Gunstar Heroes: The Spiral Raid [IC]

[Aevylmar]

Chapter One: Autocthonia

(Grand Opening Music: Bronze Rebel (http://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/bronze-rebel))

"Soldiers of the Gunstar.”

There are no skies over Kadar, but the inside of Autocthon's hull was tinted soothing shades of purple and gold. The Gunstar’s five-metal hull is a glorious shield, a protection against all evil. Did a blue dome spotted with clouds and a real sun appear overhead, the response by those in the streets would be surprise at the unscheduled change in patterning, followed by an overall agreement that the reference to the Traitor Sun was in poor taste. Hologlyphic projections inset into the walls broadcast helpful news updates to the population at large.

"You will be shipping out tomorrow on a new mission. Your objective is to serve as escort and payload for the ship Kairemer, which is travelling back home to the Sixth Coil of Spiral.”

That voice is quiet, unheard outside of one room in that single structure that pierces the heavens. The Immaculate Dragon aerie, the home of the pilots of the Defense Line, the heroes of the Gunstar. Outside the building, the news stations twitter cheerfully as the people go about their daily business.

“Breaking news! According to sources in the military, ace pilot Yushuto Machren has successfully attuned to the newest Imperial-class voidfighter, the Scarlet Heir, and transformed. The miracle has been repeated. We will be providing more information when it becomes available to us, but you have not misheard: the attunement was a success.”

“Three days ago, we received a message from our deep-cover agent in the Spiral, a Night Caste who calls himself Lodestone Warden.”

A man rides a horse down the street, and a few people stop to stare at the display of wealth. The bubble cars used as mass transit by the citizens zip along preprepared routes in the sky, faster than the eye can see. Inside the cars, the helpful voice continues.

“In other news, we’ve received reports from Hadal that they’ve finished rebuilding from the terrorist attacks of Voltaic Arbalest. The grim Soulsteel caste’s picture flashes across the screen. ”If any of you have seen this man, report him immediately to the nearest Shikari station without alerting him. In an inspiring speech, Deliberative member Messenger of Victory said that he 'Refused to allow such treachery to inspire terror in the hearts of the people.'

The six seats in that single room are filled; five with Exalts, one with an entity not near human. Narikon continues to speak.

“The Warden has been in the Spiral for four thousand years, and this was the mission he risked his cover for. We’ve all been wondering why the Traitor Sun has been slacking off attacking us; well, the Warden’s report is that the Primordials have begun construction on a superweapon they say is capable of frying the Gunstar from any distance. They care enough about this thing that the Daystar’s orbit is centered around the station where they’re building this thing. Should be pretty simple to find.”

The artifact room is calm and insulated from the world outside, as the voice of the Solar hero echoes. If those inside are focused on the mission, it was despite the best wishes of the architect, as the monitors they observed drew a careful map.

“On a more cheerful note, the creation of a new city in Estasia was authorized two hours ago. The Ascendant Arbalest of the Skies has decided to settle down. I speak for all of us here at Kadar when I wish the new population of Ascendia the best of luck, and that we all remember his centuries of faithful service.”

“Officially speaking, this is a survey mission to the Wyld. I don’t want anything getting out about what the plan is, so we are moving fast. Once you leave this room, you’ll be heading straight to Kairemer by private bubble. The rest of the crew is already en route. They’re mortals - support staff.”

The click in his step echoes inside the room.

“The Twilights say that the principles of Primordial teleportation come from the Wyld, and quite a lot of other magibabble, but what it comes down to is that you’re going to fly into a Wyld storm and come out the other end in the Spiral. Once there, you need to meet the Warden and get all the details from him. The rest is up to you.

“As senior officer, Steward-captain Howl is in command of this mission. In the event of her incapacitation, Lawgiver Kain is her second. The Manyfold Path of Advancement is assigned medical duties. Lawgiver Coldheart and Vizier Solitaire are charged with overseeing reconnaissance duties and evading interception.”

Narikon places his hands flat on the table and scans the six seats.

“One more thing.”

A spotlight shines on one of the chairs, revealing the inhabitant to the rest of the room.

“Our last survey mission to the Wyld picked up this thing. Officially speaking, he’s named Indominitable Stranger, or ‘Subject Theta-nineteen’ if he gets too annoying. He is a Raksha - a creature of the Wyld - and we own him, Eclipse contract and all. His job is to guide you through the storm without getting you caught up in too much Raksha politics, and he is a weapon, not a member of this crew.

“Any questions?”

[Jade_Tarem]

Holo

Holo glances at the Raksha, but her first question is actually one she's harbored since hearing about the mission. "I've one, General. If we arrive and the Warden says, 'By Luna's lumbar region! I thought you'd have sent at least half our forces!'" the Lunar waves her arms in the near universal pantomime for a hysterical person, "is there any way we can contact you with that information? If a four thousand year-old Night-Caste hasn't figured out a way to sabotage this project on his own, he might have called because he just needed firepower, and lots of it."

[Aevylmar]

"In that case, Captain, if the Lodestone Warden needs more firepower than you've got or can get," Narikon smiles grimly as he returns to his pacing, "There's a Messenger Station aboard the Kairemer. If worst comes to worst, call us with everything you know and we'll finish the retrofit a bit early, and be right behind you. But they'll be ready for an attack if we come charging through the Wyld, and it'll cost us a hell of a lot of lives to pull it off.

"Anyone else?"

Narikon does not mention, nor really need to mention, that an Infallible Messenger - or equivalent spell - can be traced with advanced enough sorcery. Use of this messenger would give away your position.

[Tackyhillbillu]

Arathmus

The Massive Solar shrugged in his armor, the movement soundless. MARA was responsible for that, of course. He doesn't care about Raksha. Or this weapon, to be honest. Kain regarded himself as a weapon, and he was willing to bet, in a one on one, he'd be more threatening then anything the Primordials could cook up. However, he was still excited.

"Do the Lab Coats know how long it will take us to get there?"

Arathmus understood that the Twilights, working away in their well lit labs on their toys were important. MARA was their creation, as was his armor. However, he took a remarkable amount of joy in needling them. Besides, this was probably his last chance for a while. He doubted any of those picked numbered among the techies.

"Also, Science boys know if there is any chance we will be seen in transit?"

[Aevylmar]

Narikon's circle continues. "I asked them that. They said that it's three million one hundred and twenty one thousand, seven hundred and seventy-seven seconds to the nearest Wyld storm," his voice is laden with a tinge of irony, "which comes to about five weeks. I asked them how long in the storm, and they said that they guessed between fifteen minutes and sixty years. They wouldn't even guess for the rest of it."

"As for the other? Damn certain you'll be seen going from the Gunstar to the storm. Might even get attacked, if you're lucky. But they don't know we know how the hyperdrive works, so no real chance of an engagement from then until you reach the Spiral. After that, all bets are off. Nobody but Lodestone Warden knows what happened to the Spiral since the war, and he didn't exactly give us an essay."

[The_Snark]

Junai

"Sir." Junai's voice is crisp, professional. "Do we have any sort of rendezvous point set up with the Warden, or are we going in blind?"

She expects the latter; the Warden took an awful risk sending any message at all, much less one that announces where he's going to be. You don't survive four thousand years in enemy territory by taking that kind of risk. But it's just possible that somebody had the foresight to establish contingencies for this sort of situation, before the Gunstar fled four thousand years ago.

[Valgunn]

Manyfold Path

At the mention of his name the Alchemical almost stands up to introduce himself, his bottom lifting ever so slightly off his seat, but His Excellency Narikon continues his introduction of the assembled Exalted to each other. Knowing that if she had flesh-and-blood cheeks they'd be flushed by now Path places his bottom back down and tried to pretend she'd never intended to stand up in the first place. Even when His Excellency stopped she felt too embarrassed to say anything, instead flattening his hands against his tunic and trousers as she continued to pretend she had never intended to stand.

Listening to the others talk and ask questions Path wondered if she had any questions of his own to ask. All of them could be answered by sitting quietly and waiting until she began his duties officially though. Still listening, but only half-heartedly, Path began to fiddle with the cuff of his tunic,

[Aevylmar]

For a moment his eyes linger on Path's cuff as he responds to Junai's words. "Blind, or near enough. He hinted he'd be somewhere near the weapon, but he couldn't say any more.

"Next?"

[Myllinnia]

Altievia Solitaire brushed aside a strand of shimmering golden blonde hair and her emerald green eyes fell upon the Raksha with a look of cool curiosity. She had never seen one before, but she had heard all sorts of stories. Still she was relieved to know that someone would be capable of navigating the strange and still relatively unknowns of the Wyld Storm.

And yet, to return to the spiral through one, the secret that they held, she would like to see and claim it for herself, but it was likely no large secret to their enemies. After a moment she turned her cool gaze upon Narikon, "Is this anticipated to be a high risk single way mission and will we be allowed a few moments before disembarking?" She would have to say a farewell to her Sifu, but it was likely the elder chosen of Secrets knew already what was to happen.

[Jade_Tarem]

Holo

Holo raises an eyebrow at the margin of error for the Wyld storm's travel time, but waits for an opportunity to ask her question. "Ah, not to be crude about this, General, but if our little soujourn through the storm takes sixty years, then I'd like to double check that we've got some way to put all those mortals on the crew into hibernation - and maybe us too, for that matter. Otherwise we'll have to go into combat with a bunch of geezers manning the ship. That, or we tell them to get busy halfway there." The captain was fairly certain that there would be some form of suspended animation aboard, but sometimes an enthusiastic Solar could get caught up in five-metal manufacturing optimization or applied motonic hyperdrive sciences and forget that not everyone has a lifespan of thousands of years. The Exalted, if it came down to it, could use those sixty years constructively, but for the mortals it would be a generational ship... or an empty one.

[Valgunn]

"Not true, actually." Path pipes up as a question is asked relevant to his speciality. "The crew have likely undergone a treatment using Essence-manipulation to retard ageing and extend their life span well past their first century." Path stilled fidgeted with his cuff. "Anagathic drugs can then be administered to increase their life span even further, allowing them to reach an average age of two-hundred and forty. A further treatment, more advanced than the first, can also be administered at considerable cost to then double that average life span." Feeling confidant now that she was talking about something she knew a considerable amount about she lifted his head to look at Holo. "Though it's generally only used on the Realm's most exceptional servants. The second treatment, that is. The first is wide-spread amongst all but the lowliest of servants; lever-pullers and the like."

[Tackyhillbillu]

Arathmus

"So 5 weeks of cracking Titanic heads, some unspecified time breaking Raksha over my knee, and then assaulting the Spiral with a handful of Exalts?"

Arathmus broke into a massive smile, cracking his knuckles for effect. He didn't actually need to do it, and the massive suit made actually cracking them impossible, but it was important to keep his image alive.

"Sounds fun. I'm ready."

[Aevylmar]

Narikon nods appreciatively to Path. "They've all been administered the first set. They'll manage."" He then turns to Altevia.

He continues to move. "Perhaps this wasn't clear to you, Vizier Solitaire, but we are not expecting you to throw your life away. We are expecting you - all of you - to return and make your report. This mission is high-risk, as is every other mission you've ever faced."

He spares Kain a short nod of approval.

"And you can send your messages in transit. We're already losing too much time to the storm.

"Anyone else?"

[industrious]

Gunstar Hero!!!

"Gentlemen," the heretofore silent hero speaks, his words pouring from him in a sizzlingly smooth voice. The General had spoken...something...he wasn't paying attention to the brass, as one ought to. Everyone knew that grit and rogue mavericks were the ones who really got things done, after all.

Gunstar Hero is a tall, heroically lean figure, with thin eyebrows, and a devlishly rakish mustache. He appears to be constantly sweating vitriol from every pore; it drips and oils his hair and skin to an impossibly bright sheen. He wears what had started in life as a Gunstar Defense Line admiral's uniform, but then had been adorned and festooned with enough patches, medals of dubious quality, gold lame, silver lame, epaulets, ribbons, and a sash that it was all but unrecognizable. In stark contrast to the garish...clothing (to call it a uniform would be flat-out wrong), upon his back lies an extremely simple wooden staff.

"In but a few minutes, I, Gunstar Hero, Champion of the Gunstar, Privateer Extraordinaire, will guide you through the feared Wyld Storms of Vengatrix 7, braving dangers and impossible odds - though never tell me them - and then, you will all have the great honor of acting as support for my heroic mission to destroy the superweapon that Foul Theion has constructed - to have your names remembered alongside mine in the history books. Now is the time for the turning of the tide, and for great deeds. Now is the time for glory! All hail the Gunstar! All hail the glory that awaits us!"

He awaits his due applause.

[Aevylmar]

"And he's one of the saner ones," Narikon says harshly.

“The Kairemer is in launch bay thirty-six, Viscinda Spire. Dismissed!”

- - -

Short corridors lead from the artifact room to an under-under-ground tube, where a crystalline Essence Bubble awaits. There are ten seats in the bubble, and only the six Gunstar Heroes as passengers, alone in the car.

What do you do?

Viscinda is perhaps ten minutes away by bubble; the Spire district is commonly used for this sort of thing - the launch is covered by the Gunstar’s point-defense weapons for dozens of miles around the aerial approach, and the area is clear enough for easy defense.

[Aevylmar]

(Gunstar Elevator Music: Prelude to War) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlcUwUwjLrs)

- - -

The heroes of the Gunstar continue onwards in silence through the bubblecar as dramatic music plays from near-invisible speakers. The trip to Viscinda is reasonable short; in theory, it ought to be ten minutes.

Eight minutes in, the music suddenly stops, and an automated signal begins playing. Three loud beeps shatter the silence, and a message plays, spoken in a calm and reassuring voice.

“This is an emergency broadcast. Apostate Champion Termination of Endings has been spotted at Viscinda Spire. All non-military personnel are ordered to evacuate to a distance of at least five miles. Do not panic. The Void Hunt has been alerted and will arrive shortly.”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

“We repeat. This is an emergency broadcast. Apostate Champion Termination of Endings has been spotted at Viscinda Spire. All non-military personnel are ordered to evacuate to a distance of at least five miles. Do not panic. The Void Hunt has been alerted and will arrive shortly.”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

“We repeat. This is an emergency broadcast. Apostate Champion Termination of Endings has been spotted at Viscinda Spire. All non-military personnel are ordered to evacuate to a distance of at least five miles. Do not panic. The Void Hunt has been alerted and will arrive shortly.”

Beep. Beep. Beep...

There's a control on the wall for if you want to change your destination. The bubblecar is not, however, automated enough to go anywhere else.

So far as you know, the Kairemer is the only craft of any importance at Viscinda.

[Jade_Tarem]

Holo

"It wouldn't be trouble if it waited where it was supposed to, would it?"

Holo is less than thrilled. Any number of scenarios involving damage to the Kairemer or it's mortal crew members flash through her mind, and the Apostate is probably planning to carry out every one of them. The Lunar makes no move for the control panel.

The others were probably expecting orders. "I can trust that you all know how to handle yourselves in a fight, but don't get in the Void Hunt's way if they've beaten us there." She grits her teeth at sounding more awkward than she meant to. This wasn't a real Circle or a proper crew, not yet - she hadn't even met any of them before today. She had Luna's gifts for that, of course, but without a clear understanding of the threat posed by this Apostate she had no idea if she could afford to burn the Essence on what was effectively supernatural team building.

Still, all she can do is her best. She grins to drain the sarcasm from the next sentence. "Any stunning insights would be welcomed."

[The_Snark]

Junai

"Recommend we secure the Kairemer and her hangar rather than engage, sir." Junai unslings a small jade-alloy crossbow from her back, slots a cylindrical steel core into a socket on the foregrip with a click. The weapon draws back into firing position soundlessly, a faint tingle of Essence confirming readiness. "We can't afford to play rat-and-roach with this thing."

She keeps her eyes on the tunnel ahead, gauging the distance to the Viscinda station and watching for unpleasant surprises.

[Jade_Tarem]

Holo

"Oh, I'd love to ignore the Apostate, but as far as we know the Kairemer is the only noteworthy ship at the docks. I'd give it better than even odds that this rogue Champion is there specifically to mess with us or our mission."

[Valgunn]

Manyfold Path

At the mention of an Apostate attacking the spire Path's face, which had been so reserved, was an image of anger and determination. As such a gentle Champion he probably felt responsible somehow for the actions of any Apostate - and his own budding anarchistic philosophy probably had something to do with his anger at one of the few beings that served as a physical counterpoint to them. Already he had moved to the controls and pulled a nearby panel off, his hand exploding into thousands of tiny machine-like probes that he forced into the open magitech. "We... w-we have to stop it. It cannot be allowed to hurt any more people!" With a sudden jerk and a flash of sparks the crystalline bubble lurched forward as its magic was manipulated and forced to move ever faster at the command of the Champion. At that the Alchemical turned to Holo. "I can accept if you want to go protect the ship, but my pride as a Champion cannot let me do anything but hunt it down and destroy it." On cue the storied weapon Ascribed Destiny appears in his hand as a heretofore unseen starmetal karma-bug swarm retreats from that hand.

[Aevylmar]

The bubble surges forwards, practically doubling in speed. It won't take long before you arrive.

[Jade_Tarem]

Holo

The Lunar's lupine ears perk up as the captain swivels, bracing against the sudden acceleration. Her voice is frosty at best. "Your 'pride as a Champion' can and will take a backseat to the mission. We don't get to make calls based on personal preference. If that Apostate isn't standing between us and the Kairemer, we need to let the Void Hunt do its job. That's what it exists for."

[Valgunn]

Manyfold Path

As if on a swivel Path's head turns with a look of shock. "Wh-what? How... how can you say that? How would you feel if that... that monster out there was one of your own kind? A Lunar turned into a terrible abomination!" He didn't seem quite so meek now, though why he felt so strongly about this was a bit of a mystery quick knowledge of the particulars of her attachments to the Deliberative Army. "Wouldn't you feel compelled to destroy it before it hurt more people? It wouldn't take long. An Apostate... they aren't subtle. Not when... when there are things for them to break."

[Jade_Tarem]

Holo

Holo tilts her head to one side, unimpressed. "Indulging my compulsions was not, in fact, an option where this mission was concerned. Now, I don't know what private instructions, if any, you received concerning the raid, but I was told that I was supposed to take charge, command the ship, and get everyone to Theion's science project in one piece. To do that, I need to know that when I tell you to put Plug A in Slot B and buckle up that you're actually going to do it and not, say, go Apostate hunting instead." She seems about to stop, then adds, "And frankly, I'm concerned that we're even having this conversation. I expected a state Champion to be more disciplined."

[Valgunn]

Manyfold Path

"I... I see." His voice was stammered. "Yes." Clearer. More definite. "I'm sorry. I..." He didn't finish that sentence. Instead he looked at Holo for a moment and in silence he stared. "The Apostate will be engaged if its deemed a threat to the Kairemer only." Piece by piece Path's armour was extruded and fitted onto his body. It took only moments for the arms and legs to be covered and for the standard gold and blue patterns loaded into the suit to take affect. With the torso pieces in place he looked almost exactly like the Kamakian posters of him and as the helmet locked into place with a sigh the look was complete.

[Jade_Tarem]

Holo

The Lunar simply nods. She hated doing that, and on an average day would be happy to go on an Apostate-hunting side trip or even allow her fellow crew their own choice of what to do, but the Kairemer was currently as vulnerable as it was ever going to be, and securing it had to be top priority.

[Aevylmar]

The crystal bubble arrives, jolting to a stop at the terminal. The essence webs unfold as the dome vanishes back into the ground, leaving the five Exalts and the Raksha alone in the station.

Well, mostly alone. Two men stand at the far end of the terminal, by the stairs going up. They wear the sort of equipment rich Exalts often give to mortal followers - superheavy plate armor, complete with face-concealing visors, colored in rich brown and gold, well-crafted swords with fancy hilts, and a complicated and artistic crest splashed all over their equipment.

The swords are not drawn - quite - but they're clearly ready for a fight.

"This area is sealed," one says slowly, clearly enunciating every syllable. "An Apostate attack is underway and the Void Hunt has arrived. Remain in your vehicle and return the way you came."

What do you do?

The terminal is at the bottom subbasement of the spire. The mid-levels are a fortified compound and part of a cleared urban area; the top area is a collection of launch tubes for larger ships.

I invite everyone to make Perception+Awareness rolls for more information about the two guards. There's something a little off about them...

An Intelligence+Socialize+(Relevant Background) roll could be made to try and identify the guards' crest.

[Jade_Tarem]

Hologlyphic Howl

Holo stops a short distance in front of the guards and considers. It was rare that two mortals would try to halt a crew of incoming Exalted by talking like Thespians, and something felt wrong to begin with. "So, out of curiosity, who was leading the Hunt?"

Perception + Awareness: [roll0]
Intelligence + Social + Class: [roll1]

This is assuming Class can be used to identify the crest, of course.

Stunt dice, because ST said so: [roll2] :smalltongue:

[Aevylmar]

"Elegant Wrath Falling," the other says, speaking in the same clear way. "Please return to your seat."

[Valgunn]

Manyfold Path

Standing behind Holo with Ascribed Destiny Path too could feel that something was off about these two. Behind the visored helmet the Alchemical was trying, just as Holo was, to figure out what it was that created that feeling of wrongness.

Perception + Awareness: [roll0]

Intelligence + Social + Class: [roll1]

[Jade_Tarem]

Hologlyphic Howl

"Close," Holo says, "But no prize. Elegant Wrath Falling updated the uniforms and gear carried by his mortal servants months ago, and he's not the type to send servants out in the old armor. I don't know who you are or what your game is, but you're not his men. Stand down."

[Aevylmar]

The first soldier coughs. "We are... reservists. The 'chestnut guard'."

The other one picks up. "In a few minutes... the battle should end."

"And we can see you up," adds the first soldier.

Clearly, neither of them is willing to stand down.

[Myllinnia]

Altievia brings her hands to her weapon her eyes narrowing swiftly on the men. "Praytell soldiers, that should I send a call to Hadal from any nearby terminals then I should have no trouble verifying your information?"

Altievia looks the two over with a scrutinizing look. They were not who they claimed, one of their number had already cleared that, so who or what where they. With a nearly imperceptible flick of her wrist near her ear she whispers to a small patternspider.

"Do these two work for Elegant Wrath Falling?" With that she watches the men while waiting to see if her little helper will even go to find the information, which will doom the two men.


Per + Aware [roll0]
Int + Socialize + Class [roll1]
Stunts [roll2]

Efficient Secretary Technique 2m

[Jade_Tarem]

Hologlyphic Howl

"Oh, I'm sure it's legitimate." The Lunar quips, before she turns back to the two men and brightening. "The Chestnut Guard! Why didn't you say so? It just so happens that I'm part of the Cashew Order, and therefore authorized to be in there. One side, boys!" With that, Holo strides forward, aiming to pass them.

[industrious]

Gunstar Hero

The Raksha, who has been uncharacteristically silent observing those who would be under his command.

"I don't think you know who I am! And if you don't know who I am, or who all of these other, slightly less important people are..."

Gunstar Hero unleashes a whirlwind of pain and suffering on two Obvious Impostors.


Using Transcendent Pincer and Endless Armies of the Storm. One attack against each of them. 11B base damage.

Dex+Stealth for unexpectedness: [roll0]

Attack 1: [roll1]
Attack 2: [roll2]

[Aevylmar]

Altevia

"You indicated four individuals. Please clarify your request."


With that, Holo strides forward, aiming to pass them.

As the Lunar steps forwards, the two guards move to engage her. They pause not at all for Gunstar Hero’s cry of "I don't think you know who I am!"

As the guard on the right’s hand reaches for his sword, his other hand hurls itself in front of him, dragging his arm along with it. The hand reverses on the wrist and a flower of bone and iron sprouts outwards from the palm, pumping into a lotus shape until a three-foot bone shield faces outwards from his hand.

The guard on the left goes through an identical procedure, except that his head pulls itself upwards, high and proud even as he crouches under the cover of his shield. The voice issuing from between his slightly opened lips comes from the same mouth as his previous statements, but the tone and inflection are playfully feminine.

“We’re sorry for the absolute incompetence of our guards. We’ll try to find less idiotic soldiers next time we need to delay you.”

The other one’s head tilts. It speaks in warm, fatherly tones. “Good luck, lads. We’ll remember your sacrifice.”

”Try to take a while to die, will you?”

Those who haven’t yet, roll Join Battle. Holo and Gunstar Hero both get one-die stunts for their actions. The two guards are non-extras below the importance level to stunt.

Rolling Join Battle for them:
First Guard (Name Unknown): [roll0]+2S
Second Guard (Name Equally Unknown): [roll1]+2S

For Junai and anyone else with Essence Sight: They’re not possessed, but two charms were activated, from a distance, with them as the targets.

[The_Snark]

Junai

Although there's clearly something odd about two mortal guards denying entry to a group of soldiers—Exalted soldiers, no less, who clearly outrank them and are capable of assisting—it takes Junai a few moments to realize there's something else wrong. It clicks just as Howl strides forwards, apparently intending to bluff her way through the soldiers—

—except those aren't really soldiers.

She opens her mouth to warn the captain a moment too late, reflexively bringing her crossbow to bear.

Join Battle: [roll0]

Plus 4 successes from Flashing Draw Mastery and Flashing Vengeance Draw. Note that she has several effects that trigger off Join Battle, but exactly what depends on her Join Battle result compared to other people, so I'll hold off on those.

[Valgunn]

Manyfold Path

"Minutes?" Fiercely holding the grip of Ascribed Destiny the Alchemical was almost about to plunge on ahead of Holo when the soldiers moved and acted. Then the voice came. "Apostate!" He assumed.

Join Battle (Wits + Awareness): [roll0]

[Jade_Tarem]

Holo

Holo sinks backward into a semi-crouch, reaching for her sidearm. Partly to have it ready, of course, but also partly to mislead. Her personal essence cannon was not, after all, her most dangerous weapon.


Wits + Awareness + Stunt (Join Battle): [roll0]

[Tackyhillbillu]

Arathmus Kain

Kain smiled under his helm, as he steps out. He'd been letting the others do the talking. Despite his appearances, he wasn't stupid, and his act was mostly that, an act. He knew he wasn't the best one for maneuvering in the Gunstar's bureaucracy. Besides, he had a commander for that nonsense. However, it looked like it was over to him now.

"Hey, 'commander.' Any rules? Or am I allowed to have some... fun?"

[roll0]

[Myllinnia]

The Sidereal sighs and stands, unfurling her ribbon and shaking back her long hair, "No need now, I will remember to give more clear and concise instructions later," she tells her little charm. She had forgotten subtle questions do not work on it.

"Commander your orders?" Altievia asks sliding into a slightly aggressive stance her eyes on the enemy.

A boring JB [roll0]
Woot... 2!

[Jade_Tarem]

Holo

"Take them down. Quickly."

[Aevylmar]

And the room erupts into a blur of violence, as the two desperate henchmen try to hold off six battle-trained Exalts...

Turn Order
Tick 0: Junai
Tick 1: Second Guard
Tick 2: Arathmus
Tick 4: First Guard
Tick 6: Holo
Tick 7: Path, Gunstar Hero, Altevia

[The_Snark]

Junai

The captain's words are punctuated by the staccato hiss of crossbow bolts splitting the air. A nine-inch bolt of solidified metalline Essence blossoms in the left-hand guard's helm just over the eye, reward for his foolish decision to peer over the cover of his marrowflower shield so that he could taunt them. The other guard is better-defended, and so the second bolt flies low, aimed to strike a crippling blow to the leg.

All this in the space of a breath. Junai is already tracking back to the first guard, ready to snap off another shot if her initial attack failed.

Reflexive unexpected attack against #2: [roll0]
Stunt dice: [roll1]

Followed by an attack against #1. (Note: Speed is reduced to 3 thanks to Flashing Draw Mastery.)
Attack: [roll2]
Stunt dice: [roll3]

Using target arrows; base damage for both attacks is 14L piercing.

Combat statsDodge DV 7

Attacks
Onslaught crossbow: Speed 5, Accuracy 14, Damage 14L*, Rate 2, Range 350; 2, B
Unarmed: Speed 5, Accuracy 6, Damage 3B, Parry 3, Rate 3

Soak: 13B/15L/8A (breastplate 6B/8L/8A)
Hardness: 3B/3L

Essence
Personal: 16/19
Peripheral: 25/42 (17 committed)

Willpower: 10/10

Health
-0 [ ]
-1 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
-2 [ ][ ]
-4 [ ]
-X [ ]

Active effects: none

[Aevylmar]

The soldier scanned Junai’s actions with precise detail. It was reasonable to assume she would threaten him, and he observed her every move with eyesight beyond that humanly possible. His brain was not superhuman; he did not imagine for an instant the flashing draw, the precise arrow.

His armor knew the bolt, though, and for a moment the armor convulses like a thing alive, the arrow hitting not weak flesh, but solid steel. He staggered, but still stood.

The second one was not taken by surprise, but he didn't expect Junai's pinpoint accuracy as the bolt sheared through his plated leg. He is completely silent as he turns to Junai and shoots her a look of pure hate.


You get a two die stunt.

@Second Guard: The attack was unexpected. Very unexpected. Hit, margin 7. On the other hand, he’s Soak 13L against piercing attacks, so he’s probably not dead yet.

@First Guard: He tries to parry with his shield. He’s DV 7. You got 12 successes, so you hit, margin 5. Same Soak as the other guy.


The first one shot transitions calmly from the injury, quickly moving into a lunge at Holographic Howl as she moves into her defensive stance. His blade moves with impossible speed - not the speed of agility or skill, but because of the sheer superhuman force of the blow.

Attack Roll: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3691270/ - 7 successes
Essence Sight: The attack is enhanced by a non-Obvious Charm.

Action Order
Turn Order
Tick 2: Arathmus
Tick 3: Junai
Tick 4: First Guard
Tick 6: Holo, Second Guard, Path, Gunstar Hero, Altevia

[Tackyhillbillu]

Arathmus

Arathmus smiles widely beneath his helm at Holo's words. Apparently, he was free to play. And he intended to. He flexed his arms as he rushed at the Soldier threatening his commander, claws extended.

"No, no, no little man. You play with me, or with no one."

With one push, he sent himself skyward. At the apex of his jump, a kick of his legs changed his position, bringing him arcing downward so his claws will catch the enemy, slicing deep and forcing him downward. As he hits there is a pulse of essence. Holo can likely feel it, an intense downward force, slamming into the foe, forcing him downward far more, slamming into the mortal with the force of a Solar's full power.

3m on HEAVEN THUNDER HAMMER.

[roll0]

Stunt- [roll1]

9L+Threshold Sux damage, as well as flying (9+Threshold Sux)x3 Yards. As he is flying downwards toward the floor, unless he is breaking through the floor, he takes (9+threshold sux) Damage.

[Aevylmar]

He raises his shield to deflect the blow, but the sheer Solar force channels through his protection and smashes him to the ground.

The battle pauses for a long second before the soldier starts to rise. Despite the power of the Heaven Thunder Hammer, he seems almost completely unharmed.


One die stunt. He's DV 5 after action and wound penalties, so you just barely hit, dealing 12L pre-soak damage, or 2 post-soak dice of damage, since he's Soak 17L. He's smashed into the floor, taking another 36B damage. That translates to 1 post-soak die of damage, since he's Soak 35B and knockback doesn't have Overwhelming.

The floor is fine. This is the Gunstar; floors have Hardness. He is prone, though.

Any damage charms you want to use before the roll?

[Jade_Tarem]

Hologlyphic Howl

Luna's chosen are rarely caught napping. The smarter move for most people might be to spring or roll back, away from the assault, but Holo isn't most people, and her boots can take a bigger hit than some bulkheads. She spins to meet the attack with one of her own, twisting and lashing out with her foot.

Using Parry, along with the First Dexterity Excellency (3m).

FDE: [roll0]
Stunt: [roll1]

[Aevylmar]

Holo successfully kicks the blade aside, and a moment later Arathmus's blow knocks the warrior to the ground.


One-die stunt. Remember that, as per page nine of the Scroll of Errata stunt dice aren't rolled, they're just added to the DV.

Checking Arathmus's sheet, I don't think he has any damage charms, so rolling the dice here:

L: [roll0]
B: [roll1]

Turn Order
Tick 3: Junai
Tick 4: First Guard
Tick 6: Holo, Second Guard, Path, Gunstar Hero, Altevia
Tick 7: Arathmus

Junai's turn.

[The_Snark]

Junai

They were tough, more than she expects from plate-armored humans. Automatons? Probably; that or some type of Voidtech puppet. Junai doesn't know enough to tell the difference and—at the moment—doesn't care. She aims for the slower guard, his (its?) approach doubtless hindered by the bolt transfixing its leg: clearer shot, not engaged with friendlies, reduced mobility.

She meets its gaze as she brings up her crossbow, sees hatred inside those human-like eyes, returns it with indifference. Still human underneath all that? Too bad. The creature is only a second or three away from striking distance, but that's a second too long and in that instant they both know it. She shoots: one-two-three, a methodical salvo designed to negate the shield. The first two shots fly high, aimed at the right and left shoulder; the second goes low, straight for the unwounded leg.

Declaring a combo: Trance of Unhesitating Speed and the Second Dodge Excellency. Buying 3 attacks for a cost of 6 motes, all directed against guard #1 (unless he dies, in which case #2 gets the remainder).

Attack 1: [roll0]
Stunt: [roll1]
Attack 2: [roll2]
Stunt: [roll3]
Attack 3: [roll4]
Stunt: [roll5]

Combat statsDodge DV 7

Attacks
Onslaught crossbow: Speed 5, Accuracy 14, Damage 14L, Rate 2, Range 350; 2, B
Unarmed: Speed 5, Accuracy 6, Damage 3B, Parry 3, Rate 3

Soak: 13B/15L/8A (breastplate 6B/8L/8A)
Hardness: 3B/3L

Essence
Personal: 13/19
Peripheral: 25/42 (17 committed)

Willpower: 10/10

Health
-0 [ ]
-1 [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ]
-2 [ ][ ]
-4 [ ]
-X [ ]

Active effects: none

[Aevylmar]

He raises his shield in an attempt to block, but all three bolts nicely fly past his guard to strike his armor with explosive force.

He's DV 7 base, -1 from wound penalty. Your first arrow hits with a margin of 3 successes, your second with a margin of 2 successes, your third with a margin of 5 successes. He's still Soak 17L, -4 for piercing is 13L.

Also, I don't think you need to declare combos. You can just say that you're using Trance of Unhesitating Speed, and then activate the Dodge excellency if someone tries to stab you later.


Characters may simultaneously activate as many of their Charms as they desire, so long as the combination of powers activated obeys the rules for creating Combos.

His armor flexes like a living thing, throwing aside the shattered crossbow bolts as he slowly stalks - well, tries to stalk, it's more of a limp - towards Junai, carefully studying her form as he readies an attack.

At the same time, the second guard rises to his feet. He takes no aggressive action - yet - but merely calculates the best way to strike.

The villains both Aim, so it's the turn of all the PCs but Arathmus and Junai.

Tick 6: Holo, Path, Gunstar Hero, Altevia
Tick 7: Arathmus, First Guard
Tick 8: Junai
Tick 9: Second Guard,

[industrious]

Gunstar Hero

"Traitors!" howls Hero, his staff thrust outwards before him, eyes ablaze, and free hand clenched into a claw.

"Be thou rewarded as thou deserve!"

His curse takes the form of a wave of translucent, faintly iridescent liquid, vitriol spewing forth from his mouth to strike the risen traitor. It reaches the man, and his armor and flesh bubbles and boils at the contact. His visor fogs with corroded metal; the soldier tries to wipe it off, arm scrabbling at the slit, but by the time he has done so, Hero is there, staff in hand, raining blows upon him, never relenting, never pausing for breath. In battle, tempo was everything, and he was the conductor for this particular score.

The first blow hooks behind his leg, upsetting the soldier's balance; the next two upon the weakened visor and sending him further down, to one knee, and the final blow, delivered by the twin end of Gunstar Hero's staff, directly into the crotch of the fallen soldier.


Using my stunt pool, and flurrying Teeth of the World and four staff attacks.

Teeth of the World(3 die stunt, Sovereign Element Shape for 3 dice): [roll0] (Dex 7 + Presence 3 + Dramatic 2 + 3 Stunt +3 Vitriol - 5 flurry) Attack cannot be parried. 6L Damage, -2 armor soak if it hits. 6 sux

(8 sux) Staff Attack 1 (-1 onslaught penalty): [roll1]
Stunt [roll2]

(8 sux) Staff Attack 2 (-2 onslaught penalty): [roll3]
Stunt [roll4]

(6 sux) Staff Attack 3 (-3 onslaught penalty): [roll5]
Stunt [roll6]

(7 sux) Staff Attack 4 (-4 onslaught penalty): [roll7]
Stunt [roll8]

Staff has base 11B damage. I'm probably only dealing ping damage (1) though, since the other one has 17L/35B soak

Ping Damage Only: [roll9]

Teeth of the world costs 5m, 1g; Sovereign Element Shape costs 3m.

22/30 motes
5/6 gossamer.
DV = 10-5=5. Immune to non-stunted, non-magical attacks, +3 DV against stunted and/or magical attacks.

[Aevylmar]

The acid eats away at the guard's armor and corrodes through to his skin. As it burns his sensitive eyes he reaches up with his armored hand to deflect it, but is stunned to the ground by the barrage of blows, shattering his armor and breaking his bones.

He loses consciousness halfway through the barrage. When it finishes, the only sound coming from the dying body is a faint bubbling in the back of his throat.

Two die stunt. All attacks deal ping damage, but even so, he's unconscious and into his Dying levels.

Everyone should feel free to roll (Perception+Medicine).

Tick 6: Holo, Path, Altevia
Tick 7: Arathmus
Tick 8: Junai
Tick 9: Second Guard
Tick 11: Gunstar Hero

[Jade_Tarem]

Hologlyphic Howl

Holo draws her blocking foot down, bringing the other up into a powerful upwards kick designed to connect with the remaining false guard's chin and lift him from the ground - fancy armor or not, there was no such thing as a solid footing when there is no footing to be had. No sooner is that complete than the Lunar is spinning to complete a second attack, lashing straight out with the other boot to overset her opponent - and kill him, of course.

Flurrying to give him the boot! And using the First Dexterity Excellency, of course. (3m)

Attack 1 (MA 5 + Dex 3 + Boot 3 + DexEx 3 + Flurry -2...): [roll0]
+Stunt: [roll1]
Attack 2 (MA 5 + Dex 3 + Boot 3 + DexEx 3 + Flurry -3...): [roll2]
+Stunt: [roll3]

I can't beat 35B soak no matter how stunning my successes, but God-Kicking boots do come standard with Overwhelming 2, so here's the possible chip damage:

Damage 1: [roll4]
Damage 2: [roll5]

[Aevylmar]

The first attack lands a glancing blow, clicking his teeth together but not seriously injuring him, and the second attack meets his outflung shield as he shoves Holo's foot away from him with superhuman strength.

First attack hit; damage was dealt; he was pinged. Second attack he parried. Holo gets a one-die stunt.

Tick 6: Path, Altevia
Tick 7: Arathmus
Tick 8: Junai
Tick 9: Second Guard
Tick 11: Gunstar Hero, Holo

[Valgunn]

Manyfold Path

"Abominations." Path called out as he leapt forward, the distinctive fizz-crack of essence powered machines lagging behind his armour assisted leap. The leap first carried him beyond his target, landing him on one foot he artfully pirouetted on, hand slamming into the end of his beamklave, as he slammed the blade into the back of the creature. With another twist he pulled the blade back in another sharp arc, his other arm given to the kinetic forces as his full concentration went to his second attack. All the while arcs of starmetal, and swarms of karma-bugs forming half-complete koans and mandalas flitted around him in mystic contrails.

Beamklave Attack 1: [roll0]
Beamklave Attack 2: [roll1]

First Dexterity (2m) on the first, First Dexterity (3m) on the second.

Beamklave Damage 1: [roll2]
Beamklave Damage 2: [roll3]

Resources Spent: 5 peripheral motes

[Aevylmar]

Disoriented by Holo's kicks, he can manage nothing more than a feeble dodge as Path strikes with the beamklaive. An agonized hiss streams from the armor as the steel sizzles and steams away from his body. The metal plates curl in the heat, revealing themselves as merely a thin outer layer. Covering his body where normal armor would have padding is mummified, still-living flesh, shot through with sinews of soulsteel.

The guard rises with a mocking smirk, ignoring both the gaping beamklaive-induced hole through his chest and the revelation of his armor's secret, his sword and shield still held high.


One-die stunt; you forgot to roll stunt dice.
[roll0]
[roll1]

He tries to dodge. It does not go well for him. The first attack hits with a margin of 3 successes, deals ping damage (0 levels), and drains his Soak down to 9L/27B. The second attack hits with a margin of 5 successes, deals four dice of damage (3 levels), and drains his Soak down to 1L/19B.

Tick 6: Altevia
Tick 7: Arathmus
Tick 8: Junai
Tick 9: Second Guard
Tick 10: Path
Tick 11: Gunstar Hero, Holo

[Myllinnia]

Altievia grimaces, something about this was just all wrong. And well... her new found companions were striking well for themselves. She was almost content to let them tear the remaining fool apart. She tossed aside her hair with a flick of wrist then approached the discarded minion. "You could surrender," she says to him and then with a sharp twirl and what could have been a kick the man is battered by her ribbon that trails around her almost like a shower of flower petals cutting and shredding, lacerating her foe.

A flurry of two attacks! Whee! And sorry for the delay. All of these are TN 4 or 3... if they are outside of Fate.

Fateful MA Excellency 3m
[roll0]
12d10

I'll get damages tomorrow.

[Aevylmar]

... And he rises straight into the elegant petal-dance of Altevia Solitaire, whose bladed ribbon chops him neatly into three equal pieces, and his armor with him.

One dead, one dying. The fight is over.

One-die stunt. You forgot to roll your stunt dice.
First Attack Stunt: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3698562/ - 0 successes
Second Attack Stunt: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3698565/ - 1 success

The first attack beats his DV with a margin of 3; the second with a margin of 6. He's Lethal Soak 1, so he takes 27L damage, or 10 levels as per http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3698572/.

He is very, very dead.

[industrious]

Gunstar Hero

"Obviously, they intended to delay us!" declares Gunstar Hero, forgetting that their controller had, in fact, mentioned that. Or, more probably, reinforcing that particular narrative. "Hurry, or we'll be too late!"

If they hurry, they'll get there just in the nick of time.

That's how it works.

[The_Snark]

Junai

... closes her mouth before anyone notices that she was about to say more or less the same thing. As the raksha. Horrible thought. Although she's only known Gunstar Hero Theta-19 for about fifteen minutes, she's already come to the conclusion that that's fourteen minutes and thirty seconds too many.

"I'll take point," is what she says instead, and moves to the stairwell before remembering that she's not actually in charge. She glances back at Howl. "Captain?"

[Jade_Tarem]

Hologlyphic Howl

"Point is fine." Holo says flatly. "We've already been here too long, and the Apostate...s...?" She makes it an uncertain plural at the end when she remembers the multiple voices. "Whatever - Someone seems intent on interfering with us. Pick your targets and go."
She'd like to give a more detailed plan, but there's no time to come up with one, and their Rhaksha wouldn't follow it anyway. She'd need to discuss a few things with him once they were underway - as it was, she'd rather have Syphilis on this mission than Mr. Hero - but right now she was willing to sic him on the Apostates and worry about coordination later.

[Aevylmar]

... And, drowning out Junai's words, the bubbling sound in the dying guard's throat rises to a teakettle whistle and his skull explodes in a shower of burning acid that etches rude words into his armor, boils over the pavement, and combusts flesh, drenching everyone in sight.

Unparryable attack against everyone in the room seven ticks after combat ends. The last necroguard is now extremely dead.

[roll0] - 4 successes.

[industrious]

Gunstar Hero

As the acid erupts from the dead guard, the quick-witted Gunstar Hero springs into action. He dashes towards Junai, and heroically shoves her to the ground pushes her out of danger, letting the acid spray over him to no effect.

"You're welcome!"


It's unparryable, but I'm immune to non-stunted, non-magic as well as acid. So, I'm stunting a Defend Other action on Junai, if that's okay with you.

[Tackyhillbillu]

Arathmus

Arathmus stepped to the side, letting the splash of acid pass by with the faintest smile on his face. These creatures would have to do far better to catch him then spitting at him. He looked over at Howl, shrugging.

"Dang, and I just got warmed up. If we are heading out, then lets move."

[The_Snark]

Junai

"What - get off!" Junai rolls to her feet, protests dying away as she takes in the acid-spattered terminal. By way of thanks, she scowls at Gunstar Hero slightly less murderously than she would have otherwise. "Changed my mind. You take point."

But she only gives him a second to get ahead before taking off up the stairs herself. No time to waste; this whole setup reeks of something aimed at them. Even the Apostate alarm strikes her as suspect—awfully convenient excuse to clear the area... And there's no sense waiting around for the other guard to explode too.

[industrious]

Gunstar Hero

Hero bows at her remark, sweeping the tricorn from his head to settle upon his heart. Not his Heart, of course; the Deliberative, in their wisdom, had that.

"Of course, my lady. I would be honored."


Does that count as a stunt?

[The_Snark]

Junai

"Be honored faster," Junai snaps, rattled. What in Ku's smoky hell was the thing playing at?

[industrious]

Gunstar Hero

"As you wish."

He takes point, sprinting ahead.

[Aevylmar]

The building is empty, but luminescent crystal signs give precise directions, which Gunstar Hero ignores (but happens coincidentally to follow) as the Story leads him to the hangar, his retinue of sidekicks following behind him. Speakers in the main building constantly repeated variants of the same warnings that had echoed in the compartment.

"Warning. An Apostate has been spotted in the building. The Void Hunt has been alerted. Please evacuate the building."

Three voices can be heard, echoing some distance into the building. Two of them are uncomfortably familiar; the tones and patterns of speech of the two guards when at last they spoke, repeated in alien mouths. The third is a mechanical scream like a swarm of angry bees, and it carries by far the furthest.

"- And I'll rend your innards and split your gizzard, toast your nose on a spit and chop your ugly spleen into smaller spleen-shaped pieces! Now open up!"

"Why should he do that if you're just going to kill him?" The voice was female, the speaker absolutely calm, asking the question with academic detatchment. "Would you remove your armor for someone trying to kill you?"

The bee voice hesitated. ""I'll keep on killing the hostages until you open up!"

Team Hero is getting closer and closer to the Kairemer's hangar...

The last voice is sensible and fatherly. "Be a little more patient, son; Haste makes waste and you don't need to be so prodigal. Torture them first. There's a very simple method that always gets results that I'd be glad to teach you..."

Gunstar Hero is at the high door that connects to the hangar; the rest of the party following on his heels.

"No more delays! Stop ambassing that door and start helping me kill these hostages!"

[Jade_Tarem]

Hologlyphic Howl

"Well, that's enough of that." Holo says to the group. "Ideas?"

[Tackyhillbillu]

Arathmus

"Punch down the door. Punch anything that looks titanic. Continue punching till said things are dead."

He smiled.

"Simple, but it has always worked for me."

[The_Snark]

Junai

"Hit them hard and fast," Junai says promptly. "I make it one Apostate and two unknowns, possibly more."

She pauses, then just in case the captain is having an attack of conscience adds, "Nobody's ever pulled off a successful hostage negotiation with Apostates, sir. Best hope is to keep them too off-balance to worry about killing them."