We probably still can but I imagine it would involve a write in intrigue for Mirage to contact her or some such but since she was explicitly using a fake identity and was fleeing her old employer it might be a fairly high DC.
The major issue with Gomez is that he's probably more valuable as an occult unit, but this doesn't necessarily prevent that, and combining him with TECHNOR should make him even better when we can use him, not to mention that Juniper actually does have an occult stat. I'm a bit concerned about TECHNOR's generally dismissive attitude towards occult stuff, but not enough that I really think it's going to be a problem.
To be fair, Technor has just seen some pretty compelling evidence in favor of the Occult...
Also, i'll admit, half the reason I don't want Mez on the black ops is because I don't quite trust her. Technor's been working for us for a while, there's mutual respect, I like the guy. Mez...I don't know. We still don't quite know what her deal is.
Crackpot theory: It turns out Mez WAS the mole, but the title refers to her deciding to go turncoat and work for us for real, while serving as a double-agent giving fake info back to whoever her real employer is (My guess is Phantom Blot).
Crackpot theory: It turns out Mez WAS the mole, but the title refers to her deciding to go turncoat and work for us for real, while serving as a double-agent giving fake info back to whoever her real employer is (My guess is Phantom Blot).
To be fair, given that 4-star Diplo, I get the sense Kermit disliked being a spokesman because of the exact circumstances (namely, being a spokesman for someone who kidnapped him and owns a company that sells the legs of frogs which....Probably makes him a bit uncomfortable, I would feel). He loves interacting with people. It's just the context.
Also, given our recent desires to prep our Occult stuff for Toffee, I wonder... @Arathnorn What would the DC be on "Reach to Lao Shi/The Morgonians?" Now that we know THEY'RE the real powers behind the Magus Bazaar.
Okay but in all seriousness, this is some excellent fuckin' writing from you as usual, AProcrastinator. I'd love to see it canonized, assuming things don't go in a different direction for Find Fantastic Part 2.
I was looking through the personal options and started considering the how much impact going with the training personals for Doof would have but then I remembered that there's been an example
Wasabi's personal had the same 150 progress bar so it seems reasonable to assume that the Diplo, Stew and Intrigue options would offer the same 1d3+1 roll to Doof's stats.
Though, the Bowl of Mints training is the one that seems most important currently since it would get rid of an actual weakness, that could potentially come back if something happened to Roger or CJ, while letting them act as a Stew bonus instead (though probably less than dedicated training).
Outside of the obvious trait based training, which of the three stats do you guys think would benefit most? If we doubled down on Stew and got a good roll, it could be enough bring Doof up to 30 there which would be useful since we're pretty Stew heavy on actions to do.
On the other hand, Diplo and Intrigue are kind of falling behind at 18 so it might be good to boost one of those instead
I was looking through the personal options and started considering the how much impact going with the training personals for Doof would have but then I remembered that there's been an example
Wasabi's personal had the same 150 progress bar so it seems reasonable to assume that the Diplo, Stew and Intrigue options would offer the same 1d3+1 roll to Doof's stats.
Though, the Bowl of Mints training is the one that seems most important currently since it would get rid of an actual weakness, that could potentially come back if something happened to Roger or CJ, while letting them act as a Stew bonus instead (though probably less than dedicated training).
Outside of the obvious trait based training, which of the three stats do you guys think would benefit most? If we doubled down on Stew and got a good roll, it could be enough bring Doof up to 30 there which would be useful since we're pretty Stew heavy on actions to do.
On the other hand, Diplo and Intrigue are kind of falling behind at 18 so it might be good to boost one of those instead
Considering bowl of mints was a government-related stewardship malus, I think taking that personal might give us a stewardship boost on government-related actions, rather than a flat stewardship bonus.
--[X] [Diplomacy] Recruit Cruella De Vil (Technor) [CoS 93%] (Crit threshold 92+/1)
DC 80
84+18+33+14+4+4(XP)=157
Success
Famous and infamous international fashion designer Cruella De Vil has reportedly moved stateside at the end of the year, arriving somewhat unexpectedly under contract with that concoctor of the odd, Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated. Tabloids are as usual going mad over the lifestyle of the rich and quirky, speculating wildly on the reasons for the move.
--[X] [Stewardship] Buy out a rival corporation: Hopper Food Group (Moseby) [CoS 96%] (Crit thresholds 92+/1-)
DC 95
66+24+36+13+5+3+10(XP)=157
Success
In a story playing out across the country this year, DEI became the latest conglomerate to enter the restaurant industry, buying out Hopper's Food Group for an undisclosed sum. Owner of multiple food chains around the country including the arguably beloved Hopper's French Fried Frog Legs, the Hopper Group may be intended to DEI's existing comestibles infrastructure or for a concerted push into the rapidly heating franchise business.
--[X] [Stewardship] Implement Large Herbivore Exhibits (Roddy) [CoS 71%] (Crit thresholds 94+/3-)
DC 120
13+24+29+15+13+10(XP)=104
Failure
Visitors eager for the promised expansion to DEI's 'Doofrasic Park'- an egotistically named but exceedingly popular exhibition of living dinosaurs- were met with disappointment as further delays on implementing large herbivore exhibits were announced. Architects cited logistical difficulties and the need to ensure safety protocols were being followed as the reason for the delays.
To be continued in Interlude: Storms on the Horizon
Heinz Doofenshmirtz was spotted this week exiting Zootopia City Hall when he was assaulted by Kriegsfalken, a militant 'predator rights' group that are rumored to espouse predator supremacy rhetoric. While they are a 'group of interest' to the federal government and actively wanted in Zootopia itself, their diffuse structure and insurgent tactics have so far protected them from retaliation.
Doofenshmirtz for his part seemed to treat the ill-reputed group with the concern it deserved, activating some form of personalized defense wear before leaving the group as quickly as possible. Speculation on his purpose for the visit or the Kriegsfalken's accosting are running rampant, with the most common explanation being some sort of large public works project that Mayor Bellwether is considering outsourcing.
[ ] Flubber Antigravity
DC 90 [crit threshold 96+/4-]
5+40+10 (XP)=55
Unimaginably Close Miserable Failure!
Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated made headlines this week in a less than delightful way. For a brief period, DEI scientists announced a press conference touting 'the safe and reliable use of Flubber for esoteric physical purposes'. While the conference was rapidly canceled, DEI has admitted under pressure that it does maintain a small cache of Flubber particles on campus, albeit below the legal limit proscribed by the government and far below that needed to maintain a generator chain reaction. While assuring the public that the conference was made in error and that DEI has no interest in the use of Flubber technology, concerned citizens across the region now look with a degree of trepidation towards the wild and unpredictable halls of DEI.
Xanatos Enterprises
[ ] Build up moon base
DC 300 (Global Action)
50+38 (Stewardship)+ 35 +20 (Trait) +20 (Government Funding) +15+8=186
Decent Progress
Xanatos Enterprises has made decent progress on the United States permanent moonbase, with submodules already assembled on the ground. While plans to launch the modules the old fashioned way are on paper, many suspect Xanatos may be hoping for the inaugural use of his planned space elevator to carry his own materials in a 'universal' marketing coup.
Global DC for the US Moon Base has been reduced by 120 to 180.
[ ] Research FTL travel
DC 88 (Reduced by Bare Failure)
83+28 (Learning)+28+28+29+7+20 (Government Funding)=223
Massive Success
Xanatos Enterprises and Drakktech's collaborative effort to crack FTL travel has finally borne fruit in the form of a functional prototype! The device has tested well in laboratory conditions and proven capable of 'warping' space so that the subjective distance the ship travels is shorter, a stunning technical feat earning the two companies massive worldwide acclaim and prestige. While the creation of an actual manned craft capable of folding space enough to actually achieve extrasolar speeds will require significant further refinement, the fact that a long-held theoretical means of superluminal travel has finally left the pages of the science fiction magazine is a cause for celebration and wonder the world over.
Xanatos Enterprises' standing in [Aeronautics] has increased! Drakktech's standing in [Aeronautics] has increased!
[ ] Purchase Wynncomm
DC 90
88+38 (Stewardship)+ 35+22+8=191
Success
Xanatos Enterprises has announced its public acquisition of Wynncomm Enterprises, a firm known for their launch and maintenance of commercial and military satellites. The deal went through with little fanfare, and given their broad focus on space exploration, the choice seems likely to grant Xanatos a strong base for further growth.
Xanatos Enterprises' standing in [Aeronautics] has increased! Xanatos Enterprises has become [Overbearing] in [Aeronautics]. The maximum standing available to other factions has reduced.
[ ] Meet with Doofenshmirtz
DC -
To be Continued in Interlude: Pawn to D2
Gen-U-Tech
[ ] Study genetic diseases
DC 130
71+28 (Learning)+28+20 (Trait)+29+7=183
Success
Gen-U-Tech's final quarter press release has summarized a massive amount of findings in the field of genetic diseases, detailing proposed gene therapy treatment plans and other ways of approaching health management.
Xanatos Enterprises' standing in [Genetics] has solidified!
Drakktech
[ ] Collab with ENCOM on VR
DC 70
91+25 (Learning)+55 (Collab)+20+5=196
Critical Success!
The long-awaited final update to the Pavarti system was met with unprecedented critical praise! Stunning leaps in technology have led to a fully immersive sensory experience, the sort of 'deep-dive' VR that has until now been the realm of science fiction. The device has gone through rigorous safety testing and while launch titles at the moment are incredibly sparse, they are expected to increase massively in the future. Both companies are expected to turn record profits in the coming year, even though their release was immediately after the Christmas rush.
ENCOM and Drakktech's standing in [Mass Media/Performance Arts] has increased to 4!
[ ] Push Exclusion Zone Reclamation Project
DC 110
61+18 (Diplo)+30+4=113
Bare Success
Drakktech's diplomatic overtures in recent weeks have been centered on a clear goal: lobbying the government for increased attention on the ongoing climatological disaster of the Midwest Exclusion Zone. With millions of Americans still displaced and prime agricultural land uninhabitable, attention is being turned towards the issue in force for the first time. Corporations for the first time are being approached regarding grants for research into cleaning the ecological disaster, and it appears an ongoing monumental effort to finally erase this enormous stain on America's heartland is underway. It will take years under even the most optimistic models, but few can disagree that it is long overdue.
Given that you know there's something weird going on in there, you have to wonder how the government is going to deal with that.
Outcome: Global Action: [ ] Reclaim the Midwest Exclusion Zone unlocked
DC 700
Must have federal approval to work on this action or reduce the DC.
[ ] Try to break Impervium
DC 180
73+20 (Learning)+30+7=130
Expected Failure
Drakktech's ongoing research into impervium has met with a disappointing but predictable failure. The famously untouchable metal shrugged off all attempts to shift its solid, blocky shape once set. CEO Shego's personal attempts to break the substance have been met with as much failure as her R&D division's attempts to do so through more mundane means.
Xiangqi Group
[ ] Buy out Dian Niao
DC 120
34+58 (Stewardship)+36+5= 133
Success
The international market has seen one major upset as of late in the surprising purchase of Dian Nao by Xiangqi Group, a technological firm based out of Beijing. The deal was negotiated in private, firmly putting the control of China's largest computer distributor under new management.
US Government
[ ] Pass FEMA expansion
DC 53 (Reduced by bare fail)
11+32 (Stewardship)+26+25+6=100
Success
With the hot topic 'HEROES Act' firmly established, the government was able to put its effort into the FEMA expansions they were unable to complete previously. Funding for disaster relief across the country has massively increased as supplies have been stockpiled and new first responders undergo rigorous training.
Silicon Hearts
[ ] Release Season 15
DC 60
55+22 (Stewardship)+18+10+1=106
Success
Famed soap opera Silicon Hearts surprised everyone this Christmas with a sneak peak of their next season. The sci-fi themed drama detailing the relationships between denizens of a far future and their robotic counterparts has seen amazing popularity over the past fourteen years, with a surprising appeal to the younger demographic. Studio executives expect ratings to hold steady in the months to come.
The Circle
[ ] Expand outreach programs
DC 100
47+30 (Stewardship)+24+6=107
Bare Success
The fellowship in San Fransokyo that has devoted itself to community outreach, reducing homelessness, and running soup kitchens, has expanded its influence through the Santoku district. Citizens have noted that the streets themselves are far cleaner and the number of homeless seems to have been greatly reduced.
Cloverleaf
[ ] Release the Mustang AI
DC 120 (Reduced by ???) Critical 11- 85+
87+91+23+22 (Learning)+26+5=254
Double Critical Success!
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Judge Doom began in a press conference issued shortly last week. "Years ago, Cloverleaf Industries was born with the construction… of the Pasadena Freeway. As beautiful as it was, with all the motels and gas stations, and miles and miles of tarmac glistening in the ninety degree heat, I must admit that there has always been one… flaw… in the grand design. One that has pushed me towards the car of the future: Traff. Ic." Doom pronounced the word as if declaring the name of public enemy number one. "Well, today I say no longer! As the horse was replaced by the automobile, the Mustang is guaranteed to ensure that the gridlock of the past shall never trouble us again!" His voice rose to an almost manic pitch. "I have solvedtraffic!"
Cloverleaf's recent upgrades to the AI system seem to have… done as Doom has claimed. Not only do the flying cars demonstrate a surprising level of witticism and crippling fear of destruction, but they interface extremely efficiently with the rest of Doom's Cog network. Though most of the cars in LA are not self-driving, the ability to network traffic lights, emergency dispatches, and construction- all under the purview of Doom's Micromanagers- have, somehow, massively reduced traffic in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, famously the most horrible, awfully congested city on the planet. With arguably the most defining feature of Los Angeles nearly vanished overnight, many may soon look to import Cloverleaf's model into their cities as well.
Cloverleaf's standing in [Transportation/Motor Vehicles] has solidified! Cloverleaf's standing in [Infrastructure] has increased!
[ ] Poach Olympia Resources
DC 120 (Increased by Sinatron)
68+27 (Stewardship)+33+4=132
Success
Cloverleaf Industries has reportedly taken advantage of Olympia's chaos to bring on significant tracts of its robotics divisions, stealing away talent presumably for the operation of their own Cogs and other recent offerings.
Red Car
[ ] Pass on a report on Judge Doom
DC N/A
Your Red Car contacts have delivered some news for you.
To be continued in Interlude: Leaps and Bounds
Olympia
[ ] Undergo a power struggle
DC ???
???
Recents months have come and went with no apparent changes to Olympia leadership, Winston Deavor still stands in front of the cameras at press conference day, often but not always with Sinatron alongside him.
As the Franchise Wars rage on, Glomgold Enterprises has announced its acquisition of Pizza Planet, the most popular pizza chain in North America. The transfer of ownership went seamlessly, as it seems like the World's Richest Duck is attempting to play his own hand in the ongoing conflict between brands.
[ ] Move into Idaho
DC 120
97+35+59 (Stewardship)+29+25+5=250
Critical Success!
Glomgold has made significant inroads into the state of the potato, taking advantage of Olympia desperation to snap up subsidiaries and front businesses. While their recent stabilization has made further acquisition difficult, the beast has had a bite taken from its flank.
Sycorax
[ ] Exhume the Corpse of Mighty Joe Young
DC 120
83+36 (Learning)+37+20-9=167
Success
To be continued in Interlude: The Eighth Wonder
Khan Industries
[ ] Purchase Louie's Place
DC 80 (Reduced by ???)
56+33 (Stewardship)+25+6=120
Success
After decades of trying, the tiger has finally done it. Under enormous pressure, the infamously recalcitrant Louie L'Amour has finally sold the rights to his beloved nightclub to Khan Industries. Set along the confluence of major Pacific air lanes and famously popular among the aviation community and a known hideout of the Mamma Aiuto gang among many others, many wonder what changes will come to the beloved watering hole.
Cape Suzette Infiltration: Any aviator in the air could tell you Louie would never, ever sell. Something is definitely rotten in getting the old orangutan off his beloved perch.
Bakaemono
[ ] Absorb Light Bright Energy
DC 100
86+24 (Stewardship)+29-7=132
Success
Light Bright Energy, one of the lesser companies aligned with the Zaibatsus on the west coast, was forcefully absorbed into the Bakaemono corporation after an attempted vote of no confidence in the CEO previously known to work closely with the larger firm. Several key shareholders have rapidly changed their stance and have publicly announced their support for the merger. Police are investigating the disappearance of investor Hikari Akarui, previously one of the firm's most outspoken critics of Bakaemono policy. The Yakuza are suspected, and some are seeing an implicit warning not to move against the interests of the city's elite.
Seth Supplies Co
[ ] Take advantage of retail competition
DC 95
89+33 (Stewardship)+30+3=155
Success
If there was any silver lining to SSC's disastrous performance this quarter, it was the rising competition in the prepared food market. With multiple chains being bought up and competition rising, some degree of funds were recouped with advantageous contracts with exclusive buyers.
Recent attempts to sell Mewni corn to buyers across the globe have come to a disastrous halt today as an enormous wealth of material and goodwill practically evaporated. Blame is already being placed on its subsidiary Wholesome Foods, whose CEO has been accused of gross mismanagement. Seth Supplies Co is reportedly in a tailspin, with multiple injections of 'external capital' required to keep it functioning.
B-Team
DC 190
[ ] Steal the spaceship
76+68 (Martial)+50=194
Bare Success
National headlines screamed today as a hitherto unnoted team of Supervillains referring to themselves as 'The B-Team' broke into Xanatos Enterprises, bashing through layer upon layer of hardened defenses with brute force before making off with the prototype warp drive only recently developed by their cutting edge labs. A global news bulletin has been put out for what has overnight become the most wanted super team in the nation; many wonder if the recent SRA repeal could lead to a return to the duels of years past, or if no hero will rise to this shocking new challenge.
David Xanatos has assured the public he will put all possible resources into reacquiring the drive as quickly as possible.
Negaduck
[ ] Delay Your Plans
DC 0
57
Negaduck visited the Happy Platter diner over the weekend, having ordered a large vegetarian pizza. He also requested a side of deviled eggs, laughing good-naturedly for a full minute after doing so and slapping the waiter on the back. However, when the TV news displayed a report on DEI's recent Flubber Scandal, he went into an extended rant. "What the- OH COME ON! I can't believe it! The timing on this was awful! Is Doom going to take advantage of this?!?"
He then grabbed a nearby cowering diner by their lapel and pulled him to his face. "Do you think Doom is going to take advantage of this?!?"
Negaduck did not wait for an explanation.
"A solid third of my plan involved toon relations, and now it's not gonna be appropriate when I do something involving toons! Damn it, if I go ahead now, anti-toon sentiment will boil over! I don't want it to boil over, I want it on a nice medium heat simmer for months and months! I was gun cocked ready to go! I'm going to have to reschedule everything! Uuuuugh!" He looked around the diner and left a ten thousand dollar tip before stalking out of the front door.
"I'm gonna go kill something now…" he growled in front of terrified onlookers. "Send a message."
Negaduck was not seen for another twenty-seven days, nor were any crimes committed matching his MO or usual methods of violence.
You've received a report of something very… unusual occurring in the Magus Bazaar. Several dozen humanoids known for their role in the Metaworld Wars under 'Lord Phobos' were found dismembered, disemboweled, and otherwise mutilated in an alleyway. Their corpses were arranged to spell out 'AARRRGUARGHHHRRA!!!", exclamation points included.
Random Event:
48: Baron von Sheldgoose announced the opening a new academic wing at the New Quackmore institute. Feldrake complained loudly and at length about the state of one of his descendants, declaring him incompetent and glad that he wasn't forced to work with him. He did mention that he wanted to have someone check and see if his descendant was sitting on anything important of his, just in case.
New personal action unlocked!
The Phantom Blot
[ ] Kidnap Dr. Doofenshmirtz
DC 127 (Reduced by -75 by Level 3 infiltration)
69+52 (Intrigue)+20+25+3=169
To be continued in Interlude: Find Fantastic Part 2: So That's What That Feels Like
Welp, there goes the last of my hopes of getting into Aeronautics or spaceflight. Better sell the Galfed tech and Exotic Vehicle tech off to someone before it's completely worthless.
At least we got kidnapped and Toffee got fucked, that's good stuff.
Hmm. D2 is a position that for one side already has a pawn on it at the start of the game, and without ability to get another there afterwards.
However, the other side getting their pawn to D2 means that the pawn is just one turn away from getting to D1, and being exchanged for any piece the player wants, which constitutes a major improvement of the relative positions. An improvement that resulted from a lot of small, gradual actions as the pawn snuck across the field.
How much of the chess parallels are relevant, I don't know. But in terms of the broad strokes, it probably means something like a long term plan with a huge pay off nearing completion.
Given that this is the meeting between Doof and Xan where Doof knows that he's been manipulated, I don't know how that factors in.
There's some imaginable interpretations.
Could be that the meetings until now were part of the plan, and Doof becoming aware of the manipulation interrupts something shortly before completion.
Could be that it's too late to be interrupted.
But, it could also be that during the meeting we hear from Xan about a different plan that is nearing completion, and that he maybe wants help or non-interference with.
Or, lastly, the person behind the plan is a third party, and Xan wants to inform us of their actions. That one seems a bit less likely, as I'd assume Xan is the one whos actions are described in chess metaphors.
Well I'm glad that Negaduck isn't doing anything right now, as for Blot, well we may have Russ back and well, we seem to get along fairly well with him.
Gen-U-Tech
[ ] Study genetic diseases
DC 130
71+28 (Learning)+28+20 (Trait)+29+7=183
Success
Gen-U-Tech's final quarter press release has summarized a massive amount of findings in the field of genetic diseases, detailing proposed gene therapy treatment plans and other ways of approaching health management.
Xanatos Enterprises' standing in [Genetics] has solidified!
Recents months have come and went with no apparent changes to Olympia leadership, Winston Deavor still stands in front of the cameras at press conference day, often but not always with Sinatron alongside him.
Negaduck visited the Happy Platter diner over the weekend, having ordered a large vegetarian pizza. He also requested a side of deviled eggs, laughing good-naturedly for a full minute after doing so and slapping the waiter on the back. However, when the TV news displayed a report on DEI's recent Flubber Scandal, he went into an extended rant. "What the- OH COME ON! I can't believe it! The timing on this was awful! Is Doom going to take advantage of this?!?"
He then grabbed a nearby cowering diner by their lapel and pulled him to his face. "Do you think Doom is going to take advantage of this?!?"
Negaduck did not wait for an explanation.
"A solid third of my plan involved toon relations, and now it's not gonna be appropriate when I do something involving toons! Damn it, if I go ahead now, anti-toon sentiment will boil over! I don't want it to boil over, I want it on a nice medium heat simmer for months and months! I was gun cocked ready to go! I'm going to have to reschedule everything! Uuuuugh!" He looked around the diner and left a ten thousand dollar tip before stalking out of the front door.
"I'm gonna go kill something now…" he growled in front of terrified onlookers. "Send a message."
Negaduck was not seen for another twenty-seven days, nor were any crimes committed matching his MO or usual methods of violence.
You've received a report of something very… unusual occurring in the Magus Bazaar. Several dozen humanoids known for their role in the Metaworld Wars under 'Lord Phobos' were found dismembered, disemboweled, and otherwise mutilated in an alleyway. Their corpses were arranged to spell out 'AARRRGUARGHHHRRA!!!", exclamation points included.
