Turn 36: Hey, surprise, Dragon!Meanwhile, in a certain dragon lair.
Apollo
Apollo backs up from the situation, then goes to sit in the corner and go through his chemistry set to try see if there's some sort of painkiller or healing potion, or really, anything to help get the rock out of his face. It really did bother him. Though magic Rogaine for the eyebrows wouldn't hurt either.
(6: Overshot)
Now, obviously, you could extract the partially grown-in rock with a scalpel, a rusty knife or perhaps even some acid. Even ripping it out would just work, so Apollo elects to do just that.
(LV8 Pain Check 3+(2)-8 = -3: Major Failure, Moderate Pain -> Massive Pain)
OH GOD IT HURTS SO MUCH GOTTA DUNK HEAD IN PUDDLE NOW. AAAAAAAAARGH.
Apollo's mind clears, the pain recedes for a moment, and he finds the leisure to admire his work in this reflective surface shortly afterwards. Unfortunately, what he sees does not please him. A bleeding hole in the forehead... a distinctive lack of eyebrows... natural, uh, homeliness... and massive pain-induced hallucinations all mix to form a rather gross view.
The alchemist snaps. He strides through the room with a purpose, grabbing an iron breastplate from the massive hoard. And then is interrupted by a great big old headache. To quell this agony, he mixes up the painkiller recipe he once invented. (Invention: 5) He manages to distill the recipe extraordinarily, requiring only Gunpowder, Ground Rock and Glowmoss, all of which are easily available. After mixing it and no explosion happening, Apollo drinks his contoction in one swig. His splitting headache is no more in a blink.
Now that he can properly focus his anger at the elements that THE ELEMENTS that DEFACED his BEAUTIFUL FACE, his work on the project is a lot faster. Even without a forge, his GREATEST CREATION is finished soon. Through the TWIN POWERS OF MAGIC AND SCIENCE, he has created a MASK to OBSCURE HIS FACE, AND INSCRIBE THE DAY HIS FACE GOT DEFACED INTO HIS SOUL. TO NEVER FORGET. TO HAVE HIS REVENGE ON EVERY ROCK IN THIS WORLD.
He lets loose a splendidly evil, rippling laughter. This might become addicting. He already has problems not referring to himself in the third person.
Recipe found: Apollo's Painkiller: 100g Ground Rock, 3 clumps of glowmoss, 1 ounce gunpowder
Effect: Instantly removes all pain from the user. If the user is inflicted any pain during the next three turns, they instantly fall unconscious.
(+2 XP: Metal Working, Alchemic Magic, Alchemy: Potion Brewing)
Helskaya
Helskaya goes outside. He lights his bong, consumes a slice of magic in it, and washes it down with his healing potion.
(1: Backfire)
Helskaya cooks up an epic fumble with the bong. The healing potion drops down into the endless sea. This makes him even more depressed. Can't he do anything right, here? Perhaps he should just...
Taren
Comfort Helskaya! Try to get better also!
(4: Partial Success)
However, Taren comes out just at the right point and has a nice little bro-talk with the really really depressed bear-shaman. Sometimes, failures just happen, but there's nothing wrong with you and if you have more confidence then you'll be able to accomplish your goals. Hell, didn't you just seriously help me out a few turns ago? C'mon, let's go back in. I'm sure we'll be able to help someone.
Taren himself feels a little better.
Caellath
Down the stairs, check that hole for a safe path for an armored knight.
(4: Partial Success)
Losing the plate parts of his armor wasn't the worst thing right now. With them and a shield on his back, the descent Elenor had selected would have been a lot more difficult, but he was rather certain he could handle it without too much trouble, if given time.
Since he knows what to expect by now, the moderately-armored knight decides to go about halfway down. Just in case. (LV7 DEX Check: 3+6-7=2, Flawless Success) His rock climbing, cautious and calculated as he has time, goes off without a hitch. If needed, he could jump into the lower room without any real danger.
(+2 XP: Investigation)
Maka:
(1: Backfire)
As Apollo is busy with his own designs right now, Maka commences executing Plan A. Which mostly involves glomping the dragon and hoping - no, KNOWING it'd be okay. And, with a loud WHEEEEEEEEEEEE, the dragon-guided Maka-Missile goes off like a bolt of really greasy lightning, the sort of lightning that was involved with the mob and probably taking fees for lightning protection--
Oh, hey, the dragon just woke up. And it's not happy.
WHO HAS DISTURBED MY SLEEP?!?!?
WHO HAS TAKEN FROM MY HOARD?!?!?
WHO HAS EATEN ALL MY FOOD? DAMNIT! NOW I'M HUNGRY!!!!!
YOU INTRUDERS SHALL MAKE A NICE MEAL!!!!!!!!"That is right, after all... Who am I to question the wisdom of a dragon." The high priest's expression is still serene, smiling with eyes shut, but a lot more... venomous. Sadistic. He extends his fingers towards Maka...
Maka puts on her best pouty face in response.
Remy:
Be on standby to blow something up if necessary.
(5: Full Success)
This is the point where Remy, for once, is actually is on point and blows up a particularily smoky Dei Brand in the dragon's face, providing the much-needed magical distraction/smokescreen. "C'MON! RUN AWAY!"
Only Maka needs to be told twice.
(+2 XP: Shamanistic Magic/Elementalism)
--
Yoink
Wait for the inevitable roars and screams when the party manages to offend the dragon. Prepare to lead the flight down the hole to the floor below if/when need be. Bonus conditional action: If the dragon doesn't wake up in a bad mood and start eating the heck out of everybody, go and try to talk some sense into the party members who went back outside. We need to GTFO of here before things get very very bad.
(1: Backfire)
Meanwhile, Komas leads the flight down the hole in the wall. With his face.
(LV8 Pain Check: 5+(3)-8=0, Flawed Success)
While he didn't take any damage (apart from his dignity), he's still treading water in the ocean beneath.
--
After him, the other members of the party make a hasty retreat!
Maka: LV7 MND Check (for ceasing attempts to hug dragon), LV8 SWF Check (is in dragon's face): 2+(6)-7=1, Flawed Success 4+(5)-8=1, Flawed Success
Caellath: Is prepared, auto-success
Apollo: LV7 SWF Check 3+(1)-7= -3, Major Failure
Tiruin: LV8 SWF Check (is outside) 3+(4)-8 = -1, Minor Failure
Helskaya: LV8 SWF Check (is outside) 3+(4)-8 = -1, Minor Failure
Remy: LV6 SWF Check (prepared) 5+(1)-6 = Minor Failure (natural 1)
In the end, Maka is the first out, just as she was the first in. An errant bout of reason makes her realize the sticky situation she had gotten herself into, and with that kind of swiftness you can probably afford to systematically seek out sticky situations... either way, she makes it to the hole and climbs down swiftly, almost slipping a few times but nonetheless making it down unharmed and with a big goofy smile, prompting an angry scolding about discipline by a certain rogue knight.
Meanwhile, Remy, through the typical Remy lack of foresight, fails to see through his own smoke and slips, bruising his face.
Apollo also scrambles up, but while moving through the foggy hillscape of the mountain of loot, he stumbles over the Scepter of Stumbling, and falls.
"FAILURE IS BENEATH AP--" is all he can shout before going K.O.
This cry of anguish is not lost on Taren and Helskaya, who were busy navigating the inner stairs through the thick smoke. Taren instantly breaks off without thinking, not caring about his safety, to retrieve his fallen comrade, heaving him up through the strength gained by conviction. The healer and the shaman then start hurrying for the exit again, but do not quite make it yet.
The angry roar of a starving dragon is heard through the smoke... it will only provide protection for one more turn at most. This is perhaps the last chance of escape.
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Topic: Roll to Explore the Dungeon: Ch.2 T.38: Do you even praise the King? (Read 121439 times)