The Braves continue to urge their horses away from the mighty dragon. One of them makes for the giant glowing portal that is slowly shrinking. He takes a shot at the puma heading that same way.

{BANG!}

The bullet hits the ground near Thunder Walker's paws, sending a cascade of dirt and stone up to strike him, but not otherwise harming him.

The furthers Ravenite looks around. This was rapidly becoming untenable, and he was not eager to face the guardians of the dead nor the enormous river dragon floating in the sky. He had died once already. It was time to get out of here.

He turned his horse away from the battle, which it was eager to do anyhow. He could blame his cowardice on the horse. The Hooded One would understand that, right? No, better to make it look as if he were just looking for a better shot. He raised his rifle and fired at the red-haired man fighting Rotten Bear Killer.

{BANG!}

---

The Harrowed Gunslinger reigned in his horse. "Stupid thing!" He growled. "Stop moving, you idjit!" Once the mount was under control, he sighted along his Winchester's barrel. "Alright, Steve. Time to put you down for a small dirt nap."

{CRACK!}

The bullet hit Koshari's host right in the chest, sending the deader staggering...

While this was going on, the Brujo glared at the bunny hopping across the battlefield. "Oh no, you don't." He growled, and spurred his mount right at the fleeing Rabbit! Hooves thundered around Rabbit as the horse attempted to stomp her flat, but her speed and agility saved the day again, saving her from harm.

---

Raven faced down the horse-faced guardian.

"Spirits of snake, guide my hands as I strike!" He intoned. Ghostly serpents wound around his arms as he sent another barrage of strikes at Horse Face. But the guardian blocked them all. The Hooded One took a step back and gauged his foe. "Hrmph."

---

Jeremy's sword bit deep into the giant Harrowed's flesh, drawing a line of black blood across his wolf-furred chest.

"Good! Good!" The giant grinned. He didn't seem to feel the wound at all. "Now die!"

And then he launched another series of hideously fast blows, all aimed at battering Jeremy's brains out. Again and again he struck, until the vclub caught his jaw, and he saw stars...

And then, while he was recovering from the blow, he heard a distant {BANG!} and felt hot lead tear into his shoulder...

((OOC: So there are 3 Ravenite braves left. One is Shaken, two are not.

12:46, Today: Ravenite Braves rolled 3 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Unshake.

The Ravenite near Ox Head does not unshake.

The Ravenite nearest to the Yuan tries to get away from the big friggin dragon, and moves closer to the portal. he actually gets pretty close to it, and can take a shot at Thundercat. He has a -2 Unsteady Platform penalty.

12:48, Today: Ravenite Braves rolled 4 using 1d10-2, rerolling max with rolls of 6.  Shooting (Unsteady Platform). Hit.

Damage: 5. Thundercat is stung, but not seriously hurt.

The remaining Ravenite, located at the lower portion of the map, decides to start trying to get while the getting's good and starts moving away from the fight. He takes a potshot at Jeremy so he can claim later he was just "looking for a better position." He has a -2 Unsteady Platform penalty.

12:51, Today: Ravenite Braves rolled 6 using 1d10-2, rerolling max with rolls of 8.  Shooting (Unsteady Platform). Hit.

Damage: 15 (AP 2). With Jeremy's Armor up, that's 1 Wound.

The Harrowed Gunfighter continues shooting at his possessed teammate.

12:54, Today: Thunder Guard rolled 18,10 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (10+8)18,(6+4)10.  Shooting. Hit and Raise

Damage: 12, which will be 1 Wound unless the Harrowed soaks (he has 1 fate chip).

The Brujo is thoroughly annoyed with Rabbit and tries to run her down with his horse. He has to rely on the Horse's attack roll.

12:59, Today: Thunder Guard rolled -3 using 1d8-4, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Fighting (Small Target). Miss.

The Hooded One is fighting Ox Head. He opts to take multiple actions -- he casts Boost Fighting on himself and then makes a Frenzy Attack on Horse Face. He suffers a -2 MAP.

13:09, Today: Raven rolled 8,0 using d12-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 10,2.  Tribal Medicine. Success and Raise, for +2 steps to his fighting. This gives him Fighting d12+2, which means he cancels out the MAP this round.

13:12, Today: Raven rolled 2,5,3 using d12,d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5,3.  Fighting (Improved Frenzy). No hits.

Raven's card: 10C

Moving on to RBK's turn.

RBK has 1 round left on Quickness before he has to maintain it. I also need to resolve a Soak roll for RBK. He spends a Fate Chip to attempt to soak.

13:23, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 7,7 using d12+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Soak.

RBk returns the favor with a series of attacks. First, a Frenzied Wild Attack:

13:24, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 3,4 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Fighting (Wild Attack, Improved Frenzy).

13:24, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 10 using 1d10+2, rerolling max with rolls of 8.  Whoops, missed a roll.

1 Hit, no raise.

Damage: 17 (AP 2), which is Shaken and 1 Wound for Jeremy is he doesn't soak.

His next action is a regular Frenzy attack.

13:28, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 1,2,3 using d10,d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2,3.  Fighting (Improved Frenzy). wut? Anyhoo, No hits.

Rotten Bear Killer's card: 7D))

---

TL;DR
Jeremy was hit by two attacks, and needs to soak 1 Wound from each.
Thundercat was hit, but the damage was negligible.
The Possessed Harrowed Gunslinger was hit and must soak 1 Wound.
Rabbit was attacked, but the attack missed.
Horse Face was attacked, but the attacks missed.
Rotten Bear Killer soaked his wound.
There is a Ravenite getting close to the portal.

---

Horse Face and Ox Head are up!

Horse face tried to focus on the man flailing blows around his middle, giving an irritated snort and making a grab at the nuisance.

[[Horse Face decides to grapple for damage, since swatting the guy is hard.

22:17, Today: Horse Face rolled 6,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,4.  Grab puny god!

init. 9H]]

The massive ogre clenched shut his fist and called the Ravenite's soul to him, binding it to service at the gates of hell. Then he turned his sights on the bigger prizes. He strode forward and took his weapon in both hands in preparation to fight.

(OOC: Ox Head finishes the job with overkill (12 to hit, 16 damage). Bind him to service. Then move up towards Raven and RBK to provide Gang Up bonuses to both Jeremy and Horse Face. Initiative 6D
17:21, Today: Ox Head rolled 16 using d12+d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 10,4.  Barehanded Damage (+2 Wild, +2 Undead, +2 Strength) with raise.
17:19, Today: Ox Head rolled 8,12 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(6+4)10.  Wild Attack Barehanded.
17:24, Today: Ox Head drew the single card: 6D using the Deadlands system.  Init.)

Koshari laughed with his host's mouth as the body he was riding failed.

"Smooth move, genius."

---

Meanwhile, Jeremy let loose a ragged, hissing groan as he was assaulted by his foes. He hit his knees and spat blood. There was a brief moment of shuddering pain. He heard the crunch of Ox Head's hooves on the dirt beside him.

"..ds...th..r...th me", he mumbled through a broken jaw. He took a deep breath and repeated him, and stood again, white light bleeding out of his wounds. The gunman's bullet eased its way out of his flesh.

"The Gods and Saints of Death are with me," he whispered his prayer to the Saint of Death.

He exploded forward in a flash of steel and power. His blows found no purchase on the Bear Killer's flesh, but his continued his assault undaunted.


((OOC: Koshari opts to let his host be incapacitated, under my assumption that the mudhead will be kicked out into the Hunting grounds relatively unharmed.
Likewise, Jeremy will elect to take both wounds, putting him at Two Wounds. Then on his turn he casts Healing as a free action and maintains Quickness. First Action: Cast Healing (raise),Wild Attack, failed. Second Action, Attack, fail.
Smite 1 Round, Armor 1 Round, Quickness Maintaining 2pp left.))
This message was last edited by the player at 00:45, Tue 11 Apr 2017.

OOC:

Noticed Yuan wasn't on the list because I never drew for him. Here:

07:17, Today: Yuanjiang drew the single card: 4C using the Deadlands system.

In reply to Horse Face (msg # 176):

The guardian gets a handful of The Hooded One's cloak, but the man inside pulls away, leaving him free but exposing his face.

The man beneath the robe is stern-looking, his face and body scarred from many fights. He doesn't look particularly old -- he seems about the same age as Crazy Horse. But there's a cruel squint to his eyes, and the lines of his face reflect frowns, not smiles. This is a man to whom joy and laughter are strangers.

((OOC: I was waiting for Rabbit's post when I saw this and realized it needed a resolution.

11:39, Today: Raven rolled 6,5 using d12+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Opposed Grapple.

Thanks to his boost, the puny god remained ungrabbed.))

He gets attacked by a rabbit from behind.


[[20:52, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 5,3 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  bunny attack! Hmm...although she's been doing 6-odd squares at full tilt I don't think Rabbits get Charge(?) and I don't know if Gang Up counts in the round where an ally has just moved up (??), so...
20:55, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  impulse red. -> 10

Hit! If Rabbit doesn't get First Struck, that is.

20:57, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 13 using 2d4+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(4+4+2)10.  Damage?

init 2D]]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:10, Tue 11 Apr 2017.

The warrior turns swiftly at the sudden attack...and Rabbit can see his eyes go wide as she clears his swing and slashes him across his face...

((OOC: Gang-up counts the number of allies around when you make your attack, and doesn't care about when they got there.

Charging is actually a Special Ability, not a normal combat move. The closest analog would be a Wild Attack (+2 Fighting, +2 to damage rolls, -2 Parry), which doesn't require any momentum.

BTW, laughing out loud at this mental image. And another funny look for her collection!

First, I'm going to make a Notice check to see if The No-Longer-Hooded One actually spots Rabbit before the attack. He's a bit busy, after all.

13:27, Today: Raven rolled 8,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 8,3.  Notice.

Next, he makes his First Strike, which is at a total of (+2 from boost, -4 from Rabbit's size and Special Ability) -2.

13:28, Today: Raven rolled 1,1 using d12-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Fighting (First Strike). LOL nope.

13 damage will make him Shaken, unless you want to make this a Wild Attack (which would mean you got a Raise and would get an extra d6+2 damage, which means at least 1 wound, maybe more).

Also, I check to see if he suffers bleeding from the lazor.

13:31, Today: Raven rolled 7,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4.  Vigor.

No fatigue.))

Impressed herself at managing to get the momentum to glance off her opponent's swinging wrist and elbow to reach his face, Rabbit just about rights herself before hitting the ground upslope.

*hmh*

[[Clearly, Rabbit is this guy's nemesis. Charging applies for cavalry fighting in general, too, but Rabbit is not a horse or on a horse, she is a bunny. [nod]

[considers] I suppose it's no worse than being big for a moment...all right, here's hoping I don't regret this...

21:40, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 3 using 1d6, +2 = 5 more damage.]]

Gazes at Stars continued his mad dash for the portal, pausing a moment beside the running cougar.

"Hurry! Rabbit! The portal!"

Elsewhere, Koshari dove into the gunslinger that just shot his own comrade.

((OOC: Gazes runs for 8 towards the portal, and maintains Armor another round. 12/20pp; Koshari will fly over and try to possess another gunslinger with a 10
14:29, Today: Gazes At Stars rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max ((2)) Running.
14:35, Today: Gazes At Stars rolled 4,10 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+4)10.  Koshari Spirit Roll!))
This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Tue 11 Apr 2017.

Rabbit's blow cut the Hooded One across the bridge of his nose, causing blood to flow freely... but he seemed to have moved enough to keep from being more seriously injured.

"RRggggggggggggggaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhh!" He howls.

---

The Katchina enters the body...to find the mantiou laying in wait! It grabs the spirit and holds it fast with its talons.

"Oh, no you don't." The manitou says. "This host is mine. And you are going to serve me now...unless you want me to gobble you up!"

((OOC: So that's an 18 damage total...and I forgot that the lazor has AP 2, so that's even better. That turns into 2 Wounds, which he spends a chip to attempt to soak.

20:03, Today: Raven rolled 18,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (10+8)18,4.  Soak.

Aww. Well, at least it forces him to burn a chip, and he's certainly going to remember that.

Meanwhile, I check the other Gunslinger.

20:04, Today: Thunder Guard rolled 5,22 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+6+6+4)22.  Spirit.

Man, the Die Roller is hating on you guys tonight. The Harrowed succeeds, and gets a Raise, meaning he now gets all of Koshari's special abilities for 1d6 hours!))

---

Yuanjiang is up!

Spying its little friend that summoned it here across the field of battle drawing blood, the great dragon roared, zipping up into the air and dashed in his friends direction, stomping down upon the Hooded One with which the Rabbit was in combat.

---

OOC:

Yuanjiang is going to make a Wild Attack against the Hooded One, for +2 to his Attack and Damage (with a possible +1 to the Attack from Ganging up, if that matters).

Fighting: 13

That appears to be a hit with a raise. Here's Damage:

00:03, Today: Yuanjiang rolled 13 using 1d12+2, rerolling max with rolls of 11.
00:06, Today: Yuanjiang rolled 23 using d12+1+d8+11+d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3,1.  Stomp (STR+d8+11) + Raise.

Damage: 25 (above roll +2 from Wild Attack)

Yuan is at Parry 6 until the next round

This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Tue 18 Apr 2017.

The Hooded One's eyes go wide as the Yuan flows through the sky and aims a strike at him. He throws himself to the side, barely escaping being crushed to paste. The mighty drgaon's talon still carves a bloody furrow down his back, and he cries out in pain. "RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

In the sky above, the mighty thunder spirit continues to swirl around Swiftest Eagle, and seems to still be pulling itself together.

((OOC: You seem to be rolling only one die for Yuanjiang, who is a Wild Card and thus gets a Wild Die. It doesn't make a difference here, but keep that in mind. Also, need your card, please.

That will be 3 wounds, which Raven will spend his last personal chip to soak.

09:37, Today: Raven rolled 8,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 8,3.  Soak.

That soaks 2 Wounds, leaving him with 1 wound and Shaken. Raven's also out of his personal chips and needs to rely on GM chips.

I roll to see if the Wakinyan unshakes.

09:41, Today: Wakinyan rolled 3 using 1d12, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Unshake.

Nope? Alrighty, then. Wanbli Luja continues to Hold his action to keep the Wakinyan covered.

Wakinyan Card: QD))

---

Last action of the round goes to Thundercat!

The hulking mountain lion waited where he was, ready to take all comers or to spring into the portal at the last minute.

---

OOC:

Assuming there's still time for him to go through the portal on his next action:

Yuan's Initiative: KH
TW's Initiative: 5D

TW's Parry until next action: 11

18:30, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 11,3 using d10+2,d6+2.  Fighting - Full Defense.
18:30, Today: Thunder Walker drew the single card: 5D using the Deadlands system.  Actually for TW, other was meant for Yuan.
18:27, Today: Thunder Walker drew the single card: KH using the Deadlands system.

---

Turn Order
Jeremy Thatcher: BJ!
Yuanjiang: KH
Wakinyan: QC
Raven's Posse: 10C
Horse Face: 9H
Rotten Bear Killer: 7D
Ox Head: 6D
Thundercat: 5D
Screaming Rabbit: 2D
Gazes At Stars: Made it through the portal
Portal: Last Round!
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:21, Wed 19 Apr 2017.

23:37, Today: Jeremy Thatcher drew the single card: BJ! using the Deadlands system.

---

Jeremy's nimbus was fading, but his speed never faltered. With a furious cry, his sword found the giant's flesh. He locked eyes with the monster and withdrew his sword behind his shield.

The light around Jeremy faded, his body slowed, and his breathing grew more ragged. He was spent, and could only hope the Rotten Bear Killer was in fact mortal.

---

((OOC: Maintain Quickness. Jeremy is Out of Power Points. Then Wild Attack, getting a 17, for a raise. Damage, 32. Thats... Shaken and 5 Wounds for RBK, by my math. Second attack hits with a 10, but the damage is a paltry 8 for no effect. 0pp Left, Quickness Maintained.

_{07:43, Today: Jeremy Thatcher rolled 8 using 2d8+4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  Damage Sword +2Super +2Joker.
07:41, Today: Jeremy Thatcher rolled 10,7 using d10+5,d6+5, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Sword Attack (+2Trade, +2Joker, +1Gangup).
07:39, Today: Jeremy Thatcher rolled 32 using 2d8+1d10+4, rerolling max with rolls of (8+6)14,6,8.  Sword Damage w/Raise .
07:36, Today: Jeremy Thatcher rolled 6,15 using d10+5,d6+5, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+4)10.  Wild Attack Sword w/Gang-Up.))}
This message was last edited by the player at 14:49, Wed 19 Apr 2017.

Jeremy withdrew his sword from the giant smelly warriors chest. Rotten Bear Killer takes a faltering step back, grins at the Templar...

...and then topples over. Black blood oozes from his wounds.

((OOC: RBK spends a GM chip to attempt a soak of that damage.

08:50, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 7,5 using d12+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  Soak.

Soaks 1 Wound, which means he still takes enough to Incapacitate him. I make a check on where the wound is (his Guts), and then roll for him.

08:54, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 7,4 using d12-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 8,5.  Incapacitation.

He's down, but not dead. Well, he is dead, but in the Only-Mostly-Dead sort of way. You know what I mean.))

Glowering down at Raven, the great water dragon moved one of his paws towards the ground,  but instead of striking out at the man who defiled these grounds with fury, it took a gentle turn to try and scoop up his favorite shaman.

"Come, oh favorite of my children,", he said gently, though it sounded about as gentle as a waterfall pounding down from the heights.

"You fight with much bravery. Your life is honor. Yet, it is time for you to leave this place.".

Gripping the small creature firmly, he rose up into the air with an aim to fly towards the tear between worlds as quickly as he could.

---

OOC:

There go the dragon's chips! For a good cause, though.

He's going to fly as close to the portal as he can make it during his turn, moving at run speed if possible.

Run: 3

14:27, Today: Yuanjiang rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Run.


09:42, Today: Yuanjiang rolled 9,1,3 using d10-4,d6-4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (10+3)13,5,3.  White.
09:42, Today: Yuanjiang rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Red.
15:57, Yesterday: Yuanjiang rolled 0,0 using d10-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4.  White Chip Reroll.
15:56, Yesterday: Yuanjiang rolled -3,0 using d10-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Agility.

10:05, Today: Yuanjiang drew the single card: 9C using the Deadlands system.

This message was last edited by the player at 19:27, Thu 20 Apr 2017.

"! !!!" Rabbit was somewhat startled by being delicately picked up by the scruff between the Yuan's talon-tips, feet dangling, but rolled easily into his palm when the dragon turned his claw to hold her there.

[[can I give the Yuan one of mine/enough bonus for that last one back? Rabbit would be co-operative once she realised what he was about, after all.]]

((OOC: You can if you want, but there really isn't much that any of the people here can do to Yuanjiang anyway, considering no one has any Heavy Weapons so any damage he takes is going to be mildly annoying, at best.

Jeremy, are you moving at all once RBK is downed? Or do you intend to fight until the portal closes?

The Yuanjiang's movement puts Rabbit within her Pace of the Portal, by the by.

Question: do you folks want to continue playing out this combat once your PCs are through the portal?))

((OOC: I thought I might provoke a parting shot from Raven, and I think Jeremy would want to make sure he's dead. Jeremy might keep fighting after our chracters are out, and I don't have a problem playing him as long as we want, but I wouldn't want to hold things up. Quick Q: Is there a way to destroy a spirit you've defeated without consuming it?))

((OOC: Alrighty. Keep in mind that once the portal goes, Jeremy's pretty much stuck here. On spirits: You can either consume the spirit, or bind it to servitude. That's pretty much your options. If it were easy to kill spirits, the Old Ones wouldn't have had to bind them to a pledge to stay out of the mortal world in the first place. Jeremy would be aware that Harrowed have two spirits -- the manitou and the host -- and that it's impossible to separate them without specialized magic.))

Rabbit presses her forehead to the scales surrounding her, hoping the Yuan can feel her the depth of her sheer love and gratitude to the river if not her touch.

[[Can she count as 'riding' him on her turn, then? 'cause, y'know... [points at distance to ground where Rabbit's Pace is relevant]

Dramatically, I think it's appropriate that we don't know the outcome of this battle, but out of sheer nosiness it'd be interesting. Even if I don't really do poor Horse Face justice, I think.]]

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 197):

((OOC: I don't see why not. Alrighty. Thunder Walker, what are your thoughts on the battle after the PCs have left?))

OOC:

An interesting situation. It's important for the PCs to keep going away from the scene, important to shift focus back towards the PCs, but also important to play the scene out however it would happen.

Unlike Jeremy, Yuanjiang and the Guardians of the Underworld^TM (that's going to be the name of my Metallica cover band) have no need of leaving this place through the portal, and they don't like these people (Raven & Co.) who are involved with manipulating the souls of the dead.

After seeing to Rabbit's wellbeing, Yuan would probably keep his posse around long enough to send Raven and company into flight, though he wouldn't need to give chase - just to get rid of them from here and then go back to his business. They would also probably help Jeremy if he was behind, since they saw him fighting on the same side as his favorite shaman.

After Raven & Co. are gone, though, I think he's back in your hands.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:57, Thu 20 Apr 2017.