DC Modern - Spring Holiday Special - 1/15/24

 Hello Gatewayians,

Cat Grant here with everything you need to know in small bite sized amounts so as not to overload your day.

As we enter full on spring and the start of April I thought it best that we check in with our home town's current events. 

1.  Recent massive gang bust was done by the Achilles & The Myrmidons.  Over 200 gang members we taken into custody and charged with various crimes ranging from disorderly conduct all the way to aggravated assault.  Most are out on bail and awaiting trail.

2. Former Police Commissioner Hall legal troubles keep mounting.  The New Police Commissioner Angus Miller made an announcement earlier today that his office was referring the delayed response time for 911 calls to the DA's office.    The DA's office only said that the district Attorney would announce any formal charges against Hall later this week.

3. To celebrate their 3rd anniversary in Gateway Mayor Thorne has announced Myrmidon Day complete with a parade for our heroes, a Key to the city Ceremony, and a carnival.  It will be held later in April and will be free to the public.  No word yet if our heroes will actually attend.

And there you have it.  Nothing over the top this week but hey sometimes things are just quiet at home.  And we should thank our lucky stars.

Cat Grant

DC Modern - Holiday Special - 11/27/23

Greetings Gatewayers,

It is time once again time to get everything you need to know in small easily consumable bites.  This week we are covering the Chinatown Redevelopment Zone and Gateway's leading family the Bennetts.  If you are new to Gateway think the Waynes of Gotham or the Knight's of Opal City.

1. Mob actions have been on the raise in Gateway during the past 6 months.  Mayor Thorne has directed Commissioner Hall to put together a task force to handle the recent rise in Mob violence.  He has also vowed this would in no way affect the plans for the Chinatown Redevelopment Zone, a frequent site of mob violence.

2. Socialite, social justice advocate, and head of the Bennet Foundation, Elizabeth Abigail Bennet has woken up from her month long coma.  Ms Bennet was the victim of a mob hit as she was helping residents in the Chinatown Redevelopment Zone resist eviction.  Her Grandfather, Phillip Harding Bennet, has been the temporary head of the Foundation during his granddaughter's convalesces. 

3. While Ms Bennet is still Gateway's most eligible she has been frequently seen in company with her childhood friend Edward Carlton III, heir to the Carlton Energy.  No official engagement has been announced sources close to Mr Carlton say he has been wanting to pop the question for a while.   Carlton Energy was a major supporter of Mayor Thorne during the campaign.

And there you go everything you need to know to sound with it and informed at the watercooler.  Until next time This is Cat Grant signing off.  

DC Modern - Chinese New year Special - 12/11/23

 Greetings Gatewayians,

So Chinese New Year is upon us, 2009 the year of the Ox.  What better time to talk about the current events in China Town.  Or more accurately the former China Town, currently the Economic Redevelopment Zone, soon to be Thorne Heights.  So, as always, here are three things you need to know about the current goings on in the Economic Redevelopment Zone in easily digestible bites.  

- Clashes between gang members and the last of the locals in the ERZ have increased since the attempted assassination of Community Activist and Gateway Scion Elizabeth Abigail Bennet.  Mayor Thorne has not confirmed rumors that members of his anti-gang supers task force were killed in recent actions.  However, there have been no sightings of Black Diamond or his sidekick Automaton in several weeks.

- Commissioner Hall has refused to again comment on rumors that the Mayor's office has forbidden increased police presence in the ERZ.  Locals still living in the ERZ have made vocal complaints about long emergency services response time to calls from the ERZ.  Freedom of Information requests on 911 call and response logs have been denied and there are suits being filed in local court.

- Currently only a single tenant building remains in the ERZ.  It is still at full capacity and none of the owners seem interested in leaving despite the increase in gang activity.  The current owner of the building is a Nonprofit under the umbrella of the Princess Project a charitable organization run by Wonder Woman and her sisters Donna Troy and Rachael Storm.

And there you go, everything you need to know to sound well informed when you celebrate your Chinese New Year.  Until next time.

Cat Grant

DC Modern/Legion Crossover - Harmony in Time crossover, Part 4 (11/13/23)

 Hello Citizens of Gateway!  Ugh we really need to find an easier way to say that.  Again we will just have to put a pin on it.  Cat Grant here with your Catbites for the day.  We are doing something different because my science editor has been harassing me to get more exposure.  So here is a a special SCIENCE! edition of catbites.  Today's topic the Antimatter universe.  Yawn.  Here are three things you need (boy that is a strong word) about Antimatter Universe.

1. The Antimatter universe was once composed of millions and millions of worlds, not unlike our own.  However during the First Great Crisis scientists believe that the waves of antimatter energy that plagued our universe also destroyed all the Antimatter universe planetoids save one.  This planet is known as Qward.

2. The Antimatter universe has Air in place of the cold vacuum of space.  This means that "space" has a constant temperature of 68 degrees and a breathable atmosphere.   So you could float from planet to planet if you needed, however, sadly with only one planetoid there is no where to go.

3. You will not be destroyed instantly if you go there.  In fact unless you are hit with a wave of antimatter or attacked by a "Shadow Demon" you can transverse through the universe with no fear of instant obliteration.  Though with only one Planetoid you would be hard pressed to find food and water.   

And there it is, absolutely everything I want to print in my column about the Antimatter universe.  Now you know everything you need for your summer trip to the Antimatter universe.   Next we will get back to the important events of the day and less BLAH, BLAH, BLAH of our science editor.  

Cat Grant

DC Modern/Legion Crossover - Harmony in Time crossover, Part 2 (10/23/23)

 

[no Catbites]

Previously, a group of Legionnaires came to the Myrmidons for help gathering the essence of OG Supergirl from four locations in order to save Hunter’s sisters in the future. The teams split.

Now, Achilles, Orichalcum, Reflecti-Kid, Quatro Lad, Katrina, and Hunter head to the Fortress of Solitude via the Myrmidons’ invisible jet. Katrina is holding the rod used to gather the essence, but the atmospherium in it starts absorbing her own essence, so she passes it to Reflecti-Kid. Upon arriving, it starts to vibrate.

Reflecti-Kid uses their mirrors to help keep Achilles and Hunter warm since they don’t have protection from the cold. Hunter scans inside the Fortress and sees robots inside. But she also hears someone approaching through the snow outside. A large group of black-clad ninjas from the League of Assassins attack the group. The group easily takes them down, but their bodies dissipate along with their swords.

We discover the Fortress door open and the robots destroyed by ninja swords. Reflecti-Kid, Katrina, and Orichalcum follow the rod outside, while Achilles, Quatro, and Hunter head inside to find the intruders. More robots have been destroyed inside, and the group come across Black Diamond, Vandal Savage, and an Indian version of Ra’s al Ghul. The other group comes across an image of Superman praying that Kat identifies as a time displacement illusion due to the thinning of the barrier. As Reflecti-Kid sets up the rod at that spot, Grandfather attacks them and Kat, thinking they’re enemies that Orichalcum has brought to him, while more ninjas attack Reflecti-Kid.

Achilles and Hunter go after Vandal, while Quatro breaks a couple of Ra’s al Ghul’s ribs. Ra’s makes a note to remember the Quatro race. Achilles almost runs through Vandal, but Black Diamond interposes himself and takes the blow, fatally wounded. Vandal wounds Achilles with the Stygian Dagger that he got from Patroclus. Hunter takes Vandal to his knees. Vandal notices the bat symbol on Hunter’s costume and says he’ll remember that.

Kat hits Grandfather with so much energy that he begins to melt. Orichalcum is unable to convince him that her comrades are friends, so he keeps attacking. She grabs him and takes him high into the air. Meanwhile, Quatro wounds Ra’s and forces him to flee by hitting his wristband and swearing at “the time lord.” Meanwhile, Achilles strikes at Vandal again, who also decides to flee with his own wristband. But Achilles strikes at the band to stop him. Black Diamond gives a last gasp to intervene again, but Achilles severs his hand and still manages to damage the wristband. A blast of energy from the broken wristband bursts out and affects Quatro and Hunter’s wristbands. Vandal flees on foot, but Quatro catches up and takes him down. Meanwhile Kat takes out the remaining ninjas.

Hunter binds Black Diamond’s wounds as best he’s able with primitive technology. The image Reflecti-Kid is watching reveals it’s Superman mourning a dead Supergirl. Reflecti-Kid finishes collecting the essence in their rod. The groups reunite, and Orichalcum questions Grandfather, who says Indian Ra’s came and said that the group was trying to steal from Superman.

Superman himself arrives, and Achilles explains what happens. Superman takes Black Diamond to a bio-bed to heal him. Meanwhile, Kat fixes Hunter and Quatro’s wristbands and examines Vandal’s, which turns out to be powered by magic and was probably created by Mordru. She concludes Mordru has sent his own agents to the past. Superman promises to return Grandfather and Black Diamond to the Embassy once he’s healed. Achilles takes the Stygian Dagger from Vandal.

The group crushes the gem that Dynasty created to send them to the anti-matter universe. They step through, leaving the invisible jet with Superman. They arrive in a barren universe with wonky physics and a rocky planetoid. The rod leads them toward the planetoid, where there’s a stone fortress that was the site of a battle. There they see about 20 Weaponers of Qward.

DC Modern - Session 12 - 8/28/2023

Hello fellow Catizens.  I swear we are going to nail this opening one day.  Just not today it seems.  So much to cover in this bit of catbites.  So with out wasting anymore time here is everything you need to know is easily understandable catbites

1. As the world now knows Achilles and the Myrmidons stopped an assassination attempt on the President at the closing day of the World Security Summit.  The Myimidons, and their leader, have received praise from universally everyone.  Mayor Elect Thorne has even suggested the city have a official day to celebrate our home town heroes.

2. The accolades have coming pouring in, including from current Justice League Chair Wonder Woman, "They have done a great thing today and I can think of no finer team to protect my adopted city.  Not everyone was as thrilled as Princess Diana. Former JLIer Fire was quoted as saying, "I don't see what the big deal is, I mean we saved the world dozens of times and you know the President lives on the world."

3. In other news, I am sure you will all be reading my front page piece so I will not waste time bottom lining it for you.  This is one of the few times where I think 15 column inches may not be enough information.  I stand behind every word.

So there you have it Gateway!  It has been one hell of a week with the the saving of a President, the accolades of millions and the down fall of a hometown hero.  What could be more exciting!  Be here next time when we will have everything you need to know all in...well you know.

Cat Grant

DC Modern - Session 11 - 8/14/2023

 

Hello gatewayians. 

Cat Grant here. Still recovering but at least at home now. Many thanks to all the well wishes, flowers, gifts, and cards. It warms my heart that so much of my adopted city really values what I bring no only as EIC but for our shared water cooler experience. So here is everything you need to know in easily digestible catbites. 

1. The final day of the security summit is finically here. With dignitaries galore. Key note speaker will be the President himself. I am glad I already have my invitation. 

2. New development for old Chinatown is scheduled to begin this week. In addition to knocking down old tenement housing they will also be taking down the fire gutted bizarre, which had been home to many shops including a cute little curiosity shop. New luxury high rises are set to go up after demolition is complete. 

3. Former Mayoral candidate and Super hero Rachel Fury has conceded the race despite major electoral inconsistencies. Princess Thalia, her formal Title and name, withdrew her objections late last night despite an ongoing justice department investigation into the election. Mayor elect Thorne has commended her and said he is planning on moving forward and looks forward to the new term. 

And there you go. Everything you need to know. And all hard hitting news items. Take that Lane!  

DC Modern - Session 10 - 7/31/2023

Hello Gatewayers. Cat Grant here. Well it has been a wild November folks. Now that we are past Thanksgiving and the holidays season is in full swing maybe we can take time to slow down and enjoy this season of peace.   As always here is all the news you need to know in easily digestible bites. You can share these around the water cooler or cash bar at those obligatory work holiday parties. 

- In the month since the election there have been 2 recounts and both have shown Thorne the winner by a slim margin, less than a 50 votes.  There are rumors that the election is under federal investigation for tampering but Thorne has proceeded on with life as if he is Mayor elect.  He has announced several new projects and initiatives that he will pursue as soon as taking the oath of office Jan 2nd.  

- Gateway to host UN Intelligence and Security Summit this week and Gateway City has dove headfirst into celebrating spy culture.  With movie houses playing old spy thrillers, Bars holding "cosplay your favorite spy" contests all week, even the Gateway Museum is has a massive temporary exhibit on the "History of Spies and their tools of the trade, it seems the whole city has Bond crazy!  (Our apologies I just could not resist)

- With so many spooks in town it is not surprising that the number of calls to the City Police about people creeping around in the shadows has jumped.  911 calls have reported everything from shadowy ninjas on roof tops to robot Nazi's in the alleyways.  Police have found followed up but found little evidence of a nocturnal invasion.

And there you are.  Have fun celebrating SPY week.  

Cat Grant

The Life and Times of a Dead Man - Episode 21 - The Curious Case of the Combustible Corpse

The Townsend Agency received an invitation from House Medani, one of the renowned Dragonmarked mercantile houses, known for their prowess in investigation and inquisition. They were summoned to meet at the Dragon Towers on Mol at 5pm. Bosley and Audrey Rose, recognizing the significance of the House, led the group to the meeting.

Upon their arrival at the grand House Medani enclave, they were escorted by sentries to Baron Trelib d'Medani's office, which was marked by a striking silver basilisk statue, the emblem of House Medani. The Baron, an imposing figure with jet-black hair and a distinctive mustache, acknowledged Audrey Rose, Bosley, and Sabrina by name, commending their burgeoning reputation.

Baron d'Medani presented them with a challenge: to unravel the mysteries surrounding Shiver, a substance causing turmoil in the city. Success would mean a prestigious alliance with House Medani or earning their coveted seal of approval. Their first lead was to consult with Magistrate Statin Drune, located in the ominous Blackstone Church within the Shard slum of the Fallen Ward.

Descending into the lower wards of Sharn, the adventurers encountered a scene of chaos near the church. A monstrous entity, encased in mist and resembling a mummified corpse, wreaked havoc, impervious to their initial attacks. Only through their combined efforts, particularly Audrey Rose's incendiary tactics, were they able to subdue the beast, revealing nothing but ash and desolation upon its defeat.

Subsequent interactions with the city watch and the clergy at a dilapidated temple shed light on a grave situation: a plague-like affliction linked to Shiver, with suspicions pointing toward the nefarious Brotherhood of the Spider as the culprits behind the contamination.

The group's investigation led them to uncover unsettling evidence: the mummified creature was once Frell Tann, linked to a prominent city council member. They learned of the disturbing effects of Shiver, the increasing death toll in the Fallen Ward, and signs of a sinister plot involving the Brotherhood of the Spider.

Concluding their session, the adventurers were tasked with a critical mission: to trace the source of the tainted Shiver, unravel the connection to the Brotherhood of the Spider, and dismantle their sinister operations, promising them a hefty reward for their efforts.

Thus, the group, armed with leads and a determination to uncover the truth, prepared to delve deeper into the shadowy underbelly of Sharn, setting the stage for their next daring adventure.

The Life and Times of a Dead Man - Episode 20 - Where in Eberron is Hendra?

*Thanks to our note taker for providing the bones of this summary*

In the early morning, our adventurers discovered Hendra's room unexpectedly empty. Concerned, they decided to pay a visit to Hendra's residence. Upon arrival, the butler informed them that Hendra was unavailable. Undeterred, Audrey Rose left a message and the group departed. Amidst their worry, Zita speculated that Hendra might be pregnant, a suggestion that Sabrina quickly dismissed. The group pondered if the recent forest journey had overtaxed Hendra, a concern that prompted Dol to suggest a break-in.

Amidst their deliberations, they received correspondence from London, seeking their assistance in locating his master. The letter, originating from the Highwater district—a place well-known to Sabrina—prompted a new course of action.

Disguising Sabrina as an elderly woman, the group ventured to Highwater, where they were greeted by London, an anthropomorphic, over-enthusiastic dog, donning ceremonial attire. Despite their efforts to gently break the news of his master's likely demise, London remained hopeful, even offering a substantial reward to find his missing master, which Sabrina nobly declined.

The group learned of London's unique abilities, including tracking, healing, and combat skills. Intrigued by his capabilities, Audrey Rose proposed that London assist them in their investigations in exchange for accommodation, an offer he eagerly accepted.

As they returned, two individuals, Felix and Ezekazi, approached them, seeking help to find their sister, who ventured into the notorious, supposedly haunted Dwiyers. Despite the building's eerie silence and lack of evidence of habitation, the group pressed on, confronting various traps and supernatural threats.

Their exploration led to a harrowing encounter with Beheadeds and a gelatinous cube, which they managed to overcome through teamwork and quick thinking. However, the ordeal revealed a sinister plot involving Dol, prompting a confrontation with Felix and Ezekazi, who were revealed to have ulterior motives.

In the aftermath, the party salvaged valuable items and uncovered a wanted poster for Dol, hinting at deeper family entanglements. Despite their victories, the session concluded with unresolved mysteries and the weight of their newfound responsibilities, setting the stage for their next adventure.