Shadows of the Past log 9
Brian says, "Alright, Tick 11, all of the heroes go again, including Reed, since I'm lazy. Very lazy. The Sheep has Magnitude 0 left, literally itself alone and into -2HLs, the Clubfoot Giant is unhurt, but spent 4 willpower resisting a moderately irksome Terrestrial Circle Spell wreaking what might be loosely called his mind, and the Forest's Loving Embrace has lost about 100 of her... soldier... things... Warriors, whatever, but not a Magnitude. Pose on, children of the Sun!"
<> Reed says "The Sheep is still alive?"
Bennu's troops march fearlessly into the divide between the Embrace and the Giant, unafraid of being flanked, guarded by Solar combat prowess as they are to answer attacks from all sides; where the Sheep's troops once stood they claim the field, an overwhelming force of iron and Zenith-fire as they swarm the lone commander, Bennu's own ancient blades meeting the Sheep as she leads her warriors forward. More Essence flares, her anima covering the battlefield in the roaring glory of her namesake's wings, as she pours Essence into ending this particular threat, and then turns the rage of her soldiers to the Embrace.
<> Bennu says "Splitting for two, full first on the first (on the sheep), nothing on the second, first on Sheep, second on Embrace. I HOPE she can take the damn thing out this time. :p"
Brian [to Bennu]: 2-dot.
<> Bennu rolls 23 dice: <1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 4 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 8 9 9 10 10 10> for 11 successes.
<> Bennu says "+CCR of 6, I believe."
<> Bennu rolls 21 dice: <1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 7 7 7 7 9 10 10 10> for 11 successes.
Mahir sees Bennu's troops moving in for the kill on the most wounded, and turns his fire away, not wanting to risk striking one of the Tiger Warriors. He locks his aim on the Clubfoot, whose hordes are thus far undiminished. He pulls back his bowstring and whispers a prayer to the Sun to bring his glorious Order to bear on these creatures of Chaos. Essence infuses his arrow as it leaps to the target.
Having dispatched several of the Sheep's flock and delivered his own brand of insolent challenge to the behemoth Reed bounds back to Teyv's side, grinning as he flicks a stray bit of raksha off of his fur. "That was way too easy. And a little bit boring," he adds off-handedly. "They're not very tough. You could take one."
<> Mahir says "Single shot, EAA::Orderborn, because I'm almost out of motes and I want to regen a bit to get another SBS next time. 10-motes on 1st from IAM."
<> Bennu says "So I think that's a total of 21 successes on both."
<> Bennu says "Though I just realized I rolled too many against the second target, because of magnitude. I'll reroll and you can give me whichever result is lower."
<> Bennu rolls 16 dice: <1 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 9 9 9 10 10> for 9 successes.
<> Bennu says "So 19 actually, not 21."
<> Bennu says "For the second."
Brian [to Mahir]: 2-dot.
Brian [to Bennu]: Base +6 on the sheep...
Brian [to Bennu]: No, wait. Base +9
Brian [to Bennu]: Aaaand... Base +4 on the burny tree.
Brian [to Mahir]: Roll it.
<> Bennu rolls 26 damage dice: <1 2 2 2 4 4 4 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 10 10 10 10 10 10> for 13 successes.
<> Bennu rolls 21 damage dice: <1 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10> for 9 successes.
<> Brian says "BTW, if we suddenly stop talking altogether, it'll be because one or both of our kittens have pulled our power cords. Again."
<> Reed says "Pull is better than eat."
<> Mahir rolls 36 dice: <1 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 10 10> for 23 successes.
<> Bennu says "Pip in particular likes to unplug my computer."
<> Mahir says "Damage is 21AP"
Two continues charging into the onslaught of chaos creatures (blood for the blood god!), slicing and cutting with her artifact weapons. Wyld blood and body parts and less identifiable things are scattered in the wake of her chainklaive. The crystalspine material sings as it swings, the tune reminiscent of First Age battles and the glory of the Solars and Two's own singing accompanying the crystal melody. Her charge leads towards the Clubfoot and its forces.
Brian says, "The Sheep That Swallows the Earth and all of its followers are ground deep into the dirt. Cold Iron and Creation-Born Artifacts insure the evaporation of sapient story-- though what story brought forth the madness of these Hospitallers, it is hard to say. A hiss of chaos, like a mirage of space rather than heat, and the last is long, long gone. As they turn, turn, there is a season, turn, t- sorry-- turn and wheel upon the Forest's Loving Embrace, the fires are banked and the mad hobgoblinry of her forces are slaughtered to a Magnitude's destruction."
Brian [to Two]: 2-dot.
Brian [to Mahir]: I'll call it 21, so you hit, you pierce, and do 27 damage.
<> Mahir rolls 27 damage dice: <1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 10 10> for 12 successes.
<> Bennu says "I should also be having Samun Thunderwolf Howl again - which groups are currently under penalties?"
Brian [to Bennu]: Looks like they're all clear.
Brian [to Two]: Base Accuracy + 2 (stunt) -3 (Magnitude difference).
<> Two rolls 21 dice: <1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 6 8 9 10 10 10> for 8 successes.
Brian [to Two]: Would you like to buy the Third Melee Excellency? And use it?
<> Two has 1st melee :( and is still in xp debt.
<> Two says "I'm at -7"
Brian [to Mahir]: Your arrows over the three minute period of your barrage leave great burning holes in the ranks of the Giant's... call them troops, call them throng, call them madness born-- but a full Magnitude and change are undone and utterly thus.
Samun musters his Essence again; he moves easily with the troops, who have practiced leaving him the small space needed to avoid the whipping winds that surround him now as he casts Sorcery again. The scream of his anima rises, a howl that leaps over the remarkably few troops of the defenders of Creation, to echo with bone-crushing force among the troops of the Embrace.
Brian [to Two]: I am afraid the tides of time and chaos turn against you, the Giant's mass melting but dammit that Night is KILL STEALING. You can't get close enough to kill anyone first. Clearly, you need to get a cat asa Familiar, just so it can pee in his boots.
Brian [to Bennu]: 2-dot for Samun.
<> Two says "Farking night. YOU DIE NEXT."
Brian says, "Teyv, Reed, attack poses?"
Two's crystalklaive is not tuned properly. That's what happened.
Seeing nobody seriously injured, Teyv decides to hold any display of power in the event one of the foul creatures lands a serious blow. He spends his time tending to the minor wounds and injuries of the combatants, waiting in the event he is needed for any greater healing.
Brian [to Teyv]: I'll call that a 3-tick Guard action.
Brian [to Two]: You need to make Teyv retune it. It needs... autotune.
Reed [to Brian]: Already did mine, and same. The Giant might decide to try and get back at Teyv for that.
<> Bennu rolls 12 dice: <1 1 2 2 3 3 4 7 7 8 8 9> for 5 successes.
Brian says, "Mahir, Reed and Teyv go again on T14. Bennu and Two on T15. Samun will be on T16. I... need to check if TWH is defensible or no."
Brian is told no, so! No armor, so just natural; 3 damage dice, if you please.
<> Mahir says "Are we going right away, or are the Fae getting in there?"
Brian [to Mahir]: They get their attack on 12.
<> Bennu rolls 3 damage dice: <1 3 8> for 1 success.
<> Brian rolls 18 dice: <1 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 10 10 10> for 7 successes.
Brian says, "No penalty, then. Okay! Time for retaliation."
Brian says, "Since it's nearly impossible for the two fae to attack any of the sorcerers or special characters, leaving all of the circle pretty much invulnerable unless the Fae can get past the guard Bennu and the Sun's Gold Tiger Warriors, they concentrate on trying to overwhelm the chelonian defenses of the Tiger Warriors instead. Stomping and crashing, the enraged Clubfoot Giant leads his mass of maniac mash-ups to leap high into the air, trying to come down on the unit from above. The Embrace spreads out her burning birnam forces to try to pincer Bennu's doughty unit from the other side, leaving her between the frying pan to the head and the fire besides. Defenses, Bennu?"
<> Bennu says "Are there Charms involved?"
<> Brian says "Nyet."
<> Bennu says "K. I'm going to use Final Sunset Stance on all attacks and that'll be it."
<> Bennu says "I can carry my stunt?"
Bennu's troops are ready for the attack, of course; this is their purpose, to meet the enemies of Creation under the direction of their Illuminated leadership. Iron swords are raised to meet fae madness; iron armor girds them against glamours and fouler tricks. Their skill and readiness is such that the unit moves like a single being to turn and meet the motion of the assault; Shields up and deadly iron blades raised, they meet both onslaughts without hesitation.
<> Brian rolls 18 dice: <1 1 1 1 3 3 4 5 6 6 6 6 8 8 9 9 10 10> for 8 successes.
<> Brian says "hahahhaahaha."
<> Brian rolls 18 dice: <1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 6 6 6 7 8 8 9 10> for 6 successes.
Brian [to Bennu]: So, we've discovered what Ashan is doing.
<> Bennu says "DV is currently 10 (base)+1 (FSS), +6 (CCR/2*2), +4 (shields."
Brian [to Bennu]: +2 stunt.
Brian [to Bennu]: He's clearly working fate magic on them. Even with +4 from CCR, all they manage to hand you are two reflexive attacks.
Brian says, "Alright, they go again on 17."
<> Bennu says "Why won't they flurry, that's what I want to know. Please, flurry you luckless bastards. :p"
<> Brian says "Alright. Mahir, Reed, Teyv, T14 belongs to you."
Mahir revels in the rush of combat, in the glory of bringing the Sun's Order to these chaotic abominations. "Thus is the end of all enemies of the Lawbringers, rightful lords and protectors of creation. Thus do we banish you back to the shadows, to come no more to Creation's shores." As he draws back his bow, the Falcon leaps out of his anima again, screeching defiance. As he looses the arrow, the falcon dives, crashing with enormous speed into the Clubfoot Giant.
<> Mahir says "Falconborn, Orderborn, SBS, and I'm currently *out* of motes. :-P"
Brian [to Mahir]: Well, you get 2 dots. Regenerate it! The clubfoot and his kin all stomp the earth good and hard. A wall of stone and brambles erupts, shattering into the sky as they seek to shield themselves from your deadly onslaught; subtract 6 successes prior to doubling.
<> Mahir says "Acc+10+2-??"
<> Mahir says "Do I still lose dice for Mag? I know he lost some."
Brian [to Mahir]: I'm afraid he hasn't lost enough for it to matter. So +10+2-3.
<> Mahir rolls 33 dice: <1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10> for 14 successes.
<> Mahir says "Hmmm. I know Ashan was trying to put up Life Gets Worse rerolls. Did he ever get one in on the Giant?"
Brian [to Mahir]: Looks like no. You still hit, though. 21AP, right?
<> Mahir says "yeah."
Brian [to Mahir]: 22.
<> Mahir says "What's that effect they did with the stompy? SBS doubles before DV. Cover? (I'm wondering if I should use There Is No Wind next time, is why)"
<> Mahir rolls 22 damage dice: <1 1 1 1 2 2 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 8 9 9 10 10> for 6 successes.
<> Mahir says "Heh. I did twice as much damage last round, for less than half the motes."
Brian [to Mahir]: There is No Wind would help there, yes.
Brian [to Mahir]: Your blazing bolts bypass in one way or another, but to a lesser success than before. Still, over three minutes you make quite the wreck of ruin.
Reed bounces on his feet a few times, glancing back and forth between Teyv and the fae squads, and finally appears to come to a decision. "Don't go anywhere," he tells the sorcerer then bounds off, using the dead and dying as steps to gain altitude. Ivory fur shimmering in the sun, he skips nimbly across the head-parts of the forest-fae to springboard off one of the last few and onto their leader's back. Silvery tendrils flash out like lightning, snapping off bits and pieces of the flaming tree's body as he climbs upward, talons digging into the trunk of the giant raksha.
Brian [to Reed]: Shall we call that a Called Shot on the Tree? It'd be a -2 successes, but bypass the magnitude and close combat defenses (Which are 3 dice and 2 successes respectively, so it's probably a net gain) to kill him and start to disperse his mob.
Reed [to Brian]: I was going for the tree, but I can edit for the Giant.
Brian [to Reed]: The tree. All of that was meant for the tree. I'm just tired. :P 3-dot stunt.
<> Reed says "I figured Mahir would clear out the rest of the Giant's forces."
<> Reed says "If I do Octopus, do I get the -2 for each attack?"
Brian [to Reed]: Successes? Yes. But you'll be killing him directly, rather than wasting time on the troops to be mopped up.
Reed [to Brian]: Isn't that the point?
Brian [to Reed]: Yup!
<> Reed says "Up to you."
Brian [to Reed]: Roll 'em.
Reed [to Brian]: Am I removing dice for the magnitude, or no?
Brian [to Reed]: Mm. Yeah, do so for now. I really need to sit down with the core and Scroll of Kings tomorrow and just hammer the Mass Combat rules out in my head.
Brian says, "Maybe write some flowcharts for everyone to follow."
<> Reed says "Which negates the stunt, so it makes it easy!"
<> Brian says "Si."
<> Reed rolls 15 dice: <1 1 2 2 2 4 4 4 6 7 8 8 8 9 10> for 7 successes.
<> Reed rolls 23 dice: <1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 8 9 9 9 9 10> for 8 successes.
<> Reed rolls 22 dice: <1 1 1 2 4 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 10> for 14 successes.
<> Reed rolls 20 dice: <2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 10> for 9 successes.
<> Reed rolls 20 dice: <1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 7 7 7 9 9 10 10> for 9 successes.
<> Reed rolls 19 dice: <1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 7 8 10> for 4 successes.
<> Reed rolls 19 dice: <2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 10> for 11 successes.
Brian [to Reed]: What's your raw damage?
Reed [to Brian]: Aegis lash, tail smack, bite, kick, kick, punch, punch.
Reed says, "Tail is 8B. 7 bite, 9 kick, 6 punch, and 15 for the lash with all dots. All L."
Reed says, "I must have hit a knot with that one punch."
<> Bennu says "There's our missing Siddie! :p"
Brian [to Reed]: Miss, miss, hit for 3L, hit for 3L, hit for 4L, miss, hit for 4L
<> Ashan says "Ashan was totally here all along! I mean, he's a Sidereal, that's what they do."
Reed [to Brian]: I don't like fire.
<> Reed rolls 3 damage dice: <2 4 4> for 0 successes.
<> Reed rolls 3 damage dice: <1 9 10> for 2 successes.
<> Reed rolls 4 damage dice: <1 3 3 9> for 1 success.
<> Reed rolls 4 damage dice: <1 1 4 10> for 1 success.
Brian [to Ashan]: It's tick 14! The sheep is dead, along with all of its troops. You should attack now. You've been doing ... fate-y... stuff...
<> Ashan says "I've clearly been manipulating Fate to the advantage of our allies."
Brian [to Reed]: You tear into the surprised burning tree. Wood flies and branches splinter; you even punch a knot through the tree and out the other side. The Embrace is now at -1 wound penalties which are not protected against by her troops, so all of her dice rolls will be down for the rest of combat-- until DEATH!
Brian [to Reed]: or Something.
Brian says, "Teyv, you sorcerin' or Guarding or something else?"
<> Reed says "It's not easy to climb a flaming burning tree."
Teyv is in position to pull out the wounded from Bennu's forces, but finds his hands ready, and with nothing to do. "A bored combat medic is a happy combat medic," he quips, and turns his idle hands to shaping sorcery.
Brian [to Reed]: No, but you did it with smile.
<> Bennu says "Bennu aims to please. :p We will all be happy if Bennu's troops don't die!"
Brian [to Teyv]: Lol. 2-dot +1 die for making the GM laugh. It doesn't increase your regeneration, just a situational bonus. *giggles*
Brian [to Teyv]: Ok, since mass combat ticks are longer, it goes off now. Make the effect pose.
Teyv turns towards the giants writhing forces behind their fortifications. He lets loose a howl to shake the fortifications, whatever wyld forces are nearby, in an attempt to create an opening to allow the troops to break through.
Brian [to Teyv]: Alrighty. Roll 'em!
Ashan snaps out of contemplation of Fate; the changing tides of battle have mesmerized him, and from them he's drawn certain insights. Certain pathways are clear that were not before. The chaotic heart of the enemy lies open to him.
The dagger of the Gull forms in his hand again, and this time its shadow gains substance. The blade flashes towards the giant, curving through odd angles; it seems to dart across the battlefield like a hummingbird, hovering here, dashing there until it has a clear line of attack. And like partners in a dance, its shadow follows, mirroring some motions, complementing others.
Teyv [to Brian]: I'm not sure what to roll.
Brian [to Teyv]: Int + Occult + 3 dice for stunt + situational bonus.
<> Bennu says "It's an AOE spell so all the mass combat penalties don't really apply."
Reed [to Brian]: What's the situational?
<> Bennu says "Sorcery is special."
<> Teyv rolls 14 dice: <1 2 2 3 3 5 5 7 7 8 8 9 10 10> for 9 successes.
Brian [to Reed]: I've decided that 2.5 stunts are 2-dot + 1 die.
Brian [to Teyv]: Roll 3 damage dice.
<> Teyv rolls 3 damage dice: <5 9 10> for 2 successes.
<> Brian rolls 16 dice: <1 1 1 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 10> for 11 successes.
Brian [to Teyv]: Er. I forgot to add your essence in there. -_-;; Roll your permanent Essence in additional dice. >_<
Teyv [to Brian]: to damage?
Brian apologizes, he's been getting up at 4am the last two days and didn't get enough reparation sleep.
Brian [to Teyv]: Yeah. Don't reroll the whole thing, just roll your current Essence in damage dice.
<> Teyv rolls 4 damage dice: <6 6 7 10> for 2 successes.
Brian [to Ashan]: Also, 3-dot, similar sorry I'm tired and dumb.
<> Ashan pat
<> Ashan says "Charms are Essence Thorn Practice, Willful Weapon Method and Life Gets Worse. Called shot on the leader, for which I ignore all external penalties, unblockable, etcetc."
Brian [to Teyv]: Nice. You shattered the wall; no idea whether or not they can make a new one, but the crashing rocks smashed the rest of his fourth magnitude to hell and gone.
<> Ashan says "Also if he has any wound penalties I reduce my TN by that for Pain Amplification."
<> Ashan says "(Does he?)"
Brian [to Ashan]: A strange charm ripples through the giant's command forces, causing a hazy and indistinct air as they sacrifice gossamer. Roll at -3 dice for his magnitude, and, alas, it's the Forest's Loving Embrace that had the personal attacks from a berserk steampunk otter barbarian, not the giant.
<> Ashan says "WP/WP, then."
Brian [to Ashan]: Yarr.
<> Ashan rolls 10 dice: <1 1 2 3 3 4 7 8 8 9> for 4 successes.
<> Ashan says "Ah, well, that's the other thing Willful Weapon is for."
Brian [to Ashan]: You said unblockable, right?
<> Ashan says "Yep."
<> Ashan says "Essence Thorn always is."
Brian [to Ashan]: Okay, what are the full effects of your Charms here, and what's your raw damage?
<> Ashan says "Willful Weapon Method: ignore all external penalties; if I fail to hit, both the Essence Thorn and its shadow may attack on each action I dedicate to a Thrown attack until one of them manages. Essence Thorn Practice: unblockable, can move me (but it isn't). Life Gets Worse Approach: +(Essence) base damage, one missed ranged attack per tick within 40 yards of the target can reroll as an attack against him for the rest of the scene. Pain Amplification Stratagem (scenelong pre-battle): reduces TNs for wound penalties, if I hit and deal damage, lose WP equal to wound penalty, minimum 1. Artifact: apply descending destiny (+1 TN all actions against me or my allies) on hit. Base damage: 4 x2 (bracelet) + 4 (Strength) +4 (Essence via Life Gets Worse) = 16L/2."
Brian [to Ashan]: I'm afraid you miss, for the moment. Speed is?
<> Ashan says "5."
Brian [to Reed]: Shoot, I forgot to ask what your highest Speed was.
Brian says, "Bennu, Two, you guys go on T14 anyway."
Reed [to Brian]: Given that I forgot to RLF, 5. 4 for the Aegis.
Brian says, "Alrighty. Reed, Ashan, and Teyv go on T19."
Brian says, "And I mean,t Two, Bennu, on T15."
Brian says, "Which it is now."
<> Mahir says "I'm up again on 17? I think."
<> Brian says "Yup."
Bennu's troops bring Order. Where the Fae fight in chaotic masses, they fight in skilled formation, every motion precise at the command of their general. And though Bennu currently commands merely 26 souls, not counting the allied Celestial Exalted who fight among her troops, "General" is not too grand of term for the proud Solar; by themselves, her potent troops serve as a far greater unit than their numbers alone can account for. And now they have had the taste of victory, knowing their righteousness to be greater than the chaos of their foes. With iron weapons, blackened by the seared blood of dying Fae, they march forward, at this time and in this place an unstoppable wall order, wrapped in Solar glory, as they assault again the troops - if you can call the disordered masses that - of the tree-like fae. They split, partially, a pincer like motion to drive two columns into the much reduced forces before rejoining and leaving waste all between.
<> Bennu says ""
Brian [to Bennu]: Very nice. 3-dot.
<> Bennu says "Speed 4, 5 motes on First for each."
<> Bennu says "Of two attacks."
<> Two ponders.
Brian says, "Injured by Reed, the Embrace is somewhat slower to act. A mist of diamonds, scintilatting in the air, burns off from her sap and joins a strange smoke from her surviving warriors as they suddenly all curl into a viny mass of undifferentiated tentacles and thorns, waving about and lashing weapons, defending themselves despite the burn."
<> Bennu rolls 26 dice: <1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9> for 8 successes.
<> Bennu says "seriously?"
<> Bennu rolls 25 dice: <1 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 10> for 12 successes.
<> Two gonna try something a little crazy. But he's NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE
<> Bennu says "OH WELL. There's also the 10 successes from CCR and then whatever from Might."
<> Bennu says "I think we said they're at 3 total counting gear?"
<> Two | MOB-DISPERSING REBUKE
<> Brian says "Yeah."
<> Bennu says "No, Might of 2."
<> Brian says "Blast, ok."
Brian [to Bennu]: 10 damage from the first, 15 from the second.
<> Two also has fury-inciting presence.
<> Bennu rolls 10 damage dice: <1 3 4 4 6 8 9 9 10 10> for 5 successes.
<> Bennu rolls 15 damage dice: <1 2 2 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 9> for 8 successes.
Brian [to Two]: Mm. There aren't any unlead troops here yet, alas.
Brian [to Bennu]: Your troops -ravage- them. With their impaired leader less able to coordinate their mad romp, the defenses cannot hold against cold iron and solar heat, blowing through most of a second magnitude on top of the first you take easily.
<> Bennu says "roflstomp."
Brian [to Two]: Well, give me your stunt when you're ready. It is certainly an appropriate situation to unleash war charms.
Two makes herself as tall and large as she can. She faces the giant and calls out to the creature and its troops. "Fool of an abomination! Your presence here offends all of creation and even your mother turns her face from your foulness. Your father wishes he had bed a pool of slime, for hope of a less offensive offspring." She adjusts her pitch slightly and directs her voice to the giant's forces. "See how your leader stumbles about blindly against the strength of Creation and the Sun. It leads you to death and shame. Your essence will be burnt away for all time or perhaps allowed to rise to a state of Law and take its proper place in creation. Your only hope -- if such abominations even have such a proper concept -- is to turn aside from this conflict, from the campaign, from this war. Turn aside and retake your place, hiding and begging your masters to keep you away from creation. Turn away." She raises both of her weapons high into the sky, the crystal chainklaive catching and turning the hundreds of lights from the armies. "Leave this foulness to its fate."
<> Brian says "Rebuke?"
<> Two says "Oh yes."
<> Two is gonna rebuke the hell out of them.
<> Brian laughs. Let me check something.
<> Two has no idea what to roll for something like this.
<> Brian says "What's your Essence?"
<> Brian says "You don't roll, they do."
<> Two says "5"
<> Bennu says "Does Dawn Anima boost that at all? >_>"
<> Bennu says "Just asking."
<> Bennu says "I mean it seems like a natural fit."
<> Two says "If so, I will burn that anima to the ground."
<> Ashan says "It'll probably make the Morale check worse."
<> Brian says "Hmmmm."
<> Brian says "Let me check."
<> Brian says "Christ. -2 external penalty on a valor check from that."
<> Two says "I will burn that anima hard."
<> Brian rolls 5 dice: <1 1 4 6 7> for 1 success.
Brian [to Two]: Don't you have it up already?
<> Two says "Actually, I do."
<> Two says "So. Eat it. Eat it hard."
<> Brian says "Everyone roll the higher of Conviction or Temperance, and tell me which."
<> Bennu rolls 5 dice: <1 2 8 9 10> for 4 successes.
<> Bennu says "Conviction."
<> Reed rolls 3 dice: <6 9 9> for 2 successes.
<> Two rolls 2 dice: <5 8> for 1 success.
<> Reed says "Temperance."
<> Two says "Conviction"
<> Bennu says "Samun's Conviction:"
<> Bennu rolls 4 dice: <1 2 7 9> for 2 successes.
<> Ashan rolls 2 dice: <4 8> for 1 success.
<> Ashan says "Temperance and Conviction are equal, so let's say Temperance"
<> Teyv says "Conviction"
<> Teyv rolls 3 dice: <1 2 7> for 1 success.
<> Two says "I think Imma gonna get more War charms"
<> Mahir says "Conviction 3"
<> Mahir rolls 3 dice: <4 5 6> for 0 successes.
Brian says, "What terror does madness hold that can be held greater than that of a wrathful Bronze Tiger? For the terror and the awe, for the glory and the majesty, those precursor shades to reality can hold little. Screaming in pain and panic so intense that it blends to create tear-inducing, gorgeous music, a music of chaos that has never been heard before nor shall ever be recreated without heavy doses of the Cult's hallucinogenics and Performance excellencies-- they flee. They flee by abandoning their chaotic, blasphemous shapes, they flee in glory, signs in the Wyld, signs of change, and a hateful great grinding gear-wheel ever looming closer in the displays. The Clubfoot Giant lets loose a wail of his own... and evaporates himself into the Wyld rather than face Two's terrible anger. He is not defeated, but he is certainly gone."
<> Two says "Dude."
<> Reed says "Bunch of wishy-washies."
<> Two says "I rebuked the hell out of him."
<> Mahir says "BALEETED"
Brian says, "Tick 16, Samun."
Samun is patient, methodical. Sorcery has too many traps for those who let small setbacks stop them. And though his previous attacks have done little, bit by bit they add up. If his might be the straw too many for these abominations, he can hardly hold back. Though he must hold back enough of his Essence for other things, he still has enough to launch another windy howl, as if part of his roaring anima was suddenly found across the field of battle, to rattle the bones and brains of the fae, at the Tree and its disorganized troops.
Brian says, "Two will go on T18; Bennu on 19."
Brian says, "2-dot."
<> Bennu says "Thunderwolf Howl again. At least he's ...reliable."
<> Bennu rolls 12 dice: <1 3 5 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 10 10> for 9 successes.
<> Bennu says "Essence 3"
<> Two says "So... what's left on the battlefield?"
<> Bennu says "The tree's swiftly diminishing unit."
<> Reed says "And a bunch of raksha parts."
Brian says, "The tree's diamond steam-smoke rises and latices of steel vibrate in the air in a desperate attempt, if not to block it, then to ameliorate it. They capture the sound of the Howl from Samun and try to mix it with their compatriot's panicked screams, to limited success."
Brian [to Bennu]: 2 damage dice.
<> Brian rolls 15 dice: <2 2 3 3 3 3 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 10 10> for 10 successes.
Huh? (Type "help" for help.)
<> Bennu rolls 2 damage dice: <6 7> for 1 success.
Brian [to Bennu]: Sadly, that's enough to collapse her down to Magnitude 2. There weren't really many of the Burning Poppets left at this point.
<> Bennu says "He IS the straw that breaks the camel's back! A little."
Brian says, "Okay, Mahir and the Tree now go on T17!"
Mahir was beginning to take aim again at the Clubfoot, hoping to finish off the abomination. And then stops in amazement as the powerful rebuke from Two simply erases the giant and all of his forces, with nothing more than words and conviction. Shaking his head in amazement, he turns to what remains of the Tree's army. Again he whispers the name of Sol Invictus, blessed be his name, and unleashes the righteous fury of Order upon the dwindling powers of Chaos.
<> Mahir says "Orderborn, going for two arrows this time."
Brian says, "The Forest's Burning Embrace reaches out into the captured steel lattice. She grinds it together, and makes teeth from it, which fill the air, bursting into fire and faked fate, seeking, hating, embracing in tears and delight, they fly against Mahir's arrows and Bennu's soldiers alike, devouring as they fly."
<> Brian rolls 11 dice: <1 3 3 3 4 5 5 7 8 9 10> for 5 successes.
<> Brian rolls 15 dice: <1 2 3 3 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 7 7 7> for 5 successes.
<> Brian says "..."
<> Brian says "Teace used final sunset stance at me-- she was in the kitchen and I yelled back and forth."
<> Brian says "So. Yet another reflexive attack to Bennu, and Mahjir, roll with a 2-dot stunt, and subtract 5 successes."
<> Two sees in the errata: Behemoth-Slaying Attitude (War 5, Essence 5)
<> Mahir says "What's my +/- from MC bonuses?"
<> Brian says "-2 magnitude."
<> Brian says "er."
<> Brian says "-2 dice FROM magnitude."
<> Mahir rolls 32 dice: <1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 10> for 15 successes.
<> Mahir rolls 31 dice: <1 1 2 2 2 2 3 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 10> for 14 successes.
<> Two says "That is a lot of dice."
<> Mahir says "And still +21AP if I connect."
Brian [to Mahir]: ... The dice hate is sufficient. An event hat has not yet happened does: the teeth devour enough of your arrows so that the tree and her folk can duck and dodge the rest. You miss.
<> Mahir says "Wow."
Brian says, "That was T17, so you'll go again on 20."
<> Ashan says "And here is where I wish I'd targeted the tree."
Brian says, "Two? It's all about you, now."
<> Two says "Well. I guess it's time to kill the tree."
Brian [to Two]: You have, in fact, a chainklaive.
<> Two says "Wyld Chainklaive Massacre"
Two charges after the blasphemous tree after the dissolution of the Giant and its armies, her chainklaive sweeping through the air, cutting through the cacophony of the Wyld and leaving behind glorious harmony. As she goes for the abomination, she brings forth all of the rage that she meant to use on the Giant and directs it at this foe. (Hungry Tiger Technique + Fire and Stones Strike (5 motes) + Blurring Blades (if all of that can be done)).
Brian [to Two]: It can, indeed, be done; that is how the comboless goes. 2-dot, roll 'em.
Brian says, "The tree's lattice of pain and sound is gone. Desperately spending gossamer, she erects a shield of brilliant, purple-colored chrysanthemum blossoms with the strength of steel, the smoke from the Burning Poppets feeding this desperate attempt to hold you off, doubling the magnitude penalty."
Brian says, "So, er, +2 dice, -4 dice, total of -2."
<> Two says "So, Blurring Blades doubles my Melee pool."
<> Two says "So another +5 on top of that for a total of +3."
Brian [to Two]: Nah.
<> Two says "Nah?"
Brian [to Two]: Blurring Blades doubles your rolled successes.
<> Two says "Ohhh"
<> Two says "So 20 total :("
<> Two rolls 20 dice: <1 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 6 6 7 8 8 10> for 5 successes.
<> Two says "..."
Brian [to Two]: So roll with your base pool, then double what you roll. HTT then doubles your threshold successes on TOP of that, and then you add +5 more damage dice on top of that.
<> Two says "WTF dice"
Brian [to Two]: You succeed by 1, in fact, thanks to Reed's OTTER STORM TECHNIQUE.
Brian [to Two]: What's your raw damage?
<> Two says "21L"
Brian [to Two]: Piercing or not piercing?
<> Two says "O, P, D"
<> Two says "Overwhelming, Piercing, Disarming"
Brian [to Two]: Roll 24 damage dice.
Brian [to Two]: You sadistic bastard, you.
<> Two rolls 24 damage dice: <1 1 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 9 10 10 10> for 9 successes.
Brian says, "The dice, apparently, are even more sadistic."
Brian says, "Your Speed is, sir?"
<> Two says "5"
<> Two shakes an angry fist at the dice.
Brian says, "You knock off about 85% of a Magnitude in one freaking blow. How much better would it have been if fate had been kinder? We may never know."
Brian says, "Tick 19: Teyv, Ashan, Reed, Bennu"
<> Two says "Well. On my previous action, I did remove the Giant from the field. So I guess it's all cool."
Brian [to Two]: Roaring Tiger, Tripping Dragon?
<> Reed says "Hmm. Since I'm literally *on* her, does she get to dodge or parry?"
Brian [to Two]: I suspect that 3 magnitudes plus the boss in one go counts as "most single amount of damage done?"
Brian [to Reed]: They're using weird freaky Wyld abilities, so, technically, yes. They're not playing by fair rules, alas.
<> Brian says "I forgot to give you your virtue roll effects! Just a second."
Brian pages: You and Samun feel little for the enemies of Creation, but you can acknowledge a certain insane beauty.
<> Two says "Our cult soldiers are really learning how awesome it is to have solars around."
<> Bennu says "They're Cultists. They literally pray to us Solars. I don't think they're just NOW learning. :p They're seeing their believes proven true."
<> Reed will hold for the Word of GM.
<> Two says "Uh oh"
<> Mahir rolls 3 dice: <1 4 9> for 1 success.
Brian says, "Okay, all results out."
Brian says, "Go ahead. :)"
Reed continues freeclimbing up the Embrace's body, lashing out at branches with tail and talisman and tearing off great swathes of bark with his teeth as he goes. Wherever his depredations expose tender raksha phloem, he makes sure to at least brush across it with the myriad of tiny iron chains and trinkets tied to his harness before moving on. Once at the top, he shimmies across her head-branch and digs his toes deep into the bark before leaning over to look into whatever passes for a face on the gigantic tree-thing. His own black eyes glittering with reflected flame he stares into hers for a moment, and then cocks his head slightly. "Truly, I wish I did not have to kill you," he says. "The entire world suffers at the loss of such magnificence. But it is your kind who have brought this war, not mine." That said, he puts his paws together claws-forward and plunges both of them deep into her eye.
Bennu knows mercy, but not for beings such as these. These are beyond the justice and mercy she champions, beings that exist only for terror and destruction, a favor she returns now with the blades that her troop wields. Against the wood-themed Fae, she brings an iron forest, swords thrusting and striking in the grim work of slaughter - for now victory is upon them and only the brutal cleanup remains. Working beside her troops, she too lends her back to the tedious task, gold blades among the iron.
Brian [to Reed]: ... Ouch, ouch, ouch. 3-dot on your next called shot. The Embrace bats and howls at you, a maddened and strangely (fnord)ing sound, trying to scrape you off while heavy sap flows around you, trying to carry you off in a waterfall of pain.
<> Reed says "Because I keep forgetting to use any charms, I have a lot left for RLF + Twin-Fang + Lightning Stroke + First Dex. I think that's all."
Reed [to Brian]: What's the current penalty count?
Brian [to Reed]: ... Ouch. That's undodge/unblock, isn't it? Okay, so it gets no DV, and you're at +3-4 from mag/Charm, so -1 + whatever you pour in with First Dex.
Brian [to Bennu]: 3-dot.
Bennu [to Brian]: 10 on First again. She's got slaughter to do. :P And that's her ONLY offensive Charm still.
Brian [to Bennu]: Boom, headshot. You have +3 dice from having so much Mag at your disposal.
<> Bennu rolls 32 dice: <1 1 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 10> for 13 successes.
<> Bennu says "Whaaaat. :p"
<> Bennu says "That's still plus 12 successes for CCR/Might."
<> Bennu says "Base damage is 17 apparently."
<> Bennu says "If you count the CCD."
Ashan lets out a quiet breath as Two's rebuke dissipates the target he'd chosen; freed of their responsibilities, the Essence Thorn and its shadow fade away in midair. For an instant, he wonders what he could possibly be accomplishing here, in this place; but he banishes the thought. He serves Creation, and does not presume to choose where Fate requires him.
Grimly, he calls forth another Essence Thorn, marking it with the sign of the Gull, and releases it and its shadow, targeting the Embrace directly once again. Thorn and shadow sweep outward in wide arcs, chasing each other towards their target even as Reed savages it; they find the moments of blindness as it focuses on the Lunar, the gaps in its concentration and defense, and slide home to grant it the serenity of death.
Brian [to Bennu]: Srs dice hate. 28 damage dice.
Brian [to Ashan]: 2-dot.
<> Reed rolls 29 dice: <1 1 1 1 2 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10> for 19 successes.
<> Reed rolls 29 dice: <1 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 10> for 14 successes.
Brian [to Reed]: Base damage here is... 6L, right?
<> Ashan says "All the same stuff as last time: called shot, no penalties, unblockable, down TN for wound penalties."
Reed [to Brian]: Yes.
Brian [to Ashan]: It has wound penalties! -1, in fact.
<> Ashan says "And WP/WP."
<> Ashan says "Okay, I'm at TN 6."
<> Bennu rolls 28 damage dice: <1 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10> for 15 successes.
<> Ashan rolls 12 dice: <3 4 4 5 7 8 8 10 10 10 10 10> for 13 successes.
Brian [to Reed]: 20 damage dice, 16 damage dice.
<> Bennu says "At least the DAMAGE dice love.... holy SHIT, Ashan."
Brian [to Ashan]: Lol.
<> Ashan says "....thank you, dice orphan."
<> Reed rolls 20 damage dice: <1 1 2 2 4 4 4 5 6 7 7 7 8 9 9 9 9 10 10 10> for 11 successes.
Brian [to Ashan]: Damage dice was this time?
<> Reed rolls 16 damage dice: <1 1 2 4 4 4 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 10> for 6 successes.
<> Ashan says "Base of 16L/2."
<> Reed hit a knot.
<> Ashan says "And not that it matters, but if Mahir misses again, he gets to reroll."
Brian [to Ashan]: 13 damage dice.
<> Ashan says "If it somehow survives this tick."
<> Ashan rolls 13 damage dice: <1 2 3 4 4 5 7 7 8 8 8 9 9> for 7 successes.
<> Brian rolls 4 dice: <2 3 5 6> for 0 successes.
<> Ashan says "Also it loses a point of WP, but."
Brian says, "Okay, everyone who got a 1 on the virtue rolls before make a Compassion roll. Does anyone here have a Compassion flaw?"
<> Two says "Uh oh"
<> Ashan rolls 3 dice: <3 8 9> for 2 successes.
<> Two says "Maybe..."
<> Two rolls 3 dice: <4 5 7> for 1 success.
<> Bennu says "Conviction flaw here."
<> Ashan says "Uh...I have no idea if Serenity Flawed Fate counds."
<> Ashan says "*t"
<> Reed says "Hmm. I can't find mine."
<> Bennu says "I got four and Samun got two so I'm just watching right now..."
<> Reed says "But, I've got no compassion. So it wouldn't be that anyway."
<> Teyv says "Only if they're not actively an enemy. If they surrender, then I will be obligated to help."
<> Mahir says "My compassion is 1. This is gonna hurt."
<> Mahir rolls 1 die: <1> for a botch!
<> Two says "Wow."
<> Bennu says "You were correct."
<> Reed says "Oh, point. I rolled high anyhow."
<> Bennu says "Anyhow both Bennu and Samun are Conviction Flaws, anyhow."
<> Bennu says "So again with the just watching."
<> Mahir says "I'm Valor Flaw, I think. This makes me wish I was playing Walker right now. :-P"
<> Two bets Brian is giggling with joy right now.
Brian [to Ashan]: Mm, yeah.
Brian [to Ashan]: Close enough.
<> Bennu says "There was some laughter going on over there."
<> Bennu says "At the other side of the desk."
<> Bennu says "Also he's grinning and thumping his leg."
<> Two says "The evil side."
<> Mahir rolls 3 dice: <1 3 4> for a botch!
<> Two stares.
<> Bennu says "He's bouncing in his chair."
<> Bennu says "Literally."
<> Mahir says "I'm totally fucked."
<> Two says "This is like Christmas and birthday for Brian"
<> Two says "As someone from 'Snatch' might say: you're proper fucked"
<> Bennu says "And now he's just being deliberately over-dramatic."
<> Reed says "That's normal, though."
<> Bennu says "Well, yes."
Teyv [to Brian]: Compassion roll:
<> Teyv rolls 4 dice: <1 8 9 9> for 3 successes.
Brian says, "As her Poppets die and Reed tears out her eyes, as Ashan's blade seeks for the Tree and sends its Fate on a Journey beyond even the Wyld's embrace and rebirth... glorious hymns and arias of pain and fear cross the battlefield. You are worshiped, adored, and bowed before as the poppets' flames go out, as the Embrace disintegrates, as lust and love and the ... not death curse, but death blessings of all those who have been annihilated or flung themselves screaming into the pure chaos and the hunting Unshaped that stalk and devour their fleeing kin since birthing in the aftermath of the Balorian Crusade."
Brian says, "Everyone who got a 2 or more on the initial roll gains 4 motes of essence back. Everyone who rolled a 1 or more gets 4m, 1wp. Mahir, gain either those bonuses or 50% of what you're missing back, whichever is greater."
<> Bennu says "Oh dear. Bennu feels icky."
<> Reed doesn't. It is as it's supposed to be.
Brian says, "Combat time off! :)"
<> Mahir says "I'm currently at 4/18 motes, not counting all the stuff above that that's committed. So 7m 1wp?"
Brian says, "Pose in whatever order you want."
<> Brian says "Sounds good."
<> Two says "I'm terrified we got stuff back from rolling so badly :("
<> Brian is innocent! innocent!
<> Bennu says "Bennu wishes her 4 successes had netted her nothing. :p Especially with IPP and TRS up."
Teyv looks around at the carnage of the battle. Most of the blood is of the wyld, and really not of concern to him. He moves through the troops, attending to any wounds which might exist. Mostly he tells them to drink plenty of water, and stretch after exertion, so they don't cramp up.
Brian [to Bennu]: Also, that wasn't deliberately overdramatic I really couldn't stop laughing. :P
Bennu [to Brian]: It was deliberately overdramatic and then you started laughing at yourself.
Bennu [to Brian]: I could tell when you went from 'fake evil laugh' to real laughter when you got to 'can't stop laughing'
Mahir tries to conceal it, but he can't quite hide his glee at such a display of force against such wickedness. "For all their fearsome appearance, they weren't really much of foe it seems." He flutters slowly to the ground and releases the essence powering his wings allowing them to vanish.
Bennu lifts her hands towards the sun, her bladed still coated with the results of the battle, and leads her troops in a brief hymn of victory praise to the Sun. It is a Cult hymn, and may also offer certain praise to the Illuminated, but ...mostly the Sun.
Brian [to Bennu]: Sorry, the whole thing was pretty uncontrollable. :P Do you want to make a roll out of that?
Reed finds himself unsupported in midair as the treefae dissolves, but that isn't a problem for the diminutive Lunar. Letting his form flow and remold itself as he falls, he snaps out ivory-feathered wings and turns the fall into a skim across the ground just moments before he hits it, then soars skyward again on a thermal formed of burning fae and circles the battlefield, falcon's eyes scanning the ground for anything unusual or noteworthy.
Brian [to Reed]: The fae have evaporated. There are rusty gears, broken cogs, and other shattered lossage from the art of a mechanist, but little treasure and no mortals.
Bennu [to Brian]: If I'm going to I may want to stunt a little better. :p
Two lowers her weapons, her breathing heavy. She looks for some place solid and relatively comfortable to sit down on. "I. Well. That was something that happened." She looks up at the others. "I suspect we have broken them for some time. The villages will have a lot less to worry about."
Reed [to Brian]: So, nothing that they haven't already destroyed and none of the humans down.
Brian [to Reed]: Between Bennu's strategy and Teyv's attentiveness, all is well.
Brian [to Bennu]: You don't have to, was just checking.
Ashan unseals the helm of his armor, tucking it under one arm, and runs his free hand through his hair; the sign of Serenity glows on his brow, slowly fading. He's quiet for now, watching.
Reed stoops and snatches up a twisted vine-like wire with his talons, then glides over to Teyv and flows back into his mortal form. "You did well," he says.
<> Brian says "Awww, cute."
Bennu shakes her head. "Foot soldiers," she says. "That is all this was. This behemoth abberation that has lurked for centuries... it was not here. We have fought off scouts and outriders, and perhaps taught them the beginnings of fear, but no more." The hymn finished, she, like her troops, begins cleaning her equipment.
<> Reed says "That is, he didn't attract undue attention."
Two sighs and shrugs. "There will be plenty more fear where this came from."
Bennu smiles wryly and nods. "We did not begin to test the limits of our ability to fight," she agrees. "It was a good first test. We destroyed them or drove them from the field, and we are untouched. Now, we must continue our hunt. When all have recovered their Essence."
<> Brian says "Any last poses or comments? If not, we'll adjourn here."
<> Reed has nothing else.
<> Two says "No nothing more"
<> Ashan says "I'm good."
<> Two says "But mommy wants more War charms"
Brian says, "Alright. 5xp all! I hope everyone enjoyed."
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