Jackbot: Partial Eclipse
11-09-2011, 08:51 AM
This is Jackbot. It was originally posted to the MSPA FA forum in early 2010. Since then, it went on for a few months, and subsequently languished for over a year, due largely to a lack of good suggestions.
In early November of 2011, I decided to revive the topic. It seemed like a good time for it. I ended 'Obligatory Hot Springs Episode', and am now starting an interlude. The thread can be found here, and I will continue to mirror it on both sites as long as interest can be maintained.
The next five posts will hold, in order, the full posts of Chapters 1-4 with the 2.5 interlude, "The Arena Champion".
The sixth post will begin the interlude between Chapters 4 and 5, "Partial Eclipse".
Chapter 1- Leaving Home
Chapter 2- Of Hunters And Genics
2.5- Interlude- The Champ
Chapter 3- Dead Man's Hoard
Chapter 4- An Obligatory Hot Springs Episode
Fanarts:
tl;dr
Dramatis Personae
Gear
Cog
MORDY
Axl
In early November of 2011, I decided to revive the topic. It seemed like a good time for it. I ended 'Obligatory Hot Springs Episode', and am now starting an interlude. The thread can be found here, and I will continue to mirror it on both sites as long as interest can be maintained.
The next five posts will hold, in order, the full posts of Chapters 1-4 with the 2.5 interlude, "The Arena Champion".
The sixth post will begin the interlude between Chapters 4 and 5, "Partial Eclipse".
Chapter 1- Leaving Home
SpoilerShow
In chapter 1, we learned about Cog, and Gear. They lived in Silverhame, a small mining town which digs for rare earths, and they harvested the old battlefield for parts. Finally they got together a pair of fully functional fusion plants and thereby gained their own mecha. These mechas were swiftly put to the test when Silverhame was shelled by bandits.
Piloting the mecha with relative aplomb, Gear and Cog were paid well for their time, but refused a job before leaving Silverhame to get the totally sweet ride Gear won in a contest.
Piloting the mecha with relative aplomb, Gear and Cog were paid well for their time, but refused a job before leaving Silverhame to get the totally sweet ride Gear won in a contest.
Chapter 2- Of Hunters And Genics
SpoilerShow
Chapter 2 opened with hot hailstorm on mecha action. Getting the mecha in from the horrible storm surrounding Ephraim City at the time, Cog and Gear decide to take shelter in a movie theatre.
It's here they meet Dr. Elise Mordoba, or "Mordy". Mordy offers them a job, involving eliminating a nascent hunter-genic colony. Eliminating the front-guard, they head into the depths, where they discover the colony has taken residence in the ancient bioweapon, Jotun.
Gear destroys the hunter-queen with a well-placed sniper shot, earning her the title Avenging Angel.
Mordy confronts the mayor of Ephraim City with his malfesance, but the police are on his side, so they are forced to make a hasty retreat rather than stay and destroy the entire police force (A dishonorable act).
It's here they meet Dr. Elise Mordoba, or "Mordy". Mordy offers them a job, involving eliminating a nascent hunter-genic colony. Eliminating the front-guard, they head into the depths, where they discover the colony has taken residence in the ancient bioweapon, Jotun.
Gear destroys the hunter-queen with a well-placed sniper shot, earning her the title Avenging Angel.
Mordy confronts the mayor of Ephraim City with his malfesance, but the police are on his side, so they are forced to make a hasty retreat rather than stay and destroy the entire police force (A dishonorable act).
2.5- Interlude- The Champ
SpoilerShow
We had a brief interlude in which the Arena Champion, Michael, the one responsible for saving the Federated Territories in the Abhorrence of Life Incident, going into a cabin and dealing with a corrupt marshal and a human trafficking ring.
Chapter 3- Dead Man's Hoard
SpoilerShow
In Chapter 3, Gear, Cog, and Mordy happen upon a cabin where they will be staying for the night. Gear scents juniper incense and instantly assumes her father was there, and goes looking for a shrine, where she lights incense.
There she has MONSTER
CHILD OF MONSTERS
BLOOD UPON THY HANDS- Ahem! What was I saying? Oh, yeah. She enters a trance and comes to half an hour later, seriously creeped out, to the point where she insists on sleeping outside.
The lance did not fully figure out the mystery of the cabin, though they are fairly certain some shady, shady shit went down there, nor do they find any sort of treasure to take with them. They might want to visit it later.
There she has MONSTER
CHILD OF MONSTERS
BLOOD UPON THY HANDS- Ahem! What was I saying? Oh, yeah. She enters a trance and comes to half an hour later, seriously creeped out, to the point where she insists on sleeping outside.
The lance did not fully figure out the mystery of the cabin, though they are fairly certain some shady, shady shit went down there, nor do they find any sort of treasure to take with them. They might want to visit it later.
Chapter 4- An Obligatory Hot Springs Episode
SpoilerShow
The group enters San Peligro perfectly aware that there is a trap waiting for them.
Gear decides to go on her own to the Fire Temple, which she is somewhat aware is here.
In the meantime, Gear starts putting the moves on Cog. Cog eventually sees through such shenanigans (Much as he doesn't want to) and correctly identifies the false Gear as a robot. They quickly convince the false Gear, who they name 'Axel' for convenience's sake, to help them find the real Gear.
In the meantime, Gear attains the Enlightenment of Fire and gets jumped by Sprocket, who knew her father. She eventually manages to slay Sprocket, but rather than leaving a corpse, he instead dissolves into orange Tang.
Sprocket left other surprises, including a Marlowe-Dryden Security Net in the already geologically unstable Hot Spring Caves.
They eventually defeat the Dryden and refit Axl. Mordy and Gear decide to mess with Axl's core personality and hope that that changes her Motivation, which can only end well and certainly won't have any side effects.
And then Aegis Overlord Luna decides to orbital drop on San Peligro, because they're looking for a fugitive...
Gear decides to go on her own to the Fire Temple, which she is somewhat aware is here.
In the meantime, Gear starts putting the moves on Cog. Cog eventually sees through such shenanigans (Much as he doesn't want to) and correctly identifies the false Gear as a robot. They quickly convince the false Gear, who they name 'Axel' for convenience's sake, to help them find the real Gear.
In the meantime, Gear attains the Enlightenment of Fire and gets jumped by Sprocket, who knew her father. She eventually manages to slay Sprocket, but rather than leaving a corpse, he instead dissolves into orange Tang.
Sprocket left other surprises, including a Marlowe-Dryden Security Net in the already geologically unstable Hot Spring Caves.
They eventually defeat the Dryden and refit Axl. Mordy and Gear decide to mess with Axl's core personality and hope that that changes her Motivation, which can only end well and certainly won't have any side effects.
And then Aegis Overlord Luna decides to orbital drop on San Peligro, because they're looking for a fugitive...
Fanarts:
tl;dr
Dramatis Personae
Gear
SpoilerShow
JACQUELINE "JACK" "GEAR" TEX: Jack has a mysterious father who seems very well connected- or quite rich. She used to be a mechanic before she became a Cavalier. She specializes in personal combat and sniping.
Currently: Insensate
Honor: 88 Avenging Angel
Lawfulness: 30 Lawless Ruffiene
Reknown: 33 Gear, the avenging angel
BODY 11 RFLX 17 KNOW 16 CRFT 17
CHAR 24 SPD 16 PERC 16 EGO 12
TALENTS
Tech Vulture - Increases chances of getting usable parts from things you blow up.
Sharpshooter - One shot is all you need. Increases DC of one-shot ranged weapons by 5.
Even The Girls Want Her- Flirtation works on both genders, adding half its skill bonus to your Conversation.
Skills
Initiative +6
Dodge +6
Stealth +6
Heavy Weaponry +5
Small Arms +4
Armed Combat +4
Weight Lifting +1
Spot Weakness +5
Awareness +6
Mecha Gunnery +2
Mecha Piloting +3
Mecha Repair +7
Mecha Design +7
Robotics +4
Flirtation +6
Conversation +6
Mysticism +5
EQUIPPED
Sniper Rifle: Damage 16 (AP), shots 7/8, acc +4, range 75.
Bayonet: Damage BODY+3, Acc +1.
[no armor]
[no armor]
INVENTORY
[SNIPER CLIP X2]
[ROBOTICS PARTS]
[MECHA REPAIR KIT]
[FRAG GRENADE]
[FLASH GRENADE]
[HOLDOUT PISTOL]
[EMERGENCY RATIONS]
[CHELATION PILLS]
[PDA]
Currently: Insensate
Honor: 88 Avenging Angel
Lawfulness: 30 Lawless Ruffiene
Reknown: 33 Gear, the avenging angel
BODY 11 RFLX 17 KNOW 16 CRFT 17
CHAR 24 SPD 16 PERC 16 EGO 12
TALENTS
Tech Vulture - Increases chances of getting usable parts from things you blow up.
Sharpshooter - One shot is all you need. Increases DC of one-shot ranged weapons by 5.
Even The Girls Want Her- Flirtation works on both genders, adding half its skill bonus to your Conversation.
Skills
Initiative +6
Dodge +6
Stealth +6
Heavy Weaponry +5
Small Arms +4
Armed Combat +4
Weight Lifting +1
Spot Weakness +5
Awareness +6
Mecha Gunnery +2
Mecha Piloting +3
Mecha Repair +7
Mecha Design +7
Robotics +4
Flirtation +6
Conversation +6
Mysticism +5
EQUIPPED
Sniper Rifle: Damage 16 (AP), shots 7/8, acc +4, range 75.
Bayonet: Damage BODY+3, Acc +1.
[no armor]
[no armor]
INVENTORY
[SNIPER CLIP X2]
[ROBOTICS PARTS]
[MECHA REPAIR KIT]
[FRAG GRENADE]
[FLASH GRENADE]
[HOLDOUT PISTOL]
[EMERGENCY RATIONS]
[CHELATION PILLS]
[PDA]
Cog
SpoilerShow
BILLY "COG" CZERNOBOG: Cog is Jack's childhood friend. They've been there, done that, had gotten the proverbial t-shirts though. Cog specializes in personal combat and things that pur out a high volume of fire. He seems to have a Morale problem. Before he became a Cavalier, he was a handyman.
Currently: Working.
Honor: 88 Hero
Lawfulness: 33 Thug
Reknown: 33 Cog, Personal Combat Ace
COG
Body 11 Rflx 16 KNOW 16 Crft 14
Char 11 Spd 16 Perc 14 Ego 8
TALENTS
Tech Vulture- When Things Die, You have a higher chance of scavenging things from them.
Luck Of The Devil- When Morale is low, Critical Hit Chance increases. When Morale is high, Critical Hit Damage increases.
[REDACTED]- As yet unrevealed Talent. WHAT COULD IT BE :Itisamystery:
Skills:
Initiative +6
Dodge +6
Martial Arts +5
Armed Combat +4
Small Arms +4
Shopping +2
Awareness +6
Stealth +3
Flirtation +5
General Repair +4
Mecha Piloting +2
Mecha Gunnery +2
Mecha Artillery +3
Spot Weakness +2
EQUIPPED:
Drum-Fed Shotgun: Damage 12, Shots 28/34, Acc +2, Range 50, BV 5.
[No melee weapon]
Reflex Helmet 16/20 AP
Reflex Armor 14/20 AP
INVENTORY
[SHELL DRUM x1]
[MINIGRENADE DRUM x1]
[MECHA REPAIR KIT]
[FRAG GRENADE]
[FLASH GRENADE]
[HOLDOUT PISTOL]
[EMERGENCY RATIONS]
[CHELATION PILLS]
[PDA]
Currently: Working.
Honor: 88 Hero
Lawfulness: 33 Thug
Reknown: 33 Cog, Personal Combat Ace
COG
Body 11 Rflx 16 KNOW 16 Crft 14
Char 11 Spd 16 Perc 14 Ego 8
TALENTS
Tech Vulture- When Things Die, You have a higher chance of scavenging things from them.
Luck Of The Devil- When Morale is low, Critical Hit Chance increases. When Morale is high, Critical Hit Damage increases.
[REDACTED]- As yet unrevealed Talent. WHAT COULD IT BE :Itisamystery:
Skills:
Initiative +6
Dodge +6
Martial Arts +5
Armed Combat +4
Small Arms +4
Shopping +2
Awareness +6
Stealth +3
Flirtation +5
General Repair +4
Mecha Piloting +2
Mecha Gunnery +2
Mecha Artillery +3
Spot Weakness +2
EQUIPPED:
Drum-Fed Shotgun: Damage 12, Shots 28/34, Acc +2, Range 50, BV 5.
[No melee weapon]
Reflex Helmet 16/20 AP
Reflex Armor 14/20 AP
INVENTORY
[SHELL DRUM x1]
[MINIGRENADE DRUM x1]
[MECHA REPAIR KIT]
[FRAG GRENADE]
[FLASH GRENADE]
[HOLDOUT PISTOL]
[EMERGENCY RATIONS]
[CHELATION PILLS]
[PDA]
MORDY
SpoilerShow
DR. ELISE "MORDY" MORDOBA: Dr. Mordoba joined the lance in Ephraim City. She has been Trained by a Master in both mecha and personal combat and has a penchant for biotechnology and... odd taste in food. Before she joined the lance, she was a biotechnologist.
Currently: Mentally Exhausted.
Honor: 70 Ethical
Lawfulness: 40 Vandal
Reknown: 30 Dr. Mordoba, Ethical Scientist.
Body 14(+5) Rflx 16(+3) KNOW 18 Crft 18
Char 11 Spd 16(+3) Perc 14(+3) Ego 10
TALENTS
Trained By A Master- Increases damage when using 'barehanded' weapons (Fists, Feet, brass knuckles, etc.) May have other effects!
Tech Vulture - Increases chances of getting usable parts from things you blow up.
Biotechnologist- You Know Genetic Engineering. Bonus to dealing with biotechnology and generating status effects on living targets.
SKILLS:
Unarmed Combat +5 (16)
SCIENCE +7 (14)
Biotechnology +7 (14)
Robotics +8 (15)
Electronic Warfare +5
Spot Weakness +5
Awareness +6
Small Arms +2
Initiative +5
Dodge +6
Flirtation +2
Conversation +3
Mecha Piloting +3
Mecha Fighting +5
Mecha Gunnery +1
Mecha Artillery +1
EQUIPPED:
Dart Gun, Damage 1, Acc +3, Range 25, Special Know+Biotech vs. BODY+Resistance or POISON.
POWER FIST Damage BODY+4, Acc +2, Range M, Attached Customizations: Thunder Token, Hyper Capacitor.
Power Armor BODY+5, RFLX+3, SPD +3, 30/30AP
Power Helm PERC+3, INFOLINK, 30/30AP
INVENTORY:
[Robotics Parts]
[Sentinel FCS]
[Class 5 ECM suite]
[Class 9 Personal-scale Nanofusion Plant]
[Class 5 Internal Armor, Robot- 10/10 AP]
[Class 8 External Armor, Robot- 40/40 AP]
[EMERGENCY RATIONS]
[CHELATION PILLS]
Currently: Mentally Exhausted.
Honor: 70 Ethical
Lawfulness: 40 Vandal
Reknown: 30 Dr. Mordoba, Ethical Scientist.
Body 14(+5) Rflx 16(+3) KNOW 18 Crft 18
Char 11 Spd 16(+3) Perc 14(+3) Ego 10
TALENTS
Trained By A Master- Increases damage when using 'barehanded' weapons (Fists, Feet, brass knuckles, etc.) May have other effects!
Tech Vulture - Increases chances of getting usable parts from things you blow up.
Biotechnologist- You Know Genetic Engineering. Bonus to dealing with biotechnology and generating status effects on living targets.
SKILLS:
Unarmed Combat +5 (16)
SCIENCE +7 (14)
Biotechnology +7 (14)
Robotics +8 (15)
Electronic Warfare +5
Spot Weakness +5
Awareness +6
Small Arms +2
Initiative +5
Dodge +6
Flirtation +2
Conversation +3
Mecha Piloting +3
Mecha Fighting +5
Mecha Gunnery +1
Mecha Artillery +1
EQUIPPED:
Dart Gun, Damage 1, Acc +3, Range 25, Special Know+Biotech vs. BODY+Resistance or POISON.
POWER FIST Damage BODY+4, Acc +2, Range M, Attached Customizations: Thunder Token, Hyper Capacitor.
Power Armor BODY+5, RFLX+3, SPD +3, 30/30AP
Power Helm PERC+3, INFOLINK, 30/30AP
INVENTORY:
[Robotics Parts]
[Sentinel FCS]
[Class 5 ECM suite]
[Class 9 Personal-scale Nanofusion Plant]
[Class 5 Internal Armor, Robot- 10/10 AP]
[Class 8 External Armor, Robot- 40/40 AP]
[EMERGENCY RATIONS]
[CHELATION PILLS]
Axl
SpoilerShow
FAX-04 REASONABLE ROBOTIC FACSIMILE "AXL": Axl just joined the lance after disguising herself as Gear. She still looks like gear, but seems to know what she's doing.
Currently: Rebooting
Honor: 50 Middle of the Road
Lawfulness: 0 Maverick
Reknown: 0 Maverick
BODY 20 RFLX 23 KNOW 16 CRFT 16
CHAR 10 SPD 23 PERC 28 EGO 23
TALENTS:
Robot Traits- Axl is a robot~! She can do all the roboty things! ALL OF THEM.
Sharpshooter- One shot is all you need. When attacking with a single shot ranged weapon, increase DC by 5.
Infiltrator- When subtlety is necessary, you've got the skills to supply. Bonus when acting in a stealthy manner.
SKILLS
Initiative +5
Dodge +5
Stealth +7
Cryptography +7
Heavy Weaponry +4
Small Arms +4
Armed Combat +4
Weight Lifting +4
Spot Weakness +5
Awareness +6
Mecha Gunnery +4
Mecha Piloting +4
Mecha Repair +5
Mecha Design +4
Electronic Warfare +7
Disguise +7
Mysticism +1
Robotics +7
Conversation +4
Flirtation +4
EQUIPPED
Laser Pistol- Damage 5, Shots --/--, Acc +3 Range 50,
Analysis Goggles- Spot Weakness +2. Integration: Spot Weakness +4.
INVENTORY
[Robotics parts]
[holdout pistol]
[Laser Pistol]
INTEGRATED PARTS
[Class 5 Internal Armor- 10/10 AP]
[Class 8 External Armor- 40/40 AP]
[Class 9 Personal-Scale Nanofusion Plant]
Backup: [Class 3 Personal-Scale Nanofusion Plant]
[Class 4 Myomuscular Fiber Reaction Suite]
[Class 2 Spinal Reaction Suite]
[Sentinel Fire Control System]
[Class 3 Cryptography Suite]
[Class 5 ECM Suite]
[Class 4 Stealth Protocols]
[Class 4 Disguise Protocols]
Currently: Rebooting
Honor: 50 Middle of the Road
Lawfulness: 0 Maverick
Reknown: 0 Maverick
BODY 20 RFLX 23 KNOW 16 CRFT 16
CHAR 10 SPD 23 PERC 28 EGO 23
TALENTS:
Robot Traits- Axl is a robot~! She can do all the roboty things! ALL OF THEM.
Sharpshooter- One shot is all you need. When attacking with a single shot ranged weapon, increase DC by 5.
Infiltrator- When subtlety is necessary, you've got the skills to supply. Bonus when acting in a stealthy manner.
SKILLS
Initiative +5
Dodge +5
Stealth +7
Cryptography +7
Heavy Weaponry +4
Small Arms +4
Armed Combat +4
Weight Lifting +4
Spot Weakness +5
Awareness +6
Mecha Gunnery +4
Mecha Piloting +4
Mecha Repair +5
Mecha Design +4
Electronic Warfare +7
Disguise +7
Mysticism +1
Robotics +7
Conversation +4
Flirtation +4
EQUIPPED
Laser Pistol- Damage 5, Shots --/--, Acc +3 Range 50,
Analysis Goggles- Spot Weakness +2. Integration: Spot Weakness +4.
INVENTORY
[Robotics parts]
[holdout pistol]
[Laser Pistol]
INTEGRATED PARTS
[Class 5 Internal Armor- 10/10 AP]
[Class 8 External Armor- 40/40 AP]
[Class 9 Personal-Scale Nanofusion Plant]
Backup: [Class 3 Personal-Scale Nanofusion Plant]
[Class 4 Myomuscular Fiber Reaction Suite]
[Class 2 Spinal Reaction Suite]
[Sentinel Fire Control System]
[Class 3 Cryptography Suite]
[Class 5 ECM Suite]
[Class 4 Stealth Protocols]
[Class 4 Disguise Protocols]