Bay 12 Games Forum

(This is an experiment. Let's see how it goes. Fair warning: This RtD might contain trace amounts of anime. Stay away if you don't like that.)

This story takes place in a strange land, in a world not unlike our own, in the ruins of a modern city, lovingly draped by the shroud of decay. It is not an unwelcoming place, but one that is charming through its serenity. The strangely ageless, shining white ruin of legend - it might be a broken down place, but with a functioning, modern-age society living within, sustaining itself on scavenging.

As far as the inhabitants of this city know, there is nothing but sparse farmland beyond its edge, and then endless wastes. Those that go out rarely return - and those that return assert it isn't worth the bother.

And thus, life runs its course in Lagard.


...alright, everything done for tomorrow. Even though tomorrow's Friday, the teachers piled on so many tasks. Perhaps to spite you? Was this the cruelty of high school? In the end, you completed some assignments, others you copied, yet others you skipped, and there's just one left to do. It's about orientation, so you best fill in the sheet as faithfully as you can. Your class teach, Mr. Edmond of Class 11A, takes this sort of thing all too seriously...


(Three sheets, no first come first serve. Let's go!)

Also also meditate (in some quiet place)

(this action was entirely random and I apologize)

Turn 36: Hey, surprise, Dragon!

Meanwhile, in a certain dragon lair.


Apollo

(6: Overshot)

Now, obviously, you could extract the partially grown-in rock with a scalpel, a rusty knife or perhaps even some acid. Even ripping it out would just work, so Apollo elects to do just that.

(LV8 Pain Check 3+(2)-8 = -3: Major Failure, Moderate Pain -> Massive Pain)

OH GOD IT HURTS SO MUCH GOTTA DUNK HEAD IN PUDDLE NOW. AAAAAAAAARGH.
Apollo's mind clears, the pain recedes for a moment, and he finds the leisure to admire his work in this reflective surface shortly afterwards. Unfortunately, what he sees does not please him. A bleeding hole in the forehead... a distinctive lack of eyebrows... natural, uh, homeliness... and massive pain-induced hallucinations all mix to form a rather gross view.

The alchemist snaps. He strides through the room with a purpose, grabbing an iron breastplate from the massive hoard. And then is interrupted by a great big old headache. To quell this agony, he mixes up the painkiller recipe he once invented. (Invention: 5) He manages to distill the recipe extraordinarily, requiring only Gunpowder, Ground Rock and Glowmoss, all of which are easily available. After mixing it and no explosion happening, Apollo drinks his contoction in one swig. His splitting headache is no more in a blink.

Now that he can properly focus his anger at the elements that THE ELEMENTS that DEFACED his BEAUTIFUL FACE, his work on the project is a lot faster. Even without a forge, his GREATEST CREATION is finished soon. Through the TWIN POWERS OF MAGIC AND SCIENCE, he has created a MASK to OBSCURE HIS FACE, AND INSCRIBE THE DAY HIS FACE GOT DEFACED INTO HIS SOUL. TO NEVER FORGET. TO HAVE HIS REVENGE ON EVERY ROCK IN THIS WORLD.

He lets loose a splendidly evil, rippling laughter. This might become addicting. He already has problems not referring to himself in the third person.

Recipe found: Apollo's Painkiller: 100g Ground Rock, 3 clumps of glowmoss, 1 ounce gunpowder
Effect: Instantly removes all pain from the user. If the user is inflicted any pain during the next three turns, they instantly fall unconscious.
(+2 XP: Metal Working, Alchemic Magic, Alchemy: Potion Brewing)


Helskaya

(1: Backfire)

Helskaya cooks up an epic fumble with the bong. The healing potion drops down into the endless sea. This makes him even more depressed. Can't he do anything right, here? Perhaps he should just...

Taren

(4: Partial Success)

However, Taren comes out just at the right point and has a nice little bro-talk with the really really depressed bear-shaman. Sometimes, failures just happen, but there's nothing wrong with you and if you have more confidence then you'll be able to accomplish your goals. Hell, didn't you just seriously help me out a few turns ago? C'mon, let's go back in. I'm sure we'll be able to help someone.

Taren himself feels a little better.

Caellath


(4: Partial Success)

Losing the plate parts of his armor wasn't the worst thing right now. With them and a shield on his back, the descent Elenor had selected would have been a lot more difficult, but he was rather certain he could handle it without too much trouble, if given time.

Since he knows what to expect by now, the moderately-armored knight decides to go about halfway down. Just in case. (LV7 DEX Check: 3+6-7=2, Flawless Success) His rock climbing, cautious and calculated as he has time, goes off without a hitch. If needed, he could jump into the lower room without any real danger.

(+2 XP: Investigation)

Maka:

(1: Backfire)

As Apollo is busy with his own designs right now, Maka commences executing Plan A. Which mostly involves glomping the dragon and hoping - no, KNOWING it'd be okay. And, with a loud WHEEEEEEEEEEEE, the dragon-guided Maka-Missile goes off like a bolt of really greasy lightning, the sort of lightning that was involved with the mob and probably taking fees for lightning protection--

Oh, hey, the dragon just woke up. And it's not happy.

WHO HAS DISTURBED MY SLEEP?!?!?
WHO HAS TAKEN FROM MY HOARD?!?!?
WHO HAS EATEN ALL MY FOOD? DAMNIT! NOW I'M HUNGRY!!!!!
YOU INTRUDERS SHALL MAKE A NICE MEAL!!!!!!!!

"That is right, after all... Who am I to question the wisdom of a dragon." The high priest's expression is still serene, smiling with eyes shut, but a lot more... venomous. Sadistic. He extends his fingers towards Maka...

Maka puts on her best pouty face in response.

Remy:
(5: Full Success)

This is the point where Remy, for once, is actually is on point and blows up a particularily smoky Dei Brand in the dragon's face, providing the much-needed magical distraction/smokescreen. "C'MON! RUN AWAY!"
Only Maka needs to be told twice.

(+2 XP: Shamanistic Magic/Elementalism)

--


Yoink


(1: Backfire)

Meanwhile, Komas leads the flight down the hole in the wall. With his face.

(LV8 Pain Check: 5+(3)-8=0, Flawed Success)

While he didn't take any damage (apart from his dignity), he's still treading water in the ocean beneath.

--

After him, the other members of the party make a hasty retreat!

Maka: LV7 MND Check (for ceasing attempts to hug dragon), LV8 SWF Check (is in dragon's face): 2+(6)-7=1, Flawed Success 4+(5)-8=1, Flawed Success
Caellath: Is prepared, auto-success
Apollo: LV7 SWF Check 3+(1)-7= -3, Major Failure
Tiruin: LV8 SWF Check (is outside) 3+(4)-8 = -1, Minor Failure
Helskaya: LV8 SWF Check (is outside) 3+(4)-8 = -1, Minor Failure
Remy: LV6 SWF Check (prepared) 5+(1)-6 = Minor Failure (natural 1)

In the end, Maka is the first out, just as she was the first in. An errant bout of reason makes her realize the sticky situation she had gotten herself into, and with that kind of swiftness you can probably afford to systematically seek out sticky situations... either way, she makes it to the hole and climbs down swiftly, almost slipping a few times but nonetheless making it down unharmed and with a big goofy smile, prompting an angry scolding about discipline by a certain rogue knight.

Meanwhile, Remy, through the typical Remy lack of foresight, fails to see through his own smoke and slips, bruising his face.

Apollo also scrambles up, but while moving through the foggy hillscape of the mountain of loot, he stumbles over the Scepter of Stumbling, and falls. "FAILURE IS BENEATH AP--" is all he can shout before going K.O.

This cry of anguish is not lost on Taren and Helskaya, who were busy navigating the inner stairs through the thick smoke. Taren instantly breaks off without thinking, not caring about his safety, to retrieve his fallen comrade, heaving him up through the strength gained by conviction. The healer and the shaman then start hurrying for the exit again, but do not quite make it yet.

The angry roar of a starving dragon is heard through the smoke... it will only provide protection for one more turn at most. This is perhaps the last chance of escape.

((Let's see YOU update Paradisium faster first, Dwarmin!!))

After a long period of deliberation, getting things in order and such, return to the factory to comply with the book entity's wish. Also, perhaps text Kat or something to inform her of that.

Okay then... won't bother you beyond this, but how do I drink from a leyline? Do I need a straw?

Then, what else can I offer you? Up to now I've been all take, no give. Anything I can do to repay that?

((So you're planning on giving a sniper rifle to someone who has perhaps never handled one before, and expect them to be as good with it as a robot who was engineered for this? ))