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Nyym sees Liesel-Marie perk up at the mention of violent kinetic force and smiles..
That sounds like your kind of specialty thier Liesel-Marie.
Then turns back to the others and Lin.
I have my blades so I will leave the Weapons choices to those that would benefit more from them. Best to give everyone an edge in the up coming fight.
Although Nyym kept his voice light and confident. Inside he was not so much. He worried for his family . Those that currently traveled and fought by his side. They were at a point where regardless of how this goes down. Failure was not an option. Nyym found his thoughts turning to the companions that were currently off on other ventures.
I hope their situations are better then ours currently. But I sure wouldn't mind them being here right now.
Nyym looked forward to when this was all over when everyone was back together. Old friends and new. They were all in this together regardless of difference or background. While he knew that there would be those that always sought to do harm to others. But there would always be those like the members of Team Ruby that would be there to end such threats either by Negotiation or by force. In Liesel-Maries case, Negotiation by way of force. Nyym smiled at the thoughts of happier times.
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"What is a violent kinetic impact? That sounds interesting to me."Lin turns to face the Erutaki warrior. A violent kinetic impact is physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill produced through motion transmitted by collision. This is typically achieved, in part, through the use of weapons, though others means can be used. Was this helpful?
She smiles broadly, "Yes, very helpful, thank you!"
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As Nyyms mind drifted back to thier current situation. He started recounting to himself the events out side and as they accured coming in.
It was then he realized that they had no knowledge of what they had already faced. At this realization, Nyym found himself with more questions.
After we entered the cave topside. We encoundera shady like creature. It moved slowly. But was spead out over a large portion of the floor blocking our way. Then farther in we came across a device that had been broken open for awhile. Inside floated some kind of blue lights. After observing a short while. Three other beings moved in close to these floating blue lights and looked to be feeding. As they remained there, the blue lights on the 3 creatures lights grew brighter and the ones in the device dimmed and faded away. We snuck by those. But then encounter the Monitor. We managed to defet it before meeting Trelgath. Do you know anything about these and if we will be facing more like them?
The Monitor aslo called us Engram Beares. Said something about eliminating the Engram Seekers and returning the bodies to something called The Ark and adding our Engrams to the Rune Sea. What is all that about?
Nyym did his best to recall everything. Nyym hoped to gather as much info as he could so they could better prepared. But in the back of his mind. Nyym also knew that they had not seen anywhere near all the surprises that this place was bound to be hiding
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After we entered the cave topside. We encountered a shady like creature. It moved slowly. But was spread out over a large portion of the floor blocking our way.
Bosco spoke up at this. Sounds like something called a star ooze. It is a wonder of adaptation, able to exist for thousands of years on specks of rock that hurtle through the darkness between the stars that is the Great Beyond as tiny spores, only to be revitalized and born anew when it encounters a world filled with life, and food. It may have lain dormant for some time before being disturbed by the dark elves.
Then farther in we came across a device that had been broken open for awhile. Inside floated some kind of blue lights. After observing a short while. Three other beings moved in close to these floating blue lights and looked to be feeding. As they remained there, the blue lights on the 3 creatures lights grew brighter and the ones in the device dimmed and faded away. We sneaked by those.
It seems that they are little more than elemental-like beings composed of animate magic force. The half-bugbear continues. Some call it force, others aether. But no matter what it is called, it is an essential substance and energy of any given plane of existence. Many kinds of abilities, creatures, and practices find ways to harness or infuse this fundamental essence, whose form and content varies wildly between planes, and it sometimes can be extracted or distilled with material manifestations or effects.
But then encounter the Monitor. We managed to defeat it before meeting Trelgath. Do you know anything about these and if we will be facing more like them?
Lin speaks up here. Cybernetic monitors are extremely rare, due to the construction required and the nature of their programming. Encountering another is extremely unlikely as that requires resources the central processor has yet to acquire at this time. That you were able to survive one, let alone defeat it, is no small feat.
The Monitor also called us Engram Bearers. Said something about eliminating the Engram Seekers and returning the bodies to something called The Ark and adding our Engrams to the Rune Sea. What is all that about?
Bosco looks puzzled at this. I've no knowledge of this, but it sounds fascinating.
Nyym listens to Bosco explain what the other things they faced were. Nyym was especially happy to hear that they should not have to deal with another Monitor. It was then that Nyym remembered the item he retrieve from the wreckage of the Monitor. Reaching into his pack. Nyym retrieved the metal object and showed it to Bosco..
I retrieved this from the Monitor after we defeated it. As soon as I pulled it free. It projected what we assume was the Rune Sea. When I say projected. We all saw it with our eyes. Not with our minds.
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Nyym listens to Bosco explain what the other things they faced were. Nyym was especially happy to hear that they should not have to deal with another Monitor. It was then that Nyym remembered the item he retrieve from the wreckage of the Monitor. Reaching into his pack. Nyym retrieved the metal object and showed it to Bosco..
I retrieved this from the Monitor after we defeated it. As soon as I pulled it free. It projected what we assume was the Rune Sea. When I say projected. We all saw it with our eyes. Not with our minds.
Lin speaks almost excitedly, its eyes flashing brightly as Nyym produces the faintly glowing dodecahedral-sphaped object. That is an information storage device, a holo-chronicle. The machine continues, A holo-chronicle is a repository of vital, sensitive knowledge and wisdom where the data playback typically takes the form of an interactive hologram. Given the nature of the information they contained, many such devices are equipped with a security mechanism that grants access to its contents only to those that met certain requirements.
As the construct talks, both the tiny carbuncle's gem and the blue channels of energy running through Bosco's translucent limbs flare momentarily as the holo-chronicle flash, replaying once again the image of that alien world. Everything plays out as it did before: an indecipherable word that echoes in each member of the group's head, a trace of an odor like nothing you've ever smelled before, and finally the undeniable impression of a mind seeking desperately after wholeness. A moment later, you all find yourselves standing on what appears to be a glittering, agitated, multi-hued liquid that stretches out all around you but the “liquid” quickly reveals its true nature—it is a morass of glowing "runes", each as intricate and unique as a snowflake. These millions of “runes” merge, separate, leap, flow, and boil within the confines of the sea, each no larger than half a hand-span, but in sum making up the sea. But instead of the sound of dripping, lapping water, the sea of runes gives off a low, basso chant, as if many voices were murmuring and echoing some alien, foreboding refrain.
However, there is something else present this time that wasn't before: floating over the center of the Rune Sea is a 5-foot-diameter spherical construct. It is clearly damaged; crystal and metal shards torn from its body remain suspended in orbit around the sphere.
The vision ends, and once again, the object becomes quiescent.
The memekeeper, says Lin, its voice a blend of sadness and awe.
"What is a memekeeper, Lin?"
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"What is a memekeeper, Lin?"
Even as Liesel-Marie asks the question, she is stuck with a singular bit of memory:
She is no longer in Bosco's hideaway. Instead, the Erutaki is standing in an endless white expanse. Floating before her is an all too familiar pair of doors.
Between Liesel-Marie and those doors is a pallid featureless figure. Looking upon the hollow being, she can make out various aspects of herself embodied within it. Despite the fact that Liesel-Marie can't actually see it, she gets the impression that the hollow being closed its eyes for a moment, then opened them again.
You stand once again before the entrance to the Memory of Nature, blanketed by the eternal fog and vapor of Time, an island in the Astral sea. Then came the words that followed. I am, after all, the Keeper of Memory.
Ma'am?
Liesel-Marie is suddenly aware of Lin's voice and the concern it displays. She is back in the chamber with the others once again.
Ma'am, are you alright? You seem to be distressed. Is there anything that I can do to assist you at this time?
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She blinks. ”Distressed?” She lets the word linger in the air for a moment before shaking her head. ”I feel no distress. I was distracted, though. What did you say a memekeeper is?”
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Nyym continued to watch his friend. He knew that reaction all to well. Himself and the others had experienced similar reactions at times before. That reaction could only mean one thing. She saw something. A vision like before. But was it of thier past. Maybe. But it seemed connected to..
What did she see that triggered at the mention of the MemeKeeper.
Nyym kept his thoughts to himself. With Kyt, Liesel-Marie, a d himself being from another time. A time from which they and others from Team Ruby had died. To bring that to light right now would bring more questions then answers. Answers that would only come over time. Nyym didn't want to distract from the matter at hand and although he trusted Aiko. He was not sure how she would react to having 3 people with her that were for all tense and perpose should not even be alive. No it's better to leave that conversation for later. With that he refocused on the discussion at hand.
Yes what is this MemeKeeper? What were the voices we just heard?
Nyyms mind was filled with what he just saw. As he asked, he tried to focus to see if he could pick up and discernable words. But he somehow k we he was trying in vain as the voices were many and ran over each other.
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She blinks. ”Distressed?” She lets the word linger in the air for a moment before shaking her head. ”I feel no distress. I was distracted, though. What did you say a memekeeper is?”
Lin glances at the Erutaki for a moment before speaking. It has been my observation that with organics such as yourself, distraction is but a precursor to some form of distress. If it is not, then I submit to you my apologies for the misdiagnosis and will promptly seek to update my medical files on the matter.
Yes what is this MemeKeeper? What were the voices we just heard?
Nyyms mind was filled with what he just saw. As he asked, he tried to focus to see if he could pick up and discernible words. But he somehow knew he was trying in vain as the voices were many and ran over each other.
To answer your queries, I must first inform something of our past to you. For a moment, Lin is quiet, as though the machine is taking a deep breath, before speaking once again. There is a force in the multiverse. Some scholars believe it to be merely a malign psychic force that can prove its existence only by the nightmares it causes in passing while others believe it to be something far more dire. So far, its agents in this world are few, but on other more distant worlds and planes, its victories have been earth-shattering—literally. These worlds have burst asunder from the power of its most powerful, nightmare-spawned progeny.
One such world, called Kyooray, constructed hundreds of arks and filled each one with refugees. When the planet was torn apart by the force of the dark entity, these arks were launched into the Dark Tapestry and across the many planes, maybe even across time. All of them sought out a place elsewhere where life might begin anew. Some of the arks carried living, breathing refugees, but most carried only engrams. An engram is a pattern of mental energy coded to represent the memories, abilities, and qualities of a refugee. Because of limitations on space, engrams were the only representations of themselves that most refugees could hope to send spiraling away into the deeps, the only remembrances that would survive the catastrophe.
The memekeeper is... was, a control nodule, an adjunct to the central processor, intended to see to the safety of the engrams and eventually make possible their reintegration into complete minds. But the dark entity, in its malice, touched the fleeing ark with a tendril of putrid dream, and in so doing damaged the memekeeper. A residue of this being slumbers within the memekeeper, perhaps serving as a way to track each ark to its final destination.
However, it is unable to complete that task. So the memekeeper watches over its lost charges, protecting them from exploitation, while at the same time hoping to affix some of them to living creatures, to enable those engrams to survive in some fashion.
Lin then turns to regard the half-drow. As for the voices, I can only surmise that what you've heard are the thoughts and memories of the refugees, of the Kyoorayans themselves.
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Nyym looked to Liesel-Marie and Kyt. Then back to Lin.
So the Ark here is one such that contains Engrams? How would someone be selected for an Engram?
Nyyms mind suddenly felt as if it was on information overload.
Could the Engram bearers the Monitor spoke of be the present members of Team Ruby? If so the that would make Aiko, Tsodoc, and Rocnork the seekers. So it thought they were here to seek the Engrams.
Nyym suddenly felt light headed as another thought came to him.
Could the Raggedy Man be one such nightmare like Lin spoke of?
Turning to Lin.
You spoke of Nightmares. Could you tell us more on this? For instance how would they start out? Also do you know of any such here?
Nyym was suddenly found himself hoping he was wrong about something. If what Lin described was true. Then either they would see the Raggedy Man again. Or there was worse out there.
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She waves off the apology. ”Not all distraction leads to distress. Sometimes distraction ends distress. But thank you for your concern.
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Tsadok having made he's thoughts know, he listens to the conversation. Then breaks in, Lin I think the mineral acid would be the best choice to combat the machine. Don't you?
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Tsadok having made he's thoughts know, he listens to the conversation. Then breaks in, Lin I think the mineral acid would be the best choice to combat the machine. Don't you?
It is a choice that I would make, sir.
Nyym looked to Liesel-Marie and Kyt. Then back to Lin.
So the Ark here is one such that contains Engrams? How would someone be selected for an Engram?
Yes, this ark is one that contains engrams. As for how organics are selected, I do not know for I am not privy to that process. Only the memekeeper may make that determination.
Turning to Lin.
You spoke of Nightmares. Could you tell us more on this? For instance how would they start out? Also do you know of any such here?
Nyym was suddenly found himself hoping he was wrong about something. If what Lin described was true. Then either they would see the Raggedy Man again. Or there was worse out there.
These queries have parameters that exceed my ability to answer at this time. Cybernetics such as myself do not typically experience the phenomena of dreams, but can if programmed to do so. To my knowledge, only memekeepers are given such programming. I am not a memekeeper. Therefore, I am not equipped with that kind of programming, and, as such, have no basis upon which to give a sufficient answer.
Insert Theme - Final Fantasy 7 (Remake): All Quiet at the Gates
The Minkan samurai has been quiet throughout the discussion taking place between Nyym and Lin, but her focus is elsewhere. For she is using the arael’sheaen, the heart's eye, which allows her to sense another's ki and decipher their intentions, to try and locate (if possible) the abomination that is the weapon master Trelgath.
She can feel the taint lurking just at edge of her heart's eye, and its presence is making her somewhat antsy. But Aiko will not give in to the urge she feels, to rush out and immediately confront him. Her discipline will not allow the samurai to give her foe any more of an advantage than the weapon master may have already possessed.
Aiko's plan was to use Trelgath's passion, his lust for combat, against him. The samurai knows that it will not be an easy thing to accomplish. But she will not falter in the face of the challenge laying ahead of her.
She says without looking back at the others, If we are to go, then let us do so quickly. I can sense him close by and it is still my wish to provide the cover needed for you to reach the source of this mechanical madness.
There is no emotion in her words, only a strange feeling of calm.
For Aiko, that is as it should be.
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She says without looking back at the others, If we are to go, then let us do so quickly. I can sense him close by and it is still my wish to provide the cover needed for you to reach the source of this mechanical madness.
There is no emotion in her words, only a strange feeling of calm.
For Aiko, that is as it should be.
Insert Theme - Final Fantasy 7 (Remake): Shinra's Theme
Kyt looks up as the samurai speaks. She had been too caught up in Nyym's discussion with Lin and so is thankful for the reminder.
She's right. If we're going to hit this central processor thing, then we need to get ready to do what needs to be done. We all have our parts to play in this. So lets get to it.
She then turns her focus to Lin. How soon can you whip up these alchemical weapons? Because it seems as though we've settled on the mineral acid and the bottled lightning.
Will that be 5 of each?
Kyt nods her as she speaks. That'll work. We'll distribute them among ourselves as you make them.
Lin dips its head in return, eyes flashing. Affirmative, ma'am. I will get to work 'whipping them up' then.
Mineral Acid: This sealed vial contains a potent indigo liquid. It can be thrown as a splash weapon with a range increment of 10 feet. A direct hit deals 2d6 points of acid damage; this damage is doubled against creatures made of crystal, earth, or metal. Every creature within 5 feet of the impact takes 1 point of acid damage.
Bottled Lightning: Electricity crackles along a filament inside this glass bottle. The bottle can be opened as a standard action, unleashing a small bolt of lightning toward an enemy within 20 feet. This is a ranged touch attack that deals 1d8 points of electricity damage. Any creature in a line between the user and the target (including the target) takes 1 point of sonic damage from the clap of thunder the bolt generates (DC 15 Reflex negates).
Once Lin is finished and the items have been handed out, Bosco says, I can lead you out the back way. We should be able to avoid any servants and converted on our way to the central processor. As far as that dark elf is concerned, he will have to be dealt with by her. At this, the half-bugbear jerks his thumb toward Aiko.
Kyt nods before turning to those going to the central processor. She brings her blue crystal temple sword up to rest across her shoulders before saying, Time for us to get this done. Lets mosey.
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Liesel-Marie looks at the little vials. ”I think I’m going to be most effective drawing their attention by smashing what I find. I think someone else can deliver these directly to the central thing. Like our winged friend.” She offers the vials to Rocnork.
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As preparations are made to depart towards thier target. Nyym closes his eyes and let's out a long slow breath. Nyym knew that his mind needed to focused on the task at hand. So to that end, Nyym pushed his doubts, fears, thoughts, and questions from his mind. Letting out long slow breaths. He was able to calm himself. While he lacked the control and discipline of Aiko. He did what he could. When he opened his eyes. He felt he was ready. Looking to the vials being handed out. Nyym, like Liesel-Marie, declined.
Those should go to those who would need them. I have my energy blades. That will suffice for me.
Nyym finished his statement by moving in such a way that caused his joints to pop and crack. This was followed by some stretches to loosen up. Once done. Nyym checked the fasteners on his armor and made sure everything was in place as it should be.
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Insert Theme - Final Fantasy 7 (Remake): Shinra's Theme
Liesel-Marie looks at the little vials. ”I think I’m going to be most effective drawing their attention by smashing what I find. I think someone else can deliver these directly to the central thing. Like our winged friend.” She offers the vials to Rocnork.
Rocnork looks at the proffered bottles and vials for a moment before accepting them with a grunt, placing most of them in the satchel that he wears. Though he has his own method of delivering damage in the fight to come, the wyvaran can't deny that his ability to fly makes him the perfect delivery system when it comes to these alchemical weapons.
As preparations are made to depart towards thier target. Nyym closes his eyes and let's out a long slow breath. Nyym knew that his mind needed to focused on the task at hand. So to that end, Nyym pushed his doubts, fears, thoughts, and questions from his mind. Letting out long slow breaths. He was able to calm himself. While he lacked the control and discipline of Aiko. He did what he could. When he opened his eyes. He felt he was ready. Looking to the vials being handed out. Nyym, like Liesel-Marie, declined.
Those should go to those who would need them. I have my energy blades. That will suffice for me.
Nyym finished his statement by moving in such a way that caused his joints to pop and crack. This was followed by some stretches to loosen up. Once done. Nyym checked the fasteners on his armor and made sure everything was in place as it should be.
Bosco makes his way to the back of the chamber and opens the only other door. Time to go. He looks back at Aiko and for a moment wonders if she is taking on something that is beyond her ability to deal with, but pushes aside that moment of doubt. He will trust in her skill to do what needs to be done for their sake. Give that dark elf hell, lady, before exiting through.
Bosco makes his way to the back of the chamber and opens the only other door. Time to go. He looks back at Aiko and for a moment wonders if she is taking on something that is beyond her ability to deal with, but pushes aside that moment of doubt. He will trust in her skill to do what needs to be done for their sake. Give that dark elf hell, lady.
Final Fantasy VII (Remake) - Eligor Battle Theme
The samurai acknowledges Bosco's words with a slow nod. I will give him all of the hells.
Aiko then turns her attention fully to the task before her. With one hand on her tachi, she opens the front door and steps through to the other side.
Once she is outside, Aiko steps into kiza, kneeling on the ground and seated on her heels, with the balls of her feet touching the ground and toes flexed forward. The Minkan sits, back straight, knees together, hands placed next to her hips, with the knuckles rounded and touching the ground.
She patiently awaits the arrival of the weapon master, her eyes closed, mind focused solely on the duty undertaken...
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Nyym turns and watches as Aiko slips through the front door. While he still did not like the idea any more then the others. He understood her reasoning and that to her it was an important part of her that pushed her to deal with Trelgath. A part of him considered staying to aid her. But he quickly pushed that aside.
No. To do so would be to dishonor her and would hurt the rest of the groups remaining strength. I will continue as planned. This is how it must be. Gods speed Aiko and send him back to the hell's which spawned him.
With one last look toward the front door. Nyym turned and fell in to follow the rest.
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Liesel-Marie intentionally does not watch the samurai go. She is focused on the path before her.
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As Bosco leads the members of Team Ruby out the back of his hiding space, it isn't long before everyone hears the clash of metal on metal...
Aiko steps into kiza, kneeling on the ground and seated on her heels, with the balls of her feet touching the ground and toes flexed forward. The Minkan sits, back straight, knees together, hands placed next to her hips, with the knuckles rounded and touching the ground.
She patiently awaits the arrival of the weapon master, her eyes closed, mind focused solely on the duty undertaken.
Trelgath Stealth check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Aiko Perception check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
The samurai can feel it, the foul animalistic rage that clings to him like a disease, crawling beneath the surface of his being and spreading throughout his ki like an infection. She gives no indication of her awareness of him. It is enough that Aiko is here to face the yokai in the way of the Ichimeio, mindful of the second precept: Honor Is All.
Trelgath Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Aiko Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Final Fantasy VII Remake OST - Eligor Battle Theme
He moves closer now, and as he does, Aiko places her left hand on the tsuka, the handle, of her long sword. She continues to concentrate on the heart's eye while standing up from kiza, drawing the sword and cutting in one fluid motion.
Aiko tachi drawing cut: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
tachi damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
The samurai internalizes the movement and technique so that it is executed without thought or hesitation. This is the essence of the first precept that is the warrior's code: “One Body, One Soul,” a directive to strive to align her intentions with her actions.
And in doing so, she catches the weapon master off his guard as the samurai steps forward with her left foot. When the draw cut is done, the kashira, the metal cap at the end of Aiko's tachi, is held level with her waist and the tip of the curved blade pointed at Trelgath's knee in the chi-no-kamae stance.
The ōmukade issues a hiss, though it is not one of pain but rather begrudging respect. Though her blade has not penetrated his flesh, the samurai's intent is nonetheless felt by him.
Trelgath looms over the Minkan for only a moment as he rears up on the back third of his many hard-edged legs before dropping down to attack with his own blade.
Trelgath longsword slash: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
longsword damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Putting the sword over his head, in line with his spine, the weapon master brings the blade down in a one-handed vertical slice.
In response, Aiko brings up her tachi, holding the tsuka with one hand above and in front of her head, arm stretched out with the blade horizontal. She makes the block, but such is the force behind the blow that the ground beneath her feet craters nearly an inch in depth.
Final Fantasy VII Remake OST - Eligor Battle Theme
Where are your companions, samurai? roars Trelgath.
The question seems a mere growl to her ears, but there is more to it than that. He is speaking in the Trade Tongue purposefully, in an obvious attempt to lure them out to my side. Aloud, she responds, I am your opponent, not them. Face me as honor demands.
Aiko then adds, Unless, of course, you're here to offer yourself up for zanshu, for beheading. If so, then I will gladly be your executioner and make a quick end for you. I will place your severed head in a kubi bukuro, a head bag, so that sarashikubi, the displaying of your head, will be performed, for the benefit of the Nikumu. It is a harsher death, and it won't absolve you completely of your crimes, but it is more fitting for one such as you.
The ōmukade laughs, as though Aiko has made some sort of joke. No weapon you possess can pierce my skin. Your words are empty, meaningless. I will feast on your entrails and you will die knowing that once I am done with you, your friends will be next.
Aiko
Aiko opens her eyes, the reddish-orange orbs now narrowed into slits. Then we shall see if my blade can indeed pierce your skin this day, yokai. Holding her tachi in her left hand, she brings the blade up vertically in front of her then swings it down in a flourish before resuming the chi-no-kamae stance once more. The Empress rules all under Heaven. I am a guardian of the land and its health, as well as of civilized empires that live upon it. I will defend nature from the twisted influence of undead and aberrations, and seek mutual peace with creatures that defend nature from humanity.
tachi attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
tachi damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
tachi attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
tachi damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
tachi attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
tachi damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Aiko begins by bring up her tachi and unleashing a series of horizontal slashes intended to hit Trelgath from the front. Her blade rings against the ōmukade's flesh as the yokai makes no effort to either block or dodge the assault. When she is done, Aiko eyes the weapon master critically.
There is no sign of a wound anywhere on his body.
Trelgath
A wide grin is plastered across the weapon master's face as he stares at the samurai before him. He then growls, the veins of Trelgath's arms beginning to pulse and quiver, his black skin taking on a reddish cast even as the long locks of his white hair float and flare in the air. Last of all, his amber eyes darken, becoming black pits while the weapon master shifts his stance. He drops the longsword before lunging forward to launch a barrage of punches at Aiko.
unarmed strike 1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26
unarmed strike damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9
unarmed strike 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
unarmed strike damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9
unarmed strike 3: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
unarmed strike damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 = 11
Aiko brings her tachi up to meet the weapon master's furious assault, subtly adjusting its position with each swing he made to lessen the force of his blows. The sound of Trelgath's fists striking the weapon rings throughout the plaza. His strength is undeniable, for while she weathers the storm of punches, Aiko can feel the soles of her feet digging a shallow trench as she is slowly being pushed back by his effort.
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Tsadok looks toward Aiko before she exits the room and does a deep head bow to her. For it could be the last time they cross paths. As the door closes behind her he turns and makes another once over of Bosco's lair for anything else that could be of use.
And with the once over done he follows the other out the hidden door. As the door closes he begins to hear the sounds of battle.....
Fight well Aiko...… He thoughts trails off not wishing to finish the thought.
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Tsadok looks toward Aiko before she exits the room and does a deep head bow to her. For it could be the last time they cross paths. As the door closes behind her he turns and makes another once over of Bosco's lair for anything else that could be of use.
[dice=Perception]1d20+13
And with the once over done he follows the other out the hidden door. As the door closes he begins to hear the sounds of battle.....
Fight well Aiko...… He thoughts trails off not wishing to finish the thought.
Before he heads out the door, Tsadok's eyes come to rest upon a pair of small, curved pull daggers with a metal loop at the base of each handle. The blades, however, are fashioned from what appear to be a strange black glass that possesses a dull lambent glow at their core.
The objects are lying on the table next to the alchemy lab, somehow overlooked when everyone initially entered the chamber.
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Tsadok pauses with what he sees. Those are interesting.... He thinks as he picks them up.
Glass how strange… but glow is even strange. Perhaps they will prove useful verses the machine.
He places one in each boot and follows the group.
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Tsadok pauses with what he sees. Those are interesting.... He thinks as he picks them up.
Glass how strange… but glow is even strange. Perhaps they will prove useful verses the machine.
He places one in each boot and follows the group.
As Tsadok places the items in each boot, his mind is peppered with an image of a strange ridged headed humanoid with four wriggling appendages surrounding its lamprey-like mouth wearing robes. The creature raises a hand with three long, reddish fingers and a strange iridescent energy radiates from it to encompass a group of yellow skinned bipeds with black eyes who are laid low by the effect. All save one, who wields items much like those taken by the half-orc. The lone survivor charges the tentacled one and then the vision ceases.
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Once everyone is outside, it becomes apparent that the blue energy field that had collapsed earlier on is back, shedding its faint radiance on all beneath it. As such, the wind is much calmer and the temperature is warmer than it was before your encounter with the Nikumu converted.
Bosco leads the group around several buildings and down some empty streets until you arrive at your destination. Here it is, proclaims the half-bugbear, the manufactory. Home to the central processor.
It is exactly as has been described by Trelgath previously: a relatively low-slung building in comparison to the tower facades and monoliths around it. The two-story structure is set into a natural rise, with a metallic portal offering access to the upper level and a second set of metal doors at the foot of the slope allowing access to the
lower level.
Bosco approaches the lower pair of metal doors, which slide apart as he nears them. The half-bugbear looks back and motions for all of you to follow before entering in himself.
As you enter this building, pale blue lights wink into view in the floor, walls, and ceiling. Halfway into the room you see a raised 5-foot-wide catwalk of metallic plates and mesh braced several feet off the floor, supported on a series of drums and wheels and with the catwalk seemingly wrapped underneath them as well. The catwalk passes through a low opening in the far wall only a few feet high, covered by a screen of metallic mesh. A rhythmic hum can be heard beyond the opening. Several crystalline panels are set into the far wall, which is solid metal up to shoulder height and opaque crystal above.
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Liesel-Marie whispers, though she is not sure why, to her friends, "The hammer gives me visions of its wielder growing much larger than his friends and foes. I don't know how long it would last or how much control it would give me - would you have me do that? When?"
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Bosco casts his gaze around the chamber, as though he is looking for something.
Those panels, he says after a moment, pointing to the northern and southernmost sections of the room, each activate a hidden door onto the catwalk. The half-bugbear then indicates the panel adjacent to the catwalk as he continues speaking, And that panel there should cause this contraption to move.
No sooner than he says this than a tiny spiderlike machine comes crawling out from underneath the catwalk and onto the panel that Bosco is pointing to, where it scuttles back and forth across the surface before dropping on top of the now moving catwalk to ride it past the metallic mesh through the low opening set into the wall.
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Nyym looks around and then without hesitation..
Ain't nothing to but to do it.
With that said, he Hops up on the conveyer belt so that he is laying flat on his back and will pass head first through the opening.
Nyym holds his breath and makes ready should he have to act once through.
Heres to hoping I don't lose my head when I pass though.
Said half serious, half jokingly.
Liesel-Marie shakes her head at Nyym's choice, but isn't going to let him enter alone. She moves up to where the hidden door on the left has been indicated and tries to find a latch to let herself in.
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Nyym looks around and then without hesitation..
Ain't nothing to it but to do it.
With that said, he hops up on the conveyor belt so that he is laying flat on his back and will pass head first through the opening.
Nyym holds his breath and makes ready should he have to act once through.
Heres to hoping I don't lose my head when I pass though.
Said half serious, half jokingly.
Lying flat on his back as he passes through the opening, Nyym is able to see that the moving metallic contraption drops at an angle down to the floor 30 feet below, where it circles around a massive machine sitting astride a golden-glowing pit. Completing its circuit, the walkway circles back around underneath its slanting upper course, passing out through a narrow aperture in the lower south.
The half-drow can also see a catwalk of metallic grates with pole-like railings mostly encircling the huge sunken workroom. A strange light wells up from strange moving machinery, while untold numbers of cables, conduits, hoists, hooks, and pulleys hang from a vast network of girders above. A large open metal stairwell spirals down to the floor below, and just across it a slim half-metallic ilythiiri stands armed with bow and blade. At each corner of the room stands a bank of strange devices tended by a vaguely human mechanical creature.
Below Nyym, the cavernous chamber is strewn with cables and machinery. The great machine dominating the chamber seems almost to squat over a golden-glowing circular pit, with small arms reaching out toward the encircling conveyor while a single metallic tendril writhes sinuously like a clawed hand and glaring eye in one. Two half-mechanical ilythiiri dressed in armor of Eastern manufacture stand nearby on guard, while smaller mechanical beings scuttle over tumbled heaps of arcane circuitry.
Liesel-Marie shakes her head at Nyym's choice, but isn't going to let him enter alone. She moves up to where the hidden door on the left has been indicated and tries to find a latch to let herself in.
Bosco points once again to the crystalline panel set into the wall, which is solid metal up to shoulder height and opaque crystal above. That will open up access to the catwalk.
The half-bugbear makes his way over and stands before the wall. He looks first at Liesel-Marie before turning a thoughtful gaze over to the panel. I can probably figure this out, but it will definitely take some time for me to do so.
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Nyym remains still, but allows his eyes to scan for any additional info beyond what he has already seen. As he does so, he can't help but think to himself..
Well Nyym old boy, you're really stepped in it this time.
The image of the disapproval on Liesel-Maries face came back to him.
YEP, one fine mess you've gotten urself into this time.
While Nyym was accustomed to operating on his own. This was one time he truly wished it was closer. By closer, that's in the same room.
Liesel-Marie looks at the door but doesn't see a way to open it. She turns to the others and whispers intently, "OPEN IT!" She anxiously twists her hands on the handle of the god's hammer.
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Final Fantasy VII Remake OST - Eligor Battle Theme
Aiko
Swift Action: spends 1 point of ki to gain additional unarmed strike
Full-Attack Action: flurry of blows
Aiko pushes back against Trelgath, using her tachi in another series of strikes, starting with a vertical slash and then a horizontal one right after. She quickly follows up with a fast stab of her sword, which cause the ōmukade to backpedal slightly. Seeing the momentary opening, the samurai shoots a leg forward as in a front kick, but then pivots and turns so that a side kick is delivered instead. The weapon master, however, recovers quickly, pushing away her foot. Aiko follows the move through, using the momentum generated by Trelgath to perform a horizontal spin to do another slash with her tachi across the third segment of his centipede body.
tachi attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
tachi damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
tachi attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
tachi damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
unarmed attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
unarmed damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
tachi attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
tachi damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Trelgath
Swift Action: spends 1 point of ki to gain additional unarmed strike
Full-Attack Action: flurry of blows
With an animalistic roar, Trelgath again rears up on the back third of his many hard-edged legs before dropping down once more to attack the waiting samurai.
The speed of his sudden descent catches Aiko off-guard, forcing her to scramble aside. However, she didn't anticipate the flexibility of the weapon master's centipede lower half as he twists a segmented portion of his body to sink his fangs into her shoulder. Immediately, she can feel something foul burning its way throughout her, causing Aiko's limbs to tremble. Kuso! is her thought as understanding dawned on the samurai. Trelgath has poisoned her with his bite.
For his part, the weapon master can feel that the human is off her game and seeks to take advantage. He continues his attack, unleashing blow after blow at Aiko. Fighting off the fast acting effects of the venom coursing through her veins, she determinedly brings the flat of her tachi to bear defensively in an attempt to mitigate any potential damage from Trelgath's fists. And though she is successful in doing just that, Aiko knows its just a matter of time before the power of Trelgath's strikes and his venom brings her low.
bite: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
bite damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
unarmed strike 1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
unarmed strike damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7
unarmed strike 2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
unarmed strike damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9
unarmed strike 3: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
unarmed strike damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 5) + 4 = 13
Aiko Fort save: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17; -1 penalty due to Grazed
poison damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2
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Liesel-Marie looks at the door but doesn't see a way to open it. She turns to the others and whispers intently, "OPEN IT!" She anxiously twists her hands on the handle of the god's hammer.
Kyt strides across the chamber to stand beside Bosco and in front of the panel.
Nyym and I are going to have a long talk when this is over.
She extends a hand toward the alien device, her greenish-blue eyes darkening briefly to an aquamarine hue as the elf makes contact with its surface.
Kyt's mind is flooded with images and she attempts to filter through them, hoping to find something of use to her and the rest of Team Ruby. It doesn't take long before she finds exactly what she's looking for: a short hairless gray-skinned humanoid possessing long, willowy limbs and a bulbous head with oversized black eyes using the panel. The elf focuses on this image, replaying it several times in her mind. And as she does so, her hand moves over the panel's surface, touching it in different places.
When she is done, the once hidden door slides open as Kyt's eyes revert back to their normal aqua hue.
After a moment, she says, We're definitely going to have that talk.
Liesel-Marie strides in, head turning this way and that to 1) find that crazy rogue and 2) find a target for her frustration, I mean, any potential threats.
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Liesel-Marie strides in, head turning this way and that to 1) find that crazy rogue and 2) find a target for her frustration, I mean, any potential threats.
A catwalk of metallic grates with pole-like railings mostly encircles a huge sunken workroom. A strange light wells up from strange moving machinery below, while untold numbers of cables, conduits, hoists, hooks, and pulleys hang from a vast network of girders above. A large open metal stairwell spirals down to the floor below. At each corner of the room stands a bank of strange devices tended by a vaguely human mechanical creature. Other mechanical creatures are moving below.
Nyym sees a door slide open and seeis Liesel-Marie framed in the door. But somehow through all the hanging objects, Nyym looses sight of the Nikumu Punisher.
What the?.. where?.. He couldn't have...
Nyym focused and calmed himself and slowed the panic before he gave himself away.
Got to find him before Liesel-Marie gets through that door. Hope this works....
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perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Nyym sees a door slide open and sees Liesel-Marie framed in the door. But somehow through all the hanging objects, Nyym looses sight of the Nikumu Punisher.
What the?.. where?.. He couldn't have...
Nyym focused and calmed himself and slowed the panic before he gave himself away.
Got to find him before Liesel-Marie gets through that door. Hope this works....
overcome spell resistance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Focusing on the area where he had last seen the converted while hoping that the target had not moved from that spot, Nyym taps once again into his own dark elven heritage and causes that section of the catwalk to become limned with pale flickering flames of green.
Luck, it seems, is on the half-drow's side.
Standing there, outlined and surrounded by the phantasmal conflagration, is a slim and somewhat surprised half-metallic ilythiiri. After casting his gaze about briefly, the converted dark elf drops the bow he is holding (which hits the catwalk with a clatter) before disappearing once again, this time due to the sudden appearance of a sphere of inky darkness.
Nikumu Punisher: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Rocnork: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Nyym: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Tsadok: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Kyt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Liesel-Marie: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Battle Theme - Final Fantasy 7 (Remake): Crazy Motorcycle (Midgar Expressway)
Nikumu Punisher
The cybernetic ilythiiri's crimson eyes narrow into slits and his lips curl to form a sinister sneer as he causes a strange glowing weapon to materialize into his once empty hands, a single sickle held in one hand attached by 10 feet of fine chain to a weighted metal ball that is held in the other. With practiced ease, he twirls the length of chain while skulking through the darkness towards Liesel-Marie.
The cyborg lazily sends out first the weighted end of the chain, then the sickle, the weighted end again, towards the Erutaki. Each attempt come close to hitting her, but that isn't his intent. Rather, it is to test her reaction to the attack sequence. Is she able to sense him in the darkness? Is she a trained warrior or merely a pretender? All of these things and more can be learned within the first exchange between opponents on the field of battle.
Rocnork
Upon seeing the doorway where Liesel-Marie stands (as well as the Erutaki herself) suddenly engulfed in darkness, the wyvaran grumbles to himself as he makes his way to the conveyor. Like Nyym before him, Rocnork climbs atop and carefully lays himself flat on its moving surface so that it may carry the wyvaran into the chamber beyond.
Nyym curses under his breath as darkness envelops the area he just lite.
Well the ruse is a foot.
Nyym rises from his prone position and leaps for the darkened catwalk.
Nyym realizing that without help he wasn't going to make this jump. Closing his eyes he evokes the Blessing of the King. As he does so he feels himself becomes lighter, almost as if the weight of feather. Nyym also feels himself moving father forward in a more graceful arc instead falling to what would surely be a painful landing. As his feet lands apon the catwalk with the gracefulness befitting a cat. Nym rotates and moves in on his target within the dargness as his eyes quickly shift to his dark vision. In this Nyym would be on an even footing with his possibly more skilled opponent.
Nyym moved up to flank the Dark Elf warrior so that he would be caught between himself and Liesel-Maries. It was also Nyyms hope the the bright flash of his blade would improve her chances to engage thier opponent more successfully as well.
Nyym ignites his kinetic katana low and swing up in a diagonal motion crossing from low left to high right..
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Nyym curses under his breath as darkness envelops the area he just lite.
Well the ruse is a foot.
Nyym rises from his prone position and leaps for the darkened catwalk.
Nyym realizing that without help he wasn't going to make this jump. Closing his eyes he evokes the Blessing of the King.
All at once, a tall slender man dressed a voluminous saffron robe floats before the half-drow, staring at him with confidence and contempt, no small task for someone concealing his face. Only blue eyes peered out from behind the slits of an expressionless mask of white.
That did not take nearly as long I would have thought. But you have evoked the Blessing of the King, and as such, I must comply.
The Stranger in Yellow produces a staff capped on one end with strange three-armed triskelion which he then waves. Twin pools of blazing liquid gold materialize both above and behind the half-drow as the robed figured continues to speak.
It is done. All of us have bad luck and good luck. The man who persists through the bad luck - who keeps right on going - is the man who is there when the good luck comes - and is ready to receive it.
And with the most formal of bows, the Stranger vanishes from Nyym's sight.
trip7: 3d10 ⇒ (7, 7, 7) = 21
athletics: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Any time you roll a d20, you may choose to roll three 10-sided dice as well as a free action. If the total result of your 3d10 roll is ever 21, you may immediately choose to re-roll your d20. You must accept the final result of this second d20 roll, even if it is lower than your initial roll. Of course, you may choose to roll another 3d10 at the same time that you re-roll your d20; if you again roll a 21 on these three ten-sided dice, you may again re-roll your d20, but you must accept the result. You may continue to re-roll in this way as long as you are rolling 21s on your three ten-sided dice.
If your result on this special 3d10 is ever 21 – and all three dice show 7 – you are considered to have rolled a natural 20 on your initial d20 roll.
However.... If you ever roll “King’s Eyes” – all three dice show 1 – you briefly gain the direct, personal favor & attention of something beyond the Dark Tapestry*; as appetites wash through you and your senses are truly opened. Your alignment temporarily shifts one step toward Chaotic Evil (no save); this effect lasts for a number of days equal to your character level. During this time, you also suffer a -4 penalty on all Will saves to avoid temptations: this includes all rolls to overcome addiction or to resist compulsions. These effects stack.
As he does so he feels himself becomes lighter, almost as if the weight of feather. Nyym also feels himself moving farther forward in a more graceful arc instead falling to what would surely be a painful landing. As his feet lands upon the catwalk with the gracefulness befitting a cat. Nym rotates and moves in on his target within the darkness as his eyes quickly shift to his darkvision. In this Nyym would be on an even footing with his possibly more skilled opponent.
Nyym moves up to flank the Dark Elf warrior so that he would be caught between himself and Liesel-Maries. It was also Nyyms hope the the bright flash of his blade would improve her chances to engage their opponent more successfully as well.
Nyym ignites his kinetic katana low and swing up in a diagonal motion crossing from low left to high right..
The Converted Nikumu winces in pain as the lightning blade of Nyym's kinetic katana gets dragged across his back. Nizana's lotha barra. The words are spat with a sibilant hiss. Let us see if you are truly worthy of her affection.
Tsadok Watched Nyym go through on the conveyor and just shakes his head. As the others consider how to follow, he hears the Erutaki talk of a door to open but he sees no door. Then Kytynna reveals and opens a hidden door. Then in a rush the warrior strides through the door then with a flash of a faint fiery glow then to darkness. But Tsadok can still see the outline of the warrior then another comes into view. Then dark flashes from a chained weapon strike out but miss the warrior. As Tsadok starts to make his move, up from below Nyym appears with a flash of his blade to cut into the Nikumu.
Tsadok has to quickly change his plan of action with the appearance of Nyym. He rush forward drawing Sable Moon moving through the door. With a planting of his left foot, he steps up with his right foot onto the rail of the catwalk to the right of Erutaki. Then continues down the rail past the Nikumu, where he swings Sable Moon to hook and sling the bow off the catwalk.
He then continues past Nyym where he steps back onto the catwalk. And turns back toward the fight, bring Sable Moon bare. Where the ring chime in rhythm.