Green Flame Rising (Exalted vs Dresden Files)

[X] Advance on the submarine together
-[X]Interrupt ritual, retrieve Mathews for interrogation, and secure bone knife
-[X]STUNT:Holy Mary, Mother of God, be with us sinners now. "Harry, get the guns. We'll get Mathews" you bark as you dart towards the old man, Lydia on your heels. "Stop that. We've rescued Cindy, and her pretty blue shoes" you snap as you reach him, disarming the startled old man of his bone knife and making it disappear somewhere on your person. Eying the malevolent blue searchlight, you continue."Can you run, or will we have to carry you?"
 
My issue with this is that Molly confirmed last update that the Sub can definitly get one shot in before we get anywhere, so I want it to be focused on the people who can parry/block those shots.
1) We have zero influence over who the submarine gets to shoot.
If its Corpsetaker, she might choose to shoot us out of pique. Or she might decide to shoot Dresden anyway because he killed her.
And we have no grip on EvilBob's motivations.

2)Harry has area shields up around himself and Gard/people in his vicinity.
And beyond those shields both he and Gard have armor, and he has his trenchcoat on top of that. Plus whatever else Gard has on her axe or in her jacket.

I know from the canon events of White Night where he tanked an exploding cave that had been mined with demo charges that when forewarned, his shields are strong enough to tank shit stronger than a WW2 equivalent 4 incher.

3)The sub has acted.
Our party gets to act before the submarine acts again.

Harry has some experience in being distracting, he can propably stop Matthews from causing further harm, while we are good at cutting apart cannons and should do that for now.

If an unopposed shot hits anyone in the party there's a chance of disabling or killing that person, even through Harry's shield. 20 damage dice is nothing to ignore for a turn, no matter how important talking to Matthews might be.
Read the update again. I quote:
The guns will get another short at you before you can get under them at this range, Usum calmly informs you and Harry had raises a shimmering barrier between the ship and you, but just as you are about to lunge forward, trusting sword, spell and apparently fist to take on the guns, you notice some fifty feet ahead a familiar figure, though looking far more ragged and worn than you had seen him last, Matthews, one hand stretched out over a great dark stone and another holding a knife of bone. He's about to slit his wrist onto it.
The submarine gets to shoot again before we can reach it. Nothing we can do can change that.
We can however reach Mathews in time to stop him without changing anything that happens in the next combat turn, because we were never going to reach the sub in time to stop it shooting again.

Meantime, Harry has ranged magic confirmed by the QM. HE can hit the ship cannons at range with firebolts or force lances or ice magic BEFORE it can shoot again. He is the vastly superior option to do this right now, instead of attempting to stop Mathews physically, which is something we can do.

Mathews is not being distracted by a WW2 submarine firing a 4 inch gun indoors.
I have my doubts about Dresden doing it from over fifty feet away while worrying about a sub deckgun.
And you dont want to cast magic at an old man, both because its a potential Laws violation, and it might kill him.

And like I said previously, dont split the party in the face of a multi factorial threat.
Especially since we dont know where the other two thirds of the enemy party is.
 
We have zero influence over who the submarine gets to shoot.
If its Corpsetaker, she might choose to shoot us out of pique. Or she might decide to shoot Dresden anyway because he killed her.
And we have no grip on EvilBob's motivations.
People primarily try to shoot down the people charging at them.
That's a reasonable interest, though I can't guarantee that spirits are sharing it.

As for distracting Matthews, worst case Dresden can force-push him away from the ritual.
We can do nothing but shout until we reach him.
 
Small note via Occult 5, either Corpsetaker or Evil Bob are likely inside the sub, you cannot make something that large sprout guns and shoot without a rather powerful spirit inside
Thanks.
So we know where a third of the enemy is. Not sure which one it is, though.

I think it's very unlikely that Matthews is capable of stopping now. We also have precisely zero evidence that Cindy is safe
And we also shouldn't be considering enslaving him to Mab for eternity. I can't see how Molly would ever plan to do that IC.
1)Thats why we mentioned her shoes, because he knows what she was wearing when she was kidnapped.
Thats sufficient proof of life to get his attention.

2)Warden regional commander Dresden is right there. They exchanged Soulgazes.
If you draw his attention Mathews will recognize him, and he has a sense for how much he can trust him.

3) Please stop mischaracterizing Mab or Molly.
An adult can make an adult decision when presented with a set of options.
Molly did ask Lydia without a qualm.

Yea, WW2 deck guns zre not going to sit back and let us have our dramatic talkdown of Matthews.
1)Within reason, talking is a free action.
No five minute monologues, but brief conversation is free, for narrative and dramatic purposes.

2) We arent relying on talking him down.
Would be nice, which is why Molly is making the effort, but Molly and Lydia are sufficient to take one arm apiece and hustle him into cover. Or Molly could Ranger roll him and bolt; she's Strength 4.

People primarily try to shoot down the people charging at them.
That's a reasonable interest, though I can't guarantee that spirits are sharing it.

As for distracting Matthews, worst case Dresden can force-push him away from the ritual.
We can do nothing but shout until we reach him.
I disagree.
People shoot who they consider the greatest threat to them. Or those they hate the most.
We have zero way of determining who the occupant of the submarine thinks is which.

Falling and cracking his head on the concrete almost killed my dad when he was younger than Mathews is now.
You dont want to attempt to push him. Dresden's force rings dont do gentle.
And killing someone involved in a blood ritual of some sort might very well supercharge it.
 
Current tally:
Adhoc vote count started by uju32 on Oct 2, 2022 at 6:58 AM, finished with 73 posts and 10 votes.

  • [X] Race to the sub with Lydia, let Harry and Gard deal with the old man
    -[X] (Stunt) The water seems to try and keep your feet in it, pushing against you heavier than natural, so you simply avoid it with a jump onto the long rows of tables and cases holding more exhibits. As you close in on the boat your blade stands ready to carve the next, and last, shot to pieces before you reach the guns. The silver glow in the corner of your eyes tells you Lydia is as ready as you are for this.
    [X] Advance on the submarine together
    -[X]Interrupt ritual, retrieve Mathews for interrogation, and secure bone knife
    -[X]STUNT:Holy Mary, Mother of God, be with us sinners now. "Harry, get the guns. We'll get Mathews" you bark as you dart towards the old man, Lydia on your heels. "Stop that. We've rescued Cindy, and her pretty blue shoes" you snap as you reach him, disarming the startled old man of his bone knife and making it disappear somewhere on your person. Eying the malevolent blue searchlight, you continue."Can you run, or will we have to carry you?"
 
disagree.
People shoot who they consider the greatest threat to them. Or those they hate the most.
We have zero way of determining who the occupant of the submarine thinks is which.
But by obviously threatening to destroy his guns next turn we can influence thd decision.


Falling and cracking his head on the concrete almost killed my dad when he was younger than Mathews is now.
You dont want to attempt to push him. Dresden's force rings dont do gentle.
And killing someone involved in a blood ritual of some sort might very well supercharge it.
He's not an extra, he won't die to some Bashing damage.
And Dresden can do gentle, with wind at least. Not sure if he can do it with direct force, but wind is good enough

He's also the best choice for calling out to Matthews after their soulgaze.
 
But by obviously threatening to destroy his guns next turn we can influence thd decisio
Harry can already do that.
Wizard with ranged magic, remember? By that logic they shoot Harry first anyway, then Gard.
He's the only White Council wizard here, and Gard is the only other sorcerer.

He's not an extra, he won't die to some Bashing damage.
And Dresden can do gentle, with wind at least. Not sure if he can do it with direct force, but wind is good enough

He's also the best choice for calling out to Matthews after their soulgaze.
1)He's involved in a blood ritual with unclear trigger situations. He has a knife in his hands.
you notice some fifty feet ahead a familiar figure, though looking far more ragged and worn than you had seen him last, Matthews, one hand stretched out over a great dark stone and another holding a knife of bone. He's about to slit his wrist onto it.
This is how he's described.
He's not in the best of health now, and he was already 70 years old or close to it as of 2006; Kemmler died in 1961, which is 45 years ago as of 2006, so he's at least 66, assuming he was 21 back then(he described himself as a young man then, so at least 21).

Pushing an old man is not a good idea if you value his life.

2)Dresden doesnt do gentle magic in combat time.
And Im pretty sure I dont recall him using wind in combat time either. Fire and Force only, with Earth and Ice in Changes.
Dude uses brute force. Have him use his magic at a target he doesnt have to worry about collateral damage.
 
Thanks.
So we know where a third of the enemy is. Not sure which one it is, though.


1)Thats why we mentioned her shoes, because he knows what she was wearing when she was kidnapped.
Thats sufficient proof of life to get his attention.

2)Warden regional commander Dresden is right there. They exchanged Soulgazes.
If you draw his attention Mathews will recognize him, and he has a sense for how much he can trust him.

3) Please stop mischaracterizing Mab or Molly.
An adult can make an adult decision when presented with a set of options.
Molly did ask Lydia without a qualm.


1)Within reason, talking is a free action.
No five minute monologues, but brief conversation is free, for narrative and dramatic purposes.

2) We arent relying on talking him down.
Would be nice, which is why Molly is making the effort, but Molly and Lydia are sufficient to take one arm apiece and hustle him into cover. Or Molly could Ranger roll him and bolt; she's Strength 4.

I disagree.
People shoot who they consider the greatest threat to them. Or those they hate the most.
We have zero way of determining who the occupant of the submarine thinks is which.

Falling and cracking his head on the concrete almost killed my dad when he was younger than Mathews is now.
You dont want to attempt to push him. Dresden's force rings dont do gentle.
And killing someone involved in a blood ritual of some sort might very well supercharge it.
dresden wont kill mathews with magic I'll note so yeah bad idea for him to deal with them and his take down methods wont be great.
 
And Im pretty sure I dont recall him using wind in combat time either. Fire and Force only, with Earth and Ice in Changes.
There are a couple of times he has, but it isn't gentle or fuel efficient. My bet is that if he tries he'd end up cracking Matthews' skull open on the ground. Or accidentally make him stab himself when he goes tumbling with a knife.

[X] Advance on the submarine together
-[X]Interrupt ritual, retrieve Mathews for interrogation, and secure bone knife
-[X]STUNT:Holy Mary, Mother of God, be with us sinners now. "Harry, get the guns. We'll get Mathews" you bark as you dart towards the old man, Lydia on your heels. "Stop that. We've rescued Cindy, and her pretty blue shoes" you snap as you reach him, disarming the startled old man of his bone knife and making it disappear somewhere on your person. Eying the malevolent blue searchlight, you continue."Can you run, or will we have to carry you?"


asking Dresden to cast evocation magic gently is a bad idea, better to have him shoot at things we want destroyed and physically intervene with the thing we want to stop without destroying it.
 
[X] Advance on the submarine together
-[X]Interrupt ritual, retrieve Mathews for interrogation, and secure bone knife
-[X]STUNT:Holy Mary, Mother of God, be with us sinners now. "Harry, get the guns. We'll get Mathews" you bark as you dart towards the old man, Lydia on your heels. "Stop that. We've rescued Cindy, and her pretty blue shoes" you snap as you reach him, disarming the startled old man of his bone knife and making it disappear somewhere on your person. Eying the malevolent blue searchlight, you continue."Can you run, or will we have to carry you?"
 
I worry that leaving the guns to Harry might be asking a bit too much of his shield. Yes, we know he can use it to absorb a huge amount of explosive force, but the guns concentrate their damage into a much smaller point rather, which might allow the shells to penetrate or overwhelm the shield.

I'm also concerned about the sub's targets. If Corpsetaker is possessing the sub, there's a good chance Gard is going to be the focus for both guns. When she was possessing Lydia, Corpsetaker with noticeable terror at the sight of a Valkyrie, so she's probably scared that Gard is capable of permanently putting her out of commission with greater ease than a regular wizard. And if it's Evil Bob, he's probably going to focus fire both guns on Harry. Either way, both guns focus fired on someone protected by Harry's shield might just be too much for it to take.
 
I worry that leaving the guns to Harry might be asking a bit too much of his shield. Yes, we know he can use it to absorb a huge amount of explosive force, but the guns concentrate their damage into a much smaller point rather, which might allow the shells to penetrate or overwhelm the shield.

I'm also concerned about the sub's targets. If Corpsetaker is possessing the sub, there's a good chance Gard is going to be the focus for both guns. When she was possessing Lydia, Corpsetaker with noticeable terror at the sight of a Valkyrie, so she's probably scared that Gard is capable of permanently putting her out of commission with greater ease than a regular wizard. And if it's Evil Bob, he's probably going to focus fire both guns on Harry. Either way, both guns focus fired on someone protected by Harry's shield might just be too much for it to take.
can't really control who it shoots first though anyways.
 
I worry that leaving the guns to Harry might be asking a bit too much of his shield. Yes, we know he can use it to absorb a huge amount of explosive force, but the guns concentrate their damage into a much smaller point rather, which might allow the shells to penetrate or overwhelm the shield.

I'm also concerned about the sub's targets. If Corpsetaker is possessing the sub, there's a good chance Gard is going to be the focus for both guns. When she was possessing Lydia, Corpsetaker with noticeable terror at the sight of a Valkyrie, so she's probably scared that Gard is capable of permanently putting her out of commission with greater ease than a regular wizard. And if it's Evil Bob, he's probably going to focus fire both guns on Harry. Either way, both guns focus fired on someone protected by Harry's shield might just be too much for it to take.
Harry's shields are pretty good, and it's not like Gard is going to sit and take it either. She has defensive options at the very least, the the smaller the area they have to defend the more energy efficient their magic is.

Corpsetaker and evil Bob both know how good Harry's shields are. If they think they can pierce them easily they'll take that shot even if we're changing the guns to cut down our magic support. That they shot at us first implies they thought we were the vulnerable one in the party.

It's also worth noting that we'd be right next to the vessel. All we need to do is stop whatever Matthews is doing, then we can turn to the guns. We can save any explanation for afterwards. If need be we can just have one exalt restrain him while the other goes to silence whatever guns are still functioning.

Edit:

Unrelated aside, but something just occurred to me. If Lydia's an exigent, how the hell did corpsetaker possess her?
 
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Harry's shields are pretty good, and it's not like Gard is going to sit and take it either. She has defensive options at the very least, the the smaller the area they have to defend the more energy efficient their magic is.

Corpsetaker and evil Bob both know how good Harry's shields are. If they think they can pierce them easily they'll take that shot even if we're changing the guns to cut down our magic support. That they shot at us first implies they thought we were the vulnerable one in the party.

It's also worth noting that we'd be right next to the vessel. All we need to do is stop whatever Matthews is doing, then we can turn to the guns. We can save any explanation for afterwards. If need be we can just have one exalt restrain him while the other goes to silence whatever guns are still functioning.

Edit:

Unrelated aside, but something just occurred to me. If Lydia's an exigent, how the hell did corpsetaker possess her?
via not being an exigent :p
Even if mechanically they are dp could change the mechanics since they well aren't an exigent.
 
I worry that leaving the guns to Harry might be asking a bit too much of his shield. Yes, we know he can use it to absorb a huge amount of explosive force, but the guns concentrate their damage into a much smaller point rather, which might allow the shells to penetrate or overwhelm the shield.

I'm also concerned about the sub's targets. If Corpsetaker is possessing the sub, there's a good chance Gard is going to be the focus for both guns. When she was possessing Lydia, Corpsetaker with noticeable terror at the sight of a Valkyrie, so she's probably scared that Gard is capable of permanently putting her out of commission with greater ease than a regular wizard. And if it's Evil Bob, he's probably going to focus fire both guns on Harry. Either way, both guns focus fired on someone protected by Harry's shield might just be too much for it to take.
1)Fluffwise, its a WW2 cannon firing HE with a bursting charge, not an APFSDS round from a modern tank cannon.
It is well in the general vicinity of stuff Harry can tank a couple times if he's aware its coming.
See him surviving a hundred foot elevator drop in the very first book by putting up his shield and modifying it.

2)We cant do anything about who the submarine chooses to shoot; we have been told we cant reach it before it shoots again.
The only one who can is Dresden, by shooting the guns first. Word of QM is that his magic has the range to do so, and his favored combat magic is Fire, which has purifying properties against enemy magic.

Let him do what he excells at.
Harry's shields are pretty good, and it's not like Gard is going to sit and take it either. She has defensive options at the very least, the the smaller the area they have to defend the more energy efficient their magic is.

Corpsetaker and evil Bob both know how good Harry's shields are. If they think they can pierce them easily they'll take that shot even if we're changing the guns to cut down our magic support. That they shot at us first implies they thought we were the vulnerable one in the party.

It's also worth noting that we'd be right next to the vessel. All we need to do is stop whatever Matthews is doing, then we can turn to the guns. We can save any explanation for afterwards. If need be we can just have one exalt restrain him while the other goes to silence whatever guns are still functioning.
Alternatively, they just shot at the party, because the gun they summoned fires a HE round with a bursting charge and Molly and Lydia reacted first before Harry did.
Which is my hypothesis, at least.


Current Tally:
Adhoc vote count started by uju32 on Oct 2, 2022 at 8:14 AM, finished with 82 posts and 11 votes.

  • [X] Race to the sub with Lydia, let Harry and Gard deal with the old man
    -[X] (Stunt) The water seems to try and keep your feet in it, pushing against you heavier than natural, so you simply avoid it with a jump onto the long rows of tables and cases holding more exhibits. As you close in on the boat your blade stands ready to carve the next, and last, shot to pieces before you reach the guns. The silver glow in the corner of your eyes tells you Lydia is as ready as you are for this.
    [X] Advance on the submarine together
    -[X]Interrupt ritual, retrieve Mathews for interrogation, and secure bone knife
    -[X]STUNT:Holy Mary, Mother of God, be with us sinners now. "Harry, get the guns. We'll get Mathews" you bark as you dart towards the old man, Lydia on your heels. "Stop that. We've rescued Cindy, and her pretty blue shoes" you snap as you reach him, disarming the startled old man of his bone knife and making it disappear somewhere on your person. Eying the malevolent blue searchlight, you continue."Can you run, or will we have to carry you?"
 
via not being an exigent :p
Even if mechanically they are dp could change the mechanics since they well aren't an exigent.
I guess, but DP as much as directly called her a terrestrial and she's exalt enough to have an anima banner.

Keeping the essence mechanics is one thing, but keeping details like that implies a lot closer ties to exaltation in particular than charm like effects would.
 
[X] Race to the sub with Lydia, let Harry and Gard deal with the old man
-[X] (Stunt) The water seems to try and keep your feet in it, pushing against you heavier than natural, so you simply avoid it with a jump onto the long rows of tables and cases holding more exhibits. As you close in on the boat your blade stands ready to carve the next, and last, shot to pieces before you reach the guns. The silver glow in the corner of your eyes tells you Lydia is as ready as you are for this.
 
Unrelated aside, but something just occurred to me. If Lydia's an exigent, how the hell did corpsetaker possess her?
IF she's an exigent? Deception, probably.
Lydia said something about Corpsetaker showing her proof it was acting in good faith, only it called itself the Grey Heir, and she was pig ignorant about the supernatural because her father kept her that way.

Which is one of the reasons Im seriously side-eying the dude despite never having met them.
 
Unrelated aside, but something just occurred to me. If Lydia's an exigent, how the hell did corpsetaker possess her?

I guess, but DP as much as directly called her a terrestrial and she's exalt enough to have an anima banner.

Keeping the essence mechanics is one thing, but keeping details like that implies a lot closer ties to exaltation in particular than charm like effects would.
Terrestrial tier Exalted like Dragonblooded can be possessed.
Not easily, but they don't have the blanket-immunity of the greater Exalted.
 
Seriously though, I don't understand the rationale behind going for the guns.

We can't hit them until they fire again, if the goal is to protect the party's casters because we think they're too squishy then we should have an exalt babysit them.

It also ignores that Dresden and Gard can't really stop Matthews at this range as easily as they can target the guns. We really need to stop that ritual, not just because it's dangerous to Matthews but also because it's a threat to us. We might as well regard him as an huge magic cannon that we have an opportunity to interrupt firing.

We don't know if he's kicking off the main event or turning on more defenses, but either way it's bad for us. Molly and/or Lydia going over and taking the knife stops that from being a concern.

Going for the guns locks in Dresden and Gard to doing something they're bad at and gives up Molly and Lydia's ability to accomplish anything meaningful this round.

If they can't stop it from shooting till the next one starts anyway, then we'll have our movement refreshed and can take out whatever Harry and Gard haven't after we've stopped whatever Matthews is trying to do.
 
Seriously though, I don't understand the rationale behind going for the guns.

We can't hit them until they fire again, if the goal is to protect the party's casters because we think they're too squishy then we should have an exalt babysit them.

It also ignores that Dresden and Gard can't really stop Matthews at this range as easily as they can target the guns. We really need to stop that ritual, not just because it's dangerous to Matthews but also because it's a threat to us. We might as well regard him as an huge magic cannon that we have an opportunity to interrupt firing.

We don't know if he's kicking off the main event or turning on more defenses, but either way it's bad for us. Molly and/or Lydia going over and taking the knife stops that from being a concern.

Going for the guns locks in Dresden and Gard to doing something they're bad at and gives up Molly and Lydia's ability to accomplish anything meaningful this round.

If they can't stop it from shooting till the next one starts anyway, then we'll have our movement refreshed and can take out whatever Harry and Gard haven't after we've stopped whatever Matthews is trying to do.
Okay, good points.

[X] Advance on the submarine together
-[X]Interrupt ritual, retrieve Mathews for interrogation, and secure bone knife
-[X]STUNT:Holy Mary, Mother of God, be with us sinners now. "Harry, get the guns. We'll get Mathews" you bark as you dart towards the old man, Lydia on your heels. "Stop that. We've rescued Cindy, and her pretty blue shoes" you snap as you reach him, disarming the startled old man of his bone knife and making it disappear somewhere on your person. Eying the malevolent blue searchlight, you continue."Can you run, or will we have to carry you?"
 
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