((Attack R2: 6, 5, 5, 5, 4, 2 & 1
Strike White queen: 35+15+10= 60 / better blocked

Init R3: 10, 9, 9, 8, 6, 3 & 2
Init: 18+10+10= 38
Clarity in openness + 10 learning/ -1 solar chi -2 normal chi
Fob: 12+10+10= 32 /1chi Doubles as sense chi action at White queen
Analyse fears w/ Learning (Twilight caste): 29+25+10= 64))

Arkady steels his nerves, His survival instinct kicks in. He Extends his left arm and launches an energy surge towards the White queens face.

He then quickly back steps to a low stance glaring his opponent under his hood, his glowing caste sign can be seen. A setting sun. His mark of endless curiosity. He analyses his opponent thoroughly for he knows knowledge is power.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:27, Thu 05 Apr 2018.

((Defense:
10, 7, 7, 6, 5, 4, 2 & 1
Float 7-7
Primary Attack: Dodge: 16+15(footwork)+5(GP)+10(AB)-10= 36 vs 107, 3 ripples and roll
Disrupt: Dodge:15+20(stealth)+10(AB)= 45 vs 78, takes disrupt
will put X chi to chi aura after rolling

Attack vs baidaks: 9, 9, 7, 7, 5, 4, 3 & 3
Float 7
Strike: 29+20+10(AB)-5= 54, better dodged
Knockback: 23+20+10 = 53

Initiative:  10, 9, 8, 8, 4, 4, 3, 2, 2, 2 & 1
Use 3 chiv joss
Light Diffused by Clouds 2 chi
Using Murderous Shadows w/ Unarmed+Saber
Initiative: 28+15+10= 53
FoB: 13+15+10 = 38/ 1 chi
Stealth wave to mask her own chi usage: 32+20+10 = 62
Recover from disrupt: strike: 24+20+10= 54 vs 30, recovers
))

Diamond Sky can feel her warm blood trickling down the side of her face, as the cut above her eye tingles slightly. Like a small reminder of the fact that they are not immortal. The sudden burst of essence and light washes away some of her shadows, and upon the oncoming attack, she is taken by surprise. She tries to dodge below the Queen, not doing as expected from her, but it's not quite enough.

The incoming hit sets her whole body shivering as she rolls back up, grunting in pain, her smirk having wiped away. On her way to take a better standing she passes upon the two remaining Baidaks and lashes out angrily wanting to tore them to pieces.

Stupid limits, stupid rules, how could she call herself the Blue Fox if she didn't try to bend them at least a little? Some of her previous shadows cast afterimages as they fade away, only for the room to suddenly grow darker, as the surroundings seem to run out of power. She would not be dimmed out.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Thu 05 Apr 2018.

((RR 6d on Diamond Sky:
*22 + Damage 5 = 27 - Toughness 10 = 17 - Chi Aura 13 = 4, a Trivial wound:  inflamed to Minor, Cut Eye

Baidak Defenses:
10, 9, 6, 3, 2, 1 & 1
*21 + Tactics 20 = 41 vs 54, a Ripple:  Taken Out

White Queen Defense vs Arkady:
9, 9, 8, 6, 6, 3, 3, 3 & 2
*2 Chi:  Block +5
*Defense 33 + Block 15 + AB 10 + IKF = 63, Blocks

Diamond Sky, you can spend up to 7 Chi this round without giving up your cover.  If you spend up to the max, next round it'll reduce by 1 to 6, and so on and so forth until you hit 3.

White Queen Init R3:
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 3, 2, 1 & 1
*Init 19 + Speed 5 + AB 10 = 34
*Float 1-1

Order:
Diamond Sky 53
Grunt 42
Arkady 38
White Queen 34

EXHUME THE BODIES ARRIVES R7))

The slash over Diamond Sky's eye widens as the White Queen almost takes off her head.  She quickly raises her sword, deflecting Arkady's blast and looking at him with that big red eye.

"Better than your other attempts so far."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:43, Mon 09 Apr 2018.

(Init: 9, 9, 7, 6, 5, 5, 5, 5 & 4
Shadow Catching w/ Unarmed/Saber
Wood Dragon Claw, 2 chi
Init: 17 + 15 + 10 = 42
FoB: 16 + 15 = 31
Shaping Wave : Tactics : 29 + 10 + 10 = 49, Get in Pincer Position with Arkady
Shaping Wave : Tactics : 45 + 10 = 55, Get in Blind Spot of White Queen

Attack: 10, 10, 10, 10, 8, 6, 3, 3 & 2
Strike: 40 + 10 + 10 + 5 (Laughs: Position) = 65, better dodged
Secondary Strike: 38 + 10 + 10 +5 = 63, better dodged, 3 chi)

Grunt's left hand erupts with green light as spines of wood shot out of his fingers. He lets the Solar's attack draw the puppet's attention while he heads around the edge of the room, out of her peripheral awareness and at an angle where he and Arkady can both attack at will without issues of friendly fire.

Then he launches himself towards her back, long thorned branches lashing across the White Queen's side before he pivots down, spinning to tear into her diagonally.

((Attack vs WQ: 10, 8, 7, 6, 6, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3 & 3
Lashing Flurry 3 chi

Strike: flowed 47+20+10(AB) = 77+5 (laughs) = 82, better dodged
Secondary Strike: 33+20+10 = 63+5 (laughs) = 68, better dodged
Disrupt block: 26+20+10 = 56+5 (laughs) = 61
Disrupt strike: 24+20+10 = 54+5 (laughs) = 59))


Blood splatters to the floor accompanied by some strands of hair after Diamond Sky nearly gets decapitated. It's all accompanied with a sound of something cracking, as her visor takes part of the damage dealt. But it's only and almost just nearly. She knew that the Queen would expect her to approach directly, or from one of the corners, because that is whats logically smart. Lucky for her, destroying and going around such order was what she had trained herself to.

Having retreated to a corner pretending to be a wounded animal, suddenly one of the lights shatter under her step as she pushes speed from the wall and ceiling, turning into a volting ball of  blades poking and prodding the White Queen. Eye for an eye is what her aim tells to the others. But other than the sudden burst of speed, there is no trace of essence around her.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:11, Sun 08 Apr 2018.

((attack r4: 10, 9, 8, 5, 3, 2 & 2
WQ Disrupt dodge w/ craft: 22+10+10= 42
WQ strike: 19+15+10= 44/ better dodged))

Arkady takes advantage of the position Grunt led him in and he makes a quick turn and covertly draws his pistol, firin at the white queens knee and ankle joints, in an effort to hinder her movement. immediately afterwards a shockwave shakes the surrounding atmosphere as he launches another strike at the White queens face.

((White Queen Defense vs Diamond Sky:
6, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 2, 1 & 1
*8 Chi:  Block +15 twice
*Defense vs Secondary Strike 46 + Block 15 + AB 10 - Better Dodged 5 + IKF 15 = 81 vs 68, a Reply
*Defense vs Primary Strike 21 + Block 15 + AB 10 - Better Dodged 5 + IKF 15 = 56 vs 82, 3 Ripples
*Float 4-4
*Takes both Disrupts

White Queen Defense vs Gabriel:
6, 5, 5, 4, 4, 4, 3 & 2
*She'll take a Fears for the Blind Spot
*2 Chi:  Block +5
*Defense vs Strike 34 + Block 15 + AB 10 - Better Dodged 5 - Disrupted Block 5 + IKF 5 = 54 vs 70, 1 Ripple
*Defense vs Secondary Strike 25 + Block 15 + AB 10 - Better Dodged 5 - Disrupted Block 5 = 40 vs 68, 2 Ripples

White Queen Defense vs Arkady:
9, 9, 9, 9, 8, 4, 4, 3 & 3
*Defense vs Strike 49 + Block 15 + AB 10 - Better Dodged 5 - Disrupt 5 = 74 vs 44 + Fears 5 = 49, Blocked
*Float 4-4
*Defense vs Disrupt 23 + Tactics 20 + AB 10 = 63 vs 42, avoids

White Queen Attack vs Arkady:
10, 9, 6, 6, 5, 5, 5, 3 & 2
*Strike 35 + Strike 20 + AB 10 - Disrupt 5 = 60, Better Blocked:  Dodge is -10; Block is also -5
*Disrupt Arkady Speed 26 + Tactics 20 + AB 10 = 56


White Queen Init R4
9, 7, 6, 6, 5, 4, 2, 2 & 1
*Init 54 + Speed 10 + AB 10 = 74
*Shaping Wave: Summon Baidak 26 + Wu Wei 20 + AB 10 = 56))

The White Queen is caught between a rock and a hard place.  Surrounded by her opponents, she chooses to focus on Arkady.  A huge burst of essence deflects one of Diamond Sky's first attacks and counters with a shallow cut to her leg, but that leaves her wide open to the Wood Dragon Claw-wielding Grunt.  She simply deflects Arkady's bullet and retaliates with a flash of strikes to the younger Solar.

Then, without a moment to waste, she starts summoning baidak again.  Her last moment's lag seems a thing of the past, but the baidak is falling apart.

((Defence vs. WQ: 10, 9, 9, 6, 6, 4 & 2.
defence vs. strike: 29+ FW15 - 10 + 10 = 44 vs 60 / takes ripples and roll
Defence vs disrupt: 26 + learning 15 + 10 = 51 vs. 56/ takes disrupt.))

Arkady tries to avoid the strikes as best as he can. He's nimble on his feet but that doesn't save him this time... The strikes leave him disoriented, too many things going on. He feels something he hasn't felt for a while: Indecision.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Mon 09 Apr 2018.

(10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 5, 4 , 2, 1
Blossom Harvest w/ Unarmed/Saber
Init: 19 + 10 + 10 = 39
FoB: 18 + 15 + 10 = 43
Shaping: Tactics: Line Up DooB with Baidaik: 25 + 10 + 10 = 45
2 chi on WDC

10, 9, 9, 7, 4, 4, 3, 3 & 2
Disrupt Block: Tactics: 23 + 10 + 10 = 43
DooB: 29 + 10 + 10 + 5 (Lined Up The Shot) = 54 (Will trigger No Vermin In All the World if possible), 2 chi
DooB: 24 + 10 + 10 + 5 =49, 5 chi)

Grunt's too tired to keep up with the White Queen's speed, so he slows down and instead takes his time, circling around to keep the origin point of her summons lined up with her as his anima starts filling the area with arcs of static electriticty gathering around his hands.

He pours a torrent of volcanic glass at the baidaik even as the overflow continues past them towards the origin.

(( Trivial wound: Cut jaw. Init roll: 10, 8, 8, 7, 5, 3 & 1
fob: 28 + 10 + 10 = 48 / 2 chi
Recover D.speed. w/ learning flowed: 37 + 15 + 10 = 62 vs. 56 /recovers
Init: 15+10+10= 35

9, 8, 8, 7, 6, 3 & 3
Strike WQ: 28+15+10= 53 /better dodged
The force of lightness -3chi
Secondary strike WQ: 23+15+10= 48 /better dodged))

Arkady feels the blades cut his face leaving the taste of blood in his mouth. A familiar yet never pleasing taste. He stumbles backwards to take a more stable stance and breathes heavily. He's having hard time to focus due to the pain, the warm tingling sensation caused by his blood running down his neck, dying his hoodie to a deeper red.

All he can utter is. "Aa- awwffffFuck..." As he attempts to steel himself. This long drag from conflict to conflict without respite or a place to hide has worn him down, and he tries not to think about the fact that this isn't even the toughest thing he'll face. He still somehow manages to calm himself down and seems more decisive. This was just shock. It's not the first time.

He pulls out his pistol again and starts unloading the magazine on white queen, biting his teeth together in a fit of rage. There is no plan. there is no thought. Just instinct. This needs to end.

Initiative:  10, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 3 & 3
Using Murderous Shadows w/ Unarmed+Saber
Initiative: 18+15+10= 43
FoB: 16+15+10 = 43/ 2 chi
Ghostly Presence: 20+20+10 = 50
Float 3-3-3

Attack vs WQ: 9, 8, 7, 6, 4, 2, 2 & 1
Reincarnating Nine Brothers 5 chi
Strike: flowed 33+20+10(AB)+5(laughs)+25 = 93
Burn: 22+10+10 = 42
))

Her attention is diverted from their opponent to Arkady, as the White Queen targets the younger solar. Momentarily she wishes to be faster on her feet as the hits land. Half of her vision turning the whole world rose red and a pulsing pain wasn't helping her focusing. But after the attack, she slides to the other side of the Queen, to give the others a better shot at the Queen as well as to guard them with herself.

She taps the side of her visor, part of the assisting programs shifting to cover her other eye, ignoring the wounded one. If she'd keep close to the target, aiming wouldn't be that difficult. Diamond Sky hisses under her breath as she lunges herself at the Queen, the blades and her movement covered by a sudden out put of shadows.

((Init:
White Queen 74
Diamond Sky 43
Grunt 39
Arkady 35

White Queen Attack vs Arkady:
9, 8, 8, 7, 6, 2, 2, 1 & 1
*5 Chi:  Strike +25, w
*Strike Arkady 28 + Strike 20 + AB 10 - Disrupt 5 + IKF 25 = 78
*Disorient Arkady Craft 22 + Wu Wei 10 + AB 10 + IKF 15 = 57
*Disorient Arkady Hardiness 21 + Wu Wei 10 + AB 10 = 41

White Queen Defense vs Diamond Sky:
10, 10, 9, 8, 6, 6, 4, 3 & 2
*Yeah that's enough))

The White Queen and her allies have just enough time to level some sort of arcane attack against Arkady:  a sharp slash by a glowing sword.  Then Diamond Sky swoops in out of nowhere, slicing it to rubble.  The remaining baidak are quickly cleaned up by Grunt.

There's silence.  They have only a little bit of time to get to the reactor...

((Unlock Reactor:  Craft preferred, Difficulty 50))

((Defence: 10, 9, 8, 7, 7, 7, 5, 4, 3 & 2
vs. strike 37 + fw 15 + 10 = 62 vs. 78 / ripple + rr
vs. Disorient craft 19 + Wu Wei 10 + 10 = 39 / takes disorient
vs. Disorient hardiness 18 + Wu Wei 10 + 10 = 38 / takes disorient))

Arkady attempts to dodge the strike, but he's too worn out to do anything. The White queens final show of defiance lands putting the young solar to his knees.

The slash opens up the cut on his jaw, laying open a wide gash and spilling blood.  But he's still alive!

Watching the baidak crumble, Arkady falls on his ass, breathing heavily. He tries to hold pressure to his jaw but metal arms aren't really optimal for that purpose. The blood flows in a profuse stream from his jaw all over his arm and dripping on the floor.

"Ith- Ith-... Aww fuch." he spits out blood "Ith evewyone awlrithe?"

He turns himself on a sitting position, leaning against the wall of the corridor. "Blyah... Wha a bith..."

"Grossly intact, if suffering a bit of essence fever," Grunt replied, "But I think we're on a deadline, quite literally. Get us through the door and maybe I can help a bit with the face."

Diamond sky curses and lets out an exhausted sigh/grunt, leaning forward and trying to relax her arms in order to let the blades evaporate. Then she shoves up her visor, cursing even more as wiping her eye wound. The pain is there and not going away, and any moment spent with adrenaline fading makes it worse.

"Its alright," she walks to Arkady.

She rips a piece of her sleeve and rests it on his jaw. Rummaging through her equipment pocket, she finds a single, though slightly damaged and worn, emergency bandage that she slaps on his wound. It doesn't do much, just helps the bleeding to stop for a moment.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:06, Tue 10 Apr 2018.

((opening door: 10, 9, 8, 8, 6, 2 & 1
-3 chi clarity in openness +10 craft
28 + 20 + 10 - 5 = 53 vs 50 / open reactor!))

Arkady looks up at Diamond Sky looking slightly confused, if not almost scared. He doesn't know exactly who is in front of him, reminding of someone who definitely can't be here, but not quite. His confusion is broken by Grunt's voice. He takes a last look at Diamond sky and utters in an uncertain voice: "Th- Thpathiba." and manages to shift his focus on grunt.

"Oh fuck, yeath... I'm on ith."

Arkady stands up, still leaning against the wall, and makes his way towards the door. He kneels down and sits in front of the door. Inspecting it swiftly. He seems to have regained his awareness.

"Fuch thith ith harther thatnh I thouth... kimme a few thekondth."

Click

"I thingh I goth ith!"

Arkady's reaction leaves Diamond Sky a bit baffled, but she reminds herself that this is his first battle and reactions come and go. She could ask about it later if there was something amiss with her identity.

The click of a door wakes her up from resting her pained eye.

"Well done. Now lets get in, and be done. I'm tired but if the Edgy Name what was it appears, I can still pack a punch to let you work."

Grunt is through the door about two seconds after it opens, scanning the area.

"Apes! You don't want to stay out there," he called out once he was reasonably sure the reactor wasn't going to explode, spew nanites, or simply contained another combat puppet.

The apes and Isabella rush in.

The doors snap open.  There are four columns that frame the room, each thrumming with blue and yellow energy:  reactors, though there are streaks of black lightning that crackle through each.  At the center of the room is a small bald child of indeterminate sex, seated on a chair, holding a small jewel box.  The chair is surrounded by a huge summoning circle made of blood and thin white strands that are probably tendons and ligaments.

"All that is left is the circle," Says the box in the child's lap.

((10, 8, 6, 5, 3, 2 & 1
Clarity in openness + 10 Wu Wei
Identify nature of the circle w/ Wu Wei: 18 + Wu Wei 20 + 10 = 48))


"...the fhuck?"

Arkady mumbled, spitting tiny drops of blood on the reactor floor.

"Fitth the fuching puppeth and nowt thith? Thith thome mathick thit?"

He kneels in front of the circle and examines it a bit, making sure he doesn't spill any blood on it while doing his thing.

"Now whath the fuch ith thith abouth..."

Once the doors open, she hastily steps in, but ends up staying near the door, looking around the room when it comes to alternate exits or other means of intruding the space.

"Sigreth," Grunt said to the box as he took in the circle, "And, really Arkady, we glow. Being upset at magic seems a bit late at this point."

He waited a moment, then stepped towards the bearer and the box. Unless Arkady tried to stop him it seemed that haste was now more important than caution.

True, he could go through worse than death but that was the same for everyone now.

Diamond Sky, there are no alternate exits.  There's no way in but the way they came in.  Anything else would lead to a very, very insecure reactor.

Stepping over the summoning circle does nothing to Grunt.  Sigereth gives him a nod as he steps over, "Good, but not enough.  Please break the circle.  This game is complete and you have victory, provided you break the circle within... 30 seconds.  Exhume the Bodies comes."

Diamond Sky can see black clouds billowing through the hallways and the distinctive, oppressive feeling of an Abyssal's essence.