Doctor Fate's page

Just waiting to get approved for membership on the boards. Account Name GreenLama if you have a pipeline to the powers that be.

~PWO

To be honest the FM options just sounded nifty. They can be forgotten.

I did notice what may be a small error in the Lamas stats. In order to change class the Lama needs a 16 in either Str or Int. Unless I am missing something. Perhaps that 16 in wisdom belongs somewhere else?

Did you consider giving the group a lesser or even a greater Wand with the needed cure spells? A lesser wand with Cure 1 would do the job at least with out of combat healing as Jade could memorize the cure spell as needed. Mind you I am not sure that tricksters can use wands. They do not have access to read magic but I suppose they could rely on trial and error to find what in in the wand.

Also. What class did the Lama leave? Was he a Fighter who became a Trickster, which would fit the explorer gets mystic training story-line or a Trickster who adapted to the rough and tumble world by becoming a fighter? If I have a vote I am for the Fighter being the first class assuming I am not missing the multiclassing rules somewhere.

And finally Ouch! Were tricksters meant to have no save bonuses?

I am really Liking the Green Lama

The Jade Lama looks good but you still have the CLW issue.

Perhaps remove the Seance ability to add the Cure spells to the list along with the Fighting man options in the same Trophy case? I think "Lucky" and "Martial arts" fit the Lama but I am cautious to request that the rules be altered for my benefit.

That sounds like they changed him to a Superhero not a lesser powered M-u. But then a read of the Green Lama's Wikipedia page makes him sound more like a super as well. Sigh.

I don't think Fate could work as lower powered. Minion to the lords of law and all. Perhaps a lower powered mystic. The green Lama? Though he appears to be a Mystery Man/Magic user or even a f/mu.

Again Dr. Fates voice issues from both the elemental and his own mouth.

"Stop. Do not approach the sphere. It is nothing, an insult, an abomination, a wound in reality. It is safe enough so long as nothing comes near. Ignore it. If it moves towards you, run."

Not sure how to control the sphere but since it seems someone else is Dr. Fate may not have a choice. Can control of the sphere be wrested away while maintaining the elemental? Or is that more than what one can do while concentrating?

Dr. Fate's voice is distant and distracted. Seeming to come from both the elemental and his own throat.

"Smash the wall."

The elemental's fists begin reducing the south wall to powder.

What is their level range and who are they?

Sorry for the delay. Leaning strongly towards summoning the 16hd earth elemental and just having it wreck it's way through. Wrecks as a 14th level superhero which really means as a 9th level superhero because that is where the table tops out. Still that means walking through solid rock walls on a 10. The spell depends on the casters concentration but this term is not defined in the rules.
What can one do while maintaining enough concentration to prevent several tons of angry rock from squishing one like a bug?

The polymorph spell leaves the editor great latitude as to what abilities come with any given form. I thought there was decent chance the wrecking might come with the earth elemental given the granite fists and strength. I figured Dr. Fate would know do I thought I would check in before moving on. I was not expecting you to bend the rules. I am sorry if it came across that way.

Hmmm thinking of ways to bypass the tomb.

From what Dr. F knows could a conjured Earth elemental simply bash through the walls/etc. in a straight line to the heart of the tomb. Alternately Polymorph could turn Fate into an earth elemental allowing him to wreck things as an 8th level superhero. Assuming of course the wrecking things ability is gained along with the form.

Pity I can't manage move earth yet.

The reason I am asking is that if you really want the creeping through the tomb adventure I can go in a different direction. But the smash everything and sift the rubble approach does have appeal.

I remember long ago when I played through the tomb. Our party had a cleric who could create food and a couple of food creating magic items. So we hired a group of Dwarven miners to dig straight down from the crown of the skull shaped hill until they hit the tomb. We sank several shafts over the course of about a year on the dig. We finally got lucky and hit the main room. Half of us died but we figured that we would have lost more if we tried to run the tomb in the more traditional way. We called it the mountain top removal method of artifact recovery.

Two weeks left to catch Mr. X! Can the JSA pull it off before we close the scenario?

~Scott/Editor

Not a chance.

"Don't worry, professor, we're just here to take a look from the outside. I'm not planning on going in until we get some more heroes here, especially Dr Fate."

"Who knew something like this was in America... Thank you Mr. Edrich. I am humbled that you trusted me enough to let me see this."

"Well gentlemen, I am afraid this is as far as I can go without a skilled dig team, proper funding, and formal permission from the tribe and the BIA. Besides I think I owe Dr. Fate a telegram letting him know what has happened. I did promise to contact him as soon as I learned anything. He gave the impression that this tomb might not be entirely safe."

"Might I borrow your car Professor Goldenweiser? I would hate to drag you away from this find so soon."

Assuming a yes from Goldenweiser Kent hops in drives out of sight and earshot. Chances into the Dr. Fate gear and drives back.

Dr. Fate explains the fact that there was nowhere near enough time for Kent to reach the nearist telegraph/telephone with a cryptic Well I cannot compete with the Flash for speed but there are ways to speed things up a bit. You have a fine automobile Dr. Goldenwieser."

Professor Nelson stares slack jawed...

"Are you the.. the Flash? Dr. Fate didn't tell me you were looking into this as well. I mean I just got a telegram asking me to help with some research but I did not expect to meet such a famous hero."

I'm willing to give it a shot. A tad annoying as I will be in games on both boards but that is my problem.

Forward!

"Thank you Dr. Goldenweiser. So you have run across no mention of a colonial era figure that could fit the person Dr. Fate is looking for? That is disappointing."

"Ya, there is a car rental booth down at the railway station, but you will not be needink' it," Professor Goldenweiser said. "It would be my honor to drive you there myself. If there is anythink' to this legend, I wish to be there firsthand to be hearink' it."

"Then I am in your debt for the ride as well. Is it a long journey? It looks quite close on a map but such things can be deceiving."

Ready to move on towards the reservation.

...

Dian sat patiently beside him. "Do you need to bounce anything off of me?" she asked.

Ah apparently we are pre-code.

Figured it was the name, I know I could not resist it. I figured you deserved the poke for using Thomas's distinctive last name.

oh dear. Sarat al-Hejaz mountains in western Saudi arabia. Hejaz translates and "Barrier". Barrier mountains = Barrier peaks. Oh very dear.

"So tell me professor do you know that you died in Oregon a year ago?

"Thomas Acererak...no, I do not recognize the name..." Dr. Dykstra mused, "though my knowledge of Ojibwe history is perhaps not what it should be. Allow me a quick phone call. Agnes," he said into the phone to the campus operator, "put me through to Professor Goldenweiser....Ah, Alexander, will you be in your office long? I have a visitor I'd like you to meet. Good. Care for a walk, Mr...?" he asked Kent, hinting that he could use a name for introductions in a few minutes.

It was a nice morning for a stroll, which was just as well because the university campus was spread out over many blocks. Eventually, they reached the Sewell Social Science Building off of Observatory Drive and, ultimately, the office of Professor Alexander Aleksandrovich Goldenweiser.

The Professor, a 60-year old Ukranian, reacted gravely to Kent's request for information. "A Thomas Acererak? No...that is beink' quite impossible...for there to be a Colonial era figure of historical significance to the Ojibwe of whom I am not aware?"

But, when pressed, the Professor looked down and nodded his head. "Ya, ya...forgive me. It is presumptuous for me to be thinkink' that I would have heard all their people's oral histories. They go back very far, you see. In some 'vays better than our written histories, ya? To find answers, you must be seekink' their tribal chieftain, Orrin Erdrich. You 'vill find him in Odanah, at the Bad River Indian Administrative Office. I can phone ahead and let him know to expect you, if you like."

Using plain old Dr. Kent Nelson for this jaunt.

"Thank you Professor, I appreciate you making that call. I don't suppose there is train service to Odanah? Or a car rental nearby? I am afraid I am not used to being away from Boston."

May 7. Madison, Wisconsin

Dr. Shakes hands.
"Sorry to disrupt your travel plans Doctor. I know you were looking forward to meeting with Dr. Fate but he was called away by pressing business. He sends his apologies and, well me."

Dr. Nelson grins.

"The good doctor has tasked me with finding the grave-site or tomb of Thomas Acererak. Seems he had some dealings with the Ojibwe in colonial times. I am hoping your anthropology department might have some information or perhaps an introduction to the Bad River Ojibwe?"

Penny just dropped on the name. Joy. Note it is about 5 months too early but I know Dr. Philleo Nash (1909-1987) will be working the DuBay homstead site on the Wisconsin river come November so he might be doing survey work trying to find that old trading post around now.

I am assuming will be in Dr. Dykstra's office? Hmmm or could the helm manage on a description of "Madison, nead Dr. Dykstra"? Hmmmmmm....]

"Thank you Director. With this meeting we will be one step closer to resolving the 'X' issue."

Unless something else happens Dr. Fate, in the guise of Dr. Kent Nelson, will arrive for the 10 am meeting. Dr. Nelson is carrying the Secret Histories in a brief case along with the mask and cloak. He wears the amulet beneath his clothing.

My work comp hates rpol portraits. Reports malware. Without them the threads are very difficult to read. I suppose I could get used to it but it would mean another site to watch for updates which would be a pain. Any work/life pressure ant it would likely be the first thing to go.

I am willing to give it a shot but I am not optimistic.
Sorry.

.... particularly if it will encourage you to start taking on our agents as apprentices."

"You have asked this before and I have explained that it is impossible at this time. There is a subtle balance in these matters. My training your agents would create an imbalance that the forces of chaos would exploit. The benefit would be far outweighed by the cost. The war will be bad enough without giving up our more occult advantages. I am sorry but I must decline again." "I however remain available to give what aid and advice I can. My request for Professor Nelson to meet with Dr. Dykstra is a pivotal part in our mutual efforts. Please contact me when meeting has been arranged at a time and place convenient to Dr. Dykstra, Professor Nelson will be there."

While the Flash takes the low road Dr. Fate will take the high.

Removing his helmet Dr. Fate picks up the telephone.

"Hello, I would like to place a call to Washington DC...."

Dr. Fate is trying to get in touch the JSA'a FBI contact (J.Edgar?) in order to ask them to work with Dr. Clarence Addison Dykstra, current dean of UW Madison and head of the Selective Service System and National Defense Mediation Board. To clear the way for Kent Nelson/fate to work with UW Madison anthropology department and the Bad River Nation.

Putting down his book Fate consider for a moment before walking to the radio cabinet.

Raising Sandman or the Flash: "Good morning. I have a lead but following up on it requires a great deal of footwork. The so called 'white magician' was named Thomas Acererak. He tried to force the Ojibwe to serve him. He failed. However he did get them to build his tomb. Problem is there is no record of where this tomb is and Objiwe territory covers at least 125 thousand acres.
The Ojibwe might know or at least have some clues about where we should start looking. I intend on traveling to Odana to try and find somone who remembers the old stories."

You should see me on the Library of Congress, New York Public, and the British Library. Massive amounts of freely available, expertly curated, information.

Bacon, Newton, Einstein, hell even Feynman would have given important limbs to get half an hour on these sites much less a physical visit.

Sorry, I get going sometimes.

Fate returns to the books on the seventh. First reading up on the last demon before turning to the puzzle of where in the 124,234 acres of the Bad River reservation Acererak might have built his tomb.

Cool USGS has some maps from the period. Ashland from 1942 and Odana from '45. Nothing that covers the entire reservation though. Mind you this was a 5 second search. I expect either that a map exists somewhere or that one could peice together one from the historical USGS collection. I love the USGS, taxes very well spent. I am Dr. Fate and I approve this message.

Aha!

I only steal from the best. At least that is what I tell my players when they catch me recycling.

???
Care to drop a clue to the unenlightened?

"I have seen references to this White Magician in various occult histories of early America. It is difficult to sift the truth from fancy but it appears he was one of the first European mages to settle in the north american colonies. I seem to remember something about a tomb but it would take more dedicated research to track it down. If we have finished here I will return to the Tower and get to work."

"After seeing to yore injuries of course."

See healing on previous post. If there is no other business Dr. Fate will teleport back to the tower and get to researching. Seeking info on The White Magician, Lost Iram, and Goetic Demons. In pretty much that order.

Not 100% sure on what a Goetic demon is myself Sandman.
A quick google search implies they are the demons that Solomon bound to do his bidding and so can be bound by someone following the instruction in the Lesser Seal. Not sure how this applies here though.

Comment Mr. Editor?

"I do. This plot is too subtle for Wotan normally. But I find myself more and more inclined to suspect his dark hand in this."

On the radio. I will be at the Belmont in a few moments. If The Flash and Sandman could meet me there we could more comfortably await Hourman.

Dr Fate walks into his summoning room and out into the conference room of the hotel.
(Teleport used)

In the conference room Fate greets the others and plays host offering fresh coffee all round.
Does Fate know anything of Mr. Odell? Or the Tomb of the White Magician?

"A most intriguing condition. Have you had much contact with the occult Mr. O'Dell?"

Aha so healing after the meeting!
To move things along Rolling cure spells here.
For Flash Cure II:3d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) + 3 = 14 24/37.
For Sandman Cure II: 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6, 1) + 3 = 11 32/35. The rest should heal overnight.
All 4th level spells used.

For Flash Cure I: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6. 30/37
And again :1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 exactly full.
I sleep now.

Teleport is fine. I plan on taking at least one day having my house elves stitch Speedy and smokey back together again.

No plans other than meeting the man of the Hour. Not sure how to deal with logistics of getting there as we are scattered a bit.
but I suppose this is a good spot for an editorial handwave?

"I agree he is somewhere in New York, If he can make it to the hotel then we can meet there otherwise we can get to him where ever is convenient."

Man the Flash has been having a rough day.

I was actually ignoring the Demon-phone-home plot line as I assumed it was Hourman-centric and vanished when we lost that player.

This may have been foolish on my part.

"Yes... Perhaps we should follow up on that. I doubt X is strong enough to bind a deamon of this power so I expect he bargained with it. There is a chance that this telephone lead might give us some information on what exactly that bargain was. If we knew the terms we might find a way to avoid an unnecessary fight. Has anyone been in contact with Hourman?"

"Trying to draw out his lieutenants isn't getting us anywhere very fast so far... I say we try to subdue the demon."

"Are you sure about that Flash? Remember we faced this demon before. It is strong, nearly as fast as you, and highly resistant to my magic. Last time it left of it's own accord. This time it may well fight to the end. Unless we can find a way to free it from X's influence."

What does Fate know about binding balrogs and how to free them?

Yea! Now I just need to figure a way to get 3 people to the other side of the planet without burning my strongest mojo. Given what happened the first time we tangled with a balrog we will need everything we can get.

Fate consults the Atlas before heading for the radio cabinet.

Checking the secret frequency Dr. Fate stumbles across the conversation between the Lantern and the Sandman. Luckily just after the 'issues' comment.

"What lead is that Green Lantern?
I too have what could be a lead or at least an invitation into a trap. X's lieutenant Magico in Salem actually tried to uncover his masters identity. His scrying was blocked by a demon who told Magico that what he sought was in the city of pillars on the Arabian peninsula. The demon invited him to come to Iram and wrest the information from him. Magico wisely chose not to challenge the balrog for the information but perhaps I think we might be able to exploit what Magico uncovered."

While Atom speaks with the police Dr. Fate turns to the still bound Magico.

"Tell me what you know of lost Iram and this Balrog. I suspect I have faced it before."

What does Fate know about Iram of the Pillars? Or is Magico refering to another city known by that name?

Dr.Fate returns with the not-nice old lady.

I assume Atom still has the Punjabi purloiners under control and the man in the way is no longer about?

All the crooks are in one of the sitting rooms.

"Atom, the lady carried this gun. Fate hands the derringer to Atom who quickly unloads it. "You have a better grasp on material weapons than I. Could you please search our unwelcome guests for more surprises?"

Dr. Fate addresses the three hoods while Atom works.

"Parlor tricks and simple fraud, you would debase the divine fire so? For money.....Power....Revenge....Or at another's direction? You are pawns in this game. I hunt for the king. Where is he? Who is Mr. X?"

needless to say but detect thoughts is active throughout the questioning. The old don't think of pink elephants ploy. note once police have taken the baddies Fate will clue Atom into the new JSA frequency and ask him to get the word out to the others. Still need to chastise the party guests but that will have to wait till morning. Travel can be exhausting.....

Grabbing hold of the green suited man and moving him bodily out of the way Dr. Fate raises a hand and five shimmering spheres fly towards the taxi. The orbs hit the passenger side rear wheel in a perfect pentagon formation. The orbs shatter on impact driving shards of magic and crystal through the tire.

"Hmm she has flown. But has she flown far enough?"

Dr. Fate casts his mind back to how she was dressed. He focuses on her clothing and jewelery.

Slowly he lets his magic flow over the image. Letting it seek out that which is unique, old, valuable. If such an object is found Fate releases the magic and follows it along the line connecting the image in his mind and the object in the world.

Casting Detect Object focusing on the most unique thing she was wearing. Will follow the trail if I get a lock. Otherwise will return to Magico ti interrogate him and Trug about their allies whereabouts.

Assuming that arrow spell was magic missile

"You are wiser than the company you keep. If you would walk the Way it will serve you well to find better companions. First tell these fine people gathered here why you and Magico came here tonight. Tell only the truth. Now is not the time for evasions."

sorry to vanish. I am battling the internet and so far it is winning. Should get better soon-ish

"Is this how an honerable man treats his hosts property? You are a poor guest."

Dr. Fate fades into view has he gathers the residue of the failed web and weaves the simple cobwebs into a strong rope of crinson silk. This braid loops gently over Magico and his curtain before tightening painfully.

Casting hold person on magico.