Ciera

I remember when there were no 'Hollows' and everyone was trying to run around Atlas killing everything just so they could make it into Perez Park. The KSing was rampant... I say Rampant!

I remember when Lt. Wincott's base missions were almost always off to the right at the same door, and they weren't easy for groups, let alone a single hero. But on the bright side you could easily have a PUG at that door from all the heroes waiting around.

I remember the first time I fell into the 'Gulch' and felt like I would never get out... dang those high stone walls!

I remember reading with my SG mates about the Faultline trial in the guide in the booklet from the game and finding out that it didn't exist... talk about a grumpy group cussing NCSoft for not making that trial active!

I remember teaming as an 8 with a 38 and going to a mission and being amazed at the zones we passed through, like a whole new world every new zone you entered. I've yet to recapture that feeling!

I remember when the Sewer Trial was the favorite farm mission when you hit 36. But trying to kill 100 Rikti in the sewers wasn't easy because of all the other teams killing the spawns before you could get to them.

I remember just before the herding nerf, using my Fire/Storm to herd 60+ villians in Steel Canyon over toward Valkyrie and Positron and up to Icon. Weathermaster herding

My most favorite term is 'toon', since 'character' is a more literary creation related to written work. Since we are dealing with animated creations with limited ranges of physical expression based on the game engine, they are more closely related to cartoons and animated movies. Also from the sense of ability, heroes do things which are out of character for bonafide human beings, but again, viable within animated realms. Finally, 'toon' is a slang word which has been around for quite a while. Recall that in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Toontown? And the use of the word 'toon' was common in it's dialog. It would seem awfully awkward to use the term 'Character' in such an instance.

A 'Character' is a more rounded personality with less structured boundaries and movement within it's realm. More related to acting or within books, bounded by only the author/writer/playwright's direction. An actor brings a Character to life, and a reader of a book does likewise in his mind's eye.

And yes there is crossover where toons become characters and characters become toons.

So don't get too hung up or uptight about the words, learn to enjoy the experience!

Nope, this issue is independent of villian grp/type faced. Endurance draining villian effects are plainly evident, ie Freaks/Malta Sappers, etc.

What many of us are experiencing is abnormal loss/failure to regain endurance post I7. This problem exists on both sides of CoX so it's something in the code.

My bet is probably a coded line which overcalculates the cost of all powers. The problem is that some builds will never see this problem because they are inherently economical, so those playing them never notice any appreciable loss. Conversely, those with 'expensive' builds see the endurance loss very quickly.



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I've been looking at this off and on for a few months (since I7 was released) and haven't found any replicatable evidence for it. I have seen enough reports from enough disparate sources that I believe there is something funky happening, but so far, I've not been able to track it down.

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I've noticed a reduction in endurance since i7 was released, but I assumed it was due to more endurance-affecting enemies than a change to my powers - perhaps this is where the problem is coming from?

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Being one of the early posters identifying this problem, I have to say that I most notice endurance issues on my toons who have some of the most expensive endurance cost chains for toggles & click powers. Other toons apparently are much more 'efficient' endurance wise and never seem to drop below 75% full.

With my 43 Fire/Storm troller running Imps, Hurricane, Steamy Mist, a mob of 3-4 if I help my Imps by using Char, Fire Cages, Flashfire, I can pretty much drain my end down to 15-20% of the bar on one attack chain.

On another note, Leadership Pool powers are aparently waaay too expensive even fully slotted with end reductions, they drain out the same troller like he's got a hole in his endurance pocket. Running the 3 LP powers and SJing around Sirens or in a mish I can watch my endurance bar drain quickly, and if I use my attack chain, I can expect to drop all toggles shortly thereafter if I don't pop a blue or turn off LP powers.

As far as trying to exemp/Mal down lvls to test for the issue, the problem crops up in knowing how ED treats current slotting into whatever exemp/Mal lvl you drop to. Too many parameters to figure that one I'm afraid.

At least Cricket is still investigating!! So I continue to keep my fingers crossed even after 6 months of reports!

The Family just doesn't know when they're not wanted around Independence Port, so I had to let them know! This is my submission (already sent in) for the contest. It's a triple lightening strike caught when LS was first activated.

Well now lets examine your statement:

You dropped 2 heroes (nearly 3) quick whereas the tank was able to stay up and remain viable for the duration of his tier 9 power. For the tank (a brute or some scrappers even) I wouln't expect anything less.

You detoggled the squishy and vulnerable heroes easily, and with the -regen they probably couldn't get any toggles going before being faceplanted, or run. A tank is built to take punishment, and dish it out, albeit not at the same rate as a dmg dealer. So he didn't get detoggled and made your life a living hell until his tier 9 dropped.

Further, in RV, you're dealing with probably a 50 or high 40's Tank, vs your what, maybe low 40's toons? So of course he's going to survive longer than you expect. You'll have to report back when you get your toon to 50, then start comparing apples to apples.

I'd rather see the other heroes get more resistance to toggle drops. I've had my non-tank heroes 2 shotted or toggles dropped on first attack right along by most any villian AT, let alone group of villians. Yet the attacks I've thrown at any villians apparently are shed 90% of the time, without toggle drops.

I believe that if anything, squishy heroes need a greater resistance to holds and toggle drops so they don't get 2 shotted/held as fast, then we'll see how courageous stalkers with AS, corrupters w/holds and MM's with 5 pets really are!

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After testing I7 a bit and playing on live with it, I'm going to have to say I am for toggles being droppable a fair bit. In RV, the squishier ATs were the normal challenge they always were. They could attack for a chunk of life as could I. We'd go back and forth til one got in a string of good hits, or someone ran out of insps.

Against Tanks/most Scrappers (and Im sure Brutes for heroes), the guys were near unkillable without toggle drops. One point, we had two masterminds and a dom fighting a tank by himself. Both of us MM had the purple elite boss heavies as well. The blaster and controller dropped under concentrated fire fairly quick, and a passing dark scrapper even had a nice chunk of life taken out before he fled. The SS/invuln tank... He three shotted the dom, hit me for half my life with a rage filled smashing and luckily didn't see me pop a BF to avoid EM stunning to slip into PFF for a second. Over three minutes later of attacking with him chasing us literally in a big circle disregarding force bubble 100%, he finally clicked his tier 9 power, and decided to go for our pets. He smacked them up good, though we had recharged fully to respawn more pets by then. Right before his unstoppable ran out, he booked it with us chasing, and almost got away before it gave out and faceplanted.

So when as a player I see him three shot a dom and almost two shot myself, then take over three minutes of sustained retaliation to almost get away scot free (he would've if he took teleport) I cannot understand how detoggling is a problem. Even moreso as I have more damage than a dom who they have insanely high mez protect against...

Yes I am sure it is annoying to reclick a few powers, but those toggles are up a lot more than most squishy lifebars. For having great damage output the survivability right now is too darned crazy good from my experience.

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So you're saying they'll divy up the Unresistable portion too?
I duno man, that sounds like more coding than it's worth to me...

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It takes the entire block of damage and apportions it by the ratios described. For the Mastermind, he then gets his Resistances applied, while the pets get no resistance to the shared damage.

In the case of unresistable damage, therefore, all damage is apportioned, then resists apply normally -- the unresisted portion is still unresisted, but it is reduced by the Bodyguard.

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If this is true, are there plans to reduce this 'damage sharing' ratio in PvP zones where resistance is already tweaked in MM favor vs heroes?

Currently I see MMs with 5 minions roam freely near the hero base able to inflict heavy damage without going down (in single combat - 1 squishy hero vs 1 MM w/minions). I think it would be fair to add a shared 'effect' on the MM too, so that if the MM got mezzed or held, those minions in bodyguard would also be effected. The total time effected could be cut/shared by this same 2-1 ratio.

Lets see.... a level 1 pedestrian/citizen.

In RL I've never been in a serious fight so I can't say as to my true combat ability but I'll take a shot.

I'd be a cross between a lvl 10 SS/Invuln Tank and a lvl 15 Bot Mastermind mainly because I'm pretty strong and I've never broken a bone in my body, maybe pulled a muscle or two but no broken bones! On top of that I'm a good group leader and computer guru to the less informed able to direct others quite well, not as a controller but more as the motivator.

IMHO we have to discount our RL inability to resist attacks we see performed in game that no RL person can do anyway.

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Lets say you were making a hero... who had a wildy vile origin. I mean, freaking EVIL. And he was in an SG of heroes. Tight-nit. You wanted to RP this guy, who now is good, and ingratiate him, and play him...

...whats the longest you've waited level-wise before revealing the Truth?

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This is just opinion as I've never done this, but I would say that the revelation would depend on the particular SG RPing storyline. If everyone has not relatively deeply discussed their background, then revealing the truth by 20s to early 30's would be best, you'd just be hitting your characters power stride, if you wait till upper 30's and later then the character revelation would seem rather contrived, that is they are at a point where because of the power one possesses it is relatively hard to explain a change.

Regardless of level, and if you've never divulged this historical information in RPing, then I would suggest enlisting a fellow SG mate to act as a snitch/hinter of sorts, someone who helps other SG members to understand you. Often times our friends know us better and can explain our behaviors based on past knowledge, so this could be used in the revelation.

The most difficult part about this type of intigration is to get proper balance and length of adjustment into the RPing. You want to maybe run it for a series of days, divulging pieces which other members can then use in reacting to your character, allowing them to build a reasoning process on how to interact with your heroe's background.

Hope this is helpful to you.

Ciera

Prologue:

Brass Monday was forever changed into a day of celebration rather than a memorial. While the first Brass Monday had shown the dire need of the city for heroes, this new Brass Monday now showcased how heroes could come from many different backgrounds and defeat a common enemy. Though great damage was done to Steel Canyon, the resilience of the people to meet the challenge was another reason to celebrate Brass Monday.

Heroes and villians alike who participated in that day would always remember it, and though they might meet on opposite sides of a conflict, the bond of shared struggle would never be forgotten.

((This ends my posts to Brass Monday))

((OOC: I think it's time to wind up the thread of Brass Monday, It's been a pleasure to RP with you all and if you see toons with the names I've used here, say hello and I'll try to do the same.))

Positron and Valkyrie had finally been able to clear the entrance back into Steel Canyon once the statues in Boomtown had either been destroyed or gone inactive with the removal of the great generators. Manticore too had finally managed to decloak the portal which had been transporting forces to Perigrine Island and was just now entering the ruins of Steel Canyon. The remaining Nemesis' forces had either been defeated or were retreating into Siren's Call, the entrance to which was now the last scene of combat in Steel Canyon.

Psiearth and the remaining heroes who had fought Nemesis in the sewers were just finishing that battle when Positron, Valkyrie, closely followed by Manticore and a host of other heroes arrived on the scene. "Glad to see you finally broke through! We've got good news though, Nemesis is gone, for good this time!"

"Nemesis is gone? I don't believe it!" Manticore said.

"Yep, and Nemesis Rex too! You all missed the big bout, Lord Dire and Iron Fist took out Rex while we handled our Nemesis. Then they disappeared, leaving us to take out all the trash!" This came from Valiant.

"Well at least their gone, though I suppose we do owe them some thanks for the help they gave, but I think that help was because it fit into their own diabolical plans. I think on another day we might not have been so lucky." Mutai Kid said.

All the heroes agreed, a bullet had been dodged today, and though Nemesis had been defeated, the subtlety of the infiltration was a worry, and something would have to be done to stop this kind of infiltration through the sewers.

"I'll suggest to Statesman that we set up an on-going taskforce to monitor underground activities throughout Paragon, with heroes patrolling the sewers and caves we may be able to stop future attacks like this one and the one that brought down the Hollows." Positron was already planning specifics for the taskforce as he said this.
Manticore looked around them, "Well it looks like we've got alot of cleanup to start here. The trains should be running soon, and once we completely clear the Atlas and IP gateways there should be enough help to get Steel Canyon functioning again."

So the heroes began to disperse across the broken city, lending aid to the hurt, transporting some to the makeshift hospital; clearing and moving debris so that workmen and construction equipment could get to the most damaged neighborhoods.

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((OOC: Add anything to the following as you see fit to wind up your characters participation))

Prologue [One year later, Blyde Square]

.... "So in conclusion, as Mayor of Steel Canyon I would like to thank all those who helped to stop Nemesis from making Brass Monday a repeat performance. I would also like to thank you, the people of this great city for returning Steel Canyon to a vibrant and active community of people who care."

A great round of applause errupted from the crowd seated and standing in the rebuilt Blyde Square. The great statue had been rebuilt, saluting the city, and all the other statues too had been replaced, but now they all included special material in the concrete which would keep them from being turned into roving giants. Buildings which had been toppled or damaged were now rebuilt, and stood gleaming in the morning sun. All around the city there were no real signs of the epic battle a year ago. But residing on the platform which held the great statue was a new plaque that read as follows:

"This plaque commemorates those whom we choose to call 'Heroes' who regardless of their lives or own ambitions, fought and defeated Nemesis and his troops. Brass Monday will now and forever more be celebrated for the bravery and resilience of these individuals who put their lives forward to protect the citizens of Steel Canyon"

Standing in the crowd, but remaining anonymous was Mutai Kid. This was his first visit to the new Blyde Square, and he was amazed at how the city had rebounded. He knew Psiearth would appreciate the hard work of the citizens, and wished his friend could be there to see, but Psiearth was far away, helping other heroes fight the villiany that still persisted.

Mutai Kid had left Steel Canyon once his assistance was no longer needed. He moved from Perez Park to Peregrine Island, finding the tranquility of the sea more appealing to his concentration. He'd heard that Panda Doll was no longer hunting him, and had in fact a price on her own head. The few assassins who had attempted to come after him since Brass Monday were easily dealt with, and he avenged the death of his master when their master had personally come after him. So now Mutai Kid could stand in a large crowd like this without fear for his life, and he was happy. He hadn't heard from Billyboy or the other heroes since shortly after Brass Monday so he hoped he might bump into them today, but he hadn't seen any of them.....

Physic slowly increased the gravity to which Nemesis was subject. His progress toward the portal was progressively slowed imperceptibly so that like a frog in boiling water, Nemesis was expending more energy and yet moving slower and slower. Finally, he had expended so much energy that his repulsion shield would not operate and he was unable to stop the persistent attacks.

Star Granite had been joined by Mutai Kid, and the duo had damaged the portal beyond repair, and as the last large piece fell it sounded with a mighty ring like a great bell. Nemesis knew his escape had been thwarted, there would be no New Prussia, no great empire of Brass which he could rule over. The hundreds of years of violence which were his legacy would be merely a chapter in the history of Paragon City.
"You may defeat me, but your seconds are numbered heroes! My great generators shall now explode, taking the city and YOU with them!" Nemesis fell to his knees and flipped open an access panel on his wrist bracer, punching two buttons before any of his attackers could stop him. "In ten seconds your city will be no more! Nemesis commands it!" A countdown clock next to the buttons began the slow tick to doom. 10..... 9....

Valiant and Billyboy each grabbed one of the crouching villians' arms and pulled. The arms pulled out of their sockets causing showers of steam and electrical pops. ....8.....7.....

Toy and Ghoul severed Nemesis' legs leaving just the head and torso, spewing more steam and sparks. ......6......5......4.....

Star Granite raised his mighty club and severed the torso from the chest, yet Nemesis lived on, the battered head showing a smirk of satisfaction knowing that his attackers would be dead in mere seconds.... 3....... 2...... 1.............

Silence.......

No explosions were heard, no muffled sounds, no tremors or quakes of the ground.

"Noooooooooo!" The final word from Nemesis' mechanical mouth.

Knight came over and smashed the remnants of Nemesis' head and chest into a mass of tangled machinery. "Brass man talk too much!" As her last attack fell, a final gasp of steam escaped the heap and rose into the air and dispersed.

An erie chill fell upon each person standing there... had they really done it?

Was Nemesis' reign of terror finally at an end?

They were certain this day was over, but was Nemesis gone.... forever?

Psiearth was the first to speak, "What we have done today, Brass Monday will no longer be remembered as a dark day for heroes, but a ray of hope that evil like Nemesis cannot prevail."

"Are you sure? Is he REALLY gone?" This from Mutai Kid.

"Yes, Nemesis is no more, I do not perceive his spirit any longer." A great sigh of relief echoed in the chamber. "Thankyou for the help Star Granite... you can return to your rest." With those words a spacial distortion surrounded the giant rock creature and he faded from their sight.

"I vote for getting out of this place!" Billyboy said with a grin on his face.

"I second that motion!" Valiant said with laugh.

"Out it is!" said Psiearth, "Physic and Hellcat, lend me a bit of mental energy and I'll transport us all to the surface." With their aid, Psiearth generated a large aura around the whole group, and in an instant they were transported to the surface, finding themselves standing in the center of Blyde square where the days events had begun.


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"Damn!! Where'd they go!!" Panda Doll turned off her cloak, she was the sole living person in the cavernous room. "Stuck in the sewers again!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh!" she yelled and screamed at the top of her voice, but no one could hear her.
It took her days to find her way out of the sewer. And when she went to Perez Park to find Mutai Kid, all she found was a vacant penthouse. Her master was so displeased that he sent assassins to kill her, but she escaped to the Mercy Isles where she now works for Lord Recluse.

((So ends the part of Panda Doll in Brass Monday))
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What strange bedfellows.... to be fighting again alongside those I'd normally be hauling off to jail.

These thought's crossed the mind of Mutai Kid as he continued the assault on Nemesis with the aid of not only heroes, but now Ghoul, Toy, and his entourage. The aid was well timed, as Valiant had just been thrown back from Nemesis after miscalculating the approaching repulsion barrier. The Prussian Prince was weakening rapidly, steam escaping from damage all over his massive framework. With the onslaught by the adversaries, Nemesis' power level was draining at an alarming rate. Nemesis himself seemed to be realizing this might be his last battle. In desperation he began moving toward the portal from which Nemesis Rex had arrived. If only he could get through it and somehow escape, he could then regroup and in time truly create New Prussia.

Psiearth and Hellcat had seen the approach of Toy, Ghoul, closely followed by Knight, Physic, and Hidden. When they determined the new group was there to help take down Nemesis they cast auras around them to aid in the battle. Physic joined the other two healing types and boosted their stamina as they were beginning to look weary from the constant battle.

Psiearth was the first to spot Nemesis' attempt to get near the portal. "Star Granite, attack the portal, we must keep Nemesis from using it to escape!" As he said this, Psiearth cast a quicksand trap between Nemesis and the portal.

Star Granite reached the portal and began swinging his club with terrifying force against the bulwark. Each swing caused large pieces to fly from the piece of technology.

While Nemesis Rex was being defeated by the pair of extremely powerful masterminds, this universe's Nemesis was busy trying not to have the same happen to him. The concerted efforts of the heroes was steadily weakening his power level, and he could only hold his repulsion bubble stable for about 30 seconds at a time, not long enough to give his steam powered suit time to regenerate it's energy stores. His plan to take over Steel Canyon had not factored in the level of interference Iron Fist and Lord Dire had inflicted. Those fools will pay! Their meddling will soon come to an end, and I will have my vengence upon them. My infiltration units should be setting off explosives anytime now! And these heroes, they will feel my wrath too, once the generators explode!

Entirely unknown to the two masterminds who had thwarted his plans, Nemesis had been monitoring their actvities much longer. He had positioned spies in their networks at very low level positions, people who now were leading elite units to destroy stockpiles of energy and weapondry. Nemesis had planned to seize Iron Fist's stores of energy and steal the Zeus Titans which Lord Dire thought were so secret. With that energy and those titans he easily would have overrun the entire complex of cities, founding New Prussia.

But early in the day when he saw their level of meddling in his plans, he dispatched newly designed stealth Jaegers who were essentially invisible Komikazee units. The stealth technology was undetectable by any means, and would have been a great help in establishing New Prussia, but now they would at least bring vengeance upon those who had thwarted his plans.

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Lord Dire was fuming, How dare Iron Fist challenge me!
"
Behind him, Vim was still looking at the hologram projection of the warehouse filled with mechs. "Lord Dire! Lord Dire! Look!" Vim shouted with alarm.

"What is it!" Lord Dire turned in time to see an explosion on the holoscreen. At first it appeared only in the far background, a series of explosions which were blowing several of the Zeus Titans apart, but a chain reaction was starting, and it was readily aparent to Lord Dire that the whole warehouse would soon be gone. In an instant the explosions became more numerous and massive as the 4000 mechs were systematically exploding in ever increasing numbers. The camera image began to degrade and finally the signal was lost......

The holographic image of Delphi began speaking... "Sir, it appears that Nemesis has attacked the warehouse, we are receiving reports of pieces of brass mechanisms scattered all around the warehouse."

"Nemesis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Lord Dire was in a rage and began to amp up his energy output. Vim discreetly ran towards a nearby exit, she didn't think the energy gauntlets would be of much use on Billyboy if she was dead.

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Across the complex of cities, far from Lord Dire's secreted base was Iron Fist's own complex. He had just shut off the communication with his rival. That should take care of Lord Dire's plans. "Psy, keep me informed on Lord Dire's forces, we must ensure that he complies!"

"Yes, well, umm..... we have a problem here sir..." Psy said this with fear and trepidation, the report he had just received might end his career in Fist, and maybe his life too.

"Well spit it out! What is it!" Iron Fist was in no mood for suspense.

"I'm receiving reports that three storage locations are under attack by unknown forces. Roughly 1/2 the energy reserves are at risk! I'm bringing up an image now!" Nearby consoles lined with screens of various images flickered and began to display the 6 main energy storage locations Iron Fist used for his reserves. On three of the screens the same scenario was playing out, first one energy storage unit would explode, then set off a series of explosions which ignited other tanks.

"What is going on there! Who is attacking?! Is it Lord Dire!?! Why didn't the early warning system detect his forces!" Iron Fist grabbed Psy around the neck, almost crushing his windpipe.

"Ittttt'sssss noooooot....... Loorrrddddddd Ddddddiiiiirrrrrr" Psy attempted to speak further, but the crushing force of Iron Fist's grip was restricting his oxygen causing him to lose consciousness. Iron Fist released his grip and allowed the unconsious body fall to the ground.

"Nemesis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Iron Fist was building up a great deal of energy, and the control room was being vacated rapidly by his soldiers, they didn't want to be nearby when he blew.

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Back at Nemesis' control room, the Prussian Prince was trying to fend off the attacks of the heroes. "You may defeat me, but my generators will destroy Steel Canyon and you as well!"

Nemesis was not aware that his generators had been transported away, otherwise he might have not been so confident in his bragging.

"Nemmy, you owe me a new costume once this is done!" Billyboy yelled as rushed and beside him charging was the massive Star Granite with his club ready for action.

Nemesis swung his great staff in an arc towards the advancing pair creating a great energy wave like an electric scythe which would have demolished normal people, instead it was simply a punch to Star Granite, forcing him backward a few steps, while Billyboy absorbed the portion which hit him and channelled it into another leap forward to assault the towering steam powered villian.

Regaining his momentum, Star Granite charged ahead while Nemesis was busy smacking Billyboy like a croquet ball with his mallet. Bringing his mighty club in an upward arc, Star Granite caught Nemesis directly under the chin, making Nemesis appear to have a new double chin. The blow staggered the Prussian Prince backward, almost causing him to lose balance. But suddenly the steam began pouring forth from his back creating great propulsion jets which righted the massive frame. However, Mutai Kid and Valiant came in from behind and simultaneously hit him from behind causing the moving mass to continue forward in a stumble toward another upswing of the club, this time accompanied by an uppercut from Billyboy. The four heroes continued this rhythm, rocking Nemesis on his heals and trying not to let up, denting the brass frame of the great suit making it look more like an old steamship boiler.

As Mutai Kid and Valiant were coming at the Prince again he did the unthinkable, he actually threw his staff at them, causing them to have to alter their attack path. This gave Nemesis just enough time to activate his force bubble. The four heroes were blasted backward before they realized what had happened. "Fools! You will not stop me from building New Prussia! I have not waited so long just to be thwarted by a few heroes!"

Nemesis began projecting a larger repulsion bubble and walked to where his staff had fallen and picked it up, raising it far above his head and swinging it at ever increasing speed. The heroes began their next assault on the Prussian Prince, but now they were all showing signs of fatigue. Psiearth and Hellcat buffed the heroes with radiant aura's increasing their stamina for this protracted fight. "We must keep up the pressure! But watch yourselves! Nemesis has many more tricks up his brass sleeves I'm sure." Psiearth said this with a wary and troubling tone which spoke of experience in battling powerful foes.

((OOC: I contacted Hermod, he said he won't be posting in Brass Monday further. That means we're pretty much open as to how we wind this RP up. Here is my contribution toward that goal))

It had been a long day for many heroes in Steel Canyon, not the least of which were Positron and Valkyrie. After the early battles with Nemesis forces in Blyde Square and the abduction of the Mayor, Positron had tried to get support from the rest of the Freedom Phalanx. Unfortunately most of them were too far away or involved in serious battles of their own. Even Manticore was unable to reach Steel Canyon, the tractor trailers were not the only obstructions in the war wall tunnels leading into the city, Nemesis had somehow set up invisible portals in the center of each main entry which transported anyone immediately to Portal Corporation headquarters on Perigrine Island causing massive congestion and confusion which had to be handled by Manticore. By Noon on Monday all trains and main entrances into Steel Canyon were blocked and the few alternate routes were heavily guarded by Nemesis forces, isolating the entire city.

The forces of Iron Fist and Lord Dire had complicated matters even further, along with other rogue elements from the outer isles. Positron had seen the valiant efforts of a mere handful of heroes fighting much of the battle in Blyde Square. When the statues in the city began to animate, Positron and Valkyrie went in search of some of the larger statues near the Boomtown entrance. Somehow Nemesis had managed to also infect several statues in Boomtown and Positron and Valkyrie had gone there to seal of the entrance before the behemouths could break through the meager security force still present. In a last ditch effort, the duo had collapsed one of the largest attacking statues right inside the gate, but they had been trapped inside Boomtown as well. Even with their strength and power it would be many hours before they could get through.

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The tide of the battle in Nemesis' control bunker was finally turning in the heroes favor. Psiearth, Star Granite, Mutai Kid, and Billyboy were all making headway through the troops. Several units of 5th column had been buried beneath a ceiling collapse caused by Star Granite who had jammed his club into the ceiling bringing down tons of concrete, rock and debris. Mutai Kid and Billyboy had moved in, mopping up the few stragglers who survived the fall, while Psiearth buffed up their health and defense with his auras.

Valiant and Hellcat had appeared almost simultaneously from different directions and leant a hand with a couple of particularly large Jaeger units who were massively armored.

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At the moment that the last giant Jaeger fell to the ground Psiearth spun around to the heroes standing nearby and shouted "Nemesis! He's right there, LOOK!" As the group turned they saw the form of Nemesis a scant 100 feet away directing a series of Fake Nemesis' at Iron Fist and Lord Dire who were approaching the Archvillian from opposite directions.

"Everyone watch yourselves!!" Psiearth said this as he cast out an aura revitalizing all the heroes giving them renewed strength and vigor.

"Can you believe those meglomaniacs!?" These words came from Mutai Kid. From his perspective he could see Lord Dire build up a massive amount of energy preparing to blast the Fakes approaching him. With a great shockwave of energy, the Fakes almost disentegrated.

"Yeah, wanna take bets on who's left standing?" This from Billyboy who could see Iron Fist dealing with the Fakes in his path.

At that moment Nemesis turned toward the approaching group of heroes. "Well well, Positron couldn't make it? The worthless scrap of tin! I'll deal with what's left of him once you're out of the way! And here's a little present for those two dunderheads who think they can master the Prussian Prince."

Nemesis pressed a series of buttons on a console nearby, at that instant a previously invisible portal materialized and a figure walked through. "I'd like you to meet a recent acquaintance of mine, Nemesis Rex...." The two figures standing side by side looked identical, right down the the color of brass armour gleaming in the overhead lights. "Rex was kind enough to assist me in this little project after having had a group of heroes infiltrate one of his bases in his universe. I was fortunate enough to capture an engineer from Portal Corp who was kind enough to give me the coordinates before he expired." Nemesis seemed to be gloating and glorying in his suprise, and the stunned faces of the heroes did nothing to reduce his pleasure, and in fact greatly increased it. "Rex, what's your pleasure, hero or dunderheads?"

"I'll take those two screwballs, they'll make nice trophies to add to their counterparts already on display in my headquarters back in my universe" Nemesis Rex said this with a bone chilling finality as he turned and prepared to face Lord Dire and Iron Fist.

"This ain't gonna be pretty! But the big boy's gotta go!" Valiant said with a smirk on his face as he prepared to charge the automaton leader.
"Right there with you Val!" Psiearth, Mutai Kid, and Billyboy said this in Unison.
"Heroes step forth and fight this dishonorable repubate!" This came from Hellcat, the hero brought back to life earlier in the day.

((OOC I'll be on the road starting Monday for a week, so may not get a chance to update my toons in-story, feel free to use them in character. I'll be off and on during the week as I get internet access while on the road and will try to update too.))

Psiearth caught sight of Billyboy's tactics, shaking his head as he watched all the wasted energy. He'd seen lots of heroes of all types; why was it always those with seemingly unlimited energy who so often burned out early like a supernova.

Keeping one eye on Billyboy who had rushed foolishly out of his healing range, and another on Mutai Kid who was nearby fighting a series of Jaegers, Psiearth's third eye was concentrated on several Nemesis Grenadiers in front of him. Laying down a quicksand trap in front of the rushing soldiers several fell into the trap unable to make any headway. Slamming his foot to the ground he brought up Stalagmites which hurled the remaining soldiers off their feet. Next, raising his arms, he brought forth great pillars of stone which sandwiched the soldiers and pressed increasingly inward, crushing the air from their lungs, cracking bones, and in general causing massive internal and external damage. In a matter of 3 minutes the soldiers were all splayed out on the floor dead or dying.

Psiearth turned as Billyboy fell at his feet. Radiating a healing aura around him, Psiearth concentrated a great burst of energy into the body of Billyboy, enough to keep him from collapsing into unconsciousness, but Billyboy would have to rest to regain enough strength to continue. "Pace yourself Billyboy! This isn't going to be a short battle, that razzle dazzle will get you killed, and we're gonna need you to the end!" Psiearth hoped that Billyboy would be more careful, but knew that it was time to call upon more help.

"Arise Star Granite! I have need of your services old friend!" At that moment a spacial anomaly appeared in the ground in front of Psiearth and a stoney figure climbed through. About 10 feet tall and nearly 5 feet wide, the enourmous figure arose and giving a nod to Psiearth he advanced on a pair of Jaegers.

((OOC: Star Granite is Psiearth's 'pet' though in reality he is actually a form of rock creature from the asteroid belt. Star Granite arrived on earth many millenia ago as part of a meteor storm caused by a comet which nearly hit earth. Star Granite was caught in the gravitational pull of the comet, disturbed from his slumber in the asteroid belt. The pull of the earth being greater than the comet, he was torn from the grasp of the comet and fell to earth as a meteor. He lay dormant in a crater where he was found by Psiearth 200 years ago. Now when called upon by Psiearth, Star Granite appears and helps however he can. His rock composition is so hard that he cannot be destroyed, but his endurance is limited and he will go dormant in battle unless buffed by Psiearth. His major attack is using a stone club made of the same material as his body.))

With one mighty swing of his club, Star Granite forced one Jaeger to slam into it's compatriot with such violent force that the pair exploded. A group of Grenadiers opened fire upon the giant stone figure with their grenade launching rifles, a series of loud explosions rocked around Star Granite but he just shrugged them off like gnats. Aproaching the group of soldiers he slammed his club to the ground creating a shockwave of dirt which steadily mounted into a wall 10 feet tall which slammed into the group sending them flying backwards where they fell motionless.

Nearby, Mutai Kid had just finished disposing of some rather vicious Jaegers whose slicing arms had attempted to disembowl him. "Nice to see you Granite! We can definitely use your help!"

Star Granite gave Mutai Kid a thumbs up sign and went back to work tearing apart the nearby groups of soldiers who got within his range. Meanwhile Psiearth, freed up by the rock creature continued to buff up Billyboy into some semblance of shape and cast an endurance increasing aura for Mutai Kid and Star Granite.

Panda Doll and Valiant had reached the surface of Steel Canyon and begun to search for Mutai Kid and the other heroes. Valiant soared above the broken cityscape, some areas untouched, others showing massive damage. He noticed that the Blyde statue was missing, and in fact all the statues which should have been visible from his vantage point were all gone. It was then that he noticed in the far distance a great number of troops pouring into a sewer access tube. "It looks like the battle's moved underground Panda Doll! Back to the sewers!"

"Damn, the sewers again?! I hate the sewers!" Panda Doll shouted in an agry tone.

The duo moved off in the direction of the sewer tube Iron Fist's contingent had used to make their way to the Nemesis base. Valiant entered closely followed by Panda Doll, making good time as the trail of mechanized debris and dead soldiers led them onward. "Someone's been really busy busting heads here, and from the looks they're taking no prisoners!" Valiant's statement was laced with an icy emotion. He disliked seeing wasteful deaths, even if they were villians. At that moment the broadcast by Commander Lutzwits blared through the sewerway on Valiant's comm. Unphased by the declaration, the pair continued onward, following the path of devastation wreaked on those in Iron Fist's path.

Soon they began to hear the sounds of a battle echoing faintly down the sewerways. "We must be getting close, and by the sounds they must've started the party without us!"

Turning the last corner, the pair were only half suprised to see they had arrived at the same vast cavern they had left earlier, except from a far different vantage point. In front of them, was Iron Fist's group advancing across the great cavernous room. To their left was Lord Dire and his forces, and intermixed with them were Mutai Kid, Billyboy and Psiearth.

"There they are!" Valiant turned to point them out to Panda Doll, but she was gone. Where'd she go?! Damn, I've got a bad feeling about this! Valiant turned up his IR sensitivity in hopes of locating the girl, but he could not find her, too many weapons were being fired, raising the temperature higher making the IR filter ineffective. Valiant decided that his best course of action would be to join up with the other heroes so he began making his way towards them, smashing a few mech's on the way.

As the foursome approached the sounds eminanting from the next corner, Lord Dire began receiving reports from his operatives of another group approaching the same bunker from an alternate direction, it was Iron Fist with the other villians and heroes who had been making their way down the sewers.

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Seeing Lord Dire distracted, Psiearth tapped both Mutai Kid and Billyboy on the shoulder. In a whispered tone only they could hear he said to the pair "You heard the broadcast from Lutzwits, there isn't a safety net for us to fall back on if things go awry in there, watch out for our 'friend' and his helpers as well as Nemesis. I'll do what I can to keep you alive, but if we get seperated try to get back to me as quickly as possible." The two younger heroes nodded their understanding, knowing that Psiearth would do all he could to assist them.

So he's gonna lead me straight to Mutai Kid! Alright!! Panda Doll breathed a sigh of relief at finally being out of that damnable sewer. "Thanks for the help I never thought I'd get out of there." Panda Doll said to valiant in the sweetest voice she could muster trying to cover any hint of her elation on hearing Mutai Kid's name.

"Lead on, I'll be right behind you!" And if I see Mutai Kid ahead, that'll be the best place to attack from.... Heroes! Bah! Trusting imbeciles, that's all they are!

Ahem.... one brief comment about the presents, could the level 20+'s PLEASE go to appropriate zones for those presents, running around Steel Canyon and other low zones stealing presents accessible to lower toons is not a particularly Christmasy attitude and action!

"What the...." despite her normal propensity for calmness Panda Doll was panicking, the sudden appearance of Valiant beside her, actually talking to her while she was stealthed unnerved her. Another jerk who was able to see through her cloaking ability was almost too much for Panda Doll. "Who are... Where did..." She couldn't complete her thoughts she was so unhitched. She was about ready for a nervous breakdown. But then her years of martial arts training kicked in, calming her down, allowing logic to again take hold and help her regain composure.

At that moment Valiant switched off his cloaking system to save the precious minutes left that would be needed to safely get out of the room. "As I said, We need to leave now! I know you can't be with Nemesis, otherwise you'd be down there. If we wait too much more there won't be an opportunity to get out!"

"You know the way out? I'm afraid I followed those soldiers here and I have no idea where 'here' is!" Panda Doll feigned fear, hoping that the hero's help would not only finally get her out of the sewers, but perhaps back on Mutai Kid's track.

"Yes, follow me and we'll get out of here while the gettings good!" With that, Valiant turned his cloaking device back on and silently led the way towards on of the many entrances. Panda Doll donned a miniature set of IR goggles and easily tracked Valiant's form across the room to the exit. Within a few minutes his cloak began to flicker and finally shut down, it's power depleted, but by that time they had made good progress out of harms way, at least for the moment.

Panda Doll sat on a drainage pipe overlooking a rather large room with a series of pumps. She was watching a squad of 5th Column soldiers walk through the room, wary and alert, but she was in stealth and had no fear of detection.

She was contemplating how she'd been discovered by that silver skulled fellow who'd put the knife in her earlier. Hmm, must have been some infrared tracking, that's got to be it, I'm invisible to everything else. Well, if I see him again, we'll see how well he does 'cause two can play that game!

Panda Doll decided that following the squad of soldiers might be better than wandering in the sewers for hours. Jumping down once they'd moved out of the room, she followed them through the maze of passages. Every few minutes the squad would meet up with other 5th Column units and form a larger unit. Now she was following a group of about 20 soldiers, they seemed to have a purpose, a place to go, and a schedule to keep.

After about 20 minutes the soldiers entered a spacious room with many more soldiers and many robotic mechs around. She saw numerous Fake Nemesis, but also one who looked a bit different. Panda Doll jumped to an upper catwalk and then to some ductwork to hide. Something big is going on here, must be that Nemesis fellow who hired Vim!

Panda Doll did not realize she had followed the squad right into Nemesis' control sanctuary. From this location the Lord of Brass was controlling the events that had befallen Steel Canyon all day long.

"A breach in security has been detected at Alpha Point 1 my Lord! The self-descruct sequence for that location has been activated, there are only 30 seconds left before detonation. Squads in that area have been recalled per your orders."

Nemesis gave no nod of recognition and none was expected. Orders were carried out without question or comment, no waste of speech necessary between Lord and servant.

Even from this great distance away Psiearth mentally registered Physic Defiance's shudder and underlying thoughts. Simultaneously he caught a glimpse of Lord Dire's attention to something distant, he sensed something more but could not tell what it was exactly, something to do with a transport. He bears watching, I would bet he's got some plan in mind that he doesn't want us to know about. Psiearth kept these thoughts to himself, perhaps at the right moment they would fit into the puzzle laid before him.

In all the years as an Immortal, Psiearth had been in many battles with many powerful foes and heroes. He recalled the day that Atlas saved so many in Paragon, a day he mourned, for he lost a great friend. The villians always had plans on top of plans, layers of deceit which an unwary hero could fall prey to at inopertune moments. This day was no different, and Psiearth would do all he could to protect his friends, new and old.

Mutai Kid turned and saw a reflection of thought cross Psiearth's face. "What is it Psi?"

"Contemplating life, the universe, and everything young man!" Psiearth replied to his young friend. Psiearth had only known Mutai Kid for two years, but already they were very good friends. It was Psiearth who had pulled Mutai Kid from the car accident, saving the young fighter's life. Though he was able to stabilize the young man's condition, he could not repair the damage to his nervous system. But it was Psiearth who had urged the young fighter to not give up, for he saw the spirit of a hero inside this amazing man, something that surpassed most men, that willingness to fight against the odds even when all seemed hopeless. This is a day when that courage will again be tested my young friend.

Mutai Kid sensed that Psiearth was holding something back, but he'd always been that way, giving encouragement when it was needed, but letting a person find their strength within themselves. This trait was one that Mutai Kid really appreciated, for it helped him become the hero he was today. Fearless but wary, quick but not rash, sure of himself regardless of the situation.

At that moment Billyboy rejoined the group. Psiearth used his powers to energize Billyboy, healing the slight wounds from the short battle with Vim. "So the young lady was persistent?" Psiearth asked, scanning Billyboy's mind and sensing the emotions left from the encounter.

"She didn't want to take 'No' for an answer, so I had to persuade her a bit! I don't think she'll be much to worry about for a long time though, she's cooling her heels and licking her wounds down in the caves below us." Billyboy said this with a laugh and a wink.

"Good going Billyboy, but now we better make tracks, Nemesis needs to be stopped!" These words came from Hellcat, who had turned to the small group to see what was keeping them. They must get to the control room quick if the day was not to be lost.