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>>213454
You drive the power of your faith into the Zebra, penetrating her with Luna's Love and Light. It reverberates through her body, seeming to burn away some impurity inside of her. She shrieks—the first real sound any of them have made, and with none of the taint on the Buffalo's voice—and she collapses, almost unconscious.
>>213457
>>213466
You anticipate the donkey's landing, sweeping his legs out from under him in a deft blow.
Bethany: 1/5
>>213462
You gently separate Auvergne and the Zebra from Chester, placing yourself in position to protect the unicorn.
>>213464
You take advantage of the opening Bethany created and quickly twirl the haft of a spear to sap the donkey fighter. He falls over with nary a sound or struggle.
>>213483
With the Zebra subdued, you quickly retreat to the edges of the antechamber and are now in position to close in on the Buffalo.
The Buffalo raises his hooves to channel some kind of power. '1d10'
You drive the power of your faith into the Zebra, penetrating her with Luna's Love and Light. It reverberates through her body, seeming to burn away some impurity inside of her. She shrieks—the first real sound any of them have made, and with none of the taint on the Buffalo's voice—and she collapses, almost unconscious.
>>213457
>>213466
You anticipate the donkey's landing, sweeping his legs out from under him in a deft blow.
Bethany: 1/5
>>213462
You gently separate Auvergne and the Zebra from Chester, placing yourself in position to protect the unicorn.
>>213464
You take advantage of the opening Bethany created and quickly twirl the haft of a spear to sap the donkey fighter. He falls over with nary a sound or struggle.
>>213483
With the Zebra subdued, you quickly retreat to the edges of the antechamber and are now in position to close in on the Buffalo.
The Buffalo raises his hooves to channel some kind of power. '1d10'
>>213491
A dark magic presence befouls the vicinity, even the golden light of the trapped fountain seeming to shrink away as vile energy draws itself into the Buffalo's form.
At the last moment, however, it seems to be too much for the creature to withstand, and he violently implodes in a mess of shapeless black goo. The entire chamber quakes and shudders as the splattered mess coagulates and seems to pull itself together.
Combat seems to have ended.
>>213494
Roll to get through to her.
A dark magic presence befouls the vicinity, even the golden light of the trapped fountain seeming to shrink away as vile energy draws itself into the Buffalo's form.
At the last moment, however, it seems to be too much for the creature to withstand, and he violently implodes in a mess of shapeless black goo. The entire chamber quakes and shudders as the splattered mess coagulates and seems to pull itself together.
Combat seems to have ended.
>>213494
Roll to get through to her.
>>213498
The donkey wakes up and bites you. No lasting damage, but he's still apparently hostile.
>>213504
Fortunately Auvergne is able to lasso him up something good. You'd think he was a regular rodeo rustler (though what self-respecting pegasus would turn to ground-pounding?).
>>213501
The Zebra shivers and wakes with a start, flailing ineffectually. "GET IT OUT! GET IT—oh stars, it's not… Where am I?"
The donkey wakes up and bites you. No lasting damage, but he's still apparently hostile.
>>213504
Fortunately Auvergne is able to lasso him up something good. You'd think he was a regular rodeo rustler (though what self-respecting pegasus would turn to ground-pounding?).
>>213501
The Zebra shivers and wakes with a start, flailing ineffectually. "GET IT OUT! GET IT—oh stars, it's not… Where am I?"
>>213506
"Currently, you're in one of Filchfire's chambers. We met your group at the trapped door below, and parted for a brief time before finding that your group had vanished through the door. I can only assume that the spell enslaved your minds, and turned your towards the defense of the tower."
Patting her head with a comforting hoof, I'll continue.
"Now, since I was able to help you, I should be able to help the others as well. Let's say we start with your itinerant Donkey friend there."
Rolling for comfort, and for the Cure spell on the Donkey.
Roll #0 6, 1 + 1 = 8
"Currently, you're in one of Filchfire's chambers. We met your group at the trapped door below, and parted for a brief time before finding that your group had vanished through the door. I can only assume that the spell enslaved your minds, and turned your towards the defense of the tower."
Patting her head with a comforting hoof, I'll continue.
"Now, since I was able to help you, I should be able to help the others as well. Let's say we start with your itinerant Donkey friend there."
Rolling for comfort, and for the Cure spell on the Donkey.
Roll #0 6, 1 + 1 = 8
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>>213506
One who knows the value of a decent meal and has come to understand and learn from those who grow the food.
One who knows the value of a decent meal and has come to understand and learn from those who grow the food.
"The trapped door! Oh gods, tell me you didn't look in there… The things I've—"
The Zebra lets out a ghastly sound as terror seizes her. While everypony was busy interrogating her and subduing the donkey, the black puddle of goo that is the Buffalo's remains has risen into a shapeless pillar of eyes.
The Zebra lets out a ghastly sound as terror seizes her. While everypony was busy interrogating her and subduing the donkey, the black puddle of goo that is the Buffalo's remains has risen into a shapeless pillar of eyes.
You try to make sense of the abomination, but staring at it does you no good. You can all feel something eating away at the edges of your minds, almost like an audible chewing and nibbling.
>>213555
You strike out before it can do any damage to you, but this is no shadow; it is a solid, tangible thing made of shapeless flesh and nameless matter. You bash out a good lump of it, leaving an open, dumbly drooling mouth in the thing's side.
It lets out an alien moan, the very sound of it rattling your ribcages.
>>213558
You are driven to eliminate the pure evil of this being, and your imbued spear cuts a vast, glowing gash of sunlight in the thing's midsection. The sunlight eats away at it from the inside, and it slowly evaporates into nothingness as the burning, hungry light consumes it entirely.
The zebra is scrambling backwards aimlessly across the floor, cowering after having seen the creature. She is taken by madness, repeating herself over and over, "Their bodies are no longer their own…"
>>213555
You strike out before it can do any damage to you, but this is no shadow; it is a solid, tangible thing made of shapeless flesh and nameless matter. You bash out a good lump of it, leaving an open, dumbly drooling mouth in the thing's side.
It lets out an alien moan, the very sound of it rattling your ribcages.
>>213558
You are driven to eliminate the pure evil of this being, and your imbued spear cuts a vast, glowing gash of sunlight in the thing's midsection. The sunlight eats away at it from the inside, and it slowly evaporates into nothingness as the burning, hungry light consumes it entirely.
The zebra is scrambling backwards aimlessly across the floor, cowering after having seen the creature. She is taken by madness, repeating herself over and over, "Their bodies are no longer their own…"
>>213563
"Could you fellows keep the other two from getting into trouble? I'm going to try and calm her before she hurts herself."
Heading over to the Zebra, I'll attempt to comfort her.
"Here, now, it's alright. I helped you, I can help the others. You just need to have a little faith, alright?"
rolling for comforting.
Roll #0 9 = 9
"Could you fellows keep the other two from getting into trouble? I'm going to try and calm her before she hurts herself."
Heading over to the Zebra, I'll attempt to comfort her.
"Here, now, it's alright. I helped you, I can help the others. You just need to have a little faith, alright?"
rolling for comforting.
Roll #0 9 = 9
>>213567
You can't seem to give a name to that thing, and that makes your mental attempts to guard against it all that more difficult.
>>213569
The Zebra is able to stop hyperventilating as she clings to you. "That room down there, something is being kept in there, it's in them now, it's everywhere, it's everywhere."
You can't seem to give a name to that thing, and that makes your mental attempts to guard against it all that more difficult.
>>213569
The Zebra is able to stop hyperventilating as she clings to you. "That room down there, something is being kept in there, it's in them now, it's everywhere, it's everywhere."
>>213572
I'll shoot Klandin a glare.
>>213575
"There there. You're fine."
I'll give her a little pat on the back, a hug, and then gently extricate myself.
"Now, I'm going to help your friends, alright? I'll be back in just a moment."
Starting with the donkey, I'll try the cure spell again.
Roll #0 5 + 1 = 6
I'll shoot Klandin a glare.
>>213575
"There there. You're fine."
I'll give her a little pat on the back, a hug, and then gently extricate myself.
"Now, I'm going to help your friends, alright? I'll be back in just a moment."
Starting with the donkey, I'll try the cure spell again.
Roll #0 5 + 1 = 6
>>213576
As your light sizzles over his body, the donkey retches and convulses, and then vomits a heaping glob of the vile black eyeflesh. It tries to crawl away before Gaeton has the good sense to crush it beneath his foot. It explodes with a sickly squish, leaving a black ink-like stain in the floor.
>>213582
You feel at ease, knowing the light of the sun holds power over this aberrant thing.
>>213581
"It's not of this world. It has eyes that do not see, it has skin that does not feel, flesh that has no blood, a mind without thoughts. It waits behind the walls. It's coming."
At this the Knight gets back up onto his hooves, head hanging off at an unnatural angle. Streams of the black flesh are bubbling up around the orifices in his head.
As your light sizzles over his body, the donkey retches and convulses, and then vomits a heaping glob of the vile black eyeflesh. It tries to crawl away before Gaeton has the good sense to crush it beneath his foot. It explodes with a sickly squish, leaving a black ink-like stain in the floor.
>>213582
You feel at ease, knowing the light of the sun holds power over this aberrant thing.
>>213581
"It's not of this world. It has eyes that do not see, it has skin that does not feel, flesh that has no blood, a mind without thoughts. It waits behind the walls. It's coming."
At this the Knight gets back up onto his hooves, head hanging off at an unnatural angle. Streams of the black flesh are bubbling up around the orifices in his head.
>>213619
"Alright, keep an eye on them. I'll see to them once I've gotten our friend here back on her hooves."
Heading back over to the Zebra, I'll help her onto one of the convenient chairs in the library.
"Here, rest for a moment."
After a moment's thought, Chester will turn back to the others.
"And could someone keep an eye on the Astrolabe Map? Last thing we need is another surprise.
"Alright, keep an eye on them. I'll see to them once I've gotten our friend here back on her hooves."
Heading back over to the Zebra, I'll help her onto one of the convenient chairs in the library.
"Here, rest for a moment."
After a moment's thought, Chester will turn back to the others.
"And could someone keep an eye on the Astrolabe Map? Last thing we need is another surprise.
>>213626
I give a blank nod and move for the map.
"I am not very good at subduing things without killing them. My abilities are very imprecise. If you intend to keep them alive, I should probably manage the map."
I begin to search the astrolabe for other groups moving toward our location, or other red-marked groups.
I also scroll to the Golem Foundry and compare the color of the dots there against the color of the Griffin we singled out earlier.
Roll #0 6 = 6
I give a blank nod and move for the map.
"I am not very good at subduing things without killing them. My abilities are very imprecise. If you intend to keep them alive, I should probably manage the map."
I begin to search the astrolabe for other groups moving toward our location, or other red-marked groups.
I also scroll to the Golem Foundry and compare the color of the dots there against the color of the Griffin we singled out earlier.
Roll #0 6 = 6
>>213634
>>213639
"Seems like I've been elected to keep an eye on our guests. I'll prepare some food for when they wake."
>>213643
Let's keep them comfortable and warm. However, I'll take a moment to bind their weapons and put in on top of one of the book shelves. I don't want them attacking us when they wake.
>>213639
"Seems like I've been elected to keep an eye on our guests. I'll prepare some food for when they wake."
>>213643
Let's keep them comfortable and warm. However, I'll take a moment to bind their weapons and put in on top of one of the book shelves. I don't want them attacking us when they wake.
>>213654
This WAS supposed to be Filchfire's personal chambers, but you don't see much in the ways of cooking apart from the sinks in the restroom. You'd have to search for other things such as a firepit, or things that'd pass for such.
>>213656
>>213658
Your concerted efforts don't find any other red dots. You do recognize the swimming tides of green and blue matching the perfect lockstep of constructed golems. They seem to be pumping through the wizard's lair at a regular pace, dispensing to various depots and patrolling winding, aimless passages.
This WAS supposed to be Filchfire's personal chambers, but you don't see much in the ways of cooking apart from the sinks in the restroom. You'd have to search for other things such as a firepit, or things that'd pass for such.
>>213656
>>213658
Your concerted efforts don't find any other red dots. You do recognize the swimming tides of green and blue matching the perfect lockstep of constructed golems. They seem to be pumping through the wizard's lair at a regular pace, dispensing to various depots and patrolling winding, aimless passages.
>>213669
He twitchs uncomfortably, as though being poked in the gut while sleeping off a bad night of drinking.
>>213675
You don't find anything that says "WIZARD HERE" but an enlightened moment of curiosity does lead you to scour the shaft for the origin of Filchfire's illusory image. It came from many floors below, possibly the same room as the other mercs.
…
Midnight again, and after today I think I need to seriously consider sleeping (or attempting to sleep) at a sane(r) hour. Plus, new pony!
No game Saturday, will reconvene Sunday.
He twitchs uncomfortably, as though being poked in the gut while sleeping off a bad night of drinking.
>>213675
You don't find anything that says "WIZARD HERE" but an enlightened moment of curiosity does lead you to scour the shaft for the origin of Filchfire's illusory image. It came from many floors below, possibly the same room as the other mercs.
…
Midnight again, and after today I think I need to seriously consider sleeping (or attempting to sleep) at a sane(r) hour. Plus, new pony!
No game Saturday, will reconvene Sunday.
>>217860
As far as you can tell, there's this antechamber with the restroom and the grand library beyond. You surmise that the actual living quarters is hidden somewhere.
>>217853
You have the Donkey and the Earth knight at the barest edge of consciousness. They seem deeply disoriented. For now, the Zebra is the only one lucid enough to hold conversation.
As far as you can tell, there's this antechamber with the restroom and the grand library beyond. You surmise that the actual living quarters is hidden somewhere.
>>217853
You have the Donkey and the Earth knight at the barest edge of consciousness. They seem deeply disoriented. For now, the Zebra is the only one lucid enough to hold conversation.
>>217878
You casually pull the zebra up to the display, but she'd rather you keep your claws to yourself and she pushes you away rather forcefully.
Your ego has 1/5 hits remaining.
>>217885
As fellow rogues, you are able to exchange insight, mastery and knowledge between yourselves, even analyzing the architecture of the place as you scroll easily through the holographic display of the map.
"Last I remember, I woke up in that same storeroom down there. The cleric got impatient and tried to convince us to have a look in the trapped room again."
As the map moves down, you can see that the trash heap is in fact the lowest part of the facility, save for the unmarked "trapped room" where you found the other party. It seems to fade off into the depths as a long passageway.
"The thing that attacked me when I first went in… it came at us at full force this time. I tell you now, I don't think whatever is below there is part of Filchfire's experiments."
You casually pull the zebra up to the display, but she'd rather you keep your claws to yourself and she pushes you away rather forcefully.
Your ego has 1/5 hits remaining.
>>217885
As fellow rogues, you are able to exchange insight, mastery and knowledge between yourselves, even analyzing the architecture of the place as you scroll easily through the holographic display of the map.
"Last I remember, I woke up in that same storeroom down there. The cleric got impatient and tried to convince us to have a look in the trapped room again."
As the map moves down, you can see that the trash heap is in fact the lowest part of the facility, save for the unmarked "trapped room" where you found the other party. It seems to fade off into the depths as a long passageway.
"The thing that attacked me when I first went in… it came at us at full force this time. I tell you now, I don't think whatever is below there is part of Filchfire's experiments."
>>217893
I'll chime in here.
"It may not be any longer, but at one point it was. We had the misfortune to run into a different variety of your demon. According to that book on the floor there, it's something called a 'Walker in Darkness,' and the construction of such things are ghastly."
As an after thought, I'll add, "but don't try to pick it up while it's on the fountain-side of the door. Magical trap that locks your mind inside the fountain until someone returns the book."
I'll chime in here.
"It may not be any longer, but at one point it was. We had the misfortune to run into a different variety of your demon. According to that book on the floor there, it's something called a 'Walker in Darkness,' and the construction of such things are ghastly."
As an after thought, I'll add, "but don't try to pick it up while it's on the fountain-side of the door. Magical trap that locks your mind inside the fountain until someone returns the book."
>>217897
"I am a Cleric of the Moon, not some heretic wizard. There is a difference."
After mulling over it for a moment, I'll answer the question.
"If I had to hazard a guess, he's probably near the roof, overseeing an experiment, or some other paltry activity. He was rather unconcerned with us."
"I am a Cleric of the Moon, not some heretic wizard. There is a difference."
After mulling over it for a moment, I'll answer the question.
"If I had to hazard a guess, he's probably near the roof, overseeing an experiment, or some other paltry activity. He was rather unconcerned with us."
>>217932
You get a sinking feeling but cannot pinpoint its source. Maybe last night's chili.
>>217934
The zebra thinks about it for a moment, a look of despair coming over her face as the room turns. "I… I hope we can get out. Getting in wasn't easy."
>>217938
From midair you can see everything seems off… but without a level you honestly can't tell.
You get a sinking feeling but cannot pinpoint its source. Maybe last night's chili.
>>217934
The zebra thinks about it for a moment, a look of despair coming over her face as the room turns. "I… I hope we can get out. Getting in wasn't easy."
>>217938
From midair you can see everything seems off… but without a level you honestly can't tell.
>>217955
>>217964
Your desperate search for a door other than the antechamber's leads you to a particularly large book sitting on the shelf. It doesn't budge, but you deduce that it must actually be a trick switch disguised as a tome.
Oldest trick in the book, as it were.
The floor encircling the astrolabe starts to shift, revealing a spiral staircase leading below.
>>217963
The zebra shrugs; she's not a medic. But she agrees to help carry her comrades. You can take one and she'll take the other.
>>217964
Your desperate search for a door other than the antechamber's leads you to a particularly large book sitting on the shelf. It doesn't budge, but you deduce that it must actually be a trick switch disguised as a tome.
Oldest trick in the book, as it were.
The floor encircling the astrolabe starts to shift, revealing a spiral staircase leading below.
>>217963
The zebra shrugs; she's not a medic. But she agrees to help carry her comrades. You can take one and she'll take the other.
>>217971
You can either pick him up and move him or spend more precious minutes trying to revive him.
>>217984
You and the Zebra take the Donkey on your backs.
There is another loud boom echoing up from the elevator shaft, accompanied by a metallic twang as the lift itself goes off-kilter, no longer aligned with the doorway.
You can either pick him up and move him or spend more precious minutes trying to revive him.
>>217984
You and the Zebra take the Donkey on your backs.
There is another loud boom echoing up from the elevator shaft, accompanied by a metallic twang as the lift itself goes off-kilter, no longer aligned with the doorway.
>>218062
Eh, let's move on.
With Gaeton taking point with Tsvetkov and Klandin right behind him, and the rest of t he group carrying the unconscious down, you all find yourselves coming into a much cozier set of chambers with carpeting, diffuse lighting, and rather mundane wooden furniture. It's like a large cottage in here, replete with a blazing hearth and four post bed.
Eh, let's move on.
With Gaeton taking point with Tsvetkov and Klandin right behind him, and the rest of t he group carrying the unconscious down, you all find yourselves coming into a much cozier set of chambers with carpeting, diffuse lighting, and rather mundane wooden furniture. It's like a large cottage in here, replete with a blazing hearth and four post bed.
>>218073
I'll toss a quick glance around the room for somewhere to set the Earth pony.
"I've got an idea of how to get that book out of the library, if the enchantment doesn't extend in this direction. Do you think you guys could look for a window or other exit while I see if I can't get that journal? It would be invaluable in fighting any more of those Walkers in Darkness."
I'll toss a quick glance around the room for somewhere to set the Earth pony.
"I've got an idea of how to get that book out of the library, if the enchantment doesn't extend in this direction. Do you think you guys could look for a window or other exit while I see if I can't get that journal? It would be invaluable in fighting any more of those Walkers in Darkness."
>>218079
With a blank voice I state to no one in particular, "What a shame."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DAPXMZk2iw
With a blank voice I state to no one in particular, "What a shame."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DAPXMZk2iw
>>218081
Considering the fact the lair was supposedly built into the deep earth of a volcano and hidden behind an altered space dimensional door, you're not surprised to find that this place is a dead-end. There is, however, an interesting looking mirror that doesn't seem to have any reflections at all in it.
>>218082
The carpets and the bed all look serviceable places, though for sensibility's sake you probably shouldn't go sleeping in other folks' beds uninvited…
Considering the fact the lair was supposedly built into the deep earth of a volcano and hidden behind an altered space dimensional door, you're not surprised to find that this place is a dead-end. There is, however, an interesting looking mirror that doesn't seem to have any reflections at all in it.
>>218082
The carpets and the bed all look serviceable places, though for sensibility's sake you probably shouldn't go sleeping in other folks' beds uninvited…
>>218092
I was just looking for somewhere to safely put the Earth pony down while I try to knock the journal back into the library and then see if I can't abscond with it down the stairs beneath the astrolabe.
Of course, that's only if we've got the time for such chicanery. I will set the earth pony down on the carpeting though, until we're certain of where we're going.
Roll #0 6 = 6
I was just looking for somewhere to safely put the Earth pony down while I try to knock the journal back into the library and then see if I can't abscond with it down the stairs beneath the astrolabe.
Of course, that's only if we've got the time for such chicanery. I will set the earth pony down on the carpeting though, until we're certain of where we're going.
Roll #0 6 = 6
>>218084
New note added to your DataVault.
It says: ur a faget
>>218095
Do you think you have enough time for that? If you're going to do something, say so.
>>218098
The mirror gives off a blaze of sparkling energy; harmless, but it doesn't seem to respond any differently. You notice there is a papyrus scroll here with a quill pen, just like the elevator.
New note added to your DataVault.
It says: ur a faget
>>218095
Do you think you have enough time for that? If you're going to do something, say so.
>>218098
The mirror gives off a blaze of sparkling energy; harmless, but it doesn't seem to respond any differently. You notice there is a papyrus scroll here with a quill pen, just like the elevator.
>>218103
Well, I've got until they figure out the mirror, so I should be able to make it if I hoof it.
"I'll be right back. I need to see if I'm right about something really quick."
I'll then book it back to the library, and grabbing a random book off the shelf, see if I can carry it down the stairwell.
Well, I've got until they figure out the mirror, so I should be able to make it if I hoof it.
"I'll be right back. I need to see if I'm right about something really quick."
I'll then book it back to the library, and grabbing a random book off the shelf, see if I can carry it down the stairwell.
>>218114
Score. Now I just need to get that journal back into the library. I'll head back up and, carefully, start kicking the journal back towards the library.
Well, carefully enough so that it doesn't come to pieces, but I'm still hoping for a little distance. So, rolling for distance, I guess.
Roll #0 3 = 3
Score. Now I just need to get that journal back into the library. I'll head back up and, carefully, start kicking the journal back towards the library.
Well, carefully enough so that it doesn't come to pieces, but I'm still hoping for a little distance. So, rolling for distance, I guess.
Roll #0 3 = 3
>>218120
>>218128
You can feel the magic overtaking you whenever you try to take the journal, but after some excruciating effort you're able to sneak it past the fountain and carry it back into the library.
>>218119
The papyrus absorbs the ink and rewrites itself. "Which one?"
The entire lair shifts over to the other side, something shaking at its foundations… wherever those are.
>>218128
You can feel the magic overtaking you whenever you try to take the journal, but after some excruciating effort you're able to sneak it past the fountain and carry it back into the library.
>>218119
The papyrus absorbs the ink and rewrites itself. "Which one?"
The entire lair shifts over to the other side, something shaking at its foundations… wherever those are.
>>218134
>>218135
>>218143
Chester is able to take the book with him into the bed chambers, suffering no ill effects. Makes sense, considering Filchfire might like a little bedtime reading material.
The mirror shimmers for a second, and in a flash it now holds the image of the balcony overlooking the caldera. You can feel hot volcanic air rushing out at you all. It's a way out.
>>218135
>>218143
Chester is able to take the book with him into the bed chambers, suffering no ill effects. Makes sense, considering Filchfire might like a little bedtime reading material.
The mirror shimmers for a second, and in a flash it now holds the image of the balcony overlooking the caldera. You can feel hot volcanic air rushing out at you all. It's a way out.
>>218163
Luckily you don't have to go fishing; you locate a hairbrush with some gray hairs in it.
The entire party vacates the bedchambers through the mirror portal and is now back on the caldera balcony. The mirror portal closes behind you, leaving no obvious means of reentry other than the gold portal you entered through earlier.
Luckily you don't have to go fishing; you locate a hairbrush with some gray hairs in it.
The entire party vacates the bedchambers through the mirror portal and is now back on the caldera balcony. The mirror portal closes behind you, leaving no obvious means of reentry other than the gold portal you entered through earlier.
>>218167
"Well, let's not waste time. Klandin, Gaeton, Auvergne, if you could fly down the wounded, the rest of us should be able to climb back down. We'll all meet back at the bar, if that's alright?"
I'll turn to the Zebra.
"And you and your friends are always welcome at the Church of Luna, if you ever need someone to talk to about this whole misadventure. Luna knows I'll need to be doing some talking about it with the brothers and sisters of the church…"
"Well, let's not waste time. Klandin, Gaeton, Auvergne, if you could fly down the wounded, the rest of us should be able to climb back down. We'll all meet back at the bar, if that's alright?"
I'll turn to the Zebra.
"And you and your friends are always welcome at the Church of Luna, if you ever need someone to talk to about this whole misadventure. Luna knows I'll need to be doing some talking about it with the brothers and sisters of the church…"
>>218187
"That would likely be best, though we'll need to rig up a harness for you since you lack claws or hands. The bar will be a good meeting place, and make sure they get water to drink, and not ale."
I'll try and get a rope harness made between the remaining wounded and Auvergne.
Roll #0 8 = 8
"That would likely be best, though we'll need to rig up a harness for you since you lack claws or hands. The bar will be a good meeting place, and make sure they get water to drink, and not ale."
I'll try and get a rope harness made between the remaining wounded and Auvergne.
Roll #0 8 = 8
Needless to say your prompt return to the guild tavern is met with some raised eyebrows. Multiple friends of the rescued come to help you and offer rooms, though no one asks about what was in Filchfire's place that got you all so "spooked."
Do you guys want to end the whole thing here, keep going, or pick up again on Wednesday? I mean, I could make a fuller campaign out of this, but…
Do you guys want to end the whole thing here, keep going, or pick up again on Wednesday? I mean, I could make a fuller campaign out of this, but…
>>218271
Well, Chester's going to be taking that journal to the Church of Luna, and they're going to start coming up with countermeasures for the Walkers, hopefully, while also preparing for the golem army.
The long and short of it is that Chester's going to try and start a crusade against Filchfire's tower, and whatever is living beneath it.
That alone would probably remove him from adventuring for a fairly long while, or at least until the rest of the Lunanites mobilize.
Well, Chester's going to be taking that journal to the Church of Luna, and they're going to start coming up with countermeasures for the Walkers, hopefully, while also preparing for the golem army.
The long and short of it is that Chester's going to try and start a crusade against Filchfire's tower, and whatever is living beneath it.
That alone would probably remove him from adventuring for a fairly long while, or at least until the rest of the Lunanites mobilize.
>>218271
I'd like to continue. Though I had sort of planned for my character to return to return to his homeland to give that clump of hair to his accursed dark master.
The return could always be postponed, or we could go our separate ways a la >>218276
>>218289
and reconvene later, at full strength and full force.
Since >>218281
>>218283
suggest we aren't strong enough in our current state, an assessment I'm inclined to agree with.
I'd like to continue. Though I had sort of planned for my character to return to return to his homeland to give that clump of hair to his accursed dark master.
The return could always be postponed, or we could go our separate ways a la >>218276
>>218289
and reconvene later, at full strength and full force.
Since >>218281
>>218283
suggest we aren't strong enough in our current state, an assessment I'm inclined to agree with.
I think we will just have to pick up again on Wednesday, and effectively use a timeskip for the adventure. The lot of you have made a pact to return to Gloom and finish your business with Filchfire, hopefully before it's too late.
I'll give you all some kind of extra rewards for this next phase of the plot, to represent your time spent away and preparing for this event. Don't know what yet, but it would help if each of you made a wishlist. Very generally speaking you can ask for equipment and skill points.
I'll give you all some kind of extra rewards for this next phase of the plot, to represent your time spent away and preparing for this event. Don't know what yet, but it would help if each of you made a wishlist. Very generally speaking you can ask for equipment and skill points.
>>218301
Skill points for me. The whole justification for my being in that tower was, as has probably become abundantly clear, to collect the hair of a powerful mage, for my master, in, as is probably significantly less obvious, payment for the apprenticeship.
I'll need to learn a few new tricks if I'm to be as useful as some crusading orders.
Skill points for me. The whole justification for my being in that tower was, as has probably become abundantly clear, to collect the hair of a powerful mage, for my master, in, as is probably significantly less obvious, payment for the apprenticeship.
I'll need to learn a few new tricks if I'm to be as useful as some crusading orders.
>>218301
I'd like to get that Blue Flame Aura to activate on command. Maybe enchant my mace with it if I can't use it as a spell-like ability. Since I brought that Journal out of the tower, the Lunanites have something to study to gain bonuses against the Walkers and their ilk, and that ability or enchantment could reflect this.
I'd like to get that Blue Flame Aura to activate on command. Maybe enchant my mace with it if I can't use it as a spell-like ability. Since I brought that Journal out of the tower, the Lunanites have something to study to gain bonuses against the Walkers and their ilk, and that ability or enchantment could reflect this.
Our unlikely band of heroes have sworn to return to Gloom, better armed and better prepared to rid the world of Filchfire and the vile corruption that slumbers beneath his extradimensional lair.
To reflect time and preparation, you have all been given rewards and upgrades. Please respond with your selected changes.
AUVERGNE spent more of his time on self-improvement, gaining a Multiclass and 3 Skill Points.
CHESTER took an oath of vigilance, becoming a beacon of Luna's will and able to summon cleansing Moonfire at will. You have been vested with authority, and have at your command a Lunar Apprentice. Your vestment lets you cast spells in light armor without penalty.
Moonfire: passive; all of your actions are enhanced with burning moonlight, the wrath and vigilance of Luna herself made manifest; your very presence lights the darkness and is painful to Evil and otherworldly abominations
GAETON's own ventures earned him not one, but two great artifacts of power. He now wears the Nymph's Heart and wields the Fang Of Fafnir.
Nymph's Heart: special armor; this armor is said to have been carved from the black carapace of a Changeling Queen, light enough to fly in yet granting damage reduction equivalent to superheavy armor (0/0/1/1)
Fang of Fafnir: great weapon; two fullblades joined at the hilt, you can attack with this Great Weapon as though Dual Wielding even while using Power Attack or Cleave (roll two attacks, a critical miss on either whiffs both)
To reflect time and preparation, you have all been given rewards and upgrades. Please respond with your selected changes.
AUVERGNE spent more of his time on self-improvement, gaining a Multiclass and 3 Skill Points.
CHESTER took an oath of vigilance, becoming a beacon of Luna's will and able to summon cleansing Moonfire at will. You have been vested with authority, and have at your command a Lunar Apprentice. Your vestment lets you cast spells in light armor without penalty.
Moonfire: passive; all of your actions are enhanced with burning moonlight, the wrath and vigilance of Luna herself made manifest; your very presence lights the darkness and is painful to Evil and otherworldly abominations
GAETON's own ventures earned him not one, but two great artifacts of power. He now wears the Nymph's Heart and wields the Fang Of Fafnir.
Nymph's Heart: special armor; this armor is said to have been carved from the black carapace of a Changeling Queen, light enough to fly in yet granting damage reduction equivalent to superheavy armor (0/0/1/1)
Fang of Fafnir: great weapon; two fullblades joined at the hilt, you can attack with this Great Weapon as though Dual Wielding even while using Power Attack or Cleave (roll two attacks, a critical miss on either whiffs both)
KLANDIN devoted himself to becoming a stalwart warrior of Celestia, and was granted new vestments to represent his distinguished rank in the clergy. You have an additional 3 Skill Points.
Flarekiss:[b] special armor; despite its whimsical name, this brilliant gold armor is light enough to fly in while granting damage reduction equivalent to heavy armor (0/1/1/2) and gives off damaging sunlight and fire against any who damage you
BETHANY devoted herself to the Sun, and as a Lifebinder she now understands Pet Mastery (able to command two minions), and has 2 Skill Points. As you specialize in the command of minions, you must select one of the Minion Options detailed below.
TSVETKOV offered Filchfire's hair to his master and was rewarded justly with the knowledge of Pet Mastery (able to command two minions), and has 2 Skill Points. As you specialize in the command of minions, you must select one of the Minion Options detailed below.
MINION OPTIONS FOR BETHANY AND TSVETKOV
[b]Familiars: Your minions stay close to you, defending you against attacks and granting passive bonuses.
Independent: Your minions act independently of you, and you make an additional roll for their action during your turn.
Overmind: Controlling your minions replaces your action, and you make an additional roll for their action during your turn.
Flarekiss:[b] special armor; despite its whimsical name, this brilliant gold armor is light enough to fly in while granting damage reduction equivalent to heavy armor (0/1/1/2) and gives off damaging sunlight and fire against any who damage you
BETHANY devoted herself to the Sun, and as a Lifebinder she now understands Pet Mastery (able to command two minions), and has 2 Skill Points. As you specialize in the command of minions, you must select one of the Minion Options detailed below.
TSVETKOV offered Filchfire's hair to his master and was rewarded justly with the knowledge of Pet Mastery (able to command two minions), and has 2 Skill Points. As you specialize in the command of minions, you must select one of the Minion Options detailed below.
MINION OPTIONS FOR BETHANY AND TSVETKOV
[b]Familiars: Your minions stay close to you, defending you against attacks and granting passive bonuses.
Independent: Your minions act independently of you, and you make an additional roll for their action during your turn.
Overmind: Controlling your minions replaces your action, and you make an additional roll for their action during your turn.
>>221457
Effectively, yes. It doesn't have an explicit armor class, though; a pegasus could wear it and suffer no penalties.
A note on damage reduction and my notation:
Damage from failed combat rolls goes from 1 hit to instantly Helpless. In my notation, I write down numbers as a/b/c/d representing the damage from a roll of 5/4/3/2.
So a DR notation of 0/1/1/2 means 0 damage on a roll of 5 and 2 damage on a roll of 2.
Addendum for Auvergne: Roll 1d10 to see how much of your apprentice's features you can specify.
'2d9' 'r2 1d100'
Roll #1 3, 4 = 7 / Roll #2 17 = 17
Effectively, yes. It doesn't have an explicit armor class, though; a pegasus could wear it and suffer no penalties.
A note on damage reduction and my notation:
Damage from failed combat rolls goes from 1 hit to instantly Helpless. In my notation, I write down numbers as a/b/c/d representing the damage from a roll of 5/4/3/2.
So a DR notation of 0/1/1/2 means 0 damage on a roll of 5 and 2 damage on a roll of 2.
Addendum for Auvergne: Roll 1d10 to see how much of your apprentice's features you can specify.
'2d9' 'r2 1d100'
Roll #1 3, 4 = 7 / Roll #2 17 = 17
>>221485
In short:
1pt
Elementalist: passive; choose element types to add to other spells — Fire incurs penalty to target if target becomes helpless — Ice reduces crit range for next attack — Lightning crit makes target helpless for one turn
Farsight: as standard
Magic Bolt: as standard, can use one Elementalist effect when casting
2pt
Energy Orb: spell; ranged Cleave, can use one Elementalist effect when casting
Teleport: standard
3pt
Spell Focus: standard
In short:
1pt
Elementalist: passive; choose element types to add to other spells — Fire incurs penalty to target if target becomes helpless — Ice reduces crit range for next attack — Lightning crit makes target helpless for one turn
Farsight: as standard
Magic Bolt: as standard, can use one Elementalist effect when casting
2pt
Energy Orb: spell; ranged Cleave, can use one Elementalist effect when casting
Teleport: standard
3pt
Spell Focus: standard
>>221486
Alright, here she is. Four skills, as you rolled.
Lunar Apprentice: Cohort
Name: ???
Race: Unicorn
Gender: Female
Class: Mage
Cutie Mark: ???
Deity: Luna
Alignment: N. Good
Skills/Spells: Teleport (Spell, recharge 2. Warps you or target object up to about 100 meters in any direction. Critfail can result in telefrag), Elementalist: Ice (Passive, applied to spells. Attacks against foes hit with ice spells on a previous turn count partial successes as full succes and lower the DC for a crit by 1), Far Sight (Spell, instant cast. Peer into the distance without a spyglass, even through darkness.)
Alright, here she is. Four skills, as you rolled.
Lunar Apprentice: Cohort
Name: ???
Race: Unicorn
Gender: Female
Class: Mage
Cutie Mark: ???
Deity: Luna
Alignment: N. Good
Skills/Spells: Teleport (Spell, recharge 2. Warps you or target object up to about 100 meters in any direction. Critfail can result in telefrag), Elementalist: Ice (Passive, applied to spells. Attacks against foes hit with ice spells on a previous turn count partial successes as full succes and lower the DC for a crit by 1), Far Sight (Spell, instant cast. Peer into the distance without a spyglass, even through darkness.)
>>221494
>>221499
Porin, the female NG Mage of Luna and Apprentice to Chester
Cutie Mark: a snowflake (+2 cold magic)
Elementalist (Ice), Magic Bolt, Teleport
This gangly female pony is a unicorn who is organized, studious, and boastful. Her coat is orange. She has a mane that is violet and white, and it reminds you of a shark's fin. Her round eyes are midnight black.
She wears cloth armor (DR 1/2/3/4) and takes 4 hits and 5 wounds.
>>221499
Porin, the female NG Mage of Luna and Apprentice to Chester
Cutie Mark: a snowflake (+2 cold magic)
Elementalist (Ice), Magic Bolt, Teleport
This gangly female pony is a unicorn who is organized, studious, and boastful. Her coat is orange. She has a mane that is violet and white, and it reminds you of a shark's fin. Her round eyes are midnight black.
She wears cloth armor (DR 1/2/3/4) and takes 4 hits and 5 wounds.
>>221486
That energy orb looks good. But I'll have to add scholar if I want to RP him properly. What do others think?
Mostly because I've been practicing with this guy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AfN6nB3kFc
That energy orb looks good. But I'll have to add scholar if I want to RP him properly. What do others think?
Mostly because I've been practicing with this guy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AfN6nB3kFc
Looks like we're all settled save for Tsvetkov who is held up for reasons beyond control.
Your return to Gloom is markedly less ostentatious than you may have first expected. Apparently the kingdoms of the world care not for rumors of eldritch horror and absent otherworldly threats, but Princess Celestia of Equestria saw fit to deploy a small task force to accompany you to Gloom. The city is a neutral ground, and sending a large cadre would have sent the wrong signal.
As such, Chester is saddled with a young mare apprentice, and Klandin is in contact with a small group of inquisitors who are collaborating with your party and will rendezvous with you in the city proper.
But it's been an awfully long time since you've visited the city. Certainly it must have changed? You can choose to either have tracked rumors and news from Gloom during your away time, or having studied history about the city. Make a roll.
Your return to Gloom is markedly less ostentatious than you may have first expected. Apparently the kingdoms of the world care not for rumors of eldritch horror and absent otherworldly threats, but Princess Celestia of Equestria saw fit to deploy a small task force to accompany you to Gloom. The city is a neutral ground, and sending a large cadre would have sent the wrong signal.
As such, Chester is saddled with a young mare apprentice, and Klandin is in contact with a small group of inquisitors who are collaborating with your party and will rendezvous with you in the city proper.
But it's been an awfully long time since you've visited the city. Certainly it must have changed? You can choose to either have tracked rumors and news from Gloom during your away time, or having studied history about the city. Make a roll.
>>221486
I'll move towards Arcane Blade. My character was hampered by magic and magic-based enemies, so he studied that to be prepared for next time.
I'll use my journal as my spell focus device, since It's where I kept my cooking and adventure notes as well. It'd be logical to keep my magic notes on there as well.
I think I'll take magic bolt and Energy Orb, if possible.
>>221562
My character was both held up in books as well as hearing the rumors of all the people who stopped by to eat at whatever restaurant he was working at. Easy way for him to acquire information.
Roll #0 9 = 9
I'll move towards Arcane Blade. My character was hampered by magic and magic-based enemies, so he studied that to be prepared for next time.
I'll use my journal as my spell focus device, since It's where I kept my cooking and adventure notes as well. It'd be logical to keep my magic notes on there as well.
I think I'll take magic bolt and Energy Orb, if possible.
>>221562
My character was both held up in books as well as hearing the rumors of all the people who stopped by to eat at whatever restaurant he was working at. Easy way for him to acquire information.
Roll #0 9 = 9
>>221566
>>221572
Your studies reveal that Gloom was based on a settlement dating back to the First Age. Legend is that three witches resided on the active volcano and summoned a destructive force the likes of which the world had never seen.
Filchfire himself is only a recent inhabitant of Gloom, though few recall when exactly he "came to power". Filchfire's "tower" isn't an actual place in Gloom, but an extradimensional space he must have constructed himself. He had used the underworld and black market culture of Gloom to gather resources and eliminate threats to his power, and none have actually met him in person.
>>221580
>>221582
More concerned with the modern goings-on of Gloom, you hear that the city has indeed fallen under seige from within. Metal golems have cordoned off a great swath of the city, oppressing the citizens trapped within and crushing any would-be trespassers. There are rumors of disappearances and arrests at night, and the prefects of Gloom have rallied together to hold back the tide of iron and arcana that threatens to overtake the city.
What most of the outside world regarded as the usual implosion of borderlands politics now seems to you a desperate bid for liberty. From a distance, even in the smoke-choked skies and burning horizons of the volcanic blight around Gloom, you can spot the flares of magic explosions and the sounds of fighting.
You are all on the road approaching Gloom's walls at the base of the mountain, having rendezvoused with each other at a trading post outside these lands. You have passed more than a few caravans of refugees leaving the city.
>>221572
Your studies reveal that Gloom was based on a settlement dating back to the First Age. Legend is that three witches resided on the active volcano and summoned a destructive force the likes of which the world had never seen.
Filchfire himself is only a recent inhabitant of Gloom, though few recall when exactly he "came to power". Filchfire's "tower" isn't an actual place in Gloom, but an extradimensional space he must have constructed himself. He had used the underworld and black market culture of Gloom to gather resources and eliminate threats to his power, and none have actually met him in person.
>>221580
>>221582
More concerned with the modern goings-on of Gloom, you hear that the city has indeed fallen under seige from within. Metal golems have cordoned off a great swath of the city, oppressing the citizens trapped within and crushing any would-be trespassers. There are rumors of disappearances and arrests at night, and the prefects of Gloom have rallied together to hold back the tide of iron and arcana that threatens to overtake the city.
What most of the outside world regarded as the usual implosion of borderlands politics now seems to you a desperate bid for liberty. From a distance, even in the smoke-choked skies and burning horizons of the volcanic blight around Gloom, you can spot the flares of magic explosions and the sounds of fighting.
You are all on the road approaching Gloom's walls at the base of the mountain, having rendezvoused with each other at a trading post outside these lands. You have passed more than a few caravans of refugees leaving the city.
>>221562
I'll take my two skillpoints to multiclass into Warlock (Necromancer/Mage), and since Beth is testing Familiars, I'll test Independent.
Since Tartarian Power grants my two pets autocrits, this should be a good test to see if it's OP.
Good to see I haven't missed much!
>>221606
I give a toothy growl. "Good to see you, compatriots. I hope you made good use of your time. For my efforts, my Master has rewarded me thusly. This will help us track Filchfire."
I hold out the compass.
"Hair of the goat."
Let's see if I can get it to point straight for a change.
Roll #0 1 = 1
I'll take my two skillpoints to multiclass into Warlock (Necromancer/Mage), and since Beth is testing Familiars, I'll test Independent.
Since Tartarian Power grants my two pets autocrits, this should be a good test to see if it's OP.
Good to see I haven't missed much!
>>221606
I give a toothy growl. "Good to see you, compatriots. I hope you made good use of your time. For my efforts, my Master has rewarded me thusly. This will help us track Filchfire."
I hold out the compass.
"Hair of the goat."
Let's see if I can get it to point straight for a change.
Roll #0 1 = 1
>>221582
Since i messed up a bit on the catalyst, can it just be a crystal I embedded into it? To keep it hidden.
>>221619
If there are more people passing by, let me ask them about the golems specifically. Size, weapons, their actions, anything that can be of use.
Also, warbaragarble, why won't it let me post?
Since i messed up a bit on the catalyst, can it just be a crystal I embedded into it? To keep it hidden.
>>221619
If there are more people passing by, let me ask them about the golems specifically. Size, weapons, their actions, anything that can be of use.
Also, warbaragarble, why won't it let me post?
>>221626
I nod. "Good point."
>>221630
"Never better. As collateral for my training, my Master, had originally drained me of all expression. An experiment, that his student would not stray from study if incapable of feeling emotion. To complete my training and restore my mind to its fullest state, I needed the hair of a powerful mage. Filchfire seems to have qualified. I apologize for any indiscretions or otherwise social faux pas from before."
I nod. "Good point."
>>221630
"Never better. As collateral for my training, my Master, had originally drained me of all expression. An experiment, that his student would not stray from study if incapable of feeling emotion. To complete my training and restore my mind to its fullest state, I needed the hair of a powerful mage. Filchfire seems to have qualified. I apologize for any indiscretions or otherwise social faux pas from before."
>>221650
You're able to stop a fellow mercenary who looks like he's taken a beating.
He gestures back at the city, pointing out great white spires forming a jagged barricade across the city. Like teeth, they've slowly been creeping across the citadels without regard for any structures, claiming territory for Filchfire and crushing any buildings in their way.
The Caldera is Filchfire's now, the center of his force's movements and the eye of regular arcane storms. Constructs of all sorts, walkers, fliers, jumpers, hunters… Innocents and resistance alike are snatched up in broad daylight, taken across the wall and never seen again.
"No way I'm going back there to fight those things. The borderlands are a big place, if he wants the city, he can have it."
You're able to stop a fellow mercenary who looks like he's taken a beating.
He gestures back at the city, pointing out great white spires forming a jagged barricade across the city. Like teeth, they've slowly been creeping across the citadels without regard for any structures, claiming territory for Filchfire and crushing any buildings in their way.
The Caldera is Filchfire's now, the center of his force's movements and the eye of regular arcane storms. Constructs of all sorts, walkers, fliers, jumpers, hunters… Innocents and resistance alike are snatched up in broad daylight, taken across the wall and never seen again.
"No way I'm going back there to fight those things. The borderlands are a big place, if he wants the city, he can have it."
>>221673
"The journal I 'liberated' from his library made mention of the vast amount of souls trapped within each Walker in Darkness. As you recall our encounter with one, even after both Bethany and I put it to rest, there were still untold numbers of souls trapped within the undying body of the host."
"The journal I 'liberated' from his library made mention of the vast amount of souls trapped within each Walker in Darkness. As you recall our encounter with one, even after both Bethany and I put it to rest, there were still untold numbers of souls trapped within the undying body of the host."
>>221692
>>221695
>>221710
"Talia One-Ear? Oh, she disappeared once the war was on, like a proper cat burglar she is. I shoulda done the same, but I felt like I owed me comrades something. Now I got no comrades to owe anything to!" The old goat shrugs. "I didn't do it for the money. I live here, or used to, anyway."
He turns away from Gloom and continues towards the horizon.
>>221695
>>221710
"Talia One-Ear? Oh, she disappeared once the war was on, like a proper cat burglar she is. I shoulda done the same, but I felt like I owed me comrades something. Now I got no comrades to owe anything to!" The old goat shrugs. "I didn't do it for the money. I live here, or used to, anyway."
He turns away from Gloom and continues towards the horizon.
>>221769
As you pass through the walls, you notice that the militia is largely absent from the borders save for a token patrol.
"You're those travelers I was told about. A bunch of Sun-worshipers passed through here a few nights ago, they've set up a base camp at the southern front." He hands you a seal of Celestia, unmistakably one of the inquisitors'.
"Though really, any side of the city's as good as any other, what with that wall coming down on us from the caldera. Even if we do push it back on one side it'll be moving up on the other. Hopeless business it is. I'm just here to make sure there's no looters and such coming to start trouble. The folks who are still staying here don't deserve no more trouble."
As you pass through the walls, you notice that the militia is largely absent from the borders save for a token patrol.
"You're those travelers I was told about. A bunch of Sun-worshipers passed through here a few nights ago, they've set up a base camp at the southern front." He hands you a seal of Celestia, unmistakably one of the inquisitors'.
"Though really, any side of the city's as good as any other, what with that wall coming down on us from the caldera. Even if we do push it back on one side it'll be moving up on the other. Hopeless business it is. I'm just here to make sure there's no looters and such coming to start trouble. The folks who are still staying here don't deserve no more trouble."
>>221722
(sorry for late response)
You spot a macabre scene: a sort of mass gathering of bodies and corpses lined up for identification and collection. There's a pile to one side of the square where they're dumping unclaimed or unidentifiable bodies, to prevent spread of disease.
You wryly pluck two of these corpses from the heap, both in very good physical condition though stripped of any gear. These two ponies must have been mercenaries; one a male Earth and the other a female Pegasus. Just as well, you requisition some clothes from other nameless bodies to help make yours look the least bit presentable.
On top of getting your new followers up and running, you supercharge them with Tartarian Power. A subtle glow fills their darkened eyes and they are ready to give their all for you.
>>221792
>>221797
"They seem to attack at random—" Just at that moment a shrill foghorn sounds some blocks away. "Longlegs! Take cover—"
The milita guard is vaporized right before your eyes, a beam of hot light washing over him from high over the buildings. Citizens all around you scatter, a few freedom fighters erupting from hidden positions to take potshots at the Longlegs.
The Longlegs is a colossal construct with spindly legs like a harvestman and a vile pair of appendages hanging from its main body firing bursts of energy at the residents of Gloom far below. At this distance, even a skilled Tracker would have trouble hitting the tiny central body.
(sorry for late response)
You spot a macabre scene: a sort of mass gathering of bodies and corpses lined up for identification and collection. There's a pile to one side of the square where they're dumping unclaimed or unidentifiable bodies, to prevent spread of disease.
You wryly pluck two of these corpses from the heap, both in very good physical condition though stripped of any gear. These two ponies must have been mercenaries; one a male Earth and the other a female Pegasus. Just as well, you requisition some clothes from other nameless bodies to help make yours look the least bit presentable.
On top of getting your new followers up and running, you supercharge them with Tartarian Power. A subtle glow fills their darkened eyes and they are ready to give their all for you.
>>221792
>>221797
"They seem to attack at random—" Just at that moment a shrill foghorn sounds some blocks away. "Longlegs! Take cover—"
The milita guard is vaporized right before your eyes, a beam of hot light washing over him from high over the buildings. Citizens all around you scatter, a few freedom fighters erupting from hidden positions to take potshots at the Longlegs.
The Longlegs is a colossal construct with spindly legs like a harvestman and a vile pair of appendages hanging from its main body firing bursts of energy at the residents of Gloom far below. At this distance, even a skilled Tracker would have trouble hitting the tiny central body.
>>221806
One of its giant legs, slices straight through a house and slams you into against another, pinning you underneath its clawed foot and threatening to mash you into a fine paste. Flarekiss responds in kind, erupting in a blinding flash of white-hot fire that sets the metal foot ablaze.
For a sense of scale, that foot could crush a wagon that carried your entire party. The main body of the Longlegs is maybe eight stories off the ground.
One of its giant legs, slices straight through a house and slams you into against another, pinning you underneath its clawed foot and threatening to mash you into a fine paste. Flarekiss responds in kind, erupting in a blinding flash of white-hot fire that sets the metal foot ablaze.
For a sense of scale, that foot could crush a wagon that carried your entire party. The main body of the Longlegs is maybe eight stories off the ground.
>>221803
"The legs are thin and weak! Take them!"
I send my pegasus up to strike at the core, and I leap atop my earth steed to ride for one of the legs.
Upon arriving, my steed rears up and kicks the legs, in parallel with my pegasus above. '1d10'
I, meanwhile, apply the Touch of Death to the leg, attempting to rust it off entirely, or at least weaken it enough for it to be smashed.
'1d10+2'
Roll #1 3 = 3
"The legs are thin and weak! Take them!"
I send my pegasus up to strike at the core, and I leap atop my earth steed to ride for one of the legs.
Upon arriving, my steed rears up and kicks the legs, in parallel with my pegasus above. '1d10'
I, meanwhile, apply the Touch of Death to the leg, attempting to rust it off entirely, or at least weaken it enough for it to be smashed.
'1d10+2'
Roll #1 3 = 3
>>221815
Your Earth minion can't seem to break through the plating on the foot, but your Touch immediately crumbles away several bulkheads on it.
Klandin is freed!
Meanwhile your Pegasus minion groggily dodges the beams from the main body.
>>221819
Magic Bolt rolls once to attack twice. So the first roll will take, and that's a hit!
"Yes, Sir!" With a flourish of her little wizard's cloak, Porin fires off a solid chunk of ice magic at one of the Longlegs' limbs and encases its joint in rigid frost. The construct visibly slows down as it tries to compensate for the stiffened joint. She jumps for joy. "Volcano nothing! Winter has come to Gloom! Did you see that, Sir?"
>>221820
You manage to pull up only one minion, it's a horrible mish-mash of bones, like the creature it used to be was turned inside-out. Or, on second glance, maybe it was one creature eating another and you managed to pull up only a part of their unholy union.
Still, odd-shaped as it is, it's a worthy fossil, and looks plenty sturdy and spiky. This minion can deal damage to enemies when it takes a hit for you.
Your Earth minion can't seem to break through the plating on the foot, but your Touch immediately crumbles away several bulkheads on it.
Klandin is freed!
Meanwhile your Pegasus minion groggily dodges the beams from the main body.
>>221819
Magic Bolt rolls once to attack twice. So the first roll will take, and that's a hit!
"Yes, Sir!" With a flourish of her little wizard's cloak, Porin fires off a solid chunk of ice magic at one of the Longlegs' limbs and encases its joint in rigid frost. The construct visibly slows down as it tries to compensate for the stiffened joint. She jumps for joy. "Volcano nothing! Winter has come to Gloom! Did you see that, Sir?"
>>221820
You manage to pull up only one minion, it's a horrible mish-mash of bones, like the creature it used to be was turned inside-out. Or, on second glance, maybe it was one creature eating another and you managed to pull up only a part of their unholy union.
Still, odd-shaped as it is, it's a worthy fossil, and looks plenty sturdy and spiky. This minion can deal damage to enemies when it takes a hit for you.
>>221851
"Yes, Porin, you did well. But further congratulations can wait until after it's destroyed. Overconfidence during a battle could end you."
I'll attempt to stagger the Longlegs by telekinetically shoving one of the unfrozen legs towards the center of itself. It's probably not balanced for bipedal movement, especially with a frozen joint.
Roll #0 6 = 6
"Yes, Porin, you did well. But further congratulations can wait until after it's destroyed. Overconfidence during a battle could end you."
I'll attempt to stagger the Longlegs by telekinetically shoving one of the unfrozen legs towards the center of itself. It's probably not balanced for bipedal movement, especially with a frozen joint.
Roll #0 6 = 6
>>221859
There is a horrendous creaking and gnashing of metal as you J-J-JAM IT IN and twist your blade through the molten steel of the Longlegs' foot. It starts to lose balance, its foot almost inoperable.
>>221863
It still hits. You trust your inner force and land a bolt right in an open vent in the Longlegs' main body. That seems to do some serious internal damage!
>>221869
That thing is heavier than it looks! You keep it from advancing, but not much else.
>>221870
You open up another weak spot, in perfect sync with your Earth minion, completely severing a foot.
>>221872
It's alright, I know you didn't plan on it
You leap over the alleyways, becoming a dervish of blades and completely shattering the frozen leg.
The Longlegs starts to keel over, having lost its balance completely. But by its shadow, you can tell it's going to crush a house or two, and civilians scramble for their lives.
There is a horrendous creaking and gnashing of metal as you J-J-JAM IT IN and twist your blade through the molten steel of the Longlegs' foot. It starts to lose balance, its foot almost inoperable.
>>221863
It still hits. You trust your inner force and land a bolt right in an open vent in the Longlegs' main body. That seems to do some serious internal damage!
>>221869
That thing is heavier than it looks! You keep it from advancing, but not much else.
>>221870
You open up another weak spot, in perfect sync with your Earth minion, completely severing a foot.
>>221872
It's alright, I know you didn't plan on it
You leap over the alleyways, becoming a dervish of blades and completely shattering the frozen leg.
The Longlegs starts to keel over, having lost its balance completely. But by its shadow, you can tell it's going to crush a house or two, and civilians scramble for their lives.
>>221916
>>221918
The two of you swoop through the streets and rooftops, snatching up civilians and deposting them safely to the offsides.
>>221921
You're left holding the construct up by yourself, and the feedback in your horn feels like you've got the weight of the entire thing on your head alone. Porin frets and pouts when she can't seem to contribute much lifting power, tiny sparks flying off her horn.
Between your concerted efforts, you manage to buy enough time for ponies and others to evacuate their soon-to-be-pancaked homes.
>>221918
The two of you swoop through the streets and rooftops, snatching up civilians and deposting them safely to the offsides.
>>221921
You're left holding the construct up by yourself, and the feedback in your horn feels like you've got the weight of the entire thing on your head alone. Porin frets and pouts when she can't seem to contribute much lifting power, tiny sparks flying off her horn.
Between your concerted efforts, you manage to buy enough time for ponies and others to evacuate their soon-to-be-pancaked homes.
>>221923
"There are several caravans leaving the area. Join them and make haste in leaving the area."
>>221929
>>221940
I'll walk up to the kid and zombie.
"Sorry kid, but we need your dad for an important mission. Get to the caravan with those other nice people so he can focus on helping us save Equestria. By the way, what's your name?"
"There are several caravans leaving the area. Join them and make haste in leaving the area."
>>221929
>>221940
I'll walk up to the kid and zombie.
"Sorry kid, but we need your dad for an important mission. Get to the caravan with those other nice people so he can focus on helping us save Equestria. By the way, what's your name?"
>>221940
>>221946
Your mastery of necromancy let you expertly manipulate the body's vocal cords and facial expression. For a wonderful moment, it's almost as though the pony actually has come back.
The filly doesn't realize she's looking at her late father, but she nods slowly. "O-okay… mommy said we should just leave…"
Before she goes, she moves up to hug the dead minion's leg, barely missing the unnaturally cold and rotting flesh underneath the clothes.
"A-and I'm sorry about what I said earlier. I don't hate you. I love you, daddy. Just come back for us soon, okay?" And she runs off.
…
>>221957
I won't hold it against you if you're too distracted, you know…
Although the Longlegs has toppled, Gaeton finishes it off with a deft strike to the main body, rending metal and wire into fine ribbons. Bright arcane explosions fizzle off from the exposed machinery, and it gives off a low whine as its death knell.
>>221946
Your mastery of necromancy let you expertly manipulate the body's vocal cords and facial expression. For a wonderful moment, it's almost as though the pony actually has come back.
The filly doesn't realize she's looking at her late father, but she nods slowly. "O-okay… mommy said we should just leave…"
Before she goes, she moves up to hug the dead minion's leg, barely missing the unnaturally cold and rotting flesh underneath the clothes.
"A-and I'm sorry about what I said earlier. I don't hate you. I love you, daddy. Just come back for us soon, okay?" And she runs off.
…
>>221957
I won't hold it against you if you're too distracted, you know…
Although the Longlegs has toppled, Gaeton finishes it off with a deft strike to the main body, rending metal and wire into fine ribbons. Bright arcane explosions fizzle off from the exposed machinery, and it gives off a low whine as its death knell.
Before we get started I'd like everyone to double-check their character sheets.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CLFSe2aQwUqpI885P7mnAIyCheL7uKFFXs1ntQ-L6do/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CLFSe2aQwUqpI885P7mnAIyCheL7uKFFXs1ntQ-L6do/edit
>>235490
That means I have to get rid of armor. I originally wanted this quest to just be a plain old adventure, not a test run, and at th is point it'd be too much of a pain for me to "balance" everything…
Meanwhile, adopting 1.3 Mage skills, ARGH I SERIOUSLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT I AM DOING
>>235494
Oh yeah, there are a few changes you made that… aren't on there. Weird. Just get me those and we should be fine?
That means I have to get rid of armor. I originally wanted this quest to just be a plain old adventure, not a test run, and at th is point it'd be too much of a pain for me to "balance" everything…
Meanwhile, adopting 1.3 Mage skills, ARGH I SERIOUSLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT I AM DOING
>>235494
Oh yeah, there are a few changes you made that… aren't on there. Weird. Just get me those and we should be fine?
>>235496
Here's the shortlist:
Since Cure was folded into Heal for 1.3 (or at least that's the last I'd heard about it) I swapped it out for Improved Spellcasting, a 1pt skill. This is the only thing I changed for Chester, and it unlocks Mend for him.
For Porin:
I swapped out Farsight and Teleport for some combat casting so that we could test out the Elemental conditions. Gave her Magic Bolt and Improved Spellcasting.
Also, in my notes, I had it written down that her mark added +2 to Cold Magic, as opposed to +1.
Here's the shortlist:
Since Cure was folded into Heal for 1.3 (or at least that's the last I'd heard about it) I swapped it out for Improved Spellcasting, a 1pt skill. This is the only thing I changed for Chester, and it unlocks Mend for him.
For Porin:
I swapped out Farsight and Teleport for some combat casting so that we could test out the Elemental conditions. Gave her Magic Bolt and Improved Spellcasting.
Also, in my notes, I had it written down that her mark added +2 to Cold Magic, as opposed to +1.
>>235501
That sounds good.
>>235503
Porin had 4 SP, and under the new 1.3 skillset Farsight is only 1 pt (it's also the only skill you have room for) so I've given her Farsight with Astral Projection.
I've changed her cutie mark to +2
>>235507
Noted. I should also tell you that the MC skill for Arcane Blade has changed:
Shadow Casting: passive; successful spellcasting does not break stealth
That sounds good.
>>235503
Porin had 4 SP, and under the new 1.3 skillset Farsight is only 1 pt (it's also the only skill you have room for) so I've given her Farsight with Astral Projection.
I've changed her cutie mark to +2
>>235507
Noted. I should also tell you that the MC skill for Arcane Blade has changed:
Shadow Casting: passive; successful spellcasting does not break stealth
>>235522
>>235531
So ISC to unlock Mend. This also unlocks one of the following for Divine Wrath. Choose one.
Undoing: spell, recharge 2; stop enemy movements for 1 turn. Crit renders them all helpless and kills some.
Vengeance: spell, recharge 2; wreathes the cleric in divine flame, dealing damage when counterattacked
>>235531
So ISC to unlock Mend. This also unlocks one of the following for Divine Wrath. Choose one.
Undoing: spell, recharge 2; stop enemy movements for 1 turn. Crit renders them all helpless and kills some.
Vengeance: spell, recharge 2; wreathes the cleric in divine flame, dealing damage when counterattacked
>>235556
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MzKGPY1j9BnycEyxwaybvbnjk9OjsdA_a1Yhh91FHOQ/edit
This should contain v1.3 skills for all core classes.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MzKGPY1j9BnycEyxwaybvbnjk9OjsdA_a1Yhh91FHOQ/edit
This should contain v1.3 skills for all core classes.
Your first moments in the city are certainly memorable. When you aren't wading through crowds of refugees and stalwart diehards, you're looking to the skyline for any hint of another golem attack.
Having just downed a colossal "Longlegs" that towered over the city buildings, you find yourselves in a throng of battered and weary residents. From somewhere in the crowd, you can hear somepony calling Klandin's name.
Having just downed a colossal "Longlegs" that towered over the city buildings, you find yourselves in a throng of battered and weary residents. From somewhere in the crowd, you can hear somepony calling Klandin's name.
>>235586
>>235588
A short way down the street you see a couple ponies slowly navigating the crowd. One holds up the banner of the Inquisition, though its authority has no sway with the citizens of Gloom. You can at least be slightly amused at its ineffectual bobbing and swaying as its bearer is bumped and jostled on his way over to you.
His companion is far more regal, decked out in ceremonial plate armor and gilded vestments. She flips up her visor to address the lot of you.
"Confessor Alabaster at your service, Sir Klandin. When I got word of another Longlegs takedown, I came to investigate. Looks like your motley crew is everything you say they are."
>>235588
A short way down the street you see a couple ponies slowly navigating the crowd. One holds up the banner of the Inquisition, though its authority has no sway with the citizens of Gloom. You can at least be slightly amused at its ineffectual bobbing and swaying as its bearer is bumped and jostled on his way over to you.
His companion is far more regal, decked out in ceremonial plate armor and gilded vestments. She flips up her visor to address the lot of you.
"Confessor Alabaster at your service, Sir Klandin. When I got word of another Longlegs takedown, I came to investigate. Looks like your motley crew is everything you say they are."
>>235635
>>235659
"A fair point, but there are some pressing matters I can't discuss out of doors. Vainglory, keep watch to the west." She dismisses her standard-carrying subordinate, who awkwardly stuffs the banner away and separates from the group.
Alabaster is all business, sternly and silently leading you through the rubble and rabble crowding Gloom's streets.
'1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
>>235659
"A fair point, but there are some pressing matters I can't discuss out of doors. Vainglory, keep watch to the west." She dismisses her standard-carrying subordinate, who awkwardly stuffs the banner away and separates from the group.
Alabaster is all business, sternly and silently leading you through the rubble and rabble crowding Gloom's streets.
'1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
>>235682
Churning metal hulks herald the wall's movement. Entire sections of the spined wall lift themselves from the ground and slowly creep another few meters forward, crushing buildings without pause.
A shrill foghorn sounds, followed by a loud whistling overhead. Vainglory shouts down at you from a rooftop. "Squad of Jumpers headed this way!"
Roll for initiative.
Churning metal hulks herald the wall's movement. Entire sections of the spined wall lift themselves from the ground and slowly creep another few meters forward, crushing buildings without pause.
A shrill foghorn sounds, followed by a loud whistling overhead. Vainglory shouts down at you from a rooftop. "Squad of Jumpers headed this way!"
Roll for initiative.
The Jumpers are odd-looking golems, with curvilinear main bodies and pearly steel plating set atop reverse-joint legs. They're like the front half of a griffon, minus the head and still possessed of bladed talons. There's a half-dozen of them soaring through the air in an arc, having just launched themselves from some distant location and aimed at your general vicinity.
Klandin flies up and manages to intercept one midflight, the conflicting momentum of his spear thrusting it clean through the core of it.
Five make it to the ground around the rest of the group before you can react, their bladed feet causing Chester and Auvergne some slight lacerations. Gaeton skillfully beats another one aside before it can harm Porin.
Combat begins!
Klandin flies up and manages to intercept one midflight, the conflicting momentum of his spear thrusting it clean through the core of it.
Five make it to the ground around the rest of the group before you can react, their bladed feet causing Chester and Auvergne some slight lacerations. Gaeton skillfully beats another one aside before it can harm Porin.
Combat begins!
>>235730
One Jumper starts thrashing its limbs in a circular motion, fast enough to send it careening towards Chester like a loose wagon wheel. He can't jump out of the way in time and gets torn up a little further.
>>235736
Another Jumper meets your dive attack from below, talons up and crashing into you quite readily. The both of you fall into a helpless tangle on the ground.
>>235744
Learning from the encounter with the Longlegs, you seek out the exposed mechanical servos controlling the legs. You're able to sever a wire or two but the thing stays standing.
>>235747
You whirl your blade in a sweeping arc, following through with your attack to strike the two Jumpers attacking Chester and Porin.
…
Vainglory looks busy on the rooftop with his own opponent. Alabaster snaps her helmet visor shut and summons a radiant lance ex nihilo, pinning the Jumper that is next to Klandin.
One Jumper starts thrashing its limbs in a circular motion, fast enough to send it careening towards Chester like a loose wagon wheel. He can't jump out of the way in time and gets torn up a little further.
>>235736
Another Jumper meets your dive attack from below, talons up and crashing into you quite readily. The both of you fall into a helpless tangle on the ground.
>>235744
Learning from the encounter with the Longlegs, you seek out the exposed mechanical servos controlling the legs. You're able to sever a wire or two but the thing stays standing.
>>235747
You whirl your blade in a sweeping arc, following through with your attack to strike the two Jumpers attacking Chester and Porin.
…
Vainglory looks busy on the rooftop with his own opponent. Alabaster snaps her helmet visor shut and summons a radiant lance ex nihilo, pinning the Jumper that is next to Klandin.
>>235762
"Easy peasy, sir!" A blast of cold air washes over everyone in the area as she looses a barrage of freezing blades that impact each of the Jumpers. Vicious scars of frost and cracked metal form in each one's chassis.
>>235764
You successfully jam your foil into the Jumper's innards, and leaving it there causes the Jumper to stumble haphazardly. It's lost a great deal of its range of motion in one leg. You won't have a weapon til you retrieve it.
>>235766
The Jumper is awkwardly kicking around on its back, its bladed legs keeping you and Alabaster at bay. You take a good smack in the face from the flat of its foot.
"Easy peasy, sir!" A blast of cold air washes over everyone in the area as she looses a barrage of freezing blades that impact each of the Jumpers. Vicious scars of frost and cracked metal form in each one's chassis.
>>235764
You successfully jam your foil into the Jumper's innards, and leaving it there causes the Jumper to stumble haphazardly. It's lost a great deal of its range of motion in one leg. You won't have a weapon til you retrieve it.
>>235766
The Jumper is awkwardly kicking around on its back, its bladed legs keeping you and Alabaster at bay. You take a good smack in the face from the flat of its foot.
>>235774
>>235778
The Jumper is thrashing like mad, and while you deflect its aimless attacks it's up to Alabaster to finish it off. She rams her conjured weapon straight through its core, and it lets off a sad whine before the lights inside its body go out.
>>235776
The Jumper that had wheelied into you previously shrugs off the sheet of ice covering its one side and returns for another pass.
"Sir, look out!" Porin manages to push you out of the way and takes the hit for you, the vile blades and steel tangling up in her clothes and flesh and carrying her away in its mad spin. The Jumper discards her on the ground as it spins around to renew its assault.
>>235782
Your feathers crackle with arcs of arcane energy as you kick up an ethereal wind. The compressed blast leaves a slight depression in the ground and disorients the Jumpers, but they don't seem to be severely damaged from the assault.
>>235778
The Jumper is thrashing like mad, and while you deflect its aimless attacks it's up to Alabaster to finish it off. She rams her conjured weapon straight through its core, and it lets off a sad whine before the lights inside its body go out.
>>235776
The Jumper that had wheelied into you previously shrugs off the sheet of ice covering its one side and returns for another pass.
"Sir, look out!" Porin manages to push you out of the way and takes the hit for you, the vile blades and steel tangling up in her clothes and flesh and carrying her away in its mad spin. The Jumper discards her on the ground as it spins around to renew its assault.
>>235782
Your feathers crackle with arcs of arcane energy as you kick up an ethereal wind. The compressed blast leaves a slight depression in the ground and disorients the Jumpers, but they don't seem to be severely damaged from the assault.
>>235795
Your body erupts with divine flame just as the Jumper's whirling blades meet you. The sheer force of your will shatters and rends the construct apart, reducing it to disconnected pieces and shredding its components down into unrecognizable bolts and dongles.
Porin is alive, but helpless and barely moving on the ground.
>>235796
Spellbreaker, actually. Spellbiter is the passive upgrade to it.
You're still not up, but Alabaster takes a moment to pick you up and set you on your feet again. She's a lot stronger than she seems.
>>235799
The Jumper is addled by the hoarfrost covering it, and you move around its weak side to land a deep, gouging stab in its mechanical bits. While the thing squeals and whirs, you leave your knife in its one side to deftly whip around and retrieve your blade on the other. Then, gripping both, you rip through the thing's back shell, finishing with a powerful hindleg buck to send the thing sailing away.
>>235801
You're barely able to keep one of the remaining Jumpers at bay, resorting to parrying its vicious mechanical attacks instead of going for the weak points exposed by its frost-riven shell.
Your body erupts with divine flame just as the Jumper's whirling blades meet you. The sheer force of your will shatters and rends the construct apart, reducing it to disconnected pieces and shredding its components down into unrecognizable bolts and dongles.
Porin is alive, but helpless and barely moving on the ground.
>>235796
Spellbreaker, actually. Spellbiter is the passive upgrade to it.
You're still not up, but Alabaster takes a moment to pick you up and set you on your feet again. She's a lot stronger than she seems.
>>235799
The Jumper is addled by the hoarfrost covering it, and you move around its weak side to land a deep, gouging stab in its mechanical bits. While the thing squeals and whirs, you leave your knife in its one side to deftly whip around and retrieve your blade on the other. Then, gripping both, you rip through the thing's back shell, finishing with a powerful hindleg buck to send the thing sailing away.
>>235801
You're barely able to keep one of the remaining Jumpers at bay, resorting to parrying its vicious mechanical attacks instead of going for the weak points exposed by its frost-riven shell.
>>235819
>>235820
Although your efforts fizzle, they're enough to distract the Jumper…
>>235823
…for Auvergne to leap in and land a killing blow. Its glowing eye dims and it crumples to the ground.
>>235827
Your pegasus harries one of the remaining two Jumpers, while you go after the other with a paw burning with necrotic energy. The metal plating on its body rusts and crumbles under your touch.
>>235829
The grinding joints in the mechanical thing keep it from evading Gaeton's mighty leap, and he lands with enough force to send his blade all the way through and lodge into the ground below.
Another wrecked construct is tossed down from the roof above, and Vainglory stands victorious. Just the one Jumper remaining now.
You hear another shrill foghorn, and the sound of more colossal mechanical movement from beyond the wall.
>>235820
Although your efforts fizzle, they're enough to distract the Jumper…
>>235823
…for Auvergne to leap in and land a killing blow. Its glowing eye dims and it crumples to the ground.
>>235827
Your pegasus harries one of the remaining two Jumpers, while you go after the other with a paw burning with necrotic energy. The metal plating on its body rusts and crumbles under your touch.
>>235829
The grinding joints in the mechanical thing keep it from evading Gaeton's mighty leap, and he lands with enough force to send his blade all the way through and lodge into the ground below.
Another wrecked construct is tossed down from the roof above, and Vainglory stands victorious. Just the one Jumper remaining now.
You hear another shrill foghorn, and the sound of more colossal mechanical movement from beyond the wall.
>>235846
"I don't think he liked me…" Porin's breathing is a bit ragged. When you help her to her hooves you find a mysterious black shard embedded into her ribcage. Her other wounds will heal, but this thing emanates pure Evil.
>>235845
>>235848
The Jumper makes for its escape, still able to leap quite a way with only one leg at full functioning. It's not entirely out of your reach, though.
>>235850
Your Earth minion stumbles after the last Jumper.
As you ride up over the rooftops, you can see something coming up over the wall. The foghorn sounds again, accompanied by a long, mournful whalesong. It's difficult to describe the flying beast that floats up over the creeping citadel, other than some kind of half-formed cetacean built from the abominable marriage of steel and sinew. Instead of baleen it has a wicked, emotionless metal grin, and in place of a belly it has a great seething mass of claws, tendrils, mandibles, and unspeakable devices of torment. It's easily the size of several buildings, and begins to disperse a swarm of flying spherical drones into the streets.
The screams of the citizens picks up and you all can hear distant blasts of magic and makeshift explosives as the Cetacean casts a shadow over you like some terrible dirigible.
Alabaster flips up her visor to get a look. "That's a new one."
"I don't think he liked me…" Porin's breathing is a bit ragged. When you help her to her hooves you find a mysterious black shard embedded into her ribcage. Her other wounds will heal, but this thing emanates pure Evil.
>>235845
>>235848
The Jumper makes for its escape, still able to leap quite a way with only one leg at full functioning. It's not entirely out of your reach, though.
>>235850
Your Earth minion stumbles after the last Jumper.
As you ride up over the rooftops, you can see something coming up over the wall. The foghorn sounds again, accompanied by a long, mournful whalesong. It's difficult to describe the flying beast that floats up over the creeping citadel, other than some kind of half-formed cetacean built from the abominable marriage of steel and sinew. Instead of baleen it has a wicked, emotionless metal grin, and in place of a belly it has a great seething mass of claws, tendrils, mandibles, and unspeakable devices of torment. It's easily the size of several buildings, and begins to disperse a swarm of flying spherical drones into the streets.
The screams of the citizens picks up and you all can hear distant blasts of magic and makeshift explosives as the Cetacean casts a shadow over you like some terrible dirigible.
Alabaster flips up her visor to get a look. "That's a new one."
>>235855
I give Alabaster a very serious look.
"Don't let it in the city. I'm going to go kill it."
I order my pegasus to soar up above the Cetacean, avoiding any hostile tendrils, and try to get close enough to safely deposit me on the roof of the head. ('1d10')
Meanwhile, the earthie should continue to engage. ('r2 1d10')
Roll #1 2 = 2 / Roll #2 7 = 7
I give Alabaster a very serious look.
"Don't let it in the city. I'm going to go kill it."
I order my pegasus to soar up above the Cetacean, avoiding any hostile tendrils, and try to get close enough to safely deposit me on the roof of the head. ('1d10')
Meanwhile, the earthie should continue to engage. ('r2 1d10')
Roll #1 2 = 2 / Roll #2 7 = 7
>>235859
>>235865
Tsvetkov's minion catches up with the fleeing Jumper, weighing it down too much for it to leap away as Auvergne plunges a blade deep into its core.
>>235856
>>235866
Your emergency medical attention doesn't seem to do much for her, and she screams in pain. There's something not right about this thing, and as you look at it it seems to be very slowly sinking in deeper…
>>235873
Save for this one black shard, Porin would be in good health.
>>235865
>>235867
The swarming drones impede your progress. A cluster of them latch onto Klandin, essentially pinning him. But instead of having him fall to the ground, they carry him to the Cetacean's belly, alongside all the other hapless victims being snatched up by the flying drones. You don't get a good look at what happens to them once they're inside the flying monstrosity, but judging by the sounds of gurgling, rumbling machinery and screaming, it's likely not pretty.
Alabaster casts off her cloak and several pieces of her armor so she can spread her wings and fly up to join the two of you in the air. '1d10'
Roll #1 10 = 10
>>235865
Tsvetkov's minion catches up with the fleeing Jumper, weighing it down too much for it to leap away as Auvergne plunges a blade deep into its core.
>>235856
>>235866
Your emergency medical attention doesn't seem to do much for her, and she screams in pain. There's something not right about this thing, and as you look at it it seems to be very slowly sinking in deeper…
>>235873
Save for this one black shard, Porin would be in good health.
>>235865
>>235867
The swarming drones impede your progress. A cluster of them latch onto Klandin, essentially pinning him. But instead of having him fall to the ground, they carry him to the Cetacean's belly, alongside all the other hapless victims being snatched up by the flying drones. You don't get a good look at what happens to them once they're inside the flying monstrosity, but judging by the sounds of gurgling, rumbling machinery and screaming, it's likely not pretty.
Alabaster casts off her cloak and several pieces of her armor so she can spread her wings and fly up to join the two of you in the air. '1d10'
Roll #1 10 = 10
>>235876
Alabaster aims a lance of burning sunlight straight at Klandin, freeing one of his arms with a well-placed strike. "They used to abduct citizens in the night, but now I see he's just going to harvest the city."
Vainglory jumps down from the rooftops and rushes towards Chester and Gaeton. "What's wrong with her?"
>>235879
You know there is magic driving these things but you can't seem to get a lock on one.
Alabaster aims a lance of burning sunlight straight at Klandin, freeing one of his arms with a well-placed strike. "They used to abduct citizens in the night, but now I see he's just going to harvest the city."
Vainglory jumps down from the rooftops and rushes towards Chester and Gaeton. "What's wrong with her?"
>>235879
You know there is magic driving these things but you can't seem to get a lock on one.
>>235884
Your horn aura glows bright blue, an unusual color, and even more unusually it flares with blue fire. Your telekinetic aura does more than remove the shard, it completely vaporizes it. You can hear the disembodied shriek of a freed soul leaving the crumbling vessel, and the wound closes behind it.
>>235885
'1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
Your horn aura glows bright blue, an unusual color, and even more unusually it flares with blue fire. Your telekinetic aura does more than remove the shard, it completely vaporizes it. You can hear the disembodied shriek of a freed soul leaving the crumbling vessel, and the wound closes behind it.
>>235885
'1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
>>235876
"We need to get up, now! Up!" I order it to ascend once again. ('1d10')
While it works its wings, I busy my hands with something else: the channeled blackness of a Tartarian Blessing.
"When I land, I'll need far more than my own natural talents to leave a dent in that beast. I'll need the power condemned to the vile pits of Tartarus. From the depths, I call for your power as my own. JOIN ME IN WREAKING DESTRUCTION!" ('r2 1d10')
Roll #1 3 = 3 / Roll #2 4 = 4
"We need to get up, now! Up!" I order it to ascend once again. ('1d10')
While it works its wings, I busy my hands with something else: the channeled blackness of a Tartarian Blessing.
"When I land, I'll need far more than my own natural talents to leave a dent in that beast. I'll need the power condemned to the vile pits of Tartarus. From the depths, I call for your power as my own. JOIN ME IN WREAKING DESTRUCTION!" ('r2 1d10')
Roll #1 3 = 3 / Roll #2 4 = 4
>>235885
>>235888
Although you can't take a shot yourself, Alabaster helps free you from the drones and you now have a more or less clear shot. The Cetacean is a huge target.
>>235887
The swarming drones are an ever-present danger to you, impeding your progress. You are barely in range of the Cetacean, and close by to Klandin and Tsvetkov.
>>235889
The drones zip past you, slowing down your undead pegasus mount.
You hear the dark echoes of realms beyond, but the damned of Tartarus do not quite reach you. Much of the souls you do hear are from some unseen wellspring of great suffering and torment within Filchfire's domain, like he has built his own personal little hell.
>>235891
Porin is back in the fight at 100%.
"That thing is huge, but we could probably take it down if we got past those drones, right?"
"We can't waste time. Not all of us can fly, and those drones are snatching up citizens!" Vainglory takes out a bow and readies a whistling signal arrow. "I can call out some of my brothers to help us with either task. Choose now."
Save the citizens or join the others in the air?
>>235888
Although you can't take a shot yourself, Alabaster helps free you from the drones and you now have a more or less clear shot. The Cetacean is a huge target.
>>235887
The swarming drones are an ever-present danger to you, impeding your progress. You are barely in range of the Cetacean, and close by to Klandin and Tsvetkov.
>>235889
The drones zip past you, slowing down your undead pegasus mount.
You hear the dark echoes of realms beyond, but the damned of Tartarus do not quite reach you. Much of the souls you do hear are from some unseen wellspring of great suffering and torment within Filchfire's domain, like he has built his own personal little hell.
>>235891
Porin is back in the fight at 100%.
"That thing is huge, but we could probably take it down if we got past those drones, right?"
"We can't waste time. Not all of us can fly, and those drones are snatching up citizens!" Vainglory takes out a bow and readies a whistling signal arrow. "I can call out some of my brothers to help us with either task. Choose now."
Save the citizens or join the others in the air?
>>235899
>>235902
The only obvious entrance is its skeletal belly, teeming with sharp pointy things. That and the "head" at the front. The topside looks very featureless and unprotected, though. Whatever created this didn't expect to encounter air superiority.
>>235903
Vainglory looses his signal arrow, the whistling sound echoing throughout the streets. "You take that side, I'll go this way. These things are everywhere!"
It's just you, Porin, and Tsvetkov's minion. From here you can see that the drones are just looking for exposed victims, so you'll need to distract them long enough for folks to get inside buildings or cover. There are some citizens on the ground struggling to escape or trying to ward off drones.
>>235905
With drones and flight addling your concentration, your blessing is taking longer than usual.
>>235907
You can only keep up with Gaeton and Auvergne as they survey the Cetacean. You can feel Tartarus' grip slowly drawing into you, but it's not quite there yet. Your Earth minion has reunited with Chester.
>>235902
The only obvious entrance is its skeletal belly, teeming with sharp pointy things. That and the "head" at the front. The topside looks very featureless and unprotected, though. Whatever created this didn't expect to encounter air superiority.
>>235903
Vainglory looses his signal arrow, the whistling sound echoing throughout the streets. "You take that side, I'll go this way. These things are everywhere!"
It's just you, Porin, and Tsvetkov's minion. From here you can see that the drones are just looking for exposed victims, so you'll need to distract them long enough for folks to get inside buildings or cover. There are some citizens on the ground struggling to escape or trying to ward off drones.
>>235905
With drones and flight addling your concentration, your blessing is taking longer than usual.
>>235907
You can only keep up with Gaeton and Auvergne as they survey the Cetacean. You can feel Tartarus' grip slowly drawing into you, but it's not quite there yet. Your Earth minion has reunited with Chester.
>>235919
>>235921
>>235925
>>235931
TEAMWORK! Gaeton and the pegasus open a hole in the unholy thing's armor, letting Auvergne reach in to detonate it with magic. When it's Tsvetkov's turn, he calmly reaches in with the Touch Of Death, and a ghastly, guttural groaning shakes your feet as you stand on the dying Cetacean. Suddenly it is in freefall, floating downward to the city below.
Alabaster lands near you, jamming her lance into the Cetacean's head and trying to pull it upwards. "Find out what happened to the ones who were taken inside, or help me keep this thing from crushing the city!"
>>235918
On the ground, Chester and Porin are little more than bait for the drones, letting the undead Earth minion stomp the things into fine dust. A great shadow looms over you as the Cetacean descends at an alarmingly fast pace.
>>235921
>>235925
>>235931
TEAMWORK! Gaeton and the pegasus open a hole in the unholy thing's armor, letting Auvergne reach in to detonate it with magic. When it's Tsvetkov's turn, he calmly reaches in with the Touch Of Death, and a ghastly, guttural groaning shakes your feet as you stand on the dying Cetacean. Suddenly it is in freefall, floating downward to the city below.
Alabaster lands near you, jamming her lance into the Cetacean's head and trying to pull it upwards. "Find out what happened to the ones who were taken inside, or help me keep this thing from crushing the city!"
>>235918
On the ground, Chester and Porin are little more than bait for the drones, letting the undead Earth minion stomp the things into fine dust. A great shadow looms over you as the Cetacean descends at an alarmingly fast pace.
The entire group (save for Tsvetkov) struggles to pull the Cetacean away from the occupied city blocks, directing it towards buildings that have already been ruined. The angle of descent is rough and uncalculated, the ground quaking for miles as it makes landfall.
Tsvetkov, as you make your escape, you notice the drones frantically circling with no direction. Apparently they were a hive mind directed by the Cetacean. You can barely see over the wall into Filchfire's domain, and you can see that in the ruins of the Gloom that have been trampled by the wall, honeycombs of steel and dark energy have replaced the once-grand metropolis.
You all reconvene at the Cetacean crash site a ways south, its smoking carcass showing no signs of motion.
… And end session for tonight. Sorry for the rough start.
Tsvetkov, as you make your escape, you notice the drones frantically circling with no direction. Apparently they were a hive mind directed by the Cetacean. You can barely see over the wall into Filchfire's domain, and you can see that in the ruins of the Gloom that have been trampled by the wall, honeycombs of steel and dark energy have replaced the once-grand metropolis.
You all reconvene at the Cetacean crash site a ways south, its smoking carcass showing no signs of motion.
… And end session for tonight. Sorry for the rough start.
File: 1354782610148.png (11.45 KB, 657x283, rolls.png)
Roll analysis (for this session):
>We could have fought better. We failed more often than we succeeded.
>On the bright side, our greatest successes were more frequent than our greatest failures.
>We could have fought better. We failed more often than we succeeded.
>On the bright side, our greatest successes were more frequent than our greatest failures.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CLFSe2aQwUqpI885P7mnAIyCheL7uKFFXs1ntQ-L6do/edit
Remember to doublecheck your character sheets before we move on. Don't mind hit/wound counters!
Remember to doublecheck your character sheets before we move on. Don't mind hit/wound counters!
>>243092
To me, as a rogue, it just seemed like they were arguing about who was going to rush to their death first.
If you had mentioned that there was an enemy down there, it would have been like if two Kool-Aid men had rushed into it. There would be red liquid all over the place, and just a few more feathers than usual.
To me, as a rogue, it just seemed like they were arguing about who was going to rush to their death first.
If you had mentioned that there was an enemy down there, it would have been like if two Kool-Aid men had rushed into it. There would be red liquid all over the place, and just a few more feathers than usual.
When we last left off, the party had just downed a Cetacean, a massive floating construct that was sewn together from both meat and machine. Its belly opened up into a mass of writhing bits and deployed swarms of drones that began capturing citizens, dragging them kicking and screaming back into the belly of the beast.
The Cetacean has crash-landed in the ground. Its head is a ruined, smoking hulk, and there are ponies and others still trapped inside its belly.
Tsvetkov, Gaeton, Auvergne and Klandin are assembled at the head, with Bethany and Chester (and Porin, too!) catching up from the streets.
Inquisitor Alabaster flies down near the open belly and signals for you all to gather, indicating the burning insides. "Help me rescue the ones captured inside!"
You can hear distant foghorns signaling more incursions. There is no helping the other districts under assault, but you can do your part here.
The Cetacean has crash-landed in the ground. Its head is a ruined, smoking hulk, and there are ponies and others still trapped inside its belly.
Tsvetkov, Gaeton, Auvergne and Klandin are assembled at the head, with Bethany and Chester (and Porin, too!) catching up from the streets.
Inquisitor Alabaster flies down near the open belly and signals for you all to gather, indicating the burning insides. "Help me rescue the ones captured inside!"
You can hear distant foghorns signaling more incursions. There is no helping the other districts under assault, but you can do your part here.
>>243107
It's a raging inferno, and though Gloom's environment is volcanic, this brings the heat up to unbearable levels.
>>243110
You similarly have to shield your eyes and nose from the searing heat and smoke, until Porin rolls up her sleeves. "Leave it to the ice queen!"
A sheet of ice smothers a section of flame, opening a path into the Cetacean's belly. Above the din of the ruined hulk, you can hear the confused screams and shouts of captured citizens inside.
>>243115
You're with the party and in range of Alabaster.
"You all seem to have a knack for taking these things down." Alabaster focuses, causing a bright shard of sunlight to fall from the sky and unfurl into the glorious banner of Celestia. "I'll stay out here and direct them to shelter."
It's a raging inferno, and though Gloom's environment is volcanic, this brings the heat up to unbearable levels.
>>243110
You similarly have to shield your eyes and nose from the searing heat and smoke, until Porin rolls up her sleeves. "Leave it to the ice queen!"
A sheet of ice smothers a section of flame, opening a path into the Cetacean's belly. Above the din of the ruined hulk, you can hear the confused screams and shouts of captured citizens inside.
>>243115
You're with the party and in range of Alabaster.
"You all seem to have a knack for taking these things down." Alabaster focuses, causing a bright shard of sunlight to fall from the sky and unfurl into the glorious banner of Celestia. "I'll stay out here and direct them to shelter."
>>243123
"Alright everyone, your tour of the flying death whale is finished. Follow the glowing Glorious Banner of Celestia© to safety!"
I'll see if anyone is too injured to make it out on their own.
"And don't forget to thank our lovely little Apprentice as you make your way out!"
Roll #0 6 = 6
"Alright everyone, your tour of the flying death whale is finished. Follow the glowing Glorious Banner of Celestia© to safety!"
I'll see if anyone is too injured to make it out on their own.
"And don't forget to thank our lovely little Apprentice as you make your way out!"
Roll #0 6 = 6
>>243134
>>243138
>>243141
>>243144
Your entrance is cool enough to move through, but the fire has spread quickly through this thing's insides. Through the smoke you can barely make out cages and holding cells that look like they were repurposed ribcages. It seems the captured citizens brought in here by the drones were sealed away in these nefarious coffins. They all seem to be alive and conscious.
Foul ichor stains the ground and the footing around you, machine and meat smoldering and smoking as the flames eat away at the carcass.
>>243138
>>243141
>>243144
Your entrance is cool enough to move through, but the fire has spread quickly through this thing's insides. Through the smoke you can barely make out cages and holding cells that look like they were repurposed ribcages. It seems the captured citizens brought in here by the drones were sealed away in these nefarious coffins. They all seem to be alive and conscious.
Foul ichor stains the ground and the footing around you, machine and meat smoldering and smoking as the flames eat away at the carcass.
>>243156
The bones forming the cages are tougher than you first thought, and you put your mental weight into prying apart one cage. The citizen inside falls over, choking on smoke and ash and stumbling along the soft, ichor-ridden ground.
>>243162
I'll allow it in this situation.
Some odd corner of your mind curses your being an herbivore. It would be helpful to have a boning knife to pick apart these ribcages.
>>243164
If I recall correct, you actually still have a bone minion from earlier. Do you want a second?
The bones forming the cages are tougher than you first thought, and you put your mental weight into prying apart one cage. The citizen inside falls over, choking on smoke and ash and stumbling along the soft, ichor-ridden ground.
>>243162
I'll allow it in this situation.
Some odd corner of your mind curses your being an herbivore. It would be helpful to have a boning knife to pick apart these ribcages.
>>243164
If I recall correct, you actually still have a bone minion from earlier. Do you want a second?
>>243172
By the gods, it's full of corpses.
You focus your power and rip out one of the imprisoning ribcages, and it pulls along a macabre assortment of bones along with it to become its haphazard limbs. The captive inside is somewhat disoriented by this new happenstance but is more than glad to be carted towards the exit by his gothic palanquin.
>>243173
Porin is at the entrance, keeping it open.
By the gods, it's full of corpses.
You focus your power and rip out one of the imprisoning ribcages, and it pulls along a macabre assortment of bones along with it to become its haphazard limbs. The captive inside is somewhat disoriented by this new happenstance but is more than glad to be carted towards the exit by his gothic palanquin.
>>243173
Porin is at the entrance, keeping it open.
>>243177
These bones and metal struts may appear not to belong together but they are welded quite well. You are unable to free another captive just yet.
>>243178
The donkey is disoriented and unable to move on his own. You'll have to drag or carry him out.
>>243182
pls roll
pls
>>243183
You begin slicing into the meat and tendons holding one of the cages together. It'll take some time, but you can do it if you keep at it.
These bones and metal struts may appear not to belong together but they are welded quite well. You are unable to free another captive just yet.
>>243178
The donkey is disoriented and unable to move on his own. You'll have to drag or carry him out.
>>243182
pls roll
pls
>>243183
You begin slicing into the meat and tendons holding one of the cages together. It'll take some time, but you can do it if you keep at it.
>>243197
Years of necromantic study have given you a good knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and while the others struggle with barbarically hacking away at the cages, you study the pulsing veins and curved musculatures in the walls. You wade through the smoke, headed towards the front of the Cetacean, and find a sphincter-like portal with large teeth and eyes encircling what should be its opening. It's still alive, by the looks of it, and watching you.
>>243198
As far as you can tell, the ribcage isn't constructed like a traditional cage. It's… well, it's literally a ribcage, held together by sinew and muscle. Whatever impulse controls it originates elsewhere.
>>243199
You accidentally hit a bone at the wrong angle and you nearly cut yourself as your knife slides right off. You'll have to try again.
>>243202
You mistakenly take a lungful of acrid smoke and fumes. The gas given off by the burning, dying flesh all around you is unnaturally unpleasant.
Years of necromantic study have given you a good knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and while the others struggle with barbarically hacking away at the cages, you study the pulsing veins and curved musculatures in the walls. You wade through the smoke, headed towards the front of the Cetacean, and find a sphincter-like portal with large teeth and eyes encircling what should be its opening. It's still alive, by the looks of it, and watching you.
>>243198
As far as you can tell, the ribcage isn't constructed like a traditional cage. It's… well, it's literally a ribcage, held together by sinew and muscle. Whatever impulse controls it originates elsewhere.
>>243199
You accidentally hit a bone at the wrong angle and you nearly cut yourself as your knife slides right off. You'll have to try again.
>>243202
You mistakenly take a lungful of acrid smoke and fumes. The gas given off by the burning, dying flesh all around you is unnaturally unpleasant.
File: 1355115895465.png (169.99 KB, 500x399, cry[1].png)
>>243208
"Why knives, why are you betraying me?"
Rolling to keep hacking. These people aren't going to save themselves.
Roll #0 5 = 5
"Why knives, why are you betraying me?"
Rolling to keep hacking. These people aren't going to save themselves.
Roll #0 5 = 5
>>243208
"Hello." I remark rather matter-of-factly.
"My master did not teach me to talk with the dead, so I guess talking to you probably isn't going to yield any results, either."
I pull out my scythe and trace the 'lips' of the opening with my blade. "What do you think would happen if I stabbed you until the blood stopped flowing? Do you think those cages might open up? Or maybe I would get a portal to Filchfire? I wonder if you can even comprehend what I'm saying, or if you're just some dumb fleshbeast…"
"Hello." I remark rather matter-of-factly.
"My master did not teach me to talk with the dead, so I guess talking to you probably isn't going to yield any results, either."
I pull out my scythe and trace the 'lips' of the opening with my blade. "What do you think would happen if I stabbed you until the blood stopped flowing? Do you think those cages might open up? Or maybe I would get a portal to Filchfire? I wonder if you can even comprehend what I'm saying, or if you're just some dumb fleshbeast…"
>>243210
You slowly pry each rib pair apart. Laborious, but you'll eventually have it done if you keep at it and don't screw up horribly.
>>243212
You finish your excision and begin to heave and push and pull to get the ribcage out of the wall.
>>243213
Just as you make your charge, a sudden spasm ripples throughout the Cetacean's belly, knocking you off your hooves and sliding over the moist, supple fleshfloor.
>>243216
It doesn't like that. Roll to dodge.
You slowly pry each rib pair apart. Laborious, but you'll eventually have it done if you keep at it and don't screw up horribly.
>>243212
You finish your excision and begin to heave and push and pull to get the ribcage out of the wall.
>>243213
Just as you make your charge, a sudden spasm ripples throughout the Cetacean's belly, knocking you off your hooves and sliding over the moist, supple fleshfloor.
>>243216
It doesn't like that. Roll to dodge.
>>243227
You snap apart the ribcage and catch the weakened citizen inside as she falls forward onto you. Despite her weariness, the young mare is visibly grateful.
>>243228
You regain your footing and push your whole weight onto one hoof, cracking through the ribcage and ignoring the sharp edges of bone to pull an elderly diamond dog from its maw.
Your necromantic intuition is warning you to some trouble at the anterior of the belly.
>>243231
When you've pulled the ribcage out far enough, you deftly slice open the fleshy backside of it, creating a gaping wound wide enough to pull the captive out. You pay no mind to the black sludge pouring out around you, though you can't help but think you've seen this stuff elsewhere.
>>243229
You anticipate the Sphincter Guardian's attack quite readily, moving out of the way of a vast swath of thick tendrils and tentacles shooting out of the rim surrounding the portal. Your Earth knight pins a few of them down for you to slice through them, and the long, spindly things flail and whip about ineffectually as they spill forth a familiar thick, black sludge.
The Sphincter Guardian retracts its spined tentacles, preparing to whip them out at you and your minions again.
You snap apart the ribcage and catch the weakened citizen inside as she falls forward onto you. Despite her weariness, the young mare is visibly grateful.
>>243228
You regain your footing and push your whole weight onto one hoof, cracking through the ribcage and ignoring the sharp edges of bone to pull an elderly diamond dog from its maw.
Your necromantic intuition is warning you to some trouble at the anterior of the belly.
>>243231
When you've pulled the ribcage out far enough, you deftly slice open the fleshy backside of it, creating a gaping wound wide enough to pull the captive out. You pay no mind to the black sludge pouring out around you, though you can't help but think you've seen this stuff elsewhere.
>>243229
You anticipate the Sphincter Guardian's attack quite readily, moving out of the way of a vast swath of thick tendrils and tentacles shooting out of the rim surrounding the portal. Your Earth knight pins a few of them down for you to slice through them, and the long, spindly things flail and whip about ineffectually as they spill forth a familiar thick, black sludge.
The Sphincter Guardian retracts its spined tentacles, preparing to whip them out at you and your minions again.
>>243239
I wonder to myself if this is where the food ends up. As a chef, I'm intrigued. As an adventurer inside a giant flaming whale, all that comes out of my mouth to the captive is:
"Let's go Let's go Let's go Let's go Let's go Let's go Let's go Let's go."
At the same time, I'll yell out to our healers if they are okay. We're going to need them with all these hurt people.
Roll #0 4 = 4
I wonder to myself if this is where the food ends up. As a chef, I'm intrigued. As an adventurer inside a giant flaming whale, all that comes out of my mouth to the captive is:
"Let's go Let's go Let's go Let's go Let's go Let's go Let's go Let's go."
At the same time, I'll yell out to our healers if they are okay. We're going to need them with all these hurt people.
Roll #0 4 = 4
>>243244
As you shatter another ribcage open, a flying shard of bone wedges itself in your left shoulder. It's a lot more painful than you expect, and looking down you can see the marrow seeping with some kind of black sludge.
>>243245
Your minions each tear through the tentacles with little concern for their own safety, and you dash past the spraying ichor and lodge your paw deep into the humors of the largest eye. The flesh around it turns black and sloughs off as you tear it away. It has one healthy primary eye remaining (the rest are simple eyes with no apparent control structure behind them).
The Sphincter Guardian opens slightly, a great blast of hot air pushing you and your minions back towards the smoke as it retracts its injured tentacles. From its many pores and ventricles slide forth a new array of limbs, now pulsing with sparks of electricity.
>>243248
You crack open another cage and help another captive to the exit. As you return to the ice sheet, you can hear the sounds of a struggle through the smoke clouds Tsvetkov disappeared through.
>>243254
You lead the freed captive to safety but collapse just at the edge of the ice sheet. You're covered in the black sludge and can feel it weakening your resolve.
As you shatter another ribcage open, a flying shard of bone wedges itself in your left shoulder. It's a lot more painful than you expect, and looking down you can see the marrow seeping with some kind of black sludge.
>>243245
Your minions each tear through the tentacles with little concern for their own safety, and you dash past the spraying ichor and lodge your paw deep into the humors of the largest eye. The flesh around it turns black and sloughs off as you tear it away. It has one healthy primary eye remaining (the rest are simple eyes with no apparent control structure behind them).
The Sphincter Guardian opens slightly, a great blast of hot air pushing you and your minions back towards the smoke as it retracts its injured tentacles. From its many pores and ventricles slide forth a new array of limbs, now pulsing with sparks of electricity.
>>243248
You crack open another cage and help another captive to the exit. As you return to the ice sheet, you can hear the sounds of a struggle through the smoke clouds Tsvetkov disappeared through.
>>243254
You lead the freed captive to safety but collapse just at the edge of the ice sheet. You're covered in the black sludge and can feel it weakening your resolve.
>>243269
"Electricity? Touching that is out of the question."
I indicate for my minions to strike at the core once again, knowing they won't fear its lash. '2d10'
Then, for good measure, as they clash with the monster.
"Corpse explosion."
Mine is actually Timebomb, since I have ISC, and it's Instant, so no roll.
Roll #1 2, 5 = 7
"Electricity? Touching that is out of the question."
I indicate for my minions to strike at the core once again, knowing they won't fear its lash. '2d10'
Then, for good measure, as they clash with the monster.
"Corpse explosion."
Mine is actually Timebomb, since I have ISC, and it's Instant, so no roll.
Roll #1 2, 5 = 7
>>243271
As you break through the smokehead, you barely dodge the whipping electrified tentacles of the Sphincter Guardian.
>>243273
It REALLY hurts. The Blue Fire eats away at the stuff, going so far as to enter your veins to eliminate what's entered your body. You can feel the left half of your body literally burning from the inside out as it happens. When it's over, you have a faintly glowing scar, the confidence of purity, and an unpleasant memory to show for it.
>>243275
You're able to keep the captives moving through Porin's cold opening, but you can feel the black sludge creeping over your form. You feel frustrated. Why couldn't you do more?
>>243279
>>243282
Just give me the word if you want to trigger it.
The Earth minion's charge is stopped dead by an electric lash, the impulses locking its joints and muscles. The opening lets your Pegasus minion zip through and land a cruel bruise on the Sphincter Guardian's remaining core eye, but she is also batted away soon after.
As you break through the smokehead, you barely dodge the whipping electrified tentacles of the Sphincter Guardian.
>>243273
It REALLY hurts. The Blue Fire eats away at the stuff, going so far as to enter your veins to eliminate what's entered your body. You can feel the left half of your body literally burning from the inside out as it happens. When it's over, you have a faintly glowing scar, the confidence of purity, and an unpleasant memory to show for it.
>>243275
You're able to keep the captives moving through Porin's cold opening, but you can feel the black sludge creeping over your form. You feel frustrated. Why couldn't you do more?
>>243279
>>243282
Just give me the word if you want to trigger it.
The Earth minion's charge is stopped dead by an electric lash, the impulses locking its joints and muscles. The opening lets your Pegasus minion zip through and land a cruel bruise on the Sphincter Guardian's remaining core eye, but she is also batted away soon after.
>>243295
"I am the favored student of court necromancer of Baron Toronski! I am always alright. Mind your head."
I command my earth minion to restrain as many of the tendrils as possible '1d10', while the pegasus moves in for a finishing strike 'r2 1d10'. If she gets close enough, I let her get in her hit before triggering the detonation.
Roll #1 3 = 3 / Roll #2 1 = 1
"I am the favored student of court necromancer of Baron Toronski! I am always alright. Mind your head."
I command my earth minion to restrain as many of the tendrils as possible '1d10', while the pegasus moves in for a finishing strike 'r2 1d10'. If she gets close enough, I let her get in her hit before triggering the detonation.
Roll #1 3 = 3 / Roll #2 1 = 1
>>243291
Your scar hurts at the presence of the sludge, but you are able to get a few ineffectual flecks of it off of him.
>>243293
>>243296
You clear yourself of most of the sludge by casting off your armor and clothes, too stained and heavy with the stuff. As you look down you can see smaller patches of black sludge sticking to your skin and hairs, and you swear you can feel it creeping along your body.
>>243295
You can't seem to find an opening as the electrified tentacles whip and snap at your hooves.
>>243304
Your Earth minion takes another shocking hit as you have it run distraction. The smell of cooked flesh fills your nostrils. Your Pegasus charges forward, but a deft snap of the Guardian's voltaic tendrils sends a jolt of lightning coursing through its body.
The enchanted minion explodes in a shower of electrified bone and burning meat, obliterating your Earth minion and another swath of tentacles along with it.
>>243313
Half a dozen.
Your scar hurts at the presence of the sludge, but you are able to get a few ineffectual flecks of it off of him.
>>243293
>>243296
You clear yourself of most of the sludge by casting off your armor and clothes, too stained and heavy with the stuff. As you look down you can see smaller patches of black sludge sticking to your skin and hairs, and you swear you can feel it creeping along your body.
>>243295
You can't seem to find an opening as the electrified tentacles whip and snap at your hooves.
>>243304
Your Earth minion takes another shocking hit as you have it run distraction. The smell of cooked flesh fills your nostrils. Your Pegasus charges forward, but a deft snap of the Guardian's voltaic tendrils sends a jolt of lightning coursing through its body.
The enchanted minion explodes in a shower of electrified bone and burning meat, obliterating your Earth minion and another swath of tentacles along with it.
>>243313
Half a dozen.
>>243316
>>243319
Chester sets to work burning away the impurities still on Auvergne, but as Auvergne stands by and tries to rub it off, he feels frustrated again. Worse, angry. Something dark is taking hold of you. And you hate that it's come to this. What, does that fool cleric think he can wipe out this evil with a magic blowtorch? Blasted unicorns always thinking they're better than the rest of us, the chosen magic-borne of the gods even i want to wipe that stupid smile off his pious little face i'm gonna put my hooves on his neeck and squeeze and im gonna strangl ehim and hwen im done ima dgon do the same to halske little bithc of apprenticed adnd fucklasd her
Auvergne begins to assault Chester, trying to strangle the breath out of him. Both of you must roll to resist.
>>243318
You set your sword in a ribcage and deftly pry it open, finishing with a grand pull to break the bones apart and free the captive inside. The sounds of struggle towards the exit and the front area intensify, but you're the only one left to open these cages for now.
>>243320
Through sheer force of will you muscle past the electrified tendrils, burning through them with your necrotic touch but not quite reaching the core until…
>>243323
Bethany pushes you forward with a bold charge, and you bury yourself up to the shoulder in the wall, your black magic coursing through the flesh and steel, rotten and foul chunks coming out of it as the Sphincter Guardian silently expires. Its tentacles stop waving about and its awful stinking maw relaxes and opens.
>>243319
Chester sets to work burning away the impurities still on Auvergne, but as Auvergne stands by and tries to rub it off, he feels frustrated again. Worse, angry. Something dark is taking hold of you. And you hate that it's come to this. What, does that fool cleric think he can wipe out this evil with a magic blowtorch? Blasted unicorns always thinking they're better than the rest of us, the chosen magic-borne of the gods even i want to wipe that stupid smile off his pious little face i'm gonna put my hooves on his neeck and squeeze and im gonna strangl ehim and hwen im done ima dgon do the same to halske little bithc of apprenticed adnd fucklasd her
Auvergne begins to assault Chester, trying to strangle the breath out of him. Both of you must roll to resist.
>>243318
You set your sword in a ribcage and deftly pry it open, finishing with a grand pull to break the bones apart and free the captive inside. The sounds of struggle towards the exit and the front area intensify, but you're the only one left to open these cages for now.
>>243320
Through sheer force of will you muscle past the electrified tendrils, burning through them with your necrotic touch but not quite reaching the core until…
>>243323
Bethany pushes you forward with a bold charge, and you bury yourself up to the shoulder in the wall, your black magic coursing through the flesh and steel, rotten and foul chunks coming out of it as the Sphincter Guardian silently expires. Its tentacles stop waving about and its awful stinking maw relaxes and opens.
>>243337
I wipe the slag off my arm and turn to Bethany.
"Thank you. That monster was no minor threat. It was powerful enough to rob me of my servants… it was quite bold of you to join me in this chamber. You didn't have to do that."
I appraise the Guardian to see if anything has come of it. Did either of my predictions come true? Anything of value on or around it?
Roll #0 4 = 4
I wipe the slag off my arm and turn to Bethany.
"Thank you. That monster was no minor threat. It was powerful enough to rob me of my servants… it was quite bold of you to join me in this chamber. You didn't have to do that."
I appraise the Guardian to see if anything has come of it. Did either of my predictions come true? Anything of value on or around it?
Roll #0 4 = 4
>>243340
>>243343
Chester feels dizzy for only a split second when Auvergne is able to rip himself away, stumbling across the ice sheet. Porin saw the commotion through the exit and comes rushing to Chester's aid, her hoof burning with arcane energy as she pins Auvergne against a collapsed wall. "G-get away from him!"
The unattended ice sheets holding the exit open audibly crack and fracture under the weight of the massive carcass.
>>243347
You wedge spears into each of the ribcages, confident of your strength and knowledge of simple levers to quickly and safely break each one open. As you progress down the belly towards the back, you spot more ribcages holding more captives. Even with your pace, it's going to take a bit longer to free all of them. If only you didn't have the feeling this whale was going to implode on you at any given moment…
>>243345
>>243348
The darkness beyond the opening reeks something horrible. You imagine it was there only to guard the door; the brain of the Cetacean must be further in.
There is only stinking flesh and bones and starmetal in the ruined opening left behind by the rotted sphincter.
>>243343
Chester feels dizzy for only a split second when Auvergne is able to rip himself away, stumbling across the ice sheet. Porin saw the commotion through the exit and comes rushing to Chester's aid, her hoof burning with arcane energy as she pins Auvergne against a collapsed wall. "G-get away from him!"
The unattended ice sheets holding the exit open audibly crack and fracture under the weight of the massive carcass.
>>243347
You wedge spears into each of the ribcages, confident of your strength and knowledge of simple levers to quickly and safely break each one open. As you progress down the belly towards the back, you spot more ribcages holding more captives. Even with your pace, it's going to take a bit longer to free all of them. If only you didn't have the feeling this whale was going to implode on you at any given moment…
>>243345
>>243348
The darkness beyond the opening reeks something horrible. You imagine it was there only to guard the door; the brain of the Cetacean must be further in.
There is only stinking flesh and bones and starmetal in the ruined opening left behind by the rotted sphincter.
>>243359
"Porin, no! You need to maintain the fire control! I'm glad you're worried, but priorities! I should be able to help Auvergne, but he was covered in that black sludge for a little while. Once it's burned clean, he should be fine."
I'll attempt to cleanse Auvergne again. '1d10'
"Quickly now, Porin, you have to get back outside and reinforce the ice. You are all that allows the captives to escape this abomination."
Roll #1 3 = 3
"Porin, no! You need to maintain the fire control! I'm glad you're worried, but priorities! I should be able to help Auvergne, but he was covered in that black sludge for a little while. Once it's burned clean, he should be fine."
I'll attempt to cleanse Auvergne again. '1d10'
"Quickly now, Porin, you have to get back outside and reinforce the ice. You are all that allows the captives to escape this abomination."
Roll #1 3 = 3
>>243363
>>243365
The black sludge burns against your skin, reflecting the smoldering and feral hatred filling your mind. Try as hard as you can, an eldritch force animates your fury. You shove Chester aside and ram Porin against the frozen wall and begin to draw a blade…
>>243364
>>243368
Thankfully your blessed spear imparts a powerful energy that counters the Evil in these half-formed cells, letting you pry away the ribs with some effort. Bethany's added weight on the leverage lets you free another captive and immediately start working on another.
>>243371
You squeeze through orifices and meaty gristle. Obviously this "ship" was not meant for any kind of living crew. The brain is deep in the darkness, bathed in a glowing pool of slime. Its tub has partially emptied in the crash, bathing the entire room in phosphorescence. You can spot diseased nerves hanging down from a light in the ceiling from where you and your compatriots had struck from outside. It would seem you disabled its flight functions but not completely killed it, at least not until now…
There is a palpable, almost tangible air of animalistic hatred in the air as you approach the brain. It is a black mass of slime and sludge, shapeless and shifting, writhing in a thin clear sac. A vivid imagination would be able to make out faces in its twisted surface.
>>243365
The black sludge burns against your skin, reflecting the smoldering and feral hatred filling your mind. Try as hard as you can, an eldritch force animates your fury. You shove Chester aside and ram Porin against the frozen wall and begin to draw a blade…
>>243364
>>243368
Thankfully your blessed spear imparts a powerful energy that counters the Evil in these half-formed cells, letting you pry away the ribs with some effort. Bethany's added weight on the leverage lets you free another captive and immediately start working on another.
>>243371
You squeeze through orifices and meaty gristle. Obviously this "ship" was not meant for any kind of living crew. The brain is deep in the darkness, bathed in a glowing pool of slime. Its tub has partially emptied in the crash, bathing the entire room in phosphorescence. You can spot diseased nerves hanging down from a light in the ceiling from where you and your compatriots had struck from outside. It would seem you disabled its flight functions but not completely killed it, at least not until now…
There is a palpable, almost tangible air of animalistic hatred in the air as you approach the brain. It is a black mass of slime and sludge, shapeless and shifting, writhing in a thin clear sac. A vivid imagination would be able to make out faces in its twisted surface.
>>243380
I gingerly outstrech a paw and touch the soft sac surrounding the core.
I consider the thing for a moment.
"Whatever you're powered by, you're not like that Walker. You're alive. I can feel it around me. And I can't make use of you while you're alive."
I withdraw my paw and slash through several times with my blade, until I feel the life seep from it.
Then I attempt to Raise the ship.
I can roll to kill the brain if it has defenses, but otherwise that would be pointless, right?
Roll #0 10 = 10
I gingerly outstrech a paw and touch the soft sac surrounding the core.
I consider the thing for a moment.
"Whatever you're powered by, you're not like that Walker. You're alive. I can feel it around me. And I can't make use of you while you're alive."
I withdraw my paw and slash through several times with my blade, until I feel the life seep from it.
Then I attempt to Raise the ship.
I can roll to kill the brain if it has defenses, but otherwise that would be pointless, right?
Roll #0 10 = 10
>>243384
>>243386
Chester manages to best Auvergne at his own game, coming up from behind with a flare of Blue Fire square in his back. The holy flames envelop the both of you, and Porin stumbles away from the melee.
After a moment of intense searing pain, Auvergne is free of the blackness, no sign of it ever having been on him.
>>243388
Between you and Bethany there is more than enough physical strength to break open more prisoners. There is another ungodly groan echoing throughout the belly, and the stomach walls twitch and spasm, throwing her to the ground once more.
>>243392
You effortlessly pop the sac open, the brain silently dying as black sludge gushes across the chamber. You are at home now, surrounded by death.
Having killed the captain of the ship, you readily take its place, pulling at its invisible arcane bindings like one would a puppet. You can feel the fabric of reality twist and warp in your consciousness as you gain control of the Cetacean, your willpower driving its eldritch and unfamiliar machinations. Evil created this abomination, but it no longer controls it. It is absolutely nothing like controlling lesser minions; interfacing with this massive body requires almost becoming it, taking in its multifarious senses and functions. As you breath, so does the belly of this unholy vessel.
>>243386
Chester manages to best Auvergne at his own game, coming up from behind with a flare of Blue Fire square in his back. The holy flames envelop the both of you, and Porin stumbles away from the melee.
After a moment of intense searing pain, Auvergne is free of the blackness, no sign of it ever having been on him.
>>243388
Between you and Bethany there is more than enough physical strength to break open more prisoners. There is another ungodly groan echoing throughout the belly, and the stomach walls twitch and spasm, throwing her to the ground once more.
>>243392
You effortlessly pop the sac open, the brain silently dying as black sludge gushes across the chamber. You are at home now, surrounded by death.
Having killed the captain of the ship, you readily take its place, pulling at its invisible arcane bindings like one would a puppet. You can feel the fabric of reality twist and warp in your consciousness as you gain control of the Cetacean, your willpower driving its eldritch and unfamiliar machinations. Evil created this abomination, but it no longer controls it. It is absolutely nothing like controlling lesser minions; interfacing with this massive body requires almost becoming it, taking in its multifarious senses and functions. As you breath, so does the belly of this unholy vessel.
As Tsvetkov takes control of the Cetacean, the ribcages all snap open, instantly freeing all the captives. The belly widens and yawns, keeping the exit open for them to escape.
Tsvetkov, as you search the body, you sense that the captives are all leaving. Your crew is still with you, and you also sense numerous additions to your control; apparently the capture drones were slaved to this thing's mind, and you're their new master. You also sense the flight-enabling components of this wondrous and marvelously complex construct are still working, just that the original brain's flight control structure had been damaged. There is heavy damage and bleeding from the crash, of course, and you sense the vessel won't remain operable indefinitely.
Tsvetkov, as you search the body, you sense that the captives are all leaving. Your crew is still with you, and you also sense numerous additions to your control; apparently the capture drones were slaved to this thing's mind, and you're their new master. You also sense the flight-enabling components of this wondrous and marvelously complex construct are still working, just that the original brain's flight control structure had been damaged. There is heavy damage and bleeding from the crash, of course, and you sense the vessel won't remain operable indefinitely.
>>243429
I attempt to determine if I have any vocal capabilities. If so, I boom, "Tsvetkov commands this vessel. Chester, heal whatever damage you can to keep us aloft. I am taking us above."
Once the civilians are free of the ship, I shake it loose of the wreck site and bring it around in the skies, appraising the battlefield for targets, particularly the longlegs and any sign of other large monsters.
I attempt to determine if I have any vocal capabilities. If so, I boom, "Tsvetkov commands this vessel. Chester, heal whatever damage you can to keep us aloft. I am taking us above."
Once the civilians are free of the ship, I shake it loose of the wreck site and bring it around in the skies, appraising the battlefield for targets, particularly the longlegs and any sign of other large monsters.
>>243456
If you pass the blasted opening to the helm, you'll find Tsvetkov in a half-trance state controlling the ship in what appears to be a holding area for the whale's former brain.
>>243461
>>243462
The captives all escape, having no wish to stay inside the Cetacean (especially after it started talking).
The ship is devoid of captives. Who all is outside the ship with the Inquisitor?
If you pass the blasted opening to the helm, you'll find Tsvetkov in a half-trance state controlling the ship in what appears to be a holding area for the whale's former brain.
>>243461
>>243462
The captives all escape, having no wish to stay inside the Cetacean (especially after it started talking).
The ship is devoid of captives. Who all is outside the ship with the Inquisitor?
>>243470
Trance-like, I stare onward, still focused on the animation.
"I am not just in control. I am. Never have I felt more alive. Ten thousand tomes could not teach me what I've already learned in an instant from this beast. It operates on a completely different level. I hadn't even considered the elegance of its design. It's a marvel. And now it is mine… until it falls apart, anyway. Skilled though I may be, it has a hole in its side. I can't keep it together forever."
Trance-like, I stare onward, still focused on the animation.
"I am not just in control. I am. Never have I felt more alive. Ten thousand tomes could not teach me what I've already learned in an instant from this beast. It operates on a completely different level. I hadn't even considered the elegance of its design. It's a marvel. And now it is mine… until it falls apart, anyway. Skilled though I may be, it has a hole in its side. I can't keep it together forever."
>>243467
After informing the Inquisitor, she helps round up and inspect each of the captives. You're able to gently, very gently, apply your Blue Fire to each one, even the vehement atheists.
Alabaster asks you, "What the hay is going on in there? Did I hear right, you took control of the… thing?"
>>243469
Alabaster's fellow inquisitors made it to the site and were able to offer you some supplies. You are wearing the equivalent of your former armor, though you could now pass as a member of the inquisition.
After informing the Inquisitor, she helps round up and inspect each of the captives. You're able to gently, very gently, apply your Blue Fire to each one, even the vehement atheists.
Alabaster asks you, "What the hay is going on in there? Did I hear right, you took control of the… thing?"
>>243469
Alabaster's fellow inquisitors made it to the site and were able to offer you some supplies. You are wearing the equivalent of your former armor, though you could now pass as a member of the inquisition.
>>243492
"Whatever the case, your friend's just got us the first potential advantage we've ever had in this fight." Alabaster walks into the belly, saluting Porin on the way in. The young mage beams with pride.
"I'd like to speak with the captain, if you don't mind…"
…
END SESSION
Another harrowing encounter, another sluggishly paced quest. Let's hope this really does get you closer to Filchfire.
"Whatever the case, your friend's just got us the first potential advantage we've ever had in this fight." Alabaster walks into the belly, saluting Porin on the way in. The young mage beams with pride.
"I'd like to speak with the captain, if you don't mind…"
…
END SESSION
Another harrowing encounter, another sluggishly paced quest. Let's hope this really does get you closer to Filchfire.
>>243492
>>243490
"We'll pretend to come back for repairs, and then ram it in into the door. We'll follow in the beast's wake, and sneak in under it. After that, I leave it to you. We can load it with enough explosive runes to make a new canyon and hope it takes down Filchire, but I need to remind you of that lake. Any plan we make should have a contingency to keep it placid."
Roll #0 8 = 8
>>243490
"We'll pretend to come back for repairs, and then ram it in into the door. We'll follow in the beast's wake, and sneak in under it. After that, I leave it to you. We can load it with enough explosive runes to make a new canyon and hope it takes down Filchire, but I need to remind you of that lake. Any plan we make should have a contingency to keep it placid."
Roll #0 8 = 8
Tsvetkov has just commandeered the Cetacean, and though it's in terrible condition it should be able to fly. The captives are being led to safety by the Inquisition, and Alabaster addresses the members of your party that have vacated the flying whale for the time being.
Chester and Auvergne have been discussing ideas to take the Cetacean back into Filchfire's base.
Tsvetkov is in the Cetacean's cranial cavity with Klandin watching over him.
"If you intend on using that whale to cross the wall, you best going ASAP. That thing doesn't look like it'll last long." Alabaster claps her hooves together and pulls out a magic scroll, handing it to Chester.
"I had hoped to give you a more detailed briefing at our base camp, but I guess some of my field notes will have to do. I don't know if any of it will be of help; no one's ever returned from across the wall. I know you all have seen Filchfire's lair before, but there's no telling how it's changed since."
Chester and Auvergne have been discussing ideas to take the Cetacean back into Filchfire's base.
Tsvetkov is in the Cetacean's cranial cavity with Klandin watching over him.
"If you intend on using that whale to cross the wall, you best going ASAP. That thing doesn't look like it'll last long." Alabaster claps her hooves together and pulls out a magic scroll, handing it to Chester.
"I had hoped to give you a more detailed briefing at our base camp, but I guess some of my field notes will have to do. I don't know if any of it will be of help; no one's ever returned from across the wall. I know you all have seen Filchfire's lair before, but there's no telling how it's changed since."
>>246034
I restlessly flex the muscles of the Cetacean, probing outward with the scavenger drones, getting used to the feeling of being the beast and commanding the swarm, as I await the return of Chester and Auvergne.
"Imagine I built one of these back home," I say to no one in particular. "We'd give our neighbors something to think about, I'd imagine. The Baron will be most interested in my report, I think, as will my Master."
I restlessly flex the muscles of the Cetacean, probing outward with the scavenger drones, getting used to the feeling of being the beast and commanding the swarm, as I await the return of Chester and Auvergne.
"Imagine I built one of these back home," I say to no one in particular. "We'd give our neighbors something to think about, I'd imagine. The Baron will be most interested in my report, I think, as will my Master."
>>246058
I shrug, still focused on the mechanics of the beast.
"We have enough corpses for it, probably. My people traditionally hold a war every Spring. We could use the edge."
I then stop, and my eyes come into focus for the first time since taking control of the beast. I think for a moment.
"Not that I'd share the details of how to make one with the others… I'd lose my value. I am sure I would be called to serve in the court of the Mountain King. Perhaps even the chief court magister."
I go back to busying myself with the monster.
I shrug, still focused on the mechanics of the beast.
"We have enough corpses for it, probably. My people traditionally hold a war every Spring. We could use the edge."
I then stop, and my eyes come into focus for the first time since taking control of the beast. I think for a moment.
"Not that I'd share the details of how to make one with the others… I'd lose my value. I am sure I would be called to serve in the court of the Mountain King. Perhaps even the chief court magister."
I go back to busying myself with the monster.
>>246067
You will need to make rolls to gain control of specific functions of the Cetacean outside of basic motion and flight. Make sure to declare such learning rolls.
>>246069
>>246070
Alabaster shakes her head. "I wish I could help in that department. We had already used up our explosive ink attempting to breach the wall. All you'll find in this city now is makeshift black powder, after a day or two of scavenging."
You will need to make rolls to gain control of specific functions of the Cetacean outside of basic motion and flight. Make sure to declare such learning rolls.
>>246069
>>246070
Alabaster shakes her head. "I wish I could help in that department. We had already used up our explosive ink attempting to breach the wall. All you'll find in this city now is makeshift black powder, after a day or two of scavenging."
>>246070
"We'll sneak in and use their supplies to light a rather large bonfire. Even if he relies on golems, especially since he relies on golems, he'll need a lot of finnicky materials to keep them going."
"However, we should get TO the base first. We don't have much supplies here from the sounds of it. We'll see if we can just get inside with what we have."
"We'll sneak in and use their supplies to light a rather large bonfire. Even if he relies on golems, especially since he relies on golems, he'll need a lot of finnicky materials to keep them going."
"However, we should get TO the base first. We don't have much supplies here from the sounds of it. We'll see if we can just get inside with what we have."
>>246082
>>246088
The Cetacean's complete list of functions are alien and unknown to you; searching for an index of them, you realize that and all the other memory must have been in the brain you just killed, but you may be able to feel them out naturally.
You have a very general sense of where the capture drones are and which way they're headed. The swarm that is linked to this Cetacean is inactive and scattered across the city blocks.
The belly machines are of unknown purpose to you, and you can't get them started. You're certain they serve some important function, seeing how close they were to the prisoners.
>>246088
The Cetacean's complete list of functions are alien and unknown to you; searching for an index of them, you realize that and all the other memory must have been in the brain you just killed, but you may be able to feel them out naturally.
You have a very general sense of where the capture drones are and which way they're headed. The swarm that is linked to this Cetacean is inactive and scattered across the city blocks.
The belly machines are of unknown purpose to you, and you can't get them started. You're certain they serve some important function, seeing how close they were to the prisoners.
>>246099
"No, because this isn't about us anymore. We have to make sure the people here get out safely, the ponies that have been kidnapped are saved, and Filchire gets put down for good. Then we all come back heroes and have the biggest feast known throughout Equestria."
"We can die after we have numerous children and our tale is spoken of in places I can't even pronounce."
"No, because this isn't about us anymore. We have to make sure the people here get out safely, the ponies that have been kidnapped are saved, and Filchire gets put down for good. Then we all come back heroes and have the biggest feast known throughout Equestria."
"We can die after we have numerous children and our tale is spoken of in places I can't even pronounce."
>>246104
Everyone outside the ship notices a commotion in the streets as downed capture drones begin rolling, crawling, or hovering back to the Cetacean in a lazy and groggy fashion, as though each one had three mugs of hard cider.
Tsvetkov, you're able to start up the belly machines again, but just barely. Everyone near the ship or in the belly notices the tendrils, teeth, and spines twitching erratically, but to no effect.
>>246109
>>246111
The mouth does indeed open, and you get the inkling that this forward bay has a different purpose entirely. Everyone outside the ship can see the terrible metallic maw of the whale break apart in jagged lines.
>>246117
"I… I want to have lots of babies!" Porin pipes up, trying to look proud and brave in the face of certain death.
>>246118
"I wish I could go with you, fellow Solar, but my duties are on the ground here. We will try to secure the city, and I promise I will commission the very Canterlot Tabernacle to sing your praises when you return."
"We don't know how much time we have left. By the sounds of it the rest of the city is under heavy assault, so the gates to his fortres may yet be open still. Celestia's winds guide you all."
Everyone outside the ship notices a commotion in the streets as downed capture drones begin rolling, crawling, or hovering back to the Cetacean in a lazy and groggy fashion, as though each one had three mugs of hard cider.
Tsvetkov, you're able to start up the belly machines again, but just barely. Everyone near the ship or in the belly notices the tendrils, teeth, and spines twitching erratically, but to no effect.
>>246109
>>246111
The mouth does indeed open, and you get the inkling that this forward bay has a different purpose entirely. Everyone outside the ship can see the terrible metallic maw of the whale break apart in jagged lines.
>>246117
"I… I want to have lots of babies!" Porin pipes up, trying to look proud and brave in the face of certain death.
>>246118
"I wish I could go with you, fellow Solar, but my duties are on the ground here. We will try to secure the city, and I promise I will commission the very Canterlot Tabernacle to sing your praises when you return."
"We don't know how much time we have left. By the sounds of it the rest of the city is under heavy assault, so the gates to his fortres may yet be open still. Celestia's winds guide you all."
>>246113
The belly is as you saw it, a huge gaping cavern filled with diabolical instruments and prison cells, but you sense there was some kind of cardiovascular system present in the Cetacean… just no heart, per se. Right now it's just your necromantic magic moving everything like one would a puppet, but you imagine there was some kind of internal, sustaining force that animated this construct before you killed its brain.
The belly is as you saw it, a huge gaping cavern filled with diabolical instruments and prison cells, but you sense there was some kind of cardiovascular system present in the Cetacean… just no heart, per se. Right now it's just your necromantic magic moving everything like one would a puppet, but you imagine there was some kind of internal, sustaining force that animated this construct before you killed its brain.
>>246130
I'll smile a bit wider at Porin's input.
"And so would I. But the children come after we shove that whale back where it came from."
Saluting the Inquisitor, I'll start heading back into the gaping wound that we blew in the whale's side earlier.
"Tsetkov, was that you moving the drones outside?"
I'll smile a bit wider at Porin's input.
"And so would I. But the children come after we shove that whale back where it came from."
Saluting the Inquisitor, I'll start heading back into the gaping wound that we blew in the whale's side earlier.
"Tsetkov, was that you moving the drones outside?"
>>246137
Not totally sure I do.
I study the many mouths of the beast for communication. (roll 0)
Study the ears to hear outside. 'r2 1d10'
Study the belly again to determine what it does, and to master the tools there. 'r3 1d10'
Study the mouth to determine its purpose. 'r4 1d10'
Attempt to master control of the drones. 'r5 1d10'
Roll #0 6 = 6 / Roll #2 7 = 7 / Roll #3 4 = 4 / Roll #4 8 = 8 / Roll #5 10 = 10
Not totally sure I do.
I study the many mouths of the beast for communication. (roll 0)
Study the ears to hear outside. 'r2 1d10'
Study the belly again to determine what it does, and to master the tools there. 'r3 1d10'
Study the mouth to determine its purpose. 'r4 1d10'
Attempt to master control of the drones. 'r5 1d10'
Roll #0 6 = 6 / Roll #2 7 = 7 / Roll #3 4 = 4 / Roll #4 8 = 8 / Roll #5 10 = 10
>>246142
Not only does this thing have mouths, it has ears, eyes, and other unknown sensory organs packed across its skin like so many pus-filled blisters. The sounds of battle and talk outside the hull are known to you, but the only ones you can make out in distinction are Chester's words.
You discover there is a… cannon of some kind in the mouth. It appears to be mechanical, not organic.
The drones pick up their pace and swirl about the Cetacean in an elegant spiral, deploying their capture arms and standing by to take orders.
…
The entire party is headed in to crew the Cetacean, yes?
Not only does this thing have mouths, it has ears, eyes, and other unknown sensory organs packed across its skin like so many pus-filled blisters. The sounds of battle and talk outside the hull are known to you, but the only ones you can make out in distinction are Chester's words.
You discover there is a… cannon of some kind in the mouth. It appears to be mechanical, not organic.
The drones pick up their pace and swirl about the Cetacean in an elegant spiral, deploying their capture arms and standing by to take orders.
…
The entire party is headed in to crew the Cetacean, yes?
>>246157
>>246160
Worse than won't, you get the feeling it can't. This thing was always dead, long before Tsvetkov took hold of it. Every living component here is like some kind of undead flesh, no more alive than the cold metal it grows around.
You suspect the black sludge you found in the blood and marrow could have something to do with it.
>>246160
Worse than won't, you get the feeling it can't. This thing was always dead, long before Tsvetkov took hold of it. Every living component here is like some kind of undead flesh, no more alive than the cold metal it grows around.
You suspect the black sludge you found in the blood and marrow could have something to do with it.
>>246167
I'll shudder a bit at that.
"Tsetkov, this refuses to mend. It's been dead for far too long, and whatever that black goo is must have done something to it. You're not getting much mileage out of it."
Speaking of, I'm keeping an eye out for any more puddles of that stuff. We didn't exactly do a thorough cleaning job.
Roll #0 3 = 3
I'll shudder a bit at that.
"Tsetkov, this refuses to mend. It's been dead for far too long, and whatever that black goo is must have done something to it. You're not getting much mileage out of it."
Speaking of, I'm keeping an eye out for any more puddles of that stuff. We didn't exactly do a thorough cleaning job.
Roll #0 3 = 3
>>246170
The best you can do is stay away from the open wounds and gashes you left while freeing the captives.
Everyone is safely on board the Cetacean. Note that the belly, while it does have flooring and footholds sufficient for you, wasn't meant to contain passengers aside from the prisoners being held in the ribcages. The drones crawl into ventral sacs, being sucked up into the sides of the beast with a most awful *schlorp* sound.
The best you can do is stay away from the open wounds and gashes you left while freeing the captives.
Everyone is safely on board the Cetacean. Note that the belly, while it does have flooring and footholds sufficient for you, wasn't meant to contain passengers aside from the prisoners being held in the ribcages. The drones crawl into ventral sacs, being sucked up into the sides of the beast with a most awful *schlorp* sound.
>>246178
Yes, the black sludge is identical to the stuff that corrupted the other mercenary party you encountered. It drips and globs in the same way, and you should be thankful that what does bleed out of the Cetacean doesn't retain its own will, motion, or consciousness as that stuff did.
>>246186
Though familar with necromantic arts, you are barely able to cobble together a patch for the side of the whale. This thing seems to have been originally sewn together by an alien, eldritch force.
Yes, the black sludge is identical to the stuff that corrupted the other mercenary party you encountered. It drips and globs in the same way, and you should be thankful that what does bleed out of the Cetacean doesn't retain its own will, motion, or consciousness as that stuff did.
>>246186
Though familar with necromantic arts, you are barely able to cobble together a patch for the side of the whale. This thing seems to have been originally sewn together by an alien, eldritch force.
>>246195
"I've never controlled something like this. I wasn't trained for it. However, a corpse detonation makes use of certain chemicals inside the body. If I knew the chemical makeup, I could determine how much potential explosive power it has. Big doesn't mean big explosion. A pile of branches and a pile of dynamite behave differently when lit."
"I've never controlled something like this. I wasn't trained for it. However, a corpse detonation makes use of certain chemicals inside the body. If I knew the chemical makeup, I could determine how much potential explosive power it has. Big doesn't mean big explosion. A pile of branches and a pile of dynamite behave differently when lit."
>>246221
Over the loudmouths, as I shakily ascend upward, I respond, "I'm pretty confident it would have a pretty big explosion. Not that we'll have to worry about it. This thing won't explode without some prompting, and it's not like Filchfire has displayed an aptitude for corpse explosions. Who's going to set it off?"
Over the loudmouths, as I shakily ascend upward, I respond, "I'm pretty confident it would have a pretty big explosion. Not that we'll have to worry about it. This thing won't explode without some prompting, and it's not like Filchfire has displayed an aptitude for corpse explosions. Who's going to set it off?"
The Cetacean slowly flaps its fins, some eldritch force propelling it upwards into the sky. It snaps some standing poles and lightposts as it shakily floats over the buildings.
Those staying in the belly, you can see the city down below your feet through the teeth and spines.
None of the other constructs seem to notice you just yet.
'1d10'
Roll #1 2 = 2
Those staying in the belly, you can see the city down below your feet through the teeth and spines.
None of the other constructs seem to notice you just yet.
'1d10'
Roll #1 2 = 2
>>246258
Given the moderate damage in the ship's side and your general "negative" response, you'd think the dumb things would be able to get it, but they keep pestering you. It's getting to the point it's actually becoming a little distracting from maintaining your flight pattern. They seem to be triggering an override in the systems meant to respond to pickups, though without the main control (you) giving OK it isn't going off. It's like a zit in need of popping.
Given the moderate damage in the ship's side and your general "negative" response, you'd think the dumb things would be able to get it, but they keep pestering you. It's getting to the point it's actually becoming a little distracting from maintaining your flight pattern. They seem to be triggering an override in the systems meant to respond to pickups, though without the main control (you) giving OK it isn't going off. It's like a zit in need of popping.
>>246279
Tsvetkov, you're picking up six pings.
Anyone in the belly can look down and spot the same number of constructs moving around on the rooftops, looking up expectantly at the Cetacean overhead. There are four Jumpers, one larger-looking Hulk, and an agile-looking biped Gunner. The Gunner looks to be missing an arm, while the Hulk has a gaping open section in its back. The Jumpers have heavy but mainly superficial damage to their armor plating.
Tsvetkov, you're picking up six pings.
Anyone in the belly can look down and spot the same number of constructs moving around on the rooftops, looking up expectantly at the Cetacean overhead. There are four Jumpers, one larger-looking Hulk, and an agile-looking biped Gunner. The Gunner looks to be missing an arm, while the Hulk has a gaping open section in its back. The Jumpers have heavy but mainly superficial damage to their armor plating.
>>246289
The ground drones respond readily, moving into formation and waiting for pickup. You're still bothered by an intense pain, again, like a bloated pimple that's aching to burst, somewhere on your body—the Cetacean's body. That might be a part of the repair/pickup system waiting to activate.
If you forgo the pickup, you'll have to put some effort into overriding the signal while maintaining control. Or you could take the "easy" route and actually play your part.
The ground drones respond readily, moving into formation and waiting for pickup. You're still bothered by an intense pain, again, like a bloated pimple that's aching to burst, somewhere on your body—the Cetacean's body. That might be a part of the repair/pickup system waiting to activate.
If you forgo the pickup, you'll have to put some effort into overriding the signal while maintaining control. Or you could take the "easy" route and actually play your part.
>>246299
The "zits" burst open: coiled winch tendrils unspooling themselves from the inside of the belly and drooping down like slick ropes. They adhere quite easily to the heavy constructs below and pull them up into the belly…
>>246302
As you make your way to the front, you trip and fall through the open belly.
You catch on one of the sticky ropes, not so much entangled as ensconced by the translucent gel. You can feel it pulsing and oozing around you as the Gunner attached to the end of it is pulled up. It hasn't noticed you yet…
>>246303
The belly is pretty open, and you only manage to get yourself seated in an open (nonbleeding) ribcage. It provides cover but no concealment.
>>246306
A critter of your size has trouble navigating the spines that serve as footholds here. You're still in plain sight as the constructs are pulled upwards.
…
A confused buzzing emanates from below, followed by a deep sounding like a large horn. The Hulk's red eye is trained on the belly, though you can't tell if it's spotted the lot of you or is just feeling chatty.
Tsvetkov, you are informed by the Hulk that your feeding chambers are damaged and your reconstruction materials have escaped containment.
The "zits" burst open: coiled winch tendrils unspooling themselves from the inside of the belly and drooping down like slick ropes. They adhere quite easily to the heavy constructs below and pull them up into the belly…
>>246302
As you make your way to the front, you trip and fall through the open belly.
You catch on one of the sticky ropes, not so much entangled as ensconced by the translucent gel. You can feel it pulsing and oozing around you as the Gunner attached to the end of it is pulled up. It hasn't noticed you yet…
>>246303
The belly is pretty open, and you only manage to get yourself seated in an open (nonbleeding) ribcage. It provides cover but no concealment.
>>246306
A critter of your size has trouble navigating the spines that serve as footholds here. You're still in plain sight as the constructs are pulled upwards.
…
A confused buzzing emanates from below, followed by a deep sounding like a large horn. The Hulk's red eye is trained on the belly, though you can't tell if it's spotted the lot of you or is just feeling chatty.
Tsvetkov, you are informed by the Hulk that your feeding chambers are damaged and your reconstruction materials have escaped containment.
>>246311
>>246315
The two of you remain "undetected". Chester is able to climb back into the belly once he reaches the top of the winch line.
>>246318
>>246319
The Hulk sounds a chirping siren when it sees Bethany clambering over the footholds, alerting the rest of its squad. Although all of them look up, only the Gunner has weaponry that can reach her at this range. It spins its one arm around, extending an autoloading crossbow from its shoulder and fires a spine—an actual spinal column fused together into a creepy sort of bone arrow—and it misses her.
…
The attack constructs are high up off the ground, just under the belly of the Cetacean. Anything that dropped from this height would have a really bad day…
>>246315
The two of you remain "undetected". Chester is able to climb back into the belly once he reaches the top of the winch line.
>>246318
>>246319
The Hulk sounds a chirping siren when it sees Bethany clambering over the footholds, alerting the rest of its squad. Although all of them look up, only the Gunner has weaponry that can reach her at this range. It spins its one arm around, extending an autoloading crossbow from its shoulder and fires a spine—an actual spinal column fused together into a creepy sort of bone arrow—and it misses her.
…
The attack constructs are high up off the ground, just under the belly of the Cetacean. Anything that dropped from this height would have a really bad day…
>>246323
You can see the Jumpers all eyeing you with their unblinking red cores.
>>246325
The winch tendrils quiver and falter a bit, but the natural processes of the Cetacean are proving a little more difficult to suppress than you expected.
>>246326
>>246327
You try to snap the gel, but in a moment of clarity you signal to Porin and she freezes the line with some magic. The jelly becomes brittle, and you easily smash it.
The Gunner lets out a mournful squee as it falls to the city below, where it is dashed to pieces on a gabled roof.
>>246331
The bone arrow is a bit out of your reach, and you're having enough trouble keeping a hold of your own footing. They're getting awfully close.
…
One more turn and the constructs will be inside the belly. Think fast!
You can see the Jumpers all eyeing you with their unblinking red cores.
>>246325
The winch tendrils quiver and falter a bit, but the natural processes of the Cetacean are proving a little more difficult to suppress than you expected.
>>246326
>>246327
You try to snap the gel, but in a moment of clarity you signal to Porin and she freezes the line with some magic. The jelly becomes brittle, and you easily smash it.
The Gunner lets out a mournful squee as it falls to the city below, where it is dashed to pieces on a gabled roof.
>>246331
The bone arrow is a bit out of your reach, and you're having enough trouble keeping a hold of your own footing. They're getting awfully close.
…
One more turn and the constructs will be inside the belly. Think fast!
>>246337
Porin's ice blast misses just barely, smacking the necrotic flesh wall next to you. The Hulk ascends.
>>246338
The strange flesh defies your magic. Its innate wrongness and abominable nature are anathema to your sun-worshiping mysticism.
>>246342
WEEOOP WEEOOP WEEOOP WEEOOP
The constructs start going into a frenzy, their eyes glowing red as they take hold of the tow lines and begin to climb up on their own. Their signals immediately cut you out of their band, the last lines you can make out being a repeating string of MURDER DEATH KILL
>>246345
I'll take the second set of rolls.
You handily swoop over to carry Bethany to safety, but you misjudge your path and your wing clips one of the Jumper's tow lines. Bethany goes sailing through the air and safely into the forward hold towards Tsvetkov while you are left spinning around and struggling with the sticky winch tentacle. It's especially unkind to feathers and you seem to be getting entangled further and further; you can't bring your weapon around as the Jumper below you unfolds its bladed leg and prepares to attack.
…
The Hulk and the three other Jumpers are in the belly now. Despite the lack of footholds, they seem more at home in these environs, the Jumpers readily clinging to the walls with their clawed feet and the Hulk bridging the gap of the open belly with its four thick legs against either of the walls.
The Jumpers slowly claw their way over to attack you.
Tsvetkov can feel sharp pain on his insides, reflecting the sensation of the things crawling around inside the Cetacean.
Porin's ice blast misses just barely, smacking the necrotic flesh wall next to you. The Hulk ascends.
>>246338
The strange flesh defies your magic. Its innate wrongness and abominable nature are anathema to your sun-worshiping mysticism.
>>246342
WEEOOP WEEOOP WEEOOP WEEOOP
The constructs start going into a frenzy, their eyes glowing red as they take hold of the tow lines and begin to climb up on their own. Their signals immediately cut you out of their band, the last lines you can make out being a repeating string of MURDER DEATH KILL
>>246345
I'll take the second set of rolls.
You handily swoop over to carry Bethany to safety, but you misjudge your path and your wing clips one of the Jumper's tow lines. Bethany goes sailing through the air and safely into the forward hold towards Tsvetkov while you are left spinning around and struggling with the sticky winch tentacle. It's especially unkind to feathers and you seem to be getting entangled further and further; you can't bring your weapon around as the Jumper below you unfolds its bladed leg and prepares to attack.
…
The Hulk and the three other Jumpers are in the belly now. Despite the lack of footholds, they seem more at home in these environs, the Jumpers readily clinging to the walls with their clawed feet and the Hulk bridging the gap of the open belly with its four thick legs against either of the walls.
The Jumpers slowly claw their way over to attack you.
Tsvetkov can feel sharp pain on his insides, reflecting the sensation of the things crawling around inside the Cetacean.
>>246374
>>246378
>>246381
Auvergne bravely dives downward to protect Gaeton, taking some nasty cuts from the thrashing Jumper. In the nick of time Tsvetkov has released his capture drones and they swarm about the Jumper, weighing it down until the winch tentacle snaps off, sending the Jumper into freefall and shattering to pieces against the cobblestone streets.
Gaeton is still stuck in the line, barely able to fend off the attacks of another Jumper that attempts to bat at him as he hangs from the tether blister on the inside walls.
>>246376
The cold shards breach a previously-invisible barrier surrounding the Hulk, lodging themselves in its plating before bursting into thick reams of permafrost. It tries to reactivate its shield, but the shimmering energy flickers ineffectually.
Two Jumpers are approaching Chester and Porin, ready to pounce.
>>246378
>>246381
Auvergne bravely dives downward to protect Gaeton, taking some nasty cuts from the thrashing Jumper. In the nick of time Tsvetkov has released his capture drones and they swarm about the Jumper, weighing it down until the winch tentacle snaps off, sending the Jumper into freefall and shattering to pieces against the cobblestone streets.
Gaeton is still stuck in the line, barely able to fend off the attacks of another Jumper that attempts to bat at him as he hangs from the tether blister on the inside walls.
>>246376
The cold shards breach a previously-invisible barrier surrounding the Hulk, lodging themselves in its plating before bursting into thick reams of permafrost. It tries to reactivate its shield, but the shimmering energy flickers ineffectually.
Two Jumpers are approaching Chester and Porin, ready to pounce.
>>246394
Your mace flies off like a missile, cracking the Jumper straight across its center of mass. Porin covers her side with a temporary ice sheet.
>>246395
Despite your awkward position, you manage to strike a solid slice on the attacking Jumper, taking only a glancing hit on your armor in return.
>>246396
You swarm the drones back into the belly, but they can't dislodge the Hulk's weight from inside the Cetacean.
>>246399
The winch line is proving to be far stickier and more pliant than you expected.
>>246404
Your blades awkwardly miss and you end up tackling the Jumper near Porin, taking it down with you into the open air below. It's got a solid hold on you and it's too heavy for you to fly away. You're spinning around in freefall, the ground coming up to greet you at an alarming rate.
Your mace flies off like a missile, cracking the Jumper straight across its center of mass. Porin covers her side with a temporary ice sheet.
>>246395
Despite your awkward position, you manage to strike a solid slice on the attacking Jumper, taking only a glancing hit on your armor in return.
>>246396
You swarm the drones back into the belly, but they can't dislodge the Hulk's weight from inside the Cetacean.
>>246399
The winch line is proving to be far stickier and more pliant than you expected.
>>246404
Your blades awkwardly miss and you end up tackling the Jumper near Porin, taking it down with you into the open air below. It's got a solid hold on you and it's too heavy for you to fly away. You're spinning around in freefall, the ground coming up to greet you at an alarming rate.
>>246416
>>246418
>>246419
Auvergne gets one hoof free and impales the Jumper with his blade, putting the lights out of its core. As it lets go, he's barely able to regain control, but with the aid of Tsvetkov's drones he's picked up and on his way back to catch up with the Cetacean. Chester's telekinesis guides them all back into the belly safely.
Porin is barely able to fend off the Jumper attacking Chester.
>>246420
Your lose your footing, swinging around upside down as you try to fend off your attacker.
>>246422
Not too far from you is an upside down griffon swinging a double sword at a biomechanical construct fueled by otherworldly forces. Is this really the right time for a psalm?
>>246418
>>246419
Auvergne gets one hoof free and impales the Jumper with his blade, putting the lights out of its core. As it lets go, he's barely able to regain control, but with the aid of Tsvetkov's drones he's picked up and on his way back to catch up with the Cetacean. Chester's telekinesis guides them all back into the belly safely.
Porin is barely able to fend off the Jumper attacking Chester.
>>246420
Your lose your footing, swinging around upside down as you try to fend off your attacker.
>>246422
Not too far from you is an upside down griffon swinging a double sword at a biomechanical construct fueled by otherworldly forces. Is this really the right time for a psalm?
(Sorry this is running into overtime.)
>>246432
The dark magical void of the Cetacean's being reverberates unpleasantly, negating your channeled divine power for the moment. The Jumper slashes you, and Porin pushes it back with a wave of force before it can do severe damage.
>>246435
You put your weight into a full charge, pushing the Jumper attacking Gaeton back towards the Hulk.
>>246436
You misjudge the movement of the Cetacean, momentarily turning it belly up. You remain in place, stuck to the control room floor by eldritch force.
Everyone hits the "ceiling" of the belly cavity. Gaeton is still restrained. At least no one is going to fall out at the moment…
>>246439
Taking advantage of the momentary confusion, you strike at the Jumper yourself, severing one of its legs.
…
The Cetacean is now upside down. Auvergne has rejoined everyone in the belly, but everyone in the belly now uses the ceiling as their floor.
>>246432
The dark magical void of the Cetacean's being reverberates unpleasantly, negating your channeled divine power for the moment. The Jumper slashes you, and Porin pushes it back with a wave of force before it can do severe damage.
>>246435
You put your weight into a full charge, pushing the Jumper attacking Gaeton back towards the Hulk.
>>246436
You misjudge the movement of the Cetacean, momentarily turning it belly up. You remain in place, stuck to the control room floor by eldritch force.
Everyone hits the "ceiling" of the belly cavity. Gaeton is still restrained. At least no one is going to fall out at the moment…
>>246439
Taking advantage of the momentary confusion, you strike at the Jumper yourself, severing one of its legs.
…
The Cetacean is now upside down. Auvergne has rejoined everyone in the belly, but everyone in the belly now uses the ceiling as their floor.
>>246443
The feeders being to whip and churn, trying to pry at the Hulk's mass. They're barely able to get a hold of it as it rights itself and shakes off the tiny teeth picking at its thick plating. It begins to crawl over towards the party.
>>246445
You crack open the Jumper's armor plating, exposing its innards. It stumbles backwards before being utterly crushed and obliterated by the uncaring weight of the Hulk's mighty foot.
>>246447
>>246452
Your wing being caught in the mucus doesn't help you any, and you slap against the fleshy wall of the belly.
>>246448
There's only the one-legged Jumper left, but it too is caught under the weight of the Hulk before you can even think of getting to it.
…
The Hulk is easily as big as a house, with four spider like legs covered in thick armor. Its magic barrier flickers back on, now fully visible as a shimmering geodesic sphere.
Tsvetkov, the weight of the Hulk pressing on the belly is like someone rolling a billiard ball around your stomach.
The feeders being to whip and churn, trying to pry at the Hulk's mass. They're barely able to get a hold of it as it rights itself and shakes off the tiny teeth picking at its thick plating. It begins to crawl over towards the party.
>>246445
You crack open the Jumper's armor plating, exposing its innards. It stumbles backwards before being utterly crushed and obliterated by the uncaring weight of the Hulk's mighty foot.
>>246447
>>246452
Your wing being caught in the mucus doesn't help you any, and you slap against the fleshy wall of the belly.
>>246448
There's only the one-legged Jumper left, but it too is caught under the weight of the Hulk before you can even think of getting to it.
…
The Hulk is easily as big as a house, with four spider like legs covered in thick armor. Its magic barrier flickers back on, now fully visible as a shimmering geodesic sphere.
Tsvetkov, the weight of the Hulk pressing on the belly is like someone rolling a billiard ball around your stomach.
>>246454
Obviously tell me if I can't do this, and I'll do something else.
Struck by the realization that I am one with the machine, I try something that even I consider a little bit crazy.
I select the largest sticky tendril in my arsenal, focus on it with all my concentration, visualizing it as my pointer finger, then jam it into the hulk.
Touch of death.
Roll #0 9 + 2 = 11
Obviously tell me if I can't do this, and I'll do something else.
Struck by the realization that I am one with the machine, I try something that even I consider a little bit crazy.
I select the largest sticky tendril in my arsenal, focus on it with all my concentration, visualizing it as my pointer finger, then jam it into the hulk.
Touch of death.
Roll #0 9 + 2 = 11
>>246456
Porin's freezing bolts shatter agains the magic barrier, though it seems to change color and flicker a bit, getting weaker.
>>246460
Shit, I'll give points for creativity.
The opening in its shield allows Tsvetkov to drive a tendril deep into the opening on the back of the Hulk, the translucent jelly shifting and seeping into its core.
A loud, mournful wail blasts the party with sonic force as the Hulk dies from the inside out. Its core turns from red to black to moldy black sludge, the entire heap crumpling and folding inwards on itself.
…
With the party relatively safe, they can take their time disposing of the construcst before the upside down whale ship continues over the ivory wall and towards the center of the Volcano of Gloom.
Tsvetkov, if you focus on your own body and surroundings, you'll realize that your feet and legs are now firmly bound to the floor by the same misshapen and diseased nerves that once bound the original brain.
SESSION END
Porin's freezing bolts shatter agains the magic barrier, though it seems to change color and flicker a bit, getting weaker.
>>246460
Shit, I'll give points for creativity.
The opening in its shield allows Tsvetkov to drive a tendril deep into the opening on the back of the Hulk, the translucent jelly shifting and seeping into its core.
A loud, mournful wail blasts the party with sonic force as the Hulk dies from the inside out. Its core turns from red to black to moldy black sludge, the entire heap crumpling and folding inwards on itself.
…
With the party relatively safe, they can take their time disposing of the construcst before the upside down whale ship continues over the ivory wall and towards the center of the Volcano of Gloom.
Tsvetkov, if you focus on your own body and surroundings, you'll realize that your feet and legs are now firmly bound to the floor by the same misshapen and diseased nerves that once bound the original brain.
SESSION END
The party is aboard the upside-down Cetacean after having just vanquished another party of attack constructs. Although you can't see it (save for Tsvetkov, who is hooked into the ship's sensory organs), you're passing over the wall and into the central parts of the Volcano Of Gloom, now taken over by Filchfire's constructs and self-replicating fortress.
There is a great plume of pitch and smoke rising from the caldera of the once-dormant volcano, certainly an ill omen.
The ruined Hulk and Jumpers lay in a heap in the upturned belly. It's suggested you all find a foothold or secure line before the Cetacean rights itself.
"Captain" Tsvetkov, you are bathed in a sea of noise and signals as you fly deeper into Filchfire's territory. Every part of the city here has been subsumed by some kind of structure, everything a different kind of construct and automaton, each one sending out its own signals.
There is a great plume of pitch and smoke rising from the caldera of the once-dormant volcano, certainly an ill omen.
The ruined Hulk and Jumpers lay in a heap in the upturned belly. It's suggested you all find a foothold or secure line before the Cetacean rights itself.
"Captain" Tsvetkov, you are bathed in a sea of noise and signals as you fly deeper into Filchfire's territory. Every part of the city here has been subsumed by some kind of structure, everything a different kind of construct and automaton, each one sending out its own signals.
>>248401
Recalling that the "Tower" was more of an abstract construct during your last visit, you're glad to see that with the takeover of the city Filchfire has seen fit to craft a full-size base of operations firmly situated in the physical realm. A great ivory ring composed of hewed geometries and shifting crystalline structures embraces the summit, like some kind of bleak crown with spires reaching up over the rim and a shadow of a spire jutting upwards through the black plumes of the revived volcano.
You can spot other Cetaceans going back and forth across the wall, many of them docking at the summit ring. There is a strong signal aimed at you emanating from there.
>>248403
Between you and the other winged members of this party, you have enough to secure everyone.
Recalling that the "Tower" was more of an abstract construct during your last visit, you're glad to see that with the takeover of the city Filchfire has seen fit to craft a full-size base of operations firmly situated in the physical realm. A great ivory ring composed of hewed geometries and shifting crystalline structures embraces the summit, like some kind of bleak crown with spires reaching up over the rim and a shadow of a spire jutting upwards through the black plumes of the revived volcano.
You can spot other Cetaceans going back and forth across the wall, many of them docking at the summit ring. There is a strong signal aimed at you emanating from there.
>>248403
Between you and the other winged members of this party, you have enough to secure everyone.
>>248408
With everyone right-side up again, you head out to the summit ring. You can tell it's some kind of docking directions beacon, though if there were any further nuance to it you can't quite tell.
As you approach you see that the docks are actually great maws that interlock with the teeth of a Cetacean's open belly. There's no telling what's in them from out here.
With everyone right-side up again, you head out to the summit ring. You can tell it's some kind of docking directions beacon, though if there were any further nuance to it you can't quite tell.
As you approach you see that the docks are actually great maws that interlock with the teeth of a Cetacean's open belly. There's no telling what's in them from out here.
>>248425
"While I would sooner destroy a stained glass window than such a beautiful work of necromantic art, I suppose sometimes to make an omelet you have to break a few windows."
I pause. "I don't know if I can do more than one. I haven't had a chance to closely study the chemical makeup of the materials as much as I'd like to. If I had more time, I could maybe set off a chain explosion, but as it is, I could probably just ram this thing into the dock."
"While I would sooner destroy a stained glass window than such a beautiful work of necromantic art, I suppose sometimes to make an omelet you have to break a few windows."
I pause. "I don't know if I can do more than one. I haven't had a chance to closely study the chemical makeup of the materials as much as I'd like to. If I had more time, I could maybe set off a chain explosion, but as it is, I could probably just ram this thing into the dock."
>>248440
As you turn straight for the open dock, you manage to open the mouth and get the mechanical motors churning. The signal in your head becomes a little clearer, along the lines of SAFETY PROTOCOL ALERT: MAIN CANNON ARMED
There is a tactile lurch throughout the ship as something massive clicks into place in the bow of the ship.
As you turn straight for the open dock, you manage to open the mouth and get the mechanical motors churning. The signal in your head becomes a little clearer, along the lines of SAFETY PROTOCOL ALERT: MAIN CANNON ARMED
There is a tactile lurch throughout the ship as something massive clicks into place in the bow of the ship.
>>248472
I shake myself out of my reverie for a moment and look down.
"Oh."
A lengthy pause.
"I see. It looks like I answered Klandin incorrectly before. Maybe there was SOME risk. I've been so focused on staying as one with the mechanism… No… I need to focus right now."
I turn my attentions back to my work.
I shake myself out of my reverie for a moment and look down.
"Oh."
A lengthy pause.
"I see. It looks like I answered Klandin incorrectly before. Maybe there was SOME risk. I've been so focused on staying as one with the mechanism… No… I need to focus right now."
I turn my attentions back to my work.
>>248461
Are you shooting, ramming, exploding, or some combination of the three?
>>248472
>>248475
As Gaeton notes, while you've been bound with the ship, your legs have slowly become entwined—embedded, even—with the diseased nerves littering the control room. They're likely the reason you didn't fall over when you went upside-down, and probably part of your growing control over the Cetacean's faculties.
You are now physically one with the ship until further notice.
Are you shooting, ramming, exploding, or some combination of the three?
>>248472
>>248475
As Gaeton notes, while you've been bound with the ship, your legs have slowly become entwined—embedded, even—with the diseased nerves littering the control room. They're likely the reason you didn't fall over when you went upside-down, and probably part of your growing control over the Cetacean's faculties.
You are now physically one with the ship until further notice.
>>248461
"…Well, that's lovely for those of us who can fly, Tsetkov. But there are four of us who can't, including you, and only three who can."
Grumbling a bit, I'll start tying a rope between myself and Porin.'1d10'
"Klandin, you'll take Bethany. Auvergne, you can support both myself and Porin, correct?"
Roll #1 2 = 2
"…Well, that's lovely for those of us who can fly, Tsetkov. But there are four of us who can't, including you, and only three who can."
Grumbling a bit, I'll start tying a rope between myself and Porin.'1d10'
"Klandin, you'll take Bethany. Auvergne, you can support both myself and Porin, correct?"
Roll #1 2 = 2
>>248479
>>248489
Despite your combined telekinesis with Porin you can't seem to find a binding method that isn't entirely awkward nor insecure. After a moment's fumbling Porin insists she do it herself and she easily knots the two of you together.
>>248482
>>248498
You're no surgeon, but a cursory examination definitely shows that this stuff has gotten into Tsvetkov's body like a fungal infection, at least from the knees down. Your best bet would be to sever the nerves around his feet, though if you wanted to keep it all out of his system entirely you could definitely amputate if not extract the nerves..
>>248489
Despite your combined telekinesis with Porin you can't seem to find a binding method that isn't entirely awkward nor insecure. After a moment's fumbling Porin insists she do it herself and she easily knots the two of you together.
>>248482
>>248498
You're no surgeon, but a cursory examination definitely shows that this stuff has gotten into Tsvetkov's body like a fungal infection, at least from the knees down. Your best bet would be to sever the nerves around his feet, though if you wanted to keep it all out of his system entirely you could definitely amputate if not extract the nerves..
>>248494
You scan the docks and find what you infer to be a weak point in the structure. You could easily blast a hole in the sides and drop the group there while you docked the Cetacean. Having them come through a sally port will be preferable to them having to go through the normal dock… whatever is in there.
You scan the docks and find what you infer to be a weak point in the structure. You could easily blast a hole in the sides and drop the group there while you docked the Cetacean. Having them come through a sally port will be preferable to them having to go through the normal dock… whatever is in there.
>>248511
As Tsvetkov drives the Cetacean forward and prepares to fire the main gun, a mental lash cracks across his consciousness.
FINGERPRINT UNRECOGNIZED - EMERGENCY CODE: PURGE
At that a panel opens up above the docks and a beam of light hits the Cetacean, slicing it in twain, but not before Tsvetkov fires the main cannon. A massive shell shoots forward, obliterating the laser and much of the structure around it in a fiery blast that rocks the ship.
The Cetacean is cut in half now, none of you are injured, but it's falling apart in midair and you are high up over the summit of the volcano. There is a sally port in the summit ring for everyone to escape to if they leave the ship.
Tsvetkov is bound by his feet, with only Gaeton at his side. The sky is visible to the both of you as the ship comes apart.
As Tsvetkov drives the Cetacean forward and prepares to fire the main gun, a mental lash cracks across his consciousness.
FINGERPRINT UNRECOGNIZED - EMERGENCY CODE: PURGE
At that a panel opens up above the docks and a beam of light hits the Cetacean, slicing it in twain, but not before Tsvetkov fires the main cannon. A massive shell shoots forward, obliterating the laser and much of the structure around it in a fiery blast that rocks the ship.
The Cetacean is cut in half now, none of you are injured, but it's falling apart in midair and you are high up over the summit of the volcano. There is a sally port in the summit ring for everyone to escape to if they leave the ship.
Tsvetkov is bound by his feet, with only Gaeton at his side. The sky is visible to the both of you as the ship comes apart.
>>248516
With no small amount of struggle as you dodge the flying ichor and shattered bones, you make it to the opening in the wall.
>>248517
>>248518
The flying shrapnel and flaming bits of whalefat singe your feathers, and your glide starts to turn into falling with style. The three of you barely catch the edge of the blown-out wall and need to pull yourselves up.
>>248519
>>248520
What a shame.
With only the best intentions and the worst circumstances, Gaeton cuts away at the nerves surrounding Tsvetkov. Ironically, those were providing him a tenuous link to the ship's control systems, at least on the half he was standing on. The lurching weight of the deck throws the two of you off-balance, and only a last minute grab of claw and paw keeps you together.
As Gaeton pulls the ersatz captain away, a remaining nerve keeps Tsvetkov bound to the floor by one foot. There is a resounding crack as his knee dislocates before the nerve crumbles and gives way, allowing the two of you to fly to safety.
Tired, rattled, and lightly injured, the entire party is standing in the blown-out hole watching a massive corpse of steel and blubber explode against the mountainside. You appear to be in a grand hollow bulkhead, with a steel corridor following the ring in either direction.
With no small amount of struggle as you dodge the flying ichor and shattered bones, you make it to the opening in the wall.
>>248517
>>248518
The flying shrapnel and flaming bits of whalefat singe your feathers, and your glide starts to turn into falling with style. The three of you barely catch the edge of the blown-out wall and need to pull yourselves up.
>>248519
>>248520
What a shame.
With only the best intentions and the worst circumstances, Gaeton cuts away at the nerves surrounding Tsvetkov. Ironically, those were providing him a tenuous link to the ship's control systems, at least on the half he was standing on. The lurching weight of the deck throws the two of you off-balance, and only a last minute grab of claw and paw keeps you together.
As Gaeton pulls the ersatz captain away, a remaining nerve keeps Tsvetkov bound to the floor by one foot. There is a resounding crack as his knee dislocates before the nerve crumbles and gives way, allowing the two of you to fly to safety.
Tired, rattled, and lightly injured, the entire party is standing in the blown-out hole watching a massive corpse of steel and blubber explode against the mountainside. You appear to be in a grand hollow bulkhead, with a steel corridor following the ring in either direction.
>>248525
You and Porin manage to scuttle up the side.
>>248526
Dislocated, not severed. Be glad we haven't had to amputate.
>>248527
You're on the ground with everyone else. Aside from an alarming lack of feathers, you're unhurt. You won't be good for full on flying, but can still get some lift for jumps and stunts.
>>248529
Your glowing sword shines bright daylight down the corridors and you find nothing approaching you from either direction. There are blinking lights going down the path, seeming to go counterclockwise.
>>248532
You're free! You're finally free!
Porin stows the rope away with extra tender care.
You and Porin manage to scuttle up the side.
>>248526
Dislocated, not severed. Be glad we haven't had to amputate.
>>248527
You're on the ground with everyone else. Aside from an alarming lack of feathers, you're unhurt. You won't be good for full on flying, but can still get some lift for jumps and stunts.
>>248529
Your glowing sword shines bright daylight down the corridors and you find nothing approaching you from either direction. There are blinking lights going down the path, seeming to go counterclockwise.
>>248532
You're free! You're finally free!
Porin stows the rope away with extra tender care.
>>248534
Having been ripped out of the Cetacean so suddenly, you do feel a bit… sad. More than power and amazing craftwork being at your fingertips, the depths to which the thing had melded with your body was at once frightening and wonderful.
In any case, you feel like you've lost a lot of weight. Moving around is a little awkward, your limbs lighter than you remember.
>>248535
There are diseased nerves and sinews sticking out of his legs, and though you can't remove them you're able to set his bone back into its joint before any swelling and serious injury occurs. The eldritch nature of that mycelium will require much better conditions for work if you want any hope of extracting them.
Having been ripped out of the Cetacean so suddenly, you do feel a bit… sad. More than power and amazing craftwork being at your fingertips, the depths to which the thing had melded with your body was at once frightening and wonderful.
In any case, you feel like you've lost a lot of weight. Moving around is a little awkward, your limbs lighter than you remember.
>>248535
There are diseased nerves and sinews sticking out of his legs, and though you can't remove them you're able to set his bone back into its joint before any swelling and serious injury occurs. The eldritch nature of that mycelium will require much better conditions for work if you want any hope of extracting them.
>>248537
I'll frown mightily at that.
"Tsetkov, you might be taking a souvenir from that thing with you for a while until I get a cleaner area to remove it. Try not to attach yourself to anything else for a while, since I don't know what would happen if you did."
Under my breath, I'll add "and I would hate to have to kill you if you lose yourself."
Heading back over to Porin, I'll see how she's holding up.
I'll frown mightily at that.
"Tsetkov, you might be taking a souvenir from that thing with you for a while until I get a cleaner area to remove it. Try not to attach yourself to anything else for a while, since I don't know what would happen if you did."
Under my breath, I'll add "and I would hate to have to kill you if you lose yourself."
Heading back over to Porin, I'll see how she's holding up.
After an admirable performance from Tsvetkov and a nearly catastrophic landing, you're all inside the summit ring, mostly in one piece. Tsvetkov is too exhausted to be of much use right now and is being kept off an injured leg by Auvergne.
The tunnel goes in either direction, following the curve of the superstructure. There are lights blinking in sequence, going in a counterclockwise pulse. There don't appear to be any approaching patrols… yet. The walls are smooth metal, like the nicer parts of Filchfire's lair and his golem foundry.
The tunnel goes in either direction, following the curve of the superstructure. There are lights blinking in sequence, going in a counterclockwise pulse. There don't appear to be any approaching patrols… yet. The walls are smooth metal, like the nicer parts of Filchfire's lair and his golem foundry.
>>250294
You can mend his leg but you can't mend the hole in his heart.
…
Heading counterclockwise with Klandin on point and Gaeton sweep, you come upon the next dock, or what should be the inside of it. It's a ghastly scene, with bulbous pores and sinews stretching across the hallway, married to metal and steel. Pulsing valves spew forth closed ribcages being carried away on the backs of spider-like drones while more of the combat constructs crawl out of the black intestine. They all seem to be traveling across the hallway into an opposite doorway leading towards the caldera. None of them have noticed you, and there is a floating Sentry that looks like a dolphin crossed with a dragonfly. Its back is turned to you.
You can mend his leg but you can't mend the hole in his heart.
…
Heading counterclockwise with Klandin on point and Gaeton sweep, you come upon the next dock, or what should be the inside of it. It's a ghastly scene, with bulbous pores and sinews stretching across the hallway, married to metal and steel. Pulsing valves spew forth closed ribcages being carried away on the backs of spider-like drones while more of the combat constructs crawl out of the black intestine. They all seem to be traveling across the hallway into an opposite doorway leading towards the caldera. None of them have noticed you, and there is a floating Sentry that looks like a dolphin crossed with a dragonfly. Its back is turned to you.
>>250363
The phrase "like day and night" comes to mind.
>>250382
Tsvetkov is mobile, but can't join combat. Just say he goes and hides in a corner like a traditional fantasy RPG spellcaster should.
Unfortunately you can't make out much cover from the outcroppings and pipes lining the inner wall, and your hooves make an odd clang off a rounded edge.
>>250387
But just as the Sentry turns around to check the noise, Klandin's spear of pure sunlight jams straight through its side. The tunnel is lit up with daylight and everything in the vicinity becomes clear.
The Sentry is essentially ded, hanging in the air as sunlight courses off of it to light the area.
There is about a dozen damaged combat constructs crawling across the hallway. Though alerted, they seem more interested in going wherever they're supposed to go and hurry on a little faster than before. They exchange worried beeps and whirs between themselves, as though passing along some kind of alert.
The phrase "like day and night" comes to mind.
>>250382
Tsvetkov is mobile, but can't join combat. Just say he goes and hides in a corner like a traditional fantasy RPG spellcaster should.
Unfortunately you can't make out much cover from the outcroppings and pipes lining the inner wall, and your hooves make an odd clang off a rounded edge.
>>250387
But just as the Sentry turns around to check the noise, Klandin's spear of pure sunlight jams straight through its side. The tunnel is lit up with daylight and everything in the vicinity becomes clear.
The Sentry is essentially ded, hanging in the air as sunlight courses off of it to light the area.
There is about a dozen damaged combat constructs crawling across the hallway. Though alerted, they seem more interested in going wherever they're supposed to go and hurry on a little faster than before. They exchange worried beeps and whirs between themselves, as though passing along some kind of alert.
>>250409
Your spear downs a half-ruined Gunner, and its unmoving hulk tips over, blocking the lineup. The constructs seem vastly annoyed and chirp loudly, trying to get a signal out to whatever will listen to them.
>>250423
Normally, you should specify targets for Energy Orb since it works like Cleave and has a modified crit range. But since you got a natural crit it doesn't matter.
>>250424
You only succeed in knocking the spiderbots about and disloding the ribcages, though none of them are closer to you than before, blocked by fleshy webbings strung across the hall.
>>250429
You dash forward and try to open up a cell, but it's closed too tightly, far tighter than the ribcages inside the Cetacean though it appears to be of the same structure and design. They must turn into these cocoons for transport.
Your spear downs a half-ruined Gunner, and its unmoving hulk tips over, blocking the lineup. The constructs seem vastly annoyed and chirp loudly, trying to get a signal out to whatever will listen to them.
>>250423
Normally, you should specify targets for Energy Orb since it works like Cleave and has a modified crit range. But since you got a natural crit it doesn't matter.
>>250424
You only succeed in knocking the spiderbots about and disloding the ribcages, though none of them are closer to you than before, blocked by fleshy webbings strung across the hall.
>>250429
You dash forward and try to open up a cell, but it's closed too tightly, far tighter than the ribcages inside the Cetacean though it appears to be of the same structure and design. They must turn into these cocoons for transport.
>>250437
You're similarly confounded by the alien structures winding through the corridor and get tripped up on some odd bones sticking out at a wrong angle. Your sword's blade lodges itself in a fleshy wall, and you're prone on the ground amidst a lot of angry robots.
>>250441
Porin immobilizes one with her freezing bolts before it can get to you.
>>250444
Gaeton, you avoid getting caught in the webs and lodge one blade directly into one of the damaged constructs, putting it out for good.
>>250423
>>250448
In the thick of it, Auvergne's magic spell crushes half of your opponents here, thankfully leaving the bonecells apparently unharmed even as the spiderdrones under them go limp. A second flurry of knives cuts the wounded constructs down to four remaining.
>>250451
You still can't seem to crack open the ribcage amongst all the commotion, but thankfully none of the damaged constructs are in any shape to attack you while you try.
…
There is an awful sound coming from the great mouth on the outer wall. The other end of that should be attached to a Cetacean… is there something else coming off the ship?
You're similarly confounded by the alien structures winding through the corridor and get tripped up on some odd bones sticking out at a wrong angle. Your sword's blade lodges itself in a fleshy wall, and you're prone on the ground amidst a lot of angry robots.
>>250441
Porin immobilizes one with her freezing bolts before it can get to you.
>>250444
Gaeton, you avoid getting caught in the webs and lodge one blade directly into one of the damaged constructs, putting it out for good.
>>250423
>>250448
In the thick of it, Auvergne's magic spell crushes half of your opponents here, thankfully leaving the bonecells apparently unharmed even as the spiderdrones under them go limp. A second flurry of knives cuts the wounded constructs down to four remaining.
>>250451
You still can't seem to crack open the ribcage amongst all the commotion, but thankfully none of the damaged constructs are in any shape to attack you while you try.
…
There is an awful sound coming from the great mouth on the outer wall. The other end of that should be attached to a Cetacean… is there something else coming off the ship?
>>250467
>>250469
That's 2 and 1. You shred one Thing That Used To Be A Jumper and lop a good chunk off of a one-armed Gunner.
>>250468
You crawl, roll and dive out of harm's way, deftly retrieving your sword and ready to meet what comes out of the docking bay.
>>250470
You shatter the thing entirely, chunks of metal flying apart amidst chunks of ice.
>>250472
The remaining constructs are pinned down by your throwing knives and unable to engage in the melee.
…
A blast of hot air issues forth from the docking orifice. Long, sinewy legs with clawed feet slip out with eerily deliberate speed, the main body and weapons of a Longlegs emerging from the outer wall. It sounds its shrill foghorn as its shell unfolds to reveal an array of barrels, guns, and devices of unknown-but-likely-weaponized function.
In this corridor it's a sitting target, but you also have little to no cover from its heavy weaponry.
>>250469
That's 2 and 1. You shred one Thing That Used To Be A Jumper and lop a good chunk off of a one-armed Gunner.
>>250468
You crawl, roll and dive out of harm's way, deftly retrieving your sword and ready to meet what comes out of the docking bay.
>>250470
You shatter the thing entirely, chunks of metal flying apart amidst chunks of ice.
>>250472
The remaining constructs are pinned down by your throwing knives and unable to engage in the melee.
…
A blast of hot air issues forth from the docking orifice. Long, sinewy legs with clawed feet slip out with eerily deliberate speed, the main body and weapons of a Longlegs emerging from the outer wall. It sounds its shrill foghorn as its shell unfolds to reveal an array of barrels, guns, and devices of unknown-but-likely-weaponized function.
In this corridor it's a sitting target, but you also have little to no cover from its heavy weaponry.
>>250481
>>250483
Your initial attacks bounce off a previously-invisible energy barrier, but Gaeton follows through with a second slash that guts the joint of one the thing's legs. Black sludge pours out of the gaping wound.
>>250485
You channel a stream of magic energy into the barrier, and it seems to shimmer and crack under the pressure but has not given way.
>>250488
Your attack sends the magic barrier past its breaking point, shattering it like so much glass.
…
The Longlegs opens fire with its full arsenal. Thankfully the vaporizing beams aren't among them—likely deactivated to avoid wrecking the base—but everything else is a horrid mess to deal with. The hallway is covered in a hail of burning hot metal slugs, actual living gastropod slugs that ravenously eat through and corrode anything they land on, and needles formed from broken splints of bone and crystal shards.
As Porin begins channeling her telekinetic force, Chester is gored by a large harpoon and stuck to the opposite wall, unable to move. Porin almost loses her focus but returns to pushing the Longlegs back through the docking orifice. It slowly and painfully starts moving back, and by the pulsing of the opening you can guess that it's being squeezed from the other side by whatever unnatural instincts drive this biomechanical creation.
>>250511
Oh sweet merciful Luna that hurts.
rolling to recover myself. If that harpoon is hooked, I'll have to just keep pushing it completely through, and that's not gonna be fun…
Porin needs to keep up the pressure, though. Since she can't fire off another heavy TK push, she'll freeze it. Magic bolts going out. '2d10+1'
Roll #0 1 = 1
Roll #1 4, 8 + 1 = 13
Oh sweet merciful Luna that hurts.
rolling to recover myself. If that harpoon is hooked, I'll have to just keep pushing it completely through, and that's not gonna be fun…
Porin needs to keep up the pressure, though. Since she can't fire off another heavy TK push, she'll freeze it. Magic bolts going out. '2d10+1'
Roll #0 1 = 1
Roll #1 4, 8 + 1 = 13
>>250514
Taking your first roll. The hail of gunfire is a lot for you to evade, and purposefully putting yourself in harm's way is no easier. At this range the never-ending curtains of bullets could soon prove fatal.
Chester has taken 1 wound. The harpoon has gone clean through his barrel but doesn't seem to have snagged any vitals… yet.
>>250517
Taking first roll. (Magic Bolt is supposed to be a gimped Power Attack, not a dual-wielding attack)
Porin's attacks hardly damage the Longlegs, though the freezing sheets cover some of its weapons, easing up the endless volleys for precious seconds.
>>250519
Unfortunately this is one of the barbed kinds of harpoons. It'll take a bit more work to get it out of him.
>>250522
You can't open another cocoon, forced to take cover behind one of the wrecked constructs. You can do little more than drag the cocoons out of harm's way.
>>250533
Your magical blast obliterates a swath of bullets but does little to stymie the war machine.
…
The remaining constructs are torn apart by the Longlegs' curtain fire. With Porin no longer pushing on it, it resumes emerging from the docking orifice as muscles squeeze it out through whatever awful tube it crawled through.
Taking your first roll. The hail of gunfire is a lot for you to evade, and purposefully putting yourself in harm's way is no easier. At this range the never-ending curtains of bullets could soon prove fatal.
Chester has taken 1 wound. The harpoon has gone clean through his barrel but doesn't seem to have snagged any vitals… yet.
>>250517
Taking first roll. (Magic Bolt is supposed to be a gimped Power Attack, not a dual-wielding attack)
Porin's attacks hardly damage the Longlegs, though the freezing sheets cover some of its weapons, easing up the endless volleys for precious seconds.
>>250519
Unfortunately this is one of the barbed kinds of harpoons. It'll take a bit more work to get it out of him.
>>250522
You can't open another cocoon, forced to take cover behind one of the wrecked constructs. You can do little more than drag the cocoons out of harm's way.
>>250533
Your magical blast obliterates a swath of bullets but does little to stymie the war machine.
…
The remaining constructs are torn apart by the Longlegs' curtain fire. With Porin no longer pushing on it, it resumes emerging from the docking orifice as muscles squeeze it out through whatever awful tube it crawled through.
>>250559
>>250560
Believe in me who believes in you!
>>250543
You were right, this thing is barbed, so yanking it out the wrong way could mean the end for you. In your state it's more than a little hard to focus on a careful task like this.
Chester is at 2/5 wounds.
>>250544
After some panicked instruction from Chester, Bethany gets the point, slowly pushing it through Chester's body to avoid any further damage.
>>250545
>>250550
>>250554
Gaeton and Klandin are hit by detonating bone shrapnel and knocked to the floor to nurse sizzling scorch marks in their plumage.
Auvergne channels his fury into magic bolts to meet the Longlegs' gatling hellfire, but shooting into the blinding storm throws off his aim and gets him nicked and grazed by gunfire.
…
The Longlegs' fire suddenly stops, and its top pops open to spit out a few ribcage cells, smoking and dripping with gore. Long tendrils reach out, feeling around other cells to pull into its ammo chambers.
>>250560
Believe in me who believes in you!
>>250543
You were right, this thing is barbed, so yanking it out the wrong way could mean the end for you. In your state it's more than a little hard to focus on a careful task like this.
Chester is at 2/5 wounds.
>>250544
After some panicked instruction from Chester, Bethany gets the point, slowly pushing it through Chester's body to avoid any further damage.
>>250545
>>250550
>>250554
Gaeton and Klandin are hit by detonating bone shrapnel and knocked to the floor to nurse sizzling scorch marks in their plumage.
Auvergne channels his fury into magic bolts to meet the Longlegs' gatling hellfire, but shooting into the blinding storm throws off his aim and gets him nicked and grazed by gunfire.
…
The Longlegs' fire suddenly stops, and its top pops open to spit out a few ribcage cells, smoking and dripping with gore. Long tendrils reach out, feeling around other cells to pull into its ammo chambers.
File: 1355465745131.gif (11.63 KB, 206x135, Marco_grenades[1].gif)
>>250572
>Opening exposed!
"Cambia el cerebro en liquido!"
Energy Orb where all the tendrils are connected. I won't let it reload.
Roll #0 4 - 1 = 3
>Opening exposed!
"Cambia el cerebro en liquido!"
Energy Orb where all the tendrils are connected. I won't let it reload.
Roll #0 4 - 1 = 3
>>250573
Chester has 3 wounds remaining til death.
>>250575
>>250576
The bleeding is profuse and you can do little more than to stop it from pooling around you. There's a wealth of internal damage you'll have to put together yet.
Porin can only hold the Longlegs in place as it feeds. She's visibly upset and yelling incoherently.
>>250578
>>250583
Klandin immediately jumps back into action. Gaeton skill rolls into his fall, recovering immediately and springing forward to chop off one of the reloading tentacles.
>>250584
This creates an opening for Auvergne's haphazardly aimed energy orb, and he manages to disrupt their movement and prevent the Longlegs from feeding.
…
Without its fuel, the Longlegs can't fire its weapons.
Chester has 3 wounds remaining til death.
>>250575
>>250576
The bleeding is profuse and you can do little more than to stop it from pooling around you. There's a wealth of internal damage you'll have to put together yet.
Porin can only hold the Longlegs in place as it feeds. She's visibly upset and yelling incoherently.
>>250578
>>250583
Klandin immediately jumps back into action. Gaeton skill rolls into his fall, recovering immediately and springing forward to chop off one of the reloading tentacles.
>>250584
This creates an opening for Auvergne's haphazardly aimed energy orb, and he manages to disrupt their movement and prevent the Longlegs from feeding.
…
Without its fuel, the Longlegs can't fire its weapons.
File: 1355466485674.gif (16.11 KB, 175x38, Eri_super_laser.gif)
>>250592
Since I don't have to worry about retaliation anymore, I'll stick with Magic Bolt and help back up Porin. I'm not getting anywhere near it.
Roll #0 7 - 1 = 6
Since I don't have to worry about retaliation anymore, I'll stick with Magic Bolt and help back up Porin. I'm not getting anywhere near it.
Roll #0 7 - 1 = 6
>>250596
Gaeton slices into another joint, not quite disabling the leg but gouging it deep.
>>250598
Without its legs to fully pull it back in, the Longlegs visibly begins to move back into the docking hole. This is clearly not to its advantage, as forces on the other side continue to push it back out. One can only imagine what's happening to its other legs in there.
Porin regains her focus and shunts burning arcane bolts into the thing's side, leaving scalding, smoldering holes.
>>250612
Auvergne's magic bolts also keep the pressure on the Longlegs, especially its tentacles.
>>250602
The large opening and largely immobile target make it easy for Klandin to dive straight in with his blessed blade, an eruption of fire and light filling the corridor.
The Longlegs explodes in a ball of searing flame and blinding radiance, flailing about and struggling to free itself, shaking and denting the corridor as its flesh sloughs off in burning slabs, leaving behind cavernous bone and metal.
>>250604
Chester is no longer see-through.
…
You're all in a brightly lit corridor with a steaming, acrid hunk of meat being puked up by the docking orifice. There four cocoons unopened here. The doorway to the inner rings is closed, and you can now hear ringing klaxons alerting the base to your intrusion.
Gaeton slices into another joint, not quite disabling the leg but gouging it deep.
>>250598
Without its legs to fully pull it back in, the Longlegs visibly begins to move back into the docking hole. This is clearly not to its advantage, as forces on the other side continue to push it back out. One can only imagine what's happening to its other legs in there.
Porin regains her focus and shunts burning arcane bolts into the thing's side, leaving scalding, smoldering holes.
>>250612
Auvergne's magic bolts also keep the pressure on the Longlegs, especially its tentacles.
>>250602
The large opening and largely immobile target make it easy for Klandin to dive straight in with his blessed blade, an eruption of fire and light filling the corridor.
The Longlegs explodes in a ball of searing flame and blinding radiance, flailing about and struggling to free itself, shaking and denting the corridor as its flesh sloughs off in burning slabs, leaving behind cavernous bone and metal.
>>250604
Chester is no longer see-through.
…
You're all in a brightly lit corridor with a steaming, acrid hunk of meat being puked up by the docking orifice. There four cocoons unopened here. The doorway to the inner rings is closed, and you can now hear ringing klaxons alerting the base to your intrusion.
>>250664
Despite my dramatic prose I realize I don't leave many points for social interaction. It's a shortcoming in my GM style, and I appreciate that you take the time to nonetheless inject some personality into your characters.
>>250669
>>250670
Shit happens. How's Sunday looking? Didn't want you missing out on any finale content.
Despite my dramatic prose I realize I don't leave many points for social interaction. It's a shortcoming in my GM style, and I appreciate that you take the time to nonetheless inject some personality into your characters.
>>250669
>>250670
Shit happens. How's Sunday looking? Didn't want you missing out on any finale content.
After defeating a patrol and a returned combat squad of constructs, and suvrviving a close encounter with the full brunt of a Longlegs' might, the party continues investigating the summit ring.
Tsvetkov is recovering from his severance quickly, but Chester is still grievously injured though no longer impaled or punctured. Bethany tends to the cleric's wounds while his apprentice, Porin, keeps getting in the way.
Klandin stands over the ruined hulk while Gaeton and Auvergne keep watch on the corridor. The Longlegs lies half-in and half-out of a great fleshy mouth that is presumably the egress of the docking tubule. The party entered from a blown-out hole a short ways clockwise, and the corridor continues counterclockwise (with the blinking lights pulsing in that direction as well). There is a door towards the caldera here, though it is sealed.
There are four closed ribcage cells here with no sign of activity coming from within.
Tsvetkov is recovering from his severance quickly, but Chester is still grievously injured though no longer impaled or punctured. Bethany tends to the cleric's wounds while his apprentice, Porin, keeps getting in the way.
Klandin stands over the ruined hulk while Gaeton and Auvergne keep watch on the corridor. The Longlegs lies half-in and half-out of a great fleshy mouth that is presumably the egress of the docking tubule. The party entered from a blown-out hole a short ways clockwise, and the corridor continues counterclockwise (with the blinking lights pulsing in that direction as well). There is a door towards the caldera here, though it is sealed.
There are four closed ribcage cells here with no sign of activity coming from within.
>>256646
It takes a good bit of effort, but your wound seals up nicely. It, too, leaves a blackened scar just like when the marrow seeped into your blood. Just as your Moonfire is anathema to these constructs' fleshy bits, so too is their blood to your mortal being.
"I'm sorry, I-I've never… if it went through your heart, I—" Porin looks to be on the verge of heaving.
>>256649
These are the same ribcage cells you had seen in the Cetacean; these must have been removed from a returned transport and contain captive citizens.
Judging by the two that popped out of the Longlegs midfight, those captured are being used as… fuel. The raw material for these constructs must be coming from creatures and citizens Filchfire had abducted.
>>256651
You finish healing Chester up, getting his backside where the harpoon exited. There is a blackened scar there, now, also.
It takes a good bit of effort, but your wound seals up nicely. It, too, leaves a blackened scar just like when the marrow seeped into your blood. Just as your Moonfire is anathema to these constructs' fleshy bits, so too is their blood to your mortal being.
"I'm sorry, I-I've never… if it went through your heart, I—" Porin looks to be on the verge of heaving.
>>256649
These are the same ribcage cells you had seen in the Cetacean; these must have been removed from a returned transport and contain captive citizens.
Judging by the two that popped out of the Longlegs midfight, those captured are being used as… fuel. The raw material for these constructs must be coming from creatures and citizens Filchfire had abducted.
>>256651
You finish healing Chester up, getting his backside where the harpoon exited. There is a blackened scar there, now, also.
>>256667
The door doesn't appear to have controls or seals, though earlier you did notice it slid in from the side. It may be possible to wedge it open or break it down.
>>256671
You carefully pick up two of the dead drones, which are actually in usable condition compared to the damaged combat constructs. They're four-legged spiderlike things with wide bodies used for carrying loads, but you may be able to make use of them.
…
>>256665
You crack it open like a rotten egg. And boy does it smell like one!
The moment Klandin splits open the ribcage, black sludge shoots up and tears at him. It does no damage but pulls with an awesome force. It is sticky, gooey, flowing and viscous, some kind of demonic tongue pulling him into a needle-filled maw.
The door doesn't appear to have controls or seals, though earlier you did notice it slid in from the side. It may be possible to wedge it open or break it down.
>>256671
You carefully pick up two of the dead drones, which are actually in usable condition compared to the damaged combat constructs. They're four-legged spiderlike things with wide bodies used for carrying loads, but you may be able to make use of them.
…
>>256665
You crack it open like a rotten egg. And boy does it smell like one!
The moment Klandin splits open the ribcage, black sludge shoots up and tears at him. It does no damage but pulls with an awesome force. It is sticky, gooey, flowing and viscous, some kind of demonic tongue pulling him into a needle-filled maw.
>>256682
I need to work on that. Remember to include a skill name if you're using it.
You have two Very Visible Servants, or Legged Nonfloating Load-Bearing Discs, depending on how you want to look at them. Although not as complex or vast as the Cetacean, they're still quite unique in construction.
>>256686
>>256687
>>256688
>>256696
Quick reactions all around burn the hand away, letting Klandin escape. As the thing burns up inside its shell, you all realize it may be too late for the captives in these cages…
>>256694
The door budges just a sliver. Blasts of hot volcanic air greet you; it seems to open up to a passageway that leads directly into the active caldera.
I need to work on that. Remember to include a skill name if you're using it.
You have two Very Visible Servants, or Legged Nonfloating Load-Bearing Discs, depending on how you want to look at them. Although not as complex or vast as the Cetacean, they're still quite unique in construction.
>>256686
>>256687
>>256688
>>256696
Quick reactions all around burn the hand away, letting Klandin escape. As the thing burns up inside its shell, you all realize it may be too late for the captives in these cages…
>>256694
The door budges just a sliver. Blasts of hot volcanic air greet you; it seems to open up to a passageway that leads directly into the active caldera.
File: 1355723012900.jpg (14.46 KB, 337x250, yugioh friendship.jpg)
>>256703
Pushing yourself this hard immediately after recovering from a gorey wound sends pain through your body, but you're able to grab a hold of the door and overpower its mechanisms, slowly sliding it to the side enough for larger party members like Klandin or Bethany to walk through unimpeded.
The entire party is awash in hot air.
>>256708
Apart from the docking orifice and the caldera door, the corridor goes in two directions.
Your drones skitter about the wall near the door, climbing up along the pipes and knocking on a small hatch. It's big enough only for them to pass through, and it'd be a challenge to have anyone in the party climb up there anyways.
Pushing yourself this hard immediately after recovering from a gorey wound sends pain through your body, but you're able to grab a hold of the door and overpower its mechanisms, slowly sliding it to the side enough for larger party members like Klandin or Bethany to walk through unimpeded.
The entire party is awash in hot air.
>>256708
Apart from the docking orifice and the caldera door, the corridor goes in two directions.
Your drones skitter about the wall near the door, climbing up along the pipes and knocking on a small hatch. It's big enough only for them to pass through, and it'd be a challenge to have anyone in the party climb up there anyways.
>>256725
>>256726
>>256730
You notice Tsvetkov's spiderdrones skittering on the far side of the doorway. Apparently that hatch they found in the wall allows them easy access between the corridor and the caldera walkways. Good to know, they might be useful for reaching things in maintenance tunnels later on.
The doorway leads to a vast network of suspended catwalks, railways, and automatons. It's like the great Golem Foundry from before, but on a scale many magnitudes greater. It fills the active volcano caldera like teeth in a mouth.
But instead of burning lava below, you see only flowing pitch and the faint wails of wayward souls. There appears to be some kind of central spire-like structure in the center of the crater, reaching upwards into the blackened sky.
There is a ramp leading down along the edge of the caldera, and some overhead rails here taking damaged constructs down into the foundry guts. The empty ones seem to stop and pause, waiting for one to jump into their grasp, before moving on.
>>256726
>>256730
You notice Tsvetkov's spiderdrones skittering on the far side of the doorway. Apparently that hatch they found in the wall allows them easy access between the corridor and the caldera walkways. Good to know, they might be useful for reaching things in maintenance tunnels later on.
The doorway leads to a vast network of suspended catwalks, railways, and automatons. It's like the great Golem Foundry from before, but on a scale many magnitudes greater. It fills the active volcano caldera like teeth in a mouth.
But instead of burning lava below, you see only flowing pitch and the faint wails of wayward souls. There appears to be some kind of central spire-like structure in the center of the crater, reaching upwards into the blackened sky.
There is a ramp leading down along the edge of the caldera, and some overhead rails here taking damaged constructs down into the foundry guts. The empty ones seem to stop and pause, waiting for one to jump into their grasp, before moving on.
>>256768
>>256775
The center of power seems to be at the very bottom of the spire, where it meets the black sludge. Following the ramp will eventually get you there, judging by the way the megastructures are laid out, but the railways would likely be faster.
If you need to escape from the central spire, using a railway would be the best option. You can see fully-formed and operational constructs marching out and being carted away by straight railways to the summit ring, likely to be loaded up in Cetaceans.
>>256775
The center of power seems to be at the very bottom of the spire, where it meets the black sludge. Following the ramp will eventually get you there, judging by the way the megastructures are laid out, but the railways would likely be faster.
If you need to escape from the central spire, using a railway would be the best option. You can see fully-formed and operational constructs marching out and being carted away by straight railways to the summit ring, likely to be loaded up in Cetaceans.
>>256796
"We have no choice but to go forward. He's probably expecting us, and it be rude to be late to our appointment to shut him down for good."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSq_nfTs4Ko
"We have no choice but to go forward. He's probably expecting us, and it be rude to be late to our appointment to shut him down for good."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSq_nfTs4Ko
>>256826
>>256837
It is as you say, everything here is dead or undead in some manner, formed from the reconsituted and repurposed flesh of untold thousands of victims. There is some kind of "lock" on them while they are active, however, held in the grasp of a greater power. One can't explode the minions of another necromancer, at least not until that necromancer has released control, usually by perishing.
Once Filchfire is defeated, you should be able to make quick work of his fortress.
>>256837
It is as you say, everything here is dead or undead in some manner, formed from the reconsituted and repurposed flesh of untold thousands of victims. There is some kind of "lock" on them while they are active, however, held in the grasp of a greater power. One can't explode the minions of another necromancer, at least not until that necromancer has released control, usually by perishing.
Once Filchfire is defeated, you should be able to make quick work of his fortress.
The railways are long and narrow, making slow, aching spirals towards the center of the fortress. All the constructs here are moved along the rails, not on patrol or security detail. You do get some odd stares from maintenance drones scuttling around the structures and walls, however. They pop in and out of hidden panels and hatchways.
Closer to the black sludge's level, the superstructures come together and you can see and hear the machinations inside as they reassemble and reinvigorate the damaged constructs being fed into them. You notice that mechanical claws reach down in to the sludge and pluck great blobs of it to be siphoned into each construct before it is put back together and sent out again. There are also long intestinal tubules and scuttling drones delivering bodies and body parts into massive grinders, the nauseating stench of molten steel and obsidian mixing with scorched flesh and sinew.
The walkways are just over the black sludge, and you can see the surface of it shifting and flowing, but not rippling, as though possessed of millions of faceless eyes and mouths. It is not bubbling tar nor burning lava, but an eerily still surface, opaque yet watery. It's the same kind of eery texture you saw in the Living Shadow on your first visit.
Ahead of you down a long straightaway lies the central chambers at the bottom of the spire. A pentacle of large eyes snap open, encircling the gateway, but not much else happens for now.
Closer to the black sludge's level, the superstructures come together and you can see and hear the machinations inside as they reassemble and reinvigorate the damaged constructs being fed into them. You notice that mechanical claws reach down in to the sludge and pluck great blobs of it to be siphoned into each construct before it is put back together and sent out again. There are also long intestinal tubules and scuttling drones delivering bodies and body parts into massive grinders, the nauseating stench of molten steel and obsidian mixing with scorched flesh and sinew.
The walkways are just over the black sludge, and you can see the surface of it shifting and flowing, but not rippling, as though possessed of millions of faceless eyes and mouths. It is not bubbling tar nor burning lava, but an eerily still surface, opaque yet watery. It's the same kind of eery texture you saw in the Living Shadow on your first visit.
Ahead of you down a long straightaway lies the central chambers at the bottom of the spire. A pentacle of large eyes snap open, encircling the gateway, but not much else happens for now.
>>256894
"The tentacles themselves suffer the same tactical weaknesses as whips. They're easy to seize once they've actually lashed out. This is the main reason whips never caught on as a traditional weapon. However, once it charges its tentacles with electricity, I would not advise direct contact. I was forced to allow contact as part of a gambit to kill the previous beast, and it was not pleasant."
"The tentacles themselves suffer the same tactical weaknesses as whips. They're easy to seize once they've actually lashed out. This is the main reason whips never caught on as a traditional weapon. However, once it charges its tentacles with electricity, I would not advise direct contact. I was forced to allow contact as part of a gambit to kill the previous beast, and it was not pleasant."
>>256941
>>256947
…He's fine, guys. But if he takes you up on the offer for a free ride, that's his call.
>>256948
Klandin makes the opening shot! His spear barely misses an eye, but the burning lance lodges itself in an open pore, preventing a bundle of lashing tentacles from emerging. Many more whip out, churning the sludge beneath and beating on the walkway, sending vibrations down into your feet.
Make combat rolls as normal.
>>256947
…He's fine, guys. But if he takes you up on the offer for a free ride, that's his call.
>>256948
Klandin makes the opening shot! His spear barely misses an eye, but the burning lance lodges itself in an open pore, preventing a bundle of lashing tentacles from emerging. Many more whip out, churning the sludge beneath and beating on the walkway, sending vibrations down into your feet.
Make combat rolls as normal.
>>256948
I charge it, commanding my two pets ahead to do whatever damage they can. Surely their Tartarian Power will let them get a few hits in, servile though they are. '2d10'
Then I slash with my sun-blessed scythe. 'r2 1d10'
Don't forget Beth's passive pets.
Roll #1 9, 10 = 19 / Roll #2 2 = 2
I charge it, commanding my two pets ahead to do whatever damage they can. Surely their Tartarian Power will let them get a few hits in, servile though they are. '2d10'
Then I slash with my sun-blessed scythe. 'r2 1d10'
Don't forget Beth's passive pets.
Roll #1 9, 10 = 19 / Roll #2 2 = 2
>>256955
With Gaeton covering for him, Tsvetkov leads the charge with his two drones and his scythe. The drones are agile and small, and their heads unfold to reveal nasty welding tools that slice tentacles up quite easily! Still, this Door Guardian has more tentacles than the one encountered in the Cetacean and its many appendages keep him from getting in a hit—Gaeton deflects the attacks with his armor and watchful guard, holding the line.
>>256957
As Chester shouts out his order, there is no response save for a terrified yelp from behind. Turning around he can see that a particularly long tentacle from the Guardian had swum t hrough the sludge and emerged beneath the party, grabbing a hold of her and attempting to drag her over the edge. Particularly startling is the fact that, until now, she has never addressed you by name.
"CHESTER!!!"
>>256962
With your minions and Gaeton holding the front, you charge and leap forward with your mace crushing the lashing heads of the tentacles, closing a good bit of distance between the party and the eyes.
>>256965
Following up on Bethany, you rush forward through an opening and obliterate one of the five eyes and the grasping tendrils surrounding it, the assembly exploding in a flurry of flaming flakes of sunlight.
Four Eyes remain.
>>256968
You maintain the opening for the forward party, pinning tentacles to the wall with your knives. There are too many of them for you to remove all danger, however.
With Gaeton covering for him, Tsvetkov leads the charge with his two drones and his scythe. The drones are agile and small, and their heads unfold to reveal nasty welding tools that slice tentacles up quite easily! Still, this Door Guardian has more tentacles than the one encountered in the Cetacean and its many appendages keep him from getting in a hit—Gaeton deflects the attacks with his armor and watchful guard, holding the line.
>>256957
As Chester shouts out his order, there is no response save for a terrified yelp from behind. Turning around he can see that a particularly long tentacle from the Guardian had swum t hrough the sludge and emerged beneath the party, grabbing a hold of her and attempting to drag her over the edge. Particularly startling is the fact that, until now, she has never addressed you by name.
"CHESTER!!!"
>>256962
With your minions and Gaeton holding the front, you charge and leap forward with your mace crushing the lashing heads of the tentacles, closing a good bit of distance between the party and the eyes.
>>256965
Following up on Bethany, you rush forward through an opening and obliterate one of the five eyes and the grasping tendrils surrounding it, the assembly exploding in a flurry of flaming flakes of sunlight.
Four Eyes remain.
>>256968
You maintain the opening for the forward party, pinning tentacles to the wall with your knives. There are too many of them for you to remove all danger, however.
>>256989
Fear and darkness shadow your heart, and the Light does not come. You dive towards the edge of the walkway, grabbing onto her desperately as her tail and hindlegs dip into the sludge. More than sucking her in, it starts to crawl up along her body, consuming her up to the neck. Before it overwhelms her, she whispers, "Chester, I l—"
>>256997
Hearing the desperate call from behind, you turn and see that your fellows of the Moon are being assaulted from beneath. You backflip over the melee, unfurling your wings like a great phoenix and rush forth, cleaving through the black sludge with your blade as a hot knife through butter. As you pass by Porin, the vile stuff releases her, reeling and squirming in pain.
Porin is safely back on the railway, shocked and trailing bits of the black sludge but otherwise unharmed.
>>256991
You continue smashing at tentacles, but your guard is left open on your offside. One of your constructs moves in to cover and is snatched up by the tentacles, tossed into the air and then ripped to pieces. Bones fly everywhere, shattering against the walls and walkway and sinking into the sludge.
>>256992
Your drones crawl up along the wall around the Guardian and force open one of its eyes for you to land a decisive blow on it, gouging it out of the wall and spilling diseased humor all over the walkway.
Three Eyes remain.
>>257006
While charging your spell you failed to anticipate another tentacle coming up from the sludge. You are knocked down flat on your face and are about to be dragged in…
>>257001
I think that was the RAI… I'll have to look into that.
Your guard remains true, but with Klandin rushing back you notice that there is an open space in the middle of the group. Auvergne is also being assaulted from below! You run back to his aid, driving the black tentacle away and picking him back up.
Fear and darkness shadow your heart, and the Light does not come. You dive towards the edge of the walkway, grabbing onto her desperately as her tail and hindlegs dip into the sludge. More than sucking her in, it starts to crawl up along her body, consuming her up to the neck. Before it overwhelms her, she whispers, "Chester, I l—"
>>256997
Hearing the desperate call from behind, you turn and see that your fellows of the Moon are being assaulted from beneath. You backflip over the melee, unfurling your wings like a great phoenix and rush forth, cleaving through the black sludge with your blade as a hot knife through butter. As you pass by Porin, the vile stuff releases her, reeling and squirming in pain.
Porin is safely back on the railway, shocked and trailing bits of the black sludge but otherwise unharmed.
>>256991
You continue smashing at tentacles, but your guard is left open on your offside. One of your constructs moves in to cover and is snatched up by the tentacles, tossed into the air and then ripped to pieces. Bones fly everywhere, shattering against the walls and walkway and sinking into the sludge.
>>256992
Your drones crawl up along the wall around the Guardian and force open one of its eyes for you to land a decisive blow on it, gouging it out of the wall and spilling diseased humor all over the walkway.
Three Eyes remain.
>>257006
While charging your spell you failed to anticipate another tentacle coming up from the sludge. You are knocked down flat on your face and are about to be dragged in…
>>257001
I think that was the RAI… I'll have to look into that.
Your guard remains true, but with Klandin rushing back you notice that there is an open space in the middle of the group. Auvergne is also being assaulted from below! You run back to his aid, driving the black tentacle away and picking him back up.
>>257033
>>257035
Using your telekinetic force and Moonfire, you are able to quickly clean off the sludge and pull her in for an embrace, or, er, check for damage, yeah.
She looks a bit pale, and short of words, but can stand on her own.
>>257036
You are close to the Guardian now, your strike dislodging the armor plating covering an eye and leaving scorching bits of sunlight across its cornea.
>>257038
>>257043
Yeah, Cleave is one roll for multiple targets in exchange for an increased crit fail range.
Suddenly, more black tentacles emerge in the place of the one that just tried to do you in, and their flailing catches you and Gaeton off guard. You take another hit but remain standing, but they seem to be focusing their fury on the griffon, immediately smashing him against the walkway and grabbing at his limbs, threateing to dismember him by tension.
Gaeton is helpless.
>>257042
See you around!
Klandin finishes off the eye that Bethany exposed, and it erupts into a screaming ball of fire.
Two Eyes remain.
>>257035
Using your telekinetic force and Moonfire, you are able to quickly clean off the sludge and pull her in for an embrace, or, er, check for damage, yeah.
She looks a bit pale, and short of words, but can stand on her own.
>>257036
You are close to the Guardian now, your strike dislodging the armor plating covering an eye and leaving scorching bits of sunlight across its cornea.
>>257038
>>257043
Yeah, Cleave is one roll for multiple targets in exchange for an increased crit fail range.
Suddenly, more black tentacles emerge in the place of the one that just tried to do you in, and their flailing catches you and Gaeton off guard. You take another hit but remain standing, but they seem to be focusing their fury on the griffon, immediately smashing him against the walkway and grabbing at his limbs, threateing to dismember him by tension.
Gaeton is helpless.
>>257042
See you around!
Klandin finishes off the eye that Bethany exposed, and it erupts into a screaming ball of fire.
Two Eyes remain.
>>257039
>>257041
Shit, I was scrolling back and forth and almost missed it.
Your drones are knocked away, though they safely deploy safety lines and recover on the wall. The opening allows you to instantly drive your hand into another eye and tear it out, necrosis spreading from the emptied socket and killing off a good number of lashing tentacles at the root.
One Eye remains.
>>257041
Shit, I was scrolling back and forth and almost missed it.
Your drones are knocked away, though they safely deploy safety lines and recover on the wall. The opening allows you to instantly drive your hand into another eye and tear it out, necrosis spreading from the emptied socket and killing off a good number of lashing tentacles at the root.
One Eye remains.
>>257059
Porin is even MORE at a loss for words!
The remaining eye's armored lid tries to remain shut, though you definitely make a deep dent in its shell that must be uncomfortable against its slimy surface. However, your rush forward left you open, and a tentacle tosses you backwards into Bethany.
>>257063
Chester is unharmed, but the sudden shift in formation throws you off-balance, especially when he comes sailing into you. You take most of the impact but remain standing if a little wobbly.
>>257066
One drone is suddenly crushed by a wayward tentacle. The other rushes in to peel back the eyelid for you to drive your Touch of Death into its retina.
There is an unearthly groaning as the Guardian perishes completely, all the tissue surrounding the gateway blackening and sloughing off in great smelly chunks, splattering against the walkway and splashing into the black sludge.
>>257067
Auvergne and Gaeton are free of the assaulting black tentacles as their roots die, and they slink back into the sludge beneath.
…
Nothing bars your entry to the central chambers, save for a door…
Shall we end the session here? It's midnight.
Porin is even MORE at a loss for words!
The remaining eye's armored lid tries to remain shut, though you definitely make a deep dent in its shell that must be uncomfortable against its slimy surface. However, your rush forward left you open, and a tentacle tosses you backwards into Bethany.
>>257063
Chester is unharmed, but the sudden shift in formation throws you off-balance, especially when he comes sailing into you. You take most of the impact but remain standing if a little wobbly.
>>257066
One drone is suddenly crushed by a wayward tentacle. The other rushes in to peel back the eyelid for you to drive your Touch of Death into its retina.
There is an unearthly groaning as the Guardian perishes completely, all the tissue surrounding the gateway blackening and sloughing off in great smelly chunks, splattering against the walkway and splashing into the black sludge.
>>257067
Auvergne and Gaeton are free of the assaulting black tentacles as their roots die, and they slink back into the sludge beneath.
…
Nothing bars your entry to the central chambers, save for a door…
Shall we end the session here? It's midnight.
The Door Guardian rots away from the wall, its flesh and tentacles coming off in pieces and splashing into the black sludge that fills the crater. You notice that there is increased activity in the shifting surface of the sludge, like it's agitated by your presence.
There is an unguarded gate to the central chamber before you.
There is an unguarded gate to the central chamber before you.
>>258825
With one of your drones smashed and scattered to pieces, you struggle to find a fresh corpse to raise. Perhaps you could reappropriate some part of the rotted Guardian, or try to pull something from the reconstruction factory. If you feel daring, there is a great number of dead and dark souls in the sludge below…
You can raise a minion, please describe where you're getting it from.
>>258827
Some part of you is still shaken, and a voice rings clear in your head. You are afraid of losing her. I can remove your fear. I can make you and all you cherish safe. You wield power over light, but I can give you power over darkness. You could be unstoppable. You could make her yours forever. You only need submit to me…
>>258833
Klandin renews the sunlight in everyone's weapons.
>>258834
With your blessings renewed, the black sludge recoils and hisses, seeming to burn and smoke at the mere presence of your weapon.
And then the surface shifts angrily, and you can see a multitude of faceless visages forming just before it snaps at your mace with a ghastly mouth. You pull your weapon back before it can catch you, and the sludge pools together again as though nothing had ever disturbed it.
With one of your drones smashed and scattered to pieces, you struggle to find a fresh corpse to raise. Perhaps you could reappropriate some part of the rotted Guardian, or try to pull something from the reconstruction factory. If you feel daring, there is a great number of dead and dark souls in the sludge below…
You can raise a minion, please describe where you're getting it from.
>>258827
Some part of you is still shaken, and a voice rings clear in your head. You are afraid of losing her. I can remove your fear. I can make you and all you cherish safe. You wield power over light, but I can give you power over darkness. You could be unstoppable. You could make her yours forever. You only need submit to me…
>>258833
Klandin renews the sunlight in everyone's weapons.
>>258834
With your blessings renewed, the black sludge recoils and hisses, seeming to burn and smoke at the mere presence of your weapon.
And then the surface shifts angrily, and you can see a multitude of faceless visages forming just before it snaps at your mace with a ghastly mouth. You pull your weapon back before it can catch you, and the sludge pools together again as though nothing had ever disturbed it.
>>258842
It lacks handles or locks of any kind, but upon touching it you can feel something shifting inside the door. It sounds like it's unlocking. Judging by the look of it, it should open outwards towards you, whenever it opens…
>>258843
You steal a wayward thing from the black sludge, plucking it out like one would a hot coal. It's a blackened skeleton covered in the vile sludge, stumbling and rattling about the walkway and emitting piercing shrieks with no pause for breath. Whatever soul used to inhabit this body expired in such pain it's lodged into its physical form.
>>258847
You think you can make her safe? That you could ever purge the world of evil? You are about to learn a harsh lesson, my little pony. Enjoy her while you can. The Night is coming.
"Are you alright, sir?" Porin dabs a cold-enchanted handkerchief across your forehead. "This volcanic heat is getting to you."
It lacks handles or locks of any kind, but upon touching it you can feel something shifting inside the door. It sounds like it's unlocking. Judging by the look of it, it should open outwards towards you, whenever it opens…
>>258843
You steal a wayward thing from the black sludge, plucking it out like one would a hot coal. It's a blackened skeleton covered in the vile sludge, stumbling and rattling about the walkway and emitting piercing shrieks with no pause for breath. Whatever soul used to inhabit this body expired in such pain it's lodged into its physical form.
>>258847
You think you can make her safe? That you could ever purge the world of evil? You are about to learn a harsh lesson, my little pony. Enjoy her while you can. The Night is coming.
"Are you alright, sir?" Porin dabs a cold-enchanted handkerchief across your forehead. "This volcanic heat is getting to you."
>>258871
"Y-you too." Porin scrunches.
>>258878
Would you like to take something from the black sludge or try to pull something out of the nearby foundry?
>>258881
You're not certain if it's responding to you, but the door does become slightly ajar. Something pushes it from the other side… a massive skeletal hoof.
The doors to the central chambers are open, with a gigantic bony hoof beckoning you inside.
"Y-you too." Porin scrunches.
>>258878
Would you like to take something from the black sludge or try to pull something out of the nearby foundry?
>>258881
You're not certain if it's responding to you, but the door does become slightly ajar. Something pushes it from the other side… a massive skeletal hoof.
The doors to the central chambers are open, with a gigantic bony hoof beckoning you inside.
>>258899
Turning back towards the foundries, you have to time your spell just right to snatch one of the lifeless constructs before it's injected with the black sludge. It springs to life and clambers out of the assembly line, making a great leap to your side on the walkway.
It's one of those chicken-legged Jumpers, with bladed spurs.
Turning back towards the foundries, you have to time your spell just right to snatch one of the lifeless constructs before it's injected with the black sludge. It springs to life and clambers out of the assembly line, making a great leap to your side on the walkway.
It's one of those chicken-legged Jumpers, with bladed spurs.
The central chamber is cavernous, with ribbed pillars all around. The walkway continues around the edges of the chamber in a great ring; other than that there are still openings exposing the chamber to the volcanic heat and black sludge bubbling below.
The walls around the room appear to have three very prominent ribcage cells, much larger and complex than the ones you'd seen before. The center of the chamber is wide open, with a mound of the sludge rising up, almost obscuring the other side of the walkway. In the center of this flowing, gelatinous darkness is an old donkey, his lower half obscured by the sludge. He opens his eyes and looks at each of you.
"I recognize you. Come to kill me or something?"
The doors close behind you, the giant hoof barring the way back.
The walls around the room appear to have three very prominent ribcage cells, much larger and complex than the ones you'd seen before. The center of the chamber is wide open, with a mound of the sludge rising up, almost obscuring the other side of the walkway. In the center of this flowing, gelatinous darkness is an old donkey, his lower half obscured by the sludge. He opens his eyes and looks at each of you.
"I recognize you. Come to kill me or something?"
The doors close behind you, the giant hoof barring the way back.
>>258933
>>258949
>>258956
"It won't," he sighs, "in fact it shall unleash the plague I've worked so hard to control."
"Long story short…" Filchfire gestures at his lower half and the great shifting dark goo swimming about. "I am the last seal holding this great evil back. Perhaps you've seen a bit of what it can do when left unchecked?"
>>258949
>>258956
"It won't," he sighs, "in fact it shall unleash the plague I've worked so hard to control."
"Long story short…" Filchfire gestures at his lower half and the great shifting dark goo swimming about. "I am the last seal holding this great evil back. Perhaps you've seen a bit of what it can do when left unchecked?"
>>258962
>>258965
>>258966
>>258971
>>258972
"Foul circumstances call for foul measures. I did not create this thing." Filchfire convulses, the great mass beneath him quaking just a moment. "Pardon me. I've not had my attention disrupted in a long time."
"It has a name. Maybe you heard it in myth and legend. It's a horror from the First Age of the world, born from other realms before being called into this one. It is Smooze."
"It hungers for flesh and souls, and scours the minds of those it touches. Your thoughts are replaced with unfeeling rage and hatred… I discovered that my stubborn heritage is quite useful in offering a natural advantage." The donkey taps his balding cranium. "Thus I have mastered it, and I have sated it. When I discovered it sleeping beneath Gloom, I moved to contain it. If not for the measures I've taken, it would have consumed many more mortal lives than you've witnessed."
"The gate has been opened, and it's far too late to stop it now. We can only control it now. Offer sacrifice. Hold it at bay until it goes back."
>>258965
>>258966
>>258971
>>258972
"Foul circumstances call for foul measures. I did not create this thing." Filchfire convulses, the great mass beneath him quaking just a moment. "Pardon me. I've not had my attention disrupted in a long time."
"It has a name. Maybe you heard it in myth and legend. It's a horror from the First Age of the world, born from other realms before being called into this one. It is Smooze."
"It hungers for flesh and souls, and scours the minds of those it touches. Your thoughts are replaced with unfeeling rage and hatred… I discovered that my stubborn heritage is quite useful in offering a natural advantage." The donkey taps his balding cranium. "Thus I have mastered it, and I have sated it. When I discovered it sleeping beneath Gloom, I moved to contain it. If not for the measures I've taken, it would have consumed many more mortal lives than you've witnessed."
"The gate has been opened, and it's far too late to stop it now. We can only control it now. Offer sacrifice. Hold it at bay until it goes back."
>>258993
>>258994
>>258997
"I don't know where back is, to be frank. It sleeps deep in the center of the earth, where the sun cannot reach. If you wanted to bring light there, you would need armies upon armies to scour the infinite bowels of Tartarus itself."
"Containment… moonfire… Ah, I know what you're talking about. No, the Sleepers are something else entirely, a secondary system. They gather the souls, you see."
>>258994
>>258997
"I don't know where back is, to be frank. It sleeps deep in the center of the earth, where the sun cannot reach. If you wanted to bring light there, you would need armies upon armies to scour the infinite bowels of Tartarus itself."
"Containment… moonfire… Ah, I know what you're talking about. No, the Sleepers are something else entirely, a secondary system. They gather the souls, you see."
>>259002
>>259003
>>259006
"Well, I can't say I wasn't seeking it. I had no idea what it could do beyond what legend told. But since I've contained it, harnessed it, I've been able to use it to create something entirely unprecedented. You have seen the many constructs birthed from its nightmares? Each one carries lifeblood that is the Smooze itself. And with me at the center, here, I control it as though it were my own body. A sort of Herd Mind, if you will."
"Without me at the head, it could ransack the entire world, cover it in darkness and hatred for eternity… or it could wither away and die. Who knows? All I know is that it will seek out victims unless it is kept in check as I have done. I have no intention of giving up this power. I have mastered the immortal, and soon the world itself can bow to me, instead of finding oblivion in the endless darkness of Smooze."
"I… do thank you for keeping me company. It's been a while since I've been able to speak with other mortals about this. The Sleepers aren't much for conversation, I'm sure you know."
>>259003
>>259006
"Well, I can't say I wasn't seeking it. I had no idea what it could do beyond what legend told. But since I've contained it, harnessed it, I've been able to use it to create something entirely unprecedented. You have seen the many constructs birthed from its nightmares? Each one carries lifeblood that is the Smooze itself. And with me at the center, here, I control it as though it were my own body. A sort of Herd Mind, if you will."
"Without me at the head, it could ransack the entire world, cover it in darkness and hatred for eternity… or it could wither away and die. Who knows? All I know is that it will seek out victims unless it is kept in check as I have done. I have no intention of giving up this power. I have mastered the immortal, and soon the world itself can bow to me, instead of finding oblivion in the endless darkness of Smooze."
"I… do thank you for keeping me company. It's been a while since I've been able to speak with other mortals about this. The Sleepers aren't much for conversation, I'm sure you know."
>>259018
"So you would rather crush the light of others' lives yourself than trust some eldritch force to do it for you? You made these… these horrors just because you could? The misery you've inflicted on everyone, all for what? To prove that you could do it? No… No, I think it has gotten to you. You may think yourself its master, but all you are to it is a control unit. A nerve for its arm."
"So you would rather crush the light of others' lives yourself than trust some eldritch force to do it for you? You made these… these horrors just because you could? The misery you've inflicted on everyone, all for what? To prove that you could do it? No… No, I think it has gotten to you. You may think yourself its master, but all you are to it is a control unit. A nerve for its arm."
>>259018
I nod.
"It's unlike anything else, isn't it? An entirely different league than even the greater minions. What could be learned from this place would probably take lifetimes to fully document. It could thrust Necromancy into a new golden era of research. It is good to know you intend world conquest, though. My orders are the same either way. Even if you were the only thing preventing oblivion."
I nod.
"It's unlike anything else, isn't it? An entirely different league than even the greater minions. What could be learned from this place would probably take lifetimes to fully document. It could thrust Necromancy into a new golden era of research. It is good to know you intend world conquest, though. My orders are the same either way. Even if you were the only thing preventing oblivion."
>>259027
>>259032
>>259037
>>259040
"It doesn't matter if you kill me. I don't imagine anything I do could ever top this! Hahaha… And if you think you can stop the Smooze without me leashing it, then let that be your mistake."
The giant hoof behind you crushes the walkway to the exit, pushing it into the Smooze below. Great ivory pillars shunt down from above, forming a barrier around Filchfire. Rings of blue fire flicker to life around the three bonecages on the outer walls.
A multitude of toothed mouths form in the Smooze below him, speaking with many voices lashed and scoured by pain and torment. "But it won't be a mistake I'll let you make."
…
Roll for initiative. '1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
>>259032
>>259037
>>259040
"It doesn't matter if you kill me. I don't imagine anything I do could ever top this! Hahaha… And if you think you can stop the Smooze without me leashing it, then let that be your mistake."
The giant hoof behind you crushes the walkway to the exit, pushing it into the Smooze below. Great ivory pillars shunt down from above, forming a barrier around Filchfire. Rings of blue fire flicker to life around the three bonecages on the outer walls.
A multitude of toothed mouths form in the Smooze below him, speaking with many voices lashed and scoured by pain and torment. "But it won't be a mistake I'll let you make."
…
Roll for initiative. '1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
>>259053
I'll use your first roll for your action. A great wreath of blue light burst forth from your being, encircling each member of your party. The Smooze screams and moans in the presence of such cleansing brilliance.
>>259055
Sure enough, black tendrils and appendages shoot up from the surface beneath, harmlessly deflected against your guard. The Smooze burns away as it approaches your form, scoured by the Moonfire.
>>259059
You launch a spear deep into the central mound. It gurgles and yowls and coughs, spraying black matter at you like a bleeding neck wound. The Smooze burns away harmlessly in the blue fire surrounding you.
>>259061
I'll use that 9 for your action. Your action being…?
>>259065
You chain your minions' actions together, leaping from the drone's flat back onto the bounding skeleton, your paw stretched upward to latch onto the shoulder of the giant hoof. Two fat tongues of blackness lash upwards at you, instead claiming the forms of your two underlings and dragging them beneath the surface.
You swipe your arm across the giant bonehoof's joints, the sinews and muscle rotting away and turning to dust. The gigantic bony mass falls downward, wedging itself into the gap between the door and the walkway, becoming a makeshift bridge for you to land on.
I'll use your first roll for your action. A great wreath of blue light burst forth from your being, encircling each member of your party. The Smooze screams and moans in the presence of such cleansing brilliance.
>>259055
Sure enough, black tendrils and appendages shoot up from the surface beneath, harmlessly deflected against your guard. The Smooze burns away as it approaches your form, scoured by the Moonfire.
>>259059
You launch a spear deep into the central mound. It gurgles and yowls and coughs, spraying black matter at you like a bleeding neck wound. The Smooze burns away harmlessly in the blue fire surrounding you.
>>259061
I'll use that 9 for your action. Your action being…?
>>259065
You chain your minions' actions together, leaping from the drone's flat back onto the bounding skeleton, your paw stretched upward to latch onto the shoulder of the giant hoof. Two fat tongues of blackness lash upwards at you, instead claiming the forms of your two underlings and dragging them beneath the surface.
You swipe your arm across the giant bonehoof's joints, the sinews and muscle rotting away and turning to dust. The gigantic bony mass falls downward, wedging itself into the gap between the door and the walkway, becoming a makeshift bridge for you to land on.
>>259082
There was a magic barrier around Bonecage A. It's gone now.
>>259083
Porin uses the opening created by Klandin to place a layer of hoarforst over Bonecage A. With the ice crystals lodge in a few weak points, tt should be easier to shatter them now.
>>259084
>>259085
Gaeton can't begin to even try to manage all the black tentacles rising from the ground, coming at the group from every direction, but Bethany uses her sunlight-blessed mace to burn a safe path for him.
'1d10'
Roll #1 7 = 7
There was a magic barrier around Bonecage A. It's gone now.
>>259083
Porin uses the opening created by Klandin to place a layer of hoarforst over Bonecage A. With the ice crystals lodge in a few weak points, tt should be easier to shatter them now.
>>259084
>>259085
Gaeton can't begin to even try to manage all the black tentacles rising from the ground, coming at the group from every direction, but Bethany uses her sunlight-blessed mace to burn a safe path for him.
'1d10'
Roll #1 7 = 7
>>259097
>>259101
The bonecage cracks open, and you can see a chained and staked Sleeper inside. It's moving, writhing in silent anguish.
>>259107
Several tentacles reach forward for Klandin, but you stop them dead with your mace, burning with sunlight.
>>259108
You pull up two more bony corpses from the black sludge, and they crawl behind you on their misshapen limbs.
…
'1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
>>259101
The bonecage cracks open, and you can see a chained and staked Sleeper inside. It's moving, writhing in silent anguish.
>>259107
Several tentacles reach forward for Klandin, but you stop them dead with your mace, burning with sunlight.
>>259108
You pull up two more bony corpses from the black sludge, and they crawl behind you on their misshapen limbs.
…
'1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
>>259117
>>259118
The Smooze dips just beneath the group, the concave form growing teeth formed from innumerable corpses. It rises like a shark set on swallowing its prey…
Until Gaeton makes a daring maneuver to obliterate it. His blessed weapon smashes it asunder, burning away huge chunks, but the force of his leap was misjudged and he falls into the cavity where the maw once was, with the blue flames surrounding him beginning to flicker as it wards away the Smooze.
>>259118
The Smooze dips just beneath the group, the concave form growing teeth formed from innumerable corpses. It rises like a shark set on swallowing its prey…
Until Gaeton makes a daring maneuver to obliterate it. His blessed weapon smashes it asunder, burning away huge chunks, but the force of his leap was misjudged and he falls into the cavity where the maw once was, with the blue flames surrounding him beginning to flicker as it wards away the Smooze.
>>259119
I shake my head, still advancing on the ivory pillars.
"More immediate threat. Ivory columns. Ivory contains phosphorus, an explosive element. You can't hide in a cage of dynamite. It's a thirty-three percent explosive compound."
I'll command my new minions to go help kill the sleeper. '2d10'
Meanwhile, I'll see if that ivory cage around Filchfire is dead enough to detonate with a good old corpse explosion. '1d10'
Roll #1 2, 2 = 4
I shake my head, still advancing on the ivory pillars.
"More immediate threat. Ivory columns. Ivory contains phosphorus, an explosive element. You can't hide in a cage of dynamite. It's a thirty-three percent explosive compound."
I'll command my new minions to go help kill the sleeper. '2d10'
Meanwhile, I'll see if that ivory cage around Filchfire is dead enough to detonate with a good old corpse explosion. '1d10'
Roll #1 2, 2 = 4
File: 1355812483664.gif (497.43 KB, 480x270, Persona 3 Clock.gif)
Shall I assist Gaeton in trying to protect the group, or focus more on offense?
>>259127
You channel your magic at the Sleeper, and as the fire washes over it, you feel yourself locking minds with it. The Shadow speaks to you again. Souls? Darkness? Death? These are my domains. The wizard is a fool. Only the true ruler of Endless Night shall shackle everything under the heavens and earth. You know this to be true.
>>259136
>>259137
Your bony minions leap up onto the ribcage and start to beat its tattooed corpse with their limbs. Their soft nubs don't seem to tear into it much, though.
There is a lot of ivory to work through, and the chaos of the vicinity doesn't let you focus well enough. You end up dodging black tentacles left and right.
>>259145
You fly up out of the hole in time to deflect another wave of black tentacles.
>>259147
With a single strike, your sunlight sword completely smashes through the wall of the central chamber, obliterating the Sleeper entirely with not so much as a death keening.
As the walls fall away into the Smooze below, there is an audible wailing and screaming building, the sound of thousands of souls being freed from their prison.
>>259149
Awaiting response.
You channel your magic at the Sleeper, and as the fire washes over it, you feel yourself locking minds with it. The Shadow speaks to you again. Souls? Darkness? Death? These are my domains. The wizard is a fool. Only the true ruler of Endless Night shall shackle everything under the heavens and earth. You know this to be true.
>>259136
>>259137
Your bony minions leap up onto the ribcage and start to beat its tattooed corpse with their limbs. Their soft nubs don't seem to tear into it much, though.
There is a lot of ivory to work through, and the chaos of the vicinity doesn't let you focus well enough. You end up dodging black tentacles left and right.
>>259145
You fly up out of the hole in time to deflect another wave of black tentacles.
>>259147
With a single strike, your sunlight sword completely smashes through the wall of the central chamber, obliterating the Sleeper entirely with not so much as a death keening.
As the walls fall away into the Smooze below, there is an audible wailing and screaming building, the sound of thousands of souls being freed from their prison.
>>259149
Awaiting response.
>>259156
>>259158
>>259159
>>259163
Klandin opens another Sleeper's barrier, letting the rest of you rip straight through the bonecage proper and exposing its quivering form.
>>259168
The two bony minions escaped the massive blast and scramble along the walkway, but don't quite make it to the second Sleeper, getting caught up with punching tentacles.
You're able to partially destablize one of the slivers, exposing Filchfire on one side. A bit of it explodes and shatters, sending smoke and bits of bone in every direction.
…
'1d10'
Roll #1 4 = 4
>>259158
>>259159
>>259163
Klandin opens another Sleeper's barrier, letting the rest of you rip straight through the bonecage proper and exposing its quivering form.
>>259168
The two bony minions escaped the massive blast and scramble along the walkway, but don't quite make it to the second Sleeper, getting caught up with punching tentacles.
You're able to partially destablize one of the slivers, exposing Filchfire on one side. A bit of it explodes and shatters, sending smoke and bits of bone in every direction.
…
'1d10'
Roll #1 4 = 4
>>259191
>>259194
>>259196
>>259201
Your joint strike against the Sleeper goes well, though Bethany and Auvergne both end up taking hits from the black tentacles surrounding them. Klandin leaves a gash of bleeding sunlight in the Sleeper's form, which Tsvetkov's minion take hold of and begin to tear it in half.
Personal or not, Tsvetkov's attempt to reach the hole is met with disaster as a black tentacle pushes him off the walkway and into the gooey mound, slowly sinking.
>>259186
>>259188
Filchfire flails and struggles ineffectually against the ice as it covers his body. Gaeton's daring followup strike smashes him to pieces.
Filchfire's mortal body is no more, a mere shell filled with the black primordial Smooze and covered in a multitude of unblinking eyes and dumbly palping mouths. They stare at you all with a nameless scorn.
…
'1d10'
Roll #1 1 = 1
>>259194
>>259196
>>259201
Your joint strike against the Sleeper goes well, though Bethany and Auvergne both end up taking hits from the black tentacles surrounding them. Klandin leaves a gash of bleeding sunlight in the Sleeper's form, which Tsvetkov's minion take hold of and begin to tear it in half.
Personal or not, Tsvetkov's attempt to reach the hole is met with disaster as a black tentacle pushes him off the walkway and into the gooey mound, slowly sinking.
>>259186
>>259188
Filchfire flails and struggles ineffectually against the ice as it covers his body. Gaeton's daring followup strike smashes him to pieces.
Filchfire's mortal body is no more, a mere shell filled with the black primordial Smooze and covered in a multitude of unblinking eyes and dumbly palping mouths. They stare at you all with a nameless scorn.
…
'1d10'
Roll #1 1 = 1
>>259219
The Cetaceans reach the central chamber, turning their bellies up towards you to reveal Longlegs lodged in their undersides, weapons opened and unfolded. There is a sickening hiss and convulsion in each one as they load up on ammunition and then open fire.
A hail of exploding spines, spikes, needles, spores and thorns washes over the central chambers.
The Cetaceans reach the central chamber, turning their bellies up towards you to reveal Longlegs lodged in their undersides, weapons opened and unfolded. There is a sickening hiss and convulsion in each one as they load up on ammunition and then open fire.
A hail of exploding spines, spikes, needles, spores and thorns washes over the central chambers.
>>259219
If tearing that sleeper in half killed it, move on to the next cage. If not, keep killing that sleeper. My minions fear no bullets. '2d10'
>>259236
I grab for his Talon and, with Filchfire physically gone, I attempt to Command Dead to part from me, so I can climb out safely.
'r2 1d10'
Roll #1 5, 10 = 15 / Roll #2 8 = 8
If tearing that sleeper in half killed it, move on to the next cage. If not, keep killing that sleeper. My minions fear no bullets. '2d10'
>>259236
I grab for his Talon and, with Filchfire physically gone, I attempt to Command Dead to part from me, so I can climb out safely.
'r2 1d10'
Roll #1 5, 10 = 15 / Roll #2 8 = 8
>>259235
The cleansing light of Vigilance burns the missiles and bullets before they can hit your party, and the Smooze visibly recoils and ripples away from your divine might.
>>259236
>>259242
With no small amount of pain, Tsvetkov manages to get through to the souls and corpses trapped in the Smooze before him. The momentary glimpses into their torment would be enough to give a regular mortal nightmares, but Tsvetkov holds Gaeton's claw firmly and is pulled back to the walkway.
The Sleeper thrashes about as it is disemboweled and then beheaded, your bony minions dancing and flailing about with a macabre, silent glee.
>>259238
With the bullets cleared out for the moment, you focus on chopping off the tentacles that continue to rise from the Smooze below.
>>259240
Your aim is true and you manage to blast one of the Longlegs, setting it ablaze with fire that begins to consume its Cetacean carrier from the inside out. The whole assembly crashes into the Smooze, slowly being consumed and pulled apart.
>>259243
You don't get a hold of the Smooze itself, but the many souls and bodies that have been given to it. They sense your contact and cry out for help, thousands of desperate screams all clawing at your mind. Maybe you can tell them what to do.
The cleansing light of Vigilance burns the missiles and bullets before they can hit your party, and the Smooze visibly recoils and ripples away from your divine might.
>>259236
>>259242
With no small amount of pain, Tsvetkov manages to get through to the souls and corpses trapped in the Smooze before him. The momentary glimpses into their torment would be enough to give a regular mortal nightmares, but Tsvetkov holds Gaeton's claw firmly and is pulled back to the walkway.
The Sleeper thrashes about as it is disemboweled and then beheaded, your bony minions dancing and flailing about with a macabre, silent glee.
>>259238
With the bullets cleared out for the moment, you focus on chopping off the tentacles that continue to rise from the Smooze below.
>>259240
Your aim is true and you manage to blast one of the Longlegs, setting it ablaze with fire that begins to consume its Cetacean carrier from the inside out. The whole assembly crashes into the Smooze, slowly being consumed and pulled apart.
>>259243
You don't get a hold of the Smooze itself, but the many souls and bodies that have been given to it. They sense your contact and cry out for help, thousands of desperate screams all clawing at your mind. Maybe you can tell them what to do.
>>259258
Filchfire deflects your mace, sending it clattering along the far side of the walkway.
>>259263
The wayward souls struggle to form themselves under the Cetaceans, only creating raised lumps in the Smooze.
>>259268
>>259270
You use Bethany's raised steps to reach the Longlegs, channeling necrosis into its limb until it reaiches some of the guns, which begin to warp and chip and bleed.
One of your minions evaporates the instant it hits the Sleeper's magic barrier, but the other one beats straight through it and starts to crack the bonecage proper.
>>259273
>>259278
>>259287
Between the curtain of bullets and the flailing Smooze tentacles, the three of you are swept off of your feet and pulled into the black muck.
'1d10'
Roll #1 7 = 7
Filchfire deflects your mace, sending it clattering along the far side of the walkway.
>>259263
The wayward souls struggle to form themselves under the Cetaceans, only creating raised lumps in the Smooze.
>>259268
>>259270
You use Bethany's raised steps to reach the Longlegs, channeling necrosis into its limb until it reaiches some of the guns, which begin to warp and chip and bleed.
One of your minions evaporates the instant it hits the Sleeper's magic barrier, but the other one beats straight through it and starts to crack the bonecage proper.
>>259273
>>259278
>>259287
Between the curtain of bullets and the flailing Smooze tentacles, the three of you are swept off of your feet and pulled into the black muck.
'1d10'
Roll #1 7 = 7
>>259291
>>259292
>>259297
>>259303
You're free!
Klandin, Gaeton, and Auvergne are able to break free of the Smooze with help from Bethany and Freddie Mercury.
>>259301
Porin's magic bolts seem to be eaten up by the Smooze Filchfire, leaving deep icy gouges in its form but not quite freezing it all the way through. Bear in mind it's being supported by the rest of the Smooze beneath it…
>>259299
The bonecage suddenly opens up, your minion falling into its toothed maw. The pointed ribs close in around it, snapping it in half.
Your Touch of Death seeps into the Longlegs, and it stops firing, beginning to smoke and bloat as corpsegas fills its being.
'1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
>>259292
>>259297
>>259303
You're free!
Klandin, Gaeton, and Auvergne are able to break free of the Smooze with help from Bethany and Freddie Mercury.
>>259301
Porin's magic bolts seem to be eaten up by the Smooze Filchfire, leaving deep icy gouges in its form but not quite freezing it all the way through. Bear in mind it's being supported by the rest of the Smooze beneath it…
>>259299
The bonecage suddenly opens up, your minion falling into its toothed maw. The pointed ribs close in around it, snapping it in half.
Your Touch of Death seeps into the Longlegs, and it stops firing, beginning to smoke and bloat as corpsegas fills its being.
'1d10'
Roll #1 5 = 5
>>259315
>>259321
Sorry, it's dead.
But not any more! As it angrily thrashes about, you're thankful its guns aren't really working any more. The legs smash against the walls of the central chamber behind you.
>>259316
Your mace is now wreathed in brilliant Moonfire.
>>259319
The bonecage is still in place, deflecting your magic bolts as you are forced to dodge a whipping black Smooze tendril.
>>259322
You wedge open the ribcage, slicing at the sinews that would have held it closed.
>>259325
Filchfire's dominance over the Smooze outmatches you and the souls who listen to you are easiliy pushed away from him.
>>259327
You crack through the ivory shells and chop Filchfire in twain. His amorphous body plops into the Smooze and is reclaimed by the greater body.
…
A mass of gibbering mouths forms in the mound as it sinks into the caldera. "The foundries were set into motion like clockwork… as long as there are souls to feed it, it will go on. You have not stopped us."
Though Filchfire is gone, his consciousness is still part of the Smooze's all-consuming and unfathomable will. '1d10'
Roll #1 1 = 1
>>259321
Sorry, it's dead.
But not any more! As it angrily thrashes about, you're thankful its guns aren't really working any more. The legs smash against the walls of the central chamber behind you.
>>259316
Your mace is now wreathed in brilliant Moonfire.
>>259319
The bonecage is still in place, deflecting your magic bolts as you are forced to dodge a whipping black Smooze tendril.
>>259322
You wedge open the ribcage, slicing at the sinews that would have held it closed.
>>259325
Filchfire's dominance over the Smooze outmatches you and the souls who listen to you are easiliy pushed away from him.
>>259327
You crack through the ivory shells and chop Filchfire in twain. His amorphous body plops into the Smooze and is reclaimed by the greater body.
…
A mass of gibbering mouths forms in the mound as it sinks into the caldera. "The foundries were set into motion like clockwork… as long as there are souls to feed it, it will go on. You have not stopped us."
Though Filchfire is gone, his consciousness is still part of the Smooze's all-consuming and unfathomable will. '1d10'
Roll #1 1 = 1
>>259341
Okay, lets try once more.. if I can at least slow him down.. just try again little souls, he's the one keeping you here, I can set you free once you get rid of him. You'll be free of the pain, able to move on and see your families.. fight him from with in, you can do it!
Roll #0 6 = 6
Okay, lets try once more.. if I can at least slow him down.. just try again little souls, he's the one keeping you here, I can set you free once you get rid of him. You'll be free of the pain, able to move on and see your families.. fight him from with in, you can do it!
Roll #0 6 = 6
>>259341
"But we can still make you hurt."
Turning to the others amidst the hail of goo, I'll yell out to them.
"You heard the lunatic! So long as the forges are running, they'll keep coming! We need to fight our way back up!"
Using Improved TK, I'll try and crush a group of the Dolphins into an irreparable ball of parts. '1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
"But we can still make you hurt."
Turning to the others amidst the hail of goo, I'll yell out to them.
"You heard the lunatic! So long as the forges are running, they'll keep coming! We need to fight our way back up!"
Using Improved TK, I'll try and crush a group of the Dolphins into an irreparable ball of parts. '1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3