Borges
A failed superhero team from the golden age of The New Inquisition is invited to one last dance in the red rain by their old rivals. Stop their terrorist attack, cover it up, or just survive.
The Punishing Rangers meet at Blister Mistress’ house. It’s what they do, even though they know they shouldn’t. Nobody else gets it.
Blister Mistress’ housekeeper Ima brings out the desert course. She frowns and collects the beers and wine glasses and other detritus not placed on coasters.
The monster comes through the window.
Blister Mistress’ housekeeper Ima brings out the desert course. She frowns and collects the beers and wine glasses and other detritus not placed on coasters.
The monster comes through the window.
UNNATURAL ENTITY: TURNIN MAN
Wound Threshold: 50
Sense Weakness 99%: Turnin Man was a garden variety domestic predator sent to Dr. Foss for court ordered counseling. The Strygomancer “cured” him by externalizing his intuitive sense for how to hurt his partner. Turnin Man is blind and deaf, but the tube of neotissue enclosing his head guides him to perform the action most likely to terrorize the people around him.
HELLO RANGERS
WE FONDLY REMEMBER OUR LAST ENCOUNTER
WE WILL ATTACK THE STACY SPANGLES CONCERT
STOP US IF YOU CAN
It’s obvious to everyone who did it.
Wound Threshold: 50
Sense Weakness 99%: Turnin Man was a garden variety domestic predator sent to Dr. Foss for court ordered counseling. The Strygomancer “cured” him by externalizing his intuitive sense for how to hurt his partner. Turnin Man is blind and deaf, but the tube of neotissue enclosing his head guides him to perform the action most likely to terrorize the people around him.
- Killing Ima allows Turnin Man to terrorize Iron John (Helplessness) and Blister Mistress (Isolation) at the same time.
- To terrorize Prospero, Turnin Man chases after him while stroking his cock to challenge the Super Wizard’s sexual identity (Self).
- To frighten Chameleon Kid he opens the casing on his face, netherflesh peeling to reveal a sticky half-melted skull with no eyes (Unnatural)
- He hits Miss Don’t Touch Me with the most damaging object he can find (Violence).
HELLO RANGERS
WE FONDLY REMEMBER OUR LAST ENCOUNTER
WE WILL ATTACK THE STACY SPANGLES CONCERT
STOP US IF YOU CAN
It’s obvious to everyone who did it.
Worldy
IN HUMAN GORE IMBUED
In Human Gore Imbued was a mage supremacist terrorist group. They believed normal human beings were a race of obedient concentration camp guards ready to rape and torture and kill their neighbors at the first excuse and the only way forward for the species was a magocracy. They loved riotous displays of magickal power that showed normal humans that guns and bombs and money were nothing compared to their superhuman abilities. They clashed repeatedly with the Punishing Rangers back in the golden age of the New Inquisition and the occult underworld.
There are three of them left. They’re dying. They fondly remember their battles with the Rangers and they’re going to do it again.
There are three of them left. They’re dying. They fondly remember their battles with the Rangers and they’re going to do it again.
NPC: THE GOOD SAMARITAN
A therapist who actually cures his patients. Their bodies are changed but their minds are healed. His job is done.
A therapist who actually cures his patients. Their bodies are changed but their minds are healed. His job is done.
Personality: Fussy but not neurotic. A patient explainer. Loves to talk about his work. Dry.
Rage Passion: Being excluded from group activities.
Noble Passion: The Good Samaritan rarely accepts payment for his work and gives away most money that comes through his hands.
Fear Passion: Demons, especially those descended from people he knows (Self)
Obsession: The moment when the subconscious rises to the surface.
Wound Threshold: 50
Strygomancer 99*%: (Gains Charges, Casts Rituals, Casts Gutter Magick)
Dr. Henryk Foss 51%: Of course I can convince people I know what I’m doing, get them to reveal their secrets, treat them about as effectively as placebo (Subs Status, Protects Unnatural, Protects Self)
Rage Passion: Being excluded from group activities.
Noble Passion: The Good Samaritan rarely accepts payment for his work and gives away most money that comes through his hands.
Fear Passion: Demons, especially those descended from people he knows (Self)
Obsession: The moment when the subconscious rises to the surface.
Wound Threshold: 50
Strygomancer 99*%: (Gains Charges, Casts Rituals, Casts Gutter Magick)
Dr. Henryk Foss 51%: Of course I can convince people I know what I’m doing, get them to reveal their secrets, treat them about as effectively as placebo (Subs Status, Protects Unnatural, Protects Self)
Stress Trackers
WHAT YOU REMEMBER: His patients. The growths and deformities and special powers writ across their new forms in quivering neotissue. He only ever gave them what they asked for, he said. He healed their minds and made their bodies strong.
WHAT HE’S DYING OF: The curse.
Helplessness: 4H 3F
Isolation: 3H 3F
Self: 4H 4F
Unnatural 6H 3F
Violence 5H 4F
Appearance: A nondescript face. A smartly worn sweater with a collared shirt peeking through. A doctor’s bag he uses as a prop. Purple teeth, replaced with netherflesh.
Possessions: The Good Samaritan carries four Significant Charges at the start of the adventure.WHAT YOU REMEMBER: His patients. The growths and deformities and special powers writ across their new forms in quivering neotissue. He only ever gave them what they asked for, he said. He healed their minds and made their bodies strong.
WHAT HE’S DYING OF: The curse.
NPC: DOCTOR SOFTKILL
A Vietnam War veteran from the First Earth Battalion. They taught him to bring peace. How to make the enemy sit down and hold hands.
Personality: Anachronistic new age cult leader, here to remind you of all the good things you forgot were possible.
Rage Passion: Buddhism. They talk big game about being one with all things, but the second they get real power they become bloodthirsty animals.
Noble Passion: Moral education. The Doctor really wants you to understand. That’s more important to him than winning.
Fear Passion: Shapeshifters (Unnatural)
Obsession: Love and peace.
Wound Threshold: 40
Doctor Softkill 99*%: The Good Doctor can immobilize anyone looking at him. They are free of worries and unhappy feelings. When line of sight is broken they can act freely, but to some people it is addictive.
Cpl. Theodora “Teddy” Bug, Ret. 51%: Of course I can look attentive when officers talk, inflate a body count so it looks like I’m doing my job, meditate (Subs Notice, Protects Violence, Provides Firearm Attacks)
A Vietnam War veteran from the First Earth Battalion. They taught him to bring peace. How to make the enemy sit down and hold hands.
Personality: Anachronistic new age cult leader, here to remind you of all the good things you forgot were possible.
Rage Passion: Buddhism. They talk big game about being one with all things, but the second they get real power they become bloodthirsty animals.
Noble Passion: Moral education. The Doctor really wants you to understand. That’s more important to him than winning.
Fear Passion: Shapeshifters (Unnatural)
Obsession: Love and peace.
Wound Threshold: 40
Doctor Softkill 99*%: The Good Doctor can immobilize anyone looking at him. They are free of worries and unhappy feelings. When line of sight is broken they can act freely, but to some people it is addictive.
Cpl. Theodora “Teddy” Bug, Ret. 51%: Of course I can look attentive when officers talk, inflate a body count so it looks like I’m doing my job, meditate (Subs Notice, Protects Violence, Provides Firearm Attacks)
Stress Trackers
WHAT’S HE DYING OF: Leukemia from Agent Orange exposure.
Helplessness: 3H 3F
Isolation: 2H 2F
Self: 5H 1F
Unnatural 3H 3F
Violence 5H 2F
Appearance: Bald, chubby, offwhite suit worn over load bearing equipment. Smells like ginseng and herbal potions sweetened with lead.
WHAT YOU REMEMBER: The Doctor seated in the lotus position on the couch, beatific, grinning, surrounded by starving and naked coeds who laid down at his feet because they were so happy to see him.WHAT’S HE DYING OF: Leukemia from Agent Orange exposure.
NPC: RAT QUEEN
The swarm controller. The one who makes the animals obey, so that the human animals will also obey.
Personality: Vulgar, animated, inarticulate, charismatic. She’d be the leader if she didn’t hate responsibility.
Rage Passion: Computers. Make life easier. Make life more convenient. Fuck you.
Noble Passion: True love, whether the romantic kind or the kind between a child and a beloved pet.
Fear Passion: Being put to sleep (Helplessness)
Obsession: Animals.
Wound Threshold: 50
Avatar: Tamer 98*%
Ruqayya Flieger, VMD 52%: Of course I can reassure frightened animals and frightened owners, do delicate surgery on tiny organs, tell people their pet isn’t going to make it (Subs Knowledge, Protects Helplessness, Medical)
The swarm controller. The one who makes the animals obey, so that the human animals will also obey.
Personality: Vulgar, animated, inarticulate, charismatic. She’d be the leader if she didn’t hate responsibility.
Rage Passion: Computers. Make life easier. Make life more convenient. Fuck you.
Noble Passion: True love, whether the romantic kind or the kind between a child and a beloved pet.
Fear Passion: Being put to sleep (Helplessness)
Obsession: Animals.
Wound Threshold: 50
Avatar: Tamer 98*%
Ruqayya Flieger, VMD 52%: Of course I can reassure frightened animals and frightened owners, do delicate surgery on tiny organs, tell people their pet isn’t going to make it (Subs Knowledge, Protects Helplessness, Medical)
Stress Trackers
WHAT YOU REMEMBER: A boiling wave of insects. Spiders and flies and millipedes. A spiral of birds. A pack of feral dogs. A carpet of living things that scuttled and shrieked and bit and scratched and went crunch when you stepped on it.
WHAT SHE’S DYING OF: Parkinson’s. She wants to die before she loses control of her body.
Rat Queen’s familiar is Oldouvai, a surprisingly durable humanoid with a rat’s face and tail. He has WT 70 and can do rat stuff at 70%. He’s too large to crawl through rat-sized spaces but his thumbs are opposable.
Helplessness: 2H 3F
Isolation: 2H 4F
Self: 4H 1F
Unnatural 4H 2F
Violence 5H 2F
Appearance: Rat Queen has aged badly but is fastidiously groomed. When working she wears a big Carmen Sandiego coat, a different color every time. Her sleeves are full of creatures.WHAT YOU REMEMBER: A boiling wave of insects. Spiders and flies and millipedes. A spiral of birds. A pack of feral dogs. A carpet of living things that scuttled and shrieked and bit and scratched and went crunch when you stepped on it.
WHAT SHE’S DYING OF: Parkinson’s. She wants to die before she loses control of her body.
Rat Queen’s familiar is Oldouvai, a surprisingly durable humanoid with a rat’s face and tail. He has WT 70 and can do rat stuff at 70%. He’s too large to crawl through rat-sized spaces but his thumbs are opposable.
THE CONCERT
Stacy Spangles is a sadgirl indie pop artist who got really popular. Soundcast: Homephone, Tennis, Beicoli, Sir Chloe, Mitski, Salami Rose Joe Louis. She’s playing at your favorite event venue in the city, packed with as many fans as it can hold.
9:12 PM: Rat Queen disables electronic surveillance by ordering a swarm of roaches to short out the electrical connections. Doctor Softkill stuns security guards and takes physical keys. In Human Gore Imbued moves backstage.
9:33 PM: GARLIC Crusher, a local Soundcloud rapper who Stacy likes, finishes the opener. Stacy takes the stage. The Punishing Rangers arrive outside.
9:34 PM: Stacy opens her act with Engorged Heart.
9:38 PM: Doctor Softkill walks on stage. Stacy and the audience are stupefied. He tells them to pay attention because they can only do this once. Not because they lack the power to do it again, but because the transformation cannot be reversed. The Good Samaritan casts Long Live The Netherflesh on Stacy Spangles.
9:12 PM: Rat Queen disables electronic surveillance by ordering a swarm of roaches to short out the electrical connections. Doctor Softkill stuns security guards and takes physical keys. In Human Gore Imbued moves backstage.
9:33 PM: GARLIC Crusher, a local Soundcloud rapper who Stacy likes, finishes the opener. Stacy takes the stage. The Punishing Rangers arrive outside.
9:34 PM: Stacy opens her act with Engorged Heart.
9:38 PM: Doctor Softkill walks on stage. Stacy and the audience are stupefied. He tells them to pay attention because they can only do this once. Not because they lack the power to do it again, but because the transformation cannot be reversed. The Good Samaritan casts Long Live The Netherflesh on Stacy Spangles.
UNNATURAL ENTITY: BAD GIRL
Wound Threshold: 50
Strike Through The Mask 75%: Stacy gave everything to her music and had only one identity left. This made her resentful of her obsessive, parasocial fans and fed her gnawing fear that none of her thoughts were actually private. Her pores swell and burst as gun barrels sprout from her body, shooting at anyone who looks at her as she screams like a chattering machine gun.
Bad Girl fires into the crowd. The spell is broken. Those who flee run into a carpet of mice and snakes and birds and racoons and possums and worms and beetles and centipedes and spiders summoned by Rat Queen. Those who fight are slain by Stacy. Those who freeze are trampled.
Doctor Softkill pics up the mic and speaks to the cameras taping the show.
We are In Human Gore Imbued. We did this with magick.We are going to get away with it because the state is so critically weak that the coercive apparatus is no longer capable of catching us. The police and the military and the courts can only punish people who follow the rules, they are helpless against those who disobey. You can follow us into the new world of human potential, or you can be killed by your own rulers in their pathetic, flailing attempt to stop what’s coming.
He doesn’t expect to live past tonight. His redeemers will deliver him from evil.
Wound Threshold: 50
Strike Through The Mask 75%: Stacy gave everything to her music and had only one identity left. This made her resentful of her obsessive, parasocial fans and fed her gnawing fear that none of her thoughts were actually private. Her pores swell and burst as gun barrels sprout from her body, shooting at anyone who looks at her as she screams like a chattering machine gun.
Bad Girl fires into the crowd. The spell is broken. Those who flee run into a carpet of mice and snakes and birds and racoons and possums and worms and beetles and centipedes and spiders summoned by Rat Queen. Those who fight are slain by Stacy. Those who freeze are trampled.
Doctor Softkill pics up the mic and speaks to the cameras taping the show.
We are In Human Gore Imbued. We did this with magick.We are going to get away with it because the state is so critically weak that the coercive apparatus is no longer capable of catching us. The police and the military and the courts can only punish people who follow the rules, they are helpless against those who disobey. You can follow us into the new world of human potential, or you can be killed by your own rulers in their pathetic, flailing attempt to stop what’s coming.
He doesn’t expect to live past tonight. His redeemers will deliver him from evil.
ONE LAST DANCE IN THE RED RAIN
Rat Queen’s familiar Oldouvai waits outside the room for the Rangers. He lets them spot him, squeaks and flees. When they give chase the vermin swarm comes boiling out of the walls and separates the group.
Doctor Softkill knows the Rangers know him and will counteract his powers somehow, by turning out the lights or using a fog machine or just closing their eyes as they bludgeon him. That’s fine, he’s not here because he expects to win. But if he stuns them he takes full advantage of it and does whatever hurts them the most.
The Good Samaritan has four sig charges when he enters the venue. He spends two to transform Stacy and keeps two in his back pocket to transform one of the Rangers. Blister Mistress has the highest damage output so disabling her is the best tactical move, but everyone in the gang is ready to die. He could get more charges by failing stress checks but in the space of a battle that’s probably the last thing he’ll ever do. When he casts Long Live the Netherflesh on a Ranger, it replaces their supernatural identity with a new one and mutates them accordingly.
Rat Queen’s familiar Oldouvai waits outside the room for the Rangers. He lets them spot him, squeaks and flees. When they give chase the vermin swarm comes boiling out of the walls and separates the group.
Doctor Softkill knows the Rangers know him and will counteract his powers somehow, by turning out the lights or using a fog machine or just closing their eyes as they bludgeon him. That’s fine, he’s not here because he expects to win. But if he stuns them he takes full advantage of it and does whatever hurts them the most.
The Good Samaritan has four sig charges when he enters the venue. He spends two to transform Stacy and keeps two in his back pocket to transform one of the Rangers. Blister Mistress has the highest damage output so disabling her is the best tactical move, but everyone in the gang is ready to die. He could get more charges by failing stress checks but in the space of a battle that’s probably the last thing he’ll ever do. When he casts Long Live the Netherflesh on a Ranger, it replaces their supernatural identity with a new one and mutates them accordingly.
- Blister Mistress grows an extra head so she can never be alone, removing her fear of Isolation.
- Chameleon Kid becomes a twisted statue of fleshy wax, immune to magick and with no need to fear the Unnatural.
- Iron John becomes a boneless thing like a human octopus, impossible to capture and therefore immune to Helplessness.
- Miss Don’t Touch Me menaces with spikes that burst forth from her skin in response to danger, skewering those who threaten her with Violence.
- Prospero grows antennae of sensitive neotissue, broadcasting demons to everyone in earshot and overwriting their personalities with his Self.
Rat Queen doesn’t have an infinite carpet of vermin to send after the Rangers. She can’t summon animals across vast distances, she had to manually gather the ones at the venue by traveling the filthy places of the city and command them to hide in the building. She can play innocent and blame the players so the rioting fans kill them. Nobody saw her do anything, she’s just an old lady. The crowd is loath to harm her thanks to the Tamer channel that inflicts a Level 7 Helplessness shock on anyone who tries.
I CAN'T DO ANYTHING. WHAT CAN I DO?
Blister Mistress can instantly kill one person per action if she gets line of sight to them. Human Gore knows that. They try to isolate her from the group so she freaks out, use human shields so she shoots random people.
Iron John can shrug off damage and shield other members of the group from anything short of a magick attack. Human Gore knows better than to beat on him, but they can’t order the crowd to mob him. The most they can do is pin him with vermin, and rats aren’t strong or heavy.
The animals’ keen senses don’t recognize Kid Chameleon while he’s transformed into someone else. The terrorists know he can transform but they can’t pick him out of a crowd. He’s indispensable for the coverup after. Stacy is still alive, it’s okay!
Miss Don’t Touch Me can pass through walls, vermin swarms and the rioting fans. The Good Samaritan’s spells don’t work on her while she’s intangible, but he doesn’t know that. She can bait out his one shot.
Prospero can interrogate demons to gather intel on In Human Gore Imbued. He can also summon demons to possess Bad Girl, Turnin Man, or even the three mages attacking the concert. Controlling the demons is another matter entirely.
Iron John can shrug off damage and shield other members of the group from anything short of a magick attack. Human Gore knows better than to beat on him, but they can’t order the crowd to mob him. The most they can do is pin him with vermin, and rats aren’t strong or heavy.
The animals’ keen senses don’t recognize Kid Chameleon while he’s transformed into someone else. The terrorists know he can transform but they can’t pick him out of a crowd. He’s indispensable for the coverup after. Stacy is still alive, it’s okay!
Miss Don’t Touch Me can pass through walls, vermin swarms and the rioting fans. The Good Samaritan’s spells don’t work on her while she’s intangible, but he doesn’t know that. She can bait out his one shot.
Prospero can interrogate demons to gather intel on In Human Gore Imbued. He can also summon demons to possess Bad Girl, Turnin Man, or even the three mages attacking the concert. Controlling the demons is another matter entirely.
Boccioni
THE CONSEQUENCES
In Human Gore Imbued want to go out with a bang. They don’t want to kill the Rangers, just hammer their stress meters and leave them with the cleanup. The Sleepers are no longer capable of covering something like this up. There are too many witnesses and too much of it got caught on video. If the Rangers did a good job saving the day and manage the press coverage after then magick users could come out looking good. Otherwise the terrorists get their way, starting a war between mages and mundane humanity.
No comments:
Post a Comment