JesseLowe/PirateMonkeySession52

jetman has arrived. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yo ho! ) TonyC materializes out of thin air. Monkey says, "Yo." Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yo ho! Jesse seems to be idle at the moment. ) Monkey . o O ( Probably thinking "Must... reduce... NPCs.... Who... to... kill...." ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I dunno... it's not as if we hang out with every NPC every day or throw lavish parties with everyone in attendance. ) Monkey . o O ( Which of course is flawed thinking. The right approach would've been "Kill them all and let the Norns sort them out." ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( If it was Norns working the loom of fate instead of creepy spiders, I might consider it. ) Monkey suddenly has this idea of casting AMG characters as Exalted gods. Monkey . o O ( Unconquered Sun suddenly has a very different personality. :) ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( And he does all his work over the phone. ) Monkey . o O ( Oh wait, never mind. UC would've been AMG's mysterious Kami-sama/God. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( AKA Odin, yes. Who were you thinking? ) Monkey . o O ( I was thinking Keiichi. I got better. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( What happens if you ask Belldandy to be the supreme god of the universe as your wish? ) Monkey . o O ( Canonically, it doesn't work, as Goddess Help Agency never shows up to people who asks for that kind of wishes in the first place. ) Monkey . o O ( However, supposing somebody does, very likely he'll go crazy. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I dunno... it can't be worse than putting up with Urd and Skuld cutting in on your private time in your own home... ) Monkey . o O ( It'll be better. He is going to be the supreme god of the universe. It's just that it isn't our universe and as far as other people here can tell, this universe exists only in his head. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Heh. ) "Ahoy! You say, "Ahoy!" Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Hey, what are Monkey's future training plans? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Ahoy hoy! ) TonyC [to jetman]: Have mentioned there's no local theatre showing Serenity here? TonyC [to jetman]: Nearest one is approx. 2 hours drive away. jetman [to TonyC]: Gah! think Quick question: What happens with the campaign if either Kaizoku or Monkey die? The Storyteller . o O ( Quick question: What happens with the campaign if either Kaizoku or Monkey die? ) TonyC [to Apollonian]: Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum. jetman [to TonyC]: Can you make a day trip of it? think Not to be ominous or anything. The Storyteller . o O ( Not to be ominous or anything. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I don't like that kind of question... ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Would Monkey become an admiral? ) TonyC [to Apollonian]: The campaign will be changed irrevocably.

is having monitor problems...

The Storyteller is having monitor problems... jetman [to Apollonian]: That is certainly true. TonyC [to Apollonian]: IMO, right now Monkey/me is pulling the campaign one way and Kaizoku/jetman is pulling the campaign another way and the synthesis is what we have now. jetman [to Apollonian]: And from the pulling, many NPCs fall into the campaign. :) TonyC [to Apollonian]: Kill one and the campaign will veer sharply. Replacement character will not be the same character and even if similar, will not have the cachet of experience. think Thpppt. Stupid taskbar. The Storyteller . o O ( Thpppt. Stupid taskbar. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( There's no one the Admiral trusts or relies on anywhere nearly as much as Monkey. ) think It wasn't going away properly, and therefore was hiding my text entry window for chat. Anyway. The Storyteller . o O ( It wasn't going away properly, and therefore was hiding my text entry window for chat. Anyway. ) think My thoughts were as yours. The Storyteller . o O ( My thoughts were as yours. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The Admiral would never tell Monkey this, but he uses him as a safety break, being all too aware of his own ambitions in the past. ) TonyC [to Apollonian]: I'm not talking power/bp/xp here. I'm talking a situation similar to say, the Kamsa chief telling either Monkey or Kaizoku "We must go and kidnap Mnemon or the world will end" and one of us answering, "Well, that's what you think. But I got my own plan thank you very much and if you don't like it you can go to Blessed Isle yourself. Here's a ship, now get out." think It is to be hoped, of course, that the issue won't come up. I guess, if it does, we'll deal with it then. But Kaizoku, at least, should have some kind of "If Monkey dies..." contingency plan. The Storyteller . o O ( It is to be hoped, of course, that the issue won't come up. I guess, if it does, we'll deal with it then. But Kaizoku, at least, should have some kind of "If Monkey dies..." contingency plan. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( He doesn't want to hear "Did you go too far yet? Can I kill you now? How about now?" though. ) Monkey . o O ( Conversely, Monkey has a "plan? What plan?" contingency. ) think Perhaps it's a question better discussed over e-mail. On with the present! The Storyteller . o O ( Perhaps it's a question better discussed over e-mail. On with the present! ) think Please to be remindink me of who is goink on raid to Thorns. The Storyteller . o O ( Please to be remindink me of who is goink on raid to Thorns. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Better get more Ox-body... ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The Admiral, Monkey, Suda (if she's not being audited elsewhere), Leden, Razor Leaf and Onyx Blossom ) Monkey . o O ( Note to self: start on the perfect dodge combo. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Must develop scene-length perfect block. ) think Hm. Hadn't really thought about Suda lately. Go fig. Okay, all are present and armed as best they can be, or as you command. How have you outfitted the expedition. The Storyteller . o O ( Hm. Hadn't really thought about Suda lately. Go fig. Okay, all are present and armed as best they can be, or as you command. How have you outfitted the expedition. ) think ? The Storyteller . o O ( ? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Ashigaru armor for everyone who isn't a martial artist. Black robes for the rest for starters. ) TonyC [to jetman]: Hard, that's probably Essence 7. think So that's Leden, you, Razor Leaf, and maybe Onyx. The Storyteller . o O ( So that's Leden, you, Razor Leaf, and maybe Onyx. ) Monkey . o O ( War paint. ) think And pants. I hope. The Storyteller . o O ( And pants. I hope. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The Admiral's bringing a blue jade daiklave... the second layer behind "not being seen" is "Be seen as a Lookshy ranger group." ) Monkey . o O ( Well, since you ask... I suppose. ) think Oh, how about that blue robe from the Solar tomb? It acts as armor but does not restrict MA. The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, how about that blue robe from the Solar tomb? It acts as armor but does not restrict MA. ) Monkey . o O ( Shiny, IIRC. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Oh, it doesn't? ) think Nope. Take a look at the log. IIRC. The Storyteller . o O ( Nope. Take a look at the log. IIRC. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Handy... so, will Monkey wear it? ) Monkey . o O ( Okay, that blue robe will not pass the "Lookshy ranger group" to any Lore/Occult savvy individual. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Also bringing packs full of dried meat and dried fruit as goodwill gestures and bribes. And a black robe on top of it will. ) Monkey . o O ( Will Kaizoku allow it? I don't believe Monkey will need it. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( If no one feels the need for it, he'll leave it for the Auspex. ) Monkey . o O ( Oh, committing peripheral essence to tiara. ) think I sent the robe stats over e-mail... and never put them on the wiki. Am so disorganized. The Storyteller . o O ( I sent the robe stats over e-mail... and never put them on the wiki. Am so disorganized. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Hey, does Monkey have a Hearthstone? ) think He should... The Storyteller . o O ( He should... ) Monkey . o O ( Have this mysterious level 3 Earth hearthstone from Isle of Shadows. ) Monkey . o O ( Effect unknown to Monkey. Might be Underworld instead of Creation. But either way will work in shadowland Thorns. ) think The one from the automaton? The Storyteller . o O ( The one from the automaton? ) Monkey . o O ( I don't know. But there is a level 3 Earth manse in Isle of Shadows. ) think oh, and Onyx Blossom will wear ashigaru armor. The Storyteller . o O ( oh, and Onyx Blossom will wear ashigaru armor. ) think Okay, I'll say you've attuned to it and figured out what it does in the past month. Lemme check my notes. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, I'll say you've attuned to it and figured out what it does in the past month. Lemme check my notes. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I don't like the image of Monkey experimenting with a Hearthstone to see what it does. ) Monkey . o O ( <bad Bavarian accent> Ah, let us zee what happennink if we channel ze lightnink into ze stone. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The Admiral HAS to get his sight back so he can stop committing so much essence to that blindcloth... ) think Okay, it's a Dragon's Bone Gem, unless you can think of a cooler, non-abusive, power for it. EarthLevelThree on the wiki The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, it's a Dragon's Bone Gem, unless you can think of a cooler, non-abusive, power for it. EarthLevelThree on the wiki ) Monkey . o O ( Can you just give me a one sentence summary? ) think Admiral, are you going to summon the elemental now or later? The Storyteller . o O ( Admiral, are you going to summon the elemental now or later? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Now. ) think Re: hearthstone. This cubical stone appears to be of natural stone, commonly the same as the manse it came from. This gem is incredibly resilient, the difficulty to damage it is increased by 3. Additionally, it imbues the bearer with incredibly strong bones, then never have to worry about broken bones(although limbs may still be cut off, at the joints). This increases their soak vs bashing damage by 3(this is different than their bashing soak, i.e. if they soak lethal with their bashing soak,there is no benefit). Additionally, the bearer cannot be crushed. A building could fall on them,and they would not be crushed(other environmental hazards, such as fire or a lack of air remain problems). Crushing, even from water pressure, does no damage to them. Generally, being hit with a weapon(even on the head), is not being crushed(although it could very well be bashing damage). The Storyteller . o O ( Re: hearthstone. This cubical stone appears to be of natural stone, commonly the same as the manse it came from. This gem is incredibly resilient, the difficulty to damage it is increased by 3. Additionally, it imbues the bearer with incredibly strong bones, then never have to worry about broken bones(although limbs may still be cut off, at the joints). This increases their soak vs bashing damage by 3(this is different than their bashing soak, i.e. if they soak lethal with their bashing soak,there is no benefit). Additionally, the bearer cannot be crushed. A building could fall on them,and they would not be crushed(other environmental hazards, such as fire or a lack of air remain problems). Crushing, even from water pressure, does no damage to them. Generally, being hit with a weapon(even on the head), is not being crushed(although it could very well be bashing damage). ) think So: unbreakable bones, +3 to soak vs. bashing, can't be crushed. The Storyteller . o O ( So: unbreakable bones, +3 to soak vs. bashing, can't be crushed. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Well, Monkey's already immune to hits on the head... ) think re: summoning elemental. Where and what time of day? The Storyteller . o O ( re: summoning elemental. Where and what time of day? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( In the Tower of the Sun's sorcery room, at noon. ) think Which is to say, do a stunt for me. Describe the beginning of the summoning ritual. The Storyteller . o O ( Which is to say, do a stunt for me. Describe the beginning of the summoning ritual. ) think and once you've done that, tell me how many motes past the base 10 you're spending to weaken the elemental's resistance. The Storyteller . o O ( and once you've done that, tell me how many motes past the base 10 you're spending to weaken the elemental's resistance. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolls up his sleeves and steps onto the fine marble floor of the sorcery chamber in the Tower, moving to the center of the starburst icon of the Sun in the center of it. He spreads his arms wide and lets out a call with both voice and essence. "Creature of water, I call upon thee by the ancient laws. Come forth, oh gentle stream that can wash away wounds." Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( 10 more. ) think remember, this spell takes four hours to cast. The Storyteller . o O ( remember, this spell takes four hours to cast. ) think so I'm assuming he goes on to do some chanting and such for the next four hours. The Storyteller . o O ( so I'm assuming he goes on to do some chanting and such for the next four hours. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Right. We're going out with the evening tides too, so that's OK. ) think What time do you want the ritual to resolve? Noon? The Storyteller . o O ( What time do you want the ritual to resolve? Noon? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( No, starting at noon, so 4 (as we had been in meetings and lunches before). ) think Okay. describing. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. describing. ) Monkey . o O ( Consider: Rock Steady. This hearthstone imparts the balance and stability of earth, giving the wearer extraordinary footing and rendering near impossible to move if he doesn't want to be moved. He might lose his footing because of his own mistake, but he's immune to knockback and knockdown, and attempts to make him lose his footing or move him (throw, sweep) has its difficulty increased by 5. ) @emit As the Admiral utters the final words of the spell, a yellow light fills the room, bright and blinding -- not that the Admiral can see it. Standing in the center of the elemental snare is a figure of water and sea-moss, dripping on the floor. The battle of wills is joined! As the Admiral utters the final words of the spell, a yellow light fills the room, bright and blinding -- not that the Admiral can see it. Standing in the center of the elemental snare is a figure of water and sea-moss, dripping on the floor. The battle of wills is joined! think roll Willpower + Essence The Storyteller . o O ( roll Willpower + Essence ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Any stunt dice? ) Monkey . o O ( And by staying still, he can ignore enviromental effect that does so (e.g. earthquakes, slippery slope) ) think Yeah, 2 dice. The Storyteller . o O ( Yeah, 2 dice. ) xl 7 elemental resistance You rolled 7 dice on elemental resistance and got 5 successes. Monkey . o O ( Offer the elemental candy. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 15 dice on Strength of will! and got 7 successes. think Looking over that hearthstone... The Storyteller . o O ( Looking over that hearthstone... ) xl 7 elemental resistance 2 You rolled 7 dice on elemental resistance 2 and got 4 successes. Monkey . o O ( Rock Steady? I just made it up. ) think yes, i figured. The Storyteller . o O ( yes, i figured. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( is there a Bebop one to go with it? ) think Huh? The Storyteller . o O ( Huh? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( TMNT reference. Bad joke. ) think Yeah, that's okay -- with the caveat that it only works on earth or things that are connected to earth. Sound good, or too restrictive? The Storyteller . o O ( Yeah, that's okay -- with the caveat that it only works on earth or things that are connected to earth. Sound good, or too restrictive? ) think Kaizoku, make another roll... The Storyteller . o O ( Kaizoku, make another roll... ) Monkey . o O ( Gah, I kinda assumed that and forgot that I need to specify such stuff explicitly. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Same? ) think yes. The Storyteller . o O ( yes. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 15 dice on Strength of will redux! and got 9 successes. think And done. The spirit bows its head and submits to your will. You're putting it into service for a month, right? The Storyteller . o O ( And done. The spirit bows its head and submits to your will. You're putting it into service for a month, right? ) Monkey . o O ( E.g. works on a cliff with loose gravel, but not on slippery ice of a frozen lake. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yes, calling upon it to heal the wounds of the Solar Navy people and allies as its task. ) think Yeah. Sounds good! I'd say it works on things that are strongly connected to earth, too... trees far from the pole of Wood, for example. The Storyteller . o O ( Yeah. Sounds good! I'd say it works on things that are strongly connected to earth, too... trees far from the pole of Wood, for example. ) think That's different -- that's a task, not service. Which is it going to be? The Storyteller . o O ( That's different -- that's a task, not service. Which is it going to be? ) think I strongly suggest service. The Storyteller . o O ( I strongly suggest service. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Service then. That covers anything it's told to do? ) think Basically. The Storyteller . o O ( Basically. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Make it so. ) Monkey . o O ( Energize. ) think Okay. it will serve you for a lunar month from this date... so I'll have to figure the date later. It's an Ecstatic with 0 Limit, based on the Nymph stats on p. 296, with the Charms you requested and a body of waterlogged moss and seaweed instead of pure water. Not as beautiful, either. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. it will serve you for a lunar month from this date... so I'll have to figure the date later. It's an Ecstatic with 0 Limit, based on the Nymph stats on p. 296, with the Charms you requested and a body of waterlogged moss and seaweed instead of pure water. Not as beautiful, either. ) Monkey . o O ( Smelly too. ) Monkey . o O ( Smelly too. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Just as well. Nymphs and seamen shouldn't mix. ) think It will be naturally material, of course, and will do as you command. Heheheheh. Monkey ponders getting a gold fish and putting it into the elemental's body and see what happens. The Storyteller . o O ( It will be naturally material, of course, and will do as you command. Heheheheh. ) think Nymphs and salty seaman. Two great tastes.... The Storyteller . o O ( Nymphs and salty seaman. Two great tastes.... ) Monkey . o O ( Do you want me to put more seamen in your poopdeck? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The Admiral commands it to follow the US closely for now... and then heads to the ship himself, along with the rest of the designated party. )

is gonna get some coffee. When he gets back, we'll get started on the Thorns raid.

The Storyteller is gonna get some coffee. When he gets back, we'll get started on the Thorns raid. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( We leave on the Sun until out of sight of land, then set off the rest of the way in the Dolphin. ) Monkey . o O ( Shen piloting Sun after Kaizoku leaves in the Dolphin? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yep, he's the best there is for it. )

is back.

The Storyteller is back. think The wife's watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail in the other room. It's a little distracting... The Storyteller . o O ( The wife's watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail in the other room. It's a little distracting... ) think Hello? The Storyteller . o O ( Hello? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( It's Kryptonite for gamers! ) Monkey . o O ( Could be worse. She could be watching the entire Firefly series. That would be very distracting. ) think Never seen it. Not particularly interested, either. The Storyteller . o O ( Never seen it. Not particularly interested, either. ) TonyC makes no mention of Inara/Kaylee slash fanfics. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Stay on target... :) ) think No! They came from... behind! The Storyteller . o O ( No! They came from... behind! ) think Aaaah! The Storyteller . o O ( Aaaah! ) @emit Foom! Foom! Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( LOL! ) think Must watch original trilogy again. If only I could get it on DVD... without that nasty "han shoots second" stuff. The Storyteller . o O ( Must watch original trilogy again. If only I could get it on DVD... without that nasty "han shoots second" stuff. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Someday... ) think Right, so back on task... The Storyteller . o O ( Right, so back on task... ) Monkey . o O ( Don't worry. Just wait until either Star Wars copyright lapse or the rise of TSA. ) think Yeah, 70+ years. I'll be dead by then! The Storyteller . o O ( Yeah, 70+ years. I'll be dead by then! ) think TSA? What's that? The Storyteller . o O ( TSA? What's that? ) Monkey . o O ( Transpacific Socialist Alliance. A power bloc in Transhuman Space. ) think I _really_ need to pick up the THS line. The Storyteller . o O ( I _really_ need to pick up the THS line. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I could trade you my core book for something... it doesn't do much for me. ) @emit While the Admiral was toying with the forces of nature, the rest of the strike team was getting ready. Leden, Onyx Blossom, and Razor Leaf have all suited up in ashigaru armor. Suda has been meditating. As the admiral boards the Unconquered Sun, she hands him a scroll. "This is a map of Thorns from before its fall. Naturally, I wouldn't trust it... but we shall see how useful it is. Connected to host pyramid.sjgames.com

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Type 'help here' to see the main helps for this game room. jetman and TonyC are here. The local characters are The Storyteller, Monkey, Admiral Kaizoku, and Shen. Obvious exits: Gaming Floor Last connected Sun Oct 9 20:45:07 2005 CDT from fl-71-1-8-212.dyn.sprint-hsd.net think Thpppt. The Storyteller . o O ( Thpppt. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Grr! ) @emit While the Admiral was toying with the forces of nature, the rest of the strike team was getting ready. Leden, Onyx Blossom, and Razor Leaf have all suited up in ashigaru armor. Suda has been meditating. As the admiral boards the Unconquered Sun, she hands him a scroll. "This is a map of Thorns from before its fall. Naturally, I wouldn't trust it... but we shall see how useful it is. While the Admiral was toying with the forces of nature, the rest of the strike team was getting ready. Leden, Onyx Blossom, and Razor Leaf have all suited up in ashigaru armor. Suda has been meditating. As the admiral boards the Unconquered Sun, she hands him a scroll. "This is a map of Thorns from before its fall. Naturally, I wouldn't trust it... but we shall see how useful it is. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I could trade you my THS core book for something... it doesn't do much for me. ) think Nah, that's okay. I'll just write something for Pyramid. The Storyteller . o O ( Nah, that's okay. I'll just write something for Pyramid. ) Monkey . o O ( Probably as well you got disconnected. I was this close to ranting about the Transhuman Space setting. ) think Don't like? Love? Passionate about? The Storyteller . o O ( Don't like? Love? Passionate about? ) Monkey . o O ( Third. ) Admiral Kaizoku takes the map and looks it over. "Even a Deathlord would not rearrange the greater part of a city on a whim... it is a starting point." think Ah. Gotcha. Well, I'm getting a masters in Info Science, and currently reading up on the effects of the most recent information explosion on humanity... so it's an interesting subject to me currently. The Storyteller . o O ( Ah. Gotcha. Well, I'm getting a masters in Info Science, and currently reading up on the effects of the most recent information explosion on humanity... so it's an interesting subject to me currently. ) Monkey . o O ( Get Toxic Meme. Probably get Fifth Wave. ) think Anyway. Exalted. The Storyteller . o O ( Anyway. Exalted. ) think Hm. Transhuman Exalted... is kinda redundant. The Storyteller . o O ( Hm. Transhuman Exalted... is kinda redundant. ) Monkey packs his kit. Monkey addes a couple skins of wine because he figures he can't get good refills over in Thorns. think Mmmmm, corpse wine. The Storyteller . o O ( Mmmmm, corpse wine. ) think For convenience, I'm using Constantinople as "thorns": http://homepage.mac.com/paulstephenson/madison/byzantium/images/constantinople_map1.jpg The Storyteller . o O ( For convenience, I'm using Constantinople as "thorns": http://homepage.mac.com/paulstephenson/madison/byzantium/images/constantinople_map1.jpg ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Not Istanbul, but Constantinople? ) think Well, Byzantium. The Storyteller . o O ( Well, Byzantium. ) think Aside from the usual personal arms and equipment, are you taking anything else? The Storyteller . o O ( Aside from the usual personal arms and equipment, are you taking anything else? ) Monkey . o O ( Nope. ) Monkey . o O ( I would think Byzantium fits Nexus better than Thorns. ) think I meant for the entire group, actually. Oh, and the dried fruit & nuts. The Storyteller . o O ( I meant for the entire group, actually. Oh, and the dried fruit & nuts. ) think Probably, but I couldn't find any other good maps of ancient, walled port cities on short notice. The Storyteller . o O ( Probably, but I couldn't find any other good maps of ancient, walled port cities on short notice. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The Daiklave of blue jade, the food, rope and climbing tools... ) think Gonna deattune from your usual daiklave? The Storyteller . o O ( Gonna deattune from your usual daiklave? ) Monkey . o O ( Hooded cloak. I expect it'll be rainy and misty all the time there. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( And the old Jade Hearthstone Bracers for Razor Leaf. And yes, but it's coming along, wrapped up and strapped to the Admiral's back. All Orihalcum items are to be hidden from sight. ) think Tricky. Okay. Setting the scene, then. The Storyteller . o O ( Tricky. Okay. Setting the scene, then. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( So a headband for Monkey. ) @emit Luna is high in the sky, a sliver of white riding the starry ocean above. With soft farewells and muttered prayers to the gods, the crew of the Unconquered Sun lowers the dolphin courier into the water and casts her loose. Shen's sure touch guides the ship away from the submersible. To the east, you see the shadow of Thorns on the horizon. Luna is high in the sky, a sliver of white riding the starry ocean above. With soft farewells and muttered prayers to the gods, the crew of the Unconquered Sun lowers the dolphin courier into the water and casts her loose. Shen's sure touch guides the ship away from the submersible. To the east, you see the shadow of Thorns on the horizon. @emit All save Monkey and Kaizoku are below decks already. All save Monkey and Kaizoku are below decks already. Admiral Kaizoku nods to Monkey to get below. "We will not reveal our Solar natures until the time is right Monkey... do not let yourself glow before then" he says, letting Monkey in first and then taking the controls. Monkey nods and pulls his hood over as he enters. Monkey . o O ( Headband unnecessary. Hooded cloak suffices until dramatically appropriate. ) Admiral Kaizoku sails the very fast Dolphin across the waves, above the surface until just an hour before Thorns is in sight... or unless a ship is spotted. @emit It is a swift journey to the shadowland's border. There is no interference, and the only other ship you see is a Lookshy scout on patrol. They do not see you. The line between the living world and the dead is a sharp coldness in the heart, and a darkness in the water. The admiral holds a true, straight line and steady depth of twenty feet, sufficient to evade detection by all but the sharpest of eyes. After a while, you see a vague luminescence below. A short time later, you realize that it is ghost-fire playing over sunken hulks on the floor of the sea here. Many are the hulks, and from their lines, they are mostly of the Realm. You are close on the port, then. It is a swift journey to the shadowland's border. There is no interference, and the only other ship you see is a Lookshy scout on patrol. They do not see you. The line between the living world and the dead is a sharp coldness in the heart, and a darkness in the water. The admiral holds a true, straight line and steady depth of twenty feet, sufficient to evade detection by all but the sharpest of eyes. After a while, you see a vague luminescence below. A short time later, you realize that it is ghost-fire playing over sunken hulks on the floor of the sea here. Many are the hulks, and from their lines, they are mostly of the Realm. You are close on the port, then. Monkey . o O ( Kaizoku's pose. Nothing Monkey can do. Oh, Master Jaff isn't part of the expedition. ) think So what's your plan of attack? The Storyteller . o O ( So what's your plan of attack? ) Monkey . o O ( Well, first we Dial M for Monkey. ) Admiral Kaizoku genuflects a moment, hoping the doomed souls in the ships were sent to the SUn, or at least not raised as zombies. He searches for a long, shallow area to beach the sub, then compact and bury it. think How much food did you bring? A couple barrels? The Storyteller . o O ( How much food did you bring? A couple barrels? ) think Genuflects? Do you know what that means? think ping... think damn... Connected to host pyramid.sjgames.com

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 bright yellow stripes across floor, walls and ceiling at 1-meter
 intervals.

Type 'help here' to see the main helps for this game room. jetman and TonyC are here. The local characters are The Storyteller, Monkey, Admiral Kaizoku, and Shen. Obvious exits: Gaming Floor Last connected Sun Oct 9 22:02:08 2005 CDT from fl-71-1-3-84.dyn.sprint-hsd.net think Grr. The Storyteller . o O ( Grr. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Grrr. ) Monkey says, "How long until sunrise?" think Okay, where were we? The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, where were we? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Burying the sub and the food, Monkey using the spyglass to find any big buildings with Deathlord touches like spikes and hanging bodies. ) think Oh, Monkey: Spend a mote and you'll know, thanks to the Solar internal clock. The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, Monkey: Spend a mote and you'll know, thanks to the Solar internal clock. ) Monkey . o O ( I thought there's this "Caution: Do not glow" warning active. ) Monkey . o O ( No, I'll keep my essence motes thank you very much. ) think yes, but that's only one mote... but it's been about two hours since sunset. The Storyteller . o O ( yes, but that's only one mote... but it's been about two hours since sunset. ) Monkey . o O ( Temperature? ) think Too cold for the season. Figure it's in the low 50's F. The Storyteller . o O ( Too cold for the season. Figure it's in the low 50's F. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Any ominous towers? ) Monkey . o O ( Okay. Find tall place. Climb up. Look around. Note towers the kind that Kaizoku asks and any fire. ) Monkey . o O ( Assumption: cold weather. fire. mortals. ) think Ominous towers. Of course! Fire: No. The Storyteller . o O ( Ominous towers. Of course! Fire: No. ) think Backtrack a moment. The Storyteller . o O ( Backtrack a moment. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Welcoming committee. ) Monkey . o O ( Kaizoku is the loremaster here. Ghosts reform when killed, but it takes time. If time is long enough, it's possible to grab a ghost, who can't dematerialize to escape at the moment, interrogate it, and then destroy it. ) @emit Coasting over the gravel bottom of the harbor, Kaizoku finds a place that will, perhaps, suit his purposes in the northern portion. Here, there are no hulks, and the gravel is fine and mixed with sand. Likewise, the water is shallow, and the Dolphin is forced to surface. Luckily, no living or dead being can be seen on the stone wall that rises above you here. The wall is some ten feet high and sloped at a steep angle, but looks easily climbable. This will do as well as any other place to hide the boat. Coasting over the gravel bottom of the harbor, Kaizoku finds a place that will, perhaps, suit his purposes in the northern portion. Here, there are no hulks, and the gravel is fine and mixed with sand. Likewise, the water is shallow, and the Dolphin is forced to surface. Luckily, no living or dead being can be seen on the stone wall that rises above you here. The wall is some ten feet high and sloped at a steep angle, but looks easily climbable. This will do as well as any other place to hide the boat. Admiral Kaizoku is the first one out, blue jade daiklave at the ready as he puts on the Ashigaru helmet. "Everyone out, and quickly!" he instructs, scanning the skies for unnatural birds as well as the land. @emit Above the wall, you can see buildings rising up, hollow shells in the darkness. Though close at hand is only the sound of wave and wind, you can hear the occasional shout or song or clash of booted feet from the city. Above the wall, you can see buildings rising up, hollow shells in the darkness. Though close at hand is only the sound of wave and wind, you can hear the occasional shout or song or clash of booted feet from the city. Monkey climbs out and over in one fluid movement, making a little splash when his feet touches the shore. think non-flowery description: This is probably the shallowest portion of the harbor. It's only a foot deep at the base of the wall, a mix of sand and gravel, and it drops in a shallow slope out to about twenty feet from the wall, then gets deeper a bit faster. The wall is of rough stone laid down dry at the lower levels, with an upper layer of finished and mortared stone making up the top three feet. It is not a defensive wall. A few drainpipes open in the wall, most about a foot or so below the finished layer. One about thirty feet down along the wall is large enough for a person to crawl through, but it is covered by a rusty grate. The wall can be climbed without a roll by an unencumbered person. The Storyteller . o O ( non-flowery description: This is probably the shallowest portion of the harbor. It's only a foot deep at the base of the wall, a mix of sand and gravel, and it drops in a shallow slope out to about twenty feet from the wall, then gets deeper a bit faster. The wall is of rough stone laid down dry at the lower levels, with an upper layer of finished and mortared stone making up the top three feet. It is not a defensive wall. A few drainpipes open in the wall, most about a foot or so below the finished layer. One about thirty feet down along the wall is large enough for a person to crawl through, but it is covered by a rusty grate. The wall can be climbed without a roll by an unencumbered person. ) Monkey scans the area. Nothing immediate. He listens. Where are the noises coming from? think Oh, and the area is largish... about the size of a baseball infield. On one side, it changes to docks, on the other, to a rambling pile of rock and deeper water. The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and the area is largish... about the size of a baseball infield. On one side, it changes to docks, on the other, to a rambling pile of rock and deeper water. ) think Monkey climbs the wall? The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey climbs the wall? ) Monkey says, "I'll go take a quic'k look." Monkey . o O ( yes. ) Admiral Kaizoku warns "Be discreet" as he supervises the offloading of people and supplies. Monkey . o O ( Need to find someone sentient and communicative. Living or dead is fine. We don't discriminate. ) @emit Monkey tops the wall easily and finds himself on a cobbled street. A line of shops and stalls faces him. Once, this must have been a lively and well-to-do neighborhood. Now, it is empty. By the look of it, all the valuables were stripped long ago. A flash of movement from an alley draws Monkey's gaze, and he sees a gaunt rat vanish into a half-open door. Monkey tops the wall easily and finds himself on a cobbled street. A line of shops and stalls faces him. Once, this must have been a lively and well-to-do neighborhood. Now, it is empty. By the look of it, all the valuables were stripped long ago. A flash of movement from an alley draws Monkey's gaze, and he sees a gaunt rat vanish into a half-open door. Monkey shrugs, climbs over, and saunters into the half open door following the rat. "Well, at least it's living. A ghost rat would've been fatter and a zombie one bonier," he thinks. Admiral Kaizoku is not happy to see Monkey go over the wall, but bites back his words, sending Leaf to inspect the large drainpipe. @emit The rat leads Monkey into a shabby room, once a place of business. Though he can see no sign of the creature itself, he finds a nest in one corner. In it are four small corpses -- baby rats. The rat leads Monkey into a shabby room, once a place of business. Though he can see no sign of the creature itself, he finds a nest in one corner. In it are four small corpses -- baby rats. think search the area a bit? The Storyteller . o O ( search the area a bit? ) Monkey . o O ( Well, no harm. ) Monkey . o O ( Except for this VAMPIRE! ) think Okay, make a Perception + Investigate roll. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, make a Perception + Investigate roll. ) Monkey rolled 3 dice on Per + Tiara and got 1 success. Monkey rolled 2 dice on something and got 1 botch. @emit Meanwhile, back at the sub, the rest of the raiding party has unloaded as quickly and quietly as possible. Leden and Razor Leaf shoulder packs full of food for any living inhabitants of the dead city. "What now, my captain?" says Onyx. Meanwhile, back at the sub, the rest of the raiding party has unloaded as quickly and quietly as possible. Leden and Razor Leaf shoulder packs full of food for any living inhabitants of the dead city. "What now, my captain?" says Onyx. Monkey . o O ( the second roll is because the tiara give 1 die to regular per and 3 for occult perception. The 2 dice are the difference. ) think Okay. So one success! The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. So one success! ) Admiral Kaizoku says "We will move deeper into the city by way of that drainage pipe. Leden, lead the way, Leaf, sweep up our tracks as we go... we will wait for Monkey's return at the entrance. @emit Waiting for the rest of the crew to get it together, Monkey's able to search half the buildings on this block before being distracted again. Most of what he finds is a bit depressing, even for his spirit, but on the next-but-last house he searches, he finds what looks to be fresh trash -- bones not yet dry, seeds of some kind, a discarded piece of cloth. Waiting for the rest of the crew to get it together, Monkey's able to search half the buildings on this block before being distracted again. Most of what he finds is a bit depressing, even for his spirit, but on the next-but-last house he searches, he finds what looks to be fresh trash -- bones not yet dry, seeds of some kind, a discarded piece of cloth. think Are you wading, then? The Storyteller . o O ( Are you wading, then? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yes. ) Monkey . o O ( Question: does the drainage pipe obviously leads to the same section of city? ) Monkey goes down back to the wall and tells Kaizoku what he saw. think Yes. Well, it's dark, but it heads straight into the section you're in. It's also only three feet in diameter... The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. Well, it's dark, but it heads straight into the section you're in. It's also only three feet in diameter... ) Monkey climbs back up the wall. Monkey meets the rest of the group on the other side. Admiral Kaizoku asks "What did you find Monkey?" in a low voice, muffled by his helmet. Monkey says, "Dead rats, empty houses, mostly. Some rotten food though." Monkey says, "I'll show you." Monkey leads the group to the trash. think A grue eats you. :) The Storyteller . o O ( A grue eats you. :) ) Admiral Kaizoku remarks "A better lead than a pipe..." and leads the crew after them. Monkey . o O ( Load game. ) think How's Monkey "seeing" in the dark? The Storyteller . o O ( How's Monkey "seeing" in the dark? ) think Anybody in armor has the whole sensing thing going for them, but that leaves Monkey and Suda in the cold... The Storyteller . o O ( Anybody in armor has the whole sensing thing going for them, but that leaves Monkey and Suda in the cold... ) Monkey . o O ( Depends on how dark. If it's starry night dark, between exaltation and tiara, it might be doable. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Too bad the helmets don't work on their own. ) Monkey . o O ( if it's cloudy night dark, I'll have to use magic. ) think Figure a -1 penalty on any vision rolls when you're outside. But inside the buildings, it's pretty close to pitch black. The Storyteller . o O ( Figure a -1 penalty on any vision rolls when you're outside. But inside the buildings, it's pretty close to pitch black. ) Monkey . o O ( Sensory Acuity Prana then. ) think 'kay. The Storyteller . o O ( 'kay. ) think Back on track. The Storyteller . o O ( Back on track. ) @emit Monkey leads the party to the garbage pile. While he and the Admiral, and Suda, take a look, the rest stand guard. Monkey leads the party to the garbage pile. While he and the Admiral, and Suda, take a look, the rest stand guard. think next pose is yours. The Storyteller . o O ( next pose is yours. ) TonyC [to jetman]: You first or me first? Admiral Kaizoku peers closely at the rubbish, looking for fresh water around it, or tracks around the floor. think Roll Per + Investigate. The Storyteller . o O ( Roll Per + Investigate. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 4 dice on No Investigagte and got 2 successes. @emit Kaizoku would guess that the stuff is fresh, within the last day or two. The bones are mixed, raiton and rat -- whoever ate it was desperate. Though he sees no tracks or similar sign, he finds the cloth informative. He recognizes a residue on it as jeweler's polish. Kaizoku would guess that the stuff is fresh, within the last day or two. The bones are mixed, raiton and rat -- whoever ate it was desperate. Though he sees no tracks or similar sign, he finds the cloth informative. He recognizes a residue on it as jeweler's polish. Admiral Kaizoku says, "Monkey, did you see a jeweler's sign in the area? Keep alert for one, all of you." Monkey says, "I don't think I saw one. Why?" Admiral Kaizoku says, "That is where the people who so carefully hid their waste here are hiding. Think about it... a secure building with its own vault in the basement..." @emit Suda checks the map. "The old craft quarter was not too far from here. Perhaps there?" Suda checks the map. "The old craft quarter was not too far from here. Perhaps there?" Monkey says, "Oh. I see. If I see one I'll let you know. But how will we know which one is the right one? After all, a big city have many jewelers. Used to be anyways." Monkey says, "Let me try a more direct way." Admiral Kaizoku nods once. "Leden, take the lead, Monkey, follow behind him... Leaf has the rear. Let's move out... Direct way?" he asks, though it may be too late. Monkey drops to all fours and his mannerisms change. He nuzzles and paws the trash and sniffs the trash before ambling around the area. think Buh? The Storyteller . o O ( Buh? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Well, SAP works for all senses, right? ) Monkey . o O ( Wolf Form. Stunt. WP for autosuccess. Increased sense of smell. Increased Perception. Rolling Survival for trackinig. ) think Ah! Two dice for stunt. The Storyteller . o O ( Ah! Two dice for stunt. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Or not! ) Monkey . o O ( Can apply the SAP +4 bonus to Survival roll or does it merely allows the attempt? ) think Sure. The Storyteller . o O ( Sure. ) Monkey rolled 11 dice on Per + Sur and got 6 successes. @emit A gray medley of smell fills Monkey's nostrils as he assumes the mien of the wolf. Snuffling 'round the room, he finds one that stands out with living vigor, sickly as it might be. The scent trail leads out the door and north... A gray medley of smell fills Monkey's nostrils as he assumes the mien of the wolf. Snuffling 'round the room, he finds one that stands out with living vigor, sickly as it might be. The scent trail leads out the door and north... Monkey starts louping in a series of sudden movements, pausing every so often to sniffs around to make sure he's on the right track. think Loping. Louping would be, I dunno, wolfing or something. The Storyteller . o O ( Loping. Louping would be, I dunno, wolfing or something. ) Monkey . o O ( Exactly. ) think :) The Storyteller . o O ( :) ) Admiral Kaizoku 's visor hides his expression at the antics of his first mate, but waves Leden on after him, then moves out and gestures for the rest to follow. Monkey . o O ( Animal styles are fun! ) think v. true. The Storyteller . o O ( v. true. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Insert joke about being housebroken here. :) ) @emit It's a short journey, but it takes you deep into the city quickly. The sound of the ocean fades behind you as you travel the deserted streets -- until suddenly you hear the tramp of feet ahead of you. It sounds like a patrol of some kind. It's a short journey, but it takes you deep into the city quickly. The sound of the ocean fades behind you as you travel the deserted streets -- until suddenly you hear the tramp of feet ahead of you. It sounds like a patrol of some kind. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Monkey's not TOO far ahead, is he? ) think No, only a few paces ahead. He can't move too quickly or he'll lose the scent. The Storyteller . o O ( No, only a few paces ahead. He can't move too quickly or he'll lose the scent. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Monkey's closest though, so he goes first. ) Monkey . o O ( Was thinking what's the appropriate response. ) think Sounds good. You've got, say, two turns worth of action before they come into sight. The Storyteller . o O ( Sounds good. You've got, say, two turns worth of action before they come into sight. ) think So monkey, then Kaizoku (who can say what the rest of the party does). The Storyteller . o O ( So monkey, then Kaizoku (who can say what the rest of the party does). ) think There are about five nearby buildings to duck into, plus an alleyway. You're coming up on an intersection, whence the sound is coming. The Storyteller . o O ( There are about five nearby buildings to duck into, plus an alleyway. You're coming up on an intersection, whence the sound is coming. ) Maybe it was the play of shadows, or maybe Monkey's ears did twitch when he hears the sound of tramping boots. He slows to a stop and casually slinks into the shadows. Either to avoid conflict with another predator or ambush a prey, depends. Monkey . o O ( Basically stealth. ) Admiral Kaizoku draws his sword and points it down the alleyway, heading into it and saying just inside the mouth of the alley, waving the rest of the group past him, the pattern of his armor taking on the characteristics of the wall behind him. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Likewise. ) think Okay, roll Dex + Stealth. Everybody gets 2 stunt dice. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, roll Dex + Stealth. Everybody gets 2 stunt dice. ) Monkey . o O ( wp for autosuccess. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 9 dice on Admiral Stealth and got 4 successes. Monkey rolled 8 dice on dex+ste+stunt and got 2 successes. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Will you handle or handwave everyone else Jesse? ) Monkey . o O ( Hmmm 3 successes altogether. Borderline. ) Monkey . o O ( Might get into a fight. ) think Handwaving. The only one not in sneaky armor is Suda, who has no problem hiding. The Storyteller . o O ( Handwaving. The only one not in sneaky armor is Suda, who has no problem hiding. ) think So they all find spots to get sneaky in. The Storyteller . o O ( So they all find spots to get sneaky in. ) Monkey . o O ( Heh, Suda doesn't even need to hide. They'd see her and ignore her. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Even if they're dead? ) think Well... not quite. But it matters not. Posing. The Storyteller . o O ( Well... not quite. But it matters not. Posing. ) Monkey . o O ( IIRC Arcane Fate is astrology. It affects the Sids, not the person looking at the sid. Thus it goes for everyone. Ah crap, ghosts, being spirits, might not be affected. ) @emit The patrol rounds the corner. It's a group of war ghosts, in relic armor, bearing the badge of Thorns upon their shoulders. A nemissary in flowing robes and halberd of office leads them. From the shadows, Monkey counts ten ghosts plus the leader. They are moving at a steady march, glancing from side to side, but they do not appear particularly alert. The patrol marches past the alley concealing the raiders and stops two buildings down. "Here," says the nemissary. "Break down the door." The patrol rounds the corner. It's a group of war ghosts, in relic armor, bearing the badge of Thorns upon their shoulders. A nemissary in flowing robes and halberd of office leads them. From the shadows, Monkey counts ten ghosts plus the leader. They are moving at a steady march, glancing from side to side, but they do not appear particularly alert. The patrol marches past the alley concealing the raiders and stops two buildings down. "Here," says the nemissary. "Break down the door." Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( How many thereabouts? A scale? A dozen? A hundred? ) Monkey . o O ( I'm going to assume that was written before Jesse hit enter. ) @emit Two of the ghosts move forward. They're carrying a portable ram, and get to work. In two blows, the door crashes open. Four of the ghosts rush inside. There's a commotion, and a scream cut off in mid-breath. Then the ghosts walk back out, two dragging the freshly-dead corpse of a starving man dressed in tatters. "This was the only one, sir," says one ghost. Two of the ghosts move forward. They're carrying a portable ram, and get to work. In two blows, the door crashes open. Four of the ghosts rush inside. There's a commotion, and a scream cut off in mid-breath. Then the ghosts walk back out, two dragging the freshly-dead corpse of a starving man dressed in tatters. "This was the only one, sir," says one ghost. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Lag, yeah. ) @emit "Very well," says the nemissary. "On to the next block. Toss the corpse over there -- we'll get it on the way back." He gestures with his halberd at the center of the street. "Very well," says the nemissary. "On to the next block. Toss the corpse over there -- we'll get it on the way back." He gestures with his halberd at the center of the street. think BRB -- nature calls. The Storyteller . o O ( BRB -- nature calls. ) Admiral Kaizoku's hand tightens on the hilt of his sword. Too late for the man... but was it for others? He gestures to Leden, instructing him to quietly follow the patrol, report on their path and return. Monkey rolled 8 dice on per + awa and got 8 successes. Shortly after the ghosts platoon resumes their journey, Monkey steps out from his hiding spot and walks unerringly toward Kaizoku's hiding spot. He leans on the wall next to him and whispers, "If you can take out the ghosts, I'll take care of the leader." Admiral Kaizoku muses on that. "It is a bit early to tip our hands Monkey..." he whispers back. "Still, we need intelligence... take down their leader, but do not dispatch him." Monkey nods. "By the way, you might want to follow them quick. Looks like they're out for another kill and they know where they are going." Admiral Kaizoku replies "Our stealthiest member is on that job... I wonder how they are tracking their targets..." Monkey . o O ( They have a Life Lens! Living things grow bright viewed through it! ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( They we have to kill them (again) and take their stuff! ) think Back. Sorry. The Storyteller . o O ( Back. Sorry. ) Monkey . o O ( Loot and pillage! ) Monkey . o O ( And XP! I want to level up! ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( THEN burn! ) @emit The patrol moves on, Leden a swift shadow among the shadows after them. The patrol moves on, Leden a swift shadow among the shadows after them. think Okay... so Leden's following the patrol. What does the rest of the raiding party do? The Storyteller . o O ( Okay... so Leden's following the patrol. What does the rest of the raiding party do? ) Monkey . o O ( Check on the man. Dead dead? ) think Yes. Sword through the chest. The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. Sword through the chest. ) Monkey looks at Kaizoku. Admiral Kaizoku gestures to the house the patrol just broke into and goes to check on the fallen man. He closes his eyes and uses the power of the Sun to send his and soul to the sky. Monkey . o O ( Might want to burn him. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( From Personal. ) Monkey . o O ( Ah, just what the doctor ordered. ) think Okay. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. ) Monkey . o O ( Then we wait for Leden, who should be smart enough to report back after their general direction is confirmed but before they actually get wherever it is they were going to. ) Admiral Kaizoku says quietly "Monkey, I suspect there are more people in that house..." Admiral Kaizoku says, "Follow your nose." Monkey takes a deep breath and smells.... Monkey . o O ( Are there other living people around? ) Monkey . o O ( I mean, besides us. ) @emit Minutes pass. Then Leden appears out of the shadows. "Admiral. The patrol is searching two blocks down, house by house. They haven't found anything yet." Minutes pass. Then Leden appears out of the shadows. "Admiral. The patrol is searching two blocks down, house by house. They haven't found anything yet." think roll Per + survival The Storyteller . o O ( roll Per + survival ) Monkey . o O ( wp for autosuccess again. ) Monkey rolled 9 dice on Per+Sur+SAP and got 3 successes. @emit There are no living creatures within smelling distance, though there are traces of ones that are no more than a day old. There are no living creatures within smelling distance, though there are traces of ones that are no more than a day old. think You could track some of those scent trails, but only a few. The rest are too fragmented. The Storyteller . o O ( You could track some of those scent trails, but only a few. The rest are too fragmented. ) Admiral Kaizoku says, "Well?" Monkey says, "Nothing fresh." Monkey says, "Grab the ghost leader or try to track the trail? Your call." Admiral Kaizoku says grimly "We follow the patrol... if they enter another home, we will take them." Monkey nods and slinks out of the house and back on the hunt. think Roll dex + stealth. Still got Wolf Form up? The Storyteller . o O ( Roll dex + stealth. Still got Wolf Form up? ) Monkey . o O ( Yes. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 6 dice on Stealth! and got 2 successes. Monkey rolled 6 dice on Dex + Ste and got 4 successes. Monkey . o O ( I figure that Monkey will be in the lead, although it's possible that Leden might be farther ahead. ) think handwaving the rest as successful. Leden will be keeping pace with Monkey, but from the rooftops. The Storyteller . o O ( handwaving the rest as successful. Leden will be keeping pace with Monkey, but from the rooftops. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( They're not searching places at random... are they using any map or device? ) @emit Ahead, you hear the crash of wood -- another door being broken open. Then screams, this time not cut off. Several people. Shouts of the dead. Ahead, you hear the crash of wood -- another door being broken open. Then screams, this time not cut off. Several people. Shouts of the dead. think Not that you saw. The Storyteller . o O ( Not that you saw. ) Monkey . o O ( Okay, moving into action. ) Admiral Kaizoku gestures strongly with his sword, pointing in the direction of the noise before he charges forward. Monkey . o O ( Monkey Leap. Then start kicking ass. ) Monkey . o O ( Effective Str = 9. Monkey leap distance, 180 yards. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Oh, yes, many dragonblooded leap that far... ) Monkey . o O ( If they're Air they might. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Here come the giant zombie raitons, attracted by a target in the sky. ) @emit You round the corner and see the patrol in the middle of the street. Sobbing and crying in front of them is a small group of living mortals. Looks like five or so. One child, four adults. The nemissary says, "Spare the child. Kill the rest," and two of the ghosts move forward, drawing their blades. Enter the Monkey. You round the corner and see the patrol in the middle of the street. Sobbing and crying in front of them is a small group of living mortals. Looks like five or so. One child, four adults. The nemissary says, "Spare the child. Kill the rest," and two of the ghosts move forward, drawing their blades. Enter the Monkey. think roll init. The Storyteller . o O ( roll init. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 15. roll 1d10+3 On 1d10+3, you rolled 5. roll 1d10+4 On 1d10+4, you rolled 8. think Monkey? The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey? ) Monkey . o O ( Q: Wolf Form's style weapon is knife. Let me draw it and use it? ) think Sure, free action while you're leaping. The Storyteller . o O ( Sure, free action while you're leaping. ) Monkey rolled 1d10+9 and got 10. think Leden will go just after Monkey's init, the rest of the party just after Kaizoku's. The Storyteller . o O ( Leden will go just after Monkey's init, the rest of the party just after Kaizoku's. ) think So order is: Kaizoku, party, Monkey, Leden, patrol. The Storyteller . o O ( So order is: Kaizoku, party, Monkey, Leden, patrol. ) think Big K? The Storyteller . o O ( Big K? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Distance to battle? Free action or full move needed to get there? 16 yards? ) Monkey . o O ( If you need ranged weapon, there's your anima ability. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Not yet... ) think One block. Full move needed. Figure about twenty yards. The Storyteller . o O ( One block. Full move needed. Figure about twenty yards. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Ah, for Lightning Speed... or Gunzosha armor. ) think Oh, and btw, from the OED: Loup: LEAP v. in various senses. The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and btw, from the OED: Loup: LEAP v. in various senses. ) Monkey . o O ( Hah. I was right! ) Admiral Kaizoku holds his sword at his side and charges at the dense mass of armored dead, running low to the ground. think That's this action? The Storyteller . o O ( That's this action? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yep, and bringing up Bulwark Stance if they take a swing. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( So full move. ) Monkey . o O ( Bulwark Stance been house ruled Reflexive? ) think Yes. The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( And Fivefold simple, so... ) think Can't wait for 2nd ed.... The Storyteller . o O ( Can't wait for 2nd ed.... ) think What do you want the rest of the raiding party to do? If nothing else, they'll follow you. The Storyteller . o O ( What do you want the rest of the raiding party to do? If nothing else, they'll follow you. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( That's the idea... take down the grunts fast, leave the leader intact. ) think Okay. They'll each take one war ghost, but they have to spend this turn charging. Monkey? The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. They'll each take one war ghost, but they have to spend this turn charging. Monkey? ) Having landed in their midst and achieving surprise like a proper predator would, Monkey's hands swings upward. The blades ring as it slashes through armor. Monkey . o O ( 2 actions. 2 attacks. ) think Okay. 1 stunt die. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. 1 stunt die. ) think On two guys or one? The Storyteller . o O ( On two guys or one? ) Monkey . o O ( 2 guys. ) Monkey rolled 10 dice on Mel+Dex and got 5 successes. think Roll it! Defense is an automatic 2 dice, plus 1 for the shields. The Storyteller . o O ( Roll it! Defense is an automatic 2 dice, plus 1 for the shields. ) Monkey rolled 9 dice on Mel+Dex and got 2 successes. think What's your base damage? Soak is 7. The Storyteller . o O ( What's your base damage? Soak is 7. ) Monkey . o O ( Well, 2 successes on 9 dice. Ah well. ) Monkey . o O ( base damage is 9L. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( That just means these guys aren't important. ) Monkey . o O ( Right. You're the one who succeeds wildly when it's not important. :) ) Monkey . o O ( If they're extras, one died, one undamaged. ) think They're extras for sure. The Storyteller . o O ( They're extras for sure. ) @emit Leden follows Monkey's lead and jumps from the rooftops, blocking off one side of the street. He lunges forward, black jade daiklave a blur as he strikes. Leden follows Monkey's lead and jumps from the rooftops, blocking off one side of the street. He lunges forward, black jade daiklave a blur as he strikes. xl 10 You rolled 10 dice on something and got 2 successes. think Foo. The Storyteller . o O ( Foo. ) @emit His victim barely turns aside the blow with a hasty block. His victim barely turns aside the blow with a hasty block. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Now they all have exclamation points over their heads and a bunch more will show up. ) @emit The patrol circles quickly, trying to retreat from Monkey while at the same time facing the charge from Kaizoku and Leden. The Nemissary shouts, "Form up! Sound the alarm!" and whips his halberd into a ready stance, facing Monkey. The patrol circles quickly, trying to retreat from Monkey while at the same time facing the charge from Kaizoku and Leden. The Nemissary shouts, "Form up! Sound the alarm!" and whips his halberd into a ready stance, facing Monkey. think roll init again -- or we can just go with the current counts for the rest of the fight. The Storyteller . o O ( roll init again -- or we can just go with the current counts for the rest of the fight. ) To Monkey's left, the warghost looks down in surprise at his new wound and falls down silently. The one on the right is more lucky, as his shield, albeit scored deeply, prevented the knife from even touching him. Monkey . o O ( Need to roll init. Must get first move. ) Monkey rolled 1d10+8 and got 14. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10+14 and got 15. roll 1d10+4 On 1d10+4, you rolled 9. roll 1d10+3 On 1d10+3, you rolled 9. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Oh, dear... the lowest I could roll and stil... ) think Okay: Kaizoku, party, Monkey, Leden, patrol. Same as last time. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay: Kaizoku, party, Monkey, Leden, patrol. Same as last time. ) Monkey . o O ( bah. Okay, fine, you go. ) Admiral Kaizoku continues his charge foward, past the first line of ghosts as the form up, intent on preventing any alarm. His daiklave thrusts through the sheilds, jade stronger than any normal iron or wood! He pulls it free of the first and then does a straight-arm thrust to another and cuts free to attack a third, stabbing him right in his helmet slit. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Three attacks. ) think 1 die stunt. The Storyteller . o O ( 1 die stunt. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 13 dice on Attack 1 and got 10 successes. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 12 dice on Attack 2 and got 9 successes. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 11 dice on Attack 3 and got 5 successes. think All successful. Damage? The Storyteller . o O ( All successful. Damage? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( 4 post soak, plus successes. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( That puts them all down, right? ) think Yup. The Storyteller . o O ( Yup. ) Admiral Kaizoku spins his blade around with a flourish, putting it point down as the sheilds split in two, followed by their former owners, black clouds escaping the armor and floating away with a faint moan. @emit Around him, his comrades smash into the dead. Suda and Razor Leaf quickly dispatch their targets, while Onyx's victim barely turns aside her goremaul. Around him, his comrades smash into the dead. Suda and Razor Leaf quickly dispatch their targets, while Onyx's victim barely turns aside her goremaul. think Monkey? The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey? ) Monkey springs forward and thrusts his fist, still weighted with a knife, at the nemissary's chin. His other hand flicks and the other knife darts at the throat of another ghosts before grabbing hold of the nemissary body and yanking it down. Monkey . o O ( Despite the order of the description, this is a thrown attack followed by a grapple. ) think 1-die stunt... The Storyteller . o O ( 1-die stunt... ) Monkey rolled 7 dice on Dex + Thr and got 6 successes. think That's on the nemissary, yah? His defense is 3, so success. The Storyteller . o O ( That's on the nemissary, yah? His defense is 3, so success. ) Monkey rolled 9 dice on Dex + MA and got 2 successes. think But that's not. Uh... was that one on the nemissary? The Storyteller . o O ( But that's not. Uh... was that one on the nemissary? ) Monkey . o O ( One ghost goes poof. Nemissary got away scot free, unless.... ) Monkey howls as his lunges, stunning his opponent. think which is what? The Storyteller . o O ( which is what? ) Monkey . o O ( Reflexive use (okay, metagamed) of Obnoxiously Loud Shriek, halving active defense. Since nemissary using halberd, I don't think he can use shield. ) Monkey . o O ( Nm. Wrong charm. Forget it. ) think Heh. The Storyteller . o O ( Heh. ) Monkey . o O ( Nemissary got off free. ) think Okay. I'll pose it. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. I'll pose it. ) @emit Monkey's thrown blade punches through a war ghost's throat, and the victim collapses. The nemissary backpedals furiously from Monkey's other knife, spinning his halberd in a wide arc in front of him. Unfortunately, he backs toward Leden... Monkey's thrown blade punches through a war ghost's throat, and the victim collapses. The nemissary backpedals furiously from Monkey's other knife, spinning his halberd in a wide arc in front of him. Unfortunately, he backs toward Leden... Monkey . o O ( Interesting. That makes twice that a pool of 9 gives 2 successes. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( You're saving the good rolls for the boss fight. ) @emit Leden steps into his opponent's guard, thrusting up under his shield, then swings at the nemissary's unprotected side. Leden steps into his opponent's guard, thrusting up under his shield, then swings at the nemissary's unprotected side. xl 10 You rolled 10 dice on something and got 8 successes. xl 9 You rolled 9 dice on something and got 8 successes. think Well. The Storyteller . o O ( Well. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I DID say "We want to question the leader..." ) Monkey . o O ( It was to me though. Leden was away following the patrol at that time. Remember? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Whoops. ) @emit The war ghost crumples. Leden's blade neatly decapitates the nemissary, and his head bounces off a wall and spins for a moment before coming to a stop at Kaizoku's feet. The rest of the patrol is now dead, again, and the mortals wait in shocked silence for the next act to unfold. The war ghost crumples. Leden's blade neatly decapitates the nemissary, and his head bounces off a wall and spins for a moment before coming to a stop at Kaizoku's feet. The rest of the patrol is now dead, again, and the mortals wait in shocked silence for the next act to unfold. think your pose. The Storyteller . o O ( your pose. ) Admiral Kaizoku drives his blade into the chest of the nemissary's armor. "Citizens of Thorns, your liberation is at hand. Who is your leader?" He asks in a low, powerful voice. think also, wrapping up soon. The Storyteller . o O ( also, wrapping up soon. ) think Make a Cha + Presence roll. The Storyteller . o O ( Make a Cha + Presence roll. ) Monkey . o O ( Take me to your leader. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 8 dice on Cha+Pre and got 3 successes. @emit One of the adults says, voice trembling, "I- I guess I am. Who are you?" One of the adults says, voice trembling, "I- I guess I am. Who are you?" Admiral Kaizoku replies "Someone here to help... let us get inside, out of sight. When did you all last eat?" as he ushers them back to the building. Monkey translates to the kid, "We're here to take you to a place where things are like here before it got bad." @emit The building is a hovel, now, though once it might have been nicer. The people haven't eaten in two days, and eat the food Kaizoku offers them with pitiful gratitude. There are three women and two men -- one of the women is the leader -- and the child, who looks to be about seven years of age. The building is a hovel, now, though once it might have been nicer. The people haven't eaten in two days, and eat the food Kaizoku offers them with pitiful gratitude. There are three women and two men -- one of the women is the leader -- and the child, who looks to be about seven years of age. think What's your next step? Questioning? The Storyteller . o O ( What's your next step? Questioning? ) Admiral Kaizoku waits until they are nearly done eating before talking of serious matters once more. "Very soon, a fleet of ships will arrive to take away as many survivors from here as it can. How many do you know of and how many can you contact?" Monkey . o O ( Definitely questioning. ) Monkey . o O ( First day, survivor. Second day we'll start looking for Still Moon. ) Monkey . o O ( Third day we'll decide come third day. ) @emit The woman in charge says, "There are no others, not that we have seen. About a month ago, the puppet-king ordered that all join him in death. Some did so gladly, others less so. We have been hiding since then..." The woman in charge says, "There are no others, not that we have seen. About a month ago, the puppet-king ordered that all join him in death. Some did so gladly, others less so. We have been hiding since then..." Admiral Kaizoku scowls under his faceplate, putting his knuckles on the crude table. "Tell me about this puppet king... who he is and where he is" he asks tightly. Monkey says, "How'd they manage to find you? I mean, there's a lot of houses." think Blast it, I know there's some info on Thorns somewhere in these books... The Storyteller . o O ( Blast it, I know there's some info on Thorns somewhere in these books... ) Monkey . o O ( What do you need to know? ) Monkey . o O ( Try Scavenger Sons for the king's name. ) think Who the ex-leader of thorns is... The Storyteller . o O ( Who the ex-leader of thorns is... ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( But if we don't have those books, how can we contradict you? :) ) think I like consistency! The Storyteller . o O ( I like consistency! ) think Ah, found something. Hmmm... where else? The Storyteller . o O ( Ah, found something. Hmmm... where else? ) think Anyway. The Storyteller . o O ( Anyway. ) @emit The woman says, between handfuls of dried fruit, "The autocrat 'rules' from the palace, in the high city. He is ever accompanied by a deathknight who holds his strings." The woman says, between handfuls of dried fruit, "The autocrat 'rules' from the palace, in the high city. He is ever accompanied by a deathknight who holds his strings." Admiral Kaizoku says, "Are there any other Deathknights in the city? Or giant war machines? " @emit She says, "We don't know. We have seen nothing but these walls for days, and have hidden from every sound outside. Before we hid, there were a dozen deathknights in the city, and some war machines outside the walls. At least Juggernaut is gone." She says, "We don't know. We have seen nothing but these walls for days, and have hidden from every sound outside. Before we hid, there were a dozen deathknights in the city, and some war machines outside the walls. At least Juggernaut is gone." think roll Wits + Occult The Storyteller . o O ( roll Wits + Occult ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 9 dice on Wits+Occ and got 4 successes. Monkey rolled 4 dice on Wit + Occ and got 2 successes. Admiral Kaizoku says, "And how long have you been hiding?" think Remember that "deathknight" can also refer to highly placed ghosts. The Storyteller . o O ( Remember that "deathknight" can also refer to highly placed ghosts. ) @emit They've been in hiding for about a month. They've been in hiding for about a month. Admiral Kaizoku nods. "We will accompany you to a safer place now, and return when the time comes to take you away from here." Monkey says, "I say we go out and look for other patrols like that one and see if we can grab their leader this time." think What's your plan? The Storyteller . o O ( What's your plan? ) Monkey nudges Leden, "Pssst, next time make sure we can question the officer." Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Can Monkey track down the jeweler again? A shop like that or a silversmith's should have a good vault to hide in. ) TonyC [to Apollonian]: Well? think Sure. The Storyteller . o O ( Sure. ) Monkey . o O ( Okay. Step 1. Move these survivors somewhere else. Step 2. Track down the jeweler shop and see whether someone's alive there. 3. Find another patrol like this and destroy it but this time making sure to take the leader captive. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Step 1 and two may be combined... ) Monkey . o O ( Step 4. Question the leader. Step 5. Kill the leader. Step 6. Sleep during the day. ) think Okay. I think that'll have to wait for next session, though. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. I think that'll have to wait for next session, though. ) Monkey . o O ( Step 7. Go to the palace and talk with Lord Sir High Autocrat, asking about survivors and Still Moon. Step 8. Kill the deathknight. Step 9. Kill the autocrat. Step 10. Free Still Moon. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Makese sense to me, mostly... I don't think the autocrat will know anything of value. ) Monkey . o O ( Step 7.5 Interrogate the deathknight. ) think You forgot step 11: Profit! The Storyteller . o O ( You forgot step 11: Profit! ) Monkey . o O ( Step 11. Profit! ) think Much better! The Storyteller . o O ( Much better! ) Monkey . o O ( Honestly, I think Step 11 is Fend off undead until sunrise. Step 12. Evac. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( and step 8.5, battle of barehanded Monkey vs. Deathknight in Warstrider over a sacrificial altar that Still Moon is strapped to! ) think So we'll stop here for the night and pick up again next week. The Storyteller . o O ( So we'll stop here for the night and pick up again next week. ) Monkey . o O ( Hmmm. Am I counting the time right? ) think 2 bp each and I'll see you next week... eh? The Storyteller . o O ( 2 bp each and I'll see you next week... eh? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yep! Starting after the survivors have been stowed? ) Monkey . o O ( that is, between now and the evac, how many hours approximately? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Probably 60. ) think Huh. Assuming they evac with the fleet... Kaizoku, when did you have that planned for? The Storyteller . o O ( Huh. Assuming they evac with the fleet... Kaizoku, when did you have that planned for? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Three days after we left the Sun. ) think Okay. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. ) think Any questions? The Storyteller . o O ( Any questions? ) Monkey . o O ( Remember. Rest during daytime. Act during nighttime. ) Monkey . o O ( Nope. G'night. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I'm good! Thanks! ) think All right. Night! The Storyteller . o O ( All right. Night! )