Ammon

As with the Tempest, when a Watchmen character needed a shrink, Suzi took her to Heal's Dr. Savannah Parker, a psichiatrist who specialises in super-hero cases. Thus we didn't need a true NPC. Sorry.

First thing for me was that it is Superheroes.

That's what made me pick up the box from the shop shelf those years ago. I've played a thousand fantasy games across the years and frankly, wouldn't have even considered a subscription to play yet another elven battle-dancer, or another brave knight, etc.

But as others say, what keeps me here is the characters and interactions in a world I can really identify with more than imagine. I can call upon my knowledge of career skills, science, history, etc in order to bring interesting concepts and considerations to the game. Sure, there might be humour value to having a life insurance salesman or something in WoW, bt there's certainy no believability in it.

Reporter, Weathergirl, Cop, Private Eye, School Teacher, Surgeon, and thousands of other careers really don't fit in a fantasy world without making it feel twee and shallow. A world of parody rather than immersive roleplay. But I prefer a realistic setting, because for me the psychology has to feel real. That's a lot easier to attain in a setting that has more connection with our own, IMHO.

Okay, Shadowe, we'll get our heads together on how we can make their paths cross and worlds collide.

Just some background to start your own thoughts off, Toxic Glow is a clone brought to full maturity in-vetro so to speak. No childhhod, no family, no love. He gets by mostly by copying the actions/attitudes of his peers, but with his most common contacts being other ruthless mercs, that's not great. He hasn't the points of reference to determine bravado and sort the stuff they say for accuracy, so has some pretty poor preconceptions, especially about relationships. He's been on quite a random crime spree of late, led astray by the first woman who showed any interest in him, though she was using him purely for her own pleasures and made him feel badly used/abused.

That might get the old grey matter thinking I hope.

For altitis sufferers I have a tip that modifies the whole 'delete or not' thing.

If you suffer Altitis, don't delete a character just because you no longer enjoy them right away. Because if you delete and free up a slot, you will start your mind working on what new toon concept it can be used for.

Un unenjoyed character will help the altitis sufferer focus on the characters he enjoys, while an empty slot will cost him that focus and send him off on yet another character he may later delete.

So, need to free a slot? Fine, delete the character you least play and least enjoy.

Tempted to delete a character but don't actually need the slot for a concept others have asked of you? Leave it a while and be sure, and use the time to progress the proven concepts you enjoy. Of all my characters, the first one I got to 50 is still possibly my all-round favourite, and just 3 characters are the ones I play the most and enjoy the most. A lot of the other concepts, while thrilling in conception, were not as much fun long term as working further on my 'main' characters.

Shadowe, what kind of recurring/haunting villain would you most like for Sam?

If you want one that pushes the grey areas and offers some potentially meaty character conflicts I can offer Toxic Glow, a clone-made superhuman who escaped the Revenant project. What makes him a little more interesting is that he too is a Rad, and he's not the insane type of evil though he is a ruthless killer when his mercenary services ask for such. He might otherwise be a potential romantic interest for Sam, offering some nice personal conflicts beyond the crime/crimefighter ones, the old sexual chemistry tension and conflict of interests/intentions stuff.

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I do have ONE question though, directed at the players of historical characters. What would you do if another player turned up, playing exactly the same character? Bear in mind that, as they pay their subs too, they have equal rights to portray a public domain historical figure as you do.

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I never played a historical figure, apart from a couple who are kind of living history by being centuries old. However, I have such a perfectly clear answer that I can't very well not point it out. I would obviously assume that one or both are from alternate dimensions/timelines. Problem solved rather simply and perfectly n accordance with game canon.

Borealis quirked one white eyebrow at Pistol's suggestion, "Generally, my dear Ms. Barzini, one checks that the prototype actually flies before one plans to fly off in it just because its design looks pretty."

"We have not yet supplied the arms, nor had a single bullet fired. We have not seen whether even armed with advanced weapons, weapons we have yet to ship, Buku's natives are actually up to taking on a Vanguard base. We cannot know what heroes might yet involve themselves as a result of such an attack, and unless Romanov has neglected to mention shrouding the delicious little Nashri in bubble-wrap, she might have an accident tomorrow and cause the whole plan to be changed. Whilst your enthusiasm is most warming, I'm sure, it is just a little premature, don't you think?"

"The Chief of Staff to General Buku would certainly be an ideal title for such an arms order to appear to originate from" Borealis stated, with a nod. "Yes, ideal title."

"I shall work on the weapons for the deal, and will have the order placed within 4 days. As I mentioned to Romanov earlier, I have already completed the first couple of artilery pieces and they are crated, registered as tractor parts, and ready to ship. I have a few other rather specialized toys at various stages of completion too, so am perfectly set to have these shipped within a week if Buku's man can be readied to receive them" he continued.

To Elizabeth he asked, "I take it that as the wealthy socialite, you've informed the General that you have many powerful and useful contacts?"

Then turning to Erebus he enquired "Are the spirits willing to play ball enough that we might start to plan a manufacturing base and tap a little of the geothermal energy there?"

"The negotiations themselves are planned but awaiting the necessary information, namely in who's name we are ordering these weapons, and of course, the design of the weapons themselves. I was hoping that Dr Oswald would have the designs for us this evening." Borealis said with some trace of disappointment in his chilly tones.

"However, I have identified the man I shall use as the 'agent' for the deal. I can begin that part of negotiations the instant I either create a nonesense contact of the Liberty Islands to have sought him out, and for whom he will think himself working, or the Comtessa provides us with the name of any official I might use to make the trail more ... legitimate for any eventual enquiry"

Borealis looked about the room "Has anyone heard from Oswald? If not, I can design the basic weaponry myself in addition to the more ... interesting items. Say another ... hmmm... 3 days?"

"Have we someone to actually supply these weapons to as yet?"

"Good evening" Borealis greeted cooly to the fresh arrivals. Though his cold grey eyes and impassive face didn't show it, he'd been worried for a moment that it would just be himself and all the mystics henceforth, which was not a prospect that filled him with glee.

Not that many things made Borealis gleeful.

Hey, not at all. I think it is perfectly reasonable that a competitor company to Armourworks would follow the 'upping the stakes'. But on the other hand, if you didn't want to create a new SG specially for it, and just wanted something to give the team a history, sponsor and background, then Liberty Protector's group might be useful to you.

On the Archery one... isn't that what the Fletched Alliance started out as?

For the Tech one, there kind of is one such. Its an SG that Romanov and I started, and is used as a showcase for Armourworks (wiki link) products and a 'social responsibility' PR venture.

It is headed up currently by the Hero CEO of Armourworks, Liberty Protector. It should be noted however that patriotic pride was seen as a positive quality for such a PR venture, so the favour home-grown (American) talent to turn into heroes. It does not mean that all members must be US citizens, but the majority will be, and the group as a whole will tend to fly the Stars-n-stripes.

However, the single most important consideration, and the reason we didn't recruit actively, is that Armourworks was aquired by League Associated Industries (LAI or 'The League'), and thus the Hero group are actually funded by a Villain Group.

LAI are using the Heroes as both PR to cover their activities, and as a wonderful insight into the highly secret and sensitive inside information that only licensed heroes would have.

LAI also make sure that the Heroes are well briefed on activities of other (rival) villain groups, and encouraged subtly to take them down.

The Heroes themselves are not aware of this, and the selection process does screen out people who are too aware of some of the worst rumours about LAI.

I think anyone interested in this group would need to be prepared for a far-off situation where some of this might come to light, as well as accept that a very few groups of heroes are quite aware of the villainy of League Associated Industries, and may seriously distrust these heroes.

Paper has already been printed now - see the "In The Papers" thread. Big thanks to MorganaFiolett for that.

Very, very nicely done Morgana. Bravo!

Its a curse I tell 'ee. Each member that plans a SG for uber-powerful characters is cursed to leave the game. Beware! Beware the curse I say!

"Good evening, Romanov" Borealis nodded "Yes, might as well, since ladies do tend to run only to their own schedules"

Once again Lord Borealis had brough his large leather bag and there was a slight muffled clunk as he placed it down.

"Yes, quite productive. The first two artillery pieces are already crated and disguised as tractor parts, ready to ship. All I need now is a place to send them. Let's just hope the others are also on schedule." Borealis said, accepting the glass from Romanov with surprising delicacy considering the appearance of the armoured gauntlet that took it.

Others that were believed present at the memorial but not caught by the photographer that we yet know of include Rachel Mitchell (Vigilante Storm) and Cassidy Mitchell, the adopted daughters of Britanic, Major Paul Stone (Powerstone), Missy Summers (Miss Teen), and Captain David Reuther (Bastinado).
((Other characters that would certainly have attended a memorial service to Britanic are more than welcome to add a note to that effect in follow-up posts)).

Other snippets and trivia a reporter might have noted include:

Suzi, Rachel and Cassidy Mitchell all wore dark glasses throughout the ceremony (so none would see them cry?).

A flagpole has been erected on the roof of Sentinel Industries that permanently flies a Union Jack flag at half-mast.

One non-meta in attendance was Cheryl Voss, who is now the acting CEO of Sentinel Industries.

The plaque errected outside Sentinel Industries reads:
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In memory of
The Battling Britanic
Eric Mitchell
1970-2008

At Sentiel Industries on February 9th 2008, the Battling Britanic was vaporised by an explosion. His presence lives on in the city through the many buildings he created and developed. He continues to shelter the citizens of Paragon City.

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In the picture you mention, from left to right: Zoriel Rolando (Zortel); Saffron MacKenzie (Amber Banshee); Pierre Caval (Shadow Pariah); Suzi White-Mitchell (White Vampyr); Jennifer Sula (Wavekite); Luna Starbright; Ben Campbel (Big Lunk)

I did try to add the tags for the character names. Summoness aka Sam Campbel will be stood next to Ben Campbel (Big Lunk) in at least a couple of pictures too.

In the skies above, a fast-moving blur of brass skipped the cloud-tops, relishing the sense of speed and freedom, occassionally dropping down through the cloud to take bearings. Only at the last moment, almost directly above his destination, did Lord Borealis roll himself into a near vertical dive towards the doorway to his destination.

Even in the final dive, Borealis kept chilled arctic air about him so that it would have seemed, if anyone had been watching almost as though a piece of cloud had broken off and fallen to earth.

At the first meeting Borealis had left his brass helm at home. For the second, he'd stashed it near to the meetingplace so that he could shield his mind for most of the journey but still arrive bare-headed. Now, with so much more to guard, he wore the helmet he amused himself to call his 'tin-foil hat' all the way, only removing it once inside the Castle, and carrying it tucked under his arm to the dining chamber.

(( OOC
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((Cause and effect Ammon. If you honestly think such "powerful" figures can move about unobserved meeting with people who would logically be their enemies then your not really thinking too hard.))

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You seem to be confusing the idea of powerful figures with public figures. The LoRDs characters are powerful because they act unseen and sunsuspected.

Want a real world example? Who is the most senior advisor to the current head of the CIA. What did he do yesterday? Where does he live? Get it yet?

Who is the most powerful figure in the Russian Mafia? Who did he chat with yesterday? Is this sinking in yet?

Who's the biggest ringleader in the global problem of human trafficking? Who are their henchmen? Where was this powerful person on Wednesday last week at 12 noon local time?

I suggest that maybe you haven't thought about this at all.

How, precisely, does your character even know that Lord B exists, for instance? Where does he live? You are godmoding to assume you know anything. By all means PM the players with how your character has become aware of even their existance, and how he might extrapolate from that they are meeting anyone else, and if your means are reasonable, and not things they have standard measures against, then maybe your character can have a teeny bit of the OOC knowledge you are currently using like a noob
))

(( All OOC
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((I think I politely explained that this is a closed rp. As far as the players and the plot are concerned the pavement outside Castle Bathory was not disturbed and nothing has been placed there.))

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((Or you can accept that other people will have noticed the odd behaviour and be intrigued by the actions of such logically opposed groups.))

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Or safer yet, realise that some players are inconsiderate, can't read the opening posts
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((As part of the LoRD RP, this is the latest meeting. Still not open for non-invited RP-ers... but ofcourse that can and will change))

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and are already on the Global ignore list in game for at least one of the players, due to earlier incidents of the same self-centered, rude, can't-play-with-others idiocy and godmoding.

At no time will anything done by Gash_Jackal be accepted by my characters as an actual event.
))

I know Hatesman has been having trouble logging in with his AOL account, so I'd be fairly certain that is the reason for the hold-up.

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[PS! With Ouroboros in the game ANYONE can come back from death!

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Ah, but sometimes cheating fate in evading one's own death can cause many worse things ... Donnie Darko anyone?

Of course, we all know that while he seems dead to us, he is right now somewhere back in time, lending his superheroic might to Gene Hunt

OOC, of course he isn't dead.

IC, he was at point blank range when a bomb exploded and destroyed half a building. He's a regenerator, not invulnerable, and there has to be something left to regen. There were no remains at that range, not a scrap...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brightonian/tags/memorial/

Thanks folks