"From where I come, religion is a way of coping with that which you don't understand... or that which you fear. What I know of these cultists is that they're vile. Hostile, mayhap. They likely will not travel at night, however."
"And from where I come from, there are a thousand upon thousand different worlds of possibility, many with their own variations on religion. In some worlds and some nations, religion is a tool of oppression or ignorance, while in others religious rituals can carry real spiritual or magical power."
"The fact is, your philosophy probably doesn't matter right now. What does matter is staying alive, and while we do that, it wouldn't hurt to make what observations we can about this world instead of any others."
Tracking was easy enough. Coming across three sets of prints that had taken no effort in hiding.
From what you can tell, The robed figures made a sudden turn into the cliff face. On closer observation you realize that a cave is emitting a flickering orange glow. The sounds of light chatter echoing from within the cave.
Two of the three men banter back and forth. Accented akin to John's.
"This world is full of primative savages... And to Think the Shadowmarked is here... Fitting."
"As you say... It matters not, At dawn we find him, and destroy him. That aught to purge the filth from his seedling too."
Aldith, vaguely overhearing the cultists, shook his head in denial.
'They must be speaking of another. Or, mayhap they accuse me for leaving. I have to find out how they got here. And figure out why me.'
He stopped before making it to the cave to await what the others would say. No need to give away what he actually knows if it isn't important for the time being. Aldith needed his new comrades to not see him as a danger to them and this would certainly be getting off to a bad start.
Seeing the glow from the cave, Sir Gavin forces himself to stop.
"I must confess, I have not the skill at the Stealth to approach any closer." He admitted reluctantly. "Such things are not taught to Gentlemen."
"If one of you more skilled agents could plant one of these 'nano-bugs', we may be able to learn more of these interlopers."
He holds out one of the Nano-bugs that came with his loadout.
"Quiet," Flynn whispers at Gavin, and rummages around for his parabolic microphone. "And what do you think 'nano-bugs' are? In any case, I'll whisper what they're saying over Hideout radio."
The Cultists don't seem to be aware of John's approach. Allowing him easy eaves dropping and quick to closing gapes if needed.
Gavin Chose to keep his standards and not engage in stealth. For him, it's not gentlemanly. Regardless, Flynn retrieves a Hearing device and can hear just as well as John.
"If we destroy the Shadowmarked, We've done well...but this is a one way trip. Our benefactors gave us the means to reach him. We're the sacrifice to ensure the light continues to glow.
There's a pause that seems to filled with sorrow. Its broken by continued conversation.
"Assuming we succeed. We'd have to then raise a temple of Sol. The Natives of this world seem like a perfect labor race.
"Agreed, once our objective is complete, We'll create a nation dedicated to Sol. With the Solar Stigmata, we can generate enough mana to enslave many of these powerless shades."
There's a laughter the generates from the group that seems to ease their tension, if not all together inspiring them with greater ambitions.
The remainder of the conversation seems to be plans for enslaving the natives and making their mark a permanent 'light' on the world.
"John," Flynn whispers over the holdout radio, "Please tell us you know what Shadowmarked or Stigmata might mean."
He whispered very quietly in such a way that his voice wouldn't carry into the cave.
"Verily, I am not certain what the Solar Stigmata is... but I can tell you that the Shadowmarked is a person they believe will destroy them and possibly everything."
There is a notable bit of nervousness in his voice.
"I don't know who, but they seem to think such a person is here."
The cultists' conversation didnlt fault while or after John spoke to project his voice carefully enough for Flynn to hear.
"What if we fail..."
One of the Clutists asked, abruptly changing the focus of conversation.
"That is why we cannot, brother. To fail would ensure our world's destruction. Brother Grigorii has fallen from the light. For his sins, he must be undone. And perhaps, his line should be destroyed entirely."
Theres a cough, before the next one spoke.
"The girl's fate is no longer in our hands. The Benefactor took her in trade for the gifts. Their light will ensure her cleansing. By the light, We cannot give in to doubt. Be swift, be merciful in his death and let us ensure the Light ever shines!"
A collective shout echoed in triumph from the cave and sputtered into the growing shadows of the woods.
"The Night is here. This fire will keep it bay... Tomorrow we begin the hunt."
Sir Gavin straightened up in annoyance at being spoken to so. He bit off the unfortunate response he had in mind and shook his head ruefully. He put the nano-bugs away.
It had been thus ever since he had fled betrayal into the caverns of the Black Martians, and stumbled into their 'world gate' aperture; everyone else seemed to know more of the technology around them than he did.
Listening to the receiver, he became more interested in these interlopers.
Wait, what was that last?
"'Brother Grigorii?'" He said aloud to Flynn.
Flynn silently pulls out his night vision headset , and gestures that the others might want to do the same as well.
"Holdout radio," he whispers, "Let you speak much more softly than that... John, you're nearest the cave, so I'd advise keeping your words short and few."
"It sounds like they're here for you, John, which is quite troubling. But we're the ones with the dark-adapted tech, and I suggest we hold out until they're drowsy and off-guard. Commander?"
Within an hour of their conversation, the dusk becomes full night. The sun ducks beyond the horizon allow all the stars and milky way galaxy to be seen with crystal clarity. S slight wind shifts through the trees and crickets begin to sing.
The fire was bolstered before the three men turned in, giving prolonged duration of the fire.
...and I suggest we hold out until they're drowsy and off-guard. Commander?
Sir Gavin nodded. "Yes, yes. Make it so."
"There's only three of them, I'm sure they'll be no problem to take out - do we need to take one of them alive?"
'I can't remain out here much longer, not with dusk approaching.'
Aldith spoke quietly once more, using the sound of the cultists conversation and fire as cover.
"Whatever we do, we do it before dark."
He then slowly pulled a torch out of his pack. The darker it got outside, the more anxious he got.
'Look at me. How can they think I'm shadowmarked?'
"Just look through the binoculars, man. Infrared setting, it'll light everything up like a birthday cake."
"Alright then, withdraw Master Grigorii." Sir Gavin said through the radio. "We will wait here until after dark, then take them. Alive. We need to take them back for interrogation."
The Night has fallen.
The sound sin the cave are silent save for the crackling of the cave.
Aldith creeped quietly back to the rest of the group, lighting a torch just before reaching the edge of the firelight coming from the cave. Ad soon ad his torch was lit, he was visibly less anxious to anyone able to see him.
At full dark...
"Right then; this should be long enough." Said Sir Gavin quietly.
He looked at his team.
"I am truly hoping there is somewhere among us some manner of nonlethal weaponry?" He said to them, hoping against hope. "I have the standard loadout hypo spray injector, but only have the Erasor drug for it."
"I have a heavy stick," Flynn volunteers. "But it's not really a hitting stick. And Aurora can probably disarm one or two—or just bite their arms off."
"They, uhh... verily, they are deathly afraid of the dark from what I remember."
Aldith shrugged with the shoulder connected to the arm that was holding the torch.
"If you are up to it, putting out their fire may be a strong strategy."
Aurora looks up at the humans and gives a toothy smile! She raises her bulk up from where she was resting on the forest floor, gives herself a shake and flashes a green "go" sign on her flank.
Sir Gavin rubbed his forehead, as if having a headache. Then he strode forward.
"Ready your night vision devices, but don't snuff the fire until I say." He said forthrightly.
He rapidly moved up to the cave and walked inside as if he owned the place.
Taking his place standing over the sleeping figures (and waiting for his team to join him), he cleared his throat and declaimed loudly; "I AM SIR GAVIN D'MONTEFORTE OF THE INFINITY PATROL, AND YOU ARE MY PRISONERS. YOU MAY ACCEPT OR DECLINE, BUT BE ADVISED THAT I ACTUALLY ONLY NEED ONE OF YOU ALIVE AND ABLE TO TALK."
If they decide to resist, Sir Gavin gives the order to snuff the fire (maybe that'll give a bonus).
Teal sighs and stows her gun, drawing her Escrima sticks and following the others.
With Gavin's booming voice as the catalyst, it doesn't take a roll for the three men to jump to their feet in a panic.
They stumble about, their eyes weary with sleep and anxiety as they look around toward Gavin.
After a moment to realize whats going on.
"Who are you to claim we're prisoners? And what is this Infinity Patrol?"
The other two remain silent as their hands rest on whats looks like crossbows attach to their belts at their waists. The panic resides a bit.
"You must be one of the Shadowmarked servants... We will not surrender to the likes of someone so corrupted."
It's apparent that general reasoning is simply beyond them. All three of them begin to pull their crossbows out, each loaded with a single bolt.
Due to their resistance of compliance, The fire is then snuffed by means most relevant. Regardless, Everyone nears/enters the cave.
The cave is roughly 5 yards wide and four deep. At its center is a smoldering fire bit. it's walls are relatively smooth. At its back is a small crevasse that would allow a single person to squeeze further into the cave. Outside, the cliff is nearly at 90 degree angle straight up. The forest presses up to the cliff walls.
Cultist 1 stands at the cave's back, Cultist 2 is to the right wall, while cultist 3 is to the left wall. Gavin is standing near the fire between all three men.
In my experience, it seems easiest to claim your actions in blocks. Those that can go are in bold. Order for bold matters not.
Initiatives!
John [Speed 7]
Teal [Speed 6]
Aurora [Speed 6(Bear)]
Gavin [Speed 5.75]
Flynn [Speed 5.25]
Cultist 1
Cultist 2
Cultist 3
John ran up to the entrance of the cave, torch still in hand, and waited just outside of it to the flank of the entrance. He readied himself in case he was needed, but avoided letting the light from his torch enter the cave. He wanted his former affiliates to feel the darkness. He pulled one of his daggers from his belt after dropping his pack to the ground, allowing him freedom to move quicker. He anxiously awaited the eminent struggle.
Teal lunges with one of her staves, trying to smash the crossbow to the side.
Shambling forward Aurora lets out an ear splitting growl and swipes at one of the two men in the front of the cave.
Attack-Brawling(13):
Damage:
John remains at the entry in an effort to remain on standby.
Teal hops into the fray, striking at the crossbow of Cultist (2). However, her attempt is met with absolute failure...
...The staff swings in front of the cultist's weapon, swishing through the air. The momentum keeps the attack flowing into( ) ( )her own right knee.
However, she is able to brace herself only taking half the amount of pain to the knee she would have. She takes 2 dmg to that leg.
The bear bounds into the cave, striking one of the closer victims. He claws ring true, but the cultist attempts to weave back.
The cultist fails, the bear tears into him...[ooc] If you succeed your skill roll, should have rolled dmg too. I got it this round.[/dice]
Cultist 3 screams in pain as his chest 'bears' massive wounds across his chest, He weaves unable to tolerate the wound and succumbs to shock.
John [Speed 7]
Teal [Speed 6]
Aurora [Speed 6(Bear)]
Gavin [Speed 5.75]
Flynn [Speed 5.25]
Cultist 1
Cultist 2
Cultist 3
Sir Gavin resisted drawing his force saber as his hand automatically went to it. Instead, he threw a punch to the vitals of the man he was next to.
Hit! For a possible (minimum is 1 I believe) crush damage to vitals and consciousness check vs. knockout.
Using the darkness to his advantage, Gavin swings a fist true, right into the solar plexus of Cultist 2, the nearest cultist that was not blocked by a giant bear. Despite the lack of force, Gavin did strike a sweet spot.
The cultist makes an "Hurmph" starting noise, however, the strike failed to stir any affect of him losing consciousness.
The cultist 1 (at the back of the cave) simply clasps his hands together.
John [Speed 7]
Teal [Speed 6](Hp 10/12)
Aurora [Speed 6(Bear)]
Gavin [Speed 5.75]
Flynn [Speed 5.25]
Cultist 1
Cultist 2(Hp 9/10)
Cultist 3(HP 1/10)
Thinking quickly, Flynn figures that these cultists probably fear Darkness with the right incentives; he flips on his flashlight, uses it to project a shadow puppet creature on the wall, and bellows in his most dramatic voice "No... we are the Shadowmarked's DEMONS, here to suck out your SOULS!"
The cultist resist the attempt to stun him, he remains motionless against the back of the cave, hands clasped.
The cults against the opposing walls strike Attempt to fend off their would-be assailents.
Cultist 2 doesn't handle himself very well, screaming into the darkness seemingly out of fear filled hate.
"Be done!"
Firing a bolt at point-blank at where he believed Gavin to be. The flickering of the flashlight gave him a moment of clarity.
Despite the insight, the bolt flies off into the ceiling.
Cultist 3 stands, reeling from his massive wounds. The shock keeps his aim unsteady.
The bolt flies at the bear.
The bolt will end up being exceedingly painful if it strikes. after DR is applied, its still 12 dmg.
John [Speed 7]
Teal [Speed 6](Hp 10/12)
Aurora [Speed 6(Bear)] <-- Also waiting on defense roll
Gavin [Speed 5.75]
Flynn [Speed 5.25]
Cultist 1
Cultist 2(Hp 9/10)
Cultist 3(HP 1/10)
'I have to do something...'
John ran into the cave, doing his best to prevent as much of the cave from being illuminated by his torch as possible. From what he could tell, Aurora had either taken a hit or had a very close call. He decided to do his best to help her.
Cursing, Teal strikes at Cultist 2.
Creeping into the cave, John keeps the torch dimmed to ember, however the only light now that is relevent is starlight. This dim light reflects off the crystal walls, but only barely. Enough to see larger details and silhouettes.
The cultist Fails, unable to move any further. A sharp grunt escapes him before he lets out a whimper, struggling to hold onto consciousness.
He remains standing, but only barely.
Meanwhile, The blue statue that is Echo Strikes again with her short staff. The Cultist 2 attempts to but fails, taking a direct blow to the chest. He gasps heavily as the blow knocked the wind from him.
John [Speed 7]
Teal [Speed 6](Hp 10/12)
Aurora [Speed 6(Bear)] <-- Also waiting on defense roll
Gavin [Speed 5.75]
Flynn [Speed 5.25]
Cultist 1
Cultist 2(Hp 3/10)
Cultist 3(HP -5/10)
"You know, John, we only need to keep one alive," Flynn calls out smugly, "Whoever drops their weapon first..."
Taking a total defense action, and using Rapier Wit on Cultist 2.
The bear has a DR-2 and I will roll dodge.
Dodge(9):
The cultist is unable to see the benefit of continual fighting, he drops his weapon, his hands and knees dropping to the ground.
Aurora dodges the knife.
John [Speed 7]
Teal [Speed 6](Hp 10/12)
Aurora [Speed 6(Bear)]
Gavin [Speed 5.75]
Flynn [Speed 5.25]
Cultist 1
Cultist 2(Hp 3/10) <-- surrendered.
Cultist 3(HP -5/10)
The cultist at the back of the cave (Cultist1) continues his motionless stance. However, beneath his cloths, he begins to glow. A small corona springs to life around him.
He tenses as the aura strengthens, his breathing becoming sharper.
The cave now has light enough to function normally.
Cultist 2 remains motionless, dropping to his knees. He buries his head into hands.
Seeing the unnatural glow, Aurora turns away, using the bulk of her body to shield as many of her team as possible.
John [Speed 7]
Teal [Speed 6](Hp 10/12)
Aurora [Speed 6(Bear)]
Gavin [Speed 5.75]
Flynn [Speed 5.25]
Cultist 1
Cultist 2(Hp 3/10) Surrendered.
Cultist 3(HP -5/10)
Aurora places he self between she and the more distant, now glowing, cultist.
Cultist 3 smirks as he feels about with his hands.
"The light will be Victorious! For Sol!"
The Man's hands rise before them, circling one another... ... A glow spawns between his rotating palms before his feet take a stance. Then the sphere of light energy launches forward at the bear.
The bolt seems to be on target, it pulses with mana and shimmers like the sun.