Complete Main Story Vintergard (S4) Scouts

Raid Boss · Sep 17, 2022

Guidelines

@Seigi Ling Ling @Magi Heart @Ueno Mizuki @Cleo Looker @Yugam
Maximum of 400 words, no minimum as long as it's not one sentence (for the times where one's muse does not cooperate).
1 reply per cycle unless the Narrator asks for you to respond to a scene.
Pouting Scouts' Comms
Current Location

Despite Seigi’s power grip on the wurm’s tail, she couldn’t stop it by herself, but it did hold the creature long enough for Mizuki’s to root it in place, which gave Cleo the opening to further lock its movements with ethereal chains and spears. Each step of the combo furthered the group’s momentum, allowing them to control the thrashing invertebrate.

Seigi (109→80 max success) rollover
Mizuki (66+29=95→80 max success) rollover
Cleo (53+15=68 success)

After the wurm’s movement was halted by the three, Magi reached out and tried to pull the Magia’s head out. A little it was pulled out, revealing its machine-like spine and electrical wires that had fused into the wurm’s flesh like a spider web. The trauma deactivated the head, seeing as how it slumped over. (1d100 (10) + 25 = 35 partial success)

Meanwhile, Yugam had somehow made it to the top of the wurm’s head and with the blood orb in front of the wurm, he was able to affect its movement by keeping the orb at just the right distance: not too far that it wasn’t able to nearly taste it, but not too close that it would be able to gulp it up—it was a fine balance. (1d100 (57) + 40 = 97 great success)

With the Magia’s head deactivated, the wurm was a lot more receptive to Yugam’s blood orb, thirsting after the precious food it had sorely been lacking.

If anything, Yugam has shown the group that the wurm can in fact be ridden and its movement able to be manipulated by his Hemomancy.

What will you do? Will you board the wurmtrain?

OOC

Posting is optional this cycle, but if you're planning on boarding the wurmtrain without posting, react to this post with the YES emoji. Otherwise, your character will be left behind and will be considered exited from the thread.

Magi Heart · Sep 17, 2022

220 / 220

Marked: You have been seen (???)
Location: Bloodwurm Tunnels

The Bloodwurm had successfully been tamed!
Or made useful in any case.

After they would get atop the creature. A head would pop out from behind @Seigi Ling Ling and Wendel's heterochromatic eyes would burn into @Yugam as he set up his carrot of vermillion. Whether his bullets made a good treat or not, Wendel had a love-hate relationship with blood mages and just flat-out hate for people that did things that could lead to danger for Seigi.

"Hey, blood person. Ra-...Seigi is trusting you. Getting a hero's trust is a big deal you know♥."

His head will be attached to this worm if he puts her in danger.
The worm probably hurts with the big hole in it now.
Help the worm, help the idiot.
Maybe get a meal out of it afterward.

The judging expression on her face was plain as day before forming a tight-lipped smile and wrapping her arms around Seigi's waist tightly. She closed her eyes and couldn't help thinking what a weird couple of days this was turning out to be.

▣ Action: Boards, judges, and snuggles.

Ueno Mizuki · Sep 18, 2022

230 / 230

Location: Bloodwurm Tunnels

Together with Cleo and Seigi, Mizuki managed to get the worm to come to a halt. With such a massive beast it was a good thing each of them had pitched in, as things would have gotten even more troublesome if Seigi had merely been dragged along by the beast which tried to devour the blood orb that Yugam had been so thoughtful to provide.

At the same time, Magi also removed the magia head that had been strangely connected to the worm, revealing in the process that it was more than just a head. Seeing the artificial spine get pulled out of the worm's body with a network of nerves extending from it was disturbing, and Mizuki didn't think the worm was happy with it either. The luna wolf left Yugam to... whatever it was that he was doing, heading over to the spot where the head had been stuck before. First, she'd use Nature Magic to apply a local anaesthetic, then try to carefully get rid of any magia remnants left in the worm's head before healing the wound.

Meanwhile, Yugam seemed to have gotten the idea of riding the worm. Mizuki frowned as she watched how the necromancer used his blood orb to keep the giant beast's attention, then looked at her wolves. She didn't want to leave them behind, but she doubted that they'd be comfortable riding the worm. On the other hand... It was a really big worm.

After helping her canine packmates in getting up on the beast Mizuki would climb on the back of the worm as well, keeping her wolves close to her so she'd be able to help keep them from falling off.

▣ Action: Healing the worm before getting on top of the worm.

Yugam · Sep 18, 2022

The air that whipped around Yugam came to a sudden halt as a cacophany of noises brought the blood wurm to a grinding halt. The man slid forward from his haphazard perch, nearly falling off the giant monster. Catching himself just before he slipped of entirely, the man clambered back on before looking back at the rest of the party. Between Seigi manhandling the wurms tail, the Mizuki's vines, and Cleo's spectral chains, they'd managed to stop the blood wurm, who could only thrash around, trying to get to Yu's tasty orb of blood.

"Damn, remind me not to piss you lot off," the man commented as he looked back at them before returning his attention to his 'steed' once more. Maybe...if he just...Yu let the orb drift just close enough for the wurm to take a tiny nibble of blood. The starving blood wurm was eager for the tiny morsel, calming immediately as it began reach for it's food, nearly within it's grasp. "Huh...that worked..."

Looking back at the others, the man had a 'brilliant' idea. "All aboard!" he called down, a cheeky grin splayed across his face. The wurm had to get them from A to B faster than on foot. Plus, it would be safer. If they met any Magia, they could just sic the wurm on them at the very least.

One by one, everyone boarded the wurm train, although Yu couldn't help but cast a simultaneously concerned and confused look at Magi as she said something about Seigi and heros and trust. "Uh...yeah, don't worry. Perfectly safe," the man lied before turning to face forward again. "This definitely isn't OSHA compliant," he muttered to himself. "So, Vantage Point 1?" the man asked the others, looking back again.

@Ueno Mizuki | @Cleo Looker | @Magi Heart | @Seigi Ling Ling

▣ Action: Waits for others to board, asks for directions before leading the blood wurm to wherever the party has decided (presumably Vantage Point 1)

Raid Boss · Sep 19, 2022

Guidelines

@Seigi Ling Ling @Magi Heart @Ueno Mizuki @Cleo Looker @Yugam
Maximum of 500 words, no minimum as long as it's not one sentence (for the times where one's muse does not cooperate).
1 reply per cycle unless the Narrator asks for you to respond to a scene.
Pouting Scouts' Comms
Current Location

When @Ueno Mizuki applied the anesthetics to the wurm's implanted wound and removed what was left of the Magia, @Magi Heart was clear to collect it should she chose to. Meanwhile @Yugam had completely settled into his role as the conductor of the Wurm Express, focusing on keeping the wurm placated as to have it not thrash around and throwing the passengers off.

Finally after everyone boarded the large creature, Yu spurred the wurm forward, getting ready to depart. At that time, anyone who was paying attention would have noticed that the wurm started off by secreting a black liquid from the series of holes lining near the bottom of its tubular body. It was like the creature was lubricating its path to travel at high-speed without friction damaging it.

Your goal for the next couple of cycles is to get to the palace by riding the Wurm Express. First, assemble your playsheet, we will be using the 1.1b playtest rules, which actions we will be using to wrestle with the three tracks below.

Navigation involves keeping the wurm on the right path within the network of tunnels.
- Make a Contribution Roll Any Mastery (normal), Awareness (advantage), or Hemomancy (double the result) to increase this track. (Count up.)
- If Navigation is at 200+ by next cycle, the morning phase will be delayed until C7 as the wurm express rushes ahead.
- (DM Bonus Action) Conduct. Once per cycle, the first person who is performing navigation is considered that cycle's Conductor and may issue someone else to perform 2 actions instead of 1. Make sure to record this action and tag the receiver within the action BBcode.
Maintenance involves keeping the wurm healthy through the run. Heal the wurm to increase this track.
- If the wurm ever reaches 450+, it will attempt to contest the group for control, but if it ever reaches zero, it will die. Special events may modify with this track.
- (DM Action) Feed. You may also feed the wurm via Hemomancy, multiply the roll result by 2. You may subtract your modifier from the roll result (after the *2). Make sure to record this action within the action BBcode.
Obstacles involve breaking through the various obstacles that stand between you and your destination such as smaller wurms looking to feed, random tunnel enemies, loose flying rocks. (Count down.)
- Use attack actions to decrease this track.
- There is no retaliation, but depending on where the track is, players may get attacked next cycle either by a named obstacle showing up, or the navigator takes the wurm to a dangerous area that deals damage.
- Extension allows your character to concentrate on their attack since they can hit their mark(s) from further away. (Gain a +25 damage buff.)

This sequence is slated for more than one cycle, so there is no need to rush or panic!

Navigation (0/500)
Maintenance (275/450)
Obstacles (1750/1750)

Code:

[hp=current]max[/hp]
[status]
Damage recorded here
[/status]

Post here

[action]

[/action]
[b]Wurm Express[/b]
▪ Navigation (0/500)
▪ Obstacles (1750/1750)
▪ Maintenance (275/450)
Play Sheet Link

Yugam · Sep 19, 2022

Once everyone had boarded the train, Yugam began to eek the wurm along. Slowly at first, keeping his blood orb just out of reach of the wurm's gnawing maw, then slowly he pushed the orb further and further out until they were moving a decent pace. "Ha, it's working," the man said with a nervous chuckle as he began to guide the wurm down the winding tunnels.

Yu had only had a few moments to look over the map's Seigi had acquired, thankfully the tunnel was a straight shot so far. Well, relatively so. Though the tunnel wound and curved about, it had yet to branch off, though Yu was certain it would eventually. "Hey, Cleo?" the man called over his shoulder. "Uh, where the hell am I going?"

@Seigi Ling Ling | @Magi Heart | @Ueno Mizuki | @Cleo Looker

Rolls

MA: Navigation
1d100 (36) + 20 = 56
Multiplied by 2: 112
Hemomancy | Yugam | 1265C5

BA: Conduct
Directing @Cleo Looker for direction (Navigation)

Wurm Express
▪ Navigation (112/500)
▪ Obstacles (1750/1750)
▪ Maintenance (275/450)

Play Sheet

Seigi Ling Ling · Sep 22, 2022

220 / 220

Choo Choo!

Thanks to her efforts, the Wurm slowed, yet did not show any intention to stop altogether. And only thanks to the combined effort from @Ueno Mizuki and @Cleo Looker they finally brought the beast to a halt. This quickly prompted @Magi Heart to rip off the mask that Seigi was so indecisive about before @Yugam shifted the entire narrative into making the only correct decision: Riding the Wurm, instead of walking.

"Ohmahgosh are we seriously doing the wurm express now? This is going to be so epic! Can I try, too?" Seigi responded with sparkles and a childhood innocent-like demeanor as she got closer to Yugam after mounting it. Only to be taken aback by Magi, who glomped her from behind. It was gentle, but also kinda and forceful.

"Magi..." Seigi replied a lot more emotionally, putting her own hands on the ones that embraced her. "Don't worry~" She added.

Urrgghh, how much longer are we going to do this?
You promised, and you're actively trying to interfere, even after your hero's promise. So... until the end of this adventure?
I will...
...be silent.

"I'll keep you safe. And me too. Together, we will triumph..." Turning around, she gave Magi a hug. "There's so much more for all of us to do." With these words, she took a few steps back...

Riding the Wurm wasn't much different than being on a bumpy bus ride... while standing... and without much to hold on to. But really, that wasn't all that unfamiliar. Instead, Seigi decided to clear the way. Closing her eyes for a moment as her own aura, a mix of warm orange and a scary crimson red that neared violet, started to push outwards. Engulfing the party and the Wurm alike, though ultimately focusing on potential targets that came too close and crushing them.

In a way, it could be compared to a protective barrier that attempted to kill off and crush whatever came into its distance before making an impact with the actual Wurm.

T-That's a hideous way to use it!

Rolls

Critical Attack
2d100 (Advantage) (21, 44) + 25 + 25 + 25 = 119
119 damage
Gain the Vulnerable state
Battle Spirits | Seigi Ling Ling | Obstacle Clearing

Wurm Express
▪ Navigation (0/500)
▪ Obstacles (1631/1750)
▪ Maintenance (275/450)
Play Sheet Link

Magi Heart · Sep 21, 2022

"Mm-hm, let's get rid of everything that's causing people pain.. my pain... and the one inside you too."

The Dark Heart released her grip on @Seigi Ling Ling and stuck out her left hand a thin line of shadow formed vertically and then expanded in purple fire. That fire would turn to an obsidian liquid which formed her unique weapon which has become her staple for most of her time in Terrasphere.

Her glove closed around Gertrude's cold surface and her other hand gathered up her mana. Wendel looked above her and then at the width of the tunnel... Due to her small stature, it would not be too hard to maneuver on the worm.

And so she did.

Getting to her feet, she balanced herself and started firing strings of magic blasts over the heads of the passengers. Ensuring to duck and weave as needed to match the worm's movements. keeping astramancy concentrated on the different parts of her body helped her grip the sides of the worm, the top etc.

It had been a while since she had to actively use her magic this way. It was a good warmup for what she wanted to do to that steel demoness from her vision.

Just wait until I find you while in control of my body... monster.

Rolls

Burst Attack
17d20 exploding (8 + 3 + 10 + 6 + 2 + 9 + 1 + 19 + 18 + 11 + 16 + 3 + 17 + 1 + 19 + 3 + 3) + 25 = 174 + 25 (extension bonus)
199 damage (Explosions: 0)(30 SP Damage)
Gain the Vulnerable state
Dark Magic | Magi Heart | Obstacle Clearing

Wurm Express
▪ Navigation (112/500)
▪ Obstacles (1432/1750)
▪ Maintenance (275/450)
Play Sheet Link
[Prototype Heavy Armor]

Ueno Mizuki · Sep 21, 2022

230 / 230

Vulnerable

The wurm ride was a rather unique experience, as it felt entirely different from a wagon or a train. The creature was alive, practically gliding across the ground as it secreted some substance that served as a lubricant to decrease the friction it experienced as it made its way through the tunnels. Mizuki wondered if it often would travel through already existing tunnels or if it usually just created its own tunnels.

Fortunately, the tunnels were large enough that they didn't have to worry about bumping their heads as their mount made its way onwards. With Yugam at the front, steering the worm using the orb of blood he was still manipulating, there was little for Mizuki to do other than to stay on guard. She didn't think they had to worry about juvenile bloodwurms while riding their adult counterpart, but that didn't mean other threats didn't exist.

Seigi and Magi seemed to have a handle on things coming at them from the front, Magi with her long-ranged attacks and Seigi with a protective aura. That meant that Mizuki would focus on protecting them from anything which might come from the sides, the rear, or above. The rear wasn't a huge threat, with how fast the bloodwurm was moving onwards, but it quickly became clear that reduced friction didn't mean no friction: the bloodwurm's relentless advance knocked plenty of debris up in the air, and while the wurm itself might not mind it'd be embarrassing if one of its passengers got knocked off by flying stones.

After making sure that her wolves had gotten used to remaining balanced on top of their ride Mizuki would get to work punching any rocks that came too close to the party, knocking them away with fast movements. It was a clumsy defence, especially compared to the long-ranged precision attacks that someone like Cleo could execute, but it was the best that Mizuki could do in the current situation.

Rolls

Critical Attack
2d100 (Advantage) (14, 61) + 25 + 20 + 25 = 131
131 damage
Gain the Vulnerable state
Martial Arts | Ueno Mizuki | 1265C5

Wurm Express
▪ Navigation (112/500)
▪ Obstacles (1301/1750)
▪ Maintenance (275/450)
Play Sheet Link

Cleo Looker · Sep 21, 2022

180 / 180

Conducted = +1 Action
Vulnerable

Why the hell were they riding the giant worm? Cleo had no clue. One moment she'd been restraining it alongside Mizuki and the other shouty one, the next minute everybody was piling aboard whilst the sole male of the group was leading it around with blood like it was a carrot on a stick or something. In truth, it was wholly surreal and, with a start, Cleo realized that nobody had any idea where the ever living fuck they were going right now.

Also there were lots of dangers, from small worms to falling rocks, any manner of hazard that could possibly hit them on top of a giant worm that was racing through and underground tunnel.

Seriously, what even was today?

She sat cross legged, hands racing to retrieve the maps that they had, she didn't care whose pockets or packs she had to go through to get them, retrieving a map of the tunnels, the surface and the city, all of them spread out on her lap as her eyes flicked from one to the other, then to the third, cross-referencing each of them with each other.

Meanwhile, spears would manifest above her head as she muttered incantation after incantation, the projected spears pausing midair, before launching towards different threats, impaling worms and shattering falling stones. The redhead, meanwhile, turned to look at the driver, giving @Yugam an unimpressed stare.

Keep going straight. Take the next right. Then ignore the next three turns. Then take a left after that.

She began to drone out instructions, as clearly and concisely as she could. It wasn't as if time was an abundant resource, at this speed.

Rolls

Burst Attack
18d20 exploding (11 + 3 + 12 + 14 + 17 + 19 + 13 + 20 + 15 + 15 + 10 + 18 + 12 + 17 + 13 + 16 + 2 + 20 + 17 + 16) + 25 + 25 = 330
330 damage (Explosions: 2)
Gain the Vulnerable state
Ranged Weapons | Cleo Looker | 1265C5 | Obstacle Clearing

Expertise Check
2d100 (Advantage) (40, 37) + 50 = 90
Awareness | Cleo Looker | 1265C5 | Navigation

Wurm Express
▪ Navigation (202/500)
▪ Obstacles (971/1750)
▪ Maintenance (275/450)
Play Sheet Link

Raid Boss · Sep 22, 2022

Guidelines

@Seigi Ling Ling @Magi Heart @Ueno Mizuki @Cleo Looker @Yugam
Maximum of 500 words, no minimum as long as it's not one sentence (for the times where one's muse does not cooperate).
1 reply per cycle unless the Narrator asks for you to respond to a scene.
Pouting Scouts' Comms
Current Location

As the group rode the wurm, obstacles were expertly handled with coordinated teamwork. Magi would blast big rocky chunks with her beams while Cleo divided them with her spear, which turned into dust when they came in contact with Seigi's battle aura. When a few of the stray rocks turned into high-speed projectile, Mizuki was there to finish them off.

Meanwhile, Yugam found himself playing one of the most intense train simulator ever as he had a very delicate control of the blood orb, which came into major challenge when they have to make sharp turns several times in a row. Thankfully, the conductor had help in navigating the wurm tunnel that weaved together into a network that would behoove anyone but biologists who live in the world of Terrasphere.

As they trained at top speed, the obstacles seemed to slow down, giving the group a bit of time to plan out their route. However, Mizuki's ear perked up at the sound of a high-pitched drilling noise, which was almost identical to what she had heard from the roots earlier. With her sharp hearing, she would have been able to tell that the sound was approaching them at top speed.

- BOOOOOOOM!!! -

Before anyone could react, a massive metallic drill broke out of the side of the tunnel the group's wurm has been gliding along. The drill was attached to a long tubular body coated with titanium and in a single swift motion, its spinning drill head punched through the wurm's fleshy body, flinging blood and guts everywhere. Having received such a grave wound sent the bloodwurm slamming into the wall and coiling slightly, damaging its passenger in the process. If anyone among you could read beast, you would have felt extreme threat as the bloodwurm continued traveling down the tunnel, leaving behind a gory trail.

Although the titanium wurm was seen burrowing into the opposite wall, everyone can hear the drill making its way parallel to the bloodwurm, some parts of it were visible through the thin, albeit protective layer of rock. It seemed as though the creature is looking for an opening to strike again.

Wall Smash

Your wurm crashes into the wall, everyone is rolling to minimize the damage they take when they smash into the wall or crushed by crumbling cave wall. Make a Reflex Save to determine damage.
- (1-29) 30 damage
- (30-69) 20 damage
- (70+) 10 damage

Navigation (202/500)
Maintenance (68/450)
Titanium Drill-head (971/1750)
Environmental SP (200/200)

Navigation involves keeping the wurm on the right path within the network of tunnels.
- Make a Contribution Roll Any Mastery (normal), Awareness (advantage), or Hemomancy (double the result) to increase this track. (Count up.)
- ~~If Navigation is at 200+ by next cycle, the morning phase will be delayed until C7 as the wurm express rushes ahead.~~ (Success)
- (DM Bonus Action) Conduct. Once per cycle, the first person who is performing navigation is considered that cycle's Conductor and may issue someone else to perform 2 actions instead of 1. Make sure to record this action and tag the receiver within the action BBcode. (Each character may only use 1 DM bonus action per cycle.)
Maintenance involves keeping the wurm healthy through the run. Heal the wurm to increase this track.
- If the wurm ever reaches 450+, it will attempt to contest the group for control, but if it ever reaches zero, it will die. Special events may modify with this track.
- (DM Bonus Action) Feed. You may also feed the wurm via Hemomancy, multiply the roll result by 2. You may subtract your modifier from the roll result (after the *2). Make sure to record this action within the action BBcode. (Each character may only use 1 DM bonus action per cycle.)
Titanium Drill-head. Your primary obstacle is the Titanium worm now. It is not possible to kill it, but you can deal enough damage to make it back off (when the track hits zero)
- Use attack actions to decrease this track.
- Extension allows your character to concentrate on their attack since they can hit their mark(s) from further away. (Gain a +25 damage buff.)
Environmental SP. The Drill-head is protected by the environment clear the rocks and expose the enemy.
- While the SP is above zero, all damage done to the Drill-head is divided by 2.
- Geomancy Hinder Attacks are multiplied by 2 as they can manipulate to pull it out of the way.
- If you have not taken hinder, you may swap out an action with either Hinder actions.
Threated Bloodwurm. The threatened bloodwurm is secreting its own blood to help ward off its enemy.
- (DM Bonus Action) Bloodbuff. f you have Hemomancy, you may make a check (DC 45) and give someone else or yourself a +50 to their attack rolls if you succeed. You can use this bonus action regardless of which of the goals you're pursuing above. (Each character may only use 1 DM bonus action per cycle.)

Code:

[hp=current]max[/hp]
[status]
Damage recorded here
[/status]

Post here

[action]

[/action]
[b]Wurm Express[/b]
▪ Navigation (202/500)
▪ Maintenance (68/450)
▪ Titanium Drill-head (971/1750)
▪ Environmental SP (200/200)
Play Sheet Link

Yugam · Sep 22, 2022

-20 HP - Wall Smash

For the second time today, a bloodwurm burst through the tunnel's sidewall. The loud explosion of debris was followed by the squelching, tearing sound of the behemoth's dulled drill-head colliding with their ride's elongated body. A torrent of blood as the body was bisected, the tail portion left behind in a mangled, twisted heap.

Yu didn't know if the bloodwurm screamed in pain, or if it even could. All he heard was ringing in his ears. A blast of debris had flown at his face, and he'd only barely managed to dodge the worst of it. But that hadn't saved Yu from having his bell rung. A fist sized stone had struck the side of his head, leaving behind a gash, and the makings of a bad headache.

When the stars had finally faded from the man's vision, he looked back to check that the others were okay. "You guys good back there?" And that was when his eyes settled on what became his biggest concern. "Fuck!" the Hunter cursed, before turning his sights back forward, focusing on the winding tunnel that their half-dead steed was still navigating. He had to get them away from the drill-head.

Glances to the side, and the man could still see their new friend chasing them. Next right. Ignore these three. Was it a right or a left after that? Left! With less weight attached to it's body, and the ground slick with blood and wurm viscera, the party careened through the tunnels per Cleo's directions.

"C'mon Tubby, just hold out a little longer," Yu urged their ride, conjuring another small orb in his palm before floating it down into the wurm's mouth, hoping the extra encouragement would propel it forward even faster.

@Seigi Ling Ling | @Ueno Mizuki | @Cleo Looker | @Magi Heart

Rolls

Wall Smash
1d100 (50) + 15 = 65
Reflex | Yugam | 1265C5

MA: Navigation
1d100 (60) + 20 = 80
Doubled value: 160
Hemomancy | Yugam | 1265C5

BA: Feed
1d100 (57) + 20 = 77
Doubled value: 154
Hemomancy | Yugam | 1265C5

Wurm Express
▪ Navigation (362/500)
▪ Maintenance (222/450)
▪ Titanium Drill-head (971/1750)
▪ Environmental SP (200/200)

Play Sheet

Ueno Mizuki · Sep 22, 2022

210 / 230

-20 HP from Wall Smash (10 HP, doubled by Vulnerable)
Vulnerable

So far things seemed to be going pretty smoothly, more smoothly than Mizuki had expected when they had the ridiculous idea to use the adult bloodwurm as a mount. She'd have expected the beast to be unruly, but Yugam was doing a good job keeping it under control, and thanks to Cleo's assistance as navigator they were making good headway into the subterranean labyrinth. All in all, this crazy plan was working pretty well... except for that nagging feeling Mizuki still had in the back of her mind.

When she'd shared her senses with the roots she'd felt that there was something threatening moving around underground. It was possible that the roots had been referring to the adult bloodwurm the scouting squad was now riding, but that didn't seem to quite fit: bloodwurms lived in this labyrinth, so a single adult shouldn't cause the trees to be alarmed...

Her suspicions were confirmed when she heard something else approaching them, the same thing which the roots had warned them about. It was approaching quickly, no time to prepare-

Brace for impact!

She was slammed against the wall together with the rest of the party when the bloodwurm was practically impaled by the metallic assailant, the luna wolf letting out a pained growl as she heard her bones creak before stabilising her footing and grabbing hold of her wolves to make sure they wouldn't fall off.

Yugam was taking care of the bloodwurm and trying to get them away from the drilling machine, but the mechanised monster was keeping pace with them and clearly not planning to let them go. Mizuki glanced at the rest of the party, better suited to drive off the beast than she was, then snarled as she raised both hands and focused both on the roots that permeated the underground and the trail of blood their mount was leaving behind.

From the bloodstained ground roots shot up, their usual pale colour stained sanguine as they fed on the bloodwurm's offerings. Bolstered by the vitality contained in the blood the roots grew rapidly and flexibly, burrowing into the wall that separated the scouting squad from their metallic nemesis. The wall quickly crumbled as the roots tore it apart, the subterranean tendrils interweaving themselves into a web that supported the widened tunnel's ceiling to prevent a collapse even as they now had a full view of the robotic ravager running right alongside their ride.

There! Hit it!

Rolls

Save (Wall Smash)
1d100 (43) + 45 = 88
(70+) 10 HP damage
Reflex | Ueno Mizuki | 1265C6

Mastery Check (Bloodbuff)
1d100 (48) + 15 = 63
Success!
+50 to @Ueno Mizuki's attack rolls
Hemomancy | Ueno Mizuki | 1265C6

Ultra Hinder (Environmental SP)
2d100 (8 + 94) + 25 + 20 + 25 + 50 + 50 = 272
272 SP damage
Gain the Vulnerable state
Metamorph | Ueno Mizuki | 1265C6

Wurm Express
▪ Navigation (362/500)
▪ Maintenance (222/450)
▪ Titanium Drill-head (971/1750)
▪ Environmental SP (0/200)
Play Sheet Link

Seigi Ling Ling · Sep 23, 2022

180 / 220

-20 HPx2 (Vulnerable!)

Their relatively safe journey didn't stay safe for too much longer as, suddenly, a second Wurm showed up! Just that this one had become a lot more Magia than the first one! And it made sure to make the group feel it light from the get go. Certainly not friendly.

Feeling her body crash against the wall as their own train was cut short by a segment or two, Seigi could thankfully minimize the damage thanks to @Ueno Mizuki warning. Not like a little hurt was anything new to her body.

Yet, a part of her felt furious, how did that INSECT dare?! Machine or not, it was still an INFERIOR life form to herself, and she sure wouldn't let it stand!

Though she also couldn't deny that all this crimson made her feel quite... excited. She would make sure to let it suffer...

"Fufufu- we have to..." - "NO!" - "No?" - "No. I'm sick and tired of your Perma-Edge-Puperty-Shenanigan! We're now doing this Seigi Style!" - "But you-" - "SILENCE, child!"

With these words, Seigi stepped up to @Yugam and put her hands on his shoulder. Channeling her Battle Aura into the male. Unlike before, her crimson tint was now gone. Instead, it was now a warm orange. Like coming home to a mother's warm meal. Certainly calming, at least, no?

"Alright, welcome onboard our Guts and Effort Express, and listen up! Choo Choo! I need your absolute trust, yes? Cuz I'm a hero! And we work with faith!" She recalled the map, the last of @Cleo Looker's directions, and her intuition, before closing her eyes. Despite all the chaos around her, for just a moment, Seigi felt more serene than ever before.

"Left."
"Right."
"Stalagtite to the right."
"That wall that looks like a dead end? Smash right through it!"
"TRUUSST MEEE!!!!"

Though ultimately it was Yugam who was driving the worm and had control over the blood orb. So, instead, Seigi eventually let him be and also focused on @Magi Heart.

"Hey, Magi! You go and show me some Guts and Efforts, something super stylish, too! Just like our Anime!" She crossed her arms, Seigi seemed to be a little bit upset, but was mostly excited and also teasing.

Rolls

Save
1d100 (33) + 20 + 10 = 63
Reflex | Seigi Ling Ling | Wallu Smashu

Expertise Check
1d100 (91) + 50 = 141
Awareness | Seigi Ling Ling | CHOO CHOO

Wurm Express
▪ Navigation (503/500)
▪ Maintenance (222/450)
▪ Titanium Drill-head (971/1750)
▪ Environmental SP (0/200)
Play Sheet Link

Magi Heart · Sep 24, 2022

"Eyahhhh!"

The lightweight girl lost grip of her astra magnetic heels and nearly slid off the worm getting caught between it and the cavern walls. A gloved hand reached up followed by a face in a twitching grimace. Hoisting herself back on she stayed on one knee and her eyes caught sight of the attacker... another worm?

It was a Mechawurm! For a moment Wendel felt nostalgic for a trope she just remembered at the sight of something like this. Mechagodzilla, Mechapikachu, Mechasailor...Mecha+anything. One she used to enjoy but only when the right friend was around. It wasn't her exact preference on her own.

Why now...
What does it matter...
These things must be broken...
Enemies, monsters, demons, yokai, actresses, mechs, all trying to kill Raina too soon!

"Hey, Magi! You go and show me some Guts and Efforts, something super stylish, too! Just like our Anime!"

Raina, that's the way.
You have to be the hero.
Or I can't be the savior.

Blood flew from their mount as some was being gathered by @Ueno Mizuki's summoned roots. Blood and plants followed Wendel even now. The roots cleared the obstructions and the enemy was now open.

Her back hurt, her scars hurt, and she wanted to do better for Raina's image of Magi but that wasn't enough.

"Not an anime or a game. This is my life and Raina's life. I'm a Starcalled Maiden and I'm going to send every one of you to the junkyard... then to the melter... then to dust.... then I'll sweë̷̺p̵̱̂ ̸̩͝ṯ̷̈́h̶̛͕ȃ̷͖t̶̜̀ ̵̖͊a̵̫͑w̷̩̌ä̴͖́ÿ̷̫́.̷̛̫.̸̮͌.̷̤̿"

Placing a hand on @Seigi Ling Ling's shoulder she squeezed and looked to @Cleo Looker with one of her eyes now fully blackened. She thought to cover it with a hand but the thought was gone quickly. There was no point, she just needed to do what needed to be done here.

"Add our barraḡ̸̟ȇ̶͎s̵̙̈́ ̸̥̂ṯ̴̏o̴͚͐g̵̫͆ȩ̷̇t̵̠͝h̴̖̾ë̵͕r̵̥̚.̶̹̉.̵̡̈.̷̖͂"̷̲̽"

Body glowing reddish pink, she unloaded volleys of black magic.

Dark Heart or not
A heart will do good.
Ḙ̷̂v̶̏͜e̸͊ͅn̴̦̓ ̴̟̓ỉ̶͖f̴̹͐ ̸̪͘i̴̍ͅț̵̈́'̴̮̈š̴̖ ̴̜́n̶͍̑ỏ̸̧t̵̲̔ ̴̜̓ü̸̺n̵͉̈́d̵͕̐ê̵̹r̸̼͂s̸̭̀t̵̨̊ỏ̷̩o̵̪̍d̵̫̔.̸̯͋

Rolls

Power Buff (Single)
2d100 (55 + 61) + 25 + 20 = 54 (Total divided by 3)
+54 buff to 1 target for 3 posts (Self)
Gain the Vulnerable state
Divine Magic | Magi Heart | Scouts
Burst Attack
17d20 exploding (16 + 2 + 15 + 18 + 1 + 13 + 13 + 1 + 15 + 15 + 1 + 13 + 7 + 7 + 12 + 15 + 1) + 25 + 25 + 54 = 269 +17
306 damage (Explosions: 0)(30 SP Damage)
Gain the Vulnerable state
Evoke | Magi Heart | Scouts

Wurm Express
▪ Navigation (503/500)
▪ Maintenance (222/450)
▪ Titanium Drill-head (665/1750)
▪ Environmental SP (0/200)
Play Sheet Link
[Prototype Heavy Armor]

Cleo Looker · Sep 24, 2022

160 / 180

-20 HP from Wall Smash
Vulnerable

Another, crash, some more chaos, rubble and debris everywhere as Cleo turned and reacted, fast enough to prevent herself from harshly slamming into anything, or vice versa in any case. There was now a new threat, some kind of giant worm-like creature with a mechanical drill-like head or something? Just what the hell were these things and what was even going on with this place? It honestly made no sense.

Still, a threat was at least something that could be eliminated and that was something that Cleo happened to excel at. She grit her teeth, her body heating up as more energy flowed, the lancer once again summoning yet another barrage of spears that hung in the air behind her. She spared a cursory glance to @Magi Heart who had said something about combining barrages, though the girl wasn't exactly looking at her best.

Though there was something odd about her that Cleo couldn't quite place...

Either way, she didn't bother responding as spears hummed and pulsed, crackling with power, as Cleo had filled them to the bursting point with energy. It was something she'd been working on, a method to essentially turn her projected spears into shrapnel bombs. To 'break' everything but the outer shell, fill that broken husk with raw power, then launch it and allow the impact to break the shell, allowing that power to erupt. Each spear pulsed and shimmered, waiting for Cleo to command them.

And with a small mental nudge, Cleo became war...

Rolls

Save
1d100 (38) + 85 = 123
Reflex | Cleo Looker | 1265C6 | Wall Smash

Burst Attack
18d20 exploding (12 + 7 + 11 + 13 + 6 + 11 + 20 + 16 + 7 + 20 + 12 + 5 + 11 + 12 + 2 + 16 + 5 + 12 + 20 + 15 + 6) + 25 + 25 = 289
289 damage (Explosions: 3)
Gain the Vulnerable state
Ranged Weapons | Cleo Looker | 1265C6 | Extension

Wurm Express
▪ Navigation (503/500)
▪ Titanium Drill-head (376/1750)
▪ Maintenance (222/450)
▪ Environmental SP (0/200)
Play Sheet Link

Raid Boss · Sep 24, 2022

Guidelines

@Seigi Ling Ling @Magi Heart @Ueno Mizuki @Cleo Looker @Yugam
Maximum of 500 words, no minimum as long as it's not one sentence (for the times where one's muse does not cooperate).
1 reply per cycle unless the Narrator asks for you to respond to a scene.
Pouting Scouts' Comms
Current Location

Wall Smash

Your wurm crashes into the wall, everyone is rolling to minimize the damage they take when they smash into the wall or crushed by crumbling cave wall. Make a Reflex Save to determine damage.
- (1-29) 20 damage
- (30-69) 10 damage
- (70+) 5 damage

Navigation (502/500)
Maintenance (38/450)
Titanium Drill-head (376/1750)
Environmental SP (0/200)

Navigation. You have arrived at your destination.
Maintenance. The wurm has lost a lot of its body mass and is actively dying. It'll take a lot of effort to save it.
Titanium Drill-head. This enemy has stopped pursuing the group.
Environmental SP. Cleared.

Amid the high-speed chase, Yugam focused on feeding the Bloodwurm some of his blood to help it recover while Seigi stepped up as the group's leader to command Magi and direct's Yugam's helmsmanship. Had it not been for Mizuki and her blood roots ripping the rocky divider between the bloodwurm and its hunter, the empowered Magi's volley and Cleo's shrapnel speaks would not have been effective at chunking the titanium monstrosity. Cleo did manage to chip away at some of its metallic coating, however, the plating was far too thick to expose an area bigger than a tennis ball.

Once the attack staggered the Drill-head for a few seconds, Seigi got Yugam to spearhead the bloodwurm into the thinner portion of the tunnel where they veered off the beaten path while the recovered metallic wurm pursued them at a much faster speed. The moment it caught up, the drill began whirling so fast it began to cackle with a glowing yellow-orange energy, and in the split of a second, it charged forward, disintegrating the bottom half of the bloodwurm, making it jump and smash against the ceiling again. The deadly attack would have put the Drill-head in the position to finish the bloodwurm off in one fell swoop if not for the fact that the charged attack seemed to have drained a lot of its energy reserve, seeing as how it began to lose the frightening velocity at the same time the drill was starting to slow.

After about 10 minutes, the scouts could no longer see their pursuer, who had more than likely gave up the chase.

Aboard the tattered bloodwurm, the group could feel their ride losing its momentum as it was hemorrhaging. Not even Yugam's routine feeding could stop its dying condition quickly enough. However, the wurm did manage to get into a different tunnel. With the group's blasting the way forward for it, the wurm arrived at a tunnel that looked manmade, complete with brick-laid corridors and ruined doors and the likes.

Finally, the group came to a stop as the wurm deflated, seemingly struggling to breathe as its tubular body rose and fell erratically, a trail of blood and guts painted the way back to the Drill-head's hunting ground.

The group ascended into the grand lobby, which for anyone who had visited the palace years ago, might have brought them back to a simpler and more peaceful time. However, the lobby how lie in ruins with decrepit furniture strewn about the room, burn marks, collapsed walls, and tattered banners were the only thing left. Well, other than the giant elephant in the room, which in this case is a Regulator that is a lot larger than others of its kind, sitting in the middle of the room, directly beneath a hole in the ceiling that extended all the way to the northern part of the room where a broken staircase looked as though it had been blown to smithereens.

The completely closed room wasn't completely dark thanks to the orb that made up the gargantuan Regulator's head was glowing in and out, as if resting. In one of the corners of the room, those with the sharpest visual awareness among you would have no doubt noticed a silver wolf tail swishing around behind a side-turned desk. Upon seeing the group, his ears perked up as his finger immediately moved to his mouth to gesture a "Shh" gesture before turning into a "don't walk" gesture, which was basically him mimicking the act of walking following putting his arms together to form an X above his head.

Progressing on Scouting

We are now back in the semi-freeform format where each character has a free action to use. Below are some directions to get you started:
- New Vantage Point. Since Magi knows how dangerous the vantage points are, a change of plan sounds reasonable, which might involve getting to the upper floors of the palace and perhaps making way to any of the towers that remain after the impact (characters who have visited the palace before, would have a rough idea of how the palace is laid out).
- Ambush. The Regulator is sleeping, if the group would like to fight it, perhaps setting things up to put yourself in an advantageous position with freeform actions.
- Wolf Boy. Who the heck is that? What do you want to do with him?
- Bloodwurm. You can try to resuscitate the wurm and use it to go back to finish off Drill-head and maybe go back to nice and comfy beds and warm food at Camp Hope?
- Free Thinker. If none of the options above appeal to you, perhaps you can do something else. Idk, try to open the main door leading into Vintergard's streets? That heavy-ass set of doors can be found to the south of the broken stairway.

Code:

[hp=current]max[/hp]
[status]
Damage recorded here
[/status]

Post here

[action]
▪ Summary here
[/action]
Play Sheet Link

Seigi Ling Ling · Sep 25, 2022

175 / 220

-5 hp from wall smash

With the wurm ride, quite literally, exhausted. The group eventually came closer to their goal. Apparently, directly, below the palace. "Poor thing..." Seigi gave whatever was left of the Blutwurm a hug, leaving a moral dilemma about monsters and humans and rescuing one but not the other for another time.

Instead, they were met with a new dilemma. One that triggered Nanami and Seigi both, having relations to being invested in an orphanage and all that.

"That boy..." They whispered, before nudging Magi. "Can you get him for us, pretty please? Did you know I sorta run an orphanage?"

Why should Magi do it and not us?
She's the perfect candidate.
What?
Fufufu, you'll see~

Hopefully having put the boy's rescue underway, Seigi looked over to him and pointed at Magi, giving a nod and a warm smile, her attire hopefully not scaring him off. Instead, she now focused on the grander picture. The machine, the elephant in the room, seemed to be on standby for the time being.

The question was why and, also, what else could they do? Clues? More pathways? Range of vision? Maybe move along the ceiling? Something to pass without alerting half the city.

The girl tried looking around.

Rolls

Save
1d100 (76) + 20 + 10 = 106
Reflex | Seigi Ling Ling | Wallu Smashu #2

▪ Tell Magi to go rescue Caenis boi and then check out the room for any more pathways/hints, with a focus on getting more clued in on the Machines behavior as Seigi had visited Vintergard plenty of times before?

Play Sheet Link

Magi Heart · Sep 25, 2022

Leaving not even a glance at the writhing bloodwurm, Wendel found herself in a large chamber that had once been the players' pride. Their biggest accomplishment... brought to ruin. Her time as Magi heart once again proven to have been in vain.

Now she was here seeing the fruits of that effort with fresh heterochromatic eyes and she felt pity but no remorse. Her brows furrowed as her gaze landed on the glowing orb in the distance, not an orb... it was a large machine, yet another mecha. They were here now, so close to the one the dissonant girl had seen. Her heart twisted with grudge. Weapon placed in front of her she pulled back her hand to charge a shot.

A small amount of black dripped from her eye as her teeth gritted.
She had to... purge it.

"That boy..."

"..Hm?".

Her attention was turned to a doggo across the way. Raina had noticed him and mentioned an orphanage.

Gee whiz.
Bringing a bunch of suffering children together just makes it worse.
They have no future.
Not in this world the way it is, or in any other.

Still, she saw him. She remembered the first person she met upon entering Terrasphere... it was small beastfolk boy. She had told him she was a hero.

He's suffering alone here.
F̶r̷e̴e̸ ̷h̷i̷m̵.̷
̴S̵a̷v̸e̸ ̶h̴i̵m
...
Reach out to him.

It was her job after all. Being pointed out by @Seigi Ling Ling, the Dark Heart gave a cutesy quick little wave to the boy with a smile that was meant to be comforting. It just came off creepy in her current state. She wiped the black blood off with her hand and nodded to him before taking a light step to prepare and then using her magic-infused movement, shadow-stepped her way to his location.

"I'm Magi Heart" she mouthed quietly to him as she bent down next to him (@Raid Boss) with her petite build. She could feel his despair. He had been through some stuff here. Hasn't everyone...

To give him an ending or not? No, they needed information after all. Killing him was not useful to the bigger picture and Wendel knew that. The urge was off the charts though. Just looking at this doggo that could be her little brother made her want to snap his neck. She was overflowing with pure c̵a̸r̴i̸n̴g̸ ̷ right now.

She offered him her back, to get onto (depending on his size) or just takes his hand into hers and shadow-steps with him back to the others.

Rolls

Save
1d100 (63) + 20 = 83
Reflex | Magi Heart | Wall Smash Part 2
▪ Heads to Caenis Boy using shadow arts with astramancy to warp/shadow-step and also tries to take him back with her.

Play Sheet Link
[Prototype Heavy Armor]

Yugam · Sep 25, 2022

-5 HP - Wall Smash #2

"That wall that looks like a dead end? Smash right through it!"
"What!?"
"TRUUSST MEEE!!!!"
"Brace for impact!"

Tubby slammed into the wall, what was left of his body compacting for a moment before springing forward, the wall suddenly flying by in pieces as Yu covered his head with an arm. "Ha, holy shit!" the man chuckled.

The laughter was cut short as Tubby and it's passengers suddenly shot upwards, towards the tunnel ceiling. Moving on instinct, Yu rolled to the side, hand gripping a fleshy piece of Tubby's body so as to not fall off as he narrowly avoided being turned into a blood splatter at the top of ceiling.

A look back as he clambered back on top of Tubby, and the man realized what had happened as he watched the glowing orange tip of the Drill-Head slowly fade into the distance.

Ten minutes of slowly feeding Tubby and eking out every last bit of energy that Yu could out of him and there was no Drill-Head in sight. The environment had changed, from craggy cavern walls, to abandoned tunnels. They were in Vinterguard at least.

The party dismounted from the ragged bloodwurm, Yu gently patting it's head comfortingly as he fed the giant worm the last of the blood. "You did good, buddy. Rest up now, ok?" The tender moment lasted only as long as it took for the others to collect themselves and begin their ascent up to the lobby.

The first thing that caught Yu's eyes was the massive Regulator in the center of the room, presumably in sleep mode. The second was the wolf boy that Seigi had pointed out to Magi. Yu's eyes drifted upwards towards the hole in the ceiling. "I bet we could see the whole place from up there," Yu murmured quietly, "three-sixty view."

Yu looked at the others briefly, weighing their options. Five in total. "Seigi," the man said, turning towards the woman. "Help me heal Tubby." Before anyone could argue the futility, the man continued. "If we can get the ol' boy back on his feet, we have an escape vector. You three," he pointed at Mizuki, Magi, and Cleo, "try to get to the roof. I'm betting that'll give you guys a decent enough vantage point to see what we need to see. Activities, troop movements, numbers, who knows. That sound good to everyone?"

@Seigi Ling Ling | @Magi Heart | @Cleo Looker | @Ueno Mizuki

Rolls

Wall Smash #2
1d100 (83) + 15 = 98
Reflex | Yugam | 1265C7

Suggests splitting into two groups, one for healing Tubby for a quick escape (Yu, Seigi), and a second to go the new vantage point and scout (Magi, Cleo, Mizuki)
- Presumably, if everyone is in agreement, he goes back to Tubby and starts trying to heal Tubby.

Play Sheet

Complete Main Story Vintergard (S4) Scouts

❮ Narrator ❯

Guidelines

Magi Heart

Guest

❮ Pathfinder ❯

❮ Pathfinder ❯

❮ Narrator ❯

Guidelines

❮ Pathfinder ❯

❮ Dissonant Exterminator ❯

Magi Heart

Guest

❮ Pathfinder ❯

❮ Pathfinder ❯

❮ Narrator ❯

Guidelines

❮ Pathfinder ❯

❮ Pathfinder ❯

❮ Dissonant Exterminator ❯

Magi Heart

Guest

❮ Pathfinder ❯

❮ Narrator ❯

Guidelines

❮ Dissonant Exterminator ❯

Magi Heart

Guest

❮ Pathfinder ❯