A STRONG father is finally reunited with his STRONG twins. "For each post every person submits, roll 2d4. Keep track of the accumulated point total between all players posting. When you have gotten to the point where you have found and released your lusus, or have reached a total of 20 points, (whichever comes first) multiply the result by the total number of party members, and consult the spoiler below. "
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 2:35 pm
Quote:
Keionx Rutace HP: 20/20 Military Grade Weapon: 1d6+1 ---
Busthind was Keionx's home, and she had explored it fairly thoroughly over the course of her young life. But the Punishment Pits were new to her. She crouched in the shadow of some conveniently placed rocks, squinting out at the unassuming cavern from hiding. She turned to her brother and regarded him for a moment.
She hadn't really spoken to him in a while, not since discovering... the secret. The secret changed everything, and it hurt. Zariah was a Rebel. Vremea, Milieu, Odette... they were Rebels too. Beastdad was a Rebel, and he was being captured and held against his will by the Alternian Government.
Had everything been a lie? Keionx was feeling as though she was seeing the world for the first time, and she wasn't sure she liked what she saw.
Still. No matter how much it hurt, no matter how conflicted and confused she felt, she knew she had to do this. To save her... their... father.
”Are you sure this is the right place, Zariah?” she whispered. They were supposed to meet Vremea here, to break in. Keionx would happily have done so herself, but she had been convinced – thoroughly – that she could not do that. She had believed them. That didn't stop her from being impatient and anxious about this whole thing. ”Not some other mountainous cave? Are you sure they'll meet us here?”
When Keionx questioned him Zariah's head bobbed weakly before turning downcast to the side. It had been hard to talk to her let alone look at her after losing her lusus. He still hadn't told her about the rest of his punishment and if he had anything to say about it, that was a shame she would never know. The worry made him tug his sleeve down a touch more over the branding. She didn't need to know.
The entire episode had left the small troll somewhat hurting, after seeing his own lusus killed for the sake of the empress he'd known he could never trust her, the idea that she would kill a lusus with a young charge rather than taking an old, weathered one that had no one to care for. But seeing Kei's lusus in trouble because of him.....that was just another pain of guilt. Was he going to fed to the Empress' lusus as well? Was he going to be tortured first? Would he be screaming those shrill shrieks of pain that still echoed in his head? He wasn't certain he was ready for whatever they would find.
6/20 draco and pocky will be rolling 4d4 in their next posts because they had forgotten to roll 2d4!
It might've taken a while to plan how to deal with the intense security measures in the Punishment Pits. Though she dimly remembered the way in and out, that was for saving the trolls, not the lusi. She had no idea where the lusi were. They would not only have to be careful, but wary should any drone make their way down their path. As she pulled the hemoanon clothes onto her body, the yellowblood adjusted her clothes with a hesitant, nervous smile at herself in the mirror. She sighed deeply before looking down, eyes drooping softly. "Why am I doing this again...?" She did not want to be thrown in herself, let alone throwing her own companions in there too. But Zariah and Keionx had sought her out, and Vremea could not just-- Say no to the poor twins, left without their caregiver! They needed their lusi. This was of utmost importance.
Adjusting the dull cloak and hanging the hood over her face so as to shadow out her eyes, the yellowblood pursed her lips and looked at the bracelet she'd left on the counter. She swallowed slowly. No. Vremea wasn't going to risk the life of the scouts again. Last time-- Last time it was a whole rebellion. This time, it was only Beastdad. She might be able to manage. Pulling the cloak over her dull hemoanon clothing, the yellowblood fixed herself and buttoned the thing down, high small jaw slightly visible from underneath it. She gave Yakmom a firm goodbye and a few tense, unaccepting hugs, followed by some moments of anger on her lusi's part before finally dissolving into soft murmurs of support and worry from her lusi. She really, truly adored her smelly, overprotective mama. With one last goodbye, the adult slid out the door, thick but sturdy platforms resting upon the soft sands of Chittentown's outskirts.
The journey was a fast one. Anxiety made it take longer in her mind, but it lasted only a few hours, and she'd arrived right on the scheduled time. Adjusting her leggings and fixing her gloves, the adult pulled the mask over the lower part of her face, glancing around nervously and hurriedly approaching the two trolls standing there looking quite obvious. Vremea frowned deeply. They were not fully covered. Tugging at her long but simple frock, the adult pushed the hood away from her face, her golden eyes peering down at the shorter twins as she approached them. She greeted them each with a small nod before glancing at the road ahead as if asking-- Are you both ready? The older troll could only struggle to steady her breathing in her worry.
… She'd take that as a nod, she supposed. Keionx looked at him for another moment before squinting back at the entrance. It looked safe, but it was, very likely, heavily guarded. Ways in included sneaking, but also included simply breaking the hell in. She could take on any number of guards – she was, after all, backed by heroic rightgeousness! Her lusus was in there, and she needed to save him!
For a moment, a brief and fleeting moment, Keionx felt a little of that old confidence rise inside her. And then it was gone, replaced by emptiness and pain. She didn't know if she could do that. Not anymore. She didn't know if she could have ever done that.
”All right.” she said, moving further back into the shadows, trying not to fidget. They would have to wait for their ally – only then could there be any semblance of certainty...
Keionx didn't spot Vremea at first, and didn't recognize her when she did. It was only the horns- and the bow - that gave her away, and not even entirely that.
She hesitated, and then she nodded. Keionx was, for a chance, nervous, but she was as ready as she would ever be.
Zariah stared in awe at Vremea. It had been a long time since he'd last seen her....she'd gotten so big. Though....so had Kei, they'd both gotten so much bigger and stronger, but what about him? Still weak....helpless....still depending on Kei to fix all his damned problems! His head fell back into place, chin bumping his chest weakly. Pitiful. There was no better word for him. He couldn't take care of his own lusus and even got someone else's lusus in danger....now he was putting two others in danger because of his own mistakes! It was always the case. Always him making foolish mistakes and being too weak to protect anyone. What a pitiful sight he was.
It felt like they're only just reached the complex when drones attacked. Of course once again his fault....he was clumsy and uncoordinated, he'd surely tripped a silent alarm to alert the drones of their presence. He silently cursed himself, scrunching his expression in a mix of his own self-loathing. Why had he told Kei anything about it? Why hadn't he just snuck out to try to save their lusus on his own? He could've, surely, right? Could've just....snuck away in the middle of the night? At least then the worst that would happen would only be to him. Though....he doubted he'd be saved like last time.
You have encountered a Security Patrol! Only trolls who are currently posting in the thread may join in the fight. The mechanics work similar to regular boss battle, although this is classified as a mini-boss. (We are testing this system! Enjoy being guinea-pigs!) Unlike regular boss battles, the mule will not be posting new rounds, and players can simply post as fast and often as they want, taking turns to attack one at a time. Players who have trinkets or abilities may also post to use one directly after posting their attack, giving them a maximum of two turns for that round.
Each time every player in the fight has had a turn to attack the mini-boss once and use one power/trinket, a new round begins.
At each new round roll the standard 2d6 and use the table below to see what damage you've taken. As always, the first number is what you should check for your damage, and the second is the amount done to the mini-boss.
Once the mini-boss or all players fighting it reach 0hp, this can be counted by all trolls participating as a battle rp for growth. If you have any questions, please PM the mule!
GUARD STARTING HP: 66HP
As you hurry along, trying not to attract any unwelcome attention, you nevertheless fail to get past all the guards unseen. A ringing cry pierces your sponge clots - "Halt!" Two drones, clearly low-tier guards, come huffing up, one shedding a half-eaten circular grain product with sugary glazing. "This is a restricted area! You are under arrest! Put your hands in the air!" You don't want to weigh what your chances are of escaping from the Punishment Pits twice. Taking out a handheld transceiver, one of them barks into it. "We have intruders, repeat! Intruders!" The other one shuffles a little, getting out a heavy baton. "Burtam - did you remember to put new batteries in?" At this, the barking drone pauses and squints down at his device, pressing the button a few times. "Damn. Uh. Hey you! I said hands up! Just because we don't have backup doesn't mean you won't be getting into a nice new pair of cuffs!" Raising his own baton, he nods at his partner, and the two drones advance on you.
If you rolled a 1, the two guards both decide to focus on you, and actually manage to wrestle you to the ground with your hands behind your back before you're able to shake them off. In your mind's eye, you can see the cell's door slamming back into place as you're thrown in again. Take 4 dmg.
If you rolled a 2, one of the guards leaps at you in a frenzy, striking you over and over and over while yelling something about 'assaulting an officer of the royal army'. He seems to be forgetting which one of you is doing the assaulting at the current moment. Take 3 dmg.
If you rolled a 3, a truncheon comes down hard on your head, making your eyes cross for a moment as chirpbeasts flutter around in front of your vision. Take 2 dmg.
If you rolled a 4, you charge forward and place your foot square on the food carelessly dropped by one of the drones as they arrived. The sugary glaze causes you to slide awkwardly across the floor, arms windmilling, before dropping you onto your rear. Take 1 dmg.
If you rolled a 5, You manage to duck and dodge all truncheon swings, nimbly slipping in between and around the two bulky guards as they flail at you.
If you rolled a 6, you consider these two drones, willingly working in a plant that is powered by enslaved lusii. What kind of heartless jerk could enforce the law, in a place filled with parents forcefully separated from their children?! Your next attack is loaded with righteous outrage, and does double damage.
When the mini-boss or all trolls have reached 0hp, please look in the spoiler below.
Mini-Boss at 0
As soon as the first of the guards drops to a knee, you take your chance and dart past them, ignoring the shouts from behind you as you leave them in your dust. You'd better get out of here before they catch their second wind! (Do not continue to roll 2d4s. If players hit the maximum of 20 points in rolling the 2d4, each player can now roll 1d100 in their next post. If you get a multiple of 10, your troll has snatched a 3 use novice trinket of your choice from one of the guards as they fled past.)
Players at 0
The two guard drones are more than a match for you, and you call a strategic retreat, running until you can't hear their footsteps or shouts anymore. Looks like you will have to find another way around to get past. (Do not continue to roll 2d4s)
After a few minutes of travel and trying to stay out of sight, the anonymous adult adjusted her mask, being careful to not make a sound-- Only to hear the sound of a shout. Her eyes rolled and she immediately pulled out her weapon, flexing her shoulder as a mini stretch. With a twirl of her unreleased weapon, the yellowblood clenched her teeth tightly, unwilling to give up immediately. Lowering into a battle stance, Vremea jumped at them, avoiding any serious hits and managing to land a few hits unscathed.
HP: 40 HP Support Power Style A (1) Support Artifact Style A (1) Novice Agility Style B (1)
Of course, Keionx hadn't expected this to go perfectly – she was eerily, uneasily, strikingly aware of how dangerous it was, and it – more than this 'adventure' itself – terrified her. But she couldn't waste any time on that. After all, she had to come through for her twin. How many times had she failed to do so before? How many times had she been in direct opposition to him? What did it all mean?
One of the guards started attacking her, beating at her with his weapon, and she took the oppurtunity to unleash some of her pent up fear and confusion and anxiety... she let him have it!
Zariah had only just gotten his new pen and had few chances to practice with it. He darted backwards as the drones lunged at him, swiping the pen out in defense. He stumbled on the floor and fell as the drone began striking him repeatedly until Vremea attacked again. He quailed and stared in horror at both his twin and the adult. He wasn't ready for this....he didn't know how to use his weapon....at least it looked like he'd gotten a good hit on it....
Dodging a few hits again, the disguised yellowblood kept herself well hidden and unhurt, managing to dodge them again before giving both of them a few hard whacks on the head-- More than once. Watching the clumsy Zariah attack was almost refreshing. He still had much to learn.
HP: 40 HP Support Power Style A (1) Support Artifact Style A (1) Novice Agility Style B (1)
That Zariah's attack was clumsy and staggering was no surprise. Hadn't he just started training? Keionx didn't know. What else didn't she know? What else had she failed to see beyond her own fantasies? A truncheon cracked down on her, and Keionx retaliated, suddenly furious. Nothing was as it should be. Everything had been a lie. And the hole where that delusion had been hurt. So. Much.
Zariah Rutace Very lightly laying down some demanding taps of authority
Vremea was so impressive....she'd managed each attack with such finess and grace....she barely looked like she was breaking a sweat. On the other hand....he was in a bad state. The drones rounded on him, their beat-sticks raised in threat as they bore down on him. He keened and scurried back, trying to shield his own body as best he could from the massive hits. Ugh.....what could he do to be strong like them? To be able to fight like them? He was barely able to scratch the drones with his pen and they were saving Kei's lusus.....fixing HIS mess. He was an embarassment of a troll and he knew it.
Whacking each with a well placed yet light swing, they slowly seemed to realize that the hemoanonymous adult was a serious threat. Watching as they neared, they managed to get ahold of her and pin her to the ground, making her growl and resist, pushing against them. While she was never locked up, just the sight of the cages was enough to scare her. Shoving them firmly away, the yellowblood settled next to the other two, clutching onto her pole firmly. Not yet. She wouldn't let this happen to all of them. She wasn't ready to die.
HP: 40 - 4 = 36 HP Support Power Style A (1) Support Artifact Style A (1) Novice Agility Style B (1)
It all hurt, and so Keionx took out all her pain, her frustration, her rage at the world out on the guard. ”It's not fair!” she blurted out, swiping out with her sword. The guard dodged away, ending up closer and, on a whim, she let go of her sword and grabbed the guard. ”It is NOT FAIR!” she shouted in his face, lifting him off the ground, flipping him over, and then slamming him, headfirst, into the cold hard ground. She picked up her sword and kicked him, ”Its not...” Nothing on Alternia was, and there was nothing she could do to change that, but – she angled her sword at the now broken-horned security guard as he staggered back to his feet – right now, she could hit things. It wouldn't solve the problem...
But – she bared her teeth at the guard, companions temporarily forgotten - it felt good.
