JesseLowe/PirateMonkeySession16

TonyC pages, "Be there in a minute."

TonyC materializes out of thin air.

You say, "Heya!"

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Let's get the preliminaries out of the way. HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

Apollonian [to TonyC]: Yay! Turkey Day!

Apollonian [to TonyC]: And a happy Turkey Day to you as well!

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Where's David? We're aren't too early, are we?

Apollonian [to TonyC]: He sent an e-mail saying he'd be 15-20 minutes late.

Monkey . o O ( Oh no, the demons of bad grammar struck! )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Ah well, in that case... let's discuss Exalted. Say, new charm. Players Guide, in their Applicability of Perfect Defenses chapter say that Heavenly Guardian Defense trumps applicability because the charm text says so. It also goes on to say that a similar Dodge charm costing about the same should be possible. So, what do you say?

Apollonian [to TonyC]: I say it sounds good -- in fact, I thought I mentioned it in an e-mail some time ago. But yeah, it sounds reasonable: Perfect effect + Perfect applicability. I'm not sure what the prereq should be, but for Monkey, it's a moot point.

Monkey . o O ( Here comes another XP drain.... )

Apollonian [to TonyC]: I feel obliged to point out that something ratcheting up your damage output might be a better purchase at this point...

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Taking the Melee tree as analogy, the Super Perfect Dodge is probably requires Shadow Over Water, Essence 3, and Dodge 5.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Will be taken care once Monkey starts delving into MA.

Apollonian [to TonyC]: Sounds about right.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: After this arc Monkey should have ST 3. Combine that with the ST increase charm, he'll have ST 6. If Monkey can reliably hit things then, it should be good enough.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: I'm more worried about Kaizoku's life expectancy. His defence is fragile.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Good thing he has a good, if easily distracted (ooo, shiny!), bodyguard. :)

Apollonian [to TonyC]: I think, as envisioned at the beginning of things, Monkey is his defense, to a point. Speaking of, there ought to be a good Melee Charm that lets you parry attacks aimed at someone else, like all those DB charms. THen again, maybe it's not really a Solar schtick... as originally designed, a Solar would have a couple of DBs to take the fall while he powered up for Ungodly Ass-Kicking Mayhem Technique.

jetman has arrived.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hi ho! )

TonyC [to jetman]: Happy Turkey Day!

jetman [to TonyC]: And a happy one to you too!

You say, "Getting a little coffee on. BRB. If y'all want to start the session with Captain Kaizoku awaking Monkey and demanding an explanation for why he's slept late, that's cool."

Monkey . o O ( Ah, yes, that. What time are Monkey and the captain supposed to go to the island? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( D'oh, I completely overlooked the idea of things progressing without me last week... darn ego. Looking at the session log now. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Well, the Captain gets up at dawn, but he'd want to interrogate the prisoner a bit first, so maybe 8 AMish. )

Monkey . o O ( Monkey is nowhere to be found at that time. )

Captain Kaizoku prods Monkey's bunk in case he has some new clever invisibility trick, then sends the crew out looking for him, checking in personally on the bound Thief of Crows, the likely one to make trouble now.

Monkey . o O ( Will the interrogation proceed without Monkey? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I wasn't planning on it, but White Soul Weeping is in port, so he could be the muscle backup. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Still, Monkey being gone is a bit troublesome, considering the amount of stealthy assassins around the city of late. Was Monkey's bed slept in? )

Monkey . o O ( Okay, that takes one hour, maybe two. And no, Monkey's bed wasn't slept in. )

Monkey . o O ( The crew won't find Monkey (obviously), since Monkey is off on Blessed Isle. The big question is, once it's clear that Monkey is not to be found, how long before Captain thinks about checking his bunk again? )

Monkey . o O ( Hmmm, does Monkey rate his own cabin? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yes, he does. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And the Captain likely wouldn't look there again for some time. )

Monkey . o O ( Left on his own, Monkey's likely to sleep for the eight hours after he's back. So I guess it's up to luck. Ask Jesse when will the cabin girl comes in to clean and notices Monkey snoring softly in his bunk. )

The Storyteller . o O ( back. Hm. The question is, does the cabin girl ever risk entering Monkey's cabin? Second, if and when she does, does she know to notify the captain? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Of course, the crew would be searching the rest of the ship from stem to stern and making quite a ruckus as the Captain has the place searched for signs of foul play. )

Monkey . o O ( Monkey's missing got to be a big news amongst the crew. Now, the Lookshy folks don't care, but surely Captain isn't letting anyone who isn't crew (or prisoner) on board? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Presumably the crew has some cabin critters to do this sort of thing of its own. )

The Storyteller . o O ( I dunno... I mean, Monkey does have reputation for being impulsive and (to a certain extent) sneaky. )

Monkey . o O ( And what do you mean risk? Pbhpt. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( The Captain would head to the Manse to see if there was any more turmoil in the enemy camp, or missing warstriders. )

Monkey . o O ( The godling might be able to sense Monkey. Also, Thief of Crows might be able to clue Kaizoku on the box's ability. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( If it was hers and not the other one's. Well, shall we play out the Captain trying to get some answers out of the Thief? )

Monkey . o O ( Anyway, it's really up to luck. Someone passing by Monkey's cabin might see or hear something. )

The Storyteller . o O ( So... let's see if I've got the order of events correct: Captain wakes up early (as usual), gets some breakfast or something to go bother Monkey, finds Monkey absent, tells the crew to look for Monkey, goes and checks in on the Thief of Crows. All that does probably take about an hour. Then... )

In the meanwhile, Monkey zzzzzs.

The Storyteller . o O ( By this time -- oh, I don't think WSW is around yet. Gimme a second. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Oh, you're right. I read Lookshy instead of Celeren on his arrival. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Well, the Carpenter will stand in, as he has a big hammer. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Aye. He's just left Lookshy the day before. Your other ships are in port, though. )

TonyC will be the peanut gallery.

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Gimme a moment to print out the ToC's sheet. I nearly forgot about tonight's game because I was immersed in Deus Ex: Invisible War, so, y'know... )

The Storyteller . o O ( Meanwhile, tell me how you're setting up this interrogation. )

Monkey . o O ( Bah, HL2 is the shiznat. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Bah, my computer couldn't run HL2 no matter how much I overclocked it. )

The Storyteller looks unhappily at his 3-year-old PC.

Monkey . o O ( Or so my housemate think. I don't actually give a damn about HL2. )

Captain Kaizoku has the Thief bound and shackled in a chair in the strong room of the Nimbus, arms bound behind her and feet tied to the legs, and together, with sand tossed onto the floor to show any footsteps for sneaking away. The Carpenter will stand behind her, hammer ready, waiting to smack her in the head if she tries someting or at the Captain's signal.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( As a Mac user, it's all Greek to me. )

The Storyteller . o O ( She's still unconscious? I'm assuming so, anyway. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yes. Next is a glass of water wake-up, followed by the 10 gallon one if needed. )

Monkey . o O ( Where's truj )

Monkey . o O ( WHere's truth serum when you want some? )

The Storyteller . o O ( And what is she wearing? After all, you stripped her armor, so that would leave probably just light (black silk, natch) undergarments. I can't see them being all that skimpy, though. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Untold millenia away? I suppose some heroin would loosen up prisoners just as well, but that would be wrong. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( A simple shift from stores... even her underwear isn't on this ship. )

The Storyteller . o O ( My goodness. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( The Surgeon handled that. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hey, the Mantle of Brigid looks like tatty old cloth. )

Monkey . o O ( Ratty Underwear of Abyssal Mighty Doom! )

The Storyteller . o O ( Lit by candles, torch, or the Captain's anima? )

Monkey . o O ( When do Abyssals have to go to Appearance extremes? Essence 4 or 5? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( The last, on the lower setting for one mote. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yep. She's not there yet. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. )

Captain Kaizoku lights up his anima and pours the water slowly over Thief's head to get her attention.

The carpenter ducks under the low beams of the strong room and takes up a position behind the deathknight, out of sight unless she twists around entirely. The room is silent -- even the breathing of the three inside is soft against the sounds of the ship itself.

Captain Kaizoku says in a pleasant voice as he finishes emptying out the water and brings up another cup "Good morning. I was hoping we could have a civil discussion now..."

Water drips from the Thief of Crows' short hair. She tenses ever so slightly, then opens her eyes and raises her head. She looks around the room quickly and focuses on the Captain. She says nothing, and her face is nigh-unreadable.

Captain Kaizoku continues "Yes, yes, the Anathema has you at his mercy and might tear out your throat at any moment" in a light, dismissive tone, waving his free hand to shoo away that notion. "Would you care for some water?" He takes a sip himself to show its purity.

Now that she is not clad in soulsteel and bathed in shadow, you can get a good look at her. The Thief appears to be an ordinary-looking woman in her mid to late twenties, with short brown hair and gray eyes. She'd probably look nice if she smiled, but for now, her expression is impassive, if not cold. "I would, yes," she says.

Monkey . o O ( The problem with Abyssals is you can't threaten them with death, since they probably welcome it. And it's going to be hard topping meeting the Dead Primordials when you're going for a fate worse than death. )

Captain Kaizoku brings the cup up to her lips and tilts it back slowly for her to drink. "Of course. Do indulge my curiosity and tell me about your captain. He deserted your ship and left you to die at the first sign of trouble. You didn't get on with him?"

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hence the soft approach. It'll throw her off, hopefully. :) )

TonyC will be away to make some tea and snacks.

She swallows the water and says, "My captain? No! He left me!"

The Storyteller . o O ( brb )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( How did she say it? Angry? Surprised? )

You rolled 7 dice on something and got 3 successes.

The Storyteller . o O ( Anguished and surprised. )

TonyC has reconnected.

Captain Kaizoku nods his head slowly. "As soon as I entered your bridge, he struck from concealment and then jumped out the window and flew off. I could not divine what plan he had in doing so, but there was no plan, just you left behind to defend the fallen ship."

The Thief hangs her head. Every line of her body speaks of hopelessness, and the resolution that she showed in the first few moments of the interrogation is gone.

The Storyteller . o O ( the captain can keep talking -- i'll interject when it's dramatically appropriate. )

Captain Kaizoku says, "And you had no idea? Perhaps it was not he who betrayed you, but your lord above him?"

TonyC . o O (Mmmm, Darjeeling.)

She says, head still bowed, "My lady would never betray me. I am hers, now and forever, and she mine. But he -- " She chokes off her words.

Monkey . o O ( Hmmm, possibility of ransom? )

Captain Kaizoku continues with "Is gone now, leaving you and your ship behind. How does that serve your lady? I fear it is beyond my ability to determine."

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, ask me after the interrogation about tracing those Hearthstones back to their manses. I finally found out how to do it, more or less. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Best case is she casts off the shackles of her Deathlady master. Second best is she's paroled and gets her lady to ignore or betray the Mask in this affair. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Besides, what would a Deathlord pay in? Soulsteel coins? And I will. )

Monkey . o O ( Material goods? That's no use. But information.... the deathlords feel no compunction backstabbing each other. )

The Thief of Crows says, "I do not know why he should abandon me, nor the ship. Nor my lady." She looks up. "Perhaps he has fallen into evil ways."

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hmmm. True. )

Captain Kaizoku lifts an eyebrow. "Evil? Do you know the nature of your ship's mission above these skies? A greater evil than helping the Mask slaughter all of the residents of this city I can hardly imagine."

Monkey . o O ( Ah, meme clash! )

She looks a bit puzzled, then. "Is it not just and merciful to hasten souls from this miserable, fleshy existence into the pure happiness of the Underworld?"

She shakes her head. "I think not! Though... the Mask is not the most pleasant of patrons." She chews her lip, thinking...

Monkey . o O ( TonyC goes Mao-like, "The dialectic demands it!" )

Captain Kaizoku 's brows raise higher. "IS it?" he asks. "Will you give me your parole that you will not try to escape for the next hour? I wish to show you something, that you may better answer your own question."

She nods distractedly. "I shall not attempt escape for the next hour, though I cannot promise further than that at this time." Under her breath: "Could he have... no, it's not possible." Pause. "Isn't it?"

The Storyteller . o O ( BTW -- again, I'm assuming you have Harmonious Presence Meditation on. )

The Storyteller . o O ( anyway, ball's in your court. )

Captain Kaizoku says "And I shall not ask more, though I fear I must retain some of these retraints..." He signals for an able seaman to come in with the keys and undoes the bonds securing her to the chair, but leaves the ones securing her arms and those keeping her walk to a slow shuffle. "He who?" he inquires as he walks behind her and escorts her up to the deck. He brings out his spyglass and points her gaze to the Deathknight encampment.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And yes, it's on. )

Captain Kaizoku says, "Is your cause so urgent that all these people must be taken to the Underworld right now, regardless of their own choice?"

The Thief spits out the title, "The Impeccable Craftsman. My _captain_."

Captain Kaizoku snorts "Something less of an impeccable captain then. I would rather cut my own arm off than abandon a ship and crew to save myself."

The Storyteller . o O ( conceptual dissonance: There are hills between the ship and the enemy camp -- the port's not really visible from the beseiging army. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Whoops. Well, then he points out the squalor and damage done to the city, and the swooping undead in the skies. )

Monkey . o O ( Take her to the hills? It shouldn't take more than half hour? )

The Storyteller . o O ( That works. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Then make it so! )

The Storyteller . o O ( Uh, pointing out the city, etc. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Pointing out the fearful, huddling survivors, etc, on the way. In a coach. )

She looks out over the Port and up at the nemissaries. She smiles, then, a beatific expression. "At least some of my followers have not deserted me. And if these unfortunates -- " she gestures at the huddled refugees "could know what joy awaits them in the life beyond, they would cut their own throats in a heartbeat. Look truly, Solar. What hope have they among the squalor of flesh and mud? Look upon their faces. Such lines of despair and misery do not form in a month of war, but in a lifetime of strife and pain and toil. In the Underworld, such is past, a faded memory swiftly overtaken by the beauty of existence beyond the veil."

You rolled 7 dice on Thief persuasion and got 3 successes.

The Storyteller . o O ( Dayum. Hey, Monkey, you sure you don't want to go the Hungry Ghost Style route? )

Captain Kaizoku waves a hand towards the banners of the war ghosts. "So you do follow the Mask? This appears to be his army and that of no other. But tell me... is there value in anything without struggle? You are skilled with a bow. Did that come to you as a delightful spring breeze, or did you pour your blood and sweat and pain into it? Do you not value it all the more for your struggle?"

Monkey . o O ( What's Hungry Ghost Style? Is that the Abyssal Kung-fu? )

Monkey . o O ( If it is, no thanks. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yeah, though being an MA, it's not restricted to them. Just read Unnatural Shambling Deftness, which is 4 Charms in: For 5 motes, 1 WP, get a number of combat-related Extra Actions equal to permanent Essence. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Holy cow. )

Monkey . o O ( Yes, but it doesn't have Poo-Flinging Strike! )

The Thief says, "I serve the Raiton Queen, not the Mask of Winters. We aid him because the Queen commands it." She pauses, forming an answer to the Captain's real question. "Is it the journey or the destination you seek in life, Solar? Consider: For these wretches, the journey is as crawling over a road of up-turned blades, and for all, the destination is the same. It is only merciful to hasten that journey. Though the pain of such mercy may be great, it is also swift, and swiftly forgotten. Would a surgeon let a crippled limb fester and rot, destroying the soul of the wounded, or would she swiftly amputate the limb that the soul might be healthy and strong. Life is like a gangrenous limb, and I am a surgeon."

Monkey . o O ( Compare the two: Unnatural Shambling Deftness and Poo-Flinging Strike. Which one strikes more terror into the heart of your opponents? Obviously, Poo-Flinging Strike. )

Captain Kaizoku shakes his head and turns her attention to a Legion hospital tent. "Life has pain and suffering, indeed. That is part of the circle of things, and how people can grow and change. Some of the mightiest deeds I have seen have been accoplished by aged scholars barely able to turn a page, or by men holding their innards in with their hands. The only blades that the people of this city have crawled over are ones placed in their path by the Mask and his servants. They are not surgeons... surgeons do not love disease, do not revel in suffering as they treat it. Who are you to deny the people of Creation the choice of when to embrace their end? Sing your song and let them decide as they will, for there cannot be suffering without joy as well, opposing it. You know joy, even as a Deathknight. Or you did, before..."

The Storyteller . o O ( Make a Cha or Man + Presence roll. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 10 dice on something and got 4 successes.

She looks a little disturbed, and thoughtful. "If they only knew..."

Captain Kaizoku waves over the undead army. "Those are not the best messengers to convey how you feel. They kill to steal land for their master the Mask, cutting down any who oppose them. The only message conveyed is more fear and pain. Perhaps you could speak your message if their war cries were not drowning it out."

The Thief is silent, watching the undead and the suffering living as she stands in chains upon the hilltop.

It is not a confident silence.

Captain Kaizoku turns and leads her back to the ship, letting her brood quietly on the way. "What would you do now, if given the choice?" he asks quietly as he leads her into the strong room.

She says, in a voice that does not bode well for the subject, "I would seek out the Craftsman and have some answers from him."

Monkey . o O ( Hmmm, ask her about the engine later. )

Captain Kaizoku replies "How could his loyalty to your lady be any less absolute than yours? You owe your very exisitance to your patron and must serve forever, correct? He must have been serving her in some way then."

She says, "Yes..." in an entirely unconvinced voice.

Captain Kaizoku says, "Or am I wrong? Perhaps he could turn his coat to that of another Deathlord..."

She snarls, "Should he do so, I should hunt him down and cast his soul into the very abyss for such treachery!"

Captain Kaizoku nods slightly "So he is able to... your lady does not know every thought and deed of her followers?"

She looks at you, a little surprised. "Of course not. Does the Sun know all that you do? If so, I serve a kinder master, I think."

Captain Kaizoku smiles a bit. "He may look down on all creation and see my deeds, but he shares only the most vague opinions of them. Now, you know what cause I champion. Will you stand against me and help to slaughter the thousands of people still in this city? Or will you stand aside and find a way to spread your truths in a more gentle way?"

She looks down at her chains. "I think the question is rhetorical, is it not? As for what I would do -- without the ship, there is little I could do to aid the Mask, and I have... other tasks more urgent than his petty ambitions."

Captain Kaizoku gives her a slightly quizzical look. "Is it a rherotical question? You are capable and talented... you cannot be restrained forever. Tell me... could you serve under another while carrying out your urgent tasks, if it advanced your goals?"

Monkey . o O ( Dude, Kaizoku so needs to get Knowing The Soul's Price charm. )

She says, "That would depend on the nature of the service. I may not oppose the Mask, for my lady has commanded such." She looks Kaizoku straight in the eye. "Do you desire my service, Solar?"

Captain Kaizoku says, "Does your lady command you not to defend yourself if attacked? For you may be under assault by the Mask's minions in my service. I would have you serve as any strong fighter does on my ship, fight to protect it and my crew from the forces arrayed against it.""

Monkey . o O ( Risk: crew might be attracted to embrace entropy. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And miss out on all the vigorous fun Monkey embodies? )

She says, "You have never fought alongside one of us, have you? The glory of death follows us in all things, and makes itself known strongly among the living should we dwell among them. I do not think you desire dark miracles on board your ship."

Monkey . o O ( There's always some dull boys around. )

The Storyteller . o O ( In other word, if she's on the ship for more than a day or so, she's going to start racking up Resonance... and bleeding it off. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Are there ways around it? Sleeping in a coffin, etc? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yes, but that's all she'd be doing. And it doesn't even get into what she'd have to do to regain Essence. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Well, it is an emergency. )

Monkey . o O ( Ways to get Essence. 1. Be attuned to a Manse in Creation. 2. Stay in the Shadowlands (or Underworld). 3. Eat people. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Note especially #3. IOW: Abyssal among living = tragedy. Pretty much by definition. It's their version of the Great Curse. )

The Storyteller . o O ( not that the Captain knows any of this, of course. )

Captain Kaizoku says, "I admit I have not, nor do I desire 'dark miracles.' Yet all I hear is you saying why it cannot be, instead of an answer. I will put it this way: Will you serve under me until this seige is completed within days, then pledge to make war against the survivors no longer?""

TonyC whispers, "I think the answer should be no. The pledge can't be followed since the deathlord may order otherwise."

She says, "Let me think on it for an hour, then you shall have my answer. Until then... may I have something to eat?"

Captain Kaizoku says "An hour then, but my time grows short... and you may indeed, though I fear my fare is humble. Think well on what you have seen" He moves to leave her, and calls in some bread and broth.

Captain Kaizoku then heads to the officer of the day to see if Monkey has been found yet.

The Storyteller . o O ( I think it's fair to say that Monkey's shown up now, and has a good hour or so of sleep. )

Captain Kaizoku kicks Monkey's bunk, caste mark lighting up the room as he says in a low, angry tone "Where have you been Mr. Monkey?"

Monkey rolled 2 dice on Temperance Sleeping and got 1 success.

The Storyteller . o O ( Just imagine how well the interrogation would have gone with Monkey standing watch! )

Monkey wakes up and mumbles something, then pulls the cover back over him and... zzzzz.

Monkey then wakes up with a start! "Captain!"

Captain Kaizoku says "Yes, I am, and I gave orders about being ready at dawn. Yet you were not in your bunk or at your post!"

Monkey says, "I had the most interesting dream! I was in this new port. There's this blind sweeper, and a food stall, and some dragon-blooded witches, and a book!"

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Monkey's a big torch of Resonance, isn't he? :) )

Captain Kaizoku steeples his fingers together. "And where did you have this dream?" he asks with light sarcasm. "Not in your bunk, as you were not there! Did you undertake another nighttime jaunt?"

Monkey says, "What do you mean I wasn't here? I can't possibly be somewhere else. Wait, hold on."

Monkey pinches himself. "Ow."

Monkey thinks better about trying what he did to the old man to the Captain.

Captain Kaizoku narrows his eyes. "I have no time at all for tomfoolery Monkey. Where were you and what were you doing?" he says tightly.

Monkey says, "Okay, so I'm awake. Hmmm, odd. I recall I was awake over there too. Captain, believe it or not, I was in Eagle's Landing, wherever that is."

Monkey says, "And it was no night-time jaunt! For one thing, it was morning already. And I didn't even jaunt. I turned around, and there I was!"

Captain Kaizoku narrows his eyes even further. "On the Blessed Isle, a thousand miles from here?" he deadpans. "You have yet to complete your last punishment for sneaking away without orders, and you are already seeking a second one?"

TonyC has reconnected.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Need a repose? )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: My winamp just crashed, so yes, please.

Captain Kaizoku narrows his eyes even further. "On the Blessed Isle, a thousand miles from here?" he deadpans. "You have yet to complete your last punishment for sneaking away without orders, and you are already seeking a second one?"

TonyC [to jetman]: Winamp crashed and took the whole WinXP with it. :)

The Storyteller . o O ( Ouch. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I've never had iTunes do that... :) )

Monkey . o O ( Oh yes, you Mac users. Flaunt your Apple-ness at us. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Doing so is part of the user agreement from Apple, so I have to. )

Monkey says, "That's not fair, Captain. Eagle's Landing snuck up on me, not the other way around."

Monkey . o O ( Did you skim through the log? )

Captain Kaizoku says, "A whole city crept into your cabin while you were asleep then? I should reprimand the watch in that case."

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yep. )

Monkey nods in agreement, completely missing the sarcasm.

Monkey says, "Right."

Captain Kaizoku says, "You are making me very cross Monkey, but I do not have time for more word games now... The Deathknight may be aiding us for a time, and we must go beard the Floating Dead shortly. I think we will turn one of their tools against them.""

Monkey says, "You know, maybe it's not the watch's fault. I remember sensing Essence flow from the puzzle box. Captain, I think the box is an artifact that lets the city snuck up on us."

Monkey says, "It would be neat if Celeren can use it to get away."

Captain Kaizoku heads down the hall to the galley. "Being in the Blessed Isle would be only a marginal improvement than being overrun by Deathknights Monkey. I will investigate the cube when we return."

Monkey puts on his gear during this.

Monkey says, "Should I bring the cannon too, Captain?"

Captain Kaizoku says, "Yes. You will be acting as gunner once more."

Monkey says, "I'm ready. Are we taking the skyship?"

The Storyteller . o O ( BTW, before I forget... While you've been jaunting around, your officers have been doing their best to recruit crew from Celeren. They've been pretty successful: You now have a full crew of rowers for the Nimbus, pretty much full crews for Nimbus and Stormhammer, and another twenty or so fighters who can learn to be marines. Of course, it's going to take a while for them to fit in with the existing crew, and the officers want your okay on them (of course). )

Captain Kaizoku says, "The skyship is nothing but parts now, and it's power was... unclean. A small artifact was pulled from it however... a mechanicial bird. We will fly there that way. Go to stores and get a pair of dark cloaks after you eat."

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Are they professional rowers beached in town, or just people seeking a berth out in any way they can? Either's good for now, of course. )

Monkey scampers to Fortune's stores and look for a pair of dark cloaks. Black, dark blue, dark grey, dark brown, something nicely dark.

The Storyteller . o O ( Uh, the skyship's a ways from being just parts. Non-functional hulk, yes, but disassembling it -- even using warstriders -- is a _big_ job. The techs are pretty much just settling on yanking out important bits, smashing what can't be removed, and otherwise fucking with it. In short, it could be repaired, but it would also be a _big_ job. Maybe a year's worth of work for a good sorcerer with help. And the rowers are a mix of pros and refugees. )

Monkey comes back with two dark cloaks in good shape, slightly new.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Well, the Captain didn't feel like explaining that much. :) Maybe a Manta can drag the hulk into the sea on the way out. )

Captain Kaizoku takes one. "Now, we may have a new ally for the moment... you enjoy making new friends, don't you Monkey?" he says as he moves to the strongroom, gesturing Monkey to follow.

The Storyteller . o O ( No on that last one... it's way too big. Another full-size skyship, yeah, maybe. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Well, the Mask can't do it, or he'd have his own skyship by now. Hopefully. )

Monkey says, "Only if they smell nice, Captain."

The Storyteller . o O ( BRB )

Monkey says, "Of course, if they don't smell nice, I wouldn't call them friends. Now, that Reducer person, he stinks."

Captain Kaizoku says, "Indeed. I regret that we were not able to finish him. Ah, have you determined a place to carry out that request of the City Father yet? We will not be here much longer you know..."

Monkey says, "Not really, but certainly not around here. I think Yeke was thinking of somewhere farther away that the army wouldn't just trample over when we evacuate."

Captain Kaizoku says, "Be sure to do it before we reach our next ultimate destination Monkey. "

Monkey says, "Might have to take a short stop on Stormhammer, Captain. Maybe a day's sail."

The Storyteller . o O ( back )

Captain Kaizoku says, "Then perhaps that would be a good first command for you Monkey. With the new crew, you will have to get accustomed to leadership roles."

Monkey makes a face at the suggestion.

Monkey . o O ( Anyway, so we're using the warbird? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yep, hopefully with the Captain's air powerstone. )

Captain Kaizoku opens the door to the strongroom and strides in, taking note of the Thief's mood.

The Thief has finished her meal and is staring at the wall. She looks moody.

Captain Kaizoku gestures to Monkey. "My first mate, Monkey, who you met in passing the other day. Have you come to a decision?" he asks casually.

She says, "I have prayed, and considered. I will serve you under the following terms: First, that you do not ask me to oppose the Mask or his servants -- directly. Second, that my gear be returned to me, for I will be of little use to you without it. Third, that this service will end when you or fleet leaves Celeren or the city falls to the Juggernaut, whichever comes first. Fourth, that you will tell me anything you learn of my former captain's whereabouts or intentions. In return, I will swear not to raise my hand against you or yours -- for the duration of this service and for a full month after -- and to aid you in any thing that does no harm to my liege. I will also provide you with what information I can, again as long as it does no harm to my liege. Finally, I will... I will consider what we spoke of upon the hill. These terms are acceptable, I think, to my lady. Are they acceptable to you?"

Captain Kaizoku takes in her proposal and considers carefully, then nods his head once after a long moment. "I find that acceptable, but I would ask as a favor that when you speak with your lady again, you tell her of what you have seen and what you have thought of the Mask of Winter's efforts. I do not think she or you is served by aiding his goals in any way." He nods for the shackles on her arms to be undone. "I am no Eclipse to sanctify an oath, so I will ask you to swear on your beliefs and your lady, and I will do the same in the name of the Sun."

She says, "I swear upon the cult of death and the Raiton Queen that I shall serve you as agreed."

Captain Kaizoku puts out his hand to hers for a clasping of wrists. "And by the power of the Sun, you are now a member of my crew. I swear I will not abandon you while you serve me."

Monkey points at Thief of Crows with his thumb and asks Captain Kaizoku, "Who's Raiton Queen? I never heard of her."

Captain Kaizoku smiles ever so slightly. "I'm sure our new crewmember will be happy to tell you all about her in time..." he says. "But first... Monkey and I are going to confront the Floating Dead in their lair. Tell me everything you know of them Thief."

Monkey . o O ( Bathroom break. )

The Thief of Crows clasps wrists with Captain Kaizoku, then answers Monkey. "The Raiton Queen is my liege, my lady, She Who Rules The Shadowed Skies. She brings mercy on swift wings, and judgement with sharp claws. To her all flying things of the Underworld -- and many of Creation -- do reverence in their secret hearts."

She says, "May I change into something more fitting?"

Monkey says, "Oh."

Monkey says, "Why do you need to ask? Just change if you want to."

Captain Kaizoku says "I will have your gear brought to you" and nods to the cabin girl to go and fetch it from the Stormhammer. "You are skilled at concealing yourself, as I have seen. Do not draw attention to your background if it can be avoided... The Legion wished to execute you, and it would cause some friction here if you were seen flauting your soulsteel."

She says, "I understand."

Monkey says, "By the way, do you know anything about sailing? Y'know, on water, not in the sky."

The Storyteller . o O ( Are you giving her back all of her gear, or leaving out the Hearthstones in the sack? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Just her clothes and weapons, the stones were part of the ship so they don't count. )

TonyC whispers, "If the stones are from Underworld Manses, then it doesn't actually do anything in Creation, although they will function again should they be brought back to the Underworld, or a shadowland."

You whisper, "I know" to TonyC.

The Storyteller . o O ( Got it. Fast-forwarding, then. )

TonyC whispers, "Never mind then."

TonyC whispers, "Sorry for the redundancy."

Captain Kaizoku will introduce the Thief to the 'bridge crew' and explain some of her situation, along with her job (security, mostly).

The Thief is able to tell you little enough of the Floating Dead, as she and the Impeccable Craftsman did not work closely with them -- or at all, it seems. She can pinpoint their home base, and tells you that it has two Manses on it and what looked like a port and shipyard (from her flyovers of it). It is, of course, a shadowland, and is located on Ash Rose Island, 130 miles from Celeren.

Captain Kaizoku says, "I will be borrowing your Warbird to see what can be done and what can be learned at the moment. Do you have any advice on using such a craft?"

Monkey in a side chat, asks, "You know that engine? What does it run for? What's that liquid in the big tanks?

To the Captain She says, "Have you any skill in riding horses? If not, I suggest that you be very careful! I can pilot it for you, if you wish." To Monkey "What engine?"

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( How many people can it hold? )

The Storyteller . o O ( 2 )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hrm. )

Monkey says, "The one in the skyship? It is an engine, right?"

Captain Kaizoku replies with "None whatsoever. I would not want to bring you in conflict with the Mask's servants, so I will have to be very careful and bring Mr. Monkey along."

She says, "Ah the skyship 'engine.' I am not entirely sure. The Craftsman dealt with it, not I. Captain, may I then show you how to fly it before you leave? So that you are not completely unprepared?"

Captain Kaizoku says, "By all means... and I am curious about the power of your former vessel as well. It seemed less... wholesome, than even soulsteel."

Captain Kaizoku leads the group down to the cargo bay where the covered Warbird rests.

The warbird gleams in the torchlight, hard edges of metal along wings and beak. The Thief walks up to it and strokes it gently, as you would a warhorse. "Ah, my pretty thing..." She turns to the captain. "Come, let us fly."

The Storyteller . o O ( Is the cargo hold open to the sky? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( That's how you get the cargo in and out, through a hatch! )

The Storyteller . o O ( Is the hatch _open_? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( When she's ready to go, it will be opened. )

Monkey crosses his arms and watches.

Captain Kaizoku mounts the body of the artifical bird.

The Thief jumps into the saddle of the warbird just before the captain. "Strap yourself in, like so," she says as she demonstrates. Strapping in takes a few moments, but when you're done, you feel more secure.

Captain Kaizoku makes careful note of the fastenings, testing them as he would rigging, then waves for the seaman to open the hatch. "Up and then back down... time is against us in all things."

The Thief nods. "Learn, then." She tugs on a pair of thin cords that lead to the warbird's head, and the machine springs into the air. The ship rocks a bit with the force of its takeoff, and in the space of a heartbeat you are well above the topmast. The bird snaps its wings open and beats strong and swift, gaining altitude. Watching what the Thief does, you're able to see how she controls the machine. She shouts over her shoulder, "A quick circle of the harbor?"

Captain Kaizoku calls back over the sudden wind "Yes! Show me how fast it can go, and how fast it can move safely!"

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, BTW: she's covered her soulsteel armor in some dark substance, effectively concealing its nature. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Of course, the Warbird is soulsteel too, but at least it doesn't show from up here. )

She grins back at the Captain. "All right! Hold on!" She flicks the reins and leans forward in the saddle. The warbird's wings turn into a blur as it accelarates astonishingly quickly in a shallow climb. Within moments, the ships below look like toys, and the wind brings tears to your eyes. In no more than, say, five minutes, the harbor is almost out of sight, and the Thief turns the warbird in a wide, banking turn back toward it. She shouts back, barely audible over the rushing wind, "And now a power dive!"

Captain Kaizoku grips the straps and saddle a bit tighter. "Impressive!" he yells over the wind. "Like nothing else I have seen!" He takes careful note of what she is doing and how. "What is the best way to land?"

She guides the warbird over the center of the harbor and then pushes it down into a plunge. Your stomach tries to crawl up your esophagus, and the warbird pulls its wings in until only the tips extend out as control surfaces. Thirty feet above the water, she tightens her legs and the wings snap out, sending a shockwave of air and spray out into the ships surrounding. Then she brings the warbird to a soft landing on the deck of the Stormhammer.

Monkey . o O ( Note to self: consider simply jumping off the bird just before Kaizoku crashes it. )

Dismounting, she says, "Land like so. Approach at low speed, pull up, and drop. You'll also want to wear goggles or a mask of some sort, I think. Be careful with her."

Captain Kaizoku says "Not with a gradual glide and stop then..." as he tries to swallow his innards. "Monkey!" he calls, dismounting and hopping down into the cargo bay to get his Ashigaru armor on. "Practice strapping in!"

She says, "If you're approaching a smooth field, a glide works. However, this method gives you more control over your landing spot, even if it is a bit rougher."

Monkey gets on the warbird and straps himself solid. "Err, this will come off, right?"

Captain Kaizoku secures his Daiklave across his back instead of at his waist and pulls the dark cloak up over it as he steps out onto the deck. "I see... perhaps a hilltop landing the fast way. Keep my ships safe from threats too great for the crew, stalwart as they are, to battle. I will return within a few hours." He mounts the control seat and straps in. "Yes, they will Monkey. Are you prepared?"

She says, "Only if you're very unlucky. No, like this." She adjusts a couple of Monkey's straps. "Pull this one if you need to get out in a hurry."

Monkey says, "Thanks, Crows. Aye, Captain! Anytime."

Captain Kaizoku says "Grip the cannon tightly!" and then takes off!

The Storyteller . o O ( What's your Dex + Ride score? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( 4. Do I get the Past Lives tech bonus? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yep. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Five then. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Hmmm.... looking at rules.... And what's your plan? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Fly straight to Ash Rose Island and see what's there, looking for a good place to land and infiltrate from. )

Monkey . o O ( Pray for luck, don't get lost, and try to land softly. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hey, navigation's the same as always. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Got it. It's mid-morning, btw, and the flight will take an hour -- assuming you don't get lost. On that note, make an Int + Sail check at difficulty 3 for aerial navigation at sea. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 6 dice on something and got 3 successes.

The Storyteller . o O ( Pretty much. Rocky flight, but you get there okay. At what altitude are you flying? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Not very high... 60 feet for most of the way, conditions permitting. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Ah. Nape of the earth, basically. )

Monkey . o O ( Go higher? Easier to see where we are going? And if we fall, if it's high enough, you could still use Stormwind Rider? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Also in the safe fall range of Stormwind Rider. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Stormwind takes 60 feet off a fall, no more. )

Monkey . o O ( But if you're 60 feet and you fall, you don't have _time_ to cast it. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Suggestion: Don't fall. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( True... well, after a time low, maybe 200 feet, steadily increasing if nothing goes wrong. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Got it. Setting scene... )

By the time you reach Ash Rose Island, you've gained enough confidence to be flying at -- guesstimate -- about half a mile up. From this height, the island seems awfully small. The island is roughly circular, with a small peninsula on the northwest corner. It has the dark, unhealthy look you've come to associate with shadowlands. Where the land meets the sea, the island has high cliffs with narrow beaches. In a shallow arc on the northern edge of the island, you can see that the water is deeper, and it is here that a harbor sits, ancient docks jutting out into the water. Most of the island is forested, and rising out of the forest just south of the harbor is a pyramid of black stone. On the tip of the peninsula -- which is the highest point on the island -- is a tower of red and white stone. You'd guess that these two buildings are the manses. You do not see anyone moving about on the visible parts of the island, but much is forested and hidden. (If you've played Halo, the island looks kinda like the one on the Cartographer mission, only not as pretty.)

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( How far across is the island? )

Monkey . o O ( This call for a parachute drop in the night, with nightvision goggles and FN-FALs and complete jungle kit. )

The Storyteller . o O ( at a guess, 7-8 miles across. )

Captain Kaizoku turns and makes his approach from the side of the island opposit the harbor, trying to land in the rough middle, ideally in a forest clearing.

The Storyteller . o O ( make a Ride check. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Spending 1 WP... )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 5 dice on something and got 7 successes.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Holy COW! )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( five dice, seven successes rolled. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Perfect landing it is then... )

Captain Kaizoku brings the metal bird to a perfect stop in a small clearing. "Perfectly safe Monkey..." he says as he unstraps and dismounts.

You touch down with nary a whisper in a small forest clearing. The feel of the Underworld surrounds you, and you note that the trees of this forest are the fabled black ash, so beloved of those obsessed with death as it only grows in shadowlands. You dismount quickly, though you see no nearby threats.

Monkey answers with a snore.

Captain Kaizoku draws his sword in any case. "We should pass between the manses on the way to the shipyard. If an opportunity presents itself to investigate one, we will take it, but otherwise, I would like to burn the harbor Monkey."

Monkey . o O ( How much sleep did I get during the ride? )

The Storyteller . o O ( An hour. Enough. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. The pyramid manse is due north of you. )

Monkey wakes up with a start. "Oh, we're there already?"

The Storyteller . o O ( And so is the harbor. About four miles away. )

Monkey rubs his eyes and then quickly unstraps and dismounts.

Captain Kaizoku repeates his statement about the plan. "What if we were attacked by flying birds Monkey? Would you have shot them in your sleep?"

Monkey says, "But it's such a nice ride, Captain. I just couldn't help it. Besides, I'd wake up right away if there's any flying birds."

Monkey thinks, "I think."

Captain Kaizoku is less than amused by that. "Keep alert and the cannon handy..." he says as he sets off towards the harbor.

The Storyteller . o O ( make a per + awareness roll )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 4 dice on something and got 5 successes.

Monkey rolled 3 dice on Per + Awa and got 4 successes.

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, gimme the dice. )

The Storyteller shakes dice, can't believe they're not loaded, hands 'em back.

Monkey . o O ( I didn't tell BobP to load my dice! )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Law of averages... they were rolling poorly last time. )

You rolled 6 dice on shadowy figures and got 4 successes.

After maybe a mile, you realize that you're being stalked. Large dog-like figures move in the shadows behind you and beside you. It's hard to get a count, but it looks like there are four of them, one of which is a dman sight larger than the rest.

Captain Kaizoku reaches up to scratch at the underside of his helmet as he gestures towards the big one with the hand at his side, then makes an explosion with his fingers, hoping Monkey gets the message, waiting to draw his sword after the blast.

The Storyteller . o O ( roll init... )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Without sword? )

Monkey looks at the direction Kaizoku points at, and raises the hand bearing the cannon....

Monkey rolled 1d10+8 and got 16.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 12.

Monkey . o O ( Lunars? Demons? Undead? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, Monkey first. You get a bit of a surprise round -- they'll just go last on this one as they react to you. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( This is Zombie Island... maybe Demon Dogs! )

The cannon starts humming a moment before a bolt of essence launches itself from the cannon. KABOOOOM!

Monkey . o O ( Err, what skill again? Archery or Thrown? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Archery. )

Monkey rolled 5 dice on Not enough ST and got 2 successes.

Monkey . o O ( Peripheral Essence, if it matters. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Let's see... at whom are you firing? The creatures are mostly spaced out, so the most you'll get in the blast is two of them. And are you doing bashing or lethal? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( The captain did point at the big one... )

Monkey . o O ( The big one then! )

The Storyteller . o O ( No, wait, just lethal. Dammit, lent out my copy of Outcaste. )

The Storyteller . o O ( er, bashing. Bah. )

Monkey . o O ( Ah, did I mention that it does 100B? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Balls. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Bashing only, half against nonliving things like ships. )

Monkey . o O ( David, does Essence Cannon has an accuracy? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yes, +1 )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Rate 2, five motes per shot. )

Monkey . o O ( That should be 6 dice then. Oh well, no big deal. Anyway, damage is actually 15B. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Ugh. Anyway, it dodges... )

You rolled 5 dice on Greather barghest dodge and got 1 success.

The Storyteller . o O ( and you hit. Soak is 8B, so roll 7B damage. )

The Storyteller . o O ( 8B. Damn. Scatterbrained tonight. )

Monkey rolled 8 dice on cannon damage and got 2 hits.

The Storyteller . o O ( CK? )

Monkey . o O ( First blood! Now watch Monkey get mobbed by everyone. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Wish we had 10 successes there. )

Captain Kaizoku draws his sword and charges at the beast that was hit by the burst of pure essence, holding his palm on the back of the hilt and driving the curved blade into its chest with all the force of his momentum and strength.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Two actions, one for defense. )

The Storyteller . o O ( 1-die stunt bonus )

Monkey . o O ( You know, we might want to refrain from fully flaring our anima. I mean, just shining brightly will probably not be noticed due to forest cover, but further than that.... )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yes. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 13 dice on something and got 11 successes.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( 11 successes. )

The Storyteller . o O ( My. It dodges again... )

You rolled 4 dice on greater barghest dodge and got 1 success.

Monkey . o O ( Go Kaizoku! )

The Storyteller . o O ( and that means you've got 10 sux left over. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Roll, or are they extras? )

Monkey . o O ( You make it sound like it's such a dirty word. :) )

The Storyteller . o O ( roll for it. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 19 dice on something and got 5 hits.

The Storyteller . o O ( Ouchie. You wound it very very badly. )

Monkey . o O ( Excellent, maybe it will run away and not bother us. )

The Storyteller . o O ( And... it makes like to run. And so do its buddies. Roll init. )

Monkey . o O ( Solars: not yummy. )

On 1d10, you rolled 3.

Monkey rolled 1d10+8 and got 11.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+14 and got 22.

The Storyteller . o O ( CK, you're first. )

Captain Kaizoku spins his blade around as it cuts into the wicked beast's body, raising it high above his head and tossing it up into the air, catching it as it flips point down and driving the weapon into the thing's back, just behind its head.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Two actions, one attack, one def. )

The Storyteller . o O ( 2-die stunt )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 14 dice on something and got 8 successes.

The Storyteller . o O ( Dodge... )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( All these stunts and down no essence... )

You rolled 1 dice on dodge and got no successes but no botches either.

The Storyteller . o O ( 3L soak, so roll damage. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 17 dice on something and got 8 hits.

The Storyteller . o O ( You kill it. Describe... )

Captain Kaizoku 's blade goes right through the backbone of the large, twisted hound and plunges into the tainted earth below. He pulls his sword back towards him, forward, splitting the skull of the dog in twain.

The Storyteller . o O ( Keen! Monkey's turn. )

Monkey catches up with Captain Kaizoku, staff at the ready. (3 actions. One to ready staff. The other two being held.)

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. The three surviving creatures run away into the forest. Though you stand ready for their return for a while, you see and hear no sign of them. )

Monkey . o O ( Does the dead barghest disappear? )

Captain Kaizoku drives his sword into the ground again to clean off any taint lingering on the blade, then sheathes it with a flourish. "I hope no dead thing can communicate with the beasts... double time Monkey."

Monkey says, "Aye, Captain."

Monkey starts jogging towards the port.

An hour later, you circle around the pyramidal Manse. Roll per + Occult

Monkey rolled 2 dice on something and got 1 botch.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 8 dice on Per+Occult and got 1 success.

The Storyteller . o O ( Well, Monkey can't tell it's a Manse... but the captain sees that the flows of Essence into and around it resemble those of Water, but are strangely tainted with Underworld energies. )

Monkey . o O ( What is a barghest? The one I'm familiar with is the D&D version. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Say, how hard is it to mess up the essence flow of a manse? )

The Storyteller . o O ( You'd need to do some interior redecorating. Gimme a minute. Barghest is a big mastiff. Greater barghest is a bigger mastiff. )

Monkey . o O ( If you want to be subtle, it's pretty hard. If you want to just break it, then the same rule that applies to everything else applies. Do enough damage and it will break. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Never a lightning ballista around when you need it. )

Monkey . o O ( The easiest way I can think off is just go into that inner room where the hearthstone forms and wreck that room. Guaranteed to mess things up. Of course, manses are usually defended. )

Captain Kaizoku whispers to Monkey "This is one of their Manses Monkey... we may pay it a visit on the way back..."

The Storyteller . o O ( According to S&S... Wits + Lore diff 3 to figure out where to hit it, and then do 200 levels of damage there. Or Wits + Lore diff 5 to make a specific, small change that'll screw it but not be as obvious. Can be patched quickly once it's found in time. )

Monkey nods. "Sure thing."

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Two HUNDRED? We'll need a bigger Essence cannon. )

Monkey . o O ( No, 200 levels of damage is approximately a minute with a big sword. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Well, you don't have to do it in one blow, but this is a structure of black jade and granite we're talking about. )

The Storyteller . o O ( You're forgetting Hardness. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Really need to develop that "giant sword smashing strike" spell. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Stopping in to bother the manse now, or moving on to the shipyard? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( On the way back. Onto the shipyard now. )

Monkey . o O ( Make that 2 minutes then. Thing is, manses don't get to defend, and I'm assuming a Hardness of 8 (since the toughest thing I can think of, warstriders, has a Hardness of 8). )

Monkey . o O ( Shipyard! )

Monkey says, "You know, Captain, I just thought that a bucket of firedust would be quite convenient if you're thinking about setting the port on fire."

Captain Kaizoku says, "Did you bring a bucket of firedust Monkey?"

Looking out from the treeline, the shipyard and docks are a depressing sight to your sailors' souls. Tattered sails and lines hang from ancient frames and ropewalks, the buildings are dilapidated, and the surf beats sadly against the pebbled beach. Perhaps this harbor was once a place of bustle and commerce, or the starting point of many an adventure -- but now it is an abode of ghosts and shades. You see them moving among the ruined ships at the shoremost docks, and upon the deathly galleys at the seamost docks. Zombies move in shambling routine, performing the drudgery of any harbor, while ghosts patrol, craft, and work among them. You see the occasional nemissary supervising things. Above all fly pale flags with the Masks' crest.

Monkey says, "A really small bucket worth."

Monkey . o O ( Monkey does carry flame pieces and presumably some pre-packed dust for reloads. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( How many galleys? )

The Storyteller . o O ( An even dozen. )

Captain Kaizoku says, "These ships are crewed by the dead Monkey... they have no fear of drowning, and could sink the ship to put it out, then raise it..."

Captain Kaizoku observes carefully through his spyglass, looking for a firedust depot and what the weapons on the ships are.

There is no sign of a firedust depot, and none of the ships are armed with firedust weapons. All, however, are armed with ballistae and, oddly, catapults. (Make a Per + Awareness roll)

Captain Kaizoku rolled 4 dice on something and got 4 successes.

The Storyteller . o O ( Hot dice night! )

Monkey . o O ( Monkey doesn't have a spyglass. So I won't roll. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Index? What index? Grrr... )

Off toward the westernmost side of the harbor, you see a large building, built all of stone with a clay roof. It is guarded, unlike almost all the other buildings in the harbor. A pair of nemissaries stand next to the double doors that you can see, and few guard ghosts with leashed hungry ghosts patrol the nearby area.

Captain Kaizoku hands Monkey the spyglass and points to the building. "That looks worthy of further attention... let's go. I think a sneak in through the roof would be best."

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Are there windows on the upper levels? How tall is it? )

Monkey . o O ( Hungry ghosts! The new improved guard dogs of the future. Never sleeps. No need to feed them, although it's fun to watch them fight over scraps of people. Best of all, it's cheap at one body per 7 ghosts! )

Monkey . o O ( y'see, depending on which theory you believe, the lower soul is either 1 soul or 7 souls. )

The Storyteller . o O ( It looks like a big circular warehouse, about fifteen feet tall. No windows. )

Captain Kaizoku creeps through the forest, trusting his steath suit to keep down the noise, looking for a back approach, checking to see if the guards walk in circles around it.

Monkey waits then.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Monkey is just as stealthy as the Captain in his armor. )

Monkey . o O ( Yes, but when there's two people, there's two rolls that could be botched. )

The Storyteller . o O ( The guards do indeed circle it. There are no other doors, and there are two patrols of ghosts, spaced equally around the building. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Could Monkey jump from the treeline onto the roof? )

Monkey . o O ( Don't be silly. Of course. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Heck, the Captain can if he climbs a tree! )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. However, the roof is those clay tiles (like in Mediterranean-style buildings) that's just laid down on the beams, not mortared on. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Which will make it easier to get in, but Monkey's light touch would help. )

Captain Kaizoku signals Monkey to come over with a blink code from his spyglass, when the guards are in the front of the building.

Monkey creeps over to the Captain. "Wjat" he whispered?

The Storyteller . o O ( A blink code? That's new. )

Monkey . o O ( Ignore the misspelling and the misplaced question mark. Accidentally hit the enter key. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( They have heliographs, right? )

Captain Kaizoku whispers "When the guards are in the front of the building, jump us up to the roof... softly."

The Storyteller . o O ( A) It's never been mentioned before, and B) it's cloudy. Yes, heliographs are available, but not common. CK would know about them -- and possibly how they work, enough to develop one -- but Monkey probably wouldn't. )

Monkey says, "Carry you, Captain?"

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Ah. Well, say he crept back and had Monkey follow a bit later then. )

Captain Kaizoku says, "Yes... you are the more deft jumper Monkey."

Monkey . o O ( Jesse, how far from this spot to the roof? )

Monkey . o O ( And how high? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Call it twenty-something feet, with about twenty feet of height. )

Monkey says, "Alright. Hold on. One, two, -" and with a slight rustle of the leaves where they were, Monkey jumps to the roof, carrying Captain Kaizoku.

Monkey . o O ( With Monkey Leap, personal essence. Any roll needed? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Unless you put up Graceful Crane Stance, you'll need a Dex + Athletics roll to land softly enough not to be heard by the guards. )

Monkey . o O ( Assuming there's no penalty for carrying Captain. If there is, I'll reroll. )

Monkey rolled 10 dice on Dex + Ath and got 5 successes.

The Storyteller . o O ( You land softly, only jarring the tiles slightly. )

Captain Kaizoku kneels down carefully and works a tile free to peek in the building.

Monkey . o O ( And the Scarlet Empress was taking a bath inside. Eeep, perv! )

The Storyteller . o O ( Suddenly, it's Ranma! )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( No, she's under Monkey's tile. )

Below you is a pool of green fire, casting a strange glow over the inside of the building. You can see ghosts inside, laboring at the fire. They are using soulsteel shovels to move the fire, which seems tangible enough, into large clay pots, about three feet high each. They are working with great care and obviously consider the stuff dangerous and terrifying.

Captain Kaizoku draws upon his knowledge of the occult to figure out what in Creation (or out of it) that is.

The Storyteller . o O ( Fast or sure? )

Monkey . o O ( Lore maybe? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( fast. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Wits + Lore, dif 3. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 7 dice on Wits + Lore and got 1 success.

The Storyteller . o O ( Nope, you don't know what it is. But it burns! )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( How many pots are there? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And how many ghosts? )

The Storyteller . o O ( At least fifty pots stacked up along the walls, and six ghosts plus a nemissary overseer. (The ghosts are slaves, you'd say.) There's a hand cart with seven plugged pots near the door. It has room for another two pots. )

Captain Kaizoku says quietly to Monkey "Wait for them to fill the cart... I think each of thos pots could burn a hole through one of their ships.

Monkey whispers back, "Why wait?"

Captain Kaizoku replies "Because they'll take the cart out and then we can hijack it for our own purposes... we will take care of the building later. One flame shot should do it.

Monkey . o O ( Actually, I don't think a flame shot will do anything. The thing already burns. You can't burn fire. )

Monkey looks puzzled, but waits.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( But if you burn a hole in the clay pot and it leaks out all over the floor... )

The Storyteller . o O ( Burn. Clay. What happens? You get hard clay! )

Monkey . o O ( You're thinking a blast from the cannon. A clay pot resists fire very well. Evidence: it's being used to contain hellfire. )

The Storyteller . o O ( A shot from the cannon will probably break a pot very easily, though. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hmmm... I am indeed thinking of the cannon, which would mess things up badly. )

Monkey . o O ( I'm having serious reservation about Kaizoku's planning ability now. ;) )

Monkey waits some more.

Captain Kaizoku waits and watches for them to carry out the cart, observing the time and the guards reaction as it goes.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I still think of flame pieces as projectiel weapons. )

Monkey . o O ( I think of it as a one-shot flame thrower instead of a pistol with a bullet. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Or a long blowtorch. )

Monkey waits longer.

It takes the slaves a good hour to finish filling the pots, with two slaves to a pot. Carefully, they seal the pots and place them on the cart. The nemissary raps on the door, and it's opened from the outside. Four of the slaves haul the cart out toward the docks, while the remaining two begin setting up pots for filling. The slaves take the cart out one of the docks (there are four), where the pots are loaded up on to one of the ships by means of a crane. The whole process is undertaken with utmost care. Now that you know what to look for, you see that there are four carts, one for each dock, and one of them is rumbling back toward the fire pit now.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( How heavily manned are the ships, and how closely docked are they? All next to each other? )

Monkey . o O ( Also, distance from here to the ships. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Fully manned, more or less... The rowers are probably all chained zombies, so you can disregard those, but figure about fifty ghosts, nemissaries, and (quite mad) mortals per galley. Each dock is arranged like a T, with a ship on the top bar and one docked at each end of the top bar. Maybe ten to twenty feet apart. It's a couple hundred feet, easily, to the closest ship. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Are there any other jars or loaded carts visible? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( that's at the far range of the essence cannon, but not quite out. )

Monkey . o O ( I can get you there in two turns. Four if you count setting up the scene long charms. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yes, three carts in various stages of unloading. It takes about fifteen minutes to get a single jar from shore to ship. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And they're distributed fairly equally between the docked ships? )

Monkey . o O ( Say when. )

The Storyteller . o O ( one each for (counting from the closest) 1, 2, and 3. Cart 4 is on the way back. )

Captain Kaizoku whispers "Do you think you can hit each of those carts from here with the cannon Monkey?"

The Storyteller . o O ( Or do you mean the jars? They're only loading onto one ship at a time, looks like a full cartload per ship. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I was thinking of the full carts, but if there's a jar elevated by the crane, that'd be even better. )

Monkey says, "Going to be difficult, Captain. It's a bit far. But I can get there in a jiffy, shoot them down from close range, and be out of the way before they know what hit them. I can probably carry you too."

Captain Kaizoku says, "Keep in mind that what's in those jars is very, very dangerous... keep as much range as is reasonable. I will cover you from here Monkey."

Captain Kaizoku says, "The objective is to set those ships aflame."

Monkey says, "Aye, Captain."

Captain Kaizoku says, "Meet back here after, or failing that, where we fought the dogs."

Monkey takes a deep breath and concentrates for several seconds.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( A backup plan just occured to me... ah, well, it's there if I need it. )

Monkey . o O ( Flow Like Blood. 5m + 1w. Strength Increasing Exercise. 9m -> ST+3. All personal essence. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. )

Monkey . o O ( With Monkey Leap, that's 50 yard jump/turn. Go. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Graceful Crane Stance at all? )

Monkey . o O ( Nah. No need to be stealthy. )

The Storyteller . o O ( I wasn't thinking stealthy, I was thinking "leaping from mast top to mast top" )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( His mark will be burning well after three shots. )

Monkey . o O ( I can't quite reach the first ship with the first jump. Yet. )

Captain Kaizoku sits in place on the roof, keeping the range for the Death of the Obsidian Butterflies in mind as he follows Monkey's progress.

The Storyteller . o O ( BTW: Check out http://www.lensmen.net/wiki/exalted.pl?TranspositionBox )

Monkey lands out of nowhere in the middle of road, some dozen yards near the first ship. With a loud shout, he raises the essence cannon, takes aim at the jars that is being transferred into the first ship, and fires.

It is an hour past noon, now, as Monkey begins the attack.

The Storyteller . o O ( Road? Or dock? )

Monkey . o O ( Two actions. All attacks, although I may change the target. )

The Storyteller . o O ( And call it a difficulty 2 shot )

Monkey . o O ( Should be road. But then again, is that really important? )

Monkey rolled 6 dice on cannon and got 1 success.

The Storyteller . o O ( Only in terms of range. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( 75 yards base on the cannon. )

Monkey . o O ( I cover 150 feet. I don't have the map. So if that puts at the dock, then dock it is. If not, then road. )

Monkey's first shot is a bit off, and smashes into the side of the galley. Shouts and alarms rise from the galleys at the dock, and heads turn all over the harbor. Good thing it's not a crowded harbor.

Monkey . o O ( I miss. So let's make a second shot. )

The Storyteller . o O ( 75 yards puts it well in range, then. )

Monkey rolled 5 dice on second shot and got 2 successes.

Monkey . o O ( This is all peripheral by now. )

Monkey's second shot shatters the jar being hauled up on the crane, with very satisfactory results. Green fire bursts from the pot and shards go flying. The fire burns! Burns! BURNS! AHAHAHAHAHA! Erm. Sorry. The fire burns all it touches, wood and canvas and ghostly flesh. It eats through dock and the hull of the ship within minutes and (by the sound of it) a couple more pots inside the ship also shatter, adding to the conflagration.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Do the flames spread like normal ones? To any other ships? )

Monkey . o O ( Probably too soon to tell. )

The Storyteller . o O ( No. Think of it as undead napalm, 'cept it doesn't spread. )

Captain Kaizoku stays very still on his rooftop perch, blending in with the tiles.

The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hope it wasn't winamp again. )

The Storyteller . o O ( yah )

Monkey . o O ( I'm expecting some sort of reaction, like ghosts trying to eat me. So I was waiting for you. )

Monkey . o O ( But hey, no news is good news. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Well, yes, they're going to try to eat you, but you have the element of surprise. So you're good to go for your next action... there's nobody close enough to jump you. )

The Storyteller . o O ( I'm reminded of the battle of Midway for some reason. )

Monkey continues his leaps, ending up perched on top of the mast of the second ship, firing an essence bolt down into the hatch, cackles gleefully, and leaps on to the third ship, wreaking havoc the same way.

Monkey . o O ( Two actions, all attacks. Same as before. )

Monkey . o O ( If you want the athletics roll, tell me the penalty. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh dear. Next, flying monkeys. :D )

Monkey . o O ( Ah, well, funny you say that. <grin> )

The Storyteller . o O ( Roll it reflexive-like. )

Monkey rolled 10 dice on Dex + Ath and got 10 successes.

The Storyteller . o O ( Well. )

Monkey . o O ( Whoah, smoky! )

The Storyteller . o O ( And then the shooty rolls... )

Monkey rolled 6 dice on bolt 1 kaboom and got 1 success.

Monkey . o O ( Hit because of better angle or miss? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Hit. Shorter range, better angle. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Don't forget the +1 Acc )

Remember that bit about cackling gleefully? That's what Monkey's doing.

Monkey rolled 10 dice on Next mast and got 4 successes.

Monkey rolled 5 dice on 2nd bolt and got 2 successes.

The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey needs a broom. "Surrender Mask of Winters!" )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( LOL! )

The Storyteller . o O ( "I'll get you, my pretty -- and your little Juggernaut, too!" )

The Storyteller . o O ( Anyhoo, wreaking havoc... Now they're shooting back, not very well. You've doomed the three ships on this dock and have another 9 to go. Hopefully, all of them have flame pots on board. At least one on each dock does... )

Monkey takes a pause to greet the undead, "Folks, dead and alive both. I have the pleasure to inform you that you are being raided by none other than Monkey himself! Be honored. It is not often that Captain Taiyo Kaizoku of the Unconquered Sun Fleet sends his First Mate to deal with the likes of you."

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( The fires are staying on each ship though still, and not spreading? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. The fire only goes where it splashes on the initial burst. OTOH, that's about a ten-foot radius and it's not going out at all. It'll burn straight through the hull, the rowers, the dock... )

Monkey . o O ( 9? Going to be tricky. I don't have nearly enough motes for all of them. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Getting up close and personal with the leaping, you could just break the seals with a dagger and let spill as you leap away. )

Monkey . o O ( There'll be a splash shaped hole at the bottom of each ship, David. It's repairable, but not fast. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Monkey might take a jar, invert it and leap around trailing the stuff... )

The Storyteller . o O ( Possible. They're big jars, but he's at Str 5 at the moment. )

Monkey . o O ( Next ships then? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Sure. They're shooting arrows at you now, too. )

You rolled 6 dice on Arrows! and got 3 successes.

You rolled 6 dice on Arrows! and got 1 success.

You rolled 6 dice on Arrows! and got 4 successes.

You rolled 6 dice on Arrows! and got 2 successes.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Have they assembled any kind of formation yet, or just random dead guys? )

Monkey rolled 13 dice on Dodge and got 11 successes.

Monkey rolled 13 dice on Dodge and got 8 successes.

Monkey rolled 13 dice on Dodge and got 4 successes.

Monkey rolled 13 dice on Dodge and got 5 successes.

The Storyteller . o O ( Random dead guys. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Um. They miss, obviously. So, are you jumping to the next mast, or landing on dock, or what? )

Monkey leaps to the next ship, arrows whizzing harmlessly over, under, and around him. He catches hold of a loose rigging and lets himself swing as until the rope reaches full height and starts swinging back. Lowering himself on the rope as he swings back, his grabs hold of a jar of the green fire with his feet. A quick flip of the jar, and green fire trails behind him as the Monkey-pendulum starts swinging forward again.

The Storyteller . o O ( Whee! Stunt dice! 2 of 'em. Dex + Athletics, dif 2. )

Monkey rolled 12 dice on Dex + Ath + stunting and got 6 successes.

Monkey says, "Uuuuukiiiii!"

Monkey . o O ( What's next? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Successful! Streamers of green pyre flame trace a trail of destruction over the ship, criss-crossing it. This one will be in at least four separate pieces in minutes, though some of the crew are trying to stem the destruction by scraping the stuff off the ship. They're not doing very well, as it burns their tools... and them. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( How much is left in the jar? Presumably, jump in, grab one and repeat as neeed. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( needed. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Jar empty. This ship had 9 in it... tho jumping back in would be on the dangerous side now, what with all the burning. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hmmm... can Monkey carry two jars at once? )

Monkey . o O ( Next ship? )

The Storyteller . o O ( No, they're too large. Not a question of size, a question of bulk. Next ship. )

Monkey drops the now empty jar and as the swingline reaches its closest to the next ship, lets go and grabs the next line, Tarzan-like. Thinking about Captain Kaizoku waiting behind, he simply fires a bolt down the hatch, and continues to the next ship, landing next to the jars on the next ship.

The Storyteller . o O ( Dex + Ath, shooty, 2-die stunt bonus. )

Monkey rolled 10 dice on stunting essence cannon wheeee and got 5 successes.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( The Captain needs to be more mobile somehow... Though if Monkey keeps stunting, he should have enough power to blast all the ships. )

Monkey rolled 10 dice on bolt and got 6 successes.

Monkey . o O ( I'm going to run out of ideas. I got one not-so-impressive stunt idea left. )

Down below, the screaming starts as the flames spatter the unfortunate dead. But you're past that and on the next ship. And surrounded by a group of nemissaries.

The Storyteller looks at time. Yipe!

Monkey . o O ( Besides, the exit needs to be considered. May I suggest Kaizoku starts Stormwind Rider soon, swing over so Monkey can jump on? )

The Storyteller . o O ( We need to wrap up soon. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yes, I was thinking he could scoop up some of the jars in the factory with it. )

Monkey . o O ( I advise against it, but hey, if you want to play with fire.... )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And Monkey could hurl them out the wind! )

Captain Kaizoku stands and invokes the power of the Emerald Circle of Sorcery!

Monkey . o O ( Stunt it. Crash the roof and have the whirlwind scoop green fire. Then run around surrounded by blazing inferno and yet unharmed. )

Monkey . o O ( I'm waiting for the nemissaries to do something, btw. Or should I roll init? )

The Storyteller . o O ( doh! Yeah, roll init. )

Monkey rolled 1d10+8 and got 15.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I was on the same lines, but with grabbing the jars and then casting Stormwind, doing a drive-by of the ships and tossing them onto keels. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 13.

On 1d10+6, you rolled 11.

The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey, CK, nemmies. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Did the Captain get the Sorcery charm going before the roll? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. )

Monkey ignores the nemissaries surrounding him. He bends down, lifts the nearest jar and hurls it toward the next ship before kicking the rest of the jars over. Scratching his head and grinning as the green fire spills out, he jumps up to the next ship's mast to watch the jar he threw hit the hull and crashing open.

Monkey . o O ( How many actions? )

The Storyteller . o O ( three: Dex + Ath, Dex + MA, Dex + Ath, all with a 2-die stunt bonus. )

Monkey rolled 9 dice on Dex + Ath and got 2 successes.

Monkey . o O ( Wait, not dex + thrown? )

Monkey . o O ( Oh well, my athletics is better anyway. )

Monkey rolled 7 dice on Shove and got 6 successes.

The Storyteller . o O ( Eh, whatever. )

Monkey rolled 7 dice on Dex + Ath and got 5 successes.

Captain Kaizoku kicks tiles aside and falls through the roof, dashing forward to the sealed, full fire-jars. Spreading his arms wide to encompass them, he rotated them in ever more rapid circles, calling forth the Stormwind Rider. Sucking the jars up with him in the eye of the storm, he funneled the force of the winds downward, leaping up through the hole in the roof. Sliding back down, he headed to the far side of the docks and the unburnt ships at high speed, planning to shove out a jar against the keel of each one.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I think that's one action and a lot of movement. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Tense much? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Too soon? )

Monkey . o O ( Heh. )

The Storyteller . o O ( No, you switched from present to past tense mid-pose. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Whoops. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Anyhoo. This is all inside the Stormwind, right? No roll, then. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yes, it is. How many full jars were picked up? 600 pounds is the capacity. )

Monkey . o O ( Hmmm, assuming liquid is about the same density as water, and assuming the jar has similar volume to a human being.... I suggest 3. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Less volume than a human. )

Monkey . o O ( 3 is still a good number. There are two ships left, if I count them right. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And they probably didn't fill too many after the cart was taken out. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Oooh, I thought of a nice use for the extra one if there are only two ships left. Drive over the top of the pyramid and drop it. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Monkey does his thing successfully, and the captain is now en route to the far dock, where Monkey is. )

Monkey . o O ( Given Stormwind Rider moves really fast, Kaizoku will catch up right about now. )

The Storyteller . o O ( True. Then... Monkey? )

Monkey sees the getaway ca-, I mean, sorcerously formed dustdevil coming to pick him up, and waits for it to get closer so he can jump in.

The Storyteller . o O ( CK? )

Captain Kaizoku passes right by the sterns of the two non-burning ships and shoves a jar right onto each of their keels, then raises his sword high in the air, knowing Monkey will be able to see it past the winds and leap lightly atop it.

The Storyteller . o O ( Neat! )

The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey, make a Dex + Ath roll... )

Monkey closes on of his eyes and aims for the eye of the whirlwind and makes one last great leap.

Monkey closes one of his eyes and aims for the eye of the whirlwind and makes one last great leap.

Monkey rolled 10 dice on something and got 6 successes.

Monkey . o O ( Would've been funny if I botched that one. )

The Storyteller . o O ( And done. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( All of the ships were left burning? )

Monkey . o O ( Do you want to stay and make sure? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Well, we can take an airborne pass on the way out to see. )

The Storyteller . o O ( As far as you can tell, yes. Off to the warbird? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Yes, keeping the jar as a sample to show the Legion, so they can be ready in case there's another base. )

Monkey . o O ( Uh, I don't think we can carry the jar on the warbird. It doesn't have cargo space. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Uh? Okay... but that seems like a staggeringly bad idea. On certain levels. )

Monkey . o O ( Sshhhh, I was trying to persuade him without having to wound his pride. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hmmm? )

Monkey . o O ( Okay, assume we can somehow carry the jar on the warbird. Now, the jar is fragile, and Monkey's hand will be full holding it. We get pursued. Now, Kaizoku can try evasive maneuvers.... )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( It is a bit big to fit on the Warbird, though. Drop it in the forest then. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Carrying a fragile container of unquenchable burning fire on a flying machine with which you have all of an hour and a half flight time. )

Monkey . o O ( Except the jar doesn't have a tight lid. Possible spill. Or... Kaizoku doesn't try evasive maneuvers. Someone tries a ranged attack. Hits the jar. We're tied to the bird. No defense whatsoever. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Bombing the Manse would invite too much trouble, so just spill it in the woods on the way. )

Monkey . o O ( Smoky The Bear says in a disapproving tone, "Only you can prevent forest fire." )

The Storyteller . o O ( Don't worry, it won't spread. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And it's an evil forest anyway. )

Monkey . o O ( If you want to carry the jar, keep on using the Stormwind Rider and abandon the warbird. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Regardless... It's almost 5:00 am on Thanksgiving day. And I have company at noon. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( No, ditch the jar, fly home on the warbird and that's that. )

Monkey . o O ( Okay. )

Monkey . o O ( If there's pursuit, we can do that next week. Anything else? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Think that's it for me. )

The Storyteller . o O ( The problem I'm running into now is that it takes another Exalt or two to challenge you guys... anyway, 4 XP each and I'll see you guys next Tuesday, usual time. )

Monkey . o O ( I declare Operation Dustdevil Firebomb a success. )

Monkey . o O ( G'night. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Night! )

The Storyteller . o O ( Night. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Happy thanksgiving! )