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Dawn of Heroes

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Dawn of Heroes II Dawn of Heroes
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Characters
  • Informational
    • Hero
    Name: Tamara Lyn/Fairy Knight (PL11)
    Age: Biologically 25
    Gender: Female
    Personality: Tamara is a playful and excitable individual who maintains a cheerful demeanour. She will take everything in her stride whilst maintaining her optimistic outlook. Tamara will do her best in whatever task she is attempting but has no pride outside of that. In combat, Tamara will hold back and attempt to take her foes in alive unless they make things personal, where she will then do her best to take them down one way or another.

    Powers
    Shapeshifting     (Magic-Fey): Morph 3 (Animal Forms, Limited to +10 Deception bonus, Metamorph with Variable Descriptor 2 & Limited to reduced PL by 2), Regeneration 2 (1 per 5 rounds)
    Ethereal Beauty (Magic-Fey): Enhanced Advantage 1 (Attractive), Feature 1 (Change the external details of your appearance/+2 Circumstance Bonus to Interaction Skills)
    Faerie Heritage (Magic-Fey): Enhanced Strength 2, Enhanced Agility 2, Immunity 5 (Ageing, Starvation & Thirst, Need for Sleep, Suffocation Effects), Partial Immunity 7 (Disease, Poison, All Environmental Effects,) Concealment 1 (Regular Hearing),
    Talatine (Device-Sword/Magic-Fey): Penetrating Damage 5, Weaken Fighting 2 (Resisted by Fortitude), Feature 2 (Summon to hand at will as a Standard Action), Teleport 1 (8 Metres & 24 kg/Medium: Talatine), Indestructible, Personal, Impressive, Dangerous 2, Easily Removable,
    -Thrown Talatine: Ranged Damage 5, Weaken Fighting 2 (Resisted by Fortitude), Feature 2 (Summon to hand at will as a Standard Action), Teleport 1 (8 Metres & 24 kg/Medium: Talatine), Indestructible, Personal, Impressive, Dangerous 2, Easily Removable,
    Torlyn (Armour/Magic-Fey): Impervious Protection 10, Continuous, Limited to Human Form, Noticeable (Shining Silver Plate Armour), Feature (+5 Bonus against Mental Attacks) & Partial Immunity 5 (Mind Control),
    Minor Spells (Magic-Fae): 3-Point Power Array with 1 Alternative Effect.
    -Mimicry: Feature 1 (Imitate almost any sound you heard using your voice with +10 bonus to Deception checks to convinces others that the sound is real), Feature 2 (Disguises require no preparations, +5 to Deception checks for disguises),
    -Urban Camouflage: Feature 1 (+5 to Stealth checks in an Urban Environment), Concealment 2 (Regular Vision, Limited to Urban Environments),
    Major Spells (Magic-Fey): 4-Point Power Array with 2 Alternative Effects.
    -Healing Spell: Healing 2.
    -Lighting Bolt: Ranged Electrical Damage 2.
    -Teleport: Teleport 2 (32 Metres & 24 kg).
    2/Fairy Wings (Magic-Fey): Flight 1 (4 MPH)

    Abilities
    Strength: 2 (4)
    Stamina: 2
    Agility: 3 (5)
    Dexterity: 2
    Fighting: 4
    Intellect: 4
    Awareness: 4
    Presence: 0

    Defences
    Dodge: 6 (8)
    Fortitude: 7
    Parry: 8
    Toughness: 2 (12/Impervious 10)
    Will: 10

    Attacks
    Initiative +11 (13)
    Unarmed +11: Close Damage 2 (4), Critical 20,
    Talatine +13: Close Damage 7 (9/Penetrating 5), Critical 18-20
    Thrown Talatine +5: Ranged Damage 7 (9), Critical 18-20

    Skills
    Acrobatics 5 (8 [10])
    Athletics 5 (7 [9])
    Close Combat: Sword 9 (13)
    Close Combat: Unarmed 7 (11)
    Deception 4 (4)
    Expertise: British Politics 5 (9)
    Expertise: Current Events 4 (8)
    Expertise: Fey Transformation Magic 20 (24)
    Expertise: General Magic 4 (8)
    Expertise: Maid 6 (11)
    Expertise: Politics 3 (7)
    Expertise: Fey Royalty 6 (10)
    Insight 3 (7)
    Intimidation 2 (2)
    Investigation 1 (5)
    Perception 3 (7)
    Persuasion 4 (4)
    Stealth 5 (8 [10])
    Technology 5 (9)
    Treatment 2 (6)

    Advantages
    Accurate Attack: Trade effect DC for attack bonus.
    Artificer: Use Expertise: Magic to create temporary devices.
    Assessment    : Use Insight to learn an opponent's combat capabilities.
    Attractive: +2 (+5) circumstance bonus on Deception and Persuasion checks based on your looks.
    Benefit (Friend on the Force): You are engaged in a covert partnership with Inspector Brown
    Benefit I (Government Influence: Tara Lane): You have minor influence within the government as Tara Lane.
    Benefit (Neighbourhood Hero): Call upon local support within Whitechapel.
    Benefit (Prepared Rituals): Delay the effects of a completed rituals until a time of your choosing.
    Diehard: Automatically stabilise when dying.
    Defensive Attack: Trade attack bonus for active defence.
    Evasion: +2 circumstance bonus to Dodge resistance checks to avoid area effects.
    Improved Defence: +2 bonus to active defence when you take the defend action.
    Improved Initiative II: +8 bonus to initiative checks.
    Instant Up: Stand from prone as a free action.
    Interpose: Take an attack meant for an ally.
    Languages: English, Fey
    Power Attack: Trade attack bonus for effect bonus.
    Quick Draw: Draw a weapon as a free action.
    Ritualist: Use Expertise: Magic to create and perform rituals.
    Takedown: Free extra attack when you incapacitate a minion.
    Tracking: Use Perception to follow tracks.
    Uncanny Dodge: Not vulnerable when surprised or caught off-guard.

    Equipment
    Winfield Castle
    Size: Huge; Tou: 8; PL11
    Intellect: 6; Awareness: 3; Presence: 3
    -Living Space, Magical Defence System, Technological Security System (DC20), Magical Laboratory, Magical Workshop, Technological Workshop, Power System, Sealed (Magical Barrier), Self-Repairing, Magical Portal to Elphane, Intelligent (Rebecca),

    Complications
    Motivation (Her Duty): Tamara is the Fairy Knight because she sees it as her duty to protect the innocent and to fight evil.
    Magic over Tech: Tamara is well-acquainted with the technology of the human world and has great respect for what it can do, especially in the hands of a genius. Yet when given a choice, Tamara will choose the magic she grew up with over a more technological solution.
    Enemy (Prince Auraen): Prince Auraen has not forgotten his defeat at the hands of Tamara and Sapphire Squire. Escaping his imprisonment, Tamara's cousin now seeks to get revenge on her in his self-imposed exile.
    Secret Identity (Tamara Wallis): Fairy Knight maintains a secret identity as Tamara Wallis nee Lyn, widow of Benedict Wallis and mother of Alexandra Wallis.

    London

    Known Heroes and Heroic Organisations
    The first costumed vigilante in both the British Isles and London, the Night appeared in early 1916. Primarily focused on fighting the Consortium and stopping the criminal empire taking advantage of the then ongoing war, the Night also focused on regular crimes and the criminals of London soon learnt to fear his presence. He vanished in mid 1919 without a trace while investigating the politician Barnaby May-Porter and his ties to the Consortium leadership.

    His secret identity is Benedict Wallis, grandson of the wealthy retired politician Gareth Wallis.
    The youthful squire of the Fairy Knight and aspiring heroine, Sapphire Squire relies on a mixture of physical skill, mental ability and technological gadgets. A genius and prodigy, Sapphire Squire holds her own on the streets of London and has proven herself worthy of fighting alongside her mentor. Since 25th December 1920, Sapphire Squire has gained two magical abilities from her mentor, one which allows her to change her outfit at will and provide her clothing with protective properties while the other removes her needs for sleep, food and drink.
    The second squire of Fairy Knight, Onyx Squire comes from a criminal background and seeks to help the world rather than hurt it like the rest of his family. Relying mainly on his fists and hardiness, Onyx Squire has picked some equipment and magic from Fairy Knight and Sapphire Squire, the most exotic of these being his partial invisibility and complete silence.

    His secret identity is David White, son of the street thug Jacob White.
    Jordan Brown is a chief inspector within the Metropolitan Police. A determined man who believes in stopping criminals and protecting the innocent, Chief Inspector Brown is willingly to bend the law a little if it means seeing proper justice done.

    Following his systematic dismantlement of the Dragonsteeth, Jordan Brown was promoted from Detective Sergeant to Detective Inspector. Following the arrest of the Templar, Jordan Brown has formed a formal covert partnership with the Fairy Knight.

    As of 1st March 1921, Jordan Brown has been promoted to Chief Inspector from Detective Inspector under a cloud of politics, high tenses and borderline infighting amongst the Metropolitan Police.
    Gareth Wallis is a wealthy man and a retired politician who has known great tragedy. The ageing man has outlived all of his family and currently lives alone in London with his butler. He was aware of his grandson's activities as the Night and covertly funded his crusade. As of January 1920, he supports and funds Fairy Knight's continuation of the Night's crusade.

    Known Villains and Villainous Organisations
    While some call him a hero, the Golden Knight is definitely a criminal. Appearing in 1919, the Golden Knight and his Golden Order are returning veterans of the Great War. While they fight the Consortium and claim to see justice for the people, many of the Golden Order's activities are regular organised crime and in some ways, the Golden Knight is just another crime lord who dressed up as a costumed vigilante.

    On 9th February 1920, the Golden Order captured Sam Carson of the White Devils and hold him captive.
    On 24th April 1920, the Golden Knight aided Fairy Knight at Anna Lucas' party.
    The White Devils are a London street gang that was led by Sam Carson and backed by the Consortium. A male dominated gang that believes in the supremacy of the white Englishman, the White Devils seek to purge London of its 'foreign filth'. Covertly supported by the Consortium, the White Devils rose to prominence falling the Night's disappearance and seek to 'clean out' Whitechapel so they can turn it into their territory and use the neighbourhood as a base of operations.

    On 9th February 1920, Sam Carson was defeated by Fairy Knight before being captured by the Golden Order. Following the loss of their leader, the White Devils have fallen into infighting and got systemically picked off by their foes. As of mid 1920, the gang no longer exists.

    As of 25th February, Sam Carson was freed from the captivity of the Golden Order by Redcoat, presumably on the orders of the Consortium.
    The Dragonsteeth were a major street gang that was founded and led by Anna Lucas. Covertly backed by the Consortium, the Dragonsteeth held a position of prominence within the London criminal underworld and the gang held great influence over several small gangs.

    On 24th April 1920, Anna Lucas was defeated by Fairy Knight and later arrested by the police alongside several of her subordinates.

    Between late April 1920 and early August 1920, Detective Sergeant Jordan Brown systematically dismantled the gang. He did so by arresting and putting in prison most of their leadership and membership, shutting down all of their major operations and most of their minor ones and he ruined their reputation.

    As of September 1920, Cliff Gregory currently leads what is left of the Dragonsteeth with the gang having gone to ground as a remnant of their former glory.

    As of April 1921, the Dragonsteeth are no more after being consumed by rivals in the gang war following the downfall of the Royal Ravens.
    Levy Porter was the chief enforcer of the Dragonsteeth, a feared man for his deadly prowess. He was arrested by Detective Sergeant Jordan Brown on the 24th April 1920 after being defeated by Fairy Knight and was later sent to prison.
    Levy Porter was a sub-boss of the Dragonsteeth and their main accountant. An experienced elderly man, he managed most of the gang's finances and briefly took over half of it following Anna Lucas' arrest.

    He was arrested by Detective Sergeant Jordan Brown during early June 1920 and was later sent to prison.
    Cliff Gregory is the current leader of what remains of the Dragonsteeth. An ambitious and dangerous man, he leads what is left of the gang after avoiding being arrested by Detective Brown.

    As for 25th February 1921, Cliff Gregory is attempting to return the gang to prominence and has broken its prior ties with the Consortium.

    As of April 1921, the Dragonsteeth are no more after being consumed by rivals in the gang war following the downfall of the Royal Ravens. The current fate of Cliff Gregory is unknown.
    The Consortium is the top dog within the criminal underworld of London with its leadership remaining unknown to outsiders and most within the Consortium. Whilst it has sway across most of the British Isles, the Consortium is located in London where it holds the most of its power and influence.

    Despite enjoying a good couple of decades of effectively uncontested dominance, the Consortium has founded itself increasing under attack in recent years with its most prominent foes being the Night, the Golden Order and Fairy Knight.
    An middle-manager within the Consortium who is responsible with coordinating with outside assets. He was Windstrike's liaison when the Consortium hired her to kill Fairy Knight in March 1920.
    Known as Ronald Barr in his civilian identity, the Templar is a fearsome warrior who dresses up in plate armour, styling himself after a medieval knight. Wielding his imposing war hammer, the Fist of God, the Templar is one of the most dangerous individuals on London's streets with very few capable of matching him. Having retired from the army after a decade of service at the end of the Great War, Ronald seemingly works for an Anglican organisation that seeks to purge London's streets of heretics and infidels.

    He was arrested on the 18th September 1920 after being defeated by the Fairy Knight, but avoided going to prison due to destruction of evidence during his trial.
    Peter Michaelson was the leader of the Royal Ravens and a member of the Consortium. The Royal Ravens were the top gang in London and the Consortium used them as a proxy to control the streets of London. Following a rash attack on the Brown family in February 1921, the full force of the Scotland Yard came down on the Royal Ravens and as of April 1921, the gang has been systemically destroyed one way or another and is effectively no more.
    Allen Baxter as the chief enforcer of the Royal Ravens.

    On 16th February 1921, Allen Baxter was accidentally slain by Fairy Knight in battle.
    25th February 1921, the Regal Ravens split off from the Royal Ravens.

    Known Civilians and Neutral Organisations
    A waitress, Lydia lives with her older sister Ellen and more recently, Tamara.
    A telephone operator and a feminist, Ellen lives with her younger sister Lydia and more recently, Tamara.
    Barnaby May-Porter is a prominent and respected politician who has ambitions of being Prime Minister. The Night disappeared uncovering evidence financially connecting Barnaby to the Consortium's leadership.
    Also known as Tedd Donald, the Squirrel is a talent and agile thief who steals from the rich as a challenge. After being caught by Fairy Knight on 10th August 1920, he has given up his life of crime.
    The wife of Jordan Brown and mother of Brenda Brown and James Brown. A formerly cheerful and supportive woman, she was almost killed on the 18th February 1921. While she survived thanks to Fairy Knight's intervention, her right hand has been maimed and Eira has fallen into a deep depression.

    As of May 1921, Eira has fully recovered thanks to Moira Lyn and her magic.
    The son of Jordan and Eira Brown and the younger brother of Brenda Brown. James Brown was a shy kid who witness his mother almost being killed in their own home on the 18th February 1921 alongside receiving injuries of his own. While he and his mother were saved by the Fairy Knight, the fallout has left him spooked and jumping at shadows.

    As of May 1921, James has fully recovered thanks to Moira Lyn and her magic.


    British Isles

    Known Heroes and Heroic Organisations
    The partner of Sentinel and student of Merlin, Galahad is a powerful superhuman with powers he claims are a gift from God. With flight, super-strength and toughness alongside his Blaze and Radiance, there are only a handful of individuals out there that can match Galahad. While he is based in Winchester, Galahad operates in all of Hampshire.
    The partner of Galahad and student of Merlin, Sentinel is a genius who creates devices and invents technology beyond what the rest of the world uses. Operating out of Southampton, Sentinel no longer takes to the field as per his agreement with Galahad and instead acts as off the battlefield support to his partner.
    Formed by the British government in August 1921, the Kingsmen are an officially sanctioned team of heroes that work for the national authorities. Lead by the Fairy Knight, the founding members consist of Fairy Knight, Imperial Lion, Spider and Longbow.

    Known Villains and Villainous Organisations
    Named for his signature redcoat, Redcoat is the deadliest killer in the British Isles with none of his targets having survived him going after them. After a week of back and forth fighting with Fairy Knight and Sapphire Squire, Redcoat was defeated by the duo on the 11th December 1920 and later arrested by the police. His secret identity was revealed to be Oliver King, a soldier turned mercenary.
    An upstart criminal group formed by some Irish folk up in Glasgow, they have seized control of the Glasgow criminal underworld from the Consortium and are battling the Consortium over Edinburgh's criminal underworld.
    A villainous magic user, he has proven a capable spellcaster and a dangerous foe, especially if given time to prepare. He apparently works for an employer, but holds little loyalty to them and is willingly to further his own goals at their expense.

    On the 18th March 1921, Druid defeated Sapphire Squire and bound Fairy Knight to his will for multiple hours. On the 19th March 1921, he foiled Sapphire Squire's attempt to rescue Fairy Knight before later releasing Fairy Knight.
    A hired thug of little fame, he has been known to work for the Druid. The man is more dangerous from average thug, but has yet to display any out of ordinary.

    On the 19th March 1921, he was defeated by battle by Sapphire Squire.
    Known Civilians and Neutral Organisations

    Kingdom of the Faeries

    Known Heroes and Heroic Organisations
    The King of the Faeries and former ruler of the Little Court of Ireland, Tiarnach is a stern, but fair ruler. A capable warrior and respected leader, he is a highly popular leader thanks to his own actions as King and his overthrowing of his aunt. He seeks to change the ways of his people and turn them into something more noble and less capricious.

    While time flows differently in the Kingdom of the Faeries, it wa roughly 6th May 1921 that Tiarnach became king.

    Known Villains and Villainous Organisations
    Sister to the first Queen of the Faeries and temporary usurper, Princess Taenya is an ambitious and paranoid woman. While she was able to amass a loyal following that allowed to overthrow her sister, Taenya valued loyalty and subservience over competence and ability. She would later meet her downfall when her paranoia and tyrannical rulership resulted turning half of her realm against her, purges that left her supporters greatly reduced in number and putting the most loyal subordinates in charge rather than those that were qualified to do the job.

    While time flows differently in the Kingdom of the Faeries, it was roughly 6th May 1921 that Prince Tiarnach overthrow Taenya and became king.
    The son of Taenya, Prince Auraen made up what he lacked in competence with obedience. He was left in charge of defending the Little Court of Scotland when his mother was overthrown, resulting in his defeat at the hands of Tamara Lyn and her squire.

    Known Civilians and Neutral Organisations
    The mother of Tamara Lyn and many other important fairies, the Queen of the Faeries was a powerful and uncontested leader. Having rightfully earnt both fear and respect, the Queen of the Faeries was a whimsical and capricious ruler who did what she felt like at any given moment thanks to being powerful enough to get away with it.

    At some point prior to start of 1920, she was overthrown by her sister Taenya and has not been seen from since.
    The daughter of the Queen of Faeries, Princes Moira rules over the Little Court of England. While she is a decent ruler, Moira is more focused on magic and improving her magical abilities. She and her half-sister Tamara consider each other to be their favourite sibling.

    As of May 1921, Princess Moira has taken up the human identity of Moira Lyn.
    The son of Princess Taenya, Prince Zelphar ruled over the Little Court of Wales before being disposed alongside his mother.
    The daughter of the Queen of Faeries, Princes Maeryn rules over the Little Court of Cornwall. While not a bad ruler, Princess Maeryn is more interested in socialising than running her realm. Maeryn likes to spend her time engaging in politics and the high life of society.

    As of May 1921, Princess Maeryn has taken up the human identity of Maeve Lyn.


    World

    Known Heroes and Heroic Organisations
    A German vigilante operating in Munich, he is an inventor who wields an electrified sword and a belt that protects him from electricity. With his partner Sportlerin, he battle the local crime lords, Fredikorps and anarchists. His main foes are the crime lord Oskar Lowith and his hired enforcer, Eisenfaust.

    On 7th April 1921, he fought alongside Fairy Knight and Sapphire Squire against Eisenfaust and the Consortium.
    Known Villains and Villainous Organisations
    A mercenary assassin for hire, Lucilla Verona aka Windstrike is a skilled Italian archer and swordswoman. Prideful and greedy, Windstrike is a professional for whom there is little that she won't do for the right amount of money. Known for her competent and professionalism, Windstrike takes contracts from all over the world with a preference for remaining within Western society.

    On 21st March 1920, Windstrike was arrested by the Metropolitan Police whilst attempting to kill Fairy Knight after her victim inflict a near-fatal injury on the archer.

    As for August 1921, Windstrike has secretly joined the Kingsmen as a founding member under a new identity as Longbow.
    Eisenfaust is a German mercenary named for the distinct gauntlet he wears on his right hand. Eisenfaust is hardy man and a fearsome foe and has recently taken up employment as an retainer for the crime lord Oskar Lowith for an indefinite length of time.

    His attempts to deliver a weapon to the Consortium was foiled by Fairy Knight, Sturmschwert and Sapphire Squire on 7th April 1921.

    Known Civilians and Neutral Organisations
     
    Last edited:
  • Informational
    • I am going to close the vote tomorrow so if anyone else wants to vote, maybe break the tie on the Sapphire vote, not is the time.
    Vote Tally : Dawn of Heroes Original - Superhero | Page 66 | Sufficient Velocity [Posts: 1642-1644]
    ##### NetTally 2.2.0

    Task: Knight

    [X][Knight] You will hunt Reaper.
    No. of Votes: 2
    [X] veekie
    [X] Dark as Silver


    ——————————————————————————————————————————————
    Task: Sapphire

    [X][Sapphire] Stay in the air and track the others.
    No. of Votes: 1
    [X] Dark as Silver

    [X][Sapphire] You will tell Sapphire Squire to hunt Reaper.
    No. of Votes: 1
    [X] veekie


    ——————————————————————————————————————————————
    Task: Onyx

    [X][Onyx] You will tell Onyx Squire to hunt Reaper.
    No. of Votes: 2
    [X] veekie
    [X] Dark as Silver


    Total No. of Voters: 2
     
    Vote is closed. Rolling for tie-breaker

    Sapphire tracking = 1
    Sapphire on Reaper = 2
    Oshha threw 1 2-faced dice. Reason: Sapphire Tie-Breaker Total: 2
    2 2
     
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    The Shrouded Scions III
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] [Knight] You will hunt Reaper.
    [X] [Sapphire] You will tell Sapphire Squire to hunt Reaper.
    [X] [Onyx] You will tell Onyx Squire to hunt Reaper.

    As your enemies begin to scatter, you take a brief moment on how to deal with the situation. Both Apex and Spider have displayed inhuman mobility that neither you nor your squires could match. Should it come to a match of pursuing them, they should be fast enough to leave you and your squires too far behind. No, you should focus on Reaper, the only one of your foes slowest enough for you to catch.

    "Onyx! Sapphire!" you call, "After the hooded one."

    Apex flees through the open door that you entered from and you glimpse for a couple of seconds before he picks up enough momentum that he has left sight at inhuman speed. Spider swings out a roof while Reaper runs out of another door on the other side of the warehouse.

    You chase after him, Onyx Squire hot on your tail as Sapphire Squire, the fastest of you, flies off ahead. Yet even as the slowest of his compatriots, Reaper proves to be a troublesome hunt nonetheless.

    As soon as he is out the door, he effectively vanishes to your eyes. You aren't sure what he did, but after breaking line of sight, Reaper has escaped into the urban landscape of London.

    "Can either of you spot him?" you ask your squires as you call upon your healing spell to patch up the injuries that you have sustained.

    "No," answers Onyx Squire as he gives you an apologetic look, "Sorry."

    "I can't spot him either," answers Sapphire Squire as she flutters about, "but I can look for a trail to follow?"

    "Please do," you say, "I will help you out."

    Reaper may have slipped away for now, but he will have almost certainly after a trail for you to follow. Tracking prey was something that got covered in your knight training and being able to follow the trail of the criminals is just one of the things that makes Sapphire Squire so good at being your information woman.

    Letting Sapphire Squire take the lead with her superior skill, you finish recovering from your injuries with her healing spell as you help out the lass. While you might have struggled to find the path that Reaper took, Sapphire Squire proves to be most proficient even if she has some difficulty.

    "I'm pretty sure he went up here," says Sapphire Squire as she flies up along the side of the building until she reaches the rooftop, moving slowly in order to carefully follow the trail that Reaper has left.

    It is as she reaches the rooftops that Apex makes his move. You hear him coming before he arrives, but he still moving fast enough to catch the lot of you off-guard. Thundering over the rooftops, the bald man slams into Sapphire Squire. Both your squire and your foe go stumbling and you leap into action. Both Sapphire Squire and Apex recover from the impact quick enough as your squire steadies herself mid flight while Apex lands in a roll.

    Yet even as Apex prepares to run off, you have already moved with Talatine having been set in motion while Apex was still landing. Your silver blade slashes through the side of Apex, leaving the brigand stumbling with a bloody gash. The bald man gives you one glance before running off at the inhuman that he moves at.

    Onyx Squire runs up to you, but Apex is already gone and while you might be able to catch him in an animal form, you don't fancy your chances against the man without Torlyn or Talatine. So instead, you turn your attention to Sapphire Squire as she flutters down.

    "Are you okay?" you ask her.

    "A bit roughed up by that," admits Sapphire Squire, "It has definitely left a bruise that I would like you to heal. The worst bit is that I lost Reaper's trail."

    "So they got away," Onyx Squire half-states and half-asks.

    "Pretty much," confirms Sapphire Squire, "Unless Fairy Knight has something else in mind, the best thing to do right now is to withdraw and plan our next move."

    "I agree that it is the time where we rally and prepare for the next fight," you say, "At least we won this day."

    ***​

    "So what did we learn?" you ask your squires as the three of you sit around a table at the Nighthouse.

    "Spider was superhuman and not just because of his gear," says Sapphire Squire, "He was definitely using the suit to move about, but he had extraordinary abilities beyond that. He had agility, but also strength and toughness to go along with it. I am also certain that he has some permanent implants or something like that."

    "What do you mean?" you inquire.

    "He had his suit to provide a technological boost, but he also had tech built into his body that was helping grant him superhuman prowess," explains Sapphire Squire, "He wasn't able to land a blow on me, but he was definitely skilled through he struggled to hit a flying foe with his fists. I could take him in a fight, but I'm not sure I could have caught him if he fled."

    "And your thoughts?" you ask Onyx Squire as you turn your attention to your other squire.

    "I was in over my head," says Onyx Squire, "Reaper was terrifying and so was Apex. Reaper was hard to hit and hard to hurt when I did hit him. He didn't land a blow on me, but I don't want to see what that scythe would do to me. Apex was worst. He was too fast, too strong and punching him was like punching a brick wall and just as effective. I couldn't have taken him on my own and it was only because you that I didn't go down in that fight. Thanks for that."

    "I could take the hits better than you could," you state simply, "Does that match your assessment of Apex, Sapphire Squire?"

    "Apex had superhuman speed, strength and toughness," agrees Sapphire Squire, "I don't believe his enhancements are magical in nature and I suspect they are something more sciencey like Spider's enhancements."

    "I concur," you say, "Fortunately, we have proven that we can take this trio in a fight and we got some leads."

    "We do?" inquires Onyx Squire as he gives you a look.

    "The three of them will stand out no matter how hard they hide their abilities and their sources," explains Sapphire Squire, "Reaper is down a limb and Spider is part machine. Apex might be able to hide his inhumanity, but even if he does, I expect there to be rumours out there."

    "If we can interrgorate criminals or spy on them, we may be able to find out some more information our foes," you say, "The police might records on their activities and given how it was a Regal Raven warehouse, I suspect that the Golden Order might be willingly to dish out the dirt on them."

    "Plus we got magical methods," adds Sapphire Squire, "Give me a few hours and I can whip up something useful."

    What method does Fairy Knight use hunt the Shrouded Scions?
    [] [Scion] Look for clues the old fashion way.
    [] [Scion] Help Sapphire Squire whip a magical invention.
    [] [Scion] Ask your sister Moira for magical assistance.
    [] [Scion] Ask Inspector Brown for mundane assistance.
    [] [Scion] Write-in.

    ***​

    As David heads off to get some sleep, you are left with another matter to attend to. It has been some time since your trip home, but the matter of Brenda going behind your back and sneaking along remains unaddressed. You let the matter go at the time due to the impending fight and to avoid a potential rift between you and your squire before you went into battle. Now it needs to be address before much more time passes lest it become too distant in the past to remain relevant.

    Brenda handled herself admirably in the fighting, but she went behind your back and endangered herself by involving herself in a fight that wasn't her own. The lack of communication and the disobedience are unacceptable and if allowed to happen again, it could result in serious harm. It could have resulted in serious harm the last time it happened had things gone a little more poorly. Of course, you need to be careful in how you approach the subject with your squire as the wrong tone could cause problems with your feisty and independent squire.

    What approach does Tamara take with her conversation with Brenda?
    [] [Brenda] Stern. Be strict and serious with your squire as you make sure that she understands the danger that her actions caused.
    [] [Brenda] Understanding. Show a sympathetic side to Brenda whilst making it clear that going behind your back like that is unacceptable.
    [] [Brenda] Neutral. You need to factual and unbiased with Brenda. Keep to the facts and make it clear why she can't act like that again.
    [] [Brenda] Write-in.

    Spotting the trap.
    Perception Check, DC26: 11+7+2+2 = 22, 1 DoF.

    Spotting the right target.
    Stealth vs Perception Check: 10+10+5 vs 3+10 = 25 vs 13, Fairy Knight wins by 3 DoS.

    Initiative Check.
    Fairy Knight: 3+13 = 16
    Sapphire Squire: 3+7 = 10
    Onyx Squire: 6+11 = 17
    Apex: 18+12 = 30
    Reaper: 11+9 = 20
    Spider: 4+19 = 23

    Chasing Reaper.
    Perception vs Stealth: 2+7 vs 11+11+5 = 9 vs 27, Reaper wins by 4 DoS.

    Chasing Reaper. (Sapphire Squire)
    Perception vs Stealth: 8+8 vs 16+11+5 = 16 vs 32, Reaper wins by 4 DoS.

    Chasing Reaper. (Onyx Squire)
    Perception vs Stealth: 5+9 vs 14+11+5 = 14 vs 30, Reaper wins by 4 DoS.

    Tracking Reaper's trail. (Sapphire Squire)
    Perception Check, DC20: 13+8+2 = 23, 1 DoS.

    Apex ambushes Sapphire Squire.
    Unarmed Charge Slam Attack, DC19: 18+10-2-2 = 26, Successful Critical Hit.
    Toughness Check, DC32: 11+8 = 19, 3 DoF, Staggered & -1 Toughness Penalty. Luck Reroll!
    Toughness Check, DC32: 16+8 = 24, 2 DoF, Dazed & -1 Toughness Penalty.
    Toughness Check, DC23: 16+8 = 24, 1 DoS, Apex is unharmed.

    Taking a swing.
    Talatine Attack, DC20: 17+11 = 28, Successful Hit.
    Toughness Check, DC24: 10+7 = 17, 2 DoF, Dazed & -1 Toughness Penalty.

    You gain 1 Hero Point for the villains getting away. You have 16 available Hero Points.

    ***​

    I meant to have this update out earlier, but thanks to a bout of illness, it took longer to write-up than I originally planned. I don't have too much to say here except the current vote is split into choosing how you attempt to find your foes and finally dealing that conversation you put on the back burner in the last arc.

    Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • Oshha said:
    you don't fancy your chances against the man with Torlyn or Talatine.
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    without Torlyn or Talatine.
    Oshha said:
    Does that match your assessment of Apex Sapphire Squire
    Click to expand...
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    Can rename this one Superior Sapphire squire, it alliterates better.
    Or add a comma.

    [X] [Scion] Help Sapphire Squire whip a magical invention.
    Ah, the old faithful ritual.
    Anyone got input on the Brenda vote? I'm uncertain but leaning:

    [] [Brenda] Neutral. You need to factual and unbiased with Brenda. Keep to the facts and make it clear why she can't act like that again.
     
    [X] [Scion] Help Sapphire Squire whip a magical invention.
    [X] [Brenda] Neutral. You need to factual and unbiased with Brenda. Keep to the facts and make it clear why she can't act like that again.
     
    [X] [Scion] Help Sapphire Squire whip a magical invention.
    [X] [Brenda] Understanding. Show a sympathetic side to Brenda whilst making it clear that going behind your back like that is unacceptable.

    I think having her own opinions is fine, the problem is not telling us.
    She's basically an adult now(or at least will be soon enough), so honest disagreement is whats expected rather than saying one thing and doing it behind our back.
     
    veekie said:
    She's basically an adult now(or at least will be soon enough),
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    Actually, her fifteenth birthday is a week's time of the last update so while she has had to do some growing up and is more mature than she should for her age, Brenda is still just a kid.
     
    Oshha said:
    Actually, her fifteenth birthday is a week's time of the last update so while she has had to do some growing up and is more mature than she should for her age, Brenda is still just a kid.
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    Speaking from Tamara's perspective, since IIRC she takes her norms from medieval-ish, and Brenda's age is around where they get trusted with real responsibilities and independence, just with oversight.
     
    veekie said:
    Speaking from Tamara's perspective, since IIRC she takes her norms from medieval-ish, and Brenda's age is around where they get trusted with real responsibilities and independence, just with oversight.
    Click to expand...
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    That's fair and there is a difference in how Tamara and Brenda perceive the matter as Tamara still defaults to the fey-norms that she has grown up with even if she knows the English norms now. So Tamara is going to be considering Brenda as something of an adult as Brenda will be fifteen, fully grown into her adult body and has proven herself both on and off the battlefield. Meanwhile Brenda used to want to be treated like a grownup, but now she has been forced to act like an adult for a few months and forced to mature early, she has reversed her opinions and wants to enjoy what she has left of her childhood.
     
    Vote is still open for now.
    Vote Tally : Dawn of Heroes Original - Superhero | Page 67 | Sufficient Velocity [Posts: 1656-1660]
    ##### NetTally 2.2.0

    Task: Scion

    [X][Scion] Help Sapphire Squire whip a magical invention.
    No. of Votes: 3
    [X] Dark as Silver
    [X] kelgar04
    [X] veekie


    ——————————————————————————————————————————————
    Task: Brenda

    [X][Brenda] Neutral. You need to factual and unbiased with Brenda. Keep to the facts and make it clear why she can't act like that again.
    No. of Votes: 1
    [X] kelgar04

    [X][Brenda] Understanding. Show a sympathetic side to Brenda whilst making it clear that going behind your back like that is unacceptable.
    No. of Votes: 1
    [X] veekie


    Total No. of Voters: 3
     
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    Mother and Daughter
  • Sidestory
    • Mother and Daughter​
    "You're home," says Mum and Brenda barely stops herself from wincing at the words.

    While she is extremely grateful to Moira for healing her family, Brenda is still getting used to having her mother being active after spending so long doing nothing. With Dad at work all the time and James still being a kid, she has gotten used to just being able to go off and do what she wants, the most common thing being doing her work as the Sapphire Squire.

    But with Mum up and about again, Brenda needs to remember that she has someone paying attention to what she gets up to as Brenda Brown. She hasn't stopped being cautious about her secret identity, but Brenda would be lying to herself if she denied getting a little lax due to the freedom that she has gotten.

    "I was with Tamara," Brenda tells her mother in a way of explanation as she puts her bag down, "Sorry about being out so late, but I'm not used to it being an issue."

    "I'm cooking dinner," says Mum, "Would you like to join me?"

    "Sure," replies Brenda as she takes off her boots, something she makes sure to do in order to keep up the appearance of being normal, "It would be nice to spend more time together."

    And that is certainly true. It might not be as convenient for the Sapphire Squire to have Eira Brown paying attention to her daughter, but Brenda certainly enjoys having her mother care for her.

    "I'm making a pie," says Mum as she rolls dough while Brenda enters the kitchen, "Would you mind cutting the vegetables?"

    "I would be happy to," says Brenda as she remembers not to magically put on an apron as normal people can't make clothing appear out of nowhere, "Do you want me to bring it up or are you going to?"

    It is quite clear that Mum wants to talk to her about something, probably the habits that Brenda has fallen into since Mum stopped doing anything. Things have changed between them and even if she doesn't know all of who Brenda is, her mother is aware of enough of what she gets up to that she can figure out that her little girl is more grown up these days.

    "I am that obvious?" asks Mum with a hesitant pause.

    "Just to me," Brenda reassures her, "I know you well and I have always been good at seeing through stuff."

    "You have haven't you," agrees Mum before sighing, "I suppose we ought to talk about what you've been getting up to."

    "Yeah, we should," says Brenda, "I'm going to start by saying that I'm more independent now. While you were recovering from your injury, I sort of took over everything so I can look after a household now and I have looked after looked after a household. I can take of care of myself now and I've gotten used to doing my own thing because I have been doing my own thing."

    "But to be out so late..." starts Mum, "What happens if you run into some unsavoury folk?"

    "Fairy Knight and her squires keep our neighbourhood mostly clean and if some nasty individuals do go after me, I am capable of dealing with them," Brenda answers her mother with a shrug, "I know how to fight and while I'm not expert, I can take a bunch of thugs."

    "But must you come home after the sun has set?" asks Mum and Brenda barely stops herself from shrugging, deciding that being missive of her mother's concerns like that would be needless rude.

    "I don't have to per say, but I like to spend my evenings at Tamara's once everything here is done," answers Brenda, "With you being sick and Dad always working late, it was nice to be at a home where I'm not the one running it. And it has become a habit that I'm still keeping up because I like spending time with Tamara and Alexandra."

    "You get on with her okay?" inquires Mum in a gentle voice.

    "Tamara like an aunt to me," replies Brenda, deciding not to tell the truth about how their relationship is closer than that, "She has taught me how to do the chores to look after the house work, helped with the shopping and let me practice stuff at her place so I didn't make messes here."

    All technically true and Brenda is willingly to let her mother think that she was taught this stuff at the Wallis mansion rather than the Nighthouse and it was taught to Sapphire Squire rather than Brenda Brown.

    "I see," says Mum neutrally as she gets back to cooking.

    "I'll try and get back before it gets dark out if it will put your mind at ease?" offers Brenda and her mother turns to give her a smile.

    "I would appreciate that," her mother tells Brenda, "Since we are discussing your new maturity, what you planning to do in the future now that your schooling will end soon?"

    Now that is definitely a question that needs answering. Brenda is fortunate that in the last couple of years, it is possible to get public secondary education and while originally planned to go for that, new options have opened up to her over this year. Thanks to Tamara, Brenda has both Gareth Wallis and Moira Lyn willingly to pay for further education for her whether it be private tutoring or a private school. She could also get an actual job from either one of them, but Brenda is more interested in further education than entering the workplace.

    "I've got options," answers Brenda, "I've used Tamara's connections to some extra choices open to me. You should probably speak with Tamara directly about them, but I've got both her sister and her father-in-law interested in my future and willingly to pay for my education."

    "Have you now?" says her mother, "Is that what you have been doing over these last few weeks?"

    "I've been working on building up connections alongside my skills," says Brenda, "Just a few mind you. Dad already got me to meet Tamara and through Tamara, I was able to impress some of her wealthy family members. I can probably leverage that into more connections, but for now, I'm going for more skills and knowledge. Getting more connections can wait until I am a little older as I got all the ones that I need for now."

    "My little rising star," says Mum as she smiles at Brenda, "I used to think that you would grow out of this phrase and settle down, but instead you grown into it quite well. I am glad that your dreams aren't out of your reach."

    "Me too," agrees Brenda before sighing as she finishes cutting the vegetables, "I have gotten lucky. Dad knew Ben Wallis so Tamara hired me when she needed a babysitter. From there, I got to meet her relatives and I was fortunate that they are the type of focus on my merits than what I am."

    Plus there is all of the magic and vigilantism that she gets up, but she can't tell Mum that even if those two things are definitely relevant to her current future prospects. Even in this new timeline that she doesn't remember, it was vigilantism which introduced her to Tamara though in this time line, they apparently met before becoming vigilantes unlike in the version of history that Brenda can remember.

    Ugh. When did her life weird enough that she has to worry about stuff like different versions of history and being turned into something else? It wasn't always this weird as the Sapphire Squire as the early months were mundane enough. Probably when the Druid showed up with his mind control magic.

    "Hmm, I'm surprised you have time for all this," says Mum, "Talented or not, everyone needs to sleep and eat."

    Brenda makes sure not to smile in response to that as she can't let her mother know that her daughter disproves that statement.

    "Careful management of my activities and seizing opportunities as they occur," says Brenda, "I also try to multi-task as I can watch Alex whilst studying or I can further a relationship whilst doing or learning something useful with them. Plus I'm only fourteen, I've got some time before I'm grown up and I can afford to take things a bit slower."

    "Fifteen in a couple weeks," comments Mum, "Are you okay? I thought you would be happier about being closer to adulthood."

    "I sort of lost my desire to be a grown up after getting a taste of what it is like," admits Brenda, "I can't undo what has already been done, but I want to enjoy my childhood as long as I can."

    "In its own way, that is a sign of maturity," says Mum, "You are happy with life Brenda?"

    "Yes, I am," answers Brenda, "Things are going well for me, I got options for a bright future and I have my family back."

    There is a silence as Mum doesn't reply and for a moment, Brenda worries that she said the wrong thing.

    "Do you know your brother is doing?" asks Mum and Brenda pauses as she thinks the question over.

    "His nightmares have stopped and he isn't so twitchy anymore?" offers Brenda before deciding to expand upon her answer, "I don't really know what he has been up to. Everyone in the family has been doing their own thing."

    "We'll need to change that," says Mum, "We will need to start being more of a family again."

    "Good luck with that Mum," replies Brenda, "We aren't going back to what it was like before. Dad is too busy at work and I'm doing my own stuff which to be frank, James isn't cut out for my sort of stuff. He is my brother and all, but he simply lacks the drive and talent that I have even if he is a boy and I am a girl."

    "Brenda," says Mum warningly.

    "It is the truth," insists Brenda, "James just gets by and while there is nothing wrong with that, he lacks the drive to better himself like I do."

    "Don't go talking about your brother like that young lady," Mum tells her and Brenda lets the topic drop with a roll of her eyes.

    "I have missed you Mum," says Brenda, "And not just because I don't have to worry about doing all of the housework anymore."

    "I love you too darling."

    ***​

    I started writing this one up a week or two ago to try and show the relationship that Brenda has with her mother as not much of that has been previously shown. I also wanted to show how Brenda is leveraging her circumstances to benefit her future situation. She has connections to two wealthy individuals who are willingly to let her access some of their resources, which includes further education as I don't believe that Britain has public education beyond the age of 14 at this point in time.

    So given her age and the timing, Brenda is coming to the end of her last year of free schooling with further education being something she needs to sort out on her own in either a private school or getting tutors. That or she could get a job, but with her desire to learn and new found appreciation for still being a kid, Brenda would go for additional education over entering the workplace.

    Anyway, enjoy this short story.

    Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.
     
    Last edited:
  • Sidestory
    • Oshha said:
    "Me too," agrees Brenda before sighing as she finishes cutting the vegetables, "I have gotten lucky. Dad knew Ben Wallis so Tamara hired me when she needed a babysitter. From there, I got to meet her relatives and I was fortunate that they are the type of focus on my merits than what I am."
    Click to expand...
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    This is a really weird thing to say, because Brenda's mum should know this, so it feels like she's leaning on the wall just to exposit to the readers.
    Oshha said:
    Dad is too busy at work and I'm doing my own stuff which to be frank, James isn't cut out for me.
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    Erm, not sure if half a sentence is missing after 'to be frank' or the tenses just clash here, but this sentence doesn't flow well.
     
    Dark as Silver said:
    This is a really weird thing to say, because Brenda's mum should know this, so it feels like she's leaning on the wall just to exposit to the readers.
    Click to expand...
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    The first bit Eira knows, but the second bit she doesn't due to missing out on stuff due to her depressive state and she is still catching up on what she has missed.
    Dark as Silver said:
    Erm, not sure if half a sentence is missing after 'to be frank' or the tenses just clash here, but this sentence doesn't flow well.
    Click to expand...
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    Fixed. Thanks for catching that.
     
    Dark as Silver said:
    Oh... But she shows so little interest, remnants of the depression?
    Click to expand...
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    It is less a lack of interest more the matter of struggling to put the family back together. This takes place just under a week before the start of the current arc and both Brenda and Eira are dancing around the subject of how Eira acted during the depression. Brenda doesn't want to hurt her mother's feelings by talking about how she did nothing and was useless whilst Eira doesn't want to bring up how she acted and that she was basically useless to her children.

    I also intended this to be the first proper conversation between them since Eira's recovery. Brenda isn't around at home much due to the habits she has picked up and Eira can't get information on what her daughter is up to without asking Brenda. Even then Brenda feeds her semi-false information as while her mother is open-minded and come around to the fact that her daughter isn't going to be orthodox, Brenda doubts Eira will support her being a vigilante.

    Eira is also trying to figure out where she and Brenda stand. Brenda has grown independent and has been doing her own thing for months, resulting Eira being unsure of what will happen if she tries to reign her daughter in. She would like to keep tabs on where she is going, put her under a curfew and generally have more at home than out and about, but Eira believes she has lost that sort of authority over Brenda. And let's be honest here, Brenda would only pretend to do those things at best so Eira's worries aren't unfounded.
     
    Its a bit like coming home after spending a few years at college. You still know each other but its...odd.

    Except replace college with time in an active warzone.
     
    [X] [Scion] Help Sapphire Squire whip a magical invention.
    [X] [Brenda] Neutral. You need to factual and unbiased with Brenda. Keep to the facts and make it clear why she can't act like that again.
     
    Vote is closed.
    Vote Tally : Dawn of Heroes Original - Superhero | Page 67 | Sufficient Velocity [Posts: 1656-1671]
    ##### NetTally 2.2.0

    Task: Scion

    [X][Scion] Help Sapphire Squire whip a magical invention.
    No. of Votes: 4
    [X] Dark as Silver
    [X] Jrin
    [X] kelgar04
    [X] veekie


    ——————————————————————————————————————————————
    Task: Brenda

    [X][Brenda] Neutral. You need to factual and unbiased with Brenda. Keep to the facts and make it clear why she can't act like that again.
    No. of Votes: 2
    [X] kelgar04
    [X] Jrin

    [X][Brenda] Understanding. Show a sympathetic side to Brenda whilst making it clear that going behind your back like that is unacceptable.
    No. of Votes: 1
    [X] veekie


    Total No. of Voters: 4
     
    Last edited:
    veekie said:
    Its a bit like coming home after spending a few years at college. You still know each other but its...odd.

    Except replace college with time in an active warzone.
    Click to expand...
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    Pretty much except it is three months rather than a few years. Still it is over half of Brenda's career as the Sapphire Squire and she has definitely changed in that time, both in a normal manner and literally having used magic alter herself. But after three months of both hero-ing and looking after herself and the rest of the family, Brenda can't go back to the old relationship that she had with her mother as she has just changed too much. From Eira's perspective, she has basically woken up three months in the future where Brenda is still recognisably her daughter, but is far more capable, independent and if Eira is honest with herself, someone who has no longer needs her mother due to learning to live without her.
     
    The Shrouded Scions IV
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] [Scion] Help Sapphire Squire whip a magical invention.
    [X] [Brenda] Neutral. You need to factual and unbiased with Brenda. Keep to the facts and make it clear why she can't act like that again.

    "Brenda," you say in a quiet, but firm voice as you march up to the work bench.

    "Yes..." replies the girl as she slowly glances at you, apparently trying to assess you.

    This is clearly not the first time that your squire has gotten into trouble if this is how she is reacting.

    "We need to talk," you tell her as you take a seat next to her, "I know it has been some time since it happened, but we do need to discuss when you snuck along to Kingdom of the Faeries. And how it was in defiant of what we agreed would happen."

    "What we agreed to was done under misinformation," counters Brenda, "If I had known the truth, I wouldn't have agreed to that."

    And from that swift, thought-out response, it is clear that Brenda has been waiting for this or at least prepared for it. Actually, know that you think about it, this conversation is likely enough to occur that you would be more surprised if Brenda hadn't figured out what her defence would be.

    "And your response to that was to take a dangerous action behind my back rather than talk about that miscommunication," you reply.

    "If I told you how I felt, you might have tried to stop me," retorts Brenda, "I would have a lower chance of successful sneaking along if you suspected I would try to."

    "And that was a good reason to break trust with me?" you counter, "We need to communicate Brenda. You can't just go off and do your own thing without telling me just because you disagree with me. Things worked out this time, but what if next time I am expecting you to be doing part of a plan then find out too late that you were doing your part because you disagreed with it."

    "Communication is important," replies Brenda, "I get your point. A lack of communication can get people hurt or even killed. Proper communication is important."

    "And that means..." you inquire in a leading voice.

    "If I have a problem with the plan or there has been a miscommunication, I should talk to you about it rather than taking action behind your back," finishes Brenda, "But you also don't get to ditch me behind for no good reason. I can fight and pull my own weight, even if it means going behind the backs of others. Tam, I love you, but I also love Mum and Dad and when they tried to stop me living up to my potential because I was just a girl, I went behind their backs. I don't mind sitting out a fight for a good reason, but there has a to be a good reason. You understand?"

    "You are a feisty little vixen," you say as you know Brenda's words to be true even if they aren't what you want to hear, "We can talk things out and discuss them, but you need to tell me about any problems."

    "I will," promises Brenda, "And if you go into any fights against evil, bring me along."

    "I will," you promise her back before adding a condition to it, "If I think it is a fight that you will survive."

    "That's fair," agrees Brenda, "We kicked butt."

    "Where and when?" you inquire.

    "Fairyland, earlier tonight, just in general," replies your squire with a wave of her hand, "Fairyland could have gone better, but we pulled through as a team and won the day. I was kicking Spider's butt last night and you and David whooped the other two. They might have gotten away, but you didn't let them land a hit on David and when Apex got the jump on me, you made him pay for it."

    "We have had many successful fights," you agree, "It is a shame that we had our share of failures as well."

    "But we are still here and we are beating the Consortium," says Brenda, "Speaking of beating the Consortium, what is next? Will we go after the Golden Order? They've taken the Consortium's place in London and while they aren't as bad, they are criminals who hurt innocent people."

    "Ask me again once we deal with our current foes," you tell her, "I am still undecided on how we will deal with the Golden Order and I don't want to make the decision whilst we got enemies actively hunting us."

    "Well, two can play that game," replies Brenda with a grim grin, "We'll see who is hunting who tomorrow night."

    "I look forward to it."

    ***​

    "Did you have an eventful night?" you ask Sapphire Squire as she returns to the Nighthouse, giving the lass a small smile as it is the first time that you have seen her tonight.

    "It was both quiet and informative," replies Sapphire Squire with a grimace as she puts her bag down on the table, "Is David here?"

    "Yes," you answer, taking note of how unusually serious your first squire is being, "He is down in the gym."

    "Good because he ought to know about this," says Sapphire Squire, "It is odd because I have faced worst supernatural threat, but because this one is...well, just mundane in nature, it seems like a bigger deal."

    "How bad?" you ask as you turn to fetch your other squire.

    "Pretty bad, but nothing we can't handle," answers Sapphire Squire.

    ***​

    "Alright, we are all here," you say as you and both of your squires sit around the table that has become one you use for meetings, "Sapphire Squire, please share what you've been up to and what you uncovered."

    "To start off, I went ahead with coming up with a magical way of hunting down our recent enemies," says Sapphire Squire, "I went for a modified compass that rather than pointing to north, it would point towards the closest of the trio that ambushed us. Using earlier tonight, I was able to find a base used by Apex and possibly others. I almost missed it, but you get an eye for spotting that sort of thing in this job. I got lucky because I found the place just as Apex was leaving and nobody else was home. I had free of the place and I made sure to take advantage of that.

    I got plenty of documents and while I haven't had a chance look through them yet, from what I have glimpsed, it looks like they should tell us who are dealing with and what they have been up to. I will let you know what I've got from them once I finished looking them over."

    "And the bad part?" you inquire.

    "Apex appears to be something of a tinker," replies Sapphire Squire as she pulls out a small pouch, "Definitely a chemist, but I saw some half-built machinery in that workshop as well. The main thing he seemed to be currently working on were these so I took them with me, especially once I realised what they were."

    "What are they?" you ask as Sapphire Squire opens up the pouch and lets the contents roll out onto the table.

    The orbs are small and made of glass, each one tightly sealed off so the yellow-brown gas within does not escape.

    "These are pellets of mustard gas," declares Sapphire Squire, "I didn't recognise them at first, but I was able to find some documentation which let me figure out what I had found. This is nasty stuff even if it doesn't exactly kill. Well, it can, but most of the time it just hurts you enough to leave you out of a fight or in an unfit condition for one. Given what we will be facing in battle, it could easily indirectly lead to our deaths or captures if it leaves us too weak."

    "Would gas masks help?" asks Onyx Squire as he eyes the glass orbs.

    "Unlikely," replies Sapphire Squire, "It didn't help soldiers in the war so I don't expect it will help us now."

    "I don't it will affect me," you add, "Fay are already especially resilient to poisons and other ailments and I have boosted my own resistance beyond the norm."

    "I can whip up some enchanted items to provide us with protection," offers Sapphire Squire, "They would be of limited use before the charges run out, but they should be good for a single outing."

    "Do you think that they would be needed?" you ask her.

    "I swiped all of the ones that I found, but I suspect he may have others or may make more," answers Sapphire Squire, "Hopefully we won't need them, but better safe than sorry."

    "Good," you say, "Take some time off patrols to sort through the document as soon as possible. I want to deal with our latest foes as quickly as possible and hopefully before they can lay another ambush."

    ***​

    "You got a moment?" asks Brenda, striding into the room as you wash the dishes.

    "Of course," you say as you glance at her, "Do you mind if I talk and clean at the same time? Or telling me why you are blonde?"

    "Talking is all I need right now and Moira played a prank," answers Brenda as she sits down on the worktop, "It should wear off before I gave

    "You got news then?" you inquire, "And get your butt off the worktop. It is bad manners and a bad example for Alex. Flutter if you don't want to stand."

    "Yeah, yeah," retorts Brenda, but she hops off the worktop, "I finished looking through the documents and I got information that we can make use of. The guys we fought; they call themselves the Shrouded Scions. Weird bunch, but they do black market business, mainly middlemen stuff. They've only recently started doing more violent stuff and from what Apex and Reaper have writing to each other, that is only because of their 'upgrades'."

    "Interesting and good to know," you reply, "Do you have any targets for us?"

    "Oh yes," answers Brenda, "Three of them. A storage site for their weapon smuggling, the place where the Shrouded Scions are producing drugs and finally, the mystery box."

    "Mystery box?" you repeat.

    "It seems that Apex isn't the most loyal and has been investigating his boss Reaper and whoever Reaper works for," says Brenda, "He had his own notes on what the Shrouded Scions were up to and I took them. The main thing which stood out to Apex is a location that Reaper regularly visits, but Apex is unable to get inside without tipping off Reaper."

    "Our enemies aren't as united as they seem," you muse, "Can you think of a way to take advantage of Apex's disloyalty?"

    "Not really," admits Brenda, "It seems like a more of a long term thing while these guys are something we will need to deal with in the short run."

    "Understood," you say, "So weapon storehouse, drug workshop and mystery box?"

    "Weapons is a reliable part of the Shroud Scion's money-making operations while drugs are new, but both Apex and Reaper consider them to be big," says Brenda, "Apparently one of Apex's inventions and Reaper is certain that they will put them in the big leagues. The mystery box is a mystery, but Apex seems to think big is going on there."

    "So weapons will definitely hurt them, drugs might hurt them a lot and mystery box would be a mystery," you summarise.

    "Pretty much," confirms Brenda, "Which are we going after?"

    Which target does Fairy Knight choose to go after?
    [] Weapon Storehouse. The Shrouded Scions use this place as part of their money-making operations and taking it out would certainly hurt your foes.
    [] Drug Production. Apex and Reaper apparently believe this will be big, but it is new and untested so the actual harm done to your foes is unknown.
    [] Mysterious Building. Apex believes this building to important and your squire agrees with that assessment so go and see what the fuss is about.
    [] More Information. You won't go after a target right now and will instead focus on getting more information on your enemies.
    -[] Nothing specific, just general details.
    -[] Who the Shrouded Scions work for.
    -[] The full extent of their organisation.
    -[] Where do they get their extraordinary abilities from.
    -[] Write-in.
    [] Write-in.

    A Squire on the hunt.
    Perception Check, DC23: 7+18 = 25, 1 DoS.

    Stealthy Sapphire.
    Stealth vs Perception: 20+10+5 vs 5+10-5 = 40 vs 10, Sapphire Squire wins by 7 DoS.

    Curious Sapphire.
    Investigation Check, DC17: 11+11 = 22, 2 DoS.

    Knowledgeable Sapphire.
    Technology Check, DC25: 6+14 = 20, 1 DoF. Luck Reroll!
    Technology Check, DC25: 13+14 = 27, 1 DoS.

    Investigative Sapphire.
    Investigation Check, DC20: 18+11+2 = 31, 3 DoS.

    You have 16 available Hero Points.

    ***​

    Another vote where you plan your next move now that you got some info on your foes. Sapphire Squire has gotten you some info and some targets, but you still don't know much about the Shrouded Scions such as who they work for, the details of what they get up to or how they got their extraordinary abilities.

    To try and give you guys more choice on what you get up, I have given a mixture of options from going after a target right now to waiting to get some more information and letting you choose to try and get some specific information. I also gave options for write-ins in case you don't want to do any of the options that I have provided.

    Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel to ask questions for more details and information.
     
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    • [X] Mysterious Building. Apex believes this building to important and your squire agrees with that assessment so go and see what the fuss is about.
     
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