Skyfall - Colonies of the Shining Sea

Game Master Corerue

Tyrn Anything to add or shall I keep pressing forward? :)

Cassian, Ael, Mir

The soldier quirks a brow at Cassian's response. "It's expected of us sir, your only as good as your weakest link." Without much more the man returns to his duties leaving Cassian to contemplate the man's response.

Cassian is unable to discern much other then this armor appeared to thin to protect someone from a heavy hit. Without pulling the armor off these people he could do little more then examine the dead and their advanced weapons. The rifles and tools they carried appeared to energized, but their grip makes it impossible to do little more then move the rifle barrel around some before it settled itself back on the dead soldiers chest.

The person sitting in the enclosed armor was truly fascinating, its gun arms appeared to be manipulated from within the armor itself and outside examinations were near useless to determine all that could be done with it. Cassian was at a loss...

Ael's words made Carrol look thoughtful for a moment. "Grey Riders eh? A brave bunch to come here alone..." He grimaces at her talk of the shadow, a seemingly invulnerable enemy was disconcerting and very worrisome. Cassian's question distracts him. "As I said before we were on the march, taking a new position, we walked into a fog and found ourselves here. And they were arrayed at our feet, the turret was nearby, holding its ground and the last man was pinned to the wall." He shrugs at the second part of Cassian's question. "God moves in strange ways Cassian, perhaps we were brought here as the last line. They may have came by choice and we were called here by necessitiy. Same as all of you." He looks to Ael then a thoughtful look on his face. "What else did you learn a Miss Aelessaer?"

Di - Knowledge Check

Munro is a very well respected priest and is looked upto by many people who have devoted themselves to Morrow. He leads a life theat seems almost a mirror to the tenants of his faith and has never shirked his duties no matter the difficulties he's faced. He is often seen burning the candle at both ends and you have seen him in the training yards from time to time and know for a fact he is a seasoned combatant. MOst of what you know of him comes from what you have seen and heard from others. Surprisingly your Aunt and Smitty have talked highly of him on occasion as well...

Looking for anything more specific?

I shrug, I've not held back. That's about it. These men were not the first, it seems, to fight and die here. Perhaps that's the greatest defence this place has: that it calls us to it?"

Diyeana looks the priest up and down as he approaches her, a slow, sultry smile spreading over her own face as well. When the man kisses her cheeks, she allows him to, but then grabs his cheeks in turn between her two palms and plants a chaste, but solid kiss right on his mouth saying "Now sugar, that is how a kiss is done proper like where I come from."

With no little heat and interest in her eyes, she looks the man up and down once again, then nods in satisfaction saying "Munro, right? I gotta say darlin' you look even better close up. We ain't met yet, name's Diyeana Stormwin, but I heard plenty o' good things about you. Even my Auntie Tesa speaks highly of you, n' that's sayin somethin'"

She then looks back and waves an arm, indicating her Longgunners before turning back to Munro "I'm sorry to say we ain't here offical like or anything sugar, it's a pure as f#@k s#!t storm out there and it looks like all of our city is fighting just to survive. But we are here to help. So you tell me what we can do ta help y'all out and I swear to ya, we'll git it done."

Then, her trademark grin spreading wide across her face, she winks and finishes "A girl just asks that ya make it something fun."

Corerue, Aelessar doesn't fully understand what's going on, or what is and isn't relevant information. For her, the emotional weight of what she saw is the important information. In the long-term she might be right (after all, we remember the sacrifice at Thermopylae over the tactics).

If you'd like me to push the plot along a bit then Aelessar would probably need to sit down and tell the whole story (like, being asked to over a meal or period of rest). Ask her to pick the important details... well, that's what you get.

Temple group

Before my hospital stay I had planned on expanding on this, apologies for lack of clarity on my part but what you suggested is what I had in mind. ;) Thank you though as I appreciate the post and apologize for any frustration I have caused.

Carroll watches you all, trying to knit together what he could from your reactions. However he too appeared as baffled as the rest of you. After what Aelessaer said he nods to her and looks to the rest of you. "Lets ponder over tea and dig into some grub eh? Always found it easier to think when not surrounded by distractions. You can return here again if you wish, at this point I don't think you are a threat. At least not one of the Masters people."

If there is anything else you want to dicuss we can. However I will press forward.

Back in the make shift Mess Hall, Carroll sits across from you all and appears deep in thought. He looks to each of you as he asks a series of questions, trying to knit together all the information you have available.

"So we are faced with a limited amount of time before this place possible levels us all. My forces are available to press forward but if this darkness is so powerful then our efforts will be for not. So I ask each of you to think long and hard on what you have seen before you arrived here. Even the vaguest detailed may provide our forces with an advantage or at least even the odds. Ya may have lost your companion but I don't think she is an enemy yet."

A man approaches and whispers in Carroll's ear, he smiles broadly at what is said and nods to each of you. Namely Cassian. "My men have discover where this supposed heart is and will remove it sharpish for us to see in person."

Questions to think about.
How did you arrive?
Did you arrive seperately?
What have you seen that may have been important?
Did you explore areas outside of the temple?
Encountered anything out of place?
Encountered others of import, good or bad?
Known areas where enemies are present?
Known areas where allies are present?

Cassian pauses and watches with brows furrowed as the soldier retreat back to his assigned tasks. To which link are you referring to, grunt? It took a conscious effort for him to straiten his neck and follow behind the others but even as he did he was still caught in his own musings. Could I be the faulty link of this hurried, conveniently coincidental group? I've succumbed to the temple's treacheries and temptations once - or more - already. Always the fool for a pretty face. Even after it's been riveted with alien metals and armor; perhaps, even, because it had been riveted with alien metals and armor... Bera? No, she's strong and blessed with natural weapons to combat the infection though she is not open about what she has seen and what she truly knows of this place... "Hmpf," he grunts epiphanically. There it is: trust. Too little emphasis has been placed in the trust shared between us. Carroll could do well here not only due to his numbers but the loyalty, however strained it may be, of the men he has with him. The taint has not sapped the tenacity in the elves engineered to protect their temple. Perhaps my trust should be better placed in them as well. Aurora may be right about the turret, but if her goal is cleanse this temple why would she have been designated to the scrap yard? Either there is more going on here than we know or we've each been given separate pieces for us to puzzle together.

Conjecture. Please correct me if I'm overstepping:
Disappointed by the lack of findings he had on the Grey Rider's equipment, he looks to the man's face instead. He prods at Rider's cheeks and lips and finds no resistance in his muscles. "Scavenger, that's what you call your medic, right? Have you had him in here to examine these bodies yet?"

How did you arrive?
Did you arrive seperately?
What have you seen that may have been important?
Did you explore areas outside of the temple?
Encountered anything out of place?
Encountered others of import, good or bad?
Known areas where enemies are present?
Known areas where allies are present?

"I awoke choking in a strange, liquid filled tube. Bera was in a similar tube and I got her out; their were others but the power was damaged and we ran out of time. We were attacked as well. I don't know how I got here, just that I awoke here, trapped. I have seen the spreading darkness and met a terrifying, powerful madman calling himself V. This whole place is a maze to me and I'm lucky that we met up; those beasts we fought were terrible and beyond fierce."

I eat and listen to the others before continuing, "The levels where we began were infested with the Darkness, they seemed to contain sources of technology which I don't really understand but the power was not reliable and their function a mystery."

I sigh, " suppose Bera's vision is the most important detail I have. I saw through the eyes of one of these men. Their allies opened a magical portal to this world. I don't know if they intended to arrive here. They walked into a fight between Aurora's people and a huge tentacled beast. The beast was called either Thoon or Cithruadh. There were more brutes but the gray riders destroyed them with their advanced weapons."

"The brutes kept on coming, a relentless wave that even extensive barricading and organisation could not control or stem, only slow. No reinforcements ever came and the grey riders were chipped away. Finally, the darkness came. It was nearly destroyed with greandes of light, it became a seemingly weak humanoid but that form possessed the last man."

"A message lingered in his mind for those who came after, for us: "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." Hopefully it will make sense when the time is right."

Tyrn

The argument is short lived, your charisma and suave sways the machine priest into a willing helping you all. Especially after you found he was the last of fourteen to defend this part of the temple. With his flesh healed he willing showed you through the remaining twenty rooms. Each housing women of fantastic and alien nature. The last room led to a massive natural cavern, housing two massive airships that hovered silently in drydock. Sunlight pierced the darkness of this cavern where a hole now appeared to have breached this hidden dock. Both of these fantastic vessel shined as their metal frames were aglow with thousands of rune plates that granted them both flight. Like the temple they sounded like they were giving off a low purr, hovering there waiting to be used. The priest showed you aboard and it was then that the well crafted vessel revealed its true nature...

They were warships, with weapons so far advanced that it astounded you the the elves had never chose to conquer humanity. It must have been the look of wonder or fear that you unknowingly displayed on your features as the machine preist spoke. Answering your sudden apprehension with cold logic, reminding you of the weeks of research you had performed in studying the elves. "It was never our intention... We once only wished to live in harmony, we were far to naive..." He doesn't explain his words save for the facts that at some point the elves fought a great battle, one that mean't life or death for the Old World and they lost.

So they embarked to find a new world, to rebuild, to advance to a point where they could Return...

The Priests stoic nature is betrayed by the cracking of his voice as he explains they failed. Again. The enemy found them here, and threatened to scour the world of all life in the pursuit of their destruction. With few allies and fewer options they unleashed their new aresenal and somehow won. Through the grace of whatever gods they won the war but lost their race in the process, Elvenkind was doomed. Never to recover along with the Old World. But their enemies would not destroy this world and the races that called it home...

"What you see before you is the echoes of a once proud and noble race, doomed by their own arrogance and left to disappear in darkness as befits those blinded by power. It is what we deserve." He looks to his mechanical weapon and grips it tightly. "For so long I waited in those halls, watching my companions fall one after another, following the orders given to me as the Master grew in strength. Hoping that we would overcome him, but now I see I can wait no longer. Help isn't coming and he has to die." By the time he finishes speaking you find yourself within the helm of the ship and it was beautiful. Everything was well placed, the pure symmetry was as astounding as the story he related to you. Mainly beacuse you never realized the depth of elvenkinds involvement with the world, you knew of the main houses and clans with their varying abilities but this single preist revealed things you didn't know. As you stared in wonder the priest pulled free a familiar symbol, the maiden of gears, Cyriss as these elves called her. A name you heard in the Old World only in whispers and hurried glances, there she was regarded little more as an Occult figure, here she was a mainstream goddess in her own right with a nearly immortal race that worshiped.

You blinked furiously as the ship flared to life, blinding you for a moment as all the instruments came alive. The priest was pressing his symbol into the main helm, speaking words in elven you clearly understood and could easily repeat. When you spotted him looking at you, it dawned on you that this was on purpose. "She is yours, return home chosen, your fight here is over. Vathiel will be of great use to you, to humanity, but the deterioation of your Ley Lines may cripple her when she arrives in the Old World. So be wary... Pardon my leave, I have a Monster to kill." With that the priest begins to leave you all behind, his mechanical weapon laid across his shoulder.

This entire time the serpent sisters stared in wonder and fascination, keeping several paces away from Aucturn and the machine elf but never the less listening closely. When the Priest goes to leave Aucturn stops him, her hand on his shoulder. It's the first time you've seen her look genuinely saddened. "You cannot win alone, come with us..."

The priest shook his head. "I will not run. The Master will die or I will, simple. I will ask that you take as many with you as you can Chosen." With that her hand fell away as the machine elf continued to make his way off the now humming bridge...

DI

Munro gives you a surprised smile as his fellow preists appear a mixture of shocked, abhorred and amused at your actions. One of them even chuckles before being glared at by his fellows, perhaps they didn't care much for the light way the situation was being taken for. Munro however had a light hearted shine in his eyes as his smiled broadened momentarily. He was clearly enjoying the encounter,despite the huff of his associates. "Noted Miss Stormwin. Your family is well known and your aid, although unofficial, is greatly appreciated. Believe me, now if you are surprised to see no one here it is because they are being housed in the crypts below. My fellows and I are guarding this place. If they take the inner sanctum however all will be lost..."

He pauses as the sound of heavy cannons shakes the temple, dust falls from over head as the several thundering shouts echo from nearby. "I pray the city is not lost then... It appears Cryx is moving into their endgame..."

One of the preists points to the document they are looking at. "We must summon the Brethren, it is time for the Awakening or all will be lost!"

"By the Ascendents are you mad Felkirk?! They were to be called upon when the darkest hour came. No sooner!"

"Look around you Corben! The masses hide shivering in the dark of the crypts, the city screams in agony as the dead breach her walls and Cryxians march within our streets. The darkest hour has arrived!"

"Nay Sister Roya, we cannot call upon them yet! Raise the banners and call forth the battle priests, send forth the paladins of the wall and drive this filth from the city."

Sister Roya slammed her petite hand into the table, shaking it and scattering strategic pieces as she shook with fury. "Brother Cale you are addled by age, we have summoned every preist, some have even raised the standard of Markus and still the dead hold fast. We are down to our last option, the Brethren must awaken!"

Munro sighed, it appears this is what they were discussing heatedly before your arrival. He regards you warmly as the High Priests continue to argue behind him, appearing as if at any moment they could go to blows. "Lady Stormwin, all I can ask is that you help defend this place. Take up a position on the steps and try and take down Thrall Lieutenants, without Lieutenants these Thrall warriors will be unable to coordinate. Be careful however, I believe the worst is yet to come."

Leon and Aurora

fight scene continuing, work calls. Blargh. :P

Diyeana, her attention focused on the charming priest, seems to barely notice and reacts not at all to the booming and falling dust.

When Munro finishes she smiles widely replying "Lady Stormwin...I think a gal could get used to that."

She then turns, all business once again "You heard the man boys and girls, to the steps! Keep those dead bastards out of this place and pick off any and every Thrall Lieutenant you see. Go on now! I'll be right with you."

She then turns back to Munro. Although she never once even glanced at the arguing priests behind him, she asks with intelligence and interest shining in her eyes "So, who are these 'Brethren' then? And what's the big deal with waking them or not?"

~!!!!!#@$#@#% YES! ENGAGE!

Once he saw the ship, Tyrn was silent with shock. The entire time the priest was talking, he remained quiet, listened, and looked. He never thought he would see his dreams come true. A device capable of taking his exploration beyond his own world.

"You have done more for me in this small walk than you can imagine. My research feels nearly complete with the first-hand knowledge you have bestowed upon me. You've also given me this majestic machine; I gift I could never repay you with. Consider my efforts to protecting the galaxy and upholding civility and freedom as my gift in return. I will see your objective completed and destroy the Illithid."

As the ship powered up, Tyrn refused to avert his gaze against the light. He was afraid he would miss something. Before the priest left, Tyrn had some questions to ask...

"You have already given me so much, but consider this a favor your species. I would like to have access to your archives for my research and my great project. A book, or report on your species. It will be a monument to the truth of your existence and your influence on the now human-dominated Earth."

"I also ask who you would suggest I take with me. Are you referring to the others in the stasis tubes? Are there other people in the fortress that seek escape on the ship?"

Leon and Aurora

With startling and damning speed the pale Sniper twists Leon's hold back around on the fledgling vampire. Pinning both of his arms behind his back and pressing it's pistol into his side. It is then you both hear a mocking voice echoing in your heads in a way reminicent to your previous Masters voice. "ShOuLd HaVe FeD vAmPiRe! YOUR too WeAk aNd YoUr BeLoVeD wEnCh Is ChAnGeD NoW! bUt WhY dO wE FIGHT bRoThEr! ThIs CiTy Is OURS! FEED! CONSUME! SLAUGHTER! WHY AID THEM! CRUSH THEM NOW! B.E. F.R.E.E O.F. T.H.E.M. FOREVER!!" It's voice is like nails across a chalkboard, like nails cracking as a victim is dragged screaming to a horrible end. It's voice reminds of the days your were powerless, mentally caged, mere pawns and puppets to an ancient being that knew no end to it's games of manipulation and constant bloodlust. It's like the master had never died...

Leon Will Save DC 22 please - Fail = Staggered for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds

Back Around to you Leon and Aurora. Leon is Pinned.

DI

Munro's smile fades as your troops move back towards the entrance of the temple, pausing just inside the doorway to check their chambers before plunging back into the fray. Through it all Munro considers your question thoughtfully for around a minute before speaking. "The Brethren... To put it simply they are those faithful men and women who forswore their peaceful rest to remain here among us in quiet meditation. Awaiting the day they would be needed to fight once more. You know of the statues that adorn our fair city, our temples and parks?" His eyes shine as he speaks, was it amusement or curiosity that danced in this clerics eyes as he waited for your response.

One of Munro's peers looked askance and was about to speak when Munro raised his hand to politely quiet the Woman Priest. They all were quiet as they watched you and Munro converse, as if waiting for one of you to say something in particular...

Temple Group

Carroll gives Mir a momentary glance as he twirls his mustache, taking in Ael's and Cassian's accounts of what they had seen thus far. The worry on the Captain's face, along with his injuries was apparent, but he didn't look deterred. In fact he looked more resolved as a pair of men came in carrying a metal tray with a tripod of legs to keep it upright. The table wasn't as interesting as what sat on it though...

It was both twisted and fascinating as what sat on the table was indeed a Heart in all sense of the word. Save for the fact it was also made up of machine parts unlike anything that Cassian or any of you had ever seen...

Knowledge: Engineering 30 (Non-Cyriss Tech) - Success = Personalized PM

The half machine heart was beating at above human pace, in fact is was nearly twice the speed of a human heart. At around two hundred to two hundred and fifty beats per minute alone. Each heartbeat caused a surge of power through its circuitry and short arcs formed and rolled around the table. The men who carried it in looked to be wearing specialized gear for handling the device and kept the table a fair distance from where you were all sitting.

Another soldier sidles up alongside their Captain and whisper in his ear. He responds to the man quietly...

...And when the man moves away Captain Carroll takes on a stony look as he speaks, his chipper replaced by the hardened edge of a Field Commander. "I assume this is the heart you sought? I hope it was worth it." There was a sting in his words but he pressed on heedless of the damage it may have caused.

He looks to Ael then. "There is something in particular I wish to show you personally as your words reminded me of something I had forgotten in our dreary stay here..."

Looking to Mir then he regards her quietly, when he speaks his stony look remains but the hard edge of his voice has softened considerably. "I will not press you on your coming here but I will ask your thoughts on your companions imprisoned in the nearby room. Do you wish our aid in freeing them or shall they wait until this is over? I know we can open those chambers but once we do the process is irreversible."

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 Crap

"I assume this is the heart you sought? I hope it was worth it."

"You are correct in your assumptions although an exact value of this discovery can only be determined when we find the 'subject' from whom it was removed. The intercepted transmission proposed that its owner was far less than cordial but may have had some notion of what was to happen here given that it was working from a schedule. We know that our enemies fear this; making it a weapon and giving us some advantage in combating the seemingly impervious Shadow."

"I should also mention that it was made explicitly clear that the elves felt this heart should remain unfitted in its chassis at all times. Call me a fool, if you wish, but it is my belief that idleness is not in our best interest. Death salivates outside our doors. I, for one, don't mean to sate that ravenous bastard today. Your thoughts?"

"Such a beautiful curiosity," He reflects when he finally gives himself a chance to investigate. "Though I should expect as much; this temple hides a great many beautiful curiosities," he quickly adds, his eyes danced mischievously at Aelessaer then back to the restless Heart pulsating before them. Cassian leans over the table, steeples his fingers and begins rapping them against each other as he studies the device.

Knowledge(engineering): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 W...T...F...? Lol!
I'm going to use a Hero Point to bump that 29 up to a 33! :-)
Hero Points: 3 => 2

Actually, can you take 20 on knowledge checks? If yes then I'll just do that and save the Hero Point for later. I have a feeling I'll need them sooner or later ;-)

Perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

Glaring balefully at the heart-machine on the table Miri barely restrains a hiss. The pure unnatural nature of it made her hackles raise.

Looking over at the Captain she could sense that he had genuine concern for her wishes. Conflicted she is quiet for a moment.

"Do you have any idea why or how this happened to them?"

Capt. Carroll regard Cassian coldly for a long moment after the soldier had left. The hardened edge returned to his voice as he speaks. "You are a fool, plainly seen when you called your comrade a Tool. You require loyalty to achieve victory and it's clear you don't have that. You have a common bond, so tenuous like mist in the face of a strong wind when you regard your allies as pawns. Loyalty means they're willing to give up their liv..." A sound unlike any other cut off further words, its rich sound and deep tone resonated through the metal halls, rebounding and seeming to grow louder the further it moved from it's point of origin. However it never became distorted, somehow its tone and depth remained constant.

Amazing Grace Sora No Woto Solo

Nearby soldiers lowered their heads, eyes closed as they listened to the tune. One man cried silently, another shook as he held back his own tears. Capt. Carroll remained stony despite the breakdown of some of his soldiers, he rubbed his hand down his face as if he rubbing dust out of his eye as the bugle continued to soun. Cassian recognized the notes as that of a bugle being played masterfully, the musician rivaled any bard he had ever known who dare play the bugle. The sound the bugle men played was both brilliant and saddening despite not having words attached to the uplifting and sorrowful tune they played. It lasted for only a few minutes before fading away, the sudden silence was disconcerting at first after such beautiful music was played.

Despite the sharp notes the strange music didn't pierce Mir's sensitive ears as expected however, like the rest of you, she had no idea what the sounds represented. It was not a tune she had ever heard until now...

Capt. Carroll's disposition changed greatly. Whatever he was building upto was forgotten as he finished speaking, clearly changing the route of his lecturing. "Regretfully two men have died because of their injuries, Mercy was given as they were suffering greatly. They fought the good fight and now we must do the same."

He looks to Mir then and shakes his head. "I know only what your former companion spoke of. They volunteered to be changed..." The tone of his voice easily betrays his discomfort with the thought. "... to give them an edge on the battlefield. It's horrible but not uncommon for sacrifices to be made when defeat would mean a much worse fate. I sacrificed many horses to move artillery into position, because without them we'd have lost the war..."

As he finished speaking the man from before returned followed by two others who were carrying an empty suit of Grey Rider armor. They were careful to wear their gloves as the brought it into the room but the moment it got within ten feet of you the suit of armor jerked itself upright. Moving as if their were someone inside of it still. Once it was standing the men let go and it remained upright as they backed away slowly. Carroll snapped the securing latch on his holster and inched his postil just far enough so that he could place a finger lightly over the trigger.

He spoke as his men looked from your group to the rigidly standing armor. "It never did that before..."

He nodded towards the men and indicated Cassian to follow the two men with gloved hands. The men who came before sidled up alongside his Captain as Carroll looked to Mir once more and keeping the armor in his peripheral vision. "If you chose to release one or all of them Lieutenant Holloway will be able to help you."

The Lieutenant smiles sheepishly at Mir, clearly uncomfortable with her near human shape but, being the gentlemen he was, he tried his best not to stare. He looked away after nodding to her in quiet introduction, looking back towards the armor.

Ael was still seated in her chair as the armor was brought in, giving a jump like the rest of you when it jerked itself upright suddenly. As Carroll finished speaking the armor suddenly spoke in a dull, demanding sort of way. "GR DETECTION. IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED."

Tyrn

The priest pauses mid step and turns to regard you over his armored shoulder. "There are many Chosen within the temple. They're purpose for being here was lost when the temple was attacked from within. In your ward alone there were nearly a hundred occupants. Mostly female as this was the woman's ward for those injured on arrival. It is but one of six locations that I know of in the temple. However the Master has been trying to locate and capture those in stasis, what he does to them I am unsure. The abominations that assaulted you are most likely those unfortunate enough to have been captured by him. He is unkind in his research and is known as a Flesh Wraith or Cephalyx."

He turns to look at you more as he answers your questions. "The archive is beyond your reach I am afraid, unless the temple is retaken it remains locked down and inaccessible. However up until an a few hours ago our core was destabilizing to the point of mass failure. The resulting loss would cause a destructive reaction and annihilate this temple in an attempt to avoid contamination spreading to the outside world. Everything within a mile if not more would be completely reduced to ashes and the temple would be a well carved crater in this mountain top. Hence why you need to make a choice to either stay or gather who you can and run using Vathiel..."

Miri looked at the Captain as he spoke of being changed to face the enemy. She herself had been changed but by the power of the Tigress rather than the workings of....scientists. The word still made her twitch slightly.

If they were changed to better battle the darkness, I think we would benefit from freeing them. We need as many warriors as we can gather, besides, I would like to hear their tale. She looks to the Lieutenant returning his smile. If you will assist me in trying to awaken them I would be grateful.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

I look at the suit thoughtfully, raise an eyebrow and state as confidently as I can muster: "Code Everest."

After Aelessaer speaks... Nothing happens...

The Lieutenant sighs in disappointment before turning to nod at Mir. "I can see what I ca..." "CODE ACCEPTED. GR VERIFICATION COMPLETE. HAIL BATTLE SISTER." Being cut off by the armor's speech the Lieutenant turns just as the armor starts to snap apart. The chest piece snaps open, the armored plating breaking into smaller pieces that stack upon each other and move aside revealing empty slots within.

There were places for someone to literally step into this suit, although what happened after that was unknown. The inside of the suit was adorned with lights that pulsed at regular intervals, it was technology on a scale beyone anything you'd all seen yet.

By the by - CASSIAN did you use the HP or not? K-Checks can't be taken 10/20 on from what I found so the choice good sir is yours. :)

Captain Carroll waved off the Lieutenant, looking visibly relaxed despite the strange reaction the suit had just done. Breathing a sigh of relief the Lieutenant looks back to Mir and finishes what hewas trying to say... "As I was saying Marm I will see what I can do."

I approach the suit and peer inside, "Well then, maybe this will work."

I remove most of my equipment so that I am just clad in a loose shirt and breeches. After a moment's hesitation, I even remove my boots.

Then I step inside the machine, deliberately but carefully: not wanting to be caught off-guard by the strange equipment.

Spending the Hero Point, sir. Put too much time in chasing down The Heart to let this info slip past me by 1 friggin' point! :-)

Carroll's words cut the egomaniacal swordsman far deeper than he would have liked to let on. He locks eyes with the Captain, who sat opposite him, bitterly tonguing at the spaces between his teeth until the rant was cut short by a solemn bugler.

He rises and begins to follow the two gloved engineers like a chastised dog being sent outdoors. Just before taking exit, he turns back with a thinly veiled sardonic smirk. "Tools and pawns? I'll require both. My Servitors are awaiting command in the room which we met. The pawns should help to bolster our battle numbers and the tools will give us an edge in using any available tech at our disposal. I leave you in the good company of my Queens."

Damn! Did Ael just become the Ultimate Badass???

Yeah, just realized this could have been a bad idea seeing as there's a GIANT TURRET POINTED AT THE DOOR!!! My personal Wisdom score is much worst than my PC's (especially after the damage he took)

Continuing where he left off...

His smug reply gifted him only the most fleeting feeling of accomplishment. He's right on all counts. I lost my ship for precisely that. Even after all I've encountered here, I'm still too much the boy I was when I arrived. MoG's memories are now my own. Perhaps her wisdom will follow.

"Alert your men that a half dozen Cyrissian bots will be joining us shortly. The spherical ones are surprisingly effective combatants. Place them where you feel is appropriate. I'll be in need of one of the Assistants but you may designate the other two as you see fit. Six bots are hardly two men, but I hope that they can bridge some of the gap they left behind."

After giving the captain time to make the appropriate measures, Cassian gives a sharp whistle to signal the Servitors to his side.

Perform: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Spits all over himself

... a sharp whistle to signal the Servitors to his side.
Perform: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

takes 10: 13

He singles out one of the Assistants with a finger, "You. Stay with me. I want the rest of you to follow that man's command until I say otherwise. Understood? Wonderful."

He gives his companions at the table a courteous bow and smiles genuinely (for a change), "Enjoy. You know where to find me should you need to."

Do the Servitors have a language? Cassian "speaks" Cryissian Code for what it's worth. Been playing a lot of KotoR so blips and bleeps seem like a viable language by my count. I can't believe they released it for iPhone! But that's beside the point, lol!

Aurora, Leon and Di Di there is a post up for you, did I miss a post from you? Leon and Aurora, combat is still ongoing it's your turn~ ;)

Ael Working on your post, its going to be a few more hours before it is up as it is on my personal and I am on my phone right now >:(. Sorry!

Cassian You were in for a shock, especially as you exit the mess and find that the turret is down. Its entire frame sags and its once powerful presence is gone completely, it becomes more apparent that the heart was the source of its pwer and without it it could not function...

The servitors come running, having been waiting in the first room you had arrived in. Per your instruction and for a few short moments they orbited you. Once they received your tasks they moved to obey quickly.

The soldiers seem nonplussed about it, A few more men have taken up positions where the turret had been and the general feeling in the air is their numbers can make up for its loss. Hopefully anyway. The gloved men bring you to where the makeshift hospital is and it's there that Cassian faces another shock. The two men that died had been none other then the two they had so recently injured. A lone bugler, surprisingly a woman, with a red cross adorning a tightly tied armband stands with her instrument tucked under her arm, her other hand is up in salute. The other medic's are pulling white cloth to cover the dead men's forms. No one appears to be paying attention to Cassian, no looks of accusation, no anger. Just a quiet calm and saddened faces fill the room.

After the initial shock, Cassian regards the turret with usual optimism. Supposing I can't find another use for it, The Heart can still pump life back into that.

Inside the hospital was, unfortunately, a different story. He folds his hands neatly in front of him and hangs his head in respect of the two fallen soldiers. The others acted on my command. They followed only after the dart left my hand. Had I a better understanding of what was happening here, these men would still be alive. His eyes flash upwards to the men below the sheets then back to his feet. What use is this? The Cephelax has Sil and the Immortal. We have The Heart. My visions are too confusing to harbor trust in and my head is in such disarray it would be foolish to labor another visit. I... WE must focus on the present.

After a drawn out silence, Cassian lifts his head and takes measure of the room.

Taking 20 on Perception; Total 23

"This man looks as if he was burned. Surely that wasn't the cause of death. Was this done as some measure to rid the body of infection or infestation?"

DI

Munro's smile fades as your troops move back towards the entrance of the temple, pausing just inside the doorway to check their chambers before plunging back into the fray. Through it all Munro considers your question thoughtfully for around a minute before speaking. "The Brethren... To put it simply they are those faithful men and women who forswore their peaceful rest to remain here among us in quiet meditation. Awaiting the day they would be needed to fight once more. You know of the statues that adorn our fair city, our temples and parks?" His eyes shine as he speaks, was it amusement or curiosity that danced in this clerics eyes as he waited for your response.

** spoiler omitted **

One of Munro's peers looked askance and was about to speak when Munro raised his hand to politely quiet the Woman Priest. They all were quiet as they watched you and Munro converse, as if waiting for one of you to say something in particular...

Diyena tilts her head to the side a bit, and her mouth moves into a little moue as she pictures in her head the statues around that city that Munro mentions, for she knows them well, especially the Paladin of the Wall and Ascendant Katrina. A sly smile spreads her lips as she recalls some fond memories around, and even on some of the stautes. In fact, wasn't it under the watchful eyes of the Paladin that she lost her...ah, well, it wasn't quite the time for such reminiscences right now.

Snapping her attention back to the present and the hunky priest before her, her expressive mouth and eyebrows form a slight frown as she says loud enough for all to hear "Well, I'll be a bright eyed virgin! Ha ha I wonder if any o' them statues was able to actually see any of tha goings on around 'em. Cuz if so, well, I'm sure I provided 'em with more 'n eyefull once or twice, or thrice." and for a moment her eyes and mouth grin suggestively.

All serious again however in an instant, she continues "I dunno what y'all are arguin' about though! Cuz if'n yer all waiting fer 'The Darkest Hour', I promise you, it's already here. My crew and I been flying over more n' half the city, and, short of a miracle, I honestly don't know if any o' us will survive. Don't get me wrong, I plan tae take as many o' them undead sons o' b#+%&es with me when I go as I can, but if y'all got some secret plan to save us, like these Brethren o' yours, then it's high time tae git off yer holy asses and AWAKEN 'EM ALREADY! Like NOW"

Continue Grapple: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

If successful
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Even with Leon's momentary shock at hearing the snipers words he manages to keep his grip on the undead. With a snap a short punching blade flicks out of his right arm and he slashes it into the undead's corpse.

Edit: I totally misread yur post the grapple was turned on me.

Aelessaer

The moment you slip both your feet inside, the suit remains perfectly stationary, eerily so. It isn't until you lean in and press your back against the backside of the armor that several things start happening at once. A thin, dark visor slides down over your eyes, causing you to jerk in surprise. It's quickly followed by the feeling of hundreds of tiny scales undulating across where your skin is exposed.

With Mir and Cassian gone no one but Capt. Carroll and some of the mess cooks were there to witness the odd event. Once Mir was completely sealed Carroll breathed a sigh of relief. "Wonders never cease..." He raises his freshly refilled tea cup to his men in a small salute, which brought on a small hoorah and light hearted chuckles from his present company.

As the cooks got back to work, their morale higher then before, another of Carroll's officers slipped into the room.The man salute and took Carrolls responding nod as permission to be at ease. "Messer squad is formed up and ready sah! Three machine gun crews are loaded and we have around four score of the infantry ready to make the first push sah!"

That was just under half his forces, if they could not make a beachhead with that then they were doomed to fail from the start. "I'll lead them myself, tell the bugler to sound the charge. Be rather unsporting if we caught them by surprise.."

"Yessah!"

The man marched away at a quick pace, once he was gone Carroll swallowed down his tea and stood up. He straightened his hat and adjusted his belts. "Those who risk win..." He gave the suit a light wrap with his knuckle as he walked past and back into the main hall...

Muahaha, I'm a full vampire

Leon attempts to throw his captor off and when he couldn't manage it. A sudden though occurs to him. With a thought his body loses its attachments to the mortal world and turns to smoke slipping from the snipers grip.

tonfa: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27
Skyblade: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32
D:Tonfa: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
D:Skyblade: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

As soon as Leon was freed from the snipers grip she slams the tonfa into him and slashes into him with the Skyblade.

"This decision is very difficult... "

"Can the core be stabilized?"

"Can I release the occupants and amass a force to retake the temple? All in time to escape with Vathiel, of course."

Snapping to another realization, "Where is Bera? She was taken to Medical Tents, correct?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 - 2 = 24

Does the tube seem to have any obvious mechanism or way of opening it?

Mir

There is no clear indication of how to open the tube without difficulty. But by the obvious look of blunt tools and instruments its easy to tell that they're going to bust it open like cracking an egg. Hence why they can't reverse the process...

Miri looks at the glass hesitantly, and glances over at Halloway. "In some ways I am as hesitant as you, I do not know what to expect, but if they can help us with the monsters we face it will be for the best." she says resolutely.

"Let us release them if we can."

Halloway nods and brings to bear the first strike from his tools on...

High Male, Low Female = Male: 1d13 ⇒ 7

It is the matter of a few well placed strikes and the material sealing the tube fractures, the material appeared to spider web and continued to fracture more from the pressure from the liquid inside. With a rush of liquid the tube shattered, unable to withstand the last precise strike from Halloway.

The pale colored tabaxian slid out of the tube on his back and came to rest a mere foot or so from where he began. As Halloway kneeled down to remove the mask over the males muzzle, the Tabaxian's eyes opened and, almost mechanically, he sat up. He quickly got to his feet in the most efficient way possible and stood there with the mask over his muzzle, he stood rigid, staring straight ahead. He completely disregarded Halloway but, when Mir moved, his head snapped towards her like he was locking on to a prey. Yet Mir's instincts didn't flare in warning, his stare was intense, focused solely on her and yet not a word or movement other then that. Just his eyes locked on to her's...

Halloway sets his tools back on the table in the room and waits until bidden to open another tube. However he appears rather disconcerted over the strange behavior the Tabaxian is showing. Like the rest of the soldiers he doesn't voice this unease, merely waits until told to continue...

Cross

The sniper doesn't appear to be surprised when Leon turns to mist and Aurora smashes him with two fierce attacks. The undead soldier shrugs off the attacks and steps back, leveling his pistol at Aurora...

At point blank range the round pounds into Auroras side, narrowly missing vitals but causing serious injury none the less...

5ft Step Back
Pistol Shot + point blank - deadly aim: 1d20 + 18 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 18 + 1 - 4 = 27
Pistol damage + deadly aim: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Rapid Reload - Swift Action

Expending its round it snaps the pistol open, expelling the spent shell and pulls free a glowing, green rune encased shell and loads it into the barrel. A wicked grin spreads across it's dead face...

"This decision is very difficult... "

The Priest regards you with a neutral face, answering as quickly as you ask your questions.

"How so? Logically you are outnumbered, the temple is overrun by an unknown number of foes and incorporeal creature that drains spirit energy. Fight or save as many as you can and run."

"Can the core be stabilized?"

He nods. "Of course but I am not of the station or skill to do so. M.O.G. or S.I.L. were the few with the knowledge to correct the core disruption. S.I.L. recently stopped communicating and M.O.G. disappeared ages ago."

"Can I release the occupants and amass a force to retake the temple? All in time to escape with Vathiel, of course."

The priest considers for about a second before answering. "Those contained here may have a hard time cooperating. Or are too seriously injured to do more then lay down and cry in pain once they are removed from the chambers. Few will be in fighting condition. However I can take you to the quickest routes and perhaps a surgical strike will be all we need. However this depends on how many abominations the master has amassed..."

Aucturn and the serpent sisters watch you both converse, she fluffs her hair as the two sisters gaze wide eyed at all the flashing lights. Aucturn speaks first. "As much as I hate violence, I'm all in if you choose to fight lovely~ However you'll owe me big time~"

The more intelligent sister looks to you and regards you curiously, albeit guarded...

Di

Munro smiles at your words and looks to his brothers and sisters. "I must agree, the banners of Markus are being raised and at this rate their will be few priests left if we drag out this conflict further." A distant explosion shakes the cathedral of Morrow, sending bits of rock dust down as if to emphasize Munro and Di's words. AS one of his comrades raises their voice in protest he raises his hand to gently silence them before returning to stand at the alter. "I understand your reservations, I too believe that reacting hastily will weaken us but at this point what is there for us to do? Wait for the dead to try and take this temple? Then what? Fight blindly on until only one of us is left standing? What if a Lich Lord comes, herald by so much death it is bound to happen and then those poor fallen will be harvested for their vile machinations."

The priest who had been silenced spoke up in indignation. "We can defeat a lich lord! By Morrows hand we could do so! But the Brethren can only be called upon ONCE! And then we will be without our last defense. Which like we know the Cryxian's will return, stronger then before. They always do!"

Munro weathers the storm of outrage with a compassionate look before responding with a shocking revelation. "Then we call upon a single cast and hope it is enough... Perhaps the Paladin's of the Wall should suffice?"

Di all the while the escalating gunfire outside the doorway told you that things were probably going poorly outside. The priests deliberations, despite being swifter, were still taking time. Time you all may not have...

Miri completes pacing another circle around the pale captive make and moves closer, dropping into a crouch. "మీ పేరు ఏమిటి?"

Mir

He tilts his head at you as if not quite understanding your words or unsure of how to reply momentarily before responding in a similar dialect as yours. However you barely understand it because some of his words aren't common in your native tongue. "నేను కవచం షల్? నేను మీ బ్లేడ్ ఉండాలి? నాకు మిస్ట్రెస్ కమాండ్..."

Snapping to another realization, "Where is Bera? She was taken to Medical Tents, correct?"

The men ignore your initial question, Scavenger looks to you as he appears from the gathered group. "Don't you pay no mind, twasn't your fault. Now, your friend is over there..." He gestures as he somewhat forcefully turns you away from the two covered dead men. Pointing to a well bundled form on the a corner bed, situated by something covered on the floor... "... comfortable and resting despite our noise. Gave her one of my special brews so she could relax."

The two men who brought you here move forward at Scavenger's nod and move to the bundled form on the floor. What they uncover takes your breath away as a memory assaults you...

You knew him as Talmerren, at least MOG knew him, he was a extreme pain in the ass self righteous inquisitor from the Imperium who constantly tested your patience and pressed his luck with the goddess more then once. Yet what you saw now was the broken shell of his priest body. He was an soldier style and yet something broke open his chest like it was trying to extract his orb by force...

Yet his orb was still there and intact, however his body wasn't powered up, he appeared to be in similar disrepair like MOG was when you met here...

Like she still was, where ever her workshop was now...

All

Cassian, several of the men and the bugler leave the room, following a quickly given order from a superior officer...

Temple Group

Despite your distractions the sound of several short trumpet blasts echoes through the hall followed by a pair of officers walking down the adjoining halls and shouting. "Begin Operation Exitus! Steady now lads!" The sound of scores of soldiers on the march is easily heard...

Along with the rattle of rifles, chainguns, ammunition and swords...

I think I got everyone... For once... My god! Yay I made lots of posts! *Dances* NOW POST DAMN YOU!

Round , Init , Altitude ' AC 17, HP 37/37 Buffs: Vampire, Deadly Focus
Activating deadly focus +4 attack and damage and hammerblow
Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 4 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 4 + (1) = 18

Leon's form reforms his eyes glowing a bloody red instead of their normal crystalline hue. "Aurora move back!" He yells as he faces the sniper.
He slashes out with his katana cutting into undead flesh.

"I will not let you control us, and I sure as hell won't let you hurt her anymore!"