Iron Stars - goblin

Goblin awakens in his home, in Dremlas. Outside, the hammering of an iron peg to a notice board is waking everyone in the neighborhood up. It happens once a week now. The Inheritor Alliance is beginning to spread across planet. An age of hope is dawning, and the city council is trying to mobilize everyone it can into the common good. Settlers, skilled workers, soldiers, everyone, no one has been exempt from the push forward and many of the elderly who were around for the previous unification of the different society classes compares the feeling of now, to then. A commotion is gathering as people are beginning to wake up, to see what kind of offerings are on display.

It is the day of the week Goblin prefers as it meant new opportunities for him. Willing to become someone and help the community, he always waits eagerly that day of the week. Life hasn't been easy for him he doesn't want to continue living alone like he used to for years. That's why he has recently taken the decision to be amongst the first to check the notice board. Today is no exception and as soon as he hears the sound of the hammer, he wraps himself in his cape and rushes outside to check the new offerings.

Several notices have been posted:

A rogue medical drone has escaped Dremlas academy, and is wandering the countryside with samples of powerful out of production healing reagents aboard. A substantial payment is promised if destroyed, more if disabled and brought in intact.

Specialists are needed to convince a newly contacted settlement to the west to join the greater cause. Delicate care is urged, war is not something that could be afforded.

A group of far-scouts is being put together to head north into a breach zone to see what might be there

Goblin looks at the new notices one by one. There's no way he will accept this kind of 'diplomatic' mission. He doesn't feel ready for that kind of interaction with other people. Capturing the rogue drone could be something nice to do and it would prove his capabilities but scouting a breach zone sounds more interesting. That's it. His decision is taken. Goblin will join the group of scouts if he is allowed to. He notes all the contact information on his Dataslab and goes back to his home to prepare himself for the mission. Once the time for meeting is hit, he will go to the meeting point for this mission. (Can I use my home to store some of my equipment? If so, I will store some of the spare parts (If not all) I'm carrying to get more storage available.)

(anything you're not taking with you just leave as "other" on your character sheet for things readied and stowed) (edited)

6:54 AM

The group is going to be meeting at that notice board tonight. A sergeant and a corporal are going to come back, interview who turns up as interested, and will select their team from there.

Goblins waits all the day until the time of meeting comes. He then gets out of his house, his backpack ready if necessary and reports to the military. "Hi, sir. I'm Goblin and I am interested in joining the scout group." (I left my spare parts at home and edited my character sheet accordingly)

five others have also come out, and two are sent home almost right away as either being too young, or too ill disciplined for them to feel safe bringing along- leaving just you, and three others to accompany the Sergeant and his second. "Welcome to the people's militia. Unfortunately we won't have much time in the way of training, so a quick summary of yourselves and what you might bring to the team would be helpful. Our job is just to walk, and look, so the hope is we won't need to rely on any of you too much- but a breach is a breach, and we need to prepare for anything" (edited)

Goblin checks that his mask his well positioned, steps forward and nods. "I'm Hemon Tox. But everyone calls me Goblin. I'm a precog and teleporter psychic and I have some pilot skills if that helps." He pauses a few seconds and finally adds. "And if need be, I know how use a gun..." His presentation done, Goblin moves back to the rank and waits the others. (edited)

"Ah you know how to drive then too, excellent. Poor Vanus here, he crashed the buggy last time and well, we just haven't let him forget it in the barracks have we Vanus" He is about to say something but is quickly shushed by his Sergeant with a good natured laugh

Gobling chuckles briefly, glad to see that he seems already integrated with the group. "I will do my best to keep the buggy on the road if I have to drive it, sir. I promise." he answers more seriously than what he wanted to sound.

“I think thats it then. Meet us at the gate in half an hour. We will be off”

Goblin nods in approval. "I will be there in time, sir." He then checks he is ready to go and when he is sure nothing is missing, he moves to the gate and finds something where he can sit while waiting for the rendez-vous time.

(if you wanted to pick anything else up, we can, otherwise I can move us along)

(I'm good to go. Let's move to this breach!

)

A small slingshot scout vehicle with a portable resonator attached in a trailer has been set aside for your use. A rugged vehicle, it seats six, with open sides, and a roof. You can see pressure tents and other gear has also been stuffed in with the resonator, as this may be an extended patrol.

1:10 PM

Everyone is assembled, a nd the driver seat has been left open for you

Goblins puts his backpack in the trailer and take the driver's seat. He turns toward the sergeant and questions. "Where should we be heading to, sir?"

"Where we're going, there aren't any roads. We head north out of the city, and make note of what we see. We're not sure what lies out in that direction, or what the land is like anymore. This is all valuable information for the city leadership to have, even if our patrol ends up without excitement'

Goblin nods. "Alright, sir. North it is!" The man closes his door and tries adjust the seat's position before starting the engine. Once everybody is onboard and looks ready, he pushes the accelerator of the vehicle which starts moving. Taking good note of the sergeant's advice, he looks around when the 'road' allows him to so he can check his surrounding for interesting stuff to note.

(d10, lets generate a hex feature)

(Rolled a 3)

A small ruin seems to be ahead through the trees. It looks like an overgrown farm homestead. You can see the mossed over creaking windmill, and the remains of a barn's roof. Some of it has fallen in,.

Goblin slows down and point at the ruin. "See that place? Do you want to go and explore it or do we only pin the coordinates on a map for later exploration?"

"Our job is to see whats out here. This is out here, we should see it. What do you guys think?"

Hemon nods. "I'm fine with this idea." He then waits everyone's opinion and starts to drive to the ruin or further in the land depending non what has been decided by the majority.

Checking it out is in line with what you were asked to do. They're not expecting to find anything, but clearing it means doing their job thoroughly

Before starting to move on again, Goblin gives a quick look at his pistol. "Better be ready than dead." he thinks. He then excitedly pushes the accelerator of the buggy and takes the direction of the ruins. "It's the first time I'm really leaving the city. I can't wait to visit this place, even if we find nothing. That will be a good change in my daily routine and overall lack of fun in my life.

(Notice/wis)

Rolled 7, the lucky number (I hope).

You can hear something faintly rustling in the barn. It is a thin sound, almost entirely carried away by the slight wind-but your ears are sharper than that

(Are we still in the vehicle at this point or are we on foot?)

(The vehicle is parked at the boundary of the homestead, and you're free to proceed how you want) (edited)

Moving cautiously, Hemon examines his surrounding when he hears a sound. He gestures clumsily to tell the group to stop and point at the barn. "There. I just heard a sound coming from that barn." he says. "It was faint, but I'm sure there was some sound. How should we proceed?"

"Skirmish line. Spread out, advance slow. Lets' check that first "

Goblin takes position in the line and unlock his pistol from his holster. As they get closer to the barn, he finally take the weapon in hands and look around him, trying to notice any movement.

Everyone can hear movement up there now, and are spreading out. It is on the upper floor, and leveling the building's upper reaches with a grenade is a safe, but wasteful option

Goblin reaches the sergeant and whispers to him. "Maybe we should try to encircle the place and call anything or anyone who's inside out before letting the weapons talk. What do you think sergeant?"

"That's what we're going to do. Alright everyone, circle it up, if they're hostile we level the building"

10:11 AM

(unless you plan to deviate from the group right now we'll assume they're doing it

Goblin nods and follow the orders, taking position in the forming circle around the barn and pistol at the ready.

The soldiers seem to be waiting for someone to call out, but otherwise have their guns ready

When he sees that everyone seem to be in place but no one is talking, Goblin decides to take the floor. "Hey!" he starts to shout. "Is there anyone here? We are from Dremlas and we come in peace. Please, show yourself. We won't harm you."

There is more rustling on the upper story. Something is happening up there. You can tell it’s a creature about the size of you, and cannot Definitley rule out that the source of the noise is human

(I'm thinking about different options here. From my position, can I teleport inside the barn (10 meters)? From my position, can I see if I can climb to the upper roof?)

(you could get onto the roof, or into the bottom floor of the barn, but cannot see enough into the second story to teleport)

As there are no answers, Hemon shouts one more time. "Hey! Show yourself, we won't do you any harm." If nothing answers, he will move closer to the barn and try to enter inside, whatever the sergeant could say to him.

The noise inside the barn stops, before a blistering burst of laser fire stitches the ground in front of the sergeant, from the second floor window.

As he hears the laser, Goblin instinctively crouch down before realizing the shot wasn't directed at him. Starting to feel bad, he wasn't expecting potential death in his group or from any attacker for his first mission in the wild. Before acting again, he decides to recall his Oracle power to get a clearer view of the incoming battle income. (Using my Oracle power to know if someone will be killed in the group if we try to use non lethal force. )

There are too many possibilities in the split second reactions of combat. The lines of fate spiderweb from one another by the millisecond, and you're unable to get a clear idea of how things might go

1:33 PM

(wayyyyyy too many dice rolls involved, no idea what's reliably going to hit and miss)

(No problem. At least, whoever is shooting at us doesn't looks like it will stop before they are dead. I will commit effort for the day.) The few images he is getting while concentrating on the situation helps him realize that the wilderness is... Well, wild and savage. Ready to accept that new realization, he shouts. "You won't be able to escape from here alive if you continue like that. Surrender and you will be treated well." With that said, he shoots at the barn to give the signal to the others that they can start shooting as well. (I'm not rolling for this shot. I'm simply shooting at the barn to try to dissuade them)

More shots from the barn miss the squad radioman, and your friendlies begin firing back with a bit more discipline, systematically walking their fire through the walls, up into the floor, and through the ceiling of the barn trying to get it to collapse, or at least deny the enemy serious cover. Although they're making the opening moves of their task well, the shooter is still alive inside

2:29 PM

(your turn)

As there is apparently no way to solve this encounter peacefully, Goblin joins the shooting and tries to aim for some weak point in the barn roof to make it collapse. (Rolled a 2 for 3 damage)

The shot hits the barn, and though you've hit it, you were unable to strike the actual target inside.

7:54 AM

He fires back, missing the ground near your feet, as the squad sergeant fishes a grenade out of his pouch (main action to ready a stowed item, so back to you

As he sees the sergeant on the verge of using a much bigger firepower, Goblin tries one last time to solve this problem with only injuries. He focuses on the inside of the barn, trying to identify the target's position and shooting to disable it.

9:22 AM

(Rolled twice on Roll20 because I thought the first roll had somehow buggued. How can I roll a 17 with 1d6? But the next test roll was similar in result. Is there something wrong here? Anyway, I meant to fire only once. Forget it, it's a d20 for attack, I'm so dumb. So I scored a 17 for 6 damage) (edited)

The grenade flies free a second after your shot hits something significant on the second floor. It explodes, sending straw and the broken body of a termie clutching a laser rifle to finish breaking itself on the ground. It's dead, and seem to have been the only thing living here.

A mere split seconds before the grenade explodes, Goblin crouch to the ground for cover. When he is sure that the threat is down, he takes a few to recover. It's the first time he is confronted to so much violence and it's hard for him to imagine that someone was just exploded with a grenade right now. He finally stands up and take the laser rifle to see what it's worth before moving toward the Sergeant. "Should we.. bury the body?" he asks hesitantly. "Or should we simply check the barn for anything valuable that could have survived the explosion?" (Checking the rifle. I will place it in the trailer once done)

The rifle has snapped in several places due to hitting the ground, and the weight of the body then falling on top of it. It is not something you can count on to operate safely.

(Can the rifle be scrapped for some pieces or it's really completely useless?)

(its entirely useless)

As the rifle is completely useless, Goblin throw it in the trailer so it can be dumped in a proper location rather than polluting nature here. He then move toward the Sergeant. "Should we.. bury the body?" he asks hesitantly. "Or should we simply check the barn for anything valuable that could have survived the explosion?"

"We should burn it. They've been mutated by breach exposure and we don't know what they're carrying with them"

Hemon nods. "I... I don't feel very confident with the idea of burning someone. Do you mind if I check the barn while you prepare the body to be burnt?" he asks to the sergeant.

He nods, and signals for one of the troopers to shadow you, just in case

Goblin gives a sigh of relief and turns toward the designated trooper. "Let's move and see if we can find anything." he says with a smile but with his pistol still in hands. Once he is in proximity of the barn, he starts looking around it for anything valuable or any hints of more Termies presence. When he is done with the surroundings, he enters inside the building after checking that its safe now it's been partially blown with a grenade.

It seems like this was just a normal barn. There is a decaying tractor here now and it will never work again. There is a smoldering fire on the second floor from the flame wash of the grenade. Aside from a handful of hay pitching tools, there is not much here to be used or useful.

Content with his first exploration, Goblin returns to the sergeant to report. "Aye sir! The barn is clear from any threat and there was nothing valuable apart some farming tools." He pauses a few moments and adds. "Do you need anything else from me, sir?"

"We have to check the farmhouse still, and should sweep the orchard, just to be sure. If there's any fruit worth taking it will extend our time out here"

Goblin nods. "Sure thing, sir. If you allow it, I will go explore the orchard with the trooper while you are finishing burning the Termie." (If allowed to go before the rest of the group, I will check the orchard first)

(By the way, as noted in #ooc , I will be out of home starting this Sunday for almost a week and I might be slow to answer.

)

(sounds good) the orchard is a grove of twisted trees, planted 5m apart from one a onther in a grid, in all directions. Leaves and fruit cover the ground. Some of which are rotting and have been claimed by the animals that inhabit the area. It's possible the termie was sustaining himself from here as well

Goblin looks for an edible fruit and take it from either a tree or the ground before turning toward the trooper. "Hey. Looks like we can get some of these fruits. It can be a good addition to rations." The second after he pronounce this last word, Hemon's face turns pale. "Rations! Oh, boy. I completely forgot to bring rations with me. I'm so stupid." he says while shaking the head. "Well, let's talk food later. Can you help me take a sample of these fruits so we can bring them back to the sergeant please?" (Woops. No that I think about it, I forgot to take rations. ahah. I guess I will have to eat fruits

) (Also, bringing a sample of fruits to the sergeant as well as an estimate of their quantity if I can provide that)

At the fields, on the edge of the orchard to the north of you, several birds suddenly flock skywards. THe soldier with you heard you, but doesn't reply. He goes down on one knee, and levels his weapon

When he sees the soldier's reaction, Goblin drops the fruit on the ground and goes down as well. He looks in the direction of the birds and stays silent in case they haven't been seen yet, watching for any sign of movements.

The long reeds are moving. Something large is advancing toward the fence line at the edge of the orchard 150m away.

(Are we far from the rest of the group? How long to join them at running speed? Or maybe we are close enough that they can hear us if we shout?)

(You're pretty far. They might hear shouting but it would be the combined movement and main actions to move of several rounds to get to anything close to them right now)

As they are too far from the rest of the group, Goblin and the trooper are on there own to deal with what's coming. And it looks big. Turning toward the soldier, he suggests: "We might want to take cover behind a tree or a fence. Whatever is coming at us might be quite big to move the reeds like that." The young man starts scanning his close environment to find a good cover while waiting for the answer from his companion. (Looking for potential cover around me) (edited)

The trees are varying widths, providing light concealment and cover. There is nothing else in the area as it would have obstructed the growth of the trees

There's not much to hide but being behind a tree is still better than nothing so as the thing gets closer, Goblin moves behind the thickest tree he can find even if this kind of trees aren't generally large. He then watches intently at the direction of the incoming thing. (Going behind a tree. It's still better than nothing)

A creature emerges into the orchard. It’s long tongue drips some sort of acid that bubbles the ground where it falls. It smells the air with this long sensory appendage , from a position of 30m away

When he sees the creature, Goblin is both amazed and terrified by the sight. He looks in awe for a few seconds before turning toward the soldier. "Do you know what this thing is? It looks both cute and dangerous."

“I have no idea. It doesn’t look natural”

Goblin looks at the creature anew and studies it for a few moments, trying to see if it has spotted the duo or if they are safe staying hidden. (Should I roll something or are the creature's intentions quite visible?)

(We can do a survive/wis)

(Rolled 5)

You're unable to discern what it might be doing. This creature is an aberration and you can't be confident in what any of its behaviors might mean.

Goblin stays hidden as much as he can while trying to discover what the creature is doing. Unable to find out if it's a placid creature with good defense or a predator, he shivers a bit. "Let's stay hidden a bit more. It looks like it hasn't spotted us yet. But be ready to fire at it or run away." He stops a few seconds, still looking at the creature. "I wonder if we should try to capture a video footage of that creature. It could interest the scientists. Do you think that falls under our orders to find whatever we can?" (edited)

He nods, trying not to talk too much. He doesn't have a compad on him and cannot get video himself

Getting the approbation from the soldier, Goblin swaps his laser pistol for his dataslab and starts recording footages of the creature. (Roll20 is hard to use on phone but I think my dataslab is readied so it should be two minor actions to swap, right?)

(if it is readied it does not take any actions to get it out. If it is a stowed item, it takes a main action to ready. There are also no minor actions in this game) (edited)

(I was finally able to check roll20 and my dataslab is readied so I'm swapping my weapon for my dataslab and starts recording)

(the weapon is also able to stay readied,so there's no actions needed to change between them)

3:06 PM

The creature continues sifting through the layered scents in the air. There is some sort of pause as the hair on its neck flares. Paw down, it licks the ground with a long anteater like tongue. Its head slowly begins to turn in your direction

(Noted. I was picturing the dataslab as so big I would need to use my two hands.) As the creature looks in Goblin's direction, the man shivers anew and stay still as a statue. He continues to film as much as he can by pointing the dataslab in the general direction of the creature but he stares at it, ready to react in case of necessity.

(I’d review the combat actions starting on page 48 and the encumbrance rules on page 61. They’re good things to know. This doesn’t work how you think it’s working so don’t cheat yourself on what you can do) (edited)

6:57 PM

The pad is recording. The video stretches into a full minute of watching the beast sniff the air and scent the ground before it stands on all fours and bolts back the way it came back into the fields

(Yup. I'm more rusted than I thought so I will review the rules when I will be back home

) Goblin continues to record until the last moment, keeping the recording go even a few moments after the creature has disappeared. He finally stops the camera and checks one last time that the thing is gone before standing up. Struck by a mixed feeling of awe, relief and excitement, he turns toward the soldier. "We need to show that to the sergeant and the rest of the group. We will continue checking the orchard later. Let's move." He then quickly starts turning back to where they left the others. (Going back to the sergeant and showing him the video footage)

THey've about finished sweeping the house when you re-join them. Things are empty now. THe termie was the only one on the property.

A bit out of breath after he has ran like mad to rejoin the group, Goblin goes directly to the sergeant. "Sir! Sir!" he shouts before stopping in front of the military and catching his breath for a few seconds. "Sir! You need to see that!" he continues with excitement while opening the video record on his dataslab. "Look at this thing, it's awesome!"

He reaches out to take the pad from you, quietly lighting a cigarette and looking down at the recording looping over and over. "You saw this near the orchard? Was it alone?"

Hemon waits impatiently while the sergeant is watching the video. "Yes, sir. We saw the creature in the orchard while we were checking for something edible. It was alone, sir. It came in the orchard, stayed here for a few moments and moved back from where he came."

"Hard to figure out what it was doing. I don't know anything about animals though. This is going to get plenty of people in the academy excited though. Good find:

"Thank you sir. I think it was looking for food. The only question is what it is. My guess would be fruits or small things but I don't know much about animals either." Goblin stops a few moments and remembers their other finding. "Speaking of fruits, there are a few we could salvage in the orchard if we want to spare the time. We were about to try eating one when the creature arrived."

“Alright. Let’s all go together then now that we know nobody in the house is going to shoot us in the back or make off with our ride

Goblin nods. "Alright, sir. I will show you where we saw that creature. Please, follow me." With that said, Goblin waits for everyone bro be ready and starts moving to the orchard once again.

With a full team, the group moves into the orchard. EVeryone is picking up the best of the fruits from the branches to be taken to the supply of rations you have on you right now. "Alright lad, walk us through what happened"

(Finally back home. I will be able to able to have a faster posting rate now.

) Goblin picks some fruits as well and turns back toward the sergeant when he call him. "Come with me, I will show you." he says while moving to the place where they met the creature. He takes the same spot where he was and gestures in the direction of the reeds. "See that reeds? It came from here. We immediately crouch to hide ourselves from it and watched what it did." Goblin gestures once again to show a path. "He then moved here and did something with his tongue after looking at us. Or maybe he looked at us after that, I don't remember well. And finally, he left." After a few seconds, Goblin snaps his fingers and adds excitedly. "Also, it looks like acid is dripping from his tongue. Maybe we can find some sample on the ground?"

"Thats exactly what I was thinking. Lets take a bit of the soil it splashed on and we can let the lab worry about trying to separate it all out" (edited)

7:26 PM

He produces a small glass tube from his ammunition belt

Goblin nods and takes the glass tube. He then quickly moves toward the place where the creature was and looks for a spot of acid. When he finds one, Goblin takes a sample of ground and acid in the tube and closes it with the lid. Finally, the man gives the tube back to the sergeant. "Here's the sample, sir."

(what did you want to name it? Will make sure you get credit on world anvil)

(Long-legged fruit eater for it's official name but shortened to Longy by most people. It might not be eating fruits but the name will account for the lack of knowledge we had about it when it as discovered. Does that sound good?)

(sure thing)

7:23 AM

"Alright. We know there's a homestead and a good orchard here, and dark is coming. We can either return to the city , or camp in the house and push further tomorrow. We've met the minimum level of success for this trip already"

Goblin looks at the sky and then at the farmhouse. "I vote for staying here and pushing more tomorrow. Maybe the beast we found has a stronger nocturnal activity that we could observe if you have night googles. And we didn't faced to much troubles yet so I guess we could risk going further a bit. But I'm speaking for myself here."

Your argument seems to make sense and everyone is alright with stopping here for the night.

7:47 AM

(3xp, 5000 credits)

(I should be able to advance to level 2 in the middle of the week. I will add that skill I forgot at character creation at the same time)

(sounds good to me)

(Goblin has been leveled up to level 2. Here's a recap of what I did :

Adding 5000 Credits
Rolling new HP : 10 HP
Adding Sneak-0 that I forgot at character creation
Using 2 skill points out of 3 to increase Pilot-0 to Pilot-1
Storing 1 skill point for Psychic skill for later use (As per rule, I need to use one for Psychic things)
Upping my Psychic Training / Precog foci to level 2
I get a free skill point from that foci to spend toward Precog skill / technique. I'm storing it as well Do you see anything missing / wrong?)

(looks right to me)

8:00 AM

The ngiht passes uneventfully, though you hear the sounds of wildlife and the hunting calls of what you hope are wildlife several times

Goblin wakes up refreshed after the night and looks around in the wild, happy to still be alive and confident that everything should go fine one more time. After eating some fruits that they gathered the day before, he searches for the sergeant. "Ay sir. What's the plan for today?"

"We're going to push a bit further north. We might find another site like this, we might find nothing, but I tihnk either way we should plan on another night here before returning to the city

Goblin nods. "I'm all good with this idea. If the batteries allow it, we might take the cars to push even further than if we go on foot."

"Maybe. Well, if everyone's ready lets mount up and see what we can find out there"

3:12 PM

(d10)

Once the sergeant gives the order to move, Goblin makes sure his backpack his done and he forgets nothing before jumping on the driver's seat once again. He then starts the engine and sinks deeper in the wild. (Rolled 8)

Heading north you're quickly off the previously abandoned road, and after a few hours of driving a battered sign on the side of the road announces you are close to the "Ever-Sky Trailer Park and Retirement Community". You can see cook fire smoke heading skyward and the air crackles strangely

As they arrive close to the new place, Hemon stops the vehicle and starts looking around him until he sees the smoke. He doesn't feel really good as there is something uneasy in the air. Turning toward the sergeant, he starts wording his worries. "Looks like we found something to explore. And that we are not the first one here. There's something I don't feel good about this place but we can't move without exploring it."

"We just need to see it. If we think its beyond us, we can leave. What do you think?"

Goblin thinks about it for a few moments and nods. "You're right. Let's try to sneak closer and see if there are Termies or survivors out there. If we feel the threat is too important, then we go back and report so more people can be send if needed."

(notice/wis)

(Rolled a small 3)

You're unable to get a sense of who this settlement might belong to. There's a stuttering resonation field trying to keep the place protected, but you dont have any insight for why it is not working. thinking about the problems this area might be having, you don't see the trip flare until you've sent the burning ball of neon red high into the sky- announcing to the villagers someone is in the woods, and closing in

As he sees the flare explodes in the sky, Hemon's blood boils and he immediately grabs his pistol from his holster. "Get ready for contact. Looks like we triggered a signal and we will get some visit." The man then looks around him for cover position and waits to see what kind of people are coming to them.

the settlement goes into alert. Some sort of repurposed fire horn is being ground as the locals move to defensive positions. You can hear the sound of a motorbike being revved, then two, then three, before they grow progressively louder over the next moment. "If we're going, we're going now" the sergeant says "otherwise we see this through"

(How many are we in the group?)

(still five, you and the four soldiers)

(Thanks, I wasn't sure about the number of soldiers) "Sure thing, sir." Goblin answers promptly. "I think we should go away. They started at least three vehicles so they must be numerous. Let's note the coordinates and come back later with more people and gear." he continues. He then starts to move back to the vehicle and turns the engine on and gets ready to go as soon as everyone has embarked.

The bikers emerge from the woods as soon as your vehicle starts up and begins driving away back toward Dremlas. The people on them do not look mutated, but they do look like they have ill intent. Most of them brandish submachine guns and pistols. There are two people on each bike, a driver and passenger

7:35 AM

50m from you, they begin to chase

When he sees all the bikes and guns coming closer to them, Hemon quickly looks at the sergeant. "I will let you and your guys handle the gun fight if you will and I will focus on driving us far from them. How does that sound?" Waiting for the answer, Goblin tries to quickly scan the terrain in front of him to find the safest and quickest path for the vehicle.

(Pilot/dex)

7:24 AM

(Also, are we in comminucation range with Dremlas?)

(yes we are)

(Good. I will wait to see the result of my skill check and probably call them if needed)

(You're not going to fail with a 13, but i dont want to move the scene until you decide if you're calling them or not)

(Alright, I will add something to that roll

) While driving, Goblin starts sending a message directed toward Dremlas. "Dremlas, this is Goblin from the expedition unit that went to one of the North breach zone. We are being chased by armed people and we might need backup. Do you copy?"

Ther eis a faint crackle as the signal is being warped by the proximity to the resonator here. Gunfire chases after the vehicle, the first shots missing as the high speed chase begins

"Damn resonators" thinks Goblin when he gets the crackle as only answer. Still focused on driving, he quickly glance in the rear-view mirror to see their pursuers trying to shot them. "Sergeant, how's the gunfight going? Do you need something from me?"

He is about to answer you when a burst of gunfire has him hunkering back down. He's been hit but it does not look too bad. Return fire sends one of the dirtbikes pitching end over end to smash into a log and explode. THe fate of those on it is unknown though they were surely thrown clear. Two more follow on, and you see a large rock in the path ahead (evasion save)

Goblin takes a split second to look at the sergeant to get his answer when he sees him getting hit. At first afraid that the man is dead, he is glad to see that he is still alive and quickly focusses again on the road. Maybe it is thanks to his precog power, maybe it is sheer luck or some good reflexes but when he sees the rock right in the middle of his path, he reacts quickly. (16 vs 13 - success)

"Hang on sir!" shouts Goblin over the noise of shooting and driving. "I will get us out of this alive!"

The distress beacon built into the vehicle is blinking. Someone out there has heard you and help is undoubedly coming, you just need to stay alive until then. More gunfire misses both the vehicle, and the bikes. Traveling at this high rate of speed has obstacles flying past you , a never ending cascade of near misses as you grapple with keeping speed , traction, and control all while evading the hail of solid shots continually coming in your direction. A natural dirt ramp of dirt piled up by the wind against the back of a rock is ahead. Vaulting it successfully and landing on the other side of the creek might buy you enough time to break contact if the bikes do not follow.

As tension is reaching an extremely high level, Goblin is relieved by the blinking light. "Alright guys. Looks like help is coming our way. Continue shooting and we will get out of this alive!" he shouts to the group. Still looking at opportunities to evade the bikes, he notices the ramp and consider it like a definitive way to 'safety'. Or at least, away from all the gunfight and the bikes. Immediately, he proceeds to drive toward the ramp and prepares for a good flight.

(Luck save)

1

The cart hits the other side of the ramp poorly , and breaks into several pieces. It spins end over end ejecting everyone. One of the soldiers is dashed against a tree, but everyone else is thrown into the muddy bank. The bikers don’t follow but the fruit and the vehicle itself are irreversibly destroyed

3

Everything suddenly goes blurry as the car crashes and Goblin hits the mud. For a stew seconds, everything is dark and it's hard for him to hear anything. With difficulty, he raises on his knees, wiping his face from the mud. Hearing the bikes moving away, he is relived and gets finally up on his two legs. Goblin looks around him and sees all the other soldiers. He rushes toward the one who has hit the tree to check if he is still alive.

12:59 PM

"Are you ok?" he asks.

The man's head lolls around on a broken neck. He is dead, and very not okay. Everyone is groans as they try to get to their feet. The bikers don't seem to want to try the same reckless move,and instead turn back toward their settlement.

A shiver goes down his spine as Goblin finds the man is dead. It's the second time he is confronted to death in two days and he is not used to that feeling. This time is even worst as he feels guilty for this death. Hearing the other men groaning, he moves back toward them and helps the injured Sergeant get on his feet. "I... I'm sorry sir." he starts to mutter before speaking with a clearer voice. "One of you men is dead because I thought I could land us safely. And the vehicle is only a pile of garbage." Goblins waits a bit that the sergeant is standing and looks OK before asking. "How do you feel sir? Do you need help to clean that woud from the shot?"

He shakes away the apology. “You did what you could. We need to get back to the city or at least the farmhouse before dark. We are wasting time standing here “

Goblin nods. "Sure thing, sir. Let me check if we can spare something from the wreckage and we can move toward the closest point from our position." he says. (Looking for anything that could be used to help us in the wild. Especially something that can help us enhance our communication range like the vehicle's antenna or radio).

(fix/int)

(Rolled 8)

You think you can cobble together enough of the radio equipment to get one more transmission off before it stops working for good

Goblin is happy when he understands that his makeshift montage can send a last message. "Sir!" he says with the renewed excitement that usually qualifies him. "Sir! I can send a last message. If you are good with that, I will send the coordinates of the farmhouse and ask for a recovery mission to find us there. What do you think?" Then, looking at the dead body he finally asks: "What should we do of the body? It will slow us if we take it but I don't like the idea of letting it here in the wild. Maybe we could raise it in a tree to protect it from ground scavengers and come back later to retrieve it?"

The sergeant and his soldiers are worse off than you. Youre going to have to make these next decisions on your own as they work to try to apply some basic first aid to themselves

Getting no answers, Goblin raises the head and see the group in bad shape. He sends the message with the coordinates of the farmhouse and goes back to the dead soldier. He takes his nameplate and tries to camouflage the body a bit behind foliage. When he is done, he joins the rest of the group. "I'm ready to go, sir. I gave rendez-vous to the farmhouse to the rescue team."

"Alright, slow and steady. One step at a time. Lets make sure everyone gets back in one piece"

"Sure thing, sir." answers Goblin with a nod. "Can I help one of you? Or I can scout a bit in front of the group if you wish." he then offers.

“Alright. Take a look ahead. Make sure we are clear”

When he gets the go, Hemon checks that his equipment is all good and starts trotting a bit to get some distance with the group. He stops when he hits the limit where he can still get glimpse of the soldier when looking behind him so he always have visual connection with them.

You cna hear dirtbike engines revving and gunfire in the air, but it is distant and behind you. After a few hours of walking you dont even hear it anymore. The farmhouse is about another hour away. Everyone is worse for wear.

When the sound of bikes and gunfire finally disappear, Goblin joins the group of soldier to check on them. "We are about one hour left from the farmhouse sir. Do you want to take a break or continue straight to there? Anything I can do to help one of you?" (edited)

"I think we're just going to need to push onwards. Race ahead, flag them down and get them out here. We need medical attention and I don't trust a couple of us to hold out long enough:

"Sure thing sir. I will have the run of my life if that means you can all be saved." says Goblin with great conviction. "Before I go, can I borrow a flare or two from you? I don't have such equipment with me and it could help the rescue team locate us."

One of them offers you a small flaregun with two red shells for it

Goblin takes the flaregun and the shells and stashes them in pockets. "I will do my best to make contact with a rescue team as soon as possible." he says before turning his back to the group and he starts running in the direction of the farmhouse.

Overhead you can see the contrails from a bulky atmoflyer passing by on its way to the farmhouse. Your message seems to have been heard by the authorities in Dremlas, and a rescue team has been sent

(Can't find the flare gun in the equipment list. Should I simply add 2 thermal flares instead?) When he sees the atmoflyer, Goblin is filled with excitement. With renewed vigour, the man rushes as fast as he can toward the farmhouse and he lights one of the flare, keeping it in hands and agitating his arm to be seen more easily.

(That’s fine)

(Then I'm down to one thermal flare now :P)

You can hear soldiers near the farmhouse calling out that they've sighted the flare. They know you are not hostile as you've called ahead and explained how you would be signaling them. A medic and three soldiers are already racing into the trees to meet you, unsure of your condition

Goblin drops the flare and waves the hand at the medic and soldiers that are approaching. He quickly rejects their inquiries to help him and, out-of-breath, he tries to speak clearly. "I'm fine, I'm fine." he starts to say, waving his arms to repel the medic. "But we have 4 soldiers that are in bad shape in this direction." he adds, pointing behind him. "Unfortunately, we also have a dead. But follow me quickly. We need to be swift if we don't want more casualties." And, without waiting, Goblin starts running from where he came with one goal in mind: saving the four remaining soldiers.

(exert/con)

(Got a 8)

Moving quickly your legendary constitution holds out and the rescue team is able to reach your comrades, shortly before the first of them would have expired from their injuries. The bandit settlement is mapped, and noted. A larger investiture of IA personnel is something to be discussed at the upcoming meeting.

5

10:05 AM

(3xp, 5000 credits)

Goblin feels a lot of relief when he understands that all the soldiers can be saved. He joins the sergeant and with a great gladness, he says: "Thank you for not dying, sir. You will be fine now." He helps the rescue team as much as he can and help them pinpoint the location of the bandit camp. When back in Dremlas, he hears about this investiture thing and decides to learn more about this after he is able to get some rest.

(might be a good thing to do once we have month flip, as the others will be back and our new people will probably be done with their first missions, not sure if there was anything else goblin was interested in doing)

(Sure. I was going to ask if this is something we have to do "in real time" or in parallel to our other threads. Because I don't know if I have time for another mission before the month flip. Maybe a small one that doesn't even reward anything just to keep me entertained while waiting.)

(Alright, ill think of something)

(If that's too much work for you, I will be happy with waiting as well. I don't want to push you finding something if this is too much of a hassle.)

Returning home to your apartment you can see that your mailbox has been filled with papers while you were gone. Delivery has not come yet today, if it did, they'd be forced to leave it on the floor.

Goblin takes all the paper and starts reading them one by one to check if something nos worth it. (Home or apartment finally?)

(Home, sorry. )

5:59 PM

The first few letters are bills or ads. One of them is a very excessive and irritating ad for breach insurance. Has a loved one become a termie? Have you but somehow you can still read? It’s quickly balled up and thrown in the waste paper basket. The next glossy ad shows that bikes and grav cycles are on sale , due to the wide influx of people exploring the wilds in these southern reaches

2

(No problem

) Goblin goes throughout all the ads and bills one by one with almost no interest, only stopping occasionally to read more about a few of them. But when he finds the ad about bikes, a large smile appears on his smile. "Now, that is interesting." he thinks to himself. "But first, I need some rest." (Did someone told you I was considering buying a bike for Goblin or it's just some sheer luck?) Stretching himself, he starts yawning and moves in direction of his bed. Not taking the time to remove his clothes, he jumps on his bed and fall asleep immediately. His sleep is punctuated by nightmares of the exploding Termies and the dead soldier. He awakes multiple times, sweating in his bed and finally resolves himself to do something else. He goes take a shower and he eats quite a lot to recover from his days in the wild. He takes the ads for the bike to find the address and before going to the shop, he decides to go visit the sergeant. (Trying to find where I can find the sergeant to visit him and get some news about his state before going to the shop)

(its a very good entry level vehicle)

7:19 AM

The sergeant is in a military hospital in the center of the city. He isn't permitted to take visitors at the moment until IA authorities have a chance to debrief him but the desk clerk there lets you know those who survived the patrol are all in stable condition. You are also advised to expect a letter from City Center asking for your own appointment for a debrief as well. The tone did not sound like one of warning or danger.

Reassured that the team is going well, Goblin asks if there's a date when he can meet them again and he thanks the clerk. He then leaves the hospital and takes the direction of the shop. (No need to roleplay a real meeting with the military team if that brings nothing to the story

)

(Not sure yet myself, lets handle the bike first)

10:37 AM

The dealership is busy, with many people walking the lot looking at ground and grav bikes for sale. An auto-painter and fabricator on the premises is capable of a wide array of customization.

Goblin looks around in the shop and finally moves to the fabricator to check the selection of options available for bikes. If he sees that the dealership is available, he will ask him if he has some recommendations.

(we can put something together on the omni builder, if you've never used it we can PM)

(I started looking at it yesterday. Not sure what I will take yet. I can get anything TL4 civilian or there are restrictions on Saliv? Also, do I need to pay it right when I get it or can I pay in multiple times?)

(You can go into debt for it if you want)

(Alright. I don't plan to explode my bank account but I might go a bit over my 10K Credits. ^^)

After a few moments, Gobin finally takes his decision on the type of vehicle and the fittings he wants. He places his order with the following requirements. If there are no additional cost, he will ask for a mix of white and dark blue paint remembering a Swallow.

1:29 AM

The bike is fitted and the paintwork is just the way you want it. It takes a few moments for it to dry but the end result is a stunning bike you can be proud of

(Does it come with a Type-B power cell or not meaning I can ride it right now?)

(it comes with a full charge) (edited)

8:35 AM

(but after six hours we would need another cell)

(Great. That means I can go try it right now) Goblin is in awe before his new bike. Colored just like he wanted it to be, he is more than happy with the final result. He thanks the dealership and pays him before mounting the bike to test it. He goes gently in the city streets and stops by a shop to buy two Type-B power cells. He then drives toward the city's doors and stops before them. He looks outside, pondering if he should have a ride outside, where he could really try is new toy but where danger lurks as well. (Buying 2 Type-B Cells, 3 days worth of ration and a Survival kit.) (edited)

(did you want to explore a couple hexes ? or join Darrien on his scouting mission?)

(I had nothing specific in mind. Just offering you a hook for something new. I can join Darien if he wishes but I will have to buy some stuff before)

Heading down into the woods you see the evidence of animals nearby in the form of tracks, forage marks on trees, and scat. An arrow is also embedded in a tree 30m ahead of you. The shaft itself is invisible but its been fletched with neon yellow feathers and you could pick it out from a long way off

8:30 AM

It looks like something might be attached to it or around the shaft but from this distance it’s hard to tell if it’s aged paper or just part of the items construction

Noticing the arrow, Goblin moves toward it to pick it. But he moves cautiously, looking around and on the ground for any signs of possible traps. One triggered flare trap is enough for him and this so visible arrow is suspicious.

This is something that looks to want to be found. The high visibility feathers and message container are all meant to be easily spotted in brush and trees.

Goblin moves forward and takes the arrow. He examines it and checks if the message container can be opened. If possible, he will read the message.

There is a zip tie like seal on the message container. it pulls easily.

To whoever finds this message, 

We tried to make it to Dremlas. There is something in the woods here. It hunts us like we are cattle. The breach keeps it in, and we cannot get out. Do not come any closer. Warn the city

After reading the end of the message, Goblin shivers. "Surely, if such thing existed near Dremlas, people would be aware. Right? They would." he thinks to himself. He hesitates a few moments, pondering what he should do before taking a decision. He moves back to his hoverbike and program it with a warning message containing the coordinates and a copy of what he has read. If he is not back in 72 hours, the hoverbike's ghostdriver will drive back to Dremlas to deliver the message. When he is done with the bike, he takes his stuff, survival kit included and starts moving inside the forest, going against the warning. (Not sure how long I'm expected to stay there. If it's sure 6 hours isn't enough, I will up the timer to a better value) (edited)

(how long you're expected to stay where? Also, this area was cut off by a bad null breach that didnt go away until recently, so the people in here were cut off, and vice versa)

(What I meant is I'm not sure how big this mission will be. Do you expect it to be completed over a few IG hours, dozens of hours, a few days... ?)

(kind of depends on what you do, which isn'yt really a great answer but we have no idea what the dice are going to do)

(Alright. I will bump the timer on the hoverbike to 72h as I have rations for three days. So I'm ready to go)

(survive/wis)

(Rolled 2. Should I had +1 from my Survival kit?)

(yes)

8:10 PM

You\re unable to see any prints or tracks this close to the place where the message was found but if it was frequented by people there is achance the animals have learned to be clever or are not present here. You can see a path through the woods that leads deeper in, passing through the remains of an enormous hollowed out log

Unable to find any trace, Goblin moves closer to the log. He stops before it, trying to get a look at the other side and he loses himself in his thoughts. He remembers the Longy that he has discovered in the Orchard. This creature looked peaceful, at least from some distance and if not disturbed. But that message tucked on the arrow... A creature hunting everyone daring getting closer to the breach zone... And this time, Goblin is alone, without the backup provided by the Sergeant and his men. His first excursion in the wild had him under heavy fire and a car chase whee he could have lost his life. So why was he hesitating? Goblin could simply turn his back to the log, take his hoverbike and join the safety of Dremlas' walls. Then, a team of crazy people could go and track the beast while he himself could go back to his humdrum life. He wanted a taste of the wild and he got it. He had what he wanted so he should go back to his life now. Still, there is something in him that is pushing to go further in the forest and to take this log entrance like if it was a metaphoric entrance to his new life. Then, he makes a first step. Then a second. And Goblin is following the path to the inner of the woods, ready to face whatever he will find.

1

1

50m beyond the log you come to a clearing where carrion birds scatter at the noise of the grav bike approaching. Seven human skeletons have been opened to the elements here and have been a steady food supply for scavengers for some time. One of them is carrying a bow and a discarded quiver of the same yellow fletched arrow you had seen before. Remains of a Dremlas messenger corps uniform cling to the ivory skeleton

(I was assuming I was going on foot but I will now make like if I was using it.) Stopping close to the group of skeletons, Goblin kneels down next to them. First hesitant, he finally rummages the bones (I have gloves) trying to find clues on what could have killed them but he already have an idea. The beast... Goblin also looks for anything that can help him identify who these people could be, especially the one from the messenger corps.

(itll just leave from here when the time is up i forgot about that)

2:31 PM

(notice/wis)

(No problem.) (Rolled 5)

You're not sure about the others .You know there were many people out in the wilds just living their lives before The Scream, the failure of most of the planet's resonators, and the surge of the boiling hell that is raw exposure to a breach. The messenger was probably out here carrying mail to these frontiersmen when they had all met their fate. Most of the letters and compads here are far too fouled by water to make sense of

Unable to find anything valuable on the corpse, Goblin decides to take some time to bury them decently. (Assuming there's a small spade in the survival kit) He digs a small hole in the ground and place all the bones inside of it before covering them with dirt again. Once he is done with the burial, he decides to go deeper in the forest so he starts looking around him for clues of any tracks or path that animals could take. He also takes time to listen to the sound of nature, trying to find if it's life is plentiful or scarce here.

(I could see it having an E-tool or something collapsible yeah)

7:46 AM

Nature seems to be scarce here. You hear the sounds of bugs chattering in the trees but haven't seen evidence of anything bigger than them in the area. Anything with even a small amount of substance to it seems to be entirely absent from the local area

(Yeah. I figured a good survival kit would have at least something to help dig simple holes) His eyes closed, Goblin takes a few moments to listen to the bugs. When he figures that there's nothing bigger than insects in the vicinity, he thinks that he might be the only creature stupid enough to stay here. Which could mean one thing. He is not really alone and the beast could be near him. Despite being scared by the idea to meet the thing, he is also pushed by the envy to find it. The encounter with the Longy was something that touched him deeply and he wants to feel this feeling again, even if that means finding a killing-creature this time. With the firm intention to find what killed the poor men, he moves deeper in the woods.

Moving deeper into the woods you can see large gashes have been torn from the trees here and another pair of arrows have also found homes in them. These are older and have been sitting exposed to the elements. One of them has a large tuft of a hair/scale mix pinned to the tree- likely torn from the beast described in the message

Goblin tries to stay as aware as possible of his surroundings. The deeper he moves inside the wood, the clearer it gets to him that he must be approaching the creature's den. His attention attracted by the arrows, he moves swiftly toward them and takes the tuft in hands. He sniffs it quickly before pocketing it. It could be a good material for a scientific analysis. He then continues to look around him, trying to find the direction of the creature. The goal is to approach it without being spotted to get a good impression of it.

THrough the woods you can see the ruins of a small village ahead. It had all the trappings of a modest frontier settlement in the form of a well, a few homes, a larger temple like building, and a storehouse where the community food supply and animals would have been kept. Two more bodies near the well and more fur draw you in closer

(Am I in communication range with Dremlas here? What time is it?)

(you're in comm range. It's been about an hour since you left your bike so still morning)

When he finds the village, Goblin is first astonished to see it. Living there should have been rough even before the Scream and the Null breaches must have made that even worse. He quickly looks around him and moves toward the bodies. He then reaches for his Compad and tries to contact Dremlas "Dremlas. This is Goblin out in the wild. I have found a abandoned village that has been exposed to a Null Breach. There are no survivors. Sending you the coordinates now." He takes a moment to send the information and continue his message. "I will stay here for a bit. There's some kind of dangerous creature roaming around that village and I'd like to find what it is. If I'm not back in three days, my hoverbike should come back to the city by itself. Golin, out." His message sent, Goblin starts searching in all the buildings for anything valuable and for a place to spend the night. He wants to find that creature and he starts to think that it will only show by night. If he can, he will establish a place in a elevated point in the village (Maybe a top floor or something like that) and he will try to find material to craft some alert devices (Even as rudimentary as a string with something noisy attach to it). If he has enough time, he will also bury the bodies.

(fix/int for the traps. Burying the bodies would take probably half our daylight hours)

(Rolled 4 for the traps. Does that include some kind of perimeter alarm or should I need to roll for that as well? Also, if I have enough time to bury the bodies before dusk -- but after I'm done with the trap, I will proceed. If not, I will wait)

You're unable to cobble enough scrap to together to make effective traps. Moving on, you bury the bodies and once that is complete still have a few hours to figure out how to make your position defensible before nightfall

Unable to find anything to make a trap, Goblin tries to at least get some perimeter alarm done. He tries to scavenge whatever he can find that he can stretch between trees (Like ropes, wires...) and things that can produce sounds when hit (Like can with small rocks inside). He will put as many as he can around the village. Once done, he will concentrate on the future to try to find the best position in case the beast come. (Using Oracle to answer the following question: if the creature visits the village, where will it come from? That way, I will position myself best to see it and not be seen or at least have an edge in case of combat)

The creature will come from the grain storehouse in the village, north of your current position

Returning back to reality, Goblin now needs to decide. Does he want to risk facing the Beast or be safe and leave. "Alright, Goblin. You have to take a decision. Maybe the most important of your life." he starts thinking The man starts looking around him, trying to find the best hiding position or a place in height from where he could have an edge if he were spotted by the creature. He uses this time to also make a choice. Slowly closing the eyes, he ponders the pro and cons and finally takes his decision. Silently, he moves toward the place where he thinks the best for the incoming encounter. Once in place, he will eat a bit from his ration and drink before starting to wait, concentrate on any sounds or motions.

You can overlook the granary from the bell tower of the small temple here. Whatever this is , the time it takes for a climb up here might save your life.

7:54 PM

(When you shoot youll add and extra +2 to hit for firing from a prepared position )

Decided to go up the bell tower, Goblin looks around and inside the building for an access ladder or stairs that could lead to the top of the building.

You're able to find stairs to make your way up to the top of the tower so you can begin preparing your fighting position

Once he gets a feeling of the position in the bell tower, Goblin goes quickly back in the stairs and looks for a door he can close or for anything that could help him barricade the access to the tower at least a bit. If he has enough time left, he will also try to place his Dataslab on top of the tower, pointing to where the creature should appear and he will start recording when ready to wait for the Beast.

The slab can record from a position you found. The pews can be moved to make the door inconvenient to get up and into the bell tower

(Should I assume I have moved the pews already or it was an indication I can use them to block the way? Also, what's the time now that I made all these preparations please?)

(It would be evening now and I figured you would have since you were looking to do it )

Willing to take as little risk as possible with the creature, Goblin tries his best to build a makeshift barricade with the pews he can find. He then goes back to the top of the tower, takes his pistol in hand and waits. He quickly glances at his dataslab and puts the night mode on to reduce the quantity of light it emits to the minimum possible.

(If you didnt have any other thoughts to put in, i think we're good to kick it off)

Ready to face the creature if things go wrong, Goblin speaks with a low voice to record something on the video footage that he has started. "This is Hemon 'Goblin' Tox speaking and this might be my last night alive. I have been attracted here by a signal only to find dead bodies and an abandoned village. From what I have been able to gather, the village has been trapped in a Null breach and then confronted to a creature that has been murdering everyone." Hemon then stops for a few moments before adding: "This camera has been pointed to the place where the creature should appear later today. If I don't make it alive, I hope someone will be able to find this Dataslab and its data to exploit whatever they can find to help them against the Beast. Goblin, out." (Ready to face the Beast. Let's go!)

There is a groan of old wood as the door to the granary is slid aside by far too long fingers. The door trundles on aging tracks to reveal the monster in its hideous glory

2:19 PM

5

2:19 PM

It sniffs the air. Trying to sense the new food smells nearby

When he sees the monstrosity appearing from the granary, Goblin is completely shocked and his blood is like frozen in its veins. Even if it's a product of a Null breach, he can't understand how such horror can roam freely on Saliv. But he is quickly kicked out of his mind when he understands that the creature could have found him by sniffing. Immediately, he crouches low under the cover of the wall and starts to think fast. "Fuck you Goblin. Why did you thought it was a good idea to be a hero and go monster hunting.". He gives himself a small tap of the head with his free hand and risks a quick glance over the wall. "Look at this thing. It's so ugly. And those nails. If he comes near me, I'm dead. Alright. Think, Goblin. Get your shit together and think! " After only a few moments, all the confusing thoughts finally rearranged in his head. He remembers the bodies of the poor people he has already buried and the future victims this Peeler could do if he was wandering outside de forest. Even he that means that he could become its next victim, Goblin is decided to end the suffering of this creature. Confident that he is still undetected, Goblin takes some time to steady his aim and fires at the thing.

2

You don't hit it, but you get it's attention. It roars a challenge up at you, not quite charging yet as you haven't wounded it. It roars again and dust shakes from the beams above you. (you got a surprise round with that first shot, so lets get initiaitve now)

7:59 AM

(3 for me)

(Rolled 9 so I will post) Taken aback by the power of the roar, Goblin makes a step behind, trying to hide himself despite knowing it has been spotted. He finds it interesting that the creature hasn't answered to the shot with more vigor. It looks like it's simply trying to get throughout this alive without having to fight. But Goblin is determined, or so he thinks he is, and he takes his position back for another shot.

(Yo Goblin that was actually a nat 20 and you rolled a 6 on a d6! For crits you can either double the damage rolled or roll another dice, just make sure you stick to the same method. A screenshot from roll 20 is fine but most people just post (23/13) or something to indicate hit/damage, probably easier for this kind of occasion.) (edited)

(@Aurelia | Venser Thanks for the heads up. I will simply double the damage roll anytime. And starting now, I will stop with the screenshot and switch to the numbers. So that time that's a 23/13) (edited)

(it would be 13 damage, since you just double the number rolled, not the modifiers, but perfect!)

(Good point. Edited)

1

The shot is clean. Your preparations are for naught because as it is about to spring to climb the tower and tear you to pieces the penetrating laser round enters one eye, and destroys the enraged brain behind it. It clings to the tower for a moment, hind brain slow in understanding it has already been killed, before falling down to the ground to let the crushing power of local gravity finish off breaking the bones in its legs and back. Its head lolls drunkenly to the side, overly long barbed tongue hanging out of its broken jaw

11

7

5

Only after the massive body has hit the ground and the dust has settled, Goblin is still still as a statue, his arm raised in the direction of the previous threat. It takes him a good moment before he starts moving again as he recalls the previous events. While he was moving to take aim, the Peeler has been suddenly jumping on the tower and Goblin thought he was dead already. If it hadn't been for some hidden reflex for survival and his finger moving the trigger by itself, Goblin would be dead, paralized by fear. Checking his head to get back to reality, he peeks above the tower's wall to see the body below on the ground. He takes his Dataslab and faces the camera. "Well, guys. It looks like I'm still alive. That thing. It was horrible." He quickly turns the camera toward the creature before looking at it again. "But I'm still there. Goblin the Survivor." he adds with a shy grin. "Let's go down and see this thing closer." he finally concludes before stopping the recording and putting the dataslab in his backpack. He then takes a good sip of water before heading down stairs to remove the pews and go outside. Once closer to the Peeler, he takes his pistol back in hands and aims at the form, just in case. He gets close enough to still feel in security and starts examining the body, wandering if he could bring it back to Dremlas with his hoverbike. When he feels confident, he swaps the pistol for the dataslab and start recording anew. "Here it is. I call this thing a Peeler. Seriously. Look at these claws. It would cut you in no time." (I reckon it's too big for the bike but if I can build a makeshift trailer of find one, would the bike have enough power to tow it?)

(notice/wis)

(8)

There is a crackle almost like the sound of tinder or kindling within the creature. Bones broken by the fall are beginning to re-knit and its chest begins to hike gently with shallow breath

6

3

2

1

As he sees the Peeler probably coming back to life, Goblin's first idea is to run away. He starts making a few steps back from the body but suddenly, something deep within him takes control and the frail body jumps toward the resurrecting horror. In a swift move, he swaps his Dataslab for his Monoblade and aims at the neck. While the bones are still broken, it should be easy enough to cut the head from the rest of the body, hopefully stopping what's happening before him. "Die already!" he spits with rage.

(would just need the damage, the creature is prone so we would not need to worry about hitting it)

(I used the macro to roll anyway. Here's the result 6/6 with 2 shock damage against AC ≤ 15)

The blow doesn't quite sever the head on your first swing, but it is a deep enough wound where the second easily completes the grisly work of sawing off the head. Once the connection is severed, the regeneration seems to halt

4

When the head is finally detached from the body, Goblin gives it a kick to push it away from the rest of the corpse. "Stupid monster." he says panting, looking at the head and making sure he still stays a few step away from the claws. He then cleans his Monoblade and whatever he can clean that has been drenched by the Peeler's blood. Looking at the head again, a small grin appears on his face. "Well, Goblin. That was a tough one and you barely escape. Your future self would like that you take less risks in the future." he starts to joke to lower the tension. "But at least, that solves a problem. Rather than having to bring a full body back to Dremlas, the head will do it.". After catching his breath, he finds some fabric to wrap the head and once he feels like it's secured enough, he gets closer to the body once again and tries to cut one of the giant claw from the Peeler.

(survive/wis, since we're trying to harvest some complete pieces here)

(4)

you're not able to get the claws to come off in one piece. Every nail is broken but you're able to gather as many of the pieces as possible. They were made for rending meat but against actual dense metal they seem no stronger than keratin nails would normally be

Cursing to himself because he broke the claws, Goblin nonetheless picks what he can and puts everything in a plastic bag. That might be useful for some scientist studying the effect of Null-breach. He then gather the head and all his stuff before giving a last glance at the Peeler's body. Finally, he takes the direction of his gravbike, glad to still be alive.

3

(3xp, 5000 credits)

10:14 AM

(pulling back to Dremlas?)

(Yup, going back to Dremlas. Would the head be of any use for some studies on Null-breach mutation? Also, how much would that cost me to find someone to embalm it so I can make it a trophy?) (edited)

(if they're going to study the head there probably isn't going to be enough of it to make a worthwhile trophy, but the head can be turned in for research points)

(I will go for the research points so all IA will benefit from it. But if I can afford it, I will pay someone to make a replica of the head that I will use as a trophy band a reminder of my near death. Also, I should level up tomorrow)

(sounds good, I think a couple hundred credits is probably all that is needed. We will get that level up done and continue)

Level Up
Level: 3
Focus: N/A
Old HP: 10
HP Roll: 19
New HP: 19
New Skills: 
    Precog-2 - New technique: Alternate Outcome
        --> Using my 2 points from Psychic Training + the stored Psychic SP from level 2
    Shoot-0
    Gaïapsionic-0
Current AB: 1
(1 unspent SP)

(edited)

(You can wait or it can be like a phantasmal version of something you’ve seen before)

(I'm planning to bond with one of the big birds found by Joss. If that's plausible that I have heard about them already while in Dremlas, I will probably head North for them. If I don't know about them, I will simply wait that I get a word about them. Do you have plans for my character already? If not, I think I will join the exploration team North. Maybe even join Joss)

12:57 PM

(I just saw Cardin and Dalibor are going on mission. I could join them if they wishes as well) (edited)

(I have not heard anything from Cardin. If you want ed to join Dalibor for something we can, i didnt have a set mission for him either right now)

(We discussed about that OOC and Dalibor is up for a joint mission so we can go for that. Before that, can I ask you for an answer on these two questions: can you give a final price for the replica of the monster head so I can remove the Credits from my character sheet. Have I heard about the big bird yet or mention of them have not cross the methane see yet? No pressure to answer them yet. I'm just posting them as a reminder they are pending.

)

(200 credits for the head, we would have heard about the bird but only just. Its on another continent to the north, if you wanted to assist in the scouting there to encounter one i think that would be the best way to go about it. If we do this with cardin or dalibor or both that is fine, just let me know what you guys decide)

1

(Wrangling Nullbirds sounds fun)

(Let's go North for the Nullbirds then. And thanks for the price

)

(By the way, I will take Gaiapsionic as well for my level 3. I will update my previous post.)

@Aiden Rhys and Goblin both meet in Dremlas near the small field to the south of the city that has played home to the landing craft here heading north to Hilltop, and back with wounded, and empty cargo containers. News of the nullbirds and the exciting opportunities they represent has a bit of a buzz happening in Dremlas, and many are heading north trying to cut a piece of the lucrative market off for themselves

Dalibor walks over to the near infamous man he briefly met during the Congress. "Hello again. I don't believe I rightly introduced myself during our brief encounter. My name's Dalibor, Dal for short, and it's good to head out with you. Your exploits have started to become somewhat of a local legend. I heard a rumor about some null beast that had killed many people and came back to life the first time you killed it. It's a right privilege to go exploring with you"

Goblin arrives at the rendezvous point on his Swallow, his semi-long hairs moving with the wind. He is wearing his usual dark clothes, his cape and his face mask. However, a small bloody red line has been stitched at the bottom of the cape. When he notices someone coming closer, he is first surprised as people usually tend to avoid him. But when the man starts to speak, Goblin also recognises him from the Congress. "Hi there!" he answers, stretching his hand. "I am Hemon 'Goblin' Tox but you can call me Goblin. I'm happy to meet you more officially." Then, when Dalibor starts to recount his encounter with the Peeler, Goblin rubs his neck out of embarrassment. "Yeah, yeah. I might have prepared myself as much as I could, I killed that Peeler because of sheer luck." he starts saying, trying to look humble. But as he starts recalling the events, he still feels a bit proud and can't stop talking about the creature, a large smile appearing behind his mask. "But yeah, your right. That was hot there and I almost died. I couldn't believe it when this thing started to resurrect. That was crazy and I jumped to his neck to cut his head. I don't even know how I did that. Ahah." When he get that he is starting to talk to much about himself, Goblin suddenly stops and tries to know more about Dalibor. "But enough about me. We should have time to talk during the trip North and I can show you the recording of the Peeler if you wish. Let's talk about you. What's your speciality? And what brings you here?" (Can I take my hoverbike in the plane? Also, I bought a Survey Scanner and a Bioscanner)

Looking down at his dirty hands and stained clothes, "Well, I'm from a family of arms manufacturers, primarily gunsmiths, who immigrated to Saliv two generations back. I guess that might be why a 'talent' of mine manifested in firearms. I can imbue my rifle and some ammunition with arcane energy to produce a limited number of effects. I don't know of anyone else that can do this, certainly not in my family, so I just started calling myself a Gun Mage. I know it's simplistic and a bit trite, but I've never been much for fanciness." You can see Dalibor nervously trying to hide the stains and forge burns on his clothes from being seen. Muttering under his breath, "I really should replace these if I'm gonna be around important folks more often...Ya, once we get back..." Realizing he started to talk to himself, Dalibor shakes his head and looks you in the eyes as he straightens his shoulders, "I want to find out more about my talent, my magic, and I can't do that in the workshop, not really. So I volunteered to help explore and take Saliv back from the Breaches. I figure going out in the wild will help me push myself further and improve, along with helping everyone else out. That's mostly what it boils down to."

"Gun mage, you said? That sounds pretty cool!" answers Goblin with excitement. "I guess it would have been really helpful to have someone like you covering my back while I was doing some stupid things with that Peeler." he adds before laughing. "And don't worry about your clothing. You look fine like that and there are nobody important here." "Did you heard about that big birds they found in the North? Null birds they call them I think. Looks like a good challenge. And hopefully, less dangerous than the Peeler. I wonder if we will get a chance to see them."

"I overheard someone mention giant "Null" birds, but wasn't sure if it was just Jacoby spinning tall tales again. You're saying they're real? Do you know what they're like? Are they really over two meters tall? Have beaks that can bite through steel? Run faster than a gravbike?"

"I don't know anything at all about these birds expect that they are big. Really big! But I swear I won't let anyone of them run faster than my Swallow." he says, pointing at his gravbike.

"You could afford one of those? I've been trying to save up for months but still don't have enough. How does she ride? Not sure if I can fit on there, so I might need to rent something temporarily. Do you know which way we're heading exactly?"

"I've been lucky to work in a mission with the military. It paid just enough to buy this beauty. I will let you try it if I can take to our destination. Speaking of which, I don't where it is exactly. Just North, to the other side of the Methane sea."

"So we need to find someone heading north across the methane sea. I'm ready to head out whenever we can find one." (heading to bed, got 2.5hrs sleep last night, so i'm crashing right now.)

"We should ask anyone when the next departure for the North is planned. They must be needing constant supply." (I guess we are ready to go)

(sorry, cathing up now, the bike will fit on the plane if you decide to take it)

5:45 PM

(Dal, you have at least 5000 credits if not more right now, you could afford a bike too if you want)

(I looked it up again last night. For some reason I thought they were 9k. Just bought one with a spare B battery). "Can we stop by the place you bought your gravbike? I think I've got just enough to get one of my own before we get on one of the transport ships." (edited)

(Post it in #vehicle-garage-channel as well. It helps us keep track of who has what

3

"Of course. Take my gravbike, the address of the shop is registered in the Ghost Driver. Set the Ghost Driver to follow you when you got your own. I will stay here and try to know when the next departure is planned." Then, before Dalibor starts the engine, Goblin adds: "Oh. And give my client number when you get your bike. I'd like to get that free gift when you refer a new customer. Those bobbling head figurines make good practice target. I even think you will get one as a welcome gift." The man then starts laughing.

When Dalibor returns on his matte grey gravbike, two ornaments are magnetically attached to the front. One is of a crab armed Termie, while the other is a miniature Arcane Resonator. Very carefully pulling up, as if he is in fact a new driver, Dalibor grins at Goblin. "These are definitely fun. I almost hit a fruit stall on my way there, but I promise there's no scratch on your Swallow. And the owner did remember you, which got us these two lovely ornaments. Take your pick."

Goblin welcomes Dalibor back and takes the Termies figurine. "I will take this one. Easier to kill than a Peeler when I get tired of watching its head move while I drive. Ready to go?"

(I'm caught up, but i dont want to cut you guys of from the RP)

(I'm good with the RP on my end. Let's wait if that's OK for Dalibor as well)

(Alright, we'll see what he says!)

(Did you two want to help Joss with a monster hunt?)

(I'm on for a new hunt.)

(sounds good) (edited)

(alright, lets hop over to joss)

(Two new vehicles for me) https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/551545053122658326/871837457904189512/unknown.png

5:28 AM

Rey (Shriven) pinned a message to this channel. 8/3/2021 5:28 AM

(Thanks @Rey (Shriven)

) (What can I do with the Swallow, first version? Can I sell it back for part of its initial price?)

Rey (Shriven) pinned a message to this channel. 8/3/2021 5:29 AM

(You can use it as the base for mk2 and just not spend so much)

(Does that not add some additional cost as it was not part of the base setup?)

(Nope it just saves you 1510k) (edited)

1

(Though that will save me only 10K as the first version was only the chassis and the Ghost Driver)

(10k buys a lot, up to you)

(Oh yeah, I will upgrade the Swallow as there are no additional costs. I was simply correcting the price of the Swallow MK I

) (I will also change the gravflyer for an atmoflyer but I will do that when back home)

(Just FYI, the atmofltyer can't hover)

8:46 AM

(and needs a runway, idk if that changes things or not)

(Can't hover is not a problem as I planned to fit it with a microfusion plant so he could simply keep flying in circle if needed to wait in the air. However, the need of a runway is an important plan while in the wild. Do landing on makeshift runway requires some kind of specific rolls with a malus or it's just that you need enough place to land?)

(you need enough to land, depending on your level of pilot and the terrain, there may or may not be a check involved)

8:52 AM

(too many factors for me to give you a blanket answer on when one might be required or what the DC/Modifiers might be)

(Got it. I will check if I can fit the microfusion plan in the gravflyer then because I completely forgot about that "small" details.

)

(sounds good to me)

(New Pelican design if you can pin it for me.

)

(I will also get the following if everything is ok:

an Assault Suit
a Medium advanced weapon
a Pressure tent
if there's nothing with the same capabilities in the Pelica, a Comm server to get a better communication range)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 8/3/2021 3:14 PM

(with there being a space station in orbit now, your comms are in range of anything you need on the planet's surface) (edited)

(Great to hear. Finally, I will also buy a Laser Rifle to complete my list of weapons.)

(I forgot to ask: how much would that cost me to have a 1:1 scale replica of the creature we killed in its wolf form (Based on my memory as we have no pictures). I want to add it to my trophy room as a good hunter

)

(I would say probably 1.5k credits, as what you're asking for is pretty involved and they'd need to both fabricate the creature, and stuff it, ect, would also say it probably would be over a couple months of them working on it given the complexity)

(I'm fine with that. I will remove the Credits from my account. :) )

(okay, so going on a patrol with Dalibor to try to bond a nullbird/remove predators from the breeding grounds?)

(Yeah, sounds good to me. If my Gravflyer is already built, we can even use it.)

(it would be, @Aiden Rhys , fancy meeting bakc here for another hunt?_

Dalibor sends a response via compad 'Indeed, Sir @Daerevrurr, I just finished up crafting more arcane ammo and looking at some armor right now. I can meet you somewhere as soon as I'm done shopping.'

Goblin is checking the new equipment that he was able to buy with the recent bonus he got from Saliv government. He is looking at the manual of his new Assault Suit when a message reaches his Compad. He is pleased by the name of the sender and opens the message to read it. He then proceeds to send an answer.

My dear Dalibor, there is no need to call me Sir. Goblin will be enough for someone I can count as a friend amongst the very few I have.

I'm pleased that you are accepting my invitation to go on a new hunt, though a different one this time. Before leaving us last time, Joss told me he was the one who discovered the Null Birds and where to find them. I offered my help to Saliv authorities to free the nesting grounds from the high number of predators there. The Null birds are valued high by the authorities who seem to have plans for the big birds.

We can meet at the airport in two days where we can take my plane to go there. Bring your hoverbike and a pressure tent if you don't want to share mine in case we might have to stay out for a few days.

Happy shopping. See you soon.
Goblin

@Aiden Rhys

Goblin, these Nullbirds sound to be very interesting creatures, ones which have possibilities if treated carefully.  It would be a shame to have predators and Breach exposed creatures harm them.  My building is now under construction, and I did indeed by a pressure tent.  I have considered following in the footsteps of most Taros with a minor bit of cyberware, but am unsure how it would interact with my abilities.  Once we have rescued the birds, I may take time to work on my research, but that is all for another day.

So yes, I will meet you at the airport in two days.

May our hunt be fruitful,
Dalibor

Dalobor,
I'm glad to have you by my side once again. Hopefully this time, we won't have to face some weird shape-shifting monster. 
See you at the airport.

Goblin

(Ready to go whenever you are then)

(Alright. So we would be heading north to the continent Hilltop is on, and we know the birds are west of that settlement in a long grassed plain. We haven’t done a detailed survey of the area , and upon arrival we would see the large commercial farm for them is being built nearby as IA looks to harness them as. A trade good )

(My gravflyer is equipped with Advanced Sensors. Would that help get at least a crude mapping of the north area so we can decide where to focus or flying above the area is enough?)

(Youd have to land either way to handle whatever you find. Nothing really served by staying in the sky)

(Of course. The idea was more to have a recon flight over of the general zone before landing at or near Hilltop and go by hoverbike. But if the recon is useless, we will go straight to Hilltop) (By the way, I will have a lower activity between tomorrow and tuesday next week but I should be able to post a bit.)

(Side note: I'm also buying a Combat Field Uniform for times when an Assault Suit isn't needed)

(The recon isn’t going to reveal the details you’d need. What armor are you wearing right now then since you have several sets)

(I'm wearing the CFU because we are not on a hunt for monsters but more normal creatures.

)

5:37 AM

(Noted about the recon. We will flight straight to Hilltop and take our hoverbike then.)

(Dali, plan ok?)

(sounds good to me)

Landing at hilltop the bikes are unloaded and are charged up. Everyone wishes you safe exploration and an easy time on patrol

Dalibor unloads his gravcycle, makes sure everything is secured tightly, and looks over at Goblin. "Looks like it's time to save and round up some birds."

Goblin checks that he has all his gear with him and on his new and improved Swallow. He then follows Dalibor and unloads his hoverbike before closing the Gravflyer cargo door. "Yup. Let's see how they look like. I've heard they are pretty big!" He then mounts his bike and when Dalibor is ready, he will take the direction of the nesting grounds.

1

As they speed off on their way, Dalibor can't stop thinking to himself about the fight with the purple eyed creature. 'We really need a better name for it, but focus now. It's howl was devastatingly effective. We were getting close to being taken down. I need to figure out a way to disrupt psychic abilities, first in a single target, then in an area. I think that might be the first of the 'Dalibor Shots'. At least I hope I live long enough to see that dream come true.'

Listening to Dalibor throughout the comms of his hoverbike as the both speed across the land, Goblin needlessly nods. "I agree we need a name for it. But that won't be easy to find. We don't even know which of the forms was the 'natural' one nor if it was capable of assuming more. It was easier for me when I fought my first monster." he answers, ending with a laugh. "In his report, Joss mentioned that villager who was calling the thing a siren. Maybe something like Shape-shifting Siren? But that's a name good for scientists. It doesn't bang enough to the hear to be a good name." Then, when Dalibor mentions the idea for the new ammunition. "That kind of ammo would be greatly useful. If you manage to create one and you want to test it on the field, I would be happy to accompany you and help in case something turns wrong with the shots."

Over the comms you heard Dalibor's slightly sheepish voice, "I was talking to myself again, wasn't I? I did not mean to bother you with such things. We are here to find and protect the birds."

"Don't worry Dalibor." answers Goblin. "You are not bothering me at all. It's good to have someone to talk with. I have been left aside for to long and I'm happy to be able to count a few people as my friends."

(Notice/wis, each of you can make the check)

(5)

(6, probably my last roll for awhile)

(no problem)

7:44 PM

Dali notices birds taking to the air suddenly to the north and a general sense of unease in the herbivores in the area

"Goblin, I think there might be some sort of predator around. Let us keep a look out for trouble or ambush"

Not noticing anything at first, Goblin sees the birds flying away from the direction pointed by Dalibor. "Let's go. Take the lead, I will follow you."

Going off of the general description that Joss had sent out over the comm waves, Dalibor unfocuses his eyes to try and widen his periphereal vision and try to find anomolous movements.

(Joss isn't here)

9:14 AM

Trees sway against the wind about a kilometer from your position now that you are aware of the danger. The swing is gentle, but it denotes the passive of a large creature

(I thought Joss had sent out the original message about the large birds and their location, so that's what I was referencing. Dalibor's going to continue to that location unless Goblin indicates otherwise.)

(Yeah, let's continue in this direction). Goblin continues in the direction of the trees, speeding a bit to get there faster and get a look at what could be so large.

You get a brief glimpse of ivory amid the rolling greens and browns of the woods.

6:14 AM

The creature is easily five times your height , that of the large trees of the wood. It seems content to watch for now but the wildlife here is nervous in its presence

Keeping an eye on the gigantic tree creature, Dalibor acknowledges its presence and agrees to leave each other alone for now. No point in starting a fight with a living tree-person, thing. Over comms, "Well that's not something I expected to see. It looks like our planet is home to more than I ever imagined or heard about. I do want to keep a record for the academy." Dalibor slows down just enough to get a picture of the creature to send back to the academy once they stop. With that, he continues on.

The creature seems to be the presence the animals here are scared of. Driving it off somehow seems like it will forward your mission

When they stop at a good distance of the creature, Goblin sights. "Another monster, indeed. I was expecting a pack of predators that we could have easily drive away from here or kill but nope." he says while looking at the creature with both awe and frustration mingled together. "After we fought that Shape-shifting thing, it looks like we will have to deal with something bigger this time. Next time we go on a mission together, remember me to take a flame thrower with me." Seeing that Dalibor is about to leave, Goblin calls him back. "We shouldn't leave. I think this is what's making the Null birds uneasy. And I can understand why seeing the size of this beast... We need to do something about it."

There is a slight reluctance in the movement of Dalibor's gravcycle as it slowly turns around. "i was afraid you would say that. That is not a very easy looking target if we were to attack. I almost want to try and see if we can communicate with it and find out its wants/needs and a non-violent solution to this problem. I'm not sure my rifle would do much to it without high explosive rounds, which I don't have."

Goblin nods. "Yeah, this one looks quite tough. Unfortunately, if I can trust my small experience with these Null monsters, or whatever they really are, they has been no way to peace with them so far. I guess it's worth a try but you should be ready to fire and run away if things go wrong."

Nodding, Dalibor rides up to about 70 yards from the creature and shouts at it, "Sir Lord of the Woods, we come to these woods in search of new creatures, and you are surely a sight to behold. I can sense the immense power you possess, of which intimidates the wildlife in these woods. If I may be so bold, would you share with us the things that you seek so that we can possibly assist you in obtaining your desires, while also restoring a sense of balance and harmony to these woods?" (if there's a roll or anything, can you do it Neko?)

Goblin is a bit surprised by the non-conventional approach chosed by Dalibor. One he would never have thought to use himself with this kind of creature. Not sure about the result that this shouting could have, Goblin stays in firing range and gets ready to draws his pistol and cover Dalibor's retreat if need be.

(dont think we need one, you framed it well)

7:32 AM

The creature stirs, and the woods around it begin to part, leaving enough space for your grav bikes to approach. There is a low groaning sound coming from the creature, but if it can speak, it has not done so yet in a way that you can understand it

For a few moments, Goblin is unable to speak or even think. Something that's not recommended in front a a giant walking tree. But quite unexpectedly, it looks like Dalibor's gamble is working and that the creature is inviting them. It might even try to communicate. However, Goblin is Goblin and he can't stop thinking that this could easily be a trap to lure them in range of its massive arms and he stays cautious. "What do you want to do Dalibor?" he asks while looking at the creature. "Looks like the thing is calling us. Maybe he even wants us to follow it. But I'm not sure. I don't like that..."

"As my mother often told me growing up, 'Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.' So, be prepared for an attack, but let us hope to find, if not an ally, an accommodation in Treebeard there. I suggest one of us stay back just a bit in case there is an attack. Either I go first since I spoke to him, or you go first since you are better in melee combat." (edited)

Despite the confidence he has started to build with the previous fights against monsters and abominations, Goblin grows uneasy when Dalibor explains his idea. Goblin is good at hunting and killing such creatures, not at talking with them. Keeping an eye on the tree figures, he quickly glances at his companion. "To be honest, I don't feel like talking with him. I don't even know where I could start and what I could say so it might be better if you go first and try to communicate with him. On the other end, I'm also tougher than you are so I should be able to resist a few more blows before we can run away if things go wrong." Goblin then waits a few seconds, pondering the question. "I'm really not sure what's best but for safety sake, I will go in front but I will let you handle the talking and speak only if it looks like it doesn't like our approach. But if this thing makes a scratch to my Swallow, I swear I will make matchsticks out of him!" he concludes in a low voice, in case the creature could understand them. With that said, he starts moving his gravbike in the direction of the opening traced by the tree-creature.

Keeping his gravbike back by about 30 yards, Dalibor follows behind Goblin as they approach. As Goblin gets near "Treebeard", Dalibor says, "Thank you for hearing us out. I am unsure if you speak as we do, or understand my words, but I hope my intentions speak for themselves. This is a vast planet with many new wonders over the past several years. We are exploring the world to discover what has changed and protect it. One of our friends had recently discovered large, flightless birds in this general area, and we are wanting to find and observe them if possible. If you know of such creatures, would you be willing to either show us the way or point us in the correct direction?"

In front, Goblin halts a good pace before the horned tree-creature. Far enough to not be in reach of the massive fits but still close to show they try to understand what it wants. He then waits for the creature's reaction after Dalibor spoke.

There are many nullbirds on the plains around you, and the creature points to them with its willowy fingers. Its facial expression sours at the use of the name "treebeard" and you sense it did not enjoy what might be considered a slur to his mysterious race. It rumbles gently and you can feel some kind of loud insect buzzing in your mind, before a deep voice begins to slowly rise out of the mental gloom. Smoke. Fire. Men with axes. The factory here to capture the livestock of the plains. Why have your people done this? it says, gesturing toward the distant production center.

As he ears the voice in his head, Goblin's eyes open widely behind his mask. He is astonished when he understands that this creature might be sentient and not just another monster. A struggle starts inside him as he faces this new thing that looks capable of telepathy. Should he kill the monster or let the sentient living alive? So far, communication with him sounds good and he hasn't shown any threat but the hunter decides to stay alert before trying to communicate as well. "Excuse us if we have offended you." he starts to says when he sees the reaction provoked by the name given to him by Dalibor. "Do you have a proper name we can use to refer to you?" He then looks over his shoulders at the production centers. "These birds are really valuable to us. We are trying to raise us and, that's true, it means we need to capture them. What we can get from them will help us rebuild this planet and protect it against all the threats it could face, including the one like the dangerous creatures spouting from Null breaches. Are you friend with these birds?"

These birds have trusted me to protect them. You are taking their liberty, and their lives. The factory destroys the environment, and the flock is disturbed

"I see." simply answers Goblin with a nod. "Do you think we could come to an agreement? Would some of the birds agree to follow us out of their own will? We could only take the willing ones and leave the rest of the flock undisturbed. As well, we could leave this place and relocate our factory. We didn't know the Nullbirds had a protector." Goblin stops a few moments, thinking about his envy to bond with one of the Nullbirds. "Another matter. I am what we call a Gaiapsionic and I can bond with a creature that will then become part of me and I will become part of it. I want to bond with one of these birds you protect. Is that something you would allow?"

A bond is a partnership the creature will allow. I will not interfere in private business between you and a parnter (edited)

Goblin bows. "Thank you. As for our other matter, I will let my companion here express as well before continuing myself."

(see. gonna let Dali take the wheel before anything else happens)

Catching onto his verbal flub, "My deepest apologies for not asking your name and imposing one on you. Is there a name by which we can address you? Also, I understand that the current situation is very disturbing to you, as well as the local flora and fauna, and you have asked why. Among various sentient creatures is the drive to create; to take one thing and make it into another. Throughout our various histories, this has often been destructive to the nature and environment from which those resources are taken, and then our people move on to a new area to take those resources. I do not believe this is the correct way to interact with the world around us. It is not right to simply take. We must also give and nurture." Taking a moment to gather his thoughts and start a recording on his compad, "There is a much we no longer know about this world, and I do not want to see us destroy it in our rush to make things 'like they used to be'. That was the past, and we must more forward. What I would like, is to find a way to have a balanced, more harmonious interaction with our world. This would have to involve the planting and care of trees for each that was harvested. The same would be for the fauna; husbandry would need to ensure that the balance of the life cycle and food chains are not thrown off balance. Goblin and I have very strong voices in the decision making for how our people will interact with the world as we once again leave our cities. I would like to work with you to establish boundaries and rules for how we interact with you and your domain. If that requires that we temporarily halt some of the factories while we find a better balance, I will fight for that, and for you to have a voice."

3:27 AM

(long message broken up) "Would you allow my friend here to try and bond with some of the birds, and would you also allow an representative of our government to work with you to find a better way to not harm the environment while also allowing us to grow and explore? If there are more like you, I do believe that we would welcome you to make Saliv a truly wonderful world."

2

1

I have already given him permission to bond with a companion here. That is between him and his partner, and I will not interfere in that business. Confining the herd to the plains or keeping them in factory pens is wrong. The flock must be free to taste the meadows, to see the sky, to produce naturally in harmony with the food and water available in the meadow, not to be confined, mass produced like a product, while their home is destroyed around them. This is not in harmony with the planet your people claim to love

"I understand and agree. I would like to see if several of the herd are willing to live in a large open nature preserve, with scientists and veterinarians looking after them; free to leave if they so wish. Confining creatures leads to them becoming weak and sick, something that nobody wants to see happen. All of this depends on if Goblin can bond with one of the herd, and then if others are willing to join it at the vast nature preserve I am wanting to provide. I would want your assistance to make sure it has the right land and ecology. If we can start there, and I get concurrence from the leaders of our most populous city, would you be willing to help us do this in a more harmonious manner?" Dalibor tries to convey in his thoughts his earnest desire to see the herd flourish among hundreds of acres, protected from predators and Null Breaches.

Discussion is necessary. If you cannot make these promises, I would need to speak to someone who can

8:35 AM

The creature groans as the psionic messages send, its immense frame rocking back gently as moss and vines grow around it to form somrthing of a stool or chair

As the creature sits, Goblin asks another question. "Pardon me if you have answered already and I didn't understand but what would be your position if birds where joining us willingly to participate in races or any other activities? We could help you protect them with our technology and still have some good time with some of the specimens? And to prove our good will, I guess we can say that we will stop the factory and mass production of birds for now if we can't find an arrangement." Turning to Dalibord, he asks: "What do you think? The council would agree to stop selling birds despite the benefit loss?"

"I think it would not be as much of a profit in the short run that some were wanting, but if we can build a solid foundation of trust with the herd we that could benefit us more in the long run." Dalibor sends his recording, with the creature's statements to the IA Congress, requesting their opinions and possible vote to go through with Dalibor's ideas. Dalibor is willing to finance the habitat himself, but the modification to current resource management needs wider support. (edited)

If the participation is willing, I cannot, and will not interfere

"Thank you." simply answers Goblin. "We are going to call the other representatives of our council. You will be able to listen to them from our communication device and if you want to participate, please feel free to ask us any question or request you have that we will relay with words." he adds while pointing at his dataslab, preparing a conference with the council room.

(I think really its gonig to be it answering your questions so far, but either way, two way comms are working)

(referencing the conversation in #inheritor-congress) "The other leaders are all in agreement that we do not want to cause harm to the Nullbird herds, which is what we have been calling them, and that we should develop more sustainable means of production that either do not harm the planet or actively improves areas. Several of us are putting our personal resources directly into these efforts, showing our commitment. If all this meets your approval, I would like to move forward with seeing if Goblin can in fact find a suitable partner among the herd." Dalibor bows his head in respect and waits to see how events will continue to proceed.

Goblin looks at the Guardian. "I have another question for you. We came here thinking there could be predators threatening the birds and that it was why they were distraught." He pauses a few seconds before asking the actual question. "Is there any threats to the birds you protect that we could help you tackle? Predators, Null breach or anything? Speak and we will help."

“The industrialization of their habitat is the largest stress. There is a small breach and a culture of the humans changed by it in the area as well”

"What do you mean by that? 'Changed by it's" asks Goblin. Then, pointing his forefinger up, he adds: "Wait... Let me see..." Looking in one of his pockets, he produces his dataslab and looks for a picture of a Termie and shows it to the Guardian. "This is the kind of change you are referring to?"

"Those are the only variations. I was attacked by one with large bat ears as well. The key factors seem to be changes or mutations combined with a very aggressive nature to attack anything that isn't a 'Termie', as we have been calling them."

“That. Is what they resemble. Yes”

9:15 AM

It did not know your term for them, but it seems to recognize the image

Looking from the Guardian to Goblin, "Well, it looks like we know what we're doing next. Guardian, if you can point us in the direction of the Changed Ones, we will lend our aid to protect this area."

Goblin nods to Dalibor. "Indeed. Looks like we will have some hunt in the end. So I will bond with a bird and then, we go for the Termies."

I will make a path, through the forest, if it will speed you to them it rumbles

Nodding in thanks, Dalibor hops back onto his gravcycle, waits for Goblin, and then heads off down the path the Guardian has created.

Goblin bows to thanks the Guardian-tree for his help. "If you allow it, I will first move to the plain and try to find a bird with whom to bond. It could be a great ally in a fight and my bond with him ensures he will never die until I'm alive myself."

(are we splitting up then?)

(Not sure if that's safe to go alone against the Termies so if @Aiden Rhys prefers not to wait, I can go bond with a bird later)

(I'm sticking with Goblin)

(Let's go for the bird first then. We will be 3 to fight this way)

1

(sounds good to me)

Several flocks of the creatures inhabit the plains. There is a commotion to the east as a group of them hurries to get out of the way of one of the large Inheritor construction machines.

Goblin stops his hoverbike and points at the machines. "We should ask them to stop. We have got the agreement from the council so there's no need to wait more. If the flock is less disturbed, I should have more chance to bond with a bird." If Dalibor agrees, Golbin will then move in direction of the construction machines.

"You are indeed one of the psychic persuasion, as that is also might thought." Turning his bike towards the construction crew, Dalibor heads that way with Goblin.

The birds have stopped to catch their breath 200m from the machines, which also seemed to be focused more on the factory complex for now, giving you the window you need to try to make some kind of contact. Wild creatures, the birds are wary, and puff up at the approach of the bikes- unsure of your intent

Seeing the opportunity, Goblin stops his hoverbike engine and gestures at Dalibor to do the same. Unable to explain how, he feels like it could be the good moment to bond with a bird. The machines can wait anyway. He rides down his bike and slowly, he starts moving gently toward the closest group of birds, impressed by their size and stature. "There. I won't harm you." he starts to say in a low voice and trying to find how is new psychic power should operate.

(survive/wis)

(3

)

The birds begin to make themselves look bigger as though they feel threatened, and their long taloned legs begin to scratch furrows in the ground. Based on what has been documented about them, this is warning behavior

Goblin retreats a few pace when he sees the birds starting to threaten him. Not sure how to approach, he crouches a bit so he looks even smaller than he is really and he search his backpack for one of his ration. Unable to know what these birds like to eat, he unpacks a bit of everything and throws a bit of food in front of him to force the birds to come closer. If one (or more) approaches, he will stretch his arm with more food in his hand to try to entice a bird to come as close as possible so he can touch him.

Dalibor tries to calmly, and quietly move back from the herd to give Goblin the greatest chance to make a positive connection with one of the Nullbirds.

The rations seem to entice one of the bravest members of the pack forward. It pecks at the ground, using its sharp beak to separate blades of grass from the actual morsels of food

Seeing one of the birds moving closer, Goblin tries to move slowly toward him and he throws a bit more food toward the bird, looking at his reaction.

The bird continues to eat, its attention more focused on the meal than on what is happening around it

Sensing an opportunity, Goblin dares moving closer and try to touch the birds. He hopes that with a physical contact, the bond can be started.

1

You're able to get a hand on the creature's neck, and a connection begins to form. You have a few seconds before it reacts

When he feels the physical contact, his hand finding his way in the plumage, Goblin closes his eyes and tries to clear his mind from all that surrounds him. When he feels what he thinks his the bird's mind presence, he tries to engage in talking. Chosing to send images rather than words that the birds would probably not understand, Goblin tries to announce himself and to shows himself as a friend to the bird. He sends calming and cheerful pictures in the hope the bond will form and the bird will accept him as a friend.

The bird is wary but receptive to what you are showing it. The bird seems to be concerned about being away from everything it knows here, and needs to be convinced it will be taken care of elsewhere

Feeling the bird's reluctance, Goblin takes a decision. Grown up in Dremlas, a city he has never left until recently, he tries to explain to the bird, still with pictures, that he will move to Hilltop and even closer to the herd, right here in the wild so the bird can live closer to his companions. He also shows him pictures of the Guardian-tree he has met a few moments ago and how they concluded to help each others to protect the birds. At the last moment, he also decides to be completely honest with the bird and explain him that they will go on hunt for some Termies but he offers him to stay behind if he doesn't want to risk his life. (edited)

Your honesty imnpresses the creature, and it agrees to be bound to your service- wishing especially to help rid the land of the termies that sometimes hunt them

(What color is the bird? Does he have any kind of special features?)

(bonded beasts have one stat block they use on the gaia writeup, so it would just be using that like all other creatures would. I think you should decide the color)

(Alright, I will choose the color. I knew about the stat block. By special features, I meant something that makes her recognizable in a crowd like a special feather pattern, a crest, a missing heel claw...) When he understands that the bond is complete, Goblin finally opens his eyes and gently stroke the bird. This is only now that he realizes that she is a female with a dark anthracite gray plumage. Two patches of lighter feathers surround the creature's eyes, accentuating his piercing gaze. "It must have been out destiny to meet, my new friend." he thought to himself seeing the bird as dark as he is. Now fully back in reality, Goblin turns toward Dalibor, a large grin visible on his face despite his mask. "I made it, Dalibor. I bonded with her." Then, turning back to his new companion, he adds. "You will need a name, my friend." Still petting the bird's neck, he starts thinking aloud. "Hmmm... What about Birdy? Nah. Too common and too stupid for a majestic creature like you. Then... Talon maybe?" Feeling the bird's emotions, he adds, laughing. "Ok, ok. Not Talon. Then... Hmmm... I know!" Closing his eyes again, he exchanges some pictures with his friend and suddenly, he shouts. "There. You will be Aurakendeem, Swift Hunter." he says victoriously and, feeling the new reaction of proudness from his companion, he knows this is the good name, the one he was given by his herd. Turning toward Dalibor again, Goblin questions the man. "I present you Aurakendeem. Do you want to pet her? Her feathers are surprisingly soft. And don't worry, she won't bite as I told her you are part of my herd." Then, feeling how awkward it was to say that, he quickly adds, amused, "Sorry about the term. I need to choose my word carefully to talk with her at the moment. Ahah."

3

Approaching with eager hestitation, Dalibor carefully reaches out from the bird's other side to feel the softness of the feathers. Looking across to Goblin, "This is a momentous occasion. This signifies an important step in healing our world, and possibly a future where such partnerships are done on other worlds. She is a mighty queen of a bird, and I thank you for including me in your 'herd'."

1

"No need to thank me. When two people save each others life against poor odds, I guess they can call themselves friends." Then, thinking about what Dalibor has just said, he adds: "You're right. I hope Aurakendeem and I will be good ambassadors of the way of life Saliv's citizens have decided to follow. One close to their world that they refuse to harm more."

1

(caught up, didnt want to interrupt the flow of RP)

After giving his new friend a few more pets, Goblin turns toward Dalibor. "I think we should go back toward that Guardian-Tree and tell him we are ready to fight the Termies. I also want to speak with him about another subject. Ready to leave, Dalibor?"

"I am ready when you and Aura...ken...deem are ready. I said that correctly, yes?"

The tree is waiting where you have left it, anticipating you would be returning soon for assistance in getting to the termies

Goblin nods to Dalibor. "That's how you pronounce it, yeah. But she told me that we can call her Aura, if that's easier for us. Our vocal cords aren't used to pronounce the name correctly." --------- When they reach the Guardian-Tree, Goblin bows before him. "Let me introduce you Aurakendeem." he says, pointing at the Nullbird. "But you might already know her name. She accepted to follow me on our Termies hunt." He paused a moment, looking at the tree's reaction. "However, before we leave to accomplish what we offered, I'd like to make you an offer that I suggested to, and was approved by our council. We would like to offer you a place in this very same council. Whether be you, or a member of your species if you are not unique, we would be pleased not offer you this place where you will be able to voice your concerns and help us shape a better future for the planet. What do you think?"

I am but one part of this world. I am happy to advise you on the affairs of the wood here, but I do not speak for the planet, or all its creatures

Goblin nods. "I understand. Then, if you agree, we will consult you for matters that concern the place for which you are the guardian. No decisions should be taken without first discussing them with you. Is that good?"

I agree with this the creature says

"That's a really great news that the council will be happy to learn." answers Goblin. Then, turning to Dalibor, he adds: "I have nothing more to say for now. If that's good for you, I guess we can go hunt those Termies."

"Let us prune the infected shoots before they spread to the rest of the world."

You are given the mental image of a large clearing some 500m into the forest. A dark tree seems to writhe under its own power, threaded with blood red strands. It moves on its own, and the termies have decorated it garishly, using animal and human organ and bone. They have turned this section of the wood into some kind of corrupted thane, and view it as a source of their power.

3

Dalibor looks at the Guardian with obvious concern, "I did not think my metaphor of needing to prune infected shoots would be quite so accurate. I am somewhat worried. If we were just facing Termies, I believe that Goblin, Aura, and I could handle it, but if that corrupted tree is a threat, I am unsure." Looking at Goblin and Aura, "Do you think that Aura would vouch for me with another of her herd to become my companion, though obviously not to the extent that you two are bonded?"

As Goblin and Aurakendeem sights the vision at the same time, the Nullbird starts to feel a mix of fear and anger and she tramples the ground with her massive legs, almost pushing Goblin out of balance when hurting him. Avoiding the fall, the man moves closer to Aura and starts to stroke her. "Easy, easy. It was just a vision. You are safe here." Then, turning toward Dalibor, he adds: "Next time you try to play Precog, try to be less accurate with your vision." he says, followed by a nervous laugh. Goblin turns his attention toward the Guardian, his hidden eyes full of concern. "Well. You have a really big problem, indeed. I don't know if the two of us are enough to treat it but we will do our best." Finally, directing his attention toward Dalibor again, Goblin pauses a few seconds to think. "Aura told me that she wants to help kill Termies. Maybe she can convince some other birds to join us but they will be put at greater risk than her as they would risk a definitive death. But I guess it's worth a try." (Neko, any chance we can convince a few birds to join or that's something that can't be done because it can't be handled by the rules?)

(We wouldn;t be able to get any birds to join)

After a few moments, Goblin looks at Dalibor. "Aura tells me that no other birds will follow her unfortunately." Then, turning toward the tree, he asks: "Do you know anything about this cult that could help us? Maybe you even have something that could help us killing them?"

This is a human problem. This is why I have asked humans to handle it

"I think we need to scout it out first, get a lay of the land so to speak and determine if this is within our capabilities. It very well might need more people to not only handle, but to see the corruption. Seeing something lends to strength of belief, and some may not believe us when we speak of this later. Even pictures and video can be edited or misleading. I would like to have one scout from Hilltop and Dremlas accompany us to provide support for our report."

"Good idea. Let's send a message to recruit some scouts and get some better insights of what we will have to face." (Can we hire some NPC scouts? How much would that cost and what benefits will we get?

(You don’t have hench keeper so cannot retain npcs )

5:52 PM

(Youre limited to you two and your bird )

5:53 PM

Nobody is able or willing to help the endeavor, the Alliance has issues elsewhere keeping everyone able to help on this continent busy (edited)

(ok) "Well Goblin, it looks like it's just the three of us. I wonder why Hilltop has closed itself off again after the talks, but hopefully the others can figure that one out. Does Aura know of an approach that will get us close enough to scout them out without being observed? If not, then we can just head that way as quietly as possible."

Goblin nods to Dalibor. "Yeah. It's weird to see Hilltop closed like that. Not that they were really opened at first but it's like they are back to before we met them." He shrugs and wave the subject with the hand. "Aura knows nothing about that Termies group. Her herd has been avoiding them as much as they could so far. I suggest we go for a reckon just the two of us then if we things we can handle them, we come back here to take Aura with us for the fight. What do you think?" (If Dalibor agrees with the idea, I will let Aura with the tree the time we scout the Termies then I will take her back)

(Alright. We will see what he says

(why won't my response take? tryign for a 3rd time) "I have a couple of questions before we do that. What is the range of your communication with Aura? If you could mentally call her without us coming back, that would help us not lose sight of our targets. Also, I assume that Aura, being a resident here and more in tune with the forest, would notice somehting amiss sooner than us. She could possibly give us advance warning before we stumble upon hidden Termies. Does she think that would be true, and willing to help us in our approach?" (edited)

"I can communicate with Aura like I do with you so as long as she's in sight, I can. I can't mentally call her. However, I can summon her through metaspace but at the cost of some effort that would be most useful during the incoming fight. If we decide to fight, that is. As for you last question, I agree that she might be better than us at spotting some warnings or anything else. But I don't trust her ability to stay hidden and silent. That's why I prefer to let her here, it feels safer. If you think her senses would be valuable and willing to risk being discovered earlier, we can still go with her." (Note that she has the same senses as we have. She has no super sent or sight for example. I'm just roleplaying here.)

Hiking his pack onto his shoulders, Dalibor says, "Discovery is what I want to avoid the most. We can head out on our own then."

Goblin nods. "That's settled then. Let's go for some scouting!"

(sneak/dex)

(4 - Sorry Dal.) (edited)

(Can you roll for me Neko?)

(4 is going to get us spotted, so there isn't much reason to) Passing through the woods, you get to within 300m of the grove. You can see the faint swinging fronds of the tree ahead of you, before a trip flare leftover from the past is tripped by Goblin, sending a burning ball of blue sparks into the air. A hunting horn from near the tree rings its discordant base note through the woods

Hissing under his breath at Goblin, "And you said Aura was going to be loud. I guess I need to find some cover before they get here." Dalibor starts looking around for a place to use as cover to fire from.

Goblin curses at himself. "Damn flare trigger. I stepped into one a few months ago and it didn't ended well. Sorry Dalibor." Saying that, Goblin looks around him for some cover and picks his pistol in hand. "I will summon Aura for help now that they know we are coming but I will wait before doing so. I don't want to expose here to some surprise attack. Stay behind like with the wolf. I will take the front position."

(we have a minute or two to make some preparations if we're going to stand and fight, if you guys wanted to try to do anything)

(Dalibor, I can help you climb in a tree if that can be of any use for you. You might get the chance for a surprise shot)

1

(there's not going to be a surprise round, they know you're here, they're just not in sight yet)

(By surprise shot, I meant he could be able to fire once or twice before he caught Termies attention if I'm myself luring and distracting them. Of course we can't have a surprise round

)

(I'd like to take those couple of minutes to find either dense brush that could block their sight, but allow my rifle, or a tree with wide enough branches for a makeshift shooting platform)

(You'll get the +2 for firing from a prepared position. We all good otherwise?)

(I'm good. Getting into cover as well and in front of Dalibor. If I get the +2 to firing from a prepared position, that's top. If I don't, that's not a problem)

(good to go)

(you would as well)

(Let's go then!)

The termie pack was large, as was known from the mental image the tree guardian provided you. From 60m away, twelve termies enter the clearing. They are armed with a mix of spears and bows, but almost all of them have some form of attack from range. Their leader blows a horn, announcing their position. Other hunting horns elsewhere, deeper in the woods, take up the call, though they are a long way away

(we roll init now?)

(if you're still planning on fighting)

(Dal is going to follow the lead of the more experienced hunter)

Still not sure if that's a good idea, Goblin decides to try and kill as much Termies as they can before they need to retreat. Enough of running before a flare trap! (Init 6)

(okay, Dal ill roll for you when im back to roll20)

(7 for Dali, 3 for termies)

(Good luck on your first shot Dalibor. We will need luck here!)

(which Termies can I see? Specifically, can I see the one with the horn? If he's in sight, I would like to use a Silence Shot against him to retain some element of "surprise"/uncertainty of our exact location) (edited)

(You can see the entire pack, youd be able to hit him. Do you need me to roll?)

1

(yes please) (edited)

9:10 AM

(heading to bed soon. Keep Silenced Shot until Horn Guy is down. I'm going to use a normal burst on closest enemies after that.)

(8/13, miss) The shot strikes the ground and misses the horn blower, as Goblin prepares their own move

(Despite the miss, they are still unaware of our precise position, right? Or they know exactly where to aim their bows and lances?)

(they know where you are)

Understanding that they were spotted already, Goblin finds it is of no use to be silent anymore and shoots at the horn bearer. (10/4)

This close you can see that their eyes are milky , and their nostrils are flared. Heat defecting pits snuff the air and the Termies with spears move 20m closer. Those with bows fire a volley over the heads of their comrades but are either too short or overshoot by a wide margin

'Why do a I keep panicking all the time? Shooting at the range is nothing like trying to shoot someone running at you with death in their eyes.' Taking a second to breathe, Dalibor sees the milky eyes and realizes they probably can't see him and Goblin, but must have some other way to find them. The ears aren't oversized like that one group he killed, so probably not hearing based. That leaves hyper sense of smell. "Goblin, I'll fire one more shot, but I think they can track us by our scent. If we can find a way to either disguise our scent or overwhelm them with a harsh odor, we might have a chance. Let's make an orderly retreat to the bikes, then see about shifting the odds" (Dalibor fires one more round, Metadimensional Accuracy +3 to hit (total +8) and double max range, then moves as much as he can back towards the gravcycles.)

The shot is chambered and is sent down range- (13/12) and the horn blower is pitched off his feet, the hollowed gourd falling from his slack hands.

As Dalibor's shot hit his target, Goblin's confidence builds up and he decides to take profit of his good firing position to shot at one of the spear holder. (25 - Crit/13)

2

One of the spear holders is killed instantly as the laser shot punches through its head. Brains and shattered flesh spread across the ground. The remaining terminals continue their advance, losing a few on a hunt is not a source of panic for them just yet. Two arrows find homes at range, slamming into your armor and into flesh (19/1 goblin, 17/5 Dalibor)

9:03 AM

The thers are likewise too short, or too long. The spear carriers race forward another 20m, leaving them just 10m away from you (edited)

(Is there enough room to call for my hoverbike with Ghost rider or it's too narrow for it to pass?)

(you can use your main action to call it but it will probably be a few rounds before it shows up)

(Good. Still better than running all the way back if we want to retreat.)

(okay, so dali is up first, then you can use your main action to summon it, then the termies and so on)

(Another question I forgot. I can mount Aura or not?)

(yes, but would be your move action)

1

"Why did nobody tell me how much arrows hurts?" Dalibor never saw the arrow that hit him in the side as he was running away. Gritting his teeth, Dalibor continues on 10 more meters, before turning around and shooting a short burst at one of the archers, hoping it's the one who hit him. (I would like the take the Shot action in Burst mode for +2hit/+2 damage) (edited)

(normal shot in terms of it not being a rune shot?) (edited)

1

(correct, no rune shot this time)

(23/7) The combat rifle bucks as the powerful rounds drop another of the Terminals, three in total have fallen thus far.

8:58 AM

(Goblin)

(10/7) Goblin tries to take advantage of his preparer position one last time. His shot fired, he starts to withdraw, following Dalibor. "Good job on killing two of them. If things go too bad, I will call my hoverbike for a faster escape." he shouts to Dalibor.

The terminals with spears move as fast as they're able (double move to get into melee with you) and have exhausted themselves trying to catch up. You've bought a reprieve for now as those with bows holster them, moving forward 20m themselves to join the fight in a few seconds (next round. Dali up. Rifles cannot be used in melee unless a main action is spent to club them up. Readied pistols or melee weapons can be used , pistols have a -4 to hit)

(Dalibor shouldn't be in melee as he used his move action twice already so he is at least 10 meters away from me. As I stated at the beginning of the fight I would go in front, I was expecting to be at least 5 meters from him. That would put him 15 meters from melee range.)

(yes and they've moved 20)

(OK. So they have split to be in melee with the both of us, that's it?) (edited)

(yes, they've double moved , even if they havent used their entire 20m of movement in your case, but since its over 10 they still dont get a main action to make an attack)

(Alright. For some reason, I thought they were a bit farther than that. Thanks for the clarification.)

(they've bene moving every turn they've been attacking as well, you can move 10m and still have a main action to make a weapon attack, they've not double moved until this last turn as keeping you from easily escaping was more important than another round of trying to land some hits)

(I know what troubled me. You said they were 60 meters away. They double moved twice so they should have been 20 meters away but you said they were 10 meters away. So they must have started 50 meters from us rather than 60)

(okay, well we're going to proceed with the encounter how it is)

(Of course, no problem. I mainly wanted to know why my math seemed wrong for my planned escape. ^^)

(If I summon Aura with an On turn action, she can attack right away or she have to wait the next turn)

"Goblin, they caught me! I'm not good at this!", Dalibor's voice rings out as he turns to face the spear wielding Termies. Settling into some sort of defensive stance, Dalibor prepares to try and avoid as many attacks as possible until he can come up with a better plan. (total defense)

(It’s ab on turn to summon her. She would be able to attack)

(Good. I'm out in town tonight so I will post tomorrow)

(Sounds good!)

Giving a quick glance over his shoulder, Goblin notices how bad the situation is looking for Dalibor. He closes his eyes and murmurs something inaudible with all the surrounding noise but a few moments later, blue sparkles stars to appear next to Dalibor. "Hang in there! I will call my hoverbike so we can try to escape. In the meantime, here's a little reinforcement." As he says that, the sparkles start to take a shape now well known to the two man and out of nowhere, Aurakendeem materialize. She emits a loud cry and immediately gives a hit to the Termies closest to Dalibor with her sharp beak. Goblin then swaps his pistol for his monosword in the same swift move he has practice many times. With another quick move, he engages his hoverbike's ghost rider and orders it to come here to pick them. (As an On turn action, I summon Aura close to Dalibor. Main action is for calling my hoverbike Aura's attack: 14/6)

(The monoblade weapon was marked as “other”, neither readied nor stowed. It would have had to be stowed as your readied score is not high enough to have all your weapons readied at the same time, so you couldn’t draw the sword and call the bike in the same turn. This combat is getting a little rough and I’m trying not to be a stickler for the rules but this is a dangerous situations we have bumbled into and I don’t want to deal with the character deaths because the relevant book sections haven’t been covered ) Combat and pursuit are broken as aura creates enough of a distraction to allow you to disengage. She can be recalled later when you’ve need of her again now that she had bonded with Goblin. It is clear two people are out matched heading back into the forest to deal with that corrupted heart of the wood.

(If I understand well, the fight is over for now? Where should we assume we are? With the Guardian tree? Elsewhere? Also, should I assume Aura is 'dead' and I can summon her in 24h like stated in the rules?)

(If we are being given a helpful opportunity to flee, then I'll take it. We can either RP talking to the Guardian about our temporary setback, or not; up to y'all. Dalibor knows that he needs to definitely train and plan better for things like this. He's been pretty cautious about branching out or pushing himself, but it's becoming apparent that he needs to either step up or go back to just being a gunsmith with his family.)

(I'm all fine with retreat as well. The odds weren't that good at first and our poor dice rolls didn't help much to balance that. If we come back later, I guess we can go with Jasper, Ana and Lance (Or part of them) so that provide them another group for their study before we try to decimate them)

(I want to work on improving gear as well.)

(Fight is over. )

5:25 AM

(We can pick up back on the plains where the birds are)

1

(Alright. What about Aura? She can be recalled later when you’ve need of her again now that she had bonded with Goblin. You mean I can recall her in 24h by spending effort for the day like indicated in the rules? Or she's still alive and escaped with us?)

(You can recall her in 24 hours)

1

Lying on his hoverbike and panting heavily, his arms falling along the bike like if he was lifeless, Goblin finally raises up and rides down to move next to Dalibor. "I... I'm sorry to have put you in such a situation, Dalibor. We could have died if Aura had not sacrificed herself. Poor girl. She deserves someone better than me, someone less weak and less stupid." As Goblin is talking, you can feel anger building slowly in his voice and after a small pause, he continues. "These Termies. No matter what other people can think about them being former humans. I will hunt them. I will make them pay for what they did to Aura. I swear it!" His body is now trembling with anger and you can see tears dropping from behind his mask as Goblin looks at the forest with intensity.

Coming down from the rush of near imminent death, Dalibor awkwardly pats Goblin's shoulder. "I am sorry for your loss. I know that she will be missed. I hope that your heart heals enough so that if there is an opportunity in the future you could bond with another." After a slight pause, "I too have not seen and redeeming qualities in the Termies I've encountered. My personal philosophy has always been that it's better to kill than be killed, but I try to avoid the need for either. So far, the Termies have not given me that option. They oftentimes seem to be like rabid animals bent on destruction, but strangely work together. It's almost as if they have a drive to kill or wipe out anything that is not "them" and it's a drive they cannot control." Rearranging his gear and reloading his rifle to a full magazine and nodding to himself, "We were not prepared. Not by a long shot. I think we need to see the Guardian and tell him what we found, since it's more than he showed, and let him know we've had a temporary setback. We will adequately prepare and come back with more support so that the forest can be cleansed of the blight and restored to its proper balance."

When Dalibor taps his shoulder, Goblin turns the head to look at him. "Thanks for you support. You too deserves a better companion than me." he says before facing completely Dalibor and listening to his analysis of the Termies. "Good point. Let's meet with the Guardian again to explain him what happened and that we won't let him down. This forest will be cleaned for the monstrosity that inhabits it." Then, realizing what Dalibor had said about Aura, Goblin adds: "Aura is not really dead. Thanks to our bond, I can resurrect her from the Metaspace. But I fear how she will react to that. I hope that this misadventure will not have a terrible impact on our relation. I think I will have to gain her trust once more now." (Edited to react about Aura) (edited)

6:03 AM

(Ready to go meet with the tree if you are)

1

(ready)

The guardian has not moved from where you left him. He, or it, seems to be sleeping with its eyes closed, resting up against the bough of a very thick moss covered tree.

Not sure what to do with the guardian, Goblin looks at Dalibor. "It looks like he is sleeping. Do you think we should wake him up?"

"I think it would be insulting and suspicious for us to leave without talking to him, especially since we failed in the task we agreed upon." Taking a deep breath, stepping forward, and trying to speak loudly enough to be heard but not yelling, "Guardian of the Forest, I apologize for waking you, but we have unfortunate news to report to you. Do you have a moment of time to spare?"

There is a noise that sounds like a local thunderstorm as the mighty tree-guardian rises and opens its eyes. You have returned. The corrupted glen still stands. What has happened?

Goblin jumps at the powerful sound and then bows in respect to the Tree-Guardian. "We... We messed. Completely." A hint of anger could still be heard in Goblin's voice as he starts to answer. "We were not correctly prepared and I triggered some kind of alarm trap that left us exposed. We tried to fight but they were too numerous and if Aurakendeem had not sacrificed herself, we wouldn't have survived." Still having difficulties to accept the temporary death of his friend, Goblin takes a few moments before continuing. "But do not worry. We promised you to help and we will come back. More prepared and more determined. These creatures will stand no chance and that bloody tree will be burned!"

Not every hunt ends with the prey dead. The hunter sometimes goes to bed hungry. You will succeed in time. it says, with the wisdom of ages.

Goblin nods at the wise words. "You are right. We came here because we wanted you to know that we will fulfill our promise." Goblin bows once again in respect and then looks inquiringly at Dalibor , waiting to see if he has something to add.

Dalibor shakes his head, "You've said all that I was thinking". Looking at the Guardian, "We will return, and we will fulfill our promise." Looking at Goblin, Dalibor inclines his head towards their grav cycles. 'It's time to leave and figure out or next move."

"I agree, let's head home and plan for a better strategy. We might hope in Hilltop and see if they need help with something. Would you be interested or do you have other plans in mind?" asks Goblin.

"My shop isn't completed yet, so I'm free until then. Lead the way."

Goblin nods before taking riding his hoverbike. "Let's go then." (Going to Hilltop to check if they need help with security issues)

1

Arriving at Hilltop you can see the city is still closed. Although a member of the Alliance, the governor has restricted the flow of people in and out of the settlement and the kinetic barrier has been re-activated to keep people from defying her edict and crossing into the city anyway.

7:03 AM

Several guards keep watch from within the barrier, keeping their eyes and ears on the surrounding countryside, while others manage a growing line of people on the main road camping there as they wait for things to change.

"Hmm, it looks like something has changed with the governor from the reports I heard. I wonder why she's closed the city off again. Anyways, let's take a look around and see if we can find any locals to talk to."

"That is quite strange, indeed. Something must have happened here since the first people from Saliv came here." Then, at Dalibor's suggestion, Goblin nods. "Alright. Let's seek for a local townsmen. And if we don't find one, we can still go to the military camp from Saliv."

It does not seem that anyone is being permitted to leave Hilltop either, and you do not seem likely to find anyone from town wandering the plains.

"I don't see any activity coming or going from Hilltop. Our best bet looks to be to head the the Dremlas envoy camp."

"Yeah. I think that this is our best bet to find if the city's surroundings are still unsecure. Let's move to the camp."

Camp appears to look more or less the same since last time you were here, The defenses and rough wooden walls have been finished, and rows of prefab huts have been built to help the garrison stay dry. OTherwise, this is a temporary encampment and the soldiers have not planned to make a long term stay here

Goblin looks for anyone in command and engages the conversation. "Hello, sir. My friend and I are here to seek if you need help to secure the surroundings. We heard that there are a lot of Termies around here. Maybe you even heard of some more potent threats that we could help you tackle."

Dalibor stands nearby with his rifle slung over his shoulder and compad in hand. He starts off by sending a message out the the rest of IA,

Goblin and I are outside Hilltop and it looks like they've shut themselves up again.  Does anyone know what might have happened?  Was anyone trapped inside?  We are here to provide any assistance Hilltop of IA personnel require.

@Inheritor Alliance After sending off his message, anyone who looks over would see him drawing various symbols on his compad. Some look like a stylized sun, while a couple others at less readily understood. (heading to bed, cya tomorrow) (edited)

(I thnk the biggest threat would be that giant corrupted grove, since we're in the same region here. My thoughts are we can try to see if anymore polity members are around, or we can do something else entirely before coming back to tackle it later)

(I think only Verity is around but she's already busy. Kror is in NFSS space and Jasper, Lance and Ana are going to Termies city. Orion is MIA in the prison. I think it's best do something else then. Anything you'd like to do Dalibor? We can part way for the moment if it helps)

(Up to you guys. There’s no shortage of things to do on or off world)

A notification buzzes on both your dataslabs.

To: Goblin, Dalibor 
From: Dr. Jasper Artemis 

Greetings Inheritors, Reports tell me that Hilltop is closed to visitors right now as they want more support and communications from representatives of Dremlas, so some politics may be necessary. 
If that is not your style I may have a mission for you myself. The northern wilds behind Hilltop have yet to be scouted, and any signs of of settlements or repairable resonators would be highly valuable information, but ultimately any information about what lies north would be very much appreciated. If you take this task I may be able to Secure funding from the alliance, and reward you for any findings. 

Yours truest 
Dr. Jasper Artemis.

Looking at the symbols that Dalibor is writing, Goblin asks with interest: "Is that one of the new rune your are trying to develop? The one causing a fire explosion you mentioned while we were trying to fight those Termies in the forest?" Then, before he could get an answer, his Datalslab notifies him of a new message. Goblin looks at it and then back at Dalibor. "Looks like someone has heard your call. What do you think? Are you up for some scouting mission? We would have plenty of time to talk about those runes on the way North." (edited)

Looking slightly startled, "Oh, umm, yes. I think having one that explodes on impact with flames bursting out is easier to make, and what I was talking about. I am interested in seeing if I can create one that is more penetrating with a magical "magnesium" base to burn from the inside, so not so much of an area of effect, but harder for the target to put out. Anyways, I still need more practice with the runes I have before I can work on new ones, so scouting should provide such an opportunity. Let's head north."

(Neko, we are still discussing OOC with Jasper and Lance if we won't go for the cargo ship first)

(Okay, I’ll leave this alone then until you guys tell me what’s going on)

2

(I will take a day or two to check if I buy a few things before we go north but I guess we can at least start to meet. I'm expecting a message from Ana to call me for assistance because otherwise, Goblin would go on hunt for another monster)

It looks like the corrupted tree we encountered might be the source of most of Hilltop's problems. I can't take care of it alone, and I'm not sure how to deal with it.  We could build an aircraft, load it up with flammables and explosives, and fly it into the tree, but that would cause too much destruction to the surrounding areas.  We could try to lay traps and use hit and run tactics to slowly wear down the Termies to a managable level, but their calls for reinforcements might overwhelm us.  

Until we come up with a plan, I'm going to continue scouting the areas northwest of Hilltop.

-Dalibor

From: Kror
To: Goblin

1 attachment
Hope this message finds you well my friend. I have recently return from my NFSS tour and brought a gift with me, i think it will suit you well., You can find a picture in annex.

Let me know where I should have it delivered.

Hope to catch up soon,
Kror

(edited)

1

2:20 PM

(it's the horn i got from my hunting)

(I'm not at home today and tomorrow with little to no time to post so I will update later. Sorry)

(Finally back and ready. Not sure how much people you plan to have on the raid to Termines city. If there's not enough room for me, I will focus on trying my theory with the horn and maybe get a modded Storm Armor before that. Should I find someone to help me mod it like Jasper did?)

(I’m not entirely sure what the pace is going to be just yet. I’m probably going to need the weekend to get organized )

After the recent expedition with Dalibor and Ana, Goblin takes a few days to spend some time with Aura and preparing himself for his next big objective. He decides to buy one of the newly developed Breach Rifles and a Storm Armor that should help him in combat. (If that's good, I will buy a Breach Rifle and a few ammo as well as a Storm Armor. I will later mod it with the Polymorphic Blending mod)

(sounds good. We won't be able to mod it yet, but we can meet up here with @EM Gates outside hilltop. Remi recently defeated a large number of Terminals, and some additional patrols through the countryside shouldl start moving all packs back to the city, so when the gas finally comes we get as many as possible )

(All good for me)

Outside Hilltop, Goblin and Remi meet up. Smoke still rises from the site where the airstrike disrupted the advance of the terminals out in the woods. Their city is not visible from here, but it is north of the city, and the Inheritors plan to sweep the woods- driving as many as possible back towards the city so the incoming gas gets as many as possible. This is a drastic step for the Inheritors, but there is no other way.

After receiving the assignment for his new mission, Goblin joins the coordinates indicated in the message. He is wearing his new Storm Armor which is smaller than usual armors of this kind due to his small size. This gives him an even weird look than he uses to have but he looks proud anyway and he has attached his cape to the armor. Hanging on his side is also one of the new Dremlas Breach Rifles still shining as he is new. He is accompanied by Aurakendeem, his Null bird friend and both are watching the smoking grounds while they wait for the other people that should join. (The plan is to go on foot? Or should I take my hoverbike? I will edit my post accordingly if needed)

(I would say foot, since the bike is probably too fast for a thorough patrol )

(Perfect for me. I only need to add a few ammo to my inventory and check that everything is good which I will do early tomorrow)

(alright, I'm set when you g uys are)

(set)

( @EM Gates you can introduce yourself to Goblin as we have never met before

)

As the buzz of activity swells, Remi notices a new face. He's drawn to the Storm Armor that the individual is wearing. He walks up and extends his hand and introduces himself

Goblin grabs the hand and checks it. "Hello, I'm Goblin. You must be Remi Maier, right? I was talking with a soldier earlier today and he told me you were the one responsible for all of this." Saying that, he embraces the smoking landscape with a wide movement of his left arm. "I would have love to be able to display as much firepower when I met that big tree near Hilltop. Heck, I didn't even really met him as I was pushed back by Termies. But I had not these new toys at the moment and I will get my revenge." Laughing a bit, he points at the Null bird next to him. "This is Aura. She's my best friend and she must accept you in the herd before you can be close to her. Don't worry, nothing has left a hand in the process yet. Not even Ana. But enough talking about me. I've become too much chatty now that I'm frequenting people. Tell me a bit about you."

7:02 AM

(I have added 3 packs of 20 ammo in my backpack to go with my Breach rifle. My loadout is ready as well so I'm ready to go.)

Remi kicks at the dirt, remembering the recent assault "Yeah, that was my first face-to-face meeting with the Termies... They're much different in person. Honestly? I can't wait to get back off world. The thrill of travel and adventure is what keeps me going"

"Yeah, Termies are tough guys. You performed well here apparently. But it also looks like it was not enough as we are requested to push them even further. It's crazy to think that bombs were not enough to push them back to their city. Looks like we will have to get dirty." As he speaks, Aura gets closer to Remi, sniffing him a bit but quickly going back to the left of Goblin. She is apparently not decided to accept the newcomer just yet. Seeing that, Goblin smiles behind his mask and when he speaks again, you can hear a touch of amusement in his voice. "Alright. If you are ready, let's move." (Do you need a roll Neko?)

(I think we'll probably go to the site of that airstrike Remi called in and push from there)

10:16 AM

(so not yet)

10:19 AM

Arriving at the site of the airstrike, you can see dozens of dead terminals have been scattered among the still smoldering trees. Several of their cavalry are among the dead, crude saddles hanging off the slain sides of the Vtak. Discarded lances, rusted blades, and tribal talismans have embedded into the dirt and you can smell the strong chemical propellants in the air from the combustibles that were deployed here. Remi saw many more retreating into the woods b efore the planes had a chance to circle back- and a large drag net operation is pushing into the woods from many sides, leaving the north empty so they run back to their city if they're not killed in the woods.

Walking among the dead bodies, Goblin looks at the Termies' corpse and the poor birds. He looks at Aura and can feel her sadness before turning toward Remi. "You faced some kind of mounted cavalry? I understand why you used so much firepower. It must have been both freaking awesome to see and a vision that would make anyone shit in his pant." he says with a loud laugh to hide his own sadness toward the Vtak. "I heard there was some survivors amongst the Termies. Did you saw where they went? It could be a good place to start searching them." (Remi. If you are not interested by the big assault mission over Termies city, I will stay with you. Otherwise, we can join the assault when we will get the call for it. It's up to you)

(I will be away from home starting tomorrow and until the 3rd of January 2022. I should be able to post but might be slower)

)sounds good)

Level Up
Level: 4
Focus: N/A
Old HP: 19
HP Roll: 24
New HP: 24
New Skills: 
    Stab-0
    Gaïapsionic-1 - New technique: The Whispering Wind
    Aura is now able to carry up to my level in encumbrance points
Current AB: 2
(1 unspent SP + 1 for Precog)

(edited)

4

(Looks good. I’m set for whatever you wanna do)

(I think I might go back to the corrupted tree forest for an exploration mission. I want to know more about it and get some knowledge and insights that could give us an edge when the time to fight it as come again)

(is that still your answer? I saw something else being discussed in the council thread so i just want to run the right thing)

(Yes. If there's a way to get an advantage over the tree to help during the fight (or any other solution to stop it), I want to go and try to learn it. Then, I will wait Dalibor's return so we can get our revenge together)

(Alright, well, im not sure how we'll go about this, but so ill be reacting off you)

(If you think there's nothing more that can be done, I can do something else.

)

(I just don’t know how you plan on approaching this, so I need the details of how you want to get there, what you plan on doing when you’re there and what you’re hoping to accomplish ) (edited)

(I was thinking going sneakily in the forest, trying to find if the tree is the source of all evil or if something is corrupting it that we could destroy to lesser his power. Maybe even use my new Whispering wind technic to get some clues. Probably starting from where we found the Guardian Tree so I can visit him and see if things have evolved, and how.)

(sounds good to me)

1

Goblin returns to Dremlas to recover and after a few days pass he once again feels ready to take on the woods. Hitching a ride back toward Hilltop is east and the forest guardian Youd spoken with many months ago is not far from the settlement

Like the previous time, Goblin uses his Pelican to travel to Hilltop before using his hoverbike to reach the Null birds' plains. There, he spends some time in the middle of the flocks, enjoying his time with Aura and the other birds. It's a good way to clear his mind after the recent assault on Termies city and his defeat in the Galatea games. He also take this time to consider establish a new home here, closer to nature and to the Null birds. After a few hours, he takes his hoverbike again and drives to the place where Dalior and he have met the Guardian Tree for the first time, hoping to find him again.

It is not long before the lumbering arboreal beast makes his way from the woods. He is looking more aged since you have seen him last and now has a walking stick made from twisted roots and vines that he seems to lean on somewhat heavily.

As the Guardian Tree appears, both Goblin and Aura bow respectfully to him. "Greetings, guardian. I am glad to see you again. I come here again to try to get more information about that corrupted tree. I will go in the forest to try and find any possible weak point." Goblin then stops a few moments, looking at the Guardian. "But first, may I ask you what happened to you? It looks like you are not in a good shape."

"A run in with the local wildlife. That, and time. It comes for all of us in the end, doesn't it?" the tree says as he sits on a large boulder to rest.

"I guess so, indeed." simply answers Goblin with a nod. "Tell me if I can do anything against that local wildlife and i will help. That or anything else. I also have a question for you. Do you know if there are places in this forest where energy is concentrated, like if there is a hub of many energy streams all crossing at the same point. It could be a good place for me to start investigating. I'm closer to nature today than when we met last time and maybe I could get some valuable information."

"The place you're speaking of is essentially the tree I asked you to take care of. Places like the one you are describing are rare, and not easily found in nature or in urban areas. All the more reason to take this one back"

Goblin nods. "Alright. I get it. I will help you reclaim this place, I promise. But for that, I need to know more about that tree. You know this forest better than me. Is there a place that you recommend where I could go and meditate? That would help me."

“I’ve given you everything I know from the last time we talked. I don’t have anything else to offer you”

"Fine. I will do my best to clear these woods from this corrupted essence. And this time, the fight will end in his destruction." After stating his oath, Goblin moves next to the guardian tree where he starts unstrapping his power armor. He also removes most of his clothes, ending with only his underwear. He then sits in the dirt and he scratched the ground a bit with his hands and his feet to bury them lightly with dirt. Looking at the tree, he says with a smirk: "I told you I was closer to Nature now. I will try to get a feeling of this place. Maybe my human senses can catch something that you missed. With all respect due, we sometimes miss the obviousness that's in front of our eyes when we look at it for too long." With that said, Goblin closes his eyes and starts to meditate. In the meantime, Aura can be seen roaming around, alert and ready to protect Goblin during his meditation. (Spending effort for the scene to use the Whispering Wind technic)

1

1

The Tree and its terminal pack are the dangers in the area. There are no hidden treasures here but you do sense the remains of some kind of structure within the tree. It reminds you of a resonator, but different somehow. Like a liminal space or the feeling of something intangible being wrong.

After a few moments, Goblin opens his eyes again. He stands up and clean his hands and feet from the excess of dirt before putting his clothes and Storm Armor back. Once set up again, he turns toward the Guardian Tree. "I think I got a good feeling of what could be the source of the corruption of the Tree. And we might be able to use this knowledge to weaken him. The Tree is afflicted by technology so the technology should help us." (I'm talking about technology because I interpreted "structure" as something artificial and man-made (or alien-made, who knows). Tell me if I'm wrong and I will change that part of my post)

(You’ve made probably the best guess you can. There’s nothing present here that would make you more certain and goblin wouldn’t have any further details than you’ve got)

1

Thinking for a few moments, Goblin finally addresses the Guardian Tree on last time. "I think I have been able to gather all the information I could here. Thanl you for your help once again. Before I leave working on something that can help defeat the corrupted tree, is there anything else I can do to help you? You mentioned local fauna attacking you. Do you need help with them? I could reduce their number or scare them off so they don't roam around here anymore." (As Dalibor is off planet for quite some time and I won't attack the tree without him, I think I have some time to help the guardian if he needs anything before I can work on a device to help fighting the corrupted tree. If there's nothing more to do here, no problem and I will work on the device right now)

(He's given you the big problem in the area, alternatively you can go support that rebellion with the two of them if you want)

(If I go support the rebellion, that will delay the work on the device I'm planning to use against the tree. On top of that, I'm not sure if Goblin is the good guy for this kind of mission. I will check with the two others if they want me. I could be Kror's body guard.

)

(Alright, I will join them)

1

Now sure that the Guardian Tree does not need more immediate help, Goblin tell him goodbye. "I will go work on that idea I have to help us against the corrupted tree. The next time I will come back, it will be to end his cult." Goblin waves good bye and take the direction of Kror's ranch. Maybe it's still time to join him and Dalibor even if the prospect of leaving Saliv isn't too much pleasant.

11:02 AM

(I wanted to say a proper good bye to the Guardian and have a good transition with my next mission)

(Reward from the Survival game: get a unit of pretech, a level in survive, 1 mil credits. I will add the Survive point after my current mission, as per rule)

2

1

(Point in Survive added)

Level Up
Level: 5
Focus: Armsman lvl 1
Old HP: 24
HP Roll: 20
New HP: 25
New Skills: 
    Gaïapsionic-2 - New technique: MetaFlora
    The psychic and their beast can now see in perfect darkness, hear perfectly any noise within a hundred meters, and track by scent.
    Aura gains + 1 to hit and damage
Current AB: 2

(edited)

10:50 AM

Level Up
Level: 6
Focus: N/A
Old HP: 25
HP Roll: 34
New HP: 34
New Skills: 
    Gaïapsionic-3 - New technique: Predator's Instinct
    The bonded beast’s damage die increases to 1d10 and its melee attacks now gain Shock 3/AC 18. Psychic techniques that can only target the                  psychic can now target your bonded companion for no additional Effort cost.
    Aura's movement speed up to 10 meters
Current AB: 3

(edited)

(I don’t know what else to add. Jasper, Lance and drang are busy either in game or irl or both. We have information about the tree but there hasn’t been any further work or mention )

(I think I don't really have the choice but to try and learn more to be autonomous on this task with Dalibor. It will be hard to meet with the other characters)

5:45 PM

(Or I can work on other tasks while waiting. Tasks that I can stop at any time to be able to jump on one of them when they are back)

(If you pick one of those I’ll be happy to run something )

(I can work on finding a place to establish my pied-à-terre. Somewhere in the surroundings of the Null birds plains so Aura can still be with her pack. I was thinking about having a small shed or something like that with a portable resonator for protection) (edited)

(Training Exert during the trip back from Psalarion - 8/90) Back from his first trip on another planet, Goblin lets Aura with her pack in the Null birds plains while he thinks about what he will do next. Wanting to focus on bringing the Hell Tree down, Goblin wants to talk about his idea to Dr. Artemis so he heads to the AIMS, hoping to find Jasper. When he discovers that Jasper is off planet, he schedules the sending of a message. @Dr. Jasper Artemis | Suko

Dear D. Artemis,

Ahah, just kinding. Hello, Jasper!

I hope you are having a great time wherever you are busy doing some doctor's thing. I would need your help to work on (Or just think about) a device that could help us defeat that Hell Tree which roams the forest south of Hilltop. 
Please, send me a message when you have some free time so we can discuss about this.

Goblin

A bit disappointed, Goblin then decides to go to the university to get some books about the Arcane Resonator technology and about metaspace and the breaches. "Ah! Books! I never really like that. But I guess I don't really have any other choice this time." he says to himself while picking a few books from the library. With his new books, Goblin then takes his Pelican and fly to the Null birds plains. No better place to read and think than while in the nature. And being there will give him a chance to find a good place to settle in these plains so he can be close to the herd for the pleasure of Aura. his connection with nature being stronger as time passes, Goblin also feels like it will be a good place for him. Getting down from the Pelican, the small man first passes a full afternoon in the middle of the herd, playing with Aura and all the Null birds daring to approach him. (Going to either study about the resonators and the breaches or working on finding a place for my pied-a-terre. This gives you some hooks for the next mission)

(There isn’t really documentation for how any of this stuff works. We have only been beyond Dremlas and actively studying this stuff for about a year. No one has a complete understanding of how the world has changed let alone enough of one to be able to publish anything as comprehensive as you’ve decided you’re giving yourself. If you want to build a sanctum you can use the sanctum builder tool and submit the plans )

(Got it. I thought I could find some pre-Scream literature on Arcane Resonators. As for the shed, I don't really want something as big as a sanctum. I was more thinking about building myself a small wooden shed with only rudimentary comfort. Maybe a few solar panel and a mandatory portable arcane resonator. That would give nothing mechanic wise, it would simply be another place similar to my house in Dremlas that I would have built myself. If that's not possible, then that's not possible.)

(Pre scream records were destroyed as part of the scream)

(And that’s fine. The shed is okay. Not really anything for me to write there )

(As I have a goal linked to having this shed, I thought you would want to have a small mission to get it. I can remove the goal likewise and call it a day.)

(I don’t really know what we would do here that wouldn’t just be boiling down to making a fix check. There’s not really a missions worth of challenge here given what you want ) (edited)

(Rather than building the shed, I could also go exploring to find an ancient village or something like that. Full of Termies or a monster to kill and here goes the mission. If you think that's not possible, I will remove that goal and simply say I built a shed in the plains.

) (edited)

(That’s a whole other totally different set of missions. When you have an answer for me update the thread here and I’ll go with whatever decision you’ve made )

(Well, if exploring around to find a place to clean and fix to call it my new home, I'm all good with that. Even better if that can fulfill my goal but I will be fine if that doesn't. @Aiden Rhys can join if he wishes and I will help him with his Nullbird research)

(Sounds good to me)

Goblin and Dali hop off the shuttle from Psalairon near Dremlas and Goblin also takes custody of his Pelican flyer again. Filled with ideas of going back to the plains and letting Aura spend time with her flock again, it seems that a trip away from the city is being prepared.

Preparing himself for the trip to the Null birds plains, Goblin questions Dalibor. "I'm going near Hilltop, trying to find myself a place to settle near the Null Birds plains. Do you want to join?"

Dalibor nods, "I would like to join." Looking a bit dejected, "I've run into a mental or maybe arcane block concerning one of my dreams. I'm honestly not sure if it's something that can actually be achieved, and I'm disheartened. Being around you and Aura always helps, especially seeing your connection. While I know that I'll never have the same connection, I would like to form a friendship with one of her herd. I think helping you is the best route to take in building that relationship."

Goblin nods with an invisible smile behind his mask. "I'm glad you are joining, my friend. I'm sure Aura will be happy as well." The man then listens to Dalibor and saddens. "I'm sorry you have difficulties to achieve your dream. I hope we will be able to help you. In fact, I feel that my connection with Aura has strengthen in the past weeks. I now feel weird things and I'm almost sure I can sniff odours I couldn't before. I need to investigate on that part." Goblin then takes a few moments to think about Dalibor's last statement. "I will do my best to help you on that part. I don't know if we will be able to do anything at all but if you can make a friend in the herd, I will help for sure. If you are ready, let's fly right now to the plains." (Ready to go if you are)

(We already know the general area where the flock hangs out is a grassy field. The old man tree is in the region and our evil tree is to the northwest. We haven't explored much else around here)

(Yeah. Moving to the plains is a starting point to explore more of the non explored areas) (edited)

(Yep, and from there I'm asking what direction we are exploring in)

(I vote to go south then)

(Dali? that ok with you? )

"I have everything that I need if you are providing the transportation. We can go whenever." (edited)

"Alright. Let's go then!"

Moving south from the plains you walk across already explored ground. The nullbird flock remains north from here, and you re-visit the foothills you crossed when first coming into the territory back when explorers first emerged from Dremlas. You see nothing new in this region since the last time you've been here- and your overflight in the Pelican on the way here confirmed the same.

"So, which direction are you wanting to look for a nice site? I assume you want access to both the plain and have the forests nearby. It might be helpful if you had ready access to clean water as well."

"Yeah. I'd like to be close to the plains and the forest. Let's try to make a wide arc to the west and start moving north. We should end in the hell tree forest. Maybe we will find a few Termies nests to clean on our way. What do you think?"

"Sounds good to me."

!roll d1

Please roll a dice value 2 or greater

!roll d10

Nekosmash Roll: [1] Result: 1

The foothills extend west into something of a wet swampland. Runoff from rain hitting these hills pools in marshes below and weepy looking trees are the only landmarks amid stinking bogs. Tar bubbles and thin fog reminding you of the shores of the gas sea hugs the top of the water like looking into a smoky mirror.

Once they reach the swampland, Goblin looks at the place that looks almost desolate. "Well, that's quite ominous. I don't know what we could find here but that doesn't looks like a very attractive swamp." (Committing one effort to use the Whispering of Wind to get more insight on the place)

You don't gain much more insight through the use of your powers. There is not much that lives here and the tar is an obvious danger.

"Looks like we might need to look elsewhere. Let's continue on."

(We're at early afternoon right now, just for time of day reference)

Goblin nods. "I guess so, yeah. I'm not sure a tar bath would be great for my skin.". (Thanks for the reminder. That should give us a few more time to explore)

(Yep, just need a direction)

(Sorry if that was not clear. After going west, I suggested going North again so we did some round-trip by passing to the west. If that's good for @Aiden Rhys )

(We just came from north, so west is the only hex closeby we haven't been to)

(Oh, sorry. I thought we had already gone to the West. We had agreed to go west here so let's go west https://discord.com/channels/345912178072879106/844992893201547284/961382427111092325 )

(Are you waiting for our input here?)

(No I was just enjoying my weekend )

1

6:54 AM

Moving west from the current location you push through the swamps and come to an area where the water from them must drain into some more filtered and clean looking wetlands. There is a slight decrease in elevation and you enter what looks to be a flood plain. Water instead of gas pools here and you see many different types of animals must be coming here to drink but upon scenting you have fled to go find elsewhere to drink and nest for the time being

With the flood plain before them, Goblin once again looks all around to assess the place, Aura by his side. "This place is much more appealing. I wonder what kind of animals are coming here." Without even knowing it, Goblin starts to sniff the air, trying to identify any scent. (I hope you enjoyed your weekend :) )

Whatever is here has moved on due to your approach. You're unable to detect anything in the air for the moment.

"I wonder if those sort of animals would be good prey for Aura and others of the flock. Alternately, if you did inhabit here, and grew closer to the flora and fauna, maybe they wouldn't flee so readily. Are there any other areas you haven't visited?"

(we've explored this area extensively before, both of you even had done so last time around. We know the major landmarks)

10:20 AM

(that's why I kept trying to get some clarification on what we were doing or looking for, since we had a pretty detailed idea already)

(I didn't remember anyone had gone south of Hilltop. Can you remind us if there are places around Hilltop that haven't been explored please?)

(I will re post the map but that is all the explanation there really is, without me typing up a huge essay summary, that I just dont want to do)

11:47 AM

(We have the hexes around the city to the north, leading up to the gate, but that is all)

(that's all the detail I really have)

Aiden Rhys

"So, which direction are you wanting to look for a nice site? I assume you want access to both the plain and have the forests nearby. It might be helpful if you had ready access to clean water as well."

(Don't have much to add. I assumed you were wanting something close to this @Goblin) (edited)

(Dali if you want to pick a direction for right now please feel free, its been a few days and you've been patient)

(Sorry for the unexpected absence guys. I was unable to let you know. I'm back now and I should be able to post a bit later today. Dalibor, I let you pick the next direction.

)

(With the halt it has taken due to my absence, what do you think if we simply wrap this up Dalibor and we go on something else?)

(We can just wrap it up now then, this didn't really get time to pick up steam)

(Agree.)

(sounds good. Correct me if I'm wrong, but from what Neko said, all the directions from here have been explored. So it would just be picking one of them, or going to an area away from the Nullbirds. My only thing, is that I don't remember the description of all the areas, and I wouldn't want to have Neko go back through everything.) (edited)

(If there was anytihng noteworthy it was labeled on the map, really the only real PoI in the area is the hell tree that we keep circling back to. )

(We can go on your hunt for a new Null bird friend Dalibor if you want)

(up to you here Goblin, he doesn't necessarily need you close by to do it if you want to move on to other things)

(Sure. But I offered him my help so if he still wants it, I'm ready for him

)

(what would you want to move off into doing? )

(Dalibor wants to try to befriend a Nullbird so we would go back to the plains)

Returning back to the plains you see Aura and its flock are both still in the vicinity. They seem to remain here almost year round and the area has not changed since you saw it the day before.

Happy to be united with Aura once again, Goblin pets her for quite some time while looking at the flock. He then turns toward Dalibor and nods back at the Null birds. "So. You still want to befriend one of the big bag of feathers? Remember how it turned when I bonded with Aura? It was quite a challenge!"

(he's not a psychic, so it won't be like your bond, but he can have one for his companion slot, with a slightly different stat block and it lacks some of the abilities yours does) (edited)

(Yeah, I'm clear on that. I wanted to point to him that it would probably be even harder to tame one to make him a companion due to that difference. ^^)

(I know you're clear, but I am not sure he might be since the gaia rules aren't things he needs to know)

1

"I know it wouldn't be like you and Aura since you can summon her from death and all. They are fascinating creatures and appear to be skilled hunters. If I could befriend one and communicate with signals or sounds, I think we could make a good recon team. I'd want to fashion some sort of protective boarding or armor as well." Looking from Goblin to Aura then the flock before sighing, "Or is this just another fantastical idea that's out of reach?"

A gentle smile forms on Goblin's face when Dalibor explains his goal. "I could totally see you and one of these beauty form a great recon team." Petting Aura on the neck, he adds: "Granted the relation you already have with Aura, I think it should be possible for you to befriend one of them. It will probably require some time and maybe even a few scratches but it should be possible. And with Aura's help, we might be able to find the perfect bird for you. Are there some qualities that you would like to see in your possible future companion? I can probe the flock with Aura's help to find one that suits your needs."

"I would appreciate that. One that is good at stalking prey, so I guess quiet, above average hearing and sight, and strong enough to kill or survive attacks while I shoot the enemy."

The herd is here grazing, and eating the small rodents their rooting through the grass displaces. Some have scars on their faces and bodies, the signs of fighting with more dominant members of the pack.

Goblin nods. "Alright. Give me some time to try to translate that for Aura. Let's see if she can help." The man then closes his eyes and place his head against the head of his feathered friend to establish a deeper connection and ask her help to find a Null bird with the features described by Dalibor. Silently, he communicates with Aura. "Do you think we can help Raulthriin find a good friend?" Mentally pointing at the group of scarred Null birds, Goblin continues. "We are looking for a raali (silent) and razylym (strong) with a good nyth (sight). Can you help us find one of your flock that would accept to wander with a Kerin (human) like you do?" His questions asked, Goblin gets out of his mental connection and looks at Aura. The big bird somehow nods the head and chatter her beak before turning toward the group of Null birds designated by Goblin. When close to them, she starts to emit some noises and some hissing. (Raulthriin is the name used to designate Dalibor to Aura. It means Silent Archer which refers to his silent shot)

(sounds like we've done my part here for me, so I guess we'll see how Dali reacts to Aura finding something)

(No checks needed for me to get better insights or anything?)

(you already decided it succeeded so asking for a check now seems kind of pointless )

1

Dalibor looks on nervously as Aura walks among the herd. Periodically stopping to chirp at members of the flock, Dalibor's heart slowly starts dropping as the minutes keep passing by. Eventually, Aura has made her way through the large group of Nullbirds and begins to come back towards Goblin and Dalibor. (taking some license on this) Turning to Dalibor and putting his hand on Dal's shoulder, Goblins shares that "one is not here who would fit Raulthriin". "I am sorry my friend." Sadly nodding his head as he looks down with a wry grimace, "I knew it would be too much to ask." Turning from Goblin and Aura, Dalibor says, "I'm going to sit under those trees for a bit to get my head back in place. Don't worry too much, I'll be fine." Dalibor doesn't see much around him as he walks along, lost in thought. He finds his way to the edge of the forest and sits under a large oak with his head leaned back against the trunk and eyes closed. Dappled sunlight filters through the leaves, playing on the backs of his eyelids as he tries to settle his mind. Minutes pass when Dalibor notices the sunlight isn't as bright on his eyelids. It's still warm, so the sun shouldn't have set, he opens his eyes. Standing over him is a young, non-descript, muted brown Nullbird, just looking at Dalibor. As their eyes meet, the bird cocks it's head to the side somewhat quizzically. A small chirp escapes it's young beak. Dalibor starts to raise his hand, and the Nullbird startles back before running off towards the flock. Finding himself both in a better headspace, and curious, Dalibor follows the bird back to the flock and Goblin. As he approaches, he sees Goblin excitedly waving with a large grin on his face. As he gets close, Goblin shouts, "I misunderstood. It's going to be alright." Dalibor heads over to Goblin and Aura and finds out Aura wasn't saying there was no bird that might work with him, but that the bird wasn't currently there. With that, Aura chirps to the flock. (edited)

9:49 AM

The young Nullbird Dalibor had seen at the forest tentatively approaches. Goblin carefully guides Dalibor into first feeding then petting the young bird. "It's going to take some work, but I think we might have found you a companion. He's young, but already skilled at hunting and moving unseen." (let Neko/Goblin come up with his name.)

(I would say the choice is yours to give him a name unless you want to I give him a "flock name" first like Aurakendeem?)

(that's what I was thinking since you've been the one to come up with the flock names for them and myself.)

(Goblin can do it)

Tapping Dalibor on the shoulder while he tries to approach the young bird, Goblin smiles at the scene. "He is called Thalserix by the flock. Aura tells me that he is born during a rare full moon event a few cycles ago. Among his brothers and sisters, he is one of the most, if not the most, courageous of the smaller Null bird. It should be a great fit for you my friend." Goblin the pauses a few moments to let Dalibor appreciate the moment before adding. "Just like Aura responds to both her flock name and the one I gave her, you can give Thalserix a name in our language that he will understand." (Thalserix, Courageous Moon-Born is his flock name.)

Bowing his head to the adolescent Nullbird and knowing his words aren't really understood, "Greetings Thalserix. I hope that we can learn and grow together." Then, guided by Goblin and Aura, Dalibor comes up with rudimentary communication signals for Thal and works on them for the next couple of days. Together, Dalibor and Thal learn the beginnings of teamwork while hunting for small animals near the forest.

7:36 PM

(gonna finish updating my google char sheet with equip and goals. Not sure where to put Thal for the Companion aspect.)

(We don’t have an npc tab right now. Also don’t have a stat block to put in it anyway but once I work that out I’ll send you a message and there’s space on the sheet for notes

1

During the training, Goblin stays at Dalibor's side to help him when needed. He is happy to see his friend's progress and that another Nullbird is now friend with someone outside of the flock. "I hope you will love your new friend. I'm happy to see the progress you have done and you should form a really good pair."

"I appreciate all the guidance you and Aura have given me this past week. I need to get back to the family to work on some things before we try and take on the Hell Tree, but I will come back at least a few times each week to spend time with Thal. Do you think this area is where you are going to build?" (I transferred my goals to the sheet and added a couple. Heading to my page for actions until we form some other joint venture.)

"I'm not sure yet where I will end up building a little something. I might simply stick close to the Guardian Tree's place. I feel like he could still teach me a lot before his passing away." he answers to Dalibor. "I will take care of Thalserix while you are away my friend. Get well in you family."

(I know Thia is also heading out in the direction of the rebels, could go together if you wanted)

(I'm not sure what kind of help Goblin could provide apart from some protection to Thia. Also, Goblin would like to focus more on Saliv at the moment. But if you prefer to have me in a group at the moment, I can join her)

(I don't have a preference, what did you want to do instead, then? )

(As I can't work on beating the Hell Tree, I thought I could return to the place I found during my first mission to secure it)

(I'll have to go back and read up on your first mission , we're so far removed from it I am not sure what we eve did)

(I will link you the good message in a few minutes

)

(Here's the place. I have a goal related to it on top of that. https://discord.com/channels/345912178072879106/844992893201547284/854699943636762665 )

(no wonder, almost a year ago irl by now) Eversky Trailer Park is somewhat close to Dremlas, and has been overlooked by the advancing wave of civilization thus far. The location has been marked on a map as a hazard to be avoided, and as most of the traffic passing close to the area is either in the sky, or has a military escort of some kind none of the belligerent locals have attempted to attack anything- knowing it would bring the full weight of the city down on them. To date, it has not been confirmed if the locals are terminals, unaltered survivors who managed to shelter within some natural pocket of metaspace stability, or if there is some other reason a community has survived here.

(One year already! Time flies!) It was his first mission, and his first defeat. But Goblin hasn't forgotten the Ever-Sky Trailer Park and now that he is more experienced, he seeks revenge and wish to secure the place. Before heading toward the place, he sends a message to the sergeant who was commanding the unit that went with him to let him know his plan.

Hello sergeant,

Hope you remember me. I'm planing to head to that Ever-Sky Trailer park to check what's there and secure the place if needed. I will leave tomorrow at 07:00. Wanna join me to avenge your soldier? Then meet me at the North city gate.

The next morning, Goblin will wait with Aura at the gate to see if the Sergeant will come.

The sergeant is currently deployed with his unit up near Northfields as part of the ongoing Terminal mop up and security of the city process. He is not permitted to re-deploy without orders from Inheritor Alliance command, and the long process of red tape would not have him back in time to join you. All he is able to provide is a sincere message wishing you luck , and passing on his hopes that you're able to bring the conflict to some kind of resolution there in one way or another.

A bit saddened that the sergeant couldn't join, Goblin looks at Aura. "Looks like it will be the both of us, big girl. Let's go, I'd like to do some recon around the place." Mounting his hoverbike, Goblin then starts to take the direction of the place that he had only glimpsed in the past at a pace that Aura can follow. He makes a detour by the old farm to check if he can find some fruits in that orchard they had found and allow his friend some rest for a few minutes. When she is refreshed, he starts moving again and stops his bike 500 meters from what he remembers being the park's limits and camouflage it crudely with some branches. Turning toward Aura, he pets the Nullbird before pointing in front of him. "Let's go big girl. Swift and quiet, like usual." (The plan is to get close while staying under cover of the forest. Once close enough, I will use the Whispering Wind and perform a visual recon)

You close to 150m, on an overlook above the park and upon using your powers you see nothing in the area has really changed since the last time you observed the site.

(From my position, can I see some place of interest and if there are people here?)

(The site has not changed from last time you were here, as confirmed by whispering wind, so all the same PoI are here) You can see about twenty people outside, handling various chores and tasks.

Looking at Aura, Goblin speaks half to himself and to his bird. "That's quite a lot of people there for the two of us. Hopefully, they are not all armed and dangerous but their first reaction last time was to chase me with rifles... And there's still this weird feeling in the air. I wonder what is causing it. We need to find out." Next thing, Goblin will try to find all the main entrances to the place and check how well guarded they are while staying under the cover of the forest and looking for trip flare.

(sneak/dex)

(8)

You are able to continue your loop, ending 150m from the settlement gates, observing them from a woodline of dense trees and thick undergrowth. You can see three guards the currently closed wooden settlement gate outside armed with a mix of weapons. One of them has a light mutation, but he would still be seen as something akin to a terminal within Dremlas proper. (edited)

10:48 AM

The sharpened stakes that ring the bounds of the park look to be holding firm, intermixed with bits of chain link, signs, scrap metal, and anything else the locals could find that would effectively shore up their own barricades .

(Out of the 20 people, those three are the only one I have seen with weapons?)

(with weapons they can't conceal easily, at least, so nothing two handed unlike the gate guards) (edited)

With so many people in the camp, some armed guys and at least one of them with mutations, Goblin is not sure of what he should do next. One thing is sure to him: these people are probably not friendly at all given how he was received the first time he came here. But it might be dangerous to fight them alone. On the other end, he has the benefit from the surprise effect and probably some better equipment. And Aura is with him. If he stays under the cover of the trees, and next to the nature, he might have a sufficient edge to win this fight. Looking at Aura, he smiles at his companion. "Ready for some brawl, girl?". Scratching the ground with her talons as an approval, Aura seems ready to fight if needed. Satisfied, Goblin decides to engage from the distance. But before firing a single bullet, Goblin wants to stack all the odds in his favour and he prepares his firing position by moving some branches to get some better cover and find a suitable position to get the best aim possible. (If possible, I'm preparing my position to get a +2 bonus to attack roll)

(Sure, I do want to point out if you leave this position, you will no longer have the +2, so basically you'll have it until your first move action)

(Yep, that's clear for me. Do I go for a surprise round then?)

(Yes, then initiative)

Well prepared, Goblin takes some time to aim at the guard with mutations as it might be the most dangerous of the three. In the same time, Aura starts to move a bit forward, eager to engage in a fight but Goblin recalls her so she stays under cover and don't reveal their exact position. (Edited to add the part about Aura. She takes no action, it's just some fluff added to my post

) (edited)

2:59 AM

!roll 1d20+6 ! Shoot with Breach Rifle

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [8] Result: 14 Reason: Shoot with Breach Rifle

!roll 1d10 + 1d4+1 ! Damage roll if I hit (Which I doubt)

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [9][2] Result: 12 Reason: Damage roll if I hit (Which I doubt)

!roll 1d8+1 : Initiative

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [6] Result: 7

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [1] Result: 1

The breach rifle shot is a clap of energy dispersal, and the small rift closes after an empty howl of raw null exposure. Responding to suddenly being fired on, the gate guards spring into action.

7:46 AM

(you got a 7 so you're first)

Taking profit from his position as long as he can, Goblin aims once again at the mutated guard, hoping to kill him before he can react too much.

8:07 AM

!roll 1d20+6 ! Shoot with Breach Rifle

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [11] Result: 17 Reason: Shoot with Breach Rifle

(hit)

!roll 1d10 + 1d4+1 ! Damage roll if I hit

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [3][1] Result: 5 Reason: Damage roll if I hit

One of the guards is wounded, but not dead. He and his two companions fire into the brush where your shot came from to try to keep your head down (edited)

10:42 AM

!roll 3d20+3

Nekosmash Roll: [18, 5, 2] Result: 28

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [8] Result: 8

(21/8, the other two shots miss)

(My AC is 20. A 18 is a hit?)

(18 is the dice result, plus 3 for their attack bonus, making it 21)

11:06 AM

(the modifier is not added to the results within the brackets there)

(Gotcha, thanks)

Goblin sustains his momentum and fires at the wounded opponent, not worrying by the shot he is taking himself at the moment. In the meantime, Aura still waits for Goblin signal to charge.

1:55 PM

!roll 1d20+6 ! Shoot with Breach Rifle

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [12] Result: 18 Reason: Shoot with Breach Rifle

!roll 1d10 + 1d4+1 ! Damage roll if I hit

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [10][2] Result: 13 Reason: Damage roll if I hit

(Woops, stupid copy past. I know I hit with a 18)

The wounded gate guard is shot through, falling onto his back to lean against the closed settlement gate. The remaining two, armed with battered looking semi-automatic rifles continue to fire into the woodline now that they know an enemy is within their midst.

2:43 PM

!roll 2d20+3

Nekosmash Roll: [17, 16] Result: 36

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [1] Result: 1

Two shots bounce from cover and strike the position you've created for yourself. Your armor holds, not reporting any new damage or any new wounds on your body.

With one of his opponents down, odds of winning the fight now seems more in Goblin's favor. Resolute to continue the gunfight, he fires at one of the remaining guards.

3:06 PM

!roll 1d20+6 ! Shoot with Breach Rifle

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [11] Result: 17 Reason: Shoot with Breach Rifle

!roll 1d10 + 1d4+1 ! Damage roll

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [10][1] Result: 12 Reason: Damage roll

Another of the guards falls, leaving just one remaining. The gunfire at the gate has gone on long enough now where the locals aren't mistaking it for power tools or some kind of malfunctioning engine anymore, and bell somewhere in the camp begins to ring out an alarm.

3:21 PM

!roll d20+3

Nekosmash Roll: [9] Result: 12

The single remaining gunman you can see at the moment fires another shot from his weapon, and the round goes wide into the jungle.

Earing the bell, Goblin quickly glances at the camp to try to see if more armed people are coming but he mainly stays focus on the last guard and empty his magazine with a last shot.

3:39 AM

!roll 1d20+6 ! Shoot with Breach Rifle

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [5] Result: 11 Reason: Shoot with Breach Rifle

!roll 1d10 + 1d4+1 ! Damage roll

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [6][2] Result: 9 Reason: Damage roll

(an 11 is a miss)

9:08 AM

The magazine gives a sad ping as the energy level within is depleted. (It's a main action to reload if you've got another power cell readied, unless you've got gunslinger where its an on-turn) The remaining guard fires into the brush once more, taking a step back toward the gate.

9:08 AM

!roll d20+3

Nekosmash Roll: [7] Result: 10

(miss) The bell within the village continues to ring, and someone fires a cluster of red flares skyward.

(Breach rifles are energy weapons? I bought normal ammo for it rather than energy cells)

(It’s energy yes.

(So that's why I thought it was weird when I checked what kind of ammo to buy for it. I will have to check how many power cell I have with me)

(I don't know how you'd generate miniature wormholes with a bullet- either way, reloading a new type A cell is the same action economy) (edited)

(I don't know either and that was bugging me. I have re-read the entry for the Breach Rifle and it's clearly noted it uses Type-A power cells so I don't know how I could miss that. And, of course, I don't have a single spare power cell with me. Ahah. I'm fucked)

(Its your turn, so the scene won't move until you do something)

(Yeah, I will post something later)

His power cell depleted, Goblin starts to check his pockets one by one for a new one. Once he realises there are none, he curses. "Fuck! I must have forgot my backup cells at home." Looking at Aura, he adds: "Looks like we will have to go dirty and fight closer, sweetie." To this, the big birds answers excitedly. But before going for some melee fight, Goblin probes the future. (Using my Oracle power to find if more armed people will join at the gate so I get an estimation of their fire power)

The entire community is mobilizing now that the bell is ringing and a firefight has broken out at the gate. Four more guards with a mix of combat rifles and rimworlder semi automatic rifles will be there in seconds

Coming back to reality, Goblin stuffs his Breach rifle in his bag and starts moving away from his position. "Let's go, Aura. We won't be alone for long if we stay here. Let's try to find a good position for a closer fight." (Stowing my rifle and using my move action to move from my position closer to the gate while staying hidden if possible. I will try to find an opening or wait to see if they open the door.)

(If you use your main and move the closest you could get would be 130m, but the surviving guard knows where you are )

(Yeah, I know I can't completely flee from my place. I'm only trying to find a better position for melee combat if they decide to send some guys in the forest. If not, I will simply move around the camp to find another entryway (if any) or teleport behind the walls)

(You generally have to see where you’re teleporting to unless you’ve got the technique that lets you avoid it. I’m still not exactly sure what you’re doing for your turn here )

(As I've got a global view of the camp, I was expecting I could teleport behind a wall where I know there's no obstacle. If not possible, well, that's not possible. As for my turn, I'm using my move action to get away from my position (And losing the bonus from prepared position) so I can avoid any blast damage (They might have grenades) while waiting their reaction (Goblin wonders if they will stay behind the walls or come get him))

)global view ?)

(When I arrived, you said: You close to 150m, on an overlook above the park. I thought that this overlook could be enough to allow me to teleport behind the wall if needed without having the good technique (Perceptive dislocation, right?))

(That works I just didn’t know what you meant by global)

6:52 AM

(Just make sure you can teleport that far with one effort. If you have to split it , you’d be off the overlook and level with the wall so you would need that technique )

(I won't be able to teleport from the overlook. I thought that knowing there was a good place to teleport would be enough, not that you had to have a direct view of it at the moment of the teleportation for this scenario. Anyway, that doesn't change my action and I'm still moving a bit away from my current position to avoid potential blast attack)

(how many meters of your possible 10 to 20m of move is "a bit" , because I need to know for short/long range of enemy weapons.)

(10 meters. Not using the Storm Armor jump as it would probably be too noisy. And Aura will follow me as well)

Moving to 140m from the enemy, the doors to the settlement open and three more guards begin firing into the treeline, trying to do their best to bring you dow before you get close.

9:38 AM

!roll 4d20

Nekosmash Roll: [19, 12, 12, 9] Result: 52

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [2] Result: 2

(21/2, the other shots all miss)

His hands free from his rifle, Goblin takes a few moments to pick his laser pistol from his backpack. With the new weapon now in hands, he continues to move in direction of the gate now that it is open. Aura follows, staying by Goblin's side until he gives the order to charge. (Main action: ready Laser Piston. Move action: move 10 meters closer to the gate. Aura's move action: move 10 meters)

(130m from them)

9:50 AM

!roll 4d20

Nekosmash Roll: [17, 17, 11, 8] Result: 53

!roll 2d8

Nekosmash Roll: [8, 7] Result: 15

Another pair of rimworlder shots strike your armor as the locals fiercely defend their homes. The bell continues to ring and you hear the sounds of heavy engines being turned on from a large building within the settlement. (20/8 , and 20/7. Your AC is 20, so since we have met that, the damage goes through)

(If I teleport myself in a tree top, would that give me a cover of some sort or I'm so close to them they would see it and that would change nothing?) (edited)

(You've been shooting at them pretty consistently for a while now. I don't think a treetop would be cover or concealment in this case)

(Are the guards moving outside or are the doors opening to let the vehicle pass?)

(The doors are not opening, the gates are not locked, but are closed with these four guys outside. We can hear the engines, we do not see vehicles)

(You said above that the gates opened so that's why I was asking)

(to let a few people out, so I guess cracked open, not wide open, and nobody is opening them wider for the moment) (edited)

With the two last hits touching critical components on Goblin's armor, things do not feel great for him. Not sure what to do next, he is certain of one thing. Aura must be saved at all cost. Looking at her friend, he orders her to get away from here. "Flee, Aura. Don't stay here and die because of me. If I feel like it's too late for me, I will release my bond with you so you can go back to your flock." Seeing that the Nullbird starts to hesitate, he shouts one more. "GO AWAY! THAT'S AN ORDER! I will try to follow you." His order given, Goblin shots at the guards before using his Storm Armor's booster to jump away from the camp and in direction of his hoverbike, fleeing as well. After a few seconds, Aura follows and starts to reach high speed. (Main action: shot with laser pistol. Move action: Storm Armor's booster for 20 meters in direction of my hoverbike. Aura double moves for 40 meters Question: can I call the hoverbike to meet me or it can't navigate in that forest?) (edited)

1:48 PM

!roll 1d20+5 ! Shoot with Laser Pistol

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [9] Result: 14 Reason: Shoot with Laser Pistol

!roll 1d6+2 ! Damage roll

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [5] Result: 7 Reason: Damage roll

(if it does not have the ghost driver fitting, it cannot be called)

(It has the ghost driver fitting. That's a main action if I want to call it, right?)

The laser shot strikes the brush and misses its target, while the guards at the gate look to be trying to continue firing on you as you escape, as you are responsible for the murder of three of their community members. (yes, would be a main action to call it)

2:09 PM

!roll 4d20+3

Nekosmash Roll: [14, 7, 1, 1] Result: 26

(Their shots miss)

Not wanting to risk his life and these of Aura, Goblin continues to get away from the place. Using his armor's integrated comm, he calls his Swallow for pickup and hopes that he will be able to reach it quickly. Meanwhile, Aura continues to run, looking behind her with sadness. (Main action to call the Swallow. Move action with the Armor's boost for 20 meters. Aura double moves for 40 meters)

A small heads up display appears and you can see the swallow will be at your position in 15 or so seconds (3 rounds) moving at top speed. Down near the gate you can see one of the guards no longer has range on you, his smaller weapon no longer effective. The other three have rifle sized weapons and though they're at longer range now, follow your leaps through the air to target you

2:23 PM

!roll 3d20

Nekosmash Roll: [19, 15, 1] Result: 35

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [6] Result: 6

(20/6, the other two miss, and I did apply the -2 for long range )

(Only three HP left. Damn!) In really bad shape now, Goblin hopes he can make a run for his life as Aura should be somewhat safe. Drawing deeply in his own force as well as in the armor's energy cell, he tries to put as much distance as he can between him and the camp. (Double move for 30 meters - One teleportation and one armor's booster jump. Aura double moves as well)

The countdown continues running and it looks as though the bike will be here soon (2 more rounds) The guards follow your leaping, ape like runs through the air as they follow you with their muzzles.

3:16 PM

!roll 3d20

Nekosmash Roll: [19, 4, 1] Result: 24

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [8] Result: 8

(21/8, two other misses)

3:19 PM

(Your storm armor will stabilize you once, now that you're below 0 HP, I am going to roll to see if they are able to find you for the handful of minutes that you are downed, and if they do not, you will be able to escape on the bike with 1HP. )

3:19 PM

!roll 2d6+1 /survive check for locals

Error: + is not between two numbers!

!roll 2d6+1

Nekosmash Roll: [6, 5] Result: 12

You feel strong hands tie some kind of chain around your arms, and legs and a gentle sensation of being dragged. The systems within your armor begin blinking back on, having done the work of stabilizing you. Your injuries are grave and the medical attention your armor has given you is rudimentary at best- enough to keep you alive, but not enough to facilitate any long term recovery. Though you are alive, you are bound, and it seems like the locals want to know who is responsible for the random deaths of four of their community members.

Getting slowly out of the fog, Goblin's whole body aches. Before he can even recover the sight completely, his thoughts are directed toward his Nullbird companion. "Aura..." he starts to mumble before falling back in some sort of coma. Later - it's impossible for Goblin to judge how much time has passed, Goblin finally fully awakes with the feeling that a whole flock has run over him. He looks around him, trying to assess where he is and if he is alone. "Where am I?" he asks to himself, still not sure if someone will hear him or not.

3

You have been dragged back to the village and your armor has been welded to the wall with you inside of it, from what it appears. The locals did not want to take any chances with you escaping to kill more of them, and you can see there are four humans in this room. A few of them have minor mutations like patches of scales, or an unnatural eye color, but still look to be mostly human. Three of them are armed , while the last one has what looks to be some kind of industrial cutter that he is working on oiling and taking care of.

Looking around him, Goblin's instinct triggers quickly and he scans the room thoroughly. He stops on each of his captors one by one and stops on the only one that is not armed. "So you are the smart guy who welded me to that wall, uh? Or it one of the ugly faces that are your friends?"

"Shut up" one of them says, clubbing up his weapon to use as a bludgeon if the smart mouth talk continues. "Who are you, and why did you start shooting at us?"

Ignoring the first question on purpose, Goblin continues with his soft provocation to gauge their patience. "Well, technically, YOU started shooting at me. A few months ago, when we discovered this place with my friends. We triggered a flare and you started to chase us on your bike, shooting at our car without even a single hello. Remember?"

"What kind of peaceful intent did you have sneaking through the woods, and then running when the flares went off. Don't you think that makes you look a bit guilty?"

8:41 AM

"Now tell us again, who are you, and why are you here?"

"Back there, our intentions were good, I promise. But I was accompanied by a military force and that flare surprised us. We were fearing that you would shot at us on sight when you would see a military force so we preferred to go away." His body still aching, Goblin takes a few moments to breath heavily. Not willing to push the provocation more for the moment given his physical state, Goblin finally answers the other questions. "You can call me Goblin and I'm from the Inheritor Alliance. I came here for two reasons. You are considered dangerous and I wanted to secure this place. And, to be honest, I wanted a revenge because we lost one of us the last time. Are we wrong when thinking you are bad guys?"

"You've killed six of our community members, I would think the blood debt has been more than paid. You said secure this place, that only happens when we're dead, right? Then you and the Alliance come in and this isjust your land?"

Surprised that he is not dead already or that he was not beaten up for his insolence, Goblin decides to play it easy and does not pick up on the number of kills he has committed. Instead, he decides to continue on telling the truth as, for the moment at least, it looks like a good way of talking with this guys. "I would lie if I said the opposite. The plan was to kill all armed resistance. I wouldn't have killed anyone willing to surrender. But the more I speak with you, the more it looks like I was wrong about your lot." he says, regrets clearly audible in his voice. "As for the alliance, they don't even know I'm here. I'm here on my own decision. But... What are you exactly? You didn't answer my own question. What do you do for a living? If I'm honest, I wouldn't come here for some vacations as you don't look very welcoming. But maybe I'm wrong."

"We're farmers and workers. We lived here before The Scream, and the breaches, and just like Dremlas is home for you, this place is home for us. Why do you need to kill all resistance? You could have just left us alone. "

1:44 PM

Two of the others move outside to discuss something with one another, leaving you alone in this room with the other two of the guards that captured you.

As two of the guards get out, Goblin sees an opportunity to break free. He ponders the question but finds it too dangerous for the moment as he has not fully recovered. And it looks like these people might not be that dangerous at all. "Listen. That won't bring your dead back and it might sound weird coming from someone who has been shooting at you... But the Alliance could help you survive in better condition. I have seen the mutation on some of your guys. We can't revert them but we have the technology to prevent them. And we could bring you materials and food if you joined the Alliance." Goblin waits a few moments, letting the words penetrate his captors' minds before adding: "It looks like my hot temper made me make a big mistake here. Give me a chance to redeem myself and prove you that it would be worth joining the Inheritor Alliance. Don't judge the Alliance as quickly as I have been judging you."

"We'll need a few minutes to talk. You're going to have to stay here for a minute, not that you've got a choice" They also leave the room after a moment to join the meeting outside, no doubt the community is weighing the merits or consequences of releasing you, killing you, or keeping you captive.

Not used to this kind of talking, Goblin really feels like this time, it's the good solution to get out of all of this alive. He is too weak to fight anyway so unless they threaten his life directly, he won't try something stupid. While they are all outside, he takes profit of all the time alone to quickly share Aura's senses only to check if she's alive.

Aura is alive, and is roosting nearby in the woods by the gate. They have not found her yet, and she is going her best to stay low and keep a low profile

Reassured that Aura is safe, Goblin waits for the return of the guards. In the meantime, he looks all over the room to check if there are things he could use as weapon in case of dire necessity.

The powered cutting rotor is on a table here, they were going to use it to cut your armor away if needed. There is also a hammer, and a few screwdrivers of various size left on the work bench here.

Goblin takes a mental note of all the potential weapons and wait. He doesn't want to throw away his attempt at negotiating for the moment.

The door opens again a few moments later. "We're not going to kill you, for now, but if we let you go we have no guarantees you're not just going to lead a larger group with more powerful weapons back here to us"

Relieved to know he won't die just now, Goblin asks: "What kind of guarantees do you want? Also, would you be willing to join the Alliance? We could help you prosper and offer protection against breaches and the wilderness." (edited)

"We do not wish to be part of an Alliance that sends armed men into the woods to wipe out communities they know nothing about. What an ignorant force to be loyal to. No, we will maintain our independence, and we will fight as many soldiers as you think you need to send to keep it.

Goblin nods. Somehow. "I guess it's fair after the recent events. I really hope, though, that you will accept our help in strengthening this place so we can build a new relationship based on trust and friendship rather than death and gunfight." Struck by his own words, not the kind of words that usually comes out of Goblin's mouth, the man stops for a moment, thinking, and sadness in his eyes. "Well. My other question still stands. What kind of guarantees do you need to let me out? This is not that I don't like my armor but I don't really like to be welded to a wall, you know?"

"If you leave this place you will be doing so without your armor and weapons. We're not going to let you just walk out of here into the woods to start shooting at us again. "

7:41 AM

Outside, you can hear a large bell is sounding, and the group rushes out of the room again to hear the assembled speaker. You can make out a few faint words in here. Evacuation, discovery, fear of the wave of settlers from the nearby alliance to come. There is some shouting, and some faint questions answers before they return. "We're evacuating. We're going to knock you out so you can't see where we're going, and we're going to take your armor and weapons since we don't feel like you coming after us for revenge or hunting us through the woods if you somehow manage to find us. You're being left alive, which is more mercy than you deserve"

"Wow! Wow! Wow! Why are you evacuating? I told you nobody know I'm here so it's unlikely someone else from the Alliance came here. What's the reason? Let me help you to make a public apology after my blinded assault."

"We cannot trust you, and you'll go back to the Alliance and tell them about us. This is what we've decided"

Even if that could reveal to much about him, Goblin wants to try a gamble. Closing his eyes, he probes the future to get some insights on what or who is attacking. (Using Oracle to check what / who is attacking the camp)

Nothing is attacking the camp right now. (they're worried you're going to go back and tell people)

9:04 AM

You don't see the rifle butt blow that knocks you out, but when you come to, your armor and weapons have all been taken, and the settlement around you has been entirely abandoned. They've left you your compad it seems, and it looks like almost a full day has passed before your brain returned to your body.

(Oh, I thought there was really an ongoing attack So I'm only left with my Compab and nothing else that I had noted as ready or stowed, right? Including my Websuit?) (edited)

(Anything that was readied or stowed has been taken from you. Anything marked "other" was not on your person and is not here , so you'd still have those things)

(Fuck. How much HP do I have now? Still one?) Still a bit dazed, Goblin looks around him. "Damn, that hurts. And they really left me with nothing. Bastards." His first reflex is to look for a makeshift weapon and armor. If he can't find anything, Goblin will get outside of the building where he was captive.

(still one, and are fragile, so getting reduced to 0 again kills you- until such time you get proper medical attention) (edited)

(Did I found anything that could be used as a weapon and/or an armor in the building?)

(They've taken everything you noticed from the building where you were captured, you didn't narrate anything but waking up, so I can't tell you what else is in the camp, if anything) (edited)

Finding nothing useful, Goblin gets outside of the building, first to check if Aura is nearby and also to check what kind of other buildings are there to be explored.

(I'll get you a camp map)

(You were in the large middle building)

As Aura seems to be absent, Goblin uses his psychic bond with her to summon her by his side and use her as some kind of crutch to help him walk. Happy to still be alive and to have his friend with him, he hugs her for a few moments before looking once again around him. "Well, looks like they took everything with them." he says to himself. Left alone with no technology to aid him, Goblin feels his connection with nature and Saliv at its best and he appreciates that moment. But he doesn't appreciate having been left alone and stripped of all his possessions. Instinctively, Goblin starts to sniff the air, trying to identify the scent of his captors and a possible track that he could follow. Aura joins him in the process, understanding what Goblin is up to.

The scent is almost a day old now, and other animals have crossed over the path many , many times, leading to a confused jumble of smells. You catch a faint impression of them heading north, before it becomes too thin and too cross contaminated with other woodland life to offer much of a path to follow.

A bit disappointed that he is unable to get a better idea of where the group is gone, at least Goblin is content that he could get a clue. He calls the Swallow (I hope they didn't find it!) to come and pick him up so he can get back in Dremlas to get proper medication. "Aura, my girl, you will stay here and wait. Hide yourself in the woods and take note of whoever come here. I will try to not be away for too long." Once the Swallow is here and Goblin is sure that Aura is well hid, he will head to the medical center in Dremlas. (edited)

You enter the hospital and the intake clerk begins working on the necessary forms to get you the attention you need. After an hour, you are admitted, Aura is forced to sleep outside, and your bike is secured in the parking garage near the hospital.

(I ordered Aura to stay in the forest outside of the camp, she's not with me.

How long does that take and cost me to get back at full health?)

(it is your character level of health regained per day of rest. So you'd have to tell me how many days before you get to full. There is no cost)

(Level 6 with 34 HP so that will be 6 days)

7:34 AM

During his time in the hospital, Goblin occasionally shares Aura's senses. It allows him to still have an eye on the camp and offers him some welcome forays in the outside world while he is forced to stay bedridden.

aura finds no sign of the community that vanished, and otherwise is ready for you upon your release from the hospital.

When he gets the clearance, Goblin makes a detour to his home in Dremlas to get a few clothes and equipment. During the six days at the hospital, he has been thinking about what happened and what he could do for the community. (I will try to find the community in its new place. If I find them, I'd like to offer them some weapons and protections to prove them IA is not that bad after all. I will pay for all of that myself and not involve the Alliance at the moment. Among other things, is it possible to buy Orion belts for them? If yes, what's the price per unit?)

(they're too rare to be purchased en masse)

9:24 AM

(and if you stumble out of the woods anywhere near them again they're probably going to kill you on sight, you got lucky once already) (edited)

1

Taking the bare minimum with him for the moment, Goblin returns to the camp and plans to search each building for anything that could have been left there. When he arrives on site, he calls Aura to join him and he proceeds with the first building. (Searching in the top right building)

Nekosmash pinned a message to this channel. 5/5/2022 10:39 AM

The most northwestern building is a run down gazebo like building with open sides. It looks like some kind of forge or crude metalworks was constructed here with the open air design helping with the cooling process and provided for the comfort of the smith itself. The hand tools have all been taken since those were easy to carry, but the forge itself and the bellows to stoke the flame have all been left here -too hard to take away with the limited space and transport available.

10:42 AM

The forge still gently cools, the flame once very hot now on the process of going out here forever, with no people left to need the goods it once produced.

(Just to be sure, the forge is only an open building, right? There's no closed part to it? Also, I told I was checking the top right building and you said top western (So left, assuming North is on top). I don't care whichever is the good one, I simply want to know where I am so we speak about the same thing next.

)

(correct, I must have mis read, so i described the top left, so northwest, it is open, there is no closed part to it)

As there's nothing interesting in the forge, Goblin moves toward the group of round houses southwest and he decides to begin with the left most. (Assuming the middle one one the west line is only rumble. Otherwise, I will go with thisnone first)

(the back half of the middle one is not rubble, just the front) The southwestern home is fairly intact and you can see this is a double wide trailer left behind on a concrete pad. Upon opening the door you can see that about a third of the village population slept here in some kind of rigged hammock setup like you might see below deck on an age of sail ship .Each villager had a locker for other personal belongings but it seems like all but two of them have been emptied.

Noticing the closed lockers, Goblin moves to open the first one with caution.

You can see the name has been scratched out, and the shadow of a duffel bag on the other side of the thin metal door, which you're able to break off with ease.

Goblin wonders why the name has been erased from the locker but doesn't stop on this. He opens the door and starts searching the content of the duffel bag before checking the rest of the locker.

Inside the locker you find a Rimworlder semi auto rifle, a block of 20 bullets for it, and a frag grenade. (edited)

(Nothing in the bag?)

(thats whats in the bag)

(Alright, thanks.) Goblin picks the weapon and the grenade and take a look at the other closed locker. (Letting you know that I'm lightly encumbered now)

bzzzt, bzzzt

To: Goblin 
From: Dr. Jasper Artemis 

Greetings Goblin! It’s been awhile. Hope things have been good for you and hopefully you’ve had some time to relax with Aura 

Drang and I have been exploring the northern frontier, and well to cut a long story short we have become aware of another infested city. 

Old Forresthal as I believe it is called is full of large breach beasts, those of which I have never seen before. 
I couldn’t help but think back on our Salivian monster hunter, if you’re not busy we would love your help. We definitely are not ready to run head first into this but more heads the better. 

Drang and I are heading back to Dremlas now to do some shopping and to begin to plan our goals. 

I look forward to hearing back from you 

Sincerely,
Dr. Jasper Artemis, Headmaster of Artemis Institute of Metaspace Science’s.

Hearing his Compad bip to announce a new message, Goblin continues to look at the last locker before reading the message. (I will still check that last locker before doing anything else)

(d100)

!roll 1d100

Hemon 'Goblin' Tox Roll: [1] Result: 1

1

Opening the final locker you find a battered keychain in it showing a medical cross, superimposed over a flaking and rusted gear, some kind of badge of authority now left behind by the evacuating community.

Goblin picks the keychain and moves it close to his face, looking at it for a few moment. "Interesting..." he simply says before packing the keychain in one of his pocket. He then gets outside of the house and looks at his Compad, checking the new message he receives. A smile forms on his face as he reads it and while writing an answer he turns toward Aura. "Aura, my girl. This place will have to wait. We are going monster hunting!" Happy to hear that Aura emits some joyful noise and follows Goblin who rides his Swallow and takes the direction of Dremlas. On his way, he can't stop thinking about the community and what he could do to gain their trust... and get his Websuit and his cape back... (edited)

(That stuff is all gone-gone, at least for the long foreseeable future. The alternative would have been they just killed you when they found you, in which case you'd still have no items, but now no character too. You've still got your assault suit, and there should be enough credits around to buy new weapons)

(Yeah, I got that as a player. But Goblin is stubborn so he will rummage about this for a bit of time...)

Completed goal Investigate and secure the "Ever-Sky Trailer Park and Retirement Community" +3XP (edited)

(it is better to ask if you had met the requirements to complete the goal instead of just making a declaration that you completed goal)

(No worries. I already check with Neko in private message.

)

1

(These 3 XP should bring me to next level. I will check tomorrow. Will Aura be able to participate in the trial with me?)

(no

3:14 PM

(This is something you have to do alone)

(Alright. I will let you know when I'm leveled up)

Level Up
Level: 7
Focus: Armsman lvl 2
Old HP: 34
HP Roll: 31
New HP: 35
New Skills: 
    New technique: Destiny’s Shield (Precog lvl 2)
    Teleportation-1 - New technique: Proficient Apportation
Current AB: 3
(1 unspent SP + 3 unspent Precog SP)
Edited to remove Stab-2 as I miss on skill point for that. Gonna wait next level

(edited)

Before he will have to face the trial, Goblin returns with Aura to get some time with her and see if she is going well. It might be the last time he sees her so he makes the most of it. Once he is done, he moves toward to closest people of Hauvis. "I'm ready to go whenever you want to start."

The first of the trials is a descent to the deepest part of the bay outside their central city. A plunge down to the water from a cliff high above, and a long swim down to the deepest point is required. This descent represents the depths of sorrow the loved ones of those you killed in cold blood are feeling. At the bottom you will see a chest wrapped in chains. Free it and bring it to the surface with you, and this stage of the trial will be complete. You will be able to breathe underwater here, but the darkness, the weight of your deeds , and the dangers of the deeps will be challenge enough for you.

Listening intently at the instructions, Goblin stays silent a few moments, secluded within his own mind. Once he feels ready for the challenge, he asks a few questions. "Can I carry a weapon with me or the only tools allowed under will be my body and my mind?" (Are we already at the cliff?)

"Your sword won't be much use underwater, neither will a gun. A knife may suit your needs, but you won't be able to swing much more than that" (edited)

8:45 AM

(no, we aren't there yet, was just explaining the trial)

"I was indeed thinking about a short knife or dagger that might be useful in some situations. Still more efficient that bare fits sometimes."

"Indeed. That is all you will want to dive with, likely"

Goblin nods. "Indeed. I will remove my armor once we will be at the trial site unless you have some simple clothes to lend me."

The climb to the trial site is long and you feel your arms and legs burning by the end of it. If there is a metaphor here your mind is too tired to think of one. From this ivory cliff you look down to the green blue water below with the dark spot in the middle representing the deepest point. The city sprawls on the cliffs below you.

Arrived at destination, Goblin takes a few moments to catch his breath. He looks down at his next destination, going closer to the border. He then takes a few steps back and starts to remove his assault suit, keeping only his underwear for decency. When he is done, he looks at his chaperone. "You told me I will be able to breathe down? How will that work? Do I need to breath like if at was at the surface?"

"Yes. You might need to convince your mind to just breathe, that has been trouble for others in the past, but you'll find it comes quite natural after a moment or two down there. You probably won't even think about it after long"

Having all his questions answered, Goblin takes a deep breath before stepping once again close to the cliff's border. With only his underwear and his dagger strapped around one of his arms, he feels the cold of the air on his skin. Looking at the bottom, he takes a few seconds to admire the view offered by the city before focusing on the water, his destination. Not used to swimming on Saliv, Goblin even wonders if he will know how to move while in this new element. But it is too late to withdraw and he really wants to change. Not sure how to plunge, he looks behind his shoulder at his guide who gives a curt nod as to invite Goblin to jump. Looking down once more, Goblin empties his mind and jumps, feet first and ramrod straight. The fall is long, really long and the impact with the water is brutal. A great pain moves from his feet and along all his body as Goblin penetrates in the water, forcing a suffering cry out of his mouth. Then, as the speed induced by the fall pushes him deeper, water flows throughout his lungs from his opened mouth. The first dozens of seconds, Goblin thinks he will die from drowning and his lungs hurt badly. Waving his arms and legs furiously, trying to escape from the blue prison. When finally, the sensation stops as his brain finally understand that he gets all the oxygen he needs. At that point, his eyes opened, Goblin starts to calm down and to look around him, his sight slowly getting used to the inherent darkness. With slow movement, he manages to keep is position in the water and once he finally understands where the top and the bottom are, he starts to dive deeper in the water of the bay, trying to find the chest. (Being a Gaiapsion, Goblin can fully seen in the dark.)

You see you've jumped off past the drop off where the shallow water becomes the deeper water of the bay. A few sunken fishing boats decorate this shore-hugging rock shelf, many of them looking to be quite old indeed and built in days long before now based on how they are constructed. You can see hundreds of meter tall stalks of seaweed growing from the very bottom depths of the bay beginning to wave below you, at this depth still a good 20 or so meters from the surface. Whatever is allowing you to breathe down here is also making it so the pressure is not having an effect on you.

Still not really used to swimming, Goblin will try to get closer to the seaweed that he will follow deeper in the bay as some kind of Ariadne's thread. From time to time, he will grab one that he will use as a rope to pull him, sparing his strenght a bit. (edited)

(Exert/str)

(9)

Hand over hand you begin to crawl closer and closer to the bottom in the dark. You can see long eel like shapes swimming through the kept along with other schools of fish. One of the closest eels turns to hiss at you it’s head and mouth easily as long as your arm

At the sight of the close creature, Goblin's instinct kicks off and his left hand swiftly grabs the handle of his dagger. However, instead of pulling it out of it's sheath, he waits and looks at the eel, remembering the words of the chief. Not willing not take a life unnecessary, he won't fight unless attacked first.

1

(How would you want to get past it without fighting. It’s possible just wondering how you’d do it )

Goblin looks at the eel right in the eyes. A few years before the Scream, he had heard an old sage - or was he a crazy man? - tell that the eyes are the mirror of the soul and that, with experience, you can understand the inner motive of a creature by looking at his eyes. However, Goblin is unable to see anything at all in the big eyes fixing him. He takes a mental note to train himself in the future to check if that was the truth or some divagation of an old man. Quickly, Goblin stops to fix the creature to not irritate it or provoke it and he takes the risk to continue his descent toward the darkness of the bay while keeping an eye at the eel to be able to anticipate any attack.

(Sneak/dex it sounds like we are trying to just slippast it )

(10)

You somehow are able to use the drifting kelp to your advantage and begin to descend past where the water is getting any natural light from the world's sun. Down here you think you can see drifting shadows in the darkness, humanoid, but ghostly, almost as if wrapped in a sheet. They seem to be keeping a distance from you, and there are six of them from what you can tell, assuming they are even here, or real.

(One of my Gaiapsionic perks is hear perfectly any noise within a hundred meters. Does that apply underwater as well? If yes, am I close enough from the shadows to ear any sound they could produce?)

(There's nothing specific about underwater or not, but they're not making any sound in any case)

(Thanks) When he sees the shapes, Goblin stops and waits a few moments, pondering his options while observing the shadows. As they seem to stay at distance, Goblin imagine two main reasons. Either they are afraid of him, which seems improbable as they are six or they are waiting that their prey, him, descend deeper to enclose in a deadly trap. Anyway, Goblin has to keep descending deeper if he wants to find the chest so he continues down while keeping an eye on the shadows.

The forms begin to solidify into more recognizable shapes, and you realize you've seen these people before. They have the anguished faces of the people you killed near the trailer park.

When he recognizes the faces, Goblin has a bad feeling. Not willing to take unnecessary risks, he probes the future. (Using Oracle to answer the following question: how will they react when I continue to go down? Another ooc question: how much days have passed between the Anjanath hunt and the trial? Wanting to know how HP is healed)

(one day)

12:58 PM

They will continue to float closer to you all the way to the bottom where they will almost be upon you.

From his vision, Goblin thinks he is safe until at least he reaches the chest. He then proceeds to continue his descent toward the deep floor of bay.

(mental save)

(19 vs 9 - Pass)

Whatever these wraiths are supposed to be doing to you, you are resisting it. You can clearly make out the faces of the victims and the more you descend you see scenes from their life. These were ordinary people with hopes, dreams, loves, and regrets of their own, cut down for the act of defending their home. You can feel their dread, knowing there was nothing they could do to stop the running of their blood into the surrounding soil. Several of them look hateful and revengeful, but they do not approach closer than a few meters as you begin to see a dim glow from the bottom of the cove, and a massive, swirling shadow surrounding it.

A great sadness fill Goblin's mind as he see the shapes and their life. Remorse are the only thing that he can feel right now and for a moment, he thinks about abandoning himself to their fury. But that thought doesn't stay long as he notices the glow and the shadow around it. Sure that it is his destination, he doubles on the envy to succeed in this trial. If he becomes a better man, maybe these people he has plunged into mourning will finally accept his help. Resolute to bring that chest back to the surface, Goblin dives deeper toward the glow.

1

You see two thick chains keeping the chest bound to the sea floor. They are rusted and heavily barnacled, looking to be quite thick indeed.

(Nothing special to note about the shadow?)

(I've given you the only information you can get without you interacting with the scene further somehow)

Keeping an eye on the shadow, Goblin scans the sea floor trying to find anything that could be used as a tool or lever to help him break the chains. (edited)

You see a rusted spar of metal sticking out of the ocean floor down here. It looks like it was part of a cargo ship once, ripped from the deck.

Goblin tries to recover the spar to use it as a lever to break the chains.

(exert/str)

(9)

There is something of a ping, though subdued underwater, and you can see the best open as a flock of bubbles begins moving skyward, along leaving behind a glowing crystal of some kind.

(What's the approximate depth here? Also, bringing the crystal is enough or do I need to take the chest to the surface like you initially announced?)

(the crystal is enough)

(And what about the depth?)

(does it make a difference? You can breathe and aren't being harmed by the pressure. Just not sure where you're going with this) (edited)

(Yep. I want to grab the crystal and instantly teleport toward the surface so I want to know how much jump would be necessary. I can teleport 100 meters)

1

(500m)

Glowing in his eyes, the crystal is the final objective for this first trial. Goblin stretches his hand to grab it but stops only a few centimetres before touching it. Remembering the massive shadow he had spotted earlier, he tries to find it again as he has a bad feeling that something might happen when he touches the crystal.

There is a darkness swirling around you. It flows as the water does, and you cannot tell if this is just part of the natural condition down here, or if some trick is afoot. (I know you can see perfectly in the dark)

Now that he knows where the shadow is, Goblin picks the crystal and starts swimming back to the surface. He keeps an eye on the swirling shadow at the same time.

As you touch the crystal, the shadows begin to coalesce into a monster of a sea serpent. Its trunk is as big as a battle tank, and as long as several of the massive overland cargo ships you have seen stood end to end. Its jaw begins to open, trying to devour you and drown you in the weight of your sins.

(Time to GTFO) Goblin's intuition was good and there was one last challenge. Not willing to die ate by a giant sea serpent, he teleports himself closer to the surface. (Using Personal Apportation for a 100 meters jump - 5/7 effort left)

The creature looks to be rising rapidly, closing in on you as you reappear but for now you have a margin of safety against the ascending beast. It is 50m behind you as you materialize from your jump.

(Can I "outswim" it if I constantly teleport? If so, I will spend extra effort and continue like that. If not, I will try something else)

(It looks like it will be tight, but yes, you'd have to use four more effort to reach the top)

(One last question before I do that. Will the next part of the trial be a new scene (So I get my scene effort back) or still the same?)

(The same)

(Thanks. Better not use almost all my effort then and put all my eggs in the same basket) Seeing the creature trying to catch up with him, Goblin stops a few seconds to use the kelp and seaweed to his advantage. Using his metaflora power, he tries to immobilise the monster and gain some time. (Main action: Metaflora to try to trap the sea serpent if that's possible. I'm still not sure if this technique can only be used in the direct area around me or if I can use it at some distance. Move action: swimming closer to the seaweeds) (If I can't use Metaflora directly close to the monster, I won't spend my effort for something that can be easily avoided and I will do another jump instead right in the seaweeds to try to hide me inside)

(the weeds wouldnt really be thick enough to bind the creature, and it might not even be physical)

(Are they thick / dense enough to hide me or they are too distant from each others to really be of any help?)

(too distant to be of much help)

(Thanks. Then I'm changing my mind and my turn completely) Seeing the creature trying to catch up with him, Goblin tries to swim as fast as he can and waits to see what will happen when the creature gets closer. (Double move for 20 meters (If same value applies))

The creature continues to rise, once 50m behind you, and now 20 after you swim as fast as you can. This creature is designed for the deep, you are not ,and there is no question at this pace it will catch you.

As he won't be able to escape the creature without sacrificing all his mental power, Goblin gets his dagger in hand and prepares for a close encounter. (Move action: swim up 10 more meters. Instant action: get readied weapon in hand. Main action: Total defence)

The creature opens its jaws wide as it prepares to swallow you whole.

9:45 AM

!roll d20+10

Nekosmash Roll: [6] Result: 16

!roll d10

Nekosmash Roll: [8] Result: 8

(8 damage) Shadow falls upon you as the jaws snap shut and you can no longer see what lies outside. Water begins to drain from the creature's mouth and the floor moves as it tries to swallow you

The priority for Goblin right now is to not fall deeper inside the creature. Using his dagger, he tries to anchor himself inside the mouth by planting it wherever he can find a good place for his blade. (8/3 with 3 shock/AC15)

The blade is unable to find purchase in this realm of chitin and tough flesh. The tongue that serves as the floor undulates beneath you, and the creature attempts to cause you to lose your footing so you fall into its gullet

10:00 AM

(physical save)

(8 vs 8

)

!roll d8

Nekosmash Roll: [7] Result: 7

(3 damage) The barbed tongue punches into your soles and ankles, but for now you're able to keep your balance.

11:29 AM

(your turn)

With the rush and excitement provoked by the appearance, Goblin has forgotten to look at the crystal. Maybe it has answers or it's the key to escape the monster so he raises it before his eyes and looks at it closely in quest for help or hints.

This is not related to the current danger you are in.

(not your main action though, so you can try something else )

(Trying to find a better idea)

(Or rather a crazy idea) Trying to think quickly, Goblin looks around him for any sign of weakness but the creature's mouth seems to be well sealed and Goblin trapped for good. Representation of his sins, of all his errors and the blood he has drawn, a crazy idea comes to Goblin's mind. What if he should draw his own blood to obtain forgiveness or, at least, start the process of forgiveness? This idea fixed in his mind, he takes the small crystal in his mouth and with his dagger, he cuts a gash in his right hand's palm. When blood starts dripping, he makes sure that the drops fall on the sea serpent's massive tongue.

(physical save)

(13)

You feel yourself sliding deeper and deeper into the gullet of the beast and sense that if you do not do something soon this might be the end. The blood seems to be sending it into some kind of confused frenzy.

(I can teleport outside of the creature granted that will be in the middle of the sea or it's impossible as I can't see where I will end?)

(The teleporter can translocate to another location they have either occupied before or can see with their unaided vision)

Incapable of finding a way out and with the beast now enraged, Goblin teleports outside of its mouth, hoping that he targets the surface rather than the sea floor. (Using Personal Apportation for a 100 meters jump - 4/7 effort left)

(We were 300m underwater when it swallowed you, so we'd be 200m from the surface)

6:38 AM

The creature begins gathering in water, concentrating it into a pressurized jet like beam and it fires outward toward the creature's fleeing lunch. !roll d20+6

6:39 AM

!roll d20+6

Nekosmash Roll: [3] Result: 9

(that should miss even an unarmored person)

6:39 AM

It follows , closing to 50m.

(Yep, I have 11 AC) Not willing to experience being eaten alive once more, Goblin jumps again in direction of the surface. (Using Personal Apportation for a 100 meters jump - 3/7 effort left)

(100m from the surface) You can see the light above you, and the creature continues following, though the gap is now 100m between the two of you. It gathers its energy for one last beam in your direction

6:42 AM

!roll d20+6

Nekosmash Roll: [19] Result: 25

!roll d10

Nekosmash Roll: [4] Result: 4

Buffeted by the sonic waves and pressure, you tumble through the heavy seas.

(4 damages? Still at 100 meters from the surface?)

(4 damage, and yes, it is your turn now so that is where you last were)

Goblin produces one last effort to get out of the water. (Using Personal Apportation for a 100 meters jump - 2/7 effort left)

The eel looks to dissolve as you reach the surface of the water with your prize. A boat from the coast looks to be rowing out to come collect you.

Breathing air rather than water is a relief as the creature finally disappear. When he spots the boat, Goblin waves at it and start swimming in its direction.

you leave a red wake in the water behind you as your wounds continue to bleed. They will clot soon and you are covered in red foam as you pull yourself into the boat with the help of a few of the locals. They notice the prize from the chest in your hand, and although they say nothing you sense they are content with the work.

"Thank you." simply says Goblin when he is retrieved before staying silent for a moment, reliving his hard experience in his mind once again. After he has finally caught his breath, he asks one of the Hauvans. "What was this thing that attacked me? I can't say if it was real or not."

They choose to keep their silence for now, rowing you back to the beach as an outsider who has completed one of the three trials to regain forgiveness in their society. The elder and his delegation look to be arriving there now to speak with you, though he has come in a much smaller group than the one he traveled with when you first met them.

As the elder approaches, Goblin bows and stretches his open hand, showing the crystal. "This is what I found in the chest. Should I keep it with me or give it back to you?"

He reaches out a hand to take it from you. "Your work is not yet done. You have resisted the effects of the deep and the weight of your sin, but there is more to do before you are considered cleansed of your past wrongdoing"

Goblin nods. "I will do the necessary or die trying." he simply answers. "But before that, can I get my clothes back?"

(They've got no reason to keep your gear)

(Of course. It was more a way to say I will put my clothes back before going to the next trial.) "Before we leave for the next trial," Goblin starts to ask, "could you explain me what this sea serpent was, please? I was unable to say if it was real or in my mind."

"I don't know what you're talking about" The chieftain says with a wry smile, and you sense they're not going to give you much background on things , especially in the midst of the trials themselves. You've braved the depths of guilt and crushing pressure of those feelings. Now you must prove you are willing to work, both for forgiveness, and for the endless process of work upon the self. Behind our city is Mount Rockshield, the domed rocky feature that our city is built into. It is a difficult climb with sharp rocks, bitter cold, and the creatures that live on the heights all watching for an easy meal.

Goblin returns the smile, understanding that it's no use to insist. He then listens carefully at the next trial explanation before asking. "What's the objective this time? Climbing at the top is enough or is there something to retrieve as well?

"Your answer will be revealed when you reach the summit. I cannot partake in these trials and it is against tribal law for me to do more than give you just general guidance about what comes next. These are lessons you must learn for yourself"

"I understand." simply, but sincerely answers Goblin before looking up at the summit of Mount Rockshield. "As long as there are no giant ethereal sea serpent up there, I will climb that mountain." he says with a smile. "How will we reach the foot it the mount? Does my trial starts now or will you transport me there?" (As I picture it, an Assault Suit doesn't really suit the kind of activity I will have to do - climbing, right? So I will have to go with my simple clothes again, nope?)

(Are you asking me or telling me what you’re bringing )

(The two IC questions are for the guide, yeah. The OOC questions are for you even if the answer is PAFO)

"We will be driven there, and you will climb from the base of the mountain. We will transport you there but the trials are ongoing, once begun, they do not stop until you are absolved, or dead"

8:18 AM

(The assault suit doesn't provide any bonus to strength at all unless you've added the exoskeleton mod to it. Only the Storm Armor and its variants do, and now that I think about it , that bonus is just to carry things not for general strength )

(Yeah, I remember that. My question, let's reword it, was more about general encumbrance of the thing. If that's a suit the size of a W40K Space Marine, I'm not sure it will help in climbing steep wall because of it's size. If that something more "skin-tight", maybe that can be kept on me)

(Its encumbrance 2 I think , theres not a hard and fast definition where all assault suits look the same way, and I've never gone out of my way to specify. You're just going to have to make a decision)

"Let's get going then." answers Goblin, still looking at the mountain top.

THe vehicle drives for close to half an hour before you are dropped off at the end of a long path that winds up the mountain to an indeterminate point ahead. You can see halfway up the greenery falls away to bare rock, and then to snow. The wind howls and clouds obscure the peak of the large rock formation.

Impressed by the size of the mount and the length of the path, Goblin is even more amazed by the cloudy formation that tops it. When he see the snow, he is happy to have his Assault Suit this time to keep him warmer than if he was in underpants like in the water. "Do you have to travel back and forth to the top or does that part of the trial stops there?"

"Your concerns will all be answered once you reach the top" the chief says "As I've said, all I can do is transport you to the trials themselves, and tell you your goal. Everything beyond it must be discovered for yourself"

Goblin nods. "Then we will see each others once again when I'm back." tells Goblin before leaving the chief and starting to walk along the path. When he is a few dozens of meters away, he adds to himself: "If I ever come back..."

(I won't at home from tomorrow to next Friday so I might not be able to post regularly)

(I’m out of town myself )

3:15 PM

(Survive/wis if you get to it before you go)

(Enjoy your week. That's a 5 for the roll)

The path shifts, almost as though it is fighting you and your sense of navigation. You spend a few hours walking before realizing you've reached the same mossy rock three times though you could swear the path you took to get to this clearing has been different every time.

Recognizing the rock, Goblin will spend some time investigating it and its surroundings to check if there's nothing special about it.

There is nothing special about it. You are lost and this is the only natural waypoint you've recognized again thus far.

Using his ability to track a scent, Goblin will first try to sniff his own scent to check if there's a way where he can't smell it.

(so basically staying away from places where you'v'e smelled your passage through before?)

7:44 AM

(Don't forget to committ effort too if this needs it)

(Exactly, yep. No need to spend effort as it's an ability from being a Gaiapsion)

You are able to find one path forward as the morning air turns to afternoon sun, and it looks to be winding, slowly crawling up the mountain on a curving path filled with thick trees and dense thickets of thorns.

Pleased to have identified a path that seems to go up the mountain, Goblin follows it despite the sight of the trees and thorns.

(Did you end up taking your assault suit?)

(Yep. I said I keep it because I think it will help with the cold on top of the mountain)

The thorns dont seem to hurt you as you stride through the dense woods safe within your assault suit, and the distant howl of something wolf like, but large, is amplified through your helmet systems. You've walked for close to half an hour, slowly gaining meters in elevation and the ground gradually changes from mud, to dirt, to the first mixtures of dirt and snow packed into a slurry.

Hearing the howl, Goblin stops as it reminds him the survival game during the Galatean games and how a knife would not be enough to fight this kind of creature. As this trial is not a race either, Goblin decides to take some time to craft a makeshift spear. He then starts to look around him for a good branch. (Trying to craft a spear. If possible, I'd like to lit a fire to harden it. I would look for silex to light it)

(What is Silex?)

(Oops, forgot to translate this one. Sorry. That's a flint. But maybe I can just ignite a fire with my laser pistol?)

(either one would work)

(I will go for the laser pistol as it's easier. It will already take enough time to craft a spear)

(shoot/dex)

(6)

You manage to get it lit with a shot from your pistol, and the fire begins to burn with the small branches and pine sap you've worked into the wood. You'll need more for this to last more than an hour or so.

(How long would it take to properly harden a spear point?)

(if we're using IRL as an example the amount of time it needs to be burned depends on at which stage in the construction process you're hardening it, as well as if you're then polishing the point with any sort of whittling, whetting, or oils afterward)

9:27 AM

(that's really all I have to try to approximate an answer based off of )

(I'm going for a crude one with only fire hardening. I guess 3 to 4 hours should do it, nope?)

(3 ish should do it, so we'd need to find more material)

In need of more wood to feed the fire forna longer duration, Goblin starts to forage for some good fire wood.

(notice/wis

(4)

1

You do the best job you can with the hour of firewood you're able to find, the spearpoint coming away black and hardened, but brittle.

7:48 AM

(Would count as a large primitive weapon)

(Good for me) With his new spear, Goblin starts to walk again in direction of the mountain top.

The late afternoon will become evening soon as you finish your weapon , giving it a few practice hefts and testing its weight you can only hope it will be enough to help take on whatever is out here. It doubles as a walking stick, and you begin making your way up the mountain once again, following the path by determining where you cannot smell yourself previously. As you come to a winding trail leading to the peak you see a small cave.

First tempted to ignore the cave and continue his way forward, Goblin thinks twice about it. This could provide a good shelter for the coming night that must be pretty cold outside. Spear in hand, he starts to get inside, scanning around him for any movement. He also uses his advanced sense of smell to try and find if animals are leaving here. (Edit: added the bits about smelling) (edited)

There is a human presence within and you get a faint hint of there being a small fire burning inside.

Intrigued by the presence of another human on Hauvis, Goblin starts to move more cautiously inside the cave to find it. He will approach with a calm and inoffensive stance to not alarm the other human.

As youenter the cave it looks like there is someone sitting in meditiative silence in front of a small fire. They wear rugged looking but loose robes, with tanned weather beaten skin, and a selection of pouches, packs, and a gnarled walking stick placed next to the half log they are sitting on. This is someone who has made a home in the wilds and is comfortable there, from what you can tell. A salt and pepper beard leaning towards mostly salt adorns his chin and the space under his nose in a broad mustache. It is kept neat and trimmed despite his otherwise wild apperance.

Spotting the man, Goblin raises his free hand and calls him out. "Hu. Hello. I wasn't expecting to find someone here. Can I ask you who you are?"

"I am the sin-eater. Please, sit. It will be nighttime soon, and you do not want to be out there once the sun goes down"

1:28 PM

You sense no hint of malice in his thick, honeyed voice. You're reminded of someone who might have come from an island or equatorial dwelling culture once judging by his accent and the emphasis he places on certain sounds within words.

Goblin gives a small bow before sitting. "Thanks for the offer. So... The sin-eater... hehe" he starts to say with a nervous laugh. "You might have a big job eating mine." adds Goblin while rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm Goblin, by the way. And something tells me our encounter is not mere coincidence." Looking at the man, Goblin finally asks: "You don't look like you come from this planet? Am I true in thinking you originate from Saliv and came here throughout the L-Gate?"

"That is a bold assumption to make. No, I am a native Hauvan, we are all human, more alike than different. I am different in a sense though, that my ability to assume an animal form was taken from me due to past misdeeds. Now I live here, in this cave, performing the one vital task I can still do for my people by mentoring the troubled and disturbed who come before me"

"And today, I am one of these troubled and disturbed who come before you." Goblin stares pensively at the fire for a few seconds, thinking about why he is here before raising his head again and looking at the man. "I made mistakes. Terrible mistakes. And the Hauvan chief has accepted to let me follow the trial of the outcast so I can retrieve my inner harmony. That's why I'm here. If I may ask, why was your ability taken from you? And why didn't you tried the trial to get it back?" (For some reason, I was picturing Hauvan as non human. MarkdownContext { Depth = 1 } )

"I did complete the trial. I am one of the few who have. The trials represent being admitted back to society, and being accepted again, but nowhere in what you were probably told did they say there would be a freedom from punishment, or the consequences of your decisions. This is about forgiving an action, not excusing it, or pretending it never happened. We are not here to talk about me, but instead, my role is to help you. You said you have made mistakes, and this is why you are here undertaking the trial. What have you done?"

"I was blinded by revenge and I killed innocent people." starts to relate Goblin before giving more details about his first mission for the Alliance and how one of the soldier died. How a feeling of vengeance grew up in Goblin and how he attacked the camp without trying to know more about it, convinced it was full of killers. After a few minutes of monologue, he completes. "Here's the full story. When I was their prisoner, I started to understand my mistake and I wanted to redeem myself but they refused my help. For good reasons. However, since I have bonded with Aura, you should meet her, she's lovely, I feel that I'm changing from deep inside and I want to complete the trial, or die trying to get some kind of redemption as I can't live with this burden anymore." His story related, Goblin stops for a few moments to let the man get it all before asking. "How are you supposed to help me? I'm curious."

"The practice of Sin-Eating is an ancient one. You have confessed, and we will share a meal together where I will ritually take on the weight of your sins, freeing you from them. I will pronounce you forgiven, and I will continue my life, carrying its weight for you"

After the explanation, Goblin starts to doubt. This all seems too easy and not as he was told. "Don't get me wrong but that sounds like cheating to me. I was told that I need to reach the top of the mount to find my trial but if you simply eat my sins with your salad, what will I have left to do up there? That doesn't seem right."

"A climb, lightened spiritually, and to the top of the mountain to see a beautiful sunrise? That sounds like plenty to do to me"

Goblin laughs. "I'm not sure I'm going to enjoy a beautiful sunrise when I reach the top if I must rely on my experience during the first trial. Ahah." Then, more seriously, he adds: "Why would I let you carry the weight of my own sins? That's doesn't sound fair for you."

"This is the role that Hauvan society demands of me, and one I feel is my place to serve. I revealed our deepest secrets to those who used it against us, the weight of that sin pales in comparison to what any of you have done" he says sadly. He looks at the ritual supplies around him in earnest, still unsure if he should begin.

"I sorry to hear that. No one should live like you do, no matter what you did." answers Goblin with sincerity. "But if this is your role to swallow my own sins, then let's proceed. Are there some after effects to the ritual?"

"For you, no. You will continue on your journey and your trial will continue more or less as planned. You'll still feel like yourself. There are a few after-ritual things for me to handle, but it is a personal matter between myself and the gods of the tribe"

Goblin nods once. "Alright. I'm still not completely sure about this but let's proceed. What should I do?"

He begins setting out the meal, stopping every few seconds to bless something, or light some kind of ritual incense into a small copper burner he has set up. "this desire for revenge you've spoken about. Where did it come from?"

Goblin stares silently at the fire for a few moments, lost in thoughts before answering. "Actually, I'm not totally sure. This was my first mission for the Alliance. The first time I was doing something interesting of my life. And it was ruined by these guys chasing us and shooting at us which ended with one of the soldiers dead. It was my responsibility as I crashed the car but I wouldn't have had to drive this madly if we were not chased. But again, this is no excuse. Starting from here, I started to think it was all their fault and only them. It boiled in me and it ate me from inside until I came for that stupid vengeance."

"This feeling for revenge, it sounds almost like it was born from guilt , or regret about how you acted when under serious pressure for your first time"

"The more I think I about it, the more I think you are right. Before I decided to start helping the Inheritor Alliance, I was alone. I had no friends and not a lot of contact with anyone else, really. So failing on this first mission, and killing someone. It was horrible. I failed and I thought that would already be the end of my time with the IA. But I was looking in the wrong direction for culprits. Instead of looking at these villagers, I should have looked at a mirror... And because of that, I stole many more life that were innocent." (edited)

"Sometimes you cannot avoid taking a life, sometimes you are not given a choice. It is when violence is the first resort, where we have a problem"

9:56 AM

He continues setting out the meal and a cloying scent enters the cave as the herbs continue burning. You feel lighter, like rising from the depths of the sea.

As the scent starts to fill his nostrils, Goblin closes his eyes and breathes deeply. For a moment, he rests peacefully until the rise from the sea reminds him his time in the sea serpent mouth. Quickly, he opens his eyes again and finds he is sweating, stressed by the fresh memory. "These herbs you are using, what are they?" he asks. "They are having a strong effect on me."

"Tribal secret , unfortunately. Finish your meal, and then set out for the peak. Reflect on what you've done, and the changes you will make in your life from here forward, and the ritual will be complete"

Goblin nods and take his share of the meal. "Thank you. I wish that once again, you will be able to reintegrate the tribe if this is your wish or, at least, that you find the same kind of interior peace I'm seeking." Goblin says before eating again.

"I am content with what I have. I serve a vital purpose for those in Hauvan society that have lost their way. Being part of the whole, even if on the fringe, is better than being alone"

As the last words of his host echo in his head, Goblin slowly nods in approval. "You are speaking the truth. But unfortunately, I figured it too late. But that's why I'm here today. I'm willing to change even if that means that I die in the process."

"And you may yet. The final trial is after this one, and you will need all your strength for it. " the meal ends, it is a simple fare and more symbolic than nourishing. "You should be getting on"

(I thought I would stay for the night, nope?)

(Nope)

Goblin stands up and bows. "Thank you for this conversation and this time with me. It was enlightening and really interesting. As you suggest, I will now return on my path to the trial." If the man has nothing more to add, Goblin will get out of the cave and starts to walk along the path to the mountain top once again.

You find the weight slogging down your limbs is beginning to lighten. The sun is setting outside and the moon is rising as you begin making your way to the peak where you see something casting a sapphire light into the sky.

Feeling a bit better after his time with the Hauvan, Goblin is happy to feel the air on his face until he notices the light. Something tells him it might be the next step of his trial and if it's not, it's worth investigating anyway. So he continues his walk, trying to find a way to the sapphire light.

You make your way through the woods, and come to the peak where it looks like some kind of silver cup is waiting, sitting on a rock that has had its surface flattened to make a perch. A large wolf like beast is circling the stone, growling and scenting the air.

With no doubt, Goblin understands that the cup is part of the final goal of this trial. As he spots the wolf though, he stays on his guard. His lance in hand and adopting a defensive stance, he hails the creature. "He, wolf. You don't speak, do you?" (Yeah, I'm really talking with the wolf. Trying to gauge the situation)

(Are you committing effort for tongue of beasts to do this?)

(No, I don't have this power. I'm talking to him only to reassure me while assessing the situation but I'm not expecting an answer other than a growl. Ahah)

The wolf looks to be charged with protection of this site, its head low and fangs bared.

Goblin starts to move closer, following a curved path rather than a straight line. If the wolf shows some sign of aggressiveness, Goblin will stops.

The wolf is watching, and is aggressive as you slowly move along your curved path.

Goblin stops and looks at the wolf. "Don't tell me we will have to fight. I don't want to kill you if I don't need to. I'm trying to become a better version of myself, you see?" Still in a defensive stance, Goblin looks around him at the surrounding of the silver cup, trying to find anything that could help stop the wolf without killing it. (Also, what's my distance to the cup and to the wolf?)

(they're within a hand span of each other, less than a couple meters apart. You're 40m from them right now)

11:39 AM

The wolf growls, though it stops moving as you have also stopped, and is hunched low to regard you.

(Sorry for the delay. With the visit of the house, I don't have a lot of time)

(no worries)

Willing to try something else before resorting to violence, Goblin tries to find a really long branch in the surroundings that could be used as some kind of pole to grab the cup from a safe distance of the wolf.

(you do have your spear already, You could just not use the sharp side)

(I was thinking using something longer to be out of reach from the wolf) Flipping his spear so that the pointy side is not facing the wolf, Goblin approaches cautiously, always keeping an eye on the creature and its reaction.

(we still can do that, just need to know how you're going to go about preparing it with the wolf staring you down)

(I would have left the place a bit to find resources to make that kind of pole while being away from the wolf)

(sneak/dex then as we try to slink away)

(10)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6+3] Roll: [6, 6] Result: 15

Sensing you trying to escape, the wolf bounds forward to attack

3:07 PM

(initiative)

(3)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d8] Roll: [3] Result: 3

(Tie goes to you)

Seeing the wolf bouncing, Goblin turns his lance in the good direction again and gets ready for the impact, adopting a defensive stance. (Taking total defense)

The wolf continues bounding toward you, his teeth glittering in the moonlight as you try to draw back into the forest.

(What's the distance now?)

(20m)

2:32 PM

(It was 40, it double moved)

Goblin backs up a few meters away and prepare his next attack. (Moving away 10 meters to stay away from a double move and taking total defense just in case)

The wolf snarls and once again begins closing in, leaping and bounding forward to close the distance and begin the fight.

7:17 PM

(10m from you)

With the wolf now close enough for a direct attack, Goblin moves forward with his spear first and tries to pin the creature to the ground. "I don't want to kill you. But if you force me to, I will not hesitate." he says needlessly to the wolf. (Moving 10 meters and attacking with my spear. I know I can't actually pin the wolf to the ground, it's just flavour text) (15/5 or 5 Shock/AC15)

(you can grapple, so you could, just need to know what you want to do)

(If I grapple the wolf, I wouldn't be able to get the cup because I have nothing to tie it. Unless there's something I'm missing?)

(You're not anywhere close to the cup right now so that's an irrelevance until you manage to get the wolf out of the equation somehow, unless you just keep doing fighting withdrawal and running

(Yeah. What I meant is that even if I grapple the wolf, I would have to stay like that because I have nothing to restrain it. So I will keep fighting because I can't do anything else)

(I'd say you can use the force enemy movement maneuver to hold them back or force them away from you so you can still grab it, or try to knock them out )

2:34 PM

(or just do straight combat, with any non-lethal solution you have, I can't really suggest anything else)

(hmmm... I might indeed try to knock it instead. Let's resolve this round now I started to attack and I will change my way of handling the fight next)

The wolf howls as the blow knocks it aside. You can see blood leaking from a jaw of cracked teeth and its eyes go from the eyes of a natural predator to something blowing pure white from deep within as though aflame. It's jaws snap in return, trying to bite down on both the spear and the hand holding it.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+3] Roll: [9] Result: 12

(miss, no shock since your Ac is too high for it)

(Would using the grapple action on the wolf before trying to knock him off give any kind of bonus to the knock off action or not?)

(forcing enemy movement works as described in the core rulebook, so consult that section to see what it does and how the mechanics work)

1

(From the book:

Herding a foe with a melee weapon may also be possible at the GM’s discretion, allowing a Stab skill check instead of Punch.

Can I try to use my spear to apply pressure on the wolf's neck until he collapses? This way, I wouldn't kill it but only make him pass out from lack of air)

(sure, I would say so)

Boosted by the first blow sent to the wolf, Goblin gets ready for another strike as his blood pressure starts to raise quickly. However, looking at the creature, he remembers why he is here and he forces himself to a slower breathing pattern to better control himself. Decided to neutralize the wolf without killing it, Goblin tries to ride on the wols back and to use his spear to block the air from running to the beast's lungs by compressing his trachea. (Rolled 8 on a Stab check. Add +1 if it was to be rolled with DEX or remove 1 if it was to be rolled with STR)

(It’s a punch attack not a skill check from what it reads to me) (edited)

(

Herding a foe with a melee weapon may also be possible at the GM’s discretion, allowing a Stab skill check instead of Punch.

The book says a Stab check can be done if a melee weapon is used. Do you mean that you prefer I go with a Punch check instead or you didn't noticed this phrase?)

(Punch instead

(Then that's a 6 with the old roll as I have Stab +1 and Punch -1. If you prefer a new roll instead, I rolled 4 for a Punch roll. I'm willing to spend a effort to reroll if that's not enough)

(We would need to re roll it with the correct modifiers )

(Then that's a 4, rolled here a few minutes ago

: https://discord.com/channels/345912178072879106/954118765015097375/1018836960044916766)

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(right, then you said you'd spend something for a re roll, so Im waiting on those results)

(Ah, sorry Using Alternate Outcome (1 effort spent for the day. 2 remaining) to reroll. And it's even worth. Rolled 1

. So 4 it is as I get to keep the best roll) (edited)

The wolf is not harmed by your attempted knocking them out, and it snaps its jaws at you, trying to get its own teeth around the stick and the hands holding it.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+3] Roll: [16] Result: 19

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d6] Roll: [2] Result: 2

(19/2)

Still willing to get out of this fight without killing the wolf, Goblin tries one more time to wrap his spear around its neck without much success once again. (Rolled another 4 for a Punch check) (edited)

The wolf growls, trying to avoid being knocked out, and doing its job of defending the object to the best of its ability

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20] Roll: [2] Result: 2

(missed, no shock)

(Things always come in three as we say so I'm gonna try one last time) Seeing that the wolf is also having difficulties to bite him, Goblin tries one last time the non-lethal approach. (Rolled 8 this time)

You begin applying pressure, and you sense a bit more will be enough to get the wolf to pass out. Its snarls and snaps come more feverishly as it struggles for breath.

8:32 AM

/roll d20+3

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+3] Roll: [7] Result: 10

(Missed)

(What should I do now? Opposed skill check like mentioned in the book or you have something else in mind?)

(one more successful check and you've got him)

Feeling that the wolf is struggling to keep air in his lung, Goblin pulls as strongly as he can on the spear. (Rolled 5. Used a reroll token and got a 11 instead)

The wolf makes a gurgling sound, before falling over onto its side. You sense you only have a minute or two before it regains its senses.

Quickly putting his hand on the wolf's head as a sign of respect, Goblin runs for the cup. Before grabbing it, he looks at the rock where it's sitting, trying to notice if there's nothing strange. (edited)

The rock has been flattened to allow the cup a level place to rest, but you see nothing else marking it out as strange.

Goblin takes the cup in his free hand and waits a few seconds to see if anything special happens. If nothing weird happens, he will run past the wolf and take the direction of the path from where he arrived.

As you reach out to grab the cup you see there is a fluid inside. It is thick and red, the color of blood.

Not sure what to do with the liquid inside the cup, Goblin gives a quick look at the wolf. His instinct tells him he should drink it as part of the trial but it's also dangerous to drink something like that. Given he only has a few moments left before the wolf wakes up, he needs to act quickly (How much time before the wolf wakes up?)

(We have no way of knowing this)

Not sure how the fluid would react, Goblin starts to dip the non-lethal end of his spear in the red liquid.

Nothing happens.

Conceding to his first instinct, Goblin closes his eyes and drinks a small a sip of the red liquid

You feel a tingle inside your throat as you begin to drink, and get the feeling something more is supposed to happen as you drink more of it.

Goblin finishes the cup, hopping that it was the right things to do.

There is a feeling of weightlessness and being pulled in another direction as you find yourself in a small building on the palace compounds of Hauvis's capital city. It seems your arrival was expected, or at least anticipated, and the Chief and his spiritual attendant make their way into the room just as you are putting together where exactly you have ended up. "The second trial was a success then. You have drank from the cup of sin and been cleansed for it. '

1

A bit disoriented at first, Goblin checks his head a bit to recover from the unexpected teleportation. Looking at the Chief, he bows at him. "I'm glad to hear that I was successful." Then, looking at his spear, he adds. "And proud to be able to get to the cup without killing its guardian."

"Had you killed it, the cup's contents would have dissolved you while you were still alive. "

"You know how to treat your guest, don't you. That's a good thing this wolf is still alive then." says Goblin with kind of a sour laugh. "I guess this will bring us to the third and last trial, right?"

"In the morning, yes. You will begin the hardest and most dangerous of the trials. You have sunk to the depths of guilt, and have ascended to the top of the highest mountain to drink from the forgiving cup. Tomorrow, you will enter the tower of silence and contemplate the future you will create for yourself, and the better legacy you will leave across this world"

Goblin nods. "If that must be, then I will do that."

"We will return tomorrow and take you then. You have tonight to rest and mentally prepare. " (You'll heal your level of HP overnight, and your effort will come back since you're resting)

"Thank you. I hope this rest will be enough to be strong enough to face that last trial." Goblin will then follow the instructions given to him for the night. (Great. I will keep my spear if possible. I doubt it will serve but who knows)

(they won't take it from you, but there wouldn't really be anything you could to to improve it either unless we sacrifice rest)

(Of course. I simply want to keep it for the moment. I think Goblin will find the good moment to ditch it during the last trial. He has been strong enough mentally to not kill the wolf but having the weapon with him is still necessary at the moment, even if it serves no purpose.)

There is a small chime of a bell come morning, and the Chief returns, by himself this time.

As the Chief returns, Goblin bows respectfully. "Good day, Chief. Thank you for your hospitality during this night. This rest was more than welcome. What's on my agenda today for the last trial?"

"Today we will take you to the tower of silence, where you will face mental and physical challenges related to your past. This is the final and most difficult step on the road to forgiveness, but if you complete the trial, you will be a full member of society once again, both here, and on the other side of the gate. You will be able to walk in full sunlight once more"

"That's the only thing I want. Being able to face my reflect again. I'm ready to begin when you want."

He reaches out a hand, fingers open, revealing a small silver token there that reminds you of a coin. A skull is carved onto one side.

Goblin takes the token and flips it a few times to look successively at the two face. "Well... I guess this is not for a cash machine. And I guess you won't tell me what purpose it will serve, right?" he asks with a smirk.

"If it did, it would not be a trial. I would think you'd learn to stop asking by now" he says. As the coin flips, the other side remains blank and featureless.

"Of course, I was not expecting an answer. I was simply joking and teasing you a bit." starts to answer Goblin. He then bows low and while still bowing, he adds: "I hope you will forgive me for my excess of... Familiarity. I don't wanted to be disrespectful toward you." Goblin finally raises again before concluding: "However, no matter how many trial I will face, I will never lost my sense of humor."

"Once you exit this building and flip the coin, you will be transported to the entry of the tower. From there, you will have to make your own way through it"

Goblin nods. "Thank you. I hope this is only a simple good bye and not a definitive farewell. I really wish to see you at least one more time." That said, Goblin follows his way to the building's exit and once outside, he looks at the sky for a few moments before flipping the coin.

2:48 PM

You emerge at the steps of the large cathedral like tower. A large blue balefire burns at the top, and massive spikes adorn the outside. This tower looks more like a donjon than a place of learning or arcane contemplation, and its black iron portcullis begins to winch upwards as it senses you there. You can see blood on the bars and the flagstones, now the color of rust. Nothing has bothered to clean it, or feed off it.

To say to Goblin is impressed by the view would be an euphemism. This tower is truly different from what he has seen on Saliv and it looks like the Hauvan have many things to show again. Looking at the tower, Goblin thinks that is objective is probably to reach the top so without more clues, he starts to walk inside, passing the portcullis. Not even looking behind, he makes a few steps inside and take a look at the interior.

The door slams behind you and there is a crunch as the metal points lock into place. There is a single blue fire burning in the middle of this marble constructed room, and it looks like the figure of a man made out of flames is standing among the blackened logs.

As he ears the door locking behind him, Goblin doesn't even look behind. "So cliché." he says, as to soothed himself. Noticing the flame figure, he moves closer and tries to engage the conversation. "Are you real? Or only a product of my mind?"

A flaming blade is pull from a scabbard, and the figure makes a gesture of salute towards you, remaining within the fireplace.

Goblin salutes in return. "Are you able to speak? I guess that would make things easier between us."

"I am the incarnation of the sins of wicked men' it says in a hellfire rasp. "I am the reckoning of those who fall from the path into darkness"

"I guess it must not be easy all day. You remind me of that old man I met in the mountain. The Sin-Eater he is called. He offered me a meal but judging by your pretty sword, I guess you will propose something quite different. Am I right?"

A flaming finger snaps, and you find that all sound in the chamber is removed. You can no longer hear your own breathing, and trying to exclaim out loud comes out like desert winds, nothing but dry gasps. You do not hear the metallic rasp of the blade being lowered into a defensive position, as your opponent steps to 10m from you, sword ready to be brought to bear in this test of the body. This fight is different than the last, as it is meant to symbolize the fight between the calm order, and angry chaos inside all mortal beings.

9:52 AM

(initiative)

Not sure how to react in front of such an imposing sword, Goblin raises his own spear knowing well it would be of no use. (3)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d8] Roll: [5] Result: 5

The spirit crouches for a moment, pondering your stance, before racing forward leaving a flaming line across the floor behind them, blade held in a descending downward cut.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [2] Result: 6

Your armor sparks as drops of blue flame spray from the failed blow.

Not sure how to arm a flame figure, Goblin tries a hit with his spear to see how it reacts. (A natural one to start with. So I rolled 5 with modifiers)

(still a 1 if your natural result was a 1)

10:18 AM

The strike misses the fast moving opponent , and it counters with another swing of its own

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [18] Result: 22

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d8] Roll: [4] Result: 4

The flaming blade scores a deep line down your armor, and some of the assault suit systems begin to show yellow and red warning icons at the damage. (22/4)

Still not sure how he could hurt the flaming figure, Goblin scans the room, trying to find anything that could help him. Especially at anything that could help him suppress a fire like water, sand-like material or even a blanket. (I can use my main action for a skill check, right?)

(Yes, but pass or fail the attempt is your entire action)

(Sure. What should I roll? Notice/WIS?)

(I think that makes the most sense)

(6)

It seems like although this spirit looks to have a firey nature about it, the scoring of its blade against your armor shows it is physical, and if it is physical you should be able to hurt it too.

(I won't move so you can play your turn)

The swordsman uses the momentary attention on other things for a quick strike at your exposed side

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [5] Result: 9

Though your reflexes are faster and you instinctively dive out of the way

Now sure that he can hurt the figure with physical weapons, Goblin tries once more to use his spear and aims for what would be a human's belly. (Attack with spear. Rolled 7)

The figure is unharmed, deflecting the swing with the flat of its flaming blade. It responds with a thrust toward you, using the tip to try to pierce instead of its heavy length to cut.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [8] Result: 12

Dodging out of the way, the point whistles past your neck seal harmlessly into open air.

Not well used to this makeshift spear despite his first fight with the wolf, Goblin tries to swing it at the upper part of the figure's body to get a connection and harm it. (Attack with spear: 18/7 or Shock 3/AC15 - yeah, I forgot shock damage during the previous rounds.)

(It hits, shock wouldn't make a difference for this fight if 15 is your threshold for it to apply)

4:34 PM

The flaming figure looks to have been harmed by the strike, the wood making a satisfying thud as it connects to something solid within the creature. Enraged, it swings in an upward slash back in your direction

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+3] Roll: [7] Result: 10

(miss)

Happy to he could hurt the flaming figure, Goblin tries to aim at the head with no success this time. (11 - I guess it's a miss)

(it is indeed)

2:03 PM

Prepared this time, the figure attempts to wrestle the goading spear from Goblin's hands, clamping a flaming set of fingers along the shaft of the weapon.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [12] Result: 16

(16 will not hit if you're in your assault suit, since it does not hit, the attack has no further effect)

(I am indeed in my assault suit) Motivated by his previous success, Goblin continues his dangerous ballet with the flaming figures, this time swinging his spear widely to try to surprise his opponent. (23/7 - almost a crit. Damn!)

The figure looks to be wounded. Its movements are slower, and its flames don't burn with as much intensity.

8:03 AM

It swings back now, deciding to abandon its efforts to rob you of your spear, and instead decides to use its weapon in a brutal downward strike

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [2] Result: 6

(miss)

Seeing as his opponent starts to be weary, Goblin offers to end the fight. "There's no need to push further. Admit your defeat and we can end this fight now." (Using a free action to speak. I will decide what to do next depending on his answer)

(this is a bit of a sticky situation, because if you're trying to convince them to do something this is a skill check and therefore is not free)

(I'm good with trying a skill check. What should I roll?)

(talk/cha)

(7)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [2d6] Roll: [6, 2] Result: 8

(his morale holds, so the check fails)

2:43 PM

The figure is not prepared to give up when thus far it is only lightly harmed, and seems to be as equal a swordsman as you. It has plenty of teaching left to do, and delivers an uppercut blow.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [14] Result: 18

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d8] Roll: [2] Result: 2

)18/2)

A bit unsettled by the blow, Goblin smiles. "Nice one. I should really learn to stop talking and be more concentrate when listening to a lesson." says Goblin while trying a surprise hit with the flat of his spear. (Spear attack. Rolled 11 so that's a miss)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [10] Result: 14

The creature doesn't seem to have much more to say, missing its own return blow aimed at your neck seal. The blade whistles past as you instinctually avoid the blow.

Because of the manoeuvre used to avoid the previous attack, Goblin finds himself off-balance when trying to pierce the figures leg with his spear. He grumbles in frustration and starts to think that another strategy could be needed to end this fight. (Spear attack, rolled a 7)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [11] Result: 15

The flaming creature and Goblin clash and slam their weapons against one another. Goblin is slower, but more protected in his assault suit, while the creature dances and twists with the ferocity of how you'd expect roaring flames to move.

9:03 AM

(he missed)

Still pondering his other options, Goblin tries to slab his opponent without success. He quickly looks around him, trying to get a good idea of the room's size. (Rolled 13. What's the approximate size of the room?)

(what's the 13 for, is this an attack roll or a skill check? what skill did you roll? )

(Spear attack, sorry. I didn't rolled a skill. Is that needed to get an idea of the room's size?)

(no I just wasn't sure if you were rolling notice to tryt to get it or something, that's why I asked)

1:26 PM

The room is roughly 20m by 20m, with a staircase leading up to the next floor 10m from you on the western wall. It is made of stone, and looks slippery as though someone keeps pouring small amounts of greasy water down it. (edited)

(As I failed my attack, it's your turn. Thanks for the description

) (Edit: I can use my teleportation as a move action. Does that mean that if I double move, I can use it twice or one of the move action must be a normal one?) (edited)

(If it can also be a move action, you can teleport again with a main , but if you’re leaving combat without taking fighting withdrawal as your main to the best of my knowledge, your enemy would get an opportunity attack)

(you sent me that PM , but we never actually established if you're teleporting or not, so let me know what you decide to do)

(Sorry. Didn't got a notification for your message) Noticing the stairs, Goblin teleports himself in front of them. It might be an escape route to end this fight. (Using Proficient Apportation. As it's a 10 meters jump, it doesn't cost me effort)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [16] Result: 20

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d10] Roll: [8] Result: 8

(20/8, not a crit, just 20 after modifiers)

7:25 AM

The blade slashes out, cutting you deep just as you teleport to the stairs, the swordsman taking your momentary focus to deliver a punishing blow.

(6 HP left after the opportunity attack)

within 10m of the opponent, he dashes forward to deliver another blow.

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [5] Result: 9

(miss)

Goblin gives a quick look at the top of the stairs, trying to see if there is enough place for another jump up. Trying to gauge if I can teleport upstairs or not. Is there a close door or something or do I have enough vision of the place to safely teleport?)

(Its open stairs which leads to the next floor and next challenge. You can make your way up there,, but he's going to get AoO and with only teleporting 10m, that is a nromal person's move speed, so he's just going to be back in melee with you again)

(I can use combat withdrawal first and then TP up to 100 meters. That would only cost my effort. Unless you mean he can reach me upstairs in a single turn?)

(Like I said, in the example you gave me, you were only teleporting ten meters, which is within a single move action of your enemy, so he would be in melee with you again. If you teleport more than 10, which is now new information you've given me, the most he could close the distance is 20m, using his main and move, which would not be enough to catch you, but probably enough to climb to the next floor and see you, so he would still chase)

(Yeah. I'm kind of trapped anyway. And it could be worse if I go upstairs and face more threats. With so few HP left, I'm going to take a moment to consider my next move or that could soon be the end of Goblin)

(I'm almost screwed anyway and i don't know what to do expect trying to win the fight so let's continue) On the verge of dying, Goblin's instinct kicks back. Looking at the flaming figure, Goblin is able to feel some of his weakness and if he survived long enough, that should help him get out victorious. (Using Predator Instinct. Getting +3 to attack roll)

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d20+4] Roll: [19] Result: 23

Nekosmash

used /roll

Nekosmash Request: [1d8] Roll: [6] Result: 6

The flaming swordsman rushes forward, eager to keep you from getting away and thus continuing the trial. The burning aspect of guilt and the anger one feels at taking a life is what this creature embodies, and you understand that now as the blade punches into your failing armor.

(And I'm dead)

1

In death, Goblin is able to find the forgiveness and absolution he was not able to attain in life. The MES touched monster hunter expires peacefully on the floor of the tower of silence on Hauvis, and the burning swordsman affords his valiant dueling partner all possible respect, saluting once with his burning blade before scabbarding it, and returning to the fire. In keeping with Hauvan tradition, the body is later recovered and burned, the personal effects being sent back through the gate along with a detailed explanation of the cause of death and events leading up to it. Goblin, free from the burden of his past deeds thanks to the Sin-Eater is able to find peace in the afterlife, running through the endless wilds with Aura, free from pain.

8

5

3