Arc 16 - Nach pt 1

12:05 PM <•Antioch|GM> -------------------------
12:12 PM <•Antioch|GM> Catherine's overnight forays into Dead Man's Hand territory have yielded better than average results. With the Blackthorn-reinforced warehouse serving as a temporary hub, the territory has expanded to the outskirts of Case Western Reserve University, encompassing the commercial and residential areas proximate.
12:12 PM <•Antioch|GM> One of the commercial buildings, she notes, is the demolished wreckage of Zoup!
12:12 PM <•Antioch|GM> Full Throttle's presence has assisted in clearing stragglers and dregs from the territory, his power allowing him to cover respectable amount of ground. His inexperience shows, but there's a facet of him that resonates with Nachzehrer's sadistic streak, given his propensity to view fishing wire-assisted strangling as a first resort rather than a last.
12:12 PM <•Antioch|GM> Besides, it's gratifying to have a cape subordinate with no existing ties to Loup-Garou.
12:12 PM <•Antioch|GM> The three capes sleep and patrol overnight in shifts, knowing others are likely to contest the turf. ||
12:20 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer gets restless in situations like this. She doesn't like being on the defensive, waiting for somebody to attack her. She keeps moving, waiting for an attack. ||
12:24 PM <•Antioch|GM> It's with this air of restlessness that Full Throttle rushes into the warehouse.
12:24 PM <•Antioch|GM> "A couple gang members coming our way," he says. "Maybe seven, eight? No capes that I saw."
12:24 PM <•Antioch|GM> He pulls out his smartphone, indicating on the map application roughly where he ran into them. Three blocks away. ||
12:29 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Let's go then," Nach says, rolling her shoulders. "Think you can cut around behind them while me and Blackthorn come from the front?" ||
12:30 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Done and done," he replies, speeding off to flank them. Blackthorn, however, is far less ready or eager for combat, still in the middle of taking his shift sleeping. ||
12:31 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((Is he asleep-asleep or waking up-asleep?))
12:32 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((The former.))
12:33 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer goes over to Blackthorn where he's resting, lightly shoving him on the shoulder. "Rise and shine. We got eight goons coming our way, unpowered." ||
12:35 PM <•Antioch|GM> He groans, stirring. It takes several moments for him to process the information, but when he does, he sounds irritated.
12:35 PM <•Antioch|GM> "I'm not going to be of any use unless they're fighting me here," he replies. ||
12:38 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Great," Nach says, a little bit of annoyance in her voice. "Okay, that's fine. I'm gonna go fight them, then, if they give me too much trouble I'll run back here and you can do your thing. Don't fall back asleep in the meantime, yeah?" ||
12:43 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Sure," he replies half-heartedly, pulling the cloak of his costume on, previously used as an impromptu blanket.
12:43 PM <•Antioch|GM> The warehouse is miserably insulated, and there's a respectable coat of snow covering the area.
12:43 PM <•Antioch|GM> Vines around the exterior of the building shift and stir, shaking off the snow that's covered them over the course of the night. The sun has barely risen. ||
12:44 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "See you in a few, then," Nach says, giving him a wave with finger waggle before heading out in the direction of the gang Full Throttle mentioned. ||
12:51 PM <•Antioch|GM> The gang members don't have any discerning characteristics, tattoos, insignias, colors, or otherwise. Many of them are dressed in cold weather clothing, bandannas around the lower face serving to keep the wind out.
12:51 PM <•Antioch|GM> The few cars parked on the street afford Nachzehrer some cover, and behind them, she sees the man on point sweep a firearm back and forth warily. ||
12:54 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Fucking guns. Nach kneels by the car, planning to wait for them to close before lunging at the point man. ||
12:56 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Point man, Reflexes
12:56 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Point man, Reflexes" [2] +1 = 3
12:57 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Attack roll))
12:57 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 2h6+1
12:57 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer (5) [6] +1 = 7
1:00 PM <•Antioch|GM> By the time the point man reacts to Nachzehrer's presence, it's far too late. She's already airborne, mid-lunge, taking the man out at the legs. Over the brief spurt of semiautomatic fire that shoots wildly into the sky as the man's knocked ass-over-teakettle, she can hear the crunch and pop of bone and ligament in the knee joint.
1:00 PM <•Antioch|GM> The gang members draw their weapons, some coolly, some panicking.
1:00 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+2 FT, tool-assisted grapple
1:00 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "FT, tool-assisted grapple" [6] (4) +2 = 8
1:01 PM <•Antioch|GM> The first gun Nachzehrer sees leveled at her finds its corresponding hand and arm wrenched violently backwards, pulled by a seemingly invisible force she knows to be Full Throttle's wires. ||
1:06 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer stomps on the gun hand of the man she took down. "Who's next?" She asks, roaring the question, hoping to intimidate these shitheads. ||
1:07 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Brawn and Intimidate, latter check receives +1 on successful Brawn check of DC 4))
1:07 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 1d6+1
1:07 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer [5] +1 = 6
1:08 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 2h6+1
1:08 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer (3) [4] +1 = 5
1:10 PM <•Antioch|GM> After the brief spurt of gunfire, the crackle of fingerbones under Nachzehrer's heel is uncomfortably audible in the ensuing silence.
1:11 PM <•Antioch|GM> One of the gangsters blurts out, "Oh, shit, it's her!"
1:12 PM <•Antioch|GM> Two of them, either with more presence of mind or none at all, take aim with their handguns.
1:12 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 2h6+2 FT, TAG
1:12 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "FT, TAG" [3] (3) +2 = 5
1:13 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Thug, Brawn
1:13 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Thug, Brawn" [6] +1 = 7
1:14 PM <•Antioch|GM> Despite Full Throttle's intervention, the gunman he targets is too muscular to disable. Nachzehrer can see the indentation of the wire around his forearm, but her assailant still has enough sense to pull the trigger before the shock jolts his arm off course.
1:14 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Mook, gun
1:14 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Mook, gun" [5] +1 = 6
1:15 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6, Mook, gun, arm yanked
1:15 PM <[ATM]> Invalid roll.
1:15 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6 Mook, gun, arm yanked
1:15 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Mook, gun, arm yanked" [2] = 2
1:15 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Defensive rolls of your choice.))
1:15 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 2h6+1 (Dodge)
1:15 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer "(Dodge)" (2) [4] +1 = 5
1:15 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((Spend my reroll.))
1:16 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((Oh wait. Is it reroll 2 dice or reroll one dice?))
1:17 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> (("On a failed dodge attempt, reroll.  If the new result would have allowed the dodge, damage is reduced a step and are not off balance.  Must spend a round doing nothing but regaining equilibrium to use again."))
1:17 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((The wording is ambiguous, but I'll interpret it as 'reroll the attempt'.))
1:17 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 2h6+1
1:17 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer [1] (1) +1 = 2
1:19 PM <•Antioch|GM> Nachzehrer backsteps quickly to evade the incoming gunfire, but falls victim to the slick, icy surface of the road, losing her balance in the failed attempt. A bullet punches into her armor, which mitigates the worst of it, though the impact still stings. Her armor's been through a lot, lately. ||
1:26 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer grabs the man on the ground's gun and fires at the fucker who shot her. ||
1:29 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Barrage))
1:30 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((Does my Threaten bonus apply?))
1:31 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> (("+1🎲 to hostile rolls made against frightened opponents."))
1:31 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Aye, does.))
1:32 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 2h6
1:32 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer [6] (4) = 6
1:32 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Mook, dodge
1:32 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Mook, dodge" [4] +1 = 5
1:32 PM <•Antioch|GM> $moderate pierce
1:32 PM <[ATM]> [Torso] [Any 3] Through and through: Roll Athletics to dodge, failure means DEATH SENTENCE, but status ends when all wounds are filled with moderate wounds (no progression to critical).
1:32 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Mook, Ath
1:32 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Mook, Ath" [2] +1 = 3
1:36 PM <•Antioch|GM> Nachzehrer puts a bullet through the gut of the thug who was dumb enough to shoot her.
1:36 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 2d6-1! Mooks, balance
1:36 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Mooks, balance" [1]-1 [3]-1 = 0, 2
1:36 PM <•Antioch|GM> In the rear, two of the gangsters are scythed to their feet by Full Throttle's ministrations, assisted by the slippery surface of the road.
1:37 PM <•Antioch|GM> The one bitch who shouted "Oh shit, it's her" is legging it. ||
1:41 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer lunges at the group, planning to beat down whichever target looks the freshest and least injured. ||
1:42 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Awareness))
1:42 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 1d6-1
1:42 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer [3] -1 = 2
1:44 PM <•Antioch|GM> They all look about the same to Nachzehrer, so she hurls herself at the closest bastard at hand.
1:44 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d3
1:44 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM [2] = 2
1:44 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Attack roll))
1:45 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 3h6+1 (2h6 if Threaten doesn't apply)
1:45 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer "(2h6 if Threaten doesn't apply)" (3) [6] (4) +1 = 7
1:45 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Withstand
1:45 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Withstand" [5] +1 = 6
1:45 PM <•Antioch|GM> $moderate bash
1:45 PM <[ATM]> [Torso] [Any 1] Demolished: If struck body part is unarmored, target suffers both type-specific consequences noted below.
1:45 PM <[ATM]> [Torso] [Any 1] Broken Rib: PAIN, torso.
1:45 PM <[ATM]> [Torso] [Any 1] Internally Injured: -1 to the two lowest of the following: Brawn, Athletics, or Guts.  If equal, apply in that order (Brawn first…)
1:47 PM <•Antioch|GM> She slams her fist into the man's ribcage, doubling him over. There's another crunch of bone to accompany the blow.
1:48 PM <•Antioch|GM> In the background, Full Throttle is doing a bang-up job of restraining the mooks that have fallen to the ground.
1:49 PM <•Antioch|GM> The two remaining thugs retaliate out of panic, one of them screaming as he swings a baseball bat overhead, the other firing his pistol.
1:49 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Mook, Brawl
1:49 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Mook, Brawl" [6] +1 = 7
1:49 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Mook, gun
1:49 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Mook, gun" [1] +1 = 2
1:49 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 2h6+1 (Dodge)
1:50 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer "(Dodge)" (1) [6] +1 = 7
1:50 PM <•Antioch|GM> $moderate bash
1:50 PM <[ATM]> [Torso] [Any 2] Walloped: Thrown to one side and knocked down, staggered on the ensuing turn.  If they are next to an obstacle and can’t be sent flying, this is critical bash instead.
1:50 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((Small means I treat a matched Dodge roll as a success.))
1:50 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Oh, so it does!))
1:51 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Thanks for the reminder.))
1:51 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((No problem.))
1:51 PM <•Antioch|GM> Nachzehrer is light enough on her feet that she's able to evade the incoming blow, the bat swinging down a hair's breadth away from her face.
1:51 PM <•Antioch|GM> The man firing the gun, on the other hand, misses egregiously. ||
1:54 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nach smashes her fist as hard as she can into the man with the baseball bat. ||
1:56 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Attack roll))
1:56 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 3h6+1 (2h6 if Threaten doesn't apply)
1:56 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer "(2h6 if Threaten doesn't apply)" [4] (1) (2) +1 = 5
1:56 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6+1 Batmook, dodge
1:56 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Batmook, dodge" [2] +1 = 3
1:56 PM <•Antioch|GM> $moderate bash
1:56 PM <[ATM]> [Head] [Part] Skull Crack: Mildly CONFUSED for long duration, need to roll only 2+ to get bearings.  Roll vs. Guts at end of encounter to shrug off, on failure, wait 1 day before rolling again, then wait 2.
1:57 PM <•Antioch|GM> Nachzehrer clocks the bat-wielder in the jaw with an uppercut, sending him reeling.
1:57 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 2d6+2 FT
1:57 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "FT" [4] [1] +2 = 7
1:57 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((6, oops))
1:57 PM <•Antioch|GM> $roll 1d6 Gunguy, Brawn
1:57 PM <[ATM]> Antioch|GM "Gunguy, Brawn" [6] = 6
1:58 PM <•Antioch|GM> Though Full Throttle finds himself incapable of subduing the idiot with the gun, he's at least capable of keeping him from firing at his boss. ||
2:01 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer continues wailing on the fucker with the baseball bat, trusting Full Throttle to take care of the gunman. ||
2:01 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 3h6+1 (2h6 if Threaten doesn't apply)
2:01 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer "(2h6 if Threaten doesn't apply)" [6] (6) (6) +1 = 7
2:07 PM <•Antioch|GM> Nachzehrer beats the living shit out of the baseball bat guy. Without outside interference, she's able to wail on him to her heart's content, making certain he can't move and then some.
2:07 PM <•Antioch|GM> The thugs that are still conscious, now sitting or lying in the snow with their arms and feet bound, are deeply, deeply unsettled. ||
2:08 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((We won, then, I assume?))
2:08 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Yeah. There is the one dude who legged it, if you want to pursue, but otherwise, you can call this fight over.))
2:12 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer takes a few moments to breathe, catching her breath, then rolls her neck and shoulders. "Good work, Full Throttle. Much appreciated." She raises a hand expectantly, palm flat and out. "High five." ||
2:13 PM <•Antioch|GM> Full Throttle meets the high five with a resounding slap.
2:13 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Nice," he says, "free guns." ||
2:16 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Take 'em if you want. Oy," she says, kicking one of the men on the ground gently. "Who's your boss?" ||
2:22 PM <•Antioch|GM> The man flinches from the kick, causing him to topple into the snow.
2:22 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Fuck! We don't have one!" ||
2:22 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Then why the fuck you here?" ||
2:28 PM <•Antioch|GM> The man panics, searching for words, possibly hoping to find one that doesn't get his face beat in.
2:29 PM <•Antioch|GM> Eventually, he settles on saying, "This used to be our turf," in a quiet voice. ||
2:35 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "You're DMH, then?" Nachzehrer purses her lips. "New gang's setting up shop here. Thirteenth Floor. Maybe you could ask them for a job. Dunno if they'll take you, though." ||
2:39 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Fuck," he says, eyes glancing to the one shot in the stomach, bleeding into the snow. ||
2:42 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "I can call an ambulance, if you want. Just don't come back to pick a fight, yeah? Won't be so merciful second time around." ||
2:44 PM <•Antioch|GM> The man doesn't respond, eyes instead focusing on something behind Nachzehrer.
2:44 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Figure that's not gonna be a problem," a female voice behind her says. ||
2:48 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer spins around, ready for a fight. ||
2:49 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Whoa there," the intruder continues.
2:50 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Don't act so surprised. You think you can have a nice little gunfight in Cleveland and not have the Protectorate show up? We get no faith. It's a problem these days."
2:51 PM <•Antioch|GM> Feral stands in the middle of the street, looking largely unconcerned. ||
3:00 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "I'm not interested in kibbitzing," Nachzehrer says. "You can call the ambo if you want, I'm done here," she says. ||
3:04 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Y'know, I didn't expect you to walk away so easily. Not in line with what I heard."
3:04 PM <•Antioch|GM> She pauses, thoughtful.
3:04 PM <•Antioch|GM> "It's a good thing," she adds. ||
3:07 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Look, you want a fight? Go ahead and hit me," Nachzehrer says, keeping her head facing towards Feral as she starts to walk away from the scene, back towards the warehouse. "Otherwise, fuck off." ||
3:09 PM <•Antioch|GM> "I can respect that, but I'm not here to pick fights today."
3:11 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Dunno if you noticed, but more and more assholes with powers are pouring into Cleveland these days."
3:12 PM <•Antioch|GM> "You, at least, are keeping territory. Stands to reason those assholes are my problem, and yours." ||
3:24 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Okay. Do you have a point you're building up to or are you just buttering me up while reinforcements arrive?" ||
3:29 PM <•Antioch|GM> She sighs. "If I got rid of you, the next cape around the corner would fill that spot. Least this way, I know it's you who's in these parts and not some psycho who we know jack shit about."
3:29 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Besides, if this goes through, there's a chance to cooperate later down the line. A... rapport, or whatever."
3:29 PM <•Antioch|GM> "So what I'm saying is we warn you about the assholes you might not now about yet, you do the same thing, and we don't fuck with what you're doing here. As long as you don't cross any lines." ||
3:33 PM <•Antioch|GM> *not know about
3:33 PM <•Antioch|GM> *you do the same thing for us
3:33 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer sucks air through her teeth. "You do realize I'm just here as a merc, right? Like... I'm not taking this territory for me or my gang. I mean, great offer, I'll keep it in mind if things change in the future, but, y'know." ||
3:34 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Huh. Changes things, but also answers some questions."
3:35 PM <•Antioch|GM> "You gonna get pissed if I ask you whose payroll you're on?" ||
3:38 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Eh, sure. Don't think it's a secret, and I just told that schlub anyway. Thirteenth Floor." ||
3:40 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Cool. I'll keep it in mind. Offer's still on the table, for however long you're in town, anyways." ||
3:41 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Alright. Great. Peace." Nachzehrer says, giving a faux salute to Feral before leaving. ||
3:43 PM <•Antioch|GM> Feral hucks a USB stick in Nachzehrer's direction. "Later." ||
3:44 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((I assume if I pick it up it's not going to explode or anything.))
3:45 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((It's small enough to where you don't assume it's a concern.))
3:45 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((More an OOC thing. Don't want to say, I pick up the USB stick, blah blah blah, then 'almost none of that happens. the USB stick explodes.'))
3:46 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Ahh, fair. Yeah, USB stick is decidedly non-explosive.))
3:46 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer takes the USB stick and squints at it. "Full Throttle?" She asks, once she's out of earshot of Feral. "You mind stashing this somewhere safe? Not at the warehouse, just some nook or cranny, somewhere you can get to it later." ||
3:47 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Uh, sure. Can't think of anywhere right now, but I'll find a place." ||
3:48 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Thanks," she says, handing him the USB stick. "You're alright." ||
3:49 PM <•Antioch|GM> He speeds off into the distance as Nachzehrer, too, leaves the scene and the bound gangsters, presumably to await the PRT or hospital's tender care. ||
3:50 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer heads back to the warehouse. ||
3:53 PM <•Antioch|GM> Blackthorn, true to his word, isn't asleep, but he's sitting up, his power creeping up the walls of the building and slowly adding an additional layer of insulation.
3:53 PM <•Antioch|GM> "I heard gunshots," he comments, sounding unconcerned, "but it looks like you're alright." ||
3:58 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "It's probably cool. Beat up some DMH losers, then this Protectorate bitch came over to blather at me about the PRT wanting to be my new bestie. Might've been bullshit, though, so keep an eye out." ||
3:59 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Sure. I'm going to walk around, find some chokepoints. Vines under snow for people who want to fuck with us." ||
4:00 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "You want me to come with, back you up if something goes down?" ||
4:03 PM <•Antioch|GM> "It's fine. I'll be close. If someone chases me, I can trip them up, slow them down enough for me to get back here, and for them to chase me into this deathtrap. Might go out and get some breakfast while I'm at it." ||
4:04 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "You mind pickin' me up something? I can cover my bill." ||
4:05 PM <•Antioch|GM> He shrugs. "Sure." ||
4:07 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Alright. See you in a few, then." ||
4:09 PM <•Antioch|GM> He nods, shucking his costume for more casual clothing, leaving behind the cloak and dumb, knobbly staff. ||
4:10 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nach kicks back and relaxes as best she can while she waits. ||
4:11 PM <•Antioch|GM> During Blackthorn's absence, Full Throttle returns. "Taken care of," he says, leaving it at that. ||
4:11 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((Hang on, got to DC real quick. Having some internet issues.))
4:15 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Not a problem. Ping me when you get back.))
4:15 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((Oh, it's already dealt with.))
4:15 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Hah, I hadn't even realized. Join/part messages are hidden for me, in this channel.))
4:27 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Good to hear, thanks." She frowns as she realizes she got food without thinking about Full Throttle. Well. Whatever. "Blackthorn stepped out to grab some food. So, how you feeling, man? About joining the Silver Bullets and such, I mean." ||
4:28 PM <•Antioch|GM> "I, uh."
4:28 PM <•Antioch|GM> "It's cool, I guess. Beats going solo." ||
4:40 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Alright. Cool. Ain't gonna pressure you for more than that. Quick word of warning, though? Loup-Garou, our boss, is a dick. You'll get on his bad side and you'll stay there. Nothing about you, same's true of everybody. He's really..." she waggles her hand. ||
4:46 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Sure," he says, nodding. "I'll, uh, keep my head down if I run into him, I guess." ||
4:49 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((I don't have anything in particular left to say or do, I don't think, until the situation changes.))
4:55 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Yeah. Best to just grit your teeth and bear it." ||
4:58 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Sorry, had to take a quick phone call.))
4:58 PM <•Antioch|GM> Blackthorn returns in short order with breakfast and news.
5:00 PM <•Antioch|GM> "We've got orders from Russian Roulette," he explains. "The NITRO base at the north edge of town? Whatever she's looking for, it's there, and it's a practically a free-for-all. She wants you along, and the new speedster, next time she takes a crack at it." ||
5:05 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Right now, or do we got time to eat, first?" ||
5:07 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Not yet. She's keeping an eye on the situation right now, waiting for the other interested parties to duke it out. You'll want to meet up at the base, since she bartered some favors for a partial blueprint of the base from one of the independent capes that should come in handy." ||
5:19 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Sounds good. You're in, right, Full Throttle?" ||
5:20 PM <•Antioch|GM> "The fun never stops," he says, grinning weakly.
5:20 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Anything that I should know about Russian Roulette, maybe?" ||
5:21 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Tinker, makes guns. Thirteenth Floor boss. Seemed nice enough." ||
5:24 PM <•Antioch|GM> "She's straightforward," Blackthorn adds. "Being blunt to her isn't a bad thing."
5:24 PM <•Antioch|GM> He catches himself, then says, "But you haven't earned any brownie points from me, so that's all I'm saying."
5:24 PM <•Antioch|GM> Full Throttle nods, still frowning slightly. ||
5:39 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "How much was my food?" Nach asks Blackthorn, changing the topic. ||
5:41 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Five sixty-three," he replies, handing over the bag and a cup of hot coffee. Bacon, egg, cheese biscuit, hash browns. ||
5:44 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "You want some, FT?" Nach asks, as she fishes around in her costume for her wallet before giving Blackthorn six bucks. ||
5:45 PM <•Antioch|GM> He hesitates, mumbling something under his breath, before relenting eating some of the hash browns. ||
5:45 PM <•Antioch|GM> *relenting,
5:49 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nachzehrer eats in peace, enjoying her food and coffee. ||
5:52 PM <•Antioch|GM> Before long, the sun is well and truly out, Nachzehrer is sufficiently fed and rested, and it's also roughly time to speak to Russian Roulette about her business. ||
5:53 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nach gets up, stretching. "Let's go," she says. ||
5:55 PM <•Antioch|GM> Full Throttle stands up, stretching, and Blackthorn tosses Nachzehrer the car keys.
5:55 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Let me know when you're on your way back," he says. "If it's late enough, I'll have made some jury-rigged spike strips, and you'll want me to get those out of the way beforehand." ||
5:58 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "I'll call you, yeah," Nach replies, heading out to the car to drive to the meet with Roulette. ||
6:02 PM <•Antioch|GM> The drive across town takes longer than usual, traffic piling up in much the same places where the snowfall did. In the passenger seat, Full Throttle is quiet and tense, but wisely makes no comment about the driver's seat cushion.
6:02 PM <•Antioch|GM> It takes nearly half an hour to arrive, crossing the Cuyahoga River in the process, but when the two of them arrive at Thirteen Floor's temporary base of operations, Loup-Garou and Russian Roulette are in a heated argument.
6:02 PM <•Antioch|GM> Well, Loup-Garou is, anyways. ||
6:03 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Best not to piss him off, Nach figures, remaining quiet as she watches the two verbally duke it out. ||
6:06 PM <•Antioch|GM> The subject of debate, insofar as she can tell, is Loup-Garou vehemently demanding hazard pay, in part due to the various other competitors vying for the same location and spoils, in part due to the base being riddled with Tinker-designed booby traps.
6:06 PM <•Antioch|GM> Roulette's response is largely drowned out by the yelling and growling. ||
6:09 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Well, at least he's looking out for something that benefits all of us, Nach thinks. Butting in would probably just piss him off, though. ||
6:17 PM <•Antioch|GM> Russian Roulette waits for the tirade to stop before she finally interjects, barely audible above Loup-Garou's panting and huffing.
6:17 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Three ways to go about this, then," she says. "Either we sit on our thumbs and wait for our rivals to pick each other off -- during which I will not be paying you for sitting on your thumbs -- or you make yourselves useful and take our competitors out of the picture so I can excavate unimpeded."
6:17 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Or we can continue."
6:17 PM <•Antioch|GM> Loup-Garou narrows his eyes, processing the options. ||
6:26 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "I'm good to go whenever, boss," Nachzehrer says. ||
6:27 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Alright," Russian Roulette says idly, distracted by the argument. "Whenever this is reso--"
6:29 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Excuse me," Loup-Garou roars, speech almost indiscernible as he bristles, snout elongating and sinews bulging. "Are you insinuating you're her boss?"
6:29 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Employer," Roulette replies. "This can easily no longer be the case, should you continue to overstep your bounds." ||
6:33 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "I did mean Loup-Garou when I said boss," Nachzehrer clarifies helpfully. ||
6:37 PM <•Antioch|GM> Loup-Garou's features gradually melt back to a more humanoid, less feral appearance. "Thanks," he spits grudgingly. It's barely audible.
6:38 PM <•Antioch|GM> After a moment's pause, he asks, "How much of that did you catch?" ||
6:40 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "The tail end." ||
6:46 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Right." He doesn't press the issue much, pausing to clear his throat, not particularly happy that Russian Roulette is undermining him in front of his subordinates.
6:46 PM <•Antioch|GM> "How have things on your end gone?" ||
6:52 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Some DMH goons tried to take back their turf, me and Full Throttle took them out. Protectorate cape said she wanted to be besties for some reason, decided to let me go. Don't really understand what was up with that." ||
6:54 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Full Throttle?" Loup-Garou asks.
6:54 PM <•Antioch|GM> Full Throttle steps forward, looking more uncomfortable with the situation than he did in the car.
6:54 PM <•Antioch|GM> "I thought you took out DMH," he adds. ||
6:59 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "It was just goons, no capes. The remnants still buzzing around, I guess." ||
6:59 PM <•Antioch|GM> "You killed one of their bosses and the goons still want to fuck with you?"
7:00 PM <•Antioch|GM> He looks irritated, perhaps disappointed. Back to normal, it seems.
7:00 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Hmph." ||
7:00 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "One of them said 'oh shit, it's her,' and then ran off." Nach shrugs. "Who knows." ||
7:03 PM <•Antioch|GM> "We, uh, kind of ambushed them, to be fair," Full Throttle mumbles.
7:03 PM <•Antioch|GM> Loup-Garou fixes him with a nasty look. "I wasn't talking to you, to be fair," he mimics, using a dumb baby voice.
7:03 PM <•Antioch|GM> He turns back to Nachzehrer. "Where did you pick up this sorry piece of shit?" ||
7:08 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "I met him in the warehouse I killed Coldhand in. He's pretty handy in a fight; speedster, wires, garrotes and tangles people real quick. Good crowd control." ||
7:11 PM <•Antioch|GM> Loup-Garou doesn't find much to object to. Eventually, he shrugs, saying, "I don't plan on paying him, but if you want to, knock yourself out." ||
7:13 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nach gives him a long look behind her helmet. Fucking prick. "I will." ||
7:16 PM <•Antioch|GM> He nods. "Roulette," he says, inclining his chin towards the Tinker.
7:16 PM <•Antioch|GM> Loup-Garou is evidently displeased, every word coming out of gritted teeth. "We'll go after the capes that are getting in your way at the NITRO base, then," he says.
7:16 PM <•Antioch|GM> Not wanting to lose outright, he adds, "But we have looting rights."
7:17 PM <•Antioch|GM> "That's satisfactory," Russian Roulette replies, having been watching the conversation with detached interest. ||
7:19 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nach waits for him to give the order before heading out. ||
7:22 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Word got out that Dead Man's Hand was a smaller part of Blackjack," Loup-Garou says. "You ever run into those fucks?" ||
7:25 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Blackjack?" Nachzehrer's eyes roll up. "Don't think so, no. Just DMH." ||
7:30 PM <•Antioch|GM> "They gave us a lot of trouble the first time we went to scope it out. Their Blaster did some shit that fucked Mordred up real bad, even with his Breaker state. Some needle Tinker healed him for free, took some tissue grafts, but she said the treatment would fuck him in the head for a few days."
7:34 PM <•Antioch|GM> "The Protectorate trashed them, though, and they're down Killhand and Coldhand. How about you get started on dealing with them, figure them out, put together a game plan. When Mordred recovers, he'll want to work with you. Let him get his licks in." ||
7:35 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Alright," Nachzehrer says, confused by her boss's sudden willingness to pay attention to her opinions. ||
7:38 PM <•Antioch|GM> It's the most leeway he's given Nachzehrer for any assignment, and despite Loup-Garou's grousing, the level of his displeasure directed towards her is much lower than usual.
7:38 PM <•Antioch|GM> Perhaps in part because she's given him very little to be upset about, perhaps because he's still pissed about conceding far too much ground to Russian Roulette. ||
7:42 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Thanks for, uh, entrusting me with the responsibility," Nach tries, tentatively. ||
7:43 PM <•Antioch|GM> He grunts, nodding slightly, which seems to herald the end of the conversation.
7:44 PM <•Antioch|GM> Nachzehrer seems to have gotten off lightly, but Full Throttle has an upset, panicky look on his face that makes it seem like his stomach is about to implode. ||
7:47 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nach gets near Full Throttle, lowering her voice to speak to him quietly. "You alright?" She mentally thinks back to breakfast and his odd reaction to her offer. She hopes it's not some bad power interaction with food. ||
7:50 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Yeah, uh, yeah. I'm good. I get what you meant. About Loup-Garou, I mean."
7:52 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Damn," he says, shaking his head. "What's his deal?" ||
7:58 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> Nach shrugs. "Honestly?" She lowers her voice still further. "You act like that, everybody constantly walks on eggshells around you. It's probably nice, assuming you don't care one whit about other people's feelings." ||
7:59 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Soc roll. Empathy could apply.))
8:00 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> $roll 1d6+1
8:00 PM <[ATM]> Non|Nachzehrer [3] +1 = 4
8:00 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Still, he's a dick," he says, mouth a tight frown. "I... uh, I dunno if I want to work for him." ||
8:03 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "I know the feeling," Nach admits. She hesitates about actually telling him about her... thoughts about dealing with Loup-Garou so soon after meeting him. "Look, let's do this, I'll split the cash with you fifty-fifty, we can talk about if you want to stay on." ||
8:05 PM <•Antioch|GM> He raises his eyebrows. "Really? That, uh, I mean, what's the, uh."
8:05 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Thanks," he says, still looking residually panicked and somewhat baffled. ||
8:10 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> She claps him on the back. "Hey, you pulled your weight with those DMH goons. No reason not to share fairly, right?" ||
8:10 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Th-thanks," he says again, this time with more conviction. ||
8:16 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "You're in for this, then?" ||
8:19 PM <•Antioch|GM> "Yeah," he says, nodding, then repeats it, moreso for his own sake.
8:19 PM <•Antioch|GM> "I know a little bit about Blackjack," he adds, changing the topic, "they were testing the waters, asking around for recruits, before I even got into town, so they might have new blood." ||
8:22 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> "Right, okay," Nach says, processing his words. "Thanks for the info. That helps." ||
8:24 PM <•Antioch|GM> "How do you want to approach this? I don't even know where they operate." ||
8:25 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((Wait, hang on. Okay. Blackjack is one of the groups of capes getting in 13F's way at the NITRO base?))
8:26 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Yeah.))
8:26 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((Okay. I totally did not catch that lol.))
8:26 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Whoops!))
8:35 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((So are they like... at the NITRO base?))
8:36 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((They're not, as far as you know. Their turf in the city is closer to the center, 13th Floor just ran into them at the NITRO base and got shot at. They could still be there, they could have fallen back.))
8:38 PM <Non|Nachzehrer> ((Okay, sorry, you mind calling it a day here? My sleep cycle got messed up a bit so I've been tired since 5 and we've been gaming for 8h+ total. I don't really feel like I'm 'all here' at this point.))
8:39 PM <•Antioch|GM> ((Yeah, it's no problem. I'll be here all week, so just drop me a line when you're interested in resuming. Hope your sleep cycle gets back on track.))
8:39 PM <•Antioch|GM> |||