Cuddlepaws says, "Peregrine, it was really nothing"

[CCrusaders] Bert says, "Log on."

Peregrine exclaims, "1.6 kilometerstones is not nothing!"

Cuddlepaws says (to peregrine), "You are obviously unfamiliar with the lyrics of the Smiths"

[Crows-Nest] Peregrine says, "What an obscure quote to start a session on"

GM has connected.

GM exclaims, "Good afternoon, everyone!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "where's jacob?"

[Crows-Nest] Alex says (to Cuddlepaws), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that a good name for a walrus is Jacob."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent question!"

[CCrusaders] Peregrine scatters bird seed

[Crows-Nest] GM asks (of Peregrine), "Also, where's Wanda?"

Jacob arrives from the east.

[CCrusaders] Peregrine says, "W000t"

Cuddlepaws has disconnected.

Cuddlepaws has connected.

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Who, me?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Amdi was like, "So what time are you playing?" "oh shit.""

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I think everybody's here now!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Jacob), "He had excellent timing!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha."

GM exclaims, "Welcome back to another issue of CROWNSFORD CRUSADERS!"

Wanda exclaims, "So garish!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Still here, still not flagged for religious insensitivity"

GM says, "A reminder to everyone to refresh your fate points. And a reminder to Deka that you've now received two Significant Milestones, giving you two skill points that you can use. (I didn't see any skill increases on your character sheet online yet.)"

GM sets his current fate point total to 5.

Jacob sets her current fate point total to 3.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, we are indeed refreshing fate points?"

Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "If I have extra FP I keep them, right?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, ".>CP Yes"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "And did stress boxes clear?"

GM says, "Indeed, if you have extras, you keep the extras."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Presumably yes"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "New session counts as new scene"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Entering the big long hall should be considered the start of a scene."

Wanda sets his current fate point total to 2.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So anything from before that is cleared, but anything after that (e.g., from the shattering glass) is not cleared."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "ooo er"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Since that last bit was really just the cliffhanger for this session.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Well, I'm good either way, but ok"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I have no idea where I got this check box ;-) I'll go read."

GM says, "Last time, while exploring a strange shadow dimension, our heroes found themselves in a long, broad hall with walls of steel, lit by fluorescent lighting in the (also steel) ceiling. At one end is the doorway they entered by; there are also steel doors set in the left and right walls along the length of the hall. The heavy black chain they've been following lies on the floor, reaching from that doorway to a shadowy black portal at the far end."

GM says, "There also used to be a wall of something like smoked glass blocking their path, but when Eben tried to shoot a portal through it, it shattered! Most of the party avoided the falling shards of glass, but as they hit the floor, they were pulverized into a cloud of sparkling glassy smoke - and part of that cloud just formed itself into a crude humanoid shape..."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I sure hope this portal and chain doesn't give Eben any ideas"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "ohttps://miro.com/app/board/o9J_kmZpp7c=/"

GM exclaims, "Jacob, Cuddlepaws, Deka and Wanda jumped back in time to avoid the shards, so they're in the left zone. Eben didn't, so he took three physical stress and is in the middle zone. Feel free to change or move your token as you see fit. And roll initiative!"

GM clears the initiative.

Cuddlepaws rolls 1 20-sided die: 19 | 19 + 2 = 21

Cuddlepaws says, "err"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I mean https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_kmZpp7c=/"

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

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

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

Jacob registers Jacob at init 1.

Wanda registers Wanda at init 1.

Cuddlepaws registers Cuddlepaws at init 2.

Wanda displays the initiative: Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1)

[CCrusaders] Eben rta 'jumped back in time'.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I, too, was momentarily confused :)"

Deka rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 -1 | Terrible-1 (-3)

Eben rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 -1 | Poor (-1)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "This isn't the Neighborhood"

Eben registers Eben at init -1.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And this opponent has the Precognition power, allowing it to go first in any conflict!"

GM registers GM at init 20.

GM displays the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Waiting on Deka to roll?)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "He did."

Deka registers Deka at init -3.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, there we go."

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

GM exclaims, "The stranger holds up one hand, and a ball of shadow forms within it -- which it throws at Eben!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "My god. We're fighting one of the Jacks, aren't we"

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Epic (7)

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Please, not even Jota is that corny."

Eben tries to dodge with portals!

[CCrusaders] GM says, "This is a 'Shoot' attack -- whenever you've gotten your bearings, you can roll your defense."

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

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

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "IIRC, there's nothing to tag yet?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You *are* allowed to spend fate points if you want."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(But you're free not to as well.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Nah, I'll take the hit for now."

GM says (to Eben), "The shadow energy washes over you -- it burns like ice! And you take three physical stress."

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) CUDDLEPAWS(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

GM exclaims, "Cuddlepaws!"

Eben falls through a portal, but the shadows hit him on the way through and he sprawls through the other side of the portal.

Cuddlepaws picks up all the glass lying around tries to swirl it around in front of the stranger and tries to distract him that way.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I take 1 stress and 1 minor consequence, 'Shadow Burn'."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Create advantage with Will (Telekinesis)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent! Roll it!"

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success with style! Tell me about your aspect!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, ""Sparkles!""

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "It's basically like someone's waving a disco ball in his face."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "Add that to the sheet!"

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) JACOB/WANDA(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

GM exclaims, "Jacob or Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Wanda? I'm just gonna do my investigation thing."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "So either way"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The sheet is at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h88N6VTO6dtQ2RVzk1tqx4NdA5PNyShAjpXcoVjhU8M/edit#gid=1689105620 for those playing at home. (And I added sparkles.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Eben must be avenged!!!!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Thanks, team dad!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I will create advantage with FIRE and engulph the shadow in a sphere of flames!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I believe that's Provoke?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yep"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "what's my TN for this create advantage?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Active opposition!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "ok!"

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

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Eben, are you full-sized now?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Another success with style!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I don't think so."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok!"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(at least 'small' is still on the list)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I cleraed out the snake stuff, and wasn't sure"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I could use a special effect. Force Movement or Area Attack?"

[CCrusaders] Eben nods.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "In theory, that probably should have worn off when you were exploring this room, but let's say it'll wear off when you finish dealing with this."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Forced Movements makes more sense: my sphere of flames is so successful that I can move it, pushing the bad guy... hm, away from Eben, but in which direction?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I don't think forced movement is super helpful; I can already move myself anyway."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "not even repositioning the bad guy so as to make him more exposed to attack?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That'd be the normal create advantage, not the forced movement."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "You could call it 'exposed to attack' or something?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Officially, the only thing Forced Movement does is move the target from one zone to another."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "There are three zones. I think Wanda is suggesting putting it in a different zone."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You wouldn't get an additional 'exposed to attack' unless you moved them in the middle of melee fighters that otherwise couldn't reach it or something."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims (at GM), "yep!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "E.g., pushing it so it's in the zone she and Deka and all are in, so they can all reach it more easily."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah; if you move it away then Deka can't punch it."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Deka can't currently punch it"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And everyone gets one zone of movement for free."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "ah"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "but what does Area Attack do?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I assume 'hits everything in the zone'?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "But I don't know for sure."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Oh yeah, I should've moved into its zone. Oh well."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Right, if you were attacking it, then Area Attack would let you attack both it and Eben at the same time."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "which is NOT what Wanda would want"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "so, no special effects for me, then. no budget left"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "just a boost"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "No, you get a 2x advantage, I think."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "aha"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Right, you created an advantage and get two free invokes instead of one."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What is the aspect?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Chains of Fire, if we want to be overthetop"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Perfect."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I assume we always do."

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

Jacob hangs back, using his eagle eyes and the *power of deduction* to look around the room and at the shadowy figure.

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

GM exclaims, "+4 opposition!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Aw"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Just two. Make 'em good :D"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You can always tag something if you want more! :)"

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

GM exclaims, "Four shifts of aspects!"

[CCrusaders] (from Cuddlepaws) Jacob says, "Aw, I can't force the DM to think of a bazillion aspects"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(What did you tag?)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I didn't"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's still just 2"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That's my spend for the skill"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, whoops. OK!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I don't want to burn through FP, and the free ones don't make sense I think "fire makes me see better?" haha"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

GM says, "The cloud of glassy smoke in the middle of the room looks like it could pose some difficulty. It's made up of countless tiny shards of glass, and it could potentially be Painful to Pass Through."

GM says, "And that crude figure in the middle of it, lit up by Wanda's fire... you realize that in some ways, it's kind of Reminiscent of Eben."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Hunh!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Init next whenever you're ready."

Jacob advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) EBEN(-1) Deka(-3)

GM exclaims, "Eben!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hrm hrm hrm."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Theory: Eben's twin sister he secretly stole all his portal tech from because he was evil."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "This is reminding me eerily of a Mage: The Ascension session I was a part of recently"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "we went into the shadow realm to fight what looked like our mentor but was actually a bogeyman born out of our failures"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "How shadowy is this thing? If I hit it with glass shards, will it do anything at all?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It seems solid enough to hit, yeah."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Assuming you mean the figure and not the cloud."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK, I will portal some of the larger glass shards at it!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Excellent! This is an attack with Shoot?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yup!"

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I'm going to spend a fate point!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And I think I should tag a bunch of things."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I'm tagging 'Guardian of the Lair'."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What are you tagging?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Are you guys OK with me draining the free tags everywhere? Or should I leave one?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(or two)"

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 4.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "That's what they are there for."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK! I'll double-tag both Sparkles! and Chains of FIRE! And also tag 'Reminiscent of Eben' because I sort of know how it thinks."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So that's four tags for +8 total, making it 13 vs. 4?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "+10, actually!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Wow"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(with the Eben one)"

GM exclaims, "The shards of shadow-glass rip through the shape, shredding it to dust and completely annihilating it!"

Wanda says, "Yes! wooo"

Eben asks, "Did... did anyone else think that sort of looked like me?"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I knew it was a pushover. So much like Eben!"

Jacob says, "Just a bit."

Eben glares.

GM exclaims, "You're still on the near side of that dust cloud, though -- and you're still in initiative!"

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) DEKA(-3)

GM exclaims, "Deka!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(typing)"

Deka Will make herself super dense to walk through the cloud unharmed

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh, creating an advantage with your mass power? Nice."

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) Deka asks, "what is cloud? durrrr"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Since creating an advantage and overcoming an obstacle (walking through the cloud) are two separate actions, you'll need to do one this turn and one next turn. Is that cool with you?"

GM says, "The opposition for the Create Advantage is +2."

Deka Yes. And I will do the same for other people and their clothes

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

GM exclaims, "+1 for each person you include!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If you're including all the people in your zone (Jacob, CP and Wanda), that makes it +5 total."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I don't even have clothes!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I guess I'm kinda stretching the rules by letting you do it to multiple people at once, but I'm also making up the rules for this power, so I guess that's OK!)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Deka), "So are you doing it to just yourself or to everyone in your zone?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(If the latter, your roll will need to be higher to succeed.)"

Deka use it on Eben so he can make to the other end and make a portal

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! So you're entering his zone, then doing it on you and him?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Then it's a success!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Each of you now have the aspect Dense!"

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "No, not Eben!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I don't get it"

GM says, "The cloud of glass dust swirls and, like before, it seems to be forming itself into a shape..."

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks (of CP), "'dense' == 'unintelligent'. I think?"

GM exclaims, "...this time of some kind of four-legged beast!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "Um?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "CP continues the joke"

GM exclaims, "It hisses at Eben, and specks of dust float toward him -- it's trying to Create Advantage against him!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "does it look like CP?"

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

GM exclaims, "Athletics to defend!"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "Are you asking that on #crows while kibbitz, or is it an actual question to me?"

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "Can I do the portal dodge thing again?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Except asked here)"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says (to GM), "both"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "I *think* that's only for attacks, isn't it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh! OK, that makes sense."

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you going to accept failure?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yup."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Failure or success by 12. Those are my only options."

GM exclaims, "You now have your own cloud of glass dust surrounding your head, getting in your eyes, and just being generally Sparkly!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Eben is Team Edward!"

GM says, "And nearby, another creature starts to form as well -- but this is some kind of monstrosity, like a squid or an octopus, covered in tentacles..."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "It's not Edward, it's a head ward"

GM exclaims, "It, too, focuses its attention on Eben, gathering up the shadows from the corners of the room and thrusting them in his direction... another Create Advantage!"

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "also, is this the grotesque version of Wanda?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Another Athletics?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Wanda), "Then to answer your first question: it *is* sorta feline. And to your second: why, it does seem to have eight tentacles, you realize."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Indeed!"

Eben rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 +1 | Fair (2)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you allow the success with style?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Once the copy of Jacob arrives and creates 12 aspects on us, then we are in real trouble"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Hmm, would it be worth tagging 'shadows with substance'? Is that appropriate?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I was just thinking about that one."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, I'll do it."

Eben remembers what Jacob told him about these shadows, and manages to dodge slightly better than he would have.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So it's just a simple success?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Wait, no!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'll also spend a fp and tag 'small'."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Nice!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Because then *we* get the advantage, right?"

Eben spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

Eben is also small enough that he manages to duck and roll out of the way!

GM says, "The writhing streams of glassy smoke try to wrap themselves around you, but instead end up just swirling in the air..."

GM exclaims, "There's now a 'Chains of Shadow' aspect on the room that is to your benefit!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Woo"

GM says, "You also notice that as each of these new creatures formed, the cloud blocking the middle of the room seemed to thin out slightly."

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) CUDDLEPAWS(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "A puppet, tanged in its own strings"

GM exclaims, "CP!"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

Cuddlepaws says (to shadow_cat), "There is only room for one adorable sidekick here! And that's Jacob."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Can I try and attack it with its own shadow chains using telekinesis?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

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

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(+1 from Shadow chains, unless someone objects)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "no objection"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Not from me!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(except it's +2, of course)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Of course!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Maybe even add 'shadows with substance'?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "so 6 shifts of dmage"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I'm going to tag 'Your Equal in All Ways' -- it can see your attack coming, because it can think like you -- and 'Shadow Minion' -- because shadows are its natural substance."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Bringing it down to two shifts of damage"

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 3.

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 2.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you tagging anything else?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Then I will tage Shadows with Substance and bring it back to 4 shifts"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Then you destroy it! RP at will!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Also, did you spend any FP, or were all of those free invokes?)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hmm, maybe I didn't need to succeed by 12 that one time ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Hee. But it was pretty awesome when you did!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And it was my own reflection, so it all works out."

Cuddlepaws picks up 4 shadow chains that swirl through the air and grabs the shadow cat at 4 ends. The shadow cat is brutally torn in 4 parts that turn into wisps of glassy smoke!

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "No FP. :-)"

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) JACOB/WANDA(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

GM exclaims, "Jacob or Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I.. have no idea. Let me think about an advantage I can create, if Wanda wants to take out her monster."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "OK"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob looks around for a vacuum cleaner ;)

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of Jacob), "Maybe figure out something about the shadow portal? Like, maybe it'll take us back to the real world?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah, I was thinking about trying to pass through the middle since it's "thinning out""

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "To get closer to it"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of Jacob), "You could delay to after me; I could set up some portals and you could go through them and then investigate the portal?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That'll give me something to do, too ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "So: Wanda!"

Wanda coils her eight legs, and then pounces upon the grotesque shadow of herself, ready to fight!

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "It's an attack! With Fight!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo! Roll it!"

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is it a miss?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm thinking of something to spend an fp on"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Family First!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Eben got hurt, after all"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! That brings it up to one shift of success -- are you doing any more?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "1 shift will have to do"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "or wait"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "is it better not to spend fate points now and just accept that it's hard to fight myself"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That's up to you. Either way, go ahead and narrate, and then init next when you're ready. (Since Jacob is delaying.)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "Speak for yourself"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Also, now I'm wondering who added a tiny 'k' to turn Jacob into Jack and whether or not it was intentional."

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "I was wondering what that was doing there!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hmm"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob asks, "Wanda, what *are* you doing?"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "I just see the k floating around the room"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I'm just being silly while trying to decide"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "You have ten seconds to decide!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ok, I only deal one shift"

Wanda spends a fate point, leaving him with 1.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "narraying quick"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Narrate and advance the init!"

Wanda engages in a desperate struggle with her own shadow. Never has she been so evenly matched in combat, and she barely manages to injure her foe by twisting one of its legs with her fangs. The only thing that gave her this edge was something that her shadow self did not possess: the drive to protect her family.

Wanda advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) EBEN(-1) Deka(-3)

Eben fires a blue portal on this side of the glass cloud, then charges through to the other side, knowing that trying to shoot a portal through it would be pointless. (I want to say that 'setting up portals' is my action, and that it's my move that has active opposition from the cloud? Will that work?)

GM exclaims, "Eben!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm. Going through the cloud will take an action, but I'm OK with you dropping oen portal on this side first."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The point was to get jacob to the other side."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "If that won't work, I'll just try firing through the cloud?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, but creating portals and forcing your way through the cloud are both things that require an action."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Firing a portal through the cloud will be an Overcome with Shoot vs. +4 opposition!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK!"

Eben fires portals!

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

GM exclaims, "You succeed! You now have a pair of portals!"

GM asks, "Are you using your movement?"

Eben also retreats a bit.

Cuddlepaws has disconnected.

Cuddlepaws has connected.

Eben backs up the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) JACOB/WANDA(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(for Jacob)"

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Is going through the portal my basic move action? Or is it more complicated than that?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's been a while :)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It's a normal move."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And then you get your actual action as well."

Jacob goes through the portal to get as close as possible to the shadowy portal, so he can *investigate* it.

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

GM says, "As you approach, you can hear a humming sound coming from it. And... yeah, fine, that succeeds with style."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I *was* going to give an opposition, but :)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Haha"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha, exasperated GMs are fun when they are not you"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Was that a Create Advantage?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah"

GM says, "As you peer through it, the swirling shadows obscure your view, but with eyes like yours, that's barely an impairment."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Or at least I meant for it to be"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'd also read it as an overcome"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh? I thought it was an overcome to see what was in there."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "if GM prefers"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Either!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I think that makes more sense here."

[CCrusaders] Jacob peers into the abyss.

GM says, "You see another room, also with steel walls. In the middle of it is a large, round platform made of stone, about table-height, with symbols etched into it."

Jacob oohs.

GM says, "On top of that platform is something that looks like some kind of huge animal. It's hard to make out exactly what kind, but as a hint of something hits your nose, you realize it's probably been dead for some time."

Jacob recoils a little.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "Anything like the hydra?"

Jacob advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) EBEN(-1) Deka(-3)

Eben advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) DEKA(-3)

Jacob advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

Eben backs up the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) DEKA(-3)

Eben advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) DEKA(-3)

Eben advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

Eben advances the initiative: GM(20) CUDDLEPAWS(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

Eben advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) JACOB/WANDA(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

Eben advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) EBEN(-1) Deka(-3)

Eben advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) DEKA(-3)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(that was weird but hey)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Eben | * ERROR: @execute/@call count exceed execution limit (128)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Nah, not like the hydra -- it looks like a real creature, not a shadow construct."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(dunno if anyone else saw it)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I just saw a lot of back and forth with the init"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "No, like the previously-alive version of the hydra."

GM says, "Oh, and one other thing: you can also see where the chain passes through the portal, and on the other side, it's not a chain. It's a thick cable, at least as thick as your arm, made up of many other smaller cables twisted together."

GM exclaims, "Deka!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "is it plugged into the platform?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Oh, ah. That would be hard to distinguish from this side."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Got it."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "The cable? Yes."

Deka will charge the monster and begin ripping off its tentacles like she is pulling weeds.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Woo! Attacking with Fight?"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(yup)"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Two shifts -- are you tagging anything?"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I will tag dense for a plus 2"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Excellent -- that's enough to destroy it! Do you want to describe it?"

Deka pulls of tentacle after tentacle until they are all torn off, then she wraps one of its own tentacles and squeezes around until it puffs in to smoke

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

Deka advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

GM exclaims, "More of the smoke condenses into a shape, this time into a powerful-looking ogre-like form! And this ogre seems focused on Wanda!"

GM exclaims, "It attacks her, trying to grab at her legs!"

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

GM asks (of Wanda), "Do you defend?"

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

Wanda leaps out of the way of its fingers!

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) CUDDLEPAWS(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

GM exclaims, "CP!"

Cuddlepaws moves through the portal as well and then throws up some shielding between that zone and the rest of the room.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Nice! Is there any roll for that, or does the roll only happen if something tries to get through?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "The latter"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Cool. Draw your shield on the map!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Also note : Friendlies can attack through the shield, but at +2"

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) JACOB/WANDA(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I assume that's +2 for the opposition."

GM exclaims, "Jacob or Wanda!"

Jacob looks around, shrugs, and goes through the shadow portal.

[Crows-Nest] Jacob dies.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "oh no!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "better luck next time"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Hm? No."

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "First thing you notice: you are out of the shadow dimension! This is the real world!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I actively defend when the oppos ... ohhhhhhhh. Nevermind."

GM says, "Second thing you notice: in the four corners of the room are tall stone columns. Each is spinning rapidly and emiting flickering light in changing columns."

Jacob says, to no in particular, "Well, that's.. cool?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "*no one"

GM says, "The third thing you notice: that thing on the -- well, let's just call it an 'altar' -- is the rotting corpse of a dragon."

Jacob ohhhhhhh.

GM says, "And if you had to identify it, you'd guess it used to be Tyler Prince."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Oops, is/was someone trying to resurrect it?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Also, 'changing columns' was meant to be 'changing colors'.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I'm guessing that's how they kept him in the shadow world somehow?"

GM asks, "That was your movement. Are you also taking an action?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Jacobs beats a dead horse-- ahem, dragon"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "with his intellectual FISTS of knowledge"

Jacob would like to look more closely at the columns without getting too close. Either overcome to learn something about them, or create some sort of advantage about how to use them, or something. (I presume there's no obvious exit?)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Again, whichever seems more appropriate, but Jacob is assuming they're the way out if there's no exit"

GM says (to Jacob), "OK! Create Advantage seems reasonable. With Lore, vs. +3."

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

Jacob is a walking fucking library.

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 1.

GM says, "Indeed, the walls and ceiling are all solid steel, with no visible exits."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm not convinced making boosts into aspects is useful, but I guess something that sticks around is better"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "No, a boost is just as helpful normally."

GM says (to Jacob), "It's hard to see because they're moving so quickly, but you think there are magical symbols inscribed in them. Given what you remember about the chain draining energy from people, it's likely that these columns are somehow storing that energy, like a magical flywheel."

GM says, "Or I should say, Magical Flywheels."

GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "moi?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Attack the deka-ogre!"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "Or did you already act before Jacob?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "nope"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "it's my turn"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "It is!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I think it's time to Flame and then attack"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Amazingly, I hadn't used my CD yet"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Also, ylac.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Ilac'd!"

Wanda, wreathed in flames, and beginning to be quite angered by these shadow creatures, attacks the shadow version of Deka!

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "A tie -- that gives you a boost!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "If it touches me, it gets a mild consequence"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "because FIRE"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "If you tie on the attack, does that count as touching?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Hm."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'd say yes, because evading an attack would have to be better than a tie"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "It amuses me that we're X months into this campagin and still trying to figure out the rules ;-)"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! It doesn't have consequences -- how much stress is that equal to?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "*months*"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Years."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "2 stress"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "wait 1"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "only 1, as stated in CD description"

GM exclaims, "The ogre's arm catches flame, doing a point of stress and creating a boost for you!"

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) EBEN(-1) Deka(-3)

GM exclaims, "Eben!"

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "How thick is the cloud at this point?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Pretty thin. It'd still need an overcome to run through it, but it'd just be Physique vs. +1."

Eben leaves the ogre to the others, and goes through the shadow portal.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you going through your portal to get there?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Or running through the cloud?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, I forgot I was still on the other side ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(It's multiple zones away from where you are.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "So yes, through portals for move, and through shadow portal as action?"

GM says, "As you pop out of the orange portal, you notice an itchy feeling in your arm."

Eben examines his arm.

GM says, "And looking down, you see that the Quicksilver is flowing down to cover your hand and fingers and up to cover your shoulder."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, is it healing the shadow burn?"

GM says, "Going through the shadow portal as an additional movement on your turn would be a +1 Athletics overcome."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That is one possible theory!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Has the Dark Eben storyline begun?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Also, I've been assuming all along that your portal gun is in your right hand, and the Quicksilver is on your left arm. Is that how you were picturing it too?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That works."

Eben rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 +1 | Fair (2)

Eben goes through the shadow portal!

Eben advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) DEKA(-3)

GM says, "Success! You arrive with Jacob, and -- oh, hey, this seems like the *perfect* time to offer you a compel."

Eben backs up the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) EBEN(-1) Deka(-3)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Wouldn't this be a great time for the Quicksilver to finally take control of your left arm?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha ha sure, why not."

GM gives a fate point to Eben.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "execute order silvery six"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Left arm of darkness"

GM says (to Eben), "It's as though your arm is moving on its own! It's reaching out toward -- to the altar? the dragon? the columns? It's hard to say..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I assume that's queued?)"

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) DEKA(-3)

GM exclaims, "Deka!"

Eben exclaims (at arm), "Hey!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm, I think compels are immediate, and invokes are queued. IIRC."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Alrighty."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "this should be the channel topic: | Eben exclaims (at arm), "Hey!""

Deka will crack her knuckles and starts to go blow for blow with the ogre

Deka rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 +1 | Epic (7)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "There we go!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "That's two shifts. It already has one stress. And you've got a boost from Wanda's fire. Are you using it?"

Deka will tag the fire boost

GM asks, "Then you destroy it! RP?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "When monsters see Deka, they go "Hey, why is that boss fight music playing?""

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "[epic typing intensifies]"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "I'm the only one who can hear it, but yes ;-)"

Deka and the ogre trade blows back and forth sending shockwaves out with each punch, each trying to outgrow the other until there is little room left and their heads are scraping the ceiling. They enter a grapple trying to push each other over and their feet start to crack and dig into the ground, until deka uses the ogres momentum against them and rolls backwards sending the ogre flying into a wall cracking it. She fallows up as before it can get up and rams her knee into the ogres stomach, crushing it between her and the wall, and it puffs away into smoke.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Excellent."

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: GM(20) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob/Wanda(1) Eben(-1) Deka(-3)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Awesome!"

GM exclaims, "Eben's arm!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

Eben . o O ( Man, this is the second time in 10 minutes I've had to fight myself... )

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "Would you say you have to ... hand it to yourself?"

GM exclaims (at Eben), "The quicksilver around your fingers merges together, so that your hand is now like a sharp spike. And suddenly it extends forward, almost faster than the eye can see, piercing through the dragon corpse, with a sharp CRACK (that can be heard on both sides of the portal) through the altar, and embedding itself in the floor at the base of one of the columns!"

Jacob ohhhhhhhhhh.

Eben asks (of arm), "What, do you know this guy? Are you connected to this somehow?"

GM says, "You can feel energy of some kind flowing in your arm. The columns (which were spinning smoothly before) are... no longer spinning smoothly. They're off balance, rocking back and forth, but still spinning, and the humming is now becoming a mmmkaTHUNKAmmmkaTHUNKammmm."

GM says, "It sounds bad. Like, immanent explosion kinda bad."

GM exclaims, "But on the plus side, no more doppelgangers appear from the cloud! And you're out of initiative!"

GM says (to Eben), "You are now pinned in place by a Quicksilver spike that is also your arm."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "Gruesome amputation seems inevitable! Is this a Disney film?"

GM says, "Also, I should perhaps have said Immanent Explosion kinda bad."

Eben says (to Quicksilver), "OK, look. I'm all for disrupting this thing too, but it's going to destroy both of us if it explodes."

Cuddlepaws drops her shielding and jumps through the portal.

[Crows-Nest] Jacob rolls lore to amputate cleanly.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Rapport?"

Cuddlepaws looks at arm. "That's probably not good."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It responded to my thoughts in the past."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm. You could Create Advantage with Rapport to make it less oppositional. But you won't be able to just talk it down."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I will do that!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! Vs. +2!"

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

Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "I could try and TK one of those column and smash it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yikes!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh boy."

Wanda arrives. 'Grandpa! Cuddles!'

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "Talk to the face, because the hand, it ain't listening."

Deka will try to pull Eben off the wall

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I tag 'magical flywheels'?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims (at cp), "Ha!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Perhaps -- in what way are you applying it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "To impress on it the danger of its surroundings."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Deka), "And as soon as Eben finishes his action, we'll cover that."

Cuddlepaws asks, "But what if I rip out one of those columns and it makes things worse?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "OK -- that would bring you up to +1."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "No, I'd re-roll."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Success! You create an advantage -- what do you call it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Arm: More Aware of Danger"

GM exclaims (at Deka), "And you can try to fight against the Quicksilver to pull Eben free -- +6 Physique for brute strength!"

Deka rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: +1 0 0 0 | Legendary (8)

GM exclaims, "Woo!"

Eben exclaims (at Deka), "Whew. Thanks!"

GM exclaims, "Deka pulls against the Quicksilver, and it begins to bend -- it tries to reinforce itself, but that only makes it more brittle, and then there's a *SNAP*!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "and then we fade to dust"

Eben . o O ( My arm! )

Eben . o O ( Wait, whew. )

GM exclaims, "As the Quicksilver spike breaks into two -- part of it still embedded in the dragon, altar and floor, and the other part on Eben's arm!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at gm), "I try to pull out the spike using TK!"

GM says, "And as you all stand in this little room, you hear that terrible hum-thud-hum noise getting louder and louser."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Out of the dragon/altar/floor?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! +6 for that too!"

Cuddlepaws rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 0 | Fantastic (6)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Also, is anyone doing anything about the fact that it seems like the room you're in is about to explode? Or about the fact that you're finally out of the shadow dimension in this room with now exits?"

Eben tries to Craft his portal gun so that he can fire a blue portal here, and go through it back to the real world side equivalent of where the orange portal was back in the hall.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! Success with a minor cost?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "'with now exits'?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Minor cost : Overexerted herself and takes a mental stress?"

Cuddlepaws says, "*customary nosebleed*"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "I don't think that's something that you can do -- the other side of the portal is in the shadow realm."

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

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can we just return to it, then?"

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at eben), "I was trying to shoot this spike into the shadow realm!"

Eben fires a blue portal and looks through it to see where it leads.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(also, was the shadow portal one-way?)"

GM says (to CP), "You yank out the spike -- but it seems like the damage was already done? The noise isn't getting any quieter..."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "I'm not sure what you mean."

Wanda closes her eight eyes, and tries to sense any unfamiliar minds in this room... minds which might be malleable?

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Was the lore check before for the magical symbols, or the columns in general?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Because if the latter, I'd like to further examine the symbols..."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I have two questions. One: does this side of the shadow portal exist? And two: if I fire a blue portal in the real world, can we go through it back to the shadow realm where the orange side is?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "It'll be difficult, because you'd need some kind of inhuman ability to read the symbols while the columns are spinning that fast, but it's plausible."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ah, fair."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Yes and yes."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I mean.."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, ""that sense cannot be impeded""

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks (of GM), "Notice roll?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "But if by 'real world' you mean this room, this room is about to be destroyed."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "Hee. I just said difficult, not beyond your abilities."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "can Eben get us out through the bottom of the ocean portal"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Deka), "I like it ;-)"

GM asks (of Jacob), "Give me a +6 Investigate overcome?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I'm not getting wet again!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, or, you know, just use the fallback plan."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Since it suddenly works again."

Jacob tries to focus on the symbols spinning before his eyes.

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "fuck"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Spending that last fate point to reroll. Because I am protective of these people about ot die."

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 0.

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

GM says, "Oof."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "So, if we go back tot the shadow realm we won't have a way back to the real world probably, but if we stay here, we'll blow up because we have no idea how to stop the energy buildup, right?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks (of GM), "So, is there nothing remotely like an unfamiliar mind here?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob kicks a column.

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

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Oh, whoops, sorry. No, there isn't."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "So, I say let's through these columns into the shadow realm and let them explode there?"

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "Ow! That hurts!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "*throw"

Wanda senses nothing.

Eben says, "OK, let's go back to my house! Bye, Mr. Prince."

Eben activates Fallback Plan, and dives through the portal!

GM asks, "Is anyone else following?"

Jacob does!

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I will"

Cuddlepaws says, "Yes, me and my flying quicksilver spike"

Wanda says, "But, the shadow cult! We..."

Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "We'll come back!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I was pretty close to taking a serious cost.."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "But this works, too, in terms of "we should live to see another day""

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'm sure the dragon will explode and that will be the end of it."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "You still can, if you like! To get some interesting information?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "And then escape?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'd rather not :)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Fair enough."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I was thinking it was a last ditch effort to not die."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Got it."

Wanda says, "I... Okay then"

GM asks (of Wanda), "Are you going through?"

Wanda takes one last look around, then hops through the portal.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "I could try and stop one of the columns with TK? But then I'd have to drop the Quicksilver?"

GM says (to Wanda), "As you take that last glance, you notice one thing: where the spike pierced the dragon's corpse, you see a glint of some trace of something shiny and metallic..."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Zombie dragon"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "!!!!!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Maybe? *hopeful*"

Eben, as soon as everyone is through, deactivates the basement side of the portal, hoping the other side might remain...

GM says, "But a moment after you return to reality, there's an earthshattering KABOOM, and the portal you just came from snaps shut."

GM says (to Eben), "You check the gun, and it looks like the other side is gone -- the explosion must have destroyed the wall that the portal was in."

Cuddlepaws sits and licks her front paw. "That was close"

GM says, "Meanwhile, your left arm seems to be reaching around the room, trying to grab at the various fancy electrical devices you have in your basement."

Eben exclaims, "Frances? Frances! I'm home!"

Eben runs upstairs.

GM exclaims, "Running toward you from the opposite direction is Frances!"

Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "Stooop! Do you need this spike? Should we contain it?"

Frances says, "Oh, finally! Why do you always have to take the difficult way around?"

Eben gives her a half bear hug, since his left arm isn't cooperating.

Eben says, "I know! I'm so sorry."

Frances embraces Eben.

Wanda says, "Awww"

Jacob hangs back awkwardly.

Frances says, "Oh dear, your arm. It looks even worse than before!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Poor CP. Completely ignored."

Eben says, "It is! Fortunately, it just started acting like this. I think I have time to go fix it with the guy who created it. And then maybe fix the rest of the people in town."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "hey, can I have one of them there compels?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh no."

Frances says, "Oh good! Those poor people. There were three new cases reported today."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "What are you thinking of?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Because I was the voice of reason for at least 2 minutes. But I'm "still a cat" so I just drop the spike because whatever."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

GM gives a fate point to Cuddlepaws.

Cuddlepaws drops spike carelessly near all the interesting electronics and runs upstairs to check her food bowl.

Jacob says out loud, but in cat, "Whatever you're thinking of doing, stop tha-- oh. Oh ok. This is just great." At some point, he switches over to muttering in human.

GM says, "When the loose spike hits the floor, it liquifies and quickly oozes into the radiator vent."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "When did Jacob learn cat?"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "I can speak to all animals."

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

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "I listened in on a cat conversation in a previous episode."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "can I shrink down and fallow it"

Eben says (to Frances), "You want to come with us? I have to go do this, but I haven't talked to you in yonks."

Jacob calls up, "Um. Eben? Hey..."

Eben asks (of Jacob), "Yes?"

Cuddlepaws taps her empty bowl. "Oh no, after all this? Shall I die of hunger? How have I deserved this? Was I not a good cat? Did I not do anything you ask of me? Why? Why? I have not eaten in months, nay, years"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If you'd like -- shrinking yourself to be small enough to fit through the vent grating would be +4 Physique. (Or +3 if you tear the grating off the vent first.)"

Jacob asks, "You might want to come back down here. There's a, um. Problem? With the quicksilver?"

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

Eben exclaims (at Jacob), "I know! It's taken over my arm!"

Jacob says, "No, I mean. Just come here."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Deka), "Unfortunately, that doesn't quite do it."

Deka is not fast enough and loses it

Cuddlepaws says, "Shall I perish now? After all our adventures? Eaten away by hunger in my own home? Ah, oh cruel fate. I shall just sit here and stare and wait for the end.""

Wanda exclaims (at CP), "Cuddles! There's still food in your bowl!"

Eben walks back downstairs, talking a mile a minute with Frances. "...this single isthmus connecting the two lands, one shadowed, and one encased in a force field..."

Jacob points at the vent. "It went thataway."

Jacob says, "The quicksilver, I mean."

Deka asks, "permission to tear off the grate and fallow it?"

Eben says, "Oh, geez, that's exactly what we need--the quicksilver to have access to my lab."

Cuddlepaws says, "I shall eat this weeks old stuff from this morning? Aw, humans, such pityless creatures.""

Frances says, "Amazing. If I go with you today, am I going to get trapped in our space or eaten by a robot or something?"

Eben exclaims (at Frances), "Maybe!"

Cuddlepaws taps her bowl. "Hey Frances, speaking of eating."

GM exclaims, "And there it is in your lab! It's oozing straight toward your generator!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I imagine CP levitating the bowl to where Frances is"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "and prodding her in the leg with it"

Deka will try to make it denser so it can no longer move

[Crows-Nest] (from Jacob) CP says, "Do you SEE, Frances? Do you SEE?"

GM exclaims, "OK! Opposition +3!"

Eben fires portals at it to move it away from the generator and onto himself instead.

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

GM says (to Deka), "Success! You slow it down to a crawl! But as a minor cost, since you had to touch it, there's a trace of it on your fingers now..."

GM says (to Eben), "And now that Deka slowed it down, I think you can do that without needing a roll."

Eben catches it and slaps it back on his arm.

Deka will try to dedensify it to it turns to smoke

GM exclaims (at Eben), "And your personal nanoecology is once again intact!"

GM asks (of Deka), "Aerosolized Quicksilver?"

Eben says (to arm), "You behave yourself now, or I won't exepriment on you *at all*."

GM says (to Deka), "If you think that's a good idea, then sure. +4 opposition."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "so deka-dense"

Deka asks, "do we have a safe place to put these things if I manage to get them off?"

Eben exclaims (at Deka), "Nope!"

Cuddlepaws says, "Just put it on Eben's arm as well."

Deka exclaims, "the let's make one!"

Eben says, "That's why we need to go see Dr. Nichols."

Eben says (to Deka), "Not a bad idea, but a bit difficult for me to do right now, since I can only control one arm."

GM says, "Eben's other arm makes a mildly rude gesture."

Eben asks (of arm), "You're all of two months old! How are you already a teenager?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "hehe"

Deka says, "is there someone we know who can help? I hear that all scientists know each other."

Eben exclaims, "There is!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Shall we cut to Quicksilver Inc?"

Eben grabs the cat food bag and absently shakes a half-bowls worth into the bowl.

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "cut away!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Works for me. Did Frances come, in the end?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "I was about to ask you that!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I am happy to have her along if you'd like."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "*After*s she fed CP, hopefully."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Then yes! She can tell it's important to me for some reason, and I happily babble at her about everything that's been happening on our way there."

Felix opens the door. "Oh, it's you guys again. Come on inside. The Doc's in the back room."

Cuddlepaws pounces on Felix!

Frances whispers (to Eben), "Is this doctor a bad guy or not a bad guy?"

Eben says, "Hi, Felix! Good to see you. Frances, this is Felix! He's also a cat, basically. Dr. Nichols is in the back; he's the one behind the zoo abductions. We defeated him and now he's trying to do good work, but it's not working out quite like he hoped, and..."

Wanda says, "He's basically an antihero"

GM says (to CP), "He grabs you and throws you across the room! (Playfully, of course. But when you're human sized with hands, it'd be a waste not to take advantage of it.)"

Eben beams at Frances and exclaims "Yup!"

Wanda says, "Except with less swearing"

Cuddlepaws counterattacks and tries to get on his back!

Felxi topples over behind his desk trying (unsuccessfully) to evade CP.

Eben opens the door to the back. "Nichols! We're back!"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "I kind of like 'Felxi'."

GM says, "The lab is in moderate disarray, with various tools and notebooks and a leftover sandwich lying everywhere."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "A singular exploded leftover sandwich."

GM says, "Dr. Nichols is hovering over a machine that looks like an oversized microwave without a door."

Cuddlepaws says, "(just assume Felix and CP tussling as a funny background event)"

Nichols says, "Oh, finally! What took you so long?"

Wanda says, "Superhero stuff"

Eben says, "We had to go through Purgatory to get here."

Eben exclaims, "Which is a real place, it turns out!"

Nichols says, "No matter, come here, and -- oh dear, your arm is just covered, isn't it? Well, just stick it in here, so I can take some readings and incorporate the data into Felix's new virus..."

Eben peers at the 'microwave'. "What do you have here?"

Eben says (to arm), "OK, no funny business, or *no more experiments*. I mean it."

Eben sticks his arm in the machine.

Nichols says, "Oh, it's a two-way scanning sensor device that I should be able to use to get the final frequency matrix necessary to let us bypass the security protocols and revise the nanotechologi-- oh, you're in. Good."

Nichols turns it on!

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Dr. Nichols has spend the last <time period> working on a Create Advantage to find the key insight needed to defeat Quicksilver."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And I will offer it up to you guys -- who would like to roll for him?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Me!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Deka should!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Being new and all"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "It's a +5 Will Overcome, and he can roll it at +6!"

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "Can we assist?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "This is for the work he's been doing while you weren't here."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "But if you have an Aspect to tag for him, that's definitely an option."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(Or if one of you wants to spend a fate point to tag one of *his* aspects.)"

Deka rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 +1 | Legendary+1 (9)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Why were we worried"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "w00t"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That's a success with style!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "also, CP was right"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "yay"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Nice"

Nichols says, "Good, good. Let me just upload the latest software revision, and..."

Nichols taps a few keys on a keyboard, then unplugs a USB device. It looks like a small box with a dish-style radio antenna on it.

Nichols points it at Eben's arm. "Now hold still!" he says, pressing a big red button.

GM says, "...and the semi-liquid Quicksilver on Eben's arm, shoulder and hand dries up, flaking off onto the ground. Inert."

Eben shakes his arm out. "Phew!"

Nichols starts dancing around the room. "It works! It works! Hurrah, it works!"

Cuddlepaws is being held aloft by Felix while snapping at his nose, but now both stare. "oooh"

Wanda exclaims (at Nichols), "One step closer to redemption!"

Eben checks his shadow burn.

Felix says (to Cuddlepaws), "I did the hard part, you know."

Cuddlepaws says, "Of course. It's just like me and my team."

Eben exclaims (at Frances), "I should bring you along every time if it's going to turn out to be this easy!"

Deka says, "me next"

GM says (to Eben), "Alas, it is unaffected -- the Quicksilver must not have had time to heal it before it was disabled."

Eben finally gives her a proper hug.

Nichols says, "So, now, you just need to get everyone in town who was infected to curl up in a ball, no bigger than one meter across, right in front of the antenna on this device, and press the button."

Cuddlepaws says, "Allright, let's punch those losers out."

Eben says (to Nichols), "Thank you so much."

Frances says, "It's good to have *all* of you back."

Wanda says, "It feels like such a long time."

Cuddlepaws rubs against Frances legs.

Nichol says, "You're welcome! It was an entertaining puzzle! But it's a shame that we have to scrap the project. Oh well!"

Eben says, "OK."

Nichols says, "Oh, by the way, have you finished with my polydyne emitter?"

Eben asks (of Frances), "Are the affected people at the hospital?"

Eben exclaims, "Oh, yes!"

Eben returns it.

Frances says, "Oh, no. Most of them are still on the loose. They're very dangerous -- it's like they're in armor, with knives for hands... it's far beyond anything the police could handle."

Frances says, "Dozens of them, at least. Maybe more."

Eben says (to Nichols), "Can you work on creating another one of these? This'll take a while even with the one."

Eben sighs.

Eben says, "OK, let's go do it."

Eben examines the machine to see if he can improve its efficiency or range.

Nichols says, "Oh, certainly. It shouldn't take me more than a few days to build another one just like this."

[Crows-Nest] Jacob casts Detect Sarcasm on Nichols.

Deka exclaims, "I am super ready to drive around on my motorcycle to go fight all these dudes and bring them back here!"

Wanda says, "If there was a way to attract all of the quicksilvered people to one place..."

GM says (to Eben), "Opening it up and taking a good look at the insides, you do have some ideas -- it might be a Challenge, but you're probably up to it."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I do something to Create Advantage on Nichols so he can make another one faster? With Rapport or Crafts?"

Wanda asks, "...hmm. Does the quicksilver have a mind?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "Sure, let's do it."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Eben says, "OK, guys, I might need your help here. Let's see..."

GM says, "If you want to build a large-scale version of the device, it'll involve several steps. The first one will be a Crafts scene in which you create the blueprints for it."

GM exclaims, "Tell me how you're setting that up and what everyone is doing, and when we're ready, you can roll Crafts vs. 7!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I have Crafts at +1, so I help by asking stupid question that makes them realize ways to improve on it"

Nichols says, "So now that this is all sorted out, tell me, did you learn anything new with the polydyne emitter? Any interesting discoveries or new data?"

Eben works with Nichols to clear off a table and discuss what went into it...

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And I help by being another set of helpful hands."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Anyone else have Crafts?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Educated helpful hands :)"

Nichols says, "Oh! You want a *bigger* one? Interesting... hmm, scaling..."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "And does working with Nichols give me a +1, too?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "nope"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Just CP and me"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Nichols can indeed assist with a +1."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And NPCs :D"

Eben rolls Legendary+2 (+10) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 +1 | Legendary+5 (13)

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you still using actual fudge dice, or was that a d20?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Wait, only +9. Base 4, 2 from Gadgeteering, 3 from others."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So 12 then"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Aw."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "A normal success rather than with style."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "No, a 12 instead of a 13."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "12 versus 7"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Since I still rolled +3."

GM says, "After you've all narrated as much as you like, we can move to the next part."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(but 'fudge +9' instead of 'fudge +10"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So you still get your boost (or can use a special effect)."

Eben and Nichols end up really connecting on the project, and ideas fly thick and fast. They are In The Zone.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "...the Twilight zone"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Does anyone else want to join in, or should I move to part two of the Challenge?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Move on!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Next"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "nexted"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Indeed."

GM says, "Next! You now have a sheaf of complicated blueprints with a lot of fancy components and quite a bit of material that'll be involved. Unfortunately, that'll cost money..."

GM exclaims, "So the next part is: Resources! Also a +7 Overcome!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh. Um."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hahahaha"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I have a 2, and Deka has a 1. What does Nichols have?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yikes"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "has a Resource of 1 so will assist"

Nichols says, "Oh, that's no problem. If you still have those collars you took from me before, I'm sure the bank has re-filled the vaults by now..."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Helpful advice!"

Jacob!!!!

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "*next scene* Crownsford Bank vault *portal appears*"

Eben says, "Nichols! No! Come on."

Nichols says, "Mrm. It's for a good cause, though, isn't it...? Well, what do you suggest?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "If I had fatepoints left, I'd find a way to use lore in place of resources :D"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, could I give you my fate point for that?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob has read all the get-rich quick schemes.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I guess asked of the GM)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That might be stretching the stunt, though."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I don't think that works for activating a stunt -- but on the other hand, do you have any compelling ideas?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, a Jacob compel? Hmm."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "A loan from Scarducci"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Hmm.. Anyone have contacts?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Erm, Sarducci? Whatever his name was. We trashed his casino."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I was thinking along the lines of knowing that 'random piece of junk in Nichols lab is actually worth a ton in Chile' or something."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(for the Lore stunt)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I like the idea of robbing Sarducci"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It is quite a fun prospect"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We work for the government; we can tag 'crusaders converge'."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "If you compelled bad with humans, I can be very rude about it :D"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I dunno."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "Ooh. If you want to make an enemy our of a friendly NPC..."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm down."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! Whom do you want to tick off?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, hmm. Maybe you know that it's worth a lot to someone, and have never realized that they're actually in the Mafia or something."

Jacob's eyes go wide. "Nichols! We are NOT petty criminals like you. Surely you've got some junk lying around this trash heap that might be worth something."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Playing on Eben's suggestion."

Nichols says, "Criminals? I'm a scientist! My motives could not be purer!"

Jacob says, "You robbed a bank! And just suggested that we help do it agian."

Jacob says, "We are CRUSADERS."

Nichols says, "I thought you were here to cooperate, not to throw petty epithets! If you're going to act like that, I am going to have to ask you to leave."

Jacob says, "You started this, you need to fix it."

Jacob says, "I'm not leaving."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "To be fair, the Crusaders name has gotten us into a lot of trouble online."

Nichols says, "Then this is trespassing! Who's the criminal now? Huh? Huh?"

Nichols says, "Q4, help me escort this rude little man outside."

GM says, "...he says to Wanda."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Hmm, can I calm him down..."

Jacob asks, "Who are you calling little?"

Cuddlepaws says (to nichols), "Hands of my friends, old guy."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "...with Influence"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "You wanna mind-control him?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You can try!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "...a little bit"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "That would be a mental attack using Rapport?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Versus Will?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yeah"

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

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

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Mild manner Jacob is no more."

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll spend an fp. I'm a Lost Princess, my wish is his command"

Wanda spends a fate point, leaving him with 0.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Nichol says, "What are you... my head..." He squints in pain, putting his hand to his temple. "I... I thought you..."

Wanda is horrified. 'I... that wasn't supposed to...'

Dr. Nichols falls into a table, knocking over a pile of test tubes, then collapses on the floor, unconscious.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "So... he knows he's being mind-controlled? This doesn't seem like it will help ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Welp."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ouch"

Eben sighs.

Eben says, "That could have gone better."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, almost forgot:"

Jacob starts poking around, ignoring the man on the floor.

GM gives a fate point to Jacob.

Jacob immediately spends it :)

Wanda exclaims, "Is he...is he okay? I didn't think this would happen!"

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 0.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Lore roll, in place of resources, to find something that I just know will sell really quickly for a lot of money."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Opposition +7."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Also, I literally just mentally whispered to him to calm down :D"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Is this a thing someone can still help with to give +1s?"

Cuddlepaws asks (of wanda), "What the *sound of Jacob searching* Wanda ?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Jacob), "Deka and I can both give you +1 each."

Wanda exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "He was getting angry! I just wanted him to calm down a little, not pass out!"

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

Wanda checks that Nichols is okay.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "A tie! Are you taking a minor cost, or are you tagging something?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "How is Felix reacting?"

GM says (to Wanda), "He's breathing."

Eben puts Nichols back in his chair as comfortably as he can.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Minor cost."

GM says (to CP), "He's in the outer office. He appears to have started ignoring you when people started shouting."

Eben says (to Felix), "OK, I'm not sure what all's going on, but we've tagged the things in the lab that Nichols shouldn't need, but that different people should find valuable--enough to build a larger version of the de-quicksilverizer. We're going to go try to stop the quicksilvered people in the streets; let us know if you need anything else. I'm sorry."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I can slice my hand open on a sharp edge for physical stress, or whatever you prefer."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "How about the thing you're selling isn't quite entirely legal to buy over the Internet in <country>, and now your name is on a watchlist?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(What country were you selling it to, again?)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh shit. Sure."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Evildonia"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hehe"

Felix says, "Alright, if the Doc says it's fine, then it's fine with me."

GM says, "So you make the sale, then buy a bunch of pieces. You'll need to construct a large-scale antenna, as well as the power supply, circuitry, etc. And you'll need to build it some place high up if you want it to be able to cover the whole city."

GM asks, "Say, the top of a downtown skyscraper, perhaps?"

GM says, "So then it's just a matter of lugging everything up there and doing all the construction work to assemble it."

GM says, "Which is Physique! Vs. 7."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Crusaders, assemble!"

Wanda can do some nice wallclimbing to help

GM says, "(Brute strength does apply.)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Can I use Telekinesis?"

GM exclaims, "So tell me about where you're building it, and how that goes!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I can assist!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks (of GM), "Does having the wall-crawling ability help?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Sure. Are you going to be the main person doing it or an assistant?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Hmm."

Deka will get bigger, make the equipment smaller and lighter to haul all of it.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(Deka seems to have things under control though)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Checking your sheet, it seems like that's more for Athletics stuff than Physique."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If you have any Physique, you can assist, though."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I do"

GM says (to Deka), "OK! Assuming you're not getting so big that you won't fit through doorways, then it's a +2 to enlarge yourself."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "TK specifically has a thing with heavy lifting"

GM says, "(I mean, +2 opposition.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(although a Create Advantage with Athletics could give better bonuses to the Physique roll)"

GM says, "(To create your advantage.)"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I will role to change the mass and size of the stuff"

Deka rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 0 0 | Good (3)

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "Yeah, you can use your TK to assist in lieu of Physique."

GM exclaims (at Deka), "You are not Big! And that aspect will give you a +2 on your roll to help assemble the device!"

GM says, "Er, you are *now* big."

GM says, "Stupid typo."

Deka rolls Legendary+2 (+10) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 -1 | Legendary+4 (12)

GM asks, "Success with style! Where are you building this thing?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "The Crownsford TV Station will have all we need."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Perfect!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Crownsford Channel 6 News"

Deka will King Kong her way up

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, right, we had a boost that could have cancelled the Resources cost."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Anyway."

GM says, "You bring everything up to the rooftop of the Channel 6 building and all work together -- although admittedly Deka does the hard parts -- to construct a huge radio dish, as well as the various oscillators and transducers and other components thatt go into making it work."

GM says, "It starts to rain while you're working, but you guys are intrepid. A little storm isn't going to stop you from saving the city."

Cuddlepaws sits on Deka's shoulder and TK's some semi-heavy stuff alongside them both.

Wanda does not get wet from the rain: it just turns to steam.

Cuddlepaws sits under Wanda.

GM says, "It's taken you a couple weeks to get to this point, between designing the plans, acquiring the materials, and getting it all here. But with a few tarps strung up to protect the electronics, you just have it all just about ready to go. You just need to make the last few final connections..."

GM says, "*THUNDERCLAP*"

GM exclaims, "No! That wasn't thunder!"

GM says, "*THUNDERCLAP*"

Eben mutters, "Hello again, Mr. Prince..."

GM says, "There's a dark shape rising up into the air..."

GM says, "*THUNDERCLAP*"

Wanda says, "Whatever it is. I'm ready."

GM says, "A shape with massive, half-rotted wings. Portions of his body are coated in Quicksilver. Other parts are wreathed in shadow."

Jacob ohhhhhhh.

Jacob is huddled somewhere, not helping with heavy things.

Cuddlepaws says, "Oh fiddlesticks"

GM says, "And on its back is a tall, blond woman in a long black dress."

Jacob says, "Double fiddlesticks."

GM exclaims, "Next time: CYBER NECRO DRAGON!"

GM says, "<SESSION>"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "wheeee"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at gm), "Excellent!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "So, um, were we supposed to know that woman?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to CP), "she tried to kidnap you"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "and killed your family!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "and is passably mad"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] Deka asks, "can we end on a freezeframe of me in giant form leaping at the dragon mid flight while lighting flashes in the background?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Oh! That little *thunderclap*! I'M going to kill her!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Deka), "Yes!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It would be hilarious if Cuddlepaws genuinely didn't know who she was."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Because cat."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "It's just that CP's player's memory is a steel ..."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "... sieve"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "This was full of surprises"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Nice."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Thanks everyone for playing! And Deka gets another Significant Milestone, to bring her closer to the rest of the party."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Yeah, I really liked it!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Excellent cliffhanger, too"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo! Thanks!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Also, is it actually possible to get people to do *anything* with Influence :D"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "Judging from Instagram..."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "I think it works best on nameless NPC's and people with low Will."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "Aha, makes sense"

[CCrusaders] Wanda will go 'lalalala' whenever NPCs introduce themselves so that she never learns their names

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You're not going to be able to walk up to Vader and tell him 'These are not the droids you're looking for'."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "haha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "fair"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Anyway, at least trying it had story consequences!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yeah! That turned out in a more interesting and dramatic way than I'd been expecting! And I have you guys to thank for it!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Awww"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Next session, October 10, should wrap up this story arc. And then October 24 will probably be Alice."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Woo."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's going to be so strange to play normal people"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(I predict we will all be genderflipped)"