Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious flees the scene. They had hoped to get back before they were noticed to be missing, but no such luck.

Vassarious locates an out-of-the-way spot, perhaps a storage area, where he might operate without detection or surveillance, and he once again takes the form of Maximus and explores the mental connection. They try and communicate with Maixumus himself... "You are needed. Your priests may have diverted the faith, and your system may have been compromised by them to keep you asleep and maintain control. "

((Is the senate located on this same world? ))

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious finds a location in the temple seemingly devoted to storing food, and transforms.


Rolling Occult!... success by 8 before modifiers...


Vassarious finds the "Main channel", the one that seems to lead to the emperor, and sends his message. He gets a response, echoing as a voice in his head:


"I know what I am doing, interloper. Go to sleep."


The command carries metaphysical weight with it, Vassarious feels tired, and like lying down...


Make a will roll. Take additional actions you feel might help.



The senate is on the capital world of Arthus, yes. In this same city, even.


(As a GM aside, could you report back your findings to your partner... I'm trying to synchronize you two)

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious slaps themselves in the face to try and stay awake while beginning to shift back into the elemental form, hoping the command will not affect them without the link.

((Will Roll = 3 + 2 + 2 = 7 , success with a margin of 7 for Will or by 9 for Mental Strength))

(OOC: I was wondering how we were going to work that... isn't my partner days ahead of me at this point? Maybe I need to fall asleep...)

If they are able to stay awake, V will take the angelic form again to pull out the communicator and reach out to Halcyone...

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

So do we have an arranged time to contact each other or does the pen vibrate when I get a call? Or do we have a secretary/go-between?

I'll make an IQ roll to retroactively establish that I fiddle with my pen a lot.
Then I'll use acting to act naturally when I make my call/receive a call so I won't be detected.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Mental Strength IS appropriate: Vassarious shakes off the command for long enough to change form, and the command fades from V's mind.

This time we can say that Halcyone was a few days ahead of Vassarious.

Its a vibration.

cool.

The call comes in when Halycone is trying to stay awake after the bombing.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Here's what I have to say:
"How's everything going on your end? They appear to trust me on my end. All the way to across dimensions and I'm back to bodyguarding; figures."
"I met a fellow who claimed to have received a dream from the emperor. I'm inclined to believe him given he knows how I look when not disguised. He mentioned a place called "The Caverns of Calthyone". Maybe it could give you something to look into on your end? I think I'll be able to visit it myself soon."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious send the message:

"I arrived several hours ago and was met with cordial functionaries, a highly protective priesthood, and an overwhelming force of guards. The priests became subtly hostile while my investigation proceeded. I have the impression they have disrupted the magics here to affect the workings of the enchantment. I was able to establish brief communication with Maximus, who insisted he knew what he was doing, and attempted to disable me, so I am unsure if our assistance is wanted or needed. Unfortunately, when I disturbed Maximus, the guards immediately checked the room they had provided me before I could return, and with the growing hostility I sensed, I believe revealing myself to them again would only invite an attack. As it seems the priesthood is behind this, my intention now is to travel to the senate to impart my impressions. In our research, we had uncovered that there was a faction of the priesthood that had been deposed after voicing the opinion that the priesthood had departed from Maximus' directives. I believe we should try and locate the remaining priests from that faction, who are among the rebels."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I suppose it's impractical to try and fix it with the priests in control right now. "
"Any chance he said he's waiting for the plebs to kill enough Patricia s?"
"Bad luck. It could have been helpful to have a good reason to tour about."
"Any idea on how you're going to get them to give you an audience? "
"I shall make inquiries"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"It may very well be that he wishes them to work it out for themselves. They insisted upon a legion to follow me around to any sensitive areas. I'm sure the Senate will hear me when I present myself. Who are you involved with? Did the man tell you any more detail about his dream?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I'm guarding a General Rubrum."
"Octavian (a man I chanced up in the hospital) mentioned:
1) He's been betrayed by those who keep his body
2) He isn't in control of his actions
3) He's small part of the emperor preserved in case of such a betrayal.
4) The knowledge to fix him is in the 'Caverns of Calthyone'"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Interesting... Perhaps it was not the true Maximus I spoke with, but the channeled words of the priests perverting his wishes...."

While conversing, Vassarious pulls out the reference materials they brought with them and searches for the 'Caverns of Calthyone'

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The caverns of Calthyone are not well known, but a search pulls them up. They're near one of the temple portals connecting Arthus with Lithus, on the Lithian side of the portal. That portal is currently a beach-head for imperial forces, and quite an active war-zone. There are many entrances, and the caves are a near labyrinth. Parts of them are open, but parts were closed to the public for years.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'm not sure who was to respond next. Anyway:
"Maybe you could try and confuse the priests by having two Maximuses (Maximi?) If they can find out which is which without anything complicated, then clearly they're all in on it. Then again it'd probably result in death or capture. Maybe this is all an elaborate trick to make it look like the priests are guilty..."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I'm afraid that seems terribly dangerous... Based on the hostility brewing with the priests, the dream of the man you encountered, and my brief contact with He-who-would-be-Maximus, I am inclined against trusting the clergy."

Vassarious checks the reference materials for experts on the caves... there might be a suitable guide who had an idea of what they are looking for.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

In Peacetime there would be a warden who took care of the caves, but you're not sure who that is or what they're doing now that the war is on. You can find where their old office is though.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious locates the office, and then does some searching for information on the capitol and tries to locate the offices of Moratus Ingelni (governor of Monstri) and determine the best way to contact him directly (Maybe they can Hack his way into a personal channel or phone number using tradecraft).

Continuing the conversation...

"If you will attempt to open a channel of communication with the deposed priests, I will continue on to the capitol to share my impressions with Moratus Ingelni. He may be willing to assist or bring his own resources to bear and start his own investigation. Then we could rendevous at the caves to follow our only real lead."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I guess it's a plan. Hopefully we can meet there; not sure if you're going to have trouble entering a war zone..."

So this makes three long tasks?
1) Memetic persuasion of Rubrum
2) Investigating whether there are any leaks in HQ
3) Inquire about the deposed priests

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I think that's it for the conversation?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Yep, the convo's about finished in my view.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

How will Halcyone go about looking for deposed priests?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll google it! 🤪
Ok, if that doesn't get me anything, I'll try asking around the headquarters if anyone's knows anything.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

And Vassarious will check the reference materials for directions to locate the senate and mist back out to escape the complex and head that way.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

There is a very old former preexist who lives about an hour's drive outside of Lithus City. His name is Hyrum.


Vassarious makes it out and to the senate itself, which is quite close nearby. The senate won't meet for two more days, but the building is busy none-the-less with various officials and other people who seem to be quite pleased with themselves.


Who will be be seeking out?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Well I don't imagine I can come up with much of a reason to go that far away from HQ, especially with a guard schedule, so I guess I'll be backburnering it for now.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious searches for the offices of the governor of Monstri, Moratus Ingelni.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Its closed today, but will be open tomorrow.

(its also near the senate, but not in it. Lots and lots of government offices here)

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious uses a bit of Tradecraft and comes up with an imperial identity for travelling the capital. Do the people seem to carry papers or identification they might need to make arrangements for?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

TL 7 identification is widespread, yes. Important people also tend to have electronic identities, and you'll need a bit to set those up as well. How complete of an identity do you want to set up?

Vassarious has the skills to set up the identity, but it will take a day or two. Roll tradecraft to get the right contacts, raw materials, and so forth.

Halcyone isn't quite sure about leaks at headquarters when Rubrum starts talking about getting information from the front near the Sabuleum gate. she has eleminated a good three quarters of the officers from her "most suspicious" list, but has been focusing on getting Rubrum near the caverns.

He makes one last visit to the hospital to visit Alexa (the hospital with the man who says he saw the emperor). After that he'll travel with a unit of fresh recruits down to the Sabuleum gate.


Will Halcyone be visiting the deposed priest before they go?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Well, I guess unless I go AWOL I'm sure I'll be able to make it back to pick up where I left off.

I don't think I can get leave through proper channels to do this; could I persuade Thelo to cover for me and/or drive me out while Rubrum's sleeping or something?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

You have a few off-duty moments, yes... What will you tell Thelo when you ask him to drive you out there?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll try an approach that lies the least. I'll say I'm looking into something that looks like it may have some kind of involvement with the priesthood, and that I found a purged priest online that I'd like to consult with.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

He's willing to drive you out there during some of your off-duty time. The city is quite large. Despite the bombing raids, this part of it seems untouched, at least structurally.



Hyrum is living in a small home stacked behind two others: he does not seem to have done very well for himself. Thelo offers to come in with you.



Hyrum is old and frail. His skin looks weathered from hard work in the sun. He looks her uniform up and down. "What are you looking for me for?".


If he ever had the classic "proper" accent of the capital, its gone now.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious will use his reference materials to come up with a common enough name to not look unusual and sets to validate it.


((Tradecraft to set up an identity and digital background good enough to pass checks they may run if Vassarious tried to make an appointment - Skill 14, Roll of 2 + 4 + 3 = 9 = Success by 5. -- Can you send me the link to the die roller you want to use in PM if you would like me to use it, I can't track down the link and I deleted my old PMs))

Vassarious will look into the senator's schedule if he can locate it, then set about seeing if he can get an appointment to meet with the senator. If he is unable to do so, he will use the schedule to figure out a good time to attempt to intercept the man.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

sent the PM.


I thought he wanted to meet with the governor...

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Thank you... Yes, I meant the governor.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll accept Thelo's offer.


"Good day. I am investigating possible subversion by the Imperial Priesthood. As a former priest, I think you would have some useful knowledge about how they may be doing this."
Then I'll ask a few questions that seem disinterested in the reason for the purge, but should cause Hyrum to talk about it anyway. If that doesn't work I'll just ask directly.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Hyrum: "I'm not interested in furthering the cause of the rebellion. Some of my colleagues have done so, but I will not. The cause of my exile is simple: I protested the implicit removal of the Patron's Obligation. Directions and warnings persistently aimed at the rich and powerful, at the governors and senators, were no longer being taught. We pushed for the balance of preaching to be what it ever had been, and we were removed from our positions. And the Emperor did nothing."


"I await when he will wake, but we shall see if he ever does. How much is too much?"



Let me know when you've made the roll!

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I see. Thank you for your time." I briefly purse my lips before saying, "One more thing, was it considered common for average people to receive visions, dreams really, from Maximus?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Common? No. We had several mentally ill folks who said they had dreams from him every year. They fixed them in healing temples. But it does happen. Usually when the Emperor is awake and he needs someone in a very specific location. It has not happened in my lifetime. At least that I know of."



"He certainly has that power: there is nothing special about being a priest, and he has more of a reputation for visiting our dreams, though that is still very very rare. The top five priests once a decade would be considered normal"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

(( I rerolled in the app, but I reversed the success number for a high roll, so it shows a fail on a 10, which is really a success by 4 ))

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Hm. Would it be possible for someone or a group of someones to be block him from communicating, or from awakening?"

Now unless he gives a really juicy answer, I'll thank him for his time again and leave. If Thelo has questions or is otherwise disturbed about the questions I asked, here's an Acting roll to set him at ease.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Varsarious is able to schedule an appointment with the governor for tomorrow.


What will the shapeshifter do until the appointment?


"Only a genius who understands those temples. I certainly couldn't, and as far as I know, the emperor never explained how the temples of eternal life really work. Messing with them could have an effect, but I don't know how you'd control the effect."


Thelo: "That... wasn't about treason. What are you tracking down?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I decide to trust Thelo.

"Well, it is from a certain point of view."
"I have reason to believe that the current priesthood, or perhaps a subset of them are interfering with the Emperor's awakening. I think this has been going on for some time now, maybe the past fifty-sixty years. If this could be proven, or better yet the emperor could be awoken, we'd see half to three quarters of the relevant governors defect."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious will take a more subtle form to not be so striking as the angelic beauty, and interact with some people in public places and try and improve his feel for the people and culture.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"That's... quite a task. Did you get anything useful from Hyrum here?"



The city is enormous, and full of displays of wealth. Advanced materials are used to face buildings. Fountains abound. The restaurants boast an overwhelming variety of food. The richer people dress in impeccably tailored clothing forming solid colors. The less wealthy wear brightly colored clothing with video patterns, pictures, and messages playing across it. Vassarious is able to have some conversations in a coffee shop with random strangers. The war doesn't seem to be on their minds too much.


I assume the shapeshifter will assume a convenient animal form and sleep in some safe location. If otherwise, let me know.


Consul Gylin Malchus (The Governor) meets with Varsarrious in a stately room made of marble. It seems to try to invoke the feel of the imperial tomb, but with avoiding just a couple of the symbols. A wide window overlooks an enormous garden, and a couple of security guards are present (think secret service... this man effectively rules an entire world)


Consul Malchus peers at Vassarious. Vassarious has acquired the identity of the wife of a powerful member of the aristocracy*, with a good deal of power herself. "I was lead to believe you had an urgent matter of business to discuss?"


*you can change this if you want... but it needs to be someone who the governor would meet with quickly.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Not really. He confirmed some suspicions I had with regard to the reason for the purge, but unfortunately he doesn't seem to know anything about how this could have been done."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"Huh. Anyone else you think would know about this? let me know what I can do to help. If the priests have imprisoned the emperor... That would be a best case scenario for the rebellion."


Thelo drives Halcyone back to the Palace district in the capital.



General Rubrum flies most of the way to the front in a private plane.



The front is a maze of fortifications and armored vehicles. There is a slow but constant background of distant explosions. Drones patrol the skies, with the occasional missile forcing them to keep a certain distance.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I'm not sure. There's temples all over the place. Maybe it is necessary to periodically visit each temple to stop him from communicating. Then there'd be drivers, porters, people seeing odd things in temples... Probably would need someone to handle operations on this side of the battlelines."

I'll neglect to mention the Caverns; that would be too coincidental.

Is it like a military cargo plane or is it fancier?

How long is Rubrum staying? How far am I from the Caves of Calythone? Where will we be staying?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I don't object to the identity, but this is not the governor I want to talk to... Did I misunderstand? I thought the governors were gathered here, I must have been merging the governors and the senate in my mind or something if I'm off on that...

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"That's why you really left Verdaze, isn't it? you needed to search over here rather than over there."


Military Cargo Plane



Good Questions: Rubrum will be staying at a commandeered empty home nearby the front head quarters. The town HQ is in was cleared out by multiple waves of fighting before HQ was set up there. The General thinks 6 days should be sufficient to complete his survey. The caves are about 100 miles away, and The most prominent entrance is in the middle of no-man's land.


You are indeed thinking of the senate... but this is the one place off of Monstri that the governor is likely to visit: I'm going to say that he is here, taking care of business in the capital and maintaining his precarious political position.


I don't think the greeting changes.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I think I'll change my strategy slightly. I'll say "Oh, I heard something about some place called Calthyone", and act surprised if he puts it together.
I guess my options work out to "Go AWOL" or "persuade Rubrum that I'd be better suited going off to a hole in the ground rather than being his guard." What could I roll to find alternate entrances?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Calthyone is really only known to serious cavers and locals. He hasn't heard of it.



Alternate entrances? I'd take research at -5, or I'd take finding a local expert and talking to them. That's finding an informant from social engineering: IQ is standard, administration will also work for this one. -5 (restricted info) + 3 (100,000 people) gives you a base -2 modifier.


getting leave is all dependent on time, I'd say.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Ah well. At least this way the caves might appear more coincidental.

Well it seems like a trench warfare situation to me. Jogging into the middle of no man's land would be a hellish run and probably perceived to be pretty suicidal. Or maybe no man's land here is much bigger than in ww1.

Well time to go searching for someone who knows about an alternate cave entrance.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

WW1 had no man's land's of various sizes. This one is typically larger than WW1 no man's land's... but you'd still attract a lot of attention trying to cross it.


Halcyone locates one of the keepers of the caves in the rebel army. He's being used as a local expert... you may be able to steer Rubrum into talking with his unit during the tour.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll try steering Rubrum towards heading to that particular unit with some carefully placed verbiage, backed up with some Intelligence bafflegab.

Well hopefully that does it.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Halcyone arranges for Rubrum to meet with the unit during his tour, asking about the terrain in the area, and other sorts of analysis. He grabbed onto Halcyone's suggestion that it'd be good to talk with the experts on the ground.



This group is pretty well vetted, but no one will blink if Halcyone double checks. Or she could talk with the man during the visit.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious immerses themselves into the character and once she gets himalone, recants a tale to the governor of mystery and intrigue to draw him in, telling him that she does not want to have her involvement known, but feels something must be done, and believes the governor to be the only one who can be trusted.

Vassarious weaves the story together into a connected narrative to paint the governor a picture.

They tell him of an ambassador from beyond their empire who has visited the temple in pursuit of a prophecy warning of a betrayal to the Emperor and who found the high priest's behavior very suspicious and filled with veiled hostility.

They recant the story of the deposed faction of the priesthood that believed the Emperor's true intentions were being twisted to suit.

Vassarious then tells him of visions that have been reported to come to warn of the subversion of the Emperor's will by corrupted magic.

"Is there anyone outside of the priesthood who understands the magics well enough to verify they have not been modified?"
"Is there a way to look into this discretely?"

Vassarious attempts to drop the story, hook the mark, and get out as quickly as they can and avoid additional entanglements.

((Skill roll failed! - Going to use a Destiny point to change that into a success, AND a Wildcard Point to pad the margin if it will make a difference.))

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll revett the group. I'll try to work a question about the Caverns into the interview.

"I understand you were keeper of the Caverns of Calythone before the war. What was that like?"
[If he doesn't mention anything about entrances] "Hm. Would it be possible to cut past any of the trenches by going through the caves? Or are all the entrances in no man's land?"

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Ingelni: "I would not expect the priests to know how to modify maximus's tomb to achieve any effect: he is that much better at architecture than anyone else. He would have left a record of the proper structure, with backups. That would also be in the hands of the priests... but there may be backups."


Ingelni: "The best way to verify your story would be to place a spy in the priesthood, or locate a priest who is willing to talk. At least the part about the Emperor being trapped. For the ambassador beyond the empire... can you give any signs of such a person? how would they prove themselves? If they came to me, how would I identify them?"



I accept both.




The expert, named Yorinor, talks about the size of the caves, and about how the government hid a lot of different things in the caves. "There were areas even I didn't know about. I can point to where they are, but I can't tell you what's inside them."


"There are entrances on either side of no-man's land. They had me identify them and they'll all guarded and rigged to be demolished in an emergency. We think they did the same thing on the other side: at least a few attempts to cross have met with opposition. Combat down there tends to be bloody and not get very far, so most raids using it have stopped."

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"I see... Did the raids getting stopped near the entrances or somewhere in the middle of the cave complex? Is it likely the artillery would have trashed some of the passages?"

Hm... I suppose this gives the option of not having to cross no man's land to enter the cave complex... I suppose now it would be a matter of persuading Rubrum to give me leave to go investigate these caves.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

"The ambassador is continuing their own investigation, I would assume. If you would like, I can take a message to deliver if the opportunity presents itself. I am not sure if I will be contacted again now that I have fulfilled my role and passed on this information to you.

As to how the ambassador might prove themselves, I'm not sure. I sensed no falsehood but what motivation could there be to lie? The explanation certainly fits the state of things.

I hope you will look into this. I thank you for your time, Governor."

Once Vassarious is able to leave the meeting, they will set about seeking out the caves and check the references for the portals and fighting situations along the route.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Most of the raids were stopped about half a mile from the entrances, though a few were stopped in the middle.



"There have been explosions within the caves that have caused cave-ins, as well as some cave-ins from explosions above."



How will you go about this task?



Ingelni looks thoughtful as V leaves the meeting, pondering what to do and what to believe.



As V is leaving the building, a man wearing all black pulls out a pistol and fires at V. Go ahead and roll danger sense and perception to not be surprised.



Remind me of this after I'm done shooting at V.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Danger Sense (14) | 6 + 3 + 4 = 13 ... success.

Acrobatics (for acrobatic dodge) (14) | 6 + 5 + 5 = 16 ... failure.

Dodge (8 (10, -2 for failed acrobatics)) | 1 + 3 + 1 = 5 ... success.

Vassarious tries to flip away and a slip of the foot throws them off balance, but they are still able to avoid the bullet.

How far away is the attacker? We're on the front steps of the capitol building, are there police/military forces reacting to this sudden gunfire? How crowded is the area?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Security seems to be mostly already very near light cover, stepping into it and raising either their guns or their radios... mostly their radios. They do not seem surprised ... probably what tipped V off to be cautious, come to think of it.


The civilians are much more alarmed, and begin screaming and looking for cover to run to. There are a lot of civilians, but they are pretty spread out: maybe one every 20 feet, with just a few bunched up together.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Vassarious takes evasive action as they run for cover and begin the transformation into their air elemental form.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Is Rubrum on the "most suspicious" list?

Well unless I have reason not to trust Rubrum, I'll take a direct approach and give him the same story as with Thelo, albeit with the addition that I need to visit the nearby caves.
If this is insufficiently persuasive, I'd like to estimate his reaction if I explained everything.
And I guess I don't know.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

The man in black runs towards V as he fires twice more. He's about 10 yards away. The bullets hit closer than V would like, but they miss. She notices he has a short sword strapped to his chest.


second 1 of 10 complete.



The man continues running closer and firing. Two bullets threaten to hit.


He is not on the "Most Suspicious List"


He listens to the theory, then says... "Intelligence indicates otherwise. The emperor woke up a few days ago and we just found out. I'll be video conferencing with the general staff all today. The tour is on hold. I can't think of worse news. We're probably headed back in the evening"


He delivers it gruffly, without emotion.



Halcyone will be able to get some time to explore the caves if she wants ... If she acts quickly.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I guess the fake (?) emperor V woke up is still up and about. And there are either spies in the temple complex or he's held a press conference...

Well let's go! Will I be waved on through or will I need to find a way to get past the frontlines?

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Is this attacker firing without regard for the surrounding people?

Vassarious spins and darts between the shots and runs for some kind of cover, the crowd, foliage, buildings... anything. If they can manage to disrupt the line of sight, Vassarious will try and cloud themselves from their attacker's view with invisibility art.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

They have spies... I should have had Rubrum say something about "that's secret, don't spread it until the general public finds out. We don't want a crisis any earlier than necessary"


You'll need a way past the frontlines (by which I think you mean the troops in the tunnels).



Which is just what you needed. Both bullets miss. And I'd thought you'd already made that roll... thanks for making it.



No, he seems to have arranged a clean line of fire.


Roll Tradecraft! to find good cover/backdrops and slow the shooting (quick contest). If you succeed, roll invisibility art to add +2 to the contest.


The third second of shooting fires wide. You have seven seconds left before the transformation completes. Each point of victory on the roll will give you one second when he's not shooting.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

All die rolls are miserable failures as Vassarious tries to escape.

Tradecraft

3d6 <= 14
4 + 6 + 6 = 16 ... failure

Invisibility Art

3d6 <= 14
6 + 5 + 6 = 17 ... failure

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll make up a fake story that the General is considering checking out the caves, and I need to be let through to secure the area, but absolutely does not want to be disturbed as he's busy videoconferencing with Headquarters.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Varsarious tries to duck into a room to throw off the attacker, but the door is locked, and getting to the pedestrians outside involves running past the man in black. V tries to find good cover down the hall, but the man is fairly close and running towards her.

The man in black continues firing at a dead run at the woman Varsarious appears to be. Most of the bullets are going wide, but the guy does seem to be a pretty good shot: another bullet threatens to hit V on the fifth second, and one more on the sixth. He's down twelve bullets... how many are left in this gun?

You now know his skill with this weapon: 16.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I thought the attack began as Vassarious exited the building... I guess it's irrelevant...

They've kept pace, so fleeing full speed is ineffective, so V will all out defend - dodge, which allows a half move and keeps trying to move away until they can complete their transformation.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

They buy it, and Halcyone is able to enter the caves. What gear will she bring with her?


[QUOTE=the_matrix_walker;2402400]I thought the attack began as Vassarious exited the building... I guess it's irrelevant... [quote]
As she walked towards the exit, not as she left, and he came from towards the exit... somewhat irrelevant, considering that V needs only 10 seconds to transform.


You can get the +2 for the two dodges you need to make: go ahead and roll them

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Sidearm, Smartphone, Uniform, Concealed Armor, Lucky Pen, Pad of Paper.

Late edit: And lunch and dinner.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

One fail and one success

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Halcyone enters the caves lightly armed. Where in the caves is she headed? what destination? The caves are huge.


The bullet passes through the right arm: 12 pi damage from a 2d6+2 weapon. That's crippling, but only does 5 damage. It is a major wound though. Roll knockdown.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

I'll use IQ to retroactively ask Yorinor to draw me a map (if only a rough one).

Then I'll use Intuition to guess which is the best of the caves the government hid stuff in to check first.

Re: Corco's Villa (IC)
 

Knockdown

3d6 <= 12
5 + 1 + 3 = 9 ... success

(Sorry, crazy at work and not much time for personal creativity this week...)