[peregaming] Bert says, "Log on."

GM has arrived.

Lizzie arrives from the east.

GM says, "Welcome Lizzie. You look mind-exploding -- I mean, mindblowing today"

Lizzie heh.

Jack sets his current fate point total to 3.

GM says, "I assume we're waiting for Q."

Quellynne says, "Nope."

Lizzie sets her current fate point total to 3.

GM says, "Oh, yay"

GM sets his current fate point total to 3.

Quellynne sets their current fate point total to 1.

Jack says, "I think she snuck in with Eben."

GM says, "heh"

GM says, "anyway, time jump! *whooosh* TWO MONTHS LATER"

GM says, "The elusive evil mastermind, Jack Day, remains at large."

GM says (to Jack), "No, not you"

Jack says, "Yeah, the police probably know exactly where I live."

GM says, "RONIN is rapidly rising to international prominence, but its HQ are still on the same oil rig near San Frangeles, albeit now refurbished with military-grade defenses and equipment."

GM says, "Meanwhile, although many fans bemoan the apparent dissolution of the Neighborhood that began with Tesseract revealing his identity, the new heroes Taurus and the Gemini have proven effective against San Frangeles' mutant crime problem so far."

[peregaming] Jack says, "I wonder if they're getting lots of people asking to join as other signs."

GM says, "Speaking of which, Remba, aka SATSAM, had an accident when upgrading her quantum-superposed liquid metal suit and is currently a liquid metal blob that hops around and drinks milkshakes."

[peregaming] GM exclaims (at Jack), "Indeed they do!"

GM asks, "What have you, the heroes, been up to during the months leading up to Jack's PHD defense?"

Jack has been doing some research on Mallory's condition -- and on Smiley -- to try to better understand the effects of Soulmonger radiation. This, of course, ties neatly in with his own thesis on the nature of spacetime.

Lizzie spent some time visiting with her parents, which she was seriously overdue for, bomb-threat notwithstanding.

Quellynne has been running around (ha) like crazy, helping where she can as RONIN expands.

[peregaming] GM exclaims (at Jack), "Sounds like a Create Advantage!"

[peregaming] GM says, "Probably with Will or Lore"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "OK! What's my opposition?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Well, last time you tried (many sessions ago), it was +3. This is a bit more involved, so overall +5."

[peregaming] Jack says, "(And given the choice, I'll go with Will.)"

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

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "You create an Aspect with one free invoke!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Hmm. What to name it..."

[peregaming] GM says, "Do you want me to name it? Unless you have an idea"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Spaciotemporal Secrets?"

[peregaming] GM says, "That works"

Jack shares his findings with Quint and, really, anyone who'll sit still long enough. But that's not many people.

GM says (to Jack), "So you have unravelled more secrets regarding the true nature of reality. Mallory appears to be in a proto-Soulmonger form, albeit one that is static."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Dang. So when she absorbs somebody, she's monging their soul?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Essentially"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(for now, I'm going to assume that Jack starts off any scene being empowered. If someone else wants to snatch that, let me know.)"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Woo."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(Also, has 'a jack knows a jack' been used?)"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Ha. I should have used that on my research roll!"

[peregaming] GM says (to Q), "Great! Expect Jack to be phasing out at the most inconvenient moment possible."

[peregaming] Jack says (to Quellynne), "Not yet: we just created it at the end of the last session, for future encounters."

GM says (to Jack), "Anyhow, based on what the androgynous fractal-faced Smiley could tell you, it seems clear that the one clear outcome of any treatment you could give Mallory would be turning her into a fully fledged Soulmonger."

[peregaming] GM says, "And unless you have any objections..."

Jack says, "*Any* treatment. Hmm."

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "No objections!"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "...it's time for the defense of the thesis, as advertised!"

GM exclaims, "CUT TO: Jack has just finished defending his thesis!"

[peregaming] GM says, "(Yeah, I overhyped it.)"

Jack stands up nervously. "Thank you. Do I, uh, wait in the hall, or...?"

Doctor Farrier says, "No need, young man. Although my head is still spinning, I can speak for all of us that you were splendid."

Jack exclaims, "Thank you!"

GM exclaims (at Jack), "And before you know it, you have the diploma in your hand, rolled up with a ribbon!"

[peregaming] GM says, "(also, everyone is here, even Lizzie and Q)"

Jack is speechless!

[peregaming] GM says, "(Smiley is wearing one of those emoji masks for the sake of not scaring the professors)"

Lizzie hugs Jack, and then steps back feeling a little awkward.

Jack exclaims, "This is... a great honor. I don't know what to say!"

Quin says, "You've more than deserved it, Jack."

[peregaming] Jack updates his character sheet at https://www.dropbox.com/s/wnkfv0jlqzscpkj/Tesseract.pdf?dl=0

Quellynne shakes Jack's hand. "Congratulations! I knew we had it in you ;-)"

Jack says, "After all of what's happened, all we'd been through... I was starting to think this day would never happen."

Jack says, "During the whole defense, I kept fearing that any moment, armed stormtroopers would burst in through the window, or one of the professors would melt into a pile of goo, or something."

Brenda says, "Well, it's been quite wild, that's for sure! *Blob Remba nods in agreement, and slurps milkshake from straw*"

Jack says, "Huh. I guess now I should start looking for a *real* job."

Quellynne asks, "What, you're not hiding out in academia with a post-doc?"

Quellynne asks, "And wait, you don't already have something lined up?"

Quellynne shakes her head.

Quellynne says, "I mean, RONIN will probably hire you."

Jack exclaims (at Quellynne), "I've been so busy with RONIN, and with saving universes, and all of that... oh!"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Is RONIN now funded by more than just Lizzie's dad?"

[peregaming] GM says, "It is now"

[peregaming] GM says, "We're going global now"

Jack exclaims, "That's a great idea!"

Jack asks (of Quint), "With all that extra funding, do you think we should have some permanent research positions set up?"

Jack asks, "And if I applied, do you think you could get me a letter of recommendation?"

Quint says, "That depends. Are you regular Jack, or one from another universe? Haha, just pulling your leg, of course I'd write the letter."

[peregaming] Jack says, "I'm not sure where this scene would logically lead, aside from an after party at the diner."

[peregaming] GM says, "Haha. I was about to invoke Dark Whispers."

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Woo!"

[peregaming] GM says, "Have a fate point."

Jack gives a fate point to Jack.

GM says (to Jack), "You feel dizzy all of a sudden. There's that voice again..."

[peregaming] Lizzie was planing to buy y'all beers, though, uh. That's not good.

GM says, "It whispers: 'That diploma... was mine.'"

GM exclaims, "And you guys see a sort of crackling mist of dimensional energies rise from behind Jack!"

Jack eyes glaze over for a moment, before he shakes it off.

Lizzie...

Lizzie asks, "Are you ok?"

Jack asks, "I heard it again -- does anyone else hear that... crackling?"

Jack looks behind him.

GM exclaims (at Jack), "As you look behind you, the mist widens into a portal, and a hand comes out to grab you by the throat!"

Jack pulls back!

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Defend with Fight?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Yep"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(Presumably without the use of Natural Weapon.)"

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

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "Yikes. We can see this?"

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

Jack tries to deflect the hand with the back of his arm, but he's too slow!

GM exclaims (at Jack), "The portal moves upwards, and you are lifted off the ground by the grasping hand! A face emerges from the shifting energies of the portal, staring you in the face: an older, grizzled Jack!"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Is it *the* older, grizzled Jack, or a *different* older, grizzled Jack?"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Can I do something?"

Jack asks, "Hey! Hands off! Who are you, anyway?"

Jack asks, "I mean, *which one* are you?"

Older Jack says, "You met an earlier iteration of me on the plane. Remember the time loop mixup? I was foolish then. I am wiser now."

Lizzie says, "Hey. Let him go. Right now!"

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "Influence?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Go for it"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Defended with his will"

Lizzie rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Legendary (8)

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

Older Jack says, "Oh crud, not again..."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "If he's not gonna invoke anything else, I'd like to use that success with style to invoke a condition of some sort."

[peregaming] GM says, "Go ahead"

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "Though, uh. Anyone have a good idea?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Also "inflict", not invoke :D"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I can read."

[peregaming] Quellynne asks (of Lizzie), "What are your special effects?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "How about Fears Lizzie?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "My special effects are inflict condition and mental recovery. Hence this."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Sure."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Oh, heh."

[peregaming] GM says, "Excellent"

GM says (to Jack), "He lets go of you with a shudder, and you land on your feet, a little short for breath"

Jack asks, "So what are you after now?"

Jack asks, "Just trying to break up the party?"

Quellynne, while jack is distracted, tries to toss her RONIN earpiece through the portal.

[peregaming] Jack says, "Nice."

[peregaming] GM says (to Quellyne), "Overcome with Shoot! Opposed by Older Jack's Notice"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Ha, shoot. I would have gone with Deceive, but both are at zero ;-)"

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

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

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "You're just a fp away from success!"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks (of Lizzie), "Mind if I tag your 'fears Lizzie' ?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Sure"

[peregaming] GM says, "Yay! RP at will"

Quellynne's earpiece loops through the portal, just as Older Jack is giving Lizzie the side-eye.

Older Jack says, "(to Jack) I was bitter, yes, but that's not the only reason. I came to offer a... truce of sorts. However reluctantly."

Lizzie says, "Nice way of showing it."

Older Jack says, "Do not mistake me, you all fill me with revulsion. But I must make sacrifices for the Great One."

Jack asks, "The Great One? Who's that?"

Older Jack says, "The rather banal name given by ancient cultists to what others would call 'God'."

Jack says, "Yeah, try again."

Older Jack says, "This would be the one who created the Watchmakers originally."

Jack says, "That's better."

Jack asks, "So you're on their side, now? I thought you were half Soulmonger?"

Older Jack says, "The Watchmakers are traitors. The Soulmongers are mistakes. I, however, am the culmination of a grander plan."

Jack says, "Fancy that."

Older Jack says, "And in order to ensure this works out, it seems like you people are to be allowed to live another day, it seems."

[peregaming] Jack says, "(At this point, my goal is just to keep him monologuing so we can get exposited.)"

Jack exclaims, "Hey, great. I'm so glad that we're a vital part of your so-called 'grander plan'!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(But anyone else is free to jump in, either with that or with a better plan!)"

Older Jack says, "But make no mistake. People will die. But the casualties will be higher if you go against the Great One."

Jack asks, "Casualties? From what?"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

Older Jack says, "Huh, maybe you're dumber than I thought. The Great One's return, of course."

Jack asks, "Return? From where?"

Older Jack says, "The Watchmakers turned on him and cast the Great One out of reality. I was destined to bring the Great One back."

Older Jack says, "Once that is done... I will have truly saved the world."

[peregaming] Jack says, "Clue! The Watchmakers know how to cast him out."

Jack asks, "Why do you think the world *needs* the Great One?"

Older Jack (addressing the crowd) says, "Haven't you felt like your lives meant nothing? Like everything you do is doomed to fade? There IS something greater, something which made reality. There is a purpose to existence, and only when the Great One returns will that purpose be made manifest again."

Jack says, "You sound like you should be passing out flowers at the airport."

Older Jack says, "You won't be so snarky when the Great One passes judgement on you."

Jack asks, "Have you *met* this Great One?"

Older Jack says, "Haven't you figured it out by now, Jack?"

Jack says, "Humor me."

Older Jack says, "We are his avatars."

Jack asks, "Hey, neat. *I'm* the Great One, too?"

Jack high-fives Quellynne!

Lizzie smirks a little.

Older Jack says, "Bah."

Jack says, "So all of this, and you *still* haven't gotten around to telling us why you came here."

Jack asks, "What is this that even *you*, the *destined one*, the *special child*, the *holiest of all egomaniacs*, can't handle?"

Older Jack says, "Hah, I'll tell you why: because the odds of the Great One's successful return just went up when I told you he existed."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "That's only because it wasn't officially part of the plot until then."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hahaha"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I've actually planned this since I brought in the Watchmakers"

[Crows-Nest] Jack exclaims, "But I bet that you've changed important details about it at least three times since then!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Jack), "I thought Lizzie was the psychic one . o O"

Quellynne says, "So you don't actually know what you're doing, you just do random things and when the odds go up, you count that as a win."

Older Jack (to Quellynne) says, "Damn you and the hypnotic luggage you threw at me."

Quellynne says, "And you probably don't even know what the odds *really* are; you're just guessing."

Quellynne says, "You're as confused as the rest of us; you just have more grey hair."

Jack says (to Quellynne), "Maybe he has a little smartwatch with a display that shows a little number that he has to keep looking at."

Quellynne says, "Oh, that's it. A Great One Odds Tracker that he picked up in Bombay."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I love how my players like to mock my villains :D"

Jack asks (of OldMan), "Can you get Google on it too?"

Older Jack says, "*menacing* Come closer and I'll show you."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(also, I am angling towards a Provoke to get him to tell us how he actually tracks the odds.)"

[peregaming] GM exclaims (at Quellyne), "Sure!"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Would it help your provoke if I humored him and got closer?"

Quellynne says, "I was actually thinking of just jumping through the portal ;-)"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "er, ilac"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "OK, Provoke with a +1 from jack's help:"

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

[peregaming] Jack says, "I don't have Provoke, sadly."

[peregaming] Jack says, "So I can't officially assist with it."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Ah, OK, just a 3 then."

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

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Oh, I do!"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Sorry, was slightly distracted."

[peregaming] GM says, "Old Man Jack is rolling terribly today"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I'm kind of sniggering here at him"

[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "An assist from Lizzie puts me at 4, then!"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Woo, you successfully provoke him!"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Which I think would be a boost?"

[peregaming] Jack says, "If it's an Overcome, it's success with a small cost."

[peregaming] GM says, "It's an Overcome"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Got it."

[peregaming] Jack says, "E.g., perhaps he shares the info, but then realizes that she goaded him into it on purpose."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(Also, imagine Old Jack as this beardy head and arm sticking out of a glowing portal hovering in mid air, looking bitter and twisted"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Like a Scooby Doo villain who got his hands on Eben's portal gun somehow"

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "Ha."

[Crows-Nest] Jack pulls off Old Jack's mask! It's the Great One!

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "OK, my side of the provoke is what I already said."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(for rp purposes)"

Old Jack says, "It is not a smartwatch! I have a strong telepathic connection with the Great One himself! He shares with me his approval of my actions! Every time I do something wrong, he punishes me by twisting my very flesh!"

Quellynne says, "Ow! That sounds terrible."

Lizzie sighs and closes her eyes.

Lizzie shouldn't be so skeptical, given that people have powers and others are frigging mutants, but.. she totally is, and it's obvious.

[peregaming] GM says, "Oh, cool idea"

Jack asks, "Oh, man. What in the world would he punish you for?"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks (of Lizzie), "Are you doing A Thing?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Nah."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Just RPing."

[peregaming] Jack says, "Aw, I thought you were mindreading him."

Old Jack says, "*Argh* I said too much!"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I think he's doing a pretty good job of letting us know what he's thinking and feeling, though maybe an empathy check to see if he's trying to deceive us."

Jack asks, "Oh! Is that one of the things?"

[peregaming] GM says (to Lizzie), "Sure. (A little disappointing that you're not mindreading him, but it's your call)"

Quellynne, impulsively, runs away from the portal to the opposite wall, runs up up, then springs off in an attempt to dive through the portal!

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Well, empathy is one of my mindreading skills, to see how he's feeling."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(er, 'runs up it')"

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

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "So there's a roll"

[peregaming] GM says, "That was a +3 Overcome, so yes, you gather he's sincere"

[peregaming] GM says, "Q, it's a Athletics Overcome opposed by his Notice"

Quellynne rolls Legendary+2 (+10) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 -1 | Legendary+3 (11)

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

[peregaming] Jack says, "The GM's roll in this case being mainly to decide 'do you succeed? or succeed with style?'"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Hee"

[peregaming] GM says, "I want to you epically RP how you manage to run so fast that even a guy who can see the future can't see you"

[peregaming] GM says, "Because that was awesome"

[peregaming] GM says, "(I'm saving my fp for something else"

Quellynne's sudden actions catch Older Guy completely flat-footed, and he snarls in anger as Quellynne neatly dives past him!

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "OK, I can split that up into a few actions, but I'm not entirely sure how that works."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Despite having done it ;-)"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Are there any other related actions that it would make sense to take?"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Like, can I get a Provoke in there?"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "And a Create Advantage / Startled seems reasonable?"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I would *think* it would have to be Athletics-related stuff, since that's what the roll was."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "That would make sense."

[peregaming] GM says, "I would allow you to use your super speed to investigate and then make it back out in a single turn..."

[peregaming] GM says, "*super speed special effect"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Oh, right, coming back."

[peregaming] Jack says, "That *could* be useful."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Especially to the GM who might not want to split the party."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Sure, I'll at least do the Investigate thing."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hah"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Do you want a roll? I don't have much Investigate."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(Notice is *slightly* higher)"

[peregaming] GM asks, "I thought it was a matter of dividing shifts?"

[peregaming] GM says, "I forgot how that worked"

[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "It's not entirely clear!"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "But in general, yes, dividing shifts is how it works."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "So if I split it into three, I get 3 more points to divide into them."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "So, 7 to beat his Notice, succeeding with Style, to tag him with 'startled'."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Assuming getting in and getting out are the same opposition, that would leave you four shifts for your last action?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Then I have 6 more for another two actions."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "I thought the multiple actions *was* what you used your success with style for?"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "What's the TN for 'look around and figure out what's there and where he is'?"

[peregaming] GM says, "TN =3"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks (of Jack), "Not quite, I think?"

[peregaming] Jack says, "OK."

[peregaming] GM says, "Tell me when you're done with the math ;-)"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(AFK.)"

[peregaming] Quellynne | Lots of Actions: You can split your shifts among up to three different actions, adding +1 to each.

[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "So, spending 4 to look around!"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "With 2 left over for a final thing after I see what's there."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(I think 'shifts' are 'points you rolled', right?)"

[peregaming] GM says, "Points by which you succeded"

[peregaming] GM says, "So 11 vs 4, that's 11-4= 7 shifts"

[peregaming] GM says, "...okay I'm confused again"

[peregaming] GM says, "This is possibly the most vaguely-worded ability in the game."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "The 'adding 1 to each' means it's a total of 14: 7 to the original overcome action, 4 to look around, 3 left."

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Aha!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Back."

[peregaming] Jack says, "I agree."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(I am happy to rejigger this if it's too confusing/odd)"

[peregaming] GM says (to Quellynne), "We can refine it another time"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(Both that it's the most vaguely-worded ability, and that that's how I'd interpret it.)"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Alrighty."

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "So, what do I see?"

GM says (to Quellynne), "You are in an expensive looking laboratory which is in a huge hangar! There are some people at work, with labcoats that have a sort of cicle logo with the letters VP on them. They haven't seen you yet because you're so fast."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(Also, splitting your roll among *two* actions is a thing anyone can do as a normal special effect)"

GM says, "There are huge tanks with swollen humanoid shapes coiling and twisting with eldritch energies."

[peregaming] Jack says (to anyone), "who chose that as one of their two special effects."

[Crows-Nest] Jack wonders if those humanoid shapes look like Jacks.

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Is there anything nearby I can snatch? Lab notebook; someone's phone?"

[peregaming] GM says, "There are hard drives and laptops."

Quellynne OK, I will spend my last 3 to throw some hard drives and laptops through the portal. That seems athletics-y.

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "ilac again! Sigh."

[peregaming] GM says, "It's okay, we forgive you"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "So, yeah, you can do that!"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "RP!"

Quellynne calls out "Hey, catch!" to Lizzie and Jack, as she starts snagging laptops and hard drives and tossing them through the portal!

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "So, now Lizzie and Jack roll to catch!"

[Crows-Nest] Jack asks, "Althetics?"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Sure!"

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

[Crows-Nest] Jack exclaims, "Oh no!"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "I hope Marie knows how to reassmble these things."

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "We'll find out!"

Lizzie rolls ??? (=2) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Terrible-1 (-3)

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "wha"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "I think that was a typo."

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

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "We are terrible at this."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "The opposition is +3 because Q is super fast and consequently throws things super fast"

Lizzie yipes as hardware smashes at her feet.

Jack, Jack and Jack try to catch things flying through the portal, but isntead end up crashing into each other.

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "And now Q's return!"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I was thinking of just staying here and running away over land, so I would know where he is."

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Is that OK, or do I need to go back through the portal for Reasons?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Do you know what year it is on that side?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I'm sure you could track that ;-)"

[peregaming] GM says, "Well, you were splitting your actions, so I think it's only fair that you return"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Given that he appears to be even older than Other Jack who was in the present?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says (to GM), "I will return if you-the-GM want me to, but I will stay because it sounds fun otherwise ;-)"

[peregaming] GM says, "Darn. I don't want to be *that* GM."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Oh, it's OK."

[peregaming] Jack says (to GM), "What about this:"

[peregaming] Jack asks (of GM), "She's not very prepared for being stuck on the other side of the portal, is she?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "So if Quellynne is always Prepared For the Worst, she might not do something dangerous she was totally unprepared for?"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Aha!"

[peregaming] GM exclaims (at Q), "Have a fate point if you accept that compel!"

[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "Sure!"

[peregaming] GM says (to Jack), "Thanks for assisting me."

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "You're welcome!"

Quellynne gives a fate point to Quellynne.

Quellynne sees that none of the laptops are being caught, so doesn't throw the last one as she dives back through, worried that she might be caught on this side of the portal!

[peregaming] GM says, "Woo"

Old Jack shakes his fist angrily. An unsightly boil begins to visibly grow on the side of his face. ' Damn you! Damn you TO HELL!'

GM exclaims, "And the portal closes!"

Lizzie says, "Well."

Marie (wielding a shield) bursts in through the door with some RONIN agents. 'We got here as soon as --'

Quellynne asks, "Darn it, I knew I should have stayed there I could have figure out where they were and maybe sabotaged stuff I just got worried there, and there were weird bodies in tanks and people working and oh right, my earpiece is still there we can track it right?"

Jack exclaims (at Quellynne), "Nice work!"

Quellynne exclaims (at Marie), "Marie! We need to track my earpiece! It's with Other Jack!"

Marie says, "Pas de souci!"

Marie says, "I mean, no problem!"

Quellynne exclaims, "Sweet! Let's go!"

Quellynne is very slightly hyped up.

[peregaming] GM asks, "So, is the plan to go straight to the location of the lab?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "That's *my* plan, but I am not the best at plans."

Quint (to Committee) says, "My apologies, dear colleagues. You can come out from under your chairs now."

[peregaming] Jack says, "I'm curious what the location is, first."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "E.g., do maps show what's located there?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Can we find what that logo is?"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Since RONIN is there to help, I can tell you all this!"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Over to Marie!"

Marie says, "The signal's coming from an island off the coast of Norway, above the Artic Circle. The logo seems to match several possibilities, but the likeliest candidate is Pryce-Vandermund International, a pharmaceutics and biotech multinational."

GM says (to Lizzie), "You've heard of Pryce-Vandermund, they're rivals of your father's company."

[Crows-Nest] Jack exclaims, "Oh no!"

Lizzie ohhhh.

[Crows-Nest] Jack exclaims, "Don't trust him! He'll say everything will be fine, but it's not true!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hehee"

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne asks, "Ref?"

[Crows-Nest] Alex says (to Quellynne), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that The ref is beyond me."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "roger-01.html"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "(Ignore the URL -- it's apparently in the wrong folder.)"

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "Oh! Ha."

GM says (to Lizzie), "You're in the same school as the Pryce-Vandermund son, and you hate him. He's more popular than you."

GM says, "And he has a butler to boot."

Jack says, "It's in the present? That's good news. I think."

[peregaming] GM asks (of Jack), "Did you do anything with the diploma you got? Open it, etc?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Was in the same school :) I'd just graduated."

Quellynne exclaims, "Let's go slag him!"

[peregaming] GM says (to Lizzie), "yeah, sorry"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I probably just stuck it into my pocket when everything got real."

Quellynne exclaims, "Did you see that boil he got? That means that whoever's controlling him didn't like what I did! We got him on the ropes!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Which means if we jump right on a plane, it'll still be there when I'm sitting bored in my seat looking for something to do/read."

[peregaming] GM says, "Nice."

Quellynne hands the laptop to Marie. "Oh, and see what you can get off of this laptop. And, uh, those broken ones."

Jack says, "If we can make this 'Great One' angry enough at him, maybe it'll take care of him for us."

Lizzie helpfully nudges a dented hard drive with her foot toward Marie.

Marie says, "Trouble seems to follow you people around. I'll see what I can do."

[peregaming] GM asks, "So, do you guys want to prep at the base or just go straight to Norway?"

Quellynne says, "Dang it, I should have stayed and just sabotaged the place; that would have been great. Didn't have any grenades, though. Do we have grenades? Of course we have grenades. I'll need some grenades."

[peregaming] GM says, "I'll consider that a yes."

[peregaming] Jack says, "If I were going to prep, it would be by doing hours of research on the Watchmaker dust (which, AFAIK, is still in dust form)."

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Good idea!"

GM says, "CUT TO: RONIN Base"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I suppose I could do an investigation into PV. I am a communications major, after all. (I think she wanted to be a journalist or something.)"

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "Q's vote is to grab stuff and fly out, and to do the research on the plane."

[peregaming] GM exclaims (at Lizzie), "Good idea!"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks (of Q), "So, taking the Watchmaker 'dust' along?"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "IC, I feel it would be dangerous to bring it to where Old Jack is. But OOC, that's fine with me, and I'm sure Q could talk him into it."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Again, this is just Q; I'm happy to have her be outvoted."

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "How about Q goes on a stock-up run while the two of you research?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Sounds like a plan."

[peregaming] Jack says, "That works better for me IC."

GM asks (of Jack), "So, you head to the lab where you were keeping the various stuff you were investigating?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "So the main intended line of thought on my research is: The Watchmakers were somehow able to force the Great One out of reality. Is there any way I could use that knowledge to weaponize this Essence-of-Order against it?"

Jack heads to the lab and opense up the sealed container where the Watchmaker dust was kept!

GM says (to Jack), "There's a hole in the container and the dust is gone"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "So my plan is both to do an investigate roll to compile some information, digging as deeply as possible, about what PV is up to these days, and maybe also a rapport roll (possibly with influence) to call up the son and flirt a little and maybe get some more information from him. Or the rapport first, to get advantage on the investigate roll to get a little deeper."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Eek."

GM says, "It looks like the hole was made... from the *inside*"

Jack says, "Aw, crap."

Jack looks for a trail?

[peregaming] GM exclaims (at Lizzie), "Both ideas are good!"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Cool. I'll wait until Jack's done."

Jack texts Quint and Remba (who probably isn't checking her messages right now): 'watchmker dust escaped'

GM says (to Jack), "There are scratches on the floor, leading out of the room."

[peregaming] Jack says, "If I follow them without getting backup, should I ask for a compel on It's Dangerous To Go Alone? :)"

[peregaming] GM says, "RP-wise, it works perfectly"

[peregaming] GM says, "Go ahead"

Jack follows the path of scratches.

GM asks (of Jack), "It leads you to... the coffee machine in the break room?"

Jack . o O ( I thought Mallory was the only lab specimen that kept running away when I needed to run tests on it... )

Jack looks behind the coffee machine?

GM says (to Jack), "There's a hole in the wiring, and coffee is dripping slowly from it. You hear a very faint slurping noise."

Jack, fearful of what to expect, looks inside the pot.

Jack will also, if he sees nothing there, open the machine up and search the innards.

GM exclaims (at Jack), "A tiny, bizarre creature with long spikes for arms leaps out at your face!"

Jack swats at it!

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Oppose with Fight!"

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

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

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Style! I'll inflict a condition!"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "It is Terrified!"

Jack smacks it into the wall! It never expected that kind of reaction!

Jack grabs the coffee pot itself and tries to slam it upside down over the Watchmini!

[peregaming] Jack says, "Create Advantage or Overcome? (I want to trap it.)"

[peregaming] GM says, "Overcome (its Athletics)"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "With my Fight?"

[peregaming] GM says, "yup"

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

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

Jack exclaims (at Watchmini), "Ha! Gotcha!"

Jack asks, "You're not so scary as your big cousins, are you?"

GM says, "The tiny creature (which looks like a miniature Watchmaker) makes squeaking noises: 'LAWS? OBEY?'"

Jack pulls a second copy of the same coffee pot out of the future, just in case.

Jack asks (of Watchmini), "And a good lawsobey to you too, little buddy. I think you've got a few things to teach me, huh?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "'Watchmini' :D"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "So, anyway, research time!"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Should we do that right now, or switch to Lizzie while Jack trtansfers it into a more secure container offscreen?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Switch to Lizzie, if she wants"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Sure"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I'm thinking that because rich jerks tend to be into nepotism, the son is probably working for the company in PR or something. And hopefully he doesn't hate me or realize I resent him, so he's amenable to chatting with me a little. Because I may not be AS popular, but I'm hot and friendly."

[peregaming] GM says, "Sounds good."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "He's got a name? Or can I call him Chad? :D"

[peregaming] GM says, "why not"

Lizzie dials up Chad and turns on the charm, asking what's new with him, and eventually focuses in on how he's working for his dad's company, and very casually (influence) tells him to tell her "everything, because it's just so fascinating!"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "(The goal being that he tells me something useful I can use in my upcoming investigation. Or failing that, something that can be used in a provoke or rapport check when we're on site.)"

Lizzie rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 0 | Legendary (8)

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

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Hee"

[peregaming] GM says, "I take that back. He's not more popular"

[peregaming] GM says, "He's just richer."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Aww."

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "So, anyway, that's success with style!"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I'd inflict a condition, but not sure how useful "flustered by a pretty face" is, unless we're going to see him in person later on. But maybe we will!"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "So maybe just the two invokes intead."

[peregaming] GM says, "Yeah, sound idea"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Since it was an advantage"

[peregaming] GM says, "yep"

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "Either way. He tells me.. what?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "And then we can cut back to Jack and I'll investigate afterwards."

Chad says, "Oh hi, Leslie. I mean, Lizzie. What's the occasion?"

Lizzie says, "Oh, I was just thinking about you. I mean, everyone from school. But also you."

Chad says, "Oh, I'm doing pretty well. Got a job with plenty of opportunities. Dad's company is striking gold what with all these mutants."

Lizzie asks, "Oh, that sounds really interesting. Tell me all about it?"

Lizzie asks, "He does, uh.. medical stuff, yeah?"

Lizzie tries to sound disarming.

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Fascinated, but not TOO MUCH SO."

Chad says, "It's a secret, but we're going to open special hospitals for the extradimens-- extradimunch - extradimensionally unstable. And there's big plans in store. Really groundbreaking stuff, really wild."

Lizzie says, "Oh, wow! That's really cool. I won't tell anyone."

Chad says, "We might even be branching out into new areas, like energy production and space exploration. Dad's got this brainy guy, a John Knight or something, up in Norway."

Lizzie says, "Norway! Wow."

[peregaming] GM says, "And that's basically what he knows"

Lizzie chats for a little longer, but makes up an excuse to get off the phone, promising to text him later.

[peregaming] Jack says, "Speculating on the Grand Plan:"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Maybe by making more and more extradimensionally unstable people, they plan to turn them into an army of mini-Soulmongers, and then use their Soulmongering powers to break through the boundaries of reality to reach the Great One?"

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "What do we want to call this aspect?"

[peregaming] GM says (to Lizzie), "Inside Information"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Ok!"

[peregaming] GM asks (of Jack), "*pokerface* So, now you wish to research Watchmaker stuff?"

Jack has transferred the Watchmini from the coffee pot into a *future version* of he same coffee pot (with lid) that he had grabbed with Chronokinesis, then he smashed the first coffee pot, to turn this one into a paradox.

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Because even if a sealed safe can't hold him, maybe a container made of paradox can?"

Watchmini whines and hops around as though the glass were hot.

Jack says (to Watchmini), "Alright, tell me everything you know about the Great One."

Watchmini says, "NOT OBEY LAWS! BAD!"

Jack asks (of Watchmini), "That's a good start. What laws didn't it obey?"

Watchmini says, "CHANGING LAWS! BAD!"

Jack asks, "Oh -- so the laws can be changed?"

Jack asks, "What law did it change?"

Watchmini struggles to explain in words what that law was.

Watchmini is worn out by its constant bouncing around.

Jack moves away from other people, then tries something he's been thinking about a bit lately. He opens up his mind to contain the Watchmini's.

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Using my CDE!"

[peregaming] Jack | Basic Telepathy: If he pushes himself, Tesseract can open himself up to other minds as well. He can use Notice to pick up surface thoughts and detect unfamiliar minds. If the target suspects, they can actively oppose with Will. However, this can be somewhat traumatic to other people who are nearby at the time.

[peregaming] GM says, "That's an Overcome, +5 because it's the first time you've deliberately done this and it's a completely alien mind"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "OK!"

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

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Fate point time!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Hmm. I'd need two to succeed."

[peregaming] GM says, "Good thing you had all those compels"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I could spend one to reroll, but that'd be a gamble."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Oh yeah, I got the Dangerous To Go Alone one, didn't I?"

Jack gives a fate point to Jack.

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Then I will spend two!"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Oh, and I've got a free invoke on the fact that it's Frightened!"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Ah, true!"

Taleslinger has arrived.

[peregaming] Jack says, "So I'll use that free one, and tag Curious But Skeptical, because I want to know what this is all about."

Jack spends a fate point, leaving him with 4.

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "For a total of 6!"

GM says (to Jack), "Your thoughts become one with the Watchmaker's. It's weird, they seem to have a sort of hive mind/collective memory."

GM says (to Jack), "You find the answer to your question: the Great One had initially set the multiverse into motion as an experiment, and it had imposed for its own safety that it not be able to enter the universes by itself, but instead make minions for the purpose."

GM says (to Jack), "But then it decided to enter one of the universes, breaking that rule, and the Watchmakers stopped it and after an epic battle sent it into the Void OutSide Of Reality"

Jack . o O ( And how did you send it back? )

GM says, "It took all of the Watchmakers to prevail, and they only won because in trying to destroy its own creations, the Great One tore a momentary hole in reality, through which it could be forced out."

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Taleslinger), "I imagine you eating popcorn while this is happening"

Jack . o O ( Then what's keeping it from coming back in? )

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Also, the Great One is totally a metaphor for you"

[Crows-Nest] Taleslinger asks, "I have no idea what's going on, as usual. Is Jack playing alone?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "No, this is a 3 player session"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Jack, Jack & Jack"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Ha."

[Crows-Nest] Taleslinger says, "Ah, I see only Jack in scrollback :-)"

[Crows-Nest] Taleslinger asks, "Why am I the great old one?"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Lizzie is on the phone, and Quellynne is stocking up on grenades."

[Crows-Nest] Taleslinger hides tentacles.

[Crows-Nest] Lizzie has been sweet talking her nemesis into giving up insider secrets.

GM says (to Jack), "It seems like outside of reality the Great One is frozen, and only a tiny fragment of it remains: the part of it that successfully entered the universe, still tethered by a psychic connection to the rest of it."

Jack . o O ( Why did it want to enter the universe to begin with? )

GM says (to Jack), "There you have no answer, since the Watchmaker do not understand the Great One's motivations."

Jack checks the time. He'd better go meet back up with the others. And he'll bring this little guy with him.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "The Great One is stuck outside of reality because the Greater One has him in a headlock :P"

[Crows-Nest] Jack asks, "Is Remba going to join us for the rest of the session?"

Lizzie, meanwhile, sits at a computer at the library doing some research.

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "Will she pull herself together finally and unpuddlefy?"

[Crows-Nest] Taleslinger says, "Well, if I can just randomly jump in, sure!"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Yay!"

[Crows-Nest] Lizzie says, "Come to Norway with us :D"

[Crows-Nest] Lizzie says, "I'm sure we can convince the Quints."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says (to Slinger), "If you check your phone, you have a text from me saying 'watchmker dust escaped'."

[Crows-Nest] Taleslinger says, "OSLO AIRPORT . Remaba "Well, getting to Oslo as an unaccompanied minor was hard, but here we are.""

[peregaming] Jack says, "(Ack, AFK again.)"

[Crows-Nest] Taleslinger says, "I'm still a puddle. :-) Also, let me boot into Windows real quick"

Taleslinger shouts, "You haven't seen the last of Taleslinger! Now goodbye forever."

Taleslinger has disconnected.

[peregaming] GM asks, "So, Lizzie was investigating something?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I was!"

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

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "That is a bad roll. But If need be, I've got 2 invokes to help."

Taleslinger has arrived.

Cuddlepaws has connected.

[peregaming] GM says, "I was about to say that if you want really good info, then it's +5 opposition"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(Back.)"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "All right. Then I'll burn both and make it a +6. Since that was the point of setting myself up."

[peregaming] GM says (to Cuddlepaws), "You're not a puddle, you're just a shapeless blob of liquid metal"

[peregaming] GM says, "Uh. I mean, Taleslinger."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "I thought Cuddlepaws was a cat."

[peregaming] Taleslinger says, "Ten liters of liquid metal in a 5 liter bucket"

Taleslinger shouts, "You haven't seen the last of Taleslinger! Now goodbye forever."

Taleslinger has disconnected.

[peregaming] Jack says (to Taleslinger), "To catch you up:"

[peregaming] GM says, "wait, Tale's not here"

[peregaming] Remba says, "Wait, Remba doesn't know any of this"

[peregaming] GM says (to Remba), "You were at the PHD ceremony"

[peregaming] GM says, "as a blob with a milkshake"

[peregaming] GM says, "so you know *some* of it"

[peregaming] GM says, "Jota will hopefully explain"

[peregaming] GM says, "Or he can explain as Jack, his choice"

[peregaming] Remba says, "My blob brings all the milkshakes to the yard, and they're like "didn't you have enough, young lady?""

[peregaming] Jack says, "Jack got his PhD and is now Dr. Day! And some other less important stuff happened, like an even *older* version of Jack showing up through a portal and explaining that the Great One (an extradimensional being with a god complex) wants to re-enter the universe, and the Jacks are its avatars."

[peregaming] Remba says, "That's probably not good"

[peregaming] Jack says, "But Quellynne tracked that Old Jack down to a warehouse in Norway, and we're presently prepping to go fly there."

[peregaming] Remba says, "Gotcha"

[Crows-Nest] Remba says, "Quint finally finds the de-liquifier, which he hid away after the accident with the fisbowl."

[peregaming] Jack says, "(Are we in Lizzie's scene right now?)"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(Waiting to hear the results of her Overcome?)"

GM says (to Lizzie), "So, anyway, with a lot of internet research and consulting of online archives from old newspapers, you manage to connect the Pryce-Vandermunds with several obscure cults, like the Knights of Nyarla and the Servants of Thothep. A name pops up: a certain Professor Digory Day."

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "Should I recognize the name?"

[peregaming] GM says, "No, but someone else might"

Lizzie will share what she finds with the others once we're back in one place.

[peregaming] Jack asks (of Quellynne), "Are you doing a solo scene before we reconvene?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I don't need one, nah."

[peregaming] GM says, "Anyway, that aspect is called Sinister Connections"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I had a solo scene while speedy ;-)"

[peregaming] GM says, "indeed :-)"

Jack asks (of Lizzie), "Uncle Digory? What does he have to do with any of this?"

[peregaming] Jack says (to Lizzie), "Also, while you wouldn't recognize the name 'Digory', you might recognize the last name 'Day'."

[Crows-Nest] Remba exclaims, "Die, another Day!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(E.g., from the ceremony earlier this morning, for a 'Doctor Jack Day'.)"

GM says (to Lizzie), "He seems to have been an expert in occult religions. And you note that many of the Days in the family tree appear to have died or disappeared in sinister ways."

Lizzie mhm.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "You know, I set out to GM a superheroes game and now it's Call of Cthuthlu :P"

Jack says, "You don't think that Uncle Digory is a part of all this, do you? That's... how could..."

Lizzie shrugs.

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Except where, being superheroes, we can successfully punch Cthulhu."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Exactly"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "(And now I'm thinking again about maybe buying Fate of Cthulhu.)"

Jack says, "I -- I need to look into that, but I don't think there's time now."

Jack says, "We need to go to Norway."

Quellynne asks, "That could explain how Jack got caught up in all this, maybe?"

Quellynne asks, "So, can we sever JD's connection with the Old One, do we think?"

Quellynne asks, "Or do we just punch him?"

Remba asks, "What's up?"

Jack says (to Remba), "Oh, hey, welcome back to the land of the walking."

Remba says, "Yeah, I set the quantum reconstituter to stand-by, how lame lol"

Jack says (to Remba), "Short version: the evil version of me have a link into my brain, and the *old* old me is trying to bring something even worse than the Soulomgers and Watchmakers into the universe, so we're going to Norway to stop him."

Remba says (to lizzie), "Hey Lizzo"

Remba offers fistbump.

Jack says, "Also, the Watchmaker dust came back to life, so I interrogated it."

Remba asks (of jack), ""Oh." *sits down* "That sounds ... horrible?"

Jack relays that conversation too.

[peregaming] Remba says (to jack), "Go ahead :-)"

Jack asks (of Quellynne), "So, severing the connection might help *me*, but will it help the rest of the universe?"

Lizzie looks confused ,but fistbumps Remba.

Jack says (to Remba), "It thinks the Great One started the universe, made a law for itself that it couldn't come inside. Then it changed its mind, so the Watchmakers beat it up, and the Great One was so destructive it opened a hole in reality that they shoved it through. And a tiny bit of it is still stuck through the hole that it plans to get back in by."

Quellynne says (to Jack), "Well, that's the OO's connection to the universe right now, so severing it would make it look for anther connection, which presumably is hard."

Remba asks, "So we need to close that hole somehow?"

Jack asks (of Quelynne), "Oh, you mean severing the connection between the OO and all of us Jacks, not just the connection between me and the Old Man?"

Jack says, "There's an idea."

Quellynne asks, "Er, he's connected to you? And me?"

Remba asks, "Do we have any idea *how* we do that?"

Jack says, "Oh, I didn't mention? I, uh... I keep hearing voices in my head."

Quellynne shakes her head around, as if trying to feel it.

Jack says, "His."

[peregaming] Remba asks, "But I try to build a ... Faraday cage ... for Jack and Quellynne with Crafts?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Can we build one that'll isolate Old Man Jack from the Great One?"

[peregaming] GM says, "That would be a challenge."

[peregaming] Remba says, "FARADAY get it"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Oof."

[peregaming] Remba asks (of gm), "How much of a challenge?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Or is it a Challenge?"

[peregaming] GM says, "It involves not only Crafts, but also Lore/Will for the knowledge of the forces Beyond and actual hands-on experience with telepathy (ie building a psychic barrier)"

[peregaming] GM says, "So just the first two, and the third component would be for activation."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Well, I can help someone with Will."

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "I will be happy to supply my Will!"

[peregaming] Remba thinks, "Do we have any telepaths?"

[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "We do!"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(Lizzie)"

[peregaming] Remba exclaims, "So this could actually work!"

[peregaming] GM says, "So, Crafts +6 Overcome, and Lore/Will +6 Overcome, and the rest will be when you deploy the device (an overcome to activate that requires Lizzie to do it)"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Ok"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I can help with will if you want another"

[peregaming] GM says, "(Since she's the only telepath who cannot be tampered with by the Great One)"

[peregaming] Lizzie points at her tamper-resistant seal.

[peregaming] Jack says, "OK! I'll make the Will with +1's from Lizzie and Quellynne."

[peregaming] Remba asks, "I don't have any relevant Crafts Stunts, can someone assist?"

Jack brainstorms with Lizzie and Quellynne about the laws of reality and how to best enforce them.

Jack rolls Legendary+1 (+9) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 0 | Legendary (8)

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Now Crafts!"

Jack supplies Remba with piles of papers detailing how the device needs to function.

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "I don't have Crafts, but maybe someone else can help? Or if someone has Resources, they can try a Create Advantage?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Remba is our Craftswoman"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "I am fully expecting an 'ok, boomer' for actually doing it on paper instead of online."

[peregaming] Quellynne says (to GM), "I mean, to help Remba."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I do have resources +1"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "I have Crafts, can I still assist even though I did the first part?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I do not have crafts"

[peregaming] GM says, "No problem, Jack"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Woo."

[peregaming] Remba says, "So I'll let Lizzie roll Resources"

[peregaming] Remba says, "(if she wants)"

[peregaming] GM says, "Ha."

[peregaming] GM says, "Roll for crafts, Remba"

[peregaming] GM says, "BE CRAFTY"

[peregaming] GM says, "(Has she lost her sheet?)"

Remba rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary+1 (9)

[peregaming] GM says, "(Oh, yay)"

[peregaming] Remba exclaims, "BOOM!"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Boost!"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Nice"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "RP as you wish!"

[peregaming] GM says, "for the device is COMPLETED"

Remba exclaims (at jack), "Okay, your head may feel hot and you might lose your sense of smell, but this should work. Just, just get regular MRIs in 20 years or so. Okay, it works!"

Jack says, "Twenty years? Like I'm going to live that long."

Remba says, "That's the spirit."

[peregaming] GM says, "And now to Norway, I assume! *travel montage*"

[Crows-Nest] Jack asks, "Alt: you mean this might cause brain damage that could severely alter my personality when I'm older?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Should I open the diploma?"

(From Remba) The device is an old motorcycle helmet to which is attached a number of olf cellphones and CPUs and kilometers of wire and aluminum foil

[peregaming] GM says (to Jack), "Sure"

Jack opens the diploma on the plane.

GM says (to Jack), "Four playing cards fall out. They're yellow with age."

Jack . o O ( Huh. )

Remba says, "I call it the Brain Interfernce Technological Chronoton Headset"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I assume there's no need to ask which four."

Jack exclaims (at Remba), "Language!"

[peregaming] GM exclaims (at Jack), "You've read my mind!"

Remba says (to jack), "What? Oh, now I see it"

Quellynne asks (of Jack), "Cards?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Any markings or other distinguishing features about them?"

Jack says (to Quellynne), "Apparently someone on the committee snuck these in with my diploma."

[peregaming] GM says, "There are occult symbols on the back but you cannot read them."

Remba asks (of jack), "Do they mean anything to you?"

Jack says, "These symbols look occult to me. But I never really studied much about that, so I'm not sure what they mean."

Jack says, "And they're old -- this isn't just from a new deck someone picked up at Walmart for a joke."

Remba says, "That's random."

[peregaming] GM says, "Also, what's your battle strategy? Given that you need to somehow capture Old Jack."

Jack says, "Either this is a message -- in which case, I have no idea what it means -- or else someone wants me to have these for some reason."

[peregaming] GM says, "A regular old Jacknapping."

[peregaming] Jack says, "Final step: get the helmet on him and activate it."

[Crows-Nest] Remba says, "I hate it when time travellers make plans"

[peregaming] Jack says, "There might be a few more steps before that."

[peregaming] Jack says, "But, while we're on the plane."

Jack closes his eyes and wonders where in the base we'll be able to locate Old Man Jack.

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Visions!"

Remba asks (of jack), "Do you think your uncle send you these?"

Jack says (to Remba), "Maybe! I wonder how he would have gotten them in there, though."

Jack takes a photo of the four cards, back and front, with his phone.

GM says (to Jack), "You sense that he knows you're coming, but can't flee because otherwise the laboratory will fall into the hands of RONIN. There's going to be mutants and armed guards ready to take you guys out, while Old Jack hides in the basement."

Jack. after briefly flickering out of time, relays his vision.

Jack says, "So I wonder if there's a way we can get directly to the basement, bypassing the mutants and guards."

Remba asks, "M...Mutants?"

Jack says (to Remba), "Oh, you know. Like Mallory. And that other one we fought at the bank."

Remba says, "I can take on any appearance, if that helps."

Quellynne asks, "So, hmm--we just need it on him, and turned on?"

Jack says, "And I can teleport, if I can see where I'm going to."

Quellynne says, "I could just run up to where he was."

Jack asks (of Quelynne), "What about the walls and doors in between?"

Quellynne says, "I'm sure they'll be op0en."

Jack raises an eyebrow.

Quellynne asks, "Or I'll vibrate through them or something. That works, doesn't it?"

Jack asks, "Have you ever done that before?"

Quellynne cocks her head and thinks.

Quellynne says, "Hmm..."

Quellynne exclaims, "Nope!"

Quellynne says, "I'll have to start."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Oh, is that your CDE?"

[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "No!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Heh."

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Translation: don't listen to Quellynne!"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "No, it is not something I can curently actually do in the rules of the game."

[peregaming] GM says, "You guys will be arriving soon. 'Thank you for flying with Norwegian Airline'"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Hence, fate points ;-)"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "So, we wing it?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Seems like a plan."

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Seems like a plane, even!"

Jack says, "Lizzie and Remba, at least, can probably talk their way in without being recognized."

Lizzie says, "Maybe.."

[peregaming] GM says, "I see a flaw in that plan, but go on"

Jack makes sure to get an extra coffee from the steward before we land. Gotta stay fuelled up.

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Too bad I don't have "Familiar Presence""

[peregaming] GM |GM says (to Jack), "You sense that he knows you're coming, |  Consider that to be a plural 'you'.

Quellynne says, "And I'll zip in behind them."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(that I can do--+2 to stealth when being speedy)"

[peregaming] GM says, "nifty"

[peregaming] Jack says (to GM), "Pfft. Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fine."

Jack says, "And maybe I can teleport in while the door's open."

Jack says, "Or something."

Remba asks, "What kind of visitors would he allow into his lair?"

Jack asks, "Guards and mutants?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Chad? :D"

[Crows-Nest] Jack exclaims, "Ooh!"

[peregaming] GM says, "(Also, is everyone okay with going on for a little under an hour more?)"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Sure"

[Crows-Nest] Remba says, "Sure"

[peregaming] GM says, "Great"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Yup."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "yeah."

[peregaming] GM says, "Continue scheming, then, my merry gamers"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I am fully expecting any plan we come up with to fall apart immediately."

[peregaming] Jack says, "So I am happy going in with a bad one."

[peregaming] Jack says, "But I do like the idea of Remba being disguised as Chad."

[peregaming] Jack says, "Not least because of the possibility of the real Chad actually being there."

[peregaming] GM says, "Heehee"

[peregaming] GM says, "Just give me the word and I'll transition to you guys arriving at the Norwegian base"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I'm good to go."

[Crows-Nest] Remba asks, "Who's Chad?"

[Crows-Nest] Alex says (to Remba), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that chad is The perforated edge strips on printer paper, after they have been separated from the printed portion. Furthermore, TLD td is Chad."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "The son of the owner of the biotech company that Old Man Jack is working at."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Also, an acquaintance of Lizzie."

[Crows-Nest] Remba says, "Ah, so the two of them arriving together would make sense."

[peregaming] Remba says, "Works for me."

GM says, "CUT TO: Outside the security perimeter of a Norwegian research facility owned by Pryce-Vandermund International, situated atop rugged, beautiful cliffs that dive down into a dark and Nordic fjord."

[peregaming] Remba has gotten some basic info on Chad from Lizzie during the rest of the flight.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Chad is also (possibly) canonically the son of Parker from Roger's game."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Mostly that he's a rich prick."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(perhaps not the exact same universe)"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "It's not as though we have a shortage of them here."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "What kind of a building is it?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(afk a sec)"

GM says, "There are guards stationed at various checkpoints at the perimeter. The building itself is a series of hangars interconnected by biohazard containment tunnels. The basement level, as you saw in your vision, is connected only to the central building, from which all the radiocommunication come from in the form of a telecom tower."

GM says, "You do not see any mutants yet."

GM says, "And I assume you're basically checking out the place from behind a rock with binoculars."

Jack asks, "Hmm. It's that central building we want. Does it have its own entrances?"

GM says (to Jack), "Looks like it can only be accessed from the other buildings, so you'll have to go through one of those."

Jack asks (of Quelynne), "Or do we have any way to *make* an entrance?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Q is loaded with as many explosives as she can carry."

Quellynne holds up various grenades.

Remba exclaims (at Quellynne), "Cool!"

Quellynne asks, "Or I could make a distraction?"

Jack says, "So we could forget stealth and just blast the walls of that building and charge in."

Jack says, "Since I don't feel like running through all those tunnels to get there."

Jack asks (of Quellynne), "Both?"

Quellynne says, "We really are different people."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Ha."

Remba says (to jack), "But why? That would warn Old Jack"

Quellynne says, "He knows we're coming."

Jack says, "Yeah, the challenge is just to get past his defenses."

Jack asks, "What if we dropped several grenades? One to break us into that building, and the rest in several places around the compound, as distractions?"

Jack says, "I mean, you'd need to be pretty quick to get around the whole place before they went off, but..."

Quellynne says, "What? Are you serious? That's like my ... oh, you're baiting me. Pfft."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "oooh I like this"

Quellynne asks, "Do we send in 'Chad' first so she's close to the door?"

Remba says, "That's a good idea"

Jack asks, "That works. And if that fails, what's our backup to get them in with the rest of us?"

Remba says, "And I've trained up on my white guy, bro. Like really hard and stuff."

Quellynne fist-bumps Remba.

Lizzie raises an eye brow.

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Question: are collateral damage things something that happen while you're doing something else? Or do you just do that thing?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I'm thinking of my 'mass provoke'."

[peregaming] GM says, "Well, Wanda always seems to Flame as a free action"

[peregaming] GM says, "So I'd say the former"

[peregaming] GM says, "wait"

[peregaming] GM says, "I misunderstood. Yes, you can do just a CD by itself."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Yeah. It's just another aspect of your power that you can do, but it has a down side that usually means you use it less."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I know you *can*; I was wondering if my 'run around setting off explosives' could include Mass Provoke."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(it'd mean you guys got a -4, but so would they.)"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "In this case, the downside might be having a million mutants keeping you awaaaaaake (damn you Hugh Jackman)"

[peregaming] Remba says, "uuh"

[peregaming] Remba says, "That's a lot, not all of us roll +9 :-)"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "So you'll have to get out of the zone first."

[peregaming] Jack says, "I probably wasn't going to enter the zone until after the grenading."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Good point"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "But we were setting up for Remba to go in first, I think"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Right."

[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "OK, I'll see if it makes sense in the moment. Remba, you're up!"

[peregaming] Remba asks, "me and lizzie, no?"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Sure?"

[peregaming] Jack asks (of Lizzie), "Are you going in with Remba, or do you want me to teleport you in after the explosions?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Do we think they'd let me in, because I'm with Chad? Because Bad Jack knows I'm with you."

[peregaming] Jack says, "That might depend on how effective your powers are."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I'm surprised *nobody* considered calling Bad Jack 'Jackass'"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "(also, who wants my boost to start?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, ")"

[peregaming] Jack says, "If Lizzie is going in with Remba, I'd recommend her."

[peregaming] GM says (to Lizzie), "You could probably manage with your Influence"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Maybe me? I have a +3 to deceive, including my influence, so that would be helpful."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Unless I was trying to rapport my way in."

[peregaming] GM says, "Whichever rocks your boat"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I guess I'll see how it plays out."

[peregaming] Jack says, "The guards will presumably be nameless NPC's, and there's no reason to assume they'd have specially high will."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Heh"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "All right"

GM asks, "So, Lizzie and RembaChad will be heading to the nearest checkpoint at the perimeter of the facility?"

Remba saunters up to the first checkpoint with Lizzie by her side.

Remba asks, "Yo bros. What's happenin'?"

Lizzie smiles broadly.

[peregaming] GM says, "Deceive rolls! Overcome +2"

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

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Oh, I meant +4, not +3, earlier"

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

Guard says, "Master Vandermund-Pryce? Surprise visit?"

Remba says, "Sure, sure, whatever, man. Just living the life, you know."

Guard says, "I'll tell Doctor Knight you've arrived, then?"

Lizzie says, "Oh, no need for that. It's a surprise."

Remba says, "Nah, dog,don't bother."

Lizzie rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 0 | Legendary (8)

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "That's an influence roll :)"

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

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Man."

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "!"

[peregaming] GM says, "What a waste of a good roll."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "How many plusses are left, now that those were used up?"

[peregaming] Remba says, "ha ha"

The guard twitches as he attempts to resist an invisible force trying to influence his very mind, but fortunately he is just not quite strong enough, and Lizzie prevails.

(From GM) He wipes away a minor nosebleed and waves you through.

Remba says (to lizzie), "(in a whisper) That went well"

Lizzie nods.

Quellynne asks (of Jack), "Teleport in while the door's open?"

[peregaming] Jack asks (of Quelynne), "I want to skip straight to the central building -- make sure you leave a hole in the wall of that one for me when you juggle those grenades?"

Remba holds the door for a moment to let Lizzie pass through. "Yo, I'm all gentleman and stuff.

Jack asks (of Quelynne), "I want to skip straight to the central building -- make sure you leave a hole in the wall of that one for me when you juggle those grenades?"

Jack points at the building in the middle, the one only accessible via a maze of other buildings connected to it.

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "OK, can we have a map? I'm not sure I'm visualizing this the same way that everyone else is."

[peregaming] Remba says, "Yeah, maps make everything easier"

[peregaming] Quellynne says (to Remba), "Hee"

[peregaming] GM says, "https://www.webwhiteboard.com/board/jxv4cgn5"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Where's our initial position, relative to that?"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "And the lines between the buildings are walls or tunnels? Or both?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(also, thanks!)"

[peregaming] GM says, "no problem"

[peregaming] GM says, "the lines are tunnels"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Tunnels. ('Tube-like connections'.)"

[peregaming] GM says, "yep"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "So I can run across them?"

[peregaming] GM says (to Q), "With superspeed, yep"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Sweet."

[peregaming] Jack says, "So my hope is for there to be an explosion somewhere around where the green X is, blasting a hole in that wall."

[peregaming] Jack says, "So I can teleport straight there, without having to go through the checkpoint buildings or the tube tunnels."

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "And we want everyone to do this? Should I explode things now?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Q must be used to infiltrating buildings in order to stop eldritch mad science by now :P"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I believe that Lizze and Remba are trying to walk in the main entrance, just walking through the tube tunnels to the central building."

[peregaming] Remba says, "correct"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Well, Remba and I are presumably in that open space after checkpoint 1, heading to checkpoint 2, so don't bomb us."

[peregaming] Jack says, "And brushing off anyone who sees them with Lizzie's Influence."

Quellynne waits for R&L's signal through their secure short-wave radio jawbone implants.

GM says (to Remba&Lizzie), "You make it through the second checkpoint, seemingly undetected, entering the building..."

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "There wasn't more security??"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "There was, but they were even less strong willed"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Ok!"

[peregaming] GM says, "Just one thing: I'm going to ask you to roll Notice right now."

[peregaming] GM says, "For mystery reasons."

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Everyone?"

Lizzie rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Superb (5)

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

GM says (to Lizzie), "You think you hear a third pair of footsteps, but there is no one behind you."

Lizzie frowns and looks around.

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "May I roll again to detect unfamiliar minds?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Like, if someone is there"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Sure!"

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

GM says (to Lizzie), "There is someone behind you! You can't see them, but they're right there, just waiting for you to move on, as if under some orders to follow you."

Remba says (to lizzie), "(in a whisper) Don't get cold feet now, we're nearly there"

Lizzie projects, "We're not alone." into Remba's mind, if she's open to it.

[peregaming] Remba asks (of lizzie), "Can I answer?"

[peregaming] GM says, "It's one way"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Correct"

[peregaming] GM says, "except if you're a psychic cat"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Lizzie can Remba's emotions, I guess."

[peregaming] GM says, "yep"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I could. Or.. do I want this person to think we don' tknow about them, or do I want to attack them? :D"

[peregaming] GM says, "Your call."

[Crows-Nest] (from Jack) Lizzie uses DIE; accidentally kills Remba.

[peregaming] Remba says, "CP IS NOT PSYCHIC, FOR THE LAST TIME"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "This is the last time that CP won't be psychic?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I think I would do the former, and see about giving them a bit of a headache, without being super obvious where it's coming from."

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

[peregaming] Remba exclaims (at jack), "Noooo!"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "That's not a great roll, but they can defend in some way."

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

[peregaming] GM says, "What the"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Ha."

[peregaming] GM says, "I did it again"

[peregaming] Remba says, "Wow"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Hmpf."

[peregaming] GM asks, "Anyway, I guess you guys keep moving and we switch to J&Q?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Sure"

[peregaming] Remba says, "Yeah"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "I think I'm waiting for a signal?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Ah, yeah"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "I assume you get the signal!"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "However, my 'power amplification' power lets me: Additionally, you always know who around you is super-powered and generally what their power is."

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "So, can I tell if there are superpowered individuals in the area?"

[peregaming] GM says (to Quellynne), "You can tell if they're in your zone, I think"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Yeah, I think so."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "So, I detect that Jack is super-powered."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I think I will wait until L&R run into a roadblock that a distraction will help with."

[peregaming] GM says, "Hmm, that wasn't what you planned before"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Or until they get to the center?"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(I'm assuming the 'roadblock' thing is the backup plan.)"

[peregaming] GM says, "Let's assume they send a signal when they get to the center (because I know as a GM that they don't encounter a roadblock yet)"

[peregaming] GM says, "Just to streamline things a little"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "That's OK with me if that's OK with them."

Remba says to herself "The eagle has landed, I repeat, the eagle has landed"

Quellynne claps Jack on the back. "OK, here I go. Good luck!"

Jack exclaims, "You too!"

Quellynne takes a deep breath, and rushes into the compound at superhuman speeds!

[peregaming] Jack asks, "I assume that was a boost transfer?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "It wasn't, but it can be."

[peregaming] Jack says, "Up to you."

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Would that make sense?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Enh, let's let Lizzie keep it for now."

[peregaming] GM says, "yeah"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Cool."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I can tag you on my way by if need be."

Quellynne runs! And tosses grenades everywhere! And generally makes a nuisance of herself!

Jack waits for one of the grenades to blast a hole through the wall of the central building, then teleports in!

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "And since everyone's out of the zone, I will do the Mass Provoke thing."

[peregaming] GM says, "Whee"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks (of GM), "You want a roll, or not?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Roll it"

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

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

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "What a terrible roll for a 7 ;-)"

GM says (to Quellynne), "Well, you've provoked a lot of guards (and some invisible mutants that you now become aware of)"

GM says, "And blown up SO MUCH SHIT"

Quellynne pages 'invisible mutants!' to everyone.

Quellynne says, "wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Can I tell how many there are?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Do we want init yet/"

Remba (with sparkling eyes), "Ohh, invisible mutants"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Outside the building? About a dozen. Init? Well, since now most of the party is in the central hangar-ish building, I'd say init time"

Jack clears the initiative.

Jack registers Jack at init 20.

GM registers Mutants at init 3.

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "roll or straight notice?"

GM registers OldJack at init 2.

Lizzie registers Lizzie at init 2.

Quellynne registers Quellynne at init 2.

Remba rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Poor (-1)

Remba registers Remba at init -1.

GM displays the initiative: Jack(20) Mutants(3) OldJack/Lizzie/Quellynne(2) Remba(-1)

GM advances the initiative: JACK(20) Mutants(3) OldJack/Lizzie/Quellynne(2) Remba(-1)

[peregaming] Jack asks, "I just teleported into the hangar through a brand-new window -- what do I see?"

GM says (to Jack), "Well, you see Lizzie and RembaChad, and you see a central horizontal glass tube that is clearly an elevator leading down into the basement."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Is there any kind of door visible in the elevator?"

GM says, "There are the tanks Q saw, and people at work."

[peregaming] GM says (to Jack), "It's a standard glass elevator door."

[peregaming] GM says, "Locked with a keypad."

[peregaming] Jack says, "I'm not that strong, but if I were falling I'd be moving pretty quickly..."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Is it plausible that I could teleport up high, fall part way, then teleportt in such a way that my momentum would throw me *into* the doors?"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Actually, that might not be that helpful, since Q has grenades and could do that much more easily."

[peregaming] Jack says, "So instead, I'd like to distract the bad guys by teleporting around."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "As a Create Advantage?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Good idea! Opposition +2"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "OK! What skill?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Provoke, usually"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Can I use Fight?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "If I'm acting all hostile to the mutants?"

[peregaming] GM says, "OK, but remember that you can't see the invisible mutants. That increases the difficulty to +4"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Not trying to actually land punches, but just making sure they're busy dodging and blocking."

[peregaming] Jack exclaims (at GM), "OK!"

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

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Boost! That's good enough for me!"

[peregaming] GM says, "RP your punching and advance init"

Jack throws a punch here, blips there, feints, blips back over there -- he doesn't actually hit anyone, but he has everyone there dodging and ducking and trying to figure out where he's going to be next.

Jack advances the initiative: Jack(20) MUTANTS(3) OldJack/Lizzie/Quellynne(2) Remba(-1)

[peregaming] GM says, "3 mutants who are invisible gang up on Jack:"

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

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Defending with Fight!"

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

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "I'll use a stress box!"

[peregaming] GM says, "And since they have Weapon:2 technodaggers, that's 3 stress"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "I'll use the a stress box #3!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(I'm glad my Physique isn't zero.)"

GM exclaims, "Jack is cut by an invisible blade, but that doesn't stop him!"

GM advances the initiative: Jack(20) Mutants(3) OLDJACK/LIZZIE/QUELLYNNE(2) Remba(-1)

GM says, "Old Jack remains in the basement. Over to you Lizzie and Q"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Hm."

Lizzie reaches out again to the mind of the person who was following them, whther that's the same creature fighting with Jack or not.

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

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "mental attack"

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

GM says (to Lizzie), "There is a scream from behind you, and you turn to see a man in spandex slowly become visible again as blood gushes from his nose. He lands at your feet, unconscious."

Lizzie looks down impassively.

[peregaming] GM asks, "Q?"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "There's nobody attacking me out here?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Well, they are trying to but not managing"

[peregaming] GM says, "(They don't have a clear sense of where or what you are because you're this blur)"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Hmm, how about I try to provoke them into pulling reinforcements to the yard where I am?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Like a Create Advantage or something."

[peregaming] GM says, "That could work"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Athletics or Provoke?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Provoke, +5 Overcome (so as to really get as many mutants away from the other heroes as possible)"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Sure"

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

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Nope."

[peregaming] GM asks, "Not tagging anything?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Nah. So, they do indeed get pulled here, but *they* get to tag it."

[peregaming] GM says, "OK"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Also, continuing Mass Provoke in the background."

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[peregaming] GM says, "Init advance when you're ready"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Question: the rules for teleportation just say 'You can move up to three zones as an action, provided that you can see where you are moving to.' They don't specify anything about glass. Would you interpret that as meaning that I can teleport inside the elevator?"

[peregaming] GM exclaims (at Jack), "Yes!"

Quellynne zips around making everyone so annoyed that extra reinforcements are called in!

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Excellent! And we're treating that as a movement or as an action?"

Quellynne advances the initiative: Jack(20) Mutants(3) OldJack/Lizzie/Quellynne(2) REMBA(-1)

[peregaming] GM asks, "Your teleportation is usually a movement, right?"

[peregaming] Remba asks, "Would my machine sense allow me to activate the sprinklers? Create Advantage so the invisible dudes become more visible?"

[peregaming] GM exclaims (at Remba), "sure!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I think so. I think we've generally treated it as that as long as there isn't a special reason for it not to be."

[peregaming] Remba asks, "Opposition?"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "+2!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(Like if I'm trying to go through a tiny gap.)"

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

[peregaming] Remba says, "ha ha"

[peregaming] GM says, "Well, you should probably tag something."

[peregaming] GM says, "Because otherwise you will be activating stuff you DO NOT WANT to activate"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Enh."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "A reroll, perhaps?"

[peregaming] Remba says (to gm), "Oh? Interesting! Let's go with that."

[peregaming] Jack says, "Hee."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Oh no"

[peregaming] Remba says, "I don't feel like spending 2 points or invokes just to get to a zero-sum outcome"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Yeah, spending points on a create advantage is a losing proposition."

GM exclaims (at Remba), "You try to reach out and activate the sprinklers... but you activate something else instead. A series of various protocols! Metal shutters start closing off all exits! The tanks start overflowing with electrified fluids that begin to spill out onto the floor! Red lights flash everywhere!"

[peregaming] Jack says (to Quellynne), "Unless the advantage itself is especially useful."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "It's just a +2."

[peregaming] Jack says, "No, it's a Fact."

Remba says, "Guys! I, um, that, um, that was not what I planned."

GM displays the initiative: Jack(20) Mutants(3) OldJack/Lizzie/Quellynne(2) REMBA(-1)

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

Lizzie says, "Remba!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "E.g., if you Create Advantage to get someone glued to the floor, then they're glued to the floor until they free themselves."

Lizzie says, "Uh, I mean. CHAD!"

GM advances the initiative: JACK(20) Mutants(3) OldJack/Lizzie/Quellynne(2) Remba(-1)

Jack teleports into the glass elevator!

Jack then smashes the OPEN DOORS button from the inside!

GM exclaims, "The doors open!"

Jack exclaims, "Get in!"

Jack advances the initiative: Jack(20) MUTANTS(3) OldJack/Lizzie/Quellynne(2) Remba(-1)

[Crows-Nest] Jack exclaims, "Not you!"

GM exclaims (at Jack), "You hear footsteps converging! Invisible people! They're trying to get in!"

Jack will try to Defend!

[peregaming] GM says, "They'll try to Fight their way in, you can push them back with Fight"

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

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Eep."

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

[peregaming] Remba says, "Oops"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Even if I can add my Natural Weapon, that's... hmm."

[Crows-Nest] Jack asks, "*Can* I use my Natural Weapon?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "There's just enough room"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "So yes"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Woo! I'm up to 4, then. And I'd like to use my boost to reroll."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "go ahead"

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "You only got a -1."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "(The one from earlier, because these are the same guys who are already fighting me.)"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says (to Quellyne), "Yeah, but if I don't use it, it'll cost me too many fate points."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Like, three of them."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "says the guy who has 5"

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "No, I mean, a re-roll is probably a losing proposition."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "4 -- I spent one :)"

Remba sets her current fate point total to 3.

[Crows-Nest] Jack says (to Quellynne), "Hmm."

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "Since you're likely to only get a +1 out of it, instead of a +2."

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "(not that you can't try!)"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "OK, Natural Weapon gets me to 4, a +2 from the boost is 6."

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "(but the odds are against you.)"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "So I guess two fate points would do it."

[Crows-Nest] Jack exclaims, "OK!"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "What do you tag?"

[peregaming] GM says, "(And don't forget to RP/init advance once you're done tagging)"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "I will tag the Defenseive Systems (or whatever Remba's accidental aspect is), since these guys can be affected by it too."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "excellent"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(Did no one warn me I was on the wrong channel?)"

[peregaming] GM says, "No one did"

[peregaming] Jack says, "And It's Dangerous To Go Alone, because yet again I have run ahead of everyone and am now alone in here."

[peregaming] GM says, "cool"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Which I think gets me to a 10!"

Jack spends a fate point, leaving him with 3.

Jack spends a fate point, leaving him with 2.

[peregaming] GM says, "Shall I advance init or..."

[peregaming] GM says, "I assume Jota is typing"

Jack blips around and even out and back into the elevator. He can't see his enemies, but he can see their footsteps in the sludge pouring into the room, and they're not quick enough to keep up with him. They're too busy trying not to get knocked out by him to force their way into the elevator!

Jack advances the initiative: Jack(20) Mutants(3) OLDJACK/LIZZIE/QUELLYNNE(2) Remba(-1)

[peregaming] GM says, "yay"

[peregaming] GM says, "Lizzie and Q, up to you"

Lizzie picks a random semi-visible invisible mutant to target with a mental attack.

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

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Oh come on."

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

[peregaming] GM asks, "Do you move to the elevator?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Yes"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "If I can do that"

GM says (to Lizzie), "You run towards the elevator..."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Like, whatever the mutant versus door situation is"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Athletics (+2) Overcome!"

[peregaming] GM says, "Since it's slippery"

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

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Minor cost!"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I'm still empowered? Because I'll use that to avoid a cost, b/c I suspect it will not be good."

[peregaming] Jack says, "A minor cost is pretty minor."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I guess so..."

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "It's minor, so, like, you sprawl out and embarass yourself."

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "Ok, fine. What's the cost?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Empowered applies only to using your powers anyway"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Oh, right."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "E.g., 'you slide in on your butt, but otherwise make it just fine, aside from slight embarassment'?"

[peregaming] GM says, "That works"

Lizzie picks herself up and doesn't look Jack in the eyes.

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Over to Q now!"

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "I feel like a minor cost should be something more than mild RP flavor?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "But sure"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I seem to recall that Jacob wound up covered nearly head-to-foot in spider grease with no significant ill effects."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Yeah, and I wasn't convinced then either!"

Quellynne runs around through the area, over and up walls, trying to turn off the systems that Remba accidentally activated!

[peregaming] GM says (to Lizzie), "Have 1 stress if you like"

[peregaming] Lizzie ( :( :(

[peregaming] GM:P

[peregaming] Quellynne | A minor cost should add a story detail thats problematic or bad for the PC, but doesnt necessarily endanger progress. You could also ask the PC to take stress or give someone who opposes the PCs a boost.

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Yeah, I just looked it up. I'm just surprised it's not a mechnical thing, other than maybe stress."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "A boost is also mechanical, fwiw"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Sure, I was including that in the second sentence."

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "A problematic +0 aspect, maybe?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "But we mostly don't do that."

[peregaming] Quellynne nods.

[peregaming] GM says, "Story details are always important."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Moving on."

[peregaming] Quellynne asks (of GM), "TN?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Months from now, Jack reminds Lizzie of that one time..."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(also, I am trying to use Athletics for this)"

[peregaming] Jack asks (of Quellynne), "So you're turning off the defense systems rather than going for the elevator?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Elevator is movement ;-)"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Do you get multiple movements per turn?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I AM FAST"

[peregaming] GM says (to Quellynne), "Well, technically it'd take an Athletics overcome to make it to the elevator in time before all is shut down"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Yay!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Oh."

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "'all is shut down'?"

[peregaming] GM says, "metal shutters are closing off everything, even the hole that Jack came through"

[peregaming] GM says, "some sort of nuclear-apocalypse precaution"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Oh."

[peregaming] GM says, "that Remba *just so happened to* activate"

[peregaming] GM asks, "How does that sound?"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "OK, I'm running into the building VERY QUICKLY; hopefully I'll be able to do Lots of Actions to do extra things. Like maybe carry Remba into the elevator too?"

[peregaming] GM says, "sure"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Ooh."

[peregaming] GM says, "Athletics +6 Overcome"

[peregaming] GM says, "(for the mad dash)"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "So, TN to get inside, get inside elevator, and get Remba in too?"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "6 for everything? Or just 'inside and in elevator'?"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Or just 'inside'?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Inside"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "got it."

Quellynne rolls Legendary+2 (+10) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 0 | Legendary+2 (10)

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "And now you can use multiple actions to do the rest!"

[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "OK! Typing!"

Quellynne sees metal shutters closing over the entrance, and dashes inside, just as they close behind her! Quickly sizing up the situation, she can sense a bunch of mutants trying to get into the elevator with Jack and Lizzie, with a slightly-dazed Remba off to the side. She rushes over, grabs Remba, and hops on the heads of the mutants before diving into the elevator!

Quellynne advances the initiative: Jack(20) Mutants(3) OldJack/Lizzie/Quellynne(2) REMBA(-1)

[peregaming] GM says, "So, I'd allow using the elevator to count as movement, to speed things up"

[peregaming] GM says, "So Remba could activate the elevator, it goes down, and she still gets an action"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Perfect."

Remba says, "*ding!*"

Remba transforms into SATSAM and gets ready for whatever when the doors open.

GM says, "You descend into the basement. The doors open! Old Jack stands before you with a gun in his hand."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "By the way, who's holding the helmet?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "If we don't say, then whoever gets to try has it."

[peregaming] Jack says, "I've been imagining Q, since I figured she'd probably be the one to run up and put it on him."

Remba exclaims (at OldJack), "Eat Plasma, old version of my friend!"

[peregaming] Remba says, "Create Advantage with Shoot"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Woo! Opposed by his Notice!"

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

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

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Wow"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "How did we roll EXACTLY the same thing? Precognition!"

[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "That's a boost!"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Is there anything else in the room but him?"

[peregaming] Remba exclaims, "I'll tag Dardevil because I make it look really good!"

[peregaming] GM says, "HE seems alone for now"

[peregaming] Quellynne says (to Remba), "You don't need to."

[peregaming] Jack asks (of Remba), "You're not satisfied with the Boost?"

[peregaming] Remba says, "So we have "Rain of Plasma" with one free invoke"

[peregaming] Remba says, "Oh right, there is not that much difference... nevermind, boost it is"

GM exclaims, "Old Jack appears to have known what Remba would do, but nevertheless he is unnerved by the Rain of Plasma!"

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: JACK(20) Mutants(3) OldJack/Lizzie/Quellynne(2) Remba(-1)

Jack lunges for the gun, to send it into the future!

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

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

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Again!"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Success with a minor cost!"

[peregaming] GM asks (of Jack), "He's got you by the arm now?"

[peregaming] Remba says, "Old Jack has lost his edge. Must've switched to decaf."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Do you want to say he got off a shot that slightly grazed me for one stress?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Oh, sure"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(For the minor cost.)"

[peregaming] GM says, "Also wait"

[peregaming] GM says, "I haven't spend any fate pointS..."

[peregaming] GM says, "Nah, not yet."

[peregaming] GM says, "Go ahead, RP and init advance"

Jack grabs the gun! Old Jack fires at the same instant as the gun and the bullet vanish -- just knicking Jack's hand before it disappeared.

Jack advances the initiative: Jack(20) MUTANTS(3) OldJack/Lizzie/Quellynne(2) Remba(-1)

GM exclaims, "A great silvery-looking dog -apparently coated in nanotech -- rushes out of the shadows!"

GM exclaims, "It barks, and fires lasers at Remba!"

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

Jack says, "Technology? I thought you were all about the transdimensional transformations, Old Man."

Remba exclaims, "Defend with Atlethics!"

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

Remba exclaims, "Now I tag Daredevil!"

Remba spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

Old Jack says, "Picked up that mutt in San Frangeles. Had a hunch it'd come in handy someday!"

[peregaming] Remba asks, "So that's still 2 stress?"

[peregaming] GM says, "4 stress, actually-- it's a Weapon:2"

[peregaming] GM says, "Potent lasers."

[peregaming] GM says, "Made to kill, not stun"

[peregaming] Remba asks, "SO I take the 3 box and a minor consequence?"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Indeed!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "If you tag one more, you can change it from a tie, and he'll just get a boost instead."

[peregaming] Jack says, "Doing 0 damage. (If you're willing to tag another aspectt.)"

[peregaming] Remba asks, ""Singed Ribs?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "A minor consequence counts for 2, so it'd be the 2-stress box with it."

[peregaming] Remba says, "Right."

[peregaming] Remba says, "So I tick the 2 box and have "singed ribs""

[peregaming] GM says, "OK! Singed Ribs sounds strange though."

[peregaming] Jack says, "I usually prefer barbecued."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Seared."

(From Remba) A laser blast is fired into the elevator and SATSAM yelps in pain, holding her side. "Ouch! THAT HURT! YOU FU- YOU ASS- BAD DOGGIE!"

[peregaming] Remba says (to Quellynne), "Aha! thanks."

GM advances the initiative: Jack(20) Mutants(3) OLDJACK/LIZZIE/QUELLYNNE(2) Remba(-1)

GM exclaims, "Old Jack attempts to send the helmet into the past!"

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "Depending on what OJ does, Q should go next since she has the helmet? And then I can do whatever I need to do to activate it?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "I.. did not expect that."

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

[peregaming] GM says, "Jack can defend"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Can I defend with athletics?"

Quellynne Dodging out of the way?

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "I will defend!"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "But, I'd prefer Q to if she can use Athletics."

[peregaming] GM says, "Nah, this is special f***ery"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Since we established I was the one carrying it."

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "OK!"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Doesn't he have to touch it?"

[peregaming] Jack says (to Q), "I would, but then, I can't send something from the present to the past."

[peregaming] Jack says, "So it's plausible that he's learned an advanced version of the power."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Alrighty."

Jack rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Legendary (8)

[peregaming] GM says, "He's been preparing this while you guys were fighting invisible people"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Inflict Condition!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I would like to give him the aspect Temporally Tired."

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Wait! He'll spend 2 fate points! One on More Than Merely Human! And one on Chosen Avatar of the Great One!"

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 2.

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 1.

[peregaming] Jack says, "Because I am wearing him down."

[peregaming] Jack says, "Oh my."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "So I'm now down by one?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Yep."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "We should tag Rain of Plasma."

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Yes!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I tag Rain of Plasma."

[peregaming] Remba exclaims, "Yay, I helped!"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "So you succeed, despite almost failing! Narrate this battle of the wills!"

Jack sees that expression on the Old Man's face, and he recognizes exactly what it means. Old Man Jack reaches out toward the helmet, but Jack puts himself in between. The chronetic energy from the Old Man surges into Jack, instead of the helment. It's a struggle, but he discharges it into the floor, and patches of carpet and chunks of underfloor vanish into the past.

Old Jack says, "Crud!"

Jack displays the initiative: Jack(20) Mutants(3) OLDJACK/LIZZIE/QUELLYNNE(2) Remba(-1)

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Q! Do the thing!"

Quellynne dashes forward to slam the helmet on OJ's head!

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Athletics, defended by Fight!"

Quellynne rolls Legendary+2 (+10) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 +1 | Legendary+2 (10)

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

[Crows-Nest] Remba says, "Oh, OJ? We should've made a glove"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Hmm, anyone have an idea of what else I might do with that roll?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Tie him up?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Good idea"

[peregaming] Jack says, "The helmet was attacked to, IIRC, kilometers of wiring."

[Crows-Nest] Remba says, "Yeah, Remba couldn't find her clippers"

Quellynne dashes out of the elevator, and runs circles around Old Jack, who tries ineffectively to punch into the blur. Suddenly, he realizes that a trailing wire has caught on his foot, and in an instant, the cord has twirled up his enitre body, and Quellynne slams the helmet on his head!

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "And now it's time for Lizzie to psychically charge the helmet with a mental attack!"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Woo!"

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

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "To trigger the surge that'll sever the link!"

[peregaming] GM says, "Oh."

[peregaming] Lizzie asks, "Ok. NOW I'll use empowered. But first, what was the target?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Does he defend?"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(and you can tag the 'completely wired' aspect I just gave him, too.)"

[peregaming] GM says, "It's a TN of 4"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Oh, cool."

[peregaming] Jack says, "I was thinking he'd be defending with Will."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Ok, I use empowered and that aspect, which makes it a +5."

[peregaming] GM says, "Think of the link as a thread. No matter how strong the ends are, if the thread is thin... it'll break"

GM exclaims (at Lizzie), "You send forth a psychic scream into the device, and you see in your mind's eye a thread of pure thought severed neatly by the device!"

GM exclaims, "Now defend against the psychic aftershock!"

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

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Oh christ."

[peregaming] GM says, "With Will"

[peregaming] GM says, "And everyone defends"

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

Lizzie has so many fate points, at least.

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Everyone gets their own +8 to defend against?"

[peregaming] GM says, "Yep"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Oh!"

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

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

Remba rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 +1 | Mediocre (0)

[peregaming] Jack ticks a one stress mental box.

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Can I tag 'a jack knows a jack'?"

[peregaming] GM says, "sure"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "So, uh. I can bring that to a +seven with "whatever it takes" and "family first" (y'all are family and this company is a rival to my father's). So that's just 1 stress shift."

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I'll tag it once and check my +3 box."

Lizzie spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

Lizzie spends a fate point, leaving her with 1.

Quellynne knew, in her heart of hearts, what was going to happen. But it still really hurts!

[peregaming] Jack asks, "And Remba?"

[Crows-Nest] Remba says, "Ican maybe tag Hyperaware (can focus on this) and foster family (so much needling with step sibling builds up mental resistance)"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Can someone tag 'spatiotemporal secrets'?"

[Crows-Nest] Remba says, "Which brings me to 4 shifts"

[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I don't remember where that came from."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Does my research on soulmonger physics help with psychic backlash?"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(That's where it came from.)"

[peregaming] GM says, "This is more than Soulmonger in nature."

[peregaming] GM says, "THE GREAT ONE SPEAKS"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Also for the record, sinister whatever never made it onto the spreadsheet."

[Crows-Nest] Remba says, "Looks like I'll take a moderate mental consequence unless we have free invokes left on something"

[peregaming] GM says, "Sinister Connections"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "yeah"

[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Oh, what was that from?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "My research into the company"

[peregaming] GM says, "Lizzie's detective work"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Not useful here"

[peregaming] GM says, "but probably super useful in the future"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "But should be noted"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "I don't know if A Jack Knows a Jack would help you -- it's the aspect indicating how I studied the other Jack's behavior."

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "(And would have passed on what I know to you, but I don't know if that'd help with psychic backlash here.)"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "A moderate mental consequence makes sense. She's a kid, this is beyond terrifying"

[Crows-Nest] Jack asks (of Remba), "Are you out of fate points?"

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "Sure, but the GM said 'yes' ;-)"

[peregaming] Remba says (to jack), "When I tag the two to make it not 8 shifts, yes"

[Crows-Nest] Jack asks, "Because I could maybe spend on on her behalf?"

[peregaming] Remba asks, "Okay, good name for a moderate consequen - oh?"

[peregaming] Jack says, "I'm here with Remba -- we've been a team for a long time, and I'm here to support her, because I know that It's Dangerous To Go Alone."

[peregaming] GM says, "Aww"

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "I'm sure we can come up with a connection. Because you had studied his behavior, you knew that the psychic connection he had must be pretty strong, and, if severed, could set up a huge backlash."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Can I invoke that to reflect the mental strength she gains from my presence?"

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "(also, welac)"

[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

Jack spends a fate point, leaving him with 1.

[peregaming] Remba ticks the 2 mental stress box.

[peregaming] Jack says, "Woo."

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "The kid hasn't been permanently scarred!"

[peregaming] Remba exclaims, "Only on my ribs!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "A can of metal polish, and that'll buff out, no problem."

GM says, "So, you all feel for one fraction of a second the echo of a terrible voice! A voice beyond time, beyond eternity, beyond even the Abyss outside of the universe"

GM says, "It's like a furious hurricane sweeping through your minds."

GM says, "Old Jack's eyes roll back in his sockets and he starts crying helplessly, collapsing to the floor and writhing visibly"

GM says, "He soon passes out unconscious."

Jack says, "Ah, good."

Remba reels and steadies herself on a wall. "Is that it? Did we win?

Jack says, "For now, I think we did."

GM says, "The hound stares at you, still gleaming with silver nanotech."

GM says, "It seems petrified."

Quellynne says, "Hey, pooch, it's OK. It's over."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Nano-tech = not a living organism?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Inanimate object?"

Quellynne holds out a hand to the animal.

[peregaming] GM says, "It's covered with nanotech"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Oh, or you could just be nice to it."

[peregaming] Remba asks, "QUICKSILVER`?"

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Ha ha!"

GM says (to Quellynne), "The moment you touch it, the nanotech falls apart like dust, and from the shell of technology it was encased in, a smaller, more friendly looking dog collapes exhausted to the floor."

GM exclaims (at Remba), "It's Sparky!"

Remba pats Old Jack on the shoulder. "Don't cry. It's gonna be okay."

[peregaming] Jack says, "(I can't remember at all who Sparky was...)"

[peregaming] GM says, "For the record, Sparky was last seen when Remba pretended to be an SWAT agent and messed up the Quint household"

Lizzie aw. "Poor puppy."

[peregaming] GM says, "He was the Quints' dog"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Ha ha."

[peregaming] Remba says, "I was trying to look it up."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Oh, dang, did we have to avoid him back in the first couple sessions when we broke into the Quints' house?"

[peregaming] Remba exclaims, "Right!"

GM exclaims (at Remba), "You recognize the nanotech: it's from one of your SATSAM suits!"

GM says, "And you remember..."

Remba exclaims, "Sparky! Good boy! Who is a good boy? Yes, it's you! You are a good boy!"

Jack sits down, assuming there's a chair available.

Remba further discusses the good boy nature of Sparky in great, albeit repetitive detail.

[peregaming] GM says, "[peregaming] Jack says, "(Which will later dissolve into a pile of nanites on the sidewalk.)""

[peregaming] GM says, "Episode 5"

GM says (to Remba), "Sparky is tired but okay"

[peregaming] GM says, "I need not explain what happened to the nanites"

[peregaming] GM says, "(Sparky ate them)"

Jack says, "So. I think *this* instance of me is out of commission. As long as we can keep that helmet on him, I think it sould keep his powers in check."

[peregaming] Jack says, "Oh, from the hat Remba dropped."

[peregaming] GM says, "Yes"

Quellynne says, "The helmet has to stay on? I thought once the connection was severed, it's done."

[peregaming] GM says, "Q is corrct"

[peregaming] GM says, "The connection is severed."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "What about the rest of his powers, though?"

[peregaming] GM says, "They remain intact"

Quellynne says, "I think he just has them."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Are they all permanently lost?"

[peregaming] Jack asks, "And will the helmet block them at all?"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Or maybe we can turn him back to the good side with the power of friendship."

Quellynne says, "(his powers, that is.)"

Quellynne says, "But he's not being controlled by whateveritwas, now."

Remba has moved on to the question of who may be an old fluffytums.

[peregaming] Jack says, "I just don't want him to teleport away as soon as he wakes up."

Quellynne asks (of Jack), "So, if it was you, what would help at this point?"

Jack says, "Hmm."

Jack asks, "If you wanted to keep me distracted, so I didn't go off and try to re-start my plans?"

Jack says, "I think... some kind of really good puzzle? A conundrum to solve."

Quellynne asks, "No, what would help you reconnect with people, now that you're not psychically being punished by some Elder God?"

Jack asks, "Connect... with people?"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Oh dear."

Quellynne says, "I mean, mostly I like to run fast and hit things, but it's clear that whatever happened to Jack could have happened to you... but you have friends to keep you grounded."

Jack says, "I... I only got to know you guys *because* we were working together."

Remba exclaims, "It's the same thing as with Mallory. We need to be nice to him. He's just a sad old man. Even older than our Jack!"

Quellynne asks, "So, we give him a job?"

Jack says, "I had goals, and achieving those goals meant working together, and that's what connected us..."

Jack says, "More than a job."

Quellynne asks, "A sense of purpose?"

Jack says, "We need to find something that will be more interesting to him than his old goals."

Remba says, "Yeah, a goal."

Jack says, "Something that'll pique his intellectual curiosity."

Jack says, "And that he can only work on if he works with us."

Jack thinks back.

Jack says, "Now, this is risky, but:"

Quellynne asks, "Like, how to more permanently bar Cthulhu from coming back?"

Jack says, "We have a notebook. It's all copied down from the realm of the Clockwork King."

Jack says, "I've barely been able to make heads or tails of it."

Jack says, "But... maybe he might want to try."

Jack says, "And it might even help to give him a different perspective on all of this."

Remba says, "Ooooh."

Jack says, "Since the King was a Jack too. He was a Jack who was fighting *against* the end of the world."

Jack says, "But it's a huge risk."

Quellynne exclaims, "Perfect!"

Jack asks, "What if he does decipher it, and he learns the secrets of the King, and then just uses them against us?"

[Crows-Nest] Remba says, "The Jack was a King? This card game is confusing"

Quellynne asks, "He'd have to want to?"

Jack says, "But it might still be our best hope."

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "OK, I really have to go ;-)"

Jack asks (of Quelynne), "To deipher the book, to gain a new perspective, or to use the secrets against us?"

Quellynne says, "He'd have to want to use it against us."

Jack says, "Remember, we just thwarted his plans to bring back the Great One. If that book showed him another way he could do it, without that psychic tether..."

Quellynne asks, "You'd... find that compelling?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Quellynne), "That's cool, this is basically just RP wrapup and we're done"

Jack says, "If I were *him*, I would."

Jack asks, "But if the book showed him the perspective of the Clockwork King, of a Jack trying to *save* the world, then maybe he would change his mind?"

Quellynne exclaims, "Well, worth a shot!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "What I'm saying is, the GM can choose either direction to go with it :)"

Jack says, "I agree."

[peregaming] GM says, "Haha."

Remba asks, "What's the worst that can happen?"

Jack doesn't answer that.

[Crows-Nest] (from GM) The audience: 'LITERALLY EVERYTHING!'

Remba exclaims (at jack), "That wasn't a rhetorical question! It's a terrible risk!"

Jack says, "Well, yeah. If he learns another way to summon the Great One, and if he still hasn't changed his motivations by that point, then we'll be doing this again."

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "OK, I had a horrible idea. We play a session where we assume that every roll of the die is a split of the multiverse. And since if the thing we're fighting happens in *any* universe, it's bad for all of them..."

Jack says, "Trying to prevent him from destroying all the universes."

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "We have to find a way to win *always rolling -4's*"

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

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "So we don't actually roll any dice; we just assume we always get -4 and the GM always gets +4."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "That is an amazing idea"

[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "Right."

Remba says, "We need to watch him closely"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "So it's all in the tagging and the planning"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Impractical and ridiculously tough"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "And the having a +10 to your normal roll for certain things."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "that's true"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "that could work"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "although Q would be at an advantage :P"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Avoiding NPC's would help, since they're an extra source of randomness."

[peregaming] GM says, "I'll let someone say something cool and that'll end the session on a swell of epic music"

Remba says, "I guess we really have to get to know Jack"

Quellynne says, "Man, all that running always makes me itchy."

(From Remba) Sparky eats a mutants invisibilator-machine.

Jack says (to Remba), "If he decides to use his powers at all -- teleportation, time travel -- then watching him is the one thing we won't be able to do."

Jack says, "We'll just have to trust that there's still some good somewhere inside him."

[peregaming] GM says, "dun dun DUN"

[peregaming] Remba says, "I assume this ep ends on Jack and OJ exchanging a long meaningful glance."

[peregaming] Jack asks, "Are you reading those fanfics again?"

GM says, "*Meaningful glance. Cut to camera panning out to reveal beautiful Norwegian coastline."

GM says, "A seal claps."

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Heh"

GM says, "THE END (for now)"

[peregaming] Lizzie says, "Woo"

[peregaming] Remba exclaims, "Wee!"

[Crows-Nest] Jack says, "Chad waterskis past."

[peregaming] GM says, "That was quite a session"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hehe"

[peregaming] Jack says, "Indeed."

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "But yay, one evil Jack down!"

[peregaming] Jack says, "(I'm not sure if other versions of him are still out there.)"

Remba says (to quints), "So, Sparky is back but ... I'm not sure how long the invisibility is gonna last"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "heehee"

[peregaming] Remba says, "Jack might think that Jack is evil, but Jack has a different opinion of Jack, or Jack for that matter."

[peregaming] GM says (to Remba), "It's nearly two in the morning here, I apologize"

[peregaming] Remba says, "*snore*"

[peregaming] Remba says, "It's okay but ... Goodnight"

[peregaming] GM says, "you too :)"

Jack walks into the room in the RONIN brig where Old Man Jack is still unconscious, sleeping off the after-effects of the severing. He gives a long look at Old Man Jack, then sets the Clockwork King noteboook on the table and leaves, locking the door behind him.

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "Good night!"

[peregaming] GM says, "Goodnight everyone. Thanks again, and I'm happy that you all enjoyed it"

Remba has disconnected.

[peregaming] Jack exclaims, "And thank you for running it!"

[peregaming] GM says, "Aww :-)"

[peregaming] GM says, "Stay safe everyone"

[peregaming] Jack says, "For future planning purposes: I expect that some time between now and the next session, Jack will be calling his Uncle to ask about the symbols on those playing cards."

[peregaming] GM says, "noted"

Lizzie goes east.

[peregaming] GM says, "but now zzz"

GM goes home.

GM has disconnected.