303 replies to this topic

[metaphysician]

Session 17 – "Loki is interrogated telepathically, leading to a trip for the entire group through his mindscape, viewing a scene from Telemachus’ past and a further mental trap.  Following this, Loki is delivered to the Isle of Woe, and Aral and Telemachus talk of mutual regrets."

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[metaphysician]

Session 19 – "Hermes reports to Ur Nammu the latest events, and the need for a trial.  Afterwards, Telemachus transports everyone for a meeting with the oracle, Hadrian, who provides answers, some sought after more than others."

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[metaphysician]

Session 21 – "The party flies to the hidden valley Hadrian revealed, and after meeting with the strange residents thereof, is transported to Ydrasil’s retreat to inform him of the trial.  From there, all are transported to Thera, where Elektra objects to Telemachus’ presence angrily."

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[metaphysician]

Session 22 – "The trial begins.  Ur Nammu, Eidolon, and Quetzlcoatl combined cannot breach Loki’s mind, and thus does Minos come forth, acquitting Loki of the murder.  At the same time, alarm goes up, and Minos takes everyone to the site of Grendel’s imprisonment.  The Heraclidae have come to free him.  All of them."

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[metaphysician]

Session 23 – "The battle begins.  Armies clash, the Heraclidae ruling council contains Minos, Graven falls to Finn, and Aral executes his great ruse. . ."

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[metaphysician]

Session 24 – "The ruse against Baal continues, but Aral’s life is in mortal danger.  Thus, the others are sent to the prison, to relieve the Champion of Ra at guarding the Grendel’s cell. . ."

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[metaphysician]

Session 25 – "The defense of the prison goes poorly, and Hermes is forced to carry his two comrades out for medical help.  Meanwhile, Aral’s ruse works, and Baal’s army is cut off.  The Champion of Ra arrives just in time to spirit away Aral before he is killed.  Following this turn for the worse, Finn initiates a desperate plan, and at the expense of Atreus, Rhiannon, and himself, Minos is felled."

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[Alex Green]

Wow.  25 downloads.  Were these always in e-form?

[metaphysician]

Yup.  The campaign itself is done in an AIM chatroom, so saving the games is just a matter of saving the transcript.  After the early days, the format got nicely settled ( due to the saving not always being done on AIM or by me ).

In any case, thats the first two arcs of the campaign, ending with the first big setting-altering event.

So, I'm going to take a break for a bit, to let people catch up who are interested.  In the meantime:  questions?    Comments?  Clarifications?

[metaphysician]

Starting tomorrow, I'll work on the next arc to show up.  Hint hint:  this is when time travel and cosmic doings start showing up.  

[metaphysician]

Session 26 – "Weeks pass as the party recovers, and Minos yet sleeps.  Aral resigns his generalship before the Champion of Ra.  Quetzlcoatl, attempting to contact Minos’ mind, accidentally encounters the mysterious stranger of the void again, as well as scenes of distant places of uncertain significance."

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[metaphysician]

Session 27 – "Hermes researches Minos’ condition, which leads to an interview of the Champion of Ra, and a tale of the past age of the world.  Quetzlcoatl researches his own mysterious encounter, which leads to the Champion of Ra sending him to ask Hermes his questions."

( Note:  some portion of the end lost )

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[metaphysician]

Session 28 – "Having determined a plan for possibly discerning the cause of Minos’ unconsciousness, Hermes assembles the others, including the Seer Clio."

( Note:  this one aptly demonstrates how certain odd plot elements can happen. . . because a PC wasn't available due to AIM failure  ;-) )

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[metaphysician]

Session 29 – "The group travels to Megiddo, and engages in a telepathic gestalt, so that Aral and Clio’s senses can be used to scan the Champion of Ra’s past self for a sample of Apophis’ influence.  While making the attempt, the group is drawn, not unexpectedly, into the White Void, before finding itself on the same plain, in the distant past. . ."

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[metaphysician]

Session 30 – "Finding themselves present in the past bodily, not spiritually, the group is captured by the young Champion of Ra.  After a brief tour of the forces arrayed, they are brought to Narmer of Khem, leader of the forces arrayed against Apophis, where they explain their origin and mission."

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[metaphysician]

Session 32 – "Having finished talking with Narmer, the party splits.  Hermes and Quetzlcoatl go to the Westerness camp, and speak with the Summer King.  Meanwhile, Aral waits in the Qin camp for a chance to speak with White Crane, and spots an unexpected someone. . ."

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[metaphysician]

Session 33 – "Hermes and Quetzlcoatl track down the mysterious stranger, and confirm he is, in fact, a time traveler.  The stranger explains about their situation, and offers a way home, in exchange for a favor. . ."

Session 33b – "Aral meets with White Crane, and bares his soul, leading to plans for the distant future."

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[metaphysician]

Session 34 – "Finished talking with White Crane, Aral catches up with the others in time to talk with the mysterious stranger and reject his offer.  The stranger, now named finally as Darius, predicts ill tidings for the party.  Then, the day of the battle arrives.  Quetzlcoatl’s power of perception is enhanced, and the Red Branch collides with the forces of Apophis."

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[metaphysician]

Session 35 – "As Cuchulain battles with Apophis personally, the party perceives Apophis’ signature, much to their detriment.  Cuchulain and Dark Heliopolis both fall, though not before Hermes retrieves the Gae Bolga.  As Apophis and the forces of the Compact clash, Aral begins a desperate plan to somehow avert Narmer’s death. . ."

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[metaphysician]

Session 36 – "Apophis and Narmer battle.  Aral attempts to affect the course of the fight, to little avail.  Everyone ends up incapacitated save Aral.  Narmer and Apophis finally strike mutual mortal blows, of different kinds, and Aral finally falls after ensuring the Summer King healed Narmer.  The party wakes up, barely healed, in the aftermath, to be gloated over a bit by Darius.  A creepy little girl shows up, and Darius runs.  A terrifying individual named Kincaid shows up, and everyone else follows Darius.  Once back in the White Void, Aral tries his best to kill Darius, and fails."

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[metaphysician]

Session 37 – "Aral having settled down, Darius provides explanation of their situation.  The party thus learns much about the nature of time, during which Aral punches out Quetzlcoatl.  In light of the new information about Darius, the party accepts his offer to get them home by roundabout way, in exchange for help with his own task.  Then they all travel to Darius’ home for rest.  Aral and Quetzlcoatl argue, Clio gets drunk, and Quetzlcoatl encounters another mysterious individual, named David. . ."

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[metaphysician]

Session 38 – "When trying to ask Darius about his strange encounter, Quetzlcoatl discovers he is under a geas not to discuss it, much to his dismay.  Hermes has a brief conversation with Darius about time and the gods.  Meanwhile:  back in the present, Artemis goes to visit Telemachus at his base camp, who takes her to visit his associates. . . the disciples of Bellaraphon."

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[metaphysician]

Session 39 – "In the present, Artemis sits in on a meeting of Bellaraphon’s disciples, and debates with Bellaraphon himself.  At the end, he offers to give Telemachus a taste of what he might eventually become.  Meanwhile, Darius transports the others to the site and time of his own tragedy, and they view a grand battle over the fate of the universe."

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[metaphysician]

Session 40 – "The battle concludes, and the party sees Darius discovering the death of his friends.  Telemachus and Artemis show up, giving Darius a headache.  Everybody then follows the younger Darius to his home, where despite drunkenness, he accedes to taking the party back to their home time.  All the while, Clio glares at Artemis a lot."

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And, thats the end of the third major arc.  An entirely unexpected one, too.  Questions, comments?

[metaphysician]

Session 41 – "Telemachus escorts the party back to the Theran borders, where each makes their way in their own manner to the capital.  Xenos debriefs everyone once returned, and assigns a new mission to the group:  to go to Westernesse and seek out the Summer King."

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[metaphysician]

Session 42 – "The party, sans Hermes, inserts via merchant ship and dragon form to Albion, finding the place twisted and sickly.  While investigating, the party discovers a force of Fianna battling mutated horrors.  While quietly opening distance, however, an unknown force stripped all the party of their senses. . ."

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[metaphysician]

Session 43 – "Aral and Quetzlcoatl fall before their attackers, though not before Aral throws Artemis a great distance.  They wake up to find themselves unintentional prisoners of the Fianna.  Alaric makes a deal with them to work together, and Artemis makes her way back to the camp.  While Aral helps with strategizing, Artemis speaks with Brigantia about healing, and Quetzlcoatl looks into the past to see the betrayal of the Summer King."

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[metaphysician]

Session 44 – "Alaric tells Aral of everything they know about the Summer King.  A plan is made, the group ( including Hermes ) is gathered, and a silver horn is blown.  The party sets out after the barely visible trail it generates. . ."

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[metaphysician]

And on that point. . . as per suggestion, I shall post the character sheets for the PCs.

Name:  Hermes Concept:  Herald of Thera/Bringer of Infrastructure

Nature:  Caregiver Allegiance:  Theran Compact

Attributes:

Strength *** Perception **** Appearance ***

Dexterity ***** Intelligence ***** Manipulation **

Stamina *** Wits **** Charisma ****

Abilities:

Might * Intrusion *

Athletics *** Linguistics **** ( Minoan, Egyptian, Proto-                                                      
Semitic, proto-Slav, Proto-Celt, 12 additional languages )

Ride * Medicine ***

Martial Arts ***** Science *****

Stealth *** Survival *

Endurance *** Arts ***

Resistance *** Rapport **

Awareness **** Etiquette ***

Engineering ***** Investigate ***

Academics ** Sail *

Unassigned

Backgrounds:

Allies * Attunement *

Backing ** ( Venerated Seers ) Node *

Contacts ***** Resources **

Influence *

Willpower: 10 Taint:  0 Quantum: 5

Powers/Mega-Attributes:

Mega-Strength * ( Precision )

Mega-Dexterity ***** ( Cat-Footed, Enhanced Movement, Rapid Tasks, Rapid Strike )

Mega-Stamina ** ( Adaptation, Regeneration, Resiliency )

Mega-Perception ** ( Fast Sense, Quantum Attunement )

Mega-Intelligence **** ( Eidetic Memory, Engineering Prodigy, Linguistic Prodigy, Scientific Prodigy, Speed Reading )

Mega-Wits **** ( Enhanced Initiative, Human Nature, Multitasking, Quickness x2, Redirection )

Mega-Charisma * ( Soothe )

Hypermovement ( Running ) *****

Intuition *

Armor **

Telekinesis * ( Area; “Speed Tricks Only” )

Stun Attack * ( Reduced Quantum Cost; Melee Only )

Elemental Anima ( Air ) *** ( Blast, Elemental Shield, Enhance/Diminish )

Sensory Shield *

Force Field **

Temporal Manipulation * ( Accelerate Time )

Boost ( Strength ) ** ( Limit:  Only for Single Hyperspeed Attacks )

Claws ** ( Reduced Quantum Cost; Limit:  Only for usage with Boost )



Hermes Background:

Hermes, son of Thermosphanes the diplomat, was born in the great city of Thera.  From a young age, Hermes demonstrated a keen mind, a good eye. . . and a powerful arrogance.  Living a life of comfort, born to an influential family, and possessed of considerable personal talent, why would one not be proud?  Combining his intellectual and artistic talents, Hermes sought to become an architect.  Even the study of the philosophy only convinced him that his Ma'at was to build wonders, such that all could behold his greatness.

This all changed, when his father offered to take him along on one of his travels, "So that you can see more of the world than merely this city."  Having never travelled all that far from Thera, Hermes jumped at the opportunity.  He thought that this would be a great chance to view the architecture of other regions, and add whatever he found worthwhile to his own repertoire.  This is indeed what he did. . . until the caravan reached its objective:  a border city-state that had been recently subjected to famine and plague.

Hermes knew intellectually that not all the world was as comfortable as the Theran Compact, but he never imagined it could be this bad.  The stench of death filled the air.  Charnel fires burned at the edges of the city.  The streets were thronged with the starved and the sickly, yet they still thronged, moving towards the caravan as his father's men, who began distributing food.   It was only then that he realized why his father was here:  the Compact was bringing aid to this city-state, and offering to bring it into the Compact.

Hermes vomitted.  His father worked to bring civilization to these people, and he spent his life taking that civilization for granted.  His father exalted the Compact; he had only exalted himself.  His self-assigned role in Ma'at was a delusion that inverted the proper way of things.  Disgusted with himself, he vomitted again.

And then, he rose from his knees, and walked over to the wagons bearing food.  He grabbed one bundle, and carried it to the crowds of people.  Unseen by him at the moment, his father looked upon him, and smiled.  This smile turned to astonishment, for when Hermes finished distributing the one bundle, he returned to grab another, and another, and another, with gathering speed, until he was but a blur.  Soon, the wagons were emptied, and Hermes appeared again, now hunched down before his father, crying.  As a crowd gathered around the new Chosen, Hermes rose, looked at his father, and said "Thank you."

When Hermes returned to Thera, he was now one of the Chosen, and yet, he was more humble than when he was a mortal.  He realized that proper use for his now-greater talents was not to glorify himself, but to better the lives of all.  Taking his architectural talents, he sought to build functional structures such as aqueducts and public baths, things that would improve the lives of those living in newly incorporated areas.  Invited to speak with members of the Venerated Seers, he came to believe that aesthetics, too, should serve to make life better, rather than to glorify the artist.  And thus, Hermes became a herald of Thera, working to bring civilization to those on the borders of it.


General Aral von Darien, Chosen of the Rhadamantine Order

Allegiance: Theran
Nature: [TBD]

ATTRIBUTES:

Strength 5
Dexterity 5
Stamina 5

Manipulation 5
Charisma 5
Appearance 5

Perception 5
Wits 5
Intelligence 5

ABILITIES:

Archery 5
Athletics 5
Martial Arts 5
Melee 5
Ride 5

Endurance 4
Resistance 4

Awareness 5
Investigation 1

Bureaucracy 3
Academics 3
Engineering 1
Linguistics 3 (all known langauges)
Medicine 1
Science 1
Survival 3

Rapport 5
Seneschal 5
Tactics 5

Intimidation 5
Subterfuge 5

Command 5
Etiquette 3
Perform 3

Arts 3
Style 3

BACKGROUNDS:

Backing (Thera) 4
Influence (Fianna) 2
Influence (Thera) 4
Mentor 4
Resources 5

STATS:

Willpower 10
Quantum 5
Quantum Pool 28
Taint 0
Initiative 19

Bashing 23
Lethal 19

TEMP WP -- 10

MEGA-ATTRIBUTES:

Mega-Strength 3 (Precision)
Mega-Dexterity 4 (Athletic Prodigy)
Mega-Stamina 3 (Healthy, Regeneration, Resiliency, Tireless)
Mega-Intelligence 5 (Administrative Prodigy, Analyze Weakness, Eidetic Memory,
       Investigative Prodigy, Linguistic Genius, Self-Analysis, Strategic Prodigy,
       Tactical Prodigy)
Mega-Perception 2 (Blindfight, Holographic Awareness, Quantum Attunement)
Mega-Wits 3 (Quickness x3, Synergy)
Mega-Charisma 3 (Commanding Presence)
Mega-Manipulation 1 (Persuader)

POWERS:

Armor ****
Disrupt ***

MERITS:

Iron Will (+6)

FLAWS:

Dependent (-4)

HEALTH LEVELS: -1

       Bruised
       Hurt
       Injured
       Wounded
       Maimed (-1)
       Maimed (-1)
       Maimed (-1)
       Maimed (-1)
       Maimed (-1)
       Maimed (-1)
       Maimed (-1)
       Crippled (-2)
       Incapacitated
       Dead

XP -- 38


BIO NOTES:

Age -- mid-40's

Wife -- Princess Alexandra of Ilium, fifth daughter of the King of Ilium

Children:  Adrian, son, age 16.  Nyssa, daughter, age 11.  (The second son, Elian,
was born 1 year after Adrian, and died at age 4 of the measles.)


STORY:

The principality of Mallorea, located on a strategic river junction north of the Theran
border in the Balkans, has existed as an independent state for 200 years.  However, as the
cold war between the Theran Compact and the Heraclidae heated up, the time soon approached
when it would have to make an alliance.

King Karl von Darien originally favored Thera, to the point of marrying his son, Crown Prince
Aral von Darien, to Princess Alexandra, fifth daughter of the King of Ilium.  However, this
initial diplomatic endeavor did not result in assimilation, as King Karl always held back
from the final step of alliance.

As the years passed, King Karl came to favor the Fianna and their philosophy of "cultural
self-determination", for reasons he did not -- or could not -- share with his son and heir.
This was a major point of difference between father and son, as Aral von Darien, always
studious and intelligent, had learned much of Ma'at and Theran philosophy both from tutors
and books, and his wife Alexandra, and had come to admire much of what he had learned.

And the day soon came when King Karl finally made his choice.  Mallorea would declare
for the Heraclidae, the Fianna in particular.  A great tribal champion -- rumor had
it, perhaps Finn himself! -- was coming to sign the final treaty and help deter the
Theran presence.

Prince Aral did not know why his father had made this choice.  Because it would allow
the von Dariens to hopefully remain truly sovereign kings and rule as they willed, rather
than be assimilated into Theran law and Theran vassalage?  Because of fears of losing
'Mallorean culture'?   Because the Fianna were offering more 'diplomatic gifts'?  No, Prince
Aral does not know this.

Nor does he know why he and his family, along with a small but suitable retinue, were sent
to Alexandra's native Ilium as a diplomatic mission.  To allow his daughter-in-law a
family visit?  To get his Theran-sympathizing son where he could not disturb the upcoming
ceremony of alliance with the Heraclidae?   To preserve the family line in case things
ended badly?  Or could it be that his father did not trust Prince Aral to remain obedient
in the face of this, the final denouement of a course of action that he opposed?   Prince
Aral does not know this, either.

But he does know what happened when the truth was revealed.  For King Karl had been deceived.
It was not the Fianna's envoy he had been negotiating with, and it was not Finn who arrived
to mark the 'ceremony of alliance'.

It was Baal.  The Dark God himself, the Lord of Gehinnom.  And Baal arrived, and Baal slew
the King in the name of Baal, and claimed Mallorea and all its lands and subjects as more
fodder for the glory of Baal.  And thus, due to the folly of its king, did a kingdom fall.

The only remaining loose end in this elegant dance of betrayal and brutality was, of course,
the survival of the heir.   One of his Enherejar, swift-flying, terribly-armed, was sent
to deal with that loose end.   As the royal party travelled south, unknowing of the horrors
being perpetrated behind them, they were found and confronted by Baal's servant, who took
great pleasure in narrating to Aral von Darien how his father died, and how his home city
was being sacked, his kingdom burned.   For what small party of men, what mere mortal
princeling, could hope to even wound, much less slay, one of Baal's Chosen?

With nothing left before him or behind him but death, Aral von Darien placed his body
and his sword between the laughing demon and his wife and children, prepared to buy them
as many more breaths of life as he could, even if it were but one more breath, even at
the cost of his own.

And then the power of the gods descended upon him, to make the mortal Aral von Darien into
a true Chosen, an exemplar of all that a warrior and king should be.   As strong as fifty
warriors, as swift and precise as any swordsman that had ever lived, with skin as hard as
steel and a mind capable of weaving strategies that could make gods weep and kingdoms fall,
Aral von Darien was reborn.   And with his newfold might, he broke Baal's demon and cast
it down.

And then he faced the bitterest choice of all.  For he was more than mortal now... and thus,
by the standards of the Heraclidae, a fit ruler for their vassal kingdom.  All his lands,
and his crown, he could reclaim.  He had but merely to walk north and kneel before Baal.  He
had but to make the same choice his father made, and he could be viceroy of Mallorea in
Baal's name, commander of the troops of its occupation, able to shield his people from
needless depravity and wanton abuse, even if they would still be subjects of Baal.

All he had to do was choose to believe that Baal's evil was how the world should be, and
he could yet again be all that a king should be to the people he was born with a duty to
rule.  All he had to was choose.


And he chose to continue walking south, to Ilium, to Thera, and to kneel before the god
Minos instead.  Leaving behind his people, and his kingdom, to suffer under the rule of
Baal, in the hope that he could reclaim them for civilization later... rather than reclaim
them as a god, now.

Some nights, he still wonders if he chose rightly.

But how could it ever be 'right' to choose such monstrous brutality in preference to order
and prosperity?   What sort of world would it be, where such a question even need be asked?

Now, ten years later, Aral von Darien is a Chosen of the Rhadamantine Order of Thera.
Prosperous, revered -- even worshipped, should he but desire to be, although he does not.
All that a man could desire in life either lies before him for the taking, or is already
waiting for him in Ilium, with his wife and his son and daughter.

All things except one.

Artemis
Nature: Explorer

Str 2 Perception 5 Apperance  4

Brawl 2 Awareness 5 Intimidation 2
Investigation 2

Dexterity 4 Intelligence  3 Manipulation  1

Athletics 1 Linguistics  3
Stealth   4 Survival  5
(Wilderness)

Stamina  5 Wits  4 Charisma  2

Endurance 5 Rapport 2
Resistance 5


Mega Perception 5
(Bloodhound, UV vision)
Mega App  1
(Copycat)
Mega Dex 2
(Catfooted)
Mega Sta 5
(Adaptability, Durability, Regeneration, Resiliency x2)
Mega Wits 2
(Detect Lies, Synergy)

Armor 3
Biomodification +4 Health levels
Healing 3
Nature's Mastery 2
Shapeshifting 4
Linguistic Genius

Soak  29/19
Health levels  14

Backgrounds

Node 3
Attunment  2
Contact  1

Willpower  6

Permenent Taint 1
Temporary Taint 1

Quantum 5
Quantum Pool 30

xp 7



Birthname: Kukulcan
Nova Name: Quetzalcoatl
Series: Ancient World Aberrant
Nature: Paragon
Allegiance: Theran Compact

PHYSICAL

Strength **
Brawl *

Dexterity ****
Athletics *
Melee *
Stealth *

Stamina ***
Endurance ***
Resistance ***

MENTAL

Perception ****
Awareness *
Investigation **

Intelligence *****
Academics ***
Bureaucracy *
Engineering ***
Linguistics *
Medicine *
Science **

Wits ****
Arts **
Biz *
Rapport *
Meditation *

SOCIAL

Appearance ***
Intimidation **
Style *

Manipulation **

Charisma ***
Command **
Etiquette **

BACKGROUNDS

Influence ***
Resources ****
Allies **
Contacts **

WILLPOWER
**********

TAINT *

QUANTUM
*****

MEGA-ATTRIBUTES
Mega-Intelligence ***
Eidetic Memory
Enhanced Memory
Linguistic Genius
Speed Reading

Mega-Stamina ***
Adaptability
Durability
Resiliency
Health
Regeneration

Mega-Charisma **
Commanding Presence

Mega-Dexterity *
Accuracy

Mega-Perception ***
That Creepy Feeling
Quantum Attunement

Mega-Wits *
Human Nature

QUANTUM POWERS
Weather Manipulation ***
Lightning Bolt
Weather Alteration
Wind Riding

ESP (Extra: Distant Scan) **

Pretercognition **

Pretercognition (Extra: Viewpoint) *

Telepathy (Extra: Surreptitious) **

Psychic Shield ***

Force Field (Extra: Reflexive) *

Intuition *

Armor ***

Warp*

Invulnerability (Extra: All Physical Attacks) **

Temporal Manipulation **
Dilate Time
Stop Time

Quantum Bolt (Wind Blast) *

Mental Blast *

Information Manipulation *
Coherence

QUANTUM POOL
****************************
INITIATIVE 10

MOVEMENT
Walk 7
Run 16
Sprint 32

SOAK
Bashing 18 (30)
Lethal 14 (26)

HEALTH
Bruised -0
Bruised -0
Hurt -1
Injured -1
Wounded -2
Maimed -3
Crippled -4
Incapacitated
Dead

Experience: 221/508


Note:  Artemis and Quetzlcoatl don't have background stories, because I don't have them in a convenient place.  Artemis' at start background was pretty much fully given in the first transcript, though, and Quetzlcoatl's I described in the early summaries.

Also, I *hate* this forum's "combine rapid posts" function.

[metaphysician]

Session 45 – "Following the trail produced by the horn, the party finds its way to Taliesin, the Summer King’s bard.  When queried, the bard claims the Winter King knows how to free his brother.  The party follows the directions to his keep, wherein Aral is tormented with a vision of his guilt as proof of the man’s identity.  After Aral walks out in agony, the Winter King explains why he thinks his brother should not be saved."

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