Infernal Resurgence (Worm/Exalted)

13th January 2011
After returning home, Danny and Taylor sat at the kitchen table, surrounded by sheets of paper covered in their brainstorming ideas for reagents. Taylor tapped her pen against her chin, deep in thought.

"We need something that represents space," Danny mused, looking at the list. "Maybe a map of the city or a model of the Earth?"

Taylor nodded. "For transportation, how about something from our first vacation? Like a bus ticket or a picture of the train station we went to?"

Danny smiled, liking the idea. "And for money, maybe a coin from the year Annet and I met or a receipt from our first dinner together?"

Taylor's eyes lit up. "I like that! It's personal and meaningful."

Her face then went slack and Taylor hesitantly voiced her feelings. "I... I don't want to destroy these reminders of happier times," she said. "I don't wanna lose more stuff that reminds me of Mom, those three already stole Mom's flute……" she trailed off even as Danny listened, understanding.

He reached out, giving her a reassuring hug. "I understand, Taylor," he said softly. "We won't use anything of Annett's. I promise." Taylor nodded, a weight lifted off her shoulders.

As Danny and Taylor sat down, Danny suggested, "What if we use something that symbolizes your journey, your resilience, and your recovery?"

Taylor's eyes widened as she realized what he was suggesting. "You mean my wheelchair? The one I used when I first came home from the hospital? The one that took me to the Boardwalk and led me to meet Panacea?"

Danny nodded, understanding the significance of the wheelchair in Taylor's life. "Yes, exactly. It's a symbol of your strength and the turning point that brought you back into my life and helped you start on a new journey."

Taylor smiled softly, touched by the idea. "I think that's perfect. Now for money?" Taylor asks. "Maybe a coin from the settlement?"

"A coin from the settlement could work." Danny said as he considered its significance. "It represents the resolution of a conflict and the value of justice. But one problem though."

"What's that Dad?" Taylor asked.

"We haven't received any settlement amount yet." Danny said with a smile.

Taylor's eyes widened. "Oh, right. We should wait until we actually have the settlement before we use it."

Danny nodded. "Exactly. Let's keep that in mind for when the time comes."

They continued to brainstorm other ideas for the reagent of money, considering items with personal significance and historical weight.

"But wait Dad, we got this Coin." Taylor said, taking it out.

Danny's eyes widened in surprise as Taylor produced the coin. "Where did you get that?"

Taylor grinned. "I found it in the attic a while back. It belonged to Grandma. She said it was a lucky coin she kept from her travels."

Danny took the coin, examining it closely. "This could work. It has sentimental value and represents luck and fortune. Plus, it's been in the family for years. It's perfect."

Taylor smiled. "Great! That's two down. What's next?"

Danny thought for a moment. "For space, we could use..."

Danny trailed off before getting up and making his way to the attic. As Danny climbed the attic stairs, memories flooded back. This attic had been a repository for their past, a place where old memories lay hidden, waiting to be rediscovered. Taylor followed closely behind, her curiosity piqued by her father's sudden inspiration.

"What are we looking for, Dad?" she asked, scanning the cluttered space.

"I'm not entirely sure," Danny replied, his eyes scanning the shelves and boxes. "But I think there might be something up here that could work."

Together, they began to sift through the boxes, careful not to disturb the delicate balance of memories and dust that filled the attic. After a few minutes of searching, Danny's hand brushed against something solid and rectangular.

"I think I've found it," he said as he pulled something out.

As Danny unfolded the old roadmap, memories flooded back. This map had been a constant companion during his time as a teen in Brockton Bay, a guide to navigate the city's streets and alleys. Taylor leaned in, her eyes tracing the faded lines and familiar landmarks.

"This could work," Danny said, pointing to a particular spot on the map. "It's a symbol of our journeys, the paths we've taken, and the roads we've traveled."

Taylor nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "It's perfect, Dad," she said. "It's a reminder of the places we've been and the adventures we've had."

With their final reagent in hand, Danny and Taylor descended from the attic, ready to complete their ritual.

---

As Danny and Taylor approached the abandoned warehouse, their footsteps muffled by the overgrown weeds and cracked pavement, Taylor took the lead, her senses sharp. She moved with the caution of a seasoned scout, her insects scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement or danger.

The warehouse loomed before them, its windows shattered, and its walls covered in graffiti. To anyone passing by, it was just another forgotten building in the city's outskirts, but to Danny and Taylor, it was the key to their next step.

Taylor signaled for Danny to stay back as her insects crawled around the area, their movements silent and deliberate. She checked each corner, each shadow, ensuring that they were alone. Satisfied, she motioned for Danny to join her.

Together, they entered the warehouse, the air thick with dust and the smell of decay. Danny took out the item they had gathered, the old roadmap, Taylor's wheelchair, and the coin and placed them in the center of the room.

Danny stood in the center of the abandoned warehouse, his eyes closed in concentration. With a deep breath, he began to channel his telekinetic powers, focusing on the ground beneath him. Slowly, the concrete began to shift and move, molding itself into a perfect circle around him.

Taylor watched in awe as Danny's powers drilled and carved the ground, forming intricate runes and symbols with incredible precision. The ground seemed to obey his every command, bending and shaping itself to his will.

As Danny continued to work, the air around them began to shimmer with a faint, otherworldly light. The runes glowed with a soft, ethereal glow, casting strange shadows on the walls of the warehouse.

Finally, with a final flourish, Danny completed the ritual circle, stepping back to admire his handiwork. The ground was now a work of art, a perfect canvas for their sorcerous workings.

Taylor approached him, her eyes wide with amazement. "That was incredible, Dad," she said, her voice filled with awe. "I had no idea you could do that."

Danny smiled, a sense of pride swelling within him. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Taylor," he said, his voice filled with determination. "But keep a lookout, I'll finish this quickly."

Lost 3 Willpower-> Now at 4/7.

As Danny placed the three items in a triangle position within the ritual circle, he felt a surge of energy coursing through him. The air around them seemed to hum with power, and the runes on the ground glowed brighter.

With a deep breath, Danny began to speak in a language that was old and long-forgotten, yet somehow familiar. The words flowed from his lips effortlessly, carrying with them a sense of ancient wisdom and power.

As he spoke, the items in the circle began to glow with a soft, ethereal light. The wheelchair shimmered with a faint, golden aura, the roadmap glowed with a soft, blue light, and the settlement coin radiated a warm, comforting glow.

Taylor watched in awe as the items began to float off the ground, hovering in the air above the circle. They spun slowly, as if caught in a gentle breeze, and a feeling of peace washed over her.

Danny's voice grew louder, filling the warehouse with its ancient power. He spoke of space, of transportation, of money, and of the bonds that tied them together. He spoke of memories, of love, of loss, and of new beginnings.

As the ritual progressed, the items in the circle began to lose their physical form, their essences merging with the intricate patterns of the ritual circle.

The circle itself glowed with a soft, pulsating light, the energy of the reagents infusing it with power. The air felt charged, and a sense of tranquility settled over the area.

And then, with a final, resounding chant, Danny brought his hands together, and the circle vanished. A brilliant light exploded from the center of where the circle once was, blinding them both for a moment.

When the light faded, Danny and Taylor found themselves staring at a pile of raw material, gold, silver, diamonds, all in its raw, unprocessed form.

Danny and Taylor stared in awe at the pile of raw riches before them. The once-empty warehouse was now filled with the glint of precious metals and gemstones, casting a surreal glow around them.

"I... I can't believe it," Taylor whispered, her eyes wide with wonder.

"It worked," Danny said, barely able to contain his excitement.

Then, in the dimly lit warehouse, the air crackled with residual energy from the completed ritual. Danny and Taylor stood straight as several towering figures materialized before them. These were the Demon Prison Guards, their forms imposing yet strangely comforting.

"We pledge our loyalty to you, Master," one of them intoned, their voice deep and resonant.

Danny nodded. He knew they couldn't stay long, only here to do one and only one duty. "Thank you. We have a task for you. We need you to transport wealth, every week to the pickup point and return. Can you assist us with that?"

The guards nodded in unison, their eyes glowing faintly with a dim light. "It shall be done, Master," another guard replied.

With that, the guards set to work, efficiently gathering the raw materials into bundles. Danny and Taylor watched in amazement as the guards effortlessly lifted the heavy loads and literally vanished, turning immaterial as they marched towards the pickup point.

As they faded into the shadows, Danny turned to Taylor, a sense of accomplishment and relief washing over him. They had succeeded, and now, they could focus on the next steps of their journey.

"We did it," Danny said, his voice filled with awe.

Taylor nodded, her eyes shining with tears. "We did," she said. "We really did."

CHOICE:
Ok, now you are looking for hideouts. You will have your headquarters when you start your hero team but also need a backup for more...private matters. So here, your choice is not the main headquarters but the back up lair.

Now some of these seem remote? Do not worry, you can make rituals to create "Fairy" circles that allow people to "fast" travel. So go with rule of cool and use Sorcery to make it convenient if that is what you want.

[] Caves or Caverns
- Coastal areas often have natural caves or caverns that can serve as hidden locations. These can be difficult to access and provide natural camouflage.

[] Abandoned Buildings
- Old warehouses, factories, or other structures near the coast could offer hidden spaces for a hideout. These buildings may be less frequented and provide a degree of privacy.

[] Cliffside Hideouts
- Cliff faces overlooking the sea can provide secluded spots, especially if they have natural overhangs or ledges that can conceal a hideout.

[] Boathouses or Marinas
- Boathouses or marinas can offer easy access to the water for escape routes and provide a cover for a hideout among the various vessels.

[] Sea Caves
- Along with natural caves, sea caves carved into coastal cliffs by the action of the waves can provide hidden locations accessible only by sea.

[] Underwater Structures
- While more complex to construct, underwater structures or underwater entrances to hideouts can provide a high level of secrecy and security.

[] Coastal Forests
- Forested areas near the coast can offer cover and seclusion, especially if they are not heavily trafficked by people.

15th January 2011
Danny, Taylor and Kurt set out on a tour of Brockton Bay, guided by Faultline's recommendations. They arrived at the old warehouse district near the docks and noted that the area was indeed secluded, with the abandoned warehouses casting long shadows in the late afternoon sun. The sound of seagulls echoed in the distance, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

As they explored further, they found a warehouse that seemed particularly suitable. It was larger than the others, with sturdy walls and a spacious interior. Inside, they discovered that the warehouse was mostly empty, save for a few old crates and pieces of machinery.

"What do you think?," Danny said, eyeing the interior of the warehouse thoughtfully. "It's out of the way and has good access to the Bay area."

"This place gives me the creeps though," Taylor admitted, sticking close to Danny.

"Maybe. But nothing a little work can't fix. This works as a main base of operations," Kurt said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "We can set up living quarters, a workshop, and a training area."

"If you fully claim this area and the surrounding lands," the voice said to Danny, "you could bring out the factories in your Worldsoul and shape this land as you see fit. The existing infrastructure could be incredibly useful for furthering your goals."

Danny's eyes widened at the suggestion. It would bring significant scrutiny, but the potential benefits were immense.

Taylor looked at Danny, sensing his hesitation. "What do you think?" she asked, curious.

Danny took a moment to ponder the idea. He thought about the resources they could access, the advantage it would give them in their fight against the forces of evil. After a moment, he made up his mind.

"I think it's worth a thought," Danny said, determination shining in his eyes. "Let's see the rest of it first."

As they explored the Warehouse, Danny noted the sturdy construction and their proximity to the water. "This could work," he mused, envisioning a hidden entrance leading to an underground facility.

"We could use boats to come and go without attracting attention," Taylor suggested.

"Not as easy. Unless we are narc subs, people will catch on fast. The docking area is in danger though. We'll need to build them up or any two bit Cape can break it all, let alone Leviathan," Kurt advised.

Danny, Taylor, and Kurt continued walking around, eager to assess its potential as a base of operations. They split up to cover more ground, each focusing on a different aspect of the building.

Danny checked for multiple exits, finding that there were several side doors and windows that could serve as emergency exits or alternate entrances. He noted their locations and condition, making mental notes for future reference.

Taylor, with her insects, looked for signs of surveillance. She found old cameras in some corners, but they were all broken and non-functional. She also checked for any hidden devices but found none, indicating that the building was not currently under surveillance.

Kurt, with his experience in security, examined the building for defense potential. He found that the main door was reinforced with heavy metal and could be easily secured. He also noted potential blind spots and areas that could be fortified if needed.

Together, they explored the interior of the warehouse, looking for access to resources. They found that the building was spacious, with plenty of room for storage and workspaces. They also discovered a nearby storage area for crates of supplies that could be useful as a storage space.

Finally, they searched for concealed storage. They found a hidden room behind a false wall, which could serve as a secure storage area for valuable items or sensitive information.

Overall, the warehouse by the docks seemed to have great potential as a base of operations. With its multiple exits, lack of surveillance, and potential for defense and resource access, it could be the perfect place for their operations.

LOCATION 1: Warehouse next to the Docks.
-Pro: Easy access to existing infrastructure, both land and sea. Ease of expansion, if you want to industrialize.
-Con: Docking areas in particular will be vulnerable to attack without sufficient protection.
-Complication: Getting this legally will be an uphill challenge if you reveal your Hero team first as it will bring all kinds of opposition.
-Cost: Will need to pay a Resource 2(x1) per month to rent. The equivalent of Resource 3 to outright buy it. (Depending on Negotiations)

After thoroughly inspecting the first location, they moved on to the next spot on Faultline's list: an old subway station that had been decommissioned years ago. The station was dark and eerie, with rusted tracks and abandoned platforms stretching into the darkness. The only light coming from their flashlights casting long shadows that danced across the walls.

As they explored the old subway station, they found it to be a vast underground complex with multiple levels and tunnels.

The first thing they noticed was the multiple exits, with staircases leading up to the surface at various points around the station. This would allow for easy access and escape if needed.

Next, they looked for surveillance points and found old cameras mounted on the walls, most of them non-functional but still serving as a reminder of the station's past use.

For defense mechanisms, they discovered that some of the tunnels had been blocked off with rubble, possibly as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access.

Space for resource storage was limited, but they did find old maintenance rooms that still contained some tools and supplies that could be useful.

Finally, they found a concealed storage area hidden behind a facade, which could be used to store equipment and supplies without drawing attention. As they continued to explore the old subway station, they discussed the potential risks of using such a location as a base of operations.

"A powerful enough Cape could bring this whole place crashing down on our heads," Kurt remarked, shining his flashlight on the ceiling as if to emphasize his point.

Danny nodded in agreement. "We'll need to put in a lot of work on the tunnels and platforms, maybe an early warning system? To alert us to any problems. We'd be caught bad if we didn't see it coming."

"Maybe set up some decoys and traps to mislead and deter attackers? It's easy to get lost here." Taylor said.

Danny and Kurt, paused at that, carefully examined the surroundings..

"We could create false pathways, dead ends, and hidden compartments," Danny suggested, pointing to various locations that could be used to mislead attackers. "Taylor's right. It's easy to get lost here, so if we can use that to our advantage, we should."

Kurt nodded in agreement, already thinking of ways to set up tripwires and hidden pitfalls. "We should also think about setting up some surveillance cameras. It would help us keep an eye on the entire station without having to physically be everywhere at once."

LOCATION 2: Abandoned subway station.
-Pro: Partial access to existing land infrastructure, and ease of defendability. With Workings, you can easily travel to all locations in Brockton Bay.
-Con: It is all underground, so a powerful enough Cape can bury all of you without significant effort put into defending the station. It also has limited storage space.
-Complication: Acquiring this legally will be an uphill challenge without revealing the hero team first.
-Cost: Will need to pay Resource 2(x30) dots to outright buy it. (Depending on Negotiations). Renting is not an option.

As they approached the large building in the city center, Danny, Taylor, and Kurt couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue. The building stood out among its surroundings, its imposing facade hinting at a history that was both intriguing and mysterious.

"This could be a good spot," Taylor remarked, eyeing the building with interest. "It's centrally located, which could be both an advantage and a disadvantage."

Danny nodded, considering the implications of setting up their base in such a prominent location. "We'd need to be careful with security here," he said. "But being in the city center would give us easy access to resources and information."

Kurt scanned the area, noting potential entry points and possible hiding spots. "We'd also need to make sure we have multiple exits and ways to escape if we're ever cornered," he added.

They entered a nearby caffe while Taylor discreetly used her powers to inspect the building. Her bugs spread out, scouring the building for any signs of what they were looking for.

They found multiple exits, some obvious and others hidden, providing plenty of options for escape if needed.

Surveillance was minimal, with a few cameras in the main areas but nothing too sophisticated. Defense mechanisms were lacking, indicating that the building was not heavily fortified.

Access to resources seemed limited, as the building appeared to have been abandoned for some time. However, there were signs of concealed storage, with several rooms and compartments that could be used to hide supplies or equipment.

Overall, the building seemed like a viable option, but they would need to take precautions to ensure their safety and security if they chose to make it their base of operations.

After Taylor relayed her findings to Danny and Kurt, they decided to add the building to their list of potential locations.

LOCATION 3: Empty Building at the center of Brockton Bay .
-Pro: Good Central location, ease of response, very good existing infrastructure and ease of access.
-Con: It is an unused office building and not meant to defend against Villains.
-Complication: There is a fierce legal war currently going on to acquire the building due to its ideal spot. Acquiring it will not be cheap at all and you will have to cut a few deals and share it with others, depending on how it goes.
-Cost: ???

Danny, Taylor, and Kurt arrived at the Marina, a quaint structure nestled on the edge of the bay. The place was once bustling with activity, with people coming and going, loading and unloading boats. Now, it was empty, the Ferry in the dock and mothballed. It seemed like an unlikely spot for a superhero base, but Faultline had insisted they check it out.

As they walked around, Taylor discreetly sent her bugs to gather information. They found multiple exits, including a few emergency exits that could be used for a quick escape. Surveillance was minimal, mostly limited to a few security cameras that didn't seem to cover the entire area.

Defense mechanisms were non-existent, which was a concern. If they were going to use this place as a base, they would need to beef up security. Access to resources seemed decent, with several boats that could be used for transportation or reconnaissance. Concealed storage was also available, with several storage sheds and boathouses that could be repurposed to hide equipment or supplies.

They then walked towards a collection of weather-worn boathouses lining the docks. The structures varied in size and condition, some appearing sturdy while others seemed on the brink of collapse. As they walked along the docks, they examined each boathouse, looking for signs of wear and tear, as well as any security measures that might be in place.

Taylor sent her bugs to discreetly gather information, focusing on the condition of the boathouses and whether they were currently in use. The bugs reported back that most of the boathouses were empty, their doors locked and windows boarded up. A few showed signs of recent use, with lights on inside and boats moored nearby.

They found that some of the boathouses were in good condition, with sturdy doors and locks that seemed difficult to break. Others were in disrepair, with rotting wood and rusty locks that could easily be bypassed. It seemed that while some of the boathouses could provide decent shelter, others would require significant repairs to be usable.

As they continued their inspection, they discussed the feasibility of stealing one of the boathouses. While it was technically possible, they agreed that it would be risky and could draw unwanted attention.

After inspecting several boathouses, they found one that seemed promising. It was in decent condition, with a sturdy door and lock, and appeared to be unoccupied. They made a note of its location and planned to return later to investigate further.

Solo Base: Marina and Boathouse.
-Pro: Ease of access, covers the Dock area, relatively private places nearby with access to the Boat Graveyard.
-Con: It is not defensible without a lot of work.
-Complication: As a temp base, there are none.
-Cost: ???

Go to turn end for choices.