((Init R3: 10, 10, 9, 9, 8, 3 & 1
Subtle force w/ unarmed + ranged
FoB: 20 + 10 + 10 = 40 / 2 chi
Init: 18 + 10 + 10 = 38
Float 9-9

Attack R3: 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4 & 3.
Strike vs Pistol 1: 36 + 15 + 10 = 61 better blocked
Force of lightness -3 chi
Secondary strike vs Pistol 1: 34 + 15 + 10 = 59 better blocked))

Arkady's opponent is momentarily focused elsewhere and he sees it as an opportunity to exploit. Raises his pistol and lunges forward towards the nimble baidak, relaying force to his arm and punches his elbow in the baidaks upper chest. When the blow connects he pulls his arm to the side to have his pistols barrel pointing at the baidak's face, and pulls the trigger.

(Pistol 1 Defense: 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 3 & 3
Strike: 39 (Better Blocked) - 34 - 5 (reduced footwork) - 10 (AB) = Miss
Secondary Strike: 33 (Better Blocked) - 26 - 5 - 10 = Miss

Armored 1 Defense: 9, 8, 4, 3, 3, 1 & 1
Strike: 66 (Better Blocked) - 23 - 5 - 10 - 5 (Laughs: Faster) = 23, will spend 2 on chi aura

Init: 10, 9, 9, 6, 6, 3 & 2
Blossom Harvest / Unarmed
FoB; 13 + 15 = 28
Init: 26 + 10 + 10 = 46
Assess Combat Approach (Armored 1): 29 + 15 = 44


Attack: 8, 7, 6, 4, 2, 1 & 1
Strike: 18 + 5 + 10 = 33
Knockback Armored 1: Might: 21 + 10 + 10 = 41)

Grunt was caught off guard and didn't have time to properly brace himself. Still, he was depressingly used to being shot at so at least the bullets weren't a real problem. The backhand left him bleeding like a stuck pig though.

So he decided subtle wasn't going to work and grabbed the damned thing's waist and with a burst of essence to cause a gale force gust for just a moment pivoted and slammed it back towards the earlier hallway.

((RR on Grunt:  23 + Damage 15 - Toughness 5 - Chi Aura 18 = 15, a Trivial wound:  Concussed

Grunt Ripples:  6
Arkady Ripples:  5
Diamond Sky Ripples:  1

Grunt:  No Combat Approach

Pistol 1
7, 5, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1
*Float 5-5
*Flood 5:  Change Stance
*Init 17 + Speed 10 + AB 5 = 32

Pistol 2
10, 10, 7, 5, 5, 3 & 2
*Analyze Diamond Sky Style Fears 20 + Tactics 5 + AB 5 = 30
*Float 5-5
*Flood 5:  Change Stance
*Init 17 + Speed 10 + AB 5 = 32

Armored 1
8, 5, 2, 2, 2, 1 & 1
*If have any dice, Wash
*Float 1-1
*Mark Target:  Arkady 32 + Awareness 10 + AB 5 = 47
*Init 18 + Speed 0 + AB 5 = 23

Armored 2
10, 8, 8, 7, 6, 5 & 4
*If have any dice, Wash
*Float 8-8
*Init 17 + Speed 0 + AB 5 = 22

Init:
Diamond Sky 42
Arkady 39
Grunt 38
Pistol 1 32
Pistol 2 32
Armored 1 23
Armored 2 22

Pistol 2 Defense vs Diamond Sky
9, 8, 7, 4, 4, 1 & 1
*Defense vs Strike 24 + Dodge 10 + AB 5 - Better Blocked 5 = 34 vs 56, Taken Out

Pistol 1 Defense vs Arkady
8, 7, 6, 4, 4, 3 & 3
*Defense vs Strike 24 + Dodge 10 + AB 5 - Disrupted Footwork 5 - Better Blocked 5 = 29 vs 51, 2 Ripples
*Defense vs Secondary Strike 23 + Dodge 10 + AB 5 - Disrupted Footwork 5 - Better Blocked 5 = 28 vs 59, 2 Ripples, Taken Out

Armored 1 Defense vs Grunt
10, 7, 4, 4, 4, 4 & 3
*Defense vs Strike 17 + Block 10 + AB 5 = 32 vs 33, a Ripple
*Defense vs Knockback 44 + Might 5 + AB 5 = 54, Avoids

Gonna fastforward a bit))

The two pistol-wielding are shattered by the attacks from Diamond Sky and Arkady.  Grunt reels too much from the backhand to really do much to the armored baidak.

With the two pistol-users gone, the driving impetus behind the armored baidak disappears.  Between the two of them they're able to reduce the two to dust with very limited damage. They have two options:  continue on the leftmost hallway or crack the door on the right.

Diamond Sky shakes away the shadows on her face and turns to the others:"So you wanna give a go for at door maybe?"

"As Isabella said, the hard way is probably the right one," Grunt answered, shaking his head slowly, "I'm up for playing second fiddle on getting it open though, my head is a bit loose."

((Opening doors: 10, 7, 6, 5, 4, 2 & 1
channel 1 chi for +5 craft
open door w/ craft: flowed 29+15+10= 54))

"Don't worry chuvak. I've gotch back."
Arkady dusts his shoulders and approaches the door on the right, picks some tools off his utility belt, and starts fiddling with the mechanism.

While he works with shis slightly trembly hands he glances at Grunt's direction: "Sit down chuvak. If you need medical attention, I can check you up. Move your head a bit and if nothing crackes or pops you're gonna be fine."

He shifts his concentration back on the door, letting a desperate sigh.

"Blin... I need a drink."

"As concussions go, it's pretty mild. The medics can put me on head trauma protocol when we're done," Grunt replied, "In the mean time we're too low on numbers for me to be sensible about long term consequences."

"Just take a more defensive stand if it gets worse. Then we don't need to drag you out from under a pile of enemies," Diamond Sky glances at Grunt.

The last door opens, and the three step through.  There they find another baidak waiting for them.  It stands 7 feet tall, lithe like a dancer, white with one camera for an eye and a speaker for its mouth.  It regards them and gives them a bow.

"Welcome to the outside of my binding chamber,"  The baidak says to them, "Lord Exhume the Bodies will be present shortly.  In the interim I am bound to protect myself with all that is left at my disposal at this moment.  You have played- passably- though we must cut the game short, ere our third player arrives."

Sigereth's baidak looks across the three.

"I had wished you hadn't found the keycard, the Immaculates should have all died outside.  But so it must be."

"It seems appropriate to share the rules for the last portion of the game," Grunt noted, not terribly hopeful but one never knew with demons, "And telling us how to deal with a third player does not seem to conflict with your bindings."

"Wow." Arkady slips a sigh or relief as they apparently weren't shot on sight.
"As you have not already attacked us, It leads me to think you need us. Your attempts at getting here didn't work too well and you certainly aren't happy about our player number three..."

Arkady takes something resembling a cigarette and light it while looking at the baidak

"...So what's up Demoness? Wanna get free from those shackles?"

He pulls another whiff off his "cigarette" and blows a small bitter cloud in the air to calm himself. Mention on this 'Lord Exhume the Bodies' made him shiver with anger.

"I see a common motivator, Self preservation, and I think you like your master as little as I do."

Diamond sky is left a little bafled, but relieved, when the Baidaks forfeit. In the room she decides to stay in the background letting Grunt and Arkady take the spot light, especially since Grunt seemed to be avid in most things unnatural.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:18, Wed 28 Mar 2018.

"The rules are - I must resist invaders and anyone who would try to destroy this facility with all of the force at my disposal, barring destruction of the facility itself.  I must destroy anyone who tries to enter my core and change my orders.  I must destroy this facility if it means taking out an Exalt of sufficient power.  I must delay invaders until reinforcements can arrive.  There is nothing, of course, saying that I could not redirect you to places of... special interest... to you."

The Baidak sways back and forth, long sharp chains flicking out of its arms.
"I very much agree with you, Child of the Sun.  But bindings are binding.  I am afraid I cannot resist them much longer.  You have perhaps a minute before Exhume the Bodies arrives."

((Initiative:
10, 8, 7, 6, 6, 5, 5, 4 & 1
*Weapon is Flexible Sword
*Float 6-6
*Init 25 + Speed 5 + AB 10 = 40))

((Initiative R1: 7, 7, 6, 5, 3, 1 & 1
Float 7-7
FoB 21+10+10=41 /2chi
Init:16+10+10=36))

Arkady takes a ready stance, looking relaxed but moves his right leg back for stability, and scans the surrounding area.

"Harasho. We will avoid you to best of our efforts. You will need to keep the body snatcher at bay. I understand, he is not allowed to pass either. In other terms it's pretty much free for all."

((Initiative: 10, 7, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4 & 3
Using Murderous Shadows w/ Unarmed+Saber
Float 4-4
Initiative: 17+15+10= 42
FoB: 16+15+10 = 41/ 2 chi
Ghostly Presence: 24+20+10 = 54))

"One minute is plenty," Diamond Sky nods.

From her posture its apparent that she is ready to fight, especially when the shadowy blades of hers slide out of her gloves. She lowers her stand, ready to pounce like a predator, while her image blurs under the oddly dimming lights.

((Init: 10, 8, 7, 5, 4, 1 & 1
Blossom Harvest w/Unarmed
FoB: 17 + 15 = 32
Assess Fears: 21 + 15 = 36
Init: 18 + 10 = 28))

Grunt stays quiet as his feet spread towards a stable stance and his hands come up in a boxer's guard, eyes on the newest of her puppets.

((Init:
Diamond Sky 42
White Queen 40
Arkady 36
Grunt 28))
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 17:30, Sat 31 Mar 2018.

((Attack vs White Queen: 10, 9, 8, 7, 7, 6, 5 & 3
Mirthful Fox Plays With Her Shadow 2 chi
Strike: 27+20+10(AB)+5+5= 67, better blocked))

Diamond Sky is the first to burst in action, sprinting low as if to aim a cut at their opponents torso upon passing by. Instead of sprinting straight she veers past a growing shadow of an office chair, momentarily vanishing from sight, only to appear next to the white queen.

((White Queen defense:
9, 9, 6, 6, 5, 3, 3, 1 & 1
*Float 9-9
*4 Chi:  Block +15
*Defense vs Strike with Flowed 46 + Block 15 + AB 10 + IKF 15 = 86 vs 67, Replies for 1 Ripple, inflicts Strike Disrupt on Diamond Sky, -5 Strike

White Queen offense vs Diamond Sky:
10, 9, 5, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3 & 1
*3 Chi:  Secondary Strike
*Primary Strike 43 + Strike 15 + AB 10 + Laughs 5 = 73, Better Blocked, Dodge is -10
*Flowed Secondary Strike 39 + Strike 15 + AB 10 + Laughs 5 = 69, Better Blocked, Dodge is -10

))

The Queen Baidak stands still, that lone red eye registering... everything... as it waits in place for the attack it knows must come.

"Unidentified Exalt, don't think I haven't seen through your tricks.  I have watched all of you since the moment you arrived."

The Baidak grabs the blade before it can score her skin, twisting it aside, painfully twisting Diamond Sky's wrist and pushing the Exalt ahead of her with a kick of an elegant foot.  The whip-sword slashes a net of fine death in front of her, lashing across Diamond Sky's back!

((attack r1: 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 4 & 2
Against White queen.
Strike: 19+15+10=44 /better blocked
Disrupt strike w/ craft: 24+10+10= 44

init r2: 10, 9, 8, 5, 4, 2 & 1
Fob 11+10= 21/1chi
Init 19+10+10=39))

Arkady relieves his ready stance and pulls out his pistol Aiming a shot at what he thinks is the weakest part in the baidak's weapon, to the chain in the narrow space between blades.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:03, Sat 31 Mar 2018.

((Defense:
8, 8, 8, 5, 4, 4, 3 & 1
Primary Attack: Dodge: flowed 44+15(footwork)+5(GP)+10(AB)-10= 64 vs 73, 1 ripple
Secondary Attack: Dodge:38+15(footwork)+5(GP)+10(AB)-10= 58 vs 69, 1 ripple and roll
1 chi to chi aura

Initiative: 10, 10, 9, 7, 5, 4, 3 & 1
Using Murderous Shadows w/ Unarmed+Saber
Initiative: 19+15+10= 44
FoB: 17+15+10 = 42/ 2 chi
Ghostly Presence: 20+20+10 = 50
))

It's not a pleasant feeling to feel so powerless after all these years. To have the capability to fight but to push it aside yourself. Diamond Sky's smirk twists a little partially out of pain, partially out of frustration. She twists herself around her own arm in a spin, trying to avoid letting the blades from cutting too deep.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:39, Sun 01 Apr 2018.

((Attack R1: 8, 8, 8, 7, 5, 4 & 1
Float: 8-8
Strike: 18 + 5 + 10 = 33

Init R2: 9, 6, 6, 4, 2, 1 & 1
Blossom Harvest w/Unarmed
Init: 14 + 10 + 10 = 34 + 20 = 54, 4 chi for Supreme Burst of Speed
FoB: 19 + 15 = 34
Assess Qualities: 21 + 15 = 36
Assess Laughs: 26 + 15 = 41))

Grunt takes things slowly, being cautious with a straight forward strike and falling back slightly, keeping his guard up. His eyes take on a flat look as he observes the puppet. Still, his anima starts to play about him as he speeds up his reflexes.

((Grunt Ripples:  6
Arkady Ripples:  5
Diamond Sky Ripples:  3

RR on Diamond Sky:
*15 + Damage 5 - Toughness 5 = 15 - Chi Aura 13, 2:  a Trivial Wound, Cut Over Right Eye


Defense vs Arkady:
10, 8, 8, 8, 7, 3, 2, 2 & 1
*Defense vs Strike 22 + Block 15 + AB 10 = 47 vs 44, blocks
*Defense vs Disrupt 38 + Craft 0 + AB 10 = 48 vs 44, avoids Disrupt

Defense vs Grunt:
9, 9, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1 & 1
*Defense 31 + Block 15 + AB 10 = 56 vs 33, blocks

Init R2:
9, 9, 8, 7, 6, 2, 2, 2 & 1
*Init 29 + Speed 5 + AB 10 = 44
*Shaping Wave:  Summon Baidak 32 + Wu Wei 15 + AB 10 = 57

Init Order:
Grunt 54
White Queen 44 (beats Diamond Sky due to using a higher value set)
Diamond Sky 44
Arkady 39

))

A small cut opens over Diamond Sky's right eye.  A trickle of blood starts to flow, thankfully disrupted by her eyebrow.  The baidak falls back only a little, the better to simply let the bullets hit her blade- which is much tougher than Arkady thought.  Then she swiftly deflects Grunt's simple strike.

That's when she falls back and a portion of her body opens up, releasing a painful white light.  It looks like the start of some sort of Essence spell!  They can see white light coalescing into armored figures...
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:01, Tue 03 Apr 2018.

(Attack R2: 6, 4, 4, 3, 3, 2 & 1
Death of Obsidian Butterflies: 23 + 5 + 10 + 5 (Laughs: Outnumbered) = 43
Strike: 24 + 5 + 10 + 5 (Laughs: Outnumbered) = 44, 3 chi)

Grunt ground his teeth as exactly what they were fighting became clear. It was about the worst match for his predilections imaginable. So he waited until her strange effect took place before wading in with all he could muster. About all he could do for the Solars was soak up some attention and keep the rabble busy.

((Minion Defense:
10, 9, 8, 3, 2, 1 & 1
*Defense vs Grunt Obsidian Butterflies 21 + Base 5 = 26 vs 43, considered AoE, Damage 5 vs Toughness 5 = 2 Ripples, 2 / 7
*Defense vs Strike 19 + Base 5 = 24 vs 44, considered AoE, Damage 15 vs Toughness 5 = 4 Ripples, 6 / 7

White Queen Attack:
10, 9, 8, 7, 7, 7, 7, 3 & 3
*5 Chi:  Strike +25, Disrupt +15
*Strike Diamond Sky 47 + Strike 20 + AB 10 + IKF 25 + Laughs 5 = 107, Block is -5, Dodge is -10 (Better Blocked).  If this strikes, Diamond Sky has a -5 penalty to Strike against the White Queen for this round.
*Disrupt Diamond Sky Footwork 23 + Tactics 20 + AB 10 + IKF 15 + EKF 5 + Laughs 5 = 78

))

A dozen white-armored baidak form around him.  But Gabriel is able to react before Sigereth can react and take true control of the puppets.  He's able to eliminate all but two of them through sheer raw force and surprise, but that's enough for Sigereth and the White Queen.

The White Queen Baidak presses her attack against Diamond Sky.  It's absolute perfection, the way she manages to situate her remaining Baidak to throw Diamond Sky off her game, the way her attacks form an impossible net already waiting for Diamond Sky to move left or right.