Strikeforce: Morituri Part One "the Mortals" Is Completed

[Look_a_Unicorn]

Not sure what you mean by Divergency regarding Jean.

Yeah I didn't describe it that well- Megamania/Jim had his training (and occult ritual), the Captain was experimented on, Vander went through torture- and as a result they gained there badass abilities. What I meant was how did Jean diverge from "in touch with nature" to Storm-Wielder.. although it may be something as simple as affinity growing over time...

"Eventually I'll go into her and the dragon...oops I shouldn't have said that."
hahhaha


"You will see/read how all the Champions of Infiniti had a rough go of things before they died and were brought back to life by Infiniti. Expect many flashbacks on all the characters (I hope I don't kill any before) to explain a bit of who they are."
The occasional flash of insight can really change an up-till-then background PC into a living image in the story!

"Also, if you thought the champions have had it hard, wait until the mysterious figure in the background begins to really get involved. Lets just say things will get ugly"
Looking forward to it! Not that I want the Strikeforce to be smacked down... well maybe a little .

 

[megamania]

Yeah I didn't describe it that well- Megamania/Jim had his training (and occult ritual), the Captain was experimented on, Vander went through torture- and as a result they gained there badass abilities. What I meant was how did Jean diverge from "in touch with nature" to Storm-Wielder.. although it may be something as simple as affinity growing over time...

She grew up on the seas but later found herself thrust to shore and into a city. Here she discovered and trained in magic. When I feel the time is right, I will go into more.

"Also, if you thought the champions have had it hard, wait until the mysterious figure in the background begins to really get involved. Lets just say things will get ugly"
Looking forward to it! Not that I want the Strikeforce to be smacked down... well maybe a little .

I was quite surprised at how well they did against the sahuagin and the mage. Vander is proving to be exceptionly powerful with his Falchoin and Jean with her Lightning spells and stored spells. I may have to taller foes against them a bit.
If you were to look at the Rogues links- the NPCS you see that Jaws of Sorrow has mucho spell resistance whichg was done because of Jean. She never reliezed that after hitting it with about eight 10d6 bolts that virtually little damage took place. Vander, with his psionics however got through. This is in part why the barely thinking creature has it now for the "metal man".

More updates possiblyt this weekend. I am strapped for time since I am working 34 hours at the store and 48 at the factory this week while trying to sign a morgage and repair a brakeless car.

 

[megamania]

Okay- I have had little time to write and many problems getting on EN World so as to post. I will add a few pictures I have done or did that relate to Strikeforce.

Here is Jaws of Sorrow

 

[megamania]

Lets try that again...but bigger

 

[megamania]

Cookie correction....?

 

[megamania]

I'm baaaack! back online anyway. Expect updates now.

 

[megamania]

STRIKEFORCE: MORITURI
SEGMENT 041
“Blood in the Water”

“You found them easily enough I trust.”

“Yes my lord.”

“You fought and slew them I trust.”

“We fought them my lord.”

“Did you consume their flesh? Is their blood in the water?”

“No my lord.”

“…….yet you return?”

The wet human dressed in nothing but a cloth skirt with a component filled belt bows before his lord within a sea cave. Sahuagin warriors bow to the same lord nearby forming a semi circle. The lord is dressed in a cloak with red, white and grew trim. Shark teeth on strings line the cloak marking him as a worshipper of the Shark-god. The very creature the Sahuagin worship and believe in. They feel the Jaws of Sorrow is the avatar of said shark god and the human lord to be favored by him. As much as they fear and respect him, they would be angered if they knew the undead creature was his creation and tool, not their avatar.

“They are…mighty my lord. One carries a powerful weapon that speaks to our minds and kills in one swing. Another has a weapon unlike any I have seen before that rips holes into one’s flesh from a short distance. Another can make fog strong enough to force us below the surface. Another has a shield that is a device of the devil. They are not human my lord.”

“There you are correct. They are flesh,” turning to the Sahuagin, “and we eat flesh!” A murderous gleam shines over the black emotionless eyes of the sea devils. They begin to chant together- “Flesh, flesh, flesh…”

“They wish to destroy the avatar of the shark-god. They wish to take his magic. They wish to starve us.” Pausing for effect, “They wish to starve YOU.”

“I will destroy them my lord.”

“Go and do not return until their flesh has been consumed.” He waves his strong arms to dispel the mage from his sight. The Sahuagin wait a moment.

“If he fails again- he is flesh and flesh is to be consumed.”

The creatures hiss in an evil equilivant to laughter then leave him.

He turns and goes deeper into the sea cave. He enters a secret passage. Here he removes his robes and replaces them with the clothes he wears when he goes to council meetings.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = == = = == = = = == = == = = = = = = = = =

The inky waters part once more. This time the gaunt man in red and black robes and leather peers at a woman moving on the rooftops of a noble’s home overlooking the bay where the heroes were. The moon is nearly full and covered by the thick clouds of Ravenloft. She stops and peers upward to the scrying.
“What?”

“Well done Jarella. You sensed me. I want a progress report.”

“The ring has gone missing. Neither the Champions nor I have it. The Champions seem content to seek out a creature that endangers the town which allows me to search all the better for it.”

“Hmmmm…do they suspect anything?”

“They are unaware of me and thus of you. They are talented however. Each is truly a champion. None are to be taken lightly, even the rogue.”

“Yes, well I have plans for them. Soon they will feel my wraith but first…. I need to awake our lord.”

“YOUR lord will be awaken I am sure.”

“Do not push me Jarella. You are a feared assassin throughout the planes but do not think that can protect you if I become displeased with you or you betray my trust.”

“The mirror always has at least two images”

Silence as she looks to the slight shimmer in the sky she can see there. “Get me the ring. That is all.”

The shimmer moves away and she returns to her work. She has to visit a certain cultist tonight. A member of the shark cult whom she feels may know something.

 

[megamania]

STRIKEFORCE: MORITURI
SEGMENT 042
“Picking up the Pieces”

“How much longer?” asks Jim Addards as Jean walks up to him by the dock.

“Don’t pick on Vander. As I recall, you were next to him retrieving your equipment.” Jean says as she watches for Vander to resurface. He has been retrieving pieces of his psionically-empowered armor for the past hour. He is still missing a few pieces. “You could be helping him.”

“I did. His left shin guard was in a location his larger frame wouldn’t fit within.”

Jean gives a straight tight smile with a nod. There are times she can not tell if Jim is lying or telling the truth. This is one of those moments.

“Any more luck locating the ring using our equipment?”

Jean lets out a long sigh. “No. This world …this demi-plane is messing with it. Christina did say that the lords of this plane did not like our being here but we didn’t expect this.”

“What did you expect? Godzilla”

“God-who?”

“A giant dragon that walks on two feet.” Answers Jim without batting an eye.

“A ..dragon…yes we expected powerful confrontations.” Jean answers believing Godzilla to be a true Dragon.

“That’s why we’re after the shark.” He answers more to himself than to Jean.

“Fahhhhhh” bursts out Vander as he surfaces with a hip guard covered in mud and silt. He slowly dog paddles to shore and climbs onto the dock. Ignoring the two of them, he begins to carefully and with great care clean his armor.

Jim shakes his head in dismay. “The guy needs a girlfriend.”

“And you Jim…?” asks Jean thinking about his one night stand with Christina.

“I’m fine.” He stretches and looks back at Vander. He is uncertain about this subject. He has never been yone to stay with a woman for long. One night stands were common to him. He honestly had not thought about how Christina would react. He did not know Jean knew. Who else knew?

In a small warehouse nearby, The Captain, Christina and several officials discuss the prior night’s events. Sahuagin have always been a concern but they have never attacked a boat tied to a dock. They have become very bold and daring. The Captain and Christina disagree. They came for them. They had a human mage leading the attack. The same human was believed to turn into a shark to escape. Both the Captain and Christina noted the alarm on the local’s faces. They did not believe them when they suggested it must have been a spell. The answer came too quick and loud.

Uncertain of the possibilities the Captain asks about a shark cult. The locals are quiet and can not make eye contact.

“No…no shark cult.” One answers quietly

Christina, having a traveled the planes has another guess. “Are there weresharks here?” Several men turn away. The Governor buries his head in his hands looking at the floor. He sighs and looks up defeated.

“There are myths and legends. Nothing proven. The myths speak of an alliance between Sahuagin and shark worshippers. Some of these worshippers went as far as to be cursed with the ability of becoming a shark. It is only myth but these are strange times. The Governor looks up at two Champions. The gleaming armor of Christina and the infinite depths of the magical artifact held by the Captain. The Governor stares at it and is caught in its spell. He feels compelled to look at it and say everything he knows about the Shark Cult…and the lost shipments….everything. The Captain and Christina both note that he stares and answers to the shield held by the Captain…answers as if compelled.

I became aware of the rumors about three months ago. It was just about when the Jaws of Sorrow began to appear in our waters on a regular basis that the rumors emerged. A mysterious and monstrous shark sank several ships laden with gold owned by the city or myself. The crew and cargo were never found. A sole survivor did escape the carnage. He died as he retold the story. A monstrous shark would destroy the craft and Sahuagin would be seen in the area. He died before saying anymore. In a separate incident, on a nearby island, a fisherman thought he had seen a shark swim to a grotto then crawl onto shore and become a man. This man disappeared into the cave.

Later, the city patrol led by my son checked the cave. Nothing was found. Sharks are being witnessed more often in our waters. Normally, our waters are too cool for many sharks to appear but this has not been the deterrent it used to be.

The Governor now slowly looks up at the Captain. Tears rush down his cheeks. The Captain remains cold and emotionless. “Thankyou Governor. We will review this new information and return with our plans.”

“Somehow it all relates... I am certain of it” exclaims The Captain to Christina once outside. “The ring becoming lost, the shark, the sahuagin the shark people ….everything.”

“When we go out to sea to hunt this Jaws creature…we have to be ready for anything.”

“yes …anything.”

 

[Look_a_Unicorn]

I can't help but believe that hunting the Jaws- when it's not only assisted but worshipped! by both Sahuagin & Were Sharks can only end in tears (I've not yet found a way of using WS's in my campaign but I really REALLY want to).

Oh well, at least if they're horribly slaughtered underwater then Jim won't have to deal with the far more confusing & dangerous territory- the feelings of a female with superpowers!

Quick question, how much of the in-game tryst was the Players idea, and how much elaboration? In my experience the players are fine to roleplay melodramatics or heroics, but romance... they just struggle to deal with it in the same serious fashion.

 

[megamania]

I can't help but believe that hunting the Jaws- when it's not only assisted but worshipped! by both Sahuagin & Were Sharks can only end in tears (I've not yet found a way of using WS's in my campaign but I really REALLY want to).

I still don't know how it will end :\

Oh well, at least if they're horribly slaughtered underwater then Jim won't have to deal with the far more confusing & dangerous territory- the feelings of a female with superpowers!

Assuming he even cares or has any concern. Jim is not the nicest and most sincere guy out there. He was taught by the government that sex could be a tool.

Quick question, how much of the in-game tryst was the Players idea, and how much elaboration? In my experience the players are fine to roleplay melodramatics or heroics, but romance... they just struggle to deal with it in the same serious fashion.

Either you missed it or I down played it too much- I live in southern Vermont and work 75+ hours a week. Playing in a normal group setting is near impoosible. What I have done is created stats and sheets for all charcaters. I then role-play and when required- roll-play the characters. Its not a perfect method but hey- its not a perfect world. This is why in part I used existing comicbook characters or characters I had played before in this game. I have a feel for them and they basically write themselves.

When I started this I didn't intend Jim and Christina to hook up but it seemed to gravitate in that direction on its own. Now comes the fun part- where to between them and who else knows and how will this effect the team?

As for weresharks ... use your imagination. The biggest pain in the butt is how they are a marine creature. Going by strict CRs, the Champions of Infiniti are much higher but they are greatly weakened in a marine environment. Vander and The Captain especially.

Hope to update soon-