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5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 06, 2018 5:31 pm
by Pursuit
Conditions: It is 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the late afternoon. No ley line is near the Tyrannosaur nest.
Is a ley line nearby? [dice]0[/dice] Nope.
The Aftermath:

The last Rex falls and an eerie silence falls with it, the swamp holding its breath. The apex predators are down (for the moment), and nature around you pauses as if considering its next action.

Before any of you can so much as ask the sword-wielding newcomer his name, you all feel something foul flit at the edges of your consciousness, giving you all the distinct impression of being watched… no, more than watched. Pursued.

The very air around you turns hostile, pressing down on you with the weight of a mountain (or two, in Tyraxas’ case), driving you to your knees. Images of inky tendrils flash across your vision, and you are all aware of something attempting to probe your minds.

Norona feels the dark force more acutely than the rest of you, and it pushes him down on all fours; were it not for the protection of his environmental spell, he would find the air around his head suddenly too thick to breathe.

His hands and knees sink into the earth, and he struggles to rise. Any who try to assist him will find that the pressure of the air around them increases with each step they take toward their fallen comrade as gravity itself works against them. Trees near him begin to splinter and break under the force of the unseen onslaught, and you are all beset by a feeling of dread and hopelessness.

Quietly, almost unnoticed, a tiny blue light rises from the muck. It is difficult to see, as a penlight might be in the mid-afternoon sun, but it twinkles ever so slightly a few inches from Norona’s face. Through his arms, which are now sunk to the elbows in the mud, and his legs, which are buried practically up to his thighs, a weak pulse of benevolent power reaches out to Norona. It is similar to how he feels when drawing on a ley line, except no PPE trickles from the pulse. Instead, Norona hears a voice in his head and knows instinctively the voice and the power beneath the earth are the same.

The voice whispers to him The Usurper comes. Run!

The little blue light flashes, and the swamp explodes in a cacophony of sound. Birds screeching, trees falling, and (distant) dinosaurs roaring fill your ears. The pressure of the air lessens, and you all find you can move again. The light hovers a moment more, and then speeds off into the trees, pausing at the edge of the nest and pulsing irritatedly. “Hurry up!”, it seems to say.

What Now?

The party has another choice to make: follow the little blue light, stay put, or take some other path.

Norona will need to make a Strength check to get himself unstuck; anyone who wants to help certainly may do so.

Conrad and Jameson did not specify a cost for the “Serious Business” Quick Combat modifier (the +2), so I’m applying 1 level of Fatigue to each of them; Alex, if you would prefer that be a Wound instead, please let me know.

Jareb and Norona each gain a Benny from playing up their Hindrances in their posts.

You will have a few days to post reactions here before we move the scene on. Don't stress overmuch if you can't post in that time period; I'll use the majority or consensus opinion on what the party wants to do in order to decide which potential story event comes next.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 06, 2018 9:02 pm
by Jareb
By the celestials what was that! Its like the swamp is a living breathing thing, something foul is at work here trying to learn of us. It felt like my angelic wings were about to snap. Jareb eyes his companions and the blue light twinkling. He reaches out a hand to assist Norona, ” Here if I can be of service take my hand. Ty, Conrad, your strength is needed.”
Str to assist is a crit failure
Strength to assist [dice]0[/dice] wild [dice]1[/dice]
TD str on his TW armor: [dice]2[/dice]
To everyone he calls, ” Is everyone alright? For good or ill that blue light oft there winking at us warrants our attention. I suggest we follow it—“

Jareb sees the newcomer for the first time and quick draws from his backpack baby carrier his sword. The carrier hold a slumped baby in it, probably asleep. No wait, he did help us. Jareb sheathes it just as quickly into the carrier and nods at the newcomer. ” I am Jareb of the Tomorrow Legion. Thank you for helping us. Do you know what troubles the swamp so?”

Unexpectedly before any reply, Jareb the winged angelic vagabond quickly sinks into the mire that is holding Norona and disapears into it. ” Kuikku!” The soft muffled sounds of a baby wailing and gurgling come from where Jareb went under.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 06, 2018 10:45 pm
by Tyraxas
Notice 6, Strength to free Norona 7, and Jareb (a ton)
Notice
[dice]0[/dice]

Ace Notice with prior
[dice]6[/dice]

WD Notice
[dice]1[/dice]

Strength roll to pull Norona from the muck, with MAP
[dice]2[/dice]

WD Strength
[dice]3[/dice]

Strength to pull Jareb from the muck, with MAP
[dice]4[/dice]

Ace Strength with prior
[dice]7[/dice]

2nd Ace! Strength with prior
[dice]8[/dice]

WD Strength
[dice]5[/dice]
Tyraxas growls and roars under the amazing pressure, cursing the invading psyche. "Depart my mind. Tyraxas will NOT be probed!" He sighs in relief as the pressure and probing lifts.
"I have had my fill of invasions of my mind. If I find what did that to us, I will..." He stops short as Jareb sinks into the muck. "Jareb!"
The angel and his baby fall into a sinkhole in the swamp, vanishing beneath the muck. Tyraxas leaps to the spot and drives his arm down after the pair, gripping them securely, but with surprising gentleness. The force with which they are ripped from the swampy undertow, however, could wrench a planet from a star's gravity. Tyraxas wastes no time in drawing them back to the surface. "Jareb! Gift! You were almost lost to that pit! It is fortunate that I am the mightiest creature in this swamp, for the earth did not wish to relinquish its grip upon you." He sets them on the highest and driest spot in the clearing. "Wait there while I pull Norona from his similar, but far less dangerous predicament." True to his words, Tyraxas lifts Norona gently but firmly from his muddy entanglement. "There. I have saved all three of you. Now..." He turns to Toshiro, staring intently at the new arrival. "Who are you, and why did you help us?"
While staring at the fresh meat with the chainsword, a glint catches his eye, near where Jareb and Gift were pulled from the muck. "Hello...what is this?" Bending down to get a closer look, he notes the gleaming edge of a blade. He grasps the blade between his finger and thumb. "This is mine. I found it." He returns to staring at Toshiro.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Mon May 07, 2018 6:49 am
by Kuikku
Rolls
Notice = [dice]0[/dice] Ace = [dice]2[/dice]
Wild = [dice]1[/dice]
-2 for Fatigue = 8
Kuikku staggers to his feet shaking his head in an effort to clear the double vision. When the distinct sound of a chain sword starts up he looks around in confusion. He watches the new comer swing the great blade with a finesse that belies its size. As the last dino falls asleep Kuikku sits on one of the branches of a downed tree.

Before anyone has a chance to recover the darkness and weight hits the party. The branch Kuikku was sitting on breaks dropping him onto his back. As the weight increases he starts to wonder why Tyraxas is standing on his chest. Turning his head Kuikku notices the light just before it flashes and the weight lifts. Rolling up on his side he sees it pause and blink before moving further into the jungle.

Moving slowly Kuikku starts to his feet when Jareb suddenly vanishes into the ground. Rushing forward he is knocked to the side as Tyraxas reacts far more quickly. Struggling back to his feet, and seeing everyone is back at the surface, he turns towards the cyber warrior. ”Yea, what they said.”

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Mon May 07, 2018 5:59 pm
by Toshiro 'Cybermonk'
Mechanics
Notice [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
When the presence vanishes Toshiro grabs his chain sword and jumps to his feet in a single motion. He spins rapidly looking for a the source of the presence he felt attacking his mind. Those with keen perception will notice a wild glint in the cybermonk's eye, and that his breathing, though silent, is rapid and shallow.

After a moment or two he calms, and notices that the legionnaires around him are all looking expectantly at him. He blushes, sheathes his sword and bows deeply to the group. He searches the group for Kuikku and then approaches the cyber knight, bowing again while proffering his deployment orders.

He stands silently but non-threateningly while he reads orders.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Mon May 07, 2018 7:09 pm
by Norona
As he is drawn to the ground, Norona shudders at the looming presence of darkness. All his instincts say to stand and fight, yet, he cannot stand at all. As the power of the earth pulls him down, the woodsman focuses on the small blue light before him. He is suspicious at first, but the word usurper rings in his mind. He searching through his scholarly knowledge to try and recall references to a usurper, and this little blue light, in mystical lore.
Knowledge Arcana 31
K/Arcana [dice]0[/dice]
Ace [dice]2[/dice]
Ace [dice]3[/dice]
Ace [dice]4[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
As Tyraxas pulls him up, Norona cleans off the muck and brush for the second time that day. However, he is little concerned with his appearance as the seriousness of their situation weighs heavily on his mind. Looking toward the oncoming rush he drops any pretence of aloofness.

"RUN!"

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Mon May 07, 2018 10:21 pm
by Jareb
Jareb nods at Ty and checks Gift. Frack where is Mr. Wiggles!! Over the babies wailing Jareb calls to the mighty Dragon, ” Thank you my friend, I wish you the best in life. Lets move.” Jareb flaps his wings shedding some grime and flies after the blue light still shaking his head at the ill timed disapearencecof Mr. Wiggles.
Fracking swamps, I sense another apocalypse is near.
Vigor roll vs fatigue [dice]0[/dice] wild [dice]1[/dice]

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 5:51 am
by Kuikku
Watching the silent stranger walk towards him Kuikku prepares to respond to violence. When he is handed a piece of paper he blinks in surprise. Looking it over he grunts. ”His name is Toshiro, a 'cyber monk'. He was supposed to gate with us in Nashville but arrived late and was sent as close as Veritas could manage.” Looking up and around to his companions he continues, ”And apparantly he has not spoken in several years.” Glancing back to Toshiro he comments ”Don't worry. I am sure Deezy and Sierra will do enough talking for you.”

Turning to check on Norona Kuikku sees the fear in his eyes and hears it in his shout. ”Jareb, Tyr, Sierra, I want you three up in the air scouting our path and keeping an eye out. Follow that light as best you can. Conrad, Jameson, roll out. Deezy, Toshiro, you load up with Conrad. Norona, I want you with me in Jameson's truck so you can tell me what you know. EVERYONE, MOVE!”

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 9:14 am
by Deezy Klatta
With some effort, Deezy yanked her armored feet up out of the muck and spattered some sludge around when she saluted. "Yes SIR!"

She scrambled over to Conrad's ATV and hoisted herself up over to man the turreted weapon. Even as she did, she started piecing together another device! A little something she suspected might be useful when magically-induced gravity fields were about!
Device making
Technowizardry to build a TK device. [dice]0[/dice] or [dice]1[/dice]; Includes -2 for Seasoned power, +4 for Machine Maestro in noncombat situation.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 10:20 am
by Conrad
Notice
[dice]0[/dice]
wild dice [dice]1[/dice]

The heat seems to affect Conrad and Jameson
Kuikku wrote: Conrad, Jameson, roll out. Deezy, Toshiro, you load up with Conrad. Norona, I want you with me in Jameson's truck so you can tell me what you know. EVERYONE, MOVE!”
"Yes Sir" both say, clambering back inside their respective vehicles. Over the radio, Jameson calls Conrad.
"Does the commander know the difference between a truck and an APC?

"That implies a technical knowledge far exceeding our esteemed Cyber Knight or just a lack of knowledge as to the difference. We shall have to educate him chummer." Truck indeed he harumphed, having spent days fixin it whilst everyone else partied.

If Toshiro gets in, Conrad points to the co-pilot seat.

"Buckle up chatterbox, in this swamp, it will be a bumpy ride chummer."

He bangs on the roof of the ATV to get Deezy's attention.

"Deezy, we're moving out chummer, keep your head. They grow the lizards big around here."

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 2:08 pm
by Pursuit
GM Mini Update

Anyone who made their Notice roll can see unnatural shadows gathering from direction opposite the one in which the light is headed (i.e., the light is moving away from the shadows). The shadows are a ways off yet, but getting closer, and darkening the swamp as they go as if absorbing the light. They are not particularly big, but there sure are an awful lot of them.... more than you can easily count.
The Shadows Bite
Shadow Beast.jpg
Keep Doing What You're Doing
You guys are doing great; I just wanted to drop in an update to let you know what is on the horizon so you can prep for the next GM post. I would familiarize yourselves with the chase rules; those of you not piloting will have the chance to assist by taking shots at some scary shadow monsters. If the team's flyers want to stay out of the vehicles, that is perfectly fine; you will just roll Agility for your Trait roll.

The chase will start after the next GM post, so don't start making chase posts yet; this was just a preview. The real deal is coming soon. :D

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 2:53 pm
by Toshiro 'Cybermonk'
Toshiro nods curtly then salutes while everyone say's "Yes sir"

He follows Conrad to the the Mountaineer and purses his lips as if whistling when he sees vehicle with its mini-missile launcher and mounted rail gun. He may not make the sound, but some habits die hard.

He hops into the ATV.
Conrad wrote: "Buckle up chatterbox, in this swamp, it will be a bumpy ride chummer."
Toshiro tilts his head back in mimic of short bark like laugh. He reaches back for the harness without looking, expertly adjusts the co-pilot controls to his size, and primes the missile launcher. As a finishing touch he looks at Conrad, grins, and flips the switch to turn on the AC.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Tue May 08, 2018 9:38 pm
by Tyraxas
Tyraxas nods at Kuikku and snaps into action, his wings pulling his bulk into the air with incredible speed. He circles a few times, ensuring the group is loading up as ordered, and then proceeds to speed off in the direction of the light. "The shadows pursue us as if alive!"

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 3:05 am
by Sierra Mackenzie
Notice 4
Notice [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
***

Sierra hauled herself out of the muck just in time to be nearly flattened by some heavy force of gravity! She grunted as she fought it, and then suddenly it released.

“What the hell was that! And who’s the new cutie?” She looked Toshiro up and down until Kuikko explained. “Welcome to the party. I’m Sierra.” She held out her muddy hand to him.

When orders were given, Sierra gave Kuikku a thumbs up. First, she burst into flame a bit, burning off the mud and muck, leaving her new techno-wizarded clothes perfectly clean. Then the flames coalesced on her shoulder blades into wings of fire and she launched into the air on a jet of heated air, flying in circles around the group before following Jareb and T-Rex.

Looking behind them, Sierra noted the shadows. “Oh, that does not look like fun!” she said. She ignited the fire around her, just in case. It looked like they were running, but she didn’t want to get ganked if those shadows caught up.

“What are those things?”
Survival 4 Success
Survival [dice]4[/dice]
Ace [dice]2[/dice]
Wild [dice]5[/dice]
***
Conditions
Danger Sense: Notice to avoid surprise
ISP: 20/20
Bennies: 1/3
Adventure Card
  • Speedy Gonzales: Expend this card to gain +2 to your Pace for the rest of the scene.
Everything Burns
[dice]6[/dice]
3-10: Anything highly flammable burns.
6-10: Anything flammable burns.
8-9: Water boils away over [dice]7[/dice] rounds.
10: Anything not flammable burns or melts (metal, stone, ceramic, etc) and water superheats and evaporates immediately.
Gear
Sierra’s pack is in the car.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 7:11 am
by Kuikku
Rolls
Notice = [dice]0[/dice]
Wild = [dice]1[/dice]
Minus Fatigue = 4
Pausing just long enough to be sure everyone is moving Kuikku notices the shadows moving towards them. Well, this cannot be good. I sure hope they are sensitive to fire.”Deezy, we may need a few more of your light bombs if you have them.”

Climbing into the Mark IX Kuikku waives to the gunner position. “Norona, I hope you can shoot and talk.” He then settles into the commander's seat and fastens the combat harness. Well, this should be interesting at least.
Status
Two levels of Fatigue
Cyber-Armor Active: Toughness 19(8)MDC
ISP: 6/10
Bennies: 1

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 8:11 am
by Pursuit
GM Mini Update for Sierra:

Sierra doesn't have a lot of experience in the wild, but she knows that whatever these shadow things are, they are not native to earth. She's sure of that much, if not anything else about them.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 2:24 pm
by Toshiro 'Cybermonk'
Looking out the window, Toshiro notices the Mark IX AEV having some starting issues that he recognizes as typical of having an inexperienced co-pilot.

He hops out of the ATV and quickly sloshes through the muck over to the AEV before they get the vehicle moving. He pounds the side of his fist on Kuikku's door. When it opens, he give the commander a crisp salute, then quickly points to himself, then to the co-pilot operator console, then raises his hands as if gripping a wheel and rocks them back and forth.

If he gets the ok, he hops into the AEV and takes the co-pilot position, strapping in and familiarizing himself with the controls.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 7:02 am
by Kuikku
Kuikku looks at all the lights and buttons. While he is trying to decide how many are real and how many are a result of the concussion he realizes at least some of the pounding in his head is actually someone at the door. Looking out he sees Toshiro standing there. When he opens the door Toshiro starts waiving his hands around. It takes Kuikku a bit to understand what he is trying to convey but finally he just shakes his head. ”Yea, whatever. Good luck.” With that he climbs into the back and straps in.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 8:18 am
by Deezy Klatta
"Light bombs? Huh!" Deezy shades her eyes as she looks back at the gathering gloom. "Well, it's pretty bright outside NOW so it doesn't seem like just solar flares would work, let's see..."

She starts plucking components from her vest and belt and going over them in rapid succession.

"...antisotropic filter...gamma arc inducer...no, just need one of those..."

The device began taking shape...a sort of vacuum cleaner hose connected to a bottle of lightning, with a set of vice grips. Deezy used those to clamp it to the bottom of the Omniblaster.

"Light bombs are GO!"
Moar device tinkersing
Technowizardry for Blast device (-2 for Seasoned, +2 for Maestro combat power) [dice]0[/dice] or [dice]1[/dice]

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 5:58 pm
by Norona
Revving up his hovercycle, Norona declines to ride in Conrad's truck.

However, he does use the radio to update everyone on his observations as they flee.

"This swamp is alive. Teeming with life and magical energy it takes on its own life force. There are lands like it in my home as well, living in a sense that is difficult to truly comprehend. This life presents itself as protective spirits. Your world is full of similar stories: living forests, trees that come to life and move or shift to protect the land. This swmap has protective spirits too, but it is also under threat by something which seeks to upset the balance of nature in this swamp. No doubt it too is to blame for the strange ley line activity and other bizarre phenomenon being reported. Whatever it is, it is powerful, and dark. We will need to learn much more before we try to confront it."

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 7:51 pm
by Pursuit
Conditions: It is late afternoon and approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the swamp. No ley lines are nearby.

Ruh Roh!

The shadows are getting closer, and fast! They seem to be moving almost of one accord, flowing across the ground and even among the tree branches like water. You can make out what appear to be hundreds of pairs of eyes from within the dark mass, and every now and again an individual shadow will break off from the main body, shift into the general shape of a dinosaur, snake, bird, or other animal, and then be immediately re-absorbed by the whole. If it weren't so terrifying, it might be fascinating to watch.

As it is, you can feel the malice emanating from the darkness, and there is no mistaking its intentions.

Time To Go!

The party has situated itself for the chase and is ready to go! Jareb, Tyraxas and Sierra have taken to the sky at Kuikku's order, while Norona has hopped on his hovercycle in defiance of the same. Conrad is at home in the pilot's chair of his Mountaineer, with Deezy in the passenger area ready to fire away (with either the rail gun or something more unique of her own devising). The captured Coalition APC is driven by Jameson, the former CS soldier, and co-piloted by Toshiro in the commander's chair. Kuikku is strapped in for what promises to be a bumpy ride, and Norona's wolf is braced on the floor between the seats.

Chase Mechanics:

In an effort to simplify things and make them a little more intuitive for our format, this chase is going to work differently than the examples in SWD. As detailed more fully below, everyone will post a reply with with appropriate rolls (keep reading to see what those are). Then, based on those rolls (not Edges like Quick or Level Headed), I will deal initiative cards to each vehicle (gunners, passengers and co-pilots do not get separate initiative cards) and flyer, as well as to the bad guys. If your vehicle or flyer’s initiative card is higher than the bad guys’, you extend your lead on them. If the bad guys’ initiative card is higher than yours, they will gain ground on you. If they catch you they will attack, and they are mean.

This is how it will work:
  • The Setup:
    The SET has gathered in their vehicles or, for those who can fly, taken to the skies. The bad guys are behind you and closing the gap. They start out 25” (50 yards) behind you.

    The Rolls:
    Conrad and Jameson will each include a Driving roll in their post. Though the swamp is difficult terrain, both ATVs have the All-Terrain feature, allowing them to ignore penalties for difficult terrain. If Toshiro would like to make a cooperative Driving roll he can do so, and every success and raise on his roll will add a +1 to Jameson’s roll.

    Norona will include a piloting roll in his post (at -0 because the hover cycle hovers above the terrain), while Jareb and Sierra will include Agility rolls.

    Tyraxas will include both an Agility roll and, if he wants to, a Strength roll as well. Here’s why: the other flyers are small enough that they can just follow the same trail as the APCs, staying above the ground (and therefore above the rough terrain) and clear of the trees. No muss, no fuss.

    Tyraxas is just too big for that to work for him, so his wings and tail will get constantly tangled in the trees, causing his Agility rolls to be made at -2. However, he is a dragon and mighty and so may use his awesome strength to just knock down the trees. Every success and raise on his Strength roll negates one point of penalties on his Agility roll.

    Everyone may make ranged attacks against your pursuers (assuming you have a way to make such an attack, either by spell or by weapon). Keep in mind that anyone who makes a Driving or Piloting roll as detailed above will incur a multi-action penalty to all of their rolls if they choose to also make a ranged attack (unless your character has an edge or some other way to negate said penalty, such as Combat Ace).

    As stated above, your pursuers start at 25 inches (50 yards) away from you, so use that range for any attacks you make in round one. Bad guys have Toughness 12(6), so use that to determine if you Incapacitate any of them.

    The Cards:

    Every flyer and vehicle will automatically get one initiative card to start with. For every success and raise on their Driving, Piloting or Agility roll, they will get one additional card.

    The bad guys will also get a card to start and an additional card for every success and raise on their Agility roll, just like the players. The difference is that for every one of the shadow creatures you manage to Incapacitate, the shadow legion will suffer a -1 to its roll.

    How to Win:

    The players win if either (i) all of the player characters get to 75” (150 yards) away from the bad guys, or (ii) the player characters survive for 5 rounds.
And that’s it! Remember to include any Wound or Fatigue penalties in your rolls if you are carrying any penalties from your battle with the Rexes. If you have any questions at all before we start, feel free to ask before posting. Otherwise, you are all free to post in any order. Have fun!

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 8:39 pm
by Jareb
Agility Roll 8, 2 cards plus the 1 everyone gets
Jareb agility Roll [dice]0[/dice] wild [dice]1[/dice] EF for extra effort with elan i got a baby to protect! [dice]2[/dice]
The shadow draws itself to us, a living creature of this horrible dark lagoon. The light! The Light! Gift wails as she spies Mr. Wiggles in the muck. Jareb dives down responding to her non verbal cues like a season pro. ” I got it Gift, hang on. Rgghhh.” Jareb ducks, rolls and spins in the air his molting wings seeming to allow him to defy the very laws of physics. He not only splits two shadowy tendrils but somehow calling his c-20 to his hand. He barrell rolls going inverted as he skims the muddy watter. ” Now Gift, Mr wiggles approaches!”. Gift is well secured via the harness Conrad installed, and when Jareb rights himself somehow the muddy Mr. Wiggles is back where he belongs.
Thats my girl. Jareb smiles proudly twists mid air swftly pulling his St. cathrine’s blade into his off hand, and opens fire with his cs made laser pistol with his other. Since he is at medium range he squeezes the trigger twice in rapid sucession.
Shooting hit, 9 damage ap2
Shooting medium range -2, double tap +1= [dice]3[/dice] wild [dice]4[/dice]
Damage [dice]5[/dice]
Ack! A glancing blow! Jareb dives after the light ball trying to put a bit more distance between himself and the approaching darkness.

1 benny spent

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 10:02 pm
by Toshiro 'Cybermonk'
Driving 9, +2 to Jameson, Shooting 8, Damage 18 AP 4
Note: 1 Wound, but Nerves of Steel offsets it

Driving [dice]3[/dice]
Wild [dice]0[/dice]

Shooting Twin Lasers (+1 Dual linked, +2 damage)
Shooting [dice]1[/dice]
Wild [dice]2[/dice]

Damage [dice]4[/dice] + [dice]5[/dice]
Toshiro's hands fly across the controls of the APC as Jameson drives. He does everything he can to make the vehicle more responsive, from shifting the weight of the cargo to make the vehicle more balanced, to engaging the appropriate traction controls when they hit a particularly nasty bog. He even manages to engage the E-brake at just the right moment as Jameson pulls the ATV around a tight turn, causing the APC to drift through the muck and maintain a good amount of speed.

In a quiet moment (relatively speaking at least) Toshiro lines up the sights on the laser turrets mounted on the roof of the APC and fires a volley off and the swarm of shadows approaching from the rear. The burst of light blasts a hole in the middle of the sea of shadows. The shadows quickly flow into the gap, but their advance seems to slow somewhat while doing so.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sat May 12, 2018 10:25 pm
by Deezy Klatta
Bouncing crazily in the ATV's seat, Deezy glanced out the window behind them and saw the roiling mass of shadows thickening. Within that mass she saw shapes...constantly shifting, merging, splitting, but shapes nonetheless.

"Hey, Conrad! Try to drive smoother for a second!"

She unhooked the harness holding her into her chair and, with a grin, produced the device she'd built a few moments ago...a short, blunt cylinder with tapered ends, a little like a metal football. "Got more field testing to do."

The inventor poked the upper half of her body out through the Mountaineer's window. Braced with her legs against the chair and door, it was as stable a platform as she was going to get.

When Deezy manipulated a couple of knobs on the device, the 'metal football' began to expand. The tapered ends telescoped out, forward and backward, turning it into a long tube. One of the ends then split open like flower petals. Light spilled out the open end. She slung the tube over her shoulder, the open end facing the teeming, writhing darkness that was giving chase. Squinching one eye shut, she aimed at the heart of it.

"Oh sheez!" As an afterthought, Deezy lowered her goggles over her eyes, then called into the ATV's cockpit, "Hey, uh, don't look backwards for a second!"

It was a little tricky to aim the thing with the bulk of her goggles in the way. Deezy made a mental note to make the side of the tube indented a little so it would fit more comfortably. Or no! It could have a little scope that extended out from the side. Then the scope could be flush with the tube until needed and pop out when it was in firing configuration. That'd be way better!

"Firing, stage one," she said, and pressed the first trigger.

Out from the end of the tube popped a ball. A shiny ball. Its surface was multifaceted, with each facet being a highly polished mirror. It was about the size of a fist and soared on a curiously flat trajectory to a spot directly over the horde of shadows. Inky tendrils and claws reached up at it, but it was a little too high...and they were unwilling to slow their relentless advance to work harder to get it. A multitude of tiny points of light played over them, reflections from the mirrored surface of the ball, but it was no stronger than the daylight they already swam through.

Deezy giggled with delight to see the ball floating serenely along, keeping pace with the target designation. It was working. "Firing stage two," she announced. Then couldn't help but add, "This is going to be so cool if it doesn't boil our skins off."

She pressed the second trigger.

There was a deep hum, and from the same open end that the ball had come from now came an intense beam of white light. There was the thick smell of burning air, and frying insulation, and smoke began rising from seams in the device's casing. Somehow though, incredibly, the audio playback function still worked though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY

The beam of light locked onto the ball, and struck it dead on. The array of crystalline surfaces shattered the light, and suddenly the entire swamp behind the ATV was full of death. Hundreds of scything rays of pure destruction swerved and rotated randomly around. Trees exploded in showers of sparks, water flared up in lines of steam and boiling bubbles...and that was just the devastation one could see at the fringes. The heart of the area burned like the flame at the tip of an arc welder, only much larger...nothing but a shifting mass of laser death.

Deezy, watching through the lenses of her goggles which had turned almost entirely opaque to shield her eyes, cackled wildly. There was a burst of sparks and sizzling electrical arcs from the back of the weapon, and the lightshow came to an end.

Behind the ATV, a massive section of the swamp had been turned into a baked desert. The water evaporated, the mud dried into a cracked pancake surface. Trees and shrubs didn't exist until the edges of that wide radius, and they were still smoldering fitfully. A good player could throw a football across that area, but it'd be a good throw.

The throng of shadows had been cored out. Though more were already boiling in from the edges, the entire area of the crazy laser death storm had been utterly cleansed of them. It would take time for them to make up that distance, and that was precious time gained to escape.

Deezy pulled herself back into the cab, into her seat, and dropped the now-defunct weapon onto the floor at her feet. Her red hair was all floofed from the headwind, and was a bit sooty as well. When she lowered her goggles, Conrad could see that the skin on her face was a little red all around, except for a white band where the goggles had been.

"I love my job," she said gleefully.
Rolls - 7 to hit LBT, 9 targets in blast, 16 damage
Shooting the Blast gadget [dice]0[/dice] or [dice]1[/dice]

Affects [dice]2[/dice] targets with LBT, doing [dice]3[/dice] mega-damage, with the Light Trapping.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 3:57 am
by Norona
Piloting 4, 1 additional card
Piloting [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
Fleeing the shadows of malice, Norona hits the accelerator on his hovercycle. There is no doubt in his mind that this presence is truly of the darkness, a natural enemy to his people. Despite being able to drive above the terrain, the wilderness specialist still has to bob and weave through branches, fallen trees, and other low hanging debris. He can feel his hair brush against the rough bark. Another half inch would have been a decapitation instead of a haircut!

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 6:30 am
by Kuikku
Seeing how close the Darkness has gotten Kuikku wishes he could do something. Looking around the cargo area of the ATV he thinks If only I had a ranged weapon. Then his eyes fall on the former CS rifle he picked up. Wow, I may be worse off then I first thought. Using the various safety straps he moves to one of the combat ports and pokes the C-12 out. Flipping the selector to three-round-burst Kuikku tries to focus and pulls the trigger.
Shooting
-2 Fatigue, +2 3RB
Shooting = [dice]0[/dice]
Wild = [dice]1[/dice]

Damage = [dice]2[/dice] AP2
The focused light pierces the darkness and at first appears to have no effect. Then Kuikku notices that it did not return to quite the same level of black. I hope that actually did some good and not just my eyes playing tricks on me.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 1:12 pm
by Tyraxas
Chasing the dragon
Strength to blow through the trees
[dice]0[/dice]

WD Strength
[dice]1[/dice]

Agility - no negative due to Strength
[dice]2[/dice]

WD Agility
[dice]3[/dice]

Flame Bolt
[dice]4[/dice]

WD Flame Bolt
[dice]5[/dice]

Ace WD with prior
[dice]6[/dice]

2nd Ace WD with prior
[dice]7[/dice]

Flame Bolt damage with Raise
[dice]8[/dice]

Ace one damage die with prior
[dice]9[/dice]
Tyraxas quickly becomes frustrated with the foliage and interference. He quickly gives up trying to finesse his way through the swamp, instead opting to muscle his way through the trees, swatting and thundering through the mass of greenery. He roars in frustration and anger. "Mighty Tyraxas does not want to run! I would stand and fight, save for the warning of the light. But let this evil blackness feel my wrath and reconsider!" Rolling over onto his side as he flies, he sucks in a great quantity of air, then releases a concentrated bolt of flame. The bolt strikes the teeming mass of shadows. While the shadows don't retreat, they seem to react poorly to the introduction of dragon's fire into their ghastly blackness. "HA! A palatable blow! I have more of that to offer!"

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 1:25 am
by Sierra Mackenzie
Notice 3
Notice [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
***

“And it ain’t from around here, either,” Sierra added to Norona’s report. “It’s creepy as fuck!”

Sierra took off with the others. She watched Deezy’s little light show and laughed. “I love it!” she exclaimed, blazing and dancing in the air. “I can work with that.” Using the smoke and small fires created by Deezy, Sierra increased their power, sending flames erupting into the darkness, black smoke obscuring their vision.
Agility 4 +1 card
Agility [dice]4[/dice]
Wild [dice]5[/dice]
Fire Master 5 -1 to Darkness
+1 ISP for double range from Major Psionic, LBT
Psionics [dice]6[/dice]
Wild [dice]7[/dice]
Aura damage (if applicable) 6 Not enough
[dice]8[/dice]
OOC Comments
I’m also going to spend my Adventure Card, Speedy Gonzales, for +2 Pace for this scene.
***
Conditions
Flight: Pace 14 (3 rd)
Pace: 8
Shroud: -1 to be hit by ranged attacks
Fiery Aura
Danger Sense: Notice to avoid surprise
ISP: 13/20
Bennies: 1/3
Adventure Card
  • Speedy Gonzales: Expend this card to gain +2 to your Pace for the rest of the scene.
Everything Burns
[dice]2[/dice]
3-10: Anything highly flammable burns.
6-10: Anything flammable burns.
8-9: Water boils away over [dice]3[/dice] rounds.
10: Anything not flammable burns or melts (metal, stone, ceramic, etc) and water superheats and evaporates immediately.
Gear
Sierra’s pack is in the car.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Wed May 16, 2018 4:45 am
by Conrad
Conrad

Conrad gunned the ATV’s engine, but found the wheels spinning in the swamp water, churning up muck and water behind them.
“Dammit,” Conrad swore, shifting gears and changing some of the settings on the AV, “hang on chummers, this is going to be bumpy.”

The ATV reversed and Conrad was then able to punch it forward, hurtling along at speed through the swamp.
OOC Comments
Driving [dice]0[/dice]
Wild dice [dice]1[/dice]
benny for extra effort
[dice]2[/dice]

Meanwhile Jameson, with the help of her silent partner had a much easier time, effortlessly taking the APC through the swamp.

Jameson
OOC Comments
Driving [dice]3[/dice]
Wild dice [dice]4[/dice]
[dice]5[/dice]

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 20, 2018 5:26 pm
by Pursuit
Conditions: It is late afternoon and approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the Swamp. No ley line is nearby.

Initiative Results from Last Round:
  • Conrad: 5 of hearts, queen of hearts
  • Jameson: 2 of hearts, 3 of diamonds, 5 of clubs, queen of diamonds
  • Tyraxas: jack of hearts
  • Jareb: 8 of hearts, 9 of spades, jack of hearts, 7 of hearts
  • Norona: 8 of spades, 9 of diamonds
  • Sierra: 7 of clubs, jack of spades
  • Bad Guys: 6 of clubs


SET on the Run!

As the shadows writhe and surge toward you, the party leaps into immediate action!

Jareb performs an awe-inspiring aerial maneuver, diving to the ground and scooping up truly precious cargo before it can be lost (Mr. Wiggles) without at any point slowing his momentum.

Norona speeds in between trees, losing pursuers at every bob and weave, while mighty Tyraxas simply knocks the trees out of his way. Sierra burns brightly along, spinning and twisting through the air.

On the ground, Conrad's Mountaineer pushes through the muck of the swamp, while Jameson and Toshiro pilot the captured enemy APC with inspiring precision.

And all the while, the enemy is met with a bombardment of lasers, light, and fire, burning back the wave of onrushing shadows and creating valuable distance between you and your pursuers.

Though you can feel freedom is near, you are not out of the woods yet (figuratively or literally)!

Next Up:

Great job on your rolls! You all beat the bad guys' card (I had to roll for them at -12!), so you all gain ground. They are now 50" (100 yards) behind you, and you need to beat their initiative only one more time.

For Sierra: Playing your adventure card got you an additional initiative card for round one and will give you a +1 to your Agility rolls for the remainder of the scene.

You are all free to post in any order, as before. Have fun!

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 9:54 am
by Toshiro 'Cybermonk'
Driving Success, +1 to Jameson,
Driving [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
Shooting Damge 11 AP5 -1 to Bad Guys
Shooting [dice]2[/dice] (forgot +1 from dual linked, but didnt matter)
Wild [dice]3[/dice]

Damage [dice]6[/dice] AP5
Notice
Notice 5 (7 on sight)[dice]7[/dice]
Wild [dice]8[/dice]
Toshiro watches the rest of the SET and its companions carefully, making mental notes along with the occasional short recording for viewing later. He is highly impressed by the aerial skills of the angel - though he is baffled by why the celestial being is carrying a baby. The raw strength of the Dragon is stupendous, as well as the raw firepower of the Burster, whose heat Toshiro can somehow feel through the window of the APC. He most impressed by Deezy and her engineering skill. Being able to build a arc welder of that size and power is absolutely ridiculous, let alone doing it on the run. Not only is she good at what she does, but she has such passion for it, which is far more important.

Toshiro continues to assist Jameson in driving the APC. At one point they hit a particularly deep bog and a thick green slime coats the front windshield. Seeing that the wipers aren't going to it clear any time soon, Toshiro flips the primary controls for the APC over to his side of the console. He closes his eyes and reaches out with his expanded detection and security array implant. He has to strain it to its limits in order to get the range to allow him drive, but manages to navigate the twists of and turns of the half formed road, dodging downed trees and deep potholes while the wipers do their work. When he senses that the slimes has been clear from the windshield enough to see through, he opens his eyes and flips the control back to Jameson.

Toshiro wipes the sweat trickling down his forhead before it gets in his eyes, and fires another laser burst at the mass of shadows. The Blast connects, leaving yet another gaping hole. Amazingly, they somehow continue surging forward, numbers seemingly endless, despite the massive amount of firepower the Set has thrown at them.
didnt really ace
Ace [dice]4[/dice]
Ace 2 [dice]5[/dice]

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 11:26 pm
by Sierra Mackenzie
Notice 15
Notice [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
Ace [dice]4[/dice]
Ace [dice]9[/dice]
***

Sierra weaved and dodged through the tall trees. She’d never really gotten to do this much, just a few practice courses during basic training. She was in the zone, seeing the path ahead clearly, anticipating the twists and turns and low branches that attempted to knock her from the sky. She gave into the adrenaline and gave a hoot of delight.

“C’mon, you motherfuckers!” Sierra yelled back at the mass of shadows as she twisted about, focusing on the trees again. They were damp and wet, so when she superheated them in the area of the shadows, the water rapidly expanded and boiled, causing them to explode in jagged wooden shrapnel that shredded everything in its path.
Agility 11 2 Success
Agility [dice]5[/dice]
Ace [dice]10[/dice]
Wild [dice]6[/dice]
Fire Mastery 6 Success
Psionics [dice]7[/dice]
Wild [dice]8[/dice]
***
Conditions
+1 to Agility speed rolls
Flight: Pace 14 (2 rd)
Pace: 8
Shroud: -1 to be hit by ranged attacks
Fiery Aura
Danger Sense: Notice to avoid surprise
ISP: 13/20
Bennies: 1/3
Adventure Card
  • Speedy Gonzales: Expend this card to gain +2 to your Pace for the rest of the scene. USED
Everything Burns
[dice]2[/dice]
3-10: Anything highly flammable burns.
6-10: Anything flammable burns.
8-9: Water boils away over [dice]3[/dice] rounds.
10: Anything not flammable burns or melts (metal, stone, ceramic, etc) and water superheats and evaporates immediately.
Gear
Sierra’s pack is in the car.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Tue May 22, 2018 10:33 am
by Norona
Piloting 15, 3 cards
Piloting [dice]0[/dice]
Ace [dice]2[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
Gunning the engine, Norona tries to put even more distance between himself and the shadowy darkness. There would be a time to fight it, but only when they knew more. He knows his meagre weapons would be of little us. Instead he stays focused on the task ahead, his eyes darting quickly to skirt around obstacles, dive through trees, and skim low over the waters.

As he moves with grace and alacrity the woodman suddenly recalls their mission, cultists. He momentarily considers if they are some how linked to this malignant force. If so, then the 32nd would surely need much help form the Ascended.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Tue May 22, 2018 11:30 am
by Pursuit
GM Mini Update:

As the party continues its escape, anyone who succeeds in their Notice roll will see that the shadows seem to be forming into something huge. At first, it looks just like the outline of a building: a skyscraper, maybe, from one of the megacities. Then the tower of shadow moves toward you, bending near the middle just like... a limb? It takes a massive step and you can feel the swamp shudder even from this distance, and an otherworldly roar sounds in your ears. The roar is strange, though, as if it were reaching you from miles away instead of the 100 yards or so between you and the shadows.

The shadows swirl around the massive limb, which reaches up above the canopy of the trees and is lost in the glare of the sun above. It doesn't have a truly distinctive form, other than its sheer size, and as you look at it, small streaks of shadow launch themselves from the main body and come flying towards you with incredible velocity.

More and more small streaks join the first, and they speed toward you in unwavering paths, blasting through trees and vegetation without slowing.

Whatever that is, it can't be good...

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Tue May 22, 2018 4:44 pm
by Deezy Klatta
Deezy Klatta clucked her tongue against the roof of her mouth and slammed the heel of her hand against her now-defunct weapon. The trigger assembly fell off, and she hurled it to the floor angrily. The looming pillar of shadow was too far to blast with the Omniblaster, and she didn't think a sweet AC system was going to help right now! What else did she have?!

Oh hey.

She hauled out the 'gravity gun' prototype she'd slapped together, anticipating a need to pluck someone out of neck-deep mud at some point. The device was kind of like the Slumber Slammer in that it would be power-hungry. But might it also be effective?

Deezy thought maybe yes.

There were two ways to get away from a skyscraper of malign darkness after all. One was ripping it up with explosions of pure light...the other was to GO FASTER.

She dipped down into the ATV again for a moment and shouted over the howl of engines, "Conrad! Get ready! We're gonna have a tailwind in a second here! Don't crash!"

Of all the things she'd said, even in the past ten minutes, that ranked pretty low on the 'comparative threat level.'

This, Deezy thought, would be a really interesting way to test whether or not telekinetic energy was subject to normal laws of action and reaction. Normally a force originating from an object couldn't add energy to the same object after all. You couldn't pull yourself into the air by grabbing your feet and yanking. Telekinesis followed different rules though. She was pretty sure.

Mostly sure.

The device lit up in her hands as Deezy manipulated its controls; a bright green-blue light shining between narrowly spaced metal plates, all contained within a high-tech enclosure, save for an open end. She aimed that end backwards, twisted some dials and such to target the effect, then clenched back on what looked like a bicycle's brake handle, built into the right-hand handle that jutted from the machine's side.

A tendril of turquoise light blasted out through the air, then looped back on itself to strike the ATV solidly on the back bumper. In the driver's seat, Conrad felt the vehicle lurch, and suddenly begin surging forward faster than the engine alone could explain!

(Using Exalted Telekinesis from a gadget to try to accelerate our pace and help escape!)
Rolls: 5
[dice]0[/dice] TW skill, or [dice]1[/dice] wild.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Tue May 22, 2018 10:24 pm
by Tyraxas
Must go faster. Must go faster!
Strength
[dice]0[/dice]

WD Strength
[dice]1[/dice]

Agility - penalties removed by success and raise on Strength roll
[dice]2[/dice]

WD Agility
[dice]3[/dice]

Fire breath (long range)
[dice]4[/dice]

WD fire breath
[dice]5[/dice]

Ace WD fire breath with prior
[dice]6[/dice]

Fire breath damage
[dice]7[/dice]
Tyraxas continues pushing forward, swiping and barreling into trees to make room for his bulk. He curses the distance between his foe, wishing he could stand and fight...until the mass shifts into a massive silhouette, toppling towards them. He shouts to anyone who might be able to hear him. "We...should go faster."
As a vain attempt, he spits another blast of fire backwards at the beast. The strike lands, but to little effect. One little match did not light the sequoia. "This thing has ignored my fire. Advance!" He redoubles his efforts at muscling through the trees, a sense of dread beginning to overtake him. What devilry is this that it sneers at my mighty fire?!

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Tue May 22, 2018 10:30 pm
by Jareb
Agility 9, 2 successes, 3 total cards
Agility [dice]0[/dice] wild [dice]1[/dice] ace [dice]2[/dice]
I feel you darkness, like I have felt you beside me so long ago. Your rage fuels my own and I feel my heart quicken ready to confront you. The shadow swirls arround Jareb and he smiles as down below Deezy’s blue kenetic magic spurs the vehicle onward. His own wings are heavy with the muggy moisture of the swamp but he pays it no mind.
Be thankful dark one that the baby on my back needs me more than I need to end you... For right now.
A few stray strands of darkness reach out from the top of the trees trying to drag him down.

Jareb only smiles and readies his sword against the feeble onslaught. To no one in particular he mutters as he slices the strands of shadow with ease. ”You should save your strength, you will need it if you draw any closer.”
Gift’s eye go wide and she points behind Jareb...
Another Swamp, Another time
”Jareb!!”. The shadow whispers, ” Will you let all these people die?” The shadow laughs siliently and grins mocking the Angel, ” Give me the baby and I will ensure your passage... Give him over to me...”

Jareb stops and looks down at the boy he carries in his arms.

The shadow sends a tendril forth caressing the baby boy’s skin, ”Come now Jareb, all those people in the village... They need not die because of you. We just want the child. We need the child.”

Jareb’s will wavers as he looks back at the village about to be engulfed by a huge shadowy maw. He releases the boy and it drops gently into the out stretched smokey tendril. The shadow laughs dissipating taking the boy...
A mistake of a coward...
62A13B1B-AFD6-4AED-8EB1-35F566D5E0E1.jpeg

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 3:14 am
by Pursuit
GM Mini Update

Swirling around the massive limb, countless other of the smaller shadows still rush toward the party, seeking to overtake you.

Anyone who already posted but would like to add a +2 to their attack for Matter of Size may do so. Going forward, if you’d like to target the mass of shadows, you may do so at +2.

Thanks!

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 4:51 am
by Conrad
Conrad

Conrad could see the huge shadow behind them; whilst he was generally happy to conserve ammo, this was the sort of situation that required heavy firepower.

"Deezy, use the rail gun."

Driving 7
OOC Comments
[dice]0[/dice]
[dice]1[/dice]

Jameson

She kept her eyes on the road as it were, trusting her teammates to deal with the problem behind them.

Driving 7
OOC Comments
[dice]2[/dice]
[dice]3[/dice]

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 1:26 pm
by Kuikku
Rolls
Notice: 4
Shooting: 0 (forgot to put the -2 in the roll)

-2 fatigue
Notice = [dice]0[/dice]
Wild = [dice]1[/dice]

-2 Fatigue, -2 Unstable Platform, -2 Medium Range (negated with Laser Sight), +2 3RB
Shooting = [dice]2[/dice]
Wild = [dice]3[/dice]
Kuikku looked back with hope until he saw 'his' lighter spot explode in a blinding flash. Oh, that may have been something from Deezy. It exploded like it was. Blinking his eyes in an effort to restore vision Kuikku sees the darkness growing. Dang, that flash really messed my vision up. It is not until the smaller parts start flying towards the group, and destroying the vegetation, that he realizes his eyes are working just fine.

”Guys, I really think we need to go faster if at all possible. Or else we need some way of stopping THAT from chasing us.” With that he takes aim at some of the 'shadow darts' and hopes for the best. Unfortunately the bouncing vehicle, and concussion, threw his aim off and the shots had no effect.
Status
Two levels of Fatigue
Cyber-Armor Active: Toughness 19(8)MDC
ISP: 6/10
Bennies: 1

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 12:22 pm
by Pursuit
Conditions:

It is late afternoon and approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit. No ley line is nearby.

Incoming!

As the party flies, pilots and drives to escape, basketball-sized hunks of shadow trailing long, inky tails begin raining down around you and blasting massive craters in the muck of the swamp. Trees fall and mud and vegetation spray everywhere under the bombardment, and the shadow comets begin to explode as if remote detonated all around the members of the 32nd SET!

What to Roll:

Because you can see the attacks inbound, we'll use the Dive for Cover rules for the flyers: you may make an Agility roll at -2 to avoid the incoming attacks.

The vehicles will use a modified version of the rules: you may make a Piloting or Driving roll to avoid the attacks at -(vehicle size +2). Norona, for example, would make a Piloting roll at -4 (-2 for vehicle size and another -2 for Dive for Cover).
Conrad and The Mountaineer
The Mountaineer is caught within 2 blasts, and so would need to make 2 Driving rolls to avoid both. If it doesn't make the rolls, it takes:
  • Hit 1: 15 MD, AP 5
    Hit 2: 17 MD, AP 5
Jameson and The APC
The APC is caught within 2 blasts, and so would need to make 2 Driving rolls to avoid both. Toshiro may make cooperative rolls, if desired. If it doesn't make the rolls, it takes:
  • Hit 1: 25 MD, AP 5
    Hit 2: 12 MD, AP 5
Norona and the Hovercycle
The hovercycle is caught within 1 blast, so Norona would need to make 1 Piloting roll to avoid damage. If he doesn't make the roll, it takes 12 MD, AP 5
Jareb
Jareb is caught within 1 blast. If he does not make his Agility roll, he takes 15 MD, AP 5

Sierra
Sierra is caught within 1 blast. If she does not make her Agility roll, she takes 13 MD, AP 5

Tyraxas
Tyraxas is caught within 2 blasts and will need to make 2 Agility rolls. If he does not make his Agility rolls, he takes 14 MD, AP 5 from the first blast and 21 MD, AP 5 from the second.


Speed Saves!

The massive, shadowy limb begins to coalesce into something significantly less wispy. Individual shadows take the form of massive scales, and the fingers on its hand extend into gigantic claws. Another roar sounds, this time from much closer than before, as the hand lifts and reaches for you all.

Closing the distance between you in a speed that belies its size, the hand reaches for Tyraxas... but slows only a foot or two from the dragon's tail. The claws on the shadowy hand turn slightly translucent, and then begin to dissipate. Beams of sunlight cut through the massive fingers, and the roar sounds again in your ears, this time somewhat desperate.

Individual shadows break away from the mass in droves, a cascade of darkness that immediately fades to light, each one taking the shape of a dinosaur or animal before disappearing. It takes almost a full minute, but soon the unnatural shadows are entirely gone and the swamp appears as it had before, if a bit worse for the wear.

Initiative:

You all beat the shadow creatures again, and Tyraxas even pulled the red joker! Everyone gets a benny, and Tyraxas is at +2 for his rolls this round. This brings the chase to an end, and I hope you had fun with it!

Little Light, Lead On:

The little blue light flashes in a pattern that you can't quite identify, but that you can somehow feel is meant to be smug. A taunt, thrown at the fleeing shadows, before it turns back to you. It pulses a few more times and then continues back along the trail, much slower and easier to follow now that the danger has passed.

Any who follow will find that the light leads you to a large, dry clearing, easily big enough for the entire party's vehicles and Tyraxas in his natural form, and with room to spare. The trees overhead are thicker than usual, and their branches intertwine to form a thick canopy very similar to a proper roof.

The entire clearing glows faintly with ley line energy, as a line runs right through the center of it. A natural spring of clear water bubbles up into a natural pool, and the heat is markedly less here.

The dirt around one of the larger trees surrounding the clearing looks to be slightly disturbed, but, unlike with the rex nest, there is no sign that this place has been habited recently.

Thanks for the Memories:

The light pulses each time one of you enters the clearing, and any who enter will see clearly in their mind's eye an image of the T-Rexes stirring, each one of them surrounded by a faintly shimmering blue glow. You can feel a sense of gratitude emanating from your guiding light.
For Toshiro
If Toshiro enters, it will take a bit longer for the image to appear, and it will not appear quite so vividly as for the others.


Within your first minutes there, each of you experiences a vision of an important memory from your past, which you relive in detail. Once the vision fades, the little blue light pulses at you, and once you have all experienced a vision, the light shimmers one time more and winks out.

Interludes and Rewards:

Each of you post an interlude describing some event or memory from your past (or, for Tyraxas, perhaps something his parents left imprinted on him). At the end of your interlude, choose a Background Edge (other than Rich or Filthy Rich), Leadership Edge, Social Edge (other than Connections or I Know a Guy), or Weird Edge that fits with the memory you describe in your interlude and add it to your character sheet. You may ignore prerequisites for this edge except for other edges. You also gain +1 experience, which should be added to your character sheet as soon as you finish the interlude.
For Norona
Thanks to your epic Knowledge Arcana roll from earlier, you know that the genius loci communicates via such memories and images and that you each experienced a connection with the spirit of the swamp itself. The guardian spirit granted a boon to each of you for saving the rexes in keeping with the memories your subconsciouses chose to share with it.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 3:23 pm
by Conrad
Conrad
[dice]0[/dice]
[dice]1[/dice]

Mountaineer ATV
Size 5
Toughness 25 (14)

Jameson
[dice]2[/dice]
[dice]3[/dice]

piloting soak
[dice]4[/dice]
[dice]5[/dice]
benny to reroll
[dice]6[/dice]
[dice]7[/dice]

Mark IX APC
Size 6
Toughness 26(11)

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 4:07 pm
by Pursuit
The APC takes a nasty hit from the exploding shadows and skids several feet to the side through the muck. The engine whines and clanks, and when Jameson or Toshiro pushes the gas, they notice it is far less responsive than it was.
Out of Control, Critical Hit, 1 Wound, Driving Rolls at -1
Out of Control: [dice]0[/dice]. Skid: Move the vehicle 1d4” left or right (in the direction of a failed maneuver, or away from a damaging attack).

Critical Hit: [dice]1[/dice]. Engine: The engine is hit. Oil leaks, pistons misfire, etc. Acceleration is halved (round down). This does not affect deceleration, however.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 7:49 pm
by Toshiro 'Cybermonk'
Cooperative Drivnig Roll
Driving [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
Ace! [dice]2[/dice]
Toshiro grips the controls tightly as the blast from the shadow giant rocks the APC. The APC skids out of control across the thick layers of mud underneath the vehicle before coming to a standstill. Toshiro rapidly makes adjustment to the controls and and as the APC starts moving forward again it feels sluggish and unresponsive. Toshiro guns it anyway and spares a quick glance to the rear view of the vehicle. He does a rapid double take when he doesn't see the shadow giant, but checks on the left and right of the vehicle also dont reveal the creature. He breaths a sigh of relief and lets Jameson handle the majority of the work of driving the banged up APC wherever the glowing light is leading.

As they step into the grove, Toshiro watches as one by one his companions collapse to the ground or otherwise freeze, and stare blankly off into space. Toshiro unholsters his laser and sights the blue light, but before he can pull the trigger a vision flashes before his eyes. The first is flitting image of the baby T-Rex nuzzling its parents, who stir but dont stand. Eventually the baby lays down beside its parents and drifts off to sleep.

The vision fades to black, and a more familiar scene plays before Toshiro's eyes.
The Vision
A slightly younger version of Toshiro, with a few less cybernetic enhancements knocks on an old wooden door of a humble but well kept cottage tucked near the top of something too tall to be called a hill and too small to be called a mountain. Toshiro turns to look down at the small village nestled into the valley where his company is posted shading his eyes from the noon-day sun. For a moment he considers heading back down to the village, but then the door to the cottage opens.

A gruff, wrinkled man, standing a few inches above Toshiro with an unlit cigar in his mouth opens the door and frowns at the cybernetic intruder on his doorstep. The man looks Toshiro up and down, and is halfway through slamming the door without a word when he notices the Legion emblem on the front of his shirt. A hint of puzzled curiosity crosses the man's faces as he leans against the door frame.

"Whaddya wan't?" he says around the cigar.

Toshiro bows respectfully, and reaches up to trigger the playback feature of his cybernetic eye. A scene of horror and bloodshed plays out on the ground of the porch. The old recluse's countenance turns even grimmer as he watches the scene unfold.

"Dat's an awful sad story, dubly so if'n its real, but it ain't got nuthin' to do wif me. So I repeat meself, Whaddya wan't"

Toshiro reaches up to his eye and triggers another scene, this one synthesized to try and explain himself. It shows himself standing opposite a stereotyped wizard, in full robe and point hat. The hermit grunts at the wizards outfit, but otherwise holds his peace. The wizard character raises a staff, says a nonsensical incantation and a wave of energy flows from the staff toward image of Toshiro. The virtual Toshiro braces himself as the wave of energy hits him, but when it is passed he stands up straight and starts walking toward the wizard. The scene then fades out.

"I take afence to that silly gettup! But I s'pose I get whatya mean...ya want me to make ya resistant to magic?" The hermit says and Toshiro nods solemnly.

"Well hell, you coulda just sed so. No need to go making a fancy vidya.".

Toshiro shakes his head, then draw his hand across his lips, as though pulling a zipper.

"What!? Ya don't speak?... Well, affer what ye just showed me, I s'pose I ain't gunna hold it aginst ya." The hermit says, then adds, stepping aside, "Well come on in then. I happen to owe that legion a yers a favor, so me fee won't be too steep. But I warn ya, its a gunna hurt..." Toshiro walks into the cottage and when the door slams the scene skips forward to the next thing Toshiro remembers.

Toshiro opens his eyes and finds himself curled on the floor of the cottage, his body aflame with the memory of a pain so intense even the memory of it makes it difficult for Toshiro to stand.

"I'll, be darned" The hermit says as we walks into the room, holding two chipped mugs "I'd bet most men woul'nt be conshius for nother couple hours or so, let alone up 'n walking bout." The hermit offers Toshiro one of two mugs, which is filled with something putrid.

"Here, have a sip of me tea. It helps with all sorta aches 'n pains" hey says, as he somehow sips the tea around the cigar he still has in his mouth. "Ye shud be all set, and I already got me fee, so you can head on back to yer legion as soon as ye feel up to it."

Toshiro bows respectfully, sets down the mug on a nearby coffee table and makes for the door. As he reaches out to the handle, the hermit calls out "By da way", who is dat 'Kaiko' girl your fancy eye kept playin' vidyas of while I was workin on ya?"

Toshiro pauses with his hand on the handle for a for a long moment, and a single tear rolls down the cheek of his good eye. He then shakes his head side to side once opens the door, and steps out into what is now the night the night.
Toshiro will take "Improved Arcane Resistance"

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 9:56 pm
by Jareb
Agility 10
Agility -2, Go Dice Roll: [dice]0[/dice] Wild [dice]1[/dice] Benny for EF [dice]2[/dice]
Jareb gracefully pulls past the shadow dodging its final gasp. I’ll find you again old one, and then you and I will have words.

He flaps his sweaty worn molting wings gaining some alttitude and finally lands near the glowing ball of friendliness.
Angel’s Dream of Dinosaurs
Jareb’s first foray into this swamp was long ago before humans were even a gleam in their creator’s eye. Back then leylines too crisscrossed the world and magic was fruitful and wild. Jareb found himself one night looking up at the stars with a demonic consort wrapped arround him: Lilith the betrayer!
Jareb found himself content and smiling but it was far too fleeting as his lady was startled thusly vanishing as a group of T-rex’s approached.

The big one said rumbling the ground, ”Angel wings... I have not had those in a fort night, hey Joey do you still have those spices mom gave you?”
Jareb gets up, or rather tries but “Joey” got the drop on him and pinned him to the muck with his mighty razor clawed foot.
Agghh, damn those wicked claws...
Joey rustles his tail a bit procuring a 10 spice spice rack on it. His voice is like a screeching Mastadon, ” Yup, got it! Maybe we try the 21 seasoning salute huh Boolag?”

The rumbling one named Boolag that had so aptly distracted Jareb nods enthusasticly shaking the swamp, ” Oh! We have not tried that one yet. Momma would be so proud. Where is Freddy? We need his butchering knife.”

A small whisp of shadow forms near Jareb, and solidifies into a humanoid shape with a wicked silver sword. The shadow smiles a smokey grin, ” I am here my firends, lets see whom you have caught of the celestial court this time? Ahh, the soon to be crowned 13th general! Well done indeed.”

Joey the smaller of the two T-rex’s screeches, ” Yup, we got him just like you told us!”

Jareb struggles but it is in vain, so he resorts to his only defense... His words, ” When I get up, i will see all three of you...”

The shadowman puts a hand over Jareb’s mouth, ” Hush... hush... Yes, we know, blah blah blah smote this... Blah blah blah, smite that, wrath and all... But listen... Here I will lay for countless mellenia growing until no shape or power can hold me... But first we need to eat you!” The two dino’s roar with glee...

Fortunately a heavenly light sprays down from the sky blinding all of them, and several dozen angels appear thusly driving the two dinos and shadowman deeper into the swamp.

Jareb struggles to his feet helped by their leader, a powerful and benevolent Angel of great healing. Jareb grins with a small amount of reverence, ”Thank you Seriena.”
She flaps her wings heading back to her home in the sky, ”Do not thank me just yet Jareb, you owe me and I will some day collect.”

Jareb looks up watching the Angel’s depart and calls after them laughing, ”Just make sure you do not saddle me with a curse or anything.”

The angel Seriena, smiles unseen and whispers to herself, ” I have foreseen it already Jareb... Nay not a curse but a precious Gift.”
A t-rex, perhaps a bit younger than a full adult comes struting towards Jareb. It nuzzles him and licks Gift with a flick of a toungue. Jareb’s laughs and nods petting it, ” Ok... We may have need of such an ally in these swamps. Just no eating us.”. The T-rex roars and spits up on Jareb possibly and quite unexpectedly mocking his leadership abilities.

Jareb looks down at his clothes covered in last weeks dino lunch, ” Wow, I really do not know what to say but if you really don’t think I am a natural leader, seriously just say it don’t as they say spray it.” The T-rex stomps off in search of the right ally.
((1 Benny Spent, and if allowable the natural Leader edge))

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sun May 27, 2018 10:15 pm
by Tyraxas
Agility
Agility, attack 1, -2 for Dive for Cover, +2 for Joker
[dice]0[/dice]

WD Agility
[dice]1[/dice]

Agility, attack 2
[dice]2[/dice]

WD Agility
[dice]3[/dice]
Tyraxas curses as two blasts of shadows strike him with great force. Still, he is a dragon, and what evil the shadows intended for him dissolves like a splash of water against his hide. "You cannot harm the mighty Tyrax...WHAT IN TIAMAT'S NAME IS THAT?!" He looks back just as the shadows form a clawed hand, and it reaches for him. A momentary thrill of fright courses through him as the monstrous shadow hand comes within inches of his tail. The scare fades as the light drives the shadows back to their home. Relieved, he shouts out an attempt to reassure everyone within earshot. "As I was just saying before I was interrupted, you cannot harm the mighty Tyraxas! I have vanquished this foe with my unquenchable fire!"
He alights in the safe haven. "I know not why, but this spring looks appetizing." He stoops to take a sip from the spring, then revels in a flash of insight from his mother.

The dragon hunters had pursued her for days. No matter where she flew, there they were. What they wanted would not go well for her. The horns of a great horned dragon are worth a fortune each, and it seemed they were determined to harvest their fortune from her hide. I might as well get this over with. I tire of these games.
She knew of a cave where another older dragon had lived. The dragon had been slain, likely by this same crew of hunters. She alighted at the opening, folded her wings, and proceeded to stride boldly inside. Her eyes, as sharp as ever, darted back and forth, probing the darkness. Of course they were here. And in force. The few sentries set at the mouth of the cave had already signaled the rest of their crew. They would be ready.

So would she.

Arriving at the previous resident's bedchamber, (what else do you call the massive hall where an old dragon rests on a pile of treasure?) she spies her would-be captors. The leader, a hideous ogre, laughs, echoing in the vast chamber. "'bout time you come home. The porter was just 'bout worn down." He gestures to a weasely looking, blotchy skinned human, clearly someone with enough magic to teleport their crew all over creation. His soul was likely the price, as he looked half decayed while still alive.

"You won't take me alive." The dragon steels herself for the impending conflict.

"That weren't the plan anyhoo. Alright boys. Ta-" The ogre's last words never made it to his mouth, as the massive she-dragon had hurtled herself like a bolt of lightning to swipe his neck from his shoulders mid-command. Before the teleporter could raise his hands, her hind foot crushed him against the floor of the cavern. A spout of dragon-fire cooked one of the snare-men, bearers of enchanted nets that would rob her of her strength. An orc found himself turned into a missile, striking full against the second snare-man and knocking him from his perch. Almost in slow-motion, the rest of the doomed dragon-hunters lunged her way. Before they could strike, she vanishes. They stop short, but fail to realize that she has simply shifted form into a much smaller target, blending with the shadows long enough to escape their clumsy attacks. The hapless fools turn towards the mouth of the cavern, only to find the dragon had retaken her natural form and blocked their exit.

A creature that size has no business moving that quickly. These hunters had never seen anything like her. Unfortunately, their first encounter was their last. She anticipated and countered each attack before it was launched. She fought with brutal efficiency and startling grace, until the last of the dragon hunters lay cooking on the rocks, fully immolated by her fire. She had conducted a lesson in efficiency and speed.

The voice of his mother burns in his head. "Strike first. Strike hard. Show no mercy, my son, for you will be shown none."
Edge
Tyraxas selects the Quick edge

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 2:15 am
by Sierra Mackenzie
Notice 5
Notice [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
***

The chasing shadows rose up into a massive pillar that bounded along after them, sending down a rain of shadowy death bombs.

“Oh, man. This is worse than that time I tried mom’s acid…” Sierra muttered, dodging and weaving the exploding shadows of death.
Dive for Cover 13
-2 dive for cover
Agility [dice]2[/dice]
Wild [dice]3[/dice]
Ace [dice]4[/dice]
Ace [dice]5[/dice]
One of the shadow bombs came right at her, but she zigged around a tree, darted beneath Tyraxas and to the other side of the dragon’s massive frame, avoiding the blast.

“Ha! Have to do better than that, necrotic penis monster!” Sierra shouted back.

That taunt seemed to have hit home, as the shadowy form began to break apart, first into the shapes of animals, and then wisping away to nothing.

“Huh…” Sierra said.

The shadowed clearing was a welcome relief from the heat and the chase. As Sierra landed, a flaming feather from her wings drifted down, igniting a patch of grass. Sierra stared into the flames, her eyes becoming unfocused.

“Oh, fuck. Not again…”

***

Sierra sat in a bar somewhere, in a shadowed corner, swirling a drink in her hand. She looked down at the nice dress she was wearing. The place seemed rather upscale, more along the lines of the hotel bar in her hotel in Nashville than any dive she had frequented growing up in Whykin.

At the table sat a young woman, and Sierra blinked, and then stared. Jacqueline Mackenzie was about twenty years younger, golden blonde hair falling in a cascade down her shoulders and shimmering in the low light of the club. She wore a beautiful low cut dress of expensive quality. It showed off her lush curves, and the color brought out her blue eyes. She sipped a drink with a rather bored expression, brushing off several attractive young men that attempted to flirt as she jotted down some notes on a napkin.

A man slid onto the stool beside Jacqueline. He was older than her by maybe ten years. His hair was red, like the streaks of red in Sierra’s auburn locks, and his eyes a brilliant green, like Sierra’s eyes. He wore a black perfectly tailored bespoke suit with a red tie. And he was drop dead gorgeous, with perfect features and a handsome, dashing smile.

“Damn…” Sierra muttered, sipping her drink and staring at the man.

“Tequila,” the man said to the bartender. “Two glasses. Leave the bottle.” He had a slight accent, but Sierra couldn’t place it.

The man poured the two shots and used a perfectly manicured finger to push one over in front of the woman sitting next to him.

Jacqueline looked up at the man, then at the drink, and raised an eyebrow. “I have a drink already,” she said. “Thank you.” She turned back to her notes, giving him the brush off.

“Ah, but I noticed you are drinking club soda. That is hardly a way to celebrate your new promotion.”

Jacqueline looked up with surprise. “How did you--?” She studied him, his handsome features. “Do I know you?”

“Not yet, but I do hope we get to know each other...intimately.”

Jacqueline scoffed. “Hardly,” she said, turning back to her work.

“No, I think you want to talk to me.”

Sierra blinked. Had she seen a flash of...flames behind the man’s eyes?

Jacqueline looked up, blinking, staring into his eyes. Her features softened, almost slackened. She smiled.

“I’m Jacqui,” she said, offering her hand.

“I know.” The man smiled. “Aran,” he introduced himself. “Drink up.”

Jacqui looked down at the shot of tequila, then at her club soda. She shrugged and tossed back the shot. She gasped as it burned down her throat.

“Good girl,” Aran said, tossing back his own and pouring the each another. He lifted his to her in a toast. “To good careers, and beautiful babies.”

Jacqui laughed. “I’m pretty sure those two are mutually exclusive,” she said. “I’m not looking to settle down.” She tossed back the tequila, doing better this time.

Aran grinned. “Neither am I,” he said.

Sierra lost track of how many drinks her mother had with the handsome stranger. She waved to the bartender for another drink herself. When she turned her attention back, Jacqui and Aran were on the dance floor, in each others’ arms.

Sierra wandered over to the bar and picked up the napkin her mother had been writing on. It was notes of some kind. It looked like the beginnings of some kind of speech, politics. Royal politics. Sierra looked back at her mother, laughed and leaning against Aran, staring deeply into handsome man’s eyes. Did she see the flames there that Sierra saw?

Sierra couldn’t remember her mother ever talking about her life. Sierra assumed they had always been poor, her mother a whore and a euphie addict. What was all of this? This had to be a fantasy, right?

Sierra looked back at the napkin. Flames had begun curling the edges, consuming the delicate paper. “Shit!” she exclaimed, reaching out for the fire to put it out.

It didn’t go out. It engulfed her hand. It didn’t burn her, but...she couldn’t control it! Fire had never disobeyed her like this before! Not since the day she first manifested, since she burned her mother and boyfriend, burned her tenement and everyone inside.

Her mother! Sierra’s eyes went to Jacqui. She had her eyes closed, cheek resting against Aran’s strong, muscled chest. Aran stared right at Sierra, those flames behind his green eyes. He gave her a knowing smile.

Sierra’s heart skipped. She looked around. Flames had started licking at the walls and curtains of the club. No one seemed to notice, even when the fire caught dresses. People burned, blackened, then melted like wax, the pop and stench of boiling fat, so familiar to Sierra. She inhaled deeply of the smoke and flames, still getting a thrill despite the horror. It was so primal, so...free.

The sounds of the club and flames faded. Sierra opened her eyes to darkness. Moans touched her ears, soft gasps and pants, a whispered name, “Aran!”

Sierra called on her powers, seeing through the darkness. She looked on a bed, two naked bodies entwined in passion, moving as one.

“Jacqui!”

Sierra gagged. “Oh! Oh, fuck, no!” she exclaimed, turning away quickly.

“Yes! Aran! Faster!”

“Oh, hell no! I am not going to watch this!” Sierra raced for the door, yanking it open just as she heard her mother reach ecstasy.

Sierra fled out into the rest of the apartment, the echoes of her mother’s passion chasing her. “There is not enough brain bleach in the world to make me forget that,” Sierra said with a groan.

She paused, looking around. The apartment was upscale. Luxurious, even. It was twice the size of their old tenement, maybe more. Two bedrooms, one of which had been converted into an office, it appeared. Sierra opened a curtain and looked out into the darkness at the lights of Whykin. She recognized the building. It was an upscale residential tower in center city, and she was staring out at the royal palace.

“Damn, Mom!” Sierra gaped.

Her gaze fell on a picture, and Sierra picked it up. It was her mother, in graduation robes from the Royal University of Whykin, holding her diploma, flanked by an older man and woman. Who were they? Sierra had never seen them before, but they shared her mother’s features, and looked very proud of their girl.

Sierra put the picture down again and wandered into the kitchen. She found a good bottle of tequila and opened it, drinking straight from the bottle as she poked around.

Movement from the door caused Sierra to jump and spin around, nearly dropping the bottle of tequila. She put it down and stared at Aran where he stood in all his naked glory. She couldn’t help but run her eyes down his form.

“God damn…”

Aran met Sierra’s eyes. Flames licked behind them again as he grinned at her.

Sierra felt heat rise in her, sympathetic, calling. It wasn’t desire or lust. Something else. Something more...kindred.

“Yes, Jacqui will do nicely,” Aran said, though Sierra wasn’t sure if he was speaking to her or not. She moved past her and picked up the bottle of tequila, turning to head back to the bedroom.

“No!” Sierra said. “You leave my mother alone!” She leapt at Aran, but her arms only embraced flames. Her clothes caught fire. Again she instinctively reached to put them out, and again they disobeyed. Her dress burned away, leaving her naked.

“Hm.”

Sierra spun around, finding Aran standing in the doorway. He took a sip from the bottle and ran his eyes over Sierra’s naked body. “Definitely a beauty.”

The normally unashamed girl quickly covered herself with her hands, but Aran was already walking toward the bedroom.

“Mom!” Sierra yelled, charging after him. She burst into the bedroom and pulled up. Her mother was stretched out, having fallen asleep, drunk, worn out, and naked, with a satisfied smile on her face.

Aran sat beside her, stroking Jacqui’s hair. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Then he looked at Sierra. Their eyes met again. She felt the fires inside of her stoke, felt the flames licking through her hair, dancing in time with the fires behind his eyes. She tried to tamp it down, but her fires refused to obey, responding with delight. The carpet burst into flame, the curtains caught.

Aran leaned down over Jacqui. He kissed her stomach. There was the sizzle and scent of burning flesh. Jacqui stirred fitfully. Aran sat up, revealing a kiss shaped mark burned into Jacqui’s stomach.

Sierra remembered that mark. Her mother had always said it was a birthmark.

Aran stood and got dressed. He walked past Sierra, not even acknowledging her. She heard the front door close as the bedroom and her mother burned away.

***

Sierra blinked and staggered, falling to her knees in the grass as the memory or vision left her, the fire that had contained it going out. She gasped, her red hair falling about her shoulders her wings extinguishing in a puff of smoke.

“What the hell was that!”
OOC Comments
Taking Liquid Courage for my free Edge.
***
Conditions
Danger Sense: Notice to avoid surprise
ISP: 13/20
Bennies: 2/3
Adventure Card
  • Speedy Gonzales: Expend this card to gain +2 to your Pace for the rest of the scene. USED
Everything Burns
[dice]6[/dice]
3-10: Anything highly flammable burns.
6-10: Anything flammable burns.
8-9: Water boils away over [dice]7[/dice] rounds.
10: Anything not flammable burns or melts (metal, stone, ceramic, etc) and water superheats and evaporates immediately.
Gear
Sierra’s pack is in the car.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 12:02 pm
by Conrad
Conrad
He manages to angle the ATV away from the blast, but could see the APC get hit

Gonna have to fix that he winced

As they arrive in the clearing, he clambers out of the ATV only

Interlude
"Everyone stay sharp," the colonel demanded, "we hit the camp in five."
Conrad nodded, along with the rest of the team; their job was to hit one of the internment... no call it what your history course taught you, concentration camp, free prisoners, find evidence of what they were up to and show it to the groups that wouldn't support Tolkeen. Bring them into the fight.

We get in, set some charges, cause chaos and get prisoners out of here.

He released a little drone, which tunnelled into the earth. Despite his size, Conrad could move quite quietly when needed. With Bezi at his side, they made their way over to the fence, using the information from the drone to show where the mines weren’t. Crouched down, the little gadget he had put together was designed to diffuse their heat signature as Bezi quietly, and efficiently cut a hole into the perimeter

They were in and so far so good.

Still, something bothered him as the rest of the squad made their way in.
If he had hairs on his neck, they would be standing on end. Conrad grabbed Boll and pulled her into the shadows, hunkering down.
Just as the area where the others were suddenly was bathed in light

“Bohica!” Conrad exclaimed quietly to himself.
Edge – Danger sense



Jameson

She wrestled with the controls as the APC was hit and she could feel the damage done, Dammit she swore under her breath, Conrad had only just fixed the APC; he was going to be so pissed about this.

When they arrive in the clearing, she releases the breath she didn't realise she was holding

Interlude

“Carry out a sweep of the area,” Specialist Davidson told Jameson and the two Psi Stalkers. As the forward infiltration specialist, she was used to being sent out on patrol. He had been acting a little stranger than normal, so getting away from that asshole was a delight. Their numbers had been depleted by the vampires, but she had been assured that they were closing in on the last few.

Still, something was bugging her. She knelt down to check some spore; something had definitely been here recently, despite what one of the Psi Stalkers Zake was telling her. Was he being incompetent or ...
Just as she ducked down, something went hurtling just over her, crashing into Kell, one of the Psi Stalkers.
He screamed as he suddenly was knocked into the bushes. She pulled out her silver knife and pistol loaded with silver
"Kell," she screamed, moving to rescue him, but the noise quickly stopped and the other Psi Stalker Zake was nowhere to be seen. Had he also been taken or .... Oh crap, she realised the danger she was in.

From her vantage point, she could see something in the dark, what was it she couldn’t quite see; wait were those … eyes….
She felt her self-control drift away. Now, she served like many of the others she realised. Now, they would help the ones they were supposed to be hunting. How had it gotten this bad?


taking luck

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Mon May 28, 2018 7:48 pm
by Kuikku
Rolls
Fatigue -2
Notice = [dice]0[/dice]
Wild = [dice]1[/dice]
Watching the shadow darts get closer, and bigger, Kuikku braces for the worst. Between Jameson and Toshiro most of the onslaught is avoided but one explosion gets close enough to shake things up. The swerving and bouncing around subsides quickly and although nothing inside looks much worse there are plenty of extra noises to alert all the passengers something broke. Kuikku is able to get back to the gun port just as the last of the extra shadows fade away. He sits back down and closes his eyes with a sigh of relief.

It only takes a few minutes for the ride to get much smoother and when Kuikku looks out the back it is almost as if the party has traveled completely out of the swamp. When the vehicle stops he pops the back door open and glances around the clearing. This is not too bad. ”Hey, Deezy, I don't think our ride should be ma...” Suddenly Kuikku's sight goes black. The first vision is of the rexes getting back to their feet and Kuikku feels the gratitude.

Then there are a series of vision flashes from many different times in Kuikku's life. Only a few leave any real impression but they all have strong emotion tied to them.

Sitting around a camp fire with several other D-bees. There is a scream and his mother jumps to her feet.

Standing in formation with other Cyber Knights listening to Lord Coake speak at his graduation ceremony.

Playing with other kids in a nice park.

Sitting in a bar trying to work up the courage to talk to that really cute blond.

The flashes of vision stop on one particular memory. Kuikku is about sixteen years old and the scene is a dirty, narrow street with broken buildings providing the background of a shanty town. He stands in a more secluded area with several other kids of various races about his age arrayed around him. Everyone is dressed in clothes that obviously have not been washed in some time. The one thing that stands out is that the all of the other kids have blue bandannas tied to their left arms but Kuikku is wearing a red one.

A Simvan chuckles without humor and waves at Kuikku. ”So, what should we do with this trespasser? Just like a stupid Clacker to walk into Feral territory alone.”

A Fennodi looks around nervously. ”Don't forget the truce, Axel. We can't do anything unless he swings first. There are too many people who can see what is going on here.”

A human looks around as well. ”And we are right on the border, no telling how many will tell the truth even if we do claim he started it.”

Axel rolls his eyes. ”Fine, then let's just see if we can't make that happen. What do you say 'slow flex', you wanna take a swing?” This last sentence is accompanied by Axel sticking his chin way forward and turning his head just a little.

The next several minutes are spent with the other kids taunting Kuikku, but he just stands there. Over time the taunts start being accompanied by small jabs or pieces of trash being tossed at him, but he just stands there. After almost ten minutes of this Axel finally loses his temper and swings a full punch. Kuikku easily sees it coming and turns just enough to ensure the hit does no major damage. With that all of the kids start moving in but before the next swing can be made close to a dozen more kids, all wearing red on their arms, leap out of concealment. Before the fight actually starts the vision fades to black.

Kuikku's vision slowly clears and he finds himself on his hands and knees. Shaking his head lightly he returns to his feet. This is getting tiresome. If I find myself on my knees again I may have to invest in some knee pads. Looking around at the rest of the party Kuikku sees similar dazed expressions. ”I realize we only just arrived in the swamp but it may be a good idea to stop here for a bit so we can get our bearings and make repairs to the APC.”
Edge
I will take the Strong Willed edge.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 4:34 am
by Norona
Piloting 15
Piloting [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]

Benny
Piloting [dice]2[/dice]
Ace [dice]4[/dice]
Ace [dice]5[/dice]
Wild [dice]3[/dice]
Leaning hard on the accelerator Norona desperately tries to avoid the incoming blasts. As dark magic it would likely hurt him even more than the others. Cognisant of his need to survive, the half elf attempts a daring aerial maneuver. As the blast closes he angles his hover cycle straight up! Buffeted by the blast, Norona's feet and legs temporarily flail behind him with only his grip on the handle bars keeping him attached to the bike. Then, suddenly, gravity takes over as the bike hits its stall angle. Swinging his feet back into place, Norona pulls up furiously executing a steep dive and then levelling off just above the trees - sending a few tufts of leaves flying in his wake. Free and clear he pushes the bike to maximum to finally escape the tendrils of darkness.

In the clearing, Norona recognizes the sacredness of the space and takes a posture of humility, "The spirit of this swamp has given us a great blessing. We would be wise to accept, and to provide aid." Letting Zoffa out of the APC Norona smiles at his old friend, "You have been cooped up a long time, this place is safe, go be yourself." The dire wolf bounds off happily to hunt for its food. Norona is confident the swamp will not take offense, hunting is the natural order of things.
Interlude Edge
Beast Bond, spend bennys on animals and familiars
The serenity of the surroundings and the presence of the ley line offer Norona a moment of clarity as he is taken to a vivid memory in the frozen wilds of Canada. His quest for finding his home dimension took him to the libraries of Lazlo and even an audience with the Great Council of learning. While they did not know his home dimension, they did know of some dwarves who claimed to be from a similar world. These dwarves were located at Castle Refuge, home of the Tomorrow Legion. Intrigued by their presence, Norona resolved to go to them. Yet, it was winter and travel difficult. Perhaps a portal could be arranged.

The portal was not successful! Instead of the humidity of Arkansas, Norona was greeted by the bitter winds of the northern wilds. It was night and he was ill prepared, fortunately his magic provided some protections. Looking to the stars, these foreign stars he had come to know and read, he could tell he was far north of his destination...in fact he was far north from Lazlo itself! He faced a trek of many days through the snow just to get back to his starting point. Undeterred he began his journey. As he foraged for food he quickly realized the area was hunted clean. Some sort of predator had upset the natural ecosystem, a common occurrence since the coming of the Rifts. This lead to double danger, as the creature itself was on the prowl and the local predators would be starving and more aggressive. Compelled to forgo his own goals for the moment, Norona set out to track down the predator and hopefully restore some balance to the area.

Finding it was easy, for a trail of blood and fur illuminated the way. Before long the wilderness scout could hear the sounds of primeval violence. Animals fighting one another for survival. A pack of large wolves were fighting, unsuccessfully, with a netherbeast. The demonic creature had a tough hide and vicious fangs. Despite the wolves superior numbers it was managing to kill many members of the pack. Saddened, Norona called out to the wolves with the creator's voice. Hearing it they were embolded and Norona was able to lead them strategically against the netherbeast. While they feigned and flanked, Norona transformed himself into a great hound of heaven and went for the throat!

Fighting as a wolf, among wolves, their voices in his head and his voice int theirs for a brief moment Norona was more animal than elf. Part of the pack and not alone. Soon the beast was felled, and Norona returned to his human form. Facing a pack of dire wolves alone he briefly wondered if they would turn on him in their starved state. Fortunately, one stepped forward and barred its teeth toward all the others. The pack cowed, and Norona was left to live.

"Thank you friend."

He walked with the wolves many days helping them find new hunting grounds and food sources. When it finally came time to part ways, his would be protector stayed with him and has remained with him since. Zoffa, leader of the wolves of the north, and faithful friend.

Re: 5. Creature(s?) From the Black Lagoon

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2018 6:03 pm
by Deezy Klatta
As the massive shadow-thing attacked again, and the charge on her gravity gun gave out, Deezy squeaked in alarm and ducked back into the ATV, closing the hatch over her head and hanging on for dear life. It turned out to be a good thing too, more or less. More because she wasn't exposed to those terrifying forces outside...and less because instead she spent the next several minutes rattling around in the passenger area like a dried-up bean in a pod. Even after the ATV had come to a stop, she lay there on the floor between seats for a moment, staring up at the roof as a strange, pleasant dreamy feeling fell over her...
Memoriiiiiies...
The apple tree out behind Mr and Mrs Shaki's house was a big one; a solid one that had grown for years and years. From its branches, if you got high enough up, you could see most of Tolkeen, at least up until the taller buildings in the city center. You'd also have a great view of the Klatta's workshop down below in the next yard over.

Or...what was left of it.

Deezy was a Klatta herself, if a young one, and she peered down at the wreckage of it, while adjusting her leg to a more comfortable position, where the branch supported her better. She shook some of the leaves and twigs out of her hair for good measure. Her eyes were attracted by a nice ripe apple tantalizingly just out of reach for a moment, but ominous crackling noises under her obliged her to stop reaching for it.

This was a pickle, wasn't it?

"What the..." A man's voice, startled, came from below. From the Klatta's house which was fortunately built a little ways away from the workshop. Deezy quickly wiped some of the soot off of her face as her father ran out the back door and stopped, thunderstruck, on seeing the smoldering walls and blown out glass of the workshop.

"Deezy?" he called, then in a more frightened voice, "Dorothy!" He ran to the workshop door, now hanging by one hinge, and threw it open. "Dorothy Zane!"

Up in the tree, Deezy cleared her throat and called down, "I'm okay! I'm...up here?" in her piping twelve-year old voice.

Patrick Klatta froze where he was and looked over, and up. Relief flooded his features and he clapped a hand to his head.

"What are you doing up there?! What happened?! Are you all right?"

One of those was safe to answer. "Yeah!" she replied, waving a hand cheerfully. She had to stop though, hearing another of those little cracks under her. "Fine!"

Her dad's shoulders sagged slightly, and he glanced back at the workshop. Then he looked at the tree again. He was no dummy. Deezy could practically see the calculations churning in the blue eyes behind his glasses.

"You blew up the lab, didn't you?"

"Not...exactly!" Deezy eagerly called down. Eager because he wasn't 100% correct...but then winced because that statement was a perfect segue to...

"...something you did made the lab explode."

She hesitated, looking for some twist of semantics to keep the conversation mired in the place where she wasn't quite in trouble yet.

Nope.

"I...was working on my rocket boots," Deezy admitted.

Patrick took his glasses off and covered his eyes for a moment. "Gods and devils, Deezy, we TALKED about that! You could have DIED!"

"No but I had an idea and it was really good and I really thought it would work and it even kind of DID! Look how far I went!"


He indicated the smoking workshop with a sweep of his hand. "Do you see THIS?"

Deezy hesitated, then nodded, hanging her head.

"THIS could have been YOU. All the energy from the blast has to go SOMEwhere, and if you'd done even ONE THING wrong...sorry, wrongER...it would have gone UP and into you, and judging from all this there might not even be..." Her dad stopped himself with visible effort. "I'm not mad about the workshop. I mean...not yet. We'll get to that later. I'm mad because you're not using your brain. You're...you're counting on luck. It's pure luck that you're alive right now, and...sooner or later luck gives out."

He let out a sigh, a long exhalation that seemed to calm him down. "It's better to be good than lucky, Deezy. If you're already doing things right, a little luck can give you an edge. But if you're depending on it, and it doesn't come through...that's it. Come on down, we can talk about it."

She looked away, chewing her lip slightly. "So..."

Patrick adjusted his glasses and squinted up at her. "You're stuck."

"Well? I could fall..."

"Deezy."

"I might have enough power for just a little...PFFFFOOOO...just before I hit the ground!"

"Deezy!"


She shifted position again, and froze as there were more cracks and a little shower of leaves and twigs under her. "I'm too high for a ladder!"

Patrick shaded his eyes and went under the boughs of the tree to a spot directly under his daughter. He fished into his jacket's inner pocket and delved around a little. "It's all right. I've got you. Just sit still."

He produced a pair of small devices and fit them together into something about the size and shape of a dinner plate, then stepped up onto it. It began to glow an unearthly blue light, and Patrick rose into the air...borne upward by a sort of beam of energy. He grinned up at her as he ascended. "Neat, right? They got some of these in over at the big robot garage."

"WOW!"

It only took seconds for him to reach the spot Deezy was perched, and he managed to gather her up off the branches and hold onto her...though it was a bit awkward with the weight distribution in the lifting beam. They wound up kind of spinning around in it, wobbling back and forth.

The blue light started flickering, and Patrick had time to wonder what the maximum rated weight of the beam was before it gave out, dropping them both straight back down! Patrick wrapped his arms around Deezy as her body was jerked hard, nearly out of his grasp, with a flash of light and a sound like thunder. Except no, that wasn't right, they hadn't hit yet....and THEN the ground hit hard, knocking them both sprawling.

Gasping for breath, he called, "Deezy! Are you okay? I..." He paused, abruptly puzzled. The impact had knocked the breath out of him but... "I'm...all right?"

Deezy's arms went around Patrick's head and shoulders as she hugged him delightedly. "They worked! A little just before we hit the ground! Did you see it?!"

Her father's eyes slid down to the bizarre network of metal pipes and little glowing crystals and thick leather that Deezy had cobbled into what she called 'rocket boots.' They looked more like some kind of torture device to him, but he'd never say something like that to her. Even so, there was no way they could work. Where would you even put the fuel? There weren't even any...controls.

Yet the nozzles were smoking, and there was a blasted out spot on the ground just under where they'd been falling. He'd just assumed she'd been playing with volatile chemicals in there.

"I saw it," he said, and earned a kiss on the forehead for his trouble. "Listen. Deezy. There's some people I want you to meet. I think...I think they can help you. With your, uh, rocket boots. Maybe some of your other ideas. Okay?"

She'd started busily undoing the boots...the monstrosities were so big and unwieldy she could barely walk in them. "Okay!"
The flame-haired inventatrix cracked a crooked grin, even as a little teardrop leaked down one cheek.

Maybe being lucky really wasn't better than being good...but why settle for just one anyway?