Dreams of Power

[Quellian-dyrae]

The SIDE agents finish loading up the prisoners, and they and the police head out, leaving the heroes to their own matters.

[Quellian-dyrae]

The Story So Far:

A week ago, the unthinkable - by which I mean, unthinkably stupid - happened. Members of the Ragnarok Arms Ring, a multinational criminal organization, attacked and killed the family of a Hero. Hero Corps doesn't like this particular villain cliche, and they tend to respond to it by dropping pretty much everything to bring down the responsible party with extreme prejudice. That isn't, send a couple Heroes, or the elite of the Corps...that means, the entire flame-blasted Corps, somewhere between five hundred and thousand high-powered, experienced, combat-capable Dreamers throughout the country, band together to bring justice down the heads of the attackers.

During this time, the Corps typically calls upon capable independent Dreamers and others to keep an eye on things. These worthies are referred to as Heroes on Call.

These particular Heroes on Call would up encountering a threat, in the form of a small group of people who displayed powers associated with popular depictions of vampires. It is believed that this attack is the work of an enigmatic individual that the media refers to as Necromancer, believed to be a Dreamer with power over death and the dead. He's been active, on and off, for over twenty years, but he's hard to predict, has popped up all over the country, and often works through minions, so he's yet to be caught.

But maybe this time will be different.

We begin (restart, whatever) at the Halls of the Dreaming, a former university campus that has been retrofitted to serve as a regional headquarters of the Assembly of Dreams for this part of the country. The return of the Heroes is a fairly big deal. There's a big party going on, an open air celebration welcoming the Heroes and congratulating them on their success - bringing down the Ragnarok Arms Ring, ignoring all other considerations, is a big win for the Good Guys on its face. The media presence is, of course, tremendous, and crowds of people have gathered throughout the campus, both Assembly-affiliated and otherwise.

GA, Smasher, Shift:

Two days have passed since the Heroes on Call routed the vampires.

The Ghost didn't return to the Halls of Dreaming after that night. No contact, no response to attempts at contact, if any. She went off the grid like a credit to her archetype.

There were no further attacks, although it did give the remaining heroes some time to gather up data on Necromancer.

Above PCs Only:

Spoiler

Show

What you already knew:

Necromancer is a code name invented by the media, though SIDE also uses it for lack of anything better. Technically, he's not confirmed as an actual person, but SIDE's pretty sure he exists, and is a single individual.

Although not completely confirmed, his Dreamer power is listed as Death Magic. He's pretty much confirmed as being able to reanimate the dead in various ways, although he seems to have a preference for creating classic undead creatures - zombies, skeletons, ghosts, mummies, and, if this was him, apparently vampires. Some creatures connected to him are somewhat more unique, however. He's also strongly suspected to have the power to manipulate the life force to weaken or kill others. IDEA consultants have suggested that, if he is advanced enough, he could be able to use his powers to protect himself from death, heal injuries, and even take on some of the powers of the undead himself.

His minions are responsible for many of the crimes connected to him, but it's believed that he does act directly at times. His MO, as SIDE has been able to put things together, is to begin with an initial murder which he is believed to commit personally, reanimating the victim and setting it upon others. He seems to take a perverse delight in sending his minions after friends, family, and others who were close to them in life. Often, those killed by his victims also rise as undead. However, as far as SIDE is able to tell, only those that he kills directly are able to spawn others, which keeps his killing sprees from becoming full scale disasters. Even so, his arrival in a city has been known to result in death tolls in the dozens.

New Information:

The files SIDE sent you don't tell you much that you don't know. They do pin down a bit more information - he's usually active for a couple weeks at a time, for example, typically staging three to five attacks over that period. Once he starts up, fifty or so miles is about the largest gap of distance between individual attacks in a given period of activity.

While there is very little out there about Necromancer himself, a look into his victims proves a bit more fruitful. In particular, the people who he turned into vampires all appear, when you get into their backgrounds, to have at least some connection to the Reclaimers.

Looking into past cases, unfortunately, doesn't reveal that same pattern. However, the case files do note that the majority of victims in a given appearance did have a connection. Sometimes to a corporation, sometimes to a government agency, sometimes to an organization. He seems fairly consistent during any given period of activity, just not between them.

Today, though, celebration appears to be the order of the day for the Corps. Warden's been by, to handle the administration stuff, get you all paid, and such, but he's said if you'll all stick around, have some food and drink, enjoy the party, he'd have more time to debrief you later that afternoon.

Evil-Smasher:

Spoiler

Show

It's the weekend. You're cool .

Nolan thanked him for the offer, but had to get back to his company. What the rest of you do is up to you. You're currently in Building H, Room 9, of the Halls of Dreaming.

Aegis:

The ACC is, of course, out in force with the return of the Heroes. The ACC is pretty much spearheading the whole party ('course, they also know they'll be the ones stuck with cleanup duty; they have that name for a reason), although a good few of your peers are also working to get injured Heroes healed and such.

You received a call about an hour ago, one of your SIDE buddies, saying a team was coming down to speak with the Heroes on Call and asking if you could get them in contact. He told you, with some amusement, you'd know them when you saw them, "Just look for the angel."

You're currently outside, in the Main Plaza of the Halls of Dreaming.

Avacyn, Goro, Robert

Partying is probably the last thing you're concerned with. The three of you were called upon by your contacts/superiors at SIDE and briefed on the recent activities of Necromancer. SIDE has, over the past two days, been trying to get information from the captured "vampires". Which hasn't worked, since Necromancer's minions tend to go inert as soon as you start asking them questions.

Above PCs Only:

Spoiler

Show

Worse still, the patrol dispatched to chase one of the vampires that fled lost contact and didn't report back. Their ACV (Aerial Combat Vehicle) was found just this morning. Everyone in it appeared to have been dead for decades.

You've been given the following information on Necromancer:

The Necromancer is a code name invented by the media, though SIDE also uses it for lack of anything better. Technically, he's not confirmed as an actual person, but SIDE's pretty sure he exists, and is a single individual.

Although not completely confirmed, his Dreamer power is listed as Death Magic. He's pretty much confirmed as being able to reanimate the dead in various ways, although he seems to have a preference for creating classic undead creatures - zombies, skeletons, ghosts, mummies, and, if this was him, apparently vampires. Some creatures connected to him are somewhat more unique, however. He's also strongly suspected to have the power to manipulate the life force to weaken or kill others. IDEA consultants have suggested that, if he is advanced enough, he could be able to use his powers to protect himself from death, heal injuries, and even take on some of the powers of the undead himself.

His minions are responsible for many of the crimes connected to him, but it's believed that he does act directly at times. His MO, as SIDE has been able to put things together, is to begin with an initial murder which he is believed to commit personally, reanimating the victim and setting it upon others. He seems to take a perverse delight in sending his minions after friends, family, and others who were close to them in life. Often, those killed by his victims also rise as undead. However, as far as SIDE is able to tell, only those that he kills directly are able to spawn others, which keeps his killing sprees from becoming full scale disasters. Even so, his arrival in a city has been known to result in death tolls in the dozens.

He's usually active for a couple weeks at a time, for example, typically staging three to five attacks over that period. Once he starts up, fifty or so miles is about the largest gap of distance between individual attacks in a given period of activity.

The ACV was found about twelve miles south-south-east of the original attack.

You've been requested to speak to the Heroes on Call, see what they can tell you, and then hunt Necromancer down and neutralize him if at all possible. One of the Heroes on Call, Jerry Kings, the Gentleman Avenger, does work for SIDE on commission, so he's your main contact and expected to be included. Officially, it's your call whether to enlist the others...but people taken on as Heroes on Call tend to be competent, and don't tend to be the sorts who take well to being cut out of the loop on things like this.

Due to the party, they may be somewhat tough to find, although one of the agents has put in a call with a member of the ACC, goes by Codename: Aegis, who might be able to help you get in touch with them. At the very least, he'll be easier to find - much as a man-sized lizard tends to stand out.

You're currently just arriving at the campus, where the celebration is in full swing.

Jerry, Aegis, Avacyn, Goro, Robert

Spoiler

Show

Given that you all do work for/have connections with SIDE in various capacities, it's entirely probable that any or all of you may know each other/have worked together in the past/whatever. Your call across the board, just figured I'd bring it up.

[Orbiter]

ACC.....Aegis had guessed after hearing about them what the acronym actually meant, and for once he had been right, it actually stood for Assembly's Cleaning Crew, still few people expected him to go and join them.
But he needed to see the world from a somewhat safe distance and do some good, helping with stuff was the best he could do without worrying too much, besides he wasn't particularly interested in fighting most of his time, he had enough of that back at the ring, and he still had problems with his rage when fighting.

He shook his head abruptly, wasn't he supposed to be looking for an angel? instead of thinking about the past.........Angels.....those are the...wingy ones...yes he remembered now, he looked around him for a wingy one there was supposed to be one coming, and if there was his eyes should allow him to see pretty far away.

Spoiler

Show

Yes he actually thinks that way, and has some social quirks....and he may or may not give you a nickname...if you don't like or want a nickname or the nickname i pick tell me.
And until he meets Avacyn she is the wingy one.....in his mind.

Also see the ooc thread for connections if any.

Perception roll to find the wingy one we are supposed to help.
(1d20+10)[11]

[Belial_the_Leveler]

Avacyn
HP: 1 Condition:


A casual glance at the party reveals those that stand out; even among superhumans there are the celebrities, those whose powers can enhance their presence, or both. A rather obvious example among them is a white-winged, black-robed, platinum-blonde young woman who at the moment appears to be the center of attention of nearly a dozen admirers; nine male and two female. And while she seems to be having fun, her face frequently taken on a thoughtful expression as if her mind is not really at the party.

Beautiful enough to win beauty contests and with exotic features to begin with, an otherworldly aura enhances her presence and lends gravity to her every action; she is using her powers to show off and being obvious about it. Not exactly rare among Dreamers but tacky if done wrong and something one would expect from a teenage girl, not an "angel".



OOC:
Array enhancing charisma to 14, full senses, 2 ranks of flying. Avacyn is currently using the charisma boost to be more obvious and draw attention to herself rather than its social bonuses. There's a reason for that.

[Orbiter]

Aegis

He hated crowds, that was his only though as he was scanning the crowd for the Wingy one, thankfully he found a wingy one among the whole crowd....she as well some others seemed to stand out a lot for some reason, oh well it was time to go to her, she was a couple hundred feet away from him so he doubted she could hear him from here.

Being very careful not to use his super strength or go very fast he moved through the crowd to get near her and speak up."Excuse me Miss Angel, i was told to find you and your team!.......uhh actually are you part of the team i was expected to meet? or simply someone enjoying the festivities?".

[Belial_the_Leveler]

Avacyn
HP: 1 Condition:


The angelic woman thinks about it for a moment as she carefully examines the newcomer. No hint of any opinions is betrayed by her expression beyond some interest.
Unfortunately, I cannot answer your question. she says and a small smile twists her lips upwards. Why did you phrase your questions as an either/or querry? If -hypothetically speaking- someone was both enjoying the festivities and a part of the team you expected to meet, then they would be unable to answer without being either syntactically incorrect or annoyingly monolectic. Her smile widens, indicating both welcome and that she's being playfully annoying by intention. Not to mention that, unless the team you were here to meet contained a telepath and you were speaking to them at the moment, they would be unable to give a definite reply. Certainly, there are people from many teams in this celebration. And since you did not specify which team you were here to meet, how would one know you were looking for their team?

You get the feeling the angelic woman is being annoyingly reasonable for more than one reason. Maybe she's having fun. Maybe she genuinely needs you to be more specific. Perhaps she's pointing out how to improve your conversation skills in an indirect manner. Or she merely wants to take your measure when you are under social pressure. And the annoying but obvious way she's doing it might not reveal her exact reason but by being intentionally obvious about it she reduces the chances you'll miss her points or that you'll misunderstand her helpful manner.

[Orbiter]

Aegis

If Aegis knew one thing about socializing was that it involved too much talking for his own taste. Then again he only learned how to talk a year ago and its been only a year since then and he dint spent his time talking thats for sure. Still he tried to focus on what she was saying to understand what she meant, was she scolding him or something else? he was getting confused, she made him felt like he teaching."Uhhh......sorry?" if a lizard could blush, then he would have been a tomato, thankfully he was already a purple of sorts and lizards don't blush either way in any situation sentient or not.

Still he was silent for a moment as he tried to compose himself from his confusion and understand what she meant, but a little voice inside of him spoke up, he could have been helping others in the ACC instead of wasting time here talking. His eyes lighted up as all thoughts of being apologetic left his mind as well whatever lesson she was trying to instill him was rejected from his thoughts for the moment. Instead he turned his head to focus his gaze for a bit to the crowd around him to find another wingy one, as he straightened his tail that was half-coiled on his right side until now.

This gesture usually meant with most creatures that they were alert and focused or angry, in this case he was getting annoyed and very very restless. "I am looking for a team send by SIDE to guide them to speak with the Heroes on Call, and i was instructed to 'look for the Angel', if you are not that Angel then sorry for keeping you from enjoying the party". Despite talking his mind focused on the water he was gathering to soon douse this wingy one for making him a fool and wasting his time.

Spoiler

Show

Array changing: Water control.......someone will get wet if he doesn't learn that they are in the team......he still might do it though no guarantee.

Also perception roll to look for another Angel this one is broken....er mean that is XD.
[roll0]

[HopeHubris]

Evil-Smasher

"Sooo... Did any of you manage to find anything on the Necromancer guy?" Evil-Smasher asks the heroes that didn't mysteriously vanish, clearly without any leads of his own.

As he asks this, he looks around the room (Or outside, I'm fairly sure he can see through walls) for any chips or fizzy drinks

[Re'ozul]

Robert

A lot of good food without having to use his power. Robert likes happenings like this one. For the last ten minutes or so he has just been eating his way through the buffet, mostly ignored by everyone.

Catching the confrontation between the Lizard and the wannabe-angel, he maneuvers himself closer eventually sitting down on a chair close by with a plate full of pastries.

[18th Avenger]

The Gent

"We've been trying to get definitive info on the Necromancer for years," replied the Gentleman Avenger to the hulking Evil-Smasher. Seemingly appearing from the press, he'd made his appearance at Smasher's elbow balancing a tray of hearty little goodies (whomever organized the party took to mind the simple natures of some of the invitees) like freshly-cut potato chips in chocolate and literally-miniaturized sandwiches. The one concession Jerry took to the party was that he'd left his cane back at his nest and took the time to put on the full tuxedo, along with the flowing red Mantle and Mask.

He popped a potato chip into his mouth. "If we did, he wouldn't a problem every now and again." He nodded in greeting to the new influx of heroes; some of whom he knew by sight.

[Belial_the_Leveler]

Avacyn
HP: 1 Condition:


Worry not. the angel says, still with a smile. You haven't been wasting my time, nor I yours; I am part of the team you were sent to look for. She waves at the other partygoers that had gathered nearby. Sorry boys and girls but duty calls; we must go find our other teammates. Have fun till we meet again.
With that she leads Aegis to the others from the team that she knows.

[TheThan]

Agent Goro Hachiro,

A big man steps into the room, tall and broad across the shoulders and obviously well muscled. He wears a tailored suit, black jacket, tie and trousers, white shirt. He’s shaved bald and clean shaven and wears black wraparound sunglasses.

Maneuvering through the crowd he grabs a bottle of beer from a waitress and pops the top off with his bare hands. He scans the room, searching for his target. A rather large crocodile like being; standing next to a winged angelic being and a few others.

Catching the last bit about the necromancer, the big man responds,

“Hopefully, we can rectify that situation.”

[Orbiter]

Aegis

Well so much for that at least she was upfront about it when he asked her directly....probably dint mean to antagonize him or whatever, he might apologize later now that he thought about it and calmed down.
For now he nodded and followed the Angel lady, in retrospect it was childish to try dousing her with water, double as she was indeed with SIDE.

[Belial_the_Leveler]

Avacyn
HP: 1 Condition:


Before we sit down to talk about this Necromancer, roll call; whoever is absent should raise their hands so we know who hasn't arrived yet. The angelic woman raises an eyebrow at the looks she gets. Failing that, perhaps members of our two different groups should introduce themselves? Some basic information would help with a lot of things - from knowing each other better to strategy formulation and anything inbetween. A hip-high pillar of soft light appears upon which she comfortably sits as if it's a chair before she goes on.
You may call me Avacyn. I am with SIDE on nonprofit retainer in the support and tactical combat roles. For those that don't know me, I am primarily a healer and advocate of nonviolent resolution to conflicts.

[Orbiter]

Aegis

Well they found the rest of the team or did they? "Well i am Aegis and i am a member of the ACC, i was asked to help the team from SIDE to help find those in the Hero Corps team that deals....with whatever crisis is going on and i dont know about.......but there was no need from the looks of it, you have found each other just fine." Now he would stick around a bit out of curiosity and then leave because lets be honest here his job seemed to be done, but just in case he should stay to ensure his job is indeed done before tiptoeing away.

[18th Avenger]

The Gent

"Ah! So you're the one they're calling 'the Angel'," Jerry greeted the platinum-haired woman with the carriage of a queen, rising to offer her a chair. "I've heard Willis and her stick mention you a couple of times." When the woman projected a pillar of light to serve as her chair, the masked Gentleman smoothly called for drinks to their side of the room and nodded a greeting to Agent Hachiro.

Taking his seat once again, brushing aside the ragged Mantle with what seemed like long practice, he steepled his fingers as he eyed the influx. "In the spirit of candor, Master Aegis, we're the first reserve. With the Corps on mop-up, it falls to us to be the respondents when the heroes are quite busy. In this case, we're on the trail of the Necromancer."

[TheThan]

Returning the nod to the gentleman avenger Agent Goro speaks.

“I am Agent Goro Hachiro, most people call me Agent Goro, or just Goro. I am with SIDE on a profit retainer in the investigation and combat roles. For those that don't know me, I am primarily a fighter and an advocate of violent resolutions to conflicts. I’ve been assigned to the agents on call to help with your investigation of the Necromancer, as I’ve got talent in that area.”

Goro says, in a flat deadpan voice, mimicking the small speech the angel lady gave. His voice is deep and gravely, with a hint of an accent. He takes a seat and takes a sip from his beer.

[Re'ozul]

Robert

Having laden his plate with food again, before following the others, Robert looks up as his turn comes. Swallowing and wincing for a moment as he forgot to bring along something to drink, he begins.

"I try to go by "Handyman", though SIDE tends to give me different monikers each time I work with them." He starts counting with his fingers "Snatcher, Grabbag, Yoink, Property Denial, I think the closest they have ever come to what I want my name to be is 'Blandyman'. Then again, the deal I have with them doesn't really lend itself to making a big fuss about something like this. ... Where was I? Oh yes. Don't expect me to fight anything, don't expect me to be of much use with violence at all. I work more subtly or a lot less, depending on the situation."

[Belial_the_Leveler]

Avacyn
HP: 1 Condition:


I have heard about you. the angel says and winks at Handyman. And you shouldn't sell yourself short. The way Dreamer fights are televised, how many supervillains and terrorists would want to face you and risk appearing naked in international media?

[Re'ozul]

Robert

"Maybe, though thats not as easy as it sounds. I tried it a few times with parts of their clothes. Turns out they tend to have lots of spares and unless I had actual contact with them I can't differentiate between fake costumes for parties and the real thing either."

[HopeHubris]

Evil-Smasher

'Smasher grabs some of Gent's chips, turning to towards him with a full mouth and a deluge of questions
"Is that a real angel? Why does that guy look like a lizard? Do you think that handy guy could steal my boots? What powers does Goro have?"

[Belial_the_Leveler]

Avacyn
HP: 1 Condition:


Do religions here even have angels? Avacyn asks with the air of someone about to make a metareligious joke. But then she thinks about it a bit and winks at Evil-Shmasher instead. I'd say I am at least as real as you are. But that is neither here nor there - much as we'd all prefer to drink, joke and be merry, there are those that can no longer do so - and must be avenged.
Her expression turns into frown halfway between angry and thoughtful.
This "Necromancer". What does SIDE know of his powers and preferred minions? I'm only a recent addition to the "family" and I haven't had the opportunity to... access the information.


OOC:
Avacyn's sight negates illusions. Also, she's rather uncomfortable with modern tech and that's why she didn't check for info on Necromancer - anyone who knows where and how she was found can guess that's why she hesitated.

[Re'ozul]

Robert

"Steal your Boots? I probably can. Though that is probably dependant on some things."

[Orbiter]

Aegis

Aegis nodded to Avacyn "Yep there are other...wingy ones besides you, i think i saw one a......year? ago". That was true, but wasn't he according to what he said just a dreamer who did a journey or something somewhere? oh well it mattered not.
He then turned to face Evil Smasher "Also I am as much a lizard as you are a monkey".

Spoiler

Show

and yes i can see by illusions too.....fun
No offence intended by him...not really he thinks he states what is a fact to him, but lacks the proper social grace to say it properly as Avacyn told him before in one way

[Quellian-dyrae]

As the group talked, another Hero appeared in the room. Darius Embers, Codename: Warden. The Regional Commander of Hero Corps for this part of the country. "Ah, you're already here," he said, on seeing the SIDE representatives. "I just received word. This is about the Necromancer situation, correct? Have the Heroes on Call briefed you yet?"

[18th Avenger]

The Gent

Jerry looked up at Warden. "Evening, chief. I was just about to do that. We were getting acquainted." He popped a sandwich into his mouth. "Great spread."

At least, that's what it sounded like. The tuxedo-wearing Gentleman dusted crumbs off his outfit and swallowed. "As for the Necromancer's MO, we're talking stuff outta the horror movies. Zombies and skellies form the bottom of the threat pyramid with low endurance and numbers, followed by ghosts then stuff like mummies and vampires at the top."

[TheThan]

Agent Goro

Agent Goro stands when Warden enters the room. He looks for a place to put his beer. Not finding any, he simply holds it behind his back obviously trying to hide it from Warden.

“Interrogations of the “vampires” the heroes on call captured have turned up very little.”

Spoiler

Show

Investigation roll to know what exactly the “vampires” are, (as in are they Dreamers)
(1d20+6)[10]
And what information if any, SIDE has managed to pump out of them.
(1d20+6)[25]

[Belial_the_Leveler]

Avacyn
HP: 1 Condition:


I see. the angel says with a frown when Necromancer's MO is revealed. I wonder... have you tried recovering the people that were his minions? Would a sufficiently powerful transformation power be able to turn the undead victims back to the originals? I know a sufficiently powerful restorative ability can ressurect the dead or do similar things.

[Quellian-dyrae]

"I'm not sure off the top of my head. I know the Corps has assisted against Necromancer before, but investigation is usually SIDE's end of things. I'm not sure if they have healers or transformers of that level on staff." Warden looks over at Aegis. "ACC likely would though, come to think of it. I imagine if it's been tried, there'd be some sort of record on file...somewhere. Eh...maybe." Hero Corps and SIDE could compete in a lot of areas, but one place where SIDE won flat-out was getting the paperwork processed and organized correctly. ACC was...a little better than the Corps at that sort of thing, fortunately.

[Orbiter]

Aegis stared at Warden a moment before nodding "Well......i really am not the best person to ask for many reasons......but give me a moment to think what i know about the healers we have."

After taking a moment or two in his case he perked up, and nodded to himself, yep he knew some stuff. "I know two healers who can bring up people from the dead for sure, Ana and Karl masson, those two have a reputation on that and i have seen one of them i think doing such a thing.
But you should know that i am pretty sure this morning, as i was getting ready i heard from some people in the ACC that there have been previous attempts to resurrect Necromancer's victims after........dispatching them and it didn't work...." he paused there straining to think for a moment what else was said this morning about that matter.

"Hrm i think they said.... it was because the time they spent as undead seemed to count like the time spent dead for their resurrection powers. However the healers in the group agreed that the powers would most likely work if they worked on the victim soon enough." Aegis corked his crocodile head to the side, he had spoken word for word what he heard more or less, but was that all?......"Yah i think thats all i know and heard about this matter, i hope that helps you....somewhat."

Spoiler

Show

Investigation roll for Aegis to see if he knows any strong healers or has heard about any of them who have the powah to bring back the dead.
(1d20)[18]

Another roll if something like resurrecting someone has been done(if he has heard about it that is)
(1d20)[20]