Snow (Day 2 late afternoon)

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

As the other scouts returned to the city, Moto Baatar decided to stay outside and ride a bit longer. The flood of refugees thronging towards the gates depressed him; it was obvious to the young warrior that there wouldn’t be enough room for them all, and with the prospect of war ahead, the Lion would soon refuse to allow any more mouths to enter their city.

Turning his horse back towards the woods, Baatar rode through the snow, hoping to enjoy the fresh air for a few moments longer.

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

Having ridden into the woods a short distance, Baatar found his way to a small clearing that looked right. Dismounting from his horse, the young Unicorn began to gather stones, which he piled in front of the largest tree in the clearing. Finally he placed a large, flat rock across the top, to form a makeshift table.

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

As he finishes stacking the stones, Baatar realizes that the forest around him as gone utterly silent. His horse paws at the ground nervously, its head swinging this way and that in a nervous manner.

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

Baatar paused as the silence fell, looking about to see if some enemy was approaching. "Quiet now, Horse," he said, stroking its side comfortingly.

Once the horse was settled down, Baatar drew a small packet of rice balls, his lunch ration for the day, and placed it on the makeshift table, as if in offering.

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

(TN 15 Investigation (Notice)/Perception, please)

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

There was something eerie about the strange silence that had fallen, and with the possibility of spirits or piles of evil snakes lurking in the woods, Baatar was especially vigilant.

--
Day 2 late afternoon, Do I see the thing? PER/Investigation TN15: 4d10o10k3 17

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

Baatar hears the sound of footsteps crunching on snow and turns to see a corpse walking toward him. Its gait was uneven, but it still held a sword clutched in one of its decaying arms. Its armor was bloodstained, but the orange and yellow colors of the Lion were unmistakable.

"Kaaanaaadaaaa...." it hisses, its voice like dry air in the leaves.

(Roll Initiative and Stance, please! It's still about 50 feet away.)

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

Baatar gaped at the arrival of this terrible apparition, but prepared to defend himself.

--
Day 2 late afternoon, Initiative REF/Rank: 5d10o10k4 20
Defense stance (TN33 to be hit while on foot; armor reduction 4)

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

Fear 2: At the beginning of combat, each character must test against Fear 2 (Willpower TN 15, character may add their Honor Rank to the total; those who fail suffer -2k0 on their rolls, and those that fail by 15 or more flee from the encounter).

Initiative
20 - Moto Baatar (TN 33, Defense - can't change on the first round of combat)
16 - ??? (TN ???, Attack)
~ 50 feet apart ~

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

A veteran of the Dark Ride, the Unicorn was able to keep his composure against the terrifying undead. Leaping onto his frightened horse, Baatar turned and tried to get some distance between them and the undead monstrosity.

--
Baatar fear check: Day 2 late afternoon, resist fear WILL +Honor TN15: 3d10o10+3 17 passed, no penalties
Horse fear check: Day 2 late afternoon, resist fear WILL TN15 (Horse has Earth 3 and presumably no honor): 3d10o10k3 14, fails, -2k0 to rolls but not required to flee

Complex Action: Mount horse (Baatar's TNtbH increases to 41 due to Riding Armor)
Free Action: Move 25' farther away

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

The undead creature chased after Baatar, its feet crunching against the snow as it darted around the stones and after his horse. Unlike what its appearance would suggest, it was fast, and it catches up with Baatar and his horse in the blink of an eye.

Initiative
20 - Moto Baatar (TN 33, Defense)
16 - ??? (TN ???, Attack)

~ 0 feet apart ~

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

Though the undead creature seemed fast, Baatar remained confident that he could outdistance it, now that they had gotten a running start. "Ya! Ya!" he cried as he spurred his horse to greater efforts, and with the monster behind them, the horse was all too glad to keep running.

--
Defense stance (ATN 41)
2x Simple Action to Move a total of 100 feet farther away

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

The creature keeps hot pursuit of Baatar, leaping over falling trees and slicing away tree branches in its path as it chases the fleeing samurai and horse. Fortunately for Baatar, his horse was swift as the wind and pulls ahead, putting some distance between them and their rotting pursuer.

Initiative
20 - Moto Baatar (TN 33, Defense)
16 - ??? (TN ???, Attack)

~ 20 feet apart ~

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

"Ha-ha!" Baatar said with a grin as they gained ground.

--
Defense (ATN 41)
2x Simple Move (100' farther away)

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

The creature continues its pursuit, but Baatar keeps putting distance between them.

Initiative
20 - Moto Baatar (TN 33, Defense)
16 - ??? (TN ???, Attack)

~ 40 feet apart ~

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

Snow flew from the horse's hooves as Baatar continued to elude the zombie. Would it ever get tired? Who knew?

--
Defense (ATN 41)
2x Simple Move (100' farther away)

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

As Baatar races away from the creature, he notices that the sounds of pursuit have ended. Glancing backward as his horse charges forward, he doesn't see any obvious sign of the thing, unless...?

(Investigation (Notice)/Perception TN 35)

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

Baatar slowed his horse and looked over his shoulder as it became apparent that the creature was no longer following them.

"Hey! Monster-kun! Don't give up so easily!" the Moto called back mockingly as he aimed his bow in the direction of his pursuer.

If there was something else to see, Baatar missed it as he focused on watching for his pursuer.

--
Day 2 late afternoon, Do I see the second thing? PER/Investigation TN35: 4d10o10k3 21

Mindshred · **Joined:** Sat Dec 07, 2019 7:24 am **Posts:** 1559

The forest was once again quiet, and there was no sign of the samurai.

Moto Baatar · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm **Posts:** 304

"Monster-kun? Are you tired from running? Do you need a nap?" Baatar called again.

When no response was forthcoming, the Unicorn slung his bow and drew his sword, then turned back in the direction of where the zombie had last been seen. The horse's eyes were wide with fright, but he obeyed his rider, adopting a slow, careful trot.

Baatar watched carefully in case the undead creature was lurking in ambush, but he watched also their tracks, hoping to discern what had happened to the thing that caused it to break off pursuit.

Snow (Day 2 late afternoon)

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