Some Stories Are True

[Astrid]

OOC: By no measure am I claiming Astrid to be Benevolent. A more neutral word like Ambivolent (which is a word I found on reddit by someone who seems to have taken time to break down the meaning of the two words and was not happy to find there was not an actual middle ground word. Perhaps he is full of naughty word, but the word he suggests has a meaning of inclined toward either positive or negative intent, depending on who or what the intent is directed at. Perhaps I am just off my rocker from my 4 hours of sleep and my morning walk. but this to me describes similar to Neutral.) Astrid is mainly questioning the morality of invading someones home and possibly killing them.

 

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Character Data

Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20 - 2 = 18
Hiroshi: full wellness
Oorvid: full wellness
Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 20 - 2 = 18

Spoiler: Collections

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 50 measures, ??
Beetle Carapace: 1, max value 40 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??
Rodent Tooth Necklace: 1, ??
Songbird Talisman: 1, ??
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks

Coal: 52 bricks, ??
Dull, Gray Stone: 1, ??

OOC: By no measure am I claiming Astrid to be Benevolent...

GM: Check the described personalities in the Character Creation Document, of which you have free access. You will find your description to be equivalent to pragmatic, which is a perfectly functional personality for a player character.

"Why... Wrenn,.. Do they truly deserve what we did?"...

OOC: Posting for Tellerian Hawke:

Wrenn explains that he and his family are nothing like the majority of his tribe, which is why they live in the Spiofthest village. The Shimadow are known headhunters, psychotic killers. He does, however, feel a bit perplexed about the ambush tactic, fearing that the behavior is exactly what to expect from other Shimadow and one that should be avoided in the future, unless hunting for food.

GM: It is often difficult to describe an environment to create an ambiance of the locale, and previous descriptions get forgotten during gaps in play. What the characters could not mistake is the fact that this keep that the party is exploring is older than the forest that has grown up around it. It has been abandoned for quite some time. The small party of Shimadow were mere opportunistic squatters.

Oorvid stands after catching his breath and his heart rate returns to normal. He retrieves the items from the floor, handing the javelins to Hiroshi, then making a suggestion.

"There are decent containers in that kitchen and we can make a litter from one of those shelves. I think we should take the coal and guano back home then return to explore further. What say you?"

OOC: Each character receives 5 DP.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Hiroshi whispers something to Wrenn, and then Wrenn nods his head in agreement.

Wrenn says, "They backed down and negotiated because they realized we were stronger. If the situation had been reversed, they would have exploited our weakness, running us down one by one, and killing us all in a very ruthless manner, with the possible exception of Astrid; they would have toyed with her awhile, before allowing her to die a slow and agonizing death. Our show of strength is the only reason we are alive to talk about this right now. So don't feel bad about it. It's not that they are all madmen, it's their culture; they revere strength, they revile weakness, and they revel in debauchery. They see non-Shimadow as mere beasts, and would think no more of butchering one of us than we would of butchering a sheep. As for the coal and guano, we both agree with Oorvid. Let's gather it all and return home."

 

[Astrid]

"Perhaps. Oh well, no point dwelling in the past. Home sounds good. I could use a real bed. Let's go." Astrid attempts to put on a more cheerful facade, but still thinking of what had transpired.

 

[MacConnell]

Hiroshi whispers something to Wrenn...

Wrenn says, "... If the situation had been reversed... Let's gather it all and return home."

"Perhaps. Oh well, no point dwelling in the past. Home sounds good...

A quick pass though the remainder of the upper floors reveals indication that other rooms had been temporarily occupied, possibly even by the same Shimadow clan. Whoever was not much on cleaning up after themselves.

Gathering spoils and supplies takes several hours, but the coal and a small barrel worth of guano are collected and readied for transport. Before departure Oorvid says, "Looking at the sun where it is clear, here, that way is west. I think we will have an easier time remembering our path if we head straight for the coast, then northward back to home. We should definitely come back here. We have not yet looked into what might be beyond the down staircase."

Spoiler: Wariness

Astrid: 21(perception) + 13(analysis) + 50(d100) = 84
Hiroshi: 18 + 10 + 50 = 78
Oorvid: 16 + 23 + 50 = 89
Wrenn: 23 + 19 + 50 = 92

Certain of the direction but not the distance, everyone fills their waterskins, takes a bearing, then walks westward. Obviously, travel cannot be made in a straight line, but it is straight enough. The sights and sounds are taken in for the remainder of the day and part of the next one without any occurrence of a possible threat. A covey of grouse are discovered at one point and both Wrenn with his bow and Astrid with an augmented sling stone are able to take one, providing fresh meat for the party.

Shortly after a break for lunch, an unexpected threat launches upon the travelers. Hunting spiders leap from cover at each of the unsuspecting youths. Their coloration making them more difficult to see in the forest.

Spoiler: Surprise

Spiders: 80(hide) + 50(d100) = 130

Spoiler: Projectile Assault

Spiders: 36 + 50(d100) = 86 + surprise

Astrid: 21(avoidance) + 13(analysis) + 50(d100) = 84
Hiroshi: 18 + 10 + 50 = 78
Oorvid: 16 + 23 + 50 = 89
Wrenn: 23 + 19 + 50 = 92

The suddenly appearing spiders each sink fangs into their respective targets. While the physical damage is not much, it is the venom that may cause concern. Each youth has a brownish spider, with a leg circumference about the size of a person's torso, hanging onto the upper body.

Spoiler: Character Data

Astrid:
Stones: 18 - 1 = 17
damage: 86 + 130 - 84 - 84 = 48% * 2 = 1, Body: 8 - 1 = 7, irritated
Hiroshi:
damage: 216 - 78 - 78 = 60% * 2 = 1, Body: 8 - 1 = 7, irritated
Oorvid:
damage: 216 - 89 - 89 = 38% * 2 = ~1, Body: 9 - 1 = 8, irritated
Wrenn:
Arrows: 18 - 1 = 17
damage: 216 - 92 - 92 = 32% * 2 = ~1, Body: 10 - 1 = 9, irritated

Spoiler: Collections

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 50 measures, ??
Beetle Carapace: 1, max value 40 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??
Rodent Tooth Necklace: 1, ??
Songbird Talisman: 1, ??
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks

Coal: 52 bricks, ??
Dull, Gray Stone: 1, ??

OOC: Each character receives 5 DP. Provide a random roll to resist venom and 2 more for the next stated action.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Spoiler: Venom Resist

Wrenn = 77
Hiroshi = 61

Spoiler: Base Rolls

Wrenn = 95+68 (163) [Physical attack (throw) to get spider off]
Wrenn = While grabbing spider, Wrenn will try to leach it = 79
Hiroshi = 32 [Physical attack (throw) to get spider off]
Hiroshi = While grabbing spider, Hiroshi will try to leach it = 83

Hiroshi and Wrenn both independently come up with the same tactic; both of them attempt to grab their spiders, and throw them down, while at the same time leaching their lifeforce.

 

[Astrid]

Astrid closes her eyes and winces from the pain. She concentrates the best she can. She opens her eyes and lets out a primal scream as she focuses on radiating as much heat into her hands as she can as she grabs the legs and aiming for the torso of the body of the spider attached to her.

Spoiler: Rolls

75,84,54

 

[MacConnell]

Hiroshi and Wrenn... attempt to... throw... (leeching) their lifeforce.

Astrid... heat... grabs...

It is basically a reflex action to grab the spider and throw it; but to mystically add heat, Oorvid thinks about as he grabs hold.

Spoiler: Venom

Spiders: 11(dose) + 71(d100) = 82

Astrid: 12(conditioning) + 9(fury) + 75(d100) = 96
Hiroshi: 10 + 23 + 61 = 94
Oorvid: 17 + 23 + 71 = 111
Wrenn: 17 + 17 + 77 = 111

Spoiler: Reaction

Spiders: 11(readiness) + 25(speed) + 71(d100) = 107
Astrid: 10 + 21 + 11(clarity) + 75(d100) = 117
Hiroshi: 10 + 21 + 25 + 61 = 117
Oorvid: 18 + 16 + 23 + 71 = 128
Wrenn: 18 + 24 + 18 + 77 = 137

Spoiler: Speed

Spiders: 50 - 107 = ~0
Astrid: 100(bending) - 117 = ~0
Hiroshi: 100(bending - 117 = ~0
Oorvid: 100 - 128 = ~0
Wrenn: 100 - 137 = ~0

Spoiler: Physical Assault

Spiders: 36 + 89(d100) = 125 + 100(touching) = 225

Astrid: 10(finesse) + 21(accuracy) + 11(clarity) + 84(d100) = 127 + 100(touching) = 227
Hiroshi: 10 + 21 + 25 + 32 = 88 + 100 = 188
Oorvid: 19(aggression) + 16(accuracy) + 23(fury) + 89(d100) = 147 = 247
Wrenn: 18 + 24 + 18 + 163 = 223 = 323

Spoiler: Physical Defense

Spiders: 41 + 89(d100) = 130
Astrid: 11(readiness) + 21(avoidance) + 11(analysis) + 75(d100) = 118
Hiroshi: 10 + 22 + 24 + 61 = 117
Oorvid: 18 + 16 + 23 + 71 = 128
Wrenn: 18 + 24 + 18 + 77 = 137

Spoiler: Mystical Assault

Astrid: 21(bending) + 9(heat) + 54(d100) = 84
Hiroshi: 24(bend) + 22(siphon) + 83(d100) = 129
Oorvid: 17(bend) + 23(heat) + 72(d100) = 112
Wrenn: 28(bend) + 17(siphon) + 79(d100) = 124

Spiders: 11(conditioning) + 79(d100) = 90

Spoiler: Character Data

Astrid:
damage: 225 - 118 = 107% * 2 = 2, Body: 8 - 1 = 7 - 2 = 5, hurt
Stones: 18 - 1 = 17
Hiroshi:
damage: 225 - 117 = 108% * 2 = 2, Body: 8 - 1 = 7 - 2 = 5 + 1 = 6, hurt
Oorvid:
damage: 225 - 128 = 97% * 2 = 2, Body: 9 - 1 = 8 - 2 = 6, hurt
Wrenn:
damage: 225 - 137 = 88% * 2 = 2, Body: 10 - 1 = 9 - 2 = 7 + 1 = 8, hurt
Arrows: 18 - 1 = 17

S1: 227 - 130 = 97% * 1 = 1, Mind: 2 - 1 = 1, irritated
S2: 129 - 90 = 39% * 2 = ~1, Body: 1 - 1 = 0, incapacitated
S3: 112 - 90 = 22% * 4 = ~1, Body: 1 - 1 = 0, incapacitated
S4: 124 - 90 = 34% * 2 = ~1, Body: 1 - 1 = 0, incapacitated

All things happen at about the same time, as far as a mind can consciously perceive. Everyone is able to resist the weak venom. The spiders pulse their bites, causing more physical harm.

Astrid is unable to cause her spider to heat, but she throws it a distance of 9 strides. The force of the landing nearly stuns the spider, which crawls away to find easier prey. At a 9 stride starting point, the spider can easily lose the party if anyone tried to find it.

Hiroshi leeches away just enough life from the spider to incapacitate it before he throws it away 5 strides.

Oorvid generates enough mystical heat to incapacitate his spider before he launches it 14 strides away.

Like Hiroshi, Wrenn leeches away enough life to incapacitate his spider before throwing it, an impressive, 22 strides, careening it off two different trees.

All spiders have been effectively removed from combat but not killed. All party members are hurt.

Spoiler: Collections

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 50 measures, ??
Beetle Carapace: 1, max value 40 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??
Rodent Tooth Necklace: 1, ??
Songbird Talisman: 1, ??
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks

Coal: 52 bricks, ??
Dull, Gray Stone: 1, ??

OOC: Each character receives 5 DP. Provide a random roll with the next post.

 

[Astrid]

"Always bugs" Astrid stomps her foot as she sends a stone from her sling off in the direction she saw the last spider at.

OOC: clears throat "Tired of the mother fking bugs in this mother fking forest"

Spoiler: Rolls

58 & 96 for attack and w/e else the roll is needed for.

 

[MacConnell]

Posting for @Tellerian Hawke

Wrenn looks over at Astrid to make sure that she is all right and sees that she is only angry. Being only mildly hurt, he holds a hand to his neck while walking off in search of his spider. He will stomp on it to make sure that it is dead. He will then retrieve the carcass and return to the others.

He will see if anything medicinal can be done for his bite and help the others if possible. Afterward, he will examine the spider to see if he finds anything valuable to himself.

OOC: 62