You take the Pegasus] to reach the Gravid Mound, a quick look at the nav computer read out and conclude that the "city" of Amniek is the only safe landing spot within miles of the Mound, and the only point of access to the ritual roads that ascend to the peak.
As you rush through the city, you find the streets packed with locals kneeling before the mountain-sized cyst, forcefully fulminating a ritualistic plea for mercy. Another contraction coupled with a psychic screech, wracks the area Will saves all around. The wave of mental noise is not confined to your minds either: all of the locals collapse in ecstatic convulsions in tandem with the event and cry out, “The Newborn is waking! We beseech your infant grace! Bear witness!” No amount of convincing prompts them to leave their rapturous state of prayer.
When the wave passes, you still hear some ...strangeness. The ground seems to throb and pulse beneath your feet.
Gunnz:
When the wave passes, you still hear some ...strangeness. The ground seems to throb and pulse beneath your feet. The sensation grants your power: you gain blindsense (vibration) 60 ft, but you take a –2 penalty to
initiative and Perception checks.
Kneepuncher:
It passes...
Ishkitik still to roll
Santos still to roll
Yuqab:
When the wave passes, you still hear some ...strangeness. The ground seems to throb and pulse beneath your feet. The sensation grants your power: you gain blindsense (vibration) 60 ft, but you take a –2 penalty to
initiative and Perception checks.
When the wave passes, you still hear some ...strangeness. The ground seems to throb and pulse beneath your feet. The sensation grants your power: you gain blindsense (vibration) 60 ft, but you take a –2 penalty to initiative and Perception checks.
When the wave passes, you still hear some ...strangeness. The ground seems to throb and pulse beneath your feet. The sensation grants your power: you gain blindsense (vibration) 60 ft, but you take a –2 penalty to
initiative and Perception checks.
Their calls repeat, “The Newborn is waking! We beseech your infant
grace! Bear witness!”
Without an obvious landing spot at the Gravid Mound’s peak, you must traverse the ritual road, the only path that scales the side of the gigantic cyst. A combination of scar tissue and artificial stone walkways comprise the route, which is scattered with robed corpses but otherwise unguarded. The path is awash in bile-like fluid, which has dripped all along the Mound after spilling over the rim at its peak. Alien creatures resembling armored serpents with wasp wings eagerly sup the spilled fluids, which is abundant enough to prevent them from posing a threat.
As you ascend, the Mound is wracked by another contraction, this one both physical and psychic. Make either a Fortitude or Will save, using your LOWER modifier.
A crater filled with foul-smelling green bile tops the Gravid Mound. Giant shards resembling bits of fleshy eggshell float atop the pool, with planks haphazardly strewn across them to act as makeshift bridges. Mangled bodies of cloaked humans lie scattered about the terrain, their blood apparently used to draw crude sigils onto the ridges of calcified black ichor protruding from the bile. A small obelisk made of a strangely angular fungus stands near the center of the green lake, its faces weeping black smoke from pores resembling inverted ankhs.
Human Female Operative (ace pilot)-10 (Spaceship speed +1 from sky jockey); init +10; SP 84/110; HP 84/84; Res 12/12; Reroll 0/1; Cloak 10/10; mk 1 healing serum 1 KAC29 ; EAC 28; (2d6 electrostatic field); DR 5/-; elect/10; Fort 8; Ref 13; Will 9; (immune to confusion)Perc +16; SM +16; Stealth +23 :T10=34 for trick shot)
Gunnz, increasingly distracted, continues her ascentino of the hill. At least she doesn't need to tire her legs, as she finds flying much easier. That doesn't help as another shudder runs through the very air she flies through.
You get splashed with some strange fluid that clouds your mond a bit. Your skin develops a strange texture, moist and slippery. You gain acid resistance 5, but also take a –2 penalty on saves against diseases, and take extra damage equal to your character level when critically hit.
Kneepuncher:
You are suddenly overtaken by an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia, like you’re pushing out against a warm, itchy wall encasing you until you snap out of the fit with a childlike scream. Your skin develops a strange texture, moist and slippery. The disquiet strikes you again (You gain blindsense (vibration) 60 ft. Stain—You take a –2 penalty to
initiative and Perception checks.)
Ishkitik
Santos:
You are suddenly overtaken by an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia, like you’re pushing out against a warm, itchy wall encasing you until you snap out of the fit with a childlike scream. Your skin develops a strange texture, moist and slippery. [ooc]You gain acid resistance 5, but also take a –2 penalty on saves against diseases, and take extra damage equal to your character level when critically hit.
You are suddenly overtaken by an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia, like you’re pushing out against a warm, itchy wall encasing you until you snap out of the fit with a childlike scream. Your skin develops a strange texture, moist and slippery. The disquiet strikes you again (You gain blindsense (vibration) 60 ft. Stain—You take a –2 penalty to initiative and Perception checks.)
Ishkitik:
You are suddenly overtaken by an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia, like you’re pushing out against a warm, itchy wall encasing you until you snap out of the fit with a childlike scream. Your skin develops a strange texture, moist and slippery. The disquiet strikes you again (You gain blindsense (vibration) 60 ft. Stain—You take a –2 penalty to initiative and Perception checks.)
Yuqab:
You are suddenly overtaken by an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia, like you’re pushing out against a warm, itchy wall encasing you until you snap out of the fit with a childlike scream. Your skin develops a strange texture, moist and slippery. The disquiet strikes you again (You gain blindsense (vibration) 60 ft. Stain—You take a –2 penalty to initiative and Perception checks.)
A crater filled with foul-smelling green bile tops the Gravid Mound. Giant shards resembling bits of fleshy eggshell float atop the pool, with planks haphazardly strewn across them to act as makeshift bridges. Mangled bodies of cloaked humans lie scattered about the terrain, their blood apparently used to draw crude sigils onto the ridges of calcified black ichor protruding from the bile. A small obelisk made of a strangely angular fungus stands near the center of the green lake, its faces weeping black smoke from pores resembling inverted ankhs. A quartet of human fanatics are led by one of those those winged creatures seem to be doing... something ritualistic.
You are suddenly met with an empathic plea from what must be Whisperer of Souls - Stop them.
Any hopes of surprising them are lost when they turn to attack you as interlopers!
The bridges between islands are sloped and severely unsteady, requiring a successful Acrobatics check to balance while crossing them. The black ridges are high enough to provide cover to creatures opposite them at ground level. The green fluid is difficult terrain... and likely not safe.
TACTICAL MAP GM’s Tracker Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red Gravity:High Atmosphere: Toxic Lighting: Normal Battlefield terrain: The bridges between islands are sloped and severely unsteady, requiring a successful Acrobatics check to balance while crossing them. The black ridges are high enough to provide cover to creatures opposite them at ground level. The green fluid is difficult terrain... and likely not safe.
Male Halfling Operative (Daredevil) 10 | sp 80/80, hp 62/62, rp 12/12 | EAC 27 KAC 28 | F+9, R+15 (evasion), W+8 (+3 vs fear) | speed 60ft, climb 40ft, swim 40ft, fly 40ft (jetpack + aeon stone, average) | Init +10 | Percep +18, SM +9 | Current Conditions: [yeti party -> +1 STR/DEX skills, +1 Fort], 1 CON & 1 CHA damage, +2 racial bonus to saves against confusion effects, darkvision 60 feet, DR 5/—, EX fly 30 ft
Yuqab leaps into the air, letting the strange power granted by the glaive carry him forward. Double move (fly), drawing pistol and knife as he goes. Activating gravity belt as a swift action, since I'm not trick attacking this round.
Human Female Operative (ace pilot)-10 (Spaceship speed +1 from sky jockey); init +10; SP 84/110; HP 84/84; Res 12/12; Reroll 0/1; Cloak 10/10; mk 1 healing serum 1 KAC29 ; EAC 28; (2d6 electrostatic field); DR 5/-; elect/10; Fort 8; Ref 13; Will 9; (immune to confusion)Perc +16; SM +16; Stealth +23 :T10=34 for trick shot)
Gunnz leaps into the air, ducking and diving through the plumes of smoke and steam to try and stay hidden. As she closes on the cultists, she fires off a quick shot at them.'
Gunnz fires off a quick shot, but the cover of the terrain foils her aim.
Round 1: Santos: Go
Gunnz: Miss
Yuqab: Move!
Ishkitik: Move
Hostiles: TBD
Ash: TBD
Kneepuncher: TBD
TACTICAL MAP GM’s Tracker Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red Gravity:High Atmosphere: Toxic Lighting: Normal Battlefield terrain: The bridges between islands are sloped and severely unsteady, requiring a successful Acrobatics check to balance while crossing them. The black ridges are high enough to provide cover to creatures opposite them at ground level. The green fluid is difficult terrain... and likely not safe.
He/Him Human Soldier 9 | E26/K28 | SP 90/90 HP 67/67 R 10/10 |F +9 R +9 W +8 | Init. +14 | Perc. +12
Santos takes to the air, flying just high enough to avoid the green goo as he advances on the enemies. He takes cover behind one of the ridges as his feet once again touch the ground.
Santos closes in, using the terrain for protection.
The leader levels a laser rifle at Santos, trying to get lucky with the cover:
ATK:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 20 = 36 and winging the agent for Fire:3d6 + 10 ⇒ (6, 4, 3) + 10 = 23.
The other cultists do their bes tto get into a good position.
Red Acro:1d20 ⇒ 10 Black Acro:1d20 ⇒ 11
The last one casts a spell...
Round 1:
Santos (SP: 67/90): Close
Gunnz: Miss
Yuqab: Move!
Ishkitik: Move
Hostiles: Stuff
Ash: Go
Kneepuncher: Go
TACTICAL MAP GM’s Tracker Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red Gravity:High Atmosphere: Toxic Lighting: Normal Battlefield terrain: The bridges between islands are sloped and severely unsteady, requiring a successful Acrobatics check to balance while crossing them. The black ridges are high enough to provide cover to creatures opposite them at ground level. The green fluid is difficult terrain... and likely not safe.
DM:
Mi-Go: (Shield other from Green)
Black:
Red:
Green:
Blue:
With every meter closed, Kneepuncher gets a little more dangerous...
Round 1:
Santos (SP: 67/90): Close
Gunnz: Miss
Yuqab: Move!
Ishkitik: Move
Hostiles: Stuff
Ash: Go
Kneepuncher: Move
TACTICAL MAP GM’s Tracker Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red Gravity:High Atmosphere: Toxic Lighting: Normal Battlefield terrain: The bridges between islands are sloped and severely unsteady, requiring a successful Acrobatics check to balance while crossing them. The black ridges are high enough to provide cover to creatures opposite them at ground level. The green fluid is difficult terrain... and likely not safe.
DM:
Mi-Go: (Shield other from Green)
Black:
Red:
Green:
Blue:
Ash will fly straight up in the heavy gravity and take a shot at the leader.
EAC, shaken vs Leader:1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 15 - 2 = 33E if hits:3d8 + 10 ⇒ (2, 3, 8) + 10 = 23 Heavy Gunners Harness means I don't take a range penalty until 200ft Crit Arc:2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
Ash quickly shows that he's not messing around. His shot strikes the leader, causing a fair bit of damage. It arcs to the follower at the edge Blue.
Weirdly, the shot doesn't seem to damage theleader as much as expected. Even weirder, the follower behind, who wasn't hit at all, screams in pain and even shows signs of weapon burns.
Round 2:
Santos (SP: 67/90): Go
Gunnz: Go
Yuqab: Go!
Ishkitik: Go
Hostiles: TBD
Ash: TBD
Kneepuncher: TBD
TACTICAL MAP GM’s Tracker Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red Gravity:High Atmosphere: Toxic Lighting: Normal Battlefield terrain: The bridges between islands are sloped and severely unsteady, requiring a successful Acrobatics check to balance while crossing them. The black ridges are high enough to provide cover to creatures opposite them at ground level. The green fluid is difficult terrain... and likely not safe.
DM:
Mi-Go: 23 (Shield other from Green)
Black:
Red:
Green: 23
Blue: 6
The shirren and her drone close in while Yuqab and Gunnz both pepper the enemy with hits. Yuqab's fusion doesn't seem to add to the wound, but the shot is still a good one.
Again one of the cultists winces in pain as he absorbs some of the damage to his leader.
Round 1: Santos (SP: 67/90): Go
Gunnz: Hit
Yuqab: Hit
Ishkitik: Close
Hostiles: TBD
Ash: TBD
Kneepuncher: TBD
TACTICAL MAP GM’s Tracker Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red Gravity:High Atmosphere: Toxic Lighting: Normal Battlefield terrain: The bridges between islands are sloped and severely unsteady, requiring a successful Acrobatics check to balance while crossing them. The black ridges are high enough to provide cover to creatures opposite them at ground level. The green fluid is difficult terrain... and likely not safe.
DM:
Mi-Go: 41 (Shield other from Green)
Black:
Red: 15 (Bleed 10)
Green: 40
Blue: 6
Santos takes aim and shoots the creature in the exact same spot. With the damage clearly being spread to the other cultist, it seems they're both in good shape still.
The two closest fanatics shout some nonsense about THE BIRTH! as they move to the edge of their island and use magic to invade the minds of Santos and Yuqab. The pure conviction of their words is terrifying in their own right but the spell:
Mental DMG v. Yuqab:7d10 ⇒ (5, 3, 5, 8, 9, 7, 2) = 39Will DC 20 for half Mental DMG v. Santos:7d10 ⇒ (9, 4, 4, 10, 4, 9, 3) = 43Will DC 20 for half
The two near the leader focus on undoing the damage. One fanatic heals his own wounds, while the other heals the leader.
Leader:3d8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) + 6 = 12 Fanatic:3d8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4, 7) + 6 = 20
The leader takes aim at Santos with an aphelion laser rifle:
ATK:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31 for Fire:3d6 + 10 ⇒ (5, 1, 5) + 10 = 21
Round 1:
Santos (SP: 46/90): Hit Will
Gunnz: Hit
Yuqab: Hit Will
Ishkitik: Close
Hostiles: ATK
Ash: Go
Kneepuncher: Go
TACTICAL MAP GM’s Tracker Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red Gravity:High Atmosphere: Toxic Lighting: Normal Battlefield terrain: The bridges between islands are sloped and severely unsteady, requiring a successful Acrobatics check to balance while crossing them. The black ridges are high enough to provide cover to creatures opposite them at ground level. The green fluid is difficult terrain... and likely not safe.
DM:
Mi-Go: 36 (Shield other from Green)
Black:
Red: 15 (Bleed 10)
Green: 28
Blue: 6
Ash will fly slightly closer and take a shot at the leader
Shaken EAC vs Leader:1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 15 - 2 = 27E if hits:3d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 6, 3) + 10 = 23
Not fear, Mind Thrust. Yuqab gets an incredibly painful headache for a moment, and it leaces him drained.
Ash scores a hit, but unfortunately, Kneepuncher misses by a hair.
Round 2:
Santos (SP: 46/90): Will + Go
Gunnz: Go
Yuqab (SP: 41/80): Go
Ishkitik: Go
Hostiles: TBD
Ash: TBD
Kneepuncher: TBD
TACTICAL MAP GM’s Tracker Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red Gravity:High Atmosphere: Toxic Lighting: Normal Battlefield terrain: The bridges between islands are sloped and severely unsteady, requiring a successful Acrobatics check to balance while crossing them. The black ridges are high enough to provide cover to creatures opposite them at ground level. The green fluid is difficult terrain... and likely not safe.
DM:
Mi-Go: 12 (Shield other from Green)
Black:
Red: 15 (Bleed 10)
Green: 39
Blue: 6
Gunnz connects again, wounding the fantaic and continuing to drain the enemy of their blood.
Round 2:
Santos (SP: 46/90): Will + Go
Gunnz: Hit!
Yuqab (SP: 41/80): Go
Ishkitik: Go
Hostiles: TBD
Ash: TBD
Kneepuncher: TBD
TACTICAL MAP GM’s Tracker Party Conditions: Inspiring Boost: , Get'em: Red Gravity:High Atmosphere: Toxic Lighting: Normal Battlefield terrain: The bridges between islands are sloped and severely unsteady, requiring a successful Acrobatics check to balance while crossing them. The black ridges are high enough to provide cover to creatures opposite them at ground level. The green fluid is difficult terrain... and likely not safe.
DM:
Mi-Go: 28 (Bleed 10, Shield other from Green)
Black:
Red: 15 (Bleed 10)
Green: 54
Blue: 6
Male Halfling Operative (Daredevil) 10 | sp 80/80, hp 62/62, rp 12/12 | EAC 27 KAC 28 | F+9, R+15 (evasion), W+8 (+3 vs fear) | speed 60ft, climb 40ft, swim 40ft, fly 40ft (jetpack + aeon stone, average) | Init +10 | Percep +18, SM +9 | Current Conditions: [yeti party -> +1 STR/DEX skills, +1 Fort], 1 CON & 1 CHA damage, +2 racial bonus to saves against confusion effects, darkvision 60 feet, DR 5/—, EX fly 30 ft
Yuqab loops around to the far side of the near cultist (moving around to the north to get in position without provoking), brandishing his knife in one hand as he fires with the other.
Acrobatics to trick (take-10), shaken:10 + 26 - 2 = 34 Attack vs. black off-guard EAC, shaken:1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 16 - 2 = 19 Holy fire damage:2d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3) + 5 = 10 Trick damage:5d8 ⇒ (3, 6, 8, 5, 8) = 30 Plus off-guard to everyone on a hit.
Melee weapon in off hand so Yuqab provides a flank if Santos (or anyone else) wants it.
