21 - Bug Hunt

Post by **Ndreare** » Thu Oct 17, 2019 8:53 am

random stuff to ignore

Figuring out what they needed to do was easy for The 99. But executing the actions is always another step. Take a 10 minute break to east and check gear The 99 realize the APC is in no condition and is too large to make the trek to the hive. Combined with the need of checking on the hamlet the 99 decide to send the auxiliary units under Rubin’s command to the settlement and ensure the safety of everyone, while they take a full load out and see what they can about the hive. Maybe if they perform just right they can take down this little hive, before it becomes a towering threat.

As they move in the team realizes that any effort to fly will give them away instantly. While the bigs have only had a chance to clear out a small radius around the hive, the height of the things is such that their sentries would see anhy approachers from miles off if flying above the treeline. This means walker the armor in the old fashioned way.

But a mission like this comes with its complications. You need more intelligence on the motion and activity of the enemy around the hive. You need to know when they are in and when they are out. As well as how many other bugs are flying about that could return and reinforce the battle if it should take place.

Bugs like this use all kinds of nasty tactics. After all, while most people forget Gridia will never forget these are intelligent monstrosities, capable of human level reason and tactics.

Your challenge = Make it into to hive!

This is a complex battle, but with full reset on bennies and PPE/ISP you should be able to do it.
This will be broken up into three separate tasks. Each character may only participate in one task. But if you have a sidekick, you and your sidekick can participate individually.
Create a detailed narrative as you go through this dramatic task. You need 12 Tokens to penetrate the hive, Each token represents about 5 dead bugs. Without killing the queen, the rest of the deaths do not matter. There is no limit to how many turns you have. Each roll will represent about 1 hour of driving forward into the heart of the hive.

Gather Intelligence & Coordinate Information
Someone needs to gather intelligence about the area around the hive and keep everyone coordinated. This will be a very hard task, but it will help everyone operate effectively. Your observational skills, combined with your knowledge of the enemy makes you invaluable. (If more than one person tries this the highest result rolled will apply.)
Roll the lower of Notice -2, Survival -2, or Battle -2. If you have all three skills, then roll without penalty.

Critical Failure: Bad news, your false intelligence provide a -2 to everyone's roll and they will lose one token!
Failure: They trusted in you, and you let them down. No other effect.
Success: You observations gave the information needed and the team benefited. Maximum tokens per character is increased to 2
Raise: BAM, you nailed it. Without you there would have been little chance of success. Maximum tokens per character is increased to 3 and you may turn one Failure into Success, or one Critical Failure into Failure.
2 or more Raises: You were born to this! Maximum tokens per character is increased to 3 and you may turn all Failures into Success, and all Critical Failures into Failure.

Battlefield Leadership & Support
The best commanders know that things will happen when they stand back and let others shine. You contribute by maximizing the information generated above (or lack thereof) and capitalizing on missed opportunities.
Only 1 Person Roll Battle -4, (Receive +1 for Each Leadership Edge you have, No Default Roll allowed)

Critical Failure: Bad news, you where not prepared for all of this. However the enemy was. Each hero takes 1 Additional Wound.
Failure: You may have been trained in Leadership, but today was not your day. You find yourself unable to greatly contribute to the battle.
Success & Raises: You were meant for this from the beginning. You generate +1 to each other player in the Battle to a maximum of +4.

Kill Some Bugs and Fulfill The Mission
The hardest part of this job is actually killing the bugs and this is where you come in. Move in and create your story.
Ammo & Power Points
Arcane types use 3d6 Power Points each round of battle. Characters with ranged weapons fire at their weapon’s standard Rate of Fire, 2d6 times./i]
Roll any Fighting, Shooting, or any Power skill at -4 (PPE/ISP/Rounds)

Critical Failure: Holy crap, what were we thinking. This battle has gone south for you faster than any amount of help could muster. Your hero takes 1d3+1 Wounds.
Failure: Sometimes things do not go your way. You take 2 wounds, and gain 0 Tokens.
Success & Raises: This is a battle you where prepared for and are ready for. You take 1 Wound and gain 1 Token.
Raises?: If the maximum number of tokens is increased, then you gain an additional token for each success and raise.

You need 12 Tokens For Victory, Each token is about 5 dead bugs
Remember wounds can be Soaked

Special Modifier: Maggie in the Glitter Boy reduces wounds taken by 1.

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Thu Oct 17, 2019 2:48 pm

Jack of All Trades Raise, Battle Roll Failed, -3 Bennies

Steven takes to the sky, using his small size to full advantage to avoid detection and observe the Xiticix from a distance.

Unfortunately, all he can tell is that there are a lot of them. He draws on his archives of old battles, but cannot discern any pattern or reason to the movements of the insect warriors.

Over the team's open radio channel, he transmits, "Maggie, there are many, many Xiticix warriors here, but beyond that, I'm afraid I cannot tell anything of use."

Sal · Post by **Sal** » Fri Oct 18, 2019 6:00 am

Kn battle: [dice:meow0075]59669:0[/dice:meow0075] wild [dice:meow0075]59669:1[/dice:meow0075] ace [dice:meow0075]59669:2[/dice:meow0075]

Sal seemed like he was auto pilot as he made his way to the area @Maggie had indicated with a wave. Once going he seemed to regain some measure of his faculties and did basically what L.C would do. He quietly walked arround lookimg for bugs, and assessing their str.

Post by **Ndreare** » Fri Oct 18, 2019 6:01 am

Sal is able to find and identify where the bugs are patrolling and help identify the hunters and warriors from the workers.

Leethe was able to provide support needed motivating everyone to move when needed and slow when advance would be a mistake.

YOU MAXIMUM TOKENS IS NOW 2 EACH

+3 TO ALL YOUR ROLLS (almost eliminating the -4 scene penalty)

OOC Comments

Sir William Mahan · Post by **Sir William Mahan** » Fri Oct 18, 2019 6:03 am

Fighting 10, 2 Successes, 2 Tokens, No Wounds, 11PPE expended

Sir William charges into battle, psi-swords weaving in the Death Blossom form as he carves his way through a small army of Xiticix on the ground. These creatures will NOT keep us from the Castle! Monstrous claws strike at him, only to be deflected or sliced from the bodies of their owners. "For the Legion!" he roars, slashing his way ever closer to the hive.

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 5:25 am

Shooting 8, 2 Successes, Maggie Takes No Wounds

As they approach the nest, Maggie watches the sky fill with enemies. The optics on her suit let her see them long before they can see her, but she gets closer anyway; it’s hard to be a decoy to bad guys who can’t see her.

So she uses her jump jets to crash through trees. She makes random taunts over the loudspeaker. And, once she’s close enough, she digs in.

Now to make a lot of noise.

She activates her boom gun and the massive weapon swings around off her back and along her arm into shooting position.

She takes a deep breath and radios ”Okay, team, Slapdash in position. Here comes the boom.”

And with that, she kicks off the party in earnest with a series of sonic booms and terrifying fletchettes.

Leethe · Post by **Leethe** » Sat Oct 19, 2019 11:30 am

Tactics 15

Leethe considers the tactical options to approaching the hive based on the information everyone were able to learn. "Hmm" She goes over the plan with everyone else.

Gridia Thorem · Post by **Gridia Thorem** » Sun Oct 20, 2019 5:33 am

Spellcasting = 4

As Gridia receives instructions from the scouting group, he casts protection to fend off what is sure to be a flurry of energy blasts. He sees the onslaught of Xiticix fury that is about to rain down upon Maggie. Good thing she's got that armor. Not wishing to interfere with the destructive power of the Glitterboy, Gridia moves to a safer vantage point.

""Well, it was worth a shot." he says to himself as a mess of Xiticix open fire on his position. Anyone looking might be concerned as shots bounce off of his protective barrier. Inside it though, is a different scene. It has always reminded Gridia of toys from the museums back home. Children generations before his would play with static electricity globes. Electricity arcs off of Gridia's arms and bridges with the walls of his barrier. Each crackling like the sound of a whip smacking the air. Then the elf's arms reach out toward his attackers.

OOC Comments

A flash of light floods the area around him as lighting arcs from his arms to his enemies. A number falls from the sky, but there's no time to count. As his electrical light show focuses on a new audience, Gridia is knocked to the ground by something unexpected. A shot breaks through and throws Gridia off of his balance. Collapsing to the ground, slightly shocked, Gridia catches his breath and looks at his next victim.

"Well, everyone's always saying 'Kill it with fire' when bugs are in the mix." Speaking to himself again. As he regains his composure, Gridia's hands, still dancing with small sparks of electricity, begin to glow. A bright yellow light emitting from his fingers quickly consumes his hands. It quickly fades into a red, then an orange as what emerges from what looks like the very pores of his skin is a amorphous blob of liquid flames. Gridia's eyes reflect the flames as though he's seeing the fires of hell. He lifts his hands, and as though the Glitterboy pilot herself had shot them from her boom gun, the balls fly off toward their destination. The Xiticix that shot him would never see a brighter light as this was the last light he'd ever see.

Maybe that was overkill....

Custos CarcerisXXVII · Sun Oct 20, 2019 3:46 pm

Fighting 11 (Success + Raise); Occult 8, Notice 4; -13 PPE

Caution, Archmage. I am picking up an sizable number of these insectoid Xiticix ahead. Lethal combat recommended.

By the gods, that is a sizable number.

Activating self defense protocols.

XXVII lets its staff disappear and in its place an enchanted greatsword appears. The construct swings the sword through several motions before holding it in front of itself and channeling arcane power through the blade - more power than otherwise necessary to activate the basic enchantments. XXVII resumes swinging it through several test swipes. The sword seems to blur. At times the swings seem to go faster than they should be, and other times the swings are too slow.

XXVII nods once, satisfied, and uses its translator to say, "Into the breech, then! Cover my advance. I will draw enemy fire and dispatch those foolish enough to approach within striking distance."

As XXVII charges into battle and projectiles begin filling the air, XXVII queries Custos, 'Activate Timeslip, Custos. I doubt these savages are capable of punching through our defenses, but it is better to err on the side of caution'

XXVII begins to blur much like the sword it wields, at times skipping back behind a shot and at other times sidestepping or jumping forward ahead of an attack. When the construct approaches the first of the Xiticix, XXVII swings the blade in a wide arc. The blade briefly contacts two of the insects before burying itself in the side of a third. The first two fall beside the third, as if they too were grievously injured from the barest touch of the blade.

XXVII continues zipping around the battlefield, shirking and avoiding most blows and felling Xiticix left and right. The creatures realize how much of a threat the construct is and briefly coordinate their fire on XXVII, managing to land several direct hits. The construct seems to have been damaged, but shows no signs of slowing its assault.

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 4:35 am

Brison takes to the air once Leethe fills them in on where to hit and how, and and finds he is glad for her tactical insight. 'I should ask her how she does that. It sounds like some of the stuff Staff Sergeant Vickers would always harp on in flight school.' The moment Maggie's gun booms the onset of the actual fighting, he rockets into the air, providing close support to their big gun. One particularly effective warrior broke past the others and was rushing Maggie from the back. Without hesitation, Brison rushed down and literally squashed the bug with his boot, but hit the ground a bit too hard. As he lifts off with the pain in his leg, he wonders how bad it really is. He knows it hurts like hell, but he fights on anyway. He sees a couple of bugs rushing Custos and fires off a barrage of lasers to take them down just as the strange man-machine takes down three more.

Shooting 8; You take 1 Wound (soaked), -2 Bennies. and gain 2 Tokens.

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 4:52 am

As people volunteer for various scouting duties, L.C. squashes his own impulse to go get the intelligence himself. He certainly had the ability to do so psionically, but he is part of a team for a reason, so he trusts Sal and Steven (a mechanical bird, who knew) to do their jobs. "We're waiting for your word my friends. Leethe, let us know when we are ready to go and how to do it." An aphorism an officer once told him comes to mind. 'A leader knows how to do it, or knows who can. You must know, or know who does, in order to win engagements and fulfill objectives.'

L.C. is there beside Maggie as she gets ready to fire. Once Leethe gives them the plan, he gives her armor a pat and moves off at a run. Instead of going high, he stays low, though he is flying. He activates his electrokinetic manipulation field and uses his super telekinesis combined with the SAMAS's fists and railgun as needed. He slams bugs into each other, the ground and once or twice, into the waiting weapons of his allies. He catches the bad end of a warrior's blade when his concentration falters, however. In retaliation, he lifts the warrior into Maggie's line of fire. He takes grim satisfaction in the bug's ending. Over the radio and loudspeaker L.C, calls out encouragement to his allies. "99's, were taking them down! Keep at it. Leethe, call your targets and we'll take them out! For Tomorrow! For the Legion!"

Psionics 6, 1 Token, 1 wound (soaked), -3 Bennies

Post by **Ndreare** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 8:03 am

Just a place holder.
10 Token at this point.

Fritz · Post by **Fritz** » Mon Oct 21, 2019 10:00 am

Fritz watches the second string head for town not really noticing anything about the bugs, until someone draws his attention right to them. He looks down at his Wilk's Pistol. This won't do at all.

Fritz runs head long into the first of many patrols. He holsters his pistol and begins grappling with bugs as they come at him. Between his cyborg strength and two sets of arms, he wades in to start ripping away and clearing an actual insertion point into the hive.

Fighting Set One 16 _

Fighting Set Two 4 _

Fritz's surgical set of arms is able to keep the bugs off of him as his full cybered arms deal with whatever bug he has in his grasp.

Post by **Ndreare** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 7:00 am

After what seems like forever, but somehow reads as only an hour the team finally makes it to the nest. The team was warned they would be dealing with undead xiticix, but once able to get close to the corpses Gridia was easily able to identify these things are not undead. They are somehow diseased, or corrupted with some sort of demonic plague.

As the heroes of The 99 come into the hive there is a moment of eerie calm. As if the entire battle ended and the threat represented by the bugs was withdrawn. Somehow this moment of silence gives them a chance to regroup think and breath before moving down into the tunnels.

After discussing the heroes move in, the wall of the hive are not the dry unbreakable barriers normally expected from a Xiticix hive, instead they are covered in a snot like material, each of the 99 knows they need environmental protection, whatever that material is, you do not want it on your skin. The walls themselves feel brittle in places with higher concentrations of the slime.

Heading in The 99, know this will be no quick jaunt...

Instructions

Gridia Thorem · Post by **Gridia Thorem** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 7:58 am

Gridia dusts himself off from the disturbed Earth that found its way onto his jacket. Feeling toasty, he pulls out a cinnamon flavored candy and tosses it into his mouth. Feel the heat! He thinks to himself. Looking at the group who's finally ready to advance on the enemy, Gridia provides a warning, "Friends, as we move into the enemy's home, be aware of any substance you come across. These Xiticix appear to be suffering disease. I've seen something similar and at the time it only required the simplest physical contact to alter one's mental state. Advance with caution. I'll lead the way."

Gridia leads the group into an opening of the hive. The familiar sight skewed by something odd. Gridia dawns his armor's breathing apparatus in case of airborne toxins. The cinnamon candy cools with each inhale of breath from the respiratory device.

@@Sal catches Gridia's attention with some encouragement. As though he's sensing my desire to end this quickly. There's also an amusing quip about my candy. I'm glad the rodent has taken some liking to them. They are wonderful treats after all. With his teammates words fresh in his ears, Gridia focuses his efforts.

Survival = 12 (+3 tokens)

"Watch your footing little one. I'm not sure what's overcome this hive, but these structures appear weakened. Even someone of your size might lose their step. Honestly, I'd hate to find the similarity between this goo and my home's rodent traps. They use a sticky substance that somewhat shares an appearance with this...slime. but you're right. More candy, more progress. The queen should be this way!"

Gridia is careful to avoid leading the team through any portion of the tunnels that are more hazardous than need be. With each turn and junction, he assesses the area leading them deeper within the hive toward their prey.

I only hope we are truly the hunter in this game.

Sal · Post by **Sal** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 8:56 am

Support with work the room...
@Gridia Thorem persuasion [dice:38988sqp]59915:0[/dice:38988sqp]
@Fritz Persuasion [dice:38988sqp]59915:1[/dice:38988sqp]
Wild die [dice:38988sqp]59915:2[/dice:38988sqp]

Benny with elan= Persuasion [dice:38988sqp]59915:3[/dice:38988sqp] Grilda= +2 bonus
Persuasion [dice:38988sqp]59915:4[/dice:38988sqp] Fritz= +2 bonus
Wild die [dice:38988sqp]59915:5[/dice:38988sqp]

Sal knew he could start blasting a way with his cyber arm and kill the bugs by the drove but wasn’t that what Maggie was for. His nose twitched slightly as he looked at the bigger than life heroes he was traveling with with some amount of trepidation. His cyber knight ally Shela tosses him a small smile.

She ruffled his hair and told him gently as was her Fallen way, ”You are a hero too Sal go out and inspire those like you do us.” She pointed to herself and Max who had a bored look on his face as if a big hunt was not something he had signed up for.

Mac glared and stammered, ”Uh yeah Sal. You are something else.” Shela’s Turn to glare.

”Don’t mind the big lug Sal. You got this! Make sure your team does too. That Willy Wonka Character might need some words of encouragement if he is going to find his candy coated queen. Your doc too. He seems out of place in the great big that is the world.”

Sal pondered the words of the fallen knight and not for the first time wondered if she was truly fallen beyond any help to redeem. Perhaps an adventure for later. Time to get these heroes to be all they can be.

Sal leaped to @Gridia Thorem’s side as the candy master sought the queen. Sal’s squeaky voice broke the tepid silience, ”Eat more candy! Keep your eye balls peeled. Most importantly believe and you can achieve!”

Whilest near his traveling companion, and chief instigator of his harrowing escape from the CS lone star complex, Sal made some idle small talk hoping it would be the thing to inspire the scientist to incredible heights, ”What kind of upgrades should we do next to my person? I was thinking the legs? Did you have some of the Maytag blue cheese?”

With his efforts done Sal just stood back keeping a vigilant eye for as humans say the next shoe to plop. But secretly he was admiring his handy work. People are like machines.

Fritz · Post by **Fritz** » Thu Oct 24, 2019 10:49 am

Ever the scientist, Fritz's internal clocks judged the situation and surmised that a cure was not readily forthcoming. Therefore eraditcation at the source, the queen was necessary.

His cybernetics kicked in and began a systematic sweep of the tunnels, noting where they descended and where they ascended. He was quite certain that he had the general layout and it was necessary for him to designate a true course for the 99th.

Survival +1 token

Sir William Mahan · Post by **Sir William Mahan** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:11 am

Fighting 19, +4 Tokens, now 0 PPE

Sir William is in his element, a feral grin on his face and blue lightning cracking over his armor as his paired psi-swords slash through Xiticix chitin. Covered in ichor, he leads the 99s fighters in charge after charge against the swarming insectoid creatures, shouting his battle cry "For the Castle! For the Legion!" again and again.

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Sat Oct 26, 2019 4:19 pm

Steven Notice to Support 9, +2 to Maggie’s Roll

Maggie Fighting 8, +2 Tokens

Steven’s scouting mission done, Maggie pops the hatch of the Glitter Boy armor to let the little drone back inside. Steven’s wings retract and he seemingly molds himself into the available space, jacking into a control panel and accessing the suit’s functions.

Maggie takes the armor into the hive, but leaves the boom gun where it is on her back; no sense in using that monster in these close confines, and certainly not with allies around.

”Steven, call out bad guys as you see them on the sensors. I’m going to go punch some bugs really, really hard.”

And with that, Maggie and Steven join @Sir William Mahan in melee, the legendary power armor suit making so much mush out of the Xiticix warriors who oppose them.

But not, Maggie thinks, quite so effectively as Sir William.

Leethe · Post by **Leethe** » Sun Oct 27, 2019 8:02 am

Darksight 15

Protection 10

Fighting

Leethe takes some perpetration steps before heading into the hive, her eyes gaining a weird black glow to them and she also seems to become dimmed out and slightly obscured. She then also activates another power as she takes on darkish glow that is dimmed and obscured by her shroud effect. Leethe wields her Altess Eviscerator into battle and she joins Maggie and Sir William in combat defending the group.

Gridia Thorem · Post by **Gridia Thorem** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 5:58 am

Gridia is intrigued by the 99th's dynamic response to this situation. In particular he admires the unique qualities of the individuals. As he navigates for the assault forces, Gridia finds himself growing fond of the groups atmosphere in combat.

In time with @Sir William's chant, Gridia joins in: "FOR THE LEGION!"

Post by **Ndreare** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:36 am

Still need XXVII and L.C. to post

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:22 pm

L.C. - 1 Token -10 ISP - Dumb Luck

L.C. started out using telekinesis to help line up shots and hold creatures still for the melee combatants, but he soon found that the corruption was sinking back in. Fighting it off in the middle of the fray, he fought back against psychic contact of a type he'd not planned for. So he spent a significant portion of the fight grasping his helmet as his mind burned before being able to push it out and still manage to help defend the team - and himself.

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:29 pm

Brison: Fighting [dice:k5j2uchb]60061:0[/dice:k5j2uchb], [dice:k5j2uchb]60061:1[/dice:k5j2uchb] -2 = (4) 1 Token

The idea of taking a light power armor like the War Chief into a fray like this should have been unthinkable, but given how Sir William was moving, it seemed a safer idea than shooting into that melee. So it was, armed with the vibro-knife he was trained with by the Coalition, and the armored fists and feet of the power armor, that Brison waded into the fray. He did not shine, but he contributed, helping to keep the bugs off of them.

Custos CarcerisXXVII · Tue Oct 29, 2019 4:36 pm

Fighting 7; -5 PPE

XXVII continues its advance all the way into the entrance of the hive. When the others join the construct, it defers to their experience, "Point me to the source of this infestation, and I will lead you into its lair. And if you would be so kind, could one of you gather a sample of this intriguing ooze-like substance?"

Xiticix come steadily, but XXVII's blade continues to cut them down. Curiously, minor injuries from the sword turn to grievous wounds. XXVII keeps the scouts safe and undistracted as the 99th blaze a trail deep into the hive.

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Wed Oct 30, 2019 10:25 am

Disgusted, L.C. quips back. "You want liquified magic user and magical creature? Cause that is what it is. I had a briefing on that once."

Post by **Ndreare** » Wed Oct 30, 2019 10:35 am

Turn 01, Bugs go first

As the 99 finally come to the rookery of the Queen they see egg mounds everywhere. The decomposing and broken ground filled with pocked pools of filth and disease, bubbling like acid. The rooms is buzzing with warriors as the Heroes look they see what must be at least a dozen swarming xiticix warriors as fast as they can from behind a pillar, luckily only three of them are able to get close enough to The 99 to launch an attack.

Closing in the xiticix unleash a flurry of blows on the armored warriors, but unable to damage the powerful armor, their blows glance off the powerful MDC allows.

The crowded nature of the hive creates to much of an compression wave risk. Maggie knows that while she would love to shoot these monsters, if she uses her boom gun it could stun her allies.

Acid Pools Ignore all armor and inflict 3d6 damage per round for 1d6+1 rounds after getting out. (No effect on Xiticix)

NOTE: All terrain considered Difficult terrain unless you accept Acid Damage from going through a brown pool of boiling acid.
Flight in this room will still be reduced by 50% and require a Piloting Roll/Action to go full spell, (This is because of the density and tightness of curves).
Boom Gun risk an additional -2 in white highlighted area, Adjacent 2 radius roll as normal

ALL PLAYERS MAY GO
INCLUDE IN BOLD TEXT WHERE YOU MOVE TO BY ZOOMING IN ON MAP

OOC Comments

Fritz · Post by **Fritz** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 3:11 pm

Run to Z12 _

Not having a clear shot and not wishing to spray the team, Fritz moves past them in the tunnel.

Armed with his NG-L5 with fixed bayonet he takes up a defensive stance.

Custos CarcerisXXVII · Sun Nov 03, 2019 10:57 am

Spellcasting 8, Spellcasting 24; -2 Bennies for +10 PPE; -7 PPE, -3 PPE

'Custos, activate Timewinder to speed my time, but modify the casting to retain normal perception of reality. Apply wither to my blade'

"Allow me a moment of preparation before joining battle, friends," XXVII says as it begins weaving an impressive amount of arcane energies around itself.

'I will have to draw upon reserve power, Archmage. Be cautious as we will have limited resuorces remaining.'

XXVII seems to move many times faster than usual, and its greatsword takes on the strange blurring motion previously demonstrated in battle.

Temporary Conditions

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Sun Nov 03, 2019 1:12 pm

Custos CarcerisXXVII wrote: ↑
Sun Nov 03, 2019 10:57 am

"Allow me a moment of preparation before joining battle, friends," XXVII says as it begins weaving an impressive amount of arcane energies around itself.

"Oh, sure. Take your time, friends. No rush here at all," Maggie calls as the Xiticix warrior's weapons scrape across her Glitter Boy armor.

To Steven, she says, "Okay, Steven, looks like we're staying in melee for a hot second. Let's kill some bugs and clear the way forward a bit, shall we?"

Fighting and Support, Fighting 12 vs 1st Xiticix for 15 Mega Damage (Shaken, Gritty Damage?), Fighting 10 vs 2nd Xiticix for 13 Mega Damage (No Effect)

After taking both swings, Maggie moves quickly away from the rest of the group (without running), trying to make some space to dig in and fire the boom gun. She will pass 2 Xiticix (the one she failed to stun and the other who is 1" away) in melee range on her way. Roll 20 map updated.

”Guys, I’m going to try and get some distance so I can fire without hurting all of you. Keep further back than normal, because it’s going to be extra loud in here!

She moved here

Post by **Ndreare** » Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:38 pm

Fritz wrote: ↑
Thu Oct 31, 2019 3:11 pm
Not having a clear shot and not wishing to spray the team, Fritz moves past them in the tunnel.

Armed with his NG-L5 with fixed bayonet he takes up a defensive stance.

As Fritz moves forward he tries to squeeze between the wall and Sir William to be better positioned for a strike, while maintaining his defense. The blow that sliced down next to him as he approached missed him only by inches.

First Strike

Custos CarcerisXXVII wrote: ↑
Sun Nov 03, 2019 10:57 am
'Custos, activate Timewinder to speed my time, but modify the casting to retain normal perception of reality. Apply wither to my blade'

"Allow me a moment of preparation before joining battle, friends," XXVII says as it begins weaving an impressive amount of arcane energies around itself.

'I will have to draw upon reserve power, Archmage. Be cautious as we will have limited resuorces remaining.'

XXVII seems to move many times faster than usual, and its greatsword takes on the strange blurring motion previously demonstrated in battle.

As XXXVII prepares himself for the finally to this great battle he finds the strange insectoids move with inhuman speed and strength. This will be no training exercise.

Maggie wrote: ↑
Sun Nov 03, 2019 1:12 pm
To Steven, she says, "Okay, Steven, looks like we're staying in melee for a hot second. Let's kill some bugs and clear the way forward a bit, shall we?"

After taking both swings, Maggie moves quickly away from the rest of the group (without running), trying to make some space to dig in and fire the boom gun. She will pass 2 Xiticix (the one she failed to stun and the other who is 1" away) in melee range on her way. Roll 20 map updated.

”Guys, I’m going to try and get some distance so I can fire without hurting all of you. Keep further back than normal, because it’s going to be extra loud in here!

Maggie's efforts to shake the bug while successful, still left her open to departing strikes. Both strikes land true, but even the full force of these creatures was not enough to inflict measurable harm to the powerful armor.

Free Strike

Sal · Post by **Sal** » Sun Nov 03, 2019 4:50 pm

Rolls

Notes:

Has an Environmental Protection Device with 5ppts left
Spend 5 of his own PPE (Shadow Cloak with normal sight based invisibility -4, and Greater Boost to TW)
Everyone has environmental Protection Acid on them also gives them 4pts of damage reduction if they are attacked by acid!
Moved to A11, hugging the wall and crouching down best he can.

Sal nearly stepped in a pool of Acid. He instead squeaked withdrawing his foot, " Interesting... Some kind of Acid... Please bare with me comrades in bug hunt." He pulled out one of those cheese wiz cans and mixed it with an array of nano bots from his pack. I don't want to be rude to LC, but no way am I ever going to eat this canned cheese. Fortunately it contains a concentrated source of whey protein when mixed with my nano bots here will form, if not a pungent barrier, a solid one in case anyone inadvertently steps into the acid. After half a heart beat he whirled his dingy cloak around his form disappearing into a shadow. All that was left behind was a can of cheese wiz with a slightly modified nozzle, and a digital clock counting down... 3... 2... 1... Boom!! Everything was covered in a fine mist of orange gooey spray, and smelt like cheddar cheese. At least stepping in acid should not be a terrible problem.

Next to @Fritz Sal squeaked quietly, " What ever you do, do not lick the cheese... But it should protect you from the acid pools..."

Custos CarcerisXXVII · Sun Nov 03, 2019 5:34 pm

Maggie wrote: ↑
Sun Nov 03, 2019 1:12 pm
"Oh, sure. Take your time, friends. No rush here at all," Maggie calls as the Xiticix warrior's weapons scrape across her Glitter Boy armor.

"I assure you, my preparations are quite necessary. I will make up for my delay momentarily..." XXVII begins to admonish @Maggie when @Sal does...something.

'The small furry sapient has enhanced our personal defenses, Archmage. Should you stray into any of the pools of liquid, we should have some degree of protection.'

XXVII nods at Sal and says, "Quite clever. Sal, was it? Your strange magic does seem to have its uses."

Fritz · Post by **Fritz** » Sun Nov 03, 2019 5:59 pm

Fritz smiles at the cheese refernce. Since leaving Lone Star with @Sal he had been able to loosen up a bit. He still had a report to deliver to Refuge but for now he was not dead.

"So I shouldn't lick my arm is what you are saying?"

Sir William Mahan · Post by **Sir William Mahan** » Mon Nov 04, 2019 11:19 am

Rolls

Sir William moves up alongside LC, his powers fading away but his psiswords still moving with blinding speed. He slashes into the creature next to his commander, hoping to clear a path for the others to advance on the queen.

Leethe · Post by **Leethe** » Fri Nov 08, 2019 6:19 pm

Leethe spends her time creating a gadget for this turn. She can take no other action but work on this.

Gadgeteer 12

Leethe pulls out some tools and parts and starts working on a gadget to protect against acid.

Gadget power is fly.

Post by **Ndreare** » Mon Nov 11, 2019 3:39 pm

The xiticix seems to have no trouble navigating the complex hive, and have even less concern about the acid. They swarm in on the heroes as a endless hoard. Even more bugs can be heard suddenly behind the heroes. There is no end, as Maggie breaks away from the rest of the group trying to get in position she finds she suddenly becomes the closest target. Two blasts of acid, are soon followed by a series of repeating telekinetic energy. Then to make all things worse, three of the giant creatures fly directly up to her and attack in a volley of blows.

Brison maneuvering into place, turns in time to see a blast of acid spray wash over him! Not giving him the time needed for the maneuver. The acid begins eating away as his power armor, but Brison is able to scrape most of it off, leaving only scorches.

Brison damage

@Sir William Mahan find the creatures coming in on him are willing to engage him in melee. But melee was where his training was best demonstrated. Striking out as they come in he finds the surviors striking out with their many arms making it near impossible to parry them all. The legendary Cyber-knight was able to avoid most of the blows , but one of the shots hits him, and the stun of it slows him enough to need to catch his breath!

Sir William Damage

@Maggie finds the flurry of blows, combined with the incredible volley of shots not enough to overcome her armor. The acid rolling off, and the blades dancing aside. She truely was the juggernaut the armor was intended to be. When suddenly one of the blows lands right at the neck of the armor in a place already compromised by acid!

Maggie Damage

The remainder of the heroes find somehow the monsters not yet making it to them. They are safe for now, but the bugs are coming in fast. The queen must be killed at all cost!

Baddies be bad

This is what I have

OOC Comments

1 Shooting on Brison (Target 4, Toughness: 17 (8) MDC)
Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:1[/dice:2di93f59] = Raise
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:2[/dice:2di93f59]
Raise [dice:2di93f59]60538:40[/dice:2di93f59] AP 8 MDC

Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:3[/dice:2di93f59]
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:4[/dice:2di93f59] AP 4 MDC

1 shooting on Sir William (Target 4, Toughness: 19 (13) MDC)
Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:5[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:6[/dice:2di93f59] AP 8 MDC

Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:7[/dice:2di93f59]
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:8[/dice:2di93f59] Ace [dice:2di93f59]60538:41[/dice:2di93f59] AP 4 MDC

2 melee on Sir William (Parry 8, Gang up +1/2=+0, Toughness: 19 (13) MDC)
1 Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:9[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
1 Frenzy Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:10[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
1 2nd Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:11[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss

2 Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:12[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
2 Frenzy Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:13[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
2 2nd Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:14[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss

3 Melee on Maggie (parry 7, Gang up +2; Toughness: 43 (25))
1 Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:15[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
1 Frenzy Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:16[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
1 2nd Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:17[/dice:2di93f59] = Hit
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:42[/dice:2di93f59] + [dice:2di93f59]60538:43[/dice:2di93f59] AP 6
Ace [dice:2di93f59]60538:47[/dice:2di93f59] + Ace [dice:2di93f59]60538:48[/dice:2di93f59]
Ace Aced [dice:2di93f59]60538:49[/dice:2di93f59] + Ace Aced [dice:2di93f59]60538:50[/dice:2di93f59]
Total 44 AP 6!

2 Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:18[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
2 Frenzy Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:19[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
2 2nd Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:20[/dice:2di93f59] = Hit
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:44[/dice:2di93f59] + [dice:2di93f59]60538:45[/dice:2di93f59] AP 6

3 Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:21[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
3 Frenzy Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:22[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
3 2nd Fighting [dice:2di93f59]60538:23[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss

2 Shooting on Maggie w/-4 cover
Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:24[/dice:2di93f59] = Hit!!!
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:25[/dice:2di93f59] Ace [dice:2di93f59]60538:46[/dice:2di93f59] AP 8 MDC

Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:26[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:27[/dice:2di93f59] AP 4 MDC
Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:28[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:29[/dice:2di93f59] AP 8 MDC
Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:30[/dice:2di93f59]
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:31[/dice:2di93f59] AP 4 MDC

2 Shooting on Maggie w/-6 cover
Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:32[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:33[/dice:2di93f59] AP 8 MDC
Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:34[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:35[/dice:2di93f59] AP 4 MDC
Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:36[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:37[/dice:2di93f59] AP 8 MDC
Shooting [dice:2di93f59]60538:38[/dice:2di93f59] = Miss
Damage [dice:2di93f59]60538:39[/dice:2di93f59] AP 4 MDC

1d2 new arrivals at each entrance (rolled in roll20 and got a 2 for both entrances).

Corrupted Old Queen

Sir William Mahan · Post by **Sir William Mahan** » Tue Nov 12, 2019 8:11 am

First Strike Fighting 9, 20 damage, AP4

As the Xiticix close, Sir William pivots into the Rising Crescent Moon form, slashing into the first creature to approach.

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Tue Nov 12, 2019 8:36 am

Soak 7, Success

That last hit jars Maggie hard enough to feel it from within the confines of her armor, but she manages to turn it at the last possible moment and turn it into a glancing blow instead of a bunker buster.

Okay, that one was close.

Post by **Ndreare** » Tue Nov 12, 2019 8:39 am

Thank you @Sir William Mahan and @Maggie for going so fast so I can get this up.

OOC Comments

Players go first in Turn 02

MAP UPDATED ON ROLL20

Sir William Mahan · Post by **Sir William Mahan** » Tue Nov 12, 2019 1:49 pm

Attacks

As the second Xiticix approaches him, Sir William feints with his right hand blade and executes Unfolding the Lotus with his left, neatly decapitating the creature. Seeing Maggie surrounded, he charges towards her to try and clear her a path to the queen.

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Tue Nov 12, 2019 1:59 pm

Shooting 9 for First Shot, 4 for Second Shot, both after Support from Steven

Steven Supports, +3 to first shot, +2 to second shot

Damage 44 MD AP 25 for First Shot, 25 MD AP 25 for Second Shot

Need Two Vigor Rolls at -2 (One for Each Shot) for Everyone in Blast Radius or Face These Consequences

Maggie drops her pitons and fires up her rocket boosters, swinging the RG-14 into firing position. "Steven, see if you can get me a clear image of the bad guys over there. These guys are too close to shoot, but maybe we can shake 'em off with the boom. Gotta clear the air."

Steven's reply is quick, "Roger Maggie."

Steven does his best to help direct Maggie towards the bad guys, and she fires off one concussive blast after another, striking the two Xiticix warriors.

Unfortunately, the ground into which Maggie is anchored is none-too-stable and it comes apart around her feet after that second shot.

"Oh sh"

She doesn't get to finish her sentence, as she is thrown backwards, impacting with the wall of the hive and landing on her back!

Maggie is Prone and Stunned

Fritz · Post by **Fritz** » Tue Nov 12, 2019 2:51 pm

Fritz sees @Sir William Mahan begin following after @Maggie and the Glitterboy. He quickly flips comms to open freq to the entire team, "Mahan. Mahan. Mahan."

"Maggie needs room to swat these bugs. Best you view her work from a distance. She may very well be our best distraction."

Moving to hex AA17

As Fritz runs into position, he drops the bayoneted laser rifle to knee level. Stepping into position he pulls up the bayoneted end of the rifle into the Xicitix at Z16.

Fighting, missed - Shooting, success

The vibroblade skitters across the carapace of the Xicitix as Fritz pulls it upward. Just before the blade looks to be sliding off the Xicitix, Fritz pulls the trigger on his rifle.

Damage 17, AP 2

Sal · Post by **Sal** » Tue Nov 12, 2019 4:54 pm

Powers: Invisibility (-4), Protection vs Environmental (Acid), Greater Boost TW skill, Greater Boost Shooting
Actions:

Action 1, make boost device
Action 2 cast greater boost shooting on everyone in 12 inches.

Sal while invisible makes using a bit of wire, bug acids, and cheddar cheese a performance enhancing nural spray and hoses all allies with it improving their shooting
Everyone’s shooting gets +2 die types and a free reroll on all shooting actions.

OOC Comments

Sometime Prior to the war for Tolkeen

Invisible... No one could see the ratling’s eyes narrow as a memory stirred as he munched on his bree cheese snack. Bugs were everywhere and closing fast. Sal stuck near his ally @Fritz making sure he kept the cyber doc’s frame between him and the bugs. While he was sorely tempted to test his newly found resistance to acid the technowizard had other cheese to bake. Tools in hand Sal went to work. A quick sample of the acid mixed with a special home made concoction of nano bot infused with techniwizard crystals plus his favorite block of cheddar (Sal was not quite out of cheese as he had lead LC to beleive... just greedy for more). Perfect. I can hose down my friends with this. The nano bots and cheese plus a dose of magic will give them the focus they need to aim true and miss small.

Like a pressure wash orange cheese sprayed from Fritz’ back side as if the doc had a bad case of cheesy diarahia. But at least the team of heroes could shoot that much better.

Custos CarcerisXXVII · Tue Nov 12, 2019 7:33 pm

Spellcasting 17, Athletics 9, Fighting 17 (19 Mega Damage, AP 4 to Z16) / 13 (23 Mega Damage, AP 4 to X18), Fighting 11 (22 Mega Damage, AP 4 to O15) / 20 (30 Mega Damage, AP 4 to N18); -6 PPE, -1 Benny, - 1 Golden Benny

'Hmm, let's also recall the techniques of the empire's greatest swordsman, Custos. We shall ingratiate ourselves with our new friends with a "heroic" charge, risking "life and limb" to hold these infernal insectoids at bay."

'I have located a suitable hero, Archmage. She could lash out with a flurry of blows whilst maintaining an impeccable defensive stance. Your competency is adequate enough to utilize her swordplay. Probably.'

'We can thoroughly discuss my "competency" later, Custos. However, I fully expect the following battle to render the entire conversation moot you confounding spirit.'

"My preparations are complete!" XXVII shouts excitedly, "I shall clear the way to the narrower western tunnel so that the rest of you may focus your efforts on the far more open eastern portion of the cavern."

XXVII appears to jump towards the nearest Xiticix, arcing over its head and landing between it and the next closest insectoid. The construct's blade flashes twice and the insectoid harassing Fritz loses its head. The further warrior takes a seemingly shallow slash from shoulder to waist. As XXVII shoots off to the western wall, the insect's wound initially seems to heal before it begins oozing sickly puss. The xiticix collapses before it has a chance to react to XXVII.

Without ever touching the ground, XXVII zips around the western wall impossibly fast. It manuevers between the two Xiticix blocking the narrow tunnel ahead. The construct and xiticix briefly exchange blows, but XXVII quickly gains the upper hand. XXVII runs the warrior to the left through then kicks the bug off the blade. The remaining bug ducks a swift killing blow, and XXVII slings its great sword into the wall. Brittle material sprays everywhere, but apparently the wall was still hard enough to damage the sword.

The xiticix recovers and dives forward, but XXVII dispatches it easily, using the insects momentum to bury a well timed thrust through its eye socket. XXVII begins to charge forward when it hears the splashing of a warrior from behind.

'Bother. Where did that one come from, Custos? It would be useful if you could keep track of our enemies.'

'Of course, Archmage. I will delay critical repairs to assist you. It won't affect our performance. Not before you sustain further damage.'

XXVII produces a dramatic sighing noise in response to Custos. The construct rushes to cut the Xiticix off and lands in front of it, ready for anything.

Temporary Conditions

XXVII ends its turn at R18.
Parry 9, Nimble (-1 to be hit and +1 Evasion), Subtract 2 from any Gangup against XXVII, Vulnerable.

Post by **Ndreare** » Wed Nov 13, 2019 7:51 am

The ground beneath her feet gives way as @Maggie fires her second shot sending her flying backwards. The brittle nature of the ground making it too weak to handle the force of the cannon.

The power armors emergency systems engage as she flies backwards pulling in the stabilizers and trying to pad her blow. The warning and alerts are enough for her to be overwhelmed from the flipping through the air as she crashes into the wall and stop only after crushing into it a full 3'. The acid rolls over her armor scaring and etching the surface but unable to penetrate it.

@Maggie is prone and Stunned (see SWADE). However the bugs around her are reeling as their eyes and the holes in the sides of their heads begin bleeding from the shock wave with no other place for the energy to go.

Bug Vigor Rolls, All fail

Rushing up to the aid the Glitter Girl finds @Sir William Mahan next to the giant armor as it lets loose with a volley of two blast.

Sir William Mahan instructions

@Fritz runs forward ready to help when his stab and blow both go wide by only inches barely missing the bugs. (Parry 7) @Sal's device triggers as he works the device hitting everyone with the strangely enchanted cheese and it manages to enhance the marksmanship of the team to phenomenal levels.

@Custos CarcerisXXVII having spent the time to prepare himself now launches into action, his spells fueling him with even more power. His skill meetings and exceeds the challenge as his frenzy of blows destroys Xiticix after another. His race through the maze under the power of his spell and willingness to take risks leaves him alone and outside of anyone's view.

The heroes of the 99 have the challenge in hand as they rush forward into battle!

Sir William Mahan · Post by **Sir William Mahan** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:10 am

Vigor 1

In his eagerness to help his comrades, Sir William miscalculated the chances of Maggie firing her Boom Gun in the confined space. Battered by the sound, he reels, the sounds around him obliterated by a deafening roar.

Post by **Ndreare** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:17 am

Dang fast posting most everyone, round started on the 12th, and y'all are on it.

Still need @Leethe, @L.C., and @Gridia Thorem.

Gridia Thorem · Post by **Gridia Thorem** » Thu Nov 14, 2019 8:06 am

Gridia snaps out of his daze to see the group being flanked from the rear. Seeing Leethe between them and himself, Gridia moves to action.

*move one to hex D6*

A familiar feeling falls upon Gridia now entering close combat with the bugs. The forest...

Greater Protection = 5: +6MDC/5 rounds

A moment later, a sphere erupts around around the elf, wobbling as it forms. Then the arcing begins. Flickers of electricity bounce from his hands to the sphere. Each arc causing the sphere to appear like more a gelatin bubble as it wobbles from the impact. Then Gridia releases his energy toward the two attackers from the rear.

Greater Onslaught = 2 & 8

Xiticix at A1 takes 20 MD
Bolts of lighting flicker toward the encroaching Xiticix, but several finding their mark. The bug writhes as electricity courses through it. The other Xiticix was fortunate to avoid the electrifying barrage.

Post by **Ndreare** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 2:15 am

Current Map layout

OOC Comments

Leethe · Post by **Leethe** » Sat Nov 16, 2019 2:46 am

Leethe finishes her device and activates it.

Gadget Activation 14

It works better then expected as a dark glow sorta envelopes her. She starts to lift off the ground as she readies her sword to fight the bugs. She starts to fly towards the Xiticix that Girda missed to engage it. Suddenly she feels an unconscionable amount of fear and she starts to panic as she swings her sword at the Xitcix. "Oh my god...." she calls out with panic in her voice.

Fighting 9 Damage 32 AP 2

Current Buffs

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Mon Nov 18, 2019 11:30 pm

L.C.

Telepathy (for group mindlink) 13, Greater Smite on railgun 5, PA Str is d12+4, can lift 2 tons, so picking Maggie up in the GB should be doable; Using flight capabilities at half speed to DD24

As L.C. gets into position, he finds himself in a daze as his mind is assaulted by a truly alien mind.

His vision clears, but acidic bile is stuck in his throat. He swallows hard and shakes his head. The battle has changed and he's not sure what has happened or how long he has been out. He was covered in...cheese? Sal obviously. The strange arcane machine man has charged ahead. The deafening roar of the boom gun is hard to miss, and it seems Sir William got caught with it as well. He could charge forward, or go in guns blazing, but he decides that it would be better to focus on getting his team prepared. He first focuses his mind, connecting to them all friendly telepathically, enhances his railgun with a glowing blue black electrokinetic force, and uses his jets to move over by Maggie and use the strength of his TW SAMAS to lift her up. So all can hear him via the telepathic link, he quips to the psi-ghost. "Up you get Maggie, no time for laying down on the job. Everyone else who can hear this, I've linked us telepathically. You should all be able to talk to one another. A good thing for anyone caught in that sonic boom just now. Focus fire and let's clear this place out. Let us know if you got deafened. Something big is coming. It had me in a mind lock and it's mean as hell."

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Mon Nov 18, 2019 11:55 pm

Brison

Move to V20 via flight moving at half speed, using available cover. Shooting at Xiticix @W37 (hit and raise; 27 damage), at Xiticix @Y29 (hit and raise, 11 damage), at Xiticix @Z30 (Hit, 9 damage)

Brison is not locked in some mental battle with an alien force. No he is locked in the very human reaction to what he is seeing - revulsion and fear. The sheer sickness and alienness of it all - which is something considering he's comparing it to the Xiticix hive he did a training run through - just takes him by surprise. He's off balance until he hears L.C.'s voice. It takes him a second to realize it's not over the radio. He's about to smart off about it when L.C. mentions deafness. It makes sense. If you don't have Power Armor level hearing protection, a Glitter Boy's boom gun is deadly loud. But the advice to take out as many of the enemy as possible is a good one. "Roger that, engaging those near Sir William. FYI, telepathy is strange. Not a fan, but at least Sir William can hear this. Cause he was right beside the G-10." Switching his rifle to its Pulse Ion setting, he lets loose in the close quarters against the xiticix. "Get some!" he calls out verbally. One gets hit hard, but two manage to avoid the worst damage.

Post by **Ndreare** » Tue Nov 19, 2019 8:08 am

OOC Comments

27 takes 19 AP 4, and 8 AP 8

Sir William Mahan takes 15 AP 6 and 12 AP 6

Wait for L.C. to try and counter this. If he fails - Fritz, L.C., Maggie, and Sir William all need to roll to resist Greater Dispel 9 twice! All TW gear shuts Down (no roll). Take 1 Fatigue if you fail to resist either, and 2 if you fail to resist both.

Leethe is missed, Gridia takes 19 AP 6

The Bugs move in without slowing. the death of their allies having no effect on their moral. The heroes moving through the maze find it difficult to keep line of sight as the giant cone structures block them at every turn. Pulling Maggie up on her feet and out of the hole she made in the Wall L.C. helps her out. (+1 to recovery roll for his assist)

But the swarms are relentless and move in on XVII spraying acid and firing their TW cannons with abandon. Most of the attacks landing without the force needed to truly harm him.

The Xiticix nearest Sir William are devastated by fire support from Brison, leaving only one of them alive, but still to dazed from the boom of the boom gun to do anything. Two more sweep in from above and around the hives, their furious blows unable to penetrate the Knights defenses even while his mind reals the old instincts hold fast and he parries all but two of the blows.

When suddenly a wave, of dark, intoxicating arcane energy washes over the heroes in the center of the hive. Followed by another, then something strange. A black explosion of acidic goo.

Updated Map

ONLY ROLLING REACTIONS TO ENEMY ACTIONS HERE: Do not post new turn.

Gridia Thorem · Post by **Gridia Thorem** » Tue Nov 19, 2019 9:23 am

Soak Roll=9

Gridia shakes off the attacks as though nothing more than a scratch. His protective shield jiggling violently from the barrage of attacks.

Sir William Mahan · Post by **Sir William Mahan** » Tue Nov 19, 2019 10:38 am

Soak = 5

Sir William pivots at the last second to allow the Xiticix claw to slip past his side. He shakes his head, trying to regain focus as he desperately fends off the creatures' attacks.

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Tue Nov 19, 2019 11:40 am

1st Dispel 25; 2nd Dispel 13

Standing beside L.C., it's easy to feel that instinctive rush of negative psionic energy lashing out twice against the incoming powers, hitting like a Mark V APC rushing through a tenement wall. "Not today!" he screams out. "Not today you bug!"

Post by **Ndreare** » Tue Nov 19, 2019 12:06 pm

Note: +4 Mental Resistance does not apply to dispel. Dispel is used offensively like a free fighting attack, not defensively.

OOC Comments

Initiative, Baddies go first

So many rolls it is ridiculous. Everyone read highlights

Stop Rolling Gridia dispelled these Mind Control efforts

OOC Comments

XXVII takes 30 AP 6 damage

Brison takes 12 AP 6, 15 AP 6, 12 AP 6, and 16 AP6

Sir William, no damage

L.C. roll versus Agility trick 5, Roll versus Agility trick 14, Take 23 AP 6 damage

Leethe takes 19 AP 6, and 10 AP 6 (don't forget your spell has +8 armor right now)

Gridia takes 5 AP 6

The bugs keep coming as a series of waves of compulsive force come over the heroes. @Custos CarcerisXXVII feels he must kill the closest Bug, it is such a terrible bug, worse than all the rest. He must go all out with everything and not only kill it, but ensure it is dead by attacking it after it falls. (Puppet, Wild attack and all offense on the bug with the red dot, no other targets)

Brison and @Maggie feels the waves likewise come over her as suddenly she feels compelled to kill L.C. he is the only real threat here. he must die, at all cost, for if he lives the Queen could die!

@L.C. Easily breaks the spells focused on the group when suddenly his arcane sight reveals powers being used on both Maggie and Brison. Seeing them turning on him, it suddenly gets worse when the two bug on @Sir William Mahan break away, leaving only the stunned on with him. They both raise their weapons shooting the intakes on his jets, causing him to stumble befor puking acid on the cones above him causing them to fall down on him. As he struggles dealing with the effects suddenly they are upon him and slice through his defenses!

@Sir William Mahan still reeling from earlier sees two of the forces break away. It seems for some reason the monsters efforts are focused on L.C.. Leaving him alone for a moment to clear his mind.

@Gridia Thorem and @Leethe finds that new swarms are coming in at an unbelievable rate. They must kill the queen quickly! But the ones rushing in begin slicing through Leethe and Gridia's defenses.

@Sal and @Fritz find they are somehow in a quiet calm in the middle of a torrent of violence as the bugs are not numerous to get to them.

The battle is hard and driven with the Xiticix reinforcements coming in so fast. Something must be done to kill the queen quickly.

UPDATED MAP

<ooc>
I strongly advise uses sound tactics here.
Brute force and acting individually will likely cost multiple lives.
</ooc>

Custos CarcerisXXVII · Tue Nov 19, 2019 2:49 pm

Spirit 3, Vigor 12 (3 Wounds Soaked); -1 Benny

Even as XXVII turns to face the xiticix behind it more storm in. Their weaponry is unexpectedly powerful for such uncultured primitives, and the construct’s form blurs spectacularly as it dances back and forth through time to avoid damage.

Probability indicates that our timeslipping has been pushed to its limits by the present assa-

Custos is cut short as blast glances across XXVVII’s chest. It is no more than a trivial annoyance, but drives the point home. It is followed closely by a second shot which the construct nearly avoids by using his hovering to perform a quick midair twist, allowing the projectile to pass without injury.

“Archmage, I am detecting several psionic magical signatures forming. One has already taken affect and is seemingly benign. Another is still forming and nearing completion, I advise bringing arcane defenses...” Custos begins warning XXVII, unknowingly broadcasting across the mind link, before the arcane spirit cuts off abruptly.

A single moment passes while XXVII stands motionless, and then it turns towards the xiticix nearest the tunnel the team used to approached the queens chamber.

Suddenly, Custos announces, “This Insectoid must die, Archmage. It is the most dangerous of these creatures and to let it live would be the height of folly. Assuming control...”

“Assuming Control? This is no time for foolish pranks...” XXVII broadcasts its inner dialogue across the team link.

XXVII raises its great sword in preparation to strike the xiticix down and says, “I am tasked to preserve your longevity indefinitely, Archmage. Do not fret, I will end this battle now.”

“Custos I do not understand how you’ve rendered me immobile but I demand you cease this confounded tomfoolery at once, or so help me I will purge your existence from this construct...” XXVII continues to bicker at Custos over the mindlink, somewhat frantic and alarmed, whilst Custos largely ignores XXVII.

Sal · Post by **Sal** » Tue Nov 19, 2019 10:25 pm

Sal was for the first time thankful for LC as he noticed just for the briefiest of moments his devices were about to fail due to a well placed dispel field. But it was somehow rebuffed at on some level Sal knew LC was the man to thank. But that would have to wait until a more appropriate time. There is a queen to kill... At least I think so. I wonder if there are more than one? Let me see... Last week I was reading a book about it. What did Erin Tarin’s guide to the hive lands say?

Kn Arcana 9

While his brained mulled over the answer to his many questions he telepathically whispered to @Fritz in a squeakly hushed voice “When I have a chance I am going to roll a grenade to your feet. Jump into the explosion and we will go to the far eastern part of the caves. Have your weapon ready there maybe bugs over yonder.... Maybe even Leblanc cave cheese.”

Gridia Thorem · Post by **Gridia Thorem** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 7:17 am

"@Leethe, we need to slow these guys down or be overrun. I also sense the others need my help and I must get to them now."

Gridia moves away from threat closest to him to BB14, prompting an attack from the Xiticix next to him. The bug hits him, but turns out to be a glancing blow as Gridia staggers toward the chamber opening.

Once he sees Brison, struggling and surrounded, Gridia's hands move in front of his chest as anyone watching can see waves of almost invisible energy being pulled from Brison as though an aura is dissipating around him. The energy attempts to start funneling toward the Ley Line Walker.

Exaulted Dispel = 14

Sal · Post by **Sal** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 12:57 pm

1 action: Mega Teleport Sal and Fritz to P54. D12+4-2-2= [dice:3zr5vobl]60756:0[/dice:3zr5vobl] Wild [dice:3zr5vobl]60756:1[/dice:3zr5vobl]
2 action: Shoot bugs or a queen. Will wait for GM to update with targets visible.

Sal starts rambling pretty quickly loosing himself in thought that is so aptly broadcasted to the team. Oh My Tarin! This is chapter 14 in her hive lands all over!! These bugs are not even close to ordinary, they have been infested by demons!! Make sure you do not let them lay eggs in your mouths! Chapter 14... Sir Pendragon the Vallient led a small group of adventurers into the hives in Canada, it was right after and near to a demonic incursion. Pendragon came back but was changed. Erin surmised that the corruption he saw in the hive somehow seeped into his soul! Oh no! Fritz we need to find the queen now before it is too late! Fuck the cheese!!

Something seemed to fall out of Fritz’s backside, a small glowing canister and when it hit the ground it erupted in a flash of blue light. Fritz and Sal were transported blindly and fortunately to no ill effect across the hive to its far eastern corner. All that was left in their stead was a worn copy of Erin Tarin’s hive lands creased many times over at chapter 14...

Sal still invisible looked around trying to spot some bugs or the nasty queen. His arm ached to be unleashed in a magical fury that only a boom gun could hope to rival.

Waiting on GM to describe targets and either mega bolt or mega blast them.

Post by **Ndreare** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 1:39 pm

@Gridia Thorem reaches out and feels one of the powers begin to flex, then break under his will. But the queens will is too powerful and the remaining powers still run strong. Then with a sudden burst of will he did not know he had, it feels as if the universe itself breaks as the spells snap and collapse.

@L.C. still needs to roll for the Mind Link versus a 14 as it may have been dispelled.

All three spells failed

Sal lands with @Fritz and as they look they see a sing Xiticix on this side of the battle field. Swinging around to join the ambush on @L.C..

[Located at R38 on map, remember cones block line of sight.]

Sal · Post by **Sal** » Wed Nov 20, 2019 7:03 pm

Location P54
WBF scale: 8, teetering to 9

Sal breathed slowly spying the lone bug about to join the LC sandwich party. For a second he had been overwhelmed by the calamity the group had found themselves in. DEMON Bugs... Definitely not normal. His stomach gowled as he glanced at @Fritz’s pack. I usually stuff some emergency cheese in the front section of his ruck sack. Whether it was there or not would have to wait for another moment in time. Sal’s hair stood on end and his left whisker twitched slightly as he felt a tremor of arcane energy. Someone was trying to undo all the magical spells he had cheesed over his compatriots. Someone named, @Gridia Thorem to be exact. It was candy vs cheese. Far off on a planet called phase world Naruni odds makers were taking bets. As taxed Sal was, he was not going to let this candy striper get the better of him. Over the mind link Sal squeaks with a fair amount of pride in his own craft, Cheese always wins.

Dispel Resist. Both Powers still up. Try again Willy Wonka

Candy vs Cheese settled Sal crouched low turning his attention to the lone Xictic. With a faint whirl his arm morphed into a honking cybernetic arcane water blaster! Legends in the vampire kingdom still talk to this day of a man who had one arm slew a vampire intelegence with this very cybernetic attachment. Well that man died killed by CS black ops. However, the good Major Wolfe snagged it and put it into his favored operative. Like a water giant orgy the spray lurched forth as a single concentrated blast!

Action 2, MD water bolt against nearest Xictic, 7 to hit. 24 AP12 MD arcane water damage, 13 PPE spent

Lastly the purveyor of cheeses both soft and hard scampers as quietly as he can manage relying on his invisibility cloak to shroud him from detection to L44 in search of the queen. Heading North looking for queen. Normally Sal was not prone to such hi stress environment. The most stress he could recall was trying to figure out what cheese went with what cracker. But anyone with a smidge of training would noticed his thought and vocal patterns had become clipped and pointed as if he had undergone extensive military training. A far cry from the ratlimg who just moments ago lost his nerve over what the team was truly facing. Eyes peeled Fritz, think out targets.

Powers: Invisibility (-4), Protection vs Environmental (Acid), Greater Boost TW skill, Greater Boost Shooting
PPE: 12/30
Everyone’s shooting gets +2 die types and a free reroll on all shooting actions.
Everyone has protection vs environmental acid.

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Thu Nov 21, 2019 1:40 pm

LC is Distracted, Vulnerable, soaked his wound, and his mind link dropped; he tried to dispel it but failed. -1 ISP

Buffeted from all sides by the Xiticix, Maggie, and simply the chaos of the situation, L.C. tried feebly to defend the mindlink against being canceled by exterior forces, but finds his concentration taxed beyond his limit. It's only afterwords he feels the touch of magic and realizes what happened. Of course, distracted as he is, he can barely offer more thought to it.

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Thu Nov 21, 2019 1:54 pm

Brison Soaks 2 wounds, spends 3 Bennies gained from EP

Sir William Mahan · Post by **Sir William Mahan** » Fri Nov 22, 2019 11:52 am

Rolls

Shaking off the shock of the Boom Gun blast and the bug attacks, Sir William strikes out with Opening the Red Curtain at the Xiticix surrounding him. His blades connect, but his disorientation means they do not strike any vital parts of the creatures.

Leethe · Post by **Leethe** » Tue Nov 26, 2019 2:26 am

Leethe takes 19 AP 6, and 10 AP 6 (don't forget your spell has +8 armor right now)

Soak Tests

Actions, Boost Fighting 9, Fighting 11, Damage 16(+5 for bonus damage) AP 2

Leethe is able to resist the attacks done against her and she lands on the ground. Her phobia fades as she is again on terrafirma. She uses a her psionics to boost her fighting traits and swings her sword at the Xiticix in front of her. To Gridia, leethe replies back, "Do what you need to do Gridia, I'll do what I can." Leethe uses her leadership to give everyone moral support, "Everyone, we are doing good. get the queen!"

Current Buffs

Party Buffs

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Tue Nov 26, 2019 10:06 am

While Pursuit is Away I am posting for her as an NPC

Maggie gets up frustrated and yells over the radio. "I need space people, stop piling on me, let the bugs do it." Then grabbing up a sward from one of the dead bugs she slices through one of them as she takes off. "I need you to find the Queen Steven. She is the dangerous one."

Then running to a new open area where she cannot see her allies she digs in again.

OOC Comments

The bugs seeing Maggie take off, strike at her as fast as they can as she leaves. The blow lands with a solid thump, but fails to even scratch the mighty armor.

OOC Comments

Steven help Notice Rolls, +2 Support to Maggies next Roll.

Post by **Ndreare** » Tue Nov 26, 2019 10:15 am

Gridia and L.C. are able to break the power that had seized the others. As Leethe strikes down one of the bugs, leaving her only engaged by one of them. But her eyes are showing her more coming down the line!

Initiative Turn 4!, Player's Go First acting on Joker and All Players Gain a Bennie

Current Map

CORRUPTED XITICIX HUNTER
Attributes: Agility d10, Smarts d8, Spirit d6, Strength d10, Vigor d8
Skills: Athletics d8, Battle d6, Common Knowledge d4, Fighting d10, Notice d8, Shooting d10, Stealth d10, Survival d8
Pace: 6; Parry: 7; Toughness: 15 (5)
Edges: Alertness, Ambidextrous, Danger Sense, Extraction, Two-Fisted, Woodsman
Gear: 2 ×Xiticix hooked short swords (Str+2d4, AP 6, Mega Damage), TK Rifle (Range 40/80/160, 4d6 Mega Damage, AP 4)
Special Abilities: Acid Spit, Antennae, Armor +8, Death Scent, Extraordinary Senses, Flight, Low Light Vision, Marking Spray, Natural Camouflage, Psychic Senses, Size 1 (Normal), Slow Regeneration, Trail Scent,, Ultrasonic Communication, Undead, Wall Walker.

Gridia Thorem · Post by **Gridia Thorem** » Tue Nov 26, 2019 11:10 am

Get to the queen?

Gridia thinks he can help his new compatriots. With eyes glowing green he surveys the area around him for signs of the queen. If she's casting puppet, he might be able to locate her with a little more focus.

Exalted Detect Arcana with Presence Sense = 12 Notice = 8

Post by **Ndreare** » Tue Nov 26, 2019 11:44 am

As @Gridia Thorem reaches out with his mind he finds it is initailly difficult to locate the Queen, who has wrapped herself in so many layers of power. Both psionic and magic abilities combined. unable to see her with his eyes his arcane sense however are able to overcome her shields.

He senses her moving on the other side of the wall in the middle of the cave. Her sickly movements turning hi stomach as with supernatural speed she dashes in and out of cover attacking and hiding. As his focus lands on her, he sees her own attention likewise lands on him. The presence so filled with the sent of death and corruption it shakes him deep inside.

Exalted Detect Arua

Please Make a Fear Check at -2

Gridia Thorem · Post by **Gridia Thorem** » Tue Nov 26, 2019 12:00 pm

Sweet molasses she’s fast!

Gridia’s magical sight falls on the 99’s enemy.

”Fear Check = 9”

"The queen is approximately 60 feet West by Northwest of your position Fritz! Be careful. She's crazy fast and is using true invisibility, and she is DEFINITELY undead. Healing her will harm her!" Gridia says, hoping the radio can transmit through this cavern. He didn't intend to disable the telepathic link to the team, but he had to act quickly before his allies turned against them. Now his concern is a little bit more selfish. The queen knows Gridia is here, without question. Hopefully what's left of her magic dwindles quickly, and maybe he can get some wards up to hinder her already impressive capabilities.

Gridia prepares for the next onslaught of reinforcements as well as the potential direct focus of the queen. Let her come.

Sir William Mahan · Post by **Sir William Mahan** » Wed Nov 27, 2019 6:21 am

Attacks

Sir William spins into the multiple opponent technique known as The Maple Seed Falls, each psi-blade twisting for a different opponent. One blade narrowly misses a Xiticix, while the other carves deep into the armored torso of the other.

Sal · Post by **Sal** » Wed Nov 27, 2019 9:08 pm

Sal’s back story, Leaving Camp K

Sal was not a hero, he had been programmed to be one. At his heart he was a survivor, and a lover of cheese. Fortunately the candy gulper Wonka provided him some actionable intel. Softly with intent Sal whispered over the comms, ”Copy. Blanketing that area with a nano bot enfused cream cheese.”

Smarts check to understand coordinates, 23

Sal crept forward opening two canisters with a slight hiss. Then like Jude’s college dorm the area Willy Wonka had indicated was soon covered with white gooey stuff. Unlike Jude’s room this white thick goop went well with a bagel and also gave anyone in the area warm goodly feeling of heath and healing (Like Jude).

Through the mind link he also tersely conveyed, Fritz cover me I am out of PPE and will need to build some items if this does not work.

Two Actions. Heal Large Area Effect on Queen 14, Heal Large Area Effect on Queen 15, moved two squares forward and two to the side

Powers: Invisibility (-4), Protection vs Environmental (Acid), Greater Boost TW skill, Greater Boost Shooting
PPE: O/30
Everyone’s shooting gets +2 die types and a free reroll on all shooting actions.
Everyone has protection vs environmental acid.

Post by **Ndreare** » Sat Nov 30, 2019 9:50 am

@Sir William Mahan easily cuts down the second Xiticix.

Spirit and Soak = Queen takes 1 wound, uses 2 bennies

@Sal reaches out with his power and feels it sink into something unseen. The Queen must have been in the area, her spirit tried to resist the effect he could feel, but it failed.

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Sun Dec 01, 2019 1:51 am

L.C.

Expanded Awareness 24, Fly to V40 Piloting 11, Dispel Queen with Exalted Dispel and Power Mod Psionics 16; Shoot Queen (Shooting 15, 25 dmg; Shooting 11, 17 dmg; Shooting 19, 22 dmg; All AP 10, with an electrokinetic damage trapping

L.C. shakes himself from his daze, angry at himself for how out of it this fight has made him. The queen must die. He hears Gridia call out to Fritz, locates her psychically, noting her double concealment. "Clever girl," he intones. Undeterred by the trivial presence of the drones, he flies at them, leaving them too stunned to react, and then flies as fast as he can around the corner until he can get a clear line of sight on the queen. First, he reaches out with his mind, focusing cold negative psychic energy on her location, and lights up a small area, hitting hard enough to shut down any power and even any items she might have on her - not taking any chances. Lining it up, he unleashes his enhanced railgun fire at the undead bug. "Die, bug, for the last time, and stay down!"

When her defenses go down, L.C. calls over the radio. "All units, Queen is revealed, in the back half of the cave, give her everything you got. Mags! She's all yours!"

L.C. · Post by **L.C.** » Sun Dec 01, 2019 2:30 am

Brison

Push Xiticix (V18) 10, Push vs both Xiticix (U21) 9, Shoot 3 Xiticix (V18) 10, damage 27 (Shaken + 3 wnds), (U21) 12, damage 21 (Shaken + 1 wnd), (Z26) 11, damage 18 (Shaken)

Brison gives both of the Xiticix on him a shove and then levels his ion blaster at them, and one of the others nearby. He keys his radio. "Anyone got a solid location on the Queen? I got some missiles I can send her way. Until then I'll try and clear the road. Um, metal dude with the sword, might want to fall back to me at least. We can cover each others flanks."

Fritz · Post by **Fritz** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 8:01 am

@Gridia Thorem "Copy. The Queen is not in the open."

Fritz had been on a number of operations. A fair amount had been against unseen foes. This is why you bring the power types (psychics and mages). Somebody has to flush out the unseen.

Taking the opportunity at his new position, thanks to Cheez Wiz Sal.

@Sal "Yeah, I got your back, Cheez Wiz."

With LC back in action, Fritz decided on some tracking and field intel as the best option. So far his observation had that the bugs themselves didn't live in the acid pools, they just were situated to handle them much better.

Floor Littered with Details, Notice 5

Note to Self (Intel Analysis)

Maggie's GB Uncovered weak floors. Areas with less Bug tracks are likely unstable flooring.
Bugs weigh more than an armored human. Less than a Glitter Boy.
Psychics and Mages are "revealing" the hidden bugs. Clearly an ambush.
Tracks of varying sizes and shapes. Always one set that has no others surrounding it.
LC's thrusters may have disturbed the dust on the floor. That cloud is moving further into the lair. Watch for things being covered in dust and debris.
Magicien du fromage had cheesy ecto goop over a few other areas. The queen should be easy enough to identify.

Tracking the Queen, Survival 17

Post by **Ndreare** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 8:02 am

Random Stuff to Ignore

@Sir William Mahan slices the bug on him to pieces leaving himself free to move.

@Fritz began looking for clues and hints he was able to piece together enough information to get a bead on where the queen was. But suddenly as he is spinning looking for her she materializes clearly in front of him. Like a series of varying bursts of light he sees layer after layer of spells collapsing from around her as @L.C.'s power easily overwhelms her. Leaving her clearly visible to all on the east side of the cave.

As L.C.'s power shuts down the layers of psionic and magical energy around the Queen he lets loose with a volley of rail gun fire, only to see it ignore by the queen, as she is unmoved by the chunks of chitinous armor being blown away.

Brison tries to push the bugs away so he can draw a line of fire, but he is unable to force the creatures away. Leaving him vulnerable and unable to aim his weapon as the bugs force his shots to go wide.

UPDATED MAP

Corrupted Queen: Parry: 7; Toughness: 48 (20)
Corrupted Warrior: Parry: 7; Toughness: 15 (6)

Maggie · Post by **Maggie** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:17 am

Maggie yells into the radio, "Cover your ears, people!"

She drops the blade and brings around the boom gun, taking quick but careful aim at the Queen's head and firing off a single, devastating shot.

Shooting 16 for Headshot on Queen

51 MD AP 25

Post by **Ndreare** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:29 am

OOC Comments

The queen tries to move as her preternatural senses tell her what is coming, but not fast enough as half her face, her left shoulder and an arm are blown away from the blast. Swinging side to side she seems stunned from the blow.

When suddenly new tissue starts forming, somehow she is not only still moving, but regenerating!

@L.C. make a vigor roll versus boom gun. ignore the penalties as your armies heading protection helps.

@Maggie your pylons break free, you cannot lock in again from this hex location.

Leethe · Post by **Leethe** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 3:24 pm

Fighting 17, damage 28 AP 2

Leethe swings her sword with great skill at the corrupted xiticix hunter she is engaged with, she strikes true, dealing it massive damage. "They just keep coming, does anyone know a barrier spell or something?"

Current Buffs

Party Buffs

Post by **Ndreare** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 8:45 am

Summary

Queen regenerates damage from Boom gun
Bug could not see Sal so it shot Fritz

Fritz is hit for 11 AP 4 Mega Damage

XVII is hit for 17 AP 6 Mega Damage

Maggie is Pushed with a 14

Maggie is Bitten by acid mouth for 25 AP 16
If Shaken Make a Vigor roll versus Venomous poison (see the Poison Effects Table, Savage Worlds)

Leethe is attacked by two bugs and hit for 13 AP 6

Enemies

Stumbling for a moment the Queen seems to defy reality as her head begins to reform and a new limb sprouts from her shoulder...

As new bugs show up from both entrances one of them recently arrived swings down sweeping around and shoots a volley of blasts at Fritz. The shots run across his chest damaging only superficially the cyborgs super structure.

XXVII cornered away form the party finds the bugs on him unrelenting as they continue to slice and cut at his with their strange technowizard like swords. While able to defend himself some, he finds one of them lands a solid blow.

Gridia finds himself in a moment of colm as the battle raging around him, leaves him untouched and unscathed in the middle of the field.

Sir William Mahan finds as he is ready to sprint off and save XVII that two unexpected bugs sweep in on him, but his skill and training takes over as he sliced them down with his powerful Psi-Swords. Leaving him again free to move.

L.C. shaking hi head clear finds his hearing ringing as he looks on helplessly as the Queen pounces the Glitter Boy standing next to him. Knocking into her with such force its strange alien like mouth biting clean through the Glitter Boy’s armor. To shoot at the creature would be difficult as the two wrestle and require risking hitting Maggie. Brison surrounded and stunned somehow manages not to get hit again by the bugs around him.

Sal looks and it appears the shadows in the cave are enough the bugs cannot see him. As one of them shoots right past his location only to hit Fritz.

As Maggie finds herself knocked into with enough force to risk breaking her pilons, if they had not already retracted as a safety measure from when the ground broke under her. The Queen biting into her armor penetrates the armor barely missing Maggie herself as she manages not to be injected with the lethal venom.

Corrupted Hunter

Corrupted Queen

Sir William Mahan · Post by **Sir William Mahan** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 8:50 am

Attacks

Seeing Brison pinned down, Sir William dashes around him to engage the two bugs from behind. His psi-swords flash into The Rams Horns Curl, twirling spiral cuts deep into the flesh of the two Xiticix. "Brison, you're clear!" he shouts, still deafened and not realizing how loud his voice is. He spins, seeking out his next opponent.

GM EDIT: It was not Sir Williams action yet, so these rolls where moved and used as First Strike versus the two bugs that came in on Sir William.

Post by **Ndreare** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:37 am

Initiative Turn 5!, Players go First, Sal gets a Joker, Everyone gets a Benny

Post by **Ndreare** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:46 am

Map Update

Sal · Post by **Sal** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 3:38 pm

Healing on queen, 19 and 12

Saul pulled a few parmesan cheese crisps out of his backpack and munched on them for a brief second. They were made by the only method known to him. Deep fried over a leyline. So of course they had just enough PPE in them to juice his healin’ cheese powder one last time! This time with the queen visibile he just concentrated on applying the creamy gooey cheese powder to just the queen instead of the area.

During his jaunt he he scampered south about 6” trying not to reveal his position and then let the healing power wash over a LBT (Centered on him but Not including LC). Note: Maggie gets caught in the healing.
Breathe Deep!
3 bennies dropped For 15 PPE

Post by **Ndreare** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 4:30 pm

OOC Comments

Suddenly the healing cheese infects the Queen she begins thrashing and convulsing. Turning her attention on Sal a rage fills her eyes as she prepares to kill him next. The level of intelligence in the Queen is remarkable, her plans must truly be horrid and far more than an insect could conceive. With a Lunge she flies at Sal, landing on the ground only inches from him to her final rest.

As the life leaves the queen it is as if there is no longer an animating force for the remainder of the Xiticix as they all suddenly just stop moving, their arms falling slack to their sides, their weapons dropping to the ground as they hunch in place un-moving. The 99 look around the center of the nest to see, no other bugs moving, with her demise it is as if they lost all sentience, standing motionless.

Gridia Thorem · Post by **Gridia Thorem** » Fri Dec 06, 2019 6:09 am

"Well that's something I've never seen on this planet before." Gridia says to @Leethe. He had just reached her side to aid in repelling the reinforcements as the bugs just collapsed. Seeing she has done well against her opponents he reaches out to the group "Hive mind. Has to be. The queen is dead?"

Sir William Mahan · Post by **Sir William Mahan** » Mon Dec 09, 2019 5:57 am

Sir William, panting with exertion, says, "Your pardon, comrades. I am afraid Maggie's boom gun has temporarily damaged my hearing," in a voice about twice as loud as necessary. "Think you that these creatures have some relation to the demon beasts we are here to fight? If so, I fear that the death of so powerful a servant may have alerted the demon lord."

Gridia Thorem · Post by **Gridia Thorem** » Mon Dec 09, 2019 6:51 am

Feeling reasonably sure the Xiticix are dormant, if not properly dead, Gridia carefully navigates the queen's chamber, avoiding the pools of acid where possible while making is way to the rest of the team. Remembering this last descent into a hive, Gridia decides to reach out with his senses once again, this time looking for any sign of a Rift in within or in close proximity to this hive. Better make sure...

OOC Comments

Post by **Ndreare** » Mon Dec 09, 2019 7:58 am

Reaches out with his senses @Gridia Thorem finds no sign of dimensional portals or other beings. Though his sense still reveal to him the presence of many of the diseased xiticix. Cleaning out the corpses to ensure they cannot be used by another could take hours. But without the designer explosives needed for destroying something so large and subterranean it is the only way to be sure.

Instructions

Sal · Post by **Sal** » Mon Dec 09, 2019 8:07 am

Sal looked down at the dead queen and using the hand torches on his armor normally reserved for repairing MDC vehicles severed the head from the body. Can’t be too sure... That was close. How do these big damn heroes manage? Utalizing the group’s mind link he said with a fair amount of relief falling back into his normally gregarious nervous chatter, Uhh... Well it would seem my heroes the queen in a last fit of rage has fallen. Grilda your knowledge on the subject of demon Xictic was invaluable. Why my cousin fat Pat always used to squeak out knowledge was power, and quite honestly not until today did I really believe it... Currently I am severing the queen’s head from her body. Doubtful she has any cheese stores in her throat glands but ya know one can always wonder. Sal softly whistled while he finished his work decapitating the queen.

Fritz · Post by **Fritz** » Mon Dec 09, 2019 12:28 pm

Fritz does his best to help @Maggie right the Glitter Boy by finding footing that won't collapse under the BG's weight.

@Sal
"Disection and other science experiments will be best performed topside."

"Speaking of taking things topside ..."

Structural Engineering 5

Fritz had thought to have @Maggie, Brison, and LC haul the unanimated dead Xicitix to the surface. But the structure of the hive was not looking like it would hold up under such repeated weight.

Assessing the floors above, Fritz determined that a few well placed Boom Gun shots would create an elevator shaft that the two power armors and the glitter boy should be able to haul the bodies out from. That left the others of the 99th to move the bodies to the shaft and hook them up to be hoisted to the surface.

"Not sure if we can make use of their weapons there LC @High Command, but they should be destroyed or disabled."

As the team finishes with cleanup, Fritz carefully re-enters the hive and begins marking specific areas for demolitions to be placed. When asked about it, "I don't have the explosives and those markings are only recommendations but the EOD units from Refuge should be able to bring that hive down regardless."