JesseLowe/PirateMonkeySession44
Back to Session 43
TonyC materializes out of thin air.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Anything from BrianH?
Apollonian [to TonyC]: Yes, I received an e-mail from him earlier this week. He says his mother's fallen ill and he's going to be generally incommunicado for a while. I told him I would shuffle Shen off to the sidelines until we can work something out.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Oh. Although not on the character sheet, keep in mind that Monkey has sustained 4 HL damage and is at -1.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Poor Brian. I'll write him an email.
Apollonian [to TonyC]: Noted, on both counts. I'm going to get my coffee going. I'll be right back.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Good idea. I'll get my tea.
TonyC listens to Cowboy Bebop soundtracks. Good mood music for this game.
Monkey . o O ( Cats on Mars! Ed! )
jetman has arrived.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yo ho! )
TonyC [to jetman]: Good evening.
jetman [to TonyC]: What's up?
TonyC [to jetman]: Oh, I don't quite remember who asked, but Summoner 2 is fun. Nothing special, but it does have "Hmmm, maybe one more quest" quality.
TonyC [to jetman]: Not much. Hot day.
jetman [to TonyC]: Wasn't me. I'm thinking about a Metal Gear Solid game at the moment, since I've never played one before, and it'd be a good warm-up for SC: Ghost.
TonyC [to jetman]: Must be Jesse then. Well, he can just read the backlog when he's done with his coffee.
The Storyteller . o O ( Back. )
jetman [to Apollonian]: Hi!
Apollonian [to jetman]: What's up?
TonyC [to jetman]: Oh, and is watching Gatchaman. Wheee. Classic.
jetman [to TonyC]: You have the new Gatchaman-only edition, or the one with Battle of the Planets?
Monkey . o O ( Not actually watching right now, but pretty much an hour or so every day. And it's the Gatchaman-only. )
jetman [to TonyC]: Seeing how it was cut for BotP is enough to make you cry...
TonyC [to jetman]: I avoid unnecessary punishment. Thus I stay away from BotP.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Ready when you are.
jetman [to Apollonian]: Ready as well.
jetman [to TonyC]: Sandy Frank, Sandy Frank, he's the cause of all our pain.
The Storyteller . o O ( First off -- my schedule changes next week, such that I no longer work nights. For three weeks, it'll be 8-5. After that, I'll _probably_ be working 9:30-6:30 with a single 1:30-10:30 shift on... Fridays, I think. )
think Which means I'm not sure when we'll be able to meet again for a chat session, at least off the top of my head. However, it's probably best discussed over e-mail.
The Storyteller . o O ( Which means I'm not sure when we'll be able to meet again for a chat session, at least off the top of my head. However, it's probably best discussed over e-mail. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Right. )
Monkey . o O ( Right. )
You've climbed at least as far as you fell, and the stairs begin to widen until you can walk next to each other rather than in single file. Another few circuits of the central pillar and the stair opens out into a wide pentagonal chamber of black basalt. You come up through the floor and, looking around, can see a door in each wall, and before each door, a demon. Each is different in form. By their bearing, and by the flows of Essence that surround them, Kaizoku can tell that they are of the Second Circle.
Monkey looks at Kaizoku, "You know any of these fellas, Admiral?"
(From Pyramid Lobby) BrianH says, "Hey, did you get my e-mail? I can't be on long; I still have to take care of mom."
Admiral Kaizoku rubs his chin as he studies each in turn. "I know they are more powerful and clever than the blood apes we have faced before... and that I do not have the power to banish more than one at the moment..." The last in a lower voice.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Does the Admiral know any of these guys? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Roll Wits + Occult )
Admiral Kaizoku rolled 7 dice on Wits+Occ and got 5 successes.
page BrianH Yes. No prob -- check your e-mail.
Your message has been sent.
(From Pyramid Lobby) BrianH says, "Thanks. Might be back as early as next week. See you!"
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( And was the climb long enough to get any Essence back from the Hearthstone? )
The Storyteller . o O ( The admiral recognizes one of the demons as Berengiere, the Weaver of Voices, and another as Mara, renowned for sorcerous knowledge. Also, figure another hour for Essence regen. )
Monkey . o O ( Mara! The one who may or may not taught Brigid sorcery. )
Admiral Kaizoku gestures to the two demons he can identify. "Mara, who is responsible for many sorcerous feats, and Berengiere, weaver of voices... I suspect the others also correspond to the virtues of the Solar they guard, Monkey. A combatant, a leader and an assassin."
Monkey says, "That so, eh?"
Monkey slowly turns around all the way to look at the demons. He announces, "Well, you don't have to guard anything anymore. Git! Shoo! Back to where you came from."
Admiral Kaizoku nods once. "Likely, yes. I am surprised to see demons of this level represented here... they are completely beyond the power of Dragon-Blooded mages to summon... safely."
Monkey . o O ( Suda is probably glad she isn't around to be asked questions. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( And that will be an interesting conversation when the truth comes out. )
Admiral Kaizoku holds out his arm. "Hush, Monkey... these are likely more than just represenations."
Admiral Kaizoku reaches out with his occult perceptions to see if the demon statues are mystical in some way.
Monkey says, "Bah, knowing them, probably the summoners did get eaten."
The Storyteller . o O ( Roll Per + Occult, then )
Admiral Kaizoku rolled 8 dice on Per+Occ and got 6 successes.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I must be barking up the wrong tree alltogether. )
Monkey . o O ( Statues? What statues? Those are the real things! )
The Storyteller . o O ( The statues are indeed enchanted, something old and powerful and similar to what you encountered at the wall. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Is there any clue about what might trigger them? )
Monkey makes a face the way he usually does when he's thinking hard.
The Storyteller . o O ( There's a circle carved into the floor around the stair, wide enough so that its outer edge is near the bases of the statues. Crossing that might do it. )
Monkey . o O ( Which statue is the biggest? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Of course, there are also mystic symbols carved into the base of each statue, and, well... there are quite a few options as to the trigger mechanism, really. )
Admiral Kaizoku says "Be careful Monkey... I supsect that line may trigger the trap within them..." as he points to the circle. He squats down near the circle to inspect it as best he can.
The Storyteller . o O ( The biggest statue is the one in front of the doorway with a Dawn-caste symbol over it, of a giant man with six arms and a snarling visage. All the statues look to be made of the same granite as the chamber, btw, but cunningly painted. On some, though, the paint has faded or chipped over the centuries. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Do all the doors have Solar symbols? )
Monkey . o O ( This is Kaizoku's field. But remember, brute force or speed is always an option. )
TonyC whispers, "Two questions: 1. Which statue looks most weathered by age and 2. Which statue feels the weakest, essence-flow-wise. (Hmmmm, might as well answer the opposite questions too.)"
Monkey rolled 3 dice on Per + Occ and got 1 botch.
Monkey rolled 2 dice on Int or Per + Awa and got 1 success.
Admiral Kaizoku rubs his chin again. "This one is likely to be the most powerful physically... but I suspect it will have the most powerful artifacts within, which will be useful against the rest of the traps..."
Admiral Kaizoku says "Let us try this Monkey... get ready to move inside, as fast as you can..." He puts his blade to the throat of the statue "And if it stirs, I will take care of it."
Monkey claps his hand. "Alright!" he says excitedly.
Monkey . o O ( hands. )
Each door has a caste mark above it, gold inlaid on stone. Before the Dawn door stands a six-armed giant. Before the Zenith, Mara. Before the Twilight, Berengiere. Before the Eclipse, a winged and wolf-headed man. Before the Night, a small and beautiful woman with flowing hair. The circle on the floor is carved out and lined with silver. It is actually two concentric circles. At first glance, there is nothing else there, but on further inspection, Old Realm characters can be seen carved into the space between the inner and outer circle. The writing is marvelously small, no larger than what a scribe might write were he pressed for space.
Monkey . o O ( let's not get into zen koans right now. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Admiral, which statue? The Dawn caste? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yes. )
Monkey . o O ( You want to read those writings first or shall we just go? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( CAN the Admiral read them, with his blindcloth? )
Monkey . o O ( Pshaw. Is it inscribed? If it's not ink, I can make it visible to Kaizoku. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I'll stick with the waterskin... )
The Storyteller . o O ( Ew. Also, there's a huge amount of writing in the circle, on the order of a couple novels's worth. )
Monkey says, "Hey, there's some writing on the floor."
Monkey bends down to read it a bit.
Monkey . o O ( What it's about? )
Admiral Kaizoku remarks "It would be interesting to see what the Dynasts of the past had to say about us, but it is not a message for returning Solars, I suspect." He leans down to inspect it.
The Storyteller . o O ( Roll Per + Linguistics )
Admiral Kaizoku rolled 7 dice on Per+Ling and got 6 successes.
Monkey rolled 4 dice on Per + Lin and got 1 success.
Monkey reads for about a minute before rubbing his eyes and temple. "Aaaah, too small and too many letters! My head hurts."
Admiral Kaizoku says "I'm sure it is more valuable knowledge than the depraved carvings you saw on the way in Monkey."
The writing is both history and warning, and further, placatory ritual. It tells the stories of the tomb's inhabitants, in scant detail, and warns that though they have been buried with great honors after they were brought down in this valley, their hungry ghosts may yet linger within. All this is in the brief preface the Admiral reads. To read the whole thing in full will take many hours.
Monkey says, "I don't know. Doesn't seem like it's saying anything important. The carvings, on the other hand...."
Admiral Kaizoku snorts with derision. "As I thought... a feeble attempt to placate the spirits of those they betrayed..." he says, his ire rising. "Now... get ready Monkey... and there may be some remnant of your past life's spirit within..." He brings his blade up to the neck of the six-armed statue, ready to thrust into its braincase.
Monkey does a little calisthenics and stretching exercises. When he finishes, he says, "Let's."
The Storyteller . o O ( Kaizoku, make a quick Per + Lore check )
Monkey steps confidently toward the giant statue, crossing the circle.
Admiral Kaizoku rolled 8 dice on Per+Lore and got 1 success.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( THERE we go... )
The Storyteller . o O ( As you scanned the writing, you couldn't help but notice that the section on the Zenith of the circle was far shorter than the rest, as if they had been a young Exalt at the time of the Usurpation. )
Admiral Kaizoku ponders on that fact for a moment, filing it away with the other unsettling mysteries of his past...
As Monkey crosses the Circle -- nothing happens. The six-armed giant does nothing, nor do the others. How boring. Though, now that he's closer, Monkey can see something piled up behind the statues.
Monkey stands before the giant six-armed statue and reaches up with his staff and taps it on the head with it.
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Don't be distracted Monkey. The most obvious trap has not sprung, but more subtle ones likely await"
Monkey steps aside, and hand on the statue's feet, bends down to take a look at the pile.
The tapping sound echoes through the chamber. It's got a sort of hollow sound to it as it bounces back from the ceiling. Crouching down, Monkey sees that the pile is of chips of stone, granite, some of which have paint on them.
Monkey . o O ( Chips from the statue, Monkey think? )
Monkey . o O ( Does Monkey think the chips might be from the statue? )
The Storyteller . o O ( They're probably from the statue yes, but I'm notoriously bad at reading Monkey mind. )
The Storyteller will brb as he needs more coffee.
Monkey . o O ( Well, David, now what? )
Monkey . o O ( Nevermind. Made up my mind. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Well, it's a trap to be sure... Maybe something comes out and hits the statue. )
Monkey . o O ( Jesse, how big is the statue compared to the entrance? )
Monkey . o O ( And does the back of the statue indeed look like it's been hit by something? What? Big rock? Laser beam? Wild mongoose? )
Admiral Kaizoku calls out "What is on that side, Monkey?"
The Storyteller . o O ( back. )
Monkey says, "Just some rocks. Nothing unusual."
Admiral Kaizoku glances up to the ceiling above. "From the roof?"
The Storyteller . o O ( The back of the statue looks like it's been hollowed out, after the statue was made. The tool-marks are rough and large. )
Monkey . o O ( So basically we have a 3/4 shell? How big is the hollow? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Large enough for Monkey to fit inside, but not much larger. )
Monkey looks up at the ceiling and then back at the statue. "Nah, probably from the statue."
Monkey looks inside the hollow and then climbs into the hollow to get a better idea why the statue has been hollowed out.
Admiral Kaizoku asks "What could have damaged the statue... surely we must be the first ones here..."
Monkey says, "Could be the builders purposely did it."
The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey, make a Sta + Res roll. )
Monkey rolled 7 dice on Sta + Res and got 6 successes.
As Monkey clambers up into the statue, he steps on something sharp in the hollow. Though he jerks his foot up quickly, he feels a burning sensation in the ball of his foot. Looking down, something shines dully against the black stone.
Monkey . o O ( Oooo, Go Go Cactus Man is playing. It's Andy the Cowboy's theme song (from Cowboy Bebop). )
Admiral Kaizoku says, "What are you doing Monkey?"
The Storyteller . o O ( Heh, I've got Mushroom Hunting going. )
Monkey says, "Oh, nothing. Just looking around."
The Storyteller . o O ( Anyway, Monkey takes 1L damage from the poison. )
Monkey . o O ( sharp object? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. Examine more closely? )
Monkey . o O ( Examine object. Dodge grue. )
Admiral Kaizoku bangs his free hand on the statue. "That is not the tomb, and not our goal."
Monkey . o O ( pick object. inventory. give object to admiral. )
The object is small and sharp. It looks to be the snapped-off tip of a triangular blade, such as you've seen in some markets of the north. The material is soulsteel.
Admiral Kaizoku swears under his breath as he is handed the tip. "This is a Shadowland so of COURSE the tomb would be violated by Deathknights..."
Monkey reaches in with his left foot and picks the broken tip. After looking at it for a bit, he gives it to Kaizoku.
Monkey says, "Just a sec, I'm going to check something."
Monkey goes around and looks at all the statues. Any of them intact?
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Does the poison seem fresh? )
Monkey . o O ( For all we know, deathknights know poisons that last forever in the Underworld and shadowlands. )
The Storyteller . o O ( All but the one of Berengier have been hollowed out. A careful look reveals no more soulsteel bits, though. Also, the poison seems to be more an inherent effect of this blade itself -- there's half a symbol on the blade that resembles an old Eastern symbol for venom. )
Admiral Kaizoku pulls off his cravat and wraps the fragment of soulsteel with it, then pockets it. "What did you find? Are the rest vandalized the same way Monkey?"
Monkey draws a deep breath, and motes of essence start flowing around him and into him. His anima starts glowing as he puts the chakram down and grips the staff with both hands.
Monkey says, "This one's intact, Admiral. But not for much longer."
Monkey . o O ( Strength Increasing Exercise: Str 7. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Wait, let me flip to the smasha page first. )
The Storyteller . o O ( one of these days I want to run a Brawl-focused lunar or solar who really maxes out the environmental damage meter. Anyway, go ahead. )
Monkey then swings into the statue of Berengier with all his might.
Monkey . o O ( Okay, we can do this as a feat of strength check or as damage. Which? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Roll the attack. Can't miss (well, unless you botch) )
Monkey rolled 8 dice on Bash and got 6 successes.
The Storyteller . o O ( So +6 successes to your damage. Soak is 12B, 6L )
Monkey rolled 8 dice on something and got 3 hits.
Admiral Kaizoku spins away from the six-armed statue to the one of Berengier. "Wait..." he says, even as Monkey strikes his blow.
The Storyteller . o O ( Actually, according to the rules, every die is a success when attacking objects. So... )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Right, just like with non-First Age ships. )
Monkey . o O ( This is weird. I can't see a cutting object being better for smashing statues than a blunt object. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Eh? What cutting object? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Better B def than L. ) Monkey . o O ( The soak thing. But it's not important. After all, it just means Monkey will have to do it in two blows rather than one. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Oh. Well, rather than rationalize it, I'll just ignore it. Also, the statue has 50 HLs. 42 now. )
Monkey . o O ( Times like this make me want to blow BP on Ten Ox Meditation. )
Monkey . o O ( Unless something happens.... )
A minute later, Monkey puts his staff on the floor and wipes his brows. "Whew. So let's see what's inside."
Monkey's staff strikes the statue, and chips of stone fly in all directions. A crater the size of a small melon now mars the left shoulderblade.
The Storyteller . o O ( So you're just going to smack it until something happens or it's rubble? )
Monkey . o O ( Yup. )
Admiral Kaizoku holds up his sword to deflect the flying chips. He lets Monkey go on smashing, as clearly the previous visitors found some use in it.
Monkey . o O ( The logic. Deathknight loots tomb. Hollows statues. Either there's something inside it or that deactivates a trap or something. Either way, we're here to loot tomb, so I'm following the deathknight's example. )
The second and third blows carry like results, but on the fourth blow, Monkey's staff strikes something soft. By this time, the statue has been beaten down to the torso alone. Flipping his staff back onto his shoulder, Monkey feels something wet on it.
Monkey pokes and prods at the rubble and looks inside. Uh oh, is it someone inside?
Admiral Kaizoku's water-based vision picked up on that wetness, and he focuses his perception there.
The center of the statue is filled with some kind of clear substance, like a jellyfish poured into a glass. It seems harmless, though it tastes vile (assuming, of course, that Monkey tastes it). It feels slimy.
Monkey . o O ( Naturally. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Right, so it's just unutterably nasty, right? Monkey's gonna have to drink _gallons_ of wine to get the taste out. )
Monkey makes a face and sticks his tongue out. "Ew." But he climbs up the statue and peers inside to see if there's anything there.
Admiral Kaizoku tilts his head and advances, poking the tip of his sword into the substance to get a sample for a closer look. "This could be some sorcerous product Monkey..." he points out, futilely.
Monkey . o O ( It's vaseline. :) )
Down at the bottom of the cavity, a stone the size of a hen's egg sits. It is blue in color, flecked with brass. Monkey can probably reach it if he stretches.
Monkey . o O ( Although why someone will want to put petroleum jelly inside a statue is beyond me. )
Monkey reaches down with his foot and picks the shiny blueness.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Monkey is so innocennt in some ways... )
Monkey reaches down with his foot and picks the shiny blueness up.
Admiral Kaizoku says, "What is that?"
Monkey says, "Something shiny, and blue. Big gemstone? Hearthstone?"
Monkey . o O ( It vibrates. Monkey is so innocent in some ways.... )
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Not a Hearthstone... this is not the hearth, and no mere bauble..."
Admiral Kaizoku inspects the stone on the level of magic and Essence.
Monkey says, "Ooo, it's shaking a bit."
Monkey rolled 2 dice on Wit + Lor and got 1 success.
The Storyteller . o O ( Magical for sure. (Duh.) BRB, more coffee needed. )
Monkey rolled 1 dice on Per + Occ and got no successes but no botches either.
Monkey says, "Does not seem to do anything else though."
Monkey tosses the still-slimy rock to Kaizoku, "Admiral, you look at it."
Monkey jumps down and starts walking into the entrance behind the statue of Berengier.
The Storyteller . o O ( Does the admiral take it? )
Monkey . o O ( Hypothesis: The jelly animates the statue. The rock powers the jelly. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yes. )
Monkey . o O ( OMG! It's silicone. Jesse, you're a sick sick person. :) )
The Storyteller grins.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( First Age Real Doll? )
In the admiral's hands, the trembling intensifies slightly, and the egg begins to grow until it is about the size of an orange.
The Storyteller . o O ( Heh. Those things are so creepy. )
Monkey . o O ( Betcha the sorcerer who designed this founded the line of Cynis later. )
Admiral Kaizoku turns it over and back in his left hand, exploring its nature and makeup. "It is getting larger... likely connected to my past life here..." he says, looking around for something it might fit into. "Perhaps a key?"
Monkey waves and calls Kaizoku to follow him. "C'mon, Admiral. You can look at the rock while walking."
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Where's he going? Which tomb? )
Monkey . o O ( Actually, it's a mood ring. Mood rock. )
Monkey . o O ( Eclipse. )
Admiral Kaizoku points to the Zenith tomb. "This one seems undamaged Monkey... it is where we should start." He starts to head for that entrance.
Monkey . o O ( Logic: same as before. Deathknight loots tomb. Hollows statues. Ergo the one without a hollow statue isn't looted yet. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Um. The Berengier statue was in front of the Twilight tomb, actually. )
Monkey . o O ( Actually, Berengier is the one that was unbroken. So Monkey broke it. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( So we're all wrong! But all heading to the same tomb (Twilight) )
Monkey . o O ( Ooops. But the action stays. )
Monkey . o O ( We're all going behind Berengier. Twilight. )
Over the course of the next few minutes, the egg grows steadily until it is the size of a grapefruit. Then, with a sudden deep and beautiful chord of song in a woman's voice, it unfolds, and continues to unfold in the admiral's hands until he is holding a robe of deep blue cloth laced with brass threads.
Monkey . o O ( Woohooo! It's the Mantle of Brigid! Rock on! )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( What if Monkey wore it?! )
Admiral Kaizoku holds his blade under his arm and lifts up the robe with both hands, inspecting it carefully.
Monkey . o O ( He'll be able to cast spells. Except that he doesn't know any. :) )
Monkey . o O ( But no, that isn't Brigid's. And no, I have no idea what it actually is. )
Meanwhile, Monkey walks down the corridor until he comes to a narrow bridge that rises over a deep chasm. On the far side of the bridge is a column of stone some ten paces in diameter. Atop the column is a sarcophagus.
Monkey says, "Oh, this is just like walking on rigging. No problem."
Monkey walks across the bridge toward the sarcophagus.
Monkey says, "A lot easier, actually. Doesn't sway like rigging does."
Admiral Kaizoku warns "Too easy for a reason Monkey... I would place a trap there..."
Monkey says, "Sure way to find and disarm the trap then."
Monkey climbs the bridge easily and quickly. It is only as he steps onto the stone column that he thinks to look behind him... and sees that the bridge has risen up from its base to where he now stands, like a giant snake rearing back to strike at prey.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Well, that's clever... how far is the Admiral from the base? )
The Storyteller . o O ( I'm trying to figure out how to describe this, actually... )
Monkey . o O ( Actually, OOC I think you're supposed to wear the robe while going across the bridge. But how is Monkey supposed to suspect that? Besides, his role is Uncle Trapspringer in this case. After all, he might be wrong. )
Monkey says, "Whoa! Down boy! Heel! Oh wait, snakes don't have heels!"
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I think that the robe is a powerful artifact of the Twlight, and it was hidden to torment the spirit, personally. That sounds like the mindset of the time... it's close, so they won't go haunting, but not in their actual resting place. )
Monkey . o O ( The DBs don't go for torment. The Usurpation, when they happened, were clean kills when possible. The tombs, from what I know, are straightforward lavish cages designed to placate and contain. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. The passageway from the pentagonal chamber to the tomb chamber is not long. It terminates in a small landing from which the bridge rises at a 30-degree angle to the central pillar. Below is a pit that might as well be bottomless, though odds are good that it actually drops into that subterranean lake. The bridge-slash-snake, then, is bound to the central pillar and is rising up from it, so that when dormant, its head would rest on the landing where the Admiral is. It's about sixty feet straight across from landing to pillar, and about, um, 30 feet up? Forgetting my geometry. This is one of those times I wish we were doing tabletop, since I could draw a picture... )
Monkey runs as fast as he can across the bridge toward the sarcophagus, hoping to outpace the snake.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Iron Raptor would sure be handy now... )
TonyC whispers, "9yds/turn. I expect to fully fail."
TonyC whispers, "However, with luck, I'll be able to use Monkey Leap at the last moment."
Admiral Kaizoku tosses the robe over his shoulder and brings up his daiklave in a guard position, too far away to strike for now. His eyes narrow under his blindcloth as he tries to determine the nature of the snake... alive, demonic or mechanical.
The Storyteller . o O ( No! It only activates once you touch the central column. So at the moment, it's risen above you while you stand on the column itself, about ten feet from the sarcophagus. )
Monkey . o O ( Ah, disregard my action then. )
Monkey . o O ( I think I have a pretty good grasp of the set-up now. )
Monkey backs off slowly towards the sarcophagus, ready to run and put the sarcophagus between him and the snake-bridge if it makes a sudden movement.
Monkey . o O ( Do I reach the sarcophagus? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Roll init. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and admiral -- what do you do with the robe? )
Monkey rolled 1d10+6 and got 10.
On 1d10+5, you rolled 13.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Tossed it over a shoulder, draping it there for the fight, not dropping it to the ground. )
Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 14.
The Storyteller . o O ( Kaizoku, you've got the first action. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( So, since the Admiral didn't go over the bridge, the creature is now about 60 feet away? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Well, a bit further given the difference in altitude. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Call it 80 feet. )
Monkey . o O ( My suggestion? You can't reach it, so try something that has reach. Countermagic, perhaps. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Does it "read" like a demon, or a spell? Should I roll? )
The Storyteller . o O ( roll Per + Occult )
Monkey . o O ( There's Obsidian Butterflies, I doubt it'll work against a bridge. )
Admiral Kaizoku rolled 8 dice on Per+Occ and got 5 successes.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( And would catch Monkey in the area effect. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Probably not a problem. )
Monkey . o O ( Given that you need an extra turn, doubtful. And even if you do, what Jesse said. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Well, maybe it can be countered... )
The Storyteller . o O ( The snake looks like some kind of enchantment. It might be a bound spirit or a sophisticated automaton. )
Monkey . o O ( Ah heck, you can always try commanding it. Maybe the robe is a badge of office. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Worth a shot... )
Admiral Kaizoku straightens up and intones "Creature! The rightful masters of this place have returned! Stand aside and we shall reclaim our heritage! You have NO RIGHT to stand in our way!"
The Storyteller laughs.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Presence attack? )
Monkey . o O ( Yay HERO! )
The Storyteller . o O ( I have a sudden image of Kaizoku as a rather prissy and out-of-touch society matron lecturing the thugs who have _dared_ to inconvenience her evening constitutional with an uncouth mugging. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Such things are JUST NOT DONE, you see. )
Monkey . o O ( Jackie Chan in Rumble in the Bronx did exactly that. Laughs. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Besides, if it gets mad and attacks, he can smite it. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Anyhoo. )
Monkey . o O ( o/~ Bad dog no biscuit o/~ )
The Admiral's peremptory words seem to have no effect on the stone serpent, which rears back and then strikes at Monkey, a lightning-fast avalanche of black stone.
You rolled 10 dice on something and got 4 successes.
Monkey . o O ( Abort to dodge. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Hokay. )
Monkey zips around the sarcophagus and ducks behind it, hoping that if it can't see him, it'll go away. Besides, cover is good.
Monkey rolled 12 dice on Dodge and got 5 successes.
The Storyteller . o O ( Roll it, and tack on a pair of dice for the stunt. )
Monkey rolled 2 dice on stunt and got no successes but no botches either.
Monkey says "Whew," and slowly peeks over the sarcophagus. Is the snake-bridge still there?
The serpent's snout crashes into the floor of the column, sending stone chips flying. Monkey notes that the thing doesn't seem to be able to open its mouth. It rears back again, weaving, looking for him.
The Storyteller . o O ( Roll Per + Awareness )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Just Monkey? )
Monkey rolled 2 dice on Per + Awa and got 2 successes.
The Storyteller . o O ( Yes, just Monkey )
The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey sees that, though the snake is carved entirely out of the same black granite that makes up this entire place -- a bit monotonous, that -- there is a shiny spot on its forehead that might be something different. )
Monkey quickly ducks behind the sarcophagus when he sees the snake-bridge weaving side-to-side looking for him.
Monkey rolled 1d10+6 and got 10.
The Storyteller . o O ( And roll init again. )
Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 12.
On 1d10+5, you rolled 12.
The Storyteller . o O ( Same order as last turn )
Admiral Kaizoku lights up his anima banner to the higher level, filling the chamber with the light of the sun. "Over here then! Come and strike at an Anathema!" he bellows, bringing up his sword after waving it at the snake. "If it is sensitive to movement..." he thinks.
Monkey . o O ( o/~ Mushroom Hunting o/~ )
The Storyteller . o O ( Yay! Shrooms! )
Monkey . o O ( I think the snake's ignoring you. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Likely so... )
The snake continues to ignore the admiral, a situation he is not exactly accustomed to. Instead, it continues to weave from side to side as Monkey avoids its gaze behind the sarcophagus. Watching, it's clear that the way in which the snake is anchored to the pillar is a design flaw... it can't move around to attack the other side of the sarcophagus.
Admiral Kaizoku calls out "It cannot reach you from there Monkey! It is anchored in the wrong spot. See what is in the tomb and then leap back!"
Monkey peeks at the snake again, and once he realizes that he's safe there, he says, "Don't worry, Admiral! I'm perfectly fine."
The Storyteller . o O ( Guess I'd better figure out what's in the tomb, then... )
With just his eyes peeking over the top of the sarcophagus, Monkey grips the edges of the sarcophagus and pulls it towards him.
Monkey . o O ( Corpse, obviously. )
Monkey . o O ( With luck, just the corpse. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Solar Zombie? )
think Ooh, quick side track: have you seen urbandead.com?
The Storyteller . o O ( Ooh, quick side track: have you seen urbandead.com? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Nope! )
Monkey . o O ( The usual suspect is Solar Hungry Dead. And no. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Check it out. Monkey, you need Str + Ath 8 to pull the thing open. )
Monkey . o O ( Luckily I have Str 7. Okay, spending wp for auto-success. )
Monkey rolled 10 dice on Str + Ath and got 4 successes.
Monkey . o O ( Long action then? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Nah, ye dinnae roll for it. You just need to have Str + Ath 8 dice. )
Monkey . o O ( Oh, well, duh me. )
The Storyteller . o O ( pp. 251-252. )
Monkey . o O ( Wait, if it's a hungry dead, maybe it and the snake-bridge will fight it out, then Monkey can just scoot over. )
Monkey . o O ( Awright! )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( It must be something dead the Deathknights were too afraid of messing with... )
The Storyteller . o O ( Hmm. Eye of Autochthon? )
Monkey . o O ( Another possibility is just they don't think it's worth risking the guardians. After all, they went through at least 3 guardians. Possibly 4th. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Sorry 'bout delay. Looking things up. )
There is nought but dust in the sarcophagus, dust and bones. But bones are strange, and not a complete skeleton. They must have been taken up and altered between their owner's death and his internment, for they are carved with runes and inlaid with metal. They are scattered around the inside of the sarcophagus like fallen chopsticks.
Monkey . o O ( Well, then. Guess Monkey is staying a bit longer. )
Monkey is curious.
Monkey rolled 1d10+6 and got 9.
Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 12.
On 1d10+5, you rolled 15.
Monkey . o O ( When it's my turn, I'll stand up. )
Admiral Kaizoku eyes the base where the creature is attached, wondering how he can sever it... "What did you find?" he calls out over the gap.
Monkey says, "Really cool bones, Admiral!"
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, snake: Kaizoku: Monkey. )
The serpent weaves in place, waiting for a target.
The Storyteller . o O ( Kaizoku? )
Admiral Kaizoku yells out "Gather them up and jump back here... I will cover your return!"
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Holding action for defense. )
Monkey says, "Okay!"
The Storyteller . o O ( Go for it. )
Monkey stands up and hops on the edge of the sarcophagus.
The Storyteller . o O ( Snake attacks... )
You rolled 4 dice on something and got 1 success.
Monkey . o O ( well... )
Monkey . o O ( Shadow in Noonday Sun. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. That's a perfect, right? )
Monkey . o O ( Yup. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( And a new one on me. )
The stone snout smashes into the floor behind Monkey and retracts just as quickly -- leaving Monkey none the worse for wear.
Monkey just stares at the snake as it darts toward Monkey. The force would've crushed every bone within him, and yet Monkey does nothing. But at the last moment, there's a slight flicker and instead of being crushed, Monkey is borne along on top of the snake's head, hugging it as if life depends on it. Probably, since if he loses his grip, he'll fall who knows how deep.
Monkey . o O ( Strike your desc. I want to use the movement part of the charm to land on the snake's head. ) think Okay!
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay! )
think I think that calls for a Dex + Ath roll, +2 for stunt
The Storyteller . o O ( I think that calls for a Dex + Ath roll, +2 for stunt )
The Storyteller . o O ( Assuming it's not a gimme from the Charm text, of course. )
Monkey . o O ( Does snake has any other action that needs to be resolved after this, because otherwise I'm going to use my actual action to do something at the snake's shiny bit. )
Monkey rolled 10 dice on Dex + Ath and got 3 successes.
The Storyteller . o O ( Ew. )
The Storyteller . o O ( And no, it has no other actions. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Pose your action, then. )
Monkey . o O ( The charms is basically a combination of perfect + applicability trumping + leaping dodge method. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. No problems, then. )
Monkey crawls toward the shiny spot on the snake's head. Once there, gripping the snake's head with his feet, he, uh, gets conflicted. Smash or pry? The moment passes, and since it's a shiny bit, Monkey tries to pry it off with both hands, as the chakram and staff clatter down.
The Storyteller . o O ( Call it a basic MA attack, then. )
Monkey . o O ( What is it anyway and what roll? )
Monkey rolled 10 dice on MA and got 10 successes.
The Storyteller . o O ( It is a plate of some kind of metal with magical symbols engraved on it. Dayyum. )
Monkey . o O ( Excellent. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yow. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Yeah, okay. Roll damage. Soak is 8. You need 5 to pull the plate off. )
Monkey rolled 9 dice on something and got 4 hits.
Monkey . o O ( Ah, close. )
The Storyteller . o O ( posing )
Monkey . o O ( Times like this I wish I can channel virtue into damage. :) )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( By my courage, DIE! )
Monkey scrabbles at the plate on the snake's forehead, gets a grip, and pulls back. The plate screeches in protest as he bends it away from the stone. Beneath, he can see a small cavity, and something pale inside. One more good tug, and he should be able to pull the plate off enough to reach inside... think roll init?
The Storyteller . o O ( roll init? )
Monkey rolled 1d10+6 and got 10.
Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 17.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Great init, can't do anything with it... )
Monkey . o O ( Hey, it would be perfectly in-character for, say, Thor. )
On 1d10+5, you rolled 15.
The Storyteller . o O ( Kaizoku? )
Monkey . o O ( Try countermagic? )
Monkey . o O ( Or Stormwind Rider? )
TonyC pictures Kaizoku zooming and slashing at the snake only to end up splat on the wall when he couldn't brake fast enough.
Admiral Kaizoku tries to figure out what Monkey is doing as he peels the forehead off. "Not alive then..." he remarks. "Not a demon, so a spell!" He brings his hands up above his head and then down in a circle at his sides, making a circle of emerald as he casts the spell that should shut down the creature.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Casting the level 2 Countermagic, from Peripheral. )
Monkey . o O ( That's Sapphire then. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Stormwind only leaps 30 feet... )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( No, the second level of Emerald, to disrupt all spells. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Sapphire Countermagic, then. First level is Emerald Countermagic. )
Monkey . o O ( No, I think he means the area effect version. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yes. Since this isn't a being-cast spell. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Ah, I see. Counter as opposed to ward. )
Monkey . o O ( Probably nothing happens. <sigh> )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yep, likely not. )
Monkey . o O ( It's a construct, but hey, worth trying. Beats doing nothing. )
The Admiral's spell washes over the serpent, and a blue light coruscates across its scales in response, warding off the green energy.
The Storyteller . o O ( So yeah, nothing happens. Now the serpent goes, and, of course... )
Monkey . o O ( Darned Siddies. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I thought so, but the Admiral had no reason to use the greater power of Sapphire... before now. )
The snake whips around and writhes across the column, trying to shake Monkey off.
The Storyteller . o O ( Contested Str + Ath rolls )
You rolled 10 dice on something and got 3 successes.
Monkey . o O ( Not taking any risk. Channeling valor. )
Monkey rolled 16 dice on Str + Ath + Val and got 8 successes.
The Storyteller . o O ( feel free to pose that one... )
Luckily, Monkey's feet are as strong and nimble as his hands. Back and forth the snake weaves, and truthfully, several times did Monkey loses grip on one part or the other. But bending like a reed, Monkey is always able to find purchase on a new spot before he gets shaken entirely loose.
Monkey . o O ( Same deal as before? Pry loose. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Yes, plus you get +2 dice since you've already got a grip on it. )
Monkey rolled 10 dice on MA and got 3 successes.
Monkey rolled 10 dice on something and got 3 hits.
Monkey rolled 4 dice on something and got 1 hit.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Pong )
With a loud pop, Monkey pries the cover loose.
Monkey . o O ( Done with my turn, I think. )
Monkey . o O ( Should've declared two actions. Stupid. )
Inside the cavity, which is no larger than a closed fist, is a web of jade, white and blue, all wrapped up into a ball with filaments stretching into the stone surrounding it. It pulses with a regular light.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( YOu're fighting fair... he's only making one attack. :) )
Monkey . o O ( It's okay. Next turn should be pretty fast and straightforward. )
Monkey . o O ( I like this session. Lots of shinies. )
The Storyteller . o O ( So... roll init. )
Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 9.7
On 1d10+5, you rolled 10.
Monkey rolled 1d10+6 and got 9.
The Storyteller . o O ( Snake, Kaizoku, Monkey )
think Monkey really needs to pick up Thunderclap rush attack.
The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey really needs to pick up Thunderclap rush attack. )
Monkey . o O ( Nah. I'll make do with Violet Bier of Sorrows. )
In a frenzy, the snake whips from side to side, trying to throw off Monkey before it's too late. (again with the contest of strength)
You rolled 10 dice on something and got 10 successes.
The Storyteller . o O ( Dayyum. )
Monkey . o O ( Uh oh. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Twice in one night. )
Monkey . o O ( Well, let's see if I'll get lucky too. Channel Valor. )
Monkey rolled 16 dice on Go Monkey and got 6 successes.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( BRB )
The Storyteller . o O ( Nope. Posing. )
Monkey . o O ( Not worried. Between Monkey Leap and perfect, I think I'll be fine. )
At the last, desperate whiplash of the snake, Monkey goes hurling toward the far wall of the chamber. think Might as well go now, and we'll get Kaizoku next.
The Storyteller . o O ( Might as well go now, and we'll get Kaizoku next. )
Monkey . o O ( How far? )
The Storyteller . o O ( About 60 feet )
Monkey . o O ( Just a sec. Looking something up. )
Monkey . o O ( Good. Shadow in the Noonday Sun. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. )
Monkey . o O ( Trying to get around by using the teleportation effect. If you want to read text, wiki. )
Admiral Kaizoku pulls out the rope that Suda left with him and sends the knotted end flying towards Monkey as he hurtles to the wall!
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, you can use SitNS if you want, or go with Kaizoku's prompting. )
The Storyteller . o O ( ping )
Both Monkey and the rope would've hit the wall at the same time, but the vision of Monkey being hurtled must've been a trick of the eye, as Monkey hits the other side of the snake and lets out a loud "Ooof" as he grabs the snake's head again to stop his fall.
Monkey . o O ( I feel like I'm faking an Avoidance Kata. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Hey, if it works... )
The Storyteller . o O ( Heh. You still have an action, too. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Monkey does? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. SitNS is reflexive, so... )
Monkey crawls toward the shiny bit. After all that effort, he isn't going to let it go that easily. The snake weaves on, whoosh, but finally Monkey reaches into the hole, grasps the ball, and wrenches it free from the jade web.
The Storyteller . o O ( 'nother MA attack. )
Monkey rolled 8 dice on MA and got 9 successes.
Monkey . o O ( Now, why couldn't I get this roll last time? It would've simplified thing a lot. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Posing. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The Great Curse? )
Monkey . o O ( You've deciphered the true nature of The Great Curse! It's not this limit break thing! It's bad rolls! )
The moment Monkey tears the web free, the snake stops moving entirely. It is suddenly as stiff as the rest of the stone in the tomb, unmoving, a sinuous pillar rising above the sarcophagus on the column.
Monkey . o O ( Monkey holds the orb over his head. Zelda music plays. )
Monkey resists the temptation to put the orb back and play with the snake some more.
Admiral Kaizoku calls "Get down here and let me see that... if a Dragon-Blooded made it, my spell should have stopped it... more powerful magic was at work"
Monkey jumps down from the snake back to the sarcophagus. "One moment, Admiral." There, he takes off his jacket and uses it to gather the bones first. "Alright, be right there!" and in a single leap, he's back with Kaizoku.
Monkey . o O ( Found quest item: Blue Orb. Found quest item: Runic Bones. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Heh. )
The Storyteller . o O ( What do you want to know? )
Monkey . o O ( And we have Blue Robe. That means we're still missing Blue Scepter and Blue Crown. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( What's the thing from the serpent's head, first of all, second, what's the robe? )
Monkey . o O ( What do all these do. )
Monkey . o O ( Then we get out. Hopefully without incident. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Hm. I'm really tired, so I think those will be best answered over e-mail. You can get out of the tomb without incident, provided you don't try to loot the other chambers. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( We've come this far, we can't stop now! Though aren't they already looted? ) Monkey . o O ( But we don't know that for sure. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Let's find out! )
Monkey . o O ( Tired GM. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( We can look in and see if they've been wrecked, at least. )
The Storyteller . o O ( In that case, it will have to wait until next session. I'm really about to crash. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( OK. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Um, 2 BP each. )
Monkey . o O ( Well, if all other 4 has been looted, it can be summarized in an email. That way next week we'll just have to worry about the one that isn't. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Wasn't this the one that isn't? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( THat's what I thought! )
Monkey . o O ( Thankee. Or are all 4 have things still? )
Monkey . o O ( I could've been wrong. )
The Storyteller . o O ( I'll cover it in e-mail, then. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( This one was the only one with a statue unmolested. )
Monkey . o O ( Right. )
think Okay. I'm off to bed. Catch you guys later.
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. I'm off to bed. Catch you guys later. )
Monkey . o O ( So then, good night, Jesse. ) </pre>
On to Session 45
