Hey everyone, guess what? This weekend was me and my brother’s birthday (the sixth and the second, for those wondering). Yes, our birthdays regularly fall on Labor Day Weekend. Fitting no? So now I am old enough to legally drink alcohol if I want; though, truth be told, I have no desire to. Anyway, we had a wonderful time, and got several games for the Wii. Oh, and the oven died on use about a week ago, so we put in new, convictional one (which required some electrical reworking), only for it to die the day before Mom planed to back our birthday cakes. That was fun. So she instead made ice-cream pie, which was just wonderful. Anyway, on with the story!
Birds of Passage-Fight-
Nightwing vs. Red Hood“Starfire!” Nightwing rushed though the prison compound, looking throughout the cells. He had to hurry up; it wouldn’t be long before more guards showed up. But each cell was empty.
“Dick, over here!” Starfire was calling out from the solitary confinement cell, looking through the small, barred window.
“Kory!” Nightwing rushed over to the door, and tried the handle, but of course, it was closed with a padlock. “Don’t worry,” he said, pulling out his lock pick set, “I’ll get you out.”
Red Hood attempts a Stealth check, getting 2 + 12 = 14. Nightwing gets a Notice check of 5 + 8 = 13, failing.
Starfire rolls 14 + 7 = 21 on her Notice check and warns Nightwing.
Red Hood attacks Nightwing unarmed, getting 4 + 12 = 16 vs. a Defense of 10 + 14 = 24.
Initiative
Red Hood: 16 + 8 = 24
Nightwing: 18 + 6 = 24
Red Hood has the higher modifier, and goes first. No one is flatfooted.
Round One:
Red Hood continues to attack unarmed, rolling a natural 20 and hitting with a critical (he should have Power Attacked or used a weapon). Nightwing rolls 19 + 6 = 25 on Toughness, passing. As a move action, Red Hood will Demoralize, with a +2 due to scoring a crit on the first round. He gets 6 + 16 – 5 + 2 = 19. Nightwing rolls Intimidate to resist, getting 11 + 10 = 21. Red Hood’s Demoralize attempt fails.
Nightwing realizes the danger that Red Hood could put Kory in (stray bullets, grenades, etcetera), so he goes to Total Defense and moves 25 feet, hoping Red Hood will follow him away from her. He gets a Hero Point for putting Starfire’s safety above beating Red Hood, putting him at 4.
“Behind you!”
Nightwing turned around just in time to see a flying kick coming at him. Reflexes taking over, he jumped out of the way. The Red Hood hit the door and jumped, aiming to slam his elbow into Nightwing’s collar bone. Nightwing was able to block the attack, staggering back. “You are pathetic, Nightwing,” he snarled. “A disgrace! Had your girlfriend no warned you, this fight would already be over!”
Grimacing, Nightwing continued to move away. Their last fight was still fresh in his mind. I don’t want to take him here. Not while Starfire’s stuck in that cell. He wouldn’t put it past Red Hood to take point a gun at her just to distract him. Nightwing had to take away that option. Glancing behind, he took in the environment. The prison had two stories, the second one accessed by a balcony. He could use that to his advantage.
Round Two:
Red Hood chaises after Nightwing and attacks, getting 15 + 12 = 27. Nightwing’s Defense is 1. Hero Point to re-roll. 17 + 14 + 6 (from Total Defense) = 37. The attack misses, and Nightwing now has 3 Hero Points.
Nightwing Acrobatic Bluffs as a move action, getting 6 and using Second Chance to re-roll, getting 17 + 21 – 5 = 33 vs. Red Hood’s Acrobatics roll of 16 + 16 = 32; Nightwing succeeds, Quick Draws an escrima stick, and Power Attacks 4. Nightwing rolls a 20! Red Hood rolls 15 + 6 = 23 vs. a Toughness DC of 30. He fails by 9 and is Bruised and Stunned.
“If I’m so pathetic,” Nightwing smirked, “than why am I giving you so much trouble?”
Growling, Red Hood charged, swinging blindly.
Dick spun under a wide haymaker, pulled out one of his trusty escrima sticks, and swung it into Jason’s back, where it landed with painful results.
Round Three:
Red Hood is Stunned and unable to go.
Nightwing uses Acrobatics to jump onto the second floor, which is about 10 feet up (13 when including the railing). 19 + 21 = 40, which is plenty and more. While in mid-flight, he Quick Draws his Shuriken, and uses Move-by Action to attack, getting another 20 (what luck!). Red Hood rolls 9 + 3 = 12, meaning the attack hits by over 10 for +5 Damage. The Toughness save grand total thusly is 15 + 5 + 5 + 1 = 26. Red Hood rolls 18 + 8 – 1 = 25. He’s Bruised a second time.
Taking advantage of Red Hood’s distraction, Nightwing pushed him down and jumped, leaping high over his enemy. There was a flash of metal, and five shuriken flew at Red Hood. He rolled, but one landed in an arm.
Round Four:
Red Hood rolls Acrobatics to stand as a free action, getting 5 + 16 = 21 and succeeding. He then uses Acrobatics again, this time to improve his jump and chase after Nightwing, getting 13 + 16 = 29, for an additional 14 feet, which is more than he needs. He Quick Draws his kriss knife and attacks, getting 6 and using GM fiat to re-roll, getting 17 + 12 = 29; because of his Improved Critical, if this attack is a hit, it’s a critical. Nightwing now has 4 Hero Points. Nightwing rolls 10 + 14 = 24 on Defense, and is hit. He rolls a 4 on Toughness and is use a Hero Point to re-roll, leaving him with 3; 17 + 6 = 23. He fails by 1, and is Bruised and Injured.
Nightwing rolls to feint as a move action, getting 19 + 12 – 5 = 26 vs. 12 + 16 = 28, failing. He attempts to disarm, getting 10 + 14 = 24 on Attack, while Jason gets 3 + 12 = 15 on Defense; he’s hit. The two make opposed strength checks. Nightwing rolls 8 + 2 = 10. He’d use a Hero Point to re-roll, but he already spent one this round. However, Red Hood only rolls 3 + 3 = 6! He’s disarmed. I’ll allow Nightwing to use a free action to kick it over the edge of the balcony.
“Come on, Red, you can do better than that!” Nightwing taunted, now standing atop the balcony.
Red Hood glowered before flipping onto his feet and then up onto the balcony railing. Nightwing tried to attack with his escrima stick, only Red Hood was quicker, pulling out his kriss knife and thrusting forward, aiming for Nightwing’s neck.
Nightwing tried to avoid the attack, but he still felt pain. The light cut on his neck was not serious, but it could have been.
I’ve already been cut up by that knife too many times, Nightwing thought. Moving to the side, he lashed out with his escrima stick, striking the Hood’s weapon hand. Jason dropped the blade, which Nightwing proceeded to kick over the balcony’s edge. “No more fancy knife tricks.”
Round Five:
Red Hood decides to try and grapple Nightwing. Attack roll of 12 + 12 = 24 vs. Nightwing’s Defense of 3 + 14 = 15. Hit and the two roll opposed grapple checks; Red Hood gets 18 + 12 + 3 = 33 vs. Nightwing’s 10 + 14 + 2 = 26. He succeeds and chooses to deal damage. Nightwing rolls 6 + 6 – 1 = 11; he fails by 7 and is Stunned and Bruised a second time.
Nightwing is Stunned and unable to go.
Round Six:
Red Hood and Nightwing would make grapple checks, but Nightwing is still Stunned and auto-fails the check. Red Hood deals damage. Nightwing’s Toughness is 8, Hero Point to re-roll. 16 + 4 – 2 = 18. He makes it barely. Nightwing now has 2 Hero Points.
Nightwing attempts to escape the grapple. He rolls 12 + 14 + 2 = 28. Red Hood rolls 10 and uses a GM Fiat to re-roll, getting 19 + 12 + 3 = 34. Nightwing fails and now has 3 Hero Points
Round Seven:
The two continue with the grapple checks; Red Hood: 13 + 12 + 3 = 28, and Nightwing: 8 + 12 + 2 = 22. Red Hood once again chooses to deal damage. Nightwing rolls 15 + 6 – 2 = 14. Nightwing’s Bruised a third time.
Nightwing attempts to escape the grapple. He rolls 5 + 14 + 2 = 21 vs. 9 + 12 + 3 = 24; failure.
Round Eight:
Red Hood rolls a grapple check of 3; GM Fiat to re-roll. Nightwing now has 4 Hero Points. 14 + 12 + 3 = 29 vs. Nightwing’s 11 + 14 + 2 = 27. He throws Nightwing into the railing. It has a Toughness of 5, plus Red Hood’s Strength modifier of +3, so the damage total is 23. Nightwing rolls 15 + 6 – 3 = 18. He fails by 5 and is Stunned and Bruised a fourth time. The railing rolls 1 on its Toughness save and is destroyed. Nightwing starts to fall over.
Nightwing burns a Hero Point to overcome being Stunned. He now has 3 Hero Points. He rolls Reflect to grab the edge. 18 + 10 = 28, he succeeds in spades. As a free action, Nightwing tries using Acrobatics to get up from prone position, getting 17 + 21 = 38. He does easily. Nightwing attempts to Acrobatic Bluff as a move action, getting 13 + 21 – 5 – 1 = 28. Red Hood gets 13 + 16 = 29 on his own Acrobatics and resists. Nightwing Defensive Attack 2 unarmed, getting 15 + 10 – 2 = 23 vs. a Defense of 10 + 12 = 22; he’s hit. Red Hood rolls 14 + 8 – 2 = 20. He’s unharmed.
“No problem,” Red Hood said darkling, grabbing Dick, “It will be all the more fun to beat you with my two hands!”
In a flash, Red Hood kneed Nightwing in the groins…hard. The vigilante was in a haze of pain, and Red Hood got a better grip on his opponent before slamming his head forward, aiming to strike Nightwing’s face. But the dazed Nightwing was able to pull back, avoiding the strike.
Nightwing squirmed against Red Hood, shoving his hand against his face. But then Red Hood grabbed Nightwing’s head and slammed it into the wall, dazing him. Spinning around, Red Hood then flung Dick into the railing, which then snapped asunder. However, in spite of the considerable pain he was in, Nightwing was able to refocus himself and grabbed the ledge. Swinging back up with astounding movement, Nightwing was back up on the balcony, delivering a kick to Jason’s chest, who just stood tall and strong against the attack.
Round Nine:
Red Hood feints as a move action, getting 13 + 16 – 5 = 24. Nightwing rolls Bluff to resist, getting 11 + 12 = 23, failing. Red Hood tries Tripping Nightwing, getting 14 + 12 = 26 vs. Nightwing’s flatfooted Defense of 5 + 3 = 8. Easy hit and Red Hood GM Fiats for the Improved Throw feat, so he can prevent Nightwing from using his ridiculous Acrobatics skill, instead, he has to use his Strength, while Jason uses his Dexterity; Nightwing now has 4 Hero Points. Red Hood gets 9 + 4 = 13 vs. Nightwing’s 8 + 2 = 10; success. Red Hood surges for an additional action, All-out/Power Attacking 3/5. He gets 18 + 12 + 3 – 5 = 28, vs. Nightwing’s prone Defense of 8 + 14 – 4 = 18; hit. Nightwing’s Toughness roll is 4. Hero Point to re-roll, getting 18 + 6 – 4 = 20. Nightwing’s Bruised for a fifth time, and has 3 Hero Points. Red Hood is Fatigued.
Nightwing uses Acrobatics to stand as a free action, getting 19 + 21 = 40. He goes to Total Defense.
Round Ten:
Red Hood Power Attacks 2, getting 3 + 12 – 1 (from Fatigue) = 14 vs. 18 + 14 + 6 = 38.
Nightwing uses a Hero Point to attempt to recover from his Bruised conditions as a full round action. 17 + 3 = 20, and he succeeds. I’ll rule that he gets to recover from 3 Bruised conditions, leaving him with 2. He has 2 Hero Points.
“I expected better from you, Dick,” Red Hood growled, jumping forward. He slammed into Nightwing and forced him to the ground. “I was expecting a fight!” He punctuated the sentence with a punch to the jaw.
“Yeah, so was I,” Nightwing quipped, kicking Red Hood off and flipped back, landing on his feet. “So we’re both disappointed.”
“Insolent!” Red Hood lunged forward like an animal, flailing his fists. Nightwing sidestepped the almost pathetic attack, and an energizing confidence filled him. He could tell that Red Hood was overexerting himself and as a result, getting desperate. Pushing away the fatigue and pain he felt, Dick stuck a fighting pose, grinning.
Round Eleven:
Red Hood All-out/Power Attacks 3, getting 17 + 12 – 3 – 1 = 25 vs. 10 + 14 = 24; hit. Nightwing rolls 11 and uses a Hero Point to re-roll, leaving him with 1. 19 + 6 – 2 = 23. He’s unharmed. He Taunts as a move action, getting 16 + 16 – 5 = 27 vs. Nightwing’s Bluff of 7 + 12 = 19. Dick’s demoralized.
Nightwing Quick Draws a Smoke bomb and uses hit, making a Stealth check of 8 + 14 – 2 – 5 = 15. Red Hood makes an automatic Notice check of 6 + 8 = 14. Almost, but no cigar.
Growing, Red Hood lashed out, the hit glancing off Nightwing’s chest. “Here’s hoping you make a better
Daddy than you do a fighter!”
The taunt punctured Nightwing’s newfound bravado for a second. Don’t
get cocky and forget what’s on the line, Dick, he told himself.
Kory’s counting on you. He pulled out a smoke bomb and threw it right into Red Hood’s face.
Round Twelve:
Red Hood draws his heavy pistol and Searches for Nightwing, getting 5 + 10 = 15. He sees nothing. He GM Fiats to overcome his Fatigued condition. Nightwing has 2 Hero Points.
Nightwing moves 10 feet, Quick Draws a flash-bang and uses it against Red Hood. The Hood rolls 3 + 10 = 13 on the Visual Dazzle and 4 + 10 = 14 on the Auditory Dazzle. He’s temporary blind, but not deaf.
Coughing and batting the smoke from his face, Red Hood looked around. Nightwing was nowhere to be seen. “God, Dick, I can’t believe you want to play this game.” He pulled out his handgun, cocking it. He moved slowly though the smokescreen, listening for any movement…
BANG!A flash of blinding light exploded with a deafening bang. Red Hood reeled in agony, ripping off his helmet. “Ahggg! My eyes!”
Round Thirteen:
Red Hood rolls to a Fortitude save recover, getting 5 + 8 = 13, failing. He prepares an action to shot in any direction he hears movement from.
Nightwing starts to move toward Red Hood, making a Stealth check of 9 + 14 = 23. Red Hood gets 16 + 8 = 24 on Notice and activates his prepared action, shooting at Nightwing. After this turn, Nightwing will go first. Nightwing as Concealment against Red Hood, so first Jason must roll to see if his attack auto-misses; 17 or higher is a miss. He rolls 19. Nightwing moves into melee and attacks with his escrima sticks, getting 7 + 14 = 21 vs. 12 + 12 – 2 (from being blind) = 24. He misses.
Not sure how long Red Hood would be distracted, Nightwing ran forward. His footsteps rang in Jason’s ears, who leveled his gun in the direction he heard and fired blindly.
Nightwing just jumped to the left and powered forward, drawing his escrima sticks and swinging. Red hood’s eyes where starting to recover, and he saw the blur of an attack coming, causing him to move out of the way.
Round Fourteen:
Nightwing Power Attacks 2, getting 10 + 14 – 2 = 22 vs. 15 + 12 – 2 = 25.
Red Hood rolls to recover being blind, getting 13 + 8 + 1 = 22; he’s no longer blind, but will suffer -1 on Attack and Defense rolls for the rest of the turn. He Power Attacks 4, getting 1 and using a GM Fiat to re-roll. Nightwing now has 3 Hero Points. 18 + 12 – 4 = 26. Nightwing’s Defense is 9 + 14 = 23 and he’s hit. He rolls Toughness at 10 + 6 – 2 = 14, failing by 8; he’s Bruised a third time and Stunned.
Nightwing swung again, but Red Hood could see this attack, and blocked it before delivering a powerful strike to Dick’s gut, followed by a chop kick to the face that sent him to the ground.
As Nightwing tried to rise, he heard a click, and looked up to see Red Hood standing over him darkly, a gun pointed at his head. “Don’t move,” he ordered coldly, eyes narrowed in aggression.
Nightwing froze. He new he couldn’t get up fast enough to dodge the attack, and there was no way he could disarm Jason from this angle. “You cheated.” It was immature, it was witless, and it was all Nightwing could think to say in his disbelief.
“Bad Guy,” Red Hood admitted, a clear amount of satisfaction in his voice.
“So it comes done to this: the punk who has a gun and no morals tries to take what he wants from someone else,” Nightwing said with venom. If he could just distract Red Hood long enough….
“Watch it,” Jason snarled. “I’m doing what’s necessary; I’m the
future of Justice!”
“Yeah, a shinning exemplar of it,” Nightwing laughed mockingly. “You’ve allied yourself with murders and thieves, and kidnapped the mother of your foster brother’s child. You’re no hero! You’re a sick man that’s so self-righteous he can’t even see he’s become the very thing we all fight against!”
Red Hood was shacking with fury. “You understand no-!” A great shadow fell over him, and the next moment, Red Hood was thrown against the wall and knocked unconscious.
“Well then,” the giant said, turning to Nightwing. “Now that the drama is over, perhaps some explanations are in order?”
Taken by pure shock and fear, Nightwing moved back, gasping. “Bane! You’re-”
“-the real Lord of the Birds of Passage, and mastermind behind this all?” Bane said mockingly. “Yes, that I am.”
Aftermath:
Nightwing: 3 Bruised, 1 Injured, 3 Hero Points
Red Hood: 2 Bruised, Unconscious
Cyrano de Bergerac was an historical figure, immortalized and fictionalized by Edmond Rostand's famous play. While Cyrano was something of a legend in his own time (1619-1655), Rostand obviously enhanced this reputation and his famous nose to a higher level. My version is based upon the 
