Speaking of the Ọsanỳin, Uiara mentioned her grandma left her 8% shares of her grandpa's namesake company. How much control does Ọsanỳin Conglomerate still have over Horizon? They built the city and the Ladder, but Uiara's recording did say they're vastly diminished from their height, and it's surprising they don't have a prominent superhero team of their own in Horizon.
Speaking of the Ọsanỳin, Uiara mentioned her grandma left her 8% shares of her grandpa's namesake company. How much control does Ọsanỳin Conglomerate still have over Horizon? They built the city and the Ladder, but Uiara's recording did say they're vastly diminished from their height, and it's surprising they don't have a prominent superhero team of their own in Horizon.
They control the Ladder and PubTrans (the trains) as well as the best hospitals in the city. There's also some miscellaenous manufacturing (mostly pharmaceuticals) but that's it. Their powerbase is now in Brazil-proper instead of Horizon.
They control the Ladder and PubTrans (the trains) as well as the best hospitals in the city. There's also some miscellaenous manufacturing (mostly pharmaceuticals) but that's it. Their powerbase is now in Brazil-proper instead of Horizon.
Damn, the US Gov pushed Ọsanỳin out of the Foot. Regaining control of it by helping Global Justice likely helps us with Uiara's request of saving her sister and keeping that 8% share away from her dad's hands, since it would help legitimize our claim over said shares. Clawing Global Justice away from the US Gov is a nice bonus too.
If we don't do that however, Powers will likely push GJ and the US out of the Foot, which puts Dominion Security Concerns up against Ọsanỳin Conglomerate. Sure, having our enemies fight each other would be nice, but not if our doorstep is in the crossfire.
Now I've decided to spend my time speculating on New Dawn's situation. Even went ahead and reread the issues about them. So here's my take on it: Wolong is certainly an ally, or at least the closest one we could call an ally within New Dawn, and we also know that Arc was part of a faction separate from Novalight's. It is notable tho that of the names mentioned, they're the only two who hasn't shown up onscreen among the Old Guards. So I have two scenarios in mind as to why they can't ask for an alliance forever: one pits us against them, the other renders them dead/nonfunctional as a group. New Dawn may seem like they have their shit together but
Chaucer answers for you. "It's not quite so, Black Swan. Justice Unlimited and New Dawn have been at each other's metaphorical throats for years, even since Justice Unlimited broke away from New Dawn. I couldn't imagine New Dawn ever asking for a meeting before. Perhaps it's the change in leadership."
"Or maybe things are not as stable as they appear," you venture, "I would have ignored Wolong entirely, except for the fact New Dawn must have a simply enormous bank of metahuman DNA. Perfect for our needs. I tried to feel the Uni District out, but my search didn't turn up anything for certain. Something about this situation is suspicious; things have gone too well for a team that's lost two-thirds of their metahumans."
Honestly I agree with Leizi that the group probably doesn't look as stable as it seems. They're keeping it together for now but something's happen soon that'll put a stop to that.
Here's my scenario 1:while we know Wolong was among the ones responsible for enabling Justice Unlimited to be formed and eventually annexed, thus making him the closest we could call an ally, New Dawn and Justice Unlimited were still bitter rivals for a very long time. Wolong may be in charge now but the group ain't a monolith. He might've propose the alliance as an all-hands on deck emergency pretext since the city's in crisis and Wonderland inmates are in the loose, but by ignoring/snubbing the request for a certain amount of time, we give credence to the loudest opposers still in the group who would be against said alliance, and whom Wolong is forced to listen to. For all we know, there could be remnants of Novalight's faction who would not be inclined joining up with "traitors" and Wolong is using said pretext to extend an olive branch to us and discredit his naysayers. So yeah, that's scenario 1 for me. I could easily wrong of course; there's many things were not seeing yet. We also don't know the sort of character Wolong is yet beyond someone who disagrees with Novalight and who helped Justice Unlimited form up through the release of Apiary. It's really notable after all how the two current central figures of New Dawn are the only ones absent from their own issued sidestory.
So here's scenario 2: something or someone goes and makes New Dawn disappear or ineffective as a group. That's completely within possibility of course, with Wonderland inmates on the loose, Valkyrie possibly being one of them, as well as Powers on the rise, Scarlet Maturity could take on New Dawn when given time. With that said, I'd like to compare New Dawn situation with, let's say, Four Seasons, who only has 3 members after losing their strongest and are currently struggling so much against their foe in OID that they're forced to swallow their pride and ask us for help. And then there Global Justice, who also only has 3 metahuman soldiers left, and may as well be on life support. A gust of wind may as well put them out of their misery, much less all the other obstacles i mentioned above. When you look at them, then look back at New Dawn, who reportedly has 10-15 metahuman left, it's kinda hard to imagine they'd get taken down that easily. Not to mention, imagine by the end of turn 2, assuming we don't take New Dawn, we learn all of a sudden they're no longer effective as a group due to for example Valkyrie or Scarlet Maturity, who ngl sound like mid to late game bosses to me. It sounds way too difficult that I find it hard to believe the difficulty would actually spike that hard, especially with how active the elimination was to get rid of New Dawn of all groups.
So yeah, these are my takes on what's up with New Dawn and what may happen if we ignore them
Damn, the US Gov pushed Ọsanỳin out of the Foot. Regaining control of it by helping Global Justice likely helps us with Uiara's request of saving her sister and keeping that 8% share away from her dad's hands, since it would help legitimize our claim over said shares. Clawing Global Justice away from the US Gov is a nice bonus too.
If we don't do that however, Powers will likely push GJ and the US out of the Foot, which puts Dominion Security Concerns up against Ọsanỳin Conglomerate. Sure, having our enemies fight each other would be nice, but not if our doorstep is in the crossfire.
Hmm, this is a good point and has raised Global Justice in my eyes. Honestly its biggest downsides (aside from its shockingly bad leftover staff) is easily the US government puppeteering the group. If we could find a way to cut that off, I'm good with supporting this group.
Also I just wanna throw a small pitch towards Four Seasons. Yes, out of all the potential alliances, this one seems like the least shiny option, but we have to remember that Justice Unlimited and Four Seasons have had past associations. Narratively I feel like we should explore that. Heck, Dr. Ibis might even support it as it's Automne's family after all. I also just imagine that if we left them alone and I hear later how they get crushed by some villain group, I'd feel really bad. Granted, the same could be said for Stockpile and his shit situation, but the prior connections between the two groups hit different. I also feel like it's fitting that we both mourn the loss of the dead together.
I'll admit, what drives me is mainly pure sentiments. But I could also go about it practically
Who's Left Behind (AP 2, HIT 6, ESPIONAGE 5, REPUTATION 4): Les Quatre Saisons, or The Four Seasons as they were better known, were a four-person hero team with powers themed around the seasons. They were also all family members. Which makes the death of Automne, their youngest and most powerful member, all the more painful. The team is desperately proud, so the fact they're requesting a meeting and possible alliance with you means they must truly be in dire straits. You can give them a meeting, if for Automne's memory if nothing else. (Chance of recruiting ???, Intel about ???, Chance of new metahuman DNA, Chance of Income, Chance of +1 to control of OID) [2 Turns Until Expiration]
I want to highlight the main benefits of accepting Four Season's request. Not only do we have a chance of recruiting perhaps one of their members (or at least I think it's one of them, could always be the one they're fighting), but we also have a chance of slotting off an area of OID which I wanna emphasize is really important since Dr. Ibis lab could be used as a base, which not only for expanding our Hero roster but also increases our AP and Global AP, which we could really use rn. Also it means the return of Valiant Kabuto. Of course, it's called a "chance" for a reason. There's a possibility we could fail and waste that chance, but my god, it's right fucking there. I will seize that chance by the throat if I have to.
Hmm, this is a good point and has raised Global Justice in my eyes. Honestly its biggest downsides (aside from its shockingly bad leftover staff) is easily the US government puppeteering the group. If we could find a way to cut that off, I'm good with supporting this group.
Also I just wanna throw a small pitch towards Four Seasons. Yes, out of all the potential alliances, this one seems like the least shiny option, but we have to remember that Justice Unlimited and Four Seasons have had past associations. Narratively I feel like we should explore that. Heck, Dr. Ibis might even support it as it's Automne's family after all. I also just imagine that if we left them alone and I hear later how they get crushed by some villain group, I'd feel really bad. Granted, the same could be said for Stockpile and his shit situation, but the prior connections between the two groups hit different. I also feel like it's fitting that we both mourn the loss of the dead together.
I'll admit, what drives me is mainly pure sentiments. But I could also go about it practically
I want to highlight the main benefits of accepting Four Season's request. Not only do we have a chance of recruiting perhaps one of their members (or at least I think it's one of them, could always be the one they're fighting), but we also have a chance of slotting off an area of OID which I wanna emphasize is really important since Dr. Ibis lab could be used as a base, which not only for expanding our Hero roster but also increases our AP and Global AP, which we could really use rn. Also it means the return of Valiant Kabuto. Of course, it's called a "chance" for a reason. There's a possibility we could fail and waste that chance, but my god, it's right fucking there. I will seize that chance by the throat if I have to.
Honestlu going for season and global justice could work. Id mean not burying the hatchet with dawn. But the same time there should be no danger for them to fall unlike global and season.
Granted i can see villains and powers tag teaming new dawn to make sure theyre down as the biggeat threat.
Yes, and it also resulted in a set of rolls that almost made me throw in the towel. I'm not fond of leaving it to rnjesus, but I will vote and go through that harrowing experience again if I have to
Yes, and it also resulted in a set of rolls that almost made me throw in the towel. I'm not fond of leaving it to rnjesus, but I will vote and go through that harrowing experience again if I have to
IDK if Light Being, Mini-Godzilla, and Extremely Buff Woman really would contribute much to ESPIONAGE, but maybe just the "having multiple forms" aspect of Transformation is an ESP boost in and of itself.
And we haven't even considered any power synergies that we might have hit!
[X] Plan: Sucker Punch
-[X] DNA Profile 1: Outsider (Potency 4)
-[X] DNA Profile 2: Adamant (Potency 3)
-[X] DNA Profile 3: Daggermaw (Potency 1)
-[X] DNA Profile 4: Soldier X (Potency 1)
-[X] POTENCY REDUCTION (-3 POTENCY)
-[X] TOTAL POTENCY OF DOSE: 6
Horizon, City of Levithan's Rest – Worker's Mitt – December 1, 2067
After Black Swan's explosive "debut", you're running out of clandestine locations to conduct potentially dangerous scientific experiments. It's embarrassing actually. Thankfully, your recent resurgence in popularity in the Worker's Mitt has paid unexpected dividends. As has Black Swan's childhood growing up here.
"Yeah, so this is the abandoned warehouse where everyone would come to drink after prom. Hey, that's where Rei threw up after chugging, like, eight beers! Wild!" Black Swan says pointing to a corner.
You wrinkle your nose. "Delightful."
John Henry chuckles from where he and Dr. Ibis are assembling the Ambrosia administration machine.
"What's the matter Leizi? You never got up to anything wild in your youth?"
"I'm still young, darling," you say, "And no. My father was not the permissive type."
"Ah." John Henry bobs his head in silent apology. "Maybe my girls were just wilder than I gave them credit for. The number of times Sandra and I had to wait up for them to come home . . ."
Dr. Ibis finishes assembling the final components and begins running a diagnostic, "My daughter was also something of a wild-child. She used to like to take her friends' lunches and mix them together into unusual combinations and make everyone try them. She called them her 'experiments.'"
John Henry gives another chuckle and starts running his own calibrations. "That so, Doctor? Kids will make you old and keep you young at the same time."
"Too true," Dr. Ibis says, shaking his head, "Wait!? Did we just bond? Are we having a moment?!"
"We were."
"And I ruined it by pointing it out instead of living in the present! Blast it all!"
"You'll get 'em next time, doc!" Rhys says from where he waits, surrounded by curtains, "Keep your chin up!"
You turn your head from the disaster that is Dr. Ibis' social life, and step through the curtain to where Rhys sits in a Gatch bed in a hospital gown. Menagerie Witch has a death grip on his hand, a pallid complexion on her face, and her friends protectively huddled around the two of them.
Mittens twines around your legs as Black Swan follows you.
"I thought we weren't coming in! Can't you see Rhys' butt in that gown or something?" Black Swan chirps.
"Don't worry, I'm sittin' down!" Rhys calls, "Thank god it's sweltering outside. Otherwise I'd be freezin' in this flimsy thing."
"Are you crazy? It's so cold right now."
"Ugh," Rhys says to Menagerie Witch with an exaggerated eye-roll, "Horizon-natives, always cold, amiright?"
Menagerie Witch doesn't respond and just squeezes his hand tighter.
"Menagerie Witch, darling, are you certain you want to be present for this?" You are going to strangle Black Swan for telling her that you were administering the dose tonight.
But Menagerie Witch just furiously shakes her head, Apep hissing in protest as her hat wobbles back and forth.
"I wanna be here for Mr. Rhys. I know what it's like to be scared."
"Hey, gimme some credit, shortstack! I'm Rhys "Crusher" Gardner! I ain't afraid of nothin'!"
Menagerie Witch just squeezes his hand tighter and stares you down.
You raise your hands in surrender. "Very well. You're a member of Justice Unlimited too. But you'll be watching from a safe place with the rest of us, understood?"
"Pardon me?!" You're glad she's feeling comfortable enough to assert herself, but she just called you what?
"Excuse me, excuse me!" Nataile Rhodes calls from the otherside of the curtain, "But the machine is calibrated. We're ready to begin the administration!"
". . .yes, thank you Natalie," you say, "We'll be right out."
Black Swan covers her mouth to hide her laughter as Menagerie Witch sticks her tongue out at you.
W-when . . . when did you stop being her favorite?!
* * *
Black Swan takes Menagerie Witch to the viewing point well away from the administration site as Dr. Ibis and John Henry secure Rhys to the machine. You're probably being over-cautious, but, after the Black Swan incident, you're not going to take any risks.
As you leave to join them, Rhys asks for a word.
"Hey . . . LL—"
"I detest that nickname,"
"Well that sucks, because it's sticking. Anyway, I wanted to ask you something."
You glare at him over your glasses, but then soften your gaze. "Of course."
"So, um, you know how I was datin' Gus?"
"Vulcan? Yes, I was aware."
"Yeah, yeah . . . Gus was an Algernon-type. He told me what using his power was gonna do to him one day. I tried to convince him to stop, but . . ."
"He never would," you finish, with a painful smile. An argument you were well-familiar with.
"Yeah," Rhys licks his lips and looks away, "You think . . . you think he was scared when he used his power?"
Rhys is squeezing at his restraints, his knuckles white. There's a nervous twitch to his foot as he tries to tap it.
You never really knew Vulcan, or any of SLAYERS for that matter outside of their leader. Augustus Schulte struck you as an ambitionless man, content to live a comfortable life in mediocrity. Still . . .
"Yes. I think he was, darling. But he pushed forward anyway."
". . .'cuz that's what heroes do," Rhys finished, squeezing his eyes shut, "Yeah, figured as much. Thanks, LL—um, Lady Leizi."
You nod at him. "Of course. And, Rhys, this is your last chance for second thought."
"Fuck that," he says with a grin that doesn't meet his eyes, "I hope I get turned into a dragon."
* * *
Compared to Black Swan, the administration of Rhys' dose of Ambrosia is almost anti-climatic.
Oh, it's still disturbing to see raw goldnine swirling in the machine, a substance that could end the world turned into something useful. And watching it flow in Rhys' veins makes your hair stand up on edge. But there's no explosion of light—none of the annihilation—that turned Mona into Black Swan. Ambrosia pours into Rhys and he remains still on the bed.
And then he melts.
"Ummmm?" Black Swan wordlessly questions as Menagerie Witch gasps in horror.
"Wait, wait," Dr. Ibis says holding up a hand, "I think it's about to start to take effect!"
"No, really?"
Rhys' liquefied remains stay on the table for a second. Then two. Then three. Then—
They boil and fizz and congeal into something else.
It's a matte, platinum-blue substance that almost looks like living stone. It bubbles up from Rhys' remains and consolidates into a solid, rectangular block. But even as it unifies, it starts moving again, thinning out at the corners and stretching into two arms and legs with sharp joints and claws on the hands. His feet only have two toes as a powerfully built chest stretches into a featureless head. The head's crown curves backwards into a crescent shape and two pits for eyes emerge.
The process takes minutes, and you left staring at a seven-foot tall facsimile of a man.
The creature groans, tears free of its restraints, and rubs the back of its head. As it does, a seam forms in its face and a mouth emerges.
"Ow, fuck, man. Anyone get the plate of that truck that hit me? Yeesh!"
"Rhys?" you tentatively call from your vantage point, "Is that you?"
"Yeah? Who else would I be—whoa!"
Rhys holds up his hands in wonder and looks at the rest of his body. Then he falls backwards in despair and says, "Awwwww, I wanted to be a dragon!"
"Are you quite alright? Menagerie Witch is hyperventilating."
"Oh shit! I'm fine, Maddie! I'm fine! Just a fursona unfulfilled, sorry Gus . . .Anyway! How freaky do I look?"
"7 outta 10!" Black Swan calls.
"That's not too bad! I can live with that!"
"I don't understand it," Dr. Ibis mutters, "The dosage wasn't potent enough to cause a dysmorphic effect. What in the world . . . ?"
"Honestly, it's an improvement," Black Swan continues, "Not like you were handsome before!"
"Hey! I had my nonna's eyes! My face had character!"
"Was the character a clown?"
"Why you . . . !" Rhys mock shakes his fist, "What a shame, no one will see my beautiful mug again! I can almost remember what it looked like—whoa!"
As Rhys speaks, his head twists and shifts until you're looking at his face as it was again.
"Oh shit, look at what I can do!"
Rhys stands up off the table, his human head looking bizarre on the rest of his monstrous body.
"Is it just your head?" you ask, "What about the rest of your body?"
"Y-yeah, let me see—here we go!"
Rhys' whole body snaps back to its original shape, right down to the scar on his abdomen. He raises both arms in triumph.
"I'm back baby!"
"Maddie, cover your eyes!" Black Swan says covering her face as well.
"What?! I'm a normal guy now!"
"Yes," you agree, looking up with a twitching lip, "And you're au naturale."
Rhys blushes and covers himself. He then squints his eyes and frowns. He screws up his face in concentration and—
The next day, you arrive at your meeting with Chaucer and Dr. Ibis to receive the preliminary report on Rhys' powers. Chaucer greets you politely, if still a little put out he missed the administration of Ambrosia. You feel for the man, but someone had to hold down the fort. Dr. Ibis is sleeping on the table, surrounded by papers.
"He's been like this since I arrived," Chaucer says, "I decided to let him slumber, but now that you're here . . . Doctor! Doctor! Wake up!"
Dr. Ibis jerks awake, sending papers flying in every direction, "Wha? What? I was just resting my eyes!"
"Doctor," Chaucer sighs, "You're the one who asked to have this meeting moved up. We could have waited if you needed your sleep."
"No! John Henry asked me if I was watching the fight tonight! I said yes and offered to watch it with him and he agreed! We're going to view it at a bar! I have to get this meeting out of the way!"
"What fight?" you ask, genuinely curious.
"I don't know!"
Chaucer clears his throat. "Well, yes . . . the report, Doctor?"
"Yes, yes, I'm getting to that!" Dr. Ibis says, flapping his arms, "Ahem. The Ambrosia appears to have permanently transformed Rhys' body into a malleable organic material denser than the human body. We've taken to calling it "clay". Like Adamant and his namesake metal, Rhys' body seems to produce clay in amounts without end."
"Well," you drawl, "That explains the melting. But his transformation?"
"Again, similar to Adamant, he's able to freely shape and structure the clay however he chooses. On second thought, it's actually closer to what The Outsider was capable of. But he has no 'nucleus' or anything of the sort."
"Is he immortal?"
"No, I wouldn't say that. More . . . his entire body is one great redundancy. He's not only able to shape and mold the clay, but transmute it. During testing he was able to make scales, feathers, chitin, bone, bioluminescent sacs, secondary pairs of organs, and so on. He was able to make constructs in his body as well—we had him create organic pile-bunkers in his elbows that greatly increased the strength of his punches and, after being given a diagram, he could create crude crossbows out of his hands. He even at one point turned himself into a horse to amuse young Madeline—unfortunately her power did not work on him in that form."
"That's . . . astounding," Chaucer breathes.
"It is. He could reliably imitate people, down to their voices, once he figured out how to shape his vocal cords. He also has regeneration on an incredible scale. He's no Scarlet Maturity, but he would be exceedingly difficult to put down through physical means in a fight. Especially if he generated any organic armor."
"I noticed his height changed when he turned back into his human form," you muse.
"Yes, he can control his size as well. Like The Outsider, anything smaller than his base form will be proportionally denser. But his ability to grow has no limitations except the square-cube law. He was able to reliably get to about twenty feet in height before moving required his body to be made of materials too brittle to be of use."
You're grinning. Are you grinning? You're grinning, aren't you?
"Marvelous. Anything else we should know, Doctor?"
"His strength is noteworthy if not impressive. He's stronger than either Adamant or Daggermaw were, however. What's the old expression? 'He can throw a car, but not a building?' Something like that."
"Doctor," you say, "That's just icing on the cake."
Name: Name Undecided, Rhys Gardner Keywords: Autobiokinesis, Enhanced Strength Side Effect: None Faction: Justice Unlimited Potency: 9
Stats: HIT 6, ESPIONAGE 9, REPUTATION 2, OPERATIONS 3
Ibis' Notes: Subject's power has changed the composition of his body into an organic compound dubbed "clay". Subject can manipulate the structure, shape, and composition of his body including being able to make scales, feathers, chitin, bone, bioluminescent sacs, secondary pairs of organs, and so on. Subject can also make constructs in his body as well—for example, the subject made organic pile-bunkers in his elbows that greatly increased the strength of the subject's punches and, after being given a diagram, the subject could create crude crossbows out of his hands.
Subject possesses enhanced regeneration and strength. The subject can also change size. The subject can change into something smaller than his base form with a proportional increase in density. The subject's ability to grow has no limitations except the square-cube law. The subject was able to reliably get to about twenty feet in height before moving required the subject's body to be made of materials too brittle to be of use.
"Now," Dr. Ibis whined, "Can I please go figure out what fight I'm going to watch?"
"Not yet," you say, "If I have to suffer this next part, so must you, Doctor."
Chaucer snorts. "Honestly, you two act as if public relations were some kind of torture . . . actually, it may be."
What will we call our newest hero?
[ ] Sucker Punch
[ ] Crusher
[ ] Changeling
Write-in (subject to QM veto) [ ]
What is Rhys' Emblem?
Write-in (subject to QM veto) [ ]
Rhys' base form will serve as his costume.
Also, CHOOSE YOUR FILL-IN ISSUE:
[ ] EXCEED! (Valiant Silver, Catch-22, The Woman in Blue)
[ ] Flight of the Bumblebee (Apiary, Scarlet Maturity, The Defiance Unit)
[ ] Goodnight, Avô (Uiara, Ọsanyìn, An Interlocutor)
So after doing this, I realized I made missions cost way too little in terms of stats. EspeciallyWider than a Mile. I won't change any of the stat requirements on the existing missions (except Wider than a Mile), but in the future they will be going up! Fair warning!
That entire spread ended up effectively being one big Synergy, huh? No wonder we got such great results out of such a relatively low Tolerance character.
