[MHRP] Exiles: A Three Hour Tour

Welcome one and all to the first issue of the Exiles MHRP, which is something I’ve talked about running for ages without ever actually getting around to. This right here is proof that I do occasionally do the things I’ve said I might do!

The premise behind this game is very much borrowed from the Marvel series ‘Exiles’, and this session in particular includes portions of issues #1 and #17. One of the advantages of the premise is that I can cherrypick from any given series or make up my own stuff freely, so what you see will mostly be a mix of that. Regardless of how many of the actual stories I end up using, Exiles is a fun series and well worth a read. Also, Blink is awesome and being played by Fan Bingbing in Days of Future Past.

Dramatis Personae:

Coppertop as Wolverine: Smells of beer, cigars, egregious bodyhair, and fictional supermetals. Canadian.

ESpiza as Elsa Bloodstone: Don’t let the accent fool you, she’s totally really European.

Niamh as Echo: Deaf ninja with photographic reflexes and terrible taste in men, at least until she met Moon Knight. Like, seriously, she dated Daredevil. Daredevil. Seriously. Reads lips, even through mouth-covering fabric and/or symbiote.

Mr Niamh (Our illustrious moderator’s real-life special friend, don’t worry, she has better taste than her character) as Symbiote Spider-Man: In his reality, symbiotes feed on one-liners instead of brains. Maybe.

SteelUnifier as X-23: Teenage female clone of Wolverine. In at least one reality, has a crush on teenage Cyclops, which is hilarious.

Nat as Black Widow: Hey, her name is Natalya too! Russian superspy, inexplicably seems to really like Hawkeye. Probably just because he never pees on the toilet seat.

Tom, as Uatu, the Peeper, a.k.a. Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Issue. He watches, though.

=====

[20:26] <TheTimebroker> Our story begins, like any good story, in the middle.
[20:26] <Coppertop> snikt bub snikt snikt bub beer
[20:27] *** Coppertop is now known as Wolverine
[20:27] <TheTimebroker> Each of you is more or less going about your daily lives - whether fighting villains, fighting heroes, hunting monsters, webslinging from passing clouds, or being Canadian
[20:27] <TheTimebroker> When suddenly... You are somewhere else.
[20:27] * Wolverine eats poutine.
[20:27] <ElsaBloodstone> *hang gliding from a robot*
[20:27] <Wolverine> ....
[20:28] <Echo> ...
[20:28] <BlackWidow> .....
[20:28] <Wolverine> I immediately snikt my claws and sniff the air. What's this place look like?
[20:28] <TheTimebroker> It's not a very dramatic somewhere else.
[20:28] <TheTimebroker> It's a desert.
[20:28] <Spidey> Oh great, what do you want now, Madame Web?
[20:28] <Wolverine> ... huh.
[20:28] * ElsaBloodstone goes sprawling at 40mph, does several cartwheels, somehow manages to end up crouching and posing with rifles.
[20:28] <BlackWidow> leather does not go well with deserts
[20:29] <Echo> This is why I like cotton more
[20:29] <Wolverine> Hey.
[20:29] <Wolverine> At least you guys don't have to worry about egregious amounts of body hair.
[20:29] <Echo> You /could/ shave.
[20:29] <BlackWidow> then you should shave
[20:29] <TheTimebroker> Each of you drops about five feet from a strange purple portal into an almost featureless surrounding. Featureless, that is, barring the other purple portals dropping people you kind-of recognize.

Well, mostly. There’s also the smelly guy with the claws - who the hell is that guy? I’ve definitely never seen him in anything before.

[20:29] <ElsaBloodstone> well,
[20:30] <Spidey> Thankfully that was the one time I wasn't web slinging. A flattened Spidey is not a fun Spidey.
[20:30] <Wolverine> "What the hell is going on."
[20:30] <TheTimebroker> you can tell right away that something is off about this place
[20:31] <TheTimebroker> there's no scent from anything except the others, and no wind whatsoever
[20:31] <TheTimebroker> and, slightly off in the distance, you suddenly spot something.
[20:31] <TheTimebroker> http://i.imgur.com/up2iMIU.png
[20:31] <Echo> ...
[20:31] <Wolverine> Snikt?
[20:32] <ElsaBloodstone> "...Is that a kitchen. In the middle of the desert."
[20:32] <BlackWidow> ....what
[20:32] <Echo> "Guess we aren't in Kansas anymore"
[20:32] <Wolverine> "Alright. Which one of you dogs teleported me here."
[20:32] <BlackWidow> it's floating
[20:32] <ElsaBloodstone> "I swear, if this is that robot's idea of a joke..."
[20:32] <Spidey> "Fun, now Im goign to have sand wedges in places...."
[20:32] <BlackWidow> don't look at me
[20:32] <Wolverine> "Is this some SHIELD thing? Some Avengers thing? It's polite to let a guy know before you just drop him somewhere."
[20:33] <Wolverine> "I was in the middle of a beer."
[20:33] * Echo shrugs
[20:33] <ElsaBloodstone> "Tell that to the thing that brought you in through a transdimensional warp gate."
[20:33] <Spidey> "I'm with the furball on this, some warning would have been nice."
[20:33] <TheTimebroker> There's someone clearly moving about the kitchen, a short bald man in some kind of horrific shirt. You think it might be called a 'sweater-vest'.
[20:33] <Wolverine> O_o
[20:33] <BlackWidow> 'We should go have a look-that is a terrible shirt'

Yes, Agent Romanov, it is. It really, really is.

[20:33] <ElsaBloodstone> "Like, perhaps,him."
[20:33] <Wolverine> "Fine. I will."
[20:34] <Wolverine> And, claws extended, I'm going to stalk over to Mr. Rogers and hoist him up by his sweater vest.
[20:34] <TheTimebroker> "Oh. Oh my. Hello! Help yourselves to some refreshments. There might even be some cheese danishes around here."
[20:34] <Spidey> *Sighs* "I wasn't built for just walking..." *follows allong*
[20:34] * BlackWidow follows, really wishing she didn't wear leather all the time

Scarlett Johansson is not allowed to wear anything other than leather. It’s one law the entire multiverse agrees on.

[20:35] <Echo> "Cotton."
[20:35] * Echo follows.
[20:35] <Wolverine> "Can it, nutcase! What's going on here?"
[20:35] <TheTimebroker> Sure enough, there's a plate of cheese danishes on the table, as well as glasses of lemonade. You can't quite remember whether they were there before, but they are most definitely there now.
[20:35] * ElsaBloodstone continues scanning the Ersatz Breaking Bad Unpacked RV for things she would have read in Ulysses' library.
[20:35] <BlackWidow> 'Well, I'm sorry I didn't realise I would suddenly be dropped into a desert!'
[20:35] <TheTimebroker> "Ah, a Wolverine takes the lead, very good. Well, historically not very good, but workable."
[20:36] <Spidey> "Be glad you’re not in spandex, Kat."
[20:36] <Wolverine> "What d'you mean, 'historically?'"
[20:36] <TheTimebroker> "I'll explain everything in a moment, once the final arrival is here. In the meantime, please, have a danish."

He will definitely not explain everything. Luckily the danishes are delicious enough to spare him that.

[20:36] <BlackWidow> 'I think you should answer the furball's question. What's going on?'
[20:36] <BlackWidow> '...another arrival?'
[20:37] <Spidey> *chuckles*
[20:37] <ElsaBloodstone> "I would assume it has to do with a century's worth of fangs and...stuff...that you surround yourself with.
[20:37] <TheTimebroker> "Yes. One more to come. This isn't an exact science, not everything can happen at once!"
[20:37] * Wolverine puts down the nutcase in the sweater vest and... looks at the danishes.
[20:37] * ElsaBloodstone picks up a pastry, examining it as though it's about to explode.

…With FLAVOUR!

[20:37] <Wolverine> "Oh, what the hell."
[20:37] <TheTimebroker> "Well... It can. But it usually doesn't."
[20:37] <Spidey> "Let me guess a giant fire breathing dragon? Or Mrs. Phoenix, or a giant jelly monster?"
[20:38] <TheTimebroker> "I'm certain you'll be pleasantly surprised!"
[20:38] * BlackWidow stares at the lemonade
[20:38] <TheTimebroker> "If you don't like lemonade there is also limeade."
[20:38] <Spidey> "Yep defiunitely a giant man eating plate of Jello now."
[20:39] <Wolverine> "Shut up, webs. So what's going on here, mr. Rogers?"
[20:39] * Wolverine eats his danish. Angrily.
[20:39] <Spidey> *rolls his eyes at the furball*
[20:39] <TheTimebroker> "Well, it's all very simple. Well... To me. But that makes sense, doesn't it? For you it's much more complex."
[20:40] * BlackWidow looks at Wolverine with some disgust
[20:40] <ElsaBloodstone> Background of Wolverine eating a pastry: Elsa pulling out an overlarge machete and slicing a danish into very thin slices, trying to discern what beasty parts it's made of.
[20:40] <Wolverine> ... it's just a cheese danish, guys.
[20:40] <TheTimebroker> "The best way to explain where we are right now is... nowhere. It's really the *why* that's important."
[20:40] * Echo studies a glass of lemonade.
[20:40] <Spidey> "Great, and one of us is Courage."
[20:41] <Echo> 'Okay, since you're obviously waiting for someone to take the bait; /Why/?
[20:41] * TheTimebroker looks at Spidey. "I enjoy that movie in every reality."
[20:41] <ElsaBloodstone> "It's certainly not the furball."
[20:41] <Spidey> "Movie, I thought it was a tv show."
[20:41] <Wolverine> "Watch it, Red."
[20:41] <TheTimebroker> "The short version is that you've all become unstuck in time."
[20:42] <Wolverine> !!!
[20:42] <BlackWidow> '....what.'
[20:42] <TheTimebroker> "It's.... Difficult to explain. If I did so scientifically, the only one who might understand at all is Spider-Man, and that's iffy."

Yes, it’s a cop-out, but the multiverse isn’t exactly a consistent concept. Kind of the point!

[20:42] <ElsaBloodstone> "...again?"
[20:42] <Wolverine> "How? This some of Reed Richards' nonsense?"
[20:42] <Spidey> "Why is it, when you put on a mask, call yourself a hero, you start inviting all kinds of crazy into your life?"
[20:42] <TheTimebroker> "Ah, Reed Richards always seems to understand. How I miss him."
[20:42] <TheTimebroker> "Anyways!"
[20:42] <BlackWidow> "...uh, the mask. Definitely the mask. It attracts the crazy'
[20:43] <TheTimebroker> "Space and time are breaking. I am a Timebroker, and my function is to correct that."
[20:43] <BlackWidow> 'What did you think was going to happen when you started dressing like a spider?'
[20:43] <BlackWidow> 'How did this happen?'
[20:43] * ElsaBloodstone stops slicing the danish, looks up, stares at the Timebroker.
[20:44] <TheTimebroker> "You have each been unfortunately impacted by an event somewhere else, sometime else, which sent ripples through the timestream and disrupted multiple other realities. Rather like glass cracking, though I hate to mix my metaphors."
[20:44] <Wolverine> "So... what. We're here because you broke time?"
[20:44] <Spidey> "Touche, Cat. As for this whole time thing, I take it some force of sorts is the root cause?"
[20:44] <TheTimebroker> "The good news is that this sort of thing happens constantly - the multiverse is infinite, after all, and typically such ripples or cracks have no lasting effects. The multiverse is very good at self-healing."
[20:45] <Echo> 'Except this time.'
[20:45] <TheTimebroker> "The less-good news is that in this case, the cracks are spreading rather than healing."
[20:45] <ElsaBloodstone> (tell that to Earth 420)

Earth-420, home of Zoftan’s brilliantly-run MHRP game, is fucked.

[20:45] <Echo> 'Because otherwise, we'd be going about our merry lives.'
[20:45] <Spidey> "You mean by collecting a bunch of people in masks to fix it?"
[20:46] <TheTimebroker> "So, what we Timebrokers do is gather a group of people who've been impacted by a ripple, trace the ripple back to the source, and fix the problem."
[20:46] <TheTimebroker> "Thus is time and space preserved, and everybody goes home at the end!"
[20:46] <Wolverine> "You want these losers to help you find a ripple in time?"
[20:46] * Wolverine jerks his thumb back at... er...
[20:46] <Echo> 'Hey.'
[20:46] <TheTimebroker> At the mere thought of Earth-420 the Timebroker seems to shudder.

So, so fucked.

[20:47] <Wolverine> EVERYONE, APPARENTLY. :D
[20:47] <Spidey> "Ten bucks says it’s Magneto."

He’s joking, but this group is nearly 40% Wolverine. Magneto would have a good laugh.

[20:47] <BlackWidow> 'Why do I feel like it's not going to be that-shut up wolverine'
[20:47] * TheTimebroker points at Wolverine's wrist, where there's apparently a golden armband with a red jewel mounted inside.
[20:47] <Wolverine> "You don't have what it takes to make me, agent."
[20:47] <TheTimebroker> It definitely wasn't there when you arrived.
[20:47] <Wolverine> oooooh
[20:48] * Wolverine looks at it.
[20:48] <TheTimebroker> "That is the Tallus. It will let me communicate with you as you hop from reality to reality correcting these glitches."
[20:48] <Spidey> *checks his wrist*
[20:48] <BlackWidow> 'You keep telling yourself that.'
[20:48] * BlackWidow looks at wrist
[20:48] <TheTimebroker> "You're all from similar enough realities that this should work. You'll recognize each other's pop culture references, on occasion!"
[20:49] <Wolverine> "I don't pay attention to that crap."
[20:49] <TheTimebroker> Nobody else has a Tallus, just Wolverine. Does that make him the de-jure leader?
[20:49] <Wolverine> :D
[20:49] <TheTimebroker> Or is it just that he's the first one who spoke to the Timebroker? Who knows.
[20:50] <Wolverine> "Look. Just tell us where we need to go so we can stop playing fix-it with the universe."
[20:50] <BlackWidow> '...Wonderful'
[20:50] <Echo> 'Congrats, you gave the half-animal something shiny to be distracted by.'
[20:50] <ElsaBloodstone> "Wonderful. A chonologic technologic bracelet of doom and he hooks it to the one with the adamantium wrist."
[20:50] <TheTimebroker> When the Timebroker says similar, he means it. The biggest visible difference among this group is probably that Spider-Man is still wearing a symbiote. He stopped doing that in most realities.
[20:50] <Wolverine> "Any of you whiners want to take it from me..."
[20:50] <Wolverine> SNIKT SNIKT
[20:50] <Wolverine> ... huh.
[20:50] <Wolverine> THAT is worrying.
[20:50] <Wolverine> It's not Venomlactus, is it? :D

A moment of silence for Earth-420 and the universes in the immediate vicinity.

[20:51] <TheTimebroker> (feel free to differentiate yourselves from the standard Earth-616 characters however you please)

This is actually going to be a common theme with this game – due to the ever-changing nature of the multiverse almost any character variant is an option, and the team makeup can change at a moment’s notice. That means there’s plenty of opportunity for a variety of players to get involved, depending on how quickly I write the events and scheduling. No promises or anything – people I’ve gamed with before have priority, but it’s not quite so closed as a usual game would be. There’s also a very easy ‘escape hatch’ which you will in fact see later on this issue.

[20:51] <SteelUnifier> Alright, finally picked out my character! Debated between Lady Deathstrike and X-23, but I think I'm gonna go with the latter.
[20:51] *** SteelUnifier is now known as X-23
[20:51] <TheTimebroker> Excellent
[20:51] <Wolverine> Coooooo.
[20:51] <Echo> Yay!
[20:51] <TheTimebroker> "Aha, our newest arrival, also a Wolverine!"
[20:51] <X-23> (I know very little about X-23 >_>)
[20:51] <BlackWidow> 'We should probably get to it. I have things to do. What do we have to do?'
[20:51] <TheTimebroker> (female clone of Wolverine)
[20:51] <Wolverine> "A what?"
[20:51] <Wolverine> "... that ain't me."
[20:51] <TheTimebroker> (teenager, has a crush on 16-year-old Cyclops which is hilarious)
[20:51] <Echo> 'Oh god. There's two of them.'
[20:52] <TheTimebroker> "So, I trust you'll all fill her in on what I've told you, since you were so insistent that I start early."
[20:52] <Spidey> "Damn it another furball, thats it!" *Points to Wolverine* "You are now Furball1, the new guy is Furball2"
[20:52] <BlackWidow> '...why? Why must there be two of them?'
[20:52] <TheTimebroker> "Now, if you've had enough time to bond, care to start saving the multiverse?"
[20:53] <Wolverine> "New blood. Time's broken. We're fixing it. They whine a lot. Any questions?"
[20:53] <Spidey> "Simple - the universe hates us."

The universe really does seem to hate Spider-Man. Probably because he’s so well-intentioned all the time. He’s the Ned Stark of superheroes, and even the Marvelverse makes Ned Stark pay.

[20:53] * Wolverine pulls out a cigar and lights it.
[20:53] <BlackWidow> 'So, time is broken, we're going to fix it.'
[20:53] <ElsaBloodstone> (it's at this point that people notice that Elsa's jacket has the Captain's star streaming off the back)
[20:53] <BlackWidow> 'Yes, can we just get on with it?'
[20:53] <TheTimebroker> "Very good. I'll be in touch."
[20:53] <TheTimebroker> ...and just like that, the kitchen and delicious lemonade is gone.
[20:53] <Spidey> "Time was broken by a singular event that cause massive ripples that aren't fixing themselves, so we have to play contain and repair."
[20:53] <X-23> "...what's going on here."
[20:54] * BlackWidow stares sadly at the place the lemonade was
[20:54] <TheTimebroker> Instead, you're in a heavily forested area - bordering on jungle, in fact. There's a lot of odd scents in the air, none of them human.
[20:54] <Spidey> "And he ditches us in a desert, typical."
[20:54] <Wolverine> ... Damn.
[20:54] <ElsaBloodstone> "Time's broke, we're fixing it, and we're following a yellow-suited Captain with a red watch."
[20:54] <Echo> 'What desert.'
[20:54] <Spidey> "Nevermind spoke too soon."
[20:54] <ElsaBloodstone> "And we're in a jungle."
[20:55] <Wolverine> "Alright. Keep close, everyone. This ain't Kansas."
[20:55] <Wolverine> "Call out if you see anything. And don't get in my way."
[20:55] <Spidey> "Damn and here I was hoping to click my ruby slippers."
[20:55] <ElsaBloodstone> "Don't be too sure. I know there's one dimension in which Kansas got teleported a mile above the Amazon."

I like this. I’m stealing it. It’s mine now.

[20:55] <Wolverine> So, what time is it? Day or night?

One of the consequences of not having GM’d in literally years is that I will occasionally forget to mention details. Should happen less as we play more, but in the meantime I’d like to thank everybody for being quite patient about such things.

[20:55] <TheTimebroker> Wolverine, the Tallus on your wrist glows briefly and you can hear the Timebroker in your head. "Your goal here is to prevent the bomb from detonating."
[20:55] <ElsaBloodstone> "The entire thing. "
[20:56] <TheTimebroker> It's bright and sunny - probably early morning, but it's hard to tell through the canopy of the trees.
[20:56] <Wolverine> GET OUT OF MY HEAD CHARLES oh, sorry
[20:56] <Wolverine> JEEEEAN
[20:56] <Wolverine> "We... need to stop a bomb from exploding."
[20:56] <Wolverine> OKAY
[20:56] <Wolverine> I'm going to sniff the air and see if I can smell anything resembling a bomb.
[20:56] <Spidey> "Okay, got any more information? Like a direction?"
[20:56] <Wolverine> Nitro, glycerine, ammonia, etc.
[20:56] <ElsaBloodstone> "Anyone hear any whistling noises? I'd rather not find out we're on /that/ Kansas."
[20:57] <TheTimebroker> The Tallus is silent. Apparently it's not very helpful.
[20:57] <Wolverine> I'm the Best, Team, and Superhuman Senses
[20:57] <TheTimebroker> You can actually smell... A lot.
[20:57] <Wolverine> #roll 2[1d8]
[20:57] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Wolverine [2[1d8]]: 1 8 >
[20:57] <Wolverine> #roll 1d10
[20:57] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Wolverine [1d10]: 2>
[20:57] <X-23> Oof.
[20:57] <Wolverine> Oh, and covert master
[20:57] <Echo> ee.
[20:57] <Wolverine> #roll 1d10
[20:57] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Wolverine [1d10]: 2>
[20:57] <BlackWidow> ((lecture just finished, brb))
[20:57] <TheTimebroker> Take a PP
[20:57] <Wolverine> DAMN.
[20:57] <Wolverine> I shall.
[20:57] <TheTimebroker> (you each have one PP to start)
[20:58] <TheTimebroker> Doom pool responds
[20:58] <TheTimebroker> #roll 4[1d8]
[20:58] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [4[1d8]]: 8 3 5 5 >
[20:58] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [4[1d8]]: 8 3 5 5 >
[20:58] <ElsaBloodstone> Indeed.
[20:58] <Wolverine> Ackpthbt!
[20:58] <Wolverine> YA'LL SO STINKY IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SMELL
[20:58] <TheTimebroker> You smell a lot of everything, impossible to single anything out.
[20:58] <ElsaBloodstone> "Did you just try to snort a hornet."
[20:59] <TheTimebroker> One thing you can tell, though, is that some of these smells are not consistent with a jungle or forest anywhere.
[20:59] <Wolverine> "Shut up. Spread out. See if you can find it. May not have a scent."
[20:59] <Wolverine> "... or it may be... something else. This place ain't like any jungle I ever been in."
[20:59] <TheTimebroker> You're definitely in a real place, but it's unclear exactly what kind of place."
[21:00] <Wolverine> Well, come on, guys. Help a Logan out here.
[21:00] <Spidey> *climbs the nearest tree* "Might as well see if I can find a structure."
[21:00] * X-23 bites her lip as she watches Logan try and... well, fail to sniff out the bomb. Her nose twitches as she tries to lock onto whatever scent was lost through the forest.
[21:00] <TheTimebroker> Spiderman to the rescue.
[21:00] <TheTimebroker> From the top of the tree you can tell exactly where you are. It's very recognizable, albeit different from what any of you are used to.
[21:00] * ElsaBloodstone sighs, and pulls out what looks like a ruby-encrusted dowsing rod.
[21:00] <X-23> Wolverine's Watchdog, Buddy (since she's trying to help a genetic brother/father/something out), Superhuman Senses, Covert Master
[21:00] <Spidey> Bloody Central park?
[21:01] <X-23> #roll 1d8
[21:01] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d8]: 5>
[21:01] <X-23> #roll 1d8
[21:01] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d8]: 1>
[21:01] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[21:01] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 6>
[21:01] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[21:01] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 4>
[21:01] <Wolverine> Ouch.
[21:01] <TheTimebroker> The jungle gives way to very modern-looking ruins, overgrown and vine-covered but modern nonetheless. There's an entire city less than a mile away from you, and at this elevation you can see over it into the bay. It's San Diego, but in ruins.
[21:01] <BlackWidow> ((back))
[21:01] <X-23> 11, d10 effect, looks like.
[21:01] <TheTimebroker> take a PP
[21:02] <Wolverine> Eh. I've seen you do better.
[21:02] <TheTimebroker> #roll 5[1d8]
[21:02] <Wolverine> .... a LOT better. :D
[21:02] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [5[1d8]]: 6 4 1 2 5 >
[21:02] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [5[1d8]]: 6 4 1 2 5 >
[21:02] <X-23> Aaand attacker wins ties?
[21:02] <TheTimebroker> Yup!
[21:02] <Spidey> *jumps back down* "Well the ‘Battlefield Earth’ San Diego is about a mile that way."
[21:03] <Wolverine> "Then that's where we go."
[21:03] <TheTimebroker> Your younger senses, un-dulled by the ravages of time and cigars, tell you this is a city that was ruined about thirty years ago. On the wind is an overwhelming reek of lizard, so much so that you can't believe Wolverine didn't pick up on it. Best at what he does, indeed.
[21:03] <Wolverine> Ooooh, diss.
[21:04] <TheTimebroker> One other thing Spider-Man picked up on - there are ships in the Bay. Old ones, rusting.

This is important.

[21:04] <Spidey> Meh, trivial to him for now.
[21:04] <TheTimebroker> So, you're in a lizardy-smelling jungle that used to be San Diego, and you know there's a bomb to stop somewhere. What do?
[21:04] <ElsaBloodstone> ...Ships in the Bay, huh.
[21:04] * X-23 wrinkles her nose. "Smells like a whole lot of lizard and rust."
[21:05] <Spidey> Unless they don’t look like normal seafaring ships.

While I enjoyed Spider-Man calling a significant detail trivial, it was entirely my slip for not saying ‘warships’ to begin with. Initially I’d planned to leave it vague until they got closer, but as soon as he asked I realized that warships are pretty distinct even from afar, so the opportunity to clarify was well-timed. This sort of thing happens with a good group, and this is a good group.

[21:05] <Wolverine> "Lizard? Shit. I must be getting old."
[21:05] <TheTimebroker> Warships.
[21:05] <ElsaBloodstone> "Getting."
[21:05] <Wolverine> Well, I know what Wolverine does.
[21:05] <Wolverine> He starts walking towards the city, using his claws to cut a swathe through the greenery.
[21:05] * ElsaBloodstone continues strutting forward with her dowsing rod in one hand, a rifle in the other, not explaining a red cent of what she's doing.
[21:05] <Spidey> "Oh did forget to mention? Looked like this San Diego was the center of a sea battle."
[21:05] <Wolverine> "If the rest of you want to get out of here, better catch up."
[21:06] * BlackWidow walks along the cleared swath
[21:06] <TheTimebroker> Alright then. Give me a roll vs the doom pool, anybody with applicable specialties can help.
[21:06] <Echo> 'Sea battle?'
[21:06] <Wolverine> Who? Elsa or myself?
[21:06] <X-23> "Yeah. You must be." It's a sincere attempt at comfort. Really.
[21:06] <ElsaBloodstone> Ahhh, I think I got this.
[21:06] <Wolverine> Or do I have to roll to cut through the forest?
[21:06] * ElsaBloodstone gives it a thought.
[21:06] <Wolverine> Go for it!
[21:07] <TheTimebroker> Sorry, whoever's taking the lead in getting through the trees.
[21:07] <ElsaBloodstone> Ahhh.
[21:07] <X-23> I can add my Combat Master specialty.
[21:07] * TheTimebroker hasn't DM'd in a long while, rustier than the aforementioned warships.
[21:07] <ElsaBloodstone> hang on, gotta put this in context
[21:07] <Wolverine> Nah, you're doing good, dude. :D
[21:07] * ElsaBloodstone fingers a small hoop on one of the handles of her dowsing rod, and pulls it back, revealing it to be a large ripcord.
[21:07] <Wolverine> alRIGHT, THEN...
[21:08] <Wolverine> I'M ROLLIN'
[21:08] <ElsaBloodstone> She yanks hard on it and it starts chugging on a diesel engine.
[21:08] <ElsaBloodstone> "Uranium tracker," she says unnecessarily. "Helps detect uranium. And some forms of explosive. Helps me find the robot when he's trying to sneak into Father's library."

You should all read Nextwave.

[21:08] <Wolverine> oH!
[21:08] <Wolverine> Go for it, then, Elsa!
[21:08] <Wolverine> "If it works, then use it."
[21:08] <TheTimebroker> ahh, creating a resource?
[21:09] <ElsaBloodstone> yup!
[21:09] <TheTimebroker> Excellent. Kicking in the related SFX?
[21:09] <ElsaBloodstone> Team 6 stepped up to 8 with From the Private Collection of Ulysses Bloodstone, Daddy was an immortal monster-huter, Weapon 8, Weapon 8, and Covert Expert 8.
[21:09] <TheTimebroker> Excellent.
[21:09] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 4[1d8]
[21:09] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [4[1d8]]: 4 8 2 4 >
[21:09] <ElsaBloodstone> Eh, 12 d8.
[21:09] <TheTimebroker> Doom pool responds
[21:09] <TheTimebroker> #roll 4[1d8]
[21:09] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [4[1d8]]: 3 8 4 4 >
[21:09] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [4[1d8]]: 3 8 4 4 >
[21:09] <Wolverine> Hey, that's not bad.
[21:09] <TheTimebroker> #roll 1d10
[21:09] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [1d10]: 7>
[21:09] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [1d10]: 7>
[21:10] <ElsaBloodstone> ...Damn.
[21:10] <Wolverine> No resource. Curses.
[21:10] <Wolverine> Right. I'll just cut my way through normally.
[21:10] <Echo> ...
[21:10] <TheTimebroker> Unfortunately it seems like something in the trees is interfering with the tracker.
[21:10] <TheTimebroker> Might just be the heavy metals and other pollution from growing in a city
[21:10] <Wolverine> Best there is, Team, Strength, and Claws.
[21:10] <ElsaBloodstone> Either that or The Captain tried to use it as a stirring stick.
[21:10] <Wolverine> #roll 3[1d8]
[21:10] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Wolverine [3[1d8]]: 2 7 5 >
[21:10] <Wolverine> Also, covert master
[21:11] <Wolverine> #roll 2[1d8]
[21:11] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Wolverine [2[1d8]]: 2 8 >
[21:11] <Wolverine> Oop, that needs to be a d10
[21:11] <Wolverine> #roll 2[1d10]
[21:11] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Wolverine [2[1d10]]: 6 4 >
[21:11] <TheTimebroker> (don't worry, confused new people, explanations will be forthcoming)
[21:11] <Wolverine> Damn. 13 with a d10.
[21:11] <TheTimebroker> (easier to explain the dice pools in combat than vs the pool)
[21:11] <TheTimebroker> #roll 4[1d8]
[21:11] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [4[1d8]]: 1 4 6 6 >
[21:11] <TheTimebroker> #roll 1d10
[21:11] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [4[1d8]]: 1 4 6 6 >
[21:11] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [1d10]: 1>
[21:11] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [1d10]: 1>
[21:12] <TheTimebroker> oof
[21:12] <Wolverine> (Yeah, we've done this before, sadly. :D Ask them about the fight between Nova Songbird and Cosmic Venom.)

Earth-420 is fuuuuuuuucked.

[21:12] <Echo> :p
[21:12] <TheTimebroker> so, 12 d8
[21:12] <ElsaBloodstone> oh god
[21:12] <TheTimebroker> you're cutting through the forest with glee!
[21:12] <TheTimebroker> Unfortunately, the noise has attracted some attention
[21:12] <Echo> can i try and help? I apparently have katanas
[21:12] <Wolverine> SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH
[21:12] <Wolverine> SWI- uh oh
[21:13] <Echo> 'uh-oh?'
[21:13] <TheTimebroker> As the trees begin to part before you, you can hear rustling, and then stomping, and then smashing
[21:13] * BlackWidow reaches for her gun
[21:13] <TheTimebroker> seemingly appearing out of nowhere, a half dozen large humanoid lizards leap towards you!

The original plan for this scenario was that every time the group failed a doom pool roll to move through the forest, it would trigger an attack by a randomized number of lizards. I realized pretty quickly that that would lead to a potentially very long and tedious session, which given that I sprung this one on people with literally less than an hour’s notice wouldn’t have been especially fair. Hence, I cut it down to a couple of lizard encounters only.

[21:14] <Echo> ...'Ah.'
[21:14] <Wolverine> !!!!
[21:14] <Wolverine> "GAAAAAAH"
[21:14] <BlackWidow> 'goddamnit wolverine'
[21:14] <Spidey> "Ah the lizard man had children"
[21:14] <TheTimebroker> Echo, you have Katanas and were presumably watching while these others made so much noise, so you get the first move
[21:14] <Echo> Kay.
[21:14] <TheTimebroker> Now, what you want to do is figure out what your character would do when faced with six angry lizardmen
[21:15] <TheTimebroker> (also very very close, Spidey)
[21:15] <BlackWidow> ((damnit, I'm actually going to have to go. university damn you))
[21:15] <TheTimebroker> (Ah, maybe next time Nat!)
[21:15] <BlackWidow> ((have fun guys, I expect logs later :P))
[21:15] <Wolverine> Later, Nat!
[21:15] *** BlackWidow has quit IRC: Disintegrated: (Link: http://www.mibbit.com)http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client
[21:15] <TheTimebroker> then, you build your dice pool based on what you have that would help with that action
[21:16] <ElsaBloodstone> The big idea being that you try to take a die from every part of that character sheet of yours.
[21:16] <TheTimebroker> you can see how it's set up - affiliations, distinctions, power sets, specialties
[21:16] <Echo> erm. okay
[21:16] <TheTimebroker> now, on the condition tracker you can see that there's a 'Heavily Forested' scene distinction, d8. If whatever your character is doing would benefit from that, you can include that d8 in your roll
[21:17] <TheTimebroker> So on each roll you'll have an affiliation - that's basically whether you're working alone, with a buddy, or with a team
[21:17] <TheTimebroker> in this case it's a team
[21:17] <TheTimebroker> so add the appropriate die to your pool
[21:17] <TheTimebroker> looks like a d6 for echo
[21:17] <Echo> Mysterious Ninja, Combat Master, Enhanced Reflexes, Weapon, Team....and I guess the Heavily forested thing can work with the ninja thing
[21:17] <TheTimebroker> Makes sense to me!
[21:17] <Echo> training in different terrain, etc
[21:18] <Wolverine> That's an excellent choice!
[21:19] <Echo> #roll 1d8
[21:19] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [1d8]: 2>
[21:19] <Echo> #roll 1d8
[21:19] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [1d8]: 3>
[21:19] <Echo> #roll 1d6
[21:19] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [1d6]: 1>
[21:20] *** tom has joined #MHRPExiles
[21:20] <Echo> #roll 1d10
[21:20] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [1d10]: 8>
[21:20] <tom> SUP
[21:20] <tom> I'm just watchin'. :D

Enter stage left: Uatu, the Peeper!

Seriously though watching is totally cool. I’ll be using this same channel (#MHRPExiles) any time I run a session, and observers are welcome with the caveat that you don’t interfere with the game, and any questions you have you ask via IRC PM strictly so that I can keep the logs from getting too cluttered.

[21:20] <Echo> #roll 1d6
[21:20] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [1d6]: 4>
[21:20] <Wolverine> TAAAWM
[21:20] <TheTimebroker> Hey Tom!
[21:20] <Echo> #roll 1d8
[21:20] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [1d8]: 6>
[21:20] <Echo> ...i think i got them all
[21:20] <TheTimebroker> Yep!
[21:20] <TheTimebroker> So, your total attack value is any two of those added together. You can't use the one that came up as a 1
[21:21] <TheTimebroker> Actually, you can add a PP (plot point) to your sheet, I'm going to nab that d6
[21:21] <Echo> ...wha
[21:21] <TheTimebroker> Whenever anyone rolls a 1, that's an 'opportunity'
[21:21] <Wolverine> It's simple.
[21:21] <Wolverine> Take two numbers from the ones you rolled.
[21:21] <Wolverine> Add 'em together.
[21:22] <Echo> i got that. it's the 'i'm taking this and you get that.
[21:22] <Wolverine> Then, take one of the dice - a high one, like that 1d10 you rolled - and use that as your "effect die."
[21:22] <Echo> 8+6, 14
[21:22] <X-23> Basically, whenever you roll a 1.
[21:22] <Echo> ...ah
[21:22] <X-23> The Watcher gets to take it.
[21:22] <ElsaBloodstone> When someone rolls a natural one, the Timebroker can take that dice and add it to the Doom Pool.
[21:22] <Wolverine> Oh, yeah, that.
[21:22] <Wolverine> DON'T ROLL ONES.
[21:22] <X-23> He gets a d6, or if you rolled more than one 1, step it up into a d8.
[21:22] <Echo> :p
[21:22] <ElsaBloodstone> ^
[21:22] <X-23> And you get a PP.
[21:22] <TheTimebroker> When I roll a 1, you can spend a PP to inflict a complication or remove one of your own, idea being it's like a fumbled attack
[21:23] <Echo> ah, okay
[21:23] <Echo> so...
[21:23] <TheTimebroker> When you roll a 1, I can give you a PP to add that d6 to the doom pool. Doom dice work like PP for watcher characters.
[21:23] <Echo> okay
[21:23] <TheTimebroker> So, you got your total of 14, right?
[21:24] <Echo> yup
[21:24] <Echo> i guess
[21:24] <TheTimebroker> Now, you need an 'effect die' which basically determines how hard you hit
[21:24] <Echo> can i use that 4?
[21:24] <TheTimebroker> generally you want it to be the highest denomination you rolled - the actual value doesn't matter, just the die size
[21:24] <Echo> ....oh, i see
[21:24] <Echo> okay, will use the 10, then
[21:25] <Echo> er 8
[21:25] <Echo> from the d10
[21:25] <Echo> ...i think
[21:25] <TheTimebroker> The one trick is that if you use a die as part of your total, it can't also be your effect die
[21:25] <Echo> ah
[21:25] <Echo> okay
[21:25] <Echo> an adjustment, then
[21:25] <TheTimebroker> Alright
[21:26] <Echo> total of 10 (the 6 and 4), with a hit of 8
[21:26] <Wolverine> That works too!
[21:26] <TheTimebroker> It does!
[21:26] <TheTimebroker> so the hit in this case would be the d10
[21:26] <TheTimebroker> so your total is 10 d10!
[21:26] <Echo> okay
[21:26] <TheTimebroker> now, the lizard reacts. They're a mob, so they get a lot of dice but they're smaller
[21:27] <Echo> k
[21:27] <TheTimebroker> Affiliation: 6d6, Former human 1d8, enhanced agility d8, combat expert d8
[21:28] <TheTimebroker> #roll 6[1d6]
[21:28] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [6[1d6]]: 2 5 6 5 1 6 >
[21:28] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [6[1d6]]: 2 5 6 5 1 6 >
[21:28] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d8]
[21:28] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d8]]: 8 5 2 >
[21:28] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d8]]: 8 5 2 >
[21:28] <Wolverine> FORMER human?
[21:28] <Wolverine> Whutoh.
[21:28] <Echo> ...
[21:28] <Echo> the poor residents of san diego
[21:28] <TheTimebroker> So, my total's going to be 14 with a d6, so you missed, basically
[21:28] <ElsaBloodstone> D:
[21:29] <Spidey> lizard man's children or spawn or mad creations
[21:29] <TheTimebroker> Nothing particularly bad happens in this case, since it was your attack
[21:29] <TheTimebroker> but that's pretty much it for your turn. You can choose who goes next though!
[21:30] <Wolverine> That's right! You get to choose who's next in the initiative order!

Lot of mechanics stuff in there, I think most people have played and/or read one of these logs by this point so I don’t need to go into detail about it. Sufficed to say I love this system and it’s easy to learn.

[21:31] <Echo> since spidey's also new, let's toss it to him. give you guys the chance to get the teaching over with faster :p
[21:31] <ElsaBloodstone> :P
[21:31] <TheTimebroker> That works!
[21:31] <Spidey> Fun
[21:31] <Echo> (also, he picks up this sort of stuff like 10x faster than me.)
[21:31] <TheTimebroker> Don't worry, it's simple, just takes a bit of practice. By the end of the session you'll be warping dice pools like crazy

This prediction comes entirely true.

[21:32] <Echo> :p
[21:32] <TheTimebroker> Alright Spidey, a number of distressingly agile and vaguely familiar lizardfolk are coming your way - what do?

I love saying ‘what do?’

[21:33] <Spidey> "Hey I saw this in a video game about me" *Jumps up and attempts to Spidey-Slam them with a Hammer web creation*
[21:34] <Spidey> Team, Wisecracker, Weapon, Superhuman Strength, Acrobatic master
[21:34] <TheTimebroker> Okay! So, your dice pool!
[21:34] <TheTimebroker> Very good!
[21:35] <Spidey> #roll 1d6
[21:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [1d6]: 6>
[21:35] <Spidey> #roll 1d8
[21:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [1d8]: 1>
[21:35] <Spidey> #roll 1d8
[21:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [1d8]: 8>
[21:35] <Spidey> #roll 1d10
[21:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [1d10]: 4>
[21:35] <Spidey> #roll 1d10
[21:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [1d10]: 5>
[21:36] <Spidey> 6+8=14, and the d10 for effect
[21:37] <TheTimebroker> Alright, lizardly response:
[21:37] <TheTimebroker> Same pool as before, actually
[21:37] <TheTimebroker> #roll 6[1d6]
[21:37] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [6[1d6]]: 2 2 3 6 5 3 >
[21:37] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [6[1d6]]: 2 2 3 6 5 3 >
[21:37] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d8]
[21:37] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d8]]: 1 5 2 >
[21:37] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d8]]: 1 5 2 >
[21:38] <TheTimebroker> So, my best result there is an 11 with a d8 effect
[21:38] <TheTimebroker> now, notice I rolled a 1 on one of those d8's
[21:38] <Wolverine> Way to go, Spidey!
[21:38] <TheTimebroker> You have the option of spending a PP to turn that d8 against me, basically
[21:39] <Spidey> Sure
[21:39] <TheTimebroker> you can inflict a complication, which everybody else attacking would also get to add to their pool
[21:39] <TheTimebroker> if you had complications of your own, you could remove one
[21:39] <Spidey> okay
[21:39] <TheTimebroker> or you can create an asset, which would give you an extra d8 to your pools for the rest of the scene
[21:39] <Spidey> also would that last attck count fo the sfx of web creation?
[21:40] <TheTimebroker> Normally it wouldn't, since creating a construct (type of asset) is a different action type than an attack
[21:40] <TheTimebroker> HOWEVER
[21:40] <TheTimebroker> if you wanted to spend that PP to activate the opportunity I rolled, and you wanted to create an asset, you could have it as a d10 rather than d8
[21:41] <TheTimebroker> activating opportunities can do all sorts of cool stuff for you, basically
[21:41] <Spidey> Spidey is in a team player mood, complication it is
[21:42] <TheTimebroker> Okay! The lizard mob gets 'covered in web' at d8, which anybody can now use in the rolls!
[21:42] <TheTimebroker> now, that's just the opportunity
[21:42] <TheTimebroker> you still have your attack effect to decide
[21:42] <TheTimebroker> you can either inflict physical stress, since it was a melee attack, or you can create another complication, or step that one up
[21:43] <TheTimebroker> This is a mob of d6 affiliation lizards, so if you went with physical stress you'd knock one of them out
[21:43] <Wolverine> KNOCK 'EM OUT
[21:43] <Spidey> Yep knock them out
[21:43] <TheTimebroker> Alright!
[21:44] <ElsaBloodstone> WOO
[21:44] <TheTimebroker> so the lizards' affiliation die just went from 6d6 to 5d6, and everybody else gets to use 'webbed d8' in their dice pool! That was a solid turn!

It really was – one of the nicest things about this system is the flexibility.

[21:44] <TheTimebroker> Remember that you spent a PP there - there's a box to track them on the googledoc character sheet
[21:45] <TheTimebroker> and now you can pick someone to go next!
[21:45] <Spidey> Elsa?
[21:45] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[21:45] <Wolverine> GO FOR IT ELSA
[21:46] <TheTimebroker> (don't worry if you're totally out of PP - other players can give you some if it's urgent, and you'll earn more as we go)
[21:46] <TheTimebroker> Elsa, you're up!
[21:46] * ElsaBloodstone observes the webbed lizards struggling to de-web them. "It's like one of Machine Man's dates."
[21:47] <ElsaBloodstone> She kacks open the barrels of her shotgun and shoves tracer rounds into each barrel.
[21:47] <ElsaBloodstone> Aims.
[21:47] <ElsaBloodstone> "Five rounds rapid."
[21:47] <ElsaBloodstone> And fires.
[21:48] <ElsaBloodstone> single target
[21:48] <TheTimebroker> Alright then! Roll it!
[21:49] <ElsaBloodstone> Team d6, I've Seen Worse d8, Enhanced Speed (that's some fast reload time) d8, Weapon d10, Combat Expert d8
[21:49] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 1d10
[21:49] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [1d10]: 4>
[21:49] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 3[1d8]
[21:49] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [3[1d8]]: 7 2 4 >
[21:49] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 1d6
[21:49] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [1d6]: 2>
[21:49] <ElsaBloodstone> ...Ewww.
[21:49] <TheTimebroker> don't forget Webbed
[21:49] <TheTimebroker> extra d8
[21:49] <ElsaBloodstone> Ah yes, Webbed.
[21:49] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 1d8
[21:49] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [1d8]: 8>
[21:50] <ElsaBloodstone> THERE WE GO
[21:50] * TheTimebroker makes a note to shut up next time
[21:50] <ElsaBloodstone> Taking off the 8 for FRR, that's...15 d10. :D
[21:50] <TheTimebroker> Okay, the Lizards...
[21:51] <TheTimebroker> Affiliation 5d6, Savage Lizard d8, Enhanced Durability doubled for this action with SFX (2d8), combat expert d8
[21:52] <TheTimebroker> #roll 5[1d6]
[21:52] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [5[1d6]]: 2 1 6 1 2 >
[21:52] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [5[1d6]]: 2 1 6 1 2 >
[21:52] <TheTimebroker> #roll 4[1d8]
[21:52] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [4[1d8]]: 4 6 2 3 >
[21:52] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [4[1d8]]: 4 6 2 3 >
[21:52] <TheTimebroker> Ewwwww
[21:52] * ElsaBloodstone pumps in a PP for the attack, watches one of the lizards EXPLODE.
[21:52] <TheTimebroker> Yyyyyyup, haha
[21:52] <Wolverine> SPLUT
[21:52] <TheTimebroker> BOOM
[21:52] <ElsaBloodstone> "Definitely like one of MM's dates."
[21:52] <TheTimebroker> lizard guts
[21:53] <ElsaBloodstone> (tik tik tik BOOM)
[21:53] <TheTimebroker> there's four lizards left
[21:53] <Spidey> "Yuck lizard guts, you know dry cleaning isn't cheap"
[21:53] <TheTimebroker> Who's up, Elsa?
[21:54] <ElsaBloodstone> Let's let Wolverine fly.
[21:54] <TheTimebroker> SNIKT
[21:54] <Wolverine> WHOOO
[21:54] <Wolverine> Right.
[21:54] <TheTimebroker> is the sound I presume he will be making
[21:54] <Wolverine> I'm going to do what I do best.
[21:54] <Wolverine> BERZERKER BARRAGE
[21:54] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[21:54] <Wolverine> Yes, that is exactly the sound.

I stole his SNIKT.

[21:54] <Wolverine> Let's see here....
[21:54] <Wolverine> Team, Best at what I do, Adamantium Claws, Superhuman Strength, Combat Master.
[21:54] <Wolverine> #roll 3[1d8]
[21:54] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Wolverine [3[1d8]]: 4 5 3 >
[21:55] <Wolverine> #roll 2[1d10]
[21:55] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Wolverine [2[1d10]]: 6 5 >
[21:55] <Wolverine> I'd like to spend a PP to tie three of these together.
[21:55] <Wolverine> So that'll give me a 16 with a d8 effect die.
[21:55] <TheTimebroker> Very good.
[21:55] <Wolverine> "HRRAAAAAAAAAGH!"
[21:55] <Wolverine> And I just cuisinart into 'em.
[21:56] <TheTimebroker> The Lizards are a bit surprised, they're obviously used to being the top of the food chain around here

Fun fact: In the Exiles issue I borrowed this scenario from, the lizards are mostly just angry herbivores.

[21:56] <TheTimebroker> #roll 4[1d6]
[21:56] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [4[1d6]]: 4 6 5 5 >
[21:56] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [4[1d6]]: 4 6 5 5 >
[21:56] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d8]
[21:56] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d8]]: 4 5 5 >
[21:56] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d8]]: 4 5 5 >
[21:56] <TheTimebroker> That's an 11 d8
[21:57] <Wolverine> Yesssssss
[21:57] <Wolverine> SNIKT SNIKT SNIKT BUB SNIKT BUB SNIKT
[21:57] <TheTimebroker> extraordinary success, unfortunately not super-helpful against a small mob like this but even so!
[21:57] <TheTimebroker> one of the remaining lizards falls to the ground in pieces!
[21:58] <Wolverine> :D
[21:58] <Wolverine> Aaaaaand now it's X-23's turn!
[21:58] <TheTimebroker> Wolverine(2), you're up!
[21:58] <X-23> Gotcha.
[21:58] <Spidey> it’s Furball2 :P
[21:58] <ElsaBloodstone> ONLY IN A LEAP FROM THE WOLVERINE'S HEAD MAY SHE PROVE HER WORTH
[21:59] * X-23 leaps after Logan, claws bared as she lopes after the closest lizard.
[21:59] <Wolverine> Oh lord.
[21:59] <Wolverine> Quoting Indiana Jones now?
[21:59] <ElsaBloodstone> :3
[21:59] <TheTimebroker> hah :D
[22:00] <X-23> Killer Instinct, Team, Adamantium Claws, Berserk (adding d10 from the doom pool, NO REGRETS), Combat Master

See that big, capitalized NO REGRETS?

[22:00] <X-23> #roll 1d8
[22:00] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d8]: 7>
[22:00] <X-23> #roll 1d6
[22:00] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d6]: 5>
[22:00] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[22:00] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 2>
[22:00] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[22:00] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 1>
[22:00] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[22:00] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 1>
[22:00] <X-23> :|
[22:00] <TheTimebroker> take a PP, I'm taking one of those d10's and stepping it up
[22:01] <X-23> Alright, 12 d10. :|
[22:01] <Spidey> did you forget webbed?
[22:01] <TheTimebroker> does berserk put my d10 back or is it lost to me?
[22:01] <X-23> Ooh, yeah.
[22:01] <X-23> It gives you a d12.
[22:01] <TheTimebroker> Oooh :D

REGRETS.

[22:01] <Wolverine> Damn, I forgot webbed, too.
[22:01] <Wolverine> :P
[22:01] <X-23> #roll 1d8
[22:01] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d8]: 8>
[22:01] <X-23> THERE WE GO.
[22:01] <X-23> (thanks spidey)
[22:01] <Wolverine> NIce.
[22:01] <X-23> Spending a PP to tie 7, 8, and 5 together for 20, d10.
[22:01] <X-23> FUCK THIS LIZARD
[22:02] <Wolverine> O_O
[22:02] <TheTimebroker> Eep
[22:02] <TheTimebroker> uh, Lizard responds
[22:02] <TheTimebroker> screaming and trying to run away seems appropriate

At this point unless I maxed all my rolls and spent some doom dice, I wasn’t going to be able to match X-23’s total. The lizard mobs do have an SFX that lets them call more lizards in exchange for doom dice, which was intended as a way to make sure I kept the later fights interesting since I hadn’t balanced Watcher characters for this system before, but I didn’t end up using it during the session.

[22:02] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d6]
[22:02] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d6]]: 3 4 2 >
[22:02] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d6]]: 3 4 2 >
[22:03] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d8]
[22:03] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d8]]: 2 6 3 >
[22:03] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d8]]: 2 6 3 >
[22:03] <TheTimebroker> doesn't make it, obviously, haha
[22:03] <TheTimebroker> Two lizards left, and it's their turn!
[22:04] <TheTimebroker> The trees around them are covered with webbing, they're cornered animals and the only one who didn't kill one of them was Echo - they try to go through her to escape

Also conveniently a good way to let Echo see her mostly-reactionary SFX in action and get her a bit more practice building pools before the harder fights start. She makes the most of it!

[22:05] <ElsaBloodstone> :O
[22:05] <Wolverine> Uh-oh.
[22:05] <Spidey> "Well this is a bit of a reversal from Land of the Lost"
[22:05] <Echo> *flat glare*
[22:06] <TheTimebroker> Affiliation 2d6, former human? 1d8, superhuman strength 1d10, combat expert 1d8
[22:06] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d6]
[22:06] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d6]]: 2 5 >
[22:06] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d6]]: 2 5 >
[22:06] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d8]
[22:06] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d8]]: 4 6 >
[22:06] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d8]]: 4 6 >
[22:06] <TheTimebroker> #roll 1d10
[22:06] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [1d10]: 5>
[22:06] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [1d10]: 5>
[22:07] <TheTimebroker> spending a doom die to include an extra d6
[22:07] <TheTimebroker> so 16, d8
[22:07] <TheTimebroker> now, this is a reaction pool for you - builds similarly to an attack pool
[22:07] <Echo> differences?
[22:07] <TheTimebroker> different powers and SFX might apply, is all
[22:08] <TheTimebroker> some only kick in on a reaction roll f.e.
[22:08] <TheTimebroker> you have two of those
[22:08] <Echo> ah
[22:09] <TheTimebroker> both trigger on a successful reaction roll, so basically if you can beat the 16 you get to do nasty things to my lizards
[22:09] <TheTimebroker> normally a reaction roll is entirely defensive, unless you spend a PP to make it a counterattack. One of your SFX there makes all your successful reactions into counterattacks, though.
[22:10] <Echo> yeah
[22:10] <TheTimebroker> counterattack basically just means you get to inflict your effect die as stress on a reaction roll
[22:10] <TheTimebroker> which normally you only do on the attack
[22:10] <Echo> hrm
[22:12] <TheTimebroker> if you'd like a suggestion - you have that 'Mimic d10' power, you've just witnessed a bunch of successful attacks on the lizards so you can incorporate what you've learned into your move. That is, you could use that in your reaction
[22:12] <Wolverine> Just cut 'em in two! :D
[22:12] <TheTimebroker> system is designed to let people use their biggest and coolest abilities as often as possible :)
[22:13] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[22:13] <Echo> Solo (since they're going after me alone?), Crazy Horse (since this is probably going to involve me doing something silly), Mimic, Deadly Counter, Acrobatics Master, Webbed, and...I dunno if Heavily Forested still applies, but I'll let you say yay or nay
[22:14] <TheTimebroker> You are still in a forest!
[22:15] <Echo> ...web is a d8, right?
[22:15] <TheTimebroker> it is!
[22:15] <Echo> #roll 3[1d10]
[22:15] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [3[1d10]]: 1 9 2 >
[22:16] <TheTimebroker> Take a PP, I'm grabbing that d10
[22:16] <Echo> #roll 3[1d8]
[22:16] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [3[1d8]]: 3 4 5 >
[22:16] <Echo> #roll 1d6
[22:16] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [1d6]: 6>
[22:17] <TheTimebroker> Okay, so, on its own, your total there can't beat the 16. BUT. One of the many uses of a PP is to include a third die in your total! Conveniently, you just earned a PP.
[22:17] <Echo> yeah, let’s do that
[22:18] <TheTimebroker> Alright! So any three of those to create your total, and then one as your effect - what are you hitting me with?
[22:18] <Echo> 20 d10
[22:18] <TheTimebroker> Nice!
[22:18] <Spidey> "Go Wannabe Daredevil?"

That is a tremendously low blow. Nobody wants to be Daredevil. Not even Daredevil.

[22:19] <Echo> so echo jumps up, grabs hold of a tree limb, then proceeds to kick ass
[22:19] <Echo> .......
[22:19] <TheTimebroker> So, one of the lizards loses his head for the trouble, and the other one is trapped among the webbed trees
[22:19] <Echo> 'Shut. Up.'
[22:19] <ElsaBloodstone> "Ooh. Diss."
[22:19] <TheTimebroker> Only one Lizard left, new round starts, finish it off.... Echo! You're on a roll.
[22:21] <TheTimebroker> Unless you'd rather attack Spider-Man instead. That's totally an option.
[22:22] <Echo> Team, Marked by the Hand, Enhanced Reflexes, Combat Master, Weapon, Webbed to coup de grace the trapped lizard
[22:22] <TheTimebroker> Oh, AND! Your 'Quick Study' SFX kicked in since you succeeded, so you get to add a 'stunt' die to your next roll. a d8 since that was my effect die
[22:22] <Echo> shiny
[22:22] <TheTimebroker> a stunt die is a one-time-use bonus die, basically
[22:23] <Echo> #roll 4[1d8]
[22:23] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [4[1d8]]: 4 3 7 8 >
[22:23] <ElsaBloodstone> :O
[22:23] <Echo> #roll 2[1d6]
[22:23] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [2[1d6]]: 6 3 >
[22:23] <Echo> #roll 1d10
[22:23] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [1d10]: 8>
[22:23] <X-23> no opportunities!
[22:23] <TheTimebroker> Wow, nice roll!
[22:24] <Echo> 15 d10
[22:24] <TheTimebroker> Nice.
[22:24] <TheTimebroker> The lizard is still scrambling against the webbing, trying to escape
[22:24] <TheTimebroker> #roll 1d6
[22:24] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [1d6]: 5>
[22:24] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [1d6]: 5>
[22:24] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d8]
[22:24] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d8]]: 5 7 6 >
[22:24] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d8]]: 5 7 6 >
[22:25] <TheTimebroker> And that will be the end of him. 13 d8.
[22:25] <Echo> lizard loses its head, ala katana
[22:25] <TheTimebroker> So, the last of the lizards drops to the ground in grisly pieces, and the Tallus finally speaks up in Wolverine's head.
[22:26] <TheTimebroker> "Ah, I see you've met the locals. Be careful, going forward - those were the small ones."
[22:26] <Wolverine> JEEEEEAN
[22:26] <Wolverine> Oh lord.
[22:26] <Wolverine> "You're a real barrel of laughs, Timebroker."
[22:26] <TheTimebroker> Nothing but silence.
[22:26] <Spidey> "huh?"
[22:26] <Wolverine> "Nothin'. Let's keep moving."
[22:26] <Spidey> "You talking to yourself?"
[22:26] <Wolverine> Aaaaand I keep moving towards the ruined city.
[22:27] <Spidey> "Great, our illustrious, supposed-to-be-stoic leader might be insane"
[22:27] <TheTimebroker> Alright, so, as you get to the edge of the city the forest thins out - the scene distinction changes from d8 Heavily Forested to Ruined City, d6
[22:27] <ElsaBloodstone> "Says the boy dressed up in blue spandex."
[22:28] <Spidey> "What blue spandex?"
[22:28] <Wolverine> "Shut up. We're nearing the city."
[22:28] <ElsaBloodstone> "Wait, wrong timeline. /Black alien goop,/ since that's so much better."
[22:28] <TheTimebroker> :D
[22:28] <Wolverine> "Keep your eyes peeled. They're supposed to get bigger."
[22:28] <Spidey> "Yes it is, it makes me feel loved"
[22:29] <Echo> I miss it when he was just a minor pain in the ass.
[22:29] <ElsaBloodstone> "How much? Gorn big? Godzilla big?"

I can’t believe I designed a scenario based on lizardmen and didn’t use Gorn as a unit of measurement.

[22:29] <TheTimebroker> There aren't as many trees in the city, but it's still somewhat overgrown - enough to pad your footsteps, assuming you don't knock over any of the crumbling ruins or otherwise draw attention to yourselves.

In other words, bad things happen if you’re noisy. This again was intended as a ‘beat the doom pool or face more lizards’ section, but with d8 mobs rather than d6 mobs. As with the first, I changed it on the fly for the sake of pacing.

[22:30] <TheTimebroker> Wherever you go here, it's going to take a different approach than the forest.
[22:30] <Wolverine> "Didn't say.
[22:30] <Spidey> "Shall I web swing up and see what I can spot? Don't worry, if I see Godzilla I'll run."
[22:30] <Wolverine> "You guys see anything that looks like our bomb?"
[22:31] <ElsaBloodstone> "One moment."
[22:31] <TheTimebroker> A cool breeze blows in from the bay. Wherever the Tallus dropped you, it was close to the water, at least.
[22:31] * ElsaBloodstone pulls out the uranium detector (dowsing rod) and taps the side, trying to drain the Captain's beer out of the end.
[22:32] <Wolverine> That's a relief.
[22:32] <Wolverine> Also, HEY, PRECIOUS BEER
[22:32] <ElsaBloodstone> Viewed from the back it may give a very unfortunate image
[22:33] <Wolverine> Soooo.
[22:33] <Wolverine> Uh, do we need to roll to find this bomb? Anyone want to roll?
[22:33] <TheTimebroker> If you're trying the detector again, I'll need a doom pool roll
[22:33] <TheTimebroker> alternatively Spidey, if you're slinging up to take a look, the same
[22:33] <Wolverine> Go for it, Elsa!
[22:33] <ElsaBloodstone> working on it, sorry
[22:34] <ElsaBloodstone> team d6 stepped up to d8, i've seen worse d8, weapon d8, covert expert d8
[22:34] <TheTimebroker> (a doom pool roll works just like combat, except not against an actual opponent - effect die doesn't matter so long as you beat the pool's total)

Not entirely accurate – there are situations in which a roll against the doom pool effect die matters (creating stuff etc). This wasn’t one of them, though, so I figured we could deal with that if it came up.

[22:35] <ElsaBloodstone> And Ruined City d6, since there are many implements with which she could apply the Fonzarelli Fix to it
[22:35] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 4[1d8]
[22:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [4[1d8]]: 4 2 3 7 >
[22:35] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 1d6]
[22:35] <TheTimebroker> Hah. Yes, yes there are.
[22:35] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 1d6
[22:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [1d6]: 3>
[22:35] <ElsaBloodstone> BAH. 11 d8.
[22:35] <TheTimebroker> Doom pool responds
[22:35] <TheTimebroker> #roll 4[1d8]
[22:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [4[1d8]]: 8 1 5 7 >
[22:35] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [4[1d8]]: 8 1 5 7 >
[22:35] <TheTimebroker> #roll 1d10
[22:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [1d10]: 6>
[22:35] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [1d10]: 6>
[22:35] <ElsaBloodstone> :|
[22:35] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d12]
[22:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d12]]: 3 3 >
[22:35] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d12]]: 3 3 >
[22:36] <ElsaBloodstone> jesus, 2d12? D:
[22:36] <Echo> :(
[22:36] <TheTimebroker> Yyyyyyup. X-23 had a really crappy roll back there, hehe
[22:36] <TheTimebroker> Okay, so, the dowsing rod still doesn't seem to be much help.
[22:36] * ElsaBloodstone grumbles, throws the damn gas-powered stick away, muttering about Machine Man needing to find better places for his goddamn beer.
[22:37] <Spidey> Solo, With Great Power Comes Great Responsbility, Slingline, Super Human Strength, Acrobatis Master, Ruined City
[22:37] <TheTimebroker> Looks good, roll it!
[22:37] <Spidey> #Roll 1d6
[22:37] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [1d6]: 1>
[22:37] <Spidey> #roll 3[1d8]
[22:37] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [3[1d8]]: 2 1 2 >
[22:38] <Echo> ow
[22:38] <Spidey> #roll 2[1d10]
[22:38] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [2[1d10]]: 6 6 >
[22:38] <ElsaBloodstone> Oh jesus.
[22:38] <TheTimebroker> Take a PP, I'm nabbing that d8
[22:38] <Wolverine> FEED THE DOOM POOL
[22:39] <ElsaBloodstone>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQwHbmjx38w
[22:39] <Spidey> *Spidey feels like he just upset the universe in a bad way*
[22:39] <Spidey> 12 d8
[22:39] <TheTimebroker> Doom pool responds:
[22:39] <TheTimebroker> #roll 5[1d8]
[22:39] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [5[1d8]]: 2 2 7 1 5 >
[22:39] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [5[1d8]]: 2 2 7 1 5 >
[22:39] <TheTimebroker> #roll 1d10
[22:39] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [1d10]: 6>
[22:39] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [1d10]: 6>
[22:39] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d12]
[22:39] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d12]]: 10 2 >
[22:39] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d12]]: 10 2 >
[22:39] <ElsaBloodstone> D:
[22:39] <Wolverine> Yeah, no way.
[22:39] <Echo> owwww
[22:40] <Spidey> *Face Plants* "No one saw that got it?"

The doom pool, you may have noticed, is quite large. Lots of impending doom.

[22:40] <TheTimebroker> There's nowhere to get a grip with the webbing - this isn't the grimy, overbuilt New York you're used to.
[22:40] <TheTimebroker> Even passing clouds reject you as if from spite.

Second time I made that joke, I just realized. I don’t care, though. It’s an X-Factor reference and everybody should really read X-Factor.

[22:40] <ElsaBloodstone> "Nope, nobody."
[22:40] <Wolverine> "I thought you were supposed to be good at this kind of thing, Parker."

Hey, now – just because your Peter Parker is good at something doesn’t mean this Peter Parker is too! Besides, the massive pool of impending doom probably threw off his spider-sense.

[22:40] * ElsaBloodstone puts away one of MM's eyes. The one she stabbed out of him.
[22:41] <Wolverine> "Right. So no luck so far. Any suggestions?"
[22:42] <Wolverine> If no one pipes up, I'm going to default to "find the biggest building in the city and start slicing it open."
[22:43] <Echo> I look around, seeing if anything seems out of the ordinary, or more so than usual
[22:43] <ElsaBloodstone> "Well, when something like this happens with /my/ team we usually just blunder around like a drunken cactus until whatever we find looms out of the ocean like a giant Olympian pinata."
[22:43] <Spidey> "We could look for a taller building, might have better luck there..."
[22:43] <TheTimebroker> XD
[22:43] <Wolverine> "... sounds good."
[22:43] <Wolverine> "Lead on, Red."
[22:43] <TheTimebroker> Give me a roll against the doom pool, echo
[22:43] <TheTimebroker> Let's see what you can find
[22:44] <Echo> team, Enhanced Senses, Mysterious Ninja, Covert Expert, Ruined City
[22:44] <ElsaBloodstone> "Works better when you've got someone around with telescoping legs, though. Makes the blundering much larger. And destructive."
[22:44] <Echo> #roll 2[1d6]
[22:44] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [2[1d6]]: 4 5 >
[22:44] <Echo> #roll 3[1d8]
[22:44] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [3[1d8]]: 4 8 7 >
[22:44] <Echo> 15d8
[22:44] <ElsaBloodstone> shit, missed the punch line to that statement
[22:45] <ElsaBloodstone> ("...Which we then pop. Because we're a cactus.")
[22:45] <TheTimebroker> #roll 5[1d8]
[22:45] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [5[1d8]]: 4 4 5 8 6 >
[22:45] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [5[1d8]]: 4 4 5 8 6 >
[22:45] <TheTimebroker> #roll 1d10
[22:45] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [1d10]: 7>
[22:45] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [1d10]: 7>
[22:45] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d12]
[22:45] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d12]]: 2 12 >
[22:45] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d12]]: 2 12 >
[22:45] <Wolverine> Damn, look at Echo go.
[22:45] <Wolverine> .... oh, wait.
[22:45] <Echo> pttth
[22:45] <ElsaBloodstone> :x
[22:45] <Wolverine> Christ.
[22:45] <TheTimebroker> Mm, 15d10
[22:45] <ElsaBloodstone> Always wait for the d12s.
[22:45] <Wolverine> Abad, you are on a roll.
[22:45] <TheTimebroker> Active player wins
[22:45] <TheTimebroker> ...oh, duh, that's a 12, not a 1 and a 2
[22:45] <TheTimebroker> I mean, it is a 1 and a 2, but not spaced apart
[22:46] <TheTimebroker> well whatever, I said 15.
[22:46] <TheTimebroker> SO
[22:46] <TheTimebroker> There's nothing especially out of the ordinary, but as you look around wondering where a bomb might be, you're reminded of the warships in the bay.
[22:47] <Echo> ...
[22:47] <Echo> 'Hey. Heroes. Where would you put a bomb in a ruined bayside city with rusty warships?'
[22:47] <Wolverine> Uuugh. I hate to puss out, too, but I need an early night.
[22:47] <Wolverine> Lemme know what I miss, guys.
[22:48] <TheTimebroker> Aww, seeya dude.
[22:48] <Wolverine> Yeah, sorry. :(
[22:48] <Echo> aww, bye copper
[22:48] <ElsaBloodstone> "It has something to do with the Forces of Improbability, really, something Father would harp on me about whenever he took me Deep One fighting. Something about when you stack the odds to a ludicrous degree against yourself everything suddenly works out in your favor.
[22:48] <Spidey> *Smacks head* "man of course Nuclear Power'
[22:48] <Wolverine> "JEEEEEEAAAAAAN"
[22:48] <ElsaBloodstone> :O
[22:48] <Wolverine> Let me know if we're still playing tomorrow!

We… Technically *were* still playing tomorrow.

[22:48] <ElsaBloodstone> "...Like now!"
[22:48] <Wolverine> I'll phase back in!
[22:48] <TheTimebroker> hehehe
[22:48] <Wolverine> Night, guys!
[22:49] <ElsaBloodstone> See ya, Aph!
[22:49] *** Wolverine has quit IRC: Disintegrated: ChatZilla 0.9.90.1 [Firefox 27.0.1/20140212131424]
[22:49] <TheTimebroker> So, the Tallus doesn't disappear with Wolverine - it just kind of shifts to another, slighty smaller version of Wolverine.
[22:49] <TheTimebroker> Despite his best intentions, Wolverine couldn't quite get it off before he vanished in a purple flash, and the Tallus is now wrapped firmly around X-23's wrist.
[22:49] <Spidey> "I think the Mr. Rogers fellow has a thing for Wolverine
[22:49] <ElsaBloodstone> "Oh great. We got the Wolverine that never went through the 90's."
[22:50] <TheTimebroker> It speaks to her. "Well, that's a decent start. Even if you don't succeed here, you've done juuuuust enough that his reality is fixed. Let's see how the rest of you do!"

And there’s the escape hatch. It’s super handy, and it means that the same person can play different characters in different sessions (or even the same one, though I’d rather not overuse it to that extent) if they want – options are open, which is nice. In a standard narrative there’s only so many times you can do that before it turns into a jumbled mess of main-cast-replacement (isn’t that right, Sliders?), but Exiles is predicated on the idea that everybody goes home when things in their reality are fixed, and since this bunch doesn’t know what exactly caused the ripple/cracks, it’s entirely possible that a supposed fix is temporary.

[22:50] <Echo> "Pop culture will be lost on the kid."
[22:50] <Echo> I reject his reality and substitute it with my own.
[22:51] <TheTimebroker> X-23, still with us?
[22:51] <ElsaBloodstone> "Y'know, I can't hear that without getting some deep sense of foreboding."
[22:51] <ElsaBloodstone> "...Obviously not grimdark enough. HEY. 23 X's. Tell us about the day Bub wiped out your children or something."
[22:51] <Spidey> *Chirp*
[22:52] <TheTimebroker> Okay then! Disregard that last bit, it's uh, on Elsa now :P
[22:52] <Spidey> "Woah, I think reality just shifted on us."
[22:52] <TheTimebroker> Wolverine has, so far as you know, gone home!
[22:53] <ElsaBloodstone> "...Well then."
[22:53] <Echo> 'So. Bomb. Rusty warships. I'm /not/ the only protege in the group here.'
[22:54] <Spidey> "Yes, yes nuclear reactors and all."
[22:54] <ElsaBloodstone> "Based on the fact that this ring's getting transplanted faster than...I don't know, something really fast..."
[22:54] <X-23> Sorry, back! Doing some work on the side.
[22:54] <ElsaBloodstone> "I'm thinking we better pick up the pace. TO THE WARSHIPS. Maybe there's a Russian submarine there with a nice reactor or something."
[22:55] * ElsaBloodstone SHOOTS ahead, pointin' that ring towards the ships.
[22:55] <ElsaBloodstone> (hoping slightly that the ring will beep like sonar when we reach our anomaly)
[22:55] <Spidey> *Follows the new illustrious leader*
[22:55] <ElsaBloodstone> Not because it would make much /sense,/ but because that's how Nextwave works.
[22:56] <TheTimebroker> There's still a good chunk of city to get through before you reach the bay, but it goes by mostly uneventfully - it seems to be about midday now, maybe the lizards are all off sunning themselves.
[22:56] *** Nat has joined #MHRPExiles
[22:56] *** Nat is now known as BlackWidow
[22:56] <Spidey> They are lizards, can’t they taste us in the air?
[22:56] <TheTimebroker> On the way you see old newspapers, rotting books, all the sorts of things people used to value.
[22:56] <TheTimebroker> Yes, odd, isn't it?
[22:57] <TheTimebroker> Or at least, it seems odd until you reach the Bay.
[22:57] * ElsaBloodstone is willing to make another roll!
[22:58] <TheTimebroker> No need. Once you reach the Bay area you can see why there weren't lizards in the city - they seem to be congregated here, warily looking at the water
[22:58] <Spidey> "Why do I feel like we are going to be saving Lizard Man's offspring?"
[22:58] <TheTimebroker> The Tallus wasn't lying, before - most of these are substantially bigger than the ones you faced in the forest. Some of them still wear the remnants of clothes, but they all seem to be avoiding the bay itself.
[22:58] <ElsaBloodstone> "Well, well, well. What do we have here."
[22:59] <BlackWidow> "Well."
[22:59] <TheTimebroker> That said, as you approach you're on a hill, looking down - you can see the ships clearly in the Bay.
[22:59] <Echo> *lifts an eyebrow* Huh.
[23:00] <TheTimebroker> There are a half dozen warships, mostly in states of disrepair. There's also one submarine, sitting serenely off the coast, relatively undamaged except that the top hatch has been torn off.
[23:00] <TheTimebroker> Next to it bobs a small rowboat.
[23:00] <Spidey> "Humm, obvious to anyone else?
[23:00] <ElsaBloodstone> "Yes."
[23:00] <ElsaBloodstone> "Obviously the rowboat is the bomb."
[23:00] <Echo> Mhmm
[23:01] <Spidey> "Huh, I was going to say in the crowd of lizard people."
[23:01] <TheTimebroker> There are other small boats moored in the harbor, the lizards don't seem to use them, but there are lizards puttering around them.
[23:02] <Spidey> "It's never as easy as sneak on to the submarine past a crowd of mutant lizards and cut the red wire, is it?"
[23:03] <ElsaBloodstone> "Who said anything about sneaking?"
[23:03] <Spidey> *Shapeshifts too look like a lizard man* "I did?"
[23:03] <TheTimebroker> Clever use of the symbiote, take a PP

I actually really liked this bit. I kind of expected the group to just fight their way through, but they were sneaky about it and I adjusted the encounter accordingly.

[23:04] * ElsaBloodstone rolls her eyes, sighing. "Well then, go /on,/ Savior of the Skink People."
[23:04] <ElsaBloodstone> ( :D )
[23:05] <ElsaBloodstone> (go for it!)
[23:05] <Spidey> *Looks for a place along the docks where there are not Lizard People*
[23:06] <Spidey> (Plan is to have Spidey sneak to a boat and then pick up the group)
[23:07] <BlackWidow> "I guess we'll wait here then.'
[23:07] <TheTimebroker> They're pretty much everywhere, roaming to and fro, but there are a few spots where the group thins out a bit. It's strange that they're all gathered here, even though they don't like the water.
[23:08] <Spidey> "Wait near there? While I bring a boat around?"
[23:08] <Spidey> *Points to the thinnest spot*
[23:08] <TheTimebroker> It's unlikely that the group will be able to get through without a fight, but by picking a thin spot they might not have to fight the entire population of San Diego.
[23:09] <BlackWidow> "Yes, that'll have to do. We can't look like lizards like you can. The rest of you up for it?'
[23:09] * ElsaBloodstone pumps both barrels on her rifles in response, nods.
[23:09] <Spidey> "Don't worry I'll make sure a ride is there for you. All else fails you can jump in the water, right?"
[23:10] <Echo> Mmmm.
[23:10] <Spidey> *Adopts a Lizard Man walk and makes for the best apparent boat that will hold the group*
[23:11] <TheTimebroker> The lizards don't seem bothered by you, apparently looking like one of them is enough to keep them from attacking.
[23:11] <TheTimebroker> As for boats, a lot of them are rusting out, but you eventually find one that should hold you all for a little while at least.
[23:12] <TheTimebroker> A few of them seem interested that you're on the boat and moving it, but it doesn't draw a lot of attention - just a few curious lizards. They're not particularly hostile.
[23:12] <Spidey> (Does it have a motor or no?)
[23:12] <TheTimebroker> There's no motor, no.
[23:13] <TheTimebroker> It's just a big rowboat, essentially
[23:13] <Spidey> *sighs and attempts to row the boat to the group as silently as possible*
[23:14] <TheTimebroker> Alright, the rest of you. Spidey's on the way and there are some lizards between you and him. What do?
[23:16] <Echo> are there any structures around?
[23:16] * ElsaBloodstone is using her time to line up a bunch of barrels along the docks with various homegrown explosives from her belt.
[23:16] <Echo> anything we can use to /not/ go directly through lizard peopel
[23:16] <ElsaBloodstone> Stuff to drive them right where they want to go least. :D
[23:16] <TheTimebroker> There's a row of small warehouses near the edge of the water, but they all end well outside of jumping distance.
[23:17] <TheTimebroker> Whatever's got their attention focused on the water, it's seemingly very important to them.
[23:18] <ElsaBloodstone> Solo, Daddy was an Immortal Monster Hunter, Enhanced Speed, Weapon (explosives), Mystic Expert (homegrown bombs, after all)
[23:18] <ElsaBloodstone> (stepped up again with From the Private Collection...)
[23:18] <ElsaBloodstone> To create an asset: Boom Boom Boom
[23:18] <TheTimebroker> Roll it!
[23:18] <ElsaBloodstone> (or should I say tik tik tik boom)
[23:19] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 3[1d8]
[23:19] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [3[1d8]]: 8 7 5 >
[23:19] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 1d10
[23:19] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [1d10]: 5>
[23:19] <ElsaBloodstone> BETTER
[23:19] <ElsaBloodstone> 15 d10!
[23:19] <TheTimebroker> Doom pool responds:
[23:19] <TheTimebroker> #roll 4[1d8]
[23:19] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [4[1d8]]: 5 8 3 3 >
[23:19] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [4[1d8]]: 5 8 3 3 >
[23:19] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d10]
[23:19] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d10]]: 4 8 >
[23:19] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d10]]: 4 8 >
[23:19] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d12]
[23:19] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d12]]: 10 5 >
[23:19] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d12]]: 10 5 >
[23:19] <ElsaBloodstone> Fucking hell.
[23:20] <ElsaBloodstone> X-TWENTY THREEEEEEEEEEE

REGRETS.

[23:20] <TheTimebroker> Unfortunately, some of the lizards overhear you moving the barrels around, and that draws their attention. You manage to get them into place, but can't set the fuse, and there's a group of lizards right on top of you!
[23:20] <Echo> ...
[23:21] <ElsaBloodstone> "I am going to MURDER the Captain when I get back."
[23:21] <BlackWidow> "Oh that's just wonderful.'
[23:21] <ElsaBloodstone> "Straight out (SKULL SKULL SKULL SKULL)-ing MURDER the sonufabitch."
[23:21] <ElsaBloodstone> "He /DRANK MY KEROSENE./"

For those without access to Nextwave (which you really should read), little skull icons are how they represent the regular cursing. Elsa mentioned ‘The Captain’ earlier – he’s known only as ‘The Captain’ because his hero name is ‘Captain SKULL-SKULL-SKULL-SKULL’ and the word is foul enough that Captain America beat the hell out of him and left him in a dumpster with a bar of soap in his mouth once. If that doesn’t convince you to read Nextwave, I don’t know what it’ll take.

[23:21] <Spidey> (Let me know if Spidey Gets Close Enough To web sling any of them off into the water)
[23:24] <TheTimebroker> So, there's four lizards coming at you, all of which are bigger than the ones you faced earlier, and one of which is bigger still than the others.
[23:25] <TheTimebroker> Elsa, you're the one who drew their attention, so three of them are coming right at you.
[23:25] <ElsaBloodstone> >:|
[23:25] <ElsaBloodstone> "Bring it."
[23:25] <ElsaBloodstone> "(SKULL SKULL SKULL SKULL)-ers."
[23:26] <TheTimebroker> Affiliation 3d8, Superhuman Strength 1d10, claws and fangs to step the d10 back one but add a d6 and step up the effect die, combat expert d8
[23:26] <TheTimebroker> #roll 1d6
[23:26] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [1d6]: 3>
[23:26] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [1d6]: 3>
[23:26] <TheTimebroker> #roll 5[1d8]
[23:26] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [5[1d8]]: 5 5 4 3 8 >
[23:26] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [5[1d8]]: 5 5 4 3 8 >
[23:26] <TheTimebroker> spending a d8 from the doom pool to include a third die
[23:26] <TheTimebroker> 18 d10

At this point, Black Widow had to leave us – apparently her home reality needed her. Hawkeye probably got trapped in the bathroom again.

[23:28] * ElsaBloodstone glares at them and stands her ground, swinging up both rifles to shoot the lead one IN THE FACE.
[23:28] <TheTimebroker> :D
[23:28] <ElsaBloodstone> Solo d10, I've Seen Worse d8, Superhuman Durability, Weapon d8, Combat Expert d8
[23:28] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 3[1d8]
[23:28] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [3[1d8]]: 8 5 1 >
[23:28] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 2[1d10]
[23:28] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [2[1d10]]: 9 8 >
[23:28] <ElsaBloodstone> YES
[23:29] <ElsaBloodstone> Using a plot point to use a third die!
[23:29] <TheTimebroker> Take a PP, I'm triggering that opportunity to activate your Limit on Tools of the Monster Hunter
[23:29] <ElsaBloodstone> 25 d8.
[23:30] <ElsaBloodstone> oh goddammit

This effectively shuts down an entire powerset. It resulted in a moment later on I quite enjoyed.

[23:31] <TheTimebroker> spending a PP to make that a counterattack?
[23:31] <ElsaBloodstone> Yus.
[23:31] <TheTimebroker> Very good.
[23:31] <ElsaBloodstone> Might as well!
[23:31] <TheTimebroker> One lizard very much dead.
[23:31] <TheTimebroker> Next up, the even bigger, even nastier lizard makes his move, lunging towards X-23!
[23:32] <X-23> I react, of course, by trying to impale him.
[23:33] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[23:33] <ElsaBloodstone> Sometimes it's just best to let leaping lizards jump on the spikes.
[23:33] <X-23> Solo, Killer Instinct, Adamantium Claws, Combat Master, Berserk d12
[23:34] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[23:34] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 5>
[23:34] <TheTimebroker> Team d8, savage lizard d8, superhuman strength d10, multipowering in enhanced speed and superhuman stamina as d6's, reptile control d10, combat expert d8, using lashing tail to double superhuman strength for one action
[23:34] <X-23> #roll 1d8
[23:34] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d8]: 1>
[23:34] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[23:34] <TheTimebroker> he has yet to roll his attack!
[23:34] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 8>
[23:34] <X-23> well phooey on him :|
[23:34] <TheTimebroker> sorry, lots of dice :P
[23:34] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d8]
[23:34] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d8]]: 4 3 1 >
[23:34] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d8]]: 4 3 1 >
[23:34] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d6]
[23:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d6]]: 5 6 4 >
[23:35] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d6]]: 5 6 4 >
[23:35] <Spidey> Opportunity that 1
[23:35] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d10]
[23:35] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d10]]: 4 1 7 >
[23:35] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d10]]: 4 1 7 >
[23:35] <X-23> I am taking that d10 opportunity as a stunt.
[23:35] <TheTimebroker> Alright then.
[23:36] <TheTimebroker> spending a doom die to include an extra in the roll, 18 d10 (steps up to d12 due to claws/fangs)
[23:36] <X-23> ...actually, in hindsight, I think I'm alright without the stunt. I need to hold onto that PP. Speaking of, you gonna buy that opportunity I rolled? :P
[23:36] <TheTimebroker> I am not.

“I need to hold onto that PP. Want to give me a PP?”

No, SteelUnifier, I do not 

In all seriousness though, at this point the doom pool was getting scary big.

[23:37] <X-23> Aw. Alrighty.
[23:37] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[23:37] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 10>
[23:37] <X-23> #roll 1d12
[23:37] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d12]: 8>
[23:37] <ElsaBloodstone> please don't poke cthulu in the eyeballs, steel
[23:38] <X-23> Spending a PP to make that 23, d12, and another PP as a counterattack.
[23:38] <X-23> He lands on my claws and I monkey flip him away from me.
[23:38] <TheTimebroker> Hah, wow.
[23:38] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[23:39] <TheTimebroker> Alright then! What would be very nearly a killing blow to anyone human sends the lizard chief reeling back, blood gushing from his feet
[23:39] <X-23> (incidentally I think you add an extra d6 to the doom pool on top of getting the d12 back, off the Berserk SFX)
[23:40] <TheTimebroker> unfortunately, as he lands, you can see his flesh knitting together, his healing factor almost as good as your own
[23:40] <TheTimebroker> (I think so, but I'm spending one now anyways to trigger his regeneration sfx)
[23:40] * X-23 swears.
[23:40] <ElsaBloodstone> :|
[23:41] <TheTimebroker> Right. Echo, you're up!
[23:41] <Echo> hrm.
[23:47] <Echo> Team, Mysterious Ninja, Mimic (the lizard cheif's lunge), Combat Master
[23:47] <ElsaBloodstone> "See what I mean? It's the Law of Ridiculously Poor Odds."
[23:47] <Echo> #roll #1d6
[23:47] <ElsaBloodstone> "Do badly /enough/ and things just fall into favor."
[23:47] <Echo> ...and Weapon, shit.
[23:47] <Echo> bleh
[23:47] <Echo> knew i missed something
[23:48] <Echo> #roll 2[1d6]
[23:48] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [2[1d6]]: 6 5 >
[23:48] <Echo> #roll 2[1d10]
[23:48] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [2[1d10]]: 2 2 >
[23:48] <Echo> #roll 1d8
[23:48] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [1d8]: 5>
[23:48] <ElsaBloodstone> Don't forget the City distinction!
[23:48] <Echo> #roll 1d6
[23:48] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Echo [1d6]: 1>
[23:48] <Echo> >>
[23:49] <TheTimebroker> Not gonna buy it, don't worry

Timebroker don’t get outta bed for less than a d8.

[23:49] <ElsaBloodstone> ...on second thought, you can forget about the city distinction :x
[23:49] <Spidey> Thank you Elsa :P
[23:49] <ElsaBloodstone> >>
[23:49] <Echo> adding a PP anyway, to add a third roll
[23:49] <Echo> 16d10
[23:49] <TheTimebroker> Okay! Attacking the chief or the mob?
[23:49] <Echo> si
[23:49] <Echo> using his own attack
[23:49] <TheTimebroker> ah, got it
[23:50] <Echo> the chief, sorry
[23:50] <TheTimebroker> The massive lizard doesn't seem intimidated, he reaches out trying to get ahold of your wrist
[23:50] <Echo> :|
[23:51] <TheTimebroker> team d8, former human? d8, super strength d10, enhanced speed d6, reptile control d10, combat master d8
[23:51] <TheTimebroker> and ruins
[23:51] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d10]
[23:51] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d10]]: 7 1 >
[23:51] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d10]]: 7 1 >
[23:51] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d8]
[23:51] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d8]]: 2 5 2 >
[23:51] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d8]]: 2 5 2 >
[23:51] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d6]
[23:51] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d6]]: 3 1 >
[23:51] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d6]]: 3 1 >
[23:52] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[23:52] <Echo> mwhaha
[23:52] <TheTimebroker> Yech
[23:52] <TheTimebroker> Aright, you hit!
[23:52] <TheTimebroker> He's fast, but you're faster
[23:53] * Echo debates what she could use that potential opportunity for
[23:53] <TheTimebroker> so, you hit him for d10 - want to inflict stress, try to complicate him, what?
[23:53] <TheTimebroker> ah, yes, there's also the opportunity!
[23:54] <Echo> hrrrrrmmm
[23:54] <ElsaBloodstone> On the one hand, we want to put that guy out as fast as we can, but considering we have a mob on us it might be a good idea to just hamper him as much as possible.
[23:54] <ElsaBloodstone> Hampering him will also give us more die to attack him with.

This is an excellent plan, given that they’re not sure what he’s capable of. Complication was absolutely the right choice, since he can’t just trigger the Regeneration SFX to escape it the way he can physical stress.

[23:54] <Echo> yeah
[23:55] <Echo> complication it is
[23:55] <Echo> just not sure how to flavor it
[23:55] <TheTimebroker> for the opportunity, the attack, or both?
[23:55] <TheTimebroker> you have 2d10 to play with, basically
[23:56] <Echo> ...
[23:56] <Echo> hmm
[23:56] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[23:56] <Echo> i don't suppose i can use him as a lizardy bowling pin and kick him into a couple others nearby?
[23:56] <ElsaBloodstone> You can /definitely/ do that. :D
[23:56] <TheTimebroker> Yup!
[23:57] <Echo> i dunno if that uses up one or both
[23:57] <TheTimebroker> I could apply one complication to him and one to the mob to represent that.
[23:57] <Echo> works for me
[23:58] <TheTimebroker> Okay!
[23:59] <Echo> :)
[23:59] <TheTimebroker> So, the lizard chief finds himself flying towards his two companions, and before he understands what's happened they're tangled up in a mess on the ground
[00:00] <TheTimebroker> Who's up next?
[00:00] <Echo> presumably back to Elsa?
[00:00] <TheTimebroker> That works!
[00:01] <ElsaBloodstone> !!
[00:01] <ElsaBloodstone> Okay!
[00:01] <TheTimebroker> initiative is flexible, doesn't always need to be the same, but yeah! The Lizards went first this time
[00:01] <TheTimebroker> then Echo, now Elsa!
[00:02] <ElsaBloodstone> Well, you remember those nice explosives I had been setting up (whose ignition sequences were consumed by the damn Captain)?
[00:02] <TheTimebroker> Yup!
[00:02] <ElsaBloodstone> Well, we're on the docks. And we have Lizardmen in a heap next to one of them.
[00:02] <TheTimebroker> ...so you do
[00:02] <ElsaBloodstone> Elsa's going to see if she can't dump 'em right where they don't want to go.
[00:02] <ElsaBloodstone> Using her shotgun.
[00:02] <TheTimebroker> weapon was disabled
[00:03] <ElsaBloodstone> oh right
[00:03] <ElsaBloodstone> goddammit
[00:04] <TheTimebroker> if you have a PP
[00:04] <TheTimebroker> I *did* roll a second opportunity last turn
[00:04] <ElsaBloodstone> ...Then she's going to just pick up one of the barrels and charge the goddamn leader off the peer in a rugby tackle.
[00:04] <TheTimebroker> hahahah
[00:04] <TheTimebroker> well, you can activate the opportunity or rugby tackle, I'm fine with it either way!
[00:05] <ElsaBloodstone> "Just like when I was two."
[00:05] <ElsaBloodstone> "In ze abandoned keg factory."
[00:05] <ElsaBloodstone> "And wit' ze Bloodbeasts of Narzamhah."
[00:06] <TheTimebroker> :D
[00:06] <ElsaBloodstone> Solo, Faux European Accent, Superhuman Durability, Combat Expert.
[00:06] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 2[1d10]
[00:06] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [2[1d10]]: 2 8 >
[00:06] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 2[1d8]
[00:06] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [2[1d8]]: 4 1 >
[00:06] <ElsaBloodstone> :x
[00:06] <TheTimebroker> don't forget ruined city d6 and lizard bowling d10
[00:06] <ElsaBloodstone> 12 d10
[00:06] <ElsaBloodstone> OH RIGHT
[00:06] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 1d10
[00:06] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [1d10]: 7>
[00:06] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 1d6
[00:06] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [1d6]: 5>
[00:07] <ElsaBloodstone> Adding a PP to tie three together!
[00:07] <ElsaBloodstone> (so many comments about mystical stuff coming back to the rescue!)
[00:07] <ElsaBloodstone> 20 d10.
[00:08] <TheTimebroker> Okay! The lizard chief was just starting to find his feet when Elsa barreled into him (see? see!?), he tries his best to stand his ground...
[00:08] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[00:09] <TheTimebroker> team d8, former human d8, superhuman strength d10, multipowering in enh reflexes and superhuman stamina at d6 each, reptile control d10, combat expert d8
[00:09] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d10]
[00:09] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d10]]: 9 1 >
[00:09] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d10]]: 9 1 >
[00:09] <ElsaBloodstone> !
[00:09] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d8]
[00:09] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d8]]: 4 6 5 >
[00:09] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d8]]: 4 6 5 >
[00:09] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d6]
[00:09] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d6]]: 6 1 5 >
[00:09] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d6]]: 6 1 5 >
[00:10] <TheTimebroker> Ergh.
[00:10] <ElsaBloodstone> Buying that opportunity to get my guns back!
[00:10] <TheTimebroker> Very good.
[00:10] <TheTimebroker> Spending 2 doom pool dice to include 2 extras
[00:10] <TheTimebroker> 25 with a d8
[00:11] <ElsaBloodstone> oh boooooo
[00:11] <TheTimebroker> it's not a counterattack though
[00:12] <ElsaBloodstone> !
[00:12] <ElsaBloodstone> Oh, okay
[00:12] <TheTimebroker> turns out that a ton of lizard is hard to move!
[00:12] <TheTimebroker> He staggers back, but he doesn't tumble into the water!

I love that Elsa just tried to tackle a giant lizard. Love it. I’m going to shut down her weapon more often!

[00:12] <TheTimebroker> X-23, if you're still with us, you're up!
[00:12] <X-23> Rightio.
[00:12] <ElsaBloodstone> "Sit. Down. Get. Down. Somebody TRIP THIS THING with a LAWNMOWER or something!"
[00:13] <TheTimebroker> :D
[00:13] <X-23> She's no lawnmower, but she's close. X-29 throws herself forward, claws bared. "Move it, or lose it!" She yells entirely literally.
[00:14] * ElsaBloodstone needs no further prompting!
[00:14] * Echo steps back
[00:14] <TheTimebroker> :D
[00:14] <X-23> Solo, Killer Instinct, Adamantium Claws, Combat Master, Ruined City d6, Lizard Bowling d10, Berserk d12
[00:14] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[00:14] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 5>
[00:14] <X-23> #roll 1d8
[00:14] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d8]: 5>
[00:14] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[00:14] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 6>
[00:15] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[00:15] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 5>
[00:15] <X-23> #roll 1d6
[00:15] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d6]: 2>
[00:15] <X-23> #roll 1d10
[00:15] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d10]: 8>
[00:15] <X-23> #roll 1d12
[00:15] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for X-23 [1d12]: 5>
[00:15] <Echo> :)
[00:15] <Spidey> :)
[00:15] <X-23> That's not the worst, but not the best. Sadly, I have no PP to use, unless someone's feeling generous. :P

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard Steel use ‘not the worst’ in a sentence before. It’s always ‘Abad, you’re the worst’, occasionally punctuated by “I fucking HATE YOU”. She’s thinking it right now, in fact.

(<3)

[00:16] * TheTimebroker is not feeling generous!
[00:16] <X-23> I didn't roll an opportunity anyways!
[00:16] <TheTimebroker> Right! So, what am I looking to beat?
[00:16] <X-23> 14, d12, in that case.
[00:17] <TheTimebroker> Okay! Once again the lizard chief stands his ground, seeing as it worked before...
[00:17] <TheTimebroker> team d8, former human d8, superhuman strength d10, multipowering in enh reflexes and superhuman stamina at d6 each, reptile control d10, combat expert d8
[00:17] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d8]
[00:17] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d8]]: 1 7 2 >
[00:17] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d8]]: 1 7 2 >
[00:17] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d10]
[00:17] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d10]]: 6 10 >
[00:17] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d10]]: 6 10 >
[00:17] <X-23> ow
[00:17] <TheTimebroker> #roll 3[1d6]
[00:17] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [3[1d6]]: 6 3 5 >
[00:17] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [3[1d6]]: 6 3 5 >
[00:18] <X-23> Yeaaaah.
[00:18] <TheTimebroker> 17 with a d10, spending a doom die to make it 23 d10
[00:18] <TheTimebroker> extraordinary success kicks it to a d12, spending another doom die to make it a counterattack!
[00:19] <Echo> ...ow
[00:19] <X-23> Owie.
[00:19] <ElsaBloodstone> D:
[00:19] <TheTimebroker> the lizard puts his bulk into one heavy swing, swatting X-23 out of the air!
[00:20] <TheTimebroker> Spidey, you pull the boat up to the shore and you can see the group's in trouble - what do?
[00:21] <TheTimebroker> (I *love* saying 'what do?')
[00:21] <X-23> She'd have felt her bones break if they weren't coated in metal. As it stood, she was left rolling on the floor, dry-heaving as the blow shudders through her frame.
[00:22] <Spidey> "And the hero comes in to save the day"
[00:23] <ElsaBloodstone> "Little faster, please." (she says, wielding a rifle but like a certain shovel)
[00:23] <Spidey> *Attempts to web the whole lizard mass together* (Assumption due to Lizard bowling they are kind tangled together for this)
[00:23] <TheTimebroker> You can make an area attack!
[00:23] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[00:24] <TheTimebroker> Basically for an area attack, you roll as normal, but add a d6 for each target beyond the first - so three targets here, add 2 d6's to your pool
[00:24] <TheTimebroker> then you keep an effect die for each of them
[00:24] <Spidey> Sweet
[00:25] <TheTimebroker> And they are still tangled, yes - only the leader has even gotten to his feet, and he's been kept from moving by basically constant attack
[00:27] <Spidey> Team, Friendly Neighborhood hero?, Weapon (Webbing), Superhuman Strength (Attempting to tie them together), Acrobatics Master(Keeping footing on the boat).
[00:28] <Spidey> Also if I’m aiming to make a web-like restraining complication do the grapple and envelop sfx's kick in?
[00:28] <TheTimebroker> don't forget d10 lizard bowling!
[00:28] <Spidey> And city ruin
[00:28] <TheTimebroker> ...Yeah, those would both kick in. That is a very nice one-two.

It really, really is. It’s basically the result of combining two similar characters (Venom and Spider-Man, to create the symbiote version) and not noticing the overlap, but in hindsight I like the idea of Spider-Man being incentivized to use his webs a lot, and it’ll balance out as people earn xp and upgrade things anyways.

[00:29] <Spidey> #roll 6[1d6]
[00:29] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [6[1d6]]: 2 4 3 5 1 6 >
[00:29] <TheTimebroker> take a PP, I'm grabbing that d6
[00:29] <Echo> pffft
[00:30] <Echo> 123456
[00:30] <TheTimebroker> hah, nice
[00:30] <Spidey> #roll 2[1d8]
[00:30] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [2[1d8]]: 8 7 >
[00:30] <Spidey> #roll 3[1d10]
[00:30] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [3[1d10]]: 4 1 7 >
[00:31] <TheTimebroker> take another PP, buying that d10
[00:31] <Spidey> Spending a pp to add the 8,7,7 for 22
[00:31] <TheTimebroker> oof
[00:32] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[00:32] <TheTimebroker> the effect die would be...
[00:32] <ElsaBloodstone> Someone's learning how to stitch together the good rolls.

Remember that prediction earlier? Yep.

[00:32] <Spidey> does the step up apply to all effect die?
[00:32] <TheTimebroker> I do believe so, yeah
[00:32] <TheTimebroker> which is nasty with that combo you've got
[00:33] <Spidey> so two step ups applied on a d10, d10, and d6 correct
[00:33] <TheTimebroker> not quite, you can't use a die in your total and also as an effect
[00:34] <TheTimebroker> and 1's can't be used
[00:34] <Spidey> ah so d10, d6, d6
[00:34] <TheTimebroker> Yeah
[00:34] <TheTimebroker> so the d10 becomes a d12+ (instant stress out), the d6's become d10's
[00:34] <Spidey> each getting two step ups, so whatever is a step up from d12 and two d10's
[00:35] <TheTimebroker> which against the mob of d8's are effectively instant stress-outs
[00:35] <TheTimebroker> nice cleanup!
[00:35] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[00:35] <Echo> :)
[00:35] <Spidey> "Everybody gets one"
[00:35] <ElsaBloodstone> Nicely done!
[00:36] <Echo> 'huh. Looks like the kid's finally getting lucky.'
[00:36] <TheTimebroker> And just in time, too - there are more lizards on the way, drawn by the movement and sound of fighting
[00:36] <ElsaBloodstone> "Well, it was nice sticking around, but--"
[00:36] <ElsaBloodstone> "BLAM BLAM"
[00:37] <ElsaBloodstone> "Time to go."
[00:37] <TheTimebroker> The old boat wobbles in the water, but it holds all of you, barely!
[00:38] <Spidey> *Attempts to use his shapeshifting webbing to make a faux-motor*
[00:38] <TheTimebroker> Hmmm. Sure! Symbiotes have tentacles, tentacles can spin.
[00:38] <Echo> Oo
[00:38] <ElsaBloodstone> "Here, allow me."
[00:39] * ElsaBloodstone sits, her ridiculously long zigzag hair acting as a rudder.
[00:39] <TheTimebroker> No need to roll on any of this, there's nobody to oppose you once you're on the boat - the lizards really hate water.
[00:40] <ElsaBloodstone> ^^
[00:40] <Spidey> *Begins to sing the theme from Gilligan’s island*
[00:41] <TheTimebroker> So, between the symbiote and the... hair-rudder, the boat ends up moving at a pretty good clip away from the shore. You can see the lizards stalking along the edges, including three particularly beaten-up ones who snarl angrily at you for as long as you can hear them.
[00:41] <ElsaBloodstone> ":|"
[00:41] * Echo sits, massaging tired muscles.
[00:41] <Echo> 'Out of shape. Bleh.'
[00:41] <TheTimebroker> You're heading to the submarine, correct?
[00:42] <Spidey> I would assume so.
[00:42] <Echo> Yup.
[00:43] <ElsaBloodstone> I know we're certainly not taking a trip across the shore.
[00:43] <TheTimebroker> Alright then! It doesn't take long - the sub is partially submerged in the deeper waters just past the various wrecked and abandoned warships, most of which are rusted beyond any repair.
[00:43] <ElsaBloodstone> :P
[00:43] <ElsaBloodstone> "So. Underwater because it's submerged, or because it's shipwrecked?"
[00:43] <TheTimebroker> After a few minutes of party bonding, you pull the boat up next to the one already bobbing in the water.
[00:44] <ElsaBloodstone> "Five beers on the former."
[00:44] <TheTimebroker> It seems just as abandoned as the rest of the ships, but perhaps newer? It's hard to tell. Something obviously got in, based on the damage to the hatch, but even lizard claws probably couldn't have done this.
[00:45] <TheTimebroker> It might not even be newer, just better prepared for the ravages of time.
[00:45] <Spidey> *looks to X-32* What do you smell, Now-Promoted-To-Furball1?"
[00:47] <TheTimebroker> X-23, we lose you again?
[00:48] <ElsaBloodstone> :|
[00:48] <TheTimebroker> Alright. Well, if X-23 were here, she would tell you that this is the first time since arriving here that she can really smell humans.
[00:48] <TheTimebroker> Human, anyways. A weirdly familiar one, but not recognizable.
[00:48] <ElsaBloodstone> ...oh dear
[00:48] * Echo wrinkles her nose
[00:49] <X-23> BACK AGAIN.
[00:49] <TheTimebroker> wb! You smell human.
[00:49] <X-23> The smelliest kind of smell.
[00:49] <TheTimebroker> Quite.
[00:50] <X-23> "Finally got the smell of lizard out of my system." X-23 sniffs around a little more. "Can smell human. Like, as in, not us."
[00:50] <TheTimebroker> Any other, more specific smells are overridden by motor oil and rust.
[00:50] <TheTimebroker> The hatch entry is dark and mangled, but usable.
[00:51] <Spidey> "Shall we? Also you know I really do feel we are going to end up saving the lizard people"
[00:51] <ElsaBloodstone> "Still covers a wide range. Could be anything from shogbas to yuricks with that description.

Note to self: Elsa will enjoy the Cancerverse issue.

[00:52] <Spidey> "If you give me a few I could create a web shield or something to provide some extra coverage?"
[00:53] * ElsaBloodstone stands up, wrings the water from her hair. "Best we get in there. I doubt the Timebroker's put a whole lot of time into this thing."
[00:53] * ElsaBloodstone taps the watch on her wrist.
[00:53] <TheTimebroker> (aaaaaalmost done)
[00:54] <ElsaBloodstone> She tries to pry some of the rusted metal off the side of the submarine, though. The plating that has a little more give to it.
[00:54] <ElsaBloodstone> (for spidey to use as a framework)
[00:54] <Spidey> "Alrighty, into the dark scary submarine we go, good thing I don’t wear that mostly red and blue spandex anymore."
[00:54] <TheTimebroker> The plating is surprisingly sturdy, but you manage to get a little bit.
[00:55] <Spidey> (scratch that)
[00:55] <ElsaBloodstone> "Please tell me you at least wear /pants./"
[00:55] <Spidey> *Takes the plating and attempts to make a decent shield*
[00:56] <TheTimebroker> creating a web construct, roll vs the doom pool!
[00:57] <Spidey> Buddy (Since Elsa is adding plating), With great power comes great responsibility, weapon (webbing), shapshifting, tech expert
[00:58] <Spidey> good?
[00:59] <TheTimebroker> yup!
[00:59] <Spidey> oh actually web construct so an extra d6 and increase is effect size
[00:59] <TheTimebroker> even better!
[01:00] <Spidey> #roll 1d10
[01:00] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [1d10]: 7>
[01:00] <Spidey> #roll 3[1d8]
[01:00] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [3[1d8]]: 6 4 4 >
[01:00] <Spidey> #roll 2[1d6]
[01:00] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [2[1d6]]: 6 4 >
[01:01] <Spidey> use a pp to string the 6,6,4 to make 16 and the d10 for effect so d12
[01:01] <TheTimebroker> Alrighty! Doom pool:
[01:01] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d6]
[01:01] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d6]]: 1 3 >
[01:01] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d6]]: 1 3 >
[01:01] <TheTimebroker> #roll 1d10
[01:01] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [1d10]: 6>
[01:01] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [1d10]: 6>
[01:01] <TheTimebroker> #roll 2[1d12]
[01:01] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for TheTimebroker [2[1d12]]: 3 7 >
[01:01] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d12]]: 3 7 >
[01:01] <TheTimebroker> You sir, have yourself a shiny new web construct
[01:02] <Spidey> Fun
[01:02] <Spidey> "Oh, and no, with the symbiote I don't wear any clothes." *Heads on down*
[01:02] <TheTimebroker> Hah
[01:03] <ElsaBloodstone> *disgusted look*
[01:03] * Echo shakes her head
[01:03] <TheTimebroker> still following him in, knowing what you'll be walking behind now? hahah
[01:03] <ElsaBloodstone> ".../definitely/ like one of MM's dates."
[01:04] <ElsaBloodstone> Aaand LE'SDOEET.
[01:04] <Echo> "Heroes in spandex get used to going commando, I think."
[01:04] <TheTimebroker> Alright. Inside the sub is much like the outside - it's damaged, but not overly so, and a lot of the electrical systems are still up and running. That seems odd, given how long it's been abandoned.
[01:04] <TheTimebroker> the emergency lighting is on, and, it being a submarine, there are only so many ways you can go.
[01:04] <Spidey> "Naww, I just like the way it feels against my skin. It moisturizes nicely."
[01:05] <TheTimebroker> Symbiote Spider-Man: Secret Exhibitionist
[01:05] <Echo> 'Also makes you smell funny.'
[01:05] <ElsaBloodstone> "Keep this up and you'll find out how it ended for MM."

I get the feeling that this version of Elsa may have murdered her Nextwave teammates. I’d probably be horrified by this if they didn’t mostly deserve it.

[01:05] <Spidey> "Yeesh Scary."
[01:05] <ElsaBloodstone> (it probably ended like http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/SaintSaturn/25sa4.jpg )
[01:05] <ElsaBloodstone> ( :D )
[01:06] <Spidey> (:))
[01:06] <TheTimebroker> Heading deeper into the sub, things actually get better-lit - someone's hung lanterns at strategic points, and as you get closer to the engine room you can head someone muttering and clanging about.
[01:07] <ElsaBloodstone> Can we hear what exactly he/she/it/they's saying?
[01:07] <Echo> Nope.
[01:07] <Echo> :p
[01:07] <Spidey> *attempts to use his Spidy sense for a better idea of what is ahead*
[01:07] <TheTimebroker> Very occasionally you catch snippets - it seems to be technical jargon, for the most part, interspersed with confident assurances of "Aha!" and "This should do it"
[01:08] <TheTimebroker> Finally, you come to an open door and on the other side of it you can see someone in a blue jumpsuit working underneath one of the consoles.
[01:08] <TheTimebroker> Whoever it is hasn't noticed you.
[01:09] <Spidey> Is there anyone else in the room?
[01:09] <TheTimebroker> Nobody. He's here by himself.
[01:09] <Spidey> *in a very low wisper* "Shall we tie him up?
[01:11] * ElsaBloodstone digs into her belt, produces a ball positively covered in religious symbols and wrapped in garrote wire.
[01:11] <ElsaBloodstone> "Certainly. Of sorts."
[01:11] <TheTimebroker> He seems to hear that, and sits up sharply, smacking his head on the console before gaping at you, open-mouthed.
[01:11] <Spidey> *creeps in*
[01:12] <ElsaBloodstone> ":|
[01:12] <TheTimebroker> "...h-how did you get past them?"
[01:12] <Spidey> (does smacking his head knock him out?)
[01:12] <TheTimebroker> (it does not)
[01:12] <TheTimebroker> now that he's sitting up, you can see he only has one arm.
[01:12] <Spidey> "Cause we are the goram heros."
[01:12] * ElsaBloodstone blinks, points back behind her. "What, the lizard people?"
[01:12] <ElsaBloodstone> "Blew up their dock and stole a boat."
[01:13] <Spidey> "Are you by chance related to Doc Conners?
[01:13] <TheTimebroker> "Ah... Yes, clever, they don't like water at all. Not at all. Not sure why."
[01:13] <ElsaBloodstone> "How'd you get past them?"
[01:13] <TheTimebroker> "I ah... I AM Curt Connors."
[01:16] <Spidey> *sighs* "Are you responsible for those people?"
[01:17] <Timebroker> he looks at you, opens his mouth to reply, then closes it again before finally speaking.
[01:17] <Timebroker> "Yes. It wasn't... I didn't plan it. I'm not even sure how it happened."
[01:18] <Timebroker> "I was trying to help people, people who lost limbs, fingers, things like me."
[01:18] <Spidey> *looks to Elsa and Echo, In a should we just ask about the bomb at this point*
[01:25] <ElsaBloodstone> !!!
[01:25] <Echo> :p
[01:25] <Echo> 'What are you working on?'
[01:25] <Timebroker> "I'm going to fix it!"
[01:25] <Timebroker> He seems excited at this.
[01:26] <ElsaBloodstone> "...With a bomb."
[01:26] <ElsaBloodstone> "On a sub."
[01:26] <Echo> '...That doesn't answer the question.'
[01:26] <Spidey> *sighs* "Short Sighted as ever, Connors"
[01:26] <Timebroker> "With several bombs! This sub has nuclear launch capability. A few well-placed missiles on the west coast, I can end this!"
[01:26] <Timebroker> "The government won't do it... They built a wall. It won't work forever. They breed too quickly."
[01:27] <ElsaBloodstone> "Uh...huh."
[01:27] <Spidey> "And what if one of those bombs go astray and hit the wall"?
[01:27] <Timebroker> "I'm the only one who can do it. Nobody else gets past the lizards, except you, oddly... The avengers tried, they're lizards too, now..."

Yes, I did stat the Avengers as lizardpeople. No, I did not plan on using them, but I thought it best to be prepared.

[01:28] <Spidey> "What about the fall out? Russia's or China's responses?"
[01:28] <Timebroker> "They won't need the wall anymore when I'm done!"
[01:29] <Timebroker> "I... It'll end me, too... I can't get out in time, and the bombs have to be simultaneous or some might survive"
[01:29] <Spidey> "No Doc this isn't the way."
[01:29] <Timebroker> "You should go. You should leave, however you got here."
[01:29] <ElsaBloodstone> "...We need to go back. Monica would /never/ forgive me if I didn't see Stark as a raving lizard."
[01:29] <Timebroker> XD
[01:29] <ElsaBloodstone> "And take photos."
[01:30] <Spidey> "Wasn't he one before?" (Says the guy wearing an iron man shirt)
[01:30] <ElsaBloodstone> "No photos to prove it."
[01:30] <ElsaBloodstone> "Hence. Photos."
[01:31] <ElsaBloodstone> "...Of course, we can't do that if the Doc makes puree out of'em, sooo..."
[01:31] * ElsaBloodstone siiiiighs.
[01:31] <Echo> "Stark was always an ass, but he wasn't much of a lizard'
[01:31] <Spidey> "We can't Doc. What you do upsets things."
[01:31] <Echo> "A couple of the others, though.,...."
[01:31] <Spidey> "You kinda start unravelling the universe."
[01:31] <Timebroker> "It's the only way! They'll take over the world!"
[01:32] <Spidey> "Not if you devote your time to a cure. You made this, you’re the only one who understands enough to make a cure."
[01:32] <ElsaBloodstone> "Doc, you /seen/ the government these days?"
[01:32] <Spidey> "If one lizard survives that this is for nothing, but a cure can mean something."
[01:33] <Timebroker> "I... I did cure it. It doesn't work as an aerosol, has to be injected, nobody can get close enough and darts won't get through their hide... I tried everything!"
[01:33] <Timebroker> (so, this is an opportunity for 'conversational combat' which is basically how persuasion works in MHRP)
[01:33] <Timebroker> (it's exactly like combat but with different specialties etc)
[01:33] <Spidey> "Then let’s work together, I’m sure we can find a way to aerosolize it."
[01:34] <Timebroker> So, if you want to convince him, or try, make a roll for it, basically.
[01:34] <Timebroker> you won't usually be throwing as many dice, but neither will they
[01:34] <Spidey> (Can you use two specialities if they both kinda apply?)
[01:35] <Timebroker> You can spend a PP to include an extra specialty, absolutely
[01:35] <Spidey> (sweet)
[01:37] <Spidey> Team, with great power comes great responsibility (kinda obvious here :P), enhanced sense (judge Conners reactions), Science and tech expert (pp used)
[01:37] <Timebroker> Looks good!
[01:38] <Spidey> #roll 4[4d8]
[01:38] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [4[4d8]]: 14 18 18 23 >
[01:38] <Spidey> >>
[01:38] <Spidey> #roll 4[1d8]
[01:38] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [4[1d8]]: 8 4 1 6 >
[01:38] <Spidey> #roll 1d6
[01:38] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Spidey [1d6]: 6>
[01:39] <Spidey> (pp to string 6,6,8 for 20 and a d8 for effect?
[01:39] <Timebroker> Connors' response: former human d8, solo d10, science master d10
[01:39] <Timebroker> #roll 2[1d10]
[01:39] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Timebroker [2[1d10]]: 10 4 >
[01:39] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d10]]: 10 4 >
[01:40] <Timebroker> #roll 1d8
[01:40] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Timebroker [1d8]: 4>
[01:40] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [1d8]: 4>
[01:40] <Timebroker> 14 with a d10 for effect, he takes d8 emotional stress

In hindsight I should have actually stepped down the emotional stress here, since my defending effect die was higher than the attacking one. It was close enough to finished, though, and the conclusion more or less determined, so I elected not to drag it out.

[01:40] <Timebroker> "You just said I'm the only one who can understand it, how can we work together? Who even ARE you?!"
[01:42] <Timebroker> He's not convinced yet, but it's getting there. Anybody else want to take a verbal shot at him or is this part all on Spidey?
[01:43] <Spidey> (Elsa?)
[01:43] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[01:43] <ElsaBloodstone> "Correction. You're the one who knows the formula. You're just {SKULL SKULL SKULL SKULL) at putting it into people.
[01:43] * ElsaBloodstone poses.
[01:44] <ElsaBloodstone> "Now are you really going to say that the premiere monster hunter on the face of the planet can't /stick a few needles into lizards?/"
[01:44] <Timebroker> niiiice
[01:45] * ElsaBloodstone shows her garrote wire for extra emphasis.
[01:45] <Timebroker> He kinda squints at it, it's not at all clear he knows what it is.
[01:45] <Timebroker> roll it! :D
[01:46] <ElsaBloodstone> Daddy was an Immortal Monster Hunter d8, Superhuman Durability d10 (how else is she going to prove they're awesome?), Weapon d10 thanks to Five Rounds Rapid, Upgrading Team to d8 with From the Private Collection of Ulysses Bloodstone, Combat Expert
[01:47] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 3[1d8]
[01:47] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [3[1d8]]: 5 6 5 >
[01:47] <ElsaBloodstone> #roll 2[1d10]
[01:47] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for ElsaBloodstone [2[1d10]]: 8 9 >
[01:47] <ElsaBloodstone> yesssssss
[01:47] <Timebroker> Ooooo
[01:47] <Timebroker> #roll 2[1d10]
[01:47] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Timebroker [2[1d10]]: 6 2 >
[01:47] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [2[1d10]]: 6 2 >
[01:47] <ElsaBloodstone> Putting a PP up there for three attacks.
[01:47] <Timebroker> #roll 1d8
[01:47] *** -RPGServ@#MHRPExiles- <Roll for Timebroker [1d8]: 7>
[01:47] *** -RPGServ- <Roll [1d8]: 7>
[01:47] <ElsaBloodstone> 22, d8.
[01:48] <Timebroker> Extraordinary success.
[01:48] <Timebroker> Well done! That's enough to stress him out.
[01:48] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[01:48] <Timebroker> "It's... there's forty million of them and each female can lay thirty eggs a week. I hope you're as good as you claim... But you're right..."
[01:49] <ElsaBloodstone> "And we have entire submarine's, ships, and cities' worth of scrap metal and chainsaws. Trust me, we can do this."
[01:49] <Timebroker> he looks resigned, and wearily smiles. "We can do this!"
[01:50] <Timebroker> and the Tallus on your arm lights up.
[01:50] <Timebroker> "Well, that's one reality saved, only an indeterminate number out of infinity left to go!"
[01:50] <Spidey> *offers a hand in friendship* 'No worries, hakuna Matata"
[01:50] * ElsaBloodstone glances at it, rolls her eyes. "Be right back."
[01:51] <Timebroker> "He'll be fine, he can walk out of there. The lizards see him as some kind of god-king, and now he's convinced the cure can be spread... Surprisingly less death than I expected from a team that was almost 40 percent Wolverine."
[01:51] <ElsaBloodstone> "We hadn't gotten to my cure yet."
[01:52] <ElsaBloodstone> "Three words: chainsaw syringe guns."
[01:52] <Spidey> *Breaks out laughing* "i thought I was the comedian”
[01:52] <Timebroker> "Well, by the nature of your mission you were never going to- oh my. - never going to be around to actually help distribute it. Just get the ball rolling. Which you did. Nice job! Take a deep breath, you'll be teleported in a moment...."
[01:52] * ElsaBloodstone glances at Spidey. "I'm serious."
[01:53] <Spidey> *blinks* "Really?"
[01:53] <ElsaBloodstone> :D
[01:53] <Timebroker> There's a flash of purple light, and then you're back at the desert kitchen, danishes and all.
[01:54] <Timebroker> aaaaaaaand there you have it, Exiles issue 1 finished!

There indeed! I think it went pretty well on the whole. What hiccups we had were because I haven’t DM’d in ages, so hopefully there’ll be less of those, and the whole gang took them in stride anyways.

Next time, on Exiles:

Taskmaster (maybe)! Shatterstar (maybe)! Red Skull (probably)! New and exciting varieties of danish, and possibly even orangeade!

I am very glad to see the MHRP threads make a comeback. Its rare I enjoy just reading chatlogs but these have always been incredibly fun to read.

(RIP Earth-420)

Nextwave is love.

For potential recruits into the campaign, what advice can you offer for them to prepare if there is anyway for them to?

The big things are to have a character in mind, and to be patient. This isn't going to be a weekly campaign, in all likelihood - syncing up schedules and the like is tricky when so many of us do shift work etc, and since the scenarios are all being written up from scratch they take a bit of prep. Other than that, there's not much required in the way of preparation on the player's part. A passing familiarity with the Marvel universe will probably make things a bit more fun for you, but it's not required, really.