(19:15:36)We're still down a Seiler, but hopefully things should be moving soon
(19:29:06)We are no longer down a Seiler. Let the games begin~
(19:29:30)I am clearly a little bit to the left today
(19:29:42)Ya crazy leftist.
(19:32:07)so what's the story on extradition/subpoenaing?
(19:33:14)Beyond the info on Wave, you're going to have to ask more specific questions
(19:33:39)Oh, wait, extradition
(19:33:42)I didn't answer that one
(19:33:48)I know it's a long shot
(19:34:09)sorry had a long busy as hell weekend and considering I was brain friyed by the end of the day from work/med's waring off didn't get much past the fact that the copy of the building plans can't be had from a remote conetion
(19:36:08)Hm. Ok, you people carry on while I quickly do what I should have done before in answering the extradition question.\
(19:36:46)oh, right, Etiquette for the ultrasound emitter:
(19:36:49) Thematrian1 rolled 6 6-sided dice: 3 3 2 3 1 1
(19:37:00)see you in three days
(19:37:03)Not in this… yeah, that
(19:37:17) what's our timeline? (i.e. worth karma-ing?)
(19:38:04)You had a three-week period in which to accomplish the job
(19:38:17)It's been about three of those days
(19:39:26)(I'll confirm exact dates after extradition question is answered, if someone doesn't do it for me)
(19:40:11) (I wasn't sure on the timelining because we had agreed to proceed with the fundraiser and retcon things before it for game convenience)
(19:42:39)(Right. Three days would make it after the fundraiser, IIRC; I could potentially be convinced that you had time to both do the tunnel search and try to find an ultrasound emitter prior to the fundraiser, along with everything else that happened then, if someone would like to argue for that)
(19:43:31)(I would like to argue that the fundraiser was fun and awesome.)
(19:44:38)(Funds were raised)
(19:46:59)Your GM will now find three Shadowrun books that mention extradition (plus more that look less relevant) and feel dumb for not looking there first
(19:47:45)Let's see. We wanted to get Virt and Shoe a tap on the ultrasound detector in the drainage pipe, but we need an emitter for that
(19:47:50)The UCAS has an extradition treaty with Quebec
(19:48:44)And no one else?
(19:49:14)The 13th amendment to the UCAS constitution recognizes the right of corporations to extradite employees found to be in violation of their employment contract
(19:49:19)Subpoena seems workable, but introduces a very serious risk of death for our target.
(19:49:39) ok, new point for for people to prod their contacts on - easier to forge extradition or subpoening?
(19:49:48)the corp itself?
(19:50:27)Hah, the UCAS hasn't crumbled quite that far
(19:50:40)A UCAS contract court
(19:51:09)Salish-Sidhe has an extradition treaty with Seattle, directly
(19:52:02)(NAGNA has a list of amendments to the UCAS constitution, a fact which I had forgotten.)
(19:52:10)And that's all I can find offhand
(19:52:34)So forging an employment contract is out of the question.
(19:52:45)Definitely. Our fraud should be more closely contained
(19:52:55)I'm thinking we need three things:
(19:53:17)(>_> ok I'll say this right now thats going to be ONE TALL order to pull off not to mention alot of hacking of a lot of diffrent systems)
(19:53:19) sex, drugs, rock'n'roll?
(19:53:28)1, documentation for a corporate extradition order
(19:53:42)2, a security vehicle and some rent-a-cops to serve as escort
(19:54:27)3, some way to control communications entering and leaving the prison, so that when they call to confirm the bizarre orders they're getting, we can do so.
(19:54:36)I say we plant a huge bomb in the pipe, then kick in the door after the bomb goes off.
(19:55:34)may I intreject a bit here on a few points?
(19:55:50)1. we only have to get the mask to the kid
(19:56:09)2. we also only have to keep him safe as he go bezerk
(19:56:30)I think if we fine as way to get them two done it well prove to be much easyer
(19:56:58)(Quick, someone arrange to teach him Force 12 Armor! ;-) )
(19:57:01)sure, but we can't blast our way into the building without accurate plans
(19:57:16)it'd be suicide. Turrety, backupy suicide
(19:57:45)We could do a serious Solid Snake thing. My milspec armor has ruthenium, and with some spirits on Concealment duty, I might be able to just sneak it in there.
(19:58:23)thats why I have been holdng off on seeing if the prisons systems can be hacked in any way
(19:58:24)And I still think Clip could at least try to just slip someone some creds and sweet-talk his way to a copy of the plans.
(19:58:26)ruthenium doesn't protect against astral vision, and my spirits can't walk through wards
(20:00:04)who shall I sweet-talk? I'm willing to give it a go, but I don't know where to start
(20:00:50)The lackey working the desk
(20:00:51)I'm just thinking we wold be better off keeping this one as simple as we can. *grins* a good start wold be with a filling clerck
(20:01:08)The guy or gay who barely pulls down enough to cover their Middle lifestyle.
(20:04:11)ok, let's try this. With whom would these plans be filed?
(20:04:43)you have a pick between the Fedrial building and posably City Hall
(20:05:05)the Fedral building has one the City hall all I cold find is a rummer if it haveing a copy
(20:05:32)federal building it is, then
(20:06:16)For City Hall, probably the Department of Inspectional Services or an adjunct thereof. For the Feds, let me double-check
(20:07:45)For the Feds, probably the Internal Resources Department
(20:07:59)A little sub-run to acquire these plans seems indicated. Heath, did you run against the federal building itself?
(20:08:22)no direct conetion so no'
(20:09:24)ouch. Ok. Step zero is to scout a bit, see what their defenses are like. They'll be accustomed to people just walking in, so I think the entry team is me and maybe Virt
(20:09:43)(I'm assuming Fuma has incriminating MAD-detectable cyberware?)
(20:09:46)There is a public server for the federal building, but word on the street is that it's well-isolated.
(20:16:13)The Federal Building contains a Federal Bookstore, so yeah, it's possible to just walk in to at least a small part of the building
(20:16:41)Your GM is now wishing he'd paid better attention back when his mother worked in City Hall
(20:16:51)(To where the security was placed, I mean)
(20:17:04)So we'll start there. I'll PhysMask up, and Shoe can drop me off a few blocks from the building. I'll leave my foci behind, much as I hate to do it.
(20:17:07) Thematrian1 rolled 12 6-sided dice: 1 3 3 4 1 3 2 3 6 2 6 6
(20:17:32)You look physmasked
(20:18:46)(to bad I live in such a small town lol theres vertaly 0 sceurity at the city hall here granted its right next to and conected to the police department/jail
(20:19:14)(Yeah, my town's town hall never locked its windows)
(20:19:50)And let's go with a nice long coat, and hat and sunglasses
(20:20:57)on second thought, let's drop the physical mask. It's not like I'm wanted for anything.
(20:21:27) (and you might have to drop it or fight wards anyways)
(20:21:35)It's a little on the muggy side, but some early morning mist gives you a plausible reason to wear a longcoat in mid-July
(20:21:48)Astral senses down, Masking up, I walk in the front door, what do I see?
(20:22:16)(Yeah, my big fear is that someone will be in a position to look at me physically and through a camera simultaneously)
(20:24:00)You walk into the 72-story Federal Building.
(20:24:25)#All right, Virt, what department am I looking for?#
(20:25:08)On your left, the Federal Bookstore. On your left, a hall with rows of dataterminals connected to the public datastore (also accessible from the Seattle LTG).
(20:25:53)Dead ahead is a directory, and beyond that is a security checkpoint guarding access to a massive, ornate staircase and several banks of elevators.
(20:26:13)#Internal resources department#
(20:26:19)let's browse the directory a bit. Is there a department of records, or...aha
(20:26:27)Let's find the Internal Resources Department
(20:27:13)IRD is listed as being on floors 24-27, with IRD Archives on 28 and 29.
(20:28:24)progress. Are spiders legal?
(20:28:33)I'm wondering if I'd be allowed to take one past the security checkpoint
(20:28:43) (hassling in pm)
(20:28:45)which by the way, who all is there?
(20:28:45)Heh, did they give vehicles Legality Codes?
(20:28:54)At the checkpoint?
(20:32:56)IIRC the Matrix Lobby scene looks a lot like this before anything interesting starts happening. There are some bored-looking guards checking IDs at the employees lines, and some even more bored-looking guards at the guests section. Five in all, plus two more in the area sitting in chairs against the wall
(20:34:44)ok. I'll nod decisively and head for the guest section
(20:38:01)One of the guards motions you through the scanner when you get close
(20:38:18)I'm carrying nothing illegal, immoral, or fattening, so I'll step right through
(20:39:59)The cholesterol alarm goes off
(20:40:03)You walk right on through
(20:40:23)#Shoe, you sending me a friend?#
(20:41:54)Once I'm through security, I'll take a little peek into the astral
(20:42:02)wards, spirits, astrally aware guards?
(20:42:19) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 1 3 1 4 2 1 3 6
(20:42:22) Thematrian1 rolled 1 6-sided die: 2
(20:43:00) #En route. Give it a minute - it's got tiny legs.#
(20:43:29)None of the guards currently visible on duty are astrally active, but there are elementals by the security checkpoints
(20:43:47)I'll assense one
(20:43:51) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 1 6 4 1 6 4 2 5
(20:43:54)One by the employee section, one by guest
(20:44:50)Force 6, Water Elemental, you don't recognize the signature
(20:45:35)Hm. Now the other
(20:45:36) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 4 5 4 3 4 6 5 6
(20:45:40)same signature as the first one?
(20:46:51) Umbrafer rolled 15 6-sided dice: 5 4 3 2 6 3 5 5 5 5 5 3 6 5 6
(20:46:55) Umbrafer rolled 15 6-sided dice: 2 4 4 6 2 6 3 1 5 3 3 1 6 1 2
(20:47:20) Umbrafer rolled 6 6-sided dice: 5 4 1 4 1 6
(20:47:24) Umbrafer rolled 1 6-sided die: 3
(20:49:53)The signature is different, and that one is an Air Elemental.
(20:50:06)fair enough. Astral senses off.
(20:50:18)and I'll take an elevator to floor 28
(20:50:26) #Pick the spider up by the elevators, please.#
(20:50:34) (tie a shoe, perhaps?)
(20:50:45)(By an air duct?)
(20:51:06)(We might need some kind of Special Machinery: Thread Spinner)
(20:51:16)*Scurryscurryscurry*
(20:52:49)::scoop, conceal::
(20:52:56)and up to floor 28
(20:53:06)#Security's very light so far, but I'm sure I've been recorded.#
(20:53:49)Up you go, to floor… uh oh.
(20:54:11)You're looking at the elevator panel, but it's missing some floors.
(20:54:14)A lot of floors.
(20:54:22)Floor 28 is one of those.
(20:54:37)what do I have to work with?
(20:55:22)what's the nearest, either above or below?
(20:56:33)That would be floor 30, the IRS
(20:57:48) anything in ird?
(20:58:16)Nothing. Looks like the I isn't for show.
(20:58:44)Fair enough. When I hit the 30th floor, I look around for a public space with easy access to a window.
(20:59:45)An automated message directs you to take a number. There's a waiting area which, in a rare concession to the comfort of those within, has an outside-facing window
(21:00:07)Excellent. Are there many people around?
(21:01:15)#No direct elevator access to floors 28 or 29, but I do have an exterior window on 30#
(21:01:32)Once I've scanned the area a bit, I'll go hunting for the bathroom.
(21:01:32)(A bank of them, actually) There are a few people. There's a secretary behind some armored glass jacked into a terminal; only her posture indicates that she isn't in RAS override.
(21:01:41)There are also some very unhappy-looking people in the waiting area proper.
(21:02:24)A sign directs you to a patron bathroom just off the waiting area.
(21:03:06)Delightful. I'll graba stall, and look for security cameras
(21:03:08) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 1 3 5 6 1 4 6 3
(21:03:11) Thematrian1 rolled 2 6-sided dice: 3 3
(21:03:13)The hallway to it is also exterior, with windows, though it isn't fully isolated from the waiting area.
(21:03:46)If there are any, they're well-hidden (which makes sense, people tend to be uppity about being watched in this sort of place, even by the IRS)
(21:04:26)yeah, but this is SR. Anyway.
(21:04:46)Let's see. There's probably some kind of ventilation shaft or something here?
(21:05:59)(I'm not saying there aren't any cameras, but even in SR, they'd be hidden well enough that even one in a number of people wouldn't spot them, for trouble avoidance :-) )
(21:06:04)There is ventilation
(21:06:14)Another thing to be thankful for
(21:07:29)indeed. Ok. Trid Phantasm, Force 6
(21:07:39) Thematrian1 rolled 12 6-sided dice: 4 2 4 4 6 6 1 5 5 3 6 1
(21:07:49)8 successes. Drain
(21:07:52) Thematrian1 rolled 15 6-sided dice: 6 2 5 3 6 3 3 6 6 3 2 6 3 3 6
(21:07:55) Thematrian1 rolled 1 6-sided die: 6
(21:08:09)That's an awful lot of sixes
(21:08:27)yeah, and I needed 4s
(21:08:30)but only 6 of them
(21:08:37)Anyway, there are phantasmal trids about the place
(21:08:51)the trid is of me, sitting on the toilet, looking uncomfortable
(21:09:39)#Now Shoe, can this spider manage to get down the ventilation shaft to 29? Or more to the point, back up again?#
(21:14:16)after I've introduced a spider to the vent, or not, depending on Shoe's wishes, I'll groan some more, drop the Phantasm, lie on the floor, moan, and astrally project
(21:14:44) everguard4 rolled 2 6-sided dice: 1 3
(21:14:52) (sorry, demoing something to little sister)
(21:15:21)Clip is hardly the first person to lie passed-out on the floor of the IRS guest bathroom
(21:16:18)Now, first big question: is there a ward on the floor?
(21:19:03) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 4 6 5 3 2 3 1 6
(21:20:36)(I figured, I'm just waiting on the sixes
(21:20:42) Thematrian1 rolled 2 6-sided dice: 2 6
(21:20:46) Thematrian1 rolled 1 6-sided die: 4
(21:20:49)didn't figure to need them
(21:21:54)There is in fact a ward here. It's a tricky one, too; Magic Background or a Ward-related knowledge skill for details, but the short version is that it looks to be an alarm ward.
(21:22:23)sheesh. Magic Background:
(21:22:29) Thematrian1 rolled 6 6-sided dice: 2 4 4 1 4 2
(21:22:29) Thematrian1 rolled 1 6-sided die: 3
(21:22:39)(I always forget about that)
(21:23:27)(MitS p89. Short version is they give up blocking stuff in exchange for being tough to see, and alert the ward's creator when an unauthorized entity passes through.)
(21:24:01)hm. Thoughts, guys, while I decide whether I can Mask my way past this?
(21:24:14)Right now, it seems like the best plan is to install Virt on the 30th floor someplace and try to get the plans that way
(21:24:15)The spider spiders?
(21:31:45)Assense the ward
(21:31:47) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 6 3 4 1 6 6 1 4
(21:32:46)Force is 6, several signatures on it, one being the same as the conjurer of the Air Elemental downstairs.
(21:33:02)several signatures? Interesting; I didn't know that was possible
(21:33:09)Yeah, no, groups can make wards.
(21:35:43)rats, ok, no astral spying for me
(21:35:51)I'll return to my body, groan some more, and stand
(21:36:20)Clip may have just staged the fastest recovery ever made by someone in the IRS Waiting Area.
(21:36:30)'staged' being the operative word
(21:36:50)ok, next step is to find the stairs, if any
(21:38:35)As it happens, they're just past the bathrooms. There's an "EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY—ALARM WILL SOUND" sign and a keypad on the door.
(21:38:44)Well, plus a panic bar
(21:38:56)heh. Of course there is.
(21:39:25)thoughts, gentlemen? I feel as though I've exhausted all the obvious avenues of inquiry
(21:40:29)(Where's Glitch when you need him?)
(21:40:41)(Did anyone pick up Electronics?)
(21:41:13)#Based on what we've seen so far, I see two possibilities.#
(21:41:19) (what do you need?)
(21:41:28)(^_^ now what kind of decker would I be if I didn't have it?)
(21:41:35)#Virtualis features heavily in both of them.#
(21:41:37)(I have Demolitions, that can substitute in some cases.)
(21:41:53)(If you're willing to make a loud noise, you might as well just use the panic bar)
(21:42:12)#Option one, we find a disused corner of this place with a matrix link, and just turn Virt loose, let him do his thing.#
(21:42:38)#This would be after dark; I have a few ideas about how to infiltrate.#
(21:43:50)#Option 2, we go in physically. Bypass the alarm on the stairs, break into floors 28-29, and investigate by hand.#
(21:45:14) (asking about Electronics for the in-person infiltration? Or trying to talk Clip through the procedure over radio? That seems awful)
(21:45:35)(We'd do it in person, tonight)
(21:46:09) (I vote to send Virt in, since his skill might be higher than mine, and needs to get in physically anyways)
(21:46:14) (though I'm open to being overruled)
(21:46:50)( that's depatable on the skill lvl
(21:46:53)(That makes sense to me. V, what say you?)
(21:47:25)(well ether way I would be going in anyway so might as well be me)
(21:48:32)#Now, breaking into this place after visiting hours is probably really hard.#
(21:48:44)#So let's not.#
(21:50:11)#Instead, I'll bring V in now. We'll relax under the cover of a illusion until closing time, then we can hack the door or steal their data or whatever we need to do.#
(21:50:52)#The one hole there is astral security; their spirits can still spot us.#
(21:50:53)(Hack the data, steel their door!)
(21:52:56)#I don't have a good plan concerning that. I'll conjure a spirit to help, but there's always a risk.#
(21:53:17)#there is risk to any job taken#
(21:53:50)Back in meatspace, Clip groans and turns to the bathroom once again
(21:54:07) Thematrian1 rolled 12 6-sided dice: 3 5 4 4 2 6 5 1 1 2 5 5
(21:54:13) Thematrian1 rolled 15 6-sided dice: 6 5 5 2 3 6 1 2 3 4 3 2 3 4 6
(21:54:27)7 successes, no drain
(21:54:35)Clip sits miserably on the toilet
(21:55:42)and under cover of illusion, retrieves a spider?
(21:57:49)I believe so; there were indications that it was heading back
(21:58:14) (twas - if nothing else happens, I assume it reaches Clip safely)
(21:58:53)ok, I'll gather it back up
(21:59:11)Do you guys think it'd be less suspicious to leave and then return with Virtualis, or have him come in alone?
(21:59:55)^_- naaaa nothing suspicious about a 9 year old elf just showing up to a goverment building alone
(22:00:32)haha, a cogent point
(22:00:39)Ok, I'll pull out
(22:01:15)Could always have Fuma bring him by.
(22:01:33)he'd still have to go in alone, right?
(22:01:34)I'm just sitting here watching Jeopardy, hh.
(22:02:11)*hopefully this will give me something to do, sigh*
(22:02:13)But yes, Fuma might raise some eyebrows at the security checkpoint
(22:02:22)You could scale the outside of the building
(22:04:11)Actually, could you take a crack at getting us an ultrasound emitter?
(22:04:19)your etiquette isn't much behind mine
(22:04:24)and your luck could scarcely be worse
(22:06:05) circlmastr rolled 10 6-sided dice: 4 6 5 5 2 4 3 6 5 2
(22:06:10) circlmastr rolled 2 6-sided dice: 5 6
(22:06:14) circlmastr rolled 1 6-sided die: 2
(22:06:26)I think you have an emitter/detector. What was the TN?
(22:06:29)zuh? 10 dice? Strike that, your Etiquette is far superior to mine, TN mods or no
(22:06:47)Tailored Pheremones FTW
(22:07:01)Good Reputation?
(22:07:28)What did we agree on, 6?
(22:07:42)That sounds right, but I was pretty tired at the time
(22:09:01) I think we threw 6 out as doable and beginning to be useful
(22:09:04)Rating*2, and I think you were going for 9s so Rating 6 would make sense
(22:09:26) sweet - go Fuma.
(22:09:28)Rating*2? Ah, that'd be it then. But it looks like Fuma hit it
(22:09:34)Well I got 2 successes for a rating 5 one, or one success for a rating 7 one.
(22:10:07) in fairness, I think we should have explictly declared what we were shooting for, then rolled... though I wouldn't object to a higher rating one. =)
(22:10:14)But you got a rating 6 one. It'll be ready for pickup in 72 hours.
(22:10:31)If you want another at a higher rating, you can roll again :-)
(22:10:41)awesome. Now we need somebody to crawl through that drainage pipe and plant a tap
(22:10:58)we'll need to take some precautions against non-ultrasound detection as well
(22:11:06)Now I know why Fuma didn't take Electronics.
(22:11:21)So he wouldn't have to do this
(22:11:37)I still need to raise my Negotiations and Heavy Weapons before I add more skills.
(22:11:50)Meanwhile, I've exfiltrated back to the van. We'll give it a few hours, then I'll head back with Virtualis.
(22:12:32)ok but anyway I need to jet :3 befor the LS send's some one after me hehehe
(22:13:40):3~ time flyes when one is haveing fun
(22:13:57)what's that, the Zoidberg smilie?
(22:14:15)take care you lot
(22:14:49) do people want me to try hitting the tunnels? or wait conclusively for the result of building infiltration?
(22:15:12)hitting the tunnels works for me, I just wonder how we're going to shield you from whatever non-ultrasound detectors are set up
(22:15:54) it would be semi-speculative action on the wave, pending the results of Virt + Clip's intrusion
(22:17:50)not all that speculative; regardless of what happens, we want a hard link into the prison
(22:18:05)I mean, it might be merely useful instead of utterly critical to our survival
(22:18:18)but we'd still want it
(22:21:11)There is a man with a vision.
(22:21:41)Or maybe a quest for it.
(22:22:58)This man is in the mysterious future
(22:23:04)Some days from now.
(22:23:24)C'mon, how likely is it that I'll suffer serious injury infiltrating the federal building?
(22:23:41)In context, one can also be "some"
(22:24:25)Also, there are FBI and CIA offices
(22:25:00)all right. Settled in my lodge, surrogate daughter on my lap. It's go time.
(22:25:04)You might want to avoid floors 50-56 and 62-68
(22:27:06)Ok. Wards up, door locked, detaching myself from the physical world...now.
(22:27:18)to learn about this scary, scary mask
(22:27:42)(Did you ever consider just trying it on and seeing what it did?)
(22:28:06)(I did, Clip didn't.)
(22:28:31)(It's not bonded to me, so probably nothing would happen, but if it did, well, it'd be bad for me or bad for everyone near me.)
(22:29:17)Ok, step 0. Select a metaplane.
(22:30:45)doh, I had no idea I had a choice in that
(22:31:25)I'd go for the Plane of Unambiguously Answered Questions Where Double Entendres Are Unheard Of
(22:31:58)I think I'd like to get my totem's insight on this. Let's visit the Metaplane of Sun.
(22:32:04)Light to banish darkness, yes, that seems right.
(22:32:48)Sun-bleached skull etc.
(22:32:48)(Typical Shamanic choices include Man, Waters, Sky, and Land, but you may attempt to reach the Metaplane of Sun)
(22:33:19)that only makes it better. The skull's been the grip of my guide for a long time
(22:34:31)Step 1: project to the Metaplane of Sun
(22:34:59)I go! If I can take Natalie with me, I do.
(22:35:11)Does she have Astral Gateway or is she an initiate?
(22:35:40)being my ally spirit isn't good enough?
(22:36:17)I don't believe so
(22:36:48)"Goodbye Natalie. Be good, and always remember to give the gangers anesthetic before you dig out the bullets. I'll be back in a little while."
(22:37:39)And off I go, into the Sun.
(22:38:23)You're hanging in a void. Sunless, lightless, without sound or scent; even the sensations of your body have vanished.
(22:39:18)A sound breaks into your consciousness.
(22:39:34)A ringing sound, like a crystal bell
(22:39:38)It's joined by another
(22:39:45)out of habit, I try to look around
(22:40:44)You make a valiant attempt. It's not even clear what it means to "look around" in this place.
(22:41:24)Now light and colour appears. First two, then three, then seven iridescent spheres appear in the void before you
(22:42:15)Then they are legion, filling your perception, your very mind. The ringing expands into a cacophony
(22:42:29)Every tone imaginable is present, and some that aren't.
(22:42:54)Beneath it, a whisper grows.
(22:44:04)It whispers of you. Of your past. Most maddeningly, it whispers of /Natalie/.
(22:44:41)Roll Willpower.
(22:44:46) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 3 2 4 3 1 6 5 2
(22:44:53)Teeth gritted: "No! It was the only way!"
(22:45:04) Thematrian1 rolled 1 6-sided die: 3
(22:46:28)The whispers cease and the chimes return, together with a deranged laughter.
(22:46:58)The laughter builds
(22:47:43)It builds on and on; your very mind begins to split and fracture
(22:48:39)Finally, blackness envelops you.
(22:49:14)You awaken on the floor of your lodge.
(22:49:42)The sky above is a dark, angry grey.
(22:49:56)"That didn't - wait."
(22:50:40)I stand, and leave the lodge.
(22:51:37)You walk into the doorway and run smack into something. An invisible wall.
(22:51:56)I rub my temples. "Right. Yes. Of course."
(22:52:32)I'll walk back, and look up at the sky; anything interesting up there?
(22:52:41) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 1 5 4 2 2 2 3 2
(22:53:12)The clouds are low, and moving fast. There's no rain.
(22:55:47)The air is heavy. The peaceful feeling normally associated with your lodge is totally absent.
(22:56:26)"Well? What do you want?"
(22:56:39)(spoken to empty air)
(22:57:29)Your words die in the air, unable to break the oppressive stillness.
(22:57:40)"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?"
(22:58:30)Silence. What's outside of your Lodge via its exits?
(22:59:18)The only exits are the one door and the skylight.
(22:59:31)Skylight goes to the roof, not that it opens.
(22:59:45)And where does the door lead?
(22:59:55)Door to a hallway in the top floor of the clinic, my living space, such as it is
(23:00:10)The doorway hangs open. Give me perception again.
(23:00:24) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 5 3 2 6 6 5 1 2
(23:00:27) Thematrian1 rolled 2 6-sided dice: 4 3
(23:02:19)The space beyond the door seems brighter; in fact, now that you look, the far end of the hallway is so bright you can't even see it clearly, though it somehow neither hurts your eyes nor illuminates the lodge.
(23:02:38)for a shaman of the sun, that's an easy choice
(23:02:47)I go into the light
(23:03:14)You once again run smack into the invisible wall.
(23:05:22)I lean against it, thinking
(23:05:44)It supports your leaning admirably.
(23:05:45)I'll try the walls. IRL they're probably pretty low quality. Here, who knows?
(23:07:01)the wall IRL is probably cheap enough to kick through.
(23:07:05)So I'll give that a try
(23:07:24)doesn't make metaphor sense, but I still have some Natalie related rage to work off ;-)
(23:07:31)Good times; give me Strength.
(23:07:40) Thematrian1 rolled 1 6-sided die: 2
(23:08:29)You give a weak kick, but not much happens; you could kick again, or maybe there's something heavy in your lodge?
(23:08:39)Not too heavy, what with your Strength 1
(23:08:46)But heavy enough to swing at the wall
(23:08:50)Probably not; picking up heavy things isn't really Clip's thing.
(23:09:25)Up to 5 kilos, or up to 9.[finite string of 9s] with difficulty but without penalty!
(23:10:38)"Tough situation, huh?"
(23:11:47)(Flying Shatner Kick?)
(23:13:07)"All right, enough of this."
(23:13:16)"Reality or not, this place has the form of my home."
(23:13:31)"And in my home, the doorways know enough to LET ME THROUGH!"
(23:13:42)And I'll take another shot at the doorway
(23:13:43)(It's a kind of knowledge!)
(23:13:59)Roll Willpower.
(23:14:04) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 1 4 2 2 4 1 1 3
(23:14:16)how many successes is that?
(23:14:33)You fail to convince yourself. This may be a good thing, as the impact consequently hurts a good deal less.
(23:14:43)(That was zero)
(23:14:44)hold on, I may wish to karma
(23:14:48)yeah, let's go with that
(23:14:51) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 2 4 5 5 2 3 2 4
(23:15:09)The impact hurts more.
(23:15:19)(There's a reason I tried to barrel ahead on that one)
(23:15:56)"Not my home, then. Fine."
(23:16:13)As far as heavy things go, I bet I have a chair.
(23:16:19)As a bashing implement, I could do worse
(23:17:15)You have a chair.
(23:17:23)Or should I say:
(23:17:27)You got the chair.
(23:17:35)Bash! Bash! Bash!
(23:17:41)What are you bashing?
(23:17:48)the wall, same spot as before
(23:17:58) Thematrian1 rolled 1 6-sided die: 4
(23:18:03)getting better...
(23:18:09)Good enough, given your tool use.
(23:18:43)The wall is generally tougher than the chair, but by picking a good spot you manage to open a small hole.
(23:19:05)is there a barrier, when I try to reach through?
(23:19:32)But it doesn't oppose the chair, just me?
(23:20:07)Now that you mention it… if you test with a chair leg, you confirm that hypothesis.
(23:22:32)"Gotta go to the light. That's how it always works."
(23:22:40)"But I'm in eclipse. Sure."
(23:29:26)Kneeling now, center of the circle.
(23:29:45)Clip is starting to sweat from the heaviness of the air. It feels uncomfortably reminiscent of a heavy background count.
(23:30:37)"I can see the light, I can almost reach out to touch it. But not quite. I'm cut off, and overhead is only darkness."
(23:30:46)"Revealer and sustainer, I need you. Give me a sign."
(23:32:02)Above there's a flash, and a sound of thunder.
(23:33:18)Maybe there really is a background count.
(23:33:42)The skylight begins to rattle with the stronger gusts.
(23:35:04)I'll try to look into the astral. Is there anything to see?
(23:35:08) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 4 5 1 1 4 5 4 4
(23:35:50)Looking up at the sky, it continues its angry and apparently mundane course; the clouds are racing past. The doorway, however, catches your eye…
(23:36:36)It's glowing, almost as if a ward was across it. Maybe exactly as if, though you've never almost broken your nose running into a ward before.
(23:37:05)I'll assense it, then
(23:37:07) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 4 2 4 3 1 3 3 1
(23:38:29)The Force is lower than yours
(23:38:54)Bizarrely, the signature it bears is yours, though it quite definitely wasn't letting you pass through.
(23:39:02)that doesn't mean the Force is with me, but I'll try to sleaze my way past it Masking-style anyway
(23:39:06) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 6 1 6 3 4 5 4 4
(23:39:10) Thematrian1 rolled 2 6-sided dice: 2 6
(23:39:13) Thematrian1 rolled 1 6-sided die: 5
(23:40:22) Umbrafer rolled 15 6-sided dice: 2 5 5 2 4 3 2 1 3 6 6 5 3 5 4
(23:40:28) Umbrafer rolled 2 6-sided dice: 3 5
(23:41:13)The bad news is, you fail to sleaze by.
(23:41:26)is there good news?
(23:41:28)The good news is, this isn't an alarm ward in a federal building, so you just don't pass through.
(23:41:40)"Oh well, ward."
(23:41:50)"I tried to do this the easy way."
(23:41:55)I will engage the ward in astral combat.
(23:42:26)I will refrain from making the hideous joke I was about to make.
(23:42:34)You engage the ward.
(23:43:48)(My decision is for the good of all.)
(23:43:56)(Eh, if you say so...)
(23:44:01) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 1 3 5 4 5 6 5 5
(23:44:04) Thematrian1 rolled 1 6-sided die: 5
(23:44:11)Clip smash puny ward!
(23:44:15) Umbrafer rolled 15 6-sided dice: 4 6 1 5 1 5 4 2 3 6 4 3 2 4 3
(23:44:23) Umbrafer rolled 2 6-sided dice: 1 1
(23:44:46)Clip smash puny ward!
(23:45:33)The ward shudders.
(23:45:41) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 1 5 4 6 6 4 2 4
(23:45:44) Thematrian1 rolled 2 6-sided dice: 2 1
(23:45:55) Umbrafer rolled 15 6-sided dice: 4 6 5 2 4 4 3 3 5 1 6 1 4 5 4
(23:45:56)Clip smash etc. etc!
(23:46:01) Umbrafer rolled 2 6-sided dice: 6 1
(23:46:05) Umbrafer rolled 1 6-sided die: 2
(23:46:21)The ward is now beginning to look properly puny
(23:46:32) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 3 2 2 4 6 5 3 6
(23:46:35) Thematrian1 rolled 2 6-sided dice: 2 5
(23:46:44) Umbrafer rolled 15 6-sided dice: 3 3 5 1 3 4 2 1 2 4 3 6 5 2 6
(23:46:49) Umbrafer rolled 2 6-sided dice: 3 1
(23:46:56)The ward is now barely there.
(23:47:07) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 4 2 2 6 5 3 1 2
(23:48:10)I walk toward the light
(23:48:13)The ward shatters. You stumble out into the hallway.
(23:48:13)astral senses ON
(23:48:31)There's shouting.
(23:49:28) (it's been good, but bedtime here. I'll leave myself logged in to catch the log. Peace.)
(23:56:17)Clip finds himself on a street. About twenty meters away, a beetle the size of Shoe's van is slicing someone in two with its mandibles.
(23:56:56)Several of the buildings nearby are on fire.
(23:57:30)They're on the other side of the beetle, so you can't really tell who.
(23:57:52)The air vibrates with massive wing-beats.
(23:57:59)Its, or another's?
(23:58:57)A swarm of drinkbot-sized bees, or maybe wasps, is swooping down on another crowd nearby
(23:59:14)how big is a drinkbot?
(23:59:43)Big enough to serve drinks. R2D2-sized?
(0:00:17)I'll pick one and Stunball it.
(0:00:30)6D, assuming it lands:
(0:00:53)(er, stunbolt. Makes a big difference just now)
(0:01:05)(Was wondering.)
(0:01:06) Thematrian1 rolled 14 6-sided dice: 4 5 1 5 1 4 1 1 5 5 4 4 4 5
(0:01:13) Thematrian1 rolled 12 6-sided dice: 4 6 6 2 2 1 1 6 3 1 2 6
(0:01:25)no drain. Spell worked as long as I don't need any 6s
(0:02:02)The threads of magic slip through your fingers. Your, um, metaphorical magical fingers.
(0:02:22)background count, yes
(0:03:10)Nearby, a girl clumsily attempts to staunch an older man's heavy bleeding
(0:03:31)It doesn't appear to be going well
(0:03:38)that I can handle. But where are the bugs?
(0:03:50)As I'm running over, I'll keep an eye on them.
(0:04:50)The van-beetle is trundling off away from you. The wasp swarm is currently skewering a crowd of people; they're also fleeing away from you.
(0:05:05)"Help the person in front of you, help the person in front of you, help..."
(0:05:07) Thematrian1 rolled 8 6-sided dice: 5 6 2 3 6 6 3 1
(0:05:11) Thematrian1 rolled 3 6-sided dice: 5 1 4
(0:05:18)You estimate well over a dozen wasps.
(0:05:28)What am I carrying in the way of medical supplies? I didn't have any in meatspace.
(0:06:04)You have nothing; the girl seems to have found what looks like half a home medical kit (so almost nothing, but the almost can make a difference sometime)
(0:06:32)"Let me help, kid. I'm a doctor."
(0:07:27)If I can, I'll take her kit from her, and try to figure out some way to help.
(0:07:51)There's a look of disbelief in her face, possibly connected to the fact that something appears to have just gone right. She manages to blurt out something like thanks and moves a half-meter back to wring her hands nervously.
(0:08:08)Her standards are too low.
(0:08:32)Biotech to diagnose; Biotech (First Aid) to give, well, first aid
(0:08:41) Thematrian1 rolled 7 6-sided dice: 3 6 4 2 2 5 3
(0:08:44) Thematrian1 rolled 1 6-sided die: 2
(0:08:49) Thematrian1 rolled 7 6-sided dice: 4 6 3 6 5 3 5
(0:08:51) Thematrian1 rolled 2 6-sided dice: 5 4
(0:10:40)It looks like he was bitten by something more or less like the beetle, but a lot smaller; he's got a deep cut on his left side, looks like a sucking chest wound, paired with a shallower but nasty and heavily-bleeding gash in the right side of his neck
(0:11:51)You cover the hole, then attempt to staunch bleeding
(0:13:12)Fanpro tried to manually manage page references
(0:13:25)I guess it was FASA
(0:13:33)I thought that was commentary on my efforts at first aid
(0:14:57)Ok. You've got Aptitude for the biotech; any other mods?
(0:15:32)no, but if my first aid doesn't appear to be working, the next step is to break out Heal
(0:15:45)(unless Microscopic Vision counts, but it doesn't seem like it should, in this casE)
(0:16:41)It's clearly helping; you've improved him from Dying to Dying Slowly, and with medical attention in a proper environment he should pull through.
(0:16:52)Hey wait, isn't that an ambulance over there? Wait, no, it's a beetle.
(0:17:20)"We do not, of course, have a proper medical environment."
(0:17:52)I'll try for magic healing, then.
(0:18:13) Thematrian1 rolled 10 6-sided dice: 1 4 3 3 6 3 2 3 4 6
(0:18:24) Thematrian1 rolled 15 6-sided dice: 4 2 2 2 5 2 5 1 3 3 3 5 1 2 1
(0:18:38) Thematrian1 rolled 2 6-sided dice: 6 1
(0:18:48) Thematrian1 rolled 1 6-sided die: 4
(0:18:59)well, he's probably not dying, at least until the next time a bug tries to make a snack of him
(0:21:48)Fortunately, the man is lightly cybered; you bring him clearly back from death's door. A bruise forms on his neck, showing that there's still some bleeding going on under the healed-over former gash, but it'll take a new wound to get it bleeding uncontrollably again.
(0:22:45)Is he awake enough to listen to me?
(0:23:03)Either way, I'll try and beckon the girl over.
(0:23:11)It's not clear; he's moving, but may or may not be really conscious. You do so; she comes over.
(0:23:38)Are we about to be attacked by bugs?
(0:24:22)Bugs are attacking, but mostly other people; the area immediately around you seems clear.
(0:24:52)"Is this man your grandfather?"
(0:26:33)"Good. You're going to need to look out for each other for a while."
(0:26:41)"It's dangerous here, so I want you two to hide."
(0:26:53)She nods and mumbles something unintelligible that sounds like gratitude
(0:27:55)"Good. Now get off the street, it's dangerous tonight."
(0:28:35)She mumbles more unintelligible gratitude, and then is abruptly gone together with the street.
(0:28:38)And Clip finds himself… in the next Place. Which we will have to do another time.
(0:28:53)I'm starting to get how these work. Another time.
