File: Title Scroll 001.png (92 KB, 1278x1506)

92 KB PNG

After the March 4th earthquake flybys of the Soviet drop point indicate the following:

A large structure, codename SKYSCRAPER, has appeared at lake Vidraru's deepest point without any apparent water displacement suggesting that it has gone undetected until now.

Infrared film shows SKYSCRAPER has a much higher surface temperature than the surroundings which may indicate a nuclear generator despite having more than enough accessible power from the Vidraru dam itself. This suggests the surplus power is for military applications.

There is a considerable build up of airdropped artillery suited for laying siege to an entrenched position. What's unexpected is that they're all pointed at SKYSCRAPER indicating a chain of command disruption or distrust of the installation's operators.

The Soviets, with assistance from the native Romanian mountain infantry, have attempted to evacuate the civilian population within 15 miles of SKYSCRAPER but this has been impaired by the recent quake.

<Continued 2/3>

File: Title Scroll002.png (53 KB, 1277x1504)

53 KB PNG

Objectives:
Secure on the ground intel regarding the status and nature of SKYSCRAPER at Lake Vidraru.

Rules of Engagement:
This is a sneaking mission. Lethal force is an option but is to be avoided if it would compromise the mission.

Point of Contact:
Your handler will be in communication through coded wide band radio via a miniaturized transmitter and receiver.

Equipment:
Your standard loadout optimized for an air drop.

Deployment:
Roughly 2 miles outside of Virdaru Dam.

Opposition:
The Romanian Mountain Motor rifle division may be offering nominal observational support to their Warsaw Pact ally.

The Soviet paratrooper armed forces are known to be on site. KGB overseers with Phystech researchers are to be expected.

(Come up with a cool codename for the operative by the end of the thread game rules coming up next post along with actual gameplay, thank you for the patience)

>>43359235
>Thiess of Kaltenbrun

>Hound of Heaven who fights demonic forces and witches as a lycanthrope.

Or Hellhound for our enemies.

>>43359312
AS for attacks. Air drop in, take over motor rifle and use it against the other team and the paratroopers. Ruthless, stealth and keep ourselves reloaded with the dead man's ammo.

>>43359312
Not to kill your enthusiasm, but it would seem we are just a generic operator type, not some supernatural hunter.

>>43359368
Then build communication outside the wall and survey the area?

>>43359349
>Rules of Engagement:
>This is a sneaking mission. Lethal force is an option but is to be avoided if it would compromise the mission.

Again, come on man, we're here to recon, not secure the place.

>>43359382
There doesn't seem to be a wall, they have encircled the dam with artillery for some reason.

We're probably going to drop in, meet up with our handler, scout everything, get back to our handler and relay the info through him then extract.

Bad shit is going to happen before that, of course.

So we're not a Belmont? We're just some US black ops schmuck investigating the "fortress"?

File: Dracula W Name Entry.png (280 KB, 1123x1214)

280 KB PNG

As for the game rules I'm thinking

Physical

Mental

Social

With one of those three prioritized. So you'll be better at one of those three methods of tactical espionage action.

With percentages and a +5 bonus to rolls in your archetype.

Successes can be "banked"

An auto 80 has limited uses
70 one out of three
60 every roll

You've managed to land safely and make it past skittish patrols to the far end of lake Vidraru with dusk a few hours away.

The lake itself is a deep blue with occasional ripples of what appear to be eels and fish surfacing to snap at whatever insects made the mistake of testing the water tension.

In the middle of the lake is what intel confirms is SKYSCRAPER. Looking like a something Walt Disney would imagine after dropping LSD a castle squats on a summit of algae coated stone.

Fanciful spires more suited to some German lord's hunting castle stab at the sky with walls that look ready to weather modern bombardment bonding the entire configuration to the stone foundation. You think you can make out a clock tower of all things.

On the surrounding hills there are inert spotlights and obvious artillery.

>>43359312 Thanks for the idea. Going on the list now.

File: Castlevania_dracx-5.jpg (42 KB, 720x405)

42 KB JPG

FYI, if this is going by actual Castlevania chain of events, then the last time the castle arose again was during Portrait of Ruin, which took place in the 1940s right smack in the middle of World War 2. Literally, the destruction of WW2 was the reason for Castlevania's return that time. There HAS to be information about that.

I guess the Cold War got a little too hot for Castlevania this time around and decided to wake up. Again.

>>43359598
I'll back "Hound" as a codename.

"Mutt" would be funnier, though.

Or we could just do some MGS shit and mash an adjective onto an animal and call it a day.

>>43359598
>>43359676
I'm partial to "Hound."

>>43359676

How about 'Krieg'? Or 'Chevalier'?

File: http___thehdwall.com_wp-c(...).jpg (754 KB, 2048x1536)

754 KB JPG

You notice the sounds of construction coming from the Eastern side of the lake. Perhaps they're making an airfield?

The air changes and you catch the scent of the structure across the lake. It's a hot blast that you'd swear was the breath of some large predator, a lion or a wolf.

>>43359574 You haven't heard of anyone named Belmont but in your line of work there were some strange WW2 veteran stories regarding this region. You can contact your handler at any time to report and recieve updates on intel.

>>43359676 Second vote for Hound, remember folks we've got the whole thread so keep on tossing out codenames. It all goes on the list.

>>43359598
I vote Mental.
Gots to figur dem puzzles real good.

>>43359721
>>43359689
>>43359676
I forget how the U.S. does codenames and shit.

And being told we are an "Operative for the U.S. government" doesn't do much to point us to what we do.

I don't know if we are going by military naming convention or by "Secret agency" naming convention. Military tends to do names based around groups or callsigns, whereas CIA and spyshit tends to be just assigned without any real connection to who they work with.

>>43359833
Now that we've got boots on the ground, let's contact our handler and get pointed in a direction.

>>43359833
Can we switch to thermal/night vision or is that technology we do not have?

>>43359598
For the prioitization, would assigning a background to the choice help?

So far we know literally nothing about the character save "he works for the U.S.".

Would Physical mean he is more like a Black Ops "go in and kill everything to death" type?

If he has Mental would he be a field operative for the CIA?

For social does that make him a deep-cover operator like some sort of high-level NARC?

Let's assign some details.

>>43359988
For real. These descriptions are a bit haphazard, and we don't have too much to work with right now.

>>43359598
Mental.

Can we specialize in a bowie knife much like the one Quincy Morris used against Dracula.

Whatever gun is up to everyone else.

Maybe two knives. Because dual wielding is awesome. Be useful to be able to throw one and keep another at least.

File: 1409100107367.jpg (428 KB, 1366x1000)

428 KB JPG

It's getting closer to dusk. Those spotlights will be on soon as well as whatever eyes the Soviets have on their antique installation.

>>43359848 You're roughly in Solid Snake's capacity as a Tactical Espionage badass. Whatever reality breaking videogame logic powers you've got will get hammered out by the teeming hivemind and through play.

As for exactly what branch of the Government you're being employed by it's secretive enough to not need letters. Likely you're from some shared pool of implausibly skilled surgical assets.

We can go for both naming conventions, what appears on the heavily redacted reports and what grows your legend in the field.

>>43359864 Your minaturized radio transmitter fulfills its function as a calm voice opens with a code phrase that you properly respond to "Sitrep Operative are you within distance of SKYSCRAPER?"

>>43359836 Mental
>>43359721 Kreig Chevalier

Whenever we get to an exclamation point worthy moment that your superb training and instincts will be challenged by then we can roll.

>>43360060
Confirm visual contact with SKYSCRAPER. It's a bit...ornate for a Soviet bunker.

>>43360021
The boss only taught me one thing, and that was CQC. To think like a solider, to feel like a solider, this training was my own to master, lest I remain just a man with a gun.

File: 1404507938658.webm (2.51 MB, 853x480)

2.51 MB WEBM

>>43360121
>We're gonna CQC some fuckin' zombies and werewolves SO HARD

>>43360060
>"Affirmative. Spot lights going to will be on soon.

>If successful sneak inside and gain intel of SKYSCRAPER. Dusk means early bird vampires will be up soon.

>>43360163
We don't know anything about the supernatural yet. If anything, we'll probably be sent to investigate either the nearby dam or the artillery pointed at SKYSCRAPER to get some more intel.

>>43360060
>You're roughly in Solid Snake's capacity as a Tactical Espionage badass.

The guy who was able to BTFO the single greatest soldier who ever lived? Said soldier who beat the previous greatest soldier to ever live?

Nigga damn.

Also, could we get some

>Direction
So we aren't all
>Write-ins
?

It'd help you steer the story a bit better and have a vague outline of possible actions taken, and simultaneously allow anons who don't want to write something up or who just can't think of anything relevant to participate.

As it stands, we need to tell our handler (does he have a codename, or do we just call him "Handler"? I'd loathe to call him "Radio") we have visual, and describe what we see.

Oh, and backing Physical specialization. Because, the boss, and shit.

>>43359574
>So we're not a Belmont? We're just some US black ops schmuck investigating the "fortress"?

Why of course we're a glorious AMERIKKAN OPERATOR. We're /tg/ and we're cleverly contrarian.

File: Spoiler Image (226 KB, 640x480)

226 KB PNG

>>43360186
>The Hound is just super-superstitious.

>Hound believes in ghostsm UFOS, Reptilians, Illumanati, Vampires, Faeries, Santa, the Tooth Fairy.

>The Hound will hunt every being in his Wild Hunt! I shall ride with ODIN! DIE UNDEAD!

Then nanomachines somehow turn us into a super lycanthrope.

>>43360257
When was the last time you actually played a Castlevania as a Belmont MC(not a NG+)?

File: 6254657.gif (315 KB, 330x184)

315 KB GIF

>>43360263
If you want to think writing your name and blood type on your boots is bad luck, that's fine, but a grown ass man who is a stone-cold badass for a living believing in fairy tale creatures is a bit of a stretch.

File: 493px-Marx_Engels_Lenin.png (39 KB, 493x401)

39 KB PNG

>>43359988 That's an excellent summary. My apologies for being so vague but yes those descriptions are right what I was looking for.

So yes physical is the Commando, Rambo type of asset that is willing to quip and explode in that order.
Mental is the more careful stealthy spy.
Social honeypots are sauve enough to get invited to the BBEG's table for what is hopefully just innocent wine in those glasses.

Also an operative is versatile enough to be inhumanly efficient in the field. This is just the extra style that accompanies their SOP.

The whole Bond, Bourne, Bauer aspect of practical spycraft given a dose of the cinematic.

Your handler's codename is BARNUM possibly some allusion to the circus of hidden manuevers he has to ringlead he notes your description of SKYSCRAPER and gives you some parameters.

[ Check out those emplacements, they're likely the best vantage point and their state of readiness will give clues to the Soviet dynamic ]

[ Find some way across the lake before the spotlights get turned on ]

[ Knock out some Romanian mountain infantry and infiltrate the encampment ]

[ Agents discretion (Write in) ]

>>43360205 Thank you for the guidance this is my first posting quest

>>43360324

[Check out those emplacements, they're likely the best vantage point and their state of readiness will give clues to the Soviet dynamic ]

>>43360324
>[ Check out those emplacements, they're likely the best vantage point and their state of readiness will give clues to the Soviet dynamic ]
Seriously, why are Soviet guns pointing at an ostensibly Soviet enplacement? Something weird is going on.

>>43360324
>[ Check out those emplacements, they're likely the best vantage point and their state of readiness will give clues to the Soviet dynamic ]

Get them fuggen binocs ready

>>43360324
What exactly are you trying to prove by "deconstructing" Castlevania this way? Haven't you seen this other thread?

>>43352819

>>43360427
>What exactly are you trying to prove by "deconstructing" Castlevania this way? Haven't you seen this other thread?

>tfw there are canon examples of modern soldiers in Castlevania

Take "Hammer" in the handhelds, he was a spec ops soldier trapped in the Castle.

"Normal" people have fought Dracula and his minions as well.

He isn't deconstructing anything, really.

>>43360453
>"Normal" people have fought Dracula and his minions as well.
The battle of 1999 for one.

>>43360427
it's just mindless Halloween fun I don't think he's trying to make any "deep" points.

>>43360530
As deep as the Hound's fangs slip into the flesh of any Soviet or Halloween 'fun' that come his way.

>>43360324
>[ Check out those emplacements, they're likely the best vantage point and their state of readiness will give clues to the Soviet dynamic ]
Scout dat perimeter.

>>43360572
the fuck are you talking about?

>>43360600
He's getting hype over his selected code name.

I'd prefer a code name that relates to our specific style of operating, myself.

File: 1409099695494.jpg (88 KB, 595x643)

88 KB JPG

>>43360384
>>43360387
>>43360324

You manage to make your way up the steep forested hills to the edge of the firing clearing for the artillery emplacements. This seems to double as the camp for Soviet gunners stationed here. The smells of cooking and the strum of guitars cement that they feel secure enough to relax a bit.

The massive spotlight rigs are fastened to the back of Kozlik off road trucks with their power being provided by a makeshift set of lines descending to the dam's generators likely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRRGYEFZF4A

You do notice they've also got a Party sanctioned Orthodox Priest busily blessing the artillery while giving nervous looks to SKYSCRAPER below.

>>43360660
What are godless communists doing with a holy man's blessings?

>>43360660
So what type of dude did we decide on? CQC Rambo man? Either way maybe we should sneak up on those priests and see if we cant overhear anything. They will probably be less likely to notice us as well since they are just priests.
>>43360758
Dont they bless their stuff regularly?

File: priest blessing ship gun.jpg (66 KB, 720x553)

66 KB JPG

>>43360758
Orthodox priests blessing guns are more common than you think.

That said, this is still worth investigating.

>>43360660
>Get a holy gun

>Get two

>>43360789
I think we're leaning towards the smart field agent who can still CQC and shoot the shit out of anyone. Remember that on the whole, we're still supersoldier-tier at the end of the day.

>>43360818
Michael Weston meets Captain America with Solid Snake meets...warhwulf mentality?

>>43360818
>>43360789
As OP said, we're basically Solid Snake. So maximum operator.

We get to have a bonus to a certain trait, though.

We can knife someone to death a million ways regardless of what we choose to be best at, if I am interpreting correctly.

>>43360818
So snake basically? Hopefully a bit quicker on the uptake than snake.

>>43360857
Our hero doesn't have as nagging a habit to immediately repeat what someone else says.

>>43360870
He doesn't immediately repeat what someone says?

>>43360857
>Hound is the clone of the Super Spy 'Alpha Wolf'

>Les Efents Lobos

>Beta Hound Bill

>>43360891
Whats ocelot?

>>43360919
a type of wild cat.

File: snake.png (243 KB, 500x281)

243 KB PNG

>>43360924

File: pack.jpg (10 KB, 300x156)

10 KB JPG

Delta Coyote
(Evil twin)
Gamma Fox
(female clone)
Delta Wolf
(Badass Brother)
Epsilion Dingo
(Psychic Clone)
Zeta Jackal
(Cyborg Clone)
Eta Hyena
(Meta Clone)

Gather the family together and we have our own Greek Pack.

>>43360982
Whoops Wolf is wrong.

...Omega Wolf would be better.

>>43360660
Let's investigate that tower with our near future yet oddly retro binoculars.

File: 1416592228967.jpg (54 KB, 714x800)

54 KB JPG

According to your intel the artillery was originally all positioned to cover SKYSCRAPER. It seems that while they're all pointing in the same direction some are oriented as anti-air instead of just structural bombardment.

You do have a directional microphone that finds quick use in eaves dropping on the priest currently pacing in front of what looks to be a member of the Phystech Institute.

Your command of the Russian language isn't flawless but the gist is this "You know 'Upas' is just waiting for us to grow lax in our faith?" the priest passionately protests.

"I am certain you have everything in order in that regard. We'll see what the night brings" the Phystech constituent adjusts a harness of gadgetry around his waist and your microphone crackles painfully in your ear for a moment.

>>43359892
(Sorry about the wait) You don't have any night vision goggles. However you notice that the Soviets have a couple of sniper rifles and attending sharpshooters with bulky night vision scopes that seem as if they were recently attached.

>>43360815
[ You can attempt to snag a sniper rifle but it WILL be missed unless of course the sniper it was assigned to naps unexpectedly ]

[ Agents discretion (Write in) ]

>>43361082
>Ask command on if we can get our weapons blessed.

If soviet soldiers are using this, I'd say we should at least see if its an option.

>>43361082
Upas? Sounds like codec call material.

>>43361082
Follow that priest, see what he's talking about.

>>43361082
What dice will we use? Is it roll under or over?

File: 33484802.png (32 KB, 622x448)

32 KB PNG

>>43361069
Your Bushnell® combat binoculars bring the highest point of SKYSCRAPER into clear view. A clocktower of all extravagant the things rubles can be wasted on. This must be the Party's minimum security summer home gulag. Some of the most expensive carvings you've ever seen decorate this overwrought structure. Like the terra cotta warriors of China discovered two years ago none of these stone grotesques look alike.

>>43361163
You can almost hear BARNUM nod on the other end of the radio as he mulls "Upas, a tropical Asian tree with poisonous sap. In Japan it was a mythical tree that was said to poison its surroundings and said to be fatal to approach. If that's their codename for SKYSCRAPER they might be working on some sort of Biohazard"

Friggin saved, also a bonus +10% to bank for whenever things start getting exclamatory.
>>43360982
Delta Coyote
(Evil twin)
Gamma Fox
(female clone)
Omega Wolf
(Badass Brother)
Epsilon Dingo
(Psychic Clone)
Zeta Jackal
(Cyborg Clone)
Eta Hyena
(Meta Clone)

>>43361263
2d10 roll under. If the rest of the operative's instincts (You folks in the thread) feel that this is the right approach

>>43361322
Best out of...?

>>43361322
Can we perhaps spot a poorly lit, poorly watched stretch of land that leads closer to SKYSCRAPER? Can we spot any commanders or ranked officers, maybe a command or communications tent?

>>43361322
Let's not jump to conclusions about bioweapons or biohazards. But if they're talking about not getting close to the compound, then we have to find out if it's by choice or necessity. Let's gather some more intel, see if we can spot some patrols or follow the priest.

>>43361322
Maybe we should see if we cant sneak our way into finding some documents that will tell us what the hell the Russians are doing?

>>43361411

Hound find box?

Very large and silent ventilation shaft?

File: 1414284644556.jpg (102 KB, 479x1768)

102 KB JPG

>>43361370
If you don't take the winding pathway cleared down to the lake you'll at least be out of sight. You'll also
get there by the time it's night.

As for commanders in big hats they're operating as if they're in hostile territory, no big hats in sight. Which is odd because they were almost the epitome of 'bored border crossing' a half hour ago.

As for a command or communication tent you notice the dam itself is a hardened concrete structure with a radio tower jutting like a metal splinter.

Being quiet and unseen requires time that has been spent in daylight. It's almost dusk and the camp goes from relaxed to on edge like a switch was thrown. Radios are used to make contact between firing stations and the spotlights are given a test run while it's still barely daylight.

SKYSCRAPER is on an artificial lake in a valley after all.

>>43361393
The Priest is initially given an escort of two soldiers before a third weasels his way in much to the teasing of the gunnery leader. The Soldiers are carrying a strange new gun that menaces with its wood and metal simplicity.
[ Follow that Priest! ] Requires a roll under a 70 the guards are on edge and you'll be moving to keep up with them

[ Agent's discretion (Write In)]

>>43361708
Let's get on that dam. I think there's something we're missing that we can find up there.

>>43361708
>Follow priest and his escorts

If something else picks them off, we wanna see if the guns actually work.

Holy people are just huge bulls eyes to dark monsters.

>>43361839
>yfw MC kills a dozen zombies and levels up

I'd chuckle.

File: 71a.gif (122 KB, 678x422)

122 KB GIF

>>43361839
>>43361883

[ Follow that Priest! ]

Give me a 2d10 roll linked to this post, are you going to use your +10% to get over 70? If so say so in your post. Easy come easy go with bonuses.

Also I'm guessing this is Physical then?

>>43361745
The Priest does seem to be heading towards the dam.

>>43361708
Wow I completely screwed the pooch. It's roll OVER as in get a result HIGHER than 70. My apologies.

Rolled 6, 7 = 13 (2d10)

>>43362038

Rolled 7, 2 = 9 (2d10)

>>43362038
How are we supposed to roll over a 70 with 2d10?

Or is it a percentage?

>>43362091
I'll do best of first three from now on.
Yes they are percentile. First numeral is the ten the second is the ones.
You got a 72! Margin of success 2

Time to see what the third roll brings.

>>43362051
CRACK goes a tree branch "?" "?"

>>43362199
If you're doing best of three, then you'd throw out the 67.

>>43362199
Time to knock out a man and toss them into another man to knock them out.

>>43362199
If that's the case, rolling a single d10 is all you need.

Because passing a 70 if the first die is worth 10 times the number rolled, then getting a 6 on the first roll and a 9 on the second is a fail, and the second number doesn't do anything.

Also, yeah, best of means you take only the best roll of the number of accepted rolls.
>>43362242

File: 110513-TrekOnePhoto-hmed-(...).jpg (22 KB, 474x355)

22 KB JPG

Post 014

You almost alert the back most guard as the sun begins setting over the edge of the lake valley. You're headed to a tunnel bored straight into mountain. Cables spooled from the back of Romanian trucks that must have been diverted from the earthquake relief effort wind into the tunnel and up onto improvised guidepoles back the way you came.

It's going to be hard going following them into the tunnel itself. A soldier on either side of the tunnel with one manning a machine gun wait behind sandbags but brighten as the priest approaches. "Agepetus we missed your cheerful face!" one of the tunnel soldiers hollers to the priest who takes it in stride.

However the lighting that came standard to the tunnel is no where as all encompassing as those emplacements on the valley tops.

>>43362284
Of course I'm accepting the best out of three. The contest of stealth has been successfully passed.

Guards are going to stop and stare into space however.

I'm looking to "bank" the ones rolled over the needed target number in some sort of luck mechanic to fall back on. So 2d10 for rolls will still be helpful.

File: 1407468352162.jpg (238 KB, 700x800)

238 KB JPG

>>43362272
You might be able to
[ Take a Hostage 60 (Alerting anyone else in hearing radius)]

If you wait for them to group together you could
[ Close Quarters Combat 75 (5 Soldiers, a machine gun emplacement and one Priest) ]

There's also a chance that you could just hang off the side of the pathway until the group moves on leaving you with the One machinegunner and Single AK-74 Soldier.
[ Hanging 50 then CQC 60 (So that action would be 4d10 with the first two dice going toward hanging and the last two towards CQC) ]

Rolled 2, 4, 2, 10 = 18 (4d10)

>>43362555
>[ Hanging 50 then CQC 60 (So that action would be 4d10 with the first two dice going toward hanging and the last two towards CQC) ]

And so the chronicle of rage at the /tg/ dice begins here!

>>43362555
Press the action button

dice+2d10

File: 46630782_p0.jpg (62 KB, 324x576)

62 KB JPG

>>43362578
Looking for two more roll sets.
It seems things are slowing down for tonight.

I can work with this result if need be. If not we can take a break.

If this thread's here in in 7 or so hours we can start her up again.

If not I'll leave an alert on your codec.
https://twitter.com/Wallroast

Rolled 5, 8, 2, 1 = 16 (4d10)

>>43362555
>[ Hanging 50 then CQC 60 (So that action would be 4d10 with the first two dice going toward hanging and the last two towards CQC) ]

Hey, if this is 1977, does that mean we might meet Julius Belmont's dad?

>>43364249
While we are not a Belmont, they do tend to popup in one form or an other whenever the castle appears.
I see it as a definitive possibility.

Rolled 6, 5, 1, 10 = 22 (4d10)

>>43362555
>[ Hanging 50 then CQC 60 (So that action would be 4d10 with the first two dice going toward hanging and the last two towards CQC) ]

>>43364740
There were no Belmonts the last time Castlevania rose, although the Vampire Killer itself was still in use. Anytime there's no Belmont to banish the castle, mankind still finds a way (see Order of Ecclesia, etc.).

It also helps that we are playing, for all intents and purposes, one of the most dangerous men in the world, so we got that going for us.

Rolled 7, 3, 8, 5 = 23 (4d10)

bump

>>43367115
damn it, couldn't have rolled this earlier?

File: 1411946462666.jpg (108 KB, 900x900)

108 KB JPG

Through the mists of time and the sins of man this thread,hopefully, LIVES AGAIN!

After some consultation with my secret conspirators I'm going to be approaching dice rolling a little differently after this action.

However let us deal with hand fate has given us first.

>>43362578
>>43362967
>>43365179

Writing now.

>>43365601

That ties into what I'm going to do for actions next.

File: ALART.gif (660 KB, 512x375)

660 KB GIF

The attempt to tail the priest into the mountain tunnel that presumably leads deeper into the Vidraru damn has not gone as planned.

The Soldiers stationed at the gate heard you scramble for purchase on the mist slickened road's edge. Your subsequent advance into CQC was answered by the machine gunner's warning shot and the AK-74 Soldier's barked order of "Lay down your weapons and advance with your hands up! You get no more warnings!".

You've been discovered just as the sun completes its setting and the hungry cloak of night smothers the dusk.

Do you
[ Follow the Soldiers' demands? 40 difficulty (May allow you to get closer for a second CQC attempt) ]
[ Turn tail and dive into the lake? 30 difficulty if you pop a smoke grenade ]
[ Agent's discretion (Write In) ]

Here's where things are going to change for the dice rolling.

Remember, this is a SNAKE level agent we're looking at most actions being a
Complication, success, and SUPER SUCCESS
The question of "if he can do it" was never in question. It is just what the price of success will cost.
Does this sound more like Tactically Actionable Espionage?

An anon was kind enough to archive this in the Archive of Lost Threads. Vote if you desire.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/43359102/

>>43368192
Hmm, let our self be captured to try and learn what we can that way and then escape?

File: http___thehdwall.com_wp-c(...).jpg (414 KB, 1680x1050)

414 KB JPG

>>43368792

You submit to the Soviet tunnel checkpoint guards. They seem more surprised than anything and radio for backup. A few minutes later a Kozlik rolls up with another three soldiers and once seated you're chained to it with handcuffs.

The contents of your inventory are emptied into a heavy burlap bag except for your minaturized transmitter and reciever.

As you pass into the tunnel you hear the thrum of machinery and notice that this is where the real basecamp is located. Phystech Institute technicians are attending to a variety of instrumentation and are noticeably not in any sort of military uniform instead wearing a utility jumpsuit. There are cots along the side of the road with supply crates substituting as makeshift furniture.

Passing out of the tunnel to the Vidraru dam itself you can see SKYSCRAPER lit up like an opera singer by the buzzing spotlights on the valley hilltops. The structure's stark illumination allows you to get a much better idea of at least its external layout. The Clocktower acting as a landmark for the rest of the island complex hidden behind its thick walls.

A storm seems to be brewing almost out of nowhere as the humidity rises.

File: Horrible Lightning For a Curse.gif (505 KB, 500x281)

505 KB GIF

>>43368792

Lighting begins to arc across the sky as the concussive thunder crashes soon follow. Swarms of bats leave erratic shadows between the spotlights and SKYSCRAPER.

You're led under armed guard to the head of this operation deep within the Vidraru dam. After exiting the elevator you find a well stocked office with the USSR flag hanging above a worn desk.

There's a device on the table that resembles a collar with a radio antennae. One of the Phystech Institute technicians are fiddling with the locking mechanism.

The man seated at the desk looks to be in charge and appears to be comfortable enough in his own safety to display rank. A woman in outdoor civilian attire nods to and in perfect english says "Since you were so interested in the anomaly you are going to help us study it".

>>43370200
>You have 24 hours to find the president of Romania!

File: 1387823035149.jpg (108 KB, 534x800)

108 KB JPG

The woman smiles and continues her sales pitch, the accent is generic North American which suggests she must be some sort of intelligence officer likely KGB.

"The site has many strange properties. One of which is that it doesn't show up on radar nor does it impede radio waves. This collar will let us know where you are and allow you to communicate back to us"

The honeypot's presentation is capped by the inevitable offer of eventual freedom and wealth in return for cooperation.

"Of course if you don't" she grimly notes as the collar is thrown to the floor and EXPLODES with what would have been a fatal pop if it was fastened to your neck. "So you get to complete both your mission and ours"

[ Allow the collar (You might find a way to disarm it once out of sight) ]

[ Fight your way out (You're handcuffed and flanked by armed guards) ]

[ Agent's discretion (Write in) ]

>>43370269

There are more parallels now that I look at it but we'll get to those shortly.

>>43370918
First of all study the collar on the floor if still intact enough.
See how the locking mechanism works and if we could keep it from properly closing now.

File: The Gift Of Plastique.png (111 KB, 958x638)

111 KB PNG

>>43371268
It seems to use the very batteries that power it as a component in the explosion. The locking claws are designed to require a degree of force about as strong as a wirecutter wielded by two men to disengage. The transmitter was cast away by the explosion possibly indicating some rudimentary black box or tracking beacon to note last location.

The KGB woman notes your interest in the device and grabs another one from a slightly alarmed Phystech "Yes we've had enough practice to calibrate the settings for distance and height, at least at this location".

As for any physiological acrobatics you could do to thwart the proper placement of the device possibly saltwater. Vidruru lake is freshwater however.

>>43359598

I think prioritizing Social would be best, if only because negotiating with demons sounds pretty fuckin' fun in the Megami Tensei sense.

Mental is certainly fine too, though.

>>43359634
>I guess the Cold War got a little too hot for Castlevania this time around and decided to wake up. Again.

Let's not get too hasty there. The specific reason the demon castle arose during PoR was because of a sudden and extravagant influx of lost souls from the killing, not necessarily just the fact that there was conflict, and furthermore Brauner had to summon it.

I'm more willing to bet a Soviet Experiment gone terribly wrong.

Or some other master of the black arts became disillusioned with humanity and wants to blow them up.

Or maybe Death duped some fucks.

Not that we know anything substantial about this thing.

>>43360427

This in no way seems like a deconstruction of Castlevania. This seems like Akumajou Metal Gear. Are you high?

>>43370918
>[ Agent's discretion (Write in) ]
"You're being awfully civil and upfront about this, when you don't even know who I am. That aside, you said 'anomaly.' That means the castle is not yours, I take it? That still doesn't explain all the artillery and R&D stationed around what amounts to a castle on a lake. What's your game here?"

File: No Way Snake.jpg (260 KB, 914x891)

260 KB JPG

"Is he going to cooperate then?" the Major in the large hat mentions in Russian to the KGB woman. The soldiers keeping track of you grab hold of your handcuffed arms but haven't pressed their gun barrels to you yet.

"I believe he has made up his mind. When you're within the anomaly we will need to call you something" she smiles again with pearly whites more suitable for Capitalist advertisements than her current Communist alliegance. She turns her back to you and with a small grunt and possible use of a special tool, unless she is that physically formidable, opens the collar and presents it to your neck.

[ Allow the collar (You might find a way to disarm it once out of sight) ]

[ Fight your way out (You're handcuffed and flanked by armed guards) ]

[ Agent's discretion (Write in) ]

>>43372196
See >>43372185

File: PeterTG-Edit2.png (998 KB, 2547x1962)

998 KB PNG

>>43372185

"The same as yours. A fortress either predicating or accompanying the earthquake in Vrancea appears right on Vidraru Lake here in Arges County. We move to investigate and send soldiers across. They disappear. The Special Sciences Institute goes over my head and barrels into the site, they too disappear. Ceausescu sends a pittance of Mountain Guards to supplement the lost troops and I haven't sent them in"

The KGB woman rolls her shoulders and sighs "I'm at my wits end and providence itself has placed you at our doorstep. We may be at odds in the wider world but I can respect your professionalism"

"We've also been intercepting coded wideband radio traffic from within the structure about when the SSI stopped contact. The real difference with you is that we'll be sending you at night. Everyone else went in during the day"

She gestures with the booby trapped collar as if you're being an obstinate child "As for who you are it's obvious you know which end of a gun to point where and how to report what you see, most especially how to move unseen"

[ You're not telling me everything (Mine the conversation for info) ]

[ You've told me enough get on with it ]

[ Agent's Discretion (Write in) ]

Rolled 6, 5 = 11 (2d10)

>>43372437
>[ You're not telling me everything (Mine the conversation for info) ]

>>43372437
>[ You're not telling me everything (Mine the conversation for info) ]
What makes you think a night insertion will be any more successful than a daytime offensive with a squadron's worth of soldiers? For that matter, what would my point of insertion be? You've been looking at this site longer than I have.
Besides, what makes you think anything I do will be any better? I've seen your men outside. They're jittery and on edge. Even your holy man looked disturbed at the sight of the place. Soldiers shouldn't rattle at the sight of an old Gothic castle, if you can even call it that.

File: 1410357450785.jpg (235 KB, 850x1200)

235 KB JPG

>>43372545

The Major looks impatient muttering in Russian "We will need to begin the shelling soon if we're going to get him across".

The KGB woman nods and her tone begins to get an inflection of what must be the accent she uses at the Kremlin.

"Things change at night, you'll see once we're topside"

"You will be taking a raft across if you are fast enough you should make it. Don't worry the collar is waterproof to 60 meters. You'll be getting in on the opposite side of the shelling, we'll contact you when the firing solution is complete"

"The fact that you've bothered to ask these questions shows your character. As for our loaned Orthadox ritualist he has something for you" the KGB woman finishes.

The priest is let into the office by a Guard outside the door cradling a set of painted boards that you recognize as Icons he speaks in halting English "Keep these close, Scientists' didn't listen. Soldiers too many. One man should protect".

You're topside in the hallway leading to the dam. There's a keening that sounds like wind mixed with voices and heavy rain.

Rolled 6, 2 = 8 (2d10)

>>43372746
Good, we talked so much they forgot to put the collar on :P

>>43372878
damn field input storing

File: 1443193108510.jpg (181 KB, 1000x755)

181 KB JPG

"A kiss before you go" The KGB woman throws her arms around you and with a flick of the wrist she locks the collar into place. "The frequency is inescapable this close to the dam's tower and we've got repeater stations among the gun emplacements so making a run is something you need to keep off your mind"

Your collar crackles to life from a speaker in the front and you're shown how to control the volume and properly speak into the robust microphone built into it.

Despite the spotlights the castle seems lit from within. The deep shadows from the scattered industrial gun emplacement illumination are punctuated with appear to be torch and candlelight.

A short Kozlik ride to the shore, unlocking of handcuffs and inflatible raft later you're bobbing along Lake Vidruru towards SKYSCRAPER the Russian installation they supposedly have no idea about.

"You should be there shortly, let us know when you make landfall and we'll guide you to where the shelling has made an opening in the wall"

CHOOM CHOOM CHOOM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urug3n8jovM
(adjust volume accordingly)

Chunks of steaming masonry rain down from overhead artfully calculated not to capsize your little inflatable motorboat.

>>43372878

Don't blame yourself I'm getting to that.

>>43373364
We DID get our gear back, right?

File: 1434354462777.gif (731 KB, 320x280)

731 KB GIF

>>43373364
You've got everything except your guns. You managed to -somehow- hide your original United States minaturized transmitter and reciever in a story that will likely entertain any offspring years from now.

Back to the present. A wall buckles on SKYSCRAPER as mist pours out like blood from a wound. You notice indistinct shapes that get torn to bits by the sustained shelling.

Your collar crackles as the KGB woman advises "You will land on the opposite side of the anomaly shelling, there has been a gated drain pipe that hasn't moved in the past two weeks that you should be able to squeeze through"

The castle is much larger up close with enough room on the island for multiple structures enclosed by the outer wall. You see a dock and an antique three masted ship that shouldn't be floating at either the height off the water it is nor from the amount of structural fatigue in its hull.

Passing under a bridge arching off to nothing with a lonely gatehouse atop it you arrive at the yawning hellmouth sculpture of the massive sewer pipe.

Your next move Agent?

[ Become the tunnel rat you've never wanted to be! ]

[ Climb up the bridge support column and sneak to the elevated gatehouse ]

[ Do as Scooby Doo and investigate the 'Ghost Ship' ]

[ Agent's discretion (Write in) ]

>>43373780
>[ Climb up the bridge support column and sneak to the elevated gatehouse ]
If empty, set up a temporary barricade for us inside. Immediately unpack and inspect everything in our gear; make sure nothing is missing and sweep it for bugs.
Afterwards, muffle the microphone on the collar with some cloth, and use our transmitter to contact our handler Barnum. Explain our little "insurance policy" the Soviets have in place, but otherwise give a report on what they told us, mostly that the Soviets are just as confused as we are, and that they've got us personally infiltrating the compound.

>>43373895
I know we're working on an encrypted connection, but just make sure it's encrypted anyway. We don't need Soviet eavesdropping.

File: 1445521206463.jpg (178 KB, 620x930)

178 KB JPG

>>43373895
>>43373986

The climb up to the gatehouse is blissfully uneventful excepting the concussive assault on SKYSCRAPER by the Soviets. An owl is perched on the rail of where the bridge ends and regards you placidly. You don't know if it's a trick of perspective but it looks almost the size of a condor perhaps bigger. It seems to have a tiny clothed arm in its maw.

You manage to enter the gatehouse through a smashed door. An armored skeleton covered in cobwebs keeps silent vigil in an alcove. The room is lit with what look to be thick Advent candles in an ornate holder. They seem to have been lit only recently.

The flickering candlelight does a better job of illumination between the deep shadows cast by the spotlights than you'd initially expect. Your gear is laid out and inspected for any listening devices and it seems the Soviets decided to put all their surveillance eggs in the explosive basket around your very neck.

You hopefully muffle the microphone on the collar before jury rigging your miniaturized transmitter and receiver. BARNUM accepts your password and tests the connection with you giving your assent when particular tones are heard.

"It seem that everything is in order. You're at your destination? Your hosts don't know about the surprise party then?" BARNUM notes.

BARNUM instructs you to check the Icons the Priest gave you as well in case of any further bugging. They're completely mundane but it seems you weren't given the heavy hitters of Orthadoxy. You've got St Alypius and St Andrei Rublev on one of each Icon.

>>43374544
May as well take a look at that "ghost ship" before we head inside.

File: 5a-ghostship.png (153 KB, 3024x1760)

153 KB PNG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrQz-sFBzfA

>>43374544

The Russians must have gotten bored with firing at the vaguely luminescent watercraft on previous nights. Bobbing like a balsa wood coffin the three masted sea vessel has no business being on a lake or existing at all.

Despite the objective, despite your very duty and the likelihood of being hit by errant Soviet artillery shells you find yourself at the dock. Instinct and skill carried you down the broken stone bridge, but sheer human curiosity pulls you within the ship's orbit.

There's no discernible title to the vessel but the figurehead looks like Scylla the myriad wolfs heads and monster limbs frozen in the carving and paint.

The anchor is made from stylized steel looking more like some fossilized vertibrae than proper chainlink.

>ensured for a 60 meter dive

Pft, fuck that. Just take that thing underwater, 200 feet straight down shouldn't be very difficult for someone of MCs qualification.

>MC is a total badass

>gets made into a chump

plssss.