The Ninth World Turns Recap #005  -  Towards The Barracks

Campaign Day 001

XP: Everyone has 1 xp from discovering the machine

Turn 5 Recap

Narrative 1:

The five of you approach the barracks door. The barracks here appears to be three or four stories tall. To your right, an adjacent two story building runs between the barracks and the Compound. The Compound itself appears to be about three stories tall and “L” shaped, forming the corner of the courtyard.

The buildings are a mix of styles. The Barracks ahead of you appears to have been slapped together haphazardly. The first two floors appear to be a single large cube of some sort of dark green-blue metal. The wooden door appears to have been framed out around a circular hole in the metal, with barred narrow vertical slots to either side of the door.

As you all enter, you see a staircase to your immediate left running straight up to a second floor landing. Rebels and Guards are fighting a pitched battle on the stairs, neither side making much progress. There are two other hallways in the room, one is in the back left corner and one is to your right.

Fannar Bryn enters the room and immediately assesses the situation. He orders some of the rebels in the back of the fray to make use of the bows and crossbows kept for the defense of the barracks. The three that have followed him across from the warehouse enter as he is ordering about the other rebels. Fannar looks to you three and then scans the room again, furrowing his brow and thinking about how to adjust his strategy. His gaze lingers on Daks and Breona. He strikes a combat stance for a moment as a guard comes running in from the hallway to the right, from the direction of the compound. Daks and a rebel quickly finish off the guard.

Fannar Bryn shouts “Well fought! I haven’t had the honor to meet you but these are my men you are fighting with, I am Fannar Bryn and you have all been given the good fortune to make history with us today, the day that Tarvesh put an end to the merchant tyrants of Aian.” Fannar sees Breona in the room, glowing beneath her hood and looking his way. He locks eyes with her and continues, “Welcome to the cause both of you, you will be well rewarded for your efforts this day! Even if you haven’t made your mind up about our cause, you’ve all been marked by the machine. Now, the safest way for you to end this day is with our victory. Should we lose today, I fear that no amount of explanation about innocence will work for the city guards. We are sorry to put you all in this situation, but there it is. Should the day be ours, you will share in the glory and bounty of victory. Should the day be lost, they will never be able to say that we went out without a fight!”

He paused, looking around once more, “Now, all of you. My forces are making progress here, but we don’t have enough men to push all three fronts. You five…” <Azuretta growls and extends her neck towards Bryn, eyes browed> Bryn, surprised, clears his throat and smiles, continuing “You six, clear a path towards the compound to the right! We will push along the upstairs path above you. We will meet in the compound and, together, flush Mintz out of his lair once and for all. Today is the day that we give Aian back to the people!”

Action Round 1:

Breona

There's a young man leaning against the wall now, armed with a crossbow much like Breona is herself. He appeared to be lean, sporting the ghost of a beard, and looked pretty much as out of place as she feels. At his words, Breona had to chuckle. "I don't know, I'm new to rebellions too. Not really sure what I am doing here." It put her at ease somewhat, and she flickered the ghost of a smile at Jay Zin.

Then another man joined them, looking a touch older, introducing himself as Daks La'furn. Breona cleared her throat and quickly added "Name's Breona Ziven. Looks like it, doesn't it?" She nervously wiped her left hand on her trousers. "You weren't originally with them, were you?" She looked from Daks over to Jay and then back.

Jay Zin

Jay listened to Fannar's speech wondering to himself if he had joined the right side of this cause. Why had Azzuretta chosen this side over the other. Sometimes he wished she could just talk to him plainly.

Not to ... um... show my ignorance but who... or what is tarvesh... and what do you mean "marked by the machine'... and who is Mintz?

Fannar Bryn

“Tarvesh is my lord commander, he is the savior of Milave, the one chosen to end the tyranny of the Merchant Lords, the one who will unite the people against the Pythorean Empire & their aggressions. Mintz is one of those corpulent lords. He has been greedily profiting from the work of others! That ends today. We will ferret him out! Now, let’s move! Time is pressing! We must seize on the advantage of the Glow while we still have it!”

Azzuretta listened to the man who had come in with the other people still trying to block out the whine that came from the man who seemed to have no mind. She did have the awareness to make sure she was included in the numbering of her group. Humans were always so quick to dismiss her from their numbers. And it always annoyed her that she would be in a room and people would compliment Jay Zin on her.. like she was some possession. She wished sometimes she had a more effective way to communicate that.

Basai wasn't shi liked Fannar's flourished way of speaking, it was grand and reaching but shi hadn't seen him actually do much fighting yet. Was he a director sort then? Like Mintz? Ordering but not doing?

When shi spotted Azuretta, her crystals flickered greens again and she moved over to the creature, ”You live!” The diruk had been concerned about such a fragile creature and was pleased to see the Xi-Drake still very well. Shi crouched before the drake and wiggled hir fingers again, looking from the drake to her human companion, ”Your human?”Shi was mild mannered, now, surprisingly gentle.

Breona

Then Fannar Brynn approached them and it was time to quietly contemplate. The man had a certain charisma, unmistakably, a hint of controlled aggression as he tried to assess the situation. Her knuckles were white now, holding on to her crossbow, more so when the new-found 'companion' Daks, if you could call him such yet moved to intercept a guard and took care of him quickly.

When Fannar addressed them with the same kind of conviction that Breona had felt from her friend Heemsoth, she tilted her head to listen closely. Marked by the machine? What could he possibly mean?

When the little xi-drake growled at Fynn, she looked around, to actually contemplate this strange group of newbie-rebels. A rock creature? Two martial-looking young men, another man with metal on one of his hands? A drake and herself. How strange and disconcerting.

She cleared her throat and raised her left hand. "Ahem, sir, if I may ask one favor though? My brother Gerrit is outside, in the tent in the courtyard. He will not join your...our rebellion, but that is his choice. I will, if you can promise me my brother will not be harmed. I am ready to help as much as I can." For all the good that that will do. She's a trained explorer, not a murderous rebel. "Please," she adds belatedly, then looks towards where Bryn has pointed them to clear.

Daks

Daks wiped his blade on the uniform of the Guard he had slain. As Fannar Bryn rallied his men he shouts to Daks and his companions. They were to take the courtyard while Fannar led his troops through the upper floor. Fine by me. Thought Daks, who was ready to prove himself. He looked around at his newly founded party.

The girl, who called herself Breona looked pale, like she might get sick. Meanwhile Jay Zin and The Diruk were talking about the Xi-Drake, and Mechanus did not sound up to any fighting. The whole party looked a bit... Disheveled... Mechanus did offer to cover them with range though, and Breona wasn't backing down. Plus, Daks had seen what the Diruk could do in a fight. At least he knew he could count on them.

Mechanus called for someone to take point and visions of grandeur filled Daks' mind. This is my chance to really prove myself! I'll lead us into battle. Show them the skills that Taruk has taught me! Stepping forward, and doing his best to look impressive, Daks takes his moment. I'll... "I am Basai, and I will take point. Harder to hurt than soft flesh." Take... The lead... Piss... Live and learn. Daks would have to be quicker if he was going to impress anyone. But he did not waste any time, and quickly fell in line behind Basai.

Basai

Basai looked to Daks then, a soft venting of steam equating to a smile, ”Thank-you”

Shi looked over those near and rumbled her agreement, ”I know the way, I'll show you.”

The Diruk stepped forward, oddly muted compared to before, and opened the door before taking point. ”Be careful, Master keeps animals too.” A grating sound like rock on metal emanated from hir as she realized shi'd slipped into old habit – Master was what they'd insisted shi address Mintz by on pain of injury. ”Mintz” Shi murmured, correcting hirself.

Mechanus

Clear the path? As in fight? 

Mechanus was about to voice his refusal but thought better of it. Without intending it, the metal prong in the palm of his right hand shivered with energy. he could fight... if he had to.

He spoke to whatever experienced soldier was going to lead their tag-rag group. "I can offer some ranged support. I can... shoot energy. And quickly added, "If needed that is."

He looked about, "Will someone take point?"

Narrative 2:

The entrance to the hallway to your right appears to have been crudely cut out of the metal cube with intense heat, the color of the metal around the edges is distorted from heat and the frame has an irregular shape. On the other side of the door appears a long hallway of totally different composition from the building you are currently in. The floor is a smooth polished black, the walls are a rougher material, light gray and cold to the touch. The light-producing ceiling appears to resemble a blue sky, with the occasional cloud passing by. About 75ft down the hallway, you can see that the hallway opens into a courtyard. There are a number of door frames along this hallway on the left side, they all appear to have been sealed off.

Breona

Jay Zin wrote:

She should stop being surprised at new situations but that the xi-drake looked to Jay Zin surprised Breona anyhow. "Is...she yours? She looks lovely." And she did. Breona had expected to see wonders in Aian, but had not been prepared, clearly.

Breona fell quiet when the rock creature addressed them. She picked up the name 'Basai' and stored it away, amongst all the other new impressions and names.

She hesitated, ready to blabber that she had little to no experience in situations like these. Do you really want to look like an idiot who doesn't belong here? Instead, Breona spoke up to say "I am Breona. I'll take rear."

Which didn't work out as intended, as Mechanus fell in behind her, so she walked just in front of him. Her left hand briefly touched the wall of the hallway they walked along, as if to test the material. Rough and cold. She wiped her hand off on her trousers again, her right hand lightly holding her crossbow.

As they walked down the hall, Breona tilted her head, listening. Ahead of them, there was a thumping sound. Maybe something kicking against a wall? There were other sounds, of creatures. Probably the animals Basai mentioned. "Did he keep dangerous animals or are they...draft animals maybe?", she asks hurriedly. Maybe they're harmless. Just cattle. Not dangerous exotic beast Mintz might have kept for sport. Surely. Though he looked the type. Just as status object. Didn't like the guy in the first place.

Daks

Daks followed closely behind Basai, eager for more combat. This is incredible! I've never felt so alive! I can't believe this is finally happening. A real adventure has fallen into my lap. They discussed their situation as they ran, and there was talk of monstrous animals in the courtyard. Apparently Mintz was into exotic animal fighting of some sort. Daks strained his ears to listen for any growls or roars, but Daks could hear nothing over the sound of Basai's feet thumping against the metal floor. The Diruk stopped "Something is thumping... making noises. Knocking against the metal." Said the Diruk. Daks had to stop himself from laughing. No $!#@. It's the case of the giant, granite footed noise maker. I think I've solved this one... Daks went from a jog to a run, slipping past Basai, eager to show his courage. Come on! What ever lies ahead I'm sure we can handle it. He shouted, as he makes his way to the end of the hall. <Running Minor Effect - Asset to Initiative>

Azzuretta

Seeing Jay fall towards the back of the group with his crossbow... Azzuretta move up next to the big rock man. She places her head gently under his hand letting him know she is there then takes a step back behind him.

Basai

Basai had never actually been into this portion of the compound – shi'd never had reason to be lead through the Barracks or the animal pens. The hallway of a material shi couldn't identify, it didn't seem to match hir cell's and it certainly wasn't like anything in the warehouse or courtyard. Did the outside look like this or just in the interior? Shi couldn't recall.

Proceeding relatively confidently, Basai was hunched a bit as shi walked, ensuring hir head cleared the ceiling. Had hir crystal crown been in natural condition, shi might scrape the ceiling but the broken stems and rough stumps of crystals cleared well enough.

Mechanus 

Mechanus stayed behind and brought up the rear. At the statue's warning, he flinched, "Animals? What sort of animals?" Immediately, his mind drifted towards the sleek reptile that hunted him all the way to the Cold Desert…

Jay Zin

As the group began to leave Jay Zin was torn about what he should do. Jay Zin took up a spot in the back next to the man that Azzuretta seemed so frazzled and perplexed by. He needed to know whether this man was working for mintz or some alien power. Was he really an enemy in disguise. Was he the kind of threat that The Angulan Knights were supposed to Guard against. He steeled himself... knowing it would be a breach of trust... but it was better done now before he was in a position where he had to rely on the man.

I'm sorry... but I NEED to know...

Jay Zin activated his truth inducer and touched Mechanus with it...

Why doesn't Azzuretta trust you?.. are you pretending to be something that you are not?.. do you intend to harm us all...?

Basai

Basai turned a little, walking sideways to address the strange mechanical man. ”Not sure... it varies.” Shi'd seen creatures selected for fur or feather, for their rarity or ferocity... it really seemed dependent on Mintz's whims rather than sort of business model. Shi wondered if he kept them all or if he swapped them out like toys.

The diruk paused in hir steps a fair distance down the hallway, resting on hand on the wall and cocking hir head at an odd angle. Shi remained motionless for a few heartbeats then murmured, "Something is thumping... making noises. Knocking against the metal." Shi could feel the vibration through the wall.

<Hearing Minor effect> - Basai, crashing ahead of the group through the hallway, heard clinks and the screech of metal rubbing metal. It sounded like cages being opened. A roar momentarily slowed the Diruk, just as a little fleshling came running by. This one, shi thought shi had overheard, called itself Daks.

Turn 6

Daks lead the way into the courtyard, just in time to see two furry serpentine creatures unfurl from metal cages. Each one had slitted eyes locked on Daks. They appeared to be about Six feet in length, with heads that prominently featured sharp ears, a protruding muzzle with whiskers, and a mouthful of sharp fangs bared in preparation for combat.

Behind the beasts stood two heavily armored guards, with shield, spear, and thick armor that clearly saw lots of use while training these beasts.

The sounds of the party coming through the hallway must have triggered the opening of the cages. But the animals had barely made it out of the cage by the time the speed-enhanced group entered the yard.

Combat - Please describe your combat actions. In combat, we will proceed one round per turn. Remember that you may move up to ten feet and take an action, moving more than ten feet counts as an entire action. Also remember that you may prepare actions to be triggered when a condition is met - like a foe comes into range. You may speak in combat, but please keep a sense of time and urgency. I am assuming that each combat round represents about 6 seconds of time.

Map Link

Let me know if I’ve missed an effort here please. I haven’t been tracking this until now.

Cyphers: (all pages #’s refer to Technology Compendium - let me know if you don’t have book and I will add more detail)

For those of you new to Numenera - don’t be scared to use your cyphers! You will always find more cyphers than you can (safely) carry.