Here we go with the finale of Vyper's story, or at least the first part of it. I mean, he's still pretty young, and there's plenty of adventure for him. He just has to survive this one.
We'll start at the college, where Mason Dean goes through his classes as he awaits a message from Armand Ricker.
Checking to see if the scene starts out normally: No Doubles. A normal scene.
(Q) Does Mason find a message from Ricker? (Very Likely) Yes.
(Q) Is it in a public place? (Again, Very Likely) No.
Interesting because Ricker doesn't know Mason's identity, but I still have an idea. The phrase 'public place' could just mean a place that's easy to see. Since I want to get on with the story, I'm skipping my rolls.
Two weeks went by without any message from Ricker. Mason went through his classes as usual while doing his best to hide the injuries as he recovered from them. One day he went to sit outside at a picnic table, eating lunch and reading a book. As he shifted, his knee brushed up against something under the table, and reaching for it, he found an envelope. It was then that Mason realized he was sitting at the same table where he had met Ricker the first time (I know, amazing coincidence. Cut me a little slack here, I'm trying to get to the fun stuff!).
The note read, "Midnight, full moon, the spot."
Tomorrow night was supposed to be a full moon, and Ricker had previously mentioned meeting at the Wylltech labs, so that was the spot. He just had to show up at midnight. Knowing what was at stake, Mason went home early. Double-checking his suit, he tested his powers a few times while trying to calm his nerves. That night, he barely slept, and he spent the next day at home, again going over his plan and preparing for the upcoming encounter.
That night he suited up and left his apartment. He approached Wylltech and headed for the labs at the rear of the building.
Time to see if everything starts normally: No Doubles.
(Q) Are there guards outside? (Very Likely) Yes.
Vyper noticed the guards standing near the doors to the labs. He landed before them.
(Q) Are they immediately hostile? (Very Unlikely, unless this is a trap) No, but Random Event.
(Event) "Surprise," "Emotions."
I'm going with the idea that this isn't a game-changing event.
As Vyper approached the doors, the guards stepped aside, revealing Armand Ricker and Charles Willard. Vyper caught himself because his initial reaction was to blast them both, not the smartest move with guards on both sides of him. Although that was probably the point.
(Q) Is Willard friendly? (Likely since he trusts Ricker) No.
Ricker motioned. "Ah, the Vyper, come closer lad. See, Charles, I told you he would arrive."
Willard, however, remained cautious, his face a cold mask of scorn. "I still don't know about this."
"The boy shall be a useful asset," said Ricker. "I doubt not his trust."
Willard hesitated, but eventually nodded. "If anything goes wrong, I'm sure you can handle him."
"Of that, I know for certain," replied Ricker.
Willard looked to Vyper. "Follow us."
They entered the doors where Vyper found himself in a large room, like the inside of a warehouse."
(Q) Does the room have equipment inside? (50/50) X-No.
The room was empty, except for some shelves still attached to the walls.
Willard turned. "Obviously, I'm not letting you in my labs just yet, even though Armand here vouched for you." He looked at Vyper. "Take the first test. Off with the mask."
Vyper was thrown off by the demand, but he then realized it didn't matter. Removing his mask, he attached it to his belt.
(Q) Does Willard recognize him? (Very Likely) X- Yes.
Willard's eyes went wide. "John?"
Ricker turned to him. "You know this boy?"
Willard nodded. "He's my son."
Ricker nodded. "You mentioned you lost him in an accident. This explains much."
Willard looked to his son. "Ashby said the energy blast vaporized you."
"He hid me, he said for my own safety," Mason replied.
Now it's time to see if Vyper can pull off his huge bluff. Since he's at full strength, his Talk + Bluff is +2. But first I need to see Willard's Mind.
(Q) Is Willard's Mind the same (+2) as Ricker (Likely) Yes.
So, they have the same stat. That means since Vypers performing a bluff against both of them, We'll treat is as a Clash. Mason's +2 versus, we'll say, Willard's +2, with an additional +1 from Ricker, for a +3 total.
But since this is the finale, I'm using 2 of Vyper's 3 Hero Tokens, along with the +1 RS from the previous session. This gives him a +4 versus the +3 of his opponents.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (+1 means Likely) Yes.
"He lied to you," Willard said. "He used you to get to me."
"I'm beginning to see that," Vyper said.
Willard stepped forward, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "You should know, John, that I did really let you in that lab. But I did it because I knew you'd be strong enough to survive it, and that it'd make you into something great. And I was right!" He gestured to the doors to the labs. "I've had other experiments, but you, my son, are my first success."
Vyper, as John, pretended to fight back tears. "That's all I wanted, dad, to make you proud."
Willard gestured to Ricker. "And with Armand here, nothing can stop us."
"I look forward to it, Charles." Ricker approached the boy as Willard stepped back. With one hand holding his medallion, he held out the other. "So, John, will you join us?"
Vyper nodded, reaching out to accept his hand.
(Q) Is the medallion within Vyper's reach? (Unlikely) X-Yes.
Wow! I'm giving Vyper a +1 CS for that! He's going to pretend to take Ricker's hand but instead grab the medallion while also blasting Ricker.
Vyper's Heart is +3, +1CS from the previous roll. But since he's performing two separate actions, he gets a -1 CS. Ricker has Heart +3, which I'll use to resist the attack. However, I'm taking no chances and spending another Hero Token. This gives Vyper +4 versus Ricker's +3. If Vyper fails, however, Ricker figures how what he's doing and counters, causing damage to Vyper.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (+1 means Likely) X-Yes.
Instead of shaking hands with Ricker, however, Vyper grabbed the Medallion with one hand. With the other, he fired a force field blast that caught the old man right in the chest. Ricker flew backwards, crashing into a shelving.
(Q) Does losing the amulet cripple Ricker's ability? (Likely) Yes.
Trying to stand, Ricker reached for his amulet. But he was too far away, and with a scream, he flickered and faded from sight (That's a way I could use him in the future, without the threat of him knowing Vyper's face). Slipping the amulet under his belt, he turned his attention to the other person in the room.
Now Vyper is going finally going after Charles Willard. But first we need to know a few things.
(Q) Is Willard's Heart a 0 (Likely as he has no powers) No, and Random Event.
(Random) "Break," "Failure."
So that means Willard has -1 for Heart, which means he's no match for any powers. However, the random event is interesting.
(Q) Does Willard have equipment to fight back with? (Likely) Yes.
Okay so he has a way to defend himself, if he can get to it. But there's still there question of punishment.
(Q) Does Willard have 0 for Body? (Likely) No.
So a -1 Body as Well. This means Charles Willard has for stats so far: Body -1, Mind +2, Heart -1.
(Q) Is Willard a Level T Villain? (50/50) No.
He's a Lvl 0 character. That means Agility and Talk have to equal 0.
(Q) Does Willard have Talk +1? (Likely, because of his success) Yes, Random Event.
(Random) "Harm," "Deceit."
You know what, I'm going to give him an additional point of Talk, but I'm turning it into 3 Skill Points, making all 3 into Bluff. This gives him +4 when performing bluffs. This also brings his Agility to -2. Hope he's got some good equipment.
Willard held up his hands. "Son, what're you doing?"
"You son's dead," Vyper answered. "You killed him and then his mother, you sick piece of ****!"
"I had to," Willard responded. "She was going to talk. She would've ruined everything."
"Well then it's my turn." Vyper held up his hands.
Vyper is flat out attacking Willard with his powers. Vyper has Heart +3. Willard has Heart -1.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (+4 means Certain) Yes.
For Damage, it's Vyper's +3 versus Willard's -1 for +4, giving Willard -2 CS.
Willard floated in the air, He struggled, but Vyper lifted him higher and higher before releasing him. With a cry, Willard hit the concrete, face-first. Lifting his head, he had blood running down his face.
I'm going to use Talk to see if Willard can call for his security. His Talk is +1, with +3 Bluff. You know what? We'll count the Bluff skill as well, though with the -2 CS, that brings him down to +2.
(Q) Is Willard able to call for his guards? (+2 means Very Likely) Yes.
(Q) Can Vyper get his mask back on in time? (0 Agility means 50/50) Yes.
"Security!" Willard screamed with a great deal of effort.
Vyper quickly grabbed his mask and put it back on as the guards ran into the room.
(Q) Do they sound the alarm? (Likely, even though Willard probably doesn't want that) Yes.
(Q) Are they the same stats as cops? (Likely) No.
That means all 0's for they Abilities.
(Q) Are there more than 3 guards? (Likely) No.
So 3 guards total.
Sirens went off as three guards ran into the room.
"Great," mumbled Willard. "Now they'll call the police."
Seeing Vyper, the guards pulled out their pistols.
The guards have 0 Agility, so we'll go with one of them and +2 for his buddies versus Vyper's +3 Heart.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (+1 means Likely) Yes, but Random Event.
(Random) "Setback," "Help."
I'm interpreting the event as Willard running out of the room to find his equipment. This leaves Vyper and the guards. Vyper wins and since his Heart is higher than their Body by 3, they all get -2 CS.
"Shoot him!" Willard screamed as he limped to the nearest door.
Following their orders, the three guards fired, but Vyper deflected their shots and sent them all falling backwards.
(Q) Do they keep attacking? (50/50. They have their orders, but they're also hurt) No - Random Event.
(Random) "Increase," "Fears."
(Q) Does the police show up? (Likely) Yes - Random Event.
(Random) "Gain," "Information."
(Q) Do the above event mean the guards snitched on their boss? (Very Likely) Yes.
Turning on the heels, the guards raced outside. Just as they cleared the doorway, police cars slammed on their brakes, sirens blazing. Dropping their guns, the guards raised their hands.
"Arrest us," said the first. "Mr. Willard's doing illegal stuff in there! The Vyper's stopping him!"
(Q) Are the guards hostile towards Vyper? (50/50) No.
I'm treating that as cautious though, especially if they saw the recordings.
Several officers entered the room. Spotting Vyper, they pointed their guns. "You there, don't move."
Vyper raised his hands. "Willard's getting away. He's been experimenting on people, like me, and he has proof in there."
The leading officer gestured. "Just stand there near the wall. We'll investigate."
Now Willard has equipment in the labs. Let's see what they are? Since he experimented on others, he might do the same with himself, but I doubt it.
(Q) Is Willard using the same experiments on himself? (Unlikely) No.
(Q) Is he equipping an exoskeleton? (Likely) Yes.
So, he's got a suit of some kind. I'm going to use the Creature Crafter to get its abilities.
Powers: None. I'm treating that as Ability Boosts instead.
(Q) Does the suit grant a +3 Body (overall, not counting his stat) (Likely) No.
So a +2 Body.
(Q) Is it human-sized? (Very Likely) X-Yes.
So, slightly bigger than the average human. I'm going with 7-8 feet tall.
(Q) Does it have +3 Agility (Likely) No.
So +2 Agility.
(Q) Does it have guns? (Likely) Yes.
(Q) Is the Damage for the guns +2 (Likely) Yes.
I decided the suit has increased strength and speed and has dual machine guns.
A crash caused them all to spin around. Willard burst through the door, wearing a metal suit with side-mounted machine guns. The officers aimed their pistols, knowing they were vastly outgunned, but not having other options.
The cops' bullets won't even faze the exoskeleton so I'm not even trying. Instead, I'm going to have Vyper lunge forward and throw a force field up to protect them. Willard has +2 Agility (I'm counting the suit, not his person Ability). Vyper has +3 Heart, but I'm dropping it to +2 because he's performing 2 actions (lunging forward + using his powers). If Willard wins, he opens fire on everyone. If Vyper wins, he protects the cops. This is also a great time to use his last Hero Token, giving him a +1.
(Clash) Does Vyper the Clash (+1 means Likely) X-Yes, and Random Event (yes, again!).
(Event) "Help," "Nature."
Vyper flew through the air. Landing in front of the police officers, he held up a force shield, which blocked all of the bullets. Bouncing off the shield, the bullets hit the walls, floor, and ceiling, creating a huge cloud of dust that concealed them from Willard.
"Run!" Vyper ordered. (I'm not even rolling for this. They'd have to be idiots to stay behind).
The officers listened, fleeing the room and calling for reinforcements. This left Vyper and Willard alone in the room. As the dust cleared, the two faced each other.
This next Clash is nothing but Damage between suit-Willard and Vyper. Vyper has +3 versus Willard's +2.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (+1 means Likely) No.
The bullets have +2 Damage, versus Vyper's Body 0 means -1 CS Damage.
Vyper went to throw a bolt of force energy but Willard opened fire. The bullets tore through the energy and struck, Vyper, knocking him to the ground.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (50/50) No.
Again, the bullets tore through, striking Vyper in the legs and shoulders. Luckily they were all grazes, but the damage was still done.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash (-1 means Unlikely) X-Yes.
X-Yes and +1 Damage versus +2 Body means -1 CS.
Placing his mechanical hands on his hips, Willard gave a weak attempt at a hearty laugh. Vyper seized the opportunity and fired tiny force bolts that ripped one of the machine guns off the suit.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (50/50) Yes.
As Willard stumbled, Vyper fired another blast that ripped pieces off the suit.
(Clash) Does Vyper win the Clash? (Likely means +1) Yes.
The suit has now suffered -3 CS Damage, and I'm going to check for Incapacity.
(Incapacity) Is the suit Incapacitated? (Vyper's +1 Heart versus +2 Body -3 CS Damage = +2,
which means Very Likely) No.
Just out of curiosity . . .
(Q) Are the police watching the fight? (Likely) No.
(Detail) What are they doing? "Break," "Conflict."
"All right, that's enough!" Several police officers rushed into the room with weapons drawn, pointing them at both opponents. "Both of you back away from each other and," he hesitated, "power down?"
Taking a step back, Vyper kept his hands where the officers could see them, but he continued to watch Willard.
(Q) Does Willard attack? (Likely) X-No.
(Q) Does he try to sic the police on Vyper? (Very Likely) No.
(Q) Does he try to escape? (Likely) X-Yes.
The X-Yes sounds like he's got a trick up his sleeve.
(Q) Does Willard activate a self destruct in the suit? (Likely) Yes.
As the police focused on Vyper, Willard pressed a few buttons on his control panel. He then tried to exit the suit.
I'm going to make this a Mind Check for Willard. Since he knows his own equipment, the Difficulty will be 0, giving him a +2. But he's also going to try and slip out to escape, reducing it by 1.
(Ability) Does Willard succeed with the roll? (+1 means Likely) No, and Random Event.
(Event) "Start," "Obstacle."
The buttons began beeping on the suit. Willard then hit another switch, but it failed. He tried to release himself with his bare hands, but he wasn't strong enough.
"Help!" He cried out. "I'm stuck!"
I'm first going to check on how effective the explosion will be.
(Q) Is the Damage from the suit's self destruct +3? (Likely) No.
It's only +2, which is slightly better.
(Q) Are the cops safe from the explosion? (50/50 because I have no idea) Yes, but barely.
That means Vyper has to make a choice between allowing Willard to die in the suit or risk his neck rescuing the father that allowed him to nearly die. I'm going to say reflex took over and he used his force fields to launch Willard from the suit. And I'm going to use the Damage +2 also as the Difficulty, versus Vyper's +1 Heart.
(Ability) Does Vyper save Willard? (-1 means Unlikely) Yes.
(Q) Does this rescue put Vyper in danger? (Likely) No.
Rushing forward, Vyper surrounded Willard with a force field. The suit then exploded, sending shrapnel in all directions, but it bounced harmlessly off the force field. Risking a glance back, Vyper noticed the cops were unharmed as well. He dropped the field and Willard grabbed the wall for support.
(Detail) What does Willard do next? "Start," "Conflict."
Pointing in Vyper's direction, Willard summoned the strength to yell at the cops, as if ordering his own underlings. "It's him! He caused all of this! Arrest him, no wait, he's too dangerous. Shoot him now!"
Not exactly the smartest move for Willard, but let's see if it works. Willard has +4 for Bluff, but with the previous injuries, it drops to +1. He's speaking to a number of police officers, and they just saw him opening fire in a high tech suit, so I'm make the Difficulty +1. This brings Willard's Ability to 0.
(Ability) Does Willard successfully bluff the cops? (0 means 50/50) No, and Random Event.
(Event) "Environment," "Failure."
Two of the cops turned their pistols on Willard. "You too, put your hands up."
"But you saw what he - "
"We saw what You did," said the cop. "Now you're coming with us too."
They approached Willard when suddenly the shelves against the wall collapsed and the ceiling began to groan. White specks of dust covered the men as they all looked up.
"The suit," cried one of the men. "It's causing the roof to collapse. We need to get out of here!"
(Q) Is the Difficulty to escape the room a +2 (also the Damage if they fail)? (Likely) Yes.
(Q) Can Willard escape through the door to the labs? (50/50) Yes, and Random Event.
(Event) "Increase Goals."
Willard is planning to slip through the door and return to the labs so he can retrieve a new toy, either to use on Vyper or just for future use. Since he's right near the door, I'll make the Difficulty 0. However, his Agility was already at -1 and also has -2 makes it -3.
(Ability) Does Willard escape the room? (-3 means Nearly Impossible) No, and Random Event.
(Event) "Environment," "Emotions."
(Q) Are the labs also in danger? (50/50) No.
"Come on!" The closest cops tried to get to Willard, but he turned and made his way towards the doorway to the labs.
"You won't get it," he growled, "any of it."
He leaned against the wall for support but could only move a few inches at a time towards the doorway so he could reach the labs. Meanwhile, rubble began falling around him.
Let's see if the cops can escape. They have +1 Agilty, versus the +2 Difficulty.
(Ability) Do the cops escape the room? (-1 means Unlikely) No.
So, the cops can't escape either. Now Vyper has a new choice. Either save his father or the cops. Vyper's Heart is currently +1. Willard is closest, so I'm making the Difficulty 0. There are a number of cops, so I'm making the Difficulty the maximum of +3.
Vyper looked back and forth. Before him, Charles Willard moved to the labs to escape. He wouldn't make it in time, but he was close enough to rescue. Behind him, the cops all rushed to the exit, but they too wouldn't get outside in time. Vyper knew he could only throw one force field up, either a small one on Willard or a larger one to save the cops.
Screw it, he thought, and held his hands out, pointing them above the cops' heads.
(Ability) Does Vyper save the cops? (-1 means Unlikely) X-Yes.
The ceiling collapsed, but it bounced off the field, sliding safely to the ground. Seeing this, the police officers bolted for the door and escaped. Vyper them found himself surrounded by rubble, but his field held, and he used it to push anything dangerous away from him.
Then he turned around.
Willard suffered lethal wounds. Let's see if he survived. The Damage is +2. His Body is -1, with -2 CS.
(Incapacity) Is Willard Incapacitated? (+5 means Certain) Yes, and Random Event.
(Event) "Attain," "Danger."
Vyper noticed Willard had just reached the doorway when it collapsed, crushing him in the waist. His own greed and apathy had destroyed him.
Stepping outside, Vyper saw the police officers being helped by EMTs while the fire department surveyed the damage.
"Am I under arrest?" Vyper asked the nearest cop?
(I'm not even rolling here, considering he just saved them.)
The officer shook his head. "You saved our skins. We'd be idiots to try and cuff you." He then noticed the hero's injuries. "Do you need help?"
Vyper had suffered -2 CS earlier, but with the fight over, it's reduced to -1.
(Q) Does Vyper need medical assistance? (Likely) No.
Touching his shoulder, he shook his head. "Just some cuts and bruises, I think."
"Then you better get going," said the officer. "We'll figure out what to say to the press." He then paused, throwing a glance at the rubble.. "Oh, and thanks."
Nodding, Vyper turned and vanished into the night.
The session ends here. Vyper succeeded with 10 total Clashes or Ability Checks, -2 for spending Hero Tokens, for 8 notches. As he gains a Hero Token for every 3 successful rolls, that gives him 2 Hero Tokens.
Charles Willard is dead.
Armand Ricker is alive but Incapacitated (In other words, he's somehow trapped somewhere else). This works for me because he knows Vyper's face. On the other hand, he lives, so a future confrontation is possible, just not at the moment. Vyper does still have Willard's amulet. Maybe he'll learn more about it in the future.
I'm going to do a playable epilogue next, where I ask questions in order to wrap up loose ends.
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