JesseLowe/PirateMonkeySession07
Back to Session 6: River Robbery
You say, "Where we left off, more or less. Did everyone get my e-mail earlier today, describing Tender?"
Captain Kaizoku says, "Yep."
Monkey says, "Haha, now I'm speaking pirate, and the program adjusts my speech pattern on the fly so I don't have to worry about getting it right. Arrr."
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Or maybe not.
Monkey . o O ( Drats. Speak pirate doesn't work in Game Commons. )
You say, "Let me check my e-mail, just so I can make sure we're on the same page."
Captain Kaizoku says, "Oh, a question first. How long does the Stormwind Rider spell last? It seems to be as long as you want."
TonyC [to Apollonian]: I got the bit about Tender.
You say, "Huh. So it seems. How does this sound? Stormwind Rider lasts as long as the sorcerer desires, but after four hours of travel, the sorcerer must make a Stamina + Endurance roll every hour to maintain the spell. This is difficulty 2 for the first four hours and increases by two every four hours after that. (i.e., dif 2, dif 4, dif 6, dif 8, etc.)"
Captain Kaizoku says, "That works. I'm not sure if I should get that first, or Majestic Radiant Presence."
You say, "Also, did you guys check out the changes I put up for experience and training times on the Wiki? It may not have shown up on Recent Changes thanks to that page's problems."
TonyC [to jetman]: I suggest Majestic Radiant Presence.
TonyC [to jetman]: For a different type of game, Stormwind Rider would've been more utilitarian, but I don't see Kaizoku needing nor willing to leave his crew for any significant length of time.
jetman [to TonyC]: That's what I was leaning towards. The spell will be handy for moving on and off a ship, when one is acquired. I was thinking it'd be useful for a boarding action, moving onto an enemy ship with an approach from the other side.
Captain Kaizoku says, "And I can't find the training time page, in looking."
TonyC [to Apollonian]: No. I'm checking the House Rules page now.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Oh, that part. I saw that days ago. It's cool.
jetman [to Apollonian]: On the house rules pagge about the case-by-case basis?
Apollonian [to jetman]: Actually, the "mission-based" experience.
jetman [to TonyC]: A notion I had regarding Stormwind Rider was do to the "impossibly fast ship" trick, IE, two identical ones operating in different places, with the captain and top crew shuttling between them at high speed.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Read that Wednesday. Given that that's how we played last week, it seems workable, although either you didn't give us enough XP or the example have a minor error.
jetman [to Apollonian]: Ah, got it.
Apollonian [to TonyC]: The example's fine -- I thought of codifying the rules after last week's session, so they didn't apply then.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Gotcha.
Captain Kaizoku says, "And the captain will start training for Majestic Radiant Presence, which should take four days."
TonyC [to jetman]: The impossibly fast ship trick is intriguing, but practicality says that you ought to wait until gaining the second ship is likely before learning that spell.
You say, "All right. You guys are headed for Tender, then. Two quick things: Suda finally catches up to you there, and confirms that the Deathknight doesn't appear to know what he's got, and that a caravan from Nexus is leaving in a month, bound for Tender. That's probably the one he'll be shipping the loot on. Second, me go get coffee while you tell me what "missions" you want for this session."
TonyC [to jetman]: Abyssal smackage?
jetman [to TonyC]: Ideally, yes, though ambushing the caravan might be tricky, given it's probably not close to the river. That, fixing the daiklave and checking out ruins are all options.
TonyC [to jetman]: In-character, Monkey would be pushing for action soon. Given that fixing the daiklave does not involve Monkey (or at least there are hoops I don't know about yet), checking out ruins seem to be the best option.
jetman [to TonyC]: How close is Monkey to healing up, BTW?
TonyC [to jetman]: Quite similarly, Kaizoku will probably want to spend the month usefully.
TonyC [to jetman]: 8 days. 4 days with rest, but I want to spend the time learning a charm too.
You say, "Back. Coffee's percolating, so I'll have to go get it in a few, though."
jetman [to TonyC]: Presuming it is a month. Waiting for the caravan to arrive at the town seems counterproductive, since there's troops there.
jetman [to Apollonian]: Does Suda have a map of the area and the caravan's likely path?
TonyC [to jetman]: Hmmm, double training time for no tutor. 10 days for a Perfect Dodge charm. If we still have enough time, another 10 days for Persistent Dodge Charm.
You say, "Okay... so I'm seeing: Train, heal, check out the ruin, ambush caravan. The first two are easily accomplished -- for most Abilities, Suda is willing to act as a tutor, and she can teach you the Serpent Style martial art as well. She can also teach spells of the First Circle, but she insists on a favor for each spell taught -- nothing counter to Kaizoku's goals, she promises..."
Captain Kaizoku says, "The captain will take the teaching offer under consideration (and get more XP). And at least seeing if the ghost smith is willing/able to help too."
You say, "Suda doesn't have a map of the area, but she does know the probable route of the caravan. If it's like most that take the road east, it will follow the Yellow River most of the way, more or less. The road, which dates back to the First Age in some segments, never strays further than ten miles from the river. That doesn't mean it's easily reachable from the river, though, as there are swamps and cliffs to deal with between road and river (not at the same places, of course.)"
Monkey asks, "Suda, what are you? You aren't a Dynast, and you aren't one of us, are you? You could be a spirit, but you're way too fleshy. So what are you?"
TonyC [to jetman]: Of the charms, I'd like to get the Perfect Dodge learned. The Persistent one can wait.
TonyC [to jetman]: So, how much time do you want to spend?
Scene-setting: It's the Bed of Lakmi, a hostel that caters to caravans, sailors, and merchants transitioning from one to the other. Monkey and Suda are talking on one of the second story balconies, watching the bridge crew train in melee combat in the courtyard.
TonyC [to jetman]: Correction. Healing time, combined with learning charm, will that 16 days.
Suda looks sideways at Monkey and says, "My great-grandmother is a powerful god who desires to see the return of your kind. Her power runs in my veins, albeit diluted, and I act as her agent in the East. It was she who taught me."
jetman [to TonyC]: Maybe just one charm now, as it'd be bad to linger so close to where Barada is sailing for too long, with the infamous piracy thing and all.
Captain Kaizoku turns from inspecting the crew's progress to address the mysterious woman when he can get a word in past Monkey. "I will need more information on the fragments of the artifacts. We failed to acquire the second one V'Neef Barada had for not knowing what it was."
TonyC [to jetman]: Oh. Forgot that the Surgeon's help will increase healing rate. Let's see. Hmmm, other incorrect calculations. Okay. This is correct. By the end of Day 10, Monkey will know Seven Shadow Evasion and is fully healed.
The Storyteller . o O ( Mission-wise. Checking out the ruins is a Minor mission. Raiding the caravan is a Major mission. What preparations are you going to make for each? White Soul Weeping can give you a pretty decent bit of info on the caravan practices, though his info is a few years out of date. )
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Hmmm. Per+Soc to see if she's lying or omitting something?
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( It depends on what Suda has to say about the artifact. It may be possible to stage a diversion and have Monkey go snatch it rather than doing an act of banditry. And also, how many men, troops and wagons does the caravan have? )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( In general, according to WSW. )
Suda clears her throat and draws a parchment out of her ever-present bag. "As you can see, Captain," she says as she unrolls the parchment to reveal a mess of sketches and notes in Old Realm, "my own knowledge is far from complete. I can tell you this much..."
Apollonian [to TonyC]: Yeah, Per + Soc to see about deception.
Monkey believes Suda, of course, being of a trusting sort.
Monkey rolled 2 dice on Per >>> {5, 6}.
The Storyteller . o O ( So I see. )
Captain Kaizoku leans over the parchments, examining them closely.
The Storyteller . o O ( Incidentally, I don't think I ever asked: Being a user of flame pieces, do you have any interest in Monkey learning Righteous Devil style? )
Monkey [to Suda]: Oh? Which one is your great-grandmother? I'll be sure to leave some offering and say thanks.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: No. Wrong feel.
Suda says, "I cannot say, as I am bound never to speak her name nor her epithets save in her presence, or during Calibration, when all bonds are loosed."
Monkey says, "Oh, that's okay then. I'll just do the usual prayer to the Ten Thousand Gods. I'm sure Heaven will make sure the prayer will get to the right goddess."
Captain Kaizoku clears his throat. "Especially the god who gave you all your power Monkey."
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Righteous Devil feels more "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" and not enough "Hardboiled."
The parchments are centered around a careful drawing of the puzzle piece that Suda has, with notes in careful Old Realm concerning its properties. These are, sadly, entirely mundane on the face of it. Around these notes, Suda has inscribed notes concerning what she knows of the rest of the puzzle. In short, there are supposed to be 5 pieces, all of orichalcum, which when assembled show the route from the Pole of Earth to the First Age depot.
Apollonian [to TonyC]: True dat. Somebody really needs to come up with a Gun-Fu style for flamewands, but that somebody's not me.
jetman [to TonyC]: A neat maneuver for Monkey would be jumping up, holding guns in both hands and both feet and firing as he falls towards the target.
The Storyteller . o O ( Checking session notes... brb... )
Captain Kaizoku asks "Might I see the piece you have once more? The others would have to be small, to fit in with a box of scrolls, and also quite powerful, hmmm?"
The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and getting coffee... Eh. WSW says that the caravan is likely to be guarded by between 50 and 125 soldiers, mostly mounted or on wagons, and at least fifteen of these will be nemissaries, god-blooded or thaumaturges. Occasionally there's a death knight, but only if the cargo is important. There are also likely to be war ghosts shadowing the caravan's route in the Underworld. )
TonyC [to jetman]: I have a similar stunt in mind, but it needs to be refined that it'll be both pretty and plausible.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( That calls for a stealthy approach, unless there's a good, large band of merc cavalry for hire nearby? )
Monkey . o O ( Yes, but it isn't likely they'll be willing to jeopardize their livelihood by contracting out against Walker. )
Monkey . o O ( Read the bit about tender. )
Monkey . o O ( One possibility is learning First Circle Demon Summoning and using the time to summon, say, twenty or so First Circle demons. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Lesseee, where was I? )
Monkey . o O ( Captain Kaizoku would like to see Suda's piece. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Summoning one stealthy one would be even better. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, the caravan. About twenty to thirty wagons drawn by yeddim. It's pretty big -- this isn't so much a treasure caravan, but a military supply one. It's usually bound for a fortress about forty miles deep on the west end of Walker's Realm. Also usually has a decent supply of slaves. )
Monkey . o O ( A First Circle demon isn't likely to be that good. )
The Storyteller . o O ( David, do you have Games of Divinity? )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Nope. )
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Hah, ask for the rarest supplement, will you?
The Storyteller . o O ( Really? Glad I've got it then. Mmmm, Borgstromy goodness.... )
jetman [to TonyC]: I was thinking about getting it for the cover, if for nothing else.
TonyC [to jetman]: Thirty bucks on eBay. Occassionally $50 if you get caught in a bidding war.
Monkey . o O ( Actually, a better possibility would be bribing a local god or spirit for a favor. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Anyway, quick house rule that I've been thinking about but have not codified yet. For every dot of occult, you automatically know enough to summon one type of 3rd circle demon or one 2nd circle demon, and how one should deal with it once summoned. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Naturally, you can learn more by roleplaying the research. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Is there anyplace suitable for such research in Tender? )
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Sounds too powerful. Summoning a 3rd Circle demon is Solar Sorcery. Granted you're talking about a limited form, but a third circle, regardless of type, is still a lot of power.
The Storyteller . o O ( Regarding the puzzle piece: It's a small rectangle of orichalcum, about the size of a pack of cigarettes (not that anybody in Creation would use that analogy), warm to the touch. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Oops, I meant First Circle. The weakest ones. )
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Ah, that's different. That seems about what Thaumaturgy covers.
jetman [to Apollonian]: So any First, or a particular type of Second circle then?
The Storyteller . o O ( The puzzle piece is dimpled and ridged in a pattern that seems to have little rhyme or reason. )
Captain Kaizoku gets out a sheet of paper, and with a questioning glance, starts to get an impression of the ridges.
Monkey . o O ( Consider paying a visit to one of the local temples and negotiation with a small god about either instant transportation or a limited time use of stealth charm. ) Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Oh, and can I make a Lore roll to get any more clues about this? ) Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hmmm. Could work. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Not exactly. For example, a character with three dots in Occult could choose to know enough to summon erymanthoi and agata (both 1st circle), as well as Octavian, the Living Tower, demon of the second circle. )
jetman [to TonyC]: Games of Divnity sold for $66, tops. Hrm.
TonyC [to jetman]: Correct, but yesterday I saw one with an end price of $31.50.
The Storyteller . o O ( That knowledge would be automatic -- he'd know that erymanthoi are brutes, good primarily for violence, and enjoy such violence, while Agata are the Beauteous Wasps, vain and vulnerable to flattery, and good mounts. He'd also know the benefits and dangers of summoning Octavian, that this demon has never been defeated in combat, hold command over all beasts of the earth, and desires to forge an empire in Creation. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and of course, he'd know the name. Without the name, summoning a demon is like fishing with your fingers in a pool of piranhas -- very dangerous. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( and would a demon like that be enough to divert a force of the size the caravan's using? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Octavian would clean the caravan's clock. He's Essence 7. However, unless you did a deal with him -- which would be costly -- you would earn his enmity. And, of course, you'd have to be able to cast Celestial Sorcery and Demon of the Second Circle. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Damn, Rebecca Borgstrom's a good writer. )
Captain Kaizoku has examined the map and thought of the capabilities of the caravan closely. "A direct battle will not work. We will need to use stealth, more stealth than we have available at this time.'
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Wait... what's the biggest land animal in the area? )
TonyC [to jetman]: A DRM-ed PDF version is available for around $9.
The Storyteller . o O ( Well, the caravan's probably going to have forty to sixty yeddim -- minimum. A yeddim looks like this: http://www.avph.hpg.ig.com.br/jpg/baluchitherium.jpg )
TonyC [to jetman]: There you go.
The Storyteller . o O ( That big enough for ya? )
TonyC [to jetman]: David?
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( In looking at and feeling the piece, is there any way he could narrow down the location of it using arcane knowledge when in the area of it? To find what wagon, specifically. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Not really... That's Charm or spell-level stuff. )
jetman [to TonyC]: A plan is forming, and that would be big enough.
jetman [to TonyC]: Though not being able to narrow it down is a big kink.
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, answering some previous questions very quickly. There may be a place in Tender to research demons, but it would be difficult to find and access, as it's probably hidden and guarded. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Would a local god be able to get the information of it's location in the caravan, and/or provide a stealth/invisiblity charm? )
TonyC [to jetman]: Okay. I have a request. State the mission of this week. If we do the ambush, that's fine. Monkey will learn the Persistent Dodge then. If we do not do the ambush, then I propose that we postpone the planning until next week and worry about either the ruin or jumping through the hoops necessary to fix your daiklave.
The Storyteller . o O ( You can make lore rolls both to figure some more out about the artifact and to assess the likely tactical situation. )
TonyC [to jetman]: I'm quite sure that in character, Captain Taiyo Kaizoku is busy refining his plan for the whole month, regardless of whether we do it today or next week.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Lore and what stat? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Intelligence for both. )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 6 dice on Artifact figuring >>> {7, 7, 7, 3, 4, 4}.
Captain Kaizoku rolled 5 dice on tactics >>> {9, 2, 3, 9, 5}.
jetman [to TonyC]: I concur, and we'll do the ambush next time, letting the caravan get closer and coming up with a better plan.
TonyC [to jetman]: What I do not want to happen is us spending another hour planning this only to have you decide that okay, Captain Kaizoku has a plan but is not going to wait a whole month and will do something else now, and thus necessitating us to plan again for the new mission.
The Storyteller . o O ( On the artifact: You believe this is the central piece of the puzzle, and can guess where at least one other piece goes -- a small hole on one surface. That's about it. )
The Storyteller . o O ( On the tactical stuff -- well, let's hold off till next week, and do the planning over e-mail. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Awright! Planning for the ruin mission, then: What questions do you have, first off? )
Monkey . o O ( Naturally, where is the ruin? )
Captain Kaizoku says, "Indeed, the situation is not favorable. I suspect that something in the ruins might equalize things, should there be First Age relics."
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Are they known, or lost and in need of rediscovery? )
TonyC opens up his Exalted map file.
The Storyteller . o O ( The book that mentions the ruin and piqued your curiousity does have some more info, though it's a little vague. The ruin is believed to be about three days journey southeast of Tender, in a wide valley. Tender is (hang on a sec...) )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, see that little bay in the Yellow River that points toward the Ebon Spires of Pyrron? )
TonyC [to Apollonian]: I recommend http://exalted.hd42.de/ for Exalted mapping purposes.
The Storyteller . o O ( I've got it! It's really great, too... I'm trying to convert it to a Campaign Cartography map, but Creation's a really big place. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Anyway, Tender is west of that nook, just over (as it were) the hump and about midway between Nexus and Great Forks. )
Monkey . o O ( That will put us in the middle of the shadowlands. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And where is the ghost smith in relation to that? He might have some knowledge of the place. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Not quite the middle, but almost on the edge, yes. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Ah, the map finally loaded to that point. )
The Storyteller . o O ( According to White Soul Weeping, the ghost smith is near the southern border of Walker's Realm. It's about 220 miles away, a 10-day journey one-way. )
The Storyteller . o O ( BTW, you know that, based on typical caravan speeds, the caravan will take at least two weeks to reach Tender from Nexus, and that's if they're making very good time. )
Monkey . o O ( Correction. The ruin would be on the northern edge of the shadowland. It'll be inside, but not very deep inside. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( We'll check for the ruin first then, before thinking of the smith. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Do you set out immediately, wait to heal and do a little research, or what? )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Since it IS in a shadowland, wait for Monkey to heal while the captain researches. And are there any good swords for sale in town? Exceptional ones? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Make a Wits + Bureaucracy roll. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and you can add dice from Charms. )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 9 dice on something >>> {10, 6, 1, 7, 10, 10, 9, 8, 1}.
The Storyteller checks his difficulty scale...
Monkey . o O ( Monkey needs 10 days from the day we set foot on Tender to heal and learn a charm. This can't be hurried up, but both things happen at the same time, so it's a wash. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Maybe the captain should study Stormwind Rider to avoid all these travel times. )
TonyC [to Apollonian]: I'm quite sure you mentioned that we have a month. Now it's two weeks. What happened to the other two weeks?
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay... After spending a few days dropping jade and silver in eager hands, CK is able to (your choice) find an Exceptional mundane sword at damn near free, or buy a soulsteel daiklave from a nervous Scavenger Lord for 3 bars of jade. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( The Daiklave then. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( It leaves in a month and takes 2 weeks to arrive, so that's 6 weeks total. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Give me a second... I'm going to calculate your current wealth real quick-like. Standard daiklave, btw, but it looks creepy as hell. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Last time, you said six talents of jade (5 true talents, 1 book talent), and 19,000+ silver dinars. )
TonyC [to jetman]: Ah. Quite a misunderstanding there.
The Storyteller . o O ( Aye, but I'm going to convert it all into obols and dinars for easy reference. Won't take but a minute. Meanwhile, can you adjust your character sheets to reflect the spent experience? Monkey's buying a Charm. What about CK? )
TonyC [to jetman]: Okay, I'm eating my own words. Stormwind Rider is beginning to look mighty tasty.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( He's going to use the purloined Black Book and study the Stormwind Rider spell among his other research. )
TonyC [to jetman]: With that, we might be able to see the blacksmith tonight. jetman [to TonyC]: As you said, the captain wouldn't leave the crew for extended periods, but with that kind of speed, he could go and do things and not have to be away long.
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, that's a week's worth of study and 8 XP for the captain. Add a couple days spent looking for a new sword, and you've both got ten days of downtime accounted for and it's now the 11th of Resplendent Wood. )
Monkey and Master Jaff starts getting ready for a wild night of drinking and gambling. At the very least.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And the captain picks up a boot knife too. )
Captain Kaizoku assmbles the crew for a meeting in the tavern before Monkey gets too drunk.
The Storyteller . o O ( Note: You have 10,624 obols or 83,000 dinars at current Nexus exchange rates. )
Monkey cheerfully attends the meeting, a skin of strong wine still in hand. Master Jaff, on the other hand, is plastered somewhere.
The tavern is not too far from the docks. It reeks of strong booze, loose women and boys, and quite a few fights.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And all that fits into just a couple of chests, right? )
TonyC [to jetman]: Easily.
The Storyteller . o O ( Of course. About four chests, or one cart. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Those are chests easily handled by one man. With two-man chests, you could bring it to two, maybe one and a half. )
Captain Kaizoku looks over the nine and a half other individuals at the table. He keeps his voice low, so as not to carry. "The situation with recovering the item that has been brought to my attention is currently untenable. A source of other, "vintage" items is nearby" he says. "With the new mode of travel I have uncovered, I can search it out within a day. Unfortunately, this is not as roomy as a ship. Mr. Monkey and Mr. Weeping are all who can accompany me."
The bridge crew takes up one corner of the bar -- Suda has begged off on tonight's briefing, pleading a night of research and a mild headach.
Monkey says, "Awright! I'll go pack right now, Captain."
Captain Kaizoku says, "Mr. Weeping knows the area, and Mr. Monkey's quick hands may be useful if this is the sort of old place I expect it to be. We should be no more than two days."
The crew signals assent. The kubernetes speaks up. "Is there anything you want us to do while you're gone, Captain?" Captain Kaizoku says, "It is out of our usual area of expertise, but I want the rest of you to examine options regarding the group we know to be coming. Be very, very discreet."
Meanwhile, Master Jaff opens one eye and looks around to see if anyone is paying attention to him.
It would appear that the monkey is unobserved... for the moment.
Seeing that Captain, Monkey, and the crew are busy at the meeting, and that none of the other bar patrons are particular entranced by a monkey, Master Jaff scampers away and goes to find Suda.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Suda is staying at the same inn?
Captain Kaizoku continues "It is possible that we may go further south to find the repair specialist I have been looking for. That may add another few days. If we are not back in a week, find passage south to Lookshy and acquire a ship."
It is a short scamper across the rooftops to the Bed of Lakmi, and there Master Jaff finds the strange woman on the roof, staring at the stars. She mutters to herself in a tongue that Master Jaff does not know (Old Tongue) and makes notes on fine silk paper with a glass pen by starlight.
The Storyteller . o O ( Did CK inform Suda of his plans? If so, she'll accompany his crew with her yacht. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yes. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Master Jaff's narrative turn. )
Master Jaff watches Suda for a few minutes before deciding that there are better places to satisfy his curiousity. Staying behind the shadows cast by The Lady and The Maidens, he hops into a window and tries to find an entrance into Suda's bedroom.
TonyC whispers, "I leave the exact nature of Master Jaff to you. He might even be just a mischievous monkey who's learned too much watching Monkey."
Monkey says, "Anything else, Captain?"
Suda's bedroom is as all the rooms on the third floor of the Bed -- luxurious enough for a wealthy merchant or caravan master, but only of middling size, with a bed large enough for two in one corner. A dressing area and a table and chairs fill the rest of the room, while a small couch lies beneath the window. Suda has left the window slightly open to let the breeze in, and smoke wafts from a brazier resting on the table. By the dim light of the burning incense, Monkey can see various papers and objects on the table, and a few books on the couch.
Captain Kaizoku says, "I believe all is clear. Do you have any questions Mr. Monkey?"
The Storyteller . o O ( I'm thinking Master Jaff started out as a regular, albeit terribly annoying, monkey, but in the presence of the Solar Exalted, he's slowly becoming more capable. Given sufficient adventures, he'll qualify for Familiar 4 or higher. )
"Permission to pass out, Captain?" Monkey asks with a happy smile.
Captain Kaizoku says, "Denied. Get to your bed first."
Master Jaff jumps on the table and rifles the papers when he catches a glint of something under the table. He jumps down and his hand darts out to grab the object. Oooo, a pitted date. Master Jaff happily munches his newfound treasure.
Monkey says, "Aye aye, Captain."
Captain Kaizoku says, "We'll be leaving early tomorrow, clear?"
The Storyteller . o O ( BRB, nature calls. Continue w/Master Jaff's larcenous leanings, eh? )
Monkey goes up the stairs, unsteady and yet never actually falling down. Just before the last step, he turns and frowns. "Master Jaff! Hey, anyone seen Master Jaff?"
Captain Kaizoku is allowing himself one glass of wine now that the briefing is done. "No. Where did you leave him?" he replies up the stairs.
Master Jaff climbs up the table leg, back to the books and papers and strange objects. Looking around the room, he frowns at Suda's negligence in providing food and snacks.
Monkey says, "Don't know, Captain. We were having a drinking match and he lost... I think over there."
Monkey points at an obviously empty table.
Monkey . o O ( Stop me before I have Master Jaff do something potentially plot-changing. )
Captain Kaizoku says with a bit of strained humor "Then go there and walk the way Master Jaff would!"
Master Jaff considers peeing on the papers to punish Suda, but decides that the pitted date salved something. But just then he hears the noise of someone approaching the door.
Monkey scratches his head and goes down the stairs and to the table.
Monkey says, "Okay, if I were Master Jaff.... I'd get some fresh air."
Monkey goes out.
Captain Kaizoku returns to his drink and small talk with the rest of the crew.
The Storyteller . o O ( back )
Master Jaff instinctually starts running toward the window, but right at the edge of the table, he stops, turns around, grins, and takes the shiniest object on the table before resuming his flight. Off the window, Master Jaff climbs up a rotting bamboo gutterpipe back to the roof.
TonyC [to jetman]: Quick! Which one is more entertaining. Is Suda still up on the roof or was the noise Suda returning to her room?
Suda enters her room, softly closing the door behind her and turning the lock. She looks around and sniffs at the odd smell, but then shakes her head dismissively and closes the window before she prepares for bed.
TonyC [to jetman]: Too alte.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Monkey approaching the room would have been the most entertaining! )
Up on the roof, Master Jaff finds an odd thing...
Monkey . o O ( Nah, Suda isn't my type. )
Where Suda was standing are the faint remains of a circle of salt, and a rubbed-out sigil in charcoal.
Master Jaff . o O ( Salt....)
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( No, Monkey goes in looking for Jaff and then Suda catches him snooping! Comedy gold! )
Monkey . o O ( Let's do it! )
Outside, Monkey looks around and thinks, "I can't see anything from here. I better go higher."
The Storyteller . o O ( Heck, go for it. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Naturally, Suda's going to bathe before she goes to sleep... )
Monkey enters an alley and makes a series of hops from wall to wall to reach the rooftops.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( "And there'll be plenty of fanservice too!" )
Master Jaff, like any other animal, does not pass the opportunity to take salt when available. Transferring his prize to his tail, both of Master Jaff's hand start picking the grains of salt and bringing them to his mouth.
The Storyteller . o O ( For reference, Suda looks like Diana Rigg when she was hosting Mystery! on PBS. Older but verra attractive. )
Up at the rooftop, Monkey looks around wondering which direction Master Jaff went.
Monkey shrugs and decides one direction is as good as any and picks a random direction, and as fate has it....
Monkey rolled 3 dice on Per + Awa >>> {4, 2, 8}.
Monkey catches the glint of moonlight reflecting off something. Squinting his eyes, he sees a familiar little shape hunched down over a certain roof.
Monkey hops from roof to roof towards Master Jaff.
Monkey bends down to pick Master Jaff by the cuff of his jacket. "Hola there, little fella. What have you been doing here? I've been looking all over for you."
Not knowing any better, Monkey was not being stealthy, nor did he try to keep his voice down.
Monkey . o O ( All yours, Storyteller. )
Master Jaff shrugs and grins, trying to look innocent.
Monkey says, "And what do you have here on your tail?"
The Storyteller . o O ( Let's see... Suda is in her room on the floor below, bathing. Of course, Master Jaff has eaten a good bit of that salt, messing up the circle... )
Monkey reaches down to pick Master Jaff's prize from his tail.
TonyC [to jetman]: And what would this item be?
A cold wind blows up out of nowhere, and the hairs on the back of Monkey's neck stand on end. "What would you desire, mortal?" a sepulchural voice intones inches from his ear.
Monkey somersaults to the other side of the roof to get some distance. "Whoah!" Master Jaff, still being carried by the scruff of his neck, screeches.
Oblivious to the drama above, Suda lathers up... (Fanservice! Fanservice!)
Monkey lands facing where he was just a moment ago, his free hand reaching for a knife.
TonyC [to jetman]: Okay, I'll allocate another five minutes for my screentime. Then we go back to you.
Monkey says, "Who's that?"
Though Monkey can see nothing clearly in the broken circle of salt, the starlight gleams strangely on the folds and curves of what seems to be a robed woman. The glint of eyes gazing at him can be made out on the spectral face. think Is Monkey's caste mark glowing at all?
The Storyteller . o O ( Is Monkey's caste mark glowing at all? )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I'm good with seeing what happens! )
Monkey . o O ( Nope. I haven't done anything that isn't beyond a heroic mortal's capability. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Make a Intelligence + Occult roll )
Monkey says, "You surprised me there. Sorry if I disturbed you."
Monkey rolled 2 dice on Int + no occult >>> {7, 3}.
The Storyteller . o O ( It's probably a ghost, based on the salt circle. The dead cannot cross a line of salt. )
Monkey says, "I was just looking for Master Jaff here. Hey, are you a ghost? Cool! I never saw one before."
Monkey says, "As for what I desire..., well, aren't you a bit forward? I just met you and here you are asking personal questions."
Monkey says, "I mean, what if I ask you the same thing. What do you want, ghost?"
"Yes, mortal, I am one of those who have gone beyond Creation to dwell in the lands of dust and shadows. What would you of me?" she says, becoming more and more visible, if no more solid.
Monkey says, "Nothing. There's nothing I want that I can't get myself. So far. When I think of something, I'll let you know."
Monkey turns his attention to Master Jaff. "So, what've you been up to? And where did you find this anyway?"
TonyC [to jetman]: Quick, what's this object?
She's now visible enough to make out clearly. A beautiful woman, her face is like a courtesan's mask -- clear and lovely eyes, narrow eyebrows, a blush upon her cheeks... but all is tainted a deep green. She is attired in black robes that conceal and reveal at the same time.
jetman [to jetman]: A peice of a puzzle from a first age locator wonder.
Monkey says, "Hey, I know what this is. It's that thingamajig Suda was carrying around. Uh oh."
Monkey's mind turns. Piece missing. Suda mad. Suda goes to Captain. Captain asks question. Captain finds out. Captain blames Jaff. Captain blames Monkey. Jaff blames Monkey.
Monkey says, "Master Jaff, where did you find this?"
The woman smiles sadly. "All I ask is remembrance. Offerings at my grave or in memory of my ancient beauty. In return, I will grant what I can, little though it may be." It may be monkey's imagination, but she seems a bit miffed that he's paying more attention to some chattering monkey than to her mysterious good looks...
Master Jaff grins and points down.
Monkey turns his attention to the ghost, but only briefly. "Sure. Who are you and where's your grave? By the way, I'm Monkey and this is Master Jaff. Nice to meet you."
Master Jaff screeches and raises a hand in greeting.
The woman bows deeply, exposing green, ghostly cleavage of impressive magnitude. "I am Kena of the Flowering Mansion. My grave is southeast of here, atop a verdant hill and beneath a willow whose roots stir my bones. If you would remember me, spill blood there or burn offerings of silk and tobacco."
Monkey says, "Certainly. Of course. Love to chat, but uh, how do I put this.... You're really pretty, but I'm going to be in big trouble quite soon if I don't do something."
Meanwhile, down below, Suda steps out of the bath and towels off, back to the camera. She steps behind a screen and dons a sleeping shift, never quite baring anything interesting to the audience.
Monkey bows to Kenna and lets Master Jaff go. He then circles around the ghost and goes toward the side with the window. Holding the edge with his feet, he hangs down over the window and knocks.
With a sigh like wind through grass, Kema fades from view.
Politeness served (hey, he knocked first!), Monkey pulls open the window.
The Storyteller . o O ( all yours )
Monkey . o O ( What? No, definitely yours. I mean, isn't Suda going to unleash some Sidereal kung-fu and kick Monkey's impertinent ass Seven Ways To Sunday? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Well, okay. )
TonyC makes a quick note: Possible name for MA charm. "Seven Ways To Sunday"
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Heh heh. )
Monkey blushes.
Monkey's entrance is graceful, up until the point where he slips on one of the books on the couch. Lurching forward with a yelp, he catapults forward into Suda's room. Onto the bed. Unfortunately. Suda reacts instinctively, curling into the best approximation of Serpent Form that she can while she's entangled in her bedclothes.
TonyC laughs.
TonyC [to jetman]: Keep in mind that you have White Soul Weeping and the entire crew to get into this kind of hijinx (but different kind!) whenever you want.
jetman [to TonyC]: How could any of them compete with Monkey in that department? :)
Monkey tries to push himself off the bed, while stammering an apology -- not something he's good at to begin with -- and puts his hands in _exactly_ the wrong places. Suda lets out an outraged kiai and strikes twice. Not the deadly stabs of the serpent, but the instinctive slaps of a modest woman letting a man know just how far over the line he's gone! Monkey staggers backward with bright red palm-prints on each cheek, slips on (yet another) pitted date, and topples backwards out the window, bouncing off a tarp before landing ignominiously in a watering trough.
Holding her blanket up over her chest, Suda leans out the window and shouts "Stay out of my bedroom, you pervert!" The bang of her slamming window echoes up and down the street.
Captain Kaizoku is alert enough for strange sounds to recognize a Monkey hijink gone wrong, and heads outside to look up and down the street.
Monkey shouts "BUT!" still holding the object.
The window slams back open and a round ceramic jug flies out, tumbling with uncanny aim down on Monkey's head. It's her chamberpot.
Monkey says, "What shall we do, Master Jaff?"
Captain Kaizoku strides up to the trough, hands on hips and looking stern. "WHAT are you doing calling out body parts outside of Suda's window Mr. Monkey?"
Bang.
Not even Reflex-Sidestep-Technique can possibly save Monkey from Fate.
Captain Kaizoku taps his food on the ground impatiently. "I'm waiting, Mr. Monkey."
Master Jaff isn't so constrained, and is already safely away, grinning and looking for a way to get back to the tavern without being noticed by Captain Kaizoku. Why, by the time he's back in the tavern, he looks positively innocent.
Monkey looks back and forth between Captain Kaizoku and the window, his hand still holding the object.
Monkey says, "It's kinda complicated, Captain. With gaps."
Captain Kaizoku gets even more irate. "AND stealing? That offense can get your hand cut off Mr. Monkey, and reflects poorly on the crew. On me. Suda is an ally we cannot offend."
Monkey says, "It wasn't me! I was even trying to give it back!"
Monkey . o O ( Well, that sobered Monkey up. )
Captain Kaizoku looks up to the window and back. "I suppose it was a ghost that did it? No more of your foolishness Mr. Monkey. Clean up and then back to your room. You will return that and apologize before we leave tomorrow, and you will have no spirits for the next month."
There's no helping it, despite Monkey's insistence on his innocence, the circumstantial evidence is quite stacked against him. So under heavy admonishment from Captain Taiyo Kaizoku, Monkey goes back to the tavern to clean up. Monkey protests the punishment. "For the whole month?" He's ready to faint already.
The Storyteller . o O ( Move on to the next scene? )
TonyC [to jetman]: Next?
Captain Kaizoku follows behind closely. "You are in my crew Monkey. What you do reflects on me, and on the Sun. Think about that."
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yep. )
The morning of the 11th dawns cloudy and gray, as a storm is brewing from the north. While the crew stays at the inn, Captain Kaizoku, Monkey, and White Soul Weeping walk to the edge of town in preparation for their travel.
The Storyteller . o O ( What are you taking with you? )
TonyC whispers, "Later in the night Monkey will try to find some tobacco and silk and abscond from the tavern to look for Kena's grave. He'll ask for her to return the object to Suda's room without raising more fuss. We'll handle the details over email?"
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Packs with a couple days of food and water, rope, several digging tools and any really relevant references picked up from V'Neef. )
Monkey has his usual "probable trouble" get-up.
The Storyteller . o O ( Sure. That'll take pretty much all night, but it'll be successful. Write it up for an extra 2 XP, if you like. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( What? Monkey's stuff? )
Monkey . o O ( Yeah. )
Monkey will also carry his share of the gear that Captain Kaizoku thoughtfully deems necessary and useful for such a mission.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( They walk out of town for an hour before using the spell, working out some signs to communicate over the wind. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Want to describe take-off? )
Monkey . o O ( Homework, really. Some minor things to handle over email. Let's see, among other things, technically I promised to sacrifice to Kena. And then there's the smoothing of ruffled feathers with Suda. )
TonyC adds to note: Smoothing of Ruffled Feathers makes a nice Socialize charm name.
Captain Kaizoku gets to a smooth patch of road and stops. "Time to begin. Each of you put a hand on my shoulder" he says as he tightens the straps of his pack and begins working his hands in mystical circles, moving them around and around. Pebbles start to move along the road as the wind slowly rises up, resembling his anima pattern. As the howling increases, he and the others are lifted off the ground completely! Obscured by the wind, but able to see out, this is an experience like no other. Leaning forward, the captain makes the whirlwind shoot forward like an arrow!
After a mere hour of travel, you approach the edge of Walker's Realm. Below you, the green land stretching from the Cloudy River begins to darken, first to a darker green, and then to an ashen gray. You do not yet see anything that might be a First Age ruin, but the faint outline of an ancient road heading due east looks promising.
Captain Kaizoku changes course to go down the road, displaying total control of the tornado, making it rise up 10 feet in a jarring hop to get a better look down the road.
Following the road leads you deeper into the shadowland, and the cold chill of the dead realm penetrates the whirlwind. You can feel the tone of the ambient Essence change -- it's fainter, colder, blander.
Captain Kaizoku frowns at the change, and the fact that Deathlords can run rampant in this reduced age. He does not let that chilling deter him from his course though.
Ahead, you see the road winding into a small range of hills. Stark against the pale morning sun, they are dotted with tall willow trees.
Between the hills, you come to what you have sought -- a ruin, clearly of ancient provenance. It is sheltered in the hollow beneath one hill, and concealed by two more that stand around it. In shape it seems roughly square, a twenty- or thirty-foot tall wall with toothy gaps and crumbling stone.
Captain Kaizoku carefully threads the whirlwind along the winding road and through the trees, nudging Monkey and White Soul Weeping to keep a sharp eye out.
The Storyteller . o O ( Make a Per + Lore check. )
Monkey looks behind.
Monkey rolled 3 dice on Per + Lore >>> {5, 5, 4}.
Captain Kaizoku rolled 7 dice on Per + Lore >>> {4, 2, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5}.
The Storyteller . o O ( Based on the construction of the wall, you're disappointed -- this is not a First Age ruin, but it dates back to before the Great Contagion. It's a relic of the Shogunate. Perhaps it was built near a First Age structure? And it, too, might have something useful in the fallen walls -- in the Age of Sorrows, artifacts from the Shogunate era are no small gift. )
Monkey . o O ( Just so we are clear, Master Jaff is back in Tender together with the crew, and no doubt making their life interesting. )
Captain Kaizoku nudges the others as he circles around the area once, just in case there are unwanted lurkers, then comes to a stop before the relic, stepping off the whirlwind as one might a gangplank, at which time it disspates like a summer breeze. "This appears to be the site, but not one from the First Age. Still, it is greater than anything made today, and we shall investigate" he says.
Monkey looks around, just to make sure nothing is creeping behind him, and extends his Tube into the staff form.
Monkey says, "Allow me, Captain."
Monkey walks into the ruin first.
The ruin is a square structure about 120 feet to a side, with sloping walls about ten feet in width and 20 feet high. At one time, they were bound by magic, but now it seems the polished granite is succumbing to the stress of the shadowland. To the south is the only door, now an empty hole in the wall. It is easily wide enough for all three to enter abreast. In some areas, entering over the walls is an option, and even an easy climb thanks to erosion.
Captain Kaizoku draws his odd-looking replacement blade and gestures with it. "Watch out for traps."
Monkey . o O ( Q: Has Captain Kaizoku attuned the soulsteel daiklave? )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yes, but only on the basic level. He didn't try to get past the incompatible material. )
Monkey . o O ( Ah. No MM bonus then. Gotcha. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Plus the best one, the automatic wounding, is out of the PG. )
Inside the ruin is a graveyard. Clearly, it's not the original purpose, but it's the first thing that catches the eye. Butted up against the northeast wall is another wall, concealing a room of some sort. An ancient stone door stands slightly ajar on the south wall of this room.
Two stone stairs lead up on either side of the entrance, ascending into air. At one time, it looks like there was an upper story of wood, but that has long since turned to dust.
Captain Kaizoku motions to Monkey and then to the door, looking to WSW and whispering "Opinion?"
The cemetery is a simple thing, four graves by four graves. Each is marked by a granite slab inlaid with the characters of High Realm from the Shogunate era in white jade.
Monkey makes several quick hops toward the door and pushes it open with his staff.
The Storyteller . o O ( make a strength roll )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Do the names on the graves have any meaning? )
Monkey rolled 2 dice on Str >>> {5, 5}.
The Storyteller . o O ( Not really. Each slab has a name, a date, and what looks like a rank and regimental identification. All are marked with an odd sigil -- Int + Lore to figure it out. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey hasn't the strength to open the door easily -- its iron hinges appear to be rusted in place. )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 5 dice on Int + Lore >>> {5, 5, 9, 3, 9}.
Monkey's casual push did not take into account the advanced age of the ruin. Frowning, he lowers the staff down and kicks the door open.
The Storyteller . o O ( The sigil is one that has thankfully faded from use -- it indicates that the deceased was a victim of the Contagion and that the grave ought not be disturbed. )
Monkey . o O ( Retry. Spending WP for auto-success on the Str roll. )
Monkey rolled 2 dice on Str >>> {6, 9}.
The Storyteller . o O ( That'll do it. )
The door shudders back with a screech that fills the courtyard. It's about halfway open now, and looking through, Monkey can see what remains of an armory. All treasure seems to be long gone, but...
Captain Kaizoku puts WSW in the rear and makes sure he checks their backtrail regularly, just in case, then goes up to the now-opened door and peers in.
The Storyteller . o O ( Perception roll from Monkey, please. You can add Awareness to it. )
Monkey rolled 3 dice on Per + Awa >>> {6, 1, 6}.
Monkey squints into the darkness.
Monkey sees nothing of interest and turns away from the room.
The Storyteller . o O ( Not dark -- this room is open to the sky. Well, okay, kinda dark, since it's the shadowland, but anyway... Monkey sees nothing of interest and turns away from the room. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Both of you make Per + Awareness rolls )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 4 dice on Per No awareness yet >>> {2, 7, 8, 6}.
Monkey . o O ( Ah. Sorry. I thought this room has its own roof and isn't part of the complex with the missing second floor. )
Monkey rolled 3 dice on Per + Awa >>> {10, 5, 1}.
The Storyteller . o O ( 'sokay. If it's still up, the URL for this map is http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/mapofweek/side800.jpg )
Monkey . o O ( Lol. You're using a D&D map! I find the juxtaposition funny. :) )
The Storyteller . o O ( It's convenient. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( So we just pried open 5? )
As you examine the graves, you hear a rumble of thunder from the north. The storm that was brewing near Tender seems to have caught up with you.
The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. )
The Storyteller . o O ( 8 looks like a covered well, 7 is where the graves are, and you can ignore the other numbers. )
Captain Kaizoku looks up at the darkening sky, not liking the look of it. "The graves are those of fallen soldiers. What we see here is too insufficient for a base. I suspect there is something below ground here" he says as he goes to check out the well.
The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, CK, make a Per + Awa roll for looking into #5. )
Monkey . o O ( Okay. My second roll succeeded, and yet it can't be for the storm. So what is it? )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 4 dice on Per No awareness still >>> {10, 6, 1, 7}.
The Storyteller . o O ( No, it was for the storm. You've got about half an hour before it hits. From what you've heard about shadowlands storms, it'll make travel nearly impossible, even with sorcery or Charms. )
Monkey . o O ( Wouldn't it be neat if the storm clouds block the sun and this entire base comes back to live again? )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hmmm. No. )
The Storyteller . o O ( CK, you see an area in the center of the room that looks like it was filled in. It's about 10 feet by 20 feet, and the grass here grows lush and dark green, a sharp contrast to the rest of the courtyard. )
Monkey says, "Captain, I'll go search this room."
Captain Kaizoku points out the extra lush area of grass to Monkey with his sword. "Check there first." he instructs. Monkey gives the room a thorough look, tapping walls, examining the floor, and of course, the center area.
The walls and floor are disappointingly solid, but the center area is strangely soft and spongy. Monkey kneels down and prods it with his staff as the first few clouds of the storm slide across the wan light of the sun.
Meanwhile... What're the captain and WSW doing?
Monkey . o O ( Oooo. Oooo. Ghosts! C'mon, ghosts. )
Captain Kaizoku maintains an alert watch for trouble, keeping a wary eye on the sky as he inpsects the well briefly, WSW running a circut between the two areas.
After a couple of pokes, Monkey's staff sticks. He tugs on it, puzzled, then notices red blood seeping UP the staff, climbing and looping across the surface, winding towards his hands.
Monkey pulls, hard.
Monkey says, "Captain!"
The Storyteller . o O ( Strength roll, pls. Add athletics. )
Captain Kaizoku abandons his investigation and motions WSW to follow him as he stries quickly back to the room where Monkey was.
Monkey rolled 7 dice on Str + Ath. >>> {1, 2, 6, 8, 5, 8, 9}.
You rolled 7 dice on something >>> {9, 3, 2, 3, 2, 10, 2}.
The ground tugs back, hard, and resists Monkey's attempt to get his staff back. Silhoutted against the blood, Monkey can see a claw-like hand wrapped around the staff.
Captain Kaizoku says, "Monkey! What have you done?!"
Monkey says, "Something is trying to pull the staff down!"
Captain Kaizoku gestures to White Soul Weeping. "Help him pull it up!" he instructs as he takes up a position close, but not on, the different-hued ground, ready to strike should more of this stuff come out.
Monkey . o O ( Your action. Then I'll act. )
The Storyteller . o O ( CK? )
Captain Kaizoku steps forward and drives his sword into the ground where the arm emerges from.
The Storyteller . o O ( Make an attack roll. )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 13 dice on Basic Attack >>> {2, 3, 1, 7, 5, 7, 10, 4, 2, 4, 5, 1, 7}.
The Storyteller . o O ( Subtract two successes for attacking blind (basically) and roll damage minus 1 soak. )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 11 dice on damage >>> {7, 5, 10, 10, 4, 3, 7, 5, 4, 7, 5}.
As Kaizoku drives his soulsteel blade into the lush earth, a terrible howl rises up from below, but it's quickly drowned out by a clap of thunder. The storm is upon you, and sheets of oily rain blanket the ruin.
The Storyteller . o O ( Roll initiative. )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+15 and got 24.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {2, 10, 10, 7, 5, 7}.
On 1d10+6, you rolled 12.
Monkey rolled 1d10+8 and got 18.
Monkey . o O ( Not adding staff speed 'coz staff is being held and thus useless. )
On 1d10+15, you rolled 22.
Initiative Order: CK, WSW, Monkey, hungry ghosts
Monkey . o O ( Yay, gaki! )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( What happened to the arm once the ground was stabbed? Anything visible? )
The Storyteller . o O ( It went limp, but it looks like there's at least one other hand attached. )
Captain Kaizoku steps forward several feet past where the first arm was, as if moving to the other side of its body, then lifts up his sword with both hands, point down, and plunges it into the ground once more (one action of 2, the second for defense).
Captain Kaizoku rolled 11 dice on Sword strike >>> {2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 3, 8, 3, 1, 9, 9}.
The Storyteller . o O ( roll attack. Again, subtract 2 successes. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Close. One success total then. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, roll damage. No bonus die, since 1L soak. )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 9 dice on damage >>> {5, 1, 10, 10, 5, 3, 10, 7, 7}.
@emit White Soul Weeping follows the captain's lead, raising his daiklave high and plunging it into the earth. White Soul Weeping follows the captain's lead, raising his daiklave high and plunging it into the earth.
You rolled 14 dice on something >>> {9, 3, 1, 1, 9, 10, 3, 2, 7, 2, 1, 9, 4, 3}.
You rolled 19 dice on something >>> {2, 10, 7, 4, 2, 3, 5, 10, 9, 9, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 5, 6, 1, 5}.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And here I thought the fight might be over already. :) )
When he pulls his blade up, a shadowy form is impaled on it. It shreds into nothingness as he shakes the daiklave, rain running down his cloak.
The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey, your staff is now free. )
Monkey says, "Thanks, Captain."
Monkey shakes his staff several times to loosen up the dirt and blood still clinging to it.
Captain Kaizoku keeps his sword pointing at the ground as he rubs his chin. "Hungry ghosts do not appear for no reason. Continue to see what is down there. It was no grave."
The Storyteller . o O ( Eh, combat's not over. )
Monkey . o O ( As far as I can tell, there's no other hungry ghost? )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Though we couldn't tell there were any to begin with! )
Monkey . o O ( Okay, let's restate this. Does Monkey perceive any other threat at the moment? )
The Storyteller . o O ( yes. (Sorry about the delays in answering -- I'm unusually tired for some reason) )
Monkey . o O ( where? )
Monkey says, "How do you propose to get rid of the earth blocking the way, Captain?"
As the three warriors stand around the unnaturally lush grass, they can see blood oozing up from the soil, mixing with the rain. Indistinct forms rise up with it, bleeding phantoms that resemble tortured soldiers in Shogunate-era armor, hands claw-like and grasping. There's about thirteen of them.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Can the captain use his held action for the Zenith anima flare now? )
Monkey calmly continues his conversation as his left hand reaches down for one of his flame piece. Without even turning around, he points the pistol at the phantom behind him and pulls the trigger. The jet of flame envelops the shadow.
The Storyteller . o O ( Soitanly. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey rolls first, though. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and a 1 die stunt bonus. )
Monkey rolled 7 dice on Flame Piece stunting. >>> {3, 5, 4, 6, 9, 8, 3}.
The Storyteller . o O ( roll damage, minus 1 for soak. )
Monkey . o O ( One of these days I will remember to add Accuracy. )
Monkey rolled 9 dice on Fire! >>> {2, 10, 4, 1, 3, 10, 6, 5, 1}.
The Storyteller . o O ( No defense, so roll damage. Soak is 1L )
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Hmmm, you might be thinking a different aspect of the anima ability.
The Storyteller . o O ( Eh? )
jetman [to TonyC]: Did you mean me?
TonyC defers to jetman's choice, but would like to suggest that he considers the alternate application of the Zenith anima ability.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( There's the "damage one" and the "scare all" I was thinking of the latter one. )
Monkey . o O ( That's what I thought. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( What application did you have in mind? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Oy. Monkey, have you rolled damage? )
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Yes. Flame Piece Stunting is the to-hit. Fire! is damage.
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, I thought you were re-rolling the to-hit. Ach. )
The hungry ghost behind Monkey vanishes in a rush of fire as the others close in on the living -- well, half-living in WSW's case.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {8, 8, 8, 2, 8, 5}.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {5, 10, 9, 5, 9, 8}.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {1, 2, 3, 10, 10, 1}.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {2, 5, 1, 5, 10, 1}.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {5, 1, 4, 7, 6, 1}.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {9, 5, 9, 4, 5, 2}.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {1, 9, 5, 4, 2, 6}.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {9, 2, 3, 3, 9, 10}.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {8, 10, 4, 9, 6, 8}.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {3, 4, 8, 4, 4, 6}.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {7, 7, 2, 10, 8, 10}.
You rolled 6 dice on something >>> {1, 7, 5, 10, 5, 2}.
Captain Kaizoku puts his fists out to his sides, arms curled forward and invokes the power of the Unconquered Sun. A sea made of sunlight begins to shine at his back as glowing winds surround him, waves and winds crashing with each other in a cloud of light that threatens to outstrip the weather overhead. "Raging STORM!" he roars.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( That's the "fearful aspect" application of the anima banner, BTW. )
The Storyteller . o O ( I figured... :) )
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {4, 5, 10}.
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {3, 7, 6}.
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {3, 9, 8}.
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {8, 6, 6}.
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {1, 9, 7}.
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {6, 9, 6}.
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {5, 8, 6}.
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {10, 4, 8}.
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {8, 7, 6}.
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {3, 3, 1}.
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {5, 10, 6}.
You rolled 3 dice on HG valor checks >>> {2, 3, 6}.
As the thunderous waves of golden light crash into them, the vengeful dead blanch in terror. One flees out the door, while a few overcome their terror with savage hunger.
You rolled 6 dice on HG attack >>> {10, 1, 6, 9, 5, 10}.
You rolled 6 dice on HG attack >>> {2, 10, 2, 7, 7, 6}.
You rolled 6 dice on HG attack >>> {7, 1, 10, 5, 5, 6}.
You rolled 6 dice on HG attack >>> {7, 9, 6, 9, 8, 8}.
You rolled 6 dice on HG attack >>> {1, 8, 7, 3, 9, 1}.
You rolled 6 dice on HG attack >>> {7, 7, 6, 9, 10, 3}.
You rolled 4 dice on Scared HG attack >>> {8, 6, 7, 5}.
You rolled 4 dice on Scared HG attack >>> {5, 3, 5, 5}.
You rolled 4 dice on Scared HG attack >>> {2, 8, 4, 9}.
You rolled 4 dice on Scared HG attack >>> {4, 9, 6, 3}.
You rolled 4 dice on Scared HG attack >>> {5, 1, 8, 9}.
You rolled 4 dice on Scared HG attack >>> {10, 4, 6, 10}.
The Storyteller . o O ( You know, that's too much trouble. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Four ghosts on WSW, four on CK, 3 on Monkey. Each group gets a single roll. )
You rolled 6 dice on Monkey ghosts! >>> {9, 8, 7, 7, 10, 6}.
You rolled 6 dice on CK ghosts! >>> {1, 1, 5, 6, 7, 2}.
You rolled 4 dice on WSW ghosts! >>> {2, 3, 7, 9}.
You rolled 12 dice on Monkey ghost claws! >>> {2, 3, 1, 9, 1, 7, 10, 8, 2, 8, 4, 2}.
The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey takes 5L damage as the ghosts claw hungrily at his young, tender flesh. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Mmmm... flesh.... )
The Storyteller . o O ( Wait, make that 3L. Rolled too many dice. )
You rolled 5 dice on CK ghost claws! >>> {1, 5, 7, 6, 8}.
The Storyteller . o O ( CK soaks the damage, the claws of the ghosts sliding off his breastplate. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Wait... Monkey, does your dodge charm give you an extra dodge? )
TonyC [to Apollonian]: I had several options. I can reflexively dodge all of them. I could reflexively increase my soak to 4L. Since you already described it, I'll take the 3L. Please ask what Monkey can do next time.
The Storyteller . o O ( Sorry. )
You rolled 5 dice on WSW ghost claws! >>> {10, 4, 9, 4, 1}.
The Storyteller . o O ( White Soul Weeping is also protected by his armor. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Roll initiative. )
On 1d10+6, you rolled 13.
Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+14 and got 21.
Monkey rolled 1d10+15 and got 18.
On 1d10+16, you rolled 24.
The Storyteller . o O ( WSW leads off. What do you want him to do, captain? )
Captain Kaizoku points at three of the less-scared looking ghosts and draws his thumb across his throat.
WSW nods and leaps into action, white blade swinging like the thighbone of a giant in the hands of a wyld barbarian. (Splits his action 4 ways, leaving one dodge for defense).
You rolled 10 dice on First attack >>> {6, 2, 9, 10, 9, 10, 9, 9, 1, 7}.
You rolled 9 dice on second attack >>> {3, 4, 8, 1, 6, 4, 9, 1, 1}.
You rolled 8 dice on third attack >>> {7, 6, 2, 6, 1, 6, 6, 10}.
all the ghosts attempt to dodge with full pool...
You rolled 5 dice on HG dodge >>> {9, 3, 10, 3, 1}.
You rolled 5 dice on HG dodge >>> {5, 7, 3, 3, 8}.
You rolled 5 dice on HG dodge >>> {3, 10, 5, 8, 7}.
Monkey . o O ( I'm taking 4 actions. All attacks. Also reflexively using Spirit Strengthen The Skin so soak is 4B/4L. )
You rolled 22 dice on WSW damage >>> {10, 10, 7, 6, 9, 9, 3, 6, 2, 1, 3, 3, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 9, 6, 6, 8}.
The first ghost in the arc of White Soul Weeping's daiklave is shattered by the dreadful impact of his blade, but the slight delay as it carves through the corpus is enough for the other two to throw themselves back. He ends his attack with the blade held down and back from his waist, a sharp grin hidden beneath his veil.
The Storyteller . o O ( CK's turn. )
Captain Kaizoku adopts a fencing pose, free hand at his waist as he unleashes four blazingly-fast thrusts with his dark blade, the soulsteel standing out like an eclipse against the glowing storm of his anima banner as the point whips out to the dessicated skulls of the closest and boldest hungry ghosts, his wrist seeming to stay in place.
The Storyteller . o O ( Ooh, that's a nice 2-die stunt. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Four attacks. Does that add to each blow, or just the pool overall? )
The Storyteller . o O ( You're taking four attacks (I'm assuming at four separate ghosts) at -4, -5, -6, -7 in that order. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Got it. )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 11 dice on Sword >>> {1, 3, 9, 3, 4, 4, 3, 9, 10, 4, 1}.
Captain Kaizoku rolled 10 dice on Sword >>> {10, 8, 8, 6, 7, 9, 2, 5, 10, 2}.
Captain Kaizoku rolled 9 dice on Sword >>> {2, 3, 10, 7, 9, 7, 6, 10, 2}.
Captain Kaizoku rolled 8 dice on Sword >>> {10, 1, 10, 7, 1, 5, 7, 7}.
The Storyteller . o O ( all the ghosts attempt dodges )
You rolled 5 dice on HG dodge >>> {10, 1, 8, 5, 9}.
You rolled 5 dice on HG dodge >>> {6, 1, 4, 1, 5}.
You rolled 5 dice on HG dodge >>> {9, 5, 5, 10, 10}.
You rolled 5 dice on HG dodge >>> {8, 6, 3, 10, 8}.
The Storyteller . o O ( Missed the first one, 8 extra successes on the second, 2 extra successes on the third and fourth )
The Storyteller . o O ( soak is 1L )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 19 dice on Slice HG >>> {5, 3, 4, 9, 4, 5, 2, 4, 8, 5, 9, 7, 8, 5, 8, 3, 8, 9, 1}.
Captain Kaizoku rolled 13 dice on Slice HG >>> {6, 5, 7, 8, 6, 3, 6, 2, 6, 1, 5, 5, 4}.
Captain Kaizoku rolled 13 dice on Slice HG >>> {1, 1, 3, 8, 3, 9, 5, 10, 2, 9, 5, 8, 5}.
The Storyteller . o O ( That's enough to destroy all three you hit. Care to describe? )
Captain Kaizoku 's long black sword pushes through the air as one ghost wails like the damned thing that it is, but the other three thrusts strike true, entering eye sockets and emerging from the back of the skull, collapsing the ghost into a pile of dessicated bones, then the next and the next.
The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey? )
Monkey looks at the red smear growing from the rakes on his body and limbs. "That hurts." Holding his staff on both hands, he pirouettes once making a low circular sweep at all the hungry ghosts around him, ending up in a low crouch. As he does that, a glint of light twinkles from Monkey's Dawn castemark.
The Storyteller . o O ( roll it, same penalties as CK. Also a 2-die stunt. )
Monkey . o O ( there's only three around me, so I may have to attack the same ghost twice, that is, if the first sweep didn't knock all of them out. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Sure. They'll all dodge, of course. )
Monkey rolled 10 dice on Yay Accuracy >>> {8, 6, 10, 2, 10, 4, 5, 4, 1, 5}.
Monkey rolled 9 dice on Yay Accuracy >>> {4, 5, 6, 8, 2, 9, 8, 6, 1}.
Monkey rolled 8 dice on Yay Accuracy >>> {1, 3, 10, 8, 7, 6, 6, 8}.
Monkey rolled 7 dice on Yay Accuracy >>> {5, 8, 6, 2, 4, 4, 5}.
You rolled 5 dice on HG dodge >>> {2, 10, 2, 7, 3}.
You rolled 5 dice on HG dodge >>> {10, 1, 3, 8, 6}.
You rolled 5 dice on HG dodge >>> {1, 6, 2, 3, 7}.
Monkey . o O ( 5, 3, 5, and 1. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Remaining successes: 2, 0, 4, 1 -- so you hit each ghost once. )
Monkey rolled 14 dice on Bashing damage A >>> {10, 4, 1, 6, 5, 9, 1, 6, 6, 2, 4, 7, 5, 2}.
Monkey rolled 12 dice on Bashing damage A >>> {10, 5, 1, 9, 8, 2, 9, 3, 7, 8, 3, 6}.
Monkey rolled 16 dice on Bashing damage A >>> {10, 6, 9, 3, 3, 9, 5, 2, 2, 4, 4, 5, 4, 8, 1, 4}.
Monkey rolled 13 dice on Bashing damage >>> {1, 2, 7, 10, 8, 6, 10, 1, 9, 9, 7, 5, 5}.
The Storyteller . o O ( That's enough damage to knock all three out of the fight as long as it's going to matter. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Describe? )
There's a moment of silence as both Monkey and the hungry ghosts stops moving. Then the three ghosts toppled, their ghost legs broken under then, and their vapor form blurs as they sink into the earth.
Only three ghosts remain, and realizing that even when you're that hungry, discretion can be the better part of valor, they sink back into the earth, accompanied by unceasing moans.
The Storyteller . o O ( That's the end of that combat, though the storm rages on. What's your next step? )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( The "burn up a body" anima power when used on their bodies will get rid of them for good, right? Or doesn't it work after a dead person has risen to be hungry? )
Monkey . o O ( I think it will work just fine, but you'll have to find their body first. )
The Storyteller . o O ( I agree. Note that there were originally 16 ghosts. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I'll bet it's under the earth we just probed. )
Captain Kaizoku says, "Monkey! Continue probing there!"
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And did the captain find anything out of the ordinary at the well? )
Monkey looks at the tears in his clothing. "Drats, and me with no sewing kit."
Monkey probes probes.
The Storyteller . o O ( As for the well -- it goes down a very long way indeed. Make a Wits + Lore roll )
Captain Kaizoku rolled 7 dice on Wits & Lore >>> {8, 7, 10, 3, 1, 10, 1}.
Monkey . o O ( Okay, it's been established that firedust is not gunpowder. However, will it explode? That is, will it dig a big enough hole so we can go into the basement by the front door? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Based on what you know about shadowlands, that well is probably the center of this section of Walker's Realm. As such, it would reach down into the Void. Staying away is a good idea. )
Monkey . o O ( Oooo! Oooo! Let's go in and visit Malfeas. I hear it's a pretty cool city. )
Captain Kaizoku searches for a large enough fallen stone to cap the well, just in case, and has WSW help with the lifting.
The Storyteller . o O ( Firedust: It will explode, if properly tamped into a keg. That would take an Intelligence + Craft roll, and a keg or similar container that would hold it tight. However... )
Monkey . o O ( However? )
With the ghosts gone, Monkey finds that the lush patch is fading fast. As he pokes at it with his staff, he watches the grass turn gray and crumble into dust, and the soil collapse in on itself until it's the bottom of a pit, three feet below the surrounding ground.
Monkey says, "Captain! I found the entrance!"
Revealed by the pit is the top of a tunnel leading down and south.
Monkey says, "Or the entrance found me. Hmmm."
Captain Kaizoku plunges his sword into the earth to clean it of external taints before going over to the pit and looking down. "As I suspected. Those ghosts were not created by accident. Lead the way" he says, his anima storm banner still up, should any evil creatures be near.
The Storyteller . o O ( make that southwest. )
The Storyteller chuckles at the idea of cleansing a soulsteel blade of taint.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( That's why I said "External." :) )
Monkey takes a deep breath to clear his mind as he prepares to descend into the... big hole full of crawly thingy with dirty sharpy hands.
White Soul Weeping silently moves in first. He explains -- in a sign language that he's trying to invent -- that he has better night vision. Sword extended like a cane, he descends.
The Storyteller . o O ( You follow after, Monkey then CK? )
Captain Kaizoku gives the big man a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder as he goes down, sending Monkey next and guarding the rear himself, sword out as well, blade invisbile in the many shadows.
Monkey . o O ( Durability of Oak Meditation + Spirit Strengthen the Skin = 12B/12L soak. )
Monkey follows behind White Soul Weeping, staff held as if this is just another hiking trip. After a while, he starts whistling a ditty.
The tunnel is surprisingly short, ending a mere twenty feet below the surface (at a guess). It is lined in well-fitted stone, about six feet high, and ends in a large cellar. The roof has sixteen holes in it, and it does not take much insight to guess that these match the graves above. Below each hole is a skeleton in the rotting remains of shogunate armor.
By this time, Monkey's caste mark is glowing brightly from his Essence expenditure.
Monkey says, "Captain, as the traditionally authorized agent of the Gods...."
Captain Kaizoku looks them over. "I suspected as much. On the way out, I will send each of them up to the Heavens."
Around the edges of the cellar -- which is large, about half the width of the fortress above -- are draped and shadowed shapes.
Monkey bows slightly to the captain.
Captain Kaizoku says, "Monkey, your pole, on those drapes."
Monkey pokes the drapes and tries to hook them off.
The Storyteller . o O ( That'll take a while -- they're all around the room. In short, you find a lot of stuff, most of which is ruined loot from the victims of the ghosts. )
Monkey says, "Captain, shall I try burning them off?"
Monkey says, "The drapes, that is."
The Storyteller . o O ( Still, there's stuff stored here to be worth keeping. It takes you about an hour to yank all the cloths off and search through the ancient loot. )
Captain Kaizoku says, "Fire in a small place is a bad idea Monkey. "
The Storyteller . o O ( BRB -- gotta skim over Outcaste to figure out what's here. )
Monkey says, "Indeed. I prefer fire in big places myself."
Captain Kaizoku says, "There must be a reason for this chamber besides as an ambush point for hungry ghosts though. Search around for another door."
Monkey . o O ( Hmmm, metagame concerns. If the things we find here are heavy, we may have some problem carting them back. Stormwind Rider does have a weight limit. )
Monkey says, "Aye aye, Captain!"
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( 600 lbs past the caster, and WSW is a big guy. )
Monkey turns every stone that can be turned over and pokes and prods everything else.
Captain Kaizoku sorts the plunder with a careful eye towards mystical artifacts.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Spending 1 WP for auto-success.
Most of what remains intact appears to be grave goods or other products of the Underworld. Sifting through the soulsteel obols and strangely intact items is a rather unnerving experience. None seem terribly useful, though. What is useful is what remains from the outpost's original purpose as a bastion of the Shogunate.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Which is? )
Monkey ponders. "Should we take the grave goods, Captain? On one hand, it's improper. On the other hand, they did attack us and we're pirates and the ghost-smith might find them valuable.
Captain Kaizoku says, "They are not grave goods, as those soldiers were not properly buried. I will burn the bodies properly and we will put the goods to a greater purpose."
This appears to be single suit of armor, crafted from a variety of magical materials, a pair brass and steel tubes that resemble very large firewands, a set of hearthstone bracers (in jade, of course), and (best of all), a light implosion bow, carefully stowed in a crate.
Monkey . o O ( Sweet! )
The Storyteller . o O ( make a Per + Lore roll for identifaction of the first two dealies. )
Captain Kaizoku calls Monkey over to the tubes. "You are the expert in fire weapons. Can you tell me about these?"
Captain Kaizoku rolled 7 dice on Per + Lore >>> {7, 6, 10, 1, 9, 2, 9}.
Monkey rolled 3 dice on Per + Lore >>> {10, 9, 10}.
Monkey says, "Why, that's easy, Captain."
The Storyteller . o O ( The armor is Ashigaru Battle Armor, Outcaste p. 50. The weapons are small essence cannons, Outcaste p. 52. Do you have Outcaste? )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I do not, but I've been hearing a lot of good things about it lately. I think the basic bits of the cannon are in the PG. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, I'll e-mail stats to you guys. I also think we'll call it here, as I'm about to drop. )
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Okie.
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Quickly though, how much does all that stuff weigh? )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Vis a vis walking back or flying with STormwind Rider (600 pounds besides the captain). )
The Storyteller . o O ( This is all there is to the outpost -- the cellar is quite literally the cellar, and has no more sinister purpose. CK incinerates the bodies no problem, and by the time you finish up, it's noon. )
The Storyteller . o O ( the total loot weighs (think, think) )
Monkey . o O ( If necessary, Monkey can probably wear the Ashigaru battle armor and takes off on his own. ) t The Storyteller . o O ( 160 pounds total. WSW weighs about 200 pounds, Monkey a lot less. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Wow, I thought WSW was a 300 lb plus giant! )
The Storyteller . o O ( Big, but thin, IIRC. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( So fly back with Stormwind and start the next session at the inn? )
Monkey . o O ( Good. So we have weapons. Soon, we'll have the ship to go with the weapons. )
The Storyteller . o O ( XP: 3 for attendance + 2 for mission = 5 each. )
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Thank you.
The Storyteller . o O ( NP. Further stuff we can do over e-mail, which I'll have a chance to respond to this week. )
Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Sorry I held up the start of the game with my dithering. )
The Storyteller . o O ( See you later. )
@quit
*** Disconnected ***
