1.0 - The Rescue of Hethan Romund

The Gatekeeper looks at Dagger and inquires, "And what makes you think you'll find your mentor here?" His arm waves across the scenery in front of you with his palm upward, "This is a lovely, but desolate place, with very little by way of sophisticated residents."

OOC: Csillag, how about a Knowledge (Lore) role?

Csillag looks at the apparition and noodles for a bit. There's something tugging at the back of her mind about what she sees but, unfortunately, the details escape her.

This ghostly visage looks out at you and nods. "Yes, I am well aware of Hethan Romund and her fate. It is intertwined with how I would ask you to be of use to me. My temple is currently occupied by a servant of the dark side of the Force. I wish this villain removed, before his corruption of this sacred valley becomes permanent. The question remains wheter or not you are the people for the job, however."

The being nods to Kaveri, who has mastered her emotions and senses... hints of age... around the apparition. "Yes, Malefax is the one about whom I speak. He is attempting to force your mentor to reveal the secrets of my temple. A vain attempt, as she does not know my secrets. However, he is completely ensnared by the dark side and utterly focused on increasing his own power. So what your mentor does, or does not, know is quite possibly irrelevant to him."

He then turns to look at Heyop and considers his offer...

OOC: Heyop -- roll a negotiation check opposed by a red and purple die and add a boost die due to your successful climb of the rise earlier.

OOC: Heyop recovers up to three strain (it's 1 per success when recovered in this way)

The apparition pauses and considers the implicit deal offered by Heyop. He doesn't appear convinced at Heyop's brusque manner, but nor is he outright denying the implicit "we'll get Hethan out and help clear out your Malefax problem" deal that's been offered. "Hmm." the Gatekeeper mumbles, as if trying to decide whether to chew out an apprentice or award points for directness.

OOC: Given the 3 advantage, I'll give someone else an opportunity to close the deal. Kaveri and Csillag can do it with . Dagger, due to his challenge in besting the ridge has some skepticism to overcome in the eyes of the Gatekeeper and will need to do it with

The Gatekeeper nods, seeing wisdom and teamwork in how the group come together on Hethan's behalf. "Though, I believe you will be more instrumental in the removal of this dark stain than your mentor -- I agree that her safe release is a good idea." He looks around at each of you in turn, "You have asked what I know of Malefax and the temple."

He looks towards the distance, "The temple is my home. You can see what's left of its spires above the trees from here, at the far end of the valley. It is a sacred place, strong in the Force and one reason I have appeared before you is that I will not allow it to be defiled." Looking back at the party he adds, "Because of the temple's location I feel protective of it and its inhabitants. I have no desire for the dark side to take root here. Unfortunately the presence in the temple has already soured the land. You are not alone in this valley, and the locals have become quite hostile since the temple fell to the dark side. I will do what I can to help you get past them, though I cannot prevent them from attacking you."

"As to Malefax," he adds. "He is a Devaronian and he will underestimate you -- and your ability to work as a team. That will be his greatest weakness as you attempt to best him. I sense that he is stronger in the Force than any of you individually, but together you can prevail."

"A group of hunters now approaches your position, their minds clouded by the dark side. Even if you evade them now, they will continue to hunt you, and they will find you. I will lead them into a ruin not far from the lake. You can conceal yourselves and strike from ambush. I would take it as a kindness if you would leave at least some of them alive. Go quickly now, we have only moments." Then the Gatekeeper is gone. You press through the snowy trees and across a bridge until you come to the ruin he mentioned, hiding yourselves seconds before the first of the fur-clad hunters enters the ruin. He holds an old-style slugthrower rifle, and his face is daubed with blood. Soon, the entire group of hunters is in the center of the ruin, and it is time to strike...

OOC: Initiative order would usually be determined herein through roles, but the beginning adventure provides an order based upon the Gatekeepers assistance. It is 1st PC, 2nd PC, 3rd PC, NPCs, 4th PC. You guys can take it in any order you please. If you don't care or don't specify, I'll do it in the order you post and interject the NPCs between the third and fourth of you to post.

EDIT: Adding Picture.



Edge to edge range = long
Edge to center range = medium
within ruins = short

The attackers are clustered in the center -- my assumption is that you are each hidden amongst the ruins.

Dagger pops from the shadows and weaves his way to the nearest hunter, his vibro knife is in his hand. It's a flash of steel as he descends on the first target.

[ OOC: If I hit with the Vibroknife it is Pierce 2 and Damage +1. ]

- GM OOC: Added two difficulty die for Engaged-Melee.

Heyop nodded hearing the addition of his ally which seemed to convince the Gatekeeper to assist them in their task as well as take their assistance in his. From what keeper knew they would have an advantage over Malefax for the environment it would make sense to ensnare the locals as he would have no clue on the ins and outs of the lands around the area. They would have to think in cunning manners to overpower him. Tactics and schemes would have to wait since they would soon have company. Watching from a position of ambush one of his companions was the first to act rushing the group in melee, another moved to give him cover fire. Heyop from his position aimed at the hunter already taking blaster fire and added to the concentrated fire. Depending on how they reacted to the attacker he’d change tactics if needed going into melee… being surrounded was bad but being in the sights of your companions as well would make things worse.

(OoC: Aiming for one blue dice bonus for my maneuver action and taking a shot from cover Ranged - Light Rank 1 Agility 3 Edit: it crits on 4+ advantage)

GM Edit: adding 1 difficulty die for short range.

The five hunters are taken by surprise as Dagger bursts from cover and descends upon them. Wading in with his vibroknife, Dagger slashes at the nearest hunter, but due to some uncertain footing in the terrain over-extends himself slightly and winds up in an awkward position for a follow up. He does manage to dig in through the rustic clothing to score a hit but his opponent looks at him, both surprised and affronted more than wounded.

Kaveri's blaster rifle ka-pews and sends a bright red bolt of energy into the torso of one of the hunters, singing his clothing and throwing him backwards to the ground, his slugthrower rifle clattering to the ground. He doesn't appear to look like he's going to get up again as a small wisp of smoke from his singed clothing rises from his corpse.

Heyop sees Kaveri's target go down and tries to quick change targets, aim and fire, but mis-times the shot and it goes wide, plowing into a stone plinth, showering the ground with bits of dust and newly-formed gravel.

OOC: Dagger should take a setback () die on his next action. Dagger's Vibroknife cuts through 2 out of 3 soak. Dagger's Brawn of 1 +1 (vibroknife) +2 (uncancelled success) damage = 4 damage. 4 damage - 1 soak = 3 wound to the enemy (now dubbed Acklay).

OOC: Kaveri has 2 advantage to spend as she sees fit. She may: recover strain (1), or perform a bonus maneuver without suffering strain (e.g. an aim on the next target, take cover to create a setback die on attacks against you, etc.). Or you can opt for something of similar scope that's different and appropriate to the plot and situation.

OOC: Heyop has 3 advantage to spend. Options include strain recovery, bonus maneuver (move, aim, take cover, etc.), may take a boost die on the next shot on the same target or something else appropriate to the plot and situation. Heyop's missed target is hereby dubbed Bantha.

OOC: The remaining hunters shall be dubbed Chiilak and Dewback

Edit: updated damage.