Discretion Is Not the Better Part of ValorWith the exception of Fenrik, who finds himself preferring the steel box of the Myrmidon and all the marvellous protection it offers, the champions trot out to meet the lot of them. The coward uses the time it takes the champions to cross over to the waiting warriors to capture images of those facing their way. The picture quality is not very high at this range, but they're identifiable enough if there'll ever be need. Fenrik settles comfortably in the gunner's seat and keeps the group in his sights. If things go bad, he's in an excellent position to gun down anyone he wishes in the chaos of battle.
Kazren is the first to join Dust, the others trailing behind. As the warriors take in most of the champions' rather outlandish forms, whispering begins to spread through the ranks. They seem startled, at the least, or perhaps even angry. No normal mortal would look this way, though the wasteland is full of strange beings. Their transport no doubt already gave them away as godly champions, though, so the damage is done.
Arlia sends out her ants in a thin stream to scout the area. Concentrating on that work while walking is a bit difficult, so they mainly roam around the oasis without any real goal. Some surge into water and drown before she can stop them, others fall under her companions' boots.
[2] Kazren eyes the ring-like metal shape just below the spearhead. It doesn't resemble anything specific he's seen before, but it would likely be some technological device or charge. Such combinations of high and low technology are popular here, as Arlia's spear would seem to prove. The Warbreaker also searches the oasis and the rocky terrain for any signs of cultivation, but if there is any, it doesn't stick out to him. It does not seem this place is inhabited permanently - perhaps the rocks, or the distance from other settlements, are an obstacle. Still, there are a wide variety of wasteland nomads who are bound to make excellent use of such a place. If settlers were to build a home here, those nomads would be without their source of water, and might perhaps be driven to take it back by force.
Right now, though, Kazren has peace in the present to focus on, though. The beast rider takes his words in with only a slight twitch of his pockmarked features, hard eyes flicking from him to the others of the group. Once the four of them are there, he gestures to the shade of the rocks and begins to lead the way. A few hand gestures to the warriors gets the tribal gunner out of his vehicle. Guns are held loose, tense men doing their best to seem at ease. All of the warriors sit down around the oasis in the shade of the great rocks, though they still keep staring.
'Food is scarce, but Ganna will give you what she can,' the rider, their clear leader, says as he settles down on a cool rock by the pool. 'I'm sorry there's nothing better to offer. If... you can eat like mortals. Honored champions.'
He gestures them down, while another of the warriors, a frightened-looking girl with haphazardly cut, short reddish hair, offers chunks of dried meat from her pack. She doesn't seem to want to look directly at any of them.
***
Arlia[6] While he speaks, Arlia's ants begin coming back to her, bringing with them a barrage of sensations and images. The land would respond well enough to terraforming, she finds - the soil is not as bad as it could be, and there is water somewhere underneath. The rocks and their shade offer refuge to a variety of insects and wasteland lizards who feed on the hard-barked trees and sparse grass. She also finds the tracks of a gutter worm - a rather feared, six-feet carnivorous worm that makes excellent eating - nearby, just under the surface.
For a change, the ants also catch flickers of conversation. It would not appear they were noticed in their small numbers and aimless wandering. One pair of warriors speaks in a dialect she does not understand, and one the ants do not catch too well from so low, but others come to her clearer. A woman who sounds convinced that looking into Dust's eyes has cursed her. Another muttering what seems to be a protective charm. Most clearly, she catches the words of two tribal warriors, who now sit in the shade of the opposite boulder;
'-but it isn't right. We offered them shade, and- and it's bad luck to kill a shaman,' the younger of the pair said. From the ants' vantage point, both of them tower like giants.
'Coward. We are not of the blood any longer, brother. You swore the oath, remember? No Gods, No Masters. Speak it.'
Hesitation. The young one glances at the champions somewhere outside the ants' viewpoint, nervous. 'No Gods, No Masters,' he repeats. His fingers touch a submachinegun hanging from his shoulder. The older one spits on the ground.
'We will act fast. When they are eating. Wait for the beast-man's signal, then, do as I do.'They said nothing else that the ants could hear. Arlia snaps back into the present, where the beast rider is offering them the paltry food and all the warriors' eyes are upon them. All of the champions can practically feel the tension in the air.
***
HP: 20/20
AP: 50/50 [-4 to all Damage, regenerates +5 AP every turn where not hit]
Traits: 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: 1
Funds: 1500*
HP: 15/15
AP: 40/40 [-3 to all Damage]
Traits: 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]
+
KinstoneFavor: 0
Funds: 1500*
HP: 40/40
Shields: 4/4 Resistance [Absorb 3-6 damage per hit]
Traits: 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*
HP: 40/40
AP: 20/20 [-4 to all Damage]
Traits: 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*
HP: 30/30
AP: 20/20 [+2 to Close Range Damage, -4 to all other Damage.]
Traits: 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]
+
Thermal Spear [Dam:4/Speed:1/Acc:+0/Uses:5/Special:
Flame] [
5/5]
+
Wilder Aegis [AP: 20, +2 Close Range Damage, -4 other Damage. 3 turn cooldown to activate after being shattered.]
+
Crushed Redlash Beetle [+1 to Combat Roll for 1 turn when used]
Favor: 0
Funds: 950*
Author
Topic: Elysium - A World of A Thousand Gods (Chapter I) (Read 15953 times)