With the two prisoners locked away in separate rooms, away from vital systems and away from each other, even the gigantic behemoth is beginning to feel cramped. Glory remains quiet during the journey, not saying anything to further antagonize her captors. She only speaks to answer questions posed directly towards her.

The bandit girl, however, has grown restless. She begins kicking the door of her room every twenty minutes or so and shouting. She says that she knows you are taking her to Cuidad Quarez where she will be sold as a slave. Between these outbursts, she curls herself into a corner and cries.

Much to Polkatain's relief, Samuel is able to pilot the robot according to Glory's directions without incident and without getting lost. About one hour or more prior to dawn, the group rides through the ruins of some small settlement reduced to small piles of rubble and weeds centuries ago. On the far side of the ruins, an overgrown graveyard sets. It's boundaries are marked by an antique and ill-kept low stone wall. The horses (including the robotic horses) refuse to ride into the cemetery. The glittermount, however, is fine and will trot right inside if allowed. The only trees visible inside are small opoponax trees with bare limbs and thorns, none of them taller than the shorter person in the party. None of them appear particularly dominate.

Ethan, hearing the cries of the bandit girl, will respond as a doctor. He is not a trained psychologist but he dislikes seeing people suffer. The brown haired medic will go to her in her cramped quarters and offer comfort as well as assurances that she will not be sold as slave, in Quarez or any other city. If she has managed to injure herself while thrashing about, he will heal her wounds. Once he has done as much as he can for her, he will go about his business.


When the Behemoth arrives at the ruins of the city, he joins his companions outside the massive robot. He looks around, keeping his energy rifle slung over his shoulder. He had considered clipping it to his armor using the one point harness but decided against it since that would either have the rifle banging against him if he needed both hands for something or else keep one of his hands occupied holding the rifle to prevent just that.

The use of magic to create what amounted to a hanging flare no longer bothers him. "I just need to think of it as a...science I'm just not familiar with," he thought as he surveyed the ruins. "That and it helps if I just pretend its a parachute flare...that never comes down...heh."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:15, Thu 17 Nov 2016.

Polkitain, "Spooky."
He floats down from where he was fluttering his wings till he lands.
For the moment he moved among the rubble trying to figure out what city this was.

At the gate Kalista reached out with her psychic senses, searching out magic and supernatural evil. The fact that the horses refuse to enter speaks volumes. "Globe of Daylight." She whispered to her glittermount and it nodded and produced a large orb of pure sunlight positioned above Kalista's head. "Good," she patted her mount, "thank you."

Seeing the bright flare of light Polkitain turned.
He scampered over to Kalista, "Sorry, I got distracted. Do we know where this is ? This city ?"

Doc eyed the graveyard carefully, "Nyx, I get possessed or somethin'... you better not let me kill everyone."

Counceling the bandit girl seems to help her a lot. She drifts off to sleep shortly before the robot arrives at the graveyard.

None of the PCs have visited this particular location in any century. Ethan is somewhat lost in fact and unsure if the spot where he is standing geographically is Texas, Oklahoma, or New Mexico. Both prisoners will remain locked in separate rooms in the robot until

Psychic characters feel a distinct chill in the air. The source cannot be pin-pointed, but is definitely in the general area of the graveyard. They feel this effect even if using Mind Block.

Characters who are actively using See the Invisible need to make a Save vs Horror Factor.

Characters who are neither psychic nor seeing the invisible are instead entitled to make a normal Percpetion Check. A score of 10+ results in noticing some new clues about what is happening in this place.

Doc watches the graveyard carefully.


22:45, Today: Doc rolled 12 using 1d20.  perception.

Polkitain naturally seeing the invisisble.

05:51, Today: Polkitain rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  Save vs Horror.

 "I don't know about you all, but I don't like this place. The walls between dimensions seems overly thin here." Arulas says rather spookily. The hairs on the back of his neck are standing up and he is tense.

Activating Sixth Sense.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:32, Sat 19 Nov 2016.

Kalista noted the general feeling of unease.

Feeling the chill, but not having his sixth sense trigger, Nyx shivers and tries to centre himself. His hands twitch close to his pistols, though he draws neither

OOC: Spending some time putting Intuitive Combat and Mind Block in place

Does anyone let Glory out of her room, or is she remaining locked away for now?

Polkatain scans the darkness with his magic eyes, and he succeeds the resulting Save vs Horror Factor by the skin of his fangs. Private message sent.

Nyx readies himself mentally for any action which comes his way.

Arulas studies the scene as well. He's correct about the weakness of the dimensional walls here, but there are no spatial anomalies active at the moment. A creature could move between this world and the near portion of the astral plane with particular ease. (Good idea though, I probably would have used that if I had thought of it first.)

Kalista stands defiant. Is she prepping any of her other psychic powers like Nightvision, See the Invisible, or Intuitive Combat?

Doc's mundane perception reveals something different. The ground within the graveyard is more uneven than the group immediately outside. Many of the gravestones are toppled over or planted crooked. The earth is bumpy as if something underground had burrowed about after the graves were established. A few of the graves are even open from when they collapsed inwardly.

Samuel and Ethan stand nearby as well, ready for anything.

The PCs have discovered a the lair of a rare entity called a Soul Tree. The Rifter Magazine, Issue #28 if you would like to look it up.

"That is a big tree, that must be the one Glory spoke of."

Then almost an after thought, "It is invisible."

Hearing that there was an invisible creature she started er own see the invisible power.

Doc's hands sit stone cold still next to his hip holstered pistols, "Eyes on the ground too... uneven, holes... this ain't gonna be easy I'm bettin'."

"Hmm...It is a Pan-Dimensional. Invisible you say Polk. And the ground is uneven Doc. The tree probably sits at the center of the broken ground. Anyone know if it is evil for sure? I think that is a safe bet, but want to be sure." He ignites his Psi-Sword.

"It is a pretty large tree covering the whole cemetery. At least its bough."

Ethan had left all of the current…guests of the team safely back aboard the Behemoth. “No need to introduce another potentially hostile variable into this situation” he thought looking around the graveyard.

His companions began to talk about invisible things and uneven ground. He couldn’t do anything about something that was invisible so he focused on what he could see, namely the grave stones. He looks for any dates marked on the stones.


OOC 11:19, Today: Ethan rolled 20 using 1d20.  Perception check!

Is the Soul Tree invisible? I'm confused by Polk's post.

His hands twitching less now he is centred, Nyx continued to scans the graveyard - mapping out the potential shape of the invisible tree from it's effects. He imagined that the collapsed graves might be the work of roots, but he also scanned the heavens for signs of these mighty boughs. Suffice to say he was nervous, though his medatative state helped

PM sent to Kalista.

Everyone
The headstones are badly deteriorated, but they are carved and arranged in the old style. Some dates are visible, but they make no sense to anyone using a contemporary calendar. If the dates are numbered using the Golden Age calendar, these graves date back to the early Dark Age years soon after society collapsed in the Great Cataclysm. Ethan would recognize these dates as being only ten or twenty years after the last date he saw before falling into a rift.

Samuel, Ethan, Arulas, Doc, and Nix
To the naked eyes (those eyes not augmented with psychic or magic perception to see invisible things), there is no indication of the tree that Polkatain mentioned.

Arulas, Doc, & Nyx
The elves are purposefully studying the ground, so they will be the first to notice movement there. Dirt shifts around one grave in a corner, and a skeletal hand reaches out of it. Any action taken against this critter as it crawls out of the grave would require a successful Save vs Horror Factor.

Kalista, Polkatain, Ethan, and Samuel
From the middle of the graveyard, three translucent and shimmering figures take shape out of the darkness of the night. They look like hooded figures with clawed hands.

Everyone with 6th Sense
You now have a bad feeling about this.

OOC: My only reaction to this is. Ya Think! as comically as possible and I mean just that.

"Skeletons are rising or zombies or unholy undead demon spawn. This just went from bad to holy crap what are we doing oh yeah saving the world. Just glad they aren't vampires." Arulas jokes as he panics just a little luckily training kicks in as he attempts to squash it down.

thanks for reminding me

HORROR FACTORS
Soul Tree: 12
Protecting Wraiths: 16
animated dead: huh, none I guess

07:40, Today: Kalista rolled 14 using 1d20+5.  sv v HF.

It isn't the Tree that gets her, its the wraiths. They bring back memories of her childhood and cause her to freeze momentarily.

Going with loose initiative and (I forget the number) of attacks.

06:05, Today: Polkitain rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Save vs Horror.

Polkitain doesn't see Kalista move and he himself takes courage from that. He puffs up trying to look larger.

"I don't think my poison will work on them."

Doc pauses motionless for a moment.

09:14, Today: Doc rolled 5 using 1d20+1.  save vs HF.(dammit)

Samuel is, of course, in his armor and he has his magic sword in his armored left hand and the energy rifle in his right hand. The world suddenly becomes brighter and he gets a good look around. He stands his ground as his mind works through the ridiculousness of the scene.

Atop his horse the colour fades from Nyx's already pale skin; his calm is shattered by the wispy forms of the wraiths gathering and his fingers begin to twitch once more

21:25, Today: Nyx rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  Save vs Horror.

"What do we do ?" Polkitain says.

So far, it seems that Polkatain is the only PC to fail no Save vs. Horror Factor roll. None of the monsters are close enough to cause much trouble yet. He gets to act instantly to the situation whereas everyone else pauses for two or three seconds.

The three wraiths solidify somewhat as they float towards the PCs. They still appear whispy, just less so than a breath earlier.


The figure in the corner is still crawling out of its grave.

Pausing for a few seconds, "....well doesn't this fracking day just get better and better. OK Cyber Princess, you wanted it....now we got it."

He indicates with his sword where the tree is.

Ethan watches as the floating phantoms begin to take shape and slowly drift towards him and his companions. "Odd," he thinks to himself, "Any rational person should be having some kind of fear response to seeing skeletons dig their way out of the ground, not to mention a group of what look like Ring Wraiths straight out of The Trilogy. Yet here I stand, calmly analyzing it in a detached way. Does that mean I've finally gone insane or just gotten used to this place?"

Not knowing what to do against whatever it is they are faced with, Ethan activates his personal force field. "I sure hope one of you know how to fight those things," he says, unslinging his rifle and gesturing at the oncoming skeletons and wraiths with it.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:28, Fri 25 Nov 2016.

Polkitain puffs up more flapping his wings and lets out a roar.

"We are not afraid of you tree !" Polkitain tried to focus the horrors on him and maybe even help his friends overcome any fears they might have.

Freed by Polktain's roar, Nyx snarled himself and - one after another - reloaded his precious Remingtons with the speed loaders marked as silver. Done, he raised them both at the crawling horror and loosed a shot from each

20:25, Today: Nyx rolled 23,14 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Paired Attack - Crawling Dead.
20:25, Today: Nyx rolled 13,9 using 3d6,3d6.  Damage .

Nyx
As soon as the root-zombie gets to its feet, it's met by the thunder of gunfire from Nyx' revolvers. The bullets hit the thing clear in its throat. Bone shatters and flesh tears, and the cadaver's head rolls off. The thing collapses to the ground, moving no more.

Ethan
A flash of bright light fills his vision. Ethan looks down to find himself unharmed and his personal force field still intact. The medic has been struck by an Energy Bolt, a weak spell which was incapable of penetrating his MDC protection.

Everyone
Meanwhile, the three Guardian Wraiths fly fearlessly towards the party. Their claws are stretched out to inhuman lengths. One wraith shouts, "Unwelcome!" in accented American.

Initiatives Please
These wraiths have no bonuses to initiative, so everyone here stands a good chance of landing a first strike before they scratch at you.

"Be careful those ghostlike things are entities, puppets of the tree. They can turn insubstantial. They turn physical to physically attack, you should wait for that. When insubstantial they can use psychic or magic powers."

"The tree is physical just invisible. Anyone have flame ?"

Polkitain will try to protect his friends parrying physical attacks and letting them strike with their Psi Swords and other weapons.

Pausing to grin at the corpses tumbling head, Nyx let the wraiths close too fast and his reaction became one of pure reflex - blasting shot after shot of silver rounds at the insubstantial forms, though he tried to pay attention to Polk's admonition about them becoming substantial to strike

10:36, Today: Nyx rolled 12 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.

10:37, Today: Nyx rolled 13,11 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Paired Attack - Closest Guardian Wraith.
10:38, Today: Nyx rolled 11,13 using 3d6,3d6.  Damage.

10:37, Today: Nyx rolled 24,23 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Paired Attack - Closest Guardian Wraith. => UM20, Critical
10:38, Today: Nyx rolled 8,11 using 3d6,3d6.  Damage. => 8x2

(Not taken the failed Horror Factor into account, so the attacks below may not count?)

10:37, Today: Nyx rolled 12,16 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Paired Attack - Closest Guardian Wraith.
10:38, Today: Nyx rolled 10,14 using 3d6,3d6.  Damage.

10:38, Today: Nyx rolled 20,16 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Paired Attack - Closest Guardian Wraith.
10:38, Today: Nyx rolled 10,14 using 3d6,3d6.  Damage.

This message was last edited by the player at 12:30, Mon 28 Nov 2016.

Doc, regaining his senses, draws his silver plated(and loaded) revolvers and opens fire at the closest wraith thing.


10:35, Today: Doc rolled 18 using 5d6.  dmg gun 2.
10:35, Today: Doc rolled 13 using 5d6.  dmg gun 1.
10:34, Today: Doc rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  shoot(both guns)revolvers, silver.

“Well that wasn’t terribly nice of them,” Ethan thought in the aftermath of the sudden burst of electricity that had struck against his personal shield. He had no idea where the bolt had come from but since he couldn’t see the invisible tree, that pretty much narrowed down his possible targets. He took a knee and brought up his laser rifle. He lined up his sights on the wraith closest to him. The field medic took a breath but didn’t squeeze the trigger. Instead he waited, as Polk had said, for some sign the things had become tangible.

Here are the initiative ranks that I have collected thus far...
16 wraith A
13 wraith B
12 Nyx
11  wraith C
6 soul tree

The first guardian wraith reaches Kalista and strikes at her armor with powerful claw swipe. It does not become fully opaque when it attacks.
18 to strike is the final total. Kalista may still attempt to dodge of course, but even if she takes the hit, she only loses 7 points of MDC from her body armor.

The second wraith to reach a target barrels directly into Arulas, claws first. It seems to grow even taller as it draws near to a target. 23 to strike is the final total. Damage is 6 MDC to his body armor if he decides to take it. I was going to make this a tackle/body block sort of attack, but that was getting too complicated, so it's just a boring old claw strike.

Nyx points his guns at the third wraith, but he is slow to react to the horror that he is facing down. We can apply those very good rolls you already made when his initiative comes back up again.

The third wraith draws close to Polkatain. What shape is Polk taking right now, anyway? That is going to determine the monster's action here.

After this, I'll give everyone else the benefit of the doubt and assume that their initiative rolls are better than that of the tree.

Doc draws a bead on the third wraith and opens fire with his paired revolvers. Two large silver slugs tear through the wraith's quasi-solid body. The wraiths visibly slows large portions of its body are torn away.

Ethan found a target in the sights of his laser rifle. The wraith attacking Arulas was the closest. It remains slightly transparent and floating, but it was apparently solid enough to rake the cyberknight with claws.

Samuel, Polkatain, and Arulas, do you have any actions to declare before the soul tree takes its action?
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:48, Thu 01 Dec 2016.

07:34, Today: Kalista rolled 28 using 1d20+11.  initiative.

It was not until she was actually struck that Kalista's fog was lifted. She had fought such monsters before, these would fall before her as well. She let her rifle fall into an under slung position, held to her by it's MD Leather strap, and produced her shield and sword or psionic energy. They snapped up and glowed a bright blue. She did not bother with her typical issue of challenge, she simply struck, with all her might.

The weapon actually appeared in her hand as she made the attack, almost simultaneously, which is one of her best tricks. Most psi-swords take a full minute to create, but hers can be called into being in a fraction of a moment, which catches almost every opponent off guard.

07:40, Today: Kalista rolled 26 using 6d6.  sword damage.
07:40, Today: Kalista rolled 6 using 1d6.  x10 str damage.
total damage would be 86
07:40, Today: Kalista rolled 11 using 1d20+9.  Sword strike.

Perhaps she is driven by anger, or more likely a sense of urgency, but either way her visage is grim as she strikes the semi-corporal creature with an equally semi-corporal weapon. "Back to your grave, monster!"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:44, Wed 30 Nov 2016.

OOC I have +9 when drawing and using my pistols... and I forgot to roll... so I beat the tree anyway :)


Doc fires again at the wraith, "Undead, psychics, magic... why can't everyone just be a man and use a gun... damn."

07:54, Today: Doc rolled 16 using 5d6.  gun 2.
07:54, Today: Doc rolled 13 using 5d6.  gun 1.
07:54, Today: Doc rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  shooting again at my wraith.

Polkitain is in his natural shape dragon.
He is going to claw and parry this round trying to defend his friends from getting hit.


07:24, Today: Polkitain rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  Initiative check.
07:26, Today: Polkitain rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Strike.
07:27, Today: Polkitain rolled 4 using 3d6.  Claw Damage.
07:27, Today: Polkitain rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Parry.

  Arulas slams the Psi-Sword into the Wraith as it nears. Not once or twice but over and over again. Pieces of the Wraiths fall off and fall to the ground in a shower of ectoplasm and wispy gore.

I got a 25, 7, 21, and a 16 on my four attacks. Off to roll damage. 2 Actions held in reserve.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Wed 30 Nov 2016.

Seeing the thing strike at and physical connect with Kalista, Ethan takes the shot he had been waiting for. He squeezes the trigger and a thin red beam stabs out at the wraith.

19:19, Today: Ethan rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  Aimed Shot on Wraith attacking Kalista.
19:21, Today: Ethan rolled 19 using 4d6.  Damage for laser rifle, assuming it hits.

Concluding 1st Round of Combat

Arulas and Ethan both spring into action at the same time. Ethan's strikes the wraith near Kalista with a carefully-placed laser beam. Sir Arulas scores an solid and stylish hit using his psi-sword against the wraith in his face.

The final wraith charged Polkatain, seeking out the largest target available. It grabbed for the dragon's neck, but its claws were knocked away by Polkatain's own talons.

Just as it looks as if the group might be gaining an upper hand over the tree's guardians, the soul tree itself intervened. A whispered incantation is heard like wind rustling in branches. Doc, Nyx, Ethan, and Samuel (those without a wraith in their faces) all feel their feet suddenly stuck to the earth. They have been targeted by a Carpet of Adhesion Spell. A Save vs Magic standard saving throw will allow that specific character to pull free within 2D6 melee rounds. A failed saving throw means remaining stuck and immobile for 70 melee rounds.

Round 2
Everyone who was recently suffering from a case of failed Horror Factor saves is free to take actions now. This is what my initiative chart looks like now...
28 Kalista
16 wraith A
13 wraith B
12 Nyx
11  wraith C
? Doc
? Arulas
? Ethan
6 soul tree
5 Polkatain

Kalista strikes back at her attacker with psi-sword that appears out of literally nowhere. There was no attempt made to parry nor dodge. The damage shreds what remains of the wraith's corporeal body and carries over, mortally wounding its ethereal form as well. It vanishes from visible view, assuming the form (to those who can see the invisible) of a hazy energy cloud. All that remains of this creature are its 16 hit points. The wraith takes a step back away from the cyber-knight and releases a shock of electrokenetic energy at her. Dodging may be attempted but it extremely difficult. It inflicts another 10 points of mega-damage to her armor.

The second wraith is also taking a beating but holding up better than its companions. It presses the attack against Arulas with another claw strike. If you want to roll a parry or dodge, you only need to tie an 8.

Nyx adds his own gunfire to the noise next. Targeting the third wraith, the one near Polkatain, his bullets tear through ectoplasmic faux-flesh. 24 points of damage inflicted which is almost all it has left in its corporeal body

That third wraith disappears from sight. The spook has gone intangible now. Characters who can see the invisible will still see it, but it's now immune to most physical attacks. Ironically, I don't think it looks any different to Polkatain.

Next, Doc opens up on the only remaining visible Wraith with more silver bullets. Both shots hit the dancing partner of Sir Arulas and bite deeply.

Arulas thrusts his own psi-sword at this same monster. The spirit dodges the blow but just barely.

This leaves Ethan, Polkatain, and Samuel to take their actions now.

Ethan released the pressure on the trigger but only enough to reset it, keeping his finger on it. He is pleased that he hit the thing but his moment of satisfaction turns to one of dismayed surprise when he tries to shift position. His feet stick to the soft earth, lifting only a few inches before being inexorably pulled back down to the same spot. "Ugh," he thought, "This is like going to a cheap theater, only worse."

Shifting his position before taking his next shot now being out of the question, Ethan decides to focus on what he can do, namely taking that next shot. Since his previous target had vanished, he lines up on the only remaining visible wraith. Capturing it in his combat optic, he exhales and squeezes the trigger.

.

Polkitain leaped into the air and flew behind the tree so it was between him and his companions. He kept to the air and since his companions might not able to see the tree he shouts out, "Aim at me and fire !" Knowing they would hit the tree or at least hoping it.

In a flash of laser fire, Ethan's weapon burns and his careful aim burn away most of the wraith's remaining body. Most of the wraith vanishes in spectral flames. Only a floating head and a floating clawed hand remain.

Polkatain moves in a flash and races towards the tree. He comes to sudden stop on its far side, about a forty yards from his original position. Polk is actually fast enough to do this. At the same time, he shouts, "Aim at me and fire !" (in American, I am pretty sure)

While the forest runner dragon is moving, the tree casts another quick spell. A large net appears out of thin air. The web-like structure is bone white and perhaps ever so slightly glowing. It targets Samuel, Ethan, Doc, and Nyx. Unable to dodge, the four watch as the net sails through the air at them...

Reacting instinctively, Nyx flexed his mind and stared hard and the incoming net

OOC: Using his Telekinesis to try and deflect the net. Do you need a roll, perhaps Parry?

Kalista flicked her wrist and slashed at the remnants of the monster in front of her. If she destroyed it she would turn her attention to the tree creature.

07:10, Yesterday: Kalista rolled 18 using 6d6.  MD sword strike.
07:09, Yesterday: Kalista rolled 21 using 1d20+9.  sword strike.
07:09, Yesterday: Kalista rolled 24 using 1d20+16.  Parry w/ Psi-Shield.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:39, Fri 02 Dec 2016.

Polkitain got nervous and he looked at his claws creating his version of psiswords coming from his claws a glowing white gold in color.

He attacks the tree moving close to it.






Activating demon punch -6 ISP
08:59, Today: Polkitain rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  claw attack.
08:59, Today: Polkitain rolled 24 using 6d6.  Damage to tree MD.

Arulas concentrates for a moment while opening his awareness(Activates See Aura). His eyes snap open and he sees the tree well sort of. Enough anyway to strike at. He sprints towards it and strikes once.

Action 1: Activating See Aura
Action 2: Sprint
Action 3: Sprint
Action 4: Attack Strike is 15.
Actions 5 & 6: Defense
This message was last edited by the player at 18:07, Fri 02 Dec 2016.

Doc mutters a curse under his breath as the net nears him.

In reply to Nyx (msg # 51):

A 16 or higher is needed to dodge a magic net. I guess that is a good target number for a parry roll instead. If a magic net can be cut through, I suppose that it can be moved by telekinesis also. Give us a parry roll, and let's see what happens.

In reply to GM Zaboem (msg # 56):

I haven't had a chance to use a computer yet but Ethan was going to attempt a parry of sort by putting up a force field wall in the nets path. He has no IC way to know about the telekinesis attempt. Besides better for two tries in case one fails.

Okay, I will go ahead and roll a parry attempt for Ethan.

I rolled a 15 for Ethan. I did use his +4 bonus. He came super-close, but the magicky net slipped passed his improvised defense. I'm anxiously watching to see if Nyx fares better.

21:26, Today: Nyx rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Parry with Telekinesis. :(

The magic net engulfs all four characters, preventing them from either attacking nor defending.

We are now entering Round 3. Kalista has declared her action already. Does anybody else want to declare early?

At this point Arulas would likely drop any pretense at defense and slam the tree for 6 attacks per round until such time as it became evident that he needed to switch tactics.

Polkitain is prepared to claw up the tree and remain close to it but he wants to see how much damage he might have done to it trying to judge how much it might be able to take.

Ethan swears as he almost gets the force field up in time to prevent the glowing net from enveloping him and his companions. "Shit!" he exclaims, finding that despite the net glowing with magic energy, it doesn't seem to be hurting him. "On the other hand I can't seem to shot out of it either," he thinks to himself.

He is at a loss of what he can do offensively so he does the only thing he can think of, stay alert and hope that if any more attacks comes their way, he will be able to put up a force field in time to do some good.

Round 3

Kalista performs a wide slash with her psionic blade while maintaining a practiced defense against and simultaneous attack. The hazy energy cloud splits and wraps around the tip of the blade, and then it reforms on the other side. This miraculous dodge keeps the strange entity in the fight.

Doc
Doc holds his action, maybe?

The first guardian wraith, the one fighting Lady Kalista, realizes that it is quickly running out of tricks and options. It resorts to a quick magic spell in an attempt to buy itself some time to recover. The wraith casts Blinding Flash at her. Kalista is the only target within its area of effect. She must roll a standard Saving Throw versus Magic (16) to avoid the effect or else be blinded for 1D4 melee rounds.

Ethan
Reaching outward with his power, Ethan finds that he can in fact create more force fields.

The second guardian wraith, the one fighting Sir Arulas, continues it clawing assault against the elf. The monster makes a clumbsy attack. (It's mathematically impossible for Arulas to fail to parry this strike.) Arulas skillfully blocks thing's claw.

Nyx
Nyx holds his actio, maybe?

The third guardian wraith, the one which had been fighting Polkatain, discovers that it has been abandoned by its opponent. It looks around for a new combatant but finds none available. Being incorporeal and invisible, it instead calmly floats towards the prisoners inside the magic net.

Arulas
The brave knight ignores the only remaining wraith with a physical body left and charges at the tree, following Polkatain's guidance. With excellent speed, he sprints through the graveyard and arrives at his opponent soon afterward. The snubbed guardian wraith stares with a wide open jaw at Arulas' backside. He may activate See Aura and sprint at the same time.

Soul Tree
For those who can see it, the tree itself shakes slightly. Only Arulas and Polkatain are close enough to hear its whispered words in a hideous version of Elven-Dragonese. Polkatain is being targeted with a Domination spell. If he fails a standard Saving Throw versus Magic (16), Polkatain will feel compelled to obey the monster's commands. Arulas is not targeted and is ever so slightly outside of the range of this spell anyway.

Polkatain
If he fails, Polk will not attack and will be subject to commands next round.

If he succeeds, Polkatain responds by clawing at the tree. His claws land a solid strike. (Trees don't dodge.) His claws sink in a tear away bark.

I don't have the book with the Demon Punch power here with me tonight. Is there another effect beyond simply being able to hurt monsters and inflicting extra damage?

I guess we are ready to move to Round 4 now, aren't we?

Kalista is frustrated by the creature's ability to dodge without moving. She sets herself and takes the thing more seriously, feinting with a slash before changing her attack at the mast moment to a stabbing motion.

06:49, Today: Kalista rolled 30 using 6d6. sword damage.
06:48, Today: Kalista rolled 20 using 1d20+9. Swordslash.

(It does 3d6 extra damage but I will try to read it when I can.)

06:54, Today: Polkitain rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Save vs Magic.

Polkitain's eyes glaze slightly and he stops attacking.

Doc will struggle against the net, trying to free himself and his companions.

OOC if I am able to holster my guns before doing so, I will. Don't want them gummed up in a magical net.

Seeing that it was going to take a while to break free of the magic net, Ethan concentrated and created a force field large enough to encompass himself and his friends also trapped under the net. "Just trying to give us some cover while we work," he says to his companions.

With a further snarl of frustration Nyx holstered his pistols and took out his vibro-knife from it's sheath at his back. Thumbing the blade to power, he began to cut at the net, eyes peeled for danger approaching

Round 4

Kalista is awaiting the results of a private message that I sent just minutes ago. So is her wraith-buddy.

Doc was able to holster his guns before they became entangled. He soon feels the net loosen around him as an expanding force field offers the gunfighter a degree of elbow room with which to work.

Ethan projects his force field away from himself to include his companions within a bubble of semi-transparent defense. The field only expands about ten feet outward before it reaches the limit to which it is held by the magic net.

The second guardian wraith turns its attention towards the immobilized targets. While staring at the adventurers inside the net, the wraith reaches its hand into the dirt. It pulls out a long and knotty wooden sword made of roots and thorns from the earth.

Nyx begins the tedious and frustrating task of carving through the netting.

The last of the three guardian wraiths chants another spell. This casting is loud enough to be easily heard by anyone, but the wraith is currently ethereal and invisible, so it bold despite the fact that its ectoplasmic body has already been destroyed. The target of his spell is Nyx, and the magic is Paralysis: Lesser. If Nyx makes his Save vs Magic, he is unaffected. If he fails this saving throw, the arm holding his vibro-knife will dangle uselessly at his side for six melee rounds, and Nyx must resort to using only one hand.

Arulas reaches within melee range of the tree's trunk. At the same time, he slashes at it with a psi-sword that sizzles with righteous anger. Splinters fly from the tree's bark. The wood underneath appears hardly scratched at all.

Polkatain receives a command in Elven-Dragonese. "Surrender your power to me, little dragon. Give me your magic and psionic energy, all of it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:16, Sat 10 Dec 2016.

Polkitain starts clawing at his own chest above his heart.
Since he is not an evil creature though his psionically enhanced claws don't do extra damage.

Each melee attack he does 3d6 MD to himself.

Doc will begin to tear at the net.

A burst of light erupts from seemingly nowhere in front of Kalista. She brushes off the offensive spell as if it were nothing and counter-attacks with powerful thrust. Her psi-sword finds it mark this time and obliterates the wraith's ethereal corpus. The hollow sound of cracking sticks (or perhaps breaking bones) echoes through the graveyard.

Meanwhile, Polkatain has begun clawing at his own chest and drawing blood. Everyone can see this.

I should be a cheeky GM and require that Polk roll to strike. Missing himself would be amusing to me. We're not doing that though. The forest runner hatching really is inflicting grievous injury upon himself.

Doc is using what, his survival knife?

OOC yes sir.

Even though controlled the pain draws light roars of pain from Polk.

In reply to Doc (msg # 75):
The knife seems to be effective -- or as effective as anything else.

In reply to Polkitain (msg # 76):

The forest runner is back on the ground by now, right?

Round 5

Kalista has destroyed her immediate opponent entirely. To where does she turn her attention now?

Doc is busily cutting at the magic net. This will take some time.

Ethan maintains his protective force field. It's a good thing he is doing so, because...

The second protecting wraith rushes towards the magic net with a gnarly two-handed wooden sword in its grip. It slashes at the immobile targets within, inflicting 22 mega-damage to Ethan's force field.

Nyx is also working towards the goal of cutting through the magic net. Did Nyx make his saving throw?

The third protecting wraith, still ethereal and invisible to most, follows up his undermining paralysis spell with a more potent and offensive spell, Call Lightning.

Arulas trusted with his blade, driving it into the Soul Tree. (14 points of damage)

Polkatain receives a new command, this time telepathically.

Samuel is still there, confined with some of his teammates by a combination of Carpet of Adhesion and Magic Net spells. He has an eight foot tall wraith-thing baring down on them with a sword-like weapon, but a round energy shield of some type is protecting them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:47, Mon 12 Dec 2016.

Round 6

I think that Kalista, Samuel, and Arulas still have attacks per melee to use here.

The second wraith strikes again at Ethan's force field. This time, it misses the gap and instead mere damaged the magic net further.

The third wraith completes its casting of Call Lightning. A thunderbolt drops out of the cloudless sky and hammers at the force field. This attack also fails to penetrate the threads of the magic net and instead damages the net itself.

Suddenly, Arulas is struck by the force of a magic transformation, pitted against his own force of will. Arulas has been targeted with the House of Glass spell. He can feel the magic pouring through him. If he makes his Save vs Magic throw successfully, he is unaffected, and the magic harmlessly washes over him. If he fails, he will transmute into a creature of living semi-transparent glass, although he might be the only one who knows it if his body armor is entirely concealing.

Yep he would be the only one who knows it.

As he starts to feel his body turn to living glass Arulas stops completely for a second breathes to clear his mind and reverts his flesh to normal. "Ha ha if that is the best you can do tree you might as well shift back to your home plane now because we will banish you." Save vs magic is a 21.

With that he runs at Polk while yelling "Quit hitting yourself. You daffy lizard." He slams into the small dragon with his shoulder.

Using as many movement actions as needed to reach the now possessed Polk. So long as at the end I can tackle him."

Polkitain is on the ground, most likely he landed when he was controlled.

Polk nods up to the tree and looks around the graveyard trying to figure out which area is the northwest corner. If the tree sent an image of which was the northwest he will head there if not Polk will pick out a corner that looks like the northwest and run that way.

Ethan watches as Polk claws at his own chest. "What the hell is he doing that for?" he wondered, "Part of some spell or something?"

Then lightning and a wooden sword wielding wraith slammed into his force field. He grunted under the twin impacts but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. "So far at least," he thought as he renewed the strength of the field. As he was doing that, he saw Sir Arulas slam his shoulder into Polk. "OK maybe that's not part of some dragon blood magic..."

In reply to Ethan (msg # 84):

Samuel had been attempting to use his Gladius exoskeleton's robotic strength to get free of the magical effects when he saw the net coming. He raised his rifle and line up shots at the net, but that if they missed they would likely hit the giant tree. He waves the weapon up and down to take out swaths of the net coming towards them and maybe even cut it in two.

Okay then, Polkatain picks out a corner which looks like it might be northwest. While the dragon is spinning his long neck around to work out compass directions, he is struck in the chest by a tackling Arulas, and they both tumble backwards onto Polkatain's back.

Samuel unleashes a stream of particle beam blasts that he has been lining up for some time. He unleashes subatomic hell on the net, it being difficult to miss all around him. One stray shot does slip through the net, crosses the graveyard, and seems to vanish suddenly. Those who can see the invisible saw the blast clip the Soul Tree instead. (26 points of damage to the tree.)

A lot happened in those 15-or-so seconds. Battle formations formed, fell apart, and reformed differently. One minion has been destroyed. I am ready to start the second melee round if anyone everybody else is ready. For simplicity, I suggest that we keep using the same initiative numbers. An initiative roll from Sam would help (him).

I am wrong. It's not possible to attack through the net, because that is the entire point of the spell. All of Sam's blasts went into the net which is beginning to look ragged and melty already.

OOC Doc is cutting at the net til he's free or someone gets him out.

"Hey Sir Arulas, why did you hit me ? I need to get to the Northwest corner. Can you show me Northwest corner ?"

"Must lead forces !" tries to move Sir Arulas off him.

Kalista will use TK Leap to try and get herself as close to the tree as possible. If possible she will also attack (leap attack) the tree.

I will roll if a single leap gets me to the tree

Ethan was glad his force field was holding so far. He had yet to encounter an attack that could penetrate it and he was delighted that trend seemed to be holding. Thankfully keeping it going didn’t require an intense effort on his part only the presence of mind to renew it as needed. That left him time to observe that his friends attacks on the magically created energy net actually seemed to be weakening it.

“Well I may as well give it a go,” he thought and reached out his left gloved hand to touch the net. It tingled but didn’t hurt. Since he wasn’t being burned or electrocuted, he proceeded to the next step and let power flow from him and into the net. Unlike when he would use his ‘gift’ to heal, this time his touch meant death and destruction. “Never know until you try,” he muttered out loud.

With one arm dangling by his side, Nyx cursed roundly and saw shots peppering into and through the net. Carefully sheathing his knife, he pulls out one pistol and begins taking potshots once more

OOC: 20:33, Today: Nyx rolled 1 using 1d20.  Save vs Magic.

1st Attack of the Melee Round

Kalista springs into the air with grace which is almost super-human. Her telekinetically augmented leap carries her far. The branches of the soul tree cover almost the entire graveyard, however, with an invisible canopy. Some of these branches hang low. The cyber-knight finds her journey interrupted by a large limb hanging only ten feet or so off the ground towards the middle of the graveyard. She is now standing on that limb. The good news is that the Soul Tree is no relation to a Wollaping Whillow or similar. It's limbs are strong and articulate, but the smaller finger-like branches are under its full control.

Doc continues to saw at the strands of the magic net. He can feel the net fighting against him, but it seems to be growing weaker.

Ethan experiments with using his power offensively. The results are inconclusive as the net stretches and bends under his influence but does not break.

The protecting wraith with the sword takes another stab at the captives inside the magic net. This time, the blow is accurate. The wooden blade pierces the net and slams against the force field within. The sword, however, snagged the net resulting in an unimpressive amount of damage inflicted. (13 points)

Nyx feels his arm go numb. He draws a pistol with his remaining good hand and levels it at the wraith who is trying to break through.

The last protecting wraith observes that his magic paralysis technique was more effective than the lightning strike -- if infinitely less cool looking. It repeats the same Paralysis: Lesser incantation almost exactly. This time, it targets Doc instead. Save vs Magic please

Arulas comes to halt, laying on top of Polkatain. Polkatain issues his proclamation.

The Soul Tree mumbles another quick incantation. This tree can articulate a spell as fast as any Elven spellcaster that Arulas has ever heard. A mass of wormlike tendrils form from underneath Polkatain's back and wrap around the hatchling's body. The tree has cast Armor Bizarre on the dragon.

Samuel lets off the trigger on his energy weapon for a second. He observes that the magic net remains intact but is visually burn and frayed looking. In recognition of the natural twenty rolled against the Carpet of Adhesion spell, I'd like to give Samuel a minor bonus here. Sam is the least immobilized of all the captives regardless of this saving throw, so simply negating the effects of a CoA doesn't help Sam much. I am open to suggestions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:27, Sat 17 Dec 2016.

Doc continues to hack away.

Kalista ran along the branch until she reached the trunk.

"Someone kill this damn tree!" Arulas knows it a straight up wrestling match before the Armor he was outclassed. Thankfully that wasn't his plan. Beating Polk senseless was gonna hurt him more than it would Arulas at least physically. He thumbs his neural mace on and starts smacking for all he is worth.

One action to draw and activate mace. Four attacks and no he isn't defending at all. I have the damned Armor and Polk's Natural MDC to get through so Max stun setting.

Polkitain tries to push Sir Arulas off him so he can lead forces.

"Can't play now Sir Arulas need to lead forces. We play later."
Polkitain looks around for the forces he is to lead.

 "Not playing Polk. Stopping the Forces. They will kill your friends. They will kill you once they are done. The damn tree just tried to kill me and you. Fight it you damned lizard. FIGHT IT!"

Ethan lets go of the glowing net as it seemed his efforts had no appreciable effects. "Might as well save my energy," he thought. Not being able to think of anything else productive to do, he focused on keeping his force field up and waited for the net to dissolve "or whatever it is these things do."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:20, Wed 14 Dec 2016.

"Kill friends ? Kill me ? No must lead forces not let them kill friends. I am a dragon, Sir Arulas not a lizard." Polk kept up trying to get where he just knew he had to go.



OOC I am not sure if I can fight it.

17:30, Today: Samuel Lund rolled 9 using 1d20.  Initiative.

Samuel keeps firing at the net, which is keeping him from shooting the tree.

The saving throw was Polkatain's attempt to fight the magic effect. He might get lucky and receive another saving throw before the duration expires.

2nd Attack of the Melee Round
Kalista bounds over limbs and weaves through branches with uncanny speed and balance. She reaches the tree's trunk, still a good ten feet (3 meters) above the ground.

Doc aggressively carves at the net. Doc is being targeted by a spell still, so don't forget to make your saving throw.

Ethan fortifies his force field.

The sword wielding wraith makes an overhead slashing motion at the net and the force field behind it. This time, it connects. 18 points

Nyx holds his action, anxiously waiting for his shot to present itself.

The invisible wraith casts his favorite spell again, this time targeting Samuel. The spell bounces off his power armor. The spent energy harmlessly dissipates into the night air. Since Samuel can see the invisible and this energy is invisible, he can know that he was just targeted.

Samuel shoots up the magic net some more.

Arulas and Polkatain exchange words as Arulas readies his mace. Please remember that you are using W.P. Blunt now instead of your Nanji sword training.

Polkatain feels his energy reserves drain out of him, Taken by the Soul Tree. His pools of available PPE and ISP are now both down to zero.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:28, Sat 17 Dec 2016.

3rd Attack of the Melee Round

Kalista slides to a stop within touching distance of the tree's trunk. Attack maybe?

Arulas strikes at Polkatain with the business end of his mace. The knight rolled 21 to strike. Let me know when Polkatain starts to parry. The nueral mace beeps and hisses as it unleashes a very specific electric charge into its target. The physical damage is easily absorbed by the mystic and frightful armor. It should have no stunning effect against MDC armor, but I'll rule that Arulas was able to land one blow before the writhing armor fully knitted itself together.I think that Arulas still owes us a Save versus Horror Factor due to the armor's appearance. The target number is 13.

Doc carves at the net like a pumpkin.

Ethan fortifies his force field again, right?

The protecting wraith slashes at the force field with the same vigor and nearly as much determination as Doc slashing at the net. Another 18 mega-damage

Nyx doesn't listen to the haters.

The invisible protecting wraith observes that Ethan is moving his arms but he doesn't seem to be attacking anything with them. Just to be certain that Ethan is not binding some unknown spell, the phantom hits the Medic is a Paralysis: Lesser encantation. Save versus Magic please or lose control of one arm, your choice which arm

Samuel blasts the heck out of the magic net.

Polkatain struggled under the blow of his elven friend. Please give me a Saving Throw versus 16; Polkatain's +1 bonus from Physical Endurance does apply to this roll.A successful save means losing -1 attack and dropping to the bottom of the initiative bracket. A failed roll means Polk loses half of his attacks, a -8 penalty to combat rolls, and 42% chance of being simply knocked out for 2D4 melee rounds.

The tree begins chanting another spell.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:30, Sat 17 Dec 2016.

Kalista dismissed her shield and summoned a second psi-sword. She turned both blades down, stabbed the trunk with both, and jumped, sliding down the trunk like a pirate riding the knife down a sail.
This message was last updated by the GM at 07:30, Sat 17 Dec 2016.

Polkotain feels his energies drain and is confused by that happening.

Then he gets bopped by the neural mace.

"Stop hurting me."

Polkitain falls over twitching.



07:02, Today: Polkitain rolled 15 using 1d20+1.  Save.
I am not entirely sure a neural mace even effects creatures of magic and Supernatural creatures. The charge is too small. There are some weapons that do MD electric attacks but even those dont stun supernatural or creatures of magic too much. I'll roll with it though.

07:04, Today: Polkitain rolled 12 using 1d100.  Percentage roll.

This message was last updated by the GM at 07:31, Sat 17 Dec 2016.

Ethan felt the impact of the sword on his force field as the wraith again swung its improvised weapon against it. He renewed it back to full strength with a thought and then reached for his one of the pouches on his utility belt with his left hand. "Since it looks like none of us are going anywhere anytime soon," he thought, "Might as well have a bit to eat."

He had just opened the pouch and retrieved the beef jerky when he felt his entire left arm go numb. The unwrapped snack fell to the ground and Ethan just looked at his unresponsive limb with confusion and curiosity. _{"Well fuck,"} he said softly.
This message was last updated by the GM at 07:31, Sat 17 Dec 2016.

I posted when I was tired previously, and the numbering of the combat rounds got wonky. I have used the editing function to fix that. Just to be clear, we are currently resolving the characters 3rd actions during the second melee round of this fight.

Kalista does not need to roll to strike the tree, come to think of it. It would be impossible to miss it. She may roll if you like just for the chance to roll a critical hit by way of a natural 20. When you roll the damage, it will be applied retroactively.

Arulas connects with the neural mace, and the technology does its job. Had Polkatain been just a little older and tougher, he no doubt could have brushed off the bio-mechanical assault, but as he is still a hatchling, the Coalition-engineered tool functioned perfectly. The forest runner slumped loosely under the cyberknight's weight.

<orange>Polk is unconscious for the remainder of this melee round. After that, he bio-generation should bring him back around. At that time, he'll get another chance to save against the influence of the domination spell cast over him.

The jerky cannot escape either. It becomes stuck on the sticky mystic threads.

4th Attack of the Melee Round

Kalista strikes the tree's trunk four times (2 attacks, two psi-swords each time). She slides down to the ground, her swords carving into the tree trunk as she does so.

Doc begins to wonder if he is making progress with cutting this net or not.

Ethan loses control of one arm, but he keeps enough presence of mind to continue reinforcing his protective bubble.

The protecting wraith stabs at the bubble again, seemingly unfrustrated by its inability to pop its target. It lands another mediocre hit. Another 18 mega-damage

Nyx still doesn't have a lot to do yet, sorry.

The invisible protecting wraith slows the rate of its magic attacks.

Samuel blasts the snot out of the magic net.

Polkatain goes slack inside of his wormy armor.

The tree seems to shutter and rattle its branches in reaction to the pain of the blows dealt to it. Unable to complete the complex incantation that it was castingg, the tree loses its spell. Instead, it transfers a packet of energy including spell knowledge and the PPE to cast it to its idle minion, the invisible protecting wraith.

5th Attack of the Melee Round

Kalista strikes the tree's trunk again (2 attacks, two psi-swords each time). another 48 points

The protecting wraith stabs again and misses as the magic net shifts around under the duress that Doc and Samuel are placing on it.

The invisible protecting wraith becomes invigorated with a gift of new power from its master. It begins chanting a complex spell.

Samuel feels certain he is making progress against the net. I am making an assumption here that Sam just keeps blasting away with all of his attacks per melee. Please let me know if I am wrong in this guess, and we'll fix it.

The tree casts Armor Bizarre upon itself to buy itself a little extra time. Although the tree is invisible, its armor is not. The vision of a large tree-shaped structure of worm-esque tendrils appearing before them and around them and over them is unsettling but not incapacitating. No one needs to roll a Save vs Horror Factor right now (mostly because I don't want to make every roll another saving throw). Everyone attacking the tree, however, does take the -1 initiative penalty.

6th Attack of the Melee Round

Kalista strikes the tree's trunk, cutting through tentacles of arcane magic armor. (two psi-swords, another 47 points)

The protecting wraith stabs again and misses again! None of Ethan's force field MDC is depleted.

The invisible protecting wraith spins around and releases the most potent spell yet. A wave of energy washes over Kalista from behind. The spell is Agony, but it has no effect. Kalista powered through her saving throw.

The tree broods and waits quietly inside of it's wormy defenses -- waiting for what?

Curiously, the Soul Tree does not have the power of bio-regeneration which is possessed by just about every other monster.

The two protecting wraiths, however, do regenerate ...just a little bit, 14 points and 9 points respectively.

Suddenly, the Magic Net shatters into a thousand strands of absolutely nothing!

Polkitain groans and shakes his head from the shock. A light growl rising in his throat.



05:40, Today: Polkitain rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  Save vs Dominate.
Nope I am super dominated

Doc stands, the look on his face doing little to hide his anger, drawing his rifle he fires.


And misses.


08:16, Today: Doc rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  strike with rifle.

With the magic net dissipated, Nyx unleashes his suppressed fury and blast away with one pistol

OOC: Rolled whilst half-asleep, ignore the second pistol in each pair!
15:04, Today: Nyx rolled 10,15 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Paired Attack - Closest Guardian Wraith.
15:04, Today: Nyx rolled 21,5 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Paired Attack - Closest Guardian Wraith.
15:03, Today: Nyx rolled 12,12 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Paired Attack - Closest Guardian Wraith.
15:03, Today: Nyx rolled 6,19 using 1d20+4,1d20+4.  Paired Attack - Closest Guardian Wraith.
15:04, Today: Nyx rolled 11,7 using 3d6,3d6.  Damage.
15:04, Today: Nyx rolled 11,9 using 3d6,3d6.  Damage.
15:04, Today: Nyx rolled 13,12 using 3d6,3d6.  Damage.
15:04, Today: Nyx rolled 6,6 using 3d6,3d6.  Damage.

Ethan just stood and watched as one of the Cyber-Knights continued his assault on the dragon, while the other one continued whacking away at something apparently she could see. He felt the hit against his force field but it was negligible. The virtually invisible dome was holding up well against everything the wraith had done so far.

“Too bad it doesn’t seem to be able to stop the rest of their magic,” he thought, looking at his limp arm. Since starting at it didn’t seem to be making it respond, he looked up at the rest of the battlefield. No sooner did he do that then a mass of tentacles appeared in a vaguely tree like shape, right next to where Kalista was. The same kind of tentacles, now that he was looking around instead of focusing on his arm or the wraith attacking his force field, that had covered Polk. “It’s like one of those weird Japanese cartoons,” Ethan thought, not really believing what he was seeing. “So I’m helping to fight a possessed invisible tree, which summoned a bunch of ghosts and then covered itself and a dragon in tentacles. I’ve got to find a way back to my own time.”

Then the magic net dissipated, leaving Ethan and his companions still stuck to the ground but at least free to again defend themselves against their attackers.

OOC: Ethan only has 4 attacks per melee and since this is the 6th attack phase, he can’t do much besides carryon an internal dialog ^_^

Ethan raises his right arm up and across his chest, the fingers of his hand posed as if they were holding a Frisbee. He holds his arm like that for a second and a nearly invisible flattened disc forms. The disc looks exactly like his force field only much smaller. He whips his arm forward, flinging the disc directly at the tentacle covered tree.

16:40, Today: Ethan rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  Thorwn disc attack.
16:40, Today: Ethan rolled 10MD using 2d6+2.  Damage for disc.

This will be Ethan's first action of the next melee round.

1st Melee Actions

Kalista pressed her advantage by continuing her striking against the otherworldly thing's armor with both of her psi-swords.
Kalista rolled exactly what she needed for her Save vs HF. 2 hits, 49 points of mega-damage

Doc stands and fires his rifle, but his aim must have been off due to the horrific image down his sights. His shot goes wild -- and strikes Polkatain instead! Please roll damage for this shot before you roll your next attack.

Sir Arulas strikes at the hatchling's armor once again, but his neural mace has no effect. If Aruals is successful in a Detect Ambush skill roll, he can know when those reinforcements are about to arrive.

Ethan releases his discus of force field energy at the tree and hits it in a high branch. The branch sways and makes a cracking sound as a result. 10 more mega-damage to the tree's armor which is just about to give out.

The protecting wraith with the sword has only one obstacle left before it, the force field. It pokes at the force field with its stick. 14 points of mega-damage

Nyx, using only one revolver, shoots that wraith a point blank range and sees that the force field is indeed one-way. 11 points of damage against the wraith

The final wraith, still ethereal, turns back towards those heroes held captive by the Carpet of Adhesion and begins chanting its next spell. My ultimate technique?

Samuel holds his action, confident that he is safe within Ethan's bubble. Which target is Sammy going to blast away?

The tree telepathically calls to Polkatain, "Get up, hatchling! Get up and fight these cyber-knights who dare to attack your master!"

Polkitain looks annoyed and roars (Horror Factor I think 9)

He breathes his breath weapon at Arulas.
"Leave the tree alone Lady Kalista !"

He tries to pin Arulas and use his tail to knock the electric club Arulas was hitting him with.

Trying for a disarm.


06:51, Today: Polkitain rolled 12 using 1d20+3.  Disarm attempt.

Doc shook his head, "Sorry Polky," and fires again, this time his aim is true.


09:03, Today: Doc rolled 9 using 3d6.  dmg to tree.
09:03, Today: Doc rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  shoot the tree.
09:03, Today: Doc rolled 10 using 3d6.  dmg for hitting Polky.

As the breath weapon settles on him Arulas chuckles. "Full Environmental Armor you daffy lizard." As the strikes come in he attempts to dodge. As Polk's strike comes in Arulas somehow evades the strike gracefully. "You need to remember who your friends are. If I wanted you hurt I would hurt you. Please don't make me hurt you. FIGHT it you daffy lizard!"

Arulas runs at the tree not knowing if Polk will follow hoping he will. He reaches the base of the tree and starts to run up the side he reaches the point at which he can't maintain upward momentum and jumps straight at Polk if he followed slamming the Mace down in a two handed strike.

Not sure if Polk will follow or if I have enough Attacks to complete the maneuver. As soon as I know either then I will roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:40, Thu 22 Dec 2016.

In reply to Sir Arulas (msg # 120):

Yes, Arulas has enough attacks to pull this off.

2nd Melee Actions

Kalista continues to slice away at the MDC's of the tree Armor Bizarre protection. The tendrils of the monster's protective shell suddenly shrivel and crumble off.The psi-sword blow finishes off the armor; the second damages the tree's own MDC. 35 megadamage total.

Doc corrects his aim and sinks a shot into the trunk of the soul tree. Although the tree is invisible again, it's a stationary target against which the cyberknights are playing Paul Bunyan, so the penalty to strike an invisible target is being ignored here.

After the hatchling's poison breath rolls off Sir Arulas, the elf parries a tail swipe. He turns and bounds towards the tree.

Ethan holds his action as he peers as the technically invisible soul tree.

The protecting wraith with the sword demonstrates patience as it continues to hack at the force field. 18 points of mega-damage

Nyx answers with another shot from his revolver at the patient wraith. The construct shatters with a noise like chopped tree falling. It collapses to the ground as a pile of scattered human bones. The sword is laying on the ground also. This wraith is now incorporeal also.

The final wraith, still ethereal, completes an incantation. For those who can see it, a charge or electricity is gathering in the wraith's outstretched hand. For those who cannot, the sound of crackling electricity fills the air.

Samuel only has one target left so I will roll for him. His rifle strikes the tree with an excellent shot which singes its upper trunk. 29 points of mega-damage

The tree takes no action at the moment.

Polkitain does give chase following the orders to stop the cyberknights.
When he gets close to the tree he tries to drag Kalista away.

"Stop, stop, stop attacking the tree."

Seeing the tentacle armor dissolve and fall away from the tree, Ethan has mixed feelings. On the one hand he is glad he was able to help but on the other he can't see the bloody damn tree anymore.

"And that damn ghost is still..." a sudden shot from Nyx's revolver drops the flying skeleton and the wooden sword it was using to beat on Ethan's force field, interrupting his thought. "Well one less thing to worry about," he said to no one in particular.

Since the only threat against his force field was now just an untidy pile of decaying bones, Ethan decided to summon another disc and hurl it at a spot in between the two maniacs whacking away at it with their psychic swords.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:58, Thu 29 Dec 2016.

With the wraith finally dispatched, Nyx draws his attention away from the immediate and - keyed by Ethan's wild laugh - continues his shots at the gap between the two cyberknights as well

Doc fires at the tree again.


08:21, Today: Doc rolled 10 using 3d6.  dmg.
08:20, Today: Doc rolled 5 using 1d20+2.  shoot tree.

Kalista continued her assault.

The montra of 'stay on target' goes through Samuel's head. He fires again knowing he will have to change out his eclip soon.

As the battle went on shots both hit and missed the evil soul tree.
Below it's withered branches Polkitain dragged Kalista away only to have her break free and rush back.

As Arulas and Kalista combined their strikes like expert lumberjacks huge chunks of rotted wood filled with crawling insects fell to the ground.

The tattered magic net finally started to fray and snap. The gunslingers came out shooting in concert. Their shots dangerously close to where the Cyberknights chopped to insure they would hit the invisible tree.

Then it happened like a visible sigh and the whole of the graveyard shook with several tombstones toppling.

Spirits rose from the broken earth in rage over their rest being disturbed.
Ethan was able to keep the spirits at bay with his field as they battered it in an attempt to remove this threat to their tormentor.

Polkitain ran back to stop the cyberknight interposing himself between the tree and their attacks.

Something happened as the last strike whether bullet or glowing blade the spirits turned and returned to their graves though some rushed the tree so angry were they at the corruption of this foul being.

The sound of the tree falling and flattening several tombstones and part of the cemetary wall signaled the end. After that all was deathly silent save for the breathing of the adventurers.

 Arulas looks at Polk a little funny and says "You alright now you daffy dragon?" as the air in his lungs gets pulled through the enviroseal. Over the sounds of everything old movie buffs would hear a sound associated with a well known villian from a space opera. He thumbs off the neural mace and hangs it from his hip.

Polkitain looked around as if coming out of a daze.

Dropping to all fours he hung his head. "I, I, I am sorry."
Polkitain ran off feeling a deep shame and an embarrassment.

Doc put his rifle away, "Don't worry about it Polk, we'll get better about that possession stuff... you ok?"

Doc will find Polk sulking like a little kid who was caught raiding the cookie jar.
Head hung low and trying to hide behind a boulder.

He glanced up hearing Doc, "I did really bad didn't I ?"

Kalista slumped again something, be it bolder or left overs from the tree, and closed her eyes to let her natural healing abilities kick in and heal any injuries she might have suffered.

Arulas walks slowly over to the hatchling. "I forget sometimes that you are still a kid. We aren't taught to think of Dragons as anything other than adults. So it is easy for me to forget that I am a good bit older than you. You didn't do bad at all Polk. It tried to turn me into a glass statue. Believe me it wasn't easy resisting. Fact is Polk you did the best you could do this time. Next time I'm sure you will fight harder." he is crouched down close to the ground. So that he is as eye level as one can be with a sulky dragon.

"I might have hurt you or my other friends. I am also dissapointed that I couldn't stop you. I did try to fight it but I remember everything that happened I almost sacrificed myself to the tree to give me magic to it. I don't like those evil trees, Sir Arulas."

Nyx clenched and unclenched his fingers carefully, shrugging off the effects of the paralysis spell with a grimace. When his movement began to ease up he methodically went about checking his pistols, focus entirely inward now the threat had passed. His motions were practised, almost ritualistic, and when he raised his head slowly to take in his companions his eyes were full of anger. He stepped carefully over to where his brother and the younger knight spoke to the young hatchling, scanning them for injuries but saying nothing. Finally one eyebrow raised, "Well. That was fun"

Ethan was happy or at least pleased about a few things in his life right now. First he was glad when the possessed tree was finally turned into so much mulch and splinters. "A fracking possessed tree" he thought to himself. "What will this world throw at me next?"

The many ghosts or whatever they were that had rose up to assault his force field were gone now too, something else he was happy about. Lastly their resident dragon, who turned out to be a kid in dragon terms, had stopped attacking them.

With no threats visible and nothing attacking him or his friends, he dropped his force field. When his arm started to function once more, he picked up the beef jerky stick that he had dropped. He had no intention of eating so he finished removing it from the wrapper and tossed it aside. He simply didn't want to litter. "Which, know that I think about it, is probably one of the sillier things to be concerned about but old habits and all that," he thought.

He walked over to his friends, shoving the wrapper in one of his pants pockets. "Yes," he said to Nyx. "I can't remember the last time I had that much fun." A lope sided grin was on his face. "Now that we have destroyed the true source of the psycho weapons...and we did destroy it right?" he asks before continuing, "So we can now go back and report our success to the Lady in Green, collect our reward and hopefully never have to deal with ghosts and soul sucking trees again."

Samuel first changes out his weapons eclip, just to be ready for anything else that might want to attack. Eventually he puts the sword in it's sheath and slings his rifle.

"Well Polk, thanks for resisting, as it were.....Ethan, I am afraid that this world is full of really strange and freaky stuff like this. Good on all of you for at least defeating this strange threat to our planet. Hot chocolate in the lounge in 10 minutes!"

He heads back to the Behemoth, stows his armor and such, and goes to the lounge to make hot chocolate.

Polkitain, "I did try."

Polkitain heads to the tree and tries to uproot it and pry it's roots out of the ground.
His eyes narrowed and some of that draconic horror factor was going on but it was all focused on the tree.

  "Yeah Polk you did. Be proud that you did. Be proud that you have friends that will knock the snot out of you to keep you from hurting anyone." Arulas walks towards the Behemoth. He looks at Ethan and says "That isn't dead just banished for a good while from our dimension. That is what matters. As for weird nah that is fairly normal. Splynn slavers is a whole different matter."

As he catches up to Samuel "Hot chocolate? What is that?"

"A fluid that is sweet and warm. It was a commonly imbibed on this continent, before the coming of the Rifts, on cold days and for celebrations."

Ethan chimes in, "Some people actually prefer it to coffee," he says. "Myself among them though I will admit I like to add a shot of espresso to it." He grins as they all walk back to the Behemoth. "It gives it a little bit of a kick, perfect way to start the morning."

Samuel raises and eyebrow as he looks over to Ethan, "I will have to try that tomorrow morning instead of a regular cup of coffee."

He raises his voice, "Polk whenever you are done, come get a treat in the lounge."

"I will be Samuel, I just want to make sure it is good and dead. Times like this I wish I breathed fire."

Nyx frowned whilst the others chatted over incidentals and strolled carefully over to where he reckoned the fallen tree would be to kick it's corpse

Doc sticks close to his brother for the time being.

After a brief rest Kalista followed her comrades.

Polkitain is looking for any seeds this tree may have had so that a new one will not grow.

As a matter of fact, Polkatain does find some sort of nut. The large seed is as massive of his own claw. Even as he holds it, the seed cracks and turns into so much rotted dust. The tree itself has become visible, and Polkatain was able to claw out a good amount of roots. Tearing the stump out of the ground is probably beyond the limits of even his supernatural strength.

Inside of the Behemoth, Samuel gets a chance to check the long range sensors while his water is heating. Everything looks clear except for what appears to be some long range cargo transports moving at the extreme limit of his radar. Radio chatter between CS patrols and recon stations mention some lizardmen on horseback, but nothing sounds close. There is no mention of firefight in any graveyard. It seems that the team has escaped the notice of the Dead Boys for now.

Status: Nobody's armor took any significant damage during the fight. The gunners went through a significant amount of ammunition, but they are not in danger of running out. The team still has two prisoners locked away inside the robot. A return trip to Pecos territory should be uneventful, but someone needs to decide what is to be done with these NPCs.

Kalista announces there will be a trial for the prisoners. She will act as judge. Once they are convicted she will carry out their executions.

Politain heads over with the dust from the nut like thing.

"I do not think it will come back now."

"Also I am sorry to you all, dragons are supposed to be powerful and well."
He dumps the dust from the nut in one of the containers in the behemoth.

"We can show that to the Lady in Green."

Doc shrugged, "And gunslingers are bad asses, but we all have off days, plus, you're young. You'll get tougher I'm betting. What are we doin' with them we got locked up?"

Kalista responded, "A trial. I will act as judge. Upon conviction I will carry out the execution."

"Remember Kalista to take into account the influence of that evil tree, and the weapons on the other woman that had evil spirits in them. Though I respect that your the closest thing to law I have seen in this world."

Ethan looks aghast when Kalista states that she will execute the prisoners. He places himself between firmly in front of the door that will lead to where the prisoners are being housed. “I’m just a medic and I don’t claim to be anything else. I’m not some knight or police Officer or judge and I don’t plan on becoming one either,” he says calmly, hoping the cyber-knight will hear him out. “But I do know that we made a deal with Glory. She shows us where the soul stealing tree was at, we would let her go. That was the deal.”

Without looking, he jerks a thumb over his shoulder at where the prisoners are. “We made that deal because without those weird, evil weapons and without the tree to make and give her or anyone else more, she is just one more person in this messed up world trying to survive.”

He takes his eyes off Kalista and looks at his other companions on the Behemoth. “We made a deal and we should keep it.” He takes a deep breath and steadies himself, now looking into Kalista's eyes again. “I will keep it even if that means you will try to kill me along with her. I’d hate for that to happen but killing me will be your only way to get to Glory. Please Kalista, don't make me fight you.”
This message was last edited by the player at 07:31, Sat 21 Jan 2017.

"If we gave our word I agree we should keep it."

Politain already feeling bad for having fought the cyberknights lowered his head but stood with Ethan.

Kalista seemed to actually be angry, and Ethan her target. Since she projects emotion, Ethan will know he is the target. "If you will remember, I have already pronounced sentence upon the witch. You argued for reprieve, to which I responded she was your problem. Now that we have concluded out business, I will carry out that sentence. It will make my heart heavy to have to kill you as well, but if you insist on intervening in Justice, I will have no choice."

She softened just a bit, her anger diminished and was replaced by compassion directed at the woman herself. She spoke very loudly, loudly enough that the woman herself would hear, "Of course if she escapes to say some other dimension while I am outside riding my horse, I would not be obliged to try and hunt her down as I have more important things to do than chase one witch across the multiverse."

Doc bristled at Kalista's speech until she mentioned the girl escaping. "See Polky, you're learnin'. That part of the code. You give your word you keep it, unless you got a damn good reason not to. A fella ain't worth spit if his words no good. You understand?" Doc gave Ethan a nod, he'd have backed his play with the cyberknight if it came down to it.

Polkitain nods, "Yes my father believed that too." He didn't quite understand the full meaning of Kalista's words thinking it odd she would mention a different scenario involving the woman escaping."</B>

Polkitain whispers to Doc, "You humans are so confusing sometimes." But his body posture showed he was cheering up.

"Or I could shoot her for you", muttered the young elf, bored

Ethan nods his head in understanding of Kalista’s words and intentions. “Of course,” he said simply and smiled slightly. “While you are out enjoying your ride, I will prepare the prisoner and take her outside to await execution. After all, it would be messy to kill her in here, better to do it outside.”

Unless someone stops Ethan, he will enter Glory’s cell and place restraints on her hands. Then he will escort her outside the giant Behemoth robot, stopping only to grab a small pack. Once outside (and on a side of the Behemoth that Kalista isn't) he removes the woman’s bindings and drops the pack by her feet. “You’re free to go,” the medic tells her. He keeps his eyes on her but nudges the pack with his left foot. “There isn’t much in there, just a full canteen and some ration bars but it sure beats nothing but the clothes on your back. If I were you I’d start walking and try your best to never cross paths with us again.”
This message was last edited by the player at 07:29, Sat 21 Jan 2017.

Polkitain waves to Glory.

"If I could dimension shift we could kill the tree at the source since the Dimensional walls are thin here, but I don't know how to do that. Since I think Kallista is tired I will go watch her back so that she is safe and returns at a good time to execute the sentence." Arulas says overly dramatic.

Samuel makes hot chocolate for everybody who wants some. Mostly it is a big pot of boiling water that is poured into a ceramic mug and powder mix is swirled into it.

Kalista rode out along side the RV. She needed to clear her mind and focus on her meditations. She noted her fellow knight with a nod but said nothing more. She is having difficulty with her own thoughts. Her emotions are also a swirl, as if she cannot decide herself how she feels or should feel.

Polk looks confused and approaches Sir Arulas, "What do you mean ? The tree isn't dead ?"

"It isn't dead. Just dead here and now. Not likely to come back for a long time. It is a dual phase being if it can be called a being. It lives across the boundaries of the Megaverse. Some dimension some where is it's home. It can be killed across all dimensions IF we found that. I know this because I sense Dimensional anomalies and I couldn't see the thing. Only thing that I know it could be. No clue how it works and I don't want to know how it works." He tells the dragon.

"Oh I didn't realize that. It is a shame I thought that nut I found in the ground was it's life force."

He looks to Kalista but doesn't disturb her since she seems lost in thought.

"It might have been a way for it to come back Polk. So you did good. I don't know if it was a way back. No real way to know."

"I have so much to learn. But I do have a long time to learn and I will try and do better. Thanks for keeping me from hurting my friends."

"Polk we are all fairly young Polk. You just are younger than us is all. We all have a lot to learn. Maybe soon we can find someone to tutor us in magic. Might be fun right? I need to work on my magic theory and my knowledge of things arcane."

"Magic is supposed to come to me but I can learn and teach what I do know."

 "I meant refine it Polk. Teach you different things and different ways to think. Might come in handy. Who knows."

Hot chocolate cools on the counter, offered but unaccepted, as tempers warm. Even the twins feel resentment growing between themselves in ways expressed too subtly for other to notice. Lady Kalista is the first to remove herself from the scene as she leaves to meditate outdoors. Ethan, with no one moving to stop him, walks deeper to execute his plan rather than the prisoners. The others remain in the galley, arguing over their next move.

Ethan opens the door to the improvised cell of the prisoner, Glory. To his astonishment, he finds it empty. In the mage's place, a letter lies on the cot. Although beautiful, the language written on it is unfamiliar to the medic. The paper itself looks like a mostly blank page which was torn out of one Samuel's technical manuals stored in the small room.

A quick check of the second prisoner's room reveals much the same. In this case, much the same means no prisoner. The female bandit has vanished. No note was left behind there.

"Well this is unexpected but convenient," Ethan says softly to himself. He looks at the letter and wonders what it says. Would any of his companions know how to read it?

Since there were no prisoners to hurry outside, Ethan returns the pack, canteen and ration bars to where he got them. Then he goes to the kitchen and avails himself of the hot chocolate. He keeps the letter on him, tucked in a pocket. If Samuel or Polkitain are around, he will show it to them and explain how he found it.

"Oh lets get our hot cocoa !" Polk runs back to give the cocoa a try.

Outside, his irritation building, Nyx takes out his frustration on the critters, cacti and rocks of their surroundings. Energy sparks fly from his hand as he shoots at whatever steals his attention as he rides

Calista gave her former squire a pretty a pretty smile. "Sometimes you just a plain old flatterer"

Polkitain sips the cocoa getting a whipcream mustache.

"Hmmm it is not as Hot as I thought it would be." He drinks more.
"It is sweet though."

Doc doesn't even look at his brother, "Show off," he mutters and continues chewing on the end of an unlit cigar.

Does anyone have other actions to declare before returning to the Lady in Green? If no one does, the return trip will be uneventful, and we can skip ahead to the characters' arrival back in the Pecos Empire.

I am fine for skipping ahead, would have just chatted with Samuel about the hot cocoa.

Other than giving Arulas a hard time about "flirting" when he called her young, I am good with moving along.

I'm good for moving along. The only things Ethan would do is drink the hot coco and record the journey in his journal :)

Ditto.

Fine with skipping, though keen to understand when/if anyone tells us the prisoners are missing?

Ethan posted he would tell Polk and Samuel the moment they came in for hot chocolate. He would also show them the note left behind.

Since the prisoners vanished after it was decided they would be released anyways, Ethan doesn't see the point in rushing outside. He plans on enjoying his hot chocolate and will tell people as they come inside.

 I'm good on moving on. Give Arulas all the flak you want.

I just hope that the note does not read, 'I prepared Explosive Ruins this morning.'

Polkatain's wise mother had decided that literacy in the Elven-Dragonese script was an important skill to pass down to her offspring through genetic memory. Glory's note showcases a sloppy and underpracticed penmanship but also a solid grasp of Dragonese vocabulary and grammar.

Champions of Justice, I have chosen to arrange for my removal from the burdens of your hospitality. I do understand and appreciate your concerns regarding the proliferation of imitation rune weaponry and my pact with the supernatural creature that I have come to know as Opoponax. What I already told you was true as far as it goes. What I did not tell you was that the creature's end goal was propagation. It was carried to this grave yard years ago as a seed, and it distributed seeds of its own for its contracted servants to carry to other grave sites. If you should emerge victorious from your encounter with Opoponax, know that I am one of several such contracted mortals who were asked to carry these seeds. For my own part, I destroyed the seed which I carried months ago. It will be years before any other seeds develop into soul trees, but do be aware of this possibility. I intend to travel to the nearest nexus that I can find and do as I already pledged, leaving this world for good and trying my luck elsewhere in the wide megaverse. My fellow prisoner, lacking a home or gang of her own now, will accompany me on this journey into the unknown. I do appreciate the restraint that you have demonstrated to me thus far, but I trust you understand that I will test it no further.

P.S. Coalition soldiers will be watching the crossroads during for the next day or two near the Mammoth. You may expect that the events at the Mammoth were reported, and this is the local garrison's a standard procedure for following up on such a report. You should be able to avoid them by trailblazing through the open plains

P.S. Thank you for the bottles of water that we found in the galley.

Love,
Glory

Polkitain translates the note for the others.

Doc nodded, "Alright then, let's get movin'. She's gone. We got things to deal with, and we best get to it. Specially if the skull heads gonna be lookin' for us."

Samuel touches one of the lighting panels and concentrates for a moment. The Behemoth heads off across the plains towards their destination. The pace is slow enough that their companions can catch up....and nothing is going to hide the trail of footprints it leaves in its wake.