[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(Not in-game, of course)"

[CCrusaders] Bert says, "Log on."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "About a year and a half, yeah."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "We've all changed in our own ways. Hopefully positively."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I think CP is about the same."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "She did learn a new stunt, though"

Sarge has arrived.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is Eben the only one we're waiting for?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oho, and there he is."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Nope!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I forgot who I had been last ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "haha"

GM exclaims, "Welcome back, everyone, to Crownsford Crusaders!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "I just used my wizard powers to rename myself :-9"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "woot"

GM says, "It's been a couple of months since the events of the last arc. And now everyone is gathered together again..."

GM exclaims, "...to celebrate Jacob's birthday party!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob gasps!

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Aww"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Woo"

GM asks (of Jacob), "Where do you think that would be located, and who do you think was invited?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Hm. To be honest, I'd probably want to keep it small and private-ish, because I am Not a People Person. What's the season?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Like, appropriate weather/temps for outside?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The last arc was spring, so summer would make sense now."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Cool. At the park, maybe? With the usual folk, and lots of birds."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Perfect!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "[sound of people typing]"

GM says, "You're all hanging out at the park, having a celebratory picnic. Pigeons and robins and such are gathered around you, some of them snacking from the bowl of seed and nuts, others trying to steal CP's sandwich when she's not looking."

Eben hands Jacob a brightly-colored box with a few extra boxes attached to the sides, to cover an oddly-shaped item inside.

Jacob oohs and ahhs.

Jacob gives it a small shake.

Cuddlepaws drops half a mouse on the table. "Sorry, I ate the other half"

(From Eben) (rattle rattle swoosh)

Jacob asks, "Where do I start?"

Eben exclaims, "Er. Uh, anywhere!"

Jacob unwraps it so carefully.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I feel like he's the type to save the paper :D"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Or the box or whatever."

Jacob finally opens it!

Eben . o O ( I'm glad my wife insisted on the nice boxes. )

Jacob looks inside?

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If you'd like, feel free to also use the party as an opportunity to reminisce -- say, to recap important events from last time, or to talk about what your characters have been spending the intervening time on."

(From Eben) Jacob pulls out what looks like a long tube with various accoutrements attached to the outside. It's a bit mysterious, until he realizes it's full of bird seed.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Some sort of elaborate birdfeeder? Still seems mysterious :D"

Eben points out various features. "See, here's where the Dunlin can feed from, and if you flip this switch..."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "What's the name of Eben's wife again="

Jacob ahh!

Eben flips a switch, and it hums ominously.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Frances, IIRC?"

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "Here, act like a squirrel and try to creep up on it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Yup.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Thanks, I had forgotten myself ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And here I thought that husbands forgetting *birthays* was bad."

(From Cuddlepaws) Frances non-chalantly walks up to CP, but when she makes a grab for her, she has suddenly disappeared! "One of these days that cat will have her claws cut. She's hell on the hardwood!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(To explain why/how CP has learnt Ninja vanish)"

Eben watches a bit anxiously, but happily the feeder works as expected: Cuddlepaws is scanned by a red laser, and suddenly all the openings clap shut!

Cuddlepaws asks, "Oh, so it's only for bird?"

Jacob claps! "Ooh. That's neat. Thank you!"

Eben exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "Of course!"

Eben says, "Aww, thanks, it was nothing. I needed a defense system model anyway."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "While you're enjoying the party, I'll exposit a little bit:"

Cuddlepaws chases birds away from her sandwich.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Now that the Zoo has all of their animals back, they're more popular than ever nowadays! Everybody wants to see the stretchy tiger or the flying elephant."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Although the zookeepers are finding it a bit difficult to keep track of monkeys who can pass through walls."

Eben says, "Anyway; happy birthday. It's been an honor to know you."

Cuddlepaws says (to jacob), "Yes, your existence has not been a constant affront to me."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Mayor Fine is in prison awaiting trial. In the meantime, the deputy mayor is handling things until the upcoming election."

Wanda exclaims, "Cuddles!"

Jacob says, "Haha, thank you, CP."

Wanda exclaims (at Jacob), "You are the coolest bird guy!"

Jacob just smiles quietly and awkwardly under the attention.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "What has Wanda gotten him?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And now that his plans have been backburnered, and you guys have been granted official status, the 'LEAD Initiative' world aspect has been removed and replaced with 'Crusaders, Converge!'"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Neato"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "The world is changing"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "How's our base shaping up?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Excellent question!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Have you been working on it over the last couple months?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I expect yes."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws has made sure the vents are at least cat-sized.

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yup!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I wonder if I wear my trenchcoat in the summer, haha."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Good, good. What sort of things have you been working on?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "Totally relevant question: does Jacob drink alcohol?"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Probably"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Perfect"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I have made sure that there are vents and crawlspaces so CP can move quickly from room to room"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think 'making it secure' first, and then 'cleaning it out', and then 'personal projects'. For me, a workshop."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I have burglary and notice at fair, so I probably helped with making it secure by finding ways that it wasn't."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And bringing in books."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Which is probably 'things Frances wouldn't let me work on in the basement because of the smell/danger level."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And all of those things have been going quite well. Things are shaping up pretty nicely!"

[CCrusaders] (from Eben) GM intones, "UNTIL...'

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Eben says, 'I'm progressing nicely on that Schrodinger's Cube, time anomalies notwithstanding.'"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Are you keeping your Fallback Plan in the basement, or are you moving it to the new base?"

GM says, "Speaking of things that have happened in the last month..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hmm, I think probably still basement."

GM says (to Eben), "I assume you're familiar with NEMATEx -- the Northeastern Medical and Assistive Technology Expo."

Eben says (to GM), "Absolutely."

GM exclaims, "It turns out that a company that licensed one of your patents has a new product that they're debuting there!"

GM asks, "What kind of product do you think that would be likely to be?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hmm, good question."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Portal-based sextoy?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh my"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "A mentally-controlled prosthetic limb, a la Cuddlepaws-tech?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Nice!"

Wanda has a present for Jacob! It's a bottle wrapped in red wrapping paper and a blue ribbon.

GM says, "And as it turns out, NEMATEx just happens to be taking place in Crownsford this year. And they've sent you free passes for yourself and a few friends to attend tomorrow."

Jacob unties the ribbon, struggling a little with the knot, and smooths it out. Then he unwraps the paper and folds it neatly. He oohs over the bottle.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "Hmm, I don't see the ninja thing on your character sheet."

Wanda exclaims (at Jacob), "It's sometime I made in my spare time with the uni lab equipment! Like one of those drinks you take after drinking too much alcohol... but you drink a bit before you start drinking, and then you don't get a headache or anything!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Try updating the page. I've changed the link."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Has everyone updated their sheets linked from http://slingergame.wikidot.com/cc:player-characters ?)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I have."

Jacob says, "Oh, wow. That's really cool, thank you, Wanda!"

Wanda says, "Yeah, alcohol really is quite something. My friends at uni could use some of that stuff too."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I don't think I updated my character, but I think I'll just take another refresh? If that's what we got?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Mine gets updated automatically, so yes. (Dropbox)"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Yup."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Speaking of which, this would also be a good time to refresh your fate points."

GM sets his current fate point total to 4.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Also I googled 'can spiders get drunk' and found a scientific study proving that they in fact do"

Eben sets their current fate point total to 2.

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Hah"

Cuddlepaws sets her current fate point total to 2.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Ha ha."

Jacob sets her current fate point total to 3.

Wanda sets their current fate point total to 2.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is there more that folks would like to do here, or is this a good time to move on to tomorrow?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws | Yes, cats too can get drunk, but it can also easily cause severe liver and brain damage. As little as a tablespoon can put an adult cat in a coma; a little more can kill her.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "sad"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'm fine with tomorrow"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Works for me"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Me too"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sure."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Oh, also: did Eben get a new car?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Did we crash the old one? Ha; I had forgotten. But yes, probably."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It was used by a giant robot to play baseball with you."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Maybe a loaner from the city?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds good!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or the city settled and gave me an old one, since the Mayor destroyed the last one."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Is CP still the one driving"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Does insurance cover acts of giant robot?"

GM says, "SCENE: The next day. In a loaner car from the city, en route to NEMATEx."

GM says, "As you're driving along, those of you whose powers include some degree of psychic ability -- which I think is most of you -- will notice something."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Not me, I think."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Only if it involves birds."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "alt: "Not me; I think.""

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I have tele*kinesis*"

GM says, "There's something out there that's resonating with your mind, like some kind of psychic beacon. And you seem to be driving toward it."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob, CP), "I would include both of those in this."

Cuddlepaws fold back her ears. "Hm, I don't like this"

Jacob whoa. "What is that?"

Wanda asks (of Jacob), "You hear that too?"

Eben perks up. "What is it?"

Cuddlepaws says, "Something's going on, old man. Some sort of mental ... thing."

Jacob says, "I don't so much hear it as.. feel it? It's weird."

Jacob says, "But we're heading straight toward it."

Eben says, "Hmm; I wonder if I could visualize it on a spectrograph..."

Eben hack hack build.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Overcome/Craft?"

Wanda says, "Yeah, it's like... I can see a fiery beacon... but not really see it with my eyes, more like I can feel it"

GM asks (of Eben), "Ooh. Are you doing this while sitting in the driver's seat?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Yes, that sounds perfect. Say, vs. +3."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at gm), "I'm driving telekinetically!"

Eben says (to GM), "Oh, of course. Cuddlepaws is driving."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's canon"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Hmm. Do I get my +2 from 'basic gadgeteering' for this?"

[CCrusaders] Eben | you gain +2 to Crafts when repairing or building complex devices.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup."

Eben rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 -1 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "And it's a good thing, too!"

Eben puts together a handheld device with a screen that visualizes, in some way, the psychic signal.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "i imagine that I feel it because it's distressing to birds"

GM says, "The visualization looks like an EEG -- and based on the echo-and-repeat patterns you're spotting, you would guess that it's some kind of amplifier device that takes a mental signal, then repeats it, magnified."

Cuddlepaws says, "I'll try and drive towards it. MOVE IT, YOU ASSHOLE! THIS IS THE FAST LANE"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to jacob), "It's trending on twitter"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "haha"

Eben tries to figure out if it's using the sort of tech that [company] licensed from me.

GM exclaims, "As you pull up to the convention center, you realize that it's coming from inside the building!"

GM says (to Eben), "It doesn't remind you particularly of what they were working on."

Eben . o O ( Whew. )

Wanda asks, "Maybe it's just a gadget malfunctioning?"

Cuddlepaws parsk in front of the convention center (because that's how that works) and jumps out of the open window.

Eben says, "OK, I don't want you two affected by this thing. Let me see if I can make a sort of psychic Faraday cage to protect you from it."

Eben pops the trunk and pulls out the HT-5 cords.

Cuddlepaws asks, "Do we know yet if it's malevolent or not?"

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "Nope, but better safe than sorry."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "That seems like it would be a Create Advantage using Crafts. Also +3."

Eben rummages around some more to get the discarded tin foil that we used to cover Jacob's cake yesterday.

Eben rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 0 0 0 | Superb (5)

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Suck it, Stark, 'coz Eben's in town"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "ha ha ha"

GM exclaims, "You now have a Psychic Faraday Cage!"

Wanda asks, "That's a... tin foil umbrella?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Oh crap. https://webwhiteboard.com/ isn't resolving for me."

Eben looks at it in surprise.

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Ditto"

Eben exclaims, "It is!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "We might have to forego maps this time."

Eben says, "Folds up like one, too."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "NO MAPS ???"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, ""We can use docs."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I know! I apologize. I can't imagine what kind of terrible GM would do something like that."

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Eben), "True."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "There's Aggie.io"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DjJVPMKW3507xFZ4wpCl2o_WI6u3hbF4YjbmwdhXi4k/edit#slide=id.p"

GM asks, "So you're now all in the parking lot outside of NEMATEx. With a tin foil umbrella. What do you, the heroes, do next?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "aggie.io is basically a more sophisticated webwhiteboard"

Jacob is going to reach out telepathically to the birds in distress nearby and ask if they know what's going on.

Cuddlepaws heads inside, between the legs of security and other guests.

Eben says, "Let's see where this signal is coming from."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "they say it's for 'collaborative painting' but that doesn't stop us from making more rudimentary art with it"

GM says (to Jacob), "You make contact -- and weirdly, it seems they're completely unaffected. You, CP and Wanda can all feel it, but Eben and the birds are entirely oblivious to it."

Jacob hm. All right.

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "My basic plan is to figure out where the signal is coming from, then ask my people about those people."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(except here)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Sounds good"

Wanda says, "Why only the three of us? I don't understand."

GM says, "Inside the entry way, the guards check your passes and wave you in. On The main convention floor is large with a high ceiling. It's like a maze of displays and booths from various companies."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Could I try Investigation to pinpoint it?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "Could I try Notice to pinpoint it?"

Jacob uggh. There are SO MANY PEOPLE here.

GM says, "Front and center, the first display you see is from Payne Tech. They're obviously preparing to do a demo soon. Part of that is something that's covered up by a big sheet."

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims (at CP), "Yes!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Could I try Notice to pinpoint it?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Also yes!"

Wanda rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Average (1)

Eben senses Jacob's discomfort, and subtly walks in such a way to be between him and the largest of the crowds.

GM says, "If you want to wander around, I'll be happy to point out other points of interest. But first we'll cover the investigate/notice stuff."

Cuddlepaws rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 0 | Fair (2)

GM says, "Between them, Wanda and CP are able to work out that whatever this is, it's coming from underneath the sheet at the Payne Tech booth."

Eben says, "Good work."

Wanda asks, "Cuddles. Can you slip underneath that sheet and check it out?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Hm, why does Payne sound familiar? Is it only because of Max Payne? or have the Crusaders discovered that name before?"

GM says, "And in fact, now that you're this close, let's call it an aspect: Psychic Resonator."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Anyone have a good rapport (with ahem, people, I mean)? Maybe also go talk to them while CP is sneaking a look?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Both Nichols and Eben used to work for Payne Tech"

Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "Sure thing, Eight-legs."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "That's me!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh, that's perfect given the connection."

GM says (to CP), "There are a lot of people around, including the ones working the booth -- that'll be a difficult Stealth overcome. +4"

Cuddlepaws rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 +1 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Hm, minor drawback"

Eben looks around to find the actual scientists/engineers at the booth, instead of the reps, and goes to chat with one.

GM exclaims, "Success with a minor drawback!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "You can get under the sheet unnoticed, but can't get back out without being seen?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can't get out without being seen?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "I stepped in some oil while ducking away from one of the booth bab ... attendants?"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Okay, yours is better"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

GM says, "We'll do CP first, then Eben."

GM says (to CP), "Under the sheet, you find an ordinary (although fancy and probably expensive) chair, and on its seat is a shiny, smooth black helmet."

Cuddlepaws slaloms between people's legs, ducks under a table, and does a neat roll under the sheet.

GM says, "Attached to a socket in the front of the helmet is a large faceted red stone."

GM exclaims, "The signal is definitely coming from that stone -- and as you get closer, you realize that you can feel your own telekinetic powers getting stronger!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "MUAHAHAHA!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "TREMBLE, HUMANS!"

[Crows-Nest] Eben exclaims, "But the Mind Stone is yellow!"

GM says, "In fact, any of you who are in the same scene as the stone can invoke the Psychic Resonator aspect when you're using any psychic-related powers."

Cuddlepaws makes a phone call to Wanda and relates what she shees,

Cuddlepaws says, "*sees."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "That's exactly why I made sure that this one wasn't! I don't want Marvel's lawyers coming for me."

GM says, "And furthermore, each 'team' (i.e., you guys, any group of bad guys, tec.) can get one free invoke of it."

Wanda says, "Power-up? I thought that only existed in video games."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Dang, I finally found something to replace that aspect I don't like. "inconspicuous""

[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "more of an I Don't Mind Stone"

GM says, "Meanwhile, Eben is completely ignoring the booth people that he's *supposed to be talking to, and instead finds a guy in the back with a bad haircut and a screwdriver."

Wanda says (to Cuddles(on), "phone) And I don't have any psychic powers, so why can I feel it..."

Cuddlepaws asks (of wanda), "Maybe because you're a weird space spider?"

Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "Maybe your species has telepathic powers you don't know."

Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "I wonder."

Eben says (to Guy), "Hi! I'm Eben Morris. Used to work in 'Special Manufacturing'; is that your department, too? This thing sort of looks the type."

Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "I mean, you can always tell I've thrown up on your pillow as soon as you wake up."

Guy says, "Huh? Oh, yeah, I am. Hiya. What can I do for you?"

Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "I don't need to be psychic to tell that! Yuck"

Eben asks, "This thing sure is mysterious! Long-term project, or one of those rush jobs?"

Guy says, "Oh, the old version has been going on for a while, but it wasn't really going anywhere for a long time. Until last year when it all finally came together."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Are there any posters in their booth to read? Or just people and the thing behind the sheet? (That nobody has told me about yet!)"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, ""Rush job?" Enough with the in-jokes!"

Eben asks, "Nice! Engineering breakthrough, or some discovery? New person on the project?"

Wanda messages Jacob about thing under sheet.

Jacob ah!

GM says (to Jacob), "There are posters! They have fancy graphics of big brains (multi-colored, cross-sections, etc.) and smart, smiling people, and slogans like 'PAYNE-TECH: UNLOCKING THE POWER'."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Maybe the messages can be on a group chat?"

Jacob looks over the posters, looking for anything useful, but it all seems a little.. high level and vague.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "The Crusaders have their own Discord channel"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "With Cuddlepaws flooding the channel with cat pictures"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "and memes"

Guy says, "It's that new rock they got. It came out of some mine somewhere. So far, it's one of a kind, so I'm glad we got a hold of it."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And Wanda with daily spider facts? :D"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hehe"

Guy says, "Oh, man. I'm probably not supposed to be telling you any of that, am I?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "And Jacob posts blurry, long distant photos of birds, taken on his crappy old phone"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sounds right."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "And Eben with the "Hope you all have a nice Sunday!" - picture memes"

Eben says, "Nah, it's fine; I had gold clearance back in the day, and still have yellow."

Eben says, "So, I bet that's what I've been picking up."

Eben shows the handheld device to the guy.

Guy says, "Oh, great, that's alright then. Hey, yeah, neat! That's the cerebral resonator's signature alright."

Guy says, "Man, as soon as we figure out how to synthesize it, this is going to be big."

Eben asks, "What benefits are you working on?"

Guy says, "Well, there's the imaging, of course. Way better than an MRI. But the projection! Just wait for the demo, and you'll be amazed at the images you can get out of this thing."

Wanda focuses, and sends a mental message: HELLO CUDDLES IS THIS EVEN WORKING OH NEVERMIND THIS IS STUPID I DON'T HAVE PSYCHIC POWERS

Guy says, "Can you imagine, being one of those people who can't talk or move or whatever, and then suddenly now you can broadcast in full high-def right out of your brain?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(Let's say these two things coincide)"

Guy says, "We're living in the future, man."

Eben whistles.

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "Are you doing anything else other than looking at the posters?"

Eben asks, "Who's demonstrating it?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "You have (mental) mail!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Does it arrive y/n?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "it's automatic"

Guy says, "Oh, someone from marketing, of course. I don't even know her name. They don't let anyone in *our* department even talk to the public."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "unless blocked by willpwoer/etc"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Not really. Just waiting around to see what happens."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "'project words in the minds of anyone in range'"

Cuddlepaws send a message back WHOA YOU ARE A PSYCHIC SPIDER FROM OUTTA SPACE

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Trying not to be super obvious, by looking interested in the posters."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Then this seems like a good time to start the demo!"

Wanda can't help exclaiming out loud: 'No way!'

Wanda oops.

GM says, "A snazzily-dressed woman with perfect hair and teeth steps up and taps on her microphone."

Jacob steps back and watches intently.

Eben says, "Yeah, same as in my day."

Woman says, "Hello, hello. Payne Tech is delighted to welcome you to our demonstration today!"

Eben asks, "Can you, uh, turn it off? In case something goes wrong?"

Cuddlepaws,with no way out, rolls up on the chair seat and pretends to be asleep.

Woman says, "We're thrilled to announce today one of our latest developments..."

Guy says, "Oh, sure, it's off right now -- but shh, they're starting..."

Assistant pulls the sheet off, revealing the chair and the black helmet (with red crystal) sitting on it.

Cuddlepaws asks, "Meow?"

Woman says, "The psy-- cat?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I try a Create Advantage with Rapport; 'battery pack location' or something?"

Cuddlepaws licks her front paw nonchalantly.

Woman looks briefly annoyed but quickly regains her composure.

Jacob smirks quietly.

Woman says, "Oh, it looks like we've got someone else who's interested in it! You'd better get down, kitty, and we'll tell *everyone* all about it."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's say +3, since he's a bit resistant to talk much now that the demo's going on."

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 +1 | Great (4)

Cuddlepaws jumps off the chair and runs, no, walks away.

Woman says, "Have you ever wanted to be able to share your thoughts with someone, but just couldn't put them into words? Or have you ever known anyone whose had a tumor or brain injury that was difficult to diagnose?"

Assistant puts on the helmet.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Success! YOu have your aspect."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "w00t."

Eben finally quits talking to the guy and listens.

Assistant touches a place on the side, and the crystal begins to glow -- and then it projects an image in the air in front of it.

Cuddlepaws says, "oooh"

GM says, "The image is of a human brain -- about double-size, 3D, slowly rotating in space."

Jacob frowns a little, but continues to watch, both the image and the assistant.

Woman says, "This image you're seeing isn't just a recording or an MRI -- this is a live broadcast of Michael's actual brain!"

Assistant taps another spot on the helmet, and the hologram splits open, revealing some shiny sparky neural activity. THere are oohs and aahs from the spectators.

Woman says, "And that's not all -- someone in the audience, name an object. Any object."

Eben exclaims, "Brussel spout!"

Cuddlepaws says, "CAN OF TUNA"

Wanda exclaims, "Spider!"

Assistant closes his eyes and concentrates, and the brain disappears, replaced by a floating brussels sprout, which is then replaced by a can of tuna, and then by a spider.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "is impressed, despite herself."

Eben claps.

Wanda says, "This is *neat*"

Woman says, "This resonator can pick up on whatever's going on inside your mind and project it into the real world!"

GM says, "She goes on for a while in a similar vein, talking about the medical applications for this device, doing some more similar demonstrations, etc."

Jacob is a little surprised, because he hasn't read quite about this yet, outside of fiction, and he's pretty current on things.

GM says, "Assuming you don't do anything to interfere, she eventualyl wraps it up, and the audience all applauds, and they leave the helmet sitting on the chair so people can come by and marvel over it."

Cuddlepaws says, "Hm, that wasn't that bad"

Eben chats with the guy about the mine where they found the stone.

Jacob steps up and eyes it pretty closely without touching it.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "I want to watch out for suspicious people checking out the chair"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(Notice?)"

GM says (to Jacob), "It looks like the surface of the helmet is the same kind of touchscreen you might find on a smartphone. And when you peek inside, you can see some semi-exposed circuitry. But really, the only part of it that looks all *that* far out of the ordinary is the crystal, which is about the size of your palm. When you look closely at it, you can see cool fractal-like occlusions running through it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! I'll call for a roll when/if needed."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws looks up occlusions,

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Do I recognize the crystal? Maybe it's part of a family of something, or is it something brand new?"

GM says (to Eben), "He tells you that it was from a pretty ordinary mine -- sapphires or something, he thinks -- and it seems like it was some random, natural process that must have formed this stone."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Investigate? Lore?"

[CCrusaders] Alex says (to Jacob), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that Lore is I embody the lore."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Assuming not, given that conversation."

Eben asks, "Ah, and you're trying to replicate the process, then?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "Ooh, neat idea. Let's go for it. Overcome, +3."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Investigate or Lore?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm. For what I have in mind, either is justifiable."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "In that case, investigate with my super sight."

Jacob rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Superb (5)

GM says (to Eben), "And with that, you've triggered off a long ramble about all the things they've tried, and how they're getting closer and closer, and how they're still not quite there yet, but *soon*, he's sure of it, etc."

GM says (to Jacob), "The gem reminds you of something you once read about -- both the appearance, and what it does."

GM says, "From an ancient Babylonian myth about a magical stone."

[CCrusaders] Jacob ooh.

GM says, "It was red too, and the way it was described sounds an awful lot like this one. And it was said to allow the bearer, who was a create psychic, perform even *greater* feats with it in her possession."

Jacob looks a little bit shocked for a moment. Like "it's real?!?". But quickly tries to look neutral again.

Jacob also gets out of the way now for someone else.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(*Great* psychic, I meant to say.)"

GM asks, "Meanwhile, is anyone checking out the rest of the expo, or just this?"

Wanda is definitely curious to find out what else is there!

Cuddlepaws will watch the Payne booth for trouble.

Jacob will probably meander, in particular noting for exits in case shit happens with this thing somehow. Always careful this one.

Eben thanks the guy, and exchanges contact information with him.

GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Some of the more interesting booths include the one where they're showing off that prosthetic limb that Eben's tech went into, a weird hippie booth that doesn't really look high-tech at all, and -- hey, that guy looks familiar!"

Eben probably has homemade business cards declaring him a 'tinkerer' or something.

GM asks (of Wanda), "Isn't that the security guard from the casino? They one you sent through a wall?"

Wanda feels awkward and guilty.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Is he in a wheelchair, or..."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "He's not! In fact, he's looking pretty good, all things considered."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Surprisingly so."

Wanda is a bit surprised, but okay, that's good.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you going to head over there, or are you guiltily avoiding it?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Is he just another visitor, or"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "does he have his own stand?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "He's behind a booth for a company called 'Quicksilver'. He's along side a young black man who's dressed kind of nerdy and has a nametag; it looks like that guy is the one running it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Er, 'behind' == 'behind the counter'.)"

GM says (to Jacob), "(Also, assume that you noticed the same booths that Wanda did, of course.)"

Wanda walks over to the Quicksilver booth. 'Um. Hello! So... Quicksilver, right? Does that haven anything to do with mercury? Or is it just a cool name?'

Jacob hangs back, trying to remember if he's heard of Quicksilver, and also reads any other signage to see what they do.

Jacob is probably trailing a little behind her, since he's protective and doesn't like crowds so wants someone he knows around.

Felix (the man with the nametag) says, "Hello! Quicksilver, Inc. is the name of our company and our product -- it's a revolutionary new medical treatment! Take a look at this:"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Though I might also be curious about the hippie booth."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Hippie bird day!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Wait, that was yesterday"

Bob (the security guard) holds out his arm. On it, there's a silvery-looking tatooo in the shape of the alchemical symbol for Mercury.

GM says (to Jacob), "The name 'Quicksilver' doesn't ring a bell -- it seems like they must be new, perhaps? And the hippie booth is called 'Nuwu Holistic Treatement'."

Bob's tattoo suddenly starts moving! A silvery goo flows out of it and quickly covers Bob's whole arm!

Wanda exclaims, "Oh!"

Jacob sees movement out of the corner of his eye and stares a bit at Bob.

Felix says, "That's Quicksilver! It can automatically bandage or splint any injury, and can even help you use your limbs while they're injured."

Wanda exclaims, "That's amazing!"

Wanda asks, "How does it even work?"

Bob says, "I got really hurt a few months ago, but with this treatment, I was up and walking in just a few days, and now I'm almost completely healed already!"

Jacob, of of habit, rubs his left arm, though it's feeling significantly better now than it was this morning.

Felix says, "It works through the power of Nanotechnology -- millions of tiny, microscopic robots that all network together to act almost like a living organism."

Jacob oh! He nods, understanding.

Felix says, "They can charge themselves from any source of electricity, and they can react intelligently to your actions."

Wanda asks, "Where does that intelligence come from? Is it just inherent programming, or is there like a remote control?"

Bob demonstrates by reaching across the counter toward a pen that's just out of reach. And the shiny grey goo on his fingertips extends several inches to let him pick it up!

Felix says, "It's an emergent effect -- each one of the nanobots is dumb by itself, but when you link them all up, they're able to develop an advanced level of AI all by themselves."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Aha, the inverse of humans"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Ha ha."

GM says (to Jacob), "Oh, and since you were also looking at the Nuwu booth:"

Wanda exclaims, "That's super cool!"

GM says (to Jacob), "That's being run by a woman, probably about Eben's age, who's wearing a tie-dyed shirt and a long skirt."

GM says, "(And sandals.)"

GM says, "And she's setting up this kind of hoop made of beads and crystals, maybe a yard or so across, on the floor."

Eben also approaches the Nuwu booth, after chatting with people at his cohort's booth a bit.

Jacob tilts his head a little in confusion. Like a dog might.

Jacob . o O ( What is this new age bullsh*t? )

Amanda says, "...and with the TrueYou inner self-contemplation system, you'll be able to be in touch with your real self..."

Eben examines the materials to see if any of it is contains any tech.

Amanda says, "We've combined ancient traditions with modern technology to create something that can help to heal not just the body or the brain, but your *true* self."

Eben says, "That's great, unless your true self is a jerk."

GM says (to Eben), "It does seem to -- in between the beads and the crystals are little plastic components, and it's all linked together with wiring, with an electrical cord that runs out the back to an outlet behind the book."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "book->booth?"

Amanda says, "Even more reason to use the TrueYou system! The first step to healing is *understanding*. Once you know what you are, you can take the first steps to *overcoming* it!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Right, thanks."

Amanda says, "I'll demonstrate! Can I have a volunteer?"

Eben says, "Hunh."

Cuddlepaws also walks over to the booth, since nothing seems to be happening at the chair.

Eben says, "Enh, sure."

GM says, "She motions to the circle of beads on the ground."

Eben stands in the circle.

Amanda says, "Just stand right here."

Cuddlepaws bleps at the beads.

GM says, "After a few seconds, a semi-translucent image of Eben seems to separate from his body."

Jacob is, ok, kind of impressed.

Eben waves his arm, to see if the image also waves.

GM says, "It floats up and hovers above him. But this image is different from the real Eben:"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "The image looks like... Chris Evans?"

GM exclaims (at Eben), "It does!"

GM says, "It's younger, and it's dressed in a sharp military uniform. It's also wearing an array of medals."

Eben is a little embarassed.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Oh, I am glad I didn't go over to that booth first"

GM says, "Which, if you look closely, aren't real military medals -- each one is for some act of kindness that Eben has done in his civilian life."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Ha"

Cuddlepaws says, "Hey, it looks like you in that old photo, I, I mean somebody knocked over."

Eben says, "Hunh."

Eben examines a medal to see if it references an actual event he remembers.

Amanda says, "You see? This lets you see your -- well, they don't like us to use the word 'soul', but it's your true inner self."

Cuddlepaws sees "adopt stray cat" medal, and rubs against the real Eben's leg.

GM says (to Eben), "It appears to be for when you helped that pickpocket get out of his life of crime and into a real job."

GM says, "As CP enters the circle..."

Eben asks, "Now, miss, you're sure this doesn't just show me what I want to see?"

Woman says, "Oh, this won't work on animals, kitt-- oh!"

GM says, "But indeed, it *does* work, and an image of CP appears as well."

GM says, "It has no collar, but it *does* have an unusual black symbol in the fur on her flank."

Cuddlepaws yowls and folds back her ears.

Jacob examines the symbol.

GM says, "A vertical line, with a triangle attached to one side -- you might recognize it as a 'thorn' rune."

Cuddlepaws says (to amanda), "Make it go away. Mow."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "Hey, I have something for you!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Is it a Fate point?"

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "Just get out of the circle, you silly."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "It is! Wouldn't it be interesting if someone you had Unfinished Business with noticed that and scooped you up?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "It's a Fate worse than death"

Cuddlepaws stares at the smybol, transfixed. Her body is low to the ground and her trail swishes.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Is that a 'yes'? :)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Sure!"

GM gives a fate point to Cuddlepaws.

GM says, "While everyone is busy staring at the ghost-CP, a blond woman wearing a black flowing dress emerges from the crowd."

BlondWoman says, "Oh! You've found my lost kitty!"

BlondWoman says, "scoops up CP before anyone can react, and scurries away with her!"

Eben blinks.

BlondWoman says, "Thank you! I appreciate it!"

Eben exclaims, "Wait, no!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Hey! Hands of the merchandise!"

Eben runs after woman!

Jacob also runs after.

GM says (to CP), "She just gives you a slightly manic-looking grin."

Cuddlepaws claws at her and tries to get away.

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Did I notice anything particularly of note or strange about her in that quick moment?"

GM says, "You follow her between the maze of booths, to one of the exits Jacob spotted earlier, leading to an employees-only access corridor."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "So we can find her later if we lose her now, for example."

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "Also, can I do a Notice to see anthing of the woman's aura when she scooped up CP?"

Eben runs after woman!

Cuddlepaws says (to Strange_Lady), "Listen, drop me now, I don't really want to hurt you."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "whoops, sorry."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Meant to just re-ask that question here."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yes! With your eyes, I can tell you this without even a roll."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Also, was the Quicksilver booth with earshot of the hippie one?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "In my mind, yes they were. Because I was kind of watching both and distracted by the hippie booth from what was happening at QS."

Cuddlepaws throws up shielding between the woman and the exit.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "So clearly it's canon ;)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(To Jacob, since I'm assuming he'll be able to see better than Eben.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah."

Wanda runs after Eben and Jacob.

GM says (to Jacob), "You notice that her black, flowy dress doesn't seem entirely normal. As though it's enhanced, somehow. And when she reached into the circle, you could see a kind of aura of shadow around her."

Jacob files this away for later. Will do some internet research if need be.

Jacob keeps up the pursuit for now.

GM says, "The woman only gets a short way down the side corridor before CP blocks her from getting to the exit door! And the rest of the team is hot on her heels, standing bettween her and the rest of the convention floor."

Eben pulls out his portal gun as he runs, and tries to create a shortcut between him and in front of the woman.

Cuddlepaws leviattes a small number of objects and rotates them around the both of them.

GM asks (of Eben), "Hmm. What are you thinking?"

Woman says, "Oho! It seems that my kitty has friends!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Like, one portal in the wall in front of her; another at my feet that I jump/fall through."

Jacob says, "She's not your kitty."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Wanda exclaims, "Yeah, let Cuddles go!"

GM says, "Eben pops out of a portal on the other side of her -- you now have her surrounded."

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at woman), "Drop the act! Tell me what you know!"

Woman says, "She is -- I would recognize her anywhere. She's *the one that got away*."

Cuddlepaws asks (of woman), "You killed my mother! You killed my siblings! What else do you want?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "And now, you *might*, *maybe* recognize that face... from underneath a hood, many years ago."

Woman smiles broadly. "I want *you*, of course!"

Wanda exclaims, "Not on my watch!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "So, you see, I have these awesome telekinetic powers. But I think that CP is so enraged that she forgets, because, after all, she's *still a cat*."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "Yeah?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah! So I'll attack with *FIGHT* (and take a fate point)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Deal!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Roll an attack!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Does anyone else notice this going on? Or are they just like "not my problem" and staying back?"

Cuddlepaws hisses and claws at the woman's face.

Cuddlepaws rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 0 | Terrible (-2)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oof."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Wow, ha"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You're in a side corridor at the moment -- the rest of the convention floor is behind you and Wanda, so this is out of their sight."

GM rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Great (4)

GM says, "You swipe at her, but she holds you at arm's length, easily avoiding the claws."

Cuddlepaws gives a fate point to Cuddlepaws.

Woman says, "Oho ho, how cute and sweet. You're a feisty one. That's good. That's *very* good."

Woman says, "I knew you would be a useful one right from the start."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is anyone else doing anything to rescue CP?"

Jacob takes a moment (and spends a fate point) to investigate the situation, looking for ways to resolve this situation ("For each shift you make on this roll you discover or create an aspect, on either the scene or the target of your observations, though you may only invoke one of them for free.")

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "You made a mistake coming back! I WILL KILL YOU! *pathetic wriggling* YOU WILL RUE THE DAY!"

Jacob rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)

GM says (to Jacob), "OK! +1 CA."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yow."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "So, uh. What do I see?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I would like to create the advantage 'Infinite Fall' on the woman and CP by creating portals below and above her."

GM asks (of Jacob), "So, um. Does this mean that I need to think up six aspects?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Start with the most useful and figure them out as things play out?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(after Jacob goes)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Since we can only tag one for free"

GM says (to Jacob), "First one: Deep Shadows. The shadows around her feet are thickening and settling into the ground in a circle around them."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Maybe a clue about where she's been? Or what the dress is? Or what the shadows are?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at eben), "And I will *still* land on my feet!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I'm counting on it!"

GM says, "Twitching Hand. Her other hand that's not holding CP looks like it's ready to hold something, even though you can't see anything that she would be easily able to grab."

GM says, "Shadow Gown. He dress looks like it's not made of fabric. More like it might even be made of actual shadows, somehow."

[CCrusaders] Jacob updates https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h88N6VTO6dtQ2RVzk1tqx4NdA5PNyShAjpXcoVjhU8M/edit#gid=1689105620

GM says, "Mystic Runes. You notice that she's wearing jewelry with some kind of symbols on it, the sort of symbols associated with magic."

Jacob shouts "Watch out. I think she's going to conjure up a weapon!"

GM says, "Manic. She has a broad grin, and kind of 'knows no fear' twinkling in her eyes. She doesn't seem afraid of you guys at all."

GM asks, "Sinking? Is she slightly shorter than a moment ago? Those shadows around her feet -- is she starting to sink into them? While holding CP?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK, I think that's six! And you pick which one gets your free invoke."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "w00t"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I think Eben was acting next, trying to do something with portals?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yup!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Do I have to pick right now, or when we use it? (I was envisioning like, "of the following, someone can invoke one for free once")"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, the latter, as far as I know."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Cool. Ok, Eben."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Should we maybe go into INI?"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Man, that investigate stunt is both very cool and very hard. I get to hint at a lot of obscured exposition, which is awesome, but it's not easy to think of six aspects all at once!"

Jacob clears the initiative.

Wanda registers Wanda at init 2.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And yeah, let's do init."

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "It's made worse by my good eyesight, b/c I get that plus two :D"

Jacob registers Jacob at init 2.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "You made a good job of it"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Agreed"

Cuddlepaws registers Cuddlepaws at init 2.

GM registers MistressOfShadow at init 2.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Is this Notice?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah"

Eben registers Eben at init 2.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Maybe we should roll ;-)"

Wanda displays the initiative: Wanda/Jacob/Cuddlepaws/MistressOfShadow/Eben(2)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Whoops, call mine 1 then."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You guys an all act first."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I do the portal thing, since I was thinking of it?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK, Eben!"

Eben shoots a portal above and below the woman!

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Create Advantage/Infinite Fall"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent -- go for it!"

Eben rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 0 +1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(shoot)"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 0 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You succeed! Your portal and her shadows are both swirling together on the ground by her feet, fighting for dominance, but you've aimed it so that she's falling through yours!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Not sure if you're typing or if I should move on?)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Whoops, no, go ahead."

Mistress says, "Oh -- oh my! You people *are* trickier than I expected!"

Eben exclaims, "Jump, cp! I got you!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Who's next?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(CP?)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'd say Wanda or CP, whoever wants it."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "She already had to wait once."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK, Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Wanda?)"

Wanda sends a mental message to the woman: LET CUDDLES GO OR I'LL GET REALLY ANGRY

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Ooh -- is that a Create Advantage? Provoke?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yep"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! And she'll defend with Will!"

Wanda rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 -1 | Fair (2)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 0 +1 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Ooh -- are you going to let her have this one?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll invoke my drawback. I'm Scary."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK -- spending a fate point to get a tie, so it becomes a boost?"

Wanda spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yep"

Mistress turns in surprise. What was that? Who *are* these people?

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "CP?"

[CCrusaders] Alex says (to Jacob), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that CP is cover price."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Sure!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "I'"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "You?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "I'd like to take the chance and try to wrriggle out of her grasp and land safely outside the portals."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! That would be an overcome with Athletics."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Do I get my +2 from Cat's Grace?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

Cuddlepaws rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 -1 | Fantastic (6)

GM rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woah!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "A minor drawback?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yes... hmm"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Feel free to tag the infinite fall or Wanda's boost."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I don't land on my feet, but skid across the floor!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to CP), "the boost makes sense for you"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of Wanda), "Oh! Okay if I tag it?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yep"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at gm), "I tag the boost!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Then you're free! Roleplay it?"

Cuddlepaws says, "All that's visible between the portals is a black blur! But suddenly, a white blur sommersaults out of it, and turns into a very irate cat who nonetheless lands on her feet, skidding a few feet towards the group. The coolness is kind of ruined by the fact that her fur stand on edge from the all the friction."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Next, Jacob! Unless you want to let the NPC go first?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I want to create an advantage with lore, now that I've seen all these things about her, as well as the symbol on the ghost CP, so maybe I've read something about her, like there's some sort of cult she's involved with? And figure out a weak spot, like a way to banish her or otherwise make her leave. Because she seems otherworldly and maybe not really here?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That was a lot of words, sorry. But yeah, advantage with lore."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "Excellent."

Jacob rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 +1 | Fair (2)

[CCrusaders] Jacob is prepared to tag some shit.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That seems -- hmm, I was going to say +3 or +4."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So I am going to agree. Time to tag some &$#%."

[CCrusaders] Jacob takes the free invoke on mystic runes to bring it up to a +4.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And is it 3 or 4? :D"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Four, I think."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Because I want to know what minor drawback you would suggest ;) )"

[CCrusaders] Jacob spends a fate point to tag "walking library" :D

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 1.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Nah"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hehe"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Fair."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "no, fair is +2"

GM says (to Jacob), "You mind is racing, collating, piecing things together -- yes, you *have* hear of something."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Roll over, Ba - at - man"

GM says, "There's a group, called 'The Disciples of Shadow'. You've read about them online. Mostly, it just seemed like teenagers playing around, but... maybe not. Maybe it was legitimate? And..."

GM says, "...if their magic *is* real, you can just *barely* recall an weird sort of incantation-y thing that *maybe* might help you to activate, or maybe deactivate, or to do *something* to her shadow powers."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Should we call that aspect Shadow Incantation?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sounds good."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And now, it's her turn!"

Mistress flexes her right hand, and suddenly in it there's a black sword! Its edge looks supernaturally sharp. It's difficult from her current falling predicament, but she lunges out with it with alarming speed toward Cuddlepaws!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "This is an attack!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Defend with Athletics?"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 -1 | Average (1)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

Cuddlepaws rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 -1 | Mediocre (0)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "It's comedy, now, is it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "It had stopped?"

GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "And it's a nick! You can barely feel the blade, as it's so sharp, but there's a tiny drop of blood."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'll take the one shift of damage, I think"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Back to the top of init!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Who's next?"

Cuddlepaws licks her wounds, spits it out, and makes a "Come get me"-motion with her paw.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(Still ruined by her fur being comically on edge)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'll go. I would like to create something to let me track her after she inevitably disappears into the shadows."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What kind of something are you thinking of? A normal GPS tracking device, or something else?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Like, build a charged net that will give me the frequency of her shadows, letting me track them?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(he says, spouting technobabble)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Oh, interesting. So kind of a shadow detector?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yes!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! Since you're more science and tech than magic oriented, I think this will be a challenge. +5 overcome!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "OK! Crafts?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup."

Eben rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Epic (7)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Did I say it would be a challenge? What was I thinking?)"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Sufficiently advanced science is indistinguishable from magic"

Eben gets readings from the woman as she flips through the portals, and downloads the inconsistencies from it that must be coming from the shadows to his phone.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Who's next?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "What sort of roll would an attack be using the incantation I can sort of remember? (with the hopes that it doesn't make her stronger, haha) Will, maybe? or Lore again? (they're equal) [The SRD explicitly says lore isn't used in conflicts, but suggests an exception for magical attacks and defenses.]"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Wanda, if we do same order."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "I would call it an Overcome with Lore or Will, yeah."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok. I can wait if someone else has a plan, or else I'll try that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'm OK with that."

Jacob rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 -1 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Go get her, Tiger...bird"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Defending with Will."

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oof."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Ooh -- are you invoking anything?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Fall's still invokable."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Or, since it's an Overcome, you could succeed at a cost."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(But I'd go with Fall, if it were me.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Uh. I do have this free invoke on the incantation. And sure, maybe she's a little busy with the falling thing. So that's another +4, to make it a full success rahter than a tie."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Nice!"

GM says, "Jacob chants the incantation as he remembers it, and the swirling shadows grow, and begin to flow over the portal on the floor..."

Jacob crosses his fingers behind his back.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Whoops, didn't mean to step on your toes!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(You tell me when to continue.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "No, it's cool. Go on."

GM says, "...and then *into* and *through* the portal, flowing over and engulfing her as she falls between them..."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Also I think I need to go AFK in a moment."

GM says, "...and you see a brief look of surprise on her face, just before she's completely engulf in shadow..."

GM exclaims, "...which then dissipate. And she's gone!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "YES."

Jacob lets out a sigh of relief.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "But yet, init doesn't seem to be over..."

Cuddlepaws huddles on the floor.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Let her go next ;-)"

Wanda asks, "Cuddles! Are you okay?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, false alarm. Still here."

GM registers CompletelyNewPeople at init 1.

[CCrusaders] Jacob needs to go deal with groceries whenever Amdi gets home.

Cuddlepaws yowls and shivers.

GM exclaims, "You hear a commotion from the convention floor!"

Wanda asks, "What now?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Whose turn was next?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "CP or Wanda?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I think. Did Eben go?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Eben made his detector/tracker thing."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Right, ok"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Let Wanda go!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! Wanda!"

Wanda picks up Cuddlepaws.

Wanda says, "Wait, what was that? I heard something."

GM asks, "Indeed, like shouting?"

Wanda walks towards the source of the disturbance, still stroking and hugging Cuddlepaws.

Cuddlepaws huddles up to Wanda.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "In true supervillain style"

GM says (to Wanda), "You get out there just in time to see a translucent, shimmering violet forcefield spring up, about six feet tall (~2 meters), separating you from the middle of the convention."

Cuddlepaws says, "Hey that's my trick"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's try https://aggie.io/xf72mz5aam"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Um, how do I add notes?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I don't see an option for text?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Huh."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Well, I'll just say:"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Wanda is in the left section. The rest of you are in the little corridor at the top of it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The bottom bit is the main entrance. The area between the violet force fields is where the Payne Tech booth is."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I'm with Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And: you don't notice anything 'shadow'-like about anything going on here."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(afk a sec; laundry. Carry on!)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Shoot. I forgot to do laundry! Tomorrow, I guess."

GM says, "You hear people shouting. Like 'Hey, stop!' and 'What is this, some kind of cosplay?' As strangely-dressed people run by on the other side of the force field."

GM asks, "And I'm going to assume that picking up CP was your action, and that it's now CP's turn?"

Wanda says, "yeah"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Mine's still going :-)"

Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "What do these people look like?"

GM says (to Cuddle), "Color is a bit hard to tell through the force field, but there are maybe half a dozen of them, and they're really stocky, not too tall, and they're wearing really crudely-woven clothes, like loincloths and the like."

GM says, "In fact, kinda like cavemen/women."

Cuddlepaws hurls something - maybe a chair, or a bench, at the force field to check if we can get through it.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! That would be an attack?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Yeah!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 -1 | Good (3)

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 +1 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to die), "WHAT THE EVERLOVING FUUUUUU ... n."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Aw."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You can invoke something to reroll if you want."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "I don't think we have any free invokes left?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "CP, you have 4 fate points"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I don't think so. But then, you did earn a couple fate points earlier."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Ah yes, I tag stubborn bugger when the chair bounces of the first time."

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 3.

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 -1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "There we go"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Much better!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Since this is an attack, are you going to tag anything else to make it stronger, or go with that?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(back!)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Hm, I don't really have anything fitting, so I'll leave it"

GM exclaims, "One of the cavemen winces and swoons -- and the barrier becomes visibly weaker!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And at init 1, it's their turn!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Oh, my God. *Nerd*enthals."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

The black helment from the PayneTech display lifts up into the air over the heads of the cavemen. Several of them start running toward the exit, and the helmet follows them through the air!

PayneTech rep says, "Stop, that's company property! You can't do that!"

Jacob oh sh*t.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "The people are taking back the power! Go Cavemen!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Now some of them are in the entry area with the helmet, and some of them are still there with the forcefields."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And whose turn is next?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob feels too flabberghasted to react just yet.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Me, I guess?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I believe you're still in the little corridor zone."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(At the upper left.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'm not seeing anything on the canvas at all."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Me neither"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "...Oh."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Jota has finally snapped"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK, let's not use this tool anymore."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yeah, sorry about that"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Do you have to hit save or something?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "https://i.imgur.com/bbJsBSZ.png"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I'll use portals to get myself to the exit, and leave the portals behind so that others can use them, too. Do I have enough movement for that?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "okay, thankfully you gave us the context for that"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Upper left bit: corridor where you rescued CP. Buttom bit: entry way. Left side: Wanda and CP."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "Try this maybe https://witeboard.com/fbf23510-193f-11ea-8f6c-455063aabf98 ?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "How many zones away can you portal?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Two, I think."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ah, 'up to three zones away'"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The entry is three zones from the corridor, so you could move out to the main floor, then open a portal from there to the entry, but you'd need to wait to your next turn to go through."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK, then forget what I just said."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You can *either* do that, or open one from your current location straight to the entryway. And then go through if you want."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think I need to go out into the main area to see what's going on, and to see a good target for the portal, actually."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds good!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The distance is OK, but line-of-sight is not."

GM says, "As you emerge, you see roughly the same as what I explained earlier."

Eben runs out into the main room, sees what's going on, and creates a portal between where our group is and the exit in front of the cavepeople.

GM asks, "OK! Who's next?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "How "over the heads" is the helmet?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And are they short? :D"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "They are, a bit, yeah. What do you have in mind?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "If you were in the entryway, you could probably try to jump up and grab it, if that's what you're thinking!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That is what I was thinking"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Also, slide 3: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DjJVPMKW3507xFZ4wpCl2o_WI6u3hbF4YjbmwdhXi4k/edit#slide=id.g7ab92ca08a_0_1"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Ooh, good."

Jacob runs through the portal and jumps into the air to try to snatch the helmet. (athletics... overcome?)

Cuddlepaws It's a rhino wearing suspenders!

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "Athletics works -- let's see how they defend!"

Jacob rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 +1 | Superb (5)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 -1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "A tie!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hmpf"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you invoking anything?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You could invoke the psychic resonator itself."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I do have one point left, but I'm not sure what might be rele-- oh. Right. Is that still a free invoke I think from before?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is he using psychic powers?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "No, I guess not"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Nevermind"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Sorry.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You could start ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Haha."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Call the Eagles!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, that's definitely an option."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I could, but that wouldn't really help with this roll. It's like a separate thing."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I would be perfectly fine with you saying that you're calling a bird to help you with this, so that you can invoke that aspect."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Ok! Spending my last fate point to tag "good with animals"?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 0.

Jacob telepathically links up with a nearby hawk, which comes in through the propped open front door.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Uh. Technically asking them to do something is a rapport roll."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "He lends moral support"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Enh, let's handwave that this time."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sure, haha."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "You mean we'll wing it?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ow."

Jacob grabs the helmet out of the air after the hawk knocks it closer towards him.

Cavemen react with distressed wails! They might be speaking some kind of language, but if so, it's

Cavemen react with distressed wails! They might be speaking some kind of language, but if so, it's not one you've ever heard before.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! Who's next?"

Jacob says, "NOT YOURS. BAD CAVEMEN."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I think Wanda and CP haven't gone yet this round?"

Wanda realizes that the cavepeople don't seem to be obviously evil, and tries to read their thoughts!

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Ooh. How does that work when you don't speak the same language?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "No mention of a language barrier. It says 'surface thoughts'"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "SEE HOW THAT FEELS ! SEE HOW THAT FEELS! STUPID DETECT THOUGHTS! *pants* I'm okay, I'm okay"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hahahaha"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "aww hohoho"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha ha ha"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's say that trying to decipher their thoughts adds to the difficulty."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "okay!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So it'll be an overcome of... +6"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "okay!"

Wanda rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 0 0 0 | Average (1)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Hm, I can invoke 'Redemption's Always An Option'."

GM says, "You pick up a maelstrom of babbling, which you're sure must be meaningful to them, but you're having difficulty making out the meaning..."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You can -- that would bring you to +3."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That's a lot of tagging."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You'd need to tag two more things to get up to a success."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Or succeed at a cost.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I figured it would be a re-roll and a prayer that she gets a +6 to tie :D"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Hm."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I have a cost in mind, if you're willing to entertain it.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Sure, I'll take a major cost"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Do I still spend the fate point...?"

GM says, "You struggle with all your might, and it's painful, but at least briefly, you're able to break through..."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Nope!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "neat"

GM says, "'No! The Chagakor! If we cannot retrieve it, then all is lost! So many... so many will be lost...'"

GM says, "But your mind feels almost broken, in a way, from the effort."

GM exclaims, "And while you can still *understand* normal speech (in English), you're too mentally exhausted to *communicate* using language!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Cost: Aphasia!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Wow, nice"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "exciting twist"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "As a cost, I mean, not for Wanda"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "See, this is what happens if you *think about* and *plan for* characters using Detect Thoughts ahead of time."

GM asks (of Wanda), "Are you also moving, or are you staying where you were?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

Wanda hops through the portal! No Jacob left ahead!

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! And I think CP is last?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Yeah!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws jumps through the portal and puts up shieldubf between Jacob and the obviously evil cavemen.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "only, shielding"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is there more to RP that, or have you already done that?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I think that's it"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! Their turn!"

GM exclaims, "The cavemen who were holding up the shields drop them and run to help the others at retrieving the Chagakor!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to Crusaders), "Also note that you folks can attack through it at +2"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Attack through your barrier?"

GM says, "Combining all their might, they mentally batter against CP's shielding."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hunh; nice."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "+2 being a benefit to the attacker or to the defender?"

GM rolls Legendary (8) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 +1 | Legendary (8)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Defender"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "If you want to maintain the shield, it's up to you to defend!"

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 0 | Epic (7)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws tags Stubborn bugger.

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

GM exclaims, "The shield is solid!"

Cuddlepaws snarls as a single drop of blood falls from her nose. "Not today!"

Eben . o O ( What is it with that cat and single drops of blood? )

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "CP is becoming our most hardcore character"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I can't keep this up! DO SOMETHING you useless bipeds!"

GM says, "The cavemen appear dejected."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, AFK for real this time. Sorry. Assume I do something cool now that I've got the helmet :D"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Whose turn is it next?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "We have to maintain our PG-13 rating"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Also, cats don't really bleed a lot, I'm told"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(If we arrange turns correctly, maybe Jacob will get back in time for his own...)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I can go. Can I try to decipher what Wanda seems to be gesturing about?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Nice idea! Empathy, and the opposition would be +4."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Overcome.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha, I have Empathy at 0."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha ha."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Well, it was a nice *idea*."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "But hey, why not? Are we stopping in about 10 minutes?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Even Eben can't build a machiene that makes people understand each other"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, around that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, I will see what happens:"

Eben rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 0 | Average (1)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you going to modify that, or go with it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think I will spend a fate point and tag the psychic resonator, since that seems apropos."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(We can go a bit longer, if we want)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Tagging 'adopted or not, you're all my kids!'."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "I know that ggg also has something this evening, so I don't want to run too late."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "What are you communicating?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "aha"

Wanda tries to convey that the thing in the helmet is a matter of life or death for the cave people

Eben, in trying to figure out what Wanda is gesturing about, suddenly remembers an action she used to do when just a little spider-let. And then he can hear something faint in his head!

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Also, are you moving as well?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, I think I'll go through the portal to the entrance."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Which side of the shield is that portal on, anyway?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Since the shield is between Jacob and them."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Also, assuming Jacob is AFK, that means it's either CP or Wanda next!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "I have a hard time visualizing what you mean"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "Eben placed a portal in the entryway."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "Do you tell *us* what Wanda is saying?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "Then you placed a shield in the entryway, between Jacob and the cavemen."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "Is the portal on the Jacob side of the shield, or on the cavemen side?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "On the Jacob side, I assume"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "Do I have time to convey what I learned to everyone else?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sure."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "So Crusaders on one side/ Cavepeople on the other?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I mean, assuming it's not a five minute speech or something."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "Sounds good."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Fourscore and twenty second agao ..."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sorry. Back."

Eben asks, "Wanda seems to indicate that these people need the stone for... something life-threatening? Can we get them to project why they want it, using the helmet?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "No worries -- we just played charades while you were out."

Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "Shall I drop shielding as a sign of goodwill?"

Cuddlepaws drops her shielding, but positions herself beteen Jacob and the cavemen.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "Create Advantage with Athletics? Something like "ready to strike?""

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! +2 opposition."

Cuddlepaws rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 -1 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Nice, one free invoke, IIRC"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And then, Wanda or Jacob?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(I seem to have lost the link to where we keep track of aspects)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "If I go, I guess I'm handing over the helmet?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Jacob), "That's up to you!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "whoops, forgot:"

Eben spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

Jacob exchanges looks with Eben and glances at the cavemen, uncertainly.

GM asks, "Now that the shield is down, and you're not acting hostile, they look... hopeful?"

Eben exclaims, "You can do it! They don't speak English; talk to them like they're animals! Which you do well!"

Cuddlepaws still looks wary, but she is still, only her tails swishes back and forth nervously.

Jacob steps forward, past Cuddlepaws, and gestures at the helmet and tries to speak to them, because he is a zoological polyglot, uncertain if it'll actually work.

Jacob asks, "You.. need the stone?"

Eben asks, "Oh, you could try using the helmet yourself, too?"

Eben asks, "To project what you're thinking?"

GM says, "The woman who seems to be the leader of the group approaches you. And although she doesn't understand your words, she does seem to get some impression of your body language."

Cavewoman points to the stone.

Jacob looks less certain about the idea of wearing the helmet, but he holds up one finger in a "one moment" gesture, and puts it on. Then he tries to project some sort of "stone" and "question???".

Jacob waits to see if they sort of understand?

GM says, "They seem to, and they seem to be affirming that."

Jacob nods and takes off the helmet. He gestures to the woman to put it on.

GM says, "She does so. Images appear in a bit of a blur at first, but she quickly comes to understand and to control them:"

GM says, "First, an image of a roughly-hewn chunk of red crystal. It's obviously not the same actual stone that's in the helment, but from the look of it, it certainly seems to be the same *kind* of stone."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh, sorry, Tale. I was in the process of getting the link and then got distracted by actually playing :D https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h88N6VTO6dtQ2RVzk1tqx4NdA5PNyShAjpXcoVjhU8M/edit#gid=1689105620"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "he he"

GM says, "Then, a village. Several of the cavepeople around -- who, I should note, have blue-ish skin (now that you're past the violet forcefield, they all do) -- are dining or conversing or otherwise living peacefull."

GM says, "Above them, the sky looks purple, until you realize that no, it's just a much larger version of the same forcefield, covering the sky to the horizon."

Cuddlepaws looks, transfixed.

GM exclaims, "Then the red crystal she was projecting vanishes. And immediately, the forcefield weakens, starts to break apart!"

GM says, "And beyond it, floating in the sky, round, black, egg-like shapes, made of smooth metal."

GM exclaims, "And from one of those shapes, a beam of energy bursts out and destroys one of the huts!"

Wanda wide eyes.

Jacob oh. Sh*t.

GM says, "And the image breaks down, as tears start to roll down the woman's face."

Cuddlepaws *bushy tail*

GM says, "TO BE CONTINUED"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Wow."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Egg-shapes! Why did it have to be egg shapes"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Powerful cliffhanger"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "This was really cool"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Nice!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I'm glad you liked it!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "You got a step closer to discovering your Dark Secret (TM)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Did the village seem to be on a completely different planet? Any familiar plants?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Now that you mention it, they did seem pretty unfamiliar."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "A lot of plothooks at the expo!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(That's why they call it exposition, see)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Well, cool! And happy birthday, Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "In this case, it's more eggsposition."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And now you have a week to decide how you want to follow up on things."

[CCrusaders] Jacob D Thanks!

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Side with Payne, of course!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It ate my eyes."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Jacob), "Indeed, happy birthday!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of Jacob), "Shaborys? Here?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Ha."

Jacob goes east.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "Thanks a lot. This was fun."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yeah, we're off to a good start"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "You've learnt a lot from Bastafore."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I am thinking that I bet we could convince Payne to let this group borrow the stone in exchange for information on any number of things that seem to be going on in the background here, like 'interplanetary travel' and 'eggs that shoot lasers'."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(or borrow/have)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "You're welcome!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "Maybe find out first if the faceless corporation is telling the truth about where they found the immensely powerful crystal"

[CCrusaders] Eben would also like to know how their stone disappeared, specifically. (Or if they know.)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hey, they're my old bosses! I'm sure they're fine."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "ha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Aren't they the people who hired Nichols? *frown*"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(however, it was clear that it's not the same exact crystal)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I admit that an evil tech company seems far fetched ..."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "...but then again, we fought a mayor in a giant robot suit"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And an actual dragon."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I was being facetious. Fascetious? I was not serious."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "*Fascist*ious!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Nein!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Should we clear out all the old aspects from previous sessions? I'm assuming so."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Except maybe not the new base/journal?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, I think that would make sense."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I forget what the journal was about. Wanda, IIRC?)"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl asks, "Wanda's mom?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yep, Wanda's mom"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Spidermom?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And we also have the spidermothership"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "Keep the shadow incantation, because I suspect we'll see her again, but I crossed out the rest of her aspects."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "Might be useful even without free invokes."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(Which, come to think of it... is it egg-shaped?)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of wanda), "Oooooh?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, yeah, I feel like we stashed the ship at the base."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Why the long paws-- uh, pause?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Oh, I forgot to ask earlier: how secret or non-secret is everyone keeping their superhero identities?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I was wondering how people react to a talking cat."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I thought that only Wanda was keeping her identity a secret"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "In a world where superheroes and villains exist, I imagine the reaction is usually something like 'huh! that's interesting'."

[CCrusaders] GM (to Wanda) nods.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think I'm in favor of not generally having secret identities; though I think Wanda keeping her secret has been interesting."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah, CP is open about it"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Although actually, keeping Wanda's identity secret has mostly been a negative for us. Which I think is fine; it kind of illustrates the problems of doing so."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I think people would find out the truth with like 2 minutes of googling"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "But I could easily see a 'Wanda learns to be open about her spider-ness' arc at some point."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Mmm, yes."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yeah, that'll come with time"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "it would be a typical comic metaphor for somone coming out of their restrictive shell, acknowleding their true self"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And molting."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "...does Wanda molt?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "like spiders do with their exoskeletons"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "oh, good question"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "especially since such molts would be fireproof"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I am now imagining a closet at the Webb house filled with old molts and spare skinsuits."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Which we shall now dub The Closet of Nightmares."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "A lot of them have cat hair on them"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "This is why nobody wants to play hide-and-seek at the Webbs' anymore"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "I mean, my powers are a little less obvious, unless I start talking to non-birds more often (since it needs to be verbally spoken), and I don't turn into a bird that often in front of other people."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl asks, "So I'm not super concerned about people knowing I'm involved, I guess?"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "I'm just that weird Matrixy goth guy who is always there at the right time :D"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Eben and CP: open, Wanda: secret, Jacob: neutral?"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "Sounds right."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Sure"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Definitely."