When we last left our hero, Mason Dean, aka Vyper, found out that the villain Armand Ricker is working with Charles Willard. not only that, but they murdered Mr. Ashby, Mason's contact and only friend. Ricker knows Mason's face but luckily not his identity.
We'll continue from there.
Mason avoided Ashby's funeral over the threat of running into Ricker again. In fact, he didn't even leave his apartment for days. However, he knew he couldn't hide forever, and looking over his shoulder wasn't an option, so Mason decided instead to take the fight to Ricker himself. In his Vyper gear, he set out that evening, flying over the rooftops in search of this new villain.
.I honestly have no idea how to get this session started so we'll see if a few random rolls work.
First, let's check to see if the see plays out normally: No Doubles. Vyper flew over the rooftops without opposition.
(Q) Does Vyper see anything suspicious? (Likely, only because I want to get things started) No.
(Ugh, it's going to be one of those sessions!)
Seeing Wylltech not far away, Vyper landed on the rooftop of the nearest building and gazed around.
(Q) Does Vyper see anything suspicious now? (Likely) Yes - Random Event.
(Detail) What does he see? "Official," "Reassuring."
Vyper noticed a number of security guards wandering the grounds of Wylltech. In addition, blinking lights from cameras and roaming spotlights covered the building's walls. Either Willard upped his security, or he's creating the illusion of doing so.
But wait! We have a random event. Let's see what that is.
(Random) "Enemies," "Surprise."
(Q) Is Ricker attacking Vyper? (Likely) No - Random Event.
(Random) "Delay," "Betray."
I think I know where this is going, so a couple more questions.
(Q) Is Wing Guard attacking Vyper? (Very Likely) X-Yes.
(Q) Will what happens next be what I think it will (Very Likely) Yes.
I'll explain that last one tin a shortly.
Noticing all the security, Vyper determined a straightforward attack on Wylltech wouldn't be possible at the moment. As he turned to leave, something slammed into him, and he crashed onto the rooftop of a nearby but smaller building. Looking up, he saw Wing Guard standing over him.
(Q) Is Wing guard angry? (50/50) No.
(Q) Is he scared? (Likely) No.
(Detail) How does he seem? "Dirty," "Ruined."
Wing Guard's suit was torn and covered with dirt, like he hadn't taken it off at all since their last meeting. His eyes were cold.
"Let me guess," Vyper said, "this is revenge for last time."
"Not revenge," Wing Guard answered. "I am under orders. If I don't crush you, Vyper, Willard will expose me. I'll lose everything, my scholarship, my job, my career, all of it."
"You can expose him." Vyper said, standing. "I already gave the police a recording that can put Willard away. Help me and we can end this."
For this I'll make an Ability check for Vyper. His Talk is +1, but so is Wing Guard's.
(Ability) Does Vyper succeed in convincing Wing Guard? (50/50) No.
Wing Guard shook his head. "I'm afraid, there's only one way out of this."
"I don't want to hurt you," said Vyper, remember this was one of his classmates.
Wing Guard gritted his teeth. "Unfortunately, I must."
This will be a Clash between the two. Vyper will use his powers (+3 for Heart), while Wing Guard will attempt to swoop in and attack hand to hand. (Agility +2 +1 for Martial Arts Skill).
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (50/50) Yes.
Vyper has Heart +3 versus Wing Guard's Body +1, so WG suffers -1 CS for Damage.
With an attempt at a growl, Wing Guard leaped upward. There was a sound of gears grinding as his flying apparatus took him into the air as he threw a flying kick. But Vyper held out his hands, deflecting the attack with a force field that sent his winged opponent cashing into the ground.
First Clash is done. Let's see what happens next.
(Q) Does Wing Guard try again? (Likely, considering his demeanor) Yes.
Wing Guard stood back up again. "We're not through." Leaping, he lunged again.
This time, Wing Guard has a -1 because of the previous Clash, bringing him down to +2.
(Clash)) Does Vyper win the Clash? (+1 means Likely) No.
Vyper held up his hands again, but this time, his winged foe soared over him. Then, Vyper felt a foot striking him right in the back of his head, and he tumbled forward.
Wing Guard's Damage is +1 versus Vyper's Body of 0, so he suffers -1 CS this time. Now both are back to even ground.
Rolling on the ground, Vyper groaned, as Wing Guard stalked towards him.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (50/50) Yes.
Leaning over Vyper, Wing Guard began throwing punches at his masked face. "There . . . is . . . only . . . one way . . this is . . . going to . . . end."
Opening his palm, Vyper sent a force field blast that caught his foe right in the chest, and he fell backwards.
Wing Guard is now at -2 CS.
(Q) Does Wing Guard keep fighting? (Unlikely) Yes.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (Likely) No, but barely.
Wing Guard attacked again, and Vyper braced for another kick, but this time the metal wing itself sliced across his shoulder and head. Dropping to one knee, he felt his shoulder and saw blood.
"I know your weakness now," Wing Guard said. He grabbed Vyper's wrist with one hand and his collar with the other. "All your powers, those little bubbles you make, but behind it all, you're still a weak little man."
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (Back to 50/50) Yes.
Vyper punched with his free hand, but this time aimed for one of the metal wings themselves. The force sent his foe spinning, and he released Vyper and fell, his face colliding with the wall.
"But you," said Vyper, "are a weak little man even with all your tech."
Wing Guard is now at -3 CS so I'll check to see if he's still conscious.
Vyper's Damage is +1 (+3 Heart -2 CS for damage) versus Wing Guard's Body +1, -3 CS for Damage. This makes the roll +3.
(Incapacity) Is Wing Guard incapacitated? (+3 means Nearly Certain) X-Yes.
Now Vyper wasn't using lethal damage, but remember how I said I'd explain a previous roll later on (well I used the word 'shortly,' but close enough)? Remember, I the word was 'Enemies.'
Wing Guard managed to sit up, but with a great deal of effort. Seeing he was no longer a threat, Vyper turned, and sat down on the ledge. "We're done here," he said.
As he slowed his breath and tried to calm himself, he heard Wing Guard gasp, followed in a split second by the sound of cracking, and then a thud. Spinning around, he leaped to his feet and saw Armand Ricker standing over Wing Guard, who now lay on the ground with his neck bent at an unnatural angle.
"Mr. Willard warned him," Ricker said. Then he looked up. "But you and I, my young friend, we are just beginning."
Although exhausted, Vyper held out his hands and prepared for another fight.
Vyper's Heart is currently +1 (+3 -2 CS for damage). Armand Ricker has Heart +3. So for this Clash, Vyper will be at -2.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (-2 means Very Unlikely) No.
Before Vyper could blink, Ricker vanished, reappearing behind him. Grabbing Vyper's arm, Ricker twisted it and jabbed his elbow into the hero's back. Vyper collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, with his vision blurring.
Vyper is now at -3 CS which means rolling for Incapacity. If he's incapacitated, then the next session will be him being captured and held prisoner. Ricker's Heart is +3, versus Vyper's Body -3 (0 -3 CS) means +6.
(Incapacity) Is Vyper incapacitated? (+6 means Certain) X-No.
So Vyper is still able to continue, and with the Exceptional result, I'm granting him +1 CS on his next roll.
(Q) Is Armand attacking again? (50/50) No - Random Event.
(Random) "Communicate," "Positive."
Coughing and shaking his head to clear it, Vyper struggled to get to his feet.
To his surprise, Armand just stood there."You are a worthy adversary, my young friend," Ricker said, flipping the medallion back and forth in his hand. "However I believe you would make an even greater ally. You and I, we stand in the clouds, far above the mundane souls who wallow in the dirt. We should take our place as their lords."
"What about Willard?" Vyper asked, wondering where this was going.
"Mr. Willard is one of us as well," Ricker answered. "I mean he hasn't been gifted with our abilities, but his intellect, leadership, and resources place him by our sides."
So at this point, Vyper is way too worn out to fight Ricker. He needs to buy himself time. But he also may have a way to get to Willard. Now Vyper may have his powers, but through concealing his identity all this time, Mason has gained some impressive skills in bluffing. This might be his way out.
Mason has Talk +1 with Bluff +1, giving him +2. Unfortunately, the -3 CS brings him down to -1, which we'll attribute to injury and exhaustion. He also has the +1 from the Exceptional result previously, bringing him to an even 0. Ricker has Mind +2. Which means Vyper's chance to Bluff would be -2.
Time to use Hero Tokens!
Vyper has 4 Hero Tokens. I'm using 2 of them right now. This still brings him to 0, but at least it's a chance.
(Ability) Does Vyper successfully Bluff Ricker? (50/50) X-Yes!
Staring at the old man for a long moment, Vyper finally nodded. Pointing back to the city, he feigned anger. "If they knew me, they'd hate me. Heck, the police keep trying to arrest me even after I helped them. No matter what, to them, all of them, I'm nothing but a crook."
Ricker nodded and smiled. "I understand, my young friend, but to me, you are so much more. so what shall it be?" He held out his hand.
"What about him?" Vyper inclined his head in Wing Guard's direction. "How am I any different?"
"Oh he was weak and already broken, long before I arrived," Ricker answered, "but you are vastly different and far superior. And I can show you how, if you allow me."
"I want it." Vyper took the man's hand.
"Good." Ricker grinned. "I'll inform Mr. Willard. Meet me at the labs so we can begin."
"I need to rest first." Vyper groaned slightly.
"You have two days," Ricker said. "I'll leave you a message at your school."
With a nod, Vyper flew away.
With the fight ending, Vyper automatically recovers 1 CS. The two days will allow him to recover the other two. Now if this were a movie or TV show, I'd keep Vyper's bluff a secret, but for the game, we know ahead of time what he's up to. And the Exceptional result will be a +1 on his very next roll.
Next time will be the finale. Vyper has 2 more Hero Tokens left plus a +1 on his first roll. I'm not awarding him any tokens this time because he spend 2 of them.
Next time: The Finale!
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