[The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

Taking hits from what felt like all sides, Imperious did not immediately engage the enemy. Instead he flew over the heads of his allies, shouting down at groups of Golems, Tempestineers, and Enginseers.

"Golems, maintain distance! Provide support fire and avoid direct engagement with the enemy! Tempestineers, Enginseers ... do not allow them to infect the synthetics!"

After making an effort to spread his message Imperious rose up above the battlefield. Pulling back his left hand, a shaft of white light formed in his hand. Hurdling it down into the ranks of the Oblivion Flock, the shaft grew larger the further it flew. Until it slammed down as a large pillar. While he wanted to crush the enemy with his attack, it was not his priority. Imperious aimed to create space for his allies to maneuver.
OOC wrote:Switching Shi'Halal's to focus on Create Object. Then he'll drop an object on some of the Nightjars. He'll leave it up, to act as a barrier for allies to use as temporary cover while they maneuver to get into better positions.

DC 25 Reflex to save against the damage. DC 30 Toughness for anyone that fails the Reflex save.
HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Create Object 15 [Power Feat: Precise (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technology" 2 (+2 pp)] ; Enhanced Feat 1 [Improvised Tools]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 14 ; Ultravision Extended 1
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Hoid
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

OOC:
Out of 15 Nightjar Targets, only one made its Reflex save!
Toughness saves forthcoming...
Some of them fail spectacularly, whereas others fail only by small margins! Ouch!
Imperious’ pillar comes down with a thunderous crunch!, fourteen Nightjars struck at once under the object’s enormous weight. Some Nightjars are crushed to pulp, but a few are sent flying and come out mostly intact.

More Nightjars open fire uselessly on Imperious, then morph their weaponry, yet again, still attempting to find a useful method of assault.

All around, Tempestineers and Enginseers work as a unit to combat the Nightjars....until one of the Nightjars manages to infect an Enginseer. Previously a rotund older women with lightly distributed cybernetics, she emits a banshee’s wail of despair, madness and confusion as her flesh catches fire and black ooze consumes her. Out of the muck arises an obsidian angel, a winged female humanoid, beautiful and cold and terrible, equally ebony scythe in hand.
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

Seeing the Enginseer get infected and converted into a dark angel was horrifying. Not just because of the visual imagery, but because of who was at risk. Everyone with cybernetic augmentations now needed to be considered a potential victim of corruption. Including Nepenthe, who he had sent a message to with encouragement to look into the Palace security systems.

That became Lucas' next concern. If there was one person he couldn't allow to become infected, it was the princess. The pillar he had previously created dispersed in a rain of white motes as that raced up to his hand. There a new spear of light formed. Drawing his arm back with the practices form of a javelin thrower, Imperious aimed down at the horde below. Then leaning forwards he hurdled the light-spear down into the infectious mass of machines. The spear grew into a pillar which crashed down onto the battle field between with the intent to crush the monstrous Nightjars and drive them back from the allied defenders.

Soon after throwing the shaft of light Imperious cast his gaze over the conflict, then the Palace. Seeking out signs of the Imperial Princess' presence.
OOC wrote:Switching Shi'Halal's Flight/Utility array to add in Quickness and more Super-Senses.

Here is a Search/Notice (their bonus is the same) check for Imperious to visually search the area, including the Palace interior, for Nepenthe: Search/Notice: 1D20+10 = [13]+10 = 23

Then Imperious is going to use Create Object to drop another pillar on some Nightjars, trying to make space between them and his allies with the use of the area attack. DC 25 Reflex to save against the damage. DC 30 Toughness for anyone that fails the Reflex save.
HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Create Object 15 [Power Feat: Precise (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technology" 2 (+2 pp)] ; Enhanced Feat 1 [Improvised Tools]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 2 ; Quickness 15 ; Ultravision Extended 4 ; X-Ray Vision Extended 4
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Hoid
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

OOC:
Search: Nepenthe’s not in the Palace, but rather’s outside helping the Tempestineers fight. Her staff is firing bolts of corrosive green fire, while her mind angrily lashes out telekinetically. Nepenthe is, it seems, no coward.

Upcoming...saves!
Three of the eleven possible targeted Nightjars made their saves, though 2 only barely!
Upcoming...Toughness saves!
Uh-oh...
As Imperious brings down the conjured pillar, the Nightjars react with blinding speed. Though only three manage to get out of the way, the others brace for impact—-and, impossibly!, are holding[ the pillar up!

The Nightjars not currently under the pillar are now ignoring Imperious, as they realize they cannot injure him. Instead, they turn all their savagery on the Enginseer’s, seeming to infect 5hem!
OOC:
Your turn!
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

Seeing Nepenthe fighting along side the Tempestineers, he knew the risk was still present. But it was better than being ambushed inside the Palace. She was likely as protected as she was going to get on this battlefield. Though he tried to keep an eye on the princess' position and movements, such things were difficult during such a large conflict, and she was not the only one at risk of infection. The majority of their forces were, and he had no way of preventing it's spread. He could only try to minimize it.

Seeing attention turn away from him, to focus on the Enginseers, Imperious flew down to the mid-point of the pillar he had created. Taking hold of it he lifts it off of the corrupted xeno-Golems. In mid-air he turns it's length horizontal to create a larger impact surface area. Then he threw forwards into the Nightjar right, intending to roll it through their chaotic formation and scatter them away from the Enginseers.
OOC wrote:That'll be the same DC 25 Reflex to save against the damage. DC 30 Toughness for anyone that fails the Reflex save.
HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Create Object 15 [Power Feat: Precise (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technology" 2 (+2 pp)] ; Enhanced Feat 1 [Improvised Tools]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 2 ; Super-Strength 12 ; Ultravision Extended 1
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
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Hoid
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Location: The Forever Tree

Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

With a thunderous CRUNCH!, Imperious swings his weapon like an enormous baseball bat, and the Nightjars are sent flying. They saw the attack coming, but Imperious put such force begin$ It did not seem to make a difference for them.

Shai’Halal speaks up, saying, “They have given up on assaulting my core. However, all that processing power is NOW being directed at the Enginseers!
OOC:
Your turn!
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

Lucas had seen the attention that the Oblivion Flock was giving the Enginseers. Shi'Halal confirmed his thoughts. His response to her was laced with frustration in his ability to do anything more than physically fight. Direct confrontation, he knew, was only spreading the infection.

"We don't have a means of countering their influence. You can barely interact with them. I am open to suggestions."

The only thing he could think of, given their limitations, was to not let the Enginseers or Golems press forward. To minimize their contact with the Nightjars. So he called out to the two groups, flyinging along the length of the discordant battle lines.

"Enginseers, fall back! Begin a staggered retreat with the Golems! Don't let them focus on one of your groups for too long."

After delivering his message he flew skyward, gaining some a height whiel drawing his left arm back. Poised to throw. Looking for a choice location, a shaft of light formed in his hand. When he found a group of Nightjar pressing in on the Enginseers eh threw the shaft down at them. The light-spear grew as it went, until it became a white pillar crashing down on the earth.
OOC wrote:I'm going to switch up Shi'Halal's Flight/Utility array to the following: Flight 5 ; Quickness 15 ; Ultravision Extended 4 ... Then try to locate Minotaur. Maybe he can help keep the Oblivion Flock off people vulnerable to infect. If he isn't doing so already.

Here is a Notice/Search check to try to locate Minotaur: Notice/Search: 1D20+10 = [4]+10 = 14

Imperious will also drop another Created Object on some Nightjar: DC 25 Reflex to save against the damage. DC 30 Toughness for anyone that fails the Reflex save.

HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Create Object 15 [Power Feat: Precise (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technology" 2 (+2 pp)] ; Enhanced Feat 1 [Improvised Tools]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 5 ; Quickness 15 ; Ultravision Extended 4
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
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Hoid
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Location: The Forever Tree

Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

OOC:
You see Minotaur in the thick of it. He’s riding his Mount, going all Hulk smash! on nearby Nightjars.
Reflex saves, upcoming...
Out of ten potential Nightjar targets, only one tainted golem escapes entirely!
Toughness saves forthcoming...
All he affected Nightjars failed! Some ALMOST made it, but almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades!
The pillar smashes into its targets, many of whom were already damaged in their fights against the Tempestineers and the Enginseers.

The ebony angel rises into the sky and shrieks, the cry of an angry god disappointed in the world. It is shattering in volume and seemingly goes on and on forever. When it ends, the Nightjar simply dissolve into muck, and the night angel vanishes entirely. Silence reigns all around.

The loudspeakers issue one last pronouncement, from the Nightjars: “ThIs Is BuT a TaStE oF wHaT iS tO cOmE. oUr ReVeLrY hAs BeEn DeLaYeD fOr FaR tOo LoNg. SoOn...
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

The enemy just dissolved or vanished. As if the medium the Oblivion Flock used in this battle, all of those bodies, were entirely expendable and could be thrown away on a whim. It was sickening waste. When the loud speaker sounded Imperious raised his left hand towards it. A cannon formed around his arms, and from it's mouth was expelled a burst of white plasma. Lowering the weapon he turned to look at the three groups of allies that had rallied in defense of the Palace.

"This was not a fight to claim ground or slay a foe. The Enemy struck at us to inflict their fowl corruption upon us. To turn US into THEM. Now you know the face of our True Enemy. Now you know why we must put aside our differences and stand together. We must fight, not for things, but for each other. For who we are. For our very world!"
OOC wrote:
HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Create Object 15 [Power Feat: Precise (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technology" 2 (+2 pp)] ; Enhanced Feat 1 [Improvised Tools]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 5 ; Quickness 15 ; Ultravision Extended 4
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
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Hoid
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Location: The Forever Tree

Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

There’s silence from below, but also nods of agreement.

The former battlefield’s now quiet, and the black sludge left behind is evaporatin* in the fragmented light of morning.

Shai’Halal speaks, and says, “I believe the Oblivion Flock has made a mistake. I can now detect their signals, though, obviously I dare not listen in. Given time, Lucas, I believe I can track them. Possibly back to their source.
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

"Good. If we can go on the offensive we can pick our battles rather than wait for them to strike at times and places of their choosing. Are you able to discern who may be infected?"

While he spoke privately with Shi'Halal Imperious panned his gaze over the people below and the Icons in the Datasphere. How many of them were now the enemy? It was horrible to ask that after they stood together fighting along side each other in the face of an army of madness. What needed to be done about the infected was something he needed input on from the other factions.

"See to the wounded and look for signs of infection. I will speak with Lady Jocasta and the representatives of the Tempestineers and Enginseers at the Palace doors."

Descending from his place in the air at an angle Imperious landed a hundred feet from the doors. After touching down he walked the rest of the way to meeting place he had mentioned.
OOC wrote:
HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Create Object 15 [Power Feat: Precise (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technology" 2 (+2 pp)] ; Enhanced Feat 1 [Improvised Tools]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 5 ; Quickness 15 ; Ultravision Extended 4
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
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Hoid
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Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2016 7:52 pm
Location: The Forever Tree

Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

As Imperious descends, Shai’Halal answers, “Unfortunately, Lucas, not yet. I will endeavor to develop a method.

Seraph the Enginseer and Caduceus the Tempestineer and Nepenthe, fallen wife of a fallen god, meet at the doors.

Caduceus says, “I’ll bring this directly to our leadership council. This s**t needs rooted out, now.”

Nepenthe, look8ng incredibly unconquered fortable, speaks up. “I...seem...to recall the first mention of things like this on Mars. At the Propeller Array, the largest skynode in this solar system. Reports...were muddled, unclear.”
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

Imperious looks between the two woman as each speaks in turn. After Nepenthe had finished reflecting on the past he spoke him, panning his gace over the three people who represented the three other factions present at the Palace.

"This plague converted a galaxy worth of synthetics ... and possibly cyber-augmented. It has had millennia to plan the killing blow. Rustdeity is our last stand. The final hope of the race of Man is in the hands of this alliance. Remember that. Make sure our people know it as well."

He allowed that dramatic statement to settle on the shoulders of the others, then shifted his gaze to Nepenthe and Seraph.

"Do we know the purpose of the structures the Enemy targeted in their initial attack?"
OOC wrote:
HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Create Object 15 [Power Feat: Precise (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technology" 2 (+2 pp)] ; Enhanced Feat 1 [Improvised Tools]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 5 ; Quickness 15 ; Ultravision Extended 4
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
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Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
Hoid
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Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2016 7:52 pm
Location: The Forever Tree

Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Hoid »

Again, Nepenthe speaks up. “What they targeted were known as sunneedles. There were eighteen of them, only six of them here. They, as a unit, keep the Auric Horde in quantum uncertainty.” Seeing the look of incomprehension on Caduceus’ face, Nepenthe adds, “Basically, out of anyone’s reach. They were meant to be deactivated in a more mundane fashion, but destroying them achieves the same essential result.”
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Sakuro
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Re: [The Forever Tree]Rustdeity IC.

Post by Sakuro »

When Nepenthe speaks Imperious focuses his eyes on her. The information she shared was good and bad at the same time. If the Auric Horde had been in a state of quantum uncertainty then it was unlikely they had been corrupted prior to today's events. Now, however, they were at increasing risk. This battle could have been meant to delay them from reaching the Horde in time to save it.

"Will the damage here be enough to release the Auric Horde?"

After asking the question he turned to look at Seraph and Cadeceus, offering further inplination.

"The Auric Horde is a Golem army. The Enemy may seek to corrupt them. I believe the Horde is held at the Imperial Armory. Which is known to be contaminated by the techno-plague."
OOC wrote: I forgot to use Well-Informed when first encountering Cadeceus and Seraph. If you are alright with me doing so know, I'll make some checks to see what Imperious has heard about these two individuals.

Caduceus Well-Informed (Gather Information): 1D20+12 = [14]+12 = 26

Seraph Well-Informed (Gather Information): 1D20+12 = [17]+12 = 29
HP: 0
Defense: 20
Conditions: Healthy.
Encephalon: Activated.
Communion Array: Impervious Toughness 20
Blast "Arsenal" Dynamic Array: Create Object 15 [Power Feat: Precise (+1 pp), Variable Descriptor "Technology" 2 (+2 pp)] ; Enhanced Feat 1 [Improvised Tools]
Flight "Utility" Dynamic Array: Flight 5 ; Quickness 15 ; Ultravision Extended 4
Evelyn Gracen, in AEGIS Squad
Storyteller for In the Shadow of Imperator
Storyteller for Geneforge: the Created
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