009: Talking Turkey at the Bartizan

[terrymixon]

Dzofin grunted as the sweep caught him on the hip despite his best efforts to dodge. He growled to himself that the hit would've been much worse had he not moved when he did. Rolling with the strike he turned into her circle. He managed to land a glancing blow because it seemed she moved like quicksilver.

She grunts a little but doesn't seem too bothered. "You hit like a girl. I should know."

Dzofin continued to growl and bare his teeth. He drew on his own innate charisma and presence to maintain his morale as the fight continued. This princess was harder than he thought but even if she somehow managed to defeat him think of the fame he would gain for fighting the heir to the Third Imperium. "I don't want to cause you to cry by throwing everything I have that you at once. You may be fast but ultimately you are a soft skinned without proper teeth or claws. I'm sure if I was using my teeth you would faint from the terror."

He took advantage of the word banter and her giving him the initiative to feint with another leg strike and then moved in close to headbutt her in the nose. "You have fallen victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is: 'Never to get involved in a land war with an Aslan', but only slightly less well-known is this: 'Never go in against a Vargr when charisma is on the line'."

A solid hit.



Her END is down to 5, but she's still got game.

Very solid. Her nose isn't broken, but it is bleeding, staining her teeth red as she continues to grin. "Blood. I wonder how Vargr blood tastes. Let's find out."

She comes in hard and fast, jinking to keep him guessing as she tries to slam a fist into his snout.



A very well-struck blow!



Handily returning some pain for pain before she dances back to resume circling. "The blood of warriors run in my veins, Vargr. You'll have to do better than that to cow me. I am Ciencia Iphegenia whose ancestors conquered 1,100 star systems! Witness my strength and tremble!"

As Dzofin is a trained warrior and a Vargr leader, she will have to do very well indeed to make an impression, so I'm setting the bar high: Very Difficult 12+ (which means Formidable 14+ as she has SOC rather than CHA.)



Holy carp! That exceeded what I expected by a very large margin, and she made it, even if only just. She's not even using any woo-woo powers, but it still seems like her shadow is growing longer and she is somehow taller. I intentionally didn't add the +4 for her Magnetic Personality ability, so this is all her!

I'm not sure how this works, but I don't expect this to end things. Keep going and react as appropriate for someone getting an unexpectedly powerful CHA attack. Maybe you have to make a contested CHA roll? If so, your target is Very Difficult 12+.

[terrymixon]

This fight needs music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AphxyjrH4SE

[terrymixon]

I wonder if there is an audience? Where are they fighting? Who might be watching other than Terresa and the other female Imperial Guard? Could someone be recording this? That could be embarrassing for one or both of them. Or not if he's wanting proof that this happened.

[ateno]

This fight needs music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AphxyjrH4SE

Beautiful, have not thought about that for a while!!.

[helvorn]

We need to be adding effect to the damage rolls. By my calculations Dzofin has done 13 points and Ciencia has done 12 points.

[helvorn]

Dzofin grunted as the sweep caught him on the hip despite his best efforts to dodge. He growled to himself that the hit would've been much worse had he not moved when he did. Rolling with the strike he turned into her circle. He managed to land a glancing blow because it seemed she moved like quicksilver.

She grunts a little but doesn't seem too bothered. "You hit like a girl. I should know."

Dzofin continued to growl and bare his teeth. He drew on his own innate charisma and presence to maintain his morale as the fight continued. This princess was harder than he thought but even if she somehow managed to defeat him think of the fame he would gain for fighting the heir to the Third Imperium. "I don't want to cause you to cry by throwing everything I have that you at once. You may be fast but ultimately you are a soft skinned without proper teeth or claws. I'm sure if I was using my teeth you would faint from the terror."

He took advantage of the word banter and her giving him the initiative to feint with another leg strike and then moved in close to headbutt her in the nose. "You have fallen victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is: 'Never to get involved in a land war with an Aslan', but only slightly less well-known is this: 'Never go in against a Vargr when charisma is on the line'."

A solid hit.



Her END is down to 5, but she's still got game.

Very solid. Her nose isn't broken, but it is bleeding, staining her teeth red as she continues to grin. "Blood. I wonder how Vargr blood tastes. Let's find out."

She comes in hard and fast, jinking to keep him guessing as she tries to slam a fist into his snout.



A very well-struck blow!



Handily returning some pain for pain before she dances back to resume circling. "The blood of warriors run in my veins, Vargr. You'll have to do better than that to cow me. I am Ciencia Iphegenia whose ancestors conquered 1,100 star systems! Witness my strength and tremble!"

As Dzofin is a trained warrior and a Vargr leader, she will have to do very well indeed to make an impression, so I'm setting the bar high: Very Difficult 12+ (which means Formidable 14+ as she has SOC rather than CHA.)



Holy carp! That exceeded what I expected by a very large margin, and she made it, even if only just. She's not even using any woo-woo powers, but it still seems like her shadow is growing longer and she is somehow taller. I intentionally didn't add the +4 for her Magnetic Personality ability, so this is all her!

I'm not sure how this works, but I don't expect this to end things. Keep going and react as appropriate for someone getting an unexpectedly powerful CHA attack. Maybe you have to make a contested CHA roll? If so, your target is Very Difficult 12+.

Dzofin himself staggered back with a bleeding, perhaps broken snout as Ciencia returned the favor. Despite his attempt to dodge she landed a powerful blow. More difficult was the intense affect of her personality combined with the obvious fighting prowess. Dzofin looked shaken but he was fighting not only for himself but for the Vargr race as a whole. He locked eyes with her and shook his head. "Your skills are formidable and an honor to your ancestors. However they are not here nor are the 1,100 star systems! I will taste your blood again." It was obvious that the Dzofin was not going down without a fight.



It was apparent from his return attack that Dzofin was somewhat shaken.


(ignore the three point bonus because of his shaken nature)

[helvorn]

William hears the chatter on the guard circuit and comes running to the site of the duel. He starts to intervene and then draws himself up short. William knew that Ciencia could handle herself but he was still worried. He also knew that she had to finish this herself not only for the Vargr but for the watching Aslan.

[Thumper]

Walt comes running to the noise of battle. He stops short rounding a corner to see Ciencia locked in the duel.

He smiles widely and says to his lovely Bona at his side:
“Ah, let it be. She’s enjoying this. She needs this! For this instant, she is a carnivore, not the crown princess!”

[terrymixon]

We need to be adding effect to the damage rolls. By my calculations Dzofin has done 13 points and Ciencia has done 12 points.

I forgot about that. So noted. She is out of END and down 2 STR. What about Dzofin?

I’ll make more actions this afternoon. Gotta write. Deadlines looming.

[terrymixon]

Dzofin himself staggered back with a bleeding, perhaps broken snout as Ciencia returned the favor. Despite his attempt to dodge she landed a powerful blow. More difficult was the intense affect of her personality combined with the obvious fighting prowess. Dzofin looked shaken but he was fighting not only for himself but for the Vargr race as a whole. He locked eyes with her and shook his head. "Your skills are formidable and an honor to your ancestors. However they are not here nor are the 1,100 star systems! I will taste your blood again." It was obvious that the Dzofin was not going down without a fight.



It was apparent from his return attack that Dzofin was somewhat shaken.


(ignore the three point bonus because of his shaken nature)

Rattled, he misses his strike, and she makes a grab for his arm with the intent to hurl him past her and flip him over with a hip toss.



An epic throw with +9 Effect (+7 Effect if he tries to dodge)! Dzofin is unceremoniously yanked in and tossed several meters away from her where his bone-jarring and breath-expelling landing is less than graceful.



Add in the effect and Dzofin takes either 10 or 12 damage. I found his stats, so he's not dead. That's good. With what came before, this might spell the end of the fight or he might--barely--be able to stagger to his feet and have another go at her. That depends on how he allocates the damage he took and how froggy he feels.

If he is conscious, she'll step a little closer (while staying outside of easy striking range) and squat. "I can do this all day," she assured him in a conversational tone while ignoring the blood flowing down her face and staining her blouse. "You make the call, Dzofin. Do I command your respect now or do we keep dancing?"

[helvorn]

Dzofin takes a deep and painful breath and staggers to his feet. His fur is covered with blood and one eye is swollen shut. He stares at Ciencia for a moment and then turns his head to bare his neck in submission. "You have proven your worth Princess. Such battles are never to the death or taken lightly. I submit."

[terrymixon]

Dzofin takes a deep and painful breath and staggers to his feet. His fur is covered with blood and one eye is swollen shut. He stares at Ciencia for a moment and then turns his head to bare his neck in submission. "You have proven your worth Princess. Such battles are never to the death or taken lightly. I submit."

"You're a good warrior and a credit to your people," she said, extending her hand to him.

She calls for medics to take him to one of the deluxe autodocs and then literally beats her own chest before they assist him off. "I am Grand Princess Ciencia Iphegenia!" she shouts at the gathered onlookers in Galanglic, Gvegh, and then Trokh. "See my strength and hear me roar in triumph over those who have challenged me!" And then she does, in fact, throw her head back and roar.

She'll make a CHA roll and add her Magnetic Personality in. I'm giving her a DM+2 because of her bloody triumph over Dzofin as well.



And that is a definitive statement! Her presence is powerful and potent. She does not seem like a slip of a girl now. She is a power to be reckoned with and respected!

The dice were very gracious to her. I expected her to get wiped.

[helvorn]

Dzofin takes a deep and painful breath and staggers to his feet. His fur is covered with blood and one eye is swollen shut. He stares at Ciencia for a moment and then turns his head to bare his neck in submission. "You have proven your worth Princess. Such battles are never to the death or taken lightly. I submit."

"You're a good warrior and a credit to your people," she said, extending her hand to him.

She calls for medics to take him to one of the deluxe autodocs and then literally beats her own chest before they assist him off. "I am Grand Princess Ciencia Iphegenia!" she shouts at the gathered onlookers in Galanglic, Gvegh, and then Trokh. "See my strength and hear me roar in triumph over those who have challenged me!" And then she does, in fact, throw her head back and roar.

She'll make a CHA roll and add her Magnetic Personality in. I'm giving her a DM+2 because of her bloody triumph over Dzofin as well.



And that is a definitive statement! Her presence is powerful and potent. She does not seem like a slip of a girl now. She is a power to be reckoned with and respected!

The dice were very gracious to her. I expected her to get wiped.

Dzofin shakes off the medics and moves to take a knee in front of Ciencia. "All hail the Grand Princess."

The only thing that kept the battle going was some really good early dice rolls by Dzofin. Ciencia had double his combat modifier. Not to take away anything from the victory. It was truly a classic

[terrymixon]

Dzofin takes a deep and painful breath and staggers to his feet. His fur is covered with blood and one eye is swollen shut. He stares at Ciencia for a moment and then turns his head to bare his neck in submission. "You have proven your worth Princess. Such battles are never to the death or taken lightly. I submit."

"You're a good warrior and a credit to your people," she said, extending her hand to him.

She calls for medics to take him to one of the deluxe autodocs and then literally beats her own chest before they assist him off. "I am Grand Princess Ciencia Iphegenia!" she shouts at the gathered onlookers in Galanglic, Gvegh, and then Trokh. "See my strength and hear me roar in triumph over those who have challenged me!" And then she does, in fact, throw her head back and roar.

She'll make a CHA roll and add her Magnetic Personality in. I'm giving her a DM+2 because of her bloody triumph over Dzofin as well.



And that is a definitive statement! Her presence is powerful and potent. She does not seem like a slip of a girl now. She is a power to be reckoned with and respected!

The dice were very gracious to her. I expected her to get wiped.

Dzofin shakes off the medics and moves to take a knee in front of Ciencia. "All hail the Grand Princess."

She will pull him up and hug him. "You fought well. I will remember what you've taught me. Thank you. Now, let's go get healed up."

The only thing that kept the battle going was some really good early dice rolls by Dzofin. Ciencia had double his combat modifier. Not to take away anything from the victory. It was truly a classic

With the crappy way she's rolled on her use of weapons, I didn't expect that would matter. I realized at just near the end that I'd forgotten she had subdural armor as well, but decided to keep that out of it and let it play out.

[helvorn]

Dzofin shakes off the medics and moves to take a knee in front of Ciencia. "All hail the Grand Princess."

She will pull him up and hug him. "You fought well. I will remember what you've taught me. Thank you. Now, let's go get healed up."

The only thing that kept the battle going was some really good early dice rolls by Dzofin. Ciencia had double his combat modifier. Not to take away anything from the victory. It was truly a classic

With the crappy way she's rolled on her use of weapons, I didn't expect that would matter. I realized at just near the end that I'd forgotten she had subdural armor as well, but decided to keep that out of it and let it play out.

Dzofin stood and returned the hug. "And I and my people have learned from you. You and yours are worthy to lead my people. Just remember that a leader must always prove their worth." He will walk stiffly but without a limp as he heads off with the medics.

[terrymixon]

Dzofin shakes off the medics and moves to take a knee in front of Ciencia. "All hail the Grand Princess."

She will pull him up and hug him. "You fought well. I will remember what you've taught me. Thank you. Now, let's go get healed up."

The only thing that kept the battle going was some really good early dice rolls by Dzofin. Ciencia had double his combat modifier. Not to take away anything from the victory. It was truly a classic

With the crappy way she's rolled on her use of weapons, I didn't expect that would matter. I realized at just near the end that I'd forgotten she had subdural armor as well, but decided to keep that out of it and let it play out.

Dzofin stood and returned the hug. "And I and my people have learned from you. You and yours are worthy to lead my people. Just remember that a leader must always prove their worth." He will walk stiffly but without a limp as he heads off with the medics.

"I will remember."

She pats him on the shoulder and veers off toward her husband. Only when they are safely aboard the ship and out of sight does she grab her nose. "That HURT! I think he broke it. And I'm covered in blood. It's in my mouth. GROSS!!!"

[terrymixon]

He will walk stiffly but without a limp as he heads off with the medics.

The deluxe autodoc will have you back in top order in less than an hour. It can't, however, do anything about any ego damage.

[Thumper]

She pats him on the shoulder and veers off toward her husband. Only when they are safely aboard the ship and out of sight does she grab her nose. "That HURT! I think he broke it. And I'm covered in blood. It's in my mouth. GROSS!!!"

Walt walks up behind her, and “gently” gives her a back slap!

”That was beautiful. It really was! The roar was the perfect finish…beautiful show! Welcome to the meat-eaters table!”

He doesn’t stick around. He grabs Bona by the hand and leads to their stateroom.

[terrymixon]

She pats him on the shoulder and veers off toward her husband. Only when they are safely aboard the ship and out of sight does she grab her nose. "That HURT! I think he broke it. And I'm covered in blood. It's in my mouth. GROSS!!!"

Walt walks up behind her, and “gently” gives her a back slap!

”That was beautiful. It really was! The roar was the perfect finish…beautiful show! Welcome to the meat-eaters table!”

He doesn’t stick around. He grabs Bona by the hand and leads to their stateroom.

Bona is revved up, so don't expect to be up early.

As you pass through the common area, you see Void and Angel sitting in one of the cat beds together. Oddly, both are wearing crystal fire PSI focuses on their collars.

[helvorn]

Dzofin stood and returned the hug. "And I and my people have learned from you. You and yours are worthy to lead my people. Just remember that a leader must always prove their worth." He will walk stiffly but without a limp as he heads off with the medics.

"I will remember."

She pats him on the shoulder and veers off toward her husband. Only when they are safely aboard the ship and out of sight does she grab her nose. "That HURT! I think he broke it. And I'm covered in blood. It's in my mouth. GROSS!!!"

William draws his sword and salutes Ciencia. He orders the Imperial guard to establish an arch of swords leading to the ship as an honor. With his sword in the carry position he offers his arm to escort her back to the ship. Once they are aboard he wraps her in a gentle hug while dabbing away some of the worst of the blood. "That was incredibly brave and amazing. No one will dare mess with you or question you. I love you!"