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Rifts Adventure IC

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Terra walks along with Blake towards his trailer. "I know some things about magic weapons. What kinds are you interested in knowing about? Melee weapons, or perhaps ranged ones? Or are you curious to know about the high end stuff, like a rune weapon?"
 
Blake, cyborg

"well if at all possible i want to know what it takes to make one, and the prospect of making a rune weapon does seem interesting, but i don't think that any of us can do that although i welcome any surprises proving me wrong" i say as i enter my trailer and fetch the dragon teeth showing them to Terra
 
Terra looks at the teeth, wondering just what Blake has in mind for them. "I know little about making magic weapons or items, since my training is more focused on using them. Shaona is going to be the expert you need to talk to. A skilled Techno Wizard can enchant items to work on magic power, where I cannot."
 
Blake, Cyborg

I nod in understanding "well i thank you regardless, i am sure that you are a very valuable member of this team"
 
Terra laughs. "I can only hope so. Once we get to Atlantis and get off of the ship, I'll be able to do much more than I can now. If I were to have Junior and Baby run about on the ship it would probably end up being bad for us all over. Besides, their main weapon is their sword; not exactly the most useful against an airborne or far away foe."

She looks around at all the stuff that is packed into the trailer and says, "Besides building stuff, what are you good at? As a Borg, I would guess you are a fierce opponent."
 


"Sailing" by Christopher Cross
Partial lyrics:
"It's not far to never-never land, no reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy of innocence again
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me."


Gradicus joined Blake the Cyborg in the removal of the dragon's teeth, helping where he could. Besides, the dragon's maw was large enough for the two of them to work without getting in each other's way. He found it a bit strange that only the two of them would let such a moment like this go, but then he thought twice about it and realized not everyone prized trophies like these. In fact, some of the ladies may have blanched inwardly at the thought. Who knew?

Gradicus kept two fangs for himself and let Blake do as he would with the rest. Then, when it was time, he helped heave the dragon's carcass over the side.

* * *​

Silanon said:
"No need for this one, either." Shaona hands Gradicus his gun with the grip pointing towards him. "No worries - it'll do its job just fine. Just borrowed the barrel to focus the energies." That's where her confidence ends, for now. "And thanks. Not only for the gun, I mean. Thought it was over before it even started. Bloody first dragon I had to fight, hopefully the last one. Good fighting on your end, though. Didn't blink twice there." You can almost see how she tries to focus her thoughts. "Guess I'm rambling. I owe you."
Click to expand...

Gradicus listened with his heart as Shaona expressed her feelings. He nodded in a warm and accepting manner as he took back his M-160 Ion Rifle. He made certain the safety was on and followed gun safety rules as they spoke. "To be true, this was my first Western dragon too. There was fear in me too; I simply chose to use that to advantage." He looked meaningfully into her eyes for a moment. "Your magically-created net threw it off-balance. You provided us opening. You realize this, do you not?" He grinned at her encouragingly.

"You wizards are a scholarly lot with creative minds and magic to call upon. We live. The dragon does not." Gradicus gave her a pat on the shoulder. "Never doubt your magic, Shaona. Keep faith that you can do the impossible and see it done."

"As for my fighting, a life of blood and battle has many rewards. That is, until you find yourself finally stuck on some enemy's spear." He chuckled. "Until then, each person must live life to the fullest!" Living by the sword meant dying by it. It was a factor he had long ago accepted. Now, as a free man, he embraced it. But now, he knew the thing he must embrace most was a shower. The melee had left his face, chest, and right arm covered in blood - and none of it his. One less scar to keep!

He chuckled. His feet began to wander. "Now would you excuse me, green-hair? I had best cleanse myself lest I be the next thing thrown overboard for the smell!"

* * *​

"Crockett's Theme (12" version)" by Jan Hammer


A while later and a lot cleaner, Gradicus embraced his spiritual side. He sat in lotus position at the foremost position on the bow of the River Walker (if no one else occupied the place). There, he let took deep breaths and meditated. He let his mind wander where it would, not trying to guide it, not getting in its way. He put away his ego and let his mind roam freely.

He enjoyed the feeling of zooming through the Great Lakes, the sound of the engines spinning the boat along through the crashing waves, the feeling of the sky and clouds far above him, his long black hair blowing in the wind. Despite their victory, Gradicus felt very small. Just a little piece of the universe, here for a little while, living until his last, with the company of people both strange and new, towards a future none of them could guess. It was a fine feeling. Meditation allowed him to put aside his bravado and gladiatorial habits. In peace, he sat in the garden of his mind and spirit.

His mind went over the fight, again and again. To be at the right spot at the right time - how lucky he had been with his strikes! It was a terrific omen for things ahead. But omens, he knew, were not to be relied upon. The steel on his hips, he could fully trust. All else was to be doubted until proven, however naturally friendly Gradicus was.

Atlantis! His mind returned him to years past. By Tamaerus, there was no dragon alive, Brazamal included, that brought fear into Gradicus like Atlantis. And here he was returning to it! Was it all just folly?

Part of him felt a complete fool for taking on the job, but what was the alternative? What cowardice was this? Four more souls had to rot in ruin at the whips and tentacles of the Splugorth all because Gradicus lacked the courage to return? To blazes with that!

Gradicus was a gladiator, through and through. He was a student of Zanji Shinjinken Ryu as taught to him by Lord Yamaguchi and his faithful retainers in Old Japan. He was an Undead Slayer, a sworn and eternal weapon of supernatural evil wherever it tread, Atlantis or otherwise. But above all, Gradicus was an Atlantean! Born Valerius Pacifica of Clan Mariciniszyn, he held his family's home city of Tamaerus on the lovely dimension called Goroth above all other realms! How, he pondered, could he ever deem himself worthy to return there of his own free will if he let chained people stay chained? Especially under the vile Splugorth!

Brazamal had presented them four individuals who could likely make some kind of difference in this world, at least in Brazamal's world. Perhaps their returned knowledge could free more slaves in the future? And yet the Atlantean in him raged! If there was a chance to stab the Splugorth in their collective backsides by stealing back these four souls, then Gradicus wanted his to be the hands doing the stabbing! On the bow of the ship, his fists clenched mightily.

For revenge? His mind questioned his heart. Perhaps, yes, he realized.

He thought himself above such things before now. But he was wrong. To return to Atlantis solely for vengeance? No. But to rescue slaves? Aye! What he had done to the River Serpent he would gladly do ten times over to the Splugorth if it meant freeing people from their diabolical grasp! Even if it cost him his life! No one should have to live through what he and his fellows had suffered there! Many had not. He knew some of them cheered his name from the afterlife. For he knew they believed Gradicus to be another person who could make a difference. By his Atlantean blood, he would!

That realization woke Gradicus from his meditation. A little surprised. A little wiser. And a lot more resolved and focused than before. He stared out into the open waters and sky... and grew a little inside.


Atlantean by Chuck Walton.jpg
Image credit: Atlantean by Chuck Walton)
STATUS Location: On the water with the River Walker
Statblock: Self-M.D.C. (242/242) Self-P.P.E. (199/204). Talisman (2/3 daily uses remaining).

 
Shaona, technowizard

A few hours earlier...

Words of encouragement - the responses of both of the Atlanteans are met with a treacherous sparkle of confidence within Shaona's eyes that doesn't quite fit to the response she's giving. "It would've been some lousy training if it hadn't kicked in at some point - and my teachers were certainly better than that. Y'know, I knew what to do in the end - but part of me still cowers in cover while people get burnt or torn to pieces." Her lips finally reveal the slightest hint of a smile. "Guess that part doesn't matter anymore, though - the dragon is dead, and noone else is. And I'll remember your words, you can count on that." She's mostly been focusing on Gradicus thus far, but she turns towards Terra as she speaks that sentence. "That holds for the magic as well, Terra - not right now, I need some time; but maybe later, if there are no further incidents." For the others, the dragon might be exactly that - first time or not, they've dealt with it, and the slayer will have his boots as a reminder. For her, though, the battle is all but over - there are some foes you carry about.
Purr Purr Psychie Psychie

Now...

No further incidents thus far - instead, some time to let her thoughts drift while the knife in her hand cuts through layers of thin air. She's not a master in wielding blades, not like some others aboard the ship - but repetition will hopefully form a solid foundation if her mind abandons the cause once more. Besides, it feels good to wield the short weapon that seems to breath magic just like she does; there is something comforting in watching the rune-covered steel shine in the sunlight, a reminder of what those of her field can create. What she'll be able to create, given enough time. Another strike, another parry, then the final blow of the session - sweat runs down her neck as she grabs her water bottle and leans against the rail, somehow trying to calm her heavy breathing to sound less like a bellows. Looking around, things are like before, she's got a little space for herself since the crew decided to keep their distance - they've rotated the guards from what she can tell, but there seems to be no imminent danger. Instead, a drone hums through the air, circling about, performing different kinds of maneuvers as if testing the water for future tasks.

Shaona watches for a while - there's something special about things that make a stance against the world's laws like gravity, if only by using other forces to carry their weight. Then, she hides away her knife and starts with her search for the owner. Certainly neither the meditating slayer in the front of the ship, nor the blind woman near the captain - she greets the knight with a short nod, and almost stops immediately - it takes some time for a brain to realize the pointlessness of an imperceptible gesture, but not much. "Any news to worry about? You seem to be at the ready." Thinking about that, she seems to be on the edge most of the time, truly committed to the tasks at hand. Or perhaps, it's just the knight's strangeness that makes her look different in Shaona's eyes. Not that she'd spent much time near Kimberly, this journey has only just begun... maybe later. That drone - she's about to ask for a direction where to search, but it'd be pointless - right? She fought a dragon. She shot an energy bolt at it as it was mid-air. Of course, there's sound, and smell, and all those other senses - but still. "Saw a drone up in the air, not that it matters. Got me thinking if you noticed it; or what exactly you are aware of, if you don't mind the question. You know, everyone has to have a trick or two up their sleeves to get somehwere - but it feels like you'd have to have a dozen to be at a level where others begin. Not counting energy bolts, or rune swords, or shields."
Epiphany Epiphany
 
Blake, Cyborg
Psychie Psychie

I chuckle a little "well i'm sure that they are very formidable opponents when put to the test and allowed free roam, definitely not something that i would want to fight, and as for other skills i might have i am a pretty good driver and mech pilot, i know a bit about the mythologies of the old world but hardly any of that is of use at the moment so i will just stick to building stuff as you put it" i gently slap the top of the drone emphasizing on its quality "a for my skill in a fight, i would like to think that i can hold my own when push comes to shove but i would prefer to avoid conflict at if at all possible"
 
Terra nods and smiles. "A man of peace is a rare find in these troubles times. I respect that of you, and I do hope that between your drones and the martial ability of the rest of us, we will be able to keep you out of combat."
 
Blake, cyborg
Psychie Psychie

i nod "thank you" i look you over looking at your gear "while you are here do you have any equipment that you want me to take a look at? id be happy to make any adjustment or modifications that you want, within my ability of coarse"
 
Terra shakes her head. "Most of my gear and weapons are TW enhanced, and all they require is some basic cleaning and maintenance. Thank you, though, for the offer."
 
Blake, cyborg
Psychie Psychie

i nod understanding 'magic does seem to be everywhere, to bad i cant use it on my own, i'm sure that it would come in very handy in certain situations' i then turn to the unfinished drone "in that case would you care to join me? possibly learn a few things about machines?" i say over my shoulder to terra
 
Terra smiles. "Sure." She looks around at all the assembled stuff in the trailer. "Where do I start?"
 
With Terra's 'help', the drone assembly takes a little longer than Blake had originally planned. She is smart, but untrained, so once you show her how to do something, she can pick it up fairly easily. A quick check on the drone shows that it is ready to fly.

As time goes by, the River Walker approaches the canal that has the crew on edge, slowing down and staying just out of sight of the narrows. Capt Ramius comes to see how the drone assembly is going, asking if they are ready to fly and do some recon. "Depending on what you find there, I may just try to speed through, or if it is too much for us to be able to handle, we may have to wait for whatever it is that's there to move on. Anything you can tell me will help out with making the decision I have to make."
 
Last edited:
Terra looks at the captain. "If you have to, you can unload some of us a distance back and we can try to clear out whatever might be threatening to your ship. Baby and I fight better on the ground where I can maneuver, along with many of our group."
 



Gradicus warmed up and stretched in preparation for whatever lay ahead. He kept his eyes and ears open. While he did, he saw his teammates speaking with Capt. Raimus. So he joined them.

Psychie said:
Terra looks at the captain. "If you have to, you can unload some of us a distance back and we can try to clear out whatever might be threatening to your ship. Baby and I fight better on the ground where I can maneuver, along with many of our group."
Click to expand...

This got a doubtful chuckle out of Terra's fellow Atlantean. He shook his black mane and began tying it into a ponytail. "And what, pray tell, happens to you and the rest of our ground forces if you come across a company of Coalition States or the like? Overwhelmed, are we to abandon you to your fate and flee or risk the ship and everyone coming back to save you? And what happens if the River Walker runs into trouble and needs the ground forces? Separated and in unknown territory, we are weaker.

"I recommend we make use of Blake's strange but useful robots to scout. We have magic-users and masters of technology both. Who and what else have we that can take to the air and see before us? Do we have magic that can hide our scouts from sight once airborne?"

"Masterpieces" by Koto



Atlantean by Chuck Walton.jpg
Image credit: Atlantean by Chuck Walton)
STATUS Location: On the water with the River Walker
Statblock: Self-M.D.C. (242/242) Self-P.P.E. (199/204). Talisman (2/3 daily uses remaining).

 
Last edited:
Terra sighs. "Yes, let us find out what may or may not be out there. But, i am saying that if we have to fight our way through, I am more effective inn my Automaton on the ground. Let us hope that we will have clear sailing."
 



"Aye, lady of Draco Amicus, and you and your giant did just fine here on the ever-swaying decks of our brave captain's vessel! You will have more than your share of stable earth to enjoy when we have the mountains west of Dragcona beneath your impatient feet." Gradicus gave her a gentle clap on the back.

"Terra, you are a Controller. Have you any magics or wonders that might aid in our goal? What besides your giant can you do to assist the vessel and its crew?"

"Masterpieces" by Koto



Atlantean by Chuck Walton.jpg
Image credit: Atlantean by Chuck Walton)
STATUS Location: On the water with the River Walker
Statblock: Self-M.D.C. (242/242) Self-P.P.E. (199/204). Talisman (2/3 daily uses remaining).

 
Terra replies, "Most of my magical training is combat-oriented, but there are a few other spells that i know, like Distant Voice, giving me the ability to communicate with another person in a line of sight without using any radios that can be traced, or the Chameleon spell to be able to blend into the background and remain unseen. Through my link with Baby, I can cast spells from it, including an excellent defensive spell called Wall of Defense. It can be used to block incoming fire, so long as it can be positioned on a solid surface."
 



Gradicus nodded. The Undead Slayer in him enjoyed the talk of magic and strategy. "Wall of Defense, eh? Will it work upon the deck of this vessel or does it toss about too often? Perhaps you and the crew might take refuge behind it should things become difficult." He paused in thought then pondered. "Distant Voice sounds useful. To what distance does this spell reach? Can Chameleon be used, perhaps, on Blake's robots?" Gradicus turned to Blake as if to see if the cyborg minded the idea of magic being used on his property.

"Masterpieces" by Koto



Atlantean by Chuck Walton.jpg
Image credit: Atlantean by Chuck Walton)
STATUS Location: On the water with the River Walker
Statblock: Self-M.D.C. (242/242) Self-P.P.E. (199/204). Talisman (2/3 daily uses remaining).

 
Terra says, "At my current skill level, Distant Voice has a range of 2,000 feet. And the barrier will work on the deck of the ship. I didn't use it against the dragon because both you and Kimberly were in its face, and the flying suits were able to aim over it. Unfortunately, Chameleon works the best of the person is stationary. Not quite useful on a moving target."
 



"I see. But if the Chameleon spell is best used on stationary things..." Gradicus slowly turned from Baby the Automaton to Trent's Badger. "Perhaps these can be hidden from the eyes of our foes and, as with the River Serpent, unleashed at proper moment for best effect?"

Gradicus rested his tattooed hand on his katana and asked Capt. Raimus. "You know these waters better than the rest of us. What has been reported in this area in times past? Have ambushes occurred here against some of your fellow sailors?"

Gradicus then turned to Blake to see what the cyborg might further add. Then the Atlantean came upon a realization. "Foss! Kimberly! Trent! Shaona! We prepare! Come and lend yourselves to our planning?"

Everyone should be involved in this discussion, thought Gradicus, for if we fail to prepare, everyone here pays the price.

"Masterpieces" by Koto



Atlantean by Chuck Walton.jpg
Image credit: Atlantean by Chuck Walton)
STATUS Location: On the water with the River Walker
Statblock: Self-M.D.C. (242/242) Self-P.P.E. (199/204). Talisman (2/3 daily uses remaining).

 
Terra smiles. It felt good to be able to talk shop like this. "Each of the Automatons come with the ability to cast the Chameleon spell, and the casting will last four and a half minutes." She pauses, deep in thought. "I have never used the spell on something as big as the Badger, but I can try it and see. Worst case is that it doesn't work and we have to rely on the cover of darkness to hide it." She looks over at the big vehicle. "If it does work, that could be a Techno Wizard upgrade that Trent might want to get put on it."
 
Blake, cyborg

I nod when i hear that we should use my drones as scouts "i agree they do make great scouts but they can only stay in the air for about four hours at a time without recharging, so assuming that the narrow channel will take longer to cross than three and a half hours than we should consider stopping somewhere and allowing them to charge, possibly set up a small camp site" i then go on to listen to terra explain here magic nodding as i store the knowledge away for another time
 
Marko says, "The channel is fairly narrow, and that is why it makes for such a prime spot to ambush a passing ship. Given the speed of the drones, they can get to the canal in about half an hour, giving you plenty of time to look over the area."
 
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