| SobranDM |
Our story begins on a single night in the deep of winter, as ice covers Emerald City. The Albian River still flows, dark and swift, through the city, into the Malory Bay, and out into the Pacific beyond. Elsewhere though, the fountains and streams of the city are still; only the glitter of ice betrays their presence.
It has been a year since the first blurry video of a powered person was captured on video and uploaded to YouTube. In that time, there have been more videos, rumors, and occasional news reports. No one in Emerald City really doubts that these powered people are real. Still, their presence has been felt, but not seen thus far.
That is about to change. Earlier tonight, a grainy video was taken of a monstrous creature on the Riverfront, attacking a couple. According to rumor, this creature has been hunting the citizens of Emerald City for months. And now, a strange bank robbery is being covered on live television...
"This is Patricia Kim with Action News at Five, bringing you a Special Report," says one of the most recognizable faces in Emerald City. The young woman currently speaking from over half the televisions in the city is a second-generation Korean immigrant. She was first brought to prominence three years ago, when her expose on families like hers brought attention to the plight of immigrants in the Eastern District. Since then, her star has risen quickly, surpassed only by the fame of her coworker Cliff Briskly, a charming meteorologist whose own fame is about to get a boost. The most unusual part of the report so far is that Patricia Kim is working at all, as it is nearly 8:00 PM she isn't a member of the 10 o'clock news team.
"In a world first, we have actually been allowed inside Emerald City First National during a robbery, currently in progress."
The camera pans left, revealing an old bank with vaulted ceilings, marbled floors, and faux-granite pillars. Despite its age, First National's proximity to the Yellow Brick Row--a popular shopping district--means that it stays open later than any other bank in the city.
A handful of men and women are face-down in the middle of the floor while two armed men keep watch. Two more are collecting money from tellers, while movement in the background suggests they might be attempting to enter the vault.
"A group of men calling themselves 'The Runners' have taken control of First National here this evening," Patricia Kim continues, out of frame. "They appear to be moving efficiently. It's unclear why they let us--demanded, really--that we watch the events unfold."
One of the women on the floor risks a look around, but is reprimanded by one of the men keeping watch. The robbers are clad all in black, with heavy ballistic vests. They all wear black masks with a pink starburst symbol over the left eye. Uzis or a similar type of machine pistol is visible in one of the robber's hands as he gestures at a hostage. Perhaps most unusual is that every robber, to a man, wears some sort of polished chrome leg harness.
Patricia Kim speaks in a lower voice: "Also unclear is exactly how the Runners plan on escaping. Though the police have not yet arrived, there does not appear to be an escape vehicle parked outside. Perhaps they-- Oh! Here comes their leader."
A woman emerges from behind the teller desk. Her black bodysuit gleams dully under the florescent lights. A strange chitinous pattern is visible on the suit and the chest bears the same pink starburst as the men's masks. The woman herself does not wear a mask; her pale face and short black hair are clearly visible. She says something to one of the men, who nods curtly and begins jogging toward the camera.
"The fact that their leader is a woman has to be-- He's coming this way. He's coming this way! Do you think he-- Keep rolling!"
I promise that not every post will be a novel. Just trying to set the tone as we open. Quick guidelines for your opening post:
Assume that your characters are either in the area or saw the news and are able to get here quickly. As for what you might be doing in the area, the Yellow Brick Row is a large shopping district and tourist hotspot. The Riverfront and the docks are nearby. There are wealthy homes in Royal Hill to the south and the University Hill isn't too far past that. If anyone is coming from out of town, the airport is west, across the Red River, and most people flying back into the city would have to pass through this area of town to get to where they are going.
You may post freely, as we won't roll initiative until someone enters that building. Most of you are good to go. Dough Joe and Meteor Man have to resolve a minor point discrepancy, while Warden needs to review his sheet. That shouldn't keep you from posting however, as I'm not throwing you directly into combat.
One last thing: in your first post, I would like you to describe how you know one other member of the team as we didn't resolve that in Discussion. Now that we're down to the wire, just make something up. That team again is: Dough Joe, Meteor Man, Warden, Atsuko, and Anthem. You may mention this person you know either in the post itself or in a separate OOC tag like this one.
Welcome, members of the First Wave.