COMPLETED: Something's rotten in Scotland...

[GM Nick]

Rehnquist's eyes unfocus and he sways on his feet. A voice that has no place in this world reverberates from somewhere far behind the man's lips.

"Very well, mortal. I accept your invitation of single combat."

A curved sword of blue flame materializes in front of Rehnquist and Zhiago wraps around it. With blinding speed, the man kneels and leaps forward, shimmering as the physical form transfers to the astral plane.

Dragesh throws himself behind a flag-stone support.

"Zhiago's henchman are unprotected! Strike now, I shall cover you!"

[GM Nick]

(( In the astral realm: ))

[ Tyros = 35 ]
[ Zhiago = 32 ]

(( In the physical realm: ))

[ Doc = 57 ]
[ Max = 56 ]
[ Cult Mage 3 = deceased ]
[ Val = 42 ]
[ Cult Mage 1 = deceased ]
[ Cult Mage 4 = 38 ]
[ Sinjin = 36 ]
[ Cult Mage 2 = deceased ]

[Drew Buddy]

Adams is still reeling from what he can only describe as a bizarre situation in front of him. He's not quite sure what exactly is happening, aside from the fact Tyros and Rehnquist appear to be somewhere else... Doing something else.

His attention turns to the other robed figures.

"Well, looks like is just us non-possessed fella's now. Here, catch!" He says, firing a burst of armor piercing rounds at the third member of the fantasy convention drum circle.

[Elliott]

((Well, there is a pretty fair chance that Tyros will die or get seriously injured in this fight. Astral combat is not his strong suit and Zhiago is the spirit of Murder, but here goes...))

Tyros leaps at Zhiago's astral form, seeming to fly through the air as his will shrugs the laws of gravity left behind in the mundane world. His family's ancestral blade flares red before unleashing a thunderclap of purple light as it contact's Zhiago's. The lightshow, for those with astral vision, continues in staccato fashion for a few moments, the combatants' blades weightless and moving with the speed of their wielders' will before the armored troll slips his claymore past the spirit's guard with a low slash at its knees.

[GM Nick]

Ranged Combat (Doc)

[Battle Rifles (8) + AGI (9) + RR (1) + Smartlink (2) = 7]
3 2 5 3 6 1 6 6 3 3 5 4 1 3 1 4 2 6 3 6
[REA (5) = 1]
6 4 4 3 2

Damage Resistance (CM1)

[BOD (3) = 1]
6 1 2

(( 15P DAMAGE ))

Doc's first burst rips through a mage and kills him instantly.

[GM Nick]

Astral Combat (Tyros)

[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (2) + Weapon Focus (2) = 4]
6 5 3 2 3 2 4 2 6 6
[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (4) = 3]
4 3 5 4 1 3 6 3 1 6

Zhiago feints, not before Tyros' claymore catches Rehnquist's exposed thigh.

Damage Resistance

[WIL (6) = 2]
2 6 5 1 2 3

(( 3P DAMAGE! ))

[GM Nick]

Rehnquist spins, bringing the deadly curved blade around to decapitate Tyros.

Astral Combat (Zhiago)

[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (4) = 4]
2 6 1 5 4 4 4 2 6 5
[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (2) + Weapon Focus (2) = 4]
6 3 5 5 4 2 3 2 4 6

Tyros lifts his massive blade at the last second and the two collide, sending up a shower of iridescent sparks that cross over to the physical realm.

[Drew Buddy]

Adams swings the rifle over to the first mage, and wills a repeat performance as he pulls the trigger again.

[GM Nick]

Ranged Combat (Doc)

[Battle Rifles (8) + AGI (9) + RR (1) + Smartlink (2) = 3]
1 6 2 4 4 4 3 1 4 3 2 1 1 5 3 3 6 3 2 4
[REA (6) = 4]
5 4 5 5 5 2

Doc's second burst takes out part of a flag-stone column, showering the air with debris.

[John]

Max sees Doc's errant second shot and grumbles incoherently as he swings his weapon to the wounded target and fires a single slug his way.

[GM Nick]

Ranged Combat (Max)

[Shotguns (8) + AGI (10) + Smartlink (2) = 4]
1 1 3 6 2 4 1 6 6 3 2 6 4 2 4 1 1 2 4 2
[REA (6) = 1]
4 3 4 4 6 1

Damage Resistance (CM2)

[BOD (3) = 0]
1 1 3 **Critical Glitch!**

Max's shotgun blast hits the mage with such force that he is thrown backwards against the wall, impaling himself on a cast-iron torch brazier.

[John]

Max grins self-satisfactorily at his shot and swings Marlowe's naughty end to one of the other magic users, switches to burst fire with the firing of a synapse, and fires a volley of lead at his target.

[Elliott]

((Nick, I believe my astral combat damage is still based on my claymore since it is a weapon focus. SR Pg. 192. So I think I should have done some damage the last round.))

Tyros dances away from Zhiago's swirling blade, seeming to put a mile between himself and his opponent in a heart beat. But distances in astral space are deceiving when one moves at the speed of thought. Tyros reappears at Zhiago's side a second later, ducking under a close slash to draw his massive claymore across the spirit's ribcage.

[GM Nick]

(( Noted and adjusted, Elliott. ))

Ranged Combat (Max)

[Shotguns (8) + AGI (10) + Smartlink (2) = 12]
5 3 5 2 6 6 3 1 6 5 5 3 4 6 2 6 4 5 5 5
[REA (6) = 0]
3 1 2 2 4 3

Damage Resistance (CM3)

[BOD (3) = 1]
6 3 1

(( 20P DAMAGE ))

Max drops another mage with an expert burst.

[GM Nick]

Astral Combat (Tyros)

[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (2) + Weapon Focus (2) = 5]
6 2 1 3 1 6 6 2 6 6
[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (4) = 5]
6 1 3 6 3 1 5 5 6 4

The mighty claymore sings as it sails through astral space, only managing to nick the wildly parrying Zhiago.

Astral Combat (Zhiago)

[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (4) = 0]
3 3 2 4 1 2 4 1 1 2
[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (2) + Weapon Focus (2) = 6]
2 5 2 2 5 5 1 5 5 5

The spirit of murder ripostes, but his attack is too slow as Tyros dances away.

[John]

(( Holy fuck 20P!! ))

The population of the room quickly dropping, Max's keen battlefield vision does an instantaneous sweep of the scene. Three of the four apparent mages are already splayed out with their insides out, and Max can see from the corner of his eye Val's impending strike. The battle before him seems to be wrapping quickly and efficiently-- something of a specialty of Firestarter's these days-- but Max's concern is for what he cannot see. Tyros is embroiled now in combat to which no aid can be offered. His brother in arms is extended beyond the physical plane engaged with the spirit of fraggin' murder, and Max hates the feeling of helplessness which is settling over him. Damn Tyros for challenging Rehnquist to battle in the astral realm, thereby isolating himself from the help of his comrades! The troll-- for all his strength and skill-- could be maddeningly bull-headed at times. At the same time, Max recognizes that Tyros needs to avenge his master on his own terms, and despite his ache to be able to ensure the safety of his friend and colleague, the elf is simply going to have to wait and hope once the final shot is fired.

In the distance, Max can hear thunder raging as the spirit world quakes under the might of a battle he can only imagine. Knowing nothing of the other side, Max wonders if the combatants are attracting an audience as another crack of spirit energy made audible shakes the very foundation of the massive manor.

[Stephen]

(( Ludicrous gibs! ))

The muzzle of Val's rifle has changed targets twice already over the short course of the current engagement, and he's yet to fire a shot. It seems that every time he blinks at the report of a weapon, another mage has been reduced to crimson splashes and ribbons of viscera. He levels his rifle at the last mage standing, and locks eyes with him over the sight rail.

"You're mine, chummer," Val whispers gently.

Val fires a twin pair of bursts, and blinks again.

[Elliott]

While the basement of the Rehnquist manor fills with the smell of gunfire and blood, the astral plane seems to darken as the area's mana gets sucked into the two swordsmen circling each other. In frequent, quick succession, that mana is released like fireworks as the combatants come together, bright swords clashing in rythmic fashion.

Tyros is vaguely aware that the glowing auras of the enemy mages in the room have snuffed out in the last few moments, while the faint grey auras of his mundane friends remain, but the satisfaction never has time to register as his attention is fully focused on the spirit of murder in front of him. While not as at home fencing in the astral plane as he is in the mundane world, Tyros takes comfort in the yet familiar dance of the duel. With a stutter step feint, which draws Zhiago's guard low, Tyros takes a risk and launches a hard, fast strike at the spirit's head.

[GM Nick]

Ranged Combat (Val)

[Automatics (5) + AGI (5) + Smartlink (2) = 3]
1 2 6 4 5 4 2 6 4 4 1 4
[REA (6) = 3]
5 2 1 6 4 5

Val's first burst skitters along the flagstones, failing to register a hit.

Ranged Combat (Val)

[Automatics (5) + AGI (5) + Smartlink (2) = 4]
6 3 4 2 3 3 4 6 4 2 6 6
[REA (6) = 2]
6 5 2 2 1 1

Damage Resistance

[BOD (3) = 0]
4 3 1

(( 10P DAMAGE! ))

The second burst is dead-on, killing the last mage.

[GM Nick]

Astral Combat (Tyros)

[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (2) + Weapon Focus (2) = 5]
1 3 2 4 6 2 5 5 6 5
[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (4) = 6]
1 5 5 6 6 4 6 6 1 4

Zhiago leans back as the claymore sails back, mere inches from delivering a fatal blow.

Astral Combat (Zhiago)

[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (4) = 1]
5 3 1 3 3 2 4 2 1 4
[WIL (6) + Astral Combat (2) + Weapon Focus (2) = 4]
2 3 5 6 5 4 3 4 6 3

The spirit lunges forward and slashes at Tyros' unprotected groin, but the troll anticipates the attack and parries with his massive blade.

[GM Nick]

Dragesh's eyes dart back and forth as he watches the astral 1-on-1. He gropes blindly until he latches on to Sinjin's shoulder.

"If Tyros can wound Zhiago, we may be able to force him back into the astral plane. You're the only one here capable of restraining his corporeal body. When the time comes, I need you to intervene and incapacitate him."

[Stephen]

(( Posting for Sinjin. ))

A wicked smile alights the corner of Sinjin's mouth as he turns to face Dragesh.

"Oh, I don't know. Val's a pretty formidable guy. Didn't you see him annihilate that Brotherhood security tech? WHAM! Poor bastard never stood a chance."

The comment earns him an embarrassed scowl from the decker, which is precisely what Sinjin was hoping to elicit in the first place. He laughs mirthfully at the red creeping up Val's neck and onto his face. Cracking his lethal knuckles, each one having been broken so many times so as to resemble the gnarled boles of two gigantic oaken clubs, he turns back to Dragesh.

"I'll lock him down quick enough; just say the word. Might even do it with one hand. I love a fair fight now and again." Sinjin chuckles appreciatively at his own keen wit.

[Elliott]

Subtly to the wind, Tyros ties brute force against the spirit, bringing his thought-driven claymore down in a massive overhead slash at Zhiago's neck.

[John]

The last mage now dead, Max steps up near Sinjin, and says,

"I'll be your backup if you need it."

[GM Nick]

Astral Combat (Tyros)

[Astral Combat (2) + WIL (6) + Weapon Focus (2) = 4]
5 5 4 6 6 2 4 1 4 2
[Astral Combat (4) + WIL (6) = 3]
6 3 6 3 5 2 2 4 3 3

Damage Resistance (Zhiago)

[WIL (6) = 2]
1 2 6 2 5 2

(( 3P DAMAGE ))

Zhiago stumbles as brilliant rivulets of astral energy ooze from the wounds.

With a mute roar, the spirit charges forward in a desperate lunge.

Astral Combat (Zhiago)

[Astral Combat (4) + WIL (6) = 3]
3 5 2 6 1 6 3 4 4 3
[Astral Combat (2) + WIL (6) + Weapon Focus (2) = 6]
6 4 5 6 5 5 5 1 4 3

Tyros ducks, driving the lunge along the length of his titanic sword.

[Elliott]

To the trolls surprise and satisfaction, he seems to be winnig the duel in a battle of attrition. The skill of the combatants is such that an easy kill is impossible, the fight rather being decided by small moves and wounds that add up in the end to a final checkmate.

Tyros uses Zhiago's momentum to direct the spirits attack to the side while sliding his own blade home.

[GM Nick]

Astral Combat (Tyros)

[Astral Combat (2) + WIL (6) + Weapon Focus (2) = 4]
3 2 2 1 4 5 6 5 1 5
[Astral Combat (4) + WIL (6) = 7]
6 6 6 5 3 6 2 5 3 6

Zhiago spins, freeing his blade from the altercation and coming around to slice at Tyros' unprotected side.

Astral Combat (Zhiago)

[Astral Combat (4) + WIL (6) = 4]
3 3 2 5 6 5 4 2 4 5
[Astral Combat (2) + WIL (6) + Weapon Focus (2) = 3]
6 2 3 2 5 4 3 3 5 2

Damage Resistance (Tyros)

[WIL (6) = 3]
3 6 4 6 5 3

(( 2P DAMAGE ))

Tyros grimaces as the ethereal blade nicks him, carrying a splash of astral energy in its wake.

[Elliott]

((Do spirits not take wound modifiers? I've done 5p so far right?))

Normally fencing with a claymore is unadvised given its design as a battlefield slasher, but with the speed of thought, Tyros deftly slides forward, forcing Zhiago's successful attack to open his guard, and ripostes hard at the spirit's midsection.

[GM Nick]

Astral Combat (Tyros)

[Astral Combat (2) + WIL (6) + Weapon Focus (2) = 3]
1 5 3 3 1 5 3 2 5 1
[Astral Combat (4) + WIL (6) = 2]
4 1 6 1 3 4 2 2 1 5

Rehnquist's ghostly face screws up in agony as the claymore pierces his torso. There's a brilliant blast of light and the man is back in the physical plane, panting for breath.

Dragesh rushes forward.

"Now, Sinjin!"

[Stephen]

(( Posting for Sinjin. ))

The tension in Sinjin's coiled frame releases with all the lethal speed of a striking viper, and the ork is airborne even before Dragesh's shouted imperative has completed its journey past the mage's lips. The Awakened ninja draws in the astral energy swirling around him as naturally as others draw breath, honing himself into the perfect weapon. Time relaxes its grip on his senses and slows to a crawl as his nerves begin to transmit more rapidly. Livid veins bulge from superhuman forearms as blood races to feed every deadly muscle, and tendons taut as bowstrings protrude from a neck as thick as a wage slave's thigh as Sinjin strains to contain the energy coursing through his body in search of an outlet.

An outlet it shall have.

A sickening crack reverberates off the chamber walls as Sinjin descends on the listless Rehnquist and drives a cruel elbow into the back of his head. With otherworldly grace, Sinjin positions himself to fall atop the stunned cultist, driving a knee painfully into his back while he secures the man's arms in what looks to be a decidedly uncomfortable position.

[GM Nick]

Dragesh moves swiftly, stalking forward while producing a stiletto from his coat. Eyes fixed on the incapacitated Rehnquist, he draws the blade across the underside of his arm. The mage grabs his wrist and holds the weeping wound over Rehnquist's inert form.

"Sanguis sanguinem conflavit igne inferni!"

Several drops plummet to land on Rehnquist's face, sizzling like water on a stove-top.

"Redire sanguinem ad deum sanguinem!"

Rehnquist convulses and begins bleeding from every orifice in his face. His strangled cries reverberate a hundred times over.

[John]

Max's eyes dart between Dragesh and Rehnquist as the ceremonial rites thunder through the chamber and Rehnquist bleeds from every possible source. It truly is an horrifying sight.

[GM Nick]

Dragesh steps back, dropping the dagger to the ground.

Zhiago pulses, becoming more and more ethereal. Rehnquist's eyes roll around wildly, as tears of blood escape from their corners. A vacuum fills the room for a moment and then the spirit is gone, replaced by the amputated stump on Rehnquist's wrist.

"You... no! Take pity on me! I was under his control... I... I..."

[Elliott]

((What's happening in astral space between Tyros and Zhiago no that Rehnquist is no longer possessed?))

[GM Nick]

(( Zhiago has been banished. ))