Scripted Encounters 3.5
I wake inside a featureless white tube. It kinda reminds of an alien lab from one of those alien abduction-type movies. "Ah! Ahlen lahbatoey! Nno pwobe!" Who said that?
[Use of an expired antidote has resulted in incomplete healing!]
[You are no longer poisoned!]
[You are now drugged!]
[All actions taken will automatically trigger {Fool's Act}]
[This effect will diminish with time. 1:58:43 remaining]
[A skill has been created through a special action.]
[By enduring the primary effects of a toxin, {Poison Resistance}, has been created.]
[Poison Resistance (Passive) Lvl 1 Exp 0.0%]
[The body's ability to metabolize toxins increases. 3% decrease in the duration or efficacy of poison effects.]
[I spent the last few years building up an immunity to iocane powder.]
A hand grips my ankle and drags me and the gurney I'm laying on out into a grey room. Armsmaster releases my leg. "Ahrmshmasder! Shave me!" Oh God, that's me talking. And I'm hugging the armored hero.
[Relationship with "Armsmaster" has decreased]
[Relationship with "Armsmaster" is now 'Nuisance']
That's not really fair. I glare up at him from inside my helmet.
["Armsmaster"]
[Level ?]
[Protectorate ENE Head]
On the plus side, I actually notice the words over his head now. The question marks are no surprise, given his reputation.
[Poison Resistance's level goes up by 1!]
[Fool's Act's level goes up by 1!]
He manfully ignores my babbling as he carries me out of the lab. And by 'carry' I mean 'doesn't shove me off'. Of course, everything seems more manly with a beard. "Wy da berd? Ahh wahnuh berd to. Ah donn havv won." [Fool's Act's level goes up by 1!] My horns catch on his chestplate briefly before I can turn away. "Ah gotsch hornss doe… to dey mayge mi loog horny?" Please let this be a relatively normal reaction to the antidote. Please let him have seen this so many times it won't be held against me.
[Poison Resistance's level goes up by 1!]
Lady Bug is only two rooms away, in a comfortable but sterile waiting room. I finally manage to dismount Armsmaster, only to find myself wobbling towards Taylor. "Bugg! I mished yoo!" And I faceplant into her breastplate. My head turns to the side as my horns slide across the armor.
[Fool's Act's level goes up by 1!]
Taylor freezes for an awkward moment before pushing me back upright. "Easy there, Knight. You're still a little woozy from the drugs. Take a seat." She guides me to sit down on a surprisingly comfortable seat and sits beside me.
Once I'm seated I notice we have an audience. Every teenaged boy in Brockton Bay (and probably all of New England) is… intimately aware of Miss Militia. Dusky skin, dark hair, and curves that her clearly non-standard fatigues just enhance. "Mish Miller- Milita… Miss Mi-li-ti-a." Wow, that took a lot of effort to not completely mangle. A thunderous stage whisper escapes while I'm patting myself on the back for my pronunciation prowess. "I uszed ta dream aboud herrr. Shtill do." I'm never living this night down, am I?
["Miss Militia"]
[Level ?]
[Ever Vigilant]
[Fool's Act's level goes up by 1!]
[Poison Resistance's level goes up by 1!]
[Relationship with "Clockblocker" has increased!]
[Relationship with "Clockblocker" has increased from 'Stranger' to 'Acquaintance']
Laughter draws my attention to another figure. Hey, it's Clockblocker! He's standing next to Vista. Whoa, those moving clocks on his costume are weird in person. "Cockblock! Er, Clockblock! Er. Allwaize wandameat yoo. Gread shensha humah, unlike Armsmater 'ere." I hook a thumb over my shoulder. "Ee uszd ta be mah fav'rit. Wannid the unnies wit his lowgo, bud cout ownlee fine on panties." Of all the words to enunciate correctly… To be fair, I have always wondered why an adult male hero has his logo on underwear for pre- and pubescent girls. "Wise dat?"
["Clockblocker"]
[Level 30]
[Class Superclown]
[Fool's Act's level goes up by 1!]
[Relationship with "Clockblocker" has increased!]
Clockblocker apparently likes that, as he barks out another short laugh. "Marketing knows how often he gets his panties in a twist, so they made more for him." The drugs are completely responsible for my giggles. Miss Militia and Vista have no such excuse for their chuckles.
Lady Bug puts a hand on my shoulder. "Knight, for your own sake, just stop talking. You'll thank me tomorrow." I'm trying! Everything I think comes out all [Fool's Act]. She turns to speak to Armsmaster. I can't even look at him without saying something embarrassing.
Facing Vista is probably the safest bet. No lusty feelings there, no unfortunate comparisons to other heroes jump to mind. She's wearing her iconic green costume. I try to give her a small, friendly wave, but it comes out as a wild flail. "Vishta! Jer mah faborid Werd! Fug yooklitian gee oh meh tree. You needa pishtol. Shewt rount conners an sheet." This is not the time or the place for PHO power stunt discussions. Well, maybe it's the place.
[Relationship with "Vista" has increased!]
[Relationship with "Vista" has increased from 'Stranger' to 'Acquaintance']
["Vista"]
[Level 56]
[Escher's Wunderkind]
[Poison Resistance's level goes up by 1!]
[Fool's Act's Level goes up by 1!]
Taylor's conversation with Armsmaster must not be going well, his voice is getting louder, "He'll get you killed! It's admirable that you want to keep your… friend around, but he doesn't. Have. Powers."
What? "Whut?" Oh, so now I can make myself understood.
"I understand wanting to have powers." An infuriatingly insincere sympathetic tone colors the hero's words, "Every teen wants to be special. Your talent for martial arts is… impressive, but it isn't a power." Now he shifts to lecturing, patronizingly. "Every human who has the potential to develop powers has an extra brain lobe, the corona pollentia. While the exact location and shape varies, widely, it is an additional structure in the brain not present in normal humans. It's not too hard to recognize when there's a significant variance from the norm. And your brain is textbook. You don't have powers, you can't develop powers."
[Your reputation with The Protectorate has decreased!]
[Poison Resistance's level goes up by 1!]
Of course I have powers. "I haz da powah!" The fist pump seems unnecessary. And I really doubt this is helping prove things. I've got several powers I can show off. [Gamer's Body] is obvious enough, but maybe- "Tah-lahdy Bug, forg me!" Damn it.
[Fool's Act's level goes up by 1!]
"I know you have powers, my Beetle Knight." Well that's formal. I guess it does fit our apparent theme. Which I'm totally spoiling right now. "Please, just sit, rest. No talking. You suck at the talking thing right now." Okay, much less formal there. Still, her soft tone takes the edge off. Or rather, redirects it towards Armsmaster. "I can't believe your nerve, trying to have this discussion while Knight is in this state. The state of paranormal science is a joke. There is a tiny island of things we know, surrounded by the shallow waters of what we think we know, floating in a vast sea of ignorance." That sounds familiar. What should have been a sage nod at her words turns into more of a drunken loll. "How many parahumans have brains that you can't scan for one reason or another? I hear Weld is made of solid metal. How does that look to your machines? Whether you see it or not, Beetle Knight has enormous potential. There a plenty of parahumans whose powers take time to grow. Dauntless, Victor, you and every other tinker that ever was. While your machines may not have found a corona pollentia, Beetle Knight is a true hero and my partner."
[Poison Resistance's level goes up by 1!]
"Whashee shed." I appreciate the thought, and the lack of stabbing (that shit hurt enough the first time), but I've got other powers. Which one would prove it best? My skills aren't exactly flashy, so they're out. [Dragon's Scales] would be good enough if I'd already learned it. Wait. I can make things appear out of thin air. "[Inbentordy]" Nothing happens. Maybe if I'm doing something stupid it can be pronounced correctly. "[Imbide Cogblogger]" All I'm getting is weird looks. Okay, I guess verbal components are out until I stop blurting out random slurry nonsense. At least I didn't blow that secret. And that leave me with… "Laytee Bhugg, forg me!" I swear, [Fool's Act] wants me hurt.
[Fool's Act's level goes up by 1!]
Taylor shuffles away from me. What does she think I said? "Knight, forgive me." What? "Clockblocker, will you please give Beetle Knight a hand?" Oh. Actually, that's a good idea. I'm not exactly in control here. Let her handle things while I'm out of time. I don't even try to move out of the way.
The heroes vanish, replaced by a generic PRT agent, and Taylor is suddenly on my other side.
[A skill has been created through a special action.]
[By surviving a time-altering effect, {Time Resistance}, has been created.]
[Time Resistance (Passive) Lvl 1 Exp 0.0%]
[The user resists time distortions. 3% reduction in involuntary time-related effects.]
[Bullshit!] Bullshit is right. How does that even work?
"Are you okay, Knight?" I take a moment to take stock. [HP: 2,945/2,945] [MP: 4,520/4,520] The only thing out of place is the sticker on my shirt, proudly proclaiming 'Clockblocked!'. I kinda wish he'd taken a moment to sign it.
[Poison Resistance's level goes up by 1!]
I give the smallest nod I can manage. It's still dopily huge. "Ahm ohgay."
"That's good. I asked for a few days to think things over. Once you're feeling better we can come back and make a better impression. Agent Gregg here will be giving dropping us off at Kidder and Durance."
That's good. I don't want to think what trouble I'd get us into walking across town. Agent Gregg leads us down to a cavernous concrete motorpool. I can't believe they think all those white panel vans are inconspicuous. Thankfully, he loads us into a far more non-descript grey sedan. It takes two tries to get my horns in the car. I don't know if I could have done it wearing the [Stag Beetle Augment].
The ride is mostly silent, which works fine for me. No talking is for the best right now. I tip over sideways onto Taylor's lap going through a particularly sharp turn and barely stop myself from making things worse by trying to get back up. Who knows how badly [Fool's Act] would mess that up? There's an awkward moment when she places a firm hand on my shoulder, but then she grabs my head and tilts it so the horns aren't jabbing anywhere. I'll have to thank her for not commenting later. From the time we left the waiting room to the time the car stops, I earn another [+4 Poison Resistance].
We exit the car at a run-down park. The wooden fence is rotten through under peeling paint. Weeds have grown high enough to tie down the swings. Trash and worse fills the sandbox. I used to play here. Just another example of how far this city has fallen.
Taylor waves off the driver and we begin the short walk home through a few secluded service lanes. The park itself may be abandoned, but it's still a bit open to risk changing. And I can't exactly access my inventory. We both [Stealth] to try and avoid notice. Thank God I know I can do that silently now.
Now that it's just the two of us, the silence is stifling. It doesn't help that I can't exactly read Taylor's face behind Lady Bug's mask. "Aye'm zarree."
"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have had Clockblocker freeze you without asking."
"Wuz gud kall. Ahm knawt upta talgging." I can't wait for this to wear off.
She's not done with it. "Still, it was a betrayal. Can you forgive me?"
"Fergive? Fug no." [Fool's Act] enforces a perilous pause. "Eym thangin ewe. Plz douit agn. Ef ya halvta. Nawt fer no re zin."
[Relationship with Taylor Hebert has increased.]
"Thank you." After a heavy pause she added, "What Armsmaster said, it was complete bullshit, you know. You stood up to Lung, plus your power grows over time. You're going to be an awesome hero some day and he'll eat his words."
Just keeping my mouth shut isn't enough to thwart the drugs, it seems. I trip over my feet hugging her and we bounce off a familiar fence. "Hay! Iz ma playse!"
"Doesn't look like anyone is awake." How does she know that? "Give me a bit and I'll get bugs inside to check." Right. That's going to take some getting used to. And privacy rules. "Do you need help getting inside? In your state, they'll think you're drunk if you get caught."
[00:04:29] left on the countdown. I can just wait it out. "Ishz nod neeshifsherry. Dwrugs faydin. Boud fibe minuds left. Godda kowndown timah."
"You've got a countdown timer?" I'm getting used to hearing that incredulous tone whenever we discuss my powers. "Bullshit powers. Well that's a relief. No one is up."
The only window on this side of the house is covered by a bush we keep forgetting to trim back. There's a little bench on the back wall, just under the window of my room. There's a small flowerbed across from it that I've been maintaining for the last few years, if only to have an excuse to keep the bench. Haven't really made practical use of it, but I've been able to test climbing into and out of the house this way. I'm not even going to try just yet. I take a seat, heavily. [-4 HP] Really?
"Will you be okay from here?" Lady Bug whispers, her voice carrying a little more than I'm comfortable with. I give her another wild nod.
[Fool's Act's level goes up by 1!]
[You are no longer drugged!]
[Poison Resistance's level goes up by 1!]
Damn it. Couldn't just do that two seconds sooner? "I'm okay now. [Inventory]. Here's your bag." A few few quick gestures and the helmet vanishes. Air, sweet fresh… okay, stinky polluted air. It's amazing how freeing it is to be out of the mask.
"Debrief after school tomorrow?" Taylor's hunching by the bush. If she doesn't want Lady Bug and James Barron connected, she really should just change back. "I got a quest for us to make or join a team. We'll need to discuss that."
[New Quest Alert: Join a Team!]
[Join a team or form one of your own.]
[Goal time: 70 hours]
[Reward: 7500 XP, Increased relationship with new teammates]
[Failure: Loss of training opportunities]
[Accept?]
[Yes] [No]
"So I see." I make the dismissal motions extra obvious. Not sure what needs to be discussed. Go back tomorrow, show off my inventory, join the Wards. Tada! Well, if she wants to talk it over, I might as well humor her. But we're getting the security of a team ASAP.
Taylor nods and slips out the back gate. I wait a moment before climbing up on the bench. Popping the window open and clambering through is much easier than I recall. Must be the increased physical stats. I'm, what, three, four times stronger than I was last time I tried this?
"Aren't we in trouble?" Fucking Andy. He must have been waiting.
But I'm actually prepared for this. One good thing about not being able to talk? More time to think. "Shh. Dude, have I got a story to tell. But you've got to promise to keep your mouth shut."
Character Sheet
James Barron
Novice Hero
Level 24
HP: 2945/2945
MP: 4520/4520
$ 212.89
Attributes:
Str: 27
Agi: 39
Vit: 39
Int: 39
Wis: 15
Luck: 6
Unspent Points: 45
Skills:
A Gamer's Body (Passive) Lvl MAX
Grants the user a body like a game character.
Health and general soundness of body are reflected as HP.
Powers and special efforts use MP.
Sleeping restores all HP/MP and relieves all status effects.
A Gamer's Mind (Passive) Lvl MAX
Allows the user to calmly and logically think things through.
Allows peaceful state of mind.
Immunity to psychological status effects.
Blunt Weapon Mastery (Passive) Lvl 6
Allows the user to freely handle blunt weapons.
10% increase in attack damage with blunt weapons.
5% increase in attack speed with blunt weapons.
Chinese (Passive) Lvl 2
Allows the user to read, write, speak, and understand Mandarin, Cantonese, and many other sub-dialects.
At this level, the user has a pre-schooler's comprehension and will suffer misunderstandings between the various dialects.
Zhōngguó shì dìqiú shàng zuì chángyòng de yǔyán de kǒuyǔ.
Craft (Active) Lvl 1
A skill to make something.
Crafted objects become better as mastery level rises.
Chance to fail when crafting: 50%
Detect Enemies (Passive) Lvl 1
A skill to detect hidden enemies.
1% increase in chance of spotting a hidden enemy.
Dodge (Sustained) Lvl 11 / 100 MP per minute
A dedicated action to avoid an attack.
+110% to AGI while dodging.
Elemental Resistance (Passive) Lvl 4
The body's durability increases and you take less damage. 7% decrease in damage taken from fire, ice, acid, and electrical attacks.
If you can't stand the heat, don't tickle the dragon.
Finishing Blow (Active) Lvl 5
Allows the user to strike an incapacitated target for bonus damage.
125% increase in critical rate.
500% increase in attack damage.
Can only be used on prone opponents.
Fool's Act (Active) Lvl 10 / 50 MP
Words or actions that make the enemy doubt the mental state of the user. It may confuse the target.
Has a chance to confuse the target for 4 seconds. Willpower negates.
Now you have a skill for it.
Gambling (Passive) Lvl 1
Knowledge of games of chance and stratagems for success. +1% LUK
Lucky in cards...
Grounding Strike (Active) Lvl 4 / 25 MP
Knocks the target out of the air. 60% increase in attack damage per foot to ground.
...and hard!
ID Create (Active) Lvl 3
Used to create instant dungeons.
Stronger instant dungeons can be created according to level.
Dungeons available:
Empty
Zombie
Ghost
Dragon Yakuza
ID Escape (Active) Lvl 3
Used to exit instant dungeons.
Higher levels can be used to escape more powerful barriers.
Jeet Kune Do (Passive) Lvl 16
A hybrid martial art with a focus on real-world combat and interrupting the opponent's attacks.
Passively increases speed and damage of unarmed attacks by 170%
Passively grants a 17% chance to disrupt the opponent's next attack within a second on a successful hit.
When you're talking about fighting, as it is, with no rules, well then, baby you'd better train every part of your body!
Knife Mastery (Passive) Lvl 6
Knife Throwing (Passive) Lvl 1
Light Armor Mastery (Passive) Lvl 9
Observe (Active) Lvl 7
Physical Resistance (Passive) Lvl 8
Poison Resistance (Passive) Lvl 13
The body's ability to metabolize toxins increases. 14% decrease in the duration or efficacy of poison effects.
I spent the last few years building up an immunity to iocane powder.
Power Strike (Active) Lvl 15
Rising Strike (Active) Lvl 1
Singing (Passive) Lvl 1
Sense Danger (Passive) Lvl 5
Stealth (Passive) Lvl 7
Time Resistance (Passive) Level 1
The user resists time distortions. 3% reduction in involuntary time-related effects.
Bullshit!
Zombie's Hide (Sustained) Level 15 / 30 MP
A magic to grant the user skin like a zombie.
Blocks 7.5% of physical, electrical, cold, and acid damage.
Reduces likelihood of infection by disease or poison by 15%
20 Additional MP used per minute.
Grr. Argh.
PRT Rating: Civilian, deluded
Author's Note: Still filling in the blanks on the character sheet, but the levels and stated effects are all accurate. Next chapter shouldn't take so long, with the holidays out of the way.
