PrP: Storming the Drains

[Circe]

Narration:
Beneath Funderland is a series of tunnels. In fact, it is below a good chunk of Sacramento. Rum Running Tunnels, some sections even used to have tours. Mostly dull grey stone, sometimes brown, and often covered in dust and dryness. This is good to the veteran explorers who have encountered less dry and more fragrant areas. The Lost discovered they had access to these tunnels through the theme park.


Being a paranoid lot, the Lost have sought to secure the tunnels as a fall back point and/or to ensure it isn't used to ambush them. Armored doors with multiple locks, metal mesh fences, and bridges have all been installed as part of this. And have they been ambushed? Yes, but only by lizards, vermin, and leeches. And rewards have been found too.


And thus we the Lost venturing into the Eastern sections, down toward the slightly damp section, where moisture can be heard dripping down to echo through the hollows beneath the earth. This section features a brick "cliff" above an old drainage landing that is still technically connected to a section of Sacramento's storm drains. The cliff is topped by a rope ladder and a wheel barrow full of supplies for building a brick and cement wall.


The tunnel is filled with some rubble, needing moving, and a new feature. A lattice frame of wood, open towards the inside but the outside is a layer of plastic under a thin layer of concrete. Something easily broken through.


The Lost can take their time smashing and/or moving the debris. Straight Strength or Strength plus Athletics checks to move things faster. The Lost can also just pick off parts lower than their impaired carry limit and move it out of the way, no roll needed. Smashing the facade? That is a Durability 1 and Structure 5 and requires an attack roll. Damage reduced by 1, 5 damage to destroy it.
---
Circe:
Circe is wearing protective gear for this, naturally. Waterproof boots, a few work gloves, a hard hat and goggles are common safety stuff. The lightly armored cat suit? That was her thing, and yes she was aware of how all the harness and holster straps worked well with it. She was paranoid okay!


Circe reaches the wheel barrow she'd left behind before, retrieving a crowbar. A variety of tools are present to help with moving the debris and making the new wall. But the second would be the last step. Circe kicks the coiled up ladder, letting it fall down to the cleaned up landing below. This would be much easier than the first time.

Equipped by Circe

Colt 45 with 2 large mag plus 4 regular, suppressor, dagger, Harnesses and holsters and a fanny pack, 3 Blushberry flasks, crowbar, Wrist watch, pack of bubblegum. 2 water bottles, a lighter, 2 small LED flashlights, LED headband on a hard hat, safety goggles, 2 protein bars, 20 spare colt rounds, 3 small bungee cords, 4 glow sticks, bulletproof skin suit. Hedgespun: Multitool.

[Saber Sloth]

Remember if you want to effect permanent change in the Tunnels, please spend the XP! The dots you can see in the Funderland Tunnels Social Group!

[Svelte Sven]

Svelte Sven was, for once, not dressed in formalwear. He was instead wearing a well-worn Grateful Dead t-shirt (possibly from an original tour, with how faded the designs were), jeans, and Chuck Taylor sneakers. It went against many of his habits and impulses, but so did volunteering to help in the first place. He wasn't really built for hard labor. But then, it wouldn't do for Winter to refuse to take part in an activity that ultimately contributed to the Freehold's security. And even if he was built like a limp noodle, the Darkling knew he was still probably a better choice for the task than Withers.

And so he wandered over to the apparent worksite, calling out the the Summer Queen as he approached. "Queen Circe, good to see you." He offered his usual thin-lipped smile and approached the wheelbarrow, eyeing both the Sovereign and the equipment she had. "I fear I may be underequipped and unfamiliar with this type of work. I'm a bit better at the afterwork cleanup, actually." He admitted, his expression growing a little sheepish. "But if you point me in a direction and give me a task, I'll give it my best. Erm, there will be other coming to help, won't there?"

Gear

Naught but the clothes on his back

[Kray]

Ducking into the tunnels the great Ogre loosens his shoulders with a massive shrug, he had no issues being under ground, often finding he prefers it even. It was not a patrol or any risk of fighting that he knew, but his tool kit served just as well in both capacities and so most of his axes, and blades are wrapped up in the curtain like long coat bundled under one over long arm, his sledge however is in the over hand resting easy against the corresponding shoulder as he walks through the tunnels. The Oversized stony teeth that forever force the wide jaw apart scowl down into the pit as he crosses the bridge, the rats in the hole under it, those were one of the few things he did not like down here.

Dressed for labour a flannel shirt across the great bulk of his obese gut and barrel chest, jeans held up by suspenders and black leather shoes, shined bright. Of course rarely seen without it, the hedgespun fedora masked as a moth eaten variant of the same style hat upon his head, the holes custom made to accommodated the horn nubbins protruding from a wide forehead.

Following the sounds of movement and dripping the Ogre will come across the others, his approach discernible a bit before the giant himself is. Upon finding them first a great grey hand up to to the rim of his hat, the hand holding the sledge as it seems to encumber him very little, is given to the summer sovereign. "Uh. Hey Circe." Deep voice echoing a little in the space as the mighty hand comes down. "So. You want to get the rubble moved first or tear the wall down and move it all after?" Then bulbous yellow eyes, flinty grey pupils with no iris, scan over to the new one. The feeling of wyrdstone connection had told him this unmistakeable darkling was one of theirs's, although new evidently. "Ah. You must have arrived recently given I don't think we've met before." A wide toothy grin is offered, an unsettling site that bares the gristlegrinders gift wide and gives impression he might be thinking about what part of the skeletal darkling would make the best meal. Still best foot forward and all. Letting the bundle tools and coat fall to the ground the large, now empty hand is offered. "Kray." The sledge is back resting easily in one hand against his shoulder.

stats and equipment

Defence:2
Armour: 1/0
Speed: 12








Reinforced Clothing (Long coat)
Bowie Knife 2L
Sledgehammer 2B (9-Again)
Fire Axe 3L
Machete 2L
Ice axe 2L, AP1

[Circe]

Circe:
Circe is swinging the crowbar toward the edge, weighing it with the thought of throwing it. Then others catch up to her, so she stops swinging it as she turns round. Resting the crowbar on her shoulder as she starts rhyming, "Svelte, are you well tah-day?" The little noodle armed Darkling was self aware of his limits. And less dapper than during his introduction. Which was the only time Circe ran into him, so no clue how he dresses.


And then someone more capable of doing damage shows up. Kray was packing his usual tool set, which she'd hoped he would do. His toothy smile doesn't produce any response from Circe. Being hobkin made scary smile scale have a higher rating than the norm. Like multiple jaws or xenomorph smiles. Circe just smiles right back at Kray, "Hello Kray, ready for the work day? Oh! Guess what?" She reaches into the wheel barrow, pulling out a very old style "helmet," for lack of a better word. Except the leather headpiece had the forehead section cut out and the top widened. It should fit Kray's head now. "Hardily hats would not fit you last time, so I cut out the issues to stitch up a solution. Your a smart cookie Kray, gotta protect your noggin. Nor scrape up you fashionable hat, still jealous of how well you pull that off bro."


Circe knocks on her own helmet as she says this. Paranoid for danger? Sure she was, but Kray is a friend and she is the chief protector of the Freehold.


"Depends Kray. If the rubble keeps you away from the wall, then we move it yes," she nods as she starts explaining the plan. "I kinda cheated last time. Ghosted through it all for free, buuuut much less appropriate with you boys here." Ditching her weapons and armor to work on the other side had sped things up. However, if they asked, she wasn't going to explain it as her taking off some things to activate the catch.


Circe then waves her hands at the wheel barrow, "We got blocks, concrete, tools, and stuff for building the wall," she looks to Svelte, "Might be best if you hand that down to Krya and me," it'd take less effort to slide things off a ledge than to hold them up. "We do need to get rid of my facade," she blows a raspberry, "Afternoon's work is about to get wasted oh ho ho." She smiles widely at the duo. She grabs a glow stick, snaps it, and tosses it down past the landing. It clicks as it hits dry ground, her right ear twitching, "Huh. It is dry now. Good, hadn't checked that."


Circe nodded as she starts bouncing the crowbar on her shoulder, "Unless you fellas have a better plan for getting this stuff down? Or some bullshit magical crane contract." Circe nods her head, "Extremely useful bullshit too."

Equipped by Circe

Colt 45 with 2 large mag plus 4 regular, suppressor, dagger, shoulder harness, waist ammo harness, thigh dagger holster, and a fanny pack, 3 Blushberry flasks, crowbar, Wrist watch, pack of bubblegum. 2 water bottles, a lighter, 2 small LED flashlights, LED headband on a hard hat, safety goggles, 2 protein bars, 20 spare colt rounds, 3 small bungee cords, 4 glow sticks, bulletproof skin suit. Hedgespun: Multitool.

Wheel barrow

Tools and supplies to give +2 equipment bonus to making the wall. Additionally has a spool of twine, a half dozen safety goggles, 2 hard hats, a enlarged leather football style helmet cut to accommodate Kray's horns, a dozen glow sticks, 2 flashlights, a length of chain, WD-40 spray, and a couple bottles of hand sanitizer.

[Svelte Sven]

Sven grimaced as Circe referred to him as just 'Svelte'. It annoyed him slightly, but decided against saying anything. For one thing, she was the Summer Queen. Even if the freehold seemed exceptionally liberal about the rules of etiquette, it wouldn't be proper for a mere courtier like him to correct her like that. Besides, any Winter Changeling knew that there were times when you just had to put up and shut up.

The scrawny Whisperwisp looked up to the looming Ogre and extended a hand in greeting. "Pleased to meet you, sirrah. I am Svelte Sven of the Silent Arrow." He gave himself points for not shaking in fear or stuttering, but deducted just as many for the awkwardness of the address. Sirrah? Really?

Eager to disengage, even as the offered handshake was left to hang, Sven took advantage of Circe's directions to try to hoist one of the bags of concrete out of the wheelbarrow. "Yes, I should be able to hand off supplies." It took great effort to not strain as he felt all the muscles in his back and arms buckle under the pressure. It remained to be seen if Sven could put his money where his mouth was.

[Kray]

Hard labour and getting his hands dirty had never been above him and nor is it to this day, but the concept of clocking in for a work day was a little novel given the nature of what they did. "Oh. yes indeed I ..." A sudden realisation crashes home. Dam it. "Ah. Forgot my shovel." A disgruntled foot pushes the rest of the tools he let fall to the floor around as if doing so could magically conjure the implement from the boot of his car where he hoped it was. If not it's in the umbrella stand. But the summer sovereign quickly regains his attention as she presents her solution to avoiding cave inflicted concussions. "Oh." He is a little lost for words, its not a big thing but the effort sure is apricated. "Ah. I know you said you'd get me something but I wasn't expecting it to be so thoughtful." If Circe realises he is accepting it as the promised clothing from the man in black name slip, is a little immaterial, as he takes it and considers her word upheld.

First the hammer is placed to stand on its head. Then given the machete is unlikely to be of any great need he will stick it forcibly into the ground, and use it as a hat stand for his hedgespun fedora, and replaces it atop his head with the leather cap. Finally grabbing the hammer by the handle once more and hefting it back to his shoulder.

A shake of his great head as Circe speaks of impeding rubble. "No. Nothing I cant push through easy enough." The dangling lichens of his hair don't sway under the new cap, a slightly odd sensation as its something he's used to but it won't take long to adjust. "So. You want the honour of first swing it is your wall after all?" And far be from to deprive the summer of her fun. But he is ready to step up if she doesn't wish to. He had seen Circe do the ghosting at the far end of the tracks, but understands. Why use glamour when the task was so simple achieved other ways.

That the offered hand shake was left hanging as the new darkling disengaged from the greeting does not seem overly bothersome, well the giant ogre seems not to take it poorly. Okay so either this winter is to afraid or your not an idiot, either works for me. The great hand furls the grey fingers back into a loose grip on nothing. "Hm. from none to two, seems winter is popular at the moment." Providing the other one I met stuck around that it is. "Eh. Anyway looks like you'll be earning your muscles the right way today Svelte Sven of the Silent Arrow." Sure the ogre had started to go to gyms to try and find outlets for his nastier impulses but his bulk and twisted muscles were made from use and abuse not curated by a fitness programme. "Good stuff." Either he didn't know the social connotations of the use of sirrah or choose to ignore it. Knowing ogres and their stereotypically hard time keeping their composure, the former has good odds of being the more likely scenario.

"Ah. No magical cranes I'm afraid. Just elbow grease." The autumn mentality to use what the others gave them extended to his might, height and bulk as much as it did the various magics at his disposal. And use it he will. With that Kray will bring himself down the break cliff. Rope ladders not the easiest for a giant to navigate but he is no less dexterous then the average person and more athletic so he mages well enough ready to start receiving the supplies from above.

stats and equipment

Defence:2
Armour: 1/0
Speed: 12




Reinforced Clothing (Long coat) + Old style leather helmet
Bowie Knife 2L
Sledgehammer 2B (9-Again)
Fire Axe 3L
Machete 2L
Ice axe 2L, AP1

[Circe]

Narration:
Svelte will figure out that just lowering the bags to the floor and pushing them off the edge is something he can do without much strain. Same goes for the cinder blocks. Nobody is going to complain about scuff markets in an supervillain style escape tunnel. The tools? Handing those down is a lot easier, as none even weight half as much as a cement bag.


The Lost are able to move aside the debris blockage by taking there time. Even Svelte can find small, lights chunks of garbage to help with moving.


If a changeling wants to attack the wall, it can be done with a straight Brawl or Weaponry Roll, damage caused is reduced by 1, requiring 5 damage to destroy it. Crafts could be use to rip it apart, but that is probably a higher target number than smashing it.
---
Circe:


"Excellent boys!" Circe hands the headgear off to Kray, not even thinking upon the Men In Black. For that, she'd only consider a proper MiB suit or body armor to be a fair shake. The Summer is happy no planning is demanded for the task of picking things up and tossing them aside. She shrugs, "No worries Kray, we still have hands and gloves. Um," she looks into the supplies. Yup. "Gloves!"


Circe wasn't concerned about a manicure getting ruined. More like wasting Goblin Fruit to stop a hand from bleeding. "Ain't got anything for your horns though," she points to them as she shrugs.


"Ah, from the same company that provides us with headlight fluid," she nods as Kray mentions the oldest of muscle jokes. Being an agile Fairest, Circe opts to just go down quick, having only a crowbar strapped to her back instead of a gun made it easier.


Once down there, she'll start taking the tools and supplies as Sven tries to hand them down. As for who gets to smash? Well, she should of thought of that before she had armfuls of tools and shit. "Well, the trowel's blade is blunt Sven just give it here," she gets distracted, "Seeing how I suckered myself into the tool transport brigade and it is your hammer, feel free to bring your hammer down Kray."

Equipped by Circe

Colt 45 with 2 large mag plus 4 regular, suppressor, dagger, Harnesses and holsters and a fanny pack, 3 Blushberry flasks, crowbar, Wrist watch, pack of bubblegum. 2 water bottles, a lighter, 2 small LED flashlights, LED headband on a hard hat, safety goggles, 2 protein bars, 20 spare colt rounds, 3 small bungee cords, 4 glow sticks, bulletproof skin suit. Hedgespun: Multitool.

Wheel barrow

Tools and supplies to give +2 equipment bonus to making the wall. Additionally has a spool of twine, a half dozen safety goggles, 4 hard hats, a dozen glow sticks, 4 flashlights, a lenght of chain, WD-40 spray, and a couple bottles of hand sanitizer.

[Svelte Sven]

Sven cautiously thanked whatever higher power was watching that the Ogre didn't punish him for his gaffe. Maybe he just... Didn't get it? A wiser part of his mind urged him to stop thinking about it and let the matter alone.

The Darkling had to admit, though he never felt ashamed of his figure, he did wish he could borrow some of Kray's strength. The Autumn Courtier probably didn't mean any offense with his comment about having building muscle, but Sven felt an impulse to push himself a little as he assisted in shifting debris.

The Winter Court's philosophy included the belief that every Court had a purpose and it was wisest to let each handle what they were best at. By that logic, it didn't make sense for the thin-limbed courtier to strain himself any more than necessary. An illogical, slightly jealous part of Sven suggested that, given that you couldn't undo first impressions, he should prove that he wasn't completely useless.

Moving Debris, 1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-09-24 13:53:44	Svelte Sven rolls 6 to Clearing debris (Strength + Athletics + WP) (10 Again, WillPower)	5, 5, 6, 2, 8, 5	1 success

Trying to make up with stamina and determination what he lacked in raw strength, Sven rushed to at least keep up with Circe and Kray as they carried debris away from their workspace. While the weight of the detritus he managed to move wasn't particularly impressive, he at least managed to move his fair share of miscellaneous garbage without adding to the burden. It left Sven winded.

Snowflake Jack was right. Hard labor is for Summers... And Ogres. Despite the sudden burst of motivation and stubborn push to keep up, it didn't really seem worth it in the end. He hoped that neither companion noticed how much effort he had put into it and resolved not to push himself too hard at the next task.

"I mean, what else would you do with a hammer that big?" He mused, thankful that he was able to keep himself from wheezing while he caught his breath.

Roll may not have been needed, but I think it still fits the level of 'success' he had in the narrative thus far. Plus I just plum forgot to roll last post, despite Origins specifically mentioning it

[Kray]

Rolling his shoulders once more, what some might call limbering up in anticipation. "Ah. Not worried about getting my hands dirty." Won't be the first time, or the dirtiest. But given the plan is to create a bunch more rubble shortly he has a slightly different plan for that. "Uh. Hey Sven." Taking the summer sovereign lead on shortening names. "Pass my coat down will you." With a mind to wrap a bunch of debris in for safe handling. "Uh. No worries, what ever was covering them would just make me taller." And more likely to catch on the ceiling. Still it would probabaly hurt less then his horn nubbins headbutting the planet. Headbutting Edna's doorframe had hurt enough.

Now that he had not expected. "Huh. Well if you insist." It isn't everyday he gets to really let loose, safely. And he is not going to squander it. Which translates to the ogre bringing his blessing to bear feeding glamour through his giant frame as he strides up to the blockade increasing the density of his muscles ready for an explosive display of force, to that end he really puts his back into the moment of destruction. Time to see if the construction was ogre proof.

Smash the wall 8 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-09-24 16:19:29	Kray rolls 14 to Smash the wall (weaponry 1, str 4, hammer +2, all out attack +2, +WP, +2 ogre blessing) (9 Again, WillPower)	10, 9, 9, 10, 6, 8, 3, 6, 2, 1, 7, 10, 6, 10, 6, 3, 1, 5, 9, 1, 2	8 successes

The answer. No. No it was not. A single savage swing is all it takes for the sledge to tear the façade down into naught but rubble. "Oh. Ha." He had been expecting a few swings to be needed but was not going to complain about getting it in one. "Seems I didn't leave any for you Circe." Bulbous yellow eyes not leaving the settling piles, and whatever he sees there for the moment. "Hm. Still got the job done." And good to his efforts he will begin to clear up the mess he made, although will less fanfare and gusto.

stats and equipment

Defence:2
Armour: 1/0
Speed: 12








Reinforced Clothing (Long coat) + old fashioned leather helmet
Bowie Knife 2L
Sledgehammer 2B (9-Again)
Fire Axe 3L
Machete 2L
Ice Axe 2L 1AP