Matt Frisbee

Re: Fringeworthy Hero Hey Edsel, I have just finished reading your document (thanks for e-mailing it to me) and it is quite good. Initially, I owned FTL: 2448 by Tri Tac, but never got around to obtaining Stalking The Night Fantastic (Bureau 13), Rogue 417 nor Fringeworthy. Your document makes me wish (again) that I had. Since Tri Tac is still in business (offering pdf's of their old games) I think I will be making a serious effort to correcting this in the near future. Thanks again for the information and good luck with the campaign! Matt "Still-wishing-I-had-a-good-excuse-to-move-to-OKC" Frisbee

Re: [PA Hero] Limited Nuclear War Not So Good A common saying amongst my fellow soldiers back in the 1980's was: "All the towns in Germany are two kilotons apart." It was a way to represent the damage radius of tactical nuclear weapons and as a warning not to overkill a target. It stemmed from military doctrine of the time that NATO was going to use tactical nukes to offset the numerical superiority of the Warsaw Pact forces. Fast forward to the current day -- but the saying still holds true of many other countries in the world. Matt "Doom-and-gloom" Frisbee

Re: 20 Things You Didn't Know About Living In Space "You must spread some reputation around..." GRRRRR Thanks for sharing the link, Susano! I will peg you some rep when I can. Matt "That's-very-interesting" Frisbee

Re: Order of the Stick Originally Posted by OddHat: I'm guessing the "Kill the cleric in one blow" thing was the Improved Critical feat, or some sort of Great Improved Critical. Reply from Inu: Or the epic feat, 'devastating critical' -- if you crit, target rolls a fort save or dies. Comment from Matt Frisbee: And people wonder why I call d20 the perfect munchkin system. *sigh* Matt "THAT'S-IT!-We're-playing-Bunnies-and-Burrows-from-now-on!-You're-playing-a-bunch-of-freaking-RABBITS!" Frisbee

Re: What Are Your Hero's Most Embarrassing Moments? One of my very first heroes -- an energy projector named Erg (based very loosely on the DC Justice League character) -- wasn't all that super. He could actually do more damage with a punch than with his energy blast. For a series of misadventures, he teamed up with Force -- a brick who also wasn't spectacular. Our "heroes" were trying to chase down a villain one sunny afternoon, but the villain's defenses were high enough that Erg's energy blast didn't do enough STUN to slow him down and Force's low OCV prevented the brick from laying a finger on him. That's when Erg got the bright idea of Force ripping the gas tanks out of cars and throwing them at the villain while Erg used his energy blasts to detonate them. Well, Force couldn't get the improvised molotov cocktails close enough to the villain for the explosions to affect him, while flaming fuel and shrapnel rained down on the downtown area starting several fires... In the end, both Erg and Force skipped town, altered their costumes and names, and tried the superhero thing in another town (with seriously revamped characters) to somewhat better success. To my defense, the GM never defined "typical" power levels for the game and I was 17 at the time (Force's player was 16). To the GM's defense, it was probably the first time he'd run the game as well. Still, we had a blast, even if the heroes weren't the greatest of all time... Matt "Erg-lives-now-only-in-my-memories" Frisbee

Re: Order of the Stick I can see Lord Mhoram's point concerning Belkar. I hated a certain person a lot while I was in the Army. This certain person loved Led Zepplin and played it (and sang along with it badly) constantly. When I got out of the Army and got back home to my collection of vinyl, I poured lighter fluid over all of my Led Zepplin albums and mentally burned the guy in effigy as the flames claimed what had been some of my favorites. It was about five years before I could stand listening to Page and company again, even on the radio. These days, I'm over it, but back then it wasn't open for discussion. Matt "Working-through-the-old-issues" Frisbee

Re: SFX Question... What's in those blaster clips? In that game, the personal laser ammunition was disposable because only high technology worlds could make the weapons and ammo and shipping costs over the long run favored light, single-use casings. The weapons were brute force durable for the same reason -- some of the lasers used by the party were over a hundred years old... Matt "Crunchy-low-rent-gritty-sci-fi-goodness" Frisbee

Re: SFX Question... What's in those blaster clips? Hmmm...Nyrath's explanation almost makes a "Cartridge Laser" sound plausable. I used the same idea as an end-around on the Traveller game's lasers. The weapons were slightly heavier and bulkier than a CAWS (primarily to protect the sensitive emitters and focusing apparatus). This was before anyone had heard of laser diodes, of course. The chemical reaction in the cartridges (about the size of magnum 12-gauge shotgun shells) would power the exciters to start the cycle, with the waste energy from the reaction kicking the spent shell clear of the reciever and allowing the next round to enter the chamber. In this game, the same technology powered the ship-to-ship lasers used in the spacecraft with the cartridges being about the size of 40mm cannon shells. (A critical hit to the laser magazine was going to be a really bad day for the unfortunate crew.) In both versions, the lasers could overheat from repeated firing which could cause the cartridges to spontaneously discharge when they entered the firing chamber. Low-rent mercenary units also made a man-portable anti-tank weapon by rigging the guts of six cartridge laser rifles in a pepperbox arrangement and employing a seventh ranging laser to paint the target. The ranging laser would feed the range data to the other six so their fire would all converge on a single point at the proper distance before the weapon would discharge. Nasty on lightly-armored vehicles like G-Carriers and APC's... Matt "Old-school-sci-fi-RPG" Frisbee

Re: Fringeworthy Hero Just an idea here -- Cramming would be a fairly valuable skill amongst the Fringeworthy. I know I would set up my character with that, perhaps tied to Perception rolls to learn local customs and languages. (I'm presuming the Universal Translator Talent is right out.) I also know I would make sure my character had some martial arts -- probably Commando Training or some form of Knife Fighting, so he could still fight even if they wind up on a world where firearms don't work. Matt "Good-luck-with-this-because-I-never-got-to-run-or-play-this-one" Frisbee

Re: Glamour Guns Funny. And Sick. And so uniquely American... Matt "Suckin'-on-that-Willy-Wonka-Rainbow-Drop-so-I-can-technicolor-yawn-now" Frisbee

Re: Order of the Stick This strip just keeps getting better -- it is so AD&D crunchy and yet has such a great plot going as well! Excuse me while I gush -- THIS STUFF IS JUST SO FREAKING AWESOME! Matt "I'm-over-it-now-but-OotS-RAWKS!" Frisbee

Re: Are we Ready to Rock? I dunno...are we? How about Fortaleza (Fortress)? Or here's another one: Almena (Battlement). Another suggestion -- Terraplen (Rampart). Hope this helps! Matt "Double-posting-again" Frisbee

Re: Are we Ready to Rock? I dunno...are we? Sounds like you're keeping busy, Enforcer. This reminds me the Junkyard Dogs metahuman punk band that I threw at a group of heroes in Lakeport several years ago. Wavecrasher (Lead Vocalist) -- a male mentalist that could focus soundwaves to mind control large crowds and cause hallucinations. Thumper (Drummer) -- a female speedster martial artist who could cause area of effect hearing flashes with her supersonic kicks. Scrapyard (Bassist) -- a male brick who had bits of metal woven into his skin to form a permanent form of armor. Razz (Lead Guitarist) -- a female energy projector who could call electricity from any man-made source to strike targets. Mixx (Keyboardist) -- a male gadgeteer who specialized in sonic and light-based powers. Road Crew (Roadie) -- a low level brick (with the Dirty Infighting MA) with replication powers. Your group sounds like they're going to be a lot of fun, too. Matt "Memory-lane-junkie" Frisbee

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group... We didn't game over the weekend, but this one cropped up while we were playing a few card games and geeking out about comic books and superhero TV shows... Barry: Ya know the STUPIDEST transformation ever, right? Me: Any of Bill Bixby's transitions into Lou Ferrigno? Barry: (after a snort and a chuckle) No! (Stands and spins) Wonder Woman! Me: I thought the lightning and thunder was cool -- but I was 12 back then. Barry: But seriously, she'd just spin around! Me: Well, the reason they did that is Linda Carter was a dancer, so she could do it in high heels without getting dizzy. Barry: Granted -- but wasn't that stupid? Me: I got a one word argument for that... Barry: What? Me: SHAZAM! Barry: Hey, don't be digging on Captain Marvel! Me: Given the choice, Wonder Woman does look a heckuva lot better in satin than he does. Of course, she does wear considerably less of it... Barry: You're hopeless. Matt "Victim-of-70's-television" Frisbee

Re: [Review] Gadgets & Gear Since my group of players do not have a great deal of experience with the Hero System, Gadgets and Gear is a valuable resource to get the creative juices flowing with their character ideas and ways to spend their XP. This book, combined with the equipment and weapons book, has been worth the price I paid for both of them -- especially for my Knightshift Stories campaign I ran a couple of years ago. Matt "Slightly-opinionated" Frisbee

Re: [Campaign Log] The New Bay City Rollers Just a note to those of you who follow this thread -- scheduling and personal issues prevented the group from gaming this weekend. Hopefully, we'll get back together on this coming Saturday. Thanks for your patience -- it hasn't been easy for me either. Matt "Anticipation-is-making-me-wait" Frisbee

Re: [Campaign Log] The New Bay City Rollers Vector Characteristics [204] STR 15 DEX 29 CON 16 BODY 14 INT 13 EGO 14 PRE 14 COM 14 PD 22 ED 22 SPD 8 REC 12 END 40 STUN 40 Powers [126] Superspeed Attacks – Multipower, 50-pt. reserve, All slots are variable power, 1/2 END on all slots (+1/4), Can only be used in conjunction with Superspeed Running Power (-1/2) [41] +Hyperspeed Throwing – 10d6 Energy Blast vs. PD, Must have small object to throw (+0) [8]: 2 END +Pressure Wave Focusing – 4d6 Flash vs. Hearing Group [8]: 2 END +Whirlwind Attack – Telekinesis, 29 STR, Course manipulation, Area of Effect 1 hex (+1/2), No Range (-1/2), Nonselective Target (-1/4), Can only be used in conjunction with a full move which must include the six hexes surrounding the target hex (+0, rule bender allowed for special effect), Can only cause the target to be lifted, pressed down to the ground or spin around in hex (+0) [7]: 2 END + Superspeed Running Superspeed Running – 16” Flight, NCM x16 (+15), NC 256” (762 MPH); 1/2 END (+1/4), Only when in contact with a surface (-1/2) [39]: 2 END Inertial Isolation Field – 15 PD / 15 ED Damage Resistance [15] Super Quick Change Ability – Instant Change, one set of clothes [5] Head on a Swivel -- +1 Perception with all senses [3] Talents [0] None Perks [0] None Skills [20] Computer Programming (13-) [5] Deduction (12-) [3] Genetics (14-) [5] Knowledge Skill: Metahumans (12-) [3] Professional Skill: Research Scientist (13-) [4] Total Cost is 204+126+0+0+20= 350 points Disadvantages – 200 base + points Distinctive Feature: Mutant (Tests / Scanners can detect) (NC, N&R, Special Equipment Required) [5] DNPC: Cheyenne Hendricks, girlfriend (Normal, 11-) [15] Enraged when innocents are hurt (Com, Enraged 14-, Recover 14-, Enraged) [10] Hunted by GRAB (AP, NCI, 8-) [15] Hunted by Rogue Legion (MP, NCI, 8-) [20] Physical Limitation: Must eat 8,000 calories a day or suffers starvation effects (Freq, Slight) [10] Psychological Limitation: Lethal force is the final option (Common, Strong) [15] Psychological Limitation: Protects Innocents (VC, Strong) [20] Secret ID: Devon Garrison, genetics research scientist [15] Susceptibility: Sub-Zero Temperatures (Uncommon, 2d6 STUN per turn) [15] Vulnerability: Cold-based Attacks (Uncommon, 2x STUN) [10] Total points are 200+150= 350 points Background Devon Garrison was born to run – and soon was doing it faster than anyone he knew. Fortunately, his family was living in South Dakota at the time, so very few people knew of Devon’s gift. After genetic testing confirmed he was a mutant, Devon’s parents cautioned him to not show his powers in public and sent him to Gray’s Academy – a school in Bay City that teaches mutant children how to both manage and develop their powers. By the time he had graduated, Devon had a bachelor’s degree in genetics and put it to work as first a lab assistant and then as a scientist with the Simbio Corporation labs in Metronova. He never really considered using his powers to fight crime until his friends in the academy informed him of just what a toll The War in the Ice had taken on superheroes worldwide. That’s when he decided to don a specially made uniform that could withstand the rigors of his super speed and became a registered superhero. During his short stint in Metronova, he crossed swords with elements of Rogue Legion, foiling their plan to blackmail key city officials there. His on-line romance with Cheyenne blossomed and he found himself moving to Bay City to be with her, continuing his double life as Vector in a new city...

Re: [Campaign Log] The New Bay City Rollers Shadow Fox Characteristics [229] STR 20 DEX 29 CON 18 BODY 18 INT 14 EGO 14 PRE 19 COM 14 PD 20 ED 20 SPD 8 REC 15 END 50 STUN 50 Powers [57] Weightless Technique I – 10” Flight, Only when touching a surface (-1/2); NCM x4 (+5), NC 40” (119 MPH) [17]: 2 END Chi Healing – Regeneration, 2 BODY per turn [20] Weightless Technique II -- +10” Superleap, 14” Total, NCM x4 (+5), NC 56” (119 MPH) [15] Quick Change Artistry – Instant Change, same set of clothes [5] Talents [0] None Perks [2] Private Investigator License [2] Skills [62] Acrobatics (15-) [3] Breakfall (15-) [3] City Knowledge: Bay City (8-) [1] Climbing (15-) [3] Criminology (12-) [3] Knowledge Skill: Metahumans (11-) [2] Knowledge Skill: Ninjitsu (12-) [3] Shadowing (11-) [3] Stealth (15-) [3] Ninjitsu Martial Arts Maneuvers [38] +Strike (OCV +0, DCV +2, 10d6) +Back Kick (OCV +1, DCV +3, 8d6) +Nerve Strike (OCV –1, DCV +1, 4d6 NND) +Escape (OCV +0, DCV +0, 55 STR Escape) +Spin Kick (OCV –2, DCV +1, 12d6) +4 DC for Ninjitsu Maneuvers Total Cost is 229+57+0+2+62= 350 points Disadvantages – 200 base + points DNPC: Jacob Miles, young nephew (Inc, 11-) [20] DNPC: Claudia Miles, friend & guardian of Jacob (Norm, 11-) [15] Enraged when killing force is used (Unc, Enraged 14-, Recover 11-, Enraged) [10] Hunted by GRAB (AP, NCI, 8-) [15] Hunted by Starwell (AP, 8-) [10] Psychological Limitation: Code vs. Killing (Common, Total) [20] Psychological Limitation: Compulsion to leave ego token (Uncommon, Moderate) [5] Psychological Limitation: Must overcome failure to protect former police partner (Common, Total) [20] Reputation in Secret ID: Former policeman (8-) [5] Secret ID: Greg Stevens, private investigator 1d6 Unluck (Just Not My Day Syndrome) [5] Vulnerable to Magic / Mystic attacks (they disrupt his Chi) (Unc, 2x STUN) [10] Total points are 200+150= 350 points Background In retrospect, Greg suspected something bad would happen from the moment he and his partner Larry Hicks rolled on the 2-11 call. It was raining, traffic was a nightmare and no backup immediately available – three strikes on the call going in. The robbers were coming out of the paycheck loan place as they arrived – one cape and two mooks – a classic GRAB team. Larry played it by the book – telling the robbers to halt only after he’d drawn a bead on them with his pistol – but Greg was slow in getting his riot gun to the ready, and that cost Larry his life. The mooks were packing shotguns loaded with SLAP-T ammo (Saboted Light Armor Penetrator – Teflon) and blew threw Larry’s body armor like it was tissue paper. Greg returned fire, taking down one of the mooks, but the buckshot didn’t even slow the cape down. Within seconds, Greg lay face down in the street with a broken, twisted body, watching Larry bleed himself dry. By the time paramedics arrived, Larry was gone. Greg, however, recovered from his broken limbs and bruised organs with unnatural speed. All of his energy was now focused on finding the mook that had killed his partner and bringing him in to face justice. To that end, Greg devoted himself to the martial arts – not the schools that emphasized style, but the one art that was all about putting the hurt on one’s opponents: Ninjitsu. The sensei knew his story almost before he told it, and trained him well, teaching Greg to hone his Chi focus to augment his own developing super powers which grew more powerful as he devoted himself to the discipline and challenges of training. A year later, the sensei stated that Greg had learned everything he could teach, bestowing upon him a special name – Shadow Fox. Within days, Greg tracked down both the cape and mook, using his newly found powers to subdue them. Realizing that he could not operate under the constraints of the police, Greg turned in his badge so he could battle crime on his terms – as Shadow Fox.

Re: [Campaign Log] The New Bay City Rollers Sasquatch Characteristics [85] STR 15/60 DEX 14/28 CON 14/25 BODY 14/22 INT 14 EGO 14 PRE 14/24 COM 14 PD 8/25 ED 8/25 SPD 3/6 REC 8/15 END 35/70 STUN 40/65 Powers [229] Rapid Transformation – Instant Change, same clothes [5] Sasquatch Transformation – All powers marked with a (+) are bought with Only in Hero ID (-1/4) and IIF- Magic Totem (-1/4) limitations. +Massive – 2 levels Density Increase, 0 END & Persistent (+1) (x4 Mass, +2 PD, +2 ED, +10 STR, -2” Knockback) [13] +Towering – 2 levels Growth, 0 END & Persistent (+1) (x4 Mass, Height & Width Multiplier x1-1/2, +10 STR, -2” Knockback, +2 BODY, +2 STUN, -1 DCV Penalty, +1 PER Penalty) [13] +Powerful -- +25 STR, Doesn’t Affect Figured (-1/2) [12]: 2 END +Agile -- +14 DEX, Doesn’t Affect Figured (-1/2) [21] +Rugged -- +11 CON, Doesn’t Affect Figured (-1/2) [11] +Tough -- +6 BODY, Doesn’t Affect Figured (-1/2) [6] +Fearsome -- +10 PRE [7] +Resilient Fur & Hide I -- +15 PD [10] +Resilient Fur & Hide II -- +15 ED [10] +Fast Reflexes -- +3 SPD [20] +Superior Stamina -- +35 END [12] +Rough & Tumble Living -- +23 STUN [15] +Durable Body – 15 PD / 15 ED Damage Resistance [10] +Fleet of Foot -- +8” Running; 14” Total, x4 NCM (+5), NC 56” (71 MPH) [19]: 3 END +Strong of Leg -- +5” Superleap; 17” Total, x2 NCM (+0), NC 34” (22 MPH) [3]: 1 END +Excellent Swimmer -- +10” Swimming; 12” Total, x2 NCM (+0), NC 24” (45 MPH) [11]: 2 END +Excellent Lung Capacity – Life Support, Need not breathe; 1 recoverable charge of 5 minutes duration, recharges with a few deep breaths [6] +Alert & Focused -- +2 PER with all senses [4] +Superlative Olfactory Capabilities – Tracking Scent [7] +Expanded Hearing Range – Ultrasonic Hearing [2] +Expanded Visual Acuity – Ultraviolet Vision [3] Talents [0] None Perks [0] None Skills [36] Breakfall (15-) [3] City Knowledge: Bay City (13-) [4] Climbing (15-) [3] Ecology (15-) [6] Knowledge Skill: The Mystic World (13-) [4] Professional Skill: Ecologist (12-) [3] Shadowing (11-) [3] Stealth (15-) [3] Survival (13-) [7] Total Cost is 85+229+0+0+36= 350 points Disadvantages – 200 base + points Accidental Change to Sasquatch when exposed to full moonlight (Unc, 14-) [15] Accidental Change to Secret ID when wounded by argent weapons (Unc, 8-) [5] Distinctive Feature: Ten-foot-tall man-beast in Hero ID (NC, Major) [20] Enraged by ecological destruction (Unc, Enraged 14-, Recover 11-, Enraged Only) [10] Hunted by DEMON (MP, NCI, 8-) [20] Normal Characteristics Maxima [20] Psychological Limitation: Lethal Force is the Final Option (Common, Strong) [15] Psychological Limitation: Avid Ecologist (Very Common, Strong) [20] Secret ID: Paul Stanton, ecologist [15] Vulnerability to Argent Attacks (Unc, x2 STUN) [10] Total points are 200+150= 350 points Background Paul Stanton has been a tireless advocate for the environment for many years, participating in many protests and rallies up and down the Atlantic seaboard. When his longtime friend Bruce Langley died under mysterious circumstances in British Columbia earlier this year, Paul hopped the next flight west to attend the funeral. During the funeral, Trish (Bruce’s wife) gave him a small fetish totem that she said Bruce had wanted his best friend to have and wear. Complying with his departed friend’s wishes, he wore the totem around his neck on a deer hide thong. That night, Paul could not sleep and thought that pulling the shades in his room to shut out the bright moonlight would help. When he stepped into the moonbeam to shut the curtains, Paul felt a strange sensation surge through him. The spirit in the totem rose through him, changing his body from human to man-beast for the first time, threatening to overwhelm his mind. The Sasquatch and Paul fought for dominion as their man-beast body plunged through the window and staggered into the wilds. For three days, the nature spirit and Paul battled in their shared mindscape until the spirit relented and allowed Paul to take total control. Paul reveled in the new experience of being one with nature until he happened upon the scene of a car crash. Using his immense strength, he freed the victims from the wreckage before fleeing again into the woods. He would eventually learn to will himself to human form and back at will. Now back in Bay City, Paul has decided to use his great power to help humanity and show that civilization and nature can coexist, as well as battle the great evils that threaten the natural world he loves so deeply...

Re: [Campaign Log] The New Bay City Rollers Low-Rent (2007) [NPC Ally] Characteristics [132] STR 15 DEX 21 CON 18 BODY 15 INT 13 EGO 14 PRE 18 COM 10 PD 8/18 ED 8/18 SPD 5 REC 8 END 32 STUN 40 Powers [56] (All powers marked with a (+) are mutant abilities) +Mutant Musculature I – 8 PD / 8 ED Damage Resistance [8] +Mutant Musculature II -- +6” Running, 12” Total, NCM x2 (+0), NC 24” (22 MPH) [16]: 2 END +Mutant Musculature III -- +5” Superleap, 8” Total, NCM x2 (+0), NC 16” (19 MPH) [5]: 1 END +Highly Acute Senses I -- +3 Perception with all senses [9] +Highly Acute Senses II – Ultrasonic Hearing [3] +Highly Acute Senses III – Ultraviolet Vision [5] Homebuilt Combat Armor -- +10 PD & +10 ED, bought with OIF (-1/2) and Activation 14- (-1/2) limitations [10] Talents [8] Ambidexterity [3] Combat Sense (13-) [5] Perks [6] Jack of All Trades [3] Scholar [3] Skills [73] Breakfall (13-) [3] City Knowledge: Bay City (13-) [4] Climbing (13-) [3] Combat Skill Level: +3 with Dirty Infighting [9] Concealment (12-) [3] Deduction (12-) [3] Knowledge Skill: Known Fugitives (12-) [2] Knowledge Skill: Metahumans (12-) [2] Knowledge Skill: Organized Crime (12-) [2] Knowledge Skill: Local Crime Families & Members (12-) [2] Persuasion (13-) [3] Professional Skill: Cashier (11-) [1] Professional Skill: Janitor (11-) [1] Professional Skill: Laborer (11-) [1] Professional Skill: Security Guard (11-) [1] Professional Skill: Telemarketer (11-) [1] Professional Skill: Waitstaff (11-) [1] Stealth (13-) [3] Streetwise (13-) [3] Dirty Infighting Combat Maneuvers [25] Punch (OCV +0, DCV +2, 7d6) Roundhouse (OCV –2, DCV +1, 9d6) Low Blow (OCV –1, DCV +1, 3d6 NND) Disarm (OCV –1, DCV +1) +2 DC for Dirty Infighting Maneuvers Total Cost is 132+56+8+6+73= 275 points Disadvantages – 100 base + points Distinctive Feature: Mutant (Tests / Scanners can detect) (NC, N&R, Special equipment required) [5] Hunted by GRAB (AP, NCI, 8-) [15] Normal Characteristics Maxima [20] Poor [5] Psychological Limitation: Compulsion to fight crime (Common, Strong) [15] Psychological Limitation: Lethal force is the final option (Common, Strong) [15] Reputation in Hero ID: Crimefighter (11-) [10] Secret ID: Joe Smith, temp slave [15] Experience [75] Total points are 100+100+75= 275 points Background Joe Smith became a crime fighter for the downtrodden masses of Bay City’s notorious South Side over three years ago when he witnessed a mugging in process while a superhero flew overhead unaware and seemingly uncaring. Joe had always known he was a little different, a little tougher than most, so he waded into the scene, taking his lumps, but scaring off the muggers after dishing out a few of his own. When the press dubbed him the South Side’s new “low rent superhero” he decided to show the snooty media what it really meant to be a hero. He built a set of crude combat armor out of surplus sports gear reinforced with scrap sheet metal and took on crime in the Lodo. When most of the Bay City Rollers disappeared into a time warp for seven months, he stepped up and registered with the BMA and fought alongside the heavy hitters on the East Coast. After they returned, he went back to fighting crime in the Lodo, trying to make things better for the average people who were already having a hard time of it. He will answer the call of the signal ring if he’s truly needed, but he remains committed to fighting street crime on the South Side.

Re: [Campaign Log] The New Bay City Rollers CHROME Characteristics [95] STR 13/50 DEX 18/28 CON 18 BODY 15 INT 18 EGO 14 PRE 14/19 COM 10 PD 8 ED 8 SPD 3/6 REC 8 END 36 STUN 40 Powered Battlesuit -- All powers bought with OIF limitation, all powers requiring END must pull from Endurance Reserve (+0) [211] Nano-Titanimesh Skin – 15PD / 15 ED Armor [30] Worklights – Change Environment (visible light source), 2” radius, 0 END (+1/2) [10] Variable Geometry Exoskeleton -- +37 STR, Doesn’t add to Figured Stats (-1/2) [18]: 4 END Neural Interface Control System -- +10 DEX, Doesn’t add to Figured Stats (-1/2) [15] Impressive Battlesuit -- +5 PRE [3] Reflex Boosters -- +3 SPD [20] High-Temperature Superconductor Powercells – Endurance Reserve (80 END, 15 REC/turn) [15] Reactionless Thruster Pack – 16” Flight, NCM x 4 (+5), NC: 64” (143 MPH) [25]: 3 END Life Support Systems – Self-Contained Breathing, Safe vs. High Pressure/Vacuum, High Radiation & Intense Heat/Cold [13] +Battlesuit Weapons – 60-pt. Reserve Multipower, all slots are variable power [40] ++Forcebeam Emitters – 12d6 Energy Blast vs. PD [8]: 6 END ++Graviton Web Ejectors – 6d6 Entangle (DEF 6) [8]: 6 END ++Worklight Strobe Pattern – 3d6 Flash vs. Normal Sight, 3” Radius Area of Effect (+1), Personal Immunity (+1/4), No Range (-1/2), Nonselective Target (-1/4) [6]: 6 END Talents [0] None Perks [18] Filthy Rich [15] Scientist [3] Skills [26] City Knowledge: Bay City (13-) [3] Computer Programming (13-) [3] Cybernetics (13-) [2] Electronics (11-) [3] Electronics Engineering (13-) [2] High Society (13-) [3] Inventor (13-) [3] Mechanics (13-) [3] Metallurgy (13-) [2] Nanotechnology (13-) [2] Total Cost is 95+211+0+18+26= 350 points Disadvantages – 200 base + points Distinctive Feature: Neural Interface Socket at Base of Skull (EC, Major) [10] DNPC: Chartreuse Pembroke, girlfriend (Normal, 11-) [15] Hunted by Blackout (AP, 8-) [10] Hunted by gold diggers (LP, NCI, 11-, Mild) [10] Hunted by Rogue Legion (MP, NCI, 8-) [20] Physical Limitation: Neural Interface has minor but significant side effects (Inf, Slight) [5] Psychological Limitation: Actively seeks challenges to test limits of the CHROME battlesuit (Uncommon, Strong) [10] Psychological Limitation: Code vs. Killing (Common, Total) [20] Psychological Limitation: Tinkerer (Takes things apart / modifies things) (Common, Strong) [15] Reputation in Secret ID: Brilliant Scientist (11-) [10] Secret ID: Lawrence Steele, Millionaire Vulnerability to Electrical Attacks (Uncommon, x2 STUN) [10] Total points are 200+150= 350 points Background Lawrence Steele thought his money could buy him everything, including happiness, but of course, he was wrong. His playboy lifestyle came to crashing halt ten years ago when his speeding sports car slammed into a bridge abutment, shattering his spine and leaving him a quadriplegic. From his hospital bed, he put his brilliant mind to work while his money bought the support needed to make his dream of walking again a reality. Three years later, in a complicated and highly secret 15-hour operation, artificial nerve fibers were laid into his spinal column to reconnect his brain to his body – leaving a connector socket at the base of his skull for a computer to help him learn how to use his body again. Soon, he no longer needed the computer, but the socket remained, covered by a fashionable ponytail. Lawrence’s playboy days were over, but his passion for science research and technological tinkering continued. He threw himself into a new career as inventor and scientist, but found himself unfulfilled. Then, one day, he got the idea of using his brain to operate a robot. The trial tests were surprisingly successful, but Lawrence remained unsatisfied. He then took the concept the next step -- designing a variable geometry exoskeleton that could be controlled through his neural interface. It took two more years to build the prototype, but now it is ready for testing, and the only way to give CHROME a real test is to put the exoskeleton on and go looking for trouble...

Re: [Campaign Log] The New Bay City Rollers SESSION ONE SUMMARY – “The Gremlin’s in the Details” Linda Shane’s hands shook as she fumbled with a cigarette and lighter. She tried to tell herself that it was cold in the room, but she could feel herself sweating as she lit the cigarette and snapped the lighter closed. The room’s only window was opposite the one that had its only door, but it had a translucent overlay, so she couldn’t see anything out of it. She dragged hard on the cigarette, hoping the familiarity of the action would calm her nerves. It didn’t. She nearly dropped it when the door to the room opened. She watched the two men enter the room. Both were dressed in a tan paramilitary uniforms with burnt orange and black piping on the pants and trimming the breast pockets, shoulder flaps. The berets they removed as they entered were dark brown with more of that same trim pattern. Rogue Legion has some seriously ugly uniforms, she thought as one of them closed the door and stood with his back to it while the other with a digital recorder took a seat in the only other chair in the small room. Her gaze wandered over to the one by the door – the one holding an energy rifle of some kind. It doesn’t make them any less dangerous, though. The one sitting across from her must have caught her gaze, because when she looked at him, he was smiling. “At ease, Charlie,” he said to the man with a hint of a South African accent, “You’re making Ms. Shane nervous.” The man at the door relaxed somewhat and slung the rifle over his shoulder. “Though you have a right to be, given the circumstances,” the man added to her, without any particular emphasis. She dragged on the cigarette again, blowing out a long, smoky exhale toward the ceiling. She studied him as he arranged the recorder on the small table between them and then leafed through some papers on the clipboard. The man bore the marks of a professional mercenary, including the wicked bullet wound scar in his left cheek that marred what otherwise would have been a handsome but forgettable face. The eyes were the color of bleach and framed in the shadow of a perpetual lack of sleep. The nose was angled in a predatory fashion and matched well with the hard, chiseled lines of the jaw and cheeks. The rest of the frame was sparse and hard with angular lines, telling of a life of hardship and living on the move. He turned his attention to her as he pressed a stud on the recorder. “After action report interview for incident three-seven-five-stroke-alpha-victor-four,” he recited in a deliberate faction. “Subject is Shane, sierra-hotel-alpha-November-echo, first name Linda, representing GRAB. Interview conducted on Fourteen October Twenty-oh-seven at sixteen-thirty-two hours.” “Efficient,” quipped Linda. She sat up a bit in her chair, straightening her green cardigan sweater and pulling slightly at the hem of her black skirt. She tossed her head to pull her dark hair from the fringe of the sweater’s collar and assumed a more professional air. She dropped her cigarette to the floor and crushed it out with the heel of her dark leather boot. “So what’s you’re name?” she asked. “Oscar will do,” he said coolly, “and I’d like to thank you for meeting me face to face on this issue.” “Least I could do,” she replied, “after the way things went.” “Yes,” he replied referencing something on his clipboard, “Four operatives and two metas apprehended, along with our mole in the target organization, complete disclosure of the intended target and enough evidence to indicate the ulterior motive to the FBI.” He met her gaze with a cold fury. “Yes, I would say that your incompetence has completely ruined six months worth of work by our organization and wasted nearly a quarter-million dollars in assets.” “GRAB is prepared to fully refund your advance, of course,” replied Linda, “and I believe we can also compensate your financial losses with interest within a period of three months. And just for the record, it was one meta arrested – Wraith managed to escape custody shortly after the incident. But the rest are comrades and friends of mine – so your people aren’t the only ones hurting because of this.” Oscar’s expression softened only slightly. “Granted,” he said after a moment, “Tell me what happened.” “Your mole in Celestia Corporation was followed to the meet at the Aquarium by a private investigator by the name of Greg Stevens,” she began, “I found out later that he slipped a tracer into the case containing the security bypass codes while I was meeting – and paying – your mole.” “You should have taken precautions for that,” said Oscar. “And your idiot mole shouldn’t have left the car unlocked!” she shot back. Oscar raised an eyebrow. “Indeed,” he said evenly, “I was not aware of that.” He paused to make a note on his clipboard. He looked back up at her as he wrote. “Please continue.” Linda paused to take a long breath to compose herself again. “So, of course, I was followed as I picked up the others on our way to the warehouse –“ “I’m sorry,” he interrupted, “Who were you picking up?” “Our metas – Starwell and Wraith,” she explained as he scribbled notes on the clipboard. “Wraith was the primary infiltrator and retrieval specialist for the target. I was acting as operation coordinator and emergency reserve. Starwell was the backup for our decoy team in the building next door.” “That would be the other four who were arrested?” asked Oscar. Linda nodded. “Stevens is a former policeman, so we feel that he called in the burglary as soon as the decoy team hit the roof. That would explain why the heroes arrived on the scene so quickly.” “Did the heroes arrive together or separately?” asked Oscar. “Separately,” she replied after thinking for a moment. “Shadow Fox, the martial artist, was on scene first – so I’m thinking he was in the vicinity when the call went out.” Oscar referenced his clipboard. “There was a gala benefit at The Hamilton for the Bay City Starlight Foundation at the time. That’s less than a mile away from the scene of the crime. That may explain why CHROME was absent from the incident and why the other heroes responded so quickly.” “You think they were there?” asked Linda as her forehead crinkled. Oscar flipped a couple of pages up on the clipboard. “Police reports indicate that Sasquatch and Vector apprehended a pick pocket on a motorcycle just two blocks away from The Hamilton at the time of your operation, so yes, I think they were there.” Linda sighed. “That makes it seem like the operation was doomed from the start,” she said. “Lack of adequate consideration to existing conditions tends to do that,” quipped Oscar while he continued to look at his clipboard, “I tried warning my superiors that your organization tends to overlook that important consideration, but I was ignored.” He let the papers fall back onto the board and looked up. “So you and yours are not the only people I’m upset with right now.” “Well, if you think you could do better –“ she began hotly. “I did!” His voice rang light hot hammered steel in the small room as he slammed the clipboard on the floor in frustration. “I lobbied very hard for our special operations group to take on this matter instead of your gaggle of amateurs – and now I have to deal with the aftermath, too!” He stood and faced the wall, shaking with rage, his fists clenched so tightly Linda could see small drops of blood forming at the edge of his palms. A glance at the door showed Charlie with an expression of concern, but he hadn’t otherwise moved. “Oscar,” said Linda quietly as she rose, “I understand you’re upset, and trust me, so am I. But we both have things to do right now, and recriminations aren’t going to get us anywhere. I suggest we get back to the matter at hand and stow our personal feelings for a more appropriate time.” Oscar relaxed slowly, as if by force of will alone, pulling a handkerchief from a pants pocket and wiped the blood from his hands. “Yes,” he said with his voice still trembling somewhat from emotion, “you’re right. I apologize for insulting your organization. I’m sure you have different priorities than ours.” He turned back to face her as he put the stained handkerchief away. Linda waited for him to sit before she did the same. As he picked up the clipboard again, she began again. “As I said, Shadow Fox was on scene first and immediately went after the decoy team on the roof of the adjacent building. Starwell and him have some bad blood between them, so she went after him and it was a donnybrook between those two until Vector showed up.” Linda fished out her cigarette case and lighter from the pocket in her skirt as she continued. “Vector took out the decoy team on the roof using a series Move-by attacks. About the time he finished that, Starwell had the upper hand on Shadow Fox and knocked him through the roof of the building. While her guard was down, Vector blindsided her and she was knocked out and off of the roof into the alley.” Oscar’s brow knitted. “You haven’t mentioned Sasquatch or Wraith,” he said. Linda lit and dragged on the cigarette, then nodded as she exhaled. “Wraith completed her part of the operation about the time Vector got the drop on Starwell,” she said. “Unfortunately, she happened to exit the building just as Sasquatch arrived on the scene and she panicked.” Oscar looked like he was about to say something, but Linda held up her hand. “I know,” she said, “It wasn’t very professional of her, but one, she’s a 17-year-old kid, and two, you see a ten-foot-high mountain for fur and muscle bearing down on you at a full run, you’d want to get the hell out of its way, too.” Oscar actually snorted at that and allowed a ghost of a grin to touch his features as he made a note on the clipboard. “I can see that,” he said somewhat more warmly than Linda expected as he looked up. “And you didn’t get involved, because?” Linda’s expression soured. “Because I was in the process of destroying evidence in the panel van the decoy team used and the car the metas and I used. After that, I transformed into my better half and took wing for the rendezvous point in North Point Park. When Wraith showed up late and without the goods, we backtracked to the warehouse. By that time, however, Celestia had a security team there and was pulling the rest of the target goods from the warehouse to a more secure location.” “So why didn’t you try sending Wraith in to take the goods on the sly?” asked Oscar. “I did,” she said, “but the truck was a special security hauler with a force field generator around the cargo. Wraith can’t phase through that, so I decided the operation was a bust. That’s when I contacted you.” Hmmm,” sighed Oscar as he scribbled the final note on the clipboard and turned the recorder off. “That should do it,” he said quietly, then looked at Linda with an expression of resignation. “Once again, thanks for coming in.” He nodded as if to himself then glanced at Charlie at the door. “Do it,” he said in a voice full of malice. Linda glanced back and saw Charlie begin to unlimber his weapon. “WRAITH! NOW!!” yelled Linda as she threw that primal mental switch that initiated her transformation. Even as the familiar pain raced through her body, she could hear Charlie scream over the shredding of her own clothing. She thanked her luck that neither Oscar nor Charlie had been able to detect Wraith, who had been standing in the room the entire time, invisible even to her. Charlie screamed again and Linda winced inwardly – Wraith’s disruption attack felt like she was turning you inside out, but never did any serious damage to most people. Even as her perception shifted into that of her reptilian form she saw that Oscar now had an energy pistol in his hands and was aiming it at Wraith. By reflex, Linda straightened up and spread her wings across the room, blocking Oscar’s line of sight. Oscar fired anyway and searing pain tore through the leathery flesh of her right wing. Then, the Gremlin bared her claws and moved in for the kill. To his credit, Oscar shot her once more and was vicious infighter, but her wings enveloped him like a shroud until there was no escape from her claws and teeth. His blows fell on unfeeling scales and spines until they became weak and desperate and then just autonomic twitches as his life ebbed away. Gremlin stood and shook Oscar’s blood from her claws and wings, spattering the walls with bright crimson spots. She looked down on his mutilated form and spat. “No malice – my scaly butt!” she snarled. She turned to look a Wraith who was shaken but resolute. “Split up,” she ordered, “Get back to the safe house, and don’t get caught this time!” Wraith was already fading out as she ran through the door without opening it. Gremlin picked up the recorder and was about to dash it to the floor, then got another idea. She carefully touched the record stud with a single claw and addressed it. “Addendum one: you’re not getting your money back you back-stabbing bastards. Addendum two: it looks like consummate professionals can screw things up, too.” The last sounds the recorder caught were the sounds of breaking glass and flapping wings as Gremlin took her leave through the window. END Notes: CHROME was not in the session because the player had a health issue. Vector was a last-minute addition to the playing group. Sasquatch, Shadow Fox and Vector each earned 3 XP for the session. The target of the theft was a security system similar to one used at Celestia Corporation. The target of that theft was not revealed, but the characters know that Celestia made the electronic locking systems for both the Bloc Island Supermax Prison and The Vault. Playing sessions are going to be held on Saturday Nights until further notice. --Matt Frisbee

Re: [Campaign Log] The New Bay City Rollers BAY CITY ROLLERS – PROLOGUE Isaiah Groombridge wiped his eyes as he placed the framed pictures from the top of his desk into the large cardboard box that occupied his chair. I didn’t realize how many of them died down there, he thought as he fought with his emotions. I should have been one of them. That, he told himself, was his survivor’s guilt talking. He quit looking at the pictures of former colleagues arrayed in their brightly colored costumes and armor and placed them into the box. Things had been simpler those long years ago when he first donned his own set of fighting togs and tried to make a difference. But now, he was an advisor, a bureaucrat in the Bureau of Metahuman Affairs, helping others like himself to rise to the challenge of fighting metahuman criminals and the criminal organizations that regular law enforcement simply couldn’t handle. Then came the ultimate challenge from the world’s most dangerous and deadly supervillain – Doctor Destroyer; give up all claims to Antarctica or the seven thousand people trapped behind his sophisticated force field would slowly freeze to death. While the rest of the superhero community rose to that challenge to fight tyranny and evil, Tigerstripe hid behind a desk and the responsibilities his position as Delaware Area Supervisor required of him. On the Ross Ice Sheet, the battle was joined as two great metahuman armies slammed away at each other with unearthly forces that shattered that frozen expanse. Doctor Destroyer saw his metahuman army crumbling in the face of a foe dedicated to his own destruction. Roaring out his rage and frustration at seeing yet another grand scheme crashing around his ankles, he loosed the full fury of his arsenal upon them, striding into the havoc of desperate warfare, as only those so dedicated to a single ideal can fight. There was only one of two outcomes for both sides in that fight – victory or death. No quarter was asked and none was given as the final dozen or so functional combatants – exhausted, freezing and battered – faced that full-on maelstrom of rage clad in armor. In the end, it was one of the Doctor’s own that was his undoing – Maul, the former hero warped by mind altering drugs into a feared supervillain, found his former self in time to save the world, sacrificing his life in the process. Isaiah found himself on his knees next to his desk, sobbing. Maul had almost killed him once, forcing him to put his colorful costume away and live like the rest of humanity. If I had been there, he thought as he wiped his eyes savagely, I would have killed him, or died trying. There was simply no way that Isaiah, even in his prime, could have ever stood alone against the Destroyer – but Maul did and gave everything he had to make sure it would never happen again. Isaiah pulled himself together and stood, straightening his business suit and tie before taking the final few personal items from the desktop and placing them in the box. The BMA had reassigned him to Mission City, to work with the newly formed West Coast Warriors. A change of scene would be good, he thought as checked the drawers of the desk for anything he missed. The knock on his office door was crisp and precisely measured. “Come in,” said Isaiah with just a hint of the ragged emotions he’d been feeling. The door opened in an equally measured fashion, moving at the same speed until it came to a sudden and complete stop. The man who held the doorknob was thin without appearing weak, pale without looking sickly and wore a functional, mirthless smile. That smile faded when the dark green eyes found Isaiah’s face. “I’m sorry,” said the pale man with a note of genuine concern, “Am I intruding?” Isaiah shook his head and gestured to the box. “I found some old memories when I cleaned out the desk,” he said. He then stepped forward and offered a hand. “Isaiah Groombridge,” he said. The pale man’s smile returned, fueled by genuine emotion this time. “Vincent Morgan,” he said as he gripped Isaiah’s hand without shaking it. Isaiah noted that it was cool and dry. “I am your replacement,” he finished. Isaiah released the hand and gestured to an armchair while taking a seat in the other one in front of the desk. “You’re a day early,” ventured Isaiah as he crossed his legs and leaned back. Morgan closed the door in the same fashion as he opened it and then sat rigidly, as a grade school student might after being told to sit up. “I wanted to get a feel of the ground, so to speak,” said Vincent, “I understand that there are some new, uh, capes going through the application process.” Isaiah stiffened at the word. “It’s a good thing you closed the door before you said that,” he replied, “because we don’t use that word around here. They’re metahumans, they’re heroes, they’re comrades in arms, and sometimes a pain in the butt, but they are never called capes in this building or anybody who works in this office. Is that clear?” Vincent appeared to be unruffled. “Perfectly,” he said crisply, “I meant no offense, of course.” Isaiah bit his lower lip for a moment before blowing out his breath and relaxing somewhat. “Sorry,” he said, “the memories are still a little too close for me.” “Understandable,” replied Vincent, “given your past endeavors as Tigerstripe.” Vincent finally relaxed a little and leaned back in the chair. “But let’s not dwell on the past,” he continued, “and instead, focus on the present.” Isaiah nodded. “We still have Low-Rent, of course, he’s been active for the past couple of years,” he began, “though he’s more dedicated to taking down normal crime in the Lower Downtown area than he is at facing metahuman crime.” “Rather peculiar name for a hero,” sniffed Vincent, “Are you sure he’s a metahuman?” “Quite sure,” replied Isaiah, “His DNA tests confirmed it, but he’s just over the line when it comes to powers. He’s got what it takes, though – he used to be a regular member of the Rollers when they were active, and he’s the only one of the bunch that stayed after they broke up.” Isaiah could almost see Vincent mentally placing a note on some imaginary clipboard in his head. “Very well,” he said after a few seconds, “What about the rest?” It was Isaiah’s turn to check the imaginary clipboard. “There are a total of three: Chrome, Shadow Fox and Sasquatch.” “Sasquatch?” asked Vincent as he raised an eyebrow. “I thought he – it, was dead.” Isaiah smiled. “So did a lot of other people,” he chuckled, “but the spirit totem that’s responsible for the creature has found a new host – Paul Stanton. He’s another ecological activist, of course.” Vincent frowned. “The boss isn’t going to like that,” he replied, “There’s too much chance for a conflict of interest when one’s politics clash with government policy.” “Then, that will be one of the many problems you’ll have to solve when the time comes,” said Isaiah, “But, trust me, that will be mild compared to some of the other issues I’ve had face during my term here.” “Very well,” said Vincent with a wave of his hand, “What about the other two?” “Shadow Fox is your typical metahuman martial artist,” said Isaiah, “He specializes in Ninjitsu but doesn’t carry a weapon. He’s also mastered that famous weightless technique so he can walk on water and such.” “Much like the White Lotus,” replied Vincent, “with whom you’ll be working in the near future.” Isaiah nodded. “His specialty was Karate, and he does use a few weapons on the side these days, but the point is valid. Here’s hoping that the Fox’s opening rounds won’t be as rough as the Lotus’ were in Lakeport.” “Certainly,” said Vincent with a smile, “There are quite a few Midwestern supervillains who are just plain scum, in my humble opinion – Laser, Black Fire and Rebound just to name a select few.” Vincent paused to clear his throat. “What about the other one? Chrome, was it?” “Yes,” said Isaiah with a nod. “It’s an acronym for Cybernetic High-survivability Reconnaissance Operations Multi-environment Exoskeleton.” Vincent blew out a breath with a chuckle. “That’s a mouthful,” he agreed, “What does it mean?” “CHROME is a powered armor suit,” replied Isaiah, “employing a nanotech armor mesh of titanium-impregnated ceramic fibers. The stuff feels like an oily flannel shirt but can shrug off high-caliber ordinance without turning the wearer into chunky salsa from the concussion. The military is already expressing interest in the stuff, but the suit’s owner and operator says it’s still experimental.” “That’s it?” asked Vincent, “Just a suit of armor?” “No, of course not,” said Isaiah with a sigh. “Rocket boots, energy beam projector and superhuman strength – the usual checklist that inventors throw together when they make one of these things.” “Sounds like a recipe for a lot of property damage,” mused Vincent as he adjusted his suit jacket and stood. Isaiah was about to stand as well, when he suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. Something’s really wrong here, raced through his mind, but he couldn’t quite place it. Then his gaze found Vincent’s right hand, and his eyes widened in recognition when he saw what was held there. Needlebeam! Isaiah barely had time to throw himself behind the desk as the white-hot thread of light from Vincent’s hand seared its way through the chair. The high-pitched whine of the weapon was quite familiar – a product of Rogue Legion’s supervillain supply store, no doubt. The old reflexes were still good, though, as he continued the roll to the other end of the desk and wound up in his old fighting crouch. Vincent was nearly as fast, however, and was already drawing a bead on Isaiah as the old superhero leapt up and sideways. The weapon sliced off a swatch of his left pants leg and singed the hair underneath, but he managed to escape injury from the second shot. Isaiah’s feet found and planted on the office wall while he twisted and coiled his body for his final play, letting inertia substitute for gravity until he could spring. Even as he did, he saw Vincent already lining up the next shot, his finger tightening on the weapon’s trigger again. In desperation, Isaiah changed his direction at the last possible millisecond, springing toward the floor. He heard the weapon whine again as Vincent’s third shot burned a stripe across his right shoulder blade and burned a hole in his hip. Isaiah cried out from the pain and hit the floor in a heap. Both his arm and leg were limp from the effects of the weapon hit. Electro-pulse laser, Isaiah thought distractedly, like a taser and laser combined. “Not bad for a washed up superhero,” said Vincent. “Colonel Fang sends his regards.” I’m dead, raced through Isaiah’s head as Vincent straddled his body for the kill shot. At that moment, the door to the office seemed to explode as pieces of it flew like wooden shrapnel. Isaiah could feel more than see Vincent blunder back into his desk under the onslaught. Then there was a sound that literally climbed his spine – an unearthly, primal scream full of rage and malice. Then he saw a hand as big as serving platter blur through the space where Vincent had been cowering, and the savage, sickening slap of a meaty impact that broke bones with its force. The sound of Vincent caroming off of the wall and crashing back into the desk headfirst was even less pleasant. “MEDIC!” roared a voice that was only vaguely human. Those same large hands, leathery across the palms and fingers, and swathed in light brown fur across the back, turned him over with surprising gentleness. The face of the creature was proportioned appropriately for its incredible ten-foot height and was only slightly human. The expression of concern, however, was unmistakably human, telling of the intelligence behind that raw, bestial power he had just witnessed. The rest of the creature was covered in subtle variations of the same brown fur, which was long and shaggy and carried a distinct musky odor. Isaiah winced as his shoulder touched the floor, and the hands gently supported him. He smiled at the beast-man that held him, despite the pain. “Not bad for a rookie.” The creature smiled – a savage thing full of teeth – “And you’re pretty spry for an old timer,” it rumbled. Isaiah tried to laugh, but passed out instead. END

Re: Order of the Stick This is such a righteously good storyline! *Sigh* I wish I could craft adventures this good. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to keep trying... Matt "All-good-GM's-go-WHERE-when-they-die?" Frisbee

Re: [Campaign Log] The New Bay City Rollers A quick note: I forgot that one of the players in the group had a birthday on Wednesday (Happy 32nd, Brad!) so we agreed to get together on...wait for it... S--A--D-U-R--D-A-Y---NIGHT! One other note, the last of the three characters in the group is now finished. Sasquatch, a mystic lycanthrope-like beast / brick will join CHROME and Shadow Fox to fight evil in Bay City. If I get time, I'll post the characters here. Until the game gets underway, Matt "The-busy-GM" Frisbee