04-11-2017, 08:24 PM
A high-pitched, wordless howl rose up from the distance. Some inarticulate, almost primal screech, savage and signaling only one thing: whoever was making it had found prey. It was followed moments later by an answering shriek, coming from the opposite direction. And shortly afterward, more sound slowly came into relevance across the dunes. From one way, the wheezing, sputtering cough of an engine, revving unnecessarily loud, heralding a vehicle speeding over the sands. From the other, quieter and harder to pick out, the pounding of hooves on the sands, a steady, heavy rhythm.
As the approaching hostiles drew closer, the emblems on the radar grew more distinct, spreading out. Each approaching side spread out, into multiple individual signals. Three, from the engine-roaring side, and two, from the horse-powered side.
Streaking over a dune, only a hundred meters or so distant, a rough, rusted amalgam of armored plating, tires, and squealing engine came sailing into the air, hurtling several dozen feet through the air before hitting sand again, swerving crazily and throwing up huge clouds of dust, sand, and smoke from engine exhaust. Roaring out of the cloud of impact, the occupants could be seen. Humanoid, in at least general stature and shape. Covered in all manner of piecemeal armor and gear, and with the driver and one riding shotgun both adorned with face-concealing masks. Shotgun-rider had a shotgun clutched in one hand, leaning out the side of the vehicle at a crazy angle. And a third occupant, standing in the rear and leaning over the front seat, arms braced on the seats in front of him. A full-head mask covered them, with several thick spikes and bolts seemingly rammed through it, into the skull, and down the back, from which hung all manner of small chains, ropes and charms. From all of them, eyes blazed bright red, even through the masks.
The other way, a pair of horse-like creatures, but leaner, distorted and twisted, with six legs, came scrabbling and galloping over dunes. Riders swathed in heavy, concealing robes and bandages, hoods shrouding faces. Only their eyes, burning bright, piercing red, could be seen of their face. Both had a rifle slung over their back, and each had a weapon drawn in one hand -- a long, curved sword for one, and a slim, wickedly-sharp spear for the other -- and held out, ready to strike with their full momentum as they charged down the liberators.
As if the raiders and psychopaths out in the deserts weren't bad enough. Now they were even more crazy, thanks to Nebula.
As the approaching hostiles drew closer, the emblems on the radar grew more distinct, spreading out. Each approaching side spread out, into multiple individual signals. Three, from the engine-roaring side, and two, from the horse-powered side.
Streaking over a dune, only a hundred meters or so distant, a rough, rusted amalgam of armored plating, tires, and squealing engine came sailing into the air, hurtling several dozen feet through the air before hitting sand again, swerving crazily and throwing up huge clouds of dust, sand, and smoke from engine exhaust. Roaring out of the cloud of impact, the occupants could be seen. Humanoid, in at least general stature and shape. Covered in all manner of piecemeal armor and gear, and with the driver and one riding shotgun both adorned with face-concealing masks. Shotgun-rider had a shotgun clutched in one hand, leaning out the side of the vehicle at a crazy angle. And a third occupant, standing in the rear and leaning over the front seat, arms braced on the seats in front of him. A full-head mask covered them, with several thick spikes and bolts seemingly rammed through it, into the skull, and down the back, from which hung all manner of small chains, ropes and charms. From all of them, eyes blazed bright red, even through the masks.
The other way, a pair of horse-like creatures, but leaner, distorted and twisted, with six legs, came scrabbling and galloping over dunes. Riders swathed in heavy, concealing robes and bandages, hoods shrouding faces. Only their eyes, burning bright, piercing red, could be seen of their face. Both had a rifle slung over their back, and each had a weapon drawn in one hand -- a long, curved sword for one, and a slim, wickedly-sharp spear for the other -- and held out, ready to strike with their full momentum as they charged down the liberators.
As if the raiders and psychopaths out in the deserts weren't bad enough. Now they were even more crazy, thanks to Nebula.
Quote:Encounter
Five darkling raiders have found you. As a whole, the collective group has stats of 4/3/3/2. Individually, they will of course be weaker, but don't underestimate them. They'll work well as a group.
They all have the Survival power, along with the Physical Strength and Ranged proficiencies. The two on horseback have the Master Acrobat power, if forced to dismount, and the three in the buggy have the Regeneration (Basic) power. They have various firearms and melee implements, and the leader (the one with all the bolts jammed through his head) is capable of breathing fire.
You have four days to make one post, up to 1000 words, to contend with the threat. Happy hunting.