Frank takes a step forwards, taking Toby's look as a sign that his partner wanted him to step in.

"Ram Abballah has many servants," he said, his voice low but commanding. "Those who know nothing of the King, but serve his purposes all the same, and those who serve him willingly, with loyalty and are rewarded for it."

"You did not know it was the King you opposed when Mr Monday hired you, Little Gods, but now you do and that leaves you with a choice; correct your transgression and serve Ram Abballah with us or oppose him and face annihilaton from existence."

Frank's mind pulled grand sounding words from the sermons he had been subjected to in his youth by Catholic priests obssessed with fire and brimstone.

He took the voice from one priest in particular Father Patrick O'Malley, a fearsome Irish Catholic who had taken great pleasure in describing the horrors of hell to those who attended his sermons and who managed to make it sound like he had actually glimpsed those horrors himself.

OOC: Bluff Roll vs Little Gods 25

14:01, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 8 using 2d6. Spend 1 Action Point.
14:01, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 17 using 1d20+11. Bluff Roll vs Little Gods.

The commander lets down the megaphone and carefully considers Frank's words. He calls over a few of his men and huddle in deep discussion. In the meantime, the copters stay spooled up, ready to take off, and all the men and machines point their weapons at you, ready to fire if they receive the signal.

After an interminable few minutes the commander looks up. You have convinced us, tall ones. We will take you to Mr. Monday, and as penance to the Lord of Discordia we will patch some of your injuries, but what happens between you and Mr. Monday is your own business.

While the medic does his best to heal Tobias and Frank with rice-sized bandages, the commander shouts commands at his troops. Several ropes appear and men start repelling down the sides of the table. Other men attach ropes to the helicopters, which are then attached to the vehicles for aerial transport. When Tobias and Frank are patched as good as can be and the men and machines are all in formation, the commander asks for help opening up the southern doors. Being 3 inches tall makes it hard to use doorknobs.

You are each healed three whole hit points!

20:55, Today: Facilitator rolled 24,3 using d20+12,1d4+2. Heal Frank.
20:55, Today: Facilitator rolled 28,3 using d20+12,1d4+2. Heal Tobias.

"Not that I don't appreciate the effort, but I think it's going to take more than bandages to sort out this mess," Frank said to Toby, indicating the still gaping wound in his shoulder. "I don't suppose you can patch up a man as well as blast a door off its hinges with your hands?

His gamble seemed to have paid off, in that he had convinced the commander of the Little Gods that he and Toby were servants of the Crimson King, whoever he might be. The problem was that now the intention was to take them to this 'Mr Monday', which would have been what Frank would have wanted if he and Toby hadn't both been badly hurt in the fight.

OOC: Does Frank think that the Commander has actually believed the bluff, and does think that Frank is a loyal servant of Ram Abballah, or does Frank think the Commander is running a counter-bluff, and it just taking them to Monday to finish them off?

Sense Motive check: 20

17:20, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 16 using 1d20+7. Sense Motive check vs Commander.

17:22, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 4 using 2d6. Spend another AP.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:23, Mon 14 Mar 2011.

Tobias laughed weakly, limping slightly as he followed after Frank. "Come now, do you think I'd be able to do something useful like that? Of course I can't heal us."

Frank gave a pained smile and briefly thought about the possibility of getting some basic field medical training. For a moment, he wondered what Adele Sienkiewicz was currently assigned to.

He turned back to the double doors at the south of the room. He'd already figured that the soldiers would have killed them already if they were planning a double cross. Their fear of the crossing the Crimson King seemed real enough.

He reached out and tried the handles.

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Sense Motive (20): The commander seems truthful enough.]

Frank tries the handle and it moves easily. The troops move forward, leading the way as helicopters buzz overhead. They first lead you into what seems to be a small, nondescript office with no other exit. About a dozen men line up against the far wall and start pushing. The struggle for a few seconds, then suddenly the wall starts to swing forwards. It opens to a round room elegantly draped in jet black. You have reached the Oval Office.

Frank and Tobias enter from the north west. The floor is made up of dark hardwood, partially covered with a black oval carpeting. Towards the north are two wrought-iron benches facing each other with a low table in between. Curtained windows to the west show more of the twisted garden and more to the south show a better view of the gray tower.

In front of the south windows, where you would expect to see the Presidential desk, is a large, strikingly white throne; the same throne depicted in the many pictures you have seen around the building. Sitting atop the throne is a man in his fifties. He is bald on top but has long, flowing black hair on the sides and back, and he sports a long mustache that extends down the side of his face and past his chin. He has hard eyes that display a mixture of surprise and expectation.

Well now, I see you've met my mercenaries. I should have known you would find a way to defeat them. No matter, no prophecy is entirely set in stone. The Crimson King will again reign one day.

Tobias nodded. "I take it you're Mr. Monday." He involuntarily grimaced at the mention of prophecies; he hated those things...

Yes some people call me that. By your amazing leap of intuition I can only guess that you must be Tobias, and the brooding man beside you must be Frank? Mr. Monday speaks with a slight southern drawl, and his speech seethes with sarcasm.

But I'm afraid I have you at a disadvantage; whereas I've known of y’all since before your pa was a gleam in his pa's eye, you likely do not know as much of me. My true name is meaningless in your fledgling language, so you may continue to call me Mr. Monday. I assume by now you've figured out that there are many versions of t’universe; the one where I reside is not very much unlike your own. In fact, a thousand years ago the two would be almost indistinguishable, except for a few small details. One day, as often happens in affairs of men, war broke out. But unlike any war before, this one used terrible and devastating weapons; by the end, most of the world was a wasteland.

But humanity prevails. By five-hundred years after the end of the great war, a makeshift medieval society had rebuilt itself among the ruins of the ancient cities. Eschewing the old technology, blaming it for causing mankind's blood lust, this newer society flourished under a rule of well-respected kings and a lineage of honorable knights. The knights, however, weren’t strong enough to prevent society's second downfall.

A revolution, led by a man named John Farson, was started in the name of democracy , though its purpose was actually more sinister than that. Farson resurrected the old technologies and used them to obliterate the king and his knights. He set up a false presidency and ruled New Gilead, as he called it, with an iron fist. Farson never fully formed a working society, but no one else ever successfully overthrew him, either. Society slowly dissolved and devolved into the state you see it today, ruled by bandits and warlords, with no larger structure to speak of.

We are in what's left of the former capital of New Gilead, and I've been running to run this little portion of it. Any semblance of government has been absent for generations, so I figured that the Black House would be a nice enough place to stay while I'm stuck here.

I'm sure you're wondering what I wanted with the children, right? While Farson may long be gone from this world, his true purpose, that which was given him as leader of the Cult of the Red, is to destroy the confines of the Crimson King, held captive by magics so ancient even the scholars of the Old Ones had long forgotten them, thus releasing him to his proper place as ruler of all worlds.

The key is, though, that his confines cannot be destroyed by ancient technology or more ancient magics. Even though his bonds crumble, they must be broken by the primordial energies that created them, and in fact, created the universe as well. Only certain people have access to these powers, which manifest during childhood. But if these powers are not developed, they are lost forever by adolescence. My task is to gather up these children from all the worlds, and train them to be the very destructive force they were destined to be. And this is the task which you have interrupted.

Tobias was tempted to shoot the man on general principles. He was monologuing, and that was something this, while useful, was damned hard not to take advantage of. He held his peace, though, before continuing. "And the fact they all end up dead is... coincidence?" He continued, "I can't say I'm fond of a ruler who requires the blood of innocents to appear."

Frank was having trouble believing Mr Monday's claim to have known Frank and Toby generations before their birth. It seemed equally likely that he had some spies placed in their world and had done his research. He suspected that this was supposed to unnerve them, throw them off balance, like the rest of his speech.

Frank knew he really didn't like the sound of 'Ruler of all worlds'. Given the fear shown by the Little Gods when Ram Abballah was mentioned, he was pretty certain that this Crimson King being freed wasn't something that should happen.

"Toby's right," said Frank. "A lot of that doesn't make sense. You call John Farson sinister and his presidency false, yet then you speak of his purpose and yours being the same. You call the Crimson King the rightful ruler of all worlds, but someone imprisoned him. In my experience, prisoners tend to be criminals."

Frank glanced around the room, trying to see a way out of this situation. They needed to keep Monday talking to buy them some time. Time for what though, that he didn't know. He might have risked a straight fight if they hadn't just been nearly killed by the Little Gods. They'd walked right into the lions den and Frank felt like they were about to be eaten.

[Private to GM: Roll a Spot check for me if it's appropriate. Also if a fight kicks off, Frank gets first action because of the 'React First' Negotiator talent.]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Tue 19 Apr 2011.

Mr. Monday stares at you in silence for a few seconds, then breaks out in an uproarious round of laughter.

My friends, are you really so naive to think that I don't know I'm the bad guy? I'm not like the Hitlers, Stalins, and Bachs of your word. I have no illusions of fighting for some greater good, and you can't use the thought of these precious little children to give me some miraculous, last-minute change of heart.

The Crimson King is not just some misunderstood malfeant; he is the representation of all which his evil. It was a single drop of his blood, shed by the knights of the White in a failed attempt at slaying him, that put evil into the hearts of Men. Where any man rapes, steals, kills, tortures, slanders, or or even swears, so is He there. I do not wish to free Ram Abballah because he was falsely imprisoned, or because he would be a just ruler, or even because, like your Little Gods there, that I have been properly recompensed. No, releasing the Crimson King would restore the world, the entire universe, all of existence, back to its true intended nature. The King was created by the Old Gods to rule the very tower in which he is imprisoned, and it is to this rule that he must be returned.

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: Nothing important to be spotted at this point.]

Tobias nodded. "Right. Good luck with that." Tobias looked at Frank, gesturing to the door. "Shall we?"

"You're right, we can't win this," replied Frank, looking gloomy. "Come on."

He turned and walked towards the door, wondering if Toby had anything cleverer in mind that simply walking away and coming back with reinforcements. He doubted that Mr Monday had any intention of letting them leave and he was ready to whip out his gun in a flash if a fight kicked off.

[Private to GM: Frank still fully intends to 'React First' if anyone kicks off hostilities.]

Toby also heavily doubted that he would simply let them walk out. His hand was on his pistol as they left. He intended to walk right back out and destroy the portal. It would buy them time, he hoped.

Not so fast, gentlemen. You may be bored of my monologuing, but don't let my penchant for soliloquy obfuscate my talent at getting things to go my way.

Mr. Monday starts to bark a command at the Little Gods, but suddenly Frank has a flash of intuition, as if he had been in this exact situation before and knows what comes next.

Roll initiative! Frank can make one move or attack action because of his React First talent, then anyone who beats a 19 initiative can go.

Controlling the Little Gods:

As an attack action, you can make a Diplomacy or Intimidate check to take command of a Little God. Either check can receive a bonus of +2 or +5 from convincing dialogue. If taking command of the Commander, the DC is 30. Taking command of any other unit is an opposed check between you and the Commander (each unit gets a bonus to it's check as shown below).

• Machinery (Artillery, Helicopter, Tank, Ambulance, Medic): +0
• Infantry: +1
• Machine Gunner: +2
• Heavy Machine Gunner: +3
• Commander (commanding only): +5

Once you have taken command of a unit, you can command it as an attack action with another opposed Diplomacy or Intimidate check. If you fail this check, the unit is still considered "controlled", and you can try again without having to regain control. Most units can be commanded to attack and/or move, which they will do to the best of their ability. The Commander can be commanded to deploy his units, and he will have all of his units attack or move as you command.

If Mr. Monday controls any unit, before you can control it you must first win an opposed check against Mr. Monday as an attack action before you can attempt to control the unit. For purposes of "control", both of you are considered the same; that is, if one of you gains control, the other can command on his action. Mr. Monday starts about 30 feet away from you (keep in mind that most of the units have very short ranges and slow speeds).

09:29, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 21 using 1d20+9. Good initiative ahoy!

"Hold it!" barked Frank, his voice taking on the same edge of authority it had when he'd first persuaded the Little Gods that they were working for Ram Abballah. "Commander, order your men to attack this pretender to true power!"

Even as he said, it, Frank knew that he hadn't quite summoned enough force into his voice to bend the tiny men to his will. It had been a chance to get ahead, and he was pretty certain he'd blown it.

OOC: Wow, the dice roller really hates me today... give him hell Toby!

Initiative: 6
Roll to control Commander: 21
Current HP: 12

18:23, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 6 using 1d20+3. Initiative Roll.
18:21, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 7 using 2d6. Action Point to increase abysmal roll.
18:12, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 14 using 1d20+13. Intimidate roll vs. Commander.

Frank is not successful. Toby can attempt to command, if he chooses.

Toby, knowing his disposition for words, leaves the talking and the commanding to Frank. He draws his gun and shoots, aiming for Monday's smug little all-knowing head.

22:40, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 11 using 2d6. Action point usage to attack.
22:37, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 13 using 1d20+7. attack.
Total attack of 24.
22:41, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 13 using 4d6+1. damage, because he's EVUL!.

The Commander simply scoff's at Frank's attempt. Come on big guy, haven't we already had this discussion?

Tobias's shot, meanwhile, rings true, striking Mr. Monday in the arm. He growls in pain then shouts out, RISE, bladed fury! Follow me and serve in the house of the Crimson King!

One of the helicopters spins up and lifts lazily into the air.

[Private to GM: 24/37 HP, H1 Controlled]

Tobias takes to cover, aiming and shooting again.

22:08, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 8 using 1d20+7. attk.

Click.

"God-Blessed antique..." He muttered, clearing the misfired round.

Frank had known he'd been too ambitious as soon as he'd seen the look on the Commander's face. This time he kept things simple; pick the largest piece of hardware in the room and ordered it to attack Mr Monday.

Pointing at one of the artillery pieces he shouted.

"You men, upon my signal, unleash hell!"

The quote was another rare moment of humour from the usually all-business Frank. Toby got the impression that despite the wounds they had suffered and the precariousness of their situation, Frank might actually be enjoying this.

"Fire!"

As soon as he had given the order, he followed suit with Toby and moved to the best cover available.

OOC: 08:01, Today: Francis 'Frank' Decourcey rolled 29 using 1d20+13. Intimidate vs Artillery.
Current HP: 12, Defence: 19 (+ whatever cover bonus you deem appropriate)


[Private to GM: Given the issue with range (I'm hoping that's less of a problem for the artillery pieces), would it be an option to pick up one of the Little Gods' units and move it closer 'manually'?]

As Tobias and Frank each crouch behind the wrought-iron benches, the artillery unit comes to life. Invisible hands begin loading a shell and the turret takes aim at Mr. Monday. Meanwhile, Mr. Monday commands the helicopter to attack, and the commander's protests are not enough to overcome the mustachioed man's charisma.

The helicopter buzzes in between the two men, firing its weapons. It strafes Tobias with a spray of machine gun fire, but it clangs harmlessly off the bench with tiny pings. The helicopter fires two unguided rockets at Frank; one is fired late and hits the wall, causing a tiny scorch mark, but the other flies true, burning Frank.

[Private to Francis 'Frank' Decourcey: You take 9 damage. Throwing one of the pieces is a novel solution! I would say treat it like a thrown weapon. It takes a move action to pick one up (with an AoO if the unit is not controlled) then an attack action to throw it, so you might want to coordinate with Toby.]

[Private to Tobias Byrne: Reflex Save (21): You take no damage from the attack.

20:48, Today: Facilitator, on behalf of Tobias Byrne, rolled 21 using 1d20+7. Reflex Save. ]

Tobias, finshed cleaning his gun, cocks an eyebrow at the tiny commander. Setting his gun down, he flings an arm out. What must have appeared as two small ICBMs sprang to life, hurtling down onto the commander.

Magic Missile the commander; see how well he takes orders THEN.
20:51, Today: Tobias Byrne rolled 6 using 2d4+2.

The tiny men watch at first in awe and wonder which slowly turns to dread as the glowing missiles fly towards and then obliterate their commander. The men seem to panic and are, at least for now, at a loss as to what to do.

OOC: Yet again, you guys never cease to surprise me! The good news and bad news here is that you no longer have to win an opposed check against the commander to control a unit; the DC is now 15 + the unit's modifier from the table above. Additionally, it doesn't take as much time to command or control a unit; it is now a move action to control a unit and a free action to command a unit (though each unit can only be given one command per round, and on a failed check you must wait until the next round to try again).

Tobias, since you only used your attack action you can still take a move action if you wish.