<strong>Hero Points:</strong>1 (Romana);<strong>Conditions:</strong>None<br/><br/>Whether it was due to the adrenaline rush of being potentially found out or the spur of discovering something valuable, Romana was more than able to reposition herself into a new hiding spot. Thankfully her cell phone camera was able to record what she wanted.<br/><br/>After the men conducted a second search, they regrouped.<br/><br/>“Found nothing,” one of them said. “But I don’t like this.”<br/><br/>The necklaced man nodded. “Even if someone’s here we can’t get distracted. Let’s get this over with, one of you stand guard”<br/><br/>The group got to work taking out the equipment. At this point Romana got a clear look at them all; a tank full of blue glowing water with a pump and hose, a gnarled staff of oak with runes carved into its surface, and a bundle of achillea alpina stalks taken out of a wooden case. Romana recognized the last one as the Chinese yarrow, a plant often used in divination and geomantic practices stemming from the I Ching.<br/><br/>The men sorted the stalks into two piles after separating one individual stalk from the group. One man sorted and combined the various stalks via a complicated counting process. After obtaining some meaning in the ritual, he nodded to the leader, who with a wave of his hand prompted another man to shove the hose of the water-filled tank into the earth. Dirt and sediment sucked out in gargled, sucking sounds, mixing with the water as it turned a glowing red interspersed among the brown.<br/><br/>“Oh my God, that’s way too bright!” one of the men exclaimed. “We have to get out of here!”<br/><br/>As though his warning were on cue, a loud peal of thunder rang out from the west. A giant green wave of magical energy exploded somewhere deep within the three Hill districts. Whatever it was, it was immaterial, for there were no aftereffects of a mushroom cloud indicative of a nuclear bomb, nor a sudden outage of power or losing one’s footing as though from a shockwave.<br/><br/><div align="center">(https://i.imgur.com/Q0w8yAM.png)</div><br/>At that point Romana could feel it. An intangible surge of energy crawled up her spine, that creative potential which could shape the world beyond the laws of nature, that powerfully precious thing called<em>magic.</em>For a brief moment it was everywhere, leaving no street, no house, no soul down to the merest blade of grass untouched.<br/><br/>The men stared, transfixed, saying nothing. But soon the silence was interrupted as green wisps of smoke coalesced into a tangible form.<br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fe/70/99/fe7099a8907b60b7d77d0583670e0705.png)</div><br/>The spirit uttered three simple words. “Those who trespass...”<br/><br/>And without waiting for a response one of its hands swept over, turning and curving like an emerald scythe at the man with the necklace. He ducked just in time, the ghostly assault leaving a howling echo.<br/><br/>“Shit, that...that explosion woke it up!”<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Supernatural Lore Automatic</div><div class="spoiler_body">This is a Viridian Spirit, a type of ghost tied to the earth. So-named for being prominent in evergreen forests.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">DC 25</div><div class="spoiler_body">A Viridian Spirit cannot be exorcised in the typical manner, as it is tied to mineral veins deep beneath the earth. This entity was most likely awoken by the sudden surge of ley line energy that just occurred. It is in a state of heightened anxiety.<br/><br/>Additionally Romana identified the gnarled oak staff as a Staff of Warding. It is a Device (Easily Removable) that grants the following:<br/><br/><strong>Summon Into Being:</strong> Create 8 (Extras: Impervious)<br/><strong>AE: Warding Circle:</strong> Enhanced Dodge 4, Parry 4 (Extras: Affects Others Only, Area 30 Foot Burst)<br/><strong>Dowsing:</strong> Senses 6 (Extended Ranged Tactile, Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Tactile Tracking 2)<br/><br/>As the Device is temporarily gained, Romana will only be able to make use of it for this scene only. She must spend a Hero Point to use it.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">DC 30</div><div class="spoiler_body">The pumping of water into the ground is making it more agitated. If the device is shut off it will make the spirit less hostile. Not entirely, but its form won’t be thrashing about as much.</div></div></div></div></div></div><br/><em>Initiative</em><br/><br/>Unmasked Spirit 24 (+8 modifier) (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=152442)<br/>Romana 24 (+4 modifier) (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=152441)<br/>Leader 22 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=152444)<br/>Minions (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=152443)<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Leader Perception 12 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=152440)<br/><br/>Minions can’t beat Romana’s Stealth even on a Natural 20, so she’s in the clear for now!<br/><br/>Unmasked Spirit attempted to attack the leader of the men and missed. (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=152445)<br/><br/>Due to initiative it’s now Romana’s turn. The unmasked spirit’s Dodge/Parry is 6, so 16 or better to hit. You can still perform Cloak &amp; Dagger maneuvers as usual if you desire.<br/><br/>The Great Unmasking has different effects on different people, but for Romana her next use of a power (including her Dagger) will have a free use of Extra Effort applied to it without the cost of Fatigue or Exhaustion that normally applies.</div></div>