1378 replies and 68 files omitted.
>>191677Yeah, 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.
>>191702Spot: 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] >>191702Cavaliere 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]>>191702Can we tell how far away the gunshots are?
Listen
[1d20+3 = (19+3) = 22] >>191703>>191704>>191705>>191712Cavaliere 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.
>>191715Kira 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?
>>191715Well, 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.
>>191716flicks tongue>>191718How 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.
>InsideNot necessarily. It could be shooting from open windows on the lighthouse, as the volume of the sound would imply.
>>19171975 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?
>>191720On 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.
>>191722It 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
>>191726How 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.
>>191742I am willing to risk being seen and drawing aggro. Posey runs towards the light house at full speed.
>>191742Cavaliere takes the risk. He runs and flies at full speed to the top of the lighthouse.
Very well...
>>191744Cavaliere 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]>>191743Posey 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]>>191745Miss
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
>>191747Kira 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] >>191747Down the hill, muzzle flashes and equine figures
>>191749One 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.
>>191750Posey immediately rushes into the room, looking for a way up and signs for any creatures.
>>191750Can Kira see these other attackers?
>>191751Silver joins her, being sure to announce their presence. "Hello? Please do not shoot us, we are here to rescue you."
>>191752Yes.
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.
>>191751Blood on the ground, an opened cabinet, and an iron staircase going up.
>>191753Silver 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.
>>191745Unfortunately, he is hit. Does he make it to the lighthouse at least?
>>191756Yes. But. The upper windows are closed, save the one that is being use to shoot through.
>>191756Being 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
>>191757Can he hang from the open one and talk through it?
>>191759He can try. But that sounds like a skill check. Acrobatics and maybe diplomacy. Also maybe hide if desired.
>>191755It isn't
that tall. There are definite sounds upstairs.
>>191759Maybe mention that captain waters sent you, so that they let you in.
>>191760Does anypony respond?
"Is anypony here?! It would be very disappointing if you were dead..."
Posey continues to climb upwards
>>191760Wouldn't that be a climb check, not tumble?
>>191762Could roll Escape Artist to squeeze through.
>>191760>>191761Silver: "But seriously, please do not shoot your rescue."
>>191762Sure. Dex modifier either way
>>191761>>191764"Who the fuck is speaking ponish?" They hear
>>191765Before I respond, is that said with a foreign accent?
>>191766Seems to be consistent with a hybrid between East Equestrian (Manehattan to Ablion) and New Mareland
>>191767So 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."
>>191765Climb:
[1d20+7 = (12+7) = 19]It's actually str modifier but I won't contest your rulingDiplomacy:
[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.
>>191765Silver: "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."
>>191769Cavaliere 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