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MSH: Paradigm Shift (Updated on 09/30/03)
- Thread starter Hjorimir
- Start date
Hjorimir
Adventurer
Thank you for the kind words, iwatt. I'm nearing the completion of our first session (Issue 1) and it looks like we will be playing once a month (next session scheduled for Oct/3). My intention (if anybody cares to read it and there is general interest or questions) is to post some general information about the campaign setting and some side adventures between the big monthly Saturday games as time permits.
As I've said before, writing like this is new to me but I'm enjoying it. I also am finding it will force me to be thorough with the campaign as a whole (which is a good thing) as well as providing a solid campaign log for the players (and readers).
I just hope more people will take a chance to read a Story Hour based on comic books in what can only be considered a D&D-themed community (or d20 at the very least).
As I've said before, writing like this is new to me but I'm enjoying it. I also am finding it will force me to be thorough with the campaign as a whole (which is a good thing) as well as providing a solid campaign log for the players (and readers).
I just hope more people will take a chance to read a Story Hour based on comic books in what can only be considered a D&D-themed community (or d20 at the very least).
ForceUser
Explorer
I was shocked when I ran that guy through. The way the Marvel rules work, people in body armor aren't affected by subdual damage, so the only way Zariel could smack this guy around was with the business end of his longsword. I really wish there had been another way to deal with him - skewering some mook on Zariel's sword was not what I had in mind. I kind of assumed that Marvel's abstract damage system would allow Zariel to take him down without slaughtering him, but I guess that's not the case. I'll just do something else next time; the sword is not really meant to be used on human opponents anyway.
The Marvel system's penalty for damaging massive amounts of public property is surprisingly light, encouraging PCs to throw bad guys around wantonly. Rook and Zariel are going to have to have a little talk.
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Hjorimir
Adventurer
ForceUser said:
It sounds like I failed to explain this properly, ForceUser. If you use the flat of your blade, you lose your ability to rend through body armor. People with body armor (natural or artificial) are still affected from your standard Slugfest damage. But they do get to subtract the intensity of their defense from the damage inflicted (whereas your sword ignores body armor up to its own material strength).
So when you attacked the copilot I just wanted you to understand how much less damage you would inflict (if any at all).
iwatt
First Post
That be nice as well. From the other SH around, I've noticed that this helps to make the story better all around. As a character, it's nice to know other things are going on.
Personally, I've always enjoyed the Comic book worlds, I just have never had the patience (or the cash
) to buy all the issues.
Hjorimir
Adventurer
iwatt said:Personally, I've always enjoyed the Comic book worlds, I just have never had the patience (or the cash
Nowadays most publishers (such as Marvel and DC) compile various titles in graphic novels that comprise something along the lines of 6-10 issues into a single book. I'm pretty sure you get a price break on those. Of course, the drawback is if you buy something you don't like you ended up buying a lot of issues on the title instead of dropping it after two or three reads.
Hjorimir
Adventurer
[size=+1]Paradigm Shift: Vol. 1, Issue 1, Part 6[/size]
San Diego
High overhead, both Nova and Venture were searching for Sheath who had once again disappeared.
“We can cover more ground if we split up. How about you take the coastline and I will focus inland?” Venture offered.
“Very well, though I must admit I’m a bit concerned about Genesis finding me again. I am rather obvious in the dark of night as I’m sure you’ve noticed,” Nova replied.
“I understand, just do the best you can,” Venture said and turned east to continue his search.
Balboa Park, San Diego
Breathing hard from the long run, Sheath came to a stop near a large fountain between some museums. Why me? Why all of this? I just want to all go away and be like it used to. She dipped her hands into the water and washed the sweat from her face sat down and started to think.
“Kassie?”
With a start she turned to see Venture walking towards her. “Venture! You’re alive!”
“Of course I am,” he replied with a smile. Thankfully the unstable molecules of my suit are hiding most of my injuries...now if I can only keep a smile on my face. Venture walked forward and had a seat next to her at the fountain’s edge. “You want to talk about it?”
“It is all so crazy,” came her response as she once again started to cry. “This isn’t supposed to be happening to me. I mean....I’m normal.”
Venture thought for a moment before responding. “You’re right. It wasn’t supposed to happen. But it did happen, Kassie. The only thing you can do now is try to move forward. I’m willing to help you, if you’ll let me.”
“Help me to do what? Be a super-hero?”
“No, that is something that may or may not happen in time. That is a personal choice one makes. What I’m talking about is helping you to understand those changes in your body. I’m a doctor and a geneticist and I helped pave the way for Genesis. I was ignorant of their intentions. But that isn’t an excuse and I plan to pay for my mistakes,” Venture explained.
Emergency vehicle sirens could be heard off in the distance. “Kassie, I think we should head back to the condo for now. They are still out here looking for you...for us...and we need to regroup. What do you say?”
Sheath gave a feeble smile. He’s nice and I need the help. “Okay, let’s go.”
Coronado Bay, San Diego
Binary, Rook, and Zariel emerged from the shadows within the living room. Binary seemed to notice for the first time he was wearing little more than underwear.
“Please tell me you’ve got something around here I can wear,” Binary complained.
Zariel noticed a pile of shopping bags in the corner of the room. “Of course, Eric. I think you will find something suitable in those bags.”
Rook stood heaving, his muscles tight while his fists reflexively clenched and loosened in a rhythmic pattern.
Zariel took a look at Rook. Hope he doesn’t get much bigger than that. His head is almost scraping my ceiling as it is. “I think it is probably safe to relax now, Rook.”
“I guess we’re about to find out.” Rook glanced at the floor and moved into the kitchen to stand on the tile. There he braced himself and released his Focus. His body relaxed and reverted to his normal stature...and he started to bleed. “Arrrrrrgh!”
Zariel rushed over as Rook slid to the floor. “Are you going to be alright?”
“I hope so,” Rook replied weakly.
Zariel grabbed a first aid kit from under the sink and started to bandage Rook. Okay, I need to start thinking about a new home for these guys. Looking up he saw a streak of light land on his balcony then fade to leave Nova standing there. Oh hell no! This isn’t going to work at all.
“How is my face?”
“Huh?” Zariel turned back to Rook.
“How does my face look? Is everything in place?” Rook asked.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll have some bruising but nothing serious. You’ll be fine, Dave” Zariel finished his work quickly.
“Jason, we need to talk. I don’t think it is a good idea to land on my balcony. People will see.”
“What would you have me do? Land outside then ring the doorbell?” Nova responded.
“No, it is just...I think we need to consider moving locations. Something more...remote.”
“I can see that, did you have anything in mind?” Nova asked.
“Alpine might be a good place to consider. Lots of land out there and not too many witnesses either,” Zariel considered.
“I’m sure I can help cover that,” Nova offered. “We will want to rent, not buy. That will keep our names out of government computer systems as the contract would only involve the owner and us.”
Rook sat down on the couch and flipped on the television. “I bet this is all over the news now.” The television showed Governor Schwarzenegger speaking at a press conference.
<<Aht dis time we du not know if da inceedint in San Diaego is related to da deescovery by NSA agents in da desert. I vant to assure everybahdy dat Caleefornia is working with da Federal Government to investigate da situation.>>
<<Governor Schwarzenegger, reports are filtering in that people were undergoing dangerous medical experimentation at the Mojave facility. What can you tell us about their status and what exactly was happening to them?>>
<<Daht’s a gud qwestion, Lauri. Those peebol, along wit materials found at da desert fahcility, have been relocated to Edwards Air Force Base in Rosamund, Caleefornia where dey are receiving specialized medicol care while under qwarunteen. Now, if you will pleeze excuse me, I have work to du.>>
Nova shook his head. “Don’t blame me, I didn’t vote for him.”
“What’s wrong with Ahnold?” Rook asked incredulously.
“Never mind, let’s not get into it,” Zariel interrupted.
Venture landed on the balcony with Sheath cradled in his arms, a smile on his face. “I found her.”
“Are you okay, Kassie?” Rook asked.
“I will be okay. Thank you...all of you.”
“It’s everywhere!” exclaimed Binary from the far side of the room as people turned. “It is there!” he pointed. “...and there!” pointing elsewhere. “It is all around us! I can feel it! Even miles and miles from here!”
“Calm down, Eric.” Zariel said. “Let’s take a step back, shall we?” Zariel took time to explain what had happened over the last twenty-four hours leading up to the battle in downtown and what they knew of Operation: Genesis.
Eric shared what he remembered on how he has been taken from his San Diego home in the middle of the night by some kind of swat team with momentary flashes of being in some kind of jelly filled container. “...and then I woke up when the explosion hit. I didn’t know who you guys were...and I pretty much still don’t...but I knew who those goons were!”
“How did you mange to get downtown so quickly?” Nova asked.
“Well, I kind of ‘merged’ with the energy and just kind of ‘swam’ my way there.” Binary paused to mime a breaststroke action as if to emphasize his point. “You have no idea how much there is. It’s like standing in a lightning storm.”
“Welcome to the team, Binary!” Rook shook his hand vigorously with a large smile.
Team? What team? Oh God. Zariel made a choking noise.
San Diego
High overhead, both Nova and Venture were searching for Sheath who had once again disappeared.
“We can cover more ground if we split up. How about you take the coastline and I will focus inland?” Venture offered.
“Very well, though I must admit I’m a bit concerned about Genesis finding me again. I am rather obvious in the dark of night as I’m sure you’ve noticed,” Nova replied.
“I understand, just do the best you can,” Venture said and turned east to continue his search.
Balboa Park, San Diego
Breathing hard from the long run, Sheath came to a stop near a large fountain between some museums. Why me? Why all of this? I just want to all go away and be like it used to. She dipped her hands into the water and washed the sweat from her face sat down and started to think.
“Kassie?”
With a start she turned to see Venture walking towards her. “Venture! You’re alive!”
“Of course I am,” he replied with a smile. Thankfully the unstable molecules of my suit are hiding most of my injuries...now if I can only keep a smile on my face. Venture walked forward and had a seat next to her at the fountain’s edge. “You want to talk about it?”
“It is all so crazy,” came her response as she once again started to cry. “This isn’t supposed to be happening to me. I mean....I’m normal.”
Venture thought for a moment before responding. “You’re right. It wasn’t supposed to happen. But it did happen, Kassie. The only thing you can do now is try to move forward. I’m willing to help you, if you’ll let me.”
“Help me to do what? Be a super-hero?”
“No, that is something that may or may not happen in time. That is a personal choice one makes. What I’m talking about is helping you to understand those changes in your body. I’m a doctor and a geneticist and I helped pave the way for Genesis. I was ignorant of their intentions. But that isn’t an excuse and I plan to pay for my mistakes,” Venture explained.
Emergency vehicle sirens could be heard off in the distance. “Kassie, I think we should head back to the condo for now. They are still out here looking for you...for us...and we need to regroup. What do you say?”
Sheath gave a feeble smile. He’s nice and I need the help. “Okay, let’s go.”
Coronado Bay, San Diego
Binary, Rook, and Zariel emerged from the shadows within the living room. Binary seemed to notice for the first time he was wearing little more than underwear.
“Please tell me you’ve got something around here I can wear,” Binary complained.
Zariel noticed a pile of shopping bags in the corner of the room. “Of course, Eric. I think you will find something suitable in those bags.”
Rook stood heaving, his muscles tight while his fists reflexively clenched and loosened in a rhythmic pattern.
Zariel took a look at Rook. Hope he doesn’t get much bigger than that. His head is almost scraping my ceiling as it is. “I think it is probably safe to relax now, Rook.”
“I guess we’re about to find out.” Rook glanced at the floor and moved into the kitchen to stand on the tile. There he braced himself and released his Focus. His body relaxed and reverted to his normal stature...and he started to bleed. “Arrrrrrgh!”
Zariel rushed over as Rook slid to the floor. “Are you going to be alright?”
“I hope so,” Rook replied weakly.
Zariel grabbed a first aid kit from under the sink and started to bandage Rook. Okay, I need to start thinking about a new home for these guys. Looking up he saw a streak of light land on his balcony then fade to leave Nova standing there. Oh hell no! This isn’t going to work at all.
“How is my face?”
“Huh?” Zariel turned back to Rook.
“How does my face look? Is everything in place?” Rook asked.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll have some bruising but nothing serious. You’ll be fine, Dave” Zariel finished his work quickly.
“Jason, we need to talk. I don’t think it is a good idea to land on my balcony. People will see.”
“What would you have me do? Land outside then ring the doorbell?” Nova responded.
“No, it is just...I think we need to consider moving locations. Something more...remote.”
“I can see that, did you have anything in mind?” Nova asked.
“Alpine might be a good place to consider. Lots of land out there and not too many witnesses either,” Zariel considered.
“I’m sure I can help cover that,” Nova offered. “We will want to rent, not buy. That will keep our names out of government computer systems as the contract would only involve the owner and us.”
Rook sat down on the couch and flipped on the television. “I bet this is all over the news now.” The television showed Governor Schwarzenegger speaking at a press conference.
<<Aht dis time we du not know if da inceedint in San Diaego is related to da deescovery by NSA agents in da desert. I vant to assure everybahdy dat Caleefornia is working with da Federal Government to investigate da situation.>>
<<Governor Schwarzenegger, reports are filtering in that people were undergoing dangerous medical experimentation at the Mojave facility. What can you tell us about their status and what exactly was happening to them?>>
<<Daht’s a gud qwestion, Lauri. Those peebol, along wit materials found at da desert fahcility, have been relocated to Edwards Air Force Base in Rosamund, Caleefornia where dey are receiving specialized medicol care while under qwarunteen. Now, if you will pleeze excuse me, I have work to du.>>
Nova shook his head. “Don’t blame me, I didn’t vote for him.”
“What’s wrong with Ahnold?” Rook asked incredulously.
“Never mind, let’s not get into it,” Zariel interrupted.
Venture landed on the balcony with Sheath cradled in his arms, a smile on his face. “I found her.”
“Are you okay, Kassie?” Rook asked.
“I will be okay. Thank you...all of you.”
“It’s everywhere!” exclaimed Binary from the far side of the room as people turned. “It is there!” he pointed. “...and there!” pointing elsewhere. “It is all around us! I can feel it! Even miles and miles from here!”
“Calm down, Eric.” Zariel said. “Let’s take a step back, shall we?” Zariel took time to explain what had happened over the last twenty-four hours leading up to the battle in downtown and what they knew of Operation: Genesis.
Eric shared what he remembered on how he has been taken from his San Diego home in the middle of the night by some kind of swat team with momentary flashes of being in some kind of jelly filled container. “...and then I woke up when the explosion hit. I didn’t know who you guys were...and I pretty much still don’t...but I knew who those goons were!”
“How did you mange to get downtown so quickly?” Nova asked.
“Well, I kind of ‘merged’ with the energy and just kind of ‘swam’ my way there.” Binary paused to mime a breaststroke action as if to emphasize his point. “You have no idea how much there is. It’s like standing in a lightning storm.”
“Welcome to the team, Binary!” Rook shook his hand vigorously with a large smile.
Team? What team? Oh God. Zariel made a choking noise.
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