Complicated, maybe, but at least a plan might've prevented the ceiling caving in on her goddamn head. There was a moment where Aprife actually had to bite his tongue to keep from calling Forera by her actual name, a moment he immediately cursed himself for, but pushed past it because they had to. On the other side of the door was a monster.
Well, monsters, and Aprife found himself stepping into Bombee's shoes again instead. He put a hand on his still nameless gerbil friend, his lips curving into a frown. "Are you alright?" he asked Forera, but his attention seemed heavily focused on their opponents in reality. "I was hoping we wouldn't see anymore gerbils. Not like this."
Even so, he didn't hesitate in taking out of group of them with his scourge after tucking his undead pet into his pocket.
"Keep them together. Surround them," he called to them both, mind already churning with a strategy, "If they're in one big group they'll be easier to hit and we won't have to deal with any stragglers."
--
Bombee Nifera (Aprife Invasi) HP: 37/40 Adult + Military Grade Weapon: +2 dmg Training in Tactics
Sarcel in turn was about to bark something out at Forera, but it was too late. Instead the entire group was shifting for a fight, and Sarcel was no exception.
"Hm!" It was a good call, and an idea that Sarcel herself shared. Keep them in a group, more flesh for her shotgun spread to tear through. Socks (name pending) was apparently not that devastated by the onslaught occurring outside of its warm dwelling. Still, Sarcel didn't get close enough to actually punch, because trying to punch a gerbil was kind of stupid, so she settled for circling the pack like a dog herding its cattle. "Keep the momentum going, don't give the pack a chance to separate!"
Contained, she aimed with her arm and slammed her fist down on the pressure plate atop her knuckles. It fired just as well all the same. Maybe she ought to look into some sort of better button system, or a mechanism that fired when she flexed her fist. There was a minor concern over shooting people on accident, but at the same time, what didn't kill a troll often times made it stronger, right? Totally.
Quote:
HP: 37/40 Adult: +1 to damage rolls Military Grade Weapon: +1 to damage rolls Invisibility (Adept Agi B): 2/2 Adept Artifact Defense Style A (Swhings): 4/4 Novice Discipline Leadership training...
FORERA SERPEN(PERORE SILCOE) HP: 31 - 4 = 27/40 Attack: 1D6 +2(adult + military grade weapon) Adept Artifact Offensive Style B: 2/2 2d6 Deal double damage on this attack, 2x per battle. 1 ongoing damage for all turns after. The ongoing damage from these stack. Adept Artifact Agility Style B: 2/2 2d6 hits with +1 to accuracy to each on this attack, 2x per battle. roll 4d6, first two numbers are the 'hit or miss' determiners, second two are the damage done Novice Artifact Defense Style A: 3/3 -2 damage taken, 3x per battle. YTMA Badges: Master Strength, Training Leadership 3/16 advances 0/3 minibosses defeated
Quote:
☆ﾟ°˖* (┛◉Д◉)┛yeeeow Forera does 1 + 3 = 4 damage! MINIBOSS: 9 - 4 = 5 HP
Forera did not respond to Aprife's question, still rubbing her temples and trying to keep herself steady. Her buddy on her shoulder nudged at her face a little, cute nose pressed against her cheek worriedly as she pressed a hand to her forehead. She was still dizzy, head still aching. It took her a second, but the blueblood stood up straighter and gave the other two a big thumbs up. With a desperate swing, Forera actually managed to slam a few down, but she stumbled into the wall last minute. She flexed her arm. "I'mma gonna get over this s**t-- I'm good!" Forera began to jump up and down, shaking out the pain. "I got this!! I totes got this!" At this point it sounded less like she was reassuring them, and more like she was reassuring herself.
"Got it." Luckily for them, the pack seemed relatively easily corralled, though he did circle around wider to give Forera more time to recover and make up for the slack in the meantime. One or two got through their ring, but he managed to pick them off with a couple well-timed snaps.
"I think that might be the last of them." Careful, observant eyes shot around the room, searching for signs of movement. There were none.
"Doesn't look like the room we're looking for, either."
--
Bombee Nifera (Aprife Invasi) HP: 35/40 Adult + Military Grade Weapon: +2 dmg Training in Tactics
"Good riddance." Sarcel sighed, looking a little bit flustered. She turned to the twosome only after she was sure all threats had been cleared. "That was a relatively easy enemy, at least. But it still could have gone better." She looked at Forera wearily, but after holding the gaze for a moment she sighed. The tension seemed to ease out of her shoulders.
They were all capable. For that reason, in this moment, she wasn't as bothered as she felt she could've been.
"Silcoe, is your head alright?" She tried to be an empathetic leader, someone that recruits could relate to, even if it was hard in the face of blatantly reckless behavior. "Nifera, that was excellent leadership in your own right, I found myself with hesitation at all." And that part was genuine at least, "Let's keep pushing forward. I'd like to strategize more with you both so we can ensure we finish this as smoothly as possible, alright?"
She paused. The gerbil was poking its head out again, god dammit. Way to ruin her professionalism.
Quote:
HP: 39/40 Adult: +1 to damage rolls Military Grade Weapon: +1 to damage rolls Invisibility (Adept Agi B): 2/2 Adept Artifact Defense Style A (Swhings): 4/4 Novice Discipline Leadership training...
FORERA SERPEN(PERORE SILCOE) HP: 27 + 3 = 30/40 Attack: 1D6 +2(adult + military grade weapon) Adept Artifact Offensive Style B: 2/2 2d6 Deal double damage on this attack, 2x per battle. 1 ongoing damage for all turns after. The ongoing damage from these stack. Adept Artifact Agility Style B: 2/2 2d6 hits with +1 to accuracy to each on this attack, 2x per battle. roll 4d6, first two numbers are the 'hit or miss' determiners, second two are the damage done Novice Artifact Defense Style A: 3/3 -2 damage taken, 3x per battle. YTMA Badges: Master Strength, Training Leadership 3/16 advances 0/3 minibosses defeated
Quote:
¯_(ツ)_/¯
Oof, she did not want to be placed in that position again, ever. The tealblood watched Aprife finish the last of them, rolling her shoulders in pain and hissing when her hand brushed somewhere uneeded. Forera was not the type to ask or require help from others, especially after the tough times she'd gone through, but she did seem put herself in these situations often. She just wasn't used to stopping and thinking! Attacking often worked better and she wasn't about to hold back. At Sarcel's question, the tealblood blinked, then grinned. The headache had lessened, and she wasn't in too much pain, at least! "Yea yea, it ain't like I haven't gone through worse, ya know! I think we got this in the bag, though. Unless the ships, ya know, bad or some s**t." Forera stretched her shoulder some, slapping a hard hand of approval on the yellowbloods shoulder and cackling. "Ya did a good job, dude! We all did!" She would've pat Sarcel, but she guessed she was, well, their leader. "Is good, Chief. Don't think imma be runnin' inta doors without stoppin' fer a sec now, kehe." She offered the other a fist bump instead.
Aprife gave Forera a look, a private and lingering one that Sarcel may or may not notice. It said he sure hoped she planned on following through with her 'stoppin' fer a sec' idea. If she'd learned anything from him, he wanted it to be having a goddamn ounce of forethought for once.
Finally, he turned to Sarcel. "Sounds like a plan, Lieutenant. I've got an idea of the best way to continue." It was her choice whether she'd accept his direction or not, but he stepped out into the corridor and motioned. "I think we should double back the way we came. I noticed another hallway and I wonder if it might help us avoid more daywalkers."
--
Bombee Nifera (Aprife Invasi) HP: 39/40 Adult + Military Grade Weapon: +2 dmg Training in Tactics
2 - You find a closed door. 2/15 advancements 1/3 minibosses
Sarcel did notice the look, but any sort of feeling behind it was mostly lost on her. Maybe they knew one another. Maybe they didn't. Honestly, Sarcel still couldn't shake the feeling that she knew either of them herself. Maybe their names were unfamiliar, but there was something about the two of them--maybe it was their gate or the color of their eyes or their mannerisms--but it was familiar all the same, and that bothered her. Sarcel tried not to think about it.
"Might be worth a shot." Sarcel murmured in agreement, "This seems to be a dead end anyway." The room had what might have been door frames, but a large amount of debris kept any sort of pathway situation rather bleak. "Follow me, you two."
Doubling back around was quiet and relatively uneventful. She did find the hallway Bombee had been speaking of, and it wasn't long until the trio came across a door. "Silcoe, since you have such a fondness for doors," Was that a joke? "Mind checking this door out?"
Quote:
HP: 39/40 Adult: +1 to damage rolls Military Grade Weapon: +1 to damage rolls Invisibility (Adept Agi B): 2/2 Adept Artifact Defense Style A (Swhings): 4/4 Novice Discipline Leadership training...
FORERA SERPEN(PERORE SILCOE) HP: 27 + 3 = 30/40 Attack: 1D6 +2(adult + military grade weapon) Adept Artifact Offensive Style B: 2/2 2d6 Deal double damage on this attack, 2x per battle. 1 ongoing damage for all turns after. The ongoing damage from these stack. Adept Artifact Agility Style B: 2/2 2d6 hits with +1 to accuracy to each on this attack, 2x per battle. roll 4d6, first two numbers are the 'hit or miss' determiners, second two are the damage done Novice Artifact Defense Style A: 3/3 -2 damage taken, 3x per battle. YTMA Badges: Master Strength, Training Leadership 3/16 advances 1/3 minibosses defeated
Quote:
i spy with my little eye...... A LOCKED DOOR!!! FORERA MASTER LEADERSHIP SMASH!!!
Forera returned his look with one of her own, winking at him. She had a feeling she knew why he was looking at her, but as Perore, she guessed she had to pretend not to care? It was too late to hold herself back now. As they headed forward, the tealblood blinked to attention when the blueblood mentioned her fake name. She was started to get used to it again-- Always a good thing. The sturdy adult marched right on over to the door, eyeing it up and down(and making sure a certain yellowblood was watching as she did so) before jiggling it-- Only locked. Heh, perfect. Forera stretched her arms and prepared herself before-- "Don't mind if I DO!" Forera slammed her foot in the door with the last word, and this time, the door opened, and no cieling fell. Forera strode right on through, leading the way forward.
This is a mini-boss battle, the full rules and mechanics of which can be reviewed here.
The room beyond the door seems empty from the hallway, but stepping inside you are swiftly aware that you are not alone! For lurking in the corner is a dark groaning shape. As it turns towards you, you realize you are entering strife!
You have encountered a Decomposing Bellicose Zombie Gerbil Pack!
Dice 1
1. ... Enraged... (-1 to all attacks)
2. ... Jawless... (+1 on accuracy rolls)
3. ... Putrid... (-1 on all accuracy rolls)
4. ... Decomposing ... (+1 on all attacks)
Dice 2
1. ... Skeletal... (-5 miniboss HP)
2. ... Bellicose... (players take 2x the amount of damage on their first turn)
3. ... Armoured... (only 2 players per turn may use a special artifact/ability/item)
4. ... Burning... (take an extra 1 dmg each time you deal max damage (highest roll possible for weapon or damage-dealing skill))
Dice 3
1. ...Undead Ship Cook!
2. ... Mutated Daywalker!
3. ... Zombie Gerbil Pack!
4. ... Daywalker on Fire!
MINIBOSS STARTING HP: 30/30
If you rolled a 1, take 4 dmg.
If you rolled a 2, take 4 dmg.
If you rolled a 3, take 3 dmg.
If you rolled a 4, take 3 dmg.
If you rolled a 5, take 2 dmg.
If you rolled a 6, take 2 dmg. Your attack this turn does double damage.
If all party members reach 0hp, look below:
You must make a tactical retreat! Scrambling back out of the room,
you barely make it to the pod with all your limbs attached.
Better luck next time! You have retreated from your mission and returned back to the docking area! Squad commanders, be sure to report in!
If the mini-boss reaches 0hp, look below:
If this is your first or second mini-boss fight look below:
If a member of your team is a trained Discipline or Endurace specialist OR registered as in-training for either:
You can close your eyes and draw on inner reserves to keep going. This can only be done once per ship exploration per troll trained.
If you are a Journeytroll or higher in your skill: Restore 1d10+3 OR 1/3rd (rounded down) of your hp.
If you are a Novice in your skill: Restore 1d8+2 OR 1/4th (rounded down) of your hp.
If you are training your skill: Restore 1d6+1 hp.
You cannot roll the dice then choose the flat restoration, one must be picked beforehand.
If a member of your team is a trained Troll Relations or Leadership specialist OR registered as in-training for either:
You can manage to cheer, rally, or cajole your teammates into finding more energy. This can only be done once per ship exploration per troll trained.
If you are a Journeytroll or higher in your skill: Each team member restores 1d6+3 (rolled separately) hp.
If you are a Novice in your skill: Each team member restores 1d6+2 (rolled separately) hp.
If you are training your skill: Each team member restores 1d4+1 (rolled separately) hp.
If this is your third mini-boss fight, you have reached the control room! Roll 1d4 and look in the spoiler below:
1 - Powering on the ship is easy enough, with the instructions from headquarters in your ear. The screens show that the ship is functioning perfectly, and headquarters patches in the control of a remote helmsman. They wait until you have returned to your boarding pod and leave, before steering the ship away.*
2 - Powering on the ship is easy enough, with the instructions from headquarters in your ear. As the screens boot up however, dozens of red warnings and errors flash across the screen. It seems like there has been critical damage to the ship in multiple places. Your team is instructed to leave the small black boxes containing deadly explosives in key positions on your return path to the exit.
3- The ship refuses to power on, even after you follow headquarters instructions to make sure they are plugged in, and hitting ctrl-alt-del. It looks like something core is not functioning. Your team is instructed to leave the small black boxes containing deadly explosives in key positions on your return path to the exit.
4- Powering on the ship is easy enough, with the instructions from headquarters in your ear. The screens show that the ship is functioning perfectly, and headquarters patches in the control of a remote helmsman. They wait until you have returned to your boarding pod and leave, before steering the boarding vessel away.*
If any troll in the party has helmsman authority, they can steer the ship to given coordinates, then return to the boarding vessel with the rest of the team.
Congratulations! You have completed your mission and returned back to the docking area! Squad commanders, be sure to report in!
That was better. Forera had taken the time to examine the door on her own before slamming it open—with Aprife watching to make sure she didn't miss anything, of course. That was the sort of thing he liked to see, the tealblood making use of her strength without foregoing common sense.
"Look alive," he said, already bring his scourge back out and making sure his gerbil friend was safe and sound in his pocket, "Something's moving... Oh-" As if they hadn't encountered enough gerbils this mission. Aprife felt a weird divide in his own mind. On one hand acting wasn't so hard, on the other it sure was inconvenient. All he wanted to do was get through this ship.
"Not again..." he muttered. It was something both Aprife and Bombee might say in this situation. Unfortunately, the gerbils were already nipping at his heels and he had to fend them off.
--
Bombee Nifera (Aprife Invasi) HP: 31/40 Adult + Military Grade Weapon: +2 dmg Training in Tactics
MINIBOSS HP 18/30 3/15 advancements 1/3 minibosses
Now this was more like it. Her team was taking their time (not wasting their time, just making sure to pay attention), and they were progressing a lot smoothly. Unfortunately, once the door was open, it was time to spring into action again
"Why do so many of these goddamn ships," Sarcel did not look amused, "Have so many goddamn gerbils?" She remembered their tactic from last time, and although she wasn't barking out orders, she was still following the same maneuvers. Circle the pack, keep them contained, attack the bait ball, so on.
Thankfully, one trait she'd picked up from the undead, was that they loved to act in a hivemind. The gerbil pack was no exception, and leaving trust to her newfound teammates...
Quote:
HP: 30/40 Adult: +1 to damage rolls Military Grade Weapon: +1 to damage rolls Invisibility (Adept Agi B): 2/2 Adept Artifact Defense Style A (Swhings): 4/4 Novice Discipline Leadership training...
She punched, she kicked, and then she vanished as the swarm moved to bite at whatever bits of flesh they could.
Seemingly distracted and ready to move onto their next target, Sarcel appeared behind the swath of undead movement with a swift shot from her gun. Taken by surprise (not that they had much cognitive ability left anyway--could they even experience surprise?) the hoard seemed to panic, a wave of movement rippling through every tiny sausage-y body at once.
"It's weak! Finish it!" She was bleeding back into vision again, her uniform belatedly starting to mottle with blue blood.
Quote:
HP: 30/40 Adult: +1 to damage rolls Military Grade Weapon: +1 to damage rolls Invisibility (Adept Agi B): 1/2 USING (2d6 hits with +1 to accuracy to each on this attack) Adept Artifact Defense Style A (Swhings): 4/4 Novice Discipline Leadership training...
FORERA SERPEN(PERORE SILCOE) HP: 30 - 8 = 22/40 Attack: 1D6 +2(adult + military grade weapon) Adept Artifact Offensive Style B: 2/2 2d6 Deal double damage on this attack, 2x per battle. 1 ongoing damage for all turns after. The ongoing damage from these stack. Adept Artifact Agility Style B: 2/2 2d6 hits with +1 to accuracy to each on this attack, 2x per battle. roll 4d6, first two numbers are the 'hit or miss' determiners, second two are the damage done Novice Artifact Defense Style A: 3/3 -2 damage taken, 3x per battle. YTMA Badges: Master Strength, Training Leadership 3/16 advances 1/3 minibosses defeated
Quote:
MINIBOSS: 6 - 4 = 2HP
Forera wasn't sure if his words were meant to be a joke or statement-- Nevertheless, the tealblood released a loud snort in response-- Ya know, cause they were dead 'n all! The tealblood cracked her knuckles, slamming a fist into a couple of the little mongrels and kicking a few around. "Good hit, Chief!" Forera exclaimed, before the amount of gerbils became almost overwhelming and there were bites and nips and so much attacking all over. Forera kicked and punched wherever she could wildly-- She wasn't sure how to deal with Many Small Things. Especially Many Small Things At Once. Forera slapped a few off herself, managing to hurt herself in the process a couple times. Why where there so ******** many!??! "Bombs away, kehehah!"
"Lieutenant Cincil, asking the real, hard-hitting questions." These gerbils were goddamn prolific despite being undead. It was pretty unfortunate.
"Hah, but aren't you in rare form," Aprife commented at Forera next, a wry smile stretched across his face. When wasn't one, really, but that was besides the point. Bombs away—he could take a hint. As far as he could tell, there was only one of the little shits left, anyway. It circled around itself, seemingly lost without its pack. When Aprife went for it, it latched onto his hand and refused to let go.
"I didn't want to do this." Despite saying so, he slammed it against the wall without hesitation.
--
Bombee Nifera (Aprife Invasi) HP: 27/40 Adult + Military Grade Weapon: +2 dmg Training in Tactics
