This is a cut-away scene. It happens simultaneously with the actions that take place in Scene 13. This is also a wall of text, so sorry about that. I will attempt to fill in several holes regarding what the new player-characters know and their current situation.

A ship, a rusting Golden Age vessel, sits in the dirt. Two or three days walk inland from the Gulf of Mexico and almost as far from the Rio Grande River, it has no business being there. The ship, a vessel from the second World War, had been discovered many times since the Great Cataclysm. It sheltered families who were escaping into the wilderness after cities fell to monsters. Then, it sheltered refugees from the rifts, debees trapped in a land which was hostile and alien to them. Then it sheltered humans again who fled from the encroaching territory of the Vampire Kingdoms. Most recently, it was claimed as a home for monsters, a pack of crafty and in particular deadly vampires.

Called the Hole in the Neck Gang by Reed's Rangers and the people of Fort Apache, the gang was a posse lead by a secondary vampire. Severance had in life been an orc, a renowned gun fighter, and a member of the Pecos Bandits. In unlife, he had been tasked with hunting and transforming those mortals who would be of most use to the Vampire Kingdoms due to their skill sets. The results were varied. They had even turned a kindly and wise druid (although a troll) into one of their own, but the result was a savage wild vampire lacking most of the knowledge and all of the restraint that the druid possessed in life. The distinctive trait of this vampire posse is that they all carried the random mutation of Severance, fangs on both their upper and lower jaws.

These vampires liked to use their claws and fangs, but they also collected useful bits of technology and other treasures. Among them were a set of fake rune weapons which carried syphon entities inside. Their greatest prize, however, had been the capture of a particular Atlantean.

The Atlantean was a tattoo master and ancient even by the standards of the nearly immortal race. He had traveled through the region several times throughout the Dark Ages, and had come to be known as a saint to the local populations. They called him Saint Angelo, patron saint against supernatural predators. The saint, known to True Atlanteans as Master Raja, had vanished years ago. At some point, the enlightened being became the treasure of Severance and his gang.

The Undead Slayer, Jason Damien, came seeking the fate of Master Raja. He traveled with an odd pair of adventurers he met at Fort Apache, Lucas Rowland and Na-Wa. Each came with their own motivations. Na-Wa carried a talking sword, named Bruce, and Bruce had taken a particular interest in Jason's story of Master Raja. Bruce believed the master to be the same entity who forged the sword long ago, so Bruce pressed Na-Wa to accompany the Atlantean undead slayer into the borderlands of the Vampire Kingdoms. Lucas, who had been a companion of Na-Wa and Bruce since the Tolkein Campaign, was a former member of the Tundra Rangers with a secret of his own. The young mountain man had spent considerable time with the Apache tribes. He had been asked to track a particular Apache woman who had gone missing and was suspected to have been abducted by vampires. At Fort Apache, he learned about the Hole in the Neck Gang, and he realized that the missing woman, a wilderness scout, met the profile of targets for this gang. Whether she was a prisoner for feeding or had been transformed into a vampire herself, he was determined to find the find the woman on behalf of the tribe which had done so much for him. The three realized that they were all searching the same region, so they agreed to work together at least until their paths diverged, but they held a dark suspicion that they were all tracking the same culprits.

This suspicion had been confirmed in the worst way imaginable. They managed to track the migrating pack of vampires to one of their favorite lairs. Na-Wa confirmed that a powerful magic entity was inside the old ship with the vampires. Jason had developed the strategy of hiding half their equipment nearby and purposefully becoming captured in order to find Master Raja inside. It sort of worked.

The master had been inside but not well. The vampires had kept the master alive for years and were slowly prying secrets out of him. They did not feed on his blood, but they did many times carve his tattoos away and watch them regrow. The vampire's body fixer had performed many experiments in grafting tattooed flesh or copying it in order to gift this same magic to vampiric soldiers. Flayed flesh covered the walls of the ship's old medical bay.

The vampires were more wary than expected of their new prisoners. The magic energy of the prisoners was continually kept sucked dry by unsleeping syphon entities. Na-Wa and Jason was frequently bleed as a source of nurishment, and he was separated from his oldest and closest companion, Bruce. Lucas was used as an experimental subject as they vampires made multiple failed attempts at installing magic tattoos into his flesh. Jason bided his time, waiting for a chance to escape his shackles. The ancient Atlantean, Master Raja, had been carried away with Bruce somewhere else as nervous about approaching strangers.

Deep in hull of a rusting Golden Age, three prisoners listened to the sounds of battle outside. The vampires had left them unattended for the first time in days. They even took their cursed weapons with them. Finding his first opportunity, Jason set about contorting his body to free himself from his shackles. As he worked, a strange fog began to creep into the room.

Not an actual contortionist, Jason struggles to fold his thumbs and his palms enough to slip his bonds.  He grimaces in pain as he wriggles his hands.
Finally, after attempting to escape his bonds awhile, he finally slips them.  Ha-ha!  He then looks about the room to determine the best way to get free and free his two companions.

07:38, Today: Jason Damien rolled 21 using 1d100.  Escape Artist @ 44%.
07:38, Today: Jason Damien rolled 45 using 1d100.  Escape Artist @ 44%.
07:27, Today: Jason Damien rolled 46 using 1d100.  Escape Artist @ 44%.
Whatband who else is in the room?
 Does he have enough PPE to use any of his tattoos
This message was last edited by the player at 14:15, Wed 21 Feb 2018.

When Na-Wa saw his friend Jason trying to get out of his metal bands Na-Wa decided to do the same. Once free Na-Wa looked around to see if there was a way out of the room.


07:35, Today: Secret Roll: Na-Wa rolled 11 using 1d100.  Escape artist 55%.

OOC: posting from iPhone been away from home past few days.

The first attempt by Jason to break himself out didn't work so well for him. His thumbs are just not folding enough slip through these cuffs. He'll need to think of a different method before he makes his second attempt.

How is Na-Wa attempting to get free?

The in which they are held is an old naval brig with steel cots and iron bars. The door for the bars is rusted frozen in an open position though. Old blood stains cover the floor, left by previous occupants. The only obstacle that the prisoners can see between themselves and freedom are the steel chains and shackles which have been welded directly to the steel walls. Wooden buckets have been provided. A gurney sits nearby which has been used to carry prisoners back and forth between the medical bay and the prisoner cells. Some tools including a Wilk's laser scalpel lay on the gurney.

While he was being brought to the medical bay the last time, Lucus spotted some of his gear in a nearby room. It was in the room where that had been converted into a workshop by the vampires' Operator.

As the fog continues to roll into the brig, the sounds of firearms outside slow.

Personal condition: Each prisoner has 1 point of P.P.E. right now. It's been a rough time, so your hit points are at half also. I'll give you your full personal S.D.C. and a loin cloth or a pair of tidy-whities.

Lucas examines his shackles closely, looking at the chains, welds, and where they lock in place. Once satisfied, he whacks the lock a few times on the nearest wall before grabbing and pulling the chain, attempting to pop it apart. When finished, he reaches for the gurney and laser scalpel.

I think each of the prisoners has his own plan now, and posts are coming quickly. I think I will wait until I get all the declarations before these actions are resolved.

Na-Wa grabs his left thumb with his right hand and yanks real hard. He knew it would hurt but he did this before when the skull face soilders kept him chained up. If he could get his thumb to ‘pop out’ then he could probably get his hand free.

Looking closely at the chains, Jason gives a look of resignation.  Ah, to Hell with it.  He flexes his muscles, pulling with his arms to see if he can break the chains free from their moorings.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:17, Thu 22 Feb 2018.

Going by Jason's second and Na-Wa's first Escape Artist skill rolls
the prisoners work with gusto to find way to liberate themselves.

Lucus gives his shackles and chains a closer careful inspection. The steel chains are old and seemingly of mediocre quality, likely scavenged from somewhere in the ship. They include handcuffs which are tightened around each of his wrists by a screw out of his reach. The cuffs are connected by one long chain. The chain is fed through a couple of loops on the wall which to hold his arms apart. The loops are welded onto the wall. The welding looks like skillful work, but the quality of the material is suspect.

With a sickening crack, Na-Wa self-injures his hand. The tactic works and he is able to slip his left hand out its steel cuff. Getting the right free should now just be a matter of twisting a screw to loosen the clamp.

While he is freeing his second hand, a loud metallic band resonates through the room. Jason simultaneously breaks free. This confirm's Lucas' evaluation of the metal strength being questionable. A weak link shatterd, leaving him with a long loose steel chain around attached to each arm.

Everyone's arms ache, but the limbs are functional.

Now, the mist has grown thick enough that you may no longer see down the hallway from your cell.

With his arms free, Kason stretches and flexes to remove the ache.  He watches the fog rolling in, knowing it to be the work of their vampire captors.  He looks to his companions.
Lucus, Na-Wa.  Are you two okay?  Are you able to fight?
His bare feet pad quietly as he walks over to Lucus, knowing the Canadian had born the brunt of the torture.  He looks the scarred man over.  As soon as I have enough energy, and we are safe, I will heal you both, my friends.  But, now, we are going to have to fight.  We need as much of our gear as we can find.  His voice is clear and strong when he speaks.
As he stands wearing only a loincloth, the others can see the whole of the series of tattoos patchworked across his muscular and lithe body, each individual piece of ink surrounded and connected by a forest of leafy vines, even up and onto the cheeks of his face, and his forehead. Each tattoo appears to be three dimensional and capable of independent movement, if one stares too long.
He teast the weight of the chains attached to his wrists, checking to see if they may be usable as weapons.  They are old, falling apart, but made of wood, and suseptibel

The chains are steel and suitable for use as whips or garotes maybe. With arms free, they may be unfastened and removed at any time, or they may be kept. All three prisoners are free now.

Stepping out of the cell confirms the worst fears about other prisoners. Desicated bodies are piled in the other cells. The hall out of the brig leads only one way, but the hall is guarded. A coyote sits in the mist silently staring at the prisoners and showing its teeth.

Lucas stretches. The short time stuck in the cruiser would likely bring all new nightmares to add to the ever growing list, but for now they needed to escape. Joining the others at the door, he glances in both directions. "Note to self: getting captured on purpose by inhuman monsters, bad idea." Shaking off the bad thoughts still lingering with a sigh, he continues after his look. "At least there's only the one? Doesn't seem like much of a guard. So, probably just trained to go get its master should a prisoner escape."

He pulls back into the room to discuss what they would do next. "When they were bringing me back that last time, I noticed a side room on the way back. Looked like it had some of my gear in it. Easily could have had all our stuff there, and sounds like someone else is here after the vampires. If that's true, it's the best time to go for it. How do we want to play this?"

private message to Lucas

Then there is probably more to that one animal than we know.  He frees himself from his shackles, but keeps the chains as his weapons for now.  While not versed in their use, he thinks he may have an idea or two on some maneuvers he could try.
I am pretty certain they have destroyed our silver, so we will have to improvise.  He looks to the psi-stalker.  If you can not convince the animal to let us go, I will face him.  You two go after our weapons.  Be careful.  I am certain I sense a vampire nearby.
He steps into the hallway.

Once freed Na-Wa pushes his thumb back into place, hurting himself again. He then looks around for something that can be used as a weapon, like maybe a bone he could break and use as a crude stabbing object.

Na-Wa thinks how he could make the animal to let them go and doesn't come up with anything other then killing it with whatever he can find as a weapon. He answers the tattoo man's (i.e. Jason) question "You want Na-Wa to go kill pet coyote of bloodsuckers?"

Lucas' head cocks to one side as he considers Jason's words. The monsters he's used to are not the same as are found in Mexico. So, it's certainly a possibility. "Could be. I've heard vampires can turn into bats, not coyotes. Though I have heard of some supernatural creatures having familiars and such. Perhaps this is some sort of hell hound familiar? Looks simple enough until it's not? Anyway, I would say we could try the other direction, but the gear is in a room on the other side of the coyote. So unless we want to run into the vampires," he looks down at his own body, "more or less naked, we need to make it past this thing. Best to just get to it. Shall we just rush it? The two of us will continue past while you engage?"

He follows Jason into the hallway. Hearing Na-Wa's question, he looks back to the Psi-stalker. "I think he meant see if you can get friendly with it. Maybe it will like you? Jason and I probably smell too much like technology and magic. You might be able to get close to it peacefully." Lucas blinks, looking toward the sounds of conflict in the distance. "Of course, with the vampires under attack, are we sure this is a guard at all? It could be connected with the attackers, here looking for survivors or other vampires. It's not unheard of for some spellcasters to use animals as scouts. Until we know what's going on for certain, I think it best we not make any assumptions. Either of you remember seeing the coyote when you were brought in?"

I just want to clarify some details. The coyote does not have glowing red eyes. When approaching the ship, lots of coyotes were heard in the distance but not seen. Nearby objects include one bucket, steel chains (used condition), loin cloths or underwear, and a hospital gurney with <strike>torture</strike> medical tools.

In looking for a weapon Na-Wa picks up which ever of the torture/medical tools can best be called a knife.

"Na-Wa can kill pet coyote of bloodsuckers with this." and holds up his new 'knife'.

I do not remember seeing it earlier, buut vampires can control bats, canines, and rats to do their bidding.  Usually, they act as guardians, the Atlantean saus to the ranger.  He turns back to Na-Wa.  Yes, you could.  But, I'm less likely to get hurt if I get bitten than you are.
He looks at the coyote and imitates its growl.  He then charges down the hall towards the wild canine to deliver a powerful kick.

17:22, Today: Jason Damien rolled 14 using 4d6.  MD.
17:22, Today: Jason Damien rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  Kick.

Na-Wa finds a steel scalpel with a very small blade. It looks like something he would break easily, but it also looks sharp. Dried blood coats the blade with as a crust.

For the upteenth time, an NPC has rolled a natural 1 in combat. For the first time this campaign, we get to use the mega-damage bodily injury chart from Page 359 of Rifts: Ultimate Edition.

Jason charges and attacks the canine with a large kick. The coyote fails to back away in time. Jason's foot pierces directly through the animal's body (destroying 1D4 organs) and out the other side. Jason now has the cadaver of a coyote around his leg.

Everybody roll to save vs Horror Factor 14 or start dry heaving at the image.

Unfortunately for the coyote, it seems to move right in the way of the Atlantean's foot.  Jason does not even stop, the coyote's ribcage and abdomen forming almost a shoe around his foot as he tears through the diaphram to practically liquefy lungs and heart.  He almost appears to be limping as he strides to the next room with a purpose.
08:20, Today: Jason Damien rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Perception.
Well, that roll sucked.
06:40, Today: Jason Damien rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  Horror Factor.

This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Mon 26 Feb 2018.

Na-Wa seen many bad things but the sight of the foot going through the coyotes leg was too much. Na-Wa doubles over and dry heaves once before throwing up a bunch of thick green bile from the contents of his stomach.

In the tinkerer's workshop, the prisoners find much of their missing gear. There are also electric lights, soldering tools, and miscellaneous electronic parts. It is up to you guys what you find in this room out of your starting equipment.

Here is a list of items not found in the room:
Bruce the rune sword
any oversized gear like a hover bike
any silver (including jewelry)
Wilk's brand laser weapons*
long e-clips* (shorts were left in the room)
high explosive hand grenades*
flashbang grenades*

Items marked with an asterisk were confiscated and currently being used by the vampire posse.

Jason arranged to bury and hide some of his gear nearby. Lucas and Na-Wa may have done the same with some of their pieces of gear if they want that.

Having turned around to discuss the situation, Lucas misses the charging punt. When he hears the footsteps and wet thunk from the hallway, he quickly turns and hurries out to see if he can help. Seeing the atlantean dragging the coyote corpse down the hallway, his hand comes up to cover his mouth. Instead of gagging, though, a soft snicker is heard escaping. "Could have waited to see if your boots were in the next room..." He hurries to join Jason in the next room, giving Na Wa his privacy.

Picking up what things he can find that are his, he quickly starts getting dressed while still looking around for what's missing. "Crap! What the... Stupid vampires. That silver was expensive." Half dressed, he rifles through a couple piles with a crestfallen look. He lifts one of his pistols, looking at it forlornly. "Well, this is useless now. Bunch of thieves." He re-holsters the pistol and finishes getting dressed. The empty, and now useless pistols once again strapped to his sides, he lifts a rifle from the diminishing pile and loads it with the ammo still present before slinging it over his back and picking up a wooden club and unsheathing a similar knife.

Finding the gear he had brought with him, Jason knows the loincloth his is wearing is the remains of his toga.  His tattered cloak he found wrapped around his things.  He kicks the coyote off his leg, sending the carcass flying across the room, as he pulls free his sandals and a gunbelt with a right-hand hogleg holster holding a strange looking, sawed-off shotgun.  On the left side, there is a leather strap with six loops that each hold a round wooden stake.
He pulls free the sawed-off, revealing the red gemstone centered atop the copper-sheathed, steel barrels, with the wood of the receiver and grip encrusted with copper and gold filagree.  He breaks open the action to see the dim,blue glow in each chamber, and he smiles.  Apparently, they had seen the empty shell loops around the belt and believed his fancy shotgun worthless.
There is also a shoulder-rig holding a Welling handgun, but he knows the magazine is empty, a utility belt with ammo pouches he expects are empty since his Wilks pistol and rifle are missing, and a flat flashlight with stretchy band and a cross painted on the lens.
Soon, the the belts, shoulder-rig, sandals and cloak are donned, and looks over at Lucus.  You psychic?  You might need this, he says in his accented English as he tosses the headlight to the former Tundra Ranger.

Na-Wa sees his stuff, but doesn't see Wohn-Ecke, his sword. He quickly puts on his armor, a set of Coalition Robot/Vehicle crewman armor that has been re-painted tan with OD green and dark green striping. The wild Psi-Stalker grabs his energy pistol (a CP-30 pulse pistol), five short e-clips and three vibro knifes. He inserts one of the short e-clips into the pistol before putting it in its holster.

"Bloodsucker's took Wohn-Ecke. We try to find yes?"

Lucas catches the head lamp from Jason with a shake of his head. "Not overly so, no. Though I left most of my gear back at the cache since it wouldn't be much use against vampires. So, I'll take all the help I can get. How does it work?"

Hearing the worried tone in Na-Wa's voice, Lucas turns to the psi-stalker. He might miss the ammunition for the pistols, but others had bigger concerns. He tried to calm his companion. "Of course we'll look. We still need to look for Jason's friend too, don't we? We can look for both. Wohn-Ecke was your sword, right?"

You just put the band around your head, the switch at the top turns it on.  Keep the light to the front.  Their mind control relies on eye contact, but the shadow of the cross on the lens will burn them so they won't be looking you in the eyes.  Check it first.
He turns to Na-wa as he begins to pull the stakes from the gun belt.  You will get your sword back, and you can behead the bodies so we can cremate them.
He looks for a relatively sharp piece if metal that he can use to split each of the stakes in half, so the each have four to use as weapons.  As long as the stake goes in a vampire's heart and stays there, it is immobilized.  Then decapitate and burn the bodies and the heads separately.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:29, Wed 28 Feb 2018.

As the boys enjoy shopping for the stuff that they already owned, the sounds of combat outside ramp up again with cries and gunshots. Jason finds a small electric circular saw which quickly slices up the wooden stakes for him. There is also a Wilk's Laser Wand tool here if anyone wants to loot that. Even as Jason cuts, some sort of loud explosion goes off nearby. The steel walls of the small metal room shake and the electric lights go out. It's suddenly very dark inside the ship.

Such timing, it almost made Lucas believe in some greater design. The lights go out as if on cue, and he flips the switch on the head lamp casting the shadow of a great cross on the far wall. Slipping the band around his head, he pulls out another flashlight from one of the small pouches on his armor and flips that light on too. "I have a spare if anyone wants one. I also have several stakes myself. I might not know much, but wooden stakes through the heart is a fairly traditional anti-vampire tactic. He hefts the club in his other hand. "Not sure this will do much good for cutting off heads, though, and I left my lighter with our other gear. Will that laser cutter catch something on fire?"

OOC: I'm assuming the flashlights work. if not, let me know and i'll edit.

Na-Wa nods when asked about Whon-Ecke being his mind talking sword. He then asks for a wooden knife to kill bloodsuckers with.

 “Can Na-Wa have wooden knife for killing bloodsuckers?”

Jason hands six of the "half" stakes to the shorter, bald and pale mutant.  He smiles as Lucus reveals his own stakes.  Keep your head on a swivel.  They will try to get around behind you.
He takes the offered flashlight, intending to take the lead.  We have to find the Tattoo Master.  That might be easier if we take our the Leeches first.  He heads out of the room to try to locate the fighting.

In reply to Jason Damien (msg # 33):

Na-Wa takes the six wooden knifes and slides them into some of the empty equipment pouches on his armor. "Na-Wa forget where to stab bloodsuckers with wood knives."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:54, Thu 01 Mar 2018.

Lucas chuckles darkly. "Na-Wa, anywhere and everywhere. Do as much damage as you can, and try not to get hurt yourself." On his way out of the room, he slows next to Na-Wa and taps him on the chest over the heart. "If you can stick one of the wooden knives right there in the vampires, then push it all the way in and leave it there and that vampire should stop moving. In that case, find another to fight." He continues past, pocketing the laser tool on the way, but stops in the hallway to make sure everyone is moving together. Things would be bad enough without anyone getting separated. His off hand now free, he gets one of his own stakes ready before moving out.

Armed and armored, the three prisoners move out of the Tinkerer's workshop. The two flashlights seem to provide adequate lighting for navigation and -- maybe -- fighting. As they exit the room, they hear heavy footsteps and clanging metal heading their way.

A pale figure appears in the hallway in front of them. The snarling creature does not have the glowing eyes of a vampires seen earlier. It has the dark and sunken eyes of a cadaver but strong jaws and large teeth. It's entirely naked except for dirt and looks somewhat like it may have once been a tall human male. The creature is thin but over six feet tall. The cross from the flashlight beam that Lucas wears seems to have no effect on it.A Lore: Demons and Monsters skill roll can identify this critter

Immediately after the corpse-thing appeared, two other figures tear holes in the steel ceiling. These figures look even more like rotting corpses, but they do have the eyes of vampires, hungry vampires. Other than their eyes and fangs, they look like decomposing corpses of women in simple dresses. They are dropping down onto the three men. A separate skill roll of Lore: Vampires or Lore: Demons and Monsters would be needed to properly identify these enemies.

It's time for initiatives.

PM

This message was deleted by the player at 11:48, Thu 01 Mar 2018.

PM

This is not going well.  The first creature's sudden appearance actually startles the Undead Slayer, more so when he is unable to identify it.  Then the two women drop in amongst them, making the situation even worse.  Terror grips him just a moment, but it is enough to cause him to drop the flashlight as he takes a step back into the bulkhead.
Σκατά (Skatá)!  His exclamation is in a language not heard on Earth, outside its use by the Atlanteans, for at least a couple of hundred years.

Well.  those rolls kinda sucked.
22:50, Today: Jason Damien rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Vs Horror Factor.  Well, Natural 1.
22:49, Today: Jason Damien rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.  Nevermind...
22:49, Today: Jason Damien rolled 33 using 1d100.  Lore: Demons and Monsters @ 64%.  The Ladies.
22:49, Today: Jason Damien rolled 80 using 1d100.  Lore: Demons and Monsters @ 64%.  First Creature.

This message was last edited by the player at 14:33, Thu 01 Mar 2018.

Private Lines included
Going by skill rolls alone, Jason should recognize the dirty male corpse-thing, and Lucas should identify the two female corpse-things. Considering their backgrounds, it makes more sense for this to work the other way around, so I reversed it.

I didn't call for Horror Factor rolls, because you knew that trouble was coming. The failures and successes correspond with the initiative order, though, so it worked out thematically.
Initiative Chart
Lucas 20
Vampire Chick A 15
Vampire Chick B 15
Corpse-Thing 10
Na-Wa 4
Jason 4

Surprised as he is, Jason gives no thought to attack, only defense.

09:17, Today: Jason Damien rolled 24 using 1d20+11.
09:17, Today: Jason Damien rolled 25 using 1d20+11.
09:17, Today: Jason Damien rolled 15 using 1d20+11.  Roll with it.
09:17, Today: Jason Damien rolled 9 using 1d20+7.  Automatic Parry.
09:17, Today: Jason Damien rolled 10 using 1d20+7.  Automatic Parry.
09:17, Today: Jason Damien rolled 12 using 1d20+7.  Automatic Parry.

Lucas curses under his breath before giving a few hasty words as the two vampires drop down from above. "I thought we'd only face vampires. Mr. Ugly is a D-Ghoul. Supernatural predator. Pretty tough." Having given his warning, he turns his attention to the two closer threats.

Okay, I have stats now for all the monsters.

First Melee Round, 1st Round of Initiatives
Lucas strikes the first blow. Expecting the unexpected to the Nth degree, he managed to smack one of the vampire sisters as she fell towards him. His wooden cudgel slapped her right across her rotting face. 7 points of wooden damage

These vampires claw at Lucas and Na-Wa. The nightmare girls slash with their claws. Lucas rebuffs one with a parry of his wood knife like a soldier who has drilled that move hundreds of hours. Na-Wa has a chance to dodge or parry here. If he doesn't tie or beat a 21, he takes 4 points of mega-damage.

The ghoul has no ranged attacks, so it charges Jason. Jason hesitates.

Na-Wa then gets his turn.

...and that ends everyones first melee action.

Na-Wa rushes at the female bloodsucker attacking him, and tries to parry the slashing claws coming at him. As the claws rake across his armor, Na-Wa tries to plunge the wooden knife into the place the other told him to: the heart.

As the thing charges at him, Jason reaches out in attempt to catch the creature's arm and slam him into the nearest wall using an arm-bar.


01:17, Today: Jason Damien rolled 14 using 4d6.  MD.
01:02, Today: Jason Damien rolled 12 using 1d20+7.  Automatic Parry.
01:02, Today: Jason Damien rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  Bodyflip/Throw.

Aside: While this fight rages, the guys can hear a lot of noise outside the ship. They can hear an even larger explosion coming from one side. From the other, the high pitched noise of tearing metal is heard.

Lucas circles with his dance partner, the the corpse-bride-looking fiend who dropped down onto him. Lucas lands another strike with his wooden weapon and deflects another slashing claw strike.

Retroactively resolving Na-Wa's actions: The Psi-Stalker receives a blow to his side from a vampire's claws, but the damage is not substantial. He counters with a stab at the monster's heart. He misses the heart, but he does pierce flesh with his wooden "knife." (Yes, WP Knife does apply here.)

Na-Wa tries to stab the bloodsucker woman again and drops the stake in his hand. With no weapon the Wild Psi Stalker resorts to grabbing and trying to pin the blood sucker to the ground. Pulling out another stake, Na-Wa drops it....

Wow, Na-Wa seems to have his hands full with his vampiress opponent. That's the only thing filling his hands. He is able to parry the next claw attack at least.

The ghoul makes a lunging claw attack against Jason. The strike goes wide, not ever being a threat to Atlantean.

Then, Na-Wa drops his first wooden stake. Plunk, it smacks against the steel floor.

Jason takes advantage of the ghoul's overreach. Grabbing the monster's arm, he swings the ghoul into a steel bunkhead and rings the entire ship like a bell with the monster's skull as it's clapper. After the impact, he has the monster's arm in a classic arm bar hold.

With the dimensional ghoul pinned in an arm bar up against the bulkhead, Jason slams his free hand into the back of the creature's skull witha palm strike in an attempt to ring the bell again.  Meanwhile, should anyone attempt an attack against his person, Jason will attempt to use his opponent as a meat shield.

11:05, Today: Jason Damien rolled 11 using 1d20+7.  Parry with D-Ghoul
11:04, Today: Jason Damien rolled 12 using 4d6.  MD.
11:04, Today: Jason Damien rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  Called strike to the head.

Lucas spins and brings his cudgel down on the vampiress again with more force than before. The vampiress finally gets lucky enough to block a blow. She takes advantage of her only opening to lean in and bite at Lucas. Shifting his weight and hers, he sort of hug-parries her fangs away.

The other vampire continues her attacks against Na-Wa. Distracted, the Psi-Stalker is not able to parry the blow. Fortunately for him, the vampire girl still hits like a light breeze as supernatural predators go. Na-Wa has taken only 9 points of mega-damage so far.

The ghoul struggles to break free from the hold but is simply out-muscled by Jason.

Na-Wa tackles and pins his vampiress to the ground.

Jason brings an arm down aiming for the ghoul's head. He misses the head but pounds into the creature's shoulder in a way and makes it writhe in pain. Jason still has two attacks left after this, but the ghoul is entirely immobilized both because of the pin and because it is out of attacks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:14, Fri 09 Mar 2018.

Lucas pushes away the vampire at his neck at follows up with an underhand swing of his club. She deflects the blow. The vampiress follows with a high swipe of her claws, and the soldier slaps her arm away in a move that sends her spinning.

The other vampiress attempts to break free of the hold that Na-Wa has on her. This party does a lot of hug-fighting. Although the vampiress is stronger, Na-Wa is far more determined and practiced. Na-Wa grabs his second wooden stake from his belt.

Jason continues to hold the strugging monster immobilized.

Lucas swings for the fences. The fiendish vampiress fails to parry this time (should have dodged) and catches a club right to her ribs. She seems to be running out of steam.

The vampiress fighting Na-Wa is doing only slightly better. Unable to break free, she attempts to kick at her foe. She strikes Na-Wa's knee. 7 more mega-damage, you may apply this to your armor's leg is you like.

Jason still has the ghoul in an arm lock.

The superior training of the men really comes into play at this point. They press their advantages and find opens that lesser warriors would have missed. In more clear terms, the PCs have attacks per melee left, and the monsters do not.

Lucas brings his club down on the monster's head with a satisfying crack. The vampiress looks dazed and merely half awake at this point. She has one hit point left. Makes a clumsy stabbing motion with one claw, a blow easily deflected by Lucas.

Na-Wa brings up his wooden stake for dramatic end to his duel. The stake catches on a metal bulkhead and slips out of his hand. His grip must be weak from him long chained confinement -- maybe?

With the ghoul held in his arm lock, Jason presses his advantage.  He pulls the creature back from the wall, then uses all the strength he can muster to try to smash the thing's skull into the bulkhead.
11:47, Today: Jason Damien rolled 2 using 1d4.  ×10, for 20 MD.
11:47, Today: Jason Damien rolled 21 using 1d20+4.  Power Attack-2 actions.

Bang! The ghoul is very very upset but still awake and struggling.

Time to start a fresh melee round! I am just going to keep using the same initiative rolls if that is okay with everybody.

Seeing the vampiress on the ropes right in front of him, Lucas redoubles his efforts in hopes of taking her down and helping his companions. The cramped quarters and close combat is not his favorite, but against such monsters as these, and without his silver bullets, what choice did he have? He raises the cudgel again and swings away.

Na-Wa head butt's the female bloodsucker in an effort to distract it before trying to get a hold/pin. If Na-wa is successfully in pinning the female bloodsucker he'll draw another stake and try to repeatedly stab the bloodsucker in the heart.

While defending himself with his free hand, Jason stomps at the back of the ghoul's knee and calf to try to pin the leg under his foot.

20:29, Today: Jason Damien rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Automatic Parry.
20:29, Today: Jason Damien rolled 16 using 4d6.  MD.
20:29, Today: Jason Damien rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  Kick to back of knee.

Lucas pushes his headlamp back into position with his free hand. The cross of shadow catches his opponent directly in her red eyes. She shields her burning face with her claws. That is when Lucas brings his cudgel down with a tremendous crack on the top of her head. The fiend collapses and drops face first to the ground next to his feet.

The remaining vampire scampers backward under the press of Na-Wa. She scoots backwards to the wall and then up it. Climbing the bulkhead as if she were a lizard, She maneuvers out of his grip and attempts to kick him again. The Psi-Stalker blocks her blow classic boxing defense stance. He pulls her back down towards him and attempts to head butt her. The blow connected and broke her half-rotted nose. How about I treat this like a supernatural punch for determining damage? 4 mega-damage

Jason still has the ghoul pinned. He delivers a swift coyote-killing kick to the monster. The feral beast takes the blow, but before the leg can be pulled back it catches the leg in its oversized jaw. Simultaneous Counter-Attack tactic; Jason delivered 16 points but suffered 4 points of mega-damage to his leg.

Lucas takes his time to carefully line up a wooden stake on against the heart of the vampire that he just knocked unconscious. He has been trained in this process several times, but he has never done it himself before. Memories of tales of hunters who missed the heart and the bad consequences rattle around in his head and cloud his concentration. Holding his breath, he drives his cudgel down onto the wedge of pine.

The vampire screams less through their mouth than through her body as the air escapes from her chest when her flesh turns to ask and falls away.

Her sister-vampire is not pleased by this sequence of events. She moves in towards Na-Wa and grapples with him, her mouth snapping like a viper. She attempts to pin him in a type of sleeper-hold, but the psi-stalker slips out before she can secure him.

The ghoul howls in rage within the grip of Jason. The monster which was so bold less than a minute ago is now moaning pathetically.

Na-Wa turns the attack on the remaining vampiress and pins her against a bulkhead, his forearm holding her at her throat and with her feet off the floor. She kicks wildly. It doesn't work, and he soon has her right where he wants her.

Keeping the ghoul pinned to the wall and floor, he defends himself if needed, by catching a hold od the attacking limb.  Then he speaks to the undead creature.
You will not find a meal here, today, he growls, unless you wish it to be staked vampire.  If you surrender, I will allow you to leave this place so you may find a nice cemetery to inhabit.  Or you may continue fighting and be destroyed.  Of that, you have my word as a True Atlantean Undead Slayer.


True Atlantean Undead Slayer Horror/Awe Factor of 14.
15:06, Today: Jason Damien rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Pin/Incapacitate 18+.
15:06, Today: Jason Damien rolled 18 using 1d20+7.  Automatic Parry.
15:05, Today: Jason Damien rolled 80 using 1d100.  Trust/Intimidate @ 60%.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:54, Thu 15 Mar 2018.

Lucas moves to aid Na-Wa. He grabs one of the flailing arms of the vampire who is fighting this Psi-Stalker.

Na-Wa stabs at the fiend with the stake in his one free arm. It's a direct hit. The vampiress, however, will not go down without inflicting some pain. She knocks up his pinning arm with her one hand and bites into the forearm. Simultaneous attack, 18 mega-damage Even as her fangs sink into him, her flesh turns to dust and crumbles off her skeleton onto the floor.

Jason makes his demand. The ghoul does not trust him, but he has no choice but to capitulate. Let's say that the ghoul responds in whatever language Jason is addressing it. American?

"Eater of live things, give me mercy. I have killed none of your kind. I eat only the dry bodies left by these blood drinks."

Jason lets go of his grip on the ghoul and steps back.  Then GO!  Do not stop!  Just RUN!
Though in a ready stance and prepared to fight once again, should the ghoul turn treacherous, he waves the creature off.  He turns to his companions, seeing that they have the two vampires well under control.
Are you injured, Na-Wa?  Lucus?

Lucas looks down at his body armor, inspecting for any damage that may not have been noticed before. He looks back up and shakes his head. "I think I made it through ok. I'm just glad you were here to deal with the ghoul. I left pretty much all my non-vampire weapons with the rest of our gear and only had wood in hand when those three jumped us. Speaking of which, they're dust now, right? No coming back to life when the sun sets or rising again in three days? I'd hate to think we're leaving vengeful vampires behind us to hunt us down or spring out at an inopportune moment down the road." He reaches down and picks up the stake on the floor, examining it for damage before adjusting the head lamp again. Ready to move on, he looks over to Na-Wa to make sure the psi-stalker is ok as well.

Na-Wa is quite surprised when the female bloodsucker turns to dust. The armor on his left forearm is crushed and broken. Na-Wa removes the destroyed armor and looks at his arm, and sees bite marks from the female bloodsucker.. He tells his two companions that he was bit, with an obvious worry on his face.

"Na-Wa got bit, is this bad thing?"

Picking up a piece of clothing once worn by a female vampire, Jason shakes the undead dust from it and tears a strip.  He glances up at his companions.  Either of you bring some water?  I left my water gun back with the gear.
He uses the strip of cloth (after rinsing it off and wringing it out, if possible) to bandage Na-Wa's arm.  Traditional Lore states they have to drain blood three nights, with the intention of turning their victim into a vampire, for it to work.

The ghoul wasted no time in running away like the big pale coward he is.

As per knowledge from Lore: Monsters and Demons or Lore: Vampires, anyone with these skills will understand that Jason's answer is correct.

Foot steps on metal indicate that someone is moving around above.

I shall heal this as soon as I have the energy built back up, my pale and bald friend, Jason says as soon as he has wrapped up the wound with his makeshift bandage.
We needs must hurry.  It sounds as though the fighting may be over.  He heads for the nearest stairs or ladder to get to the upper deck.

Na-Wa gathers up the stakes he had dropped during the fight and follows his friends.

private message follows...

Nyx climbs down into the ship. At the same time, the prisoners climb up stairs from the bottom of the ship. Lucas, Na-Wa, and Jason meet the spur-wearing Elf in the middle. Na-Wa no longer senses any supernatural predators nearby, but the figure in front of him is a powerful psychic.

Jason stops suddenly, the light from behind him casting his shadow far ahead of him.  However, he could still make out the appearance of the Elf in front of him, as the psi-stalker and the former Ranger narrowly avoid bumping into his back.
Built like a gymnast or a martial artist, Jason stands there while wearing only loincloth, sandals, and gunbelt, studying the elf intently for several moments.
Well, you are not a vampire, he says in English.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:08, Fri 23 Mar 2018.

Jason, which language are you speaking?

Lucas puts the small water bottle back in its pocket and straps it down to his armor after Jason finishes caring for Na-wa's injury. Following the undead slayer, he doesn't get a great look at the newcomer at first. He steps up to Jason's side, letting the light from his headlamp cast its glow more fully on the figure before them (and its shadowed cross). Looking the newcomer up and down, he talks to Jason (in American) without taking his eyes off the elf. "Doesn't look particularly ghoulish to me either. Are you sure it's not some vampire variant or other? Maybe just looks mortal? Wait, do vampires keep mortal followers around? New concern entering his mind, he raises his wooden club and stake, ready to rush ahead if necessary.

Halting in the passageway, Nyx smiled thinly. With the fine-features and high cheekbones that mark his kind, Nyx stood tall in a suit of styled Western body armour - Vasqueros to those who might recognise it - with a faded black and white poncho atop that bulged strangely. Silver spurs poked from his boots, together with studs upon the calves and forearms. Silver hoops pieced his ears, their cold metal matching the cool disdain in his sapphire-blue eyes.

He smiled thinly and shifted his weight, the light behind the speaker catching the pair of antique six shooters that hung low on his hips - beneath them a further pair of modern replicas and beside a vibro-blade. Behind him the barrel of a rifle poked over a shoulder, slung between what might have been a third pair of pistols.

Whatever else might be said, it was clear he was a 'slinger - and those who lived in the West might recognise him: the reputation of one Nyx Hoarfrost was known, though it was said he travelled with another, a green-eyed twin called Doc Lightning

He smiled and cast his eyes over the three before him: the noble savage in front; the soldier with the light behind him; and the pale face of the 'stalker at the rear.

Overhearing the words of the man in the middle, he raised his hands slowly, speaking in English himself even as he heard Ethan announce his and Kalista's presence elsewhere aboard in his earpiece, "We have killed plenty of leeches today. Don't let my pretty features fool you into thinking I'm on of them..."

Activating his Sense Evil psi-power. Anyone who might recognises him, his reputation means he has a Horror Factor 9

Na-Wa looks over the pointy ear who was strong in mind power. "Are you good guy like us? You kill bloodsuckers too?"

After a moments pause whilst he sub-vocalised something into his suit radio, the elf drawled softly at the voice from the back, "I'm a Lumberjack. We're in the business of felling leeches"

The lithe and tattooed Undead Slayer extends his hand towards the Elf, and speaks in perfect, but accented, Dragonese/Elven.  I am Iason Ianos Damianos, Undead Slayer of the House of Luminine, Clan of Acheron.  You may call me Jason Damien.
He then indicates the two fellows with him, introducing them in English.  My friends, the psi-stalker, Na-Wa, and the Tundra Ranger, Lucus Rowland.

Lucas adjusted the head lamp to get a better look at the elf before them. The name was familiar, and the appearance matched. Weird running into the slinger here, but it was a small world. Never one to look down on potential help with monster hunting, he gave Nyx a smile and put his weapons away. "Nice to see a... friendly?... face in a place like this, or at least a competent one. What brings you here? Come to enjoy the beautiful scenery and relaxing cruise ship atmosphere? They do have hot and cold running blood, and a delightful torture chamber back that way. Not much happening on the tanning deck up top, i'd imagine, and the ocean view leaves something to be desired." The sarcasm was mild but obvious. With an additional pair of hands now present, he traded the wooden weapons for the rifle slung on his back. Slipping an ammo clip in, he readied the weapon.

Keeping his distance, Nyx glanced at the proffered hand and the corridor beyond, checking for exits and other hidden figures. With no clear danger he took the hand, shaking it lightly but keeping his hold whilst he answered the discrete query, "Nyx Hoarfrost. We're here hunting, wanted the head of the orc, Severance. Got it. You folks rescued yourself, or you been supping from their challice?"

Na-Wa answers the pointy ear. "We captured by blood suckers. They chain us up, bleed and feed on us. We escape, kill naked bloodsucking girls."

Nyx released Jason's hand and nodded at the psi-stalker, "You are looking a little pale.."

Psi-stalkers are always pale, Jason says.  Human mutation, they feed on the magic energy of magic practitioners and the supernatural.  They are really good at sensing magic and psionics, as well as the supernatural and creatures of magic.

"Is the section behind you cleared?", questioned the 'slinger, pointy ears a-twitch as he listened for the others to stumble over them. Head cocked to one side he reported in, lips clearly moving now, before returning his attention to the trio in front of him, "You've more Lumberjacks hunting through the rest of this hulk and I'd be most pleased if no-one shot my brother..."

This message was deleted by the player at 13:36, Mon 26 Mar 2018.

Jason shrugged. "Clear as far as where we were held. We came this way. So beyond that point, who knows. We're here looking for a friend of his," he nodded in Jason's direction. "Disappeared some time ago. Thought he might have been captured. Don't suppose you've run across other prisoners?" He then realized the elf and his friends must have been the ones responsible for the sounds of combat outside the hull. If that were the case, they most likely only just stepped on board and hadn't had time to find much of anything. Still, he let the question stand just in case.

"Tell me of your friend", stated the elf, "We've found nothing but leeches"

Nice convo, guys. I'm starting a new thread for everybody to share and speak freely.

Private line to Nyx: