[HQ Ignorance] Scene 86: Rotterex versus The Crimson Bat (Part III): A Furry Situation

[Lev Lafayette]

Scene 86: Rotterex versus The Crimson Bat (Part III): A Furry Situation

Although the screaming of the bat terrorised the little rubble runner,
he came to his senses after the initial shock[1]. "No point jumping
off", he mumbled to himself, looking down to the ground. Taking a sniff
of the air, Rotterex quickly discerned the presence of a half-dozen
humans on the back of the bat. With suprising ease he found he could cut
a path past them whilst scampering through the fur[2], avoiding the
various eys that the bat has all over its body. Clambering under the
bat's beating wing ("I suppose this is an armpit of sorts", Rotterex
thought) the bazak considered his options. Getting to the nose would be
difficult; he would have to climb over the bat's bare head and it was
quite some distance. Plus the nose was facing downwards and there were
all those eyes over the chaos demon's head. On the other hand, the ear
was looking quite inviting. Close, big, open.. except.. "Beggorah, what
is that?!", the bazak exclaimed to himself. Coming towards him was not
one, but two giant ticks about the size as the rubble runner himself;
they looked hungry.

Meanwhile on the ground, a different battle was being fought, as the
Crimson Bat approached King Bryoan's forces many of whom had fled or had
lost the will to fight with the screaming of the Bat. In desperation,
Rikku used his Godlearner rune sight to transport existing fires and put
them in the way of the Bat [3], but the demon considered it no threat
and the priests simply covered themselves in their heavy cloaks. But
Rikku aligned the runes in the fire and directed the towards his targets
achieving an unexpected success [4]. As the Bat closed in the rebel
forces it released its tongues, dragging a number [5] of King Bryoan's
forces; the tongues themselves glowed red, as the Bat's priests cast
defensive magics upon it. With another flap of its wings it opened its
mouth and shot forth a bolt of acid that burned to the touch [6], and
melted armour. Tearing through the remains of the left assault wing,
there was naught but silence from Gernu, who died as he had lived, but
the cries from Dernu, the intelligent alynx cat could be heard even
above the cries of battle.

To the north where the main battle continues, most of the Lunars have
fled in fear, with the exception of their force of Rune Priests and
sorcerers. Against these however is a mighty force of Telmori, under the
control of Kalara-Who-Walks-With-White-Wolf. Whilst two in three of the
wolves were affected by the Bat's keening and seek protection wherever
they can find it, the others seem undetered and crash into the Lunar
magicians wrecking havoc, their protective moon magics standing against
the claw and tooth of the werewolves [7], as they retreat in a orderly
fashion.


[1] That's minus 3 Hero Points to Kalen, and minus an additional 1 to
reduce 'flee' to demoralise; 1 left; Jareena keeps hers. 
[2] Roll of 20 for the dozen humans (critical failure) versus 8 for
Rotterex out of 22 (small 15, augmented +1 by Scamper Quickly 14, +1
augment Endless Warrior, +20 situational modifier; distracted priests,
heavy bat fur, succesful perception, -15 for multiple opponents).
[3] Roll of 13 for the Rune Sight; 14 for the resistance of the
activity, success to Rikku. 
[4] Roll of 2 for Rikku's attack (critical success), roll of 6 for the
Bat (critical success) and Priests (normal success). Bat takes no
damage, Priests are Hurt; -1 to all actions.
[5] Check of PCs or followers; a chance of 1 (<5% of total force). Roll
10, 12, 19, 12.
[6] Acid breath of 15W3; roll of 16, so a failure, bumped to a success,
bumped to a critical success. Base damage is Dying, critical will bring
to Dying, plus two levels. Light Armor will protect for one Level
(leather, heavy cloaks), Medium Armor for two levels (chain, lammellar,
scale), Heavy for three levels (plate), plus one level for a shield.
Stream of acid is 1 m wide and 100 metres long; chance of 3 in 20 to hit
PCs - roll 9. Chance of 3 in 20 to hit other significant members roll 3!
Who? Dernu and Gernu (1-4),  Elalanditi (4-8), Gyffur Ulfsonn (9-12),
Bryoan (13-16), Miryanth (17-20). Roll 4. 
[7] Roll of 16 for Telmori (from 5W, failure bumped to success) versus 6
(from 17, success), minor victory Lunars, numbers equivalent.