[CCrusaders] Bert says, "Log on."

Wanda asks (of CP), "But are you the scorpion?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(We'll be starting in a few minutes, but I'll start the log now in case anyone has anything important to say while I'm AFK...)"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob tries to think of something profound to say.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "The wood in the shed laughs about the wood on the fire."

Quellynne has arrived.

Eben wave!

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Deka getting logged on..."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Woo."

Wanda exclaims, "Grandpa!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Old Guy!"

Wanda asks (of Cuddlepaws), "Which one, Grandpa or the weird bird guy?"

Wanda says, "(Nah, that was mean)"

Cuddlepaws says, "Bird guy is not old, just weird"

Jacob chuckles awkwardly.

Eben asks (of Wanda), "Kid! How's the summer treating you?"

Cuddlepaws new favorite sleeping spot is a discarded skin suit Wanda meant to throw away.

Wanda exclaims (at Eben), "I've been training! Had some interesting ideas about how to use my powers without setting fire to everything!"

Eben says, "And geez, guys, Jacob is awesome."

Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "Nice!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, is Deka here? I didn't see her arrival!"

[peregaming] Wanda says (to Felix), "Well, given that they get funding based on the number of PhDs..."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "She is!"

GM exclaims, "Welcome back, everyone, to the next exciting adventure of the CROWNSFORD CRUSADERS!"

Cuddlepaws says, "WOo"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Took us a while to find out that her old character wasn't 'Zavvy' or 'Xavy' ;-)"

GM says, "I'd like to start with a couple of minor rules notes. One, in addition to you guys being able to succeed at a failed Overcome by accepting a major cost, I'm going to rule that I can declare that as well, if I think that would be more interesting than letting you just fail."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha."

[peregaming] Wanda says, "Anyway, thanks for lending a friendly ear, Felix :)"

[peregaming] Wanda exclaims, "got to go be a fire spider from outer space now!"

Cuddlepaws says, "Works for me"

Wanda says, "Likewise"

Jacob says, "Sure"

Eben says, "That sounds good; if possible it would be nice to know that ahead of the roll, but I understand that sometimes it isn't obvious at first."

GM says, "Two, succeeding at a major cost will now be allowed for Create Advantage as well, but the cost in that case will be that while the aspect is created, the opposition gets the free invokes. (As a corollary, since succeeding at a cost is still succeeding, you won't have to worry about creating the *wrong* aspect. E.g., if you succeed at a cost to learn the source of a villain's power, you'll still learn the true source, but they'll just be the one who gets to tag the aspect when using their power.)"

GM says, "Oh, and also: whenever you use a collateral damage effect, make sure to remind me that it *is* a CDE, so that I remember to do some extra collateral damage when describing the result :)"

Wanda exclaims, "Noted!"

GM says, "fp refresh 5"

Wanda sets his current fate point total to 1.

GM sets his current fate point total to 5.

Jacob sets her current fate point total to 3.

Eben sets their current fate point total to 2.

GM asks, "It's now been a couple of months since the events of the last session, as we slide into autumn. Does anyone have anything they want to talk about that they've been doing in the meantime?"

Cuddlepaws sets her current fate point total to 3.

GM says, "The people who had been infected by the Quicksilver nanobots have all fully recovered, thanks to your great work atop the WCRN building."

Cuddlepaws powers of telekinesis have expanded due to an accident at the power station when fighting the RECHARGING WOMAN. It was not CP's fault. It wasn't.

Eben is filled with interesting facts about the Shadow Realm.

GM exclaims, "Also, originally we had two world aspects on the setting, Crime Running Rampant and The LEAD Initiative. Since the LEAD Initiative has been mothballed (due to Mayor Fine's corruption), that one has been replaced with... Crusaders, Converge!"

GM says, "(Which we mentioned before, but I'm just making it official.)"

Eben says, "I sent an email to the pope about it, but he hasn't responded yet."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

GM asks, "Tonight is one of the first chilly nights of fall, and the Crusaders are out on patrol together, checking the streets of Crownsford for crime. How are you all travelling?"

[peregaming] Wanda says, "darn I was typing"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "On foot, I'd wager?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Jacob would vote for walking, because damnit he needs to get back into shape."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Chonky bird guy"

[peregaming] Wanda says, "On foot! All eight of them."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, I think walking sounds good, though I've been dropping portals here and there."

[peregaming] Cuddlepaws asks (of wanda), "What were you typing?"

[peregaming] Wanda says (to CP), "what I'd been doing"

[peregaming] Jota asks, "Ylac?"

[peregaming] Cuddlepaws says, "oops"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "On foot! All eight of them"

GM asks, "What about Deka? Is she walking as well, or is she on Singularity?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Also, this was ":has been trying to turn parts of herself into fire by focusing her mind. It took a lot of being hit by telekinetic baseballs (fired off by Cuddles), but she can now turns parts of herself into pure fire, thus burning the baseballs thrown at her when they hit, but not setting fire to anything else.""

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Wanda), "Also, you should go ahead and share what you were doing."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws is draped around Jacob's shoulders.

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

Wanda has been trying to turn parts of herself into fire by focusing her mind. It took a lot of being hit by telekinetic baseballs (fired off by Cuddles), but she can now turns parts of herself into pure fire, thus burning the baseballs thrown at her when they hit, but not setting fire to anything else.

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I jus updated my character sheet again. When leveling up I forgot about the previous ideas I had for Deka, so I just bumped some number, but it is now different."

Wanda has also been pondering the ultimate extension of that, a technique she calls the 'Meteor Strike', but it's not quite there yet. She tried it in the quarry and almost hurt herself.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Excellent."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Jota), "How dangerous have patrols been? If 'not very', I think Frances might be along with us."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I would be on my motorcycle."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of deka), "Does it have a sidecar?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Usually not very -- sometimes you'll run into a mugging or similar and have to fight, but between the five of you, you should be able to handle most things you run into without Frances being in danger."

GM exclaims, "Anyone who's keeping an eye out for trouble should make a Notice Overcome, against +2 opposition!"

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

Wanda rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "wow"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "We are some aware mofos"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "telepathy does help, I guess :D"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I don't think Deka would be one to have a sidecar."

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Deka), "What about a sidearm? Just kidding."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I was just thinking CP riding in the sidecar, complete with scarfs and goggles."

GM says, "Everyone who succeeds (and those who succeed with style will get a boost) notices a movement at a second story apartment window overlooking an alleyway: there are two men dressed in dark clothing climbing out onto the fire escape, carrying large canvas bags."

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

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Guess you'll have to be on top of Deka's helmet instead."

GM says, "One of them happens to glance in your direction..."

Burglar says, "Oh, crud. It's the heroes. Run!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Deka), "Instead of a sidecar, you have a sidekick"

GM exclaims, "And with that, they both jump down the fire escape ladder and take off running down the alley!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "(from around Jacob's neck) Stop it, villians!"

Eben shoots a portal at the wall way in front of them, and another one next to us!

Wanda says, "Fire escape? Let's see them escape *me*."

GM exclaims, "And if you're trying to catch them, this pursuit is going to be... a Contest!"

GM says, "(With slightly tweaked rules.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I imagined we are."

GM says, "In each exchange, each participant will get to take one action. That action can be an Overcome, to try to get ahead in the chase (such as running or driving). It can be a Create Advantage (like shooting portals in front of them, to trip them up), or it can be assisting someone else, with the regular teamwork rules."

GM exclaims, "Each Overcome success gets your side one Victory, and since you outnumber them, the bad guys get two free Victories at the end of each exchange. The first side to seven Victories wins!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Do we roll Init?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "What happens if we create an obstacle for them but it's an Overcome instead of a Create Advantage?"

GM says, "Roll initiative if you like; I'll have the burglars both go after all of you have gone."

GM clears the initiative.

[peregaming] Cuddlepaws asks, "Why do they get free victories?"

[peregaming] Cuddlepaws says, "grr"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "You choose if we roll init."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Then we fudge the rules to call it a Create Advantage but still let you use whatever special Overcome-based powers you have."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "Aha"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I am doing create advantage with portals, to let us get ahead and behind them."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "I'm saying that since all five of you go first and the Burglars go last, it's up to you if you want to roll for the five of you or just pick an order."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ah, got it."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of others), "Can I go first, then?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I say let's don't."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Sure"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Eben called it, so he should go first, and then I'd like to go."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "also sure"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Shoot/Create Advantage!"

GM says (to Eben), "It's dark, and the alleys are twisty, so getting a good shot might be slightly tricky -- +3 opposition."

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "If you're thinking of an overcome to catch them, I'd like to go before you"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I'll take the boost!"

GM asks, "And a tie for a Create Advantage is a boost! You don't manage to get the actual positioning aspect you want, but how does your action benefit you anyway?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to CP), "No, I meant that my firebending is an Overcome to maneuver fire in front of the criminals to slow them down without hurting them"

Eben manages to place a portal in an ideal spot for one person to get through, but after that, the burglars will know what's happening and will dodge a different direction.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Well, we can't all create advantage. Someone needs to jump them."

GM asks, "Who's next?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "like ... a jumping spider would ..."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to CP), "Ah, hm."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I am"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Okay, I'll jump them :D"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "Woo! What do you do?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I would like to call down a big ol' pack of pigeons to make it difficult for them to run and/or be disorienting. (create advantage)"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm, I notice that a lot of https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h88N6VTO6dtQ2RVzk1tqx4NdA5PNyShAjpXcoVjhU8M/edit#gid=1689105620 is outdated now."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(So my plan is to catch up with them, then do whatever fire stuff is needed to keep them from getting away again after, then)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "target?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent! That would be a +2 opposition, so that's a straight success!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Neat"

Jacob reaches out to the nearby birds and they respond, swooping down to surround the criminals.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And I'll trust you guys to add it to the spreadsheet."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "It sounds like you're next?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "If by you guys you mean Eben, sure :-)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Well, I was thinking of throwing up some shielding to keep them from escaping. It feels like this could be both Overcome or Create advantage, though"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "I guess I'm going to just use my nimbleness to catch up with these guys (so straightforward Overcome) since we need to win at least two Overcomes this turn"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "For this particular Contest, Overcome actions are only things that actually move you forward in the chase. Anything else would be a Create Advantage."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Create Advantage it is!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "More complex maneuvers can wait for when I'm closer to these guys ;)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "OK! Straight up running is Athletics, vs. +2!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Is leaping involved? ;)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You tell me how you're doing it!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm thinking of jumping, yeah"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "boiing"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds like a plan. Roll and narrate!"

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

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "I read that as boiling. No fire yet, please :P"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "A tie! That would be a boost, unless you want to tag something."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Does a boost count as a victory? I assume not. I'm tagging someone's advantage, I think, like Jacob's birds?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "A tie on an overcome isn't a boost, I think."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "It's a success with a minor cost?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Oh, wait, you're right."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes, it's a Victory, not a boost!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Woo! So I don't need to tag anything"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Shall I narrate, and then you determine a minor cost, or...?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And for a minor cost... how about when you're jumping around, you wind up taking a different turn, so while you're moving in the right direction, you're now In The Wrong Alley?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(As an Aspect with no free invokes.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "An alley parallel to the others'? So... we've split the party :D"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And after Wanda narrates, will it be Deka or CP next?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "*that* was always assured."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Exactly! Because what GM doesn't do that in the very first scene."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I will go next"

Cuddlepaws says, "; I can go. I do a simple Create advantage with shielding. Blocking their path, or at least slowing them down."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Woo! What do you do?"

Cuddlepaws says, "; Or that. :-)"

Cuddlepaws says, "; Help my channels are broken"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "@endpaste?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "accidentally switched on Autosay :D"

Deka Will drive after them, and try to get in front of them to grab on of them.

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

GM says, "OK! Driving is faster than running, so it's only a +1 Overcome."

GM asks, "Which means you succeed and get a Victory! Do you want to narrate how you're gaining and starting to catch up to them?"

Wanda, all aflame with the thrill of the chase, makes a series of impressive leaps! So impressive, in fact, that she finds herself in an alley parallel to the one the thieves are in. She has a keen sense of where they're heading, and doesn't waste any time backtracking.

[CCrusaders] GM adds a bit to the lower left of the Aspect sheet to tally Hero Victories and Burglar Victories.

Deka does a wheelie to ramp over a dumpster, and come to a skidding halt in front of them, blocking there path with the motorcycle.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "So yeah - Create Advantage, setting up shielding to block their path."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! Does that normally work at a distance, or does it usually have to be between your zone and an adjacent one?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "the latter."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'll do some running to get there, if necessary."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Then you can still use it for a Create Advantage for this Contest, but it's going to be much harder than usual!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "+4 opposition!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Man, if only I had some decent will!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success! Narrate, and then it'll be the other side's turn!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "oooh, the shadow realm."

Cuddlepaws narrows her yellow eyes and shortly after Deka does a cool skidding motion to block their path, a blue energy shield hisses into existence right behind her.

GM says, "The bad guys see Deka and CP's shield looming in front of them and Eben and the others behind them. As they're trying to fend off the pigeons surrounding them, they hear the sound of something large skittering in neighboring alley to their left..."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I call this aspect "Alley Shield""

Burglar says, "We're not going to make it out of here with the loot!"

Burglar dumps out one of their bags into the alley way.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Create Advantage with +2 opposition."

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Thanks for rolling the -1's, GM."

GM says, "A laptop and a cellphone clatter out onto the ground! They're a bit knicked up, but it doesn't look like the weight savings is really doing them any good."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "They could suceed at a major cost..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or he could spend one of his five fate points, but let's not mention that."

GM says, "And the other one just tries to ignore everything and make a quick hook to the left, down a different alley..."

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

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Someone's rolling like a player today."

GM exclaims, "But he's in worse shape than Jacob! He's wheezing and panting from the exertion, and barely makes it any further this turn!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "They get their two free Victories, at least. And then it's your turn! Who's up next?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Shall we just go in the same order?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Hmm, same order unless anyone wants to jump ahead?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Sure! Eben?"

Eben blips forward with his portals!

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Overcome!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "With SHoot! +2 opposition!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "A Victory, but with a minor cost! (Unless you tag something.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think I'll go ahead and taq my boost from last round; it would go away anyway, I think."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds good! That's three Victories for the heroes, and Jacob is next!"

Jacob jogs up to the criminals.. he's not in BAD shape, just a worse off than a few months ago.

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Athletics?"

Eben drops in front of one of the burglars, and waves. "Hello! It's probably best to give up now; Wanda's been practicing her fire control, but it's not *quite* as controlled as she wants it yet...

[CCrusaders] GM says, "+2 Opposition."

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Welp. One sec."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Eh."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "What would a serious cost be here?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "One option would be to give the Burglars an aspect with two free invokes."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Another would be if you injured yourself and took a mild consequence."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "You could tag birds for a re-roll?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That's also an option!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I have that unnamed boost, too."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That I need to use."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I forgot about rerolling."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's been so long!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I will do that."

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Woo"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo! That's a success! Narrate, and that's four victories out of seven for the good guys!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And Wanda's next, if I remember right."

Jacob is a little out of breath, but he manages to catch up with the criminals, staying just out of arm's reach from them.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Or gets closer, or whatever"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I don't know how far we need to go"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "(Did the burglars get 2 free victories on their turn? It's not on the sheet yet, if so.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It was vocalized, but not put on the sheet, I think"

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

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Time to leap out from the shadows of the alley to their left, I guess! (I bet I'll roll nothing but -1's, lol)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is this an Overcome to try to catch up?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Yep!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "+2 opposition!"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "fwoosh!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success! Five victories, and then it's Deka's turn!"

Wanda leaps out from the darkness of the other alley, and as she skids along the ground on her eight legs, sparks fly!

Deka is just gonna just saunter up to one of em and grab em by the collar.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Deka), "You're still trying to catch up to them, so if you can succeed with style on an Overcome, that'll give you enough Victories to do so!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Are you doing that? If so, it'll be Athletics vs. +2 on foot or Drive vs. +1 on Singularity."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(that was Drive)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And that's a success with style! Two more Victories, making 7 total!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You catch them! Narrate at will!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(And you're out of initiative.)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(typing...)"

Deka Drives up to one of them, pretending that she is about to run him over by doing a wheelie at him, but really just gets her wheel close to his face and then turns sharply so he gets slapped by the tire.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It's convenient to have someone else in the room who can relay when they hear typing going on :)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The Dekacam."

SecondBurglar says, "Augh! OK! OK! We give up!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "If he talked about blue aliens, it would be the dekameron"

Wanda says, "Sorry, almost got lost! Did I miss anything-- oh, Deka caught them."

FirstBurlgar sighs. "Nuts. I liked it better back before we had superheroes in this city."

Cuddlepaws levitates a laptop and hovers it in front of the second burglar. "You better, unless you want a Cambook to the face!"

Wanda asks, "Are those the ones with the exploding battery problem?"

Eben exclaims, "Let's not find out!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "If we don't want to lose our sponsoring from Pear, I can't answer that."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "hehe"

SecondBurlgar says, "Is this the part where you give us a stern talking to and then let us go?"

Wanda Macrohard is better!

Eben scootches back to the fire escape, to find out where the stuff came from.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "ilac"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "Macrohard is better!"

GM says (to Eben), "The window is still open, and it's dark inside, but from here it looks like a normal apartment."

Eben knocks and calls out, "Hello? Is anyone there? We got the people that stole your stuff."

GM says (to Eben), "No one seems to be home at the moment."

Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "What kind of stuff did they steal? Does it look like normal burglary stuff?"

Eben calls in the police with a description of the evening and the address, the portals back down.

GM says (to CP), "Personal electronics, jewelry, silverware. Yup, pretty standard."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "No, this is chapter 9 of portal 2"

Eben exclaims (at Frances), "Well, that's a bit more excitement than we usually get!"

Police Officer says, "Thanks! Can you bring them by the station? We've got this envelope that someone dropped off, and I think it's for you."

Frances says, "You all did a great job! I'm proud of you."

Eben says (to Officer), "Sure thing! Do send someone 'round to the address; the window is still open."

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at burglars), "I hope you guys like walking cause you're going to jail!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "#footnote (Chapter 9 is 'The Part Where He Kills You')"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

GM says, "On your way to the station, you pass a squad car going the opposite way, presumably to secure the residence you've just left."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha."

GM says, "And when you get there, the desk sergeant takes your statements, and he gives you a sealed envelop. On the front of it is written, 'To the Crownsfield Crustaceans'."

Cuddlepaws says, "Oh no, the Dylsexist is back."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "#blaseball Wait, no, this is for the Baltimore Crabs."

Jacob is a little goth and emo, but he's not crabby.

Eben shrugs and opens the envelope.

Cuddlepaws sits on Eben's shoulder.

Wanda says, "I guess both arachnids and crustaceans are arthropods"

GM says, "Inside is a note, written in a simple, clear hand: 'Meet me at the Phantasy Caph�� at 10:00am tomorrow. I have a reservation in the name of S.'"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Whoops, my e-with-an-accent may not have come through correct.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben | Phantasy Caph��

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "did not for me"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "'in a simple clear hand'"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK, simple and clear except that the 'e' is all smudged up."

GM says, "You, of course, recognize the name 'Phantasy Caphe' -- it's a national chain of cosplay cafes, where both the staff and patrons often dress up as movie, cartoon, videogame or comic book characters."

GM says, "There's one right in downtown Crownsford."

Cuddlepaws says, "Hey, this is where Wanda snuck off too when she was under houser arr - ooops."

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "I suspect Jacob is well acquainted, but he won't tell anyone."

Eben sighs and shakes his head.

Eben calls the local one and asks if they have a reservation tomorrow at 10 for an 'S'.

Wanda says, "We do look a bit like comic book characters..."

Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "Really? I don't see it"

GM says, "It's after hours, by this time of night."

Jacob says, "Speak for yourself."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "What time do they open?"

Wanda says (to Jacob), "It's a compliment! You look cool"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's say 7am."

Cuddlepaws says, "Jacob is the coolest biped here"

Jacob asks, "Oh, uh. Thank you?"

Frances says, "Let's see if you still feel that way when it's time for me to feed you."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Sleep in, see what Sarducci wants?"

Eben says, "Yeah, my 'cool' days were very long ago, if indeed they ever existed, which I can neither confirm nor deny."

Cuddlepaws rubs her head against Frances' leg. "But you are simple the BEST"

Wanda asks, "I wasn't very cool today. How could I mess up a simple chase?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I am OK with a time skip to tomorrow at 7, when I call to confirm that the local place is indeed the one with the reservation."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Same"

GM says (to Eben), "The person who answers the phone confirms that A) yes, there is a reservation then for 'S', and B) but you should know that you don't really need reservations there. You can just walk in and get a table any time."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "So we have Sarducci, the casino dude - anyone else?"

Eben exclaims (at person), "Thanks!"

GM asks, "Are we moving forward to ten, or is there more you'd like to do before then?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Can't think of anything else"

Eben has a leisurely breakfast, then heads out with the group in the car, probably with Deka following on Singularity.

Cuddlepaws sits on the backseat of Singularity.

GM says, "When you arrive, the cafe is much as you would expect. About half the tables are filled with customers, some in costume and some not. The Mario behind the counter -- who sounds like the same person you spoke to on the phone -- directs you to a table in one corner, near where Kirk, Picard, Sisko and Janeway are all having coffee together."

GM says, "The table is empty at the moment; apparently your host hasn't arrived yet."

Cuddlepaws asks (of jacob), "Why did that Sonic say "Hi Sepiroth!" to you?"

Wanda wonders if anyone will notice that she's not disguised as that spider from Lord of the Rings.

GM says, "There are menus on the table. They list a fairly usual variety of coffee and coffee-adjacent drinks, as well as breakfast and lunch foods."

Jacob shrugs at CP and picks up a menu awkwardly.

Cuddlepaws says, "I'll have a tuna sandwich, hold the tuna."

Eben orders tater tots.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "*sandwich, damit"

Jacob spends what seems like a REALLY LONG TIME reading the menu, holding it up to block his face.

GM says, "The waitress who comes to your table is dressed in a steampunk style, with a metal dress held together with rivets, plus matching goggles and gloves."

GM says, "She takes your orders with a smile. 'You got it, hon! I'll be back with all that in a jiffy!'"

Jacob really wanted the cake, bu the ordered a fruit salad.

Cuddlepaws says, "What a bunch of nerds, sitting around pretending to be someone else. It's pathetic, really."

Eben says, "Hey! Manners."

GM says, "A minute later, you see someone coming into the restaurant alone. He's dressed as Supremo, the world famous superhero and defender of the sprawling metropolis of New Urbia. And it's a pretty convincing costume as well: he really looks the part."

GM says, "He sees you and makes a beeline for your table."

"Supremo" says, "Are you the Crownsfield Crustaceans?"

Eben asks, "Close! Crownsford Crusaders. And you are?"

"Supremo" sits down, then says in a hushed voice. "It is I, Supremo! The *real* Supremo. Defender of New Urbia. At your service."

Wanda says, "Really real? *excited mandible snapping*"

Eben exclaims, "Hunh!"

Cuddlepaws confused head-cock.

Supremo says, "I invited because this is the perfect place to conceal my identity. No one would ever suspect that the person dressed as Supremo is, in fact, the *real* Supremo!"

Eben asks, "Do you have an official card or something?"

Deka does her best to look unimpressed and only kind of succeeds.

Cuddlepaws says (to Supremo), "That's ... pretty clever."

Eben admits that does indeed sound like a good idea.

Jacob nods, but it's clear that he isn't entirely buying it.

Surpemo presents a card. "But of course!" It says on the front, "Supremo: Defender of New Urbia". On the back is a contact number, plus details on how to join the official Supremo Fan Club.

Cuddlepaws may or may not be opening a browser on her phone.

Supremo says, "I'm here because of a recent event that you may have heard about on the news. A few weeks ago, there was a prison break at the Angelwood Correctional Facility in New Urbia."

Eben says, "Oh, right, I read about that."

GM says (to CP), "The fan club has very reasonable rates! Only $100 for a year's membership, and you get a free t-shirt."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "But I can't wear t-shirts!""

Eben asks (of Supremo), "Do they come in cat size?"

Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah, I saw that in my litter box. It didn't sound like a case for us."

Cuddlepaws enters Wanda's PayBuddy data.

Supremo says, "I've been tracking the gang of supervillains who escaped, and I've followed them here, to Crownsfield. I'm here to capture them and put them back behind bars where they belong."

Supremo says (to Eben), "They come in every size from Infant to XXXXXL!"

Eben says (to Supremo), "*Here*, or Crownsfield? Because this is Crownsford."

Supremo says, "Yes, thank you, here in Crownsford! But you don't need to worry. I'll take care of everything. It'll be perfectly safe for you."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "But we can help!"

Eben exclaims, "Well, that's reassuring!"

Supremo says, "You can just keep on dealing with muggings and parking tickets, or whatever it is you small-time heroes do, and I'll handle the scary supervillains."

GM says, "At this point, the waitress brings everyone's food and/or drinks, including a mug of cocoa for Supremo."

Eben asks, "So you're meeting with us to let us know what to look for. And... how to contact you, if we see them? What are we looking for?"

Jacob asks, "So why are we here?"

Jacob just blurts that out over Eben.

Supremo says, "Oh, I just wanted to make sure you didn't accidentally get in the way, and possibly hurt yourselves!"

SUpremo says, "The safety of all citizens is my responsibility, including yours!"

Supremo says, "But, that said... there is *one* thing you could do to help me..."

Cuddlepaws says (to SUpremo), "That sounds reasonable."

Eben asks, "Right. So who is it that you've tracked here, and what are their... powers? I assume?"

SUpremo says, "It would be a great favor to me if you didn't tell anyone that I'm here."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "you do realize that I am teenage superhero right? There is nothing that makes me want to do something than being told I shouldn't do it."

Supremo says, "Whenever I leave town, the supervillains of New Urbia always go on a crime spree. I'm the only thing separating the law from the there. If word got out that I was in Crownsfield, it would be a disaster."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

Eben says, "That makes sense."

Cuddlepaws asks, "You want us to go to Suburbia?"

Supremo sips his cocoa, then says (to Eben), "There are six supervillains who escape. They're..."

GM says, "He pauses for a moment, looking... surprised? Confused? He looks down at his drink."

Supremo says, "That taste... it reminds me of..."

Eben says, "Oh, crap."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "... Steel Guy, Captain USA, Odin,..."

GM says, "His face goes pale."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "he's going Proust!"

Supremo says, "Desoformacrohydrolinase! My only weakness!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "no! not the madeleine!"

Eben opens Fallback Plan to the basement, and pulls Supremo through it.

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Vomit it out! Into Eben's shoes! that always helps me!"

Wanda exclaims, "Maybe I can come up with a compound that breaks down desoformacrohydrolinase! Think, think!"

Eben says (to Supremo), "I mean, he's not wrong..."

GM exclaims, "And before your very eyes, you see his skin start to dry up and wrinkle and his body to dessicate. He drops the mug that spills on the table, as his body transforms into a human mummy!"

Cuddlepaws jumps on the bar. "Hey, Luigi! Did anyone mess with that guy's drink?

Jacob whoa.

Wanda says, "What the--"

Jacob says, "I thought he was just being dramatic.."

GM exclaims (at Wanda), "You can try a Lore Overcome to figure that out -- vs. +4 opposition!"

Cuddlepaws says, "That's probably not good"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "Did I get him through before people saw much?"

GM says, "(Teamwork is allowed, of course.)"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "I have +1 Lore... who can help me?"

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

Deka will attempt the make him vomit it out with her strength.

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "I have +5"

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at wanda), "I'll help!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I have none lore with left beef."

GM says, "Everyone in the cafe turns to look when they hear the mug break ont he ground, but by that time, Supremo is already safely in Eben's basement."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "So +1 from CP, +1 from Jacob?"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "I think Jacob should roll and get a +1 from you."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "But maybe I'll stay behind and look for clues."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Also, ylac."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims (at Eben), "That makes sense!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "CP stays behind to investigate."

Wanda exclaims (at Jacob), "Let's put our brains together!"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob asks, "So I'll roll with your +1 help?"

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

GM asks (of CP), "OK! Are you doing anything specific?"

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "My +1 was useful :)"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Yup!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "Asking the bartender if he saw anything, and look for clues around the bar (Investigate Overcome maybe?)"

GM says, "Of course, desoformacrohydrolinase! As the two of you recall, it's a mild industrial dessicant. It's normally not particularly dangerous, but in rare cases, some people can have a severe reaction to it. It's not immediately lethal, but it leaves the individual in a dried out coma-like state."

GM says, "And there's only one antidote for desoformacrohydrolinase: *re*soformacrohydrolinase. Unfortunately, resoformacrohydrolinase is a rather rare chemical, so it might be tricky getting your hands on some."

[CCrusaders] Deka asks, "how fast is "not immediately"?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Good question, before Jacob says something horrible."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It's just over however-long-it-takes-you-to-find-an-antidote long."

Jacob says, "He's *fine*. And out of our way for a while. Kind of a prick, excuse my language, Deka, to be honest."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "How self-aware"

GM says (to CP), "Rapport for talking to Mario! Vs. +1."

Wanda says, "I guess he can't be very good at teamwork if he doesn't have anyone to keep an eye on New Urbia for him"

Eben, in the meantime, has taken Supremo upstairs and found a spare bedroom to keep him comfortable in.

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

GM says (to Eben), "The costume hangs loosely from his shriveled body. He's unconcious, but he is faintly breathing."

Mario says, "Well, the only unusual thing I can of today is that new employee. Tressa? Theresa? Something like that. Today was her first day."

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Darn. I was really hoping Mario would do the accent."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Where is she? Is she still here?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "This sounds more like a good story element than an actually good idea, but what if we called in Dr. Nichols to look after him?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Maybe he can jump on Theresa's head."

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "For minimum wage?"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Because he's passionate about it!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks (of gn), "15$ in this universe, right?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ah, about Dr. Nichols..."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "He's not stll angry, is it?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "*he"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "As you recall, you ended up leaving on less than ideal terms, the last time you met him. He was knocked out unconscious on the floor, and you were stealing his lab equipment to sell on the black market to fund your anti-Quicksilver project."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh. I guess so."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Haha, I'd forgotten that"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "On what terms are Felix and CP?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "When you went back after saving the town, the Quicksilver, Inc. offices were emptied out, and there was no forwarding address."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "Still good, as far as you know, if you had any way to contact him."

Mario says, "Hmm, let me check the kitchen..."

GM says, "After a few moments, Mario returns."

Mario says, "Huh, that's weird. She's gone."

Deka is going to check what the ingredients were for the drink he ordered to see if this was intentional or not.

GM says (to Deka), "Mario shows you the packaging for the cocoa mix they use. All the ingredients are pretty normal. Whoever put in the desoformacrohydrolinase must have done so on purpose."

Cuddlepaws says (to mario), "Please give us a description of her."

GM says, "Mario describes the waitress who was working at your table."

Cuddlepaws says, "Dang."

Mario says, "So are you guys still eating, or did you want your bill...?"

Cuddlepaws points a paw at Deka. "She's paying." And she jumps down and through the portal.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hehee"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "there goes her pocket money"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Aw"

Eben tries calling the number on the card.

GM says (to Eben), "You hear a vibration from the Supremo's utility belt."

Cuddlepaws says, "Looks like Supremo is in supremo shit, eh."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "He handles his own fan club?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh, the other side"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "ignore me"

[CCrusaders] Deka exclaims, "once our friend wakes up, he can give you a free supremo fanclub account. Byeeee!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, I assumed he meant the main contact number, not the fan club number. Timing."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah you're right"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to deka), "ha ha, yay"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I did try the main number first."

Eben pulls the phone off of the utility belt, sees if he can answer it.

GM says (to Eben), "The biometric lock won't let you in."

Eben tries putting Supremo's thumb on the lock, then other fingers, etc.

GM says, "It seems like whoever designed this may have taken into account the possibility of someone trying to bypass security while Supremo was unconscious."

Wanda asks, "Maybe he has data on the supervillains? Darn. How are we going to figure out what they're like?"

Cuddlepaws says, "We could check the interwebs."

Eben hrms, then looks at the other items on the utility belt, and anything else that might hold information about what he was up to or what information he had gathered.

GM says (to Eben), "That seems like an Investigate overcome, vs. +2."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Dips on the Supremo-shark repellant."

Eben decides against this for now, and instead uses his Crafts knowledge to figure out what the stuff does.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I prefer the Supremeringues-- I mean, Supremerangs"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Stuff == the items in the belt?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Right."

GM says, "Most of it seems like useful but normal adventuring gear -- mini grappling hook on a monofilament line, tiny radio listening devices, shark-repellent..."

GM says, "There's one compartment marked 'ANTIDOTE', but the only thing inside it is a note saying 'Remember to buy more"

GM exclaims, "...resoformacrohydrinase!"

Eben shakes his head.

Wanda says, "You know what he needed, Grandpa? He needed a proper team."

Wanda exclaims, "He needed... family!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Aw."

Eben says (to Wanda), "You're right; someone else to keep track of the antidote. And to administer it! Even if he had it with him, he obviously can't take it himself."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Could I try and look more info up online on the escaped supervillians?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yes! Also an Investigate, vs. +2."

Cuddlepaws headbutts Jacobs shin. "Even weird bird people are family.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Are we all back at my house at this point, or is anyone investigating from the cafe? Following the waitress or something?"

Jacob awws and pats CP's head.

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "We're all in the Morris household, I think"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "The cafe folk joined us."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Do we have anything to tag?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "So we're together again."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "the waitress was a dead end"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "as it were."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "enh, I'll spend a point to reroll"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Who would like to investigate with me about stuff he has on him that might have info about the villains? I only have a 1."

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "It's only a +2 opposition... wouldn't spending a point for +2 be more reliable?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Also, what are you tagging?)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Eben), "sadly, I have no detective skills :P"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Too late / stubborn ("There has to be something on Bing about this!")"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I have a +3 but I'm doing other stuff"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, I'll wait until you're done."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "your stubbornness got you to the second page of results on Goofle"

GM exclaims (at CP), "You hunt around, and you're able to find a few news stories about the prison break!"

GM says, "Details are slim on exactly *how* they got out -- presumably the prison officials didn't want to publicize their security flaws -- but more usefully to you, you manage to find a list of the criminals who got out, along with a photo and a blurb about each one."

GM says, "One Man Army (real name Kurt Marshall): The photo is of a man with a buzz-cut wearing camo. He's described as a wannabe soldier who's able to make copies of himself to attack en masse."

Cuddlepaws says, "This dude is jacked. (*looks directly at camera*)"

GM says, "The Half-Baker (Patricia Izrie): Hey, this is the woman who helped Mayor Fine! [Ed. note: Crownsford Crusaders Vol. 1, Issue 1.] She animates and controls baked goods."

Wanda says, "I wondered what had happened to her."

Cuddlepaws says, "I wonder what she has got cooking this time."

Jacob mmmm, baked goods.

GM says, "Hydrolyx (Kappa Mizuno): Shirtless. Wet. He has some kind of tattoo on his chest. He can control water and considers himself to be the Chosen One of an Atlantean cult."

Wanda says, "Baked evils, you mean"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Baked baddies."

Cuddlepaws says, "Eeeeeep, water. *Shudders*"

Wanda says, "Water? Not a fan."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "Yeah, fan would be air."

GM says, "Chocolatier (Thea Broma): She looks like the waitress who served you at the cafe! (Minus the steampunk goggles.) She has a Midas-like ability to turn things into chocolate."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Sweet jesus!"

Wanda says, "Is that actually evil? *scoffs*"

GM says, "The Gatemaster (Kiefer Locke): A guy with a shaggy mustache and glasses. Expert at creating or bypassing barriers and locks."

Wanda says, "Can he bypass Cuddles' shields, though..."

Cuddlepaws says, "We'll see."

GM says, "And finally, Any Body (real name unknown): The mugshot is of a face that looks like it belongs to an adrogynous mannequin. Any Body is a master -- or mistress -- of disguise."

Wanda says, "Uh oh."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think I would like to try Crafting something to bypass the security to get into the data on his phone. (As, I dunno, a Create Advantage for an Investigate? Or just an Overcome?)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! We can do that as a straight overcome. It's superhero-level security, though, so it'll be +4 opposition."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I can help with crafting."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, looks like I wouldn't get the +2 for fixing/building, so straight Crafts:"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(+1 from Jacob to make a success with style!)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Success! Do you want to narrate how you did it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sure, typing:"

Cuddlepaws says, "Since there is a Master of Disguise among them, we should set up a passphrase so we know we (at least) are real"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(And, OOC: you won't find anything new by physically searching the utility belt that you wouldn't find online or on the phone.)"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I wonder if the Master/Mistress of Disguise is a power replicator"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "we may have to assume the worst"

Cuddlepaws says, "The phrase is pineapple pancakes"

Wanda says, "Yum"

Eben retreats back to the basement and then back upstairs again several times with various putty molds or sheets of some sort of stiff cling-wrap that he applies or takes impressions of Supremo's fingers, face, and eyes. He then attaches them to various devices back downstairs again, with electriity powering them to simulate skin electropositivity. Eventually, the phone unlocks!

Cuddlepaws says, "Good work, old guy,"

Jacob puts out his hand for the phone. "Neat. I'll take it fro mhere."

Eben hands it over!

GM says, "Ping! You scroll through the data on the phone, and the most interesting thing you find is a file called 'BALL-N-CHAYN: TOP SECRET'."

Cuddlepaws says (to jacob), "Lemme help"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok. +7 with CP"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Wait, what is this roll for?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I thought we'd have to do some investigation once we had the phone"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "If that's Overcome to Investigate the phone, it's a success with style!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Haha ,yay"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "We'll take it!"

GM says, "The BALL-N-CHAYN file describes a new piece of anti-escape technology that was being used at the Angelwood Correctional Facility."

Jacob ohhhhhh.

Jacob neat.

GM says, "Apparently, it's made up of a base unit and a separate a device that you can attack to a prisoner's ankle. The device is quantum-locked to the base and can't be removed without the base unit (and trying to force it would likely cause a deadly explosion)."

GM says, "And the base unit can then be used to teleport the person wearing the ankle device back to the base."

Jacob says, "And yet.."

Wanda says, "Something went wrong."

Wanda says, "I'm betting that the mustache guy did something."

Wanda asks, "Gatemaster?"

Cuddlepaws says, "My gut says they had outside help."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I was waiting for something more--is that it? Anything else about what his plan was or why he thought they were here?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Turns out they really are in Crownsfield."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ah, there are some notes he took himself, but mostly things about how he tracked them here -- there was a robbery at an army surplus store, a witness saw someone matching the description of one of them, etc."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "Nothing about their weaknesses?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Including a map with little virtual stick pins in it for the various sightings, forming a path that does indeed lead straight from new Urbia to Crowsfie-- I mean, Crownsford."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Or any information about, like, if they all are still wearing the locks and they need to be activated or something?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I feel like we need more information."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Alas, no. But given that apparently someone thought it was important enough for Supremo to have a top secret document about them, there's a good chance that they're probably still wearing them."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Is there anything high-profile going on in Crownsford right now?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Good question! How do you want to find that out?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "More investigating?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I mean, what literal actions will you be taking?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "We use our boosts!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Calling somebody? Looking up the latest news stories online? Turning on the radio?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "The Red Menace?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Actually, with the phone unlocked, maybe we can call Applewood (?) directly."

GM says (to Eben), "Sure, it makes sense that he'd have that number in there."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, the Red Menace is another good idea."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That too!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I look up news stories online."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK. Is anyone else doing anything at the same time? (Calling Red?)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Assume a split screen."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I'd like to hop around town from building to building, surveying the city for suspicious activity?"

GM says (to CP), "You find a couple of potentially relevant news stories -- both are very slim on details, since they're describing events that are going on *right this second* (more details to come as events warrant!)."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(so Notice? potentially using telepathy as well?)"

Eben calls the prison!

GM says, "One of them is about a flood: part of the the Crowne River is overflowing its banks! This is completely unseasonable for this time of year. Nearby neighborhoods are getting flooded."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Whoever he can find high-up that Supremo seemed to have trusted."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Sounds good -- +2 opposition."

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Style!"

GM exclaims (at CP), "The other is an incident at the Springside Mall! Apparently there's an ongoing hostage situation!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Guess it sucks to be in that ... Neighborhood"

Jacob can ask the local hawks for a *ahem* birds-eye view of whichever event CP found that seems more interesting.

GM exclaims (at Eben), "Rapport vs. +2 to convince them to talk to you!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Probably not the one INSIDE a mall."

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

Cuddlepaws says (to jacob), "That one dude had super powers related to *shudder* water, so that flooding might be it"

GM exclaims (at Wanda), "You jump around from neighborhood to neighborhood, and as you do, you hear a siren -- and you see two police cars with their lights flashing heading east!"

Jacob nods.

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "East? Near the hostage situation, or the river?"

GM says (to Eben), "You get one of the Warden's assistants on the phone."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Neither!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh man. The bad guys split their party."

Eben says (to assistant), "Hi! I'm calling from Supremo's phone, and I really need to talk to the Warden. I'm Mr. Morris of the Crownsford Crusaders; Supremo just met us and gave us a brief overview of the situation."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "They seem to be going in the general direction of a fairly nice, wealthy neighborhood, so that in itself is slightly surprising."

Wanda will follow the police cars, leaping from rooftop to rooftop.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Worst case scenario: I concede and get a fate point :D"

Assistant says, "I can transfer you, if you like, but I'm the one that Supremo was working with on this case, so I should be able to answer any questions you have."

Eben says, "OK, hang on..."

Eben checks to see if this was indeed the most-called number.

GM says (to Wanda), "They end up pulling over in front of a high end shop. The sign out front says 'Orville's Oven'."

Wanda says, "Bakery... hmm..."

GM says (to Eben), "It checks out."

Wanda watches the police and is ready to pounce out if trouble happens.

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "I saw you considering sending birds out to do recon -- did you pick a place you wanted to do that?"

Eben says (to Assistant), "OK, so, I need to know if there's a way to activate the Ball-and-chain protocol to get these villains back to the prison."

GM says (to Wanda), "The officers catiously make their way inside. You don't hear any sounds of a conflict at the moment."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "The flooding area"

Wanda remains on high alert.

Assistant says, "Yes, if you can retrieve the Ball, you could! As I explained to Supremo, the escapees stole the Ball unit, which is the base unit that controls the Chayn ankle bracelets."

Eben says, "And if you can get us some resoformacrohydrinase quickly, it seems like Supremo is out. Out of it. He needs more."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Actually, can I be in a zone adjacent to the inside of the shop and spy on 'unfamiliar minds' telepathically, to check for evil intentions?"

Eben asks, "Great! What does the Ball look like, and which one had it?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I might need to be stealthy first"

GM says (to Jacob), "After a bit, the gull you asked for help returns."

Gull says, "YES! FLOOD! LAKE NOW!"

Gull says, "BIG ICE! BLOCK RIVER!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Or maybe there's a side window I can crawl down to eavesdrop"

Gull says, "DID WORK. OWE FOOD NOW!"

Jacob toss the gull a fish-flavored cat treat.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh, even better..."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "We all have earpieces of some sort, right?"

Jacob pops open a tin of sardines.

Jacob just carries these in his deep pockets.

[CCrusaders] Deka asks, "can I get big enough to lift the block of ice?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I could melt it, if someone asked"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Does Jacob share the info via comms?"

GM says (to Eben), "They describe it as looking similar to a bowling ball with a flat bottom and buttons and LED's on the top. They also explain how the controls work: how to quantum lock it to a Chayn, how to list the Chayns it's locked to, how to unlock one of them, and finally how to activate the teleport feature."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "sure"

Assistant says, "Resofor... what? What is that?"

Gull says, "YAY! GOOD JACOB! GOOD BOY!"

Jacob beams.

GM says, "And then the gull flies off."

Eben asks (of Assistant), "Wait, it can be used to unlock them? didn't they do that immediately? Or do you mean something else?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "If you're okay with splitting the party, I'd check out the mall"

Eben says (to Assistant), "If you don't know, you can't help with that, I guess. I'll call someone else."

Deka will attempt to lower the density of the ice block, and lift it.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Deka), "If it's large enough to completely dam up the river, it'll probably take some teamwork to get rid of it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(But being big and strong would definitely help with that!)"

Eben says (to Deka), "I'll go with you; I'll chat from the back."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I'm king Kong sized, I got this."

Jacob says, "I'll go to the mall with you, CP. I guess. If you're driving."

Cuddlepaws says, "Sure. We'll take Eben's car."

Wanda asks, "Do I abandon my lead, or...?"

Assistant says, "That's what I would have expected! But Supremo told me that some of the witnesses he talked to said they were still wearing their ankle bracelets. I don't really understand it myself."

Eben says, "OK, everyone! Take one of these tracking devices. If you defeat a villain, put it on them *immediately*."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "I think we your fire with the ice"

Eben says (to Assistant), "Hunh! OK, thanks, you're the best."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK, before we go *completely* splitting the party, I'd like to suggest that if these are supervillains, it might be unwise to face them alone."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I.e., I don't want to effectively run completely separate sessions for everyone :) )"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "fair!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, but everything is happening at once and we can't let anyone down."

Cuddlepaws asks, "But, I mean, that block of ice sounds super dangerous. Maybe we take care of that first, together?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hahaha, true. I mean, I didn't really think a cat and Jacob could take down a hostage situation so much as gather intel."

Jacob says, "Sure."

Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "I'll take care of the ice. I'm just noting down the address of that shop in case..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I actually assumed that since everything was happening at once, that you *intended* for us to split up.)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(me too)"

GM says (to Wanda), "Looking in the window, you do see that the shop seems complete bereft of product, aside from some crumbs on the floor. There's also been some damage done to the counter and the wall behind it. And a police officer is talking to one of the employees while the other looks around taking notes."

GM says (to Wanda), "Whatever the situation was there, it seems to have calmed down at the moment."

Wanda says, "Okay, no supervillains here, I was too slow. Guess it's time for an icebreaker."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Also, are there any questions/requests/etc. that I missed while trying to handle everyone at once?)"

Wanda hopfoots it back to regroup with Eben.

Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "(Over the phone) Meet us at the river!"

Wanda says (to Eben), "Okay Grandpa! Sorry I rushed off like that"

Cuddlepaws says, "Into the crusadermobile!*"

GM asks, "Is the whole team regrouping at the river?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "*Eben's old station wagon"

Eben says (to Wanda), "Nope! It was the right call."

Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "I think so."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "If you want us all together, we should meet at the river. If we respond like we instinctively want to, we'd split up to river/hostage."

GM says, "Phew."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Either is OK by me."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "River it is!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "Hush now. We're at ... okay. :-)"

GM says, "As you approach the river, you find that the road ahead of you has been flooded out. People are milling around, having evacuated their homes, which are now partially underwater."

Eben has been calling pharmacy-like numbers in Supremo's phone to try to order some resoformacrohydrinase.

GM says, "Where this part of the river was there's now a new lake. Debris of various sorts that used to be on the ground are now floating on the mostly still water -- branches, litter, patio furnture."

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Hey, free plastic chairs."

GM says (to Eben), "There's this chemical supply place -- that seems like a good lead."

Eben tries to order a rush delivery to Crownsford.

GM says, "A bit further out on the water, you see a couple of half-sunken police boats that apparently came out to investigate the situation."

Wanda says, "Uh oh."

Cuddlepaws says, "ugh, water. Why did it have to be water."

Wanda says, "They must have clashed with the water dude."

Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Is there a boat near us we could commandeer?"

Unico Chemico says, "Oh, I wish we could -- we *just* sold our last bit recently, and it'll be months before we can fabricate more. But if it's urgent, maybe you could talk to the lab that bought it? It's some place called -- let me check..."

Unico Chemico says, "...'PayneTech'."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "..."

Eben says, "Really."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "that's going to be a Payne to get"

Eben says, "OK, thanks."

Unico Chemico says, "They're a pretty regular customer. This isn't the first time they've bought resoformacrohydrolinase from us."

Eben says, "Definitely start fabricating more, though--we may need yours after all."

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at eben), "Ask for their new address!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Can I do a telepathy scan to check for unfamiliar minds in the water?"

Eben asks, "Yeah, where was it shipped?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "well, d'oh"

GM says, "The person on the phone gives the address for the Payne Tech chemistry lab right here in now."

GM says, "*town"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "all this water is kind of messing with my powers :D"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "I was going to say +2 opposition, but..."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Can I succeed at a cost?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Or... I guess I could tag something."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Your choice."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "If you have a cool cost, then I'll go with that option"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "You notice the minds, but they also notice us?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That could work"

GM says (to Wanda), "It's difficult to reach out this far, and under all that water. But you do detect one distinct mind. You grapple for it. It's far too far to detect any of it's thoughts, but you do sense that... it felt that."

GM says, "Whoever it is now Knows You're Coming. (And has a free invoke on that.)"

Eben gives up on the phone for now, and instead attempts to get on the rooftops to portal closer to the ice dam.

Wanda says, "Deep underwater... oh no. I think it sensed it."

Wanda says, "*me"

Wanda says, "I probed too hard"

Cuddlepaws follows through the portal.

Wanda follows

GM says (to Eben), "You find spot on top of a large, three story home (well, one story and two-story indoor swimming pool now) where you can get a good view of it."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I get a portal close to it?"

GM says, "The ice dam is huge and strong -- the river was already pretty deep here, and with the flooding, it's only gotten deeper, and the dam goes all the way up. And it's several yards thick."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "How well do your portals work on ice?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I feel if we allow them to work on ice it'll lead us down a slippery slope."

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Well, 'flat surfaces' is all the stunt says."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I would imagine that if the surface is easily destroyable, then if destroyed, it would disrupt the portal?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That makes sense."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "aaaa cat biting my feet"

GM says (to Eben), "You're able to find a flat enough spot on top of the dam where you can open a portal directly on top of it."

Eben does so, and travels there!

Cuddlepaws follows (reluctantly)

Wanda does not hesitate.

GM asks, "It's cold out here! Also, would you like to make a Notice Overcome, vs. +2?"

Cuddlepaws jumps on top of Wanda as soon as possible.

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

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

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

Wanda says (to Cuddles), "It's going to be okay. I'm here."

GM says, "Successes at a minor cost:"

GM says, "One of the pieces of debris out there on the water is a large log, from a fallen tree, and on it are a couple of young children."

Jacob supposes he should either follow, or else possess a duck :P

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

GM exclaims, "They see you here, and wave vigorously to you! And suddenly the log shifts, and they fall off into the water!"

Wanda exclaims, "No!!!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "How far away are they?"

GM exclaims, "Meanwhile, now that you've gotten a better view of the dam. Deka was speculating about moving it, earlier. The way it is now, moving or breaking it would be infeasible, *but* if you could find a way to weaken or reduce it first, you might be able to pull it off!"

Cuddlepaws looks off the wrong side off the dam. "Huh? I don't see anything!"

GM says, "(Say, three Aspects worth of weakening.)"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "About two zones."

Deka will lower its mass

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "How much would you say this is like a kiddie pool full of ice?"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "Are you suggesting that I just barely invented this entire part of the story a few minutes ago in response to Roger's dilemma?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Because that would have been pretty awesome of me and I am happy for you to believe I'm that skilled at improvisation."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Ha"

GM asks (of Deka), "OK! Remind me how that works exactly?"

Eben leaps into the water to swim to the kids.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Shall we maybe roll init? Just to have an order?"

GM exclaims (at Eben), "Give me an Athletics Overcome, vs. +3!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sure, that seems reasonable."

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

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I roll physique to lower somethings mass"

Eben spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Tagging 'Adopted or not, you're all my kids!'"

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

Cuddlepaws clears the initiative.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And if I remember right, the more extreme something is in size, the harder it is, right?"

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

Cuddlepaws registers Cuddlepaws at init 2.

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

Wanda registers Wanda at init 3.

Wanda displays the initiative: Wanda(3) Cuddlepaws(2)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(of Deka)"

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

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

Eben registers Eben at init 3.

Jacob registers Jacob at init 1.

GM displays the initiative: Wanda/Eben(3) Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob(1)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I think we just need Deka in the init now?)"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "the more I am trying to change, the harder the test is. So if I am changing something big, it's harder, and if I try to change its size and mass that is even harder."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Failure may result in black holes."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! This is pretty huge, so the opposition will be, hmm, vs. +6."

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

Deka registers Deka at init 2.

GM advances the initiative: WANDA/EBEN(3) Deka/Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob(1)

GM exclaims, "Wanda first!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So, we have a dam to weaken and kids to rescue"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Should I focus on the dam?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Hypothetically, Meteor Strike wouldn't be able to take out the whole dam, but it could weaken it?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That seems reasonable, yeah. Along with doing some collateral damage in the process."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Narrate your strike!"

Wanda exclaims, "Everyone, watch out, I'm going to try something which is pretty dangerous! Cuddles, be ready to intercept debris!"

Cuddlepaws says, "Give 'em hell, 8legs!""

Wanda focuses. The heat rolls off her, and the outline of her eight-legged body becomes blurry as she morphs into pure flame. Just before the transition completes, she leaps out through the air with a tremendous leap!

(From Wanda) She is now a pure fireball, and descends like a meteor towards the icy dam!

Eben . o O ( Wow )

Jacob whoa.

(From Wanda) There is a huge explosion of steam and breaking ice as the fireball makes a significant dent in the dam!

Cuddlepaws whispers, "That's my muM"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Should I let the GM dictate the collateral damage now?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Remember, it'll take a moment for me to become solid again"

GM exclaims, "Huge chunks of ice fly out from the point Wanda strikes in every direction. The rest of you were forewarned, so you're able to stop some of them -- the ones that were aiming for people, at least. But another one crashes through the roof of the house that Eben was just on top of, and another smashes into the hood of Eben's car!"

Jacob says, "Welp."

GM says (to Wanda), "Also, between the force of the impact, and the effect of the freezing ice on your firey form, you take three physical stress from the impact."

GM exclaims, "Next is Eben!"

Cuddlepaws says, "Uh oh."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "ticking a 3-stress box"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Do I do the swimming thing now, or did I already do that?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Now, I'd say."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Did you already roll it?)"

Eben swims out to the kids!

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And spent a fate point."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "For a tie."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "To create a tie or resolve a tie?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Create one."

GM asks, "You make it out to the log where the children fell into the water successfully. But not as quickly as you'd hoped -- where are the kids now?"

GM advances the initiative: Wanda/Eben(3) DEKA/CUDDLEPAWS(2) Jacob(1)

GM exclaims, "Deka! You were weakening the dam -- Physique vs. +6!"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Successfully fell into the water"

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

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

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "They succeeded with style, since it turned out to be as easy as falling off a log."

GM asks, "Would you like to tag anything to help with that?"

Deka spends a fate point, leaving them with 2.

GM asks, "Are you rerolling or adding +2?"

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

GM asks, "Very close! One more tag will get you to 6 -- by the way, which aspect are you invoking?"

GM says, "(Or aspects, if you're tagging a second one.)"

GM says, "Or alternately, you could succeed at a cost."

GM says, "Then you'd get the aspect, but the free invoke would be against you."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "By the way, what Aspect did you create?"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "bad attitude. And I succeed at a cost."

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks (of GM), "Dent In The Dam?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "The dam now has two Aspects weakening it -- you just need one more to be able to attempt to break it!"

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

GM says (to Deka), "If you'd like to narrate, go ahead -- and then it's CP's turn."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(typing!0"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, ")"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Is there are sturdy & abandonded looking boat within 3 zones of us? (And one you'd call "car-sized)?"

Deka places her hands on it and reduces its mass, causing it to start crumbling.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "or, I guess ... a car"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "That depends. Do ones that are half-submerged due to big holes in the hull count?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "CP is up!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "All I need for it is to crash telekinetically into the dam"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Then yes! There are police boats that are half-[etc. etc.]."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "So this should be +4 : |  You can use Will to lift large objects. Lifting something"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "So this should be +4 : |  You can use Will to lift large objects. Lifting something human-sized is a Fair (+2) obstacle, while a car is a Great (+4) obstacle."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Are you just lifting it, or are you also then trying to use it to smash the dam? :)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Both, of course."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Just lifting it is +4, but swinging it hard enough to do real damage would be +6."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Ok!"

Cuddlepaws rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Legendary+2 (10)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success with style!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "After you narrate, 'init next'."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "SO I could use a special effect like "Inflict condition", right?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sure, in lieu of getting the second free invoke."

Cuddlepaws focuses on of the police boat, slowly lifting it out of the water, then turning it into the air and then accelerating it straight into the dam!

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of Jacob), "Jacob! I can't find the kids! Do any of your animals see them?"

Eben asks (of Jacob), "Jacob! I can't find the kids! Do any of your animals see them?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I guess it does not make that much of a differencce, so we'll take the two invokes for "Big crack!""

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That is a better idea than the notice roll I was gonna make."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And that's three aspects worth of weakening! That's enough to permit attempting to smash the dam!"

Cuddlepaws advances the initiative: Wanda/Eben(3) Deka/Cuddlepaws(2) JACOB(1)

Jacob reaches out telepathically to some ducks and asks them to look around (above and below the surface)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Which would be a +8 overcome using something like Physique, but I'm going to say that because of the dangerous uneven mass reduction (i.e., tagging the aspect), doing so without hurting anyone nearby will become +10!"

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob rolls pre-emptively.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Luckily we have a ton of free invokes"

GM asks (of Jacob), "Is that a Rapport roll to control birds?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Also I am definitely swapping out this stupid stunt I took after this session for another +2 to rapport."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It is!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That would have been +2 -- success!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I am asking them nicely, not controlling them :)"

GM says (to Eben), "A duck flaps down in front of you."

Duck says, "Quack! Quack quack!"

Eben exclaims (at Duck), "OK, I'll follow you!"

GM says (to Jacob), "From here, you can mentally hear the duck yelling, 'Here! They're right here!'"

GM exclaims, "It dives under the water!"

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: WANDA/EBEN(3) Deka/Cuddlepaws(2) Jacob(1)

GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

Jacob says, "Under the water! Go down."

Jacob shouts back to Eben.

Eben exclaims (at Jacob), "Thanks!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "my turn"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Your turn!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "where am I? in the water? still in the crater I left in the dam?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If you wanted to hold on, you can still be in the hole. Otherwise, you're in the muddy riverbed where the river used to be."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "I feel like the latter is more dramatic? And it's almost like the water made the molten me resolidify"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "are there any rules for breathing underwater?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "She molted? Ewww"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "haha"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "We can make some up as needed. (But you're on the 'dry' side of the dam, right?)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Or did I misinterpret?)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I think it was I who misinterpreted"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "In that case, I'm in the crater, dazed like Banner in the beginning of that Avengers movie"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! What do you do now?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I'm picturing something like https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_lQlXEqA=/ )"

Wanda,dazed, is still inside the dent made by her meteoric impact! She tries to think of a plan!

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If you want time to think, Eben coul go first."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "Yeah, he might be able to shout a plan at me :)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, so: I would like to fire a blue portal at a wall of a house back on land (downstream of the dam, if possible, or at least close to the dam if not), dive down to find the kids, grab 'em, then fire an orange portal at the riverbed, and go through it with them. That might be two actions or five or who knows what, but that's the goal ;-) (I do have 'Forced movement' for successes with style, which presumably would be helpful here.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(had that queued up--if you want to catch us at the exit portal, that would probably be good?)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(You could also save your action to use teamwork if you wanted to have several people work on the Overcome.)"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "That sounds like two actions -- Shoot for setting the portals, and Physique for grabbing the kids and swimming with them."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I, at least, do not have access to view the board"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Which do you want to do first?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Portals first!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Eben), "I'd help you carry the kids! I've got a better Physique (+2)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Perfect."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "They'll be terrified, though :P"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Does https://miro.com/welcomeonboard/50NBsRmLkbbOfBMPefKJhPnu6DKo6KOMH07dtzYyTKErl9DKCAfYs9YJCg3urVAc work?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yes"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Shoot vs. +4!"

Eben rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary (8)

GM exclaims, "Success with style!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Eben did NOT skip leg day"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I do a forced movement to move the kids through the portals I just created?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm. Yeah, that sounds reasonable."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And then Wanda can save 'em on the other end. Narrating:"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "(I definitely need to wrap up soon-ish, but not immediately.)"

Eben shoots a blue portal at a house next to the river as close to Wanda as he can, then dives underwater. The duck was right--the two kids are stuck in a down-current that was dragging them to the bottom of the lake! Eben analyzes the currents just like he used to analyze the wind back in 'Nam, and fires the orange portal at precisely the right place to divert the current--and the kids--through it and to the shore! followed by a lake-hose, but you can't do everything perfectly.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Cool, I plan to wrap it right after we resolve the kids and dam."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Awesome. Wasn't sure if there would be baddie-fighting or not."

GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "So, Physique, right?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup! To dive through Eben's portal and catch the kids."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "+2"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Whee"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success! Narrate, and it'll be Deka's turn!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "By the way, what did you call your boaty aspect?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It's on there--'Big Crack!'"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Big Crack! - it's on the sheet"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, I forgot it was in the +2 column."

Wanda dives through Eben's portal! She grabs one kid by the scruff of their clothing between her fangs, and the other with one of her many legs.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(they will have nightmares, but oh well)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Do I get to move to safety on this turn?"

GM advances the initiative: Wanda/Eben(3) DEKA/CUDDLEPAWS(2) Jacob(1)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Maybe they were one of the ones that bought the Wanda plushie."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Awww"

Deka will use her mass jump to launch herself into the air, and then increase her mass as much as she can to come own like a meteor right om top of it.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Aren't the Crusaders local heroes by now?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Yeah, that includes going through the portal."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of deka), "Does +10 sound doable? I could go first for another aspect?"

GM exclaims (at Deka), "Excellent! That will be a Physique Overcome vs. +10!"

Deka rolls Legendary+2 (+10) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 0 | Legendary+2 (10)

[CCrusaders] Wanda wipes bead of sweat

GM says, "(Fortunately, there are now several aspects with free-- or, uh, maybe you're just that strong and don't need them.)"

GM asks, "Are you going to tag the free invokes to make it a full success with style?"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I will tag big crack."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The Dent cancels the Mass, and then 2x Big Crack would exactly make it success with style."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "or actually I will tag them all."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Woohoo"

GM says, "The dam *shatters* -- and the river surges through the ice! It flows back into its banks, washing Eben and Deka downstream a bit, where they both safely come ashore."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I am pretty sure the +10 included that aspect"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "But either way"

GM says, "The flooding begins to recede, and the level of the 'lake' goes down -- and as it does, you see something emerge that used to be under the water."

Jacob cheers a little. In a Jacob sort of way.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Deka's adding a bit)"

Jacob then stops cheering and peers more closely.

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I will narrate what Deka does"

GM says, "A tall, crystalline spire of ice, Motionless, but apparently attatched to something below the surface..."

GM says, "<TO BE CONTINUED>"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, sorry!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yes, do so :)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Are we still on the pieces of the dam floating downriver?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I'll leave that up to you."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "In that case I'll say CP (at least) jumped safely ashore."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "We get a close up of Deka as she crouches down as the concrete cracks beneath her feet from her increased weight. She jumps in the air, and just as her feet are about to leave the ground she shoots up into the air at incredible an speed. We get a shot looking down at her at the apex of her jump. She winks at the camera and plummets back down in a superman pose. She pierces through the dame with a plume of dust behind her as the dame crumbles around her."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Great work, everybody!"

Eben was swept downstream a bit, but eventually managed to orange-portal his way back to Wanda and the kids.

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "w00t!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "How are the kids doing?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(I try to reassure them)"

Cuddlepaws says, "wetpawswetpawswetpawsewewewew"

GM says (to Wanda), "They're still recovering from the almost-drowning. It'll be a minute before they'll be properly traumatized by being saved by a spider."

Wanda says, "haha"

Cuddlepaws dries her paws on Wanda's residual heat.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at gm), "Woo, great work!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Yeah, exciting!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "especially that bit you just made up a few hours ago"

GM exclaims, "And with the appearance of the ice spire -- and whatever it bodes -- that wraps up this session!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Wooo"

GM says, "THe next one is on the 20th, and I've added April to the schedule, if anyone's able to fill anything in there."

GM exclaims, "Thanks for playing. I hope everyone had fun!"

Wanda says, ":)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Thanks!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "My Saturdays are generally free, Sundays are more problematic"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I really thought you wanted us split up for this session ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Yeah, that was the only slight miscommunication, but otherwise it really was cool!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "I guess it's hard to convey 'here are a bunch of things you can tackle in whatever order you want!' vs. 'here are a bunch of things you should tackle all at once!'."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Eng, those hostages aren't going anywhere"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hahaha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Anyway, goofnight :)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "for I am now a pumpkin"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Goodnight!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "take care"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "and thanks again"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Sleep well, brave Crusaders!"

Cuddlepaws has disconnected.