Improbability Squad - Revision history

Johnm: /* The Heart of the Lion */

2015-02-23T19:08:42Z

The Heart of the Lion

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:08, 23 February 2015
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	A minute later, the party's spotters in the warehouse sight the galloping stallions, and the original plan is amended. '''New directive: KILL EM ALL!'''		A minute later, the party's spotters in the warehouse sight the galloping stallions, and the original plan is amended. '''New directive: KILL EM ALL!'''

	Rifles erupt, and the Nubian giants are felled or escape with ~~terible~~ injuries.		Rifles erupt, and the Nubian giants are felled or escape with terrible injuries.

	But the gray-skinned Syrian with the two curved knives dismounts and leaps like a cricket through the warehouse doors, moving lie no human the party has ever seen. An alert [[Wyeth Wilson\|Wyeth]], perched in the rafter above the door, hurls himself headlong at the apparition passing below, and manages to slice open the enemy's back as he drops.		But the gray-skinned Syrian with the two curved knives dismounts and leaps like a cricket through the warehouse doors, moving lie no human the party has ever seen. An alert [[Wyeth Wilson\|Wyeth]], perched in the rafter above the door, hurls himself headlong at the apparition passing below, and manages to slice open the enemy's back as he drops.
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	Just before it appears that the Syrian might deal Wyeth a killing blow, Arizona shouts in Arabic, taunting the beast. It turns and charges him, and miraculously, Arizona stays the creature's weapon hand as the blade plunges towards his neck. Thus grappled, the two struggle for control, with Arizona displaying improbable strength, as alarming incendiary devices send spaks and fire through the air.		Just before it appears that the Syrian might deal Wyeth a killing blow, Arizona shouts in Arabic, taunting the beast. It turns and charges him, and miraculously, Arizona stays the creature's weapon hand as the blade plunges towards his neck. Thus grappled, the two struggle for control, with Arizona displaying improbable strength, as alarming incendiary devices send spaks and fire through the air.

	Rusty discards his ineffectual pistol and assists, Helen magic-heals Wyeth, and soon the party wrestles the Syrian beast to the ground, burning it with remnants of their ~~hommade~~ fireworks, and pinning and binding it helplessly. As its threats falter and it attempts to broker a deal, the team throws the gray devil in a fire pit and watches mercilessly as it flops and writhes and disintegrates into blackened fragments.		Rusty discards his ineffectual pistol and assists, Helen magic-heals Wyeth, and soon the party wrestles the Syrian beast to the ground, burning it with remnants of their homemade fireworks, and pinning and binding it helplessly. As its threats falter and it attempts to broker a deal, the team throws the gray devil in a fire pit and watches mercilessly as it flops and writhes and disintegrates into blackened fragments.

	Sam and his sister Marie are reunited as Walt pulls up in the rickety carriage, and the team exits the building as Marcus pushes the final plunger, detonating explosives that level the structure. Mission Accomplished.		Sam and his sister Marie are reunited as Walt pulls up in the rickety carriage, and the team exits the building as Marcus pushes the final plunger, detonating explosives that level the structure. Mission Accomplished.

Johnm: /* The Heart of the Lion */

2015-02-23T19:07:42Z

The Heart of the Lion

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:07, 23 February 2015
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	After checking in, Arizona creates a reason to knock on the door across the hall, and it is opened by none other than [[Marie McCallister]], Sam's sister, and Arizona correctly intuits that she possesses their quarry, the [[Persian Lionheart]]. Small words are exchanged and all agree to meet for breakfast in the morning.		After checking in, Arizona creates a reason to knock on the door across the hall, and it is opened by none other than [[Marie McCallister]], Sam's sister, and Arizona correctly intuits that she possesses their quarry, the [[Persian Lionheart]]. Small words are exchanged and all agree to meet for breakfast in the morning.

	Later expeditions to the Windsor across the street yield Sam's possessions in crate (thanks to Rusty's fake ~~plice~~ badge), and a story of Sam's violent abduction (thanks to Marcus' chat with a hotel ghost) by "four black devils", and one "gray devil".		Later expeditions to the Windsor across the street yield Sam's possessions in crate (thanks to Rusty's fake police badge), and a story of Sam's violent abduction (thanks to Marcus' chat with a hotel ghost) by "four black devils", and one "gray devil".

	The team munches scones and sips tea with Marie much of the morning, and finally hatches a plan.		The team munches scones and sips tea with Marie much of the morning, and finally hatches a plan.

Johnm: /* The Heart of the Lion */

2015-02-23T19:06:06Z

The Heart of the Lion

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:06, 23 February 2015
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	[[Image:Lady-vanderbilt.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right]]		[[Image:Lady-vanderbilt.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right]]
	On an improbably warm February afternoon, the team is yet again summoned to the grounds of the Vanderbilt estate, where a fancy event is being prepared for 50 or so important guests. Pressed for time, and worried about the mission, [[Lady Vanderbilt]] shares news that [[Prince Abdul]] of Persiastan has recently begun his tour of post-war America. This is relevant because he carries the [[Persian Lionheart]], a magic ruby previously thought only to be mythical.		On an improbably warm February afternoon, the team is yet again summoned to the grounds of the Vanderbilt estate, where a fancy event is being prepared for 50 or so important guests. Pressed for time, and worried about the mission, [[Lady Vanderbilt]] shares news that [[Prince Abdul]] of Persiastan has recently begun his tour of post-war America. This is relevant because he carries the [[Persian Lionheart]], a magic ruby previously thought only to be mythical.
	[[Image:Prince-abdul.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right\|[[~~Prnce~~ Abdul]]]]		[[Image:Prince-abdul.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right\|[[Prince Abdul]]]]
	Lady Vanderbilt explains that she'd dispatched a talented thief, one [[Sam McCallister]] to relieve the obnoxious prince of the artifact, but that Mr. McCallister had gone missing after reporting his success. The team is to depart for Pittsburgh at once, with newly introduced team member [[Dale Owens]], whose friends call him "Rusty".		Lady Vanderbilt explains that she'd dispatched a talented thief, one [[Sam McCallister]] to relieve the obnoxious prince of the artifact, but that Mr. McCallister had gone missing after reporting his success. The team is to depart for Pittsburgh at once, with newly introduced team member [[Dale Owens]], whose friends call him "Rusty".

Johnm: /* The Heart of the Lion */

2015-02-23T18:46:49Z

The Heart of the Lion

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:46, 23 February 2015
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	[[Image:Lady-vanderbilt.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right]]		[[Image:Lady-vanderbilt.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right]]
	On an improbably warm February afternoon, the team is yet again summoned to the grounds of the Vanderbilt estate, where a fancy event is being prepared for 50 or so important guests. Pressed for time, and worried about the mission, [[Lady Vanderbilt]] shares news that [[Prince Abdul]] of Persiastan has recently begun his tour of post-war America. This is relevant because he carries the [[Persian Lionheart]], a magic ruby previously thought only to be mythical.		On an improbably warm February afternoon, the team is yet again summoned to the grounds of the Vanderbilt estate, where a fancy event is being prepared for 50 or so important guests. Pressed for time, and worried about the mission, [[Lady Vanderbilt]] shares news that [[Prince Abdul]] of Persiastan has recently begun his tour of post-war America. This is relevant because he carries the [[Persian Lionheart]], a magic ruby previously thought only to be mythical.
			[[Image:Prince-abdul.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right\|[[Prnce Abdul]]]]
	Lady Vanderbilt explains that she'd dispatched a talented thief, one [[Sam McCallister]] to relieve the obnoxious prince of the artifact, but that Mr. McCallister had gone missing after reporting his success. The team is to depart for Pittsburgh at once, with newly introduced team member [[Dale Owens]], whose friends call him "Rusty".		Lady Vanderbilt explains that she'd dispatched a talented thief, one [[Sam McCallister]] to relieve the obnoxious prince of the artifact, but that Mr. McCallister had gone missing after reporting his success. The team is to depart for Pittsburgh at once, with newly introduced team member [[Dale Owens]], whose friends call him "Rusty".

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	Walt then shouts at the driver to follow the stallions at maximum velocity, and, as the carriage rumbles across the cobblestones, Walt, with great effort, rolls his unconscious captors out of the carriage to bounce along the stones.		Walt then shouts at the driver to follow the stallions at maximum velocity, and, as the carriage rumbles across the cobblestones, Walt, with great effort, rolls his unconscious captors out of the carriage to bounce along the stones.

	A minute later, the party's spotters in the warehouse sight the galloping stallions, and the original plan is amended. New directive: KILL EM ALL!		A minute later, the party's spotters in the warehouse sight the galloping stallions, and the original plan is amended. '''New directive: KILL EM ALL!'''

	Rifles erupt, and the Nubian giants are felled or escape with terible injuries.		Rifles erupt, and the Nubian giants are felled or escape with terible injuries.

Johnm: /* The Heart of the Lion */

2015-02-23T18:45:55Z

The Heart of the Lion

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:45, 23 February 2015
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	The team munches scones and sips tea with Marie much of the morning, and finally hatches a plan.		The team munches scones and sips tea with Marie much of the morning, and finally hatches a plan.
			[[Image:Sam-mccallister.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right\|[[Sam McCallister]], Marie's weatherbeaten brother]]
	An abandoned warehouse is located and rigged with various explosives and traps. Walt and Rusty head for the '''Hotel Carlisle''', where [[Prince Abdul]] and his entourage are staying. While Rusty surreptisiously observes, Walt parlays with the Prince's representatives, claiming that he has knowledge of the location of the fabulous gemstone, and that it could be returned in exchange for Sam McCallister, alive. The Prince's henchmen agree, grab Walt by the arm, and lead him to a taxi carriage.		An abandoned warehouse is located and rigged with various explosives and traps. Walt and Rusty head for the '''Hotel Carlisle''', where [[Prince Abdul]] and his entourage are staying. While Rusty surreptisiously observes, Walt parlays with the Prince's representatives, claiming that he has knowledge of the location of the fabulous gemstone, and that it could be returned in exchange for Sam McCallister, alive. The Prince's henchmen agree, grab Walt by the arm, and lead him to a taxi carriage.

Johnm: /* The Heart of the Lion */

2015-02-23T18:33:57Z

The Heart of the Lion

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:33, 23 February 2015
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	[[Image:Lady-vanderbilt.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right]]		[[Image:Lady-vanderbilt.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right]]
	On an improbably warm February afternoon, the team is yet again summoned to the grounds of the Vanderbilt estate, where a fancy event is being prepared for 50 or so important guests. Pressed for time, and worried about the mission, [[Lady Vanderbilt]] shares news that [[Prince Abdul]] of Persiastan has recently begun his tour of post-war America. This is relevant because he carries the [[~~Heart of the Lion~~]], a magic ruby previously thought only to be mythical.		On an improbably warm February afternoon, the team is yet again summoned to the grounds of the Vanderbilt estate, where a fancy event is being prepared for 50 or so important guests. Pressed for time, and worried about the mission, [[Lady Vanderbilt]] shares news that [[Prince Abdul]] of Persiastan has recently begun his tour of post-war America. This is relevant because he carries the [[Persian Lionheart]], a magic ruby previously thought only to be mythical.

	Lady Vanderbilt explains that she'd dispatched a talented thief, one [[Sam McCallister]] to relieve the obnoxious prince of the artifact, but that Mr. McCallister had gone missing after reporting his success. The team is to depart for Pittsburgh at once, with newly introduced team member [[Dale Owens]], whose friends call him "Rusty".		Lady Vanderbilt explains that she'd dispatched a talented thief, one [[Sam McCallister]] to relieve the obnoxious prince of the artifact, but that Mr. McCallister had gone missing after reporting his success. The team is to depart for Pittsburgh at once, with newly introduced team member [[Dale Owens]], whose friends call him "Rusty".

Johnm: /* The Heart of the Lion */

2015-02-23T18:31:43Z

The Heart of the Lion

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:31, 23 February 2015
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	But the gray-skinned Syrian with the two curved knives dismounts and leaps like a cricket through the warehouse doors, moving lie no human the party has ever seen. An alert [[Wyeth Wilson\|Wyeth]], perched in the rafter above the door, hurls himself headlong at the apparition passing below, and manages to slice open the enemy's back as he drops.		But the gray-skinned Syrian with the two curved knives dismounts and leaps like a cricket through the warehouse doors, moving lie no human the party has ever seen. An alert [[Wyeth Wilson\|Wyeth]], perched in the rafter above the door, hurls himself headlong at the apparition passing below, and manages to slice open the enemy's back as he drops.

	Inperturbable, the Syrian spins on a heel and slashes Wyeth's chest wide open. More shots ring out, which ~~enetrate~~ the Syrian's gray flesh, but seem to barely affect him as he closes on Wyeth, curved blades flashing.		Inperturbable, the Syrian spins on a heel and slashes Wyeth's chest wide open. More shots ring out, which penetrate the Syrian's gray flesh, but seem to barely affect him as he closes on Wyeth, curved blades flashing. Fortunately,he drops one of the wicked knives, but not before opening another bloody slice across Wyeth's powerful chest.

			Just before it appears that the Syrian might deal Wyeth a killing blow, Arizona shouts in Arabic, taunting the beast. It turns and charges him, and miraculously, Arizona stays the creature's weapon hand as the blade plunges towards his neck. Thus grappled, the two struggle for control, with Arizona displaying improbable strength, as alarming incendiary devices send spaks and fire through the air.

			Rusty discards his ineffectual pistol and assists, Helen magic-heals Wyeth, and soon the party wrestles the Syrian beast to the ground, burning it with remnants of their hommade fireworks, and pinning and binding it helplessly. As its threats falter and it attempts to broker a deal, the team throws the gray devil in a fire pit and watches mercilessly as it flops and writhes and disintegrates into blackened fragments.

			Sam and his sister Marie are reunited as Walt pulls up in the rickety carriage, and the team exits the building as Marcus pushes the final plunger, detonating explosives that level the structure. Mission Accomplished.

			====Afterword====

			The party purchases cheap overcoats to conceal their bloodied and soot-covered clothing and boards the express train for Philadelphia. The [[Persian Lionheart]] is delivered to the secure underground warehouse beneath the Vanderbilt estate, and the party is given effusive praise and a fine meal, in addition to a hazard pay bonus.

			In the days to follow, news breaks that [[Prince Abdul]] has fallen ill and returns to his home country.

Johnm: /* The Heart of the Lion */

2015-02-23T18:15:44Z

The Heart of the Lion

@@ Line 395: / Line 395: @@
 Upon arrival at the station after dark, the pickpocket is turned over to a passing policeman, and the rest of the party gasps when Rusty claims to be a '''Pinkerton agent'''. With prisoner transfer complete, Arizona confronts him, and Rusty shares his [[Dale Owens|full story]]. Concerns thusly assuaged, the party boards a taxi carriage and makes way for the '''Windsor Hotel''', Sam McCallister's last known location.
+[[Image:Marie-mccallister.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Marie McCallister]], Sam's twin sister]]
 However, as bags are being unpacked, [[Arizona Smith|the professor]] professes his strong belief that the party should instead camp out at the '''Hotel Schwartz''', directly across the street from the Windsor. Knowing that sometimes he has 'a feeling', the groups follows him into the lower-rent establishment.
 After checking in, Arizona creates a reason to knock on the door across the hall, and it is opened by none other than [[Marie McCallister]], Sam's sister, and Arizona correctly intuits that she possesses their quarry, the [[Persian Lionheart]]. Small words are exchanged and all agree to meet for breakfast in the morning.
-Later expeditions to the Windsor across the street yield Sam's possessions in crate (thanks to Rusty's fake plice badge), and a story of violent abduction (thanks to Marcus' chat with
+Later expeditions to the Windsor across the street yield Sam's possessions in crate (thanks to Rusty's fake plice badge), and a story of Sam's violent abduction (thanks to Marcus' chat with a hotel ghost) by "four black devils", and one "gray devil".

Johnm: /* The Heart of the Lion */

2015-02-23T17:30:02Z

The Heart of the Lion

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:30, 23 February 2015
Line 391:		Line 391:

	Lady Vanderbilt explains that she'd dispatched a talented thief, one [[Sam McCallister]] to relieve the obnoxious prince of the artifact, but that Mr. McCallister had gone missing after reporting his success. The team is to depart for Pittsburgh at once, with newly introduced team member [[Dale Owens]], whose friends call him "Rusty".		Lady Vanderbilt explains that she'd dispatched a talented thief, one [[Sam McCallister]] to relieve the obnoxious prince of the artifact, but that Mr. McCallister had gone missing after reporting his success. The team is to depart for Pittsburgh at once, with newly introduced team member [[Dale Owens]], whose friends call him "Rusty".

			A six-hour train ride commences, during which [[Wyeth Wilson]] watches the trees go by, [[Dale Owens]] makes a citizen's arrest of a pickpocket, [[Marcus Wells]] smokes cigars with other high-status white males, [[Walter Blackstone]] eats countless sandwiches, and [[Helen Atherton]] and [[Arizona Smith]] attempt to lay low with reading materials.

			Upon arrival at the station after dark, the pickpocket is turned over to a passing policeman, and the rest of the party gasps when Rusty claims to be a '''Pinkerton agent'''. With prisoner transfer complete, Arizona confronts him, and Rusty shares his [[Dale Owens\|full story]]. Concerns thusly assuaged, the party boards a taxi carriage and makes way for the '''Windsor Hotel''', Sam McCallister's last known location.

			However, as bags are being unpacked, [[Arizona Smith\|the professor]] professes his strong belief that the party should instead camp out at the '''Hotel Schwartz''', directly across the street from the Windsor. Knowing that sometimes he has 'a feeling', the groups follows him into the lower-rent establishment.

			After checking in, Arizona creates a reason to knock on the door across the hall, and it is opened by none other than [[Marie McCallister]], Sam's sister, and Arizona correctly intuits that she possesses their quarry, the [[Persian Lionheart]]. Small words are exchanged and all agree to meet for breakfast in the morning.

			Later expeditions to the Windsor across the street yield Sam's possessions in crate (thanks to Rusty's fake plice badge), and a story of violent abduction (thanks to Marcus' chat with

Johnm: /* The Heart of the Lion */

2015-02-23T17:00:27Z

The Heart of the Lion

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 23 February 2015
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	=== The Heart of the Lion ===		=== The Heart of the Lion ===

	[[Image:~~LadyVanderbilt~~.jpg\|~~thumb200px~~\|right]]		[[Image:Lady-vanderbilt.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|right]]
			On an improbably warm February afternoon, the team is yet again summoned to the grounds of the Vanderbilt estate, where a fancy event is being prepared for 50 or so important guests. Pressed for time, and worried about the mission, [[Lady Vanderbilt]] shares news that [[Prince Abdul]] of Persiastan has recently begun his tour of post-war America. This is relevant because he carries the [[Heart of the Lion]], a magic ruby previously thought only to be mythical.

			Lady Vanderbilt explains that she'd dispatched a talented thief, one [[Sam McCallister]] to relieve the obnoxious prince of the artifact, but that Mr. McCallister had gone missing after reporting his success. The team is to depart for Pittsburgh at once, with newly introduced team member [[Dale Owens]], whose friends call him "Rusty".