The rear portions of the SSRS Kostroma have been cleared. The Boiler room draws near. Still that sound persists. Calling them.
706 replies and 71 files omitted.
>>195745"We are not your enemy," Cavaliere calls out loudly.
"There is a common threat aboard this ship that threatens all of us." >>195748Move Silently: Kira goes for it, knowing that she would have no chance against these creatures in a face-to-face firefight, but maybe she could help by being sneaky and incapacitating one or more of them stealthily.
[1d20+14 = (10+14) = 24]Silver lets out a heavy sigh. "It got into your heads, did it not. Listen, you all seem like you are not completely under its control so I will tell you, that thing is menace to all. It can not be controlled, it can not be used. If it is allowed to continue, this world will come to its end. You have to fight it!"
>>195748So they are within 30 ft?
Posey immediately begins by attempting to charm them with her gaze, starting with the one who spoke.
She whirls her cape and elegant glammered black robes, pulling down her hood to reveal her sparkling illusionary jewelry.
"Who goes there?!" she demands
>>195751DC 19 Will for the Gaze, btw
>>195749The red griffin speaks,
"I believe that threat is you. You have that political officer with you, do you not? That Old Order Loyalist?"
>>195750"Fight it? I was a chick during the long march to Cloudbury. All the same I saw the starvation, the brutality, the freezing that came with it. I saw the treachery that came after." He shakes his head. "I have fought all of my life. And it was not against those like Our Fellow Traveler, but against those that looked more like myself. Or like you."
>>195751I think just barely beyond it? Not by much, but a little beyond.
"Me? I am Brigadier General Schattenwechsel of the Skynavian Revolutionary Army, and I am an instrument of positive change.
Now who are you?"
Blackheel draws his gun
>>195753>I think just barely beyond it?Posey takes a 5 ft step as a free action to get within range before using her gaze.
Posey puts her chin up proudly, very glad to have already glammed-up with her spell
"I am Rosey Ring, the Undying Sorceress, Terror Of The North Coast." she says, whirling her sparkling robes
"I have a rival mage to slay on this ship, one who has insulted my powers and greatly frustrated my crew. Do not get in my way."
>>195753>>195754Kira is going to climb up from under the railing to sneak up on the brigands, so that she can stealthily incapacitate one (or more) if the fighting were to start.
Silver speaks up. "Then how can you not see what kind of horrors it will unleash, if you have seen horrors like that in your life? Have you seen what this thing has done to creatures? Minds hijacked, friends turning against friends. For everything I saw fighting in Great War, this is far, far worse than anything I saw fighting against Hegemony."
>>195755Posey believes that he likely rebuffed her charms. Not because he is immune - even the more obvious signs of the Traveler's mind control are absent - but by strong will. He looks Posey straight in the eyes. His eyes are amber, there are some signs of stress or sleep deprivation (perhaps this is the Traveler's influence) and he looks fairly, well, pissed off.
"I remember when my parents and older brother were robbed by bandits like you, just past the border. They even had a pony mare that looked sort of like you. Similar light grey coat, dark brown mane, posing as a stranded traveler looking for help, trying to lure us in and let our guard down. I'm grateful I did not freeze to death after my cloak was stolen. My little sister, not even five, was not as lucky.
Now, unless your rival mage is that black, treacherous unicorn not six meters from your person, you'd best get on a ship and leave."
>>195756"Unfortunate, yes, but it is necessary. Because for what might be the first time in my life, I do finally see the light on the horizon that we march towards. Miserable as that march may be."
>>195757"No no, it is here to help. It alone can help. Haven't you seen what it can do? It alone can help."
>>195753Rolling knowledge (history) for the Long March to Cloudbury:
[1d20+2 = (17+2) = 19] >>195758Kira lets out some
sneaky tongue flicks as she stealthily climbs up, hoping she can close the distance while the others distract these creatures.
Silver: "We can only reach that horizon if we choose to work together, not if we are forced to. Why do you think your Republican Revolution was forced out from Griffenheim, forced to go on that Long March north? You tried to force revolution on those who did not want it, and you paid price for it. Our way may take longer, but it is more certain, and we will all be able to join together hoof in claw knowing that we achieved Harmony not because some creature took over our minds, but because we ourselves chose to set aside our differences for something bigger than ourselves."
>>195758Posey moves in and attempts to charm every other humanoid in range
She takes another step forward
"I do not have time for your petty squabbles. I intend to put an end to to the chaos of this evening, so do not get in my way." she says coldly
She continues moving forward on her stu towards the bridge, taking two move actions.
>>195759In 979, a Counter-Revolution overthrew the Keremaskai-lead Republican government in Griffenheim and reinstated the Grover Dynasty in the Griffonian Empire. Republican loyalists retreated to the Dutchy of Cloudbury where they set up a government in Exile. Socialist and Leftist elements who did not like that government invaded Pony territory further north and set up their own Socialist Republic of Skynavia. This march included many of the ills that could be expected for a mass, forced movement of griffins, like disease, famine, and banditry.
>>195761"Not. One. Step."
>>195760Is she going for the climb? She'd need to role climb
"But this
is the path to harmony. Don't you see that? This is how you become a part of something larger. This is the first real opportunity we've had. You cannot throw that away."
>>195762Climb: Snake powers, activate!
[1d20+7 = (17+7) = 24]Silver: "
We are working together for something larger. Communists, Fascists, Harmonists, everything in between, all different races and creeds, all setting aside their differences to work to save this world we all call home. Are you saying that this is not Harmony?"
>>195763"But you're doing it to keep in place a system where most work and some few take the fruits of their labor. Do you not see the problem? Our Fellow Traveler is willing to listen and reason, if only you give him a chance."
>>195764Silver: "As opposed to installing system where
all work for benefit of one? It is going to use us, then consume us all when it has had its need for us filled. If it truly wants to help, tell it that it needs to leave this place, to let us achieve Harmony
our way, and that it will only bring pain and destruction if it stays in our realm. Deep down you know this to be true."
>>195762As a free action, Posey takes a large, deliberate step, her manicured hoof tapping the ground with a resounding "clop" sound
She gives a menacing glare, her eyes glowing in the darkness like those of a wolf
"If it is a fight you seek, I suppose I could spare a few moments. I am out for blood tonight."
Intimidate (to coerce)
[1d20+15 = (17+15) = 32]She readies an action to draw her longbow and shoot in case the griffon attacks
>>195758>>195762The dark griffon below speaks out clearly.
"Think back, General! Didn't the griffons who destroyed your community and forced you to march through the snow also claim to be there to help, to do this for your own good? This 'Fellow Traveler' is the exact same and throws its followers' lives away like pawns. A village of the northern ponies, where it was first found, was utterly wiped out and its residents drowned. On this ship, it afflicted the crew with mad dreams and spurred a bloody mutiny. Its remaining puppets are forced to move against their will, exhausted and starving, to attack and kill, and the very same fate awaits the mainland if it reaches shore.">>195766He frantically waves to the floor, in a likely vain attempt to
not escalate a fight.
>>195766>>195765"Feuer!"
Brown Griffin shoots at Posey:
[1d20+3 = (7+3) = 10][2d8 = 11]Grey Pony shoots at Black Heel
[1d20+3 = (3+3) = 6][2d8 = 10]White Pony shoots at Posey
[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17][2d8 = 6]Red Griffin Shoots at Posey
[1d20+5 = (1+5) = 6][2d8 = 9]It's an automatic, so he fires a second shot at Posey
[1d20+5 = (9+5) = 14][2d8 = 4] >>195768Blackheel shoots at the Red Griffin
[1d20+5 = (20+5) = 25][2d6 = 3] >>195771Whelp, Cavaliere can act now
>>195768Ou, I had a readied action. Can I roll initiative to shoot first?
>>195768Also all of them missed like idiots, lol
Initiative
[1d20+7 = (5+7) = 12] >>195768Kira thinks to herself
CRAP! as she tries to get close enough to incapacitate one of the assailants.
Silver[1d20+4 = (12+4) = 16]Kira[1d20+3 = (4+3) = 7] >>195769"Nice shot." Posey says, with coquettish wink
Mala
[1d20+2 = (14+2) = 16]
Stained Sand
[1d20+2 = (11+2) = 13]
Cavaliere
Silver
Mala
Stained Sand
Posey
Kira
Can Posey move/climb into melee from her position?
>>195772Cavaliere shoots two rounds at the General.
[1d20+6 = (19+6) = 25][2d6 = 7][1d20+6 = (9+6) = 15][2d6 = 7] Silver's turn
>>195779She could, though getting there would take a full round, and she'd be at a different griffin than she presumably wants
>>195780One definite hit
>>195781Silver lets loose a burst of fire from his LMG, the disk-shaped magazine on the top spinning with each round fired.
[1d20+6 = (18+6) = 24][2d8 = 14][1d20+6 = (16+6) = 22][2d8 = 7][1d20+6 = (20+6) = 26][2d8 = 6][1d20+6 = (8+6) = 14][2d8 = 15][1d20+6 = (17+6) = 23][2d8 = 13] >>195782Confirming the third shot
[1d20+6 = (8+6) = 14][2d8 = 14] >>195781Is she charges at double speed, could she get to the red one?
>>195784No, it is not a straight line.
>>195782That's a lot
Mala shoots at the grey pony
[1d20+6 = (20+6) = 26][2d10 = 13]Stained Sand shoots at the brown griffin
[1d20 = 5][2d6 = 5][1d20 = 19][2d6 = 4][1d20 = 12][2d6 = 11][1d20 = 20][2d6 = 9] >>195790What path does she have to approach her enemy?
>>195788>>195789Mala has 100% earned some scritches from that
>>195791Up the stairs, turn left, turn left, then there are the creatures in a line
>>195793Can she do that with a move action?
>>195795To get into melee range is a full round action. She is at least in bow range as is.
Before I move into melee, do all of the ranged fighter have Precise Shot?
>>195797Silver does not, unfortunately
>>195797Also Kira is in the middle of climbing up to grapple one of the opponents
>>195798Oh good the-
>>195801>Also Kira is in the middle of climbing up to grapple one of the opponentsYou know that -4 to ranged attack rolls without precise shot, right?
I guess that means I am not hitting anything from here. Melee it is.
>>195789Posey casually hums as she strides her way up the stairs with a double move action, entering the Red Griffon's square. As part of her movement, she draws her sword and twirls it with a subtle smile, seemingly in high spirits as the bullets wiz past her head.
Turn over.
Kira's turn
>>195797You know there are other creatures in the way, right?
>>195803Since all the creatures are holding ranged weapons, Posey moves past them.
It any of them have melee weapons, she takes the attacks of opportunity.
>>195802Kira pops up from under the railing with a "Surprise!" as she reaches out to grab and pull the white pony down from the ledge with her for some non-consensual snek hugs.
Touch Attack:
[1d20+9 = (18+9) = 27]Improved Grapple [1d20+13 = (7+13) = 20] >>195805Wait, are you attacking me?
The Red Griffin steps back, and through the door
The grey pony is downed by Mala's shots
The brown griffin is seriously bleeding and is trying to run towards the door.
The white pony is hugged and bleeding
>>195807Nah, one of the opponents is a white pony, too
>>195808Is there room for Cavaliere to fly up to the railing?
>>195811Yes, though he'd have to make a half circle, not remarkably different from just walking up there
>>195808As the griffon steps away from Posey she makes an attack of opportunity.
"Just where do you think you are going? The fun has only begun."
Charnel Touch
[1d20+4 = (19+4) = 23][1d8+2 = (6+2) = 8]This activates her Frightful Presence, DC 22 Will to resist being Shaken
As she attacks, the bones beneath her glammered robe rattle, and she makes a free action Demoralize check
[1d20+15 = (17+15) = 32]If he fails both saves, Shaken escapes to Frightened
>>195813Oh wait, was that a 5 ft step, or a Withdraw action? If so, it doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity.
>>195813>>195814He is not sticking around to play. He runs down a corridor to a set of stairs, up a level. He is trailing more blood than is by any means safe to lose
>>195815He's moving back and away, then through the corridor
>>195812He moves up to the doorway.
>>195816Is this the brown or the red griffon?
>>195816So does Posey get to hit him or not?
>runRunning provokes attack if opportunity
>>195817That is the red griffin. The brown griffin is not as close to the door and cannot as elegantly make his escape. He is, however, trying to escape
>>195818Move backwards. Turn left. Run.
>>195816>>195817>>195818Silver calls out to his compatriots. "What if it is trap!?"
>>195819Can Cavaliere block his exit?
>>195819Okay, so I do hit him.
Was he visibly affected by Posey's fear effects?
Btw, the Frightful Presence affects all enemies within 30 ft.
>>195821Yes.
>>195822No, because he withdrew and left Posey's reach before turning and running. He's not interested in playing, he's interested in leaving.
>>195819Kira also pulls the white pony down with her over the edge of the ledge, holding him as they dangle and she gently pets his mane. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you hurt my friends! Don't worry, I'll help chase the Traveller out of your mind and you'll be free again!"
>>195823Okay, Posey will charge him down on her next turn.
>>195824The white pony takes a breath that does not sound at all healthy
>>195823"Surrender now!" he commands to the brown griffon, holding a gun in one claw.
>>195827The griffin stops. He raises his rifle. He shoots. Past Cavaliere at Posey
[1d20+3 = (13+3) = 16][2d8 = 6] >>195828~kapwing
Posey deflects the bullet with her bracer and grind sinisterly
"~You will have to try better than that."
>>195828This provokes an attack of opportunity, which Cavaliere uses to punch the griffon.
[1d20+4 = (10+4) = 14][1d6 = 3] >>195826Kira tilts her head at the pony. "Are you okay?" Lifting him up, she puts her ear to the pony's chest to get a closer listen at her breathing.
Actually, did anyone shoot at the white pony? I thought Silver might have. Blackheel, Stained Sand, and Mala did not
Stained Sand shoots at the brown griffin again
[1d20 = 16]
[2d8 = 10]
[1d20 = 14]
[2d8 = 9]
[1d20 = 6]
[2d8 = 10]
[1d20 = 15]
[2d8 = 4]
>>195834I don't think anyone did. Kira might have yoinked herself an uninjured pony.
The brown griffin is downed
Mala runs up the stairs
>>195835She did indeed
flicks tongue>>195836If she wants to
Posey glides after her enemy (the red griffin) with a charge, her glammered mane floating with an unseen wind. She moves so gracefully, it is uncanny, almost like she's a cardboard cutout prop being sprung forward in a haunted house ride.
"You would not believe the night I have had, fighting so many waves of enemies who do not even scream, so I hope you can understand what kind of stress I am under..." she calls down the hallway as she approaches
Once she arrives, she raises her sword and licks her lips, her fangs glinting through her glammered disguise
"Those pretty red feathers... Your head will look terrific on my new mantle."
She swings
Free Action Demoralize
[1d20+15 = (17+15) = 32]
Frightful Presence (DC 22)
Shaken escalates to frightened if he fails both saves
Sword
[1d20+8 = (1+8) = 9]
[1d8+4 = (6+4) = 10]
>>195838>swishShe's still really scary though. Is he affected by her fear effects?
>>195839He's running for his life. What do you think?
>>195838>>195839What Posey is doing is basically mirroring the griffin's movements. That is to say that she moves forward into the hall, turns left, runs, and goes up the stairs. She is of approximately similar pace of running, so she runs behind him. What she does not do is to catch up with him or overtake him. Neither does she fall behind. He is not interested in playing with Posey, he is interested in going deeper into the ship. And in the absence of Posey being able to overtake him, that is what he does.
Posey presumably makes it to the stairs, up them and into a convergence of hallways, corridors, and doors, beyond the twists and turns of which she cannot see. The Red Griffin does not play, he moves.
>>195841Is he visibly Frightened though?
Posey will continue to chase the griffon on her next turn
>>195842What do you want? For him to look Posey in the eyes? For him to stop and give Posey a good look at her facial features? He is not interested in that. He is interested in running deeper into the ship
>>195843He runs away up a set of stairs, into another section of the ship. This has still more dark hallways and doorways. She is shot at by unseen assailants. But he continues going, deeper into the ship
Unknown attacker
[1d20+2 = (7+2) = 9][2d8 = 4]Unknown attacker
[1d20+2 = (3+2) = 5][2d8 = 2] >>195840>>195835Posey has left beyond the range that you can even tell where she is.
>>195845Silver lets out a groan, as he looks back at the various other creatures in their group. "Is everyone
else alright? Something tells me we are about to lose Posey."
>>195844What Posey was looking for was some nice, cathartic screams.
Posey tramples the ground and whinneys in frustration, briefly considering being responsible and rejoining with the herd.
She howls into the darkness at the unseen attackers
"DOES ANYPONY ELSE WANT SOME!?!"
Intimidate (to coerce)
[1d20+15 = (3+15) = 18]She then takes a 5 ft step as a free action to turn around, back towards the group
>>195848From the Darkness - Posey thinks she may actually be able to make out a figure in the darkness - something growls
There is another pot shot
[1d20+4 = (19+4) = 23][2d8 = 7]>>195848She can hear the gurgling of blood in the mouth
>>195849How far away is the shot?
Posey is shot, although the glammer covers up her wound. She sneers into the darkness and faces her new enemy.
What do they look like?