[Nexus] AMEN 32: Srs Bzns

[ThePhantom]

Welcome to AMEN


http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll190/Haruki-san/AMENMainBanner.png



The AMEN Wiki (http://amenrebirth.wikidot.com/)
The AMEN Forum (http://tinyurl.com/3bypg7)

Previous Threads:

Evil Inc. Do-gooders beware! - Psyke_D [Thread Auto-pruned]
AMEN, Godmodding and Good Hating since, well, the last thread. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34553) - Rex Idiotarum
AMEN III: Revenge of the Munchkins (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36535) - Rex Idiotarum
AMEN IV: Return of the Pogo (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37474) - Rex Idiotarum
AMEN V: Rise of the Magtoks/Maggots (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38748) - Rex Idiotarum
AMEN VI: The Secret of Saurous Rock (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40045) - Lord Magtok
AMEN 007: Casino Ratavo - Saurous [Thread mysteriously missing]
AMEN VIII: The REAL one! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43207) - Fus.Weapon 1337
Amen IX: They just wouldn't stay away! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44832) - Korith
AMEN X: Call of Moonthulu (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46716) - Castaras
AMEN XI: Raiders of the Lost Pie (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48523) - PirateMonk
AMEN XII: Now pretty much equivalent to Final Fantasy! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50599) - Castaras
Amen XIII: Thread 1408 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51830) - Vespe Ratavo
AMEN XIV: A Growing Industry (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53464) - PirateMonk
AMEN XV: Up to Eleven Days a Week (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3090418)- Vespe Ratavo.
AMEN XVI: Sanity's Requiem (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56619) - PirateMonk
AMEN XVII: <insert witty title here> (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60488) - Castaras
AMEN XVIII: Idiocracy (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64866) - PirateMonk
AMEN XIX: Now Slightly Older Than Your Average Goldfish (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3701495) - Raistlin
AMEN XX: Welcome, Here's Your Accordion (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68679) - Vael
AMEN XXI: All that is Necessary for Evil to Succeed is that Good Men do Nothing (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71332) - Magtok
AMEN XXII: WARNING - Contents may Cause Insomnia, Nausea, Nightmares and Psychosis (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75348) - Uncle Festy
AMEN XXIII: For ever Action, there is an Evil and Opposite Reaction (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=4253266) - Haruki-kun
AMEN XXIV: The √of all evil (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82319)- Shas'aia Toriia
AMEN XXV: I Am AMEN (And So Can You!) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86172&page=49)-Saurous
AMEN XXVI: Attack of the Klones (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90000) -Lord Vader
AMEN XXVII: You All Saw It, the Orphanage Attacked Us (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92547)- Goblin Music
AMEN XXVIII: The Melancholy of Haruki (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5155113)- PirateMonk
XXIX: Don't drink the water and don't breathe the air (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96585)-Phase
AMEN XXXI: PirateMonk's of the Caribbean (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127539)- Lex-kat
AMEN Trophy Case:

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u130/Castaras/TrophyShelf.png


Want to join? Simple::


Wander aimlessly in.
Avoid the random AMENites/HALOers who will attempt to kill you.
Poke one of the current members until they hand you the paperwork.
If the aforementioned current member you poke kills you rather than hands you the paperwork, then you didn't pay attention to step 2. Repeat steps 2 & 3.
Sign the mountain of paperwork, preferably in your own blood, although anyone's blood will do.
Prepare to have had your non-existent soul to have been sold to whoever gave you the legalese our leader, Gordon
Congratulations! You're now an official AMENite! Do random stuff! Kill people! Make things asplode, explode, and resplode! and have a nice DEATH!

The Rules of Interorganizational Plots:

And if you're just visiting, then please do not leave muddy footprints in the base. Also, please try to avoid bleeding all over the furniture. All those who visit should be aware that AMEN take no responsibility whatsoever for any torture/evil practices/soul stealing/spontaneous combustion/death that may occur to the individual visiting. Srsly.

Disclaimer:

AMEN is in a different reality than The Town. It is not a part of The Town, does not cross over into it, and does not follow its rules.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t288/Vaarsuvius89/AMENMotivation.jpg

[happyturtle]

Darcy plugs in her fan and settles back down on the sofa in the new thread.

[Murkus]

Jack Empty waits patiently for Gordon's surely momentous return, counting his money one bag at a time. Looks like he's getting ready to call in some black-market contractors for those new base defenses.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rein is approaching the grey man, purpose in his step, hands seething with magical diseases.

[ThePhantom]

Momentous? Well, for Gordon it will be. For the others, well that's their choice.

Within the crater, the lava rises up in a bubble, as a very large mass heads for the surface. Then, the wall next to the crater is smashed to bits, with the majority of the rubble and smoke heading into the main room.

[Murkus]

Jack looks up to find the doctor approaching him. "Oh, hello Adrian! How are you doing? How's the kid?"

The doctor clenches his fists, narrowing his eyes at the hollow man. "Yochanan, if I were you, I wouldn't be mocking me right now."

"Please, doctor. Call me Ja-"

At which point Jack is interrupted by Gordon's reentrance. Exciting. Both of the men turn to this new occurrence, Dr. Rein coughing from the fumes.

[happyturtle]

"Dammit, Gordon, you said the sulphur fumes would stay OUTSIDE the base." Darcy says. :smallmad:

[Lord Iames Osari]

Ebon Mirror whips up a chill, death-scented wind to blow the fumes back into the heart of the valcano.

[ThePhantom]

As for what busted down the wall, yes its Gordon, however, not its not the Gordon of old.

As the smoke clears, A huge dragon, with azure scales, with the glow of magma between stares at the room. And I mean huge, his head alone is taller than Jack. With a swing of his tail, the rest of the wall is cleared away.

"What, no welcome back?"

[Murkus]

Even Jack looks a tad surprised, his eyebrows raising. "Well, I certainly did not see that coming. Welcome back, o glorious leader."

Dr. Rein staggers backwards at the reveal, rather stunned. "Your leader is a dragon?!" He exclaims.

[Lord Iames Osari]

"Now that is a surprising metamorphosis. I thought you said you were human, Gordon."

[ThePhantom]

"I was. This was the point of my ritual. Hihi hihi hihi."

Well, now his smile belongs on his face, its just bigger, and pointyer. Gordon walks all the way into the main room, wings close to his back.

[Murkus]

Dr. Rein swiftly regains his composure, trying to look like he's used to these things. In truth, he's a bit new to the wide world of the paranormal and powerful. He turns back to Jack, eyeing the dragon occasionally, and starts to speak.

Jack stands, and cuts him off. "Give me a few minutes, will you doctor? I know our business, and we'll get to it soon enough."

Dr. Rein, still rather flabbergasted, sits down. He doesn't really want to get between Jack and the dragon whilst they speak.

The hollow man approaches Gordon, looking up at the towering monster, grin unflinching. "So. Does this mean I don't get to keep your stuff?"

[Lord Iames Osari]

"Ahhhh. So it worked after all. I was under the impression it had been interrupted."

[ThePhantom]

"No, the only thing not being giving is leadership of AMEN."

Gordon looks at Mirror with eyes bigger than Mirror's head.

"I thought so too, but it turns out he only supercharged it."

[Murkus]

Jack waves a hand nonchalantly. "Eh, you can keep that. So... hm. You went through a ritual to become a dragon." Grin grows. "Just what are you going to do with all this power?"

The hollow man looks around. "I would offer you a seat, but I'm not sure we have one in your size."

[ThePhantom]

"Oh, we have one. The couch that's always here, it can change size."

Gordon lays on the couch, which somehow is big enough for him.

"As for what I'm going to, well, I think it would be better to wait so I don't have to say it so many times."

[Lord Magtok]

Magtok glances at the dragon, his eyes wide with terror.

I umm...Oh, is that the TV money vualt calling me? I'd love to stay and welcome you back Gordon, but I've got umm...stuff to do. Bye!

H runs away towards the sofa wherever his new key goes to, intent on hiding away and watching TV couting monies instead of directly confronting his problems.

[D_Lord]

Fun over. I'm going back to my tv.

And the horror that sits and watchs, is gone again. You never really see it more back to it's normal spot, other than the fact that Rogar has weasels in his pants again.

[Murkus]

Jack shakes his head. "This base sure is convenient, ain't it?"

With that, Jack moves his special chair in front of the couch, flopping down and folding his hands together. "I'm ready whenever."

[ThePhantom]

"One moment."

Gordon reachs over and tries to pick Magtok up with his claws.

[Lord Magtok]

Magtok is immediately caught, and meeps in terror.

Oh hi Gordon! Umm...Looks like my experimental theory on how to make your spell even better worked! Yes, that's exactly what I was doing!

[happyturtle]

Darcy doesn't find the death scented wind much of an improvement over the sulphur, and she's about to say so, when Gordon gets all Mag-grabby. "Hey! Nobody told me when I signed up that the boss was a pervert who couldn't keep his hands to himself!" :smallyuk:

[ThePhantom]

Gordon brings Magtok up to eye level.

"You try something like that again, and I'll eat you. Understand?"

[Murkus]

Jack laughs a little at the various, hilarious goings-on. His gaze finds Darcy. "Oh, yes. The dragon is also quite the pervert." He says, still chuckling.

[happyturtle]

((Phantom, can you edit the title of the first post to have the [Nexus] tag at the start? :smallsmile:))

"So, was there a reason you did this, or do you just get a kick out of extreme body modification?"

[Lord Magtok]

Understood, your fire-breathing horrible scaliness.

Magtok attempts a salute, and then tries to wriggle free and run away to the hide in the money.

[ThePhantom]

Gordon glaces down at Darcy.

"A reason? How about being almost immune to standard range weapons, being a lot stronger, able to fly on my own power, and that's just for starters. Also, Jack."

Gordon's tail tries to loop around Jack, slightly crushing him. He also lets Magtok go.

[Murkus]

Jack is squeezed, taken completely by surprise. "Oh, what, really? I can't even poke a little fun?" He says, voice apparently unimpeded by the crushing. Though his grin recedes a bit. "What's your problem?"

[ThePhantom]

"Just test the tail out. You can take some crushing."

Gordon's tail looses and unloops around Jack.

"Now then. It is time for stage two of the plan for AMEN to hold a large part of the world. Which means, weakening the forces that would stand in our way. While I have some plans for that, I'd like to see what my follow AMENite would prefer to do."

[Murkus]

Jack pats himself, making sure his suit is still intact. "Yeah, yeah. I hope weapons testing doesn't become a regular habit on me, Gordie."

He sits back down. "Honestly, I'd prefer to hear your plans first. I can wait."

[ThePhantom]

"Well, then. We start with destorying any farms that send food to the city of Inside. Also, we convice the orcs living in the next mountain range over to join us."

Gordon thinks for a moment.

"Rogar, when you're doing with the weasels, let Lord Magtok and that doctor which joined a short while ago know that any weapons they come up will be most helpful."

[happyturtle]

"Right. Starve the city. For what purpose?" Darcy asks.

[ThePhantom]

"Starved fighters are weaker fighters. Also I believe I have a town to take over."

Gordon gets to his feet, and starts heading for the hole in the wall.

"Either of you want to come along?"

[Murkus]

Jack's grin returns fully. "I'll catch up in a bit. Just give me the location, I suppose. But for the moment, me and a guest of ours need to have a chat." The hollow man gestures towards Dr. Rein. Hopefully, Gordon will give him the location.

And with that, Jack will stride towards the doctor, guiding him away from the main room. "Now. You're here about the book, right?"

Unless someone is deliberately following Jack and Adrian, they won't hear the response.

[Lord Iames Osari]

"To weaken them, of course... Which town are you speaking?"

[ThePhantom]

I don't know the name, only that someone who tried to end the universe lives there.

Gordon spreads his wings and takes off.

"The henchmen should be willing to take you there, Jack."

[happyturtle]

"Sure, I'll go," Darcy says. "Oh wait... I think I got some deadtime on me. Better go on without me." The ooze finishes swallowing her.

[Lord Iames Osari]

"The floating one? I heard about that. Might I come along?"

[ThePhantom]

"Fine. But hurry up, I'm not going to wait for long."

Henchmen are getting in copters and starting them up, while Gordon starts climbing the air.

[Lord Magtok]

Magtok abruptly stands up, a blank look in his eye as he turns towards Gordon with the MagGlove back on his left hand, crudely repaired and wiped free of mud from those Maggy Land shenanigans that happened yesterday.

I'm going with you.

It's definitely not a polite request like Ebon Mirror's, it's a flat-out statement, a complete disregard for Gordon's authority and something resembling deep-seated hatred for...someone, but I can't quite tell who. In any case, he hovers over to one of the helicopters, and glares coldly at whatever henchperson happens to be getting their spot stolen.

[ThePhantom]

The henchman piloting the helicopter that Magtok's on turns and salutes.

"Ready for takeoff whenever your'e ready, sir."

[EleventhHour]

"Better have room for one more. I'm not staying here for anything, especially if Magtok's leaving." And wether or not there is room, she climbs on in beside the cyborg. "Slow day for us so far, eh?"

[Lord Iames Osari]

Ebon Mirror climbs into one of the other helicopters.

[Lord Magtok]

Elly's presence seems to fix something in Magtok.

Perhaps it reminds him that he doesn't need to turn his brain off for this and get ready for some horrible slaughter or tragedy, possibly that he's not all alone and the only one qualified to do battle with those horrible apocalypse-bringers that seems to pop up all the time, or maybe it just says "Take off that ridiculous-looking srs-hat and calm down. It's just zombies and lightning, for heaven's sake. And try not to look at my chest so much, you're setting a bad example for the henchpeople."

A slow day, yeah. I was totally right about being given stuff, though. We should go swimming in all those gold coins or something later.

Magtok tries to put an arm around the her side with one arm, and point his thumb at the pilot with the other hand.

All set back here. Oh, and watch out for airships, lightning, and zombies.

[ThePhantom]

"Yes sir!"

"Alright, its time to go!"

The helicopters take off, and they and Gordon fly towards the flying castle town.

(to the town (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159814))

[Murkus]

((This post is more for organizing my own plot ideas than anything else. But if a character would like to try and listen in, please, be my guest.))

Jack leads Adrian into his own room, perhaps one of the few places where there aren't security cameras.

"My God... this place..." Comes the abhorrent voice of the Holder as the door shuts and locks.

"What? Don't like it?" Comes the mocking words of the Fallen One.

The doctor's tone regains its composure. "Let's... just speed this up. The book. Give it to me, thief."

"Not so fast, Doctor. You don't just get to make demands of me."

"Yochanan, you will give me back the Second Seed, or--"

"Or what, you arrogant twit? I could pull all your limbs off before you gave me a head cold. Are all Holders like this? Or just the ones I've met?" Mocking, hateful laughter.

Silence from the Doctor. Jack continues. "You keep saying that word. Yochanan. I'm not sure you know what it means. And I'm not going to bother explaining."

"Now. I'm going to give you my book. Not because I'm charitable, and most certainly not because I'm afraid of you or your comrades. I'm giving it to you because I want something from you."

"What?" Comes the barely-stable voice of the doctor, his tone virging on fear or rage. Perhaps both.

"You will owe me. Three actions. You will do anything I ask of you, thrice."

A pause, then, "Do you think I'm insane?"

"That's my job, bub. Just relax. I won't have you do anything that will directly put you in danger."

"And my daughter? My Object?"

"I won't hurt her either."

Another long pause, as the Doctor ponders.

Jack chimes in. "Do you want to see your daughter smile, or not?"

"I'm thinking. I'm thinking! What if you..."

"You're not the one making the deals here, doctor. This is the only way you will get the book from me. Take it or leave it."

"...fine. I'll do it." The reluctant reply.

"Hahaha! Fantastic! Now, let's you and me make a pact, and you can go home to your daughter..."

Five minutes later, the Doctor flees Jack's room, face beaded with sweat and worrisome, a large, ancient-looking tome clasped to his breast. He heads for the main exit, chased by the laughter of a madman.

Jack comes sauntering out of his room, looking quite pleased with himself, cackling.

It stops just long enough to say a single word.

"Sucker."

And then it picks up again, louder than ever, echoing through the base for several minutes more.

And so the first wheel of Jack's plan for the Nexus is set in motion.

[Moff Chumley]

At this point, a cloaked figure in a wide-brimmed hat and an eyepatch will kick in the front door and enter whichever room everyone is currently occupying. Upon noticing that no one is impressed with the costume, The Moff will toss the extra clothes over his shoulder. Guess who's back? What'd I miss? Fill me in.

He's covered in tiny scratches, and has a hint of a black eye. But he looks strangely invogerated.

((I'M BACK, BABY!)) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz4YXakjlas)

[Murkus]

Jack reenters the main room, which is pretty much empty cept' for himself and another new AMENite, Darcy. And, of course, a rather flabbergasted Doctor Adrian Rein, an associate of Jack's who is currently hurrying out the door.

Jack raises his hands, grin as wide as ever. He really dug the Moff's attitude when they were hanging out. "Moff! It's good to have you back. Where have you been? What have you been up to?"

Jack looks around at the base as the Moff asks. It's pretty damaged right now, with holes in walls and scattered debris. "Oh well, there's been lots going on."

Jack proceeds to inform the Moff of the goings-on, which were relayed in OOC.

"Yeah, so it's pretty empty right now, cept for an elder evil and that chick over there." He forks a thumb at Darcy. "And a couple deadtimed folks, o'course."

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff nods to Darcy. We met. I believe my conclusion was something to the effect of "despicable, despicable person". I like her. Anyhow, I'm digging that knife you found me so much, I went out and found... The Moff holds up a battered old harmonica. You know Synchronicity? Damn convinient. That took a few days, and then I had to find some insurance against the side effects... I wanted to level the playing field. All you guys get magic, or superpowers, or things, and I had nothing. So I found some luck. Whoever said you couldn't cheat the objects shoulda known better. The Moff sighs: tired, but exhilarated. He obviously can't wait to show AMEN's enemies what a few unfortunate coincedences can do to one's day...

So what's the plan? There's always a plan.

[Murkus]

Jack eyes the harmonica hungrily, folding his hands behind his back. "Ah, a treacherous Object, that one. I'd be eager to know just how you've cheated Them."

The hollow man watches happily as Dr. Adrian Rein departs, the white-coated fellow scurrying out the door, clutching another Object against his chest.

"Well, I've just finished some business with a new associate, so... Hm. I don't know. I suppose we could go help Gordie conquer some town, if you'd like. I'm honestly up for pretty much any 'plans' right now. Though I do have to do one thing..." He yanks a battered, dirty cell phone out of his pocket and starts dialing someone. "Gotta order some new base defenses..."

Jack's soulless eyes find the Moff again. "You want some gold? I just stole quite a bit, and I'm sure I'll have some left over."

[Moff Chumley]

Don't think that'll be nescessary... besides, what with this new toy, the ladies are just tripping over themselves to buy me things. :smallamused:

So, where's Gordon?

[Murkus]

Jack grins off in no particular direction. "He's off conquering some town. As I said, I suppose we could join him, but I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do right now..."

He holds up a finger, as if to say one moment, narrowing his eyes as he talks into the phone. "Yes, I need that force field generator we talked about. I want it installed today. And if you could get the adamantine doors in by tomorrow night, that'd be great too. Those other things, also, get them here soon. No, no, the only thing I want rush delivered is the force field generator."

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff will wait patiently as Jack finishes his call. So anyhow, we have to deal with GLoG, Watchtower, and The Empire? I remember the deal with GLoG. Any major developements? Do we still have the kid? Second: who the hell IS Watchtower anyway? I head Gordon mention them, but I still don't know who they are and why they don't like us. And why, exactly, are we hating on The Empire?

[Murkus]

Jack claps the cellphone closed, thinking. "Nah, we lost the kid in a big climactic scene a couple days ago. Honestly, not that big a deal. And nothing else really important."

"As for Watchtower, as far as I know, they're basically the Justice League of the Nexus. Much more active than the other Good organizations."

"The Empire, now, we're not actually hating on them. In fact, they've been hating on us. Apparently we're just a bunch of terrorists, so they want to kill the lot of us. So Gordon's decided to try and conquer them, or something. He hasn't been too clear on the latter phases of his little plan."

((Unfortunately, my friend, I must deadtime for tonight. We shall pick this up tomorrow sometime. Again, welcome back. :smallsmile:))

[Moff Chumley]

((G'night, man!))

Terrorists? I'll show 'em terrorism... who'll be terrorists after I BLOW UP THEIR DAMN BUILDINGS?

[happyturtle]

Darcy has gotten some potted plants from somewhere and is trying out spells to blight them.

[Moff Chumley]

Suddenly jumping up and out of the deadtime ooze, The Moff puffs a few notes on his harmonica, and hops into a chopper. He doesn't know how to fly one or where he's going, but within about fifteen seconds, the chopper is in the air and on the way to the town the rest of AMEN is attacking. Anyone paying attention will notice that there's no one flying the thing; The Moff is in a back seat, still noodling on the harmonica.

[Murkus]

Before Jack follows the Moff, he turns to Darcy, watching her kill the plants with her magics. "Well, I think I'll join Gordon and the lot of them. Would you like to come along, girl?"

Whether she does or not, Jack (and Darcy, depending) teleports into the copter, stepping out of nothing and looking around. He sees what the Moff is doing with his new Object.

His grin grows. "You're getting quite good with that." The hollow man remarks, taking a seat.

"I assume you know where we're going?" Namely, what thread we're off to.

[Moff Chumley]

((Black Wounds, I believe it is called.))

The Moff welcomes Jack and Darcy into the chopper, and after it takes off, it is very, VERY clear that this will not be a conventional chopper ride. Somewhere about halfway to the floating city that is their destination, the chopper flips over but continues accelerating. The Moff smashes open a window and climbs ontop of the helicopter, with parting words of I forgot to say 'buckle up', didn't I?

[D_Lord]

Well then things seem to hold still expect for Moff.

Hey boy I'm having a lucid monent. and i think that you want so help so I have an offer for you.

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff sighs a bit. Looks like he's gonna have to deal with something that takes itself seriously. He hates it when that happens, but they're rather easy to scam, so why not? Umm, would you mind explaining what kind of help I need?

[D_Lord]

Moff foot may feel like it is covered in liquid cheese right now. I heard that you feel that you are lacking in power around here. So I'm offering some friendship.

[Moff Chumley]

Lacking in power and damn proud of it. I'm a garden variety human, with no magical power whatsoever. I don't need anything like that. None of that stuff is important in NEXUS, but people seem to believe otherwise. Friends, however, are always a good thing. You seem to know me, so I'm not going to bother to introduce myself, but who th'hell are you?

[D_Lord]

Well it goes on for a while or is it a while, since nothing else is moving, and says things that make your brain hurt alot and your ears scream, it finally says Dark Lord. and waves an hand at you fixing your poor abused ears.

[Moff Chumley]

Don't worry about it, I seem to be fairly resistant to brain melting noises and such. Must be expirience. Anyhow, pleased to meet you, Dark, what can I do for you?

[D_Lord]

Well I think you could use some extra help from time to lime. So I found a few fellows, that are willing to do some favors for you if you want them. But you have to be the one to want Friends on the other Side.

Think it over you know where to find me if you want some new friends.

and it pops back infront of it's Tv and things start moving again.

Deadtime.

[Moff Chumley]

((Likewise))

[Murkus]

A few construction workers march into AMEN, hauling a large force field generator worth several grand in gold.

They immediately commence hooking it up in one of the small, secret rooms in the base, as instructed.

Soon after, a large, invisible bubble of force appears around AMEN, removable only with a certain password. A password that, for the moment, is known only to Jack Empty.

Or, I guess you could just hammer on it until it's broken. But that might be difficult.

[Moff Chumley]

Fun... aren't we a little late to that party, though? The Moff muses to himself.

[UncleWolf]

[Outside]

A decent distance away from the actual buildings and field, part of the ashy landscape shifts. Jeremy, his clothing covered in ash, soot, and various other kinds of grime he put on, crawls slowly into position. His breathing is slow and once he finds the appropriate spot, tucks the butt of his 30.06 Hunting Rifle to his shoulder, looking through the scope with his newly enhanced vision at the force shield around the place.

He takes a long in depth look, trying to find if there are any openings or other oddities in the shield he could exploit.

[Murkus]

Actually, the force shield is invisible unless a certain amount of force is applied, with which it flickers into view temporarily.

Meanwhile, the remaining henchmen inside don't spot the stealthy rifleman, with many of them occupied rebuilding the rather damaged base structure. Well, it's nearly complete, but still, lots to do.

[UncleWolf]

Fortunately, Jeremy can see invisible things since his new body can measure air density as well and transmit it to a visual thing. Unfortunately for him, and the people he works for at the moment, he doesn't know he can do this, so he just assumes it's a visual thing.

Jeremy takes aim with his rifle, not at a worker, as he knows some people are just doing their job, but just at the shield in general before firing a round at it, testing it.

Most people nearby will hear a loud Kra-Koom! of the rifle even as he works the bolt to load in a new round, getting ready for retaliation.

[Murkus]

Alrighty then. The bullet ricochets off the shield, not even causing a ripple in the defensive bubble, the shield flickering into normal view for a moment before returning to invisibility. Well, for everyone but Jeremy.

Meanwhile, some of the workers run for cover, yelling to eachother about gunfire. A couple henchmen grab submachine guns and scan the slope of the mountain, looking for the origin of the shot.

Jeremy might want to hide again, as an alarm is going off.

Meanwhile, a signal is sent to Jack Empty by the shielding device, informing him of a projectile hitting the force field.

[UncleWolf]

[Outside]

They will probably see a small cloud of dust rising from some point from the overpressure of the shot. Jeremy begins to crawl backwards, moving away from the spot and clicks on a stopwatch, testing the response time of the guards and other security measures.

As he moves slowly, trying not to attract too much attention to his person and slides the rifle back onto his back to let him move easier.

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff clenches his teeth. Can't hurt, can it? He snaps his fingers, and where he was standing a moment before, the only visible thing is his hat, now lying on the floor. The hat skitters around in circles briefly, before scooting out of the base and towards the origin of the shot.

[Murkus]

In about a minute, the turrets atop the base are manned, and a couple more men with guns approach the edge of the force bubble.

Suddenly, the shield disappears. Seems Jack called in a temporary shutdown so the henchmen could investigate whatever's going on.

The turrets are still looking around, but the henchmen are moving cautiously down the mountain, and it seems they may have spotted Jeremy.

[UncleWolf]

Jeremy is a good way away from his spot by this time, but mentally curses himself as he sees the hat and men draw closer. He does however, keep in mind to stop the clock in his pocket. He'll be hard to see with his silver-gray skin and dirty clothing, letting him blend into the volcanic landscape easily.

He reaches into a pocket slowly as he continues to make his way out of the area and pulls out a grenade. He pulls the pin and tosses it to the side about 50 feet upwind, keeping his movements to a minimum.

Hopefully the smoke that begins to pour out of it will distract them and will cover his escape when it finally reaches him.

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff will suddenly burst from the hat. Holding his breath for a moment, he withdraws a battered harmonica from a pocket, puffs a few notes, and replaces it. He then withdraws a butterfly knife, and tosses it high over his shoulder. Jeremy will find the knife inexplicably headded towards his face, point down. The Moff seems to have no idea where Jeremy is, but he watches the falling knife with interest.

[Murkus]

Gotta love luck magic.

In any case, the henchies are distracted by the grenade, but they're rather spread around. They keep searching for Jeremy anyway. They still haven't confirmed his position.

[UncleWolf]

[Outside]

Jeremy sees the knife, and figuring his position is betrayed, rolls to the side and to his feet. On his way up, he will attempt to reach out and catch the knife with his left hand. With his right, he removes Affidavit's modified pistol and fires off a shot. His arm barely moves as the hypersonic round is fired, the gun recoiless to his stronger body. He aimed for Moff's stomach, just to wound, not to kill.

He is still likely hard to see as his entire attire blends into the background.

[Lord Iames Osari]

((Uhhh... stomach wounds are pretty lethal, I thought >.>))

[Moff Chumley]

((That they are, that they are...))

Luckily for The Moff, he stumbles over a rock at the moment the pistol fires. The shot misses the stomach, but The Moff is seriously injured nonetheless. Unfortunately for all of you, ALL OF YOU, it's not fatal, for now.

[UncleWolf]

(Gut shots aren't instantly lethal. :smalltongue:)

Once Moff is down, Jeremy pockets the knife (if that's allowable) and drops another smoke grenade, using the cover it gives to sneak quickly out of AMEN.

[Moff Chumley]

((He can go ahead and pocket the knife. It shouldn't be anything more than a regular butterfly knife for him, though. I think. Ask Murkus.))

Clutching his side and rolling his eyes, The Moff weezes on his harmonica, once. The melody that comes out is far more powerful than logic would dictate. As Jeremy moves, he will find rocks and sticks constantly in his path, making it nearly impossible to move silently. If Jeremey removes the knife from his pocket, his path will begin to clear, and if he drops it, it will return to normal.

[UncleWolf]

Unfortunately, Jeremy won't be able to connect the two dots and figures that the things blocking his way are just a result of the harmonica being magical. He makes a mental note of that and simply begins picking up his pace, skipping, jumping, tumbling and rolling from rock to rock or over objects.

He makes his way and leaves AMEN.

[Moff Chumley]

As Jeremy is (I believe) being less careful about being spotted, The Moff shouts to the henchmen, Well? Get him!

[UncleWolf]

He's already left by this time, and if they attempt to follow his tracks, will find the tire tracks of a truck headed towards Inside, a cloud of ash settling along them.

[Murkus]

The henchmen chase him, guns blazing through the forest, but give up once they find the tire tracks.

The henchmen will retreat back to the base, and a minute or two later, the shield will return to full capacity.

Also, one of the henchmen attempts to drag the Moff inside and give him some medical attention. Before the shield raises, of course.

[Moff Chumley]

Within a few hours and a healing potion (there's got to be at least one healing potion lying around the base, right?) The Moff is up and active. And very angry. Withdrawing an MP7 and an unidentifiable rifle from AMEN's armory, The Moff stalks out of the base.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Vartan leads his small group of slaves up toward the AMEN base, his minions putting in a boot here and a lash there.

[Murkus]

They'll probably see a giant castle town approaching in the distance, and when the get within about 150-200 feet from the base, they'll bump into an invisible force wall.

[The Bushranger]

Shrike, for her part, does her best to act the part of a worn-down slave. Even if ths does look to be enjoying the various lashes a bit more than strictly necessary.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Vartan and his band run into the forcefield, and he scowls. "How are you supposed to get to the base to join with this damn thing on? There's nobody attacking them. Unless it's that flying castle, maybe." He yells toward the base: "Lower the shields and let us in! I want to join you!"

[Murkus]

Three henchies come walking out, carrying concealed weapons. They approach the edge of the barrier, one actually bumping into it. Seems they aren't all that familiar with it yet either.

"Um... hi. Yeah, one of our members kinda had this stupid thing installed and then left it on while he was out. Without telling anyone else how to turn it off." The lead henchman rolls his eyes. For future reference, lets just call him Vates. Because that's a cool name.

Vates turns towards the floating castle-town. "But by the looks of it, he and the others will be back soon. You'll just have to wait a few minutes."

[Moff Chumley]

((The castle should be there. Murkus, I believe you're the only one who knows how to get into the base...))

[Lord Iames Osari]

"Well, that's annoying. And pretty stupid, if you don't mind my saying. What if you needed to leave for some reason?"

[Murkus]

Okey dokey then. The castle's there. Suddenly, the forcefield disappears.

And walking out comes the horribly disfigured Jack Empty. "I'm sorry, what's stupid here guys?"

Vates straightens up, but otherwise looks casual. "Nothing. This slave trader, I'm assuming here, wants to join."

Jack ushers the trader and his slaves towards the base. "Cool, then. Come on in fellas."

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff hops down after Jack and follows the party towards the base. Suddenly he stops: We should probably leave the slaves, under guard, outside. Can't hurt to be cautious.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Vartan jerks his head to the guards, and they get the slaves moving up the slope toward the base proper as he heads up with Jack.

"I'm Vartan. And yes, a slave trader. You?"

[happyturtle]

(So the flying castle is parked outside the valcano, right? Darcy is still there, deadtimed in the middle of the conversation with Ebon and Agatha and the other survivors)

[The Bushranger]

And Shrike heads along with the other slaves, her head down, looking rather downcast.

[Murkus]

((Outside or above the volcano, that's right.))

"Ancient, psychopathic egomaniac." Jack remarks casually. "But yeah, I suppose it's best to leave them outside, at least for now. Or in a seperate quarters. With that business with the cyborg girl, I'm having trouble trusting new members." Too bad the other new guys aren't here, like Darcy or Maggy. They could get a heads-up that Jack is keeping an eye on them.

He turns to the construction workers who are working on finishing the base's repairs. "You lot! Get some people to start setting up a quick pen or something."

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff, with this little precatioun worked out, heads towards the base to catch up on Futurama reruns.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Anshu hunches over, looking at his feet and bending the perceptions of those around him, making him blend in with the other slaves.

"Good thinking. What about this cyborg girl?" Vartan asks.

[Murkus]

Jack waves Vartan's question away, grin receding. "Nothing. Old news. Just caused a bit of a mishap, that's all."

Not to mention Jack's first death since entering the Nexus. But again, old news.

"Yeah. So what compelled you to join AMEN, Vartan?"

They'll travel down the long entrance hall, hopefully with Vartan in tow, and enter the lobby.

The slaves will be kept outside, guards watching them. I would flesh that out more, but I gotta go.

((And deadtime. G'night people. By the way, to make one thing clear: all the slaves and such are disguised so that Jack won't recognize them, right?))

[Moff Chumley]

((The Moff can induct Vartan in Jack's absence.))

[Lord Iames Osari]

((Correct. There's 10 slaves and 4 guards plus Vartan. The slaves are all dressed in rags and chained and generally acting downtrodden. Plus some magics that make them sort of fade into the background.))

Vartan goes with Jack, leaving his own guards to assist in slavewatching.

"Well, I heard you were expanding, looking for people. And that you tend to run through henchmen pretty quick. I thought I might come by and offer my merchandise, and see about joining the group and seeing if that got me any benefits. I had more slaves for you originally, but the market got destroyed by some kind of freak natural disaster. It's pure luck I wasn't there at the time."

[Moff Chumley]

In a rare fit of helpfulness, The Moff will fetch Vartan the application papers.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Vartan looks over the application papers carefully. "I see I have to sign in blood..." he says, taking out a dagger.


***

Outside, one of Vartan's guards looks up as the three Kireeki-class Assault Skyremes begin their final approach toward AMEN. Warstriders in fighter mode launch from the larger ships and scream through the air toward the base as the skyremes descend further to allow their troops to disembark. "Look!" she shouts, pointing to distract the AMENite guards.

Anshu keeps his head low and murmurs something inaudible under the shouting, and the chains fall away from the slaves as he flares his golden anima.


***

As Anshu murmurs to the chains, Vartan suddenly drops the dagger from where it had just made a shallow cut along his palm. His eyes glow black, and his anima flares, shrouding him in impenetrable darkness within the silver petals of a blooming rose. Phantasmal grave hounds pace within the dark-cored silver aura as Vartan's voice - suddenly a woman's voice - utters dark words of deathly command, and trying to seize control of Moff's skeleton.


***

"Da gloriam Incarnae!" Anshu shouts, and the other slaves and Vartan's guards take up the cry, suddenly transforming with a whirl of color into the stylish and facemasked commando uniforms of the Nexus Irregulars. Large jade swords appear in their hands. Anshu's orichalcum razor claws likewise materialize on his hands, and he and the commandos move quickly, trying to punch through the ring of AMENite guards toward the inside of the base.

[ThePhantom]

Outside

Gordon, in dragon form was heading to the base, when the warstrides show up.

"ATTACK! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"

Gordon turns to face off agains the warstrides.

Inside

The guards, caught by surprise quickly are cut down. Then Gordon's roar echos through the base. Some henchmen run to man the turrents, while others head for the armory to grab their weapons. A few henchmen try and slow down the exalted troops, but its not likely for them to have sucess.

[happyturtle]

[Inside]

Darcy has just arrived inside and headed for her room to have a shower and change into clean clothes when she hears the attack start.

She casts invisibility on herself and heads for the lava cannon controls.

[ThePhantom]

(Wait, how would she know where those are? She wasn't here when Gordon used it, and he usually keeps it under the lava. Sure, there's are controls to raise it up, but how would she know which ones are those.)

[Moff Chumley]

As Anshu murmurs to the chains, Vartan suddenly drops the dagger from where it had just made a shallow cut along his palm. His eyes glow black, and his anima flares, shrouding him in impenetrable darkness within the silver petals of a blooming rose. Phantasmal grave hounds pace within the dark-cored silver aura as Vartan's voice - suddenly a woman's voice - utters dark words of deathly command, and trying to seize control of Moff's skeleton.


...

:smallannoyed:

The spell is sucsessful. Why wouldn't it be?

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Outside]

The warstriders open fire on Gordon with their Elsewhere stutter cannons, raking him with the small, high-speed magical vortices.

"Whoohoo! Let's show these bastards who they're dealing with!" the Crimson Meteor whoops to the other pilots as she and her vanguard skyfang bank away, maneuvering to set up for another pass on Gordon as the other 10 warstriders continue the assault.


Hurricane-class Variable Common Warstrider
This blue jade warstrider has a slender, streamlined construction, with wings folded neatly on its back. The long, sloping adamant helm/entry hatch extends well down the fuselage and cannot rotate, but nonetheless provides the pilot with a 360º visual field. When in "bird" mode, the legs and arms fold up under the deployed wings, holding the Elsewhere stutter cannon along the centerline of the warstrider, and the pilot reclines in the helm, using the harness to direct the 'strider's flight and fire the cannon.

Elsewhere Stutter Cannon
These rapid-firing weapons fire bursts of coin-sized Essence vortices at high speeds, but the vortices quickly lose cohesion and dissipate. When the vortices come into contact with a solid object, they transport however much of the object they touched into Elsewhere. These "bits" can be retrieved from Elsewhere via a chute at the rear of the weapon for post-mission analysis or other uses.

The skyremes reach a low enough altitude and begin disgorging the ground troops, wearing jump harnesses over their gunzosha power armor that take them safely to the ground, were they form into marching order, unlimbering shields and power maces and beginning to approach the base on foot. The skyremes hover over the ground troops to provide cover and air support.

[Inside]

Anshu and the commandos retrace Vartan/Cerise's route inside, punching through the comparatively little resistance.

"Now, what's your name?" Cerise demands of the Moff as her husband and the commandos (and presumably Shrike) arrive.

[Murkus]

Jack hears Gordon's roar and notices all the events occuring at once. He shouts to some henchmen. "One of you! Engage the crushing hallway. No one else gets inside." This may occur before the slaves-turned-commandos make it into the lobby. The long entrance hallway will start to close on them rather swiftly, attempting to squish them.

The hollow man draws his own weapon, and immediately rushes at Cerise, attempting to put his sword blade at her neck. "Release my friend. Now."

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff feels his jaw come back under his control. I'm The goddam Moff you pathetic... The Moff will spit out insult after insult until he's silenced.

[happyturtle]

(Wait, how would she know where those are? She wasn't here when Gordon used it, and he usually keeps it under the lava. Sure, there's are controls to raise it up, but how would she know which ones are those.)

((She was given a tour and has been wandering the base since she joined. But if the controls are secret, then I guess she isn't going there.))

Darcy suddenly realizes that what she thought was the lava cannon control is actually an espresso machine, and heads for the center of the base instead.

[ThePhantom]

Inside

A number of henchmen manning the turrents start firing on the army, not willing to risk hitting Gordon. Another group go and ready a few surprises for their guests.

Outside

A group of twenty henchmen, man the gate to AMEN, shutting it, and throwing explosive cows at the army with the cowapult.

As for Gordon, given that parts of him are not attached thanks to the stutter cannons, bleeds while he chants.

"Aze mena heni gota farn."

The blood stops in its fall, and forms a red bubble around Gordon.

[happyturtle]

[Inside]

Darcy may see the inside henchmen as she heads for the center of the base, having ninja'd the bossman's player. :smalltongue:

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Outside]

The skyremes fire their lightning ballistae, detonating the explosive cows short of their targets, and the implosion bows hurl explosive orbs of magical energy at the cowapult.

The warstriders continue attacking Gordon. There are 15 of them in all, and they make passes in groups of 5.

The ground troops, for their part, aim their power maces and begin firing force blasts en masse at the base/the shield every few steps.

[Inside]

Anshu and the commandos speed up as the walls close on them, and manage to make it into the lobby, save for the last 2 of the commandos, who are caught inside and crushed to death.

Still shrouded in darkness, Cerise forces the Moff to try to tackle Jack as he rushes her. If that doesn't work, she'll block his sword with a gauntleted hand. If the blade is forged of some mundane material, she'll be able to scrunch it up, ruining the edge.

At the same time, Anshu and the remaining ten commandos begin clearing the room of other henchmen.

((Deadtime, hopefully not for long))

[Moff Chumley]

Seeing as The Moff still has some luck magic in place, instead of tackling Jack, he just falls flat on his face. He almost feels sorry for Cerice as she attempts to block Jack's sword... nah, that's a lie, he thinks it's hilarious.

[The Bushranger]

Grinning as the chains drop away, Shrike extends her hand, summoning her loyal steel, the Reaper Daiklave appearing in her clenched fist. "I think it's time we gave these clowns a good whoopin'," she declares, as she sprints after Anshu! Spinning around to try and make at least two henchmen per swipe...er...rest in pieces.

[ThePhantom]

Outside

Well, they didn't think this through, the orbs blow up the cowapult, and the gate, sealing the entrance off.

As for Gordon, the blood shield redirects the shoots at him to going around. He starts inhaling.

Inside

While henchmen drop, an number of them head for the meeting room.

"This is madness!"
"Arr, no other choice."

[Murkus]

Inside

Cerise might find her hand suddenly ravaged if she tries to block Jack's blade. It cuts through most materials (including steel and some magical metals) as if they were hot butter.

In fact, clasping the blade might just outright sever her hand and fingers, even with an armored gauntlet.

[happyturtle]

[Inside]

Darcy invisibly follows the henchmen into the meeting room.

[D_Lord]

Well, not much has changed since the last time anyone went in there. The table is there, the nice chairs, the hodded figure of madness siting on the floor watching an old Tv. Same old, same old. Exept for the three layored cake by it.

[ThePhantom]

Meeting room

The henchmen suffle around, quietly getting closer to the hooded figure.

"You do it." "Why me?" "Cause your'e sane." "Fine."

The poor henchman steps up, and clears his throat.

"Um, hi there. Um, the base is under attack by the exalted, and its likely we'll all die. And your tv will be blown up. So, would you, please help us out?"

[D_Lord]

It turns alittle. Fineish, but I'm not a tool or a toy. But I want to watch. I got it. but I need something more to set it up. You'll do.

Uh oh, Looks like he standing up and grapping the poor henchman. Oh look I don't think that is suppost to bend that way. After a little while and much screaming, it has a pot in it's hands. And the room is starting to pulse with energy. Treads of it brake off and head out the room and go to the other doors in the base. Oh and he pats the crazy, pirate henchman over the head and sends him away.

[happyturtle]

[Inside - Meeting Room]

Invisible Darcy :smalleek:'s and scampers out after the pirate henchman.

[ThePhantom]

[Meeting room]

This is why they only did this when threatened this badly. The henchmen all huddle as the elder evil gets to work.

[Hallway]

The pirate guy is screaming while running downstairs, away from the creepy and the exalted.

"Abandond Ship!"

[The Bushranger]

[Somewhere, near where Anshu is]

Shrike is, one presumes, still slicing, dicing, and Julienning henchmen...and lauching manicially while doing so. :smalleek:

[Lord Iames Osari]

Outside

Well, they didn't think this through, the orbs blow up the cowapult, and the gate, sealing the entrance off.

As for Gordon, the blood shield redirects the shoots at him to going around. He starts inhaling.

Seeing that their weapons have become ineffective against the dragon, the 'striders begin strafing the base itself.


Inside

Cerise might find her hand suddenly ravaged if she tries to block Jack's blade. It cuts through most materials (including steel and some magical metals) as if they were hot butter.

In fact, clasping the blade might just outright sever her hand and fingers, even with an armored gauntlet.

Cerise gets her hand mangled, but stops Jack's blade.

With the room clear, the commandos surround Jack, Cerise, and the Moff, and Anshu says, "Let her go. You're surrounded."

[Murkus]

Inside

Well, that was to be expected. I guess most of AMEN's henchmen are dead now.

Jack stares around, mind working feverishly as the warstriders commence hammering the base.

The shield. The shield was never put back up. It all happened too fast.

The hollow man swears quietly under his breath, speaking in an obscure language.

"Hm. So, this is it, then? You're getting rid of AMEN once and for all?"

It should be noted he doesn't remove his blade, but he is almost imperceptibly edging towards the Moff. The Sword of the White King is still in a position to swing towards Cerise's neck if she takes her hand away. Yet with each second touching it the pain from the Sword's blade will increase.

[happyturtle]

[Inside]

Darcy is pretty much out of her depth here. So carry on without waiting for her player to post, and I'll jump back in if she thinks of something to do. Otherwise, she's just staying out of sight and out of the way.

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Inside]

At least the henchmen in this particular room.

"It wasn't our original objective, but if providence continues to smile on us, who knows?"

Cerise takes her hand away from the blade and spins around to deliver a hard punch with her other hand that should knock Jack down.

[Murkus]

Jack flits aside, already moving with his blade, away from Cerise. If no one stops him, he'll dash at the Moff, grab him by the shoulder, and teleport deep into the base.

Heck, even if he doesn't manage to grab him, he teleports away.

In any case, I gotta deadtime. Maybe for the rest of tonight.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Cerise commands the Moff to scramble away from Jack, and then begins licking her injured paw once Jack is gone.

[ThePhantom]

[Meeting room]

Lots of screaming. The henchmen would run for it, but there's no way through the door.

As for the pirate henchman, he heads down a set of stairs, with a sign by them, saying 'To docks'

[Outside]

Gordon finally learned a classic dragon trick. The breath, in his case, lighting. Gordon fires the breath at the warstriders.

[Controls for the lava cannon]

Rogar and Sweetums, both stand in front of the controls. Knowing that the cannon can't be replaced, muster the last group of henchmen here.

(deadtime)

[Lord Iames Osari]

((At all the warstriders? Or just one or a small group?))

[Moff Chumley]

Again, The Moff seems to make an effort to move away, but seeing as he's laying on the floor, Jack gets to him first.

((Would teleporting through another dimension disrupt the control spell?))

[Lord Iames Osari]

((She'd be unable to control him while he's in the other dimension, but if he comes back to this one before it wears off, she'll be able to control him then.))

[Moff Chumley]

((Awesome. Looks like I'm gonna have to sit this one out, then.))

[Murkus]

Jack, who is well adapted to compulsion and control magics, notices Cerise's continued hold on Moff.

He sighs as him and his compatriot float through the Yellow Road. "Seems you'll have to stay here till' someone kills the GLoG bitch, Moff. Sorry. Well, that, or her spell wears off. Just... don't make a lot of noise, and if you happen to see anything other than this big, yellow void..."

Jack looks about as serious as a perpetually grinning monstrosity can. "Close your eyes immediately. And don't open them until you hear my voice again. By the by though, if you think you can break free of her spell, I can take you elsewhere. Just say Yochanan. I'll hear."

With that, Jack disappears back to AMEN, leaving Moff to his floating. Sorry, Moff. :smallfrown:

He reappears in one of AMEN's many secret rooms, where he had the force field generator installed. He says but one word in that same obscure tongue as earlier.

The force bubble reappears around AMEN, stopping the arial bombardment. At least, for now. However, it is plain that the forcefield is there now, seeing how it ripples with each heavy hit.

[happyturtle]

((@Murkus:
Well, it's possible I overestimated AMEN's resources.

Moff, if you want, you can resist Cerise's orders and move as you want. It'll hurt, but you can do it, and it will also reduce how long the spell lasts. Also, if Cerise doesn't know he's back, she can't give him orders.))

If Jack can detect invisibility, he might at some point, encounter Darcy, in deadtime. She can be dragged along on auto-follow for me to post tomorrow, assuming there's something useful that can be one with low level sorcery, or ignored for now. Up to you

Anyway, goodnight ((deadtime))

[The Bushranger]

Shrike swears roundly as Jack Empty and the Moff escape.
"Well, then. Where to next," she asks Anshu, spinning her Daiklave in one hand nimbly.

[Murkus]

((In that case, let me edit so Jack tells Moff that he can call for him if he'd like to go elsewhere. Jack will probably encounter Darcy next post, and hopefully get her out of there. She can't do a lot to stop the invaders, might be best if she leaves.))

[Moff Chumley]

Hmm. The Moff isn't controlled on the Yellow Road. But what can he do with that?

The Moff begins wandering, then picks a place and lies. Maybe take a nap, now that he's all by his lonesome. Ya know, it's not that unpleasent a place, once you get past the monochrome. And the spheres that keep drifting around. And the voices.

The Moff wishes the voices would stop.

[ThePhantom]

((At all the warstriders? Or just one or a small group?))

(Small group. As for Happy, Gordon's a blue dragon, most of those breath lighting.)

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Outside]


Gordon finally learned a classic dragon trick. The breath, in his case, lighting. Gordon fires the breath at the warstriders.

Two of the warstriders targeted are blasted from the sky by the powerful breath weapon; the other three manage to take evasive action.

With the base's shield back up and their stutter cannons ineffective against Gordon's blood shield, the warstriders regroup into a single formation.

"Pilots, I want an Overwhelming Missile Storm on that dragon on my mark," the Crimson Meteor declares, aiming the nose of her craft at Gordon. "Mark!" she cries after a few moments, and each of the 13 warstriders launch several dozen glowing missiles of magical energy that streak toward him, swirling and tracking his movements. The 'striders bank away once they've launched, wanting to observe the results of this attack before they commit to another.

Ebon Mirror and his mecha-zombie forces arrive on the ground and begin moving toward the Deliberative army, a bank of fog rising from the ground to conceal their presence.

[Inside]


[Controls for the lava cannon]

Rogar and Sweetums, both stand in front of the controls. Knowing that the cannon can't be replaced, muster the last group of henchmen here.


Shrike swears roundly as Jack Empty and the Moff escape.
"Well, then. Where to next," she asks Anshu, spinning her Daiklave in one hand nimbly.

Anshu concentrates, spreading his awareness of the battlefield. "Hm. I'd anticipated needing to have the commandos serve as an additional diversion, but it seems the remaining enemy troops are concentrated in a single location, probably of high importance. We'll have to go in and see what it is."

Cerise transforms back into human form, her injured hand miraculously healed, though she was forced to remove the ruined gauntlet. "Then let's go," she says, and she and the commandos follow Anshu as he starts leading them roughly in the direction of the henchmen concentrated around the lava cannon controls.

[Murkus]

Inside

Jack flits through the various passages and byways of the AMEN base, looking for Darcy. He only occasionally passes the main rooms, glancing in before blurring away in short bursts of speed.

He is quiet, but if the Celestial troops deliberately search for him, they might spot him. Whether they'll catch him or not is... debatable.

"Darcy?" He whispers. "I can practically smell the arcane magic. Where are you?" See, he can detect the use of arcane magic, but he isn't so good with illusion and disguise magic. It's just not something he's adapted to over the years. Needs more experience with it.

Which is why he can't find Darcy very easily.

The Yellow Road

Whether the voices are inside Moff's head, or being spoken by more eldritch tongues, they are suddenly silenced.

If and when he opens his eyes from the nap, there will be... a significant change.

What can only be described as eldritch horrors surround him. Beings that can break minds, contort spacial reasoning, defy all the established laws of biology and physics. They hardly even seem biological. They might be hundreds of feet high, or only as tall as a man.

The Moff, being something of a madman himself, may not be affected by their proportions.

Or perhaps he's just not seeing the worst of it. Perhaps the majority of the Road is still hidden.

But something is revealing these things to him... what could it be...

Perhaps the grand, towering stone floating before you, made to resemble an emerald? Perhaps the ancient being contained within, concealed by a blinding light as old as time itself?

"I see you've been spending a lot of time with the Yochanan." Comes a soothing voice. Not mind-breaking like D-lord's, but it certainly gives the feeling of something unfathomably old.

[happyturtle]

[Inside]

"Here," she whispers. "How bad is it?"

[Murkus]

Inside

Jack approaches her slowly, quiet as a mouse. He whispers,

"It looks like we might be finished here, dear. I glanced out the windows, Ebon and Gordon are holding them off. But I don't know for how much longer."

He holds out a hand, gesturing her to take it.

"I'm here to get you out of here. You can die permanently. And I can't. It would be a terrible waste if we were to lose any members to this little assault."

((Gotta deadtime soon))

[Moff Chumley]

The Yellow Road[/B]

Whether the voices are inside Moff's head, or being spoken by more eldritch tongues, they are suddenly silenced.

If and when he opens his eyes from the nap, there will be... a significant change.

What can only be described as eldritch horrors surround him. Beings that can break minds, contort spacial reasoning, defy all the established laws of biology and physics. They hardly even seem biological. They might be hundreds of feet high, or only as tall as a man.

The Moff, being something of a madman himself, may not be affected by their proportions.

Or perhaps he's just not seeing the worst of it. Perhaps the majority of the Road is still hidden.

But something is revealing these things to him... what could it be...

Perhaps the grand, towering stone floating before you, made to resemble an emerald? Perhaps the ancient being contained within, concealed by a blinding light as old as time itself?

"I see you've been spending a lot of time with the Yochanan." Comes a soothing voice. Not mind-breaking like D-lord's, but it certainly gives the feeling of something unfathomably old.

The Moff rubs his eyes. Yawns. Stands up. I guess I have been. The Moff looks around at the horrors surrounding him. Ugly bastards, aren't they?

[happyturtle]

Darcy takes his hand, expecting regular teleportation. I don't think she's encountered the Yellow Road before. Unless her player is having memory fail.

[Murkus]

Inside

Jack slips his hand into hers. That sudden spacial shift that comes with usual teleporting occurs, and for a brief second, Darcy might see the Yellow Road.

With what's hanging out in this vicinity right now, the creatures of madness there might affect her in some way. She only gets a glimpse, though.

And then they'll be gone to the Black Wounds thread, where Darcy can hide somewhere in Lethargia. Or if she'd like to go elsewhere, Jack can take her elsewhere.

The Yellow Road

The Emerald seems to shift, its own light reflecting off the incalculable number of sides and edges.

"To you, yes, I'm sure they are. But please, pay them no mind. They don't get a lot of visitors."

The thing in the Emerald, He, continues to speak. "How is Yochanan these days, AMENite? It is... lets call it 'rare' that he gathers so many allies."

[Moff Chumley]

Yellow Road

Well, I can't speak for him or anything, but he seems pretty... shall we say, in his element. You know, he's a really sweet guy once you get to know him.

The Moff may or may not be attempting to smartass the elder cosmic horror.

[Murkus]

He stares at Moff a moment from within his blinding light-filled Emerald. Then he laughs. A musty, rich sound. Perhaps he's not as petty as most god-beings, whether the Moff is being a smartass or not.

"Sweet. You know, I was one of the first sentient beings in the Multiverse, and I have never heard Yochanan called 'sweet'."

He continues floating, the creatures around Him shimmering and silent.

"You have two of my children in your possession, I see. The Fallen One led you towards them." The elder being says matter-of-factly.

[Moff Chumley]

Yellow Road

There are very few things He could be referring to. Incorrect. I had two in my possession for a short while, but shortly after I acquired Synchronicity, The Cost was stolen from me. As soon as I'm not on a floating island or under attack from superheros, I'm going to get it back.

[Murkus]

He peers closely at Moff. "You've lost the Cost. Let you still identify as its Holder." Moff might notice the Emerald starting to float away, ever so slightly.

"I wouldn't worry about it. You'll get it back eventually, one way or another."

"It is... interesting to speak with one of Yochanan's allies. He is such a treacherous thing."

((Deadtime))

[Moff Chumley]

Yellow Road

With the emerald receeding, The Moff inspects the visions surrounding him. He'll wander between them, attempting to make sense of them. Slowly, he begins to make out patterns in the unreality, and make sense of the madness. That can't be healthy for The Moff.

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Inside]

Ebon Mirror's zombie ninja lurks around AMEN, and freezes suddenly as he feels his master's essence become more diffuse, spreading throughout his minions. Then the ninja resumes his lurking, but with direction - toward the same concentration of henchmen that the Deliberative strike team is heading for.

[The Bushranger]

((But is it a robot zombie ninja?))


[Inside]

Anshu concentrates, spreading his awareness of the battlefield. "Hm. I'd anticipated needing to have the commandos serve as an additional diversion, but it seems the remaining enemy troops are concentrated in a single location, probably of high importance. We'll have to go in and see what it is."

Cerise transforms back into human form, her injured hand miraculously healed, though she was forced to remove the ruined gauntlet. "Then let's go," she says, and she and the commandos follow Anshu as he starts leading them roughly in the direction of the henchmen concentrated around the lava cannon controls.

"Sounds like a job for us." Shrike smirks. "Lead on, oh fearless leader. And the next time you fight Jack - let me at him, and he'll fry."
Cackling fiendishly, she sprints after Anshu and Cerise and their band of renown.

[ThePhantom]

Outside

Gordon flies away, trying to make the missiles hit each other. He'll deal with them in a moment.

[Controls for the lava cannon]

Rogar, given the time to think, turns on the traps, making the hallways from the main room to the controls full of fire, spikes, bullets, crushers, and lasers.

"They haven't beaten us yet."

[D_Lord]

Spacing As the Exalted and commandos step through the door to the next room, it is fairly easy to tell this wasn't the room you saw through the doorway.

Instead this is a room with a big table with buttons, a chair that never been sat on, a fleshly looking pot, and something in a black hood siting on the floor watching an old Tv. There seems something odd about it, a feeling of doom around it. There is also a three layored cake next to it.

The door slams shut. Red and black energy crackle into being around the walls and door. The lock clicks shut. Words start forming on the table.


“Well, well, some people have chosen to bother me. Not the smartest idea. Oh well, I’m busy so I set up a little puzzle. Win and get out and a prize. Lose and die. You got five trys. There are four keys to the door. I’m wearing one, one is in the middle of the cake, another is in the pot over there and the fourth is hiding. All of them work. Well, the four keys that look alike, can’t say that for the other keys. Get a key and open the door that all you need to do. Just don’t take too long. I’ll not be busy forever.”

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Puzzle Room]

Anshu looks slightly nonplussed, but after a moment he goes over to the cake and starts slicing it apart with his razor claws, looking for the key. Cerise takes a few of the commandos and goes over to investigate the pot.

[D_Lord]

(Ok, I'll give you some time. to find somethings out. Didn't fully plan for two at once but it works.)


The Cake never changes no matter how much you try. Looks like this cake is one that goes on forever.


The pot is full of keys, hundreds of keys. And it’s only wide enough to have one hand in at a time. This could take a lot of time.


Tick Tock, the show will not last forever.

[Lord Iames Osari]

((Question: Is the cake resisting being cut at all, or does it just reset to its original state right away? Also, is the pot resting on top of anything?))

[D_Lord]

(Reset for the cake)

As for the pot it's resting on a part of the floor that is a bit redder, than the rest. Times going, another try may be needed soon. Tick Tock.

[Lord Iames Osari]

((No fair advancing the clock while I'm asking OOC questions. Also, if the cake is just reseting, doesn't that mean that Anshu's claw blades should be striking the metal of the key inside the cake?))

[D_Lord]

You don't know what the trys are. Also I'm assuming that time is passing while you try and get through the cake.

Also it's more than reseting, the cake is Infinite, (sorry can't spell it and spell checker doesn't have it. means never ending) You could put your whole body down into it and never get past the first layor. Sorry if I didn't make that clear in the first place.

[Lord Iames Osari]

((Infinite?))

Anshu gives up on the cake and turns to look at the cloaked figure, hoping to spot the key.

Cerise steps back from the pot and begins to cast a spell, her anima flaring again as she points two fingers at the pot, and a jet of blue-white magical flame leaps out to disintegrate the pot. The magic of the spell is such that only the pot will be disintegrated; none of its contents will be damaged.

[D_Lord]

Wrong move.

You shouldn’t have taken the fast way with the pot, you think as the room fills up with keys to the point of crushing you all. Too bad. Try again? Y/N

(Also thats it, thanks.)

[Lord Iames Osari]

((I have to take exception to godmodding us to death like that. Maybe that's acceptable between members of AMEN, but it's not acceptable with anybody else. Consequences for disintegrating the pot are fine, but I refuse to cooperate with insta-death and that's that.))

As the keys begin to fill the room, Cerise gathers Anshu, Shrike, and the commandos as she casts a spell, surrounding them with a sphere of magically nigh-impenetrable water, in which they can all breathe. As the keys mount up outside their protective shell, Cerise looks sheepish. "I guess that was the wrong thing to do."

[D_Lord]

(This is why there was a goddmode.)

Things suddely reset. Everything goes back to the way it was just as the door locked. Expect the words say You got 4 tries left.

(It's like the puzzles for Quest for Glory. Easy to die if you don't do it right but you can try again and not do the dumb thing this time. but if you fight the figure, that will go as normal for the Nexus. I only goddmoded to fit what I based the puzzle off of.)


edit:(Sorry to leave you hanging but I have to dead time. Sorry but my computer time for today is up.)

[Lord Iames Osari]

((I still take exception to it.))

[Puzzle Room]

This time, Tepet Kazane steps forward. "Let me try something..." Invoking her whirlwind anima, she directs the wind into the pot and tries to focus it so that all the keys inside will be blown out of the top of it in a long, jingling stream.

[The Bushranger]

((And so do I. Godmodding is godmodding, and, unless explicitly arranged ahead of time, is not permitted.))

Shrike, meanwhile, starts inspecting the rest of the room. If one of the keys is hidden...well, she'll likely be the one to find it. Since that's her specialty.

[Moff Chumley]

((I'd like to make it clear how immensly satisfying this encounter is to read... :smallcool:))

[Murkus]

Yellow Road

Moff might see glimpses of things amidst the half-perceived planescape. Worlds, universes, without number or name, shooting off into infinity.

There might be a sense of awe as he gazes around.

So much information, so much to see, to touch, to... to...

Destroy. So much to destroy.

The Multiverse, laid at his feet, stretched out before him to peruse as he pleases. This, the Yellow Road, this is true freedom.

[D_Lord]

((I still take exception to it.))

[Puzzle Room]

This time, Tepet Kazane steps forward. "Let me try something..." Invoking her whirlwind anima, she directs the wind into the pot and tries to focus it so that all the keys inside will be blown out of the top of it in a long, jingling stream.



Shrike, meanwhile, starts inspecting the rest of the room. If one of the keys is hidden...well, she'll likely be the one to find it. Since that's her specialty.

They just keep coming out and out and out with no end in sight. All them different but all of them the color of bone irory. Tick Tock. As for Shrike well you find that there is a key hanging on the front of the hood. Dangling right infront of where the eyes would be an a human. Also the feeling of something not right is waiting, watching the world go by into ruins can be felt if you look into the darkness under the hood.

(I'll give you an hint: there are for you about two of the four keys that you can get your hands on. One is much easyer to get and the other is easy to see.)

[Moff Chumley]

Yellow Road

Moff might see glimpses of things amidst the half-perceived planescape. Worlds, universes, without number or name, shooting off into infinity.

There might be a sense of awe as he gazes around.

So much information, so much to see, to touch, to... to...

Destroy. So much to destroy.

The Multiverse, laid at his feet, stretched out before him to peruse as he pleases. This, the Yellow Road, this is true freedom.

The Moff is very rarely impressed or awed by the supernatural, but the sheer scope of the multiverse and the information therein would be enough to crush the mind of any normal being. But when The Moff sees everything that he'll never touch, never be part of, never understand, it doesn't shatter him, it strengthens his resolve. Out of all of the multiverse, there's one little corner that he cares about. And that corner is under attack. Clenching his jaw, The Moff sorts through the mist and the visions, attempting to find AMEN.

[Murkus]

The Yellow Road

In the Yellow Road, without experience, this could take years. Outside of it, all of a few minutes would pass.

If Moff is willing to spend that long searching for just the right place, he will find AMEN again.

Perhaps worse for wear, what with wandering the multiverse for years.

But don't worry about aging. Nobody ages in the Road.

[Moff Chumley]

((Hmmm... is The Moff insane enough to try that? Probably. XD

The real question is, can The Moff get lucky on The Road? :smallwink:))

After a few hours of wandering, The Moff realizes the improbability of his task. Resolving to return and explore more thouroughly, The Moff attempts to remember the name... Jack... Empty dude... Yochanan?

[Murkus]

((The Objects, in a way, had a hand in making the Road. It is in their purpose to make and manipulate worlds.

So he might be able to get lucky and pick the right path to AMEN. It would still take a while to travel there, though.))

"Hello." Comes the call from behind Moff.

If he turns, he'll find the grey man, disguised as a Celestial Embassy soldier. "You need something, Moff?"

[Lord Iames Osari]

They just keep coming out and out and out with no end in sight. All them different but all of them the color of bone irory. Tick Tock. As for Shrike well you find that there is a key hanging on the front of the hood. Dangling right infront of where the eyes would be an a human. Also the feeling of something not right is waiting, watching the world go by into ruins can be felt if you look into the darkness under the hood.

(I'll give you an hint: there are for you about two of the four keys that you can get your hands on. One is much easyer to get and the other is easy to see.)

Anshu glances at Shrike. "What do you think?"


Outside

Gordon flies away, trying to make the missiles hit each other. He'll deal with them in a moment.

His maneuver is mostly successful - most of the missiles do indeed collide with one another or dissipate as they run out of range, but a few are still flying after him - say half a dozen.

[happyturtle]

[Marley Rescue Attempt]

At the AMEN submarine, far from the rest of the fighting I think, a portal opens from Nadas's cabin at GLoG at the same time that the lone guard suddenly acquires a blindfold and manacles.

At least if Charity's magic works, that's what happens.

[The Bushranger]

[Puzzle Palace]

"Personally? I think it's a trap," Shrike observes. "Sometimes the only way to deal with a trap is to spring it, though. Your call, Anshu."
She stares at the key, not the hood.

[UncleWolf]

[Rescue Attempt]

Assuming Charity's magic works , Edijar will step through the portal first, taking a quick look around before gripping his rather heavy hammer. If the glass tube is where he expects it to be, he'll throw it with his more than considerable strength at the prison holding Marley. He aims low so he won't hit him and so the glass is less inclined to hurt the captive if it shatters.

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Puzzle Room]

"Do it. We'll have your back if he reacts with violence," he says.

[The Bushranger]

[Puzzle Palace]

Shrike nods, and tenses as she reaches for the key!

Ready for anything. Primarily to spring away the moment she has it.

[Moff Chumley]

"Hello." Comes the call from behind Moff.

If he turns, he'll find the grey man, disguised as a Celestial Embassy soldier. "You need something, Moff?"

Nice getup. Anyhow, yah, I need a way out of here. Get back into things. Not that I don't like it here, I do, but we have more urgent matters to deal with right now. Anything I can help with?

[Murkus]

Yellow Road

Jack looks somewhat surprised. "You've certainly taken to my little slice of heaven quickly, haven't you Moff? Oh, the wonders I could show you..." Jack grins. "But you're right, that's for another time. Hm. Well, that silly spell's probably worn off by now."

Space twists around the pair, and suddenly, Moff might be able to scry on AMEN from where he's standing.

Jack rubs his chin, watching the scene himself from the Road. "Would you look at that. Seems our resident Elder Evil's keeping them busy."

"Well, I dunno. You can't really go up against that lot alone. I suppose you could do one of two things: Get the flying town ready to go just in case we need to leave quickly, or..."

The hollow man's eyes glint with glee at what's to come. "You could come help me scope out, and possibly attack, the Celestial Deliberative. The source of these damned Exalts. We could draw them away from AMEN that way."

[Moff Chumley]

Upon mention of D_Lord, The Moff nods and grins. It's a thing of beauty. Once Jack describes the plan, The Moff gets a sharkish look. In. With out a doubt, in. What'll we need? Explosives, of course, lots of explosives. And I need another rifle. Let's go.

((The Moff will follow Jack from here, I have to deadtime for a bit. But I shall return. So suck it, people who don't like me. :smallbiggrin:))

[Murkus]

Yellow Road

"You're kidding, right? Being one of the oldest beings in the multiverse ain't just for boasting. I got whole armories."

Jack drags Moff off through the Road, to one of his private stashes.

When they arrive, Moff will find himself in a small metal compound, amidst a sea of trees lit only by the innumerable stars in the sky.

Jack flicks a switch in the darkness, starting a long-dormant electrical generator. Beyond the rumble of this machine, the forest is completely silent.

Wall after wall of weapons is revealed, from rocket launchers to rifles to more alien tech. It's all gratuitously well organized, as if Jack spent years just collecting these weapons and putting them in proper places.

Jack immediately grabs a backpack and starts collecting guns, equipment, and ammo. "Take your pick, friend."

[Moff Chumley]

Surveying Jack's weapon collection, The Moff finds himself feeling at home. Let's see... choices, choices... The Moff settles on a HK416 20, which he fits a silencer and scope on. For the sake of nostalgia, he also takes an Uzi. None of that mini bullsh*t. And I think we're gonna need some more unconventional ammo...

[Murkus]

Jack slings a MATADOR rocket launcher over his shoulder by a strap, and begins loading anti-structure ammunition into his pack.

"Mm. Good choices." He remarks. "But what do you mean? I've got a couple of the odder types of ammo, but you'll have to be more specific."

Deadtime, unfortunately.

[Moff Chumley]

I somehow doubt conventional NATO ammo is gonna be able to leave a mark on our friends in the embassy.

[ThePhantom]

His maneuver is mostly successful - most of the missiles do indeed collide with one another or dissipate as they run out of range, but a few are still flying after him - say half a dozen.


[Marley Rescue Attempt]

At the AMEN submarine, far from the rest of the fighting I think, a portal opens from Nadas's cabin at GLoG at the same time that the lone guard suddenly acquires a blindfold and manacles.

At least if Charity's magic works, that's what happens.


[Rescue Attempt]

Assuming Charity's magic works , Edijar will step through the portal first, taking a quick look around before gripping his rather heavy hammer. If the glass tube is where he expects it to be, he'll throw it with his more than considerable strength at the prison holding Marley. He aims low so he won't hit him and so the glass is less inclined to hurt the captive if it shatters.

[Outside]

Gordon turns around, and the blood shield closes in around him. In his office, the mask of Jack's face as Gordon taps into it. Using the speed boost, Gordon flies at near supersonic speed at the warstriders.

[Dock]

Pete falls over as manacles appear on him. As the column shatters from the blow, he calls out.

"Polly! Use the candles!""Arck, Polly use candles."

Polly, Pete's parrot, who was sitting up on a part of the docks above the submarine, grabs what looks like a red candle, lights it and throws it down towards the rescure group. However, its not a candle, its TNT.

[Morty]

Reelshka quickly grabs the nearest handy, throwable object and throws it at the TNT, hoping to knock it back.

[Reinholdt]

[Dock]

Nadas eeps. Dwarven explosive technology! :smalleek:
He casts a spell to douse the TNT with water, translocating it from nearby. Of course, he could accidentally translocate something else by accident, but he'd rather not get blown up.

[ThePhantom]

[Dock]

The TNT is knocked away, and then doused.

"Arck, more candles, scury dogs."

Polly's not a nice bird, and throws two more TNT, and then flies to get more. Pete is struggling to get out of the manacles.

[Morty]

Trusting other to take care of the TNTs, Reelshka grabs another throwable object and tosses it at Polly this time.

[happyturtle]

[Rescue Attempt]

Edijar tries to grab Marley and throw him over his shoulder. Charity tries to grab the TNT candles and throw them into the water. (Wolfy gave me godmod permission for Edijar)

[Reinholdt]

[Rescue Attempt]

Nadas will throw a grease spell at the bird hoping that it will cause any TNT it tries to pick up to simply slip right out of its grasp.

[ThePhantom]

[Dock]

Polly dodge what Reelshka throws at her, but the grease spell works.

"Ark, you pay. You pay. Wake up, wake up."

As Charity throws the TNT into the water, Marley is grabbed, through you might want to get the tubes out of him. From the water, a white tentacule rises up.

"Get them, get them."

[Morty]

[Dock]

I think we should run, says Reelshka, backing away.

[happyturtle]

[Docks]

Edijar throws his axe at the tentacle. "Get the tubes out of him!" he yells at the others, fumbling one handed to draw his hand cannon. Charity runs over and starts pulling the tubes out of Marley.

[Reinholdt]

[Docks]

Nadas goes to assist with the tube pulling. And deadtimes. He has a sleep spell left he can throw at something if Happy or Mort want to godmode him.

No one ever said he was a great mage. He still has a couple hundred years of learning before he'd be anywhere near his mother's capabilities.

[ThePhantom]

[Dock]

The axe cuts the tentacle, making it shake. Three more tentacles rise out of the water, and two of them try to smash Edijar to the ground. Seeing that the invaders aren't paying attention, Polly flies over to Pete, and starts working on getting the manacles off.

[happyturtle]

[Docks]

Polly will probably find lockpicking difficult while covered with grease.

Nadas casts his sleep spell on the tentacle monster.

HT wants to know how big the tentacles are so she can post what happens to Edijar, and also wants to know how far she and Nadas got with the tube pulling.

[ThePhantom]

Okay, the tentacles are about the size of a thick beam. As for the tube pulling, they got them out, but Marley is bleeding right now where the tubes were.

Also the squid falls asleep, the tentacles stop moving.

[happyturtle]

[Docks]

Before the squid falls asleep, Edijar gets hit with one tentacle and dodges the other, turning his body to protect Marley, and sinking to one knee under the blow.

"They're out! Let's go!" Charity yells. The squid falls asleep. Charity helps Edijar up and they try to run back through the portal, along with Nadas. Probably Reelshka gets through it first since she was the one advocating fleeing.

[Morty]

Reelshka does indeed get through first. When a racially mixed group is fleeing, the goblin(s) will be in the front. It's how it works.

[ThePhantom]

[Dock]

"Cannons. They got away."
"Arr, the captain will be storming when he hears this."

[happyturtle]

[Docks]

The portal, blindfold, and manacles all vanish at the same time as Charity destroys her sketch.

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Outside]

Gordon turns around, and the blood shield closes in around him. In his office, the mask of Jack's face as Gordon taps into it. Using the speed boost, Gordon flies at near supersonic speed at the warstriders.

The warstriders scatter as he barrels toward them. A few transform to mecha mode in midair and fire their stutter cannons at him.

One the ground, Ebon Mirror's mecha-zombies skirmish with the Deliberative troops, using the concealing fog to help offset their numerical disadvantage.

The three airships are firing at the shield, hammering it with lightning bolts and explosive orbs of magic, concentrating their fire to see if they can't bring it down, at least in a small section, which squads of soldiers are prepared to rush through, just in case.

[ThePhantom]

[Outside]

Gordon's shield takes the hits, and starts to fade. Seeing as a few of the warstriders are mechas, Gordon flies for one of the mecha, trying to wrap around it.

[Murkus]

Jack's Stash

"Really?" Jack looks a tad confused. "Worked on demon-made buildings. Pretty well, too. I just don't think they were designed to stand up to advanced technology. Magical attacks, sure, but not high explosives."

Jack walks over to a distant corner of the room, perhaps with Moff following. He sweeps his hand over what appears to be a rack of plasma-based weaponry.

"Take your pick. This stuff can melt most metals like ice cream. Probably have the same result on Exalted."

There looks to be small, anti-infantry guns as well as heavier weapons designed for slagging buildings and vehicles. All capable of being carried by a single human.

Well, most.

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff selects a smaller gun, trusting Jack to bring the heavier weapons.

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Outside]

Gordon's shield takes the hits, and starts to fade. Seeing as a few of the warstriders are mechas, Gordon flies for one of the mecha, trying to wrap around it.

Gordon sucessfully grapples with the mech! It struggles with all its might to break free of the dragon's coils while the rest look on, holding their fire for now.

[Murkus]

The Moff selects a smaller gun, trusting Jack to bring the heavier weapons.

And bring them he does! Along with the MATADOR, he heaves a plasma cannon over the other shoulder, and proceeds to load up with some various bits of equipment and such.

Along with plenty of explosives, of course.

When they're both as ready as can be, Jack turns to the Moff.

"All set?"

[Moff Chumley]

The Moff flips some switches on his weapons, getting some great clicky noises. Let's roll.

[Murkus]

"You took the words right out of my mouth." He remarks, reaching for Moff's shoulder.

And off to the Deliberative they'll go!

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Puzzle Room]

((Since D_Lord hasn't posted in a couple of days and I have other things to do with these characters, I'm busting out. The puzzles were interesting, but I can't wait around any longer))

Cerise finally gets annoyed with the delays and the deadtime and begins shaping a spell - Adamant Circle Countermagic, potent enough to dispel even the mightiest magics of the manifold titans who created their world. It will take a little time to complete yet, but once she does, she will unleash it on the wards impeding their progress and trapping them here, shattering them.

((And deadtime))

[Goblin Music]

GM sits on a large chair on the top of the base and watches the action.
((I'm back))

[D_Lord]

(Sorry Comcast guys didn't come until way latter than they were suppost too. But I'm ending the puzzle any way. I may post you latter the pieces.)

The Tv starts buzzing, the figure dissaperres. Click.

Oh there it is by the door. It opened it. Bye Fools, I'm free! I'm out of there! Dark Lord OUT of Sight! Bye people from Doomed World.
BWHAHAHHAAHHA!!!

And it's gone, the Elder Evil has left the base. Playground beware. I'm coming for you.

[ThePhantom]

Gordon sucessfully grapples with the mech! It struggles with all its might to break free of the dragon's coils while the rest look on, holding their fire for now.

The mecha should get loose, or not. Gordon was after the gooy center, aka the pilot. And by that I mean he trying to claw his way into the controls and grab the pilot.

[Lord Iames Osari]

(Sorry Comcast guys didn't come until way latter than they were suppost too. But I'm ending the puzzle any way. I may post you latter the pieces.)

The Tv starts buzzing, the figure dissaperres. Click.

Oh there it is by the door. It opened it. Bye Fools, I'm free! I'm out of there! Dark Lord OUT of Sight! Bye people from Doomed World.
BWHAHAHHAAHHA!!!

And it's gone, the Elder Evil has left the base. Playground beware. I'm coming for you.

((Well, thanks for the obliging departure. :smallsmile: ))

Cerise still completes her spell, and unleashes it into the hallway outside the room - hopefully disabling whatever traps and such might be lurking in it.

Anshu gives her a smile, and gestures for Shrike and the commandos to follow him as he steps out into the hallway, still heading for the concentration of henchmen around the lava cannon controls.


The mecha should get loose, or not. Gordon was after the gooy center, aka the pilot. And by that I mean he trying to claw his way into the controls and grab the pilot.

Clawing his way through the fuselage is difficult going, but Gordon's draconic strength should be more than enough to lever the canopy open, should he think to try.

[ThePhantom]

[Outside]

Gordon goes for the canopy.

"Hi there."

[Inside]

That would turn off the magical ones, the clockwork and pressure traps will be working just fine. Like the one that got turned on, the one with the boulder rolling towards them.

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Outside]

Gordon goes for the canopy.

"Hi there."

The man inside is looking resignedly up at Gordon. He closes his eyes and whispers something, presumably a prayer of some kind.


[Inside]

That would turn off the magical ones, the clockwork and pressure traps will be working just fine. Like the one that got turned on, the one with the boulder rolling towards them.

Anshu steps back, and the commandos step forward. In unison, they perform a kata with their daiklaves, ending with a thrust and a kiai at the oncoming boulder. From each of their swords, a beam of elemental energy of one type or another shoots out, twining together into a single large beam that should smash into the boulder and hopefully shatter it.

[The Bushranger]

And Shrike drops to one knee behind the commandoes, thrusting out her hands and adding a blast of crackling, bluish-purple electricity to the beam!

[ThePhantom]

[Inside]

The bloulder explodes.

[Outside]

Gordon tries to claw the pilot, and then if he draws blood, flies away from the mecha.

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Inside]

With the boulder exploded, the Celestial raid team starts moving into the corridor again, proceeding quickly but cautiously.

"We need to get this done fast. The Embassy has been damaged. I can feel the hearthstone weakening," Anshu announces, continuing to lead them toward the lava cannon controls.

[Outside]

He draws blood rather easily, and the man looks rather surprised as he's released. He and the others open fire on Gordon as he moves clear of his erstwhile captive.

One of the skyremes is moving away from the battle, ascending and banking to return to the Embassy.

[The Bushranger]

[Inside]

"Well then, shall we get dangerous?" Shrike answers, drawing her daiklave once more and rushing ahead with the rest of the Daring Commando Raid™.

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Inside]

"I think so," Cerise grins fiercely.

[ThePhantom]

[Inside]

Deeper within the base, the walls starts closing in.

[Outside]

Flying away from the mecha, Gordon does his best to dodge the shots, but he's not completely successful. At least this time, he's able to keep the shots away from his wings. Through his dodging, he heads for another mecha.

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Inside]

Deeper within the base, the walls starts closing in.

[Outside]

Flying away from the mecha, Gordon does his best to dodge the shots, but he's not completely successful. At least this time, he's able to keep the shots away from his wings. Through his dodging, he heads for another mecha.

[Inside]

Cerise frowns and invokes an impervious sphere of water around the group, which should protect them from the crushing walls and may also jam them in place.

[Outside]

This other mecha fires its cannon point-blank at Gordon as the dragon tries to grasp it in its coils. Whether the damage is sufficient to prevent Gordon from grappling with it is up to him.

[ThePhantom]

[Outside]

Gordon is blasted back. At this point, Gordon heads for the ground. He can't win this battle.

[Inside]

The walls stop, and in a short distance away, the henchmen make their stand.

[Lord Iames Osari]

[Outside]

Satisfied that Gordon is in retreat, the mecha/fighters sweep through the skies, having achieved air supremacy. Two of them help the one with the injured pilot back to one of the two remaining skyremes.

[Inside]

Anshu and the Celestial Strike Team Arrive at the control room. The commandos level their blades, and, assuming the henchmen don't immediately enter combat, Anshu steps forward. "If you stand down, you will be allowed to go free. Just tell us - what is this place? Obviously it is of much import, if you have all gathered here to defend it."

[The Bushranger]

Shrike taeks a position where she can look intimidating, brandishing her daiklave, and looking like she's the Very Bad Cop, Indeed to Anshu's Good Cop.

[ThePhantom]

[Outside]

Gordon creates a cloud of mist from his blood, and under its cover, turns back into a human, and limps down a secret passage, heading to AMEN.

[Inside]

Bad Cop, Good Cop, that nots important. What is important is how many henchmen there are. You see, the number of henchmen seen is usually small, but here is the majority of them, there's over five hundred here, after all, this is a big room.

The henchmen point their weapons towards the exalted and commandos.

"Not a word to them. The only thing happening here will be death."

And so, the henchmen open fire, trying to create a wall of bullets.

[VampireRot]

Flap. Flap. Flap.

A man with large bat wings comes into a landing a distance away from the AMEN base. With blood-red eyes, the robed figure eyes the mechas/skyreme thingies, having no clue what they are. A loud sing is heard as he draws an icey-glowing scimitar from a sheath under the robe. The dramaticly enhanced cloak billows out behind him, completely ignoring any trouble it should be having with the wings.

"Well, that wasn't there when I was last here."

The vampire muses to himself, as he usually does. He walks forward, still looking up at the fighters. He wonders if he should fly up and slaughter some pilots. But what if they are on my side, whichever one that was? What a silly thing to think about. Rot cackles and unfurls his wings again. He takes to the skys and flys toward one of the planes, intentions not so much as undecided as unknown. If he manages to get alongside one, the vampire will probably tap on the glass canopy of the cockpit.

[Lord Iames Osari]

Bad Cop, Good Cop, that nots important. What is important is how many henchmen there are. You see, the number of henchmen seen is usually small, but here is the majority of them, there's over five hundred here, after all, this is a big room.

The henchmen point their weapons towards the exalted and commandos.

"Not a word to them. The only thing happening here will be death."

And so, the henchmen open fire, trying to create a wall of bullets.

Tepet Kazane leaps forward, summoning a blast of wind that whirls through the enclosed space, throwing off the bullet's trajectories. Most of them bury themselves in the walls, the floor, the ceiling... A few are still headed at the strike team, but few enough that they can be deflected or dodged more mundanely.

The commandos counterattack, firing beams of elemental energy from their swords, and Cerise begins shaping a spell while Anshu guards her.

[Outside]

The fighters are moving rather fast - 140mph. There are three of them in mecha form moving much slower than that, however, toward the skyreme.



CDS [i]Defiance in the Night
The Defiance in the Night is a Kireeki-class skyreme, a vessel 300 feet long and shaped like an enormous orca whale made of steel and jade alloy. Its tail forks into massive, bulbous magitech turbines, clustered in stacks of two each port and starboard. Stabilizing fins set at angles to each side and pointed slightly ventrally end in numerous weapons turrets, while a single deckhouse rising from the dorsal deck terminates in the ship’s bridge. A slender ventral fin holds further weapons turrets and a small observation deck.
Hurricane-class Variable Common Warstrider
This blue jade warstrider has a slender, streamlined construction, with wings folded neatly on its back. The long, sloping adamant helm/entry hatch extends well down the fuselage and cannot rotate, but nonetheless provides the pilot with a 360º visual field. When in "bird" mode, the legs and arms fold up under the deployed wings, holding the Elsewhere stutter cannon along the centerline of the warstrider, and the pilot reclines in the helm, using the harness to direct the 'strider's flight and fire the cannon.

Elsewhere Stutter Cannon
These rapid-firing weapons fire bursts of coin-sized Essence vortices at high speeds, but the vortices quickly lose cohesion and dissipate. When the vortices come into contact with a solid object, they transport however much of the object they touched into Elsewhere. These "bits" can be retrieved from Elsewhere via a chute at the rear of the weapon for post-mission analysis or other uses.

[ThePhantom]

[Inside]

Henchmen begin falling, but now their line advances.

"Foward, drive them back!"

The front line of henchmen switch from guns to swords, hoping to overwelm the exalted by sheer numbers.

[Lord Iames Osari]

"[I]Da gloriam Incarnae!" the commandos shout back, and charge to meet the henchmen, firing more beams as they close.

Cerise continues casting, and Anshu leaps up and begins running up the air as if on an invisible staircase or ramp, trying to get a better vantage point on the contents of the room.

[VampireRot]

((Ah, thanks, that clears up some confusion))

Rot flys down to the three slower mechas. He peers into the helm ((which I'm hoping is transparent, if not, ignore that part)).

"Why... Is there a person in there?"

Rather confused by the machine, Rot taps the dome on top with his index finger. Due to the properties of his dramata-cape, it makes the sound the pilot hears rather eerie and scarey-story like.
tap
tap
tap

[Lord Iames Osari]

((The helm is indeed transparent. Adamant in this context is basically magical super-diamond.))

Assuming Rot approaches the central mecha, he sees a man inside wearing a tight-fitting jumpsuit and covered in a system of mechanical gears and pulleys and so forth. At the moment, he has one arm free of the inner workings and is applying pressure to some kind of wound on his other side. He looks up, and his eyes widen. "Unknown contact above me, looks Abyssal!" he cries.

The two mechs flanking him move away and level their weapons at Rot. "Move away from the warstrider!" they order.

[ThePhantom]

[Inside]

More henchmen fall, but Anshu should be able to see the reason why the henchmen keep coming. For each henchman that falls, another appears to take his place. She should also see Rogar, Sweetums, and a group of 13 armored henchmen around a lever at the back of the henchmen army.

(Cloning vaults + Teleporters = unlimited henchmen to the battlefield)

[VampireRot]

Rot eyes the wound hungrily. That looks tasty... Then he jerks his head up to look at the other mechs. He waves his sword around at one of them and, clearly not understanding the mechs' weapons, askes,

"Yeah? Or what?!"

While waving his glowy blue scimitar around, Rot palms his dagger. Just in case, though it probably wouldn't have much effect on the mechs. :smalltongue:

[Lord Iames Osari]

More henchmen fall, but Anshu should be able to see the reason why the henchmen keep coming. For each henchman that falls, another appears to take his place. She should also see Rogar, Sweetums, and a group of 13 armored henchmen around a lever at the back of the henchmen army.

(Cloning vaults + Teleporters = unlimited henchmen to the battlefield)

((See, that sort of thing is why I expected more fight out of AMEN. Where were those guys earlier?

Also, Anshu is a man.))

Anshu moves over the battle below, hopefully unnoticed, and conjures up illusory duplicates of the commandos to confuse the AMENites.

Meanwhile, Cerise finishes her spell; red strands of Essence flash from her hands to the ground, which begins to rumble at the approach of THE MAGMA KRAKEN.


Rot eyes the wound hungrily. [I]That looks tasty... Then he jerks his head up to look at the other mechs. He waves his sword around at one of them and, clearly not understanding the mechs' weapons, askes,

"Yeah? Or what?!"

While waving his glowy blue scimitar around, Rot palms his dagger. Just in case, though it probably wouldn't have much effect on the mechs. :smalltongue:

"Or we'll open fire on you," one of the pilots growls, his weapon beginning to hum and spin ominously.

[ThePhantom]

[Inside]

(My mistake)

If by confused you mean attacking them too, then yes the henchmen are confused. While the ground rumbles, the henchmen fight on. As for Anshu, one person spots him, and that person is Sweetums. He lifts the weapon he chose for this fight, M61-A1 Vulcan 20mm rotary cannon, (Aka the really big gun Vulcan Raven, from Metal Gear Solid, used.) and opens fire.