>>18539274

Or, Shop 'Til You Drop (Dead)

>Previous Threads:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Metahuman%20Renaissance%20Quest

PREVIOUSLY, ON METAHUMAN RENAISSANCE:
Waking up on what could possibly be the last day of his (and everyone else's) existence, Dan prepares for his day by drinking coffee, stretching, dressing well, and eating a hearty breakfast. After talking with Ashwood via phone, and the others over breakfast, Dan and co headed down to the Royal Vault in order to take advantage of Regis' 50%-Off "End Of The World" sale.

>>18539330

Even after talking to Regis, you weren't able to find some piece of head armor like you were looking for, you went back to browsing, just skimming over some of the items in the various sections, not really looking for anything specific.

Right now, you're in Regis' "Mystical" section, filled with shelves of occult looking tomes, various charms and trinkets made of expensive metals, and some other more interesting components. Currently also in this area are Sunshine and Naomi, who are examining a lovely victorian looking display case filled with crystal bottles, vials and decanters of variously colored liquids, and Jeanne, who is examining a fashionable rack of robes and coats of various wizardly makes.

>Your desire, /tg/?

Still reading through the last 2 threads. and won't be staying very long, sadly.

>>18539476

They should be quick reads. I don't think we accomplished much this weekend.

You know what we should do?
I'll tell you what we should do.
You know that girl? No, not that one, the other one.
Tell her our secret. Everything. No regrets.

>>18539418
look for some warding items or something protective. We can cast barrier all the time, but having some passive protection is always nice.

Also, I'm surprised how nobody even made a remark about how our lovely Eve cleared out the store of modules...

In case it was missed from the end of the last thread (Y'know at 3 AM) Regis does offer staves or enchanted jewelry and other items if you're interested.

Both as blank slates for enchantment and also as like, already magic items.

>>18539820
oh, and apparently he has bags of holding? we should checl out those too. And the kevlar fedora thing might be nice in casual attire, but it wouldn't really fit with our battle outfit I think. Still worth checking out.

>>18539820

Well, lots of trouble accessing and posting on 4chan last night, so perhaps some people did want to say something about it, but couldn't.

It makes total sense, of course, since Regis told you this was before you came in so you can logically conclude that those were the three modules she had at the club.

>>18539865
Ah right, the timeline got a bit screwed in my head.
I believe lots of opportunities to get a bit closer to roxy have been left aside last thread. But oh well, priority is red star atm, but we're gonna have to get a talk with her after this mess.

>>18539865
Yeah, that wasn't terribly surprising.

Any Cyrean shoulder armor? Leather fedoras (enchanted perhaps)?

>rereading previous thread
>shirt mockup

Give me a few minutes and I'll provide a few nifty options.

>>18540316
This one's my personal favorite. Blue Lantern Corps., representing the emotional spectrum of Hope. Also mixes well with the general Cyrean blue theme.

As for things we could buy, let's get a kevlar fedora, a Cyrean pauldron (because goddamn that just sounds too cool).

How long would it take us to get a piece of jewelry enchanted? If we can reasonably do it before the end of the day, let's get some enchantable stuff, maybe like a necklace or earring. Jeanne's left me inspired here.

As for bags of holding, how about something like a small closet worth of space stuffed into a small duffle bag? How much would that run us? Ideally I'm thinking we can use it as our new ritual bag.

>>18540347
>>18540316

I'm okay with the Blue Lantern Corps shirt if you guys are.

>>18540423

How long? Not long, if you guys have something in mind. Most of the prep time would be your ritual circle, get some candles, or head back over to the Evoker's Club room and use their pre-made array, in which case the time is spent going some place. I said in the last thread if you want to just buy some blank items and enchant them yourself, no point cost, since doing so costs you other resources.

As for a Duffle of holding, I'll say that'll run 2 Wealth points. If you give me a second, I can calculate how much mass it'll hold, mechanically, Mass being a capacity for powers in WT.

Lets see what awesome stuff Regis feels we'll need.

/tg/, we need to think about what we actually want to do here. Are we going to try to help Anna, or just beat her down?

Heroic thing is to help her, and I think it'd score some excellent points w/ the not-so-good Dr., as well as Anna herself (later).

If so, we might want to consider what might help mitigate/help her break from the Eye, as well as considering asking our current ideas we're bound to (as well as others that might take interest) for what their opinion on the Eye and Anna's pact to it is (the Eye is a possessive force, leaves nothing behind in the worlds it devours beyond a tortured wasteland, and probably made the pact with less then positive intentions), and weither they'd feel interested to help us just this once.

We should also consider what our general battle plan here will be (what we'll generally do in certain situations), so we can buy what we need.

>>18540469
Well then let's grab an earring, a necklace, and maybe a leather cuff? Sounds like it'd match the Cyrean Travis Touchdown theme we've got going.

Here are some ideas for possibly effects we could actually enchant onto them with my admittedly poor understanding of how the system works:

Earring - Improved Hearing (+1 sense to picking up soft sounds)
Necklace - Air Shield (-1 killing to head, when head is specifically targeted)
Cuff - Falcon PAWNCH (+2 to brawling for one attack per encounter)

>>18540566
I'd prefer to save her over killing her, but I've also been voted down multiple times when expressing this.

We also need to keep in mind that there's no simple way to break her from the Eye, and that she has to WANT to break away from it. That being said, if we can find a way to do it, I think that we should.

>>18540582
First seems interesting, but it's just bling. Second's alright, but still seems like bling. Third is kinda pointless for this, we don't have enough dice to brawl well right now, unless we start burning WP constantly.

My suggestions here include some sort of 'Dimensional Stability'/Magic Resistance items that will give us damage resistance vs. Anna (something I think could be worthwhile considering how powerful she can be.

>>18540615
A fine idea, but don't we have to have a way to cast a spell in order to enchant it into something though? Unless Dan came up with a "dimensional stability" spell I never saw.

>>18540594
We haven't made it cool enough, so we need to think about that. The last two threads would have been great to decide this, but oh well. Convincing her will take either Charm or Command, so we will probably need to use some Willpower for that, and having some items to boost Persuading or anything else social would help.

Beyond that, damage resistance to outsider BS, as the Eye probably wont be swayed by an argument any more reasonable then 'My gun is bigger then yours so back the fuck off'.

blow all that prep off and go running.

why? i think you know why. i don't need to articulate my reasons at this point.

>>18540469
>>18539837

Okay, Since you said last thread we could get some blank slate enchantables for 0 wealth, Could we maybe find a necklace or pendant or such that we could enchant to hold, uh, Life force or whatever for our Necromancy, since we got that now? That way maybe we could store some in it and use it to heal ourselves or others in a pinch?

>>18540646
Yeah, but she's crazy. I was under the impression that it doesn't matter how suave we are or how much swag we have if we don't fix that first. Assuming it's even fixable.

>>18540633
Which is why we should by such an item. Ask Regis if he has something like that.

So, lets ask him, 'Regis, if you were going to face the Avatar of an outsider bent on devouring everything on this planet, what would help you take a few more hits, and maybe persuade their puppet that ending the world is a Bad End?'

>>18540653
Now here's an idea...

>>18540469

Alrighty, doing a little guerrilla calculating, for your two points of Wealth, the Duffle-sized Bag of Holding can carry 400 lbs inside, and the rule here is basically, if you don't exceed the weight limit, and it can fit in the opening, you can put it in.

>>18540582

While not strictly speaking how such things work conventionally, I can finagle or explain away anything along those lines you guys wish to produce, keeping in mind Enchanting burns WP.

>>18540615

Actually, you guys have Augment on the Psibolts now, so you can add Psibolt dice to brawling checks, at the cost of not getting the penetration or added damage out of it.

>>18540653
Oh, Adding to this. Anything we could find that could help us enchant stuff better seems like it's worth looking into, books, whatever.
In fact, we should look at some of those tomes. Pursuit of knowledge and all that.

>>18540653
I don't think we have the time to generate anything like that. I think it'd be a better deal just to concentrate on what we need to either convince her (if people like that idea), protect ourselves (I'm pretty sure people will like that idea, the last fight with her, we got hit hard), and possibly ask our Pacted Spirits for some extra help (and others who would be interested).
>>18540663
The dream sequence showed she does have a part of her that's convinceable. It's just not going to be easy. But it's the awesome heroic thing to do.

Dont forget to look for new Sunglasses. Enchantable ones are a plus.

>>18540723

You already have mage-sight. What could you do to sunglasses that would be an improvement over that?

>>18540737
look cool while soaring between skyscrapers.

looking cool is 30% of the fun when it comes to parkour.

>>18540737
+1 glasses of Swag?
+1 Sunglasses of not looking silly indoors at night?
Sunglasses of Staying on while flipping around and trying not to get murdered?

Socowe Learchus

>>18540737
Omega, do you even have to ask this? Sunglasses block out bright light, so sensitive eyes can still see (and not get damaged).

Plus they look awesome.

Enchanted glasses could take the edge off of mage-sight in some ways, while still looking awesome.

So, can we ask Regis about protection from Outsiders?

Okay, so, what I'm getting out of all this is;

You want a slightly indeterminate number of blank foci for enchanting (0 Cost)

A Duffle-sized bag of holding, which carries 400 lbs (2 cost)

And a kevlar fedora for LAR 1 and a Cyrean pauldron for the right shoulder, which doesn't do anything but look cool unless you're planning on getting in a sword fight later (0 Cost, since 1 LAR isn't going to save you from a rifle bullet, or anything)

Replace your sunglasses (No cost, you're making a return)

Anything else for your wishlist?

(And yes, I've got that you want to ask Regis for additional help. We'll cover that when you difinitively pick, or agree to hold off on getting anything until after speaking with him)

>>18540795

Add to this a look at those tomes and I think we could be satisfied?
Maybe we should grab something for Anya since the kid couldnt join us.It being possibly the last day on earth and all, Im sure we could find some little trinket or something she could get a kick out of. Ask Jeanne what she likes

Yeah, some sort of enchanting manual(s) would be nice.

>>18540879
>>18540835

Generalities are no good guys. What would you want out of some tomes? You tell me, I think about if its here and what it'll cost you.

If you just want information, you can use libraries and I can just exposit you as normal.

Question Omega:
Since were picking up a bunch of foci, would it be at all possible to use one to make an item with the purpose of magically enhancing/focusing our Psibolts? Or are the two completely incompatible?

>>18540911
Something that would give us bonuses to the actual process of enchanting, or reduction in the price of materials, or more powerful enchantments.

>>18540911
At this point, I think it'd be better to ask Regis for suggestions, and then choose between what he suggests (for protection/persuasion/possibly more power to our psybolts to help kill her), then choose between the options we have.

>>18540920
This is something to definitely ask. What could possibly go wrong with tapping into the framework of the universe to power our pew-pew?

>>18540920

Magic and Psionics are normally incompatible. If there is such a way to combine the two, Dan doesn't know it. It may be possible, but you'd have to spend time you don't have doing lots of complex researching and stuff to figure it all out.

>>18540944

Okay, I can allow an item to give you a +1 or +2 die for Enchanting rolls if you have it handy when you do it. Pretty much how I was going to handle a magic staff if you got one.

>>18540946

If the rest of you are okay with this, I'll do this, then you can finalize your decisions.

>>18540911
Sorry, not really sure whats possible so was being vague.
Lets see, In tomes, any one Elemental Evocation that could teach us new techniques, particularly in Air and earth manipulation, since thats what we seem to use all the time.
Books Teaching more powerful/faster enchantments, particularly of a supportive or protective nature.
Anything to do with expelling malign influences from outside this world, though who knows when THAT would ever be useful.

Maybe something in Braille for Anya.
Could we look at the cloaks for anything stylish we could wear into battle over the cyrean armor, nor reason to muss our good clothes. Protection or magical enhancement are a plus.

>>18540992
Magic is all about style, so we could definitely use a coat of some sort instead of just a cloak.

>>18540979
>>
Magic and Psionics are normally incompatible. If there is such a way to combine the two, Dan doesn't know it. It may be possible, but you'd have to spend time you don't have doing lots of complex researching and stuff to figure it all out.
Okay, so it COULD conceivably be possible, but would require more research? I hope you dont mind if I keep this in mind as something to do during downtime if there is a later?

Seriously, we got a pauldron for just one arm when we don't even have any actual arm armor? That's fucking retarded and looks stupid. Oh well, I guess I can't expect people to have, you know, taste. Anyway.
>>18540992
Evocation and Necromancy don't have 'techniques,' we can do literally anything that we can think of that fits within the purview.
>>18540795
A kevlar fedora sounds like literally the most useless thing ever. Kevlar works when it's fitted, like a vest. If it's not flush to the head, semi-taught, it won't offer any protection at all. If we're getting something for the head, let's make it an actual goddamn helmet.

Let's definitely get a new pair of sunglasses.

While definitely useful, I feel like we can get something that will have a more urgent and immediate benefits towards our survivability than a bag of holding.

>>18541046

>While definitely useful, I feel like we can get something that will have a more urgent and immediate benefits towards our survivability than a bag of holding.

Unless you can't.

>>18541046
>>Seriously, we got a pauldron for just one arm when we don't even have any actual arm armor?
Good point, Gauntlets could be far more viable, and could be used to hold any useful implements we might need (foci, useful items on the inside of the arm), while providing a bit of protection.

>>18541104
Agreed. What people don't realize is that the single function of pauldrons is to protect the gap between breastplate and upper arm armor. You know, just the shoulder joint itself. Unless your arms are already armored, a pauldron is almost entirely pointless. Primary armor is a helmet and torso armor, secondary is gauntlets, bracers, greaves, and boots, and then armor like pauldrons, an armor skirt, and so forth are tertiary at best. Something you only get if you're trying to complete a full suit of body armor.

>>18541092

Also, I just realized, I forgot to account for the 50% off thing, so that 400 lbs bag of holding would actually be 1 point, if I'm keeping my internal math consistent.

>>18541124
Which is less effective if we're trying to keep mobile & have full range of movement.

And hopefully we CAN get something more useful then a dufflebag, but still, I can understand your frustration Omega.

>>18541017
Fine, a coat then, whatever

>>18541143
Exactly. The armor pieces we should really be focusing on are the best helmet we can get, regardless of the aesthetic, some kind of forearm/hand armor, and MAYBE some shin guards or something. Not some tertiary-tier piece that serves a dubious aesthetic function.

Are we asking Regis for advice, or are we still rooting around for armor?

Because you wont be able to find very light or flexible stuff, and you wont find anything with HAR greater than you already have on your torso, and won't find any HAR for your head or limbs, either. Heavy Armor is very hard to come by in WT, and you've already got more than even most Law Enforcement and Military have on your chest. You could probably find something like a coat to give you LAR for your head down. You can pick up a Riot Helmet for LAR 3 or so on the head, but, quite frankly, you're going to look ridiculous walking around in public like that. And while you guys, not actually having to go wear a helmet may be cool with that, I don't think Dan would want to constantly trundle around. Plus, those interfere with your peripheral vision and hearing.

>>18541262
Well, since the bag is available for only Wealth 1, it would be quite reasonable to get a solid, sturdy helmet to carry around in our bag. Aside from that, a hooded long coat that gives us full-body LAR and looks badass sounds fantastic.

>>18541313

Well, to do something a little more super-hero sci-fi, you guys can do a hooded coat that has like, a dilatant fluid inside. You can have LAR 4, which is the same as a kevlar vest with a 1/4 inch steel plate in, on all hit locations, only without the steel plates, for the 2 Wealth. It will look sufficiently normal that you can get away with wearing it around as causal wear as well.

So, ultimatum time, are we buying things, or asking Regis for help first?

>>18541313
Which will jack and shit vs. Anna's reality distortion. We're probably going to have to look into enchantment for that, which is why we should ask Regis.

>>18541385
Help first, doesn't remove any options, but adds on more, and could bring in stuff we haven't thought of.

>>18541385
Help first, gives more options. Assuming additional options given by asking Regis for help are either useless or turned down, we'll be going with the existing shopping list of:
Pauldron (it's a style thing guys, come on)
Sweet Hat
Unenchanted accessories
Bag of Holding
Enchanting book(?)

>>18541425
>Pauldron (it's a style thing guys, come on)
That style is fucking stupid looking. I agree with the hat though, but let's not joke around. Let's get a hat to have a cool hat, it will never be armor. We'll get some actual head gear for armor.

>>18541402

I don't like to keep going quite so meta like this, but Anna's powers don't actually have any special penetration or Non Physical abilities. Nothing you've seen her do actually looks like it's going to magically go through you, or anything. She never actually harmed Johnny inside the Hammer, for instance.

You'd maybe have some more explanation for this, but nobody asked Roxane when she mentioned something that was entirely new information, and for once I decided to not baby you guys. So I'm still not going to just tell, you. I am just going to tell you you're being crazy paranoid and its slowing this boat down. I wish the boat to go fast.

>>18541385
Ask him for help first, but I'm liking the sound of that coat.

>>18541438

I take it you're not a fan of Mad Max? Or Fallout, for that matter.

>>18541465
Oh, I don't mind in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where people are wearing outfits cobbled together out of a mishmash of scraps of clothes. In a modern setting, though? It doesn't look actiony, it doesn't look cool, it looks like you're trying to be a shonen anime character or are engaging in some other massive egress against fashion.

If we fail to save the world and spend Act II in the post-apocalyptic rusted wasteland of LC? Well, then a shoulder pad as a fashion statement will be less fucking stupid.

>>18541416
>>18541445
>>18541425

You've spent a lot of time walking back and forth, examining this, and that, mulling your decisions over. While you have some things in mind, you ultimately decide to see if Regis as any advice or aid to offer first.

You walk up to the counter. "Say, Regis, professional question for you." He nods. "I'm in a bit of a predicament, which you may be aware of..." You trail off, as he continues nodding. "Yes, yes, Regis knows. Has his ear to the ground, lots of people asking interesting things." "Well, then, do you have anything that could help me, or any thing you recommend for this sort of situation?" Regis mulls this one over for a bit. "I have some things, but even with my sale, such things are too valuable for you. And I cannot just give them to you. Some things you must earn, no?" Part of you is rather frustrated at this statement, but another admits he has a point. You wont set a good example to anyone, yourself included, if you just keep mooching your way to victory. "Regis already plans to do his part," he says, interrupting your reverie. "And you seem to have your own plans. But, a favor for a favor. Regis Mortis can help you when the time comes. When you need it most, I will offer you my aid. But I will need your help in the future." Before you can say anything, he puts his hands up in a placating gesture. "Now, if I ask something you don't want to do, that's fine. I'll collect later. But no more favors until you've paid off the first one, understand?"

>Deal or no deal?

>>18541559
Maybe you're thinking of the wrong thing when I say 'pauldron'...

>>18541610
Forgot my pic

>>18541610
If it's pic related:
>>18541465
Or any other shoulder pad or plate, from 80's to knightly to 40k, my opinion is unchanged.

>>18541616
>>18541611

I was thinking more like this, honestly. Only, y'know, kind of indigo colored. With whatever rank distinguishing marks the Cyreans use. I'm not entirely sure.

>>18541616
It's probably more like this. A denotation of rank more than anything.

>>18541604
Yes. Help is help, and Regis probably wont have us do something that wouldn't be interesting, or wont somewhat benefit us as well.

Gonna say 'yes' to Regis there, and then buy up all the stuff we were interested in that we can afford.

>>18541638
>>18541632

clonecommander!mind

>>18541632
Yeah, that looks like it would look fucking terrible worn in a modern setting. If it's post apocalyptic, or if we manage to get ahold of a full suit of Cyrean armor, sure. But that without a full Cyrean uniform/armor, as part of our look consisting mostly of mundane Earth clothes, would look dumb as fuck.

>>18541654
Well, I'm gonna say you have terrible taste in regards to shoulders, and I think that you're outvoted here.

>>18541667
Clearly I'm outvoted, and I've grown to accept that, but seriously. You guys are going to put that with a shirt or a hoodie or a jacket or something. That's fucking retarded. I hope your spouses/mothers dress you instead of letting you pick your own clothes. Not only is that conspicuous as fuck when we're trying to remain subtle, it looks tacky as hell, on the same tier as running around in a ceramic kabuki mask.

>>18541694
I agree with you, mate. It looks fine with full armor but clashes thematically and stylistically with anything else. Fuck arguing, though. The shoulderpadfags are adamant enough that I expect Omega is just going to have to put his foot down rather than us ever coming to anything resembling an agreement.

>>18541694
For what it's worth, I agree with you. Two votes is still outvoted though I think.

>>18541694
1.) The hoodie is reminiscent of N7 Mass Effect armor, the heavy version of which comes with a single pauldron.
2.) It's not like we'll be wearing it constantly, just when we expect to go into battle and want look intimidating.
3.) I have had a ceramic kabuki mask permanently welded to my face thank you very much. (this is a joke)

>>18541694
>>18541714
>>18541718
Huh, I thought I was the only one opposed to the shoulder plate.

>>18541714
>shoulderpadfags

YOU_FAGGOTS_WILL_ARGUE_ABOUT_ANYTHING.jpg

>>18541727
It looks like a lot of people think the shoulder pad is a bad direction, but don't want to argue about it. Not that voting or not voting matters anyway, since based on his posts, Omega himself is in the pro-shoulder-plate camp. So, uh, get ready to start mentally censoring that detail about Dan's appearance in Omega's posts?

Actually, I'm hearing a lot more "No Shoulder-Plate" than "Shoulder plate". So we're tabling that one.

Personally, I'm not against a little fashionable asymmetry (especially given that this is a comic book-esque world, even if there aren't legions of superheros and villains running around) but since it has no meaning other than appearance, unless you pick a fight with someone wielding a sword, I don't really care one way or another.

And since nobody is against taking a favor from Regis, we're going to roll with that as soon as I get some dinner.

We should only get the shoulderpad if we're going to be wearing full Cyrean armour. Which I personally think we should do, but we shouldn't mix it with hoodies or anything else.
Half armour looks terrible with normal clothes.

>>18541779
I agree. If we get a full Cyrean suit, which we should since it was designed as highly-mobile combat armor, we should go with the shoulder plate. However, we don't have access to a full suit. They're very rare, especially in sizes that fit human men. We won't be getting one any time soon unless we go to SPAAACE and commission one to be grown for us in a lab to our specific measurements.

>>18541779
If we do get it, eh sure. Intimidation factor and so on. Main thing is to get some bracers & shin-guards, though on that front.

All in all, lets consider everything we can get (bonus to enchanting sounds fine, dufflebag might be alright, as might the cloak), as some of the best stuff COSTS, and it might be a better idea to save up some money so we can get some of the REALLY decent stuff here.

Besides, we shouldn't take this much time at an item shop, lets get to the real meat of the story.

>>18541798

>We won't be getting one any time soon unless we go to SPAAACE and commission one to be grown for us in a lab to our specific measurements.

Thaaaaaaat's whaaaaaaaaat yooooooou thiiiiiiiiink.

>>18541829
Yeah, I definitely like the sound of the hooded LAR 4 longcoat. Especially if it's one of our theme colours: blue, indigo, violet, or black. LAR 4 isn't nearly as good as some HAR, but that much LAR is still DAMN good.

>>18541858
Well, yeah, that's what I think. I'm not saying that we won't be going into SPAAACE soon, just that going into SPAAACE is the only way that we'll be getting the armor any time soon. If I'm wrong, well, I'm wrong with no evidence to suggest I'm wrong and all evidence suggesting the contrary. You know, considering the fact that you explicitly stated that our breastplate is a rare find, and that it was likely made for an underaged girl.

>>18541882

Don't mind me, I'm just the quest author, making vague predictions about the future.

>>18541858
So we're going to find more cyrean tech when we visit New England?

>>18541892
Oh, I know. I'm just saying, until there's a real reason to think it, aside from vague out-of-character possibly-really-good-trollings, I'm going to ignore the metagame prophetics in the context of in-character decisions. Just saying.

>>18541910
Assuming we survive this, probably.
>We need a fucking helmet.

>>18541892
Omega, are you seriously suggesting that players can't royally destroy a GM's master plan? Really? :D

>>18541915
>possibly really good trollings
>possibly
Have you been following these?
I'm only surprised that Omega hasn't posted HAHAHA no yet.

>>18541934
Are you seriously suggesting that Omega is not going to blindside us with some crazy shit right when we think we've destroyed the plan?

>>18541939
I'm just saying that his current statement may or may not be prophecy and/or trolling. We can't be sure which (or both) it is yet. And QMs tend to love to troll their playerbase using inaccurate OOC knowledge, making sure to make all IC knowledge accurate, and no promises beyond that.

>>18541604

"Alright, Regis. I'll help you out if you help me." Regis nods, sagely. "Regis Mortis always keeps his word. When the time is right, and you need my help the most, I will give it." You nod back. "Oh, and I see you broke your glasses. Do you need a replacement?" "Yeah, I could use some new ones. Do you have like a warranty?"
"How did they break?"
"Act of an Extradimensional God."
"That is covered, hold on, let me fetch you a fresh pair. Leave those on the counter, I will fix them later."

That settled, you need to gather up your purchases. You pull up the bag of holding you want, plop it down on the counter, along with a wonderful casual hat, a book on enchantment, and also the dilatant coat you're interested in. This will pretty much kill all of the cash from the FBI you have, but you'll have lots of useful stuff. You also pick up some blank foci to enchant later, enough small trinkets to net you a couple or so of new magic items. You can just do them when you actually enchant your shoelaces later.

>Ready to cash out?

>>18541934
See
>>18541947

>>18541966

Really? Because I think that's the opposite of how I've intended to do this. All the OOC stuff, like about the setting, I try to keep as objective and factual as possible, so you guys can make informed decisions (which don't help you anyway), while all the IC stuff Dan knows is always subjective and colored by his ability to find it out and from what source.

Anyway, my subtle hint as about the "having to go to SPAAAAACE" before getting a shot at proper Cyrean armor. I'll limit myself to saying that other possibilities lie open before such a point.

>>18542031
Sounds good to me. That coat is some kind of hooded longcoat, right, like a great coat/trench coat with a cloaklike hood? Because that screams mage, badass freerunner, and style. What colour/pattern is it?

>>18542058

Yes, it's a hooded longcoat, I just used the N7 Hoodie image because I had it handy. As for the color?

This color.

>see pic

>>18542137
Mmmmm, that will look niiice with our Cyrean Blue and blend well in the darkness. Is it thick enough to block our glows?

>>18542054
>possibilities lie open

Which is supported by the history that Dan already knows. The Cyreans invaded, of course they left a lot of their shit lying around on Earth.

Technically, Omega is telling us nothing that we didn't already know.

>>18542137
Metallic black?

>>18542145

Dunno about thick, but it is dark enough. The material soaks up the light. Which makes sense, since there's a non-newtonian fluid basically suspended inside the fabric of the coat which is what makes it armored.

>>18542031

You now make your purchases, switching into your wonderful new coat (which is surprisingly light and breathable), and stuffing the previous jacket you wore inside your new bag of holding. You also place the ritual kit (in bag) in there, to save space and just sling the whole thing over one shoulder. Some of the others appear to still be shopping, while others have found what they want, or know they don't want anything and are waiting for you and the others to finish up.

>Look around at what the others are doing, or are we done here?

>>18542283
Let's check up on the other people quickly, and then tell them we're going to head out.
No need to be rude.

>>18542283

Whoops, forgot my image.

>>18542283
Now, if only we had an enchanted bomb to put in that bag, then in our dramatic final moments pull out and destroy the black rock box and prevent the summoning.

>>18542289
Let's help them find stuff too if they want anything. We're all going to leave as a group, and we're not the boss here.

Actually I'm interested in what other people are getting and why.

>>18542343
>>18542289

You decide to check what the others are doing before trying to get everyone to go. Summanus doesn't seem he's found anything pressing, and is instead just wandering the aisles, perusing the items. Sunshine has a couple of books tucked under her arm, and is actually browsing what at first looks like a spice rack, but then you notice the things in the little vials are stuff like "powder of raven beak" and "nail filings" and "depleted uranium dust". Huan, also seems to have found what he wanted, and is taking a few practice swings with the nun-chucks he has found in the mundane area, trying out their balance.

Jeanne is now examining Regis' various charms and trinkets, though she has a mantled silvery cloak draped over one arm. "Find what you're looking for?" You ask her. She nods. "Yes. I've had a couple charms I wanted to add to my necklace," she holds up the little Fleur-de-lis around her neck, "But I've been saving up to afford the custom molds of silver. But Regis has some already made I can use." She looks you up and down. "I can see you also found what you wanted." You nod back. "Pretty much." Roxane and Johnny walk up to you then. "Hey, Dan," Says Roxy "I think everyone else is ready to go, do you guys have all the stuff you want?" Jeanne plucks up a couple of necklace charms from the rack, and you shrug. "I guess."

Everyone rings up the stuff they got, and Regis bags up what of it that needs bagging, and everyone heads out of the store. You all stop short when you find Professor Blackstone standing on the sidewalk outside, waiting for you. He holds his staff in one hand, leaning on the ground, and is wearing a broad hat to keep the sun off his face. He tips it in your general direction. "Morning, kids."

>>18542503
Don't be cool or calm or anything. Grin like a kid with candy, wave, and then gesture to the cool new coat.

>>18542537
No.
He, like us, is arriving precisely on time.
We need to respect this.
Suave it up to 11, stroll over, and tip him an imaginary hat while saying Good Day.

>>18542537
Not saying that we need to be 2kool4skool or anything, but could we not be a little kid either?

>>18542547
>imaginary hat
You know we just bought a fedora, right?

>>18542557
Nope, I hadn't.
Nevermind, tip the fedora.

>>18542547
Or we could tip the new cool hat we got.

>>18542361

Summanus and Naomi didn't get anything.

Roxane also didn't get anything, but she did tell Regis to call her if he got any more of the dilatant fluid stuff in.

Johnny got a pocket-watch, but he wont tell you if it does anything else, saying it will be "more dramatic" that way.

Huan got some nun-chucks and some of hose hand-wrap things come martial artist use.

Sunshine got a couple books and some alchemy reagents.

Jeanne bought herself a couple charms, and the mantled cloak.

Also, along the way, between the 8 of you, somebody probably picked up a little something for Anya, since she was busy sleeping.

>>18542576
>hand-wrap
Yes, that's actually what it's called. No joke. Normally you put it on before your gloves (boxing or MMA) in order to brace your wrists and keep your knuckles from bleeding everywhere.

Is the cloak magical? If not, will it be soon?

>I am super curious about the watch, but not asking because I respect Johnny's bromanship skills.

>>18542566
>>18542575
>>18542557

You tip your hat to him. "Morning, sir." You say, at maximum levels of suave. Which for you are pretty maximum. The others give various greetings. "Sorry to interrupt your day out, I'm sure you all have things to do, but I think I need to borrow Alice her for a minute." He points at you with the staff. Johnny gives you a look and mouths 'Alice?' you remain unflappable and give him the "I'll explain later" look. You step a little forward. "What do you need, professor?" He nods at you. "Anna broke back into her apartment this morning. Disabled the two guards on duty, and presumably took some items. The police want me to swing by and have a look at the place, see if anything is missing or new, and tell them what it means if there is." "And you need me, why?" You say, trying to sound inquisitive instead of rude. "Well, I'm pretty sure you're a little better at this sense stuff than me, way I understand it. You've also studied some of this stuff as much as I have over the past couple days. Besides, you might learn something useful." You shrug. Roxy taps you on the shoulder. "We can just do what we were going to, Dan, so you can just call us when you're free again."

>>18542615

Dan does detect that the cloak is slightly magic, yes.

>>18542847
Whelp, time to go visit Anna's place.
We should memorize its location for future reference.

>>18542930

>We should memorize its location for future reference.

It is funny that you say this, you will find out why shortly.

>>18542847
Nod, let her know that's a good idea. Advise the group to send you updates by text, saying when they're en route to somewhere, when they're picking up a new person, and so forth. And definitely if they're under attack, we can cover ground ridiculously fast with our magic parkour.

>>18542847
We really need to treat Roxy to something awesome after this. Possibly a date...for science!

>>18542942
Omega
Why you do this?

If I'm going to metagame this, the apartment is not going to exist for much longer.

>>18542962
Possibly it doesn't matter what we metagame, because Omega's already done it.

>>18542977
>>18542962

No, the "memorize where it is" comment is funny for an entirely different reason, which you will see why in a couple of minutes.

>>18542990
Is it a reality shattering/bending reason? Or is it like right next to ours?
Don't spoil it I'm just throwing out guesses.

>>18542930
>>18542945

You nod to her, then walk the short distance to stand next to Professor Blackstone, and say to the others, "Keep me posted by text. When you guys go someplace, pick some one up, split-up, whatever. Just let me know when you change something." They all nod, and Johnny says "We will, bro." You then say some quick goodbyes and the group starts walking off down the sidewalk. Blackstone says quietly to you, in an aside, "Well, hoss, you're shaping up to be a real leader of men." You shrug. "I try. Now, how do we get to Anna's apartment?" He smiles a little at you. "I know a short cut." He turns to face the other direction, and brings his staff up to bear. "Spatio scindet." He mutters, and slashes the staff down in an arc in front of him.

Space splits open where Blackstone swept his staff, cutting a black tear in reality tall enough for a man to comfortably walk through. You guess this is what he meant by shortcut. "Where does it go?" You ask. "Well, if I've done it right, it should take us right outside Anna's apartment." He says, looking over his shoulder at you. "It's very simple," He explains. "You just walk on through. A word of caution, though. Close your eyes before you go in, and don't open them again until you're on the other side." You nod. Blackstone passes into the rift, and you walk in a pace behind him, making sure to keep your eyes shut as you go. As you pass through, you feel very cold, even in your coat, and her what sounds like a surrusus of whispers, but only for the time it takes you to make a step, and then you're inside a building somewhere. You open your eyes to find yourself in a hallway with a hand full of med-techs prying the Power Armor off some prone police officers.

>>18543203
"Excuse us, please, wizard business."

>>18543230
Tip the hat as we pass, as well.

>>18543265
>>18543230

You tip your hat to the medics, who are rather slack-jawed at your sudden appearance, and say "Excuse us, wizard business." As you say this, Blackstone faces the other direction and draws his staff back up the rend, sealing it up like someone doing back up a zipper. He then turns to wrap his staff on the door of the apartment thrice, while you look at the medics getting a guy onto a stretcher. The skin around his neck, and some on his head and shoulders looks red, and angry, like a rash, or something. You don't know enough about medicine, or the exact nature of Red's powers, to determine exactly what it is.

The door opens and you find Detective Philips there, wearing he work outfit of a trenchcoat, body armor, and her badge dangling around her neck. She also has a sidearm holstered, and a one-handed sword on her back. She nods at Blackstone, "You got here quick." "A Wizard is never late. Nor is he early," begins Blackstone, but Philips cuts him off "He arrives when he means to, yeah, yeah, heard it before. You two get in here, and don't touch anything. This is still a crime scene." You walk into the main room of Anna's small 1 bedroom apartment. It looks very... plain. Kind of like your own dorm room, with similar quality of furniture, though she has some more space, and you think her appliances are better. Also, she has many, many bookshelves, and many, many books.

>>18543491
Turn the confidence (Command) all the way up and say, "Hm. Is it wrong that I was hoping for the dress and the heels?"

>>18543491
prepare to use mage sight and tell Blackstone to catch us if we start going insane from looking at something we shouldnt.

>>18543508

"So, is it wrong that I expected the dress and heels?" You observe, trying to keep the mood light. "On the clock, kid." She says, in a neutral voice. But she looks a little amused. Detective Howard comes out of bedroom, and nods at Blackstone, but raises an eyebrow at you. Before anyone can say anything, Blackstone asks "What happened?" Howard turns back to him, and you take a bit to walk around, and read Anna's bookshelves. Lots of esoteric and occult texts, along with mathematics books, and some popular fiction. She seems fond of cheap paperback romances.

"We radioed the guys at the door for a regular check in, they didn't respond. Had a uniform come up and check on them, found them laid out in the hall, called us. We think the slipped into the room, then popped the door and disabled them. Medics said they've got some mild radiation poisoning, she must have slipped a hand or something into one of the joins by the neck, knocked 'em flat out." Blackstone nods. "Anything obviously missing?" "Nope. She erased all the equations, though, mirrors, board and windows, as you can see." He gestures vaguely at the windows of the apartment. "We were just about to start taking inventory when you got here." "Alrighty then, let's get started." Says Blackstone, who then turns to you, "Whaddya got, grasshopper?"

>>18543835
GO GO MAGIC EYES.

>>18543873
Let us stare into the void.

>She seems fond of cheap paperback romances
>seems fond of cheap paperback romances
>fond of cheap paperback romances
>paperback romances

>>18543896
Good point. As if there's any specific pattern to the romances. Also see if there's any notes in the margins of the fiction books. Seems a wise place to check when dealing with someone who was intimate with Moreau.

>>18543912
Psychologically damaged genius who hoped for someone to care for her. As I said, she can be persuaded, despite the fact that we're spoken for (it'd be easier if we weren't, obviously, but that's academic).

Anyways, lets see what our eyes show us. Unless she pulled off some glass, paint, and plaster, the remnants should still be there.

"Mmm, well I'm not real sure but, the romance novels strike me as odd considering what I know of Anna. All of her relationships have been...pretty messed up.
I can't help but notice they're all cheap ones too, like maybe she bought them all up at once."

>>18543912

"Anybody else find the paperback romances unusual?" You say, pointing at the bookshelf. Howard says, "Yeah, they seemed a little out-of place to us, too, but they're all normal. Like the stuff you buy at an airport. Figure everyone needs a hobby, something to unwind." The detectives shrug.

>>18543893
>>18543873

You prepare to open your magesight, and extend your senses. The room definitely has a weird quality to it, magic or psychic you're not sure. Its just a buzzing presence at the edges of your sensation out in the living area, like something moving in the corner of your third eye. You close your eyes and get ready to see. "Okay, here we go." You say. "And for the love of God, nobody let me fall over and hit something."

(Aaaaaaand every die is a match. On 10d. YOU CAN SEE FOREVER. 2x1, 2x7, 2x10 and 4x6)

(cont)

>>18544092
>every die is a match

>>18544092

The room suddenly gets super sharp, very well defined. You can tell the presence, now, the impression of a person who's lived in a place a while, and calls it home. But the resident is not well. Something about Anna's condition has left an imprint on this place. You feel it is stronger in the bedroom. You sweep your gaze around. The ghostly afterimages of equations remain on the windows, where Anna scrawled them, layer upon layer of increasingly complex math, back to the day she moved in. Looking at the bookshelf, certain book titles appear more clearly in your vision, and you can tell that these are the one Anna reads most often. This is also corresponded by the fiction you check having the most worn spines. You turn around to face another part of the room, and have to shield your eyes. As last time, Professor Blackstone blazes with a white aura surrounding him. Also, all his clothes appear white, as opposed to their actual black. "Hey, dim it down over here. I do not have third-eye sunglasses." You say, a little strained. "Sorry." He says, and the incandescence dies down a little.

Now you can also see Detectives Howard and Philips. Philips appears as she did later in the dream-world, in the battle-dress she had before. Tinges of jade flames flicker on the edge of her aura, and also around the ring on her hand, but you're not sure what it means. Howard also looks like a normal human, but he's wearing the combat gear of an Army Ranger, and on his torso, there are two holes which look like gunshot wounds, leaking spectral blood down his body and onto the floor. Nothing else strikes you as unusual about the living area.

>>18544144
>wearing the combat gear of an Army Ranger, and on his torso, there are two holes which look like gunshot wounds, leaking spectral blood
Shit, so he's got past traumas that are still fresh in his mind.

>>18544144
Can we scrawl down some of the equations? She was trying to hide them.

>>18544169
The police probably did that yesterday, before she wiped them. And they wouldn't mean anything to us.

>>18544184
They might not get some of the underlying ones.
We can see all her equations going back into the past.
Might as well try and note some of the older ones or something.

>>18544144
Hey, how does the coat actually feel, fabric-wise? Is it stiff/crisp like wool or canvas? Soft and loose like a cotton robe or sweater? Supple and pliant like leather? Heavy and limp, like chain mail? I'm just trying to get an idea of how it hangs on Dan.

Bust out a notebook and start copying down EVERYTHING.
Check the bathroom, the bed, under the bed, behind the bookshelf, and inside desk drawers.

>>18544169

"Anybody need these?" You jerk a thumb at the window, where ghosts of half a decade worth of increasingly complex math idle. "Nah, we took pictures of everything yesterday." Says Howard. You point vaguely at his chest. "You're kinda bleeding. Are you, uh, alright over there?" Howard looks a little surprised, and presses a hand over the exact spot where he has holes. "Well, I was kind of clinically dead for a while, once. Took a couple in the chest." He shrugs. "Must be it."

>>18544219

You examine the living area for further signs of well, anything and find nothing, sigh, and head into the bed room. The presence of living is much stronger here, and also slightly more... wrong. Sick. Or rather, ill. You can tell Anna spent a lot of her time here before, moreso since she was chosen by Doctor M. Who you can also tell has been in this room, in the not to distant past. Less than a week. A smell wafts under your nose you recognize as her perfume from the club. Looking around, you can see why Anna spent so much in here. One wall is almost entirely covered in whiteboard, which is similarly haunted by the ghosts of equations. So many you have to deliberately focus on one or two at a time, or your vision swims. Also in the room is something your mind describes to you as a "scab" in spacetime, a slight thickening of reality at a point, which you assume is where Anna portaled in this morning. You look at the bed, and you can see an unreal imprint in the bed, like someone had slept on it recently, even though you know they haven't. You have a slight, instinctual niggling to place your hand to the bed and 'feel out' the psychic imprint.

>>18544342
Why not touch it, whats the worst that can happen?

>>18544195

I seriously doubt you need Anna's College Algebra homework from five years ago.

>>18544196

The coat probably is supple, kind of like leather, but the actual feel to the touch might be a bit different, because the jacket basically is a coat-shaped bag filled with the dilatant fluid, which gets more rigid the more pressure you apply. But the outer layer is made of some kind of fabric, probably, though I'm not sure which would be most appropriate.

>>18544342
Let's feel out the psychic imprint, mention the scab to the Prof (he might find that useful), and mention to Howard that they look as fresh as if they just happened. Muse that he might want to talk to someone about that if the world doesn't end tonight. Make it clear by our tone that we're concerned about the obvious psychic wounds, as anyone would be to see a man bleeding, metaphorically or otherwise, not suggesting that he's weak or something.

Tell Blackstone about it first, then if he doesn't offer any sort of "Don't touch that", go ahead and touch it.

>>18544353
>>18544401
>>18544421

You poke the space 'scab'. You hand finds some resistance, and like you're sticking your hand in jello. Ice cold jello that feels like your shortcut here did. You gesture vaguely at the area of it and say to Blackstone, "You might want to have a look at this, area, region, thing, of space." He nods, strides into the room and gets into kind of a crouch on the opposite side of it from you, more toward the bathroom, and begins studying the area, left hand extended slightly toward it. The niggling feeling in your sensation pulls your attention back to the imprint of the bed. You wonder if everyone's bed has a strong imprint like this, of if this is special because of the weird shit going on around Anna. The band of force around your wrist pulses green, and a little voice whispers in your mind, 'Only one way to find out'. You instinctively stretch out your left hand, and touch the bed.

(cont)

>>18544676

Images flash into your mind, not memories, but rather a disembodied slideshow, like you'd been here to take pictures. Or rather been standing there to see it yourself. It plays in reverse order, newest events to oldest. First is the red mist dropping off Anna's body after your friends kicked the Voice's ass. Then a few moments before, as the Voice's essence floods into the sleeping Anna. Anna in her troubled sleep, curled into a fetal position. Anna scribbling equations on her jacket with a fabric marker. Anna bandaging her arms and legs after your first fight in the coffee shop. Anna in a kind of trance, hurriedly tattooing herself with with bone needles, and an ink which looks like too-dark blood. Anna, free of tattoos, sitting in a chalk circle on the floor in front of her bed, in the lotus position, talking to someone, or something, you can't see. Anna, what must be several days earlier, sitting on the foot of her bed in her underwear, feverishly studying a notebook, while someone who looks like Dr. M sleeps in it. Eve and Anna kissing passionately (Well, that's new). Anna, some weeks prior, frustratedly scribbling in her own notebooks, before she gets very agitated, and pitches her notes and materials away from her, scattering across the room. More images flash by, blurring together into a long stream. You get a splitting headache, and take a couple quick steps back from the bed. Which brings the back of your head into contact with a wardrobe sitting by the door. As stars fill your vision, and things get dark and gooey, you have one thought. 'Son of a bitch, I told them not to let me fall over and hit something!'

METAHUMAN RENAISSANCE PART 27 END

So, thread archived, open for questions, next thread tuesday.

Good night and good luck, gentlemen.

>>18544685
>'Son of a bitch, I told them not to let me fall over and hit something!'

Omega you are awesome. Best anticlimax since 8 Bit theatre.

>>18544685
The not-so-good Dr. might want to help us is making sure she doesn't get gibbed over this, then.

>>18544782
QUESTIONS:

Did we find or see anything to indicate that Anna has anything...stable in her life? Maybe like a meaningful object that might put her into a more stable, sane frame of mind by focusing on it?

What was it that Dr. M saw in Anna? I mean, Anna must've already been somewhat unstable even before she got those equations - equations which by their very nature only make people LESS mentally stable. I can't even imagine how Dr. M saw this and thought, "Yes, this is a good way for humanity to move in FORWARD direction." What did Dr. M hypothesize was going to happen?

I assume we saw Dr. M's bare tits during the flashback sequence? On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being vomit inducing and 10 being so beautiful that you fall to your knees, weep openly, thank the gods, and then willingly induce blindness just to ensure that they're the last thing you'll ever see, where are hers?

>>18545130
You do realize Dr. M is was probably worse-off then Anna before Anna contacted the Red Star, right?

The difference is Dr. M's more stable, and is smart enough not to allow others to touch her mind like that (being a powerful psychic, and so on).

>>18545130
These questions are all pretty interesting, except for the boob one.

>>18545130
If I remember correctly, Omega said that the quality in Anna was that she was actively-pursuing power. The one in us was an interest in self-improvement but not actively-pursuing power.

>>18545130

>Did we find or see anything to indicate that Anna has anything...stable in her life? Maybe like a meaningful object that might put her into a more stable, sane frame of mind by focusing on it?

Not really? Or at least, not that Dan knows. Honestly, best strategy at this stage would probably be to try and work on the parts of Anna's mind which are still rational.

>What was it that Dr. M saw in Anna? I mean, Anna must've already been somewhat unstable even before she got those equations - equations which by their very nature only make people LESS mentally stable. I can't even imagine how Dr. M saw this and thought, "Yes, this is a good way for humanity to move in FORWARD direction." What did Dr. M hypothesize was going to happen?

See >>18548647

Anna was actively pursuing self-improvement in this matter. CERTAIN FACTORS (You have three guesses, and the first two don't count) have changed Dr. M's original parameters, however, which is also why Anna is less stable than predicted. Though part of the experiment is seeing what ordinary folks do with powers.

>I assume we saw Dr. M's bare tits during the flashback sequence?

If there were tits, I would have mentioned them. Underwear and bedsheets were involved. Dr. M has classy choices in lingerie, though.