Numenera (Inactive)

Game Master Aubster

Nasir scratches the back of his head.
Intellect test: 1d20 ⇒ 16
I don't know if my training applies to this one; I'm trained in riding, training and placating natural animals.

Nasir scratches the back of his head.

Intellect test: 1d20
I don't know if my training applies to this one; I'm trained in riding, training and placating natural animals.

All you know for sure is that they are not behaving at all like Scutimorphs should. You are unable to tell the cause without examing one.

"I'd need to get real close to tell what's wrong- and it's better not to. What's say we try and find our way around?"
He sighs.
"Or run through screaming and hope we survive long enough to fight the pallones."

Balon smirks, and holds up one finger. "For what it's worth, this one's vote is to at least make an attempt at the first option."

I agree. Time is of the essence, but we aren't going to help anyone stuck on a pincer.

You all follow your expert Hunter, Nasir, as he leads the way to the Southeast circling around the location where the small village is supposed to stand. After an hour or so, Nasir is able to identify a path through the 'trees' that is appears to be lacking odd Scutimorphs (the ones that you see are happily feeding on their own artificial trees).

"Most peculiar behavior. I don't know much about these creatures, but something is clearly wrong, even to my unknowing eyes," Galahad notes.

"I have been feeling something ... odd ... with the Numenera. I have a headache so bad I may vomit. Maybe whatever is affecting the Numenera is affecting the Scutimorphs." Callidus looks a little pale, and not feeling so well he says no more.

I think we should leave the speculation until after we have determined the safety of the people we are here to rescue.

The mighty hunter is able to lead you safely to your destination.

You discover a clearing that appears to hold the remains of a small village: three triangular structures that are made of a living substance similar to the mesh above. These are clearly dwellings, and a quick inspection of the site shows that there once were nearly a dozen more similar structures, which have since been destroyed. A number of people are in the area, rebuilding the structures, cleaning up, and gathering weapons. The general mood seems to be exhaustion and fear. As you arrive, the villagers suddenly take up arms, mostly long spears and staffs of metal and synth.

You first thought might be that the villagers are preparing to harm you, but quickly realize that the people are instead attacking thin, almost invisible creatures in the air above them. These creatures are the pallones that Patel warned them about. Six pallones of various sizes attack the villagers and an additional 5 attack your group.

You have the feeling it will be a demanding task to hit or dodge this creatures (target roll for attack and for defense is 9 or better)
Rolling for initiative
Amadeus: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Balon: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Callidus: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Galahad: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Nasir: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Pallones: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Order goes Balon, Pallones, (Amadeus=Callidus=Galahad), Nasir

The d20 results seemed really odd for those rolls. Let me know if you want me to roll it again.

Please indicate if your character will fight at melee range or at a distance. Then make 2 rolls (attack and defense). Note any edges, effort, training, etc., and what kind of attack are you making. Remember that melee attacks can either be might or speed (for weapons) or Intellect (for mind based attacks). Ask questions, give answers, argue with decisions...we are all new at this system so lets work together to figure it out.

Balon prefers to fight at a distance. Leave melee to the people whose faces aren't a valuable asset. ;)

Onslaught vs Might: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Onslaught does 4 damage if it connects. Balon will point his fingertip at his target and fire a purple ray of force at them.

Speed defense roll: 1d20 ⇒ 18

A word or two about distances...

DISTANCE
Distance is simplified into three basic categories: immediate, short, and long.
Immediate distance from a character is within reach or within a few steps; if a character stands in a small room, everything in the room is within immediate distance. At most, immediate distance is 10 feet (3 m).
Short distance is anything greater than immediate distance but less than 50 feet (15 m) or so. Long distance is anything greater than short distance but less than 100 feet (30 m) or so. Beyond that range, distances are always specified—500 feet (152 m), 1 mile (1.6 km), and so on.
All weapons and special abilities use these terms for ranges. For example, all melee weapons have immediate range—they are close-combat weapons, and you can use them to attack anyone within immediate distance of you. A thrown knife (and most other thrown weapons) has short range. A nano’s Onslaught ability also has short range. A bow has long range.
A character can move an immediate distance as a part of another action. In other words, she can take a few steps to the control panel and activate a switch. She can lunge across a small room to attack a foe. She can open a door and step through.
A character can move a short distance as her entire action for a turn. She can also try to move a long distance as her entire action, but the player might have to roll to see if the character slips, trips, or stumbles for moving so far so quickly.
GMs and players don’t need to determine exact distances. For example, if the PCs are fighting a group of culovas, any character can likely attack any culova in the general melee—they’re all within immediate range. However, if one culova stays back to throw javelins, a character might have to use her entire action to move the short distance required to attack that foe. It doesn’t matter if the culova is 20 feet (6 m) or 40 feet (12 m) away—it’s simply considered short distance. It does matter if he’s more than 50 feet (15 m) away because that distance would require a long move.

I'll make my speed defense roll now and take my other action after everyone else.

Speed defense: 1d20 ⇒ 3

I'll make my speed defense roll now and take my other action after everyone else.

Speed defense: 1d20

Ouch...that's not a good roll.

The spinning Pallone slices into your arm like a buzz-saw into a piece of wood. Your blood goes flying in all directions from the wound. (You take 4 points of damage minus 1 point for your armor. Your might is down to 9.) Unfortunately, the reflection off the spinning Pallone also dazzles your eyes (lose next action). So you will not be able to act until Turn 2.

Galahad will deftly dodge and counter attack with his Dao (broadsword) against a pallone. Will use an attack flourish, people who see me get +1 attack I think.

1d20 ⇒ 3 speed defense specialized

1d20 ⇒ 19 atk with medium slashing weapon

Balon prefers to fight at a distance. Leave melee to the people whose faces aren't a valuable asset. ;)

[dice=Onslaught vs Might]1d20
Onslaught does 4 damage if it connects. Balon will point his fingertip at his target and fire a purple ray of force at them.

[dice=Speed defense roll]1d20

Save that speed defense roll for next turn.

You pick out one of the spinning discs and a lance of force burns into. The creatures wobbles for a second and then begins to spin even faster. Somehow it seems to know that you attacked it and it moves towards you. However, it will not be close enough to try to slice through your delicate skin until turn 2. It uses its entire action to move to immediate range this turn so you don't need a defense roll yet.

Galahad will deftly dodge and counter attack with his Dao (broadsword) against a pallone. Will use an attack flourish, people who see me get +1 attack I think.

1d20 speed defense specialized

1d20 atk with medium slashing weapon

Galahad pirouettes gracefully out of the way as the Pallone attacks causing the creature to miss. Specialized in speed defense brought task difficulty to simple and a target number of 3. As he whirls out of the path of the creature he manages to slow it by entangling it in his cloak which leaves the poor thing completely open to his counterattack. The beautiful jeweled sword flashes in the sun as it slices deeply into the Pallone causing it to almost fall out of the sky.

Everyone can add one to the attack roll for round 2

Callidus quickly moves a wire from one port to another on his arm and extends it at the Pallone moving towards Balon ... a burst of energy shoots from his hand

Edge + 2 Intellect to reduce one step target = 6

Onslaught vs might: 1d20 ⇒ 16

4 damage to might

Speed defense if necessary: 1d20 ⇒ 13

FYI Galahad, it's +1 to our next D20 roll of any type, not just attacks. I have a Fights with Panache glaive player in my real life campaign of Numenera I'm playing with my friends. It's mad useful in combat. :)

Callidus quickly moves a wire from one port to another on his arm and extends it at the Pallone moving towards Balon ... a burst of energy shoots from his hand

Edge + 2 Intellect to reduce one step target = 6

[dice=Onslaught vs might]1d20

4 damage to might

[Dice=Speed defense if necessary]1d20

Your beam is not even visible to the naked eye but its effects are readily apparent. A small smoking hole appears in the Pallone. It pauses for a minute in mid-air and then resumes its pursuit of Balon. It does appear to be badly hurt though.

One level of effort costs three points from the stat pool but since you have an intellect edge of 1 it only costs you 2 points...you have 14 points of intellect pool left.

Save your defense roll as it will take one turn for the Pallone to arrive in melee range

FYI Galahad, it's +1 to our next D20 roll of any type, not just attacks. I have a Fights with Panache glaive player in my real life campaign of Numenera I'm playing with my friends. It's mad useful in combat. :)

Good catch Balon. I'm going to invoke a 'house rule' that says you can pick to use your +1 for either attack or defense on your turn. Just say so ahead of the roll.

Just waiting on Amadeus to post to finish this turn. Once he does, I will summarize where things stand and we can start round 2.

Sorry, I'm here. Amadeus will fight in melee with a broadsword and shield (the shield is an asset for speed defense, difficulty is one step lower.)

Thrust: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Speed Defense: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Thrust costs 1 Might (negated by edge), to increase damage with any weapon that has an edge or point by one. Broadswords do 4 damage as a medium weapon.

Sorry, I'm here. Amadeus will fight in melee with a broadsword and shield (the shield is an asset for speed defense, difficulty is one step lower.)

[dice=Thrust]1d20
[dice=Speed Defense]1d20

Thrust costs 1 Might (negated by edge), to increase damage with any weapon that has an edge or point by one. Broadswords do 4 damage as a medium weapon.

Amadeus deftly blocks the spinning disc with his shield. Unfortunately, his counter-stroke glances off the Pallone without doing any damage.

End of Round 1 Summary

Balon (-2I from before combat began) faces a badly hurt Pallone. Balon does not need a speed roll this turn.

Amadeus faces an undamaged Pallone.

Callidus (-2I from Round 1) faces an undamaged Pallone but does not need a speed roll this turn.

Galahad faces a seriously wounded Pallone. His flair for fighting has lifted everyone's spirits (+1 on a attack or defense roll of your choice)

Nasir (-4M from Round 1) faces an undamaged Pallone.

Round 2 starts now (attack and defense rolls please)

Amadeus will reengage with his Pallone.
Thrust: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Defense: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Not a bad shot, Callidus, speaks the voice inside the nano's mind. Let's see if you've really still got it, eh?

Balon smirks and aims carefully, estimating his next Onslaught to be sufficient to take down this particular beast. Effort to land my Onslaught for 4 damage:

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Speed defense roll.

Defense: 1d20 ⇒ 17

thanks Balon. I was hoping it'd help everyone. It's cool to be supportive but also abke to do your own thing. And thanks Amadeus, I forgot to use my own shield hahah

Galahad laughs in triumph, before his facial exoression changes to determined once more. He aims to continue his performance from earlier, leaping in between pallones and bringing his sword down on one, hoping to hear the telltale CLANG like a gong from his acting days. Seeing the pallones cut into the others, he remembers his shield and brings it to bear against the buzzing creatures.

1d20 ⇒ 4 speed defense specialized with a shield asset
1d20 ⇒ 19 Dao [assuming I cant use my own +1) with more panache

Amadeus will reengage with his Pallone.

[dice=Thrust]1d20
[dice=Defense]1d20

The Pallone and Amadeus continue to circle each other but neither is able to find an opening to exploit.

Not a bad shot, Callidus, speaks the voice inside the nano's mind. Let's see if you've really still got it, eh?

Balon smirks and aims carefully, estimating his next Onslaught to be sufficient to take down this particular beast. Effort to land my Onslaught for 4 damage:

[dice=Attack]1d20

Speed defense roll.

[dice=Defense]1d20

Balon narrows his eyes in concentration and prepapes to release a bolt of force in an attempt to end the life of the pitiful creature in front of him. Unfortunately, his headache picks exactly that time to spike in intensity causing a flaw in his concentration so that he can only form a pitiful spark of light that bounces off the Pallone.

-4 total to intellect now

thanks Balon. I was hoping it'd help everyone. It's cool to be supportive but also abke to do your own thing. And thanks Amadeus, I forgot to use my own shield hahah

Galahad laughs in triumph, before his facial exoression changes to determined once more. He aims to continue his performance from earlier, leaping in between pallones and bringing his sword down on one, hoping to hear the telltale CLANG like a gong from his acting days. Seeing the pallones cut into the others, he remembers his shield and brings it to bear against the buzzing creatures.

1d20 speed defense specialized with a shield asset
1d20 Dao [assuming I cant use my own +1) with more panache

The Pallone is unable to extract itself from entangling cloak before Galahad's sword slices it completely in two.

Nasir puts all of his energy into avoiding another blow. Using effort on the defense roll- 2 speed pool points.

Defense roll: 1d20 ⇒ 10

And thrusts his verred at the floating disk.

Thrust w/medium weapon (5 damage): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Still aiming at the one heading towards/attacking balon while backing away trying to maintain short distance ...

1 effort = 1 edge +2 intellect (12 points left) - reducing roll to 6

Onslaught: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

4 damage

Nasir puts all of his energy into avoiding another blow. Using effort on the defense roll- 2 speed pool points.

Defense roll: 1d20

And thrusts his verred at the floating disk.

Thrust w/medium weapon (5 damage): 1d20+1

Nasir turns his body at the last minute avoiding the Pallone's attack and then timing his counter-attack perfectly thrusts his weapon directly into the center of his enemy damaging it badly.

Still aiming at the one heading towards/attacking balon while backing away trying to maintain short distance ...

1 effort = 1 edge +2 intellect (12 points left) - reducing roll to 6

[dice=Onslaught]1d20 +1

4 damage

Callidus easily dodges the Pallone attacking him (using speed roll from turn 1) and strikes the one confronting Balon with another bolt of force that literally causes his target to disintegrate.

Round 2 summary (running total of stat changes)

Balon (-4I) has no Pallone at immediate range so Balon does not need a speed roll this turn.

Amadeus still faces an undamaged Pallone.

Callidus (-4I) faces an undamaged Pallone.

Galahad can attack either Amadeus or Nasir's Pallone on turn 3 as they are all at immediate range. His flair for fighting has lifted everyone's spirits (+1 on a attack or defense roll of your choice)

Nasir (-3M, -2S) faces a badly hurt Pallone.

Round 3 starts now (attack and defense rolls please)

Nasir seems to have his Pallone well in hand, as does that fancy fighter with the cloak...better assist the big guy with the big sword.

If I can attack Amadeus' Pallone this turn, I will:

Onslaught: 1d20 ⇒ 7

If I need a speed defense roll I will expend Effort:

Effort speed defense: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Despite his difficulty hitting the pallone he is engaged with, Amadeus has a completely neutral expression on his face as he continues fighting.

Thrust: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Speed Defense: 1d20 ⇒ 19 (with shield)

Nasir seems to have his Pallone well in hand, as does that fancy fighter with the cloak...better assist the big guy with the big sword.

If I can attack Amadeus' Pallone this turn, I will:

[dice=Onslaught]1d20

If I need a speed defense roll I will expend Effort:

[dice=Effort speed defense]1d20

Balon points his finger of death at the Pallone attacking Amadeus...takes careful aim...and misses as the Pallone suddenly dives towards the ground attempting to cut the feet out from under the big man.

onslaught costs 1 and I am pushing it costing 2 so I am actually losing 3 intellect per turn yes?

With the cybernetics in his arm beginning to heat up Callidus extends his arm, palm spread wide and manipulates a slider to rediect some energy into his blast.

Effort of 1 - w/edge cost 2
Onslaught cost 1
Intellect should now be 7 (I think)

onslaught: 1d20 ⇒ 8
4 damage

speed defense: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Despite his difficulty hitting the pallone he is engaged with, Amadeus has a completely neutral expression on his face as he continues fighting.

[dice=Thrust]1d20
[dice=Speed Defense]1d20 (with shield)

Amadeus takes advantage of the Pallone's tactical mistake by slamming down with his shield pinning it in position long enough for his broadsword to strike through it affixing it to the ground where it thrashes weakly and then expires.

I ruled that Amadeus actually exceeded his defense roll by so much that he didn't just block the attack, he also managed to damage the Pallone with his shield enough that his sword thrust killed it.

Yeah Callidus, you have an Int edge of 1 so Onslaught is free, but that edge is then used for that so you can't lower the cost of your Effort, so Effort costs 3 for Onslaughts.

onslaught costs 1 and I am pushing it costing 2 so I am actually losing 3 intellect per turn yes?

With the cybernetics in his arm beginning to heat up Callidus extends his arm, palm spread wide and manipulates a slider to rediect some energy into his blast.

Effort of 1 - w/edge cost 2
Onslaught cost 1
Intellect should now be 7 (I think)

[dice=onslaught]1d20
4 damage

[dice=speed defense]1d20 +1

You are correct that it would normally cost 3 I points but this turn you missed your defense roll against the palladone who attacks before you which costs you your next action. So you will lose 2 M points but no I points this turn.

As Callidus extends his arm to attack, the spinning Pallone slices into it severing a connection temporarily shutting down the attack system.

Galahad will charge forth at the nearest pallone, spinning his sword in a flashy pattern before bringing it down on the creature.

1d20 ⇒ 19 dao, medium weapon, not sure if I get a bonus for charge or something. Panache
1d20 ⇒ 8 speed defense if needed, not sure if I can even get to a pallone this round. Asset+specialized

Nasir stays nimble, keeping his eyes from looking directly at the disk's glare before attacking once more with his verred.

Speed (Using effort, again -2 speed): 1d20 ⇒ 16
Verred w/thrust, medium weapon- 5 damage: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Galahad will charge forth at the nearest pallone, spinning his sword in a flashy pattern before bringing it down on the creature.

1d20 dao, medium weapon, not sure if I get a bonus for charge or something. Panache
1d20 speed defense if needed, not sure if I can even get to a pallone this round. Asset+specialized

Galahad gracefully crossing to the Pallone combatting Nasir and rams his jeweled sword through the top of it. Its own spinning rips a gaping hole around the blade and it falls dead at his feet.

Nasir stays nimble, keeping his eyes from looking directly at the disk's glare before attacking once more with his verred.

Speed (Using effort, again -2 speed): 1d20
Verred w/thrust, medium weapon- 5 damage: 1d20

There's only a single Pallone left which is too far from you to engage in melee. You can make a ranged attack this turn (which misses based on your roll) or you can spend your turn moving close to the Pallone so you can attack next turn.

Round 3 summary (running total of stat changes)

Balon (-4I) has no Pallone at immediate range so Balon does not need a speed roll this turn.

Amadeus has no Pallone in immediate range.

Callidus (-4I) faces an undamaged Pallone.

Galahad has no Pallone in immediate range. His flair for fighting has lifted everyone's spirits (+1 on a attack or defense roll of your choice)

Nasir (-3M, -4S) either is next to a Pallone or attacking at range.

Round 4 starts now (attack and defense rolls please)

I'll move into range to fire on Callidus' Pallone. Balon's getting a little riled up now - going to expend Effort on adding 3 damage to Onslaught.

Balon conjures a spear of force in his hand using his command of mental powers, and sends it flying at the Pallone with a thought.

Onslaught, 7 damage: 1d20 ⇒ 5

I'll move into range to fire on Callidus' Pallone. Balon's getting a little riled up now - going to expend Effort on adding 3 damage to Onslaught.

Balon conjures a spear of force in his hand using his command of mental powers, and sends it flying at the Pallone with a thought.

[dice=Onslaught, 7 damage]1d20

The powerful bolt manages to completely miss the Pallone but does blow up a small yellow flying lizard (a flutter-bye) splattering lizard bits over a wide area.