Sep

One Universe: World Of Heroes - A Marvel & DC Comics RPG

It bodes well for me that speed impresses you 😉

One Universe: World Of Heroes - A Marvel & DC Comics RPG

So was driving for work yesterday and this song game on:



All I could think about was Booster Gold and Blue Beetle off on some adventure, that and probably the CAMPEST Thor story I could ever write.

One Universe: World Of Heroes - A Marvel & DC Comics RPG

Midgard was once a world with Pantheons upon Pantheons, more Gods than many other worlds combined. The small, seemingly insignificant rock adrift in space a nexus point for various realms to come together. Over time some faded into obscurity, others left the realm altogether. While others continued to play with their influence on the world, subtly interacting with the world according to their grand design. This is not the tale of one such God. This is the tale of…

^{Previously: Talking Heads.}

NORÕREJYAR // KINGDOM OF THE GAELS // MIDGARD // 781AD

The stench of ale, blood, sweat and a hard day's labour filled the hall. Men jeered and yelled, songs of a thousand days and a thousand nights long past. In the corner, Mjolnir lay on the ground. Occasionally a drunkard would stumble over and attempt to lift the mighty weapon. With no success. At the end of the hall in a position typically reserved for the earl sat the boy-faced God Thor. His blonde hair was being braided by the wife to the earl, Hilga while her daughters warmed his lap one on each knee. In his right arm a horn of ale, he brought the frothing liquid to his lips, throwing his head back with the horn. The luke-warm liquid poured down his throat, the horn finished and he crushed it in his bare hand. Laughing as he did so, cheers following the action.

Turning his head, he grabbed the younger of the earls’ daughters head with his left hand and pulled her lips to his, enjoying the sweet taste of her flesh upon his. Releasing from the kiss he stood up, grabbing the two girls by the waist lifting them into the air and placing them atop his shoulders. “My friends! Long have you and your ancestors enjoyed the support and protection of your Gods, yet your faith waivered as your lands were plagued by this beast-” Thor reached behind him, kneeling forward and picking up a head and holding it in the air. “-it pillaged your lands and raped your people. You prayed for Thor for protection, and thus I delivered.”

Thor threw the head into the fire, the flames reaching up and growing around them. The fire-spitting and cracking as the flesh sizzled and bubbled. It peeled away as the heat seared the flesh. He raised both his hands in the air basking in the cheering and celebration of those that filled the hall. As he turned back to return to his seat the heavy wooden doors were blown open at the end of the hall. A great wind travelled through the hall blowing out candles and the fire leaving the hall in twilight with the main source of light being the moon through the open door. A long shadow appeared as Thor turned. Everyone in the hall was turned looking at him, Mjolnir raised from the ground as he extended his hand, the weapon roaring too his hand as thunder rumbled on the outside.

A tall feminine figure dressed all in black walked into the hall. Her eyes a livid orange. “Thor Odinson! I would speak with you, Asgardian!”

Stepping forward cautiously Thor kept his footing wide, prepared for an attack designed to knock him off his feet. Right arm back while in his left Mjolnir sat in a guard position. “You have me at a disadvantage. To whom do I speak? Afterall you seem in possession of my name, yet I am at a loss of yours.” Thor paused as she raised a hand and clicked her fingers. All the candles and the main fire in the hall ignited. There stood a beauty as fine as any of the Goddesses that inhabited Asgard. Red flowing locks, a common trait among the Gaels and pearly white skin. Her black dress hugged her form tightly in a way that left surprisingly little, and yet much, to the imagination. A corset around her waist left her bust raised in the air, with the low cut top leaving her cleavage on display in a way that bordered on the inappropriate, should they have been meeting under formal circumstances in Asgard. All in all, she was a thing of beauty, and in any other circumstance, Thor would be already trying to bed her.

“I am Morrigan-” Whispered panic echoed throughout the room. “-and that-” she pointed to the withered husk in the fire. “-is my son.”

ASGARD // PRESENT DAY

Deep within the safety and security of the palace, there was a room, the existence of which was known only too a few. It was not filled with treasures, weapons, trinkets or historical scrolls. Instead, it held a bed. A golden sphere encompassed it as Odin lay in the bed. His eyes closed, there was a stillness to him that Thor always found unnerving. The All-Father had the weight of nine worlds on his shoulders, and it was usually evident in everything he did. To see him so still and helpless gave the Thunder God a series of doubts about what it was he had to do. Even now Odin could see and hear everything going on in the world, he did not dream. He merely rested. His body shutting down to replenish its reserves of unfathomable power.

Freyja sat resting by his bedside, his hand clasped in hers as she rubbed it lovingly. Thor had heard the stories of their marriage, in the age before when Asgard and the Vanir were at war. While his Grandfather Bor sought too take Vanir by force it was Odin who proposed marriage to unite their two peoples. A rough relationship at first, in the aeons they had grown to truly love one another. Thor cleared his throat, as Frejya turned to look at him, a kind smile spreading across her face.

“Thor! How long have you been waiting?”

“Not too long, in all honesty, I had thought that you had noticed me and were simply being polite.”

“Perhaps I still am.” A slight hint of mischief crossed her face. While Loki was the Trickster God, he had learnt all his early magicks from his adoptive mother, and a lot of his tricks as well. Whether or not he liked to admit it. Standing up with a grace that Thor could never match she walked over and opened her arms. Walking towards her she held him for what seemed to be an age in a mother's embrace. Something about it made his worries almost fade and melt away, though the moment it was broken the gnawing feeling of guilt returned. “Tell me, Thor, what brings you to me?”

“I must return to Midgard-”

“Thor…” Freyja allowed it to trail off, he could already hear the disappointment in her voice.

“I know what you are going to say, my place is here while Odin sleeps. Yet it has been far longer than I can even remember since Asgard was last attacked and Baldur will be here-”

Freyja placed a delicate hand upon his shoulder, as he looked down at her face he could feel his resolve wavering. She may have been small and frail in comparison to him yet in this situation she held all the power. “Our people need you, Asgard needs you to protect it.” She sighed as she pulled back and walked to Odin's bedside. Placing both hands on the edge of the bed as she looked at his face. “With Odin here, you are our best defence against whatever threats may come our way. Yes, we have Baldur, Sif, the Warriors three yet all of them pale in comparison to you, not just in power but also in prowess and heart.”[color=#7f6000] [/color]She sighed, lowering her head before turning around once again to look up to Thor.

“If Loki possesses a norn stone he poses a threat to Midgard, should he be left unhindered he could pose a risk to all the nine realms-”

Freyja shook her head, chuckling slightly as she did so. “One day you will be King and these decisions will be yours to make all the time, no matter the counsel you receive. Make the decision that you think is best for the good of the people.” Without another word she walked to the door, pausing slightly as she reached the door. Turning her head back to face Thor. “You have a good heart. Trust it.” Without another word, she was gone.

FLIGHT DL49 // 35,000FT // PRESENT DAY

Loki hated nothing more on Midgard, nothing more, than flying commercial class. Crammed in amongst the various other denizens, recycled air. Practically a flying specimen jar. He had contemplated upgrading himself to first class, his followers wouldn’t have questioned it. Their leader deserved the very best they had to offer, a life off comfort was what he deserved after what he had promised them. To bring back a world of Gods and grant them access to the realm eternal. He smirked slightly, making eye contact with a boy across the plane. He winked, the boy pulling a disgusted face at the smiling old lady who had just winked at him before turning away. Oh the fun he could have if only he had been allowed to present himself to these people, yet he couldn’t risk exposing himself to the general public, not yet. S.H.I.E.L.D, the Avengers, perhaps the Justice League and most importantly Thor wouldn’t allow a sighting of Loki to go without due investigation.

Loki turned his head to the man beside him. As devout a follower as he had ever had. Much like Loki the man did not look like a lot, yet he had a keen and conniving mind, had he unlocked his potential earlier he could have been a ruler of men. Instead he had been a manager at a small hotel. “How are the preparations for my arrival?”

Walter turned, pulling out a tablet and opening up a file. “The safehouse is prepared for your arrival, we’re still waiting for our satellite uplink to be settled but that shouldn’t be too much longer.”

The technological age. It was a beautiful thing, in the time of vikings had Loki possessed the ability to send images all over the world simultaneously then he would have already had the entire planet under his control. “Excellent. As soon as we land, call ahead and make sure that everything is set up. In order for my plans to work we need to move quickly. For too long mortals have been denied access to the Gods, I seek to fix that but it must be while Odin rests so he cannot stop us. After that we’ll need to wait years before we can make a second attempt.”

Walter nodded along as Loki spoke. “I can’t believe Gods exist, and that for millennia they have hoarded their power and wealth from us.”

Loki allowed a solemn look to cross his face “It is the greatest injustice. One I seek to fix.” Reaching down he picked up his headset plugging it into the silly little two pronged jack that planes used for some reason yet couldn’t be seen anywhere else in the technological world. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I was a sucker for the first Megamind so I’d like to watch the sequel.”

One Universe: World Of Heroes - A Marvel & DC Comics RPG

In the interest of discussion:

Since Wraith and I have already done it, and it may be too busy right now for you to do a whole feel goody post. Who are you enjoying reading most right now?

I am really enjoying what's going on with @Pacifista and Hulk, while Ted Kord is a close second I'm really looking forward to seeing how this goes, and how Hulk/Banners relationship develops.

One Universe: World Of Heroes - A Marvel & DC Comics RPG

<Snipped quote by Sep>

If that means we get more Thor then I'm happy.

@Hound55

I'll take this as a compliment

One Universe: World Of Heroes - A Marvel & DC Comics RPG

Midgard was once a world with Pantheons upon Pantheons, more Gods than many other worlds combined. The small, seemingly insignificant rock adrift in space a nexus point for various realms to come together. Over time some faded into obscurity, others left the realm altogether. While others continued to play with their influence on the world, subtly interacting with the world according to their grand design. This is not the tale of one such God. This is the tale of…

^{Previously: Home at last.}

NOXVILLE // TEXAS // MIDGARD

Arthur Blackwood walked in the door of his house and tossed his keys into a bowl by the door. The slight stench of mildew in his house, and the smell of dust in the air. Piles of books and papers laid around the small house. Black and white photos of various historic family members. The feature wall of his living room held an English flag and an old coat of arms. He was a third-generation immigrant but he never forgot the roots of where he came from. Cast from his ancestral home by claims of violence and racism, ‘racism’. That’s what they called his Grandfather for trying to keep England pure and clean. Chased from their home, they fled to some land they owned in Texas. Once his father passed Arthur had completed his education, earning his doctorate in history he was on the fast track to gain a position at Harvard or Yale.

That was when someone discovered his heritage and leaked it to the press. Now he was stuck in Texas teaching the fifth grade in a school that either didn’t know nor care about his family heritage. Sighing, he threw his cellphone down on the coffee table as he allowed himself to collapse into his sofa. Instead of his ass and back making contact with the sofa and stopping his fall however his back just kept going as he fell through the sofa and into the black abyss. Spinning backwards, under and over, under and over till he wasn’t sure how long he had been falling. He did not know what way was up, arms flailing in the dark attempting to grasp hold off anything that could break his fall.

There was a crack as he hit a cold stone floor. Pain coursed through his body as his head collided with something solid. Seeing stars he felt a chill through his bones as the minutes passed. By the time he was able to move, he wasn’t entirely sure how long it had been. By then night had fallen, the only light flickered in the room. Candles, somewhere beyond his sight. Arthur moved slowly, his lunch climbing to the top of his throat if he moved too quickly. It took him time to recognize that he knew this place. The archaic architecture, to the cask behind him. This was the burial ground of Sir Reginald Blackwood, Knight to the King of England, and the source of his family’s station. This couldn’t be possible though, he was in America. He was in his house, on his sofa. This was all some kind of dream.

If it was a dream, why was he in so much pain?

A bright light appeared, raising an aching hand to shield his eyes it slowly faded into nought but an ethereal glow. Which was when Arthur noticed a man standing there in the light. A man who bore a resemblance, some familiar visage. “Who, who are you?” Arthur managed to convince his body to sit, and once he was sat he managed to convince it to stand. “Where am I? What is this?”

“You mean to tell me that you do not even recognize your kin?”

“But I have no-”

“Nay, you have no living kin. I however have long surpassed the living world. You have forgotten your way, your purpose. As had your father and I am here to remind you-”

“We do not live in England anymore. I live in America it’s a whole other-”

“You are still on God’s green Earth are you not?”

“I am-”

“And thus your purpose still needs to be served.” The figure walked over too his casket, sticking his hand straight through the solid stone and withdrew a sword. “Kneel before me, Arthur Blackwood.” Unsure on what to do other than go along with what the spirit was saying. This was after all the weirdest dream he had ever had. As Arthur knelt the spirit lowered the sword till it touched Arthurs’s left shoulder, tapping it lightly and then passing to the right and then back again. “I imbue you with my power and the power of my sword. You must begin it again, so long as you have people that have faith. You will have power.”

“Begin what?”

“The Crusades.”

Before Arthur could respond he dove forward on his sofa, falling on the floor he winced in pain. His whole body still ached from his dream, had it been a dream? It had been so real, so vivid. He had felt every part of it. Pushing himself off the ground slowly he turned to face the sofa. Where a Crusader Sword lay stretched across the sofa, the same one that had been in his dream. He could have sworn that the emeralds in the hilt glistened.

---

MIMISBRUNNR // YGGDRASIL // ASGARD

Thor walked through the courtyard. Beyond him, Yggdrasil stretched into the sky. The world tree, on which the nine realms rest. Rested within the bark of the world tree lay a well. Water dripped in crystal clear droplets down the tree into the well. The drops could be heard splashing for far longer than they had any right too. Above the well, there was a head, perfectly preserved but it was undeniably a head without a body. A gold ringlet around his head, full head of hair, and a clean and tidy beard. As Thor approached the eyes opened. The head spoke in a croak. As if its mouth was dry. “Ah, the Son of Odin and Crown Prince of Thunder approaches. What wisdom do you seek Thunderer?”

Thor bowed his head to the head. “Mimir! I seek your counsel.”

“As I already surmised.”

Thor pointed towards several flagons that were sat nearby on a casket of ale. “May I?”

Mimir closed his eyes in a double wink indicating a silent yes, Thor went and picked up a flagon. Filling it with ale, he opened his mouth accepting the cool liquid. The froth finding a new home on his upper lift till he wiped it off. Once he drank his fill he filled a second flagon, walking towards the head he held it to the heads’ lips and poured. Mimir greedily drank the liquid until none remained. When he was a child Thor had been curious as to where the liquid went, though he still did not have an answer. Taking the flagon back he placed it back onto the casket. “I seek knowledge of Loki.”

“Hmh. That is a subject in which I will find it difficult to provide answers. Loki is not known for following any form of reason.”

Moving to the side Thor grabbed a nearby chair and dragged it closer till he sat eye level with the decapitated head. “The All-Father grows weary and ready for the Odin-Sleep and there is a threat coming. I know it, and he senses it. I need to know what you know.”

“You assume the threat our King prepares for comes from the Trickster.”

“Are you saying there is another threat?”

“I am in no position to say anything.”

“You do not know?”

“I do.”

“Then why do you hold your tongue?”

“The All-Father has willed it. The threat is only for the All-Father to concern themselves over.”

“In his absence-”

“In his absence my young prince you rule Asgard, this does not make you King nor does it make you All-Father.”

Thor scoffed, frustration travelled across his face. He had never been the politician Freyja or Loki had been. “Then I shall act in my best judgment.”

“That is all any of us can do.”

“Tell me what you know of the magicks to move between realms? How can Loki be remaining hidden even in the eyes of Heimdall.”

“Loki is well versed in many forms of the ancient magicks, as taught by your mother Freyja. However, I would doubt that even she would be able to find him these days. The magicks he uses are strong and mystic, rooted in the very fabric of Yggdrasil itself. I suspect that he has somehow gained the power of the Norn.”

Thor sat up in his seat, his focus shifting. He could already feel the hairs on the nape of his neck rising. [b][color=#a4c2f4]“That cannot be, the Norn would no more help Loki than they would me or even the All-Father. They remain impartial, weaving the destinies of all things. Their duty is to record, not to interfere.”[/b] [/color]This couldn’t be possible if Loki had gained the power to influence the fates themselves then he was more powerful than any of them realized

“They would not knowingly aid him, but in the time before when Bor still ruled Asgard there were twenty-four stones he had been gifted by the Norns in order to aid him to bring about peace to the nine realms. To prevent abuse of this power many of these stones were destroyed, however, it is said that your father hid away nine such stones on Midgard. They grant the user incredible power, that can vary from individual and in all honestly even I struggle to understand or explain them.”

Thor stood up, groaning in frustration and kicking over his chair. His father was preparing to enter the Odin-sleep even now, Loki was still on the loose and there was a threat coming to Asgard that he didn’t even know about. Now Loki held some ancient power, and the most knowledgeable of all the Gods had nothing to offer? “Then why do you waste my time Mimir.”

“Ah, your patience is that of your father's, Thunderer. I may not understand them, but I do know where you can find one.”

Thor turned back to face the head. “Where?”

The head chuckled slightly. “Do you remember the way into Avalon?”

One Universe: World Of Heroes - A Marvel & DC Comics RPG

Sorry to be a pain but I think I'll have to let Red Tornado go. I have some solid ideas going for them, and some ideas I'm really excited for however I don't think I'll have time for both characters, and want to focus on Thor who is the more important of the two.... and I'm even more excited to play.

One Universe: World Of Heroes - A Marvel & DC Comics RPG

@Lord Wraith I have a rough overarching plan. I define a couple off key events, key characters and whatnot. Whatever goes in the gaps? Who knows. That part i do by the seat of my pants.

One Universe: World Of Heroes - A Marvel & DC Comics RPG

<Snipped quote by Sep>

You say that, but @Lord Wraith says I'm not allowed to drop Ted Kord ever.

@Hound55

Yeah but he's Canadian what's he gonna do? Feed you too his moose?

One Universe: World Of Heroes - A Marvel & DC Comics RPG

@Master Bruce It's sad but you're making the right call for you, and even the game. As if you aren't feeling it and try and force your way to write as Clark with him being such an important character I think that would cause more damage. I respect this call and like Hound says I look forward to seeing what you do as a GM not tied to a character.

@Lord Wraith wanna publically thank you for the kind words you've said. It'll all tie together, I'm really excited about what I have planned for Thor and his journey and I'm super glad you've been enjoying it so far. Hopefully, other people have too.

Now for mine, as I feel like the discussion is good for us.

Most Interesting Concept:

@DocTachyon with Batman. I think I've made it known I'm not the biggest Batman fan, like he's alright but I've never had the desire to read many of his stories. Watch the films and I think that's about it. Reading Docs post and his sheet I'm really excited about this take on the character. I don't know why but an older, wiser Batman too me is just a more interesting take as its one I've never really seen before (with the exception of the Dark Knight Returns(?) movies.) Looking forward too seeing how an older Batfamily deals with things going forward.

Favourite Story Arc:

This was a hard one to do. I really wanted to highlight a specific post, but then I couldn't neglect the entire little self-contained arc that is going on. It was emotional, empowering and it gave us enough exposition of the heroic family and legacies while also being interesting without it seeming like it's just trying to throw information at us. I gotta give my favourite little arc too @GreenGrenade with what is going on with the Turtle. It wasn't where I was expecting it to go, and I was pleasantly surprised. I'm looking forward to see where you go next with the character.

Standout post:

Now @Bounce I'm sure you know that I always questioned why you always tend to go with younger characters. It's a stylistic choice, I know, and initially, I was unsure on where I stood with Billy but your first post just knocked it out the water. You can tell he's a kid underneath all that but there's also something so mature and hardened about Billy that's immediately evident. I love where you're going with this, and I'm looking forward to reading more.

Notable Mentions:

@AndyC You've done a good job at setting up Spideys little world of New York, his relationships and how it all works together in the few posts you've done. I'm loving it and looking forward to what's happening next.
@Hound55 All I'll say is if you ever drop Kord... it will be sad but if you bring the same energy, enthusiasm and skill to whoever is next it'll be great.
@Pacifista It's no big secret I'm a Hulk fan and I like what you're doing with it. We don't often get to see a Banner and Hulk more in tune due to the nature of the games. I like what I see, and I'm looking forward to seeing more.
@Hillan post more Ghost Rider, please. That's all.
@Lord Wraith loved the first post, look forward too seeing more.

Okay. I've bene touchy feely enough, I'm gonna peace out.