The Capes of Vibora Bay

[Lunatic Fringer]

The Capes of Vibora Bay (New)

 

"High Stakes" (New) - Notus, Overflow & Paragon are forced to lock horns with a nefarious criminal mastermind and his gang of metahuman villains to prevent the Crime of the Century! Can the Intrepid Trio of heroes beat the master villain at his own game before time runs out? Find out this Monday night on Channel Friz!

[The Nexus]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

Nice interesting run so for. I always like to see the characters players use in actual games.

[Lunatic Fringer]

The Vibora Bay Banner - April 9, 2011

 

Metahuman May Be Behind String of Mysterious Deaths

 

(Vibora Bay) – The fifth victim in a string of mysterious deaths in the city was found behind a dumpster near Little India in the Far Easton District around 10:30 pm last night. The victim, who was not identified pending notification of next of kin, was described by witnesses as a Hispanic homeless man in his middle 20’s.

 

The murders began on Monday night near the Easton Docks. All of the victims have been young Latino men in their 20’s, and all of the victims suffered no physical injuries. Forensics, however, has determined that a metahuman power was used to kill the victims. The victims have been found in various locations around the city, without any obvious pattern, save that all of the murders are thought to have occurred between sunset and midnight.

As of press time, police have no suspects in these murders and the investigation is ongoing.

 

 

Fire Damages Container Storage Facility in Business Park

 

(Vibora Bay) – A shipping container storage facility in the Airport Business Park sustained moderate damages when a fire broke out late yesterday afternoon. The fire was reported by Transnational Shipping employees at around 4:30 pm who were forced to evacuate the facility after fire suppression gear on the site failed to contain the blaze. Five employees were treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation. Vibora Bay and Seagrove fire fighters were on the scene for nearly six hours.

 

According to Fire Chief Hector Vasquez, the fire started in a flammables storage locker and quickly spread to packing materials stored nearby. Vasquez says the fire will be investigated by the State Fire Marshall’s Office, due to the failure of the fire suppression systems on site.

 

 

Chrome Continues Vendetta on Duchess Industries Facilities

 

(Oceanside) – Authorities were left picking up the pieces yet again after the supervillainess Chrome tore up a research facility here last night. An anonymous source inside the Oceanside Police Department stated that the investigation of the break-in has been handed over to the FBI. Federal authorities are pursuing the case, which is part of a string of six similar break-ins by Chrome that have occurred over the Southeastern states over the past two weeks.

A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Investigation says that surveillance systems detected the break-in around 11 pm last night, and security video positively identified Chrome as the perpetrator of the crime. A list of the incidents indicates that medical research labs and clinics have been hit thus far, but a spokesperson for Duchess Industries deflected a question as to what the supervillainess might be after.

 

 

M.E.C.H.A. Project Shelved By NASA Budget Cuts

 

(Vibora Bay) – Despite a glowing review of its simulated space mission to a moon of Neptune by scientists and engineers, the Multitasking Electromagnetic Command & Hierarchical Algorithms project (M.E.C.H.A.) has become the latest victim of the budget ax. With a price tag of $1.4 billion dollars to date, and the cancellation of several other interplanetary exploration missions, the project was deemed too costly to be continued.

 

Spokesperson Linda Scope for Drake-Victoria, manufacturer of the computer system that contained the prototype AI, expressed disappointment at yesterday’s announcement. “It is a greater waste of taxpayer money to let this project languish,” said Scope, “since it has many other applications outside of the space program.”

[Lunatic Fringer]

Session 3 Synopsis

 

Capes of ViboraBay Campaign Log

Season 1, Session 3

“High Stakes

 

Starring: Barry as Paragon, Josh as Notus & Ty as Overflow

 

Guest Villains: Chrome, Los Cinco Diablos de Guadalupe & Tsunami

 

Supporting Cast: Silver Avenger Barton Stano, PRIMUS Special Agent Smith, Terrance Lang

 

Synopsis

 

Incident Analysis Report – PRIMUS Case Log 2817603 – Vibora Bay Metahuman Activity Spike, April 9, 2011

 

SUMMARY:

On April 9, 2011, there were five incidents of metahuman criminal activity in and around the Vibora Bay Area:

 

 

1) Tsunami attacked the Vibora Petroleum loading docks and was opposed by local heroes Notus, Overflow and Paragon;

2) Tsunami fought The Amphibian in the coastal waters of ViboraBay;

 

 

3) Senora del Oro and La Muerte Blanca attacked private citizen Terrance Lang at his residence in Inner Easton and was opposed by Overflow;

 

 

4) Chrome broke into a Duchess Industries medical clinic in Inner Weston and was opposed by Paragon; and

 

 

5) The supervillain team Los Cincos Diablos de Guadalupe battled Notus, Overflow and Paragon near the Drake-Victoria Manufacturing Facility in the AirportIndustrial Park.

 

 

This represents a significant spike in metahuman activity for this metropolitan area that sees an average of 1.3 metahuman incidents per day. Analysis of the incidents points toward manipulation of events by Kill Switch in his efforts to steal computer and software prototypes of the M.E.C.H.A. Project from the scene of the fifth incident.

 

INCIDENT 1 – 0930 hours

Tsunami attacks the Vibora Petroleum Loading Docks as part of an ongoing terrorist campaign against corporations engaging in off-shore oil drilling. Shortly after the attack Overflow (PRIMUS MetaFile 2011-063) arrives on scene and begins fighting fires sparked by damage from Tsunami’s attacks. The metahumans engage in a brief, inconclusive combat before the arrival of Notus and Paragon (PRIMUS MetaFiles 2011-057 and 2010-326, respectively), forces Tsunami to retreat. Notus and Paragon remained on the scene to assist emergency services while Overflow left the scene. Interviews at the scene indicated that Terrance Lang hurriedly left the docks area immediately before the attack. A cross-check of Vibora Petroleum personnel records indicated that Lang had never been employed by the company but had been passed through by security that morning. Further investigation revealed that Security Chief Gabriel Jenkins had been in the company of a woman matching the description of La Muerte Blanca the previous evening, and had authorized Lang’s entrance. City Auditor Wesley Wexler was initially listed as missing in the incident, but was later determined to have left the scene in the confusion of the battle between the aforementioned metahumans.

 

INCIDENT 2 – 1446 hours

While on routine safety patrol, the Amphibian encounters Tsunami approximately five miles south of GoldenrodBeach and attempts to apprehend her. After a protracted running battle, The Amphibian is forced to retire from the fight due to exhaustion and moderate injuries sustained in the battle. He reaches the Coast Guard cutter Key Largoapproximately 15 minutes later and reports the fight and Tsunami’s last known heading. He is treated aboard ship and departs approximately one hour later to resume his patrol.

 

INCIDENT 3 – 1928 hours

Overflow breaks into Terrance Lang’s apartment, detaining him briefly before Senora del Oro and La Muerte Blanco arrive. Overflow battles the pair, but is ejected from the apartment by del Oro’s telekinetic powers. While the hero is distracted, La Muerte Blanco drains most of Lang’s life essence away, leaving him for dead. The women escape by using flight powers. Overflow rushes Lang to CountyMedical, and his quick action is credited for saving Lang’s life. Later questioning of Lang reveals his complicity with Kill Switch in orchestrating Tsunami’s attack on Vibora Petroleum earlier in the day, and leveraging Chief Jenkins as a means to gain access. Lang also had a side deal with known accomplices of the Sweetland Crime Family to put Wexler on the docks to either be hurt or killed by Tsunami. According to Lang, Overflow was at his apartment at the request of Wexler, who was a business client or partner. Lang was taken into protective custody so he can testify at a later conspiracy trial.

 

INCIDENT 4 – 1957 hours

Acting on information that was given to him earlier in the day by Silver Avenger Barton Stano, Paragon staked out the Duchess Industries Medical Research Clinic in Inner Weston. News reports indicated that Chrome was targeting Duchess Industries facilities on her latest crime spree. Notus was also at the scene when Chrome arrived, using an EMP Pinch device to knock out power to the area around the clinic. As Chrome attempted to enter the clinic, both she and Paragon came under fire from VIPER agents inside the building. The metahumans put their differences aside to battle the VIPER agents. However, Paragon prevented Chrome retrieving any of the data from the archive computer inside the clinic by physically ripping out its hard drive before Chrome could access it. Outside the clinic, Notus took apprehended Chrome’s two cronies after they began to fire upon him. Although thwarted in her plans, Chrome did relay what she knew about Kill Switch’s operation in ViboraBay to Paragon. According to information from Paragon, Kill Switch had approached Chrome to assist him in the operation, but she turned him down, as she had her own priorities. (It can be extrapolated that Kill Switch then turned to Tsunami, who accepted the offer.) A short time later, Notus, Overflow and Paragon turned the drive over to PRIMUS Special Agent Smith at the regional office in ViboraBay, informing the office of their activities. With the sudden appearance of VIPER agents in the city, the ViboraBay office when into security shutdown until other PRIMUS agents could be brought in to secure the facilities. The metahumans then departed for the Drake-Victoria Manufacturing Facility.

Addendum: Information gleaned from the hard drive confirmed the existence of Project Bumblebee, the VIPER program for developing metahumans by artificial means, though files on the hard drive were executive summaries containing little hard data. This information confirms suspicions of an active VIPER base within the metropolitan area.

 

INCIDENT 5 – 2041 hours

Notus, Overflow and Paragon arrive on the scene at the Drake-Victoria Manufacturing Facility in the AirportIndustrial Park to find security there has already been breached, and members of Los Cincos Diablos de Guadalupe on site. The fight is brief, with the heroes leveling the underpowered villains before they can mount an organized defense. Only El Matador Negro escapes by using his shadow powers to escape. The heroes pause just long enough to secure their vanquished opponents, then entered the facility. Inside, they find evidence that Kill Switch has used his companions as a distraction while he has ripped open a secure vault and blasted his way out of the building. The heroes render aid to several injured guards and discover that parts to the prototype computer and software for the M.E.C.H.A. Project have been stolen.

 

ANALYSIS

 

1) The incidents all point to a well-orchestrated plan being executed by Kill Switch. His M.O. remains to sow confusion and misdirection to obscure his true intentions until it is too late to stop them, then escape rather than directly confront his opponents. It also shows he has large sums of money to hire metahumans to facilitate his plans and keep heroes busy. It is believed that he has left the country for the time being, though his true whereabouts are unknown. His motives for stealing the computer parts and software are too numerous for an accurate analysis at this time.

2) Chrome and Tsunami remain at large. There are currently no leads as to either of their whereabouts.

3) El Cucaracha, Jalapeno, Senora del Oro and La Muerte Blanca have been turned over to UNTIL for extradition back to Mexico. There, they will stand trial for crimes then committed in Central America over the past three years.

4) Terrance Lang is in protective custody, awaiting a time when his testimony may be used against Kill Switch and/or Tsunami for conspiracy. He intends to plea bargain for a lesser charge in exchange for his cooperation in the other cases.

5) VIPER has at least one active base in the ViboraBay area. It can be assumed that attempts will be made to neutralize or eliminate PRIMUS agents and the local heroes in the near future.

 

END OF REPORT

[Lunatic Fringer]

Los Cinco Diablos de Guadalupe

 

LOS CINCO DIABLOS DE GUADALUPE

Membership: El Cucharacha [The Cockroach], Jalapeno, El Matador Negro [The Black Matador], Senora del Oro [Lady of Gold] (Leader), and La Muerte Blanca [The White Death].

HISTORY

Shortly after Rosa Alvarez became Senora del Oro (see below), she decided that even though she was mighty, many superheroes were much more so than she. While hiding out in Guadalupe, there was a string of mysterious murders. The Lady of Gold hunted down La Muerte Blanca and managed to convince the White Death to be part of her new crew of supervillains. When El Cucaracha when on a rampage, the Lady of Gold sought him out. He fell instantly in love with her, and she used that love to get him to join the crew. Meanwhile, The White Death encountered a talented thief who easily overpowered the guards at a bank without being seen at all. She used her powers to seduce him to her. The Lady of Gold saw his potential despite his lascivious ways, and brought him into the fold. Finally, as the four of them were doing their first job together, they found a man wreathed in green flames had already started the same caper on his own. When he ran into trouble, the crew got involved, allowing them all to get away with the loot. Jalapeno showed his appreciation by joining the group.

[Lunatic Fringer]

Diablos: El Cucaracha [The Cockroach]

 

CHARACTERISTICS (57)

15/30 STR 14/18 DEX 14/20 CON 14 BODY 10 INT 11 EGO 13/20 PRE 12 COM 6/15 PD 6/15 ED 3/4 SPD 7/10 REC 35/50 END 30/40 STUN

POWERS (89)

(ALL POWERS COME THROUGH THE MYSTIC LUCHA LIBRE MASK, OIF -1/2)

17 5d6 Absorption (Points to STR) (Fade / turn) Max=30

7 +15 STR, END = 1

6 + 4 DEX

6 + 6 CON

5 + 7 PRE

6 + 9 PD

6 + 9 ED

7 + 1 SPD

4 + 3 REC

5 +15 END

7 +10 STUN

5 8 PD / 8 ED Damage Resistance

5 +4” Running (10” Total, NC x 2), END=2

3 +5” Superleap (11” Total, NC x 2), END=1

TALENTS (3)

3 Combat Sense 11-

SKILLS (51)

3 Acting 13-

2 AK: Mexico 11-

9 CSL: +3 with Lucha Libre Wrestling Martial Arts

3 CSL: +1 with Diablos Team Tactics

3 Disguise 11-

2 KS: Supers 11-

2 LANG: English (Fluent Conversation)

0 LANG: Spanish (Native)

18 Martial Arts: Lucha Libre Wrestling OCV DCV Notes

(3) Basic Strike (Forearm Smash) +1 +0 8d6

(3) Flying Tackle (Toro Takedown) +0 -1 6d6 + v/5

(3) Grappling Throw (Body Slam) +0 +2 8d6

(4) Martial Escape (Arm Bar Escape) +0 +0 STR 45

(5) Passing Strike (Clothesline) +1 +0 6d6 + v/5

3 Oratory 13-

3 Stealth 13-

3 Streetwise 13-

Total Points = 200

DISADVANTAGES (100) + BASE POINTS 100 = 200 TOTAL

10 Enraged if Senora del Oro takes BODY (Uncommon, Go 14-, Recover 11-)

20 Hunted by UNTIL (MP, NCI, 8-)

20 Normal Characteristic Maxima

15 PSY: In love with Senora del Oro (Common, Strong)

15 PSY: Latin American Code of Honor (Common, Strong)

15 PSY: Loud, Brash Showoff (Common, Strong)

5 REP: Supervillain 8-

BACKGROUND

Ramon Vasquez lay in the hospital bed a broken man. The fall he’d taken outside the ring had shattered two vertebrae in his neck and three more in his back. The doctors were saying he might be able to walk again, but not much else. The medical bills were piling up and he had no way to pay them. He prayed for a miracle, but what he got instead was a ghost. The ghost told him in a dream that he was destined for a bigger arena than the squared circle, but in order to keep his honor and pay his bills, he would have to turn to a life of crime. When Ramon awoke, the mystic Lucha Libre mask was in his hand. He put it on and his body was instantly healed by its power. He left the hospital and began a life of crime under his old moniker – El Cucharacha.

[Lunatic Fringer]

Diablos: Jalapeno

 

CHARACTERISTICS (78)

10 STR 18 DEX 15 CON 10 BODY 13 INT 11 EGO 15 PRE 12 COM

4 PD 4 ED 4 SPD 8 REC 40 END 30 STUN

POWERS (106)

15 Elemental Control: Fire Powers (15-pt Reserve), 1/2 END (+1/4), Only in Villain ID (-1/4)

a:20 7d6 Energy Blast: Fire Blast, END=1

b:18 14” Flight: Flame Jets (NC x 4), END=1

c:17 16 PD/16 ED Force Field: Plasma Shield, END=1

d:13 2d6 RKA Damage Shield: Plasma Field Defense, Damage Shield (+ 1/2), Linked to Force Field (-1/2), No Knockback (-1/4)

4 5 points Sight Flash Defense, Only in Villain ID (-1/4)

4 Infrared Vision, Only in Villain ID (-1/4)

5 Instant Change (Same set of clothes)

2 Life Support vs. Intense Heat, Only in Villain ID (-1/4)

8 Life Support: Need Not Breathe, Only in Villain ID (-1/4)

TALENTS (0)

None

SKILLS (16)

2 AK: Mexico 11-

2 CSL: +1 with Fire Blast

3 CSL: +2 with Diablos Team Tactics

3 Computer Programming 12-

1 KS: Supers 8-

2 LANG: English (Fluent Conversation)

0 LANG: Spanish (Native)

3 SCI: Chemistry 12-

TOTAL COST = 200 Points

DISADVANTAGES (100) + BASE COST (100) = 200 POINTS

10 Enraged when he takes BODY (Uncommon, Go 14-, Recover 11-)

20 Hunted by UNTIL (MP, NCI, 8-)

20 Normal Characteristic Maxima

15 PSY: Greedy (Common, Strong)

10 PSY: Prankster (Common, Moderate)

10 PSY: Vengeful (Uncommon, Strong)

5 REP: Supervillain 8-

5 VUL: Cold-Based Attacks (1½ x STUN)

5 VUL: Water-Based Attacks (1½ x STUN)

BACKGROUND

Hector Morales was hoping to formulate a powerful new explosive when his home laboratory blew up in his face. He picked himself up from the ashes, only to find that he was on fire! But the green flames didn’t hurt him and the accident had given him great powers as well, which he mastered over time. The accident had leveled a city block, leaving many casualties, so Hector let the world think him dead and began a life of crime as a man wreathed in emerald flame – Jalapeno.

[Lunatic Fringer]

Diablos: El Matador Negro [The Black Matador]

 

CHARACTERISTICS (82)

10 STR 18 DEX 15 CON 10 BODY 13 INT 11 EGO 14 PRE 14 COM

7 PD 7 ED 4 SPD 7 REC 40 END 30 STUN

POWERS (92)

15 Elemental Control: Mystic Matador Powers (15-pt Reserve)

a:15 10 PD/10 ED Armor: Ole! (Enhanced Dodging)

b:15 3” Darkness vs. Normal Sight: Cape of Shadows, 1/2 END (+1/4), Personal Immunity (+1/4), No Range (-1/2), OIF (-1/2), END=2

c:15 3d6 STUN Drain: Sword of Shadows (Return / turn), 1/2 END (+1/4), OIF (-1/2), END=1

d:17 Invisibility vs. All Sight: Cape of Shadows, No Fringe (+10), 1/2 END (+1/4), only in shadows or darkness (-1/2), OIF (-1/2), END=2

e:15 15” Teleportation: Cape of Shadows Sidestep, 1/2 END (+1/4), OIF (-1/2), END=1

TALENTS (0)

None

SKILLS (26)

2 AK: Mexico 11-

4 CSL: +2 with Sword of Shadows

3 CSL: +1 with Diablos Team Tactics

2 LANG: English (Fluent Conversation)

0 LANG: Spanish (Native)

3 PS: Bullfighting 13- (DEX)

3 PS: Dancing 13- (DEX)

3 Seduction 12-

3 Shadowing 11-

3 Stealth 13-

TOTAL POINTS = 200

DISADVANTAGES (100) + BASE POINTS 100 = 200 POINTS

20 Hunted by UNTIL (MP, NCI, 8-)

20 Normal Characteristic Maxima

15 PSY: Turns on the charm for the ladies (Common, Strong)

15 PSY: Vain (Common, Strong)

10 PSY: Vengeful (Uncommon, Strong)

5 REP: Supervillain

15 SUS: Alchemist Cold Iron, 1d6 STUN per Phase (Uncommon)

BACKGROUND

Jose Ruiz had been tossed from the ranks of professional bullfighters when his affair with the underage daughter of a prominent politician became public. Shamed and shunned, he tried his profession in other countries, but his past always followed him and he would be forced to move on. Homeless, broken and despondent, Jose sat down in a crumbling cemetery and poured out his misery upon the ruined mausoleums, crawling inside one for shelter from the rain. There he found one of the corpses arrayed in a splendid matador’s uniform, which he put on as much from the cold as his memories. While the former owner was dead, his spirit lived on and infused the uniform, cape and sword with magical powers. Jose wore a wicked grin the next morning, and started a campaign of terror and revenge as El Matador Negro.

[Lunatic Fringer]

Diablos: Senora del Oro [The Lady of Gold]

 

CHARACTERISTICS (88)

13 STR 18 DEX 15 CON 10 BODY 13 INT 18 EGO 15 PRE 16 COM

4 PD 4 ED 4 SPD 6 REC 30 END 35 STUN

POWERS (75)

10 Elemental Control: Telekinetic Power Ring (20-pt Reserve), OIF (-1/2), All powers must draw from END Reserve (-1/2)

a:12 7d6 Energy Blast: TK Force Bolt, 1/2 END (+1/4), END=1

b:12 15” Flight: TK Levitation (NC x 4), 1/2 END (+1/4), END=1

c:10 16 PD / 16 ED Force Field: TK Shield, 1/2 END (+1/4), END=1

d:15 Telekinesis (20 STR, Fine Manipulation), 1/2 END (+1/4), END=2

9 END Reserve inside Power Ring, 50 END, 8 REC / turn, OIF (-1/2)

7 Instant Change: Power Ring (Any set of clothes), OIF (-1/2)

TALENTS (0)

None

SKILLS (37)

2 AK: Mexico 11-

9 CSL: +3 with Power Ring Abilities

3 CSL: +1 with Diablos Team Tactics

2 LANG: English (Fluent Conversation)

0 LANG: Spanish (Native)

3 Concealment 12-

3 Disguise 11-

3 Lockpicking 13-

3 Security Systems 12-

3 Sleight of Hand 13-

3 Stealth 13-

3 Streetwise 12-

TOTAL POINTS = 200 POINTS

DISADVANTAGES (100) + BASE POINTS 100 = 200 POINTS

5 DF: Always wears the Power Ring (EC, N&R)

5 Dependence upon the Ring (Uncommon, 3d6 / Day)

20 Hunted by UNTIL (MP, NCI, 8-)

20 Normal Characteristic Maxima

10 PSY: Cold & Humorless (Common, Moderate)

15 PSY: Ruthless (Common, Strong)

10 PSY: Vengeful (Uncommon, Strong)

5 REP: Supervillainess 8-

10 VUL: Drain Attacks (2 x Effect)

BACKGROUND

Rosa Alvarez grew up an orphan in the slums of Mexico City where talented thieves ate and less talented ones starved. As her talents grew, she escaped the slums through membership in a crew of burglars, who specialized in high-end homes. Unknown to Rosa, one of those homes happened to be the residence of an ailing, retired superheroine. Rosa rummaged through the jewelry box and found the ring. She felt an attraction to it and slipped it on her finger rather than in with the rest of the day’s haul. When the rest of the crew found out she’d been holding out them, they attacked her. But the powers of the ring allowed her to not only prevail, but silence the members of the crew for good so she could keep the ring and the rest of the loot. Thus began the legacy of Senora del Oro. (Her name comes from the golden energy of the ring.)

[Lunatic Fringer]

Diablos: La Muerte Blanca [The White Death]

 

CHARACTERISTICS (92)

10 STR 18 DEX 14 CON 10 BODY 13 INT 18 EGO 15 PRE 20 COM

5 PD 5 ED 4 SPD 7 REC 32 END 30 STUN

POWERS (90)

40 Multipower: Psychic Vampire Pendant, 1/2 END (+1/4), IIF (-1/4)

u 3 Desolidification: Mist Form, Cannot Move Through Solid Objects (-1/2), END=2

u 4 4d6 EGO Drain: Entrancement, END=2

u 4 4d6 EGO Attack: Mental Blast, END=2

u 4 8d6 Mind Control: Domination (Verbal Communication), END=2

u 3 2½d6 RKA: Kiss of Death, No Range (-1/2), END=2

13 10” Flight (NC x 2), Linked to Desolidification (-1/2), END=2

19 13 PD / 13 ED Armor: Magic Cape, Activation 14- (-1/2), OIF (-1/2)

TALENTS (0)

None

SKILLS (18)

2 AK: Mexico 11-

3 CSL: +1 with Multipower Attacks

3 CSL: +1 with Diablos Team Tactics

2 LANG: English (Fluent Conversation)

0 LANG: Spanish (Native)

3 High Society 12-

5 Seduction 13-

TOTAL POINTS = 200 Points

DISADVANTAGES (100) + BASE POINTS 100 = 200 POINTS

5 Dependence: Must use Kiss of Death on a new victim daily (Uncommon, 3d6 / Day)

5 DF: Beautiful, Ashen-skinned Woman (EC, N&R)

20 Hunted by UNTIL (MP, NCI, 8-)

20 Normal Characteristics Maxima

15 PSY: Revels in Using Her Powers (Common, Strong)

20 PSY: Vain (Very Common, Strong)

5 REP: Supervillainess 8-

10 SUS: Holy Relics (Uncommon, 1d6 / Turn)

BACKGROUND

Maria Reyes was born to a wealthy family. She was always beautiful and learned early on how to use her charms to get whatever she wanted. While lost on a summer trip in the mountains, she took shelter from a thunderstorm inside a spooky cave. While inside the cave, an earthquake opened up a blocked passage that Maria explored. It was there she found the pale-skinned corpse, chained to the wall. Around its neck was a beautiful pendant that seemed to be more beautiful than any jewelry she had ever seen before. She took it and put it on, and spirit of the psychic vampire it had imprisoned took a new body to begin to feed once again.

[TheQuestionMan]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

Interesting character layouts. What is it from?

 

Cheers

 

QM

[Lunatic Fringer]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

Interesting character layouts. What is it from?

 

Cheers

 

QM

 

This is a home-brewed group of supervillains based on 4th Edition Champions rules. I wanted a group of international criminals to spice up my Vibora Bay campaign, but ones that my PC's could still beat, even if the heroes were somewhat outnumbered. As it turned out, the group wasn't much of a challenge for the heroes, but they did accomplish the job of being a good diversion for the high-tech master villain who hired them (Kill Switch) who now has plans, parts and software to construct an AI...

 

The layout is simply me typing out the information from the character sheet in old school 4th Ed. fashion. Glad you like.

[Lunatic Fringer]

The Capes of Vibora Bay (New)

 

"The Dog's Day" (New) -- Notus, Overflow and Paragon battle an invasion of mutant dogs that are menacing the community! Is it a new plot by The Mongrel King, or something even more sinister? Don't miss a pulse-pounding minute of "The Capes of Vibora Bay" on Channel Friz!

 

UPDATE: This week's gaming session has been postponed due to work schedule conflicts. Next game will be Monday, April 25th.

[Lunatic Fringer]

The Vibora Bay Banner - April 15, 2011

 

Police Expand Search As Reports Of Giant Dog Attacks Increase

 

(Vibora Bay) – As the recent string of attacks by feral dogs or wolves continues, police have been issued additional animal control gear and first aid supplies. Police Chief Thomas Buford urged the public to remain calm at a media briefing yesterday afternoon. “There have been a number of wildly exaggerated reports of these animals in the media of late,” chided Buford. “We don’t need over-active imaginations causing undo worry in the populace.”

However, there are a number of people claiming that the animals that they were menaced by stood nearly four feet tall at the shoulder and were exceptionally fast, vicious and intelligent. While there have been no life-threatening injuries in the attacks, over a dozen citizens have been forced to endure painful emergency rabies vaccinations, as the animal(s) responsible remain at large.

 

Paragon And Fisteel To Appear At Children’s Hospital Benefit Today

 

(Vibora Bay) – A large crowd is expected to be on hand this afternoon for the entertainment gala for Vibora Bay Children’s Hospital at the ACI Forum. Among a number of local sports and entertainment celebrities will be two superheroes – Fisteel, a former member of Fire Team Alpha, and Paragon, one of the city’s newest defenders. It is expected that both heroes will showing off some of their superpowers at the gala, which gets underway at two this afternoon.

Children’s Hospital officials are hoping the gala will raise over one million dollars to cover the expenses of disadvantaged children needing critical care. According to a media release regarding the gala, many traditional sources of income for the hospital have dried up due to government cuts and the economic downturn.

 

Supervillainess Chrome Remains At Large – Raids Medical Lab

 

(Vibora Bay) – Vibora Bay Police continue searching for the supervillainess Chrome after she raided JLS Labs in Inner Weston yesterday. The metahuman mad scientist made off with several pieces of advanced medical equipment and a load of biological laboratory supplies. Three security personnel were injured in the raid, but none had life-threatening injuries. Sources within the police department speculate that Chrome has been stealing supplies and equipment to furnish a private genetics lab, which would be consistent with her M.O. from previous crimes.

Most recently, the villainess broke into the Duchess Industries Medical Clinic in Vibora Bay, but was thwarted by the combined efforts of Notus and Paragon. A number of VIPER agents were also arrested at the scene, though Chrome escaped. Police are continuing to pursue leads in the case.

 

Disabled Freighter Brought Safely Into Port of ViboraBay

 

(Vibora Bay) – A US Coast Guard cutter successfully brought the damaged container ship Corazon Breeze into the Port of Vibora Bay last night. The ship had been adrift for nearly four days after sustaining damage to its engines and rudder during what its captain described as an act of piracy by the VIPER criminal organization. According to Merchant Captain Ingmar Lindberg, his ship’s rudders and screws were damaged by a torpedo attack early Tuesday morning and he and his crew were knocked unconscious by a sonic weapon. When they awoke a few hours later, several cargo containers had been taken and the ship’s engines had been sabotaged. The ship remained adrift about a hundred miles southwest of Vibora Bay until its rescue late Friday night by the Coast Guard Cutter Key Biscayne. There were no injuries reported in the attack.

[Nuclear Fridge]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

I really like the news bulletins you're supplying. Are they the 'headlines' your heroes see in the papers, as leads to new crimes and foes?

[Lunatic Fringer]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

I really like the news bulletins you're supplying. Are they the 'headlines' your heroes see in the papers' date=' as leads to new crimes and foes?[/quote']

 

That is correct. I make a simplified Vibora Bay Banner for the beginning of each session. Sometimes it hints at what may be coming up in the adventure, but most of the time it is just flavor text to get the players in the mindset to play their characters. Thanks for your interest in the game!

 

Matt "Loves-them-capes" Frisbee

[Nuclear Fridge]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

I'm sure that your players will look at the headlines and start wondering about Chrome's long-term plans and Kill Switch's schemes -- which will spark some ideas for you. I've been a GM for 25 years and the best source of "what if" ideas I have is my group of players...

[Lunatic Fringer]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

Yup, I agree with using player ideas for adventure fodder. Right now, though, I'm breaking in two relative newcomers to both the genre and the system.

[Lunatic Fringer]

Allies: Fisteel

 

FISTEEL (Retired Superhero)

CHARACTERISTICS (89)

30 STR 18 DEX 20 CON 12 BODY 13 INT 10 EGO 14 PRE 10 COM

9 PD 9 ED 5 SPD 8 REC 40 END 30 STUN

(Adjustments for Density Increase already figured in)

POWERS (105)

10 Elemental Control: Super-Dense Physique (10-pt reserve)

a-11 7 PD / 7 ED Armor: Ultra-tough skin

b-13 3 Levels Density Increase: Super-Dense Physique (800 kg mass, +3 PD, +3 ED, +15 STR, -3” Knockback), No END & Persistent (+1), Always On (-1/2), END=0

c-12 +5d6 Hand-to-Hand Attack: The Fist of Steel (11d6 total), No END (+1/2), END=0

d-15 1d6+1 HKA: The Fist of Steel II (2-1/2d6 Total), 1/2 END (+1/4), END=1

16 +8” Running (14” Total, NC x 2), END=3

6 +6” Superleap (12” Total, NC x 2), END=1

4 +4” Swimming (6” Total, NC x 2), END=1

18 8d6 Energy Blast vs. ED: Modified VIPER Blaster, OAF (-1), 2 clips of 8 charges each (-1/4), END=0

TALENTS (0)

None

SKILLS (51)

2 AK: North America 11-

2 AK: Europe 11-

3 Breakfall 13-

2 CK: Vibora Bay 11-

3 Climbing 13-

3 Concealment 12-

10 CSL: +2 with Hand-to-Hand Combat

8 CSL: +4 with Viper Blaster

3 Disguise 11-

2 KS: Supers 11-

2 KS: VIPER 11-

0 LANG: English (Native)

1 LANG: French (Basic Conversation)

1 LANG: German (Basic Conversation)

3 Oratory 12-

3 Security Systems 12-

3 Stealth 13-

Total Cost = 245 Points

DISADVANTAGES (80) + 150 BASE POINTS

10 Enraged when innocents are hurt (Go 14-, Recover 11-, Uncommon)

10 Physical Limitation: 800-kilo guy (Infrequently, Greatly)

15 Psychological Limitation: Hatred of VIPER (Common, Strong)

15 Psychological Limitation: Lethal Force is the Final Option (Uncommon, Total)

10 Public Identity: Joshua Mansfield

10 Reputation: Retired Superhero 11-

10 Watched by the US Government (As Powerful, NCI, 14-, Mild)

BACKGROUND

Shortly after Joshua Mansfield developed his mutant super powers in his early teens, a VIPER cell attempted to abduct him for indoctrination and research. His parents and brother were killed trying to protect him and in his rage he very nearly killed the abduction team to a man. Joshua kept one of the weapons that killed his family and swore that VIPER would never do to another family what had been done to his. After that, he began his career as a solo superhero in the Midwest, eventually being invited to join the United State’s official government superhero group, Fire Team Alpha. He has worked closely with both PRIMUS and UNTIL as part of the team, and has traveled extensively in Europe. Around ten years ago, he retired from FTA and settled in Vibora Bay to relax and pursue personal interests. One of those interests is tracking and attacking VIPER activities when he is able. The federal government continues to monitor his activities, often sending agents to his home to review them for intelligence on the VIPER criminal organization.

[Lunatic Fringer]

The End of Yet Another Champions Campaign (rant)

 

March 26, 2011

 

Okay, I am now officially done with running Champions. Don't get me wrong here, I love the system and I love running it. The problem is that only two or three people I've ever invited to game using this rules system over the years have ever bothered to read and learn it. "There's too much math!" "This is combat calculus!" "There's too many dice!" This from players over the years that had no problem min-maxing 1st Edition AD&D characters, could quote rules verbatim from Pathfinder, could give me a three-sentence plot synopsis of every episode ST:TNG, etc.

 

*sigh*

 

I'm old. Maybe too old for this [bleep] these days. I found a group of games over the years that I have loved, and I hear the same [bleep] from younger players all the time. Maybe it's me, after all. This is the fourth time in a row that I've tried running a Champions campaign since I struck gold with the Knightshift campaign for DC:TAS a few years ago, only to have it crash and burn after a few sessions. AND IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME [bLEEP]!

 

So no offense guys -- I'm not going to sour my good memories of this game with any more negative experiences. I'm done with this game system. Thanks for the memories, guys. I wish you luck and success in all your future endeavors.

 

Matt Frisbee

[BoloOfEarth]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

I'm sorry to hear this. It's obvious you put a lot of attention and work into a campaign that looked to be a fun and interesting one, and it sucks that your players didn't appreciate this.

 

FWIW, I game with a group of 5 players who played Champions for 15 to 20+ years, and there are two of them that still only have a passing familiarity with the rules. (Both of them needed major help to create and update their characters.) I found it was easier just to ask them, "what do you want to do?" and then translating that from English to Hero myself.

 

Best of luck in whatever games you play.

[TheQuestionMan]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

I wish to play. How about running it as a PBEM on Hero Central.

 

Respects from a fellow frustrated Champions GM.

 

QM

[kahuna's bro]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

good idea tqm

[Tamashii2000]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

Was this a table top game or internet one?

[Nuclear Fridge]

Re: The Capes of Vibora Bay

 

I was sorry to learn that your campaign folded... I've been in the same position myself, having put in all the prep work, devoting time to creating plots, etc., etc., and having players just wander off on me. It's not just frustrating, it's %@*&@@ rude!