Unatural Pit stop at Silver Bluff

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 8:29 am

You approach the south eastern stone bridge leading into Silver Bluff during nightfall. The moon is high and wisps of clouds swirl around. The stream that borders the town churns through making a soft lapping sound and finally drops off the bluff at the south most point of the town. The bridge is about a mile from the town center, and as you cross it, from your vantage point you can see flashes of light and hear the rumbling of a rail gun coming from the general direction of the center of town. At the same time the hover bikes headlights catch sight of 10 wild vampires, 2 said vampires are holding crying babies engaged in a furious melee with some of the town’s folk near the end of the bridge. At the arrival of the mountaineer, hoverbike, and Titan Robot armor, everyone comically pauses and briefly looks at each other and the blinding headlights of the vehicles. The wild vampire’s snarl and hiss at the lights!

Lay line activity note:
[dice]0[/dice]
No nearby laylines.

Surprise Round Rules of Engagement
1)Everyone is surprised, free actions only. Movement is free, if you would rather draw a weapon agility -2.
2)If you have danger sense roll -2 on notice to act as if you were on hold on your initiative.
---Hold: You can act normally on your initiative card or you can make opposed agility checks to interrupt a higher action card
3) Markus, Lucretia, Libertas, Bane, and Kesslen all get +1 bennie for cafeteria rp.
4) Dim lighting, -1 to ranged attack or notice rolls. Most savage rift armors offset this penalty. So only apply it if you are not wearing armor.

Battle map and initiative below:

https://1drv.ms/b/s!ApbK40F58-KNmQG4oR48W8hgcWTS

(( Savage rifts has tons of stuff going on so if I forget you have quick or something like that let me know.))

Libertas Magicum · Post by **Libertas Magicum** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 8:58 am

Danger Sense:

[dice]0[/dice]

Wild Die:

[dice]1[/dice]

Markus Berger · Post by **Markus Berger** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 9:05 am

Notice Roll: [dice]0[/dice] (+2 Sight and Hearing based (Cybernetics), -2 Danger sense)
[How do we roll Initiative cards?]
Everyone on the 13th hear their radios come to life.
"Alert! 10 hostiles! Seem like Wild Vampires. There are civilians engaged."

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 10:49 am

(To Markus) The GM already drew initiative cards for us, it would seem. There's a link to the map in the post he made at the top.

As the Mountaineer comes to a stop, Bane leans forward from the rear seat to get a better look when Markus shouts about vampires.

(I'm not sure which one would be better suited for determining a vampire's weaknesses)
Knowledge: Arcana [dice]0[/dice]
Ace! [dice]3[/dice]
10 + 3 = 13!

Common Knowledge [dice]1[/dice]

Wild Die: [dice]2[/dice]

Cantrell · Post by **Cantrell** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 11:38 am

Danger Sense: [dice]0[/dice] -2, so total 3.
Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice]
Using the Wild Die, with my +2 cybernetics bonus offsetting the -2, I'm at 4, which I believe succeeds?

Agility to Interrupt: [dice]2[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]3[/dice]
Edit: Crit fail.

From her perch on top of the Mountaineer, Cantrell spots the vampires about the same time as Markus does.

Vampires! she thinks, her mind instantly going back to a couple of bloody encounters with such beasts during her time at Lone Star. She knows the rifle in her hand will be no use, and drops it into the cabin below. Instead, she grabs for the wooden cross strapped to the outside of her survival pack. If worse comes to worst, I can always stab one with it, she thinks, launching herself off the roof of the transport. The servos in her armor whine as she lands [Edited to reflect critical fail-->] ... and the concrete beneath her feet crumbles under the weight of the armored exoskeleton.

Flailing, Cantrell manages to grab hold of some exposed rebar, which strains but holds as the rotten concrete bounces off her helmet. Clutching the wooden cross in her free hand, she stares at the rushing water below the bridge, cursing her luck.

That's what you get for rushing off like some kind of hero, you idiot, she thinks. But then a memory surfaces, and a plan -- of sorts -- starts to form. She thumbs her comm-link.

<<I don't know what kind of capabilities you spell-slingers have. But if any of the rest of you feel up to it, try wrestling these bastards into the river. When I was stationed down south, SAMs used to make runs on packs of vamps at night, snatching up stragglers and dumping them in the Rio.>>

<<Also, uh ... little help, maybe?>>

Cantrell "draws" her wooden cross and tries to advance, but tumbles off the side of the bridge, where she's left dangling.

Libertas Magicum · Post by **Libertas Magicum** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 11:42 am

Upon hearing the word "Vampires", Libertas immediately brings the truck to a slow stop as he reaches into the compartment under his seat, trying to draw out the Marianas Cannon.

Agility: [dice]0[/dice]

Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice]

Libertas Magicum · Post by **Libertas Magicum** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 11:43 am

Sadly, the cannon is apparently behind some of his other gear, and he's unable to get it out right away.

At least he didn't critically fail drawing it out--probably would've dropped it out the window into the river....

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 3:39 pm

Vamps.

She exhales through her teeth, an almost catlike hiss.

Under her breath she mutters to no one in particular, lapsing into Spanish seemingly without noticing.
Hermano, estos sangrientos no verán otra noche ...
[spanish] Brother, these blood-suckers will not see another nightfall...[/spanish]

Electric impulses surge through her mind and body as she psychically prepares herself for combat.
Gripping the edge of the hatch that Cantrell was standing in a moment earlier, she pulls herself onto the roof, rolls down the hatch and runs to the nearest vampire. A she moves, a field of some sort distorts the light around her, and her blades of grey-silver light emerge from her forearms, stretching back to her elbows and forward from her wrists, similar to vambraces, ending about half a foot beyond her extended fingers.

¡Lucha contra mí, freza profano!
[spanish] Fight me, unholy spawn![/spanish]

"Get behind me."
She says over the radio, a dead calm in her voice.

OOC Comments

Maximilian · Post by **Maximilian** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 6:52 pm

Notice for bridge structural integrity:
[dice]0[/dice]
Wild Die:
[dice]1[/dice]

"They're not getting past me! Sic' em, boys!"

I'll be standing at the end of the bridge behind the crew in order to block the vampires' exit. Pointing a laser at the nearest vampire that isn't holding a baby.

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 7:53 pm

Bane rambles off all vampire weaknesses and strengths (will do a full post after I get off from work).

Kesslan · Post by **Kesslan** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 8:38 pm

Kesslan was briefly torn between the apparent kidnapping in progress, or at the very least the presence of vampires, and the apparent sudden dive one of his team mates appears to be making towards the river. With little time to act, he quickly makes his way over to Cantrell to help hoist her back up with one massive mitt.

Maximilian · Post by **Maximilian** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 10:08 pm

Change of plans with new info. Looks like the bridge is covered. I'll be making my way through the river. I'll scan the bridge as I cross, checking for structural weaknesses that might put my crew in danger. If I need to hurry to cross in one round, I'll run.
Piloting roll to cross safely
[dice]0[/dice]
Wild die
[dice]1[/dice]
Edit: forgot to include my +2 for the Ace edge. Comes to 5 total.

Notice to scan the bridge
[dice]2[/dice]
Wild die
[dice]3[/dice]

Running roll if needed to span the gap
[dice]4[/dice]

"I'll fetch these monsters! Who's a good boy?!"

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 11:47 pm

Expanded from my earlier post.

Bane calls out over the comms "Vampires can be damaged by contact with silver, wood, and water, and can be damage by powerful psychic or magical abilities, as well as sunlight, vampires, and garlic and wolf's bane. If harmed by means other than water or sunlight, the head MUST be separated from the body and both burned separately from one another, scattering the ashes afterward. They also occasionally have the ability to shapechange into either bats or wolves, and even more rarely, turn into mist."

Going over the list of strengths and weaknesses in his head, Bane begins to formulate a plan, but wants to observe something first.

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 12:01 am

As Bane is rattling off the information he knows about vampires, he observes the battleground and nearby areas for tell tale mystical signatures.

Exalted Detect Arcana -2 PPE
Spellcasting [dice]0[/dice]

Wild Die [dice]1[/dice]
Success

Fear check -4 (total)
Spirit [dice]2[/dice]Wrong die type
Spirit [dice]5[/dice]

Wild Die [dice]3[/dice] ACE

[dice]4[/dice]

6 + 1 - 4 = 3 Fail

Extra Effort (-1 Bennie) [dice]6[/dice]

3 (previous total) + 2 = 5 Success!

As Bane looks around, he sees something that gives him the chills, but he grits his teeth against the rising fear...

Jude Maverick · Post by **Jude Maverick** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 3:05 am

Southeast of Silver Bluff
Night

Jude leaned against the window of the Mountaineer, his headphones plugged into his ears, listening to some soothing music as they drove, napping. Stuck in the back with Cantrell, he had to admit the view wasn’t bad from where he sat slightly behind the mercenary standing in the turret.

Jude jolted awake as the Mountaineer pulled to a stop and Marcus’ voice alerted them over the comms about vampires.

“Oh, shit…” Jude muttered. And then started sneezing. Who would have known he was allergic to dogboys! He always did like cats better, anyway.

Wiping his nose, Jude’s thoughts raced now how best to combat vampires as the D’Norr rattled off weaknesses of the creatures. Great. That helped. He had nothing like that, other than the wooden cross in his survival pack.

Cantrell jumped from the truck, but took a tumble, nearly falling into the river. Kessel was helping her, so Jude took her place in the roof hatch, eying the vampires.

“Babies? They have babies!” he gasped.
Southeast of Silver Bluff
Night

Jude leaned against the window of the Mountaineer, his headphones plugged into his ears, listening to some soothing music as they drove, napping. Stuck in the back with Cantrell, he had to admit the view wasn’t bad from where he sat slightly behind the mercenary standing in the turret.

Jude jolted awake as the Mountaineer pulled to a stop and Marcus’ voice alerted them over the comms about vampires.

“Oh, shit…” Jude muttered. And then started sneezing. Who would have known he was allergic to dogboys! He always did like cats better, anyway.

Wiping his nose, Jude’s thoughts raced now how best to combat vampires as the D’Norr rattled off weaknesses of the creatures. Great. That helped. He had nothing like that, other than the wooden cross in his survival pack.

Cantrell jumped from the truck, but took a tumble, nearly falling into the river. Kessel was helping her, so Jude took her place in the roof hatch, eying the vampires.

“Babies? They have babies!” he gasped.

***

Rolls:

General Notice roll (not Danger Sense)
[dice]0[/dice]
Wild
[dice]1[/dice]

Drawing wooden cross and pistol
[dice]2[/dice]
Wild
[dice]3[/dice]

Markus Berger · Post by **Markus Berger** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:27 am

Oh man, you totally see that one of those babies is holding a no good debee quickflex. I will give you one of my GM bennies to smash into the vamp holding it pushing it and the baby into the river. your choice which one, there are only two.
Vehicle ram: Apposed, your driving vs their agility.
Yes you can move act and move, just any opponents get an attack on you/vehicle as you move away.
Extraction Maneuver (-2 to your driving roll), 1 vamp will not get an attack as you with draw.
Note this would count as multiple actions obviously if you have ace it can alleviate some of the penalties :
Vehicle ram -2 to driving

Markus won't let the Vampire get away with his food. And he will protect the babies, even if one of them is a DBee.
He speeds his hoverbike to try and push the vampire into the river.
Driving (+2 Ace -2 Ram): [dice]0[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice]
[I think I got him.]
After that he will try and move away from the other vampires, hoping the surprise prevent them from attacking him.
"I pushed one vampire with a baby into the river. Will try to push the other next."
[Not sure if I need to roll Diving again to escape.]
Driving (+2 Ace -2 Ram): [dice]2[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]3[/dice]
[I hope not! :S]

Markus Berger · Post by **Markus Berger** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 9:06 am

"I pushed one vampire with a baby into the river. Will try to push the other next... Die Arschmade!!!"
Markus, after pushing the vampire, is unable to turn the hoverbike around as he wanted, and gets toos out of it in a 2 meter arc in the middle of the vampires, hitting the ground hard.
"Ufff!"
The hoverbike comically moves forward, while the vampires move to the side letting it pass, until it hits a group of brambles and trees, staying there, seemingly undamaged.
As far as the others can see, Markus is prone, unarmed, and maybe shaken, in the middle of the vampire fiends.

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 11:56 am

"You did what??"

A dark temptation rides through her mind, but she shoves it aside.

"If anyone can swim well or better yet fly, go save the child. I'll cover Markus."

[OOC: If possible I'd like to amend my action, seeing I was going after Markus anyway.
Basically the same, but stand over Markus rather than go after the closest. If it means taking attacks for moving past vamps, so be it.

If necessary, here's an Agility test to weave through them.

Agility [dice]0[/dice] Wild [dice]1[/dice]
+2 for Acrobat = 12, success with 3 raises

Maximilian · Post by **Maximilian** » Tue Mar 14, 2017 12:51 pm

{OOC: should we get clarification on the success of the vampire ram maneuver? I thought that was an opposed roll.}

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 6:43 am

From some place on the right hand side of bridge everyone hears a low guttural maniacal laughter carried on the wind. The same voice tiptoes around all of your minds gently brushing against it as if some kind of psychic echo. It is clear to all of you the voice is singularly focused on one member of your team: Lucretia!
[color=#0080BFBF]Zahh... Zyes a Cyberknight! Itz haz beeen too Long sinz I had such a frezsh mindz to playz with... [/color] The voice is boisterous but quiets at the end as if thinking out loud. [color=#0080BFBF]Kesh zin zo many wayz has grown zo tiresome no?[/color] It resumes it lust for words in a gleeful tone as it tickles the front lobes of everyone's mind. Zah you have heard of ze Oathbreaker zyes? One za mine finezt machinations... Hahaha, zu should za seen Merikh's faze when zI forced his greatezt friend zo abandon zhim... In clear mockery his voice changes into a whiny yet exact replica of Sir Mereth (( not that any if you would have met the knight nessesarily)), and you see a brief glimpse of a Cyber knight watching a lumbering ogre cyber knight walking a way Et Tu Brute? The voice returns to its horrible sickly gleeful self. Zah Zah I know I dronz, But I am zuch zo happy!. The voice still licks at everyone's mind but it has more of a deadly tone than before. Zow then my zsweetz let us zee if we canz zo something aboutz this robotz you have withz you. While everyone else seems to hear this voice as a sickly sweet echo, Lucretia has a completely different experience, it is more of a battering ram trying to invade your mind and take control of your body, its face is everywhere and all consuming.

Action: Soldad is taking his held action to cast Shadow Control "puppet" on Lucretia

Spell casting Skill [dice]0[/dice]Ace
Ace [dice]2[/dice]
Total:14
Wild Die [dice]1[/dice]

(( It is an opposed roll, so Lucretia if you either want to put in a new post or edit your original as this happens at the end of the round. Your roll becomes the target number. Soldad is a wild card, so he will spend at least 1 roll trying to gain control of you... Gm will probably spend a gm bennie as well. Lucretia Pm'd you a pic of the guy ))

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:41 am

"Get... out..." of my mind. "Get... ouuuuuu...."
Get out of my mind!

But all the rage and training cannot help when the Vampire starts pulling on the strings of darkness already present in her mind. There is a reason Lucretia did not want to be in the field. As she told the Lieutenant, she didn't trust herself. Even now, knowing that there were evil magics controlling her body, she felt dread - how much was the intruder and how much was some deep dark part of her that was just taking advantage of the situation, knowing her actions would be blamed on the vampire.

For sure, I am not in control of my body... but did I wholeheartedly resist, or was there some part of me that welcomed his dark presence?

[OOC Well. Good thing I boosted my Spirit! Odds are still not great though - going to need an ace... or close to one, with Extra Effort.

Spirit [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
Extra Effort [dice]2[/dice]

RNG hates me.]

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:34 pm

The horrible voice continues to echo against all your minds, but to Lucretia it is a loving embrace... At first. Watz a lovly mind, zo veryz beautiful, Zank you for subzmitting to mine control...Zoh some memorziez... A scream erupts against your minds as Soldad is confronted by the memories of Lucretia! But it is not quite enough to deter the sadistic creature. Youz and zem!!? Ugly and zo Vile! Itz wouldz be my pleasure to zendz you backz to them! The fury of Soldad at what he confronted raises the ambient temp seemly by 10 degrees! Zow to get ride of zou, and zat roboman! We muzt be zallowed to pazz. My mistresz will notz be denied! Zou will leep out zat the robot, zstriking hiz head and zealing maximium carnage witz yourz psi-blade!!

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:46 pm

Pender Lumkiss wrote: Recap of What there are Vampires? Surprise round

Two fleeing townsfolk men just continue moving for their lives, the rest are trapped by the vampires. Two of the women frozen in fear manage to scream out " My baby, My baby!

Libertas' Marianas cannon is just out of arms reach, who packed this gear? Markus or Jude?

Maximilian enters the water he can tell it is a force to be sure has it makes his Titan sway just a bit. If someone were to fall it they would have a good chance to get swept down stream.
"I'll fetch these monsters! Who's a good boy?!". His scan of the bridge reveals something utterly terrifying... ((PM'd you what it is feel free to share at this point))

Markus rams the vampire wielding a baby and it goes off the side catching an overgrown vine snaking its way along the side. With one hand on the vine and the other on the baby it howls in rage!
"I pushed one vampire with a baby into the river. Will try to push the other next." But his hover bike careens out of control leaving him on the ground in front of a few snarling vampires who all in unison lick their lips, almost as if they are about to be well fed.
Die Arschmade!!!.

Jude, from his vantage point sees nothing good. The vampires are on the move, one of the ones in the back of the gaggle called pretty boy Tom, locks eyes with Jude. It smiles and runs its creepy elongated hand through its non existent freakish bald head. Jude just knows that one is coming for him.

Bane Sometime knowing too much is a bad thing, maybe?
The mental voice of Soldad softly caresses your horns, Zah, zow don't zou worry Devil manz I'll take you haveter za Cyber-knight. (( Pm'd you all your awesome knowledge feel free to share on your post))

Nadya, having found yourself clinging at the edge of the bridge you notice it is about a 40ft drop into the flowing water. The rebar does seem to be giving way, as well as some of the stone... You may have destabilized that small section. You unfortunately get a glimpse of The thing under the bridge and it is terrifying (( Pm'd you feel free to share the terror)).

Lucretia, You leap out of the vehicle letting your cyber-knight powers flow through you and head to Markus' prone position."You did what??" A dark temptation rides through her mind, but she shoves it aside.
"If anyone can swim well or better yet fly, go save the child. I'll cover Markus."

Kesslan, you bravely head out to help Nadya. The vampires not heading to Lucretia and Markus howl in rage at the sight of a dog boy! One of them called Chow licks his lips, and gives you the stink eye, you see a necklace of canine teeth around his neck. Yikes! You notice Nadya is not the only one hanging on for dear life, at the other end you see a vampire holding a child in a similar predicament.

The vampires advance quickly, a few swarm Lucretia and Markus, while others head toward the mountaineer. A couple stay behind to feast upon the villagers as their blood lust overwhelms them.
Soldad pierces the mental will of Lucretia. Zow to get ride of zou, and zat roboman! We muzt be zallowed to pazz. My mistresz will notz be denied! Zou will zeep out zat the robot, zstriking hiz head and zealing maximium carnage witz yourz psi-blade!!

What ever is under the bridge does nothing.

Ram resolution:
Vampire Agility Roll [dice]4393:0[/dice]
GM Bennie: Extra Effort [dice]4393:2[/dice]
Result: Vamp does get pushed slightly off the bridge but manages to hang on to some overgrowth vines and the baby that have covered the sides. While it appears they fell Maximilian, Nayda, Kesslan, or a quick look down will confirm they are safe by a narrow margin.
The vehicle might not land so neatly. Failure on piloting roll results in out of control table:
[dice]4393:1[/dice]
Result: Skids just like Markus described.

Markus combat Notes for this new round:
-Prone ( costs 2 pace to get up, your parry is -2 and so are fighting rolls... But you are -2 to hit from range)
-Shaken ( make a spirit roll do be able to make an action, actions that are free like movement are a possiblity, but moving away from an attacker will let them hit you. Drawing a weapon is an action, unless you have quick draw)

Maximilian combat Notes for this new round:
-Water is causing a bit of an issue, unsteady platform -2 for shooting... Complex agility rolls may be problematic.
-As stated in the PM, please make a fear check ( Spirit roll -2, the -2 also applies to the wild die)). If you fail roll a d20+2 and we can all consult the fright table.[/color]

Nadya Combat notes for this new round[/color]
-As stated in the PM, please make a fear check ( Spirit roll -2, the -2 also applies to the wild die)). If you fail roll a d20+2 and we can all consult the fright table.
-Str roll to pull yourself up as the very small section you are hanging onto is giving way, if you want Kesslan to help you need to both go at the same initiative card draw which is dead last.

Lucretia Combat notes for this new round
- So you are under the affect of the puppet power, lasts three rounds
-If you are so commanded to do something agianst your nature like say attack an ally we get to make opposed rolls, your spirit vs Soldads spellcasting. Since he commanded you to attack Maximilian in the head I'd say it apply's
-Just in case it happens:
Spellcasting [dice]4393:3[/dice]
Wild [dice]4393:4[/dice] ace
Ace [dice]4393:5[/dice]
Total: 9

No combat notes, congrats just act cool
-Just a few tidbits.
-You are allowed to move attack and move, If you withdraw without an edge called extraction attackers adjacent do get to take a swipe at you.
-engaging in melee vs an armed attacker? If you are unarmed, or all you got is a ranged weapon in hand. I hope you have martial arts because you are considered an unarmed defender. +2 to fighting rolls vs you or such a foe. Pretty much all monsters have a bite or claw attack and so are considered armed.

Next Post will have the new round.

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:52 pm

1st round after surprise.
The Vampire's Advance

Libertas Quick and Level headed: 2 Diamond (original), Ace of diamond, 4 clubs, jack of clubs
Soldad level headed: 5 of diamonds (original), 2 of clubs
(( Awesome Libertas, you might be able to avert disaster. I did deal it like this last time, but I think it is more fun to be in front of my GM screen so to speak))
If I left out anyone with quick or level headed let me know.

Can you guys see the initiative in the map? It is less work for me to have it there but if it is too hard on you guys I can post it here as well.

Vampire's advance

It is a bit hard to tell where the enemies will be by the time you attack, maybe not this round since they almost go dead last. But still here is a general feel of their tactics ( Note: don't hold me to it if someone does something crazy like blow up the bridge) plus their relevant stats:

Wild vampires: Toughness= 9, parry=7, cover bonus= none, except for the dangling one it would be a -2 to hit, both fighting and shooting. The vampires advance some swarming Markus' and Lucretia, the rest skirt by and will run as they go trying to get to the mountaineer. The vampires Pretty Boy Tom and Chow draw vibro swords, and will head to their targets.

Soldad: Toughness 18(8) MDC, Parry= 7, cover bonus= -2 to hit with ranged attacks as he has cover in the trees he is hiding in. Generally he stays hidden with his invisibility and most likely will puppet someone else.

Under the bridge: Some know what it is some do not. Feel free to narrate.

Libertas Magicum · Post by **Libertas Magicum** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 10:28 pm

[OOC: First action, drawing out two Gizmos as a normal action--the Marianas Cannon and the Beetle Box; no roll, but will add to MAP. Second action, casting Fly on everyone still in the vehicle. Then he intends to fly over the chasm, three squares to the left of Markus. Third action, fire the cannon over the prone Markus' body, hopefully hitting several Vamps and Lucretia (thereby keeping her from immediately gutting our NGR diplomat). Three total actions: MAP -4 will apply to both spells. If the Fly spell fails to go off, the rest of the turn is lost since he won't be able to move as he wants to. His Professional/Expert Edges and the Machine Maestro IF ability combine to +4, so both castings are at flat rolls.]

[OOC EDITED because I can't add up right. The MAP is -6, not -4. So, only one die-bump to stealth on the Fly spell. I stopped rolling Pummel with a 13 on the dice, so even at -2, that portion is still good.]

Libertas curses up a blue streak. Not good not good... think, think, got it! He bends over and actually looks to draw out the Marianas Cannon, and the small box with the scarab on it. Mobility first. He runs the thumb of his left hand over the black scarab, tapping each of his remaining companions in the truck as he does so, as well as himself.

[Activate Fly: [dice]0[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice] Ace
Wild Ace: [dice]2[/dice]
Fly cast total: 6, gets a success. Cantrell, Jude, Libertas, Kessler and Banethro all now can fly at their normal Pace, and in addition, get +1 die-type to Stealth for the darkness trapping.]

As the dark shapes pop out of the box and afix themselves to the targets of his magic, they find themselves able to lift off their seats, at the same time covered in a beetle-shaped 'shell' of shadows, that will doubtless obscure them in the dim lighting. "Okay, folks, do your thing! Be fast, can't hold this forever. Jude, you're on baby-fetching duty."

Without waiting for an answer, he zooms out over the chasm, keeping out of easy reach of the undead horrors and his enslaved commander. I think you'll understand, sergeant, when you're back in your right mind. "Markus, stay down!" And with that, he lets fly with the Marianas Cannon, a sudden spray of water stronger than any fire-hose launching towards those on the bridge, passing narrowly over Markus' prone body to slam into the targets.

[Activate Pummel: [dice]3[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]4[/dice]
Spend a Bennie for Extra Effort: [dice]5[/dice]
Knockback Roll: [dice]6[/dice]
Water Damage w/Raise: [dice]7[/dice] + [dice]8[/dice]
Damage Raise Die Aced: [dice]9[/dice]
Again, success with a Raise. I'm fairly certain that if you lay the cone template so one edge is along the bottom of the squares of the row he, Markus and Lucretia are in, you end up hitting Luc and 5 vamps. Anyone in the cone must make a Strength check at -2, or be knocked back in a straight line 4", per the Knockback roll above, and also is prone. In addition, any Vampires hit take 31 Water Damage even if they manage to stay standing.

As he surveys the effects of the water-blast, Libertas feels a bit woozy. Not used to spending so much juice at once....

[OOC: Libertas spends 4 PPE on the base Fly spell, +4 for extra targets, and then 2 more on the Pummel effect, for a total of 10--halfway down. Also spent one Bennie. Will adjust Sig accordingly, next.

Maximilian · Post by **Maximilian** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 10:37 pm

Spirit roll vs. fear
[dice]0[/dice]

Wild die
[dice]1[/dice]

Spend benny for extra effort with Elan
[dice]2[/dice]

"Gorram bloody rifted hell! There's a gorram dragon made of frappin' shadows under the bridge! Look alive you guys! Let's see if you like what Nadine's got for ya, you nasty rift-spawn! HHOOWWWWWWWWLLLLL!!!!!!"

Markus Berger · Post by **Markus Berger** » Wed Mar 15, 2017 11:29 pm

[OOC: Suppositions first:
- No Vampire can attack Markus yet, as they are some distance away, except the one dangling from the bridge, which I think can't either.
- Lucretia moves first, so she will move away before Markus tries to stand up.
- So Markus, if makes his Spirit roll to remove the Shaken status, loses 2 pace but can otherwise act.
If I am mistaken in any of those, I will need to change Markus actions.]
Spirit Roll: [dice]0[/dice] FAIL
Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice] FAIL
[OOC: Using a Benny to reroll, with +2 for Elan]
Retry Spirit Roll: [dice]2[/dice] Woohoo! We are back in business!
Markus, surprised, sees Lucretia attack their friends, but at Libertas scream he stays down long enough to let him fire above his head.
Next he concentrates in the most pressing problem. A bunch of wild Vampires coming his way.
He stands up, draws his vibro sword, and moves to cover the fleeing men retreat.
"Need backup guys!"

Jude Maverick · Post by **Jude Maverick** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 3:03 am

Southeast of Silver Bluff
Night

Jude locked eyes with one of the vampires that stared at him intently and rubbed it’s bald head. Jude arched an eyebrow at it.

“You want to da-aance!” Jude’s voice rose as he found himself lifting out of the top hatch of the Mountaineer thanks to Libertas’ fly spell. “A little warning next time!”

Baby-fetching duty. Great. Get near the bloodsuckers.

"Gorram bloody rifted hell! There's a gorram dragon made of frappin' shadows under the bridge! Look alive you guys! Let's see if you like what Nadine's got for ya, you nasty rift-spawn! HHOOWWWWWWWWLLLLL!!!!!!" Maximilian announces.

“Wait, a what?” Jude exclaims. “This day just keeps getting better.”

And then Lucretia goes crazy ninja all over the Titan.

“Um...something’s up with Top Dog,” Jude announces the obvious.

Clutching his wooden cross in one hand and shoving his laser pistol away, Jude pushes away from the Mountaineer. Flying was a weird sensation as he half-dove toward the dangling vampire.

“Looking a little chunky there. I think you should lay off the veal,” Jude said as he grabbed at the baby, trying to snatch it from the vampire’s arm as it dangled there from the exposed root.

OOC Comments

Cantrell · Post by **Cantrell** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 8:44 am

Fear test (Bravery cancels out -2 penalty): [dice]0[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice]

"Bloody rifted hells is right," Cantrell whispers into her comm, taking in the shadowy monstrosity under the bridge. Nothing I've got is gonna touch that thing any more than it would those vampires, she thinks, swallowing her fear and forcing her mind to think. One thing at a time.

[OOC: Can ignore this thanks to fly
Strength test to pull herself up: [dice]2[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]3[/dice]

Servos in her armor whined as Cantrell started to haul herself back up on the bridge, heart thumping knowing what lurked below. She heard Libertas, the machine-mage, shouting about something above her, and suddenly her center of gravity was all wrong. She was floating - no, she was flying - and suddenly found herself flailing as her body righted itself.

I guess I ought to start expecting this sort of thing traveling with a bunch of wizards and psychics, she thinks.

Rising above the bridge railing, she sees that everything is chaos, with vampires gathering around Markus or charging toward the Mountaineer and Lucretia now a possible threat, as well. The Hell Hound, Kesslan, floated nearby, affected by the same spell.

"Okay boy, I don't think your fire is gonna hurt those bloodsuckers any better than my guns, so let's focus on what we can do. Why don't ..." she said, trailing off as Jude flew by overhead, heading for the vampire and baby dangling from the bridge up ahead. Well, that's something new, she thought. But he's got an idea ...

"Change of priorities, boy. Maverick's going for that baby, so why don't you go fetch the other one. I'll follow, and see how many of these vampires I can toss off the bridge for a swim."

She flies toward the gaggle of vampires without waiting to see if Kesslan follows. It's just like flying a jet pack, she tells herself, willing herself to speed up. She wraps her fist around the wooden cross, and leans in, arms in front of her in a blocker's pose and she aims herself like a cannonball at the nearest vampire.

[OOC: Assuming I can get near enough to any vampires to try, I'll try to Push one off the bridge into the water.]

Opposed Strength for Push, including MAP[dice]4[/dice] =Best. Not gonna mess with the dice roll, but without the MAP my total would be 12
Wild Die [dice]5[/dice]
Ace [dice]6[/dice]

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:04 am

[OOC: getting clarification from Pender re: the vamps commands, in the meantime, resisting the fire hose:

Strength [dice]0[/dice] Wild [dice]1[/dice]
3-2 (for L's raise) = 1, failure

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:50 am

Lucretia tumbles forward further into the crowd of vampires and victims, but like cat manages to twist around and land on all fours, facing her erstwhile allies.

<further actions pending outcome of rolls>

[OOC:

Notice [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
Ace: [dice]5[/dice]
Ace 2: [dice]7[/dice]
Ace 3(!): [dice]8[/dice]
22 +2 (Alertness) = 24, Success (I think that's enough to see him even without radar!)

Running (free action from Speed effect) [dice]2[/dice]
Total available movement: 23

Resist Puppet: Spirit [dice]3[/dice] Wild [dice]4[/dice]
Ace: [dice]6[/dice]
Total 11

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:55 am

5 vampires try to evade Libertas' water cannon "pummel" at a -2
Wild vamp 1
[dice]0[/dice]
Wild vamp 2
[dice]1[/dice]
Wild vamp 3
[dice]2[/dice]
Wild vamp Pretty Boy Tom
[dice]3[/dice]
Chow
[dice]4[/dice]
Looks like 2 make it, poor named vamps

Libertas Magicum · Post by **Libertas Magicum** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:34 am

Libertas gives a wild-eyed grin as Lucretia is knocked clear of Markus, and three of the vampires get engulfed by the stream, and then suddenly just dissolve, leaving behind nothing but a few bones that then collapse to dust. He gives a loud, triumphant cry. "Wooo! Yeah! Aquagenic hyperurticaria for the win!"

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 10:40 am

Bane opens the door of the Mountaineer and flies within 12 yards (6") of Soledad and casts Distorting Disguise centered on himself and effecting himself and Soledad only.

Spell Casting: [dice]0[/dice] ACE!

Ace: [dice]2[/dice]

Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice]

-1 Bennie Extra Effort [dice]3[/dice]

Spellcasting total 8 + 3 + 2 = 13 Success plus two raises!

-3 PPE - 4 PPE -(-2 PPE from Wizard Edge) = -3-4+2 PPE = -5 PPE

Bane causes an image of a preacher with a bible and a wooden cross in his hands where Soledad is standing, otherwise acting and moving exactly as Soledad is, while simultaneously making himself look like Soledad.

Shouting out to the vampire all the way in the back, Bane tries to command them saying "Attack the vampire hunter lurking in the bushes before he kills you all!"

Persuasion: [dice]4[/dice]ACE!!!

Ace: [dice]6[/dice]

Wild Die: [dice]5[/dice]

Persuasion Total: 8 + 4 = 12! Success and two raises!

Maximilian · Post by **Maximilian** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:06 am

"Let 'em have it, Nadine!"

Moving full pace to the vampire end of the bridge, hopefully close enough to grab a vampire if needed.

Shooting railgun at dragon, unstable platform -2, drop +4, net +2
[dice]0[/dice]

Wild die
[dice]1[/dice]

Edit: ace on wild die
[dice]2[/dice]
Total result = 11, hit and raise

Medium railgun damage +4 for drop
[dice]3[/dice]

Raise damage
[dice]4[/dice]

Total damage result = 32

Edit to add medium laser attack, shooting roll at same net +2 as above
[dice]5[/dice]

laser Wild die +2
[dice]6[/dice]

shooting die ace
[dice]7[/dice]
Total shooting result = 11
Hit and raise

Medium laser damage roll
[dice]8[/dice]

Medium laser raise damage
[dice]9[/dice]

Edit to include Drop damage bonus +4 = laser damage of 12

Edit: benny spent to reroll laser damage with drop +4
[dice]10[/dice]

reroll raise damage
[dice]11[/dice]

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:39 am

Lucretia springs forward, running at super human speed toward the robot armor...

Get out..."...of my Mind!" she spins around and drops to all fours, siding to a stop just at the edge of the bridge, before launching herself forward once more, diagonally across the bridge.

"Sorry to worry you all, but I'm in control again. I've got a bead on the Master, so I'm headed to take him out before he can take over anyone else."

Leaping off the bridge with a burst of psycho-electically charged ions, she lands on the ground in a roll, using her momentum to launch herself back into the air, twisting around. She had mentioned in passing being an acrobat, and those that see her moves now know beyond doubt that it is true. She comes down just behind the invisible Master Vampire, her psi-blade slashing through what appears to be empty air, but to her radar is the undead monstrosity's neck.

[OOC:
Strength for an extra inch of leap distance if needed:
Strength [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
Total: 4 (success)

Agility Trick (Free action [Tricky Fighter], Acrobat +2 & Dirty Fighter +2):
Agility [dice]2[/dice]
Wild [dice]3[/dice]
Total: 7 (Success), Soldad is at Parry -2

Free action, spend 2 ISP to make psi-blade Mega (on the assumption that Lucretia knows that is needed)

Attack (Wild Attack +2, -4 called shot), spending Bennie for extra effort
Fighting: [dice]4[/dice]
Wild [dice]5[/dice]
Extra Effort: [dice]6[/dice]
Total: 8 -2 = 6, vs Soldad's 5 parry (reduced from 7 by agility trick) Success

Damage: Str+2xSpirit = 1d6+1d10+1d10, +2 (champion) EDIT: Forgot that Wild Attack adds +2 to damage as well
[dice]7[/dice]
[dice]8[/dice]
[dice]9[/dice]
Total: 1+8+4+2+2 = 17, AP 2: Soldad is Shaken, plus the effect of the called shot

Kesslan · Post by **Kesslan** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:48 pm

(Note: If I understand movement and the map correctly, I can actually reach the dangling vampire with just my normal pace of 6, so don't need to take an actual running action to increase it. If I'm wrong please let me know and I'll adjust my results accordingly)

Kesslan's first instinct upon noticing the threat to the infant had already been to go help. It simply wasn't in his nature to even consider not doing so. As a result, as soon as he notices the situation he bursts into action. Going into a full on run Kesslan will make for the infant in Peril with the intent to try and snatch it away from the vampire.

(Not sure what to roll for this, so just going to assume either fighting or agility, both which are 1d8. -2 for Multiple actions )
Agility/Fighting Roll[dice]0[/dice]
Wild Die [dice]4[/dice]

Result: 5 -2 = 3

Spend 1 Bennie on Extra Effort: [dice]9[/dice] +2 from Elan

Final Result: 7

(Error: Misunderstood the wild die, thought I rolled same as the skill dice but it's just a d6? Wild Die [dice]1[/dice] )

If he manages to do so, he then activates his Firery Aura in order to protect both himself, and more importantly the infant. (Free action for fire control and an action aura. Will use 3 ISP to boost it to MDC)

Psi roll if needed: [dice]2[/dice]
Wild Die [dice]5[/dice]
Ace on Wild Die [dice]6[/dice]
Can you ace on an Ace? JIC: [dice]7[/dice]

Total: Either 12 -2 = 10 or 14 - 2 = 12.

(Error: Misunderstood the wild die, thought I rolled same as the skill dice but it's just a d6? Wild Die [dice]3[/dice] if it is the same as the skill/attribute roll [dice]8[/dice] Result 10 -2 = 8)

Kesslan · Post by **Kesslan** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 5:54 pm

REVISED ACTIONS:

With the baby hanging off the bridge apparently being taken care of, Kesslan makes a head long full out dash right into the midst of the vampires in an attempt to save the other baby. It wasn't the smartest thing to do, and it was dangerous to say the least, but he just couldn't turn down someone in trouble, especially an infant! Like all dogboys, he was naturally disposed towards helping humans and putting their lives above his own, as a free born dogboy the only thing that changed in his case was that it went beyond just humans to include all innocent life. As he runs, his path would take him at least near chow who had already zeroed in on him, and so he forms a fireball in his fist, slinging it at him as he nears "I'll deal with you later!"

Running distance: [dice]0[/dice] + Pace 6 = 8

Throw Fireball: [dice]1[/dice] - 2 for multiple action + [dice]2[/dice] for extra effort (-1 Bennie)
Wild Die: [dice]3[/dice]
Ace Die: [dice]4[/dice]

Total: 6 +1 +2 = 9

Damage: [dice]5[/dice] MDC
Ace Dice: [dice]7[/dice]
Total: 14 + 2 = 16

Fire chance Dice: [dice]6[/dice] Fire will ignite anything highly flammable (Such as gasoline)

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 6:54 pm

Jude: You need to still roll damage for the disarm attempt. Your damage would be 1d10+1d6 for using a holy symbol and getting a raise on the fighting attack even with the -2 for the called shot.

The below roll is for the vampire to resist the damage of the disarm and keep hold of the baby. Since he is dangiling and cannot hold on very well, he will be at a -2.
STR [dice]0[/dice]

((So Jude what does this look like?))

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 7:08 pm

Cantrell is pushing a vampire off the bridge.

Vampire's str roll
[dice]0[/dice]

Got the raise, no MAP, so 2" I'll say that is enough to get him off the bridge.

(( Cantrell What does that look like?))

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 7:19 pm

Question did you also put the same disguise on Soldad too as well as the illusion?

Bane's makes a vamp in the back see a preacher as part of the illusion trapping of his disguse spell, where Soldad is standing

Vampire resist is spirit:
[dice]0[/dice]
Ace [dice]1[/dice]
Looks like it affects the vampire.

((Bane how does the vampire you are affecting react?))

Other vampires try to see through your disguise, I am just going to make a group roll if that is ok, either they all believe you are Soldad or none do ( Not counting the one at the way back, he knows you are Soldad!).
Target is 4, but at -4 due to raise (( They are familiar with Soldad as he sired them all))
Notice [dice]2[/dice]
Ace [dice]4[/dice]
Extra Effort ( I am going to say no to extra effort when doing a group roll, but I will spend a GM bennie on a reroll)
Wild [dice]3[/dice]

GM Bennie spent
Notice [dice]5[/dice]
Ace [dice]7[/dice]
Wild [dice]6[/dice]

(( I guess Bane is meant to have a few vampire followers ))

((Bane go ahead an let us know what it is like to have a few vampire followers ))

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 7:47 pm

Soldad does not fool easily, I believe tricks are opposed.

Soldad's agilty to resist Lucretia

Agility [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]

(( Lucretia what does the outcome look like))

Soldad does not like his flesh cut. Zie Cyber knight. YOUZ DARE REZIST ME!!!
Took a shake and a wound as his armor does not cover the head. He will spend one of his bennies to soak.
Vigor [dice]2[/dice]
Wild [dice]3[/dice]
Looks like he soaks the wound and is not shaken
Soldad has 1 bennie left.

((Lucretia what does that look like to you))

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 9:40 pm

Kesslan your bolt does hit the vampire lighting its stale clothing on fire. ( some alterations with the help of Bane). So it does hurt the vampire, but doesn't disintegrate it like you might think. This is a tricky one to narrate for sure. the vampire would hit the ground unmoving and on fire for sure.

(( Kesslan, what does it look like when the vampire gets brought down yet not out for the entire combat))

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:52 pm

Pender Lumkiss wrote:Question did you also put the same disguise on Soldad too as well as the illusion?

Bane's makes a vamp in the back see a preacher as part of the illusion trapping of his disguse spell, where Soldad is standing

Vampire resist is spirit:
[dice]4622:0[/dice]
Ace [dice]4622:1[/dice]
Looks like it affects the vampire.

((Bane how does the vampire you are affecting react?))

Other vampires try to see through your disguise, I am just going to make a group roll if that is ok, either they all believe you are Soldad or none do ( Not counting the one at the way back, he knows you are Soldad!).
Target is 4, but at -4 due to raise (( They are familiar with Soldad as he sired them all))
Notice [dice]4622:2[/dice]
Ace [dice]4622:4[/dice]
Extra Effort ( I am going to say no to extra effort when doing a group roll, but I will spend a GM bennie on a reroll)
Wild [dice]4622:3[/dice]

GM Bennie spent
Notice [dice]4622:5[/dice]
Ace [dice]4622:7[/dice]
Wild [dice]4622:6[/dice]

(( I guess Bane is meant to have a few vampire followers ))

((Bane go ahead an let us know what it is like to have a few vampire followers ))

The vampire that I affected directly sees the face of an old enemy that has hurt him before, and feels an unstoppable rage urging him to kill the vampire hunter.

If there is still enough time, Bane will direct the other vampire holding a baby "Hand the child over to the hell hound and go help our newest death knight by the river!"

Cantrell · Post by **Cantrell** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 8:23 am

Pender Lumkiss wrote:Cantrell is pushing a vampire off the bridge.

Vampire's str roll
[dice]4621:0[/dice]

Got the raise, no MAP, so 2" I'll say that is enough to get him off the bridge.

(( Cantrell What does that look like?))

Cantrell hits the vampire like a cannonball, her right arm coming up under its chin while her left hooks a leg and lifts it bodily off the ground. Her Triax exo-skeleton whines for a moment as she lifts, levering the bloodsuckers own weight to tumble it over the railing. She catches a glimpse of its red eyes and snarling maw as it flips end over end into the rushing water, then disappears.

Maximilian · Post by **Maximilian** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 10:01 am

Max is going to (better late than never) try to recall anything he might have heard about shadow dragons, and whether they are frequent companions of wild vampires, or more likely to be hunting them.
(not sure what modifiers will apply to this, so I'm throwing out a common knowledge roll with smarts and wild die. Please let me know if this should be modified somehow.)

Smarts/common knowledge roll
[dice]0[/dice]

Wild die
[dice]1[/dice]

Smarts ace:
[dice]2[/dice]

Smarts 2nd ace
[dice]3[/dice]

Total result on smarts/common knowledge roll = 23
That should take care of any negatives that might have been factored in. Success and multiple raises!

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 12:48 pm

Pender Lumkiss wrote:Soldad does not fool easily, I believe tricks are opposed.

Soldad's agilty to resist Lucretia

Agility [dice]4623:0[/dice]
Wild [dice]4623:1[/dice]

(( Lucretia what does the outcome look like))

The master vampire sees Lucretia dive off the bridge and raises his arms to protect himself, but when she launches herself over and behind him, he cannot react fast enough to turn and defend effectively.

Pender Lumkiss wrote:Soldad does not like his flesh cut. Zie Cyber knight. YOUZ DARE REZIST ME!!!
Took a shake and a wound as his armor does not cover the head. He will spend one of his bennies to soak.
Vigor [dice]4623:2[/dice]
Wild [dice]4623:3[/dice]
Looks like he soaks the wound and is not shaken
Soldad has 1 bennie left.

((Lucretia what does that look like to you))

Lucretia "sees" the blade arc towards the vampire's neck. She feels it impact.... but not as hard as it should be. Soldad couldn't block the attack fully, but he was able slow her swing and dampen the impact. Rather than cut deep into his neck, the tip of the blade slices through nothing but skin and a little muscle - enough to put a human in a great deal of pain, but it is little more than a scratch to this undead monster.

Kesslan · Post by **Kesslan** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 6:19 pm

Kesslan wrote:With the baby hanging off the bridge apparently being taken care of, Kesslan makes a head long full out dash right into the midst of the vampires in an attempt to save the other baby. It wasn't the smartest thing to do, and it was dangerous to say the least, but he just couldn't turn down someone in trouble, especially an infant! Like all dogboys, he was naturally disposed towards helping humans and putting their lives above his own, as a free born dogboy the only thing that changed in his case was that it went beyond just humans to include all innocent life. As he runs, his path would take him at least near chow who had already zeroed in on him, and so he forms a fireball in his fist, slinging it at him as he nears "I'll deal with you later!"

The fire bolt streaks out like a minature sun, striking 'chow' in the chest and knocking the vampire off his feet to fall to the ground, intact, but unmoving. The vampire's clothes burnt and singed with small bits of fabric still burning away as the dogboy heads for his real target, the vampire still carrying a baby.

Jude Maverick · Post by **Jude Maverick** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 11:08 pm

Sorry if I'm holding things up.

[dice]0[/dice]

[dice]1[/dice]

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Fri Mar 17, 2017 11:30 pm

Vampire only got an 9 ( edit, forgot the -2, thanks bane) to resist the disarm, so you got the baby.

(( Jude what does that look like to you?))

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:48 pm

Pender Lumkiss wrote:Soldad the witch hunter allows his silent shroud " Invisibility" power to fade. (( Everyone can make notice rolls to see through Bane's disguise. Lucretia no rolls needed you are not even aware disguise has been cast )). Those that see through Bane's invisibility see him confidant, and wearing a metallic cloak. He looks at Lucretia with disdain written on his face, and a haughty smile. But then it turns into a frown of pain. He grimaces not used to such searing pain. He lifts up his had, a ring of pure silver with a bright purple stone adorns it. A white hot light flashes from the ring. He cries out in pain.
Zyou, whatz have youz done! The ring flashes even brighter white hot cracks appear all over his index finger. Then the ring breaks into two halves, the stone falls to the ground no longer brightly lit, Soldad's index finger disintegrates in smoke. Free... Freez...Freez, and so is she!
His telepathic utterances are usually playful, and full of torment. But it is impossible for you to not feel his remorse.
Iez may have come to zseal these special babiez, butz what youz haz relinquished unto thiz worlz is far worse than anyzthing Ize couldz do. I have coezisted for a thouzand yearz. A chilling saddness creeps into his psionic voice. Itz is thiz historical memory, that makez me weep for the death and decay Jazzel the Darken One willz wrought.
His eyes rest again on Lucretia, and he speaks to her with his voice. It is startling soft barely above a whisper, yet in her ear drums it is thunderous and hypnotic. " Za Cyber knight, you most of all I pity. What zwill your conzictions do to you Iz zonder, now thatz youz are so responzible for whatz Jazzel willz do? He nods at Kesslan, " Willz he be yourz savior, a dogz boy?"
His voice takes on an air of command though still quiet, yet dominating Lucretia's faculties. " Ziz is whatz youz will do should youz survive thiz battle. Stayz in Silverz Bluff forz the day. Zen atz night youz will come to me witz onez of these special babiez youz haz so denied mez. 4 hours up streamz youz willz find a path leading into the forestz. Youz will paz intoz my domain, and zer wilz bez a path, zen a gorge, followed by a spire. Bring za baby witz youz..." He chuckles, " ZI willz not harmz itz rest assuredz. Come alonez and tellz no onez of thiz commandz. I willz introducez youz to Kesh, he couldz usez a playmate."

(( He is using his special puppet power that allows him to put someone of the opposite sex under his dominion long term ))

Multiaction Charm and Mega teleport
Special Puppet " Charm "
Smarts [dice]4709:0[/dice]
Wild [dice]4709:1[/dice]
Soldad's last benny for extra effort
Extra effort[dice]4709:4[/dice]
Ace [dice]4709:5[/dice]
Total: 16

Once Lucretia is under his control he grasps the amulate around his neck. It has gears and tiny tubes surrounding a blue crystal. As he activates it Shadow Displacement " Greater Teleportation" Power. His eyes flicker toward Kesslan, his powerful telepathic voices echoes against Kesslan's psychic barriers. Youz are their bezt hope! A Zog boyz, whatz a pity! The field glows blue, enveloping him and in a flash and crackle of energy he disappears.

Mega teleport
Spellcasting [dice]4709:2[/dice]
Wild Die [dice]4709:3[/dice]
GM Bennie for reroll
Spellcasting [dice]4709:6[/dice]
Wild Die [dice]4709:7[/dice]
2nd GM bennie for reroll
spellcasting [dice]4709:8[/dice]
Wild [dice]4709:9[/dice]
Total: 6

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:50 pm

The "Shadow" dragon uncoils from its resting spot beneath the bridge. Wips of smoke, ash, and shadow swirl up from the bridge forming into something huge and semi translucent. As it does so it lets out a savage howl as if an animal protecting its den. Fully formed its shape resembles that of a darkened dragon. Its wings spread as if the night sky itself had doubled up. It hovers just off the water its tail whipping too and fro still under the confines of the bridge. While taller by maybe 20ft than the Titan it is not as wide nor massive (( Plus a good 10-15ft of the Titan is under water at the moment)). It roars again, and purple shadow fire envelope its body as it displays its true might. It is a cold fire, deathly cold as if all heat nearby was being sucked into the " Shadow Dragon ". The tail trapped under the bridge solidifies diamond sharp and thin as a razor, as if an extremely long mono-filament blade, it a flash its tail slashes and flashes destroying bridge supports left and right before cutting upward through the city side of the bridge. The bridge crumbles against the fury of the tail lash, and it and everyone and everything on it falls and sinks into the water. The two Fleeing men cry out splashing helplessly in the water. The mountaineer crashes into rock and water. (( Libertas give me a 1d6 roll on technical difficulties table, and a 1d6 to see how many rounds it takes for it to sink as water will eventually start coming through the open doors.)) (( Anyone on the bridge and not flying is treated as if they are not an unstable platform and must make an agility roll -2 if they use the run action))
It leans in, its red eyes focused and alert, and roars once more at the Titan Robot armor and its pilot Maximilian as if daring it to strike again.

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:59 pm

Pender Lumkiss wrote:2nd round of combat recap, this time I put the vampire reaction right into the recap of your actions if it made sense. While it gives the impression of they are going right after you, they did go on their initiative card draw.

Libertas ((puts some freaky dark beetle magics on himself, Cantrell, Jude, Kesslan, and Banethro giving them the power of flight and a +1 die increase to stealth.)) The two that dodged the blast, snarl and hiss at you, one, a female named Maria, even looks like she is contemplating a running leap just to strike you because hell hath no fury like her scorn. ((After dispatching Effy with ease, Read the fleeing men section)) Marina licks her lips and tosses the elf ear on the ground, she moves quickly reaching the edge of the bridge and leaps at not at Libertas, but at Jude, not to attack but to use Jude as a stepping stone to get within reach of Libertas!

Str for that 1 extra movement square [dice]4730:11[/dice]

Marina, the vamp grapple vs Libertas, Not needed[/color]
Fighting [dice]4730:10[/dice]
(( Libertas so what does it look like as she falls short of moving into your square ))

Lucretia, Soldad snarls at you and smiles wickedly as the nick heals rapidly. "My zittle Cyber knight, you zould haz stayed witz your masterz."He seems a bit off balance by your acrobatic maneuvers, and is looking about for more attackers, when he should be focused on you. (( Soldad is -2 to his parry until his turn))

Cantrell You see one of the vampires making a beeline for the mountaineer, as it leaps onto the hood you fly around smashing into mid air. The last thing you see of it is its white eyes with red puplis looks up at you in unadulterated rage. You have made an enemy for life, or at least until the water kills it.

Maximilian Folks around here call you the most confidant Titan robot pilot in north America. This night you proved them right by opening up both barrels of goodness at the "Shadow" Dragon lying under the bridge. It howls disturbed from its complacency, and the shadow begins to uncoil and take form. You see a large set of claws become semi visible, each talon is 15ft at least, your HUD gives a confused warning, vibro sword detected! (( By the way I love Pacific Rim, I watch it once a month))

Bane With some creative spellcasting and persuasion the vampire's follow your commands. The one vampire in the back, named Snack Time, runs down the rocky path towards the tree Soldad/vampire hunter is holdup in. He snarls at the vamp hunter illusion and starts climbing the tree. The vamp with baby #2 heads towards Kesslan with a slight confused look on his face. It grunts,"As commanded Soldad."

Markus As you cover the retreat of the men, you notice one of them is not quite human, he has some elf like pointy ears!! (( He does pass close enough that you get a free fighting attack on him as he flees for his life)) He nods his thanks to you. One of the few remaining vamps, Named Biker Tod, looks at you and then to the hover bike nestled in the bushes nearby, looks at you, and looks at the bike again. You realize amidst the tattered clothing he is wearing is a primo leather jacket with a hell's angles patch. The vamp smiles wickedly and mouths the words My bike Now. The vampire moves quickly to the hover bike, leaping from the bridge trying slide right into the pilots seat, hoping he can start it right up.

Biker Tod agility roll to leap off the bridge and through the bushes into the seat. Multi penalty action because he is going to start the bike up as well.
Agility [dice]4730:7[/dice]

Piloting [dice]4730:8[/dice]
Ace [dice]4730:9[/dice]
Vampire Biker Tod, turns at Markus from the Pilot seat as he revs the engine. He smiles siliva dripping off his elongated fangs. He gives him a mocking salute!

Jude Using some burning cross and mad fighting skills you get the vampire, now known as Pretty Pauline to drop the crying baby into your free hand. The vampire bats her long eyes lashes at you and smacks her gaunt grotesque lips. She pushes off with one hand trying to leap onto your back going for a lovers embrace. (( Grapple, and if successful automatic neck bite!)) (( Grapple is an opposed fighting roll, you will win as long as you do not crit fail!))
Vampire Pretty Pauline Fighting
[dice]4730:4[/dice]
If Successful bite attack (( STR +1d6)), on a raise Jude is also shaken
[dice]4730:5[/dice]
[dice]4730:6[/dice]
Total:
((Jude what does this likely vampire failure look like))

Fleeing men They nod to Markus. The Elven one says, " Oh god my wife is back there! Effy!!" He looks ashamed to be running away, but his fear of the supernatural has him in a vice like grip. The other villagers start backing away from the occupied vampires. Unfortunately Eiffy and Mayor Donald Rucker while trying to be careful move a bit too far in their haste provoking a vicious attack from the Vampire's Marina and Biker Tod

Vampire Marina claw attack at the fleeing Eiffy
Fighting [dice]4730:0[/dice]
Damage: str + 1d4
[dice]4730:2[/dice]
[dice]4730:3[/dice]

Marina the vampire, while keping her eyes locked on Libertas absently reaches out and grabs the fleeing Effy by the pointy ears spins her around and thrusts a claw into her chest. Effy falls in a heap on the ground as blood from the wound soaks her clothes. As Effy hits the ground Marina rips an ear off the elf and wiggles it menacingly at the flying techno wizard!

Vampire Biker Tod claw attack at the fleeing Mayor Donald Rucker
Fighting [dice]4730:1[/dice]

The Mayor ducks under the claw swipe and flees with the rest of the townsfolks. He looks back at Effy lifeless body with a look of horror and panic on his face.

Vampires (( All vampire actions have been posted, they went on this initiative, but I posted them as a response to your character's action. The only vampire that did not go was Vampire Chow, granted he did die in Libertas' water cannon blast, but Kesslan really wanted a piece of him so a different vamp got killed in his stead on that water cannon action)) Chow saunters toward Kesslan, its sunken eyes focused on the dog boy. The rattle of the canine necklace goes chit chit chit! He is about to charge forward with his vibro sword in hand when Markus intercepts him. The vampire holds up a finger to Kesslan as if saying in a moment your turn will come. He strikes out with the blade at Markus.
Chow the vampire fighting roll
Fighting [dice]4730:12[/dice]
(( What does this Failurelook like Markus))

Soldad Commands Lucretia, gives a mournful soliloquy and teleports. ((To hear Soldad's whispering command to Lucretia. Markus is at plot appropriate short range (-0), everyone else is plot appropriate medium range(-2). Additionally because it is a whisper -2 ( you may have cybernetics that says can hear a whisper up to x yards, you can then ignore the whisper mod), but there is also a -2 from the churning water just making it difficult in general to hear such a whisper. Max you are at plot appropriate long range (-4). If you guys can point me to some clarification on range rules for hearing senses I will revise the above. All the minus' add up if applicable to your character. Just make a notice roll on your first post in the new round to find out if you heard the command))

Kesslan As your fire bolt knocks down the vampire Chow, the vampire with the baby standing next to you looks confused and unsure if he should just hand over the screaming baby. You also feel as if the very bridge beneath you is tearing itself apart. Something wicked is stirring.

"Shadow" Dragon, free from Soldad's influence, rises. (( The following players will need to make a fear check at -2: Libertas. Kesslan, Jude, Lucretia, and Markus. If you fail give me a roll of 1d20 +2 and we will visit the fright table.

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 9:42 pm

Pender Lumkiss wrote:2rd round ( 3 rounds from surprise round, so remember to pay any upkeep on powers activated on the surprise round at the end of your post)

The Darken One Appears

Initiative notes:
Libertas: original 9c, Jack of clubs
Maximilian: origional 2 h, 6 diamond
Jazzel: origional 10 d, 7 c, Queen of clubs[/color]

Below is the updated Map
Jazzel Awakens

Combat Notes for Lucretia:
-Need a spirit roll to resist Soldads' puppet target is 16
-Pretty much sure you get a counter attack on Snack Time, he got a 3 to hit.

Combat notes for Libertas
-a 1d6 roll on technical difficulties table. Depending on the roll feel free to narrate what happens.
-a 1d6 to see how many rounds it takes for it to sink as water will eventually start coming through the open doors.

(( Anyone on the bridge and not flying is treated as if they are not an unstable platform and must make an agility roll -2 if they use the run action))

(( The following players will need to make a fear check at -2: Libertas. Kesslan, Jude, Lucretia, and Markus. If you fail give me a roll of 1d20 +2 and we will visit the fright table.))

No combat notes just act cool.

2nd full round begins:

Because the three wild vampire go first, I will put their actions below.

The Vampire holding onto the baby gasps as he sees the bridge fall before him, with all that water just mere inches from him he runs the other way back towards the town.
(( Kesslan, you can make a fighting roll against him as he runs away ))

Agility roll-2 for running (( must have not seen the combat notes))
[dice]4765:0[/dice]
As he starts his run he trips on some uneven stone, falling to the ground backwards, the baby rolls out of his grip and into the water!!

Biker Tod guns the engine doing an about face on the bike going from 0 to max acceleration ((15")) he swoops around heading for Markus trying to get a claw attack in before he takes off with his new sweet ride.

Biker Tom does a Bootlegger reverse (-6) and Claw attack on Markus(-4) (( penalties include MAP and unstable platform))
Piloting
[dice]4765:1[/dice]
Out of control
[dice]4765:3[/dice]
Vechicle slides again
[dice]4765:4[/dice]
Fighting
[dice]4765:2[/dice]

Sadly Biker Tom, looses control of the vehicle and it slides closer to the town side of the bridge. Biker Tom gets off the bike woozy and disoriented((Shaken)).

Chow Lying on the ground his burns continue to crackle and singe.

Fast Regeneration:
Vigor[dice]4765:5[/dice]

Snack Time Seeing the Witch hunter vanish Snack Time eyes Lucretia warily. His belly rumbles audibly, and he shrugs trying to strike her with a claw.

Fighting
[dice]4765:6[/dice]

((I am assuming the rest of the vamps will be somehow tossed into the water after mid air failed grapple checks.))

Fleeing men try to swim to a near by rock pile
swim
[dice]4765:7[/dice]
[dice]4765:8[/dice]

1 flounders and 1 goes under swept away by the current.

Jazzel roars spreading her wings wide. With its tail free and darting around it sure seems menacing. Its claws extend ready to swipe any attackers, and its mouth bellows shadow fire into the night air. But for now the Darken One holds.

Libertas Magicum · Post by **Libertas Magicum** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 2:03 am

[OOC: Wow, lot going on there. Okay, taking care of the mandatory rolls first.]

Fear Check: [dice]0[/dice]

Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice]

Technical Difficulties: [dice]2[/dice]

[OOC: Glitch: -1 to all rolls with the Mountaineer]

Sinking Feeling: [dice]3[/dice]

[OOC: It will sink in two rounds.]

[OOC: The reaction shot.]

As Mariana leaps at Libertas, he just sneers at her, watching her fall short and plunge into the river; her last thought is likely along the lines of, How did he know I'd miss? He's so buoyed by this that he manages to keep it together when the dragon comes out to play. Of course, the triumphant expression evaporates as the shadowy horror comes out to play and the bridge and its contents plunge into the water! The vehicle itself doesn't look to be too badly damaged, but it's sinking quite rapidly!

[OOC: And now Libertas' turn. Fly back into the truck, and then trying to drive it forward. Modifiers to the Driving roll: -2 for half-crew; -1 for Technical Difficulty; +2 for Machine Maestro; terrain penalty -X for being partially submerged. Total penalty of X+1. I will just post the roll, and let you assign the final penalty, Pender. It's pretty much a sure thing that he's going to be burning a Bennie on the Driving roll; just need to see how well he rolls in the first place before deciding whether to go for the re-roll or the Extra Effort. Note that part of his concern is his own gear-bag; that's the Greedy Hindrance coming up, causing him to maybe value his personal stash over the immediate threat to Max. ]

Crap on a stick! We're borked without the damn truck! And, of course, there's the gear in his satchel. He absolutely cannot afford to lose that.... Hoping the dragon doesn't turn around to attack him, Libertas flies down into the truck door, and desperately tries to coax the vehicle over the remnants of the bridge and onto the bank of the river--even if he can only get the front wheels on solid ground, that should suffice to keep it anchored for the rest of the fight.

Driving Miss Mountaineer: [dice]4[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]5[/dice]

Bennie Reroll:

Driving Miss Mountaineer: [dice]6[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]7[/dice]

[OOC: even his best roll is a failure even before the X penalty, so he'll have to try again next round before the damn thing sinks.]

Cursing and flailing against the wheel of the vehicle as it utterly fails to move forward, Libertas calls out. "Cantrell! I could use a little help here! If we bank this thing, I can help out Max."

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 6:33 am

[OOC: Ok, presuming the difficulty on that spirit test is the 16 that Soldad rolled and that the 1 in your previous post is a typo.
Narrative of these rolls and this turns actions coming ASAP - I'm out of time for now.

Resisting the Command
Spirit [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
Extra Effort [dice]6[/dice]
Ace [dice]8[/dice]
Total: 9+6+1 = 16 success!!

Counterattack on Snack Time
Fighting [dice]2[/dice]
Wild [dice]3[/dice]
Total 10-2 = 8, success
Damage (inc. Champion) [dice]9[/dice]
[dice]10[/dice]
2+2+4+2 = 10 vs Toughness 9, shaken

Resisting Jazzel's Fear
Spirit [dice]4[/dice]
Wild [dice]5[/dice]
Extra Effort [dice]7[/dice]
Total 4+2-2 = 4, Success

Running low on Bennies, but so worth it!

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 10:52 am

With Bane's Exalted Detect Arcana still active, Bane looks around to see if he can see where Soledad went to.

Free Action
Notice [dice]0[/dice]

Wild Die [dice]1[/dice] Ace!

Wild Die Ace [dice]2[/dice]

Notice Total = 11

Markus Berger · Post by **Markus Berger** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 1:23 pm

Spirit Fear Test: [dice]0[/dice]
[OOC:Forgot the -2, but it is Ok anyway]
Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice]
A big dragon. Ok, I guess those are common in America.
[OOC: Playing his Clueless hindrance.]
Markus concentrates first on the Vampire he has next to him, thinking that as shocked he will be an easy prey.
VibroSword Fighting Roll: [dice]2[/dice]
Damage Roll: [dice]4[/dice]+[dice]5[/dice]
Ace Damage: [dice]6[/dice]
Total Damage: 12 + 7 + 4 + 2 = 25
[OOC: Benny to add to the Fighting Roll, +2 Elan]
Benny Fighting Roll: [dice]3[/dice]
[OOC: Clueless hindrance again, probably the sword won't be effective.]
He scans around to see where he is more useful (and the effect of his attack on the prone vampire).
Notice Roll: [dice]7[/dice]
[OOC: He still has his move action, but need to decide what he will do.]

Maximilian · Post by **Maximilian** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 4:16 pm

A flash of remembrance strikes Max, and he shouts out, "I think I remember hearing about these things! Acid breath, and they don't like plasma. This one doesn't seem to be acting aggressively yet! I mean, other than taking out the bridge. Maybe we can avoid a fight? Libertas! Let me give you a hand with the truck!"
Max shifts position in the Titan to attempt to lift the mountaineer, or at least stop it from sinking. Sensors are still paying full attention to the shadow dragon to be prepared to defend.

Notice roll to hear the conversation:
[dice]0[/dice]

Wild die notice:
[dice]1[/dice]

Piloting roll if needed to snag the mountaineer:
[dice]2[/dice]

Wild die piloting:
[dice]3[/dice]

Raise on piloting wild die:
[dice]6[/dice]

Piloting roll total with +2 for Ace edge: 12

Strength roll to lift the mountaineer, with intention to set it up on clear ground town-side
[dice]4[/dice]

Strength wild die (if appropriate)
[dice]5[/dice]

Jude Maverick · Post by **Jude Maverick** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 4:40 am

Southeast of Silver Bluff
Night

Jude waved the wooden cross in the vampire’s face as his free hand snagged the baby. He pressed the holy symbol into the vampire’s hand, which flinched instinctively away, releasing the baby.

“You’re not ready for motherhood, anyway,” Jude quipped.

Of course, the vampire wasn’t going going to let him off that easily! She pushed off, leaping at Jude.

OOC Comments

Jude edged back. The vampire’s eyes widened in surprise as her claws passed inches from him. Jude gave her a finger wave as she plummeted into the river below.

Jude turned his attention back to the rest of the fight.

OOC Comments

And that’s when he saw the giant black dragon. Oh, fuck…

OOC Comments

And the bridge was falling. Of course.

The vampire with the last baby fell, the infant rolling off into the water! Another was stealing the hoverbike, and they were about to lose the truck.

Jude looked down at the baby in his arms. “Well, girl. Time to be a big, god-damned hero. Um...don’t tell your mom I swore.”

Tucking away the wooden cross, Jude flew down to snatch the baby out of the water.

OOC Comments

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 3:06 pm

[OOC: Narrative of previous rolls and R2 actions. Apologies for delay.]

Lucretia feels the force of Soldad's command roll over her, creep into the crevices of her mind, dig deep into the depths...
No. Not again. Never. I will never subject a child to that.
She rallies her arcing electric will, thrusting back the tendrils of dark thought, burning off the invading vapors of the vampiric voice.
"In your dreams." she says, thrusting her silver-grey blade of mental energy ineffectually into the space where his head was just as he disappears.
"I will kill you!" She yells into the air.

Before she can fully gather her wits to rejoin the battle on her own terms, one of Soldad's minions rushes her, swinging a claw that wouldn't have gotten anywhere near her even if she wasn't jacked up on psi-electric currents. With a look of disdain she catches the vampire's hand mid swing on her blade - nothing that would end it's undead existence, but enough to limit it's already limited threat to her.

Then she saw the dragon. Soldad had indicated she might not survive the battle, but she hadn't paid it much heed - the vampire had every reason to try to instill doubts in her, weaken her resolve, her ability to fight his dark mind. This though... well, maybe he wasn't lying after all. Maybe she would die here, impaled on draconic claws or crushed in it's jaws...
No.
Just as she had rallied against the vampire's command, she rallied now against the fear rippling around her mind, threatening to cripple her.
I can do this. I will survive. I will hunt and kill that blasted vampire.

"I don't have time for you."
She yanks her blade to the side, pulling the vampire's arm across his body before cutting free - removing a couple fingers in the process. Swiftly ducking around his extended shoulder attempting to get into his blind spot, she slices her blade into the vampire's side with enough force to cleave the vampire in twain.

She runs back up to the top of the bridge. She needed to get on top of this situation - literally.
"Sitrep. Someone talk to me about that dragon. I need intel, and I need it fast."
Jazzel. The vampire called it Jazzel... but I rejected my slave name, it may as well.

As she reaches the top, she feels the power fade from her legs and mind, but feeds extra power into her defensive field. If that dragon attacks, she's probably going to need it.

[OOC: Including former die results below for ease of reference, actual rolls are in the previous post.

Resisting the Command
Total: 9+6+1 = 16 success!!

Counterattack on Snack Time
Total 10-2 = 8, success
Damage (inc. Champion)
2+2+4+2 = 10 vs Toughness 9, shaken

Resisting Jazzel's Fear
Total 4+2-2 = 4, Success

Agility Trick vs Snack Time, +2 Acrobat, +2 Dirty Fighter (free action, Tricky Fighter)
Agility [dice]0[/dice]
Wild [dice]1[/dice]
3+2+2 = 7, opposed, but moot given the attack result.

Wild Attack vs Snack Time, +2 Wild Attack
Fighting [dice]2[/dice]
Wild [dice]3[/dice]
9+2 = 11, vs Parry 7 = success + raise, regardless of trick outcome.

Damage, +2 Champion, +2 Wild Attack
[dice]4[/dice]
[dice]5[/dice]
Raise [dice]6[/dice]
Ace [dice]7[/dice]
4+6+8+6+1+ 4 = 29, vs Toughness 9, 5 raises.
Why couldn't I have rolled that against Soldad?

Run [dice]8[/dice] (free action, Speed raise)
Total move: 28 inches, trying to get to the top of the bridge, near any remaining vamps, or positioned over the dragon if the vamps have all been defeated.
EDIT: Agility test for unstable bridge, at -2, +2 for Acrobat
[dice]9[/dice]
Wild [dice]10[/dice]
4-2+2 = 4, Success

pay 1 ISP to maintain deflection, Speed and Boost Spirit end.

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 6:00 pm

Bane sees Soledad lose control over the dragon which then takes out the bridge. Despite his best efforts, the second vampire holding a baby almost hand the child over but fears of the water cause it to drop the child and run away in fear. Bane decides that talking to the dragon might be best, and so casts Extra Confidence Booster (Greater Boost Trait Trapping: Chanting postive things about himself to himself).

Spellcasting [dice]0[/dice]

Wild Die [dice]1[/dice]

Bane then flies in front of the dragon and address it by name.

"Oh great dragon Jazzel, I apologize for my companion's attack on you as your appearance under the bridge startled him. We wish to learn more of the master vampire Soledad whom was controlling you. Would you be willing to help us against he who thought he could control you?"

Persuasion 1d12 after getting Boosted[dice]2[/dice]

Wild Die [dice]3[/dice]

Bennie Extra Effort [dice]4[/dice]

Persuasion total 6

Cantrell · Post by **Cantrell** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 7:46 pm

"Enjoy your bath, you bastard," Cantrell says to herself as she watches the wild vampire disappear into the frothing waters.

She doesn't have time to gloat, though -- seconds later, the bridge below her seems to jump, then crack, as the shadowy beast below makes its presence known.

Dragon she thinks, trying and failing to wrap her mind around the thought. Awe quickly turns to horror as the bridge crumbles, carrying the Mountaineer with it.

Her combat training kicks in the emotion flows out of the scene. She is a battlefield analyst, taking it all, she tells herself, like someone watching on a view screen. She sees Max's Titan, rail guns still smoking pivot toward the dragon. Sees Lucretia attacking the master vampire, who delivers some speech and disappears. Markus going after the vampire on his hovercycle. Radio chatter drones in the background, voices coming through in patches. Libertas needs help. Something about Kesslan ... Kesslan who was going after ...

The babies! Gotta get the babies!

She pivots, spinning a little too quickly, wasting time as she corrects herself. She sees Jude, one baby in his arms, flying low to retrieve the other one from the river.

Now that's new. He may have run away from a few, but I never expected to see him chasing after one, she thinks. Jude Maverick, baby crazy. That's about as crazy as a ...

"Dragon! she hears over the radio, snapping her back to the danger. Max's voice cuts through the cross-talk: " ... remember hearing about these things! Acid breath, and they don't like plasma ..."

"Now this I can do," she says to herself, not bothering to switch to comms. She reachers for the plasma ejector mag-latched to the back of her armor. Fully engaged now, she listens as Max urges restraint.

Makes sense. No reason to create more hostiles if we don't have to, she thinks aiming north and willing her body to fly in that direction. On the opposite side of the dragon from the Titan, she readies the gun, but waits for sign of threatening action before pulling the trigger.

[OOC: Cantrell flies 10 squares due north and quickly draws her plasma ejector as an action (requiring an Agility check) then prepares to fire if the dragon makes any move she would interpret as aggressive. I'm not seeing a "Ready Action" or "Delay" option in the rulebook, so not sure how that would work? Anyway, rolls, including the -2 MAP:

Agility to draw rifle: [dice]0[/dice]
Wild die: [dice]1[/dice]
And she fails, meaning she draws the weapon but can't attack this round regardless.
EDIT: Gonna spend a bennie to reroll:
Agility to draw rifle: [dice]2[/dice]
Wild die: [dice]3[/dice]
Damn, still fails.

Markus Berger · Post by **Markus Berger** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:27 am

[OOC: Just to clarify, if Markus don't see or hear anything more pressing to do he will go for his Hoverbike, and will ride it (but not start it yet).]

Kesslan · Post by **Kesslan** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 3:34 pm

Fear Check:
[dice]0[/dice]
Wild Dice: [dice]1[/dice]
Ace Dice: [dice]2[/dice]
Total: 5

Damn, I thought I'd never run into one of those things... guess I was wrong! Kesslan thinks at the revelation of the shadow dragon. Fearsome as it was however, he's still focused upon his task of trying to rescue that baby. Of course this is made somewhat difficult as the bridge starts to collapse, and then the vampire holding it falls and the baby falls towards the river!

Thinking quickly Kesslan makes one attempt to grab the Vampire and pull him out over the water so he can drop him in as he makes a move to try and rescue the baby, finally making use of the fly spell that had been cast upon him earlier.

Fighting: [dice]3[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]4[/dice]
Penalty: -2 for multiple actions
Bennie for Extra Effort: [dice]7[/dice]
Total: 7

Movement: After baby

Attempt to rescue baby:
Fighting/Agility: [dice]5[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]6[/dice]
Penalty: -2 for multiple actions
Total: 3

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 6:55 pm

Vampire str roll to resist Kesslan's pull into the water!!

STR [dice]0[/dice]

Kesslan · Post by **Kesslan** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:27 pm

STR: [dice]0[/dice]
Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice]

Killer Instinct:This hero hates losing. If he ties on an opposed roll of any sort, he wins. In addition, if his skill die on an opposed skill roll is a 1, he can reroll it (but must keep the second result, even if it’s another 1).

Oh wait, forgot the -2 to my actions. So Bennie for extra effort it is!
[dice]2[/dice]
Ace Dice: [dice]3[/dice]
Ace Ace Dice [dice]4[/dice]
Total: 21 - 2 = 19

Screw you vampire!

Kesslan · Post by **Kesslan** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 9:27 pm

Kesslan stares at the vampire for just a moment. "You. You dropped the baby! THIS MEANS WAAAAR!" he bellows, giving the vampire a massive kick as he snarls out, sending the offending vampire careening over the edge of the bridge, before he does a short run and leap to use the fly spell to chase after the baby, leaving the vampire to fall to it's doom amid the cool water of the river below where it had just moments ago, dropped the baby in question.

Post by **Pender Lumkiss** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 7:04 am

The shadow departs

With the Titan robot armor vacating the "shadow" Dragon's proximity. It turns and looks at all of you. Its wrath filled red eyes see Bane approaching. Bane sees a dark purple shadow fire well up in the animals belly, spreading rapidly to its maw. But at Bane's kinds words it tilts its head quizzically for a moment, and then unleashes the shadow fire against the river bank coming close to slagging Markus' hover cycle. All plant life and rock that gets it by the shadow fire melts and withers against its corrosive cold flame. It thrashes in front of Bane, roaring mightily and its tail whips around in a terrifying display. Something about Bane's calming words bring it back from the brink of a full berserk rampage. Sadly though there is just no intelligent recognition of Bane's words. There is something about the shadow dragon that seems beast-like; wild and furious. It roars one more time, Bane gets a full view glimpse of its Maw and grizzly teeth. Its tail slashing out behind it crashes into the water. With its wings already wide it takes into the air flying over the mountaineer giving it an icy sheen as its cold shadow aura passes dangerously close. It heads down river toward the water fall and a destiny unknown but full of terror and probably malice. Has its savage nature been tempered at all by the brief encounter with a truly heroic ley line walker? Only time will tell...

-The vampire's are more or less dispatched.

Interlude in the Aftermath
During the aftermath the group comes together and pitches in getting everything sorted out. Something about this kind of busy work gets idle mouths to start talking.
-Give a short narration about what you are doing during the aftermath and an interlude [ Narration, It can be as long as you like ] where you tell the group about your past while you are doing what you do to help out.
-I will draw a card that will give a specific theme to both your aftermath action and background story, if you incorporate the theme into both you get +1 bennie for next quarter.
[Below are somethings that still need to be sorted out to help you guys along with things you might want to deal with in the aftermath, it is by no means comprehensive but just a few things to help you guys out]
-With the Mountaineer in Maximilian's Titan grip and Libertas at the wheel they still might need some help getting the Mountaineer to stable land ( Seems like Jude is trying to be the co-pilot while carrying a crying baby ) .
-Plus a bit of water did get into it through the open doors. J
-Kesslan is flying around with one of the special babies
-there are three bloody villagers.
-Two men are still in the river crying out for help, one goes under the water as the dragon flys overhead.
-There is also Soldad's split platinum ring and a deep purple stone waiting to be collected off the ground.

[ Markus, Lucretia in your interlude include a narrative of how you dispatch the vampire next to you, keep in mind their vulnerabilities, water, wooden stake through heart, sunlight, holy/psi-sword damage]

[ During the interlude if you want to at some point take a shot at Jazzel the Darken One go ahead, +4 damage and +4 to hit, roll damage, and we will resume combat after all interludes are posted.]

Kesslan- Spade-Victory
Nadya- Diamond-Desire
Markus- Heart - Love
Libertas- Club- Tragedy
Maximilian- Spade- Victory
Lucretia- Club- Tragedy
Jude -Spade- Victory
Bane- Spade- Victory

Libertas Magicum · Post by **Libertas Magicum** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 10:26 am

Behind the wheel of the Mountaineer, Libertas gapes a bit at the departing dragon. "Well, that's a lot better than fighting that thing, too, I suppose. I've never seen one of those before--Hell, that's the closest I've ever seen any kind of dragon."

Hearing that Bane still needs to be airborne, he sustains the spell for a bit longer, giving a quick shout. "Don't dawdle, that's almost all I got." He then sets about the process of having Max and Jude assist in getting the vehicle to dry land; he also has Max briefly tip the vehicle about forty-five degrees to the left, with the doors open, to drain out the excess water. Once that's done, he looks back at the river.

"Hey, Max, if you're up for it, see if you can set some of the larger chunks of wreckage of the bridge across the water like stepping-stones? It'll at least help the townsfolk get across on foot while a new bridge gets built. When we get to town, I can sketch up a design for a new bridge that should be easy enough for them to build, based on what sort of equipment they've got."

By this time, Lucretia and the others have probably dealt with any injured townsfolk, but if they need some healing, he's got enough juice for that.

And as the rest of the group takes care of their own assorted tasks in the cleanup, he starts working on the Mountaineer, getting the interior cleaned out and straightened up, re-securing the cargo, and seeing if he can tinker his way out of the damages done by the fall. During this time, he's constantly talking to the machine, tracing sigils on it with his fingertip, and maybe even etching a few in places that aren't likely to be seen by anyone who isn't taking the thing apart to look for them. And when talking to the truck, he calls it "Tara". If anyone helping with the repairs asks, the story just sort of comes out, almost unconsciously....

*****************

"Tara? Oh, she was... well, a friend. We'd run in the same crowd as kids, kind of lost track when I got my apprenticeship. But we ran into each other again when I left Stormspire--she was working the caravan I was taking to Tolkeen, as a driver. She didn't have any arcane skills, which limited her options in Stormspire proper, but she could make a truck like this one practically dance." He gets a wistful smile at the memory.

"Anyway, we took the trip as a chance to reconnect. It'd been mostly my fault we'd lost touch--I can get a bit obsessive when I'm in a workshop. And maybe I was a bit full of myself, because I'd gotten out of the street life and everything. But she was happy just to talk and catch up, no blame or anything. I rode most of the time in the cab of her truck, rather than in the big APV with the other passengers. That week, I was... well, happy." His face becomes almost impossible to read.

"That's what saved my life, too. See, we got to the outskirts of the kingdom just as the Coalition was gearing up for their big assault. Everyone thought they'd been beaten by the Sorcerer's Revenge, and sent packing. As it was, though, the wilds were crawling with CS troops. We did our best to evade them--in fact, after a discussion with the caravan master, we'd made the decision to turn and head back. And that's when the missile barrage hit the APV. They deliberately targeted the passengers, you see. Probably afraid there were spellcasters in the bunch, wanted them all dead on arrival." He takes a deep breath.

"Tara drove like a hellion, trying to get us away. She took that truck off-road, along a riverbank, up a steep ravine wall... It really was almost magical. I sometimes wonder if she had some sort of supernatural ability, something unique--guess we'll never know." He wipes away a tear, drawing a ragged breath.

"We came up over a hill, laughing because we thought we'd gotten away... and that's when the sniper's bullet hit her, right between the eyes. The truck crashed, of course, ran straight into a big oak tree. That's where they found me, holding her and screaming. They didn't realize what I am, or they probably would've just shot me, too; but since all my gear was in the APV when that blew up, they just figured I was an ordinary civilian. Took me to the camps...." He shakes his head. "That's a story for another time. Anyway, I've been thinking of this truck as being imbued with Tara's spirit. Makes me feel close to her again."

Maximilian · Post by **Maximilian** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 12:14 pm

Seeing the shadow dragon fly off into the night, bound for destinations unknown, Max breathes a sigh of relief mixed with concern. I hope my failure to end that creature doesn't cost lives. I'm sure I could have taken it down if I'd given it a better shot.

Max then sets to the task of lifting the Mountaineer out of the water. The Titan earns its name, hefting the vehicle out of the water and onto dry land, tipping it slightly as he lifts in order to shunt any pooled water to the outside. "Should I set this down town-side or the side we came from?"

As the rest of the SET begins their wrap-up and attending to the injured, Max takes some vocal comfort in their hard-won victory. "You know, this reminds me of a caper we ran awhile back. There was a CS supply drop that some of our sneaks had caught wind of. It was a pretty large shipment of materiel and other goodies from Iron Heart to Chi-Town that, because it was so deep in CS territory, they didn't really guard well. Or so we thought."
Max rips into some of the leftover jerky Jude had given him, chews a minute, and continues. "They always had me in reserve, ready to sneak in and give our target an extra scare if they were less than cooperative. Well, the radio chatter started early and hot, because the CS escort was three times what our sneaks had found! If I could have gotten my paws on those half-witted...anyway. Our squad leader hits comms hot, screaming for me and Nadine to swoop in and lay a beating down. There was supposed to be just a couple suits of SAMAS, some skellies, and a handful of grunts. Nobody expected the spider skulls to be keeping watch. Kinda like that shadow dragon lurking under the bridge. But you know how Nadine does it. She does it nice and quiet-like. I dropped my full payload of missiles on the two walkers right before I came bursting through the trees. The two walkers got turned into smoking slag. The grunts and SAMAS freaked out and bolted, and one of our sneaks had planted a command in this batch of skellies that my voice was their captain's!"
Max lets out a deep chuckle, proud of his stunning victory. "In addition to the haul, which was bigger than what we expected, we took back two dozen CS skelebots that some of our tech heads were able to tear apart, reprogram, and send as escorts to give us cover for another heist later!"
Max, apparently at the end of his jerky, lets out a small whimper, then continues. "Yeah, I'd been working to buy Nadine off of our group, just in case I ever wanted to freelance. After that heist, I was flush enough to pay off the marker. It's been Nadine and me ever since."
Max gives a quick scan to make sure the area is clear and all appropriate townsfolk have been rescued. "So, is there any way we can piece this bridge back together?"

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 1:21 pm

As the shadow-dragon flies away, the vampire next to Lucretia lunges at her throat, but she just ducks under the attack and spits his head with a bladed uppercut. These wild vampires weren't much of a threat, not to one with her training, at least. The townsfolk, that was another matter.

Letting her remaining enhancement and psi-vambraces dissipate, she turns to the gathered locals.

"Excuse me folks." She says to the frightened townspeople around her. "We're from the Tomorrow Legion. Just passing through, but glad to be of assistance. Uh, sorry for the mess... we don't have a medic with us, but we'll help out as best we can with the wounded. If someone in charge here can start organizing a treatment area, I'll see what we can do to help."

With a nod to whomever seems to be the most in charge among the townsfolk, she turns and walks back down the hill towards where Soldad had disappeared.

"Attention all: I am temporarily relieving myself of command, as I may have been compromised by the vampire. I'm pretty sure I resisted it fully, but I'd rather not take any chances. Not with what he was trying to make me do. Banethro, you're in charge for the time being. Oh, I did tell the townsfolk we would do what we could to assist with any medical concerns - emergency medical assistance should be a top priority. Uh, if anyone has spare power, I could lend you my armor. It's got a TW healing mod, but I'm too drained from the fight to make use of it. It's uh, not exactly clean at the moment though, sorry."

She bends down and picks up a twig. She uses it to pick up Soldad's shattered ring without touching it, looking it over.

This is probably what he was using to control the dragon. It could be useful if the dragon proves to be a problem. Banethro or Libertas would probably understand it better than I would, though.

"For now, I will confine myself to the back of the Mountaineer. When the emergency matters are taken care of, meet me there and I can explain everything."

"You're sure you're okay, Lu?" Sir Cy the Wise asked. "Master Vampires can be a tricky lot. You think you've driven them off, won the battle and are on the way to winning the war, when bam. They come at you sideways with something you never expected, never anticipated. You discover that you you aren't winning the war - you didn't even win the battle. They let you think you won, but it's just a setup, a trap."

Yes, she assured him, she was fine. If only she knew what was coming she might have answered differently.

"Good." Sir Cy the Caring smiled at her. "Then let's get back to the village. I bet they'll throw us a feast."

If he said that was what would happen, it would probably happen.... and it did. The villagers were happy that the vampires were gone, and that Sir Cy the Hero had returned to them. Less so that Lucretia had returned too - a couple days prior while sparring, Sir Cy the Skilled had accidentally broken the shades she wore to hide her lack of eyes, and a couple of the villagers had seen before she could cover it up. Sir Cy the Giving bought her a visor to replace them, but the damage was done - she might be a Cyber-Knight, but the whole village was abuzz that she was also an Altaran slaver. They tolerated her, probably only because Sir Cy the Charming flashed a smile and vouched for her... and they were dealing with the vampires. People can forgive a lot when you are saving their lives.

She awoke in the middle of the night, cold. Sir Cy the Warm was gone. She slipped on a robe and her visor and went to see what was happening. Immediately upon exiting the small house that they had taken up residence in, she smelled the sharp iron tang of blood, carried on the breeze from the town square, accompanied by the groans of the dying. She rushed in that direction, fearing the worst. What she found was worse then even that. A towering mound of corpses and the near-dead buried the fountain at the center of the square, blood-frothed water seeping out from between tangles of lifeless limbs.

"Lu!" She heard Sir Cy the Concerned behind her, voice tinged with fear, and turned to embrace him as he rushed toward her. "I love you," Sir Cy the Truthful said, his voice choked with emotion as his psi-blade slid through her abdomen. "I'm sorry."

"I forgive you." she said, as she embraced him with one arm, pulling herself up his blade. Her other arm reached up behind him and severed his brainstem, instantly killing Sir Cy the Corrupted. Sir Cy her savior, her friend, her mentor, her lover, her would-be murderer.

The worst thing about not having eyes is not being blind, or having to hide it just to keep from being run out of town.
The worst thing about not having eyes is that you cannot cry.

"...he wanted me to take one of the babies to him tonight. He said they were special, but didn't say why. I'm supposed to go upstream a ways to his territory, alone of course. He said that he wouldn't harm the child, but vampires aren't exactly known for honesty."

She was removing her armor in the back of the mountaineer, revealing more or less skintight black clothes, damp with sweat from the fight.

"Like I said, I don't think I'm under his sway anymore, but I'm not going to take that risk." She hikes the hem of her shirt, revealing a long, thin scar running vertically up her muscled midriff. It it must be at least a foot long, because the ends of it cannot be seen even with her shirt raised. Running a finger along the scar for emphasis, she adds "...believe me, I know what can happen. This was done by another Cyber-Knight, one whom I trusted even more than I trust myself. He was my mentor, the one who saved me and trained me, and he was far stronger of mind than I can ever hope to be." She releases the shirt and the scar disappears under it's dark shroud. "If he could be corrupted and I didn't know it, then I could be corrupted and you wouldn't know it. Take no chances. If we are not all going after him tonight, then find some way to bind me and lock me up. I won't take the chance with your lives, the lives of the townsfolk, and especially the lives of those babies."

Cantrell · Post by **Cantrell** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 1:39 pm

Cantrell tracks the departing dragon through the sights of her plasma ejector, considering whether a shot between the wings might bring the demon down where the group could finish it off.

Beast like that’d make a helluva trophy, she thinks. Kind of thing that gets you a medal or promotion.

It wasn’t long ago that the desire for that sort of recognition, and the authority that came with it, was the driving force in her life. Maybe it was because of where she came from -- a hungry kid from the slums, all but invisible – but the feeling she got when others looked to her for orders had been intoxicating.

The consequences of her decisions started to weigh on her, however. It was harder to pass off guilt when it was her voice signaling the firing squad. Ultimately that was why she’d decided to leave her old life with the Coalition behind, give up her lieutenant’s bars to be a grunt again, following orders. It had been … freeing. Given the choice, she’s not sure she’d want to be in charge again.

Better to find someone else whose conscious you trust, and follow orders, she thinks, lowering her rifle. For now, at least.

~~~~~0~~~0~~~~~

Cantrell pitches in wherever a strong hand is needed, knowing the power she burns using her armor’s enhanced exoskeleton can be recharged easily enough from the Mountaineer’s generator. She helps clear debris and arrange some of the larger chunks of concrete into a makeshift path across the river, then goes in search of Jude and Kesslan and the rescued babies.

”Never figured you were so baby crazy, Jude,” she says after finding the rogue. She offers him a drink from her flask, which she’d filled with dwarven moonshine back at the Legion’s HQ. Keeping the conversation collegial – Maverick had been known to get the wrong idea, and hold on to it like a Dog Boy with a bone – she gestures toward the babies, who are being fussed over by several of the villagers.

”Gotta wonder what the bloodsuckers wanted with these two,” she says. ”The devil ma…, I mean D’Vorr – Bane, I think, is his name? -- said the head vampire mentioned something about them being ‘special,’ but who knows what that means.”

Cantrell shudders as an old memory surfaces.

”I don’t know if you remember Torres, the quartermaster at the Wichita Falls base? He was my sergeant when I first transferred out from Chi-Town. One tour, maybe four months into my deployment, we were ranging west on extended patrol. We were supposed to check in on a village, mostly human, near the ruins of a place called Childress.

”There was a river nearby, and the villagers had set up an irrigation system to grow crops. Well, we show up and the fields are deserted, weeds everywhere – it’s obvious nothing’s been tended for weeks or maybe months. Thinking the worst, we roll into town on high alert, expecting to find it burned out and full of bodies. Only it’s not.

”The townsfolk are all there – physically – but everyone’s lost their minds. They’re half-starved and most of the women are pregnant, big bellies hanging off skeletal frames, sunken eyes all glazed over as they smile and drool. Meanwhile, the women that aren’t pregnant are laying around just wherever, in full view, while the men line up to take turns doing – you know, it – like their only mission in life is to get these women knocked up, too. And every last one of them is as high as a psi-stalker sniffing faerie farts.

”We figure out why once we force entry into the residential habs. Some sort of alien tissue – it was like the inside of a river mussel, if you’ve ever seen those – had burst out of an incubator and was covering the medical lab. It turns out, the thing was psychically active, and fed on human ‘stem cells,’ according to the tech officer who analyzed the village records later. Apparently babies have a ton of these – so the villagers had been feeding this thing babies, and trying to make more as fast as they could.

”So, how do you get people to feed their kids to an alien slime? The thing had some sort of telepathic ability to trigger euphoria, as good as anything the mood-pharmers in the ‘Burbs ever cooked up. It’s got all the villagers hooked, wanting that feeling so bad they’re willing to give up their kids for a hit …

”Torres got too close to the thing when we first found it, and it hit him with its psychic morphine. He was fighting us as we dragged him out, and screamed with the rest of the villagers when we set fire to the res-block. He came out of it on the way back, but asked to be transferred off patrol when we got back to the Falls. Said he didn’t trust himself to be out there anymore – knew if the choice came up again, he’d sacrifice every last one of us for another taste of something half that good.”

Cantrell glances down at the flask as she finishes the story, thinks about taking another shot and decides not to. She grins at Cantrell – thinking Down boy! Just friends! to herself as she does – then screws the cap on and sticks the flask back into her pack.

”Moderation in all things, huh?”

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 6:04 pm

Libertas Magicum wrote: Hearing that Bane still needs to be airborne, he sustains the spell for a bit longer, giving a quick shout. "Don't dawdle, that's almost all I got." He then sets about the process of having Max and Jude assist in getting the vehicle to dry land; he also has Max briefly tip the vehicle about forty-five degrees to the left, with the doors open, to drain out the excess water. Once that's done, he looks back at the river.

"You got it!" Bane shouts, and with that he flies after over to the two floundering townspeople in the river, grabs each of them, and drags them to the riverbank just as his Libertas's flight power fails and sputters out, dropping him ontop of the townspeople. "Are you guys alright?" Bane asks of them as he performs any necessary 1st Aid.

Agility (I'm Guessing for grabbing the townspeople) [dice]0[/dice]

Wild Die [dice]1[/dice]

Heal [dice]2[/dice]

Wild Die [dice]3[/dice]

Bane regroups with the team and uses Lucretia's armor to heal any remaining injured people, then talks to the rest of the group. "That wasn't the victory I had been hoping for, but when dealing with a master vampire, I'll take any that we can get. However we have to assume that Soledad will return, especially since he seemed so interested in the babies."

(The rest is coming, I have to get back to work.)

Markus Berger · Post by **Markus Berger** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 9:00 pm

Markus sees that his weapon don't affect the vampire, so he drop the vibro sword and grabs the vampire, the servos in his TX-11 granting him the strength to hold for dear life.
"Guys? Help here!"
After they dispatch of the vampire, he will help the townsfolk, and work with the others in curing and repairing what he is able.
---
He goes next to the Elven man, while he cries next to her dead companion.
He looks at the DBee, crying like a baby over the lifeless body. He looks at the shaking, the slumped shoulders, the tears bathing his face.
He can't deny it. He loved her. This creature. This DBee, he loved the other one with such a passion, with such abandon...
Like a human did.
Like Markus had never loved in his life.
Can some DBees really love? Really feel, like normal people?
"Effy, you said, right? I'm sorry for your loss."
Confused, he moved away to find his hoverbike.
---
To Libertas, after his story about the loss of his friend Tara, he gives a gentle pat in the back, in solidarity.
Maximilian story seem to fall on deaf ears. He ignores the Dog Boy history, and don't acknowledge or celebrate it.
He winces noticeably when Lucretia puts Banethro in charge, but keeps his mouth shut.
"Really? Do you think you can be under his influence? I doubt it. You were able to resist him in person, I can't imagine he can influence you at distance. I say you trust yourself, keep in command of our unit, and lead us to find and destroy those creatures."
Markus hears Cantrell's story, frowning.
"America... I just can't believe how it is."
At Bane comment, Markus interjects.
"We can't let him recover and regroup. We have to follow him, and attack him while he is running."

Kesslan · Post by **Kesslan** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 11:21 pm

With the other baby safe, and the vampires being cleaned up by the others, Kesslan focuses on helping rescue the towns folk being swept away down the river, simply diving right when the wing spell runs out and helping to haul them out. (Let me know if you want me to roll for it).

Afterwards, well, afterwards was dealing with the aftermath. Removing his helmet and tucking it under one arm he makes his way first over to the babies to sniff them over with a worried expression, wanting to be sure they were ok, and then when Lucretia mentions being compromised he gives her a rather good close sniffing too, searching for any psychich or magical 'scent' about her that didn't match what was normally there. While he has a chance to say something he even speaks up. "Thanks for not just leaving me behind." he says ears drooping. The previous team he'd been with had gone off into a fight, across a river much like this one. Except there had been no bridge, just a ferry boat on the other side. He couldn't help but recall how the whole team had headed across the river, leaving him behind with no way to follow and help. He'd even been supposedly the 'pack alpha' (Group leader). That had stung the well meaning dogboy rather badly to say the least. "Not like the others did." he adds to Lucretia. At least, he reflected, in the end both teams came to their own version of victory over the dastardly foes. But here, here he'd been able to do some real good, and that made him happy, even if he was still a little sad that all these bad things had happened to the towns folk in the first place.

Checking 'scent' on 2 babies and Lucretia
Notice 1: [dice]0[/dice]
Wild Die [dice]1[/dice]
Total: 5 +2 Keen sense of smell bonus = 7

Notice 2: [dice]2[/dice]
Wild Die [dice]3[/dice]
Total: 5 +2 Keen sense of smell bonus = 7

Notice 3: [dice]4[/dice]
Wild Die [dice]5[/dice]
Total: 5 +2 Keen sense of smell bonus = 7

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Wed Mar 22, 2017 11:35 pm

Markus Berger wrote:Markus sees that his weapon don't affect the vampire, so he drop the vibro sword and grabs the vampire, the servos in his TX-11 granting him the strength to hold for dear life.
"Guys? Help here!"
After they dispatch of the vampire, he will help the townsfolk, and work with the others in curing and repairing what he is able.
---
He goes next to the Elven man, while he cries next to her dead companion.
He looks at the DBee, crying like a baby over the lifeless body. He looks at the shaking, the slumped shoulders, the tears bathing his face.
He can't deny it. He loved her. This creature. This DBee, he loved the other one with such a passion, with such abandon...
Like a human did.
Like Markus had never loved in his life.
Can some DBees really love? Really feel, like normal people?
"Effy, you said, right? I'm sorry for your loss."
Confused, he moved away to find his hoverbike.
---
To Libertas, after his story about the loss of his friend Tara, he gives a gentle pat in the back, in solidarity.
Maximilian story seem to fall on deaf ears. He ignores the Dog Boy history, and don't acknowledge or celebrate it.
He winces noticeably when Lucretia puts Banethro in charge, but keeps his mouth shut.
"Really? Do you think you can be under his influence? I doubt it. You were able to resist him in person, I can't imagine he can influence you at distance. I say you trust yourself, keep in command of our unit, and lead us to find and destroy those creatures."
Markus hears Cantrell's story, frowning.
"America... I just can't believe how it is."
At Bane comment, Markus interjects.
"We can't let him recover and regroup. We have to follow him, and attack him while he is running."

As Bane gets back onto his feet, he hears Markus's call for help and runs off. Once Bane is within 36 yards (18"), he casts Sun Bolt (Onslaught)

Spellcasting: [dice]0[/dice]

Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice]

Breathing heavy from running, Bane takes a deep breath to start casting his spell and accidentally inhales a moth, causing him to spit and sputter for several moments to clear his throat again. Bane half yells, half coughs to Markus to dunk the vampire in the river.

After the Vampire has been dispatched and the villagers have been healed and everyone gathers round, he says "That fight makes me think back to the first firefight I was ever in back in Dweomer. Me and my partern, Dabrik, who was also apprenticed to my mentor who was also our sergeant, well we got dispatched to investigate rumors of an organized crime syndicate. Turns out they were goblins who were being run by a goblin mob boss. It would have been the craziest thing that I had ever heard if I hadn't seen it with my two eyes. They had kidnapped the daughter of a prominent business owner. We could see where they had the girl tied up and just as we were about to call in for backup, another group of goblins was about to turn into the building. So I made the decision to make them look like a rival orc gang. The first five or so were cut down in short order. The next ten or so regained their wits and started fighting. During the distraction, we were able to capture the goblin mob boss and free the business man's daughter."

Jude Maverick · Post by **Jude Maverick** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 1:30 am

Southeast of Silver Bluff
Night

As Kesslan caught the other baby, Jude headed for the Mountaineer, helping Max and Libby get the truck out of the river and onto the bank. He left the techno-wizard to work his magic on the truck and grabbed one of the spare medical kits they had packed.

“Okay, girl,” Jude told the baby in his arms. “I really hope your mommy or daddy comes to get you soon,” he admitted. For now, he rigged up some kind of baby carrier with his web gear, keeping the baby safely against his chest and leaving his hands free.

Jude worked for about two hours. At one point he stopped by the Mountaineer again for more supplies and overheard Glasses talking about some girl named Tara. Sounded tragic.

“Think Tara would mind if I use the hood for a changing station?” Jude asked. “Got a pretty nasty nappy here.” He would have to improvise. He took off his gear and armor and pulled off his shirt, revealing his lean, toned, muscled torso. He gave the baby a quick change and took it off to the back of the truck, working up a makeshift bottle with some powdered milk from their rations.

Lucretia came around the back, announcing her stepping down from authority. Jude couldn’t help but admire her form as she stripped out of her armor down to the skintight suit. He shook his head and winced as she showed the scar she bore.

“Maybe for the best, Lucy,” Jude said, “but you aren’t alone with this. Just the fact that you’re aware makes me think you might be fine. If we’re bunking down here tonight, I noticed there’s a storage shed in town. No windows. One entrance. If you want, you and I can bed down there. I’ll sleep on the door and keep an eye on you.”

***

”Never figured you were so baby crazy, Jude.”

Jude looked up to see Cantrell approaching. He flashed her that winning smile of his.

“Not baby crazy,” he said. “My sister had a couple. About the only ones I can stand. Doesn’t mean I’m going to let a vamp snack on them.”

”Gotta wonder what the bloodsuckers wanted with these two,” Cantrell said. ”The devil ma-- I mean D’Vorr – Bane, I think, is his name? -- said the head vampire mentioned something about them being ‘special,’ but who knows what that means.”

“Don’t know for sure,” Jude admitted. “But maybe they just like them young. Llke veal. Sweet and tender.”

Jude took the flask from her and took a sip of the strong dwarven moonshine. He gave a low whistle. “Good stuff!” Sticking his finger into the flask, he coated it and pushed his finger into the baby’s mouth. The baby eager sucked the finger.

“She’s teething a bit,” he explained. “The liquor will help numb the pain.”

He listened to Cantrell’s tale of Torres and the alien entity. It sort of made him long for the days when his biggest concern had been a win at the tables -- or over a pretty girl. All that CS propaganda about the world out here wasn’t that far off sometimes.

“You know, I still owe Torres fifty creds,” Jude said with a smile. “He bet me I’d never get that armor off you,” he teased with a wink. “I had to leave before we could settle up. I still say he never gave me enough time.”

Jude stretched his aching muscles, stiffening up now after the adrenaline of combat, his bare torso glistening in the moonlight. Then he stared off down the river, memories coming back to him, the baby gumming his finger quietly in her sleep.

“I used to tell my niece stories about folks like you,” he told Nadya. “The brave CS soldiers that kept us safe from things like dragons and vampires. It was all kind of BS,” he chuckled. “I’d never actually met one, except those I saw marching in the parades. But Nicole...she ate it up. She wanted to be a soldier one day. I teased her and said a soldier needed to know how to fight, so she made me teach her.” He laughed. “I was rubbish then. I suppose I still am, compared to you, or Lucy there.” He looked up at Nadya and over at Lucretia.

“We were pretty well-off. I’d had some fencing lessons growing up. I’d take Nicole out down by the Fox River at the back of the family compound with a couple of stun foils. I remember the first time she beat me.” He laughed. “She was thirteen. I was toying around with her, cocky as usual, cracking jokes, teasing her, mocking. She was deadly serious, though. She’d been practicing. She ditched the classic techniques and pressed me hard. I’m still not sure how I ended up on my back. She put her foot on my chest, victorious, grinning like she’d just vanquished a dragon or some vile D-Bee from the news vids. And then she stabbed me about fifteen times with that damned shock tip, laughing as I pissed myself!” Jude laughed. “She wanted me to take her to the recruiting station the next morning. Oh, my sister was pissed at me!”

Jude fell quiet again, dropping his gaze down to the sleeping baby. “I miss them…” He shook himself from his reverie. Jude never liked to get too introspective. “Sorry I wasn’t more help there, boss,” he told Lucretia. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

Libertas Magicum · Post by **Libertas Magicum** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 5:32 am

At Jude's question, he laughs a bit. "Tara always looked after the younger kids in the gang, and helped out the ones who got pregnant early. I think she'll be fine with it."

And then, as he hears Cantrell and Jude talking about the babies being 'special', he frowns a bit. "Have the dog-boys give them a sniff-check for anything other than dirty diapers."

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:10 am

Bane take Lucretia to the side and asks "How will you know that you're not under Soledad's influence anymore? Is there anything that we can do to help with that?" As Bane asks that question, a spark of inspiration ignites Bane's mind. "Hold that thought, I'll be right back." He then goes and brings Libertas over and asks him "Can you design a device to scan her brainwaves and thought patters to see if there could be any outside interference or influence?" (OOC: Using your Arcane Machinist ability, basically).

Markus Berger · Post by **Markus Berger** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:19 am

Bane wrote:As Bane gets back onto his feet, he hears Markus's call for help and runs off. Once Bane is within 36 yards (18"), he casts Sun Bolt (Onslaught)
Spellcasting: 1
Wild Die: 1
Breathing heavy from running, Bane takes a deep breath to start casting his spell and accidentally inhales a moth, causing him to spit and sputter for several moments to clear his throat again. Bane half yells, half coughs to Markus to dunk the vampire in the river.

After the battle is over Markus accidentally bumps into Bane, and calls to him, steel in his gaze.
"Thanks for the help, DBee. I am sure I will be able to return the favor in the future."
[OOC: Roleplaying his Hindrance. Sorry.]

Markus Berger · Post by **Markus Berger** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:23 am

Jude Maverick wrote:Jude fell quiet again, dropping his gaze down to the sleeping baby. “I miss them…” He shook himself from his reverie. Jude never liked to get too introspective. “Sorry I wasn’t more help there, boss,” he told Lucretia. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

Markus smiles warmly to Jude.
"We are only humans. But we fight, and persevere. That makes it more valuable, and more brave. You did your part."

Libertas Magicum · Post by **Libertas Magicum** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:44 am

Bane wrote:Bane take Lucretia to the side and asks "How will you know that you're not under Soledad's influence anymore? Is there anything that we can do to help with that?" As Bane asks that question, a spark of inspiration ignites Bane's mind. "Hold that thought, I'll be right back." He then goes and brings Libertas over and asks him "Can you design a device to scan her brainwaves and thought patters to see if there could be any outside interference or influence?" (OOC: Using your Arcane Machinist ability, basically).

He considers the question for a bit. "Nothing I can make would be any better than the Dog-Boys' ability--and I think your own powers exceed theirs, as far as detecting general magic goes. But, if we want to be certain, I could make a disruption device that would undo any lingering effects on her, assuming I can overpower the vampire's."

[OOC: See OOC discussion thread.]

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 12:38 pm

Jude Maverick wrote:“Maybe for the best, Lucy,” Jude said, “but you aren’t alone with this. Just the fact that you’re aware makes me think you might be fine. If we’re bunking down here tonight, I noticed there’s a storage shed in town. No windows. One entrance. If you want, you and I can bed down there. I’ll sleep on the door and keep an eye on you.”

"That's not my name," she says curtly. "As for the shed it's not a bad idea, but multiple guards would be better. No offense, but I doubt you could stop me if I wanted to leave... and I'd rather not have your life's blood on my hands because you tried. On second thought, the shed's no good - it probably wouldn't be able to hold me. it's not like you can take my weapons away, so I could just cut my way out."

Bane wrote:Bane take Lucretia to the side and asks "How will you know that you're not under Soledad's influence anymore? Is there anything that we can do to help with that?" As Bane asks that question, a spark of inspiration ignites Bane's mind. "Hold that thought, I'll be right back." He then goes and brings Libertas over and asks him "Can you design a device to scan her brainwaves and thought patters to see if there could be any outside interference or influence?" (OOC: Using your Arcane Machinist ability, basically).

"I don't know if I'd know. He only gave the one command though, and I've already broken part of it - he ordered me not to tell anyone. I think that if we get past tonight without me doing anything weird, I should be fine. I think. Definitely once he's dead. Probably."

Real confident, that.

"That's why you're in charge for now Banethro, and will be until you are satisfied I'm not under his influence. Anything I say or do should be questioned. All of this could be a setup to lead you all into a trap. He could even be playing me and it's a trap even if I'm not under his influence."

Maximilian · Post by **Maximilian** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 12:47 pm

Max finds an appropriate spot to park Nadine, shuts down, and exits to stretch his legs. Shaking his head, then his whole body, he begins sniffing. "Come here, commander. Let me give you a good once-over. No funny business. Two noses are better than one, right Kesslan?"
Max works in concert with Kesslan to give Lucretia a good - and tactful - sniffing, searching for the stench of vampire influence.

Notice for psi-scent
[dice]0[/dice]

Wild die for psi-scent
[dice]1[/dice]

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 1:54 pm

After Kesslan and Max have finished smelling Lucretia's aura, he says "Kesslan and Max, I need you two to follow me. Everyone else stay here and keep an eye out. Markus, I would recommend looking for pieces of wood you can fashion into steaks or clubs should any vampires come back. Stay near the river, or in it if you have to." With that Bane, Kesslan, and Max make the hike over to the north over across the river from the town.

"This is where I had seen Soledad teleport to after his charm that was controlling the dragon broke. Let's see if we can track him." Bane says.

Detect Arcana (Trapping: Softly Glowing Eyes) PPE cost: 0

Spellcasting [dice]0[/dice]

Wild Die: [dice]1[/dice]

Maximilian · Post by **Maximilian** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 2:24 pm

Max finishes his inspection. "She's clean of any vampire stink. You're good to go, commander."
Max follows Bane eagerly, and at the command, begins his inspection for Soldad's scent.

Tracking
[dice]0[/dice]

Tracking wild die
[dice]1[/dice]

Kesslan · Post by **Kesslan** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 2:51 pm

Kesslan pipes up in agreement with Max "Yes. She is." he points over towards the two babies that had been rescued "Magic babies." he says, not really sure how else to explain it. "That's why they said they were special."

Markus Berger · Post by **Markus Berger** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:13 pm

Markus seems to ignore Bane, but when he gets out of sight he starts looking for wood to make some stakes.
[OOC: Need to roll something? How many can he make? Agility...]
Agility Check: [dice]0[/dice]
Benny to Reroll:
Agility Check (+2 Elan): [dice]1[/dice]
2 stakes.
[OOC: Another question... can he use his Scrounger Edge to try and find a Water cannon or gun(s)?]

Kesslan · Post by **Kesslan** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:19 pm

Bane wrote:With that Bane, Kesslan, and Max make the hike over to the north over across the river from the town.

"This is where I had seen Soledad teleport to after his charm that was controlling the dragon broke. Let's see if we can track him." Bane says.

Kesslan perks his ears. "Oh. Ok!" he was always more than happy to help hunt down monsters like vampires. He didn't like vampires. Or demons, or ghost, or.. well really most supernatural things. Besides, the vampires had hurt people and tried to kidnap the babies! With that he sets about trying to sniff out the vampires, focusing upon what ever magical or psionic scent or trail they may have left

Tracking [dice]0[/dice]
Wild Die [dice]1[/dice]
Extra Effort (Spending 1 Bennie) [dice]2[/dice]
Psychic Sense: +2
Elan: +2
Total: 7

Jude Maverick · Post by **Jude Maverick** » Fri Mar 24, 2017 5:43 am

Southeast of Silver Bluff
Night

Markus smiled warmly to Jude. "We are only humans. But we fight, and persevere. That makes it more valuable, and more brave. You did your part."

Jude nodded to Markus. “Thanks mate,” he said. “I tried. Just glad the wee ones are okay.”

Jude looked over to Lucretia as she spoke.

"As for the shed it's not a bad idea, but multiple guards would be better. No offense, but I doubt you could stop me if I wanted to leave... and I'd rather not have your life's blood on my hands because you tried. On second thought, the shed's no good - it probably wouldn't be able to hold me. it's not like you can take my weapons away, so I could just cut my way out."

Jude shrugged. “I figure I can warn the others. And I’m the least powerful member of the team, the most expendable, I guess. I even packed my red shirt,” he said with a chuckle. But he grew more serious. “I am the one you will least see as a threat,” he pointed out, “making it less likely you will do anything lethal.”

When Kesslan confirmed the babies were magic, Jude looked down in surprise at the one sucking on his finger. “What does that mean, exactly?” he asked. “Magic how?” But the dog boys went off with Banethero.

“Well, little one. What sort of magic are you doing?” Jude asked.

Lucretia · Post by **Lucretia** » Fri Mar 24, 2017 10:56 am

Lucretia listens to Jude and just shakes her head.
If he knew the old me he wouldn't be so flippant about it. Most of my kills weren't a threat.

"First, your life is no less valuable than anyone's. Please don't ever talk like that in front of me again, I've had far too many people die on me already. Second, you might not be a fighter, but we are not primarily a combat team. We fight when we have to, but that's never plan A. Third... I think the 'magic' that one just did might mean you're not done using Tara's hood as a changing table."