Log:Broken Dolls: Where The Tanks Are
| Broken Dolls: Where The Tanks Are | |
|---|---|
| Participants | 27 October, 2017 Part of Broken Dolls. A discussion about what to do about the Dolls leads far deeper into the Hedge, and into much greater peril, than they counted on. |
| Location
Looptrod, then the Deep Hedge | |
| Outside Stoneheart in the evening: Damion, being a Harvestman who fought these things yesterday, is rustling up those who can fite to go... do something. Night's falling, the Hedge is slowly rustling, adjusting and changeing around those whose Wyrd shapes the border-world between Arcadia and the 'real' world.
The rustling caused by the Dragon Damion had piqued Cassian's interest. As always, his motto was to do right by the Dragons--Their impetuousness often made for solid alliances when the chips were down. But, Cassian didn't know Damion like Iris, and so, Damion didn't get shiny gifts. He got stalked by a curious Darkling that loved the shadows and hiding. "Shhhh," Cassian coo'd to a nearby growth of flora, "I don't know what they're doing, no." The words are muted, offered as Cassian slinks along a large branch to find a spot free of brambles for him to drop to the ground. Cassian knew all the best ways in and out of Stoneheart.
Alonso rides up the narrow path from the west, astride his andalusian fae mount, all red and black and striped. He's singing a ballad in his rather sweet baritone, apparently for the benefit of the eagle that rides on his arm. "Segur que tomba, tomba, tomba, ben corcada deu ser ja..." His singing stops once the gathering comes into view. He gives his horse a gentle hick of his heels and canters the remaining distance to draw up before the group. While his horse tramps out the dirt with quite literally bridled agitation, Alonso doffs his overlarge floppy hat to Damion. "Comrade harvestman. I have come to help. I have been battling the mother's army for some time now."
He focuses on Omari when he speaks. "Well. The enemy seems to primarily consist of what looks like living mannequins. They're not very tough. And they don't really seem very smart either. But they come in groups, so be careful. Also, if anybody here has a weak stomach, you might want to sit this one out. They tend to spray, and they're filled with blood and...well, puss. It smells a bit like gangrene hatefucked a rotten carcass and gave birth to stench. They also sometimes have what amounts to tanks, which they use to burn into the Looptrod. And I've been told there are what look like cyborg briarwolves, though I haven't fought them myself." He nods to Alonso when he greets him. "I appreciate it." He glances around. "For those I've never met, my name is Damion King." He clears his throat. "We have two options. We can head to the Market and try to find info there. See what they know about attacks by the dolls. But, that would require going through Everdark. Which is always risky. The other option is we go to the site of my and Teagans fight with a squad yesterday. It's possible the hole is still there, and we might be able to figure out where they're coming from. Either way, information on these things is our priority. That, and not dying if we run into them. I'll take a vote on which route people would rather take."
"Hark," Cassian whispers, dropping low into a slouched position at the base of a black-barked tree, "The Spaniard." He seems to pause a moment and glance sidelong. "No?" He asks, inquisitively, "Catalonian? That's what I said." In the long and short of Cassian's calendar, he was sweeping back towards the less sane days, it seems. Or the plants were really speaking to the Woodblood. Without any other Woodbloods around, it was really hard to tell.
Alonso leans forward to pat his horse's neck, calming the beast somewhat. He speaks to Damion as he does so, "We have located a main base of operations for their army, comrade King. Once matters are concluded, I would be happy to share with you all the information I and my comrades have gathered up to this point. That offer extends to all of you, should you be interested in the details." He sits himself back up in the saddle and rolls out his shoulders. "I am capable of leading us off the trod and towards their camp, though I would feel safer doing so if we all had access to Brumebulb. Truly, the Everdark may be the safer route for an ad hoc mission."
Cassian considers Alonso's words for a long moment, as spindled fingers scratch at the Woodblood Darkling's chin. The shadows seem to fade from around Cassian as he focuses less on concealing himself from the others and addresses Alonso. "If only you knew some tricky Darkling that knows the secret Clauses of the Woods to get us to-and-fro," he offers, now back upon one of the nearby tree-branches. At Damion, Cassian offers a bit of a sneer. "One never pays too much at the Market. Exactly as much as one needs to pay, and no more," Cassian says, "But the Market has no new information. Alonso is the most knowing, followed probably by our favorite Rainbow-with-Teeth. Of that, I can assure you, free of charge."
Alonso leans back in his saddle, considering Damion's words regarding the tanks. He finds himself nodding in agreement, "You are quite right, comrade. We did not see any facilities constructing their tanks at the base we found. The briarwolves, yes. But not the tanks. If we find a set of treads, I believe Cassian and myself are more than capable of leading us towards their source. But, again. I can make no promises as to your safety once we are there. Nor my own, for that matter." Alonso lifts a hand towards Cassian, demuring what he seems to view as flattery. "If that is so, it is only because I have done a poor job of sharing what I know. Regardless, I defer to Damion in this. I will go where he wishes in the role he requires of me."
Damion turns his gaze towards the Woodblood when he speaks, arching a hairless brow at the odd Lost. "So you're good at that sort of thing, are you? Hmm. We can check out the hole then, see if we can possibly track them back to where they came from." He looks around at the trio that have gathered. "I want to make it clear. This will more than likely end up dangerous. If you're not able to fight, or aren't willing to risk injury. you're better off staying here. And I'll also add, if you can't handle gross things, also might be better to stay behind. Because these things are disgusting when they die." He waits for a few moments to give people a chance to decide and make their decisions known, then nods. "Alright. I'll guide you to where the tank broke through yesterday. Here's hoping it hasn't closed fully yet." He turns, and starts off along the road from the Freehold.
"If it is my fate to be destroyed, I must simply laugh," sayeth the Dusk Cassian. Though he slips from the treebranch with a dramaless jump, he seems to favor keeping his bare feet in the wild grasses that make up the looptrod's floor. He actively avoids larger stones or barren dirt, and naturally sort of flows into a rearguard position--Though half the time he was difficult to see altogether, leading one to question whether he remained with them at all, until he seemingly appears from behind a tree to fall in line again.
Nighttime in the Hedge is the best time to go off-trod, as everyone knows. This is not at all risky. With the Harvestman at the head, the group moves back toward the cave that has the most commonly-used trod into the Looptrod on it -- and it isn't long before they arrive. There are still scorch marks on the trees from where the tank burnt its way in, but the Hedge heals itself very fast, and the marks are disappearing fast. Within another day at most, they'd have been gone entirely.
-> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 0 Success < 2 2 6 > ===========================-> >> Wits + Composure - 4 No Flags << <--> >> Cassian to Here << <-===========================================Rolled 2 Successes < 1 1 3 3 5 5 5 7 8 8 > ===============================-> >> Wits + Composure - 4 Rote << <-No corpses left behind. Well, that's about what Damion expected. The big Draconic moves over to the hole in the Looptrod, examineing it carefully. "Mmm. This is where they came through. No telling what we'll run into out there, so....be careful, alright?" They're a ways down the road from the Freehold, at a spot with some scorched trees. Dielle might have heard about what's going on from somebody and decided to join them. Apparently being the only Harvestman there, Damion is the leader of the group by default.
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 1 2 3 6 9 9 > ========================-> >> Wits + Survival + 1 - 2 No Flags << <--> >> Dielle to Here << <-============================================Rolled 1 Success < 2 5 8 > =======================-> >> Wits + Composure - 4 + 1 No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 5 Successes for an exceptional success. < 2 4 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 10 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 1 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 2 8 9 10 > ===============================================-> >> 2 9-Again << <-"Follow me," Omari calls back to the lightborn copy. "If you hear or smell something howl," this said to both wolves. Remus moves along with the others until they get to a cave. O calls for a halt from the mount as they start to look around. He sniffs at the air while Remus lowers down for his own comfort. "I'll be as careful as I can be. Scout's honor and all that good shit."
Cassian leans low, considering the ground a moment. He didn't mind the darkness so much--He could sense the others easily enough. Even the life beyond their periphery in the hedge, he could sense. The helpless prey that inevitably slept during the nocturnal hours. Oh, how hungry it made him. "You must have made short work of these. All there's left are bits and pieces," Cassian says, lifting one of said bits. "Just a skirmish or were they headed somewhere?" He asks, back towards the group.
Both Alonso and Omari spot the tank treads quite handily and at the same time. The tank's treads are about as wide apart as the wheelbase of an SUV (this is a tank for small dolls, after all, the soldiers are only about four feet tall) and go off the trod and into the Hedge, quickly fading. After not too long, it's necessary to follow the burn-marks on the trees, not yet shed by the thorns into which the party must cut.
Damion shrugs at Cassian, "I don't know. They came through the trees then attacked immedietly. There were five of them on foot, two in a tank." He glances over at Dielle, frowning slightly at the sight of his friend in her lack of protective clothing. "Hey Di. Keep back and try not to get dragged into melee, alright? Assuming we end up in a fight." He considers. "But don't go all the way to the back, in case we get taken from behind." Then henods to the trackers. "Alright. Well, take the lead. I'll be right behind you. If we get into combat, fall back behind me until I can draw their attention. I can take a hit better than most of you." Plus he's wearing heavy armor.
-> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 0 Success < 1 1 1 2 4 5 5 6 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 1 No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 0 Success < 5 6 > ==============================================-> >> 2 No Flags << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 3 7 7 7 8 8 9 > ==========================-> >> Wits + Survival.Hedge No Flags << <--> >> Dielle to Here << <-============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 2 2 3 6 8 9 > ================================-> >> Wits + Survival No Flags << <--> >> Cassian to Here << <-===========================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 3 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 9 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 1 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 0 Success < 1 2 3 3 4 > ==========================================-> >> 3 + 2 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 2 2 3 8 9 > ===========================================-> >> 2 + 2 9-Again << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 2 3 3 3 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 7 7 7 9 9 9 9 > =============-> >> Wits + Survival - 2 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 3 9-Again << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 5 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 2 2 3 5 5 7 8 8 9 10 10 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 5 5 8 8 10 > ===========================================-> >> 2 + 2 9-Again << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 0 Success < 1 5 5 6 6 > ==========================================-> >> 2 + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 2 3 5 5 8 8 8 10 > ==========================-> >> Wits + Survival.Hedge No Flags << <--> >> Dielle to Here << <-============================================Rolled 5 Successes for an exceptional success. < 3 4 5 5 9 9 10 10 10 > ================================-> >> Wits + Survival No Flags << <-Cassian, deferring to the 'leaders' on their hunt for tracking, turns his attentions to making sure they didn't get ambushed. He follows the periphery of the group, and keeps his senses keen for anything incoming.
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 13 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 > =========-> >> Wits + Survival + 1 - 2 + 5 + 3 + 4 + 5 9-Again << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 2 2 3 5 6 7 9 10 10 > ==========================-> >> Wits + Survival.Hedge No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Dielle to Here << <-============================================Rolled 1 Success < 1 1 3 5 7 9 > ================================-> >> Wits + Survival No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 6 Successes for an exceptional success. < 5 5 6 8 9 9 9 10 10 > ===========================================-> >> 2 + 2 9-Again << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 1 Success < 2 2 5 7 8 > ==========================================-> >> 2 + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 8 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 5 5 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 > =====-> >> Wits + Survival + 2 - 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 6 + 1 9-Again << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 3 4 4 4 6 6 7 7 8 8 10 10 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 3 5 6 7 9 9 10 > ===========================================-> >> 2 + 2 9-Again << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 1 Success < 3 5 5 6 8 > ==========================================-> >> 2 + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 1 Success < 2 3 5 5 5 6 6 7 10 > ==========================-> >> Wits + Survival.Hedge No Flags << <--> >> Dielle to Here << <-============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 1 5 7 7 7 9 10 > ================================-> >> Wits + Survival No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 7 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 > =====-> >> Wits + Survival + 2 - 2 + 4 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 9-Again << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 2 3 4 4 4 9 9 10 > ==========================-> >> Wits + Survival.Hedge No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 6 Successes for an exceptional success. < 2 2 3 4 6 7 7 8 9 9 10 10 10 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Dielle to Here << <-============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 1 1 4 5 8 10 10 > ================================-> >> Wits + Survival No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 1 Success < 3 4 6 7 9 > ===========================================-> >> 2 + 2 9-Again << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 2 7 7 8 9 > ==========================================-> >> 2 + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 8 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 > =====-> >> Wits + Survival + 2 - 2 + 3 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 2 9-Again << <-GAME: Damion spends 4 Glamour
Even for the Wyrdest among the Lost? It's literally draining. Omari leads the group expertly, pulling together the signs and symbols that everyone picks out -- Dielle at one point spots a scorch mark high up on a tree that keeps them on the path, and at another point it's Alonso picking out where the pus from one of the soldier hobs seemingly infected one of the thorns and twisted it that keeps them on the path. But it tears at the Lost, it drains them. Not just physically but spiritually. The Thorns catch people's hair, scrape across their scales, dig into their sides. Never enough to draw blood, no, but blood isn't what the Thorns want, no. Deep, deep, deep in the Hedge, so far as to be on the brink of Places Lost Shouldn't Be -- perhaps Legates, perhaps -- time and distance seem to distort, sounds come in either too quickly or too slow. People's bones ache and their teeth feel gritty and slimy all at once. Tongues too large for mouths. Everything in each of them -- not matter how attuned to the Wyrd -- is screaming you shouldn't be here. And it's then, and only then, that there's a weird, distorted, warbling sound coming in with the edge of metallic clanking. Distant voices, lapping over one another like waves breaking over collections of pebbles, if the waves crashed directly in through the eyes and washed over the brain. Reality is a Dali painting, the roots of the trees arc overhead blood-red and gold. But ahead is a clearing that smells like death and oil.
Maybe Damion shouldn't have done this on less than full Glamour. But, it's not like they had any time to go out harvesting before trying. The Draconic follows close behind the trackers of the group, providing whatever small aid he can along the way. When they seem to draw near to the probably source of the tanks, he drops down into a couch and moves along carefuly. Well. As carefully as a seven foot tall heavily armored dragon with zero training in moving quietly can be. He loosens his sword in its sheath and looks at the other, whispering, "Alright. So. We need to make sure this is where they're coming from. If possible, without letting them know we're here. Then we need to figure out where exactly we are in relation to the Freehold so we can find it again later." He pauses. "If anybody has any Glamour fruit on them, now might be a good time to eat it." He really should harvest some himself when they get back.
Cassian may have been a staunch fatalist, inflinching at whatever may come their way at any given moment, but even he couldn't turn away some feelings. What was it he told Lulu just last night? Sometimes, you broke even by going far enough in. You never got away free. Thankfully, he'd brought fruit--it kept him busy as they walked. Even as he slowed a bit and made his movements far more ... deliberate, and sneaky. A long stabapple pulled from the pack, only to simply disintegrate in Cassian's hands, leaving only the smell of a fruit market.
-> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 4 5 7 8 9 10 > ========================-> >> Dexterity + Stealth + 2 No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 6 Successes for an exceptional success. < 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 7 7 8 9 9 9 9 10 > =========================-> >> Dexterity + Stealth + 7 8-Again << <-GAME: Cassian spends 1 Willpower
-> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 1 Success < 1 3 7 8 > ===============================================-> >> 3 8-Again << <--> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 11 Successes for an exceptional success. < 2 2 2 4 4 4 5 5 6 7 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 > ==============================================-> >> 10 8-Again << <--> >> Cassian to Here << <-===========================================Rolled 14 Successes for an exceptional success. < 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 > ============-> >> Dexterity + Stealth + 2 + 4 8-Again and Rote << <--> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 2 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 > ==============================================-> >> 10 8-Again << <--> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 4 6 7 8 9 9 10 > ==============================================-> >> 10 8-Again << <--> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 1 Success < 1 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 8 > ==============================================-> >> 10 8-Again << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 2 4 5 8 9 10 > ==========================================-> >> 2 + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 0 Success < 2 4 > ===============================================-> >> 2 8-Again << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 7 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 4 5 5 8 8 8 9 9 9 10 > ===========================================-> >> 2 + 2 8-Again << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 3 4 5 7 9 10 > ===========================-> >> Wits + Composure - 2 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 2 3 3 3 7 9 10 > ===========================-> >> Wits + Composure - 2 No Flags << <--> >> Cassian to Here << <-===========================================Rolled 6 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 10 > ===========================-> >> Wits + Composure - 2 + 2 Rote << <--> >> Dielle to Here << <-============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 4 5 6 8 10 > ===========================-> >> Wits + Composure - 2 No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 > ============================-> >> Wits + Composure + 2 8-Again << <-Well, everything was going super great. Alonso started sneaking closer, being like a super sneaky Darkling sort? And then he kind of starts getting this deja vu feeling. Harbingers get those feelings sometimes. Or maybe it's just a feeling like he's being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stand up, riiiight at exactly the same time as Cassian smells dinner -- and Romulus smells ... well, maybe not dinner but something really meaty and also oily all at the same time. The blood-red roots that stretch up into the sky stink of motor-oil sap, black-red-gold running down the trunks as a low, rattling sound -- like an engine that just won't quite turn over -- becomes a second rattling sound, a third, a fourth -- And whatever is beyond that ridge? Alonso doesn't get to get a look at it. (Cassian does, however, sneaking ahead -- unseen -- he's seen a layout like this before, but not exactly like this -- the soldier hobs and others of similar height moving together, an assembly line, almost. Disjointed. Not working together. The assembly line broken down. Piles of parts, piles of half-rotted hedgefruit. A mess. But they're trying to repair the tanks, to keep them moving. A half-built tank on one side.) No one else gets to see that, though. One, two, three, four pairs of LED-red eyes blink on in the dark, up in the treets, and that rattle-trap sound becomes a howl, two howls, three howls, four. Shit was surreal before, it's real now.
-> >> Cassian to Here << <-===========================================Rolled a chance die for a failure < 5 > ====================================-> >> init NF - 2 No Flags << <-GAME: Cassian rolled 9 - 2, putting himself on the initiative roster at 16.
-> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 5 Successes for an exceptional success. < 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 6 9 9 9 10 10 > ============================-> >> Wits + Composure + 2 8-Again << <--> >> Cassian to Here << <-===========================================Rolled 7 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 1 2 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 > ===========================-> >> Wits + Composure + 2 - 2 Rote << <-GAME: Omari rolled 5 + 3, putting himself on the initiative roster at 16.
-> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 8 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 > =================-> >> Dexterity + Firearms + Wyrd + 5 8-Again << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 6 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 9 10 10 > =================-> >> Dexterity + Firearms + Wyrd + 4 8-Again << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 10 > =================-> >> Dexterity + Firearms + Wyrd + 3 8-Again << <--> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 0 Success < 2 > ==============================================-> >> 1 No Flags << <-Alonso might audibly groan were he not better trained. He's only ever managed to get the drop on these critters the once, and never again. Still, his reflexes are lightning quick and before the briarwolves nearest him can pounce, he's up on his feet and walking backwards with his bow at the ready. In quick succession he sends a volley of arrows flashing through the darkness, each one accompanied by a crackling of lightning and a flash of brilliant white light. It dazzles the eyes, illuminates the clearing in a shower of white and a dance of shadow. Then, just as quickly as the white light appears, it's gone again, slamming home into the chests of first one, then another, and finally a third of the approaching briarwolves. "Fall back," Alonso advises calmly. Retreats turn into routs when you panic.
-> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 1 2 3 3 4 4 6 7 7 8 10 > =============================================-> >> 10 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 2 3 3 6 6 6 10 10 > ==========================================-> >> 3 + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Cassian to Here << <-===========================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 2 3 3 3 3 4 6 7 8 9 9 > ===============================-> >> Dexterity + Wyrd No Flags << <--> >> Cassian to Here << <-===========================================Rolled 7 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 2 2 2 3 5 5 7 7 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 > ===========-> >> Dexterity + Firearms.Archery + 1 + 3 No Flags << <-GAME: Gisa removes "cyberwolf 1" from the initiative roster.
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 1 3 4 4 5 5 8 8 9 > ===============================-> >> Wyrd + Dexterity No Flags << <-GAME: Omari spends 1 Glamour
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 6 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 1 2 2 4 4 4 4 5 5 7 7 8 8 9 10 10 10 > ============-> >> Dexterity + Firearms.Pistols + 1 + 3 9-Again << <--> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 0 Success < 2 > ==============================================-> >> 1 No Flags << <--> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 3 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 > ==============================================-> >> 9 No Flags << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 2 2 2 3 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 > =================================-> >> Wyrd + Resolve No Flags << <--> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 0 Success < 7 > ========================================-> >> 14 - 13 No Flags << <--> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 1 Success < 8 > ==============================================-> >> 1 No Flags << <--> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 1 Success < 1 1 1 1 1 4 4 5 8 > ==============================================-> >> 9 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 2 3 4 5 6 6 8 9 10 > =================================-> >> Wyrd + Resolve No Flags << <-Cassian had less to work with here, being in a strange land, but he utilized the strange topography to his advantage as he crept forward. He tried to catch Alonso's eye, signalling some bizarre sign involving the number 12. The message would have been more clear if he had time to let them know he was out in about twelve seconds. Meanwhile, as Alonso opens fire, Cassian peeks from around a piece of obstruction for only a second, firing loose an arrow and slipping back into a deceptive overlook. The arrow finds it's mark, finishing one of Alonso's targets elegantly. He would later recall it being at least a fifty yard mark. -At least-.
With one down Omari lets out a howl of approval that's followed in tune by the other three wolves gathered with them. He pulls out one of his holstered pistols, the icy one, and soon starts aiming at one of the freaks. "Stick with Romulus," he growls to the faux copy of him, and then lets off a shard of ice at his target.
Off in the distance? Those howls are answered. Not Omari's, no. And up in the trees, further off, more pairs of red LEDs pop on.
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled a chance die for a failure < 8 > =================================-> >> 3 + 4 + 3 - 10 No Flags << <-"This place smells like shit," Remus grumps when he takes off. It shakes itself, and almost unseats Omari in the process. The massive wolf sucks in a great breath, and when it lets out that might yhowl of ice and rage it roars, "I want triple now, and double on Monday."
-> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 5 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 7 8 8 9 10 10 > -> >> Strength + Weaponry.Swords + 1 + 1 + 5 + 6 - 10 No Flags << <-Pretty sure he's been in worse situations, Damion readies his sword in front of him...then his vision swims a little as he becomes disoriented, trying to blink the sensation away. He calls on the shadow of Arcadia, and his form quickly swells up, doubling the size of the crimson-scaled Dragon in the plate armor. He lets out a roar to try and draw the attention of the attacking wolves away from the others. Who knows if it'll work though. He begins to swing his flaming zweihander around him, ready in case any DO attack him.
-> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 5 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 1 1 2 2 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 > ================-> >> Dexterity + Firearms + Wyrd + 7 No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 5 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 2 2 2 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 9 9 10 10 10 > ================-> >> Dexterity + Firearms + Wyrd + 6 No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 2 2 2 4 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 > ================-> >> Dexterity + Firearms + Wyrd + 5 No Flags << <-GAME: Gisa removes "cyberwolf 4" from the initiative roster.
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 1 Success < 3 3 5 6 7 10 > ==========================================-> >> 3 + 2 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 1 Success < 1 7 7 10 > =============================-> >> 5 + 4 + 1 + 3 - 10 No Flags << <-Alonso continues his orderly withdrawal. When the nearest briarwolf takes a swipe at him, he merely ducks down for a moment, then pops back up while the creature is recovering to deliver a point blank shot with his bow, right into the back of the creature's skull. While it is toppling to the ground, he's sending a second arcing shot into the creature engaged with Remus, and snipes the last out of the trees, sending it collapsing to the ground with a thud. He turns to jog out a bit more distance in retreat before ducking in behind a tree. With the corpses popping like overfilled balloons filled with sour cream, things are getting rather disgusting out there in the dark.
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled a chance die for a failure < 5 > ==========================================-> >> 5 - 9 No Flags << <-Romulus bounds off, his icy bearing leaving cold tracks in his wake. His breath leaves a constant trail of thick air in his wake until he opens his mouth. He sinks down his teeth into the flanks of the cyberwolf, already growling about the stink. Omari's copy likewise begins his assault, although the elemental comes well short with his swiping of claws.
-> >> Cassian to Here << <-===========================================Rolled 6 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 10 > ============================-> >> Wits + Wyrd + 1 + 5 No Flags << <--> >> Gisa to Here << <-==============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 3 9 9 9 10 > =========================================-> >> 12 - 7 No Flags << <-GAME: Omari spends 1 Willpower
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 2 4 5 5 6 6 8 8 8 > ===============================-> >> Dexterity + Wyrd No Flags << <-GAME: Omari spends 1 Glamour
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 12 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 > ===-> >> Dexterity + Firearms.Pistols + 1 + 3 9-Again and Rote << <-Cassian reaches into one of the pockets of the jacket coat for a moment, fishing out a handful of something before he glances to figure out where everyone was. "Watch the flanks--Rearward motion. Way we came," he calls out, urging them to begin retreating as the Woodblood does a funny sort of thing. Instead of firing, Cassian begins to rush along their path. Behind him, with each step, the Hedge begins to sprout behind him. It grows as thick and brambl-y as one would expect it to be, with jagged, black bark and hungry little needle thorns. It forms in his wake and he maneuvers in such a way to try and prevent anyone from following up on them. Naturally, however, this means that whatever was chasing them would need to overcome these very thorns. It also meant anyone left outside would have to contend with them as well. And that meant there was a very specific window of time for them to flee.
GAME: Gisa removes "cyberwolf 5" from the initiative roster.
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled a chance die for a failure < 9 > =====================================-> >> 3 + 4 - 10 No Flags << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 1 Success < 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 7 7 10 > -> >> Strength + Weaponry.Swords + 1 + 1 + 5 + 6 - 10 - 2 No Flags << <-====
Remus isn't as peaceful about the continuous mess as Omari is. "Sextuple, you bastard." He lets out another long exhale bringing his aim along to drags it an attempt to bring down their enemy, but only freezes bits of the tree behind it.
-> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 2 3 4 4 4 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 > ================-> >> Dexterity + Firearms + Wyrd + 5 No Flags << <-GAME: Gisa removes "cyberwolf 6" from the initiative roster.
-> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 8 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 > ================-> >> Dexterity + Firearms + Wyrd + 5 No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 5 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 5 6 6 6 8 9 9 9 9 > ================-> >> Dexterity + Firearms + Wyrd + 4 No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 8 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 5 5 5 6 8 8 9 10 10 10 10 10 > ================-> >> Dexterity + Firearms + Wyrd + 3 No Flags << <-Muttering to himself in Catalan, Alonso pauses to pull three arrows from his quiver and stab them into the ground next to where he's crouching. When the next set of Briarwolves make their presence known, Alonso plucks up the first arrow, rises back to his feet, and steps out from behind the cover of his tree to let fly the first of his bow shots. The second and third arrows are plucked up and in the air before the first has even had a chance to find its target. As before, the crackle of electric light follows each arrow through the air, briefly lighting up the clearing bright as day. When the arrows slam home into their respective targets, darkness once more falls, and Alonso once more steps behind his cover. Adding insult to injury he calls from the shadows, "La teva mare frega les cabres!"
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 2 2 3 8 9 9 9 > ==========================================-> >> 3 + 5 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 0 Success < 1 3 5 > =================================-> >> 5 + 4 + 4 - 10 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled a chance die for a dramatic failure < 1 10 > ==========================================-> >> 5 - 9 No Flags << <-GAME: Gisa removes "cyberwolf 8" from the initiative roster.
-> >> Cassian to Here << <-===========================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 8 9 9 10 > ========================-> >> Wyrd + Intimidation + 3 No Flags << <-The Hedge continues to grow in Cassian's wake as he moves, rising skyward and blocking part of their view. His footsteps now begin to carry him towards the way they arrived from more directly. The window was closing. As if creating the Hedge, in the Hedge, was bad enough; Cassian takes another moment as he walks. A handful of dirt is picked up and allowed to fall between his fingers as the Clause takes hold. This was his land, now, and it showed. The Hedge behind him, the ground about them, all of it seems to come alive in a dramatic showing. The area actively fights out, with the ground buckling and trees leaning to attack anything within an area stretching outward by about seventy yards from Cassian.
GAME: Alonso spends 2 Willpower
-> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 2 2 3 4 4 6 7 7 8 9 9 10 > -> >> Strength + Weaponry.Swords + 1 + 5 + 1 + 3 - 10 No Flags << <-GAME: Gisa removes "cyberwolf 7" from the initiative roster.
-> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 3 4 4 5 5 8 9 9 > ==========================-> >> Wits + Survival.Hedge No Flags << <-With his quiver running low, Alonso slings his bow over his shoulder and slips his saber and parrying dagger free from their respective sheathes. Both blades shine with their own light. The saber's light is a low, molten sort of red. The color of a dawn sky when a storm is approaching. It casts his surroundings in a rather macabre shade of crimson. This is contrasted by the parrying dagger which, should one look at it too directy or too long, is like staring at the first sliver of sun slipping over the horizon. A beam of light shines out from the blade, one which pans about as though seeking for a set of eyes to blind. In this manner, sticking out like a sore thumb, does Alonso begin retracing his steps back-- he hopes --towards the looptrod. He resumes complaining. Quietly. And in Catalan.
-> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 6 7 8 10 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 0 Success < 4 5 6 7 > ===========================================-> >> 2 + 2 9-Again << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 3 4 6 9 10 10 10 > ==========================================-> >> 2 + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 5 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 6 7 7 7 8 10 10 10 10 > =============-> >> Wits + Survival + 2 - 2 + 3 + 2 + 4 9-Again << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 2 2 3 6 6 7 9 9 9 10 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 2 3 7 8 9 > ===========================================-> >> 2 + 2 9-Again << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 0 Success < 1 2 4 5 5 5 6 7 > ==========================-> >> Wits + Survival.Hedge No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 0 Success < 1 2 2 4 6 > ==========================================-> >> 2 + 3 No Flags << <-GAME: Omari spends 1 Willpower with reason: Gotta go home.
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 6 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 6 6 7 8 9 9 9 10 10 > =================-> >> Wits + Survival + 2 - 2 + 3 + 4 9-Again << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 1 1 3 4 4 6 9 10 10 > ==========================-> >> Wits + Survival.Hedge No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 0 Success < 1 1 2 5 > ===========================================-> >> 2 + 2 9-Again << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 0 Success < 5 7 7 7 7 > ==========================================-> >> 2 + 3 No Flags << <-GAME: Omari spends 1 Willpower
-> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 6 Successes for an exceptional success. < 2 4 4 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 9 Successes for an exceptional success. < 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 8 8 8 8 8 8 10 10 10 > =============-> >> Wits + Survival + 2 - 2 + 3 + 3 + 6 9-Again << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 1 Success < 1 2 2 4 5 6 7 9 > ==========================-> >> Wits + Survival.Hedge No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 0 Success < 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 > =======================================-> >> 2 + 2 + 3 9-Again << <-GAME: Omari spends 1 Willpower
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 1 Success < 2 2 3 3 3 5 6 8 > ======================================-> >> 2 + 3 + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 7 7 8 9 10 > =========-> >> Wits + Survival + 2 - 2 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 1 9-Again << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 1 2 4 4 6 7 9 10 10 10 > ==========================-> >> Wits + Survival.Hedge No Flags << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 1 2 2 5 6 7 7 7 9 10 10 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 2 Successes < 1 1 1 3 7 7 7 9 9 > =======================================-> >> 2 + 2 + 3 9-Again << <-GAME: Omari spends 1 Willpower
-> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 2 6 6 7 7 9 9 10 10 > ======================================-> >> 2 + 3 + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 6 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 > =====-> >> Wits + Survival + 2 - 2 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 4 9-Again << <--> >> Alonso to Here << <-============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 1 2 2 3 6 7 7 8 9 9 > ============================-> >> Wits + Survival + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Damion to Here << <-============================================Rolled 4 Successes < 1 5 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 > ==========================-> >> Wits + Survival.Hedge No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 3 Successes < 2 3 4 8 9 10 > ===========================================-> >> 2 + 2 9-Again << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 1 Success < 2 4 6 6 8 > ==========================================-> >> 2 + 3 No Flags << <--> >> Omari to Here << <-=============================================Rolled 6 Successes for an exceptional success. < 1 1 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 > =========-> >> Wits + Survival + 2 - 2 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 1 9-Again << <-And so, led by Omari, exhausted, drained of glamour, soul-torn and covered in goop that's now drying and crusting on their skins, the not-so-conquering heroes make it back to the Looptrod, and a familiar Hedge Gate. Everyone in one piece, though Remus will be walking with a limp until he's seen to. All in all, plenty to be thankful for.
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