No problem, I understand we all have different schedules. I will be trying to post every 24 hours. On weekends I am willing to wait 36-48 hours as I understand everyone's schedules might be more erratic. My pace here at the beginning has been a bit faster than I expected originally, just because of everyone's level of interest and the fact that I have some extra time on my hands this month. I just finished grad school and have a job lined up starting the 31st. So I will certainly be slowing down a bit then, I also have a little trip lined up just before that, and will be slow at posting while I am on vacation.
In general, let me know if you will be unable to post a certain day. I can skip you or bot you, depending on the situation.
Action 1: There is a flurry of activity in the courtyard, and Breona is trying to absorb it all. Her brother is still hidden behind the desk, blubbering in terror. Who would have thought that he is so easily scared? Or am I being reckless?
Breona gazes at the caravan, over to where rebels seem to aim for the warehouse. She tries to absorb everything she sees, trying to make sense and failing. Is that a man leaping around the courtyard, jumping? Was he in the air? What is this winged creature she sees with another man? There's a commotion regarding a rock-like creature of a kind that Breona has never seen before, possibly a visitant. Guards are running, rebels are yelling, and in the dim light the rebels with the paint in their faces seem to zip around in a blur of speed. It's all so strange, so bizarre. So fascinating!
Action 2:
I am assuming this would use the Intellect Pool. Using effort would bring her Int pool down to 13.
Action 1: There is a flurry of activity in the courtyard, and Breona is trying to absorb it all. Her brother is still hidden behind the desk, blubbering in terror. Who would have thought that he is so easily scared? Or am I being reckless?
Breona gazes at the caravan, over to where rebels seem to aim for the warehouse. She tries to absorb everything she sees, trying to make sense and failing. Is that a man leaping around the courtyard, jumping? Was he in the air? What is this winged creature she sees with another man? There's a commotion regarding a rock-like creature of a kind that Breona has never seen before, possibly a visitant. Guards are running, rebels are yelling, and in the dim light the rebels with the paint in their faces seem to zip around in a blur of speed. It's all so strange, so bizarre. So fascinating!
Action 2:
I am assuming this would use the Intellect Pool. Using effort would bring her Int pool down to 13.
** spoiler omitted **...
All four sides are open - the flaps are a thick burlap that are tied to the corner posts, you could untie (close) up to half the tent flaps in a single action turn, walking between two corner posts.
If Breona is standing, she can see over the garden, her view is lightly obscured by the plants. With all the commotion you suspect it will be difficult (roll of 12 - 9 w/ effort) to hear across the compound. I will give you a few minutes to adjust your actions in response to this post if you want, then I will finalize the recap and post it for all to see.
Turn 3 is up!
Azzuretta checked on her human and saw that there was nothing threatening Jay Zin. This filled her with happiness, not just because he was safe but it meant she felt free to go do what she wanted... She could investigate what the stone man thing was. She leaped and with a quick flutter of beats of her wings landed infront of the giant blue rock creature... She made a happy churbling burble sound... and made sure to show off her brand new plumage to the people there.
Jay Zin barely had time to celebrate his two well placed crossbow bolts before someone was asking about and complimenting Azzuretta.
She bites one guy and gets all the credit... what is with that...
Out loud he chose to be more diplomatic. Thank you... I'm proud of her.
The Rebel with a few curt words then asked for help with the Barracks...
Divided Jay zin took a look at the warehouse where the rebels seemed in control of things and then looked over to the more out of control situation at the Baracks. With a nod and sigh he replied...
Yeah I'm on it...
With that settled Jay gave a whistle to Azzuretta and ran to the garden between him and the barracks to find a good cover position to fire from.
Jay zin found himself a likely enough bush and knealed behind it. He surveyed the situation with the guards at the barracks and decided the one who was just walking out of the door and still trying to get his bearings was a likely enough target. He fired the crossbow bolt into the unsuspecting man hoping it would make any of the guard inside a little more cautious about coming out that door.
OOC: I'll get my IC post tomorrow morning. It's getting late here and I got some other things to do.
However, I wanted to weigh in on your questions about the game pace and recaps.
PACE
We've started at a frantic pace, which is great; it shows a lot of enthusiasm by players and, more importantly, the GM.
However, do not be concerned if it diminishes some as it probably will. This pace is not sustainable in the long run and we all want to be playing for months, even years. I'm sure we'll settle at a pace agreeable/enjoyable to the GM and to the players to some extent but it's really the GM who sets the pace. If the players can't or won't adapt, then the GM finds others players. Sad but true.
RECAPS
Recapping and having at least two instances were input is required by the players is excellent. It really gets the game moving and provides more than one instance for player creativity. This starting battle is pure chaos and a great way to start the game with a bang. Being chaos and everyone being disconnected allows for the 'two actions'.
However, once we settle this first battle out, we'll have two types of turn, 'combat and non-combat'
Non-combat turns can easily accommodate two or more breaks for inputs from the players. The GM has to make sure that whatever happens in 'Actions 1?' does not influence (at least not much) whatever situation was set up for 'Actions 2?'.
In combat turns, this is much more difficult (impossible?) because the results of 'Actions 1?' will probably influence (enemy down, PC down or incapacitated, etc.) whatever scene was set up for 'Actions 2?'.
I repeat, this initial combat turn is fine since it's all one big chaotic scene.
Just my input for you to consider along with the others' inputs.
Game on!
Action 1
The interior of the warehouse was cavernous and cold, lit by numerous glowing spheres built from pieces of the numenera for this specific purpose. Coloured lines on the ground indicated the sorting arrangement and general nature of the crates... it was a system the Diruk knew by hir core by now. “I think I know the one,” shi responded to their inquiries, puffing hurriedly as a few ranged out in front of hir and shook her hands to mimic the motion of 'no' humans did with their heads. “I go first, pointy things less likely to make me bleed.” It took a good amount of force for a guard to thrust one of their lances through hir rocky exterior up close, shi believed shi had a better chance of shrugging off a blow if shi took point. Humans were so fleshy and strange... so susceptible to the wear and tear of their environments.
It was why they wore their brightly coloured shells, shi knew, but it never made much sense. Why bother with flimsy animal skins and synth? The things of the earth, like the metal armor of the guards, protected fleshy things better. When shi thought about it, Basai didn't seem much armor on the rebels. Why?
Before they moved forward again, something swished through the door and landed on the ground before hir, gurgling and showing of its plumage. The Diruk paused a moment, as if surprised, and remained motionless for a moment admiring the obvious attempt to show off. The bird from earlier! It wasn't being aggressive but Basai was afraid of cracking the bones of such a dainty creature so instead of grasping it, shi simply crouched and leaned forward to offer an arm to clamber up on to, puffing steam gently and wiggling fingers a bit, trying to welcome it onto hir arm. Would shi even feel it's weight? Did it want to come close? Hir crystals flickered between blue and yellow. Waiting a moment, shi continued onward.
Shi lead them through the warehouse, purpose in her surprisingly quick step – though to the humans hir 'brisk walk, near jog' was more akin to a standard gait. The echoing thud of rock and crystal against the stone made it hard to ignore the sheer weight and momentum of the Diruk despite the not entirely swift nature of hir movement.
Before long, shi stopped before the odd crate. It hadn't been processed yet, just stamped as received and noted so Mintz's people hadn't pulled it apart. That was good fortune! Basai puffed and hissed steam excitedly, surprised hir earlier curiosity would be sated. “It was very heavy. Moved too.” Shi snapped the locks and stepped back at the lid was shifted aside to reveal a... machine. Basai's colours dulled for a moment. Shi had hoped it was some sort of living thing, perhaps, something different like hir.
Action 2
The Button-Pusher continued to talk about the machine, explaining that it was a generator of some sort. Basai didn't quite catch the details but came to understand that it needed to be fed something to keep working.
“It requires Abolite, a crystal that this merchant has a near monopoly on. We haven't been able to figure out the source or the storehouse, yet. Do you know where it is kept?” The Button-Pusher seemed hopeful.
However, as the crystal was named, the Diruk visibly stiffened. An odd juxtaposition to hir earlier movement, shi seemed as a statue now... a towering pile of rock and ore that bore no expression, not even a puff of steam. It was hard to gauge – was the Diruk thinking or had the life suddenly left it?
Basai was, in fact, thinking. Abolite... that what they called the shimmering rainbow crystals they harvested from hir. Rare even among hir own deposits, the Abolite was preferentially chosen and the one crystal they would dig deeply and painful for.... it... powered this machine? Shi was faced with a decision now... be honest and help or feign ignorance. The idea of being imprisoned again, a living fuel source for the machine, drove a spike of fear and the long term distrust fueled by abuse bubbled up within hir. It was several heartbeats before the Diruk responded, quietly and slowly rumbling hir query first, “I'll show you if you promise not to enslave me again.” There was a soft flicker of blues and oranges that touched into red... if someone had been observant earlier, they might note the colours' greater meaning of a guarded tone.
Shi did not care for their cause... was only helping because they had effectively made escape an option. Basai was not about to walk into the chains of another master. Shi would wade her way through rebels and guards alike to freedom if shi had to. Basai only hoped that betrayal did not run in the veins of this human too.
Azzuretta stood before the hulking stone creature straining her senses to understand it... She could tell it wanted to be her friend... This made her happy for some reason. Not as happy as a fresh fish but she still liked this rock creature. It was holding its arm out.. some sort of greeting she guessed.... when she heard Jay Zin whistle for her. She looked back towards where the whistle had come from. She was torn for a second but knew there was much fighting going on outside. With a final chirble and a gentle push nudging the great rock creature on its way Azzuretta took a leap and with a single pump of her wings landed on top of the closest wagon and with a second leap was headed across the compound to see what kind of trouble her human had gotten himself into this time.
<Action 1>
”Looks clear.” says a near by rebel. Grinning at his success Daks turns, heading for the warehouse. “Hold up." Says the rebel. "Looks like we might have trouble.” Daks looks at the rebel with a fiendish grin. Well? Get over there! Daks shouts as he turns, running towards the warehouse. I hope I made the right choice fighting with these rebels. I'm not even sure what they want. But images of his sisters and a better life for the people of White Lake push him forward. Regardless. If I'm going to do this I'm going to be where the action is.
Daks approaches the device as the button-pusher is explaining to the Diruk that the generator is about to give out. He goes on to ask the Diruk to take him to some kind of gem that will charge the generator. .
<Action 2>
Actions 1
The rebel woman was insistant, "Abolite crystals. Where are they? I don't have time to look through your entire caravan..."
Mechanus knew exactly what she was talking about and exactly where that particular crate was found. He bid the woman to wait and quickly, or rather slowly, conferred with Muur and got his approval.
He turned to the rebel, "This is expensive cargo. Very expensive and my boss expects full payment. Do we agree?"
With her nod as the approval, the nano went to the crate and pulled forth the melon-sized crystal. It scintillated with the colors of the rainbow as if it was alive somehow.
The woman extended her desperate hands; her blue war-paint seemed to glow. But Mechanus shook his head, "I'll follow you. I can't let this out of my sight for now.
Actions 2
Trying not to get hit, the nano enjoyed his superior speed and reaction times as compared to the guards. he turned to the woman leading him, "You better hurry. You know your speed boost is about to end, right?"
He scoffed at the chaos, "So what's your plan? What's the end game of all of this?"
.
You typed D20 instead of 1d20 - need to use lowercase d evidently.
Haha, thanks for fixing that, I meant to ask for clarification but it slipped my mind. I will give you all those assets except sniper position. I would be more willing to give a sniper position asset if you were shooting from a higher, fortified position.
Also the way Edge works is not quite how you used it - so you are using Pierce (1 Speed Point) and Effort (3 Speed Points) - With 1 edge, the total cost is reduced from 4 to 3. You don't apply Edge to both your speed action & speed effort if used in the same round. (Multiple Uses of Effort and Edge - p.22)
Also, was my short movement enough to reach the device (or get within an immediate distance of it)? If not do I roll a Speed Check of difficulty 12, with a +3 to the roll for the speed boost (and any effort I apply)?
Just incase it does I've included a roll.[Dice=Run Check]1d20+6 (+6 for Speed Boost and Effort.)
Lastly was that post a little better formated? Tried to follow your advice.
If you are ever applying effort I will roll for you. Running 100 ft. is normally difficulty 4, Glowing & effort make it difficulty 2 for you. Since you rolled it with effort here, we will go ahead and keep the result. But in the future, I will make all rolls with effort.
You make it there and see that it is a machine, you overhear button-pusher talk about it needing power. You have never seen a machine this complex. You think you might be able to apply some charge to it but you aren't sure. Applying the charge will be your Action, you can't apply the charge and also do Overwatch. Let me know what you would like to do, if I recap before you respond I will have you attempt to charge the device.
And yes thank you for formatting your post in that way, it makes it much easier for me to incorporate into the recap that way in a logical way.
Haha, thanks for fixing that, I meant to ask for clarification but it slipped my mind. I will give you all those assets except sniper position. I would be more willing to give a sniper position asset if you were shooting from a higher, fortified position.
Also the way Edge works is not quite how you used it - so you are using Pierce (1 Speed Point) and Effort (3 Speed Points) - With 1 edge, the total cost is reduced from 4 to 3. You don't apply Edge to both your speed action & speed effort if used in the same round. (Multiple Uses of Effort and Edge - p.22)
Sounds good, still learning the basics but it all seems to make sense... I'm sure there are plenty of particulars I'll come across as we play.
I cast overwatch and wait till the effects startt to wane before i try to charge. I do the first of the two actions. Sorry if this turns been a little convaluted.
Action 1:
A rebel passed the tent and looked inside, a blur of speed dashing past and then gazing inside, stopping abruptly. The blur turned out to be a young man Breona's age, with brown hair and a friendly, open face that did not really match the fierce war paint in his freckled face. So very familiar. His face mirrored the shock and surprise she felt, but then broke out in a big smile. He spoke, high-pitched, too fast for her to understand, a torrent of words. Despite that, she still knew who this man was, even though she didn't know how it was possible for him to be here.
Heemsoth. Same freckled face and easy smile. Her best friend in childhood, and Explorer companion. It was with him that she found her first cypher, in an abandoned cave by the river. Shining rivulets of liquid metal at the back of a cave, glowing in the dark, leading deeper into the hillside. Within, a machine with its power depleted, the room kept alight by the strange liquid metal, casting a golden light over everything. They had never told anyone. It had been their secret alone. "We will come back with a power source," had been their pact, to never be fulfilled.
Companion of so many adventures. First childhood crush. Breona had been heartbroken when his family was hit hard by a run of bad crop decisions and inferior ghianche leaf. He had moved away to Orilla, leaving her to be a lone explorer, when they had both been 12 years old. But now he was returned to her. In the middle of a rebellion.
He laughed as he affectionately dabbed paint on her forehead, with a certain flourish. "Bree. I can't believe that you are here. It must be fate." She could understand him now, his voice down to normal speed. Heemsoth's voice had changed, from their childhood days, but it was unmistakably him.
She couldn't feel the paint on her skin but her perception changed immediately after the application. Gerrit's whimpering turned into slow, deep sounds. It was almost funny, and for a moment the urge to giggle rose in her. Shaking her head, she reached for Heemsoth's arm instead. "I can't believe you're here! What are the odds? I thought you were in Orilla with your family!"
Heemsoth chuckled, shifting the mace he was holding to his other hand, to give Breona a one-armed squeeze. "I was. It sucked. The merchant-barons are exploiting the population, and the Council doesn't do anything. Once you slide into debt like we did, it's crushing. There is no hope. Or there wasn't, until now!" He turned completely serious, looking at Breona with deep conviction in his blue eyes. "Warlord Tarvesh will lead us away from this oppression. He is the only one strong enough to fight the merchants. Our time has come! For a strong Milave!" There's a certain hint of fanaticism in his voice. He handed her a small tub of the facial paint and pointed to the back. "If that ain't Gerrit, the wannabe merchant prince? Feel free to give him some paint as well. You will be faster than the guards and can help our cause. You'll help us, right?"
Breona nearly cringed. Her brother had never made it a secret that he saw his future as a merchant and not as a ganch-farmer. What would Heemsoth say if he found out that Gerrit was leasing and farming the former property of his family? "Tarvesh, really? I hear he's doing some heavy recruiting." She held the tub of paint in her hands, indecisive as to what to do.
Action 2:
Breona opened her mouth to speak, but it appeared that Heemsoth had remembered that he was here for a cause. With a final, emphatic "You got to join us, Bree!", he dashed out from under the tent towards to compound, brandishing his mace. She stared at the small tub in her hand, then turned to the table, where the almost comically slow Gerrit was telling her something too slow for her to understand. This device is amazing! It must give everyone with the paint this boost.
She considered her options. She could be a coward like her brother and wait for this situation to calm down. If the guards took care of the situation, there would be no harm done for them. If the rebels won, and Heemsoth survived...The thought filled Breona with a sudden panic. She didn't meet her friend again only to lose him immediately. In a quick decision, she tossed her brother the tub, and dashed outside, following Heemsoth. While running, she pulled her crossbow from her back, reaching for a bolt from her quiver.
Filled with giddiness, Breona raced past some guards, feeling as if she could fly. She shouted "For Milave!" as she ran. She hadn't had any life goals beyond the acquisition and exploration of numenera, but she knew she didn't want to be a farmer or merchant. Why not join a rebellion with her former best friend? Why ever the f#&& not?
Breona ran towards the compound, to where Heemsoth had run to help his friends.
Thanks for all your posts. I might not be able to post the next turn until tomorrow morning.
You may choose one of the following 2 oddities:
Corebook, Feathered hat that occasionally makes bird noises
Table 1, Small metal disk with a crystal at its center that causes a buzzing noise in the ears of anyone holding it
[dice=Jay Zin Pierce w/ Effort]1d20
You may choose one of the following 2 oddities:
[dice=Jay Zin Oddity 1]2d100Corebook, Feathered hat that occasionally makes bird noises
[dice=Jay Zin Oddity 2]2d100Table 1, Small metal disk with a crystal at its center that causes a buzzing noise in the ears of anyone holding it
Oh my gosh. I want that stinking hat!
My bad. I just read “I'll show you if you promise not to enslave me again.” and assumed that you were showing him where it was but simultaneously asking that he not enslave you, rather than asking it as a precondition.
Button Pusher responds "Enslave you? Of course we wouldn't enslave you. We oppose slavery, these merchant lords have been acting above the laws for far too long. After the assistance you have given us, you will be rewarded generously and you are free to leave as you see fit. Of course, given the battle prowess you have shown today, we could certainly use your help with the cause!"
Button-Pusher assures you that he will see that you and Muur are rewarded for your assistance with the Abolite.
Actions 1
With both hands holding the unusually heavy crystal, the nano shouts out to the archer, "Wow there! No need to shoot. Only a merchant offering my wares... for a price."
He quickly sees the rebel raise her hands, "Listen, I would do the same but this crystal would drop and it's very valuable..."
tag Daks?
Action 1
There was a certain gravity around Basai as shi listened to the Button-Pusher's reassurance, a grinding sound of stone-on-stone emenating from hir as shi considered his words. They did oppose slavery but did that extend to non-human beings? Everything shi'd encountered thus far seemed to imply many humans viewed hir as either a beast to utilize or as far too bizarre to understand competently. Still, the rebels' actions here were indicative of an ethic shi could live with... Basai glanced to the woman who had applied paint to hir as if she held the key to the diruk's decision.
Finally, Basai issued a hiss of steam and shifted hir weight, leaving to rummage through a pile of smaller crates to reveal one tucked inside a larger, metal container. Shi brought it over, colours flickering sadly as shi set it down before the other. ”Your promise is your bond.” Basai said gravely, opening the crate to show the other the collection of Abolite. The diruk had found it one day but the backlash from the anger it had sparked in hir had been enough to dissuade hir from pursuing it any further... now, though, shi could do so without fear of injury.
The unceremonious way in which the Button-pusher dumped the crystals into the machine made hir puff out steam in disbelief. ”You really don't know the source?” Would they be so casual with the material if they knew? Shi wasn't sure and shi just could not bring hirself to explain... it left hir too vulnerable to exploitation. Perhaps shi would inform them when they earned more of hir trust.
Someone spoke beside hir and shi turned, noting the human was staring intently at the door. Continuing hir turn, the Diruk faced the door squarely, intent on shielding those behind hir in case the archer's focus was an enemy. Instead shi found a pair of humans standing in the doorway, one holding the largest Abolite sphere shi'd ever encountered. A spike of cold rushed down the core of Basai's being. That wasn't just a crystal, it was an organ... crucial to a Diruk's anatomy in the way the blood of a human was to them. Lose it and one lost their life.
It looked in near-perfect condition as well... no cracks or fissures. Basai visibly shuddered. Whatever had been done to the previous owner of that core had likely suffered greatly before giving it up. Steam issued irregularly from Basai now as shi fought an upwelling of emotion – the size indicated an Elder, one of the old ones... a founder of a colony, perhaps. A royal. Part of hir wanted very badly to take that Core, these fleshlings be dusted, and give that paragon a proper transition. Another part marveled at how ignorant these humans could be, would they not be appalled to find the head of their leader marched around like a tool? These people understood so little the actual costs of their actions... The Diruk were being hunted and murdered for what? Energy cells? Colonies shattered and paragons crumbling for greed. A deep, mournful sadness won out over the anger and the vibrant reds of hir cystals faded into deep, rich blues as Basai pointed at Mechanus, ”That is priceless.” Pointedly, shi placed a hand on hir chest, approximating the placement of a human heart. Strangers or not, they needed to know the cost. ”That is a Diruk Core... like a human... blood?” Human anatomy was still so very strange to the Diruk, shi hoped the analogy communicated the weight of hir words.
Silently, shi wished that hir own Core would grow to be so large once shi founded hir own colony... shi'd almost forgotten why shi'd left hir people to roam the world. Now shi might get that chance.
Action 2
Once the matter of the machine was settled, Basai turned to the button-pusher, a sad glimmer in hir crystals. Before long the man was speaking passionately about his cause, looking up to Basai as he made an appeal to hir, ”You can prevent further death and abuse of your people. Your strength and knowledge will be invaluable for us, and we will offer you protection – and help when you move on. You will find allies among our cause.” He was running out the door shortly thereafter, leaving Basai to consider the plea.
Shi looked to the others in the warehouse, to Daks and the woman who had been kind as if considering their responses as well, before breaking into a run after the man. ”I follow because I repay my debts. You are kind, you do not enslave. I will help.” Shi wasn't out yet, but by the state of the courtyard, Basai's freedom was very close at hand. Shi would help their cause, repay the debts of kindness, and hold the man to his words of help.
Frazzled and annoyed at missing what he was sure would be a kill shot Jay Zin reaches down into his quiver and pulls out the next bolt...
Eight shots... need to make them count... No more trying to be the hero. Just finish off those who are already injured.
Moving forward through the Garden the young Knight waits for the right moment and then he sees one of the guards take a strike to the leg. He releases the bolt as the man falters and the bolt takes the man in the neck. The Guard goes down... The Rebel who had struck the man's leg looks over his shoulder and makes eye contact with Jay. Jay nods his head tand the two both turn their attention back to the fight.
Azzuretta looked over the battlefield and quickly found Jay Zin. There was no immediate danger to her young charge but he it looked like he was headed to the thickest part of the fight. As she came closer to him she became aware of two humans cowering in the bushes close to him... Did Jay even know they were there? They wern't hostile to him... too scared to be hostile to anyone but he should be more careful. With a loud Screach the Xi-Drake purposely crashes through the underbrush uncovering the two cowering humans. Azzuretta could smell that one of them had just relieved himself in fear.
Jay Zi jumped a little as Azzuretta plainly displayed her anger at him. It had been a while since she had done that.
He started to scream back What's the Big Dea... when he saw the two native workers dressed in rags hiding in the underbrush.
He addressed the two men who were obviously scared out of their wits. Don't worry stay down and you will be fine... she's just angry at me for not noticing you sooner.
Did one of them piss himself?
Azzure that was a little Melodramatic don't you think? If they had been a threat I would have noticed them....but... it's nice to see you havn't ditched me for your new boyfriend.
Turning his attention back to the Barracks Jay could see that the fight was well in hand and that the Guards were in full retreat.
Come on Girl let's go see what the party inside is going to be like.
The Xi-Drakes anger at Jay began to abate... she could tell that he understood his mistake... she only hoped that he had learned his lesson. Only time would tell. As he walked away towards the fight, she stopped and looked at the two humans cowering in the mud under the low growing plants. She felt sorry for them... in much the same way that she had felt sorry for the rock man. They would never be free to fly. But in their case it was because they were too scared to leave the nest. With a dissatisfied snort she followed after Jay Zin.
Action 1:
For what it's worth, the rebels seemed to be a bickering mass of men and women who seemed more eager than smart about their rebellion. Heemsoth did not appear to be much better, bickering with the rest of them, while the guards inside the compound were preparing their defense. Time was ticking. Shortly, the guards would have made up for their speed deficits simply because the rebels were wasting so much time discussing a lost cause. Breona shook her head. It should be obvious to them that they would not be getting into the compound through either the heavy door or the barred windows. The door appeared to be made of some rare metal that Breona had never seen. It had an odd blue shimmer to it. Who knew how heavy this door was and how much it would take to break it open?
"Bloody mess, what we still doin' here? There's no f+@@in' way we'll get in here," one of the rebels, a burly man with a bulbous nose, was declaring, and he's right, despite some of the others trying to shout him down. "Let's 'ead to the barracks instead. They need the help, and there's sure to be a way into the compound from there. We'll get the bloody bastard trying to hide from us. For Milave!" He took off with a mighty roar, and with a whoop, Heemsoth followed, raising his mace and running off towards the barracks.
Without further ado, Breona followed hot on his heels.
The adrenaline rush and maybe this strange war paint give her a burst of speed, and she managed to keep up with her friend.
Action 2:
Heemsoth's longer legs gave him an edge, and soon he pulled ahead of Breona, throwing himself into the action at the barracks, while she lagged behind, not used to physical exertion of this kind. "Breona!" she heard, and she stopped, to see her brother, with the paint messily spread all over his face, gazing out from other the tent, wild-eyed. "What the f&&$ are you doing? Come back here and let's stay out of it until Mintz has things under control."
Why is it that it never occurred to her how much she hated his imperious manner before? He was just a small village farmer acting as if he was a big guy. "Sod off, Gerrit. I'm a rebel now!" She yelled it with more conviction than she actually felt, but it felt good. Really good. To actually have a cause. Not looking back to her brother at all she continued running towards the barrack, trying to make sense of all the chaos, all the different people, sorting out who's who in this bunch of people working for Warlord Tarvesh.
I didn't have access to my computer tonight, so I cobbled this together on my tablet so far. I will continue with action 3 early in the morning Central European time, around 2 am EST. Again, hope that's okay!
Great post. Thanks for letting me know. No problem.
<Action 1>
Mechanus
As Daks stand guard, watching the warehouse entrance with arrow drawn a man with a large gem comes running in. The man stops in his tracks when he see's the tip of Daks bow. He doesn't look like trouble. But I'm not letting my guard down till I know what side he's on. "Wow there! Shouts the man No need to shoot. Only a merchant offering my wares... for a price." Hardly seems like the time for haggling. Daks replys, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Before Daks finished his sentence a rebel woman comes running in as well. When she sees Daks however, she stops dead, raising her hands. The man, looking at he, continues on. "Listen, I would do the same but this crystal would drop and it's very valuable..."[/b] Daks grins, lowering his bow. Sorry, you can never be to careful. He shouts as he calls for them to enter the warehouse with a wave of his hand. Daks slings his bow over his shoulder and takes a moment to collect himself. While Daks is cathing his breath he notices the Diruk and the button-pusher returning with a crate full of crystals.
As the button-pusher returns with the Diruk, a crate of gems in his arms, Daks feels a rush of relief. He wasn't totally convinced he'd be able to put a charge on a machine this powerful. Not for long anyway. As the button-pusher pours the contents of the crate into the machine the Diruk begins to vent in odd ways, colors flashing over her crystals. What's wrong with her. Daks thinks, looking from the crystals being poured into the machince to the Diruk. Daks cant help but notice their similarity in size. ”You really don't know the source?” The Durik asks, looking at the button-pusher. Realization hit Daks like a brick. Just then Mechanus and the other rebel reached the machine.”That is priceless.” Said the Diruk. Pointedly, shi placed a hand on hir chest. ”That is a Diruk Core... like a human... blood?. Oh my god. thought Daks as he looked at the enormous gem in the mans hands.
Happy that the archer didn't stick him with the pointy end of an arrow, the nano was taken back when the diruk came in. The walking monument talks as well!
Not quite understanding what he said regarding the crystal, Mechanus replied, "Hell yeah I know it's very valuable. Not priceless but very valuable. You can tell all about where dug up from later..."
He nods to the rebel woman, "Which I was told I would well compensated for."
His artificial components whirred inside his head, Mechanus looks to the button-pusher, "Listen. If I feed this to your machine, I think it will continue to power it for quite some time. You are paying for this, right?"
Happy that the archer didn't stick him with the pointy end of an arrow, the nano was taken back when the diruk came in. The walking monument talks as well!
Not quite understanding what he said regarding the crystal, Mechanus replied, "Hell yeah I know it's very valuable. Not priceless but very valuable. You can tell all about where dug up from later..."
He nods to the rebel woman, "Which I was told I would well compensated for."
His artificial components whirred inside his head, Mechanus looks to the button-pusher, "Listen. If I feed this to your machine, I think it will continue to power it for quite some time. You are paying for this, right?"
Button Pusher "Of course, you and your boss can expect to make lots of money from the Tarvesh & his army. We will be seizing the wealth of these tyrant lords. Surely your boss feels he has been cheated in the past by Mintz. That time is at an end. That crystal is worth the city to us, the other ore will be useful as well. We hope that this is the first of a series of business transactions that bring us ore from the Cold Desert, we will need it in the time to come."
Button Pusher "Of course, you and your boss can expect to make lots of money from the rebellion. That crystal is worth the city to us, the other ore will be useful as well. We hope that this is the first of a series of business transactions that bring us ore from the Cold Desert, we will need it in the time to come."
His brain in overdrive. Profit = acceptance = safety. The equation sure made sense to Mechanus.
He nodded, "OK, let's do this then. Do you know how to do this or do I need to figure this out?"
Mechanus' capacitors continued to work incessantly. His circuitry now glowed a deep blue in response to the numenera device and its effect. Is it making my brain faster?
There was no time to answer that thought as schematics of the machine flashed in front of his eyes. He cocked his head a couple of ways to make the images fit the reality. Satisfied he had figured it out, he smiled and took the melon-sized crystal and connected it to the wiring from the machine...
His brain in overdrive. Profit = acceptance = safety. The equation sure made sense to Mechanus.
He nodded, "OK, let's do this then. Do you know how to do this or do I need to figure this out?"
** spoiler omitted **
Button-Pusher is impressed by your ingenuity. "Whatever that old merchant is paying you for you help. We'll double it and then some. We are need of one with gifts like yours! Gesturing at your implants.