Rifts Adventure IC

[Purr]

Gradicus the Red Edge
Atlantean Undead Slayer

Spoiler: Mood Music

"Times Like These" by Foo Fighters

Partial lyrics:
"I, I'm a new day rising
I'm a brand new sky
To hang the stars upon tonight
I am a little divided
Do I stay or run away
And leave it all behind?

"It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again"

The demons seemed strong and enduring, Gradicus thought, but what of their skill? "Come now, hellions! How good are you against warriors?" As the demon's blade came at him, the gladiator attempted to use that very skill to both parry and slice his opponent.

Spoiler: Combat Details

Gradicus is going for a Power Block/Parry. For anyone interested, per Ninjas & Superspies page 128, "The character uses a powerful, damaging block against the opponent's strike. First roll for a successful parry. Then, if that works, roll for a Strike that does 1d6 Damage. No bonuses to Strike or Damage. The victim cannot Parry, but can attempt to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact." That's for unarmed combat. In typical Rifts, bladed weapon damage cannot be Rolled with. As always, it's up to the GM. =)

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. (124/204). Blazing Comet M.D.C. (20/20). Talisman (92/100 M.D. 1/3 daily uses remaining).

 

[Epiphany]

Kimberly Finn​

This is turning into a genuine duel. Kimberly has pride in her training, in the relentless sparring of the Mystic Knights, but she's only been in the field for a year, still somewhat new to the art of battle. Trading swords with giant demons isn't something she's done enough for the novelty, and horror of it, to have entirely worn off.

Once more, that tremendous vibro-blade comes down and Kimberly swings up her barrier shield, encased in gold energy, to turn it aside.

Status

Location: The River Walker
Active Effects: Targeted Deflection, Battle Fury
MDC:

Head/Helmet: 60​

Arms: 42 each​

Legs: 66 each​

Main Body: 100​

Battle Fury MDC: 100​

PPE: 57 / 112
ISP: 140 / 140

 

[Silanon]

Shaona, technowizard

At some point, every spell will end if there is nothing to hold it in place - before the improvised, flying cover drops from the sky when she needs it the most, the technowizard simply jumps off of it as soon as it's relatively close to the ground. The soil, muddy from the sudden snow, welcomes her as she lands on her feet, her boots forming footprints somewhere between the third demon and the nearest civilian, just in case that the Atlantean's allies - note to herself to ask the slayer whose aid he'd called for here - do not succeed in their apparent job. She then pulls the rifle from her back - as much as her blade seems to call for action, the others are certainly better suited to face these monstrosities in close-combat. Shortly after, a first burst of shots leaves the barrel, aimed at demon 3.

Spoiler: Numbers

185 MDC protection
24 SDC
13 HP
61/92 PPE (+2D6 per level); recovery 4 per resting hour, 8 per meditation hour.
27 ISP (+1D4+1 per level)
12+ to save vs Psionics
+2 vs Horror
+2 vs possession&mind control
0 vs magic (+1 on level 3,7,10,13)
0 spell stregth (+1 on levels 4,8,12)
+3 Perception for machines&magic

4 Attacks
+2 Pull Punch
+1 to Strike with heavy weapons/vehicle weapons
+3 parry
+7 dodge
+3 roll with impact
Speed 44

with knives:
0 strike (+1 on 2, 4,7,10,13)
+1 parry (+1 on 3, 6,9,12)
+1 strike when thrown (+1 on 3,6,8,10,13)

1 activation of the talisman remaining.
Armor: Speed+Armor of Ilthan active, 10/50 ppe remaining

 

[Sherwood]

Both demons attacking the two swordsmen in their faces manage to get past your defenses and score hits on you. Gradicus gets a minor scrape for 8 MDC, and Kimberly takes 25 MDC.

Shaona manages to catch demon three off guard and she scores a hit.

In response, demon three raises up a rifle and fires at Shaona, but it seems to be dazzled from the earlier Blinding Flash, and it makes a clean miss.

DraconianWarrior is up

26 - Kimberly [2]
19 - Terra [2]
17 - demon 1 [2] injured
12 - demon 2 [2] injured
8 - Shaona [2]
6 - demon 3 [2] injured
5 - Blake [1] <====
4 - Gradicus [1]

 

[DraconianWarrior]

Blake, Cyborg

i control drone one to focus on demon one and have it fire six volleys at it. while having drone two fire at demon two also firing six volleys.

 

[Sherwood]

The attack on demon one is a miss, but the second is blinded enough that your shot manages to hit.

Purr is up

26 - Kimberly [2]
19 - Terra [2]
17 - demon 1 [2] injured
12 - demon 2 [2] injured
8 - Shaona [2]
6 - demon 3 [2] injured
5 - Blake [2]
4 - Gradicus [1] <====

 

[Purr]

Gradicus the Red Edge
Atlantean Undead Slayer

Spoiler: Statblock and Combat Details

Combat Attributes
Perception +1 (more when fighting Vampires)
Initiative +1
Strike +11 (+12 with one sword, +13 with two. +4 with "Dragonfire" Flamethrower, M-160 Ion Rifle, and Stun Gun. +2 with NG-SE9 Laser Pistol).
Parry +11 (+13 with Tattoo-Magic shield)
Dodge +11
Roll +6 (Automatic Roll and Breakfall from Zanji)
Save vs. Magic +7
Horror Factor Saving Throws (+4 to save from Undead Slayer)
Horror Factor 13 (Awe. 12 from Atlantean, +1 from Heritage)
Attacks per Round: 5 (Undead Slayer: +1 attack per melee round when fighting supernatural evil)

Damage by Weapon Type
Summertime (Katana) - 1D4x10 M.D. + 4D6 M.D. (double damage versus supernatural evil creatures)
Wintertime (Wakizashi) - 3D6 M.D. + 4D6 M.D. (double damage versus supernatural evil creatures)
"Dragonfire" Flamethrower - 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within 100 feet. Enemies are -3 to Dodge. Can "sweep" 10 foot wide by 100 foot corridor; costs three attacks.
M-160 Ion Rifle - 1D6x10 M.D. Range: 2,000 feet.
Stun Gun (blaster) - Victims are dazed, -10 to strike, parry, and dodge for 2D4 melees. Save vs. Toxins negates.
NG-SE9 - 3D4+3 M.D. Range: 1,000 feet.
Silver-plated gladius - 2d6 S.D.C. + P.S. bonus
SIlver-plated knife - 1d6 S.D.C. + P.S. bonus

Spoiler: Mood Music

"Times Like These" by Foo Fighters

Partial lyrics:
"I, I'm a new day rising
I'm a brand new sky
To hang the stars upon tonight
I am a little divided
Do I stay or run away
And leave it all behind?

"It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again"

The young Undead Slayer twisted and parried, but still the demon got through. It was a nick of a cut, barely making his brand-new forcefield shimmer, but Gradicus knew that death could come with enough nicks. He had seen overconfidence be the difference between life and death on the sands as well as on other battlefields. He did not want to wind up like those unhappy corpses.

As he clashed swords with the demon, he touched his Magical Flaming Shield Tattoo. With a surge of magical energy, a large, golden, lion-headed shield came into being upon Gradicus's muscled left arm. He switched opponents, deciding to help take on the ugly demon Kimberly was facing. "Mind if I cut in?" he said, not realizing that he had in human culture made a double entendre. If Kimberly minded, he would honor her wishes and fight the second demon. If she didn't, he would take whatever opening he could find on the demon. For opportunities sometimes required their own kind of wisdom, and wisdom could be found even on the bloodiest of battlefields.

His katana, Summertime, flashed its steely edge against the demon as he attempted to cleave in it. But in that moment, a revelation came!

For a split-second, Gradicus's saw his own face in the mirror-like reflection of Summertime. Then he saw the face of the demon in that same reflection. His face. The demon's face. Then he saw one of those unhappy corpses in the dirt and snow. A human corpse. The demon had likely slain the human without a second thought as many of the brutish-minded demons did.

That was it! How could he have not seen it before? Trent! Foss! Chorís timí!

"By the Millenium Tree!" he exclaimed.

Gradicus completed his attack and kept on vigorously, but inside he felt low. The Atlantean owed Trent and Foss both a great apology. As the demons continued to fight and rage, Gradicus, as always so very at home on the battlefield, continued fighting. Perhaps his movements were a bit mechanical now, but it was the Atlantean in him that knew he had to live through this battle, not only for the sake of the human townsfolk, but for himself. Gradicus had been so very wrong to treat them as he had. Summertime had shown him the way. to He had to return to the River Walker and present himself humbly to Trent and Foss.

Youthful, but trying to be wise, the young gladiator realized his restless soul would not be at ease until he did...

Image credit: Atlantean by Chuck Walton)

STATUS

Location: In the demon-attacked village.
Statblock: Self-M.D.C. (242/242) Self-P.P.E. (109/204). Blazing Comet (M.D.C.: 20/20. Time: 58/60 min.). Flaming Shield (Time: 60/60 min). Talisman (92/100 M.D. 1/3 daily uses remaining).

 

[Sherwood]

The sword flashes out and cuts deep into the body of the demon (rolled a 3 on the damage die before strength damage! Ouch!) It roars in pain, and you can hear that a bit of fear is creeping into the voice of the demon. It is starting to realize that it is in trouble.

Of in the distance, another loud boom can be heard, this one sounds closer than the others did before.

Epiphany is up

26 - Kimberly [2] <====
19 - Terra [2]
17 - demon 1 [2] seriously injured
12 - demon 2 [2] injured
8 - Shaona [2]
6 - demon 3 [2] injured
5 - Blake [2]
4 - Gradicus [2]

 

[Epiphany]

Kimberly Finn​

Kimberly reels from the impact of the demon's sword. As she raises her own, suddenly she finds the Atlantean 'cutting in'. Slightly confused by his sudden change in tactic, the Mystic Knight pivots instead to strike the demon Gradicus had previously traded blows with. If she was confused by the tactic, so might it! Once more, she charges and thrusts with her sword, keeping her shield up against a probable counterattack.

Status

Location: The River Walker
Active Effects: Targeted Deflection, Battle Fury
MDC:

Head/Helmet: 60​

Arms: 42 each​

Legs: 66 each​

Main Body: 100​

Battle Fury MDC: 75 / 100​

PPE: 57 / 112
ISP: 140 / 140

 

[Sherwood]

Shifting targets, Kimberly manages to confuse the demon enough to be able to score a nasty hit! It is not looking good right now, but it is not quick enough to react yet.

Psychie is now up

26 - Kimberly [3]
19 - Terra [2] <====
17 - demon 1 [2] seriously injured
12 - demon 2 [2] seriously injured
8 - Shaona [2]
6 - demon 3 [2] injured
5 - Blake [2]
4 - Gradicus [2]

 

[Psychie]

Terra smiles as she see the demons getting chopped up, hoping to do a good job herself with her Nova Rifle. Staying up in the air to avoid a counterattack, she takes aim at demon one.

Spoiler

A crit! Woohoo!

Activating my Tattoo of Flight for 20 PPE and Distant Voice for 10
Hit Points: 31
SDC: 125
PPE: 77 / 47

MDC: 135
Nova Rifle: 1d4x10. Payload: 8 / 6

Number of Attacks: 4
Strike: +8
Parry: +8
Dodge: +8
Roll: +9
Initiative: +3
Perception: +4, +1 vs Vampires and the Undead
Horror Factor: +4 to Save, +2 vs dragon
Critical Strike on a 19-20

 

[Sherwood]

Terra's hope for a good shot is granted with a critical strike! This changes demon one from "seriously damaged" to seriously dead.

Demon two is still trying to clear his vision from the blinding flash spell, and with the sudden fall of his fellow, he turns and runs away, dodging frantically as it tries to escape.

Silanon Is up

26 - Kimberly [3]
19 - Terra [3]
12 - demon 2 [3] seriously injured/running away
8 - Shaona [2] <====
6 - demon 3 [2] injured
5 - Blake [2]
4 - Gradicus [2]

 

[Silanon]

Shaona, technowizard

Demons, sources of unnatural evil - one falls, cut down by Terra's rifle, a precise blast finishing the two swords' work. The second one loses what little faith he has, running away from the unlikely duo as if there was a chance to escape. The third one still stands, though already injured, getting the short stick as he tried to exchange bursts - at least between the blinded beast and Shaona herself, the one with the better eyesight wins out. Once more, her finger pulls the trigger, releases another volley; trying to follow up the damage already dealt. Perhaps enough to get it to turn around like its pal - or at least enough to keep its attention until swords and drones can finish the job.

Spoiler: Numbers

185 MDC protection
24 SDC
13 HP
61/92 PPE (+2D6 per level); recovery 4 per resting hour, 8 per meditation hour.
27 ISP (+1D4+1 per level)
12+ to save vs Psionics
+2 vs Horror
+2 vs possession&mind control
0 vs magic (+1 on level 3,7,10,13)
0 spell stregth (+1 on levels 4,8,12)
+3 Perception for machines&magic

4 Attacks
+2 Pull Punch
+1 to Strike with heavy weapons/vehicle weapons
+3 parry
+7 dodge
+3 roll with impact
Speed 44

with knives:
0 strike (+1 on 2, 4,7,10,13)
+1 parry (+1 on 3, 6,9,12)
+1 strike when thrown (+1 on 3,6,8,10,13)

1 activation of the talisman remaining.
Armor: Speed+Armor of Ilthan active, 10/50 ppe remaining

 

[Sherwood]

Demon number three tries to dodge out of the way of Shaona's rifle fire, but your aim was straight and true and you score a solid hit on the demon. In return, it aims up at you with its own rifle and fires. The shot will hit unless you dodge.

DraconianWarrior is up, and Silanon has a defense to declare

26 - Kimberly [3]
19 - Terra [3]
12 - demon 2 [3] seriously injured/running away
8 - Shaona [3]
6 - demon 3 [4] injured
5 - Blake [2] <====
4 - Gradicus [2]

 

[Dano]

​

Trent Lockhart
Smuggler​

Staring into the monitors, it seemed clear that Blake was too absorbed in the drones to even acknowledge his existence. He could see signs of the Coalition, yet there didn't appear to be any kind of garrison protecting the village. No army meant that these were innocent people, for the most part. Watching the battle ensue, he takes note of Gradicus and Kimberly swapping targets only to have Terra finish one off with her rifle in a massive blast. The demon that Kimberly had swapped to and strike with such ferocity that it made her opponent turn and run.

"...You never leave survivors... they can get you killed..."

Trent mumbled the words as they echoed through his mind. He dashed out of the trailer and back to Betty. Flinging open the hatch he dove into his command chair and punched a few buttons and flipped several switches only to hear the mighty engines roar to life. The targeting system on Betty's Ion Cannon was charged and ready to go. The badly wounded demon running for its pathetic life would never know what was coming... It only took a second to lock on and he pulled the trigger...

 

[Sherwood]

With a well placed shot, Trent manages to drop the fleeing demon. It was not expecting anyone to be attacking from so far away, and it was taken completely by surprise.

DraconianWarrior is up, and Silanon has a defense to declare

26 - Kimberly [3]
19 - Terra [3]
8 - Shaona [3]
6 - demon 3 [4] injured
5 - Trent [1]
5 - Blake [2] <====
4 - Gradicus [2]

 

[Silanon]

Shaona, technowizard

Another hit against the demon - another roar joins the sounds of battle, adds to the noise of distant thunder. Nearby, the fleeing beast drops to the ground, hit by someone out of sight - worrisome, to say the least, but for now the shooter picked the demon as his target. Perhaps, she'll have to worry about that later - right now, only the barrel in sight counts, the one pointed at her as the remaining foe takes aim. The exosceleton of her armor reacts to her slight movements with rapid speed, quickening the attempt to dodge thanks to the added magic - the protective fields might absorb the hit if she fails to jump away in time, but there is little reason to take the risk.

 

[Sherwood]

Shaona is quick, but not quick enough . The bolt hits you for a total of 60 points of MDC damage.

DraconianWarrior is up

26 - Kimberly [3]
19 - Terra [3]
8 - Shaona [3]
6 - demon 3 [4] injured
5 - Trent [1]
5 - Blake [2] <====
4 - Gradicus [2]

 

[DraconianWarrior]

Blake, Cyborg

after seeing the fleeing demon taken down i turn both of my drones to the third and final demon that i can see. letting loose a burst from both of their rail guns at the demon.

 

[Sherwood]

Just like shooting fish in a barrel. The two drones rip into the body of demon three, making more blood spurt from its body. It's not dead yet, but it's hurting.

Purr is now up

26 - Kimberly [3]
19 - Terra [3]
8 - Shaona [3]
6 - demon 3 [4] seriously injured
5 - Trent [1]
5 - Blake [3]
4 - Gradicus [2] <====

 

[Sherwood]

Epiphany is up next

26 - Kimberly [3] <====
19 - Terra [3]
8 - Shaona [3]
6 - demon 3 [4] seriously injured
5 - Trent [1]
5 - Blake [3]
4 - Gradicus [2] delay

 

[Sherwood]

I would like to wrap up this fight, so I'll open up the action to both Psychie and Silanon .

 

[Purr]

Spoiler: OOC

EDIT: I goofed! Moved to OOC. =)

 

[Psychie]

Terra can see that the demon is choose to falling. Time to end your blight upon the world! With that thought, she pulls the trigger on her Nova Rifle once more.

Spoiler

Activating my Tattoo of Flight for 20 PPE and Distant Voice for 10
Hit Points: 31
SDC: 125
PPE: 77 / 47

MDC: 135
Nova Rifle: 1d4x10. Payload: 8 / 5

Number of Attacks: 4
Strike: +8
Parry: +8
Dodge: +8
Roll: +9
Initiative: +3
Perception: +4, +1 vs Vampires and the Undead
Horror Factor: +4 to Save, +2 vs dragon
Critical Strike on a 19-20

 

[Sherwood]

The demon is very tough, but not tough enough to handle the relentless series of attacks it just took. It falls, is chest fried by the rifle fire.

With no more visible targets, we'll move out of combat time.

Off in the distance, the sounds of gunfire has faded. From his position in the trailer, Blake can see through his drones that the two figures on the horses are riding into town, and they will be visible to the others in mere moments. What you can see through the light snowfall it is that they are both wearing heavy MDC body armor and are carrying rifles. Also, you can see that their horses are mechanical, and not living creatures.

As Trent is up in the gunner seat of the Betty, you can hear Eric call up to you. "Hey boss, that suit of powered armor is on the move! It's on my radar screen and is advancing towards the town, current distance is five thousand feet and it's speed is forty miles per hour."