Infernal Resurgence (Worm/Exalted)

For the second time, Danny found himself in a sterile hospital room; but now? He could feel the shadows that clung to the corners. Danny sat by Taylor's bedside, a mix of concern and exhaustion etched across his face. Tubes and monitors hummed softly, providing a dissonant background to the quiet murmurs of comfort, exchanged between father and comatose daughter.

As he kept a vigilant watch over Taylor, the door to the hospital room creaked open. A PRT (Parahuman Response Team) agent, clad in a crisp uniform adorned with the emblem of their organization, stepped in. The agent's stern expression softened for a moment as they observed the scene before them, a father keeping a silent vigil by his injured daughter's side.

"Mr. Hebert?" the agent spoke, their voice a steady yet empathetic tone.

Danny looked up, his tired eyes meeting the agent's gaze. "Yes, that's me. What brings you here?"

The PRT agent approached, a folder in hand, and took a seat across from Danny. "I'm Agent Harris. I'm here to discuss the incident at Taylor's school. We've been investigating the circumstances surrounding the assault, and we'd like to get a statement from both you and Taylor when she's able to talk."

Danny's jaw tensed as he nodded, his protective instincts flaring. "Of course. But right now, my priority is Taylor's recovery. We'll cooperate, but it has to be at a time that won't add more stress to her."

Agent Harris nodded understandingly. "Absolutely, Mr. Hebert. We'll coordinate with the hospital staff to find a suitable time for the interview. Our primary concern is ensuring Taylor's safety and well-being."

As they conversed, Danny found himself suspicious at the PRT Agent's professionalism and supposed genuine concern. Despite the unsettling circumstances surrounding Taylor's assault, the promise of justice and support from the PRT was too good to be true. Thus he looked at the Agent, trying to see what was really going on, flexing a power he did not even know he had.

Spend 1 Willpower of 1 success. Lost 1 Willpower-> Now at 5 / 6
Regained 1 Willpower-> Now at 6/6

Danny saw and immediately knew that the man was a soldier through and through. One who was here following orders. He was sympathetic for sure but had seen this scene before and much worse. To the point that he was almost numb to it.

As much as Danny wanted to blame the man, he held it in. Brockton Bay was that much of a shithole. So instead, they discussed the incident, the ongoing investigation, and the measures the PRT would take to ensure Taylor's safety. The last being nothing but a joke as during their conversation, it became abundantly clear just why the agent was present. To see if his daughter had powers or not.

Not wanting to commit to anything, they exchanged some final pleasantries and the agent finally left the room, leaving Danny alone with Taylor.

"What now?" Danny whispered to himself, not expecting a reply, yet receiving it nonetheless.

"Now? Now you start with a Basic question, what is the thing you want the most?"

"Wha….no. You are…." Danny started but was immediately cut off.

"Each Prince of the Green Sun has an inner voice that talks to them. I could be the demon that bore your Exaltation to you, that now lives on within your mind. Or I can be your Po soul, now gorged on Primordial essence, awakened and developing wants and needs that mirror your own. Perhaps I am the conglomeration of your past lives, now having conscious thoughts. Whatever the case, I am loyal." Which surprisingly enough was the truth as Danny, somehow knew that it genuinely was.

"Daniel, you now have a voice in your head, true but there is much that I can do for you." It continued.

"Such as?" Danny countered skeptically.

"Such as reminding you why you took the deal." the Voice pointed out.

"Taylor!" Danny exclaimed as he turned towards her.

"You have the ability to heal her but first, look at her Daniel. Look and see how she came to be this way. Look and see who did this to her." Shadow said and Danny understood.

He looked at Taylor and mentally asked 'Who hurt my Daughter', trying to force an answer through sheer willpower alone and to his surprise, succeeding.

Spend 1 Willpower to invoke Crown of Truth (Question: Who Hurt Taylor?)
Lost 1 Willpower-> Now at 5 / 6.

The effect was instant and in the well lit hospital room, Danny Hebert sat down in a worn-out chair, his hands tightly clenched around the arm rest. The news of Taylor's condition had gnawed at his every waking moment, an unsettling blend of anger and helplessness weighing heavily on his shoulders. Yet, what hurt the worst was who had done this. Now? Now he knew.

He now knew the individuals responsible for Taylor's assault. A mixture of emotions surged within Danny—relief, anger, and a longing for justice.

He could not believe that the primary instigator was none other than Emma Barnes. The other two, Madison Clements and Sophia Hess were nothing in comparison.

Emma's involvement hit Danny like a gut punch. Emma, Taylor's childhood friend, and Alan……he could not involve Alan in this, Danny realized.

Danny would do anything for his daughter, including selling his soul, so why would Alan be any different?

Danny was left alone in the hospital room. Anguish, disappointment, and a sense of betrayal swirled within him. He grappled with the harsh reality that little Emma, whom Taylor had once loved like a sister, had betrayed her so badly. That he could never again trust Alan , the same Alan who had saved him when Annet had died.

His friendship with Alan was dead, it died the moment Emma shoved Taylor into that locker. He looked at the card that the Agent had handed to him. They did not care about him, hi daughter or the city. Yet, what other choice did he have?

Dark thoughts filled his mind and it was to his secret relief that he was broken out of his dark thoughts when the voice spoke up.

"Daniel, you are faced with many challenges, and perhaps I can offer you an alternative. Consider transforming the Dock Workers into a corporate hero team."

Danny's brows furrowed as he almost looked around, half-expecting to see the source of the voice despite knowing better. "A corporate hero team? What would that achieve?"

"Think about it, Daniel. With the right structure, the Dock Workers could become a powerful force. This transformation would not only secure their financial stability but also empower them to navigate the intricacies of the city."

As Danny pondered the voice's words, visions of a reinvigorated city flashed in his mind, well equipped workers collaborating, making strategic decisions, and a thriving City. The voice's persuasive whispers seemed to stoke the ember of ambition within him.

"But Capes?" Danny questioned, his voice laced with uncertainty. "Normal people cannot stand up to Capes. I am but one ... .cape and I will not involve Taylor if she has powers."

"Then make more that are loyal to you and you alone. You are a Prince of the Green Sun, simply reach out to people who are desperate enough to sell parts of their soul and sometimes their services to you in exchange for power. Use it and transform the Dock Workers into a formidable force. Imagine the prosperity and opportunities this change could bring for your City."

"What is the catch?" Danny countered.

The voice did not reply, it did not need to. Despite the initial hesitation, Danny found himself drawn to the idea. The promise of financial stability for his workers, a chance to elevate their status, and the prospect of overcoming the challenges and ridding the city of the gangs created a spark of ambition within him.

"With regards to your Daughter, healing her is not the issue, nor is curing her mental exhaustion." The voice paused. "The issue lies in the fact that it is ....bright and will reveal you for what you are. So take her home and flare your Anima there. In a few hours, she will be healed and her willpower restored, your secret safe, for now."

"But not her mental issues." Danny observed with a grimace.

"No." Agreed the voice, "But while the Crown of Self cannot do so, the Crown of Want can. There is Mercy in Servitude. If you train yourself, so long as a person loyally serves you, their wounds heal at the same rate as your own, any poison or disease are temporarily cured, their various torments are held in abeyance and even derangements of the mind are temporarily set aside. At the end of such service, after at least a Year and a day, you can choose to let them stay cured."

This was a tantalizing image, one that would not just help Taylor but also many of the Dock Workers. Danny knew many had injuries, addictions and other problems, with no way to cure themselves, Panacea being a joke of a hope more than anything.

Danny knew he had options. Now he had to choose.

Voting time: Choose your actions for the Next Week.
AP: 7
TAP: 3

Training actions: (Each cost 1 TAP. One action CAN be taken multiple times)

Attribute/Ability Training: You roll Attribute + Ability at Base Difficulty with no modifiers or successes except Exalted Advantages or training charms. You get one roll per TAP spent.

Charms Training: You roll Willpower at Base Difficulty of 7 with no modifiers or successes except Exalted Advantages or training charms. You get one roll per TAP spent. Double 10s and no -1s apply.

One Success = 1xp. Any Excess successes overflow in the case of Attribute/Ability provided you do not hit the cap. For Charms any overflow of successes are lost.

XP Debt: Available only for one time offers. You roll the training dice and purchase the charm even if you fall short. Then you need to train off the remaining debt.

[] Learn Charm: Mercy in Servitude - 8xp (ONE TIME DEAL: If the Roll falls short, it is purchased and you go into xp debt)
[] Learn Charm: The Sleepless - Lose ability to sleep. Gain 3 AP and 2 TAP
[] Learn Charm: Other (See Information: Infernal Mechanics for more charms)
[] Learn Ability: Which? (You have 16 dots and can only learn 4 more before hitting soft cap)

Charm list found here: Infernal Resurgence (Worm/Exalted) Crossover

To raise the soft cap ability, buy charms and other things. Once you train 20xp worthy of stuff, your Essence rating rises.

Tasks: (Each cost 1 AP. One action CANNOT be taken multiple times)
[] ONE TIME DEAL - Learn Charm Masquerade - Allows you to use Charms and Sorcery and hide it as a Parahuman powers to ALL observers. ( If the Roll falls short, it is purchased and you go into xp debt)
[] Assemble the Dock Workers and gain their Allegiance. Use the Crown of Want to bind them to you.
[] Look up NEPEA-5 Bill. Corporate Superhero teams are a thing but you need to know how this works and all the problems you can face. If you ever want to be part of a hero team not from the Procetorate, this is one of the few ways to do so.
[] Try and Contact the Numberman. You know from a few of the boys who worked as Minions that he is rumored to handle underworld accounts. You never know when the ability to launder money will come in handy.
[] Scout out the competition. There is a group calling themselves the Archer Bridge Merchants who are squatting at the docks. They are nothing more than Drug dealers but perhaps, you need to see what they are about?
[] Deal with Taylor's School. You need someone to yell at.
[] Get a Lawyer and a PI. You are angry but that does not mean you cannot get even. Get lawyered up and a PI to gather information. You will get justice for Taylor.
[] LOCKED: Prepare to move Taylor home by the end of the Week. This would be unthinkable, but with expenses rising and a way to heal her, one way or another, this can be done.
[] Experiment with your powers. Unlocks Sorcery, Shintai, Yozi Gifts and Worldsoul travel. You also gain Resource 1 and Cult 1, which you can transfer to Brockton Bay to pay for bills, provided you can launder it.
[] Look up the Pros and Cons of being a Protectorate Hero. They are useless but it never hurts.
[] Other: Write in

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In the modest break room of the dockworkers' facility, Danny Hebert sat down with two of his most trusted colleagues, Kurt and Lacy. The air was thick with the smell of coffee and the distant sounds of machinery working in the background.

"Look, I've been thinking," Danny began, taking a deep breath. "The docks have been struggling for years, and I've been approached with an idea that might change things for the better."

Kurt, a seasoned dockworker with a bandaged arm and a weathered face, raised an eyebrow. "What kind of idea are we talking about, Danny?"

Lacy, a determined and pragmatic woman, leaned forward. "Spill it, Danny. We can't afford any more surprises with the state of things around here."

Danny hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Someone suggested turning the Dock Workers into a hero team. It's not about just fighting crime but to make a positive impact on the community."

Kurt chuckled, "Heroes? You're talking about capes and masks? We're dockworkers, not superheroes."

Nancy, raised an eyebrow, "Who suggested this, Danny? And why should we even consider it?"

Danny, with a hint of uncertainty, replied, "A...uh, well, let's just say someone with unique insights. The idea is that, we can become a force for good. We'd still work the docks but with a heroic angle, offering assistance during crises and emergencies."

Kurt scratched his head, processing the unexpected proposition. "It's a bit out there, Danny, none of us are capes. We can't stand up to them."

"Not just that. We'd need training, coordination, and probably some legal agreements to avoid trouble." Nancy, nodded, looking at Danny with a knowing look that Kurt immediately picked up.

"Danny, what's this really about?" Kurt asked, a worried frown etched on his face.

Danny took a deep breath before revealing, "I am a cape, one that could change things for us. I can grant powers, abilities that could help us protect the docks and help with things getting better."

"Powers? Like Teacher?" Lacy asked with more than a little apprehension.

Danny shook his head as he started glowing green, a mark appearing on his forehead. "It can be, you can, well, sell your soul to me and it would give me power over you, but you can also do things for me and I can reward you for it."

Kurt crossed his arms, a mix of skepticism and intrigue on his face. "Powers sound nice and all, Danny, but what's the catch?"

Danny hesitated before answering, "I can offer healing, real continuous healing. Panacea healing. But people need to serve me for at least a year to walk away from it. Blasters, movers, strangers, power, wealth, fame, I can offer more later. But this is what I have at the moment."

Lacy's eyes widened with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. "That's... dangerous, Danny…." she began but was interrupted by Kurt.

"Danny, you've been talking about other powers, but you've been kind of vague. What's the deal with those? What do they cost?" Kurt questioned firmly.

Danny took a deep breath, steeling himself for the weight of his revelation. "Alright, I'm going to be straight with you both. The opportunity for these powers comes at a cost, something beyond the ordinary."

Lacy and Kurt's expressions grew more serious. "What kind of cost are we talking about here, Danny?"

Danny hesitated before answering, "It involves making a deal, a pact if you will. It's... selling a piece of yourself, maybe even more, for the power you'd gain."

Kurt leaned back, crossing his arms. "Selling our….souls?" He murmured. "That's some heavy stuff, Danny. What are we getting into here?"

Danny sighed "It's literal, as in selling your soul, but it's also a binding agreement. I can give out powers, but I need something in return. It could be loyalty, service, or even bits of your soul."

Lacy's reluctance waned, replaced by a thoughtful expression. "So, we'd be beholden to you? What if we want out?"

Danny nodded solemnly. "That's the catch. Once you enter into this kind of agreement, there's usually no easy way out. It's a decision that comes with consequences, and you need to be fully aware of what you're getting into."

Kurt sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Powers to protect the docks sound tempting, but this is a lot, Danny. We need to weigh the risks carefully."

"That's why I am offering healing and health first. That only needs one year of service minimum." Danny added.

"Danny, what happens if we break this deal?" Lacy asked, her voice edged with caution.

Danny's gaze held a hint of solemnity as he responded, "Breaking a deal is not something to be taken lightly. The consequences can range from severe to downright catastrophic." He paused and then continued, "It's not like a regular contract, where you can just walk away from. It operates on a different plane and I pity those who do not keep their end of the agreement."

Kurt leaned forward. "So, what are we talking about here? Bad luck? A curse? Demons coming after us?"

Danny nodded. "It could be any or all of the above. The powers will be withdrawn, leaving you vulnerable. Worse, you will be hit by misfortune and chaos while being "marked" as an oath breaker. And let's not go into the fact that you may lose bits of your soul or the entire thing."

Lacy's eyes widened with a growing sense of apprehension. "Are we sure it's worth the risk?"

Danny took a moment before responding, "That's the question you need to answer for yourselves. Weighing the potential benefits against the risks and considering the responsibility that comes with these powers."

Lacy agreed, "It's not a decision to be rushed. We need to understand the terms of the deal thoroughly and be aware of the potential consequences before making any commitments."

But Kurt spoke up, disagreeing "I've been working these docks for years, seeing the struggles we face. If these powers can help us turn the tide, then I'm in."

"KURT" Lacy began but was interrupted.

"It's risky, but if we can make a real difference, protect our own, then I'm on board." Kuar said with resolve. "I was always going to be someone's minion and if I have to, it might as well be Danny's. Unlike the other wackjobs, he is one of us. I trust him"

Danny, grateful for his trust, acknowledged their decision with a nod. "Do you agree to serve me loyally for a Year and a Day"

Kurt hesitated only a second before saying, "Yes."

Spend 1 Willpower to invoke Crown of Want.
Lost 1 Willpower-> Now at 5 / 6.
Mercy in Solitude is invoked.
Gain Minion Kurt. Veteran Dock Worker

As Danny's newfound powers were invoked, a warmth enveloped Kurt's shoulder, and the pain began to ebb away. It was as if an invisible force was mending the old injuries, leaving Kurt in a state of astonishment.

"What... What did you do?" Kurt asked, his eyes widening with a mix of surprise and gratitude.

"Panacea healing, remember?Danny stated, unable to keep the sense of awe out of his own voice.

As Kurt tested his healed shoulder, a genuine smile spread across his face. "I don't know how you got this power, Danny, but I appreciate it. If this is what we can do now, maybe there's hope for all of us."

"....now what?" Lacy asked, unable to keep her eyes off Kurt. "How do we keep this in house?"

The two men paused at that.

"Danny, Lacy's right." Kurt agreed. "We need to ensure everyone's on the same page. If we're going to make this work, we need the Dock Workers to be united and committed,"

Lacy nodded in agreement. "We can't have this get out. We need loyalty, trust."

Danny considered their words, understanding the gravity of the situation. ".....what are our options?"

Lacy suggested, "How about a small gathering? Get a few of them in at once. We don't grow fast but you did say you need time to really grant more powers."

Kurt chimed in, disagreeing, "Maybe we could make it official, have everyone present and we all take the oath. That way, it's not just words; it's a shared moment of commitment."

CHOICE:

[] Meet the workers in Groups and convince them to join your "Hero team"
Pro: You get more minions faster. Gain 12 minions per week.
Con: This has a higher risk of someone breaking the oath and word of your healing ability getting out.

[] Meet the workers as individuals and convince them to join your "Hero team"
Pro: You are much safer and do not need to worry about your healing ability getting out.
Con: You get 3 minions per week.

[] Write in