"Yes," Geneice says, checking her five-sevens. "It has."
You head down the road about five miles, and find Mange waiting, settled in the middle of the road with his eyes to your left.
In a quiet voice, Merlin says, "I'd say they're in the woods. It's time to try to bring in a bit of cloud cover."
He begins turning, walking in a very tight circle with arms outstretched as if he were the blade of a mixer, repeating something in what might be Celtic over and over.
Above, the scattered clouds are drawn together, and begin to darken. In about fifteen minutes, it starts to rain.
--M. J. Young
*nods to Geniece*
*looks around looking for a vantage point to stealth to with Geneice, if it's a tree, a hill, just somewhere to get above the treeline and pinpoint where they are before I start the prayer to start the call lightning, and Geneice gets ready to throw fireballs*
Adam
While you're scanning, one of the wolves says, "They're moving."
Connecting to Horus' view (you're within range now) you see that the ghouls are reacting to the change in weather by spreading out in search patterns.
--M. J. Young
((Sighs waited so long for combat, I dread delaying it for another x amount of posts, so I will try to be as clear with the spell as possible to push the action along))
"Oh no they don't"
Doing this below: Energy Creation NOS 9@10: Creation of attracting force of negative energy to negative energy, in essence
Is this arcane or holy magic, alliance, neutral, or anarch? Holy
What exactly will the magic do?
Energy Creation NOS 9@10, Creation of attracting force of negative energy to negative energy, in essence I want the negative energy empowering the undead to attract to each other, pulling the ghouls together, and the bigger the amount of negative energy, pulling groups toward each other, to herd them to a mass in the centerpoint, hopefully where more powerful negative energy creatures are and hold them in place
What distances, sizes, areas,or quantities are involved? Hard to say there is a centerpoint I would say 60 yards from the centerpoint, but each source of negative energy acts like a transmitter out to another 60 yards, so there that is.
Over what variables does the character have control? Just over the center point, must be able to visualize the centerpoint
What, if any, is the base damage category for the magic? No damage
How long does it take to perform the ritual necessary for the spell? 1 minute
How many times in a minute may an amateur cast it? 1
How long will the magic last? 10 minutes
Exactly what will the character say? "Odin, Hel grant me the power over energy itself, and in Latin: Odin, Hel tribuo mihi vox super navitas ipsum.
Must the words be spoken loudly or forcefully? Yes
Are the words in a language other than the character's native tongue? Yes
Is the sound of the words vital to the magic, or will it work if the words are properly articulated within a place where there is no sound? Yes
What does the character do? Moves in a circle, arms and legs moving
Which body parts must be committed to this action? Whole Body
Which body parts can be substituted if necessary for the ones normally used (e.g., left hand instead of right)?
Is the ritual physically exhausting? No
What materials are required? Holy Symbol, sacrifice of energy from caster, would suggest 1-10 Health Depending on the power of said spell, since many different energies can be created with this, will leave that in, on a spell per spell basis.
Which if any of these are destroyed or damaged beyond use during the ritual? None
Are there any other limitations on the use of this skill? Can only be done once a day
Using Horace to center it, since I am connected through his eyes, and then when they are clumped:
1@3 Bonus Nature-based Magical Attacks M+1@4 raise holy symbol with either hand while saying "We have tried to make peace with brothers, they refuse and want bloodshed, grant me the power to call apon your subjects Ullr and Frey to grant me powers of nature strike down with the force of your anger. Odin, grant my prayer, and let Frey and Ullr grant me the power over nature itself, and strike apon our enemies, with the power of primal fury", will only work if an effort at settlement has been attempted, SM=RS/5 for all magical attacks which rely on natural elements, RS minutes effect. +5SM
Then after that:
1@2 Create and Control Thunderstorm M+9@5 (incorporates M+4@7 target lightning): 110:220:440:880:+5/44 yards, Duration: RS/10 minutes, creates Lightning Bolt area attacks fatal to 2.5' radius, -DC per 2.5', may attempt once per 6 hours, hold holy symbol aloft, plead to Odin to grant me out of his followers powers over nature, the skies immediately darken and a raging thunderstorm rises. User must concentrate to aim bolts of lightning, can direct 4 strikes per minute (targeted magical attacks) for RS/10 minutes, after which the skies return to previous conditions. (The rain can also put out fires.) The caster can do nothing during the duration, but hold his holy symbol and direct the lightning bolts.+34SM
Hopefully at that point they are clumped together and taking mass amounts of damage from lightning bolts, and Geneice should use that as a queue to throw some fireballs in there.
I hope the plan comes together :P
Adam
I've got most of that, but I'm a bit uncertain of how you mean me to understand this:
sacrifice of energy from caster, would suggest 1-10 Health Depending on the power of said spell, since many different energies can be created with this, will leave that in, on a spell per spell basis.
Does this mean that you're going to sacrifice stamina, or resistance, or some of each, and if so is that permanent or temporary? Or does it mean that you're going to take damage from the casting? Also, when you say one to ten, do you mean that the amount will be variable and unpredictable, but if you roll higher the spell will be more potent and you will lose more, or do you mean that I should decide how much you should lose based on the fact that you're creating this particular kind of energy instead of some other kind? (I note that at present you have a small positive sit-mod on this, plus your religion bonus, so you could eliminate this factor unless you're trying to build a bigger positive bonus, in which case the question really is how big a bonus you're trying to build.)
I think (and hope) this is the only issue I have to clarify concerning this skill (well done on the sheet, by the way).
--M. J. Young
I want it to be actual damage, like a trading life energy for negative energy, the amount taken, proportional to how good I roll, hence the more powerful or longer the spell, the higher amount of health I lose. I'm looking for a bonus of +10 sit mod, just want to hedge my bets.
When the roll happens, I believe I have an example of Merlin creating energy from nothing.
Adam
I think I can justify giving you +10 for taking five intensities of damage, which would have to heal or be healed as any other damage would be. Does that sound reasonable to you?
--M. J. Young
Sounds reasonable to me, on with the rolls and see what happens.
Adam
You cast the spell, and feel the impact of the force that hits you. Meanwhile, you perceive that the ghouls are all being pulled toward what appears to be a thick pile of fallen wood and earth, a sort of dirt cave. They are fighting against this, and a few are pulling themselves out of the circle by sheer strength.
--M. J. Young
*starts casting his call lightning spell, urging Geneice to start calling fire and Merlin to cast what he thinks is best, not worried about the damage, as long as they are in a centralized area, better than them scattering*
*will do his prayer to help targeting first*
Adam
Your targeting prayer is prayed.
I'm uncertain which of these you mean:
- 1@2 Create and Control Thunderstorm M+9@5 (incorporates M+4@7 target lightning): 110:220:440:880:+5/44 yards, Duration: RS/10 minutes, creates Lightning Bolt area attacks fatal to 2.5' radius, -DC per 2.5', may attempt once per 6 hours, hold holy symbol aloft, plead to Odin to grant me out of his followers powers over nature, the skies immediatly darken and a raging thunderstorm rises. User must concentrate to aim bolts of lightning, can direct 4 strikes per minute (targeted magical attacks) for RS/10 minutes, after which the skies return to previous conditions. (The rain can also put out fires.) The caster can do nothing during the duration, but hold his holy symbol and direct the lightning bolts.+34SM
- 1@1 Throw Lightning M9@7 say "Fry amo caro vos es" (Fry like the meatbag you are} pointing with both hands at the target while holding a sliver of wood from a tree that was struck by lightning, 0:12TF, dangerous, 10':30':60':120':+5/6', 60' long bolt will backlash if space is inadequate, +19SM
--M. J. Young
1@2 Create and Control Thunderstorm M+9@5 (incorporates M+4@7 target lightning): 110:220:440:880:+5/44 yards, Duration: RS/10 minutes, creates Lightning Bolt area attacks fatal to 2.5' radius, -DC per 2.5', may attempt once per 6 hours, hold holy symbol aloft, plead to Odin to grant me out of his followers powers over nature, the skies immediatly darken and a raging thunderstorm rises. User must concentrate to aim bolts of lightning, can direct 4 strikes per minute (targeted magical attacks) for RS/10 minutes, after which the skies return to previous conditions. (The rain can also put out fires.) The caster can do nothing during the duration, but hold his holy symbol and direct the lightning bolts.+34SM
Is the skill I want
Adam
Your first hit is devastating, killing probably four or five and injuring nearly all the others in the clump to some degree. It scatters them outward, and your second lightning bolt is a lot less dramatic, but you toss them in less than ten seconds apart, eight in a minute, taking out most of the core.
The wolves are picking off the ghouls that have gotten out of the draw of the energy field, and Geneice and Merlin are also striking at the edges of your central group, and after a minute there is no sign of ghouls that are not cinders.
You could continue the lightning for several more minutes, but the cave seems to be sheltering the vampires from the weather-based attacks.
Someone mentions that there might be more ghouls in the surrounding woods. You can maintain the spell without firing the lightning bolts provided you maintain your concentration on it (the bolts will fire between points in the clouds), but once you drop your concentration the skill is done for the day.
--M. J. Young
*stops throwing bolts, knowing the wolves are worried about the forest*
"That's enough magic I think, if there are any more ghouls, I'm sure the wolves will hunt them down and take care of them. Let's drag the leaders out, let the sun come out, and let them greet a beautiful day"
*drawing his Vibrokatana in one hand and his FN-57 in the other and advancing toward the center cave with his party*
*keeping is panaramic awareness up, ready to activate muscle blocking and his other defensive martial arts skills*
Adam
As you walk toward the mouth of the cave, the clouds above disperse and sunlight streams into the forest.
"Take care, now," Merlin says. "Vampires are destroyed by sunlight, but if the cave is dark enough they can be dangerous."
"So can we," Geneice says. "How do you want to do this?" she asks you.
--M. J. Young
*smiles widely*
"Well if they won't come out to greet the sunshine, let's have the sunshine greet them. Stay by the mouth of the cave if they rush you there, I am going up top and dig a hole."
*gets to the top of the Earthen cave, picks a good spot to target and does his dig spell as stated on his sheet to make a cave with a skylight*
Adam
You drive a hole down through the roof, and hear screams within, and then silence.
After a moment, Geneice says, "All right, I'm going in to check."
--M. J. Young
*grins*
"Not without me you don't"
*uses his super jump to jump down the hole pulling his vibrokatana and FN-57 and looking around for movement that wouldn't be from Geneice*
Adam
I'm assuming this is the bod Great Jump skill, not the mag Jump.
You find only dust. The sunlight seems to have done its work effectively.
The wolves report finding and destroying three ghouls which were scouting as sentries. The vampire threat is terminated.
The packmother gathers her people, and addresses Merlin. The gist of her comments are that she is very impressed with him and his students, and will be happy to work with him again against future vampire incursions. He responds with compliments for the wolves, and a willingness to help whenever help is needed.
--M. J. Young
It is the great jump skill.
*gathers up as much of the dust as possible in bags, and goes through their possessions to see if there was anything interesting in them*
*does the same to the remains of the ghouls*
"Perhaps we should start an organization of men and wolves whose purpose is to track, fight and protect the world from the undead. We can train, both Men and wolves, about tracking, combat, and information gathering. We should make separate cells that operate independently, since Vampires have a way of turning people into thralls. We can have the wolves be the ones who know the groups, since it is nearly impossible to turn a wolf. This way we can be proactive in tackling the vampire threat instead of reactive. We can call us The Rangers. Aside from learning magic and psionics from Merlin, we have a lot of free time, might as well make use of it."
*turns to the Packmother*
"What say you, shall we make this organization for the good of both our kinds?"
Adam
The packmother looks a bit uncomfortable.
"I beg your pardon to speak freely," she says, "but I do not think of wizards as men. I know that you are as human as those in the villages, but your knowledge makes you different. I also know that not all wizards would treat us as friends. Some would reject us in the name of humans, some would attack us in the name of vampires, and some would enslave us in their own names.
"As you say, humans are weak and easily enslaved. I would have to believe that there were humans who were not wizards who were willing and able to fight against the vampires before I could agree to collaborating with them.
"But I think I like the idea, if you can find such men."
--M. J. Young
*smiles*
"What you say is true, most humans are weak, but they are also strong. I am sure that there are humans out there that will want to work together to protect themselves. That's the reason we start cells, we train them cell by cell, so no one cell knows of the others. They know they exist, but can provide no information about them. Sure they will all know myself, Geneice and Merlin, but they already know we are going to fight them."
*smiles*
"Let us work on finding and training them, once we have enough, give us a way to contact you and you can see for yourself. An organization like this usually grows itself. Once one group of humans starts doing it, you can't stop them from starting others. It is self perpetuating that way. We won't be here forever, but we can leave a lasting legacy and give people here a chance against the undead. They would also need to see not all supernatural beings are there to hurt them. If they see your kind interacting with them, helping them giving them needed information, it will go a long way to building the trust and bonds that will be needed. I am well suited for such work, To pick out and train those of the right skills and mindsets, Geneice is as well. We spent years doing a job similar to that."
Adam
"Then we leave it to you to find the humans. To find us, find any wolf in the forest and ask for me by name; I will get the message and come to you." She gives you her name.
--M. J. Young
*smiles and thinks back to his case of super soldier serum he has*
"Well Merlin, I have a plan we just need to learn how to Teleport ourselves as well as the wolves, and how to create exact permanent copies of an object. I have a serum that can make a human to the peak of physical form, improve their mental functions as well. We just need to find four people per village, make sure they believe and committed to the cause. We should also find a way to magically bless the imbiber of the potion to be immune to being made into a Ghoul and from undead mental control. Then we could trust these Rangers, they would have a fighting chance against the undead, and make perfect knight when and if the time comes."
*grins*
"As for choosing them, I think simple observation, dropping hints of supernatural in conversation and seeing how they react is the best way to start."
Adam
Merlin nods, clearly impressed with your thoughts.
"Copying a magic potion is a lot more difficult than, say, an herbal remedy or a flagon of ale; the magical properties are not really in the physical formulation. However, we can probably find a way to do that."
"The wolves all teleport, and that's their advantage. As far as I know, they do it in much the same way we do, by bringing into focus in their mind a unique place to which they wish to travel and walking the twilight to get there. Some of them are very good at it, and most of the rest rely on the best to get them where they need to be. So the best way to become that good is to practice that much."
"Four per village? That will be simple enough in some places, but there are villages in which fewer than a dozen people live in the village. There are, of course, farmers and shepherds scattered around them who consider that the center of their community, but some of them won't see the village save on Sunday. But I understand your sense: a few people in each of many places."
"I don't know that we can guarantee immunity to someone, but I think that becoming a ghoul is a temptation, that is, no one is forced to become a ghoul and no one can become a ghoul without choosing to seek the power and immortality of the undead. That is a risk in your plan generally, though--will we be able to recognize those who will not be tempted to seek that power, and particularly not tempted to seek it once they have had a taste of the power you are offering? But that's something we'll have to do our best with. As to mind control, we can make them more resistant, but again there is no absolute guarantee on that, only an increased strength to fight against it."
"So, it seems we have a few tasks to tackle--developing a few spells, copying your potion, and finding the right first group. Do you want us to tackle these in order, or split up and each take a task?"
--M. J. Young
*considers what Merlin says*
"Well 4 is the number for most, some will be small, for bigger cities, 4 per district."
*pauses*
"Split it up, Merlin why don't you come up with the spells, Geneice work on copying the serum, and I will work on getting the right first group together. It will be a lot of work up front, but the end result should be a self perpetuating organization of resistance against the undead."
Adam
"Very good, then. I guess we'll split up now, and we'll see you back at the glade whenever you're ready to return," Merlin says.
"Take care of yourself," Geneice adds, and then telepathically, Keep in touch.
--M. J. Young
*smiles and nods* "I'll have Horace with me watching from the sky looking for villages and towns, so should be easy to navigate from one to another."
*to Geneice*
"I will" *telepathically* "I will, I love you hun"
*sets out on the road, heading to the south, wanting to hit the southern coast since he is close, and work his way west*
((Did the vampires or ghouls have any gear of note?))
Adam
One of the vampires was carrying a pouch in which were a handful of mostly small coins but some silver and gold, and a few mid-value gem stones. It would be enough to pay off peasants and guards, perhaps, and you could pay for several nights in good inns with it, but these creatures were a raiding party and brought clubs and staves and little else but the rags on their backs.
You head for the south. Horace flies high, and he can see the distant sea but it is more than a day's walk from where you are.
--M. J. Young
*will take the pouch with me probably needing the cash*
*If he doesn't see any civilization, will head to the sea and start with the plan above and looking for a port town*
Adam
Night falls as you travel. There is a fortress of some sort further south, but your estimation based on Horace's birds-eye view is that it is still a few hours on.
--M. J. Young
*I will find a place to sleep for tonight, I didn't bring my tent, but I did bring a bedroll, before going to bed, will cast my protection against undead ritual so that I do not have to worry about them when I sleep, in the morning will continue to the fortress*
Adam
To perform the ritual I found on your sheet, you need four ounces (a half cup) of blood from a living creature plus enough oil to make a complete circle around the area being protected.
I suspect that you'll have to confirm having the oil based on your equipment, since it would be a reasonable provision if you have reason to have it; I'll want to know the source of the blood. Or am I looking at the wrong spell?
--M. J. Young
Nope right spell, I will use my own blood, get the four ounces needed, do my magical healing to heal myself. I know we picked up oil in Camelot, a good amount for various uses.
Adam
I am concerned about your method of drawing your own blood, particularly as a botch could be serious in such a circumstance. I'm examining your sheet and have found a couple of implements and a couple of tech skills which might be used for this. I'm assuming that you're not going to shoot yourself and that the laser in your watch (assuming you could get it working right) would cauterize and not bleed a wound. I'm also assuming that bod-based weapon skills are not directly adaptable to what is in essence a medical procedure. I also note that you have a number of skills in what we would identify as medical research but I don't have a listing for first aid or medical treatment (if it were there at a high enough bias level, you could use an arrowhead even at a penalty to create the desired wound). Drawing a half cup of blood is not something you can easily do from a finger prick; we're talking about a serious opening of a vein.
I'm granting the container and that you can estimate the quantity accurately enough (or more precisely I'm assuming that your success roll will determine whether you got everything right enough). And I agree on the oil, so it's really only the blood that matters. You certainly can use your own blood, but being mindful that components exist to limit skill use I want to be certain that you can get your own blood without killing yourself in the process.
So, skill and equipment to be used for this.
Thanks.
--M. J. Young
Eh not worth the trouble, will just use alert rest, back to the story.
Adam
You manage to get some rest. Horace is a bit antsy, and the woods are filled with sounds, and it's been a while since you were alone; but you relax and find your center, and after a few hours you are reasonably refreshed.
--M. J. Young
*share some Jerky with Horace, I will assume to have this as I am not adverse with bartering with the inn at Camelot for dried meat for Horace and myself for the road, picking up my bedroll, packing up*
*preening Horace's feathers when he is perched on my arm*
"Your a good friend, you help me out and are always there, and I appreciate all that you do for me, once again, will need your eyes. If you see a tasty morsel, take your time, eat, drink, we will be fine."
*lets him fly off his arm as he heads toward the fortress*
Jhiaxus
After enjoying the jerky, Horace heads toward the fortress; you follow the road afoot.
By midday you are within sight of the battlements, and Horace is returning. The images he recalls are of carnage--the front gate smashed and a few bodies within dismembered and showing signs of having been eaten. There was no movement within the bailey.
--M. J. Young
*sighs*
"Well still need to check it out, maybe I can adjust the plan, if there is an empty fortress, maybe instead of me going all through England, we can have England come to me."
*heading there, sword in one hand, FN-57 in the other, and make my way inside to see if there is anything to evict and or kill*
Adam