In this thrilling Thunderbolts roleplaying session, the team finds themselves in the heart of Madripoor, a city known for its criminal underbelly and shady dealings. Lady Mastermind, Hobgoblin, Dual Core, Containment, and Batroc the Leaper have gathered to review their assets and resources before embarking on a dangerous mission with two primary objectives: stealing valuable cloning equipment from an underground auction and kidnapping the notorious Arnim Zola, a brilliant but twisted scientist who will be attending the event.

To set their plan in motion, Lady Mastermind and Dual Core combine their skills to create a fake dating profile, intending to lure Zola into a trap. Their efforts prove successful, and Lady Mastermind arranges a date with the unsuspecting Zola at the lush Madripoor Arboretum. During their encounter, Zola tests Lady Mastermind’s scientific knowledge, harboring suspicions that he may be walking into a trap. However, using her telepathic abilities, Lady Mastermind plucks the answers from Zola’s own mind, impressing him with her apparent expertise and gaining his trust.

As the date unfolds, Rintrah, disguised as a Hydra goon, takes one of Zola’s henchmen by surprise and uses his sorcery to transform the unsuspecting goon into a rat. With one of Zola’s underlings neutralized, the Thunderbolts shift their focus to the upcoming auction at the Dragon’s Den arena.

Batroc the Leaper prepares for a showcase fight against Lady Hurricane, a villain with powerful wind manipulation abilities. Unbeknownst to his opponent, Rintrah discreetly uses his magic to grant Batroc an advantage in the form of a plasma disruptor, designed to disrupt Lady Hurricane’s control over the winds. Meanwhile, Hobgoblin, also disguised as a Hydra goon, mingles with Zola’s security detail, gathering valuable intelligence on the various superpowered individuals in the mad scientist’s employ, including the likes of Blitzkrieg, Slice, Cutting Edge, and Psychon.

As the auction begins, Lady Mastermind employs her telepathic powers to locate the Broker, the mysterious figure orchestrating the event from a remote location. Dual Core, using his technopathic abilities, traces the Broker’s digital connections, uncovering crucial information about the location of Zola’s cloning equipment—a heavily guarded warehouse near the waterfront.

Inside the arena, Batroc faces off against Lady Hurricane, engaging in a dazzling display of acrobatic prowess and witty banter. Thanks to Rintrah’s magical assistance and his own skills, Batroc makes quick work of his opponent, ending the fight with a flurry of kicks and a graceful bow.

Meanwhile, Zola gloats to Lady Mastermind about his extensive connections to various criminal organizations, name-dropping the likes of AIM, Maggia, and the Zodiac Cartel, all vying for his brilliant inventions. However, Lady Mastermind senses that Zola is secretly taking control of the Broker’s mind, manipulating the auction from behind the scenes. Acting quickly, she uses her telepathy to alter the drop location for the cloning equipment, sending Hobgoblin’s truck to the wrong address in an attempt to foil Zola’s plans.

As the session draws to a close, the Thunderbolts regroup to discuss their next moves. With the knowledge of the cloning technology’s location and the pressing need to intercept it before Zola can retrieve it, the team prepares to launch an attack on the armored truck transporting the equipment. Rintrah uses his mystical abilities to divine potential outcomes, sensing both opportunity and chaos in the challenges that lie ahead. Containment analyzes the terrain, identifying environmental hazards that could be used to their advantage, while Lady Mastermind prepares to infiltrate Zola’s ranks by disguising herself as one of his android minions.

United in their resolve and ready to face whatever obstacles come their way, the Thunderbolts stand together, determined to see their mission through to the end. As Hobgoblin cackles with anticipation, the team braces themselves for a wild and unpredictable ride, eager to show the criminal underworld what the Thunderbolts are truly made of.

• The group discusses various character assets and resources, including:
  • Knowledge of the Future Asset, which was extended
  • Bloodthirsty Crown, which they are done with
  • Trump Superfan, which is now an actual resource
  • Dragonborn distinction
  • Dragon’s Den having good computer security, which is a distinction
  • Trying to create original characters rather than using copyrighted Marvel characters
• The group recaps their previous session, where they had arrived in the city of Matterport to investigate a broker’s auction.
• Hobgoblin had contacted a criminal connection named Maurice, who was an art dealer, about getting information on the auction.
• A large green minotaur character, Rintrah the Master of Mystic Arts, unexpectedly arrived and the group took it in stride.
• Batroc the Leaper was hired to “wrangle” the minotaur character.
• The group was able to infiltrate the Dragon’s Den, a high-end martial arts arena, and discover that the auction was happening the next night, but they were not actually invited.
• Batroc was invited back to the Dragon’s Den to participate in the entertainment for the auction.
• Rintrah arrives and expresses needing the group’s help to prevent a great evil from obtaining power that could unravel reality.
• The group discusses recovery and healing mechanics, including:
  • Heroes’ stress stepping back by one at the start of a transition scene
  • Only being able to attempt to recover a specific type of stress once per transition
  • Using plot points and assists to help with recovery
  • Rintrah offering to use his mystic powers to try and heal the group
  • Hobgoblin wanting to create a “crime expert” resource to help with an upcoming heist
• The group is discussing the mechanics of removing a “reducing complication” - this involves a test against a dice pool consisting of the complication and a base difficulty of 2 DA. The Doompool option makes this more difficult.
• They are in a “back-alley massage program” that is a front for a “street doc” using a combination of experimental drugs and mysticism. The treatments provide a temporary boost but also some negative side effects.
• Hobgoblin’s physical stress has been a “rollercoaster” due to the experimental treatments. He is considering taking a D6 instead of the negative effect.
• The group plans to leave their VIP viewing room while Batroc is fighting, sneak into the auction area, find the lot they need to steal, and transport it out using a truck resource that Hobgoblin creates through his criminal contacts.
• The group discusses potential “minor and major adventure unlockables” they could earn through spending XP. Ideas include being able to call on Taskmaster for assistance, and gaining increased trust/access with their mysterious employer.
• Hobgoblin spends 5 XP to unlock the first tier of increased trust with their employer, which provides a D6 resource representing their improved standing.
• Dual Core creates an additional resource representing his knowledge of the venue’s security system, which he covertly shares with the Thunderbolts organization.
• The scene transitions to the next morning, with the group gathered in a kitchen suite. Agent Donovan arrives and seems to be reviewing information on her laptop, noting the group has an “extra guest” - Rintrah the minotaur.
• Matthew Mentor, a new member, has joined the group. The players discuss having to pay him now that he’s part of the team.
• Claire enters the room looking anxious, saying the company is going to downsize. Batroc the Leaper angrily responds that no one downsizes him.
• Claire informs the group they have a new objective in addition to their existing one. There is intelligence that representatives from Hydra, a Nazi-affiliated terrorist group, will be attending an upcoming auction.
• The group is tasked with infiltrating the auction and gathering intel on Hydra’s activities, specifically regarding a cloning expert named Arnim Zola who is expected to be there.
• Zola is a brilliant Nazi scientist who has transferred his mind into a robotic body. The group discusses ways to capture or manipulate Zola, with Lady Mastermind suggesting she could make him believe they are part of Hydra.
• There is debate over whether to prioritize capturing Zola or securing the cloning equipment he is likely there to purchase. The group decides both objectives are important.
• Dual Core is pulled aside and asked if he can sabotage the cloning equipment to prevent it from being used to clone Spider-Man, which the group seems to want to avoid.
• The conversation begins with references to past team-ups between Spider-Man and Deadpool, as well as Wolverine and Deadpool. There are mentions of humorous incidents where Deadpool would not stop talking, and Wolverine would violently retaliate.
• The group then shifts their focus to discussing the recent Suicide Squad movie and video game, which were poorly received. They note that the game seemed to be trying to cater to too many market niches rather than focusing on being a good game.
• The group decides to investigate the Regalia Hotel, where they believe the villain Arnim Zola is staying. Lady Mastermind uses her illusion powers to disguise herself in green attire, hoping to pass as a HYDRA agent to gain information from the hotel concierge.
• Through telepathic communication, Lady Mastermind is able to discern that Zola is staying in the penthouse suite. The group decides to try and infiltrate the penthouse, with Batroc the Leaper offering to acrobatically leap up to the window.
• Dual Core offers to provide the group with electrician disguises to gain access to the penthouse through the elevator. However, when Lady Mastermind attempts to hack the hotel’s security, she is unable to override the advanced systems in the allotted time.
• The group is able to access the hotel’s security cameras, allowing them to observe the interior of the penthouse suite where Zola is staying.
• The group estimates there are 10-15 Hydra goons in the building, in addition to Zola who is easily recognizable.
• There are several other individuals present who are not in Hydra uniforms, but rather appear to be in costumes or have cybernetic enhancements:
  • A woman with numerous guns strapped to her, including one with a suppressor and one without
  • A man with a cybernetic arm and a high-tech looking blade
  • A person in a full face mask crackling with energy
  • A man leaning over a laptop who also has some cybernetics, possibly laser beams or things popping out of his fingers
• The group discusses the possibility of Dual Core using facial recognition or criminal database searches to try to identify these individuals.
• Dual Core attempts to hack into criminal databases, which triggers an alert to Zola, who reacts angrily upon seeing the group’s video feed.
• The group is able to quickly skim through files Dual Core accessed, learning that these four individuals were created by Arnim Zola and serve as his personal security. Specifically, they learn that the woman called Blitzkrieg has enhanced speed and reflexes.
• The group now has two plot points after the Watcher buys their opportunities.
• Cutting Edge is a character with a cybernetic arm who is described as “edgy”
• Energy Blade uses alien technology
• There is a character with a full face mask who seems to be psychic
• There is a heavily modified cyborg character who can interface with machines, similar to but different from Dual Core
• Lady Mastermind is interested in using a dating app called “Evil Tinder” or “Evil-tinderism” to connect with the cyborg character
• The group discusses creating a dating profile for Lady Mastermind to match with the cyborg, potentially using it to plant a virus or complication on his systems
• Lady Mastermind asks Dual Core for help setting up the dating profile to make it look more convincing
• Dual Core has knowledge of the Marvel universe and provides some background on the cyborg character, including that he has a history of dating blonde, blue-eyed women
• The group discusses the risks and potential downsides of Lady Mastermind trying to date the cyborg villain
• Lady Mastermind makes a successful roll to create an asset or advantage related to the dating profile, with a high effect die
• The group discusses what kind of profile and persona Lady Mastermind should portray on the dating app to appeal to the cyborg character
• Lady Mastermind plans to portray herself as more intelligent and cultured than she actually is, in order to appeal to the target’s own intellect and sensibilities. She intends to play up her Aryan appearance and heritage, knowing the target’s Nazi background.
• Lady Mastermind aims to come across as generically superior and intellectually gifted, in order to gain the target’s interest and trust.
• Dual Core’s previous attempt to influence the target did not go well, resulting in a low roll. Lady Mastermind decides to spend a Plot Point to make the complication from Dual Core’s failed attempt last until the end of the next action scene.
• The group discusses the nature of their employers, who seem to want a cloning machine or robot, but may not be affiliated with Hydra despite the target’s Nazi ties. They decide it’s best not to think too deeply about the motivations of their shadowy employers.
• The group plans to either kidnap the target at the Arboretum or have Lady Mastermind go on a date with him, with the rest of the group lurking nearby to intervene if needed. They discuss the logistics of separating the target from his security detail and potentially switching him out with an illusion.
• There is some debate over whether to attempt the kidnapping at the Arboretum or wait for a better opportunity, as kidnapping him there may compromise their ability to gain his trust through the date.
• Hobgoblin proposes an “all-in-one” plan to steal everything at once, including kidnapping and cloning Zola.
• Lady Mastermind likes the idea of infiltrating as a Zola impersonator to get intel before the operation.
• The group discusses the logistics of the Arboretum kidnapping plan vs. trying to pull off everything at once. They decide the kidnapping is the better option to avoid too much heat.
• Dual Core offers to help Lady Mastermind translate Zola’s scientific ramblings about the esoteric plant life in the Arboretum.
• Lady Mastermind uses her telepathic powers to read Zola’s mind and get a sense of the answers he’s looking for, while also using her powers to appear more interested and engaged than she actually is.
• Zola demonstrates his superior scientific knowledge, rolling a 19 with a d8 effect, thoroughly “sciencing the shit” out of Lady Mastermind.
• Lady Mastermind uses her powers to create an asset that makes Zola like her more, adding a d6 to her roll. She is able to get a total of 19 with a d10 effect, tying Zola.
• Since the player making the attack (Lady Mastermind) has the higher effect die, she is able to step down Zola’s effect die from a d8 to a d6, representing her overstating her interest rather than being a complete fraud.
• Lady Mastermind is being questioned and belittled by Arnim Zola, who is being emotionally abusive towards her. Despite Containment feeding her information, Zola is suspicious and condescending.
• Lady Mastermind decides to try and turn the situation to her advantage by acknowledging Zola’s superior knowledge, hoping to create a rapport with him.
• Dual Core attempts to interfere by hacking into Zola’s suit and causing one of the servos in his arm to malfunction, creating a complication that could help Lady Mastermind.
• The group observes the interaction, with Rintrah’s psychic/emotional reactions starting to bleed through and affect the interface.
• Lady Mastermind spends a plot point to establish an asset, using her emotional stress to her advantage and making Zola think he has her under his control, when in reality she is manipulating the situation.
• Rintrah considers using his sorcery powers to turn Zola into a rat, either by making him collapse or through a quick costume change to avoid drawing attention.
• Hobgoblin, who is disguised as a Hydra agent, observes the situation and considers causing further chaos, potentially using a rat with an earpiece to disrupt things.
• There is discussion about the group’s various abilities, including Rintrah’s sorcery powers, Dual Core’s hacking, and Hobgoblin’s criminal mastermind skills.
• Lady Mastermind is preparing for a private event in Madripoor, coordinating with Dual Core to get her a hotel room.
• She asks Dual Core to have Donovan arrange a room for her at the Chive Hotel, room 1742, for 9:30 PM.
• Lady Mastermind discusses her outfit for the event, wanting to wear something green like the Grinch, but Hobgoblin suggests she wear black with red accents instead.
• The group discusses their plan to steal Zola’s cloning technology at the event. The plan involves Lady Mastermind mind-controlling Zola to hand over the tech, while the others go a separate way to avoid detection.
• There is concern that Batroc the Leaper may get knocked out during the confrontation, so the group considers backup plans in case things go wrong.
• The group decides to just “fail” at stealing the tech, and see what Zola and his forces do next, potentially stealing a hydroplane to escape.
• Lady Mastermind shows off an expensive-looking green dress and emerald necklace she has acquired.
• The group prepares to head to the arena where the event is taking place, with Batroc the Leaper set to fight someone called Soroka, who is described as a wind-powered adversary.
• Dual Core searches the web and other data sources to find information on a character named Soroko, who is described as an American woman with the secret identity of Patricia Ava Sharper.
• Ava Sharper was previously a stunt woman in Hollywood, California. During the filming of a sequel to the movie “Tornado”, she was involved in an accident with weather manipulation machinery on set that gave her wind manipulation powers.
• Due to the disaster, the movie was never completed. Ava has been trying to leverage her wind powers to make money through super-powered MMA fighting.
• The group discusses Ava’s abilities, which include limited flight and powerful wind blasts capable of knocking down small structures.
• They mention that Tony Masters (Taskmaster) will be at the MMA event to watch Ava’s fight, and that he will likely be interested in recruiting her.
• The group is picked up by a man named Mr. Zola, who works for an unnamed individual requesting their presence. Mr. Zola seems to have canceled a date for one of the characters, much to their distress.
• The group then transitions to discussing Roderick, the Hobgoblin minion, and his cohorts, who are tasked with acquiring a location and transporting it to the airport.
• There is discussion about using plot points and distinctions to enhance abilities during the upcoming events.
• The group arrives at the VIP area of the MMA event, where they will wait until it’s time for Ava’s fight, which has been renamed to “Lady Hurra-Cane” for the event.
• The Thunderbolts team is referred to as the “Loserbolts” or “Worsh” by the group.
• Autumn Zola is in a VIP booth at the Dragon’s Den, dressed elegantly in a green dress with gold jewelry.
• Zola comments that Hobgoblin did not help Autumn get dressed. Autumn thanks him for the compliment on her appearance.
• Zola gestures to the brutal fight happening in the arena below, saying an even more strategic battle is to come.
• Zola projects Toby Jones’ face on the screen on his chest, which Autumn finds amusing.
• Batroc the Leaper is preparing to fight Lady Hurricane (formerly Lady Mastermind) and is seeking help from Taskmaster, who has fought Captain America before.
• Taskmaster offers advice to Batroc on how to counter Lady Hurricane’s wind powers, suggesting tricks with sand and goggles.
• Containment (Dual Core) attempts to use clairvoyance and sorcery to gain an advantage for Batroc in the upcoming fight, rolling a successful 18 on the dice pool.
• Containment creates an asset for Batroc, configuring a plasma capsule that can disrupt Lady Hurricane’s wind attacks.
• The Thunderbolts team is waiting in the back of a truck, discussing their situation and whether they should be “euthanized” given their status as villains.
• Hobgoblin is with a group of Hydra goons in the back of the truck, unsupervised.
• The group is discussing the various members of the Thunderbolts team they are facing, including Blitzkrieg, Slice, Cutting Edge, Psychana, Psychon, and Master. They are assessing the capabilities and threat levels of each member.
• Containment is using their psychic abilities to feed intel back to the rest of the team about the Thunderbolts’ powers and weaknesses. They position themselves behind Slice, who is driving the truck, in preparation for an attack.
• The group discusses setting up explosives or smoke bombs in the truck, but decide to wait for the right moment to strike. For now, Containment is gathering information from the chatty Thunderbolts members.
• An underground fighting event is mentioned, with a match between Batroc the Leaper and a woman with wind powers. Batroc is preparing to enter the arena, with the group providing him gear and encouragement.
• The fight begins, with the woman summoning tornadoes. Batroc engages her with acrobatic moves, taunting her about the semantics of her “hurricane” powers. The fight escalates quickly, with the woman unleashing lightning bolts.
• The group discusses the capabilities of other Marvel characters like Bishop, Gambit, and Sebastian Shaw, noting their powers and vulnerabilities.
• Towards the end, the group seems to be experiencing some technical difficulties or disconnection issues, with references to a phone call and needing to “grab a bad connection.”
• Lady Mastermind is dating a supervillain who is abusive, but she claims she is “taking one for the team” and plans to kidnap him after their date.
• Batroc the Leaper is engaged in a battle with a new supervillain called Lady Hurricane, who has wind control powers. Batroc uses his enhanced reflexes and acrobatic mastery to evade her tornado attack.
• Containment observes the fight but does not intervene, instead trying to gather information by contacting Hobgoblin through their communication earpiece.
• Lady Mastermind uses her psychic abilities to try and locate the minds of the “Brokers” running the auction, eventually determining there are 8 parties participating remotely.
• The group seems to be planning some kind of heist or operation related to the auction and the items being sold, including a cloning device.
• There are technical issues with the video feed and camera, which the group tries to work around.
• The group appears to be a mix of heroes and villains working together, with some tension and mistrust between them.
• Lady Mastermind is able to access the Broker’s network and find information about where they are storing various materials and equipment, including the cloning equipment which is being kept in a warehouse near the waterfront.
• Lady Mastermind decides to take an extended asset to represent the detailed information she has gathered about the location and security of the cloning equipment. She plans to potentially use this information later to try to reroute the equipment.
• Lady Mastermind shares the location information with the rest of the group, but does not go into specifics about the security.
• There is discussion about whether Lady Mastermind’s magic abilities, which are focused on illusion and manipulating fate, could be used to subtly disrupt or complicate things for their opponent, Batroc the Leaper.
• Lady Mastermind decides to use her Mystic Master distinction to gain a plot point, and then uses her Psych Expert power along with the “Destined to Fail” complication she created to try to inflict emotional stress on Batroc.
• Lady Mastermind’s plan works, and Batroc becomes flustered and forfeits the fight, much to the surprise of the other characters.
• Afterwards, Zola arrives and demands a DNA sample from Lady Mastermind, which he is able to obtain through a retractable needle device.
• The group discusses the various criminal organizations represented in the Broker’s network, including Hydra, AIM, the Maggia, and the Zodiac Circle.
• The group is discussing the plan to intercept a delivery of equipment/supplies that the Broker is arranging for Zola.
• Dual Core has been able to access the Broker’s mind and change the delivery location without the Broker’s knowledge.
• Hobgoblin will now be heading to the wrong location to intercept the delivery, while the rest of the group goes to the actual location.
• There is discussion about how to best disrupt the delivery - Containment suggests having the Broker’s mind altered to provide a different address, which Dual Core is able to do.
• Batroc the Leaper plans to use a powerful area-of-effect attack involving smoke to take out multiple targets at the delivery location.
• The group wraps up the session, with plans to continue the storyline next time. There is some discussion about scheduling the next session.
• The GM notes that Batroc’s multi-target attack has risks due to the high number of dice involved and the need to assign effect dice to each target.
• Overall, the group has successfully intercepted the Broker’s plans and is now poised to disrupt the delivery of the equipment/supplies to Zola.