Māmōn |
Māmōn flashes a hard smile at the continued verbal sparring, before wryly adding his own comment;
"Most wise Lazarus... Especially with so many hungry wall-street sharks circling a valuable commodity carcass these days... You can never be too careful..."
The demon drums his clawed hand impatiently across an elaborate surface as he looks to Crackerjack for what the crazed inventor's digital investigations may have yielded;
"Back to the task at hand, and more pointedly the erstwhile protagonist of the piece... Gemstar."
Idiot Cube |
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Crackerjack: Although you and your device are amazingly fast, your search is still limited by the speed of the rest of the internet. The multi-billion-dollar servers you're accessing seem agonizingly slow by comparison - they take entire milliseconds to respond to your queries! But you persevere all the same, and after about a minute, you know everything there is to know about Gemstar.
It takes you no time at all (literally) to compile what you've learned into an organized database. This will make it easier to keep track of information on other heroes you encounter in the future.
Real Name: Alyssa Turner
Gender: Female
Age: 19
Date of Birth: June 8, 1997
Place of Birth: New York City
Bio: Alyssa enjoyed a luxurious childhood as the daughter of a famous actor and a successful businesswoman. Neglected by her parents, but adored by the public, she began to crave the adoration of strangers. She also grew envious of her father's fame, and wanted desperately to escape from his shadow. One day, as she was walking down the street, a small meteorite struck the ground near her feet and broke neatly in half. Much to her surprise, it was filled with iridescent stones that seemed to radiate energy. She felt compelled to touch them, hypnotized by their beauty. Moments later, she felt incredible power coursing through her body. At the same time, the stones had become dull and gray. Since then, she has started fighting crime as Gemstar, thriving in the glitz and glamour of superhero life. It is likely that she relies on her parents' wealth to fund her superhero career, especially considering what it takes to maintain her power.
Powers: Most of Gemstar's powers have gem-like manifestations. She can create nearly-impenetrable diamond armor, fly using a platform of ruby, throw sapphires that act as homing missiles, and emit multicolored lights to daze and blind her foes. She can also detect gemstones within several hundred feet, pinpoint their exact location, and analyze them in perfect detail.
Weakness: Once per day, Gemstar must "consume" a valuable gemstone, absorbing its beauty and luster until it becomes an ordinary rock. If she is unable to do this, her powers deteriorate in a matter of minutes. (All of her powers gain the Fades flaw.) She probably has a large stash of gems at her home in NYC, and brings a supply with her when travelling.
Current status: Active; Staying at the Respite Inn hotel in Jackstown.
Crackerjack |
"Yes, I suppose turning her is a good consolation prize. Not nearly AS ambitious as changing the world economy forever, but you small-minded need to start somewhere." Crackerjack says as he passes the information along.
"She is in town. The timing for this will vary based on our plan. Alerting her beforehand is the more risky, but fun option. She seems the sort to come in half-cocked, busting through walls in pursuit of us. Let her do that into the vault, and simply teleport away with her holding the bag, as it were. The alternative is banking on her being there and quickly planting some of the diamonds in her baggage after we escape, using Caravelle's illusions and Mamon's strength to make it seem like a less subtle break-in after we've already absconded with the treasure."
"On the very off chance any of you have a better alternative, I open the floor."
Crackerjack |
"What good is it framing her in her normal persona? Her powers aren't exactly subtle, so it would be scarcely believable she pulled a heist like that while attending as a guest. They'd mark it as a frame job in an instant."
He looks around exasperated at the droolers.
"And that's REALLY all? I expected more BAD suggestions at least."
Māmōn |
Apologies was waiting for others to chip in
Māmōn listens to the others impassively, only when Crackerjack challenges the group does his eyes flash with infernal anger;
"My dear Crackerjack. Speak not to me of small mindedness... I do not wish the world's economy on its kneels... It already worships me... covets Mammon. Why on this earth would I wish the fatted calf to be slaughtered?"
He taps a claw impatiently, before nodding a horn'ed head at Crackerjack's manic rationale;
"However on our Gemstar I do agree with your deranged logic. If we can discern her alter ego, others can too. It would cost us valuable time and effort to pursue such a treasure..."
The demon smiles as he mulls the options;
"Since she relies on gems for her power sources, perhaps once we are possession of the haul she will be more... compliant... to a beautiful corruption? Until then this heist should remain our focus... Should she meddle in that - we put her down. Quickly."
Bankshot |
Bankshot yawns. wiping away a bit of drool.Maybe we could get started on the actual plans to, you know, rob the show, and find ways to incorporate framing Lamestar as we go. Honestly, if we just want to stand around pulling out ideas to see whose is bigger and badder, I'll just go and do a smash and grab job myself." He swats at an imaginary fluttering sprite.
We need blueprints, guard details, actual information. Nice job on putting together a profile on Star, there, Jack, but this is at least a two-part job."
Crackerjack |
"Luck is a crutch for the unskilled. But feel free to do this job yourself if that's your plan."
"Anybody else want to case the joint? I can do a fair amount from here-" he says, flipping his phone around to show a Schmoogle Maps image of the diamond show's location from above and street level "But it's always better to see things first hand, after all. I can portal us onto the roof of that building next door and we can make our way around from there."
Māmōn |
Māmōn nods smiling;
"A physical visit would be a sound stratagem... Alas my majestic true form before you now is somewhat... conspicuous... in such mundane settings."
The demon eyes their host;
"Dearest Lazarus. I trust the attire I sent to you awaits me in one of the other rooms..."
The infernal giant then moves toward the meeting room's exit...
I'll presume that no one requests he stays. Whether you spy on him or follow unbeknown is another matter ;)
Māmōn lumbers through to where a room where an expensive suit hangs, along with a small brief case.
The demon stands before it, looks around cautiously
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Then in a harsh whisper utters words long since forgotten by mankind;
"Formam quod minus."
Upon the final word, Māmōn's form seems to burn and drift away in a flaring of sulphur fumes and flame. Left stands a man... of perhaps Middle Eastern ethnicity. Methodically he dresses and from the case retrieves gold cufflinks and a tie pin bearing This Infernal Symbol
Dressed and readied he returns to the group.
Markus Gilfre |
Returning from where the demon ventured comes a tall, lean man of Middle Eastern ethnicity wearing an immaculate suit and overcoat.
His cufflinks and tie pin bear a An Infernal Symbol
He smiles and addresses the assembled villains in a soft British accent;
"This my nefarious friends, is the form I assume to walk the mortal world."
Like his demonic form, he drums long manicured nails across the surface of the table;
"This is an act of trust amongst those untrustworthy. So as a caveat I say this. Should any of you seek leverage upon me, or to take advantage... Bravo. I commend your ambition and hunger. However it is folly. I will break your flesh and enslave your soul. This I promise."
He flashes a predatory smile as he walks his fingers;
"Shall we?"
Markus Gilfre |
The lithe businessman smiles and nods at his host;
"A sound stratagem Lazarus..."
Seeing little movement from the others he turns slightly, wearing a look of frustration;
"Crackerjack. If you would indulge this old world soul. How will you propose to transport us through this portal of yours?"
Crackerjack |
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Crackerjack grins, and seems suspiciously cooperative.
"Can I? OF COURSE I can, what kind of identification do you want? Name? Type of disguises? Everyone?"
Whatever you specify he remembers, and when all is done whips out his gun with a flourish.
"BEHOLD! THE CREATIVE POWER OF CRACKERJACK!" he says and starts blasting everyone with rays, which clothe them in their style of choice, and have the IDs inside the pockets.
Idiot Cube |
Crackerjack CLOTHES BEAMS the group. Even though he's essentially creating a layer on top of their existing clothes, it manages not to look comically over-sized, yet also doesn't destroy what they were originally wearing.
The law of conservation of mass is just a minor inconvenience that Crackerjack solved long ago.
Idiot Cube |
So, to recap: You're casing the joint under the guise of gem traders. Once you know the layout of the building, you'll form your plan in greater detail, including how you'll deal with Gemstar.
For the sake of clarity, let's say that the show is exactly two weeks from today. It's as good a time as any for some as-yet-unknown vendors to arrive at the Marriot Hotel and start making arrangements.
Crackerjack |
Crackerjack shoots a portal, like he was about to do before he was interrupted by requests for a wardrobe change. You notice he had to do some fiddling with the dials beforehand.
Power Stunting an alt that gives me Extended/Limited to Extended in place of Increased Duration.
Idiot Cube |
Crackerjack tinkers with his portal gun, allowing it to fold space over a larger distance. However, this demands much more Concentration from him - requiring thousands of calculations per second to keep the portal from collapsing - and it leaves him mentally Fatigued.
Now, where exactly are you teleporting? I assume you'd rather not appear right outside the building in plain view.
Idiot Cube |
You all step through the portal one by one, and appear on an office building near the Marriot Hotel. Even from the outside, the hotel projects an aura of opulence and majesty.
The hotel and your office building are roughly twelve stories tall, so it's no wonder the pedestrians on the ground haven't noticed you.
Crackerjack |
"Why leave behind evidence of tampering?" Crackerjack asks.
He simply blasts the door with his portal gun, opening a portal to the other side.
Then, deciding maybe his lab coat and goggles were a bit TOO conspicuous, he trades them for a long, stylish jacket and sunglasses. It looks horribly out of place on him.
Crackerjack |
Craskerjack pulls down his sunglasses, gives her a wink, and shows off the design.