THE INFINITE BROOD (Starcraft/Supreme Commander Crossover Quest!)

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THE SWARM SHEET
  • Informational
    • The Brood of Blades
    ​
    Cerebrate Prime: Samantha Clarke
    LEVEL: 5
    XP: 205/210
    TRAITS
    Strategic Genius: Once per structured encounter, Sam can create a piece of the environment that is in her favor as a sticky spark. Roll a d3 for its value.
    Empathetic: upon meeting an NPC, learn their motivation!
    Legendary Commander: Gain 4 Command sparks at the beginning of each mission/combat. Command sparks may be spent to give NPCs orders, which they may either obey or refuse to obey (doing nothing instead.) Command sparks may not be regained via skills or powers.
    Hunted: Something wants her - but for what? +1 Danger to all scenes​
    SKILLS
    CLOSE COMBAT (2): Brawling, Edged Weapons
    PERSONAL (2): Awareness, Resilience
    SOCIAL (4): Charm, Empathy, Leadership, Taunt​
    MASTERY
    ACU Pilot (2): Nanofabrication [Mass], ObSat Operations [Range]
    The Hilt (4): Biomorphic Spawning (People), Regeneration (Durability), Physical Perfection (Speed), Telepathic Dominion (Range)​

    POWERS
    The Living Swarm
    Vent: 4-0
    Effect: Gain 1 Living Swarm spark, +1 per vent reduction.​
    The Living Swarm: While this swarm exists, move in three dimensions and through anything smaller than a keyhole, reforming at will. You may expend these sparks to cause 3 Hit Sparks in a Area 2 radius.​
    Area Upgrade: +1 to Area Characteristic​

    Biomorphic Reinforcement
    Vent: 4-0
    Effect: Create 1 Biomorphic Reinforcement spark, +1 per vent reduction, which can be given out to anyone within Range 2, or to yourself
    Biomorphic Reinforcement: +1 to Damage or Mass characteristic for the purpose of raw physical strength/feats.

    Back to Back
    Vent: 4-0
    Effect: Choose 1 ally (+1 per vent reduction), within Range 1. Each can take one action using one of your skills, any of them that you wish. Once they have done so, you may make a free attack with your melee weapon, getting +1 to your skill per ally that acted.​

    Adaptation
    Vent: 4-0
    Effect: Create a number of sparks equal to the enemy's difficulty, narratively based on turning their abilities against them. Works on enemies of Diff 2>, +2 per vent reduction.​

    Just as Planned…
    Vent: 6-0
    Effect: Vent 6 heat and create 1 Planning Spark for her or an ally, +1 Spark per vent reduction.​
    Planning: The person holding this Spark can expend this to get +1 to a skill check as a free action. Using this Stack counts as you are helping for the purpose of relationships.​

    GEAR
    Zeratul's Psi-Blades
    Adds: +0 (Edged Weapons) | Characteristics: Damage [Speed] (4)[1]​
    Shadowstep (3): Can expend as a free action to move without crossing intervening space.
    Guarded Space (3): Can expend to use Damage as a secondary characteristic for Durability, reducing incoming Damage characteristics.​

    GALACTIC WAR
    Victory Points: 5    ​
    RESOURCES​
    TERRAN DOMINION [Background] (1)​
    The men and material of the Dominion - limited, but they're mustering as we speak. ​
    ALLIANCE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES [Mastery] (1)​
    While you have access to several ACUs of every faction, they lack economic and technological support to be fully effective. ​
    ZERG HIVE [Mastery] (1)​
    The scant few Zerg you control that are free of Amon's influence. Mostly Zerglings. ​
    AEON FLEET [Background] (1)​
    While half a dozen CZARs seem impressive, they're not actually well made for ship to ship combat. ​
    ALLIED COHESION [Motivation] (1)​
    The alliance is fragile and weak.​

    FRONTS​
    Trade Sector-34-51 [Pirate Activity]
    Pirates Raiding 6 (Supply Lines in Disarray 1)
    COMMAND: Jim Raynor | ARMY: Raynor's Raiders
    RESULTS: Pending

    Braxis [Zerg Invasion]
    Borealis Siege 6 (Zerg Rampage1)
    COMMAND: General Samantha Clarke | ARMY: Brood Clarke
    RESULTS: Pending

    Typhan II [Active Xel'Naga ACU]
    Typhan II Occupied 6 (Xel'Naga ACU Spotted 1)
    COMMAND: Lt. Colonel Mathew Horner | ARMY: UEF Armored Command Unit
    RESULTS: Pending

    Deep Space Sector 981 [Hive Fleet Identified]
    Zerg Hive Fleet Spotted 6 (Kerrigan? 1)
    COMMAND: Citizen-Commander Dostya | ARMY: CN Armored Command Unit
    RESULTS: Pending
    ​
    ENEMY ASSETS (Currently Known)
    ​
    THE GOLDEN ARMADA
    ACTIVITY: Unknown | Threat Level: 6​
     
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  • Informational
    • bigking321 said:
    I might be using wrong or out of date lore but isn't that just the name Duran used for manipulating people and researching rather bad things?

    Or is it a completely separate person here? Or a separate person in canon and I'm just very very wrong?
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    The trick is to read closely and take note of the number of people in the room at the start of the scene.
     
    bigking321 said:
    I might be using wrong or out of date lore but isn't that just the name Duran used for manipulating people and researching rather bad things?

    Or is it a completely separate person here? Or a separate person in canon and I'm just very very wrong?
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    Yeah. Narud is just Duran backwards. I don't know why he does this.
    Edit:
    DragonCobolt said:
    The trick is to read closely and take note of the number of people in the room at the start of the scene.
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    Oh
    DragonCobolt said:
    "That is the entire point, gentlemen, officially, this is a mail carrier," Riley said, casually, slapping one man on the shoulder. They hurried into the facility. In air conditioned coolness and under bright electric lights, they walked past security check points. The observation room had one other man within.

    "General-Coordinator Tosh!" Riley said. "I'm glad to see your recovery is complete. I'm sorry to hear the mission was such a disaster."

    "General Clarke did an outstanding job, considering everything she faced," Tosh said, standing up and smiling as he did so.

    There were two men waiting in the room.
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    DragonCobolt said:
    "Doctor Emil Narud,"
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    Damn. He reincorporated fast. And a bit of rewriting people's memories at the same time too. Wild.

    [X] Plan: Ninja Tank
    -[X] Guarded Stance (expend to use the Damage as a secondary characteristic for Durability - blocking incoming shots.)
    -[X] Shadowstep (expend as a free action to create movement sparks via teleporting from shadow to shadow)

    Shadowstep is obviously a very strong and useful movement boost. But I also want Guarded Stance because we've been doing lots of diplomacy in the middle of fights. So having something that will let us outlast the opponent while possibly talking them down will be useful. And sure you can say but what if we just dodge with the shadowstep, but sometimes you need to just stand there and take it to get the point across. Like we did with Zeratul earlier, but possibly with less risking getting stabbed to death.
     
    [X] Plan: Ninja Tank
    -[X] Guarded Stance (expend to use the Damage as a secondary characteristic for Durability - blocking incoming shots.)
    -[X] Shadowstep (expend as a free action to create movement sparks via teleporting from shadow to shadow)
     
    DragonCobolt said:
    "Doctor Emil Narud,"
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    Ohohoho fuhuuuuuuuck
    DragonCobolt said:
    You were on your ass within fifteen seconds, groaning as you sprawled on your back. Zeratul's foot slammed into your chest, pinning you on the ground.

    Good. For a beginner.

    "How long does it take for a Zealot to get good at this?" you asked, thorugh clenched teeth.

    Fifty, sixty years, Zeratul said, casually. I hope you learn swiftly, Samantha Clarke.
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    Oooh-
    I hope he has extras if he's giving us one sjdnxv


    DragonCobolt said:
    Zeratul is teaching you how to use a Psi-Blade! It's a piece of Gear with Damage 2 (since it's a laser sword), but it will also have some Gear Sparks (sparks that it applies each time a scene begins, which you can then utilize) to represent the techniques you have learned with it!
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    Ooooh,
    So basically besides the damage, we get these techniques-

    Wait, are the 4 listed always available, just that we have to choose how to distribute those 6 sparks each time, like prepared spells? Or do we pick one or a few and those are the only ones we can get sparks of/consume our sparks to use?
     
    Well, it's not like we were planning on just leaving the UEF untouched, so Narud beelining straight there just solidifies that particular future development. At least he's no longer whispering in Sarah's ears.

    [X] Plan: Ninja Tank
     
    Avangelion said:
    Wait, are the 4 listed always available, just that we have to choose how to distribute those 6 sparks each time, like prepared spells? Or do we pick one or a few and those are the only ones we can get sparks of/consume our sparks to use?
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    You're picking what you're being taught - so, whatever you choose now is what you know going on from here. You won't get access to the other ones without modifying the gear by getting more training.
     
    DragonCobolt said:
    You're picking what you're being taught - so, whatever you choose now is what you know going on from here. You won't get access to the other ones without modifying the gear by getting more training.
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    Oh-
    Wait, so if we pick all 4, or pick 3, then-?
    Like, okay so by "actions to recharge/refocus" does that mean that you can only get up to however many sparks are distributed when you first learn these or-?
     
    DragonCobolt said:
    "That is...why...I rescued him of course," Tosh said, nodding.

    Riley barely noticed the hesitation. His grin was fierce.

    "How much can you really contribute to Black Sun?"

    Dr. Narud smiled, warmly.

    "Oh. Mr. President. You have no idea..."
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    Panic? Panic.

    The Big Bad has a hot line directly into the President. This can only end very, very badly.
     
    [X] Plan: Versatility is Key
    -[X] 2 Sparks of Shadowstep (expend as a free action to create movement sparks via teleporting from shadow to shadow)
    -[X] 3 Sparks of Guarded Stance (expend to use the Damage as a secondary characteristic for Durability - blocking incoming shots.)
    -[X] 1 Spark of Swift Blade (expend to use the Damage as a secondary characteristic against Speed - hitting fast targets, reaching up to slash pilots out of cockpits
     
    @Dragonofelder

    Nah, the guy is president of the most powerful state we know of. He was always going to be the big bad if Sarah got woke and lasted long enough.

    I mean, he's already president of a slave state that fights an endless war. Narud ain't gonna make him more evil! I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Narud get played somehow by the president to show that supernatural evil ain't all that.

    (Sure, I guess the evil psychic goobers could still be the biggest big bad, we'll see)
     
    Draz said:
    @Dragonofelder

    Nah, the guy is president of the most powerful state we know of. He was always going to be the big bad if Sarah got woke and lasted long enough.

    I mean, he's already president of a slave state that fights an endless war. Narud ain't gonna make him more evil! I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Narud get played somehow by the president to show that supernatural evil ain't all that.

    (Sure, I guess the evil psychic goobers could still be the biggest big bad, we'll see)
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    Well, he could be worse if he actually opressed the general population. For all its flaws UEF was pretty close to a post-scarcity society that allowed its citizens to live in comfort and freedom. Key word being, of course, citizens. I'd argue Mengsk is worse, although that might be because I'm more familiar with him rather than the UEF guy.

    I'm not saying we wouldn't fight him given the revelation about Adjutants and the nature of Black Sun. But I will die on the hill that he is not the blackest of black.
     
    [X] Plan Zandatsu
    -[X] Shadowstep (expend as a free action to create movement sparks via teleporting from shadow to shadow)
    -[X] Winnowing Blade (expend to use the Damage as a secondary characteristic against Mass - cutting through doors, slicing paths through boulders)

    We've seen a lot of enemies with Mass characteristics, like buildings and giant monsters. I want to go Rules of Nature on a Thor.
     
    Mithrill said:
    Well, he could be worse if he actually opressed the general population. For all its flaws UEF was pretty close to a post-scarcity society that allowed its citizens to live in comfort and freedom. Key word being, of course, citizens. I'd argue Mengsk is worse, although that might be because I'm more familiar with him rather than the UEF guy.

    I'm not saying we wouldn't fight him given the revelation about Adjutants and the nature of Black Sun. But I will die on the hill that he is not the blackest of black.
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    You can't make me interested in Space-Hitler's social welfare programs so long as he's running a slave state and fighting a war of eradication.

    He could walk away from Omelas.

    Anyway, seems like a weird hill to die on, but also not a hill I'm interested in fighting over.

    In case of misunderstanding: By "big bad" I meant the climactic antagonist of a story arc.
     
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    [X] Plan Internet
    -[X] 3 Sparks Shadowstep (expend as a free action to create movement sparks via teleporting from shadow to shadow)
    -[X] 1 Spark Winnowing Blade (expend to use the Damage as a secondary characteristic against Mass - cutting through doors, slicing paths through boulders)
    -[X] 1 Spark Swift Blade (expend to use the Damage as a secondary characteristic against Speed - hitting fast targets, reaching up to slash pilots out of cockpits
    -[X] 1 Spark Guarded Stance (expend to use the Damage as a secondary characteristic for Durability - blocking incoming shots.)

    A little bit of everything, all of the time.

    All of these are powerful if we can augment ourselves or the weapon later to be able to apply our own characteristics to it's damage or otherwise increase it's damage.
     
    Draz said:
    Anyway, seems like a weird hill to die on, but also not a hill I'm interested in fighting over.
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    Imagine that UEF works just like in canon, except it's not just Adjutants who are enslaved, but everyone liven in 1984-esque dystopia, barely above starvation and forced to toil forever for the sake of President and a couple hundred cronies, consuming entire worlds for wine, silks and pleasure slaves.

    I meant it when I said he could be worse.

    But I agree he could very well serve as climactic antagonist.
     
    Right, you were commenting on my statement that "Narud won't make him more evil" and saying that it is literally possible for President Riley to be worse. Sure, I agree it is possible for almost any bad situation to get worse. I disagree that that would make him more *evil*, because if you've got to the point that you think owning people is okay then I think you're already fully evil.

    That disagreement is probably based in different understandings of what it means for a person to be evil and about how that is quantified (maybe an intent vs effect thing?), which I am not interested in digging into.
     
    Avangelion said:
    Oh-
    Wait, so if we pick all 4, or pick 3, then-?
    Like, okay so by "actions to recharge/refocus" does that mean that you can only get up to however many sparks are distributed when you first learn these or-?
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    if you pick all four, there'd be 2, 2, 1, 1 sparks at the start of each battle, and allowing you to use them very few times per combat/or before you need to take an action to refresh them
     
    Draz said:
    That disagreement is probably based in different understandings of what it means for a person to be evil and about how that is quantified (maybe an intent vs effect thing?), which I am not interested in digging into.
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    Most likely, yes. I do not begrudge you not wanting to dig in, it's a dense subject where there are very few clear-cut answers.
     
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