OOC :

17:25, Today: Syssiah rolled 13 (with 3 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system.  Stealth Roll 13-.

17:25, Today: Syssiah rolled 7 (with 2 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system.  Percpetion roll 12-.

09:45, Today: Tiberio rolled 15,10 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 5,6,4,4,4,2.
PER 12-, 15
Stealth 8-, 10

By moonlight you stalk the short distance to the nearer stairway; it is as wide and imposing as the ziggurat is massive.  Five might walk abreast up the flight and touch neither each other nor the sides.  Faintly you make out pockets of the demons upon your chosen path and wisely choose to try a different one.  Circling right you find the next ascent clear as far as you can see.  Up you go, careful of your footing, watching should any metal you carry scrape or tap against the black stone.  Perhaps you are over cautious, for the din of the demons within has grown since you reached to ziggurat.  Though it may cover any noise you make you scarcely dare to chance fate.

Nearly at the top of the first section Syssiah hisses a warning, motioning for a halt.  Pointing she draws attention to a group of the creatures in your path.   They appear unmoving, you believe they may be facing up toward the top of the structure.   Having recognized them it is now clear they also participate in the barking chat, in fact, now above the ruins you can hear it rising from the dark around you.  How many you dare not guess but as no angry attack has come you perceive that this ceremony so occupies the creatures that they focus on little else.

Not that they are completely oblivious.

A trumpeting horn sounds in the distance.  From your height, thanks to the both the rise of the land and the size of the ziggurat, you can make out what must be groups of asshuri in the distance by torches they carry.  Faintly cries of men carry in the wind and one of the pockets of torchlight is extinguished.  But there are several more and moving swiftly upon their steeds.  If Statabus had been captured you presume nothing would keep them so perhaps it is he and Marcian leading the warriors of Shem on a merry chase through the deadly black stones of Zuhal-sar.  It is a cheering thought but does little to help you pass the demons which stand now in your path to the prince's love and betrothed.

Focusing again on the black shapes standing above, you consider how best to proceed.



D - location of the small group of demons on staircase above you
X - your group's location on right-side staircase
L,C,R - left, central and right-side staircases, you are on the right-side staircase

The black stone of the ziggurat has resisted the wearing of wind and blowing sand surprisingly well given the untold centuries but not completely untouched.  The walls are climbable though not easy even in daylight.  The decorative designs (those dark lines) provide the best spot, edges which have worn less evenly and offer more ample handholds.

Climbing will be at -2
To reach top of 1st step of ziggurat is 8m
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:40, Tue 30 June 2020.

Marduke whispers "I see two options. Scale this wall to get to the next level, above those guards; or move in and attack them. The easiest way to deal with them is by stealth. Coming up from behind, grabbing them, and throwing them over the side of the staircase. Any other thoughts?"

By use of crude hand sign, using what could be recognized by all, Tiberio indicates that the way up or down the black stone ziggurat, the stairs are the only path available for him.

Niamh was disturbed by the chant. Especially finding herself quietly following along. It was...something grossly familiar and she felt...tainted by it. "Mordiggian...," she whispered.

Marduke's voice drew her back to the moment and their situation. She agreed that she preferred the stairs. Climbing trees is one thing, scaling a wall is another. Forward through the mass of creatures was maybe not ideal, but it was the only real option. "Drive between them and the wall and push them toward the ledge. It will protect our backs, as well," she quietly offered the group.

Knowing they would be at an advantage if they could come at the foe from two sides, Marduke tries to climb the 8m to the next level. He whispers "someone give me a boost."

11:11, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,1,5.  Climbing 10- (-2 penalty). Makes the roll if someone assists (+2 bonus)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:18, Sat 27 June 2020.

Chang Jun taps Marduke on the shoulder as he starts to climb. "You, give me a boost." As he interlaces his hands and mimes Marduke tossing him up the wall.

He quickly hands Niamh his bow and remaining eight arrows and passes his spear to anyone with a free hand, "Do we have rope?"


18:01, Today: Crom, on behalf of Chang Jun, rolled 6,13 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 2,3,1,5,3,5.  Climbing 10-, Stealth 8-,  try again .
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:04, Tue 30 June 2020.

Climbers please include Stealth roll as well as Climbing

Before trying to ascend, Marduke helps Chang up, but tries to do it quietly.

17:12, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,4,1.  Stealth 12-.

Marduk assists his Khitai companion in ascending the wall of the ziggurat.  Chang clambers up quickly but also succeeds in dislodging numerous small chunks of black stone which rain down upon the steps.  Your prayers to the gods are answered as the nearby demons do not turn at the sound and you are finally able to breath again as the last of the rain of debris dies away.  Next Marduke attempts to scale the wall but drops back to the steps on cat-like feet after gaining only a scant few meters in height.

Alone atop the 1st step of the ziggurat Chang crouches aside a low wall running the edge of the step and spies other groups of demons clustered in the moonlight.  As none move to approach he assumes they too face the top of the structure in reverent focus.  What draws such abominations' unwavering gaze he scarcely dares contemplate.

Chang can see that the way to the main staircase is relatively open; he will pass near but not close to a group of demons (say roughly 6m) but if he is quiet and none avert their gaze from the top he can reach the main staircase unnoticed.

Chang reaches the top but Markuke's climb check fails.

Die roller likes you as it rolls lousy for Gadim to notice Chang's failed Stealth roll, especially when adding for surrounding noise and distance.  Lucky.

What now?



C - Chang
X - rest of party
D - groups of demons
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:37, Wed 01 July 2020.

Marduke whispers "we climb slowly and silently. If I reach them, I throw them over. We must keep going." Marduke takes extra time (extra phase) for the bonus. He really doesn't want to be heard.

18:35, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,2,5.  Stealth 12-.

When you say "climb"....do you mean climb the stairs or climb the wall?  I'm assuming stairs since you didn't roll Climbing but want to be certain
Climbing the stairs
Thanks!
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:44, Thu 02 July 2020.

With deliberate, slow steps, Tiberio follows, trying to be as silent as he could be, waiting for the stealthier companions to move ahead.

19:17, Today: Tiberio rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,3,1.  Stealth 8-, half move, +1, 9-
Stealth 9-, 7
This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Wed 01 July 2020.

The Aquilonian and Vanir silently approach the dim shapes; close enough to make out 4 of them.  Blessed by the background of chanting and focus, none of the demons turns their heads as they come within striking distance.

In satisfaction Marduke and Tiberio recognize that the first strike will be theirs should they so choose.

The Gadim did not make their PER roll given ambient noise.  You can choose to strike or to try to sneak past.  The choice is yours.

Niahm & Syssiah delay to see how you fare.

Chang is separate enough he may choose his own actions to proceed.

It had to be that these would be enemies, there was no doubt, they could signal, they could follow, they would be faced again as the rescue, successful or not, sought to return to the ruins.

Training, experience, all flushed through arteries to limbs and then to the steel itself, animating it to have more life than the things... demons they would cut down.

Mitra, I am your servant in all things, I serve now as I ever would, be it in this place or any darker. That quick prayer brought clarity.

First one then the second will take the back-swing.

T 0 Seg 0

hPh: Move to
hPh: Fast Strike, +2 OCV, +0 DCV, +2 DC, -4 Head [Surprised from Behind, Out of combat, 1/2 DCV & Loc]

11:28, Today: Tiberio rolled 5,1 using 2d6,16-3d6 with rolls of 4,1,5,6,4.  Scmitar Attack Gidim 1, Neck, OCV 16.
Hit DCV 1, Neck, 5 BODY 25 STUN
This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Sun 05 July 2020.

Marduke quietly moves up. A sudden flurry of activity erupts as he lays into the gidim, poking gaping holes in three of them.


12:04, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 7,8 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 2,4,1,2,1,5.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL, Pick tricks 13- for CSL. Both CSLs to damage.

12:04, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,3,2.  Pick tricks 12- for Storm of Steel. Success.



12:06, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 3 using 16-3d6 with rolls of 4,4,5.  Pick attack OCV 5. Hits DCV 3.

15:17, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 9,11 using 2d6,2d6+1 with rolls of 5,4,6,4.  Pick damage, hit location, target 1.

12:06, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 6 using 16-3d6 with rolls of 6,3,1.  Pick attack OCV 5.

15:17, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 10,7 using 2d6,2d6+1 with rolls of 4,6,2,4.  Pick damage, hit location, target 2.

12:05, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 5 using 16-3d6 with rolls of 3,5,3.  Pick attack OCV 5.

15:17, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 9,7 using 2d6,2d6+1 with rolls of 4,5,1,5.  Pick damage, hit location, target 3.

The first attack hits DCV 3. The blow to the chest does 9 BODY 27 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING.

Second attack hits DCV 6. It hits the arm and does 10 BODY 20 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING.

Third attack hits DCV 5. It hits an arm and does 9 BODY 18 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING.

The maneuver cost 20 END.

Niamh slowed and stayed close to Syssiah. She was fairly certain that she could climb the thing, but she was not about to leave the other woman. Not in this situation. At least, not yet...

"Shhh...It's okay. I'm with you...," she whispered. "Stay close and be ready," she added, giving the woman an small, encouraging smile.

Niamh waits until the fighting starts to see how the Gidim react. When, and if, the attention is turned on the others, she will start attacking the ones in front of her from behind, attempting to hook them with her spear and throwing them off the stairs and platform if close enough to the edge. Stabbing and slashing if not.

07:56, Today: Niamh rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,3,1.  Stealth.
07:56, Today: Niamh rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,1,5.  Climbing.

Chang Jun quickly studies the situation and attemts to silently creep up on the group of demons ahead of him. Maybe luck would be with him . As he attempts to kill the rear most one before the others can notice or react.

10:06, Today: Chang Jun rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,6,1.  Stealth 12-.
10:08, Today: Chang Jun rolled 4 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,1,2.  Attack w/ scimitar (OCV 5 +11 = 16) Hit a 12 or less.
10:09, Today: Chang Jun rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,3,1.  Location. Chest
10:11, Today: Chang Jun rolled 2 body damage and 6 stun using the Hero 6th Edition, Killing Attack system.  Damage 1d6+1. 3 body 9 Stun

Turn 0 - Segment 12 Surprise
Marduke - The Vanir rains carnage upon the unsuspecting demons, opening the back of the 1st and ripping the arm from the 2nd before an onlooker could scarce blink an eye.  The 3rd creature dimly appears to register something amiss, raise an arm in defense, before the work pick separates it at the elbow.

Incredibly, the severely maimed demon does not slump in death as does its two companions.  Only now does Marduke recognize that the 3rd create appears larger than the others around it...
3 Impairing Wounds but 1 is still standing

Tiberio - Nearly simultaneous with Marduke's attack the horsemaster strikes swiftly from his difficult position upon the poorly lit stairs.  Even so his blade sings a clean song of steel as it severs the creature's head from its body.  Dimly it registers upon Tiberio that one of the creatures has survived the initial assault.
Impairing Wound to head, dead

Syssiah - Unable to follow Chang to the level above, the Zamoran remains upon the stairs.
climb fails

Niamh - Seeing Syssiah's struggle, Niamh chooses to remain upon the stairs as well.
1/2 move climb, then drop back to stairs

---

Chang Jun - The Khitai fairs well in his own approach upon the group of aberrations.  The creatures appear unaware as Chang's blade slips soundlessly between the demon's ribs, splitting its heart in twain.  The creature's chant takes on a gurgled sound as death finally begins to claim it.

Three heads begin to slowly turn...
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:22, Thu 09 July 2020.

The moment of surprise is past and the dance has begun.  Tiberio and Marduke stand toe-to-toe upon the staircase with a creature that appears mightier than its peers.  Niamh and Syssiah stand only a short distance lower and bear witness but may move to assist if they choose.

Chang has a moment to act.  He is certain his sword thrust was lethal though the demon may not expire immediately but it's brethren have noticed something amiss...
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 22:18, Thu 09 July 2020.

One remaining, yet... it seeme the larger one could survive one of Marduke's attacks

Speed and skill was required here, the Aquilonian applied the lessons learned, though the foe is as different from any he faced... barring only one.

The Scimitar probed and looked to thread any defense.

T 1 Seg 4

hPh: Def Strike, +1 OCV, +3 DCV

23:52, Today: Tiberio rolled 7,14,3 using d6+1,3d6,19-3d6 with rolls of 6,5,5,4,6,5,5.  Seg 4 Scimitar, 19 OCV.
Hit DCV 3, Thigh, 7 BODY 14 Stun
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:18, Thu 09 July 2020.

Marduke's eyes narrow as he realizes that THIS demon was made of sterner stuff. He uses his skill to control his relentless power as he swings his pick to try to split the skull of the demon.

15:38, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 10,12 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 4,3,3,1,5,6.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL, Pick tricks 13- for CSL.
Both CSLs to HKA damage

15:40, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 6 using 16-3d6 with rolls of 4,2,4.  Attack OCV 5 DCV 6.

15:40, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 4,6 using 2d6+1,2d6 with rolls of 2,1,3,3.  Hit Location, HKA damage.


Marduke's attack hits a DCV of 6.
He hits location 4 (head) and does 12 BODY 30 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING.

5 END used
This message was last edited by the player at 22:46, Thu 09 July 2020.

Letting the one creature drop Chang Jun withdraws his sword and swings at the nearest standing creature.

08:55, Today: Chang Jun rolled 2,10,11 using d6+1,3d6,16-3d6 with rolls of 1,3,4,3,2,1,2.  Seg 3 Attack w/ scimitar.

Hit DCV 11-, Location - chest, 2 damage 4 stun.

Stairs
The nightmare's eyes fly apart as a work pick splits its head like an overripe melon, the body dropping silently to the ground with barely weighty thump.  Then there is only the moonlight and the sound of the guttural chanting for those upon the stairs.
The way forward appears clear


Chang Jun
Lightning quick Chang moves, spins, and plunges his blade into the black heart of another demon at the opposite end of the group.  Two remain and look to where the first had fallen apparently unaware that death stands behind them.
Gonna just keep rolling out the crits, are we? Two dead or dying and two remain.
 They've not responded yet but now know they are under attack
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:31, Tue 14 July 2020.