Some Stories Are True

[MacConnell]

Askari will help Oorvid...

Wrenn... siphon...

Volki... help... healing.

Spoiler: Augmentation

Askari: 28 strength, 28 motility
Astrid: 32 shade
Oorvid: 43 strength, 43 motility
Volki: 36 camouflage
Wrenn: 40 athleticism

Spoiler: Combat Data

A1: Body: 10 - 9 = 1 - 17 = -16, dying.
A2: Body: 10 - 4 = 6 - 4 = 2 - 2 = 0, incapacitated.
A3: Mind: 10 - 5 = 5 - 5 = 0, unconscious.
A4: Body: 10 - 2 = 8, irritated. Mind: 10 - 2 = 8, irritated.
A5: Body: 10 - 1 = 9 - 8 = 1, injured. Mind: 10 - 2 = 8, irritated.
A6: Mind: 10 - 16 = -6, unconscious. injured.
A7: Mind: 10 - 2 = 8, irritated.

Even with his strength augmented by the bending of Mystic Waylines, Askari cannot move Oorvid alone. The young man is physically the largest in the party, outweighing even Askari. All four other members, however, make the prospect of moving him much more acheivable.

When Wrenn and Askari begin to lift his shoulders he whispers, "I hate to have the need, but move me next to one of the fallen enemy."

His talent for necromancy is greater than that of Wrenn; and so like Wrenn, taking about three seconds, when touching one of the enemy he siphons lifeforce from him, twice what Wrenn could garner. Both men are still hurt and Oorvid is still significantly injured, but he can walk on his own.

The party moves back the direction from which it arrived, talking the stairs back down to the storeroom. This takes about 10 more seconds with the hindered movability, at which time sounds of rapidly approaching footsteps can be heard. Seeing that the stairs are too wide to set up a truly defendable position, the party has no choice but to climb back down the ladder into the tunnel. It would be gravely unadvisable for anyone to try to descend the very narrow ladder with the party at its base, especially since the party extinguishes the mystical illumination.

Once in the tunnel Volki aids the others in accelerating their recovery. The rate of healing may be considered miraculous by the general populace because it takes hours instead of days, but the party does not have hours.

The enemy has obviously entered the subterranean storeroom above. Several voices can be heard discussing matters in an unfamiliar language. Wrenn, standing in the stride wide entrance to the tunnel nocks and arrow while the others made ready to defend themselves should the need occur.

Volki and Astrid each back into a dark corner facing the ladder. Since there is light above and not below, shadow movement indicates when someone approaches the trapdoor. Despite his injury, Oorvid waits in the dark along the opposite wall across from Askari, closer to the ladder than the two ladies. The two men have weapons at ready.

The tension is palpable. Seconds pass into a minute with no one above yet breeching the portal, but neither have they moved away. It seems they have not yet come to a decision as to a course of action.

Spoiler: Character Data

Askari: Body: 10 - 2 = 8, irritated.
Shirt: 34 - 1 = 33
Astrid: Body: 10 - 2 = 8, irritated.
Mantle: 25 - 1 = 24
Stones: 20
Oorvid:: Body: 10 - 5 = 5 - 11 = -6 + 1 = -5, incapacitated.
Tunic: 62 - 1 = 61
Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 45
Wrenn:: Body: 10 - 7 = 3, injured.
Tunic: 59 - 1 = 58 - 1 = 57
Arrows: 8 - 1 = 7 - 1 = 6

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency

(helps Astrid or Hiroshi)
Aluminum: 1 ingots, {shock x3}
white ingot: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Ant Stingers: 2, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 6 measures, {heat x2}
black claw necklace: 1, ??
Spider Claws: 6 sets, {toxicity x4}
Spider Fangs: 4 sets, (Cohesion +3)

(helps Volki or Wrenn)
Bandy Feathers: 1, (Strength +2)
Goat Beard: 1, (Will +2)
Heckling Jay Feathers: 1, (Will +2)
Viper Blood: 1 measure, {athleticism x3}
Viper Venom: 1, {toxicity x3}

(helps Askari or Oorvid)
Bandy Skull Talisman: 1, (Strength +2)
jawbone: 1, ??
Teal Skull: 1, (Cohesion +2)
Viper Skull: 2, (Motility +2)
waterfowl skull: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Coal: 7 bricks, {heat x3}
Slate: 1, {sound x2}
Lodestone: 2, {shock x3}
Livestone: 5, (Strength +2)

(helps Volki or Wrenn)
Mend Leaves: 3 measures, {Mend x2}
Rend Leaves: 2 measures, {Siphon x2}
Flowers: 4 measures, {Restore x3}
Tranquility Flowers: 1 measure, {Identity x3}

Spoiler: Discoveries

Bat Colony: 2
Chain of Keeps Tunnel System
name: Temnyy Veter
Rheini Village

OOC: Everyone receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions. Provide a random roll.

 

[Thaco Deathsave]

Thinking through the tactics, Askari feels they will likely throw down a light source and attempt to shoot through the trap door opening.

If he feels like he can relay this information without alerting the enemy, he will do so.

In either case he will take a defensive stance, and use waylines to boost his defense. Having no ranged options he will have to draw fire and trust in his more range heavy comrades.

If the enemy does prove to be short sighted enough to drop down the ladder, he will attack initially before they can gain their footing and then adopt a block and counter strategy.

Spoiler: Random Rolls

98!! (+77) = 175 & 79

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Wrenn will train his bow on the opening. If anyone tries to open it to throw down a light source, much less to attempt ingress, Wrenn will shoot them.

Spoiler: Die Rolls

Bow shot: 92(+65) = 157
Other Misc Rolls: 85, 51, 70

 

[MacConnell]

Wrenn will...

... Askari feels... relay... take...

Even though he is still significantly injured, Oorvid follows suit after Askari. Everyone fidgets in place with the anticipation of coming events, but whomever is above does something unexpected. The ladder descends into the center of the subterranean room containing the young heroes, but the trapdoor is in a far corner from the stairs in the storeroom above. Someone slams the trapdoor closed, and the sound of something heavy being dragged over it can be heard, along with the sound of departing footsteps.

Oorvid cocks his head, something he does when thinking, and addresses the group. "Askari or I could probably still force open that door, but here is what I am thinking. That party is going to cross overland, enter through the nearest Pergola site and come at us from the other direction. I am betting there is a force remaining here should we try to come out through the trapdoor. I also bet that the party remaining here is stronger than the one departing."

"Even with me being hurt, I think we can get through the tunnels before they can go through the forest. It is three hours away at an easy walk for us. They will be slower running through the woods and cannot travel in a straight line. We should move as fast as I can go. We can wait for them at the next trapdoor or maybe even exit and get out into the trees before they even get there or even go further in the tunnels. What say you?"

Spoiler: Character Data

Askari: Body: 10 - 2 = 8, irritated.
Shirt: 34 - 1 = 33
Astrid: Body: 10 - 2 = 8, irritated.
Mantle: 25 - 1 = 24
Stones: 20
Oorvid:: Body: 10 - 5 - 11 + 1 + 6 = 1, injured.
Tunic: 62 - 1 = 61
Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 45
Wrenn:: Body: 10 - 7 = 3 + 3 = 6, hurt.
Tunic: 59 - 1 = 58 - 1 = 57
Arrows: 8 - 1 = 7 - 1 = 6

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency

(helps Astrid or Hiroshi)
Aluminum: 1 ingots, {shock x3}
white ingot: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Ant Stingers: 2, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 6 measures, {heat x2}
black claw necklace: 1, ??
Spider Claws: 6 sets, {toxicity x4}
Spider Fangs: 4 sets, (Cohesion +3)

(helps Volki or Wrenn)
Bandy Feathers: 1, (Strength +2)
Goat Beard: 1, (Will +2)
Heckling Jay Feathers: 1, (Will +2)
Viper Blood: 1 measure, {athleticism x3}
Viper Venom: 1, {toxicity x3}

(helps Askari or Oorvid)
Bandy Skull Talisman: 1, (Strength +2)
jawbone: 1, ??
Teal Skull: 1, (Cohesion +2)
Viper Skull: 2, (Motility +2)
waterfowl skull: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Coal: 7 bricks, {heat x3}
Slate: 1, {sound x2}
Lodestone: 2, {shock x3}
Livestone: 5, (Strength +2)

(helps Volki or Wrenn)
Mend Leaves: 3 measures, {Mend x2}
Rend Leaves: 2 measures, {Siphon x2}
Flowers: 4 measures, {Restore x3}
Tranquility Flowers: 1 measure, {Identity x3}

Spoiler: Discoveries

Bat Colony: 2
Chain of Keeps Tunnel System
name: Temnyy Veter
Rheini Village

OOC: Everyone receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions. Provide a random roll.

 

[Gigeaux]

“I say we head them off. Perhaps we can even get information from any survivors once they are defeated.” If everyone agrees Volki will make sure she is hidden in the shadows for the trek, and will continue to assist with healing.

Spoiler: rolls

88, 95+14(luck)=109, 65

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Astrid, who is only hurt enough to be irritated, bounces on the balls of her feet. "I like it. I will keep an eye on Oorvid, since he will be injured for some time yet. There is really nothing more we can do for each other at this point, but time has turned to be in our favor. Once at the next ladder, I think we should go ahead and exit. I think the enemy will be less prepared for us to be out of the tunnels."

She urges Oorvid as she begins to move along.

OOC: 98 + 42 = 140

 

[Thaco Deathsave]

I agree, we will be more likely to catch them by surprise if we’re in the open when they’re expecting us to be in the tunnels.

Askari will assist anyone that needs it. Once the party had arrived, he will try to find somewhere to hide that will make up for his lack of stealth.

Spoiler: Random Rolls

65 & 71

 

[MacConnell]

... Volki will...

Astrid... urges...

... Askari will...

The decision having been made, everyone immediately begins moving back down the tunnel in as quick a manner as Oorvid's body will allow. His natural healing process has been mystically accelerated as much as the party can muster, as well as everyone elses.

Having become accustomed to the tunnels, the trek is made in under 3 hours, with everyone climbing up the ladder, closing the trap door, and taking positions in the forest. By reason, it is estimated that the enemy party should arrive in less than an hour, so that mystical enhancement is abated. It could be dangerous to maintain such augmentation for such a length of time, as it could cause unnatural unconsciousness that would leave the Bender sleeping for the next 10 hours.

GM: There are no obstructions to taking a position anywhere on or around the pergola, as forest cover is equally sufficient. Though direction is basically irrelevant, use compass points for placing. Desired character positioning will determine logistics of combat. State in your following post desired distance from the pergola and if in a tree, on the ground, etc.

Spoiler: Character Data

Askari: full wellness
Shirt: 34 - 1 = 33
Astrid: full wellness
Mantle: 25 - 1 = 24
Stones: 20
Oorvid:: Body: 10 - 5 - 11 + 1 + 6 + 4 = 5, hurt.
Tunic: 62 - 1 = 61
Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 45
Wrenn: full wellness
Tunic: 59 - 1 = 58 - 1 = 57
Arrows: 8 - 1 = 7 - 1 = 6

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency

(helps Astrid or Hiroshi)
Aluminum: 1 ingots, {shock x3}
white ingot: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Ant Stingers: 2, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 6 measures, {heat x2}
black claw necklace: 1, ??
Spider Claws: 6 sets, {toxicity x4}
Spider Fangs: 4 sets, (Cohesion +3)

(helps Volki or Wrenn)
Bandy Feathers: 1, (Strength +2)
Goat Beard: 1, (Will +2)
Heckling Jay Feathers: 1, (Will +2)
Viper Blood: 1 measure, {athleticism x3}
Viper Venom: 1, {toxicity x3}

(helps Askari or Oorvid)
Bandy Skull Talisman: 1, (Strength +2)
jawbone: 1, ??
Teal Skull: 1, (Cohesion +2)
Viper Skull: 2, (Motility +2)
waterfowl skull: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Coal: 7 bricks, {heat x3}
Slate: 1, {sound x2}
Lodestone: 2, {shock x3}
Livestone: 5, (Strength +2)

(helps Volki or Wrenn)
Mend Leaves: 3 measures, {Mend x2}
Rend Leaves: 2 measures, {Siphon x2}
Flowers: 4 measures, {Restore x3}
Tranquility Flowers: 1 measure, {Identity x3}

Spoiler: Discoveries

Bat Colony: 2
Chain of Keeps Tunnel System
name: Temnyy Veter
Rheini Village

OOC: Everyone receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions. Provide a random roll.

 

[Thaco Deathsave]

Askari will advise that the party attack just as the enemy is opening the trap door. If they seem to agree with this tactic, he will position himself on the ladder just under the trap door. Once the ambush is sprung, he will climb out into their ranks and engage.

Spoiler: Random Rolls

56 & 83

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Astrid stands for a moment, upon exiting the tunnels. She closes her and attempts to orient her facing to the North. Knowing that the enemy has to be approaching from the West, she opens her eyes and walks into the forest to the northwest. She hides at a distance where she can still sense Askari. She knows this will allow her to mystically assault an enemy above him.

She knows that trying to guess the time of the enemies' arrival would be futile; so as soon as she hears what can be definitively identified as people approaching, she will darken her skin to hide better.

OOC: 73