[Teafo]

[spoiler]
Got super lucky here... 2 Int +3 Perception -2 low light=3d6=3hits

I assume that you already factored in the low-light vision of being an elf in this case before my roll. In any case, not sure I really want to reroll... got super lucky here
[/spoiler]

//BabyDoll_101<<Good morning to you too. I really don't think I'll be bringing along an engineer on this one. Thanks for the info though. Seems odd that there is that much IC, makes me wonder if this isn't just a big coverup to get people out of the area so more nefarious actions can go on undisturbed. I am heading into Oakhampton now, so I may lose touch with you. In the meantime, can you see if any corps or families have been buying up land or generally just being overly interested in this area? Might not be able to get your reply till I'm back, but anything to help connect the dots will be helpful. Thanks again, you're the best!>>//

[Csjarrat]

//Sure, can do. It'll be another fee though?//

Through the gloom of the house's generous courtyard and driveway, you can make out a bit of a passageway into a large copse of trees.
An old rotten wooden post marks the spot where an old bridleway sign must have stood.
The path looks like it sees relatively regular use as it has a decent surface and is not too overgrown.

[spoiler]if you're heading up the path and don't want the householders to know, hit me with an infiltration check at -2 for the gravel surface[/spoiler]

[Teafo]

//Heh, yeah, I'll keep the tab open for now//

The wooden post seemed to mark the best trail, but Collin wondered if it could be a trap, so well worn meant it was probably also well recognized. However, not seeing any other way through, he decided it would have to do for now, and began trying to quietly make his way along the gravel drive.

[spoiler]
3 Agi + 3 Infiltration -2 gravel is noisy = 4d6, 1 Hit It would appear he used up his luck on the perception test... ah well, all the more adventure
[/spoiler]

[Csjarrat]

The gravel crunches loudly underfoot as you make your way into the clearing. The dim light briefly grows stronger, as if someone moved the curtains, but soon resumes it's usual dim glow.
The passageway is oppressively dark as you move away from the house.
Even your elven eyes struggle to make out the details, relying more on intuition to guide you down the path and the occasional nettle sting to tell you you've mis-stepped.
As you reach the top of a small hillock, you begin to feel a touch uneasy. Are you actually alone here?
[Audio only perception test please]

[Teafo]

[spoiler]
3 Int + 2 Perception = 5 dice, 3 hits
[/spoiler]

[Csjarrat]

You freeze in your tracks, your breath hovering in small clouds in front of you as you peer into the murky darkness, scrying the trees for an outline, a flash of movement, anything.
After two minutes of nothing, you return to your journey down the dark path with a sense of general unease.

As the pathway crests the hill, the countryside opens up a little and the oppressive blanket of trees above you becomes less dense.
To your left you can see the remainder of the country road you walked up snaking off into the distance.
Further to your front, you can just about make out the outlines of a set of buildings, punctured by one tall church tower.

//AR feed:: Connection to MSP lost//

The pathway opens up further as you begin to descend the hillock, opening out into a field of cattle.
[spoiler]perception test please[/spoiler]

[Teafo]

Feeling that something wasn't quite right about the area, Collin drops to one knee, placing the palm of his hand to the ground and takes a deep breath. He closes his eyes and lets the mana from his body flow into the world, sensing for life around him

[spoiler]
Casting Detect Life
5Magic + 4Spellcasting =9 dice, 5 hits
Resist Drain: 3 Willpower + 3 Charisma = 6 dice, 2 hits; drain value = (force 5 /2 =2.5, round down = 2) All drain resisted
Perception Test
Perception 2 + Intuition 3 = 5 dice, 1 hit
[/spoiler]

[Csjarrat]

Scanning around you as your spell weaves into form, you realise that not all of the cattle ahead of you are alive.
The path behind you however, is awash with life; birds roosting in the trees, insects on the woodland floor and the trees themselves all glow and pulsate with life energy.
In the distance you can just about make out a couple of life forms, approximately of dog size, roughly  200 metres from you, back into the woodland.

[Teafo]

Not wanting to stick around the woods with those two dog sized beings behind him, Collin makes his way across the field to see what kind of damage is done to the cattle.

[Csjarrat]

You don't have to look too hard to pick out that several of these cattle met a grizzly end. Claw marks and bite wounds cover their hides.
As you approach the slain cattle, a series of howls emenate from the woods
[spoiler]ROLL FOR INIATIVE!!!![/spoiler]

[Teafo]

[spoiler]
Initiative 7 +2 hits =9 total
[/spoiler]

[Csjarrat]

[spoiler]rea 6, ini 3 (9d6.hits(5)=4) toal: 13
rea 6, ini 3 (9d6.hits(5)=3) total: 12[/spoiler]

Two dog sized slavering beasts come bounding out of the woods in search of whatever is disturbing their next meal, barking, woofing and howling into the night.
[spoiler]
1)Simple action: run
1)Simple action: observe in detail
1)Free action: communicate

2)free action: move
2)complex action: Paralyzing howl
Resist terror (2) with will + sound dampening rating (if any)[/spoiler]

[Teafo]

[spoiler]
willpower 3 = 2 hits
[/spoiler]

Drek! Collin whirls on the incoming hounds, immediately dropping his sustained spell and pulling his Ares Lightfire and firing at the nearest beast

[spoiler]
Free action: Drop sustained spell
Simple action: Ready weapon
Simple action: Fire weapon Agility 3 + Pistols 2 + Laser Sight 1 = 6 Dice, 2 hits

---> Unsure of range, the action above is listed at short range (0-5 meters for light pistol), I have also rolled at medium range (5-20 meters) at a -1 dice pool and again got [/url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4129320/] 2 hits[/url]
[/spoiler]

[Csjarrat]

The report echoes through the woods, sending a flock of birds scattering into the skies.
Your round rams into the beast, spraying a black coloured ichor out of its powerful haunches
[spoiler]dodge:rea 6 (6d6.hits(5)=1) you get one net hit
its damage resist: damage resist (7d6.hits(5)=2) the 1st beast takes 3 boxes of damage[/spoiler]

The 1st beast begins to slow its charge as the round rams home, letting out a series of whiny yelps at the pain of the round, clearly lodged in its muscle mass.[spoiler]1/2 movement rate for beast 1[/spoiler]
The second beast is rapidly closing the distance to you now. Angered by your defiant stand by it's meal, it looks at you at and releases a terrifying howl from deep within its soul
[spoiler]free action: Move (it is now at short range)
Complex action: Paralyzing howl paralyzing howl (7d6.hitsopen(5,6)=7)
Resist Terror with willpower and audio damper rating (7)[/spoiler]

The 1st beast, clearly struggling to move, begins to retreat to the safety of the woods after developing a distinct limp, dripping ichor as it goes. It had clearly not anticipated a staunch defence from its prey.

Roll for initiative!!!

[spoiler]Combat turn 2:
Beast 2: ini 11 ini (9d6.hits(5)=2)
Beast 1: ini 14 ini (8d6.hits(5)=5)[/url[/spoiler]

[Teafo]

[spoiler]
3 willpower = 3 total, 2 hits Not looking so good going against these draining powers from critters... On a side note, I also just realized that this entire time I've been only using the "hits" and not the "hitsopen" setting on invisible castle... so who knows how many successes I've missed out on Ah well...

As for initiative, I believe I am currently paralyzed for (magic rating of critter) minutes due to reaction drop... Base reaction = 4, my 2 hits drop his 7 to 5 and I am at 0 reaction for a while... hopefully they decide not to eat me
[/spoiler]