Infernal Resurgence (Worm/Exalted)

05 January 2011

With a nod of acceptance, Danny acknowledged the terms of the agreement, including the bonus provided by Faultline.

"I appreciate the terms, Faultline. This agreement holds promise, and I believe it will benefit both parties," Danny stated.

Faultline, in turn, nodded in agreement. "Let's ensure that our collaboration gets us what we want. I'll provide you with the updates, accounts and contacts as promised."

Following the agreement with Faultline, Danny approached Gregor. The tension in the room increased as Danny extended his hand towards Gregor.

"You will serve Faultline loyally and faithfully for a year and a day as your service to me. Faultline will owe me a Debt that I will call in at a later date, one that will not go against what we discussed and for the other benefits owed to me as discussed. In return, I will heal you and restore you to the peak of your physical, mental, and spiritual health. But this will be a one-time thing, and any injury post healing will not be covered by me. Deal?" Danny presented the terms with a gravitas befitting the weight of such an arrangement.

Gregor, usually reserved and stoic, met Faust's gaze with a contemplative intensity. After a measured moment, she nodded and he accepted the terms and took Danny's hand. The room seemed to hold its breath as the agreement took place, Danny's Anima flickering in acknowledgment.

"Deal," Gregor's voice, a deep rumble, carried a solemn commitment.

"Deal." Faultline also said, accepting the deal.

Lost 1 Willpower-> Now at 4 / 6

With the agreement sealed, immediately the process of healing Gregor begins, drawing from the Crown of Want's power. The room seemed to vibrate as the healing took effect, restoring Gregor to the peak of his well-being.

As the Crown of Want bestowed the pattern of restoration, the silent guardian, usually stoic and imposing, seemed to relax as the energies worked their magic.

The once visible deformities began to fade, leaving behind only faint traces that faded as well. Under the subtle, otherworldly glow of Danny's Anima, Gregor underwent a profound transformation. The energy flowed through him, knitting together what was once broken and restoring the patterns of a human form.

Slowly, the signs of his Case 53 affliction began to fade. The scars, abnormalities, and otherworldly distortions that had marked his appearance gradually dissipated. As the healing continued, Gregor's features shifted back to the familiar contours of a human face, and the once-distorted aspects of his physical form were corrected.

As it reached its completion, Gregor stood before Danny in his fully restored human form. The room, stunned into silence could not help but appreciate the significance of the moment, a case 53 cured, a transformation accomplished, which marked the beginning of an intricate shift in the balance of power in Brockton Bay.

Gregor ignored the others as he delved into the state of his reborn self. Embracing the newfound restoration of his humanity, Gregor, once burdened, found himself in a unique position to explore the depths of his transformed existence. He flexed muscles that were once distorted, feeling the strength coursing through his revitalized form.

His movements, once hindered by otherworldly abnormalities, now flowed with a newfound grace. A brute rating, though how high he did not know, just that it was.

A simple check led to a remarkable revelation, he could still concoct various chemicals within his stomach and project them through his skin or as a Blaster power. His body was still a chemical laboratory that could produce many things.

He delved into the possibilities at his disposal, instantly creating an assortment of substances with a mere thought. Fire retardant foam expanded from his body and clothes, creating a protective barrier. They vanished, replaced by adhesives, sticky and strong, allowing him to adhere to surfaces with remarkable tenacity. Then it too vanished, replaced by lubricants, providing a smooth and frictionless surface. This changed to powerful acids, capable of breaking down materials with a touch but never hurting him or what he did not want to hurt or damage, like his clothing.

Gregor: Brute/Blaster. Rating TBD

Finally, Gregor let out a breath he did not realize he was holding and turned to Danny. "Thank you, Faust," Gregor spoke, his voice still a deep rumble but completely human, now unburdened by the otherworldly distortions of his former affliction.

Danny, with a solemn nod, acknowledged the thanks. "It was my honor to restore you, Gregor. I keep my promises."

Faultline did not speak, instead looking at the restored Gregor, subtly conveying an unspoken question about Gregor's memory. Her gaze, a silent query, sought confirmation or clarification.

In a moment of realization, Gregor's eyes widened. It was as if a fog had lifted, and the missing pieces of his memory fell into place.

Gregor grappled with the implications of having his memories restored but realized it was not time for that. He looked at Faultline and slightly shook his head, conveying a sense of wanting to discuss the matter later, his own body language holding a certain reservation.


Danny, ever observant, noticed this silent exchange between Faultline and Gregor. The room, now settling into a post-cure calm, became a stage for unspoken conversations.

Observing the subtle cues, Danny, with his keen awareness, pieced together the unspoken exchange between Faultline and Gregor and he understood the implications. Gregor had his memories restored. But this was not his problem. In fact, Danny had a feeling that he did not want this to be his problem.

Choosing discretion as the better part of valor, Danny withheld his curiosity, allowing the unspoken dynamics to go uncommented.

Approaching Newter with purpose, Danny made him the same offer which was accepted with much more enthusiasm.

Lost 1 Willpower-> Now at 3 / 6

The healing process unfolded, and Newter, once marked by inhuman proportions, underwent the same metamorphosis as Gregor. As the healing concluded, Newter stood before Danny, his form now restored to its peak.

"Thank you, Faust," Newter spoke, his gratitude echoing in the quiet aftermath of healing.

Danny nodded and approached Faultline "And thank you, Faultline. I appreciate the trust you've placed in me." Danny expressed, his tone carrying sincerity.

Faultline, with a nod, acknowledged the thanks. "We all make our choices, Faust. I'll keep an eye on Gregor and Newter, if all goes well, we will contact you at the end of the month."

With that, Danny, having played a pivotal role in healing Gregor and now Newter, took his leave.

Gain: Masquerade Charm.

Gain: Background: Entities (Disguise) N/A - You can disguise your charms and powers as those granted by an Eden shard. All such power disguise rolls can never exceed Difficulty 4 and provide +5 Successes to the roll.

Gain: xp Debt: 10.

Now onwards to the Merchants: Do you want to investigate them or put it off for later? If yes, how do you investigate them after restoring your willpower?

[] Skip the Merchants for now. You have other things to do.
(Choose 1)
-[] Look up NEPEA-5 Bill
-[] Get a Lawyer and a PI

OR

[] Investigate the Merchants:
(Choose 1) Each has a cost.
-[] Surveillance.
--Gather intel on the Merchants' activities, observing their movements and interactions in the city. This can lead to you running into a Hero. This can be good or bad.

-[] Interrogation:
--Interact with low-level members of the Merchants to gather information about the gang's hideout and capes if any. You will need to fight them first before you can subdue them.

-[] Underworld Connections (2/2):
--Reach out to your newly acquired contacts. They can provide information about the Merchants. This will use up one of the two charges. Charges restore themselves at the end of the month.

06 January 2011

The city of Brockton Bay was a melting pot of heroes, villains, and everything in between. The Merchants, a notorious gang dealing in drugs and chaos were but a part of that. Desperate for information that could help him scout them out, Danny decided to reach out to some unconventional sources.

It was Faultline who pointed Danny in the direction of the shady figures he sought. A name and a location were all he had, a cryptic lead leading him to a dimly lit bar on the outskirts of the city.

As Danny entered the establishment, the air thickened with tension. The low hum of conversations stopped momentarily, and all eyes turned toward the unassuming masked man in a worn-out jacket. The bar's patrons were a motley bunch, each with their own agenda.

Danny hesitated for a moment, scanning the room for anyone who might match the description Faultline had given him. Eventually, his eyes settled on a figure in the corner, cloaked in shadows. Approaching cautiously, Danny took a seat across from the mysterious individual.

"You Faust?" the shadowed figure asked, a low rasp in their voice.

"Yeah." Danny replied, his nerves palpable.


The figure looked at Danny, trying to see right through Danny. "Faultline sent you, right? What do you want?" he asked.

"I need information on the Merchants," Danny admitted. "They've been sniffing around the docks and I want to know what's up with them."

A sly smile crept across the shadowed figure's face. "Looking to set up shop? Whitehat or Black?"

"Hoping to be White, but……Brockton Bay." Danny Shrugged not giving anything away.


The man squinted at Danny before responding. "Information doesn't come cheap, Faust. Be happy Faultline paid your tab already. When she called me up, I didn't expect a visit so soon."

The man, true to his word, handed Danny a folder containing the information he sought about the Merchants. The atmosphere in the dimly lit bar seemed to lighten just a fraction as the weight of uncertainty lifted from Danny's shoulders.

"Looking forward to hearing about ya on the news, Faust," The man said, his voice carrying a tone of finality. "Remember, the city's a dangerous place. Watch your back."

Danny nodded appreciatively, tucking the folder securely into his jacket. "I appreciate this. If there's anything I can do, just let me know."

The man chuckled, a sound that echoed with a hint of amusement. "You've got the information you wanted and Faultline has paid me plenty. Now, go deal with those Merchants. And when it's all said and done, consider our business concluded for now. Remember, you got only one more freebie for the month."

As Danny got up to leave, he couldn't help but get the feeling that he had just made a deal with a devil, which was rich, all things considered. As he exited the bar, the night air felt crisp, and the distant sounds of the city served as a reminder of the challenges ahead.

Sitting alone in the dimly lit car, Danny carefully opened the Folder the man had given him. With the information in hand, Danny began to read and he found a set of documents, photographs, and notes meticulously compiled to shed light on the elusive Merchants.

The first document detailed the gang's hierarchy, outlining the key players and their roles within the organization. Names like Skidmark, Squealer, and Mush jumped out at Danny, each associated with a different aspect of the Merchants' operations.

The photographs provided visual insight into the Masks behind the names. Gruff-looking individuals with tattoos and scars stared back at Danny, giving him a glimpse into the hardened criminals who held sway over the druggies.

The notes highlighted the Merchants' known locations, their drug distribution networks, and their recent activities. Danny absorbed the information, mapping out a mental plan to navigate the dangerous territory he was about to enter.

As he delved deeper into the documents, Danny discovered the extent of the Merchants' involvement in illicit drug manufacturing and distribution. The gang operated on the fringes of the city, exploiting the vulnerabilities of those caught in the web of addiction. A sinking feeling settled in Danny's chest as he realized the gravity of the situation, countless others trapped in the Merchants' destructive influence.

Danny then turned his attention to the Merchant capes. First was Skidmark, one who had a reputation for being unpredictable and ruthless. He was the leader of the Merchants, a position he held with an iron grip.

The document delved into Skidmark's background, tracing his criminal history and the formation of the Merchants under his command. Born out of the remnants of other gangs, the Merchants thrived under Skidmark's brutal leadership. His strategic cunning, combined with a penchant for chaos, made him a formidable adversary.

As Danny read on, he learned about Skidmark's involvement in drug trafficking, territory disputes, and the exploitation of those most vulnerable in Brockton Bay. The man's methods were not only criminal but also deeply destructive, leaving a trail of suffering in his wake.

Danny felt a mix of determination and trepidation. Skidmark stood as a symbol of the Merchants' ruthlessness, and defeating him was crucial not only for Taylor's safety but for the well-being of the entire city.

Then there was Squealer and Mush. A thinker and a Changer. There was not much about Mush but plenty about Squealer who was the chief engineer and mechanic for the Merchants. She was a vehicle tinker, turning them into menacing machines that looked like they were ripped straight out of a Mad Max movie.

The file outlined Squealer's background, highlighting her early involvement in the illegal racing scene and her subsequent recruitment into the Merchants. Her mechanical prowess and willingness to push the boundaries made her a crucial ally and girlfriend to Skidmark.

As Danny absorbed the information, he realized that Squealer's role in the Merchants went beyond that of a simple mechanic. She could play a key role in the gang's operations, contributing to their ability to navigate the city's intricate landscape and evade law enforcement.

The implications were clear, to dismantle the Merchants, Danny would need to take out Squealer, one way or another.

The documents had indicated that she was in the process of setting up a new workshop, likely to enhance the Merchants' technological capabilities and further solidify their grip on the city's drug trade.


As Danny continued reading, his stomach dropped at what he read. The documents had now become a ticking clock, and Danny knew he had to act decisively. The Merchants were throwing a massive party to celebrate the completion of Squealer's workshop and her first new "creation".

The location was disclosed in the intel, and it presented a unique opportunity. The revelry would likely mean lower security, offering Danny a chance to gather crucial information and potentially take them down and loot her workship.

Now, all that was left was for Danny to make a choice. Does he dare to go after the merchants or does he call it quits?

CHOICE: Pease Make a Plan vote.
[] Go after the Merchants. (Choose 1)
-[] Trick them into breaking an oath and then smack them down.
–Infiltrate them during the height of their celebration and trick them into an oath. PRO: It will take some talking but you can pull it off, you have the stats for it. CON: Word of your oath power will get out. This is manageable but with a Cape name like Faust? Expect some funny looks from Heroes.

-[] Calling it in.
–Call the Protectorate and let them do their job. PRO: The Government actually uses the tax money for the good of the people. CON: The Merchant are a very minor gang at this point in time and they may have other things to deal with.

-[] Reinforcements.
–The New Wave are a group of heroes who unmasked themselves only to end up killing the very ideal they hoped to ignite. PRO: They may actually be available. CON: Glorygirl and Panacea just recently triggered and the rest are kinda still dealing with it.

[] Go home, you have done enough.
–You have done enough for the day. Might as well go home. This is not yet your mess and you can face whatever horror they are conducting later.

Do You make use of your Free Craft ability?
[] Yes (Choose 1)
-[] Make a mobile Warding circle. This can reduce enemy dice by 3
-[] Prevent people from entering or leaving unless they score more successes on a Willpower + Essence (difficulty 7) roll than the Sorcerer scored on the Ward roll.
[] No Craft

Do You take your Demon With you?
[] Yes
-Be warned it has Urge: Cause Harm and has a Willpower of 6. So if you order it to "Not cause Harm" it will accrue Limit each time it is forced not to cause harm and will go into Limit Break after 6 limit. So be....creative with orders.
--If fighting starts, it HAS to fight, as its loyalty is to you.
[] No demon