/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>191610
Silver chuckles, and pats River Mist on the top of his head, between his ears. "Мы это сделаем, но сначала нам нужно спасти нескольких солдат, ваших товарищей и других."

>>191611
His tail stops moving and drops down by the center. His smile fades

"Так.... Мы же не отдаляемся от Чернобога и этого проклятого острова?"

>>191612
Silver looks at River Mist with the same expression that a father has when he knows he's about to break his foal's heart by telling them that some mythical holiday mascot isn't actually real, and it's been their parents leaving them money and gifts all along. He breathes in and lets it out as a sigh. "Ну... может быть. А может и нет. Некоторые из этих солдат недостаточно здоровы, чтобы эффективно сражаться. Наши возможности безопасно покинуть остров сейчас... ограничены. Мы должны были вызвать самолёт для эвакуации, но не можем связаться с ним по радио, а даже если бы и смогли, боюсь, этот корабль просто уничтожил бы его в воздухе."

He looks down, then to the side, as if in contemplation before looking back to River Mist. "Мы сделаем всё, что в наших силах. Что бы ни случилось, моё обещание остаётся твёрдым и верным: ты УЖЕ покинешь этот остров целым и невредимым. Но пока мы не вытащим тебя с острова, мне нужно, чтобы ты был сильным. Не только ради себя, но и ради своих товарищей. Вам нужно будет искать друг у друга силы, чтобы сделать то, что необходимо."

>>191613
His ears, along with every other feature, droop down. He nearly barks out:

"Что нам делать? Что нам нужно сделать? Что мне делать?"

>>191614
Silver speaks loudly and suddenly, hoping to snap River Mist out of it. "ОСТАНАВЛИВАТЬСЯ!"

>>191615
His eyes go wide, his ears back, and he sits back down. he stops talking.

>>191616
With River Mist snapped out of it, Silver's voice returns to the authoritative hybrid of sergeant and father. He places his hooves back on either side of River Mist's head. "Мы не поддадимся панике. Страх убивает разум. Страх — это тихий голосок в нашей голове, который ведёт нас к полной гибели. Мы сохраним спокойствие, будем бороться, победим и выживем. Мы сделаем это, потому что должны, потому что мы единственные, кто может, и потому что если мы этого не сделаем... миллионы погибнут."

>>191617
His ears go up, then back down, then up again as his lips remain firmly closed, until he speaks:

"Эм... Как именно мы это делаем?

While Silver is talking to his fellow Severyanans, Cavaliere takes Posey, Kira, and Dust (if he's willing) aside.

"Are there any signs of the missing airship crew we can follow?" he asks Kira. "We will have to make the difficult choice of taking the risk to find them before the GRU have them captured, or to save our limited resources and time to deal with the Fellow Traveler while keeping our entourage safe. I'm concerned there might not be a right answer."

>>191619
"I am more concerned by the possibility that the Traveller has already enthralled them. The night is coming, and without knowledge of the beast's powers they would logically try to conserve their energy with periodic rests. We may have more minutes to save them before it becomes a firefight." Posey replies, kicking at the ground in eagerness

>>191618
Moving his hooves down to River Mist's shoulders, Silver keeps a firm hold of the pony. "С упорством, решимостью и чистой силой воли — тем, чего нет у Странника. С практической точки зрения, у нас есть оружие, взрывчатка и магия. То, что учёные не смогли разрезать его хирургическим инструментом, не означает, что он неуязвим ко всем видам повреждений."

>>191619
>>191620
Kira frowns a she looks to her companions. "It's worse than that. The area is littered with 'gee are you' soldiers and those..." Kira shivers in disgust, "...things the Traveler's made. It's going to be a fight to rescue those Airponies."

>>191621
Sitting again, tail wrapped around himself, he tilts his head, both ears pointed up

"Ты собираешься попробовать взорвать это? Почему бы и нет - почему бы не уйти от этого? Могу ли я уйти от этого?"

>>191621
"How far are the airponies?"

>>191622
Silver repeats himself to River Mist, "Потому что мы должны это сделать. Потому что никто другой этого сделать не может. И потому что, если мы этого не сделаем, миллионы людей умрут."

>>191624
>>191622
Hmmmmm...that's a good question. Can Kira tell how far away they are?

>>191625
"Хорошо..." he says, head tilting down slightly and ears going back

Something along the lines of a third of a mile. Maybe more, maybe less

>>191626
Silver pats River Mist's shoulders and offers him a "Хороший парень" as he helps him to his hooves.

Kira: "It's not far, we just need to keep going."

>>191626
Great. We should be able to hustle that far without exhausting ourselves
"GIDDY UP!" Posey cries, rearing and kicking her legs in the air before taking off in the direction Kira indicated.

No longer riding monstro, she orders it to fly in the rear if the group and guard the bomb (removing it from combat for the time being).

>>191628
Kira giggles at this display before slithering behind her. "You ponies are so cute and silly when you do your kicky hooves thing."

Cavaliere takes up position between Posey and Kira, offset to the right to better keep an eye out. "It's a small island so we're bound to encounter something. At least the enemy has many things to keep track of, and keeping on the move will be to our advantage. They cannot surround us, but we have to maintain surprise if we are to have a chance."

>>191632
Silver has the rest of the group, including the commies, the airponies, and the griffs, follow along. "I see you are learning basics of being soldier."

>>191633
Cavaliere wryly chuckles in response. "It will take more than basics to solve this conundrum. But, I wouldn't be here if I was a novice."

Posey keeps galloping at full speed until she sees any signs of activity ahead, taking advantage of not needing to stop to breath.
Kira and Cavalier have Endurance, so they should be able to keep pace with her in the front.

>>191634
Silver lets out his own, hearty chuckle with a subtle shake of his head. "Heh, I supposed you have me there, fair enough."

>>191634
"The closer the mission brushes with death, the greater our powers will grow when this is all over. Bring it on!" Posey says boastfully, still galloping
The golden glint of her infravision shines in her eyes, scanning ahead for anything lurking in the dark.

A brief kick of the breeze coats a fine mist over the ponies. But this is the last gasp of the retreating fog that rolls over the center hill before traversing the summit of the eastern edges and leaving the field of view.

The view before them is as clear as it has been, with a view deep into the twilight sky, tinged purple and dark grey but still tainted grey by the ubiquitous haze. A single light shines in the night above the horizon. Very possibly it is a star, the north star, perhaps. Perhaps it is the planet Chiron, making its long rotation, and standing out brightly in the night. Or perhaps it is a plane, or some other artifice much closer. It is more than could be seen before.

The party has a good view down the center of the bay, half-circle that it is, with its black sand beaches, long fields of brown-yellow dormant grasses that roll down towards the water, and surrounded on either side by peaking hills that at their summits are crowned in innumerable stones and black-grey basalt. Further off in the distance, partly obscured by the left/western line of the bay, is the island to the north of Mended Horn, smaller but still reasonable in its own right. Its hilly peak, surrounding sea stacks, and sheer vertical black-rock cliffs can be distinguished even at this distance. In the center of the bay and edging in closer is the grey-painted warship, with a smaller boat by its side. It must be an older Equestrian design. A bright yellow flash can be seen from its forward gun. Its projectile can be traced across the sky, leaving a grey trail as it arcs towards the hill on the right. There, smoke still rises from the ruins of the airship. A grey explosion can be seen, then felt as it shakes the ground, and then heard. It's plume continues to rise towards the sky. One, two, three little squads move towards this area of the right side of the bay.

In front of the party, towards the center, is a small camp with several tents and two large mortars set up. They pop and streak, with projectiles going towards unseen enemies. The whistling hum of the mortars can be heard periodically, the rotors winding in the air.

But on the eastern side, where the party is going, the ridge of the hill obstructs the view of the sea beyond. At the far end, perched on what is presumably a cliff from the seaside, is a small-ish painted white lighthouse with a black painted head. It isn't especially tall, but it's perched high enough on the hill such that its light would rise above most of the hill line of the eastern ridges, and would be visible in the eastern ocean, which is indeed the main shipping lane for Equestrian and Severyanan travelers going from the Village Up North or Ravensyoke to Trottingham or out to the open ocean. The eastern hills are not as tall or well defined as in the west, but they are still capped in basalt stones and appear grey or black at the top from a distance, with dull yellow-brown grass dominating the great majority of its surface, here as everywhere on the island. Long, grey lines of antique stone walls that once dividing the land into many padlocks and fields can be seen all along the rind of the bay, more so in the center and east than the west, as can several small, cone-like stone buildings that periodically dot the hillsides.

At least one squad is making its way towards the lighthouse, while a couple more are ascending towards the ridge line. A group of three in the center are moving towards the center of the island, the old medieval village, near where the party is now.

>>191648
>A single light shines in the night above the horizon. Very possibly it is a star, the north star, perhaps. Perhaps it is the planet Chiron, making its long rotation, and standing out brightly in the night. Or perhaps it is a plane, or some other artifice much closer. It is more than could be seen before.
Pic
I have Profession (Astrology) on my character sheet, but I still haven't put any ranks in it.
Going to make an untrained Int check to identify it, because what kind of unicorn mage doesn't value knowledge of the cosmos?
[1d20+3 = (8+3) = 11]
>Warship getting involved
>Airship being shelled
>Mortar fire
>Unseen enemies
"This island is becoming a warzone! The GRU will be shooting at summons until the Traveler makes them turn on eachother. If The Traveller has any limits to how many beasts it can summon at once, this chaos may serve to our advantage. We must find the airponies swiftly!" Posey remarks, still galloping
>Phrase not found
Posey gazes towards that squad
"That would have been my first place to look for sheltering survivors too. It is a good thing Kira was able to track their scent before we went there."

Posey commands Monstro to float low to the ground to avoid detection, still running.

>>191650
>>Phrase not found
Ignore that. I was talking about the lighthouse.

>>191649
>>191650
Kira, being from the southern hemisphere, is completely lost as to the names and positions of these foreign stars. All she knows is that this one, just like the ones that hang above her homeland, are all pieces of Ouroboros, and seeing them even here is at least a small comfort in this trying time.

Silver: "We have to hurry. Those airponies will be cut to shreds by that squad if they get to them first."

>>191650
Now that the fog has cleared, and we're mere minutes from our destination, can we see or hear any activity from where the airponies should be ahead of us? Any rifle flashes or gunshots? Shadows of lumbering monsters? Spells going off?

>>191649
Cavaliere avoids placing himself on the ridgeline. Despite being a griffon he moves quite fast along the ground, keeping up with the others.

>>191652
"May I suggest intercepting that squad and pinning them down while one of us investigates the lighthouse? If we enter the lighthouse first, they will be on us for sure."

>>191654
>splitting the party
>again
"While I am quite curious what the GRU plans to do with the lighthouse, and I would have galloped there first under different circumstances, are you certain you want to be caught in a firefight alone again? You have lost quite a bit of valuable blood." Posey replies

>>191650
After being observed for a few seconds, it doesn't visibly move. That makes it unlike to be an artifice like a plane, although the possibility of an airship, or a plane further away and coming towards them, cannot be ruled out. Posey is not aware of a star both exceptionally bright and in that particular part of the northern sky; it must be Chiron, shining in the night and rotating along its respective sphere.

>low to the ground
The bay is almost like a bowl, cut in half. The bay itself is low, but everything around the water rises upwards in an incline. So long as you are in the north side there is no cover at all save for a few, tiny, scattered constructs. It is impossible for Monstro, or anything so big, to move on the interior portion of the bay and not be noticed. Not in the twilight. Not until the fog returns.

>>191652
The stars are different. It's all different.

>>191653
Posey is quick to notice just how comparatively quiet it is. She can't see any monsters - that may change if she looked more carefully, but it's clearly a comparative lull in the attacks of Our Fellow Traveller. There are some rifle cracks at the far left/east end of the bay. There are several cracks of mortar fire and artillery, but the targets are not obvious.

>>191654
He would essentially have to travel around the ring, out of the line of sight of the bay. This is not impossible, but it does require a minor detour along the eastern and southern slopes

>>191654
>>191656
Silver looks to Black Heel to get his opinion on Cavaliere's suggestion, since it would bring him and the commies into direct conflict against the GRU.

>>191657
"And what, exactly, does it mean to 'pin them down'?"
He looks skeptical, and generally not pleased with the plan.

>>191655
>>191658
"If you want every hoof on the attack, we could do that as well, but we will lose valuable time getting to the remaining survivors. They are definitely scared and possibly injured. We could try to get inside the lighthouse first and use it as cover, but we would risk being trapped. I would prefer it if we scare the enemy squad into halting and set up the machine gun for an enfilade as our main force makes a tactical retreat. Let's avoid a head-on engagement if we can. Your thoughts, Commissar?"

>>191656
Cavaliere directs the rest of the group to make this detour with him. A slight delay is worth the element of surprise.

>>191659
“I can never counsel attacking my countrymen. But even besides that, I would not recommend a pitched battle. They are strong, and more than that, they, and not we, have the potential to be reinforced and strengthened should any battle last too long. That is the far end of the island, away from your demonic allies, but close to their ship and fire support. And further, if we are too delayed, they could cut off the line of retreat without even intending to do so.”

>>191659
>>191660
Silver: "And of course we must worry about them skipping firefight altogether and simply calling in mortar and artillery strikes on us."

As Kira looks on at the ponies discussing what they should do, she takes a deep breath and speaks up. "I'll go. Alone. I'm not a fighter, I'm out of magic, you won't need me for the battle against the Traveler. I'm sneaky, this is what I've done my whole life. Let me take a radio and go try to get those ponies out of there, without bloodshed."

>>191661
Cavaliere looks skeptically at Kira. "Last time you did…well, diplomacy will not work. Flying is not much use out here, but I could get around the lighthouse and get to the top. You may need my help."

>>191662
Kira smiles at Cavaliere. "This time will be different. It has to be. And the more creatures that come along...well, I'm worried that the chance of failure will go up dramatically. There's no time to lose, I have to go."

And before she forgets, Kira takes the potion out that she got from Cavaliere at the airship. She uncorks the vial, looks inside at its contents, and flicks her tongue inside, licking up the potion that's contained.

[2d8+3 = (9+3) = 12]

>>191656
>She can't see any monsters - that may change if she looked more carefully
Spot
[1d20+3 = (2+3) = 5]

>>191665
Is that a monster, or a pony walking across the far hill, or the glimmer of a fragment of aluminum debris flittering in the wind? Is that movement in the sky a flying monster, or just the rolling fog? Hard to tell in the twilight. But what Posey can tell unambiguously is that the monster activity now is less than before, and everywhere it seems the GRU is on the advance. The eastern side of the bay in particular is monster free, and is the GRU's to take. But will it stay that way? That is even harder to tell

>>191663
Cavaliere nods. "I will scout the perimeter. Everyone else should stick together."

>>191666
"We need to move, swiftly!" Posey declares, forging ahead in full gallop.

>>191666
>>191667
>>191670
Kira slithers ahead of the group towards the lighthouse, trying this time to be as stealthy as the noodle can possibly be. Silver looks to the rest of the group as they move on. "Let us keep our distance, yet try to keep eye on Kira and GRU squad. We can radio her their movements and warn of their impending arrival when they get close to lighthouse."

>>191671
Before she leaves, Cavaliere asks, "Ms. Kirafiki, how do you intend to convince the sailors you are a friendly creature, given your odd shape?
And what would you have us do if the enemy reaches the lighthouse?"

>>191672
Kira stops, and turns to look at Cavaliere. "I'd tell them that we were sent by the Captain. Seems simple enough...I hope..." Looking over at the GRU squad, she continues. "I guess...don't go too far? I'll try not to linger though."

Wait, I'm confused, what direction are we going in?

>>191675
North, towards the lighthouse, and towards the end of the eastern peninsula. Cavaliere’s proposal was to move on the outside of the bay - on the opposite side of the hill by the ocean, so as to not be visible to GRU forces.

>>191676
But we're still headed in the general direction of the airponies, right?
Not complaining because I thought the Lighthouse would clues/supplies/items/npcs in it (D&D pro tip: there is always a reward for investing large, obvious structures on abandoned islands), I just want to make sure we succeed with finding the airponies.

>>191677
Yeah, we're heading towards the lighthouse. Kira is going to try to sneak her way up to it while the rest of the party keeps an eye on the GRU squad and keeps her informed about their movements.

What do we see when we arrive?

The party has chosen to take not the inward route, but the outside, and as such, they do not have direct line of sight to the GRU forces on the inside of the bay - and neither does the GRU to them.

Walking along the westside of the western ridge line, the party has a view of the west horizon over the Rockey Sea. The ocean, green, blue, and purple with so many white caps dotting its surface, moving inexorable west-northwest, stretches out from the black-rock shores until it disappears in the grey horizon. The Western sky is the last portion to have any light, bright hues of blue remaining under the distant cloud and fog, so close to the setting sun. Above the greyed hoziron, shades of purple darken as they go further east, often tinged with the omnipresent grey. No stars can be seen.

The ocean wind blows firmly, and its sound is ever present as well, drowning out most other sounds. They cannot hear the tinnitus. Not well. The smell of the salted sea likewise dominates.

The ground, here as elsewhere, is dominated by short grasses that are neither a healthy green, nor completely dead, but somewhere between, yellow and sometimes green or brown. Stones periodically dot the hillside, and brown, silted rivulets and minor streams occasionally break the surface. More than once the decaying remnant of a three-foot-tall stone wall blocks the path of the party, forcing a work around or to go over. Though the hilltop blocks the view of the inner bay, sounds and sometimes images spill over, with the sounds of battle starting again.

Long before the near the end of the peninsula, the rotating beam of the lighthouse can be seen in the ever-darkening night. Though the hillside disrupts the beam at points, it shines clearly over the rocky sea both north and south, aided by the slightly northwestern tilt of the peninsula. Before the lighthouse, to the right, and close to it, is a hilltop that stops just short of the light of the light house in height. It declines until it comes to a flat area where the light house is located, then declines for some hundred yards or more until, presumably, it comes to a cliff that leads down into the sea. The northern island can be seen off in the distance, though with less definition in the lower light.

Beyond the lighthouse and the hillside, glimpsing into bay and the northeast sea beyond, there are flashes of what may be lightning. In the sky, little flecks of light stream upwards. Tracers, presumably.

There is the rapport of gunfire. Several rifle cracks. Not easy to identity, but presumably Stalliongrad weapons. The crack of a rifle, of Equestrian or New Mareland in design from it's lower pitch, softer crack. A submachine gun, possibly two or more. The high rate of fire and the higher pitch imply Stalliongrad. Another submachine gun, but the lower rate of fire and lower pitch imply a New Mareland or maybe Equestrian pattern. Then a machine gun, unknown pattern. Further away, repeated thuds. Something heavier. And then... a Hiss? Like an attempt to breath inwards. Thuds of kicking the ground and digging it up. The sound of rocks being thrown. And attempt at a scream... but only an attempt.

>>191702
Spot: Kira tries to use her keen snek eyes to see if she can tell what's going on from this distance.

[1d20+8 = (16+8) = 24]

>>191702
Cavaliere muses on whether the lighthouse has been kept active this whole time. As a beacon to would-be enemies it was a mistake to keep it lit.

The gunfire confirms his suspicions. Going wide, he creeps to see what altercation has broken out while keeping himself hidden.

Spot: [1d20+7 = (1+7) = 8]

Sorry for the delay. I had errands.
>>191702
>Another submachine gun, but the lower rate of fire and lower pitch imply a New Mareland or maybe Equestrian pattern.
Sounds like that's the direction we have to gallop in.

Posey's vampony ears swivel towards the sound. She twitches and fidgets a bit skittishly and gnashes her teeth as she kicks the soil beneath her hooves at the scent of blood and gunpowder, like a well-coaxed warpony.
"New Mareland boomsticks... The Stalliongraders would sooner die than arm their special forces with those; it is a matter of pride. It sounds like our colts are still alive there. Onwards." She says, moving on that direct.

Her eyes glow in the dim light, as she searches for the charges with her infravision:
Spot:
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]

>>191702
Can we tell how far away the gunshots are?
Listen
[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22]

>>191703
>>191704
>>191705
>>191712
Cavaliere trips in a small rivulet, but his companions are more fortunate. On the hillside before the lighthouse must be a number of soldiers. An exact head count cannot be determined, but it is about consistent with a fire squad. This is where the rapport of Stalliongradian weapons is coming from. Near and also between the light house is the looming figure of what seems to be giant... You could say they are standing like lizards, with legs standing apart. Not so much can be determined about these from this distance. And in the lighthouse itself is some movement, and more so, the rapport of New Mareland pattern guns. Though this is slightly closer, even less can be seen. Likely even more of the battle could be seen if the creatures were closer.

>>191715
Kira calls out to her companions, "Come on, we have to hurry!" before hurriedly slithering towards the lighthouse. Silver goes after her.

>>191715
>And in the lighthouse itself is some movement, and more so, the rapport of New Mareland pattern guns.
Huh, so they are in the light house.
Let's get closer.

>>191715
>Not so much can be determined about these from this distance.
How far away are we exactly? I need to know because spell range and whatnot.
>And in the lighthouse itself is some movement, and more so, the rapport of New Mareland pattern guns.
So another fight is taking place inside the light house, separate from the fight outside of it? That's bad news, they might already be fighting eachother.
Can we see any part of it from the top window, or is it inside the tower itself?

>>191715
Well, for once the presence of one of these nightmarish monsters is a comfort, and they are not completely too late. Cavaliere gestures to the others to stay low and be quiet. He circles around the right to be about 75 feet away from the outermost members of the enemy fireteam, at an angle they will not be looking at.

>>191716
flicks tongue

>>191718
How far do you wish to be? The lighthouse isn't going to move, but the party might. The observations mentioned were at ~400 feet. You can get closer, obviously, but the closer you get, the more you risk becoming a part of it.

>Inside
Not necessarily. It could be shooting from open windows on the lighthouse, as the volume of the sound would imply.

>>191719
75 feet on your right? That is to say, on the hillslope that overlooks the scene and kind of close to where Cavaliere is now? Or 75 feet on their right, down the slope and closer to the cliffs, on the opposite side of the lighthouse?

>>191720
On Cavaliere's right, or the enemy's left flank, yes.

>>191720
>How far do you wish to be?
Well, our quest isn't finished until we find the airponies, so we're going to have to get within speaking range at some point, and that means entering, scaling or flying to the top of the lighthouse.
Most if not all of the NPCs should stay behind, except for a couple of the airponies to testify that we are with Captain Waters.
>You can get closer, obviously, but the closer you get, the more you risk becoming a part of it.
Well, it looks like the GRU are distracted fighting monsters, so now is our chance to rush past both of them. Full speed ahead.
It should take Posey a little over three rounds of combat to reach the lighthouse. She takes the Run action, so she loses her Dex bonus to AC.

>>191722
It may be so. Cavaliere will, however, be aware of the following: he is on the downward slope of a hill above the scene. He has a good view, but the reverse is also true. There is no tall vegetation, nor rocks, to serve as cover. The only benefits are the obviously distracted state of the soldiers and monsters both, and the encroaching darkness of the twilight.

There are at minimum 10 soldiers, with a pair close to the door, and some in a string further away. The machine gun is set up, and laying down fire.

There are at least two monsters. He can’t see them well. He likely doesn’t want to. Their legs extend outwards from the body at a 90 degree angle. There is a visible back bone along the ridge. The skin is naked and grey, as before. The head is not hippocephalic, but shorter, with something resembling a beak, except that it appears to be made with, or covered by, a continuation of the skin. It’s at least twice the height of a pony, even with its odd, crouched, spider-like posture. But he can only see so much in the dark. Something flies overhead, and there is a bolt of what appears to be lightning in the distance.

>>191702
"There is a firefight in the tower. The beast may have already enthralled half of them. I will not stand by while my pay check is cut in half! I am going in!" Posey says, galloping at full speed towards the light house

>>191726
How likely could Cavaliere fly to the top of the lighthouse without being noticed?

Does anything get in Posey's way in the ~three rounds she takes galloping towards the light house?

It really needs to be clarified that while sunset has passed and it is twilight now, neither is there true darkness. There is some haze, but mostly clear conditions. While where Cavaliere is standing on the hillside is in the shadow of the hill from the twilight and therefore darker, to go to the lighthouse by air or land would be to trot against a mid-blue background. Being seen and targeted is a risk.

>>191742
I am willing to risk being seen and drawing aggro. Posey runs towards the light house at full speed.

>>191742
Cavaliere takes the risk. He runs and flies at full speed to the top of the lighthouse.

Very well...

>>191744
Cavaliere jumps up, and takes flight towards the head of small lighthouse. He must be careful to time his approach, lest the light blind him.

But he quickly finds a problem. Most of the windows are closed, though the window the ponies have been shooting out of is open.

Two pot shots - likely it was more, but two come close - are taken at Cavaliere
[1d20-1 = (13-1) = 12]
[2d6 = 10]
[1d20-1 = (20-1) = 19]
[2d6 = 10]

>>191743
Posey runs towards the door. It is locked. Two rifle shots come by Posey. Perhaps they are actually machine gun shots, and if they are not, she can hear that one is in use.
[1d20+1 = (1+1) = 2]
[2d8 = 8]
[1d20+1 = (15+1) = 16]
[2d8 = 13]

>>191745
Miss

Posey immediately proceeds to try to break down the door using her crowbar.
(Pardon the delay. I had to check the rules to see if this DC was worth rolling for)

Strength check
[1d20+5 = (2+5) = 7]

>>191746
"Damnit!" Posey hisses

Her turn is over.
She glances behind her, to see what's engaging with her

Posey will try again on the next round

>>191747
Kira scrunches down into the grass, using her color palette to blend into the mostly dead and asleep grass. While she does so, she uses her various sense to get a grasp of where they're being attacked from.

Hide: [1d20+14 = (20+14) = 34]
Spot: [1d20+8 = (13+8) = 21]
Listen: [1d20+8 = (13+8) = 21]

Silver, meanwhile, charges with his sword drawn in the direction of the lighthouse door to try to bust it down or even destroy it with a swing of his sword. "IN-COM-IIIIIIIIIIING!"

Charge: [1d20+14 = (7+14) = 21]
Damage (if it matters for what Silver's trying to do: [2d6+6 = (6+6) = 12]

>>191747
Down the hill, muzzle flashes and equine figures

>>191749
One shot does come Silver's way
[1d20+1 = (3+1) = 4]
[2d8 = 11]

Silver is, rather fortunately, able to break the hinge off of the door and forcibly open it

Inside, the area is narrow. There is some blood on the floor, a wall with a couple cabinets (both open), an empty desk, and the beginning of an iron spiral staircase going up.

Kira is able to use her body length to her advantage, to blend into the horizon from a distance if she inches along.

She sees that there are a number of pony soldiers down the hill towards the bay that are shooting towards the party, and especially, towards other attackers.

>>191750
Posey immediately rushes into the room, looking for a way up and signs for any creatures.

>>191750
Can Kira see these other attackers?

>>191751
Silver joins her, being sure to announce their presence. "Hello? Please do not shoot us, we are here to rescue you."

>>191752
Yes.

It almost looks like a bat. The way its head is, I mean. Well, a bat with its bones formed like a beak. Like it's trying to walk on naked wings. But much, much larger. Much larger than Kira.

And overhead, in the sky...
She can't call it an angel. An Angel would give off light. This looks closer to a moth. Or a set of moths tied together.

>>191751
Blood on the ground, an opened cabinet, and an iron staircase going up.

>>191753
Silver goes up the iron staircase, worried about the state of the airponies.

Kira grimaces. More of these aberrant creations...she slithers forward slightly to see if she can clearly see the positions of the enemy forces, as she might be able to relay them to the other party members over the radio and help them get out okay.

>>191753
"Is anypony still alive?!"
Posey calls up the tower
"Captain Waters sent us!"
Whatever the response, she proceeds to climb the tower.
She she climbs, she keeps an eye out for any useful provisions in the light house, such as medical kits, potion caches, healing belts, talismans, or other things a light house may be stocked with.

>>191745
Unfortunately, he is hit. Does he make it to the lighthouse at least?

>>191756
Yes. But. The upper windows are closed, save the one that is being use to shoot through.

>>191756
Being shot shouldn't interrupt your movement unless it renders you unconscious.
And even then, you would continue moving forward at half speed until you crashed

>>191757
Can he hang from the open one and talk through it?

>>191759
He can try. But that sounds like a skill check. Acrobatics and maybe diplomacy. Also maybe hide if desired.

>>191755
It isn't that tall. There are definite sounds upstairs.

>>191759
Maybe mention that captain waters sent you, so that they let you in.
>>191760
Does anypony respond?
"Is anypony here?! It would be very disappointing if you were dead..."
Posey continues to climb upwards

>>191760
Wouldn't that be a climb check, not tumble?

>>191762
Could roll Escape Artist to squeeze through.

>>191760
>>191761
Silver: "But seriously, please do not shoot your rescue."

>>191762
Sure. Dex modifier either way

>>191761
>>191764
"Who the fuck is speaking ponish?" They hear

>>191765
Before I respond, is that said with a foreign accent?

>>191766
Seems to be consistent with a hybrid between East Equestrian (Manehattan to Ablion) and New Mareland

>>191767
So not a communist then
"We are mercenaries, sent by Captain Waters!" Posey calls up, still climbing
"Has the beast taken any of your minds? Hold on, I am coming up."

>>191765
Climb: [1d20+7 = (12+7) = 19]
It's actually str modifier but I won't contest your ruling
Diplomacy: [1d20+2 = (5+2) = 7]
With a pained voice, Cavaliere says, "I just took a bullet for you so you should listen to what I say. We're helping get you back to Captain Waters and off this island."
He won't climb inside until he's sure he won't be shot.

>>191765
Silver: "Your rescue party, sent by Captain Waters. Again, do not shoot us."

Silver advances up the stairs, hoping he doesn't end up getting shot.

>>191768
"Captain Waters?"
A different voice:
"the one outside? No. We're all in here."

>>191769
Cavaliere is able to place his hind legs against the structure in a way that makes hanging off of it sustainable even as he is wounded. He does know that he is vulnerable there. But something else behind him is taking more of their attention.

"Waters? How do you know Waters?"

>>191770
"Then how'd you get past these commies?"

>>191771
"Oh, good." Posey says
"Wait a moment. I am coming up."
She proceeds up the staircase
>>191770
"Silver, be a dear and guard the door, in case any monsters come out way."
>"Then how'd you get past these commies?"
"We had a parley with some deserters. They are helping carry the wounded. We can explain it all in a minute, but what's important right now is that you all get ready to leave." she says, still walking

>>191772
"Nah nah nah, who the fuck are you and why do you sound so foreign?"

Second voice:
"She said who they are. They are mercenaries sent to save us!"

"Then how the hell did they get past the communists and the... the that thing?"

>>191771
>>191772
Silver: "We ran through hail of bullets. Spetsnaz seems more interesting in that aberration than us. We were hired because we all have different skills that are useful in this type of situation. Though, to be honest it has all gone tits up with that thing they brought on Kostroma..."

Kira calls in over the radio. "I think you guys are okay for the moment, but you should really get out of there before these 'gee are you' guys destroy these monsters."

>>191773
Hopefully Posey has reached their level by now, sheaving her sword
"I am Rosey Ring, a freelance warmagus. I came all the way from Farbrook to study Equestrian magic, so do excuse my accent." She says, tossing her mane and striking and elegant pose
"The monsters roving this island are summons conjured by an aberrant monstrosity carried by the ship you were trailing, known as The Traveller. It is an otherworldly creature with the ability to conjure minions and take over the minds of ponies." she scoffs a bit at the end
"Although, it is rather crude and unprofessional in its methods. Its monsters were not difficult to evade so far."
She takes a bow, gesturing towards the stairs
"My comrades can explain it in detail." (I have to sleep soon; work tomorrow)

As soon as Posey is in eyeshot, she is going to attempt to charm every creature she sees

How many ponies does Posey see when she reaches the top of the tower?

"Somepony should guard the door, in case monsters approach."

>>191791
Kira conveniently calls over the radio again: "Are you guys okay? I'm still out here, still looking over the battle..."

>>191792
Who is holding the radio?

Do any of the airponies look wounded?

>>191774
>>191775
>>191776
"No, I've seen it's tricks-"

"Will you shut the hell up?" a pause, "Get us the hell off this island."

As Posey moves up, she sees a set of golden, slit eyes looking down in that gap between the stairs. Further up, she can see the wooden stock of a rifle, although it's not directed her way.

Sorry for the delayed reply
>>191800
>golden, slit eyes looking down in that gap between the stairs
That doesn't sound like a pony. A griffon maybe?
Pissy continue her approach, but not before using her charm gaze on the creature looking back at her, ever useful for breaking the ice in conversation.
DC 19 Will

>>191800
Cavaliere appeals to their reason.
"When that Creature controls an intelligent being, it talks erratically and moves in a clumsy, uncoordinated way. I pose no threat to you, and I would appreciate it if you would let me climb through this window."

>>191801
>Pissy
God fucking damnit, I lost my password and cannot delete
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

>>191800
As Silver goes up with Posey, he holds up his empty hooves to the gunpony and what must be a bat pony. "We will, but there are complications. Come with us, we need to leave this lighthouse before Spetsnaz units finish dealing with Traveler's creations. Oh, and if you see what looks like pony with snake tail, do not shoot her. She is not from Traveler."

"I see that you have been shooting at the monster's summons. How many have you managed to destroy? We are still unsure of the limits of its powers."

>>191802
"Get him in!"

Cavaliere briefly sees the end of a rifle poke through the window. The stock moves down and to the left even as the end of the barrel does not move by much, until it turns up and moves out of view back in side. A hoof appears out of the window to take Cavaliere's claw.

Cavaliere presumably accepts, and he is pulled inside to a small chamber beneath the great, lit, rotating mirror. Equipment for the lighting and rotation takes up much of the center of the room. Inside is a white pegasus in green uniform, and next to him is a green unicorn, losely holding onto a Bits pattern submachine gun.

The white pegasus speaks,
"That was a daring move." a pause "How the hell do we get out of here?"

>>191801
High pitched sounds almost like chirps, and then both eyes focus on her. Hooves move in front of the muzzle, which is now likewise in view.

>>191804
"Snake tail what now?"

"Good, get us out."

>>191806
The Green unicorn (Posey is presumably at the top now) answers
"Like... one, maybe? I don't know. They kind of just disappear. I don't know if they die. We only had a few magazines and have had to conserve our ammunition. And these Bolsheviks have not been helpful at all."

>>191807
>>191806
>>191802
Silver instructs Cavaliere and Posey to, "Take anything from lighthouse that could be useful," before he looks to the two airship ponies in the room.

"Are you two all that split off from rest of airship survivors?"

>>191808
Laying on the floor by the stairs, which run just right of, and below the central rotating equipment, is a dark grey bat pony with dark brown wings. He looks up at Silver as he approaches, and moves back. He has bandages along his chest and is obviously wounded. He wears a green uniform besides sections that have been tied up around the belly to make way for bandages.

>>191808
“Three. There was a fourth who went down to that abandoned dock, but we lost track of him when the activity picked up. We went to this lighthouse hoping there would be a radio here. Instead, these… things started appearing, and the Bolsheviks invaded the island. We just bunkered down here. Day Chaser is wounded. We didn’t.. don’t really have a good way of getting out of here. The Bolsheviks would have taken us already if the… monsters hadn’t started showing up.”

Inside of this area, there is a flash light, multiple medical kits that have been opened, and several flares. Besides these and a water supply, as well as a small inflatable raft, there is not much in this obviously uninhabited lighthouse. The airponies have evidently already gone through it for useable items.

>>191809
Silver frowns. These two ponies swear they see Silver's eyes flash red for a moment. "You split up again!?"

Heal: With a sigh, Silver goes up to the bat pony, who is evidently Day Chaser, and sees if there's anything he can do about the wound.

[1d20+5 = (12+5) = 17]

>>191810
This silences the ponies, who each take a half step back, save for Day Chaser, who widens his golden eyes, but does not move.

Day Chaser has a puncture wound in the belly that has been bandaged and hopefully cleaned, a bruise on the ribs that can’t be that bad, given that he’s chosing to lay and put pressure on his chest, and then bad bruising and swelling on his right shoulder that presumably makes it painful to stand. Possibly broken.

>>191807
>"Like... one, maybe? I don't know. They kind of just disappear. I don't know if they die. We only had a few magazines and have had to conserve our ammunition. And these Bolsheviks have not been helpful at all."
As Posey meets the unicorn, she gives an elaborate pose, a whirl of her cape, and a bow.
"Freelance warmagus Rosey Ring, at your service." she says
"Yes, the monsters are summons, so they vanish when slain. It is quite an inconvenience for us to document our plights against them. I hope you would be willing to testify for us to get a bonus from Captain Waters. Fight off an unlimited army of nameless horrors was not part of our job description."
She continues
"The Bolshevik forced on this island are the GRU: special forces for Stalliongrad. They appear to be acting in service of the vanity of the communist regime; and thus they likely have no intention of letting anypony leave this island alive. So long as their ship is present, they complicated our extraction plans. Fret not though, for I have plans to neutralize it."
"As for our extraction, we have two main options. First, we could use the swan talisman the army provided us to paddle away. This option requires little fighting, but may make us vulnerable to monsters, and may require jettisoning some of the survivors we brought with us on the island. Second, we could commandeer the warship moored on this island, which would first require us to neutralize the monster nested there. Whatever the option, the survival of yourselves and the other airponies is our priority: we are only being paid in full for how many of you we return with alive."
>>191809
"A fourth you say? Well then, we will have to make our way to the docks then." she says
"But first, we will have to neutralize those monsters in the sky." Posey says, drawing her bone bow, net and bolas
"I have fought griffons all my life, I know a few things about grounding aerial targets. It only takes a bit of confidence, and some taunting." she continues
"There is no need for you to fight, for your survival is our priority, but I would appreciate some cover fire."

>>191811
"Are you able to move on your own? We have others to carry you, although we would prefer it if the unwounded helped carry the others."
>>191808
Posey proceeds to search the room, taking 20 (total of 25( to search each square for provisions and magic items as she speaks.

After she's done, she readies her weapons and prepares to fight the flying monsters.
"I have an idea. I will need to squeeze through that window though."

>>191807
When Cavaliere is pulled in they see a gruff griffon dressed in black wearing a cowboy hat. His bomber jacket and shirt are torn and blood-stained.
"Thank you." He replies, "There is one door, but the windows offer an alternative if you can fly or climb. I have rope with me."
>>191809
He raises an eyebrow. "The abandoned dock with the boat and shacks? We have been there before. Unless you mean a different abandoned dock, there is nothing left there."

>>191811
Hmm...is the floor that they're standing on made of wood planks? Or perhaps is there something else nearby made out of wood?

I may as well roll now to squeeze through the window that Cavalier came in through.
[1d20+3 = (1+3) = 4]

>>191816
Fuck...

>>191817
Whelp, you know what you must do now: roll Seduction to see if any of the ponies you charmed decides to take a chance from this opportunity

>>191812
Green Unicorn:
"You want us to speak about the monsters so you can get a bonus on the rescue?"

White Pegasus:
"Sure, I'll say anything you want if you can get us the hell off of this Island."

Unicorn:
"What's a talisman? And how are you going to 'nuetralize' a warship?"

Pegasus
"Jettison survivors what now?"

>only paid if alive
Green Unicorn (sacrastically):
"Good to know..."

Pegasus:
"We have very little ammo... but sure"

>>191813
Day Chaser:
"My leg feels like its on fire when I move"

>search at 20
That's a whole minute at least. You want to spend a whole minute on that? I mean maybe, if Silver is also doing heal checks that take time, but... that's enough time for things to move outside.

>>191814
Unicorn:
"I can't exactly fly..."

Pegasus
"I wouldn't go out that door. The Bolsheviks have a machine gun pointed in this direction. You're lucky they had... other problems, going out in the open like that.

Pegasus:
"The one next to the village. The one that isn't crumbling. That damn freight ship was still floating in the bay."

>>191815
The floor is painted red and seems to have some kind of varnish or preservative beneath it, but it does seem to be made of wooden planks. There are a few cabinets made of (smaller pieces) of wood, also

>>191816
>>191817
Or you can do that...

The window partly closes on Posey

>>191818
Oh my....

>>191819
Silver starts using a combination of magic and some swift kicks to begin busting a cabinet down. At first it looks like Silver's simply trying to take out his aggression on something, but in fact he's trying to get some sturdy pieces of wood to turn into a makeshift splint for the bat pony, so he can get up and moving.

>>191819
"We can lower you out the window with the rope. It's facing away from the enemy squad which means they won't notice us, if we move fast and quietly. It's also our best option for getting Day Chaser down out of here."

He helps open the window Posey is stuck in.

>>191820
crack
The side panel cracks in half, it isn't useful. The top portion and bottom is thicker and does not break off the wall at all. But an exterior piece... works well. It can make a splint.

>>191821
Not that specific window, no. But the design is close enough to symmetrical that this idea is conceivable, which is to say that there is a window on the side opposite of the battle.

"You think that will be enough? They could see us..."

Careful not to accidently shove her out

>>191822
Silver takes the wood and some strips of cloth (perhaps either torn from one of the soldier's uniforms or from a window curtain if there are any on the windows in the lighthouse) and fashions the splint. He goes up to Day Chaser with the splint in his magical grasp. "This may sting little bit, but I need to get this fashioned tightly around your broken bone so you can move. Understood?"

Also, can Kira use her vantage point outside to help guide the party in the lighthouse to a safe exit?

>>191823
He wiggles and moves about as Silver tries this
"Hey! Just. Be careful there. It hurts."

>>191823
>Kira
Perhaps, with luck and good rolls

>>191822
"You are a unicorn. Do you know any spells that could help conceal us?"

Cavaliere grips her rear legs and pulls her back out, if she's still struggling.

>>191824
Silver chuckles, "Well of course it does, breaking your bones is not meant to feel pleasurable after all. I will be as careful as I can." With that, he aligns the wooden pieces of the splint with the fracture, and begins tightening it. It's...definitely painful, but as he tightens it the broken bone is aligned back into a somewhat normal shape. It's still definitely broken and still hurts, but without it moving around and damaging the nearby muscle tissue Day Chaser should be able to limp on it now at least.

Spot: Meanwhile, Kira uses her keen snek vision to try to espy a safe egress point for the party.

[1d20+8 = (2+8) = 10]

>>191818
"Errr, grrrr, unf..! I am stuck! I hope nopony takes advantage of me in this vulnerable situation."
Seduction
[1d20+14 = (7+14) = 21]

>>191819
>The window partly closes on Posey
Posey can fight while stuck. Can She see the monster from here?

>>191827
>>191827
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3cRWJcZjW4&pp=ygUQb2gtbXkgZmx1dHRlcnNoeQ%3D%3D

>>191826
That one looks good, on the side closest to Kira

>>191825
>>191826
>>191827
>>191828
Uh, so are we pulling out Posey, letting her stay there? Are the ponies trying to leave out the window Posey is in, or a different one?

>>191829
Cavaliere was going to pull her out, but it looks like Posey wants to take this in a different direction. We would go out the opposite window (facing away from the enemies).

>>191830
Okay, so does it seem like most of the ponies are going out the back way, while Posey attacks from another angle?

I suppose I'll wait on Posey for that.

Otherwise, see if you can confirm a plan for the group on how to approach the situation.

>>191831
What does Posey see from her position?

>>191830
>>191831
Posey's intention was to neutralize the flying monster, so that we could leave safely.
At the very least, she can serve as a distraction while the others leave.

>>191831
>>191833
In that case Cavaliere will take ten to tie a knot to secure the wounded airpony so we can lower him down out the window. Have you seen Hacksaw Ridge? It'll be like that one scene.

>>191834
Good idea. Posey will be monster bait.
The Traveller's bird things are more likely to be inclined to target her after she btfo'd that other one before.

Rolling Bluff, to be good monster bait.
[1d20+14 = (10+14) = 24]
(If the monsters are already engaged with her, treat this as a bluff check to feint in combat).

>>191829
>>191834
>>191835
Kira radios in, "Uh, I don't know if anyone's still alive to hear this, I hope you guys are alright at least, but I see a window that looks clear...wait, is that Posey in the window? What is she doing there? Is she waving hi to me? Hello Posey!"

Posey may be able to see Kira wave at her.

Silver, meanwhile, helps Day Chaser up onto his hooves. "He should be able to move now. I am not sure it is good idea to risk harm to these ponies by going out front door. Window might be good idea." Looking over at Posey, Silver sees more of her than he perhaps bargained for, making his cheeks blush a deep cherry red as he looks away to help preserve some of her modesty. "Uh...would you like some assistance getting out of window, Posey?"

>>191835
Down the slope and towards the beach, a large, grey creature with the vague shape of a bat walking across the ground with its wings - if one were 15 feet tall, and lacking any ears, visible nose, fur, or web, leathered wings - opens its mouth-beak and makes a silent roar. Below it, flashes of light open up with a "zing", and behind that, a "Chank chank chank" of lighted green tracers spray in a line towards it.

But above this, a seraph glides fairly silently by the lighthouse. It does not join in that battle, but moves its white eyes towards Posey, turning its six, pseudo-feathered wings in a glide towards her. It opens its beak, and emits a muted scream, with sparks not quite illuminating the interior of its blackened mouth.

Roll initiative
[1d20+4 = (12+4) = 16]

>>191834
Does he wish to proceed now?

>>191837
Kira can see green lights proceeding in a line towards some great, horrid creature whose forelegs protrude outwards from the body at a 90 degree angle before angling down in fat, psuedo-wing structures, asymmetric with comparatively standard hind legs. And she can see one of the six-winged, hairless, pegasus-griffin hybrids taking notice of Posey in the window and flying towards her.

>>191839
Can Cavaliere shoot past Posey and at the creature?

>>191838
>>191840
Kira calls in over the radio again urgently, "Creepy winged creature incoming on Posey!"

Kira: [1d20+3 = (11+3) = 14]
Silver: [1d20+4 = (6+4) = 10]

>>191841
I'm... kind of leaning towards no, since Posey's ass is (literally) in the way, but sure I suppose

>>191838
[1d20+7 = (9+7) = 16]

"Come and get me, you failed Byakhee clone!" Posey taunts

Cavaliere
Posey
Seraph
Kira

Silver I guess, if he's close enough to respond

>>191846
How far away is the nearest monster from Posey?
How high is the lighthouse, how high is the monster in the air above the lighthouse, and is the monster in the air above the ledge of the cliff?
I need to ask because of tactics and fall damage.

>>191844
She will make fine cover and a comfortable gun rest at least. Cavaliere fires two shots at the creature.
[1d20+7 = (1+7) = 8]
[2d6 = 10]
[1d20+7 = (19+7) = 26]
[2d6 = 5]

>>191847
The lighthouse is approximately 40-5 feet in height above the hill line, although Posey is probably about 35 feet up. The monster is maybe 100 feet away, and maybe 10 feet higher.

>>191848
One shot is unambiguously wide, and the second more likely lands, but the result is uncertain

>>191848
>comfortable gun rest
UwU

>just realized feinting doesn't work for ranged attacks
Well, there goes my plan...
>>191849
That's too far away to trip with my bolas, so I'll shoot it with my bow
[1d20+5 = (13+5) = 18]
[1d8+3 = (4+3) = 7]

>>191851
Oh wait, it should be flat-footed right now, so let me roll for iajutsu focus
[1d20+6 = (12+6) = 18]

>>191850
This

>>191851
>Trip
It's in the sky

Posey lets lose an arrow. It hits the creature in the chest, and it opens its mouth to make an unvoiced howl. Or at least it seems to. For once, the sparks in the mouth illuminate the interior, to show a dark grey throat with no visible upper palate.

It glides quickly, and closer, until it is within 30 feet of Posey's position, and it turns its head towards her, mouth alight with sparks.

Touch Attack
[1d20+4 = (17+4) = 21]
Posey is of course flatfooted for purposes of AC

A beam of light springs from its mouth, and briefly in a small cone beneath it, the ground lights up as if it were day, with the hues of brown, yellow, and green in the grass visible in near every blade.

It comes towards Posey as a beam of lightning.
Electric damage
[2d6 = 4]
>>191852
what

>>191854
That's a hit. Posey's fluffy white fur stands on end, and she winks and shudders as the electricity tickles her dead nerves.
"Lightning magic...? This is going to be fun! UwU" she says, with a giggle
>Posey is of course flatfooted for purposes of AC
It is to be expected. Posey's main job is to draw fire right now.
>what
The ki technique I've been using for a while now. If it's not flat footed, it doesn't matter.

I'm going to have to drive home from work soon, which means I will be gone for ~30 mins. If my turn passes, Possy will throw her bolas to trip the monster, throwing with a +5 bonus and tripping with a +3 bonus

>>191855
You can't trip a flying thing!

Kira's turn

>>191854
Kira squints at the creature, thinking it might just be within the optimal range of her bow. She pulls a couple arrows, takes in a deep breath, draws her bow, and as she lets it out she lets both arrows fly in quick successive draws.

[1d20+13 = (10+13) = 23]
[1d8+3 = (1+3) = 4]

[1d20+8 = (18+8) = 26]
[1d8+3 = (6+3) = 9]

Is Silver not getting involved?

If not, Cavaliere will let loose two more shots. Undead or not, Posey probably does not appreciate the noise of gunfire from right over her head. After firing, he taps her on the withers, points to her, and points behind himself. This is in case she can't hear, "Miss, it would be better for you to get behind cover."
[1d20+7 = (2+7) = 9]
[2d6 = 10]
[1d20+7 = (1+7) = 8]
[2d6 = 7]

>>191858
>>191856
There's not a whole lot Silver can do at the moment, other than to get the rest of the ponies moving. "Come on, it will not be long now before Spetsnaz are crawling all over this lighthouse. We need to move!"

Is Posey still here?

How the hell do you trip something in flight?

>>191858
Cavaliere seems to miss

>>191859
Is he trying to make them repell down?

>>191860
I just got home from work.
>How the hell do you trip something in flight?
Throwing a bolas at a flying creature would be the most common way. That's why I brought one, to kill Luminous in case he tried to fly away.

I won't contest your ruling, but I would like to clarify this in the future, since 1/3 humanoid enemies can fly, and almost all of my spells are touch range.

>>191858
>"Miss, it would be better for you to get behind cover."
"I am the cover. Do your thing, Garv." Posey says, reassuringly
If the electricity ray to the chest bothered her, she doesn't show it.
>>191856
I was pretty sure I can, but for the sake of convenience I'll just shoot my bow...
[1d20+5 = (8+5) = 13]
[1d8+3 = (4+3) = 7]

>>191861
Let's just say that between the fact that this creature is several times the size of a hippogriff or griffin, and it has clearly demonstrated that it can fly stably even with at least one set of wings disabled, Posey does not believe that such a venture is likely to succeed against this particular kind of enemy, at least with only a single successful attack.

>>191863
>several times the size of a hippogriff or griffi
Oh, size bonus. I guess tripping is a bad idea then.

Posey's turn is over after she fires her bow.

Kira's turn

>>191862
Posey's arrow hits the creature's thing belly at an angle, and does not beak through the hide, but partly sticks in, turns downward, and falls out with gravity.

The creature turns in air, banking and rotating in a relatively small circle. When it comes back around, it aims its mouth-beak at Posey again, and lets loose a small bolt of lightning.

Touch Attack:
[1d20+4 = (14+4) = 18]
[2d6 = 9]

>>191865
"That one actually hurt a little..!" Posey says, biting her lower lip as she shudders like a salted frog on a dissection table
Gives the monster a cocky smile, looking right at the Traveller through its eyes, taunting it.

>>191865
Kira draws another pair of arrows. She can't really see how effective she's being right now, but she repeats what she did previously hoping that it has some positive effect on the first.

[1d20+13 = (12+13) = 25]
[1d8+3 = (7+3) = 10]

[1d20+8 = (12+8) = 20]
[1d8+3 = (6+3) = 9]

>>191860
Probably not a good idea with the flying monster around. Braving the hail of bullets going out the front door is probably a better idea right now.

>>191866
In the reflection in its eyes, Posey sees... Darkness. But there are lights in the darkness, like so many lit windows in distant houses, shining through in a snow storm

>>191867
As the creature turns in air, Kira lands one shot into its belly, and then another into the central "shoulder" of the second set of wings.

At first, it seems nothing has happened. Nothing seems to have affected it. But all at once, a black tear forms down the center of the creature, and it disintegrates like an ashen pinata, tearing into two, and each side decaying into ash that soon enough scatters in the seaborn wind before it reaches the ground.

It is done

>>191868
No one can hear it as she isn't currently on the radio. But Kira looks first in astonishment at where the creature once flew and speaks a quiet, "I did it..." before looking down at her bow and repeating it just a bit more loudly, "Heh, I did it!"

Silver notices that the creature is no longer there, and lets out a sigh of relief. "Okay, let us get these ponies out of here before another shows up."

Cavaliere finally yanks Posey by the shoulders to pull her inside.

He calls out behind them, "Are you ready to abseil? We need to leave now before this lighthouse is stormed by the soldiers or obliterated by their ship's guns."

>>191868
~Yay! Victory!

>>191870
Posey takes a moment to fix her frazzled mane, still twitching a bit from the electricity
"Ready!" she replies

Outside, a chang chang chang of repeated automatic fire, and as great a growl as a voiceless beast can make, until the latter sound stops.

>>191873
"We must move swiftly! The GRU will be here soon. What direction did the last airpony go in?"

>>191874
The white pony answers,

"The docks, I think. Something like that."

>>191873
>>191875
Kira turns towards the source of the sound, before quickly getting on the radio again. "Guys, they just took out the other monster. You need to move, NOW!"

Silver speaks up. "No more lollygagging. I will carry them out if I need to but we need to move. We will figure out where they are after."

>>191875
"Then to the docks we shall go. No pony left behind! Giddy up!"

>>191876
Posey follows Silver

Cavaliere gets the rope ready and instructs the others to hold onto the rope. He taps Day Chaser on the shoulder.
"You don't mind if we lower you first, do you?" he asks.

To his companions he remarks, "If they still have door covered, simply walking out may be a bad idea."

>>191879
Day Chaser scrunches

"Careful with my shoulder and belly"

>>191880
Assuming there's enough rope to make a harness for Day Chaser, Silver gets to work getting him harnessed around his hindlegs and his chest.

Posey uses her horn to help with whatever menial tasks (tying knots, etc) are necessary to get the party moving.

"Hey, watch it!"

With more complaining, Day Chaser is on his way down the side of the lighthouse, on the side opposite the soldiers.

Presumably, he is let down first

>>191881
>>191882
Cavaliere already made the checks.
>>191883
He remarks, "Somepony should help him down at the bottom. Winged creatures need to leave this lighthouse last since they won't need to be lowered."

>>191883
Silver chuckles and jokes, "Turn your head and cough," as he's working on getting Day Chaser's hindlegs harnessed up.

>>191884
As they let Day Chaser down, Silver replies, "Actually, it would be ideal for you to go next. You can fly down and help him as we prep next pony to be lowered down."

>>191883
Posey guides the airponies to the rest of the group, letting the ponies from the airship explain the situation.

>>191885
Cavaliere nods, reminds them to keep an eye out, and climbs down. If he fails his climb check he can just glide down with his wings.
[1d20+4 = (18+4) = 22]
>>191886
Wait, we were exiting via the window one at a time to be stealthy. Presumably you are all stuck in the lighthouse until then.

It is apparent, one, that it would take a while to get everypony down from the lighthouse, longer than it would take the soldiers to get to the lighthouse without something in their way, and two, trying to dart back behind the hill risks exposure to line of sight

>>191888 (trips)
"We do not have time to dally!"
Posey takes a standard action to heal a couple points with her Charnel touch, and then follows after Cavalier, scaling down the tower with her vampony hooves, less than concerned with how uncanny she looks...
[1d20+9 = (9+9) = 18]
If she falls, she falls

If any soldiers approach the tower, she'll just have to engage them herself.

>>191888
Kira calls out over the radio, "Hey, if someone could grab the arrows I shot before you leave, it would be greatly appreciated. I shot four, they should be on the ground below where the creature disappeared."

Silver makes a note of Kira's request, and ushers the rest of the ponies down the stairs to exit from the front. "If we are to be seen regardless of what we do, then it is better to be fast."

>>191890
"I have a spare quiver." Posey says
Nevertheless, she uses her horn to snatch up any arrows she sees on her way.

>>191889
>>191890
>>191887
And suddently,

Chang chang chang chang
The sound of automatic gun fire, thuds, and then the shattering of glass. The window that Posey was just hanging out of shatters. Then the great light itself - previously unharmed, shatters and fades. Bullets pepper the side of the structure.

At the base of the lighthouse, two soldiers approach the door, though this is not exactly the side the ponies are being lowered onto.

>>191890
>>191891
The arrows are more or less in the location where the monster that the GRU just killed was.