IC Thread: Chapter 1, Scene 1 - Peace Is A Lie

OOC:

I'm moving the narrative along, but @Vespin @Rean411, if you guys also would like to interact with Hirani I would encourage you to still do so.

At the flash of a smile, Hirani's eyes narrow as if she's trying to sense if there's a trap somewhere around her.

But after Davit finishes his introduction she just nods and says, "Through victory our chains shall be broken..."

After a few minutes Xun emerges from the pit in the same spot where she entered, and the other Masters withdraw from the edge of it so that Acolytes may approach if they desire now.

Xaos calls out for those who would like to have the first chance to prove themselves, and there are eager participants that step forward, and so if the three of you see advantage in waiting, you will be in the second set of competitors.

The archaeological pit is rectangular, more than a hundred meters long and probably a little less than fifty wide. And it is characterized by a network of narrow but deep trenches with clearings scattered throughout the trench network that are each packed with towering pillars and statues and the stone-bones of small buildings that look like they could have been hovels or even possibly mausoleums.

The two groups that were chosen to be first are each lead to an opposite end of the rectangular pit. A Master awaits them there and they look to Xaos, who stands on the edge of the landing pad with Xoldun and Xun again now, for a signal.

After raising his ancient, bannered pike and holding it there for some moments to build tension, he brings it down hard with a ringing, metallic CLANG, simultaneously shouting out, "TO VICTORY!!"

And with that both of the teams edge down into the pit. A couple Acolytes leap straight down the handful of meters, their landing aided by the Force, but most must slide down the edge rather ignominiously until the drop becomes vertical at which point it is just a controlled fall for a couple of meters.

Once in the pit, at least at first, it's hard to follow exactly what each group might be doing...

OOC:

Alright, is there anything you guys want to do at this stage?

Xaos, Xun, and Xoldun are watching the competition from the elevated vantage point of the landing pad.

The other Masters are prowling around the edges of the pit.

You may be able to gain some ideas for the competition by positioning yourselves at the edges of the pit to try to follow the actions of one or both of the teams.

And you're ofc free to use Skills or Talents or Powers etc to try to achieve any other goals you may have, or carry out any interactions you may want to have within your group, or with the other group, or Masters.

Or we can just fast forward to your "turn".

Also, I was not planning on doing a map for this. I was planning on handling any movement through the pit in TotM/narratively.

But if you would like an actual map, if you don't feel like you have a good picture of what's going on, or if that's just your play style, I need to know now so that I can craft that map :)

Nov 4, 2022 1:32 am

Tobin looks at Hirani. A hint of suspicion passes over his face. He knows about her abilities and her maintained distance. But while Tobin's eyes suggest suspicion there's also a curiosity. He says nothing in response Davit's suggestion for Harani to join the group. Like he does for most things, he's just going to see how matters play out.

And in that spirit, Tobin approaches the edge of the pit and examines what he sees.

Nov 4, 2022 5:30 am

Ly-Riik Chrunersom (Lirik Kroonersom)

Ly-Riik slowly approaches the side of the pit keeping an eye on his surroundings so that no one tries to pull anything and then thinking a moment will look to the masters and try to SENSE their reactions, he’s looking for any change in emotion that may indicate that one of the teams is close to where the holocron is buried.

Rolls

1 Black Force Point

Nov 4, 2022 5:30 am

Ly-Riik slowly approaches the side of the pit keeping an eye on his surroundings so that no one tries to pull anything. What do I know that could be helpful here? Ahh animals, ok open myself to the force, breath in for 5 through the nose, out for 6 through the mouth. In, out.

Edit: [ooc]and after rolling I realized that I misread how sense works and I believe that I literally cannot attempt to sense the emotions of the masters this with a force rating of 1 so instead he will spend the 1 pip to get a sense for any creatures around who may have encountered it? I’m thinking burrowing creatures like scorpions. ooc]

Last edited November 4, 2022 5:42 am

Rolls

2 White Force Points

Nov 6, 2022 1:23 pm

OOC:

So first I want to check: did everyone see the post in the meta-currency tracking thread from a couple days ago?

You've each received 10 XP on the first of the month.

No one's noted it on their sheets yet last I checked. You may record and spend this immediately if you desire.

Now, RE:

Rean411 says:

Ly-Riik slowly approaches the side of the pit keeping an eye on his surroundings so that no one tries to pull anything. What do I know that could be helpful here? Ahh animals, ok open myself to the force, breath in for 5 through the nose, out for 6 through the mouth. In, out.

Edit:

OOC:

and after rolling I realized that I misread how sense works and I believe that I literally cannot attempt to sense the emotions of the masters this with a force rating of 1 so instead he will spend the 1 pip to get a sense for any creatures around who may have encountered it? I’m thinking burrowing creatures like scorpions.

OOC:

There's a lot to unpack here, but first let's start with the mechanics of Force Powers.

So, with the basic Sense Power you can sense the presence of living beings in Short Range (which would, for example, allow you to "see" living things through walls/barriers or in the dark), OR you may sense the emotional state of a living being whom you're at Engaged Range with (which, well, reveals their emotions).

Either just takes 1pip of either color.

So, you CAN sense the emotions of the Masters, they would generally just have to be within a couple of meters from you. And any of that takes the expenditure of just one pip. White or black. Doesn't have anything at all to do with Force Rating really, so long as you have the pips. And you always generate at least one pip. Also, remember, everyone adds a "free" black pip to every Force Power Check right now due to the high levels of fear feeding the Darkside. It's not really free, you still have to spend the Strain+Conflict+Destiny to use it, but it's there to fuel Powers if you want it.

So you DO have the ability to sense a Masters emotions if you pass near them, or if they pass near you. Which either can plausibly happen, except you rolled a black pip which means to activate the Power it requires a flip of a White Destiny chip which you guys don't currently have any right now... I apologize I'll do my best to start making those available.

And as for sensing the animals' emotions-thing, I don't allow roll spamming, for the same Power, in the same "scene", so you would have to use the dark pip, which you can't yet.

But one thing to know, if/when you do use the Force it WILL get you results.

Lyriik reaches out to the Force to sense anything from the world around him, but he finds that the fear and other emotions permeating the area is just too over-whelming to sort through at the moment.

That darkness is all that he can sense.

OOC:

So now, I want to bring up a discussion on just being Force Sensitive.

You guys are Force Sensitive, right? That means you can sense (lowercase 's') the Force. Without a Power. Just like you can see light and hear sound. So without ever rolling a Force Power check. Though a Skill check may be required depending on the circumstances. Just like seeing or hearing doesn't always require a check, but can at times depending on what you're trying to see or hear.

Point is you guys have a 6th sense to use in the world.

And some examples of what this means is, you guys can sense disturbances in the Force - this is almost always going to be a "no check required" thing. Force Nexuses - probably no check. When someone uses the Force - could require a check if it's far away, or to pinpoint who is using it if there are a lot of people around. Stuff like that.

But so just bear that in mind for future reference too.

Nov 7, 2022 12:59 am

emsquared says:

OOC:

So first I want to check: did everyone see the post in the meta-currency tracking thread from a couple days ago?

You've each received 10 XP on the first of the month.

No one's noted it on their sheets yet last I checked. You may record and spend this immediately if you desire.

Now, RE:

Rean411 says:

Ly-Riik slowly approaches the side of the pit keeping an eye on his surroundings so that no one tries to pull anything. What do I know that could be helpful here? Ahh animals, ok open myself to the force, breath in for 5 through the nose, out for 6 through the mouth. In, out.

Edit:

OOC:

and after rolling I realized that I misread how sense works and I believe that I literally cannot attempt to sense the emotions of the masters this with a force rating of 1 so instead he will spend the 1 pip to get a sense for any creatures around who may have encountered it? I’m thinking burrowing creatures like scorpions.

OOC:

There's a lot to unpack here, but first let's start with the mechanics of Force Powers.

So, with the basic Sense Power you can sense the presence of living beings in Short Range (which would, for example, allow you to "see" living things through walls/barriers or in the dark), OR you may sense the emotional state of a living being whom you're at Engaged Range with (which, well, reveals their emotions).

Either just takes 1pip of either color.

So, you CAN sense the emotions of the Masters, they would generally just have to be within a couple of meters from you. And any of that takes the expenditure of just one pip. White or black. Doesn't have anything at all to do with Force Rating really, so long as you have the pips. And you always generate at least one pip. Also, remember, everyone adds a "free" black pip to every Force Power Check right now due to the high levels of fear feeding the Darkside. It's not really free, you still have to spend the Strain+Conflict+Destiny to use it, but it's there to fuel Powers if you want it.

So you DO have the ability to sense a Masters emotions if you pass near them, or if they pass near you. Which either can plausibly happen, except you rolled a black pip which means to activate the Power it requires a flip of a White Destiny chip which you guys don't currently have any right now... I apologize I'll do my best to start making those available.

And as for sensing the animals' emotions-thing, I don't allow roll spamming, for the same Power, in the same "scene", so you would have to use the dark pip, which you can't yet.

But one thing to know, if/when you do use the Force it WILL get you results.

Lyriik reaches out to the Force to sense anything from the world around him, but he finds that the fear and other emotions permeating the area is just too over-whelming to sort through at the moment.

That darkness is all that he can sense.

OOC:

So now, I want to bring up a discussion on just being Force Sensitive.

You guys are Force Sensitive, right? That means you can sense (lowercase 's') the Force. Without a Power. Just like you can see light and hear sound. So without ever rolling a Force Power check. Though a Skill check may be required depending on the circumstances. Just like seeing or hearing doesn't always require a check, but can at times depending on what you're trying to see or hear.

Point is you guys have a 6th sense to use in the world.

And some examples of what this means is, you guys can sense disturbances in the Force - this is almost always going to be a "no check required" thing. Force Nexuses - probably no check. When someone uses the Force - could require a check if it's far away, or to pinpoint who is using it if there are a lot of people around. Stuff like that.

But so just bear that in mind for future reference too.

[/ooc]I will read the message in total in a moment but I just wanted to clarify a couple things. A the Black pip was my roll for destiny not my force power so I was definitely not trying to roll spam, sorry for giving that impression. And for some reason k had it written down that k would need to be engaged and spend 3 force pips to sense the emotions of the master. I forgot about the "free" dark side pip which is why I thought I couldn’t use that side of the power without a higher force rating, since it is impossible to roll 3 pips on 1 die. Thanks for the clarification and apparently I’m not subbed to the meta currency thing so I didn’t see the 10XP given. I will note when I can but I’m back to work soon and want to read the rest of what you got for me. Thanks emsquared. :)[/ooc]

Last edited November 7, 2022 7:43 am

Nov 7, 2022 1:01 am

OOC:

And just to further clarify why I didn’t believe it to be roll spamming. I rolled the black for destiny then rolled 2 white pipe to activate the power. I misread the rule and thought I needed 3 pips so instead I changed what I planned to do with the same power based on the roll of 2 pips that I already did.

Not sure why it triple posted but I deleted the extras.

Last edited November 7, 2022 7:43 am

Nov 7, 2022 4:54 pm

OOC:

No problem, Rean. I wasn't assuming malicious intent. You have a roll from the 31st that seemed pretty clearly intended for Destiny. And so it just read like you weren't sure how a situation would be handled when using a Power in multiple different ways, and were providing any rolls that might be necessary.

I shouldn't have used those words to describe it. I apologize.

For reference, I want you guys to throw out rolls. I would always prefer you guys roll in advance if you think there could be a roll needed for what you're doing, instead of waiting for the back and forth of me asking you to roll.

Just know that occaisionally I may say, no roll was necessary and I won't be using the results.

From your positions between the pit and the landing pad, you all can hear the competitors moving out into the network of trenches and excavated ruins, but you can't tell what's really going on.

About the most you can say is that it sounds as though one team is moving fast and aggressively toward the opposite end of the pit, and the other is moving more slowly and quietly.

And indeed it seems like not much is going on for the first few minutes but then you can see two Acolytes, in seeking coordination, leap up to the top of the earthen berms that separate the deep trenches, and they continue their movement from that elevated vantage point.

But then a blaster shot rings out from behind you, and you see that Xun has taken a shot at one of the Acolytes with her long-barrelled blaster!

Xaos cries out, "Remember! Not all battlefields are neutral! Expose yourselves to a third party at your own peril!!", and then he cackles wickedly.

Both Acolytes drop back down into the trenches, but they do make a couple more brief ventures to the top of the trenches but only for the briefest of moments to move directly into a neighboring but separated trench...

And before long now, you hear the sound of combat echo out.

It seems as though one team has forgone looking for the datacron at all, and instead is just trying to eliminate their competition...

OOC:

Alright, last chance for you guys to do anything you want to do, or we'll fast-forward to your turn.

Nov 7, 2022 5:02 pm

emsquared says:

OOC:

No problem, Rean. I wasn't assuming malicious intent. You have a roll from the 31st that seemed pretty clearly intended for Destiny. And so it just read like you weren't sure how a situation would be handled when using a Power in multiple different ways, and were providing any rolls that might be necessary.

I shouldn't have used those words to describe it. I apologize.

For reference, I want you guys to throw out rolls. I would always prefer you guys roll in advance if you think there could be a roll needed for what you're doing, instead of waiting for the back and forth of me asking you to roll.

Just know that occaisionally I may say, no roll was necessary and I won't be using the results.

From your positions between the pit and the landing pad, you all can hear the competitors moving out into the network of trenches and excavated ruins, but you can't tell what's really going on.

About the most you can say is that it sounds as though one team is moving fast and aggressively toward the opposite end of the pit, and the other is moving more slowly and quietly.

And indeed it seems like not much is going on for the first few minutes but then you can see two Acolytes, in seeking coordination, leap up to the top of the earthen berms that separate the deep trenches, and they continue their movement from that elevated vantage point.

But then a blaster shot rings out from behind you, and you see that Xun has taken a shot at one of the Acolytes with her long-barrelled blaster!

Xaos cries out, "Remember! Not all battlefields are neutral! Expose yourselves to a third party at your own peril!!", and then he cackles wickedly.

Both Acolytes drop back down into the trenches, but they do make a couple more brief ventures to the type of the trenches but only for the briefest of moments to move directly into a neighboring but separated trench...

And before long now, you hear the sound of combat echo out.

It seems as though one team has forgone looking for the datacron at all, and instead of just trying to eliminate their competition...

OOC:

Alright, last chance for you guys to do anything you want to do, or we'll fast-forward to your turn.

OOC:

No offence taken, your right that second roll was my power check so I will ignore the two whites. I completely forgot I had rolled earlier in the thread I guess, or more likely my brain just moved it since I got the same roll twice. My mistake but I recognize now that the 2 whites shouldn’t have been rolled. How you choose to go with it im good. Sorry for the confusion it 100% was me not remembering my rolls. Also absolutely the delayed nature of PBP makes it so sometimes retcons will be necessary otherwise in relatively fast games would take forever. It’s all good I’m going to go back and read the last few posts before responding more. Thanks!

Nov 7, 2022 5:12 pm

As the spectacle increases Ly-Riik moves over to Hirani and says, Acolyte 23 I think it will be fun to work with you.

Turning to the rest of the team he asks should we reveal a little about our abilities so we can start planning? It’s hard to be a team if we don’t know what each other can do.

Hopefully she’s open to cooperation unlike many of our fellow trainees. They all fall to the weakness of the sith, pride and constant infighting. Proving oneself strong is fantastic but killing off one’s allies is the height of stupidity.

Nov 7, 2022 5:21 pm

Tobin sighs with both disgust and weariness as he witnesses the aforementioned events. It also seems that neither he nor his group isn't going to be able to learn much of anything useful from this vantage point, if any. He turns to his group, which he takes for granted now includes Hirani. "It seems we've no choice but to go in, if we want to know what's in there. It's time."

OOC:

I posted this before I saw Rean's latest post. But I figure at this point, in-character, wouldn't we already know the abilities of each other? We've been around each other for a long time.

Last edited November 7, 2022 5:23 pm

Nov 7, 2022 5:36 pm

Vespin says:

Tobin sighs with both disgust and weariness as he witnesses the aforementioned events. It also seems that neither he nor his group isn't going to be able to learn much of anything useful from this vantage point, if any. He turns to his group, which he takes for granted now includes Hirani. "It seems we've no choice but to go in, if we want to know what's in there. It's time."

OOC:

I posted this before I saw Rean's latest post. But I figure at this point, in-character, wouldn't we already know the abilities of each other? We've been around each other for a long time.

OOC:

I was less thinking the 3 of us and more using it as an excuse to learn more about hirani who seems the odd man out.

Nov 8, 2022 2:32 am

At the mention of 'fun', again Hirani's eyes narrow.

She snaps back in a reply, "I can do anything that is required of me. You three have your cabal. So make your plans and I will follow suit, or direct me to where you wish me to be and I will do whatever is required..."

You've all seen her spar. She is skilled enough with the blade, but she is too slight to be truly formidable with it, as one who was raised with insufficient nourishment might be. You've basically never seen her in the top half of the Acolytes when it comes to physical contest.

She memorizes the litanies and other studies that you all are expected to do, well enough. And although she doesn't participate but when called upon, you get the sense she is clever enough.

Obviously her personality leaves a bit to be desired.

Her strongest suit may be her sheer, obstinate will and discipline?

And again the most impressive thing you've seen her do with the Force is control the shadows around her. You've seen her use it to good effect in combat to make herself harder to hit, and you suspect it could help her avoid being seen.

But given her distrust of seemingly anyone and her unwillingness to participate, she could well be holding something back too?

Nov 9, 2022 5:39 pm

Hirani. We are in this together wether we like it or not, I have no doubt your skills will be incredibly useful but if we fight each other or hide the wrong information we won’t be able to act as a team. Then we will all lose, and the masters have made it very clear, failure is not going to go well for us.

OOC:

I’d like to roll a leadership check please. What would the difficulty be if I’m allowed?

Nov 9, 2022 6:21 pm

Rean411 says:

Hirani. We are in this together wether we like it or not, I have no doubt your skills will be incredibly useful but if we fight each other or hide the wrong information we won’t be able to act as a team. Then we will all lose, and the masters have made it very clear, failure is not going to go well for us.

OOC:

I’d like to roll a leadership check please. What would the difficulty be if I’m allowed?

OOC:

Have a Boost as there's 3 of you and 1 of her.

But as mentioned her Will and Discipline are her strong suit...

Difficulty = PRR

Nov 9, 2022 6:25 pm

OOC:

ok here goes.

OOC:

Wow can’t complain about that. Could have gone a lot worse. Could my advantage be she just laughs at my efforts instead of reacting very badly?

Last edited November 9, 2022 6:26 pm

Rolls

1 Advantage, 1 Failure

Total: 1 Failure, 1 Advantage

Nov 10, 2022 2:35 pm

Tobin watches the exchange between his companion and Hirani with mild interest. His mind is mostly on the challenge ahead. He awaits their readiness, knowing that Hirani will fall in or fall away. She has no other rational choice.

Nov 10, 2022 4:15 pm

OOC:

Reacting very badly would be more of a Despair thing. You just failed to gain her trust/compliance/to give you more info. So I'll give you a bit more than what you asked for with that Advantage...

How about you notice an important detail about the ongoing encounter?

Lyriik swears that he sees her expression begin to soften, and for a split second he sees someone in there other than this recalcitrant loner, but then her expression changes as if she suddenly remembered something and her frown deepens, "I already told you I will do what you ask of me! What more-"

Her tirade would have continued but suddenly the sounds of combat erupt from the pit, and it draws everyone's attention.

The group of aggressors has swarmed two members of the other team who had devoted their energies toward actively looking for the datacron, but that group had apparently split up. The sounds of clashing swords and violent conflict ring out.

Xaos rushes out, leaping across trench tops to watch the fighting better, a perverse grin on his face.

OOC:

More narrative pending, but I'm going to do a two separate rolls to see how the fights go.

The first fight is over shortly, and although the second half of the split-group tried to come to their aid, they arrived too late. The aggressors are prepared for the arrival of the second half of the other group, and with just a couple minutes more of violent struggle, the final cries of anger, fear, and pain echo into silence.

OOC:

Triumphs and Despairs represent kills in those checks. I'll flip a Dark Destiny to save the death from the Despair/on the aggressor's side...

As the dust settles, Xaos nods approvingly and growls a grim congratulations to those still standing, "Well done..., and strolls away from clearing where the fight took place.

One of the aggressors emerge on their own feet. A second and third must be helped out. And the fourth must be carried out by the Masters, but you can see she bares a wicked grin through her ragged breaths.

All four of the seekers must be dragged, bodily from the pit and only two of those display writhing groans of pain to indicate they're alive.

There is no joy or congratulations to the victors from those Acolytes who are your soon-to-be-opposition, as they stare impassively at what could soon be any of their fates. And in short order both your group and the others are directed to opposing ends of the pit. The network of trenches, interspersed with clearings of ruin and rubble stretch out before you.

Xaos remains near the pit this time, but uses the same gesture of his pike and the same words to signal the beginning of your turn in the pit.

"TO VICTORY!!"

OOC:

Alright, what's your general initial approach to this challenge, gang? We'll form checks and narrative based off of that.

Rolls

Quick and Dirty Fight Sim

3 Success, 3 Advantage, 1 Failure, 3 Threat

Total: 2 Success

Q&DFS 2

3 Success, 1 Advantage, 2 Triumph, 3 Failure, 1 Despair

Total: 1 Advantage, 2 Triumph, 1 Despair

Nov 12, 2022 3:53 am

Taken aback from hirani’s vehemence he turns to observe the end of the previous challenge. Turning to his teammates he says "Alright then, what’s our plan of attack?

Nov 12, 2022 2:05 pm