[Carrie] Chapter 1: State of Emergency

[Erynn]

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 6 + 3, total 9[/blockquote] perception, sword spider type
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 17 + 3, total 20[/blockquote] perception, snake type
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 19 + 3, total 22[/blockquote] perception, spider type
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 3 + 3, total 6[/blockquote] Kaiju type

[Throndir]

[info]Perception (Snake-Type): 20
From deep in its throat, you caught a glimpse of something that reflected red. You couldn't tell if it was something that glowed, or simply reflected the ambient light. It was hard to tell whether it was metallic, or something else. But there was at least something deep in its mouth. The tail end of the creature was sharp, and it mouth too was full of rows of metallic 'teeth'. It was 45 ft. long. It looked dangerous.;[/info][info]Perception (Spider-Type): 22
Must smaller than the others, this one was around the size of a small car. Each of its legs were pointed, and it had two sharp incisors at the front. Each of its eyes were red-colored. However, they reflected light differently than the pink-metal that made up the creature. They looked almost like gemstones.[/info]

[Erynn]

It took Carrie a moment to actually register just what it was she was looking at, but once she finally accepted that what she was seeing wasn't some mad hallucination, she immediately turned her weapon on the nearest snakelike creature that she could see, aiming at the red inside its mouth. It was a guess, really, that it might be a weak point but the mouth seemed like a reasonably vulnerable point to target. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+4 : 13 + 4, total 17[/blockquote][blockquote]Rolled 2d8 : 6, 1, total 7[/blockquote]if a hit

"Aim for anything red on these things!", Carrie shouts  instructions to her recruits, noticing the common theme that locations which would be vulnerable on similar creatures appeared to share a common color on these gigantic monstrosities, "They might be weak points!"

Something else was buzzing around the back of the young sergeant's brain. An idea suddenly surfaced as she started to place the sounds the creatures were making. Carrie quickly approaches a nearby Humvee equipped with the new LRAD system and gets the gunner's attention.

"These things sound like they're crystalline!", she explains over the intense sounds of gunfire, "Turn on that LRAD and crank it up to max volume! See if you can't find a frequency that fucks them up!"

(For reference, an LRAD 450XL broadcasts sound out to 1700meters, and has been used not just for mass notification, but crowd control when set to certain frequencies. The hope is that whatever the source of the crystalline sound is, the use of the LRAD at a correct frequency will break it. Some models are capable of broadcasting in a 360 degree arc, but this one is probably going to be the variant with a 30 degree arc. Larger types do exist but are generally mounted to fixed structures, or larger vehicles like ships.)

[Throndir]

The moment you called out your target, each of the squad members started firing at the snake-like creature, each of them aiming for its mouth where you had seen the red glow. Most of them missed, but a couple of the rounds managed to hit their target.

[info]30 damage dealt to Snake[/info]The snake-type creature doubled back from all the gunfire, as the shots hit the gem inside it. Its glowing eyes seemed to flicker then, and it visibly slowed down its assault but it continued to stay up. The rest of the platoons were dealing with their own targets, there were many shouts of pain as the creatures had begun slicing through the soldiers. Limbs and bodies were torn into pieces as the blood and gore spread wide, both splattering on the ground and on fellow soldiers.

Roll CHA or Soldier (profession) to prevent your troops from fleeing, and to continue attacking.

"Yes sir!" The gunner replied back, aiming it towards a large group. The creatures seemed to momentarily get stunned, as they began to shiver. They too began emitting their own sounds, perhaps in an attempt to neutralize what was affecting them. This of course, made them easier targets.

Will be treating this as a bonus to attack rolls for the other platoons, along with yours. Add a +4 for your next rolls on targets that are affected by the LRAD.

Incorporating a little bit of mass battle into your local fight, feel free to call out any of these strategies per round, your squad is currently on Standard. You can move up or down in the strategy list per round. You can move 2 steps if you succeed a DC 20 Profession (soldier) or CHA check.

Strategy	Defense	Offense	Damage Dealt
Defensive	+4	–4	–6
Cautious	+2	–2	–3
Standard	+0	+0	+0
Aggressive	–2	+2	+3
Reckless	–4	+4	+6

The snake creature headed towards your squad as your recruits were shooting it. It managed to close the gap, and using its tail, one of your recruits was killed on the spot.

[info]Squad count: 16[/info]

[include u=2]Snake Dmg Taken: 30[/include]

[Erynn]

As the creature closed the distance with her unit, Carrie noticed a few of the recruits beginning to falter and break ranks. She immediately changes tone and demeanor, becoming the perfect image of the invincible drill instructor before bellowing in the universal tone that tells any recruit unequivocally, 'You done fucked up'.

"Where in the sam hell do you think you're going to run to on an island, maggot?! All you're gonna do is leave all of your sisters with their asses hangin' in the wind, and die tired when these things chase you down! There's no retreat from this position! No fallback point! If you want to live, win! Now, kill these motherfuckers while they're stunned!" [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 1 + 5, total 6[/blockquote] (Profession Soldier)

(Shifting from standard posture to aggressive)

Carrie then fired a burst of her own at the large snake creature's mouth gem, hoping that the group would be able to put the thing down sooner rather than later. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 14 + 7, total 21[/blockquote] Damage if a hit [blockquote]Rolled 4d8+3 : 2, 8, 7, 7 + 3, total 27[/blockquote]

Carrie then keys up her radio and transmits, "Sergeant Cook to all points! Be advised that LRAD set for high volume and frequency has an apparent stunning effect on the hostiles! Additionally, targeting any red gem-like structures on these creatures seems to yield improved effect!"

She then turns to the humvee's crew. "You're in the right ballpark! See if you can fine-tune the frequency for best effect! Something on or inside them might break! Driver! Advance with our squad! We'll coordinate our efforts with the LRAD!"

[Throndir]

Even with your orders, some of the recruits broke rank, fleeing away from the metallic snake-like creature.

[info]Squad Count: 10[/info]The rest of the recruits held their ground, realizing that there was no where else they could go. Everyone continued firing their weapons, and reloading even as more and more cracks appeared in the night sky. There were at least two more types, and a couple more of the large kaiju-like creatures had appeared as well. Whenever one of those landed, a huge crater was created. By this time there were hundreds, if not thousands, of them.

And more were coming.

Kaiju Type Size: Colossal, 300 ft. Tall	Dragon Type Size: Colossal, 65 ft. Long
Scorpion Type Size: Gargantuan, 45 ft. Tall

You unloaded your burst fire on the metallic snake-like creature. You manage to hit, the rest of the squad began firing at the same time. The creature was still not able to respond, trying to fight off the sounds. Many of the other creatures were affected similarly. And the rest of your soldiers, along with other squads and platoons, used the opportunity to attempt to push back.

[info]Damage dealt to creature[/info]The radio buzzed in response.

"Copy that Sergeant Cook! Relaying the information now."

For specific mechanics, we'll do 1 round of Stun, and damage as per the Shatter spell in Pathfinder, the LRAD needs to be targeted towards them. Also changing Mass Battle rules so that it occurs once per turn, rather than the once per hour or so. So we can get this moving quickly. End result will be that your units seem to die fast, but the same with the enemies.

Local Scale Status
Metallic Snake:  Badly Wounded, Affected by LRAD
Squad Count: 10
Strategy: Aggressive

Battalion Scale Status
First Battalion 1
Units: 1400
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 12[/include]

First Battalion 2
Units: 2000
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 0[/include]

Second Battalion 1
Units: 1800
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 4[/include]

Second Battalion 2
Units: 1550
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 9[/include]

Third Battalion 1
Units: 2000
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Current Next Target
Dmg Taken: 0[/include]

Third Battalion 2
Units: 1800
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 4[/include]

Fourth Battalion 1
Units: 2000
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 0[/include]

Fourth Battalion 2
Units: 2000
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 0[/include]

Army Stat Sheet (The same for all 4)
Size: Colossal
Type: Human Soldiers
ACR: 9
HP: 40
DV: 19 +4 (Settlement Defense/Fortifications) = 23
OM: +9
Tactics: Standard, Withdraw

Metallum Sword Spider
Units: 500
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 0[/include]

Metallum Snake
Units: 463
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 5[/include]

Metallum Spider
Units: 925
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 5[/include]

Metallum Kaiju
Units: 10
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 2[/include]

Metallum Dragon
Units: 200
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 0[/include]

Metallum Scorpion
Units: 425
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 10[/include]

[include u=2]Local Scale
Snake Dmg Taken: 58

Monsters Stat Sheet

500 Metallic Sword Spider (Based on Glass Golem)
Size: Huge
Type: Metallum Sword Spider
ACR: 12
HP: 66
DV: 22
OM: +12
Tactics: Standard, Withdraw

500 Metallic Snake (Based on Glass Golem)
Size: Huge
Type: Metallum Snake
ACR: 12
HP: 66
DV: 22
OM: +12
Tactics: Standard, Withdraw

1000 Metallic Spider (Based on Magnesium Golem)
Size: Gargantuan
Type: Metallum Spiders
ACR: 12
HP: 66
DV: 22
OM: +12
Tactics: Standard, Withdraw

10 Metallic Kaiju (Based on Adamantium Golem)
Size: Diminutive
Type: Metallum Kaiju
ACR: 13
HP: 71
DV: 23
OM: +13
Tactics: Standard, Withdraw

200 Metallic Dragon (Based on Clay Golem)
Size: Large
Type: Metallum Dragon
ACR: 12
HP: 66
DV: 22
OM: +12
Tactics: Standard, Withdraw

500 Metallic Scorpion (Based on Glass Golem)
Size: Huge
Type: Metallum Scorpion
ACR: 12
HP: 66
DV: 22
OM: +12
Tactics: Standard, Withdraw[/include]

[Erynn]

"Keep that thing pegged so we can finish it off!", Carrie instructs the LRAD operator before continuing to advance on the wounded creature with the remaining recruits, "One step at a time, people! Keep it methodical! Keep it frosty! Press the advantage while we have it!"

Carrie again fires off a burst from her M-4, still aiming for the mouth gem that she had been able to identify as its weak point. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 16 + 7, total 23[/blockquote]if a hit:[blockquote]Rolled 4d8+3 : 3, 4, 7, 7 + 3, total 24[/blockquote]

It was now that Carrie took note of the new arrivals in the sky. She made a mental note to pay close attention to them and to take any opportunity she had to try to bring them down. For the moment, she makes a point of trying to spot the red on the creature in question. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 4 + 5, total 9[/blockquote] (perception)

Carrie had chosen to cease worrying about the six that had decided to flee and simply focus on the situation and task in front of her and those who relied upon her. It wasn't that the turn of events didn't frustrate and infuriate her. Quite the opposite in fact. Carrie just knew better than to bother. The chances that she would see them alive again to even begin to address their failings was extremely slim. Better to focus on that which she could still influence.

[Throndir]

With the shock from the LRAD wearing off, the creatures were starting to get used to the changing frequencies, and at various intervals, you could tell that they were taking damage from the sonic-based attacks.

You attempted to burst fire, but many of the attacks bounced off its hard shell, and you weren't able to deal any damage. The rest of your squad fired as well, however, a couple of them managed to his their mark. You watched in satisfaction as many pieces of the creatures mouth was falling off, or damaged severely. The LRAD continued to fire though, and at the very least you knew that it was working.

The creature attacked another one of your squad mates, slicing the poor woman in two.

You heard some chatter on the radio, it seems like your tip with aiming for the red-colored spots on the creatures was helping. Your comms buzzed in from the captain of your company.

"Sergeant Cook! Damn fine job figuring that one out."

The enemies started to fight fiercer, abandoning their defense, the horse of monsters came rushing upon all four battalions.

More chatter came through the comms.

"This is first Battalion! We're losing too many men here!"

There were cries, and sounds of gunfire through the comms, but first battalion's base was simply too far to walk through the many metallic creatures from your point to theirs.

[info]Squad Count: 9[/info]

Feel free to look at a map of MCRD PI if you do actually plan to head out. I'll attempt to use as much real-world information on distances with how far each battalion is in the military camp.

Rough Status
Metallic Snake: Near Death, Affected by LRAD
Squad Count: 9

Battalion Scale Status
First Battalion 1
Units: 850
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 23[/include]

First Battalion 2
Units: 1350
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 13[/include]

Second Battalion 1
Units: 1800
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Current Target
Dmg Taken: 4[/include]

Second Battalion 2
Units: 1550
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 9[/include]

Third Battalion 1
Units: 2000
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 0[/include]

Third Battalion 2
Units: 1800
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 4[/include]

Fourth Battalion 1
Units: 1700
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 6[/include]

Fourth Battalion 2
Units: 2000
Strategy: Standard
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 0[/include]

Metallum Sword Spider
Units: 455
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 6[/include]

Metallum Snake
Units: 463
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 5[/include]

Metallum Spider
Units: 925
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 5[/include]

Metallum Kaiju
Units: 10
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 7[/include]

Metallum Dragon
Units: 188
[include u=2]Current Next Target
Dmg Taken: 4[/include]

Metallum Scorpion
Units: 365
[include u=2]Dmg Taken: 18[/include]

[include u=2]Local Scale
Snake Dmg Taken: 87[/include]

[Erynn]

"I'm not done yet, Captain!", Carrie replies crisply, "We've identified a band of LRAD frequencies between [insert frequency range here] that outright harms them! If we can broadcast it over the base wide PA system, we might just turn this thing around! I'm requesting permission to vacate my current position to do so!"

While waiting for an answer, Carrie continues to blast away at the wounded creature's more exposed mouth with the remaining members of her squad and the LRAD operator. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+3 : 11 + 3, total 14[/blockquote] If it hits:[blockquote]Rolled 4d8+3 : 1, 5, 3, 1 + 3, total 13[/blockquote]

"Recruit Gomez!", Carrie calls out, "If the Captain gives this plan the green light, you take the rest of this squad and link up with Drill Instructor Sergeant Wright! She'll keep you lot busy while I'm gone!"

Carrie was more than willing to risk her life going all in for this plan, but she was by no means willing to leave her unit without a leader. Carrie could trust Wright. In a situation like this, she had to. The bond of trust was quite literally a matter of life and death in combat.

[Throndir]

"Permission granted sergeant!" Your captain responded as you attempted to fire at the metallic snake, your shots missed however.

"Aye, aye ma'am!" Recruit Gomez shouted out at the top of her lungs over the gunfire and crystalline sounds.

Southbound on Korea street was a huge firefight. Soldiers on the western side of the road, shooting, and defending from a horse of metallic creatures dropping from the east and south.

Assuming you're on the Humvee, let the driver know how fast/slow to go. DCs will be affected.

[Erynn]

The moment the captain granted permission for the maneuver, Carrie immediately leaps into the Humvee behind the driver and gives him a new destination.

"Head for the admin buildings near DI school! Haul ass, but keep the tires on the ground! Our number one priority is getting this LRAD, intact, to a mic hooked into the PA system!", The young sergeant orders, then while the vehicle turns around to make tracks toward its new destination she instructs the gunner, "Point that LRAD straight over our hood! It should help keep our path clear!"

As the vehicle begins moving away, Carries takes one last parting shot at the mouth gem of the snake creature that her squad had been tangling with through the still open door, hoping to put it down so that the recruits could themselves maneuver with less of an issue. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 14 + 7, total 21[/blockquote] If a hit: [blockquote]Rolled 2d8+3 : 8, 3 + 3, total 14[/blockquote]

As the vehicle pulls away from her squad, Carrie briefly wonders how many of them she'd see alive again. Her thoughts then quickly turn back to the immediate task at hand; Saving the lives of as many of her brothers and sisters in arms as she possibly could. She knew that success or failure in her new endeavor quite literally would spell the difference between life and death for many of them, perhaps herself included. Carrie resolved in that instant not to fail the Marines depending on her. She found herself fully prepared to sell her life dearly for the Corps should the task demand it of her.

(The driver should be moving quickly, by no means obeying speed limits, but shouldn't even be considering allowing the vehicle to catch air.)

[Throndir]

The driver stepped on the gas, the wheels turned and he was on his way. The LRAD operator heeded your commands, and aimed the device, still blaring, towards the south. When the driver was on his way southwards, trying to sneak in between the gunfire from the soldiers from the west, and the metallic creatures to the east, it was at that point that one of the scorpion-like metallic creatures jumped forward.

The driver sharply turned, just in time, pulling off a maneuver and avoiding the creatures sharp tail-end that struck out. It was close. Too close.

Driver (drive skill): +2 (DEX) +4 (Drive Ranks) -2 (HMMVV Maneuver) -0 (Alley Speed) = +4
Driver (drive skill, avoiding metallic creatures): +2 (DEX) +4 (Drive Ranks) -2 (HMMVV Maneuver) -0 (Alley Speed) +4 (LRAD Support) = +8

Feel free to give commands to the Driver, if you want him to go faster or not. By default he will be going to max speed as fast as possible, but will be slowing down early enough for a proper stop without pulling Stunts.

Distance to IPAC
Installation Personnel Administration Center: 1500 ft
Distance covered: 100 ft.

Local Status
HMMVV: Undamaged
Driver: Uninjured
Gunner (LRAD): Uninjured
Passenger (Sgt. Carrie): Uninjured

Battalion Scale Status
First Battalion 1
Dmg Taken: 23
Rotation Marker

First Battalion 2
Dmg Taken: 13

Second Battalion 1
Dmg Taken: 9

Second Battalion 2
Dmg Taken: 9

Third Battalion 1
Dmg Taken: 0

Third Battalion 2
Dmg Taken: 4

Fourth Battalion 1
Dmg Taken: 11

Fourth Battalion 2
Dmg Taken: 0

Metallum Sword Spider Horde
Dmg Taken: 6

Metallum Snake Horde
Dmg Taken: 5

Metallum Spider Horde
Dmg Taken: 5

Metallum Kaiju  Horde
Dmg Taken: 8

Metallum Dragon Horde
Dmg Taken: 11

Metallum Scorpion
Dmg Taken: 18

[include u=2]Local Scale
Snake Dmg Taken: 87[/include]

[Erynn]

As the Humvee swerves to avoid the scorpion-like creature that lashed out at it, Carrie quickly fires off a round toward its eyes, hoping that they would be a weak spot like the eyes of the spider types, trying to disincentivize the creature from continuing to pursue the vehicle. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 2 + 7, total 9[/blockquote] if a hit:[blockquote]Rolled 2d8+3 : 6, 4 + 3, total 13[/blockquote]

"Good save.", Carrie compliments the driver as they pull away from the hostile creature, "This shit reminds me way too much of dodging vehicle-borne IEDs. Gunner! If you see one on a collision course, call it out the same way you would a car bomb! We can't afford to let one hit us!"

Carrie turns her attention forward, making a point of watching for any further approaching creatures. If she spots one, she'll likewise warn the driver as early as she can. (Perception if required:[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 8 + 5, total 13[/blockquote])

[Throndir]

Attempting to shoot at the scorpion, now behind you, you missed.

I'll treat your Perception checks per round, along with the Gunner's, if DC 15 success, will give the Driver another +2 circumstance modifier to his Drive checks to Avoid Obstacle. Roll them each round.

The driver picked up speed. Thankfully this time around, there were no creatures that appeared.

Alley Speed -> Street Speed

Looking around you noted that the stream of creatures falling from the skies still continued. It was like rain. If only rain were giant metallic creatures that could rip apart a human being. It was then too, that you noticed that some of the creatures of a same type, were just slightly bigger than the rest, and these had been firing off beams of lasers from either their eyes or their mouths. The battle continued to rage all around you. The chatter on the radio was loud and deafening as you heard the death cries of your fellow soldiers, the constant slew of gunfire, the rattling of explosions from missiles, and the crystalline sounds coming from the creatures.

"This is Lietenant Colonol David J. Grabow, C.O. of 1st Battalion! We're suffering too many casualties. We are fortifying ourselves in the barracks! Requesting reinforcements! I repeat, 1st Battalion is requesting reinforcements!"

"4th Battalion is starting to take heavy losses!"

Driver (drive skill): +2 (DEX) +4 (Drive Ranks) -2 (HMMVV Maneuver) -1 (Street Speed) = +3
Driver (drive skill, avoiding metallic creatures): +2 (DEX) +4 (Drive Ranks) -2 (HMMVV Maneuver) -0 (Street Speed) +4 (LRAD Support) = +7

Distance to IPAC
Installation Personnel Administration Center: 1500 ft
Distance covered: 350 ft.

Local Status
HMMVV: Undamaged
Driver: Uninjured
Gunner (LRAD): Uninjured
Passenger (Sgt. Carrie): Uninjured
Defense: +1 (Street Speed)

Battalion Scale Status
First Battalion 1
Commander: Lt. Col. David J. Grabow
Max HP: 40
Dmg Taken: 33
Strategy: Defensive
Current DV: 26
Current OM: +5
Current Dmg Dealt: -6

First Battalion 2
Max HP: 40
Dmg Taken: 13
Strategy: Standard
Current DV: 23
Current OM: +9
Current Dmg Dealt: +0

Second Battalion 1
Max HP: 40
Dmg Taken: 9
Strategy: Standard
Current DV: 23
Current OM: +9
Current Dmg Dealt: +0

Second Battalion 2
Max HP: 40
Dmg Taken: 9
Strategy: Standard
Current DV: 23
Current OM: +9
Current Dmg Dealt: +0

Third Battalion 1
Max HP: 40
Dmg Taken: 0
Strategy: Standard
Current DV: 23
Current OM: +9
Current Dmg Dealt: +0

Third Battalion 2
Max HP: 40
Dmg Taken: 8
Strategy: Standard
Current DV: 23
Current OM: +9
Current Dmg Dealt: +0

Fourth Battalion 1
Commander: Lt. Col. Misty J. Posey
Max HP: 40
Dmg Taken: 21
Strategy: Cautious
Strategy: Standard
Current DV: 25
Current OM: +7
Current Dmg Dealt: -3

Fourth Battalion 2
Max HP: 40
Dmg Taken: 0
Strategy: Standard
Current DV: 23
Current OM: +9
Current Dmg Dealt: +0

Metallum Sword Spider Horde
Dmg Taken: 11

Metallum Snake Horde
Dmg Taken: 6

Metallum Spider Horde 1
Dmg Taken: 5

Metallum Spider Horde 2
Dmg Taken: 3

Metallum Spider Horde 3
Dmg Taken: 0

Metallum Kaiju  Horde
Dmg Taken: 8

Metallum Dragon Horde
Dmg Taken: 17

Metallum Scorpion
Dmg Taken: 18

[include u=2]Local Scale
Snake Dmg Taken: 87[/include]

[Erynn]

Carrie looked on in horror as more and more of the creatures continued to fall from the sky, some of them even firing what looked like frickin' laser beams from their eyes and mouths. The sounds of battle were deafening, but those were sounds Carrie was used to. The one sound that she could never get out of her head though was the screams of the dying soldiers being incidentally broadcast via radios across the battlefield. Carrie took the opportunity provided by the lack of maneuvering to take a shot at one of the creatures' weak points as they passed by. [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+6 : 19 + 6, total 25[/blockquote] If a hit:[blockquote]Rolled 2d8+3 : 7, 2 + 3, total 12[/blockquote]

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 7 + 5, total 12[/blockquote] Perception