13
JIC: 1d20:
13/1d100:
48
'just in case' JIC: 1d20:
8/1d100:
53
Conditions:
- PPE: 93/224 at the start of this post (I'm assuming that Rufus hasn't had to cast any more spells but also hasn't had opportunity to recover PPE through meditation)
- Medium Concealed Ley Line Walker Armor Main Body: 52/60 at the start of this post
- XM-50 Medical Pod Main Body MDC: 72/140 at the start of this post
- NG-45LP: 4/8 shots in current e-clip, 3 full spare e-clips remaining
- Nightvision -- 40'
- Keen hearing (equal to a dog boy)
Captain Cook wrote:All that was left at this point was for the group to wrap things up and head back to the extraction point. That alone was a task that took a long time, but at least with the Grigleapers all keeping to shelter for the time being the trip back passed relatively uneventfully. Though there was one point where the group had to come to a stop as a herd of some sort of multi-legged horse like creatures ran past, though no one was able to tell what they were, much less where they had come from. Certainly some sort of alien species however. It was during this pause that Rufus' keen vision picked up a small glinting metal object. Retrieving it he found it to be a somewhat tarnished but in otherwise excellent condition silver coloured ring.
Rufus, for his part, was as crestfallen as anyone else in the group on the way back to the rendezvous point. Sure, he had been of use -- but that mattered little in the overall scheme of things. Nakamura's employee was long dead and most likely was bug chow even before they set out in the first place. The APC and Marcus' hover pod had been trashed by those pošastno Grigleapers, which also likely devoured the only member of the group that could effectively perform the repairs. His mind wandered back (as it was prone to do more and more often) to the time he and Septimus began attending the Mage's School in Lazlo -- even then he was fascinated with technology and had shown an interest in Techno-Wizardry, but Cato and Septimus both talked him out of it. Too new a discipline, they said. Too narrowly focused, they said. Far better to study the more versatile field of Ley Line magic, they said. But of course he had to 'follow in their examples' by disobeying his uncle and sneaking off whenever possible to learn what little he could of the mechanical arts from anyone willing to teach him. He could possibly do some of the repairs himself, but how much with his limited knowledge? That remains to be seen. I know you meant well, Uncle, but sometimes a Kank's gotta do what a Kank's gotta do... he thinks to himself bitterly. And this Kank's gonna have to follow that trail -- with or without your approval.
He makes yet another mental note to inquire at the Collegiate Arcane about opportunities to study Techno-Wizardry just as the herd of... octo-horses (or whatever they were) pass by and notices the ring while waiting. He sets the pod down nearby and scoops it up into his paw. Well, it's not exactly making the trip worthwhile but as baubles go -- oh, wait, is this magical? He can't help but feel some sort of 'tingle' (for lack of a better term) about the ring. He squints at it, takes a few interrogative sniffs, and even casts his See Aura spell on it ((-6 PPE)).
Lore: Magic
General Knowledge: 1d100:
91/62%
Recog. Magic Circles, Runes, etc: 1d100:
79/52%
Recognize Enchantment 1d100:
24/46%
Once back at MercTown, he makes a point to accompany Jason to inform Nakamura of their findings and offers his own individual condolences in addition to the group's.
Jason Long wrote:"I know most of you just want to head to bed or for a drink, but lets get the gear cleaned up first. I'll deal with cleaning out the APC and gathering Sifnos's remains. At 0800hrs tomorrow, we will give him a proper burial." Jason considers a moment. "I'll have the pay from Nakamura broken down. 100,000 goes in the team fund. Each of us gets 80,000 as our cut. I will contact Northern Gun to see where we are on our contract with them and then Fixer Jones to try and find a new tech. While you are out on your own time, keep an ear out for a tech who may be a good fit. Also, after seeing Nakamura's abilities, someone who can open doorways like that for travel would be a valuable asset. Can anyone think of anything else? "
"I'll help with the cleaning," Rufus pipes up, "and do whatever I can with repairs or anything else I can help with for the time being. I'll need to be off to the Guild for a couple days or so before we head out again though -- I need to meditate and... well, commune with the local ley line." He grimaces a bit at the mention of 'communing.' Truth be told, he hates using the phrase as it seems somewhat melodramatic, but he doesn't know of a more applicable term. "Those of us who study the ways of the Ley Line Walkers, well, every so often we feel this need to seek out a line where we can meditate, focus, and learn more about manipulating its energies." He shrugs. "I know it sounds a little smešno crazy, but hey, it's kind of a mage thing." And truth be told once again, he really is feeling an urge to 'commune' with a ley line. Almost as if it's calling to him somehow. Well, isn't magic supposed to be a kind of bio-energy anyway? I guess 'communing' might be the right term after all...
He also gestures back to Carny. "Speaking of smešno crazy, we're gonna need a steady supply of foodstuffs for Happy Ninja Death Ice Cream Bot over there until someone can give him a mind wipe and scrub away the blood lust. You think we could get someone to comb the local restaurants and get them to let us take their food scraps off their hands? Could be as you humans say, a 'win-win' for everyone?"
True to his word, he helps out with the cleaning (using Cleanse whenever possible and appropriate) and tries to effect whatever repairs he can.
Sensory Equipment (for diagnostics) -- 1d100:
21/54%
Basic Electronics -- 1d100:
79/32%
Basic Mechanics -- 1d100:
26/32%
Field Armorer & Munitions Expert -- 1d100:
19/42%
Vehicle Armorer -- 1d100:
56/32%
Hours Williams wrote:"There is a lot to do; gotta get contractors out here to start laying out some new buildings and a defensive wall, repair that fencing, get fields ploughed and planted, buy seed and animals. Get yet another rifle. Think I'll leave the horse for now or maybe look into a robotic one." he absently says to anyone around him, smiling at the last bit.
If Rufus is nearby, his ears likely will perk up at that last bit. "Robotic, you say? That sounds like a good idea. Stronger and faster than a flesh-and-blood one. Not likely to get tired. Could also have some built-in weapons. Might could even get a clip charger built-in if it's nuclear..." He's talking as much to himself as Hours or anyone else, but the sight of his tail wagging is a clear sign of his opinion of the idea. (OOC: and yes, according to what I've read foxes DO wag their tails when happy just like dogs.)
The sound of an approaching vehicle draws his attention (and apparently Carny's as well). Rufus wipes off his paws and trots over to where the robot is offering ice cream to... is this some sort of Dog Boy? Doesn't feel magical... Rufus tries to catch a sniff without being too obvious as the newcomer is focused on Carny and tries to figure out who (or what) he is:
1d100:
37/64% to recognize common/known smells
1d100:
100/38% to recognize the scent of others up to 50’/15.2 m away
Lore: D-Bee -- 1d100:
69/57%
Lore: Demons & Monsters -- 1d100:
84/67%
Assuming Carny 'behaves' himself and the newcomer doesn't freak out too much, Rufus will offer his hand -- er, paw. "Welcome to the Templar's new HQ." He gestures at the farm behind him. "I'm told it was a great fixer-upper opportunity at an unbeatable price. Carny here's a recent addition, but his ice cream is actually pretty good. By way of introductions, I'm Rufus. Who might you be? And what brings you out to our little rebuilding project?"