Dozens of figures sat around the long table, each cloaked in shadow.

“A problem,” said one.

“Action must be taken,” said another.

“One of us must go and make sure it never occurs,” said a third.

“The Avengers must die!” they said in unison.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
The mysterious benefactor stood before them, covered, as always, with a raincoat, hat and scarf. The only thing they knew about him was that he had a cold, metallic voice, and that he offered them power.

“I have gathered you all here for a purpose. That purpose is the elimination of certain heroes. You have met, and been defeated by some of them in the past. Some of them you will never have heard of. That does not matter. All that matters is that you will destroy them. Each of you has failed alone, but together, together you shall destroy them!”

“Boomerang, you will smite them from range. Constrictor, your whips will crush them. Vanisher, your movements will confuse them. Mr. Hyde, your strength will overwhelm them. Whirlwind, you will leave bloody work in your wake. Yellow jacket, your small size will allow you to surprise them, and gain revenge on Dr. Pym for his treatment of you. Hawkeye, your bowmanship will find and exploit their weaknesses. Together you shall be known as The Masters of Evil, and you shall be unstoppable!”

Hawkeye fidgeted. “I appreciate the new bow, and the trick arrows you provided me with, but I’m not sure with this whole evil business. I mean I’ve walked the wrong side of the tracks sure, but I’m no hired killer.”

There were several hisses and catcalls from the other members. The mysterious benefactor quieted them.

“No-one is forcing Hawkeye to join our grand endeavor. He is free to leave whenever he wishes. I thought he would feel that repaying me for my gifts to him would be the right thing to do. The fact that Tony Stark and Iron Man have humiliated him in the past, and that we are going to destroy his mansion would have been an added incentive. Obviously I was mistaken.”

Hawkeye bristled at the mention of Stark and Iron Man. “Ok, I’m in, but I’m still not comfortable about this killing stuff.”

The mysterious benefactor laughed. “Do not worry about that. I’m sure that when the time comes, your team mates will not share your discomfort.”

Evil laughter filled the room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

“Bring him in here and set him down”, ordered Dr. Donald Blake. Dr. Blake had been doing his monthly voluntary work for the poor dockhands when the ship had come in to harbor. The ship’s doctor had insisted that Blake take a look at a man he said they had found on the ice, walking!

Dr. Blake examined the man. ‘Hmm’, thought Blake, ‘they said he did not have winter gear when they found him, yet I can not find any signs of frostbite. Best check his heart rate. What’s this? Some kind of colorful costume underneath his clothing. Why, it looks like the costume of, but it can’t be!’

“BUCKY!” The patient leaped from the bed, mad with confusion. “What have you done with Bucky?” demanded the patient, knocking the frail physician to the floor with a powerful backhand. As the madman advanced on him, Dr. Blake struck his staff on the floor, and there was a flash. Now substantially larger than his patient, Thor, the god of thunder, caught the messy punch and held it.

“What kind of Ratzi trick is this?” cried his patient, struggling fiercely.

“I am no Ratzi”, scolded Thor in disdain. “I am Thor, son of Odin and protector of Midgard. Tell me, doth mine eyes deceive me, or are you the hero, Captain America?”

Letting the rags fall away to reveal red, white and blue chain mail, Captain America stood tall and true. “Yes. I don’t know what madness I’ve awoken to, but I am Captain America. Oh my god, Bucky. He’s dead, isn’t he?”

Thor comforted the Captain as best he could. “Thine young companion did indeed die, as you were thought to have died, over sixty years ago. He died a warrior’s death, and will feast in Valhalla for eternity.”

Cap shook his head to clear it. “Valhalla, gods, sixty years, Bucky dead, it’s just all too much.”

Thor nodded. “Aye, ‘tis much to absorb. Yet, I have an idea. Where better for a warrior to gain his bearings than amongst his own kind. I once battled alongside mighty heroes, and ‘tis been too long since last we came together. I shall contact them, and you shall meet them.”

Cap reached down in to a bundle of rags on the floor and pulled out his fabled shield. Strapping in on, he nodded. “Let’s go meet these heroes of yours.”

“Ooohh, he’s nearly as dreamy as you Thor,” cooed Janet as she met Cap.

“Who is thine enchanting friend, Janet?” enquired Thor.

“This is Wanda Maxine, she’s my new assistant at my design studio. When she heard I was going to be meeting you guys she insisted on coming along.”

“Tis a shame that Iron Man and Dr. Pym were not available. At least Mr. Stark was kind enough to let us use his New York mansion for the meeting.”

“Well you know Tony”, laughed Janet, “He’s generous with everything except his time. As for Henry, he’s a workaholic.”

Suddenly, the wall of the mansion exploded, and as the dust cleared, menacing figures were revealed.

“Who art thou curs?” demanded Thor.

“We’re the Masters of Evil”, laughed Mr. Hyde, “and you’re dead.”
==========================================
The Avengers

R Captain America 41
R Thor 109
R Scarlet Witch 29
E Wasp 19
Total: 198

VS

The Masters of Evil

R Boomerang 24
R Constrictor 38
E Vanisher + Passenger 26
R Mr. Hyde 37
R Whirlwind 20
R Hawkeye 29
R Yellowjacket 22
196


The map is IAP 2.

My initiative roll is an 8. So who's my opponent?

Also it's note conventional but since I'm suppossed to be inside the mansion how about I can set up anywhere within it and you can place your figures anywhere on the outside of it?

If Mike is fine with that then I am.

Btw, he's at a conference till Sunday, but he should post then. Good luck guys. I know you're both Avengers fans so this should be good.

Hey, Vance, i apologize for the delay. As mentioned above, i just got back from a conference in Seattle.

My initiative roll: 1+4= 5

In my previous games, we've rolled separately for objects.
My object roll: 2+2= 4
How should we proceed with the objects otherwise? Do you place two heavy objects as you won the initiative?

I find it would fit the story better to have your crew inside and mine outside, so i'm fine with that. Two actions per turn, right?

Good luck.

Yep two actions per turn. Unless DKnight wants to poke his head in and grant one of your guys leadership. You do have a large squad.

My object roll: 4+2 is 6

So I set up my figs and place 2 heavies and a light. you Place yours after that and two lights and a heavy.

make sense?

Here's my set up:

Cap: K11
Thor: K14
Wasp: L12
Scarlet Witch: L13

Yep they're all in chairs. Caught them off guard.

HOs: H13, I7
LO: Q12

(Pokes head in)
Well, since Vance thinks your guys need the help and doesn't mind, stick Leadership on Vanisher He's the only member I can think of that did any leading in the comics (The Fallen Angels), plus he's the support char.

Works for me. Now soon as you set up we can start. I also assume that the 1st turn immunity rule is in place. Most times it doesn't matter but with this odd set up it might.

Captain America perceived more than the loud entrance of the huge Mr Hyde. Despite his decades frozen, his battle-honed senses picked up more adversaries approaching from the garage area behind him.

Hawkeye readied an arrow, while appreciating the Avengers' mansion accoutrements at the same time. "How did I get hooked up with these bozos, anyway? Iron Man isn't even here!" He waited for the heros to react to Mr Hyde's clumsy entrance.

Cap: K11
Thor: K14
Wasp: L12
Scarlet Witch: L13


Whirlwind L5
Hawkeye O4
Vanisher P3
Constrictor P4
Boomerang S11
Mr Hyde S14
Yellowjacket T14


HOs: H13, I7, T13
LO: Q12, R9, O10



I don't really believe in altering the figures' abilities too much; i.e. giving me a sort of handicap simply because i have a larger number of lower-value figures. Besides, having fewer actions would better represent the villains haphazard, egotistical approach to the matter. Then again, Vanisher having Leadership might well make a big difference.... I'll mull it over and let you know when it's my move. ;-)

The free leadership thing for villains is standard stuff in the campaign. Swarm teams are always given it.

Alright. It's go time.

Leadership roll is a 5. Don't think I'll need it this turn anyway as all my chars have free move TAs. (Wanda's got brotherhood hehe.)

Thor uses running shot, moves to N14 and shoots the wall between R14 and S14. Rubble now in both those squares. So Hyde's moved is halved if he moves. Also if you're gonna have Yellowjacket carry Hyde remember he can't be carried if he's holding an object.

Wasp picks up Cap and flies to M6. Placing Cap in N5. Might be risky giving Whirlwind a free attack on Wasp, but her defense is high. Also means I've got Cap right there so Hawkeye can't use his RCE. We'll see how it turns out.

Wanda's move is halved from the hindering of the chair so she can only move 3. She makes it to M10.

----------------------------------------------

"I know not who these ruffians be but I know they be no challenge for the Odinson!" Thor bellowed as he flew off his chair and let Mjolnir fly, smashing into a wall. "The foes at this entrance be mine! Thou art welcome to the rest boon companions." Thor said as rubble fell from the wall revealing the fearsome grimace of Mister Hyde.

"Should I help him?" Captain America asked as he too rose.

"Trust me, Thor can handle himself. We'll get the rest. " The Wasp replied as she shrunk down out of her day clothes to reveal the glamorous suit of the Wasp.

"I'm guessing you can handle yourself too. But your assistant better take cover."

Jan exchanged a glance with Wanda then said "Wanda do what you can. Care for a lift Captain?" Wasp asked as she picked him up, her strength belying her miniscule size.

(I'm playing this as Jan's already discovered Wanda's secret but is keeping it for her)

As the Wasp flew towards the battle with the star spangled Hero in her grasp, Wanda Maximoff too rose to her feet and slowly followed them. "I don't want who I am revealed... but Ms. Van Dyne has been so kind. Hopefully if I keep my distance I can use my mutant hex powers to help out without being seen. " She murmured to herself
-----------------------------
Avengers:
Captain America: (7/7) N5
Thor: (8/8) N14 @
Wasp: (4/4) M6 @
Scarlet Witch: (5/5) M10 @

Masters of Evil:
Whirlwind (6/6) L5
Hawkeye O4 (5/5)
Vanisher P3 (3/3)
Constrictor (5/5) P4
Boomerang (4/4) S11
Mr Hyde S14 (6/6)
Yellowjacket (4/4) T14


HOs: H13, I7, T13
LO: Q12, R9, O10


There we go. Looks like thing are gonna heat up fast here. Good luck!

Thor noticed the sneer vanish from Mr Hyde's face as Mjolnir rendered a wall of the mansion to rubble. The muscular villain hesitated for a moment, looking around for nearby objects to use as weapons.

The Vanisher began to shout some instructions, but his voice went under in the din of the collapsing wall and the shouting invaders.

Whirlwind's lips curled into a malicious smile as he saw the Wasp come around the corner. Hidden behind his green helmet, his mouth dripped a bit of spittle as he started to spin at a superhuman rate. The tiny winged heroine proved, however, to be too elusive, and the rotating blades on his forearms cut through naught but air.

Hawkeye could hardly believe his eyes. Not only was he staring an apparent dead man in the face, but his adversary had confronted him with disarming speed. "It can't be..." he thought to himself, a flash of his uncle's stories flew through his memory. He struggled to raise the new, still-unfamiliar bow their mysterious benefactor had given him. His thoughts were, however, cut off, as he suddenly felt his insides churn. His vision blurred momentarily and then he appeared in the mansion's kitchen. "How?!..." The Vanisher was next to him and said, "That overgrown flag was about to hit you hard. I thought it best we try another approach." Hawkeye wondered about the wisdom of this whole attack again.


Vanisher: Leadership roll: 3 (darn)
Whirlwind attacks Wasp with Flurry AV 7 vs DV 17 roll 1: 1+4=5 MISS roll 2: 3+4=7 MISS (darn)
Vanisher uses Passenger to whisk Hawkeye away ->
Vanisher to J8 and Hawkeye to J7
Vanisher takes 1 pushing damage

RECAP
Avengers:
Captain America: (7/7) N5
Thor: (8/8) N14 @
Wasp: (4/4) M6 @
Scarlet Witch: (5/5) M10 @

Masters of Evil:
Whirlwind (6/6) L5 @
Hawkeye O4 (5/5)
Vanisher P3 (2/3) @
Constrictor (5/5) P4
Boomerang (4/4) S11
Mr Hyde S14 (6/6)
Yellowjacket (4/4) T14


HOs: H13, I7, T13
LO: Q12, R9, O10


Thanks for the rules tips; those are the sorts of things i probably would've had to look up.

Pretty quick turn here for me. No need to push anyone.

Cap's leadership (just so I don't forget) 5

Only thing to do is have Cap throw his shield at whirlwind (no line of sight to Constrictor) 8 on a 15+2 for ES. Roll is (4,3). Saved by Energy Shield. Too bad.

Also watch the recaps. You forgot to update Vanisher and Hawkeye's positions.

-----------------------------------
"Thou art right to quake in fear villians." Thor shouted as he raised Mjolnir preparing for another strike. "Let any of thee who think they be a match for Thor come forth so that I may show thee the error of thine ways."

Having just barely dodged Whirlwind, Wasp took a minute to regain her bearings. "I recognize some of these guys. Most of them are Iron Man's enemies. Why are they attacking us?" she asked.

"I don't know." Captain America replied as he threw his shield at Whirlwind. "But after we beat them we can find out." Cap was unprepared for Whirlwind's speed though, and his shield bounced off the wall behind him instead before returning to Cap's hand.

Wanda simply hesitated for a minute, unsure what to do.
-----------------------------------------
RECAP
Avengers:
Captain America: (7/7) N5@
Thor: (8/8) N14
Wasp: (4/4) M6
Scarlet Witch: (5/5) M10

Masters of Evil:
Whirlwind (6/6) L5 @
Hawkeye J9 (5/5)
Vanisher J8 (2/3) @
Constrictor (5/5) P4
Boomerang (4/4) S11
Mr Hyde S14 (6/6)
Yellowjacket (4/4) T14


You're up. Prepare for some hurting from Thor soon though heh.

HOs: H13, I7, T13
LO: Q12, R9, O10

The Vanisher raised his head after the effort of transporting another person. He tried to shout advice to his cronies to no avail as his voice was too weak from the strain.

Hawkeye heard the Vanisher groan from the exertion of transporting him, but he couldn't let that distract him now. He had two targets to choose from and was still not entirely comfortable with his new bow. He rapidly pulled the string and let an arrow fly. His suspicion was confirmed when the apparently innocent looking dark-haired beauty made a gesture and distracted Hawkeye enough to make him miss. "Something tells me there's more to her than meets the eye," he thought quickly to himself.

Yellowjacket peeked over the shoulder of Mr Hyde and had ambivalent feelings about what she saw: a tall, blond-haired, muscle-bound caped figure with a winged helmet, like something out of a Wagner opera or something. He was gorgeous, but it looked like he could put them down quickly at the same time.

She was about to grab Mr Hyde when he let out a guttural yell, grabbed a big gas grill that was standing on the patio and ran through the double doors into the mansion.
_______________________________

Vanisher Leadership roll: 3 (darn again)
Hawkeye fires (Ranged Combat Expert) at Scarlet Witch AV8 vs DV 15 roll: 3+2=5 MISS (darn yet again) (I presume you would've wanted Scarlet Witch PC, but i can't even roll a 7.)
Mr Hyde will grab the HO in T13 and move (halved out of hindering) to Q12 (into hindering).
Whirlwind and Vanisher clear.
________________________________

RECAP
Avengers:
Captain America: (7/7) N5@
Thor: (8/8) N14
Wasp: (4/4) M6
Scarlet Witch: (5/5) M10

Masters of Evil:
Whirlwind (6/6) L5
Hawkeye J9 (5/5) @
Vanisher J8 (2/3)
Constrictor (5/5) P4
Boomerang (4/4) S11
Mr Hyde S14 (6/6) @ (hindering)
Yellowjacket (4/4) T14

HOs: H13, I7, with Mr Hyde in Q12
LO: Q12, R9, O10


(I apologize. Yes, i know. We were in such a hurry to get to a concert, but i really wanted to enter my move because i didn't want to make you wait (and i knew what i wanted to do) that i forgot to update the recap (when my wife called me to help her with our son...). Sorry. So i was sitting listening to Schubert and i remembered that i had forgotten to update the recap. I'm glad you caught it. I was in a game against DKnight, and he did the same, but i went by his recap and walked straight into his fire.
One thing, though: Hawkeye is at J7. I hope this doesn't change what you would've done last turn.
Why doesn't Cap (N5) have LoFire to Constrictor (P4)? Because you think he doesn't, i didn't have Constrictor fire at Cap, but i believe LoF is fairly obvious.)

I forgot to update Hawkeye in the Recap again!

RECAP
Avengers:
Captain America: (7/7) N5@
Thor: (8/8) N14
Wasp: (4/4) M6
Scarlet Witch: (5/5) M10

Masters of Evil:
Whirlwind (6/6) L5
Hawkeye J7 (5/5) @
Vanisher J8 (2/3)
Constrictor (5/5) P4
Boomerang (4/4) S11
Mr Hyde S14 (6/6) @ (hindering)
Yellowjacket (4/4) T14

HOs: H13, I7, with Mr Hyde in Q12
LO: Q12, R9, O10