33 Rules: SUPERHERO GAME

[acathala]

Tom sighs. This was escalating. Corvus needed to go down hard. Trying to use every last bit of skill he possesses, he tries to dodge through the flames to punch the guy down.

[TG Barighm]

Tom summons every bit of mystical ninja training he has. He dives through the flames, aiming for a point where the licking flames part just enough to allow him entry.

(Dodge Success on 2) It works. He acrobatically passes through the flames and rolls into a parked car. The few bits of exposed skin are reddened, but it's nothing to worry about.

Corvus had not gotten far since they last talked. He is now in the process of forcing open a locked door with a crowbar, just on the far wall. Startled cries from the other side of the door follow every concerted pull of the crowbar.

Tom's eye catches a flashing red light near the fire alarm. Oddly, the actual fire siren hasn't been tripped, but the silent alarm has. This seems odd, but at least the fire department is coming. The automated police defenses might not be ready, but Tom knows the fire fighting drones certainly are. Unfortunately, this also means a way to identify him at the scene of a disturbance. He has minutes at most.

[acathala]

This time the only warning Corvus is going to get is a punch. Tom has had enough of the reckless endangerment he was causing.

[TG Barighm]

Tom runs right up to Corvus and delivers a massive sucker punch to his back, but at that exact moment Corvus throws his weight into the door (so, basically, not a 3; -2 HP). Corvus smashes through the door and Tom hammers him in the back (and triggers his inferno aura; -2 HP). The fiery super stumbles through the doorway and into the wall on the other side. He bounces off the wall, but catches himself and spins to face Tom. His aura immediately charges the various papers, envelopes, and calendar in the room.

Tom is vaguely aware of someone crying out in alarm, it is some sort of office room/slash work bench space that shares both papers and automotive parts on the shelf, but he keeps his eyes squarely on Gainer.

"I warned you. If you're not with me, then you're with them," Corvus says. He points at the owner of the voice. Again, Tom keeps his attention on the fiery super capable of charring groups of men.

Awfully tight space to be engaging a flamer type.


CORVUS BLAZE -5 HP

TOM: -6 HP

[acathala]

(Is there a fire extinguisher about?)

[TG Barighm]

Likely, but keep in mind fire extinguishers only deal so much "suppressant" damage.

[acathala]

"You crossed the line. I wanted to help you but it's too late." Tom said as he punched the guy.

OoC
Delayed a little to try and think of something clever. Failed hard.

[TG Barighm]

"They crossed the line! They murder anyone who gets in their way. This is justice!" Corvus replies. "Do you want to help me? Then help me END them!"

[acathala]

"No this is revenge plain and simple. About making you feel better. The kicker is it won't make you feel better. Just worse that you sunk to their level. Do yourself a favour. Hand yourself in to the police."

[TG Barighm]

"They ARE the police!" Corvus replies. The fire around his hands brightens. "I've had enough of you. If Jet escapes, it's because of you. Now...get the hell out of my way!"

A pair of fiery jets spew from the super's hands (but for technical purposes, I would only count it as a single attack. Just fyi). Tom lunges forward, slipping by the two jets before they converge, and slips between the super's defenses. He uppercuts. Hard. Directly into Corvus' jaw.

The exertion of effort forces Tom to inhale a large amount of burning air. His lungs seize. Just as his fist connects with Corvus, he blacks out.

* * * * *

Tom awakes to the splash of icy cold water on his face. The water feels soothing against his burnt skin.

His burnt skin. He is painfully reminded of the injuries he suffered fighting the super. He groans. Even the groan makes him ache. His lungs are still sore from that last gulp of searing air.

"You see that, Hem? Just like I told ya," says a deep, nasally voice.

Tom's eyelids flutter open.

He is in a dark room. Pipes and exposed beams cross-cross above his head, and cracked cement make up the walls and floor. The only light comes from a tiny window. It's barely enough to illuminate the area around him. The rest of what must be a basement remains cloaked in darkness.

Tom turns his head. He can just barely make out a dark shape in a corner. A man. There are more all around him.

He flexes his arms, but they are caught by something. Something cold and metallic. Cuffs. He wiggles his feet. They're also bound. He tries to climb to his feet, but again, something pulls him back down. He seems to be tied to a chair.

"The boys didn't believe me when I said you are too tough to be killed by a simple grease fire, but I'm not an idiot," the nasally voice says. Another dark silhouette lurks in the darkness. "I know about the ninja of Champion City. Supers don't die easy."

There is a flash of light. Sparks jumping off a lighter. They briefly illuminate a hard, round face. A reddish glow. Cigar smoke fills the cellar.

"But you know all about that. Took on Corbin all by yourself. Bad bit of business, that." The owner of the voice steps closer. Broad shoulders are outlined by the dim light. "Now the cops are going to be all over that garage, but that's not your fault. Corbin always was a pain in the ass. Could have been a lot worse if it weren't for you."

Tom tries to say something, but his lungs are still healing. He coughs.

"As thanks, I'm not going to kill you. I'm just going to give you this polite warning." The owner of the voice now leans close to Tom, stepping fully into the light. He is a tall man, with a squat, round face and hard features. He crosses his arms. Thick, meaty arms appear in the light.

Tom's eyes widen. The cigar isn't in either of the two hands. The red glow of its embers hover nearby in the darkness.

"Stay out of my business. Do that, and I'll stay out of yours. Does this arrangement sound reasonable?"

The red ember crosses the darkness. The cigar comes up to the man's mouth, but it is gripped by a monstrous sight: a hand so massive, so freakish, that it could not possibly be human. He blows smoke into Tom's face.

Tom coughs again, but this is enough to clear his lungs.

[acathala]

"Where's Corbin?" Tom asked wearily. He has a horrible feeling that he got the guy killed. Was Tom a hero, or did he make things worse?

[TG Barighm]

"I said he was a pain in the ass," the monstrously endowed man replies. He puffs on the cigar again. "Good work. Wish I could offer you a job, but you're not going to take it, are you? So, let's get this cleared up: you won't interfere with my business, and I won't interfere with yours. Do you agree?"

[acathala]

Tom hopes wherever Corvus is, he's at peace. He nods his head slowly in defeat.

[TG Barighm]

"Smart man." The monstrous man straightens. "We're done here, boys."

Darkened forms shuffle out of the room while the central figure continues to puff on his cigar. Tom hears a door opening in the distance, and there is a draft, but light doesn't spill into the room. When the last of the dark shapes have left, the monstrous man blows another cloud of smoke at Tom before backing away from him, never quite turning away until long after he is swallowed by the darkness.

"They call me 'Bandersnatch'. Probably because of my winning personality. Steer clear of that name, and you and I will have no problems."

The glowing ember winks out.

[TG Barighm]

LAIR OF THE WHITE DRAGON

Naturally, Tom eventually figures a way out of his predicament. He returns to his lair...

The Lair of the White Dragon is but a simple bachelor apartment in one of the last few privately owned buildings in New Millenia City. Existing before the city was built, the building has since become a run down, cockroach infested hellhole in constant threat of becoming condemned. It is a far cry from the manor in Champion City, but the apartment affords Tom one very important luxury.

Anonymity.

Being privately owned, New Millenia has no say in the management or administration of the building, and none of its employees are on site. Employee ID is not required to rent an apartment, nor are there constant security and identification checks simply for entering the building. It's also one of the few bastions left for free, unmonitored internet, or at least normal internet that doesn't pass through New Millenia firewalls. Best of all, there is a strict "no questions asked" policy in effect. Very useful for those times when Tom returned covered in scrapes and bruises. He doesn't enter the building in his ninja suit. The building's staff might not ask questions, but the White Dragon cannot be seen repeatedly entering the same building over and over again.

Seated on the lumpy bed, Tom looks over his stuff. He doesn't have much. Upon leaving Champion City, he was required to return all of the gear that had been lent to him by the organization, but a ninja is trained to scavenge everything he needs in the field. And so long as he has training, he has everything that he needs.

But this does not mean Tom has nothing. He still has the grossly outdated laptop his mother gave him all those years ago. It's old, runs on an operating system that hasn't seen updates in over a decade, and it could probably use a new power supply, but it has been custom tailored by him to work anonymously in any computing environment. It can tap into any local dark web, although New Millenia is strangely lacking in them, and it's free of any spyware or monitoring software. It even includes most of the custom software his mother programmed specifically for his laptop. She did it to make sure he couldn't look at porn or buy beer over the internet, but the software has proven to be equally adept at warding off viruses and trojans, something that has already come into play when attempting to access the New Millenia controlled gateways. It's an old laptop, and doesn't compare at all to the new fancy wrist computers and holo pads, but it's probably the best tool he has.

Besides, it has some of his favourite games, including "Hall of Figments" where he can fight custom battles against all sorts of fantastical and technological creatures.

Tom also has a basic satellite phone, a relic that doesn't even get texts or internet. It's a wonder the thing still works, but again, it taps into networks not monitored or controlled by New Millenia. If he wants a better phone, he will have to buy one, but he will have to be careful if he wants to remain anonymous. Only Smartphones and Personal PCs can use apps and software that work in the field, such as hacking apps.

GEAR UP

Upon leaving Champion City, Tom was forced to give up all of his gear. He needs to gear up. Not only that, but he needs to eat. He also needs to pay rent if he wishes to keep using the Lair of the White Dragon. It costs $1000 a month which, in this year, his dirt cheap. He currently owes rent for this month. If he wishes to find a better lair, he will need to buy/find it. Remember, New Millenia is very heavily controlled by the New Millenia Corporation. The city is essentially owned by the company, and nearly all of its citizens are employed by the company. Non-employees are treated quite differently from employees.

Tom begins play with $500. Yes, it sucks. Yes, he will need to get more money, or at least scavenge it from any supers or thugs he encounters.

The state of Tom's apartment, gear, and any vehicles he might own is found on his Ref. Sheet.


SUPER DOSSIERS

Tom's goal is to identify, seek out, and determine the threat level of every super element in New Millenia, then possibly neutralize it. Preferably without putting any citizens or police at risk. There are no anti-super measures currently in place within New Millenia, so Tom is the first line of defense. To keep track of every super or lead he knows about there will be a Dossier on the first page where his Ref. Sheet is found.

Right now Tom's dossiers are woefully inadequate. If he wants to save New Millenia from the disasters that came to plague Champion City, he will need to learn more about his targets. Or find someone who does...

And remember, his targets gain experience and learn new powers just like he does, so don't take too long tracking them down.

[TG Barighm]

NEW MILLENIA, Lair of the White Dragon
Morning, Cool, Rainy

STATUS: -7 HP

Tom stumbles into his room, his wrists still aching from the cuffs. He had to perform all sorts of crazy maneuvers and acrobatics to escape from the chair, then he had to find some kind of tool that could remove the cuffs. It all left him very drained and sore, on top of the injuries he had already suffered fighting Corvus Blaze. He barely remembers how he got back to his apartment. There was something about a bus, a crabby old lady, and a rude bus driver...heck, he's just lucky he remembered to remove his ninja suit before leaving that basement.

Tom collapses onto the bed. The impact forces air out of his lungs. It feels like belching fire. Thankfully, he won't ever have to deal with Corvus again.

He turns his head. His laptop sits on the one little table in the tiny room. It sits next to the little fridge that he knows contains nothing remotely satisfying. A box of Cheerios sits atop it. A hot plate sits next to the wash stand, and near that is the rusty toilet. There is a space behind the toilet where he hides his ninja gear. Clearly someone has hidden stuff there before. Three or four steps is enough to cross the entirety of free space between his bed and the wash stand.

It's quite a change from the manor.

But it's low key. Unknown. Completely off the grid. Not one element of the building is owned by New Millenia, and its landlord is perfectly happy to accept cash.

Unfortunately, cash isn't as useful in New Millenia. Non-New Millenia transactions are heavily taxed. Only digital transactions are free of taxes, but those can be easily monitored. And New Millenia residents, true residents, and employees of the company, receive employee discounts. If Tom can find a way to open a hidden or fake digital account that isn't traced to him, he could benefit from greatly reduced prices all around the city. Or he can risk opening a regular account with his real identity. But that could start a digital trail that leads back to him...

And then there is food. One price of having super healing is a greater need for nourishment. He is not a sumo wrestler, he doesn't need to constantly eat, but if he eats too little, he starts to feel sick. But when he eats very well, he rapidly regains energy. The better Tom eats, the better his Fast Healing works; yes, he doesn't automatically regain all HP overnight and needs other sources of replenishment (of course, he can completely get around this just by advancing his Fast Healing ability).

It's a shame that something so mundane as food and shelter can impede his attempts to save the city from whatever villains plan to ravage it, but the manor was making him a little soft. Lost his edge a bit. This situation is the perfect opportunity to hone his skills.

A knock at the door interrupts his thoughts.

[acathala]

Tom just wants to go back to bed and sleep for a thousand years. He's feeling defeated and demoralized. However he pulls on clothes and goes to answer the door.

[TG Barighm]

Tom drags himself out of bed and lurches towards the door. He peers through the peep hole before opening. He sighs when he recognizes the person standing on the other side. He opens the door.

"Good morning, sir. Detective Seamus Holhardty," the drably dressed detective says. He presents a NMPD badge. "I would like to ask you a few questions about an arson incident that happened yesterday. May I come in?"

[acathala]

Tom doubts he could keep him out, given the state he's currently in. He opens the door and allows the detective in. They both know he's a super.

[TG Barighm]

The detective steps through the door, then pushes the door shut behind him. He gives the little apartment a quick glance.

"Ever consider an endorsement deal?" he asks. He turns to face Tom. "You might want to put some oil on those cuts. You don't want to scar." He slowly crosses the apartment. "So, did you hear me when I asked you not to cause a ruckus?"

Tom must have made a face because the detective chuckles.

"Cut the melodrama. I watched Bandersnatch and his goons drag you out of the garage. I then followed them. You were the only person besides them to emerge from that basement. Be glad that I did. They stuck a tracking device on you. Don't worry, I got it. Good thing, too. You were stumbling around like a zombie. You didn't even recognize me let alone think to stop and look for a tracking device."

The detective pushes the laptop aside and sits on the desk. "But you weren't a complete screw up. You knocked out Gainer before he could set the whole block ablaze. And I finally got a look at Bandersnatch. Oh, and I removed you from the tracking drones' database. You're welcome. I got you a little present for that."

He tosses a card to Tom.

"That is some schmuck's ID. When a police drone spots you, it will read that ID and immediately confuse you for someone else. Without it, they log your image for review. It's not a crutch. A robot can be fooled, but if you get spotted enough a surveillance footage reviewer will take notice."

Note: there are much better forms of drone decoys out there. A fake ID is the most basic.

[acathala]

"What happened to Corvus? Bandersnatch implied he wasn't a problem anymore, but I'm not taking him at his word." Tom feels sore all over.
"Corvus said the people who ruined his life were the police. Any truth to that? Why are you helping me?"

[TG Barighm]

"Hey, you've got some sense after all," Holhardty replies. "Don't ever take anything Bandersnatch says as gospel. The man lies. If he tells you something, chances are your knowing it benefits him. You be careful when dealing with him."

Seamus chuckles at the mention of Corvus. "If Gainer were that easy to kill, I would have danced myself to death in glee months ago. The man is non-stop paperwork." The detective hopped off the desk. "I personally shoveled his ashes out of another fire he caused two months ago and threw them in the river. He turned up a week later. He got shot up at another gang hideout a few weeks after that. Place burned town. Was back on the streets in just a few days. And your little tussle with him? No different. Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll stay dead this time, but I'm not counting on it.

He's not really blaming the police so much as the firefighters he worked with," Holhardty explains. "Yeah, Corbin was a firefighter. Got involved in some shady shit and pissed off the wrong people. He was made an example to discourage others like him. I've always had my suspicions about that, but arsen isn't my job.

I'm not helping you, I'm helping myself. It's a whole lot less paperwork when the criminals kill each other," the detective explains in response to Tom's last question. After a moment, he rolls his eyes and shakes his head. "Look, you saw what Gainer can do. And he's not the only one. I've got a robotic cat shredding up cellphone towers on rooftops, monsters in the sewers eating people, and a girl capable of drowning people with fog. Fog! Floating water vapour. Drowning full grown men. Do you know what would happen if I sent police officers after people like that? We're not the Champion City police. They still expect us to use pistols and tasers. But you!" Seamus gestures to Tom grandly, "You're the ninja of Champion City! The guy who helped bring down a giant robot! Now, I'll admit, my knowledge of ninjas is limited to television and movies, but if anyone can quickly and quietly take down one of these monsters, it's the White Dragon; otherwise, the government will respond, and you saw what happened when they engaged that robot. Do you remember the death toll from that attack? Did you ever bother to ask?"

[acathala]

Tom gives the man a death glare. "Friends of mine died in that attack. Better people than me."

[TG Barighm]

"Then you appreciate what I'm saying," Seamus responds. "Better you and me then the kids they gave me to work with, and believe me, they're not super, not by any measure of the word." He moves towards the door. "More importantly, when the shit hits the fan, they will pin the blame on me. So, it's really about me...but, yeah, there is the rest of the city to consider. I'm sure you won't forget about that. I don't have to tell you not to tell anyone I was here, right?"

The detective turns away and reaches for the door. "Oh, and one more thing: if I drop anything, let me know, okay? I can get in trouble if I leave anything behind. Of course, most people never report it when a officer drops something." He motions to Tom's desk.

Tom looks to see a stack of files left behind. He didn't notice the detective placing them there."

"Start with Leslie. She can patch you up," the detective says. He opens the door. "Thank you for your time. Don't worry, you're off the hook, but if you remember anything about the incident, or those thugs threaten you again, be sure to give me a call." He hands Tom a card. "Be sure to use my direct line. Because you want to talk to me, and just me, got it? Not my office line at the precinct."


TOM'S DOSSIERS HAVE BEEN UPDATED!

[acathala]

Tom nods as he takes the card. It wasn't ideal him knowing his secret identity. "Goodbye detective. Safe journeys." Then once the flat foot is gone, Tom takes a look at the dossiers.

[TG Barighm]

ALL DOSSIERS ARE FOUND ON THE FIRST PAGE. Don't be afraid to make your own updates.

CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS

You didn't think your targets would stand around waiting for Tom to walk up to them and punch them in the face, did you? To find a target, you need to figure out what they're up to, and then catch them in the act of performing a crime or storm their lair. Obviously, storming a target's lair is far more dangerous than taking them on by themselves.
You don't need a fancy bat computer to find a target, although it certainly helps. All you really need is a few good contacts, some leads, and basic investigation skills (I'm not going to get extremely detailed here). Check your dossiers for relationships a target might have with other targets, or follow-up on locations where a target has struck before. They might have left a clue.
Of course, it always helps to have someone to bounce ideas off of. Tom can always call Detective Holhardty for advice and tips. As long as the investigation is related to a super, Holhardty can use his resources at the NMPD to help Tom out.


CRIMEFIGHTING AND QUICK ACTION


But let's face it, sometimes you just want to punch someone in the nose. While Tom is working on dealing with the big fish, there is still basic crimefighting to be done. Call Holhardty and he will inform Tom of any local gangs in need of busting up, or perhaps some fight clubs where Tom can win some cash. Careful with those: he will likely win easily, and the more he wins, the greater his reputation gets until nobody wants to fight him anymore (or they send someone to hunt him down, although that is a good way to lure out the unsavory types). Criminals tend to carry regular cash and useful gear Tom can use, so there are other reasons to go after them.
Tom can also boot up "Hall of Figments" for some gaming action! Winning special game challenges earns him credits at certain online retailers.


EARNING CASH

Can't hunt down supervillains on an empty stomach. Beating up thugs will earn cash and gear, sure, but there will be times when Tom spends hours just waiting for a lead to turn up, or waiting for his Fast Healing to restore his health to optimal levels. Why not use this time to take advantage of Tom's tech skills and work for some cash?
Remember, cash in the pocket is untraceable, which is great, but most people in New Millennia are paid directly by the corporation in purely digital transactions. Tom has the skills to get a job in New Millennia, which will allow him to benefit from an employee discount when buying from nearly any legal business in New Millennia, but this will put him on the grid and make it much easier for security drones to spot him. Of course, there are ways around this...and he can get jobs outside the city that directly deposit cash to his regular identity's bank account.


DOSSIERS:

CORBIN GAINER, aka. CORVUS BLAZE

Appearance: Tall. Athletic. Known for wearing a red leather jacket.
Status: Unfriendly
Classification: Vigilante
Background: Former firefighter and professional athlete. Expelled from play due to anger issues. Joined father as a firefighter who later died under suspicious circumstances. Supposedly joined underworld influences to seek out those who murdered his father.
Motivation: Seeking revenge on those who burned his fiance alive.
Current Goals: Hunt down those responsible. Seeking someone named "Jet".

ABILITIES: Generates fire and extreme heat
-Generates an aura of heat. Getting close risks being burned.
-Seemingly very difficult to kill.

NOTES: -Last seen attacking Jet's garage.
-Known enemy of Bandersnatch

BANDERSNATCH

Appearance: Broad, muscular frame. Mostly unknown.
Status: Neutral
Classification: Crimelord
Background: Unknown
Motivation: Unknown
Current Goals: Unknown

ABILITIES: Monstrous hand. Unknown application.

LESLIE NEAL

Appearance: Young black woman.
Status: Neutral
Classification: Innocent
Background: Unknown
Motivation: Unknown
Current Goals: Unknown

ABILITIES: Healing.

NOTES: -Often found in the old city healing the impoverished

"THE FOG GIRL"

Appearance: Pale woman in a white dress.
Status: Neutral
Classification: Phantom
Background: Unknown
Motivation: Unknown
Current Goals: Unknown

ABILITIES:
-Capable of summoning fog
-Capable of coalescing fog into a solid liquid and using it drown living targets
-Coalesced fog can also be used to move and throw targets.
-Aura causes objects to float
-Aura disrupts electrical devices

NOTES: -She has only ever appeared near the river

STEEL CAT

Appearance: A robot-like creature with claws, cloak-like steel mesh, and ear-like protrusions on its head.
Status: Neutral
Classification: Troublemaker
Background: Unknown
Motivation: Unknown
Current Goals: Unknown

ABILITIES:
-Claws are able to tear through steel and stone with ease
-Extreme agility and mobility. Capable of jumping off buildings
-Extreme sensory abilities. Possible military grade sensory array
-Some form of technological cloaking technology; invisible to sensors
-Some form of ballistic shielding; bullets bounce off it

NOTES: -Always spotted on rooftops in the downtown core

THE SEWER MONSTER

Appearance: Reports are bizarre. It has been described as everything from giant rats, dogs, alligators, and turtles.
Status: Neutral
Classification: Monster
Background: Unknown
Motivation: Unknown
Current Goals: Unknown

ABILITIES: -Camouflage. It is nearly impossible to spot in the sewers


UNKNOWN DOSSIER

UNKNOWN DOSSIER

UNKNOWN DOSSIER

[acathala]

There was a lot going on and Tom wasn't sure he was up to the task. Also wasn't sure he believed the cop about no police involvenent in the tragedy of Corvus. Tom sighed and put the dossiers away. Aching in pain, his first goal is to find the healer.

[TG Barighm]

So by "finding the healer", you mean go to the Old City?

[acathala]

He's going to call the cop to see if he has any tips on finding her, then go to find her in old city.

[TG Barighm]

Tom calls Holhardty.

"You? Already? You want to know about Leslie? Okay. The story goes this girl wandered the streets healing people and pets and all that. She had become a modern day Jesus-story. Anyway, some gangs found her and began to use her like a free, no hassle clinic. She became a strategic asset in a gang war, and people would fight over her like water or oil. Some even thought to kill her. Not sure what happened, but she seems to have gotten out of it all right. Now she hides from the gangs, but I still hear stories about poor people in the Trench being miraculously healed. Don't be surprised if she's afraid to speak with you.

She's a young black woman in her twenties, and rather short. I doubt she still goes by her real name."