[X] Plan Draw Attention, Disable Limbs, Test Sagaplate
-[X] Pre-Combat: Use empty Alloy Slot for Extinguish, put on Sagaplate and offer 1/3 our Orthstirr Gain to Odin
-[X] Goal: The basic idea here is to engage the owlbear in melee combat to keep it off Alvis, hopefully doing solid damage with Threadcutter (and the follow-up Stoking Strike), trapping it with Inertia-Arresting Throw, or disabling limbs with Shatter-Wrist and Tendon Cut. Using lots of defensive Tricks to help with that, plus shields as necessary.
-[X] Shapeshifts: Dense Muscles x8, Supported Grip x1,
-[X] Utility Tricks: Slipstream,
-[X] Defensive Tricks: Reinforce Shield, Slowing Slog, Stutter-Step, Semi-Halting Vortex (put up to defend against multiple attacks at once), Sword Guard (Same), Time Stands Still (only in an emergency, such as to defend against another Finale, though we would then attack the foe while they are frozen),
-[X] Offensive Tricks: Shatter-Wrist Trick, Tendon-Cut Trick, Inertia-Arresting Throw, Threadcutter, Stoking Strike,
-[X] Orthstirr: 30 Levels
-[X] Stoked Pool: Make sure to keep the total below 63 by using it on Stoker State Tricks as needed.
-[X] Other: Activating Sharpen, Stoker State Level 4 (-1 Orthstirr), Lightning-Charged on Sagaseeker (-1 Orthstirr), and Puncture on Tricks (-1 Orthstirr), and use quick-drawn Shields as needed for defense (used preferentially over Stutter Step). Spend **2 Odr** on IAT if needed and up to **10 Odr** on the Stoking Strike at the end of Threadcutter if it seems like previous attacks have not harmed it.
0~0~0
The bear reacts as any reasonable bear would when encountering a quartet of unknowns in its den.
A growl ripples free of its rumbling throat as its muscles tense and flex. Great waves of readied strength wash across its body as spittle falls like rain. Shoulders set in a heavyweight's battle stance, its wandering eyes fixate on the weakest foe: Alvis. (Attack: 29+62=91 vs Defense: 24+20=44, Attacker Wins! 9x2+30-40(Armor)-8(DR)=0 Damage
Its head snaps back as tooth and blood goes flying, though no damage makes it through the bear's thick hide. Sagaseeker leaves a trail of lightning in his wake as you set your jaw and place yourself between the bear and Alvis. If it wants to make a meal of the Skald, it'll have to go through you.
Despite the hatred in its eyes, you can't help but let a smile spread across your face. It's been too long since you fought anything! A near full year of nothing but bloodless sparring, what a miserable existence!
Energy radiates from your ironclad body as you flex, the helmet doing little to conceal the widening grin on your face. Not only do you finally get to kill something, but you also get a chance to test out this fancy new armor of yours! Already, the strength of Odin floods your body as you move quicker, respond sooner, and process the chaos of battle with far greater ease than ever before.
The bear turns towards you, a single tooth missing from its once-dreadful maw. Eyes filled with blazing hate, it lunges forwards with jaw hinging open and a claw-filled paw raised high for a swipe. Just as the beast closes the gap, Stigmar's shield arm manifests before you in a manner most protective. (Attack 1: 34+35=69 vs Defense: 24+26=50, Attacker Wins! 20-26(Armor)=0 Damage!) (Attack 2: 32+35=67 vs Defense: 30+26=56, Attacker Wins! 20-25(Armor)=0 Damage!)
Shards fly as, by tooth and claw, the bear splits hide and splinters wood. An irritated roar rumbles free of its throat as Stigmar's shield stands strong and his stance remains unwavering. His unerring sword lifts high over his head as he steps forward, bringing the sword down with the motion. (Attack: 26+20=46 vs Defense: 29+25=54, Defender Wins!)
Though his blazing orthstirr fills his limbs, his sword fails to part the hide of the wicked beast. Backing away a trio of half-steps, the bear prepares to redouble its efforts when a flicker of movement from the corner of the eye catches the gaze. (Attack: 70+41=111 vs Defense: 33+20=53, Attacker Wins! Pin Reduces Attacks by 1!)
Abjorn blurs into motion as a trick propels him into action. Empty hands spread wide, he lunges forward with reckless abandon as his questing fingers grope for holds. Orthstirr flooding his limbs with trick-strength, his fingers find homes in the fur of the beast as his feet drive into the ground hard enough to leave imprints in his wake.
Shifting on the spot, he puts all his weight as he slams the paw in his grasp against the ground. Pulled off balance by your husband, the bear can only watch as you grin and kick off the ground. Sagaseeker held high and wreathed in lighting, a laugh slips free of your lips as you fly through the air. (Attack: 24+62=86 vs Defense: 28+25=63, Attacker Wins! 9x2+30-39(Armor)-8(DR)=1 Damage!)
This time, as Sagaseeker lashes out and parts flesh from bone, you manage to deal true damage to your foe. The bear reels back in pain, only for Abjorn's grip to tighten and arrest its motion on the spot. Growling, the bear's maw swings open as it darts for Abjorn's head—its eyes tracking your movements all the while. (Attack: 43+35=78 vs Defense: 23+33=56, Attacker Wins! 20-3(DR)-23(Armor)=0 Damage, but breaks the pin!)
The bear's teeth crunch down around your shadow-wrapped husband as Shadeclaw cries out in pain—pain that came all too soon. The bear twists on the spot, pulling Abjorn free and throwing him into the rocky ceiling.
Abjorn slams into the roof with gritted teeth and heavy irritation in his gaze. Peeling free, he hits the ground already staggering to his feet. You've seen him weather hits far stronger than that and come out the other side like nothing happened, so what's the matter with him?! (Attack: 28+20=48 vs Defense: 13+25=38, Attacker Wins! 1+3-38(Armor)-8(DR)=0 Damage!)
Just as the bear moves to finish Abjorn off, Stigmar steps forward once more with sword in hand. A single swipe sends blood and fur flying and manages to pull the bear's attention away, but does little more than that.
It is, however, more than enough time for Abjorn to draw Avow, take hold with both hands, and ready an attack—all while you prepare a trick of your own. (Attack: 38+41=79 vs Defense: 22+25=47, Attacker Wins! Steel Nullification! 2+5x2=12 Damage!)
A sickly feeling forms in your gut as you lay eyes on the Steel surface of Avow. Ever since you learned the true price of Steel, you can't help but feel sick to your stomach whenever Avow makes itself known. It's not enough to throw you off your game—not nearly so!—but it does force you to grit your teeth and furrow your brows.
However, despite your grievances toward Steel, you can't deny its efficacy. With one swipe of Steel, Abjorn achieves more in a single instant than you, Stigmar, and himself combined did in countless.
One of the bear's forepaws spirals to the ground in a shower of red blood, its flames reaching a fever pitch as it roars in pain. Paw pressed to the stump of an arm, it opens its mouth to reveal the hardened contents within. Fear grips your heart as your eyes widen in recognition of the Flame-Tending Blade.
A sword of hardened flames sprouts from the bear's mouth as the tip carves through rock and stone. Your heart hammers in your chest as you realize the target, the one responsible for all its pain: Abjorn.
(Round Break)
0~0~0
Tactics: 21 Successes
There's something oddly familiar with the bear, something that you can't quite put your finger one. You, however, are not the only person with that feeling in your head.
'It.. It can't be,' Blackhand mutters as you prepare to fight once more, 'If you can, don't kill it. I think I might remember something if you leave it alive.'
With the beast aiming a Finale at your husband, you're not sure that that's in the cards, but you'll try your best.
This isn't a very complex situation to process, so it takes you all of a single heartbeat to make sense of everything before you.
Stigmar, torn between guarding you and protecting your mental state, is going to try and tank the blow for Abjorn while Abjorn readies a Finale of his own. You're not entirely sure what that means, given your knowledge of his Finales, but it's what your intuition is telling you.
The bear is going to try its level best to take one of you down with it. Preferably Abjorn, but it's not too picky as it believes that it is going to die here.
Endurance: (18/18) | Frenzy: (8/8) (+8 to all Combat Rolls) | Armor: (27/27) (+3 to Defense Rolls)
Orthstirr: (33/63) | Odr: (39)
( ) Frami: 20 | ( ) Virthing: 20 | ( ) Saemd: 19
Your Combat Dice Pool for Basic Moves is 8d6
What do you do?
[ ] Plan Name
-[ ] Goal: Write in
-[ ] Tricks: Write in up to Capacity (12)
-[ ] Orthstirr: Write in
0~0~0
AN: Happy 1 Year Anniversary, everyone!
It's been a wild ride and I can't thank you all enough for joining me on it!
And huh, this is just the Prototype tier, huh? Basically T0? (And the finished product will be a proper T1, with further developments mostly only something that would happen over extended periods of time because this is a full out Discipline we just discovered?)
Hmmm. It seems like it should have some Armor and Defense even with no Orthstirr? Like, it's physical armor that exists even without that. Maybe make them scale a bit less but give basic amounts. Like...18 Armor, +3 Defense, but then only +3 Armor per level instead of +9? Or +6?
I'm not certain how we want to deal with the Owlbear using a Finale, that's tricky. We probably want to hold a TSS in reserve to grab our allies and insta-dodge, which seems a valid use, but that should not be our first resort.
Hmm, do we have any idea what Finale Abjorn is preparing @Imperial Fister ? Even if it's just if it's a grapple/pin or something meant to actually kill it?
Hmmm. It seems like it should have some Armor and Defense even with no Orthstirr? Like, it's physical armor that exists even without that. Maybe make them scale a bit less but give basic amounts. Like...18 Armor, +3 Defense, but then only +3 Armor per level instead of +9? Or +6?
Maybe that's a price you pay for dedicating something to the gods?
If you fail to pay any veneration at all, then they withdraw any protection that holds their symbols?
Admittedly it's a little more petty than I would expect of the Norse gods (Greek though...)
But that could be an explanation for that.
Basically, the armor is worth less than light leathers to non-Norse worshipers.
Maybe that's a price you pay for dedicating something to the gods?
If you fail to pay any veneration at all, then they withdraw any protection that holds their symbols?
Admittedly it's a little more petty than I would expect of the Norse gods (Greek though...)
But that could be an explanation for that.
Basically, the armor is worth less than light leathers to non-Norse worshipers.
-[X] Goal: The goal here is to grasp Sagaseeker in two hands and use it to disable the limb it's using to charge the blade, stun the Owlbear, restrain it via Inertia-Arresting Throw with its attack pointing away from all of us, force its aim off with Forceful Lever, and so on, whatever looks most appropriate as a way to short-circuit the FTB before it goes off (with Knee-Groin Trick as a last resort among those). If none of that is working, we'll use IAT with a Rewrite to try and shut down its gathering energy (IAT wouldn't normally stop that, but should with a Rewrite), and/or use Threadcutter and Stoking Strike to try and kill it, but those are a last resort, especially the latter (we do want it alive if possible). If all efforts fail, use Time Stands Still to grab Abjorn and Stigmar and get them out of the way of the FTB.
-[X] Shapeshifts: Dense Muscles x8, Quick-Recovering Muscles x1,
-[X] Utility Tricks: Slipstream, Veto Motion,
-[X] Defensive Tricks: Reinforce Shield, Slowing Slog, Stutter-Step (only defensively in an emergency), Time Stands Still (only in an emergency defensively, such as to defend against FTB and drag Abjorn and Stigmar out of the way if nothing else works),
-[X] Offensive Tricks: Stunner-Slam, Shatter-Wrist Trick, Tendon-Cut Trick, Threadcutter, Stoking Strike, Palm-Crush, Knee-Groin Trick, Inertia-Arresting Throw, Forceful Lever,
-[X] Orthstirr: 30 Levels
-[X] Stoked Pool: Make sure to keep the total below 63 by using it on Stoker State Tricks as needed.
-[X] Other: Activating Sharpen, Stoker State Level 4 (-1 Orthstirr), Lightning-Charged on Sagaseeker (-1 Orthstirr), and Puncture on Tricks (-1 Orthstirr). Spend 3 Odr on IAT if needed.
I'm not super pleased with this as it feels too non-specific, but I think that's how plans are intended to be in the new system? More goal than specific tactics? Though, obviously this one does involve some specifics. I really dunno...
'It.. It can't be,' Blackhand mutters as you prepare to fight once more, 'If you can, don't kill it. I think I might remember something if you leave it alive.'
I joked in the discord that we were gonna learn this was a monstrosity shapecrafted out of one of our Uncle's bodies by Horra after his initial killing of Steinnar's siblings, that just escaped in the aftermath of Horra's death without being found.
Hey, been away for a bit. Nice to see we're back in the swing of things!
Mulling this over, it feels like we may have missed a trick here? I remarked earlier how it seems really suspicious that this bear is basically a mix of Halla and Abjorn's Flygia, and now it knows Stoker State... it's clearly connected to it us in a deep way. Killing it feels like a bad omen to me.
Interesting to consider what might have happened if we'd tried talking or giving it some honey.
Mulling this over, it feels like we may have missed a trick here? I remarked earlier how it seems really suspicious that this bear is basically a mix of Halla and Abjorn's Flygia, and now it knows Stoker State... it's clearly connected to it us in a deep way. Killing it feels like a bad omen to me.
Interesting to consider what might have happened if we'd tried talking or giving it some honey.
In fairness, we did not attack it, just enter the den. And my current plan has killing it as very much a last resort. There's definitely something weird going on, yeah.
He did not. All Fylgjukona appear as human women. A combined Fylgja might be an owlbear if such things existed. Also fylgjukona are intelligent...if we woke one up it'd say 'Hey.' not attack us.
'I would be shocked, to say the least. My lower portions have lead me into places I wouldn't go with a sword, but I can't say a bear's den is one of them. Too hairy.'
It's the total expenditure...it's probably a little high (and we have no guesses to base it on), but this coming turn is not less fraught than last turn, more if anything.
That does bring up a couple of thing about the new system, though. @Imperial Fister we do have an Effort Gauge Trick Mastered...it should probably give us some idea of how much Orthstirr opponents are spending. Like, we invested heavily in that Trick and we should get some benefit out of it.
Also, it would be nice if some rolls were included in combat summaries in future if possible...not every one, necessarily, but they're really kind of necessary to know how close things were and make good plans going forward, getting rid of them makes combat planning a lot harder in a fairly unrealistic way. It makes us orders of magnitude worse at feeling out opponents as we go, which is not a good thing.
Having to guess quite this much on how much Orthstirr to spend is bad for investment in combat and actual tactical planning of Orthstirr use.
