This will be a less action-oriented session because I want to do a little world building and learning more about what's going on.
What we know so far is Charles Willard has been performing illegal experiments and working on dangerous technology for some time now. Once such experiment nearly killed his son, John. When his wife tried to go to the police, he arranged for her to have an 'accident.' Willard's assistant, Mr. Ashby, hid away Charles' son, faking the boy's death. Later, did the two learn that the boy gained the power to create and manipulate force fields. Giving the young man a new identity, Mason Dean, and setting him up in the city in an apartment and attending college, Ashby hid the young man right under his father's nose while secretly collecting information against him.
After foiling a robbery, Mason used pieces of lab gear to fight off other threats in the city. The news began calling him The Vyper (or just Vyper) because of his dark green gear and dark yellow visor.
Recently, Vyper rescued several kidnapped girls from a man who turned them to stone to, in his own words, protect them. The question is, where did he get this power?
We'll start the session there. And by the way, I'm well aware that Mythic creator Tana Pigeon has suggested in multiple books that you should interpret as much as you can and only ask questions to fill in the blanks. I get that; it makes perfect sense, especially considering it increases the chances of Random Events. However, I don't listen well and tend to ask a lot of questions. If a bunch of random events pop up, oh well. I'll deal with them when the time comes.
Mason and Ashby sat at the table in the young man's apartment.
"Thank you again for saving those girls," Ashby said. He handed over an envelope. "Consider your rent paid."
(Q) Just out of curiosity, is it more than one month? (50/50) No - but Random Event.
(Random) "Distant," "Control."
As Mason opened the envelope, he spotted some receipts.
"Oh," Ashby added, "also your phone and utilities. It's the least I could do since you helped my friend."
"Thanks." Mason put the envelope aside. "Does your friend know?"
(Q) Well does he? (Very Unlikely) Yes (uh oh. That's what I get for asking too many questions.)
Ashby paused before answering. "He told the police that he spoke to a lot of people and this Vyper character probably overheard it somewhere." He smirked. "Don't worry. He's smart, but he's also smart enough to stay quiet."
Mason nodded. "As long as you trust him, I'm good." He took a bite of his pizza and thought for a moment. "So did anyone figure out where that Suave guy came from?
Another good question. I could make something up, but I'll let Fate (heh heh) decide. I will start with the idea that he did work at the company and go from there.
(Q) Was Suave a scientist? (I'm going with very unlikely. He just doesn't seem like one). No - Random Event
(Random) "Obstacle," "Good."
Ashby shook his head. "Fortunately no. From what I understand, he did try to get a job in the labs at Wylltech, but they didn't think he was qualified."
(Q) Did he work an office job? (very likely, as an alternate job) Yes - Random Event.
(Random) "Communicate," "Negative."
"Instead," Ashby continued, "they gave him a job in the office, doing paperwork and stuff. He seemed to handle that well enough, until he got fired for getting a little too friendly with his female coworkers."
Mason nodded. "Makes sense. So he broke into the place later then."
"He must've found paperwork on the experiment used on you," Ashby replied, "which was how he knew how to get to it."
Mason frowned. "But a paper-pusher knowing how to break into the lab? And knowing how to use the device? Do you think he had help?"
(Q) Did Suave have help breaking into the lab? (Likely) X-No.
"I doubt that," Ashby answered. "Nobody liked him. From what I understand, he even got into a fight with a couple techs in the lab when he went there to, in his words, 'observe.'
"It just seems weird that he could break in so easily." Mason stared at the wall.
"Agreed," said Ashby. "I'm not completely convinced, yet I haven't found anyone I would suspect."
(Q) I'm curious. Is Suave in jail now? (Very Likely) Yes.
"At least he's behind bars for now," the man said, "although his lawyer is trying to say that any evidence is moot because you broke illegally into his home."
Mason blinked. "Seriously? He kidnapped and tortured those women, and he's complaining that I broke the law?"
Ashby smirked. "Don't worry. They have the testimonies of all the young women though they're having trouble proving he actually did break into the lab."
(Q) Was the security system in the lab working? (Likely) No.
"What about all the cameras in the lab?" Mason asked.
Ashby shook his head. "They didn't pick up anything."
"Did someone tamper with them?
(Q) Good question. Well? (I'm going with 50/50 because of the last question) No.
"Not that anyone could find. However he did it, he covered his tracks well."
"That sounds suspicious itself," Mason said.
"Agreed." Ashby looked up. "Oh, by the way, there's apparently a warrant for Vyper's arrest."
Mason's eyes went wide. "For what, oh let me guess; breaking and entering, even to save those women's lives."
"Pretty much," Ashby responded. "At least they don't know his identity."
(Q) Are the police actively searching for Vyper? (Likely) X-No - Random Event.
(Random) "Create," "Danger."
"Are they looking for me?" Mason asked. "I mean, him."
Ashby started to answer when his cell phone when off. "Just a moment." He answered the phone. "Ashby. Yeah, I'm out eating dinner. What? Again? I'll be right there." He hung up the phone.
"What's going on?" Mason asked.
"There's been another break-in," Ashby answered.
"I thought Suave was - "
(Q) Was it Suave? (Nearly Impossible; he's supposed to be in jail) No.
(Q) Was it more than one person? (50/50) X-Yes.
(Q) Anyone specific? (Unlikely) No.
"It's not Suave," the older man said. "This time whoever broke in made no attempt to hide it, only their identities."
"Identities," Mason repeated. "So it's more than one person."
"The cameras picked up three or four individuals," Ashby answered, "but no details like faces or whatever."
Mason felt his throat tighten. Suave was dangerous enough. Three or four people just like him could be a nightmare. "Please tell me they didn't all get zapped."
(Q) Well, did they? (50/50. If No, then they stole tech instead) No.
"The machine was disabled," Ashby responded. "But they stole a bunch of devices, small ones, but I doubt that makes them safer." He stood up. "I'm going there to find out what I can. I'll keep you updated."
So 3-4 people broke into the labs and stole some tech. The next session should be an interesting one.
Until next time . . .
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