Guild icon
Iron Stars
post archive character threads / bartholemew
Avatar
Level 2 Sneak to 0 for 1SP Talk to 0 for 1SP Know to 0 for 1SP Waymaker level 2 for focus pick New Max HP of 7 New Yama King powers received (edited)
Avatar
Bart and Merle continue on, sequestered with the Fraternity cultists to a site a few kilometers south of the voided-out city, near the coast. A series of caves have been hollowed out, repaired, and furnished into a warren like fortress. A miniature stability field, smaller than the main resonators, but larger than the one on the truck protects a kilometer of land around the caves. Cultists begin shedding their protective gear as they get inside the bubble, plugging the devices into a guarded shack where some sort of battery is keeping them functional.
Avatar
(At some point I'm going to begin making magically enforced deals with people, so I am going to use the post below to keep track of them all)
08:12
Agreements and Deals:
Avatar
Original message was deleted or could not be loaded.
Pinned a message.
Avatar
Seeing Merle investigating the eating habits of their new community, Thrace peels away to begin exploring the cave system as much as he can before someone tells him where he is and isn't allowed. He keeps an eye out for areas containing strategically important equipment; weapons, armour, vehicles, supply stores and most importantly, filing cabinets. (edited)
Avatar
Gamma and his chosen inhabit the sub level behind the chapel and guards, as well as passive security and a few drones keep the curious from getting too close. The armory is just south of that, where bed chambers and training areas take up the rest of the space. The rivers flow outside- to farming areas
Avatar
Ideas for limiting the Chosen's ability to make war run through Thrace's mind, before he is reminded of his promise to not sabotage these people until he could confirm ill intent towards Dremlas. Patience is a virtue, he reminds himself, as he returns to his new quarters. Let's see what tomorrow brings. I'll need to learn more about their ideology before I can take them down.
Avatar
Original message was deleted or could not be loaded.
Pinned a message.
Avatar
(what would you be hunting for come morning?)
Avatar
(I'm trying to determine how they feel about Dremlas and whether they might attack, so maybe talking with the Chosen or attending a chapel service type thing?)
Avatar
(Hell, could even just shift into the "average person of this culture" thing the Yama King has and hang out in whatever their equivalent of the pub is to just chat with locals, whatever works best or is most interesting)
Avatar
There is a small service in the morning. There isn’t something like preaching and sacrifice, but more like small groups of members discussing philosophy, learning, the application of magic. You’re very much reminded of the informal learning circles and covens of Dremlas.
01:59
There is no overt malice here, no talk of knives to virgins or throwing unbelievers into a volcano, just that of change and how to ascend to a new way of coping with the forever changed planet of Saliv
02:01
They do believe a connection to a higher state of being through metaspace exists by those who ascend but only if the mind and spirit are strong enough to remain cohesive
Avatar
,most importantly, they believe this world will become a paradise for everyone who has ascended once the last resonator is destroyed and metaspace itself is free to claim the planet
Avatar
Troubling, but not as troubling as I feared. Good people, with interests antithetical to our own. Handling these people may require some nuance, if we are to avoid a war, but it is necessary. They are a threat to our continued existence, whether they realise it or not. Given their shared belief, I'd be stupid to think that just assassinating their leader would change anything for the better. I'll have to find some other way to neutralise their threat, whether that be through diplomacy or some kind of skulduggery. Satisfied with picking up on enough of the local context to get a feel for how he needs to operate here, Thrace begins to plan. He leaves the chapel area, wandering back to his bed to think. I'll need to figure out what to do to learn what I need to actually pin these bastards down, at least for long enough to get a force back here after escaping. Pondering, he makes a mental list of necessary actions. 1. Obtain a protective belt. 2. Identify and sabotage as many objects and people necessary for the conduct of a war as possible in order of importance. 3. Learn as much novel information from this society as possible. 4. Find out if they have a plan for attacking Dremlas. 5. Obtain an escape vehicle and sabotage any vehicles capable of effectively chasing it. Happy with that as a working plan, he determines to try and get himself a job in his current home. A job that, with time, ends up providing one almost unlimited access. He would offer his services as a cleaner. All he needed to do was enter the necessary rooms, and his newfound powers would allow him to come back whenever he wanted. He changed course, and sought some kind of official to which to offer himself up as potential custodial staff.
Avatar
Original message was deleted or could not be loaded.
Pinned a message.
00:28
There is a small service in the group chapel, and you're not assigned to a work crew, having gone unnoticed the night before. Presenting yourself to one of the overseers, he looks up from his datapad to acknowledge you. "Ah, missed you on the intake last night. You're doing well for yourself reporting for duty on your own and not making me come find you. "
Avatar
Thrace shrugs, sheepishly. "I'll be honest, I got so caught up exploring my new home I forgot to check in with anyone. It won't happen again! I was wondering if I could join up with the cleaning staff, if you have any. I've always been a big fan of working my way up from the bottom." He smiles, trying to look bashful.
Avatar
"We don't really get...any...volunteers about that. Well, if you're willing to get dirty, we have plenty of things that need to be cleaned. Lets see how you do with the mess hall, and we'll move on from therE"
Avatar
Resigning himself to a good bit of hard labour, Thrace nods, and moves off to get to work.
Avatar
The mess hall is finishing breakfast, and there are 40 members here finishing their meal. Most of them are kind enough to stack the plates and cutlery at the end of the table for you rather than making a giant mess. conversation is low, and reverent
Avatar
Thrace gets to work, grabbing a pile and moving off to the washing area, nodding amiably at the latecomers bringing their plates up. In the manner of spies in gathering places everywhere, he keeps his head down and his ears open, washing dishes while keeping his ears open for any useful information. He expects little at breakfast, the most utilitarian of meals in his book, but time has taught him to remain open to all opportunities. (edited)
Avatar
It seems like the food situation has barley improved. There are some appreciable comments about the quantity and variety of food Things still seem tight. There are no wasted scraps.
Avatar
Supply problems. Thrace makes a mental note of it, putting it away for later use. A lack of food can be a powerful tool used correctly, he muses. His mind begins to wander as he cleans, and it strikes him he should tell Merle of his plans. The mans allegiances were mildly suspect, but he had also helped him survive on his way here, and Thrace was not one to quickly abandon an ally. He decided to keep an eye out while continuing on his cleaning duties, putting in his best effort to earn this communities trust. (edited)
Avatar
Youre thanked a few times for your efforts cleaning by some of the more community minded brothers. One of them even hands you 5 credits for the work, feeling charitable toward a new member
Avatar
“Thanks for all youre doing” he says and once again you can see not a single scrap of food has been left behind.
Avatar
Thrace takes the credits with thanks, projecting gratefulness as best he can. He looks around for some cleaning supplies, trying to find a mop and bucket, tools nearly as good as a ladder for getting places you aren't meant to. He plans to make his way around the site over a few days, locating locked doors with which to use his newfound powers to open.
Avatar
You're able to find a bucket, and a mop, for these wet anterior passages, and begin working hard to make them safe for everyone to use. (which room would you be trying to work through first?)
Avatar
(Armoury and any kind of vehicle storage is what I'm trying to locate)
19:19
(I'd work through 3 then 9 initially)
Avatar
The vehicle storage is tightly controlled and it seems like their own technicians are responsible for mess and spills in there, but you;re able to sweep and mop inside the armory. the weapons and their ammuntion are stored separately in locked display cases and cabinets.
Avatar
Thrace leaves the armoury unmolested, now magically connected to this area as he is to all locations he travels through. I'll likely need to return here, but sabotaging something right now will just make me look suspicious. He decides to fulfil the rest of his shift normally, then look for some kind of sparring area when he finishes, hoping to meet some of the people he met outside under the guise of sword training. It can't hurt to get a feel for how their fighting men and women think and feel.
Avatar
part of the exercise routine for the soldiers is sparring, along with target shooting. There are racks of blunted practice weapons, along with padded helmets and heavy padded smocks to simulate fighting in armor. Goggles are also worn, accidents or wounds should come from combat only, against an actual foe- not a cohort mate
Avatar
Thrace makes his way up to the sparring soldiers, affecting the air of a confident yet respectful newcomer. "I'm sorry if I'm intruding, I'm looking for a sparring partner. I find my skills with a blade get a bit rusty if I don't practice each night. Anyone game?"
14:12
(Hes trying to prove himself to them here without making that incredibly obvious, as a means to join an expedition if he can)
Avatar
(Right, they'd take a partner. We can run it like a normal combat and for sake of argument, 0 just means you're out, not dead)
Avatar
(sounds perfect)
Avatar
Thrace puts on the protective gear, marvelling at the goggles. I should keep a pair of these, he muses. Seeing his opponent is ready, he grabs a training sword and moves onto the sparring floor. "I won't promise to be an expert swordsman, but you'll find I know my way around a blade well enough. En garde!"
17:14
(8 for initiative)
Avatar
(2)\
18:22
(you're up)
Avatar
"Avast at ye, Blackguard!" your opponent says, brandishing a practice blade
Avatar
Dashing forward, Thrace delivers a savage strike into the side of his opponent, attempting to knock the wind out of them. (19/8)
Avatar
The blow is sudden and surprising. Your opponent is downed right away amid the cheers of the others gathered in here
04:03
He blinks twice, eyes wide like a landed fish, not even realizing he’s on the floor already
Avatar
Let's not let them know that was a lucky shot, Thrace thinks, as he soaks up the accolades. "Thank you, and here I was thinking I was out of practice!" As he helps his shocked partner up, he calls out. "I was hoping to prove my chops if I'm being honest, anyone here in charge of sending teams outside? As much as I like it here, I'd like to help out out there too."
Avatar
"it seems like you can handle yourself" your opponent says, rubbing his head "That'd be me actually. We were planning on setting out tomorrow to try to forage and salvage what we can from the woods. You're welcome to come along"
Avatar
"I'd appreciate that." He hesitates for a moment, mildly embarrassed. "I'll need one of those belts, won't I? Can you help me get one?"
Avatar
"Youll be issued with one when we head out, they need a tremendous amount of charge to protect us for field work"
Avatar
"That will do fine. I look forward to proving myself out there, friends."
00:15
(My aim with this is to use them to learn more about the outside away from a tower, and to ingratiate myself with them to gain their trust)
Avatar
(Oh also Im happy to end the day and skip to tomorrow if theres nothing else interesting happening, I've achieved enough for the day)
Avatar
(The expedition woujld be going tomorrow, so we can do that. If you need to heal, you'd take your level of healing)
Avatar
(3xp, 5000 credits for the RP so far)
Avatar
The following morning the expedition plans to head out back to the south to scout the area and look for anything the Fraternity can use to sustain its operations. Five others are going with you, armed with laser rifles and swords. Each has a personal resonator attached to their belt
Avatar
Thrace ensures his machete is strapped securely to his thigh, before approaching the squad and greeting it's members. "Got a belt for me?"
Avatar
"Indeed" one of them throws a model of resonator belt to you, as you catch it deftly. "Long few days ahead of us in the woods. We do this right though, and we might find things we can use, make life at home a bit better"\
Avatar
"Making life better for our own is something we can all agree on, I'm sure." Thrace clips the belt around his waist, hoping the damn thing works properly, before following the small group out of the cave system.
Avatar
You feel a slight tingle through your skin as you put it on, and all the static cling falls off your body, your hair standing flatter than you;'ve ever seen it
Avatar
"Alright, now that we're all suited, wer're heading north, past the fields and into the woods. Not expecting to find any patrols or expeditions from Dremlas this far out, but you never know. We found you after all"
Avatar
"I like to think it'd be a while before they send another. They drained their resources just sending us. Lead the way." Thrace gives a casual salute.
Avatar
(d10 good sir)
Avatar
(That's a 2 from me)
Avatar
Moving into the woods, you pass an abandoned cabin at the edge of the woods. It is just outside the stability field near the caves, not that leaving it bothers your patrol. A few recently skinned lopes are hanging from hooks set into a tree out front of it. The forest is thickest ahead, both the densest region and the best cover for the Fraternity operations here. Heavy mist shrouds a dark and steaming lake ahead
Avatar
Thrace points over towards the skinned beasts. "Looks like someone might live here, or at least stop by. Might be something worth checking, if they're managing to survive out here without a belt?"
Avatar
“Ah that’s ours. Hunters hang out here sometimes. Someone might be home though. You wanna talk?”
Avatar
"If we've got the time. I'm fascinated by how you move through the wildlands so easily. Hell, I'm even surprised there's life out here at all."
Avatar
“The breaches are truly magical things. Possibilities are endless and the natural laws are continually re written. It is dangerous to survive in such a place but people have. Some have developed a resilience to it , and those of us that can’t, have these belts
Avatar
"You're saying there are people with a natural resistance to breaches? I'm impressed. Is this something that can be learned?" Thrace is not feigning interest, he is genuinely shocked.
Avatar
(Turns out I forgot to level up earlier so here we go) Level 3 New Yama King Powers gained. Know-1 for 2SP Pilot-0 for 1SP New HP: 14 (edited)
Avatar
“There aren’t many. Very few. But occasionally those with arcane resilience do appear. We try to recruit them whenever possible. They make good scouts and trappers for us”
Avatar
"I can see how they'd suit such a role. I won't take up any more of our time, let's press on."
Avatar
Moving into the woods the area instantly becomes darker. Will o wisps dance in the distance. A twig snaps loudly ahead putting the group on alert
Avatar
Thrace pulls his machete out, holding it at the ready. He quietly creeps over to the squad leader. "I can take point." He steels himself for what that could mean.
Avatar
Moving into a crouching position , you look down a small berm as a raptor like beast with a plume of red feathers sniffs through the underbrush. It’s beak is sharp and striped , though when it’s mouth opens the back of it is serrated
Avatar
No sense in waiting to see if that thing is aggressive or not. I'd best try to kill it before it tries to do the same to us. Thrace slowly waves the others up behind him, remaining crouched, and reaches for a small rock to throw nearby as a kind of lure.
Avatar
The others see what you're doing, and the expedition leader nods once, assenting to the plan
Avatar
Thrace tosses the rock a few metres ahead of him, remaining behind cover. He crouches low, ready to pounce forth once the raptor comes in range. Don't fuck this up, Bart.
Avatar
There is a screech as it charges through the brush toward your position , erupting through some dark foliage 10m from you (I'd say no matter surprise round or initiative, with you all preparing actions your gang is still going first) (edited)
Avatar
Waiting a couple of seconds to let his comrades with ranged weaponry take a free shot, Thrace pushes forwards, machete primed and ready to cleave into the raptors belly. (Miss, 3 shock against AC13)
Avatar
The blow is uneven and poorly aimed, forced to duck low as your ranged comrades fire over your head. The raptor is hit by two shots from your friends, reeling and facing you side on now, its lashing tail sailing wide over your head and missing you
15:44
(back to you)
Avatar
Thrace takes another swing at the beast, and swears in anger as it too fails to even come close to the raptor. I'll look a damn fool if I get incapacitated by this blasted raptor. Get your head in the game, Bart!
15:55
(Nat 1 lol)
🇫 1
Avatar
The ranged hunters fix bayonets, and pile in similar to how NMC frontline troopers fight, and the raptor is pierced several times before one of the blows has some weight behind it, and bears the mighty beast down to its side
Avatar
Thrace dusts himself off, slightly bashful after such a poor showing. "Thanks for the assist there, mates. Looks like I'm rustier than I thought." He looks down at the dead raptor, then uses his machete to cut off it's largest talon. I could make something nice out of this, surely. He stows it in his pack while looking to the squad leader for direction. (edited)
Avatar
The squad is busy field dressing it. The meat will be welcome back at camp, same with the hide, plumage and teeth. Nothing is wasted, not even the bones. “This has shortened our trip somewhat but they’ll be happy we brought some supply back with us. We will make it to the lake and back before nightfall if we are expedient after this”
Avatar
"Lets move with haste, then. I'd hate for this to become nothing more than a glorified hunting trip." Thrace gathers his share of the load from the processed raptor corpse and makes to move off.
Avatar
Heading back into the woods you can see the forest is tiger striped by new growth, old forest, and patches where fields are suddenly interposed by bubbling exposed underground springs, or small foothills. One of the first you pass is clearly some kind of barrow,a nd the others keep a bit of extra distance going around it.
Avatar
Thrace nods to the barrow. "Something dangerous in there?"
Avatar
"Do you believe in ghosts, turncoat? " one of the column asks. Her pink mohawk and heavily charmed ears are the only things you can see outside her protective rain gear
Avatar
"I've come to not discount anything since the Scream. We've all seen strange things since then. While I haven't met any ghosts, they'd be no more out of place on this world than any of the other things Saliv has been host to. So, is that barrow haunted?" (edited)
Avatar
"We think so. There's someone weeping there when you come by at night. Woman it sounds like, but we're not sure"
Avatar
That might just be worth checking out tonight. I'll either have to get myself a belt or see if that one-armed fellow that turned me into a fox can actually give me some kind of natural resilience like he claimed. Thrace tucks the idea into the study of his mental palace, the place where all his to-do's reside. "Has anyone ever tried visiting the barrow at night? Amateur ghost hunters, or others of their ilk?"
Avatar
"Never was able to spare the manpower. Don't know if its dangerous. Losing even a few people, or the belts they're wearing can hamper operations. You saw the caves. There aren't many of us. Not compared to the Termies, or the people in Dremlas"
Avatar
Thrace pauses for a second. "Termies?" He's sure he hasn't heard of them before.
Avatar
“People exposed to the breach long term with no stabilization field. Kills them eventually but they’re violent and destructive as the stuff drives them crazy”
Avatar
"Christ, that can't be a good life." Thrace ponders momentarily. "If I offered to come out and have a look at this barrow alone tonight, would you be able to spare a belt? I understand you may not trust me yet, but I can never pass up the opportunity to investigate a good mystery."
Avatar
“We could spare one, or remain close for you to be in the protective fields of ours. Your choice”
Avatar
"I'd be happy to go alone, save some manpower for more important tasks, but if anyone wants to join me they're more than welcome." Thrace quietly hopes no one takes him up on the offer, as information relating to the outer wilds, unknown to the cultists, would be invaluable to Dremlas. "Regardless, shall we push on?" (edited)
Avatar
The lake is your final stop for the expedition, a large and steaming body of water where the raw stuff of the breach seems to filter in. Grotesque looking fish are close to the shore, feeding on bugs that have landed there, and a tree partially fallen into the water is a riot of neon colored mushrooms that glow so intently they give off their own aura There are fresh tracks nearby, human in appearance, though single file so it is hard to tell immediate numbers.
Avatar
Thrace pokes at one of the mushrooms with a stick, grimacing in disgust as a small cloud of neon spores spurts out. Noticing the tracks, he crouches to inspect them and calls over the squad lead. "Tracks. Human looking. Could be Termies." He looks close, trying to glean any details he can. (edited)
Avatar
(survive or notice, either with wis)
Avatar
You think there are at least ten of them out here judging by the different boot patterns within the same set of tracks
Avatar
"Roughly ten sets of tracks. The boots aren't uniform in pattern, which rules out organised military. It's most likely Termies, or some other group that manages to survive out here. They move off that direction. Do we follow them?" (edited)
Avatar
"Theyre heading toward the caves, from how it seems. Won't get far with 10, but we have to circle back anyway. If we push it we can catch them"
Avatar
"Sounds like a plan to me. It'd be a good idea to find out exactly what this group looks like. If we're dealing with raider types, the more advance warning the better."
Avatar
"Alright group, we might have a termie problem. Double time back home, lets see if we can get in behind them
14:05
(Exert/str)
Avatar
There is some smoke on the horizon ahead, not much, but enough to let you know the TErmies must be fighting one of the listening posts ahead. Crackles and pops of laser weapons can be heard through the trees along with people from both sides shouting. You're 300m from the action, and cannot see the enemy, but seem close enough to swing the jaws of this trap closed
Avatar
Thrace looks to the squad leader. "I won't be any good in a firefight, I'll sneak around and pick them off from the flank while you pin them down from their rear." Without waiting for an answer, he rushes off into the woods, staying low, machete drawn and ready.
Avatar
The attack seems to be just what you expected, ten Termies with battered looking guns are in a firefight against Fraternity sentries. The sentries have the benefit of a stone building, where the Termies are shooting out of the woods, from somewhat concealed positions. It doesnt look like anyones been hurt yet, but thats going to change if this isnt brought to an end soon.
Avatar
Thrace weaves between bushes, using the chaos of the firefight to his advantage. He looks for stragglers out on the edge of the enemy formation, perfect targets for him to set upon and eviscerate.
Avatar
There are two scouts near you, 20m away who have not noticed you hiding inside of a hollow log looking at them. THey're working to set up some kind of scrap gun, with a mix-mash of random caliber rounds held together on decaying leather bands
Exported 118 message(s)