(Roseheart I edited something into the last post)
See if I can't gleam with mage power why these robots find it necessary attack these adventurers.
[4 -> 2] The scrap robots are certainly magician-touched, but something is different about them. Raioyris pries into their group consciousness and realizes that these are war machines. Purpose-made. Their hatred radiates out to no end toward these humans and the next, and unlike the former creatures you've encountered, their aura has a powerful influence over the surrounding scrap and their bodies. You won't be able to issue commands without weakening them to a certain level.
"We've found more trouble, and it didn't even take that long." The Absalom's autocannon began moving on its gyrating base, trying to track one of the robot's movements while Gilles took in the tactical scenario. "Let's get to equalizing things for the moment being, then move on to neutralizing. I'm curious about the scrap robots. I'm not sure if they're new designs..."
Fire the autocannon's expanding foam shells at the automaton attacking the adventurer who looks to be in the most trouble, focus on clogging/hampering weaponry. Aim Solj if necessary.
Attacking from a distance, and at a melee target in close proximity, would be bound for disaster if Gilles were using lethal weaponry. He judges the ranged attacker pursued by melee to be in the most trouble, and opens fire in the drill robot chasing the adventuress.
[8+1 -> 4+0] A couple of shells fly past, given the machine's erratic motion and behavior. Those that hit the drill are promptly flung off by the spinning motion of the bit. But Gilles lands an appreciable fraction into the machine's body, and the roughly cobbled-together nature of its body provides numerous small spaces for the foam to expand into. Evidently, however, the expansion warped the interior components, and a small gout of hydraulic fluid springs out. The drill arm hangs loosely and starts dragging on the floor.
Target is slowed -- its charge attacks have +1 DIFF)
Solj speaks directly into Giles helmet through the exosuit's systems:
Requires input, Giles. Current load is optimized for less-lethal takedown. However, more energetic rounds could better insure the humans' safety.
Fire semi-auto on whichever target seems most likely to kill or injure a human. If Giles requests, factory micro missiles.
[6+5 -> 2+0] The less-lethal rounds don't do much against the metal husks. If anything, they grab its attention. The twisted machine slows its movement and turns its face to confront the group.
Actually, Solj can tell that one of his rounds cracked the machine's optics. Black tears stream down one side of the expressionless face.
It seems like it would have a more difficult time hitting with a ranged weapon, if it had one.
[4 -> 1] Millenus replicates the giant claw that one of the robots has. His arm calcifies and turns into a weapon just as monstrous. He then closes the gap (+1 DIFF) (almost slipping on the ice!), and the long reach of his claws allows him to easily enter the fray (-1 DIFF), targeting first the machine he stole the claw from.
The floor is not coated with ice near the center of the room. The epicenter of the ice must be near the door, though none of the rest of the party has moved yet.
[7 -> 1] He makes contact as he finishes his charge, trapping the machine's arms between the fingers of his new weapon.
Current Enemies:Drill Bot - Cracked Optics (+1 DIFF to ranged attacks), Unpowered Drill Arm
Whip Bot - Unharmed
Claw Bot - Tangled (must make STR test for actions), Knocked Down (see next section)
Rail Bot - Unharmed
The machines have re-evaluated their priorities. One ones keeping the other two adventurers busy are unharmed--one has a crossbow bolt jammed in its shoulder, but seems hardly worse for wear all things considered.
The robot with the rail weapon turns and fires a hail of bolts--random assorted metal objects, pieces of scrap, and fasteners--toward Millenus. {3+2 -> 1+1} Despite the weapon's innaccuracy, it pegs both Millenus and the robot he is grappling with. Most of the bolts glance off the shear angles of the machine's body, but they embed themselves into Millenus and draw blood.
The robot with the drill turns to close in on the party instead.
It will make an attack next turn.The robot with the whip continues its assault on the adventurers. {3+3 -> 3} Its whip catches onto one of the drones. The drone seems to be out of ammunition for its gun, and offers little resistance as it gets thrashed against the ground. Its husk stays attached to the mag-whip.
The robot with the claw {3+3 -> 3} pushes against Millenus' grip with its legs. He is unable to hold the machine back, and they topple to the ground together.
The Magician, visibly shocked by Millenus' entry, casts a spell from his amulet. {3 -> 2}
"Now what!?" he screams, as both Millenus and the machine with the claw get thrown across the room, into the western scrap pile.
"Looks like we got... backup?" shouts the Aurogen, using the loss of his first drone as an opportunity to gain some distance.
"I think you just blasted some of that backup."The ranger {3 -> 1 (Fail)} takes a moment to gather her bearings after the robot ceases targeting her.
NPC Status:Magician - Unharmed
Aurogen Duelist - Bleeding (1)
Unknown Ranger - Shaken (Must pass Constitution test before she can contribute)
Millenus - Bleeding (1), Knocked Down
Feats:
Mechanic :: A past education and experience working in manufacturing has given Mattias extensive knowledge of how gadgets and vehicles work, and thus how to build, disassemble, repair, and modify them (with the proper materials, of course). This knowledge does not (completely) transfer over to weapons.
+2 to non-artifact assemblage, +1 to artifact assemblage
First Aid :: A bit of experience in wound treatment allows Mattias to have a little more knowledge than most in the area of first aid.
+2 to first aid, +1 to surgery and more advanced procedures
Stats:
Strength: 2
Speed: 3
Reflexes: 3
Constitution: 2
Gear:
Mattiass toolbox and the tools inside, which allow him to build, repair, disassemble, and modify machinery of all kinds. Some of the tools in there could also function as weapons in a pinch.
Reduces the DIFF of all assemblage actions with DIFF > 1.
Prototype Mage Power :: During the Magicians research with Raioyris they found it necessary to train him in the command and use of mage power. Later when he awoke he was able to swiftly adapt thanks to his powers. He did a lot of his own exploring and venturing.
+1 to all Magician actions with 1 DIFF.
Cybersphere Exploration :: Raioyris has explored a Cybersphere. He cannot remember where it is but in a confusing turn of events he created a ghost with his personality and ambitions; Ghost Raioyris.
Stats:
Strength:2
Speed:5
Reflexes:2
Constitution:1
Gear:
Samurai Edge 92FS mod Wesker handgun.
Sword of Kusanagi.
Pearl handled Stiletto.
Current Locus Range: 4m
Locus Range is loosely defined as the maximum distance you can apply your full strength at before it drops off. You can use a narrower locus, but it will subtract 3 Strength for each doubling of distance, down to a minimum of 0 effective Strength.
Knowledge :: Probably know more about his sector than anyone alive.
+1 to knowledge checks
Emergency Elevator :: Found an elevator that makes getting items up easy. Often needs maintanance when overused. Safe though, escape hatch if stuck, no risk of crashing, just delay/annoyance.
Starting Vehicle :: Found a forklift.
Safe Haven :: Found an abandoned locker room that had some loot but now makes as a decent security store for selling to arrivals. Threatening looking automated weapons pop out if called upon, but unmaintained they are mostly for show, but a couple can still shoot a lucky bolt.
Triage Center :: Found a medbay in a dangerous sector, good checkpoint I tell those I trust, but I need it to maintain my heart should it need it.
Stats:
Strength: 0
Speed: 3
Reflexes: 7
Constitution: 0
Gear:
Stable :: As an artificial mind, SO5lgs is constructed to be able to withstand more mental duress than most organic creatures. Despite having spent centuries essentially immobile and helpless in the dark, SO3lgs isn't totally mad. If a being can go though that just fine, what's a little bit of magnetic brainwaves or Things That Man Was Not Meant To Know?
Immune to negative mental statuses.
Weaponized :: SO5lgs was created as a weapon. While it doesn't particularly value or desire violence, it is capable of killing without any remorse.
Precise :: While SO5lgs was never used in direct conflict, as the Aurogen were a utopian and peaceful society, the weapon has under gone a variety of combat simulations and live fire exercises. As in intended by the design, this weapon should be able to rapidly and accurately target a variety of adversaries.
-1 DIFF on erratically moving targets; does not assist against stationary targets.
Stats:
Strength: 3
Speed: -2
Reflexes: 5
Constitution: 3
Gear:
Main chamber: The primary barrel of the weapon is fitted to use a standard .50 round, which were manufactured in a variety of types, including armor penetrators, flechettes, explosive rounds, micro-missiles, electromagnetic disruption rounds, and even more specialized and obscure things.
Targeting sensors: A variety of different sensors aid in acquiring and tracking targets. Includes high-resolution visual feed, IR feed, motion sensors, laser range finder, and sonar.
Mage Hand: A lesser version of Mage Power tech that simply allows for physical manipulation of compatible objects.
Overcharger: The weapon can fire a highly energetic blast of energy, at the cost of some system instability. This counts as a Heavy Attack.
Reactor: Officially designated the "phlebotinum generator", the exact workings of this reactor are both secret and lost to time. gee howdy put out a lott juice tho
Feats:
Hardy :: The human body is a machine, and Gilles' is hard to break or suffer serious damage;
+1 Armor Value (negates an enemy Hit)
Heavy-Duty :: Having spent much of his life around heavy gear, Gilles has an affinity for heavier weapons;
+1 to heavy weapons use, melee or ranged.
Mech-Wrangler :: Gilles wrangles robots for a living, used as he is at taking machines down without causing harm, in order to maximize profit and preserve valuable technology;
+2 to 'mech-wrangling' actions against machinery, provided Gilles does not use a purpose-made weapon. Gilles can also apply his bonuses to using weaponry while Disrupting an action using that weapon, though he still uses Reflex as his attribute for Disruption.
Lightning Reprogramming :: Catching ornery robots is only half the fight, you also have to fix them afterwards. Gilles is good at programming and reprogramming robots;
+1 to reprogramming actions without prior knowledge, +2 to reprogramming Gilles has already done before.
Tech-Wright :: Gilles knows his way around technology, because failing to keep it working would be terrible for both business and gear. He gets bonuses to repairs and minor modifications;
+1 to repairs of any kind.
Stats:
Strength: 5
Speed: 0
Reflexes: 0
Constitution: 5
Gear:
Absalom-pattern Hardsuit :: The Absalom is a thick bipedal mechsuit running on a cold fusion reactor designed for resilience and heavy-lifting in an industrial setting. It uses analog input from its pilot to perform tasks, and was famed during its mass-production years for its uncompromising efficiency, the ease with which it could be adapted to a support role during war, and the physical effort it took to use its controls, specially on earlier models. The rounded, simplistic main section/torso houses the cockpit and has the suit's arms on either side. Its hands are capable of operating oversized gear and can hold more delicate objects without destroying them, though thick digits prevent most useful interaction. A pair of smaller skeletal arms folded over the armor and close to the pelvis area takes care of finer work. Its legs are sturdy, with distinctively wide heat shields and an emergency stabilization system that includes magnetic and traditional stakes that can be explosively launched to anchor the suit. The suit features back handles to allow for personnel to take rides on the suit.
Gilles has a dark gray Absalom with dark blue and white details adapted for his specific needs: its most obvious weapons are a steel-fiber lasso and winch system that works well against walkers and a detachable shoulder-mounted autocannon with an ammo supply that consists mostly of low-velocity stick foam shells that expand on impact. The Absalom also has other hunting-specific equipment (a bola launcher, ball bearings of various sizes, paint balls, smoke & chaff grenades) kept in saddlebags tied the suit's hip areas. Replacement parts for the suit's feet are attached to its cockpit and leg armor, working as extra protection and saving storage room. Gilles' Absalom easily carries an oversized container unit on its back to hold both goods and loot.
Provides Strength 5 weaponry that inflicts non-lethal statuses on the enemy. Allows Gilles to take unique 'Equipment Destroyed' statuses.
Tools :: Standard tools for repair as well as the tricky ones used to help capture robots.
+1 to repairing damage to Gilles' suit, -1 DIFF to all repair actions except actions with a difficulty of 1.
Break-Action Launcher :: Gilles has a personal single-shot break-action launcher that can fire smaller versions of the usual payloads (bolas, paint, expanding foam or grenades).
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Topic: Exmortal (IC Thread) (Read 49512 times)