Max starts to trace her finger over the symbol but pauses and regards Tim with narrowed eyes. ”It falls off and my normal clothes come back, right?” she asks.
"Maybe there are two catches."
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Tim shakes his head. "No worries. Still a demon even when you don't look it. Taking it off shouldn't be a problem. Trace your finger along that symbol at the neck three times. Should fall right off."
Ne'veah sits back, surprised. "All the way to Savannah on a motorcycle? That's..." she trails off as she thinks about it. Then she a smile tugs at her mouth. "Okay, sure. Should be fun. "You have a motorcycle, I hope?"
Tim nods solemnly. "Oh, yeah. There's a catch. A big one. The wearer ages a hundredfold while wearing it. It'll protect you, but drive you to an early grave." He laughs. "Good thing demons don't age, huh?"
Ne'veah looks at him suspiciously. "Ride? Ride what? You're not saying what I think you're saying, right?"
"School gave me an education. Which didn't make me better in an altruistic sense, but by being educated I was better than what I would've been without," Ms. Trask says. "I'm glad you helped with the outreach program. I'm hopeful that means the school has better intentions than what certain threat assessments say. Anyway, for a good job with saving the world, here." Joy's handler holds out four glossy tickets. "Invites to the Taylor gala. You and three extras, for whomever you'd like to invite to go with you."
Ne'veah turns her nose up at the idea of Gui disguising himself as a girl. "What? No, that'd be weird. Why would you ask--? Nevermind." She goes quiet for a moment. "Listen, if you're up for a trip outside Halcyon... to see my Auntie in Savannah... It would involve you using your powers to make me look like I used to. But, you know, you'd get to see more of the world at least. Is that something you'd want to do?"
"Whoo!" Tim whoops when the armor forms around her. "Holy crap indeed. Genuine, Merlin-crafted, knights of some kind of circular furniture-tested mystical armor. Whatdya think?"
Empyrean, don't forget to pick and roll for your outreach project Ms. Trask jots down some notes. "Any time an extinction event is avoided, it could have gone worse. Good job. "So, how about Daedalus? Anything you'd like to ask me? I do have some memories about going to school."
Aerel moves forward to scout, noticing that there is another chamber to the south of his approach although there are no blood tracks leading in that direction. Crude tunneling has connected these two adjacent vaults into one large, rubble-strewn chamber. Smashed ceramics line the floor. A ten-foot-wide hallway connects the southern room to a vast hallway to the west. GM:
Aerel moves forward quietly to explore the next chamber. Although he thinks he's moved silently, when he peers around the corner he sees the unnatural beady eyes of the split-jawed gugs ready to pounce!
Ne'veah gives Gui a flat expression. "Travel the world? Well, you have something that no one -- well, at least very few people can do. There are lots of people willing to pay whatever it takes to get gifted people working for them." She glances around the restaurant, but it's clear that everyone in the place is engrossed in their own conversations. "Ask Ms. Vallejo if you need the kind of work that'll take you around the world." She pauses as their food is brought out. After a moment when they try their different selections, Ne'veah looks back up at him. "You're doing a really good job of making me look normal. That's... really impressive." She looks at him with a measure of longing, but it's nothing sexual. As she finishes her plate of food that hearkens back to her aunt, Gui notices a layer of homesickness that Ne'veah may not even really realize herself.
"We should find a good partner for the canned food and clothing drive. Operational support is critical, and local allies can help provide a logistical infrastructure from which our particular talents and personas can be leveraged to a better outcome. A faith-based organization can immediately lend credibility and provide us with an existing network of donors as well." And Gui will like it if we help the church... Xaiara tilts her head to the side. "What does 'faith-based' mean?"
"'Cause you don't f&&+ing listen," Kennedy mutters as he gets up and wishes them luck.
"Dat is someting else den. In general do you like food more now?" Ne'veah shakes her head. "It's different. Food is more like, just fuel now. I can still enjoy it, you know. But I'm like a lot of your strong, fast mutates. I need a lot of fuel." "I am not really sure. If I could choose, I can see myself working in de movie industry. My powers could creete special effects way better dan computers." He shrugs. "Not sure if I would need e degree for dat and dose are far from cheap. You?" Ne'veah flicks a lock of hair over her shoulder. "I'll probably stick with Daedalus for college credits if everything stays the same. Turning into a cat creature teaches you that long-term plans are usually garbage. "But movies are cool. You could probably join Behind the Mask right now."
Tim nods his head. "Sure. You got me curious." He fishes out a coin from his pocket and hands it to Indy. "Come find me when you're ready to go."
Once Indy leaves, Tim turns back to Max with a grin since he noticed that her teammate didn't recognize her. "Keeping the human look on the DL. I can respect that." Changing subjects, he gestures to the wand. "So before we were interrupted... wait. Do you want more privacy? I could call up a veil if you want. Otherwise, just do your thing to demon-ize yourself. It'll be cooler if I don't tell you any more. Just see what happens."
Kennedy slaps her hands down on the table. "Maybe you're not getting it: I don't do nice and fun hallucinations. I'll end up traumatizing the kids with their subconscious fears. Not the kind of outreach project that gets a Gold Star."
"It's in Georgia," Ne'veah says. "And I like Cajun food well enough. But there are other Southern classics here. See? I'll probably try the shrimp and grits," she says as she holds up the menu and points to the "Southern classics" section. "They even offer fried green tomatoes, and a lowcountry boil. Those are Savannah classics. If you like seafood, try the boil." When the topic shifts to her enhanced senses, she nods. "Oh, yeah. I see in the dark really well. Smell, hearing... they're all way better than before." She falls quiet, studying the menu a bit more before she sets it down and puts her hands in her lap. Her eyes dart around the restaurant, meeting Gui's eyes briefly before focusing on something else behind him. If the silence stretches, Ne'veah asks,"So, are you looking at colleges?"
Kennedy rolls her eyes at Gui's suggestion. "Oh, yeah. Nothing heals the sick like collective terror. Bonus points when they're sick kids." She exchanges a glance at Ne'veah, then looks at an empty seat that is chuckling. Zeke, also known as Pallor, becomes visible. "Good one. You know, you should anyway," he laughs. Ne'veah spears a piece of her rare steak with a claw. "Sorry, Gui. It'd just be you doing your illusion thing with the rest of us watching a kids' movie. And that sounds pretty lame."
Ne'veah gives Gui an up-and-down glance with her eyes but doesn't comment on his outfit. Thankfully, it fits the decor of the restaurant quite well and though he stands out it's more because of his age. She listens politely to his description of his home and the Canadian cuisine he's used to. "I think that's how you say it. But gumbo and all that is Cajun-style Southern." A quick glance at the menu reveals that the Sazerac Cottage leans heavily in New Orleans-style cuisine, which includes gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice, and beignets. "Looks like you got your wish," Ne'veah says. Even though the waiter says that the restaurant's sweet tea is exceptional, the panther girl orders water. When the drink order is done, Ne'veah shrugs. "I don't have many sweet receptors anymore."
Tim laces his fingers behind his head. "I like a good mystery. Sure. What time?"
Ava gets a coy smile when Andromeda asks about dating. "I am an infiltrator model," she says. The smile drops as Andromeda begins to despair. She reaches out and places a hand on her shoulder, her dermal covering withstanding the Bull's sheath and managing to feel warm. "You are admitting defeat before you have even begun. Gui is not normal, or else he would not be here at Daedalus. Perhaps the solution lies not with you, but with him."
Tim frowns. "That shouldn't happen. The potions were designed to wear off." He glances at the girl with him. "I might need a moment to work on this." Turning back to Indy, he thinks for a moment then shakes his head. "No way. Even a person with zero Talent would have burned off the potion in three days. Four, tops, but they'd have to really be a zero. Uh-uh. If you're right, either someone or something's keeping the effect going, or... I dunno. Maybe they have super powers and that was the trigger?" His face sours in distaste at that possibility. "Your elixirs stank of the fey," Eliana states. Tim shrugs his shoulders. "That was just the chaos-binding reagent. Do you know how time-consuming it would've been to make thirty-plus random potions one at a time? I sure as Hell wouldn't have given them away for free, that's for sure."
"Sure," Chitin says, standing up to his impressive height. Gwen nods and rises smoothly. Eliana doesn't say anything or indicate she would help, but she joins the group as they set out to find Tim Mathers. * * * After asking around someone mentions that Tim was talking with some Hispanic girl, and they went off into the hedge maze.
Before Max is able to try anything out with the fairy wand, she and Tim are interrupted by a dragon! Well, Indarius, plus a handful of other Daedalus students she'd seen around. All three students have inhuman features. One is large with a shiny red-orange carapace; one has white feathery hair and a black band across her eyes; and the third is ekf-like and otherworldly, with green plant life seemingly growing in and around her clothing. Indarius sees Tim and a strikingly beautiful girl holding what looks like a cheap plastic fairy wand. "Oh hey!" Tim says after the shock of the unexpected appearance of a dragon and his entourage. "Um, we were kind of having a private moment, you know? And I assure you that it has *nothing* to do with the Rodovkan Mafia!"
"No rats versus spiders until I get my huntsman spiders that Daedalus is shipping me." Jessie props her chin with her hand as she leans on the table. "Archie, you making clothes could still work. Yeah, it's only for a few days, but you could make some real nice, like, job interview clothes. They'd only need them for a day or two. It's all about timing."
Matt and Gwen look expectantly to Eliana. She stares at her hands in her lap. "What's done is done." After a beat of silence, Matt clears his throat. "Okay... should we circle back around to the community garden? Eliana, it'd be great to have you. Honestly, it won't work near as good if you aren't with us." The dryad avoids looking at Indy, but there's less heat in her body language. "Very well. I shall attend."
Xaiara just watches intently as Ava's eyes flash for a moment. "If physical contact is your concern, you have limited options. Presuming that precise control of your powers is not presently an option, power dampener devices -- though rare -- exist and one might be procured to facilitate skin-to-skin contact. Alternatively, I have heard of a person with power draining capabilities. That could have a similar effect to a dampener."
Eliana glares at Indy with real heat in her eyes. They flash between human anger and an otherworldly contempt. After a beat, she turns her head to stare off into space. "I do not converse with oathbreakers. Neither the dragon-mage nor the wardcrafter who destroyed a world, then promised salvation and refused to deliver." Gwen looks at Indy for a moment while Matt shifts uncomfortably. "Okay, then I'll ask. What was the salvation that Indarius and the... war crafter promised? And they didn't really blow up a planet, right?" "The oathbreakers know. They destroyed an entire realm, no matter the cost. And in consolation, they promised one of its refugees their life back. But they delayed. They didn't come through. So when-- when he came--" Eliana chokes back a sob, human emotion replacing her fey countenance.
Jessie shrugs, avoiding the eyes at the table. "I was thinking I could send a bunch of my spiders into a homeless shelter and have them eat up all the pests. It's dumb, I know."
Gwen lights up at the community garden idea, though Eliana still looks sour at Indy being involved at all. She huffs at the treant remark. "Cool, yeah, that sounds like outreach to me," Matt says. Gwen claps her hands together. "Good! I'll submit that as our project. Since I can't, you know, dig up trees and stuff. But I can help with the design! And help pick out the seeds and sprouts for the planting." Eliana, however, looks more and more upset until she finally bursts, "No! This was my idea, and I can do it my myself! I don't need anyone else, and especially not him!" She punctuates her outburst by pointing directly at Indy. "It's supposed to be a group project," Gwen says, her tone soft but insistent. "A vegetable garden is better than just regrowing burnt plants, and we'll need your help. You don't have to talk with him, okay?" Matt just gives Indy a helpless shrugs while Gwen tries to soothe things over.
The wand feels just as cheap and plastic in her hand as it looks. "I added a glamor to it," Tim explains. "But it's way more than what it looks like. When you switch to your demon look, it'll activate." He invites her to follow him away from the other Daedalus students into a shaded area within the hedge maze. "This way, if anyone sees us they'll think we're making out," he says with a wink. "But this is business. I got to thinking that you're now stuck without a quick-change costume -- slutty as the parasite was, it probably had its uses." He gestures to the wand in her hand. "A little something that hearkens back to the days of the ikm. Well, supposedly. I guessed at the wand, but better than a big and obvious scarab. It once held back the forces of magic before Dr. Infinity hid it within his spellbook. Hopefully it'll be useful against alien energy whips."
"Did you say yes?" Xaiara asks. "Of course she did. She wouldn't be asking for help if she said no. Unless you said you'll think about it?" Ave frowns slightly. "So it's still a valid question," the metal-winged girl defends herself. The robot girl concedes. "Point. So, what sort of help would you like? If it is merely advice about your role in the date, I can tell you that dwindling yet residual societal roles of both sexes consign women to a more passive position. This means that you may allow for Gui to do the "heavy lifting" of the date: selecting the date, time, activities, and venue, while you possess the right to say no to his ideas altbough it's generally expected that you give him a chance to impress you. Essentially, you may simply allow him to show you a good time. How he does will entirely depend on his creativity and understanding of the types of activities you enjoy. "Does this help?"
Dark, ichor-like blood splatters reveal the path the wounded gugs took. They stayed north, moving along the collapsed ceiling towards an opening in the opposite wall.
"'Daedalus Gives.' Gives what?" Xaiara's face scrunches at the announcement that has shown up in every students' tablet. Ava arches an eyebrow. "We give our time or our talent to the community. It means that our school administrators have decided that we must do charity work in order to receive a passing grade." Crinkling her nose like there's a bad scent in the air, Xaiara looks to Andromeda. "I thought they weren't making us be superheroes." Ava looks back at the tablet, then shakes her head slowly. "Doesn't look like it. Options include litter cleanup, food and clothing collection, a blood drive, and assistance at the animal shelter. We're allowed to submit other ideas. Would you like to do this assignment as a group?"
It's date night at the Sazerac Cottage. Ne'veah wears a light and airy sundress that looks right at home in the Southern-style restaurant. With Gui's illusion overlaying her fur and her tail hidden beneath the folds of her dress, she passes through the doors of the restaurant solely with kind of attention that an attractive young woman draws. A pleased smile is on her face as she surveys the evening crowd. "Well done," Ne'veah says as she holds out an arm, inspecting the appearance of smooth dark skin. She looks up to meet Gui's eyes, turning the gesture into one in which she expects him to take her hand. "My Auntie's from Savannah, and I've visited her a few times so I know real Southern food. Let's see how this place does. What about you? What's French-Canadian cuisine like?"
It's with increasing alarm that Chloe's texts to Beebee go unanswered, and apparently unread. Then she gets a text from Beebee's twin brother.
Max is pulled away from doomscrolling through her plummeting social media stock by Septimus Mathers. "That'll rot your brain," he says with a smirk. "You want to get cheered up?" He pulls out of a backpack what looks like a cheap plastic fairy wand with a pink ribbon tied around it and holds it out. "I saw Dear Old Dad. Which isn't what's supposed to cheer you up. And what he told me... is pretty terrible, so let's ignore that for now. Here. Go on, take it," Tim says as he presents the wand.
Joy is called to meet with her handler, Ms. Trask. The government agent hands her a jagged piece of some pearlescent material. "I've been given permission to give you this. It's, from what we can tell, a piece of the egg -- or whatever you want to call it -- that held you before your... birth. We've run just about every test that's conceivable on it hoping it'll give us some clue about your origins. Without success, I might add. So, we're letting you have it." She then pulls out a tablet. "Let's hear your report on Daedalus. Start with the incident at the Convention Center. How did that go, in your own words?"
The bulky form of Matt -- aka Chitin -- sags as he reviews the options of the mandated "Daedalus Gives" school outreach project. "I don't really want to do this. What do you think, Indy? You're a hero anyway; they shouldn't have to make you do one of these projects." "I've already received permission to restore all the plants that the Burninator incinerated last week," Eliana says with an air of satisfaction while her body posture makes it clear that she had been addressing Chitin and not Indy. "Good for you, but we can't control plants. Everyone has to contribute," Gwen replies to the dryad. Chitin sits up. "We could help plant! Dig the holes, plant the trees and bushes." He looks at Indy, ignoring Eliana's hostile scowl. "What do you think?"
With the Merchant's favor complete and the cryo-nuke rendered safe and in the custody of Earth's resident Khi'thyr, Archie gets to enjoy the feeling of not owing the notorious arms dealer any favors for the moment. At the next taco meal, Archie finds himself back in his body and able to eat his usual impressive number of tacos while being watched by Jessie. Her single taco consumed, she stares at the second one on her plate, weighing the options of trying to put another one away. Jessie had invited Sam to sit with them. "So, any thoughts on the school outreach program? I thought I could... well, it's kind of stupid. I mean, it'd be helpful, but I don't know if it'll count. I'll probably just help out with a canned food drive." She slides her second taco away from her after one bite.
Aerel scouts in the direction where the wounded gugs fled. He spots two additional chambers, one which opens up in the large main chamber where they encountered the petrified dwarf. The chamber to the north also would have opened up into the main chamber except for an ancient collapse that filled the passage. Within the ancient and long-abandoned room, the keen-eyed elf spots a cleft in the wall that contains 561 gold pieces, three diamonds with bright orange interiors that appear exceptionally valuable, and a hollowed-out animal horn with a silver mouthpiece. William is able to identify the horn as a horn of battle clarity.
I've been really busy these last couple weeks (capping off with traveling this weekend). I have tomorrow off so I should be able to post something soon and get us moving again Sorry for the delay
Xeno gives Andromeda a shake of his head. "The entropic accelerator at the core of the device isn't something you can just 'destroy.' It contains a fraction of a universe in heat-death, so we can't just chuck it into the sun. Better to fling it backwards in time to be consumed by the Big Bang." The Maw nods grimly. "Khi'thyr weapons are most effective. This one uses youngling weapons on Earth." He turns to Chroknight when they geek out over his array of weaponry. "The former is accurate. This one is curious: your companion mimics weapons?" When Indy mentions that authorities are on their way, Xeno gives a "hurry up" motion. "The public is better off not knowing the Corps exist, so I'm going to slip out. Maw, you can take the cryo-bomb to safety?" The four-armed alien rumbles an affirmative.
The natural light coming in from the impromptu skylight Andromeda created is blocked for a moment as two figures descend through the opening and into the wreckage of the convention center exhibit hall. The slender one is the familiar male Nuvoan and member of the Corps, wreathed in a corona of telekinetic energy. The other is a large, four-armed being ripped with muscles and brandishing and impressive array of weapons. "Oh, good. Maybe we're a little late, but it appears the device has been located," Xeno says while he lowers himself and the other alien to the floor. "I thought an expert in Khi'thyr weaponry could be useful." The big alien is recognizable as the Maw, one of the allies of the Praetorian and the Taylor family in general. In a deep bass he rumbles, "This one is experiencing the bitter and sweet of missing combat but seeing young warriors triumphant. V'orpl is a side-thorn to this one." The big alien strides toward the cryo-phase detonator and inspects it with an appraising eye while Xeno uses a scanning device. "Stable for the moment. Good job averting an ice age."
Disarming the cryo-phase detonator is chilling work, but ultimately the heroes manage to power down the device from its supercooling explosion! The device hisses with condensation and frozen steam wafting off of it, but it no longer poses a threat to the city.
Outside, Indarius stops the debris from crashing down on the crowd from the bomb. Unfortunately, the thief got away even though they didn't make off with their prize. Worse, the medical prototype is crushed like a soda can. Sirens grow louder as emergency first responders approach the scene! What do you do?
Andromeda blasts the thief, sending them caroming away and over the edge of the convention center! When she looks at the device her telekinesis snagged before the armored figure went flying, she sees it crumpled like a tin can caught in a pneumatic vise! Indy catches one more bomb before it floats down into the crowded streets, leaving the last one to explode near a construction scaffold! Screams echo from the pedestrians several stories below as rubble begins to fall on their heads!
* * * Statian follows the pinging from the handheld alien device, following the rapidly accelerating audio pitch through the wreckage of the RV show until she steps through a curtained area where a display of renewable energy sources for RVs is set up. Nestled amongst the cutting-edge batteries and solar arrays, Statian is able to locate an oblong device markedly different in style and materiel than the Nuvoan technology! A rime of frost is starting to gather on several exposed surfaces, and everyone drawing nearer to it notices the temperature dropping several degrees. The Brain's breath leaves her mouth in white puffs as she puts her mind to work trying to grasp the alien technology that's at work!
The gug manages to strike out at the melee warriors closing toward it, then falls as the heroes put their weapons to use.
The randomly flying bombs being the immediate threat, Indy goes after the closest one and it explodes in his face. While the bombs are definitely no joke, a quick flare of his power keeps him unharmed! The other two bombs continue to whir off haphazardly! The thief rockets off in the opposite direction, taking advantage of the distraction to get away. They fly low and along the roof toward the opposite end of the convention center, and it appears that they're home free until a section of the ceiling explodes upwards revealing Andromeda! "Holy property damage, Ratman!" the thief remarks as they employ retrojets to avoid crashing into the Bull. "Where'd you come from?!?" Looking for an angle, the thief tries to keep their distance from Andromeda. "Look, the device I took is very fragile. You try to stop me, it gets busted. but let me tell you, there are some explosives flying off into the crowds behind me. So if you want to really be a hero, you'd go help the dragon," they say.
V'orpl stands triumphantly over a purple demoness for the second time this fight not realizing that this one is an illusion over Aquarelle. The ruse works, but only to confound the Nuvoan as dropping to the floor unconscious was clearly not the Ego Blocker's intended effect! The confusion lasts long enough for Chroknight's impossible mobility to allow them to race back into the convention center from the roof and find V'orpl! The shock of the sudden arrival and blur of strikes to her joints has the Nuvoan on the defensive! She scrambles away from her new foe. ::Fine. The Maw will still lose his precious city. My revenge will come in stages then:: A portal device opens up a spatial rift and she slips through, fleeing from danger or difficulty! Meanwhile, Statian is able to ascertain the alien device is some sort of remote detonator for the cryo-weapon. It's clearly been activated, though prematurely. As best as she can tell, the countdown to detonation has started, though the alien symbols require deciphering before she can tell how long they have! And they still have to locate the bomb itself! What do you do??
The pair of heroes bypass the electro-net effortlessly, giving them an opportunity to continue the pursuit of the thief. Chroknight pauses as they consider returning to help the rest of the team with the alien. Offering a suggestion about returning, they hear Andromeda's aggressive demand and Statian's much more reasoned request.
Indarius presses Chroknight to make a decision while driving his draconic body at the thief! The armored opponent is sent sprawling by his maneuver!
"I'd take that medical tech back if I were you. If it's for someone you care about there's better ways to go about this." Rattled, the thief scrambles back up to their feet. "Sure it's for someone I care about! Me! This'll be a nice payday if you don't wreck the device!" They retort, admitting to wrongful action. The thief pulls out a device from their pack, then another and then another. "Let's see if it's still working... Oh, wait. These aren't the device! These are bombs!" Little thrusters on them activate, sending all three devices rocketing off in random directions! "Pop quiz, hero," the thief taunts, "stay after me, or stop the bombs? Ta ta."
V'orpl tilts the odds in her favor as Devil Diva crumples from her energy whip. Her triumph doesn't last long, however, as she realizes that she's missing something! Desperate, the Nuvoan slips back into the main hall of the RV show, ducking and weaving through the displays searching. Aquarelle passes the alien device he recovered to Statian, then pulls an illusory switcheroo with DD! However, his ill-advised plan to assault V'orpl was doomed from the start! ::Such a tough specimen deserves further study:: he hears in his head as she effortlessly sidesteps his reckless attack! As he goes by, she slaps a wet-feeling object to the base of his skull! Sickeningly cold and slimy tendrils work their way around Aquarelle's face, probing toward his ears, eyes, and nose! Almost worse, he hears a buzzing in his mind that's starting to push out his own thoughts!
Grum moves in close drawing an attack by the large aberration.
His devastating critical hit fells the creature! Haela is also attacked as she closes.
Her weapon bites deep. Benedict also draws an attack by the long-armed gug when he approaches.
The archers unleash volleys of arrows into their unnatural opponents, but unable to drop them. The unharmed gug steps up to full-attack Grum.
The other gugs fall back into the darkness of their tunnels! The party's up!
Empyrean heads off to join the search for the alien device while Indy and Chroknight search for the thief. Using a nausea-inducing search mode of looking though strands of probability, they trace the thief's path into the displays of cutting-edge medical equipment. While the thief is nowhere to be seen, they learn from the distraught tech representatives that a prototype cryo-rejuvenator was stolen! Still viewing the echoing timelines, Chroknight senses that the thief could have gone anywhere. But the prime timeline reveals that they went up. CORVIS flies off as Chroknight and Indarius make their way into the gaps and HVAC spaces in the ceiling, eventually arriving on the roof of the convention center -- and directly into a trap clearly set up to discourage pursuit!
On the main floor of the convention center, Statian pushes the AV equipment past their operational parameters, sending discordant sounds and lights to disrupt V'orpl's concentration and prevent her from using her telepathy offensively. Empyrean is easily drawn toward the sounds of superpowered mayhem and out-of-control speakers and lights going off on the other side of the convention center. As she arrives in time to take part in the fighting, CORVIS arrives, cawing at her to go back to deal with the thief! While that happens, the momentary standoff between Phalanx and the Nuvoan renegade is interrupted by Andromeda and Devil Diva again! This time, they both manage to make glancing strikes on the nimble alien! DD's audience are treated to a show of martial prowess as she flanks V'orpl tagging her just as Andromeda smashes the alien blasters into a sludgelike paste! However, just because V'orpl can't use her telepathy with nuance or precision, her defensive abilities are still strong! The moment Andromeda's telekinetic sheath makes contact with the Nuvoan, she's hit with powerful psychic feedback! V'orpl is thrown across the room from the one-two-punch. As she slides to a stop, another alien device that looks nothing like the types of Nuvoan tech seen thus far goes skidding along the ground, ending up right in front of a large soda cooler! Aquarelle's fortune turns immediately as a strange alien device lands directly in front of him! It's handheld, not anything the size of something that could be a planet-freezer, but it might have something to do with the real device! ::Freakish aliens! The cryo-coils haven't reached optimum temperature, but the device should be enough to freeze this miserable city and every being in it!:: she relays through her telepathy, doubling down on broken plans or ideas! With her blasters gone, she yanks another device from her suit that activates a crackling energy whip! With a flick of her oddly-jointed wrist, the whip lashes out and coils painfully around Devil Diva's arm! The Star's demonic toughness is put to the test as a current of energy courses through her!
Unfortunately, the aberrations move with unnatural joints bending in unexpected ways, exhibiting a much longer reach than expected! The one in the center steps out of William's line of fire, wounded from two of his shots. It leans forward with its split-mawed head, snapping at Benedict, then following up with two claw attacks.
The one around the corner steps up and tries the same series of attacks on Grum.
The heroes' defenses hold! The one in the back moves with surprising quickness for its size, and its unnatural joints allow it to squeeze through the hole effortlessly. Aerel's attempt at stealth was not successful, as the creature snaps its toothy head at him!
The gug draws blood from the archer. Just then, another gug appears behind the party! It's unnatural head bites at William!
The party is up!
Statian rushes off to create the distraction for the Nuvoan while Devil Diva and Andromeda take the direct approach. The two heavyweights barrel at V'orpl but the alien has more than telepathy in her repertoire! Max's angle of attack is suddenly hit with a spacial warp that flings the devil girl directly into the path of the rampaging Bull! The two crash into each other with the Star getting the worst of it by far! Devil Diva is violently flung forward, smashing through displays all the way to the far end of the exhibit hall where her momentum is finally arrested by collapsing an above-ground swimming pool! Andromeda's cone of force is only partially deflected by the impact with DD so she manages to obliterate the camping display and send V'orpl flying! Still, the unexpected collision with her demonic teammate was an unwanted surprise! V'orpl lands dozens of feet away, rolling up to stand as her personal shields absorb the worst of the impact. ::You have the strength of an elite vanguard, but your control is worse than a blind hatchling:: Andromeda hears in her mind, the barest of complements wrapped in a contemptuous insult. ::I was saving my gift for the Taylors' little celebration but I could always start the party early:: she broadcasts, revealing the nature of her drive. While Andromeda and DD extract themselves from the wreckage all around them, V'orpl retreats towards the service entrance of the convention center where she encounters a number of Phalanx's troops covering the exit! They train their high-powered handguns at the alien, demanding her surrender! Archie hears her telepathic voice distantly, as it is relayed by his mindless dupes. ::You assume I have 'kneecaps,' human:: Her hands blur as she draws her own alien blasters and begins a shootout!
Indy frees Chroknight from the bindings and offers a bit of support when he notices their armor looking the worse for wear. Empyrean, utilizing the assistance of CORVIS, realizes that the direct pursuit and engagement of the thief is the most expedient course of action. However, something in Empyrean questions the need to pursue a thief when the fight with an alien threatening global destruction is happening just a few rooms away! The theft of medical equipment might cause a few people harm, but should that be weighed against an apocalypse?
Chroknight can only shout ineffectually at the armored figure and call out for help. Meanwhile, Statian puts her mental prowess towards looking for ways to disrupt the alien's psychic abilities. She realizes that the convention center has a wide variety of audio-visual technology to meet all the needs of any kind of convention. Repurposing them to blast disorienting sights and sounds may break the Nuvoan's concentration. V'orpl's psychic attack on Indarius dredges up his terrifying persona, causing him to act far more monstrous than his usual restraint would allow! The control she had exerted over the crowd lapses, leaving them to flee in terror from the draconic might on display! Andromeda then sends telekinetic waves of force across the exhibit hall to draw out the alien. It works, as V'orpl finally shows her face! Her lithe form has several devices strapped to the skintight battlesuit she's wearing! She ducks away from the clouds of icy fog roiling off the dragon and dashes away from the ice-fishing exhibit and hides in the makeshift camping site!
The group begins to head into the western chambers. They reach the door of the southernmost chamber and it doesn't take long before they notice the far wall has been knocked out and a much bigger cavern dug far beyond the original floorplan. What's more, several large creatures, apparently roused by their earlier conversation, lurk in the darkness! Inhuman roars emit from unnatural jaws as they prepare to attack!
"You're embarrassing yourself right now," the armored figure says as Chroknight goes sprawling. They yank a device off their belt and slap it down on the Janus's legs. With a solid click, the tech piece hobbles Chroknight's legs, binding them together! "Stick to fighting ninjas. I'm a professional, which means I don't have time to trade names, quips, or punches. Don't know what a 'cryonuke' is, either, but it doesn't sound like anything I'm after. Later." The armored figure drops a smoke canister and fades into the obscuring fog!
Indarius calls out to the alien, challenging her beliefs and demanding that she give up. V'orpl doesn't interrupt, although Devil Diva continues to chase Aquarelle's illusionary foes and the enthralled crowd presses against the barrier. In the moment of respite, Andromeda evaluates the situation for an expedient resolution of the current crisis. Her threat assessment matrix concludes that Indy's human-centric worldview is unlikely to inspire the alien to surrender. However, the Nuvoan may be able to be goaded into a more direct confrontation by continued display of "perverse" powers. When Indy's speech finishes, the team hears V'orpl's disgusted voice in their heads. ::Earth is not a recognized member of the Interstellar Council, and you never will! Your kind is still mired in inter-species conflict! Your 'sphere of influence' barely includes your own moon! This unimportant rock will be mourned by no one!:: Indarius feels an oppressive weight on his mind! ::Though you would make an interesting pet, creature:: He feels his will being crushed, as his nearly-forgotten black thoughts of Umboriax are coaxed to the surface!
The armored figure appears shocked when Chroknight mentions the Merchant. "Sorry, Birdie. If you're working for the Merchant, that means we're competitors. And that doesn't bode well for you." With a flick of their wrist, an arc of electricity crosses the distance between the two armored people! Before they can react, the electrical pulse hits Chroknight, temporarily stunning them and freezing up their suit! Never-before-heard klaxons ring in Chloe's ears as alerts scroll upon the suit's heads-up display. She realizes she can try an override to push the suit past its operating parameters, or waste precious seconds to let the system reboot!
As Chloe decides what to do, she sees her armored rival dash away into the cryonics exhibit!
Empyrean grabs Devil Diva and flies up to the scaffolding high above the exhibit hall floor!
Even though the two most inhuman-looking teammates are out of reach of the psychically-controlled mob, they still press forward. At least, until Andromeda sends a telekinetic pulse at the biggest yachts, capsizing them into a physical barrier between the young heroes and the mob! As the dust settles, Gui and Andromeda are on one side of the barrier and the mob are picking themselves up on the other. Just then, a magic portal opens up to disgorge a silver-scaled dragon and a redhead. The team members in the exhibit hall hear in their heads a disgusted-sounding voice. ::Humanity is repulsive. You have females with telekinesis? You go against the natural order! Your destruction is well-earned:: As the psychically-controlled crowd clambers over the barrier to keep fighting, the ice-fishing exhibit still has an unnatural cold to it. From her vantage point far above the exhibit hall, Devil Diva looks for a way for the team to regroup and attack the alien mercenary from a better angle. However, she ends up laying eyes on the Nuvoan which alerts the telepathic alien! For a frightful second the two lock eyes. ::You'll do:: she hears in her mind! Empyrean is shocked when Devil Diva leaps back down from their safe spot high above the exhibit floor! Max, unfortunately, sees demonic shapes all around her and knows that she has to defeat them before they corrupt her friends!
The apparition looks saddened. "No, just put my spirit to rest. It's no doubt far too long for me to return to society." Sense Motive DC 39: The ghost of Bellachal seems strangely insistent that she is not revived.
"I've heard them to the west, mostly. Good luck, but don't hesitate to go for help!"
The spirit nods. "I did. It was a medusa, long ago. It feels like centuries have passed. Now strange split-faced creatures lurk in these halls, spoiling our heritage! You must call for help! Bring the dwarves back here to drive out these invaders! Please! Only then can I rest."
Xeno gives Indy a sympathetic look. "Nuvoans as a rule don't care much for subtlety when it comes to other races. She won't use much finesse, probably, so your best bet is to overwhelm her; give her too many things to deal with at once. Oh, and watch out for weapons. She'll have more tricks than just her telepathy." * * * Chroknight intercepts the armored figure, taking a moment to study it and coming to the conclusion that there was most likely a human inside. "Wh--? Where'd you come from?!?" the electronically-distorted voice from the figure asks as they react to the masked hero appearing before them. "Aww, this was supposed to be easy! One chance: walk away or you'll have more to worry about than chafing!" An electrical spark ignites in the figure's gauntlet as the suit charges up! What do you do??
Empyrean and Devil Diva arrive from the film fest and follow the giant glowing arrow to meet up with Andromeda and Aquarelle. The devil and angel draw attention from the crowd but they quickly back away as Halcyon crowds tend to do when superheroics are afoot. ::You were warned. You called for backup, so I might as well do the same:: The space the crowd was giving the heroes suddenly reverses! Pale light flashes in the eyes of the people in the exhibit hall, and then everyone surges forward! Arms outstretched and hands grasping as it looks like they're all planning on tearing the heroes limb from limb! What do you do??
Empyrean is shown the raffle box, which is nothing but a mass of ticket stubs with names of people who were hoping to win a split pot of cash or some film memorabilia. The possible prizes don't strike her as something an alien mercenary would desire. * * * Elsewhere in the convention center, Gui and Andromeda explore the ice fishing exhibit. Even though the Bull gripes about the cold and the discomfort inherent in ice fishing, the display of the various temporary shelters available to sportsmen adhering to that particular hobby are enticing. The pair work their way through the exhibit, feeling a deep cold in their bones as they look for signs of an alien cryonic device. Regardless of Andromeda's disdain, there are numerous people interested in the ice fishing shacks on display. When they try to peek past the exhibit facades, a pressing voice tells Andromeda and Aquarelle, ::Move along. There is nothing to see here::
* * * Chroknight flits through the medical equipment, trying to spot an alien device that might freeze the entire planet. Thinking that the cryogenic equipment might be covering up V'orpl's weapon, they move in and look for evidence. Their assistant CORVIS squawks at them, alerting the Janus to the danger of an armored figure slipping past security into the cryonics exhibit! * * * Indarius takes good advantage of the proximity of Xeno, using his alien template and then scrying for something similar but female. The gendered concepts are different but close enough for the draconic mage to zero in to a being several floors below him and in closest proximity to Aquarelle and Andromeda! He can't do much more than pinpoint V'orpl before a blast of psychic static cuts him off with a threat of serious mental damage! "Okay, yeah. She's here, and she's good," Xeno says as his sensor device blares several alarms What do you do??
Chroknight works their way through the medical device convention. It quickly becomes obvious that most of the devices were small, internal implants like stents, replacement joints, and prosthetics. Further into the convention floor, they find more elaborate and cutting-edge medical equipment like full-body scanners, 3-D printing, and cryogenics. * * * At the film festival, the pair at the ticket table shake their heads at the description of the alien. The young man shrugs in apology. "No, sorry. No one like that came through here." The young woman starts looking nervous. "Is everything okay? Are we in danger?" "You can look through our ticket stubs if you think it'll help," the man offers. "We have a raffle drawing this evening, so there's going to be names and contact numbers." * * * Andromeda and Aquarelle explore the boat show, looking for anything that might be disguising an alien with a superweapon. Andromeda utilizes her scanner to check out each boat and RV for clues, but the density of the crowd keeps her distracted so that she does not harm anyone by bumping into them. After moving through the exhibit hall, she is forced to conclude that there is nothing obviously dangerous. Shifting her thinking from looking for something hidden in plain sight to trying to pinpoint the device through other means, it dawns upon her that something called a cryo-phase detonator may have a distinct temperature signature. And there is an ice-fishing display in the boat show. * * * Outside, Statian talks shop with Xeno about the high tech he is displaying. "You're a bright one!" he exclaims at her assessment. "Nuvoan tech is designed to interface with their inherent mental abilities, and that requires simulated organic structures for the best connections." He studies Sam's threads for a moment. "Interesting appendages. They appear to have full access to your thought processes for instantaneous responses. How did you inhibit the subconscious drives?" * * * Ne'veah responds to Gui's texts. Gui: Do not know many fancy places
Benedict cannot think of anything besides a ghost as to what this apparition may be. The ghostly dwarf nods at Benedict's question. "Yes, my name is -- or was -- Bellachal Dergik. From the surface, you say? What has happened to Kraggodan then, if humans and elves and orcs are here in this sanctum of dwarvenkind?"
Knowledge (dungeoneering) DC 20:
Gugs are large, unnatural creatures known for their head which splits open vertically to form its mouth and gangly limbs with strange joints. They have keen senses and are savage fighters.
Benedict's close inspection of the lifelike dwarven statue discovers intricate detail. The sculptor had an incredible attention to detail and an uncanny way of making her equipment and weapons appear authentic. After a moment while the others explore the first chamber for a bit, Benedict pulls back when he sees the statue blink! Before he's able to bring a weapon to bear, a pale, luminescent apparition of a dwarven woman looking exactly like the statue steps from the stone artwork! She holds up a pair of ghostly hands in a staying gesture. "Peace!" she shouts in Common. "Wait. You are not Dwarves." She looks at Haela. "Well, most of you aren't. What are you doing here?"
Alan Nostein, aka Xeno, arrives with Indarius. Clearly of the same species as V'orpl, though his regular human clothes of denim jeans and a flannel shirt makes him appear far less alien. "I can assist with support, and possibly containment of the device," Xeno says. "However, if you want even a chance of taking V'orpl unawares, I can't scan for Nuvoan tech. That'll tip her off." The founding member of the Corps sits down next to Statian and opens a laptop modified with wet-looking strands attached to it. Meanwhile, Devil Diva and Empyrean make their way to the film festival while Andromeda heads to the boat and RV show. Andromeda finds the show taking up the largest convention room, a cavernous exhibit space that is filled with boats as small as single-person fishing boats and large as eighteen-foot yachts. Future buyers, sports enthusiasts, and those just dreaming wander from booth to booth, collecting brochures and watching demonstration videos of the various products on display. A different section of the Quesada Convention Center features the film festival. As Max and Joy approach the ticket table, they draw open stares. "We're not really a cosplay event, but you look great!" says one of the young ladies holding a long roll of tickets. A scrawny fellow with long stringy hair stares at the pair over his round tinted glasses. "I... I don't think that's cosplay. Hi! Hello, ladies! Taking an interest in independent films? Welcome! You're just in time for Pedos: the Feet of Destiny. There's a Q&A afterward with the director."
After the Heroes agree in earnest, another round of feasting commences. Word quickly spreads among the dwarves of Kraggodan that the visitors are honored guests and rumors soon spread that they're there on a great task that involves stopping the Molthuni siege and possibly even bringing Borom Greathammer out of his exile -- maybe not to resume rule himself but to at least appoint one of his heirs to official rule. Of course, the true purpose of the Heroes' task is kept a secret but that does not stop the gossip from anointing them as virtually Kraggodan himself returned. Once the purchases and crafting is complete and the warriors kitted out in new weapons, armor, and other gear, it is time for them to descend into the Sky Citadel's depths once more. They're escorted back to an area very close to where they entered, but are guided into other deep and remote chambers until they are brought to a set of massive double doors locked and bound with warnings in Dwarven about Darkland dangers lurking within. Whoever is wearing the Sigil of Kraggodan need but wave their hand across the heavy locks and the double doors open. No light greets them when the doors are opened, only a dark chamber looming ahead. The vast hallway stretches from south to north for roughly a hundred feet before abruptly stopping at a cave-in. Collapsed ceiling and stone block the path of what was once a far longer hall. Immense, eight-foot-wide stone pillars bedecked in glowing lights and rune-etched plaques reach up to the ceiling some sixty feet above, while an eerily lifelike statue of a dwarven women frozen in shock stands near the southern entrance. Four side passages lead out of this cyclopean hall: two to the west and two to the east.
Devil Diva:
"Yeah, there's got to be more about that," Tim agrees. "I'll be in touch. Meanwhile, if you know of any magical beings that were around the last time Ahk'nathal tried to take over, it might not hurt to ask them about it." Using the chalk, Tim scrawls a doorway on the brick of one of the buildings near the speakeasy. Once it's complete, Max notices what is inside the chalk outline becomes flat and one-dimensional. He flicks the image with a finger and ripples go outward as if the brick is an image projected on a liquid. "Good luck," he says as he give Max an 'on your way' gesture.
After swiftly making preparations and going downtown, the young heroes stand on the roof of the sprawling convention center. Taking up half a city block, the modern steel-and-glass structure rises several stories in the Tower District. Far from reaching the dizzying heights of many of the glittering skyscrapers that give the district its name, the convention center still looks impressive in its massive windows and open-air floorplan so convention-goers from around the world get to see the best of Halcyon City from within the center. Some of the most notable landmarks of Halcyon City are within view from the vantage point of the center. Directly across the Boulevard of Heroes rises the Taylor Tower -- also known as Praetor Tower, and down the street Lovelace International can be seen looming overhead. Opposite them, like a glittering needle piercing the blue-white sky, is Kirby Tower marking the center of Halcyon City! The spring day has burned off most of winter's chill that seeps into the concrete and steel of the city and lingers well after the seasons turn. The noise and bustle of downtown Halcyon create a sense of urgency in the young heroes, knowing that this life and energy could be flash-frozen in an instant if the alien doomsday weapon goes off. The convention center's interior is swarming with people attending the various meetings and celebrations run by the organizations using the venue. Not only is the Halcyon Bar Association underway, but the Regional Medical Device Sales Collective, the Greater Halcyon Film Festival, and the Halcyon Boat and RV Show are all within the convention center. And somewhere amidst that chaos, is the alien arms dealer V'orpl and the cryo-phase detonator. What do you do??
"The Reliquary is currently sealed. Darklands creatures known as gugs had crawled up from the depths and attacked the group investigating the break-in. Our investigators managed to lure the gugs into the Reliquary and double-back, sealing the vault behind them. We're hopeful that they starved to death in there, but we have not had the chance to devote an expedition to root them out," Karburtin explains. * * *
The Synod all look exceptionally pleased at the Heroes' willingness to agree with their request. Haela's promise to ensure that any treasures they retrieve will either be used by them or sold to dwarves pleases them as well. "To assist you, please accept this item that will grant you passage into the Reliquary and assist you with any traps that may still be within the vault and functional," Gorm says. An attendant steps forward with an ornate metal box, open with a heavy ring sitting on a cushion. Karburtin explains its uses. "This is one of our few Sigils of Kraggodan left. This ring protects the wearer from caustic and corrosive gasses or acids, but importantly, it will give you access to the sealed-off sections of the Reliquary. You can also activate it to render yourself completely undetected by traps and constructs three times per day."
Andromeda considers what she's observed in her Psionics class so far regarding her classmates' abilities. Kennedy can project psionic hallucinations that feed off of people and grow stronger the more people believing them. Gwen is empathic and can sense things remotely in a fairly classic form of ESP. Cullen has decently strong tactile telepathy and telekinesis. Abeki can astrally project herself when she sleeps, linking herself with other sleeping minds.
Sorry about forgetting your question. I'd say yes, I think it makes a lot of sense for Dex to apply -- a heck of a lot more sense than Strength. Cold iron weapons cost double, so arrows would be doubled too. I think you're right that durable adamantine arrows would cost 61 gp. Otherwise, you'll be looking for the heads and have to re-fletch them every time they hit.
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