Infernal Resurgence (Worm/Exalted)

17th January 2011

---

"Taylor, I need to talk to you for a moment," you said, catching your daughter as she was about to leave the house.

"What's up, Dad?" Taylor asked, pausing in the doorway.

"I'm going out as Faust tonight, and I don't think it's a good idea for you to come along," you explained, trying to keep your tone gentle but firm. "It could be dangerous, and I don't want you to get hurt."

Taylor's face fell, disappointment evident in her eyes. "But I want to help," she protested. "I can handle myself, Dad. You've trained me well."

"I know you're eager to join me as Faust, but I think it's important for you to finish training first," you explained. "You promised me that you won't go out until you've completed at least three weeks of training with me."

Taylor's face fell, disappointment evident in her eyes. "I don't want to wait."

"I know, but this is for your own safety," you replied, placing a hand on her shoulder. "This is not a game and I want to make sure you're prepared for whatever you might face out there."

Taylor sighed, looking down at the table. After a moment, she looked back up at you, determination in her eyes. "Okay, Dad," she said finally. "I promise. I'll complete the training before I go out."

You smiled, proud of your daughter's maturity and understanding. "Thank you," you said, giving her a hug. "I know you'll do great."

---

Lost 1 Essence -> Now at 11/12. Presence Excellency.

As Faust, you had made a name for yourself in Brockton Bay, but there were still those who doubted your intentions. Among them were the adult members of New Wave, a group of capes who had been protecting the city long before you had arrived on the scene.

Determined to gain their trust, you arranged a meeting with them, hoping to show them that you were not a threat, but a potential ally.

As you arrived at the meeting spot, you were greeted by Manpower, Brandish, Flashbang, and Lady Photon, the adult members of New Wave. They eyed you warily, unsure of what to expect.

"Faust, what brings you here?" Lady Photon asked, her voice cool and composed.

"I wanted to talk to you about working together," you replied, trying to keep your tone respectful. "I know there's been some doubt about my intentions, but I promise that I only want to help."

The adult members of New Wave exchanged glances, considering your words. After a moment, Brandish spoke up.

"Thanks Faust, but you're new," she said, her tone wary. "We've worked hard to protect this city, and we can't afford to let our guard down."

"I know," you replied, nodding. "But we're outnumbered and need to work together if we want to protect Brockton Bay. I'm willing to prove myself to you, to show you that I can be trusted."

The members of New Wave looked at each other, silently communicating. Finally, Flashbang spoke up.

"We'll give you a chance, Faust," he said, his voice firm. "But know this, if you betray our trust, we will take you down."

"I won't let you down," you promised, grateful for the opportunity and proceeded to do just that. "I've gathered some information on the operations of the Empire Eighty-Eight and the Asian Bad Boys that I think you guys should know about."

You proceeded to lay out everything you had discovered, detailing the locations of their hideouts, their methods of operation, and the identities of their non cape leaders. You also shared information on their connections to other organizations in the city, painting a clear picture of the scope of their activities.

As you spoke, you could see the expressions on the faces of the New Wave members changing from skepticism to concern. It was clear that they were beginning to grasp the gravity of the situation and the importance of stopping these criminal groups.

"This is... a lot to take in," Lady Photon said, her voice grave. "But it's clear that we need to take action. Faust, thank you for bringing this information to our attention. We will discuss our next steps and get back to you."

"Might be too late by then." you say as you shake your head, "I've already passed this information to the Protectorate, but for some reason, they've been sleeping on it. If we're going to act on this, we need to do so now."

"Well……damn," Lady Photon said, completely floored.

"Yeah, the PRT might as well have posted it all on Parahumans Online." you say, watching their expressions closely, careful not to lie.

The members of New Wave had worried looks on their faces. If the gangs were aware of the leak, they would likely take steps to cover their tracks and evade capture.

"I think we should bring in the police," Brandish said. "They have the resources and authority to help us take down these criminal organizations quickly and efficiently."

Flashbang nodded in agreement, but you hesitated. "I understand the desire to involve the police," you said carefully. "But we have to consider the risks. If the gangs have moles in the PRT, they could also have them in the police force. We can't afford to tip them off even more."

"But the police are trained for this kind of thing," Brandish argued. "They can provide backup and support that we can't get on our own."

"I agree that the police could be useful," Flashbang added. "But we need to be careful. We can't just fly off without looking around first. The risks are too high."

"We need the police on our side if we're going to take down these gangs," Brandish countered. "First, they have the resources and manpower to help us take down these gangs. Second, their authority will lend legitimacy to our efforts and ensure that we can gather the evidence we need to bring these criminals to justice. And finally, by working with the police, we can show the people of Brockton Bay that we are serious about making our city a safer place."

Given how passionate Brandish was arguing this, you could not help but get suspicious.

"I can't help but feel that your eagerness to involve the police is more about making the PRT look bad than about our mission," you said, watching the reactions closely.

"I see what you mean," she said slowly. "But we can't let personal motivations cloud our judgment. We need to focus on what's best for our mission, regardless of Brandish's intentions." Lady Photon paused, considering your words and looked at Brandish.

"I understand the benefits of involving the police, but we need to consider the risks," Lady Photon began, her voice firm. "If the gangs have moles in the police force, involving them could tip off the gangs and put us all in danger. There is also the fact that the police may not fully know what they are getting into, and getting involved in a cape fight is a sure way to get them killed. I do not want to push the PRT, past the point of no return. You already went off on them, don't involve the rest of us in it."

Manpower nodded in agreement. "I think we should not involve the police for now," he said. "We can always call them in later."

Brandish gave Manpower a look of betrayal before continuing on. "I still think we should bring in the police," she insisted. "We need support that we can't get on our own."

You exchanged a glance with Lady Photon and Manpower, silently communicating your concerns. It was clear that Brandish's motivations were clouding her judgment, and you knew that you needed to tread carefully.

"I get it Brandish," you said carefully. "But I believe that we should trust that our powers will be enough for now."

The meeting turned more and more tense by the minute, the air thick with anticipation and apprehension.

"If we hit them one by one, they'll have time to regroup and retaliate," she argued. "We need to hit them all at once, with overwhelming force, to make sure they can't fight back."

You understood her reasoning, but you were concerned about the fact that she was pushing an agenda over the situation. "Hitting all the targets at once could be risky," you countered. "We could fail to do damage and it could also tip off the gangs and give them a chance to escape. We can't risk it."

Lady Photon spoke up, adding her opinion. "I think we should consider a compromise," she suggested. "We can hit the targets simultaneously, but in smaller groups. That way, we can maximize our impact while minimizing the risks."

"We need a lot of men and women if we're going to hit more than one place," Brandish pointed out. "The police can provide the numbers and the firepower we need to take down these gangs."

You hesitated, "And the moles? At that point, why not just call the PRT?"

Brandish frowned, and you couldn't help but shake your head at that.

"I think we should proceed without involving the police," you continued. "I have my 'projections,' and together, we can hit the targets swiftly and effectively. We won't he hurting for numbers, not with them."

"I don't trust these 'projections' of yours, Faust," Brandish immediately said, her voice cold and distrustful. "We need a plan we can rely on, not some untested power of yours."

You tried to explain that your "projections" had proven effective in the past, but Brandish remained unconvinced. She argued that they needed a more concrete plan, one that didn't rely on unknown variables.

"We need to be able to trust each other if we're going to pull this off," Brandish said, her tone firm. "And right now, I don't trust your 'projections' to get the job done."

You felt a pang of frustration at Brandish's words. You knew that your "projections'' were a powerful tool, one that could make a real difference in the fight against the gangs. But without Brandish's trust, you knew it would be difficult to convince the rest of New Wave to go along with your plan.

---

CHOICE
[] Hit all Targets of both the ABB and E88
Pro: High Reward.
Con: High Risk

-[] Get the Police involved.
Pro: Less backlash against you
Con: Higher risk

-[] Use your summons only.
Pro: Less Risk
Con: More reputation is risked.

-[] Get both the Police and your summons involved.
Pro: Minimized losses
Con: Lowered rewards as it will be shared

[] Hit either the ABB and E88
-[] Empire
-[] ABB
--[] Get the Police involved.
--[] Use your summons only.

NOTE: Finished Updating the Character sheet. Only altered King and Kingdom Charm, Oath of One Hundred Devil Disciples, VEE and Charred Ego-Infused Primacy Pattern. All others should work as per book. What did I change?

King and Kingdom - You get it now, but size increases as Essence does and you need to buy features with XP
Oath of One Hundred Devil Disciples - Can train all Attributes and Abilities as well as powers like Sorcerous paths, demon arts etc.
VEE - Allows you to indulge in Soul Commerce and bind oaths like Crown of Kings. Each Contract you make counts towards your Cult Rating. Higher the Cult rating, more free Magic Universal reagents you get.
Ego - Infused Primacy Pattern = Healing is automatic, no essence is required and you regenerate Essence like you are in a Dragon's nest.

17th January 2011

---

You stood firm, arms crossed, as Brandish paced back and forth, her frustration evident. "I just don't understand why we're focusing on the Empire when the ABB is just as big of a threat," she argued, her voice tinged with annoyance.

You sighed, trying to explain it in terms she'd understand, your accent bleeding into your voice. "Look, Brandish, the Empire's like a bunch of wounded bears. They're on their last legs, and if we hit 'em hard enough, they'll go down. But the ABB? They're more like a cockroach. You can never get 'em all, and if you try, you'll just end up regrettin' it."

"And Lung? Oni-Lee? They're dangerous, Faust. We can't just ignore them." She shook her head, clearly not convinced.

You raised an eyebrow unimpressed. "Lung and Oni-Lee ain't invincible, Brandish. They're dangerous, sure, but they ain't everywhere at once. If we focus on the Empire, we can take 'em down one step at a time."

Brandish Spends 1 Willpower to ignore Social Influence

This argument does nothing to convince Brandish and you understand that Brandish will not compromise on hitting both gangs at once.

"You know as well as I do that hitting them separately won't work," Brandish insists, her tone firm. "We need to hit them both at once to have any chance of success."

You know that something has to give, but the thought of involving the police in the operation against the ABB makes your skin crawl. Still, you speak up, your accent thickening with frustration.

"Look, I get it. We gotta do somethin' about the ABB, and the police can help. But we gotta be smart 'bout it. For now? Let the Cops take em on."

"Are you mad?" She asked, incredulously. "They'll be slaughtered."

"Look, I get it, Lung and Oni-Lee are tough customers," you began, "But they ain't Endbringers. They can't be everywhere at once. If the cops hit the ABB hard, it'll be a good boost for the cops. The people will see that they're serious about cleanin' up the streets."

Lady Photon nodded in agreement. "Faust has a point," she said. "If the police arrest the ABB Gang bangers, it'll be a huge morale boost for the police department. The People will see that we're making progress and the police will be more willing to work with us."

"So let me get this straight," Brandish said, her tone laced with sarcasm. "We're supposed to take on the Empire all by ourselves, while the police handle the ABB? Who's gonna help us in our raid against the Empire then?"

You sighed, trying to keep your cool. "Brandish, we have a plan," you replied. "My 'projections' can provide us with the support we need. With their help, we can gather intelligence, scout enemy positions, and even provide backup in combat."

Brandish raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Your 'projections', huh? And how exactly do we know they'll be enough to take down the Empire?"

You shrugged. "We don't, but we have to try. The Empire is a threat to the city, and if we don't act now, who knows what they'll do next?"

But as you say that Brandish's frustration only grew.

"I have to say, Faust, I'm not liking this one bit," she said. "Leavin' the ABB to the police while we go after the Empire? That's a surefire way to get a lot of good officers killed."

"I get where you're comin' from, Brandish, but we gotta be strategic about this. The Empire's on the ropes, and if we hit 'em hard, we can take 'em down without too much bloodshed. They have backing outside the states and unless we take them out real quick, they can just call in support. Something that the ABB can't do. The Empire have never been so vulnerable and will not stay that way. Hitting them hard and fast is a sure fire way to force a fight on our terms. If we bag enough of them? Their foreign backers may just call it quits."

"I still think we should be focusing on both gangs at once," she insisted as she crossed her arms, clearly unconvinced. "We can't just ignore the ABB and hope the cops can handle 'em. We gotta take 'em down together, or not at all."

You sighed, knowing that convincing Brandish would be an uphill battle. "I hear what you're sayin', Brandish, but we gotta trust the cops to do their job. They're trained for this kinda thing, and if we give 'em the info they need, they can handle the ABB while we take down the Empire."

Brandish still looked like she wanted to argue the point so you quickly changed tactics.

"Alright, Brandish, here's the deal," you began, "There just ain't enough of us to take on both the Empire and the ABB at the same time. We gotta pick our battles here."

Flashbang looked thoughtful. "We could reach out to the PRT. Can't they help us out? This is a big thing. We need all the help we can get."

"Oh yeah, the PRT. Because they've been so effective in the past." You chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in your voice and then looked at Brandish. "Do you have a plan that could actually work, Brandish?"

Brandish bristled at your tone but remained composed.

"I think we should focus on gathering more information before we make any decisions," she said, her voice firm.

"Brandish, I gotta say, we can't just sit on our hands waitin' for info. But how bout this? While we're gatherin' what we can, we should also be makin' moves to sabotage both gangs. We can't let 'em get comfortable. Would that help ease your mind? It will help the cops too. Save lives and all."

Brandish raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Sabotage, huh? Like what you did with the Merchants?"

You're sure that Brandish can feel the smug grin spreading across your face.

"Something like that. If we can sow enough chaos, it'll make all of our jobs a whole lot easier when we do decide to make our move."

Flashbang looked thoughtful. "It's risky, but it could work. If we can weaken both gangs from the inside, it'll give us a huge advantage when we do decide to take them down."

Manpower nodded in agreement. "I like it. It's proactive, and it keeps us on the offensive. We can't let them dictate the terms of this fight."

---

After the meeting with New Wave, you bid them goodbye, taking their contact information before heading off on your own. You had a plan in mind and needed to act quickly.

As you made your way through the streets of Brockton Bay, you kept your eyes open for any signs of the ABB. It didn't take long before you spotted a group of gang members gathered in a dark alleyway, their tattoos and colors marking them as members of the Asian Bad Boys.

You approached cautiously, trying to blend in with the shadows. As you got closer, you overheard them discussing their latest drug shipment. This was your chance.

"Who the hell are you?" one of them shouted, reaching for a weapon as soon as they saw you.

"I'm Faust," you replied calmly. "And I'm here to make you an offer you can't refuse."

Lost 1 Essence -> Now at 10/12. MHM.

---

The alley was dark and damp, the stench of garbage and shit hanging heavy in the air. We were gathered there, a group of ABB gang members, going about our business, when he appeared.

Faust.

He stepped out of the shadows, his presence commanding and intimidating. We should have run, but we were too slow, too stunned by his sudden appearance.

He didn't speak, didn't give us a chance to explain or negotiate. I heard the sickening crack and looked down only to find our guns and knives breaking. With a wave of his hand, one of my buddies was lifted off the ground and slammed into the wall and a cry of pain escaped his lips.

Fear gripped me as Faust turned his attention to the rest of us. He didn't need to touch us to take us down. His powers were enough to make us feel helpless and small.

One by one, he lifted my friends into the air, tossing them around like rag dolls. I could see the fear in their eyes, the desperation as they begged for mercy.

But Faust showed no mercy.

I tried to fight back, to defend myself, but it was no use. Faust was too powerful, his abilities too overwhelming. I felt myself lifted off the ground, the air squeezed out of my lungs as I was slammed back against the wall.

Pain shot through my body, but it was nothing compared to the terror I felt. Faust was toying with us, showing us just how helpless we were against him.

As I lay there, bruised and beaten, I knew that there was no escape. Faust had us at his mercy, and there was nothing we could do but endure his wrath.

In that moment, all hope was lost. We were at the mercy of a man who seemed more like a devil than a human and there was no way out.

---

Lost 3 Essence -> Now at 08/12. Endless Torment Emanation. ABB now at +2 Difficulty
Lost 1 Essence -> Now at 07/12. Crown Question.

You stand over the defeated ABB gang members, their bodies sprawled out on the ground before you. You know that time is of the essence, and you need to find out what they know about the ABB's operations before they come to.

Closing your eyes, you focus on your inner reserves of Essence, the mystical energy that flows within you. Drawing upon its power, you reach out with your mind, probing the gang members' thoughts for information.

Visions flood your mind, showing you scenes of drug deals, weapons smuggling, and the ABB's plans for expansion. You see the locations of their hideouts, the identities of their leaders, and the extent of their criminal activities.

You then realize that the ABB was aware of the PRT's knowledge of their operations, but they were not afraid. They knew that the PRT had yet to act, and they were prepared for a confrontation. Only their most important locations were guarded by Lung and Oni-Lee, the rest were just regular members.

The ABB was expecting the PRT, but they were not expecting the police. They were unsure of how compromised they were and to what extent their operations had been revealed.

As the visions fade, you open your eyes, feeling drained but determined. You now have the information you need to take down the ABB and protect the city from their criminal activities. It's time to act, and with the power of Essence at your disposal, you're ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

Gain 1 Essence -> Now at 08/12.

Now, for the Empire.

---

I sat at the bar with my brothers in arms, a cold beer in hand and a smile on my face. It had been a good day, our latest drug shipment had gone smoothly, and we were celebrating our success. The atmosphere in the bar was lively, with the sound of laughter and music filling the air.

As we chatted and joked, a man walked in and made his way over to us. He was tall and confident, with a friendly smile that immediately put us at ease. He introduced himself as Jack and asked if he could join us. We welcomed him without hesitation, happy to have another person to share our celebration with.

Jack was charismatic and charming, and it wasn't long before he had us all laughing and joking along with him. He bought us drinks and shared stories of his own, quickly becoming one of the group. We talked about our day, our work, and our lives, and Jack listened attentively, nodding and smiling as he sipped his drink.

As the night went on, Jack steered the conversation towards the Empire. He asked us about why we fought and we were happy to share. We didn't suspect for a moment that Jack had ulterior motives, he seemed like just another guy enjoying a night out, another guy to join the cause. Another guy who would help the Empire finally fix the city.

Eventually, the night came to an end, and we all said our goodbyes. As I walked home, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew that Jack was not who he seemed to be. Little did I know, the information I had unwittingly shared would come back to haunt me in ways I never could have imagined.

---

Lost 1 Essence -> Now at 05/12. Endless Torment Emanation. E88 now at +2 Difficulty
Lost 1 Essence -> Now at 04/12. Crown Question.

Visions flood your mind, showing you the inner workings of the Empire. You see drug deals, extortion schemes, and the leaders of the gang making plans. But there's something else, a sense of complacency and ignorance. The Empire is unaware of the extent of the information gathered by the PRT, and they are completely unprepared for any potential confrontation.

You sit back, stunned by what you have seen. The Empire is a dangerous enemy, but they are vulnerable. They believe themselves to be safe, unaware of the storm that is brewing.

---

Lost 2 Essence -> Now at 02/12. Summon a Battlegroup of Size 2 Blood Apes.

You stand on the edge of the city, the partially claimed land before you shimmering with latent power. The time has come to take a stand against the Empire, to show them that you will not be pushed around any longer. With a deep breath, you focus your mind and draw upon your Essence, the mystical energy that flows within you.

As you channel your power, a portal to your Worldsoul opens before you, and through it, dozens of Blood Apes emerge. These creatures, born from your essence and bound to your will, are fearsome warriors, their red eyes glinting with determination.

You stand before the assembled Blood Apes and command them, your voice booming with authority.

"Alright, listen up," you command. "I need you all to go intangible. Phase through anything and everything in your path."

The Blood Apes nod, their glowing red eyes showing their understanding. With a collective growl, they begin to phase out of existence, their forms becoming translucent and ghost-like before vanishing completely.

You then pick up a phone and dial the number for New Wave's headquarters. After a few rings, Lady Photon answers. "Hello?"

"Lady Photon, it's me," you say, your voice tense with urgency. "I have crucial information about the Empire and the ABB."

"What have you found out?" she asks, her tone serious.

You quickly relay everything you've learned about the Empire's lack of preparedness and the ABB's vulnerability. "I've already taken steps to sabotage both gangs," you add, "and my 'Projections' are ready to assist."

There's a brief silence on the other end of the line as Lady Photon processes your words. "Thank you." she finally says.

"That's not all." You say as you quickly outline the locations where you know that the Empire capes gathering or operating. Lady Photon listens attentively, asking clarifying questions and taking notes.

"We know the locations of the Empire capes," you explain. "Now we need to decide who takes on each target."

"Kaiser is alone with the Twins. Can you take on him, Fenja and Menja?" Lady Photon asks. "Your projections should be able to match their strength and keep them occupied while the rest of us deal with the other capes."

"I think the Projections are better off hitting all the Empire shops and depos," you say. "The Empire is run on money, and removing that, along with taking out key members, will cripple their operations. Even if the capes run free, without resources, they'll be significantly weakened."

"It's a risky move, but it could work. We'll need to coordinate carefully to ensure we hit them where it hurts the most." She paused. "Are you sure about this? Can you take on Kaiser and the Twins without support?."

---

CHOICE:
The Attack will happen once you recover full Essence.

[] Take on Kaiser and the twins without the Demon Army.

Pro: This ends the Empire as an organization and cripples them even if you do not capture their capes. They lose a LOT of money that your Projections will then loot.
Con: More Dangerous. You are taking on Kaiser and the Twins by yourself.

[] Take on Kaiser and the twins with the Demon Army.

Pro: Safer and more chance to Capture Kaiser and the twins
Con: The Empire's organization is still around and fully functional. Even if you bring in Kaiser, the Empire will still endure.