About Bran the BlessedMouth isn't as simian, but the build is right Hero: The Janus
Look: As Bran: White, Male, Iconic, Costume, Helmet (He's built like an offensive tackle writ larger and dressed in a stylized version of the armor of a dark ages knight with a full face greathelm and suit of chainmail she knit herself. As Bronwyn: Light skinned Latina, Female, boring clothing (She has a darker complexion than her alter ego that shows her mixed heritage. While she's clearly fit and muscled she has a relatively rangy build from her hard work in the Halcyon High track team (go Hornets!). Of course ever since she found the enchanted spear Gae-Dearg she's been stronger and faster than ever, but that doesn't stop her from putting in her time in practices. Well usually it doesn't. ___________________
Danger : 1
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Have Influence on: ___________________
When you share a vulnerability or weakness with someone, tell them a secret about who you
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I figured they were nuts, but that made them more dangerous, not less. I'd managed to sneak away when they first rounded everyone up, but soon they started talking about hurting people, maybe they'd hurt Marco. I held the state junior women's javelin record, so I figured if I was gonna do something this stupid, I'd do better with a spear. And boy did I. As soon as I picked up the spear, I transformed. I was strong. Really strong. I hit them like a cannonball - they never stood a chance. One of them tried to hit me with some kind of.. spell? I dunno, maybe it was just some crazy laser, but either way when I hit the beam with my spear, it disappeared. Which I guess was pretty lucky. Anyways, they were pretty spooked and ran for it before they could steal much or summon anything. And honestly I was pretty spooked so I ran for it until I could figure out how to turn back. The spear shrunk down, and I did too, though the spear was barely bigger than a toothpick, and I was still the same size. But now I was strong. Really Strong. Maybe I should have just left it there, but I've always believed in what super heroes do. I believe that might doesn't make right, but that might should be in service to right. How could I turn that away? Why do you keep a secret identity?: Are you kidding me? Everyone would freak?! Especially Marco. I feel like I could explain it if I were trans, if I wanted to be this way, but I'm not! I just, I just don't want to keep having the same conversation over and over. Who, outside of the team, knows about your dual identity? No one! Well, my best friend Mary Beth, I mean I had to tell someone! And look, I've read Le Mort d'Arthur, I've read the Once & Future King, and when I found a magic Celtic spear, I read the Mabinogion too, but Mary Beth has this stuff. Down. Cold. She's totally gonna be Indiana Jones or something when she grows up. Or maybe a wizard, she's been trying to figure out what other myths are real, 'cause this thing did NOT come with an instruction manual. Who thinks the worst of your masked identity: Man, I don't know. I've only been doing this for a few months. I guess, there was one time when I really trashed this one guy, Mr. Brian Murphy's, car when I was chasing after some bad guys - spear right through the engine block. Unfortunately he was an alderman or a city councilman, something like that, and I've been getting some bad press since then. Probably why the powers that be suggested I join up. Which is great! I had no idea how to find a team. Mr. Murphy's still not really a fan though. Why do you care about the team: They're helping me figure all this out! Well a lot of it. The fighting bad guys and the stuff that might be magic. Not the telling Marco why I'm always so busy stuff; that part I barely talk to Mary Beth about. ___________________ List Questions, then answers. ___________________
We'll answer these questions in discussion. ___________________
The Mask: You wear a mask and hide your real identity. Choose what Label you try to embody while wearing your mask:
Mild-mannered: When you try to use your civilian identity to deceive, trick, or slip past someone, roll + Mundane. On a hit they buy your facade.
Dangerous web: When you reveal a trap you’ve left for someone using your powers, roll + your mask’s Label (Savior). On a hit, your opponent trips into it, and you get an opening or opportunity against them. On a 10+, take +1 forward to pursuing it. On a miss, the trap inadvertently leads to a dangerous escalation. (This will sometimes be different ways of reshaping the environment, but will usually key off of absorbing various energies with Gae-Dearg) Secret Identity
When time passes, roll + your Mundane to see how you’re managing your obligations. On a hit, things are going pretty well—you have an opportunity or advantage thanks to one of your obligations. On a 7-9, you’ve lapsed on one obligation, your choice. On a miss, you haven’t given your normal life anywhere near the attention it deserves; the GM chooses two obligations that are going to bite you in the butt. Choose four drives to mark at the start of play. When you fulfill a marked drive, strike it out, and choose one: mark potential, clear a condition, take Influence over someone involved.
Earn the respect of a hero you admire
I am not my body: When you take a powerful physical blow, you may roll as if you had two fewer conditions marked, but you must Lose Control on a 10+ Game face: When you commit yourself to save someone or defeat a terrible enemy, mark a condition and take +1 ongoing to all rolls in direct pursuit of that goal. At the end of any scene in which you don’t make progress towards that goal, mark a condition. When you fulfill your goal, mark potential. There when it matters: When you defend someone, on a hit you can hold 1 instead of choosing one from the list. Spend your hold when they are in danger later to arrive on the scene ready to help. Potential:
Unmasking to Shayera
Unleashing Haxor's power directly into himself Crashing through a windshield after taking that Powerful Blow Failing to find Whippoorwill at first Nearly bleeding out in the shark tank while Defending Whippoorwill at the Aquarium Gained Drives Picking the worst time to doubt Wingblade's health in an attempt to Support her before entering the Hospital Getting pulled into the Shadow Beast's Maw while Confronting it Lacking the first aid to Support Hashtag when he was stabbed Unmasking to Eli Finding nothing at the ruins of the Clocktower This is Not my Body Growing Closer to Thor Girl Emotional Support from Marco Making plain Gae-Dearg's magic in the heart of Reaver Failing to find a quiet spot to deal with Brett Watching, helpless, as Shayera looked to her "Dad" for permission to fly. Game face Free advancement There when it matters Freeing Shayera from Reaver Technology (Game Face) Confession Post (as requested) A surprising turn of events with a robot arm Tried to transform back, but Nothing Happened Bronwyn's real life starting to fall apart. Unlocked Moment of Truth Telling Shayera her true feelings Breaking up with Marco Being completely overwhelmed in the MOBA battle Absorbing a ring of explosions Getting bogged down in a sea of robots The Man in the White Coat permanently loses Influence over Bronwyn. Unmasking to Whippoorwill Being thoroughly uncertain of Cassie's true identity Demonstrating the great utility of multiple layers of armor Failing to get Mercy to stop destroying the museum Prolonging the battle against Bone Daddy's Dinosaurs Unlock the Empathize Adult Move Failing to get Alexandra out of the fray Exorcising Shaun's Demon Getting Whammied by a Lost Doll Demanding that Cassie stay in the fight close to Ery 6/14 Unmasking to Cassie 8/30 Being forced into a vision of Polyphemus 11/8 Leaving Odysseus furious with his cure. 11/16 Draining her power into the Tiger's Mask Bran/Bron Plot Hooks:
1. Bronwyn does something ill-advised while trying to figure out how to temporarily suppress her powers.
2. The Looming threat of Balor the Walking Death finding a more suitable host. 3. Bran speaking to Bronwyn from the Otherworld 4. Mary-Beth accidentally going to far in her experimentation. Cortex Plus Statblock:
Bran the Blessed
Solo d6 Buddy d10 Team d8 Distinctions: Mythic Powerhouse Catholic Guilt Star Heptathlete Blessed in Might
Second Wind
Panoply of War
Killing Edge (Dangerous)
Acrobatics d8, Combat d8, empathy d8, mystic d8 Thou Shalt not Kill
Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me
What's in the car? Real name of Chris
Can't spot them yet, But under the Active Sooter Drill people are moving. [dice=Unleash]2d6+3[/dice] Bran stretches out to snag the lamppost, wedging it as best he can before the library's field kicks in, powering up to prevent further damage and fixing his temporary repairs in place. The library's field is kicking in now, but since there wasn't a kaiju wrestling match (or what have you) going on, they hadn't powered it up yet. Lotta power draw on the civilian models. Wrong brother. Ago The halls were filled with smoke and smiles as the feast wore on. The Gaels from across the sea had been fierce foes, their battle-wiles sharpened by their unending vigilance against the slithering encroachments of the monstrous Fomorians, but more than mere guile was needed to win out against the Children of Llyr, against the towering might of Bran the Blessed, the gentle wisdom of Branwen the Fair, the vicious skill of Efnysien the Bastard, or the unending bounty of Manawydan, who possessed all the riches the seas could bring. Yet in the end it had not come to that. A few skirmishes won, a battle-brave champion or two defeated, or at least survived, and both kings had decided that it was better to be friends than to war across the untamed seas. ”I tell you Bran, this is an opportunity! Don't let King Matholwch fly back across the seas unbound to grow his kingdom in strength. Don't make peace with him, make a new brother of him!” Manawydan the Bounteous was a knight of great stature, despite his youth, and the warmth and charm that had made him the apple of their father's eye made his presence greater still. Yet before Bran his king, even a warrior such as he seemed a small thing and easily ignored. But still Bran heeded him carefully, for he loved his brother and all the good fortune that came with him. ”You may be right Manawydan, but King Matholwch has no sisters.” The shadow of long-held pain showed in his eyes. ”I will not ask another to wed where they will it not.” ”Then why not ask whether I will it?” Branwen appeared much as she always did: all at once, seeming to have always been a natural part of her surroundings. ”You do not know him, sister,” Bran rumbled. ”I know that he is a stern-eyed foe, yet willing to seek peace where war profits him not. I know that he stands against the sort of creeping evil that Ceridw- that once afflicted our kingdom. He smiles, and he jests, and he dances well. I should be surprised if I could find no love for him, and yet more so if I could not at least find affection in his arms.” Gently she laid her hand across Bran's wrist, but her eyes were unbending. ”Love does not always strike like a thunderbolt, my brother. A flame that is nurtured from small sparks can burn for far longer.” Bran relented, ”Go then, Manawydan. See whether or not King Matholwch desires-” he stopped, stung by Branwen's warning glare. ”Forgive me Branwen; inform King Matholwch of his good fortune, and take the measure of his delight.” The roar of the room quieted as the three trueborn children of Llyr rose with King Matholwch by their side. Branwen and Manawydan, and Matholwch standing atop the high table, so as not to be dwarfed by Bran as he signaled to the musicians to cease their playing, leaving only a few games of martial skill to sound out beneath his words. ”People of Ireland, my people of Britain, a moment from your revels. My sister, Branwen, daughter of Llyr is to wed King Matholwch in a bond which shall never be sundered! Let us look upon one another as brothers, and swear now that no matter the foe, we shall always fight together. Never will my blade remain in its scabbard while yours is drawn forth in anger. Never again will you take to the field of battle, save that I shall swiftly stride forth to meet you there. Never-” AIIIIRRRRGHHHHHHhhhhh! The cry of anguish stopped Bran's words in his throat as all eyes turned to where two warriors had been showing their prowess in a friendly bout of wrestling. The Irishman collapsed, his arms hanging slack where his bones had been ground to powder in a hideous grip, but the Briton just smiled, eyebrow crooked to show his polite confusion at the aghast stares he was greeted with. ”My apologies brother. Had I known you were going to speak for so long I would have delayed our contest.” ”What'd you do to his arms you bastard?!” Efnysien's smiling eyes ignited with rage at the question, their whites staining a deep red though his smile never wavered. ”You Irish dogs are to be our allies, are you not? I thought only to see what use could be made of you. Baking, perhaps. I can only assume you'd make good bre-” King Matholwch surged forward and hurled the bastard prince through the wall of the longhouse, both of them snatching up their daggers before Manawydan interceded, both their blades kept at bay rather than bleeding one they both loved. ”A moment, King Matholwch. I pray your forbearance for the bonds that now lie between us.” An ugly light glinted in the Irish king's eye, but he nodded and returned to his men, speaking among them in low voices. ”Why brother? Why have you done this?” “Why? What's the matter? Were you surprised? We were warring against these mongrel Irish when last the moon was full, and now you and Bran scheme to make him one of us?!” “He is a strong man, and, I think, a good one too, Efnysien. I had not thought you would disagree after he spared you in your duel.” “So that is why you did not ask. You think me some trifling whoreson who does not merit a place in the counsels of the mighty?” “Keep a civil tongue in your head, brother. The decision was Branwen's.” “And yet no surprise showed on your face, nor on our Blessed brother's.” “Efnysien...” With a savage grunt, the smaller man hurled Manawydan back and turned towards the new hole in their walls. [b]”Hold,” Bran rumbled. The giant king was upon his brother in two strides, his voice hard and demanding as flint. ”Your rage is a part of you Efnysien, though I would quench it if I could. But I will hear you swear it brother. You will harm no man that walks or knight that rides, no servant or squire or scullion in Matholwch's service. Hear me now, no matter the bonds of blood and brotherhood between us, I will cast you out if you break your word to me this day. His troth is already pledged Efnysien; he will be your brother too, whether you will it or no.” Efnysien's eyes still blazed, veins standing out like cables of rope wherever his skin lay bare, but gradually he turned aside from his frenzy, promising with a smile, ”Very well, brother, I swear it.” He stalked away, leaving Bran to plan what words and gifts might be offered to soothe Matholwch's injured pride. But even as he returned to the feast, new horrors screamed across the night with dozens of voices. At the head of their guards both kings raced with blades in hand to meet these cries, as they had so newly sworn, but by the time they arrived, the slaughter was done. The door to the stables was shattered, and within lay a devastation like none there had ever witnessed. Each and every horse that had borne an Irishman hither was dead, hacked to pieces or simply torn limb from limb while they stood hobbled and screaming. Still slick and dripping with the offal of his slaughter, Efnysien stood awaiting them, his smile hideously white amid the red ruin that coated his face. ”Don't worry Bran, I kept my word. But in truth, I already have enough brothers.” Camila stepped forward, slightly favoring one leg at first, but quickly recovering as she passed 'Bronwyn' with a confused, glassy look in her eyes. As Alexis got closer, the eye-patched cultist began to reek of rot while he muttered, "No enchantments, no talismans. She's probably clean, but I don't have the eye for this that the Watis does..." The tunnel felt old, despite the ultra-modern tech of the guards. Concrete and old radioactive shielding gave the impression of some sort of fallout shelter. Kaoru had made it past the waiting cultists, but now there were heavy metal doors sealed in his way. A small slot of transparent material shone through with an ugly red light, but from his position on the floor, Kaoru couldn't see the source... From within that ugly red glow though, Alexandra could see Balor's preparations. A dozen or so cultists frantically swarmed over a few pieces of very Sizable countermeasures. The Brute Squad was an initiative that had formerly been certain government agencies' go-to answer to megafauna events or profoundly powerful enemy metas, but a few cities like Halcyon that were hotspots of abnormal activity had been seconded some before they were taken out of service due to constant collateral damage. Balor had three. *** Wing's down for now Alexis Triumphant! Alexandra, getting... the same information that K's getting?? Hmm. [dice]2d6[/dice] Okay Alexandra, misses when trying to Reject Influence have a predefined result, so just toss on a condition to go with the label shift (sounds like Insecure, but do you) Efnysien simply sneered at Bran's words, "I would have thought you of all people would- Oh look, the aunt. You know, I think this just might hurt you enough to justify it..." Suddenly Camila's body goes slack, and her eyes widen in fear and pain as tears trickle down her cheeks. [b]"Ow, ow-ow ow! He stopped fighting me for a second, and I got me back, but he's-" **nngh** "-taking me back over! I'm sorry Tia Bronwyn, I don't think I'm strong enough to- WHAT IS THE WEAKNESS Balor's Brute moved smoothly, smashing the Eyeblighted aside into the concrete with callous ease, leaving its twisted frame bent, broken, and still moving anyways. It hauled itself on two limbs out of the path of the debris raining down from above as the silo doors shattered and collapsed. The other Eyeblighted backed away from Alexis's sudden violence, hurling themselves out of the pit with terrible strength as they vaulted from debris to debris to the world above. And Balor was rising with them as inexorably as the burning sun. *** God she's right. I'm... frozen. Efnysien was too strong to hold, too Camila to hit. She couldn't just walk away though because Within the mind - Camila needs help. Important cues - classroom with a white board that's constantly redrawing itself to be a weird sketch of what's going on in front of her eyes. The cauldron zombies she's sliced up fade away and re-meld with the dreamscape The Gae-Buidhe wounds are bleeding some pearlescent non-color. Boxes of repressed rage rattling around. Emphasize that Efnysien is chained up, even if the chains slide freely along the walls etc. When Shayera arrives Efnysien's right behind her, calling up the cauldron-born from within the boxes where they shift from memories of people she's been mad at or afraid of into the cauldron zombies. Meanwhile a different Efnysien is straining and wrestling with Camila, but they're merged together ettin-style. *** Zip and run, show that the way this thing's deteriorating means that Balor's on a very serious clock - probably why this wasn't active until now. However, highlight that he's getting more dangerous not less as this goes on. Capture Alexis Just whale on Alexandra? Within the mind - Camila needs help. Important cues - classroom with a white board that's constantly redrawing itself to be a weird sketch of what's going on in front of her eyes. The cauldron zombies she's sliced up fade away and re-meld with the dreamscape The Gae-Buidhe wounds are bleeding some pearlescent non-color. Boxes of repressed rage rattling around. Emphasize that Efnysien is chained up, even if the chains slide freely along the walls etc. When Shayera arrives Efnysien's right behind her, calling up the cauldron-born from within the boxes where they shift from memories of people she's been mad at or afraid of into the cauldron zombies. Meanwhile a different Efnysien is straining and wrestling with Camila, but they're merged together ettin-style. Zip and run, show that the way this thing's deteriorating means that Balor's on a very serious clock - probably why this wasn't active until now. However, highlight that he's getting more dangerous not less as this goes on. Capture Alexis Just whale on Alexandra? [dice=Defend]2d6+1+1[/dice]
[dice=TaPB]2d6+4-2[/dice] Giving Ground/Falling Behind
She knew it was time to run, to let Balor be buried. There weren't exactly stairs, but even without Bran's strength and speed, she was pretty sure she'd at least have been able to try to climb to safety. But she was very, very tired. And Balor's eye was shining brighter and brighter. |
