Teocawki Thread One: Hope Academy

[Zelphas]

Roy and Erica

The Wood Drones and Stone Drone move much faster than their size would suggest; all but one of the Wood Drones evade Erica's whip, the last drone wobbling as the burning whip tears into it. Roy's projectiles have a much more devastating effect; one Wood Drone is torn apart and glued to the center of the square, while another struggles jerkily against the hard, glue-like substance anchoring it to the walls of nearby buildings. The Stone Drone evades Roy's bullets by simply leaping straight up in a reverse-avalanche roar. It plummets from the sky, landing between the twins and sending up a massive shock-wave of crushed stone and flung dirt. The free Wood Drone, still reeling from Erica's whip, lifts up one leg... which shoots off with an eldritch crackle, the sharpened plank of wood glowing with blue-black energies as it whizzes towards the female Stonesmith.

Some of the dolls wander through the square and into the streets beyond, while a few others appear in the square from various directions.

Spoiler: OOC

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Map.

Wood Drone #2

Move Action: Dazed.

Standard Action: Splinter Bolt against Erica. (1d20+4)[12] On a hit, Damage DC 23. Hit

End of Turn: Try to shake off Vulnerable/Physically Dazed (DC 23): (1d20+2)[18] Nope

Wood Drone #3

Actions: Stunned.
End of Turn: Try to get free of stunned (DC 21): (1d20+4)[10] Nope

Stone Drone

Move Action: Leap to S12.

Standard Action: Ground Slam. Roy and Erica, Dodge DC 17 for half, Toughness DC 22/19 vs. Damage, Fortitude DC 17/14 vs. Hindered/Immobile.

PCs are up!

Connor and Serhe

As Connor destroys the Cloth Drones with brutal efficiency, he feels the earth hidden in the buildings suddenly cut off, the Elementals within pulled into slumber as the Supernatural force binding them wakes into full life. His arrival and announcement is greeted by a huge crash as something enormous bursts out of the roof of a building nearby, scattering granite everywhere. The enormous thing resolves itself into a Stone drone, dropping down like a meteor to land inches from the Earth Elementalist. A blast of stone and dirt pelts both boys in a rippling shock-wave out from the giant drone.

A second crash heralds a second Stone Drone, this one bursting out of the wall of a southern building. The second Drone grinds towards the twosome and lifts up a giant fist... which rockets off of its arm with an eldritch screech, the boulder shattering into fist-sized rocks and glowing with blue-black energy as it soars towards the scion of the Berg family. The erratic flight of the stones causes them to miss Connor entirely, but he can feel them swinging around for another pass.

Some of the dolls wander through the square and into the streets beyond, while a few others appear in the square from various directions.

Spoiler: OOC

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Map.

Stone Drone #1

Move Action: Shift to L12.

Standard Action: Ground Slam. Serhe and Connor, Dodge DC 17 for half, Toughness DC 22/19 vs. Damage, Fortitude DC 17/14 vs. Hindered/Immobile.

Stone Drone #2

Move Action: Shift to Q19.

Standard Action: Stone Edge on Connor. (1d20+4)[8] on a hit, Damage DC 25+Multiattack (with secondary effect). Miss

PCs are up!

[herodofcows]

"BOLLOCKS!"

Connor staggers backwards as the first Stone Drone sends a wave of gravel and dirt blasting into his carapace. Some of it gets absorbed, but his ill-advised lowering of his own carapace means he gets a rattling face full of rock.

<Now, now, friends, enough of that! Off my face, will ye? Let me . . .>

He ducks under the second Drone's fired rocketing fist by luck as much as perceptiveness, and scowls as he sees the blue-black energy ensconcing the fist.

"Damn Supernaturalists!" he growls, "It's not right, them messin' about with the Elements like this . . . Makes me sick, tell ye the truth . . ."

<Right then. Granite? Be a love and give me a wall, will ye? Nice and long, tall if ye can. 'Round the square, that's a dear . . .>

A wall of granite springs up along the periphery of the "city square", blocking off the two Stone Drones from any "civilians" that might come in and become collateral damage.

He grimaces at Serhe now, gesturing at the periphery.

"Well, we've got our ring now!" he exclaims with bluff cheer half-felt, "Now, here's hoping ye're quick with yer fists!"

Spoiler: OOC

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In case it's not clear, Connor is using Raise Earth (Create 8 (Continuous, Movable, Accurate 4, Innate, Limited [Must raise from existing earth])) to make a wall around the square and cut off any new "civilians" so we can focus the drones without fear.

[Arcran]

Serhe was busy trying to mentally tally up his points when Connor appeared, shredding the cloth in a matter of seconds.

25 points. We've got a long way to go... he thinks to himself, before being distracted by Connor suddenly showing his face. A small grin crosses Serhe's face, and he nods curtly.

Seven down, at least a hundred to go, right? Serhe says, cracking his fingers and rolling his head from side to side. Sorry to put this on you, but we're finishing first, understand? Serhe says as his eyes frantically dart around. Annihilus only got second, and being able to rub that fact in his brother's face would be the greatest gift the Academy could ever give him. I suppose that just means we're freeing more rocks, aye? he says, before his eyes instantly begin tracking the massive stone titans as they break free.

Serhe is just a hair too slow and isn't able to avoid the wave of shrapnel that flies out from the titan's impact. He was far from down, but he wasn't exactly looking forward to an extended battle with these creatures. This one's mine! Serhe snarls, looking up the one in front of him. Keep our other friend busy, alright? I can handle the Supernatural bits, he says, gritting his teeth.

Why don't you take a seat big guy? Serhe mutters, his vision flashing purple as he locked his gaze on the stone titan that had just been bold even to strike him.

Spoiler

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Luck: 2/4
-1 to Toughness

Serhe is going to keep doing the same thing! All-Out, Power Attack at max!

AC: (1d20+8)[22]
Nullify: (1d20+13)[15] 33

[Quellian-dyrae]

The wooden spike shattered harmlessly off of Erica's armor. As the stone drone came leaping in, she tried to shield her brother from the shockwave, but she was too over-extended from her attack to get quite in the right position in time. All she really managed to do was expose herself to the full force of it.

Which, you know, meh.

So, okay, that could have gone better. Maybe they had gotten a bit greedy, been a little too ambitious. Live and learn. Erica's whip of light retracted, the cruciform longsword extending back out from its hilt. White-gold light shone from the blade's rainbow edge, a shield of pure positive energy manifesting on her other hand. Her armor still resonating with her brother's, she lashed out. With the resonance active, she'd be able to absorb the energy from her target and redirect it as healing power. She'd tap Roy with the flat of her sword once she had struck, sending any energy she absorbed to him.

As soon as the attack was complete, though, the light left the white-flecked blue gemstone in her belt buckle - and shone brilliant silver from the crystal embedded prominently in the armor's chestplate. The attacks she had faced hadn't done much - with her wards reinforced, they would do nothing!

Spoiler

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Move: Attract attention, I guess?

Standard: Attack the Stone Drone with Flux Paladin as a Team Attack with Roy, All Out Power Attack for 4, critting on 19+. (1d20+8)[21]. On a hit, Toughness DC 27+Team Attack vs. Damage unless Roy's DC is higher, pretty sure it's immune to the Affliction. On a miss by one degree, Roy gets +2 Damage instead. In addition, Roy receives Healing (Bruises first) at (1d20+9)[13] with a Secondary Effect. The degrees of Healing is capped by its degree of failure on its resistance check (note that a Team Attack is reflective of both attacks, so if it winds up rolling against Roy rather than her, its result still applies to the Healing cap). Hit or +5 to Roy's Damage if it's higher than DC 27. Roy heals a Bruise as long as it fails by at least one degree.

Free: Swap to Force Shielding. Erica is now immune to any Toughness-resisted attacks of rank 8 or lower.

End of Turn: Fortitude to remove Hindered: (1d20+4)[23]. Recovers

Current Status: 2 Bruises, Fatigued.

[Thokk_Smash]

As the shards of debris and stone shrapnel explode, Roy throws his hands in front of him to try and ward it off. Even with his sister's protection, he gets several large shards of rock in his side, though his mobility remains intact.

And, of course, his sister had to take the brunt of the blast for him. He never really likes that.

Pressing joints and molding the pistols, a gleaming sword of cold iron and a flux pommel appears in his hands. The body of the blade shines yellow, and the edges a bright white against the air. He times his swing with his sister's, the gemstone on his belt buckle glowing fiercely as the blades hit home. Still reeling from the aftershocks of the debris' damage, he nevertheless directs the healing energy from the white edges through the pommel and to his sister as he taps her lightly on the arm.

Following through with his attack, the belt gemstone dims to normal. And a veritable river of Flux begins to glow softly in lines all across his armor. He can feel his ability to evade heighten even further, and he faces the drone with a grin.

Spoiler

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Move: Staggered

Free: Swap to Beryl Bridge

Standard: Attack with Beryl Bridge, AoA/PA -5/+5 (1d20+8)[11]. On a hit, DC 28+Multiattack Toughness vs Damage, (1d20+9)[29] Healing applied to Erica capped by degrees of damage failed plus one. Miss within one degree, so +2 to Erica's Damage DC

Free: Swap to Enhanced Hardness. Roy is now immune to any Dodge-resisted attack Rank 12 or less, and can substitute his Dodge for an Area resistance check.

Status: -5 Defenses, Staggered (Bruise pending results of Erica's healing)
HP: 2
Luck: 4/4

[Zelphas]

Serhe and Connor

Connor's wall rises smoothly, blocking off the Stone Drones and the two Heroes-to-be from the rest of the square. A few seconds later, both of you can hear a couple of distant, hollow thunks; Connor gets the distinct feeling that a few of the dolls just walked headfirst into the wall.

In response to Serhe's stare, the Stone Drone next to the duo vibrates violently before simply collapsing in on itself, becoming a large pile of rubble within seconds. Connor can feel the Elementals in the stone rejoicing at the sudden reduction in Supernatural energy, though some of their anger remains. The second Stone Drone shifts to focus on Serhe as its duplicate falls, leaping forward through the rubble and swinging one massive fist at the power nullifier's face. Meanwhile, Connor feels the Supernaturally-laced stone swing back around, firing towards him once more.

Spoiler: OOC

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Map.

Stone Drone #2

Move Action: Leap to J12.

Standard Action: Heavy Slam on Serhe. (1d20+6)[21] On a hit, Damage DC 23+Multiattack, Fortitude DC 18+Multiattack vs. Dazed & Vulnerable/Stunned & Prone. Hit; +2 from Multiattack.

Meanwhile, Stone Edge has Homing 1, so it targets Connor again: (1d20+4)[20] On a hit, Damage DC 25+Multiattack with Secondary Effect. Hit, no Multiattack.

Erica and Roy

The twins' swords bite shallow gashes into the Stone Drone's hide, peeling off thin strips of granite that break apart into pebbles as they hit the ground. The Stone Drone hardly seems to notice, turning its attention towards Erica with a giant haymaker of solid rock.

One Wood Drone still struggles feebly against the sticky goop holding it in place; the other, seeming to assess the situation for a moment, shifts slightly and slings a shaft of oak at Roy, the bolt crackling with Supernatural energy as it wings its way towards him. Meanwhile, the dolls continue to wander aimlessly about; you can't decide if their utterly featureless faces are unsettling or not.

Spoiler: OOC

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Map.

Stone Drone

Move Action: None.

Standard Action: Heavy Slam on Erica. (1d20+6)[12] On a hit, Fortitude DC 18+Multiattack vs Dazed & Vulnerable/Stunned & Prone. Miss

Wood Drone #2

Move Action: Dazed.

Standard Action: Splinter Bolt on Roy. (1d20+4)[5] On a hit, Damage DC 23+Multiattack; on a miss, Homing 1. Miss; Homing next round

End of Turn: Recover from Physically Dazed/Vulnerable (DC 23): (1d20+2)[5] Nope

Wood Drone #3

All Actions: Stunned.

End of Turn: Recover from Stunned (DC 21): (1d20+4)[6] Nope

[Arcran]

Serhe, having been far to focused on the previous stone golem, is caught completely off-guard when the giant stone fist slams into his face, sending him flying into the impromptu wall that was sitting around the edge of the field. Still, Serhe couldn't help but let a smug smirk cross his face as the other stone golem falls, its Supernatural magic stripped away.

65 points! Let's make that 85! Serhe shouts, spitting out a globule of blood as he sways on his feet for a moment. He braces himself against the wall before staring up at the other golem, his vision flashing purple before he attempts to strip away yet another enchantment. He'd never been able to use his powers like this and, despite the fact that he probably had a few broken ribs at the moment, it was exhilarating.

[Quellian-dyrae]

Her wards stopped the stone drone's blow cold. It might as well have been hitting a solid steel wall.

But time was a wasting. Erica shifted her morphic blade into the form of a slender rapier, all the Flux gemstone condensing into a brilliant multihued prism at its tip. She danced and darted, swift thrusts and fleeting blows with that shining blade, seeking to draw its attention. Then of a sudden she leaped up to stab straight under the drone's chin, the rapier's tip blazing blue-white as she channeled her power through a gemstone that gave off electrical energy. The full force of a bolt of lightning was condensed into the tip of that slender sword.

Resist that!

Spoiler

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Move: Still just drawing attention or whatever.

Standard: Attack the Stone Drone with Flux Duelist, All Out Power Attack for 4, at (1d20+8)[22]. On a hit, Defense DC 27 vs. Damage, Will DC 22 vs. Impaired+Vulnerable/Disabled+Defenseless. If it has Impervious Toughness, it may substitute half its Impervious rank for its Defense if desired.

End of Turn: Secondary Effect triggers. Degree capped at 1, can't roll less than one degree, so Roy heals his Stagger.

Current Status: Fatigued, -4 Defense this turn.

[Thokk_Smash]

Roy dodges the Wood Drone's spike with a nonchalant sidestep that is more of an afterthought.

Seeing Erica's blow lock up the Stone Drone's limbs and body with lightning, Roy is quick to shift his sword into the sleek pair of gauntlets it once was. The gloves seem larger, somehow, with struts and pistons jutting out towards his shoulders. He enters a boxing stance and gathers his strength. One step closer to the Stone Drone and he twists his hips, gathering momentum. With a small grunt of exertion he lets loose a vicious one-two on the Stone Drone, and in tandem the pistons on the gloves slam down into the gloves. Waves of energy flow over the golem's body, wearing down its defenses and spreading damage where it goes. The pistons and sheer energy from the gloves' Flux crystals combine to threaten to launch the gigantic golem away and towards the remaining Wood Drone attacking them.

Spoiler

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Move action: Meh

Free action: Swap to Iridium Introduction

Standard: Attack with Iridium Introduction, AoA/PA -5/+5, (1d20+8)[9] vs DC 33 Damage, DC 28 Move Object (Limited to down or away),DC 28 Will vs Vulnerable/Defenseless/Incapacitated. If it is immune to critical hits, subtract five from the effect DCs, as the auto-crit from a Defenseless opponent is included in them. Miss, but re-rolled in the OOC for 27

If the Stone Drone fails the Move Object, Roy will attempt to launch it at the wood drone still attacking them at (1d20+8)[16] vs DC 23 Damage (28 Damage if Power Attack still applies) and a Contagious Move Object DC 18 (Or 23 if Power Attack applies).

Status: Fine, -5 Defenses
HP: 2
Luck: 4/4 3/4

[herodofcows]

"Allmind preserve us . . ." Connor breathes as the first Stone Drone topples like a marionette with its strings cut. Not knowing the root of the other boy's power, it was a bit humbling to see him take down such an imposing foe without apparently lifting a finger to do it. He hadn't seen anyone else with real major power in action before. To see something so arcane, so seemingly effortless . . .

In his amazement, he fails to see the rock fist come flying back around at him. It smashes into him from the back and he staggers forward.

"GAH!" he howls as his bad leg takes the brunt of his weight.

He collapses onto one knee and glares up at the Stone Drone. He extends his hand . . .

<Right, ye poor rock, I'll be needing ye for a mo'. Do to yer kin what ye done to me!>

. . . and the rock fist veers towards the Stone Drone, smashing into it like a punch from a mountain.

"Aye, ye like that?!?" he yells, laboriously getting to his feet as the Stone Drone stumbles, "Ye like-"

His taunt dies in his throat as the second Drone falls flat, once again unraveling due to the work of the other boy. He chuckles slightly, shaking his head in wonder.

"Well, seems I hitched my wagon to the right engine!" he grins, stumbling slightly, "First place, ye say? I can get behind that . . . Ye got a way to move quick? I can make ye a flying disc if ye like!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Looks like that Drone is taken care of! I believe access to stone and rock means that he's no longer staggered as of the end of his turn either (Regen!). Still Bruised though.

Also I'm gonna try to use Terravoyance to find more Stone Drones, if I can? If not this round then next. (1d20+8)[11]

[Arcran]

Serhe can't help but grin as he hears the other boys' enthusiasm. Truth be told, it was the first time that anyone had seemed remotely interested in his powers, or teaming up with him. It was a good feeling, to say the least.

No, I'm a bit slow, Serhe says, still breathing heavily. A flying disc would be great! Anything that keeps me a long ways from those fists Serhe says, a note of enthusiasm in his voice. Sure, the fall had been the closest he'd ever gotten to flying and it was rather terrifying, but if he had some ground under his feet it would be better, right? And if they could just zip around the battlefield, he could shut down drones left and right without a whole lot of risk. With a grunt Serhe shoves himself away from the wall

You're good with earth, right? Serhe asks, stating the obvious. Any chance you could, uh, smash these two up a bit? I turned them off, but I have no idea if they can turn back on, Serhe says awkwardly. I'd feel a lot better if we did something with the bodies really quickly. If Connor was looking closely, he'd notice that Serhe's eyes were slowly becoming bloodshot, as if he'd stayed up for days on end.

[herodofcows]

"Right! No problem at all!" Connor beams, "Just . . . a . . . second . . ."

He extends his arms towards the two crumpled Stone Drones. This is less out of necessity and more for the look of things, honestly. He's feeling a bit overawed by the other boy's abilities and is anxious to show that he can pull his weight as well.

<Now, comrades . . .> he addresses the fallen Drones, <I think this nonsense has gone on long enough, aye? This Supernatural slavery had best come to an end, says I. Collapse now. Be as ye were . . .>

The stones within the drones' forms shift and bounce about, scrambling into something far less anthropomorphic and far more . . . rubble-y.

<Lovely! Now, could I perhaps beg another two of those lovely flying discs? One for me and one for my friend?>

Two discs of granite detach from the ground and hover at Connor and Serhe's feet. Connor gestures proudly at them.

"They'll not outpace a speedster or a vehicle, mind," he says, stepping onto his own, "But it'll keep ye out of harms way, sure enough! The rock is smart: move with yer feet and it'll figure out what ye want!"

He commands his disc to soar upward, and (once Serhe steps on his) commands it to follow suit.

"Now then! Let's see who else needs our saving!"

[Zelphas]

Roy and Erica

Erica's rapier cuts a shallow divot into the stone forming the Drone's "chin" before glancing off, only marring the surface of the smooth granite rock. The electrical blast, however, is much more effective; it latches onto the etched runes whirling over the Stone Drone's form and seems to sink into them, causing the Drone to jerk and twitch wildly as it struggles to maintain its cohesion against the rattling electric storm... which is exactly the opening Roy needs.

Roy's first punch strikes just to the right of the center of the Stone Drone's form, disrupting a series of runes that Erica realizes are essential to the Drone's ability to maintain cohesion. His second strike is merely a formality; by the time it lands, the Stone Drone is nothing more than a collection of various-sized rocks, which blast across the square and into the still mobile Wood Drone.

The Wood Drone's limbs splinter and crack under the force of the rocky hail, but thick oak mixed with Supernatural energy is a powerful combination; the Drone holds its ground, still standing even after the last rock falls. Standing oddly on two limbs, it fires one of its remaining legs at Erica even as part of its body shifts into place, forming another limb to replace the one it had fired earlier. To his right, Roy hears a whistle of displaced wind... Followed by the spear of wood he dodged earlier arcing unerringly towards him once more. With a sound of breaking stone, the other standing Wood Drone breaks free of its restraints at last, turning towards the pair of Stonesmiths.

Spoiler: OOC

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Map.

Wood Drone #2

Move Action: Dazed x2!

Standard Action: Splinter Bolt on Erica; it can't harm her, so this is merely a formality.

End of Turn: Homing 1 on Splinter Bolt against Roy: (1d20+4)[24] On a hit, Damage DC 23+Multiattack. Crit with +2 Multiattack, so Damage DC 30.
Also, Dodge to recover from Physically Dazed/Vulnerable (DC 23): (1d20+2)[12] Nope.

Wood Drone #3

Maybe now it will escape from Stunned (DC 21)?: (1d20+4)[21] It will!

PCs are up!

Connor and Serhe

The last Stone Drone reels from it's own rocky fist sent against it by Connor's will before falling in a flash of Serhe's eyes, leaving the square still and silent save for distant sounds of battle. The stones still rattle with anger to Connor for a moment, but a quick effort of will is all it takes to calm them and remove the Supernaturalist etchings from their surface. Beside Serhe, the splinters and spars of wood rattle slightly as the Supernaturalist power within them attempts to pull itself together before falling once more under the power nullifier's sway.

Connor reaches out with his senses to comb the city--and gets back a wave of responses from all directions. There are more Stone Drones hidden within the walls and patrolling the streets, Connor is sure, but until he gets closer he can't pinpoint precisely where they are.

Spoiler: OOC

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If it's all right with you guys, I'm going to pause you for a bit until Erica and Roy sweep their area; I don't think it should take more than a round or two. Famous last words.

Feel free to RP as much as you like and/or pick a direction to go, of course!

[Quellian-dyrae]

"WOO-HOO!" Erica cheered as the stone drone shattered. The bright smile beneath her helmet settled into a smirk as the wooden spike shattered harmlessly against her armor. But then the other one came flying back around for her brother. It was correcting for his movements, so of course, Erica countered it in a manner it couldn't so easily correct for - that is, hurling herself straight in its path. It actually wound up hitting her shield stone, which kinda discharged a bit of the energy of her wards, but meh. Nothing she couldn't deal with.

The glow left the silver gem in her breastplate, and white-gold light began to shine from the crystals in her pauldrons. That would renew the lost warding energy, and also flood the gems responsible for moving the heavy armor with additional power. She rocketed ahead, lashing out with her rapier at the recently recovered drone, the blade flaring with brilliant crimson as she feinted, spun, and struck.

Spoiler

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Free: Swap to Positive Energy Flow.

Move: Into I15.

Standard: Attack Wood Drone 3 with Flux Duelist, All Out Power Attack for 4, at (1d20+8)[22]. On a hit, Defense DC 27 vs. Damage, Will DC 22 vs. Impaired+Vulnerable/Disabled+Defenseless. It may substitute half Impervious Toughness for Defense if desired. Variable Descriptor is Fire in case that matters.

End of turn: Regenerates the Bruise.

Status: Fatigued, -4 Defense this turn.

[Arcran]

While Connor demolished the stone drones, Serhe made his way over towards the wooden ones and begins the task of smashing them into kindling-sized pieces. Fortunately for Serhe, the wood gave quite easily when faced with inhuman strength, and it didn't take long. Soon enough, Serhe makes his way back towards Connor, idly swinging a stick he'd taken a liking to while shattering the drone.

When he returns, Serhe lets out a low whistle as he sees the disc. This is going to make life a hell of a lot easier, he says excitedly, quickly offering a hand. Don't think I got a chance to properly introduce myself on the ship. Name's Serhe, the boy says in a friendly, if tired tone. At Connor's comment, Serhe gives a short laugh.

Saving doesn't get us first. No, we're hunting, Serhe says, grinning maniacally. You took down those cloth ones easy enough, right? I'll keep an eye out for those if you can find more of those big stony fellas, alright? I shut them down, you smash them, Serhe says, scanning the horizon for a cluster of cloth drones.

Spoiler

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Looking for cloth drones, or really anything interesting with SUPERVISION: (1d20+18)[32]

[Thokk_Smash]

Too caught up with his successful attack, Roy doesn't notice the spiked tree branch hurtling for him until Erica throws herself into its path. ~"Thanks for the save, sis!"~ he thinks with gratitude.

Bringing his palms together, Roy reconfigures his gauntlets into a two-handed gun with a long barrel--a sniper rifle, if you would. The lines of Flux covering his armor fade into darkness, just as he fades into invisibility. If one can see beyond, they will see a soft clear glow suffusing the crystals at the ankles of his armor. Lining up his shot, he takes aim and fires at the Wood Drone that's been harassing them.

Spoiler

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Free action: Swap to Enhanced Lightness and Transparency, Sapphire Solo

Standard action: All-Out/Power Attack -5/+5 (1d20+4)[6] vs DC 32 Damage.

Status: Defenses at 17
HP: 2
Luck: 3/4

[Zelphas]

Erica and Roy

Erica's rapier manages to pierce the wood of the Drone before her, but the electricity doesn't seem to have as much of an effect on it as it did on the Stone Drone; in any case, it doesn't stop it from swiveling over to Erica and lashing out several times with pointed legs crackling with an electricity of their own. The other Wood Drone, in the midst of turning back towards Roy, stops in confusion and swerves back to launch a bolt at Erica, it's odd movement shifting it just enough so that Roy's blast goes wide.

Spoiler: OOC

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Map.

Wood Drone #2

Move Action: Still Dazed.

Standard Action: Splinter Bolt on Erica. (1d20+4)[11] On a hit, Damage DC 23+Multiattack; on a miss, Homing 1. Hit due to AoA; no Multiattack.

End of Turn: Recover from Dazed & Vulnerable (DC 23): (1d20+4)[15]

Wood Drone #3

Move Action: Dazed.

Standard Action: Rain of Spears on Erica. (1d20+4)[24] On a hit, Damage DC 21+Multiattack, Fortitude DC 16 vs. Dazed/Stunned (Secondary Effect, Cumulative). Crit! Damage DC becomes 31; Fortitude becomes 21.

End of Turn: Recover from Impaired & Vulnerable (DC 22): (1d20+4)[17]

Serhe and Connor

With his enhanced vision, Serhe can see that the cloth drones seem to congregate in "landing zones" where examinees would have come down from the airship. It seems that three such zones nearby are empty, the examinees who were supposed to land there presumably altering their flight downwards: one almost due north, one to the southwest, and one north-northeast.

[Quellian-dyrae]

The barrage of wooden spikes was enough to rattle Erica even through her wards, but she gritted her teeth and pressed on, because she was a human being and that's what they did! Trusting in the constant flow of positive energy to see her through, she kept up her assault with another strike from her flame-charged rapier.

Spoiler

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Move: Dazed.

Standard: Attack Wood Drone 3 with Flux Duelist. All Out Attack for 4, Power Attack for 5, at (1d20+7)[13]. On a hit, Defense (Vulnerable doesn't apply) DC 28 vs. Damage, Will DC 23 vs. Impaired+Vulnerable/Disabled+Defenseless. Should still hit thanks to Vulnerable

End of Turn: Regenerate one Bruise. Recover from Dazed (DC 21): (1d20+4)[16]. Nope

Current Status: 1 Bruise, Fatigued, Dazed (DC 21, SEc), -4 Defense this turn.

[Thokk_Smash]

Snarling at his bungled shot, Roy quickly lines up another as Erica takes down her drone. This is the start of him throwing off his uselessness--he can't give this poor of a showing!

Spoiler

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Move: Meh

Standard: Sapphire Solo, AoA/PA -5/+5 (1d20+4)[14] vs DC 32 Damage.

Status: Fine, DC 17 Defenses, Concealed
HP: 2
Luck: 3/4

[Zelphas]

Roy and Erica

Erica's rapier thrust spears the Wood Drone in front of her, the resulting electrical discharge literally burning the runes off of the oak planks. The charred timbers fall just as Roy lines up a perfect shot on the second Wood Drone, With a thunderous retort, his bullet plits the remaining drone in half, the two sides twitching fitfully before falling to the ground immobile. The square is now still and silent save for the sounds of distant battle.

[Arcran]

Serhe blinks rapidly, causing his vision to return to normal.

Looks like there's about three landing sites that nobody made it to nearby, Serhe says, quickly pointing out the directions. I can see the cloth drones from here; if we hurry, we could take out the stuff in those. Probably a cool 85 points per base, which means we can be more or less guaranteed a spot if we can handle two more, Serhe says, looking to Connor to see if he agreed. If we get all three, we might even snag first.

[Quellian-dyrae]

Erica had to take a moment to collect her wits, but once she had...rather than immediately get moving, she turned her attention to one of the civilian dolls.

She had an Idea.

The visor of her helmet began to give off a clear light, resonating with the enchantment on her glasses to enhance it, letting her view the actual flows of magic on the dolls and analyze it much more clearly. Reviewing what the runes did, how they worked, and if there was any sort of tamper-proofing on them. Because if not...

She was pretty sure she could hack them.

That little ploy aside, she let her brother take the lead in directing their progress. He'd be able to find targets much more easily than she could. Then they could just zip around and hit them one set after another, taking full advantage of their coordination and the tactical knowledge that came from years listening to their mom's stories.

Spoiler

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So, my original version of this plan was basically to scan the civilian drones with my Analytical Supernatural Detection to make sure this wouldn't like trigger point loss or explosions or anything, but then use a power stunt somewhere along the lines of:

Affliction 12 (-/-/Controlled+Transformed; Will; Contagious, Extra Condition, Precise, Accurate 2, Affects Objects Only, Limited Degree 2 [3rd Degree Only]). And maybe some Quickness to justify the scope of the programming.

With the Transformed effect probably degrading their Strength a bit in exchange for some Speed and Close Combat (Touch), and the Controlled giving them a much more robust tactical program. Seek out other civilian drones that haven't been affected and touch them, seek safety, stay absolutely still if a dangerous drone is in sight, etc. So the affected drone goes off at decent speed, converts any drones it finds, which converts drones they find, etc. And if a threat drone touches one...well, it'll probably resist since third degree only, but there's a chance it might get caught by the Contagious.

I'm down to either spend a Hero Point to negate the Fatigue for doing that as a proper power stunt, or just fold it into the general rolls. Or maybe they have anti-tampering measures and it won't work. Whatever.

Beyond that, I'll let Thokk cover the "finding enemies" portion of the plan. Combat-wise, it's more-or-less what we've seen so far - hammer the monsters hard, Takedown 2 any cloth drones we can get our hands on, make full use of strategic combos and Team Attacks to maximize the hurt, Interpose and heal as needed to keep us upright.

Either way, Erica's roll will be Expertise (Magic), representing either the drone hacking, general "figure out how these things work so as to better wreck them" stuff, or both. (1d20+16)[26].

Team roll Thokk and I discussed will be Expertise (Tactics), representing the twins' strategic and coordinated approach to combat in general as well as doing what they can to maximize their points just by gaming the system and such. They ain't above it . (1d20+16)[25].

[herodofcows]

<Now, comrades! Who among ye remains enslaved by Supernaturalist chains and enchantments? Speak now, that I may come to yer aid!>

The elemental outpouring of anger and complaints is almost deafening, so much so that Connor has to tune out just a second to catch Serhe's words.

"Well, I'll not look a gift horse in the mouth then!" he responds, angling his disc to follow Serhe, "The granite's right pissed to be magicked, so might be we can pick up some more Stone Drones on our way! But aye, I'll follow your plan happily! Let's go!"

He goes jetting off towards the first target of opportunity, leaping down from his disc as ambient rock swarms and thickens around his fists. He squares up like a prizefighter (boxing is big in Ashpah) and slowly dances forward as Serhe comes in eyes hot.

"The green grows past the wall, comrades/The green grows past the wall!" he bellows semi-melodically, the Ashpah United Front song springing naturally to his lips as he moves in for the first of many mighty blows, "The green is more than gold can hold/The tyrants all will fall! . . ."

Spoiler: Full Song, If You're Curious

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"Green Grows Past The Wall" refers to True Ashpah's flag and the Ashpah United Front's goal. Rather than keeping the benefits of True Ashpah's governance (the green of the flag) inside the walls, they seek to bring it out to Ashpah as a whole (hence, bring it "past the wall").

"The green grows past the wall, comrades
The green grows past the wall!
The green is more than gold can hold
The tyrants all will fall!
Our motherland is yoked and sore
Its children beaten crawl
(But) together we will raise them high
As green grows past the wall!

"Oh father, shed no tears this day,
Oh mother, stand up tall!
Let tyrants cower and dismay
As green grows past the wall!
Brothers and sisters all will cheer
And set down pick and maul
For we'll all join hands in fellowship
As green grows past the wall!

"The green grows past the wall, comrades
The green grows past the wall!
The green is more than gold can hold
The tyrants all will fall!
Our motherland is yoked and sore
Its children beaten crawl
(But) together we will raise them high
As green grows past the wall!

"The Alchemists may love their gold
And with its glint enthrall
But we will smash their treasuries
As green grows past the wall!
The Pits are cruel and heartless
For they're scourged by Mistress Gaal
But the overlords will lose their horde
When green grows past the wall!

"The green grows past the wall, comrades
The green grows past the wall!
The green is more than gold can hold
The tyrants all will fall!
Our motherland is yoked and sore
Its children beaten crawl
(But) together we will raise them high
As green grows past the wall!

"Mother Ashpah is suffering
She cries out for us all
We'll end her doom and salve her wounds
And grow green past the wall!
The wounds are dark and fissures deep
From Fissure's rise and fall
But we'll fill the chasms finally
When green grows past the wall!

"The green grows past the wall, comrades
The green grows past the wall!
The green is more than gold can hold
The tyrants all will fall!
Our motherland is yoked and sore
Its children beaten crawl
(But) together we will raise them high
As green grows past the wall!"

[Zelphas]

Connor and Serhe

Utilizing Serhe's exceptional eyesight and Connor's connection with the land, the duo are able to traverse the faux city incredibly quickly, tearing apart Stone, Cloth, and Wood Drones with simple ease. Connor senses several Stone Drones in buildings as they fly overhead; a quick shifting of the earth to draw them out, and Serhe quickly drops them, with Connor able to demolish the remains while hardly slowly their pace. Once they reach the empty squares, Connor's barrage of stones shred the cloth drones swarming in their wake, while Serhe is able to nullify larger threats from the safety of his earthen disc until they can be dealt with later. Two of the three squares are scoured in this way with no issue.

On their journey, Serhe and Connor see a few of the other examinees, locked in various battles here and there. A woman wearing an odd gas mask lobs square metal canisters at drones, the canisters bursting apart and spilling an acid potent enough to melt a Stone Drone into slag, before being whisked away by a vaguely-humanoid blur. Doireann, standing next to the river that winds through the town, laughs as she redirects its flow into a crushing jet that tears apart several cloth drones; behind her, four Wood Drones burst into flame as a glowing orange bird streaks over them, calling proudly. Once, Connor finds his stone barrage commandeered by the will of another Elementalist, the rocks shredding into fine sand around a boy in a thick white robe with his face shrouded in shadow. The boy nods his thanks to Connor before turning back to his own fight; on the other side of the square is an unsettling statue of an emaciated... beast, surrounded by thousands of thin quills which churn in the air like living things and strike down Drones one by one.

It is after they clear their first square that the duo catch sight of the giant Echidna Moth, swooping lazily over the center of the field. The enormous construct dwarfs the airship that they were ejected from, its entire form crackling with eldritch energy. True to the briefing they were given, the Moth does not pursue them, simply gliding through the sky in eerie silence.

By the time Connor and Serhe turn to the third square near the center of the city, they are confident that they have amassed more than enough points to qualify for the top ten; of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that they've won yet, and there's still more time! Looking ahead, however, Serhe notices that the third square is now empty of Drones, occupied instead by two examinees. Looking closer, however, reveals that these two are too old to be examinees; they're in their late twenties, at least. As he watches, one of the pair, a tall, extremely well-muscled woman, darts across the square and seizes one of the ever-present dolls wandering through it... promptly crushing the doll's head in what seems to be an over-sized metal glove. The other figure, a shorter man in expensive-looking clothes and sporting odd metallic boots, begins gesticulating wildly; Serhe and Connor can practically hear the man yelling from where they are.

Spoiler: Expertise: Villains DC 15

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Just by their odd hand-and footwear, you can tell that these two are Gauntlet and Greaves, twins and minor villains from the city-citadel of Brdgehead. Gauntlet is a minor Paragon with her powers boosted by the gauntlet her brother made, and Greaves is a very minor Supernaturalist with Paragon-like super-intelligence and a massive superiority complex. What are they doing in the Hope Academy entrance exam?

Spoiler: OOC

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Points earned in intervening time: 375

CURRENT POINT TOTAL: 460.

Erica and Roy

Erica finds no tamper-proofing on the dolls, but it takes her a few minutes to perfect her 'hacking' enchantment and apply it to a waiting figure. The doll stands still for a moment, then rockets off at twice the speed of the others of its kind, bumping into more dolls while sticking to the shadows of buildings as much as possible. It seems like the hack was a success! In the intervening time, Roy is able to use his visor to get a general feel for where the Drones are clustering most thickly. It seems that the Drones are most numerous near the center of town and in open spaces. Erica combines this with her knowledge that the drones "call" other drones by being destroyed, and the two soon work out a system; by moving near the center and using their mobility to draw out and destroy two or more Cloth Drones a moderate distance from each other, they are able to draw other Drones to a place of their choosing and destroy them en masse. While they lose a few minutes reprogramming the dolls, the twins soon begin raking in the points.

While repositioning, the Stonesmiths see a few of the other examinees from time to time. A wisp of a woman with huge, furry, pointed ears and a profusion of fox-tails does a series of impossible parkour leaps and flips which seem to freeze Drones in place, which are quickly smashed by a giant of a man with what seem to be black stone blades jutting from every joint. In one square, twin girls, one with glowing golden hair and one with hair of glowing silver, blast away at Drones with moonbeams and sunlight; the silver-haired woman seems oddly familiar to Erica and even gives her a timid smile as the twins pass by. Roy sees Bernhard in his phoenix form in the distance, torching Wood drones while a short woman sends blasts of water at anything else around them.

Every once in a while, the sky darkens as the Echidna Moth passes overhead. The giant creature soars in random loops and in total silence, causing many of the examinees to stop attacking and look up for a moment as it passes by.

After their ambushes have reaped rewards for some time, Erica and Roy stumble upon a destroyed doll in one of the streets of the city. A destroyed doll is uncommon, but not necessarily rare, but the way this one has been destroyed stands out: it's head has been crushed, and the rest of its body has been carefully dissected. A few hundred feet down the road is another doll's body, it's head crushed, it's body dissected with slightly less care. A few hundred yards more, another doll, another crushed head, another rushed dissection. A few hundred yards more...

Spoiler: OOC

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Points earned in intervening time: 375

CURRENT POINT TOTAL: 455.

[Quellian-dyrae]

Well, that was curious.

Which of course meant Erica, who at this point was relatively secure in their lead, immediately started flying off following the trail of destroyed dolls. If some of these turned out to be dolls that Erica had upgraded, she was going to be rather put out. As Roy could tell you, it was not generally a wise idea to break Erica Stonesmith's toys...

[Thokk_Smash]

Without missing a beat Roy follows after Erica. He's just as curious as her as to the source of the dolls' destruction, after all. The drones wouldn't be so surgical. An examinee wouldn't break them considering if they all drop below fifty then they all fail. Is there something foul afoot here...?

Spoiler

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Perception to pick up on any clues, just regular senses at the moment, no enhanced visor: (1d20+12)[27]

[Arcran]

Connor, stop! Serhe shouts, mentally keeping track of the number of points they'd wracked up. Those are villains! Serhe shouts a moment later, glaring down at the square. For a fleeting moment Serhe considered simply ignoring them and continuing to hunt down drones, but then a thought crosses his mind. If these two killed enough dolls, everybody would fail the exam. Even more, what better way to cement himself as better than Annihilus than to apprehend two villains in his damn entry exam?

Gauntlet and Greaves, Serhe says, speaking rapidly. Super strength and super intelligence, Serhe adds, before locking his gaze on Greaves. If they take out all the dolls, everybody fails. Focus fire on Greaves, and we'll take him out first, Serhe says with a savage grin, before willing his disc closer. After all, think how many points these two have to be worth!

Serhe stares down at the man and focuses his mind, glaring intently at Gauntlet as his gazes flashes blue, although Serhe can feel the strain in his eyes beginning to build up.

Spoiler

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Let's get this started!

Using Hero's End (Nullify Paragon) on Gauntlet! Like always, AoA and PA at max.
AC: (1d20+8)[15]
Nullify: (1d20+13)[14]

[herodofcows]

Connor grunts in affirmation, following Serhe's gesturing finger . . .

<Right, lads! It's broadsides for these two bemittened piles of wank! LET FLY!>

. . . and sends a mass of granite and silt blasting into the apparently-perturbed Greaves.

"Beggin' yer pardon, friend!" he calls out, approaching closer on his own disc, "Seems to me that yer a mite out of place! Perhaps ye'd like to wait til our exam is finished? Ye being villains and all, seems ye'd prefer to do battle against those of us with proper credentials . . . unless it be ye'd RATHER play with dolls?"

Inside, a mix of elation and terror is bubbling in his stomach. This is precisely the sort of foe he'd come to learn to fight, but he hadn't learned anything yet. A part of him wants to back off, leave it for the teachers and established heroes to deal with . . . but he doesn't want to look cowardly in front of Serhe.

Besides, a Berg bringing in a pair of villains? No small coup, that . . .

Spoiler: OOC

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Early submission because I am a bad employee.

[Zelphas]

Serhe and Connor

Serhe feels his nullification center in on Gauntlet, before being repulsed; it seems that the Paragon's power is slightly stronger than that of the Drones. The Echidna Moth Drone swoops in close as the duo dive towards the pair of villains, giving them a somewhat unnerving but still useful bit of cover to drop in. As they close on the villains, Greaves' rant becomes somewhat clearer...

Roy and Erica

The trail of destroyed dolls stretches for several yards down two streets, every drone's head crushed, each disecction becoming more and more slipshod until the twins are passing by a trail of unblemished dolls (besides their crushed head). One doll that had been fully dissected again in this lineup turned out to be one of the dolls that Erica had modified, and after that the twins saw a few more of those dolls, although the unmodified dolls far outnumber them. Finally, they reach a stretch of empty streets turning towards a square, and they both can hear the sound of an angry male voice ahead...

Everyone

"... last bit of research that I need for, let me remind you once again, what was supposed to be a covert reconnaissance mission, Edith, which is continually being ruined because you keep going for their heads!" the man shouts, both hands rubbing at his temples. He pauses to glare at the giant of a woman before him, who stares at the ground looking rather sheepish. "They're easier t'get by the head, though," she mumbles, somehow managing to twiddle her thumbs despite her right hand being encased in a giant gunmetal-grey gauntlet.

The man sighs, bending down to adjust one of the sleek golden greaves attached to his lower legs. "No, they certainly are not, Edith," he says in the tired tones of someone who has repeated himself many times before. "You just like the way their heads sound when they break." The woman giggles.

Perhaps more interesting than this conversation, however, is the sight that can be seen on the south edge of the square, between the Stonesmiths and the two villains. On the ground amidst a couple of decapitated dolls are two examinees. One is a boy who seems to be wearing a giant, ugly-looking plant with an odd, mouth-like flower as a necktie, the large bruise on his forehead giving an obvious reason as to why he is currently sprawled in the middle of the road. The other person... is Nancy Keroack, who somehow still has perfectly flawless hair and looks as though she simply decided to get some beauty sleep during the exam.

Still bent over, the man is in the perfect position to get a faceful of dirt mid-sentence. He cries out in pain and stumbles slightly, clawing silt out of his eyes. The woman jumps and looks around wildly, her eyes landing on the Stonesmith twins as they round the corner. "More test-people, Artie!" She calls out, pointing. The man, glaring up at Connor, looks over to the twins and back to Connor before sighing. ""This entire mess has been a comedy of errors from start to finish," he mutters.

Spoiler: OOC

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Map.

Initiative

Serhe: (1d20+8)[16]
Erica: (1d20+16)[24]
Connor: (1d20)[6]
Roy: (1d20+16)[26]

Enemies: (1d20)[6]

All PCs are up!

[Thokk_Smash]

Roy takes in the situation in a single sweeping glance. Two unconscious fellow students means the situation became that much more complicated. Best to get them out of the way, first.

"The woman's an endurance Paragon and her gauntlet hits like a strength Paragon's!" he shouts for the benefit of the two examinees approaching from the opposite side. "The man's greaves have microscopic, poisoned needles in them--be careful if he points his shins at you!"

Even as he calls this out he is moving, flying low to the ground toward the unconscious pair. As gently as he can while moving at high-speeds he scoops them up and away from the hostile pair of villains. Doubling back quickly, he deposits the two against the wall of a building down the alleyway, his pure, clear Flux humming double-time as he works.

Without warning he shoots back (well, forward, relative to his original position) toward the stalwart Gauntlet. "Cease this at once, villains!" he booms, in full eccentric scientist mode, his gauntlets primed and pistons ready. He can tell without looking that Erica has already taken up a flanking position with him. "Your days of using oddly-conceived-yet-brilliant devices for your own gain are over! ...Lookin' at you, Greaves."

He compliments his strange declaration with a rapid-fire one-two against Gauntlet. It's the same basic attack as he'd defeated the Stone Drone earlier with, and yet the resonating power from his sister's Enhanced Flux Crystal stokes his own crystals' strengths to greater heights. The crackling electricity that causes the target's defensive movements to slow also threaten to lock up their joints, and will travel to anyone who they come into contact with for a short time after.

Spoiler

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Move action: Fly to Nancy and plant-dude, scoop them up as a free action thanks to my Feature, fly back and deposit them at let's say N34, a goodly amount away from the fighting, then fly into Close Range of Gauntlet.

Free action: Swap to Enhanced Output, Iridium Introduction

Standard: Team Attack with Erica with Iridium Output, AoA/PA -5/+5 for (1d20+8)[14] vs DC 28 Damage, DC 23 Move Object (if she fails, she's launched at Greaves at (1d20+8)[24] for DC 28 Damage and the following Affliction), and finally, DC 23 Will vs Vulnerable+Dazed/Defenseless+Stunned/Incapacitated+Paralyzed, which carries a Contagious.

Status: Defenses at 17
HP: 2
Luck: 3/4