Splicers - I Am Legion - IC Thread

[Psychie]

Toni nods. “Find us some favorable ground to fight on.” She listens to the sound of the approaching creatures and tries to estimate just how long they have before contact.

 

[Purr]

Sherwood Chaska understands that they have minutes before enemy contact. This means every second counts. Using his considerable understanding of wilderness and use of terrain, the Deliveryman makes it his top priority to find Cerberus a defensible-versus-melee-pack position preferably with a height advantage, clear firing lanes with good visibility, and the ability to conceal the squad regardless if they have Stealth Fields or otherwise.

Sending Woodstock above to get eyes on the pack, Chaska tries to keep his ear to the private Bio-comm he and his beloved battle birb share.

"Want help find good ambush site?" Chaska tries to ask Bellamy and Cerberus.

 

[Psychie]

Toni shakes her head. “We will stick here. We have our sides and back covered here already, making the only way for them to advance on us is from the front.” She shifts her position to put herself as the wall that the hounds will have to go through to get to the others and readies her mantis blades. “Remember to keep this as quiet as we can.”

 

[Eonivar]

Jin arranges herself on a raised piece of rock within the enclosed space behind the team, looking over the team's heads with her stealth field engaged, she lowers her heat cannon to the ready, and extended her various senses forward, watching for the incoming enemy, ready to try and observe them and identify the leader.

 

[celestialbody]

As the howling sounds echoed through the air, and Archos quickly gave the team the rundown on what was to come Bellamy's body tensed, preparing for action.

He initially moved toward Chaska, planning to help him find better ground, but when Toni announced that they would be holding their position, he shifted direction and took a spot behind her.

Knowing he wouldn’t be able to use most of his insects in this situation, Bellamy readied his Mantis blades, bracing himself for the incoming attack.

 

[Sherwood]

The barking and braying of the hounds is growing louder, and it is not long before you start to catch glimpses of the large creatures as they pass between the trees hot on your trail. They are all pretty large, measuring to be about as tall as a small horse at the shoulder. They don’t have hair, but instead are all covered in spiky scales, and their mouths are easily large enough to bite a man in half.

They are out at a distance of 500 feet, and with the trees they all have partial cover to be spotted until they get closer. From this distance it is not possible to identify which one is the alpha; that won’t be visible to you until they close in.

Everyone, please give me some initiative rolls.
Purr Psychie celestialbody Eonivar

 

[Psychie]

Toni stands still, but at the sight of the dog-creatures she kicks her force field on.

Initiative total of 14

Spoiler

MDC by Location:
Arms (2): 167 M.D.C.
Hands (2): 77 M.D.C.
Legs (2): 172 M.D.C.
Feet (2): 117 M.D.C.
Head: 107 M.D.C.
Main Body: 510 M.D.C.
Elbow Bone Blades: 85 M.D.C.
Harbinger Cannon: 157 M.D.C.
Munitions Reservoir: 457 M.D.C.
Sentinel Eels: 187 M.D.C. each
Sentinel Shell: 277 M.D.C.
Bio Force Field: 200 M.D.C

Sidekick Rifle - Super Light Cell Cluster: 132 M.D.C., 2 Attacks, 8d10 Damage, 1,000 ft range - Mega Upgrade
Sidekick Rifle - Spore Discharger: 132 M.D.C., 2 Attacks, 8d8 Damage, 40 ft Radius, 1.200 ft range - Omni Upgrade, Mega Upgrade

Action Points: 8 /

Combat Bonuses On Foot / In Armor
Number of Attacks: 6 / 9
Strike: +9 / +10 (+5 in melee) (+3 ranged)
Parry: +12 / +15 (+4 in melee)
Dodge: +12 / +3 Automatic Dodge
Roll with Punch: +2 / +10
Initiative: +2 / +10
Perception: +7 / +7
Damage in HtH: +2
Critical Strike on a Natural 18-20
[Critical on a 17-20 with Mantis Blade from Opti-Upgrade]
[Critical on a 16-20 with Velocity Cannon from Opti-Upgrade]

Mantis Blade: 12D6 M.D. [15d6 with PS] for a Blade Strike; 4d4x10+10 for a Dual Strike
Energy Expulsion Vent: 2D8 +bonus M.D. equal to the P.E. attribute (2d8+28)
Organic Rockets: 5d10 M.D. to a 10 foot radius
--Rocket Payload: 15 /
Central Maw: 3d8 M.D.
Velocity Cannon: 2D8x10+40 M.D. for a short burst of 10 rounds from one cannon or 4D6x10+40 M.D. per simultaneous bursts from both cannons firing a total of 20 rounds.
--Ammo in Cannons: 120 /
--Ammo in Munitions Reservoir: 600 /
Spore Discharger Tusks: See Description

 

[Eonivar]

Jin’s echo location pings her quarry as her heat cannon makes slight adjusting movements to center on a target.

Initiative = 1D20 +10 =nat 20! + 10=30!

 

[celestialbody]

Bellamy readies his stance, bracing his arms in front of him, ready for the fight to begin.

Initiative: 14 + 10 = 24

 

[Purr]

Using the data received from Woodstock, Chaska describes to a tee which of the assaulting dino-hounds is the pack leader and where he is in relation to the rest of the pack along with any discerning marks/behavior. Chaska is hoping Cerberus can destroy the foundation of the pack allowing the rest to fall and flee.

 

[Sherwood]

The Dino-hounds are still some distance away from being able to attack, but they are now vulnerable to ranged assault. Range is 500 to 550 feet out. It will take the hounds two actions to get within melee range.

If you want to try and spot the pack’s Alpha, you will have to take an action to make a successful Perception roll, difficulty of 15. You can use an Action Point on this roll if you want.

Eonivar is up with Jin

Initiative order
30 - Jin <====
24 - Bellamy
18 - hounds 1-4
16 - Axel
15 - hounds 5-8
14 - Toni
12 - Chaska
10 - Archos
7 - hounds 9-12

 

[Eonivar]

Jin gazes through her telescopic sight trying to identify the pack leader.

(Jin will use an action point to perceive the pack leader)

Jin's Perception is +8

Action Point = 1D6 = 6!
Perception Roll = 1D20+8+6 = 6+14 = 20!

Jin gets a bead on the Leader and fires off an aimed shot with her Heat Cannon

Heat Cannon Shot = 1D20+13 = 2+13 = 15 to hit

Damage if hit = 2D8x10+20 = 16x10+20 = 180 MDC (if hits)

 

[Sherwood]

After taking a close look at the advancing animals, Jin is confident that she can see the one that would most likely be in charge and levels a deadly blast from her heat cannon at it. It takes the creature by surprise and it is hit, causing it to let out an ache snarl.

They are still several hundred feet out.

celestialbody is up with Bellamy

Initiative order
30 - Jin [2]
24 - Bellamy <====
18 - hounds 1 - injured
18 - hounds 2-4
16 - Axel
15 - hounds 5-8
14 - Toni
12 - Chaska
10 - Archos
7 - hounds 9-12

 

[celestialbody]

(Bellamy is gonna try to make out the leader as well!)

Watching as the pack of Dino hounds approach Bellamy attempts to make out which beast could be the pack's alpha.

Perception 7 + 6 = 13 (Fail)

Unable to see a clear difference from this far away, he instead waits for the incoming Dino-hounds to get closer before trying anything.

 

[Sherwood]

At this distance, with the hounds weaving in and out of the trees the way they are, Bellamy is not quite certain which one is the Alpha of the pack. At least they are still far enough away that they can’t chomp on you!

But they are doing their best to change that. The hounds are all loping along at high speed and will be on you guys soon.

Axel takes careful aim, then fires a burst from his Casting Rifle at hound #1. It hits, but does only minor damage.

The next group of hounds also are running along at high speed and will be in melee range soon.

Psychie is up

Initiative order
30 - Jin [2]
24 - Bellamy [1]
18 - hounds 1 - injured [1]
18 - hounds 2-4 [1]
16 - Axel [2]
15 - hounds 5-8 [1]
14 - Toni <====
12 - Chaska
10 - Archos
7 - hounds 9-12

 

[Psychie]

Toni takes a careful look at the approaching hounds and tries to spot the leader of the pack. In any case, she charges up the Sidekick light cell and fires.

Spoiler

MDC by Location:
Arms (2): 167 M.D.C.
Hands (2): 77 M.D.C.
Legs (2): 172 M.D.C.
Feet (2): 117 M.D.C.
Head: 107 M.D.C.
Main Body: 510 M.D.C.
Elbow Bone Blades: 85 M.D.C.
Harbinger Cannon: 157 M.D.C.
Munitions Reservoir: 457 M.D.C.
Sentinel Eels: 187 M.D.C. each
Sentinel Shell: 277 M.D.C.
Bio Force Field: 200 M.D.C

Sidekick Rifle - Super Light Cell Cluster: 132 M.D.C., 2 Attacks, 8d10 Damage, 1,000 ft range - Mega Upgrade
Sidekick Rifle - Spore Discharger: 132 M.D.C., 2 Attacks, 8d8 Damage, 40 ft Radius, 1.200 ft range - Omni Upgrade, Mega Upgrade

Action Points: 8 /

Combat Bonuses On Foot / In Armor
Number of Attacks: 6 / 9
Strike: +9 / +10 (+5 in melee) (+3 ranged)
Parry: +12 / +15 (+4 in melee)
Dodge: +12 / +3 Automatic Dodge
Roll with Punch: +2 / +10
Initiative: +2 / +10
Perception: +7 / +7
Damage in HtH: +2
Critical Strike on a Natural 18-20
[Critical on a 17-20 with Mantis Blade from Opti-Upgrade]
[Critical on a 16-20 with Velocity Cannon from Opti-Upgrade]

Mantis Blade: 12D6 M.D. [15d6 with PS] for a Blade Strike; 4d4x10+10 for a Dual Strike
Energy Expulsion Vent: 2D8 +bonus M.D. equal to the P.E. attribute (2d8+28)
Organic Rockets: 5d10 M.D. to a 10 foot radius
--Rocket Payload: 15 /
Central Maw: 3d8 M.D.
Velocity Cannon: 2D8x10+40 M.D. for a short burst of 10 rounds from one cannon or 4D6x10+40 M.D. per simultaneous bursts from both cannons firing a total of 20 rounds.
--Ammo in Cannons: 120 /
--Ammo in Munitions Reservoir: 600 /
Spore Discharger Tusks: See Description

 

[Sherwood]

Toni fires on what she thinks is the alpha of the pack and hits it, causing a snarl of pain to come from it as the rate of advance of the hounds starts to falter. The creature is starting to realize that you are no easy meat, and is starting to rethink this decision.

Purr is up with Chaska

Initiative order
30 - Jin [2]
24 - Bellamy [1]
18 - hounds 1 - injured [1]
18 - hounds 2-4 [1]
16 - Axel [2]
15 - hounds 5-8 [1]
14 - Toni [2]
12 - Chaska <====
10 - Archos
7 - hounds 9-12

 

[Purr]

The creature is starting to realize that you are no easy meat, and is starting to rethink this decision.

Chaska thinks to himself lest he disturb the thoughts of his squadmates. "Mmm. If dino-alpha had make good life decisions in past, it would no attack Cerberus now. Now? It die. This bad decision on dino-alpha part."

To his squadmates, he sends this thoughtful message across the Cerberus bio-comm: "Cerberus? Woodstock try set alpha on fire. Then Chaska and Sidekicks go up to see and shoot. Then all see alpha - no question."

Chaska was confident that at least one or two of his squadmates had already identified the prime target, but he wanted everyone to be on the same page if at all possible. Using his bond with Woodstock, he asks his warbirb to light the Alpha on fire with Woodstock's plasma breath at maximum range (40 feet). Added to this is his earlier description of the alpha (which the team was probably already acting on, but since no one was talking at the moment, Chaska could not be sure.):

Using the data received from Woodstock, Chaska describes to a tee which of the assaulting dino-hounds is the pack leader and where he is in relation to the rest of the pack along with any discerning marks/behavior. Chaska is hoping Cerberus can destroy the foundation of the pack allowing the rest to fall and flee.

He is hoping that all three elements (Woodstock-provided identification, Chaska's precise description, Chaska firing on the Alpha) will leave Cerberus along with Archos and Bellamy absolutely no doubt as to which of the dino-hounds is leading the pack.

Now it was time to fire on the alpha. Using the WyldKat's organic thrusters to get a higher vantage point, Chaska hops up into the air, aims down upon the alpha, and looses his twin heat cannons.

If he scores a hit, he exclaims, "Bool's eyes! This what you say when playing darts, yes?"

If he misses, he mutters and frowns, "Is miss. Chaska need more time on range..."

Spoiler: O.O.C.

Woodstock's Plasma Breath (Legion 35. 4D10 M.D., 40 foot range, 18 blasts, 1/hour regen. +4 to Strike).

I am spending an Action Point for Chaska's strike. WyldKat's Dual Heat Cannons are +15 to Strike. If successful, damage is a total of 2D8x10 + 20 M.D.

Both Sidekicks are on autonomous mode and firing on the alpha.

 

[Sherwood]

When Woodstock hits the one Dino-hound with his fire breath, you can see that while the flames light up the night they don’t seem to do much to the hound in the way of damage. It must be that the creatures are flame resistant, a fact that never came up in Chaska’s last encounter with them.

Your Sidekick rifles both fire at the hound, but the nimble beast manages to dodge out of the way. Your own twin heat rifles lance out and hit it hard, scorching more of its flesh and bringing up another yelp, this time with fear mixed in with the pain. It is clearly having second thoughts about choosing you as its meal.

Archos aims carefully at the flaming hound and unleashes a burst from his Casting Rifle and scores a critical hit, making the alpha stumble and let out another scream of pain.

The last group of the monsters start to falter, advancing much slower than their fellow pack members, staying behind the wounded alpha. They obviously didn’t expect this level of resistance.

Eonivar is up with Jin

Initiative order
30 - Jin [2] <====
24 - Bellamy [1]
18 - hounds 1 - critically injured [2]
18 - hounds 2-4 [1]
16 - Axel [2]
15 - hounds 5-8 [1]
14 - Toni [2]
12 - Chaska [1]
10 - Archos [1]
7 - hounds 9-12 [1]

 

[Eonivar]

Jin maintains her bead on the Alpha, her translucent stealth fielded body and cannon seemed to move and sway as the beast moved...aiming carefully, watching it take further hits, waiting for the right moment, and just as the Alpha stumbled...breathing, breathing..now..hold...and fire...as another orange red heat blast streaks towards the Alpha

(Using two attacks with vital points skill to aim)

Heat Cannon Attack = 1D20+13+3 (from vital points skill) = 8+16 = 24 to hit
Heat Cannon Damage = 2D8x10+20 = 60+20 = 80 MDC Damage

 

[Sherwood]

Jin fires her well-aimed shot and catches the Dino-hound in the shoulder despite its efforts to dodge out of the way. Its front left leg is now hanging limp and seems unable to move. It is badly hurt, and it slows and turns around and begins to limp away.

There rest of the pack notices the distress of the hurt one and also slows down, trying to make a quick U-turn without trampling one another. It would seem that the fight has left this bunch. Do you finish it off!!

celestialbody is up with Bellamy, and after thinking about the sound of the rain fire and howling going on, you are confident that you can use your thud guns h without penalty.

Initiative order
30 - Jin [4]
24 - Bellamy [1] <====
18 - hounds 1 - critically injured [2]
18 - hounds 2-4 [1]
16 - Axel [2]
15 - hounds 5-8 [1]
14 - Toni [2]
12 - Chaska [1]
10 - Archos [1]
7 - hounds 9-12 [1]

 

[Purr]

Chaska, himself a creature of the wild, uses the WyldKat's organic thrusters to hover near his squad and observe.

"Mmmm..." he murmurs, deep in thought. "Die or no die?" he asks over the Cerberus bio-comm.

Spoiler: Sherwood O.O.C.

Sherwood As a Player, I have no experience with these creatures but my character does. What can he reasonably presume the dino-hound pack will do in the future?

Are they the vengeful types who are likely to redouble their efforts to go after out humanoids or are they more likely to avoid them? Is it a good idea to make an example to the pack by killing the leader that decided to attack us?

Chaska has Zoology if that helps?

 

[Eonivar]

Jin watched the wounded beast retreat as the rest of its pack followed.

“Let it live…it will either have to fight the rest of the pack for dominance or at least know better than to mess with Splicers for some time. Either way it will not bother us for some time and we can continue on our mission.”

 

[celestialbody]

With the Dino-hound illuminated, Bellamy could clearly spot the Alpha. However, seeing it run in the opposite direction, followed by the rest of the pack slowing down and turning away, decided not to attack.

He figured the animals likely wouldn’t pose a threat again, at least not while they were passing through, and this idea was supported by Jin speaking up and saying as much as well.

"I don't think it's necessary."

 

[Purr]

Nodding once with appreciation to Jin and Bellamy, Chaska keeps the viciously-wounded dino-hound alpha in his sights. As much as he also wants to hear Archos's and Alex's opinions, Chaska's own alpha had not yet voiced her mind on the matter.

"To-ni?" Chaska asks their squad leader calmly.

If anyone has the ability to override them all, it is her and her alone - just one more commonality that his pack shares with the dino-hound pack.

With a word, Toni could send the alpha into oblivion or allow it to live another day.