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My availability is bunk right now. In fact it’s been so bad that I owe everyone an apology. My only specific day off currently is Sunday and most Saturdays. But, I’m currently managing two entire states for T-Mobile. So as Michele can attest too, I spend a hefty chunk of my days off on the phone dealing with quirks with one store or another.
That said my stores do close normally by 10PM, Central Time and I’m usually able to stay up until 1-2AM. So as long as we plan in advance I’m able to play during those times.
I didn’t answer this because Squee was visiting. Zatanna (and her Father) have some connections to Nowhere, that would definitely play a role in Zach’s life. Hit me up and I’ll give the details.
Spoke with Marc. I provided him what little information I had on Jason Todd from the history I’d been given of Nightwing. We both agree a complete reboot is a good idea.
In closing:
- Talia al Ghul was rescued. However even before this, the League of Shadows had withdrawn from Gotham. In doing so they have left the Daughter of Ra’s behind. Those connected to the underground will know that Ra’s was making an example of her to his Followers, that no one is exempt from the punishment that comes in going against his commands. Any one making an effort to contact the League will be greeted with silence for the time being. Again though, those with connections, will know that this is a ceremonial time of mourning the loss of an Heir for the Demon.
- The Destiny was rigged with a veritable ton of explosives. The Heroes were not able to disarm those explosives, though Batman and Red Hood were able to save a good number of people on the main deck. The survivors (including Talia) will need to be treated for the scarecrow’s fear toxins. These were not being inhaled, but injected directly in to the blood stream to maximize their effects. Obviously this will leave a lasting impression upon those infected.
- Over the next couple days the Gotham Police Department will be able to identify most of the victims and separate them from Joker’s goons. ( The Heroes rescued people indiscriminately, so they must be identified once the police are able. ) In those same days Martial Law will be lifted as Gotham’s Police force is once again able to bring the city back to it’s normal levels of crime and villainy.
- Last but not least, neither the Joker -or- Batman were found in the wreckage of the boat’s explosion. The newspapers will take this to mean both of them escaped. || However, those connected to the Bat-Family will know that the Huntress fished Batman out of the harbor. Only Batman knows how he got out of the Boat, and he intends to have a discussion with the writer of the note he found on himself (Catman).
- Day Four: Red Hood was able to ‘seek an audience’ with his Grandfather, Ra’s al Ghul. Unfortunately he had to do this alone, as Dick Grayson was forced to investigate the lost communication with Alfred Pennyworth. Upon returning home Dick would discover that the Mansion was under assault by the League of Shadows and that Pennyworth was mounting a defense. Despite the presence of the Batman, the League’s assault continued until they seemingly found what they were looking for. This left Alfred and Dick to realize that they had not managed to force the League’s retreat, they simply left on their own accord. During the battle at Wayne Manor, Damien was speaking privately to his Grandfather. They came to something of an agreement. Later that day Helena Bertinelli would mark her return to Gotham with a visit to Wayne Manor and see the impact of the attack.
- Day Five: Working off of Intel received from Damien’s meeting with the Demon, Red Hood, Canary and Batman made for a rescue attempt of Talia al Ghul. Joker had hijacked the Destiny, a large luxury yacht, filled with people for a large charity function. While the Canary faced off with Harley Quinn, the Red Hood raced against time to free his mother and the Batman worked to disarm explosives lining the boat (and many of the attendants). The insanity of the final battle is logged here: Killing Joke: Finale?!
N.O.W.H.E.R.E. NPCs
- Raven
- John Lynch
There are a number of N.O.W.H.E.R.E. operatives that are being NPC’d for that storyline, but they’re all people who I would love for people to still RP if they like it. Characters from Gen 13, Zatanna, older members of the Justice Society, Beast Boy…etc. Have all been presented as willing or unwilling members of N.O.W.H.E.R.E.
Killing Joke II NPCs:
- Talia al Ghul
- Ra’s al Ghul
Trial of Shazam NPCs:
- Black Adam
Killing Joke SL
- Day One: Talia al Ghul was kidnapped by the Joker, from the Iceberg Lounge, while she was visiting with the Penguin. Scores of Witnesses. Very public.
- Hours later copies of the “Killing Joke” video first came to the Gotham Broadcast Company.
- Day Two: Red Robin and Black Canary set off to track down the Red Hood aka Damian Wayne. Locating him just after he killed Firefly. With the assistance of Batman, the trio seemed to bring Damien in to line, just before the Batwing was somehow sent crashing in to the rooftop.
- Day Three: Having narrowly escaped being blown up, Black Canary, Red Robin,
assisted by Alfred Pennyworth, sought to investigate the initial kidnapping and question the Penguin. Havok and a Deathstroke sighting, lead to the near annihilation of the Iceberg Lounge. As this was happening, the Batman (Dick Grayson) and Red Hood (Damien Wayne) are seeking an audience with Ra’s al Ghul (scene yet to occur).
Being familiar with doorways that end up in different places Freddy would be curious to know if they would be able to control where they end up? They have no idea where the doorway will open, but would they be able to control the general area they end up in?
Helena: “No. This doesn’t work like that at all. There are a set number of doors with specific exit points spread across the world. While some do span in to different times, the Keepers wouldn’t allow you to use those. Not without their believing you had great enough cause to risk damaging History.”
Follow up to that question is would they be able enter exit point to travel to different destination or is it a one time one way ticket at this point?
Helena won’t answer this question.
Just for a peace at mind Freddy would inquire if the Wizard was ok since he’s been able to locate him.
Helena won’t answer this question. She’d be very curious as to why he would presume she knew the answer, but she’s not saying whether she does or doesn’t.
The wizard’s disappearance has led Freddy to suspect one of two things. One that he’s been hurt which doesn’t track with everything he’s seen. Adam wasn’t trying to throttle him and Isis hasn’t pulled him along like a prize. Two which is the one that makes more logical sense. The wizard cannot intervene for the same reasons Helena can’t on Freddy’s behalf because he is still playing out a trial. He wouldn’t voice it because Helena would probably neither confirm or deny that most likely, but the way Freddy plays the logic it leads him to the following.
Very astute. Though, again, Helena Sandsmark is curious as to why Freddy would assume she knew this information.
Like Adam said the trials were broken. Yes, he is unable to complete the trials of Hercules and Atlas, because Isis stole their abilities and killed them.
However, if the trials ended it would be over. Freddy would have failed and he would be regular Freddy Freeman not the initiate. Zeus’ trial must be in play and as the Wizard is not able to aid in him the trials he removed himself from the board. Helena not being to aid him about the amulet means that it’s a part of a trial. Thus, Freddy posits the Zeus trial is to put right and restore the original covenant that a champion is selected. However, Black Adam’s existence violates that covenant which may have set all of this in motion especially when he did an Isis like move to aid his wife. Same wrong that was made in the past has been repeated.
Stop Isis.
Helena: “So if what you’re saying is true and if the Trial was truly broken, they would be over. Then why do you keep assuming Isis stole the powers she has? What if she and Adam are actually part of the trial? Wouldn’t that explain why they haven’t ended?”
#1: Is there anything in the vault that can be used to place could cloak the amulet. A box of some kind that would prevent it from being detected?
What the characters are calling a vault exists in DC by a different name and there is such an expansive amount of mystical items within, that I’m 100% positive that there is something like this in there.
#1.5: If so Freddy would as if he could borrow it.
Helena would politely answer: Cassie, who is this and who does he actually think he is?
I am told Cassie would respond essentially with: “Shazam?”
To which Helena would again, politely point out that he is -not- Shazam. He has not completed his trial and until that changes, in the eyes of the Gods, to whom the Vault is dedicated, Freddy is only a contender. Whom they cannot -assist- in any way.
#2: It’s been on Freddy’s mind for some time. Would Helena know who placed Isis and Osiris in the amulets in the first place and why?
If Helena does know she won’t answer the question. ( She does know but she cannot directly assist Freddy in any way with any aspect of the Trial. )
Or could Freddy assume with the help of Solomon that because of the part Isis played in Teth-Adam gaining powers from a different set of gods that this was some form of penance that had been imposed upon them both?
That would be 50% correct and it would be natural for him to make that assumption. This is essentially half-right, because it was her role in Black Adam status as Champion -and- something else that she did (which they haven’t actually discovered yet).
When Freddy returns to the doorway he came through? It’ll open, just not to the Sanctum of the Wizard. He’ll be looking in to one of the Metro-Library’s large archival rooms. He’s got the gift of Solomon on his side, so he’s going to know immediately that this means one of two things.
(A) Either his access to the Sanctum has been Revoked. This would require either the Wizard or someone with -MORE- power than the Wizard to have essentially assumed possession of the Sanctum in his absence.
(B) Someone else opened one of the myriad of other doors from the outside, that lead to the Sanctum. Another doorway has either been left opened or is being held open. Solomon might give Freddy information on how ‘Gateways’ work (taken from the pages of the DC Adventure Journal). Essentially they form wormholes between two points. They can span time or space, or both if the person who created it was powerful enough. However when the wormhole is connected, it can’t connect to elsewhere. (Does Freddy watch Stargate?)Unfortunately, I can’t really give you a clue as to which of those options it is yet. The same stuff that triggered Freddy’s meeting with Black Adam, also triggered another little Mini-SM, that is still pending. Soon as I’m done there will be more information to be had.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that Freddy can absolutely recognize Teth-Adahm. After walking a mile in his boots, thanks to Solomon, he knows Teth’s mortal coil almost as well as he knows his own.
This sounds delightfully fun. Also I’ve been looking for a reason to get GL introduced to the other heroes properly.
Also, Michele reminded me that there is one Coast City setting detail that I should make you aware of that isn’t known to the majority. I’ll message you the next time I see you!
Hey Marc!
Most of this is easy to answer. You asked one question that’s going to require me to ask a counter question first.
1. How long since Freddy and the Wizard have spoken.
— The Wizard would have gone silent just after Freddy passed his second trial. There is a reason for this silence, but Freddy doesn’t yet know the why.2. Is the Wizard’s sanctum reachable?
— I’m working on the assumption that you mean the sanctum he he had in the pre-“New 52” stuff. In which case the answer yes. The Wizard’s Sanctum is located in Greece, but there are doorways to it all over the world. Freddy has the Wisdom of Solomon, so it wouldn’t be difficult for him to find the nearest one. It’s in the basement broiler room of Billy Batson’s old school.
– The Wizard’s sanctum is ransacked. There are signs of a struggle, that he’d recognize with Solomon’s help easily. Lots and lots of Magical damage. Scorching. There are also very clear indicators that the mystical warding and barriers were broken. Meaning that whatever attacked Shazam, actually broken -through- his defenses.
– I would note, however, that there is actually no evidence of the Wizard himself being part of the fight. If he was there when all the damage happened, he either didn’t participate in the fight or was somehow prevented from fighting.3. You also asked about the means of contact. Whether it was direct contact or a meeting place?
— Prior to the start of the Trials, Freddy was likely brought or lead to one of the entrances to the Sanctum. He would have also been taken at some point to the Rock of Eternity, to see if the Gods would give him the blessing to begin the Trials.
— After the Trials started the Wizard would have left Freddy alone to pass the trials without assistance. However he would have appeared to guide Freddy to where ever he needed to -be- to take each subsequent trial.—–
The last bit is also where I have my question. Is Freddy going to actively -try- to go to the Wizard’s Sanctum? This would actually trigger a scene we’ll need to do.
@Michele; Cassie won’t face any real poking or prodding then. It’s not that she gets a ‘Free Pass,’ but since it genuinely appears that she is doing what an Agent would actually do? They have no reason to doubt the setup that Conner and she have in play. And since she’s actually not hanging around either once they verify that she’s not hanging around then neither will they.
@Marc; Great question at the end. I realize that I covered that in RP, but didn’t mention it here. N.O.W.H.E.R.E. actually identifies itself as a branch of the “Department of Extranormal Operations.” They have all the proper credentials..etc. This is significant, because if someone were to research this (such as Tim Drake has done), they would find that the D.E.O. is operated and reports to the Metahuman Affairs Senate Committee. The committee chairman is Amanda Waller, who reports directly to President Luthor. However, as Tim uncovered, the credentials people such as Raven, M’gann (or even Conner) actually have? Do not drill back to actual personnel files.
As for the Police Chief? He’s extremely willing to cooperate with Freddy, because Freddy is seemingly one of the only people in the whole City that didn’t get mind wiped. This is of course curious to the Chief and so he’ll let Freddy get close, because as Freddy is trying to learn so is Callaghan. We don’t need to devote an entire scene to this but Freddy coming in to contact with the Broach would actually trigger a sort of Mini-Event. Essentially the moment he touches the Broach, Solomon is going to bless Freddy with some insights. He’s going to see similar events to what Cassie saw in her meeting with Tim Drake. -Except- that it’s going to be the living, breathing, experience. Instead of just seeing it as a movie in the third person. Essentially, Solomon is going to let Freddy live and breathe the events of Teth-Adamh’s transformation in to Khem-Adamh (Black Adam). He’ll teach Freddy about the connection between Adam, Isis and Osiris. Lastly, Freddy will come away from this vision with the certain knowledge of that Broach being a container for some small portion of Osiris’ soul.
Solomon isn’t going to be really “give” Freddy a lot about Callaghan other than to confirm Freddy’s suspicion that the Police Chief is acting well above his means. As Freddy gets closer to the Chief, there will be little hints and clues that will surely confirm that he’s dealing with an Avatar of the power he’s seeking. But the Police Chief is either playing his role really well or genuinely has no clue. Leaving Freddy to wonder, what he’ll need to do to complete this portion of the Trial.
