Continuing
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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548 replies and 24 files omitted.
>>166465
Yellow Pegasus: “Sure…” he shakes, still laying on the ground with his hooves over his head. He stands up, and darts to the door. The earth pony walks more slowly, hugging the walls and glancing over to the windows above. The mare is the hardest to coax out, staying put in her hiding space. Spectral Streak walks over, and essentially carries her out of the room, looking over his shoulder at the room above. The Salmon stallion stands in the doorway to keep watch at the room, then decides to come all the way into the studio, rather than leave his flanks blind in the hallway.
Yellow Pegasus: “Sure…” he shakes, still laying on the ground with his hooves over his head. He stands up, and darts to the door. The earth pony walks more slowly, hugging the walls and glancing over to the windows above. The mare is the hardest to coax out, staying put in her hiding space. Spectral Streak walks over, and essentially carries her out of the room, looking over his shoulder at the room above. The Salmon stallion stands in the doorway to keep watch at the room, then decides to come all the way into the studio, rather than leave his flanks blind in the hallway.
>>166466
Silver, feeling like the least injured of the three and the only one knowing where they're going to go, takes point, keeping his Jenny at the ready as he leads the group back through the parts of the building they already cleared. He speaks quietly to the group as they proceed, just in case there are any eavesdropping changelings watching.
"We are making stop to pick up green pegasus survivor in camera storage room, then we will drop all of you off in second floor office. There is pair of ponies there who managed to sleep through invasion and avoid detection."
Silver, feeling like the least injured of the three and the only one knowing where they're going to go, takes point, keeping his Jenny at the ready as he leads the group back through the parts of the building they already cleared. He speaks quietly to the group as they proceed, just in case there are any eavesdropping changelings watching.
"We are making stop to pick up green pegasus survivor in camera storage room, then we will drop all of you off in second floor office. There is pair of ponies there who managed to sleep through invasion and avoid detection."
>>166467
The earth pony is now the one to reply: “Alright, we’ll follow you”. All six ponies are together in the hallway, out of line of sight from the room watching above.
The earth pony is now the one to reply: “Alright, we’ll follow you”. All six ponies are together in the hallway, out of line of sight from the room watching above.
>>166468
Silver keeps his head on a swivel as he leads the group towards the camera storage room, where he last saw the green pegasus.
Silver keeps his head on a swivel as he leads the group towards the camera storage room, where he last saw the green pegasus.
>>166469
Silver turns left through the doorway and into the hall, which is illuminated both by electric lights and sunlight through the windows. The three civilians move hastily behind Silver, fearing to stray far, but only waiting until Silver had turned the corner to follow. Spectral Streak takes the rear, keeping his gun pointed at the shattered window, and then, last to leave the studio, behind them. The Salmon stallion takes position with the civilians behind Silver. Silver turns the corner to see an empty hallway. It’s mostly quiet, with the humming sound of distant electronic equipment. It’s oddly serene, with no bullet holes to betray the battles that took place elsewhere in this same building. Silver feels the whole building shake and sway slightly, moved by some tremor that must be imperceptible on the ground. Then it’s over in a movement. Silver hears a very distant sound of footsteps, evidently up a stairway.
Silver arrives at his destination, the film storage room. At first he sees nothing but the shelves full of film reels and various other items, but through a gap in the shelves, he sees the green fur of the poorly hidden Pegasus pony.
Silver turns left through the doorway and into the hall, which is illuminated both by electric lights and sunlight through the windows. The three civilians move hastily behind Silver, fearing to stray far, but only waiting until Silver had turned the corner to follow. Spectral Streak takes the rear, keeping his gun pointed at the shattered window, and then, last to leave the studio, behind them. The Salmon stallion takes position with the civilians behind Silver. Silver turns the corner to see an empty hallway. It’s mostly quiet, with the humming sound of distant electronic equipment. It’s oddly serene, with no bullet holes to betray the battles that took place elsewhere in this same building. Silver feels the whole building shake and sway slightly, moved by some tremor that must be imperceptible on the ground. Then it’s over in a movement. Silver hears a very distant sound of footsteps, evidently up a stairway.
Silver arrives at his destination, the film storage room. At first he sees nothing but the shelves full of film reels and various other items, but through a gap in the shelves, he sees the green fur of the poorly hidden Pegasus pony.
>>166471
The Pegasus looks over at Silver with very wide eyes, clearly not expecting somepony to see him. After a beet, he says,
“Oh, it’s you again!”’ Yeah, I’ve just been here… not getting shot…” he moves his tail down under his legs and has an uncomfortable smile. “Did I hear gunfire?”
The Pegasus looks over at Silver with very wide eyes, clearly not expecting somepony to see him. After a beet, he says,
“Oh, it’s you again!”’ Yeah, I’ve just been here… not getting shot…” he moves his tail down under his legs and has an uncomfortable smile. “Did I hear gunfire?”
>>166472
Silver nods, and pulls out his flashlight to give the pegasus the changeling test.
"Yes there was. Now, hold still just one moment."
Silver nods, and pulls out his flashlight to give the pegasus the changeling test.
"Yes there was. Now, hold still just one moment."
>>166473
He squints, and Silver sees his pupils dilate as his ears move back, and he leans back, picking up and folding his left hood. Silver can still see most of the eye. There’s no… obvious reflection? It seems to be an opaque white.
He squints, and Silver sees his pupils dilate as his ears move back, and he leans back, picking up and folding his left hood. Silver can still see most of the eye. There’s no… obvious reflection? It seems to be an opaque white.
>>166474
Eh, close enough. Silver puts his flashlight away.
"Building is not yet clear, but we are moving you and other survivors to more secure office room on second floor."
Eh, close enough. Silver puts his flashlight away.
"Building is not yet clear, but we are moving you and other survivors to more secure office room on second floor."
>>166476
Silver motions with his head for the green pegasus to follow, as he exits the room.
"Come on."
Silver motions with his head for the green pegasus to follow, as he exits the room.
"Come on."
>>166477
The Pegasus follows Silver outside, where the Salmon stallion has taken point in the front. The ponies go forward down the hall until several figures walk into view from the left at the end of the hall. It’s a white Pegasus stallion in homeguard green with khakis, the vermillion pony Silver saw early, and a third pony, a dark purple earth pony stallion, also in homeguard green. The vermillion earth pony must be in his late twenties, and is actually the youngest. He carries a Jenny battle rifle, as does the white Pegasus, who is older. The last stallion, the deep purple earth pony, is probably in his forties, and carries a design of submachine gun Silver doesn’t think he’s ever seen before, with a heat shield and a curved magazine on the side. At first they point their guns at Silver and the ponies, but lower them quickly. It’s the Vermillion pony who says,
“Wait. Orange!”
The Salmon stallion replies “Kumquat.”
The white Pegasus, who has darker peppered tips on his wings, addresses the salmon stallion. “Is this floor secured?”
The Pegasus follows Silver outside, where the Salmon stallion has taken point in the front. The ponies go forward down the hall until several figures walk into view from the left at the end of the hall. It’s a white Pegasus stallion in homeguard green with khakis, the vermillion pony Silver saw early, and a third pony, a dark purple earth pony stallion, also in homeguard green. The vermillion earth pony must be in his late twenties, and is actually the youngest. He carries a Jenny battle rifle, as does the white Pegasus, who is older. The last stallion, the deep purple earth pony, is probably in his forties, and carries a design of submachine gun Silver doesn’t think he’s ever seen before, with a heat shield and a curved magazine on the side. At first they point their guns at Silver and the ponies, but lower them quickly. It’s the Vermillion pony who says,
“Wait. Orange!”
The Salmon stallion replies “Kumquat.”
The white Pegasus, who has darker peppered tips on his wings, addresses the salmon stallion. “Is this floor secured?”
>>166478
Silver's initial reaction of panic of having three guns pointed at him, his comrades, and the survivors turns to relief when he hears the salmon and vermillion ponies speak what must be a code phrase to each other. Although the salmon stallion is the one addressed, Silver nods in response.
"This floor is secure, we are just gathering survivors we found and moving them to more secure room on second floor."
Silver's initial reaction of panic of having three guns pointed at him, his comrades, and the survivors turns to relief when he hears the salmon and vermillion ponies speak what must be a code phrase to each other. Although the salmon stallion is the one addressed, Silver nods in response.
"This floor is secure, we are just gathering survivors we found and moving them to more secure room on second floor."
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What's Nadir up to these days?
>>166482
"Unknown, most likely there are still some left. We were attacked by machine gun from top floor, though it is dead now."
"Unknown, most likely there are still some left. We were attacked by machine gun from top floor, though it is dead now."
>>166073
Amber comes to the trail, a winding road built on raised terrain above the stagnating brown leaf-stained water, composed partly of mounds of dirt that by happenstance rise above the inundated forest floor, partly of alluvial deposits built up by ancient overflows of the Griffking, partly of peat and the decomposed remains of millennia of plant growth, and partly, surely, of dirt and rocks brought from long distances to fill in and reinforce gaps in the roadway. Even in day time, this pathway must be dark, shadowed by the towering growth of ancient oak trees that must surely have grown before the Grimclaw dynasty, and flanked by a thicker undergrowth of willow trees that blot out most of the rays of the waning gibbous moon. Amber knows both rationally and instinctively that she was right to not trust the road, as the same quality that makes it so necessary to Amber and the flock, makes it attractive to danger as well. Looking into the damp dirt, Amber can see what seems to be the tracks of a recent wagon passing, the showed prints of a griffin paw, and the pawprints of some unidentified by presumably carnivorous animal. And yet the alternative is much worse. The opaque waters of the swamp surely hide quicksand, snakes, leeches, freshwater alligators, and perhaps worse... but worst of all, they take from the flock what they can least spare - time. The road is the only quick way from Katerinburg to the border at Griffking, and with haste they will be in Bronzehill by mid-morning. Amber feels tired, exhausted even, and Helder has to be persuaded by the other members not to stop long for rest at the dilapidated remains of a farmhouse present on an outcropping to the left at some point in the journey.
Amber comes to the trail, a winding road built on raised terrain above the stagnating brown leaf-stained water, composed partly of mounds of dirt that by happenstance rise above the inundated forest floor, partly of alluvial deposits built up by ancient overflows of the Griffking, partly of peat and the decomposed remains of millennia of plant growth, and partly, surely, of dirt and rocks brought from long distances to fill in and reinforce gaps in the roadway. Even in day time, this pathway must be dark, shadowed by the towering growth of ancient oak trees that must surely have grown before the Grimclaw dynasty, and flanked by a thicker undergrowth of willow trees that blot out most of the rays of the waning gibbous moon. Amber knows both rationally and instinctively that she was right to not trust the road, as the same quality that makes it so necessary to Amber and the flock, makes it attractive to danger as well. Looking into the damp dirt, Amber can see what seems to be the tracks of a recent wagon passing, the showed prints of a griffin paw, and the pawprints of some unidentified by presumably carnivorous animal. And yet the alternative is much worse. The opaque waters of the swamp surely hide quicksand, snakes, leeches, freshwater alligators, and perhaps worse... but worst of all, they take from the flock what they can least spare - time. The road is the only quick way from Katerinburg to the border at Griffking, and with haste they will be in Bronzehill by mid-morning. Amber feels tired, exhausted even, and Helder has to be persuaded by the other members not to stop long for rest at the dilapidated remains of a farmhouse present on an outcropping to the left at some point in the journey.
>>166486
Silver shakes his head.
"We found these three," he says, as he motions to the yellow pegasus, the earth pony, and the mare, "captive of group of changelings impersonating Home Guard unit in two-story room on this floor. After we killed impersonating changelings, we were attacked by machine gun from second story of room."
Silver shakes his head.
"We found these three," he says, as he motions to the yellow pegasus, the earth pony, and the mare, "captive of group of changelings impersonating Home Guard unit in two-story room on this floor. After we killed impersonating changelings, we were attacked by machine gun from second story of room."
>>166487
He pauses for a moment.
"You know a bomb was found in the regional administrative building a mile from here, in downtown." Then another pause. "I doubt they did all of this just to take the station off the air."
He pauses for a moment.
"You know a bomb was found in the regional administrative building a mile from here, in downtown." Then another pause. "I doubt they did all of this just to take the station off the air."
>>166489
"A thermal area of effect bomb that would not have left us here to be talking about it if the Homeguard and the air reserve hadn't squashed them. We don't know what they have here, but we know damn good and well it's no good for us."
"A thermal area of effect bomb that would not have left us here to be talking about it if the Homeguard and the air reserve hadn't squashed them. We don't know what they have here, but we know damn good and well it's no good for us."
>>166490
"Like Colitsyn...these civilians still have to get somewhere secure until building is cleared and we can call for evac."
"Like Colitsyn...these civilians still have to get somewhere secure until building is cleared and we can call for evac."
>>166492
Silver nods.
"Okay then, we will go finish clearing this building. Do not forget about two civilians in second floor office."
Silver nods.
"Okay then, we will go finish clearing this building. Do not forget about two civilians in second floor office."
>>166493
"Yes sir." He says. He motions to the ponies behind Silver. "You. Come with us." He takes his hoof and moves it towards himself in gesture, and the orange mare, the salmon stallion, the yellow pegasus, the green pegasus, and the red earth pony all come to him. "Not you" he says to the salmon stallion, gesturing for him to stop."
Then the white pegasus turns back to Silver.
"So who is going upstairs?"
"Yes sir." He says. He motions to the ponies behind Silver. "You. Come with us." He takes his hoof and moves it towards himself in gesture, and the orange mare, the salmon stallion, the yellow pegasus, the green pegasus, and the red earth pony all come to him. "Not you" he says to the salmon stallion, gesturing for him to stop."
Then the white pegasus turns back to Silver.
"So who is going upstairs?"
>>166494
"Definitely not...eh..." Silver turns to the salmon stallion, "I realize I never got your name."
"Definitely not...eh..." Silver turns to the salmon stallion, "I realize I never got your name."
>>166495
The Salmon stallion seems to hesitate, but answers
"Azelea Bloom... private first class in the War, but a corporal in the Homeguard." He answers
The Salmon stallion seems to hesitate, but answers
"Azelea Bloom... private first class in the War, but a corporal in the Homeguard." He answers
>>166496
Silver nots, and turns back to the white pegasus.
"He fought well but took large amount of bullets in fighting, most of which are still inside him. I worry about his continued existence if he keeps going."
Silver nots, and turns back to the white pegasus.
"He fought well but took large amount of bullets in fighting, most of which are still inside him. I worry about his continued existence if he keeps going."
>>166497
Corporal Bloom stands silently, and then nods and says “I know where this room is located.” The white Pegasus listens to Silver and then says,
“Very well. Corporal Bloom, escort the civilians downstairs.”
Corporal Bloom stands silently, and then nods and says “I know where this room is located.” The white Pegasus listens to Silver and then says,
“Very well. Corporal Bloom, escort the civilians downstairs.”
>>166499
Silver gently pats Bloom's shoulder, saying to him, "You did good today," before turning back again to the white pegasus.
"I do not know what your thoughts are as to sending somepony with him to help watch civilians, but we may need every pony we can get besides him to clear final floor."
Silver gently pats Bloom's shoulder, saying to him, "You did good today," before turning back again to the white pegasus.
"I do not know what your thoughts are as to sending somepony with him to help watch civilians, but we may need every pony we can get besides him to clear final floor."
>>166500
Bloom breathes in, then breathes out, clearly still in pain from his injuries. He nods. “Thank you.”
The white Pegasus says to Silver:
“Yeah. I agree. Corporal Bloom, can you escort them alone?”
He replies,
“If - if there’s no more bugs behind us…”
The white Pegasus:
“We just came that way. There aren’t.”
Corporal Bloom:
“Uh, yes sir. I can escort them alone.”
He motions back to the civilians
“Follow me”
Bloom breathes in, then breathes out, clearly still in pain from his injuries. He nods. “Thank you.”
The white Pegasus says to Silver:
“Yeah. I agree. Corporal Bloom, can you escort them alone?”
He replies,
“If - if there’s no more bugs behind us…”
The white Pegasus:
“We just came that way. There aren’t.”
Corporal Bloom:
“Uh, yes sir. I can escort them alone.”
He motions back to the civilians
“Follow me”
>>166502
They each nod.
The last pony in the group, the middle aged deep purple pony with the submachine gun, holds his gun up and says
“I’m from Canterlot, and I say kill them all!”
They follow Silver.
They each nod.
The last pony in the group, the middle aged deep purple pony with the submachine gun, holds his gun up and says
“I’m from Canterlot, and I say kill them all!”
They follow Silver.
>>166503
Silver leads the group back towards the unexplored part of the building, Jenny at the ready.
Silver leads the group back towards the unexplored part of the building, Jenny at the ready.
>>166485
Time is of the essence. Amber says to the rest, "We can't afford to stop. Don't make any noise, and be prepared to wade into the water if you hear a search party approaching." She idly wonders what latitude they are on if alligators may be a problem.
Time is of the essence. Amber says to the rest, "We can't afford to stop. Don't make any noise, and be prepared to wade into the water if you hear a search party approaching." She idly wonders what latitude they are on if alligators may be a problem.
>>166505
To tartarus with alligators, there could be hydras or lake serpents in these waters.
As Amber and company walk, the path becomes surrounded on both sides by water, as if built upon a berm or levy to border an inundated field now long abandoned. Federkield and Erich walk a little ahead, with Helder lagging just a little behind. Then the path goes land that is several feet above water, but overgrown with dense willow bushes and other undergrowth, capped as always by massive cypress and other deciduous trees. It isn't very far into this that Amber can see, under the dim light of the gibbous moon, a small coach mostly parked in the dirt off the road. Amber can see a yoke, but no oxen.
And next to the coach is a female griffin, whose white feathers glow under the light. She addresses Federklied and Erich. "Oh, thank Boreas you're here!"
To tartarus with alligators, there could be hydras or lake serpents in these waters.
As Amber and company walk, the path becomes surrounded on both sides by water, as if built upon a berm or levy to border an inundated field now long abandoned. Federkield and Erich walk a little ahead, with Helder lagging just a little behind. Then the path goes land that is several feet above water, but overgrown with dense willow bushes and other undergrowth, capped as always by massive cypress and other deciduous trees. It isn't very far into this that Amber can see, under the dim light of the gibbous moon, a small coach mostly parked in the dirt off the road. Amber can see a yoke, but no oxen.
And next to the coach is a female griffin, whose white feathers glow under the light. She addresses Federklied and Erich. "Oh, thank Boreas you're here!"
>>166504
Silver, Spectral Streak, and the other ponies walk up the stairs to see a single hallway that is much shorter than the hallways on the floor below, with one room to the left, one to the right, and one at the end.
Silver, Spectral Streak, and the other ponies walk up the stairs to see a single hallway that is much shorter than the hallways on the floor below, with one room to the left, one to the right, and one at the end.
>>166514
As they climb the stairs, an avalanche of bullets fired from an airship destroys the building and kills two members.
As they climb the stairs, an avalanche of bullets fired from an airship destroys the building and kills two members.
>>166513
Amber, under the pressure of escaping, has never hated damp terrain so much. She wonders to herself if the Hayseed Swamp is like this.
She is startled by this new appearance, who looks as much a ghost as griffon. The greatest surprise is that anyone but the searchers would be in this wilderness. She glares at Erich and Federklied, exclaiming, "You never told me about this!" Maybe they did, but I have no recollection of it and I'm away from my main notes
Amber, under the pressure of escaping, has never hated damp terrain so much. She wonders to herself if the Hayseed Swamp is like this.
She is startled by this new appearance, who looks as much a ghost as griffon. The greatest surprise is that anyone but the searchers would be in this wilderness. She glares at Erich and Federklied, exclaiming, "You never told me about this!" Maybe they did, but I have no recollection of it and I'm away from my main notes
>>166516
F
That's not terribly far from what could happen
>>166517
The Hayseed must surely be warmer than this, as a cool Fall breeze is stilled by the undergrowth of willows. Amber hears a rustling in the bushes, which is drowned out by the whining sound of the glowing white griffin.
"The wheel got stuck in the mud on the side of the road and... my husband went off ahead with the ox. I've been alone here for I think a few hours and you're the first to come along... surely you can help move our cart here?!"
The other members of Amber's party are no less surprised to see somegriff else on these roads. Then again, they've obviously had some recent use. Erich and Helder are curious though unwilling to be any part of this, and move slightly closer, while Federklied seems unsettled, and moves further away.
Erich replies to Amber's exclamation, if only to divert attention away from the female griffin:
"Never told you what?"
F
That's not terribly far from what could happen
>>166517
The Hayseed must surely be warmer than this, as a cool Fall breeze is stilled by the undergrowth of willows. Amber hears a rustling in the bushes, which is drowned out by the whining sound of the glowing white griffin.
"The wheel got stuck in the mud on the side of the road and... my husband went off ahead with the ox. I've been alone here for I think a few hours and you're the first to come along... surely you can help move our cart here?!"
The other members of Amber's party are no less surprised to see somegriff else on these roads. Then again, they've obviously had some recent use. Erich and Helder are curious though unwilling to be any part of this, and move slightly closer, while Federklied seems unsettled, and moves further away.
Erich replies to Amber's exclamation, if only to divert attention away from the female griffin:
"Never told you what?"
>>166518
Amber's imagination is evidently running wild again. Ghostly griffins will do that. "I thought for a moment you had a cart waiting. Nevermind."
A wagon would provide some helpful rest while continuing on their way, if only for a short while, but only if it is headed in the same direction. Amber asks the griffin, "Which way are you headed?"
Amber's imagination is evidently running wild again. Ghostly griffins will do that. "I thought for a moment you had a cart waiting. Nevermind."
A wagon would provide some helpful rest while continuing on their way, if only for a short while, but only if it is headed in the same direction. Amber asks the griffin, "Which way are you headed?"
>>166519
She looks up towards Amber and makes eye contact. Her eyes are a yellow-green, or so they seem in the moonlight. Something in her expression makes it look almost as if she wasn't expecting Amber to speak to her.
"Oh, over towards the village. By the river."
She looks up towards Amber and makes eye contact. Her eyes are a yellow-green, or so they seem in the moonlight. Something in her expression makes it look almost as if she wasn't expecting Amber to speak to her.
"Oh, over towards the village. By the river."
>>166520
Griffons always look odd, but this is definitely one of the less ugly ones.
Amber turns to Helder. "That's not the way we're going, is it?"
Griffons always look odd, but this is definitely one of the less ugly ones.
Amber turns to Helder. "That's not the way we're going, is it?"
>>166521
Helder takes a solid three seconds to seem to notice that Amber is speaking to him. But then he turns to Amber.
"Uh, yes. More or less."
Helder takes a solid three seconds to seem to notice that Amber is speaking to him. But then he turns to Amber.
"Uh, yes. More or less."
>>166522
She blinks at his use of an affirmation for a negative question. "Yes, it's on our way or no, it's not?"
She blinks at his use of an affirmation for a negative question. "Yes, it's on our way or no, it's not?"
>>166524
He blinks. Between the whining griffin and sleep deprivation he needs a second and a half to ponder Amber's question. "I'm not entirely sure what she's talking about, but it must be near the crossing."
He blinks. Between the whining griffin and sleep deprivation he needs a second and a half to ponder Amber's question. "I'm not entirely sure what she's talking about, but it must be near the crossing."
>>166525
We really do need a rest. And at the very least, helping her might convince her not to divulge if the Inquisition asks questions.
Amber turns back to the griffin in the mundane predicament. "Sure, we'll help," she answers, then looks at the wagon to see how to free it. "Why didn't you use the oxen to pull it out of the mud?"
We really do need a rest. And at the very least, helping her might convince her not to divulge if the Inquisition asks questions.
Amber turns back to the griffin in the mundane predicament. "Sure, we'll help," she answers, then looks at the wagon to see how to free it. "Why didn't you use the oxen to pull it out of the mud?"
>>166526
When Amber asks her question, the griffin is looking forward and away from Amber. But her eyes immediately move to Amber in acknowledgement of the fact that she is speaking to her. She does not reply immediately. In fact, there is a longer delay. Her eyes look around.
"My husband... the ox... it could not quite pull it out. Not how it was stuck."
When Amber asks her question, the griffin is looking forward and away from Amber. But her eyes immediately move to Amber in acknowledgement of the fact that she is speaking to her. She does not reply immediately. In fact, there is a longer delay. Her eyes look around.
"My husband... the ox... it could not quite pull it out. Not how it was stuck."
>>166527
"Okay…." There is clearly something this griffon is not being honest about. At least, except for the most paranoid musings she can be ruled out as an agent of the Inquisition. They would not likely come up with an elaborate trick in so short a time, they would not need to make a trap to catch them nor would they do so if they knew Amber's path. She looks to see how precisely it is stuck.
"Okay…." There is clearly something this griffon is not being honest about. At least, except for the most paranoid musings she can be ruled out as an agent of the Inquisition. They would not likely come up with an elaborate trick in so short a time, they would not need to make a trap to catch them nor would they do so if they knew Amber's path. She looks to see how precisely it is stuck.
>>166528
The left front wheel is on the road, and the left rear wheel is on solid dirt. The front right wheel is in grass, and the right rear wheel is... in a rut? It's hard to see with limited light and the undergrowth
The left front wheel is on the road, and the left rear wheel is on solid dirt. The front right wheel is in grass, and the right rear wheel is... in a rut? It's hard to see with limited light and the undergrowth
>>166529
"Only one corner is stuck, so I think we could all lift it out. It would be much easier with the oxen so they can pull. Do you know when your husband will be back?"
"Only one corner is stuck, so I think we could all lift it out. It would be much easier with the oxen so they can pull. Do you know when your husband will be back?"
>>166532
Amber is sleep deprived, and quite frankly, isn't the best at seeing through deception. But damn it, there was something off about the delivery of that last line.
Amber is sleep deprived, and quite frankly, isn't the best at seeing through deception. But damn it, there was something off about the delivery of that last line.
>>166534
She looks at Amber blankly and starts laughing,
"Heh heh heh, No."
Helder, Federklied, Erich, and now Amber are all next to the cart. Amber hears more rustling in the undergrowth
She looks at Amber blankly and starts laughing,
"Heh heh heh, No."
Helder, Federklied, Erich, and now Amber are all next to the cart. Amber hears more rustling in the undergrowth
>>166535
Amber has no choice but to admit that perhaps those paranoid musings were right now that the signs are unmistakeable. "It's a trap, run for it!" she shouts, pointing to the direction opposite the rustling and sprinting.
Amber has no choice but to admit that perhaps those paranoid musings were right now that the signs are unmistakeable. "It's a trap, run for it!" she shouts, pointing to the direction opposite the rustling and sprinting.
>>166536
Next to the cart, two figures come out of the bushes. By their silhouettes, they must be carrying long guns.
Amber may roll to try to evade
Next to the cart, two figures come out of the bushes. By their silhouettes, they must be carrying long guns.
Amber may roll to try to evade
>>166538
Amber can see, out of the corner of her eyes, another figure on the road in front of them, and one behind them, near where the road goes back over water.
[1d20 = 5]
Amber can see, out of the corner of her eyes, another figure on the road in front of them, and one behind them, near where the road goes back over water.
[1d20 = 5]
>>166541
Amber finds pretty quickly that she can't go very far at all. This location seems to be an island, though it's hard to tell. And the undergrowth is thick. All the same, she can at least, get a little bit aways from the attackers. It's not that hard to hide, with the thick willows and the limited light.
Amber finds pretty quickly that she can't go very far at all. This location seems to be an island, though it's hard to tell. And the undergrowth is thick. All the same, she can at least, get a little bit aways from the attackers. It's not that hard to hide, with the thick willows and the limited light.
>>166542
Certainly an excellent place for an ambush, though it still boggles her how in this vast territory they managed to come across a spot prepared in advance. There is no time to dwell on such matters though. How far away are the trees on the other side of the water?
Certainly an excellent place for an ambush, though it still boggles her how in this vast territory they managed to come across a spot prepared in advance. There is no time to dwell on such matters though. How far away are the trees on the other side of the water?
>>166543
A significant distance. Amber could honestly believe the water is an inundated field, as the proportions are rather similar.
A significant distance. Amber could honestly believe the water is an inundated field, as the proportions are rather similar.
>>166544
Trotting in a soggy field isn't pleasant in the best of times, and not being able to see anything as well as taking several minutes to get across….
This is one scenario where it truly is better to hide instead of run. Hide: [1d20+2 = (6+2) = 8]
Trotting in a soggy field isn't pleasant in the best of times, and not being able to see anything as well as taking several minutes to get across….
This is one scenario where it truly is better to hide instead of run. Hide: [1d20+2 = (6+2) = 8]
>>166545
Amber isn't the most subtle, but her task isn't difficult here. The willow bushes cover her, and the rustling of leaves in the breeze make it hard to hear her. One griffin at least looks into the bushes, evidently after Amber. Amber can hear the female griffin asking "where did he go?' But Amber can see that the other party members are being held up with their claws in the air... except for Federklied, who was evidently tackled to the ground by two griffins.
Amber isn't the most subtle, but her task isn't difficult here. The willow bushes cover her, and the rustling of leaves in the breeze make it hard to hear her. One griffin at least looks into the bushes, evidently after Amber. Amber can hear the female griffin asking "where did he go?' But Amber can see that the other party members are being held up with their claws in the air... except for Federklied, who was evidently tackled to the ground by two griffins.
>>166546
Drat drat drat…I was hoping the others would make it. There is nothing I can do, I am unarmed and they have guns!
Drat drat drat…I was hoping the others would make it. There is nothing I can do, I am unarmed and they have guns!
>>166547
And yet, for this, for all of this, Amber knows exactly what would remedy this situation.
Where'd she leave her viol?
And yet, for this, for all of this, Amber knows exactly what would remedy this situation.
Where'd she leave her viol?
>>166550
She dropped it, didn't she? Amber circles around the hostile band at a distance, trying not to make a sound. Move silently: [1d20+3 = (13+3) = 16]
She dropped it, didn't she? Amber circles around the hostile band at a distance, trying not to make a sound. Move silently: [1d20+3 = (13+3) = 16]
>>166551
Amber placed it down when she went to talk to the griffin. Fortunately, it was by the bushes.
Amber is able to creep through the bushes, and slowly, slowly, take the viol.
Amber can hear that Federklied had evidently reached for her gun (but the griffins disarmed her), Erich is being... impolite... and Helder is trying to negotiate. It seems they are simple bandits, as they are most interested in possessions of value, and whether or not they can obtain some sort of ransom.
Amber placed it down when she went to talk to the griffin. Fortunately, it was by the bushes.
Amber is able to creep through the bushes, and slowly, slowly, take the viol.
Amber can hear that Federklied had evidently reached for her gun (but the griffins disarmed her), Erich is being... impolite... and Helder is trying to negotiate. It seems they are simple bandits, as they are most interested in possessions of value, and whether or not they can obtain some sort of ransom.
>>166552
That…makes more sense, and explains why they were unwilling to shoot so as to not attract attention. Now that she has the viol, she retreats a short distance until hidden by the undergrowth.
That…makes more sense, and explains why they were unwilling to shoot so as to not attract attention. Now that she has the viol, she retreats a short distance until hidden by the undergrowth.
>>166553
Amber has the viol now. The large instrument is a bit difficult to drag through the undergrowth, but it is possible if one is careful. They have noticed that Amber is missing, and one or two griffins has their attention focused on Amber, though finding out whether or not they are proactively looking for her, or simply keeping guard if she returns, would require reentering line of sight with them.
Amber has the viol now. The large instrument is a bit difficult to drag through the undergrowth, but it is possible if one is careful. They have noticed that Amber is missing, and one or two griffins has their attention focused on Amber, though finding out whether or not they are proactively looking for her, or simply keeping guard if she returns, would require reentering line of sight with them.
>>166554
Although a plan has already brewed in her head, for now she will stay silent and listen to what's going on.
Although a plan has already brewed in her head, for now she will stay silent and listen to what's going on.
>>166555
One male griffin has taken over interrogation. The griffin is trying to figure out where the group is going, and why. He doesn't quite believe Helder when the latter claims that they are simply travelling to Bronzehill late at night after their train was cancelled, to make it in time for the execution of a will; even if his story is strangely detailed about required witnesses and whatnot. They don't seem to know that Amber's party is fugitives, though they are certainly interested. The government probably would pay a bounty to highwaymen.
One male griffin has taken over interrogation. The griffin is trying to figure out where the group is going, and why. He doesn't quite believe Helder when the latter claims that they are simply travelling to Bronzehill late at night after their train was cancelled, to make it in time for the execution of a will; even if his story is strangely detailed about required witnesses and whatnot. They don't seem to know that Amber's party is fugitives, though they are certainly interested. The government probably would pay a bounty to highwaymen.
>>166556
Amber personally would have tried claiming that they are also criminals, even to the point of claiming to be thieves, but evidently that would not work either. Apparently the adage "no honor among thieves" holds true in Griffonia as well.
There is really only one thing Amber can do. After rubbing the mud off her talons, she takes her viol out of its case and starts playing a haunting tune.
Amber personally would have tried claiming that they are also criminals, even to the point of claiming to be thieves, but evidently that would not work either. Apparently the adage "no honor among thieves" holds true in Griffonia as well.
There is really only one thing Amber can do. After rubbing the mud off her talons, she takes her viol out of its case and starts playing a haunting tune.
>>166557
Perhaps it would have; they would likely have taken their watches and let them go, if they believed Amber. But hope is a powerful thing, and it appears the bandits are hoping someone will pay handsomely for Amber's party, be they nobles ransoming relatives, or the government paying a bounty, Right now, the bandit leader's hypothesis is that the group are rebels fleeing after a successful strike, nevermind the fact that rebels fleeing an unsuccessful strike wouldn't be worth as much.
To play a haunting tune, place the bow against the string, and play it slowly. High pitched. Let the sound linger. The bandits will hear it, to be sure. No matter. It isn't for them.
But Amber knows there is True power held in the vibrations.
Perhaps it would have; they would likely have taken their watches and let them go, if they believed Amber. But hope is a powerful thing, and it appears the bandits are hoping someone will pay handsomely for Amber's party, be they nobles ransoming relatives, or the government paying a bounty, Right now, the bandit leader's hypothesis is that the group are rebels fleeing after a successful strike, nevermind the fact that rebels fleeing an unsuccessful strike wouldn't be worth as much.
To play a haunting tune, place the bow against the string, and play it slowly. High pitched. Let the sound linger. The bandits will hear it, to be sure. No matter. It isn't for them.
But Amber knows there is True power held in the vibrations.
>>166558
To play music in a dark forest, on the run from the authorities, with the only unrestrained creatures around being greedy bandits, goes completely against common sense. But what would common sense get her? It would be to either flee as a coward or attempt a nigh-suicidal fight. To play, to put her heart and soul into her music, is what she must do.
To play music in a dark forest, on the run from the authorities, with the only unrestrained creatures around being greedy bandits, goes completely against common sense. But what would common sense get her? It would be to either flee as a coward or attempt a nigh-suicidal fight. To play, to put her heart and soul into her music, is what she must do.
>>166559
Amber has spent the last... has it been an hour? Six hours? Longer? Hard to tell... the time has passed in an almost trance-like state, being tired, dazed, stressed and sleep deprived, feeling pain any time she stopped even for a moment. But not she grasps the wood of her viol and bow. Hearing the sound... She feels alive.
Music, Amber knows well, is the ultimate freedom from constraint. Free from the constraint of the limitations of the body. Pure emotion, will, and soul. Free from matter and space and time. Why not play a song for old friends?
Amber has spent the last... has it been an hour? Six hours? Longer? Hard to tell... the time has passed in an almost trance-like state, being tired, dazed, stressed and sleep deprived, feeling pain any time she stopped even for a moment. But not she grasps the wood of her viol and bow. Hearing the sound... She feels alive.
Music, Amber knows well, is the ultimate freedom from constraint. Free from the constraint of the limitations of the body. Pure emotion, will, and soul. Free from matter and space and time. Why not play a song for old friends?
>>166560
She does so, channeling her emotions and love for music into this perfect art form. All other worries and anguish can wait; in fact, they're not even relevant in comparison. Forget material woes and embrace the transcendent nature of music.
She does so, channeling her emotions and love for music into this perfect art form. All other worries and anguish can wait; in fact, they're not even relevant in comparison. Forget material woes and embrace the transcendent nature of music.
>>166561
She saws, back and forth. She closes her eyes to focus on the music. She can hear yelling. The bandits can hear her playing. No matter. They have no power to disrupt true music.
In her mind, the music takes form. Or rather, the music depicts the act of formation. Shapes come into being from nothing; a formless void that is slowly occupied by ever changing and moving colors. Amber can't compare it to a kaleidoscope; the colors of the kaleidoscope give no pretense of tangibility. But these colors seem more like fluids, like moisture accumulating and becoming visible as it hangs in the air.
She saws, back and forth. She closes her eyes to focus on the music. She can hear yelling. The bandits can hear her playing. No matter. They have no power to disrupt true music.
In her mind, the music takes form. Or rather, the music depicts the act of formation. Shapes come into being from nothing; a formless void that is slowly occupied by ever changing and moving colors. Amber can't compare it to a kaleidoscope; the colors of the kaleidoscope give no pretense of tangibility. But these colors seem more like fluids, like moisture accumulating and becoming visible as it hangs in the air.
>>166562
And so on the music plays. A swamp is nopony's idea of a good theater, nor does it have great acoustics, but qualities in those areas only accentuate music being played. With these melodies being seemingly unearthly, and Amber entirely engrossed in her performance, trivialities do not matter.
And so on the music plays. A swamp is nopony's idea of a good theater, nor does it have great acoustics, but qualities in those areas only accentuate music being played. With these melodies being seemingly unearthly, and Amber entirely engrossed in her performance, trivialities do not matter.
>>166563
Amber can feel the wind around her, circling and then sucking upwards. The leaves of every bush and tree rustle, but they cannot overpower the sound of the viol. Amber plays intensely, sawing the bow back and forth with an energy she would not have thought remained within her. The complicated movements of the bow come without mediation of thought as Amber translates her will into music.
The shapes take form. The forms does not correlate with any known, but they do resemble things that fly in the air, one like a bat, and another like an insect. Over here, one mimics the shape of a griffin. They dance around in the air, with their fangs and multiple sets of wings.
Amber can feel the wind around her, circling and then sucking upwards. The leaves of every bush and tree rustle, but they cannot overpower the sound of the viol. Amber plays intensely, sawing the bow back and forth with an energy she would not have thought remained within her. The complicated movements of the bow come without mediation of thought as Amber translates her will into music.
The shapes take form. The forms does not correlate with any known, but they do resemble things that fly in the air, one like a bat, and another like an insect. Over here, one mimics the shape of a griffin. They dance around in the air, with their fangs and multiple sets of wings.
>>166564
There is no time or attention to spare for marveling at such a wondrous thing. Amber attempts to create more frightful tones in her music, to scare away those pesky bandits.
There is no time or attention to spare for marveling at such a wondrous thing. Amber attempts to create more frightful tones in her music, to scare away those pesky bandits.
>>166565
Indeed, there is no time for wonder. Only for the music.
Another note joins the sound, followed by another chord, until a symphony plays with Amber. If it weren't so painful, she'd be in ecstasy. The recognizable forms lose their shape once again and they twist and morph into oblong clouds of fluid that dance around and transform again.
The music is pierced by the sound of gunshots. Several of them, all from rifles. These cretins don't appreciate music. But her friends do, and this music was made by and for Amber's friends, after all.
Indeed, there is no time for wonder. Only for the music.
Another note joins the sound, followed by another chord, until a symphony plays with Amber. If it weren't so painful, she'd be in ecstasy. The recognizable forms lose their shape once again and they twist and morph into oblong clouds of fluid that dance around and transform again.
The music is pierced by the sound of gunshots. Several of them, all from rifles. These cretins don't appreciate music. But her friends do, and this music was made by and for Amber's friends, after all.
>>166566
Such a cacophony rudely interrupts her music, but she does not stop playing. Her friends will be set free, and her music is tinged with menacing notes to make this clear.
Such a cacophony rudely interrupts her music, but she does not stop playing. Her friends will be set free, and her music is tinged with menacing notes to make this clear.
>>166515
Silver kicks the door open to the room. This is easy; the closing mechanism has been kicked open. Silver opens the door to a hot, poorly lit, medium sized rectangular room filled with very large black box-shaped machines with lights on them, and fans that make a constant hum.
But this is not what interests Silver. To the far right of the entrance is a doorway with an open door and light coming in from an adjacent room, and what Silver can recognize as the silhouette of a drone holding an assault rifle.
Unless Silver wishes to back out...
Roll Initiative
Silver kicks the door open to the room. This is easy; the closing mechanism has been kicked open. Silver opens the door to a hot, poorly lit, medium sized rectangular room filled with very large black box-shaped machines with lights on them, and fans that make a constant hum.
But this is not what interests Silver. To the far right of the entrance is a doorway with an open door and light coming in from an adjacent room, and what Silver can recognize as the silhouette of a drone holding an assault rifle.
Unless Silver wishes to back out...
Roll Initiative
>>166583
From the room behind the drone:
"Schießen Sie nicht auf die Ausrüstung!"
The drone raises his rifle and moves forward
Opposed:
[1d20 = 10]
From the room behind the drone:
"Schießen Sie nicht auf die Ausrüstung!"
The drone raises his rifle and moves forward
Opposed:
[1d20 = 10]
[1d20+6 = (17+6) = 23]
[1d20+6 = (20+6) = 26]
[1d20+6 = (8+6) = 14]
[1d20+6 = (18+6) = 24]
>>166585
"Убирайся из нашего города!"
With a shout, Silver fires a burst from his Jenny towards this drone.
[1d20+6 = (20+6) = 26]
[1d20+6 = (8+6) = 14]
[1d20+6 = (18+6) = 24]
>>166585
"Убирайся из нашего города!"
With a shout, Silver fires a burst from his Jenny towards this drone.
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