Upward from Land's End

[MacConnell]

OOC: For Player 1

"So it is to be four on two, and you like those?" Cormorant shook his head. "Mistake."

He readies his skiff pole to receive the assailants.

OOC: 55, 43

 

[MacConnell]

Antapkos follows suit, holding his skiff pole about the middle, in his right hand and spreading his arms away from his body, as if presenting himself as a target. He fights defensively, offering a target and then taking it away.

"It is you who are mistaken." The girl's voice seems deep for her age, more alto than childish.

The fine hairs on the bodies of the two young men stood on end, and their skin tingled. This girl was a Bender, which was how she managed such sway over the other boys, but her talent must not yet be such as to affect someone at a distance. It had to be by touch. Instinctively, she constantly touched her companions when she made demands. She may not have known this; but even so, she showed no sign of dismay when neither of her chosen enemies seemed affected by whatever she was hoping.

That tingling sensation persisted. It was at that exact moment that both Antapkos and Cormorant realized that they had the talent to manipulate waylines. This talent did not need to be taught. It was instinctive. It was also greatly feared, and those known to manifest such talent were put to death, usually sacrificed to the Burning Sun or the Maelstrom.

The youths separate their boats so that the two Shimadows in one skiff are headed toward Atapkos, and the two Ansylins in the other skiff are headed toward Cormorant. The anticipation is palpable. The muddy environment significantly hinders movement. The lead in each boat leaps out when within two strides of his and her target. The others drop anchor, which is a cord tied to a sun dried brick, then step from the boat into the knee deep muck. This puts one boy on Antapkos and the girl on Cormorant. Each uses a skiff pole as a weapon, swinging overhead.

Spoiler: Reaction

Cormorant: 13(readiness) + 12(speed) + 11(clarity) + 55(d100) = 91
Antapkos: 13 + 14 + 12 + 55 = 94
Girl: 6 + 8 + 10 + 43 = 67
Boy: 10 + 8 + 6 + 43 = 67

Cormorant: 100 - 91 = 9
Antapkos: 100 - 94 = 6
Enemies: 100 - 67 = 33

Spoiler: Physical Assault

Antapkos: 13(finesse) + 14(accuracy) + 12(clarity) + 47(d100) = 86
Cormorant: 15(aggression) + 12(accuracy) + 12(fury) + 47(d100) = 86
Girl: 6 + 8 + 10 + 84 = 108
Boy: 10 + 8 + 6 + 84 = 108

Spoiler: Physical Defense

Boy: 10 + 8 + 6 + 84 = 108, blocked
Girl: 6 + 8 + 10 + 84 = 108, dodged

Antapkos: 13(readiness) + 14(avoidance) + 12(analysis) + 47(d100) = 86
damage: 108 - 86 = 22% * 5 = 1, Mind: 8 - 1 = 7, irritated
Cormorant: 13 + 12 + 10 + 47 = 82
damage: 108 - 82 = 26% = 1, Mind: 8 - 1 = 7, irritated

Spoiler: Mystical Assault

Girl: 9(bending) + 10(muddle) + 84(d100) = 103

Cormorant: 14(conditioning) + 11(clarity) + 47(d100) = 72
damage: 103 - 72 = 31% * 2 = 1, Mind: 7 - 1 = 6, dazed

Though the two young men are wary, the youths are more effective with their first assaults. The blows are not much, but they sting a bit. When the girl dodges the swing from Cormorant, she manages to make bodily contact with him, calling him weak. It seems to have a negative effect on his mind.

The girl drops her pole for a second surprise. She has a carving knife. It is now two to one odds against both young men.

OOC: Each character receives 2 DP. Provide two random rolls with the next post.

 

[MacConnell]

OOC: Posting or Player 1

Cormorant shakes his head to try to clear the effects of the blow and whatever else was done to him. He hopes to thrust his skiff pole into the girl's midsection and knock her backward into the water so that it keeps his two enemies from flanking him.

OOC: 50, 82

 

[MacConnell]

OOC: Posting for Player 2

Antapkos bares his teeth in anger. With the tingling of his skin still present, he suddenly understands that he does not need the skiff pole. In fact, the wooden pole seems to negate his newly discovered sensitivity. He drops it in favor of his own hands. Releasing his ire, he will attempt to backhand his first opponent while generating heat.

OOC: 86, 80

 

[MacConnell]

Cormorant... thrust...

Antapkos... backhand... while generating heat.

Having draw her knife, the girl switches her mystical talent to generating heat. The three boys stick with the use of their skiff poles as a weapon.

Spoiler: Speed

Cormorant: 9 + 50(pole) + 20(dazed) = 79
Antapkos: 6 + 100(bending) + 10(irritated) = 116
Girl: 33 + 100(bending) = 133
B1, 2, 3: 33 + 100(pole) = 133

Spoiler: Physical Assault

Antapkos: 13(finesse) + 14(accuracy) + 12(clarity) + 86(d100) = 125
Cormorant: 15(aggression) + 12(accuracy) + 12(fury) + 50(d100) = 89
Girl: 6 + 8 + 10 + 63 = 87
B1: 10 + 8 + 6 + 63 = 87
B2, 3: 87 + 100 = 187

Spoiler: Physical Defense

Antapkos: 13(readiness) + 14(avoidance) + 12(analysis) + 80(d100) = 119
dodged, Mind: 8 - 1 = 7 + 1 = 8, recovered
damage: 187 - 119 - 14(kilter) = 54% * 5 = 3, Mind: 8 - 3 = 5, dazed

Cormorant: 13 + 12 + 10 + 82 = 117
blocked, Mind: 6 + 1 = 7, irritated
damage: 187 - 117 - 12(kilter) = 58% * 5 = 3, Mind: 7 - 3 = 4, dazed

Girl: 6 + 8 + 10 + 76 = 100, dodged
B2: 10 + 8 + 6 + 76 = 100
damage: 125 - 100 = 25% * 2 = ~1, Mind: 6 - 1 = 5, irritated

Spoiler: Mystical Assault

Girl: 9(bending) + 10(heat) + 63(d100) = 82
Antapkos: 18 + 10(heat) + 86 = 114

Cormorant: 14(conditioning) + 12(fury) + 82(d100) = 108, resisted
B2: 10 + 6 + 63 = 79
damage: 114 - 79 = 35% * 2 = 1, Body: 6 - 1 = 5, irritated

Some concern may be entering the minds of the two older youths at this point. The younger children seem to be gaining an upper hand, especially now that they are double teaming. The backhand from Antapkos seems to cause more harm than expected and Cormorant manages to resist the new mystical assault, but this confrontation continues.

OOC: Each character receives 2 DP. Provide 2 random rolls with next post.

 

[MacConnell]

OOC: Posting for Player 1

Cormorant does not want to admit to himself that the situation has become imminently dangerous, but he knows it. He aims for the girl's arm, hoping to dislodge her weapon. He has no choice but to focus on one opponent at a time, and she is the bigger threat.

OOC: 95 + 54, 75

 

[MacConnell]

OOC: Posting for Player 2

Antapkos becomes more attuned to the ebb and flow of life with each passing instant. He senses the waylines that pass between and through everything. As he moves to strike again, he draws a pulse of air with his movement to, hopefully, push back one of his opponents as he makes contact.

OOC: 62, 91

 

[MacConnell]

Cormorant... aims for the girl's arm...

OOC: 95 + 54, 75

Antapkos... moves to strike... push...

OOC: 62, 91

The girl moves well for a younger child. She is obviously comfortable with the knife and its purpose. The boys all appear less sure of themselves but confident, nonetheless.

Spoiler: Speed

Cormorant: 79 + 50(pole) + 30(dazed) = 159
Antapkos: 116 + 100(bending) + 30(dazed) = 246
Girl: 133 + 100(bending) = 233
B1, 3: 133 + 50(pole) = 183
B2: 133 + 50(pole) + 20(irritated) = 203

Spoiler: Physical Assault

Antapkos: 13(finesse) + 14(accuracy) + 12(clarity) + 62(d100) = 101
Cormorant: 15(aggression) + 12(accuracy) + 12(fury) + 89(d100) = 128
Girl: 6 + 8 + 10 + 66 = 90
B2: 10 + 8 + 6 + 66 = 90
B1, 3: 90 + 100 = 190

Spoiler: Physical Defense

Antapkos: 13(readiness) + 14(avoidance) + 12(analysis) + 62(d100) = 101
damage: 190 - 101 -14(kilter) = 75% * 5 = 4, Mind: 8 - 3 = 5 + 1 - 4 = 2, dazed

Cormorant: 13 + 12 + 10 + 89 = 124
damage: 190 - 124 - 12(kilter) = 58% * 5 = 3, Mind: 8 - 1 = 7 - 3 = 4 + 1 - 3 = 2, dazed

Girl: 6 + 8 + 10 + 66 = 90
damage: 128 - 90 = 38% * 5 = 2, Mind: 6 - 2 = 4, dazed, disarmed

B2: 10 + 8 + 6 + 66 = 90
damage: 101 - 90 = 11% * 2 = ~1, Mind: 6 - 1 = 5 + 1 - 1 = 5, irritated

Spoiler: Mystical Assault

Girl: 9(bending) + 10(heat) + 73(d100) = 92
Antapkos: 18 + 10(push) + 91 = 119

Cormorant: 14(conditioning) + 12(fury) + 75(d100) = 101, resisted
B2: 10 + 6 + 73 = 89
damage: 119 - 89 = 30% * 6 = 2, Body: 6 - 1 = 5. Mind: 5 - 2 = 3, dazed

With a very slight change in results, the tables may have turned. Though both boys are struck and become more dazed, Cormorant manages to disarm the girl, while Antapkos knocks one boy backward 3 strides into the water. The aggressive children show no indication of quitting.

OOC: Each character receives 2 DP. Provide 2 random rolls with the next post.

 

[MacConnell]

OOC: Posting or Player 1

More than irritated about being in a fight with preadolescents, Cormorant drops his staff and launches himself, bodily, at the other Ansylin boy. His idea is to tackle him and carry them both out into the water.

OOC: 74, 60

 

[MacConnell]

OOC: Posting for Player 2

Having discovered an effective tactic, Antapkos intends to use the same strategy against his other opponent, hoping to clear the space so that he can move toward his friend.

OOC: 88, 52