[Dark Heresy] Maggots in the Meat

[gardenphilosoph]

Seventeen days ago, a sputtering, soot-blackened servo-skull dropped a coded letter into your hands. It read...

You are to travel to the feudal world of Acreage to investigate a series of unnatural attacks on the citizens of the city of Olrankan. The backward locals are full of tales of monsters and daemons, but it is up to you to find the truth of this. Evidence would suggest this is the work of some manner of death cult.

Now, make haste to Acreage, your way there has been paved. You will make planetfall at the Imperial outpost known as Emperor's Island, a short distance away from the city of Olrankan. From here, tread lightly and make no show of your allegiance as I offer you no support in this task and it is unknown as to the extent of your foes' power.

I await news of your success.

You made your way to the planet, your transports getting progressively more primitive and less comfortable the nearer you drew to the backwater feudal world. A rickety decaying lander would take you the final distance, to the landing zones of Emperor's Island, one of Acreage's few spaceports. You would meet the other Acolytes directly on the landing pad. You were told there would be three others, and working alone was not an option.

The present.

As your lander door opens, you are greeted by the salty smell of the sea, mingled with the scent of rust, oil, and human decay. As you look around, you see that you stand atop a vast landing platform that appears to be stabilized against the fickleness of the ocean to remain perfectly level. However, beyond its edges stretches a heaving mass of structures not unlike a vast island of flotsam and jetsam.

OOC - This is the time to introduce your character to the others, and seize each other up. Presumably you'll all be just landing or have landed, and have been waiting on the same landing pad. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

---

Lafayel's Character Sheet - Lionus, Feral-world Psyker
------------------------------------------
Name: Lionus
Age: Old One, 40
Appearance: Rangy. Fair skin, black hair, cat's eyes. Tribal tattooing and long fingernails. Right-handed.
Origin: Feral World
Tribal Taboo: Mane (hair is sacred and not to be cut)
Career & Rank: Imperial Psyker, Sanctionite
Divination: Kill the alien before it can speak its lies. (+2 Ag)

Characteristics
WS: 24
BS: 36
Str: 41
T: 26
Ag: 38
Int: 36
Per: 22
WP: 36
Fel: 25

Wounds: 13
Fate: 1
Insanity: Stable - 0
Corruption: Pure - 0

Traits
Iron Stomach (+10 to Carouse (T) on poisons)
Primitive (-10 to Tech-Use (Int), -10 to Fel tests in civilisation)
Rite of Passage (Int test to stop blood loss)
Wilderness Savvy (survival skills)
Sanctioned Psyker (Tongue Bound) (hard WP test to speak names of Ruinous Ones)

Talents
Psy Rating 1
Pistol Training (SP)
Melee Weapons Training (Primitive)

Psychic Powers
Inflict Pain (8, half, enemy suffers -10 on all tests)
Fearful Aura (7, full, gain fear rating)
Healer (7, full, heal 1d5 damage)

Skills
Basic Skills
Navigation (Surface) (Int)
Survival (Int)
Tracking (Int)

Advanced Skills
Invocation (WP)
Literacy (Int)
Psyniscience (Per)
Forbidden Lore (Warp) (Int)
Speak Language (Low Gothic) (Int)
Speak Language ('Zillmann's Domain' Tribal Dialect) (Int)
Trade (Soothsayer) (Fel)

Gear
4 thrones, sword, staff, compact stub revolver and 3 bullets, knife (psykana mercy blade), quilted vest, beast furs (best quality), tatty robe (poor quality clothing), psy-focus (custom carved bone dice set), sanctioning brand.

Income: 70 thrones/month

XP: 0
XP Spent: 400
Advancements Taken
Simple Intelligence (+5 Int) - 100
Simple Willpower (+5 WP) - 100
Forbidden Lore (Warp) (Int) - 100
Minor Psychic Power (+1 minor psychic power) - 100
------------------------------------------

crazedloon's Character Sheet - Arla, Moritat Assassin
------------------------------------------
Name: Arla Jestilla
Age: Warrior, 23
Appearance: Muscular and lean. Fair skin, black hair, piercing green eyes. Continuous wear of protective bodyglove. Ambidextrous.
Origin: Feral World
Tribal Taboo: Power of Names (forbidden 'true names')
Career & Rank: Moritat Assassin, Sell-Steel
Divination: If a job is worth doing it is worth dying for. (frenzy talent)

Characteristics
WS: 40
BS: 35
Str: 42
T: 38
Ag: 32
Int: 30
Per: 36
WP: 32
Fel: 22

Wounds: 9
Fate: 1/2
Insanity: Stable - 1
Corruption: Pure - 0

Traits
Iron Stomach (+10 to Carouse (T) on poisons)
Primitive (-10 to Tech-Use (Int), -10 to Fel tests in civilisation)
Rite of Passage (Int test to stop blood loss)
Wilderness Savvy (survival skills)
The Bloody Edge (hard WP test to use non-edged weapons, edged weapons have Tearing)

Talents
Pistol Training (SP)
Pistol Training (Primitive)
Basic Weapons Training (SP)
Melee Weapons Training (Primitive)
Thrown Weapons Training (Primitive)
Ambidextrous (no -20 penalty for attacks with second hand)
Frenzy (can become Frenzied in combat)
Jaded (never lose sanity from mundane horror)

Skills
Basic Skills
Awareness (Per) - SKILLED
Climb (S) - SKILLED
Dodge (Ag) - SKILLED
Navigation (Surface) (Int)
Silent Move (Ag) - SKILLED
Survival (Int)
Tracking (Int)

Advanced Skills
Shadowing (Ag)
Secret Tongue (Moritat) (Int)
Speak Language (Low Gothic) (Int)
Speak Language ('Zillmann's Domain' Tribal Dialect) (Int)

Gear
5 thrones, mono-sword, 6 throwing knives, crossbow pistol and twenty bolts, 2 volonx bone bolas, 3 nail bombs, grapnel and line, equipment harness, filtration plugs, 3 doses of stimm, 3 injectors, 20 quarrels, stummer, protective bodyglove (2 AP; primitive, body, arms, legs) .

Income: 120 thrones/month

XP: 0
XP Spent: 400
Advancements Taken
The Moritat - 300
Pistol Training (Primitive) - 100
------------------------------------------

Tackyhillbillu's Character Sheet - Lupa, Schola Arbitrator
------------------------------------------
Name: Lupa
Age: Student, 28
Appearance: Svelte. Fair skin, brown hair, grey eyes. Aquiline nose. Right-handed.
Origin: Schola Progenium
Family's Fate: Slaughtered by Rebels
Career & Rank: Arbitrator, Trooper
Divination: Do not ask why you serve. Only ask how. (+2 WS, +2 BS)

Characteristics
WS: 26
BS: 44
Str: 35
T: 28
Ag: 31
Int: 40
Per: 30
WP: 35
Fel: 35

Wounds: 10
Fate: 2
Insanity: Stable - 2
Corruption: Pure - 0

Traits
Schola Education (lore skills)
Skill at Arms (weapon training)
Sheltered Upbringing (-10 to Charm, Command, Deceive, Scrutiny when dealing with cultists, criminals, traitors)
Tempered Will (very hard WP tests become hard)

Talents
Basic Weapons Training (SP)
Basic Weapons Training (Las)
Pistol Training (Las)
Melee Weapons Training (Primitive)
Jaded (never lose sanity from mundane horror)
Quick Draw (ready as free action)
Rapid Reload (half reload times)

Skills
Basic Skills
Common Lore (Administratum) (Int)
Common Lore (Ecclesiarchy) (Int)
Common Lore (Imperial Creed) (Int)
Common Lore (Imperium) (Int) - SKILLED
Common Lore (War) (Int)
Scholastic Lore (Philosophy) (Int)
Inquiry (Fel) - SKILLED

Advanced Skills
Common Lore (Adeptus Arbites) (Int)
Literacy (Int)
Speak Language (High Gothic) (Int)
Speak Language (Low Gothic) (Int)

Gear
0 thrones, shotgun and 112 shells, flak jacket, uniform (good quality clothing), 3 doses of stimm, injector, arbitrator ID, chrono, flask of amanec.

Income: 70 thrones/month

XP: 0
XP Spent: 400
Advancements Taken
The Red Vaults of Luggnum - 100
Rapid Reload (half reload times) - 100
Simple Ballistic Skill (+5 BS) - 100
Simple Toughness (+5 T) - 100
------------------------------------------

LTSearchEngine's Character Sheet - Twitch, Volgite Guardsman
------------------------------------------
Name: Tybak 'Twitch' Bossel
Age: Adult, 26
Appearance: Wiry. Black hair, blue eyes, narrow features, swarthy complexion from chemical damage. Slight acid pitting across neck and left cheek. Permanent wary look, dressed in a simple night camo BDU. Right-handed.
Origin: Hive World, Volg Hive - Fenksworld
Hive Class: Ganger Scum
Career & Rank: Guardsman, Conscript
Divination: The wise man learns from the deaths of others. (+3 Int)

Characteristics
WS: 31
BS: 44
Str: 31
T: 36
Ag: 37
Int: 29
Per: 35
WP: 37
Fel: 26

Wounds: 12
Fate: 4
Insanity: Unsettled - 14
Corruption: Tainted - 4

Traits
Accustomed to Crowds (crowds not difficult terrain)
Born Survivor (survival talents)
Caves of Steel (tech skill)
Grim (bonus T, penalty Fel, insanity)
Hivebound (-10 to Survival (Int) tests, -5 to Int tests outside of urban)

Talents
Pistol Training (Las)
Basic Weapons Training (Las)
Basic Weapons Training (SP)
Melee Weapons Training (Primitive)
Jaded (never lose sanity from mundane horror)
Light Sleeper (always assumed to be awake)
Resistance (Psychic Powers) (+10 bonus to resisting)

Skills
Basic Skills
Intimidate (S) - SKILLED
Tech-Use (Int)

Advanced Skills
Drive (Ground Vehicle) (Ag)
Speak Language (Low Gothic) (Int)
Speak Language (Volg Hive Dialect) (Int)

Gear
14 thrones, lasgun and 4 charge packs, knife, guard flak armour, 1 week corpse starch rations, sword, las pistol and 2 charge packs, shotgun and 32 shells, stealth gear (common quality clothing), Imperial infantryman's uplifting primer, memento (corroded copper button from a rag doll's eye), career memento (charred fingertip bone from an index finger).

Income: 50 thrones/month

XP: 0
XP Spent: 400
Advancements Taken
The Mara Landing Massacre - 300
Simple Ballistic Skill (+5 BS) - 100
------------------------------------------

[Tackyhillbillu]

Lupa fingered the shotgun as she emerged from the Lander. Everytime she went through the landing procedure, memories of Luggnum inevitably came up. She didn't mind. Luggnum was a reminder of what happened when the Arbites failed to act quickly enough. It may cause pain when they acted to swiftly, but far better then allowing a good portion of an entire world to be converted to what Chaos would make it.

"Just life I suppose."

The small woman emerged from the Landers, waiting for the other 3 to do the same. She walked away from the landers, looking out towards the Sea with a calm eye.

"Wonder who else the inquisitor got for this little trip? And why, though I doubt anyone will know that."

[LTSearchEngine]

Rumbling into the upper atmosphere, Tybak was lost in thought. Since the recon expedition had rescued him from that... place, he had spent what felt like years in a dank cell, far smaller than this cramped lander. With little explanation and even less choice, he found himself stripped from what was left of his founding, told to wait in a specific location (or else he might have more time to become acquainted with his cozy cell), and rejoice that his service to the God-Emperor of Mankind could continue. He waited, and seventeen days ago his wait had come to an end...

The hiss of the lander's hatch swinging open caused him to jerk violently out of his reverie, requiring a few moments for him to get his adrenaline-infused body back to some semblance of calm. Before the events on... before recently, he had resented, on some level, the nickname that his gang brothers had given him: "Twitch." Just for being a little high strung, maybe for putting a few extra holes in some unsuspecting youths that had startled him in the underhabs... maybe more than once. But now, they were right.

The last of the others were heading out the awkward hatch - the thought of being alone in a dark, wheezing lander got him up and out the door at a good clip.

Setting foot on the pad, he abandoned his self-indulgent introspection and unconsciously gripped his lasgun in a relaxed, ready position. His first thought was to try to blend into the crowd, but he quickly abandoned it - all the others in the vicinity were either alone, in pairs, or of such obviously backward origins that he would stick out like a sore thumb.

He picked out one woman who was standing and gazing out over the water as someone who perhaps didn't belong any more than he did. He satisfied himself with keeping half an eye on her whilst looking around the pad for anything useful - cover, a spare throne, a sign saying, "Hey secret mission people, gather here..."

Casting his eyes over the flotsam city, he grimaced, muttering,

"Nice place."

OOC: Shall we agree on some conventions for text color?

[Lafayel]

Landers. Ships. Damn ships. Stupid, lurching, impractical, uncomfortable, no way to focus, judging voidborn....

Lionus growled a bit, trying to shift in the damn uncomfortable lander dropping him towards Acreage. At least the planet should be rougher than the pomp of Scintilla... Let alone Terra itself. Terra was enough to send any Feral worlder into fits, let alone a psyker... Lionus' tongue traced the inside of his mouth, not feeling but knowing the hexagrammic wards tattooed inside his mouth. Damn suspicious Sanctioners...

The lander slammed into the ground. Great. As the door hissed open, Lionus made his way out into the sun, blinking rapidly. He sniffed the air deeply, savoring the sea scent, ignoring the nastier tingers of human effluvia in the background.

Blinking a few more times, he looked around, somewhat unsettled by all the water, and noticing two others standing nearby, a man and a woman. Were these to be his fellows? They didn't look like much... Then again, with his cat eyes, almost claws, and extensive tattooings, and the bedraggled mane braided and knotted to the ground, he suddenly wondering if his feral upbringing would be enough to get him lynched.

The tought got him moving. Lionus strode up to the man, claws carefully stroking the bag holding his bone dice, hoping this wasn't some damn Puritan.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch noticed the wild looking man loom in his peripheral vision. He quickstepped back and away a pace, his reason overriding his instinctual desire to cover this wild, tattoed creature with his lasgun.

Narrowing his eyes as he moved away, he appraised the newcomer - not anything more exotic than the unfortunate underhabbers on Fenksworld, but certainly healthier.

"We have business?"

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla saw as a few crude landers lifted from the platform below and observed the platforms precarious location. The craft she rode now shook and screeched as if ready to be torn apart but it was not the worse thing she had ever ridden. She could still remember the coffin sized drop pods she had to endure on many of her previous mission. This craft was a welcome change to the heat and discomfort, and it allowed her to check her blades before she landed. She slid the sword laying across her lap back into its sheath with single motion. The craft shook one last time as it landed and came to a halt. The rear ramp began to lower.
The scent of the ocean flooded the compartment and Arla wrinkled her nose before standing. She walked down the ramp onto the landing platform cast about for signs of others. Her pale skin stood in contrast to dark hair in the long black duster she wore which flowed in the wind coming off the water. It was buttoned up and the long leather body glove could be seen covering the length of her legs and her thing fingered hands. Her hair was braided tightly behind her back and hidden in her duster. She than spotted the huddle of individuals.
These three did not know how to keep a low profile. Their weapons gleamed in the sunlight and their twitchy behavior made them a liability. The one with the tattoos would be easy to remember and his odd hands made him stand out. The shotgun wielding woman may soon be shocked by her lack of rights on a world still in the hand of foolish kings. The Twitchy one seemed to be the sort who would put a hole in the back of you if you were not careful. This would be an interesting mission.
As these thoughts went through her head she had traveled across the platform to the group.

She gave the twitchy one a smile she had practiced many times. The sort of smile which said hello you want to know more about me. The sort of smile which has toppled kingdoms and broken homes. The sort of smile perfect for calming a wild beast.

Best not to talk of such things here.

She than turned to the group as a whole.

Let us move from this place and it would be best to hide those weapons until we know the general territory and what is to be expected of the populace.

[Tackyhillbillu]

Lupa

The small woman took in the small group that assembled quietly, not actively staring at any of them. She just watched quietly. Arbites learned that staring at people rarely got as much information as simply observing. She for instance noticed the Guardsman reaction to the Tatooed fellow. She also didn't miss the Assassin's attempt, not visually responding to either. Instead she shrugged.

"This is an Imperial Outpost. If there are traitors within these walls, attempting to hide ourselves will fill no purpose."

Lupa put her Shotgun away, not seeing the point. She was still marked as what she was. Her uniform told those that looked at her what she was, and who she served.

"In any event, let us go. Idleness breeds heresy."

Lupa's voice was flat in tone. She was keeping for making a judgment on any of the three without gathering information.

[Lafayel]

Lionus

Lionus blinked twice, considering the two women. Commendable efficiency. Suspicious talk... Heresy was always too broadly defined for his tastes. Plus, no attempts at subtlety, with no true Inquisitorial backing...?

Stupidity. Foolishness. Asking to get shot in the night.

He growled lightly, slightly cursing himself for the habit.

Investigation is better done with precision, not with blasting the Creed with loudspeakers. But we should leave. If this is all of us?

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch

Twitch's mouth tightened suspiciously as the lithe one gave him a comely smile. When she mentioned hiding weapons, he looked dumbly at his meter-long lasgun, thought of a crude suggestion of where he could hide it, swallowed his words and took a middle of the road approach by slinging the weapon over his shoulder. With a bulky pistol on his hip, clips filling out his BDU, and a short sword at his shoulder, he doubted anyone would mistake him for a bystander.

Perhaps a good cloak would be a good investment. He hadn't known what he was getting in to here.

Then again, it's not like any of the others would be winning any awards for subtlety on this planet.

"Yes, I think this is all of us. Which way is the town?"

OOC: Can we see land?

Also, I copied and pasted my gear from the character builder. It was supposed to be "shotgun and 32 shells," not "bow and 32 arrows," seeing as my skill is basic weapons (SP). I just changed the ammo total without checking. Can I get that changed, or...? Sorry.

[gardenphilosoph]

The unkempt party of four, united by Inquisitorial pomp and circumstance, found themselves on the landing zones of Emperor's Island, one of the few spaceports on the feudal planet of Acreage, and a bastion of Imperial presence in a land of lords and ladies.

You are standing on a small soot-blackened platform just off a large central area, consisting of several large heat-blasted landing platforms for orbital craft, and dozens of smaller ones for atmospheric vehicles. Each platform is suspended on a bed of constantly revolving stabilisers that counteract the rolling of the island, resulting in a subtle shift that is difficult to adjust to.

Make an Easy (+30) Agility Test, lest you stumble and fall embarassingly onto the shifting floor.
Small grubby tech crews scurry from craft to craft, making hasty repairs and conducting general maintenance. Most of the vehicles are outdated, aged things, some of the larger ones being ancient and inoperative. They are all rusting iron hulks, their capability for sustained flight always a surprise.

The landing zones form the center of Emperor's Island, and are the highest point on the island. There are a variety of cluttered paths that descend out of them, into a disorganized mess of housing and shops.

Thin clouds and thick mists obscure the horizon, hiding the mainland for now.

OOC - Changed it, LT. Thanks.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla done with what little she had to say reverts to a more neutral expression ans listens to what the rest have to say.


ag 32 + 30 = 62
[roll0]
its going to be one of those games :smallfurious:

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch

The compensators on the landing pad begin to activate violently, causing Twitch to begin to stumble...


Ag: 37+30=67
[roll0]

That's... weird.

[Tackyhillbillu]

Lupa

Lupa did her best to keep her balence, even as the platform began to shift.

30+31=61

[roll0]

[Lafayel]

The platform shifted. This was new...

38+30 = 68
[roll0]

[gardenphilosoph]

As the party begins to move in earnest, the horizon rolls and pitches, while their footing remains level. The landing zone's rotating stabilisers have kicked into gear. Arla and Twitch lose their footing, stumbling to the floor. Lionus and Lupa manage to stay upright, unaffected by the disorientating shifting.

Arla and Twitch now may only move at half their normal movement rate until they leave the platforms, as they cautiously stagger around.

OOC - So...where to? You are in the center of the island right now, on the landing zones. Olrankan is on the mainland.

Also, as for minimum posting times, you guys seem to be doing pretty good so it shouldn't be an issue. If it does come up however, would you prefer 12 hours to post, or 24? If you don't post within 12/24 hours of my last 'update' post, then I'll take your character's actions for you, doing the most logical thing.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

"Ugggh... let's get off of this pitching deathtrap. We need to find some transportation."

OOC: 12 hours is good for me. I don't mind at all if I miss a deadline or two, and an action is taken for me. How are we handling weekends?

Also, how are we dealing with fate points? You get the full pool at the start of every "session." What does that mean for us?

[gardenphilosoph]

OOC - I assume we treat weekends as normal. As for Fate Points, I was thinking that you get your full pool throughout the entire mission, and they'll 'refresh' next adventure. That is assuming that it is a relatively straight-forward mission. If things get more adventurous and diverse, I guess I will partition the story into sessions. At the end of a session, once something has been resolved, you will regain your Fate Point pool.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla picks her self up unceremoniously. She brushes herself off and looks at the horizon for a moment and settles her center. She begins to walk again testing each step.

Indeed get the sooner we get off this Emperor forsaken platform the better.

[Tackyhillbillu]

Lupa

Lupa smiled at the other woman's reaction.

"Really? I hadn't noticed."

Lupa shrugged.

"Olrankan, was the name of the city close by. We should make our way there."

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Twitch scans around looking for someone obviously selling transportation services. Failing that, a merchant of any sort.


OOC: Just looking for anyone to ask for directions.

[Lafayel]

He waited a few seconds, then stated the obvious.

None of us know where we're going, do we?

[gardenphilosoph]

Once off the landing zones the party of acolytes find themselves wading through huge crowds of people, most of them dressed in poor feudal clothing all with various degrees of dirt and stains. A large amount of the locals have the tired and war-worn look of refugees, which was unusual for a planet not at war. Weary faces passed by in the hundreds, looking warily at the armed foreigners before passing by quietly.

These are the Bilges, a random collection of gantries, cabins, corridors, and decks that exist in the perpetual shadow of the landing platforms. Every inch of space here is given over either to some kind of personal abode or a place of business. There is no order to the streets or directions, and finding anything will be difficult.

Twitch can spot various merchants and hawkers selling a variety of goods. A good deal of it seems to be rubbish plucked from the flotsam and jetsam surrounding the island, but there may be things worth buying if only they could be found. The smell of fish beginning to decay floats over the Bilges, mixing in the scent of the unwashed masses.

Finding anything at all in this chaos will be difficult indeed.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Still walking gingerly, Twitch approaches the nearest relatively presentable merchant.

He takes a look at the wares (anything interesting?) and asks,

"Hello, friend. What's the best way to get to Olrankan?"

OOC: I'd be willing to try out an organized session sometime. I'm pretty flexible.

Also, is a throne a lot of money to these people?

[gardenphilosoph]

There is a variety of food and daily household wares stacked in numerous piles spread out on sheets of dirty linen, interspersed with random pieces of junk. Some of it might be of value, if not for the layer of dirt and grime encrusting everything. Three muskets, one of which was obviously beyond repair, were mounted proudly above the rest of the junk. There were a couple of boxes to the left of the hawker, their contents hidden by layers of soot-blackened canvas.

"What're willing to pay, stranger?" replies the hawker. His tone is cautious but not unfriendly.

OOC - Would you guys be interested in scheduling a time to get together and play this over an instant messenger of some sort? Would move things faster, though what with the holidays being so near might be hard to find time.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla steps up as she hears the hawker's comment with a small smile. She leans on the table.

Maybe we can go to a dark ally and figure something out. But first we must know them directions.

OOC: I wouldn't mind

[Lafayel]

Lionus just storted. What a way to start. A man asks for a trade, she asks for an interrogation in the back alley. This was going to be a pleeeeeeaasant trip to this planetside....

Just give the man a throne and be done with it!



OOCI'll be available on any days I'm not on a plane... and after Jan 4. my schedule looks like I'll be free after about 3 my time. The main days that wont work for me are about the 31st to Jan 3rd. Other than that, I'm down

[gardenphilosoph]

Twitch tosses the man a throne, and the man catches it, examining it greedily before giving Arla a dirty look.

"Olrankan's under siege by the Baroness Falatrish, so don't know why you'd want to go there. You can 'ear the cannon fire if you sit by the docks all day. Usual way would be ter' get a boat in the docks, but with the war..."

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Twitch fixes the man with a hard stare:
"...but with the war...? I have to say, friend, that I was mighty attached to that piece of throne gelt. Attached enough that I'm not going to be satisfied with you telling me how you would have gotten to Olrankan at some other time than now. I'd suggest that you explain how I will get to Olrankan -or the mainland near Olrankan- today. And I will take a side order of 'who is this Baroness?' afterwards."

OOC: I am not trying to be overtly threatening, yet, just firm.

[gardenphilosoph]

The man eyes Twitch's guns, fingers the throne gelt, and sighs.

"As I said, a boat will get yer' t'the mainland. Should take you straight to the 'arbour in Olrankan if the Baroness hasn't sealed it off. Otherwise you can get dropped off near the city and make yer' way through the swamps, though that'll nigh be pleasant.

The Baroness is one of Rhozeia's ladies. Olrankan belongs to Prince Orcan, who supports Rhozena. The Baroness and the Prince 'ave been long-standing rivals as is, so 'ah guess the war is reason enough to bring out tha' muskets and black powder."

Everyone make an Awareness test please.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Awareness: [roll0] vs 18 (I think).

[crazedloon]

Arla


awareness [roll0] vs 36 per

[Tackyhillbillu]

Lupa

[roll0] vs 15 Awareness

[gardenphilosoph]

So amazingly you all fail your Awareness tests. You don't notice anything out of the ordinary.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Indicating the covered boxes, Twitch asks,

"So, what do you have for sale there, friend?" moving to allow the merchant to reveal the contents to him.

Expecting nothing impressive, he intends to see what trash there is, and then ask, "Where is the best place to find one of these boats to the mainland?"

OOC: I guess Lionus was looking the other way :smallcool:

[gardenphilosoph]

The hawker glances at Twitch's face quickly, then replies, "Reserved goods."

"The docks would be the obvious place, but you might be able to find a captain at Veto's, or try your hand at winning a boat in the Grease Pits if you 'ain't afraid o' spilling some blood."

OOC - I probably should've rolled for Lafayel in her absence. Will do next time. Speed should go back to normal now that the holidays are over, I assume your guyses' posting rates will return to normal as well?

[crazedloon]

Arla

Where is Veto's? And what are these grease pits?

She gives him a feral smile at the mention of spilling blood and she leans on the table towards the man.


Intimidate vs 21
[roll0]

[gardenphilosoph]

The hawker, not amused by your attempts at intimidation, looks unimpressed. He looks over your shoulder and beckons to someone or something.

A group of five mercenary-types materializes out of the crowd. At their head is a hardened-looking man, cracking his knuckles and looking directly at Arla and her company.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla reaches into her duster and pulls out her mono-sword its curved blade picking up the light and its edge a silver sheen. It slides out of its hidden sheath with a scraping of metal and Arla nearly shivers with anticipation. She rest the blade on her shoulder and looks at the new arrivals.

Which one of you boys wants to loose a limb first.

This time she grins, a genuine expression of excitement at the potential bloodbath.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

"Honey and vinegar, sweet thing," he mutters to Arla, taking in the situation.

As the toughs materialize out of the crowd, he cringes as Arla sends a taunt their way. Turning calmly back to the vendor (secure in the knowledge that the crazy lady with the sword is eager to act as a speedbump should the mercs attack), he gives a quizzical, skeptical look, and casually unlimbers his lasgun.


"Do you really want to die over a few questions? Let me make it clear: We.. *quick glance at Arla* er, I don't want any trouble, but if this goes down, you, in particular, won't walk away."

I don't feel like I am trying to intimidate him here, just reason. If you disagree, here is my roll.
[roll0]

Edit: Heh, I don't mind if you want to disagree:smallbiggrin: I am skilled in intimidate, so that is a 26, or a 13 if it is a generic fellowship roll, if you decide to use either.

[gardenphilosoph]

The merchant scowls at you.

"Information's all yer'll get.", he says, moving in front of the canvas-covered boxes. "Veto's is down the road, closer to the docks. The Grease Pits...well, depends where they're fighting tonight. You can ask around at Veto's."

"The Port Wardens won't take kindly to weapons." he warns, nodding his head to indicate the towering skyscraper in the center of the island. "Tell your bitch to back off."

The toughs move their hands to reveal stubbers stowed away in their clothing.

[crazedloon]

Arla

I would suggest you watch your tongue boy, before I take it.

than she glances at the toughs revealing their weapons.

And since we are throwing around empty threats, I am sure the wardens would love to see what is in those boxes, much like I do, and the pathetic excuses for weapons your boys are hiding.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Speaking loudly, the former Guardsman makes a suggestion to his companions:

"Then I suggest we head on down to Veto's."

Leaning over and hissing at Arla, he whispers, "We aren't here to start fights!"

Considering for a moment, he leans back in and whispers, "Not yet, at least. Remember the mission."

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla smiles at the thugs and speaks quietly to Twitch without letting her eyes off them

In a moment I would first like to see if they have the guts to attack. Think of it as observation of the local customs.


delay an action to respond to any hostile actions of the thugs

[gardenphilosoph]

The thugs seem unreluctant to start a fight, as long as you are willing to move off.

[crazedloon]

Arla

That's what I thought boys

Arla gave them a toothy grin before turning to the group. She still kept her ears open for sudden movement from the thugs but she continued now adressing the group.

Where shall we go now.

[LTSearchEngine]

OOC:I just am waiting for Lupa and Lionus to be back. I don't want to just drag them along.

[crazedloon]

OOC:

I am still waiting

[gardenphilosoph]

OOC - Assuming that the other two are gone, are you two still good to stay? Sorry for the lull in action, I didn't expect our group to fragment so early on.

[LTSearchEngine]

OOC - I would like to stay on. I'm surprised too - I figured it was just the Christmas lull.

[crazedloon]

i am still down

[LTSearchEngine]

OOC- Do you want to recruit another 1-2 and just go?

I just emailed both of them, just in case they just forgot or something.

[Lafayel]

OOC:

Apologies for not posting, I'll keep going. How do you create the spoiler? I'm finding it somewhat hard to get into this character's head, actually, but I'm still game for continuing. I appreciate the email and not just kicking me out

[LTSearchEngine]

OOC:[spoiler=]TEXT GOES HERE [/spoiler=]

Without the = signs.

[crazedloon]

OOC:TEXT GOES HERE [/spoiler=]

Without the = signs.

for an easier copy paste it is like this

[spoiler] :smallwink:

Also what is the general concession on an OOC thread to consolidate all these questions/discussion on

[gardenphilosoph]

As the thugs move off, the party of inquisitors moves along with the dirty crowd, letting the current of living people guide them to Veto's, a large bar of ill repute and a sure source of information.

It's a crude place, held up with weak masonry and patchwork carpentry, and surrounded by feudal drunkards stumbling over themselves.

OOC: - Don't think we need an OOC thread, we'll struggle on to play. As long as there's one interested mind the game can go on.

[Lafayel]

Hm. Now this was more his style. Taverns and drunks. No matter what planet you were on, the rules in here were plain and simple, and he knew how to play them. Rule 1) get uproariously drunk. Rule 2) kick the ass of anyone who was being an ass. Rule 3) have a helluva good time doing both.

Lionus, with more grace than his feral appearance would imply, slides up to the bar.

Whaddya got to drink?

[gardenphilosoph]

High above you a battered old sign hangs on the wall slantedly, crumbling with rust. Amongst the soot you can make out the words 'VETO'S EMPORIUM OF EPHEMERAL DELIGHTS'.

A burly man soon attends to your call for drink. "Wyrm-brew. A throne fer' a bukkit."

The inside of the tavern was strewn about with people of all shapes and sizes, though most of them seemed to be the poor and the scum from the bilges outside. With a little further observation Lionus could make out several distinct groups amongst the rabble.

In one corner there were a group of big men, nursing recent wounds and handing money around, clad in grease-covered rags. Fighters, from the look of them.

Near the back there were a salty-smelling crew of bony men in rags and coats, slumming about and speaking in naval terms. From the docks, to be sure.

In the furthest corner there was a scarred old woman, and judging by the state of those nearest to her, she was a dealer in black goods, most likely drugs.

A horde of prostitutes moved about the tavern, taunting men, though they all had the look of objects that had been used and ill-cared for. Nonetheless, compared to the rest of the rabble, they were sensuous indeed.

Standing above it all, above the mess, was a withered old man. Lionus was willing to bet that this man was Veto himself, the proprietor of all this chaos.

[Lafayel]

Lionus grins, flicking the man a royal. Glancing around, Lionus quickly assessed everyone there. The group of men from the docks were interesting, probably a decent bet for getting a ship to the Emperor's Island... but the man who was likely Veto, now HE was interesting. If information were to be gotten in this place, he was going to be the gold mine.

Lionus sat back, grinning, waiting for his brew to show up, eyeing "Veto" the entire time, thinking on what was the best way to approach this man.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla steps silently into the bar and a broad grin splits her somber visage. Her duster flowed behind her as she made a beeline to the wounded men exchanging money. She Stops a foot from he table and looks around the table.

How we doin this day boys, seems like yall seen better times.

[gardenphilosoph]

LIONUS - Veto notices the wild-eyed man staring at him, and returns his stare. The look in his eyes is equally wild, if not wilder. It seems like Veto may be a far cry from sane.

ARLA - The fighters look up, amused by the pretty girl in the tight bodyglove standing in front of them. One of them laughs - a low, cruel noise. "You here to join the Grease Pits, or you a prostiute, darlin?"

[crazedloon]

Arla

Boy if you tried to lay a hand on me it would be the last thing you would be touching in ether case

Than she mocked the mans tone emphasizing the word.

Darling

[gardenphilosoph]

The man chuckles. "Lookin fer an in to the pits then, eh?"

[crazedloon]

Arla

Sure boys sounds like it could be fun.

She gives a wolfish grin

[gardenphilosoph]

"Bahahahaha, I like this one." The greasy man leers at you. "My name is Remarus. Entry fee is 10 thrones. A loss nets you naught, but a win doubles your thrones. All fights are unarmed. Still interested?"

[crazedloon]

Arla

Unarmed?

her grin faded before she repeated the word and began to laugh. The laughs wheezed out of her as she gasped for air.

Ha, unarmed, ha I thought this ha ha ha was where real mean fought

She managed only to get the words out between chuckles and she bent slightly arms under her breasts laughing. When she had gained some composure she wiped a tear from her eyes.

No boys I rather not waste my time with your little games.

[gardenphilosoph]

The men slowly stop chuckling. It is slowly dawning on them that you are proposing a serious fight, armed, and for money.

"What would you prefer...knives? Or guns?" All semblance of humour has drained out of Remarus' voice.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Bladed weapons are my preference.

The humor gone from her voice and a serious grimace replacing the mirth from before.

[gardenphilosoph]

"There's a knife fight tonight under the landing pads...entry fee is 50 thrones, and a win will triple that. Only rule is, yer' can't wear no armor." He gestures towards your bodyglove, and a lecherous smile creeps across his face.

The men behind him look skeptical of your fighting prowess, for a woman, but the sheer predatory look on your face makes them cautious.

[LTSearchEngine]

I'm subscribed to this thread, but for some reason it wasn't telling me that it was being updated. Glad to see we're back on track.

Twitch:

Twitch walks up behind Arla, cautiously keep an eye on the chaos around him.

"Knives are so crude. I prefer to reach out an touch someone from a long way away."

He leans in and whispers in Arla's ear.

"Again, I don't think we'll be around here tonight. We need to make our way off this junkpit."

Without waiting for comment, he turns and approaches the salts. In a neutral voice, he asks,

"When's the next boat to the mainland?"

[gardenphilosoph]

"Olrankan? No boats ther', doncha' know. War going on." says the one nearest to Twitch.

"However, 50 thrones a head might find yer' there safe." says a smaller, shadier captain near the back, winking as he takes another gulp of wyrm-brew.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla ignores the twitchy hiver and continues to negotiate with the thugs.

Money does me little good. What I want is information and a boat, and you boys seem to be the sort who could provide me with such things. I will fight for these things.

Then she adds as almost an afterthought.

And what would I need to put down as collateral for that?

And than she smirked, Besides a view of me as I fight without my armor

[gardenphilosoph]

"Usually it's 50 thrones, as I said, but...fer you, we can call that off. A pretty girl fighting in tha' pits is a rare sight as is, and if you lose, well, yer' dead then. We'll just loot yer' body. Sound fair?" replies Remarus.

[crazedloon]

Arla

A wolfish grin splits her face and her fierce canines gleam in the low light.

I think that will work. But you best hope you can provide me with what I need and I will give you until these fights to procure this information. I need a boat for four to Olrankan with a guide.

She than lowers her voice and leans on the table. Her duster split at the top revealing the curves of her body glove.

As well as any information about any unnatural things happening in that city.

[gardenphilosoph]

"Done. A boat and information about the city. Will yer' companions be joining yer' in this fight?"

[crazedloon]

Arla

Am I not show enough for you boys?

[gardenphilosoph]

"Fair enough. The pit's under the 34C landing ports. Make sure ther' Port Wardens don't see you coming through. See ya' tonight, sweetheart." says Remarus.

OOC: We'll give the others some time to see if they come with you or what they do. Tomorrow we'll whisk you away into the pits, perhaps in your own thread.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla turns from the table, her duster flowing at her legs. She saunters from the table and walks to the group still gawking at the crazy man.

[gardenphilosoph]

OOC - Okay, then. Night comes. The group has split up. Twitch and Lionus were last seen in Veto's, while the rest of the group is presumably on the island somewhere. Arla takes off to the illegal pit-fights held underneath the sooty landing zones.

Arla - The pit-fights are held in the industrial area of the landing zones, underneath the rotating ceiling platforms meant for larger cargo ships. Everything is coated in a thick sooty grease, thick and black. Every surface in sight is metal - low quality and rusting, patched up with cheap corrugated aluminum. The squalor is almost overwhelming. Surrounding a crudely circular pit in the ground is a dense crowd, the stench of sweat and damp clothing interspersed with the sharp metallic scent of blood coming from the middle.

You have arrived.

[LTSearchEngine]

OOC: Sorry, I am still having weird updating issues with this thread. I would go with Arla, if possible.

Twitch: Twitch walks behind Arla's purposeful stride, talking to her quietly as she makes her way through the dusky shanty town.

"I don't think this is a good idea, but we need the transportation, and I don't have a better plan. I'm not much with a blade, but I will fight if you think it best. "

He looks around nervously, even though there is no way anyone is able to overhear past the noise of the crowd.

"The other option is for me to hang back, let you have your fun, and watch for some inevitable betrayal."

With the sky going dark, he finishes what he was saying.

"What would you prefer?"

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla stops in the shadow of an ally. Looks at the twitchy hiver and seems to make up her mind. She reaches into her duster and a few quick zips later and a rather provocative maneuver she slings the thick body suit from the duster and she folds it deftly mid air. She hands it in a bundle to Twitch before adjusting her duster to cover her.

Do not get it dirty, and stay out of the way.

She than proceed to move into the center of the crowd towards the blood scent.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Twitch gets a faraway look in his eyes as the brazen female strips and thrusts her (already quite dirty) bodysuit at him.

By rote he straps it to his pack and follows along, trying to keep his mind from wandering through the dark places of blood and ashes. Contrary to normal, his manner is slow and measured.

[gardenphilosoph]

As Arla's attractive form walks into the blood-stained grit of the fighting pit the crowd goes wild. Roars and jeers mix into an ear-pounding slurry of noise as another fighter, a burly brute of a man, walks into the pit. He is shirtless; a plethora of scars adorn his naked chest.

OOC: You are both unarmed. Presumably knives will be provided for the fight, but none are in sight yet.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla grins, her blade rest unseen under her duster in its sheath. This brute was nothing to fear. Her master had twice as many scars on half her body as this man had on his chest, and she had nearly bested her master before she was sent into the world. She set her eyes into an icy glare and locked eyes with her opponent.

[gardenphilosoph]

The heavy mainly grunts at Arla, amused by the fact that he is pitted against a fragile woman.


Roll initiative.

[roll0]

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla's hand twitched towards the inside of her duster.


[roll0]
delay my action to draw my weapon and attack the second he makes a hostile move and comes within range

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Twitch enters the viewing area and finds a nice shadow to stand in. Adjusting his las rifle to a convenient-to-ready position, he settles in and eyes the crowd.

Looking at the brute opposite his companion, he mentally evaluates the situation. If his eye is right, he figures, the thug will get taken apart.

[roll0] vs untrained awareness (18)
If it's hard to see, I don't see nuffink.

[gardenphilosoph]

The brute pulls out a machete that was hidden his trunk of a leg. Looks like neither of you will be following the rules of the knife part of the fight. The crowd goes wild in a frenzy of excitement and bloodlust. Someone will die tonight.

The heavy charges forth and swipes at you with the scratched, dented, and rusted blade of the machete, the weight behind the blade more deadly than the dull edge.

WS (28) - [roll0]
Damage - [roll1]+4

[crazedloon]

Arla

The brute closes the distance and just as he begins his swing Arla's hand flashes into her duster. A swift motion later the long mono-sword leaves its sheath in a aimed arc at the man's blade. The blades clash and Arla spins to draw her sword across the mans gut as her duster spins away from her naked form in a whirl of black leather.


using the delay action from previous round to draw the weapon when he is within striking distance.
reaction to parry the attack (I assume it misses anyways but its more cinematic this way :smalltongue: though if he misses ignore the roll im just going to RP the parry) [roll0] vs 40 + 10(balanced) = 50
than on my new Initiative order full action for an all out attack
[roll1] vs 40 + 20 = 60
[roll2]
tearing
[roll3]

[crazedloon]

Arla


Ill use a fate point to reroll that attack (if this hits and you accept those rolls as my damage and righteous fury ill add in an extra damage roll here)

to hit vs 60 [roll0]

damage
[roll1]

apparently it just wasn't meant to be :smalltongue:

[gardenphilosoph]

A triple righteous fury yet two failed rolls? Aw, I feel for you. in any case, it's your turn again, since you have the highest initiative.

[crazedloon]

its actually his
my 1st turn (half action delay, draw, reaction)
his turn (charge attack)
my turn (all out attack)

[gardenphilosoph]

Right, my bad.

The heavy is a little taken back at your fearsome weapon, not expecting that you too would break the rules of the knife fight, but the adrenaline pumping through his crude muscle implant-enhanced body is too much for him to break now. Grunting in sheer rage and excitement, the brute smashes into you, using his superior mass to try to knock you down.

That's an opposed Strength test. I'll go first.

[roll0] vs 45

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla had only a moment to recognize the brute as he threw his body forward to knock her over, and she is caught full force as she spins with her previous attack.


[roll0] vs 42

the emperor is not with me :smallconfused:

[gardenphilosoph]

The heavy's superior mass bowls you over before you can dodge, and he brings his machete down on your prone form.

WS - [roll0] vs 28+10=38
Damage - [roll1]+4

Not with either of us. :smallfrown:

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla hits the dirt and rolls with the hit before springing to her feet as the blade hits the ground. Her duster is split down her front her thin body glistening with a layer of sweet already forming. Her curves accentuated by the duster and her pale skin standing out against the black. She flicks the blade in an upward arc meant for the mans chest.


[roll0] vs 40
[roll1]
tearing
[roll2]

[gardenphilosoph]

I'm probably missing something, but why are you rollling damage twice? Also, same as last time - opposed strength test than he's attacking.

Laughing at your inability to hit him, the heavy tries to bowl you over again, realizing that his advantage is in his bulk.

Opposed Strength - [roll0] vs 45
WS - [roll1] vs 28+10 if he knocked you over
Damage - [roll2]+4

That's a hit! Even though he didn't knock you over. Parry or dodge that or he'll get you for critical damage on your right arm.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla sidesteps the mans charge but the mans machete follows her movements and she brings her blade down to block the blow with her own blade. Before slashing again this time taking aim for the mans gut.


I am rolling twice because tearing rolls twice and takes the highest and all slashing weapons have tearing for me.

[roll0] vs 50
aim for a half action +10 ws
[roll1] vs 50
[roll2]
tearing
[roll3]

parried and make you have to parry or take crit damage :smalltongue:

[gardenphilosoph]

The heavy grunts in pain and grits his teeth audibly as Arla's impressive weapon tears a long gash in his gut, a blow that would have disemboweled a lesser man. The heavy is, however, is at this point a construct of body-produced adrenaline, illegal combat-prowess drugs, and sulfurous human rage. The blow doesn't stop him in the slightest.

He eyes your head and sweeps his blunt blade, frothing at the mouth in sheer bloodlust.

Aim and attack.

WS - [roll0] vs 38
Damage - [roll1]

[gardenphilosoph]

Forgot to parry. Whatever the result I'll keep the narrative in the last post, if that's okay with you.

[roll0] vs 28

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla ducks under the sweeping machete impressed at the mans endurance. She grabs her blade with her right hand and brings the blade down in a swift arc using her full strength to add weight to the blow.


aim +10 ws
[roll0] vs 50
[roll1]
tearing
[roll2]

[gardenphilosoph]

The heavy is so focused on killing the small fast-moving figure in front of him that he is completely unaware of the fact that manages to be dodging most of her lethal blows, shrugging off the minor ones.

His tactics unchanging, he again attempts to barrel you over and stab you.

That's the ol' knock down and stab combo again. I've also forgotten that his weapon is Balanced, given him a +10 on Parry. That wouldn't have changed anything so far, but I'll factor it in in the future.

KNOCKDOWN - [roll0] vs 45
STAB - [roll1] vs 28, 38 if you're knocked down
BLOOD! - [roll2]

Remember that getting back up is a Half Action. Oh, low-level Dark Heresy Fights. So many missed rolls, haha. :smallsmile:

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla meets the mans push with her shoulder but falls for only a split second as she continues her spin and springs to her feat while lashing out at the mans legs connecting with bone and sinew.



[roll0] vs 42

stand up
[roll1] vs 40
[roll2]
tearing
[roll3]

[gardenphilosoph]

Arla

Arla meets the mans push with her should and rolls him off of her before spinning with the shoulder and catches the mans leg with a rending strike.



[roll0] vs 42

aim action
[roll1] vs 50
[roll2]
tearing
[roll3]


You'd actually have to get up instead of aim, but either way you hit. I'll be back in an hour or so.

[gardenphilosoph]

Again your blade lacerates this man's left thigh, yet again he shrugs off the pain with a guttural roar. Sweat droplets explode off his shoulders as he throws an elbow toward you, aiming to knock you down before his machete-arm swings.

You haven't got him down quite yet. :smallwink:

KNOCKDOWN - [roll0] vs 45
STAB - [roll1] vs 28, 38 if you're knocked down
BLOOD! - [roll2]

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla leans away from the wild elbow and the machete before continuing her onslaught of strikes. This time she brings the blade on the mans right leg marching her strike from before.


aim +10 ws
[roll0] vs 50
[roll1]
tearing
[roll2]

[gardenphilosoph]

Blood seeps out of the heavy's stub of a foot. He finally succumbs to his wounds and falls to the ground, face down in a pool of his own blood. The crowd goes wild.

I'm rolling on the Critical Damage tables for this baddie. He's more than just blade fodder.

[roll0]

You chopped his toes off. Nevermind, I'll just call him dead.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

In the shadows, Twitch grimaces and readies himself to move. Unsure whether the slaughter would have to continue, he studies the crowd.

What can he see? Can you describe any enforcer-types around the ring? Anyone looking particularly upset by Arla's win?

[crazedloon]

Arla

As the man falls to the ground Arla flicks the blood of her blade with a swift gesture before re-sheathing the weapon and drawing her duster closed over her naked form. She peers around the circle of onlookers with a predators glint in her eyes.

Is this the best you have? Do not mock me!

She tilted her head back and inhaled deeply arching her back as the adrenaline hits her body making her body do things that would make a servitor blush. When she regained her composer she looked around with a wolfish smile.

Come now this can't be all.


did we pick up any other players or are we still at only 2 :smallconfused:

[gardenphilosoph]

Twitch - There are several brutish men that look capable of being enforcers, though none look like they are filling in official positions. There are a few crude stub revolvers on the hips of some of the audience, but there doesn't seem to be much structure to the place at all. People are betting amongst themselves and the only rule seems to be - if you want to fight, get in the pit.

Arla - You spot Remarus, the seeming pit-master. "If you have any reward, any at all, what would you have it be? Name it and win the next fight, and it is yours." he shouts, his malicious laugh lost amongst the voices of the cheering crowd.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla looks at Remarus and grins.

You owe me the information and a boat, and for a second fight I want to the 150 crowns you would owe me for a win.

She than turns to the crowd and leers at the crowd.

Who shall die next!

[gardenphilosoph]

"150 thrones?" laughing, Remarus goads the crowd into fury. "We can provide you far more than that, little child, but you will have to be willing to work for it. Would you be interested in a fight worth 500 thrones?"

If Arla accepts, LT, it'd be appropriate if you wanted to join her in the pit as an ally.

I've had to divert the planned mission a bit due to most of the players dropping out, so this is going to play out a bit more free-form. Be open to anything. :smallwink:

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla give the man a steady look before grinning.

Let us see this 500 throne challenge

She draws the blade from her coat and grips it behind her back. she turns in a steady circle looking at the raging crowd looking for her next opponent.


awareness check to look for any obvious threats
[roll0] vs 36

[gardenphilosoph]

A section of the crowd parts as four men drag something heavy behind them, covered in a huge swathe of grease-stained canvas. With obvious effort, they throw it into the pit, and it lands heavily, sending a small shockwave across the blood-stained floor of the pit. Whatever it is, it's heavy...

"You'll need this! Get changed girl, in five minutes you'll be torn apart." Remarus' voice booms out over gritty loudspeakers, and all your confiscated possessions are tossed to you in a bundle, including your protective bodyglove and assorted weaponry.

[crazedloon]

Arla


to my knowledge I have all my weapons already, just for clarification my duster is my equipment harness thus has all my weapons clipped and strapped on the inside. All I should be missing is the body suit which twitch has :smallwink:
also I assume the heavy thing is not moving.


Arla peers at the heavy lump suspiciously, weapon in hand glancing for only a moment into the crowd for Twitch. She reaches into her duster and produces a clump of explosives rapped in layers of nails slid into a thin metal tube. She yanks a pin clear with her teeth and tosses the devise at the large lump. She judges her distance from the lump and tosses the explosive to land on at the foot of the lump.


well presuming the all the above arla will make sure she is 4 m from the lump and toss a nail bomb at the lump
[roll0] vs 35
[roll1]

[gardenphilosoph]

The nail bomb lands a bit behind the canvas-covered target and explodes, not catching the thing in its immediate radius, though interestingly enough the shrapnel that hits the target bounces off with a dull thud.

The thing continues not to move.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla grimaces this might be harder than she thought. She glances into the crowd again for Twitch before reaching into duster and pulls out a small swab of cloth and slides it into an outer pocket before drawing her crossbow pistol and cocking it and loading the weapon. She let a single bolt fly into the the lump, before reloading.


draw and fire the crossbow into the lump
[roll0] vs 35 + 30 (point blank) + anything else
[roll1]
tearing
[roll2]

[crazedloon]

righteous fury
[roll0]

damage
[roll1]
[roll2]

[gardenphilosoph]

The thing still doesn't move, your shot whizzing over it.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla grunts at her lack of ballistic ability. She slides the crossbow back into her duster and strides over the lump. She slides the canvas off the lump cautiously.


do I really miss an inanimate object? did it not qualify for a prone opponent :smallwink:

anywho move the canvas off the thing

[gardenphilosoph]

Fair enough, I forgot about that. Okay, so you hit it for 10 damage.

The crossbow pistol's bolt whizzes into the canvas and hits something with a dull clinking noise, but it isn't reflected. For a moment, there is silence.

The load roar of a mechanical engine turns on, and red lights blink on, visible through the canvas. The thing stands up slowly, and grease-stained canvas falls off it. It is a huge mono-lifter servitor, black with grease and oil and worn from years of use and age. It looks as if it had been used to move vast transport ships and discarded, but crudely retrofitted with weaponry for use in the pit. It has two arms - on one of them looks like a jury-rigged power fist, while the other ends in the whirring blunt end of a chain axe. The entire thing has dark brown stains on it, the blood of its past victims.

The audience goes wild.

Roll for initiative.

[roll0]

[crazedloon]

Arla
As the behemoth lifts itself Arla laughs.

Is this all you have to challenge me?

She flicks her blade before sprinting forward and sliding under the behemoths legs and attempts to hit a vital area on the arm which has the power fist mounted on it.


[roll0] (don't really have to do this now do I :smalltongue:)

if I get to cinematic just tell me I will tone it down :smallbiggrin:
move action to get behind the thing
[roll1] vs 36 (looking for a vital area like pneumatic hook ups or wires)
[roll2] vs 40 - 20 (called shot)
[roll3]
tearing
[roll4]
armor pen 2

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Thinking that maybe the sword jockey is in for more than she bargained for, Twitch quickly and quietly heads toward the edge of the ring. He scans for anyone whose attention is not on the fight, and prepares to assist.

Weighing his options: is there either a good vantage point which would afford him several moments to assist, or a way into the ring?

[roll0]+3 (agi bonus, right?) = 12

[gardenphilosoph]

What is Twitch trying to do? You can easily just jump down in the pit alongside Arla, or if you want to take a potshot from the stands you have a vantage to do that too, but that would probably not be taken upon kindly.

I'll rule that since the servitor is so big, it is +10 to hit. Also I'll rule that a successful Awareness test will remove the -20 penalty for a called shot.

Arla, your weapons don't do Tearing against the servitor, because it is not living.

The thing whirls around, the sound of cogs clicking, wires sparking, and engines combusting erupting from its oily heart. It towers over Arla, easily her height and a half. The chain axe on its right hand roars into life, giving off an oily, cloying smoke and the smell of rotting flesh caught in its treads. However superior the small Moritat girl is, a chain axe is a chain axe, and will rend her apart if it touches her.

Aim+attack.

WS - [roll0]+10 VS 30
Damage - [roll1], [roll2] (tearing, ap 2)

[crazedloon]

Arla

As her blade bounds of the steel of the machine Arla switches stances to a low crouch with rapid strikes to the vitals while remaining on her toes. She seems a rattlesnake ready to strike at a foolish human.


[roll0] vs (40 -20 called attack at vitals -10 Guarded attack) vs 10
[roll1]

so forgot I had to attack a living target to get tearing :smalleek: and I doubt I shall be hitting

Edit: Holy **** I hit.....

[gardenphilosoph]

The brutish tearing head of the chain axe sweeps past Arla's head, leaving the smoking behemoth open to counter-attack. The Moritat assassin, true to her illicit training, does not miss the opportunity. With frightening precision she jams her weapon into a crack in the armor, slicing through twitching wires and coughing pipes. Oil rushes out of the behemoth, and slowly, it falls over dead, the weight of its still body shaking the pit.

The crowd has silenced. With no more than her sword, an unarmored woman has dispatched a machete-armed bruiser and a hulking behemoth pit-reformed servitor, with nary a scratch on her stunning visage. Beauty tempered by violence.

Remarus' silhouette appears above the pit, and his arm raises. Without a word, the cranking noises of two rusted grates opening sounds. Something, or multiple somethings, has just joined the pit with Arla.

Whether for further reward or just out of sheer bloodlust, the pit fights continue.

Roll initiative. I'm hiding the enemies' initiative in a spoiler below, since you don't know just how many of them there are.
[roll0]
[roll1]

That was an amazing shot. Fully capable of being cinematic, haha. I'm duly impressed - if that chain axe even scraped you, you would've lost a leg, or worse. :smallbiggrin:

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla Spins in a swift circle her blade dragging across the ground sending sparks flying as she scans the pit for its new occupants, before she steps up on the Dead husk of opponent and looking up at the crowd with a viscous grin. Her duster now lay fully open and swing loosely from her spin. Her pail naked form slick with blood and oil accentuating her curves. For the first time the audience gets a glimpse at a scar which runs down the right side of her body from the top of her breast across her sternum and to her thigh. Its slight discoloration not being so much a mare on her flesh as a curiosity which drew the viewers eyes in.

Is this the best you can scrape from the bowels of this cesspit?! I am ashamed to have called you my opponents and my audience!


Again adding a little cinematic after the fight feel free to have it happen on my turn if it makes it easier for you to kill me as it seems is your goal :smallbiggrin:

Also LTSEARCH feel free to join in I feel like an ass trying to take the spotlight (even if it is to throw that damn cheat into the pit to get his just deserts )

anywho move up onto the dead servator and
a [roll0] check vs 36

and [roll1]

[gardenphilosoph]

Okay, your go.

[crazedloon]

Arla

She peers around the pit maintaining her blade tight against her arm in a reverse grip designed to easily deflect blows. She carefully spins on the dead husk of a servitor.


total defense
[roll0] vs 36

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

From earlier: Twitch prepares to vault over the side, as the slight woman slips underneath a vicious blow from the servitor and rips out its 'heart' with a flick of her blade. He stands, dumbfounded, as she stands by the tumbling behemoth. As the grates in the floor open behind her, he again readies himself to vault into the pit if need be.

Now: Twitch looks up at the silhouetted form of Remarus, gauging the likelihood of being able to hit the corrupt ringmaster.

He then scans the pit, trying to see what new horrors have been introduced.

OOC: How high is the pit wall? If I reached, or used my lasgun as an extension, could I help Arla climb out? Not that she needs saving so far, but its about time for luck to run out.

[roll0] initiative.

[gardenphilosoph]

OOC: The Olympics are insane. Last night I went to a free Alexisonfire concert and fought my way to the front. 5 seconds into the show the front gate collapsed, and a bunch of people were hurt and the concert was canceled. It was rough.

In any case, updates will come a tad slower, at least until the end of February.

[gardenphilosoph]

Arla, standing guard on top of a mountain of metal debris that was the combat servitor, surveys the area around her. Nothing moves. It seems as if the darkness is closing in...

Twitch moves closer to the pit wall, hoping to see the dangers that his ally does not. The pit seems suddenly darker than it was before, and you can catch occasional movement, but the threat does not reveal itself.

You can help Arla get out as well as jump into the pit without injury, but you aren't scaling the walls to get back out easily without help.

Twitch, make an Awareness check.

Also, Remarus has sat down again, out of sight. He's protected by grating and has several armed bodyguards.

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla scans the pit as it gets darker. She squints as she strains to see or hear anything.


any way I could tell this may be a psyker :smalltongue:

total defense
[roll0] vs 36

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Awareness: [roll0] vs. 18

[gardenphilosoph]

Irritatingly little happens. Arla continues to stand on the dead servitor and Twitch continues to leer at the darkness from the stands. The audience is growing bored.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Desperately looking around for the judge or the feral one, Twitch makes up his mind and slips down into the ring. He readies his shotgun for easy access on its strap and sets his lasgun to full auto. He moves as close as he needs to in order to toss the bodyglove to the bladeswoman, and then he crouches to cover her.


OOC: Other than the bulk of the dead servitor, is there any terrain or cover in the ring? How large is the ring, from side to side, and how far from the servitor to the grates and from me to the servitor. I am imagining I am coming into the pit with the servitor between me and the grates.
[roll0] vs 18 for awareness

[crazedloon]

Arla

Is this the next terror you unleash on me?

Arla begins to laugh


Indeed you might just bore me to death!


total defense

[roll0] vs 36

[gardenphilosoph]

Arla continues to look around, a catches a glimpse of countless sets of insectile legs. It is too late.

As soon as Twitch bounds into the pit, he is attacked by a scuttling creature of chitin and sinew. It is a long, serpentine, centipede-like creature, protected by a shiny black segmented carapace and attacking with shovel-like mandibles and a maw full of sharp, grinding teeth. Twitch is familiar with this type of vermin, as a hiver. It is a maw-fluke, quite a large specimen. They are infamous for dwelling in the toxic channels, waterways, and abandoned tunnels in the lower hive sections, where things are damp, dark, and enclosed. Generally they stay down there, devouring stray dogs and other hive-trapped vermin. The bold ones, or the big ones, come up at night and drag down the dregs of society, incapacitating them with a bite full of paralytic venom. They are never alone.

The thing leaps at him, mandibles clicking and teeth whirring.

WS - [roll0] vs 59 (39+20 for all-out attack)
Damage - [roll1] (Pen 4)

If you're damaged by it, make a Toughness test or be Stunned for one round plus rounds equal to degrees of failure.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

HOLY EMPEROR!


[roll0] Dodge vs. 19 (Half, right?)
If need to, I'll spend a fate point.
[roll1] Dodge vs. 19
[roll2] Toughness vs. 36

Jesus, I think I may just have been confused about how well lit this pit was.

Edit: Ooookay, so I take the 3 damage and I am not stunned.

[gardenphilosoph]

Okay, it's your go. You actually didn't take any damage. You have 4 armor (guard flak armour), and the bite has a penetration of 4, so it penetrates all that armour. However, the bite only did 3 damage, and you have a toughness bonus of 3, so you don't take any damage. You always subtract your toughness bonus from any damage you would take.

Reposting the character sheets for convenience's sake.

LTSearchEngine's Character Sheet - Twitch, Volgite Guardsman
------------------------------------------
Name: Tybak 'Twitch' Bossel
Age: Adult, 26
Appearance: Wiry. Black hair, blue eyes, narrow features, swarthy complexion from chemical damage. Slight acid pitting across neck and left cheek. Permanent wary look, dressed in a simple night camo BDU. Right-handed.
Origin: Hive World, Volg Hive - Fenksworld
Hive Class: Ganger Scum
Career & Rank: Guardsman, Conscript
Divination: The wise man learns from the deaths of others. (+3 Int)

Characteristics
WS: 31
BS: 44
Str: 31
T: 36
Ag: 37
Int: 29
Per: 35
WP: 37
Fel: 26

Wounds: 12
Fate: 2/4
Insanity: Unsettled - 14
Corruption: Tainted - 4

Traits
Accustomed to Crowds (crowds not difficult terrain)
Born Survivor (survival talents)
Caves of Steel (tech skill)
Grim (bonus T, penalty Fel, insanity)
Hivebound (-10 to Survival (Int) tests, -5 to Int tests outside of urban)

Talents
Pistol Training (Las)
Basic Weapons Training (Las)
Basic Weapons Training (SP)
Melee Weapons Training (Primitive)
Jaded (never lose sanity from mundane horror)
Light Sleeper (always assumed to be awake)
Resistance (Psychic Powers) (+10 bonus to resisting)

Skills
Basic Skills
Intimidate (S) - SKILLED
Tech-Use (Int)

Advanced Skills
Drive (Ground Vehicle) (Ag)
Speak Language (Low Gothic) (Int)
Speak Language (Volg Hive Dialect) (Int)

Gear
14 thrones, lasgun and 4 charge packs, knife, guard flak armour, 1 week corpse starch rations, sword, las pistol and 2 charge packs, shotgun and 32 shells, stealth gear (common quality clothing), Imperial infantryman's uplifting primer, memento (corroded copper button from a rag doll's eye), career memento (charred fingertip bone from an index finger).

Income: 50 thrones/month

XP: 0
XP Spent: 400
Advancements Taken
The Mara Landing Massacre - 300
Simple Ballistic Skill (+5 BS) - 100
------------------------------------------
crazedloon's Character Sheet - Arla, Moritat Assassin
------------------------------------------
Name: Arla Jestilla
Age: Warrior, 23
Appearance: Muscular and lean. Fair skin, black hair, piercing green eyes. Continuous wear of protective bodyglove. Ambidextrous.
Origin: Feral World
Tribal Taboo: Power of Names (forbidden 'true names')
Career & Rank: Moritat Assassin, Sell-Steel
Divination: If a job is worth doing it is worth dying for. (frenzy talent)

Characteristics
WS: 40
BS: 35
Str: 42
T: 38
Ag: 32
Int: 30
Per: 36
WP: 32
Fel: 22

Wounds: 9
Fate: 1/2
Insanity: Stable - 1
Corruption: Pure - 0

Traits
Iron Stomach (+10 to Carouse (T) on poisons)
Primitive (-10 to Tech-Use (Int), -10 to Fel tests in civilisation)
Rite of Passage (Int test to stop blood loss)
Wilderness Savvy (survival skills)
The Bloody Edge (hard WP test to use non-edged weapons, edged weapons have Tearing)

Talents
Pistol Training (SP)
Pistol Training (Primitive)
Basic Weapons Training (SP)
Melee Weapons Training (Primitive)
Thrown Weapons Training (Primitive)
Ambidextrous (no -20 penalty for attacks with second hand)
Frenzy (can become Frenzied in combat)
Jaded (never lose sanity from mundane horror)

Skills
Basic Skills
Awareness (Per) - SKILLED
Climb (S) - SKILLED
Dodge (Ag) - SKILLED
Navigation (Surface) (Int)
Silent Move (Ag) - SKILLED
Survival (Int)
Tracking (Int)

Advanced Skills
Shadowing (Ag)
Secret Tongue (Moritat) (Int)
Speak Language (Low Gothic) (Int)
Speak Language ('Zillmann's Domain' Tribal Dialect) (Int)

Gear
5 thrones, mono-sword, 6 throwing knives, crossbow pistol and twenty bolts, 2 volonx bone bolas, 3 nail bombs, grapnel and line, equipment harness, filtration plugs, 3 doses of stimm, 3 injectors, 20 quarrels, stummer, protective bodyglove (2 AP; primitive, body, arms, legs) .

Income: 120 thrones/month

XP: 0
XP Spent: 400
Advancements Taken
The Moritat - 300
Pistol Training (Primitive) - 100
------------------------------------------

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Feeling a glancing blow from the monstrous maw-fluke, Twitch instinctively sways back away from the force, draws his las pistol, and fires in one quick motion, grunting in surprise and pain.

I feel pretty silly for spending that fate point! I can't fire anything else in melee, so the pistol it is - half action to ready, half to shoot. Point blank range, at least.
[roll0] vs. 74 44+30 (PB)
[roll1] damage

Edit: Neat.

For future reference, do you have to use disengage to move out of combat, even if you outnumber the foe in hand to hand? That is, would I need to use disengage to move out after Arla gets here?

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla sees the creature and lets loose a ferocious scream. She leaps off the mound of the dead servitor and charges the creature in one motion, she brings the blade down in a wide swing. Her blade comes down on the chitinous body of the creature.

This is my fight hiver! You best watch yourself before you get yourself killed.


charge attack
[roll0] vs 50
[roll1] (pen 2)
tearing
[roll2]

[gardenphilosoph]

Twitch's laspistol burns away a nugget-sized chunk of carapace from the creature's thick carapace, but does no actual damage. The carapace of these things are incredibly thick, tough, and resistant...it covers everything but their soft undersides. (unless you hit their 'legs', they have an armour of 7)

As Arla leaps from the combat servitor another maw-fluke scuttles out of the darkness and leaps at her, its many bullet-like teeth whirring in excitement.

WS - [roll0] vs 59 (39+20 for all-out attack)
Damage - [roll1] (Pen 4)

Twitch - If you outnumber the foes in melee combat, then no, you do not need to use disengage. Also, remember to [rollv] in case you get righteous fury.

Arla, you attacked a bit preemptively. There was another maw-fluke that had a go before yours, but I'll just treat it as if it held its action. Also, remember to [rollv] in case you get righteous fury. The initiative order is...

1. Maw-fluke 1
2. Twitch
3. Maw-fluke 2
4. Arla

So even though Twitch and Arla both hit, none of you did any damage. Maw-fluke 1 goes now.

[gardenphilosoph]

Unwounded by either the hiver's laspistol or the Moritat's scything blow, the first maw-fluke turns its sinuous body around, and snaps at Arla with its scissoring jaws.

WS - [roll0] vs 59 (39+20 for all-out attack)
Damage - [roll1] (Pen 4)

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Eyes searching for a more vulnerable spot on the creatures, Twitch uses the momentary reprieve of Arla's sudden arrival to step back a couple of paces while readying his shotgun. Aiming for the soft underside (or less-sturdy looking legs if he can't get an angle on the underside for some reason), he looses another blast at point blank range.

I am assuming due to my close range and the relative sizes of Arla and the fluke, that I can shoot at it without being in danger of hitting her. If this is not true, and I would need to worry about it, I would take another action (such as aiming for the hind legs, or even changing to a melee attack).
So... I think I have a +30 for point blank range, +20 for its all out attack(?), -20 for my called shot, and a + something for its size? Is it big enough to do that?

[roll0] vs 74 54 (plus any size bonus). 1 Additional hit per 2 degrees of success for scatter at PB.
[roll1] damage

Quick summary:
I messed up my understanding of all out attack. I don't get a bonus from it. Thus:
Spent a Fate point, got 3 2 hits, did 12, 10, and 12 damage on those hits to belly. No RF. If I get a bonus for the size of the creature above +5, I get an additional hit!

[LTSearchEngine]

Bah. I will spend a fate point:

[roll0] vs 74 54

Do I reroll damage?

[roll1] damage

[LTSearchEngine]

Sorry for the triple post:


2 additional hits:
1:
[roll0] damage for attack 1
rf?
[roll1]
2: [roll2] damage for attack 2
rf?
[roll3]

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla brings her blade up to deflect the pincers before swinging for the creatures legs.


[roll0] vs 50 (though on second thought I do not get harmed)

[roll1] vs 20 (40 - 20 called attack)

[roll2]
tearing
[roll3]

[gardenphilosoph]

The las-pistol shots burn through the maw-wurm's unprotected underside, and it falls over, twitching convulsively while spewing a green-gray ichor over the ground. Its companion seems to understand this weakness, and flays itself out close to the ground, still snapping and biting at Arla.

You can no longer target it's unprotected underside, but it takes penalties to its WS.

WS - [roll0] vs 39-10=29
Damage - [roll1] (Pen 4)

Dodge (if needed) - [roll2] vs 51+10=61

Twitch's go after this, then mine again, then Arla's.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Grinning savagely at the first maw-fluke's demise, Twitch tries to get an angle on the second one's belly. Seeing no opportunity, he quickly takes aim with his shotgun and blasts at the thing's flimsier looking legs.

[roll0] vs. 64 (+30 PB -20 CS +10 aim)
Due to scatter, 1 additional hit per 2 degrees of success. I'll roll several damages and we can take them in order, it will be simpler than what I did last time.
Damage rolls:
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]


Summary: 4 hits (1+6/2 degrees), for 13, 7, 8, and 27 damage respectively.:smalleek:

[LTSearchEngine]

Sorry for the double post, I wasn't expecting 6 degrees of success AND a rf.

So, the righteous fury:

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[gardenphilosoph]

The other thing mutters a frail cry before it too, bleeds out onto the floor. Within seconds of arrival Twitch had single-handedly slaughtered Arla's two unseen enemies, metre-long worms with paralytic venom and a carapace thick enough to match light power armour.

The crowd was beyond crazed, their bloodlust and mania echoing around the make-shift stadium.

"Enough. You win, woman. You are your gunwise friend."

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch:

Popping open the breach so that the spent shells flip, trailing smoke, through the air, Twitch reloads and slings his weapon. He bends down to retrieve his lasgun, and then hands Arla back her bodyglove. The calm, steady-handed warrior quickly vanishes, leaving behind a nervous man with the shakes.

Quietly: "I knew that bastard would double-cross you."

Noticing the still smoking venom on his thigh plate, accompanied by nasty looking scoring, he grimaces and reflects on how lucky he had been to avoid the same fate as other, less fortunate hivers he had known.

"Maw-flukes. Vicious things. Uhm.. were you scratched at all? Their venom is a powerful paralytic."

[crazedloon]

Arla

Arla looks at the pit lord and laughs.

You coward have finally given up on killing me? About time, now where is our reward?

When twitch addresses her she flips her duster to the side momentarily to reveal a long gash across her hip. The venom still burned but it did not seem to bother Arla. She flipped her body glove over her shoulder.

[LTSearchEngine]

Twitch: Uh... nice work with that metal monster. You took it down before I could even reach the pit. Too fast for most people to follow. I heard the meatblocks next to me asking what was wrong with it!

He laughs nervously to himself and listens to the crowd cheering.

In any case, you gave them quite a ...uh... show. Probably one that they've never seen before and never will see again. And, throne, they seem to have liked my little contribution as well.

Twitch starts walking toward the exit, lasgun still at the ready, looking for the approach of Remarus or one of his lackeys. His eyes flicker across the crowd, and his head has gone back to jerkily scanning all around him.

[LTSearchEngine]

*pokes thread*

[crazedloon]

*poke thread*