Koharu continues waiting calmly.  She blinks again with the new strange mental ping.  Her hand extends slowly, carefully controlled, and then turns over, palm up, and draws back, in a fluid motion as she feels out the changes.

Matthew's calculations reveal many sources of power among his friends and also many in the mist.  He scribbles another equation in notebook as he consults his charts and mumbles in an ancient language.  As he chants, the equations lift from the pages of his notebook and transfer to his neck.  The numbers and symbols begin to glow as Matthew's hair flies violently as if in a turbulent wind.  He takes a deep breath.

Matthew unleashes a scream that emits a focused bright white light and a powerful wind, targeting what he believes to be the source of the powers in the mist.

The equations fade and his hair settles when the Death Shout is complete.



OOC: After Apeiros's ruling on Mathematics, I'm taking my Flurry round

23:59, Today: Matthew Matherson rolled 10 using 1d20.  Mathematics - Ra & Nut.
23:59, Today: Matthew Matherson rolled 16 using 1d20.  exploding 10.

Mathematics 16 + 9 (roll) = 25 vs DN 16 ( Nut DN 12 + 4 OoM ) => Ra +3, Nut +5
Conjuration 12 + 8 (Ra & Nut) = 20 vs Death Shout DN 20 => Success
Death Shout total 20 vs Defense of target + Darkness Penalty

If successfully hit, Damage 25

Pooling Hero
This message was last edited by the player at 04:26, Tue 07 July 2020.

In reply to Ben Altman (msg # 79):

For each Turn a hero has in which they attempt some action that actually moves the story, they get to put a card from their hand into their Pool.

In reply to Koharu Saito (msg # 81)

Are you executing a "Wait" Option?

To clarify in light of my Reply to Ben above, With a "Wait" or a "Do nothing" move, there is no Hand to Pool movement. However, if the Hero does act later in the round from this Wait, they can Pool a card at that time

In reply to Matthew Matherson (msg # 82)

You feel the power and the numbers add up. The casting is true. Your Detection spell registers the shout as it goes out.

unless I have misread something, we are ready for the villains' turns. Everyone except Saito(?) should have 2 cards pooled in their pool. If you were due a card for Approved Actions, it should be in your hand now. Let me know if you are missing one or need more information on any of your cards

I will allow people to update their pools through tonight. Tomorrow we start rd 2. For right now,

20:17, Today: Optant rolled 16 using 1d20 ((16)). Unarmed =15

Ben    12(15)
Gavin  18(19) (attack gets +5)
Jalia  14(17)
Saito  16(19)
Matthew 10(13)
Pierre  12(15)
Sapphire 19


Ben, Gavin, Matthew and Pierre are grabbed by the surronding plants. Jalia fends them off with her sword, Saito neetly sidsteps and dodges them, and Sapphire strugles to maintain her control while blocking incoming plants.

Those caught suffer a -4 to all Dexterity-based skills or any skills which require movement. The character may attempt to break free by making a Strength roll of difficulty 13; other free characters can help, coordination difficulty 5.

21:29, Today: Apeiros, for the NPC Edeinos, rolled d20 ((18,4,19,19,15)).
OoM: Running up to/through defensive barrier, throw spears STR 9 MW 12
C @Ben (11)      MW 12 +5Rl -4OoM -3Rng =10 miss
D @Gavin (15)    MW 12 +5Sz -8Rl -4OoM -3Rng =2 miss
E @Gavin (15)    MW 12 +5Sz +6Rl -4OoM -3Rng =16 Hit 1RP
                 D12 +1RP=13 -T20 +2OoM <0 Gavin takes 1 Shock
F @Jalia (15)    MW 12 +6Rl -4OoM -3Rng =11 miss
G @Sapphire (18) MW 12 +2Rl -4OoM -3Rng =7 miss


Five Edeinos rush up to the edge of your vision, obvioulsy intending to push through the undergrowth, but failing. They throw weirdly solid and single piece spears, all of which go wide except one that hits Gavin's huge body, apparently he is the only one who didn't notice it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bteioimdewzbdrs/Init92.png
I've decided to stop trying the Images, follow the link to see the Init Card
"You give up ground!"
S: H -  V -
Act: Defend/Taunt

Heroes' turn


Clarification: after re-reading and influence from Eternity...I am going to require an Active Defense action to get the card, but I will not require actuall targeting...if you Defend and don't get hit, you get a card; even if no one attacks you.  This is MY^current interpretation of Old TORG rules for Defend approved action.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:03, Thu 09 July 2020.

Sapphire was sweating with the exertion needed to avoid the plants. She felt a little pang of worry: that had been horribly effective. They were in a life an death struggle and she suspected only she could sense the targets. Her head told her to attack the Eidenos, but her heart wouldn't let her leave the others trapped. After fractions of a second she went with her heart.

Quickly she called to the others "I will pray for you. If in your heart you call on Dunad he will help you" and then she did just that.

"Dunad I thy Champion in this place and time call on thee to assist us in our hour of need" Sapphire invoked. Dunad had already shown his willingness to help in a very real and demonstratable way: his remarkably efficacious blessing allowed her to try things she wouldn't normally even countenance. "Help these my companions. We are attacked by foes from stealth, who seek to bind us then slay us while unable to defend. God of Honour grant these Folk the ability to fight back against these foes using such dishonourable means"

OOC
If you don't have the faith skill, and accept the blessing: +4 to all strength bonus numbers
If you have the faith skill: The DN is 11, the bonus number is +2. You add 'level of successes' to your strength. This works out as

• Faith attr+skill  9 => total 11 => +1 to strength bonus numbers
• Faith attr+skill 10 => total 12 => +2 to strength bonus numbers
• Faith attr+skill 12 => total 14 => +3 to strength bonus numbers
• Faith attr+skill 16 => total 18 => +4 to strength bonus numbers

If you do have faith you might have to roll a spiritual conflict (ask the GM). I'd just casually mention that Sapphire rolled spectacularly well on the 'bless my spirit' miracle, so that might hurt more than being trapped

Note that this doesn't improve the attribute strength, it improves all bonus numbers associated for the attribute strength and strength skills. (So for example it doesn't buff damage)

It was like a scene from the Evil Dead, only he had no chain saw.

He heard Sapphire calling her god/s??? but perhaps in her Tolkien world getting faith was as easy as deciding you believe in something. Ben knew he would need a little more than just telling him to have faith.

He focused on his current predicament, he tried to reach for his combat knife and use it to cut the vines or whatever was the botanic definition of the plants that grabbed him. Ben used the knife to cut the vines, although if he had to admit their grip seemed feeble in the first place and he would probably could have snapped them in his hands.

"Is that all you got?" he shouted to the lizard primitive waving his sap covered knife "your pathetic godless primitive magic is no match to 20 century steel... " he shouted.

10:52, Today: Ben Altman rolled 13 using 1d20.  Break free.
Action total = 8 (Str) + 1(roll) +3 (boost to strength) +4 (miracle) -2 (multi action) +3 (spells cancel multi action penalty) = 16

Taunt score = 8 (Cha) +1 roll -4 (multi action) +3 (Spell)=8
This message was last edited by the player at 07:03, Fri 10 July 2020.

Matthew writhed in the grasp of the plants trying to break free.  He heard Sapphire's call to her god and he prepared.  He has had experience with conflicting beliefs in other invasions and he knew the potential consequences.  However, as he felt the power of the miracle wash over him he accepted it because of the singular thought, "I don't want to be eaten by plants."

OOC: I'll accept Sapphire's miracle even though she warned her Spirit was pretty high right now.  Maybe only so I can shake the cobwebs out of my memories of Miracles in Torg... which is one of my two favorite things in Torg.  Also, it will be fun to RP.  Anyway...

Thanks to Pierre's spell boost my Faith value is 13, thus +3 to strength bonuses.

Spiritual Conflict:

  08:42, Today: Matthew Matherson rolled 9 using 1d20.  Spiritual Conflict.

  Faith 13 - 1 (roll) = 12 vs Sapphire's Faith

I will await Sapphire's Faith roll to see if I take Spiritual Damage before I take my action

This message was last edited by the player at 01:44, Fri 10 July 2020.

Matthew has never felt this strong before.  Pierre's still unfamiliar magic courses through Matthew's body and Sapphire's god provides even more power.  Matthew easily breaks free from the vines.  He surveys the battlefield to see if anyone does not escape the plants.

OOC:
21:53, Today: Matthew Matherson rolled 17 using 1d20.  Strength test.

Strength 11 (thanks Pierre) + 3 (thanks Sapphire) + 4 (thanks dice gods) = 18 vs DN 13 => Good Success

Pooling Willpower

This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Sun 26 July 2020.

Pierre rejected the heathen witches false blessing, struggling futilely against the grasping greenery.

01:22, Today: Pierre De Gaulle rolled 6 using 1d20.  Round 2 roll.
Fails to break free.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:04, Sat 11 July 2020.

This message was deleted by the player at 16:45, Sat 11 July 2020.

Holding on MSG 92 & 93

Pierre only has the struggle if he accepts the blessing, which may be a valid choice as it gets him +3 to STR based bonus numbers, which stacks with his spell, which means he had to roll poorly indeed to fail, which wouldn't help him break free with a 6 rolled. Therefore I am going forward with the assumption that Pierre refused the blessing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:39, Sat 11 July 2020.

OOC:
17:26, Today: Sita-ish rolled 13 using 1d20 ((13)).
unarmed combat 15 + 2 from Pierre + 3 Blindsided target + 1 from roll = 21 vs DN 12.
damage: 15 +2 from Pierre + 9 result points = 26 vs DN 12 = 3 Wnds/KO 10 = 4 wds KO 15 result.{edited by Apeiros}

Still going for a jump-scare, horror-movie feel here.

The edeinos standing at the far-northwest edge of the clearing pauses after throwing his spear, to see if he managed to hit his target. Before he can advance any farther towards the clearing, however, he suddenly disappears into the foliage behind him. Not as if moving under his own power, but instead as if yanked off his feet by something from behind. Something strong.

There is a loud, wet, crunching sound from within the underbrush. Then barely a second later, the edeinos' bloody, ravaged body is hurled back out, thrown like a ragdoll. The mangled form flops to the ground a dozen feet away, sprawled grotesquely, and lies still.

No indication of what savaged the edeinos betrays itself. No sound. No glimpse. No indication of where . . . or whom . . . it would strike next.

OOC: Unless someone wants to make a difficulty 20 find test. :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:14, Sun 12 July 2020.

As the Edeinos arriven Jalia swings her broadsword, hoping to stop some of them with the threat she presents. her strike is mightier than some might guess, increased by Sapphire's spellcrating, the metal slicing the scales and body soundly.

OOC :
06:44, Today: Jalia rolled 13 using 1d20.  Melee Weapons Total 14. Damage 17
This message was last edited by the player at 06:53, Sun 12 July 2020.

Gavin appears to ignore the plants wrapped around his legs as he rips both himself and Pierre free, but something about the plants has deffinately disturbed him.
STR 20, +0 roll, -0 OoM (spell), vs 13

Koharu looks out into the mist, seeing the vague shapes moving at the edges of it, at least a few of which she's reasonably sure aren't just from the way the mist swirls.

When the mangled lizard's body flies out into the clearing, she turns around and moves back to the truck, reaching out gently for the woman's shoulder.  "Come," she suggests, trying to guide her back towards the truck.  "They can keep us safe," she says reassuringly.

Either way, she goes back to where she was, in the front cab.  If the woman does come with her, she'll climb in first and slide across to the driver's seat, letting her sit in the passenger's.

23:04, Today: Apeiros, for the NPC Edeinos, rolled 4d20 ((15,20,17,10)).
23:06, Today: Apeiros, for the NPC Edeinos, rolled 4 using 1d20 ((4))
Note: The 4 is the Roll again for the 10. The 20 didn't get one because I decided that was the Edeinos Ben Taunted into Unskilled

Jalia's attack was strong enough to knock her target down, and he is not as healthy looking as he was when he showed up Knockdown K/O 5...it took 5 shock a K (if it already had a K, it would have taken the O) and was knocked prone Still he is going to win!
Unarmed 12 +2r -4 OoM =10 vs 13 → miss but with the additional effort of regaining his footing, he is unable to connect.

The three other attempt to come through the barrier, but even weekend by their movement, the barrier is still to strong.

A new figure comes up the road and throws a spear at Matthew, 01:59, Today: Apeiros, on behalf of Optant, rolled 9 using 1d20 ((9)).  Missile Weapons 12 -1r =11 vs 13(buffed) miss

One lizard was pulled away and thrown back, definately dead. Another was knocked down by Jalia but got back on its feet.

A new lizard entered your vision range and flung a spear wildly. But all the plants have stopped moving, all your teammates are free from their grasp, Koharu has guided your visitor into the cab of the truck, Only Sita is missing from the group now that Jason has returned, and there are 5 scaley targets to choose from as we enter RD 3

Please check the Game Maps, the Main Map is a set of charts, hopefully soon to be a larger set of charts, and the Group 0 map should show everyone's location except the two in the truck, the one roaming the jungle/mist, and Jason who will get the letter K now that Koharu is in the truck

RD 3
100
Youʼre driven back!
S: H Fatigue V —
Act: DEFEND/TEST

I don't think anyone has a Fatigue Penalty, so everyone takes 2 Shock damage from the Fatigue And it if the Heroes' turn again

Koharu looks at the woman apologetically.  "I'm sorry that I can't be a better hostess.  The radio really doesn't work here, I'm afraid."  She seems absolutely calm, barely even looking out the windows to see how the battle is going.

"If I may ask, what brings you out here?  You said something about a... father, I believe?"

Combat was always tiring. Sapphire's heart rate had doubled, and it was hard not to fall into the trap of tunnel vision: just focusing on the immediate threat. Sapphire had to take a moment to force herself to breath, and her kidneys were aching with adrenaline.

Now that the immediate threat of the plants was over, Sapphire knew it was time to move from defender to attacker. One of the foes looked to her to be more the leader than the others. 'Battles are fought in the Will' she reminded herself walking towards the Optant. Raising her hands as she walked the tiny balls of glowing sunlight flowed out of her again into the undergrowth. Around the Optant and the Eidenos to the north the undergrowth began to grow, showing him that she was in charge of the battlefield.. that the forces of nature were hers to command and not his. He'd entered the area of her spell, and she was going to show him why that had been a very bad idea. The Eidenos that was closest to Sita, who she could sense with her magics, she didn't encase.



Simple action: telling the plants to grow, and walking towards the optant (15m)
Complex action: A 13 on Test of Wills (prefered action). As I don't think his mind is less than -5, I'll not worry with a players call.

A reminder: the 'undergrowth' is a 'bit hard' to get through. It's effectively impassible in combat. Movement of 1m requires the destruction of a toughness 20 barrier. The plant regrows after 5 rounds.

There are now areas several meters thick around each Eidenos to the North and the Optant that are 'thickening' up.

I don't know how this interacts with the 'animate plants' miracle

In reply to Sapphire (msg # 102):

Animate Plants was a 1 and done. no duration

Pierre nodded to Ben. "Merci. Those plants went a bit far for a first date, non?" Shaking off the fatigue from his failed breakout attempt, he looked around. Time for him to do his bit in this battle. Two visible on the left, but with what was presumably a friendly, if one addicted to psychological warfare. The Jammer was a little indiscriminate for that situation. Three on the right, they would do. He triggered his boosters and his arm came up, the Jammer purring like a contented kitten as it tossed its whirling clouds of death downrange.

Firing on the three Edienos at the 'top' of the map with the FN Jammer, full auto.
I make it Dex 10 (boosted) + FC 2 (chipped) + Auto 3 + Jammer 3 (weapon bonus) + Eyekill 3 + rolled 4 for a To-hit of 25. No Dn or T penalty due to the ooda spell.
Damage 23 + auto 3  + rolled 4 = 30. Vs Tou 10 = 6 wnd KO 15. Pointy stick armor? Cover?
Will wait for your reply before posting their shredding.

01:13, Today: Pierre De Gaulle rolled 17 using 1d20.  Round 3 roll.

Only issues, 2) because we are using the Result Points to Damage Option/House rule, the +3 to hit only has to be subtracted from the damage (see Auto next) and the +3 to Damage from Auto fire isn't added...in both cases the "To Hit bonus" directly translates into Result points which makes them Bonses to Damage as well, but you also added the Bonus number (4) to damage instead of the Result points (13), so New Math: your 30 -3 (Jammer bonus to hit only) -3(Auto bonus already counted) -4+13 (ResPnts Replace Bonus #) gives you a 33 instead of 30 -10 Tou is 23 ...or 8 wds KO 15...enough to render the body unusable even for reanimation.

1) I just recalled your Ammo explodes "a few meters outside the barrell". This is where that extra +3 to hit comes from, and it does require a Ranged Contradiction, or the Flechetes will not explode. 2 Options, and I will post the math elsewhere, A) you don't push the envelope, losing the +3 maning your original 6W KO 15 is correct and these bodies could be used far zombies, or B) you go to 4 actions OoM, Reality 1st 19 vs 23 you take 2 shock, 2 Lizardds take 8wKO15 and the last one is a little less dead.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:45, Fri 17 July 2020.