Mechanus's page

Uh, oh. The sight of the two robots gave pause to Mechanus. He tried to stay away and felt very comfortable using those better suited for close up combat to shield him.

He raised his hand and willed energy to shoot forth towards the warder closest to Daks.

"Let's get concentrate on one until disabled. Quickly."

______________
onslaught with effort to damage, 7 points of damage, -2 points on I (18 to 16)

Sorry everyone, someone on my team at work was let go so its been all hands on deck. I think I will be able to find time this afternoon to post. I apologize for not posting sooner.

Good to know you're OK. Life happens so don't worry too much.

Game on!

Everything Ok, GM?

Mechanus' anger ended quickly at the sight of the soldier asking for mercy. What happened to me?

"Yes, there will be no fighting among us."

He looked to Daks for leadership and to figure out their next move.

But the decision seemed to be made as he heard the Diruk emerge to the hallway. Mechanus' face showed fear as the statue seemed to have gone wild.

Not having much contact with it, he tried to ask what was wrong. "Basai? What's going on? Calm down."

calm down Basai: 1d20 ⇒ 20, pass that should do it, hopefully
listen for clicking sounds, D 5: 1d20 ⇒ 11, fail
listen to Jay Zin fight, D 2: 1d20 ⇒ 14, pass

When the Diruk calmed down some, Mechanus bolted past him, "I think the boy is in trouble. Here in that door."

I'll leave my actions here for now...

Glad that Daks had taken to the leadership role, Mechanus released the energy that had built up in his hand.

he did his best to remember something that could convince these men of the truth of their story.

memory check: 1d20 ⇒ 1, oh oh...

His brain started to whir but stopped. What the hell?

But too much thinking, too quickly just flustered the nano.

Mechanus joined Daks, hoping he had the right approach. The nano wasn't so sure that these men were with the rebellion but what's done is done.

He stood next to Daks and waited to see how the men reacted, "Yeah, we were worried about you? What have you found out so far?"

Mechanus whispered, "Ok so this is the entrance to the tower. It looks like there are more people upstairs. Let's wait for the statue and the boy and get in here. We can subdue these quickly and move up the tower. Makes sense?"

He then remembered his place and quickly asked Daks, "I'm sorry about that. What do we do?"

Not really trained with the physical side of things, Mechanus was not a stranger to surviving.

He scanned the rope and balcony to try and see an easier way up and then spit on his hands and took to the rope.

His first attempt failed. Miserably. But then something inside of him sort of clicked and he scampered his way up.

_________________
perception to find easier way: 1d20 ⇒ 8
climb: 1d20 ⇒ 2
climb: 1d20 ⇒ 20, suggest that he found an easier way and can communicate this to others that are climbing

Mechanus made his mind whir and charge up his hand. He felt his hand tingle with stored energy and opened and closed his fist.

He then looked at the impromptu leader Daks and fell in line. It was clear that he would be towards the back, supporting those that went first with cover fire.

"We all ready to go up?"

[ooc]I usually like to play PCs that take charge but this is not the case in this game. This means that someone needs to step up. Whoever that is, (Daks is the likely candidate but don't let that stop others that want this role), must not be afraid to make 'wrong calls'. It's all good and, in this medium, it's always best to do something rather than wait. Rant off. :)[/oo]

Taking a secondary role on this part of the assault, Mechanus shared the information found. "It says here in this log that five traders came in but nothing more is written about them."

Seeing people donning armor, the nano double checks his repulsive field, knowing full well that his subdermal plating was in place. It may not look like much but it keeps me out of trouble.

He cocked his head and looked about trying to discern any information that could be useful to them.

He looks towards Dak who seemed to have taken charge of this part of the operation, "So what's the plan?"

________________
perception: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Actions 1

The streets did not feel like they had just liberated them.

Mechanus did a could take. The loonie was making sense. he was voicing the same questions that he had in his mind. Was this some sort of trick?

Mechanus slowly neared him, making sure he saw him coming. There was no need to surprise a loonie.

Hoping he did not anger or offend him again, "I too have these same questions but I think it's too late now to answer them. At least until we finish this mission. We can't be of two minds here or we will fail or worse, be killed."

He asked, "Will this conundrum be a problem for you?"

FYI, I'm going on vacation for the next 12 days. I won't be back home until Thursday June 16th. However, I should still have internet access and I do intend to keep the games going. I'll probably be posting in the mornings and nights but don't expect much during from me during the daytime. And don't be too concerned if you don't hear from me for a day or two. Please bot me as necessary.

Game on!

Mecahnus' loonie alarms went off again as Jay started yelling.

He stepped back, "OK. Sure. Whatever." Last time I ask you anything. Jeez.

later
He then awkwardly gave the diruk a 'high five' and quickly looked at his hand for any scrapes or injuries but was happy to find none.

He then busied himself with the numenera but still listened to the companions' planning.

The young knight scratches at his face and thinks out loud. Well since it's going to be there an hour it would be nice to see if their is a guard changing or a route they use in their walks. We'll want to know about entrances and exits. I assume both the tower and Warehouse will have more than one. Is it too dangerous to send your scout inside? I'm sure if anyone see's it, then it will not return and we'll have tipped their hands that we're coming. Although it would be nice for it to take a peek in all the windows... get an idea of the layout and who is in which rooms.

Mechanus nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes. That's the idea. Just to get a good view of what the layout is."

He looked at the xi-drake and asked Jay, "What about your... companion? Can he do some reconnaissance work? You said you can communicate with it, right?"

He lowered his voice and whispered, "Is it smart enough for this type of work?"

with Basai
Mechanus looked at the strange box that had come upon the walking statue. The nano kept a healthy distance from the diruk, noting the sharpness and guessing the hardness of its appendages. He cautiously extended his hand and stammered, "I-- I can perhaps find out what it does?" He quickly added, "For you I mean. I can find out what it does for you."

if allowed...
identify numenera, trained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Mechanus was happy to serve as the numenera expert; he sure enjoyed figuring those things out.

he nodded in thanks to Daks offering and started trying to figure out what it did.

he then noticed Basai, the walking statue, also had something that needed investigation and so he sat down and started turning it one way and the other.

identify numenera, trained Dak's gift: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
identify numenera, trained Basai's box: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

He chimed in with Breona and Daks, "So if we all agree about Zhong's tower then your mechanical butterfly or bird or whatever would be very useful. Let's listen to Bryn tell us what he knows and then gather additional information. Is there a time deadline on this mission?"

later
He went over to see what his old boss was going to do and to let him know that he was going to hang around Aian for the time being.

Just to be clear. Who was wearing the pin?

OOC: the turn recap says Bryn but I think it's typo and the pin was worn by Mintz. GM will confirm.

OOC:

@Basai: Sorry if I blew you off, it was probably unintended (Fabian) so please try again with Mechanus. :)

IC:

"Does that pin look familiar to you?

Mechanus adjusted his lens to get a closer view of that thing. He smiled, "Yes, I've seen that before; it's used as..."

identify numenera, trained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

That's pretty good GM...

Actions 1
Mechanus slumped forward, pulled the cowl over his head, and did his best impression of a mouse. There was no need to call attention to himself. Sure, he had helped out but still. So many people were here that he didn't know. Maybe someone would recognize him.

Doing his best to remain ignored, he slowly shuffled forth and followed Bryn back to a more private room.

Actions 2
A warehouse full of technology and devices! There was no doubt which way the nano would vote.

He spoke to his accidental companions, "If we are to remain together. I think it's best we hit the warehouse with the tech devices. We all saw what it's like to have that sort of advantage. Who knows what's in that warehouse?"

He timidly asked the others, "Do you have any preferences one way or the other?"

He then turned to Bryn, "Can you provide further information on this warehouse? Its layout, defenses, weaknesses, etc. or is this something we would have to acquire?"

_______________
OOC:
Mechanus already used the Emoacoustic weapon.
I think it would be best if we knew ahead of time what the 'variable' weapons does. For example, what does the Ostracized Vapor do? I think that roll is meant to be done when you acquire the cypher and not when you activate it.

Thoughts?

Hey, sorry for the delay. I don't think I will be able to make the next post until Tuesday AM. I thought I might have time today but it didn't work out that way. I am on vacation with my wife and friends. I should be good to post regularly all summer, with only two or three more long weekend holidays. Thanks for all your posts. I am mulling over a number of different ways to take the next post. I aim to make it a good one! I don't want to rush it out.

Thanks for letting us know.

In a long game like this is going to be, we'll all have times when we are less available or not available at all. It's fine as long as we let people know about it and keep them informed.

Game on!

Mechanus wrote:

"Why doesn't your pet like me? I swear it's the first time I've seen it. Is it hungry or something?"

Well if you want her to like you I would suggest for a start you may not want to refer to her as a pet... In my experience she's smarter than most people.

Jay chuckled as he said this thinking of more than one human she had met who was not particularly that intelligent.

But the honest truth is I have no idea why she doesn't like you. It's strange really. Usually she's out and out violent towards people she thinks is dangerous to me... but she doesn't seem to think your dangerous. I would have realized that if I just watched and waited a little longer. But still there's something she doesn't like about you.

Mechanus nodded, "Ok not a pet. Does it talk like a parrot? You know, just repeats things."

He then asked, "Well, if you can communicate with her, just ask her what is it that she doesn't like about me. Maybe I can do something about it."

He looked at the 'loonie' again, "So you and me are OK, right? You're not going to stab with another needle, are you?"

Mechanus moved closer and merely listened to the conversation between Fannar and Mintz. I don't enough about any of them to judge them...

He turned to Fannar, "Tarvesh? Who is he? Is he your boss or something?"

______________
Actions 3
Mechanus mind whirred, "The power is less than 50%. We have a couple of minutes at most."

He then searched the courtyard to try and salvage what he could. He looked at the other accidental soldiers, "I'm called Mechanus and I guess we are now on the same side. Well met. Do any of you know any more about this Mintz or Fannar or Tarvesh?"

tag?

With the glow ending, the nano felt relieved, even if a little empty, "I guess it's time to gather inside. You all still want to listen to what Fannar has to say?"

tag?

Mechanus wrote:

"Woo!"... " I mean er... is everyone OK?"

Jay laughed... I think you were right the first time.... Woo indeed.... look I still don't know what it is that Azure doesn't like about you, I've never known her to be off in her judgement of someone.... but I think I owe you an apology. I think your actions shopw that you are capable and dependable. For that alone you deserve a chance to prove your character, and I would hope you would extend the same to me. and with a wink... Just stay away from my Xi-drake or she's liable to bite your face off

OK, first he tried to stab me with something and now he's apologizing. Still weird but better. Mechanus tipped his head, "Eh sure. No problem. Just don't stick me with anything. Please."

He looked at his flying pet, "Why doesn't your pet like me? I swear it's the first time I've seen it. Is it hungry or something?"

Actions 1
The fight was over. Mechanus was not only alive but on the winning side. He could relax now. But his artificial brain kept painting bullseyes on the enemies foreheads, even though they had surrendered.

He pumped his fist in the air, "Woo!" then quickly looked around and made sure his hair covered his metal veins running down his neck, What the hell am I doing?

He looked at his companions, "I mean er... is everyone OK?"

So in your case, then once the grenade has been identified (difficulty varies by level) then anyone can use it.

So what is the difference for you between a level 1 laughing gas grenade and a level 6 laughing gas grenade other than the difficulty in identifying it?

___________
On XPs and leveling up: I never pay too much attention to this. I level up people when it makes sense story wise and just because the PCs get new 'cool' powers.

But everyone knows that it's the GM's job to make encounters hard as hell interesting so the mooks will be tougher for a Tier 4 party than for a Tier 1 party.

So another totally off-topic question (but setting/rules). :)

Ok say I have a level 4 cypher (say an emoacoustic weapon which is basically induces a certain mood on the target). Will this work on a level 5 and above creature?

Does it matter how good the person activating the device is? I figured Mechanus is probably better than the village idiot but the rules don't seem to recognize and/or capture this if I don't roll anything.

Does the person activating it roll anything?

If rolling is involved (something which depends on the cypher) then some cyphers levels are irrelevant?

What's the difference if my emoacoustic weapon is level 1 or level 4?

Am I making sense?

Thoughts?

int check to resist miasma D 3 (9): 1d20 ⇒ 9

Mechanus recognized the effect that the miasma was having on some of the others. But he did not want to loose control. Slow and steady and taking careful aim usually won the fights in his case.

He jumped back from the heat explosion and pulled out synth tube that fanned out in one end. He carefully blew on it while whispering an ancient code. The tube released a grey smoke that quickly coalesced around Mintz.

OOC:
Campaign is great. As it slows down, we'll develop PCs and interactions a bit more, which is good.

As for new mission, we should all discuss IC with Fannar (or some other leader) who will present different tasks that need to be done and we would all select one (one at a time that is) based upon IC situations/preferences/abilities/etc.

Actions 2
The calm slowly permeated his whole body and then the joy engulfed him. He must have looked like the village fool with an ear-to-ear grin.

Actions 3
"Let's concentrate on one at a time until they're down!" Since when did I become a strategist?

Mechanus charged his hand and let loose another volley of energy, some sort of heat ray that also crackled.

___________
attack a guard, preferably a wounded one
onslaught: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Actions 1
Mechanus tried to slow down, tried to stop his brain from whirring but then Fannar spoke and it all came back. He was killing people here and there were more to be killed. He had never done something so impetuous before, except for running. He was always the first to run.

He pointed to the glow cube, "Whatever we need to do, we better hurry. The energy is being depleted fast and there are no more abolites as far as I know. Not the size that was fed to the machine the last time."

Mechanus tried to distribute the cyphers, stating that he would check them out later. "They're all useful in some way."
He will take whatever is left

for actions 2, is that Difficulty 7 and target number 21 or did you mean target number 7?

Amazed at the skills of his new companions, Mechanus cocked his head to try and determine whether they also implants.

He moved aside and continued to provide support with his charged attacks.

______________
attack whatever guard is most hurt at the time
Onslaught: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Mechanus used effort in the last turn so his INT should be 15/18
So I see that we left some cyphers behind. Are we coming back later for them? If not, Mechanus would have taken them. He's too curious to have left them behind without a plan.

Yes I am using the alternate cypher rule but I don't know how much I like it. I want to ensure that characters use their cyphers often and that we have a constantly changing roster of cyphers. But the penalty to everything is a bit draconian.

I am thinking that maybe instead home-brewing the following rule:

You can exceed your cypher cap by up to 2 cyphers. But, instead of only getting free GM intervention on rolls of 1, I would get free intervention on rolls of 1 + (amount exceed cap.)

Example: if you are a nano with cap of 3 and carried 5 cyphers (exceed by 2), anytime you rolled a 1,2,or 3 I would get a free DM Intervention.

Example: if you were a Jack with 3 cyphers(exceed by 1), I would get DM Intervention anytime you rolled a 1 or a 2.

Thoughts?

I like this and will probably steal borrow it as it promotes both things we all want: a) cypher use and b) GM intrusions. :)

I would also roll once per day on the Cypher Damage Table (pg. 279) but perhaps make each additional cypher above the limit worth 15 points instead of 10. Just to be mean. :)

OOC (totally OOC):

As some of you may know, I'm also running a Numenera Game here.

We are about to start the Devil's Spine campaign and two players have dropped out so I am looking for two players.

Beware that the reason that the players dropped out was because they could not commit to at least one post per day. If you think you can do that and are interested in playing then please post your PC ideas in the Recruitment Thread of the game.

Questions?

Game on!

So I do have a few minutes. :)

The paint!

Mechanus mind whirred so loud that he knew people could hear it. It didn't matter. Their advantage would be lost if that paint got distributed.

His lens put a bullseye on that can of paint and Mechanus took a moment to line up the shot. His hand vibrated with energy and it became painful to not let it gush out. But he waited for just a moment longer...

Onslaught at the can of paint with effort

OOC: I'll get my posts later today, busy until afternoon/evening.

However, I wanted to ask you about your ruling for Breona, "All actions will have a -1 step penalty while you are over your limit."

Where's that from? Is this a home rule?

Daks looked to Jay Zin, a smirk spreading across his face. Hey Jay. Off the top of your head, name every embarrassing thing you've ever said, done, or had done to you. Thanks! And, with a laugh, Daks took of down the hallway.

Now this is just mean. :)

Mechanus winced as he saw how the hooks in the tether had painfully dug into the guard as the other one had tried to flee.

With the only guard alive now surrendering, it was no longer his concern. At least not more so than the loonie and his bird. He kept his distance from both of them as he searched the courtyard. Just playing Jay Zin. Really no offense meant to you, the player.

"Everything here is very interesting and potentially useful. We should take it all and then sort out what's best. I've heard horrible stories of storing too many strange devices in close proximity but it should be OK in the short term. You guys want to help gathering them up?"

tag?

The nano then peered down the eastern hallway, "I think this is where we have to go? Who hears knows what's next in this... revolution?"

He looked around, "Anybody?" Seeing none of his companions raise their hands right away the nano shook his head, Maybe this wasn't such a good idea...

Ignore the last part if the rebels are with us but I didn't see them in the map...

Group Shot

Very nice! Thanks!

Amazed at his new found processing surge, Mechanus looked at the fleeing guard. "He can't get away!"

He quickly pulled forth a numenera contraption, something akin to a strange hand-crossbow. Two shooting guides at one end which had what looked like two hooks tied together by a thin wire.

Mechanus activated it with a loud bang, his shoulder recoiled from the explosion.

use numenera, trained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

@Basai. This pictures is pretty close. I imagine him a smiiiidgen younger. Just a hair.

@Mechanus. Nice shot!

OOC:

I used to require pics with the PC applications so we can all have a better idea of what the PC looks like and it worked great with PBEM.

Now on these boards, every time you read Mechanus you see my little pic on the side and people automatically associate the PC with the pic.

So, yes that is what Mechanus looks like.

Keeping his eyes on both Jay Zin and the creatures, Mechanus could not feel but cocky about his implants. No wonder someone wants them back.

He once more willed his hand to charge with energy and felt the telltale sign of his palm tingling, ready to discharge.

His lens painted another bullseye on the queb's head and Mechanus' arm started o hurt from the pent up energy.

The energy gushed forth and exploded into the queb.

______________
attack a queb if still alive, if not attack one of the guards
onslaught: 1d20 ⇒ 19, that's an extra 3 points of damage for a total of 7 - armor

I'm really enjoying the awkward interaction between Mechanus and Jay Zin xD

Yeah, me too. I foresee more RP goodness coming. :)

Jay Zin found himself answering the question from Mechanus without even thinking about it...

Actually you have done nothing to me... I was just concerned because I have never seen Azure respond as negatively to someone as she did to you. Then quieter to himself why did I say that? and before the question was out of his own mouth it clicked... and he answered himself without even thinking about it... I hit myself with my own truth-telling cypher... and finally in exasperation and now I can't shut up.

Mechanus tried to make sense of the man but could not. Maybe after this all quiets down...

He kept talking to Jay Zin. The nano had always been told to keep the deranged occupied. "Ok. See? I am not your enemy then." He thought quickly, "So is that your bird? Where is it from? How did you get it? Where are you from? How's the weather?"

He shook his head, How's the weather! Really? Is that the best question I could come up with to keep the loonie occupied?

He half-listened, half-paid attention to the lion-snakes...

Mechanus' hand tingled with energy once more. He stepped back into the tunnel and away from Zin until he knew more about the man.

His internal computer once more painted a target on the closest lion-snake and all he did was just will the energy forth.

Another thin ray pierced the head of the creature, leaving a smoking hole behind.

_________________
onslaught: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Jay reached out towards Mechanus and felt the energy discharge from the ring shaped cypher he had been wearing... Unfortunately For Jay Zin he hadn't touched Mechanus yet.

Your lucky... but I'll be watching you...

speed defense: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Mechanus saw that the young man was bothered by his presence. His mind trying to figure out whether he knew him or whether he was hunting him. Whatever it was, it was not good. And things got worse. Quickly.

The nano was able to avoid the glowing ring-shaped cypher. Mechanus did not want to know what it was but it looked bad.

"Wow, wow. What have I done to you? I'm not your enemy." Am I?

Mechanus put a couple of people between him and Jay Zin while he battled the guards and beasts. "Great. As if lion-headed snakes weren't bad enough.

Totally fine with the roleplaying as stated above when you asked me about the connection. But Mechanus would think that this was 'rude' and is now being cautious.

OOC: So Numenera is not really designed for player vs player and I realize that this is a very benign player vs player.

But who rolls? Does jay Zin attempt to touch or or inject me? Does Mechanus get some sort of defense roll to avoid that? Does this thing make me speak if I don't want to?

Even if it 'takes', I would think that the action/response was interrupted by the start of combat.

I'm Ok roleplaying this out; I just want to some sort of consensus for doing so.

BTW: I intend for the whirring to be very loud in Mechanus' head but not otherwise. It would not be audible unless there was a GM intrusion or something. But perhaps Azzuretta is more attuned to it and she can hear it all the time. Or maybe she hears some sort of 'static or white noise'.

Thoughts?

Mechanus did not need to know that those things were bad. He felt it.

He looked behind him to see that he was not going to be corralled in the hallway and decided to stay put.

He did maneuver to get a better shot. His brain put a red dot on the head of one the beast and before he knew it, a thin red ray connected from his open palm to the red dot on the animal's head.

It left a scorching mark on the forehead.
____________________
onslaught at closest Queb
onslaught: 1d20 ⇒ 18, 6 damage - armor

Actions 1
Clear the path? As in fight?
Mechanus was about to voice his refusal but thought better of it. Without intending it, the metal prong in the palm of his right hand shivered with energy. he could fight... if he had to.

He spoke to whatever experienced soldier was going to lead their tag-rag group. "I can offer some ranged support. I can... shoot energy. And quickly added, "If needed that is."

He looked about, "Will someone take point?"

tag anyone?

Actions 2
perception: 1d20 ⇒ 10, nope, I can't hear a thing with this whirring in my head. :)

Mechanus stayed behind and brought up the rear. At the statue's warning, he flinched, "Animals? What sort of animals?" Immediately, his mind drifted towards the sleek reptile that hunted him all the way to the Cold Desert...

tag?

OOC: Not to meddle in someone else's game but here goes anyway. :)

I think that the GM has wrapped up everything in Turn 4 so we should not be responding to anything that happened in Turn 4. We are supposed to answer for Turn 5.

If there was something left unsaid for Turn 4 then it should be brought to the present in Turn 5 or later.

For example: if someone wanted to shake Mechanus' hand after he introduced himself, he would say...

...before considering what to do about Fannar's order, PC1 extended his hand to Mechanus...

That brings this action to the present and gives some certainty about the turn recaps. Otherwise, the turn recaps never seem to end and it will be very confusing if we are adding stuff to stuff that's already happened.

It's the GM's job to recap and move the story forward so players act again in the 'new timeline'. There's always something to say (especially with you people that write a lot! :)) but the game must have a clear cut (recap) and the story continues.

Thoughts?

Mechanus considered his options carefully; he was not one to just act on impulses but his damn brain seemed to be working overtime today. "We will talk. Perhaps it is time I thought of more than just profits, especially if you can provide some sort of protection. I, too, have been hunted from people from Phytaron, riders on top of swift lizard mounts called brehms. Do you know them?"

Mechanus almost shit himself as the talking statue slammed on the floor. I need to stay away from him.

He raises his hand, "I knew how to use it or rather something inside of me knew how to use it but that's it. Was it someone you knew?"

Mechanus shook his head, "Uh, no. No soldier here. See no weapons, no intent on killing anyone, no nothing. I'm just a simple man trying not to get killed but don't count me in for any fighting. My name is Mechanus...", he thought for a moment and concluded, "just Mechanus."