Too Young to Retire

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin says, thoughtfully, "I doubt their band is large enough to threaten a town. They're probably headed into the mountains. I think the murdered people we found were a chance encounter, perhaps killed to prevent them from telling others about the presence of the Amiradthae in this area. Let's head upstream."

As Merin is going about his morning routine, he mumbles: "Podlyye malen'kiye d'yavoly."

When asked about it later, Merin says that the phrase in Amiradthan translates literally to "Sneaky evil spirits." But what it really means is "Sneaky little devils." It is readily apparent that Merin is quite upset about this band of murderers. Sheldon has seen this sort of calm rage in Merin before. He does not envy the Amiradthae who will suffer his friend's wrath.

Almost as if Merin could read the look on Sheldon's face, he replies, "They have it coming. They chose to prey upon the weak, the unprepared. I am simply choosing to act on behalf of their victims. My anger is not uncontrolled, or irrational; it is righteous, and directed toward a noble purpose."

As the pair travels, Merin will forage for herbs, and prospect for stones and minerals.

Spoiler: Base Rolls

75, 80

 

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Character Data

Merindell: full wellness
Sheldon: full wellness

Spoiler: Collections

Animal:
Black Vulture Feathers, 1 set, (Adhesion +2)
Black Vulture Skull: 2, ??
Black Vulture Talons: 2 sets, ??
Jackal Canines: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Dew Claws: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Tails: 8: (Strength +3 (Academic only))
Jackal Hearts: 8: {+strength x 3, +athleticism x 3}
Quillion Quills: 2: (Health +3), {toxicity x4}

Mineral:
Coal: 1 brick, {heat x2}
Slickstone: 1: {- heat x2}

Plant:

Merin says, thoughtfully, "I doubt their band is large enough to threaten a town..."
"...They have it coming. They chose to prey upon the weak..."

"Bully mentality. I would call this an act of opportunity. You are an individual. Do not think that my suspicion of the culprits as being Amiradthae has any reflection on you. It does not."

Having a particular enemy in mind and not especially concerned with the acquisition of food, the two mean turn upstream and continue to force the pace of their travel. A day and a half bring the opportunity of a possible culmination of pursuit. A shift in the wind brings a faint scent of smoke, wafting from farther upstream. The distance could not be more than 15 minutes.

OOC: State intention and precaution of approach. Each character receives 2 DP. The previous post has been corrected to reflect 3.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin nods at Sheldon in confirmation. He will manipulate waylines to perform the following tasks: Soullessness, Damping Sound, Enhance Motility, and Clairaudience. He will approach from the opposite side as Sheldon, so as to force the enemy to divide their attention. He intends to ignite his first opponent using the Phoenix Feather, but he will do so in coordination with Sheldon, so as to effectively surprise their opponents.

Spoiler: Base Rolls

Buffs:
38, 99(+43), 22, 29... hmmm, dice are against me today.
Reaction:
79
Ignite (Feather x3):
83

 

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Character Data

Merindell: full wellness
Sheldon: full wellness

Spoiler: Collections

Animal:
Black Vulture Feathers, 1 set, (Adhesion +2)
Black Vulture Skull: 2, ??
Black Vulture Talons: 2 sets, ??
Jackal Canines: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Dew Claws: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Tails: 8: (Strength +3 (Academic only))
Jackal Hearts: 8: {+strength x 3, +athleticism x 3}
Quillion Quills: 2: (Health +3), {toxicity x4}

Mineral:
Coal: 1 brick, {heat x2}
Slickstone: 1: {- heat x2}

Plant:
nothing here

Merin... manipulate waylines... opposite side as Sheldon... intends to (heat) his first opponent using the Phoenix Feather... coordination...

GM: Clairaudience is counterproductive while moving. It is really designed for non-combat situations, when the character is still. Using the adept task of "Rage" Merin can augment both motility and strength simultaneously.

Having the talent to augment himself for over an hour, Merindell bends various waylines as he moves into position. Sheldon has to wait until they are much closer because his talent is still limited to a few minutes.

Spoiler: Conceal

hide + Collegiate + d100
Merindell: 40 + 53(soullessness) + 38 = 131
Sheldon: 47 + 48(camouflage) + 38 = 133

Spoiler: Enhancement

Merindell: Motility: 19 * (100 + 61)% = 31, Strength: 21 * 161% = 34
Sheldon: Athletic + 48 = 49

Moving in, it is discovered that the smoke is coming from the campfire of a clan of Amiradthae, as suspected. There are 10 total, five men and five women. They are milling about the area, waiting on the evening meal of some nice sized game animal to finish cooking on a spit. A couple of members are passing some fabric back and forth and discussing the quality. Merindell hears perfectly that they are talking about having taken it from those travelers on the road. It is more than enough evidence.

The phoenix feather dissolves, only to reform momentarily. The enemy holding the bolt of cloth, screams and falls to the ground, convulsing, his insides boiling. An instant later on the opposite side, one tending the fire, suddenly screams. The others immediately ready arrows to their bows and begin looking about in earnest.

OOC: This ends surprise. Reaction will not be necessary, their bows will be slower. State next intended action. Each character receives 6 DP.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin will once again use heat upon one of the Amiradthae, while trying to remain hidden. He will once again augment using the Phoenix Feather.

Spoiler: Base Rolls

Heat: 100 (+81) = 181. That person is toast.

 

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Character Data

Merindell: full wellness
Sheldon: full wellness

Spoiler: Collections

Animal:
Black Vulture Feathers, 1 set, (Adhesion +2)
Jackal Canines: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Dew Claws: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Tails: 8: (Strength +3 (Academic only))
Jackal Hearts: 8: {+strength x 3, +athleticism x 3}
Quillion Quills: 2: (Health +3), {toxicity x4}

Mineral:
Coal: 1 brick, {heat x2}
Slickstone: 1: {- heat x2}

Plant:
nothing here

Spoiler: Conceal

hide + Collegiate + d100
Merindell: 40 + 53(soullessness) + 38 = 131
Sheldon: 47 + 48(camouflage) + 38 = 133

Spoiler: Enhancement

Merindell: Motility: 19 * (100 + 61)% = 31, Strength: 21 * 161% = 34
Sheldon: Athletic + 48 = 49

Spoiler: Active Search

mercantile + clarity + d100
Amiradthae: 39 + 26 + 48 = 113, fail

Merin... heat... Phoenix Feather.

GM: Phoenix Feather uses, 2/3.

Though they spread out and begin searching, none of the Amiradthae are successful at locating either of their assailants.

Spoiler: Mystical Assault

bending + Collegiate + d100
Merindell: 43 + 52 x 3(feather) + 181 = 380
Sheldon: 81 + 49 + 89 = 219

Resistance: conditioning + fury + d100
Amiradthae: 38 + 25 + 191 = 254
A3: 380 - 254 = 126% * 10 = 13, Body: 10 - 13 = -3, incapacitated
A4: resisted

Once again the phoenix feather dissolves and reforms, a third Amiradthae cries out and falls, but only the one. Whatever Sheldon was attempting, it evidently failed. The remaining Faethrins are becoming unhinged. Finding no enemy, it appears they are preparing to run.

OOC: Each character receives 2 DP.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

As they are preparing to run, Merin will intoxicate one of them. Although he is tempted to use one of the quills, he decides to forego it; he doesn't see the need to augment an attack upon a demoralized enemy. He will do so while remaining hidden. Only when they start to flee, will he consider exposing himself.

Spoiler: Base Roll

72

 

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Character Data

Merindell: full wellness
Sheldon: full wellness

Spoiler: Collections

Animal:
Black Vulture Feathers, 1 set, (Adhesion +2)
Jackal Canines: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Dew Claws: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Tails: 8: (Strength +3 (Academic only))
Jackal Hearts: 8: {+strength x 3, +athleticism x 3}
Quillion Quills: 2: (Health +3), {toxicity x4}

Mineral:
Coal: 1 brick, {heat x2}
Slickstone: 1: {- heat x2}

Plant:
nothing here

Spoiler: Conceal

Merindell: 53(soullessness)
Sheldon: 48(camouflage)

Spoiler: Enhancement

Merindell: Motility: 31, Strength: 34
Sheldon: Athletic: 49

GM: Phoenix Feather uses, 2/3.

Spoiler: Mystical Assault

bending + Collegiate + d100
Merindell: 43 + 32 + 72 = 147
Sheldon: 81 + 49 + 72 = 202

Resistance: conditioning + fury or clarity + d100
Amiradthae: 38 + 25 + 77 = 140
damage: 147 - 140 = 07% * 2 = 1 (minimum success damage)
damage: 202 - 140 = 62% * 4 = 2
A3: incapacitated.
A4: Mind: 10 - 1 = 9, irritated
A6: Body: 10 - 2 = 8, hurt

Spoiler: Projectile Assault

launch + accuracy + clarity + d100
Amiradthae: 38 + 39 + 26 + 77 = 180

Spoiler: Projectile Avoidance

avoidance + analysis + d100
Merindell: 40 + 33 + 72 = 145 + 53(soullessness) = 197
Sheldon: 49 + 43 + 72 = 164 + 48(camo) = 212

As they are preparing to run, Merin will intoxicate one of them...

Spoiler: Base Roll

72

Seeing that the enemy is preparing to scatter, Sheldon deliberately reveals himself, though maintaining his camouflage, and runs straight for one. Having no intention to close to melee but simply gather attention, he again manipulates chemical waylines to acidify the fluids of an enemy.

Showing notable bravery when faced with a known Bender, three of the remaining Amiradthae halt their retreat to turn and fire upon the semi-obscured Sheldon. When the lesser mystical assault only results in irritating his enemy, he too turns and fires his bow, using that fraction of a second connection to locate his target, Merindell. At least, he thought he had located his target but fires left of where he should have been.

"Podozhdite! Yest' tol'ko dva."

Two of the four simultaneously yell at the others, "Wait! There are only two."

OOC: Each character receives 2 DP.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Maintaining his aura of Soullessness, Merin follows Sheldon's lead, revealing himself, as he rushes his next opponent. He will strike the Amiradtha in the head with his bo staff, while simultaneously hitting him with a piercing sonic attack.

Merin says, in his native tongue, "Yes, wait, come back. We want to play! Aren't you having any fun?"

Spoiler: Base Rolls

Bo Staff: 93+51 = 144
Sonic: 96 + 57 = 153
WOO!! The dice are smokin' today!

 

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Character Data

Merindell: full wellness
Sheldon: full wellness

Spoiler: Collections

Animal:
Black Vulture Feathers, 1 set, (Adhesion +2)
Jackal Canines: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Dew Claws: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Hearts: 8: {+strength x 3, +athleticism x 3}
Quillion Quills: 2: (Health +3), {toxicity x4}

Mineral:
Coal: 1 brick, {heat x2}
Slickstone: 1: {- heat x2}

Plant:
nothing here

Spoiler: Conceal

Merindell: 53(soullessness)
Sheldon: 48(camouflage)

Spoiler: Enhancement

Merindell: Motility: +12, Strength: +11
Sheldon: Athletic: + 8

GM: Phoenix Feather uses, 2/3.

Spoiler: Reaction

readiness + speed + clarity + d100
Merindell: 33 + 41 + 32 + 144 = 250 + 12 = 262
Sheldon: 27 + 41 + 48 + 85 = 201 + 8 = 209
Amiradthae: 38 + 58 + 26 + 115 = 237

Spoiler: Speed of Action

hindrance - reaction => 0
Merindell: 37(clothing) - 34(strength) + 400(movement) = 403 - 262 = 141
Sheldon: 200(acidify) - 209 = ~0
Amiradthae: 180(bow) - 237 = ~0

Spoiler: Aggressive Assault

aggression + accuracy + fury + d100
Merindell: 37 + 41 + 74 + 144 = 296 + 11 = 307

defense: readiness + avoidance + analysis + d100
Amiradthae: 38 + 39 + 26 + 115 = 218
damage: 307 - 218 = 89% (not a head strike) * 10 = 9 - 1(soak) = 8
A6: Body: 10 - 2 = 8 - 8 = 0, incapacitated

Spoiler: Mystical Assault

bending + Collegiate + d100
Merindell: 43 + 32(sonic) + 153 = 228
Sheldon: 81 + 49 + 85 = 215

Resistance: conditioning + fury or clarity + d100
Amiradthae: 38 + 25 + 115 = 178 + 49 = 227
damage: 228 - 178 = 50% (5 strides) * 4 = 2
damage: 215 - 178 = 37% * 4 = 1
A1 & 2: dying.
A3: incapacitated.
A4: Mind: 10 - 1 = 9, irritated: Body: 10 - 1 = 9
A6: Mind: 10 - 2 = 8, dazed

Spoiler: Projectile Assault

launch + accuracy + clarity + d100
Amiradthae: 38 + 58 + 26 + 115 = 237 + 50(range) = 287

Spoiler: Projectile Avoidance

avoidance + analysis + d100
Merindell: 40 + 33 + 144 = 217 + 53 = 270
damage: 287 - 270 = 17% * 11 = 2 - 4(surcoat), ineffective (x 3)
Surcoat: 80 - 3 = 77%
Sheldon: 49 + 43 + 85 = 177 + 48 = 225
damage: 287 - 225 = 62% * 11 = 7 - 6(tunic) = 1 (x 3)
Tunic: 60 - 9 = 51%
Body: 10 - 3 = 7, hurt

... Merin... rushes his next opponent. He will strike... in the head with his bo staff... sonic attack.

Merin says, in his native tongue, "Yes, wait, come back. We want to play! Aren't you having any fun?"

GM: Once activated, the soullessness for Merindell will remain for 240 minutes, without concentration. (essence + adhesion) * 10 minutes

One of the Amiradthae, growls, "Et zhulik, brat!" (It is a rogue, tribesman.)

Sheldon laughs at the comment, thinking, ~Rudimentary, cur.~

Splayed across an open array, Sheldon and Mirendell divide to conquer, thinking it more advantageous and not needing to double-team. Each man picks his next nearest opponent, who are now attempting to snipe rather than run. Sheldon, however, does not close on any opponent, taking a defensive posture instead, manipulating waylines from his distance.

Merindell closes the distance to his next opponent faster than the Amiradthae can draw and fire. Though the blow of his staff misses the opponent's head, it still manages to crack some ribs, piercing a lung, and incapacitating the archer.

The remaining six archers all fire from different locations but all within short bow range. Merindell takes some damage to his snakeskin surcoat but no physical harm. Sheldon takes minor damage from three arrows, insignificantly harming one in return by altering the fluids in his body to become more acidic.

OOC: Each character receives 3 DP.