Strigian Woes: Back in Action Edition

[LinkOnScepter]

[X] Invention: Extravagance (Tesla)

15 to 20: After telling Lexiy and Kirean you're going to take a break from cleaning (you haven't gotten on any hard repairs yet. First, you need to make sure your work area is free of dangers, then you can really start working) and head on down to your workstation in the back of your house. Thankfully, the explosion only affected the topmost section of your house, so this part is A-Okay.

Sure, you're not gonna have a bed for a time, but you get as little sleep enough as it is.

You take up position at your workbench, and grab your trusty hammer. Despite Lexiy's protest, you're determined to get that Wall of Cannons that you were trying to build created.

What does she know anyway?! It isn't a reckless venture! It's a way to ensure the safety and security of your farm and your livelihood! You're almost certain that if you had this thing built before whatever that thing that flew over your farm was got here, you probably would've increased your odds of taking it out without sustaining any broken bones!

You shake your head. You just need to get better at inventing things, and there's no better way to do that than by inventing things.

Smiling to yourself, you grab the first wooden longsword you ever made. While your Cannon Blade (still need to come up with a name for that) is obviously the superior weapon, this has never left your thoughts. It is the very first weapon you made by yourself after all. It has a special little place in your heart.

"Now then," you raise the hammer up, "Time to see if I can make you better."

20 to 25: ….Well you definitely made it better, but not to the extent you were hoping.

Your longsword has certainly gotten an upgrade. Before it looked less like a reliable weapon and more like a training weapon for a toddler. Now though, now it actually looks like it could do some damage!

The blunted edges have been hammered down to the point where you're pretty sure you could cut flesh with a hard enough swing. The pommel and grip feel much lighter than before, and you give it a few practice swings to double check. Yep, it's certainly faster, and you can hear the swipes as it cuts through the wind.

Still you feel...disappointed.

You were hoping it would actually change. Like maybe the pommel will grow longer, or the blade with get thicker. You mean this is good, but you were hoping for something a bit more.

So what happened?

You know you used the hammer correctly, and used the hand saw to shave off some of the edges, so what gives? Why hasn't anything drastically changed?

You ponder on this, then realization hits you.

The weapon won't drastically change, because you have nothing to change it drastically with.

Of course! For the longest, you've pretty much been limited to the four tools currently at your disposal; a hammer, hand saw, nails, and your bare hands. If you want to do more, you'll need more!

To be specific, more tools!

You need to draw up some blueprints!

You now know about more basic tools that you need to create better weapons, armor, etc. and how to make them.

[X] Ranged Weaponry: Cannons

15 to 20: Once you are satisfied with your created blueprints, you stand up and walk over to the training area. You grab your Cannon Blade off of the weapon rack and prepare yourself for training.

If you're going to have a Wall of Cannons, you need to be able to operate them after all!

You now know how, to properly use a cannon, instead of just aiming it and firing in a direction.

[Strength Check: Fail]

20 to 25: Further practice has revealed to you how to wield your cannon one-handed, though you will need to create some kind of sling so that it doesn't get in the way when you fight.

[X] Tactics: Patton (Overwhelming Logistics)

20 to 25: As you walk out of the back of your house, you make sure to take a piece of paper and some charcoal with you. Using your arm as a makeshift pad, you start to do something that you never really got around to doing.

Take stock of your farm.

Sure, you've kept track of when you were missing a few animals, or when you missed a couple of corn stalks when you were cutting them down. However, you never actually wrote it down.

Most of your measurements consisted of "enough" and "too many".

However, ever since you noticed that you had more time in the day to do stuff, you've been noticing other things as well.

For example, apparently when you bring in the eggs the chickens give you, you are actually collecting about 20 eggs an hour.

25 to 30: On top of that, using your hand to cut through the crops gives you an upward value of 50 bushels of wheat and corn per day.

30 to 35: And you have enough cows to bring in at least 20 buckets of milk per day.

Huh, you never knew you had so many resources available to you.

It occurs to you that maybe you could've saved some of your iron if you had kept an organized list of it.

Oh well.

[Business Check: Fail]

At least you know it now! You nod and start your way over to Kirean and Lexiy.

You will now keep an organized list of your resources available to you at any given time.

Research Options:
None

Activities (Pick Three):

Locations:
[] Forest

• [] East
• [] West
• [] North
• [] South

- [] Take someone with you?
- [] If so, who?

[] Spend time with Lexiy

[] Hang with Kirean

Upgrades:
[] Mining Ho! (Again): Well, you've pretty much lost all of your iron. So, the only solution is to get some more! Once again, I will need a d100 to determine if you find more exotic metals. Please don't roll until I have confirmed the Majority.

[] Fix the hole in your house: Besides making sure your sleep is consistanly breezy, you can't exactly leave a hole the size of your bedroom in your house. Not only is it a complete eyesore, but it's a safety hazard as well! Could you image what might happen if someone tried to steal from you?! They could just walk right on it! Well...climb, but you get the point! (Fix the hole in your house. If not chosen, enemies get a +20 on Perception Checks to see you coming as there is a rather large hole in your home.)

[] Make yourself some more tools: Good, now that you have the blueprints ready you can get started on making some new tools to help in your never ending Quest to build awesome things because they are awesome. All that's left is to make them! (Build more tools to unlock new Research Options)

*Vote Closed*

 

[LinkOnScepter]

[X] Hang with Kirean

"So, Kirean," You carefully place one of the wooden boards that Lexiy made from some trees you felled into place. You straighten it up a bit, before holding your right hand out for a hammer.

You feel a small gust of wind, and know that the wolf cub has placed the tool into your hand. You hear a thump, and feel his tail wagging behind you as he sits down, "Yeah, Nicol? What's up?" The wolf proved to have little in the way of upper body strength, but to be rather fast. Even faster than you and Lexiy combined. So, you assigned him the job of carrier for when you need a tool or building materials. When you need a new tool or something else, you merely ask him for it and hold out your hand. Before you know it, he has delivered it to you.

Over the beating of nails into wood, you ask him, "What do you do when you're not over at my house?"

"Hmm?" he tilts his head to the side.

"You know, like, do you have any….um...things you do for reasons other than hanging out with me?"

His staring is starting to make you a bit uncomfortable. Sure you've started making head way into being better at conversing with people. But, you've kind of been slacking on your "people skills", so you're still not that good at conversations. You were struggling with how to start this conversation, now you don't know how to keep it going.

Which is why you feel so relieved when Kirean starts talking again, "Oh! You're asking about my hobbies!"

[Empathy: Interest: 15 = Fail]

"Yes! Hobbies! Whatever those are!"

His gaze questions you a bit while he hands you another board, "Right...those. Well, uhm….," he seems to be at a loss for words. That's not good, "...I tend to...hunt things a lot. More like chase them really, cause I don't really like hurting things all that much. But it's good practice for when I grow up and get stronger," at this he starts to flex in an attempt to imagine himself as an adult.

You snicker a bit at that.

Kirean, with muscles.

Like that'll ever happen.

You ask if there's anything else he does, taking another board from his hands.

"Hmmm...well, no not really. I don't really have anyone else to hang out with besides you. And Lexiy now, I guess," he looks off into the distance where Lexiy is currently carrying more cut trees for the house. She's back in her griffon form, as it affords her more mobility and handholds for this type of work.

"Still though, I'm pretty much all by myself out there in the woods," he says the last words with a hint of sadness to them.

Curious, you ask him if his parents are with him. After all, what self-respecting parent would just leave their child out in the world alone without any guidance whatsoever? You're briefly reminded of your own mama, but you resist the urge to tear up at the memory.

He puts his hands up in a defensive way, causing the wooden board he was going to give you to fall out of his hands. Kirean winces as it hits the ground before he turns his head back to you, "No it's not like they just abandoned me in the woods without anyway to contact them or otherwise. It's just that...well….nevermind it's not important."

[Empathy: 10 (Motives) + 10 (Feelings): 20 vs DC: 50 = Fail]

You stare at Kirean for a few seconds, then shrug. If he doesn't want to talk about it, he doesn't have to.

"Ahha...yeah. You're right. Do you need some more nails?" You nod in the affirmative, and he zips off to get some.

Strange, for some reason you feel like that could've gone better.

Oh well.

Not everyone has to tell you everything that's on their mind after all. You're sure he'll be fine.

[RP: 3 of 3! SL can be increased!]

[X] Fix the hole in your house: Besides making sure your sleep is consistently breezy, you can't exactly leave a hole the size of your bedroom in your house. Not only is it a complete eyesore, but it's a safety hazard as well! Could you image what might happen if someone tried to steal from you?! They could just walk right on it! Well...climb, but you get the point! (Fix the hole in your house. If not chosen, enemies get a +20 on Perception Checks to see you coming as there is a rather large hole in your home.)

You look upon your work and smile. Wiping the sweat from your brow, you stand tall in the middle of the well worn pathway to your house. To your sides stand Kirean and Lexiy, all of you covered in dust from your hard work.

Kirean's massaging his legs with both of his hands, "Man, don't think I've ever had to run that much before."

You raise an eyebrow at your friend, "Didn't you say that you hunt other creatures in your spare time?"

"Yeah, but that's going from point A to point B, and even then I normally catch them the first time. This is the first time I've had to run back and forth between two spots constantly without a break! My legs feel like they're on fire!"

You chuckle and tell him not to worry. A bit of a work out is good for the body and the soul. Lexiy, still in her griffon form, merely nods at the work as a form of commentary. However, one of her wings points towards the left edge of your house…

[Invention: Extravagance: 25]

And the rather prominent wing you put on top of it. You suppose that she's asking you a question about it, judging by her sideways glance at you.

You rub the back of your head. "Well," you begin, "we had some leftover wooden boards and nails and I just thought, 'We shouldn't let these go to waste!' So, I decided to make use of them!"

She's give you a looks as if to say, "By adding a bird like wing to the side of your home?"

"Well, yeah," you give in answer, "I mean what could it harm to make it look a bit more...interesting?"

"I think it looks cool," Kirean adds, as he stands up. "Besides, it is Nicol's house. He can do what he wants with it."

"Right, Kirean!" you neglect to mention how he called you a boy there. He does know you're a girl, right?

Lexiy shakes her head, and takes off towards her nest at the top of the barn. You rub the dust out of your eyes, and see Kirean standing in front of you. "So, I should probably get going. Wouldn't want to overstay my welcome right? Thanks for letting me help you out Nicol! Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything, got it?"

You nod agreement, and bid the wolf farewell. He starts walking towards the edge of your property, stops to wave back at you, and then disappears in a puff of wind.

He's a nice kid. A little overbearing, but his heart's in the right place.

At least you're pretty sure it is. Still aren't all that good on the whole "reading people" thing.

You turn back to your house and take a deep breath.

One last thing to do now.

(The hole in your house is now fixed! You've also got a pretty sweet wing sitting on top it. Because it's cool.)

[X] Make yourself some more tools: Good, now that you have the blueprints ready you can get started on making some new tools to help in your never ending Quest to build awesome things because they are awesome. All that's left is to make them! (Build more tools to unlock new Research Options)

You had a hammer, a saw, nails, and your bare hands.

These had served you well before.

But, if you want to be able to make more unique and effective things, you were going to need something more than this.

So, after gathering some more wood from the forest, and taking a couple of the nails that remained, you set about your work.

By the time you're finished, the sun has set behind the horizon. You hear Lexiy's deep breathing outside, indicating that she's fallen to sleep.

You feel tired, your eyes heavy and dry with how long you stayed up. However, your energy is still boundless, and you study your creations with a critical eye.

Since your original supply of metals had been...disintegrated, you were forced to make due with what you had. So, you did. And you came up with three creations:

First you made what you're calling a screwdriver. Really all you did was take some wood and mould it into the shape of a cylinder. You made sure to leave a hole big enough for a nail to fit into at one end of the tool. Then you shoved a nail into it, flat head first, until you were sure that it wouldn't fall out when you turned it upside down.

Second, screws for the screwdriver. For these, you took the screwdriver, and used the hammer to pound the sharp end into the heads of the nails. This created a hold for the screwdriver to fit into, thus allowing it to screw in any of the screws that you made.

Lastly, you made what you're calling a pickaxe. Normally, you would've needed some type of metal in order for this to work, however you're more resourceful than that. By taking the last of the collected wood, whittling it down with the edge of your wooden longsword, you were able to create a rather long stick with a curved point on top of it. While it won't really help against any very hard metal, it will certainly make mining that iron a lot easier.

Satisfied, you give your creations one more look over, before heading off to the sweet embrace of your newly fixed bed.

You snuggle up with the soft pillow, and let your eyes close.

You've got the tools.

Now you just need the materials.

(More basic tools acquired! Will require metals to upgrade for more advanced options! Next Mining Check will receive a +10 due to the pickaxe!)

---

All right. It's about time.

Roll me 2 1d20s as a Luck Roll.

No need for an Encounter Roll as….

It's time for an Event!

Also disregard those rolls I made earlier. I was testing something out.

 

[LinkOnScepter]

[Luck Roll 1: 12]

Hmm, making those tools has kickstarted your creative juices! You feel like making things will be much easier now!

+5 to Invention Traning for this week!

---

[Luck Roll 2: 17]

Your body's been aching to do some serious training. You can feel in your bones that it will be more susceptible to hard workouts!

+5 to Superhuman Training for this week!

---

Event: Unexpected Guests

In the stories, rain always meant something big was going to happen.

A bad guy is coming to destroy the hero's home town?

It rains.

A major love interest just died and the hero is just about to find out about it?

It rains.

The hero's really cool big brother/mentor/father figure just died after taking down the enemy in a awesome way?

It rains.

Everytime something really important happens in a story, it rains.

That's just the rule.

Which is why you are more than a little surprised when you see two cloaked figures coming towards your house this early in the morning.

You had just woken up to get started on cutting down the cornstalks, when you heard Lexiy's telltale shriek. Looking at the griffon, you saw that her eyes was firmly planted at the entrance to your farm. You shouted a question up to her, but her gaze remained firmly in place. Curious as to what could cause this you abandon your chores for a time to see what has captured the hybrid's focus.

You had pretty much just walked out of your front door, so it didn't take you that long to get into a spot where you could see straight down the path that separates your home from the rest of the world. Two figures, both wearing mottled brown cloaks, are moving towards your house at a rather sluggish pace. You can't make out much from here, but…

[Perception: 10 (Environments) + 0 (People) = 10 vs 30 DC = Fail]

You...think one of them is...injured? Maybe? Possibly? Either way, they seem to be moving rather slowly. You even see one stumble a bit before the other one drags them forward.
A thought crosses you that if they get too close, they'll set off the traps you've set up around the entrance.

[Karma Check: Positive]

That would terrible! It'll make them think you mean them harm or that you're no good bandit or something!

With this thought in mind, you quickly disarm your system and stand right inside the entrance to your farm. Remembering what the books said, you take a deep breath and hold out your right hand once they get close enough.

"Hello! Welcome to my humble—" one of the pair collapses onto the ground with a thud. The other rushes towards them, brown cloak swishing in the morning air as their hands roam around the fallen person.

They look up at you, their hood drawn too low to see their eyes, but you need only hear the panic in their voice to realize this is boy you are looking at, "Please! Do you have any medicine?! Maybe some gauze or other wrappings!?"

[Medicine Check: Fail]

"What's medicine?" you say with all seriousness, hand falling back down to your side.

The boy sounds flabbergasted, "What do you mean 'What's medicine?'!"

"I mean, what is it? I've never seen anything like it. Is it some kind of food?"

While it is hard to see his eyes, you do see his mouth hanging agape at your words. You raise your eyebrow at this. Surely this, "medicine" isn't all that important, right? Otherwise you probably would've heard about it.

A groan from the boy's companion, also masculine by the sound of it, snaps him out of his confusion at your words, "Nevermind! Just let us get inside your house! Please! I'm not sure he can last much longer!"

You frown and look over at the man on the ground to find out what has this boy so concerned.

Then you see it; blood.

Their is a literal puddle of blood beneath the man on the ground, staining the dirt and his cloak a dark red.

[Karma Check: Positive]

You waste no more time.

Within seconds you've grabbed the injured man, flipped him over, dashed into your house, and put him down onto your bed. You're eyes roam the man's body, searching for the parts that are bleeding. You might not know what this "medicine" is, but you can recognize a wound when you see one. From what you were seeing, someone had used this man as a pin-cushion.

There were holes all over his chest, legs, and arms. You counted at least ten of them on his muscled arms alone. Blood drained out of them like a leaky faucet, soaking into your sheets.

[Medicine Check: Passed by ???]

The boy appears next to you a few seconds later, "Ok. Ok. I know what we need to do. Since we don't have any medical supplies, we'll need to make do with what we can."

You briefly wonder how he was able to get in here so fast, but dismiss the thought. You can worry about that later, "What do you need me to do?"

You see him grab a part of his cloak and rip it into a long strip of cloth. He starts to speak while ripping more out, "Go and get me some water, more cloth, and some wood we can make splints out of!"

"Splints?"

"Just go!" He's already on the fifth strip, by the time you've rushed out of the room out into the field. You glance around until you catch Lexiy's gaze. You ask her to get some wood to use, and dash off to the kitchen in hopes of getting some cloth or something.

The best you can find is a couple of your old clothes from when you were a toddler. It pains you a bit, but when you're saving a life you can't afford to be sentimental. You grab as many as you can, and rush back into the room.

By now the stranger has covered his companion in multiple layers of the makeshift bandages, though most have been discarded as the blood easily soaked through them. With some of his cloak gone, you're able to make out more of the stranger's body. He seems to be wearing a light blue armor set around most of his body. It is covered in scuff marks and scratches, clearly from some kind of scuffle. He turns to you, head darting to the bundle of clothes in your hands, and nods, "Good! Get those stripped up while I get some water!"

---

You slump against the wall to the left of the door to your room. You breathe in a deep sigh of relief.

The man's going to be ok. Thanks to both of your (and Lexiy's) efforts, you were able to stabilize his condition...whatever that meant. You're just happy that he won't die, as he's obviously important to the other stranger, who is leaning on the wall right in front of you.

Now that the crisis is over, you decide that it's time to start learning a bit about these two. "So," the boy looks your way. It is only now you notice that he isn't that much taller than you, actually his whole frame looks particularly youthful, "I think that we may have skipped a few steps when you appeared at my door."

He cocks his head to the side, "Did we?"

[Empathy: 35 (Motives + Interest + Feelings) + Speech: 15 (Diplomacy) = 45 vs DC 30 = Pass]
[+10 XP]
[Level Up]

"Yes. First, we're supposed to shake each other's hands. Then, we tell each other our names, and then we get to the part where you're welcomed into my house," to emphasise you hold out your right hand just like when you met them at the gate.

The boy looks at your hand, then back to you, then back at your hand. He gives a slight chuckle, "Well, I suppose you are right there. But I think it would be better if you got to see my face first." His hands go up, and remove the hood that had been hiding his features from you.




"My name is Cillian. Cillian Costermark," he takes your hand in his and gives it a firm shake. You feel the familiarity of the pattern callouses on his hand, as they are the same as your own. This is someone who has been training to use weapons his entire life, "A pleasure to meet you, Mr…..?"

His smile is a warm one, so you give him one back, "Nicol. Nicol Trine."

"Hmm, rather feminine name for a boy."

"That's because—"

He raises his free hand to stop you, "No need to tell me. I'm sure that your parents had their own reasoning for the name. Now then," he releases your hand and goes back to resting his back against the wall, "I do believe you are owed an explanation and thanks."

You cock your head to the side, "An explanation for what?"

"For why, me and my….companion came into your abode with one of us almost dead."

You wave your hand dismissively, "Oh you don't have to tell me!"

His eyebrows raise in surprise. Apparently he didn't expect you to say that, "Really?"

"I am a bit curious," you admit without any shame, "but I understand that your business is your business, so I won't pry. Now, how about I go fix you something to eat! You are my guest after all." You clap your hands together and set off towards the kitchen.

Before you get there though, Cillian places a gentle hand on your shoulder, "I'm afraid I can't stick around for long. I need to go after the ones who did this to my friend," he jerks his head at the door. You hear soft snoring sounds coming from in there, proving that the man inside is still alive.

Gently shaking off Cillian's hand, you ask him why he'll be going after them. He answers, determination clear on his face, "Because if I don't stop them now, they'll be coming for any vulnerable farm, or village, or small town in their path. Your home might even be next, and I could never forgive myself if I let someone's home get destroyed because they helped us. These people….," he says the word with vivid disgust in his voice, "have no sense of compassion nor mercy. They will kill any and all who they deem to be worth sacking. I have to stop them, no matter what."

He says the last part with such conviction that it reminds you of those knights in the stories your mother used to read to you. Cillian must really want to stop whoever these people were.

[Tactics: Alexander = 20 vs DC 10 = Pass]
[+10 XP]

Then a thought crosses your mind, so you voice it out loud, "If they were able to take on the two of you and win, what makes you think you stand a chance alone?"

"Simple," Cillian smiles at this and grips the hilt of his longsword with his right hand, "they think we're both dead, or at least soundly beaten. They won't be expecting me to come back and hit them when they're weak and complacent."

You nod assent. It makes sense, after all you know you wouldn't count on a wolf coming for you after you had soundly thrashed it.

You're just about to wish the young warrior good luck, when a thought comes to you out of the aethers of your mind. It is a very faint one, but it's message is powerful enough to force you to focus on it;

Go with him.

[Tactics: Patton: Pass]

Technically, this is none of your business. The logical idea would be to just send Cillian on his way, and tend to his friend while he's gone. You don't risk getting into any dangerous situations, you don't leave your farm, and you don't take any unnecessary risk. Besides, Cillian looks like a well-trained warrior, and he has the element of surprise. You doubt he'll have much trouble against those brigands.

[Tactics: Alexander: Pass]

Still though, he is just one boy. No amount of training will save you when the enemy has advantage in numbers. Not just that, but his friend was obviously no slouch in a fight either, if the well muscled arms and legs weren't just for show. Yet, they were both still beaten back, which means his enemy must have some kind of trick up their sleeves. Having an extra sword with him would be a great help, and you're sure his friend will be alright with the care you've given him. And like he said, who's to say they won't come for your farm next? It'll probably look like one big, juicy target to them.

On top of that….

[Karma: Positive]

What would mama say right now if you just let a young boy like this walk off to his possible death?

In the end though, the choice is yours.

[] Go with him. You won't let him face this alone. Besides, this'll give you a chance to really test out your Cannon Blade! (Begin Mission: To Hunt Bandits. Sandbox Mode will be put on hold, and Mission Mode will begin. AP will be reduced to 2 and options will be limited to those that directly correlate to the mission. Training will be reduced to 5 points per session. Possible Risk: Injuries and perhaps Death. Possible Rewards: EXP, Small amount of Fame, New SLs with Cillian and ???, and possibly Gold.)

[] Stay at the farm. This is none of your business. If he wants to go off and look for trouble, you're not gonna stop him. (Sandbox Mode will continue. Mission: To Hunt Bandits will be locked. Cillian will go and face the Brigands alone. 75% chance that Cillian will die. Possible Risk: Loss of SLs with Cillian and ???. Possible Rewards: No chance of Injuries or Death.)
----
Level Up! From 2 to 3

Choose One Perk:

-Swords 20: STABBY STAB!: You like fighting with swords. Like a lot. +10 to Combat when using a Sword

-Axes 20: BREAK!: What is it about wielding a massive double edged blade on a stick that is just so cool?! +10 to Combat when using an Axe

-Spears 20: Can't Touch this!: No one's ever gonna get close enough to hurt you! +10 to Combat when using a Spear

-Cannons 20: Big Boom!: It's just so satisfying to see that cloud go up when it explodes. +10 to Combat when using a Cannon

-Sun Tzu 20: I came prepared!: Never leave home without a weapon on your person! Unless it's taken from you, you always have your sword with you wherever you go.

-Alexander 20: I saw that coming!: Can slightly predict what opponents will do during battle! Allows Cleverness skill to be utilized in the heat of Combat.

-Strength 20: I am Stronk!: I could break a tree trunk in two! With my bare hands! +10 to all Melee Weapon Skills.

-Speed 20: You can't see me!: You move so fast that you almost turn invisible! Allows Speed to be added for Evasion: Stealth Skill checks.

-Endurance 20: Unbreakable: Your skin seems to have become tougher. Like, as tough as steel now! +20 to Endurance Skill

(Disregard that Time Management Skill. I kind of Copy/Pasted this from the last time you guys leveled up.)

*Vote Locked*