Quinn Stasi
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 4
Initiative Order:
M. Unit (C,D): 14 *Quinn : 10 Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed) Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed) *M. Leader: 10 M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed) M. Unit E: 8 Turk: 3
Round 3 (Cont) M. Unit C: (10,4) Spear [Target: Turk, 28 vs AC 14: Hit 9 Damage]
M. Unit (14,3 -> 13,4), Spear [Target: Jacobs, 18 vs AC 18: Hit 10 Damage]
Quinn: (11,5) Reaping Strike [Target: Merc C, 19 vs AC 18: Hit 16 Damage], ACTION POINT, Reaping Strike [Target: Merc C, 18 vs 18 AC: Hit 16 Damage] - Merc C KO'd, Shift 1 (10,4)
Horace: (5,8), Spear Thrust (Enc) [Target: Merc A, 24 vs AC 18: Hit 15 Damage]
Jacobs: (13,5), Spear [Target: Merc E, 17 vs AC 18: Miss]
Smith: (12,15) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B, 14 vs AC 18: Miss]
Kosch: (14,15) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B, 26 vs AC 18: 11 Damage]
M.Lead: Shift (8,5 -> 8,4), Brandish (Enc) [Target: Quinn, 17 vs AC 17: Hit 16 Damage]
M. Unit A: (4,7), Merkaban Spear [Target: Horace, 24 vs AC 18: Hit 8 Damage]
M. Unit B: Shift (6,7 -> 7,7) Move (7,7 -> 8,12)
M. Unit E: (12,4) Spear [Target: Jacobs, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 9 Damage]
Turk: Move (10,5 -> 9, 4), Brandish (Enc) [Target: Merk Lead, 21 vs AC 18: Hit 16 Damage]
Round 4
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit (13,4), Spear [Target: Jacobs, 20 vs AC 18: Hit 7 Damage]
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
Merkaban A - 21 *Bloodied*
Merkaban B - 11
Merkaban C - 50 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 0
Merkaban E - 22 *Bloodied*
Merkaban Leader - 16
"Fredrec!" The Female Merkaban yells the name of the Merkaban you just dropped with extraordinary ease. Buoyed by your assault, Horace increases his aggressiveness as well. You were depending on him. The Merkaban he strikes screams in agony as Horace stabs him with fervor.
Smith and Kosch move to support Horace, seeing that you have the situation on that side under control. Smith's bolt wasn't too much of a help, but Kosch manages to hit his mark.
"I won't need them to kill you, bastard!" The Merkaban leader shifts his position, and brings his halberd down hard at your shoulder. You can feel your spaulder give under the force of the blow. The leader isn't too happy about what you did to his friend. "Get back, Quinn!" Turk brushes by you, rushing to your aid. "Brandish!" he screams, as he thrusts his his glaive at the Leader's chest. You never understood why he shouted his moves, but it seems to have had some effect as he hits the Merkaban leader dead on.
The Merkaban Horace struck returns the favor, but Horace looks like he'll manage. Having just been struck by a bolt, the other Merkaban near Horace breaks away, heading directly towards Smith and Kosch.
As Fredrec continues to bleed out underneath you, one of his allies strikes Jacobs yet again.
tastydonuts on
“I used to draw, hard to admit that I used to draw...”
After taking a look around while inside the relative safety of the ship, Keegan decides to creep out from the wreckage while his section is still dark. Moving slowly, sticking to places with cover and particularly dark shadows, he makes his way towards the next section, hoping to find a way into the area that leads to Tamerlaine's collection. Once he reaches the wall, he pauses in the shadows to get a better look at what's in the next section.
Quinn gasps as the halberd slices across his shoulder. He clutches his wound, and blood pulses through his fingers. He staggers slightly, wondering if he had been a bit too reckless this time. But it was too late to back down now. He needed a moment to shake off the shock of his injury before he could strike again, but at the very least he could open up an opportunity for Turk to finish the job.
Move Action: Advance from (10,4) to (8,3) through (9,2) to avoid any opportunity attacks.
Standard Action: Use Second Wind. Regain 7 HP and all defenses are increased by 2 until the start of my next turn.
As Quinn moves forward to engage the leader, he yells behind him to the female Merkaban attacking Jacobs, hoping to draw her attention away from his injured friend. "Your friend was a weakling, just like all you Lowborne mongrels! Come over here and I'll show you what a real man can do!"
Brottor Ungart
Gainsfield, Eastern Gate Hub Merkaban Invasion, Day Zero
Round 1
Initiative Order:
"Black Knight": 29 G. Guard C: 24 Captain: 20 G. Guard 18 Brottor: 17 G. Guard A: 14 G. Guard B: 13
"Black Knight": Recharge 6 success, Move (7,8 -> 5,6), Rend [Target: Guard A, 13 vs AC 18, 15 vs AC 18: Miss, Miss], Loses 8 HP from wounds.
G. Guard C: Move (10,2 -> 8,6), Spear [Target: "Black Knight", 21 vs AC 22: Miss]
Captain: Shift (5,4 -> 6,5), Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 11 vs AC 22: Miss]
G. Guard Move (9,1 -> 9,7), Move (9,7 -> 7,8)
End of Round Info
Ally Status:
Brottor -
Captain - 47/47
Guard A - 47/47
Guard B - 47/47
Guard C - 41/41
Guard D - 41/41
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
"Black Knight" - ?? + 8 *Flanked (Brottor <-> G. Guard D) Bloodied, Wounded*
"By the gods!" The captain screams out as the chattering stops suddenly, the creature first blowing up the inner chamber in the room. Even in the dust you can see large chunks of debris embedded deeply in its exterior. Portions of it appear to glow red, but if this is from the heat of the explosions that it went through or not, you couldn't be sure.
Your thoughts race to your comrades, as it moves again, two large blades extending from its elongated arms. It makes a horrible sound as it swings and you can feel the intensity of its attack from such a distance. Yet its target somehow goes unscathed.
The guards seem very encouraged, the shock of what happened to your friends moments ago being quickly erased by this turn of events.
"Let's show this Lowborne how Highborne wage war!" The captain declares, as one of his guards charges in and thrusts his spear at the Knight's back. It deflects harmlessly off its armor.
Feeling embarrassed by his subordinate, the Captain moves in. To his surprise, his attack has no effect as well. Realizing that a blind frontal assault wasn't the answer, the next guard moves into a position behind the monstrosity.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr Armada, First Fleet - Dancing Lightning Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Skill Challenge Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up. Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple* Progress: Successes 2 of ?, Failures 0 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
Having tied Iam up to the carrier, you take some time to think things through. The Lightning was moving erratically, dodging and weaving the chaos that was going on outside of it.
You're able to recall that they didn't account for dramatic defeat in the briefing at all. With the Merkaban's fleet taken out, it should have been a cakewalk. This war should have been over. Your friends and allies shouldn't be dying right now. You snap to reality.
The Dancing Lightning and the rest of the Armada was headed back to Foehn. Back to home base.
You can feel the heat from an explosion that the boat whisks past. There was no guarantee that it would make it though.
Perhaps one of the more armored ships could? There were plenty of ships out there to swing from. The Lightning shudders against another barrage of friendly munitions. One of the shells just misses your head, showering the back of your neck with splinters as it embeds itself in the frame of the carrier.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Refugee Area - Wrecked Carrier Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Skill Challenge Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection' Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight Progress: Successes 2 of ?, Failures 0 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
You make your way through the spacious room with ease, getting closer and closer to the only lit portion. The distant lighting reflects off the metal of some of the broken ships in this section. (Perception passive: Success) You can hear two very faint voices distance.
tastydonuts on
“I used to draw, hard to admit that I used to draw...”
0
TheMadjaiSir Madjai of SanSanMinnesotaRegistered Userregular
edited August 2008
"Kuyt. Lisette! Kick her in the ass and bring us alongside one of the metalsides!" Ewan was going to make sure that everyone left was going to make it out of this alive, even if it wasn't on the Lightning.
"All of you. Listen up! All of you, ALL of you are making it home alive. We're going to ride the stream of a cruiser. If we take a hit, you'll have seconds to fire your grapples. Keep 'em out, and keep your wits sharp."
Ewan walks up to Iam, pulls his grapple out of his belt and puts it in his hands. "You're with me, understand. You see me fire my grapple, you've already fired yours, got it?" Ewan pulls out his dagger and cuts Iam free. He loops the rope back into his pack before pulling his shortsword free. He braces himself against the door and pulls out his grapple, waiting to feel the Lightning accelerate. He sighs heavily. He hopes that fate doesn't make a liar out of him.
TheMadjai on
"Yeah, TheMadjai knows whats up." --Lardalish
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
"Yeah, whatever," Lothril says as he gets the spy to his feet.
Lothril pushes the spy towards the door. As they exit, Lothril leads the spy out to the tunnel he knew would lead them out into the alleys, making certain that the spy was right in front of him the entire way there. As he and the spy reached the entrance, Lothril whispers,
"Hold on a moment, need to make sure the coast is clear."
He opens the door, and takes a look inside, making sure no one is there.
A little unnerved by his new allies failures, Brottor summons his strength and sinks his halberd deep into the monstrosity's chest. As soon as the blade sinks into its flesh, it freezes the wound solid. Jerking the weapon free, Brottor readies himself for retaliation.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr Armada, First Fleet - Dancing Lightning Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Skill Challenge Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up. Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple* Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 0 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
The scouts look to you, the distant expressions that they had moments ago fading away. They were regaining confidence, and it was all thanks to your speech. This wasn't going to be the end. They were going to make it out of this alive!
Iam nods at your instructions confidently. Now, all that was left was for the Dancing Lightning to accelerate and get close enough to a battlecruiser or something then jump to safety. Maybe even the Conquerer. Yet, the Dancing Lightning didn't accelerate at all, it simply continued to bob and weave as best it could.
Lothril Issrin
Acacia Island, Acacia - Alleyway Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Skill Challenge Objective: Get the spy to the CHOPPA. Primary Skills: Diplomacy (Cha), Bluff (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Perception (WIS), Insight (INT), Stealth (DEX) Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 0 of 3
*Insight - Success: You know about some useful alleyways you can take along the way.
*Intimidate - Success: You've intimidated the spy successfully.
*Perception - Success: Making sure the way is clear.
It takes a few minutes for you to make your way through the tunnel. A thought hits your mind about how one time your friend, no... the Spy took the tunnels outside to meet one of his many girl friends. He had the look of gold, a noble of nobles. But how many times did he take these tunnels to meet with his Merkaban friends. To trade Sigil Sequences and other guild secrets to the enemy. We all trusted him.
Looking around outside, can see a group of men running by the alleyway, torches lit. They weren't carrying any form of military weapon, but if they caught you the sharp and pointy objects they were carrying would surely be more than enough to do the job. There were simply too many of them. Fortunately, the passageway you took led you just about across the street from the Gate Chamber. From there, you'd punch in the sequence, and maybe even spend some time on Foehn, the home base of the Zephyr Knights. But now was not the time to lose focus. So many people had failed in the moments just before completing their tasks. You still had a job to do.
tastydonuts on
“I used to draw, hard to admit that I used to draw...”
Voices, Keegan thinks to himself. Probably Caretakers. Maybe they'll give me a clue to where I need to go.
He feels completely in his element now, crouched in the shadows, shifting and moving his piece along the board. The game is on, and it's his move. Nightbird creeps toward the voices, straining to hear what they're saying. The game is on, he grins, I've gotta write that one down.
TheMadjaiSir Madjai of SanSanMinnesotaRegistered Userregular
edited August 2008
Ewan waited. No response from the cockpit or from the Lightning herself. Curse you, Lisette. Ewan turns to Iam, "Mark this door. If we get hit any harder than a shove, I want you to open it, and get everyone off. Find the nearest ship that looks like it could take a beating and grapple on to it. I'm right behind you."
With these words, Ewan turns and climbs halfway up the ladder, poking his head into the cockpit. "Lisette?"
Brottor Ungart
Harmattan, Konstogar Merkaban Invasion, Day Zero
Round 2
Initiative Order:
"Black Knight": 29 G. Guard C: 24 Captain: 20 G. Guard 18 Brottor: 17 G. Guard A: 14 G. Guard B: 13
Round 1 (Cont) "Black Knight": Recharge 6 success, Move (7,8 -> 5,6), Rend [Target: Guard A, 13 vs AC 18, 15 vs AC 18: Miss, Miss]
G. Guard C: Move (10,2 -> 8,6), Spear [Target: "Black Knight", 21 vs AC 22: Miss]
Captain: Shift (5,4 -> 6,5), Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 11 vs AC 22: Miss]
G. Guard Move (9,1 -> 9,7), Move (9,7 -> 7,8)
Brottor: Brute Strike (D) [Target: "Black Knight", 23 vs AC 20: Hit 21 Normal, 7 Frost Damage, Marked]
G. Guard A: Shift (5,5 -> 5,6) Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 23 vs AC 20: Hit 7 Damage]
G. Guard B: Move (7,3 -> 5,5), Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 12 vs AC 22: Miss]
Round 2
"Black Knight": (5,6) Devastating Flurry (E) [Target: Brottor 13 vs AC 19: Miss | Captain, 18 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage and Prone, | Guard A, 21 vs AC 18: Hit 10 Damage and Prone | Guard B, 20 vs AC 18: Hit 14 Damage and Prone | Guard C, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage and Prone | Guard D, 16 vs 18 AC: Miss ]
G. Guard C: (8,6) Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight" 29 vs AC 16: Hit 14 Damage), Spear Thrust (Enc) [Target: "Black Knight", 13 vs AC 20: Miss]
Captain: (6,5) Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight" 13 vs AC 16: Miss], Brandish (Enc) [Target: "Black Knight", *1* vs AC 20: Fumbled!]
G. Guard (9,7) Spear Thrust (Enc) [Target: "Black Knight", *20* vs AC 20: Critical! 21 Damage ("Black Knight" saves vs Wounded)]
End of Round Info
Ally Status:
Brottor - 37/37
Captain - 36/47 *Prone*
Guard A - 37/47 *Prone*
Guard B - 33/47 *Prone*
Guard C - 16/41 *Bloodied*
Guard D - 41/41
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
"Black Knight" - ?? + 57 *Flanked ([Brottor, Captain] <-> Guard D, Guard A <-> Guard C) Marked (Brottor) Bloodied, Wounded*
If that was how Highborne waged war, you were probably their last hope. The knight gets hit hard by your attack, a cool wind whipping by your face from your weapon. It felt good, hurting it like you did. At least one of the other guards followed your example, giving it a good jab as the Knight began to make that chattering sound again, loudly.
It rears back and up, the lanky terror's height becoming almost twice your own. It stops making noise abruptly, as its arms lashes out at every one of you with a brutal speed and power. Those who were hit fall to the ground, including the Captain. Even in its heavily damaged state, the Black Knight was not to be underestimated. It methodically struck a guard rising to his feet.
Maybe it was dumb luck, but it was luck nonetheless. As the Captain stood, he tripped up somehow. This saved him from a blow that could very well have taken his head clean off.
"Go back to hell, demon!" A guard yells out as he thrusts his spear directly into a gaping hole left in the Knight's armor. The sound it emits now is unbearable. You would have to fix that, soon.
Quinn Staci
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 5
Initiative Order:
M. Unit (C,D): 14 *Quinn : 10 Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed) Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed) *M. Leader: 10 M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed) M. Unit E: 8 Turk: 3
Round 4 (Cont) M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit (13,4) Spear [Target: Jacobs, 20 vs AC 18: Hit 7 Damage]
Quinn: Move (10,4 -> 8,3) Second Wind [ +7 HP, +2 All Defenses]
Horace: (5,8) Spear [Target: Merk A, 13 vs AC 18: Miss]
Jacobs: (13,5) Spear [Target: Merk E, *20* vs AC 18: Critical! 12 Damage]
Smith: (12,15) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk A, 21 vs AC 18: 10 Damage]
Kosch: (14,15) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk E, 23 vs AC 18: 7 Damage]
M.Lead: (8,4) Merkaban Halberd [Target: Quinn 14 vs AC 19: Miss]
M. Unit A: (4,7) Spear [Target: Horace, *20* vs AC 18: Critical! 12 Damage]
M. Unit B: (8,12 -> 12,13) Spear [Target: Smith, 25 vs AC 14: 6 Damage]
M. Unit E: (12,4) *Down*
Turk: (9,4) Glaive [Target: Merkaban Leader, 18 vs AC 18: 13 Damage]
Round 5
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit (13,4) Spear [Target: Jacobs, *1* vs AC 18: Fumbled!]
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
Merkaban A - 31 *Bloodied*
Merkaban B - 11
Merkaban C - 50 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 0
Merkaban E - 41 *DOWN*
Merkaban Leader - 29 *Bloodied*
Your words conflict with your actions, as you hobble around the field and take a breather. The female Merkaban isn't too swayed by your remarks, instead remaining in her place. Had she moved, Jacobs wouldn't have had a chance to stab her again. She wobbles at her feet, as fear creeps up her spine.
"Crap. Smith, Kosch! Look out!" Horace swings wildly and misses. His mind shifts from his opponents and to the Merkaban that slipped by, heading towards the bowmen.
"Mind yourself, Horace!" Smith sends a bolt past shoulder and into the Merkaban he missed. The Merkaban returns the favor by spearing Horace pretty badly.
"No..." Clutching the bolt that Kosch fired into her gut, the female falls to the ground. Watching his team getting picked apart by Highborne scum has clouded his actions, the Merkaban leader swinging poorly at Quinn's body. Turk shows him how to attack someone with an attack of his own.
"Arrgh!" Rounding the corner, the Merkaban that got by Horace sets upon Smith before he can react. The man might as well not have been wearing any armor at all.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr Armada, First Fleet - Dancing Lightning Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Skill Challenge Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up. Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple* Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
* Perception - Failure. - Looking around the cockpit.
Opening the the hatch to the cockpit, you're buffeted with wind and debris. You shield your eyes, feeling the sting of bits of glass being flung towards you. The scene up here is bad, very bad. Large chunks of glass, wood and metal are littered across the floor. These were the remains of the cockpit dome.
Where only moments earlier there was a seat and secondary set of controls, there's only open air. That was where Lisette had been seated earlier. The other seat and controls look to be marginally intact, but from your position you have no way of knowing for sure. Neither pilot was to be seen.
It's difficult to fully see from your position, but from the ruins of the Lightning's cockpit, you can make out other ships swerving violently. Their pilots were taking heavy evasive maneuvers against both each other and whatever was blowing them out of the sky. (All airships, regardless of type lights on them that function similar to the beacons and lights on like modern planes. You can see these lights moving around. Some of the lights may just be flaming debris though.)
Their pilots were taking evasive maneuvers. But where were yours. Given an entire section of the cockpit was probably in the ocean by now, you feared the worst. Climbing up the rest of the way you can feel the wind hard against your face. You can barely hear anything up here. The darkened form of warship swoops by the cockpit low enough for you to be able to reach up and touch it. The men aboard screaming fades from your ears rapidly.
Once you get to the cockpit seat, you relax somewhat. Even in the relative darkness of the night sky, you can see Lisette sitting there, working the controls. Since this seat wasn't sized for her she has some difficulty, but she's getting the job done. The little crystal you heard words from before is spitting out what can only be described as incoherent babble.
Lisette looks up at you, she's wearing a set of lenses that probably allow her to see ahead of her.
"Jump. I can't keep this up forever."
She points up into the darkness, but you can't make out what she's pointing to. "That's what the men on the other carriers are doing."
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Refugee Area - Wrecked Carrier Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Skill Challenge Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection' Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight Progress: Successes 2 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
After thinking about the game, you hear a deep thrumming sound coming from behind you. You can make out even in the low light that it's just a set of fairly large corestone drives. The ones that were salvageable from damaged ships were removed, and would probably see usage in another airship. They didn't help you hear the conversation much better though.
The fact that the voices also sounded like they moved deeper into the lit section also wasn't a good thing.
"... And you expect me to simply accept this proposal, this 'plan'?"
You recognized the voice, anybody would. It was Andrei Vaughn, the Lord of Thunder, Admiral of the Fleet... the man had many titles, but he was the leader of the Zephyr Knights, and he clearly wasn't happy with someone.
tastydonuts on
“I used to draw, hard to admit that I used to draw...”
Brottor shakes his head, trying to shake the ringing out but to no use. Shutting it out as much as possible, Brottor lunges at the knight again, his blade finding flesh.
TheMadjaiSir Madjai of SanSanMinnesotaRegistered Userregular
edited August 2008
"We're all jumping. All of us. Put us on a course to pass alongside the biggest, closest warship you can find. Just not too close. Lock the controls with rope, a rock, whatever you got up here. We'll take our chances with the Merkabans. As soon as we're close enough, we'll grapple away." Ewan sees that she starts to object. "Don't argue with me, Lisette. The fleet has taken it's share of casualties today. There's no reason for us to increase that number. These grapples were made to hold a Dragonborn if they needed to. Surely your weight added to mine won't strain it too badly. Put us on course, and then let's get out of here."
Nightbird makes a dash into cover inside the lit area, trying to get away from the noise behind him and closer to the voices, without being seen. Lucky for him, all these broken hulls made great places to hide.
Quinn easily dodges out of the way of the leader's attack. He smiles as he hears the woman fall and knows that the fight was nearing its end. Horace and Jacobs just needed to hold out a little longer...
Distracted by Turk, the leader is unable to stop Quinn from sidestepping behind him. Quinn lands a solid blow to his back, already thinking ahead to his next target.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr Armada, First Fleet - Dancing Lightning Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Skill Challenge Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up. Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple* Progress: Successes 4 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
* Perception - Failure. - Looking around the cockpit.
* Diplomacy - Success - Rousing speech time.
She doesn't take her eyes off what she's doing but now that you've given her a chance to speak, she takes it.
"This is my boat. you don't give the orders around here." There isn't much force behind her remarks. "If this was a fight on the ground, and I told you to leave your people behind to die just to save yourself and a few others, would you go?"
The cockpit lights up and the Dancing Lightning shudders as another warship is reduced to a ball of flames. In the light, you can see that there's something covering most of the controls on this side and even the chair: Blood.
"Even flying in a straight line, this ship poses a threat to everyone else. We're all tripping over each other out here. There's no way I'm just going to leave this boat to save my own skin. I'll get you as close as I can to the Azure Hunter, ok?"
The direction of the wind hamemring your face starts to change as Lissette begins to steer the Lightning cautiously towards the Hunter.
"I can't keep close to her that long. You have to go down now. When you think its safe, jump. You stay alive. I'll see you again..."
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Berth 9 Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Skill Challenge Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection' Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
* Stealth - Success! - Sneaking around the hulls to eavesdrop more.
A little image of Maestro's smoke-dancer miming what are you doing? pops into your mind as you make your way closer to Andrei. You dart like a rat across the walkway and into the same section as the two. Fortunately, only half of the section is lit. You cautiously enter another broken carrier, and then watch and listen carefully through a hole in its hull. You can see that the Highborne commander had been yelling at a woman.
Whatever Andrei had said before was finished and the two remained silent. You watch him pace about the room like a caged animal. His companion seems calm. Judging from her attire and appearance, she was a caretaker, of human origin. She's seated on top of a workbench, tapping her nails along the surface.
"Well, I guess we don't need to be tactful anymore then. The war is over, your forces have lost." Andrei stops his pacing. "Out of a fleet of hundreds of warships, you've come back with maybe fifty in fighting condition, including your most powerful warship, the Conqueror... which was left without even a scratch. We dare not mention the cost in lives-"
Andrei grits his teeth and his body tenses up like a snake ready to strike. It was strange, other Caretakers that you'd seen spoke in varying degrees of too loud, too slow or both. But the weighty words she delivers come out elegantly.
"-both military and civilian. Foehn is nothing more than a collection of smoldering rocks now." She gets up and walks towards him. "'The Merkabans will be made into an example, so that all Lowborne will know that we Highborne, united, are a force to be reckoned with...'" his words. "An example was made, but not the one you were hoping for. Your Coalition, other Highborne, and even other Lowborne nations know who's really in charge out there."
Her words, which seemed to have been intended to provoke him have left him completely mollified. The room falls silent again. You've run hustles of your own but she was in a different league.
"I can see why they made you their voice, Sveta." he looks towards the ceiling of the chamber. "The next thing you're going to tell me is that if not for you Caretakers stepping in we would all be dead?"
"Legend has it that Foehn was founded by one of the Lady's true friends. It was out of that debt that we chose to act, but even then we were split."
You realize you've been sitting here for a while. The imaginary smoke dancer nods in agreement.
Andrei looks back towards her and asks, "And what was your opinion?" She only replies with a smile.
"I will take your proposal back to our assembly, with my backing." There's a hint of reluctance in his voice as he walks out of the section. "She would've..." Andrei pauses, it was too soon for him to make that kind of statement.
"I know my way back, Caretaker." he walks out of your line of sight in the direction that you came from. Sveta stands around for a moment, and exits the area as well. She goes in the opposite direction. Finally. You think to yourself, waiting for a few moments before moving yet again.
(Passive Insight: Success) You notice that the lighting of each section was on only for as long as she was in the section, while no lights lit up from Andrei's movement. Once she left the the chamber, it was left in near darkness. Now it felt infinitely larger than it truly was. Creeping around a little more, you make out a doorway. It's large, and resembles one of the doorways along the corridor that the illusionary map displayed. You weren't too far off the path, fortunately.
tastydonuts on
“I used to draw, hard to admit that I used to draw...”
0
TheMadjaiSir Madjai of SanSanMinnesotaRegistered Userregular
edited August 2008
Ewan knew she was right. The Lightning, unmanned in this mess would be nothing more than a missile. A big, unwieldy missile. They were too much in the thick of things to pilot out of it. Someone would have to stay. "I'm holding you to that. May Erathis guide your hand, Lisette." Ewan puts his hand on her shoulder, and with one last look out the cockpit he runs down into the hold.
"Listen up. Our pilot is going to buy us enough time to grapple over to the Azure Hunter. She's staying behind and will meet up with us back home." Ewan saw that no one really believed him, but that didn't matter. Now was the time for action. "Iam, open the doors." When the doors open, Ewan sees the corestone of the Hunter directly across the way. "Line up, 3 men across. On my mark, fire your grapples at the corestone. You get ONE shot, so make it count. Give it a good three count to let the men ahead of you gain some distance and then the next row goes, got it?" Nods of assent, no one says a word. They're too focused.
The Lightning was closer now, close enough to see the deck. Lisette may have an attitude, but she's one hell of a pilot. "Mark! Fire!"
The men grapple away. The wind is so strong, Ewan can't see if their grapples hit their mark, but it doesn't matter. Finally, only Ewan and Iam are left. "As I promised, right behind you." Iam fires, and Ewan steps to the edge and aims his grapple...
What is going on here? Nightbird pauses at the door, looking back at where the admiral and Svetra were arguing. Deals between the Coalition and the Caretakers ... and going down in a place like this? There's more to this war than Merkabans. A lot more.
He shakes his head and opens the door a crack, peeking to make sure the coast is clear before slipping through. Alright Smokey, time to get back to work.
Brottor Ungart
Gainsfield, Eastern Gate Hub Merkaban Invasion, Day Zero
Round 3
Initiative Order:
"Black Knight": 29 G. Guard C: 24 Captain: 20 G. Guard 18 Brottor: 17 G. Guard A: 14 G. Guard B: 13
Round 2 (Cont) "Black Knight": (5,6) Devastating Flurry (E) [Target: Brottor 13 vs AC 19: Miss | Captain, 18 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage and Prone, | Guard A, 21 vs AC 18: Hit 10 Damage and Prone | Guard B, 20 vs AC 18: Hit 14 Damage and Prone | Guard C, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage and Prone | Guard D, 16 vs 18 AC: Miss ]
G. Guard C: (8,6) Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight" 29 vs AC 16: Hit 14 Damage), Spear Thrust (Enc) [Target: "Black Knight", 13 vs AC 20: Miss]
Captain: (6,5) Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight" 13 vs AC 16: Miss], Brandish (Enc) [Target: "Black Knight", *1* vs AC 20: Fumbled!]
G. Guard (9,7) Spear Thrust (Enc) [Target: "Black Knight", *20* vs AC 20: Critical! 21 Damage ("Black Knight" saves vs Wounded)]
Brottor: (7,5) Reaping Strike [Target: "Black Knight", 23 vs AC 20: Hit 14 Damage, Marked]
G. Guard A: Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight", *1* vs AC 16: Fumbled!), Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", *20* vs AC 20: Critical! 13 Damage]
G. Guard B: Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight", 23 vs AC 16: Hit 11 Damage), Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 15 vs AC 22: Miss]
Round 3
"Black Knight": (5,6) Recharge 3 Failure, Rend [Target: Guard A, 13 vs AC 18: Miss, *20* vs AC 18: Critical! 17 Damage], Action Point, Rend [Target: Guard A, 16 vs AC 18, Miss, 22 vs AC 18: Hit 17 Damage]
G. Guard C: (8,6) Spear [Target: "Black Knight", 11 vs AC 20: Miss]
Captain: (6,5) Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 14 vs AC 20: Miss]
G. Guard (9,7) Spear [Target: "Black Knight", 24 vs AC 20: Hit 8 Damage]
"Black Knight": Death Knell [Target: Brottor 21 vs REF 13: Hit 29 Damage | Captain, 22 vs REF 14: Hit 16 Damage and Prone, | Guard A, 25 vs REF 14: Hit 16 Damage, Down | Guard B, 19 vs AC 14: Hit 11 Damage and Prone | Guard C, *1* vs REF 14: Avoided | Guard D, 25 vs REF 14: Hit 11 Damage ]
End of Round Info
Ally Status:
Brottor - 8/37 *Bloodied
Captain - 36/47 *Prone*
Guard A - -13/47 *Down*
Guard B - 11/47 *Bloodied*
Guard C - 16/41 *Bloodied
Guard D - 30/41
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
"Black Knight" - ?? + 92 *Down*
You push the noise the Knight is making out of your mind long enough to get off another impressive blow. A somewhat gritty liquid gushes from the wound you've left behind from your attack.
The guards struggle to their feet, one barely avoiding another methodical attack, countering with a mightly thrust into the creature's chest. The armor that made up its skin had survived a lot of abuse before getting to this point, and it was starting to show. More of the fluid poured out of it. It coated the floor quickly, one of the guards loosing slipping as he attacked, his Glaive going astray.
The Black Knight reared up again, launching a brutal chain of attacks against the guard that struck its chest. When it was over, it was miraculous that the man was still standing.
Fearing for their comrade's life, the remaining guards put all they had into bringing the creature down. The cicadian screeching grew even louder as it was pierced repeatedly, and then stopped. It wasn't that the there was no more noise, but rather that the screeching was overtaken by the sound of an explosive surge of energies striking the lot of you.
You're thrown to the ground, white being the only thing that you can see. The dust from before, which had just begun to settle was everywhere again.
"Brokaw? Lauer? Jennings? Hansen?" As the lights and sound faded away, you could hear the captain calling out his men. All of them replied, save one.
"He's over here sir... or what's left of him." One of the guards said.
"Hansen? HANSEN?!" The magical energies that nearly ripped you apart had more than done the job on him. You had a feeling that a lot more lives would be lost. The Merkabans would pay for this.
(Note, unless you have anything to say to these guys, you're going to be bumped up to a different area/section Brottor. Your combat is over now, you gain 125 XP along with your allies. Record this on your character sheet.)
tastydonuts on
“I used to draw, hard to admit that I used to draw...”
Brottor runs over to the control room, lifting rubble out of the way looking for his comrades. Unfortunately he finds their battered and broken bodies. Carefully removing the rest of the debris from his fallen friends, he picks up one of them and carries him out of the building, pausing in front of the captain, "I intend to give my soldiers a proper burial. If you could tell me where an appropriate place would be and where I could find a priest, I would be grateful."
Ewan Stark
Zephyr Armada, First Fleet Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Skill Challenge Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up. Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple* Progress: Successes 5 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
* Perception - Failure. - Looking around the cockpit.
* Diplomacy - Success - Rousing speech time.
* Athletics - Success - Swinging to another ship.
True to her word, Lisette gets you close enough to the ship to jump. In the relative darkness, the only thing you can really make out are the Hunter's beacons and proximity lights. The warship seemed to be moving in a straight line, but if it shifted towards the Lightning everything would be over.
The first few guys get off without a hitch, from what you can see. When they're certain their lines have affixed themselves to the Hunter's hull, they jump into the darkness. The next three go as well, aiming for a different area. The last thing that was needed was to run into their friends while dangling between two warships several miles up. Finally, it came to your group. Iam doesn't look nervous at all, as he aims his own grapple. In fact, all of you manage to affix your self to the Hunter. Steadying yourself against the side of the ship, you can see the Lighting gain speed and pull away. Things were going smoothly, at least up until the point where the Azure Hunter explodes.
(Passive Perception: Success) You were able to see, prior to the portion of hull that you attached yourself to slamming you in the face, a tiny blue ball of light hit the warship. The world grows colder and darker as you plummet towards the ocean.
. . .
Your head hurts, a lot, but that just means you're still alive. You wiggle your fingers and stuff to make you're all intact. It looks like you are. Sunlight filters in through holes in the makeshift hut that you're apparently inside of. The air is extremely heavy, and tastes like salt. This could only mean one thing, you were in the Lands Below.
"Ewan! You're up." a familiar voice greets you; Iam. It looks like he pulled through too. He might not have had much experience, but he had more than his fair share of luck. There are a few other Knights in the area. They're not the ones from the Dancing Lightning. More survivors of the carnage.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Berth 9 Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Skill Challenge Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection' Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
* Stealth - Success! - Sneaking around the hulls to eavesdrop more.
It takes a little doing, but whatever mechanisms they had in place to keep them shut was kind enough to allow you to open it in such a manner. None of the ambient lighting is active, you're all alone. Looking out and around the corridor, you see that the room has no floor. Its only light comes from the gaping hole that appears to run the entire length of the corridor. Through it, you can make out the ruins of Foehn far below the Citadel. The pieces that didn't fall to the ocean have been slowly making their way up to however high you were.
Hovering in midair you also notice a median section that contains flowers. There is a dead leaf suspended in midair too, wait. You realize that you're actually staring at the floor, which has a rather vivid view of the everything that was below the citadel. Even the Maestro's illusions couldn't match this. Walking on 'air', you think that the Collection can only contain far greater Wonders!
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“I used to draw, hard to admit that I used to draw...”
0
TheMadjaiSir Madjai of SanSanMinnesotaRegistered Userregular
edited August 2008
"Iam." Ewan shakes his head slowly, trying to shake the cobwebs. "What happened? Who made it? Lisette? The fleet?" All Ewan has are questions. Hopefully Iam has some answers.
TheMadjai on
"Yeah, TheMadjai knows whats up." --Lardalish
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
He creeps down the hallway towards the Collection, trying to stay focused even while walking over nothing. He was already fantasizing about the treasures he'll find, which helped move his cautious feet forward. He lost a lot to the Merkabans, things that he had worked hard to steal. The Lady could spare a "donation" to the Keegan Fund.
Brottor Ungart
Alabaster Citadel, Refugee Area - Freightship Zee Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
You looked over at a group of Foehn refugees. At least one day, when the Merkabans were taken out you would be able to return to Konstogar. They would never set foot on their own soil again.
You review the events of the last few months in your head. The Merkabans had really planned their attack out. They struck small places, like your home area, conquering them. Even though you were one of the few to make it out alive, the letter you provided wasn't enough for the Highborne to act. The words of your people, including several high ranking government officials that actually managed to survive wasn't enough to bring the Coalition to call their Zephyr Knights into action.
The Highborne were content to let things stand as they were. Some would go so far as to blame the Lowborne victims who'd fled from into Highborne territories for causing damage to their property. In the end, any Lowborne who made it from anyplace were herded onto several large, old freight ships and made to float around Foehn. The story of attack from Lowborne refugees from other areas were the same.
It would take the Merkabans striking out against nearly every major Island of the Coalition for them to act. If they had only moved sooner, none of us would be here.
From your "room" in the freighter, you observe a Lowborne offering a Foehn Refugee some food. The refugee actually refuses to accept it. Some people will never change.
Quinn Stasi
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 5
Initiative Order:
M. Unit (C,D): 14 *Quinn : 10 Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed) Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed) *M. Leader: 10 M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed) M. Unit E: 8 Turk: 3
Round 5 (Cont) M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit (13,4) Spear [Target: Jacobs, *1* vs AC 18: Fumbled!]
Quinn: Shift (8,3 -> 7,4), Reaping Strike [Target: M. Leader, 23 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage] - M. Lead KO'd
Horace: (5,8) Spear [Target: Merk A, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 7 Damage]
Jacobs: (13,5) Spear [Target: Merk D, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 8 Damage]
Smith: Shift (12,15 -> 12,16) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B, 19 vs AC 18: Hit 9 Damage]
Kosch: (14,15) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk A, *1* vs AC 18: Fumbled!]
M.Lead: (8,4) *DOWN*
M. Unit A: (4,7) Spear [Target: Horace, 12 vs AC 18: Miss]
M. Unit B: (8,12 -> 12,13) Spear [Target: Smith, 20 vs AC 14: 6 Damage]
M. Unit E: (12,4) *Down*
Turk: Move (9,4 -> 13,3) Glaive [Target: Merk D, 12 vs AC 18: Miss]
Round 6
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit Move (13,4 -> 15,4 | OA - Jacobs 17 vs AC 17, Hit 8 Damage, OA - Turk 21 vs AC 17, Hit 9 Damage] - Fled Combat
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
Merkaban A - 38 *Bloodied*
Merkaban B - 20 *Bloodied*
Merkaban C - 50 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 25 *FLED*
Merkaban E - 41 *DOWN*
Merkaban Leader - 40 *DOWN*
The Merkaban leader falls to the ground in with a grunt that almost sounded like a laugh. With the leader of this unit out of the way, this battle was over.
Horace continues to fight bravely against his target, landing another strike. But his opponent still has a little fight left in him, returning another hit of his own. If you all lived to survive the recovery of Cornales, you owe him a drink. The others aren't doing so bad themselves either, although Smith and Kosch will have to spend less time chasing tail in taverns and more time on the shooting range. You can hear Kosch cursing loudly from yet another misfire.
Things were falling into place. Turk rushes over to the Merkaban who had been working over Jacobs. He was fighting like an animal now, the attack going wild.
It could be that Turk has scared the fight out of him, or the fact that you've taken out their leader. The most likely explanation is typical Merkaban, no, typical Lowborne cowardice in the face of a superior opponent. The man lets out a shout and runs across towards the opposite side of the square. Jacobs and Turk get some good swipes off of the man, but it isn't enough to put him down. You knew he was running straight towards another group of Knights though. At least you would have given him a swift death.
There were only two Merkaban left on the field now.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr, ?? Merkaban-Highborne War, The morning after Retribution Day
Iam looks at you somberly. "Three of us got down here from side of the Hunter... but the other guy... the ocean took him."
Iam looks out at the ocean in fear. Most Highborne weren't too fond of the actual ocean, despite living in an "ocean" of sky. Too much water, plus the storms. You've remember being down here when the weather really kicked up. It wasn't something you wanted to experience again.
Now that you were up, the flap to the "hut" has been opened. More light pours in. Your eyes adjust quickly, and in the distance you can make out what is probably a fairly large shore. More soldiers are moving around the scattered debris and wreckage that is washing ashore. They are searching for survivors.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Outer Corridor Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Skill Challenge Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection' Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
* Stealth - Success! - Sneaking around the hulls to eavesdrop more.
You make your way down the rather long corridor, your mind on the treasures ahead. Below you, the ruins of Foehn continue to drift.
As you think about how much you're going to be able to take, a part of your mind wanders on Maestro's words. There were still people just underneath you that were going to die. Soon. Some Of hunger or thirst, before they simply froze to death. Yet here you were, about to steal from the so-called "goddess" and the Caretakers who were their benefactor!
But there wasn't anything you could really do for them now. You weren't anything like Maestro. The man had an entire ship to himself and didn't share a thing. Or the merchants who were actually selling supplies in the refugee area. Besides, it wasn't like she'd miss if it's just sitting around.
(Passive Perception: Success!) A light has been activated, and is moving towards you on the lower level of the corridor. You're just about at the stairwell mentioned previously. The corridor is wide open, and split into two levels. The ground level contains the view of what's below, the upper level is kind of a continuous balcony on both sides. (Kind of like the interior of a mall.)
tastydonuts on
“I used to draw, hard to admit that I used to draw...”
0
TheMadjaiSir Madjai of SanSanMinnesotaRegistered Userregular
edited August 2008
Ewan stands slowly, checking himself out mentally for broken bones, bruises, sore muscles. he was definitely sore, but everything seemed to be ok.
"Alright. Let's see what we can see." Ewan steps out of the hut, and looks out across the sands. They needed a way back. The war was not over, even if the fleet was routed, and they needed to regroup at Foehn. Ewan looks over the various Highborne soldiers picking amongst the debris.
Perception check, passive = 17.
"Who's in charge, Iam?"
TheMadjai on
"Yeah, TheMadjai knows whats up." --Lardalish
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
Nightbird slips under the stairs and arranges himself so that he can peek out at whoever is coming without being seen. With any luck the person wouldn't be headed for the same place he is.
Lothril sits and watches the mob run my, making sure to stay in the shadows. "There's no way we could take a group like that," Lothril thinks out loud. "Maybe if there were only a couple, but not that many." His options few, Lothril quickly comes to a fairly obvious decision.
"These people would kill you the minute they saw you," Lothril says bluntly, turning around to face the spy. "We need to watch for the next break in people. When it comes, stay low, in the shadows, and run across the street. The gate chamber is right across the street, so lets play it smart, and we'll be through this."
Lothril turns back around, feeling he made his point. Crouching down in the darkness, he waits for his opportunity.
As the Merkaban leader falls before him, Quinn spits on the corpse. He quickly turns and runs towards Horace's foe, a wolfish grin playing across his face as he roars a challenge.
In his desperate rush to relieve Horace, Quinn's blow loses some of its potency, but his weapon still manages to connect solidly with the Lowborne. The Merkaban coughs up a gout of blood as he collapses, his face frozen with shock and disbelief.
Quinn Stasi
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 6
Initiative Order: ???? 50: 18 M. Unit (C,D): 14 ???? 63: 12 *Quinn : 10 Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed) Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed) *M. Leader: 10 M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed) M. Unit E: 8 Turk: 3
Round 6 (Cont) M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit Move (13,4 -> 15,4 | OA - Jacobs 17 vs AC 17, Hit 8 Damage, OA - Turk 21 vs AC 17, Hit 9 Damage] - Fled Combat
Quinn: Move (7,4 -> 3,6), Reaping Strike [Target: Merk A, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 7 Damage] - Merk A KO'd
Horace: (5,8) Delay
Jacobs: Move (13,5 -> 13,11)
Smith: Shift (12,15 -> 12,19) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B, 27 vs AC 18: Hit 4 Damage]
Kosch: Move (14,15 -> 12,10) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage]
M.Lead: (8,4) *DOWN*
M. Unit A: (4,7) *DOWN*
M. Unit B: Delay
M. Unit E: (12,4) *Down*
Turk: Move (13,3 -> 13,8), Move (13,8 -> 11,12)
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
Merkaban A - 45 *DOWN*
Merkaban B - 35 *Bloodied*
Merkaban C - 50 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 25 *FLED*
Merkaban E - 41 *DOWN*
Merkaban Leader - 40 *DOWN*
"I coulda taken him out." Horace says with a pained smile. Once you wrapped things up here you'd have to take your unit to a medic. The rest of the patrol would have to wait.
Jacobs and Turk both began to move towards the last Merkaban standing. Smith and Kosch put several more bolts into him, when he turns his back to them, hearing the footsteps rushing towards him from behind.
What he does next is strange. The man drops his sword and begins to laugh. (Give me an active Perception check in the OOC before posting, please.)
Ewan Stark
Zephyr, ?? Merkaban-Highborne War, The morning after Retribution Day
Skill Challenge Cleared! (+125 XP) Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up. Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple* Progress: Successes 5 of 5, Failures 1 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
* Perception - Failure. - Looking around the cockpit.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rousing speech time.
* Athletics - Success! - Grappling to safety.
"The Merkabans. That's who's in charge here." Behind you a man speaks up. He's sitting on a seat composed of some nondescript material.
He isn't wearing a Knight's uniform, but judging from his outfit he's with the Mage's guild. The man's clothing is clean and he appears to be well groomed, save for the rips and tears that not even prestidigitation could repair. He looks at your face.
"Not quite the answer you were expecting? I'm Raoul Novak, Journeyman Battle mage." As he stands, the seat fades away.
"It's true though. Look at them." he points out of the hut. Peering closer at what they're doing, you realize the soldiers you saw weren't searching for survivors. They're just, shambling around, like zombies. "It gets better too. Step outside."
Lothril Issrin
Acacia Island, Acacia - Mage's Guildhouse Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Skill Challenge Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up. Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple* Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 0 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
* Stealth - Failure. - Sneaking across the street.
It seems like the entire town is on the move, yelling and screaming their way towards the port. They come by in clumps. Gradually the roaring slowly fades away. The Spy leans against the wall, breathing heavily. His ribs might have been kicked a few too many times.
When you're confident that the mob isn't paying any attention to the street you're about to cross, you begin to move.
Sticking to the shadows, you motion for the Spy to follow. He starts to stumble along behind you. In the middle of the street, the spy falls to the ground in a coughing fit.
Meanwhile, up the street, an old man is shuffling his way along. There's a a kitchen knife strapped to one the end of his walking cane. He turns towards the direction of the coughing. There he can make out the forms of two men, sticking to the shadows. The conclusion is obvious... he points a shaking hand in your direction.
"More Merkaban spies!"
Some of the mob's attention is now focused on you.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Corridor Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Skill Challenge Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection' Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
* Stealth - Success! - Sneaking around the hulls to eavesdrop more.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding from a Caretaker.
You cram yourself into the underside of the stairwell, hoping that you've done so in enough time to not be seen. You had a feeling that this was a poor choice of a hiding space; it felt like a bad spot with the room dimly lit by the view below. But there wasn't enough time to think.
Just below you, the world moves, completely indifferent to your struggle. The footsteps get closer, as does the light. Soon it is upon you. From your perspective it looks like this Caretaker is Dragonborn. His scales are a silvered blue. The kaftan he's wearing is different shade from the one that Andrei called "Sveta". It seemed obvious that the colorizations were probably a form of ranking.
Following behind him are a train of floating pallets. You catch the faint smell of various foods and spices in the air. No doubt it was food and other supplies for the refugees. It takes a minute for the trail of lights to fade away. You were only a short distance from the collection. Then you realize a flaw in your plans: how would you get back inside the Refugee Area unnoticed?
tastydonuts on
“I used to draw, hard to admit that I used to draw...”
0
TheMadjaiSir Madjai of SanSanMinnesotaRegistered Userregular
edited August 2008
Ewan looks over Raoul for a moment. Not terribly gifted in reading people, Ewan nonetheless did not immediately trust him. It didn't hurt that Raoul looked like the kind of guy whose eyes would light up like a beacon at any halfway decent card hand.
With a quick eye to Iam, Ewan nods to Raoul. More important goals were currently at hand, infighting couldn't be risked. The state of affairs here wasn't to Ewan's liking, and even if Raoul wasn't to be trusted, he could still be used. As he followed Raoul out of the tent, Ewan payed special attention to the wandering soldiers.
Passive Perception of 17 against the area, specifically the condition of the "zombie-like" soldiers.
TheMadjai on
"Yeah, TheMadjai knows whats up." --Lardalish
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
Nightbird crawls out from the stairs and makes his way to the Collection. I wonder how I'm going to get back to the refugee area. Getting out was easy enough, but getting back in... Oh well. I'll pick that lock when I come to it.
Quinn Stasi
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 7
Initiative Order:
"Black Knight" 50 (BK50): 18 M. Unit (C,D): 14 "Black Knight" 63 (BK63): 12 *Quinn : 10 Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed) Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed) *M. Leader: 10 M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed) M. Unit E: 8 Turk: 3
Round 7
BK50: Land @ (10,4), Merc C takes 35 damage | Move (10,4 -> 12,9) | Rend [Target: Kosch, 23 vs AC 14: Hit 10 Damage | 24 vs AC 14: Hit 11 Damage]
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit *FLED*
BK63: Land @ (14,2) | Move (14,2 -> 14,8) | Move (14,18 -> 12,11 | OA - Jacobs, 26 vs AC 26 : Hit 9 Damage)
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
BK50 - 0
BK63 - 9
Merkaban A - 45 *DOWN*
Merkaban B - 35 *Bloodied*
Merkaban C - 85 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 25 *FLED*
Merkaban E - 41 *DOWN*
Merkaban Leader - 40 *DOWN*
"Quinn, look up!" Kosch screams as he points to the sky.
You look up in the sky. You don't see it at first, the smoke from the fires burning your eyes and blocking your vision somewhat. (Passive perception takes over here, btw) But now you can; two large black shells were flying towards your position.
The low rumble of their approach gets louder and louder, and you can observe the object exploding into several smaller pieces. Some of the parts flail and spin wildly, perhaps they were decoys. The real objects slam into the behind the northern booth. There's a sickening squish sound as one of the objects appears to not have survived the fall. Seconds later there's the sound of the ground gives from the other's landing. A loud chittering sound fills the area briefly, then stops.
Kosch can't even bring up his crossbow up before a black streak is instantly upon him. It slashes him twice, violently. Another follows behind, moving directly into the middle of all your unit. Jacob swings as it rushes by, his blow connecting solidly.
(Passive Intelligence Success) You're able to recall rumours about "Black Knights" appearing in places. These appear to be the Merkaban wonders that others encountered before. The Knight in the middle of the group begins to chitter again.
"Time to die, Highborne!" The Merkaban cackles.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr, ?? Merkaban-Highborne War, The morning after Retribution Day
Raoul returns your glance with indifference. When you both leave the hut, you can see that you're on a rather small island. There doesn't appear to be any other land on the horizon. A thick patch of forest is to the east and a hard wind blows from the south.
When you look the soldiers over, you recognize immediately what's wrong with them. They're all suffering from some degree of emotional shock. Instead of finishing the mop-up of the Merkaban capital city, they were in the middle of nowhere. Many of their friends had died, and there were no indications that help was coming anytime soon. That was with the generous assumption that there was anybody left that could help.
"Look south." Raoul says. You could see clear up to the Upper Layer of the Lands Above, at least until you turned south. There the sky darkened greatly. A storm, a massive storm was approaching. Though it was too far away to hear the thunder, you could see the massive bolts of lightning snapping into the water.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Berth 9 Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Skill Challenge Cleared! (+125 XP) Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection' Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight Progress: Successes 4 of 4, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
* Stealth - Success! - Sneaking around the hulls to eavesdrop more.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding from a Caretaker.
Moments later, you make your way into the room that you believe is known as the Collection. The lighting of the room is not on, but there are what appear to be display cases all around about the room. The cases are arranged in isles that follow the pentagon layout of the room, with a break that leads directly to the center. There, the floor glows softly.
Most of these display cases feature art pieces, old vases of little monetary value. Some of the pieces look as though they were actually created by children. This couldn't be collection that Maestro spoke of.
tastydonuts on
“I used to draw, hard to admit that I used to draw...”
The color drains from Quinn's face as he watches the strange black creatures erupt from the ground and move with unnatural grace across the battlefield. Were he and his friends lured here to be attacked by these... these things? Or were there even more dropping across the city?
Kosch's agonized cry breaks Quinn out of his reverie, and he narrows his eyes, noting the slim wound Jacobs managed to inflict on one of the knights. If they could be hurt, if they could bleed, they could die.
Quinn feels the strain of his heavy armor as he charges across the field, but ignores the exhaustion creeping over him as he swings his weapon back. His morningstar directly hits the black knight, and the screech of metal on metal rings out. A small dent in its armor is visible, but it seems otherwise unaffected as it starts to echo the other knight's manic chittering.
Jebu on
0
TheMadjaiSir Madjai of SanSanMinnesotaRegistered Userregular
edited August 2008
"Kuyt." Ewan looked around for something to take refuge from the storm in. The little hut that was being used for triage wouldn't cut it, not in that storm.
Ewan turned back to Raoul. "What do we have for shelter? How long until that storm hits us?" Ewan had an idea about trying to salvage a communications crystal from the wreckage and finding someone to come pick them up and take them home. Home. Foehn. Ewan was acutely aware of the fact that if the fleet was routed... No. No time for that now. Now what mattered most was getting these people safe.
TheMadjai on
"Yeah, TheMadjai knows whats up." --Lardalish
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
Well this isn't what I expected. Nightbird takes a slow walk around the cases, avoiding the glowing center area. Let's see what we have here...
He peers closely at the items, looking for anything that might be off. Distinguishing marks, odd paintings, anything. He'd already seen plenty of tricks today, this could be one more.
Quinn Stasi
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 8
Initiative Order:
"Black Knight" 50 (BK50): 18 M. Unit (C,D): 14 "Black Knight" 63 (BK63): 12 *Quinn : 10 Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed) Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed) *M. Leader: 10 M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed) M. Unit E: 8 Turk: 3
Round 7
BK50: Land @ (10,4), Merc C takes 35 damage | Move (10,4 -> 12,9) | Rend [Target: Kosch, 23 vs AC 14: Hit 10 Damage | 24 vs AC 14: Hit 11 Damage]
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit *FLED*
BK63: Land @ (14,2) | Move (14,2 -> 14,8) | Move (14,18 -> 12,11 | OA - Jacobs 26 vs AC 26 : Hit 9 Damage)
Quinn: Move (3,6 -> 8,7), Charge Attack (8,7 -> 12,8) [Target: BK50 29 vs AC 26: Hit 12 Damage]
Horace: Move (5,8 -> 11,9), Spear [Target: BK50 25 vs AC 26: Miss]
Jacobs: (13,11), Spear [Target: BK63 14 vs AC 26: Miss]
Smith: (12,19), Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B 24 vs AC 18: Hit 8 Damage] - Mark B Ko'd
Kosch: Shift (12,10 -> 13,10), Shift (13,10 -> 14,10)
M. Leader: *DOWN*
M. Unit A: *DOWN*
M. Unit B: *DOWN*
M. Unit E: *DOWN*
Turk: Shift (11,12 -> 11,11), Glaive [Target: BK63 23 vs AC 26 : Miss]
Round 8
BK50: Shift (12,9 -> 13,9) Regeneration 5, Rend [Target: Kosch, 34 vs AC 14: Hit 11 Damage | 26 vs AC 14: Hit 11 Damage] - Kosch Ko'd
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit *FLED*
BK63: (14,2) Regeneration 5, | Rend [Target: Jacobs, 21 vs AC 18: Hit 16 Damage] - Jacobs Ko'd
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
BK50 - 7
BK63 - 4
Merkaban A - 45 *DOWN*
Merkaban B - 43 *DOWN*
Merkaban C - 85 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 25 *FLED*
Merkaban E - 41 *DOWN*
Merkaban Leader - 40 *DOWN*
You slam your morning star into the Black Knight's back, leaving your mark. The creature doesn't even turn to face you though.
"Damnit Quinn!" Horace yells as he rushes towards the Black Knight, his spear thrust strong, but the creature parries the attack. Jacob's fatigue shows as his attack doesn't even come close to connecting.
The Merkaban's laughter ceases as Smith lodges a crossbow bolt into the man's back. His action was about as effective as like blowing a candle out inside a blazing house was on fire, but it was one less Merkaban in the world.
Kosch hobbles away from the fight, slowly. He couldn't take much more of this. Seeing his friend injured Turk lashes out at Black Knight that had run into the middle of their group. When he was blinded by his emotions his strength was near useless. The Black Knights halted in their chittering as the one you attacked stepped away from you, and towards Kosch. They were targeting the weakest first. With two more methodical blows from the creature's forearm blades, Kosch slumped to the ground. Jacobs would follow soon after. Just behind you, you heard the sound of another loud thud coming from behind the booth.
(Passive Perception, Success) Even over the sound of battle, you could hear similar rumbling sounds as more of these things began to pepper the battlefield. If the other engagements were this one-sided, this war would soon be over.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr, ?? Merkaban-Highborne War, The morning after Retribution Day
"I read in a book once that the waves down here can get to be well over 20 feet high from these storms." You didn't detect condescension in his voice, but fear. "The boy and I put that hut together." He says, while motioning towards Iam.
Your experience as a Ranger tells you that the storm was hours away. From the look of things, the others hadn't bothered to do much of anything.
"Hey, there's ruins all over the place. Maybe there's some in the forest?" Iam says.
"Certainly, why don't you go have a look?" Raoul says in a mocking way. Iam doesn't catch the tone, and runs off into the forest.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Berth 9 Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
The pottery looks older than the things you've seen in some Highborne Nobel's homes. They'd fetch a nice price, but they were three foot tall. Hardly something you could carry around. Besides, most of your clientele were probably more concerned about getting bcak to their homes than filling them with ancient ceramics.
Written on the base of the display cases, and visible thanks to the softly glowing light coming from each of them were words in Draconic. Perhaps they were labels of some sort.
The smoke dancer appears in the corner of your eye. It makes a strange gesture, towards the center of the room. That bastard was tracking your progress.
tastydonuts on
“I used to draw, hard to admit that I used to draw...”
"No!" Quinn screams as Kosch and Jacobs collapse, butchered under the blades of the knights. His entire body urges him to blindly jump forward and attack the monstrosities again, but Quinn resists his rage, instead turning to his surviving friends. "There's more of these things coming! Horace, Smith, you've got to warn the commanding officers and regroup with the other soldiers!"
Quinn steps between the knights and Horace, determined to protect him from further attacks. However, the fatigue of the extended battle had finally caught up with him, and his quick jab only inflicts a minor amount of damage to the black knight.
Quinn glances at Turk solemnly, suddenly aware of how much blood was covering both of them. "Turk, I won't order you to stay. But I've got to hold these things off so that the others can get away. If we stand together..." Quinn paused, his throat dry and his voice hoarse. "If we stand together, Horace and Smith will have a better chance of surviving."
Jebu on
0
TheMadjaiSir Madjai of SanSanMinnesotaRegistered Userregular
edited August 2008
Ewan opens his mouth to stop Iam, but he had a couple hours to fool around in the forest. Iam was just a kid after all, and he'd seen enough in the last 24 hours to buy him a couple hours of just bombing around the forest. Plus, if he found anything, it'd be worth the time.
"Raoul, these men need a safe place from the storm, and while I appreciate your..." Ewan nods to the hut and places a little more emphasis on this word, "...effort, If we're to weather this storm we need shelter. Also, has anyone surveyed the wreckage for a communications crystal? We need to check in with what's left of the fleet or at the very least send a distress beacon." Ewan wondered, nearly aloud, why this wasn't already done. He had to keep telling himself to think of the greater good. He couldn't afford to be annoyed right now.
TheMadjai on
"Yeah, TheMadjai knows whats up." --Lardalish
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
Its been six days, nothing seems to have changed. More refugees arrive every day. The Alabaster Citadel may be large, but if things continue like this, even this haven will fill. As far as I can tell, no one from the battle at Konstogar survived. Their blood is on my hands. I have spent my time with the priests of Kord, attempting to cleanse my soul of this great sin. Nothing has helped. I am beginning to think I will be branded forever. No matter, I will bear this burden, it will be my penance. I will avenge my comrades lives. If I have to give my life in the process, then so be it.
I long for a chance to strike back at my enemies. I would move out on my own if it wouldn't be a vain waste of effort. I can only hope that some military force will be gathered for a counter attack. I listen for information, but nothing has been planned. If the Gods pity me, a force will be gathered soon so that I may avenge my comrades.
As far as Im concerned this is my last post for the solo bit. Ill keep na eye on the OOC thread for when the real game starts. I, for one, have really enjoyed this little solo bit. Im pretty excited about starting the real game.
Posts
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square
Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 4
M. Unit (C,D): 14
*Quinn : 10
Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed)
Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed)
*M. Leader: 10
M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed)
M. Unit E: 8
Turk: 3
Round 3 (Cont)
M. Unit C: (10,4) Spear [Target: Turk, 28 vs AC 14: Hit 9 Damage]
M. Unit
Quinn: (11,5) Reaping Strike [Target: Merc C, 19 vs AC 18: Hit 16 Damage], ACTION POINT, Reaping Strike [Target: Merc C, 18 vs 18 AC: Hit 16 Damage] - Merc C KO'd, Shift 1 (10,4)
Horace: (5,8), Spear Thrust (Enc) [Target: Merc A, 24 vs AC 18: Hit 15 Damage]
Jacobs: (13,5), Spear [Target: Merc E, 17 vs AC 18: Miss]
Smith: (12,15) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B, 14 vs AC 18: Miss]
Kosch: (14,15) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B, 26 vs AC 18: 11 Damage]
M.Lead: Shift (8,5 -> 8,4), Brandish (Enc) [Target: Quinn, 17 vs AC 17: Hit 16 Damage]
M. Unit A: (4,7), Merkaban Spear [Target: Horace, 24 vs AC 18: Hit 8 Damage]
M. Unit B: Shift (6,7 -> 7,7) Move (7,7 -> 8,12)
M. Unit E: (12,4) Spear [Target: Jacobs, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 9 Damage]
Turk: Move (10,5 -> 9, 4), Brandish (Enc) [Target: Merk Lead, 21 vs AC 18: Hit 16 Damage]
Round 4
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit
End Frame Info
Ally Status:
Quinn - 14/30 *Bloodied*
Horace - 25/41
Jacobs - 15/41 *Bloodied*
Smith - 35/35
Kosch - 35/35
Turk - 38/47
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
Merkaban A - 21 *Bloodied*
Merkaban B - 11
Merkaban C - 50 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 0
Merkaban E - 22 *Bloodied*
Merkaban Leader - 16
"Fredrec!" The Female Merkaban yells the name of the Merkaban you just dropped with extraordinary ease. Buoyed by your assault, Horace increases his aggressiveness as well. You were depending on him. The Merkaban he strikes screams in agony as Horace stabs him with fervor.
Smith and Kosch move to support Horace, seeing that you have the situation on that side under control. Smith's bolt wasn't too much of a help, but Kosch manages to hit his mark.
"I won't need them to kill you, bastard!" The Merkaban leader shifts his position, and brings his halberd down hard at your shoulder. You can feel your spaulder give under the force of the blow. The leader isn't too happy about what you did to his friend. "Get back, Quinn!" Turk brushes by you, rushing to your aid. "Brandish!" he screams, as he thrusts his his glaive at the Leader's chest. You never understood why he shouted his moves, but it seems to have had some effect as he hits the Merkaban leader dead on.
The Merkaban Horace struck returns the favor, but Horace looks like he'll manage. Having just been struck by a bolt, the other Merkaban near Horace breaks away, heading directly towards Smith and Kosch.
As Fredrec continues to bleed out underneath you, one of his allies strikes Jacobs yet again.
Standard Action: Use Second Wind. Regain 7 HP and all defenses are increased by 2 until the start of my next turn.
As Quinn moves forward to engage the leader, he yells behind him to the female Merkaban attacking Jacobs, hoping to draw her attention away from his injured friend. "Your friend was a weakling, just like all you Lowborne mongrels! Come over here and I'll show you what a real man can do!"
Gainsfield, Eastern Gate Hub
Merkaban Invasion, Day Zero
Round 1
"Black Knight": 29
G. Guard C: 24
Captain: 20
G. Guard
Brottor: 17
G. Guard A: 14
G. Guard B: 13
"Black Knight": Recharge 6 success, Move (7,8 -> 5,6), Rend [Target: Guard A, 13 vs AC 18, 15 vs AC 18: Miss, Miss], Loses 8 HP from wounds.
G. Guard C: Move (10,2 -> 8,6), Spear [Target: "Black Knight", 21 vs AC 22: Miss]
Captain: Shift (5,4 -> 6,5), Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 11 vs AC 22: Miss]
G. Guard
End of Round Info
Ally Status:
Brottor -
Captain - 47/47
Guard A - 47/47
Guard B - 47/47
Guard C - 41/41
Guard D - 41/41
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
"Black Knight" - ?? + 8 *Flanked (Brottor <-> G. Guard D) Bloodied, Wounded*
"By the gods!" The captain screams out as the chattering stops suddenly, the creature first blowing up the inner chamber in the room. Even in the dust you can see large chunks of debris embedded deeply in its exterior. Portions of it appear to glow red, but if this is from the heat of the explosions that it went through or not, you couldn't be sure.
Your thoughts race to your comrades, as it moves again, two large blades extending from its elongated arms. It makes a horrible sound as it swings and you can feel the intensity of its attack from such a distance. Yet its target somehow goes unscathed.
The guards seem very encouraged, the shock of what happened to your friends moments ago being quickly erased by this turn of events.
"Let's show this Lowborne how Highborne wage war!" The captain declares, as one of his guards charges in and thrusts his spear at the Knight's back. It deflects harmlessly off its armor.
Feeling embarrassed by his subordinate, the Captain moves in. To his surprise, his attack has no effect as well. Realizing that a blind frontal assault wasn't the answer, the next guard moves into a position behind the monstrosity.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr Armada, First Fleet - Dancing Lightning
Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up.
Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple*
Progress: Successes 2 of ?, Failures 0 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
Having tied Iam up to the carrier, you take some time to think things through. The Lightning was moving erratically, dodging and weaving the chaos that was going on outside of it.
You're able to recall that they didn't account for dramatic defeat in the briefing at all. With the Merkaban's fleet taken out, it should have been a cakewalk. This war should have been over. Your friends and allies shouldn't be dying right now. You snap to reality.
The Dancing Lightning and the rest of the Armada was headed back to Foehn. Back to home base.
You can feel the heat from an explosion that the boat whisks past. There was no guarantee that it would make it though.
Perhaps one of the more armored ships could? There were plenty of ships out there to swing from. The Lightning shudders against another barrage of friendly munitions. One of the shells just misses your head, showering the back of your neck with splinters as it embeds itself in the frame of the carrier.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Refugee Area - Wrecked Carrier
Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection'
Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight
Progress: Successes 2 of ?, Failures 0 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
You make your way through the spacious room with ease, getting closer and closer to the only lit portion. The distant lighting reflects off the metal of some of the broken ships in this section. (Perception passive: Success) You can hear two very faint voices distance.
"All of you. Listen up! All of you, ALL of you are making it home alive. We're going to ride the stream of a cruiser. If we take a hit, you'll have seconds to fire your grapples. Keep 'em out, and keep your wits sharp."
Ewan walks up to Iam, pulls his grapple out of his belt and puts it in his hands. "You're with me, understand. You see me fire my grapple, you've already fired yours, got it?" Ewan pulls out his dagger and cuts Iam free. He loops the rope back into his pack before pulling his shortsword free. He braces himself against the door and pulls out his grapple, waiting to feel the Lightning accelerate. He sighs heavily. He hopes that fate doesn't make a liar out of him.
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
Lothril pushes the spy towards the door. As they exit, Lothril leads the spy out to the tunnel he knew would lead them out into the alleys, making certain that the spy was right in front of him the entire way there. As he and the spy reached the entrance, Lothril whispers,
"Hold on a moment, need to make sure the coast is clear."
He opens the door, and takes a look inside, making sure no one is there.
Damage (3d10 3 1=21)
frost damage (1d8=7)
28 damage
Dude is marked.
Jordan of Elienor, Human Shaman
Zephyr Armada, First Fleet - Dancing Lightning
Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up.
Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple*
Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 0 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
The scouts look to you, the distant expressions that they had moments ago fading away. They were regaining confidence, and it was all thanks to your speech. This wasn't going to be the end. They were going to make it out of this alive!
Iam nods at your instructions confidently. Now, all that was left was for the Dancing Lightning to accelerate and get close enough to a battlecruiser or something then jump to safety. Maybe even the Conquerer. Yet, the Dancing Lightning didn't accelerate at all, it simply continued to bob and weave as best it could.
Lothril Issrin
Acacia Island, Acacia - Alleyway
Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Objective: Get the spy to the CHOPPA.
Primary Skills: Diplomacy (Cha), Bluff (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Perception (WIS), Insight (INT), Stealth (DEX)
Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 0 of 3
*Insight - Success: You know about some useful alleyways you can take along the way.
*Intimidate - Success: You've intimidated the spy successfully.
*Perception - Success: Making sure the way is clear.
It takes a few minutes for you to make your way through the tunnel. A thought hits your mind about how one time your friend, no... the Spy took the tunnels outside to meet one of his many girl friends. He had the look of gold, a noble of nobles. But how many times did he take these tunnels to meet with his Merkaban friends. To trade Sigil Sequences and other guild secrets to the enemy. We all trusted him.
Looking around outside, can see a group of men running by the alleyway, torches lit. They weren't carrying any form of military weapon, but if they caught you the sharp and pointy objects they were carrying would surely be more than enough to do the job. There were simply too many of them. Fortunately, the passageway you took led you just about across the street from the Gate Chamber. From there, you'd punch in the sequence, and maybe even spend some time on Foehn, the home base of the Zephyr Knights. But now was not the time to lose focus. So many people had failed in the moments just before completing their tasks. You still had a job to do.
He feels completely in his element now, crouched in the shadows, shifting and moving his piece along the board. The game is on, and it's his move. Nightbird creeps toward the voices, straining to hear what they're saying. The game is on, he grins, I've gotta write that one down.
With these words, Ewan turns and climbs halfway up the ladder, poking his head into the cockpit. "Lisette?"
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
Harmattan, Konstogar
Merkaban Invasion, Day Zero
Round 2
"Black Knight": 29
G. Guard C: 24
Captain: 20
G. Guard
Brottor: 17
G. Guard A: 14
G. Guard B: 13
Round 1 (Cont)
"Black Knight": Recharge 6 success, Move (7,8 -> 5,6), Rend [Target: Guard A, 13 vs AC 18, 15 vs AC 18: Miss, Miss]
G. Guard C: Move (10,2 -> 8,6), Spear [Target: "Black Knight", 21 vs AC 22: Miss]
Captain: Shift (5,4 -> 6,5), Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 11 vs AC 22: Miss]
G. Guard
Brottor: Brute Strike (D) [Target: "Black Knight", 23 vs AC 20: Hit 21 Normal, 7 Frost Damage, Marked]
G. Guard A: Shift (5,5 -> 5,6) Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 23 vs AC 20: Hit 7 Damage]
G. Guard B: Move (7,3 -> 5,5), Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 12 vs AC 22: Miss]
Round 2
"Black Knight": (5,6) Devastating Flurry (E) [Target: Brottor 13 vs AC 19: Miss | Captain, 18 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage and Prone, | Guard A, 21 vs AC 18: Hit 10 Damage and Prone | Guard B, 20 vs AC 18: Hit 14 Damage and Prone | Guard C, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage and Prone | Guard D, 16 vs 18 AC: Miss ]
G. Guard C: (8,6) Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight" 29 vs AC 16: Hit 14 Damage), Spear Thrust (Enc) [Target: "Black Knight", 13 vs AC 20: Miss]
Captain: (6,5) Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight" 13 vs AC 16: Miss], Brandish (Enc) [Target: "Black Knight", *1* vs AC 20: Fumbled!]
G. Guard
End of Round Info
Ally Status:
Brottor - 37/37
Captain - 36/47 *Prone*
Guard A - 37/47 *Prone*
Guard B - 33/47 *Prone*
Guard C - 16/41 *Bloodied*
Guard D - 41/41
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
"Black Knight" - ?? + 57 *Flanked ([Brottor, Captain] <-> Guard D, Guard A <-> Guard C) Marked (Brottor) Bloodied, Wounded*
If that was how Highborne waged war, you were probably their last hope. The knight gets hit hard by your attack, a cool wind whipping by your face from your weapon. It felt good, hurting it like you did. At least one of the other guards followed your example, giving it a good jab as the Knight began to make that chattering sound again, loudly.
It rears back and up, the lanky terror's height becoming almost twice your own. It stops making noise abruptly, as its arms lashes out at every one of you with a brutal speed and power. Those who were hit fall to the ground, including the Captain. Even in its heavily damaged state, the Black Knight was not to be underestimated. It methodically struck a guard rising to his feet.
Maybe it was dumb luck, but it was luck nonetheless. As the Captain stood, he tripped up somehow. This saved him from a blow that could very well have taken his head clean off.
"Go back to hell, demon!" A guard yells out as he thrusts his spear directly into a gaping hole left in the Knight's armor. The sound it emits now is unbearable. You would have to fix that, soon.
Quinn Staci
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square
Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 5
M. Unit (C,D): 14
*Quinn : 10
Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed)
Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed)
*M. Leader: 10
M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed)
M. Unit E: 8
Turk: 3
Round 4 (Cont)
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit
Quinn: Move (10,4 -> 8,3) Second Wind [ +7 HP, +2 All Defenses]
Horace: (5,8) Spear [Target: Merk A, 13 vs AC 18: Miss]
Jacobs: (13,5) Spear [Target: Merk E, *20* vs AC 18: Critical! 12 Damage]
Smith: (12,15) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk A, 21 vs AC 18: 10 Damage]
Kosch: (14,15) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk E, 23 vs AC 18: 7 Damage]
M.Lead: (8,4) Merkaban Halberd [Target: Quinn 14 vs AC 19: Miss]
M. Unit A: (4,7) Spear [Target: Horace, *20* vs AC 18: Critical! 12 Damage]
M. Unit B: (8,12 -> 12,13) Spear [Target: Smith, 25 vs AC 14: 6 Damage]
M. Unit E: (12,4) *Down*
Turk: (9,4) Glaive [Target: Merkaban Leader, 18 vs AC 18: 13 Damage]
Round 5
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit
End Frame Info
Ally Status:
Quinn - 21/30
Horace - 13/41 *Bloodied*
Jacobs - 15/41 *Bloodied*
Smith - 29/35
Kosch - 35/35
Turk - 38/47
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
Merkaban A - 31 *Bloodied*
Merkaban B - 11
Merkaban C - 50 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 0
Merkaban E - 41 *DOWN*
Merkaban Leader - 29 *Bloodied*
Your words conflict with your actions, as you hobble around the field and take a breather. The female Merkaban isn't too swayed by your remarks, instead remaining in her place. Had she moved, Jacobs wouldn't have had a chance to stab her again. She wobbles at her feet, as fear creeps up her spine.
"Crap. Smith, Kosch! Look out!" Horace swings wildly and misses. His mind shifts from his opponents and to the Merkaban that slipped by, heading towards the bowmen.
"Mind yourself, Horace!" Smith sends a bolt past shoulder and into the Merkaban he missed. The Merkaban returns the favor by spearing Horace pretty badly.
"No..." Clutching the bolt that Kosch fired into her gut, the female falls to the ground. Watching his team getting picked apart by Highborne scum has clouded his actions, the Merkaban leader swinging poorly at Quinn's body. Turk shows him how to attack someone with an attack of his own.
"Arrgh!" Rounding the corner, the Merkaban that got by Horace sets upon Smith before he can react. The man might as well not have been wearing any armor at all.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr Armada, First Fleet - Dancing Lightning
Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up.
Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple*
Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
* Perception - Failure. - Looking around the cockpit.
Opening the the hatch to the cockpit, you're buffeted with wind and debris. You shield your eyes, feeling the sting of bits of glass being flung towards you. The scene up here is bad, very bad. Large chunks of glass, wood and metal are littered across the floor. These were the remains of the cockpit dome.
Where only moments earlier there was a seat and secondary set of controls, there's only open air. That was where Lisette had been seated earlier. The other seat and controls look to be marginally intact, but from your position you have no way of knowing for sure. Neither pilot was to be seen.
It's difficult to fully see from your position, but from the ruins of the Lightning's cockpit, you can make out other ships swerving violently. Their pilots were taking heavy evasive maneuvers against both each other and whatever was blowing them out of the sky. (All airships, regardless of type lights on them that function similar to the beacons and lights on like modern planes. You can see these lights moving around. Some of the lights may just be flaming debris though.)
Their pilots were taking evasive maneuvers. But where were yours. Given an entire section of the cockpit was probably in the ocean by now, you feared the worst. Climbing up the rest of the way you can feel the wind hard against your face. You can barely hear anything up here. The darkened form of warship swoops by the cockpit low enough for you to be able to reach up and touch it. The men aboard screaming fades from your ears rapidly.
Once you get to the cockpit seat, you relax somewhat. Even in the relative darkness of the night sky, you can see Lisette sitting there, working the controls. Since this seat wasn't sized for her she has some difficulty, but she's getting the job done. The little crystal you heard words from before is spitting out what can only be described as incoherent babble.
Lisette looks up at you, she's wearing a set of lenses that probably allow her to see ahead of her.
"Jump. I can't keep this up forever."
She points up into the darkness, but you can't make out what she's pointing to. "That's what the men on the other carriers are doing."
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Refugee Area - Wrecked Carrier
Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection'
Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight
Progress: Successes 2 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
After thinking about the game, you hear a deep thrumming sound coming from behind you. You can make out even in the low light that it's just a set of fairly large corestone drives. The ones that were salvageable from damaged ships were removed, and would probably see usage in another airship. They didn't help you hear the conversation much better though.
The fact that the voices also sounded like they moved deeper into the lit section also wasn't a good thing.
"... And you expect me to simply accept this proposal, this 'plan'?"
You recognized the voice, anybody would. It was Andrei Vaughn, the Lord of Thunder, Admiral of the Fleet... the man had many titles, but he was the leader of the Zephyr Knights, and he clearly wasn't happy with someone.
Reaping strike! (1d20 6 2=23)
Damage for reaping strike! (1d10 4=14)
Marked again
Jordan of Elienor, Human Shaman
Ewan hoped it wouldn't take much more convincing. They didn't have the time to argue.
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
And a passive perception once I'm hidden.
Standard Action: Use Reaping Strike on Merk leader
Reaping Strike vs. Merk leader with Flanking Bonus (1d20 10=23)
Hit! Reaping Strike damage roll vs. Merk leader (1d10 6=11)
Merk leader takes 11 damage.
Distracted by Turk, the leader is unable to stop Quinn from sidestepping behind him. Quinn lands a solid blow to his back, already thinking ahead to his next target.
Zephyr Armada, First Fleet - Dancing Lightning
Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up.
Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple*
Progress: Successes 4 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
* Perception - Failure. - Looking around the cockpit.
* Diplomacy - Success - Rousing speech time.
She doesn't take her eyes off what she's doing but now that you've given her a chance to speak, she takes it.
"This is my boat. you don't give the orders around here." There isn't much force behind her remarks. "If this was a fight on the ground, and I told you to leave your people behind to die just to save yourself and a few others, would you go?"
The cockpit lights up and the Dancing Lightning shudders as another warship is reduced to a ball of flames. In the light, you can see that there's something covering most of the controls on this side and even the chair: Blood.
"Even flying in a straight line, this ship poses a threat to everyone else. We're all tripping over each other out here. There's no way I'm just going to leave this boat to save my own skin. I'll get you as close as I can to the Azure Hunter, ok?"
The direction of the wind hamemring your face starts to change as Lissette begins to steer the Lightning cautiously towards the Hunter.
"I can't keep close to her that long. You have to go down now. When you think its safe, jump. You stay alive. I'll see you again..."
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Berth 9
Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection'
Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight
Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
* Stealth - Success! - Sneaking around the hulls to eavesdrop more.
A little image of Maestro's smoke-dancer miming what are you doing? pops into your mind as you make your way closer to Andrei. You dart like a rat across the walkway and into the same section as the two. Fortunately, only half of the section is lit. You cautiously enter another broken carrier, and then watch and listen carefully through a hole in its hull. You can see that the Highborne commander had been yelling at a woman.
Whatever Andrei had said before was finished and the two remained silent. You watch him pace about the room like a caged animal. His companion seems calm. Judging from her attire and appearance, she was a caretaker, of human origin. She's seated on top of a workbench, tapping her nails along the surface.
"Well, I guess we don't need to be tactful anymore then. The war is over, your forces have lost." Andrei stops his pacing. "Out of a fleet of hundreds of warships, you've come back with maybe fifty in fighting condition, including your most powerful warship, the Conqueror... which was left without even a scratch. We dare not mention the cost in lives-"
Andrei grits his teeth and his body tenses up like a snake ready to strike. It was strange, other Caretakers that you'd seen spoke in varying degrees of too loud, too slow or both. But the weighty words she delivers come out elegantly.
"-both military and civilian. Foehn is nothing more than a collection of smoldering rocks now." She gets up and walks towards him. "'The Merkabans will be made into an example, so that all Lowborne will know that we Highborne, united, are a force to be reckoned with...'" his words. "An example was made, but not the one you were hoping for. Your Coalition, other Highborne, and even other Lowborne nations know who's really in charge out there."
Her words, which seemed to have been intended to provoke him have left him completely mollified. The room falls silent again. You've run hustles of your own but she was in a different league.
"I can see why they made you their voice, Sveta." he looks towards the ceiling of the chamber. "The next thing you're going to tell me is that if not for you Caretakers stepping in we would all be dead?"
"Legend has it that Foehn was founded by one of the Lady's true friends. It was out of that debt that we chose to act, but even then we were split."
You realize you've been sitting here for a while. The imaginary smoke dancer nods in agreement.
Andrei looks back towards her and asks, "And what was your opinion?" She only replies with a smile.
"I will take your proposal back to our assembly, with my backing." There's a hint of reluctance in his voice as he walks out of the section. "She would've..." Andrei pauses, it was too soon for him to make that kind of statement.
"I know my way back, Caretaker." he walks out of your line of sight in the direction that you came from. Sveta stands around for a moment, and exits the area as well. She goes in the opposite direction. Finally. You think to yourself, waiting for a few moments before moving yet again.
(Passive Insight: Success) You notice that the lighting of each section was on only for as long as she was in the section, while no lights lit up from Andrei's movement. Once she left the the chamber, it was left in near darkness. Now it felt infinitely larger than it truly was. Creeping around a little more, you make out a doorway. It's large, and resembles one of the doorways along the corridor that the illusionary map displayed. You weren't too far off the path, fortunately.
"Listen up. Our pilot is going to buy us enough time to grapple over to the Azure Hunter. She's staying behind and will meet up with us back home." Ewan saw that no one really believed him, but that didn't matter. Now was the time for action. "Iam, open the doors." When the doors open, Ewan sees the corestone of the Hunter directly across the way. "Line up, 3 men across. On my mark, fire your grapples at the corestone. You get ONE shot, so make it count. Give it a good three count to let the men ahead of you gain some distance and then the next row goes, got it?" Nods of assent, no one says a word. They're too focused.
The Lightning was closer now, close enough to see the deck. Lisette may have an attitude, but she's one hell of a pilot. "Mark! Fire!"
The men grapple away. The wind is so strong, Ewan can't see if their grapples hit their mark, but it doesn't matter. Finally, only Ewan and Iam are left. "As I promised, right behind you." Iam fires, and Ewan steps to the edge and aims his grapple...
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
He shakes his head and opens the door a crack, peeking to make sure the coast is clear before slipping through. Alright Smokey, time to get back to work.
Gainsfield, Eastern Gate Hub
Merkaban Invasion, Day Zero
Round 3
"Black Knight": 29
G. Guard C: 24
Captain: 20
G. Guard
Brottor: 17
G. Guard A: 14
G. Guard B: 13
Round 2 (Cont)
"Black Knight": (5,6) Devastating Flurry (E) [Target: Brottor 13 vs AC 19: Miss | Captain, 18 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage and Prone, | Guard A, 21 vs AC 18: Hit 10 Damage and Prone | Guard B, 20 vs AC 18: Hit 14 Damage and Prone | Guard C, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage and Prone | Guard D, 16 vs 18 AC: Miss ]
G. Guard C: (8,6) Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight" 29 vs AC 16: Hit 14 Damage), Spear Thrust (Enc) [Target: "Black Knight", 13 vs AC 20: Miss]
Captain: (6,5) Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight" 13 vs AC 16: Miss], Brandish (Enc) [Target: "Black Knight", *1* vs AC 20: Fumbled!]
G. Guard
Brottor: (7,5) Reaping Strike [Target: "Black Knight", 23 vs AC 20: Hit 14 Damage, Marked]
G. Guard A: Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight", *1* vs AC 16: Fumbled!), Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", *20* vs AC 20: Critical! 13 Damage]
G. Guard B: Stand Up (OA - "Black Knight", 23 vs AC 16: Hit 11 Damage), Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 15 vs AC 22: Miss]
Round 3
"Black Knight": (5,6) Recharge 3 Failure, Rend [Target: Guard A, 13 vs AC 18: Miss, *20* vs AC 18: Critical! 17 Damage], Action Point, Rend [Target: Guard A, 16 vs AC 18, Miss, 22 vs AC 18: Hit 17 Damage]
G. Guard C: (8,6) Spear [Target: "Black Knight", 11 vs AC 20: Miss]
Captain: (6,5) Glaive [Target: "Black Knight", 14 vs AC 20: Miss]
G. Guard
"Black Knight": Death Knell [Target: Brottor 21 vs REF 13: Hit 29 Damage | Captain, 22 vs REF 14: Hit 16 Damage and Prone, | Guard A, 25 vs REF 14: Hit 16 Damage, Down | Guard B, 19 vs AC 14: Hit 11 Damage and Prone | Guard C, *1* vs REF 14: Avoided | Guard D, 25 vs REF 14: Hit 11 Damage ]
End of Round Info
Ally Status:
Brottor - 8/37 *Bloodied
Captain - 36/47 *Prone*
Guard A - -13/47 *Down*
Guard B - 11/47 *Bloodied*
Guard C - 16/41 *Bloodied
Guard D - 30/41
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
"Black Knight" - ?? + 92 *Down*
You push the noise the Knight is making out of your mind long enough to get off another impressive blow. A somewhat gritty liquid gushes from the wound you've left behind from your attack.
The guards struggle to their feet, one barely avoiding another methodical attack, countering with a mightly thrust into the creature's chest. The armor that made up its skin had survived a lot of abuse before getting to this point, and it was starting to show. More of the fluid poured out of it. It coated the floor quickly, one of the guards loosing slipping as he attacked, his Glaive going astray.
The Black Knight reared up again, launching a brutal chain of attacks against the guard that struck its chest. When it was over, it was miraculous that the man was still standing.
Fearing for their comrade's life, the remaining guards put all they had into bringing the creature down. The cicadian screeching grew even louder as it was pierced repeatedly, and then stopped. It wasn't that the there was no more noise, but rather that the screeching was overtaken by the sound of an explosive surge of energies striking the lot of you.
You're thrown to the ground, white being the only thing that you can see. The dust from before, which had just begun to settle was everywhere again.
"Brokaw? Lauer? Jennings? Hansen?" As the lights and sound faded away, you could hear the captain calling out his men. All of them replied, save one.
"He's over here sir... or what's left of him." One of the guards said.
"Hansen? HANSEN?!" The magical energies that nearly ripped you apart had more than done the job on him. You had a feeling that a lot more lives would be lost. The Merkabans would pay for this.
(Note, unless you have anything to say to these guys, you're going to be bumped up to a different area/section Brottor. Your combat is over now, you gain 125 XP along with your allies. Record this on your character sheet.)
Jordan of Elienor, Human Shaman
Zephyr Armada, First Fleet
Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up.
Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple*
Progress: Successes 5 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
* Perception - Failure. - Looking around the cockpit.
* Diplomacy - Success - Rousing speech time.
* Athletics - Success - Swinging to another ship.
True to her word, Lisette gets you close enough to the ship to jump. In the relative darkness, the only thing you can really make out are the Hunter's beacons and proximity lights. The warship seemed to be moving in a straight line, but if it shifted towards the Lightning everything would be over.
The first few guys get off without a hitch, from what you can see. When they're certain their lines have affixed themselves to the Hunter's hull, they jump into the darkness. The next three go as well, aiming for a different area. The last thing that was needed was to run into their friends while dangling between two warships several miles up. Finally, it came to your group. Iam doesn't look nervous at all, as he aims his own grapple. In fact, all of you manage to affix your self to the Hunter. Steadying yourself against the side of the ship, you can see the Lighting gain speed and pull away. Things were going smoothly, at least up until the point where the Azure Hunter explodes.
(Passive Perception: Success) You were able to see, prior to the portion of hull that you attached yourself to slamming you in the face, a tiny blue ball of light hit the warship. The world grows colder and darker as you plummet towards the ocean.
. . .
Your head hurts, a lot, but that just means you're still alive. You wiggle your fingers and stuff to make you're all intact. It looks like you are. Sunlight filters in through holes in the makeshift hut that you're apparently inside of. The air is extremely heavy, and tastes like salt. This could only mean one thing, you were in the Lands Below.
"Ewan! You're up." a familiar voice greets you; Iam. It looks like he pulled through too. He might not have had much experience, but he had more than his fair share of luck. There are a few other Knights in the area. They're not the ones from the Dancing Lightning. More survivors of the carnage.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Berth 9
Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection'
Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight
Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
* Stealth - Success! - Sneaking around the hulls to eavesdrop more.
It takes a little doing, but whatever mechanisms they had in place to keep them shut was kind enough to allow you to open it in such a manner. None of the ambient lighting is active, you're all alone. Looking out and around the corridor, you see that the room has no floor. Its only light comes from the gaping hole that appears to run the entire length of the corridor. Through it, you can make out the ruins of Foehn far below the Citadel. The pieces that didn't fall to the ocean have been slowly making their way up to however high you were.
Hovering in midair you also notice a median section that contains flowers. There is a dead leaf suspended in midair too, wait. You realize that you're actually staring at the floor, which has a rather vivid view of the everything that was below the citadel. Even the Maestro's illusions couldn't match this. Walking on 'air', you think that the Collection can only contain far greater Wonders!
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
He creeps down the hallway towards the Collection, trying to stay focused even while walking over nothing. He was already fantasizing about the treasures he'll find, which helped move his cautious feet forward. He lost a lot to the Merkabans, things that he had worked hard to steal. The Lady could spare a "donation" to the Keegan Fund.
Or three.
Alabaster Citadel, Refugee Area - Freightship Zee
Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
You review the events of the last few months in your head. The Merkabans had really planned their attack out. They struck small places, like your home area, conquering them. Even though you were one of the few to make it out alive, the letter you provided wasn't enough for the Highborne to act. The words of your people, including several high ranking government officials that actually managed to survive wasn't enough to bring the Coalition to call their Zephyr Knights into action.
The Highborne were content to let things stand as they were. Some would go so far as to blame the Lowborne victims who'd fled from into Highborne territories for causing damage to their property. In the end, any Lowborne who made it from anyplace were herded onto several large, old freight ships and made to float around Foehn. The story of attack from Lowborne refugees from other areas were the same.
It would take the Merkabans striking out against nearly every major Island of the Coalition for them to act. If they had only moved sooner, none of us would be here.
From your "room" in the freighter, you observe a Lowborne offering a Foehn Refugee some food. The refugee actually refuses to accept it. Some people will never change.
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square
Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 5
M. Unit (C,D): 14
*Quinn : 10
Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed)
Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed)
*M. Leader: 10
M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed)
M. Unit E: 8
Turk: 3
Round 5 (Cont)
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit
Quinn: Shift (8,3 -> 7,4), Reaping Strike [Target: M. Leader, 23 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage] - M. Lead KO'd
Horace: (5,8) Spear [Target: Merk A, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 7 Damage]
Jacobs: (13,5) Spear [Target: Merk D, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 8 Damage]
Smith: Shift (12,15 -> 12,16) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B, 19 vs AC 18: Hit 9 Damage]
Kosch: (14,15) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk A, *1* vs AC 18: Fumbled!]
M.Lead: (8,4) *DOWN*
M. Unit A: (4,7) Spear [Target: Horace, 12 vs AC 18: Miss]
M. Unit B: (8,12 -> 12,13) Spear [Target: Smith, 20 vs AC 14: 6 Damage]
M. Unit E: (12,4) *Down*
Turk: Move (9,4 -> 13,3) Glaive [Target: Merk D, 12 vs AC 18: Miss]
Round 6
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit
End Frame Info
Ally Status:
Quinn - 21/30
Horace - 13/41 *Bloodied*
Jacobs - 15/41 *Bloodied*
Smith - 23/35
Kosch - 35/35
Turk - 38/47
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
Merkaban A - 38 *Bloodied*
Merkaban B - 20 *Bloodied*
Merkaban C - 50 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 25 *FLED*
Merkaban E - 41 *DOWN*
Merkaban Leader - 40 *DOWN*
The Merkaban leader falls to the ground in with a grunt that almost sounded like a laugh. With the leader of this unit out of the way, this battle was over.
Horace continues to fight bravely against his target, landing another strike. But his opponent still has a little fight left in him, returning another hit of his own. If you all lived to survive the recovery of Cornales, you owe him a drink. The others aren't doing so bad themselves either, although Smith and Kosch will have to spend less time chasing tail in taverns and more time on the shooting range. You can hear Kosch cursing loudly from yet another misfire.
Things were falling into place. Turk rushes over to the Merkaban who had been working over Jacobs. He was fighting like an animal now, the attack going wild.
It could be that Turk has scared the fight out of him, or the fact that you've taken out their leader. The most likely explanation is typical Merkaban, no, typical Lowborne cowardice in the face of a superior opponent. The man lets out a shout and runs across towards the opposite side of the square. Jacobs and Turk get some good swipes off of the man, but it isn't enough to put him down. You knew he was running straight towards another group of Knights though. At least you would have given him a swift death.
There were only two Merkaban left on the field now.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr, ??
Merkaban-Highborne War, The morning after Retribution Day
Iam looks at you somberly. "Three of us got down here from side of the Hunter... but the other guy... the ocean took him."
Iam looks out at the ocean in fear. Most Highborne weren't too fond of the actual ocean, despite living in an "ocean" of sky. Too much water, plus the storms. You've remember being down here when the weather really kicked up. It wasn't something you wanted to experience again.
Now that you were up, the flap to the "hut" has been opened. More light pours in. Your eyes adjust quickly, and in the distance you can make out what is probably a fairly large shore. More soldiers are moving around the scattered debris and wreckage that is washing ashore. They are searching for survivors.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Outer Corridor
Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection'
Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight
Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
* Stealth - Success! - Sneaking around the hulls to eavesdrop more.
You make your way down the rather long corridor, your mind on the treasures ahead. Below you, the ruins of Foehn continue to drift.
As you think about how much you're going to be able to take, a part of your mind wanders on Maestro's words. There were still people just underneath you that were going to die. Soon. Some Of hunger or thirst, before they simply froze to death. Yet here you were, about to steal from the so-called "goddess" and the Caretakers who were their benefactor!
But there wasn't anything you could really do for them now. You weren't anything like Maestro. The man had an entire ship to himself and didn't share a thing. Or the merchants who were actually selling supplies in the refugee area. Besides, it wasn't like she'd miss if it's just sitting around.
(Passive Perception: Success!) A light has been activated, and is moving towards you on the lower level of the corridor. You're just about at the stairwell mentioned previously. The corridor is wide open, and split into two levels. The ground level contains the view of what's below, the upper level is kind of a continuous balcony on both sides. (Kind of like the interior of a mall.)
"Alright. Let's see what we can see." Ewan steps out of the hut, and looks out across the sands. They needed a way back. The war was not over, even if the fleet was routed, and they needed to regroup at Foehn. Ewan looks over the various Highborne soldiers picking amongst the debris.
"Who's in charge, Iam?"
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
Active Perception. (1d20+6=17)
Should have just taken the passive numbers. :P
"These people would kill you the minute they saw you," Lothril says bluntly, turning around to face the spy. "We need to watch for the next break in people. When it comes, stay low, in the shadows, and run across the street. The gate chamber is right across the street, so lets play it smart, and we'll be through this."
Lothril turns back around, feeling he made his point. Crouching down in the darkness, he waits for his opportunity.
Standard Action: Use Reaping Strike on Merkaban A
Reaping Strike attack roll with flanking bonus (1d20 10=26)
Hit! 1d10 6=7
Merkaban A takes 7 damage.
In his desperate rush to relieve Horace, Quinn's blow loses some of its potency, but his weapon still manages to connect solidly with the Lowborne. The Merkaban coughs up a gout of blood as he collapses, his face frozen with shock and disbelief.
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square
Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 6
???? 50: 18
M. Unit (C,D): 14
???? 63: 12
*Quinn : 10
Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed)
Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed)
*M. Leader: 10
M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed)
M. Unit E: 8
Turk: 3
Round 6 (Cont)
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit
Quinn: Move (7,4 -> 3,6), Reaping Strike [Target: Merk A, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 7 Damage] - Merk A KO'd
Horace: (5,8) Delay
Jacobs: Move (13,5 -> 13,11)
Smith: Shift (12,15 -> 12,19) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B, 27 vs AC 18: Hit 4 Damage]
Kosch: Move (14,15 -> 12,10) Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B, 26 vs AC 18: Hit 11 Damage]
M.Lead: (8,4) *DOWN*
M. Unit A: (4,7) *DOWN*
M. Unit B: Delay
M. Unit E: (12,4) *Down*
Turk: Move (13,3 -> 13,8), Move (13,8 -> 11,12)
End Frame Info
Ally Status:
Quinn - 21/30
Horace - 13/41 *Bloodied*
Jacobs - 15/41 *Bloodied*
Smith - 23/35
Kosch - 35/35
Turk - 38/47
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
Merkaban A - 45 *DOWN*
Merkaban B - 35 *Bloodied*
Merkaban C - 50 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 25 *FLED*
Merkaban E - 41 *DOWN*
Merkaban Leader - 40 *DOWN*
"I coulda taken him out." Horace says with a pained smile. Once you wrapped things up here you'd have to take your unit to a medic. The rest of the patrol would have to wait.
Jacobs and Turk both began to move towards the last Merkaban standing. Smith and Kosch put several more bolts into him, when he turns his back to them, hearing the footsteps rushing towards him from behind.
What he does next is strange. The man drops his sword and begins to laugh. (Give me an active Perception check in the OOC before posting, please.)
Ewan Stark
Zephyr, ??
Merkaban-Highborne War, The morning after Retribution Day
Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up.
Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple*
Progress: Successes 5 of 5, Failures 1 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
* Perception - Failure. - Looking around the cockpit.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rousing speech time.
* Athletics - Success! - Grappling to safety.
"The Merkabans. That's who's in charge here." Behind you a man speaks up. He's sitting on a seat composed of some nondescript material.
He isn't wearing a Knight's uniform, but judging from his outfit he's with the Mage's guild. The man's clothing is clean and he appears to be well groomed, save for the rips and tears that not even prestidigitation could repair. He looks at your face.
"Not quite the answer you were expecting? I'm Raoul Novak, Journeyman Battle mage." As he stands, the seat fades away.
"It's true though. Look at them." he points out of the hut. Peering closer at what they're doing, you realize the soldiers you saw weren't searching for survivors. They're just, shambling around, like zombies. "It gets better too. Step outside."
Lothril Issrin
Acacia Island, Acacia - Mage's Guildhouse
Merkaban-Highborne War, Retribution Day
Objective: Avoid falling into the ocean from several miles up.
Primary Skills: Athletics, Acrobatics, Perception, Insight, Core Grapple*
Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 0 of 3
*Note: It takes a standard action to fire the grapple at a ship. A free action to remove it. However it takes a standard action to wind it up again. Meaning - you cannot use the Core Grapple in back to back sequence.
* Perception - Success! - Assessing the situation.
* Insight - Success! - Recalling the briefing.
* Diplomacy - Success! - Rallying the troops.
* Stealth - Failure. - Sneaking across the street.
It seems like the entire town is on the move, yelling and screaming their way towards the port. They come by in clumps. Gradually the roaring slowly fades away. The Spy leans against the wall, breathing heavily. His ribs might have been kicked a few too many times.
When you're confident that the mob isn't paying any attention to the street you're about to cross, you begin to move.
Sticking to the shadows, you motion for the Spy to follow. He starts to stumble along behind you. In the middle of the street, the spy falls to the ground in a coughing fit.
Meanwhile, up the street, an old man is shuffling his way along. There's a a kitchen knife strapped to one the end of his walking cane. He turns towards the direction of the coughing. There he can make out the forms of two men, sticking to the shadows. The conclusion is obvious... he points a shaking hand in your direction.
"More Merkaban spies!"
Some of the mob's attention is now focused on you.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Corridor
Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection'
Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight
Progress: Successes 3 of ?, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
* Stealth - Success! - Sneaking around the hulls to eavesdrop more.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding from a Caretaker.
You cram yourself into the underside of the stairwell, hoping that you've done so in enough time to not be seen. You had a feeling that this was a poor choice of a hiding space; it felt like a bad spot with the room dimly lit by the view below. But there wasn't enough time to think.
Just below you, the world moves, completely indifferent to your struggle. The footsteps get closer, as does the light. Soon it is upon you. From your perspective it looks like this Caretaker is Dragonborn. His scales are a silvered blue. The kaftan he's wearing is different shade from the one that Andrei called "Sveta". It seemed obvious that the colorizations were probably a form of ranking.
Following behind him are a train of floating pallets. You catch the faint smell of various foods and spices in the air. No doubt it was food and other supplies for the refugees. It takes a minute for the trail of lights to fade away. You were only a short distance from the collection. Then you realize a flaw in your plans: how would you get back inside the Refugee Area unnoticed?
With a quick eye to Iam, Ewan nods to Raoul. More important goals were currently at hand, infighting couldn't be risked. The state of affairs here wasn't to Ewan's liking, and even if Raoul wasn't to be trusted, he could still be used. As he followed Raoul out of the tent, Ewan payed special attention to the wandering soldiers.
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square
Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 7
"Black Knight" 50 (BK50): 18
M. Unit (C,D): 14
"Black Knight" 63 (BK63): 12
*Quinn : 10
Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed)
Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed)
*M. Leader: 10
M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed)
M. Unit E: 8
Turk: 3
Round 7
BK50: Land @ (10,4), Merc C takes 35 damage | Move (10,4 -> 12,9) | Rend [Target: Kosch, 23 vs AC 14: Hit 10 Damage | 24 vs AC 14: Hit 11 Damage]
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit
BK63: Land @ (14,2) | Move (14,2 -> 14,8) | Move (14,18 -> 12,11 | OA - Jacobs, 26 vs AC 26 : Hit 9 Damage)
End Frame Info
Ally Status:
Quinn - 21/30
Horace - 13/41 *Bloodied*
Jacobs - 15/41 *Bloodied*
Smith - 23/35
Kosch - 14/35 *Bloodied*
Turk - 38/47
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
BK50 - 0
BK63 - 9
Merkaban A - 45 *DOWN*
Merkaban B - 35 *Bloodied*
Merkaban C - 85 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 25 *FLED*
Merkaban E - 41 *DOWN*
Merkaban Leader - 40 *DOWN*
"Quinn, look up!" Kosch screams as he points to the sky.
You look up in the sky. You don't see it at first, the smoke from the fires burning your eyes and blocking your vision somewhat. (Passive perception takes over here, btw) But now you can; two large black shells were flying towards your position.
The low rumble of their approach gets louder and louder, and you can observe the object exploding into several smaller pieces. Some of the parts flail and spin wildly, perhaps they were decoys. The real objects slam into the behind the northern booth. There's a sickening squish sound as one of the objects appears to not have survived the fall. Seconds later there's the sound of the ground gives from the other's landing. A loud chittering sound fills the area briefly, then stops.
Kosch can't even bring up his crossbow up before a black streak is instantly upon him. It slashes him twice, violently. Another follows behind, moving directly into the middle of all your unit. Jacob swings as it rushes by, his blow connecting solidly.
(Passive Intelligence Success) You're able to recall rumours about "Black Knights" appearing in places. These appear to be the Merkaban wonders that others encountered before. The Knight in the middle of the group begins to chitter again.
"Time to die, Highborne!" The Merkaban cackles.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr, ??
Merkaban-Highborne War, The morning after Retribution Day
When you look the soldiers over, you recognize immediately what's wrong with them. They're all suffering from some degree of emotional shock. Instead of finishing the mop-up of the Merkaban capital city, they were in the middle of nowhere. Many of their friends had died, and there were no indications that help was coming anytime soon. That was with the generous assumption that there was anybody left that could help.
"Look south." Raoul says. You could see clear up to the Upper Layer of the Lands Above, at least until you turned south. There the sky darkened greatly. A storm, a massive storm was approaching. Though it was too far away to hear the thunder, you could see the massive bolts of lightning snapping into the water.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Berth 9
Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Objective: Escape the box, and make your way to the 'Collection'
Primary Skills: Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate, Stealth, Thievery, Streetwise, Perception, Insight
Progress: Successes 4 of 4, Failures 1 of 3
* Diplomacy - Success! - Helping the Knights.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding in the wreck
* Perception - Failure. - Eavesdropping from a distance.
* Stealth - Success! - Sneaking around the hulls to eavesdrop more.
* Stealth - Success! - Hiding from a Caretaker.
Moments later, you make your way into the room that you believe is known as the Collection. The lighting of the room is not on, but there are what appear to be display cases all around about the room. The cases are arranged in isles that follow the pentagon layout of the room, with a break that leads directly to the center. There, the floor glows softly.
Most of these display cases feature art pieces, old vases of little monetary value. Some of the pieces look as though they were actually created by children. This couldn't be collection that Maestro spoke of.
Kosch's agonized cry breaks Quinn out of his reverie, and he narrows his eyes, noting the slim wound Jacobs managed to inflict on one of the knights. If they could be hurt, if they could bleed, they could die.
Standard Action: Charge from (8,7) to (12,8), flanking and attacking BK 50.
Charge attack with flanking bonus against BK 50. (1d20 11=29)
Hit! Charge damage roll against BK 50. (1d10 6=12)
BK 50 takes 12 damage.
Quinn feels the strain of his heavy armor as he charges across the field, but ignores the exhaustion creeping over him as he swings his weapon back. His morningstar directly hits the black knight, and the screech of metal on metal rings out. A small dent in its armor is visible, but it seems otherwise unaffected as it starts to echo the other knight's manic chittering.
Ewan turned back to Raoul. "What do we have for shelter? How long until that storm hits us?" Ewan had an idea about trying to salvage a communications crystal from the wreckage and finding someone to come pick them up and take them home. Home. Foehn. Ewan was acutely aware of the fact that if the fleet was routed... No. No time for that now. Now what mattered most was getting these people safe.
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
He peers closely at the items, looking for anything that might be off. Distinguishing marks, odd paintings, anything. He'd already seen plenty of tricks today, this could be one more.
Or he could just be in the wrong room.
Halny Island, Cornales - Town Square
Merkaban-Highborne War, Day 13
Round 8
"Black Knight" 50 (BK50): 18
M. Unit (C,D): 14
"Black Knight" 63 (BK63): 12
*Quinn : 10
Horace, Jacobs: 18->10(Delayed)
Smith, Kosch: 12->10(Delayed)
*M. Leader: 10
M. Unit (A,B): 23->10(Delayed)
M. Unit E: 8
Turk: 3
Round 7
BK50: Land @ (10,4), Merc C takes 35 damage | Move (10,4 -> 12,9) | Rend [Target: Kosch, 23 vs AC 14: Hit 10 Damage | 24 vs AC 14: Hit 11 Damage]
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit
BK63: Land @ (14,2) | Move (14,2 -> 14,8) | Move (14,18 -> 12,11 | OA - Jacobs 26 vs AC 26 : Hit 9 Damage)
Quinn: Move (3,6 -> 8,7), Charge Attack (8,7 -> 12,8) [Target: BK50 29 vs AC 26: Hit 12 Damage]
Horace: Move (5,8 -> 11,9), Spear [Target: BK50 25 vs AC 26: Miss]
Jacobs: (13,11), Spear [Target: BK63 14 vs AC 26: Miss]
Smith: (12,19), Heavy Crossbow [Target: Merk B 24 vs AC 18: Hit 8 Damage] - Mark B Ko'd
Kosch: Shift (12,10 -> 13,10), Shift (13,10 -> 14,10)
M. Leader: *DOWN*
M. Unit A: *DOWN*
M. Unit B: *DOWN*
M. Unit E: *DOWN*
Turk: Shift (11,12 -> 11,11), Glaive [Target: BK63 23 vs AC 26 : Miss]
Round 8
BK50: Shift (12,9 -> 13,9) Regeneration 5, Rend [Target: Kosch, 34 vs AC 14: Hit 11 Damage | 26 vs AC 14: Hit 11 Damage] - Kosch Ko'd
M. Unit C: *DOWN*
M. Unit
BK63: (14,2) Regeneration 5, | Rend [Target: Jacobs, 21 vs AC 18: Hit 16 Damage] - Jacobs Ko'd
End of Frame Info
Ally Status:
Quinn - 21/30
Horace - 13/41 *Bloodied*
Jacobs - -1/41 *DOWN*
Smith - 23/35
Kosch - -8/35 *DOWN*
Turk - 38/47
Enemy Status (Damage Taken shown):
BK50 - 7
BK63 - 4
Merkaban A - 45 *DOWN*
Merkaban B - 43 *DOWN*
Merkaban C - 85 *DOWN*
Merkaban D - 25 *FLED*
Merkaban E - 41 *DOWN*
Merkaban Leader - 40 *DOWN*
You slam your morning star into the Black Knight's back, leaving your mark. The creature doesn't even turn to face you though.
"Damnit Quinn!" Horace yells as he rushes towards the Black Knight, his spear thrust strong, but the creature parries the attack. Jacob's fatigue shows as his attack doesn't even come close to connecting.
The Merkaban's laughter ceases as Smith lodges a crossbow bolt into the man's back. His action was about as effective as like blowing a candle out inside a blazing house was on fire, but it was one less Merkaban in the world.
Kosch hobbles away from the fight, slowly. He couldn't take much more of this. Seeing his friend injured Turk lashes out at Black Knight that had run into the middle of their group. When he was blinded by his emotions his strength was near useless. The Black Knights halted in their chittering as the one you attacked stepped away from you, and towards Kosch. They were targeting the weakest first. With two more methodical blows from the creature's forearm blades, Kosch slumped to the ground. Jacobs would follow soon after. Just behind you, you heard the sound of another loud thud coming from behind the booth.
(Passive Perception, Success) Even over the sound of battle, you could hear similar rumbling sounds as more of these things began to pepper the battlefield. If the other engagements were this one-sided, this war would soon be over.
Ewan Stark
Zephyr, ??
Merkaban-Highborne War, The morning after Retribution Day
Your experience as a Ranger tells you that the storm was hours away. From the look of things, the others hadn't bothered to do much of anything.
"Hey, there's ruins all over the place. Maybe there's some in the forest?" Iam says.
"Certainly, why don't you go have a look?" Raoul says in a mocking way. Iam doesn't catch the tone, and runs off into the forest.
Keegan Lyriao
Alabaster Citadel, Berth 9
Post Merkaban-Highborne War, Ceasefire Day 6
Written on the base of the display cases, and visible thanks to the softly glowing light coming from each of them were words in Draconic. Perhaps they were labels of some sort.
The smoke dancer appears in the corner of your eye. It makes a strange gesture, towards the center of the room. That bastard was tracking your progress.
Standard Action: Use Reaping Strike on BK 50
Reaping Strike attack roll vs. BK 50's AC. (1d20 8=17)
Miss! BK 50 takes 6 damage.
Quinn steps between the knights and Horace, determined to protect him from further attacks. However, the fatigue of the extended battle had finally caught up with him, and his quick jab only inflicts a minor amount of damage to the black knight.
Quinn glances at Turk solemnly, suddenly aware of how much blood was covering both of them. "Turk, I won't order you to stay. But I've got to hold these things off so that the others can get away. If we stand together..." Quinn paused, his throat dry and his voice hoarse. "If we stand together, Horace and Smith will have a better chance of surviving."
"Raoul, these men need a safe place from the storm, and while I appreciate your..." Ewan nods to the hut and places a little more emphasis on this word, "...effort, If we're to weather this storm we need shelter. Also, has anyone surveyed the wreckage for a communications crystal? We need to check in with what's left of the fleet or at the very least send a distress beacon." Ewan wondered, nearly aloud, why this wasn't already done. He had to keep telling himself to think of the greater good. He couldn't afford to be annoyed right now.
CURRENTLY PLAYING:
Android: Netrunner, Warhammer: Conquest, Star Realms
I long for a chance to strike back at my enemies. I would move out on my own if it wouldn't be a vain waste of effort. I can only hope that some military force will be gathered for a counter attack. I listen for information, but nothing has been planned. If the Gods pity me, a force will be gathered soon so that I may avenge my comrades.
Jordan of Elienor, Human Shaman
He hesitates at the edge of the circle, then hops in with both feet.