Darkened Thresholds - Artifact

Game Master JonGarrett

Mild distraction is fine, and if you're near Carlos you'll notice her.

The way I see it, we have three problems:

1. We need to break the grip of this thing on the people here.

2. We need to protect them from whatever Charly woke up and is coming to eat us.

3. We need to get them off the grounds.

1 and 3 can probably be accomplished at the same time. 2 needs to be concurrent with them, though. The gate appears to be the weak point. Given Kavax has some tricks up his sleeves, I say he tackles the gate since he could probably deal with both physical and mystical bonds. Meanwhile, the three of us can do our best ot shield the others, maybe even erect a barrier that could contain the monster while we get everyone out.

Of course, our vampire friend is the wildcard, and I'm not at all happy she's about, even if she did warn us about the coming danger. I guess Captain Rose could keep her busy if she decides to take advantage of the situation.

The GM gave us a hint that we have resources at our disposal. So I'm thinking that can mean a couple of things.

1) Cheshire found something under the stage that is of value.
2) The maps of the area and our knowledge that this place has points centered on the stage.

I think there's a puzzle here but I can't quite figure it out right now, I'll stew on it.

I like that you believe I have some idea what I'm doing. It makes me feel all warm and tingly inside.

You could ask Cheshire what he found under the stage if you think it might matter.

I don't think Captain is near Carlos as she was at the sound stage and is now wandering the crowd near the edges of the for familiar faces that didn't call her Dollface. Anything near the centre or the way we came in isn't going to be near Captain.

She could distract if someone got her attention or at least provide cover fire for the 3 Cs if it comes to it, though Carlos would know that our 0-weird Captain prefers not to otherwise be actively involved with Big Magic rituals with the already stated issues in the previous game with non-protocol magic.

As for what resources we can use, Captain has a bit of tech and a few other sketchy professional type things, possibly something the whatever this threat is has a weakness for...

Oh boy, did I just make things worse. I'm pretty sure that if this isn't going to end well for Charly.

Given the streak of bad rolls here and the stakes, someone may want to spend luck to avoid us all dying. :D

Also, isn't Big Magic something you can't just roll? My impression was you had to talk with the GM over what the requirements for it were.

Pretty much, yes. You guys need a plan for big magic, especially if Carlos, Charly and Cheshire are working together on something.

I kinda want to see what happens first. I'm not objecting, but I'm curious to see what is going to happen to Charly at any rate.

As for the Big Magic, I'd probably discuss it beforehand in a real time game, but I was trying to save some time here so we could keep things moving. In any case, I think it's moot at this point given the abysmal roll. Still, if the GM would be so kind as to tell me if I could try again and what I'd need to do, that would be awesome.

EDIT: Should've refreshed first.

First off, Sorry about that GM. I was getting ahead of myself and I know that. Honestly, I was trying to keep things moving and not bog things down too much.

Second, that said, I'd like to use Charly as kind of a big battery and have Cheshire and Carlos help shape the energy and form the bubble of reality. Not sure how to make that happen, but I'm open to ideas.

Cheshire is thinking more in terms of a 'tunnel' than a bubble--kind of boring a hole through the wall of the trap/unreality to make a single avenue of escape, right through the gate.

Er, I guess I flubbed up trying to explain what I wanted to do. It's basically what Cheshire said, just a different way of saying it (an obviously poorer way of saying it.)

Sorry for all of the trouble with this. I was hoping to do something big, but I guess I screwed up.

It's fine. The Roll will still kick you in the butt, though.

Oh I'm counting on it. I'm just curious as to how. :)

Been really busy the last few days. Ill get something of substance up tomorrow evening.

So before I do any posting, should I wait on the results of the Big Magic roll? I'd like to react to what will happen than another vague post about what might happen.

That's what I'm waiting on, too.

I was waiting for the full plan, and you guys to also roll for some Big Magic, before deciding how things go. If you guys are waiting on me I'll post in a bit.

So Big Magic involves all of us rolling then? I will add something after work if that is okay. I think tunneling out with Cheshire's plan works best. We can have one channeling each end and one trying to get people funneled out with magic.

I would say Charly to tunnel as she did a similar thing earlier so it works dramatically. Cheshire what would you consider your forte here?

Big Magic requires those doing it to decide what magical effect they want to happen and a general plan. This may include rolls like for Act Under Pressure or Use Magic or Investigating to figure things out.

Then GMJon will determine what is required for it to work. Once requirements are met, Big Magic happens and if not...GMJon has other fun.

Captain isn't involved, but could cover fire if attacked or use certain special non-lethal-to-people but threat-potent grenades she has.

Cheshire would argue his strength is finding weak points and exploiting them, here. So seeking the best 'point' to tunnel through, perhaps?

So...Cheshire aims the magic, Charly drills through, and Carlos builds the passage so the hole doesn't collapse?

Yeah, that sounds about right.

It's Showtime!

Yup. Sounds good to me. :)

So does that mean that Carlos and I should roll Use Magic now to go with Charly's roll?

It would help, yeah. If you two roll well it might negate Charly's poor one.

Could Cheshire Use Magic to Do One Thing Beyond Normal Human Capabilities to carry someone out of the area?

Welp, don't think Carlos and Cheshire are going to he bailing me out this time. I wanted her in the line of fire, and I suspect Charly's about to really be in the line of fire now!

So, anyone wanna bet on what's about to go awry?

I'm here and thinking of how to approach this out of character. Part of me wants to see Charly's rolls go as I wouldn't want to *ahem* steal her thunder.

I would like to avoid the risk of using more magic if possible, probably spend my XP right now to get "It All Fits Together" to gain Sharp to Persuade people and see what I can do with that. Thoughts?

Magic's just Cheshire's default thing to do in bad situations. :D

You could point out to him in-character the dangers at present of doing it. But he'll probably feel like there's not much else he could do.

Kavax is probably going to stick to his standby when people need to be rescued; pick them up and toss them outside.

I'm here and thinking of how to approach this out of character. Part of me wants to see Charly's rolls go as I wouldn't want to *ahem* steal her thunder.

I would like to avoid the risk of using more magic if possible, probably spend my XP right now to get "It All Fits Together" to gain Sharp to Persuade people and see what I can do with that. Thoughts?

I'd go for it. Charly is a magic user, though. She's not much good without it. She's also the smallest person, besides Cheshire when he's a cat, by a good margin, I think. If she want's people out, she has to have help, or use some magic to help her get the job done.

I've got a feeling that this is going to be the second character of mine in as many weeks that has had a very nice dress ruined.

I think Captain Rose was also thinking about that improvement, but having two folks being good with people would be awesome.

And I know exactly what Charly is going to end up in, but I want to give everyone a chance to throw people out the gates first.

Oh fun. :) Well, at least we got two out.

Hmm, could a Use Magic be used to move this lightning storm over a bit?

It might well be possible.

Okay, figured since Weird is Charly's jam, might as well lean into that. Going to be taking a move from the Monstrous playbook, Unholy Strength, though that name's getting changed, 'cause really, who's gonna call Charly unholy? :P

Hey, that's what Cheshire just got recently! :D

...his might be unholy.

Apologies for the delay, I had a mild bout of depression blocking ze words. I'm better now, but the office party was last night and...well, I'm not drunk, but it was certainly a night.

I'll update tomorrow/later today.

That's fine! Hope you feel good in the morning.

Same. :)

Depression is annoying. Try punching it in the face.

...what a lovely idea.

It helps. I have suffered from depression as well, and it can help to just get going again.

Looking forward to seeing how Charly's interactions play out.

Yeah, it's a frustrating but regular problem this time of year. It was the anniversary of my mother's passing last year, and a little earlier my brothers. But don't worry! My father and step-fathers are just up ahead!

So yeah, I get a little blergh this time of year.

Oh man. that's rough. I've had to deal with loss since I was young, and it's something that has affected me since I was 5. I may not know what you've gone through, but I certainly understand it. Thankfully, time may not heal the wound, but it does dull the pain. I'll be praying for you, and know that I'm always here if you need someone to talk to.

That said, back to Charly losing her temper. :D

Not sure if we need to pause and wait for people to be done with holidays. :D

I'm out for the holidays.
I'll try to get something up tonight when I get to a PC.

Is anyone going to be unavailable, or just the traditional holiday slowdown?