[Carrie] Chapter 5: Chasing the Slavers

[Erynn]

Perception:

Rolled 1d20+8 : 13 + 8, total 21

Initiative:

Rolled 1d20+7 : 1 + 7, total 8

[Throndir]

Carrie's Perception: 21
You manage to catch sight of a thrown dagger towards you. It had come from the unconscious man you had searched before. You see him managing to slip away gracefully from the earth that had been holding him.

Even though you had seen the dagger come flinging towards you, the dagger still managed to hit. You felt a slight weakening of your body.

Physical Resist save requested.

"Nasty little..." Donovan said, quickly drawing his primary weapon, which was the scythe on his back as he charged towards the assailant. He managed to make a swing, but the man was able to dodge.

Carrie to take turn.

Combat

Initiative: Assailant, Donovan: 17, Carrie: 8, Synthise: 7
Log
Round 1
Assailant attacks Carrie, and moves up from prone, succeeds grapple from earth
Donovan charges Assailant, and misses.
Carrie to take turn.

[close]

[Erynn]

Physical Resist:

Rolled 1d20+11 : 13 + 11, total 24

As Carrie feels the thrown blade connect, she reacts instantly to the fleeing opponent. Raising her rifle and tilting it slightly to the left in order to expose the iron sights mounted on the side rail, she squeezes off a burst aimed at the center of the man's back. Realizing that all the man had for protection was likely some manner of medieval leather or mail, Carrie couldn't help be pity the poor fool that had thought it a good idea to pick a fight with her. It's at this moment that the sudden event truly sinks in. "This motherfucker just pucked a fight with me!", Carrie thought with building fury, "After kidnapping Synithise, this is what passes for a good idea?!"

Carrie's entire demeanor shifts from upbeat and happy about having found Synithise straight into a cold, calm, dead-eyed stare that belied the young hero's growing rage. For the moment, Carrie's fury is a quiet one serving to focus her senses.

Burst Fire:

Rolled 1d20+9 : 12 + 9, total 21

If a hit:

Rolled 4d8 : 6, 7, 8, 6, total 27

[Throndir]

New World - North of Melrose
Day 4 - 9:30 AM

Physical Resist: 24
Whatever the weakening was, you managed to resist it. However, the dagger had still left a wound on you. The throw was surprisingly painful, there was a lot more force into it than you would have normally expected. You were injured.

You unleashed a burst of bullets towards the foe, and though the man tried to dodge out of the way, the bullets still hit. His eyes widened in shock, looking slightly injured,though he kept his ground even though the burst of bullets had penetrated.

Synithise began to chant a spell next. "Air! Slicing storm: Gale cutter!" He spell manifested as winds began to blow towards the assailant. Unfortunately, the fact both he and Donovan were fighting in melee, it was a bit more difficult for Synithise to aim, and she ended up missing.

At that moment, a sudden heavy pressure filled the immediate area. Both Synithise and Donovan reacted to it, and it gave you the impression that the pressure was coming from the assailant himself who continued to move fluidly. Then, all of a sudden he vanished. It took you a moment to realize he was right behind you.

"Carrie!" Synithise called out in warning. You barely had time to dodge, towards that attack, you were flat-footed. You felt the assailant's dagger hit.

Physical Resist requested

The earth then attempted to grapple the man again, but like before he skillfully was able to get out of the way.

"That man had been hiding his true skills." Donovan called out. The dullahan focused his eyes on you next, and they began to glow, it was similar to how it was the night before when Donovan had used his magic to accelerate your healing. "Agility, Carrie." He said. You managed to see the flow of mana, due to your greater mana sensitivity, suddenly encapsulate you, however a strange thing happened then.

That glow surrounding you suddenly sped back towards Donovan, encapsulating him instead. Donovan had a perplexed look on his face, as if not understanding what had just happened.

"My spell didn't work." The dullahan said thoughtfully. He shook his head a moment later, and instead started to close the gap between him and the assailant.

Carrie to take turn

Combat

Initiative: Assailant, Donovan: 17, Carrie: 8, Synthise: 7
Log
Round 1
Assailant attacks Carrie, hits, and moves up from prone, succeeds grapple from earth
Donovan charges Assailant, and misses.
Carrie attacks assailant, hits.
Synithise casts a spell, misses.
Round 2
Assailant attacks Carrie, hits. Physical resist requested.
Donovan casts Agility on CArrie.
Carrie to take turn.

[close]

[Erynn]

Physical resist:

Rolled 1d20+11 : 3 + 11, total 14

As Carrie felt the bite of her opponent's dagger once again, she immediately recoiled. Realizing that her opponent had an ability to quite literally teleport around the battlefield, Carrie back up, placing her back against one of the wagons in order to prevent the opponent from repeating the performance. Donovan was right. Carrie had laid into the man with a solid burst of gunfire and he hadn't gone down. Clearly something more would be required. She then found herself surprised by the fact that Donovan's attempt to aid her with a spell had been turned aside, leading her to conclude that magic reflect did in fact function as expected, however unfortunate the method of discovery may have been. Carrie then
came up with an impromptu solution to the problem on the spot, engaging her program ability with her M-4 as the subject.

"Program, condition now statement multiply projectile mass 1000 at muzzle exit, condition now statement multiply projectile volume 1000 at muzzle exit. Save."

Carrie then levels her weapon at the hostile individual again, ensuring that her line of fire is clear before firing off another burst. The burst in question would be very different this time. This time instead of 5.56x45mm, the projectile would suddenly exit the muzzle with the same velocity but would instead enlarge nearly instantaneously to 55.6x450mm. Effectively, Carrie had programmed her M-4 to fire rounds the size of a world war two era tank shell.

Attack:

Rolled 1d20+9 : 11 + 9, total 20

[Throndir]

New World - North of Melrose
Day 4 - 9:30 AM

You began to go through the programming, but you realized you weren't going to be able to finish it in time before the assailant attacked again. At that moment a notification appeared.

Your wish is granted.

A moment later, time seemed to slow as you very quickly went about finished the program.

// Object: Bullet
// Cost: 50 MP, with Efficient Programmer: 25 MP
// File saved as: Weapon.M4Carbine.Bullet.ipl

If (Bullet.FiredFromGun()) // 2 MP per block
{
    Bullet.IncreaseSize(1000) // 48 MP, through AddPiercingDamage, for 24d6 piercing damage
}

// Object: Gun
// Cost: 54 MP, with Efficient Programmer: 27 MP
// File saved as: Weapon.M4Carbine.ipl

If (Gun.TriggerPulled()) // 2 MP per block
{
    Gun.Projectile.ApplyProgramming("Weapon.M4Carbine.Bullet.ipl") // 52 MP, as cost of saved programming, and cost of ApplyProgramming
}

The program was applied to the weapon, and just when the assailant was preparing for another strike, you pulled back on the trigger of your weapon.

Roll damage through Burst Fire, 28d6.

[Erynn]

As requested, Damage:

Rolled 20d6 : 3, 3, 5, 6, 2, 3, 5, 1, 5, 2, 1, 5, 6, 4, 5, 6, 2, 6, 2, 2, total 74

[Erynn]

Another roll due to dice limit. Adding the 74 from the previous roll to make this roll show total damage dealt.

Rolled 8d6+74 : 4, 4, 4, 6, 4, 6, 3, 5 + 74, total 110

[Throndir]

New World - North of Melrose
Day 4 - 9:30 AM

You took a quick step back, then released another burst of 3 shots. Just as you had planned with your programming, when the bullets exited the weapon, the programming was applied, increasing the size of each of the projectiles to the size of tank shells. The man's eyes widened in shock as he attempted to get out of the way, but it was too late. The speed of the bullet was much to fast for him to avoid it.

A split second later, his body burst in a spray of blood as the large bullets pierced into his body and out the other side. The look on the man's face was one of pure horror. He was dead on the spot.

You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You have gained a new title 『Permanent Programmer』
You have gained +2 CON
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You have gained a new title 『Double Statement Programmer』
You have gained +2 DEX
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You leveled up.
You are now level 39. Spend your unallocated points.

Donovan who had just arrived with his weapon, and had been planning to attack the man as well eventually slowed.

"Nice job Carrie." The dullahan said, sheathing his weapon back in place. "I'm sure he's in heaven. After all, he looks pretty holey."

As the dullahan spoke, you noticed a strange almost red-glow coming from your hands. Though it felt very much like seeing the glow of mana, but this one was different. You noticed that there was no glow on Donovan at all, though, there was a bit of it in Synithise.

Post two 1d100s on your character thread. Mark one as level 30, and the other as level 35. Also choose a core blessing extension.

[Erynn]

As Carrie watched her assailant quite literally explode in a red shower of blood, bone, and everything in between, she is immediately relieved that such a dangerous individual had been stopped cold. The sudden shower of red, however, brings her back to Paris Island. Looking down, she sees the face of one of her recruits staring back at her and the sight of her uniform once more blood-soaked causes Carrie to begin feeling a rising panic at what she's about to see when she looks back up. When she does, what she sees shocks her. Amidst the chaos and carnage, a horseman approaches and utters the one pun Carrie doubts she'll ever forget. The sight of Donovan clashes harshly with the environment Carrie sees around her, causing considerable confusion, but the pun suddenly and abruptly yanks Carrie back to reality.

Carrie begins laughing, but her laughter is exceptionally odd. On the one hand, the pun is genuinely so horrible it's good. On the other hand, Carrie's laughter also conveys the distress she feels upon realizing that she had found herself full-on hallucinating an entirely different scenario over the top of the world around her. Carrie truly feels for the first time that her grip on reality is beginning to slip, and the experience terrifies her, her laughter serving to mask the emotion she truly finds herself experiencing. Her 'mirth' lasts somewhat longer than it ought to.

"Oh, you are incorrigible!", Carrie replies to Donovan, then adds to the comedy by referencing the newly deceased's current state, "It's almost like these guys can't catch a break! Now if you could lend me a hand getting them in their former captives' restraints so I can dismiss this...... unexpectedly irritating trap they're caught in, we'll be in good shape."


Carrie then resumes unlocking the restraints of the priestesses and applies the restraints she has removed to any nearby slavers, taking care to avoid staying in any one place for too long. She even makes a point of avoiding any of the slavers being crushed, despite her obvious disgust. Carrie hasn't by any means forgiven them. No, now that they've seen what she's capable of, Carrie fully intends to kill all of them. First, though, she needs them for intelligence gathering purposes. Slavers, Carrie reasons, likely get around quite a bit and likely have a solid understanding of the state of affairs within Felencorp territory. Such information would be highly useful to any insurgency. She also makes a point of addressing any captives who weren't priestesses in the hopes of offering hospitality to anyone who doesn't have somewhere to go back to.

"Do we have the space to take in refugees?", Carrie asks Synithise, "The last thing I want to do is leave someone out on the streets somewhere. If we can help some of our people rebuild their lives after nearly being taken as slaves, then perhaps this whole shit show will turn out to have a silver lining. We do also need to speak privately at some point soon. I have questions that need answers."

Carrie's tone with Synithise while uttering the last sentence is at once simultaneously sympathetic, yet conveys irritation. Unless Synithise was totally oblivious, the topic of the conversation would be obvious: Misophe.

Finally, the moment Carrie gets the opportunity she will make a point of searching through the remains of her assailant, looking for anything that might be useful. Identification perhaps? Coin? The menace's weapon would be something to take possession of before any of the other slavers demonstrates contortionist acuity. As she searches, Carrie can't help but play Donovan's game to take her mind off her rising anxiety over the recent hallucination.

"Hey, Donovan? What happens when a Felencorp agent stops moving?"

Investigate:

Rolled 1d20+14 : 19 + 14, total 33

[Throndir]

New World - North of Melrose
Day 4 - 9:30 AM

Donovan's eyes stared at you keenly the moment you started to think back on your platoon. He had piercing eyes that only seemed to be drawn in more when you had started to forcefully laugh. It was reminiscent of Eveleen's gaze. Donovan eventually tore his eyes away though and only shrugged to himself. The three of you, including Synithise, had begun systematically releasing the rest of the slaves. Many of the slaves were simply crammed into each of the portable prison cells, but all locks and manacles were eventually accounted for. A couple of the slavers had already died, as most of them were not protected by cells which protected the slaves. Their mangled remains were still being slowly moved towards you, and as you proceeded with the work, there were times where you had to leave it to either Synithise or Donovan as the mash of moving rocks, bodies, and cells, became too crowded. All the slavers were crushed, but there were a few who still lived, even if they had plenty of broken bones.

The other captives on the cart were primarily the monster races of the fragment of Darmona Kingdom. You weren't completely sure what exactly each of them were, but using your own experiences of folklore and tales, there was a harpy, three minotaur-like people, a couple wolfmen, two mermaids, a lionfolk, among the many other Lamia priestesses.

"We have space for them!" Synithise said determinedly. The Lamia matriarch did seem to catch your tone however. "Well... at least after we put back the other priestesses, and myself, in our proper place..."

When you began going through the assailant's possessions, you found a couple of items. Now that you had a chance to look at them, you did notice a faint glow of mana coming from them. More than likely, no one else but you could have seen the glow due to your heroic blessings.

Shortsword (unidentified, 1001), A grip and hilt of a red-colored hand grasping the blade
Cloak (unidentified, 1002), Dark colored
Leather Armor (unidentified, 1003), Dark colored
Dagger (unidentified, 1004) x5, Finely crafted looking daggers
Dagger (unidentified, 1005) x1, A grip and hilt of a red-colored hand grasping the blade
Vials (unidentified, 1006) x10, has a purple liquid inside, does not glow with mana.

"When a Felencorp Agent stops moving..." The dullahan repeated, he looked thoughtful for a moment, but eventually grinned. "A fallen corpse agent."

[Erynn]

The moment that all of the prisoners were freed, Carrie dismisses the program compelling the earth to restrain those present and addresses those present who weren't Lamia.

"Those of you who have somewhere to go back to, feel free to grab whatever supplies you need from these slavers' caravan before heading out. I only ask one thing of you; Forget that you saw me.", Carrie pauses a moment before continuing, "Those of you who've nowhere to go are free to join us in returning to the home of the Lamia Priestesses. We've got a troublesome situation to resolve once we arrive, but we're more than happy to offer a place to stay regardless."

Carrie then turns specifically to the minotaur-looking folk before speaking again, speaking specifically to any of them who appear to be intending to avail themself of the offer of shelter if there are any, "I don't suppose I could ask you to pull one of these wagons for us, could I? With injured prisoners to transport a wagon would be our best option but would be problematic to manage otherwise."

Regardless of the answer, Carrie would respond to Donovan's answer to her comedic question with a chuckle, "I was going to say he remains, but that's a good one too!"

Meanwhile, having seen the glow of mana on the near entirety of the cloaked Felencorp agent's equipment, Carrie gathers the lot of it up and either stores it in her pack or secures it to the external webbing. Weapons, in particular, are secured externally.

"It looks like we're going to be in need of someone to identify this gear.", Carrie informs Synithise, "I'm hesitant to use captured enemy kit without knowing what I'm getting into."

Carrie also takes pointed note of the unique design to the sword and dagger and racks her brain to see if perhaps Eveleen's memories might not hold some information of relevance.

Knowledge: Arcana, History, Local, or Religion as may be appropriate.:

Rolled 1d20+14 : 5 + 14, total 19

[Throndir]

New World - North of Melrose
Day 4 - 9:30 AM

Identification for mechanical stats are done through Spellcraft. This same skill is used for identification of cast spells, etc. A hero's mana sensitivity will take the place of an 'identification' spell, like Detect Magic or Identity, though the check is still needed. DCs are normal, at 15 + Item's Caster Level, per item. Successful Knowledge checks related to items, will give backstory of the item.

Roll Spellcraft per item to identify them (in terms of mechanics). You can roll knowledge per item if you want each item's backstories.

Knowledge (local, on design of pommel and hilt): 19
Even with Eveleen's memories, you were not able to recognize the design of the sword or dagger. It wasn't something that Eveleen had ran into before at least.

Dismissing the program was simple, as you already created a condition on casting it to disable it whenever you willed. In this way, you didn't have to go through the longer process of removing each entry manually. Soon enough, the earth stopped their relentless movement and dragging.

"Oye, I kin do dat." The minotaur said, moving himself to one of the turned wagons. The large bull-like creature placed his hands on the wagon, lifting it up fairly easily until it was right-side up. Donovan gave a slight whistle.

"Gut no-where else to be." The minotaur replied as he glanced at you, and Donovan, understanding that it was the two of you who had freed them. "I follow, ke?" He said again.

When you finished your joke, Donovan grinned.

When it came to the other two minotaur, they wanted to make their own ways back home. Soon enough the supplies on the wagons were split. Two of the minotaur, all the wolfmen, as well as the lionfolk wanted to head home. The minotaur who had spoken to you and was willing to pull the wagon, a harpy, the two mermaid, and the rest of the Lamia decided to head back with you to Thura forest.

It didn't take you long to realize that the two mermaid, one who looked more like a shark-type mermaid, and the other dressed in some frilly clothes, had trouble moving about on land.

"I'd like to get back home, too... Though the journey is far, and walking isn't something I'm very accustomed to." The shark-type mermaid said as she lifted her large fin slightly and waived it around. A moment later, those fins transformed into a pair of legs. The mermaid smiled then, an array of sharp teeth filling that grin.

"Oh, uhh... yes. Merfolk don't usually walk up here unless it's for meeting with the surface races..." The other mermaid said. This one didn't look quite as threatening at all. She wore some clothing on her, they had a particular shine to them, but they were styled in something similar to what you would have expected French maids from earth to wear.

"I find the surface world just a bit too limiting... That said, with the oceans disappearing, our own homes aren't so free either."

"You are a criminal. So it wouldn't be so free anyways." The second one blurted, only to receive a glare from the first.

It was then that Synithise decided to speak up.

"Good! Well, then let's head home! I'm really really hungry." Synithise said. "I could eat a man!" She licking her lips as a slight grumble came from her stomach.





The last one who decided to stay, the harpy, didn't say anything, though you notice that she kept looking towards you and Synithise. Her feathers were an icy blue, and from a short distance, they almost looked like slabs of ice rather than feathers. She had piercing red eyes that continued to scan both you and the Lamia, and eventually she spoke.

"You are Synthise." The harpy said as she stared at your companion. "Matriarch of the Lamia Priestess clan, of Thura Forest which we all had just passed by." She stated matter-of-factly. Next she turned her eyes towards you.

"That means you're a hero."

[Erynn]

Spellcraft to see if Carrie can figure out what each item does as she stows them: Shortsword (unidentified, 1001):

Rolled 1d20+7 : 15 + 7, total 22

Cloak (unidentified, 1002):

Rolled 1d20+7 : 9 + 7, total 16

Leather Armor (unidentified, 1003):

Rolled 1d20+7 : 3 + 7, total 10

5 Daggers (unidentified, 1004):

Rolled 1d20+7 : 1 + 7, total 8

Dagger (unidentified, 1005):

Rolled 1d20+7 : 4 + 7, total 11

As Carrie draws a blank on the symbology present on the short sword and dagger, she takes a moment to silently thank whatever deity had once more come to her aid while doing battle with the previous owner of the weapons she was contemplating, she also responds to the minotaur as well.

"Thanks, big guy. I owe you one."

As the two mermaids make it known that they're unaccustomed to walking, Carrie quickly glances over and notes the obvious. The two were definitely going to need some manner of footwear for the journey ahead. Carrie then turns to the canvas covering one of the soon to be abandoned wagons and creates a new program.

"Program, condition now, statement, become boots, statement, match size to wearer, Condition, prior to expiration, statement refresh program, save."

Carrie then retrieves two pairs of boots from the many that the canvas had suddenly become and hands them to the two mermaids.

"You're going to be wanting these if you're coming with us. Walking around barefoot is no fun, nor are the blisters that would result from it.", Carrie advises them as they finish bickering, then comments, "It sounds like you two have some history. Why don't you tell me about it while we walk?"

It's at that moment that Carrie hears the harpy put two and two together while thinking aloud. She sighs audibly, hearing the title again.

"Calling me a hero is a bit much.", Carrie replies, "I was brought here from another world, yes, but I'm just a soldier like any other. I've got some unusual tools, sure, but when all's said and done I'm just doing my job."

Carrie shoots Synithise a glance and a warm smile before continuing, "Of course, some missions are more personal than others. In any case, I have a report to make."

Carrie then turns to look away from the group and avails herself of an earlier program she had created to make contact with Eveleen.

"Eveleen, Donovan and I have secured the missing priestesses plus four and are returning with prisoners. Where should we rendezvous?"

[Throndir]

New World - North of Melrose
Day 4 - 9:30 AM

Whoever this assailant was, they were packing a lot of magical equipment. More than you've seen back in the tunnels. Not even the priestesses or guards had anything of this amount of magic. As you began to use your heroic blessings to see how the flow of mana worked in the items, the reason why they were so bright in the glow of mana was because most of them were indeed enchanted. Some of them, a bit too complex for even you to make out without further analysis.

As per PF, you can make Spellcraft checks once per day per item, so even you don't know what they are now, you might be able to in the future. You may not be able to get all properties of an item until you hit the DC for that property, but I'll note if an item can still be furthered analyzed.

Spellcraft (Shortsword (unidentified, 1001)): 22
This was definitely magical. You immediately got the sense of a particular aura of the mana surrounding it. Though, there were still aspects that you couldn't figure out.

Red-Hand Gripped Shortsword +1, cunning (partly identified, 1001)
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons/magic-weapon-special-abilities/cunning

Spellcraft (Cloak(unidentified, 1002)): 16
This was magical, but the way the mana was weaved into the item was too difficult to follow.

Spellcraft (Leather armor (unidentified, 1003)): 10
This was magical, but the way the mana was weaved into the item was too difficult to follow.

Spellcraft (5 Daggers (unidentified, 1004)): 8
This was magical, but the way the mana was weaved into the item was too difficult to follow.

Spellcraft (Red-Hand Gripped Dagger (unidentified, 1005)): 10
This was magical, but the way the mana was weaved into the item was too difficult to follow.

"Minotaur pay debts. Right now, I have a life debt, ke?" The large bull-creature said.

You created the program for one of the boots, and when you saved it, it immediately triggered and you felt the pull of mana leaving your body. You were already drowsy, but making boots wasn't nearly as taxing as your earlier uses. You've felt as if you had gotten much stronger than before, or at least, a larger pool of mana, likely due to the level up messages that had been occurring.

A single boot was created from the canvas, and it looked surprisingly good. Since you had the program saved, focusing on other sections of the canvas applied the same menus, and you were able to create a total of two pairs of boots.

"Thank you, dear." The shark-like mermaid flashed a toothy grin, which was of course full of sharp teeth.

"Y-yes... Thank you." The other mermaid said as she placed the boots on. "I really don't like how these feel on me... I feel really sorry for your land-people. And yes! I can tell you all about the criminal over here."

The shark-mermaid only rolled her eyes though said nothing.

"Carrie, it's good to hear from you again. It's been a hectic last day. I'm still not entirely sure how you're doing this... Voice magic? Anyways, my other riders are looking at my weirdly, one second..."

After a few moments, you heard Eveleen's voice again.

"It's fairly tense. Sorry I had to drop off yesterday night, some blood has been drawn, though enough restraint on both sides have been given to not incur an fatalities. Well... not that it would mean much to the dullahan." There was a slight chuckle from Eveleen.

"Misophe claims that she is following her legal right, and the crown would back them up. Truthfully... if the crown were here, they very well might. The royal family were quite strict with their rules. I admit, all the lives of the dullahan and voices in my head say that laws are one to be followed... The dullahan had spent lifetimes following these same laws to become part of the Darmona Kingdom. But... It's not as if we can simply go to the royal court and have this dispute settled. I and a few of our riders have the primary tunnel entrance surrounded, and a couple of others at the various exit tunnels."

As you talked to Eveleen, and listening to Eveleen's response, the rest of those with you waited patiently. The programming you applied to the atmosphere itself only whispered words directly into your ear, so you doubted any of the others could hear, unless they had an amazing skill for listening. However, they didn't seem to question the fact that you had talked to someone that wasn't physically there. The minotaur seemed confused, but the others seemed to accept it.