I put my hands around Bera's and stare into her eyes, "Bera, are you okay? What did you see?" Then I put one hand up to the side of her face, "Warn me if you're going to do something like that. I can help you."
Ael
Bera turns to look at Ael her eyes are still large from the shock of what just happened or perhaps something else. She raises her hands though looking at Ael uncertainly. Ever since what happened to Cassian Bera's speech has worsened considerably, however this time she is able to speak to you roughly. "Can you see?"
__________________________________________________________________________
Cassian, Mir and Carroll
Carroll soldiers look at all of you warily, much harder looking men then the ones you fought before. However they don't disregard their Captain's order, shouldering their guns they get to work with the grisly task. One of them however draws a wicked looking knife and rams it in through the top of the dead man's skull, followed by twisting it for good measure before looking at Mir as he tore it out. His look was dripping with wordless malice before he looked away and wiped the blade on the dead man's clothes. "They like to pretend this way we know's for sure..."
The exchange wasn't lost on Carroll and Scavenger who shared a look as Carroll moved to lead you out of the grisly scene. Scavenger moved to place himself strategically between the overly aggressive soldier and the cat woman before more fighting occurred. The hallway outside had a few looky lou's and concerned soldiers who came to back up those who were suddenly fighting. However once Carroll stepped out, shrugging off his impact injuries as if nothing had occurred, they all moved back to their posts without a single word from their Captain. He looks back to Ael and Bera then. "Are you two coming?"
Leon
Your enhanced vision scans the beach and as you no longer needed to breath you waited for the one slip that would be this damnable snipers last. Then you heard it, the snap of a bolt locking into place and you spot the glint of blackened rifle barrel as the flash of cannon fire lit up the beachside. It was seventy feet away behind a small dune that they were using for cover...
Need posts from Tyrn and DI! If I am missing or you are in need of Info let me know please!
Aurora steps out of the foxhole along with her husband her hair caught in a breeze coming apparently from her own body. She catches sight of the sniper along with Leon. The two assassins begin to go hunting.
Leon's eyes harden as they begin their way towards the snipers future gravesight. To bad the sniper doesn't know it yet.
”Armor?” Cassian repeats to himself meditatively, taking three steps away from the table and passively allowing the soldiers to arrange and execute the patient. ”Now which armor could he be referring to? Sil, perhaps? It wouldn’t be farfetched to presume that this man saw one of the Temple’s elves as little more than a suit of armor. A few hours ago, I would have assumed if offered a mere cursory glance. Yet there are still other options to consider. Aurora; justified in the same sense as Sil. MoG too, though less likely as she has already been infected. Perhaps, even, the crushed machine Aurora disarmed in the scrap storage area. These are just what I'm aware of...
Noticing Bera’s sensory troubles, he decides to avoid overwhelming her with questions until she regains some of her bearings. Instead, he fixes his attention on the magnificent clockwork angel.
”What do you make of his words, Aurora?”
Taken back by her sinister and terrifying form, Tyrn's disposition towards her regresses to "caution", but he is still willing to work together.
"Well, lets not overreact here..."
In response to their whereabouts, Tyrn tries to recollect what he knows about the solar system, (not sure if this is the universe of Golarion, or your own homebrewed one. In any case, he will roll a knowledge check to see if they ring a bell).
"I've never heard of these worlds before. But it seems you've visited Earth. We'll have to exchange travel stories sometime... but, on another topic, no, my planet was not destroyed as far as I know. My city, however... it was attacked by a psychotic nation ruled by a despot. Despite my warnings and attempts at preparation, I fear its fate is a dark one. Before I could do much, I was taken by the elves. I thought I was losing my mind in my old age, but thinking back now, it was all real. I guess I never really felt the distance from home until now."
"I advise we move quickly. You all can share with me stories of your worlds as we traverse the ruins of this once great elven facility. And if I cannot have your real name, may I call you simply 'Aucturn'?"
Noticing her interest in the tube...
"What has caught your eye?"
I take Bera's hand, "I can see well enough what's in front of me. And I can see that you need to rest."
Without a word to the captain, I lead Bera out of the room, watching how she follows to see how badly her senses are mangled.
Aurora & Cassian
Aurora watches with a stony look, the man's convulsions followed by the brutal end after he turned had left her near speechless. When the looky lou's came to see what was going on she had disregarded them completely. Cassian's words made her turn to look at him and it was then her features softened. She shrugged her metal clad shoulders. "I am not sure. There is much that could be considered armor..."
There's an underlining tone to her voice, just enough to tell that she isn't being truthful. In fact she's been rather defensive since you all spotted the cat-like people (Tabaxian's) in the suspension chambers...
A low feline growl sounds in the back of Miri's throat as the man's glare does not go unnoticed. She keeps a sharp eye on every one of the strangers, her wary energy shifting her body language in a slightly predatory manner.
Her eyes narrow as Aurora speaks.
"I agree; but a lead, no matter how vague, is still a lead. For the moment, let us take his words for base value. The containment and storage areas are considered part of The Heart, correct? We should investigate them for any bit of armor or any illumination device. Daylight will destroy the Shadow but, since we are lacking a Sun within these walls, we will have to supplement."
Though often trapped by his own musings, Cassian happens to notice Mirri's skeptical glare is now centered on Aurora. "That is, unless you can think of a better place to start? It's not in my best interests to end up like this one here," he says, dispassionately pointing at the bullet-riddled patient slumped halfway off the table. "And THIS, my friends, is our fate if we're to fail."
Cassian, Mir, Ael
Aurora looks between Cassian and the turned patient hanging from his bed, however she never meets Mir's eyes in all of this as she nods to Cassian's words. "A grim fate indeed... I agree we should search the outlying storage rooms and see if we can find something useful."
Capt. Carroll stops you however before you can go romping off. "Let's not be too hasty, my men are jumpy enough without you opening every blinking door in this lower level. Lets go back, get cleaned up and finish what we started in the mess. After you've had your fill I will gladly share what we have found here already."
Ael
Bera resists somewhat, not lowering her hands from either side of your head as you try to move her and keeping them from touching as she grumbles in annoyance. Her frustration is noticeable as is her fatigued state, but she adamantly refuses to move just yet.
She glares at Aurora as well for a brief moment, her ears lowering in an agitated way before she looks back at you. "No... no rest. No time. Can..." She stops realizing that isn't the word she wanted and takes a moment to considered before continuing. "Want... you... to... see."
Bera gives a sigh of relief and gently presses her paws into the sides of your head, just as she did the survivor who turned. It forces you to look her in the eyes and for a moment nothing happens. After the span of a couple breaths you slowly begin to notice the room slowing down, conversation slows to a stop, all movement, breathing, heartbeats. Everything becomes still save for Bera, her intense stare would have been unnerving save for how her eyes suddenly had a depth you had never saw before.
You literally feel as if you were being pulled into those large eyes, like an endless unknown sea...
Then you can see more, Bera is gone, you are gone and in your stead are memories from someone else point of view. Your assuming it was from the dead man's...
Different Human's, clad in white coats the length of robes but thinner, stand before a great disk made of metal and covered in celestial runes. They appear unsure as to what the runes mean but you can read them, they appear to be runes of travel, instead of marking celestial places to travel too they are strange. The markings are celestial but they are spelling out the names of animals. Lizard, Cat, Dog, Bull, Gorilla, Goat and several that are too marred to be able to read.
The White clad men force the ancient device to align with the symbol of the Cat before powering up multiple massive machines that hammer the ancient device with intense amounts of energy. They continue to assault the celestial gateway until they get the reaction they were looking for. A gateway was forming, much like the rift you had seen except this one was stable. It was clear and unwavering.
It was then the White clad men waved you and the men in grey and white patterns forward. You were all heavily armed and varied in style, weaponry and armor...
... the Whiteclad men tell you its a routine jump. Get in, search, collect and get out. Simple. With collection containers in hand you and the other nineteen men plunge into the rift, to places unknown. Crossing the rift was like swimming through water, condensation collects on your goggles and causes interference with the illusion that dances over your right eye. It was as if the man wore half a red shaded glasses. Except the eye covered in red had symbols appearing and disappearing so fast you couldn't tell what was happening or what it meant.
You arrive in what was obviously the temples deserted hall, save for the sounds of fighting up ahead, you and the rest of your men move forward, check and cross-checking to make sure nothing unseen lay in wait in the dark halls. As you round the final bend you raise your clenched fist and everyone stops. Quietly holding position as you look into the dark with your red eye illuminating the darkness somehow.
The fight was going on just ahead, several shining metal people, like Aurora were struggling with armor clad and grossly over muscled humanoids and a single purple muscled creature with tentacles around where its mouth should be. They appeared to be overpowering the metal men, who stood grossly outnumbered, the battle was almost over by the look of it and within a few minutes only one metal men remained standing. His armor bedecked in IMperial symbols and a fantastic blade in his hands.
Despite all the damage and spurting of fluids from a missing arm the remaining metal man appeared unwilling to surrender. Refusing to move from the head of the hall that you were and your men were in. "You'll never succeed. The chosen will rise up and be your undoing Thoon..." The purple one steps forward and smashes the speaker aside with a single fist strike, crumpling the metal man against the side wall of the hallway. It turned and roared at the downed machine man, it's tentacles as it roared at it. It followed this up by stomping on the machine man's chest, crushing him into the floor of the hall as it spoke. It's voice sounding like nails across a chalkboard, making you shake your head as if the chalkboard was in your skull. Several of your men are affected as well. "I AM CITHRUADH YOU SMALL MINDED PEST! YOUR KIND'S TIME IS PAST, IT'S TIME TO REMOVE YOUR STAIN ONCE AND FOR ALL!"[/i]
It stomped the machine man again, spill more of its fluids on the floor, causing its internal lights to fade tremendously as the machine man appeared to be dying. The over muscled brutes moved to pry open a door that was inlaid in the wall and the machine man began to struggle, with his remaining arm to swing his blade at them before being stomped down again. "BASTARDS! I WON'T LET YOU" He dropped his blade, a bright white flame appearing in his hand before the thune grabbed his fist and crushed it in his larger grip. Leaving him utterly defenseless. When it spoke again you touched something on the side of your head. "NO YOU WILL WATCH, YOU WILL SUFFER, YOU WILL WATCH AS WE FEAST ON YOUR ELDERS, YOUR CHILDREN! YOU WILL BEG TO CALL ME YOUR MASTER TALMAREN!"
"Grey Riders you have permission to engage, light them up." When you raised your weapon was when they succeeded in getting the inlaid door too budge, however they success was short lived. A long barreled rifle slide across your shoulder, using you to steady it as the riflemen fired. Dropping the brute by the door. As the they reacted you started to advance, unleashing a withering wave of firepower. Fire shot off in one foot X's from the end of your barrel as you fired, unloading dozens of rounds per second into the surprised enemy combatants.
The enemy didn't know what hit them, several dropped in the first six seconds of combat, the few that attempted to close the distance were torn apart by your platoons fire. This Cithruadh quickly retreated, apparently it had more then just raw brawn and by the time you rounded the bend it was long gone. However there were more things, twisted humanoids akin to zombies. They too fell to your platoons advance, they poured out of the stairwells and adjoining hallways but none of them could close with you. You were far more skilled then they were, your men formed a firing circle, turning and hammering anything that charged into view until the hallways finally fell silent.
By the time you reach this Talmarren he is on his last legs, you wave forward your Engineer who gets to work to stem the loss of fluids. This Talmarren grabs you and pulls you down, his voice was barely a whisper. "You must... Stop him... If they... Win... They... will purge... all life... Take this..." He tries to hand you an item weakly but he was fading, his highborn features were mated in blood and fluids and his eyes were fading. "It... only... Hope..."[/i]
The engineer gives a frustrated sigh as Talmarren shuts down. You take the item and examine it. It roughly looks like a mechanical heart in a sealed container, it had been inside his leg and luckily the Thoon character wasn't aiming lower... What could it be used for?
The entire temple shakes violently, morse code tells you that the power is offline which must be very serious from the way she was shaking. However the shaking causes the portal to collapse and traps you and your men in the temple.
The discovery of the near human species prompts the fortification of the lower level and holding on for reinforcements...
They never come.
You and your platoon explore higher levels of the facility, finding whole rooms full of walking raging zombie things that come screaming at you the moment you make a sound. Apparently they were in some sort of dormant state until aroused by sound, sight or sound. It wasn't until you completed recon on the third and first levels that your men started being picked off. One by one they would fall dead, disappear or go crazy. It wasn't a disease, virus or infection. No scan could detect an enemy source for these deadly occurrences. But in the end you were forced to retreat back to the fourth level with only ten men at your disposal...
A week passes and suddenly attacks start to happen again, first the dead things come lurching out of the lifts and stairwells. You and your men weather the attacks as best you can but eventually it becomes non-stop. They started to act more intelligently as well, provoking you to waste rounds by faking to charge and retreating instead. It was maddening. Then came more of the over muscled brutes along with the dead ones, they were tough to take down this time, more resistant to your fire but you repelled them at the cost of two more men...
Eight of you were left when you started to seal off excess doors, trying to funnel your attackers into one kill zone. The strange canister you'd carried so long was finally hidden away inside a machine you found. A big thing covered in armor, a strange gear faced woman on its center and wielding a pair of wicked spikes that could extend outward. Your last engineer got the thing on it's feet and it helped to hold the line for awhile longer. Until it came...
It had been a quiet day and you were all on edge, no attacks, nothing, just eerie silence followed by the odd coded message and the facility shaking. Then it happened, your medic suddenly was yanked towards the tall ceiling, a thin tendril wrapped around his throat. Moments later his screams pierced your ears as you could hear him loud enough as if it were you screaming. You look up and your shocked by the sight of moving shadow, it swirled danced and reached out towards you. The faces of the damned screaming in agony all over it and some broke free, reaching towards you, some pleading, some cursing you with malice filled smiles. You and your men fire, unloading hundreds of rounds towards the roof, yet it does nothing. You couldn't harm shadows, then two more men are snatched up. Your engineer is dragged off screaming down a hallway, she had lungs on her as her screams went on for a long while as whatever this thing was brutalized her. Your red eye showed the condition of each soldier as they fought, were injured or died anthis thing was cutting them apart...
The Armor was fighting with you, or at least trying, launching its spike shooting arms out nearly twelve feet but hitting nothing. It's central turret was firing round after round and still nothing. Then came the piercing shriek of the attacking dead, come to overwhelm the last remaining members of your squad. Despite the chaos you faced your men rose to the challenge, mowing down as many of the enemy as they could before being overwhelmed and the gunbattle turning into close combat. The Armor excelled at it, crushing and stabbing any that engaged it while your men were slowly overwhelmed by the superior numbers. One dying soldier charged into the oncoming mass and detonated his suit, blowing the ranks apart and scattering body parts everywhere. The last one was pulled skyward and was pulled quickly into the shadow that clung to the roof, however as he disappeared into the mass of shadows he pulled out a grenade and pulled the pin.
The shadows screamed, in utter agony as the grenade emitted a burning light that lingered and blinded the attacking dead. The shadow dissipated in several yards around where the grenade went off. Your soldier was gone but you knew you had a chance. You pulled your own grenades and started lobbing them as the Armor kept the dead off your back. After a dozen or so explosions the shadow was reduced to nearly nothing and appeared desperate to escape. It also took the shape of a craven humanoid, one you quickly subdued and prepared to execute. But you failed and the thing climbed inside your suit. It climbed inside of you and you weren't even able to kill yourself. It wanted them. It wanted what lay in the rooms, but you refused, you fought it's control. Two gunshots to your feet made it so you couldn't walk. It forced you to crawl. To the rooms. To the feast that awaited. You wrenched control back and grabbed for the engineers rivet gun. Before it could take control away again you placed you hand on the floor and riveted yourself to the floor. Then to your shoulder to the wall before you casted the gun away.
It raged, screamed and shouted as your skin grew cold. "We ride together, we die together, Grey Riders for life mother f&*(er." It didn't understand and you laughed. "You can't beat us and I won't let you win." You snap the pin out of a grenade with you only free hand and wait for it to end your existence. But it proves to be a dud. You cursed your luck and lingered there for nearly a week, watching as the dead, the muscled bound thralls tried to take the Armor and it resisted. Fighting tirelessly on and never falling, never appearing to be damaged either...
It wasn't until the army arrived that you found relief, however by then you could hardly remember who you were. The creature had twisted your memories in abominations of what they used to be. Mocked your resolve and raged when even in a state of near senility you continued to resist. This thing could never fathom what drove you, the resolve that was ingrained in your bones, in your very soul. You had stopped genocide a hundred times, you were the father of over a hundred orphans and if it hadn't been for the accident the Grey Riders would still be out there fighting monsters. But this was their last mission. Their last Howrah and by god they'd win it to. Now it was up to the Newcomers to carry the torch.
The image of crying children both alien and human, spanning across a hundred different worlds entered his mind, breaking through his senility one last time before he was placed gently in his lonely infirmary. He comforted these children of war, orphaned and alone, he gave them hope for a brighter tomorrow, a home. He gave them a place to belong and they were the greatest gift he left behind. His voice was nearly gone and he had wanted to say so much to the newcomers. To warn them of what lay ahead. But his mind was nearly gone and he thanked god he was restrained so well.
Ael is left with the man's last sobering thought. What he wanted to say to the newcomers and those who came next. "My name is Carson 'The Wall' and a true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him... It's up to you now... Remember Code Everest your gonna need it."
With that the memories end, you are still standing staring Bera in the eyes and watch as her eyes grow cloudy from exhaustion. She slumps against you, hardly able to walk.
Sighing in frustration Bera finally acquiesce to your demand that she rest and returns with you all to the mess hall. However she keeps her distance from Aurora, hand on her weapon as she glares at the Clockwork Angel's backside. Eventually she nods off after a few minutes, obviously overcome by her fatigue...
I accept...
Shaking with fatigue and awash with sweat, I slump against Bera. Tears roll down my cheeks a I pant out "The heart, some figure like Aurora. Overwhelmed. Guarded by men who made a rift but couldn't return. This was the last to fall, stubbornly brave, Carson. The shadow: it possessed him for a time."
I realise I am babbling and slide to the floor, allowing myself to catch my breath, "The heart remains secure within the turret. Or something close to it."
Temple group
Aurora reacts poorly to Ael's speech. "Damn you Bera. Your kind could never leave well enough alone could you. You can't be seriously thinking of using it are you Cassian?!" Her composure is completely lost now, she returns Mir's glare with one of her own. The same frantic determination that had been in her eyes when she chose to die at the hands of her mutated brethren before. "Do you even know what it will do?! Do you?" Bera slides to the floor with Ael, its then that Ael realizes shes unconcious with eyes wide open. Most likely from complete exhaustion.
Capt. Carroll sighs wearily as he waves his soldiers off, effectively clearing the hall without so much as a word. However several men take up position by the doors where the chambers are, infact within moments several Sandbags are being reallocated to effectively block part of the hall. With so many men on hand they were truly capable of quickly reorganizing their defenses.
Capt. Carroll remained with you all watching warily and coughing every now and again as he had some trouble breathing properly from the strike earlier...
Tyrn
She gestures to the chamber. "Hmmmumm, Aucturn has a decent enough ring, but you can call me Constance, if you desire. She runs her hand through her hair and winks at you before pushing off the chamber and casually walking towards the door. "Oh nothing this is the one with miss cling's alot within. Quite an unsual place we are in~ However I do remember earth fondly although I haven't been there in so long. I love worlds close to the sun, so much warmer then Aucturn~"
IN regards to the aggression she showed the twins she shrugs and laughs lightly, feigning a dainty nature as she says. "Snake meat is too stringy for one with such a delicate diet. I prefer firmer meats and fine wine." As she approaches the door it slides open of its own accord.
The twins hiss in unison in response to her words, one going so far as to say something in language don't understand. Which make Constance laugh as she blows a kiss at the more intelligent sister who spoke. "Your half right, but I'm not a full demon." She turns to look at the battered machine priest standing in the door way and reaches towards his face, which looked to be half torn off. She pulls her hands back as he raises an electrified mace and points it at her.
"Return to your chamber S..." He pulls back as she transforms again with a hiss. "SAY IT AND BE DESTROYED CLERIC!" When he Paused she returned to normal. And flicked her hair back in irritation. "Why do so many test my patience today, I just woke up and already they ask for me to sleep. Sadly I think not... Now move Cleric before I break something you'll miss..."
Despite her threat he doesn't move back, taking up a defensive stance as half his face hangs off his metallic frame. "You will return to your chambers. The Fleshwraiths forces are on the move. If your caught they will mechanize you. I can only protect you if you remain here."
At this Constance laughed...
Crosses
The sniper hears Aurora coming and brings their rifle to bear, its metal barely gleaming in the flahsing light of the remaining foxholes unleashing withering sprays of fire down on the grounded Red Dog airship. Seeing that it has been spotted it rises out of the ditch it had been hiding in and reveals its pale skinned form. One eye is completely gone from where it had been shot out by another enemy or the poor soldiers killer. However it quickly and expertly takes aim and attempts ot take Aurora's life...
AC 20, touch 19, flat-footed 17 (+5 Dex, +1 dodge +4 natural)
HP 127
Fort +9, Ref +10, Will +13
Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4; DR 10/ bludgeoning
and magic (Currently Surpressed Not Applicable); Immune undead traits; SR 21
Since I'm still stealthy and stuff he should be flat footed correct?
Seeing Aurora hit only causes Leon to be further enraged. He closes in from the snipers side and slams his metal fist into his side.
Aurora feels the bullet pass through her shoulder but with the power of the lantern flowing through her she barely feels it. She forms a tonfa in her off hand and swings it in towards the undeads neck smashing it against him.
Mir flexes her fingers, claws extended. "You are lying. What was done to my people. Why are they floating there? You know don't you?"
Aurora looks to Mir and for a moment a tinge of sadness broke her hardened resolve. At the sight of her extending claws she hardens once more and takes a deep breath. "What had to be done was done, they were volunteers... Mir your people were unable to harness magic. Your kind had no gift whatsoever. You were warriors thru and thru like Shilacon and Turlacon before you."
DI
At the suggestion of setting her down he grimaces. "Too much fighting dear, we'd likely get swarmed if'n we land here, best to set her down in my yard or we likely will draw too much attention. A landed ship is a dead ship in an invasion like this..." He looks around, and then sighs. "We can get close and land you and part of your squad down there if'n ya want, lower ya down with the Grappler. Once repairs are complete we can come back, I promise ya we will make it back."
"You can't be seriously thinking of using it are you Cassian?! Do you even know what it will do?! Do you?"
Cassian slides casually to Ael, Bera and Mirri's side of the hall. He looks over Aelessaer softly, then to Bera for a second's consideration but ultimately lands back on the time thief. "I'd like to tell you that it gets easier... but I'd prefer not to insult you with falsities."
In a heartbeat his disposition changes and he gives Aurora a determined glare paired with a confident sneer. "Why, yes. Of course I'm seriously thinking of using it. Why wouldn't I? Every tool has its purpose; this includes you, Aurora. I would have never considered hard-wiring a soul into your chest if there wasn't a compelling reason to. I did it because I would have thought, as an elf, you of all creatures would want to purge this place of the abominations that haunt these halls with utter impunity. The ones that not only kill indiscriminately but poison the body, harvest the brain and imprison the souls of those unfortunate enough to cross paths with them. Evidently, by your animated reactions, I must have been wrong in my presumptions. So tell me, Aurora, what is it that you are looking to achieve? Obviously our priorities are different."
Well Tyrn... you've done it again... See what happens when you release demons unto the world?!
"What is the meaning of this? And were you there the whole time!? Listen, faceless priest, we need her abilities. What threatens this facility?"
Mirri's body holds the tension of a coiled spring. "Take another step towards me and I will rip off your head"
Oh lol gotcha :)
Her heart and mind torn in several directions, Diyeana spends several seconds thinking and making up her mind. Finally, nodding she says "Ok then here's what we'll do. Yer ship's a brave, tough old gal Smitty, but we all know she ain't no battleship. My aunt would never forgive me if'n I let any harm come ta you or your old gal, and she's taken more'n enough of a beatin' already. So set me down with half of my squad and we'll do what we can ta make sure every last one o' these undead bastards gets dead for real this time. I'll send the other half o' my squad with you ta help protect you while you and Joey make repairs. Come back when you're good n' ready and not a moment before. I don't want you trying to spoil ma fun before I'm ready ta quit!" grinning hugely with a wink as she finishes.
She then quickly commands all who can to go to the rails and look for a likely place to set down. She's looking for whatever looks like the main command center for the temple district and/or for whoever looks to be leading the battle. Once they find a likely place or person, she'll order the disembarking to begin.
The longgunners remaining with Smitty stand by the railings to protect the descent of their brothers and sisters in arms, as does Di herself. When the last is safely on the ground, Diyeana hops up onto the railing and turns to Smitty and the rest of her crew "Boys n' girls, it's been a blast! Literally! Hahaha! Now you take good care o' my two special boys here and their old gal of a ship. Make sure none of them come to any harm. I'll see you all when you get back, and I'll try to save at least a few Cryxian s#!tbags for ya! Smitty, Joey, you know I love ya, so don't go and do somethin' stupid n' git yerselves hurt or killed, cuz if you do I'll track down your ghosts and kill ya again myself! So enough o' this lollygagging! This gal's gots some Cryxians ta kill!" and with that she turns and leaps off of the ship in a grand swan dive.
While Smitty and Joey know better the rest of her longgunners on board gasp and rush to the railings. Smitty just shakes his head and mutters under his breath while Joey laughs in delight and runs to the rails as well to watch the show. Falling headfirst towards the ground, at the last possible second suddenly winds seemingly from nowhere blast in and lift the crazy Gunslinger back up into the air and set her down gently and perfectly exactly where she wants to be.
Grinning massively in the shocked faces of those around her she laughs and says "Howdy! Me n' my friends here b lookin' to join in on all the fun! So, where and how can we best help to rid this area of all these godsforsaken undead??"
Temple Group
Cassian's tone doesn't lighten Aurora's attitude, in fact she looks at him in shock before becoming almost stony in appearance. Her voice now was hard, harder than ever before. "You will be disappointed by what you find Cassian. I want only to cleanse this temple but your path will lead only to its destruction. If you free it, it will kill you all."
She wields the staff, its head crackling with power before closing and discharging the energy harmlessly into the air, causing everyone’s hair to stand on end from pure static flow in the surrounding air. She looks to Mir but at MIr's reaction she steps back. Looking saddened she speaks quietly. "Your kind amazes me to this day, if you choose to awaken those in the chambers here I beg you to tread lightly, they were the first to wield magic and the effects of which were not kind to some of their minds. Some changed, darkened spiritually to the point they nearly switched to the enemy side before they were detained. I was never part of interring those here in these chambers. So I do not know what you will find."
With that she turns away, adding some last words quietly before spreading her wings once more. "Good luck and farewell." With a low metallic hum she begins to float and within a few seconds speeds off towards the Guards barricade by the lift.
Crosses
AC 20, touch 19, flat-footed 17 (+5 Dex, +1 dodge +4 natural)
HP (damage dealt/max hp) 13/127
Fort +9, Ref +10, Will +13
Defensive Abilities channel resistance +4; DR 10/ bludgeoning
and magic (Currently Surpressed Not Applicable); Immune undead traits; SR 21
Leon's strike is deflected with such ease its enraging. It was if he was moving in slow motion compared to the sniper. As his face passes close to his opponent he sees the pale sniper smile ever so slightly. Leon however distracted the sniper long enough to allow his wife to make an excellent slash along the enemies side. He doesn't react to it, their blood having stopped flowing long ago and turns his rifle to bear on her at point blank range.
The Rifle slams a round into Aurora and then the rifle is gone, replaced by a pistol in the pale snipers right hand. A cruel smirk crawls up its dead cracked cheek.
Tyrn
The mechanical Priests torn face sways back and forth disgustingly as he regards you wordlessly for a moment. It's then you can see tht his head piece is damaged on the back right side. "Sentinel Tal'Dur. Chosen, I was assigned to defend this section. I have done so for time immemorial and have lost count of the hours or days that may have passed. I have been here, I was unable to stop them from opening the door as this time they came in strength. This Temple has fallen to the enemy and it is imperative you return to your chambers. Now."
Aucturn regards the Sentinel with a dismissive look and places a hand on her hip as she notices your change in attitude. "See what you've done Tal'Derp, no fun at all... Now move, we're leaving."
The twins remain standoffish, grouping together with each other and watching everyone warily. The gladitor appears edgy and ready to bring violence if threatened...
Leon's eyes become completely devoid of color upon seeing Aurora shot, something snaps. His katana drops to the sand as he leaps upon the sniper his arms wrapping around him with inhuman strength.
Aurora's breath catches as the second round tears through her body. Time seems to freeze as she witnesses Leon lose his composure and then suddenly everything seems to catch up and her lungs fill back up with air. She attacks the sniper with abandon slamming her tonfa into its body and ramming the Skyblade through it.
Di
AS you land you men are already taking enemy combatants into account and several thrall warriors drop to their deadly fire. However as you stand there the enemy takes notice and starts to amass, much to the frustration of the embattled clerics who are trying to keep the enemy contained. A battle cleric breaks off from the fighting, reaching you lines and despite you injuries she approaches you. "Please report to the Temple, High Priest Munro wishes to speak with you!" She shouts over the din and looks at you expectantly.
Temple Group
As Aurora departs, Captain Carroll sighs. "Saw this coming... POP THE HATCH! Let her out before she gets riled!" His shout is answered by a series of Aye, Sir followed by the sound of metal on metal and unseen mechanical gears suddenly springing to life.
Then it hits all of you, a fresh smell, cleaner air rushing in to replace the heavy used air to lay in this section of the temple. For several moments the area circulates, much to your relief. "I have one last room to show you and then we return to the tea before it gets bitter..." Seeing Bera's state he signals a couple of his men. Namely the overly pushy medic that has thus far annoyed Ael. "Take her to the infirmary, see she is tended to properly."
The medic looks at Bera and then to Ael. "Need a bit of freshening up as well marm? Trust me I got a concoction that have you both on the up and up." He offers her his hand...
Cassian silently absorbs Aurora's words, his disappointment was plain to see. "Well then," he begins as the elf takes wing and exits the temple, "if all else fails, at least we know there is an exit when the countdown begins again."
He walks in the Captains direction with a halfhearted smile, "I certainly hope it will be more uplifting than the rest we've seen today."
I give the medic a long look, why is he so familiar? then reply, "One last room. Look after Bera, she... look after her."
I turn to Carroll and shrug, "Lead on."
Capt. Carroll and Temp Group - More posts coming for Crosses
Cassian's words cause a soldier to respond matter of factly. "We've not been able to search that lift completely. Haven't mapped it either save for it's location here sah."
"Melodramatic fritter frat." Capt. Carroll frowns slightly as he responds to Cassian. "It won't be, as it's where we keep the bodies of the fallen." He leads you to a well guarded doorway and after a brief discussion with his men they open the doors. Surprisingly no smell accompanies the opening of the doors and inside is even more surprising.
Within five people, three men and two women in grey armor, Ael instantly recognizes them as members of the Grey Riders. However they are all dead, stone cold on the floor but their bodies haven't started to rot yet, which strikes you all as strange. Along with the fact that they are still armed, gripping their weapons in their armored hands. No amount of yanking on them breaks there death grip, which adds more to the strangeness. One of the sets of armored humans sits in the corner, armed with twin chaingun like arms and completely covered in grey armor.
Capt. Carroll sighs. "These were arrayed around the... Last of those who stood before our arrival. Frustratingly we can neither open their armor or utilize their weapons. Their technology is obviously advanced but we are unable to utilize it..." He turns away after a moment, seemingly disappointed by his thoughts. "It was the last of the area's I wished to show you, now lets reheat our tea and discuss the path forward..."
Bera
Bera was located in the makeshift infirmary, laying on one of the beds and tucked in tightly. Scavenger, her attendant, hovers nearby while sitting on a stool. Sipping tea and reading a battered leather bound journal. Every few moments he glances Bera's way before refocusing on his book. Bera however appears to be sleeping very soundly.
"A convenient answer for everything, have we?" Cassian smiles to the soldier as he moves past him.
He accompanies the others to the final room and exhales a short note of inquisitiveness when the group of heavily armored warriors are displayed within. Without waiting for permission, he kneels beside the closest one and begins examining his/her equipment with the careful interest.
"These are Grey Riders: they fought beyond bravery. The shadow took them in the end."
I make a respectful Shelynite gesture then speak to Carroll, "Be careful, the shadow may still possess them."
As Cassian beginns to examine them, I speak to him, "They opened a rift on purpose, like explorers, but were trapped here."
"They opened a rift on purpose, like explorers, but were trapped here."
"They opened a rift themselves?" he repeats musically, his eyes shone with both wonder and disbelief. He looks to Ael and rubs his chin contemplatively, "For what reason would they go ahead and do a thing like that?"
His attention snaps quickly to Carroll, "I'm curious to know the how and why you are here as well, Captain."
Although somewhat disappointed that her flashy landing didn't garner more attention, Diyeana completely accepts the seriousness of the situation and nods her acquiescence to the beleaguered battle cleric. Calling her troops to rally behind her she begins making her way towards the temple and High Priest Munro.
Every few seconds, her rifle snaps up as she fires, her deadly aim taking out one after another undead enemy.
Di
You encounter little resistance as your brought into the temple by the Battle Cleric, Ilya, who points to the central alter on a raised dias where several men. Clad in ceremonial looing armor stand looking at something and appear to be locked in a fierce discussion. As you and your small squad cross the temple floor, swiftly passing the pews and seats for the parishioners and devotees that should be here. However you are surprised when you don't see a single person other then well armed and armored clerics arrayed throughout the temple's inner area.
As you appraoch the alter one of the talking men looks up and his grim face braeaks into a smile. He was tall a little over six foot and bald as a baby's bottom. He appeared youthful despite his high position in the church and carried a wooden symbol of morrow, which was surprising."Morrow smile on us this day. He leaves the others to their discussion and moves to meet you with his hands spread wide in greeting. He kisses both your cheecks lightly before blessing you in the traditional morrowan fashion. " It is a pleasure to see that Longgunners have come to the aid of the temple district, are there others comming? We have been cut off from the rest of the city with our fight here."
Crosses