Between the Darkness/Session 13
tylorva: So. We're heading down to the underhove if I recall?
Clavis_Morden: (Yeah. Mercution was in charge of equipping us for the dangers of the underhive)
Clavis_Morden: (And Janus Sand is along with an explosive collar around his neck)
Atella: (yep)
Atella: (and he's all yours)
Mercution_Hastus: Still thinking the collar is a little redundant, but not objecting.
Atella: (eh, I don't trust him)
Atella: (he's a weasel)
Clavis_Morden: "Just to be clear, I'll repeat myself," Clavis admonishes Sand. "The moment I get even the smallest whiff of warp-activity from you I will assume that you are either betraying us or have lost control." She holds up the small trigger device with its conspicuous red button. "And I will press this button."
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 88 on a d100 for 5 degrees of failure.
Clavis_Morden: ((glorious failure on Deceive))
tylorva: Sand whimpers, tugging at the collar with his finger. "I'll be good!"
Clavis_Morden: Someone not distracted by cold, deadly metal around their neck would find it hard not to notice that Clavis seems less than certain about that last part.
Clavis_Morden: Whether she'd actually do it is anyone's guess.
tylorva: Sand doesn't seem keen to try and find out.
tylorva: (( How are you getting to the underhive? ))
Clavis_Morden: "Umm." Clavis carefully puts away the remote trigger. "So, Mercution, how do we go about this?"
Mercution_Hastus: "We just... go there. There are accesses - guarded, but primarily from people attempting to go up. More covert and overt entrances exist, but those, I say, unneccessary."
Clavis_Morden: "Alright. Lead the way!" With the weight of her own task off her heart Clavis is eager to get started on freeing Mercution from that same threat. "I've never been to the Underhive, or even to the Deep Holds. I'll have to rely on you a lot, I'm afraid."
Mercution_Hastus: "We would be better thinking, where exactly are we going. Getting Kirian - then we should be starting near my old territories. "
Atella: "Well, you know the territory best. Lead on"
Clavis_Morden: nods, trusting in Mercution to lead them true.
Mercution_Hastus: "Or to Sekaa, the FrakShankers' turf is - and the base of operation of the conspirators." Mercution continues his musings.
tylorva: In Sibellus there is no 'official' entrance to the underhive. 'Officially' there is no such thing as an underhive. But the lower hivers speak of drains and gratings leading down to the depths beneath the hive from which occasionally the dregs emerge, only to be beaten down to where they came from by the patrolling Arbites and PDF.
tylorva: The metro goes as far as the poorest part of the lower hive. The tracks continue onwards, but no train ever goes any further.
Atella: looks around
Atella: "So... now, where to?"
Mercution_Hastus: "And... I guess, I can trust in your common sense..." Mercution adds cautiously - or dubiously. "Announcing yourself for what you are - and I mean Arbiters and... sorry, what your office is actually called?... is just not a good idea. Just as wearing any overt symbols and badges."
Atella: "Yeah, yeah, I know. That's why I'm wearing my civvies, aren't I?"
Atella: (for given values of 'civvies')
tylorva: (( What are you actually wearing? ))
Clavis_Morden: "Scholar Psykana of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica," Clavis supplies and smiles sadly. "And that's almost always the case for me." Indeed the others haven't seen her wear open Adeptus insignia so far.
Atella: (still armored, just no identifying marks)
Clavis_Morden: Wearing an old discolored rain coat over her black mesh and breathing through filtration plugs Clavis probably wouldn't stand out much until she opens her mouth ... in the lower Hive, that is. In the Underhive of course all bets are off.
Mercution_Hastus: "Just be on your toes. I'll try to orient myself, when we are a little further - and where to proceed from there." Mercution changed noticeably it would seem with eash step. Up there he seemed constantly a little unsure and nervous, though no less alert.
Mercution_Hastus: Here, he was quickly showing what he was truly are - skillful and resourseful combatant, surviving and killing in the steel caves of the Underhive for years.
Mercution_Hastus: ((So, I thingk, it is decided we are goind after Kirian first. In that case, ercution will try to lead them to his previous base. Navigation skills is called for?))
tylorva: (( Not yet. ))
tylorva: The lower hivers don't meet your gaze, just shambling about their business. After some searching around and with Mercution's expertise, you finally locate an entrance to the Underhive behind a battered factorum. A drainage channel heading into a dark tunnel, the water full of filth and greasy pollution.
Atella: looks at the water with distaste
Atella: "The things I do to stay alive..."
Atella: "So... after we go in there, were do we go then?"
Clavis_Morden: Clavis is silently thankful for the water-tight boots and the filtration plugs master Ravion had advised her to get.
tylorva: (( Can I have a Swim or Survival check (whichever is better) off each of you? +20 on it.
Atella: (well... damn ;)
Mercution_Hastus: "As I said, it's better to try an reach one of the recognizable tunnel systems or shaft - I'll be keeping an eye out for markings and traces, that should..." here he trails off, as he peers in the tunnels...
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 72 on a d100 for 4 degrees of failure.
Fatespinner: Atella rolled a 21 on a d100 for 1 degrees of success.
Fatespinner: Mercution_Hastus rolled a 89 on a d100 for 5 degrees of failure.
tylorva: Atella's Arbites fitness training keeps her in good stead as she plunges into the foul water. Holding her breath, she manages to swim through, avoiding the nasty current and pulls herself up onto the shore. Meanwhile, Mercution and Clavis fair less well. Both are caught by the current and are separated, dragged under the water and...
tylorva: near drowned. Eventually, Clavis plunges down another drain, falls down the water sput and is washed up into some sort of pool. The water is calm but it is pitch dark. Mercution finds himself smashed into the side of some kind of pipe, which he can grab onto and pull himself out.
tylorva: (( Both Clavis and Mercution take 1d10-TB in drowning damage. ))
Atella: (oh great, I can go look for everyone ;)
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled [2] for a total of 2
Fatespinner: Mercution_Hastus rolled [2] for a total of 2
Clavis_Morden: (None)
Mercution_Hastus: (Likewise.)
Atella: tries to shake off the worst of the sludge while looking around
Clavis_Morden: "Ack! Brbrlbleh. *cough, cough*" Clavis comes back to the surface, too out of breath to curse as much as she'd like.
Clavis_Morden: Bringing up her lamp pack and hoping that it will still work she presses the 'light' rune.
Clavis_Morden: There will be a way back up, a way back to the others, she tells herself. No reason to panic.
Mercution_Hastus: just tightly holds on to the protruding piece of metal, looking for a way out of his current predicament. And contemplating the amount of cleaning and maintenance his weapons and equipment will require.
tylorva: Atella seems to be on the shore next to some kind of settlement. A collection of crude shacks are assembled nearby, and a filthy-looking kid stares down at her. "You ain't from here. MA!"
tylorva: Clavis's light fails to work. Something in the water slithers across her ankle.
Clavis_Morden: "Aii!" Clavis kicks, ineffectually.
tylorva: Mercution hangs on for dear life, until a torch beam illuminates him. "Ullo..." says a soft male voice. "You seem to be in sumwhat of a predicament, bud."
Atella: looks at the little... boy? girl?
Atella: "Hi, kid, where am I?"
Atella: "don't be afraid. I'm not dangerous"
Clavis_Morden: Treading water Clavis tries to stay roughly in the same place, shaking her lamp pack a few times and muttering an invocation to its machine spirit.
Clavis_Morden: Perhaps with time her eyes will adapt to the darkness?
tylorva: "Afraid?" says the kid, who seems to be of indeterminable gender. "MA! There's food here!"
Atella: ...
Atella: "On the OTHER hand..."
Clavis_Morden: Then, quickly getting impatient - not to mention creeped out by the slithery thing in the water - she calls lightly upon the beyond, reaching out to feel the life force of all things around her.
Atella: pats her cannon
Clavis_Morden: ((manifesting Sense Presence, no chance of failure at Fettered level. Sensing all living things within 50 meters))
Mercution_Hastus: "Who's...?" Hastus attempts to move his hand to the holster, but nearly slips in the process - now he clutches the pipe with both hands even more tightly. He wouldn't be in the best position to shoot anyway. He tries to locate and identify the intruder.
tylorva: Something grabs onto Clavis's ankle. Something... tentacle-like.
tylorva: The man peers down at Mercution. "Now, i could help ya. Or I could drop ya. What's it worth?"
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 90 on a d100 for 2 degrees of failure.
Mercution_Hastus: ((Can I get a description of the man?))
tylorva: (( Rugged and ragged with rotting skin and black teeth. Filthy and nasty. Typical underhiver in other words. :) ))
Atella: looms at the kid
Atella: (this is going to go so wrong, but intimidate)
Fatespinner: Atella rolled a 48 on a d100 for 1 degrees of failure.
Atella: (of course)
Clavis_Morden: "EEEP!" As her attempt to make sense of her surroundings fails and some THING is grabbing at her in pitch black darkness Clavis grows panicked. "No! Let go! You can't ... let GO!"
Atella: (tentakoo wape! ;)
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 85 on a d100.
tylorva: (( Gnuh. Yeah, just make a WP roll. ))
Clavis_Morden: (failed and failed again in that case. What a fine Inquisitorial agent I am :p)
Clavis_Morden: "Ahhhhhhhhhh!" Out of her mind with fear Clavis thrashes and flails.
tylorva: (( *giggles* ))
tylorva: Atella: The kid does not look impressed, and at his (her?) shout, a couple more 'locals' appear, armed with crude knives and spears made from scrap. They look -very- hungry....
Atella: sighs and chambers a round
tylorva: Clavis tries to focus on the warp, but something had grabbed her ankle and is trying to pull her underwater. (Opposed str roll )
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 47 on a d100 for 0 degrees of failure.
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 57 on a d100 for 3 degrees of failure.
Clavis_Morden: ((Clavis and strength? Yeah, not happening.))
Atella: "Don't make me kill you all"
Mercution_Hastus: ((What's it worth?)) Mercution thought about saying something witty or smartass, but nothing came to mind. "How about you'll get me out first and we negotiate?"
tylorva: Clavis: The creature pulls at you, but whilst it is gripping you tightly, it doesn't seem quite strong enough to drag you underwater.
tylorva: Mercution: "Pal, you're the won dangling for your life. I don't fink yer much in a position to negotiate."
tylorva: Atella: They just laugh at you and both jump into the water and try and haul you out. (( Initiative. ))
Fatespinner: Atella rolled [9] for a total of 9
tylorva: (( They go first. ))
Clavis_Morden: Almost drawn underwater it's not until several terrifying eternities later that a rational thought occurs to her and she reaches for the laspistol her old teacher had given her. With an inarticulate scream Clavis thumbs it semi-automatic and sends lasfire down into the depths where she guesses the thing is.
tylorva: (( Clavis give me an initiative roll. ))
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled [10] for a total of 10
Clavis_Morden: ((13))
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled [2] for a total of 2
tylorva: (( Clavis, make a shoot roll at +10 (Unseen opponent at point blank range... ) ))
Mercution_Hastus: "Don't get uppity. I am under a dire threat of a stinky bath, not flesh-dissolving acid!" He nearly slips again. "But to show my gratitude," he adds hastily..." Well, how about a couple of thrones?"
Clavis_Morden: ((mostly trying to scare it off, but we can see if I do hit))
tylorva: (( *nod nod* ))
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 86 on a d100 for 4 degrees of failure.
Atella: (we're all going to die)
Clavis_Morden: ((heh. Emperor save me.))
tylorva: Mercution: "Thrones?" He says, perking up. "'Perial Thrones?"
tylorva: The two cannibals both try to dive on Atella to knock her to the ground before she can get a shot off.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 61 on a d100 for 2 degrees of failure.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 96 on a d100 for 5 degrees of failure.
tylorva: They fail...
Atella: "I warned you"
Atella: pumps a round into the nearest cannibal
Fatespinner: Atella rolled a 77 on a d100 for 3 degrees of failure.
Atella: (or, you know, not)
tylorva: (( What are you shooting with? ))
Atella: (shotgun)
tylorva: (( Ok. :) ))
tylorva: Clavis's shot boils some water, but the creature seems unphased. Another tentacle lashes out, trying to grab Clavis round the neck.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 4 on a d100 for 3 degrees of success.
tylorva: (( It's grappling you. ))
Mercution_Hastus: Grot-brained snot-humper... "Yeah, Throne gelts, money. Or... a wrist chrono, if you don't want thrones."
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 50 on a d100 for 1 degrees of failure.
Clavis_Morden: ((dodge failure))
Clavis_Morden: ((mmh, this is all kinds of bad))
Clavis_Morden: ((FP))
Clavis_Morden: .dh 35
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 100 on a d100 for 6 degrees of failure.
Clavis_Morden: ((...))
Atella: (...)
Mercution_Hastus: (...)
tylorva: (...)
tylorva: Mercution: The man seems happy enough with what you are offering and with a smirk, he reaches down and helps to haul you up onto the pipe. You are now balanced precariously upon it, and the man looks ready to push you back in if you don't pay up. "Well?"
tylorva: Atella: One tries to jab at you with his spear...
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 74 on a d100 for 2 degrees of failure.
Clavis_Morden: "Aiiigrglglgl!"
Atella: (this is going to be a long fight ;)
tylorva: But misses. Whilst the other tries to throw asome kind of fishing net over you.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 66 on a d100 for 2 degrees of failure.
Atella: (a very long fight ;)
tylorva: (( The dice roller seems to think so! ))
Atella: shoots again!
Fatespinner: Atella rolled a 84 on a d100 for 4 degrees of failure.
Atella: (very, very long fight)
Mercution_Hastus: "So what?" Mercution breathes heavily. "A chrono? And take a step back, will ya?" He shows his right wrist with rather decent - for an Underhive - clock-measuring device.
tylorva: The tentacle creature unleashes another tentacle, this one with a nasty sucker on the end. It searches for an exposed part of the Clavis's flesh, ready to snap on and start sucking blood.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 85 on a d100 for 2 degrees of failure.
tylorva: (( ... ))
Clavis_Morden: Barely coherent Clavis struggles to escape the hold of the tentacle thing. Sadly she never was very strong, having grown up in the artificial gravity of a starship.
tylorva: "'Perial thrones!" rasps the man, who doesn't step back. But he doesn't step closer either.
tylorva: (( Yeah, it's using a couple of tentacles to hold you and another tentacle to attack. ))
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 49 on a d100 for 2 degrees of failure.
Clavis_Morden: ((on her action Clavis tries to escape and fails))
tylorva: Atella: Both of them, try to stab their dinner to pieces with their spears.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 96 on a d100 for 5 degrees of failure.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 48 on a d100 for 0 degrees of failure.
Atella: (ooh, close one)
Atella: takes another shot
Fatespinner: Atella rolled a 32 on a d100 for 0 degrees of success.
tylorva: As the tentacle comes in for another go, Clavis can see a light approaching from somewhere up on the bank.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 31 on a d100 for 3 degrees of success.
Atella: (wuh oh)
tylorva: (( 7 damage ))
tylorva: (( Normal attack with tentacle. Other tentacle attempts to keep grappling. ))
Clavis_Morden: ((no damage))
Mercution_Hastus: Or was it "snot-brained grot-humper"? He could never remember... "Riiight." He reaches into the deeper pocket and produces some of the currency. Just in case, he also prepares to quick-draw the autopistol. Sudden benefactors in Underhive are like that.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 70 on a d100 for 2 degrees of failure.
Clavis_Morden: "Aaah! Letgoletgoletgo!" Clavis can't escape the thing's grasp, but her lathe mesh imitation proves a wise investment as it protects her from the blood-sucking.
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 87 on a d100 for 6 degrees of failure.
tylorva: The grip of rhe creature seems to release somewhat.
tylorva: Mercution: The man holds out a filthy hand expectantly.
Clavis_Morden: ((so I am still grappled, right?))
Mercution_Hastus: holds out the thrones in turn.
tylorva: (( Yup, looks like it. Doesn't do any damage though, it's just trying to hold you. ))
Clavis_Morden: ((And Fatigue?))
tylorva: (( Yeah, take one level ))
Clavis_Morden: ((Can I spend a FP to be allowed one action other than a Grapple?))
tylorva: (( Sure. ))
Clavis_Morden: ((In that case spending FP and trying psyker tricks again. Otherwise I'll never get out of this))
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled [9, 6, 1, 10] for a total of 26
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 29 on a d100.
Clavis_Morden: ((Focus Power, Psychic Phenomena #29))
tylorva: (( The pitch dark area is plaunged into darkness. ;) ))
Clavis_Morden: Seeing that what little strength she has will never be able to free her Clavis desperately reaches for the warp, forgoing the usual safety measures and drawing as much as power as she can.
Clavis_Morden: ((manifesting Precision Telekinesis, 32 vs PT 23 = success))
Clavis_Morden: "I said. LET. ME. GO."
tylorva: Mercution: The man grabs the coins and immediately shoves them into some unspeakable hidden location about his person. He cackles and runs off.
Atella: (okay, so 11 damage)
tylorva: With a BLAM, the scattering shell of the shotgun slams into the two unarmoured cannibals, knocking them backwards and causing them to howl out in pain. The kid screams for help.
tylorva: Mercution hears the BLAM of a shotgun blast from somewhere nearby and then the screaming of a child.
tylorva: Clavis hears an echo that sounds like a gun being fired from somewhere else within the dark tunnels.
Mercution_Hastus: quickly steps off of the metal bar onto what amount to solid ground here. The next several minutes were spent mostly on checking on his equipment and making sure the weapons are in working order. "Well, that was demeaning. Now, to find... Hm?"
Mercution_Hastus: proceeds to investigate in the direction the sound has come from. He certainly hoped none of his companions got themselves in trouble... He also didn't particularly want to get in trouble himself, so he proceeds with caution.
Atella: waves the shotgun at the others. "Look, you started this. Now back off."
tylorva: Clavis: The creature shudders slightly as Clavis touches the warp and renews its attack on her. Still trying to grapple with a couple of tentacles, it tries to slap it's suckers onto another part of her flesh.
Clavis_Morden: Clavis pours her fear and revulsion into the manifestation to fuel its power and tries to pry off the tentacles with power of her will alone.
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 84 on a d100 for 2 degrees of failure.
tylorva: (( Awww. :( ))
Atella: (poor clavis)
Clavis_Morden: ((well, it could still fail even harder at its own S roll))
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 97 on a d100 for 5 degrees of failure.
Clavis_Morden: ((see? :D))
tylorva: (( ... ))
Clavis_Morden: ((so it gets to attack me, but next round I'm free to move and act ... until it tries to grab me again, that is))
tylorva: The tentacles slide off as it lunges with its sucker.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 60 on a d100 for 1 degrees of failure.
tylorva: Which misses.
tylorva: (( Yeah, you're free to act. ))
tylorva: As if drawn by Clavis's shouting and flashing, the light on the shoreline pauses before coming closer. A ragged filthy man looking happy as if he just came into a couple of thrones peers in. "Avin' trouble?"
Clavis_Morden: Having once thrown caution into the wind Clavis sees no reason to stop. This is a matter of survival. And so she diverts part of her strength into lifting herself out of the water and into the air, even as she hammers the thing with hammers of psychic force.
Clavis_Morden: ((heh. What will he think :p))
Clavis_Morden: .dh 2d10
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled [5, 7] for a total of 12
Clavis_Morden: ((manifesting Float at Fettered. 18 succeeds against modified PT of 12, including the penalty for multiple powers))
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 64 on a d100 for 0 degrees of failure.
Mercution_Hastus: ((Hm. By the way, where did we put Sand?))
Clavis_Morden: ((her attack fails, though))
Atella: (good question)
Atella: (where did sand end up? ;)
Clavis_Morden: ((oh dear, we'll have to find him again))
tylorva: Mercution walks off the pipe and can see a selection of crude shacks. A tattered flag bearing a simple red and green sigil hangs in the centre - he knows that symbol as belonging to the Feeders - a group of desperate underhivers who eat -anything-. He can see ATella brandishing her shotgun at a couple of them. Others seem to be heading out to find out what the commotion is.
tylorva: (( Good question. ;) ))
Mercution_Hastus: ((And who has the control of his collar?))
Atella: (clavis)
Atella: (push that button)
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 46 on a d100 for 0 degrees of failure.
Mercution_Hastus: ((Is there a lot of them?))
tylorva: Clavis floats out of the water as a couple of tentacles fly out, trying to grab her again. But they miss and splash back into the water. "Uhhh..." says the man.
tylorva: (( There is about eight of them. ))
Atella: "Why don't you eat your two friends there, and count yourselves lucky you're going to survive this day"
Atella: points at the 2 she shot
Clavis_Morden: "Die, die you filthy thing!" A las shot boils the water as Clavis tries to burn the thing that almost killed her.
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled a 19 on a d100 for 3 degrees of success.
Clavis_Morden: (half action aim, half action shoot.)
tylorva: (( *cheers* ))
Fatespinner: Clavis_Morden rolled [9] for a total of 9
Clavis_Morden: ((12 E damage))
Mercution_Hastus: Well, it seems Atella got things under control, mostly. Mercution still tries to approach the woman without drawing attention of the savages.
Clavis_Morden: Then, finally noticing the man standing on the shore with a light, she turns slightly in mid-air. "Uhh. I'm fine now, I think. Thanks."
tylorva: The tentacle creature thrashes in pain then sinks down beneath the surface again. The man just stares then turns and runs away.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 40 on a d100 for 0 degrees of success.
Clavis_Morden: "Hah!" Clavis exclaims and sends another shot after the thing for good measure.
tylorva: A couple of the Feeders spin round to face Mercution when he approaches. The kid, meanwhile, draws some sort of blow dart thing and blows something at Atella.
Fatespinner: tylorva rolled a 43 on a d100 for 0 degrees of failure.
tylorva: (( *sigh* ))
Clavis_Morden: Then she floats down again and makes her way toward where she saw solid ground in the now quickly disappearing light.
Atella: ...
tylorva: The dart whooshes mere millimetres past Atella's left ear.
Atella: "Hey!"
Atella: fires at the nearest cannibal
Fatespinner: Atella rolled a 97 on a d100 for 5 degrees of failure.
Atella: (or, you know, not)
tylorva: Once up on the bank, Clavis can see light and hear noises through a tunnel just to one side of her.
tylorva: And another shotgun shot.
Clavis_Morden: ((familiar voices, too?))
Atella: "Last warning!"
Atella: tries to cover up her absolutely horrible shooting
tylorva: (( Yup! ))
Clavis_Morden: Following the sound of familiar voices Clavis walks in that direction, the laspistol in her right, the useless lamp pack along with her staff in her left. The comforting strength of her power she keeps around her for a little while longer, too.
Mercution_Hastus: continues to walk, scornful expression as he sees the underhivers finally spotting him. Shotgun still in his right hand, he takes the autopistol from it's holster with the left and sprays in the general direction of the cannibals.
Atella: (hey, watch where you spray)
Mercution_Hastus: ((Suppressing fire. ))
tylorva: With two guns now firing at them and a third stranger approaching, the cannibals decide to cut their losses and start running back into their shacks. "Just leave us alone!" yells the kid. "We just needed food!"
Mercution_Hastus: "You have now." Mercution kicks one of the corpses. "Hello." He adds to Atella.
Atella: "Hi. Was wondering where you'd floated off to"
Mercution_Hastus: "Sorry, bad first impression as a guide."
Clavis_Morden: "Umm. I'm back, too." A soaked Clavis says sheepishly.
Atella: "I'd hug you, but... you know. Maybe after we've had a looooooooong shower."
Atella: winks at Clavis
Atella: looks around
Atella: "Anyone seen the weasel?"
Clavis_Morden: shudders, casting brief look behind her. "I never want to experience anything like that again."
Clavis_Morden: "Janus Sand? No."
tylorva: At the mention of Sand, the man steps out from the shadows behind one of the shacks. he seems to be psychically concealed. "I'm here!"
Atella: "So glad you could join us." The sarcasm drips off every word. "Now we don't have to blow up the collar."
Mercution_Hastus: frowns at Clavis' words. "What, something happened? And what's a "weasel"?"
Clavis_Morden: shakes her malfunctioning lamp-pack one last time and puts it away. Turning to Sand she hides a frown. "So you're still with us. Good."
tylorva: "Yeah well, I didn't want you to blow me up," he whines.
Atella: hesitates, then shrugs and puts a hand on Clavis's shoulder
Atella: "You okay?"
Clavis_Morden: "There, uh, there was something in the water. Some kind of tentacle thing that tried to eat me and drag me underwater." Clavis shudders again.
Atella: pats
Atella: "Right. Let's stay away from the water."
Clavis_Morden: "I thought I would die." She laughs unhappily. "I'm not cut out for this sort of place."
Atella: ...
Atella: hesitates some more
Atella: gives Clavis a quick hug
Mercution_Hastus: "Few people are. I know I'm not." Mercution looks like wants to spit on the ground. " But it is indeed better stay out of the water."
Atella: "let's find our quarry and get the hell out of here, then"
Mercution_Hastus: "If not the inhabitants, then liquid itself can be bad for your health."
Clavis_Morden: After a moment she sighs. "Well, there's no helping i ... wah." Atella's hug surprises her.
tylorva: Using the Feeder village as a starting point, Mercution can try to lead the way back to his own turf. (( Now is a good time for some sort of navigation roll. You can have +20 on it. ))
Fatespinner: Mercution_Hastus rolled a 59 on a d100 for 0 degrees of failure.
Mercution_Hastus: ((Really. FP))
Fatespinner: Mercution_Hastus rolled a 96 on a d100 for 3 degrees of failure.
Clavis_Morden: She pulls herself together, the moral support certainly helping. "Yes, let's get on with it," she says, her voice stronger again.
tylorva: (( Is it me or does the dice roller really hate people using FPs? ;) ))
Clavis_Morden: ((so it seems, yeah))
Clavis_Morden: ((this must be the 5-6th time))
tylorva: (( It does seem to be rolling a loe of 90+ today. ))
Clavis_Morden: She gives Atella a thankful smile, before remembering her task and turning to Sand. "Remember, no psyker tricks from you," she once more admonishes him in a neutral tone.
Atella: gives Clavis a last pat
Atella: "Let's get going"
tylorva: Everyone traipses off into the dark tunnels. Sand scowls. "You're telling me that?" he grumbles.
Atella: (we're off to see the lizard, the wonderful lizard of ooze)
Clavis_Morden: Having moved as much water out of her clothes with her telekinesis before relinquishing it Clavis sighs and takes Sand aside. "Be quiet, okay? Do you *want* me to do that? I sure don't. So just don't do it again."
Mercution_Hastus: ((Suddenly, carnosaur.))
Atella: stays alert
tylorva: It doesn't take long to realise that you are completely and utterly lost. "I'm sure we passed that shrine before..." says Sand, pointing at a tattered aquila.
tylorva: (( Nothing of note registers - the underhive seems much as normal, and people are keeping away from you. For now... ))
Clavis_Morden: looks to Mercution, since they're relying on him to lead
Atella: "So... now where do we go?"
Atella: looks around
Atella: "Apart from in circles, I mean"
Mercution_Hastus: "A lot of cabling has been cannibalized here... I can't orient myself by markings. So is with the pipes - all is flooded and broken down, can't gauge, what the infrastracture where and where it could've led." Mercution continues rambling, rather annoyed.
Atella: "So basically, we're well and truly lost."
Atella: sighs
Atella: "Right, let's pick a direction and stick with it until you recognise something"
Mercution_Hastus: "Well, the place is familiar." Lights Mercution a flicker of hope. "After all, we've been here an hour ago." He puts it out.
Clavis_Morden: "If there's a unique landmark or something I could see if I can find the direction," Clavis offers quietly, not wanting to imply Mercution might need the help.
tylorva: "Feelin' lost are we...?" A voice from behind in the shadows. (( Will use awareness rolls from earlier)). Mercution can see movement in an alleyway off to the left.
Clavis_Morden: jumps a little and turns around
Atella: swings around and cocks her weapon
Atella: "Who's there"
Mercution_Hastus: lifts and points the shotgun immediately. "Flare!" he commands reflexively, forgetting for a moment, that it's not his Cleaners accompanying him. "Who's there?!"
tylorva: The voice laughs. "Was that a Cleaner code I heard...? Gutrippers want a word with you guys..."
Clavis_Morden: Belatedly Clavis draws her own weapon.
Mercution_Hastus: ((So. "Gutrippers"?))
tylorva: (( A rival gang. In much the way all gangs are rivals. ))
Atella: "We don't want any trouble, so I suggest you start none"
Atella: peers into the shadows
Mercution_Hastus: "Well, talk then." Mercution shrugs, but his eyes keep darting.
Clavis_Morden: Clavis remains silent, trying not to show her anxiety.
tylorva: The man does actually seem to want to talk. For now... "You brought the 'Quisitors down on us!"
Mercution_Hastus: "On _you_? What is it that you have to do with "'quisitors"?"
tylorva: "'Quisitors came through lookin' for Cleaners. Killed many... many dead. You're fault."
Clavis_Morden: ((Mercution?))
Mercution_Hastus: Yes, great attempt at investigation, Reinhardt... "Well, thank you, sir Judge, for your insightful verdict... So, were the perpetrators found and have they received their punishment?"
tylorva: "They're agents still here. Searching... searchin' for every Cleaner, every scum, every witch!" The man gives a racking cough for a moment before continuing. "They come with flame and with chainsword - whole gangs destroyed. Whole shanties gone!"
Atella: shrugs.
Atella: "We're not responsible for the inquisition"
Mercution_Hastus: "Cleaners," you drainpipe of intelligence, "I'm talking about them! Are they dead? Hiding? You know anything?"
tylorva: "Scattered and fled, if they know what's good for 'em. Ain't just 'quisitors lookin' for 'em now."
Mercution_Hastus: seemingly ignores the rantings of the ganger, but he is not at peace - a lot of people are dead due to the Inqusitorial heave-handed methods... And Mercution's gang hiding one very particular psyker among them...
tylorva: "So. You gonna give yourself up for the sins of your gang? Or we gonna have to hunt you and yer friends down like the scum ya are?"
Atella: "Whoa, whoa, slow down, buddy. *Nobody* is going to be hunting me."
Mercution_Hastus: "Wait, Atella.." whispers Mercution.
Atella: "what?"
Mercution_Hastus: "Look..." Hastus sighs heavily. "Whoever you are.... Gutripper, we are not the cause. We were framed. You should know, everyone should know - we are hunting mutants, were hunting for years now. Twists, scalys - and wyrds occasionally. You follow?"
tylorva: (( Give me a charm roll. +10 ))
Mercution_Hastus: ((Peer (Underworld) counts?))
tylorva: (( Yeah. ))
Fatespinner: Mercution_Hastus rolled a 81 on a d100 for 1 degrees of failure.
Mercution_Hastus: ((FP))
Fatespinner: Mercution_Hastus rolled a 94 on a d100 for 3 degrees of failure.
Atella: (yeah, I'm never using a FP again)
Mercution_Hastus: ((Genius.))
Atella: (every single FP roll today has been worse than the original)
Clavis_Morden: ((seriously, Fatespinner? What the hell?))
Clavis_Morden: .die
- Fatespinner has quit IRC: Connection reset by peer
- Fatespinner has joined #BetweenTheDarkness
tylorva: (( *giggles* ))
Mercution_Hastus: ((Hatespinner.))
Mercution_Hastus: ((Good name, by the way, I'll remember it.))
Mercution_Hastus: ((SHould I even bother with finishing the explanation?))
Mercution_Hastus: ((Of course, it is a lie, and I intended to actually roll Deceive. ))
Clavis_Morden: ((do finish it, I'd say))
tylorva: Mercution's attempts to calm things down with explanations don't seem to be working. Instead the man seems to get even more riled up. "You released something!" he yells. "And now they came for us all!"
tylorva: (( you can try. Deceive now at -10. ))
Mercution_Hastus: "Then, there is this bunch of buggers, they weren't just killing them - they are capturing them. Some of the inquisitors' hounds learned about it and started snooping around... And someone - and you know who am I talking about - tipped them off about our huntings, pointed fingers at us. And then... Then all the grox-dung started falling down."
Hatespinner: Mercution_Hastus rolled a 40 on a d100 for 1 degrees of success.
tylorva: The man falls silent for a moment. "How'd you escape?"
Mercution_Hastus: "Hate is a hell of a lockpick..." Replied Mercution grimly - and praying, that the ganger will not pry. "I just wanted to see the frakkers, who caused all this, who framed the Cleaners, bleed."
tylorva: The man seems to consider it for a moment. "You're a dead man anyway," he decides eventually. "You and your friends. 'Quisitors are still 'ere, still killin'. You find a way to get rid of 'em and you might live." And with that, he fades back into the shadows and vanishes.
Atella: ...
Atella: "You could have at least shown us the way out, you jerk"
Mercution_Hastus: coughs. "Actually, if it is Gutrippers territory, I may try to figure the way out."
Clavis_Morden: "This will make things complicated," Clavis says quietly.
Atella: "it's not like they weren't already"
Clavis_Morden: "If we can find something that belonged to him or someplace he has been I might be able to help. Perhaps."
Mercution_Hastus: "What, the 'quisitors? Damn, I mean, inquisitorial agents? What are they doing here at all? Do they serve Shaeye?"
Clavis_Morden: "By way of Reinhardt, probably. You said he was the one who came down here, right?"
Atella: "You could... try calling and asking?"
Atella: *in a quieter voice* "If you dare"
Mercution_Hastus: "With the regiment of carapace-clad soldiers, yes."
Clavis_Morden: "Uhh. The Inquisitor would have said something if she wanted us to do things like that, I think?"
Atella: "Let's... try to get out of here first, shall we?"
Clavis_Morden: Clavis clearly doesn't like the idea of having to talk to Reinhardt again, especially how the last conversations went.
tylorva: (( This seems like a good point to finish for tonight. ))
Clavis_Morden: ((yeah))
Atella: (k)
Clavis_Morden: ((awesome game today :) ))
Mercution_Hastus: ((Right.))
dakkareth: ((Five minutes in the Underhive and we were all close to being pretty damn screwed :D ))
Mercution_Hastus: ((Wondrous adventures! Deep dungeons! Waterfalls, cannibals, tentacled monsters, gun-point negotiations!))
Atella: (it's us)
Atella: (it's a miracle we've survived)
tylorva: (( *giggles* That was fun. :) ))
