Smerg's Dresden Files DFRPG - Omens Thread A

[Danny Kaye]

Thx Smerg! Please see questions in discussion thread, but I think I have it figured out. We'll see!) ;)

[Smerg]

Aximeus wrote:

<as I am up early in the next round; here is my attack>

attack:
4d3-3

"any clue on why these dirtfaces are here?"

The Jiang Shi that is being hit will defend with its Fists. It has claws and tough skin along with Martial Arts training so it can use Fists for the defense against Weapons. It currently has a 3 physical stress from last round.

Fists or Athletics to defend 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 2) - 5 = 3

It gets a perfectly average roll of all 2s. Aximeus wins 6 to 3 which gives 3 shifts bonus to his damage. Weapon 1, 3 shifts, Inhuman Strength is 1+3+2= 6 total and the zombie has armour 1 which leaves 5 physical stress. It is a good thing it has Inhuman Toughness or that hit would have taken it out. It now has a 3 and 5 box filled.

Aximeus swings with the cleaver and the hit bites deeply into the undead flesh. The creature if it had been human would likely be dead from such a hit but it keeps moving along.

Deirdre and the Jiang Shi are up next. I'll do their rolls in little bit when I get back from the dog park.

The water pouring on the Jiang Shi scores 1 physical stress on each of the Jiang Shi.

[Smerg]

JS 3 and JS 5 are going to try and get off the stage.

JS 3 Athletics 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 2) - 5 = 4
JS 5 Athletics 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 1) - 5 = 2

JS 3 manages to get off the stage but JS 5 is still tangling with cords.

JS 1 is fighting Aximeus and JS 2 will assist.

JS 2 rolls Fists for Maneuver 'I'll go right and you go left' 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 3) - 5 = 2

JS 1 rolls Fists to attack and will Tag JS 2s Maneuver if successful; so it might have an extra on this roll. 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 3) - 5 = 6

Aximeus needs to roll Athletics, Weapons, or Fists to block the attack.

JS 5 is slowed by Nathaniel's tag and the Jiang Shi unable to find Danny and the girls will attack a Triad. The Triad will 'tag' the slowed condition on JS 5 to help defend. 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 3) - 5 = 3

Triad 1 rolls Fists 4d3 - 7 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 2) - 7 = 1

Triad 1 chooses to tag for +2. JS 5 ties 3 to 3. The Jiang Shi has equivalent of Weapon 2 from its inhuman strength. Triad 1 takes a 2 physical stress box of damage.

The Triad member is pounced upon by the Jiang Shi which bites into his arm. The wound looks painful but not lethal.

JS 3 will also attack a Triad 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 1) - 5 = 4

Triad 2 rolls fists 4d3 - 7 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 2) - 7 = -1

JS 3 wins this 4 to -1. Not a good time for a failure of skill giving 4 shifts of extra damage plus the Weapon 2 gives 6 physical shifts of damage. Triad 2 will be off to the hospital with a Moderate Stress Consequence and is out of the fight. (no names that take a hit that would force them to take a consequence are knocked out of the fight.

Another Triad member howls in pain as the Jiang Shi freshly hopping from the stage rips chunks of meat from his neck and shoulder. The poor Triad member was looking the wrong way when he was taken from behind.

[Deirdre Harlowe]

Deirdre was halfway down the stairs before she realized Aximeus wasn't behind her. "Oh hell..." The thought of rushing towards all those trolls empty handed in a white blouse and black sneakers suddenly seemed more than a little insane. She had to forcibly clamp down on that line of thought before it could go much further. Deirdre owed Pernilla and it was time to have her back.

Athletics 4d3 - 8 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 1) - 8 + 2 = 4

[Smerg]

Deirdre Harlowe wrote:

Deirdre was halfway down the stairs before she realized Aximeus wasn't behind her. "Oh hell..." The thought of rushing towards all those trolls empty handed in a white blouse and black sneakers suddenly seemed more than a little insane. She had to forcibly clamp down on that line of thought before it could go much further. Deirdre owed Pernilla and it was time to have her back.

Athletics 4d3 - 8 + 2

You do well on your Athletics and are at the doors to Acquisitions. The doors are open and you can see into the space ahead of you that Pernilla is fighting a large troll along with a man dressed as a Texas Marshall.

You can report to Thread B. On Round 3 you are able to interact with the combat going on there. You need to move one area to be in melee range with either of Pernilla or Munroe's opponents.

[Aximeus]

Have you been adding my inhuman strength giving two shifts of damage to fists and weapons?

weapons to defend:
4d3 - 3 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 1) - 3 = 5

[Smerg]

Aximeus wrote:

Have you been adding my inhuman strength giving two shifts of damage to fists and weapons?

weapons to defend:
4d3-3

Yup that is why you got 1 for the cleaver, 3 for hitting so well, and 2 more for your strength. See above for full info on your exchange.

The attempt by the one Jiang Shi to aid the other misses but the first Jiang Shi manages to make contact with Aximeus winning 6 to 5. Damage is 2+1 for extra shift of damage for a total of 3. Aximeus is not wearing his armour (he still has his natural inhuman toughness); so, he takes a 3-1= 2 physical stress.

The one Jiang Shi is easy to avoid but the first of the hopping zombies that he has been fighting does manage to land a fair hit to the chest. For a seasoned warrior it is more of a warm up then a serious hit.

[Aximeus]

thank you

"THESE TERRORISTS ARE NOT SO TUFF; LETS GET EM!"

[Smerg]

Nathaniel and Doctor Carding are up next.

Just a warning that there are the Triad looking around for targets.

[Doctor Carding]

With the running water pouring down on the Jiang Shi, and Danny, Min & Lin safely out of the way for a little bit, it was time to focus on containing them, and mitigating harm to the standers-by.

Conan deliberately did not think about his Mother's probable reaction to tonight's events. Or the Dean's. Or the upcoming insurance investigation.

"Nathaniel, how quickly do you think you could get a ward up to contain the band members long enough for the water to do its job?"

In the meantime, Conan reflexively gathered and unleashed energies he had not used since that fateful night he had lost his master. He gathered the moisture in the air, now amply reinforced by running water everywhere, and targeted the Jiang Shi who took out the poor Triad member. Running the watery energy through his icicle ring he focused his will and calmly stated,

"Pagonokaiomai."

Smerg or knowledge of ancient Greek:

Pagonokaiomai is a nonsense compound word. It combines the ideas of 'freeze' and 'burn.' The Ancient Greeks did not have a word for freezer, so this was as close as I thought I could legitimately get. The real meaning should become quite clear when the spell's effect takes place.

Rote targeted at JS 3. 5 shifts of damage.
Discipline roll to target: 4d3 - 3 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 1) - 3 = 4
I'm not quite satisfied with four successes to target the spell. Could I get a free tag of Drenched in Water to add +2 successes to that roll?

[Smerg]

Doctor Carding wrote:

With the running water pouring down on the Jiang Shi, and Danny, Min & Lin safely out of the way for a little bit, it was time to focus on containing them, and mitigating harm to the standers-by.

"Pagonokaiomai."

** spoiler omitted **

Rote targeted at JS 3. 5 shifts of damage.
Discipline roll to target: 4d3-3
I'm not quite satisfied with four successes to target the spell. Could I get a free tag of Drenched in Water to add +2 successes to that roll?

That is a reasonable scene tag and the first tag is free. Just remember that I might 'tag' this aspect later when it comes to later resolution of this gala and your mother.

Rote spell 5 with your discipline and focused item you control the spell automatically but still need to pay 1 mental stress for the base spell cost and your conviction is 3; so, the total cost is 3 mental stress.

Jiang Shi 3 attempts to resist. I'm going with Endurance as the appropriate defense because the Jiang Shi can't 'dodge' of 'fight' this affect. Endurances is Fair +2. 4d3 - 6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 2) - 6 = 4

Carding wins 6 to 4 and gets an additional 2 shifts of damage. The spell was Weapon 5 plus 2 shifts is 7 damage. The water soaking into the Zombie flesh doesn't really provide armour protection; so, no reduction for armour. The 7 physical stress exceeds the zombie's physical stress and it goes straight to the taken out condition.

Carding's spell sweeps over the Jiang Shi freezing it's flesh more solid then a turkey lost for nine months at the bottom of a freezer.

[Doctor Carding]

If I understand the mechanics correctly, Conan only pays one mental stress for this rote. Normally he'd have to pay an additional two for a 5 shift effect with a conviction of 3. However, his evocation specialty is water, raising his effective conviction for water spells by one, and he also is wearing his icicle ring, which raises his effective conviction for offensive or defensive water spells by an additional one, giving him an effective conviction of Superb (5) for offensive or defensive water spells.

Now, if he weren't wearing the icicle ring, the spell could not be cast as a rote, since it was designed to take advantage of it, and he'd also lose the offensive and defensive water spell bonus it provides.

This is why old, experienced wizards are so scary. They've bought multiple levels of refinement, each time gaining a bonus to conviction or discipline for certain elements, though those bonuses have to follow the same pyramid tree that skills do. Check out the stats for Ancient Mai sometime to see what I mean.

And if you tag the same aspect later, though, one of us gets a Fate point, right?

[Smerg]

Doctor Carding wrote:

If I understand the mechanics correctly, Conan only pays one mental stress for this rote. Normally he'd have to pay an additional two for a 5 shift effect with a conviction of 3. However, his evocation specialty is water, raising his effective conviction for water spells by one, and he also is wearing his icicle ring, which raises his effective conviction for offensive or defensive water spells by an additional one, giving him an effective conviction of Superb (5) for offensive or defensive water spells.

Now, if he weren't wearing the icicle ring, the spell could not be cast as a rote, since it was designed to take advantage of it, and he'd also lose the offensive and defensive water spell bonus it provides.

...

And if you tag the same aspect later, though, one of us gets a Fate point, right?

Most of what you have said is correct.

When you choose a specialization you must specify whether the bonus is +1 for Conviction or +1 for Discipline. You don't get both.

Focus Items are even more specialized in that they have the Conviction and Discipline division along with an Offensive and Defensive Division. This means there are four combinations for each element.

Now, you had specified with your character that the Specialization was for Conviction with Water spells. This does increase the Conviction to 4 when casting these spells.

Now you also have the Icicle Ring which on your character sheet says, "Provides +1 Conviction and Control to cast offensive Water evocations." This would mean that you were Conviction 5 and Discipline 6 to cast offensive Water spells. In your message above, you said your ring was +1 Conviction for Offensive and Defensive. If this is the way you want your ring to function then that is fine with me. I just want it consistent.

The increase through Specialization and the Focus Item does raise Conviction to 5 which reduces the mental stress cost of the spell to 1.

---------------

If I tag the aspect then I award a Fate Point only if it is a disadvantage to you that I compel the aspect. Fate comes from your own suffering and not making others suffer.

[Doctor Carding]

Character sheet updated to reflect the Icicle ring as described in the post above. It's embarrassing when the GM notices something you overlooked on the sheet you provided. Let's just say that the powers of the icicle ring changed a couple times in various drafts.

I also understand and agree with you for tagging the aspect and fate points.

Last question so attention can focus on Nathaniel where it belongs. Is the parchment covering the face of the freeze-dried Jiang Shi legible?

[Smerg]

Doctor Carding wrote:

Character sheet updated to reflect the Icicle ring as described in the post above. It's embarrassing when the GM notices something you overlooked on the sheet you provided. Let's just say that the powers of the icicle ring changed a couple times in various drafts.

I also understand and agree with you for tagging the aspect and fate points.

Last question so attention can focus on Nathaniel where it belongs. Is the parchment covering the face of the freeze-dried Jiang Shi legible?

The words weren't 'legible' from where you were previously. If you want to 'study' or read then you can spend an exchange getting close enough to try and read the words.

If you want to know if the words 'changed' when the zombie stopped functioning and determine if there is a connection between the two then you will need to spend an action or supplementary action where you can look at the creature and make a Lore check.

-----------------

When I checked up on previous groups that had tried various FATE games was pointing out the GM has to work to use these aspects to compel or the players would quickly deplete their supply and lose their opportunity to be 'heroic'.

The trick with GM is not to use 'too' many of the aspects 'too' quickly but just enough to keep the players 'occupied' and supplied with the Fate points.

[Doctor Carding]

Well, perhaps I should have asked if the writing was intact for later study.

[Smerg]

People with Lore can make a roll as energies ripple through the gala.

Energies roll through the gala and suddenly the light bulbs start to spark and die throughout the floor. It could be a fuse or it could be surge that damaged the bulbs.

The room is plunged into darkness until small emergency lights triggered by the darkness give small lights showing where the exit is located.

People already panicked and upset with the sprinklers going off and the band members jumping off the stage start to surge towards the exit. Members of the staff try to direct people and help a few of the older ones that fall or need a hand with oxygen tanks.

Dr Carding, you can see your mother, who was dressed in tall Georgian style wig which is now drenched along with her Georgian dress his helped along by Mikaela Skaven. You can see her give you a withering stare as if she is silently blaming you for what has happened to her beloved Museum and gala.

Presence Attack as she applying her motherly influence upon you, Dr Carding. You can use Presence to defend as your mother's opinion of you is on the line. 4d3 - 6 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 3) - 6 = 2

Anyone can attempt to an Alertness check needing a 2 or better to read the spoiler and act upon it.

Alertness 2:

The people from the gala appear to be piling up by the exit. There appears to be some problem with the doors as they aren't allowing the people to freely exit.

Lin attempt Athletics 4d3 - 7 ⇒ (1, 3, 2, 1) - 7 = 0
Min attempt Athletics 4d3 - 7 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 1) - 7 = -2

True to twins, when one gets injured, the other gets injured in almost exactly the same way. Min now throws a heel and twists her ankle. This will be the last time they grab a pair of shoes from their uncle's shoe factory. The glue is clearly water soluble.

[Nathanial Halsey]

I assume all that stuff happens before my turn.

Doctor Carding wrote:

"Nathaniel, how quickly do you think you could get a ward up to contain the band members long enough for the water to do its job?"

"Under optimal conditions? A few minutes. Here, now? Far too long." Nathanial begins readying another spell when the lights blow out.

Lore: 4d3 - 3 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 1) - 3 = 4
Awareness: 4d3 - 6 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 1) - 6 = -1

Further actions will depend on what I can tell about that burst of energy.

[Smerg]

Nathanial Halsey wrote:

I assume all that stuff happens before my turn.

Doctor Carding wrote:

"Nathaniel, how quickly do you think you could get a ward up to contain the band members long enough for the water to do its job?"

"Under optimal conditions? A few minutes! Here, now? Far too long!" Nathanial begins readying another spell when the lights blow out.

Lore: 4d3-3
Awareness: 4d3-6

Yup, the above happened around the same time as you were talking to Dr Carding.

Anyone who makes Lore 2 plus roll can read and use the information in the spoiler.

Lore 2 plus:

You can detect that someone through a massive hex into the circuits of the lights.

[Nathanial Halsey]

"Someone's hexed the lights!", Nathanial yells back to Conan before refocusing on the remaining jiang-shi.

A single plane of force could cut through anything, if enough force is put behind it. The only real limiting factor for the damage caused is the caster's aim. Bring about a thousand planes of force, all focused on a single target, and destruction is all but certain. If it wasn't for the thin cuts opening up on himself too, this would be downright unfair.

Using my Storm of Blades rote to make a Weapon(6) attack on a jiang-shi(I assume there are still some left), filling my fourth mental stress box and taking a point of physical stress from backlash. Discipline: 4d3 - 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 2) - 4 = 2

[Smerg]

Nathanial Halsey wrote:

"Someone's hexed the lights!", Nathanial yells back to Conan before refocusing on the remaining jiang-shi.

A single plane of force could cut through anything, if enough force is put behind it. The only real limiting factor for the damage caused is the caster's aim. Bring about a thousand planes of force, all focused on a single target, and destruction is all but certain. If it wasn't for the thin cuts opening up on himself too, this would be downright unfair.

Using my Storm of Blades rote to make a Weapon(6) attack on a jiang-shi(I assume there are still some left), filling my fourth mental stress box and taking a point of physical stress from backlash. Discipline: 4d3-4

Since the description is a spray of hundreds or thousands of points of force, it sounds hard to dodge as it is spirit which I'm not sure is much more visible then air. I'll use Endurance which is Fair +2 to defend. 4d3 - 6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 3) - 6 = 4

The result is 6 to 4 for JS 2 to defend itself. I'll give you a chance to declare if you feel that you want to spend a fate point to boost your roll as this is a pretty big attack that you expended. You will have to come with a reasonable justification for the expenditure of the fate point. (rivals might be a good one as Dr Carding just put down a Jiang Shi with one spell and you wouldn't want him to show you up. )

[Doctor Carding]

Presence to defend against mother's disapproval: 4d2 - 6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 1) - 6 = -1
Lore: 4d3 - 4 ⇒ (1, 1, 1, 1) - 4 = 0

No matter how bad things are, your mother can always make it worse. The withering stare of Conan's mother was more potent than mere evocation as he promptly forgot what he was supposed to be about. He didn't even notice the hexing of the lights, making the score Conan 0, Nathaniel 2 as far as noticing mystical goings-on, at least.

The only way it could get worse was if the Dean showed up. Better not even think that, best not to tempt Murphy.

A dramatic fail of both presence (which he's only average at, anyway), and Lore (which he's supposed to be Great at). As I understand things, Conan now takes three points of social stress, will mark off the #3 social stress box.

[Smerg]

Doctor Carding wrote:

Presence to defend against mother's disapproval: 4d2-6

Lore: 4d3-4

No matter how bad things are, your mother can always make it worse. The withering stare of Conan's mother was more potent than mere evocation as he promptly forgot what he was supposed to be about. He didn't even notice the hexing of the lights, making the score Conan 0, Nathaniel 2 as far as noticing mystical goings-on, at least.

The only way it could get worse was if the Dean showed up. Better not even think that, best not to tempt Murphy.

A dramatic fail of both presence (which he's only average at, anyway), and Lore (which he's supposed to be Great at). As I understand things, Conan now takes three points of social stress, will mark off the #3 social stress box.

Correct, your mother doesn't have any extra power 'backing' it at this time (she didn't tag the drenched though that may come). Social 'damage' represents that your mother's relationship with you is 'strained' until there is a 'cooling off' period time. Now, if there was further 'stress' it might escalate to a 'consequence' which means that there is a 'longer' break down of the relationship. Right now, don't expect your mom to be 'claiming' you as her son when people get out the front door.

This BTW is an example of how you can have both 'Social' combat going on at the same time the 'Physical' combat. Harry often has this or a Mental combat when he deals with opponents. Sometimes Harry is up against someone that is very powerful physically; so, he scores a few points on the Mental or Social combats to 'soften' them up. This is one of the things that is fun with Fate is that these three types are all viable compared to many games where physical is usually the only available option.

[Danny Kaye]

Rolls, Alertness:4d3 - 8 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 2) - 8 = -1
Lore:4d3 - 7 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 3) - 7 = 1

Story of my PbP life lately,... ;P

Danny is caught by surprise when the girls try to scramble to their feet. Maintaining his song, he is too slow to try and stop them, and is as surprised as they when they both slip in the water and almost fall on top of him. Min's heel is now as broken as her sisters, and from the look on her face she is now in pain as well.

"Don't move, stay still." Danny sing-songs as he quickly breathes between verses.

'All we have to do is wait,... wait,... uh oh,...'

Even Danny, as new as he is to the world of what he has dubbed the 'Spooky Side', knows that running water is one of the natural defenses against magic. He can see that it is having an effect on the zombie band. Then he realizes, he can SEE the effect it is having on the zombie band! His Veil, cast so quick and powerfully that he has a headache, (and he's pretty sure that Tylenol won't cut it), was strong enough that it made his view from the inside murky and dark. Like wearing sunglasses at twilight. Now it was more like twilight with no sunglasses. The water was washing away his Veil.

'Great. Looks like we can't stay here.'

"What's going on? Danny?" Min whispers, her pain almost forgotten as she stares at the nearest band members withered face.

"Danny?" Lin echoed, whispering in the other ear. The whispers were unnecessary due to the fire alarm, and people screaming. But completely understandable.

"Easy girls. Stay with me." Danny sing-songs again between verses. He had to concentrate to keep his song going and his eyes on the band instead of the girls. Because his Veil and the band were not the only things the water was affecting. The girls expensive, clingy dresses were soaked and acting like a second skin. And Danny's hyperactive imagination was having a heyday with what little was left to it.

And then the lights blew. Danny instinctively tried to protect the girls with his arms as he ducks his own head.

'Doc's work? Two Dead Rockers down, 3 to go. Time for a change of scenery!' Danny thinks as he tries to help the girls up,...

[Nathanial Halsey]

Nathanial frowns. How is it still standing? Conan eliminated one in a single spell, so can he. With a wave of his hand, he sends another dozen slicing planes at the jiang shi.

I'll spend that fate point. Would a tie on opposing rolls go to the attacker or the defender? If it goes to the attack, I'll just take the +2 and tie his total to hit with my Weapon(6) attack. If it goes to the defender, here's my reroll: 4d3 - 4 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 3) - 4 = 7

[Smerg]

Nathanial Halsey wrote:

Nathanial frowns. How is it still standing? Conan eliminated one in a single spell, so can he. With a wave of his hand, he sends another dozen slicing planes at the jiang shi.

I'll spend that fate point. Would a tie on opposing rolls go to the attacker or the defender? If it goes to the attack, I'll just take the +2 and tie his total to hit with my Weapon(6) attack. If it goes to the defender, here's my reroll: 4d3-4

When trying to do things, you only need to tie to succeed. The other side of things in Fate is that tying means you just made the effort of success and it wasn't pretty.

You use the +2 to get the tie. The zombie is brought to life with spiritual energy; so, I'm going to rule that the Armour 1 doesn't help it from Nathaniel's spell. Damage is 0 shifts from the attack plus Weapon 6 from the spell for total 6 physical stress. The creature has only 5 stress boxes and JS 2 is taken out of the combat.

Nathaniel riddles the Jiang Shi with thousands of points of spiritual energy ripping the spell that binds it to pieces. The corpse falls to the floor with the paper that was covering its face drifting away.

If you can see clearly in the dim light it is a Scholarship 0 skill test to make a discovery looking at the dead Jiang Shi. If you don't have some sort of dark vision or a proper light source then it is Scholarship 2 to get the information. If you have time after the battle to look over the bodies then you can use investigations instead of Scholarship. Danny inside the Veil has an even higher roll required due to the Veil's affects.

Scholarship Check:

The face is of Jiang Shi is one of the dead Triad members, Danny Hu.

[Smerg]

Nine Triad remain alive and fighting.

[u]Gala Area 2[/u] I put a url pointer to a map in the OOC thread

None can spot Danny and the Girls with the Veil 6 up at the moment. Which weakens to Veil 5 next round.

The band members and Aximeus are the obvious fighters. One of the band members is still stuck up on stage. One Triad will attack the frozen Jiang Shi and two will attack the Jiang Shi that Nathaniel just dropped. That leaves six Triad to allocate two to each of the Jiang Shi fighting Aximeus and two to attack Aximeus.

Triad 9 attacking Aximeus 4d3 - 6 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 3) - 6 = 2
Triad 10 attacking Aximeus 4d3 - 6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 2) - 6 = 2

Aximeus needs to roll two defense rolls like Weapons, Fists, or Athletics.

Triad 3 attacking JS 1 4d3 - 6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 2) - 6 = 0
JS 1 Fists to defend 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 2) - 5 = 4

Triad 4 attacking JS 1 4d3 - 6 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 2) - 6 = 1
JS 1 Fists to defend 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 1) - 5 = 1

Triad 5 attacking JS 5 4d3 - 6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 2) - 6 = 1
JS 5 Fists to defend 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 3) - 5 = 4

Triad 6 attacking JS 5 4d3 - 6 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 1) - 6 = -1
JS 5 Fists to defend 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (1, 3, 2, 1) - 5 = 2

Only one of the Triad appears to score a substantial hit with her usage of a metal edged fan but the tough hide of the Jiang Shi doesn't even twitch under the attack.

After Aximeus posts his defense it is the start of the next round with Danny and Aximeus up first.

[Aximeus]

Alertness:
4d3 - 7 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 1) - 7 = 1

Defense:
4d3 - 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 2) - 3 = 6
4d3 - 3 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 3) - 3 = 5

"What the hell are these guys; they dont look..uhm; right; what culture are they from?"

[Smerg]

Aximeus wrote:

Alertness:

4d3-7

Defense:
4d3-3
4d3-3

"What the hell are these guys; they dont look..uhm; right; what culture are they from?"

Aximeus has no trouble dodging the Triad. Their technique is fair but he is an immortal with several human life times of practice. In his hands, an impromptu cleaver is as deadly as a Smith and Wesson in most people's hands. Give him a real balanced sword or spear and even titans begin to know fear.

Round 3: Danny and Aximues are first. There are three Jiang Shi remaining. One on the stage, one fighting Aximeus, and another fighting a pair of Triad. Most of the group has moved to the Gala area by the doors to the outside. The whole are is plunged into gloom with just a few emergency lights providing illumination. The gala area around the stage is soaked in water. There are alarms and beeping noises going off all over the place.

[Aximeus]

Attack Jiang Shi party crasher:
4d3 - 3 ⇒ (2, 1, 2, 3) - 3 = 5

"whats with all the fire alarms; sprinklers; flashing lights; sheesh"

<secretly glad it gives him some cover and anonimity>

[Danny Kaye]

Danny blinks water out of his eyes as he tries to get a bead on what's going on. But first the water, and and now the lights, together with his veil that already makes things look dim to those inside, all combine to make it like the inside of a thunderstorm.

"Danny? What's gong on?" Min whispered into his right ear, reaching out through the murk.

'What is she, a mind reader? Or is there an echo in here?' Danny grumbled to himself. He thought he still saw one of the band members on the stage, hopefully still tangled in the mess he had made of the band gear. He thought there were still two more up and fighting, but with the appearance of the Triad 'security' he couldn't tell from inside his darkened Veil. And it looked like the entire room was heading for the exits.

Danny stopped singing. The Veil was cast, and as long he kept the music going, even humming, he could keep it up indefinitely. Or at least until the water washed it away.

"Come on ladies, You promised me a dance. And this party is all wet."

Smerg, what is the rules for changing initiative? You said I could delay until later in a round, and then move from then on at that time. WHat if I & the girls delay until NEXT round, would they be able to move at the top of the round with me? Maybe if I spent my 'turn' this round doing a maneuver 'Get ready to run', and tag it so the girls can move with me next round?

[Smerg]

Aximeus wrote:

Attack Jiang Shi party crasher:

4d3-3

"whats with all the fire alarms; sprinklers; flashing lights; sheesh"

<secretly glad it gives him some cover and anonimity>

JS 1 rolls Fists 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 3) - 5 = 5

Aximeus ties the JS 1 with 5 to 5; so, no additional shifts. Aximeus using the cleaver is Weapon 1 and Inhuman Strength is +2. The Jiang Shi has armour 1 which results in a net physical stress 2.

Aximeus continues to batter against his opponent but his Kung Fu is good and the demon zombie continues to keep pace with the sous chef.

[Smerg]

Danny Kaye wrote:

Danny blinks water out of his eyes as he tries to get a bead on what's going on. But first the water, and and now the lights, together with his veil that already makes things look dim to those inside, all combine to make it like the inside of a thunderstorm.

"Danny? What's gong on?" Min whispered into his right ear, reaching out through the murk.

'What is she, a mind reader? Or is there an echo in here?' Danny grumbled to himself. He thought he still saw one of the band members on the stage, hopefully still tangled in the mess he had made of the band gear. He thought there were still two more up and fighting, but with the appearance of the Triad 'security' he couldn't tell from inside his darkened Veil. And it looked like the entire room was heading for the exits.

Danny stopped singing. The Veil was cast, and as long he kept the music going, even humming, he could keep it up indefinitely. Or at least until the water washed it away.

"Come on ladies, You promised me a dance. And this party is all wet."

Smerg, what is the rules for changing initiative? You said I could delay until later in a round, and then move from then on at that time. WHat if I & the girls delay until NEXT round, would they be able to move at the top of the round with me? Maybe if I spent my 'turn' this round doing a maneuver 'Get ready to run', and tag it so the girls can move with me next round?

No major rules exist. Yup, you can all move together 'at the top' of next round. Your veil will continue to decay from when you started it. You can make an athletics test against a target of 0 to 'get ready to run' as the girls aren't going to be resisting.

[Danny Kaye]

Thank you Smerg. Athletics for 'Get ready to run'
4d3 - 8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 3) - 8 + 3 = 7

Holey smokes! Take a picture guys! THAT will NEVER happen again! ;P

Danny can see through the veil, barely, as the large cook dodges the attack of Triad 'security' with ease, and then goes at it with the undead band member, fists and frying pan flying.

"Holy Jackie Chan." He mutters.

"Come on girls! Let's blow this Popsicle stand!" Danny gathers his legs under him, his hummed tune to keep the Veil going changing to 'Go Johnny Go'.

"Ready?"
Danny reaches an arm around each girls' waist, then stands. His adrenaline gives him extra strength to both stand and lift the girls with ease, one on each hip. As one the twins kick off their footwear in perfect matched timing, as if they had practiced it. He sets them on their feet, supporting them so they don't fall again. The twins both look at him, eyes wide with excitement and fear.

"I gotta say Danny, you DO know how to show a girl a good time!" Said Min, managing a small genuine, if nervous, smile.

"Yeah, and the party's just getting started!" Danny smirks back.
"Set,..."

Danny blinks water from his eyes again and looks at Min. That inflection,... the smirk,... The girls DID switch dresses in the bathroom! Danny looks in astonishment from one water-soaked twin to the other.

"Really?!? You tried that again, tonight?!?" He asks incredulously.

"What?!" Huffed Min/Lin in the black dress, her chest heaving prettily.

"It IS a masquerade!" Huffed Lin/Min in the red dress, just as attractively.

Danny shook his head. "You girls are gonna be the death of me." He grumbles through his grin.

The twins flash a grin in reply. Although their grins are more, predatory,...

[Smerg]

Awesome roll there Danny. Okay, you and the girls are getting ready to act next round.

JS 3 is an icicle and JS 2 was shot full of spiritual energy.

JS 4 attempts to get off the stage. 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 1) - 5 = 2

The one Jiang Shi is still not able to figure its way out of the tangle of cords on the stage.

JS 1 attempts to battle Aximeus 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (1, 1, 1, 3) - 5 = 1

JS 5 attacks a Triad 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 1) - 5 = 3

Triad 5 attempts to defend 4d3 - 6 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 1) - 6 = 4

The Triad member manages to ward off the toothy grin of the Jiang Shi with a pair of sweeps from his nunchaku. His partner prepares her fan for another assault on the Jiang Shi.

Aximeus needs to roll a defense roll.

Dr Carding and Nathaniel are up next.

[Doctor Carding]

With the fight starting to get under control, Conan risks surveying the area to get a feel for the big picture. Danny and the girls have disappeared, there are all sorts of alarms going off, and he couldn't be sure that he had caused all of them. Also, he wants to check to make sure that people are getting out okay, and that his mother is gone.

Not sure what you want me to roll, investigation, maybe? But Conan has failed every alertness check so far, also how stable is that taken-out Triad member? Lying with a gut wound in pouring water can't be doing him any good. Would it be safe to move him somewhere out of sight for a little constructive biomancy?

[Smerg]

Doctor Carding wrote:

With the fight starting to get under control, Conan risks surveying the area to get a feel for the big picture. Danny and the girls have disappeared, there are all sorts of alarms going off, and he couldn't be sure that he had caused all of them. Also, he wants to check to make sure that people are getting out okay, and that his mother is gone.

Not sure what you want me to roll, investigation, maybe? But Conan has failed every alertness check so far, also how stable is that taken-out Triad member? Lying with a gut wound in pouring water can't be doing him any good. Would it be safe to move him somewhere out of sight for a little constructive biomancy?

Investigation without a stunt like Munroe has will take likely several minutes as it represents a purposeful investigation and with the museum's lights in the area out and water pouring down it will be extremely hard to to do as you would be navigating around chairs, tables, and other items that people have knocked or discarded in their 'escape'.

The Triad member is out for combat but he won't be risking death for likely fifteen minutes by which time shock and blood loss will be a concern (luckily he didn't take an 8 stress hit which trolls can do).

Checking on the people getting out is an Alertness 1 check (normally would be -1 but with water and light it is more distracting to see what is clearly going on).

[Doctor Carding]

Will spend my exchange taking that Alertness check, then.
4d3 - 7 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 3) - 7 = 1
Just made it with an average roll.

[Smerg]

Doctor Carding wrote:

Will spend my exchange taking that Alertness check, then.

4d3-7
Just made it with an average roll.

You notice that there appears to be some pushing and shoving around the exit. It appears that the gala people are piling up around the exit though you don't know what the problem is. All you can make out is plenty of angry shouting which involves swearing, threats of murder, and curses of people not knowing who is important.

[Aximeus]

Defense roll:

4d3 - 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 2, 3) - 3 = 6

to the zombie with a lear:

"if you say your name is Ignio Montoya, and ask me if I have 6 Fingers on my Right hand, I will assure you that my Therault is canceling out your Capa Ferro regardless of Agrippa"

<twirling my cleaver>

[Danny Kaye]

Aximeus wrote:

to the zombie with a leer:

"if you say your name is Ignio Montoya, and ask me if I have 6 Fingers on my Right hand, I will assure you that my Therault is canceling out your Capa Ferro regardless of Agrippa"

<twirling my cleaver>

And Danny snorts, trying not to laugh out loud and give himself and the girls away.

[Smerg]

Aximeus wrote:

Defense roll:

4d3-3

to the zombie with a lear:

"if you say your name is Ignio Montoya, and ask me if I have 6 Fingers on my Right hand, I will assure you that my Therault is canceling out your Capa Ferro regardless of Agrippa"

<twirling my cleaver>

The Jiang Shi's crude attack opens the way to Aximeus making an easy counter attack.

[Aximeus]

<when my init comes around again; I shout out>
"I AM ALWAYS SERIOUS...AND DONT CALL ME SHIRLEY!"

<shout out to Leslie Neilsen, RIP, and break some tension among the guests, can I use leadership to calm them down with this??>

Attack:
4d3 - 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 1) - 3 = 5

[Smerg]

Moving on Danny and the girls can act now or at the top of the order. The Triad are continuing to fight.

There are definitely screams now coming from around the doors.

[Danny Kaye]

Danny looks around at everything going on, then tightens his mouth in a grim line.

"Come on ladies. Let's dance!" He grins and starts to half run, half carry them so they don't put their full weight on their injured ankles.

"Oh it's the Thriller! Thril-er-r!,..."

Athletics:
4d3 - 5 ⇒ (2, 3, 2, 1) - 5 = 3

Danny gets the girls moving, trying to pick a path that won't put them in the way of a zombie band member, or get them crushed by well-meaning but panicky pedestrians.

'OK. The screaming HERE I understand. But why is there screaming coming from the doors?!?'

Yeah, until we shuffle skills, Danny's a little slow on the uptake! ;P

[Smerg]

Danny manages to move the girls under the deteriorating veil to the Gala area by the exit. You can now tell that the crowd has piled up like a clot of hair with people shoving and clawing to get out like it was Black Friday and the first five people to get inside the store could buy and IPad for Fifty Dollars.

Something is definitely wrong as the crowd is not being able to get out and security is back in the other half of the gala fighting Aximeus and the Jiang Shi.

The Veil has dropped to strength 4.

The Jiang Shi's lettering on their faces starts to run as the water continues to wash the ink from the paper. The ones that are up now have the first two boxes of their physical stress tracks filled.

Jiang Shi fighting Aximeus 4d3 - 5 ⇒ (1, 2, 2, 2) - 5 = 2

Aximeus wins 5 to 2 giving +3 shifts of damage. Weapon 1 +3 shifts damage +2 strength -1 Armour = 5 physical stress which the Jiang Shi already has filled which rolls to taken out.

Aximeus you can describe how you chop up the Jiang Shi with your cleaver.

[Danny Kaye]

Smerg wrote:

Danny manages to move the girls under the deteriorating veil to the Gala area by the exit. You can now tell that the crowd has piled up like a clot of hair with people shoving and clawing to get out like it was Black Friday and the first five people to get inside the store could buy and IPad for Fifty Dollars.

Something is definitely wrong as the crowd is not being able to get out and security is back in the other half of the gala fighting Aximeus and the Jiang Shi.

Danny stops as they come up on the clot of people. He looks back to the band and Aximeus.

"Come on. Someone's gonna get trampled in a panic in a minute. And I'd rather it was NOT us!" Danny whispers to the girls.

"So, do you want to tour the other exhibits? Or would rather see the service hallways?" he asks jovially, looking for the nearest of either one.

Presuming that in the crowd/panic/dark nothing is 'obvious', so Alertness check to see nearest exit? Either to the service hallways, or another exhibit hall. (Exhibits probably easiest to see.)

Alertness: 4d3 - 8 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 1) - 8 = -2

But Danny, being a little on the short side for a guy, and encumbered by two limping girls, a fading Veil, water in his eyes, and emergency lighting,... yeah. He doesn't see squat except trouble.

"Any Which Way but Loose,..." He sings under his breath as he looks around in frustration.

[Aximeus]

With methodical timing; Aximeus cleaves first one limb; then the next; then in his final telling stroke; decapitates the zombie; then with a single finger; topples the walking corpse to the ground where it thrashes for a few moments.

<Aximeus then looks to find a new target>

Smerg wrote:

Danny manages to move the girls under the deteriorating veil to the Gala area by the exit. You can now tell that the crowd has piled up like a clot of hair with people shoving and clawing to get out like it was Black Friday and the first five people to get inside the store could buy and IPad for Fifty Dollars.

Something is definitely wrong as the crowd is not being able to get out and security is back in the other half of the gala fighting Aximeus and the Jiang Shi.

The Veil has dropped to strength 4.

The Jiang Shi's lettering on their faces starts to run as the water continues to wash the ink from the paper. The ones that are up now have the first two boxes of their physical stress tracks filled.

Jiang Shi fighting Aximeus 4d3-5

Aximeus wins 5 to 2 giving +3 shifts of damage. Weapon 1 +3 shifts damage +2 strength -1 Armour = 5 physical stress which the Jiang Shi already has filled which rolls to taken out.

Aximeus you can describe how you chop up the Jiang Shi with your cleaver.

[Smerg]

Danny Kaye wrote:

Smerg wrote:

Danny manages to move the girls under the deteriorating veil to the Gala area by the exit. You can now tell that the crowd has piled up like a clot of hair with people shoving and clawing to get out like it was Black Friday and the first five people to get inside the store could buy and IPad for Fifty Dollars.

Something is definitely wrong as the crowd is not being able to get out and security is back in the other half of the gala fighting Aximeus and the Jiang Shi.

Danny stops as they come up on the clot of people. He looks back to the band and Aximeus.

"Come on. Someone's gonna get trampled in a panic in a minute. And I'd rather it was NOT us!" Danny whispers to the girls.

"So, do you want to tour the other exhibits? Or would rather see the service hallways?" he asks jovially, looking for the nearest of either one.

Presuming that in the crowd/panic/dark nothing is 'obvious', so Alertness check to see nearest exit? Either to the service hallways, or another exhibit hall. (Exhibits probably easiest to see.)

Alertness: 4d3-8

But Danny, being a little on the short side for a guy, and encumbered by two limping girls, a fading Veil, water in his eyes, and emergency lighting,... yeah. He doesn't see squat except trouble.

"Any Which Way but Loose,..." He sings under his breath as he looks around in frustration.

Danny's sense of direction is truly frightening.

Seeing the crowds and wishing to get the girls to safety, he directs them into the first available door which is the stairway. He hopes to lead them out a bottom loading exit or possibly an underground garage.

Instead, he opens the door on two huge trolls charging up the stairway like a pair of football nose guards making way for a linebacker.

Dr Carding and Nathaniel can take an action. The two remaining Jiang Shi are gnawing on the Triad.

[Danny Kaye]

Smerg wrote:

Danny's sense of direction is truly frightening.

Seeing the crowds and wishing to get the girls to safety, he directs them into the first available door which is the stairway. He hopes to lead them out a bottom loading exit or possibly an underground garage.

Instead, he opens the door on two huge trolls charging up the stairway like a pair of football nose guards making way for a linebacker.

Danny just stares at the oncoming troll-backers.

"Out of the frying pan?!? Not fair. This is simply NOT my day!" He whines, barely loud enough for the girls to hear.

The twins are staring at the oncoming trolls with eyes as big as saucers and mouths open wide enough to catch Frisbees. They aren't listening to Danny right now, otherwise they might take offense,...