The Lakelanders #5: Page 12

With the door open, our heroes and their compadres head out into the hallway. They look both left and right and can’t decide which way to turn. To their left, at the end of the hallway appears to be a glass door leading out onto a balcony of some sort. It’s clear that the team is a few floors off the ground, but it’s hard to tell how far because they are too far away to look down to the ground. To the right, There’s an elevator door and a few doors nearby.

“Bwa-ha-ha! You think you can get away so easily? You think I control only this room. This is my Tower of Doom! You shall never escape with your lives!” says IC as he makes the final tweeks of his device. he presses the middle button and suddenly the tables are turned. The Lakelanders and friends look to the hall where the elevator is and now the distant wall has turned from a simple dead end to horrible spikes! And they seem to be closing in blocking the entire hall way!!! If the team doesn’t watch out, this hallway is going to turn into a giant meat grinder, with them as the hamburger! “Looks like we don’t have a ton of options. Head to the balcony doors!!” yells Katherine to the team…

Regenerate:
Lone Wolf: 5+5 = 10
Dr. Dementia: 5+5 = 10
Internet Carshaft = 4+10 = 14
Chimera: 5+5 = 10
Goodbeard: 4+8 = 12 max
Katherine Heigl: 1+1 = 2
‘Lil Gandhi: 4+9 = 12max
————————————————————————-
Lone Wolf:  Lone Wolf walks up to the edge of the window, and knowing that the danger behind him is greater than the fall, he takes off his shirt and wraps it around his fist. 

3 stones into close combat – attempts to break the window.

3 stones into acrobatics – jumps out the window.
————————————————————————-
Dr. Dementia:
————————————————————————-
Internet Carshaft:
————————————————————————-
Chimera:  Wanting to create a good impression on this newly acquired rival, Chimera turn back to face him once more, and lets some lead fly.

2 stones into ranged combat

Chimera puts extra focus on aiming for his knee.  “Every bad guy deserves a kick ass limp with a story behind it.”

2 stones into flight – Chimera then leaps out the window behind his friends.
————————————————————————-
Goodbeard:
————————————————————————-
Katherine Heigl:
————————————————————————-
‘Lil Gandhi:
————————————————————————-

The Lakelanders #5: Page 11

Regenerate:
Lone Wolf: 5+4 = 9
Dr. Dementia: 5+3 = 8
Internet Carshaft = 5+10 = 15
Chimera: 5+6 = 11
Goodbeard: 4+5 = 9
Katherine Heigl: 1+0 = 1
‘Lil Gandhi: 4+8 = 12
—————————————————————————–
Lone Wolf:  Estimating that this has become a fight that would cause more injury than it is worth at the current moment, Lone Wolf has devised a new strategy based on the damage caused by Goodbeard.  In the fight or flight mentality of things, it is rare that we see this hero fleeing, but rational thought has overcome an emotional Lone Wolf.  It is time to escape!

4 stones into close combat attack – the target is no longer the super-villan, but rather the already damaged door. 
4 used, 5 remaining
—————————————————————————–
Dr. Dementia:
Not liking the look of that device, and knowing he isn’t sitting on anything strong enough to damage the door, the Dr makes an attempt to reset the efforts of IC.

2 stone into Create Elements to send a fireball on the device.
1 stone into sustaining Lil.
3 used, 5 remaining
—————————————————————————–
Internet Carshaft:
IC really wants to press that button. It would really bring this entire trap together in the way a terrifying villain would always want. Defeating The Lakelanders and not having to throw a punch! The world would kneel at his feet and kiss the ground he walked on and he would have his ultimate revenge! But first, he’s got to get that button working again. Knowing that The Lakelanders intend for him never to be able to use the device, he decides to defend it, rather than himself. While he works to fix the burned circuits, he places his body in between the device and the Lakelanders and prepares for the blunt of an attack…
2 into technology
3 into close combat – defense of the device in his hand.

5 used, 10 remaining
—————————————————————————–
Chimera:  Clued into the plan by the ambitious attacks on the large damaged door, Chimera pulls out his trusty sidearm and lets loose some lead.

3 stones into ranged combat – Chimera draws his .9mm and expertly fires at the increasingly damaged lock. 

3 stones into close combat – defense – Fearing an attack from an opponent that plenty of free time, Chimera buckles his armor a bit tighter.
6 used, 5 remaining
—————————————————————————–
Goodbeard:
He might be from the distant past and he might have essentially no powers and the team might be more than willing to leave him behind due to his complete uselessness, but Goodbeard also knows how to team up on the destruction of a door. He turns and puts another shot into the same door the Lakelanders are attacking. He shoots his sawed off shotgun into the door, hoping the destructive force will be enough to enable an escape.
1 into ranged combat + 2 Long Barreled Pistol
1 used, 8 remaining
—————————————————————————–
Katherine Heigl:
“I suppose I better stay out of the way. Looks like everyone has this situation under control. And I’d better save up some energy in case I have to run in these heels soon.”
0 used, 1 remaining
—————————————————————————–
‘Lil Gandhi:
“Mr. Dementia, I am proud of thee. You are not attacking the evil man himself, but the devices he intends to use. I enjoy your plan of attack and commend you for it!” He continues to hold Dr. D up and then exudes his shield of tranquility.
1 into flight, 2 into shield of tranquility
3 used, 9 remaining
—————————————————————————–
Lone Wolf hauls off and roundhouse kicks the door that has been slightly broken. The upper corner of the door is nearly completely folded back. It’s clear that the door is on it’s last legs. Just as this happens, Chimera artfully spins a few bullets past his partner and directly into the lock holding the door closed. With the increased pressure of the kick and a expert shot the door suddenly goes flying off it’s hinges. Goodbeard swings his shotgun around and fires now aimlessly. Since the door is missing, his shot has nothing to hit but the other heroes. He manages to miss, but the close and irresponsible shot made for a little anger coming out of the Heroes eyes.
4 close combat + 3 ranged combat + 3 ranged combat vs. 6 hardness = Success
The door takes 10 damage and is BROKEN!

Dr. D quickly generates another fireball and intends to wreck the crap out of Internet Carshaft’s little device, but he is not quick enough. IC quickly turns and places his body between the device and Dr. D’s attack. The fireball hits IC directly in the back and actually creates some damage. This is important to note. Internet Carshaft’s Doom Gear should have given him automatic protection from the fireball, but for some reason, this did not come into play in this particular instance. Two of IC’s defense is used to protect his device, but he still has enough defenses up to protect himself from a full blown hit.
2 Fireball vs. 1 Defense + 0 Doom Power Armor = 1 damage
Internet Carshaft takes 1 stone of damage. Loses 1 health. Now at 2 health and 4 durability

Wait! That’s interesting too! His durability is 5, and he has max energy of 15, but his health is only 3 at max? Something else weird is going on here! No Power armor defense and less than normal health? how odd!

With the door now open, the team streams out into the hallway before IC can use his now fully operational device…

The Lakelanders #5: Page 10

“You Fools!” yells Internet Carshaft from his side of the now broken mirror. “All you had to do was give me the jewels and the weapon and I would have let you and your friends leave unharmed! Instead, you go and break my precious two-way mirror in MY tower and expect me to let you leave with your lives! BAH!”

Looks like you’ve pissed the guy off. He’s still got the device he picked up in the last page… I wonder what that thing is for…

BTW guys: I updated the Mission Intro for Issue 5 to better describe what I’m expecting from you for success.  I’m hoping this will ease your minds that whatever plans you have should be a fine decision going forward.  Just complete the mission goals.  Anything else you do is just a bonus…

Regenerate:
Lone Wolf: 5+4 = 8
Dr. Dementia: 5+4 = 9
Internet Carshaft = 5+10 = 15
Chimera: 5+4 = 9
Goodbeard: KO’d for 4 more panels; 10
Katherine Heigl: 3
—————————————————————————–
Lone Wolf:  Again, pausing to think long and hard about his next move, watching Doctor Doom pick up that mysterious device, Lone Wolf knew he had only one move, only one thing he could do.  Looking up from a turned down head, he grabs one of the larger shards of glass and starts to go after his old friend, his new enemy.

4 stones into close combat – attack
4 used, 4 remaining
—————————————————————————–
Dr. Dementia:

Not liking the look of the device, the Dr decides to do his best to render it useless. Not knowing what kind of ledges and such he will have to go over after the mirror was busted out, and not hating the shield, the Dr calls upon his little indian friend.

Puts 3 Stone into Create Elements to create fire right on the device to melt and wreck it, or at the very least make IC drop it.

Puts 3 Stone into Summoning Lil Ghandi and having him lift up the Dr.
6 used, 3 remaining
—————————————————————————–
Internet Carshaft:
“Really, you’re going to attack me! How dare thee! You are clearly forgetting who you are dealing with! I am the greatest hero of all time and I intend for the world to know it! And I’ll show it by defeating you in a single blow” But after saying this, IC does not swing his arm in attack. He does not jump into action and attack with a ninja flip kick. He simply reaches one hand to the other and pushes the large red button on the device that he holds.
“Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!” Says IC as suddenly the air vent on the ceiling opens and air begins to rush out of the room through the vent. “Don’t you see! All of the oxygen of this room will be gone in nearly no time and you will DIE a horrible horrible death and I will be free to rule the world at my leisure! I will defeat you without without throwing a single punch! Bwa-ha-ha!” He jumps into a cat-like state of readiness to try to defend himself from any incoming attacks.

1 stone into technology usage. 4 stones into close combat defense
5 used, 10 remaining
—————————————————————————–
Chimera:  Seeing Lone Wolf’s garrish attack on this new enemy somewhat surprised Chimera, who doesn’t know the history of their relationship.

1 stone into invisibility – remains invisible

Chimera siddles over the glass into a corner of the room previously occupied only by IC.

2 stones into general intel – Chimera looks for an exit, looks to see if the device has any noteable features.
3 used, 6 remaining
—————————————————————————–
Goodbeard:
Our good pirate awakens to find himself in a room with a variety of events occuring that he does not comprehend. He is frightened as any 18th century man would be in that scenario and tries to decipher what is happening around him. First course of action: escape! He runs to the door that Katherine is at and pushes her out of the way. “let me at that door, simple woman!” he reaches for the handle and realizes it is locked. He steps back, pulls out his gun and shoots at the door. Hoping that this works, he begins to pull with all his might.
1 into ranged combat + 2 Long Barreled Pistol
4 into strength
5 used, 5 remaining
—————————————————————————–
Katherine Heigl:
Katherine quickly realizes that her work on this door will never help, so she switches her attention. If she can safely make her way over to the door inside of the room that Internet Carshaft was in, she’s more likely to find an escape route over there. However, its a fairly dangerous decision to get to the other side of the room in one piece. It’s best if she defend herself while she crosses the battlefield.
3 into personal defense
3 used, 0 remaining
—————————————————————————–
‘Lil Gandhi:
“Alright, I’m back. Lets see if I can manage to help you avoid any combat once again! First, to pick you up!” He picks Dr. D up and then exudes his shield of tranquility.
1 into flight, 2 into shield of tranquility
—————————————————————————–
Lone Wolf jumps into action! He quickly vaults the wall between himself and IC and attempts to attack his former partner with a violent heavy front kick to the chest. But in an amazing feat of acrobatics, Internet Carshaft swings his hips and watches as his oversized opponent’s attack flies over him coming down on the ground, completely missing it’s target.
4 close combat vs. 4 close combat defense + 2 Doom Gear = Fail!

While this is happening, however, Dr. D is plotting his own attack. Always most interested in saving his own hide, Dr. Dementia goes after what he considers his greatest threat: the small device in his hands. Creating a fireball near Internet Carshaft’s hand, the device reaches amazingly hot levels til the plastic and metal start to melt in his hands. IC, frustrated with the situation, turns and attempts to see if there is anything he can do to fix the device in a timely manner.
3 Fireball vs. 0 elemental defense = Success!

Internet Carshaft, now with no device and button to push turns to attempt to fix the device at least to the point that it can be used. He’s ready for an attack from anywhere, but he tries to fix it as quickly as he can so his plan to kill The Lakelanders through suffocation can continue…
1 into technology usage
2 more stones required to make device usable again

Chimera, staying hidden seems to have a good idea as to what the escape routes are from this room. The door in the original room is fairly large, in place and well locked. It will take some significant force to yank that thing open. However, the door in the room he now stands in appears to be smaller. It may be locked, but in all likelyhood it will require less force to break down and escape through. The vent in the ceiling likely isn’t an option. Its too small for any of our heroes to fit through. Its possible Chimera or Katherine could squeeze through, but that would leave quite a few other heroes behind…

Goodbeard proves useful after all. Though his attack of the door doesn’t seem to have worked, but he does manage to have some effect. First he shoots the door, then he grabs the handle and yanks as hard as he can!
1 ranged attack + 2 Long barreled Pistol + 4 Strength – 6 Hardness (Steel) = Success!
Trap-Room Front Door takes 7 damage, 3 remaining

Katherine successfully makes her way to the other side of the room. It could be that she got hit by LW or by the fireball that Dr. D threw, but she didn’t, she made it safely over to the other side of the room. She reaches the handle, turns it and… what a surprise! It’s locked. It can probably be broken down like the other one as Chimera has realized. However, to that point, unlike the other door, there is a keyhole on the middle of the door.

Internet Carshaft

a.k.a – Doctor Doom

Intelligence: 7
Strength: 3 (1 if without Morningstar of Glory)
Agility: 3 (1 if without Morningstar of Glory)
Speed: 4 (1 if without Morningstar of Glory)
Durability: 5 (3 if without Doom Power Armor)

Luck – [+4]
- Add up to 4 stones to succeed by 1. If does not succeed, none added.

General Knowledge – 2
- Intelligence Bonus
- Mysticism/Sorcery

Social Skills – 3
- Streetwise
- Professional Charm
- Persuasion

Ninja – 2 (-1 if without Morningstar of Glory)
- Intelligence Bonus (Eliminated if without Morningstar of Glory)
- Close or ranged combat
- Silent Movement (Eliminated if without Morningstar of Glory)
- Concentration (Eliminated if without Morningstar of Glory)

Leadership – 4
- Improve efforts of teammates
- Up to 2 stones/panel

Equipment:
The Morningstar of Glory: [+3]
- Provides Bonuses to Ninja, Strength, Agility and Speed
- Can only be held by “the chosen”: If not “chosen,” will be far too heavy to lift and will not provide additional powers.

Doom Power Armor – [+2 Defense]
- Provides Bonuses to Durability
- ???????????????

??????????????????? – [???]
- ????????????????

The Lakelanders #5: Page 9

The Lakelanders watch as the Time Machine falls from the sky, expands and lands squarely on their heads. They suddenly find themselves in a brand new place. It’s a small stone room, seemingly with no doors. The team finds themselves somewhat weary from the jarring maneuvers of traveling through time instantaneously. They pat themselves down and make sure everyone is alive and well. They quickly realize that their clever rouse has already had one significant set back. There are some things missing! All of the weapons the team intended to bring back (other than the staff they brought with them in the first place) have not made it through the trip. The real tragedy is that the magical jewels did not make it back to the present day with our heroes. There are only three more things with them now than when they left: the morningstar, the chest (possibly with the fake jewels inside, sure feels like it weight wise) and Goodbeard.

However, the room does have a mirror (20 feet wide, 4 feet high, starting at waist height) on one side of the room. Below this mirror is a giant metallic drawer, definitely built to be the size for the team to place the chest and the morningstar within. The team gets their wits about them and is about to start thinking about what is happening and what they can do, when the mirror on the wall starts to brighten and the team realize that it is, in fact, a giant TV screen. On the screen, the same chair appears with the same villain sitting within it. He turns his metallically-based head, realizing that our heroes have returned. He looks directly forward and says “Well, I heard you proclaim your idiocy, so I decided to bring you back. And I see you have my… rewards. You are trapped in a room within my skyscraper home base and if you do not do as I say, I will kill you all by pressing a single button. I have no reason not to. You have so innocently fallen into my perfectly executed plan. So, here are my orders! Place my treasures in the silver box in front of you” at this moment the shelf automatically opens to receive the treasure chest and the morningstar. “Do so, or you shall suffer a most haneous…

“Wait a second!” the man on the screen says as he startlingly sits forward in his throne, “Who is that knocked out….weenie!!!”

“That’s our new teammate, you punk! It was Goodbeard to you, but to us, even if his powers are gone, he’ll always be known as INTERNET CARSHAFT!” proclaims Dr. Dementia, triumphant in his proclamation and with an exuberant patting on the back from Lone Wolf and Chimera.

“Yes! Finally! Our team is whole once again!” a phrase coming from the least likely of sources Lone Wolf.

“BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!” the man on the screen laughs and laughs menacingly, thus enraging and confusing the Lakelanders. Then he continues; “You think that heap of useless, crying, wimpering meat is Internet Carshaft?!? You fools!” The team looks at one another with a look of confusion and realization that their assumption had been wrong. “That’s not Internet Carshaft,” the man on the screen says as he rises to his feet, approaches the screen and begins to remove his helmet. “I… am Internet Carshaft!!!”

The Lakelanders in a moment of panic and confusion, look closer to their surroundings to try to identify escape/attack/defend routes. They notice a 3 opportunities. The first is a hidden door. On the other side of the room, there is a steel door painted the same color as the wall. It’s not initially visable, but it’s there. In all likelyhood, the door is locked from the other side, knowing Dr. Doom, but it does seem to be an opportunity. Simultaneously, there is an air vent directly above the team. Its about 3 foot x 3 foot, big enough for a normal sized human to fit through. Where it leads? Well, thats a mystery, but it’s likely better than here.

Third is something the team had a hard time comprehending at first. Since its such a large screen, its easy to believe it had good resolution, but it couldnt possibly be this good. They look closer and realize something about the giant big screen in front of them, above the box. It’s not a screen at all! It’s a two-way mirror that is now simply a window. It’s likely very thick, but the key point is that Internet Carshaft is actually on the other side of that window! But is attacking IC at this point the best decision? Is there a trap in the making for our heroes?

Regenerate:
Lone Wolf: 5+4 = 9
Dr. Dementia: 5+2 = 7
Internet Carshaft = 15
Chimera: 5+3 = 8
Goodbeard: KO’d for 9 more panels
Katherine Heigl: 3
————————————————————————
Lone Wolf:
1 stone into teamwork

After weighing the options with his team through a series of sublte glances and gestures, Lone Wolf breaks the silence and with a scream takes the Morningstar in both hands and swings it mightily with a baseball swing, no doubt channeling memories of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hero Casey Jones.  The two-way mirror is the target.
4 stones into close combat attack

5 used, 4 remaining
————————————————————————
Chimera:
1 stone into teamwork – moved position

Using the  scream and the swinging Morningstar as a distraction, Chimera desides to use his cloaking ability.
3 stones into invisibility – Chimera backs to a wall as to avoid the shards of glass flying from the mirror.  As well, he hopes the mirrors won’t affect his ability to stay hidden.

4 used, 4 remaining
————————————————————————
Dr. Dementia:
Puts 1 stone into teamwork, moves position to before LW

Quickly cruising as far from the mirror as he can, the Dr tries to do a bit of focussing on the situation on hand to see what they are getting themselves into.
Puts 2 stones into Concentration to look into the situation, and what to expect on the other side of the mirror.

3 used, 4 remaining
————————————————————————
Internet Carshaft:
Always prepared for the worst, IC gets himself into a cat-like state of readiness, knowing that the Lakelanders would, of course, not take this indiscretion lying down.
5 into Ninja – close combat defense

5 used, 10 remaining
————————————————————————
Goodbeard: KO’d for 5 more panels
————————————————————————
Katherine Heigl:
Katherine doesn’t really wanna get into fisticuffs with the most powerful villain in all the world. She runs to the door and attempts to open it to escape the terrifying room.
1 into running in heels and opening stuff without breaking nails
1 used, 2 remaining
————————————————————————
Dr. Dementia swings around the room in his hoverround and makes sure to look at every corner of the other room that Internet Carshaft is standing in. He looks high and low, left and right, and it seems that there are no traps of any kind back there. One more thing to note is that there appears to be a door leading out of this room as well, on the opposite side from the door in their room. it is also made of heavy metal, painted the same color as the room and appears to be air tight.

This might seem like good news, but our doctor, ever careful, knows better than to underestimate his former teammate and well known world villain. There must be something fishy going on in there. While in his defensive stance, Dr. D notices Internet Carshaft reach for a small electronic device. The device only has a few buttons on it, but surely its something menacing.

And so, giving a short shrug and a nod to Lone Wolf, Dr D gives the go ahead to attack the two-way mirror. The morningstar, under the force generated by the brute strength swing crashes all of the glass to the floor and our heroes suddenly that they gotten themselves into a fight in a small room with a powerful villain.

Chimera, noticing that the fight is about to begin, shimmys his way to the back of the room and uses his invisibility to avoid detection. He knows that Internet Carshaft is smarter than any villain he’s faced thus far, so the opponents apparent willingness to let our hero cloak himself so readily seems to be add suspicion to the situation.

Internet Carshaft isn’t letting on much with his actions, but it is clear that he is not the simpletons that the LL’s have battled thus far. A fight with him might be entertaining and profitable, but also, in their somewhat tired state, might be dangerous, unnecessary. A retreat, though a safe, smart decision, may be easier said than done; there are exits to the room, but who knows if the team can make it there safely, let alone where they would be when they escape.

Katherine attempts retreat without discussing it with the team and helps the team discover one thing about the room around them. The painted over door in the room the Lakelanders find themselves in is locked. It’s steel bolted into concrete. A big guy with enough strength could likely yank it loose, but it wouldn’t be easy. Then again, there’s always the other door. The one in Internet Carshaft’s room…

The Lakelanders #5: Page 8

Regenerate:
Lone Wolf: 5+2 = 7
Dr. Dementia: 5+5 = 10
Chimera: 5+2 = 7
Goodbeard: KO’d for 13 more panels
Katherine Heigl: 3
———————————————————————–
Lone Wolf:
2 stones into black ops – interrogation, 1 into social skills – language and culture (so he can speak better pirate)

3 used, 4 remaining
———————————————————————–
Dr. Dementia:
8 Stone into concentration to find what powers the jewels have, the morning star has, and perhaps why they have those powers. And maybe any info on what Dr Doom wants with them and if there is a way they can get Doom to send them home and not give him the gear if it will screw over the team or the world.

8 used, 2 remaining
———————————————————————–
Chimera:
4 into social skills – diplomacy

4 used, 3 remaining
———————————————————————–
Goodbeard: (woke up by other guys, but still quote-unquote “KOd” for 10 panels)
———————————————————————–
Katherine Heigl:
Our girl takes it easy this page off and decides to 1 into sunbathing

1 used, 2 remaining
———————————————————————–
The team steals Goodbeard’s mace, bind him to a pole, then wake him up by throwing water in his face. “wha-wha-wha!?!?” yells Goodbeard.

Lone Wolf argues to himself; “we should have just killed him”

Chimera responds, “Calm down, he seems an honorable pirate”

“Bullshit – there’s no honor in being a pirate,” LW states and then turns to the newly awakened Pirate. “Tell us everything – how did you become a pirate captain”

And Goodbeard begins his soliloquies, “thats not hard to tell. One day I woke up on a deserted island here in the carribean and i was all alone. there was no food on the island and I thought I would die of starvation…”

Lone Wolf interjects, “You’ll die now if I have my way!”

And Chimera stomps on his interjection, “Shut up, LW!”

“I realized it was a trap door to a bunker hidden within the island. I opened the door and found a ton of booty! I hung out in there, eating dates, drinking wine, until a ship arrived. the pirates came off board and attacked me, but I used this mace that I found in the booty to fend them off. they were so impressed that they made me their captain and that was that”

Chimera then asks an interestingly unnecessary question: “Are you usually a skilled fighter with the mace, which Dr. D is now examining”

Goodbeard responds with “I’m fairly skilled, just as I am with a gun, of which I have a few, athankyou.”

As the conversation continues, Dr. D examines the mace. It doesn’t appear to have any powers. Its very heavy and a good weapon, but doesn’t seem to have any special powers. Dr. D tries to figure out why Dr. Doom would want such a simple weapon and concludes that he believes it to be a diversion from the Jewels in the Chest.

Lone Wolf gets back in the conversation; “How did you acquire such a massive fortune? Was it in the tomb with the booty you found?”

“all of that booty is still in that tomb, owned by me and no other! I have acquired this mass on my crew’s most recent mission alone. We ventured far over the last two years, sailing clear across the Ocean on a full blown attack upon England’s riches! Quite successful, I must say”

Chimera cleverly quips “Impressive, and illegal.”

Lone Wolf continues to berate “Clearly we are a higher form of authority than kings – perhaps your sins can be forgiven, if you can provide us with something.”

Goodbeard has no reason to be scared at this point “I’m not GIVING you anything! Anything you take from me and my men is on your conscience!”

Meanwhile, Dr. D continues to investigate. the jewels in the chest have an interesting insignia upon the chest and many of them are in small velvet bags with the same insignia. It’s a Giant Old english M with a floppy magician’s hat hanging off left upper part of the M. After catching a glance Dr. Dementia’s eyes, Chimera asks “and what of this emblem?”

“I dont know anything about it. We stole those jewels from some old fool living alone in a lighthouse. That guy must have been like a gagillion years old”

Chimera continues to question: “Do you remember the location of the lighthouse?”

“Off the cliffshores of England! what difference does that make?!” Dr. D concludes that he knows from where these jewels came and their significance; these jewels once belonged to the one and only Merlin, Wizard assistant to King Arthur.

The team decides its time to discuss amongst themselves: “Shall we find this wizard – we have a boat and a captain. Or should we just realize this is an ancient treasure, and head back”

Lone Wolf chimes in: “this guy is boring me, I want some action – we can take on Dr. Doom”

Now Dr. D turns to determining Dr. Doom’s plans and how to avoid any traps. “What do you think Dr. Dementia – you’ve been the brains of this operation” There are many possibilities and things to consider: The jewels are clearly powerful and the morningstar is not a weapon to laugh at. Giving them over to Doom might not be a great idea, but you may not have a choice. You could bring back some other jewels and act like they are the special ones, but you run two risks; not having them for yourselves and Doom reacting harshly to that news. essentially, as soon as you say the magic phrase, the time machine will reappear and take you home and you have the option to be carrying anyone and/or anything you’d like at that time.

The team hatches a clever plan. They pour out the powerful jewels and poors regular jewels into the chest. They try to hide the jewels all around their bodies. They grab various weapons and gadgets, grab Katherine and Goodbeard by the scruffs of their necks, and huddle around each other and Chimera steps back and yells to the sky…

‘LOOK AT HOW DUMB I AM!!’ He yells to the sky. A giant chuckle rumbles across the sky and the time machine appears from above them with a lightning bolt…

The Lakelanders #5: Page 7

“We did it, my unusual friends! Now, deliver me my treasure and I will allow you to leave my ship with your lives!” says Goodbeard as he hugs Dr. D around the shoulder and reaching for a handshake from Chimera. Little Does he know that the Lakelanders are not here to make friends… or maybe they are….?

Regenerate:
Lone Wolf: 4+6 = 10
Dr. Dementia: 5+10 = 15
Chimera: 5+7 = 12
Goodbeard: 4+6 = 10
Katherine Heigl: 3
————————————————————————
Lone Wolf:  
The chest will be useless to break open.  We can let Dr. Doom worry about that.  Given that he has the technology to send us back a few centuries, I’m sure he can handle an early 18th (19th???) century lock.  Lone Wolf grabs the gun, and heads out the captains door, looking for action.  “En garde, you bloomer wearing, button and ribbon adorning pansy.  Your beard is actually quite poor, and I’m pretty sure your momma has a thicker one.”

1 stone into growth – grows to around 20′ tall
7 stones into close combat – Cutlass to flesh.  Plain and simple.

8 used, 2 remaining
————————————————————————
Dr. Dementia:
“Well, obviously we can’t get this loon our new friend,” the Dr thinks to himself. He digs down deep, grabs hold of the Mole Man’s staff, and creeps closer to Goodbeard to deliver a rocky, staffy blow.

3 Stone into Invoking, 5 stones into Close Combat the Close Combat of Rocky Arbuckle to smash into Goodbeard.
2 Stone into a Magic Barrier around the Dr.

10 used, 5 remaining
————————————————————————
Chimera:  It isn’t so much that the Lakelanders had double-crossed the green pirates when they switched sides to the reds, under the helm of Goodbeard, but rather that they were acting in their interests.  Once on the green team, they realized that it was essential to their return to the present that they not defeat Goodbeard at that time.  Since they wanted to get back to the future, they switched sides, elimated a common enemy, and find themselves at the current situation.  Did they gain the trust of the pirate?  Ifso, it was not intentional, and for Goodbeard, would be a mistake!

7 stones into close combat (uses strength bonus) – Chimera, standing close to Goodbeard, grabs his beard and pulls his face into a quickly rising knee, followed by a series of thrusts from his pirate sword.

3 stones into ranged combat – Chimera then takes his matte finished handgun drawn expertly from his chest holder hidden by his pirate vest and unloads some lead in the direction of the hopefully quite surprised adversary.

10 used, 2 remaining
————————————————————————
Goodbeard:
Goodbeard, proud of his team’s successes announces to the Red Pirates a wonderful prize. “Friends, tonight we feast! I hearby proclaim that my Red Pirates and I are the greatest Pirate crew on Earth”
“ARRRRRR!” they all proclaim. Goodbeard heads over to his quarters and opens the door to go inside and get some treasures to hand out to each of his Pirate buddies. He is, as his name proclaims, a good guy after all. “Everyone shall be rewarded!”
Goodbeard gives away 100,000 in Gold to each Red Pirate and Hero
————————————————————————
Katherine Heigl:
Katherine is very intrigued by Goodbeard. Though he has a large scraggly beard, it’s clear that he is very attractive under the beard and she thinks, “hey, maybe I can ‘change’ him.”
1 into woo-ing
1 used, 2 remaining
————————————————————————
Turning on their new friend, the Lakelanders take this opportunity to smash the crap out of Goodbeard, even though he just put his arm around our heroes in a sign of solidarity. Lone Wolf goes first, as always, and takes the opportunity to smash his way out of the quarters. He lunges through the door, Knife in hand, grows to mid-giant size and stabs Goodbeard in the stomach.
7 close combat + 1 sword vs. [Luck 1 = FAIL] = 8 stones of damage
Goodbeard takes 8 stones of damage

With Goodbeard lying knocked out on the ground, the rest of the pirates on board suddenly decide to come to his rescue, which… probably… wasn’t a great idea. His target KO’d beyond belief, Dr. Dementia turns his attention to the invading Pirates. He swings his arm around a few times and it suddenly grows large and rock shaped. He swings it forward trying to bowl over as many Pirates as he can manage to connect with!
5 close combat vs. 0 defense = 5 of 15 Pirates KO’d permanently

Chimera goes next, realizing that the team has a great opportunity to finish off the entire crew on one page, he puts his attention to taking out quite a few of the Pirates as well! He Knees one Pirate’s Chin, stabs a half dozen in the face and then pulls out a gun and shoots a few times at the last Pirates still standing. Overkill? Not this time, for the last pirate falls at the last shot!
7 close combat + 3 Ranged Combat vs. 0 defense = 15 of 15 Pirates KO’d Permanently
Goodbeard is KO’d and takes no additional damage

Katherine, appauled with her inability to woo Goodbeard, puts her pouty face on and the Heroes have to rejoice amongst themselves….

The Lakelanders #5: Page 6

Regenerate:
Lone Wolf: 4+7 = 11
Dr. Dementia: 5+10 = 15
Chimera: 5+8 = 13
Goodbeard: 12
Captain Cook: KO’d for 6 more Panels
Pirates: 6
Katherine Heigl: 3
‘Lil Gandhi: 6+4 = 10
—————————————————————–
Lone Wolf:  Lone Wolf tosses aside his green bandana as he runs across the planks connecting the ships.  He disappears into the melee, only to return on the other side, near the ship’s captain’s quarters.  Lone Wolf is uncomfortable amid all of these people, and in this foreign time.  “Eyes on the prize, keep focused on the mission,” he thinks to himself.

5 stones into thievery (uses agility bonus) – he attempts to quietly break into Goodbeard’s quarters, and find any info about the treasure chest, including maps that may lead to it, as well as the morningstar.  He keeps his eyes open for any other valuables as well, including a better sword.

5 used, 6 remaining
—————————————————————–
Dr. Dementia:
“Thanks for the flight little man. I appreciate it,” the Dr says as he waves his arm. Once he is done there, he giggles to himself like Beavis while he thinks about his next action. After he completes that, he thinks a bit harder about Goodbeard and what he is capable of.

1 Stone into unsummoning Lil Ghandi
3 Stone into Create Elements to create fire on the Green Pirate ship, on the side furthest from the Red ship
1 Stone into Concentration on the abilities of Goodbeard

5 used, 10 remaining
—————————————————————–
Chimera:  Speaking to Goodbeard, Chimera says, “We are powerful mercenaries, and best not to be trifled with.  We do not ask for much in payment, but we can discuss those matters after we oust our mutual enemies, those dastardly green pirates.  As for myself, I have sailed the seven seas and learned the art of flying from the land of Arabia.  Our handi-capable friend over there, the one who rode over on the small Indian fellow, has studied at length alchemy, and can conjure elements.  The third, well, he is more mysterious.  For now, I only require that I protect the maiden, whom you most certainly plan to take as booty.  For now – trust me.” Chimera definitely put on his best schmooze, and wants to stay close to his close friend Kathryn.

3 stones into ranged combat – fires indiscriminately at the green pirates with his anachronistic pistol

3 stones into social skills – diplomacy

6 used, 7 remaining
—————————————————————–
Goodbeard:
“Alright Boys! Time fo you to flip yo wigs and hit the ground running! Get over to that Green boat and kill the shit out of some bad guy pirates and bring me my BOOTY!”
4 into Ranged Combat to try to shoot 3 seperate Pirates
1 into Leadership for Red Pirates
1 into close combat defense

6 used, 6 remaining
—————————————————————–
Captain Cook: KO’d for 2 more Panels
—————————————————————–
Pirates:
The Green Pirates take shots at the Red Pirates, while the Red Pirates take swings at the Green Pirates. It’s a complete melee and they both attempt to cause as much damage to one another.
10 Red Pirates put 2 close combat against 10 Green Pirates
10 Green Pirates put 2 close combat against 10 Red Pirates

2 used, 4 remaining
—————————————————————–
Normally, I would assume it wouldn’t be the easiest thing in the world to do, to sneak into a pirate captain’s quarters. But I’ve seen Hook and those pirate movies with Edward Scissorhands, so my belief in a ship captain’s care over his personal space is less than you might initially think. Plus, Lone Wolf is a really REAAALY good sneaker. So, for him, making his way into Goodbeard’s quarters was a piece of cake. he slips down the side of the hull to a window just large enough for him to squeeze through. He breaks the glass with his elbow, unlocks the hinge and seamlessly slips inside. At this point he begins to wildly search the quarters, high and low.
Now, the easy part is the Morningstar; it’s not here. It’s in Goodbeard’s possession. The treasure chest however, is different. There’s a small room in the back of the quarters that LW finds and realizes that the door is locked. Without doubt, this is where Goodbeard keeps all of his best treasures. The door is locked though. Amongst the rest of Goodbeard’s possessions, LW finds a second Long Barrelled Pistol [+2] which Goodbeard appears to have left behind.

Dr. D sets the back of the Green ship on fire. “OH my God!” yells everyone on that ship as they head forward to join the fight that is happening now, on the front edge of their ship. No one’s going to be very comfortable if they jump off that side of the ship and at this rate the Green Ship won’t last long.
Green Pirate Ship takes 3 damage, now at 11.

Chimera’s conversating skills seem to work to perfection (or at least they’ve worked well enough to get the Red’s to continue fighting the greens rather than deal with some sort of new menace that the Lakelander’s appeared to be. The fight is on and it looks like the Green Pirates will be taken out in no time.
3 Ranged Combat + 3 9mm vs. 0 defense = 6 stones of damage
3 Green Pirates are shot! They fall off the fire side of the boat, 17 Green Pirates left

Goodbeard’s words work. The Pirates are on their way to fight with the green pirates who have been having a hard time this entire issue, poor guys. He turns and takes a few shots whilst simultaneously inspiring his squad to be supremely successful.
4 into ranged Combat + 2 9mm vs. 0 defense = 6 stones of damage
3 Green Pirates are shot! They fall off the fire side of the boat, 14 Green Pirates left

Meanwhile the Red Pirates and the Green Pirates fight like crazy and it becomes apparent that this battle may not last long….
10 green Pirates stab 10 red pirates with 20 close combat + 10 sword
10 Red Pirates are stabbed and fall into water! 10 Red Pirates Left

10 Red Pirates stab 10 green pirates with 20 close combat + 10 sword + 10 Leadership
14 Green Pirates are stabbed and fall into water! 0 Green Pirates Left!!!

The battle ends. Captain Cook wakes up in time to grab a floaty and jump over the side and start to swim away as his ship begins to sink.

Katherine, sufficiently convinced that the fight is over, steps out from behind her barrel and runs from the burning ship to the Red Pirate ship.

‘Lil Gandhi

Summon: 3
Sustain: 1
Intel- 1
Strength- 3
Speed- 1
Agil- 1
Dur – 4

Flight: 2
Constant Shield of Tranquility: 2 (Includes anyone/anything held)
Pacifist, Refuses to fight

Goodbeard

Real Name: ?????????????
Intelligence: 4
Strength: 4
Speed: 4
Agility: 4
Durability: 4
Max Energy: 12

Close Combat: 4
- (Agility Bonus)

Ranged Combat: 4
- (Weapons Bonus)

Leadership: 4

Luck: [1]

Weapons:
Long Barrel Pistol: [+2]
Morningstar: [+3]

Leader of the Red Pirates

Appearances
- The Lakelanders #5