Iron Stars - xavier

Xavier, a recently recruited demolitions expert is lounging on his bunk when an order comes in, sending him to the island west of Mount Home, that has been the scene of intense fighting between SCAF regulars, and the masked intruding creatures. Their camp is still standing though there have been some successful containment measures taken. Lord Mazzio has ordered that they are dispatched, and that it is done swiftly. A barge with more supplies and other reinforcements is meant to bring you to the island, a two day trip from here

Xavier flops his way off the bunk and walks to the barge, where he sets down his meager belongings ands sits down for the ride

(okay, well, two days of downtime then on the way out)

(Pilot 2/90)

The barge bumps into the sandy beach and the ramp lowers. A whistle blows as the ship boatswain orders everyone off onto the makeshift base that has begun developing here

Xavier walks onto the base, looking for ways he can help. Not that he wants to, of course. Just thinking of a bonus (edited)

(So you don’t want to do this mission?)

(Ofc. It’s just Xavier is rough outside, so when he helps, he wants to make you think he’s getting something from it)

5:58 PM

(I think the official term is a tsundere)

(I can stop doing that when monologging if it confuses you)

(It’s fine it’s just when the character sheet is entirely blank except for your stats it’s hard to figure out what to do with someone )

( A legendary weapon or any collectable sounds cool)

The reinforcements begin staging on the beach and a call for anyone with demolitions skill goes out. The obelisk in the center of the camp seems to be important to the masked figures , and command wants to know what happens when one is destroyed

Xavier walks to the area where they want experts, and asks “Hey, you were asking for demo experts?”

(If einer wants to study the obelisk before we destroy it, I’ll do a group mission.)

(you'd have no idea of his intentions since Xavier is not aware of command level decisions) "Yes, we need the obelisk in that settlement destroyed. We have orders from command to try to shatter that thing and see if that does anything to the masked creatures we can exploit."

“Then what you want is me. When do we go to blow it up?”

"We're about to send in an attack. Your job is to focus on destroying the obelisk, let the others deal with the masked soldiers, just get to the structure, and destroy it"

9:55 AM

Two demolition charges in a bag are thrown to you

(Just about to ask that)

9:56 AM

“Well, I’m ready when they are. Let’s do this”

200m from the spiked wooden wall of the camp, the 200 soldiers assigned to the task so far surround the masked camp. The masked soldiers have not sallied out yet to try to break the encirclement and have instead focused on making sure their settlement is as hardened as possible, raising walls, fireproofing roofs with mud, and shutting their gates. A watchower in each direction has a trio of archers in it

Xavier walks to one of the soldiers on the wall, asking if he thinks the soldiers are ready for large scale combat

They are preparing to assault the camp, if they can get you close to the wall, they want to know if you can blow a section of it open for them

Xavier replies he is sure he can, but he was planning on making a distraction first before they blow the wall

10:16 AM

(How tall is the wall?)

(10m)

(The plan was to throw a grenade to the opposite side of the camp, and at the same time blow the wall with a coned demo charge and charge in while the mishks were preoccupied with the grenade) (edited)

The soldiers are eager to hear about what your planned distraction will be, since you've now hinted at it. They begin to cluster around you, opening data-pads and other recording devices so they can play back your instructions if they need to

Xavier tells them of his plan to throw a grenade to the other side of camp the same time he sets the charge to blow, so that it disguises the sound and draws the mishks to the other side, and at that time the soldiers can attack them while they’re surprised

10:50 AM

(I’ll mod one charge to cone it)

(okay, you have the fix rating to do it)

10:52 AM

(but you still need to keep 2m away at least when you set it off)

(Definitely) (edited)

(Einer might be joining you, just moving that up so we can figure out what comes next)

(Yeah, I got that)

A man of average height and wearing civilian clothes walks up to the assembled group. He has a Mishk mask on, and he stands to the side to the side after speaking briefly with the officer in charge of this portion of the assault.

9:02 PM

(Hopefully not all the soldiers are freaked out by me walking around wearing the mask haha. Figure I'll need it to try and talk the mishk down once we breach, though it probably won't work.)

(Well, I posted my plan up in the thread, if you want to read that)

(I've read up. It's your party, I have some goals here but first and foremost is to keep the SCAF soldiers alive)

The orders are to destroy it, and the group plans to do exactly that. Mask or not. Either way, the village needs to be cleared, or at least contained

(Did everyone see my plan?)

(Just waiting for Einer, but we can assume the soldiers here did

(That’s fine with me. On shift today so responses might be delayed.)

Xavier tells everyone one to get ready, then plants one coned demo charge on a place on the wall. Then he pulls the pin on the grenade and throws it as far as he can, then after two seconds triggers the demo charge to blow.

10:27 AM

(The point is to get them both to blow at the same time)

As you approach the wall, the archers in the towers have some concerns about you blowing up their home, and begin loosing arrows into the group of soldiers you are with

10:56 AM

(initiative then, since were just charging in and assuming we can)

(4)

(5 for archers)

(How high up is the wall? Curious for when my turn eventually comes around)

(10m)

11:03 AM

(basically just tree trunks they re-sunk into the ground)

(Cool ty)

(7)

(Xavier , Archers, Einer, the archers are 20m away, and 10m off the ground in their tower from you when they'd spot you running forward like this is some kind of shitty Helms Deep, and try to engage. you are 20m from the wall) (edited)

(Any cover around me?) (edited)

(no, they felled the trees to make their camp)

Xavier runs forward and takes some potshots at the archers

(So you can close to 10m, since you're taking a main action to make an attack roll)

(23/10)

11:12 AM

(Nat 20!)

(so you can roll another d12, or we can just say 20 damage, which do you prefer?)

(20 sounds good)

one of the archers pitches back into the tower, the mask falling from its dissolving body Two arrows streak back out of the tower (23/3 on Xavier, missing Einer) trying to keep you back from the wall, as the archers do their best to maintain some kind of suppressive volley

Einer sprints forward, dodging past the arrow shot at him and moving to the base of the tower. He yells up at the defenders, “Lay down your arms! There’s no need to die here.” (Double move to reach the base of the tower. I think that makes 20m?)

(correct sir)

12:53 PM

(talking is an on turn, so it doesnt count as anything in terms of action economy, but the double move is your move and main)

Xavier double moves so he is up against the wall

12:56 PM

(Already on half health)

(I think you only need one move since you already moved last turn?)

(It was 30 away, i moved 10 last time, now I move 20)

(20 away)

12:57 PM

(I mis Keyed)

Ah, then move 10 and shoot again

12:58 PM

(13/4)

Approaching the wall, Xavier fires off a shot at the tower, and misses, rather than planting his explosives. Some of the group looks on in confusion , as the archers fire again (20/3 Xavier, 21/2 Einer)

(Ok so I'm going to do a handful of On Turn actions. Let me know if I get to far from what's reasonable to do.) Einer is nicked by the arrow, and grunts in surpise. Beside him, Xavier is dropped by the arrow that hits him. Moving quickly, Einer grabs the readied items from his medkit to aid in stabilizing the downed demo specialist. (Heal check? I can do this as an On Turn. And I believe I still have movement and attack left.)

(it is a heal/int to stabilize)

2:04 PM

(you cant split your move though, so you'd be ending at Xavier's downed body)

2:04 PM

(and unable to move again until the next round)

(Ah so we're not adjacent. Well that's what we'll do then.)

2:08 PM

(8) Einer does his best to cover the downed soldier's body with his own. He draws his sword in preparation for the next turn and says, "Guide my way." (Comitted one Sunblade effort as an On Turn for Long Step next turn)

(Xavier is stable, was 8 v 6)

2:11 PM

Your diety seems to be listening, as the next two arrows go far wide of you on either side

Einer yells to the soldiers, "Get a medic up here! I'll take care of the archers. Then blow the wall!" He doesn't wait for a response, choosing action over waiting for more arrows to find their mark. With ease, he leaps the 10m up to the top of the tower and lashes out with his sword at the archers.

2:13 PM

(29/8; 5 shock if I'm adjacent to the other one.)

The two archers fall, the Eir blessed blade cleaving through both of them with your heavily practiced sword stance, their masks tumble from their bodies, and they dissolve in showers of black sparks , though wearing the mask yourself you see them as two Remnant soldiers, steadfastly firing their combat rifles as they fight to protect not a primitive settlement, but the beginnings of something like a modern town

We’re the invaders, of course they won’t surrender Einer thinks before pushing the thought down. There’ll be time to regret that it came to this later. For now, he has soldiers to keep alive. (What does the situation look like with the SCAF soldiers now? Are they moving to secure Xavier? Also what’re the Mishk doing?)

(a medic just got to him, the masked figures are trying to figure out where an attack might come from so they can meet it, lots of confused running around inside)

2:40 PM

(SCAF soldiers are suppressing the other arrow towers so they can do something about the walls without being bothered)

(With Xavier down, should we move back to my thread?)

(Sorry for falling so fast)

(Not your fault!)

(yeah lets)

(Level 2: taking gunslinger, hp up to 10, shoot 2, program 1, int + 1. Modding rifle to extend mag and custom for 750 due to tinker)

(its a week for each mod to be installed, if you're sidelining yourself for two weeks to install them, then some other missions are going to need to go forward while this goes on)

(Alright, I’ll just install customized, during downtime)

(Purchased primitive drone and suicide charge)

4:00 PM

(Spent overall 1000 creds)

(Alright. If you want to join the group mission you can but you’d only have 2 more health added back, as it’s only been a day)

(Nah, I’ll go back to bergasa)

The Hummingbird returns to bergasa space as you and Selgar part ways. You are in possession of the only existing copy of the vehicle harness, and SCAF researchers would be very interested in examining it to see if it is something that can be mass produced

Xavier walks off the ship and towards the general tech area, looking around as he goes

The upper reaches of the mountain , under Mazzio’s former sanctum are dedicated to the tech industry here until such time as they can move to a better facility on the mainland or elsewhere. The techs are hard at work fabricating what gear they can with the limited resources available

Xavier walks in with the control rig

7:44 AM

“Is anyone not busy?”

one of the techs makes his way over, opening a tool kit. "How can I help you soldier? "

“Well, I have some prototype cybertech, waiting to be completed.”

10:48 AM

“I’d figure one of you want to complete it”

“It’s a special variant of the drone control rig, but instead of drones it controls cars”

They gesture at one of the workbenches nearby and indicate you should leave it with them. Come back in a week and we should at least have the parts inventoried. Then you can take it back , we should be able to fiddle with our own models from there

Xavier thanks them, and heads out to any sort of mission board they have

6:04 PM

Exploration assignments are his priority

(Well, where do you want to explore ?)

(Bergasa, mostly. But more about bergasa, not the mishks.)

(Alright, and is there a specific direction or place?)

(Nope, whatever you’d like to narrate)

(okay, I'll have to figure something out)

(Take your time) (edited)

(Actually, how would you feel about negotiating with the serpent lodge for more access?)

(Huh, interesting.Alrighty!)

It becomes clear that Safa is a planet rich in history, and rich in the spoils of a better age despite how the people there live now. The Ice Serpents are a way to safely explore over a quarter of the planet, and aside from negotiations for more access, ensuring they have the means to dominate their neighbors means more ruins fall within Serpent lands, giving SCAF safe access to them

Xavier heads onto a ship to go to safa to facilitate these negotiations

2:49 PM

Any way Scaf could essentially sponsor the Serpents would help in the exploration effort

(1 day of downtime on the way there)

(3/90 pilot)

The ship settles into orbit, as a map of the planet begins updating on a large holographic display screen. "Alright, so we know we're going to discuss things with the Ice Serpents. It might be good to discuss what we are prepared to offer them, or what might need to be done to get more access to the planet before we charge down there

“We can offer weapons, better supplies, and vehicles”

7:14 AM

“Although they may decline”

“They are a society around honor. Maybe teaching them some tech applicable to swords would work”

"It sounds like we have some options then. Alright, are you ready to hit the surface?"

“Let’s go”

(Thank you for your stellar narrative efforts) The ship descends through the atmosphere to the mountain peak settlement claimed by the Ice Serpents, and their warriors with richly accented rifles. SCAF is owned a modicum of respect in these lands, and the warriors had even been a bit sad to hear of the death of Lucas Abast, since he had become notable. Although not permitted to land within the city walls, you're allowed to land outside of it, and guards quickly bring you in through the banded wood and metal gates. You're whisked inside too fast to get much of glance at the carvings on the gate itself. A large mountain hall holds the Ice Serpent's cheiftain,w hom none of SCAF has ever met, along with his appointed advisors, and other important community members.

As Xavier is guided to the mountain hall, he takes in the scenery. Looking at the rifles of the warriors, he wonders how much technology they really have

8:14 AM

He begins trying to quiet himself, and become polite and diplomatic in front of the chieftan

There was a feast going on before you entered, and the Chieftain invites you to sit at one of the lower tables with guests until it is time to make direct talks with him. Cooked animals, fruit, and sweet pastries with a rich cream frosting have been laid out

11:39 AM

most of the warriors and other guests here nod respectfully, as is customary, and make way for you to sit, ensuring a plate and rough silverware is passed to you

Xavier exchanges polite nods and things, but his real attention is the food. He piles food onto his plate and gets ready to listen or two negotiate

(if you wanted to try to meet any of the other guests around you, that would be a good thing to do until you get to 1 on 1 with the chief)

(Thanks.)

11:53 AM

Xavier turns to talk to the person to his right

11:54 AM

(Can I get a description of how they look?)

He has a forked beard of blonde hair, mixed with the silver-grey of oncoming middle age. A scar runs down the side of his head, under his eye and down to his jaw, and one of his teeth are broken , now rounded off and a bit shorter than the rest. He is wearing light armor, and there are hooks on is shoulders for a travel cloak to be fastened but he must have left it at the door

“Hello there! You are?” Says Xavier, curios about the stranger to his right

12:24 PM

He looks intimidating

"Ivelick, Born of The Storming Skies. Who are you?"

“I am Xavier. I don’t have a cool name like you, but I do have some skills” (edited)

“I am skilled with explosives, and am ok with a gun”

"Interesting, and an odd thing to say to someone you first met. Are you threatening to blow me up or shoot me? or is this a boast of your prowess as a warrior?" (edited)

“Oh, just trying to stand up to your incredible name. I would never threaten you. “

He claps you on the back heartily. "You're a smart man despite not being from here" he laughs. "Xavier, you make me laugh. Why have you come to speak to the Chief? We're all interested in you off-worlders"

“Well, we have an alliance with your Lodge, so if we gift you better weapons, or assistance, then your territory will expand, and we may gain access to different ruins”

4:20 PM

“We have a deep interest for what they hold”

"We also know the value of these ruins. Surely, your weapons and supplies are better in the hands of my people the Mountain Lopes. We are the strongest on this planet, and everyone should know it. my people already explore and loot the ruins on Ice Serpent land, and they have not been able to stop us"

“I see that your tribe is very strong. However, would you ever think of joining an alliance with the other lodges?”

"Their honor would not allow them to serve without conflict. The vanquished must serve the victor, and there is honor in that. Someone must lose and serve, for someone else to win

“And that’s honorable. I was just hoping there was a way to end the cycle of life and death”

7:36 AM

Xavier puts the Mountain Lopes as an option to sponsor

(we can move ahead to meeting the serpent chief if you wish, didnt really have anything else for him)

(Alrighty. He’s an interesting character.)

Several hours pass of feasting, boasts, more feasting, a few feats of strength for natives only, and finally, it comes to where the Ice Serpent chief may be spoken with one on one. you're brought back into his chamber, a rich room of dark wood, and fine carvings. A low fire burns in the fireplace and your glass of mead is refilled by a steward as you enter

Xavier respectfully sips the glass of mead. He glances around the room, taking in the vast room and the detailed carvings. He then raises his voice to speak to the cheif

8:49 AM

"Hello. I am Xavier, representative of Scaf. We would like to trade with you better weapons and assistance. In return, we wish to be able to freely access whatever ruins are in your land"

"right to the point. I see. Your request is a bit difficult for me to fulfill, you see. the other tribes routinely pillage those ruins, and I don't have the manpower to stop them, even with better weapons. If SCAF can help secure them for us, and give us weapons to assist, it might be something I can guarantee you

“I may be able to broker that. However, I will have to get permission from my superiors. Thank you for meeting with me today.”

11:14 AM

“Now on a more personal note, is there any way that the lodges could form one central government?”

"Honor is all. A tribe that has not been defeated but bends the knee to another is without honor, and its warriors cannot enter the afterlife. Someone has to win,ovr the others, but this means the others must lose"

“That is what the other said. Is there anything you would like to talk about?”

"This is time for you to make requests of me. You have, but I need help from SCAF to honor it. "

“Rest assured, Scaf honors their promises”

"The Ice Serpents will consider SCAF as partners then. If you provide us the weapons, and the soldiers, we will ensure you are secure while exploring the ruins"

“Great. I’ll go talk to my superiors about this. Thanks for the support”

He nods, and sits back down in his chair, waving the next guest to come in, and the steward sees you back out into the feasting hall.

Xavier walks down back to the ship, and sees if he can go meet up with james and Ibros, who are on planet (edited)

(if their encounter goes well you can meet up with them after)

(Perfect. On downtime, I’ll finish modding my gun)

(I don't know how much downtime is going to go by, probably less than a day even, and you have SEVERAL days left to finish your gun. I just also think its gamey and unfair to pop up in the middle of their possible combat)

(I do too. You got anything interesting on safa to do while I wait?)

(their thing will likely be wrapped up by tonight, i dont have anything that short)

(Alright, I’ll just hang tight)

(It sounds like they're effectively pulling out, so 3xp, 5000 credits, and this time I want YOU to think of what we're doing next)

(I’m thinking going exploring on Bergasa would be cool. One of the areas Einer pointed out.)

(Alright, I think Selgar and Hagen are going to the purple area, if you want, you can follow up in the southwest where Einer killed that shadow balvarine)

(Alright, then)

7:51 AM

(Would you say the balvarine was truck sized?) (edited)

(yes)

(Alright, let’s go)

(1 day of downtime on the way back)

(3/90 pilot)

8:06 AM

(Or I could join Vukan if he’s coming back)

(you guys work it out then, I don't know what he's doing)

(I’m going with xavier then)

(Up to you guys, both of you are between things as it stands right now)

(I’ll take time to upgrade my gun while vukan upgrades his bike)

(i was unaware he is upgrading his bike)

(He dmed me saying he’d do that) (edited)

(if its not in the game its not happening. Get your stuff together and give me a coherent plan, or neither of your threads are moving)

(Sorry about that. I could also join the party with einer, hagen, and selgar)

(einer is on Heras, if you want to join the other two we can) (edited)

(Let’s do that)

(alright, post up in there, and we'll get rolling)

(Is there a montage for me being rushed through hospitals?)

Xavier is flown back to Mount Home, though the paralytic agent from the algae wears off shortly before the skids touch down on the upper landing deck. It was powerful enough to keep your jointslocked up for a few hours, and doctors still want to run tests. At this time its impossible for you to rejoin the expedition

Xavier patiently waits for the doctor, and is considerably pissed that he missed the expedition.

11:59 AM

He then decides to go take som e people to take on the bounty for the mishks (edited)

(Some people, are these PC's? or npcs you're trying to recruit?)

(Npcs. A party would be great. A medic, a person for melee, and a tank)

12:37 PM

(Person, tank, not the vehicle.)

No one is eager to get into hand to hand combat with the vastly more skilled masked figures, but you are able to recruit a rifleman to the cause. (you dont have henchkeeper, so they're not going to follow dangerous orders)

12:49 PM

Tank is not a recognized military role, so another rifleman is assigned to the group. A medic is able to be found, because it seems like you will need one

Xavier gathers his party and heads to any are where any creatures have been found

(well that's the whole thing, no more of their settlements have been found, so shoot me a section of map you want to check out)

(Bottom middle right desert island)

One of the long range helicopters is loaded for you and your small team, allowing you to be inserte at the point of the island. It is not far , but fuel concerns come first. The area is scorched, hot, dry and free from all but the toughest and most unpleastant looking plants.

3:19 PM

sand whistles as the wind blows it from the tops of dunes, and the dust clouds have everyone donning goggles and masks before long to keep from chocking on the cloying dust

Xavier walks on, going as far as he can if he does not see anything green in this desert

3:20 PM

There must be an oasis somewhere

The dune sea is endless, and there is little evidence of anytihng out here as you continue walking forward in a straight a line as you can manage. The rest of the group says little, uncomfortable in the heat but grateful not to be attacked. You have about a half day of daylight left, and for now your water situation appears stable

Xavier walks until there is an hour of light left, then sets up camp

7:58 PM

He sets up watch evenly between the 4 party members

The water situation by the end of the first day is becoming precarious. Most of the water packs in the group are empty now, and everyone is down to their reserve canteen. There is no evidence of an oasis nearby, and there still have not been any sightings of animals larger than birds nearby

(Man, It really was a bad idea to go to a desert)

(Any vegetation?)

(No)

(Can Xaviercall the helicopter?)

(To leave or like, for help? You haven't really tried to do much of anything at all here)

(Help, bringing more water, and like a vehicle to carry it in)

The helicopter is able to swing around and drop off another day of water, but their supplies are now exhausted, and they need to return to Mount Home. They will be unable to help for another day or two

Xavier chooses to trek on. There must be something, some greenery in this desert

The crew has access to a map, as you should as well, and it does not appear there is any green on this large island. Overhead scans are accurate. in the afternooon, when the sun is at its zenith and the hottest part of the day is here, you are exposed on the sand dunes, and come across a distant walled settlement. It is raised from local sandstone, and seems to still be under construction from within. you do not see any figures around the outside.

(There seems to be green by the mountain)

10:44 AM

Xavier walks towards the settlement, desperate to take a break from the unrelenting sun

10:44 AM

As he prays a prayer of thanks to whoever led him here, he begins to inspect the walls

10:45 AM

Any signs of bullets of slashes, claw marks and the such could be a vital warning before venturing deeper

(how close are you getting to the settlement?)

(Just close enough to see anything on the walls)

There walls do not seem to be wide enough to allow anything to stand on them, and you do not see anything on them as you approach closer.

Xavier then walks into the shade, but rifle at the ready

(the shade of the wall?)

(It depends on where the sun is in the sky.)

(there is nothing else around you. I am only describing what is there)

(Hows the sun and the water situation?)

(We havent moved more than a few minutes from it still being early afternoon - since im trying to get a handle on what you're doing. Water will run out tonight since we've done nothing to try to find more)

Xavier tries to see if there is any animals here, big or small,

12:03 PM

Then he begins to dig

12:03 PM

Near, the wall, both for shade and to discover if there is any meaning to this wall out in the middle of nowhere

There are no animals in the area, there is nothing but blowing sand, though there is a gentle knocking sound carried on the wind from within the walled area.

Xavier walks by to check on the area where he can hear the knocking. He has his gun out, and he tells his party members to dig

Approaching the northern side of the walled area, you can see a thick gate is closed, banded with metal and made from wood-explaining why there is no vegitation in the area round you

12:09 PM

There is no sign of anything in the area , though the knocking gets louder

Xavier walks to the gate with caution

12:11 PM

He inspects it closely

it is heavy, but seems like it can be pushed open

Xavier attempts to push it, making sure there are no obstructions

It swings open, revealing a rustic looking wooden village. A scaffold in the middle of the village has a single noose, gently knocking against the pole coming out of the ground. It is empty, and there are no figures on the scaffolding either. A single piece of paper looks to be nailed to the main support beam, but you are 100m away and it is too hard to read from here. Under the scaffolding, the top third of one of the Masked Folk obelisks pokes from the ground (edited)

Xavier immediately tenses, taking out his compad and messaging his party members

12:15 PM

It may be time for action

12:17 PM

(How far can I see?)

12:17 PM

(In meters)

(like how much furtherpast the obelisk? i dot think theres a hard number for how far people can see, there are so many factors)

(That’s a good answer)

12:18 PM

(I just wanted to know how far I should walk to read the paper)

(within 5m, which is about 15/16 feet, still beyond what a standard eye test uses )

Xavier waits until his group is with him and explains the situation

12:31 PM

And asks for their advice

They are not willing to go within the city, since it seems dangerous, and it seems like nothing you say will convince them

Xavier tells them to watch from the gate, then begins to slowly creep towards the paper until he can read it

The gate slams shut behind you as you enter the settlement, and masked figures begin pouring from the buildings around you. They do not bother with your compatriots outside of the gate, and you are knocked off your feet by the tide of grabbing, clubbing, fighting hands, pulling you down, and then back onto your feet with disorienting speed. One of them has a mask, spare, from the looks of it, or taken from one of their dead, and places it over your face (mental save)

(Success 18 vs 13)

Your vision changes, colors dull, and the figures before you are no longer shadowy masked figures but instead resemble people from all walks of life. They no longer have swords and bows, but instead carry modern firearms when viewed through a mask. The buildings here likewise resemble a modern city, though are not in the real world this is meant to mirror. The figures take a few steps back, allowing you a bit of space

“Hello?” Says Xavier tentatively

12:45 PM

He’d never seen this before

"Hello" one of the figures at the front of the pack replies. Its voice is calm, and measured. It is almost pleasant

“Where am I? Who are you?”

12:47 PM

Xavier takes a few steps back

I thought they all just wanted to kill. Maybe I was wrong

"You are where you walked to. This place has no name. "

“And you? Who are you? And why do you kill us?”

12:58 PM

(I’m going through this because I assume that I don’t know what happened in hagen’s questioning)

"I did not kill you. I did not kill your friends. They are outside, unharmed"

12:58 PM

(you guys had the polity meeting where he explained everything)

“That is true. Then, what is your name?”

12:59 PM

“And what is your goal”

"My name is an irrelevance to you. We are trying to expand, build, and create, to fulfill Lord Mazzio's will"

“And what is Lord Mazzio’s will?” (edited)

"To expand, build, and create, and to make a civilization better than any other"

“And why can’t you live by us? If we make a pact, none of us will attack each other”

"You attack our settlemnets, and get in the way of everything we are trying to build. Every island we explore, you are there. Every forest we pad through, you are there"

1:02 PM

"on land, air, water, you are there"

1:03 PM

"this planet is ours, and we will take it from you to please our Lord, if it comes to it"

“Can we not split it? I for one would live among your people, but we can divide it between our peoples”

1:05 PM

“Take example this island. What if we seeded it with life, then left it to you guys?”

"This is not possible. Lord Mazzaio will not allow this"

“Alright then. I’ll be leaving now. I hope next time I see you things will be different”

They do not move from encircling you. "Leaving is also not possible, You are one of us now"

(Can I see where the anchor is?) (edited)

"Your options are this, remain here, and learn- fight alongside us, or we send you back as a warning" (the obelisk?)

(Yes)

(Yes, its mostly buried but some of it is coming out of the ground under the scaffolding)

(I bet if I broke part then it would break. How far is it?)

(5m from you)

(Xavier will take out his grenade and toss it to the obelisk.)

1:32 PM

(8/7)

(d10 for how far it scatters, missed)

(1)

The grenade explodes, causing a spray of sand, shrapnel, and the explosive shockwave out in all directions. (7 damage to you too, since it only went a meter from you)

1:34 PM

The obelisk has cracked, but has not come apart. Some of the masked figures are also caught in the explosion, and a few of the closest vanish in the smoke, torn to pieces

Xavier begins to run towards the gate, gun at the ready and prepared to shoot

You are pulled down by the crowd of Masked figures around you, piling on as you try to run through them, and you are forced prone

“Help!”

1:36 PM

Xavier says, trying to reach out to his team members

they are unable to reach you, and you see their fleeing forms cresting a dune far away. They must have run as soon as you entered the city. The gun is torn from your hands and thrown aside, and they begin leading you toward the scaffold and waiting noose. " I make you this offer again foolish traveler, Join us, fight alongside us, or we send you back as a message"

Xavier relents, cursing himself for his lack of conviction. He however, still does not want to die

1:45 PM

There are so many things out there to do, just waiting

1:45 PM

“Very well. I will join your cause”

(3xp, 5000 credits)

“What now?”

"We wait, and prepare. A large attack is going to be ordered soon, and we will be striking against the Bastion of all they hold dear. If we take the mountain, we take the world- and we will rip out the beating heart of their hold here"

“Alright. How do I train?” (edited)

"All in good time. We have another settlement we will be traveling to before the attack"

“Let’s go then.”

"When it is time. Rest now, you have been through much today"

Xavier sleeps, attempting to process what happened today. He then swears revenge against those who abandoned him, even before things went wrong (edited)

2:49 PM

One day, he’ll be able to be like Mazzio, In charge of an empire. One day

2:52 PM

While Xavier waits for the raid, he buys a walker robot, and finishes his modification to his gun

(they wouldnt have the robot, i thought you meant like, personal gear)

(Ah, ok.)

3:01 PM

(Cyberware?)

(also no for right now) You spend several days finishing the lengthy modifications to your gun, to you and the other masked figures, appearing as normal. To the outside, you hold an ornate compound bow in your hands. More and more masked figures seem to be arriving in the camp by the day, though they never seem to eat your drink and you likewise have not been hungry or thirsty since putting the mask on. A large concentration of Minsk are here, and there is palpable energy outside building towards something.

3:03 PM

(think like, excitement)

Xavier joins the throng, wondering what’s up

3:14 PM

Maybe, just maybe, is it the day?

As unconfirmed possibilities race inn his head, his excitement races as he eagerly waits for what will be said

There are close to a thousand masked here now, just at this settlement alone, and you can feel an innate power here surging through the ground and through the obelisk itself. You see the masked champion that forced your submission , blade drawn. “Today, is a great day. My brothers and sisters. Today we strike a blow against the invaders and those who seek to stop us from fulfilling Lord Mazzios plans. “

7:16 PM

“We will@make their home into a tomb, their mountain into a charnel house “

Xavier begins to take out his sword and cheer, excited to join the battle. He very well knows that he may die, but he will do so in a glorious manner

7:28 PM

(I think I’ll stay with Xavier being with the mishks, at least for now. No idea if I’ll turn on them or not)

(Theres nothing forcing you to act a certain way. The mask doesn’t force behavior it just lets you communicate with them and let’s you see the world as they do. Your appearance to the others would have you looking like a normal masked person, but you’re in command of your body language )

(Well, let’s pafo)

(Even I’m unsure of what I’m going to do)

Around you, you can see many of the figures here are in old Remnant uniforms, some RONI, some wearing power armor, and others still in a mix of space pirate or merchant garb. Often here is little difference between the two. In your eyes, they're armed with swords still, resembling officer's dueling swords or infantryman's long knives, where they also have combat rifles

8:20 AM

The scaffolding outside is torn away by a group of Mishk , and they are working hard to dig out the entire obelisk from the ground

Xavier goes to join them, attempting to go dig it up

8:25 AM

And then thinks up something

8:25 AM

A plan, of sorts

8:26 AM

What if I left an explosive here, that destroyed everything at 20 meters and could be detonated remotely?

8:27 AM

Sounds like my demo charge

They say nothing as you come to help aside from passing you a shovel. The blade is handily made, biting easily into the ground with its thick metal space head. You're able to move a large amount of the mixed rock and sand, though the obelisk is large and will take some time to dig up. Crews have been work round the clock already and have only moved a handful of meters of rock in that time,

Xavier digs for a while, then attempts to sneak away to to see any hidden locations around 10-20 meters from the obelisk

The obelisk is in the middle of a cleared stretch of town just like how you had found it, as they need room to work

Xavier then just waits for them to move out. He’ll then hang back, and plant the package

8:37 AM

What a great plan, me

The work continues around the clock. As one set of masked move out, another comes to take their place, tools are handed off, and wordlessly , the next group begins in place of the first. There is no length of time where the obelisk is not supervised by at least 4 diggers and a foreman

Xavier continues to wait, biding his time until an opportunity come his way

(There isnt going to be one, is what im telling you)

8:46 AM

(this is how the shifts work, they do not need to take care of bodily things, so this is just how the work rotation will go until the work is done)

(Well, that sucks. Ig we can speed to the assault. All paths here leas to death) (edited)

(it depends what you do. You could throw it and try to run, and avoid getting caught for a couple turns to set it off)

8:48 AM

(cant guarantee it'll work, but its a chance)

8:48 AM

(you have to weigh the risk for yourself)

(Hmm. Let’s do this.)

8:59 AM

Xavier moves inauspiciously, and begins to dig around 10 meters from the obelisk, demo charge readied

The hole is small, and you're not noticed by any of the others since you're a bit away from them (30 feet, mind you) and are at least looking like you are digging

Xavier bends over like he’s looking at something in his hole, and stealthily drops the charge in

9:11 AM

He then covers it up, and goes on break

You're moved off for otther duties as a new group of diggers comes in to continue the work

(After being moved off, how far Am I from my hole? And how far is my hole from the obelisk?) (edited)

(You said 10m from it I thought )

(Yeah, sorry. Your wording earlier was difficult.)

(sneak/dex)

(Um, I edited my post. I made mistake with the distance)

(repost it

2:00 PM

(I cant find it)

Xavier slowly walks to around 50 meters from his hole, slowly, to not arouse suspicion

(We're not outside demolition charge range if you're burying it here)

(It has a range of 40 meters, ind it was put 10 meters away from the obelisk)

2:02 PM

(I wanted to move 50 meters away from the charge)

(got it)

2:03 PM

(was reposted out of context. I'm just trying to get accurate information)

2:03 PM

(I still need a sneak/dex since youre trying to avoid notice)

(11)

The masked ones seem too busy with their other duties to pay much attention to you, and are largely preparing for the coming assault with some last minute planning

Xavier breathes a prayer for luck and presses the detonator

(just need a damage roll)

(25, 14)

4:16 PM

(hohoho)

The demo charge explodes, sending sand, rock, and dust into the air. Some of the masked near the dig site are immolated by the blast. The obelisk has a large crack running down the parts of it above ground that you can see. It hasn’t come to pieces yet but it is damaged. The damage seems to slow the Minsk’s somewhat, as the survivors and bystanders begin to come to their senses

Xavier runs and begins to shoot at the obelisk, hopefully before the mishk come to their senses.

6:10 PM

(24/9)

The stone cracks a bit further as the masked start to figure out what is happening. The bullets do little against the thick stone but there is still a visible amount of damage. Two arrows streak out of the dust in your direction

6:12 PM

(17/6 )

6:12 PM

(Other one misses )

Xavier keeps running, switches to his rocket launcher, then fires again

6:14 PM

(18/19)

)it was stowed. It’s your action to ready it)

6:14 PM

(So you cannot fire this turn)

(No, I have gunslinger. It's an instant turn)

6:15 PM

(And no damage taken)

The obelisk shatters, and as the masked figures begin dissolving in front of you, you see your own body also dissolving away as you are linked to these obelisks and their powers. Buildings collapse, colors return to the area - standing out from the muted blacked colors of the surroundings. A masked champion reaches out to you for help, but as you go to touch hands both of them begin to flake away like an upward rising rain. Rolling onto your back you see the sun, shining brightly as life returns to this section of the world. You feel it on your skin for a moment, before only the mask remains. Hundreds of them now lay at rest here on the island. Yours included. Trophy hunters will claim some. Nature will claim others. Some will never be found at all. Xavier passes , and his mask remains face up, basking in the sunlight of a free desert oasis, just as the first drops of rain begin to fall.

3