Spurred to action by the Edienos report and Herra's chilling addendum, Fox gives the remaining Moon-Hunters and Longtooth their orders, sending them to harry the flank of the bug-swarm furthest away from the captives, so as to draw off as many of the creatures as possible.
Then the party moves swiftly as possible through the terrain. There are a few relatively inconsequential exchanges of gunfire--knowing you have a heavy battle ahead, you stick to the vehicular lasers for this run, so as to conserve ammo.
Coming around a bend, you see them--three huge carts, each stacked with scores of unconscious captives, being dragged through the jungle by nonets of Xiticix, occasionally taking flight just to help ease the carts over the uneven terrain. Each insect in the dragging groups has two hands pulling the ropes, and the other pair of hands holding a rifle. The six trios providing air-coverage for this grim convoy carry both a rifle and a pair of hooked swords.
Fox's overwatch capabilities come into play, here, and he's able to direct both Kutter and Snackhappy into advantageous positions to strike swiftly.
OOC Comments
Important intel:
SnackHappy Ranges to the nonets are 29 (purple), 34 (black), 37 (green)
Fox's Ranges are 23 (purple), 27 (black), 38 (green)
Kutter's Ranges are 30 (purple), 26 (black), 28 (green)
Of course, movement before shooting could lower these a bit.
Stats:
Xiticix have Parry 6, Toughness 10 (4)
The pre-X group consists of SnackHappy, Fox, Zakkael, and Kutter. I'll roll for Kutter's missles after the other area attacks have gone off--he'll go for any group that is still surviving. Zakk, don't forget to roll for the Brodkil using his laser-rifle through the porthole; Blue X1 is at 27" and Blue X4 is at 24".
Since Snack got the Joker from Fox, everyone gets a Benny, and Snack does +2 to hit AND +2 damage, remember.
As noted in Hangouts, right now a well-placed SBT can take out 4 bugs; MBT can take out 9. If any of you has an LBT, in theory it could be placed to hit the entire black group, PLUS the frontmost red trio (it would need to be set on the upper corner between black X8 and X9), though I'd rule both the Red and Black X1s are on the very edge of the blast, so might receive bonuses to their evasion rolls.
Final ruling note--I'm going to say that Xiticix who are hauling the carts cannot effectively dodge until they've released the ropes, so they cannot roll Agility to evade missile fire.
After those four have all posted, I'll do the Xiticix response, including [DELETED FOR SECURITY REASONS] and then we can move on to the
Re: Jungle Fever Side Quest: Starve the Children!
Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 8:54 pm
by PFC Fox Simmons
Fox calls over the radio, "I am marking the fronts of the carts."
"Snack and Kutter. Targets will be marked."
"Kutter we will need Sally in as close you can get her to those carts."
"Zakkeal, Growler, Echo, and Calyx. Keep the path clear as Kutter will need to bring his ride in close for us to hook up the carts."
Right Arm 1st Railgun Totals:
8 to hit 33 Damage AP14,
7 to hit 22 Damage AP14,
9 to hit 24 Damage AP14
Right Arm 2nd Railgun Totals:
8 to hit 24 Damage AP14,
10 to hit 23 Damage AP14,
7 to hit 20 Damage AP14
Chest Railgun Totals:
5 to hit 20 Damage AP14,
5 to hit 25 Damage AP14,
12+ to hit 39 Damage AP14
SnackHappy smiles obviously impressed with Fox's display of firepower and him as an addition to the team. As he steps up he shouts out "They sure don't like missiles! Let's see how these bugs swallow railgun fire!" Then he fires into the furthest three groups trusting in his team's close quarters capability and knowing the bugs didn't know who they were messing with.
Re: Jungle Fever Side Quest: Starve the Children!
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 6:37 pm
by PFC Fox Simmons
Fox is tracking the shots from the team as they solve the retrieval issue at hand. Watching Happy's shots, "Nicely placed groupings, there Snack."
Greatful for the quick response of the team, he remembers a question he had had, but forgot to ask. "Anyone have a feasible solution to the stun venom or will we need to just wait the effects out?"
Re: Jungle Fever Side Quest: Starve the Children!
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 7:23 pm
by Zakkael
Zakkael
Moving in flight 9" east/northeast to overcome range penalties on furthest southwest triad of bugs
Faith - 4 bolt onslaught - fire & brimstone
X1 - add 5 for EE - hit with raise
[dice]0[/dice]
Fire & Brimstone damage with raise - X1
[dice]7[/dice]
Benny to reroll damage with Elan
[dice]12[/dice]
X2 - add 5 for EE - hit with raise
[dice]1[/dice]
Fire & Brimstone damage with raise - X2
[dice]8[/dice]
X3 - add 5 for EE - hit with raise
[dice]2[/dice]
Fire & Brimstone damage with raise - X3
[dice]9[/dice]
one ace
[dice]11[/dice]
X4
[dice]3[/dice]
Wild Die - replaces X4 - add 5 for EE - hit with raise
[dice]4[/dice]
Fire & Brimstone damage with raise - X4
[dice]10[/dice]
Benny for Extra Effort with Elan
[dice]6[/dice]
Zakkael continues his flight towards the enemy. "Blessed be the Light, my refuge, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle. Strike out with wrath and vengeance and show the Light is mighty to save!" As he finishes his prayer, four streaks of fire and brimstone lance out from his outstretched fingers, striking four of the bugs. X1 and X3 are immolated in fire and brimstone. X4 is seared and shaken, but manages to survive the blast. X3 took only a glancing blow and remains unscathed. "You shall not escape justice, vermin! The Light of Heaven shall deliver you into my hands!"
Choklat
Shooting X5
[dice]5[/dice]
Chok'lat has less success even than Zakkael. He jams his rifle out the porthole to fire at X5, but cannot maneuver well. The shot flies wide. He offers some very colorful and choice curses at the bug and the rifle, but cannot reacquire the target in time to take another shot.
Kutter pulls the APV forward, then fires the missile at the only remaining 'cluster' to be hit. Two more of the insectoids go down. And then there were two.
The bugs, however, are fanatical in the defense of their Hives, and they immediately turn to the attack. Both fire first, then rush to engage in melee--one attacking Zakkael, the other going directly for Fox, Slayer of Many.
OOC Comments
Vs. Zakkael
X2 Shooting [dice]3[/dice]
Hit: Damage: [dice]15[/dice]
Aces Running Total: [dice]19[/dice]
DAMAGE 20 Ranged, no AP = Shaken!
X2 Fighting Wild Attack Left [dice]4[/dice]
X2 Fighting Wild Attack Right [dice]5[/dice]
Both Miss, thanks to the Shield.
Vs. Fox
Spirit [dice]6[/dice]
Wild Spirit [dice]7[/dice]
Fighting Wild Attack Called Shot Right [dice]10[/dice]
Fighting Imp. Frenzy Wild Called Shot Attack Right [dice]11[/dice]
Wild Fighting Right [dice]12[/dice]
Forgot +2 for Matter of Size, so attacks are 9/0/W3
Extra Effort Benny w/Elan: [dice]17[/dice]
Final Totals: 12/W6 = Raise, then Hit
Damage Raise: [dice]21[/dice] (Str) + [dice]22[/dice] (Raise/Called Shot) = 19, AP 1
Damage Frenzy Hit: [dice]23[/dice] (Str) + [dice]24[/dice] (Hit/Called Shot) = 11, AP 1
Fighting Wild Attack Called Shot Left [dice]13[/dice]
Wild Fighting Left [dice]14[/dice]
Again, forgot MoS: 8/W4
Benny Extra Effort w/Elan: [dice]18[/dice]
Total: 11 = Raise
Damage Raise: [dice]25[/dice] (Str) + [dice]26[/dice] (Raise/Called Shot) = 15, AP 1
ALL BOUNCE
.
The shot at Zakkael is partially deflected by the Shield, causing him only a minor distraction, and the two sword strikes fail to bypass the Shield entirely.
Fox is attacked more furiously--the laser, two strokes with one sword and another with the second. All four attacks strike home, clearly aimed for the head or vital organs--but ultimately, they are unable to pierce the shell of the SAMAS armor, despite the expertise of the attacker.
Final Outcome
Zakkael is Shaken; Fox takes no Damage.
Fox should roll Knowledge: Battle, as he's just had a chance to learn something, beyond the fact that he found the Wild Card Xiticix.
Re: Jungle Fever Side Quest: Starve the Children!
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 7:49 am
by PFC Fox Simmons
Fox is surprised by the blows that assail him. Not certain how or why SAMAS's sensors didn't warn him of the danger. Fox has no intention of letting SAMAS TAKE any more damage, if he can avoid it.
"Hidden Enemy. Be alert."
Show Yourselves__
K/Battle - 7
K/Battle [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
Investigation - 5
Investigation [dice]2[/dice] (+2)
Wild [dice]3[/dice]
Notice - 7
Notice [dice]4[/dice] (+2)
Wild [dice]5[/dice]
Re: Jungle Fever Side Quest: Starve the Children!
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 8:40 am
by Freemage
Fox realizes two things in assessing the attack he just dealt with: 1: This particular Xitcix is the leader of the hunting band, and thus an exceptional specimen in terms of skill, though not otherwise distinguishable from the rank-and-file to visual inspection--in future conflicts, the party will need to watch for displays of ability, not special markings or other signs of command. 2: The bug's attacks were... lopsided, one distinctly more skilled than the other. Given the normally symmetrical nature of their attacks, this would suggest that the difference lies not in the wielder, but in the weapons themselves--perhaps they've been enhanced, and even enhanced in different ways?
OOC Comments
Short form of Fox's analysis: LOOT!
Silent Death Relevant Stats:
Parry: 8; Toughness: 10 (4)
1 Wound
No Personal Bennies
Re: Jungle Fever Side Quest: Starve the Children!
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 8:49 am
by Echo
Seeing things going well for the team Echo focuses a sphere of electrical distortion on the bug engaged with Fox, then causes a ball of lightning to explode around the bug above the vehicle.
Bug Engaged w/Fox suffers 7 to hit, -2 to all trait rolls, or -4 on a raise
Echo has selective so the penalties will not affect fox
Spirit [dice]0[/dice]
Wild Die [dice]1[/dice]
Benny to Reroll
Spirit [dice]7[/dice]
Wild Die [dice]8[/dice]
Success causes the target to be -2 to all trait rolls, raise is -4 to all trait rolls.
(Possible Unstable Platform due to Moving Vehicle) at the Wild Card Xitcix (-2 Called Shot to the Legs, to slow it down, but the Penalty is Negated for Growler)
Shooting: [dice]1[/dice]
Wild: [dice]0[/dice]
Ace: [dice]4[/dice]
Result: 11 - Hit with Raise (Even with possible -2)
Damage: [dice]6[/dice]+[dice]7[/dice](Raise)=19AP15 to the Legs
WIP
Re: Jungle Fever Side Quest: Starve the Children!
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 7:44 pm
by Freemage
Growler and Echo finish off the last two Xiticix. With the SET's rapid victory, the group is able to quickly hook up the carts and drag them to the relative safety of the barbarian horde's base camp, where the Edienos are able to organize a massive healing chain that gets the unconscious warriors back up and running. With this victory, the spirits of the barbarians are massively uplifted, bolstering the morale of the troops that were considering abandoning the field.
There is, however, precious little time left once this is done before you must deal with the surging forces of the Xiticix, who have decided to address the hostile forces come to raid their new home.
OOC Comments
Back to the main thread. Will try to get the post up tonight so folks can post over the weekend.