Heroica: Glory Amongst The Stars - Mission #5: Slay Ride

[Peppermint_M]

"I'm not in this for the credits, didn't join Heroica for riches." Aysu shrugged. "But someone who will pitch in with the battle might be of help. Experience is great and all, but I want to be around someone who has my back."

[samurai-turtle]

1 hour ago, Peppermint_M said:

"I'm not in this for the credits, didn't join Heroica for riches." Aysu shrugged. "But someone who will pitch in with the battle might be of help. Experience is great and all, but I want to be around someone who has my back."

That sounds like a good idea... The other two sounds like questionable choices. One seems like they will run from everything. As the other one seems like we will be guiding them more than the other way... If it comes down to it I could loan one of them my Boomerang. 

[Endgame]

Decker slaps the side of his helmet. "Augh. I forgot all about the stipend thing, what with the excitement of the birds and all."

He ponders their options for a moment. "Listen, I feel like Geomi only has a clue or two more about this planet than I do, and that ain't a good thing. Gunnar... I like the sound of this guy, but - well, there is no but really. I'm voting Gunnar, if only because I feel like a scrap or two is going to be inevitable out there. If conditions were normal, Sigrun all the way, but with those overly-confident Frost Hawks... There's somethin' foul goin' on 'round here."

[Duvors]

"Hmm, excuse me a moment."

Leaving the group momentarily Enson sidled over to Sigrún.  "Pardon me," he said quietly, "but how would you describe the other two guides?"

[Waterbrick Down]

4 hours ago, Duvors said:

"Hmm, excuse me a moment."

Leaving the group momentarily Enson sidled over to Sigrún.  "Pardon me," he said quietly, "but how would you describe the other two guides?"

"Gunnar's getting a bit long in the tooth, he's got a bone to pick with everyone. Sure he can handle a gun, but he's the type that shoots first and asks questions later. He's been out on the trail longer than any of us, but I think he's slowing down in my humble opinion. Geomi... he's a new comer, got a lot of enthusiasm. Those wyrms he just hatched, usually takes a handler three times as long to get a good pair of breeding stock. He's got a way with the wyrms, almost like he can talk to them, don't worry though, he won't be taking those two with you. His main team's out back. That being said, he's still a bit green and may not know all the secret ins and outs of the tundra yet."

[Duvors]

"I see, thank you."

Returning to his companions, Enson began speaking with a greater urgency.  "Look, I like Gunnar, he seems like a genuinely good person and he certainly means well.  But the benefits of having another combatant are nil and come with the risk of his dying, whereas avoiding hazards seems like it would greatly increase our speed and be less of a strain on our supplies."  He spread his hands.  "I will not argue any further if you're adamant, but I feel it's a mistake even if Sigrún is ultimately out for themselves."

[Peppermint_M]

"You didn't lead us wrong in the garbage chutes Enoson. I don't see a problem now either. Like I said, I am not here to get credits. Avoiding natural hazards will help us stay fresh for the strange problems that got us hired here." Aysu shrugged a shoulder. "I think Sigrún is a good choice." 

[samurai-turtle]

5 hours ago, Duvors said:

"I see, thank you."

Returning to his companions, Enson began speaking with a greater urgency.  "Look, I like Gunnar, he seems like a genuinely good person and he certainly means well.  But the benefits of having another combatant are nil and come with the risk of his dying, whereas avoiding hazards seems like it would greatly increase our speed and be less of a strain on our supplies."  He spread his hands.  "I will not argue any further if you're adamant, but I feel it's a mistake even if Sigrún is ultimately out for themselves."

I am surprised you didn't ask the ornithun their opinion of the other guides. Or is that next on the agenda? 

[Duvors]

21 minutes ago, samurai-turtle said:

I am surprised you didn't ask the ornithun their opinion of the other guides. Or is that next on the agenda? 

"I would like to, but honestly I feel pressed for time and I don't know how much opportunity he's had to form his opinions of the other two."  He paused with a sigh.  "Look, if you all have nothing else to say then we'll go with Gunnar and be done with it."

[Endgame]

Decker scans the group.

"Hell. We dealt with the frost flappers easy enough, didn't we? We have enough power - Enson, you convinced me. I'm fine with Sigrun."

[samurai-turtle]

14 hours ago, Duvors said:

"I would like to, but honestly I feel pressed for time and I don't know how much opportunity he's had to form his opinions of the other two."  He paused with a sigh.  "Look, if you all have nothing else to say then we'll go with Gunnar and be done with it."

Like I said, I am fine with who ever you people pick. Gunnar, Sigrun and Geomi they all seem about the same now... 

[Duvors]

Enson, somewhat disoriented by everything, shook his head.  "Fine, Sigrún it is."

[Yzalirk]

Quietly standing in the back and analyzing the choice of guides, Ronin makes his decision.

"I believe Sigrún is the guide we seek."

[Waterbrick Down]

7 hours ago, Duvors said:

Enson, somewhat disoriented by everything, shook his head.  "Fine, Sigrún it is."

"Excellent, you've made a wise choice. Best shot at making it back alive really. I'll start getting things packed, in the meantime, I've got a fresh cup of hot cocoa, one of you want it? Also, where are we heading out to first?"

The other two guides turn back to their respective wyrms.

"Youth. Ain't got respect for the wisdom of old age it seems."

"Good luck, don't freeze out there."

[Duvors]

19 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Excellent, you've made a wise choice. Best shot at making it back alive really. I'll start getting things packed, in the meantime, I've got a fresh cup of hot cocoa, one of you want it? Also, where are we heading out to first?"

Nodding briefly to the Ornithun, Enson addressed Sigrún.  "Not me thank you.  Where are we going?  Well..." he reached into his robe and withdrew the map, " the general plan was to head for the pass, though looking it over I think it might be good idea to stop over at the north shore of the lake first.  Does that seem wise?"

[Waterbrick Down]

3 hours ago, Duvors said:

Nodding briefly to the Ornithun, Enson addressed Sigrún.  "Not me thank you.  Where are we going?  Well..." he reached into his robe and withdrew the map, " the general plan was to head for the pass, though looking it over I think it might be good idea to stop over at the north shore of the lake first.  Does that seem wise?"

"So Hriensa Lake or Scjálftosten Pass, the lake is frozen at this point so we can go right over it."

[Endgame]

22 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"Youth. Ain't got respect for the wisdom of old age it seems."

"Good luck, don't freeze out there."

"Same as it ever was, Gunnar. Thanks, Geomi."

Decker crosses his arms. "Forgive me if my priorities aren't straight here, but is the hot cocoa for now or for when we're freezing our collective butts off in the tundra?"

[Waterbrick Down]

12 hours ago, Endgame said:

"Same as it ever was, Gunnar. Thanks, Geomi."

Decker crosses his arms. "Forgive me if my priorities aren't straight here, but is the hot cocoa for now or for when we're freezing our collective butts off in the tundra?"

"If you'd like it now, feel free, otherwise I'll be bringing my stuff to brew as we travel."

MM Note: One of the benefits of Sigrun as a guide is a free cup of cocoa (+1 Skill) between each destination. It's up to the group who gets the bonus each time.

[Duvors]

14 hours ago, Waterbrick Down said:

"So Hriensa Lake or Scjálftosten Pass, the lake is frozen at this point so we can go right over it."

"Hmm.  Well in that case I say we head for Scjálftosten first and deal with the lake afterwards."

[Endgame]

"Y'know, I think I'm all set on the cocoa. I'll second Scjalftosten." Decker pats himself down, checking to make sure he had all he needed for the trip. He brushes off a little leftover slush and plucks off a stray feather from his shoulder armor.

[Waterbrick Down]

Over the next sixty minutes or so Sigrún loads up her sled and harnesses her eight sled wyrms, an impressive feat for such a small creature. A light snow begins to once again start falling as the sled is prepped and ready to go.

 
"Alright then, let's be off!"

The heroes board upon the sled and soon the outskirts of Vindkoss are far behind. Heading eastward the landscape shifts from snowy drifts to rocky clefts covered with snow. Ahead a mountain range looms to the north, its peaks touching the low hanging clouds. The sled easily glides over the snow and ice, the team of sled wyrms working like a well oiled machine, with everyone bundled up tight, one might describe the ride as peaceful. After a few hours of travel however a thin line of black smoke begins to curl up over the horizon.

"Well that's a bit peculiar. We heading over to take a look, or skirting around? Shouldn't be any encampments this near the Pass."

Party

 Ensonvilterayquis (Enson) (Duvors)
60 cycles old male Quo'ri
Character Points: 1/14
Vitality: 5/5
Velocity: 2
Strength: 1
Skill: 2
Smarts: 2
Spirit: 2/2
Proficiencies: Insight 1, Medicine 2, Melee Weapons 1, Religion 2, Survival 1
Spells: Healing Light, Purging Font
Credits: 20
Equipment: Void Star Hammer (+1 Melee Elemental), Utility Belt (Tool, grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Successes)
Inventory: Nanite Elixir 2x, Plasma Potion 3x

 Polaris Ursaring [with M.I.L.E.S.]  (samurai-turtle) 
15 cycle old female "Chimeran" 
Character Points:  1/14 
Vitality:  8/8
Velocity:  2
Strength: 2 
Skill:  2
Smarts:  2
Spirit:  1/1
Proficiencies: Coding 1*, Engineering 1 (+1, tool), Medicine 1 (+1, tool), Melee Weapons 1, Nature 1,  Short Range Weapons 1, 
Spells:  Elemental Evocation, 
Credits:  0 
Equipment: Utility Belt (tool) Grants +1 Engineering or Medicine Check Success, Whirlwind Boomerang (Standard, Elemental, Short Range Weapon),
Inventory:  Mecha Strike (Standard, Kinetic, Melee Range Weapon), Plasma Potion (x2), Field Rations (Consumable, Restores 1 Vitality)

 Aysu Kundakçı (Peppermint_M)
22 Rotations Old, Female? Adopted Human.
Character Points: 1/14
Vitality: 6/6
Velocity: 2
Strength: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Spirit: 1
Proficiencies: Long Range Weapons 3, Nature 1, Survival 1
Spell: Enhanced Vision
Credits: 75
Equipment:  Environment Safe Ammunition "ESA" Rifle (Calibrated Long Range, Energy), Farsight Goggles
Inventory: Plasma Potion 2x, Essence of Glibness, Pack of Crystalline Feathers (6)

 Ronin (Yzalirk)
[REDACTED] Male [REDACTED]
Character Points: 1/11
Vitality: 5/5
Velocity: 2
Strength: 1
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Spirit: 0/0
Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Deception 1, Melee Weapons 2, Stealth 1
Known Spells: None
Credits: 10
Equipment: Cloaking Generator, Hard Light Katana (Calibrated Energy Melee Weapon)
Inventory:

 Decker DaCabe (Endgame)
24 year old male Human
Character Points: 1/11
Vitality: 6/6
Velocity: 2
Strength: 3
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Short Range Weapons 2
Credits: 10
Equipment: Unloaded Pistol (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Sandblasted Cuirass (Standard Kinetic Armor)
Inventory:

[Duvors]

"While my personal preference is to have a look, I'd like to hear the rest of the group's input first."

[Peppermint_M]

"Could be someone needs help." Aysu suggested. "I want to go see what it is."

[Endgame]

Decker wanted to lend a hand, but Sigrun seemed to have everything pretty much under control. And so he just sat back until it was time to embark on the sleigh ride. Decker grits his teeth as the cold settles in, lifting his mask to puff warm air on his hands and rubbing them together.

"Hey, where there's smoke there's fire, and I wouldn't be sayin' no to a little bit of warmth right now. I'm in."

[Waterbrick Down]

Sigrún drives the sled toward the smoke. Coming over the ridge, the heroes can see ahead a crashed hover bike, a figure slowly moving nearby.

 

Sigrún halts the sled 50 meters away.

"Kristal Ice Mining bike... What a mess... best we be moving on."