"Oh." Breona wasn't exactly the most eloquent person in the world, and Basai's revelation of having been brought to Mintz' compound in a cage was shocking to her. "I am really sorry this happened to you."
Knowing it for a likely futile gesture, she gently touched Basai's side. "Then by all means you should step out here and take your freedom. You have more reason than I do to stand against those merchant lords who had you captured." She hesitated, then added "We're not all bad, you know." She smiled briefly, then looked away, slightly embarrassed.
FYI, I'm going on vacation for the next 12 days. I won't be back home until Thursday June 16th. However, I should still have internet access and I do intend to keep the games going. I'll probably be posting in the mornings and nights but don't expect much during from me during the daytime. And don't be too concerned if you don't hear from me for a day or two. Please bot me as necessary.
Game on!
I'll wait to see if Daks or Mechanus want to post for Turn 018 and then I'll post Turn 019 this afternoon.
Thanks for the heads up Mechanus.
Also RE: Mechanus - Cyphers with variable effects. I agree that they should be rolled upfront. I will allow players to make that roll - please roll for Ostracized Vapor at your convenience.
Basai rumbled appreciatively, stepping up to Breona and raising a hand to offer a high-five as Daks had taught hir. Hir crystals glimmered pink with affection before shi straightened and, venting loudly, stepped forth into the city and hir newfound freedom.
Shi placed a hand gently on Breona's shoulder and rumbled, "That is why I walk with you. I will do for you what you do for me."
Basai moved with the group caught between hurrying along and strolling at a slow pace to take in the city. It was mostly abandonned away from the compound but the variety of things crowding the street fascinated the Diruk. Many of the shopfronts had shutters pulled down or shimmering fields arcing out before the doors and windows... Basai wondered if it was because of the rebellion. The Rebels had said they were for the people but perhaps the fighting had frightened the shop keeps and shoppers?
They passed a bank of rolling stalls, their overhangs rippling in the wind. The Diruk wandered up to one, poking hir finger through the wares curiously, moving them about on the wood. What was here? Did humans really purchase and use all of these things?
A pile at the bottom of the stall caught hir attention and shi crouched to inspect the strange spherical object. It activated then, and rose into the air, causing Basai to straighten abruptly in surprise. Intrigued, shi took one of the similar non-floating devices into hand and moved to return to the group with hir spoils but hir grip was too firm for the device and it cracked, crumbling in hir grip. Shi paused briefly, saddened by the mistake, but had to hurry to catch up with the group.
(Fail)
When they arrived at the tower, Basai strode forward to take hir position at the front of the group. If nothing else, the guards would be unlikely to expect a Diruk to lead the charge. The thought made hir rumble in amusement. Perhaps shi would enjoy this mission stuff!
Shi pointed at the windows silently, believing their shuttered frames spoke strongly enough on their own. The beacon would have been useless with the covers over the windows... Shi approached, as quietly as shi could so as not to alert those inside but when shi opened the door, there was nothing living within. Basai turned back to hir group, ”No living, just dead. Enter?”
Daks had watched Breona and Basai. The whole thing was sweet. It was clear that The Diruk was nervous and Daks wanted to lighten the mood. As they walked along the streets he hung back with Basai and Breona, telling old tales of his time as a merchant with his father. About the time his father was swindled in Rarmon by a man by the name of "Nehi the Bastard", which was not the name he had given them at the time, but one other merchants had shared after the fact.Cut us for 40 shins and sold us faulty wire. Every half foot or so they where Metal eatin insect. The whole roll was worhless.[b/] Daks went on to tell them the tale of how two years later they ran into Nehi in Far Brohn and though Nehi had forgotten Dak's father, his father had not forgotten him. [b]My father was a decent man. Honest and hardworking, but if theres one thing he couldn't stand it was a crook. Well, ol Nehi was all about artifacts ya see. Loved anything to do with the Numenera and my old man knew it. Well, my father walks up to Nehi and starts talking to him like they're the oldest of friends and Nehi plays along, though you can tell he's confused. Anyway my dad, he starts negotiating on this big ol contraption on the back of our cart. "Controls the weather he says". Convinces him it's true as the shins in his purse. Well by now Nehi is praticaly drooling. He know's exactly what something like that would be worth, but of course he isn't going to take my old man at his word. So my old man turns the old thing on and he turns some knob and pulls a lever and the old thing starts humming and my ol man tells him "You just wait, I'll have it raining within the hour." Now I'm in the car with my ear to a crack in the door and of course I'm nervous. I mean that's one hell of a lie. But sure enough, not ten minutes go by before the sun goes dark and the sky opens up. Well Nehi he spills his purse, not to mention a bundle of some of the nicest clothes you've ever seen. Well we went our separate ways, us 120 shins and a bundle of fine clothes the richer, and Nehi? Well he had him a big heavy peace of broken machinery that we were gonna sell for parts. See my old man had a bad knee. Always hurt when a storm was coming. He could tell when a bad storm was gonna hit by almost the minute. It's like my old man always said. "Everyone's actions catch up to them eventually. This time I just happened to do the catching."
As Daks walked through the street chuckling at the conclusion of his story he grew quite. The streets where oddly quite. It was unnerving.
[dice=Search "Group Shins"]1d20[/dice]
[dice=Search "Grappling Hook"]1d20[/dice]
Daks noticed a grappling hook hanging from a near by cart and he jogged over, grabbing it as he went. This might come in handy. he said as he walked, throwing it over his shoulder.
As they approached the building Daks noticed the bodies lying on the floor. He looked from the thick brigandine style armor to his own broken beast hide which, frankly, still stunk. After a quick scan of the area Daks stepped into the warehouse and pulled the armor from the dead rebel. He stepped back out to the group and slipped into the new armor. Not used to being on the front lines. This is the most hand to hand combat I've ever had outside of my training. Daks held up his newly obtained grappling hook. We could take the stairs but perhaps there is a way we could sneak in from the outside? He looked around the group and then remembered Basai. He grinned sheepishly. "On second thought. I think I like the stairs better.I'm uh... I don't like heights.[/b] He said, unsure of the quality of his illusion. Man, I hope I didn't hurt Basai's feelings! Maybe she didn't notice...
As they walked through the deserted streets of Aian, Breona listened to Daks' story as they walked alongside Basai. She chuckled a bit at the conclusion but then turned somber again. There was so much smoke. So many buildings must be burning. Will all this destruction be worth it?
She stepped over a fallen food cart, a drawer open, and quickly rifled through it to see if there was anything of value.
Breona always had a knack for spotting things, and found a meager amount of shins that she held out on the flat of her palm. "Four shins. I'll pocket them for now." She did not rummage around any more, her explorer's pack filled with everything she needed, including a glow globe.
"I have one of those globes in my bag. You want it?" Breona couldn't say she could read the diruk's expressions, but hir head seemed to hang when shi broke the glow globe.
Arriving at the warehouse, Breona's eyes skimmed over the bodies, then tried to take in the situation. She tilted her head, trying to listen if there were any sounds of conflict that she could make out, putting a finger to her lips.
Action 1
At the cobbled group of rebels moved through the streets Jay Zin sullenly scanned the streets which were now devoid of life. For the first half of the trip he generally avoided conversation with the others choosing to simply listen to Daks prattle on. The day had been eventful and all the changes and new people weighed on the young mans head. He travelled with virtual strangers serving as a foot soldier in a war he knew almost nothing about. The few people he saw in the streets were scared and keeping their heads down. These were not the faces of people who felt liberated. Had he chosen the right side of this conflict? He chose to verbalize the concerns he was feeling.
Are we sure this is better for the people of this city and country. To be honest I'm an outsider and really don't know much about local politics. You know the "Merchant Lords" or Tarvesh for that matter. How do we know we aren't taking power out of the hands of 4 or 5 corrupt men and not simply consolidating it in one corrupt man's hands?
As he was speaking Jay's eyes glossed a fallen stand. He ran over and started looking through various bags. Most were ruined... and some were obviously intended for certain jobs... he poked through what hadn't already been scavenged to see if their was a better way to carry the handful of spears he had precariously strapped to his back.
He was about to throw away a tangle of leather straps when he realized it was a webbing of sorts. It took him a minute to sort it out but he realized it was prolly originally meant as a tool belt or bandolier of some sort. He slung it on and played with the straps till It felt comfortable. Then he started sliding spears into the individual loops. He adjusted them and it worked out pretty well.
Actions 1
The streets did not feel like they had just liberated them.
Mechanus did a could take. The loonie was making sense. he was voicing the same questions that he had in his mind. Was this some sort of trick?
Mechanus slowly neared him, making sure he saw him coming. There was no need to surprise a loonie.
Hoping he did not anger or offend him again, "I too have these same questions but I think it's too late now to answer them. At least until we finish this mission. We can't be of two minds here or we will fail or worse, be killed."
He asked, "Will this conundrum be a problem for you?"
Basai was surprised when Breona offered her own glow globe, venting happily when it was offered, ”I don't think it will fit...” Shi indicated the fissure in hir side where the Dissonance Cube, Store-All, and a ceramic ring were stored. ”Wanted it for the group.” Shi'd seen the globes before, in other places, and had always admired their ability to float and shine.
When Daks suggested going through the second floor, Basai backed up and eyed the height. Shi could jump fairly well, probably crash into the window and climb through easily enough but it wouldn't be very stealthy... ”I am not afraid of heights...” Shi responded, venting thoughtfully as hir crystals shifted through the yellows of curiosity. It never even occurred to the Diruk that Daks might be being insensitive.
Having watched Daks proceed, and come back, Basai decided to enter. It was a relatively low ceiling compared to the spaces shi usually occupied but not too cramped. The door to the right was rusted and appeared ancient. Shi vented again before approaching the door. Was it truly rusted closed? She could probably bash hir way through if need be... they had come for the Cyphers as well, hadn't they, and it would provide assistance upstairs.
”What about Cyphers behind this door?” Shi asked, trying to keep quiet as shi addressed the group.
Ok, I dont have Action 2 from Mechanus or Jay Zin. I'll post Turn 020 in a few hours after I finish Game of Thrones or I'll post in the morning.
Azzuretta flew above the group keeping an eye out for trouble. There were fights and confusion but most of the people avoided each other and stayed away from Jay Zin and the others... The few times that people in the street became aware of them they had moved away quickly. It was obvious to her that most of the people in the city did not know what was going on. They had not been warned of the fights that broke out. They did not know why people were fighting. All they knew was that things were changing. In Azzurettas experience most Humans didn't care for change.
Hoping he did not anger or offend him again, "I too have these same questions but I think it's too late now to answer them. At least until we finish this mission. We can't be of two minds here or we will fail or worse, be killed."
He asked, "Will this conundrum be a problem for you?"
I'm sure that eventually the conundrum... will either become a problem for all of us... or it will resolve itself. Like the rest of you I'm just moving forward blindly... hoping that the choices and actions we make here actually do some good.
Basai grunted as shi felt the seam and realized the door wasn't shut but actually fused to its frame by a multitude of welds. Shi might be able to knock the door down, if she really put hir shoulder into it but the trouble that'd bring from the noise would likely not be worth it... perhaps on their way out, then.
Mentally noting the door, Basai wandered over to Jay, looking over the chairs and scattered debris near the door. Shi leaned around him, also peering down the hallway. ”Anything this way?”
The group seemed focused on travelling the other way, however, so Basai only lingered long enough to take a good look before joining Breona. She'd hushed them so maybe she'd found something? Basai spoke quietly as shi asked hir question, ”Hear something? You going this way?”
Breona nodded to Basai and then looked over her shoulder to see where the others were. "If you listen very closely, you can hear some kind of thumping. Either it's some kind of machinery, or maybe someone trying to break a door? Also, there's movement up above on the second floor."
She hesitated, rubbing her hands absently on the seat of her pants. "I would not go ahead on my own, but if we are looking for where confrontation is, it would be up above here. Is there a different way up?"
She looked questioningly at her companions. "If you wanted, I could scout some more. I am not bad at moving quietly."
Daks looked around the room for anything out of the ordinary as he put his armor on. Everything seemed in place. He pulled up beside Breona but she quickly quieted him. He listened closely. As she inquired about another way Daks looked at his grappling hook. Here. I don't know if there's a way from the outside but there's no telling what's on the second floor. Maybe this will help. He nodded to her as she took the rope. I think scouting's a great plan. I've got your back if you need help. Just yell if anthing goes down. Don't try and take them on alone either. Pull back till we can get there and help. There was concern in Daks voice. But his face was serious. He'd seen her fight. He knew she could take care of her self.
Daks - Medium Armor
Basai - The welds appear older, they are rusted over in places
Perception checks - standing near Breona, you both strain and succeed at hearing the thumping sound she described. Basai, you think it sounds like something organic hitting something inorganic, a fist against metal maybe.
Climbing
Difficulty 2 check to throw the grappling hook onto the balcony, Difficulty 3 check to climb rope.
Note: there are balconies on either side of the second floor tower, both look equally difficult to approach, you heard the sounds from the left side but have not tried to scout the right side.
Jay examines the floor looking for tracks and anything out of the ordinary.
Jay Zin decides it's time to armor up. He pulls out a heavily stylized black leather jerkin from the bottom of his pack and pulls it on. This is followed by some bracers and leg guards. It's obvious that he is not completely comfortable in this armor.
Azzuretta enters the room keeping a low profile. She slinks under a table and waits to see what her allies decide to do. She can sense the unease in her companions and does not like the element of the unknown that they have entered into.
Jay Zin - Yes, that would be a good observation for your character to make also. Fannar Bryn's plans were a rough outline scrawled on what looked like blue prints. The combat map will be the more accurate depiction of what you are all seeing around you.
Basai looked up, regarding the area above with interest as shi thought. Shi didn't really like sending Breona ahead on her own... but they also needed to know what the warehouse had in store for them.
The Diruk touched a finger to Breona's shoulder suddenly then gestured up at the balconies. Perhaps she could peer around up at the second level and scout without going all the way up? Basai was tall and it wouldn't bother hir much to have someone stand on hir shoulders, or vice versa, as the crystals were still relatively unpointed from the Harvest. "I boost, you look?" Basai crouched then, making it easier for Breona to clamber up onto hir shoulders.
Basai turned a little and rumbled at Daks, "I can boost you too, after."
Basai - There are rails & banisters. The floor is about 9 ft high, and the banisters are a few feet higher (3.5ft) than that.
Taking a secondary role on this part of the assault, Mechanus shared the information found. "It says here in this log that five traders came in but nothing more is written about them."
Seeing people donning armor, the nano double checks his repulsive field, knowing full well that his subdermal plating was in place. It may not look like much but it keeps me out of trouble.
He cocked his head and looked about trying to discern any information that could be useful to them.
He looks towards Dak who seemed to have taken charge of this part of the operation, "So what's the plan?"
________________
Mechanus made his mind whir and charge up his hand. He felt his hand tingle with stored energy and opened and closed his fist.
He then looked at the impromptu leader Daks and fell in line. It was clear that he would be towards the back, supporting those that went first with cover fire.
"We all ready to go up?"
[ooc]I usually like to play PCs that take charge but this is not the case in this game. This means that someone needs to step up. Whoever that is, (Daks is the likely candidate but don't let that stop others that want this role), must not be afraid to make 'wrong calls'. It's all good and, in this medium, it's always best to do something rather than wait. Rant off. :)[/oo]
Breona looked from Basai up to the balcony, then back at hir, trustingly. "Yes, we can do that. I climbed the hills a lot when I was younger. Then up there, I'll carefully scout."
She was ready to climb up, securing her pack and weapons so she wouldn't drop anything while trying to climb up on the balcony after being boosted up by the diruk.
Breona wiped her hands off on the knees of her pants, then gave her companions a thumbs up as she set off to scout ahead from the balcony. She slowly and carefully moved out, listening all the while.
Breona looked rather embarassed when she failed to grab the railing from Basai's shoulder. "Maybe we're better off with Daks using his grappling hook," she admitted defeat.
Daks looked to Breona. I'm going to join you on the balcony. From there you can scout ahead. I'll help the others up as quietly as I can. Daks looked at the rest of the group. Once we're all up we need to keep hidden till Breona returns. If there is any sign of trouble we move in. Sound alright? Daks looked at his teammates reactions, then turned his attention to Basai specifically. I doubt we can sneak you up over the edge quietly enough to avoid loosing our element of surprise. If we holler, just get up here as quick as you can. I can hook up my grappling for you if you think it will hold. If not the stairs may be the only other option. He turned to Breona and grinned. Alriht. Your on. He watched as she carefully stepped onto the Diruks shoulders and nimbly flipped up over the railing. Daks followed close behind, trying to follow her lead as she clearly knew what she was doing. Basai as a great help and Daks had no issue quietly making his way over the railing. As Daks hit the ground he readied himself for what lie ahead. Daks looked to Breona and whispered to her. Ok. You go on ahead. I'll help the others.
Basai deftly assisted the others up and over the balcony, pleased that shi could be of help even if shi probably couldn't climb up hirself. AS Daks gave his orders, Basai vented hir agreement and started over to the stairs, "The rope won't hold. My noise could be a distraction, send Azurretta." The Xi-Drake could likely flag hir to charge the stairs quietly and not require any of the rest of the party to leave the main group.
Jay Zin steps upto Basai who offers a hand to help boost him up. Jay starts climbing easily but as he reaches about the halfway point his bracer snags the rope. He tries to shake it loose... but it won't come off. He sakes it once more harder. Finally it comes loose... but so does he. He falls with a
FRELL!!!
Azzuretta hops upto the bannister opposite the one that the humans are climbing up and takes a look in that direction... and listening to the best of her abilities.
As she looks back to check on the progress of the humans she sees Jay Zin land on the ground with a bang and his loud curse. She hisses at him in her imitation of a human laugh.
Jay looks up at Azzuretta and gives her an angry look... saying Yeah real funny...
As Jay Zin fell Daks hissed, cursing under his breath.Son of a bi... Alright. Ready up. Daks drew his sword and stepped up next to Breona. his knuckles white. Damn. I really wanted to avoid another fight...
Not really trained with the physical side of things, Mechanus was not a stranger to surviving.
He scanned the rope and balcony to try and see an easier way up and then spit on his hands and took to the rope.
His first attempt failed. Miserably. But then something inside of him sort of clicked and he scampered his way up.
_________________
, suggest that he found an easier way and can communicate this to others that are climbing
Basai waited a moment or two after the thud of Jay's fall and Daks didn't call for hir to charge the stairs quite yet so the Diruk lingered at the bottom where 'Vault 1' caught hir eye. Shi walked forward, bypassing the stairs, to go peer into the room the dead rebel had been set down beside. What was the foam stuff?
Shi poked at it with a finger, intrigued – it was like some sort of tomb for the dead humans within. Useful, whatever had caused it. Basai leaned in the door and looked around the room, wondering if anything useful was still in the space.
Jay Zin got up off the ground and dusted himself. He took a look at the rope again than saw Basai walking through the door.
Guys... I'm just going to stick with Basai.
Rubbing his back he walked in after the Diruk.
So Rocky, what did you find in here?
Seeing that Jay wasn't going to climb the rope Azzuretta took a look at the three other humans on the Banister. She cocked her head then glided down and hopped through the door that Jay Zin and Basai had gone through.
Basai shifted to give Jay an opportunity to see into the room, dust sifting from hir as shi turned to addressed him, "You okay?"
When Azzuretta joined them, Basai wiggled hir fingers in greeting at the Xi-Drake and watched as the drake entered the room, concerned she might get mired in the foam.
Mechanus whispered, "Ok so this is the entrance to the tower. It looks like there are more people upstairs. Let's wait for the statue and the boy and get in here. We can subdue these quickly and move up the tower. Makes sense?"
He then remembered his place and quickly asked Daks, "I'm sorry about that. What do we do?"
Hey just waiting on the upstairs group to give me an idea of how they want to proceed, I will respond to Basai and Jay Zin in the turn format rather than in the board.
Daks waits for reactions from the rebels. Feel free to bother mine.out of town. No time for a good post. Sry. Be back Sunday night.
Breona tensed at the crash and quickly reached for her crossbow. As she did not want to be the first one to set foot into the room, she looked back to the others. She remained utterly quiet, tilting her head to listen closely to determine if the rebelling rebels (and how odd was -that-?) would head out to the balcony to check out where the noise had come from.
She remained in the shadows, wanting to be hard to spot, should anyone come outside.
Hey - I'll be posting tonight. Busy day today.
"So Rocky, what did you find in here?"
Basai's cursory glance around the room yielded little of interest - a closed door stuck behind a bunch of solid foam that'd be more trouble then it was worth to clear out. Thus, to Jay's question the Diruk rumbles dismissively, crystals flickering just a hint of blue in disappointment, before turning back to the stairs and starting up.
Remembering they needed to be quiet, the Diruk attempted to mount the stairs as quietly as possible, thinking to get to the top for best position. There was no call to arms yet, no sounds of arguments or fighting, so Basai saw no reason to stay below. Perhaps the room was empty?
Not sure if it wasn't clear but the Rebels are bulwarked in the stone tower. Nobody has heard or sensed anything in the room above you, Basai.
Basai - Approached the ancient alloy stairs with extreme care, shi could almost sense their crystalline structure as shi silently glided up the stairs, balancing perfectly on each step. Each step left a footprint of midnight blue color on the otherwise bleak grey metal. Likewise, with each step ore veins in Basai's lower leg section seemed to lengthen and thicken. Basai emerged into an empty room, the door labeled Vault 2 launching the occasional spark from its frame, looking to have been recently blown open. Inside, Basai could barely make out a few dead bodies, and could see that the inner vault door also appeared to have also been breached. Shi listened for sounds, but from her vantage halfway up the stairs heard none.