In reply to Augustus Spotswood (msg #72):

[[OOC: The closest one to Augustus is 14 squares away, the others are between 25 and 30 squares away from the action. The remaining Comanche have spread out so that they won't be caught in a Medium Burst template, to avoid Dr. Ward's crows (see updated tactical map). You'd need to move closer to the near one, due to the limited range of your Entangle power (one of it's chief drawbacks, I've noticed).]]
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:58, Mon 06 Dec 2010.

In reply to The Stray (msg #73):

OOC - In that case Augustus will go on Hold and try to interrupt the nearest Comanche entering his range.  Cheating scattering indians...  Well, the burst will still have a chance to effect horse or rider.  Either way should work.

[[OOC: Putting Gangatsu on hold. She said she was soaking, so she can still make the attempt, but I need to move this thread along.]]

Gus raises his pistol at the closest horseman. His aim is dead on...but Gus watches his bullet actually bounce off the pale leather shirt the warrior is wear. "What the fuck!?"

Dr. Ward picks Abraham up. "Come on." he says to John. "We need to get back to the safety of cover."

He moves to do just this.

[[OOC: Gus moves to get a shot at the closest Comanche.

Gus Shaw rolled 5,3 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5. Shooting! Hit.

Gus Shaw rolled 7 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2. Damage. Not enough to hurt them, thanks to the Ghost Dance shirts they wear.

Dr. Ward picks up Abraham and begins moving back towards the coach as his action.]]

---

Initiative:
Gangatsu: On Hold
Augustus: On Hold
Dr. Ward: 9D
Alouette: 7H
Comanches: 7S
John Smith: 5C
Gus: 2S

"Cease!" Alouette tells Gus and/or the Comanche, before static crests again and that storm-hiss of a voice calls to the skies in an Indian language: Gangatsu might be surprised to hear Cherokee, spoken with an accent she's unlikely to have heard since she was a little girl.

"Have you flown to hide yourself in your mother's skirts, owl-wearer? ...or do you...hang behind like a white general, sending men against...what they do not know?"

The automaton finally turns its 'beak' to their attackers, lenses glowing just brighter than the moonlight. "Any here...who understand the Foreign Speakers' tongue, turn back...while you are still warriors. Attend the fallen stalks before the...whirlwind reaches down." It seems to be struggling with pain...at least until it shakes itself with a mutter of "static error," and starts gesturing the natives away like a harried butler:

"Get out of here! Get out! Go on! Shoo!"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Tue 07 Dec 2010.

The nearest Comanche to Alouette, the only one able to hear it's pronouncement, looks vaguely worried.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjepHj4W3sI&feature=related">Some Mood music</a>

There's a deep, throaty hooting as a great horned owl appears in the air over the broken coach. It flutters imperiously as it takes a perch on the upturned wheel of the coach and stares intently at the group clustered around through angry yellow eyes.



[[OOC: Alouette rolled 3 on an Intimidation ToW, the Comanche rolled 1. Alouette gets a +2 bonus to its next action against it.

The Owl teleports to a spot on top of the coach and lands.]]

Noting the sudden appearance of the Owl, Ward draws his derringer warily.

The crows, meanwhile, having feasted long enough on their last victim, flutter into the sky and vanish.

[[OOC: Dr. Ward spends his action drawing his weapon.]]

"Howdy, Owl Comanche!" the automaton greets the bird, apparently unfazed by its appearance from thin air. Static murmurs; the clank shifts a little to put its body between owl and Ward, crouching and watching Gus like he's far more threat than the Indians.
"The cage is as a child," it manages to hiss. "Scorn not, Pale-ss *sst* static error."

Alouette reaches out to gently brush the wrathful puff of feathers, fascinated by the texture. If it manages to touch them - a surface more yielding than anything it's ever encountered - there'll be an exclamation of "Soft!"

[[talkin']]

The gunshot went off and she felt something bump her, but she was un and about to run from being tagged with a bullet when Alouette spoke and.. She understood the language. It took her off guard for a moment, to where she stopped and looked oddly.

And instead of charging at the Horsemen, she looked at the owl and stayed her ground in shock... " Gus, pull back." She managed before gathering to the group taking cover beyond the broken carriage. " When in de hell will'is day pass."

Soak rolled 7

Augustus is no soldier, but today he finds himself on a confusing battlefield.  It is sometimes hard for him to focus on things, but being ridden down by wild indians does seem to add a new level of clarity to life.  Closer the Indian rides.  The scientist's hand tightens on the grip of his sonic rifle.  He does hear Alouette chatting so blithely and spares a moment, though he does look away from his target, "Alouette!  Come down this instant!  This is no time to play games and practice bird calls!  These savages seek to injure and dismantle us!"  His targetted gaze remained, all the while, transfixed upon the approaching aboriginal aggressor...

OOC - Remain Held

Alouette obediently stops stroking the owl and hops gracelessly down...then wanders into the path of the Comanche warrior, hand held out like one passing down the command of God.

"Cease!"

The Comanches do not cease. The one that was mildly perturbed at Alouette decides he's had enough and charges full tilt towards Gus, slinging his rifle back and drawing a tomahawk out with a wild, bloodthirsty battle cry.

Unfortunately for him, this brings him into Augustus's range...

[[OOC: You'll need to roll Agility for Augustus to interrupt the Comanche's action, otherwise he and the rest of the Comanches continue their turn as normal.

Comanche Raiders rolled 2 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Agility. So 2 is the number to beat...]]

Augustus nearly loses his concentration as Alouette attempts to cross into the firing line, "Alouette!  Get out of the way!  They mean you harm!"  To clear his shot, the scientist rises from cover just as the Comanche enters what he hopes is in range.  The trigger is pulled.  Once more the sonic cannon shouts its disharmonious triple tone.  Air ripples in a wide swirl striking out at the Comanche and his horse...

OOC - Agility 9.  Shooting 7 resisted by Agility or Smarts, one White burned.

Alouette looks back to see if Augustus is pointing, genuinely confused. "Which way, AUG-US-TUS?"

Again the smoke-curl impression of huge feathers is caught around the clank as the sonic shockwave rolls past it, an almost-unseen etching on the air. The automaton doesn't seem to notice.
"Primary command: protect," it says, as though that explains everything, then points at the shot-at Comanche. "Those mortals also."

It doesn't seem to have any interest whatsoever in protecting Gus, however.

The Comanche sees Augustus stand, and reigns his horse in. The air wavers as the triple-tome blast ripples just past him. The Comanche grins, yells something in his native tongue, and swings at Gus. however, his momentum was broken by the quick maneuvering.

Not that that is much comfort to Gus, as the Indian's wild swing connects with his chest. The roughneck goes down in a bloody heap.

The rest of the Comanches, emboldened, pick shots at the exposed people. A bullet kicks up dust near Alouette's feet, while another whizzes past Augustus's head (nowhere near hitting him, but too close for comfort).

John sees a Comanche firing at him, and is able to twist himself so that the bullet only shreds the back of his jacket.

[[OOC: The Comanche rolls 7 exactly to avoid the sonic entangle. However, since this a match and not a clear win, I rule that he loses his Charging bonus. He Wild Attacks to offest his MAP for drawing his Tomahawk, reducing his Parry by 2.

Comanche Raiders rolled 14 using 1d8-1, rerolling max with rolls of (8+7)15. Wild Attack! Ow. Hit and Raise.

Comanche Raiders rolled 4,14 using d8,2d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3,(6+3)9. damage. That's a Shaken and 2 wounds. Gus opts to save the very few chips the NPCs have left for the Incapacitation roll.

Gus Shaw rolled 5,7 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+1)7. vigor roll to survive. He only needs 1 to Raise, so he spends the last reaming GM red chip. He gets a 1. He is only Shaken and at 3 wounds, and has taken a shot to his Guts that reduces his Agility to d6 for the rest of this fight.

The rest of the Comanches take their actions, shooting at Alouette, John Smith, and Augustus to avoid cover penalties. They are still 17-20 squares away from everyone.

Shot at Alouette: 3 (miss)

Shot at John: 7 (hit), 6 damage (No damage thanks to John's armor

Shot at Augustus: 1.]]

John Smith is up next.

John shakes himself from the shock of getting winged and rushes to whatever cover the wagon can provide hoping to reorient himself before taking further action against their enemies.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:09, Fri 10 Dec 2010.

Gus cracks an eye open. Ow. That really hurt. It was hard to draw breath...and the Comanche was right above him. Better to wait it out...let the man think he was dead.

[[OOC: Gus attempts to recover from Shaken. Gus Shaw rolled 1,3 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5. recover from shaken attempt.]]

---

Initative:
Pale Moon: QC
Gangatsu: 10H
Augustus: 5H
Comanches: 4D
John Smith: 4C
Alouette: 3H
Ward: 3D
Gus: 2H

This message was last edited by the player at 17:42, Sat 11 Dec 2010.

A bullets shizz pat, Augustus begins to drop back behind his cover again.  Alouett's insistance on remaining in harms way, quite frustrating him.  "They will not understand, Alouette!  If you allow yourself to be harmed you will be unable to continue with primary function of protect!"  Thinking quickly, he glances back to the wounded man and the Doctor, then continues, "Aloutte!  The Doctor and his patient require your assistance and protection!"  At least it will help remove the automaton from direct line of fire and provide some defense for the Doctor.

OOC- 5H for initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:02, Sat 11 Dec 2010.

Alouette hastily patters back to relative safety to 'help' Dr.Ward. It stands waiting for instructions a heartbeat, ticking, then glances up/over at the owl, out at the fight, then back to Ward. More ticking.

"Permission to use glove of Dr.Ward?"

The Owl stares at the proceedings, and then hoots, shivers, and begins to change.

Its body stretches and warps. Wings become paws, feathers become tawny fur. The Yellow eyes remain the same, however, glaring at the assembled refugees. Where once there was an owl, a cougar now yowls. It tenses as it readies itself to leap off the wagon's wheel towards them.

[[OOC: Pale Moon uses his Shapeshift to assume the form of a mountain lion, which uses pretty much the same stats as the lion/tiger from the core book. He rolls 8 on his Tribal Medicine check.]]


Gangatsu is up next.

The static from the moving about seems to be snatched up, concentrated, as Alouette points at the big cat. "Stay, son of [Comanche word]'s line!"

Augustus breaths a sigh of relief as Alouette moves back and begins to lift his weapon again.  But something above on the carriage wreck draws his attention.  Strange noises, skrawks and growls...  Glancing up, the rational scientist watches an owl stretch and shift and grow into a mountain lion.  An impossibility.  Something unexplainable in his philosophy.  His glaring red eyes go wide as saucers...

In reply to Augustus Spotswood (msg #93):

The sight of the unnatural transformation is enough to short-circuit the rational part of the scientist's brain and tap into that deep, primal urge to just flee...

For once, Augustus can find no words.  No rational explanation.  In fact, his rational mind seems to get very quiet and go hide in a corner.  The primal, reflexive mind is thus left in control.  He scrambles back from the owl-now-lion and turns, pushing up to his feet and running off, "Lion!  The Owl!  A LION!!!"

The woman watched August go nuts and then her gaze whipped up at the sound of a large wild cat, the lion. Green eyes widen, sliding back a bit from the coach,  eyeing the large creature, her hand slipping to the handle of her blade.

[On Hold]

"Shaman! Would you...become a crow's puppet? You strike...the horses of your enemy, scatter his ornaments and feathers to...dust."

It pauses to see if it's been understood, static quieted but light flared within. "What...honour to the Ever-Fighters: broken bows and women's sandal-straps. Come, test your medicine against me...deafdrunk, pain...in victory, I would give you a death for that serpent's son, who cannot die from weapons...if defeated, you need not fear...me, in the machine."