FenrikFenrik weighs his options and decides to do what he knows best - run like all hell was behind him. He has no thought for subtlety, deciding his best bet is simply running faster than the bloody thing can follow. Fear is an exceptional motivator, he's found, and gives his legs strength they wouldn't otherwise have.
So he springs up and into motion, leaping for the doorway he came through. [5] The waiting cat roars and lunges after him, powerful hind legs propelling it forward like a missile. [2+1=3]vs[1+1=2] Fenrik runs faster than ever, feeling as much as hearing the beast come bounding through the doorway after him. In these narrow corridors, there's little space to evade, or anything to throw as an obstacle in its way. The soft 'thump's of the snow cat's footfalls come as rapidly as the harder knocks of Fenrik's boots. He can't help yelping out in fear; the thing's musk fills his nostrils, and he can hear its predator's breathing alongside his own ragged inhaling and exhaling.
They race up a winding stairway and come up to a larger hallway. It seems vaguely familiar - he must've come through it while searching. [6] Spilling light and heat tell him an exit outside is nearby. The cat wouldn't dare head for a camp of armed men in full day-light, right? No matter how hungry, and it sounds very much so to Fenrik. He decides to try that way. There's only the matter of staying ahead of it for long enough to get into their sights.
[4+1=5]vs[6+1=7] It occurs to him, as he makes his way past an open, doorless gate, that the beast is likely to be even faster on the even dust plain than in the narrow, twisting corridors. He can already see a camp - [5] Nilvath's camp, even - and the distance closes with every step. If he can keep the thing behind him for just a few mor-
[Dodge:3+1-1=3] Something heavy and terribly sharp slams into him. He tries to roll clear, shields flaring as they try to suppress huge, snapping teeth. [Damage: All absorbed] Nothing sinks into him, though his shields shiver uncomfortably. [1] The cat takes a step back, confused at not reducing the little man into red paste.
[4] Shouts and laughter come from the Nilvath camp, then running steps. The beast hears this too and [6] turns tail and flees before Fenrik can so much as try to land a punch. He watches it head for the distance before getting up. This far away from a danger is more his thing. He can hear some of Nilvath's people approaching from behind - considering their master, they're not usually a very considerate or helpful lot, and he can hope for mocking laughter at best. The snow is still in bow-shot, though.
---
EnemiesMoving away, Long RangeHP: 15/15
Skills: Apex Predator,
Crushing JawsAbilities: None
StationaryHP: 40/40
Shields: 2/4 Resistance [Absorb 3-6 damage per hit]
Skills: Born to Run,
StealthyAbilities: None
Equipment: +
Magbow [Dam: 3/RoF:1/Acc:+0/Clip:10/Mod Slots None/Special:
Long Range IV] [
10/10]
+
Burst Shielder [Can take 4 Hits before shattering. Absorbs 3-6 damage per Hit. +1 Shield Regen.]
Favor: 0
Funds: 1500*
***
DustThe Weaver moves in a way Dust has learned to associate with a sort of shrug.
'What you find cannot be fully known. You may pray for further assistance when the time comes for that,' the Weaver says.
'It may be a difficult question for both of us. That would be pleasing, would it not?'HP: 40/40
AP: 20/20 [-4 to all Damage]
Skills: Aggressive FighterAbilities: None
Equipment:+
Hybrasi Greatsword [Dam: 5/Speed: 1/Acc: -1/Special: None]
+
Light Shotgun [Dam:2/RoF:3/Acc:+0/Clip: 9/Mod Slots: 2/Special:
Scatter,
Close Range II] [
9/9]
+
Oathsworn Armor [AP: 20, -4 to all Damage]
Favor: 0
Funds: 1500*
***
The Warbreaker'You concern yourself much with the affairs of gods, Preserver. I hope it will prove to your benefit, rather than harm,' Rennahn says. If she senses her servant's disappointment, she doesn't show it.
'I have no further words, only this: do not be singularly focused on the orders of this alliance - even mine. There may be things out on the wastes now even the Weaver has not foreseen. You are a Champion now. That means more than obeying a god - you are an example, especially you, Kazren. The people will look up to you, will seek your aid. See to it their faith is not betrayed.'She shakes her head.
'Perhaps you feel I contradict myself, now. Or perhaps this is an useless lesson - you were a Preserver, after all. Grant an old one this last bit of irrationality, regardless.'HP: 20/20
AP: 50/50 [-4 to all Damage, regenerates +5 AP every turn where not hit]
Skills: Augmented Strength,
Preserver's AuraAbilities: None
Equipment:+Bio-Alloy Shield [AP: 20/20, -4 to all Damage, Shield Use: +0]
+
Bio-Alloy Form [AP: 50, -4 to all Damage, regenerates +5 AP every turn where not hit]
Favor: 0
Funds: 1500*
***
Arlia and the EverchildThe wild goddess does not say anything to confirm to deny that. She lets Arlia leave without any further visions or instructions.
***
The Shaman makes her way to the garage, where the Everchild is just approaching the great machine. It certainly seems like an impressive transport to Arlia's eyes as well, if an ugly thing of metal and machinery. She moves towards the Everchild just as the girl asks for a demonstration.
'Honored champions, a demonstration will commence,' the machine's voice says. It blurts out a few quick phrases in the monotone again, and the Myrmidon begins to move. A frightfully loud sound roars up from the engine, and the vehicle appears to move on its own, heavy wheels turning as it moves back and forth ever-so-slightly. After a while, however, it comes to a halt again.
'WARNING! LACKING SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL-TERRAIN DEMONSTRATION!' the voice says.
'ADVANCING TO ARMAMENTS DEMONSTRATION.' There's a pause and the normal voice takes over again.
'Behold, honored champions, the divine might of the machine's godly weapons!'The small cannon on top of the vehicle whirrs and turns around on its own, then locks straight on. The gun booms thrice, much louder than any gun they've heard, and sparks and pieces of metal explode off the far wall. When the smoke clears, the watchers see three craters not much larger than a man's fist in the wall, vaguely disappointing given the sound. The vehicle isn't ready yet, though. As they watch, there's a clatter of released locks, and the front of the Myrmidon explodes in smoke and fire. A missile snaps forward, a flame and a smoky trail visible only for a milli-second, and slams into the far wall.
The entire chamber shudders. Debris of stone and dust spreads out from the impact site, some pieces flinging themselves at considerable speed their way, though all thankfully pass them. The Myrmidon stays still until the smoke has cleared, revealing a large hole where there was a wall. Sunlight floods into the chamber. The warning of the machine's next intention comes when the claws the Everchild saw in the front begin to whirr and move on their own, speeding up as the Myrmidon begins to move again. Before their eyes, it accelerates towards the hole, and with high speed, crashes through, claws clearing out the rubble by smashing and flinging it forward and to the sides. In only a few moments, the Myrmidon has passed outside into the light, still seemingly uncrewed.
The vehicle stays still for a while and then reverses back inside. It pauses before them ominously.
'WARNING! UNABLE TO DEMONSTRATE NON-STANDARD SYSTEMS ONBOARD. SELF-CONTROL HAS BEEN RESTRICTED FOR STANDARD USE: UNABLE TO RETRIEVE AUTHORIZATION CODE.'The ramp opens up again.
'Great is the might of the gods, honored champions,' the voice says, before falling silent.
HP: 30/30
AP: 20/20 [+2 to Close Range Damage, -4 to all other Damage.]
Skills: Wasteland HealerAbilities: *
Swarm Scouting [No cooldown]
Equipment:+
Charged Bolas [Dam:3/RoF:1/Acc:+0/'Clip':3/Mod Slots: None/Special: Stunning (-1)] [
3/3]
+
Antique Sixshooter [Dam:4/RoF:2/Acc:-1/Clip:6/Mod Slots: 3 (Free)/Special: None] [
6/6]
+
Wilder Aegis [AP: 20, +2 Close Range Damage, -4 other Damage. 3 turn cooldown to activate after being shattered.]
Favor: 0
Funds: 1500*
HP: 15/15
AP: 40/40 [-3 to all Damage]
Skills: Machine Resistance,
Machine MobilityAbilities: None
Equipment:+
Boomer Gun [Dam:3/RoF:1/Acc:-1/Clip:6/Mod Slots: 1 (Free)/Special:
Close Range III] [
6/6]
+
Robotic Body [AP: 40, -3 to all Damage]
+3 Self-Repair Kits [Heal +15 AP when used]
Favor: 0
Funds: 1500*
***
Author
Topic: Elysium - A World of A Thousand Gods (Chapter I) (Read 16027 times)