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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 17, 2014 20:58:56 GMT -6
Plan accepted, but like I said, bit busy this week - I might be able to write some tomorrow or Friday. On a related note, anyone familiar with Call of Cthulhu? Any tips on how to teach first timers? One's got experience with DnD 4e, the others are complete roleplay virgins.
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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 19, 2014 21:23:43 GMT -6
Uh... So, I started writing and realized a very important detail's missing. Ya'll going in hard, or staying back? You're outnumbered, like, 3.5-to-1, but the four guys with Horatio are summoners with eclipse tomes (but no summon skill, because I'm not cruel).
(A) Attack
(B) Defend
(C) Poke and retreat
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Post by Neo on Dec 19, 2014 23:21:19 GMT -6
Uh... So, I started writing and realized a very important detail's missing. Ya'll going in hard, or staying back? You're outnumbered, like, 3.5-to-1, but the four guys with Horatio are summoners with eclipse tomes (but no summon skill, because I'm not cruel). (A) Attack (B) Defend (C) Poke and retreat C sounds like the best option. Let's hit and run, until their numbers are thinner. Then we go in for the kill. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2014 8:07:31 GMT -6
Uh... So, I started writing and realized a very important detail's missing. Ya'll going in hard, or staying back? You're outnumbered, like, 3.5-to-1, but the four guys with Horatio are summoners with eclipse tomes (but no summon skill, because I'm not cruel). (A) Attack (B) Defend (C) Poke and retreat C sounds like the best option. Let's hit and run, until their numbers are thinner. Then we go in for the kill. I just realize that with a military man voting, we're almost guaranteed to win. I need some of that strategy on mine. Hm... I'm backing this. |
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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 22, 2014 0:25:01 GMT -6
Alright. My new goal is to finish SoS by New Year's Eve... which may not be viable what with holidays, and maybe people not voting (because of holidays). There are - if things go according to plan (they probably won't) - 4-6 more votes, counting the chapter's supports. Also, just because I'm so excited to FINALLY be done with it, here's a preview of AoD's promotion chart. Much more dignified than the old system of "pulling it out of my ass." Anyway, story post incoming, assuming I don't pass out in the middle of typing. |
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Post by Neo on Dec 22, 2014 1:36:17 GMT -6
Manakete - Bahamut
Please tell me we get to recruit a special Legacy PC named Neo. And he has some kind of Mega Flare attack.
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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 22, 2014 2:26:19 GMT -6
"Wear them down!" You begin charging down the middle aisle, straight into the heart of the advancing enemies. "Wendy, Doran, Claudia, Dan! Get the archers!"
You stop short, hurling your hatchet into the horde of Risen. It flies past the front-runners, but still finds a target. As your hatchet reappears in your hand, you pitch it again, this time landing a solid hit on the lead berserker.
Paen is a step behind, casting a wind spell towards the swarm of enemies. The blades of wind buffet the front line. None seem seriously injured, but the wind has the added effect of blowing the enemy archers' counterattack off target.
Dan and Claudia struggle to make their way over the benches, constantly ducking out of the way of incoming arrows - even if they aren't able to eliminate the enemy archers, they're at least drawing most of their fire from the right. Wendy and Doran have a bit more luck, leaping along the benches while ignoring the enemy arrows, aggressively charging the enemy. Doran and Wendy are still well behind your front line, working on their third archer (as Claudia and Dan reach their first) when the enemy melee units reach you.
Rain joins you and Paen on the front line, holding the enemy back. In the cramped quarters, the berserkers aren't able to unleash their full strength, giving you some respite. "We need to disengage!" Rain informs you.
"Why!?" Paen bellows, ripping his sword from his belt.
Mary and John form up behind you. A hand axe flies by, and Mary swats it from the sky, her hand covered in darkness. "Are you ready?" she asks John.
"Let's do it!" he answers.
Mary forms a ball of darkness behind you, then sends it into the floor. It slips past the enemies locked in combat with you towards their unexpecting second line. "Now!" she calls out.
As the flux spell bursts from below, John flings a small ball of light towards it. The two collide, resulting in a burst of energy. The pair of warriors next to the burst explode into a purple mist, and several more are sent staggering back by the shockwave.
"Fascinating..." Horatio mutters in the distance. "Quite an interesting trick!"
"This is our chance. Drop back and regroup!" you order. John and Mary are already retreating. Charlotte and Saul wait near the entrance, already healing your wounds with a pair of physic staves. As you run, a set of runes appear around you. Mary doesn't seem to be doing anything beyond running - you chance a glance over your shoulder. One of the hooded figures beyond Horatio is reading from a black-bound tome. You throw yourself to one side, ducking into an aisle just as the runes slam together explosively. The wave of Risen, already hot on your heels, manage to corner you. While you decide whether to retreat down the aisle or try to fight your way through, you feel a sensation that leaves you nauseated. The world distorts, and you find yourself staring at Charlotte. She smiles, trading her rescue staff for a heal.
Fully refreshed, you rejoin your group at the rear of the benches. Your troops have only just now managed to put enough distance between themselves and the Risen that they're able to turn and begin attacking again. Horatio's summoners step forward, reinforcing the enemy's assault with long-ranged magic. A few of the berserkers break off and start moving down the left aisles, threatening to cut Doran and Wendy off. They start to drop back, having eliminated four archers. Dan and Claudia, having only advanced a few rows, hold their ground.
You prepare to volley into the heart of the enemy again. Horatio calls out over your orders. "Advance relentlessly, no quarter! Leave them nowhere to retreat!"
If you attempt to attack and retreat again, you'll find your backs against the wall, surrounded by the twenty-five Risen still barreling down the center aisle while the summoners attack ceaslessly. There are a pair of archers still attacking from the left side, while five remain on the right - the smaller aisles on either side are still clear. If you make a break for it, you should be able to outrun the horde and reposition over there.
Alternatively, the enemy's rear line is completely unguarded, save for Horatio... You think Saul brought a warp staff - he could probably throw you and one other just short of Horatio. You'd have three or four rounds before the rest of the enemies could overwhelm you, assuming they turn back immediately.
(A) Hold your ground at the rear of the aisle
(B) Attack, then retreat toward the side aisle
(C) Warp behind the enemy's main force (choose 2 characters)
(Y) Doran/Wendy keep pressing forward
(Z) Doran/Wendy rejoin your main group
(1) Claudia/Dan keep holding their ground
(2) Claudia/Dan rejoin your main group
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Post by Neo on Dec 22, 2014 14:05:58 GMT -6
Do we have a Rescue Staff? Or can the Warp Staff be used again to warp our units back to our forces?
If so, I vote C(June&Paen), Z, and 2.
If not, I vote BZ2.
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Post by slykirby on Dec 22, 2014 14:39:17 GMT -6
C. (Send in June and Paen) Z. 2. Can we also vote on what the rest of the main group does after warping June and Paen? If so, I vote that they go with B.
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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 22, 2014 16:13:25 GMT -6
Do we have a Rescue Staff? Yes. They'll hold their positions if the enemy presses their attack, or attack the enemy's rear if they go after you. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2014 16:53:48 GMT -6
CZ2
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Post by Neo on Dec 22, 2014 17:00:54 GMT -6
Sweet. My vote is CZ2 then, and sending June and Paen to deal with Horatio. Just make sure Saul has the Rescue Staff at the ready, in case things get dicey.
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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 24, 2014 1:00:04 GMT -6
Paen raises his shield toward the charging Risen. "Come, find your pea-"
You cut him off mid-taunt, pulling his arm. "Buy us some time..." you tell Rain as you drop back.
"I'll see what I can do. Don't do anything stupid!" She calls out to you.
"Defensive positions!" you order. "Doran, Claudia! You, too!"
"We're missing the big fight..." Paen complains as you lead him to Saul. Charlotte steps forward to take your places until the rest of your units regroup.
"Archbishop, do you have a warp staff with you?" you ask.
He blinks, then starts rifling through his gear. "Er... Yes, I do."
"Send us behind the enemy's line," you tell him. "We're going straight for the enemy commander."
"That's... insane. Besides, I'd only be able to send you halfway or so."
"That's enough of a start that we can outrun the main group of enemies. Also, you have a rescue staff," you point out.
"I won't be able to pull you back if we get split up too much!"
Paen slams his fists together. "I'm liking this plan!"
Saul sighs, pulling the staff out. "Are you sure you wish to do this?" he asks one last time.
"Yes," you answer.
"Hell yes!" Paen bellows.
Saul focuses on Paen, muttering an incantation. The staff head glows, and Paen blurs, then disappears completely. Mary steps beside Saul, twirling gracefully. Saul faces you, repeating the spell.
The world blurs again, and suddenly comes back into focus. Saul is still visible, but now there's several angry enemies between you. As Saul said, you've made it about halfway down the aisle, well past the horde of Risen. Paen grabs your shoulder, spinning you around and pulling you into a run.
As you charge down the aisle, the archers are first to react, quickly changing targets to attack you. With half of their rank slain, though, they don't pose much of a threat. Horatio pulls out a jagged sword, a sick grin on his face. With his free hand, he points to you. The summoners focus their spells. Shadowed runes appear in the air around you, large dark balls appearing seconds later. You manage to weave through them easily enough, though Paen has more difficulty. One lands a direct hit, but Paen forces himself to charge through it.
With only a few more rows of benches remaining, Horatio steps forward to meet you. He raises his sword in the air. A wave of lightning erupts from just ahead of you. In your surprise, you don't react quickly enough. The force of the jolt causes you to stumble forward. As you regain your balance, you manage to throw your hatchet. It looks like a sure hit until the last possible instant. Horatio doesn't seem to move, yet he suddenly appears to be several inches to the right of your attack. Paen draws Flamberge, stepping forward and slashing. Horatio parries the blow, their jagged blades locking. Paen is forced to leap back as the summoners launch a second barrage from their eclipse tomes.
The archers join in with a volley of arrows, but most of their attacks fall short, and the rest go far wide. You risk a glance back at the wall of enemies. Most are moving to chase you, with a few staying behind to delay your reinforcements. You estimate you have time for three, maybe four attacks before they're upon you.
(A) Support Paen with your bow
(B) Attack with your hatchet
(C) Close in, use Armads
(D) Try to grab hold of Horatio
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Post by Neo on Dec 24, 2014 1:57:30 GMT -6
I think D is our best bet... I just have a hunch that D is the right answer. But it's also the riskiest... However, we aren't going to win this by playing it safe. We tossed caution to the wind as soon as I chose this crazy plan. Every Commander worth his salt knows there comes a time when safety protocols don't mean squat, and you have to risk the biscuit. That's the very essence of war. And this, in my tired(But still clear) mind, is that time. The stakes are as high as they can get. We don't have enough time to take a few potshots with our Bow. If June can immobilize Horatio even for a moment, it may provide Paen the golden opportunity to end this. So, knowing full well that this is a go home go broke option, I'm going to vote D and pray to Anna with all my might and soul. I love June dearly and don't want anything to happen to her, but this is war, and I'm thinking as a Commander right now. So there you have it. I vote D. I have a sick feeling in my gut, that all of my June x Paen shipping is going to backfire right now. Paen is going to get that one shot, but he won't be able to take it, because he loves June too much and it could possibly harm her. So he's going to hesitate, and Horatio will seize the opportunity to kill Paen, who is already wounded. CDM please, I'm begging you here. Don't be as evil as I am. |
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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 24, 2014 15:18:33 GMT -6
More coming - hopefully tonight after family get togethering. Neo, you've really got to teach me how to use those spoiler things. They'd be a big help in AoD. Also, Saturday night's when I do most of my writing, but I'm running CoC that night, so... MAYBE done by the 31st. Maybe.
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You decide to grab Horatio. Casting your hatchet to the side, you lunge forward. Just as your hand is about to wrap around his cloak, you inexplicably find yourself an inch short. As he steps back, he taunts you with a sickening grin. You happen to brush against the Gae Bolg still stuck in his chest. Without thinking, you seize it. Horatio's smile disappears instantly.
You grab the spear with your other hand, then switch, slowly working your way up the shaft. Horatio sends another wave of thunder at you, but you push through it. As soon as he's in reach, you wrap an arm around his waist. Stepping behind him, you grab his chest with the other hand. You lock him in as close as possible. Just to be sure, you strain as hard as you can, lifting him a few inches.
"What... put me down!" he yells, flailing. He feebly lashes out with his Levin sword, barely managing to graze your back.
"Paen, now!" you tell him.
He starts to raise his sword, then hesitates. You don't know how much longer you can hold on. "We've still got an elixer!" you remind him.
Paen steps back, raising Flamberge. "Gods... You're insane, both of you!" he howls. He swings Flamberge back, slamming it against the ground. He takes a step forward, raising the blade to thrust. "Die, monster!"
As Paen takes another step, his thrust is marked by a searing pain in your gut. Everything seems frozen for a second as Paen shifts his grip, then you can feel the blade moving upward as Paen roars with effort. The edge slashes through your shoulder, causing you to lose your grip. As you drop Horatio, you fall to the floor, still entangled.
You know that you're bleeding badly, but everything starts to go a bit numb. Paen throws his sword down, already rummaging through your gear in search of the elixer. As your consciousness starts to fade, you can hear Horatio straining to speak. "This... changes nothing. You only... delay... the inevitable..."
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Holland shoves Bud out of the way, barely raising his shield in time to deflect an incoming spear. The bottom floor's been completely overrun; everyone's showing signs of fatigue. After shifting to the top of the stairs, Holland's at least been able to give people a few minutes of rest fighting in shifts. While he desperately tries to keep the seemingly endless wave of enemies at bay, Alyssa's been directing the destruction of the far wall - hopefully she'll be able to make an escape route in time.
As Holland prepares to switch out, the Risen hero charging up the stairs suddenly trips. It grips its head, shrieking in agony. Dozens of other Risen begin to wail from below, as well. As suddenly as it began, the roaring stops. The hero stands and turns, dashing back down the stairs with axe in hand. A surprised soldier doesn't react quickly enough, and the Risen strikes him down. The sounds of battle and screams of fear erupt from below. Everyone crowds the top of the stairs, trying to comprehend what exactly is happening. The Risen seem to have gone berserk, attacking allies, enemies, and even each other.
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Post by Neo on Dec 24, 2014 15:54:53 GMT -6
Yay! We took out Horatio, and June lived! I'm so glad!
CDM, this is how you use spoiler tags:
[ spoiler ] I am a big, bad dragon. [ /spoiler ]
Except without the spaces, of course.
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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 25, 2014 0:40:02 GMT -6
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Post by SummerCrow on Dec 25, 2014 1:57:20 GMT -6
You're vaguely aware of the sounds of battle, but acutely aware of a stinging pain in your chest. If nothing else, at least you know you're still alive. The sounds of battle are gone, replaced by a far-off voice calling out to you.
"-ne... Come on... need to..." Rain's voice slowly comes into focus. "You need to get up," she tells you, concern plastered across her face.
"She's coming to," Wendy exclaims excitedly. "June!" You shake your head weakly, your vision returning to normal.
"About time," Paen states flatly. Though he's trying to act indifferent, he can't hide the stupid grin stuck on his face. He offers you a hand. "Get up, Girly, we aren't quite done yet."
You take his hand. "You killed me," you accuse.
"Not quite," Paen shrugs. "Besides, you've tried to kill me twice now."
"That really hurt," you pout.
Paen starts to respond, but Rain elbows him. "Paen, how could you?"
Doran shakes his head. "Hurting our commander like that."
"And he didn't even apologize," Saul points out.
Even Claudia decides to join in. "He never did understand the feelings of a woman."
You hide your smile as Paen looks back to you. You try to look as sad and pathetic as possible, even managing to squeeze out a tear. Paen's smile drops and he retracts his hand. "OK, OK, I'm sorry I stabbed you. I was trying to be as gentle as possible while also making sure to kill that dastard."
"And is Horatio dead?" you ask.
"Yes."
"Then, apology accepted." You reach up, and Paen grabs your hand. He helps you to your feet and you get another look around. Charlotte, Mary, and John are investigating the altar, while Dan pokes at the door. A golden seal still covers it. There are no signs that a massive battle just took place, aside from a few bloodstains - and a large pool where you were laying - and the discarded weapons strewn about. "What happened to the Risen?" you ask.
Rain shakes her head. "They just started killing each other after you took down Horatio."
"That's... great news," you admit. "Are all the Risen going to take care of themselves like that?"
"Most of them should," John calls from across the room. "That's what Mary thinks, anyway."
You make your way to a bench and sit down. You breath a long sigh and stretch a bit. "So... What now?" you ask no one in particular.
Doran takes a seat next to you. "Mary says the seal won't dissolve for another few minutes. After that, we need to rejoin with our allies, then decide how to deal with the enemy reinforcements. We could just run. We've got enough of a headstart. But it's likely they'd be willing to surrender, seeing as all their commanders are dead." While Doran speaks, you notice a large gash in your armored dress from Paen's attack. You pretend not to notice, trying to hide your embarrassment while silently thanking everyone else for having the tact not to say anything.
"I've found something... odd," Mary announces from the sanctuary.
"So have I..." Charlotte calls out. It takes a second to spot her crawling out from beneath the altar.
Rain helps you to your feet, and your group makes its way towards the front of the council chambers.
"Who's first?" Doran asks.
Mary steps to the side. "I'd like to speak with you and June privately... Um... Maybe the king and Archbishop... No, you can decide who to tell later."
Confused, you glance at Doran. He shrugs, and the two of you follow Mary a few steps from the group, ducking into the shadow of Grima's statue.
"Yes?" you ask. Mary pulls out a dark tome and hands it to you. Then, she pulls out an identical tome and hands it to Doran. "I can't read the script," you remind her; judging from Doran's reaction, you're missing something important.
"It's the Goetia," he mutters. He opens to a random page and reads for a moment, then trades with you. He flips to the same page and skims it a bit. "No doubt about it, they're the same book." He looks more closely, then corrects himself. "No, they're in different conditions, but still..."
"It's impossible," Mary claims. "Or, it should be. Only one copy of this tome should be left in existence..."
Doran is visibly taken aback. "Where did you...?"
Mary shakes her head. "One of those summoners." She shrugs.
Doran scratches his head. "Well... I suppose someone must have found a way to produce a copy of the Goetia? Or perhaps the 'last known copy' wasn't truly the last known copy?"
A loud crash from the altar interrupts any further musings. "Keep this hidden for now," Doran orders Mary. "We'll decide what to do with it later. Praven may have some idea."
With that, your group returns to the others. You find the altar laying in a broken heap off to one side. Where it stood, a small passage in the floor. You can see a ladder stretching down into the darkness.
"He's here..." Charlotte mutters, clutching her axe. "I can feel him... His power... is fading. But he's here..."
John nods fearfully. "I can feel an immense magical presence below us. Something inhuman," he explains.
Mary glances down the hole, then to the main entrance. The glowing seal is faded to the point you can barely make it out. "My seal will be gone shortly. Based on how the Risen reacted to Horatio's death, and the fact Charlotte can feel the power fading, we can assume we've broken the monster's contract."
"Contract?" you ask.
"When you summon a beast as powerful as a lord of Hell, you typically create some form of pact, a contract. The demon will let you use his power... for a price. After the contract is fulfilled, the demon should return from whence he came. We don't need to do anything further, unless you're desperate to hasten the process."
You think you get the idea. "You never did tell us much about this... Bune, anyway. What is he?"
Mary flips open the Goetia. She shows you a page with a rough sketch of a dragon, and several runes you can't begin to read. "He's described as draconic in appearance. He has the ability to resurrect and control the dead, as well as the ability to grant wisdom."
"Is there any chance we could defeat him?" you ask.
Mary stares blankly at the page, then closes her eyes. "This tome doesn't give any sort of comparison of their strength. He may be only as strong as a normal dragon, or he may have strength unimaginable to us mere mortals." You can almost hear Paen salivating at the prospect. "It does, however, list a few counter-spells that could be used to harm him."
"We can beat him," Charlotte declares. "I know it!"
Dan cocks his head. "But Mary just said he'll go away on his own. What point is there to fighting him?"
"Revenge..." Charlotte growls without hesitation.
"This creature is to blame for countless deaths," Saul points out. "Perhaps a bit of discipline will deter him from returning."
Doran crosses his arms. "I... don't know."
"We've got Flamberge and the Shadow Emblem," Paen begins. "Falchion and the Fire Emblem. The Goetia. And... whatever happened to Charlotte. But even I'll admit this could be dangerous. It's your call, June." The expression in his eyes - and their constant darting towards the hole in the floor - tell you which way he would vote.
(A) Descend the ladder
(B) Wait for the seal to dissolve and leave
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Post by Neo on Dec 25, 2014 2:28:20 GMT -6
As tempting is this is... I'm going to go with Chrom's ending(June's ending). I really don't feel like fighting Grima, for no other reason then revenge. You do not risk the lives of your comrades and loved ones for revenge. I know full well this will allow Bune to return in the sequel, perhaps even stronger, but that isn't June's tale. We will finish Bune then when, and if, it comes to that. I also doubt Bune will attack us on his own right now.
There is literally no reason to fight him. I do not think June would risk everyone's lives just for revenge. That isn't who she is. So I vote B. Also, I now have a very naughty image in my mind, regarding June in a ripped dress.
*Gigity*
Yeah... I need sleep...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2014 23:39:54 GMT -6
.......Neo as much as I would love to say let's do B and end on a high note. Its just something that naws at me about letting this Bune character go away.
No this is not about revenge at all why I am going to do this. Knowing full well that this Buns could be dam strong. He does control the risen and just letting him go away when he could always talk another Horatio into a pact and we are back here in this situation.
I say we end him here and now. Don't give somebody a chance to fall for his lies.
I could very well be leading us to our gloom. But I vote A. We have our characters that are at there peak. We have great weapons in great shape. I am pretty sure we have time to rest and heal enough to fight Bune.
Just because he will not attack us doesn't seem some fool will not be drawn to his power. Well if you get rid of the source you take care of the problem.
Again its not about revenge at all. Its about dealing with the source of everything. To put it another way we cut the head off the snake. Instead of sweeping it under a rug and hoping it doesn't bite us in the ass.
My final vote is A.
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