Numenera (Inactive)

Game Master Aubster

Aubster wrote:

While Amadeus and Nasir stop walking and are obvious targets...nothing happens ;)

I did want to let everyone know about an optional rule, I'm adopting from the rule book. From now on, all PC's have equal initiative in a battle and go before any monster's go. You can assume that all of you act basically simultaneously. You are allowed to hold your action until after the bad guys go if you want to.

I assumed we were still in cover- but if we're standing around and you want to give me back those speed pool points I spent on stealth, that's fine by me.

'Tactical Situation’ - you had moved out of the False Woods back into the plain when the attack happened. As of now you all are:

Nasir is hiding in the grass
Balon is laying in the grass looking back into the False Woods
Amadeus is standing up holding a sword and shield talking to the hiding Nasir
Galahad is standing up holding a sword and shield
Callidus is lost in thought

Well then, if you know what I'm referring to you might see why I'd be reluctant to go charging into the woods to fight an unknown number of enemies on your say-so. It made sense for you to fight the pallones, because there was potential profit for you and little risk with how many of us there are. Now, we're all carrying valuables, and there's little potential profit for you in going with us when you could have some friends kill us in the woods, take our stuff disappear back wherever you came from and never be heard from again.

Nasir barks out a sarcastic laugh.
"I've been accused of far too many heinous crimes of late. Sodding Steadfasters- we're all bandits to you aren't we? Congratulations on exposing my brilliant plan- an arrow in the leg is our tribal greeting."

"One wayward, bloodless sly leads to murder does it? At least in your mind, O righteous arm of the Amber Pope? One thing's true; I am out for profit- the same as the rest of you- and this little gathering of ours has been profitable. It's also had the bonus of keeping my throat from being cut by Elochaid and his posse or by the Birds that decided to scapegoat me for whatever's killing them. Which I'm looking to hunt, by the way, if only to improve my reputation. But if you don't want to go after that bastard, fine. We can continue on our way.
Suppose you'd better watch where you sleep with a cold-blooded monster like me on the loose, huh?"

Oh, so now I'm a bigot for thinking that a liar might lie? Let me remind you that the first thing I ever saw you do was swindle a poor village of what little it could afford and then split the pot with the very criminal you were assigned to capture! Are you a murderer? you say no, but you'll forgive me for not valuing your word, or believing that it was a one-time thing! So before you go accusing me of holding these incredible prejudices abut your kind, consider not personally living up to the negative stereotypes yourself! But your point about the arrow is well-taken. If you were trying to kill us, I doubt that you'd not have your man simply miss.

With that Amadeus starts to walk back toward the wood.

If what Nasir says is true, then these men are murderers, and I don't let scum like that go free. I'm going to deal with them. Who's coming with[?

Everyone walking back into the woods please roll a notice/spot/perception check.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 4

What a hot head! Nyuk nyuk nyuk Balon thinks to himself as he shrugs at Nasir sympathetically and follows Amadeus into the forest.

Notice: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Tracking (trained): 1d20 ⇒ 2

perception: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Callidus, coming out of a tranceful thought, looks about, Holy crap! and dives to the ground looking around. Seeing Amadeus stand (after an argument of some sort with Nasir) and walk into the woods, followed by his friend Balon ... Callidus mutters, "what the drek ...", stands and cautiously follows the others, readjusting some items on his metal, prepping for conflict.

Heh ... perfect roll!

I'll give Galahad and Balon a chance to make a notice roll before advancing the story. Balon, I need you to make a new roll as the previous one was from the outside of the Wood and now you and your group are moving into the Wood.

1d20 ⇒ 7 perception

I'll go ahead and roll Balon's perception to keep things moving 1d20 ⇒ 8

As you move back into the False Woods you see easily identifiable human tracks leading away from the spot you believe that the arrow was fired from. Unfortunately, either from the haste of your movement or the distraction of the argument between Nasir and Amadeus no one thinks that maybe the tracks are a bit too obvious for an experienced outdoorsman like Elochaid to have left. As soon as you begin following the tracks, the stillness of the Wood is shattered by the blast of a hidden cypher which explodes in a kaleidoscope of dazzling colors and sounds.

Please make a defense save using Intelligence against the dazzling cypher. It will be a difficult save to make (roll 12 or higher). Success means you are dazzled for one round by the sounds and lights (all rolls are 2 levels more difficult for that round), failure means you are dazzled for 4 rounds and take 2 points of I damage. Combat will begin once the defense rolls are complete.

Edge + 2 Intellect to reduce DC
Defense: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Edge + 2 Intellect to reduce DC

[Dice=Defense]1d20

Nice roll...your mental discipline is enough that you are completely able to shunt aside the impact of the cypher so you are not dazzled.

Sorry Aubster, I opened the thread, closed it, meant to come back and never did.

No effort: 1d20 ⇒ 20

"Psh. An elementary cypher. I was playing with one of these as a child!" Balon boasts. (and lies)

Another great roll

Balon's mental control over the Numenera has lowered the power of the exploding cypher. You can literally see and hear the colors and sounds retreat in the face of Balon's power. if you pass your defense check you are not dazzled at all and if you fail you are only dazzled for 2 rounds and lose 1I point.

Intellect: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Exerting effort- this turkey's not getting me again if I can help it.
Intellect: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Intellect pool 3/9

1d20 ⇒ 12 defense

FYI just in case anyone doesn't know - you can spend XP points to reroll a roll, after you've seen the results but before the GM tells you if you succeeded.

His trap sprung, Elochaid drops down from the netting he had been hanging from. He swaggers forward saying "You fools should have ditched this punk, now you will share his fate."

Of course, Elochaid doesn't realize that Balon used his control over the Numenera to shield you all from the worst of the effects.

You are all at immediate range. You all get to act before the over-confident Elochaid does. Please make both an attack and a defense roll. Elochaid is a challenging opponent (target number is 15) using a great sword that is covered is a yellowish viscous substance and wearing metalweave armor. Amadeus is dazzled for 2 rounds (all rolls are 2 levels more difficult).

Onslaught beam!: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Speed roll for defense, will spend effort: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Why do I keep getting nat20s on my Effort rolls? Sigh.

Major intrusion - Balon uses his cloak as a defense, tangling up Elochaid's weapon. While Elochaid struggles to get free, he opens himself up to another free strike from one of Balon's comrades! Let's say...Amadeus!

Nasir pulls out the ray emitter he found weeks ago in a steel cave full of shattered machines, taking aim at Elochaid's right arm.
"You should be flattered that I'm wasting this on you...", he says, before opening the nozzle on the end and awkwardly pressing down three protrusions on the device's handle.

Using my ray emitter cypher to paralyze Elochaid's arm. I'm assuming an attack roll is still required- spending 2 speed points in effort.

Ray Emitter: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Defense roll: 1d20 ⇒ 8

I will re-roll my defense by spending an XP point.
Defense 2: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Onslaught: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Defense: 1d20 ⇒ 13

"You should only be so confident when you've got something to be confident about" Galahad says, mocking Elochaid. He charges Elochaid, first leaping towards a great tree, then kicking off of the tree's trunk in a slashing cartwheel towards Elochaid.

1d20 ⇒ 4 speed defense, specialized plus shield asset
1d20 ⇒ 18 Dao greatsword, with panache +1 to others

Ok, you got me. Congratulations, but it won't help.

Thrust: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Speed Defense: 1d20 ⇒ 18
9 intellect. Also, the dice roller really loves Balon.

I know, right? Don't worry, I'll get my run of bad luck eventually. You also get an additional attack due to my major intrusion. Subject to GM approval of course.

Balon's beam of force shoots out from his hand and barely misses Elochaid's head (but unfortunately disintegrates another peaceful flutter-bye). However, Balon is able to take advantage of Elochaid's suprise at his trap failing but wrapping his cloak around Elochaid's left arm disrupting his attack. At the same moment, Elochaid's arch-enemy Nasir uses a well concealed Cypher to paralyze Elochaid's right arm causing him to drop his great sword leaving him almost defenseless against the powerful attacks of both Galahad and Amadeus. Elochaid's well crafted armor is able to protect him to some extent but both of his foes score solid hits. Callidus fires his built in beam of force but is jostled by Balon's cloak flinging act and misses.

The combat is a bit easier than originally stated as you all get +1 for ganging up on poor Elochaid and +1 for inspiration due to your Jack's panache. Balon's natural 20 made Amadeus' attack a hit instead of a miss (cancelled out the dazzle negative effect this turn) so instead of having to roll 21 he only needed a 15. That seemed a better way than having Amadeus have to roll again but with the negative dazzle impact. Amadeus caused 5 points of damage (4 for weapon + 1 for thrust) and Galahad caused 6 points (4 for weapon +2 for natural 18). Elochaid's armor blocked most of the damage but some got through. Finally, Nasir did not need to expend an XP for rerolling his defense as Elochaid's attack never happened this turn.

Smelling blood, Nasir launches himself at Elochaid verred first.
Thrust attack for 5 damage: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Defense roll: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Seeing the others are getting the scoundrel under control Callidus extends his hand ready to unleash a blow and scans the area for anyone else ... he will blast if he sees anyone threatening

Edge + 2 ...

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Amadeus will attack Elochaid again.

Thrust: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Defense w/ shield: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Pumped up by the man's failed attempt at out-panache-ing Galahad, he gets even more playful with his Dao technique when striking Elochaid. His jeweled sword captures the light in a dazzling display.

1d20 ⇒ 19 Dao with panache!!
1d20 ⇒ 12 specialized speed plus shield asset

Hoping to strike Elochaid and not a flutterbee: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Elochaid continues to reel from the blows of his obviously badly underestimated enemies. Nasir stabs high as Galahad stabs low somehow coordinating their attacks perfectly to take advantage of the distraction caused by the exploding flutter-bye that Balon manages to slay with a single bolt. Not only does Galahad stab deeply into Elochaid's abdomen with his jeweled sword he manages to also use his shield to flick Elochaid's mighyt sword out of his foes reach. Callidus guards the group against ambush in case Elochaid has an ally waiting to strike. Amadeus swings his sword with all his force to remove Elochaid's head from his body but unfortunately the sword slips out of his grasp and flies through the air to stick quivering in the truck of a 'tree'.

"STOP!!! Elochaid bellows as he reaches into his tunic and pulls out a globe that glows brightly with eerie reddish-orange color. "I'll detonate this and take you all with me! We can be civilized about this and each go our own way in one piece or we all can end up looking like those flutter-byes your friend clearly hates. I'll even promise to leave itty-bitty Nasir alone from now on."

1d20 ⇒ 11 attempted pickpocketing of the reddish-orange numenera, pickpocket is a trained skill
will spend speed to boost it (i have edge so i think it costs 2)

Callidus attempts to see how the device is triggered ... is it a switch that he has to pull, a switch that if released goes off, etc ... he is determining if he can try to knock it out of his hand ...

edge + 2 Intellect
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 5 - Trained in understanding how Numenera works.

If it is a device that would not be triggered by being knocked out of his hand Callidus will use push to try to strike the device out of his hand.

Edge +2 Intellect
Push: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Looks like he can't tell how it triggers though ...

Where do all these flutter-byes keep coming from? Balon thinks hopelessly.

Amadeus will pick up Elochaid's sword, stick it in his own sheathe and attempt to pull out his sword from the nearest tree.

Well, that's tremendously embarrassing. I'd probably have to run three dozen laps around the complex back at the monastery.

Might: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Just waiting on Nasir to post and then will narrate what happened...

Nasir attempts to snatch the cypher from Elochaid's hand.
Speed roll with effort: 1d20 ⇒ 18
-2 speed pool points.

Balon watches as a swarm of flutter-byes interpose themselves between himself and Elochaid. Amadeus picks up Elochaid's sword and then retrieves his own from the tree he had impaled. Callidus concentrates on the Cypher in Elochaid's hand trying to learn what he can about it. Both Galahad and Nasir reach for the Cypher attempting to grab it before Elochaid can trigger the potentially deadly device. However,even though Nasir grabs the device he is unable to pull it from Elochaid's grip as the it is affixed firmly to Elochaid's hand. Elochaid pulls the Cypher away from Nasir and stares at him for long moment and then smiles and winks as he squeezes the globe with all of his strength.

The glow of the globe brightens immediately as the colors swirl rapidly inside the globe. Suddenly the exterior wall of the globe dissolves releasing the contents. Unfortunately, for poor Elochaid he never knew what the globe actually did...

Sticky Globes
Each Sticky Globe contains programmed Nanites. Red/Orange Sticky Globes are designed to remove organic matter while leaving metals/synths unharmed. Each Red/Orange Sticky Globe can release enough Nanites to dissolve up to 150 pounds of organic matter.

Poor Elochaid weighs (weighed) about 160 pounds. You watch in stunned amazement as the Nanites swarm over Elochaid's body and then working at the molecular level dissolve him. Within a second only his ankles and feet are left intact. His armor and belongings fall to the ground at your (and his) feet.

Plus 1 XP for all as you've learned something useful about the 9th world.

Elochaid's belongings:

Greatsword coated in viscous substance

Metalweave armor

50 Shins

Synthetic Longbow - 11 arrows

"Huh. I thought he was bluffing... but I guess he was even dumber than that.", Nasir says.
"Too bad. I fancied taking an ear for a trophy. Hmmph. Thanks for helping me out with him, given how...", he continues in a sarcastic tone.
The Beyonder frowns, doesn't finish the statement.
"Take what you want of his. I don't want to owe you anything."

"I'll take a share of those shins in that purse, but I need naught else. Well killed, hunter." He brushes himself off and gives a salty look at the flutter-byes.

"I wouldn't mind a couple more shins, eh? That armor's a bit too bulky for my style."

Callidus kicks a foot ... "How about a foot ... that would make a nice trophy Nasir."

"Hnnn. I get enough comments about my musk without adding Elochaid's sweaty feet... maybe a toe...?", Nasir wonders before shaking his head.
"I'll just be grateful he won't be making a pest of himself again."

Amadeus glares at Nasir, then sighs and shrugs it off, he's not interested in another argument.
I didn't do it for you, but since you're offering...
He begins unbuckling his brigandine and switches to the metalweave. He wears a set of padded and hot-looking clothes under his armor, but you can see the edges of a tattoo poking out at the shoulders.

So everyone gets 10 shins, Amadeus gets the armor and the sword (requires 2 hands to use), I'll assume that someone picks up the bow/arrows to sell later.

You make your way yet again out of the False Woods. The travel out is mostly uneventful except for the flock of flutter-byes that orbit over Balon's head during the trek.

Once out of the Woods, you proceed across the plain towards the mountains to the West. Your journey will take a couple of days if you head straight West or you can take an extra couple of days but not moving in a direct line which will let you camp at the Mouth Cairns every night.