Old Stuff to be archived

[Incubus]

Re: Escape from Dracholt (Sinfulwolf)

Meaghan brought her sword down on the beast blocking her path a third and final time, as the blow caused a chain reaction throughout its flesh. Before her very eyes, the beast's body tore itself apart as muscles jerked and twitched, aggravating the deep cuts she had inflicted and tearing them open. It was a grim show as it in a matter of a few seconds fell to pieces in an eruption of dark magics caused by its inherent instability.

But she knew she didn't have time to sit and watch the fireworks, as soon as the way was clear she leaped over the still twitching corpse, darting down the passage way, fuelled on by the adrenaline provided by the blade. The beast behind her was initially hot on her heels, able to react faster as she recovered from the sword swing, but was soon left behind due to the boosted speed, and only fading howls of rage pursued her before long.

((Gain 7 exp, and you've officially had 2 rounds of Bloodlust for the purpose of mastery, despite the long time you'll be running under its effects. Only combat rounds count, sadly.))

While the sword continued to pump her full of energy, the entire process was exhausting, it was difficult to keep track of time down here, especially wounded and not exactly calm, but eventually she came to a place where the pathway no longer branched off, it was just a single long corridor, still twisting occasionally, it still appeared to be the most travelled one, and was dimly lit. After another length of time, she at last reached a final opening or small room, with a few boxes stacked around and a ladder leading up. End of the line, she sure hoped this was the right one.

 

[Copper]

Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)

The nekomata grins a little, not missing the playful undercut of her words, though he bites his tongue from making any quips that might be considered improper, especially, as she pointed out, they'd just met. He does watch her and does his best to mimic her folds with the first bit of clothing that he works on. It's clear, though, that he's not used to such tasks and therefore struggles with it. At least he can use it as an excuse to keep an eye on the sirens, shooting looks at them out of the corners of his eyes while he fumbles with the cloth.

"I'm afraid so, Mistress." He seems a little distracted, given he's trying to talk and fold at the same time. "Though perhaps after business is concluded, if the invitation for tea still stands..." He looks 'up' at her from his task, the expression a touch humble, a touch encouraging, then his eyes drop back down and he's back to business, it seems. "I was wondering if you might know one of the fellows I'm having to deal with. A man by the name of Norris?" He's expecting her to know him, simply by virtue of living in the same community. What he's hoping to get, even if it's with a little prompting, is if there's anything more between them than simply neighborly familiarity.

 

[Incubus]

Re: The Ill-Portented Expedition (crossgrave, blueslime, chibi)

((Battle Map:

Spoiler

The light grey squares are difficult terrain, due to the rubble. Movement there costs 1 AP for 1 square rather than the usual. You can still get 1 free square of movement. The dark grey is impassible. And the square the vampire is in is elevated, melee attacks cannot strike it.

Status:

Spoiler

              HP      WP     SP   Effects
Satuma      16/24   16/16   6/6
Azalia	    28/28   17/17   8/8
Soren       28/28   17/17   8/8

Turn Order:

Spoiler

28 - Nath
24 - Soren
15 - Fel Spirits
14 - Satuma
12 - Prof. Jontus
12 - Goron
12 - Vampyre
10 - Azalia

You know the drill by now))

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

As the combat continues, Nath delivers another pair of strikes, this time to the spectre that Azalia had struck and wounded, although only one of his blows manages to connect. Still, it was the first proof these translucent creatures could be struck by physical means. Meanwhile, Soren fired off another pair of light magic attacks, the first, aimed at the vampire, dissipated in the air once more, getting a haughty laugh in response, but the blast aimed direct forwards at the creature was far more effective. The light struck it and burned brilliantly, Soren actually had to flinch away from the flash caused as it struck and the creature lost form for a moment, turning into a mist of darkness before reforming back into its usual shape. It seemed that these creatures were very vulnerable to that style of attack.

The retaliation from the spectral creatures came swiftly though, as the pack moved in, Nath now very surrounded and harassed from all sides and Satuma also under attack from two directions. Unable to be everywhere at once, or more accurately be nowhere at this given moment, Satuma ducks and dodges bites and attempts to claw at her, but does suffer a nasty bite from the creature. Nath fared far worse, taking a bite and a pair of claw attacks from the three assaulting him, but Soren manages to avoid the violent response from the creature he wounded. Satuma fires off another pair of fire bolts at point blank, trying to defend herself, but only one manages to impact the creature, wounding it further, but not nearly enough to defeat it.

"Get out of the way, boy!" a shout from the professor is heard. Caught in close combat and unable to take the focus needed to cast from his tome and with nowhere to move, he snaps at Goron, who was still torn by indecision and not dealing well with another fight. This does, however, seem to provoke a response, "Yes Professor!" he declares boldly, and moving behind Azalia, rushes over to try and assist Satuma on the right flank. Unfortunately, his skill with a blade proved no better than previously, and he almost managed to get the blade caught in the stone as she swung wildly, the beast easily evading his strike.

The vampyre upon high ground points his sword at Soren again, firing another magical bolt of energy from it, however much like the previous one, Soren is able to defend himself from it as his mental defences prove up to the task. Following Sorens lead and switching over to light magic, despite her natural lack of proficiency with it, Azalia fires a pair of bolts at the creatures around Nath. The first bolt strikes the one she had fired on previously and in a flash, the creature is no more, the wispy remains quickly dissipating. The second blast is then aimed at the one next to it, who is wounded in a similar manner to the one struck by Soren earlier.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: The Ill-Portented Expedition (crossgrave, blueslime, chibi)

Even through the blinding pain of a second bite, Satuma noticed that the light magic was very effective against these creatures. She'd studied light magic enough to know how to channel it into beams of holy energy, so she switched her tactics and fired two shots of light magic, one against the creature that she'd previously hit with two fire blasts, and another against the new opponent that had appeared next to her last round.

(Light magic attacks x2, one at Fel1, the other at Fel4)

 

[Incubus]

Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)

The elven woman gives a sly smile, "As long as you don't do anything foolish, you're always welcome to visit for tea," she replies, dropping a slight wink. "I suppose its in my interests to see you through your business as quickly as possible then..."

To his next question, she gave a soft chuckle. "Honey, we're a small village, I know everyone here. Seems like a nice enough sort, if a little serious at times. We all have our paths that we walk and our chosen disciplines, but how into it we elves get does vary; I'm more interested in the spiritual aspect of it, but Norris... he seems to want to be a soldier. I don't mean like, the militia, I mean a proper soldier, uniform and all. He's got one of those fancy new boomsticks from a trader when he travelled into town a few years back with some traders and spent years practising with it. Must have cost him a fortune to keep buying all that powder it needs to work, I think. But if it makes him happy and he feels like its his place in the world, who am I to judge?"

 

[Chibichibi]

Re: The Ill-Portented Expedition (crossgrave, blueslime, chibi)

Soren, pleased by his results, fires off two blasts of light magic at the creature in front of him. If it is defeated by the first blast he aims the second bolt at the Vampyre again.

((two light attacks at Rel5/one at vampire if Rel5 is destroyed by the first blow.))

 

[Copper]

Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)

The corner of his mouth quirks up in a little grin, especially at her wink. 'Foolishness,' as she put it, was something he was hoping to avoid. As she talks about the other elf, he's quiet, taking in her description of him. He expected the first part, using that to his advantage as far as directing further questions. "You're simply neighbors, then? Not blood or kin in some way?" It seems a natural question, no prying and he's not insinuating anything with it, either. He'll continue on with the conversation as well, asking a little more about the other elf. "He's the only one with one of them, too, I hear." He smiles a little. "Quite the admirable path." His brows arch slightly in curiosity. "Does he have anyone else that cares to walk it with him?" Despite the situation, Atair could at least admire the elf for his want to enlist. To him, it was an admirable goal, a little voice nagging in the back of his mind that hoped this business here wouldn't sully that in any way.

 

[Incubus]

Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)

"Oh, I'm sure if you looked back a few generations we're in some way blood related," she replies with a slight shrug. "But not particularly, no," she answered.

She considered the other question. "No one quite to that extreme. Many of the other militia take the job very seriously, but it's more about protecting the village than anything else. We used to only have under a half dozen in it, other than if some bandits tried to target our village, but recent events have seen the numbers swell," she explained with a frown. "I just think most of them want to save their homes and families."

 

[Copper]

Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)

Atair did his best to hold back his frown, given that there was a chance this conversation could start to go poorly if he weren't careful with his choices in words. "Such is the wish of us all, Mistress," he says with a faint smile, given her statement about protecting home and family. It was why he'd left his, after all. And why he was taking the time to get to the bottom of what had happened here.

"You didn't happen to see Norris earlier today, did you, Mistress? Perhaps after he started his time on watch?" The question was neutral enough, he felt. No accusation of any sort. Again, simple curiosity.

 

[Incubus]

Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)

Moyra made an odd expression, a sort of mix of confusion and concern. "Is he in trouble for something?" she asks, genuinely seeming concerned. "I might have seen him, maybe. I don't really pay much attention to the watch unless something happens these days, it's all been a little over the top and overzealous for my liking. I can understand they want to keep us all safe and things haven't been as good as they were previously, but parading around the place isn't really going to fix anything, is it?"

"If you wanted to ask about Norris, you're not really talking to the right person," she added with a sly smirk. "You could speak to his family or the other watchmen, certainly enough of them loitering around," she added the last part dryly and a little more loudly, which did incite a some rather guilty shuffling away; not far, but a little further back from her. "So what about me caught your eye, hrm~?"

 

[Copper]

Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)

Atair almost has to hold in a laugh at the sound of the watchman, or whomever it might be, slinking away from Moyra. Not that he blamed them, but it was just amusing in general. At her question, he bows his head some, deciding that being honest with her might be best. "There was an incident earlier that he is believed to have been involved with." Given the turn in the conversation, he bends down and gently drapes the garment he'd been fussing with into the basket. It's not folded as perfectly as hers, but it's an honest attempt. "I'm asking around so that it might be settled without too much ire on either side." Now that he isn't holding anything in his hands, he brings one up, fiddling with the stone around his neck briefly before catching himself and dropping his hands to his sides again. "I came to you because there was another person seen with him who could have been taken for you, given the glimpse was done briefly, from a distance." His expression is almost apologetic. "I've no wish to point fingers or cast accusations about, so I thought I might try talking things over first."

 

[Incubus]

Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)

The woman lets out a slight sigh. "I suppose that'll teach me for asking, the truth rarely lives up to fantasy," she says in a melancholy fashion. "Well, I've been around here all morning, first washing my clothing and now, as you can see, hanging it out to dry. I don't really know what happened, other than hearing a lot of yelling and hoohah earlier and I somehow assume your friends over there are in the heart of things," she says, motioning to the pair of sirens.

"My invitation for tea still stands, though. Any other questions, or are you back to work now?" she asks.

 

[Copper]

Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)

"A most unfortunate fact, Mistress." The smile he gives her is a little lopsided, perhaps almost melancholy in itself. He'll turn to look at the sirens as she indicates them, then puts his attention back to her. "I'm afraid so. And with the recent troubles, finding out what happened may keep things from getting worse." His smile lightens a little as she comments about coming around for tea still. "Many thanks for that, Mistress. Hopefully I'll be able to take you up on it soon." He gives her a slight bow, a bit from the waist, so it's cordial. "That's all I can think of at the moment. Hopefully I shouldn't have to interrupt you again, at least not for such serious matters." Giving her another bow, he'll take a step back before turning and moving to join the two merfolk once again, his expression a little wry and his voice low enough to not carry back.

"No connection to him, so she says. And also that she's been at her laundry all morning. Shall we move on? Find another to ask? Or was there more you wished to know?"

 

[cross_grave]

Re: The Ill-Portented Expedition (crossgrave, blueslime, chibi)

"Dammit!" Azalia was pleased that Goron joined the fight. It seemed that the professor, though unintentionally, finally managed to be of some use. However, both Nath and Satuma were taking a beating. Switching tactics, the sorceress decided to support her allies, before they were overwhelmed. Nath in particular was in big trouble...

((Support magic: water on Nath, twice))

 

[Incubus]

Re: The Ill-Portented Expedition (crossgrave, blueslime, chibi)

((Battle Map:

Spoiler

The light grey squares are difficult terrain, due to the rubble. Movement there costs 1 AP for 1 square rather than the usual. You can still get 1 free square of movement. The dark grey is impassible. And the square the vampire is in is elevated, melee attacks cannot strike it.

Status:

Spoiler

              HP      WP     SP   Effects
Satuma      14/24   16/16   6/6
Azalia	    28/28   17/17   8/8
Soren       26/28   17/17   8/8

Turn Order:

Spoiler

28 - Nath
24 - Soren
15 - Fel Spirits
14 - Satuma
12 - Prof. Jontus
12 - Goron
12 - Vampyre
10 - Azalia

You know the drill by now))

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

Following up on the earlier attacks, Nath delivers a pair of blows against one of the beast surrounding him, causing it to dissipate, the creatures numbers thinning. Soren likewise fires a pair of blasts at the beast before him, the first one missing but the second delivering another searing blow to the light vulnerable creatures.

Still, the beasts continue fighting on, indifferent to the losses they're taking, with Nath receiving another vicious bite and clawing from one, as Soren and Satuma both find themselves clawed by the shadowy beings also (2 damage each)

Counter-attacking, Satuma blasts a bolt of light at the one she had been concentrating on, wounding it and driving it back slightly, before whirling to blast at another, but missing with the second attack. The professor slips back out of the frontlines, and now able to focus, launches a powerful bolt of electricity at the vampyre, clearly wounding it and getting its attention.

Goron strikes again at the recently wounded creature on Satuma's flank, his sword blow this time striking true and causing the beast to dissipate. Meanwhile, upon his elevated position, the vampyres turns his gaze to the professor, launching a bolt of energy down the sword once more which strikes the professor, causing him to utter a curse back. Finally, Azalia provides some healing magic to Nath, healing the wounds of the veteran so that he is not overcome and seeing him fight back with renewed vigour.

 

[cross_grave]

Re: The Ill-Portented Expedition (crossgrave, blueslime, chibi)

Safe behind the backs of her friends, Azalia watched the number of enemies decrease. It seemed that others could probably handle those monsters well enough. Deciding to focus on keeping others in the fight, at least for now, Azalia turned her attention towards Satuma.

((Support water magic on Satuma, twice))

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: The Ill-Portented Expedition (crossgrave, blueslime, chibi)

It seemed that light magic was indeed the ticket... Satuma continued to lash out with the dazzling beams of light, striking at the Fel spirit that was still clawing her incessantly. Still on full attack, Satuma trusted in overwhelming force to drop these spirits before they suffered too much damage.

(Attack Fel4 twice with light magic. Pew pew.)

 

[Incubus]

Spending Exp:

Spending Exp

Obviously, characters gain experience as they take part in battles and other events throughout Vira. Or by pleasing the GM in some manner, there are many ways. But what exp is actually used for is a different matter. The two ways to spent exp at present are as follows:

Mastering Abilities

For the greatest longterm benefit exp can be spent on learning abilities, skills and special attacks from weapons. Each trait on a weapon has a pre-requisite to master, in order to intrinsically learn the technique or magic bestowed upon the item. Once this has been met, one is able to spend experience to learn the skill, ability or special attack and use it when wielding other weapons, rather than being bound to wielding a specific one to receive a certain power.

The only restriction is special attacks, the most common thing able to be learned, can only be executed with the same kind of weapon. Which makes sense, an archery technique isn't amazingly useful if you happen to be wielding a sword at the time.

The mastery costs in exp are based on level, level 1 abilities cost 10exp, level 2 abilities cost 20exp, and level 3 abilities cost 30exp to learn.

Altering Fate

It's a crucial moment in the fight for your life and everything depends on your next roll. If things feel a little too dicey, you can take advantage of your experience to ensure things go your way. Altering Fate is something you can do to give yourself a once-off bonus on a specific roll. It can be expensive and is perhaps best used as an act of desperation for when you really need that big attack to hit.

The cost for altering fate as as follows:

Experience Spent: Bonus on Roll

1 exp: +1 to roll
2 exp: +d2 to roll
3 exp: +d3 to roll
4 exp: +d3+1 to roll
5 exp: +d4+1 to roll
6 exp: +d4+2 to roll
7 exp: +d6+2 to roll
8 exp: +d8+3 to roll
9 exp: +d8+5 to roll
10 exp: +d10+5 to roll.

 

[GargantuaBlarg]

Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)

The bag that held Keti's gardening tools and slate weighed down on Keti's shoulder, and the basket of shards on his arm. His eyes kept flicking toward the men surrounding him - all prepared to draw their weapons at the drop of a hat - as he tried to simultaneously keep an eye on the N- on Atair. Nae's wing curled around him, and though he found some small comfort in her contact, he also worried that she might not be able to avoid injury, should worse come to worse. He almost expected one of them to rush Nae and himself at any moment, perhaps a glint of sun off metal the last thing he'd ever see. With all that he was carrying, it would be even harder to avoid an attack. Unnoticed, his grip tightened on Nae's arm, and a bead of sweat not from the overhead sun rolled down his face.

And try as he might, Keti couldn't help but notice that while they were surrounded by hostile, armed men, Atair was helping a woman with her laundry.

---

"No connection to him, so she says. And also that she's been at her laundry all morning. Shall we move on? Find another to ask? Or was there more you wished to know?"

Keti pursed is lips. Was that it? She'd seemed relatively calm and harmless from what he'd seen as he'd watched the pair... but hadn't she been in the crowd of militia that had come out to meet them when they came down?

After a moment's hesitation, he wrote on the slate without taking it from the bag it sat in, already sticking half-out as it was, the glass clinking in the basket as the arm it hung off moved.

You sure?

Keti would follow it with a suggestion to speak to the militiaman, next, rubbing the writing out with a thumb before spelling it out.

 

[Copper]

Re: An Ancient Compact (Farren, Gargantuablarg, Copper)

Atair gave him a crooked grin. "No, not really, but I can't exactly start throwing accusations around without more proof. It'll raise too much ire and the moment one person raises their voice..." He shakes his head slightly. "They're going to protect their own. Unless we manage to find something irrefutable, something that puts them out with Norris, they can make any claim they want and the others are going to believe them over us, even if they know it's a lie. Not all of them might, but enough likely will that it won't be good for the two of you. Maybe even myself." He sighs, gaze picking up to meet Keti's. "I am not dismissing her simply because she says so. In fact, there was something..." He trails off, a look of recollection playing over his features for the moment. "She said something that perked my interest. Something about being more spiritually inclined than military. Could have just been a passing remark or it could have meant more. Why don't we talk to our militiaman and if you want me to question her more, we'll come back under pretense of...something in that conversation sparking another question."