Boston Theoretical PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

Charles had been scowling at the stream (as best he could with his vulpine head), but now?

It starts as a low growl, but soon rises to a three-throated, full-body roar. "You! I *will* hunt you!"

He raises a paw to strike something, anything, but restrains himself before he damages something senselessly.

They would save their violence for the deserving.

But how? Much depended on just who this Manticore actually was. An innocent victim? A willing subject (if there *could* be such)? Or had the mad doctor discovered how to create a mind enslaved to his will from scratch?

And he could not forget the Warlock. With both a proven lack of morals and great reason now to hate them, they would have to keep at least three eyes on him.

They should kill him as soon as possible, but at the same time the only way to track down their true prey was likely to play nice for a time. Though the part about the President concerns him... had she been suborned somehow by PhDestruction?

And how were they part of his plan? Were they mere prototype... or did the mad doctor have another part for them to play yet?

TAROT

At first Zellgato was listening out of idle curiousity. Magic having been introduced to him recently-after the whole multiverse situation. As she drew cards and spoke though, it certainly was ringing accurate.

Zellgato was always full of indecision. He was never a leader-he followed The Captain. The team. Emotionally he never really grew up until he was in the squad, the war. Always followed though, regardless of his own thoughts. If he'd given more input-would they have been alive?
If he had admitted he was over his head, would The Captain not have died for his life? Even what happened after- the entire squad unable to make a decision after he died. Just sat and died in a hole until the last one left lucked out.
"How much do you charge for these? Clearly you do not charge enough-Apparently world divides mean little to this kind of magic?"

Sighing a moment he askes a strange question. "That was helpful, hearing it from an unrelated person. Odd question--Would you part with those cards? I want to remember this feeling. " He would actually buy it haha

Standing and starting to pace slightly, his mind moving abit faster than he has lately, "We all have fears, and we know someday our time will come. But, no matter what we do-We'll all depart when our day is done. I can't just sit around and rot. I have a foothold-Arguablly I have a team. Even if I don't I have the means."

"I appreciate that, how much do I owe you? Or can I help you?"

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

"Okay, that's great," says Kai. "How about a holo-course?"

Before Kai can finish talking, the AI running the wind tunnel lights up and projects the wireframes of obstacles in your path.

Henri can see it is offering a choice of obstacles: some kind of giant robot, cars, and turtles. "You choose," offers Kai. "Combat, highway conditions, or game mode?"

”I should be practical and say combat, but definitely game mode!”

Kai smiles as the AI discards the other two wireframes and builds holographic images of turtles, mushrooms, and spinning rings. Point values appear over each one before they slide to the side. As Henri starts running, these objects start appearing in his path and he needs to avoid them. The game starts out slow and Henri racks up some points right away by simply dodging the mushrooms that pop out of the ground, the turtles that crawl across the road, or the rings fired from the side.

Then, things get progressively harder and harder.

If Henri thinks of better ways to use his skills, he can do it another way, but I was thinking ... Henri can make Piloting checks to avoid objects. The highest DC will be 30. If he scores a 30, he makes it through the course without other checks being necessary. If he can't avoid an object, he can jump it, Athletics check DC 30 again. If he fails to jump it, he can make an Acrobatics check DC 25, to avoid damage.

Theo stands and claps for The Last Atlantean. "Welcome to Earth, cousin! Welcome to the side of Heroes!"

[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 15
I'm gonna make him a Hero, even if it kills him!

The Last Atlantean stands and waves. The Patriot leans over to him and points out Theo. The Atlantean gives Theo a thumbs up.

"He's from Earth," says E.I.G. "Both of them are. I think. I think he's from New Jersey. I got a lot to tell you when we get out of here."

Charles had been scowling at the stream (as best he could with his vulpine head), but now?

It starts as a low growl, but soon rises to a three-throated, full-body roar. "You! I *will* hunt you!"

He raises a paw to strike something, anything, but restrains himself before he damages something senselessly.

They would save their violence for the deserving.

But how? Much depended on just who this Manticore actually was. An innocent victim? A willing subject (if there *could* be such)? Or had the mad doctor discovered how to create a mind enslaved to his will from scratch?

And he could not forget the Warlock. With both a proven lack of morals and great reason now to hate them, they would have to keep at least three eyes on him.

They should kill him as soon as possible, but at the same time the only way to track down their true prey was likely to play nice for a time. Though the part about the President concerns him... had she been suborned somehow by PhDestruction?

And how were they part of his plan? Were they mere prototype... or did the mad doctor have another part for them to play yet?

The cleaning staff elbow their robots and scurry past Charles. There are other parts of Boston Theoretical to clean, places without three-headed creatures uttering threats.

Charles takes a deep breath to steady himself. When had they developed such a temper? Perhaps when they were cut apart body and mind and rebuilt to suit the whims of a *madman*?

Focus. The others might not realize what this means.

Charles shifts back to his bipedal form, noting idly just how well he stays in touch with all of themself as they do so. They hadn't even questioned it before the examining psychologist had asked about it.

They pull out his comm unit and begin to type up a message to the rest of their team.

"That Manticore seems too much like PhDestruction's work. Likely a connection between him and the First Responders. We *must* track him down."

Kai smiles as the AI discards the other two wireframes and builds holographic images of turtles, mushrooms, and spinning rings. Point values appear over each one before they slide to the side. As Henri starts running, these objects start appearing in his path and he needs to avoid them. The game starts out slow and Henri racks up some points right away by simply dodging the mushrooms that pop out of the ground, the turtles that crawl across the road, or the rings fired from the side.

Then, things get progressively harder and harder.

If Henri thinks of better ways to use his skills, he can do it another way, but I was thinking ... Henri can make Piloting checks to avoid objects. The highest DC will be 30. If he scores a 30, he makes it through the course without other checks being necessary. If he can't avoid an object, he can jump it, Athletics check DC 30 again. If he fails to jump it, he can make an Acrobatics check DC 25, to avoid damage.

Piloting DC 30: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29

Athletics DC 30: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Acrobatics DC 25: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23

Oh, jeez.

Henri strikes one of the obstacles hard and ricochets off. Painful as the experience was, he laughs uproariously at the experience. Laying flat on his back, he points both hands at the ceiling and cries out, "Again!"

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

TAROT

At first Zellgato was listening out of idle curiousity. Magic having been introduced to him recently-after the whole multiverse situation. As she drew cards and spoke though, it certainly was ringing accurate.

Zellgato was always full of indecision. He was never a leader-he followed The Captain. The team. Emotionally he never really grew up until he was in the squad, the war. Always followed though, regardless of his own thoughts. If he'd given more input-would they have been alive?
If he had admitted he was over his head, would The Captain not have died for his life? Even what happened after- the entire squad unable to make a decision after he died. Just sat and died in a hole until the last one left lucked out.
"How much do you charge for these? Clearly you do not charge enough-Apparently world divides mean little to this kind of magic?"

Sighing a moment he askes a strange question. "That was helpful, hearing it from an unrelated person. Odd question--Would you part with those cards? I want to remember this feeling. " He would actually buy it haha

Standing and starting to pace slightly, his mind moving abit faster than he has lately, "We all have fears, and we know someday our time will come. But, no matter what we do-We'll all depart when our day is done. I can't just sit around and rot. I have a foothold-Arguablly I have a team. Even if I don't I have the means."

"I appreciate that, how much do I owe you? Or can I help you?"

"I've got some tarot cards on the gift rack, near the daffodils," says Mrs. Rosewood. "I'm glad the reading helped. I've always found the cards help me see my problem from different perspectives, and there's not much stronger magic than that."

The press conference is over.

Theo gets invited out for beers with the First Responders. DC 15 Will save to notice EIG shaking her head and saying, "I need to brief our team!"

By the time Nissa gets back to Boston Theoretical, the superhero news network is replaying the footage of Theo applauding the First Responders and Nissa refusing to work with them. The banner underneath asks, "Is this the end of TAROT?"

Charles and Henri would be seeing that footage too now, if they are in front of screens.

Tarren the Dungeon Master wrote:

Kai smiles as the AI discards the other two wireframes and builds holographic images of turtles, mushrooms, and spinning rings. Point values appear over each one before they slide to the side. As Henri starts running, these objects start appearing in his path and he needs to avoid them. The game starts out slow and Henri racks up some points right away by simply dodging the mushrooms that pop out of the ground, the turtles that crawl across the road, or the rings fired from the side.

Then, things get progressively harder and harder.

If Henri thinks of better ways to use his skills, he can do it another way, but I was thinking ... Henri can make Piloting checks to avoid objects. The highest DC will be 30. If he scores a 30, he makes it through the course without other checks being necessary. If he can't avoid an object, he can jump it, Athletics check DC 30 again. If he fails to jump it, he can make an Acrobatics check DC 25, to avoid damage.

[dice=Piloting DC 30]1d20 + 18

[dice=Athletics DC 30]1d20 + 9

[dice=Acrobatics DC 25]1d20 + 18

Oh, jeez.

Henri strikes one of the obstacles hard and ricochets off. Painful as the experience was, he laughs uproariously at the experience. Laying flat on his back, he points both hands at the ceiling and cries out, "Again!"

"Maybe I should adjust the difficulty level downward," says Kai, "I mean, this is designed to test guided mini missiles and stuff ... You're only human"

Henri can reroll, but with the DC's reduced by 5 if he wants to try 'easy mode.'

”If I’m going to keep up with the others, I need the challenge. Better I fail in here, don’t you agree?”

Piloting DC 30: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34

”That’s what I thought. I know what I did wrong.” He nods, confident he can do it again.

Charles growls in irritation at the banner. He types a comment. "TAROT will remain. It is where you will see it that is the only question."

Nissa eventually arrives.

“Ummm…… I’m back. Do I gotta clean out my desk? Shouldn’t take long since I don’t have a desk job. …or a desk.”

She timidly walks the halls, not sure what the reaction will be.

Theo will try to meet with this new team of Responders after the press conference. Talk to the new members, chat up Animalman and Plantwoman (in hopes of having angry sex with Plantwoman), and do his best to come off as a friendly fellow superhero while also trying to undermine the group.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

Zellgato will return to BT after seeing the reporter off to her method of transport choice. And return to BT feeling rather cheery if a bit odd. Looking to find April.
Compeltely unaware of the press conference. Until he notes folks attitude and presumably the entry way TV monitors playing clips.
"Huh. I sure missed a wallop." jogs up to find Nissa.

"So...If you're fired or getting run out of this world... Wanna hitch a ride and fight time traveling villains and dimensional incursions over in my world? You're a good spark. " Patts her on the back in awkward physical contact considering he rarely hangs out with people.
"Bring a lot of instant oatmeal, coffee, and sriacha. I can make you a desk in the RV base." Zellgato half-jokes.

Nissa eventually arrives.

“Ummm…… I’m back. Do I gotta clean out my desk? Shouldn’t take long since I don’t have a desk job. …or a desk.”

She timidly walks the halls, not sure what the reaction will be.

L.C. hugs Nissa in public.

"President Wallace's chief of staff just phoned. They loved it. A little social media drama is just what we needed to get their attention," explains L.C. "But, well, we're in it now. We have to destroy the First Responders before they destroy us. By ALL. MEANS. NECESSARY."

Theo will try to meet with this new team of Responders after the press conference. Talk to the new members, chat up Animalman and Plantwoman (in hopes of having angry sex with Plantwoman), and do his best to come off as a friendly fellow superhero while also trying to undermine the group.

[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 15

"Sorry, no," says Plantwoman in response to Theo's overtures. She then hints her brother might be interested.

The First Responders seem open and friendly to Theo, but he can tell that they are holding something back.

The Prince doesn't seem to remember anything Theo mentions that he should remember, but has the mannerisms, accent, and appearance of the Prince.

Theo can make a Sense Motive or Perception check to get more.

At one point the Prince says something about not being able to tolerate alcohol and the Patriot says something about "...talking to the good doctor at the soup factory."

Charles growls in irritation at the banner. He types a comment. "TAROT will remain. It is where you will see it that is the only question."

An AI turns that into an inspirational quote over top of a fuzzy picture of Charles. It gets spit back out into the meme-verse.

Zellgato will return to BT after seeing the reporter off to her method of transport choice. And return to BT feeling rather cheery if a bit odd. Looking to find April.

Compeltely unaware of the press conference. Until he notes folks attitude and presumably the entry way TV monitors playing clips.
"Huh. I sure missed a wallop." jogs up to find Nissa.

"So...If you're fired or getting run out of this world... Wanna hitch a ride and fight time traveling villains and dimensional incursions over in my world? You're a good spark. " Patts her on the back in awkward physical contact considering he rarely hangs out with people.
"Bring a lot of instant oatmeal, coffee, and sriacha. I can make you a desk in the RV base." Zellgato half-jokes.

L.C. finding Zellgato and Nissa in the halls asks, "Another debrief? A re-debrief if you will? Where's Theo?"

Just as she asks, "where's Theo?," Theo appears on the screens around. Cameras in the bar show him flirting with Plantwoman.

A DC 15 Will save notices EIG standing behind him, arms crossed, looking annoyed.

The Prince doesn't seem to remember anything Theo mentions that he should remember, but has the mannerisms, accent, and appearance of the Prince.

Theo can make a Sense Motive or Perception check to get more.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Nissa, the Subatomic Bombshell wrote:

Nissa eventually arrives.

“Ummm…… I’m back. Do I gotta clean out my desk? Shouldn’t take long since I don’t have a desk job. …or a desk.”

She timidly walks the halls, not sure what the reaction will be.

L.C. hugs Nissa in public.

"President Wallace's chief of staff just phoned. They loved it. A little social media drama is just what we needed to get their attention," explains L.C. "But, well, we're in it now. We have to destroy the First Responders before they destroy us. By ALL. MEANS. NECESSARY."

Nissa holds L.C. tight, sobbing silently. It takes her a moment to realize…

“Holy s@+&, L.C.” She pulls from the hug, and despite wiping away tears, she is smiling brightly. “I got through to the President? I mean… I really thought I blew it, kinda calling out the glaring flaws.

“If I didn’t speak up, it would’ve been like lying.”

will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
"Sorr to interrupt your sweet nuptials of return. but Did you send that child to spy? That's more logical a decision than I would have expected. I wonder how many people on TV will notice her-and how many internet arguments this world is so fond of will occur due to it."

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Yay!

Nissa turns to the screen. “Oh, that kid… she’s so…”

Nissa suddenly notices an ad for a t-shirt.

“…legal? What?! Is EIG seventeen already? I thought she was sixteen. Did I miss her birthday?”

Nissa face-palms. “No… I easily ignored it. Poor kid.”

"Legally allowed to what spy? Theo is the worst spy....Shouldn't one of you call her maybe? or both of them." Zellgato avoids ads finding them too attention gaping for him.

Nissa replies, “Theo may well be the George Lazenby of James Bonds, but if EIG has a t-shirt about legalized underage spying, I’d say her cover’s blown.”

As much as she REALLY wants to double-date a viewing of Robocop II, her gaydar’s getting no clear reading on April and besides that, this First Responder stuff is gonna keep L.C. busy.

Of course, Nissa will work as late as the boss-slash-girlfriend.

”So L.C., why’s The Patriot getting mixed up with killers? I mean, yeah he overdoes the yay-U.S.A. thing, but I figured that doesn’t make him bad… just, y’know, one of those heroes who can’t be named for his power, so he gives props to his home-country. Think about it. What is Captain America without the stars and stripes? Frisbee Man?”

"I'm sure that is a reference to a TV show knowing you. But if your spy organization is as obvious as Theo, then a TShirt is a good cover."

Zellgato has no means of texting EIG but just shrugs and watches the conference. and idly scans for comments on "who is that girl?" and other such topics. Curious how far her power stretches.

Nissa texts EIG. (L.C. and Zellgato are free to look on.)

Heyyyy, EIG! I saw you at the Responders’ presser.
Are you safe? Do you need us to get you a car?
I’m sure we can just have an autocar pull up, wait ten minutes and drive back.
Also…
What’s 17’s legal all about? If you don’t have a big sister, but need one, we can talk.
I might’ve just earned a rep for being brutally honest!

Will to not ignore reply: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Phew.

Henri leaves the lab eventually, literally walking on air, getting used to the feeling of the new feature in his zoomgear.

”What’s going on?”

Will: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15

Charles notices EIG again, prompting the rest of him to wince and close their eyes as they don't. He sends a text to her. "It may be confusing the next time we meet. I hope you have been well, however, in spite of... the difficulties with Theo."

He notes that there seems to be an impromptu meeting starting in the hall and trots out to see what is going on, not quite tracking why one of himself is keeping an eye on the Theo vidoe feed.

"Nissa, you're back! And not fired!" Charles exclaims, giving her a vulpine grin.

"How many of you saw EIG with Theo?" he asks. Charles winces again. "Who?"

Nissa tells Henri of her interview, giving him the gist with emphasis on “three of the first responders being serial killers or worse that were thwarted by us.

“And I know my powers come from the goddess of redemption, but I’m feeling just a little vindicated that the people I said we should kill instead of arrest all kinda got away with murder. Theo killed the Atlantean, so I’m honestly not sure how it is he’s back. The twins… we all kinda saw that coming the day we arrested them.”

When Charles comes over, Nissa’s jovial nature melts just a little at the way he mentions Theo and EIG.

“Oh, please no.” She dares ask Charles, “What did I miss? Do I really want to know? No, but… yeah. Yep. Yes. …what did I miss?”

”I’m really not clear on how all of you interact. I don’t even know how I will be part of this team, honestly. I hope we talk tactics someday.”

”Oh! But check this out! Watch my feet!” He walks down the hall, excited like a kid showing off new shoes, exaggerating his stride to emphasize the fact that he’s not touching the ground until he stops, when he slowly settles to the floor, grinning. ”Kai said it was a discarded experiment. I mean who cares about gear to help you walk, right?” He nods, pointing at his own chest.

EIG texts Nissa back, Godddd! Get Theo out of here. I have things to tell you all and I don't drive and I really don't want to take a bus and cabs never stop for me.

Theo notices something off about the Last Atlantean. His speech and his movements are a little to precise.

Nissa replies,
I’ll ask L.C. to send a car for Theo.
You get in whether he stays to party or not.
Does this work? Or do you need me in the car to make sure a door opens for you?

Nissa makes sure L.C. sees the text conversation.

“EIG sounds really worried. Should some of us go anyway?”
Then, at least one of us would make the will save!

”Who is EIG? I could go along.”

RET-CON: Earlier, as Theo, EIG, and the First Responders enter the bar.

A postbot rolls up beside EIG and confronts her. She flashes an ID chip and the postbot opens a door to let her extact the package it's delivering.

"I could totally change in public and no one would notice" she says to the First Responders who ignore her. "But I won't."

She disappears into a bathroom and comes out wearing a "What?! 17's legal in Mass, right?" shirt. It has Theo's face on it.

Nissa replies, “That’s Easily Ignorable Girl. She has the power to not be noticed. We first met her after Mr. Portly from FATE tried to get us to kidnap Baby Superman from a comic. That’s how Zellgato and I first met—when I bested him in a car chase! Only it was a different Zellgato…

“Long story short, she’s just a kid but she saved Boston Theoretical from a hostile takeover and thanks to her… L.C. is still alive today.” She turns to Zellgato and adds, “And thanks to you too. Not you-you, but the you I bested in the car chase.”

Realizing that Henri and not-bested-in-a-car-chase-Zellgato missed out on a lot, Nissa decides to explain later. When they ask. (If you go back to read old posts, that’s Nissa explaining off-camera?)

As for what Henri did ask: “Yes. We should all go, or the poor kid will never get in the car.”

Charles gives a brief synopsis of the First Responders' press conference, adding relevant details for Henri and the fact that EIG talked with Theo but he now seems to not see her which again elicts a wince from the rest of him as EIG's power causes them internal cognitive dissonance.

Charles looks over at Henri. "A tactics talk would be a novel idea for our group," he comments, with a feline grin. "No doubt your mobility will be of use when we fight in more open areas."

Simultaneously Charles responds to Nissa. "More of us is more chances to see her."

Once the rest of him is done talking Charles says, "PhDestruction is involved with the First Responders somehow." All of him growl in agreement. "There's no way that Manticore is there by accident. We have to track him down."

Will Save to remember seeing EIG?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

”Easily Ignorable? Why do they call her that? What does she look like?”

As he says this, he is watching a vidscreen where she is clearly shown - and as clearly not the focus of the shot. He doesn’t see her.

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
“Tee hee! She’s right there—“ Nissa points. “—brown hair, glasses, and a t-shirt with Theo’s face on it.”

@GM, does pointing out details to look for (particularly the t-shirt) help at all? Even if a +2, which still doesn’t push Henry to the DC.)

[dice=Will]d20+7

“Tee hee! She’s right there—“ Nissa points. “—brown hair, glasses, and a t-shirt with Theo’s face on it.”

@GM, does pointing out details to look for (particularly the t-shirt) help at all? Even if a +2, which still doesn’t push Henry to the DC.)

Henri might see the t-shirt, but if he tries to focus on who is wearing it, he gets distracted by someone better looking in the shot. Or something like that. She's hard to focus on for long.

"Considering BT effectively declared war on them. So to speak. A pile of BT personnel showing up to drag Theo back might look odd. Either offensive or pathetic."

Taking note of Charles' different selves reacting and pondering how that exactly works,
"Up to The Boss to figure out how she wants to play that. Henri-You'll do fine, you're absurdly upbeat for where we come from. Fair warning they are going take more pictures than days you've been alive probably." Zellgato comments trying to figure out how his shoes work but giving up trying to figure that out when its revealed Kai work.

Nissa clarifies for Zellgato’s sake, “Oh, I never meant for us to get out of the car.”

"Plans for you, involving vehicles, have not gone the best." Making the *boom* hand gesture "but lets go, if we're lucky they'll be close enough for me to tag one or more of them with a scan. Charles seems pretty interested. I'm also curious if Fish-Dicks is the same one."

L.C can easily arrange a ride to downtown Boston where Theo is drinking with the enemy. Who is going? Nissa, Zellgato, Charles, Henri?

The helicar whisks the group low over the buildings and then drops down in front of the pub.

Livestreamers hanging outside the bar waiting for the First Responders to exit now light up their camera arrays and train them on the vehicle.

Nissa texts Theo to let him know a helicar is on the way.

Upon arrival, if windows are tinted, Nissa is not getting out.

She sends EIG and Theo each a text:
EIG, we’re here. Hop in and make sure one of us knows you’re with us.

Theo, we’re here. If you wanna bail, now’s you’re chance!

If the First Responders come out with Theo as he leaves Zellgato would opt to try and scan: Atlatean, then the Chimera in order of priority 60ft range. Otherwise he's just staying out of sight.

Nissa texts Theo to let him know a helicar is on the way.

EIG, we’re here. Hop in and make sure one of us knows you’re with us.

Theo, we’re here. If you wanna bail, now’s you’re chance!

The godling gets out his phone to respond. "Sure. Be right out."

Great! See you soon, Theo!

EIG, Theo’s on his way. Get in with him and we’ll take off!

Charles shifts back to their bipedal form and joins the others in the car. He watches and listens quietly from within the car, waiting to see if Theo and EIG come out.

Sorry. I disappeared. It's been a weird week.

The First Responders seem somewhat disappointed when Theo leaves, but are back having fun with each other before he gets to the door. EIG follows him.

Paparazzi drones follow Theo as he heads towards the BT car.