Heroes for Hire (Courage Wolf and GargantuaBlarg)

[Hafnium]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Finally, she was in the melee! Twenty of the soldiers rushed to meet her and none could even begin to do anything to her. Some swings were stopped outright by her aura, unable to progress into the unholy shadows. More were stopped by her shield. The remainder met her armor and halted, unable to muster enough power to do harm against the steel and the magically enhanced vampire behind it. In the end, there was no need to dodge against such poorly trained peasants, she did it entirely out of habit. All the while, Aurelia quivered in delight beneath her armor. This was what made her feel alive! To feel the adrenaline pumping through her unholy flesh. To raise her sword and snuff out the rabble!

The deathknight took a deep breath, savoring every part of the combat. The smell of blood and death was already becoming heavy in the air, thanks to the efforts of Huldah and the archers. Blood, she remembered, its scent was so intoxicating. How long had it been since she had been able to drink her fill? "Ah, from here I can smell your essences, just waiting to be released in one way or another..." Her voice rung out from within her greathelm, echoing from the metal confines. Did they understand? The Korort daughter did not care. They would all be dead before long, anyway. She could feel the blood lust overtaking her. Aurelia became lax, she knew she should have been killing and not talking, but she couldn't help herself but to taunt those who might soon be counted among her meals. "How many centuries has it been, I wonder, since I've been able to scratch these particular itches? I think I have a lot of catching up to do..." By that point she was speaking to nobody in particular. The armored woman offered a short glance behind her, to see how close the others were to her, then turned her full attention back on the mob.

The vampire raised her sword straight into the air with violent intent. Dark energy flooded into it as she considered the specifics of how to dispatch the group before her. Those specifics would end up depending much on what else occurred.

Spoiler

Aurelia will do one of three things, depending on how stuff plays out.

If no allies are within range of Life Leech and the enemies within range aren't fleeing by the time she is able to, then do this
Aurelia will drop her Nightmarish Image and use a whopping 25 EP Life Leech, with 2:2 defensive fighting.

This will cost a total of 41 EP and 16 HP, as her spirit ceiling is 9
+50 to hit (She has Bladesinger and 52 Body). 20 foot range.
It will deal (1d8 + 1)*25 damage, restoring 50 HP for every target hit.
Aurelia's applicable stats with this option: 11 Speed, 62 Dodge, 19 Armor, 26 Resistance, 23 Perception, -1 Stealth, 52 Grapple.

If allies are within range of Life Leech and the enemies within melee range of her aren't fleeing by the time she is able to, then do this.
Aurelia will maintain her Nightmarish Image for 9 EP and use Defensive Fighting in order to tank ALL of the things.

Aurelia gains an attack on any target within range that misses her. (I'm pretty sure it's just the one, in which case she'll use the side sword, but in case she does get a second then the shield is listed below as well).
Side Sword Attack and Damage is (with buff): (55) 2d6 + 62
Shield Attack and Damage is (with buff): (55) 3d6 + 53
Aurelia's applicable stats after buff with this option: 11 Speed, 103 Dodge, 19 Armor, 59 Resistance, 23 Perception, -1 Stealth, 52 Grapple.
Taking 1s on her Terrify Roll, making it a 55 + Damage Done*10 resistance check.

If the hostile soldiers have already failed two terrify checks caused by Huldah's action by the time Aurelia takes her turn, then do this.
Aurelia will maintain Nightmarish Image and move forward in the general direction of the enemy casters before casting a 11 EP Animate (using the binding option) in order to grapple any hostile female Gemini (i.e. not Huldah) in range.

X = 11, which will put Aurelia at 11 EP over her spirit ceiling. This means that total cost (Nightmarish Image included) with this option would be 31 EP and 11 HP.
The target will have to beat a grapple of 1d20 + 66 or gain the bound status.
For RP purposes: it will be a hand that grabs unlucky Shadowmere breeding assistant #1. A hand made out of SAND!
Aurelia's applicable stats after buff with this option: 11 Speed, 93 Dodge, 19 Armor, 59 Resistance, 23 Perception, -1 Stealth, 52 Grapple.

Cheat Sheet

Spoiler

When dealing HP damage: On a killing blow she makes a 21 + (Damage done/10)*Tier vs enemy resistance check against all opponents within 30 feet and in line of sight of her. If they fail they're unable to attack that round. If they fail twice they retreat or surrender.
When taking HP damage: 16 of her AV is due to Splint Mail, which has a DU of 6 and a TP of 50. She reduces damage dealt by /4 after armor due to her vampire mutation.

When dealing PP damage: She deals an additional +6 PP damage during penetrative sex due to Tight x3.
When taking PP Damage: She takes an additional +12 PP damage from Sensitive x3. She also has 5 fetishes (Helplessness, Submission, Dominance, Multiple Partners, Bondage) but I'm not really sure how to list them here. >.>
Has Fertile (Pregnant on roll of 2 or more)

When taking EP damage: She takes an additional +4 EP damage from Open Soul.

She has foul aura, NPCs are more likely to distrust her.

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Kor looked at Hulda, who seemed quite annoyed. Kor was just happy she was still alive, but maybe he had overreacted when he had felt the presence of other mages, Regardless he would not apologize and those flea-ridden excuses for mages were about to get theres.
Stepping from around the wall Kor took aim at the largest bundle of gemini cultists he could see and gave them a taste of his own power...

Spoiler

Greater Missile Storm X2 (1d6+1+Mind/8) = [(1d6+1+{17*4}) *2] Cleaner less annoying math is 2d6+2+136 (Ball) on the Enemy casters.

*Note, Greater Missile Storm Autohits and deals damage as one spell level lower, But Focus Arcane brings the damage back up to 4th level if you were curious

 

[GargantuaBlarg]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

"You! Heal her!" Solidyn shouted at the fey she had just summoned, pointing with one dagger-like finger at Huldah.

With that taken care of, she called back over her shoulder at the kobolds scuttling around on top of her. "Alright! Everyone hang on, we're goin' up! If you fall off, go in through the gate and stay behind those two - no point gettin' yerselves killed!"

She gave them a moment set themselves, and then took off, charging towards the fortress wall. She didn't slow down, almost looking as if she were going to try and batter a hole through it... and with the amount of metal she was slinging, it might have even looked possible. Instead, at the last moment, she jumped, impacting the wall with her underside, each of her eight legs clinging clinging desperately to whatever purchase it could find, while her weight shook dust from the wall. Giving her crew a second to steady themselves again, she started up the wall, plating clanking.

Spoiler

Charge yon wall, prepare to run uppit!

Speed = 8, x4 for 32 feet.

Final stats (with +15 to dodge and res due to buff)
Dodge: 70
Armor: 28
Perception: 13
Resistance: 48
A bonus of +9 VS Prone and +5 VS Stun or involuntary movement, also.
Vroom vroom Imma vacuum.

Oh, also, my status thing hasn't changed from last turn. If I'm mathing correctly, I should have
Solidyn-Nolu: HP = 57/60, PP = 50, EP = 58/80, Status = Fine, Blessing X = 5
now - 14 EP & 3 HP for overcasting last turn, and then 3 EP for the blessing upkeep this turn.

 

[Tiffanian]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Zahra jumped up and launched five arrows at the Gemini on the walls, each one hitting its mark, four more of the enemy tumbling off the wall dead. She didn't take the time to admire her handiwork, ducking down again quickly afterwards. Even so one of the Gemini nearly managed to shoot her again, a bullet whizzing past her ear, which was still bleeding slightly and throbbing with pain. The Su-Ku-Ta allowed herself to wait only a few moments, not wanting to let them reload this time, and fired off 5 quick arrows at the remaining six enemies along the wall. Just a little bit more and her first part in this job would be done...

Spoiler

Rapid Shot with Defensive Fighting (10)
32 to-hit, 2d8 + 34 damage on 5 shots aimed at the riflemen on the walls. +10 to dodge.

Oh lawd, I hope I don't die.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Spoiler

Huldah: HP = 58, PP = 33, EP = 33, Status = Fine, Force Armor +66 AV (from Kor)
Kor'Ensiloth: HP = 68, PP = 78, EP = 59/89, Status = Fine, Haste, +66 Mind from Arcane Apotheosis, Force Armor (on Huldah)
Zahra: HP = 18/54, PP = 40, EP = 38, Status = Injured
Solidyn-Nolu: HP = 57/60, PP = 50, EP = 55/80, Status = Fine, Blessing X = 5
Aurelia Korort: HP = 104, PP = 43, EP = 33/105, Status = Fine

Rolls

Spoiler

Alright, lets just keep this up here:
Kor's upkeep = 5 EP.
Solidyn's upkeep = 3 EP.
Aurelia's upkeep = 9 EP.


Aurelia fills the air around her with death! Spends an additional 41 EP and 16 HP.
Attack: Hit.
Damage: 7 + 1 = 8 * 25 = 200 damage. She regains.... And ungodly amount of HP, as she instagibs 20 tentacle people.


Solidyn moves forward, 32 movement vs 26 feet, she gets to the wall and gets 6 feet up. She's now got another 24 feet to the top of the wall.
Kobolds holding on: Everybody holds on.


Huldah strikes back!
Attack: Hit!
Damage: 5 + 4 + 48 - 4 = 53 * 2 - 106 damage.
Cleave: Also Hit!
Damage: 6 + 3 + 48 - 10 - 4 = 43 * 2 = 86 damage.
Cleave: Hit.
Damage: 1 + 8 + 48 - 20 - 4 = 33 * 2 = 66 damage.
Cleave: Miss!
Triple kill!
Terrify: The last one flees toward the desert.


Kor uses magic to do magical things!
Casting: Success.
Attack: Automatic hits.
Damage: 6 + 1 + 17 + 2 = 26 * 4 = 104 damage. Half damage on the slime = 52 damage.


Attacks (Zahra) : 3 out of 5 hits.
Damage: 6 + 5 + 34 - 4 = 40 damage per shot. 2 more kill.


Snipers finally attack again!
Attack: 3 Hits.
Damage: 7 + 8 + 7 + 1 + 1 - 4 = 20 damage per shot.
1 kill total.


The satyr's shoot back!
Attacks: 5 Hits!
Damage: 8 + 2 + 15 = 25 - 4 = 21 damage per shot.
3 more kills, one wounded!

Casting (Sorc) : Success!
Healing: 4 + 6 + 6 + 2 = 18 * 3 = 54 HP restored.

The wall has been cleared!
3 of the 4 gemini who rushed Huldah are dead, and the 20 in the courtyard have vanished.

Perception (Huldah, Aurelia and Kor) : Nobody notices.

Casting (Slime) : Success!
Attack: Miss.

Huldah slammed her greatclub into the nearest of the gemini, literally tearing the thing's head from its shoulders and sending its head careening into the wall. Her swing kept on going, smashing with savage power into the next of the corrupted su-ku-ta and hurtling it against one of its comrades. Both smashed into the wall with bone crunching force, and then collapsed to the ground unmoving, either dead or unconscious. The last of them promptly turned threw up her hands, turned, and started sprinting away into the desert. They hadn't gotten far just yet, and they were running right past their lines and their supply wagons, but escape was quite clearly the first thought on their mind. Kor paid the fleeing slave little heed, instead turning around the corner of the wall and getting a first hand view of what Aurelia was capable of.

Tendrils of blackness slid out from the vampire, darkening the very air around her and piercing into the hearts of the once-catfolk. The gemini had surrounded her in an attempt to find a weakness in her near impenetrable defenses, and that allowed her to take all of them at once, save those six that had fled past the mages and into the safety of the building behind them. Each of them shivered as their life essences were siphoned away, restoring Aurelia's physical strength and reducing the lot of them to withered husks. Twenty dry, lifeless corpses fell to the ground, leaving the courtyard practically empty.

That also gave Kor a perfect shot at the mages, and as Huldah spun around the corner she watched as a storm of violet bolts exploded out from Kor's outstretched hands, and the gemini mages fell (literally) to pieces under the powerful magical assault. Bolts pierced through the slime as well, but even though sizable chunks of the thing had been torn from it the slime was still standing, and this time it aimed for Kor is response. A ray of piercing rainbow light suddenly streaked out from the thing, but Kor's magically heightened reflexes allowed him to narrowly avoid the spell, which tore a line in the sand dunes behind them.

Back outside, Solidyn charged the wall and then leaped at it, after hitting it with an impact that sent chunks of rubble and a cloud of dust falling from the stone, her heavy form slid down for a moment before her legs caught on. The kobolds, including Ur-Wind, had no trouble in clinging to her armor, and laughed heartily as she began to trundle up the wall.

Corpses fell, filled with arrows and finally a few bullets from the snipers as Zehra picked off a few more of the gemini, and the satyrs and the snipers killed the rest. The last six of the defenders of the wall had fallen, and now the wall was clear. Things looked to be going pretty well so far, despite the handful of injuries some had sustained so far, and the fey sorceress that Solidyn had summoned followed Huldah cautiously into the courtyard and laid a healing hand upon her shoulder.

Spoiler

Current number of allies:

Ur-Wind Ramel
12 kobold gunners
9 satyr scouts, 4 of whom are injured
10 gruff thugs
Bob the Quartermaster. He also does stand up. And cooks.
3 Su-Ku-Ta snipers, one of whom is injured

Kobolds Gunners have Blessing, X = 5


Current enemies in the courtyard:
7 fleeing gemini soldiers
1 dark slime, taken 52 damage

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Kor watched in stunned fascination as Aurelia literally sucked the essence from all the foes around her, turning them into so much offal. and was quite happy when his own barrage measured up quite nicely and the sound of his magic, his song, almost returned to normal. Right up until a beam made him dodge out of the way and the slime made his shit list. Snorting and raising both of his hands he began to whistle a fairly common tune, the current of power whipping around him as he struck again at his enemy...

Spoiler

Eldritch Blast (2d4)*4+(88) (Ignores AV) Target Slime
Greater Counterspell (Just in Case)

 

[Hafnium]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

A satisfied giggle echoed from the death knight's helmet as the last gemini fell to the ground, depleted. "This will tide me over until I can get my hands on a proper meal," she noted aloud, speaking to herself. The ashen woman admired her handiwork, drunk with the pleasure of literally stealing the life from her former opponents. They were scattered in the sands around her, mere fragments of what they were, their drained appearance causing them to look like so many unwrapped mummies.

Of the dead, there was one in particular that amused her. One had died with his hand outstretched toward her, laying face down in the sand. It looked like a plea for mercy, she thought. Aurelia smiled dangerously at the sight from behind her helmet. He should have considered that before attacking his better. The body was paid little more heed as she began a leisurely march toward the tower. The arrogant half-vampire did take the time to stomp on his outstretched hand, crushing the now-brittle flesh and bone underneath her boot, before she continued.

A few steps later and the knight stopped. "Ah, I almost forgot. As part of this glorious return, I'll need a new squire." Her greathelm swiveled slightly as she looked at the bodies, trying to pick the most preserved one. Seconds later and she would settle on one of the male gemini with all of his limbs intact. "I have use for you," she intoned as she pointed her side sword at the corpse. A tendril of dark energy crept toward it, grabbing hold of its chest. The half-vampire could feel her influence taking root in its core, filling its veins with her energy and beckoning it to move again by her command.

As soon as the body began to stir, she lowered her sword and continued her leisurely walk toward the tower. Her undead squire would catch up, once the soulless husk had oriented itself with the land of the living. It wasn't as if she would require its sword-arm, anyway, the battle for the courtyard looked close to over with her fellow half-vampire holding a mage's duel with the slime.

Spoiler

Aurelia animates one of the gemini she murdered and continues moving to the tower.

Costs 6 EP. The corpse retains its previous Body stat, but its Mind and Spirit drop to 0, and it loses all spells, powers and special abilities that it had in life.

Aurelia's applicable stats: 11 Speed, 60 Dodge, 19 Armor, 26 Resistance, 23 Perception, -1 Stealth, 52 Grapple.

Cheat Sheet

Spoiler

When dealing HP damage: On a killing blow she makes a 21 + (Damage done/10)*Tier vs enemy resistance check against all opponents within 30 feet and in line of sight of her. If they fail they're unable to attack that round. If they fail twice they retreat or surrender.
When taking HP damage: 16 of her AV is due to Splint Mail, which has a DU of 6 and a TP of 50. She reduces damage dealt by /4 after armor due to her vampire mutation.

When dealing PP damage: She deals an additional +6 PP damage during penetrative sex due to Tight x3.
When taking PP Damage: She takes an additional +12 PP damage from Sensitive x3. She also has 5 fetishes but I'm not really sure how to list them here. >.>
Has Fertile (Pregnant on roll of 2 or more)

When taking EP damage: She takes an additional +4 EP damage from Open Soul.

She has foul aura, NPCs are more likely to distrust her.

 

[GargantuaBlarg]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Solidyn rattled her way up the wall, hearing vaguely the pop of gunshots sounding behind her. An enemy tumbled a few feet to her side, his front sprouting arrows like they were mushrooms coming out of the dark soil in her native jungle home. Arrows... none of them used arrows. Except one of the resistance members that had joined them, to help out. Well, at least she could pull her weight in a fight.

The arachne felt a grin growing as she neared the top... and when she was about to crest it, cried out to the enemy on top. "Heeeeeere's Solly!" They were fucked now!

...But as it turned out, she was late to the party, and every one of them was already dead - practically all of them sporting a brace of arrows in them. She turned her head to look each way... but couldn't see any left. And down in the courtyard - a veritable platoon of emaciated corpses in the courtyard were laying in a ring, that knight they'd picked up stomping through them. And a huge swarm of tiny sparks, flying from the gate to blast the two mages off further in...

"Damn it!" Solidyn yelled in frustration, smacking a fist against the parapet. "Who the hell do I kill now?!"

Just what the hell kind of people had they picked up?! Ugh... nevermind. She supposed it was a good thing - for one, she wasn't fighting them. That they killed stuff so well meant that she would have to work less, too, and while she might not get the satisfaction of tearing through some platoons herself, in the end, the pay was going to be just as good. At any rate, there were more important things to worry about now.

Solidyn looked over the side, trying to take some sort of command of the situation. She thought she spotted the archer... yes, that was her. She looked pretty bad... it looked like they'd gotten her arm, too. That was bad - how was she going to shoot with just one arm?

"HEY!" The behemoth called over the wall's side. What was she supposed to call these fey again...? Bah, she couldn't remember. "HEY HEAL FAIRY! FIX HER NOW!" she yelled, pointing vaguely in the golden catgirl's direction. That ooze was still there - but if given how quickly everything else had died, she wasn't really worried at all.

Spoiler

Have yon Sorceress go for Zahra now. Healan!

Meanwhile, Spidertank will sprint to the top, and then pout because there's no one to throw off. :<

Upkeep: 3 EP/turn

Final stats (with +15 to dodge and res due to buff)
Dodge: 70
Armor: 28
Perception: 13
Speed: 8
Resistance: 48
A bonus of +9 VS Prone and +5 VS Stun or involuntary movement, also.

Also my post's lines go 3-1-3-1-3-2-2 on my screen. That's kinda neat.

 

[Tiffanian]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Of Zahra's last five arrows, only three hit, killing one more of the Gemini shooting at them from the wall. "Damn it" she muttered, annoyed with herself for missing those shots. She would have to practice more, harder, so she wouldn't waste arrows in the future. Her quiver was already almost two-thirds empty. Of course, just before she ducked back behind the rubble the Su-Ku-Ta and Satyr gunners opened fire, finishing off the last five Gemini along the walls.

Well, at least that part is done. Should I move up to the courtyard and help the others with the attack, or go back and get more arrows? If I go back for more supplies, the fight may well be over before I get back she thought as she watched Solidyn reach the wall and begin to climb up it. It was sort of a bizarre sight for one who had never seen an arachne before, but Zahra paid it no mind nonetheless. She was snapped out of her thoughts as she heard the giant spider yell out to a member of the fae whom she had summoned, telling her to heal the catgirl. It made Zahra remember the wounds she had suffered, to her arm and her ear, the pain still there, but not severe enough to hinder her just yet. Another source of annoyance for her; she had already forced the company to divert resources to babysit her.

It was then that she saw a panicked Gemini who had once been a female Su-Ku-Ta fleeing out of the fortress, running for its life from the three of them who had been sent in. Hers. Not its, hers. For a moment Huldah popped into her mind, the image of her finding the former human face-down on a city street, and rescuing her. She had been salvageable, her mind having returned to her after the alien controlling her died. Maybe this one was salvageable as well...

It was also headed straight for their supply wagons, where the noncombat personnel were. Zahra pulled an arrow silently from her quiver and notched it, aiming carefully. Even if it could be saved... she, not it! Even if she could be saved, Zahra wouldn't be able to forgive herself if she allowed it to cause havoc behind their lines, and potentially kill their support personnel. With careful aim the catgirl shot her arrow between the fleeing Gemini's eyes, the shaft piercing her skull and dropping her instantly.

With that taken care of, Zahra looked for the fae who was to heal her, and began to run towards her, keeping herself relatively low to the ground and moving towards and then along the edge of the wall, to keep herself visible to as few angles as possible.

Spoiler

26 speed lololol

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Huldah charged back around the wall to find... Everything all dead and lifeless, in like five seconds flat. She couldn't decide which of the vampires to glare at, but decided on neither, as Kor's spell pointed out to her that the slime was still alive. Directing her attention at it and hefting her club, she glared at it instead, letting out a bit of a yell as she got closer, swinging for the center of the amorphous blob, hoping to shake it up enough to disrupt whatever else it may be trying to do.

Spoiler

Stunning Strike! See if she can't knock it around some, make it easier for the others to finish off.
+57 to-hit, 2d8+48 damage.
Hit provokes Resistance check vs 33 or be stunned.

Current relevant stats:

Spoiler

Speed: 21

Dodge: 23
Armor: 72
Resistance: 33
Grapple: 62

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Spoiler

Huldah: HP = 58, PP = 33, EP = 33, Status = Fine, Force Armor +66 AV (from Kor)
Kor'Ensiloth: HP = 68, PP = 78, EP = 54/89, Status = Fine, Haste, +66 Mind from Arcane Apotheosis, Force Armor (on Huldah)
Zahra: HP = 54, PP = 40, EP = 38, Status = Fine
Solidyn-Nolu: HP = 57/60, PP = 50, EP = 52/80, Status = Fine, Blessing X = 5
Aurelia Korort: HP = 104, PP = 43, EP = 27/105, Status = Fine, Has 1 Zombie Minion

Rolls

Spoiler

Alright, lets just keep this up here:
Kor's upkeep = 5 EP.
Solidyn's upkeep = 3 EP.


Aurelia animates a servant! He only has 30 Body though. She then starts for the tower.


Solidyn moves to the top of the wall. The kobolds begin aiming the cannon at the floating monster thingy at the top!


Kor charges his laser.
Casting (Kor) : Success.
Damage: More than enough to finish it.


Huldah runs forward, but the slime is already dead.


Casting (Sorc) : Success!
Healing: 3 + 4 + 5 + 2 = 14 * 4 = 56 HP restored.

The dessicated corpse of one of the gemini rose up at Aurelia's call, its dead eyes watching Aurelia as she turned toward the tower. Now that she was closer, she saw that the strange energy field around it covered it completely, even blocking access to the door. Her undead slave started forward, following her.

Huldah, meanwhile, charged forward to strike at the slime, but Kor, not needing to move to attack, struck first. A ray of light lanced through its core, and the creature dissolved into the sands below.

The fairy glared up at Solidyn upon her orders, but shook her head and turned to see Zahra already moving toward her. She stretched out her hand and sent a bolt of green light slowly floating toward her, and when it touched her the archer felt felt her wounds heal immediately. Her shoulder no longer throbbed, and the whole in her ears was gone completely, the only hints of it the blood still sticking to her hair.

"Ready the main gun! We'll knock that monstrosity from the sky!" Ur-Wind shouted, and pointed toward the alien vessel hanging over the tower with his saber. His fellow kobolds quickly continued to reload and reorient the cannon on Solidyn's back, preparing to do just that, so their leader hopped off of the arachne and onto the wall to survey the carnage in the courtyard. "Aurelia! Huldah! See if you can't find anyone in the guard towers! Kor, see what you can do about that barrier!" Finally, the kobold turned toward those still outside the walls and shouted; "You lot! Get those supplies near the wall! We'll be moving in here and staying until our allies arrive!"

The satyrs were already moving back to help the Quartermaster do just that, getting their wagons moving not taking much work as they headed toward the destroyed gateway. The courtyard was clear except for the bodies, and they hadn't suffered so much as a single casualty so far.

Spoiler

Current number of allies:

Ur-Wind Ramel
12 kobold gunners
9 satyr scouts, 4 of whom are injured
10 gruff thugs
Bob the Quartermaster. He also does stand up. And cooks.
3 Su-Ku-Ta snipers, one of whom is injured

Kobolds Gunners have Blessing, X = 5


Current enemies in the courtyard:
None

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Huldah's charge slowed and stopped as Kor's magic lanced into it, finishing it off and causing the remains to melt into the sand. She turned to glare at the vampire for the second time today, but was distracted by Ur-Wind's shouts from the wall.

She looked around in confusion, pointing at each of the guard towers till the kobold leader told her which one he wanted her in, then charged for it, taking just long enough to see if the door was unlocked, busting it open with her club if it was. She knew Kor was spending energy on whatever spell the vampire was using on her, didn't want to waste more than was necessary. She stayed ready for an attack as she entered, just in case.

Spoiler

Speed: 21

Dodge: 33
Armor: 72
Resistance: 33
Grapple: 62

 

[Hafnium]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

"Ominous." The half-vampire had continued her newly found tradition of speaking to herself during the battle by stating the obvious about the tower. The death knight ventured a guess that she wasn't going to be able to brute force her way into the tentacle-bound structure. In the meantime, her new 'squire' had taken up a position behind her. Three steps behind and one step to the left, specifically. It was a perfect position for a lesser and he executed it perfectly. She knew he executed it perfectly because she had forced the undead pawn to do so. In life he had disrespected her by assuming too much of his heritage, in unlife he would not be allowed to do the same.

A call carrying the arrogant noblewoman's new orders rung out from the walls. They were from her commander, of course. The words caused her to sneer from beneath her greathelm. Filthy kobold. You might be my superior officer but that doesn't mean I have to like your informality. She took out her frustration entirely on the animated gemini instead of voicing it aloud. As a noble and a warrior, it was part of her role to never disobey, question, or insult, directly at least, her 'general'. One of her gauntleted hands came to grasp the bottom of her plate helmet, in a single motion pulling it off and pushing it into the undead slave's chest with such force that she nearly broke through the dessicated body's sternum.

"As my squire, your first task is to hold this. Stay behind me but do not follow me into the guard tower. And if you get even so much as a dent in it I'll flay you and use your skin as paper." The vocal threats and orders were entirely unnecessary. With her connection to the animated corpse, it already knew well what she wanted from it. Beyond that, it was hard to threaten something that was already dead. It boiled down to little more than an elaborate puppet show to vent some of the half-vampire's unlimited reserves of irritability. With her helmet off and a greater field of vision, she scanned the guard towers. Huldah had already gone sprinting off toward one of the options. The death knight didn't feel that her particular style of combat would mesh well with the violent whirlwinds that the freed gemini seemed prone to employing, so she narrowed it down to the others.

"Eenie, meenie, miney, moe..." Aurelia tracked the remaining options with her finger as she decided which guard tower to tackle in the most noble system of choice available. Once that was done, she was charging off to her new destination.

Spoiler

I'm...not entirely sure what guard towers are being discussed here. So, of the ones that Huldah isn't moving towards, choose one at random and Aurelia will enter it!

Her undead slave will follow to the entrance of the guard tower but wait outside.

Aurelia's applicable stats: 11 Speed, 60 Dodge, 19 Armor, 26 Resistance, 23 Perception, -1 Stealth, 52 Grapple.

Cheat Sheet

Spoiler

When dealing HP damage: On a killing blow she makes a 21 + (Damage done/10)*Tier vs enemy resistance check against all opponents within 30 feet and in line of sight of her. If they fail they're unable to attack that round. If they fail twice they retreat or surrender.
When taking HP damage: 16 of her AV is due to Splint Mail, which has a DU of 6 and a TP of 50. She reduces damage dealt by /4 after armor due to her vampire mutation.

When dealing PP damage: She deals an additional +6 PP damage during penetrative sex due to Tight x3.
When taking PP Damage: She takes an additional +12 PP damage from Sensitive x3. She also has 5 fetishes but I'm not really sure how to list them here. >.>
Has Fertile (Pregnant on roll of 2 or more)

When taking EP damage: She takes an additional +4 EP damage from Open Soul.

She has foul aura, NPCs are more likely to distrust her.

 

[GargantuaBlarg]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Solidyn tried not to sulk too overtly over the fact that she hadn't gotten to rip anything apart today. It was good that she hadn't gotten hurt... but still, she'd gotten herself all psyched up, and there wasn't anything left for her to tear into.

The giant steel-clad Arachne kicked a body out of the way and stomped on another, and then braced herself - it was rather unnecessary, but she might as well. Perhaps seeing the floating mass of tentacles they had up in the air explode and drop dead would make her feel better? She raised her head and flipped open her visor, to get a better look at it's impending doom.

Spoiler

Idlan, Sorceress is free to muck about as she pleases.

Upkeep: 3 EP/turn

Final stats (with +15 to dodge and res due to buff)
Dodge: 70
Armor: 28
Perception: 13
Speed: 8
Resistance: 48
A bonus of +9 VS Prone and +5 VS Stun or involuntary movement, also

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Kor had his orders, deal with the barrier, He liked barriers. They represented the thoughts and intricacies of his enemies and it was a singular joy pulling them apart and casting them aside like so much useless debris. Looking at the offending problem Kor decided that if haste was required then he would have to move through trial and error. Pulling his shoulders back he marshalled another strike and tried to see if brute force would get him through.

Spoiler

Greater Dispel VS. Barrier Kor's current resistance is 67

 

[Tiffanian]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Zahra didn't have to wait long for the summoned fae to send a bolt of green light slowly floating towards her. As the light washed over her body she felt her wounds heal, the hole in her ear closing immediately. The wound in her arm was a little less instantaneously, as she felt the bullet lodged in her flesh swiftly pulled out of her, the wound closing up behind it. As the bullet finally slipped out of her arm Zahra caught it, slipping it into a pocket. "Thanks" she called out to the fae, a slow deliberateness about the way she said the word. She couldn't help but wish that the other groups she had been with had had access to that sort of healing magic on a more regular basis. Maybe if they had she would have a few more friends than she did currently...

It was around that time that the Su-Ku-Ta heard her commanding officer yell out to her and the rest of those outside the wall to go and pick up the supplies they were to carry into the fortress, which was to be their home for a while once it was clear. Zahra was skeptical of the order, though. While the courtyard looked clear now, you never knew with aliens, and they certainly didn't need more than 15 people to carry things immediately. She walked calmly through the gate, walking up next to Kor and pulling another arrow from her quiver, notching it and casually holding her bow at ready. The vampire mage seemed to be concentrating, so she didn't bother him, though she turned to one of the gruff soldiers who were to get the supplies and called out "I need more arrows, if you could" with the same slow, deliberate speech with which she had thanked the fae sorceress.

Spoiler

Prepare an arrow, shoot if she sees something to shoot at. For the record, she has 9 arrows left including the one she's got "loaded."

 

[Tassadar]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Spoiler

Huldah: HP = 58, PP = 33, EP = 33, Status = Fine, Force Armor +66 AV (from Kor)
Kor'Ensiloth: HP = 68, PP = 78, EP = 49/89, Status = Fine, Haste, +66 Mind from Arcane Apotheosis, Force Armor (on Huldah)
Zahra: HP = 54, PP = 40, EP = 38, Status = Fine
Solidyn-Nolu: HP = 57/60, PP = 50, EP = 49/80, Status = Fine, Blessing X = 5
Aurelia Korort: HP = 104, PP = 43, EP = 27/105, Status = Fine, Has 1 Zombie Minion

Rolls

Spoiler

Alright, lets just keep this up here:
Kor's upkeep = 5 EP.
Solidyn's upkeep = 3 EP.

Casting (Kor) : Success.
Resistance: Success. Sort of.

Everyone gains 6 experience for winning your first battle!

At Huldah's questioning look, Ur-Wind flailed a hand emphatically at the central guard tower that the gemini had fled into not too long ago. The other towers at the corners were open to Aurelia to enter, and she began strolling toward one after picking it at random, her zombie in tow as Huldah walked into the first one. The kobolds on Solidyn's back quickly finished reloading her gun, and the arachne had the floating, tentacled creature in her sights already. Now all that she had to do was fire, and she'd bring the hideous monstrosity down in a single shot!

Huldah found the dark guard tower completely empty save a table with some discarded playing cards and coins placed on it, a set of stairs leading down, and an identical set leading up. Both were well traveled, and she couldn't tell which the fleeing aliens might have gone down by looking at them, but if they went up the only place they could go afterwards was along the walls, in plain view of her comrades. Of course, if she went down and they were waiting in the room above, they might come back down right into the courtyard, where their camp was already beginning to form. If she checked there first and they weren't there, she would have given them even more of a head start. The choice was now hers.

Aurelia, after entering the tower she had chosen, found it much the same, an empty room with two sets of stairs, one going down and one going up. She had no one to chase after, however, so the death knight could explore at her leisure.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Zahra moved over to join Kor, the mage already concentrating on disabling the barrier around the tower. His spell almost rebounded at him, but after a moment a hole appeared in the magical wall, large enough for even Solidyn to walk through if she crouched low enough. It was already beginning to seal itself closed, however, the hole shrinking slowly. A gruff who was unloading supplies nodded at her request for arrows, and quickly came forward with a replacement quiver for her, taking her old one to be returned to their stocks.

The doorway into the tower was open, Solidyn was ready to fire, and Aurelia and Huldah had towers to explore while the rest of their group moved their stuff into the fortress. All in all, things were going swimmingly, it seemed.

Spoiler

Current number of allies:

Ur-Wind Ramel
12 kobold gunners
9 satyr scouts
10 gruff thugs
Bob the Quartermaster. He also does stand up. And cooks.
3 Su-Ku-Ta snipers

Kobolds Gunners have Blessing, X = 5


Current enemies in the courtyard:
None

 

[Shrike7]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Huldah looked at the two sets of stairs, first one, then the other, thinking as fast as she dared. If she went down, and they went up, they could hurt the camp. But if she went up, and they went down, they could get away. Or still hurt the camp, if they came back up while she did. But down could lead to catacombs, or reinforcements, or something. But with all the sand around, wouldn't that be really hard?

Growling in frustration, she poked her head out again and yelled up at the wall where the guy in charge was last seen. "There's stairs up and stairs down!" She called out. "I'm going to go down, be careful if they decided to go up!" Considering the camp duly warned, she ducked back in, taking the stairs down as she hefted her club in her hands, watching in case they were waiting around a corner...

Spoiler

In case she needs to smack anything...
Slay, with cleave and terrify activating on successful kills.
+47, 2d8+48, doubled
Cleave for -10 hit and damage per target she plows through, all damage doubled.
Any kill provoked terrify, Res check vs 28+(dmg/10, *Tier) First loss, they wont attack, second loss they'll flee or surrender.

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Kor quickly stepped through the barrier and proceeded to cancel Huldah's armor, the spell dissipating as he released the energy back into the Aether, the Barrier had to come down at least temporarily, and its source had nearly bitten him for being so foolhardy. Focusing on his own power he channeled the raw Aether back into his own body and took another far more serious crack at the barrier from the inside, to hell if he was getting trapped in here...

Spoiler

Releasing Force Armor to free up a buff slot.
Arcane Apotheosis Lvl 5, Current Mind 134, short version, new mind 268. making Resistance 134! \o/ and dodge also goes up by a fairly disgusting amount...
Greater Dispel at 268 Mind.

 

[GargantuaBlarg]

Re: Heroes for Hire (Save the desert group!)

Solidyn's bladed fingertips tapped impatiently on the stone of the wall, while she gazed up idly at the flying monstrosity in the air. "HEY! When fire, make sure not to miss!"

An incredibly faint sound reached her damaged ears through her helmet, and she took her eyes off the monster in the sky a brief moment to look around for the source. Apparently it was... Huldah, she thought? Yelling from one of the towers. After asking over her shoulder for someone to repeat what she'd just said, she leaned over the ramparts and yelled down at the... sorceress, that was the word. "SORCERESS! Back up the big Gem you healed first, marchin' into that tower, would ya?!" She shouted. "...And remember to look up!" Groundwalkers always forgot to check the ceiling.

Her eyes never left the tentacled ball up in the sky. She wanted to see it explode! That never got old.

Spoiler

Command yon Sorceress to backup Huldah.

Upkeep: 3 EP/turn

Final stats (with +15 to dodge and res due to buff)
Dodge: 70
Armor: 28
Perception: 13
Speed: 8
Resistance: 48
A bonus of +9 VS Prone and +5 VS Stun or involuntary movement, also