[peregaming] GM asks, "So, Izzy & Quellin... any questions?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "I don't think so"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "Basic premise of this world?"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "Is it very much like the US today, or very different?"
[peregaming] GM says, "More the former, like the Neighborhood"
[peregaming] GM says, "The key differences in this universe lie in the dark secrets that lie beneath a thin veneer of normality..."
[peregaming] Quellin says, "dun dun dunnnnnn"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "If I'm a 'rebel', what of that do I know?"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "Oh, and how do we know each other?"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "I think both can be answered with this following opening scene!"
[peregaming] Quellin exclaims, "OK!"
[peregaming] GM says, "(which may be redolent of clich???)"
GM says, "It's a hot summer day in San Frangeles. Everybody is quiet as the last motes of dirt hit the coffin."
GM says (to Izzy), "It's your aunt Brenda's funeral."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Oh sad."
GM says (to Quellin), "You're some distance away, pretending to pay respects to a grave, but you're on full alert."
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "Do I know Brenda?"
GM says (to Quellin), "Because Brenda and Theodore Quint were high-level members of the same secret organization as you: RONIN."
[peregaming] GM says, "Typing"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "I should let you do your thing ;-)"
GM says (to Quellin), "RONIN was created by Theodore Quint several years ago when he resigned from the CIA, in an attempt to fight a mysterious cult known only as the Council of Smiles, which has gradually taken over the CIA and several other government organizations."
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Nice"
[Crows-Nest] Quellin exclaims, "Not the national forest service!!!"
GM says (to Quellin), "Your mission today: protect Quint. And find out who murdered his wife."
GM says, "dun dun DUN"
[peregaming] GM says, "Exposition over: your move, players."
[peregaming] GM steeples fingers.
Izzy quietly weeps.
[peregaming] Quellin says, "OK, I think this means that my last level-1 skills should be Notice and Shoot."
[peregaming] GM says, "Hehe"
[peregaming] Quellin exclaims, "And I will roll Notice!"
Quellin rolls 4 f-sided dice: 1 1 1 1 | 4 + 1 = 5
[peregaming] Quellin says, "er"
[peregaming] GM says, "What the f"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "OK, it's not 4df; what is it?"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "It's clearly been too long."
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Fudge!"
Quellin rolls Average (1) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Average (1)
[peregaming] GM says, "Delicious fudge."
[peregaming] GM says, "I'd say the opposition is fair (+2), so you can succeed at a minor cost, or fail, or invoke stuff"
Izzy sets her current fate point total to 3.
Quellin sets their current fate point total to 3.
[peregaming] Quellin says, "I think I will just fail, and keep drifting around the mourners."
[peregaming] GM says, "Maybe..."
[peregaming] GM says, "...Izzy notices something suspicious! That could be the minor cost"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Says the guy whose job is to get the PCs together as quickly as narratively possible)"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Sure, if you like."
[peregaming] GM says, "Let's do that."
Izzy wonders who this weirdo is lurking around his aunt's funeral.
Quint (to Izzy) says, "Thank you for being here."
Izzy asks, "Of course! How are you holding up?"
Quint (to Izzy) says, "These are dark times, kid. I can only keep moving forward."
Izzy says, "Let me know if I can help."
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Ask about me! ;-)"
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "Quellin's gender is.. ?"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Quelling a girl."
[peregaming] Quellin says, "et."
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Quellin's a girl."
[peregaming] GM says, "Jacqueline = Quellin"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "ohhhh"
Izzy asks, "Do you know that woman over there?"
Quint (to Izzy) says, "Don't point! Shh."
Izzy says, "Ohhhh kay."
Quint (to Izzy, in a whisper) says, "Let's just say she's on our side. I can't explain out here in the open."
Izzy says, "Ok."
Quellin sees Izzy pointing at her, moves to be less suspicious, and in so doing, notices something!
[peregaming] GM says, "Guess it's time for you to actually notice something :)"
GM exclaims (at Quellin), "By moving, you got a better angle, and you glimpsed *something* hiding behind one of the funeral monuments!"
Quellin signals to Quint that something's up, and moves to intercept.
Quint touches his ear, frowns. 'Izzy. You're coming with me. Now.'
Izzy says, "Um. Sure."
GM says (to Quellin), "You approach the... thing hiding behind the obelisk. It's a hunched, deformed shape, and when it turns its head towards you you see a face with no eyes, no nose, only a hideous mouth lined with teeth."
Quellin shakes her sap down her sleeve into her hand, and whallops the thing right between its nonexistent eyes!
Quellin rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Wow."
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 +1 | Superb (5)
GM spends a fate point to invoke 'Mutant Horror'.
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary (8)
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Wow ;-)"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "I will let that stand ;-)"
GM exclaims (at Quellin), "The mutant horror is preternaturally graceful, and leaps over you as you attack it!"
Quellin . o O ( Oh, crap. )
GM says (to Izzy), "As you and Quint head towards the gates of the cemetary..."
GM exclaims (at Izzy), "... the gates begin to close!"
Izzy uhhhh.
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Initiative!"
Izzy clears the initiative.
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "Shall we roll for initiative?"
Izzy registers Izzy at init 2.
[peregaming] GM says, "It's your Notice"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "Or just take Notice?"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Right, but you can roll Notice if you want to vary things a bit."
[peregaming] GM says, "True."
[peregaming] Quellin says, "(I'm fine either way)"
Quellin registers = at init 1.
[peregaming] GM says, "Let's do it the usual way (ie pure Notice)"
Quellin removes = from the initiative list.
Quellin registers Quellin at init 1.
GM registers Horrors at init 2.
GM displays the initiative: Izzy/Horrors(2) Quellin(1)
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Plural? Oh, crap."
[peregaming] GM says, "Indeed."
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "Do I see the horrors yet, or just the closing gates?"
[peregaming] GM says, "They're hidden for now."
[peregaming] GM says, "If you want to reach the gates in time... that'd be some Athletics overcome (+4)"
Izzy jogs to the gates.
Izzy rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Superb (5)
GM rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 0 | Good (3)
GM exclaims, "Oh no! It seems like Quint isn't as fast as you!"
Izzy shouts, "Come on! We need to go."
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "I presume I can't also try to hold onto the gates?"
[peregaming] GM says, "You can try! It's a Strength (+3) overcome"
[peregaming] GM says, "uh, Physique"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "I'm going to use my strength from determination to use will ;)"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "cool!"
Izzy rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Fantastic (6)
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "You succeed! RP at will!"
[Crows-Nest] Quellin exclaims, "RP at will about Will!"
Izzy wedges himself in front of one of the gates, holding it open.
Quint says, "I'm... almost... there..."
GM advances the initiative: IZZY/HORRORS(2) Quellin(1)
GM exclaims, "Then something leaps out from behind a tombstone and attacks Quint!"
Izzy screams.
GM exclaims, "At the same time, the horror on the obelisk leaps down to attack Quellin!"
Quellin . o O ( Sigh. He's such a boy. )
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 0 | Fantastic (6)
Quellin tries to roll out of the way!
Quellin rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary (8)
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Woo!"
[Crows-Nest] Quellin says, "wow, another +4? That's crazy."
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "That gives me a boost?"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "You dodge with style, yeah!"
[peregaming] GM says, "It Bit The Dust"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "Maybe give it 'Frustrated'?"
[peregaming] GM says, "That works too"
[peregaming] GM says, "RP and advance init"
Quellin rolls out of the way, provoking an outraged howl from the monstrosity!
Quellin advances the initiative: Izzy/Horrors(2) QUELLIN(1)
Izzy would like to use notice to look around for a potential weapon or something to hold the gate open with (create an advantage)
Quellin exclaims, "Yeah, that's right! You can't touch me because you're sloppy, mouth thing!"
[peregaming] Quellin exclaims, "Provoke!"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Woo!"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "For Create Advantage"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Sorry, I missed your turn :)"
Quellin shouts over at the thing attacking Quint, "That goes for you, too!"
Quellin rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Superb (5)
[peregaming] Quellin says, "That's OK ;-)"
GM rolls Average (1) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Average (1)
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "You succeed! They are provoked!"
[peregaming] GM says, "How... provocative of you"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "I think that's enough for a 'Mad at Quellin' for both of them, individually?"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Quellin is an agent provocateur"
[peregaming] GM says, "I think so."
Quellin runs towards the back of the graveyard, taunting the things as she goes!
Quellin advances the initiative: END OF ROUND
[peregaming] Quellin says, "(also, I will tag the thing attacking Quint's 'Mad at Quellin' so that it attacks me instead of Quint.)"
[peregaming] GM says, "neat"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "What's a Q between friends?"
GM advances the initiative: IZZY/HORRORS(2) Quellin(1)
Izzy advances the initiative: Izzy/Horrors(2) QUELLIN(1)
Izzy backs up the initiative: IZZY/HORRORS(2) Quellin(1)
Izzy will do that thing he said he would do. notice advantage for a weapon.
Izzy rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 +1 | Fair (2)
[peregaming] Izzy says, "UGH"
[peregaming] Izzy throws these dice into an open grave.
[peregaming] GM says, "Aw. You'd need a fate point to make it work. Or else succeed at a cost."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Cost, please. None of my aspects really make sense to notice harder."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Success at a cost: 'You cut off your arm and wedge it in the gate'"
[Crows-Nest] Izzy says, "Yikes."
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "You could take damage from the loose spike you rip off the gates?"
[Crows-Nest] Izzy says, "Or I could beat the monster with it ;)"
[peregaming] GM says, "That sounds good."
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "Sure, ok. How much damage?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Let's say 2 shifts."
[peregaming] Quellin says, "OK. "Two shifts"."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Done"
[peregaming] GM says (to Quellin), "heh"
GM displays the initiative: IZZY/HORRORS(2) Quellin(1)
[peregaming] GM says, "RP and advance init, as you like"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Except don't advance init, because the horrors have to go."
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Er, wait, I mean..."
[peregaming] GM says, "Thank you for reminding me of that :-)"
Izzy wrangles a loose spike off the fence and tries tow edge the gate open with it.
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "I assume it's tall enough?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Yeah"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Horrors may go."
[peregaming] GM says, "Great"
[Crows-Nest] Izzy says, "By which I mean: go away :D"
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 0 0 -1 | Great (4)
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 0 0 0 | Superb (5)
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "Were those attacks?"
[peregaming] GM says, "yep"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Separate defenses, in order:"
Quellin rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 -1 | Good (3)
Quellin rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "The first is one shift of damage, or two?"
[peregaming] GM says, "1 shift"
[peregaming] GM says, "Actually... wait"
[peregaming] GM says, "Two defenses at once..."
Quellin dodges out of the way of Mr. Mouthy #1, causing him to be temporarily stunned on a gravestone! Unfortunately, that meant she wasn't quite paying enough attention to the one coming at her from across the way, and gets grazed on the arm, taking a point of stress.
[peregaming] GM says, "We'll let it slide."
[peregaming] GM says, "Since Quellin is being badass."
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Sorry, was already typing ;-)"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "That's a boost on #1?"
[peregaming] GM asks, "It's okay, but in the future I'll just say that the second creature gives a +1 to the first creature's attack?"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Whichever way you want to run it."
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "I think if they're more powerful, they get separate attacks?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Yeah, let's leave it at that."
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Joining up is a mook-ish thing to do, IIRC."
[peregaming] GM says, "true"
GM displays the initiative: IZZY/HORRORS(2) Quellin(1)
GM advances the initiative: Izzy/Horrors(2) QUELLIN(1)
Quellin spins the sap around in her hands, taunting the horrors, and dodging between them so they almost attack each other before stopping, being confused. This is super infuriating to them!
[peregaming] Quellin says, "(Another Provoke!)"
Quellin rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 0 0 +1 | Good (3)
GM rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 0 | Poor (-1)
[peregaming] GM says, "They are now properly ticked off"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "I think I'll tag my 'bonked into a gravestone' boost to turn that into a 'Furious with Quellin!' instead on #1, and 'You won't taunt me like that again!' on #2. If I'm doing the math right."
Quellin then sprints away towards the back of the graveyard, well away from Quint!
[peregaming] Quellin says, "(moving two zones!)"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "(unless there's something in the way!)"
[peregaming] GM says, "It's a big graveyard"
[peregaming] GM asks, "You head into the incinerator/urn building?"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "I was imagining heading towards the back gate, but you make an intriguing offer ;-)"
[peregaming] GM says, "An offer you can't refuse ? ;-)"
[peregaming] GM asks, "Let's roll with that, shall wE?"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "The only issue is that if we separate from everyone entirely, Izzy won't have anything to do. If you're OK with that, then yes. Otherwise, I will head to the back gate and signal to Quint to come pick me up there."
[peregaming] Quellin says, "(er, if you're OK with coming up with a new thing for Izzy to do)"
[peregaming] GM says (to Quellin), "What makes you think there's nothing outside the front gates? ;-)"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "The sheer force of suggestion?"
[peregaming] GM says, "oooOOOoooOOO"
Quellin sprints into the incinerator building!
Quellin advances the initiative: END OF ROUND
GM exclaims (at Izzy), "Your uncle is bleeding! He's holding his neck, and trying to walk towards the gate!"
GM advances the initiative: IZZY/HORRORS(2) Quellin(1)
Izzy runs over to Quint, and practically drags him towards the open gate.
Izzy stops to pull off her sweater and wraps it around the wound in his neck, and then continues.
[peregaming] Izzy says, "I dono't know what the weather is like, because San Francisco is chilly and LA is not :D"
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "But I've got *some* sort of clothing I can take off and use, maybe?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Also "his""
[peregaming] Quellin says, "I keep misgendering myself, too! ;-)"
[peregaming] GM says, "It's warm, so better go with shirt (**shameless male shirtless scene follows**)"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Hehe, ok. Pandering to the audience."
[peregaming] GM asks, "You manage to leave the cemetery, but where will you go? Quint's car? Your own fancy thing?"
Izzy may not know where Quint parked, but he damn sure knows where his car is.
GM exclaims (at Izzy), "As you head towards your own car, somewhere nearby a car explodes!"
Quint says, "Godammit! My car!"
Izzy oh shit.
Izzy says, "Worry about it later. We need to get out of here."
Quint says, "Not the hospital... they have spies everywhere..."
Izzy says, "Well, we can't go to your house. If your car was targeted."
Izzy asks, "Where to?"
Quint says, "I know a place."
Quint says, "I'll explain as we drive..."
Izzy says, "All right."
GM advances the initiative: Izzy/Horrors(2) QUELLIN(1)
[peregaming] GM says, "Ooops"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Horrors first!"
[peregaming] Quellin whistles innocently.
GM exclaims, "The horrors chase Quellin into the incinerator building!"
GM exclaims, "What's Quellin's next move!"
[Crows-Nest] Izzy whispers, "Burn them to the ground."
Quellin fires up the incinerators and turns off the lights, hiding in the ensuing noise and confusion.
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "Stealth, for Create Advantage?"
Quellin rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 +1 | Great (4)
[peregaming] GM says, "Yeah, it's basically an act of misdirection (tricking them into the furnaces), so +4... dammit"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "You succeed!"
[peregaming] GM says, "(I was actually suggesting an Overcome, but all is well)"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Narrate their grisly end and your daring escape!"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Oh, just end it here? I can do that."
[peregaming] GM thumbs up.
[peregaming] Quellin says, "OK, typing:"
Quellin disappears into the darkness, moving carts and opening and closing doors until the two horrors are completely confused and furious. Suddenly, the light from an open incinerator door casts Quellin's shadow starkly into the middle of the room. Both horrors cry out with delight, and leap at her, only to realize at the last second that it was merely an urn with her hat on it, in front of the flames. They crash into it, dust flying everywhere as they fall backwards. Quellin springs up, slamming the door shut! Howls of rage behind the door echo for way too long, until finally... silence.
[peregaming] GM says, "Wow."
Quellin looks at a broken label. "Sorry, Mr. Williams. It was a noble cause."
Quellin shakes her head, and sprints out of the room.
Quellin advances the initiative: END OF ROUND
GM exclaims, "That ends the scene!"
GM says, "The next scene picks up later, after Quint's instructions lead Izzy into driving through the seedier parts of the city."
Izzy asks, "Are you *sure* this is where you want to go?"
GM says, "Eventually they arrive at a diner which seems to have been boarded up and closed since forever. The faint outlines of an F, A, L and lopsides K are still visible."
GM exclaims, "Quint appears to have a key!"
Izzy says, "I am not even going to ask."
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "Is FALK a reference?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "It's from the department episodes"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Oho."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "The diner they hang out in"
GM says, "Entering the diner's kitchen reveals a fairly new looking construction in the walk: a secure elevator door. Quint leads Izzy in."
Izzy follows with a slight frown.
GM says, "The elevator goes down into a underground complex, where people are busy at computers, checking weapons, building things..."
Izzy asks, "Whoa. I thought you *left* the CIA?"
Quint says, "I did. For a reason."
Izzy asks, "What the hell is this then?"
Quint says, "This... is RONIN."
Izzy asks, "Like samurai?"
[peregaming] Quellin asks, "I'm happy to show up whenever. I assume I know this place?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Yep, you work here! And you'll show up here to report to Quint, etc"
Quint says, "Ronin are those samurai whose master was slain but who refused to commit ritual suicide. Who refused to give up... when all was lost."
Izzy says, "I... see."
Izzy asks, "Is that woman part of this?"
Izzy asks, "And that.. creature that attacked you? Where does that fit in?"
Quellin pokes her head around a door. "You mean me? Hello! You finally made it!"
Izzy says, "Um. Hello there."
Quint says, "We had to take detours to avoid detection. Glad to see you're still alive, Reset."
[peregaming] GM says, "Reset being a code name, of course"
Quellin fist-bumps Izzy, as is customary in this world instead of shaking hands. "Thanks for your help with Quint. You did good work."
Izzy says, "Thanks.. Um. I'm Izzy."
Quellin nods.
Quint says, "Reset, we'll need to call an emergency meeting in the war room, ASAP."
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "What do I believe is the reason my aunt died? Out of game, you said she was murdered, but do I know something like that?"
Quellin asks, "Yes sir. An extra chair for your niece?"
[peregaming] GM says (to Izzy), "As far as you know, she died in an accident, but the details are not known."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Ok"
[peregaming] GM says (to Quellin), "stop misgendering Izzy LOL"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "Bah, nephew ;-)"
[peregaming] GM says, "you're making me dIzzy"
[peregaming] Quellin says, "I can't stop thinking of Izzy being short for Isabella."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Yeah, me, too :D"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "But I stole the name from a coworker."
[peregaming] Quellin exclaims, "That works!"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I keep thinking of Eddie Izzard ;-P"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "A transvestite, appropriately enough"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Maybe this'll help for me."
[peregaming] GM says (to Quellynne), "Wait, is that a subtle shift in reality? Weird."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Hee"
Quellynne sets up the war room, and everyone files in for a de-briefing session.
[peregaming] GM says, "So anyway, cut to: emergency meeting in the war room! (imagine the Rebels in Star Wars, with Quint playing Mon Mothma)"
Izzy follows if nobody stops her.
Izzy HIM.
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "We JUST had this conversation ;-)"
[peregaming] GM says, "Izzy=Ishmael"
[peregaming] GM asks, "I guess?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "His parents really liked Guns and Roses."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(laundry break; keep going; back in a sec)"
Quint says, "For the benefit of my nephew here, I'll recap: five years ago, a cult known only as the Council of Smiles infiltrated the CIA, progressing to the higher levels of government like a virus. RONIN has been fighting a losing battle against them ever since."
Izzy stays quiet.
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(back)"
Quint says, "We've gained more information recently on the Council of Smiles' activities. They are using advanced technology to perform experiments that turn people into powerful mutants."
Izzy raises her eyebrows.
Quint says, "They're also behind a wave of ritual murders, for what ends we cannot comprehend."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Oh fuck it. Izzy is gender queer. His/her/their whatever."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Perfect ;-)"
[peregaming] GM asks, "But then how can I kill off your character without it being politically incorrect?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Just kidding; it's fine either way"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Izzy was a gay male, so it's already not PC ;)"
Izzy asks, "Wait. Murders?"
Izzy asks, "Did.. um... how did my aunt die, exactly?"
Quint (putting an hand on Izzy's shoulder) says, "There's no easy way to say it. But you deserve to know the truth. Brenda... was murdered by members of the Council of Smiles."
Izzy looks pained.
Quellynne shakes her head in sympathy.
Quellynne asks, "It wasn't one of the ritual murders, at least?"
Quint says, "She was investigating the possibility that there was a facility here in San Frangeles, perhaps the very center of operations, for the Council of Smiles' activities."
Quellynne says, "Do we know what she found out? It sounds like it was important."
Quint says, "She said something about temporal anomalies... signatures of some new kind of quantum device being tested right here in the city... but then her bus fell off a bridge on her way to this place."
Quint says, "It wasn't an accident."
Quint says, "The police must be covering up these anomalies, since people living nearby must notice them, surely."
Quint says, "If we could find out where these things are happening, we could pinpoint the location of their laboratory."
Quellynne asks, "I volunteer. What are we looking for?"
Quellynne asks, "Just... anything odd? Or is there a signal we could pick up?"
Quint says, "We're talking doppelgangers, objects disappearing inexplicably and reappearing later, time travel even."
Izzy quietly hmms.
Quint says, "I don't believe in the supernatural. Everything has an explanation. But these things are real."
Quellynne says, "Hmm."
Quellynne asks, "Do you still have that contact in the police force? Could we listen into 911 calls?"
Quint says, "Falk? He died three months ago."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "It's an alternate universe, I can kill off everyone! :)"
Quellynne asks, "Damn. The police radio scanner, then?"
Quint says, "One idea... but it might not work... would be to try and access the police records, by infiltrating the central police station. Or the radio scanner. We could plant a device to spy on that."
Quellynne asks, "I'm... not that great with people, but I could cause a distraction while someone else did?"
Izzy says, "Oh. I could, uh. Maybe help here."
Quint says, "That could work. We need to make it as small an operation as possible, because the moment that they catch wind of us, they'll have the US Army breathing down our necks."
Quellynne says, "You would? That'd be great; they're not expecting you."
Quellynne is impressed. A boy volunteering for dangerous work that's not hitting something!
Quint says, "If we pull this off, we'll be able to launch an assault on their facility within 24 hours."
Quint says, "Remember, Izzy, if it gets dangerous, just run. We'll pick you up."
Izzy nods.
Quint says, "And... outside of this room... trust no one."
Izzy says, "Ok."
Quellynne nods at Izzy and they go off to plan.
[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Plan at will!"
[Crows-Nest] (from GM) Will says, 'oi!'
[peregaming] Izzy says, "I'm basically imagining that I schmooze my way into the station where the scanner is, covertly plant the device, and get the hell out."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Since: people person."
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "And I can be a non-people person at the front desk, causing a distraction?"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Excellent."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Sure."
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "You first, then me?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Yeah"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Sounds good."
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "So it's an Overcome challenge!"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Oh, one of those series-of-rolls things?"
[peregaming] GM says, "yeah"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "Nice!"
[peregaming] GM says, "Rapport for schmoozing, Stealth for planting the device"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Provoke for distraction? Or would that provide a bonus to one of the other things?"
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "I get him to let me to the device, then he's distracted while I stealthily plant the thing?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Provoke would be like a create advantage, and then Izzy can use that advantage when Stealthing"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Right"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Perfect."
[peregaming] GM says, "So, in order: Izzy uses Rapport to overcome, Quellynne uses Provoke to create advantage, Izzy uses Stealth to plant the device using the advantage"
[peregaming] GM says, "I'm setting all the oppositions to +4 because the Council of Smiles has eyes everywhere."
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "Cut to police station scene?"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "yep!"
GM says, "Evening has come to San Frangeles's Police Department."
Izzy walks into the police station, a big smile on his face. He flirts a little with the guy at the desk, being his charming self. "Oh, I always wanted to be a policeman, but I'm not really built for it. I'd love a little tour of the place, if you have the time?"
Izzy rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 0 | Fantastic (6)
[peregaming] GM says, "Success! by two shifts"
[peregaming] GM says, "Narrate at will"
Izzy finds the policeman reception to his advances, if a little flustered. He leads Izzy around the office, showing off various things. Izzy makes note of the police scanner when it's explained to him.
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "It doesn't entirely make sense for it to not be at the main desk, but should we say it's off in a cubicle?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Let's go with that"
Izzy is at the part of the tour near the police scanner, about to head off to another part of the office when..
Quellynne storms in to the police station. "ExCUSE me, but there are TWO BOY HOOLIGANS who have been HANGING AROUND MY HOUSE for THREE WEEKS now, and you all haven't done ANYTHING ABOUT IT! WHY do I PAY TAXES AT ALL if you all are so USELESS?!?"
Quellynne rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 +1 | Average (1)
[peregaming] GM says, "Ouch"
[peregaming] GM says, "Your opposition being +4..."
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "I will spend something to re-roll!"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Probably Prepared for the Worst?"
Quellynne rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 0 | Fair (2)
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "sigh."
[peregaming] GM says, "So technically you created an Aspect that will hinder poor Izzy"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Succeed at a cost? I cause so much ruckus that someone recognizes me from Smiles?"
[peregaming] GM says (to Quellynne), "ooho"
Izzy charmingly says, "You'd better go deal with that. I just need to run to the little boy's room."
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "that makes sense... there's a secret Smiles agent who spots you!"
Quellynne exclaims, "NO, I haven't CALLED IT IN, you all are supposed to KNOW THESE THINGS!"
Cop (to Quellynne) says, "Mind stepping this way, Miss?"
Quellynne exclaims, "Yes, I would!"
Quellynne says, "I am STAYING HERE until this is DEALT WITH."
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "Has he walked away from me?"
Cop puts a hand on Quellynne's shoulder, and a blade unsheathes itself from his sleeve, in such a way that Quellynne can feel the cold steel on the back of her neck. 'I won't ask twice, Ronin.'
[peregaming] GM says (to Izzy), "Yeah, the distraction worked..."
Izzy rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 -1 | Terrible (-2)
Izzy oh shit.
Izzy spends "family first" to re-roll. This is super important. They killed my aunt.
Izzy spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "Good thing you have a distraction to tag!"
[peregaming] GM says, "Indeed"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "I'll use it if I roll better :)"
Izzy rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: -1 0 0 -1 | Terrible (-2)
Quellynne spends a fate point, leaving them with 2.
[peregaming] GM says, "Oh, come on."
[peregaming] GM says, "It's too soon for the TPK, darn it"
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "Was this an overcome?"
Quellynne hears Izzy struggling in the back, and decides to escalate in the front for an Even Bigger distraction.
[peregaming] GM says, "It's true that a fight would work as a distraction..."
[peregaming] GM says, "Especially since you're a Belligerent type"
[peregaming] GM asks, "Is that your Even Bigger Distraction, Quellynne?"
[peregaming] Izzy is tempted to pull out a lighter and set off the sprinklers for an advantage :D
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Athletics, to defend myself, trying to expose the knife to the rest of the force?"
[peregaming] GM says (to Quellynne), "Yeah, that could work"
[peregaming] GM asks, "Overcome?"
[peregaming] GM asks, "Create Advantage?"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Sure. TN?"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Whatever works for you."
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "We could switch to an Overcome of +6 for me, instead of Izzy's Overcome of +4 in the back?"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "And that would let her do her thing without another roll?"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Sure!"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(and leave me fighting things)"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "OK!"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "Athletics!"
Quellynne rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Good (3)
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Can I take 3 shifts of damage for an overcome?"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Sure! Whatever it takes!"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "These are dark, desperate times!"
[Crows-Nest] GM scowls.
[peregaming] GM says, "(I assume you're typing...)"
Quellynne shrieks at the policeman, and yanks back, unfortunately slicing open the back of her neck! Blood sprays everywhere, and the other policewomen (and men) stand up with a shock!
Quellynne asks, "Ow! What is the MEANING OF THIS?"
[peregaming] Quellynne checks off the 3-point stress box.
GM exclaims, "Meanwhile, Izzy is able to plant the device!"
Izzy was confused at first, because she couldn't figure out the thing, but finally gets it and then hightails it to the front of the station and out the door. "Gotta go! Bye!"
Izzy blows a kiss at the cop on her way out.
GM says (to Quellynne), "Everybody sort of freezes (and during that moment of tension, Izzy slipped out)."
GM says (to Quellynne), "Your next move is crucial. You have a few seconds to come up with a plan of escape."
Quellynne glares at the cop. "The mayor is going to HEAR ABOUT THIS! I am a TAX PAYING CITIZEN." She whirls around to stalk out the front door.
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I can roll something for that if you like, or you can just say what the guy does."
[peregaming] GM asks (of Quellynne), "Can you dodge bullets?"
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 -1 | Great (4)
Izzy is ready outside with the car.
Quellynne yipes and dives and rolls out the front door!
Quellynne rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 -1 | Fantastic (6)
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(athletics)"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "*There's* my +2."
GM exclaims, "Bullets fly overhead, but Quellynne makes it into the car!"
Quellynne puts her hand to the back of her neck. "Ow!"
Izzy slams her foot on the gas. "Shit. Are you ok?"
Quellynne says, "I will be."
Quellynne pulls out some gauze from the glove compartment and slaps it on the back of her neck.
Quellynne says, "Good work in there."
Izzy says, "You, too."
Quellynne snorts. "Bleeding on their floor wasn't the *original* plan, but I guess it worked in the end.
Quellynne sighs.
Quellynne says, "I will be."
Quellynne says, "Guy in there called me 'Ronin'."
Quellynne pulls out some gauze from the glove compartment and slaps it on the back of her neck.
Quellynne shakes her head. "Won't be able to be out in public much more after this if we don't succeed."
Izzy says, "We'll succeed. We've got the device now. We'll get 'em."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Er, don't know where the extra gauze line came from."
[peregaming] GM says, "Guess ;-)"
[peregaming] GM says, "(hint: it's something weird that your characters notice)"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "Oh!"
Quellynne blinks.
Quellynne says, "Wait."
Quellynne asks, "Pull over. Was that... did you experience some deja vu there, too?"
Izzy doesn't look over. "Hm?"
Izzy says, "I heard you repeat yourself."
Quellynne snorts. 'Bleeding on their floor wasn't the *original* plan, but I guess it worked in the end.
Izzy slams her foot on the gas. "Shit. Are you ok?"
Quellynne's eyes widen. "A temporal anomaly! We're... we're close to whatever-it-is!"
Izzy shit.
Quellynne exclaims, "Come on, let's figure it out!"
Izzy says, "ok."
Quellynne calls Quint. "Quint! We got the device in place, and we're in the middle of a temporal anomaly. Investigating further."
Quellynne hops out of the car.
Izzy follows, hoping his car doesn't blow up.
Quint says, "(on phone) Perfect! Check your watches, anything that keeps track of time. See if you can zone it on this thing."
Quint says, "We'll keep you updated on the date we get from the radio."
Izzy is wearing a nice expensive watch.
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Graduation present from daddy."
Quellynne asks, "Bah, I'm useless at figuring things out. I'll keep watch, while you, um, look at your watch?"
Izzy says, "Sure."
Izzy checks the current time.
Quellynne draws her gun and shakes her sap into her other hand again.
Izzy makes a mental note to question about that later.
GM says (to Izzy), "Your expensive watch is apparently broken? It's ticking at an irregular rate."
Izzy huh. He shows Q. "Is this normal? I mean in a temporal whatsit?"
Quellynne asks, "If your watch doesn't normally do that, then it's not normal. Maybe move around to see where it goes normal again, or where it gets worse?"
Izzy walks down the block away from the car, looking at his watch.
[peregaming] GM says, "So this is either Notice or Investigate"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Notice, please :D"
Izzy rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 0 | Great (4)
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "You succeed!"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "You have found a direction!"
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "Did it get better or worse?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Worse"
Izzy says, "This way. Let's go."
Quellynne follows.
GM asks (of Izzy), "Your watch is leading you towards the San Frangeles uni campus?"
Izzy walks semi-rapidly, looking between his watch and to make sure he doesn't walk into anyone or anything.
[peregaming] GM says, "I'm going to ask now for you guys to make a Stealth overcome +2 to avoid being tracked down"
[peregaming] GM says, "This will have some effect on what happens next."
Izzy rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Good (3)
[peregaming] GM says, "Izzy stealths good."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "For once"
Quellynne rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 0 0 0 | Fair (2)
[peregaming] GM asks, "'Something about this doesn't add up'?"
[peregaming] GM says, "The Smiles wouldn't just let you get away so easily"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Does a tie not overcome?"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Or is that a compel?"
[peregaming] GM says, "A tie is a success normally"
[peregaming] GM says, "Not a compel, actually"
[peregaming] GM says, "just being nice"
[peregaming] GM says, "Ah, right, a tie works, so no need to invoke anything"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "So, I succeed, and also realize that someone is probably following us?"
[peregaming] GM says, "I misread that roll, sorry"
[peregaming] GM says (to Quellynne), "yep"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "Got it!"
[peregaming] GM asks, "Are you typing, or should I move on?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Onward"
Quellynne's paranoia makes her drop a bloodies piece of gauze on the wrong side of the street before heading after Izzy. <cut to:> two shadowy figures picking up the gauze, and heading that direction.
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "'bloodied'"
[peregaming] GM says, "excellent"
Izzy kind of winds around people, being sure to blend in with the crowd.
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Oh, is my stress still here?"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I forget how long they last."
GM says (to Quellynne), "Quint again on your earpiece: 'We've got calls coming in from uni students. One of them was just going on in Latin and then hung up.'"
[peregaming] GM says, "Usually stress boxes clear at the end of a scene"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Until the end of a scene, if you have time to rest. It's up to the GM here, since we kind of went from police station to car to pulling over."
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Are we still in the same scene, then? Or is it a new one yet?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Ehh, you didn't have time to rest. You're still stressed."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Got it."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "But the one from the graveyard is gone."
[peregaming] GM says, "Yep"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "Carry on, then!"
[peregaming] GM says, "Quint just said something to you"
GM says (to Quellynne), "Quint again on your earpiece: 'We've got calls coming in from uni students. One of them was just going on in Latin and then hung up.'"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Oh, he wanted a response. Got it."
[peregaming] GM says, "all is well"
Quellynne says (to Quint), "Izzy and I are there now, following her watch."
Quint (in earpiece) says, "Good. Which direction?"
Quellynne looks around.
Quellynne says (to Quint), "It's either in or just past the Biology building, I think."
Quint says, "That's consistent with the data we got from spying on the calls and remotely accessing the phone records."
Quellynne asks (of Quint), "Does this mean this is where their base is?"
Quint says, "Yes, I think so. Probably underground."
Quellynne says (to Quint), "Should we go in? If things are getting worse, we may not have much time."
Quint says, "Find the entrance. I'll rally the troops. While they don't know that we know... we still have a chance."
Quellynne says (to Quint), "Will do."
Quint says, "And one more thing."
Quint says, "Keep an eye on Izzy for me."
Quellynne says (to Izzy), "We're to find the entrance, which is probably the basement of the Biology building."
Quellynne says (to Quint), "Absolutely."
Izzy says, "All right."
Quellynne swears quietly. "I wish I still had my hat."
[peregaming] GM says, "So, I'm assume Stealth and Investigation/Notice will be relevant (once again), as well as Rapport for schmoozing into the building."
[peregaming] GM says, "I'll let you share out the workload"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I have *some* stealth."
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Are there TNs? Overcome serieses?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "brb"
[peregaming] GM says, "ok"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I'll roll Stealth for now."
Quellynne rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 +1 | Superb (5)
[peregaming] GM says, "I'd say +4 oppo -- ah, there you go, a good roll"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "You are a Ronin! Stealthier than a ninja!"
Quellynne sees a suspicious woman who she thinks is probably patrolling the building. As she turns to talk to someone on her phone, Quellynne signals to Izzy and they join a group of chatty boys as they walk into the building.
[peregaming] Izzy says, "back"
[peregaming] GM says, "Quellynne just stealthed superbly"
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "Do I need to?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Nah"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "You're up for Rapport ;-)"
Izzy rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 0 | Good (3)
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I mean, it's not like Izzy is waving his arms about and going lolololol"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Is that also a +4? I can tag "popular boy" if need be."
[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Izzy), "That was a +4 overcome (since you're a bit shaken from recent events), and yes you can tag that"
Izzy spends a fate point, leaving her with 1.
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "You succeed!"
Izzy chats about that upcoming biology exam, while walking into the building with the students.
[peregaming] GM says, "Also I think, given how well you scored on that previous Notice roll with the watch, that you should actually be able to find the entrance in the basement without any problem or additional roll"
[peregaming] GM says, "Since the watch is now a temporal Giger counter"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I am not going to argue with that ruling."
[peregaming] GM says, "Wise."
Izzy separates from the pack at the first stairwell and heads down into the basement level, following the watch to the entrance.
Quellynne quietly updates Quint about where they are.
Quellynne says, "...woman patrolling the entrance...second flight of stairs left of the first hallway..."
GM says, "And there you find it: a high-tech sliding trapdoor with a keypad and retinal scanner."
GM asks, "Do you wait for backup from RONIN?"
Izzy stops at the door and turns to Q.
Quellynne says, "Whew, retinal scanner. I don't think I can fake a retina."
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "And neither of us have Crafts, right?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Nope"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Fortunately, someone at RONIN does!"
Quellynne says, "I say we wait for someone from RONIN to come by, or from someone from SMILES to come by, and follow either of them through the floor."
Izzy says, "Works for me."
GM exclaims, "So you wait a few minutes, then you hear a strange sound from the trapdoor!"
GM says, "A whirring of machinery..."
GM says, "... as it slowly begins to slide open..."
Izzy looks for something to hide behind.
Quellynne hops up into the pipes along the ceiling, ready to drop down!
Izzy rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Superb (5)
GM exclaims (at Izzy), "You are concealed!"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Athletics, for Create Advantage: 'got the drop on them'?"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Cool!"
Quellynne rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 +1 | Superb (5)
[peregaming] GM asks (of Izzy), "Wait, what skill did you roll?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "I rolled notice to find something to hide behind, not stealth to hide."
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "aha!"
[peregaming] GM says, "You find a big container of liquid oxygen."
Izzy ducks behind it.
GM exclaims (at Quellynne), "You are in position, ready to drop down!"
GM exclaims, "The trapdoor opens! A man in a mask climbs out!"
[peregaming] GM says, "At least, you think it's a man. Wouldn't want to assume gender."
[peregaming] GM says, "Your move, heroes."
Quellynne drops down, kicking the guy's head into the floor just as he leans over it!
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(fight)"
Quellynne rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 -1 | Average (1)
GM rolls Average (1) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 0 | Good (3)
Quellynne tags 'got the drop on him' for a tie!
[peregaming] GM says, "So you had a Good skill and rolled Average, and he had an Average skill but rolled a Good result"
[peregaming] GM says, "Weeeird."
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "For the boost 'dazed', probably?"
[peregaming] GM says, "yeah"
Izzy watches from behind the barrel.
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Does he go, or should I go again or...?"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "He goes!"
GM says, "The guy in the mask talks into an earpiece: 'Help, I am being --'"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Can I tag 'dazed' to say that he doesn't push the right button?"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Sure!"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "I will do so!"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Init? Izzy?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Izzy's turn, yeah"
[peregaming] GM says, "(I didn't go into init because I think this will be resolved quickly)"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Sure."
Izzy doesn't realize he's pushing the wrong button and he panics, pushing the barrel into the guy (he's like, head/arms above the trapdoor, but not all the way out?)
GM says, "sure"
Izzy basically tries to shove him back down so we can go down after.
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "Fight? Or athletics, or?"
[peregaming] GM says, "That's Physique, but you have a stunt, if I recall"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "I do! I can use will."
Izzy rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 +1 | Superb (5)
[peregaming] GM says, "And I'd say it's +2 opposition"
[peregaming] GM says, "Oh, wow"
Izzy hears a sickening thud at the bottom of the ladder.
Quellynne catches Izzy's hand so he doesn't fall through the trapdoor behind the guy.
Izzy says, "Thanks. C'mon, let's go."
Quellynne drops lightly through the opening, and checks the guy.
GM says (to Quellynne), "Broken neck."
Izzy follows.
[peregaming] Izzy says, "oof."
Quellynne searches for weapons, keys, keycards.
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Password mnemonics, etc. ;-)"
GM says (to Quellynne), "You find a coin with 'tunc peribunt, et risu deorum' written on it, which he wore as a pendant. Also, a keycard! And a gun."
Quellynne radios Quint. "Trapdoor open. We're going in."
Izzy mutters, "Sorry," at the guy.
Quint says, "Roger that, Reset. We're storming the place in T minus four minutes. Keep your heads low and try to find whatever ghastly device they have done there. Disable it if you can. Look out for mutants."
Quellynne stashes the guy somewhere he won't be found.
Quellynne asks (of Quint), "You know what tunc peribunt, et risu deorum means?"
Quellynne offers the gun to Izzy.
Izzy goes wide eyed, but takes it.
Quint says, "Odd. That's what that crazy uni student was gibbering on the phone earlier. It's Latin."
Quint says, "Means 'time will die, and the gods will smile'"
Quellynne says, "Remember: they don't know you don't know how to work it. Um. Assuming you don't know how to work it. I'm a little iffy on them myself, but they sure look impressive."
Izzy nods.
Quellynne says (to Quint), "Well, I'm glad that's not ominous or anything."
Quellynne moves down the hallway.
Izzy follows quietly.
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Google Translate had it as 'then disappear, and the gods smile'"
GM says, "It's a cylindrical hallway, slightly claustrophobic, lit by green neons. It splits up ahead, with signposts indicating 'Chronokinetic Laboratory', 'Extradimensional Biology' and 'Security'."
Izzy points at the laboratory path and shrugs?
Quellynne shrugs back, and takes the lab direction.
[peregaming] GM says, "*Tempor* peribunt, et risu deorum"
[peregaming] GM says, "Or whichever. Reality is seriously deformed here."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I'm sure they got it right in that world's latin."
[peregaming] GM says, "hehe"
GM exclaims (at Quellynne), "Up ahead are some guards!"
Quellynne asks (of Izzy), "Um, you want to talk to them, or should I just charge?"
Izzy says, "Go ahead."
Quellynne asks, "OK! Uh, cover me?"
Izzy says, "Ok."
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Hmm, can I back up and get a running start to create advantage?"
[peregaming] GM says, "You can..."
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "I will!"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "Athletics for the running start, and then fight!"
Quellynne rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Fantastic (6)
Quellynne rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 0 | Fair (2)
Izzy holds the gun up menacingly with both hands while Q goes in.
GM says (to Quellynne), "So you get a running start, and attack -- only to slide through thin air! The guards are gone."
GM says, "But you hear their footsteps approaching."
Izzy turns around, still holding the gun up.
Quellynne whips her hands through the air, shrugs, then tries to open the door with her keycard.
GM exclaims (at Quellynne), "It slides open!"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "The footsteps are coming from inside the lab, or from down the hall?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Inside the lab"
Quellynne takes a second to look at the room past the door to decide what to do, but is ready to charge.
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(basically, whether to hide or attack)"
[peregaming] GM says, "Remember to take into account the fact that time is weird down here. For example, those guards you tried to attack earlier... were future echoes! Spooooky"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Or were they past echoes? Sppooookier!"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "They were the SAME GUARD FROM DIFFERENT TIMES"
[peregaming] GM says, "Anyway"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "If I had Investigate I'm sure I could use the time wobbliness to my advantage, but I am rather more straightforward than that."
GM says (to Quellynne), "You see a vast circular room with scientists at control panels. At the centre is a gyroscope-like thing spinning around, with a cubical shape glowing in the middle."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Ha, the tesseract."
GM says, "Some guards are near the scientists, with guns."
Izzy watches Q from a short distance away, waiting to see what she does.
Quellynne ducks behind a crate, starts looking for wires or a light switch or something.
GM says (to Quellynne), "There are thick power cables everywhere"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Can I yank one out of the wall, or are they just trailing everywhere without obvious junctions?"
[peregaming] GM says, "They disappear through pipes in the walls."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I will pull out a knife and try to hack through one, if it looks like I can do that before being noticed."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Because the last thing you want when you're a mad scientist working on your MacGuffin is for a minion to trip over a cable and unplug the whole thing."
[peregaming] GM says, "Cool"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "If not, I will create a distraction while Izzy does it."
[peregaming] GM says, "Whichever you want"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "The first!"
[peregaming] GM says, "Excellent"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Physique? Fight?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Physique"
[peregaming] GM says, "+2 opposition"
Izzy presses up against the wall, training the gun on the open door.
Quellynne pulls out her knife and tries to hack through a cable!
Quellynne rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 +1 | Fair (2)
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "IRL, this would be the worst thing to do"
Izzy also crouches to better hide against the roundness of the wall in what she hopes she will soon be darkness.
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "And would 100% result in electrocution. Don't try this at home, kids"
[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "My knife totally has a thick rubber handle for just this eventuality."
[Crows-Nest] Izzy says, "I was about to say that :D"
[Crows-Nest] Quellynne says, "I am Prepared for the Worst."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Oooh, perfect"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "So it looks like you succeed in cutting a cable!"
[peregaming] GM says, "Which -- OOC -- was connected to the stabilizing field."
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Which results in a spike of activity from the cube!"
Scientist says, "These readings are off the charts!"
Quellynne takes advantage of the distraction to cut another cable!
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(on my turn)"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "ok!"
[peregaming] GM asks, "Anyhow, Izzy, what's your next move?"
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "Is there anything else to hide behind in this small corridor?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Because mostly I'm just trying to stay small and cover Q."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "I can give you the knife if you want to switch jobs."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Probably closer to the fork in the tunnel than where she is"
[peregaming] GM says, "In that case:"
GM exclaims (at Izzy), "You hear footsteps, and see your uncle, wielding a shotgun and leading the RONIN into battle, turn the corner!"
Izzy quiet woo.
Izzy waves them this way and points at Q cutting cables.
Quint (in sign language to the others) says, "You go take care of security. You, stay with me and Izzy, we'll take care of this doomsday device."
Quint (to Quellynne, via earpiece) says, "Give me the signal and we'll storm the room."
[peregaming] GM says, "So, it's really up to you guys."
Quellynne sends a single click 'acknowleged' in reply.
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "I'm going to cut cables until I'm seen!"
GM exclaims (at Quellynne), "Someone sees you!"
Guy with gun says, "Intruder!"
Quellynne tosses the knife to Izzy, signals Quint, and bull rushes the guard who sees her!
[peregaming] GM says, "That's an attack"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "We should go into Initiative!"
Quellynne clears the initiative.
Quellynne registers Quellynne at init 1.
Izzy registers Izzy at init 2.
GM registers CouncilOfSmiles at init 2.
GM displays the initiative: Izzy/CouncilOfSmiles(2) Quellynne(1)
[peregaming] Izzy asks, "Is cutting cables an advantage or an overcome, or?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Because if it's an overcome, I'm all over that."
[peregaming] GM says, "Overcome, Physique, +2"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Should I take my attack?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Yeah"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "OK, the charge!"
Quellynne rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 0 0 +1 | Good (3)
[peregaming] GM says, "It's +2 opposition, so you charged pretty good"
Quellynne tackles the guy, slamming him to the ground as people shout around her!
GM rolls Average (1) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 +1 | Fair (2)
Quellynne advances the initiative: IZZY/COUNCILOFSMILES(2) Quellynne(1)
[peregaming] GM asks, "Izzy?"
Izzy retrieves the knife and continues cutting cables. It's tough work, but he grits his teeth and focuses.
Izzy rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Wow"
Izzy slices through a random cable.
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "With that, I think you get like three of them."
GM says (to Izzy), "You cut 3 cables! There are warning lights everywhere! But the lights are flickering out, creating darkness, and now the room is only lit by the glow of the cube at the centre"
GM says (to Izzy), "You can feel your watch whirring as the hands spin."
Izzy whoa.
GM says, "And now for the counterattack:"
GM rolls Legendary (8) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 +1 | Legendary (8)
GM says, "(combined fire)"
GM says, "(attacking everyone)"
[peregaming] GM says, "So Athletics roll for everyone"
Izzy attempts to dodge.
Izzy rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 -1 -1 -1 | Mediocre (0)
Quellynne rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 0 | Superb (5)
Izzy spends her last fate point to reroll, because whatever it fucking takes.
Izzy spends a fate point, leaving her with 0.
Izzy rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Average (1)
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Whelp."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "'Whatever it takes --' 'Your life.'"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Can I intercept a bullet or two for Izzy?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Ehh. Not really. It's a hail of fire."
Izzy takes a severe consequence and a physical stress.
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "See, he's (barely) alive!"
Izzy gets shot in the leg?
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Like, many times."
[peregaming] GM says, "Bullet-Riddled Leg"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "I guess it's pretty useless now."
[peregaming] GM says, "Useless Leg works too."
[peregaming] GM asks, "Swiss Cheese Ankles?"
[peregaming] GM asks, "No Flesh On Those Thighs?"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Oh, can 'Lights Out' be a scene aspect that both we and the bad guys can tag once for free?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Indeed it can."
[peregaming] Quellynne says (to Izzy), "So you could tag it to reduce from a severe to moderate, perhaps, since they can't see you in the darkness."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Ooh. Ok."
[peregaming] Izzy is bleeding heavily, but can maybe use it just a little still.
[peregaming] Izzy has pretty high will, can power through.
[peregaming] GM says, "Epic."
GM advances the initiative: Izzy/CouncilOfSmiles(2) QUELLYNNE(1)
[peregaming] GM asks, "Quelllynne?"
Quellynne yells "It's the end of the road for you all! Your time.. exploitation.. cube...thing.. is no more!
Quellynne fires her gun at the cube, but actually is just trying to make sure everyone focuses on her instead of everyone else in the back who know what the heck they're doing.
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(provoke)"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(create advantage)"
Quellynne rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "You have created an Advantage!"
Quellynne dashes across the room to the other side as she's doing so! (Again, to draw fire.)
Quellynne creates the advantage 'Who is this crazy chick?'
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Do we think there's a cable that powers the cube? Is it worth continuing to cut them? It could be a very strong battery ;)"
[peregaming] GM says, "You know nothing at present. The Cube appears to be floating in some kind of field."
[peregaming] GM says, "A field which is now flickering."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Hm."
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "That sounds sort of like Investigate, but maybe you could get a scientist to tell you with Rapport?"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Or one of RONIN might know."
Quellynne advances the initiative: END OF ROUND
Quellynne advances the initiative: IZZY/COUNCILOFSMILES(2) Quellynne(1)
[peregaming] GM says, "The first option is more plausible, if you can grab a terrified scientist and get them to answer one or two questions"
[peregaming] GM says, "by pinning them out of bullet's harm"
[peregaming] GM asks, "So?"
Izzy inches closer to the door and motions at the closet scientist. "Come here. It's safer out here, behind this cube."
Izzy rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 0 +1 | Great (4)
GM rolls Average (1) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 -1 | Poor (-1)
Terrified Scientist says, "Don't kill me! I'll come!"
Izzy asks, "Now, can you tell me what powers the cube? Is it one of these wires here?"
Terrified Scientist says, "We already charged it up. The field just keeps it stable!"
Izzy says, "Ohhhh. How can we turn it off? I think we already killed the stability field."
Izzy says, "Or part of it"
Terrified Scientist says, "Oh no oh no oh no"
Izzy asks, "Yeah. I agree. That's bad, right?"
Izzy says, "It's safer for everyone if we turn it off."
Terrified Scientist says, "No, we need to turn the field back on! If it discharges, God knows what'll happen -- the math indicates anything from a foam of mini black holes to a time vortex!"
Izzy says, "Oh. Um." He motions at the cut cables.
Terrified Scientist says, "We're doomed! We were only supposed to siphon off a small part of the extradimensional energy at a time! Without the field --"
Izzy asks, "You don't have a backup?"
Izzy says, "Sheesh."
Izzy says, "There could have been giant rats in here."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Snrk"
Terrified scientist starts laughing incontrollably, their eyes mad with terror.
Izzy says, "Nice talk. Thanks. Oops..."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "I'm done I think."
GM advances the initiative: Izzy/CouncilOfSmiles(2) QUELLYNNE(1)
[peregaming] GM says, "oops"
GM rolls Legendary (8) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 0 | Legendary+1 (9)
GM says, "(more gunfire)"
Izzy hides behind the guard, if that helps at all ;)
Izzy rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 0 0 0 | Good (3)
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "I tag the 'crazy chick' aspect so they all fire at me!"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Hey, you're not supposed to die at the end of this session!"
Quellynne . o O ( Oy, this is a bad idea... )
Quellynne jumps and dodges!
Quellynne rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 -1 | Average (1)
Quellynne tags 'Prepared for the worst' to re-roll!
Quellynne rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Average (1)
[peregaming] GM says, "why"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "oy!"
Quellynne spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "OK, spending again because whatever. Tagging Belligerent Strike Force Leader..."
[peregaming] GM asks, "Are you dead, or do you concede?"
Quellynne rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 -1 | Good (3)
[peregaming] GM says, "Oho"
[peregaming] GM asks, "That's... better?"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Well, that's at least a +2."
[peregaming] GM asks, "Are you still standing? Better than you ever did?"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "So wait. *Did* theyall fire at Quellynne? Because otherwise I'm taking a severe consequence and am pretty close to dying."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Which I'm fine with."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "It'll be dramatic ;)"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "OK! So, I can take a Moderate and a +2 stress box for 8"
[peregaming] GM says, "That silence is ominous."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "er, for 6."
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "So I am still standing!"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "So they all fired at you, and you are still standing!"
GM displays the initiative: Izzy/CouncilOfSmiles(2) QUELLYNNE(1)
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "It's now Quellynne's turn!"
[peregaming] GM says, "(Also, I think the gunfight will end very, very soon)"
[peregaming] GM says, "(for narrative reasons)"
Quellynne heard something about 'siphon off the extradimensional energy', so she grabs a cable and leaps at the cube, jamming it into its innards!
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(oh, and from earlier:"
Quellynne spends a fate point, leaving them with 0.
GM exclaims (at Quellynne), "You are thrown backwards into a wall, your entire body crackling with extradimensional energy!"
GM says (to Quellynne), "You briefly black out."
GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND
GM advances the initiative: IZZY/COUNCILOFSMILES(2) Quellynne(1)
[peregaming] GM asks, "Izzy can do one last heroic thing, I guess?"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Then afterwards the fight will be over and it'll be time for the final scene!"
Izzy pulls out the gun, and runs into the room to threaten anyone who might shoot Q while she's down.
[peregaming] Izzy says, "That's about it for me."
GM rolls Legendary (8) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary+4 (12)
[peregaming] Izzy says, "If we're all about to die."
[peregaming] GM says, "Well, Izzy gets to defend if he likes, or he just succeeds in defending Quillynne with his life"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Wouldn't have made it far if I'd run the other direction either :)"
Izzy rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 +1 | Fair (2)
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "RP your epic death!"
[peregaming] GM says, "(Quint can be there)"
Izzy is filled with bullets, and he collapses on top of Quellynne.
Izzy whispers, "I'm sorry." to Quint.
[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "wow"
Quint holds Izzy's hand. 'We did all we could.'
Quint says, 'Don't be sorry.'
Izzy smiles and is gone.
GM says (to Quellynne), "When you come back to your senses, you're being carried out by a surviving RONIN. Ahead of you, Quint has fallen to his knees in the campus grass, under the night sky, holding Izzy in his arms."
GM says, "The moon is eerily bright overhead. You feel an electric sensation in the air."
Quellynne says, "Wha--- no! Oh, no."
Quellynne struggles to her feet, nodding at the RONIN woman who had carried her.
Quellynne says (to Quint), "I'm so sorry, I tried to draw their fire, then the cube..."
Quellynne asks, "What happened? Did it turn off? Are we OK?"
Quint says, "Can you hear it, Reset? The whispering."
Quellynne blinks.
Quellynne says, "Whispering? No, I---wait."
Quellynne listens.
GM says (to Quellynne), "There's a kind of radio static in your head. Hateful. Alien."
Quellynne asks, "Oh, man. We have to go back; destroy that thing. What did you do to it? Is it still...?"
Quint says, "Look to the skies. Look to the skies, they said."
GM says, "And then you feel the glow of the moon burning into the back of your neck, as bright as the sun."
Quellynne turns and looks.
GM says, "When you look up, there is a gaping hole where the moon was, a shimmering electric glow that widens into a smile. Then you see IT descending, spiralling, twisting towards Earth."
GM says, "And suddenly it's here, faster than the mind can comprehend. Huge. Filling up the sky with its jaws, jaws lines with fractal teeth."
Quellynne asks, "We have to get people out of here. Like, this entire 'here', here. Extradimensional, the guy said? WHERE IS THE CUBE? What happened to it?"
Quellynne runs back towards the building!
Quellynne says, "If I can just get there in time... If I can just be fast enough..."
GM says (to Quellynne), "As you run, you feel the ground beneath you start morphing, deforming itself. It's like a cancer growing inside spacetime itself."
GM says, "Parallel lines begin to converge. Perspective is gone."
Quellynne grits her teeth and runs!
GM says (to Quellynne), "You run into the building. It's turned into a maze of passages that bend in all direction. You see ghostly echoes of people screaming wordlessly, trapped in time vortices."
Quellynne charges through, looking for the cube, and also (forlornly) looking for a reality with Izzy still in it.
GM says (to Quellynne), "But you can run. You find yourself running faster than you can even think. Something in you has changed."
GM says (to Quellynne), "You find yourself back down in that room. But between you and the cube is a hall of mirrors, each mirror a copy of Izzy in his last moments, sacrificing himself to save you."
GM asks (of Quellynne), "Will you keep on?"
GM asks, "Walk straight through those phantom echoes? Without turning back?"
Quellynne keeps on, looking at each mirror for something different, dodging time vortexes as she goes.
GM says (to Quellynne), "In the middle of the chaos, you see an opening. A doorway made of light."
GM says, "Just barely big enough for you to pass."
Quellynne runs even faster than before and dives through the doorway!
GM says (to Quellynne), "And inside your head you hear an ancient voice... 'how can you escape there is no escape I am inevitable WHERE HAVE YOU GONE'"
GM says (to Quellynne), "And then you fall through a void, outside of time and space, hurtling beyond the edge of oblivion, until suddenly --"
GM asks (of Quellynne), "you land in a pile of crates?"
(From GM) "Wait, how many elbows do you have in your current for-- wait. That's not you!"
GM says, "You're in a moving vehicle. A man is looking down at you."
(From GM) "Don't move! Identify yourself!"
(From GM) "We have plasma cannons!"
GM asks, "THE END?"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "Yay!"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Hehe"
[peregaming] GM says, "Prequel: accomplished."
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "I hope this was fun!"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "It was!"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Yes!"
[peregaming] Quellynne exclaims, "Thanks!"
[peregaming] GM says, "I had fun too! What a coincidence"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "So weird."
[peregaming] Izzy says, "You got to kill someone ;)"
[peregaming] GM says, "Indeed."
[peregaming] GM says, "That was by far the weirdest part ;-)"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Also, this is the second time I do this without using notes!"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "w00t"
[peregaming] GM says, "Turns out, if you don't use notes, then you can use every single suggestion your players make ;-)"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Ha ha"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Heh"
[peregaming] GM says, "This was quite dark, by design, which is unusual for FATE, I feel"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Yeah, it's a little hard when a +9 roll is met by 'Oh, OK, I take it.' ;-)"
[peregaming] GM says, "haha"
[peregaming] GM exclaims, "Thanks for playing along!"
[peregaming] Izzy says, "Thanks for running"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "(Although in the end I was down to a single +6 consequence left.)"
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "What *did* Quint et al do with the cube when I was out? Just leave it?"
[peregaming] GM says, "They got the hell out of the building because stuff was beginning to fall apart"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Amateurs."
[peregaming] Quellynne asks, "Is there any other backstory to this world that we didn't discover?"
[peregaming] GM says, "Off the top of my (sleepy) head, I cannot tell"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Fair enough ;-)"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Have a good sleep! Thanks again."
[peregaming] GM says, "Yeah, just 2 things:"
[peregaming] GM asks, "1) do you want to have one of your consequences (the moderate one) cleared through the exposure to extradimensional energies that gave you your powers? Or keep all the consequences?"
[peregaming] GM says, "2) you should think about what Aspects you want to have as a result of this session's worth of backstory"
[peregaming] GM says, "And that is pretty much it."
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Agree on 2, and don't have a good sense of 1. Whatever you think will work better moving forward? If the story is going to need me on my feet, staging it down or removing it sounds good; if it would be interesting to have me injured for a bit more, I'm fine with that, too."
[peregaming] GM says, "Yeah, I think removing the moderate consequence is a good idea. (You're already going to have all that PTSD to deal with)"
[peregaming] GM says, "Plus, it makes sense that if you got powers from that, it'd heal you a little bit too"
[peregaming] GM says, "It *sped up* the healing process ;-)"
[peregaming] GM says, "So that's sorted. I can go to bed knowing that I have done my duty :-)"
[peregaming] GM says, "Goofnight everyone"
[peregaming] GM says, "Also, don't forget Bert ;-)"
[peregaming] GM says, "I think Bert is still logging"
[peregaming] GM asks, "Quellynne?"
[peregaming] Quellynne says, "Yup! I'll turn it off."
Bert exclaims, "Log off!"
[peregaming] GM says, "Wonderful."