Lark Lighthead's page

"The porcs used this land to forage since they can't farm, but when we moved in they didn't have enough space to forage for enough food anymore, that's why they became raiders. They alsoo have a friend mushroom that can make magic items from salamander horns, they captured her to see if unicorn horns can also be used, but before finding out both the mushroom and her horn were stolen. We will go get them back once we summon the mayor for a peace and trade summit with the porcs."

"See, when we say it, it just sounds silly," Lark mutters. She starts unhitching herself from the wagon.

Lark blinks. "Oh. Well, see, I'm not very strong. I was thinking somepony else could handle it. Like, um, Shep, or Doc, or, um, hm. Well, see--okay, I guess."
Looking irritated, Lark hops out and straps herself into the wagon. "I can do it," she mutters. "Can't be said Lark's lazy. Hey, there's some alliteration. Look, I don't care. Pull the wagon, get back. Then it's their turn. Maybe it'll come before. Unicorns making somepony else--not that I have a problem with unicorns. Just that I wasn't going to pull it until..."
She continues talking to herself as she waits for everypony to board the vehicle.

Lark enters the wagon. "So, who's going to pull it?"
If there is any sort of lull, she will start humming.

"Okay, now what do we do? Should we just keep moving?"

Bump.
Lark looks around, uneasy with the silence. "Um-um-um--so do we want to look into this?--maybe we should turn back--or maybe we shouldn't. Why would we turn back, what I meant to say was that we might want to investigate, but I'm not sure we have time, unless we do, but if we don't, we should just keep going, but maybe we could use the carriage to get back quicker, unless that's a stupid idea."

Notice: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Lark frowns. "Uh, it kind of looks like that weird-eyed pegasus might have been here. I think we could probably fix this pretty quick if we wanted to."

"We don't know how long it could take, so, um-um, I think we should head back. But it's not my call, I guess."

Lark is in favor of that. All opposed?

Lark nods, turning back to the filly. "Hear that, Carrot? You really needn't worry, because we'll get your horn back, and we're going to take you home. Everything will be fine."
She looks up at Mintleaf. "I, um, really think we should just get out of here--get back to the baroness, get this little one back home, all that. We've got a corp--um, um, we've got our friend, who is sleeping and not dead, who needs to be taken back, and we've got the little one, and we've got money to collect, and I think we should be quick about things."

I can't continue. I'm apparently dead. ;D

I'm cool with continuing, and neutral on new players (though I tend to lean in favor).

"Don't worry," Lark says, in what she means to be a soothing tone, "we'll get it back."
She looks up, frowning. "The--we'll talk to the, um, Baroness. And maybe you," she looks at Norgrug, "should provide us with the horn if you're able to retrieve it. A show of good faith might make the Baroness more interested in making a deal with your lot."
Persuasion: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 31d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Benny: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
I have to use the second result, yes? I'll take that 6, then. ^__^

Lark picks the filly up and hugs her, though she seems a bit unsure. "Don't worry. Shh. We're going to take you back to your parents. Shh."
She glances back. "Where's her horn?"
Things are getting kinda quiet, since Lark is trying to be a comforting presence.

Lark trots into the room, and gives the foal a gentle nudge. She seems to be focusing very intently on the conversation in the other room.

"We have 'skills' in flying? We can fly. You can't. How's that the same thing as us just being bad at the dirt-tending thing?"

Lark glances back, leaving the key in the lock. "Can non-earths even farm in the first place? I thought the whole put-parts-of-plants-in-the-ground-and-get-them-to-grow-and-get-animals-to-o bey-you was kind of, like, a thing that didn't work unless you had that weird earth stuff. Is that not how it works?"
She waits a moment for an answer.

Lark catches the key with her mouth. She starts tapping her teeth against it as she frowns at Norgrug.

Intuition to determine if Norgrug is up to shenanigans: 1d10 ⇒ 91d6 ⇒ 4

Assuming she doesn't detect anything...

Lark spits the key out onto her hoof, and hooks the hoof into the leather strap. "Then let's put an end to this. I'm really tired of these caves..." She walks up to the door. "...and I can't wait to be back. We'll talk to the Baroness when we get there. I don't know that she'll really care, but she might arrange something..."

She grabs the key in her teeth again and inserts it into the lock. She keeps talking through the key, but it's essentially incomprehensible.

Lark is too hurried to make a deal about this, but I thought I should make note of two things Norgrug said that look interesting: the Mushroom and its current absence, of course, but also the "prior attack".

Actually he takes several penalties on his roll, I"ll assume for this example that he is healing me.

He takes a -1 for the difficulty of the spell (casting modifier) and a -3 for my wounds and a -0 for his lack of wounds, for a total of -4 on his roll, then if he gets a 4 I am healed 1 wound, if he gets an 8 I am healed for 2 wounds.

His roll is 11-4=7, which heals only 1 wound, unless he can find a bonus somewhere like his cutie mark or something.

Ah, that was the alternative way to interpret it. I just couldn't work out the minimum roll for success. See? This is why I play a pegasus whose speciality is in standing around and annoying people. :P

"Wait, you can heal ponies? Is that even possible? I guess it is, given what you're doing here. See, this is why we lost--not that we really fought, but I think there were at least a couple raids (I wasn't a part of them, of course) and we usually lost them. Unicorns're like geckos, no offense, and no matter how many tails you pull off--no offense, I'm just saying, would've been nice to know about the healing thing back when we were all freezing to death--though I wasn't really around then, but healing's a useful trick, right?"

Lark coughs. She pulls out of a saddlebag a large matchbox and starts fumbling with it. "Anyways, you're offering it now, and that's good. Not like I was hurt! These porcs cry easier than a hungry crocodile, don't they? It's almost fun! Not that I like making ponies or porcs cry, but it's really easy. Kind of lets me get some stuff out of my system, right? Um-um-um, anyways."

She turns to Norgrug. "Anyways, chief, you're slow to answer. Murk Rug, aye? I don't actually care why you foalnapped the foal. We're just here to make sure it doesn't happen again. And to get the foal back. We just want to get the foal back, deal with the whole theft mess, and take our corpse home so she can get some sort of burial. Don't suppose she had family--she might have, though. I kind of got the sense she didn't, but I wasn't really paying attention. We might be able to set it up so you don't have to steal anymore. Get you some real food. Probably not meat--well, maybe meat. It'd be old, though. Vulture food, that sort of thing. Ponies don't exactly live in butcheries, right?"

She turns to the others, as if expecting an answer. Then, she gives her head a shake and turns back to the chief. The pause is less than a second, but her continuation is very quick and somewhat nervous. "Anyways, we don't really care about you all, you can leave or you can stay. The theft isn't even really our business--though I guess we care about it?--I mean, I don't like theft, but we're here for the foal, and we've gotta have priorities so we don't get sidetracked. I'd like to make it back without too much hassle, right? None of you lot are dead. Once we're gone, you'll probably end up back in your routine, so the sooner we get the foal, the sooner things go back to normal. If you just tell us why you took the foal, and give the foal back, we'd be much obliged, and maybe we can forget the whole incident ever happened, right?"

Persuasion: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 51d6 ⇒ 3

School: Abjuration

Casting Modifier: -1
Range: Touch
Duration: Instant
Trappings: White glow suffusing the entire body
Restoration heals wounds and injuries, as long as it is used within an hour of them being sustained. On a success the target heals one wound, or two on a raise. Apply the target’s wound penalties to the Spellcraft roll (in addition to any you have sustained yourself). Restoration can also cure poison or disease if used within 10 minutes of the event.

So your total roll is a 10, if I understand this right, and you need at least a 3 for Mint (not sure how many Wounds Shep has taken). I'm assuming that's what it means by "Apply the target's wound penalties to the Spellcraft roll". So you heal Mint two Wounds. But I could very easily be mistaken. There's a reason I decided not to play a unicorn. ;P

She blinks, and turns to Nightflight. "Oh, by the way, are you okay? You kind of took a beating there, right? I wasn't really able to pay attention--too busy grappling that one--" She gestures to the porc in question. "--but I noticed you and Shep get hit. And you don't look so good."

Increased my Fighting to d6 on the level-up. Parry is now 5. :)

"Why'd you even go kidnapping foals, anyways?" Lark frowns. "I thought you porcs just went after food. It doesn't make much sense, does it? I mean, it doesn't make sense to me. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure I'm not. Why the change? Where's the foal?"

Wow, I'm sorry. I should have remembered that. And since it appears to have made a difference, I really don't feel right about this. I'd just come up with a reason for Lark to forfeit her next action, but I'm not even sure the combat will last that long if Night squashes Norgrug like a bedbug. ;D
So I'll have to balance out the karma later on. I'll think of something. In the meantime, I'm gonna go over the book and try to ensure this doesn't happen again.

Bah. Posted that when I was tired, didn't notice the little error in bolding.

So, I'm taking two actions at once in this round. I'm pretty sure I'm doing it correctly, but if I ain't, I'll make a quick modification.

Strength: 1d4 ⇒ 31d6 ⇒ 4
Lark is launched.
She picks herself up, glaring. She takes a deep breath, tapping the floor, and starts talking. "Nice shove there, doesn't change a thing, you're outnumbered. Did you really think Equestria would just let you pull this sort of craziness? Kidnapping a foal? We've come for you. And if we lose, more'll come. They always do. They'll just collapse the whole place. Both of you!" She looks at Norgrug as well as she continues. "You can struggle all you like. We'll always keep coming. We may fight among each other, um-um-um, we don't let non-ponies get away with this crud. There are a lot of ponies. All you have is a magic barrier you don't even understand and a couple dozen, um, truffle-hunting rat-faced morons."
She begins to unconsciously flap her wings, rising a few feet above the others. And still she keeps ranting.
"And we aren't even warriors! We're just here to make some bits. So how is it that we're winning? Explain it. Because right now, it's really disappointing, see. We, um, thought we were going up against these really tough things called 'porcs'. But every single porc so far has just..." She pauses a moment, giggling, stalling as she tries to maintain the flow of words, "...started crying like a newborn and let us pass. Quarray eels are tough, landslides are tough, but the only way you're tough is if, maybe, it might be that maybe the meat isn't as tender as it aught to be. I'm told that tenderness is sort of important. You're all a bunch of foals, but there's only one foal in this place we care about keeping alive, and it's not you."[/b]
Taunt on the bodyguard: 1d8 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 41d6 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1
Taunt of 4.
Taunt on Norgrug: 1d8 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 11d6 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
And I'll try a Benny here. Doing two Taunts at once is kind of ill-advised, but Lark wants to react to the one who hit her, and I want to try Taunting Norgrug. Let's see...
Benny: 1d8 - 2 ⇒ (8) - 2 = 61d6 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1
Explode: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
So that's a total of 9, or 7 if the penalty applies to both rolls. Cheers.

I thought about directing my Taunt against Norgrug, but I wasn't sure I really had a shot at it. Besides which, I wanted the Taunt to be more than a bunch of unwritten threats and general ranting. Hence the kind of disturbing semi-cannibalism bluff. >_>
I'll consider going after Norgrug next turn, if I don't get taken down first. :P

Lark squirms atop her captured porc. "Uh, guys, not sure I can hold this one much--hey!" She glares at Norgrug. "You're not even going to give him a minute to recover? You're such a posing knave, you--just--you stupid little grub! I'll break your bucking neck! You're not the first bug I've squashed! You--just back down! I'll..."
Her threats get nastier as her captive begins to break free. Finally, a kick catches her in the chin. She looks down at the porc, eyes narrowed. "That's it. Higgs is dead, I haven't eaten since this morning, and I'm really, really angry. I think I've had it. I'm not sure, though. Okay, I've had it. Guys, look away. I'm going to try eating meat. I'm going to do this. I don't care how my stomach feels about it. Hold still, knave. I've totally lost my mind. It's bucking genetic."
Taunt at the bodyguard: 1d8 ⇒ 71d6 ⇒ 2

Yeah, I figured. It was either that or my Control-F magics were failin' me. :P

I've looked through the PDF. Called Shots are often referenced, but I can't find the actual rules on them.

So, one bodyguard is being held down (and will probably break free after my turn, unless Lark's insanely lucky) and the other is fine, while a third is out of the fight. Just making sure I've got a grip on things. I'll act after Norgrug. :)

Two attacks somehow missed Lark, despite all the odds. That's not gonna last! Guys, Larkroy Jenkins needs help! ;D
Do I have to spend an action to maintain the grapple, or can I assume it will be maintained on the porc's turn (as happened last round)? If the latter:
Lark looks up at the porc swinging at her, giggling. "Wow, did you really miss? Oh, sun, that's hilarious, I didn't think that'd happen! Can you even lift that thing? How do you even hold it? I mean, do you have to hold still when you pick it up, or can you carry something and walk at the same time? I'm not really curious, I just think you're a daft strip of bacon!"
She rolls her eyes. "I mean, really, I'm right here, easy target! Your chief should kick you out of the tribe, before you get everypony killed! What's next? Are you going to hit him next? Oh, wow, that'd be amazing!"
Taunt: 1d8 ⇒ 81d6 ⇒ 3
Explode!: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Total of 15 for that Taunt! I hope it's even possible! ;D

Lark takes a deep breath.
"Alright, I've got him, I think so, anyway, so you guys need to hurry with what you're doing because I don't think Norgrub will tell us where the foal is unless he's actually lost, and I'm not sure we're winning right now, it's kind of hard to tell. Anyway, I've got this porc here, so you guys handle the rest!"

An explode on a d12? Nice.
Lark flies forward and rips the blanket off the bed in the corner at A5. Clutching the blanket in her four hooves, she doubles back, and attempts to land on one of the porcs.
Trying to pin my target beneath the blanket (which will also probably take me out of the fight), similar to what Night tried earlier.
Fighting: 1d4 ⇒ 11d6 ⇒ 2
Bennie!: 1d4 ⇒ 11d6 ⇒ 1
Oh boy. A fumble.

Ah, understood.

Remember to add your Charisma to Persuasion, so between it and the penalty, your Persuasion evens out to a 5.

Lark takes a step closer.
"You're losing this fight. You've already lost. Your master is backing down. If you don't back down, too, this won't go well for you. We're just here for the kidnapped pony. I'm not a violent sort, but you drew first blood. Do you really think this is worth dying over?"
Taunt: 1d8 ⇒ 71d6 ⇒ 4

I favour it being a rarity. I say that after this fight, the ponies have a bit of a talk. Might make things easier to evaluate if done alongside roleplaying.

Lark looks at the body. "Oh."
She flies over to Higgs's corpse, lands, and looks at it. She quietly checks the pegasus's pulse.
Then, she looks up at the robed porc. Her eyes are narrowed. "You killed her. You murdered her. We came here to talk! You--and don't spout horse apples about her jumping in the way! What the buck did you think would happen? It's fire, you wretched cur! Thy hide be cursed by whatever fell spirit to be found beneath to which you'd show respect! Stand aside, mongrel, and pray to the sun and moon, to whatever spineless worm you serve, to the pathetic icons you may hold dear, that your soul has not already been cast aside for the death of a noncombatant! A pointless loss brought on by thy idiocy and malice! Thou warriors of the dirt, proven thyselves without honor for slaying one who did not plan for blood! Stand aside, and cast thy weapons down!"
She pauses, tilting her head. She looks a bit confused. Then, the glare returns. "What ho, hog, I heard you like fire. So how about we cast you to the depths of Tartarus, and see how your fire fares there."
Taunt on Robes: 1d8 ⇒ 11d6 ⇒ 6
Explode: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

No...
NOOOOO!
SHE'S DEAD! FOREVER!

Being Shaken means she's liable to fall, right?
I'll wait to see if Higgs recovers before I post my action.

Lark is probably close to the front, since she was hurrying ahead.

Ah, my bad. For some reason, I thought there was a door at the top of the staircase. ^_^
Lark stares, then turns and heads back down. "That is not a genie." She pauses. "Don't touch it, guys."
She flies back down. "It's electricity. Dangerous. I guess the porcs have magic. Maybe it's some sort of magic item. Anyway, we can't go that way."
She lands at the bottom and trots over to the western door. "Let's try this, then."[/b] She opens it. "Okay, what way now?"

Huzzah! How many Bonks did he receive?
Only one?
Huzzah! The Bonks have been doubled!
*Just watched Luna Eclipsed*

And I don't believe the head was actually bashed in, just bonked a bit.

shep looks at the unconscious porc as the party trots past, then looks to lark

remind me not ta make you mad miz Lark, i like my noggin right where it is.

"Well, thanks, I try. That helmet's been through a lot. I guess it decided it was payback time."

Lark stares. Then she rolls her eyes. "Don't be stupid."
She turns and opens the door. "Genies aren't real."

"Do they have magic, though?" Lark flies alongside Mint. "I mean, it could be a special lamp. But otherwise, where's that light coming from?"
Lark lands beside the door. "I'm not saying we should open it, but what else would it be but a pony?"

"Wow, I didn't think that would work. I don't usually use my helmet as a club! Not that I need to club many things. Or shoot them, or in general--anyway, that went really well!"
Lark points, frowning. "What's that glowing thing up there? Looks like magic! I think we should check it out. What do you think? I think it might be a good idea. It's either a weird lamp or something ponymade, surely. Maybe there's a unicorn up there?"

Huzzah!: 1d4 ⇒ 4
HUZZAH!: 1d4 ⇒ 3
So a total Fighting roll of 13, and a total damage roll of 11.
BONK!