When the lander hit dirt, Zoros unhooked his harness and stood, stetching. Grabbing his gear, he could hear the others already talking to the welcoming committee. Shaking his head, he realized in his younger days he probably would have taken his rifle stock to the bureaucrats chin. However, in his advancing years, he's learnt that sometime you have to deal with the sorrier parts of the Empire's machinery to get to where you need to go.
Walking down the gangplank, he places a hand on Logan's shoulder as he passes him "Easy there.". He comes to a halt in front of the official, quite obviously ignoring the two shotgun wielding toughs. "As my friend said, we're not at liberty to discuss our reasons for landing here. Official business of course, but very need to know, and all that; I'm sure you understand the need for discretion."
Cosrach spends the time sleeping, reading, thinking and praying.
When it's time to land, he silently refuses the injection and takes a seat, helping Thrace as she seems to be the least experienced in landfalls.
As soon as he's on the ground, he takes some step away from the group as if he was only with them by chance and goes directly to the approaching official.
"Greetings dear sir. It's a pleasure to meet such an estimed person. I'm an archivist from St Cyprien and my master, the satrap, asked me to meet a man named Aristarchus. I fear I can't give you the reasons but.. "
He coughs and speaks softly to the man.
"You know.. personal matters..I'm sure you're an understanding man. Anyway, I think this Aristarchus is some kind of local sage or I don't know what. Those fellow travellers couldn't tell me where I can find him but I'm sure someone will be able to help me. I don't want to disturb you, you must have more important things to do. And to answer your question, I plan to leave as soon as this man can give me what I'm looking for."
His face becomes an icon of innocence.
"Anything else ?"
Thrace refuses the sedative, but buckles in extra tight and prays to the Emperor that they won't fall to their death in this tin can.
And she loses her lunch quite violently and likely had to use multiple air sick bags.
After touchdown, she pulls her goggles down to cover her eyes and uses her staff for added support as she is still feeling woozy from the drop.
Thrace begins to apologize for Logan's comments, but instead let's the others do the talking. She instead focuses all her attention in looking important and professional in spite of still feeling sick to her stomach.
Logan's threats have the armed guards reaching for their weapons, and Kerred sputtering in confusion and anger. Zeros and Cosrach defuse the situation somewhat with their words, as does Bulldog, though the guards do not back down. Attempting to restore some of his wounded pride, the petty functionary tries again.
With all due respect, Lady and Gentleman, I think we got off on the wrong foot here. I am merely trying to find out what brings the Inquisition to such a dry and dusty town, as you will find only a little local trouble recently, but nothing to warrant high involvement.
He shoots a pointed glare at Logan, before continuing:
You may find, whatever your purpose or intent here may be, that being civil and answering a few honest questions instead of offering threats may be a better method than acting the brute. This will be noted in my report to the Under-Consul, you may be assure of that.
With that last comment, he sharply orders his guards to move on, and proceeds with them into the crowd. As he moves away, anyone whose gear was stowed in the shuttle finds that it has been efficently removed in the maintain by servitors, and stacked behind you, awaiting you to retrieve it. As everyone shoulders their gear and proceeds to head out, a tiny battered-looking cherubim servitor flutters into view, its cracked and dirty cherubic face beaming. It looks like a child, held aloft in the air on tarnished metallic wings, with pearls in place of eyes. It mutely hands Thrace a parchment adorned with a seal recognisable as the cipher of Inquisitor Vownus Kaede's personal cadre. The parchment instructs you to follow the cherub to Aristarchus, "who awaits the pleasure of meeting you."
"'Acting the brute.' Coming from a guy who feels he needs to strut around with boys like that, I can't help but feel a tiny bit offended. And did I do any threatening? I don't think I did any threatening. I think that guy needs to learn what threatening is. Think I should go teach him? Probably not, wouldn't want him to report that too. F%%+in' bureaucrats."
Thrace stows the parchment feeling decidedly better about the situation now that they are en route to the Inquisitor. With a smile, she slaps Logan on the back.
"Can't win them all, Brute Boy. Lets get going; this place smells worse than my air sick bag."
Lothar smiles to himeslf as the official walks away.
All bark but no bite. We have names for people like that back on Necromunda
The question that burns in the ex-enforcer's mind is how did he know that they were affiliated with the inquisition. Bulldog does not deem the thought important enough to voice to the others though.
As you begin to follow the Cherubim Servitor, more of the sights and sounds of Port Suffering begin to make an impression. It is a crowded ramshackle, and anarchic place. The buildings are an overbuilt mismatch of prefabricated metal sheeting, clay brickworks faced with crumbling plaster and stone blocks baking in the sun. Everything here is drab and dusty, hot and reeking of scorched metal. The locals are grimy and hard-faced, and have a scavanged appearance wearing patched coveralls, headscarves and coats, most stained a flat grey-brown with dust.
The main streets are a sea of dust-stained workers, and as you walk amongst the crowd you feel the press of people, the din of a hundred different dialects and the strange iron-sweet stink of Ghostfire flowers hanging heavy in the air, mingling with the heat and stink of too many people crowded into a single space. The servitor flies just over the heads of the people, nimbly slipping by vehicles and seeming unmindful that you are having a hard time keeping up. Periodically, it turns, realises you are lagging, waves, then zips off once more.
As you press on through the crowed, everyone make me a Challenging(+0) Awareness test.
Per: 33
Awarness Per(29)
Bulldog has no problem keeping up with the Cherubim, and enjoys the embrace of the crowd. It's probably the closest he's going to get to a proper hab for the duration of this mission.
Awareness Per 34
Cosrach observes the crowd while he follows the servitor.
Success.
Zoros, using a d20 is a easy way to succeed ;p
Awareness Per:29
Perception (30)
As you move through the crowd, something compels you to look around, as you feel eyes upon you. You notice individuals in local garb, standing unmoving and staring at you all from a distance. Their faces are bright with gaudy blue and white dye daubed in patterns like flame. All other people seem to ignore them. If you attempt to focus on them, or pursue them, they duck into side streets and swiftly elude you.
Cosrach speaks softly to his companions.
"Seems someone is really interested in what we're doing. Local garb, blu and white face, flame patterns. Don't look at them, they'd disappear."
Bulldog uses the same low tone.
"Are they armed?"
Bulldog will purposely walk so that he's always near cover and watch for similarly garbed gangers ahead of the group or down any adjacent alleys
Zoros turns to Bulldog as he walks, pointing out one of the painted locals just as he ducks behind a sausage stand, "They don't appear to be armed, they don't give a great opportunity to examine them.
"How many? Are they wearing clothing that could easily conseal weaponry?"
"Can't tell numbers, they're too slippery. See they're locals, can't hide anything too big in those rags." Zoros observes as he continues to push through the crowd, freeing the safety on his Hand Cannon just in case.
"How's this? Myself and the psyker will move forward and hide in a shop or something until both you and them have passed then we can come out behind them and see if we can't talk them down."
"Sounds like a plan," Logan says as he cracks open his shotgun, confirming that it's loaded, "Time to find out if it's a good one." A grim smile stretches across his face as he closes it with a sharp crack. "If we can do this without shooting, all the better. We don't need... unwanted attention. Use knives, fists, a lead f@$&in' pipe, just try to keep her quiet. Don't hesitate to shoot if you need to though, don't matter how quiet you were if you're dead."
Thrace's hand moves reactively to her sword's hilt.
"Ok, I'm in. Bulldog, I'll be right behind you."
She looks over her shoulder to Logan, "And don't worry, Brute Boy, we will stay quiet."
Moving away from the centre of the crowds, Thrace takes a deep breath and focuses...
She subtly blends into the crowd around her and becomes nearly imperceptible to those around her. She draws her sword slowly and waits with Bulldog.
"With a bit of luck we won't even need to hit them" Bulldog responds to Logan.
Bulldog pushes ahead of the rest of the group, easily outpacing them in the crowd. When he's sure that he's out of sight he hides in a shop completely out of sight and draws his autopistol and club.
"Yea best be there Thrace, otherwise I won't know when they've passed" He whispers, unsure if she is anywhere nearby.
Zoros nods his acceptance to Bulldog's plan and continues to push through the throng, although at a slower pace to allow the the fore guard to get in to position.
Thrace, Bulldog, both of you need to make me an Ordinary(+10)Concealment check. Ordinary due to the crowd and cover. Thrace, make sure you add in your bonus from Chameleon. This is an opposed test, so it isn't just whether you succeed or not, it is also import how many degrees of success you achieve. Remember if you do not have the skill, use half your Agility score, and every 10 points by which you succeed is a degree of success.
As your group moves through the many alleyways of Port Suffering, some amongst you spot your mysterious watchers. Quickly coming up with a plan, Thrace disappears through her pysker powers, whilst Bulldog moves ahead and quickly ducks into cover, hiding amongst the crowd. The rest of you continue moving, attempting to draw out your pursuers. As you continue down the alley, a half-naked, badly sunburned stranger with wild dirt-caked hair and blue and white flame tattoos across his face, similiar to the other tattoos you have seen on your watchers. The man latches onto Zoros, shouting a string of wild phrases and obscenities. Those still with the main group not hiding, make me a Difficult(-10) Perception Test. Those who succeed are able to make out the following phrases amongst his babble.
He's here, he's here again, the Crow Father come to drown us in lies!
False, false, the two faces he has! First of three has two!
His hill shall run with blood!
They have grasped a serpent to their hearts, fools! Pity the damned fools!
1 success
Concealment Ag 39 / 2 +10 = 29
Without warning, the old man comes out of the crowd and grabs hold of Zoros' arm with surprising strength.
His first instinct is to draw his knife and end this bag of skin, but Zoros quells that thought as the man babbles at him, spittle striking his face. Frowning he tries to discern any meaning to his babble.
Perception :29 -10: 19
Per: 33-20=23
"Right nutter this one. Come on ya' old sack a' bones, get off the poor bastard." Logan takes the old man by the arms, and as gently as possible pries him from Zoros. "Now I know... Hey!" Logan snaps his fingers in front of the man several times, a vein attempt to draw his attention, "Eyes up here you crazy old sack-a-shit. Now your face look mighty familiar, mind tellin' me where you got paints like that?"
(success)
Concealment: 15(Ag/2)+10(Ordinary)+10(Perfectly Still)+30(Chameleon)=65
(Success by 5 degrees)
The young Psyker breathes slowly restraining any extraneous movement as she focuses intently on maintaining her veil.
Cosrach is too lost in his thoughts about the men who follow them to listen to a crazy old man.
"He's goin' on an' on about 'lies' and a 'crow father' with two or three faces commin' back, something about a hill runnin' with blood too. Any a' that sound familiar to you Mr. Adept?"
All this occurs as you move through an alley approximately 18 meters long, 6 meters wide, packed with crates and other such large objects. As Logan snaps his fingers and looks the man over, those of you paying attention, as well as Thrace and Bulldog, notice 7 men, with similiar facepaint, rushing into the alleyway, looking furious. They are dressed in plain clothes, and each carries a stub revolver, though they are not drawn. They rush towards the group, brandishing knives and clubs, yelling in heavily accented Low Gothic such things as:
Begone Offworlders!
We don't need your kind!
Take your hands off the Prophet!
Cursing and yelling, they spring forward, violence evident in their eyes aned actions!
Everyone, roll Initiative(1d10+Agility bonus, plus any other bonuses.)
Thrace, you get a full surprise round due to succesfully concealing yourself. You may take a full round, as well as taking your round on initiative.
Everyone can see everyone else, with the exception of Thrace being concealed. The thugs are currently at either entrance to the alleway, with the group being halfway through, so on both sides of the party thugs are 9 meters away. Bulldog and Thrace, you may be as far or close to the thugs as you want, though if you are not in the alley you are in the packed streets. There are numerous crates and other detritus around for special attacks, cover, and things of that nature.
AB=2
"My time to shine..." Logan quickly draws his club and assumes a defensive stance, "I'm gonna recommend you tuck in your tails and f%*% off, we ain't a buncha' tourrists, we'll f~%#in' end you lot."
1/2 Str: 21
(Thrace maintain her veil as a free action)
Thrace charges one of the men from behind and attacks with her drawn rapier:
31(WS)+10(Charge)=41
Attack hits (Reverse=13) the right arm of one of the assailants causing
rending damage (before armor reduction).
Bulldog will be in full cover near the enterance of the ally.
Initiative
Zoros pulls the crazy old man around and presses his hand cannon up under his chin . "Back off, crazies, or your Prophet is going to be real dead real quick." Zoros says in a very business like voice.
Cosrach draws his pistol and aims one of the thug.
[X][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o]
[T][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][T]
[T][o][o][o][o][o][o][X][X][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][T]
[T][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][X][A][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][T]
[o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][T]
[o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o]
As a rough idea, the T's are thugs, and the X's represent party members, excluding Bulldog as he hasnt placed himself yet. The A is the old man.
[ooc]Zoros, make me a Grapple Roll-Standard Attack, Unarmed, make a roll against Weapon Skill, as the Old Man struggles against you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initiative Order
Zoros-13
Cosrach-12
Bulldog-11
Thrace-8
Logan-7
Thugs-6
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surprise Round Summary
The thugs advance into the alleyway, shouting and waving weapons, obviously planning violence. As they pass her by, Thrace dashes forward and with a deadly swipe rips the flesh from one of the Thug's right arm, nearly cleaving the limb off!
Status
Zoros-Full Health
Cosrach-Full Health
Bulldog-Full Health
Thrace-Full Health
Logan-Full Health
Thugs-Full Health
Thug A-Heavily wounded, almost crippled.
End of Surprise Round
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Round Summary
Zoros makes a grab for the Old Man, attempting to hold him hostage against the advancing thugs.
Cosrach draws down, aiming down the sights and preparing to fire.
Bulldog...waiting for action.
Trace...waiting for action.
Logan attempts to intimidate the Thugs, but it appears to not dissaude them.
Thugs...waiting on Bulldog and Thrace's actions.
Status
Zoros-Full Health
Cosrach-Full Health
Bulldog-Full Health
Thrace-Full Health
Logan-Full Health
Thugs-Full Health
Thug A-Heavily Wounded
End of Round 2, pending Actions by Bulldog, Thrace, and Thugs.
Thrace takes advantage of her position thrusting once more at the wounded thug with her blade
WS=31
Melee Attack:
Melee Attack:
Attack hits (Reverse=92) the left leg of one of the assailants causing rending damage (before armor reduction).
Finally the hidden Psyker sheathes her sword and draws her pistol
Grapple WS:43
The old man is wiry and deceptively strong, however Zoros easily applies pressure to a few joints and keeps the "Prophet" under his control.
[X][o][0][B][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o]
[T][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][T]
[T][o][o][o][o][o][o][X][X][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][T]
[T][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][X][A][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][T]
[o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][T]
[o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o][o]
Bulldog will fire his autopistol suppressing fire at the 4 thugs to the east
BS 36 -20 suppressing fire +10 close range = 26
Round 1 Summary
Zoros
Zoros makes a grab for the Old Man, attempting to hold him hostage against the advancing thugs.
It is a hard struggle, but Zoros locks him down, his gun held tightly against his jaw.
Cosrach
Cosrach draws down, aiming down the sights and preparing to fire.
Bulldog
Bulldog steps out from his concealment, unleashing a burst of suppressing fire from his autopistol at his assailants.
Thrace
Thrace, taking advantage of her position, follows up with another strike, slashing her blade down across the wounded thugs left leg. In a spray of blood the Thug's leg is opened up, exposing bone and sinew. The Thug screams in pain, blood spraying from his leg, before collapsing to the ground. Thrace finishes by smoothly drawing her pistol in her other hand.
Logan
Logan attempts to intimidate the Thugs, but it appears to not dissaude them.
Thugs
As gun shots ring out, and 1 Thug falls, his leg ripped open, his scream echoing through the alley, some of the thugs begin to advance. The Pinned Thugs, having no cover in which to retreat to, each hunker down, forgoing their knives and drawing a revolver each.
One thug on the west side advances on Thrace, shouting out curses and swinging his blade!
He stabs down, driving the blade into Thrace's left leg.
The remaining Thug on the west side draws his revolver, and in a move very similiar to Cosrach, begins aiming down the sight at the group in the center.
The one Thug not pinned on the East Side draws his revolver and returns fire at Bulldog, the loud bark of his stub revolver deafening in the enclosed alley.
However his aim is off, and the shot goes wild.
The Old Man remains grappled, continuing to shout out nonsensical phrases.
Status
Zoros-Full Health, Grappling the Old Man
Cosrach-Full Health
Bulldog-Full Health
Thrace- Wounded, 3 Wnds Left Leg.
Logan-Full Health
Thugs(4 East Side, 3 Pinned)-Full Health
Thugs(2 West Side)-Full Health
Thug A-Unconscious, Leg ripped open, bleeding out.
End of Round 2
Thrace calls upon the warp once to try to mend her wounds:
As the warp manifests causing the tissue to repair something more sinister begins to emerge:
= Furies
Winds howl within meters lifting objects and people
Winds howl within meters blowing down all who fail an agility test.
Agi: 29
Logan falls to the ground. From his prone position he draws his shotgun, (free action) aims and fires at one of the thugs on the right side.
BS: 38+10
He misses entirely.
Bulldog clings onto the box, managing to stay upright, he casts a distrustful glance at Thrace.
Cosrach fires his gun...
... and it's a miss.
He continues to keep his target in his line of fire.