[2e] Villains: Shades of Gray - Prelude (IC) - Hiatus

[eddieisbored]

NOTICE: The Villains:Shades of Gray campaign is currently on an extended hiatus as of April 11th 2012.

VILLAINS: SHADES OF GRAY - PRELUDE

Your characters find themselves atop one of the taller high-rises lining Caldera’s skyline. The skyscraper is literally a modern glass castle, its architecture borrowed from traditional and contemporary sources. Large windows cover the majority of the entire building. The durable glass is tinted black and reflective so the building shines majestically during the day and gloriously reflects the city lights while its night.

It is a clear evening and the darkness, altitude and wind-chill has dropped the temperature just below most peoples’ comfort zones. Thankfully a glass tower extrudes from the top of the building and everyone is gathered on the side opposing the chilling gusts of air. The services lights on the roof have been shut down save for the exit sign bolted above the roof door and lone pulsing red light atop the point of the glass tower to warn its presence to aircraft.

Bright white spotlights are positioned on either corner of the roof and are aimed toward the earth to illuminate the grounds below. This causes a ghostly diffuse light to shine back up to your characters. The light highlights your chins and eyebrows and leaves the majority of your facial features in shadow; perfect lighting to remain semi-anonymous during this meeting.

Red Knight, Dracma and Quantum each hold information regarding the whereabouts of a missing and hidden complex located somewhere within the city. This complex has its own sustainable power source and has the potential to serve as a base of operations for many of your purposes. The information is a mix of purchase logs, contractor information, energy research documents, among other paper and electronic paraphernalia. Separately everyone has come to a dead end locating the compound or the workers, sellers, and buyers to anything relating to this hidden complex. Someone was very thorough covering up their activites.

Over a short time you all have somehow reached each other and agreed too met up in order to exchange information , connect some dots and figure out some clues. The seven of you are waiting for at least three others to arrive.

All of you know that this meeting is held together by very thin and circumstantial strings. The point of this meeting is to obtain information beneficial to your alliance’s goals and it’s very unlikely that you’ll leave the roof yet alone tip the balance toward hostility during this encounter. Feel free to interact with each other until the others arrive. Please describe yourselves in your introductory posts.

Make sure to read the following post. It describes everyone’s relationship to each other and not everyone will know of the others powers.

Adam Wentworth might be wearing his power armor under his clothes somehow or maybe he carries it in a suitcase but no-one has made any connections to him and the Red Knight.

Not too many people grasp the entire picture of Showdown’s capabilities. I’d imagine that Showdown would be in his Shadow Ranger form during this encounter.

Dracma Kalis might flash his wealth and personality but it’s unlikely he’s advertising his magical powers.

Stretch’s powers may be known to Dracma Kalis given the circumstances below. Describe whether or not Stretched used his elasticity in that situation.

Hope Avery hasn’t revealed her magical powers or Lady Death and Lady Demon forms to anyone in this group.

It is unlikely that anyone would make a connection to Quantum or her powers.

Mathias Wheeler gives off a tough aura but has not powers to question.

EDIT: Everyone starts this encounter with 1 VP. The Luck feat will increase this amount.

[eddieisbored]

Make sure to read this post since it describes everyone’s relationship together.

Red Knight

Adam Wentworth has been searching for a discreet and suitable place to relocate his lab for the past two months. It is proving a challenge to maintain and upgrade his power suit while simultaneously covering his financial and literal tracks within his late father’s company. After rubbing shoulders with Caldera’s social elite he has uncovered rumors of an abandoned superstructure hidden within the city hosting an untapped power source. It has the potential to serve his purposes.

Spending valuable resources he has managed to covertly contact and hire the elite warrior known as Showdown to be his bodyguard. It is a calculated risk associating himself with Showdown since the man is sought after by many unsavory people. If he successfully attains the location of the compound then he will be able to personally create technology to deal with those undesirables should they arrive to bother him.

Showdown

Mitchell Faithful has been progressively evolving his reputation as a useful tool rather than a collection of valuable parts within the Western world. Although he has no allies his services have rendered him compatible within Caldera’s underground.

He was recently contacted for a job and successfully tracked down the deliberately careful chains to its source, the millionaire heir Adam Wentworth. Showdown does not know about the Red Knight and accepted the job under the impression that the Wentworth wanted a facility to test unsanctioned aeromechanics for his company.

Dracma Kalis

Dracma Kalis has just planted his roots within the city of Caldera since the short time that he’s been there. In under a month he has taken the first steps to successfully incorporating himself within the seedier side of Caldera’s entertainment industry. He can freely access a few night clubs, casinos and has even attended the annual, and invite only, Propulsion Dynamics charity auction party though he had to go through hoops gain entrance.

He has been careful to not step on any of the local crime lords’ toes since his arrival, wary that anything hinting at his desire to control the city would ruin the coup he plans to achieve later. He travels with a small posse; its most notable member a more than capable thug known as Stretch. He has also managed to convince Hope Avery, an attractive young lady, to be his personal assistant.

The only thing he is missing is a base of operations. After learning the rumors of an abandoned complex he desires to gain control of it and transform it into an underground club full of illegal entertainment and gambling.

Stretch

Joseph Tuivele found trouble as soon as he wound his way into Caldera. Unfortunately for his would be attackers he effortlessly incapacitated them soon as they tried to remove him from blocking the sidewalk of some self important playboy. Expecting the worst Joseph was quite surprised when Dracma Kalis laughed and proffered him a wad of cash and the chance join his posse.

Ever since then Joseph has worked with Dracma Kalis as a respected bodyguard. Stretch aspires to become greater than his generous benefactor but is content to play the cards he was dealt… for now.

Hope Avery

Hope Avery found herself drawn to the city of Caldera when she noticed a powerful magic radiating from the metropolis. More interesting was the fact that she felt the presence without much conscious effort.

It wasn’t hard for Hope to locate Dracma Kalis since he arrogantly paraded himself wherever he went. She planned to easily seduce the playboy and drain him of his power as Lady Death until she learned that his source of magic was demonic in nature. Always eager to learn more of her power’s origins she decided to take the patient approach and study Dracma Kalis incase their magical powers came from the same unholy source.

In the local casino she managed to slip past his small posse and catch the attention of Dracma. After a few subtle advances while presenting a professional coyness she was offered a job as his personal assistant.

She plans to humor the man only until he runs out his purpose. Neither Dracma nor Stretch know of Hope’s Lady Death and Lady Demon forms.

Quantum

Few people in Caldera know who Zoya Apraxin is and those who do are wise enough to respect her. Zoya covertly entered the United States to begin her own aspirations separate from her employment in Central America and more specifically Mexico.

Not long after her arrival, Zoya noticed a name that she remembered from her time in Costa Rica dotting her channels. Following up on the information while researching her past she made the connection to Adam Wentworth, multi-millionaire heir to the Propulsion Dynamics Company and the once young radical activist during his time spent studying abroad in Central America.

Using his activity for base she uncovered that he along with a few of Caldera’s players were seeking to claim a facility hidden away from the rest of the city; a perfect place to renew her family’s power. Knowing that she’d need more muscle to support her claim she called in a favor from the Wheeler Clan and acquired the services of Mathias Wheeler for her protection.

Huntsman

Mathias Wheeler has proven himself a capable member within the Wheeler Clan. He has helped his family to capture more than a few quarries while on the hunt. Men of his age are expected to heighten the name Wheeler across different territories. Thus when Zoya Apraxin called in a favor on the family he was handpicked by his Grandfather and clan leader to assist the militant Russian woman.

Mathias had plenty of time to toss the idea of starting a sister clan along the Eastern United States while traveling to Caldera. Once he helps Zoya he may very well carve his own niche around Caldera territory.

[Gilliam]

Stretch
VP: 0
Condition: Normal

Keeping half an eye on the other parties on the rooftop, Stretch kept an eye out for the others who were running late. Taking his cue from his present boss "Kalis", Stretch was wearing a muscle t-shirt with dress pants rather than his preferred cargo pants and combat boots. if there is any trouble I would like to see how they cope with been dangled over the side of the building Stretch thought smugly to himself.

Glancing at the chunky rings on his fingers that he had taken from the unconscious bodies of Kalis' former posse, he hadn't even needed to use his powers to win as they were rank amateurs. Later that night Kalis had observed his powers when he had caught a beer bottle nearly 10 feet away.

I hope that this finishes soon so we can go back to that Gentleman's Club that we went to last week. I am sure that they haven't forgotten me thought Stretch as Kalis and his PA spoke quietly to the side.

[Aerlwyn]

Hope Avery
VP 1
Condition Normal


Mr Kalis we should hurry this along as you have a meeting in the morning with those gentlemen at the men's club you visited yesterday, it would be best if you are ready and prepared for what ever they throw at you about your "involvement" in the club Hope mentions checking her pda. We also have that meeting about your funding that soup kitchen for the less fortunate that you mentioned to me last week. If you like i can deliever it for you and have it mentioned on your taxes as a contribution so its a tax right off, will look good for the police and government if they go snooping.

Hope looks around at the other villians sizing each one up based on their style of dress and movements.Stretch i was able to clear up those parking tickets for you the metermaid in question mentioned something about her number on the back and call her anytime after 5.

Hope is wearing a black collarless twill jacket with matching twill seamed pencil skirt, a graphic stripe jumper and stiletto heels.

[Corebrute23]

Showdown
VP: 4 (Luck 3)

Despite standing closely against the wall, no one could mistake the armored body guard to be slouching. Adorned in black armor, he was the only obvious evidence that this meeting consisted of anything except ordinary citizens, who enjoyed standing on a roof. Showdown was ever the professional, his arms stood by his side rather than folded. If a fight broke out, he wanted to be ready to move, and he did not need to fold his arms to look intimidating.

His mask was very useful in not only hiding his expression, the eyes were large enough it could hide where his eyes turned. Of course any ordinary bodyguard would have detested this location-it was too hard to get a good look, and there was no easy escape route. Showdown however was no ordinary bodyguard. He would hear a sniper clocking a weapon from any of the nearby rooftops. And there was always a way out.

Look at me, a body guard for a corporate millionaire-not a paramilitary general, not a crime boss. I'm not even his body double. This is almost a legitimate job. He thought privately. His eyes shifted towards the Russian woman and her 'entourage'. They seem professional. Possibly familiar, maybe from my neck of the woods, so to speak? The others, he notes, his eyes flickering to Dracma Kalis, an eccentric mob boss perhaps? With a little dress up ken doll too acting as a body guard. How adorable, does he come with a catchphrase if you pull his string? His body didn't move, but he laughed inwardly. If I was a funny villain, I would make a joke about my kung fu grip. Something to learn I guess.

He brought his eyes centre once again. I wish the boss had informed me of who we were waiting for. It is possible he himself didn't know-shady figures usually hold their cards close to their chests.

OOC: Would a knowledge martial arts recognise Huntsman for his clan? Would my time, travelling the world make it likely I would know of Quantum-or her reputation at least?

[XLS]

RED KNIGHT
VP: 1
Condition: Normal

Adam stood atop the building, donning an expensive-looking suit and holding tightly a suitcase-- the suitcase that held his Red Knight battle armor.

He looked around at the group. It was an odd mix. He'd sworn he'd seen that playboy somewhere. Kalis, he'd called himself. Even the goon he has with him looks familiar, he thought. He must mean business, though, if he brought his cute little personal assistant along with him.

Adam had less luck placing the other woman. She had Slavic-looking features, but he couldn't help thinking that he'd seen her in Nicaragua, which totally didn't make sense. Looks like she brought a goon of her own, though.

Adam then chuckled at himself, for he'd brought his own public muscle. To his left stood his own bodyguard-- Showdown, he was called. He didn't like the idea of associating so closely with the seedier elements of the city, and public exposure connecting him with this ruffian would cause serious problems. Still, he needed this new base-- if it really existed-- if he was going to continue pursuing his goals.

"You think you can take this group if something goes badly?" Adam whispered to Showdown. He was half-joking, but half-serious-- it takes more than a few seconds to activate his battle armor, and it would be a mistake to activate the armor in public. Adam thus knew that if something went down, he'd need time to duck into a stairwell to get his suit on and activated. Hopefully, this new hire could cause enough of a distraction to buy him that time.

[mrdent12]

Dracma Kalis
VP: 1
CND: Fine

In the style he was becoming accustomed after getting out of prison, Dracma didn't bother to try and be hidden. His white silk suit with a rose red vest and tie stood out from the surroundings like an amish person at an adult film festival. Furthermore, he was standing in the light to better highlight the suit. Nice suits paid for with gambling winnings didn't deserve to be hidden in shadows. Now if only he could get Joseph to appreciate a fine suit. It was so hard to get material that stretched like his new found compatriot. The moment he stretched the suit would be ruined.

Life had been good to him so far. His line of credit at the casino was large, women flocked to him at the clubs, and soon he might even have his own club if the meeting went well. He even got a pretty assistant. She wasn't really needed as Dracma never saw the need for an assistant, but if being called an assistant and doing assistant things made her feel better well it just make the chase that much easier.

He looked around at the others assembled on the roof. A business man, carrying a brief case looked like he could use a good night on the town. There was also the mans body guard who looked like fun wasn't even in his vocabulary. Dracma had a couple women on speed dial who could change that. To top if all off, there was two people who looked like a good old fashioned street brawling tournament would be right up their alley. If it wasn't actually happening the scene would make a pretty good joke.

Mr Kalis we should hurry this along as you have a meeting in the morning with those gentlemen at the men's club you visited yesterday, it would be best if you are ready and prepared for what ever they throw at you about your "involvement" in the club Hope mentions checking her pda. We also have that meeting about your funding that soup kitchen for the less fortunate that you mentioned to me last week. If you like i can deliever it for you and have it mentioned on your taxes as a contribution so its a tax right off, will look good for the police and government if they go snooping.

Dracma gave Hope a charming smile that had lured weaker women into all sorts of compromising positions. "Now you know I don't pay taxes or worry about the government. They are a bunch of kill joys who want to pretend they are legitimate so they can take others money. As for the gentlemens club, it was boring anyway. They didn't even allow touching. Who goes to a place like that and doesn't get the backroom special? If anyone is the criminal they are for not allowing the girls to earn a little more for something they do anyway. Besides, after this meeting we can all go to this bar I passed. Word has it that they have the best backroom poker games and some of the most beautiful women who play in it. I am sure there would be room for all of us." Dramca looked around to the assembled people. "The offer is good for the rest of you as well. Although I might have trouble getting you in.", he looks at Showdown. "You have a rather dull all business vibe."

[Corebrute23]

RED KNIGHT

Adam then chuckled at himself, for he'd brought his own public muscle. To his left stood his own bodyguard-- Showdown, he was called. He didn't like the idea of associating so closely with the seedier elements of the city, and public exposure connecting him with this ruffian would cause serious problems. Still, he needed this new base-- if it really existed-- if he was going to continue pursuing his goals.

"You think you can take this group if something goes badly?" Adam whispered to Showdown. He was half-joking, but half-serious-- it takes more than a few seconds to activate his battle armor, and it would be a mistake to activate the armor in public. Adam thus knew that if something went down, he'd need time to duck into a stairwell to get his suit on and activated. Hopefully, this new hire could cause enough of a distraction to buy him that time.

"I thought we had no intention of letting this get bad, sir." Showdown responded mysteriously. While Showdown was well aware of his own capabilities, he was no fool. In Caldera, things were not as they seemed, and it wouldn't have been the first time he misjudged an enemies' fighting capability. He would have liked to say he hadn't been trained to fight an enemy who could change into a dragon. The truth was, he just hadn't been prepared for it that day.

Prepare for anything. He thought to himself. He glanced at the PA. Why would such a man even need a Personal Assistant? He clearly has no schedule to keep to. It's likely she's the real muscle, and the thug is simply a distraction.

Dracma gave Hope a charming smile that had lured weaker women into all sorts of compromising positions. "Now you know I don't pay taxes or worry about the government. They are a bunch of kill joys who want to pretend they are legitimate so they can take others money. As for the gentlemens club, it was boring anyway. They didn't even allow touching. Who goes to a place like that and doesn't get the backroom special? If anyone is the criminal they are for not allowing the girls to earn a little more for something they do anyway. Besides, after this meeting we can all go to this bar I passed. Word has it that they have the best backroom poker games and some of the most beautiful women who play in it. I am sure there would be room for all of us." Dramca looked around to the assembled people. "The offer is good for the rest of you as well. Although I might have trouble getting you in.", he looks at Showdown. "You have a rather dull all business vibe."

"It's what keeps me employed sir." He responds to the charming man's barb. He wasn't going to rise to the bait. "On the brightside, professionalism grants me the privilege of my employer allowing me to dress myself." He responds, certainly not looking at Stretch, and definitely not smirking under his mask. That would be unprofessional.

[Aerlwyn]

Hope Avery
VP 1
Condition Normal


Cant wait to rip his spine out and use it for a golf putter, expecting me to fall for that god what does he think i am some bimbo. Yes Mr Kalis is there anything else that you want me to look into? Hope asks.

Taking stock of the villians and the muscle/body guards, they really seem to be more or less what they are. Wonder how much each of them knows about this hidden base, must be that they each know something to take this meeting, but who arranged it as they really dont seem to have alot in common. They dont run in the same circles as each other. Writes down each of their names if mentioned and a description of each to look up on them. So much to learn yes a good place to start.

[mrdent12]

Dracma Kalis
VP: 1
CND: Fine

"It's what keeps me employed sir." He responds to the charming man's barb. He wasn't going to rise to the bait. "On the brightside, professionalism grants me the privilege of my employer allowing me to dress myself." He responds, certainly not looking at Stretch, and definitely not smirking under his mask. That would be unprofessional.

The black armored body guard certainly sounded professional. If it made him happy, good for him. Dracma was the last one to begrudge someone for wearing what they want. It still didn't stop him from trying to tempt people into the finer side of life. "I would never tell you how to dress. Some people can have the finest clothes and still not pull them off. Now if you are ever in the market for a suit instead of a mask and armor I met this tailor lately who does exotic suits. He might be able to whip you up an all black suit that affords you comfort and protection. It wouldn't be cheap, but banks have plenty of money just sitting in their vaults."

Cant wait to rip his spine out and use it for a golf putter, expecting me to fall for that god what does he think i am some bimbo. Yes Mr Kalis is there anything else that you want me to look into? Hope asks.

He gave another attempt at the smile. If it hadn't worked yet, it probably wouldn't work, but by now it probably was getting annoying to her, which was something and teasing was fun sometimes. "You are so professional. I am starting to think this is a boardroom meeting. Once the last people arrive, we will have to do something about that professional attitude of yours. Some tequila shots or cosmos is what I would prescribe."

[XLS]

RED KNIGHT
VP: 2
Condition: Normal

"You think you can take this group if something goes badly?" He had asked Showdown.

"I thought we had no intention of letting this get bad, sir," Showdown replied.

Adam smirked. He was pleased with his hire, and felt better about his choice each day. He just hoped it didn't turn around and bite him.

Just then, the playboy-- who'd been having some conversation with his "assistant"-- spoke to the group.

"The offer is good for the rest of you as well," the playboy said, referring to some sort of back-room casino he wanted to go to. Adam tried hard not to roll his eyes.

"Although I might have trouble getting you in. You have a rather dull all business vibe," the playboy added, referring to Showdown.

"It's what keeps me employed sir," Showdown responded, adding "On the bright side, professionalism grants me the privilege of my employer allowing me to dress myself."

The playboy responded with a snide comment about selling Showdown a suit. Then he went back to his conversation with his assistant.

Adam smiled at how Showdown had handled himself.

"Your offer is... kind, mister... Kais, is it?" He finally interjected into the dialogue, hoping to interrupt the playboy's conversation with his assistant, and deliberately misspeaking his name. "Yes, indeed, perhaps introductions are in order? I am Adam Wentworth. And this is my head of security. He simply goes by the name of Showdown," he said.

[mrdent12]

Dracma Kalis
VP: 1
CND: Fine

Dracma let the name slight go. Grudges were so tiresome to keep and anger was only good if it lead to enjoyable outlets. "I am Dracma Kalis. It would be rude of me to take the pleasure of introducing themselves from my entourage, so I will let them introduce themselves." He wasn't above a little revenge barbs though.

[Aerlwyn]

Hope Avery
VP 1


Hope Avery, I am not really his assistant I just let him think that. He is easy to lead around just offer him some eye candy and he melts. A pleasure to meet you Adam, so we are all here for the same reason I assume.

OOC Changed and sorted should not have added that bit really

[eddieisbored]

A particular strong gust of wind drowns the conversation for a brief moment. The air currents at this altitude are unpredictable.

Is Hope thinking or saying that Aerlywn? The scenario was that everyone is uncertain of everyone's powers save for Hope knowing about Dracma since they share demonic magic. I won't stop you if you want Hope to divulge this information, exposing Dracma's power and her own, but I'll allow you a moment to change your post if you reconsider. You would have 60 minutes to do this, starting now.

Corebrute23, there would be nothing about Quantum or Huntsman to prompt Showdown to make any connections at this time. You can ask to make the attempt at another time.

[Corebrute23]

Sorry, thought there was a uniform Huntsman was wearing or something.

Dracma Kalis
The black armored body guard certainly sounded professional. If it made him happy, good for him. Dracma was the last one to begrudge someone for wearing what they want. It still didn't stop him from trying to tempt people into the finer side of life. "I would never tell you how to dress. Some people can have the finest clothes and still not pull them off. Now if you are ever in the market for a suit instead of a mask and armor I met this tailor lately who does exotic suits. He might be able to whip you up an all black suit that affords you comfort and protection. It wouldn't be cheap, but banks have plenty of money just sitting in their vaults."

"Isn't there some honor among thieves? I thought we weren't allowed to steal from other criminals." He responded. Maybe I am funny. He thought, before continuing. "Also, from what I understand most banking is done electronically these days-rarely is money lethargic, it's always moving from hand to hand. It's sad we have to spend all day chasing it."

"Yes, indeed, perhaps introductions are in order? I am Adam Wentworth. And this is my head of security. He simply goes by the name of Showdown," he said.

"Sir?" Showdown spoke quietly, doing a very impressive attempt at hiding his confusion at his employer's actions. I was under the impression he did not want to be associated with the criminal underworld. Yet he doesn't have an alias for his criminal activities? And here I thought he was some billionaire vigilante.

Dracma Kalis
"I am Dracma Kalis. It would be rude of me to take the pleasure of introducing themselves from my entourage, so I will let them introduce themselves." He wasn't above a little revenge barbs though.

"It's always a pleasure to meet an employer who is so considerate of his employees feelings. It's rare to find one who won't harras them needlessly." At this point his head did do a momentary incline towards Hope, but it was fleeting. I have felt your pain. At least you never had to work for McDogie in Chicago.