Shadowrun
Shadowrun Play => Play-by-Post => Topic started by: Csjarrat on <06-19-13/0655:18>
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It had been a fairly typical october afternoon for you. Grey, cold and desperately trying to stay warm in the shit-tip you called home. The landlord had been unreachable for a week, despite your best attempts and the heating was off AGAIN. your 'link lights up and a message terminal pops up on your AR feed:
//Matrix Message Protocol 1.0.2b//<<Incoming message from::GrEeNw00d_002>>Mantis, you got a sec? Got a run for you, meet me in DataDump_109 VR bar on this node <<encrypted attachment>> for a chat//
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Mantis was holding his lighter dazzled by the flame as his body grabs a bit of heat from the fire when a comm message comes in. After reading the message Mantis doesn't waste time, he put on his Trode baseball cap then cold sims himself on to the 'Trix.
In the matrix Mantis appears as an image of a blue oriental dragon wearing a white Chinese shirt with a black praying mantis on it's back side. Seems to me I got some work to do, it is about time maybe I can get a new heater for this place. Lets go see what Greenwood has in store for me. As those thoughts go through Mantis's head he streaks across the Matrix to the DataDump_109 and waits to see what Greenwood has in mind for a job.
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It takes barely a nanosecond to traverse the 'trix to your desired location, and when you arrive, a brightly lit neon room awaits.
The default music is pretty loud and by some electronica artist you don't recognise, though the node queries your icon with a terminal window to poll you on the choice of next track
<<next track vote: 1) Dubtek- ars technika 2)Brighton Beach- undergound 3) Rave Machine- Up all night>>
The bar itself is pretty sparsely populated, a variety of colorful icons hanging around the various booths and a particularly large dragon as the bartender are the only really notable attendees.
Yo, glad to see you, i'm in the backroom. head on through. <<user login details attached>>
A bright pink neon line begins to pulse under your feet, guiding you round the back end of the booths and to a doorway. an Authentication terminal window opens, scans your icon for credentials and accepts you into the "Back Room", clearly stylised on the old black and white 1950's trid's you'd seen.
This node requires a dress code, please choose your new icon from the list provided:
1) Business attire
2) Gangster attire
3) Smart attire
A row of booths runs along the left side of the room though only one of them is occupied, Greenwood (dressed snappily in a period suit and fedora) motions for you to join him and a pretty waitress comes over to your table to take your order.
Greenwood orders a bourbon and looks at you with a wry smile..
<<Mantis, how you doing? not seen you in a while. Glad you could make it mate, got a milk run for you. I'm struggling to get hold of enough "gear" to meet my orders, and stuff keeps going missing off the boat.
My middleman's contact lands the stuff in a warehouse down in the East End and suspects a bit of unfair play from a rival. He's set up a sting tonight, and we need you to be the stinger. Pay is 1k and a bonus of 500 quid for any names, images, addresses you can get of any outside parties. The box is labelled up in Jap, but marked with an ultrasound reflective paint with the # sign.
Simple job really mate, find the box, watch it. Follow anyone who interferes with it. You get rumbled, well you know how to handle yourself right?
You in?
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Mantis shows up at the matrix bar hoping that this meeting will lead him to money, power and his lost wife but as Mantis knows that is not going to happen so one or more of his hopes is good enough. A poll shows up in Manis's view not being big on music but still with a taste for the harder music he decides to vote for Brighton Beach- undergound. Seeing that the bar is not packed to the teeth Manis is happy no need having a lot of cyber eyes looking his way.
With the message received from Greenwood Mantis sends one back.
---Ya I'm here I'll be right back.---
With his short rely sent Mantis heads back to the room seeing the need for a dress code he changes his VR image into an Orc that is sporting a violin case and a old school pin strip suit and hair slicked by with so much oil it could keep his bike running if he ever ran out of gas. With his new cyber threads in place Mantis walks into the black and white room.
With Greenwood getting a bourbon from the waitress Mantis asks for a gin and tonic.
<< I'm doing fine, I'm sorry I haven't been around the shop in some time I've being busy with a few odd jobs.>> Mantis pulls out a cyber cig, lights up and listens to the job offer. Once the comment "Simple job really mate" was said Mantis had a bad feeling in his guts, you learn from this job never to take the "simplest" jobs lightly any one can go to H3LL in a second and you best be ready for it.
<<Seems like someone is trying to take a piece of your pie, I'm sure I can do my part to help you out. One thing this middle man how much man power is he bring to this sting, also do you have any more info about him or his man power. The more knowledge I have the better I can gauge their help they can give>> Mantis takes a drag from his cyber cig running a cold sim the stuff still has the great burn to it.
<< As for the job I'm in. Just lay on me all the details, time location, any info on other personal.>> Mantis sits back in his seat and starts flicking his lighter on and off having to resist the temptation to find out if any of these matrix items would burn.
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The pretty waitress returns with your drinks and Greenwood takes a large gulp of his before answering your questions.
Yeah, well thats what we need to find out. who wants the pie, and why.
Like I said mate, this is a simple job, just an observe-and-record kind of thing, I'm not expecting you to hunt these fuckers down solo, so no heroics. What we need is names, faces, addresses, organisations/companies involved. We reckon this fake box is going somewhere within the east end, and I want to know where. Theres a bonus for you for the extra's, but if you need to knock heads with these boys, make sure you cover your arse, right?
As for the middleman, like all good middlemen, he doesn't want to be too involved in this whole thing. People give him the kit, then he gives us the kit. he gets a cut, everyone is happy. You have a problem out there, you get on the blower to me yeah?
I'll forward on the details now.
<<Encrypted Attachment>>
[spoiler](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5465/9094250696_66d93d8ec8.jpg)[/spoiler]
That's the warehouse you're after, abot 10mins walk from cutty sark station. Box arrives on a shipment just after 10pm, so you'll need to be around there a bit before then. like I said, its marked with a # in ultrasonic reflective paint so be prepared.
[spoiler]It's a little after 4.30pm now[/spoiler]
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Mantis pounds back half his gin and listens to what his contact Greenwood needs done. Well Ièm in but I don't have any tech that can read the ultrasonic reflective paint if you would provide that to me I think I should get going to the site to get a look at the place so I know where the best vantage point is. Mantis puts away his lighter and sucks back the last of his virtual smoke. I'll do my best to get you the info you are looking for. Mantis downs the last of his gin and starts to run through how to get a birds eye view of the docks. My best bet is to use Speedy on this one since we are after intel Speedy should help me get closer with out getting noticed. Once I see the lay out of the docks I should be able to find a good spot to perch at to see the thief.
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<<Good stuff, as for kit, you can grab a set of ultrasonic kit in any hardware store mate. You'll need something that runs in active mode though. I can forward 100 quid as an advance if you need it, but it'll come off your total.
I gotta run, so message me if you need the advance <<User GrEeNw00d_002 Disconnected>>
Greenwood finishes his drink and disconnects from the room.
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With meeting over and the job description in mind Mantis logs off, but knowing that he doesn't have much nuyen on hand he sends Greenwood a text.
----------------Message----------------
To: Luke Greenwood
From: Mantis
I will take you up on that 100 nuyen advance I'm strapped for cash and this will help me out.
------------END OF Message---------
With the message on the cyber travel to Greenwood Mantis figures first thing to do it grab the needed gear and take a drive by of the location so he can get a heads up on where he wants to view the thief's from. Mantis grabs his Lined Coat and bike helmet, comm link and a few other pocket sized items and heads out. "Time to hit the electronics store I need a few things." As Mantis leave his apartment he double checks the lock heads down to the underground parking.Grabbing his bike Mantis makes his way to the closest electronics store to buy his gear.
After parking his bike and setting it's anti-theft system Mantis walks into the electronics shop with his bike helmet under his arm. Not wanting to waste too much time he heads over to one of the worker. "I'm looking for two thing two day and thought you could help me. I need myself a ultrasonic kit and a micro camera that is equipped with magnification." Mantis looks at the store owner as he starts to go through his comm link in AR to find what Mantis ordered. After a minute or two the store clerk gives Mantis the good news . "We do have what you are looking for sir. Let me show you." The two of them walk down a row of electronics and find what Mantis is looking for. First Mantis gets his hands on a camera then his ultrasonic kit. With both ready to go he pays the clerk the 300 nuyen it came to. "Great the run has just started and I'm already shelling out my own money." With a bow to the clerk Mantis heads back to his bike and drives to his second store this time he was in and out much quicker he grab himself a 5 nuyen roll of duck tape (good for everything).
With his three items stored in his bikes saddle bags Mantis decides to take a drive down to the docks where he will soon be doing his stake out. Mantis drives down Creek road and takes a left onto college approach. Seeing that he might have to walk he decides to head back to his apartment. Once back at his pad he grabs his map of London and zooms in on the area around the stake out and sees that there are alot of trees in the area that might be his best bet to stake out the docks.
Mantis thinks to him self on how much time he has. "If I didn't go shopping I could have summoned a helper spirit and bonded the thing to me now being the case I'm thinking I might not have the time or I might back drain myself. I guess I'll just get the camera ready." With that Mantis uses the duck-tape to attach the micro camera onto his bike helmet, doing his best to keep the area the tape covers to as small of area as possible. Mantis also decides to cast his control animal spell on his little friend speedy. " I might not be able to record what Speedy sees but if I need him at least I'll have some more eyes."
CASTING
[spoiler]
Casting Spellcasting 5 + Magic 3 = 8 (Force 1)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4098710/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4098710/) 2 hits
Resist Will 1
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4098711/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4098711/) 0 hits
Drain logic 7 + Will 5 + Daredrenaline 1 = 13 TN (f/2)+1 = 2 or 1 ???
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4098714/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4098714/) 2 hits no drain
[/spoiler]
Mantis Locks the spell into his ring and gets ready for the stake out.
With his camera and ultra sonic kit linked to his Butler 2.0 comm link Mantis grabs his gear. 4 Stim patches, 3 psyche, snuff, a med kit goggles earphones comm link AR gloves, comm link, camera, sonic kit, and his armor form-fitting armor and his bike armor aka his stealth suit. With all his gear ready Mantis waits until 2 1/2 hours before the estimated time of deliver and heads out.
With Mantis riding his bike to the meet some thoughts cross him mind. "I hope the crowds of people will thin out I don't want too many people's eyes on me." When Mantis gets on site he parks on the street waiting until the people thin out enouph for him to click his stealth suit to invisible and his bikes camo to the same he will then try and slowly move into position. One of the reasons for coming so early was to get his bike and him stealthed and in position with out someone noticing. The position Mantis is aiming for is east of the greenwich pier near the Trinity Laban conservatoire of music and dance in the trees near the shore line. Mantis slowly walks his bike making sure to dodge anyone coming his way (if people are around still). If any one gets too close to him under the cover of his stealth suit he will have to influence the person with his spell to keep from them running into him. A force 3 influence with a step out of the way should work for these people. "I hope"
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//Sure thing, wiring it through to you now//
The shopping trip was productive, you managed to acquire some ultrasound capable goggles, which were on offer. These are expandable with two other slots should you need them in the future.
[spoiler]for game purposes these are R3 goggles, with one slot taken up for ultrasound[/spoiler]
Speedy can't resist the power of your casting and gives in to your control. you can feel him actively pushing against your control though, for some reason, today he isn't happy.
The damp and cold weather seems to have put off most of the evening crowds and promenaders, not that its exactly the type of area for a nice evening walk. Most of the industrial units around here are derelict or in serious need of a lick of paint.
Your stake-out is long and boring, with very little interesting happening at your target.
From your angle, you can clearly see the back of what appears to be a derelict warehouse. a concrete jetty runs out of the rear access and you can just make out a solitary security camera covering the rear access. There is a small boat moored up on the right hand spur of the jetty, and the single large metal shutter door dominates the rear wall. some rusted equipment covers the landing and loading area adjacent to the jetty.
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Mantis leaves his camoed bike in hiding in some trees, makes sure his micro camera is on record and linked to his image link on his bike helmet. Mantis does his best to zoom in on the boat that is moored up on the right hand spur of the jetty in order to take a video of the boat and anyone in the boat. Mantis will keep creeping so he has a good view of the pier where the shipment is to arrive at, but at the same time keeping his distance. Mantis shelled out the extra nuyen to get a camera with zoom ability for a reason and that was so he didn't have to get to close, since he is less likely to be spotted if he keeps his distance. "If they take the shipment out by boat I won't be able to fallow but I guess I don't need to get the shipment back just find out who is snagging them."
With Speedy in a small cage in his inside pocket Mantis can feel the little guy not being so happy about the stake out using him if needed. "Well little Speedy I need to give you a treat for being under my control when this is all over, ever time I do this I always need to give you your reward, kind of my way paying you back for being such a good bird" As the deliver time getting closer Mantis decides it is best to let Speedy give some aid. Mantis grabs the cage out of his inside pocket and gets Speedy to fly onto his hand. Once on his hand Mantis cast his animal sense spell.
Casting
[spoiler]
Animal Sense F3 (Drain F/2 -1 = 1)
Spell casting 5 + magic 3 = 8
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4100058/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4100058/) 2 hits (Character Name: ScawireMantis)
Drain Will 5 Logic 7 Daredrenaline 1 = 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4100066/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4100066/) 4 hits zero drain
Sustaining spell -2 Dice Pools
[/spoiler]
Once the spell is in place Mantis checks to see if he can see through Speeds eyes, now that Mantis knows the spell worked he sends Speedy to fly to the other side of the building he is staking out in order to give Mantis an extra view of the area. Every other minute Mantis will view through Speeds for a minute then come back to his own view. Still not satisfied with just using his stealth suit to keep Mantis from detection he does his best to keep to the trees in hopes that the trees will help to keep him from being detected.
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Your observation of the small speedboat reveals little.
Its is a form of personal craft, you could just about squeeze four people into its open cabin, but it is most certainly designed for two to travel comfortably. It is powered by an outboard motor and is moored to the jetty with a rope coming from the bow (front).
about 30minutes before the designated time of delivery, a large slow barge carrying cargo navigates the bend in the river, heading your way, it's speed decreasing. you can just about make out the outline of the pilot in the cabin at the rear of the barge. A young man moves out of the cabin to the bow of the craft and begins to untangle some rope.
Speedy is perched on the front of the adjacent industrial unit keeping watch over the front of the target warehouse. Nothing much of interest is happening in this area. The front of the warehouse appears to be derelict, the front door appears not to have been opened for some years.
A small volume of passing traffic is the only thing of interest, but this is mainly composed of commuter busses ferrying industrial wage-slaves to and from work, and freight lorries carrying goods to and from the factories.
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Mantis spends extra time observing the incoming cargo barge, using his micro camera to zoom in as best as he can to take as many useful pics of the barge. Mantis knows that the cargo barge isn't the main intel he needs so he does his best also to scan the area for other personal.
With the looks of the front of the warehouse not being used much he sends a mental command through his locked spell on his ring to Speedy. The command tells Speedy to get a good view of the pier that the barge is going to be docking at from the left side. This will give Mantis a view from the right side where he can video tape any shadow activity and a birds eye view from the left side.
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Speedy fights against your control but eventually gives in, moving to perch over the rear of the building, just above the security camera.
The barge slows to a crawl and moors up at the jetty, a passing light craft causing it to sway in the swell.
The length and hieght of the barge obscures your view slightly, so you view from speedy's eyes.
The younger crewman walks down the jetty, across the landing and over to a rusted and bent forklift truck. You can't quite see what he is doing with it, but shortly afterwards an ancient access lift on the exterior groans and creaks into life.
The crewman then starts to unload several of the large containers, directing a small cargo drone wirelessly to move the boxes into the access lift. The whole process takes about 20minutes, and you get good footage of the event.
Eventually the crew cast off, and head downstream, leaving the outside of the building exactly as you found it.
Nothing much happens on target for an hour after the barge leaves, but you start to realise you really really need to take a leak..
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As the barge is being unloaded Mantis makes sure to keep checking his view through his goggles that have the ability to id the ultra-sonic reflective paint. As Mantis stands there waiting for the shadow business to begin he starts doing a pee pee dance. Not equipped with a suit to deal with the problem Mantis ducks into better cover in the trees and begins to re-leave himself but once he gets started he flips his senses back to Speedy letting hims observe the area well he finishes up with drowning a tree.
Once finished he gets back into position and keeps changing views from himself to Speedy again.
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Typical, you've been staking this joint out for hours and nothing happens until you need a piss...
As you're in mid-flow, speedy's senses seem to glitch for a minute, or was it a glitch? It seemed like the weeds near the back door moved very deliberatley, but no-one was there to do the moving...
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Mantis kills the drowning of the weeds in his area and zips up and gets back to recording what is happening."At least I'm half empty time to catch a crook with ultra-sonic paint in hand."
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As you do up your zip and return to speedy's view,you feel him really really straining to get away from the area.
You see a slight distortion of the terrain in front of speedy followed by a small flash.
You can feel your connection to speedy snap, the mana from the severed connection rushing back to hit you in the chest.
Speedy takes wing and shoots into the air, rapidly disappearing from view.
Without a sound, the ancient and rusty access lift begins to move.
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"Oh Drake now my little buddy is on his own. I guess I don't need to find a treat for him after all." Mantis gets makes sure he can see what is going on well hidden in trees and under the cover of his stealth suit. With his micro camera recording Mantis does his best to zoom in on any meta humans that make an appearance.
Before Speedy gets out of view Mantis tries to catch a glimpse of him in order to cast the control animal spell again. This time if it succeeds he will command Speedy to return to him where he will put him back in side a small caring case returning him to the safety of his pocket. If all goes well Mantis will stop sustaining both his spells and be back at recording the events in no time.
Casting (If spots Speedy)
[spoiler]
Cast Animal Control F1 Drain 2S ??
Spellcasting 5 Magic 3 = 8 dice
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4105632/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4105632/) 4 hits
Drain 2 S
Will 5 logic 7 daredrenaline 1 = 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4105635/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4105635/) 7 hits
Resist Control
Willpower 1 via critters, mundane section
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4105636/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4105636/) 1 hit
[/spoiler]
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You feel a strong resistance to your attempt to weave the mana into form and you instinctively know that this isnt speedy that is resisting your casting,
the spell fails and the mana is dissipated.
Your camera makes out on the tiniest distortion of light from around the area of the lift, as if something was there that didn't want to be seen...
The floor of the lift hatch has now completely opened and the platform is about to arrive at the surface.
For something of that age and in such a state of disrepair, it sure was quiet.....
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"Oh great this is starting to point to some magic user, I guess I should have learned counter spelling a bit better." Mantis looks on hoping to catch a glimpse of who ever is taking shanghaiing the shipment. "I might not have the eyes to see throught what ever tech or magic they are using but maybe I can hear what is happening." Mantis decides to use his earbuds select sound filter and audio enhancement to try and pick out any info about the persons down at the lift area.
Perception
[spoiler]
Not wanting a -2 TN Mantis drops the sustained spell.
Audio Perception
INT 2 + Perception 1 + Audio Enhancement 3 = 6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4106900/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4106900/)
[/spoiler]
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You pick up an eerie disquiet from the area. it doesn't feel right, you should be able to at least hear something.
The lift is now fully at the surface and you can see a console on the lift platform, a button moves a tiny way and the lift begins to descend silently.
Your high-zoom imagng also shows you that the security camera is now pointing at the sky and is stationary.
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"This has got to be some kind of magic you don't stealth sound that easily. I best first see if I can spot a get away vehicle" Mantis is a bit worried this stake out is now got a magical enemy to deal with, at least that is what all the signs are pointing to, and to top it off after the run is done Mantis is going to have to find his little friend, which might take a few nights to complete. Mantis starts to scan the area for boats or vehicles that can be used to move the shipment.
Perception
[spoiler]
Visual perception
Perception 1 INT 2 + specialized visual 2 = 5
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4108911/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4108911/) 2 hits
(OOC I still miss my goggles enhanced vision but them be the breaks when you have to ID ultra sound)
[/spoiler]
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You scan the area for vehicles, finding several subtable escape methods.
The first and most obvious is the small boat moored up at the jetty, it has been there all day.
A building several hundred metres further down the river, on the re-developed university grounds has several vans parked in the courtyard. You can't make our any details at this distance however.
After a few more minutes, The lift begins to re-ascend, just as silently as it descended.
Knowing that your ultrasound visual range is fairly low, you know that this is game time. time to get a move on.
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Mantis notices that he is not getting any good info from the stake out as of yet so a new course of action is running through his head. As the lift is ascending Mantis begins to sneak forward towards the lift. Lets see if I can get a better look at this heist.
Infiltration (for his sneakiness)
[spoiler]
Infiltration (if needed)
AGI 4 + Infiltration 1 (Urban) +2 = 7 (Plus any bonus via stealth suit)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109096/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109096/) 1 hit
[/spoiler]
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As you advance towards the back of the warehouse, the lift nears the top of the shaft. Your ultrasound goggles reveal a perfectly spherical area of nothing, centred over the lift. Literally no sound is going into or out of that area, and the sphere creates a beautiful outline against the reflections off the buildings and debris of the landing area.
However, you are so distracted by your target that you don't see the glass bottle by your right foot as you take cover behind the corner of a building. You catch it and send it rolling into the barriers by the side of the river with a clang!
[spoiler] Thief's perception roll: perception 4, int 3, image enhance 3, audio enhance 3, active search 3, -4 suit. (12d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109778/) You've been spotted!!!
spellcasting, F4 (12d6.hitsopen(5,6)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109781/) Please make a spell resistance test using willpower only and roll for initiative!!![/spoiler]
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Mantis can't believe he just kicked the can on this one. Mantis gets ready to fight by putting his hand in to two mantis claws. Bring it.
[spoiler]
Willpower 5 (Don't I get counter spelling since it is auto for the owner of the skill)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109904/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109904/) 1 hit
Initiative 5 (2 passes)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109912/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109912/) 0 hits (Glitched)
[/spoiler]
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The whole world seems to rapidly change colour and come into and out of focus, noises become incredibly loud or very very quiet. Your balance is completely off, and weird tastes and smells bombard you
[spoiler]Mate that is a critical glitch lol, loads of ones and no hits.. you auto-go last in each pass and lose any extra actions.
The spell has gone off with 3 net hits, so all of your actions suffer a -3 modifier
You were surprised by the enemy, you didnt know to expect it, but you can add counterspelling now as you know you've been rumbled and being hit by spells[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Mysterious Mage goes first:
Free action, run
Complex action; cast spell
F4 spell (12d6.hitsopen(5,6)=4)
drain resist:
[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109955/]Drain resist (5) (12d6.hitsopen(5,6)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109952/) he takes 2 stun damage.[/url]
Resist Physical spell, so Body and Counterspelling at -3 please[/spoiler]
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Mantis shakes his head This is turning into a bad day, I hope what ever spell he has on himself is slowing him down some or this is going to get ugly fast. Mantis does his best to shake off the effects of the spell to no avail. The only good news if he is using a focus for his spells I can hit pay dirt on this one.
[spoiler]
Body 4 + counterspelling 1 (+2 combat) + magic 3 = 9 - 3 = 6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109994/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4109994/) 2 hits
[/spoiler]
[spoiler]
EDIT I was wondering do I get to roll agility or reaction to try and dodge the attack if it is a physical spell?
[/spoiler]
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Through the haze of the light and dark, your senses being battered by the magic; you see an image of a young elf sprinting away from the area and down an alley...
[spoiler]Nope, most of them just target in LOS. its partly why people say mages are a bit OP. it makes counterspelling very very useful and is one of the main reasons for having a mage on your team[/spoiler]
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After having two spells wash over Mantis he can't help but feel like crawling under a rock and lick his wounds but that is not what he is getting payed for. "I was going to go hand to hand against him but since he is running and I can now see him I hope those spells back-lashed enough to help my casting out." With his thoughts running he grabs the mana around him and forms a stun bolt. This is the time to make my spell hurt. Once the spell is cast Mantis feeling he doesn't have the intel he needs yet takes chase on foot after the mage.
[spoiler]
Not sure I've heard that the drain stun vs physical is based on your total magic rating not 100% sure of that but I did read it on this site some where.
Also if I have more minues then I put into the roll I suggest we go with the standard that the last dice in the roll are dropped that is what I've always done on other PBP's
Cast
Stun Bolt F5
Spellcasting (combat) 5 (7) + Magic 3 = 10 - 3 damage = 7
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4110223/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4110223/) 1 hit but the last dice so I might fail on the casting
Drain 5/2 -1 = 1
Willpower 5 + Logic 7 + Daedrenline 1 = 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4110227/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4110227/) 4 hits no drain.
[/spoiler]
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You successfully cast the bolt and you feel its energy tear through the air ahead of you, the young elf is just about out of your line of sight by the time you finish weaving the spell, but the bolt shoots straight through the elf, like he was never there...
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Oh great an illusion. Now I guess it is back to blind fighting from both of us. Mantis stops running after the fake elf and heads back to the warehouse where he does his best to get into blind hand to hand combat with the thief. I'm hoping my suit helps to hide me to some degree since he is hiding behind a similar effect.
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By the time you finish your pursuit, your head is beginning to clear and you feel your senses start to return to normal.
Frustrated by the smoke and mirrors, you double back to the mage's last known position and engage your ultrasound, desperately searching for an outline or anything.
Your search turns up empty however, whoever it was is now long gone.
[Audio perception please!]
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Drake the spell worm might have gotten the better of me I best try my ears to locate this bandit since my eyes are of no use. Mantis turns on his audio sensors in hopes to find the hiding mage. IF this doesn't work I best make a move to those vehicles I saw earlier they might lead me to the bandit.
[spoiler]
Perception 1 + INT 2 + Audio Enhancement 3 = 6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111089/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111089/) 1hit 3 zeros glitch Drake Drake bloody Drake hell
[/spoiler]
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Dialling up the audio enhancement, you pick up a huge burst of static just as you thought you'd heard something from the compound. Or was it across the street? It's hard to tell, and predictably, no further noise can be heard that would help you pinpoint the source.
[spoiler]friendly gm tip: given how close we are to the end of chapter 1, don't be afraid to use edge. it'll refresh between chapters.[/spoiler]
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Not wanting to run after another fake elf Mantis takes a split second to call up his select sound filter and his audio enhancement to give the listening a second shot. This fake elf is going to cost me 1,000 nuyen.
[spoiler]
Perception 1 + INT 2 + Audio Enhancement 3 = 6 (With select sound filter to get ride of background noise)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111112/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111112/) 2 hits
[/spoiler]
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You hear the starter motor of an engine starting up, somewhere to your left, probably in that compound..
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Mantis starts to make his way back to the compound. I hope my bad luck hasn't draked this stake out already, best try for a little back up. As Mantis makes his way to the sound at the compound he decides to get a bit of spirit help on this one maybe the spirit's eyes can see this ghost like mage with his astral sight something Mantis has not yet learned.
[spoiler]
Summoning Spirit of a Man F3 w/ Stunbolt
Summoning (man) 3 (5) + magic 3 = 8
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111132/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111132/) 3 hits
Resits Force 3
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111133/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111133/) 0 hits
Drain Min 2S
Will 5 + Logic 7 + daredrenaline 1 = 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111134/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111134/) 4 hits no drain
3 services owed.
[/spoiler]
Once the spirit is summoned the first thing that Mantis does is tell his new teammate what to do. Hey Manny I need you to search the area for a mage that is invisible to the naked eye he is either under a spell or is using tech to hide himself once you find him let me know where he is. With the command given to the Man spirit Mantis does his best to locate the bandit himself.
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Within seconds the spirit returns;
"I believe I have found him, an "awakened" is using a transporter and is moving in this direction along the main carriageway. He appears to be highly peturbed"
As the spirit finishes his sentence, you hear the squeal of tortured rubber on tarmac and an engine protesting loudly about the revs it is being asked to give.
The sound is coming from the main road on the other side of the alleys, on the far side of the warehouses.
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Ok I think I'm not as hosed as I thought I was. Mantis runs as fast as he can to his bike and rides over to the last location the awakened was spotted at. Round two fight
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You reach your bike as the blur of a grey van streaks past you, dumping a black cloud of smoke as the driver clumsily changes gear, the engine's screams lessening slightly.
You've not even got the engine running and he's already got a head start...
[spoiler]driving test please, pilot ground vehicles[/spoiler]
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Mantis does his best to make up for the lead the van has. This is just not my day. May be I can get back into the game. Mantis pulls out his bike and makes chase.
[spoiler]
Pilot Ground craft (Bike) 1(3) REA 3 = 6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111414/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4111414/) 1 hit YA no glitches it's about time.
[/spoiler]
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Seeing how this is one crazy mage I best keep any edge I have. Mantis keeps himself and his bike invisible until he starts to chase the van onto roads with traffic then he keeps himself invisible for aid against the mages spells and lets his bike appear to be a black bike so not to get hit by traffic.
(OOC look daddy a bike that is piloting it's self, yes son we have auto pilot even on bikes these days)
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Slipping the clutch and gunning the engine, you kick the back end of the bike around with the squeal of burning rubber and an impressive smoke cloud.
You hit the road just in time to see the van take a sharp left on a roundabout about 400yds up the road. There are 3 cars in between you and the junction, and the pedestrian crossing near the junction is turning to an amber light ahead of you..
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Great they are getting away. Best send in the first attack and hope it slows them down. Mantis does his best to try and close the distance, dodging the three cars and any pedestrian. As he does his best to catch up he commands his spirit. Manny stunbolt the driver of the van and then anyone else inside the vehicle. With his command sent Mantis focuses on dodging all the traffic in his way. Not wanting to be sideswipped he makes sure his bike can be seen as a black race bike.
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"I will attempt your command"
[spoiler]Pilot ground vehicles [3] test please!
Roll for initiative!!!, roll for manny as well. where is he btw? following you in astral space or back on the riverside?[/spoiler]
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Mantis does his best to keep his bike from running into anything as he tries darting around the 3 cars.
[spoiler]
Piloting Ground Craft (bike) 1(3) + REA 3 = 6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4112565/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4112565/) o hits
USING EDGE re-roll all non hits
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4112567/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4112567/) 2 hits
Initiative 5 (2 passes) + roll
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4112568/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4112568/) 2 hits SO 7 INITIATIVE
Manny's Initative (Fx2) +2 = 8 with 2 passes
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4112569/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4112569/) 2 hits SO 10 INITIATIVE
[/spoiler]
[spoiler]
(OOC the spirit should be fallowing in astral)
[/spoiler]
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You desperately try to close the distance as the van rounds the corner ahead of you.
Pedestrians start to cross the road as you accelerate hard and the car ahead of you brakes harder than you bargained for.
Your bike ploughs down the inside as you duck and weave through the traffic, colliding with the kerb-side passenger door as you misjudge the distance needed.
The noise is horrendous and the glancing hit knocks you off-balance as the wing mirror catches your handle
Crash test please!! (remember modifiers for handling and gyro)
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Oh Drake!!!!!
[spoiler]
I haven't done alot of vehicle rolls so If I get this wrong opps
Pilot Ground Craft (Bikes) 1(3) + reaction 3 + Gyro 2 + handling 1 = 9
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4112620/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4112620/) 4 hits
[/spoiler]
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The wing mirror is lifted off with a smash, flying up and impacting into your right shoulder as your left leg smacks into the metal barrier separating the traffic from the pedestrians near the junction.
The gyroscope strains against the will of the bike, keeping it upright despite two heavy impacts
[spoiler]Resist 5P with BOD and half impact[/spoiler]
Angry horns blare at you and pedestrians scream and dive out of your way as you hurtle through the busy intersection, haring after the van round the left hand bend.
You see the van hard on his brakes up ahead; a bus had decided to pull away from it's stop, temporarily blocking the flow of traffic. It has slowed long enough for you to get a reading on its numberplate: HV63 ZKN.
but the driver obviously spots your damaged bike hurtling up the road towards him [spoiler]perception at -2 for distraction (12d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4112766/)[/spoiler] and blindly pulls out into oncoming traffic and out around the moving bus.
A oncoming car blares its horn, mounts the kerb and impacts into a derelict shop front, you can see the bloodied driver reeling from the impact as you approach at speed. Now the van has another advantage; a slow moving bus blocks your pursuit.
[spoiler]Vehicle test with full modifiers (don't forget any wounds), then state your action: continue pursuit by slicing between bus +traffic or emergency braking test to avoid hitting back of bus[/spoiler]
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Mantis does his best to shake of the effects of almost graveling himself and his bike.
[spoiler]
Armor Imp 10 + Body 4 = 14
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4113807/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4113807/) 4 hits
[/spoiler]
With some pain flowing through Mantis's body he rounds the corner happy to find his target and a bit of intel on the license. Before he has any time to be grateful for his new find the van tears away leaving Mantis with the crazy traffic to deal with. In a split second Mantis decides to stop the car chase he just doen't have the skill of a rigger to keep it up but he does have a few other tricks most riggers don't. So he tries to stop his bike behind the bus but also pulling it to the side in case he can't stop in time.
[spoiler]
Being new at Vehicle test let me know If I do something wrong add dice to the end or take dice off the end if I roll the wrong number
Pilot GC (bike) 1(3) REA 3 + Handling 1 = 7
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4113813/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4113813/) 3 hits
[/spoiler]
Once Mantis is stopped he first uses his last command on his spirit "Manny" Manny I need you to fallow the truck I was chasing continuously reporting back to me where they are until you see them stop and unload cargo from the van, at that time give me another report on the location the cargo was unloaded With a new hopefully safer plan in the works Mantis hopes that the license and a few more bits of intel will be all that Greenwood needs.
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[spoiler]Corrected test: 3 hits corrected damage resistance test (9d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4113924/) take 2 physical boxes
bike resistance (10d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4113937/) bike takes 1 box of damage[/spoiler]
Your left leg takes the worst of the impact against the metal railings and you feel a blinding pain erupt from your thigh, and a dull ache in your right shoulder from the wing mirror.
A quick glance at your leg as you round the corner at speed shows you it's as bad as it feels. A section of your armour has been torn away with a chunk of flesh, you know that after this run you are gonna need some serious patching up, as will your suit.
The pain as you manage the clutch is intense, but immediately forgotten as you slam on the brakes as hard as you can.
The bike twitches and bucks under the heavy braking, the rear wheel decelerating slower than the front. The bike slides sideways; dumping you into the tarmac onto your right leg, ripping yet more ablative panels from your armour and coming to rest in the middle of the road as the bus pulls away. The sky and the road rotate and swap places several times, mocking your sense of up and down. Your whole body screams, especially your arm, and you realise as you lay in the road you're in a pretty fucked up state.
The traffic grinds to a halt around you, dazed pedestrians staring at the scene in disbelief.
In your desperation to catch the thief you drive Manny to complete the chase but he refuses, "the severity of your wounds is too high awakened one, you would not survive. I will stay here and preserve your life. I feel your cause is a noble one, one worth seeing through to the end."
Your arm begins to feel warmer and the sound of sirens is the last thing you remember hearing.
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A rythmic slow *beep* *beep* *beep* punctuates your foggy dream. You are on a foggy hillside, staring down a scope with a sense of unease as the dream lifts and you begin to wake.
Everything is black and your whole body aches.
You struggle to open your eyes, only your right eye lid conforms to your command and you see a blurry version of a pristine white medical room.
A blurry outline of a familiar face is sat at the bottom of the bed.
"Mantis, I've seen you looking better mate. Can you hear me alright? You're pretty fucked up mate, coppers are outside. want you in relation to a multi vehicle accident.
I've had to pay off a few witnesses. they'll back the story that the van driver came out of nowhere, that he hit you and you're as much a victim as anyone else yeah? stick to that and you should be alright, but you fucking owe me one.
He stands and moves closer to you, and your neck is absolute agony trying to orient yourself better to see him, though you can't really make out the face, you know from his voice that its Greenwood.
No not one, more like two and a half. Now what did you get for me on that job??
Chapter 1 Ends for Scawire!!!
-total karma earned 4
-total cash earned 1500
Well done!!!!
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Mantis lays there hazed by the experience, when Greenwood asks what he was able to gather about the bandit. At first Mantis's head was in too much of a hazed and shock to recall anything but before he could drop the bad news on Greenwood's lap a small fact was there the license plate. I wasn't able get an idea on the bandit since he was cloaked in an invisibility spell and a stealth spell, if you head down to the docks you might still luck out and get an astral signature of his spell, or if another robbery happens check for astral signatures that is one area you as a mage should be able to get a lead from. Also the only real pay dirt I got was the license of the van HV63 ZKN After he gives Greenwood the license he does his best to describe the van in order to aid him in finding the bandit. If not too much time has passed since the robbery the best lead will be that the mage had cast a few spells and since he was being chased by Mantis he shouldn't of had time to erase his astral signature. I hope that info can help you start running down leads since I need to take a nap for a few days.