostbot because if and surely when the others made their return the two could compare notes which may give the team a tactical advantage. He couldn't be sure they would do as he told them, he couldn't be sure that he'd still be alive when they had wiped out as many knights as possible before turning to the daunting task of taking down Elias and his remaining minions, but he could but try. Get up and ware the bully down.

Sj

Ghostlike, Frostbite waited until the Dark Knights surrounded him and their horses vanished under them.

"The Dark Lord gave us a message to relate to you... 'Hero'." Said one armoured knight, voice echoing from within the helmet. "Any trick, any plan, any attempt to deviate from the instructions of the Dark Knights and he will know. The Queen will die and her death will be on your hands. He wants you to know that her life, and the lives of all the 'sheep' of this land depend on your not using your abilities in any way. ANY way. You are to be restrained, humbled and dragged in front of him in chains. If you do not..."

The voice trailed off. Frostbite had a choice to make!

Admin wrote:Ghostlike, Frostbite waited until the Dark Knights surrounded him and their horses vanished under them.

"The Dark Lord gave us a message to relate to you... 'Hero'." Said one armoured knight, voice echoing from within the helmet. "Any trick, any plan, any attempt to deviate from the instructions of the Dark Knights and he will know. The Queen will die and her death will be on your hands. He wants you to know that her life, and the lives of all the 'sheep' of this land depend on your not using your abilities in any way. ANY way. You are to be restrained, humbled and dragged in front of him in chains. If you do not..."

The voice trailed off. Frostbite had a choice to make!

"Ha some great dark lord Elias is, we've clearly rattled his cage and made him have to force me to depower in order to be his equal. Well, you can chain my body, stop my powers, but you can't take away my dignity. I do this willingly because its the right thing to do - something Elias would live by and know well. He on the other hand is a man in chains, chained to power and is its little barking dog."

He thrust out his hands and said, "You don't scare me, I've seen the true face of death and I do not fear it because it's been beaten and so will you be, if not by me by someone else. Elias will fall because like all evil it's a parasite that cannot live without something good to feed off. And when that is gone, then it turns in on itself. So either I win, or I lose and you all lose with me."

Looking back on the land about him, Frostbite took pleasure he had saved Battle Bug and for now restored the land and given it hope. Even if he lost his life, life was returning and he had high hopes it would not fail again.

Sj

The leader of the Dark Knights spoke. "You speak well but ultimately you lose. Your power will fall under the sway of the Dark Lord or you will die. That is all. Put the shackles on!"

Frostbite saw some shackles like those a prisoner wore and relaxed some. There were few metals or substances which his vast superhuman strength could not overcome!

OOC MULTI ATTACK on all powers and Str (15 in total) Neutralise 25 + Roll(2d12)+0: 1,1,+0 Total:2 Huh. Proof I don't doctor the rolls! Neutralise fails and the catastrophic power burnout activates so the Shackles fail!

The Dark Knight places the shackles on Frostbite and the hero glances down. There was... something about them. Runes etched into their surfaces, magic, something... and it had failed. Frostbot offered some insight 'These shackles may have been designed to drain your abilities. If you remain 'iced up' or use any abilities they may get some idea that they have not worked.'

==========

"So, what the 'plan'?" asked Melody. "So far all we've done is shut down these gangs of Dark Knights while you send out Frostbot of the Future to scout out and come back with the location of more of them. What about Frostbite? What about rushing off to help him?"

Battlebug rolled his eyes and sipped some more from the stew he ate whilst sat around the small campfire in the forest. "You heard the boss. We can't just ignore his wishes. But, as I understand it from the Elves..." he said as he glanced about to where the Elven warriors perched in trees with bows or kept hidden in the bushes with swords, guarding freed citizens. "... every group of Dark Knights we take ouot removes eyes, ears and POWER from the bad guy. Eventually he will feel it and have to come out of his place. If we go in there now he might be able to , I dunno, cast a spell on us. How helpful would we be if we were his slaves?"

Melody didn't like the sound of that and sat back, sipping on a goblet of mulled wine.

"The boss is smart. He knows what I'm like. He probably expects me to go charging in, and so does this Dark Lord guy I'm guessing, seeing as we've been scattering his goons like skittles. He used to be a superhero so he knows how we think. Cutting off his eyes and ears leaves him blind, gets him worried, cacking himself. A few more groups then we move, okay?"

Melody nodded then glanced up at the glowing blue figure in the night sky as he swooped down, the Elves relaxing their weapons when they saw it was Frostbot of the Future returning. "In accordance with your wishes I have scouted out more targets. I am having to travel further to find them."

"Then it's working." said Battlebug, standing, setting down his bowl and settling his mask back in place. "No rest for the wicked. Let the Elves know where we're going and let's get to it!"

"No rest for the wicked." said Melody, standing and pulling her hood over her head.

Admin wrote:The leader of the Dark Knights spoke. "You speak well but ultimately you lose. Your power will fall under the sway of the Dark Lord or you will die. That is all. Put the shackles on!"

Frostbite saw some shackles like those a prisoner wore and relaxed some. There were few metals or substances which his vast superhuman strength could not overcome!

OOC MULTI ATTACK on all powers and Str (15 in total) Neutralise 25 + Roll(2d12)+0: 1,1,+0 Total:2 Huh. Proof I don't doctor the rolls! Neutralise fails and the catastrophic power burnout activates so the Shackles fail!

The Dark Knight places the shackles on Frostbite and the hero glances down. There was... something about them. Runes etched into their surfaces, magic, something... and it had failed. Frostbot offered some insight 'These shackles may have been designed to drain your abilities. If you remain 'iced up' or use any abilities they may get some idea that they have not worked.'

Accordingly, and knowing why such a strange advantage should come to him Frostbite duly defrosted himself. He sought to make it so his clothes, posture and demeanour gave what he thought they'd expect of him in his situation. "Whatever you do to me, will in the end only make me stronger, evil cannot win and Elias knows this. He could have despatched us all, instead of hiding he sent you and your men to die for him. It must irk you that he soils your bones with his boot souls as he ascends to a stolen throne built on your sacrifices?"

Frostbite said staggering to the ground as if the weigh of even the shackles was proving too much for him and otherwise went silent as he allowed himself to be forcible lead.

OOC: OK so playing up the part of the full-on martyr here, obviously carefully though so as not to give the game away. That roll was amazing, for me in any case. I wonder what that will mean, but it's given me an unexpected opportunity to really role-play the defeated hero.

Sj

They weren't gentle. Shoving and pulling Frostbite he duly stumbled and staggered when required.

The Citadel loomed closer, a vast artificial structure raised by magic and crafted from iron.

The gate loomed, some fifty, more feet high and wide, enough to admit giants and more besides. He saw fires burning in braziers, torches on the walls. When they were near him he felt his power wane, then come back as he moved away. he really might be in trouble here!

=========

"What's the plan?" asked Melody.

The three of them looked down in a valley where Dark Knights had rounded up civilians and Orcs shackled them, bullied, prodded and pushed them. Sorceress had stayed back at the Elven camp.

Led there by Frostbot of the Future, the three of them had arrived as a dozen Dark Knights led Orcish soldiers to gather up a village of farmers and workers, women and children, everyone.

"Plan?" asked Battlebug. "Heh. Plan." he pulled his helmet/mask on and grinned. "I'm a bug. I battle. Make sure none of them escape is the plan." He leapt into battle, speed and strength increasing beyond any human ... or superhuman measure!

OOC GFB +8/-12 Multi on three Adren Surge 23 + Roll(2d12)+0: 8,10,+0 Total:18 (41) vs
OV8 + Multi 4 + GFB 8 + Roll(2d12)+0: 2,10,+0 Total:12 (32)
+4 (to 27) vs RV8 + Multi 4 - GFB 12 (RV0)=27 RAPs. Dex up to 35, Str up to 33, Power Reserve up to 34. Pow Res +1 to Dex and Str (Dex 36 Str 34). Pow Reserve 16 to Kinetic Absorption (20) and 16 to Energy Absorption (21)

Multi on twelve targets... CRIT BLOW MULTI on 12 AV36 + 4D M Arts + Roll(6d12)+0: 9,6,1,7,4,7,+0 Total:14 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d12)+0: 6,7,+0 Total:27 (63) vs
OV11 + Multi 8 + Crit Blow 4 + 3D Acro + Roll(5d12)+0: 1,2,5,8,11,+0 Total:3 FAILED yeowch!!!! OV0 (Zero!!)
+11 (to 44) vs RV20 + Multi 8 - Crit Blow 6 (RV22)=22 RAPs. All Dark Knights are DOWN and OUT!!

Battlebug was a blur. Melody could barely keep up! Frostbot hovered beside her and muttered "The boy is a danger. Not just to the enemy, but to us. Frostbite is the key, to train him, to keep him in check, to rein in his power..."

"I don't... he is in control. He is... what the...?" she spluttered.

The Dark Knights were obliterated, powdered, smashed! Undead they may have been but now they were non existent clouds of dust with every mountain shattering punch!

"if he ever turned against us..." whispered Melody. Frostbot, artificial life form from the future, turned to stare the super heroine in the eye...

==========

"The prisoner is to be checked. Thoroughly." said a man in robes, eyeing Frostbite up and down. The Dark Knights guarding him were ready for any move.

Frostbite knew this would be the test. The real test. They would check his powers, make sure that he presented no danger to their dark lord...

The Dark Knights started to drag him down a corridor towards stairs into the dungeons... He looked about. There were dozens... HUNDREDS... of Dark Knights in this place! He could defeat a handful at a time, the boy could manage as many, maybe more, with that staggering boost he gave to his abilities. Melody... she was untried, inexperienced... Frostbot of the future ... Sorceress, maybe... but there was an army here. All around him!

Admin wrote:"The prisoner is to be checked. Thoroughly." said a man in robes, eyeing Frostbite up and down. The Dark Knights guarding him were ready for any move.

Frostbite knew this would be the test. The real test. They would check his powers, make sure that he presented no danger to their dark lord...

Submitting to the whole process was a test of his metal, but Frostbite wasn't going to bulk now. Not when he had still so much to lose and one tiny chink of light he intended to hold onto. He kept it deep within, a spark of hope in a dark place and steeled himself for whatever they'd throw at him next.

OOC: Frying pan into the furnace, it would seem. But no point in starting a journey if you don't intend to finish it, however grim that is.

Sj

With Frostbot helping somehow and raising more questions of just who, or what he was and what Frostbite was, the Sorcerer in robes ordered Frostbite stripped and dragged into a cell where he was chained up against a wall using the nonfunctional shackles.

"Let him rot for a while in here." said the Sorcerer who frowned. "The shackles... yet..." He looked doubtful and glanced again at Frostbite who remained a near naked athletic guy in a (OOC comics code authority grade) loincloth.

The Sorcerer walked down a corridor, frowning. He'd cast a spell that revealed the breadth and depth of the prisoners abilities but had found only one which he could not fathom, and that seemed to register as not coming from the prisoner but from within him, as if there were two distinct personas, one powered and one not. Had the shackles worked? He thought so, but yet...

Frostbite ignored the smell of sweat, blood, faeces and fear that emanated from all around in the dungeon. He could use his powers, break out of here easily but there were guards outside and the fate of the Queen rested on him being compliant.

Then he heard a voice whisper "psst." and looked about. The cell was too dark to see in - dare he activate his chestplate and therefore reveal his powers were active to the guards stood out the door and doubtless able to notice through the barred window?

The voice rasped again. "Very fetching. What every well dressed hero is wearing... or not wearing... this season." but it was too dark to see into the corners of the large cell... A trick? A trap...?

Admin wrote:The voice rasped again. "Very fetching. What every well dressed hero is wearing... or not wearing... this season." but it was too dark to see into the corners of the large cell... A trick? A trap...?

Frostbite wasn't going to break cover not with so much at stake, besides who knew what Elias had in his employ.

"You must be starved of company, that you would pick me of all people to talk to! I'm a passing stranger, a nobody who will soon be executed for the pleasure of your captor. But whilst you might be more discerning of your conversation partners, I need not be. Tell me, who are you, come forth into what meagre light there is and show yourself man."

Frostbite awaited, minded that he was playing a dangerous game and in this place of all places there would be no respite if he was to succeed in pulling off his rouse and making sure Eliasieth was delivered safely let alone the land and its people.

Sj