JesseLowe/PirateMonkeySession36
Back to Session 35
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Look, don't worry about me being overshadowed in combat. Monkey is the Dawn that's kinda Night-ish anyway. But anyway, while Monkey might not be able to deal combat damage conventionally, I'm quite sure that if it's really necessary, Monkey can sidestep the issue. I remind you that Monkey killed 20 something soak deathknight (Scholar) in one blow.
The Storyteller . o O ( Hallo. Just talking to IsawaBrian about him potentially joining the campaign. )
Apollonian [to TonyC]: Okay, I won't worry about it then.
TonyC [to jetman]: And yes.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I figured that was the case, and I'd welcome a new player. Is he leaning in any particular way? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Regarding what? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( That you were speaking with Brian, since he was in the lobby. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Oh, I meant leaning any way regarding a caste/character type. )
The Storyteller . o O ( We're talking about it... he seems to be mulling artificer or bureaucrat. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( An artificer would fit in quite well, I think. )
The Storyteller . o O ( It might, yes. It would also free the Admiral up to develop his non-occult side a bit more without worrying about a tactical drawback. )
Monkey . o O ( Did I mention I'm lagging pretty bad? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Indeed. And likely put someone in the long-range combat role, which would free Monkey up for his specialty of close-in fighting. )
The Storyteller . o O ( My wife just spent 20 minutes watching the credits for LotR extended edition... )
Monkey admires her dedication.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Did she find anything new? And would Brian like to sit in on a session? )
The Storyteller . o O ( It was the commentary track -- apparently Peter Jackson spent the entire time yammering on. )
Your message has been sent.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Are we ready for the Admiral's vision quest? )
IsawaBrian has arrived.
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Ball's on your court, El Kapitan.
The Storyteller . o O ( Vision quest? Eh, I gotta get coffee first anyway. )
jetman [to IsawaBrian]: Hi there!
jetman [to Apollonian]: Literally! Needs to find healing magic for his eyes
The Storyteller . o O ( Ah! )
TonyC [to IsawaBrian]: Feel free to ask questions.
IsawaBrian will just be watching this time. :)
jetman [to IsawaBrian]: Have you seen the Wiki for the game?
IsawaBrian [to jetman]: Yup.
IsawaBrian (BrianH) is the prolific Charmer known as IsawaBrian on the wiki.
The Storyteller . o O ( Posing. )
Suda casts a long shadow in the setting sun as she finishes the Battle Maiden stance atop the Solar Wind Fleet's hidden refuge in the Southern seas. She turns to Monkey and Akbar, who have been having a late snack, and says, "How is the Admiral faring?"
It has been a week since the terrible battle with the Lion of Near.
The Storyteller . o O ( done posing. )
Admiral Kaizoku has been quiet and withdrawn, keeping to his quarters and admitting few as he mulls over the disturbing past and uncertain future.
The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and David -- play Akbar if you like. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( OK! )
Monkey says, "His wounds have healed. At least as well as it could heal naturally."
Akbar says "Indeed, a recovery nothing short of miraculous, save for his eyes."
Monkey says, "Looks like some sand got into his eyes though. The resulting scar impairs his vision. He's been keeping them bandaged, hoping that further treatment will improve them, but I don't know if that'll work."
Suda says, "He will probably regenerate them, in a few years. I doubt he's willing to wait that long, though. Is he still in his quarters on the Unconquered Sun?"
Akbar speaks up with "Indeed, there he lies, an unhealthy gloom about him. Perhaps the good lady Suda knows of some wonderous magic to restor his vision?"
Monkey looks at Akbar, "The Dragonblooded of Lookshy is skilled at treating combat wounds. Shall we ask him if we should go there right away? Or maybe Nexus. They say they got everything there. Surely that includes the best doctor in the East.
Monkey . o O ( Alternatively you could learn the Medicine charm tree. :) )
The Storyteller . o O ( Oh boy, Valhallan Akbar. )
Monkey says, "Or perhaps you know of a skilled doctor in the South, Akbar?"
Suda says, "The problem with Nexus is that you and he are still exiled from there... at least until the 25th of Ascending Water.
Akbar says "There are many wonders in the South, my friend, but few miracles of such strength. I shall wrack my brains once more." In thinking of the exile from Nexus, he speaks up with "Perhaps Mahoud could come to the mountain instead?"
Suda says, "The other problem, of course, is that the Admiral's blinding would be better kept a secret, at least until we can find something that will remedy it to some extent. Imagine how his enemies would react -- and what havoc it could wreak on the morale of the fleet."
Monkey says, "Exile. Ah, pfft. Just drop a casket of jade and I'm sure whoever's in charge will overlook our visit."
Suda says, "Well, it _is_ Nexus..."
TonyC [to IsawaBrian]: There's your niche. The doc.
IsawaBrian [to TonyC]: I'd really rather not, if I could avoid it. Of course, artifact eyes are Cool...
Akbar nods in agreement. "Nor would the Admiral cause the same sort of stir as the last time he visited..." Though he does stop to wonder if that will be the case.
Monkey says, "We can always steal the jade back if necessary."
IsawaBrian [to TonyC]: Especially if done like that Jade Hand in Blood and Salt. Some form of charm-boosting effect.
Suda finishes stretching and grabs a piece of fruit before Master Jaff can pop it into his mouth. "Well then, let us see what the Admiral has to say," she says as she heads for the path down to the harbor. "Perhaps he has something in mind. He is the master of a thousand plans, after all..."
Monkey . o O ( The Eye of Vecna! Wheeee )
The Storyteller . o O ( Actually, I was thinking that a good short-term remedy might be the blindcloths on the Wiki under Artifacts/Seraph. )
Monkey . o O ( Or given the setting, Cecylyne's Third Eye. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Eye of Autocthon? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Given the visions that Kaizoku's been having, I think he would shy violently from implanting anything related to Cecylyne in his body. Which means I must use that idea, of course. )
IsawaBrian [to Apollonian]: Auww. No Orichalcum Orbs of Essence Mastery?
Monkey . o O ( May I point out that there must be several 2nd Circle Demons who can either heal the eyes or bypass it completely and grant vision some other way. )
Apollonian [to IsawaBrian]: I did say short-term fix. They're cool enough and cheap enough to be more-or-less incidental, while the OOEM would be more a quest objective.
IsawaBrian grins.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( So what is the Admiral's vision status? No eyes at all now, right? )
IsawaBrian [to Apollonian]: And, potentially, Schtick.
Apollonian [to TonyC]: You may. "Admiral, why don't you summon a demon to tinker with your vision? I'm sure it'll work out fine!"
The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. The Admiral presently has hollow sockets, probably filled with clean cotten padding that gets changed on a regular basis. )
Monkey says to Suda, "Yeah, let's see what he has in mind." He goes to Admiral Kaizoku's cabin and knocks, "Admiral? We're wondering what's the next step. Mind coming out of the cabin and talk with us for a moment?"
The Storyteller . o O ( So you're now on the Unconquered Sun, yes? )
Admiral Kaizoku sits upright on his bed, his quarters dark. "You may enter..." he says, clearly wanting the visitors to come to him.
Suda opens the door gently and enters the Admiral's stateroom. "Admiral. How are you feeling?" She stands aside as she speaks, letting Monkey and Akbar in.
Monkey . o O ( I assume so. It's the only place where the DB is. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Quick pose describing the Admiral's stateroom. )
Monkey says a casual greeting, "Uis," and goes in. Looking around, he locates the port and pours a cup for Kaizoku. "Port?"
Admiral Kaizoku says "As well as can be expected, under the circumstances." His hands are spread wide over the think sea blanket on the bunk. "This... situation cannot be allowed to last long, for I'm reasons I'm sure you have all worked out." He cocks his ear to see if he can pick up any cues as to who else has entered. He holds up a hand to wave off the offer of spirits.
The Admiral's stateroom on the UC is in the stern, of course. The bunk is in the rear of the cabin, under a window of adamant that gives a good view of, at the moment, a rock wall. In front of the bunk is a table and a pair of benches, all bolted down. The furnishings are all of fine Realm make, and thanks to careful decorating on a previous owner's part, the stateroom feels much more spacious than it actually is, with curtains over the bulkheads giving an illusion of depth. At the moment, the only ligh in the cabin washes in from the harbor lights outside.
Monkey shrugs and downs the cup in a gulp. "Ahhh, good one. Anyway, in that case, Admiral, which port then?"
Admiral Kaizoku steeples his fingers. "The usual approach to problems one does not have a spell to solve is to summon a demon and have them construct it instead. That is not an option, considering recent... complications. Thus, we must find a spell of healing powerful enough for the task at hand" he says, his tone as controlled as always. "It is a bold move, but one that fits well with another need. We must make use of the cube portal to go to the Library of the Golden Fane, in Eagle's Launch on the Blessed Isle."
The Storyteller . o O ( Suda doesn't know about the cube, right? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Whoops, well she didn't until now! )
Suda leans forward and says, "Cube portal? What's this?"
Admiral Kaizoku's mouth tightens as his slip, then relaxes. "Monkey, show her."
Monkey says, "It's a puzzle box. Very neat trick!"
Monkey says, "Where do you keep it? Cabinet? Ah, there it is."
Suda says, "Do you have it handy? I'd like to take a look at it..."
Admiral Kaizoku says, "The strongbox at the foot of the bed, Monkey. It was pulled from the Queen's skyship."
Monkey says, "Strongbox? Hmmm, nope, nope, ah, got it. Well Suda, basically, the pieces move around, like this. It's supposed to go together like that. But all the other pieces tend to get in the way."
Monkey says, "But when you channel essence into it...."
Suda says, "Wait!"
Monkey . o O ( Quick, I'm doing all the possible means to get dice to activate the box now! )
The Storyteller . o O ( Hang on a sec, looking up the last time we did this... )
Monkey . o O ( Hmmm, I don't think I can justify channeling a virtue here. So WP for auto-success for sure. Stunt dice for entertaining dialogue and general trouble-making? )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, roll Int + Lore if you ignore Suda's request and try to solve it. )
Monkey . o O ( I don't suppose channeling more essence than necessary will help. )
The Storyteller . o O ( No. )
Monkey rolled 3 dice on Puzzle box wheeee! and got 2 successes.
Monkey makes a little progress on the box before Suda says, "If that's going to take you to Eagle's Launch once you solve it, maybe you should be prepared before you solve it. May I please look at it?"
Monkey says, "Sure, look all you want. I almost got it."
Admiral Kaizoku likewise holds out a hand as he says "This will require some planning Monkey, so do not activate it yet." He seems tense.
You rolled 11 dice on Analysis! and got 5 successes.
Suda turns the puzzle box over in her hands a few times and sets it down on the table. "Interesting," she says. "I've heard of these once or twice, but I've never seen one before."
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Regretably, the former owners did not share much about it. Is there more to it than meets the eye?"
Admiral Kaizoku winces slightly at his own remark.
You sense that IsawaBrian is looking for you in The Holodeck.
Suda sits down and puts on her lecturing face. "The transposition boxes were developed in the First Age by a Twilight sorcerer, as far as we know. They were never very widely used, since they required a certain degree of intelligence and persistence to operate, and were mostly made by sorcerers as curiousities and transportation devices."
She continues, "Their limitations and capabilities are almost unknown, therefore, and only a few are recorded as surviving the Usurpation and, later, the Great Contagion. Indeed, it's possible that the person you seized it from did not know what they had. Where in Eagle's Launch is this one's mate?"
Admiral Kaizoku waves a hand in Monkey's general direction.
Monkey yawns, "Oh, what? Oh, you mean the other one. Mmmmm, in a storage room somewhere.
Monkey says, "I think it was a temple or monastery."
Suda says, "Interesting. That implies that its owner doesn't know what it is, either."
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Now, do you have some sort of lore-scanning method at your disposal to allow a suitable spell to be found in the library, Suda?"
Monkey says, "Who knows. But more importantly, are we going now?"
Monkey . o O ( Hmmm, meta-wise, I don't believe sorcery covers healing. )
The Storyteller . o O ( dammit, you're making me look at her spells again. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( In the sense that there aren't any healing spells I can find, you're right, but there are references in the Medical charms to "More powerful magics" so there has to be something. )
IsawaBrian [to jetman]: Or, well, higher-Essence Med Charms. :)
Suda says, "Yes, it's called research." She grins. That was a joke! "It may take a while, of course, but if the temple is the Library of the Golden Fane, we're bound to find something. As it happens, we'll need to visit there anyway -- that's where I was researching the location of the next artifact before I found you again, and I left my research half-finished."
Monkey wiggles his fingers. "In that case, if you'll hand me the puzzle box, Suda, we can get started."
Suda hands Monkey the box and says, "Before you finish the puzzle, let me gather some things. Like disguises."
Admiral Kaizoku steeples his fingers. "Exactly... two birds with one stone" he says, his mood lightening a hair from the unexpected humor from Suda. "We must prepare for the trip... indeed, disguises and jade."
She stands, says, "By your leave, Admiral," and exits. Akbar says, "Admiral, do you need me to do anything?"
Monkey claps. "Disguises! Right. Can't risk the Admiral getting recognized. Hmmm, perhaps an elderly patrician, so old his vision is gone, and his kind daughter."
Monkey says, "Let me go get the stuff."
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Gather up portable, inconspicuous wealth, Akbar, and have the ship set course for the Tower of the Sun."
Monkey dashes off to get costume, the horse-hair wig and moustache, and other paraphernalia.
The Storyteller . o O ( So what all do you get to prep for the trip? )
Monkey . o O ( Monkey applies disguise on Kaizoku and Suda. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The Lookshy upper class clothes. )
Akbar says, "Yes, sir. Who do you want to remain here at the Halcyon Port, and who to sail the Unconquered Sun?"
Monkey says, "No, wait, patrician is out of place in a library. I know, a sage. And Suda the daughter is also his research assistant."
Monkey says, "Lookshy clothes? No good for a sage. They'd think you're spying for Realm secret lore."
Admiral Kaizoku says, "The two fangs of Marines will secure the port for now, and patrol in Monkey's courier. And Monkey, a spy would not wear foreign clothes, as that would look out of place."
Monkey says, "Ah, right."
Monkey . o O ( OOC: anyone smart thinks that way. But the average guards are going to suspect obvious foreigners. )
Akbar says, "Yes, sir." He gets up and exits the cabin.
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Monkey go to the stores and fetch a suitable staff, then have the cabin girl put some wear on it."
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( OOC And the average guards will fall prey to Social-Fu! )
The Storyteller . o O ( Wow, there's a bit of innuendo there. )
Monkey . o O ( Shhhh. It's rare to see Kaizoku makes innuendo. Don't scare him. Pretend nothing happened. )
Monkey says, "Aye aye."
The Storyteller . o O ( Fast forward, then. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Aye )
The Storyteller . o O ( What disguises are you using, and what else are you taking with you? )
Monkey . o O ( Nothing! )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Blind foreign sage with consort and escort. Akbar's coming along to handle the money matters, as sages are above such earthly dealings, and Monkey's the idiot cousin bodyguard. All the Admiral's usual artifiacts are coming along, suitably disguised, but no heavy weapons. )
The Storyteller . o O ( idiot cousin bodyguard. Heh. )
Monkey . o O ( I am hoping nobody will notice Monkey's lack of disguise, but he's basically dressed in the usual style. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Perhaps a straw hat might help? )
IsawaBrian . o O ( Obviously, the Monkey is using the No-Disguise, the ur-Disguise from which all disguises ultimately spring, and ultimately return. )
Monkey . o O ( A very good idiot cousin bodyguard, thank you very much. )
Monkey . o O ( the best. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( At least no one will recognize the Admiral yet, since no one's seen his fixed face. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Plus he's wearing a cloth over his eyes, yes? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Also true. )
Monkey . o O ( It worked for Robin, Green Hornet, and countless others. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Like the Lone Ranger! )
Monkey . o O ( Tonto thinks pale-face likes Silver a bit too much. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Though the rest of their outlandish attire tended to distract from their faces to begin with. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. We'll say that, once everything's ready, it takes Monkey about an hour to finish solving the puzzle. Suda has a pack on her back that's pretty much stuffed with scrolls and such, while Akbar has dug out appropriate clothing and kit, including a wad of Realm scrip. At last, the puzzle snaps into place and Creation wavers around you... )
The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, wait. Given that it's evening now, are you going to leave now, or wait until the morning? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Oh, the Admiral left Razor Leaf in command, and told him that they'd be departing by other means, and not to go into the cabin. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Are there time zones in Creation? )
The Storyteller . o O ( No, not really. It's that whole flat earth bit. )
The Storyteller . o O ( I guess. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Go now, as there will be less activity and we can say we just arrived. Harder to do that in the morning. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Maybe a blindcloth will be used as a bookmark in some forgotten tome. )
TonyC has reconnected.
Creation re-forms around you in the shape of a storeroom, one Monkey recognizes easily enough. The flows of Air essence permeat the stone of the walls, and the clutter in the room is all but unchanged from the last time Monkey was here. The only difference, in fact, is that there is no old, blind man under the table on the far wall. Indeed, by the dust on the floor, you are the first people to enter the room for quite some time.
Monkey . o O ( Sorry, the connection dropped for a few minutes. Judging from the pose, I don't think I missed anything though. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Nope, just minor thoughts. )
Admiral Kaizoku lifts his chin as he detects the Essence flow. "Monkey, check the hallway" he says in a low voice. "And secure the cube on this side."
The Storyteller . o O ( Are you going to leave the cube behind? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Oh, no. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, just checking. )
Monkey opens the door and looks out. Left, then right.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( If the plan works, we'll leave it in a more secure and convenient location... )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( We need to arrange a drop in the capital for more timetables after all. )
Monkey says, "All cl-"
Monkey . o O ( ear? )
Akbar and Suda are looking around the store room, but don't see anything all that interesting. Meanwhile, the corridor is empty, though it is obviously a bit more well-traveled than the storeroom.
Monkey finishes, "-ear, Admiral.
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Suda, hold the cube."
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Very good. Lead the way Monkey."
Monkey says, "Uh, where are we going again?"
Admiral Kaizoku feels the urge to roll his eyes, which is quite painful. "Out of this place, first of all, and to the Library."
The corridor is about ten feet tall and not quite as wide. The walls of the corridor are sculpted, with geometric patterns alternating with elaborate bas-reliefs showing dragons cavorting among clouds or above landscapes.
Monkey says, "Right. Over here."
Monkey goes to the left. Not right.
Admiral Kaizoku keeps his left hand on Akbar's shoulder and his right on his staff.
Monkey leads the group the courtyard, and then down the stairs, ending up at the congee stall.
Admiral Kaizoku says, "This does not smell like the outside Monkey."
Suda takes up the rear of the party, glancing around as you walk down the corridor. After a few minutes she says, "Admiral, I think we are already in the Library. The essence flows feel similar. It's quite a large complex, so we could be somewhere in the less-public areas. Also -- we need pseudonyms. Here, I usually go by Ragara Sora, a very minor patrician..."
Monkey says, "I'm retracing my step exactly, Admiral. Don't worry. I know exactly where we are going."
Admiral Kaizoku hmmms. "And does Sora have any conveniently distant family?"
Monkey enters the hole-in-the-wall restaurant, sits down, and orders chowder for everyone. "It's pretty good, y'know."
Monkey says, "Eat fast. We still have a couple more places to go before we get to the library proper."
Admiral Kaizoku says, "You are aware of the gravity of the situation Monkey? This is a plan so bold as to verge on madness for a lesser group."
Monkey . o O ( Okay, to fast-forward a bit, I am retracing Monkey's journey exactly. But eventually we go back up to the courtyard, take another path, and end up in the actual library. )
Leaving the manse is fairly easy... Surprisingly so, actually. The courtyard was empty, and the gate was unbarred, although it was closed. Once outside, the street traffic is sparse -- mostly night workers and drunks. Luckily, the chowder restaurant is open, and the chowder is still good. Aside from the four of you, there are only a few people in the room, none worth a second glance.
Monkey . o O ( Jesse can correct me if I missed anything from session 15. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Sure, that's what you think. )
Monkey says, "In that case, we can eat as we walk. C'mon."
Admiral Kaizoku exerts all his will to appear relaxed as he blindly follows Monkey through a city in the heart of his second greatest enemy. Perhaps third.
As you eat, Suda explains how she's entered the Library in the past. "I have posed as an assistant to a Ragaran sorcerer, doing very tedious research. I have the appropriate letters of introduction, and a few judiciously placed pieces of jade help as well."
Monkey . o O ( Strike the eating while walking out then. )
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Did this sorcerer have a name that I can adopt then?"
Monkey . o O ( feel free to fast forward. I milked the scene for Monkey-ness already. )
Suda says, "Usually, I stay in the Library itself. They have a few open cells for visitors that are provided gratis. Whether you want to spend that much time close to the Immaculates is up to your discretion, sir. My supposed sponsor is Ragara Marunin. I... don't think you'd pass for him, but I can probably pass you off as my revered uncle. You have certain patrician features that would carry the lie."
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Did Suda just call the Admiral 'Sir?' )
The Storyteller . o O ( Yup. Getting into character, as it were... or maybe the Admiral's air of authority is finally getting to her. Who knows? )
Admiral Kaizoku nods once. "That will suffice, beloved neice. Perhaps you can read me the old tales in the books that you're always poking your nose into."
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( If the Admiral's subverted a Sidereal with his personal magnetism, won't some of the others try to have him bumped off? )
Monkey . o O ( Well, duh. )
The Storyteller . o O ( They'll have to notice, first... In this kind of relationship, it could get rather difficult to tell who's subverted whom. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yeah, but there's Monkey to blurt the wrong thing (like how they were kissing in a tree) to the wrong person at the wrong time... :) )
Monkey . o O ( But that's what makes life interesting! )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( He said, while in the belly of the beast and the heart of the Realm, with every man's hand against them. )
Suda says, "Yes, uncle. But for the moment, we should find a place to sleep." She raises her voice for the benefit of a passing monk. "That journey was awful -- the lumpiest, most flea-ridden bunk I have ever slept in! Akbar, see if you can find us an inn. I'm sure we can afford somewhere with a bath for at least one night."
Akbar bows obsequiously as he moves to ask one passerby after another for decent accomodations for the honored mistress.
Monkey . o O ( One of these days, all of us Anathema will be in perfect disguise, and yet someone will recognize Akbar and spoil everything. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Akbar is very bland, but not quite at the supernatural level of blandness. )
It takes a few tries, but on the fifth attempt Akbar manages to get directions to an inn that doesn't sound like a brothel or a pit. By midnight, you're all ensconced in a single room, with a screen for Suda's privacy, and she's off getting her bath and laying the groundwork for your personas.
Admiral Kaizoku changes his wrappings himself during that time, after pulling his Daiklave from its tight wrappings to conceal it under a blanket. "Well done thus far." he tells Monkey and Akbar. "The lore we seek should be ill-used, beyond the comprehension of the locals."
The Storyteller . o O ( Fast forward to morning? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Sure! )
Monkey . o O ( Sure. )
Morning comes and you are awakened by the sounds of a port city getting into the daily swing of things. Breakfast is simple but filling street food, and by mid-morning you are at the gates of the Library of the Golden Fane, negotiating with the doorman.
Monkey . o O ( Well, negotiation isn't Monkey's best forte. )
Monkey . o O ( It's my second best forte though. Want me to handle it? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Suda's been here before, but the Admiral isn't bad either... )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Is Suda speaking, or should we go? )
Suda has already presented her letters of introduction and is explaining the presence of her uncle, her cousin, and her manservant. It's going... moderately well. "Madam, I understand your point of view, but the Abbot is rather firm on the point. Lower-caste subjects are not allowed in the Library, for their own safety." The doorman is a broad-shouldered monk, clad in simple white robes, and he appears to be quite capable of spouting the company line until the Void swallows the Blessed Isle.
Suda -- or rather, Ragara Sora -- sighs under her breath. "But I need his assistance to complete my research," she says, gesturing at Akbar. "He's a very skilled copyist, despite his low birth. Are you sure you can't make an exception?"
The doorman says, "I would have to ask the Abbot, and he has left strict instructions that he is not to be disturbed right now. Perhaps in a day or two."
Admiral Kaizoku reaches out and whacks the man on his shoulder with his staff. "Now see here! I've had enough of this waiting! Do you think I'll be looking at any of your precious books? Well, do you? And my lackwit nephew here" He whacks Monkey "has never looked at a book without pictures in it!"
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Activating HPM! )
Monkey says, "I beg your pardon, Uncle! But they've showed me an Immaculate text to me once and it has no pictures."
Monkey says, "Now, I'm not saying I read it, but I sure looked at it. I mean, how else can I be sure it has no pictures except by leafing through the whole book?"
The doorman makes a small gesture, a prayer or something. "Revered sir, I trust that you and your nephew are clearly of noble birth, and therefore you are welcome in the outer chambers of the Library, as is Madam Sora. However, the Abbot's rules are clear: no plebians are allowed beyond this gate without his express permission."
The Storyteller . o O ( brb, need to get a bit more coffee. )
Monkey folds his arms and hold his chin high, as if saying "Try to refute that bit of logic, Uncle."
Monkey . o O ( Is Akbar's presence really necessary? )
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Now I've heard enough foolishness! Do you think that three upstanding nobles can't keep a servant in proper check! I've handled dozens of underlings in my time! My neice's man here won't be drooling on any of your precious books! Now the sooner you let us in, the sooner we'll take care of our business and go! Unless you're saying my word and my blood aren't enough!""
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( We'll likely be leaving directly from the library, so... )
Monkey . o O ( testing lag )
The Storyteller . o O ( Sorry. Had some trouble getting the cream open. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Lag's OK! )
The Storyteller . o O ( AK, roll Manipulation + Presence. )
The Storyteller . o O ( plus charms, of course, and, say, a 1-die stunt. )
Admiral Kaizoku rolled 11 dice on Cranky-fu! and got 6 successes.
IsawaBrian . o O ( Remember Rule #1: Always be afraid of the old man, /especially/ when he seems helpless. )
Monkey . o O ( Need a broom for best effect though. )
The Storyteller . o O ( And a monk, of course, should know that better than almost anyone. )
You rolled 4 dice on something and got 3 successes.
The monk looks around and shrugs. "All right, all right. Here..." he scribbles something onto a piece of paper and hands it to Akbar. "This is a pass. Carry it with at all times inside the Library, and do not leave the company of Lady Ragara." He waves the group of you through. "And please, try to avoid the Abbot."
He lowers his voice. "His hemorrhoids are acting up again, and he's got an important visitor, so he's crankier than usual."
Admiral Kaizoku makes an approving "harrumph" at that and whacks Monkey on the shoulder with his staff again as he goes in. "Why can't you be a polite young man like that fellow!"
Monkey . o O ( Damn you, Brian, for bringing Pratchett up. Now I keep wanting to have Monkey whack somebody with a toy elephant while saying "bikkit! wanna bikkit!" )
The Storyteller . o O ( Heheh. )
IsawaBrian . o O ( Muahaha. Also, ha! )
Monkey says, "Bah. Anyone will be cranky after hanging around you for any length of time. An occasional lapse of manners then is surely forgivable. "
Monkey strolls inside with that, not giving Uncle a chance to retort.
Monkey . o O ( And also preventing the guard from changing his mind. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( BRB )
The entryway where you've been arguing with the doorman is to the Library proper, and is on a landing looking out over the courtyard. You walk into the cool air of the outer rooms of the Library, where silent monks mingle with patrician scholars, reading and occasionally talking in low voices. Suda leads you on unerringly, until you reach a round room with two doors, the walls lined with scrolls. The room is tall, and windows on the north wall let in bright sunlight, clearly illuminating a pair of tables in the center of the room.
The Storyteller . o O ( me too. )
Monkey . o O ( I shall snack on Pringles while waiting then. )
IsawaBrian [to TonyC]: Since you're the only one here- how do you guys run Navigation? Regular Sail? As Lore? Sail with a required specialty?
TonyC [to IsawaBrian]: As Lore, although in some cases Sail might be subbed in with a higher difficulty.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Back )
The Storyteller . o O ( back. )
IsawaBrian [to TonyC]: Thanks. @#%!
The Storyteller . o O ( All righty.... eh? )
Admiral Kaizoku has a bitter expression that is not all artifice, being in such a treasure trove of lore and yet completely unable to read. "Who knows what secrets lay squandered here..." he grumbles under his breath.
Suda sets her bag down on one of the tables. "We're in the Lesser Underworld (Northern Facet) Room, which is rarely visited. Thus, we should be able to work without being disturbed. That this corridor," she points at the door opposite the one you came through, "leads to the Anathema rooms is merely a coincidence." Akbar sets his stuff down on the table as well.
Admiral Kaizoku feels his way around the wall to someplace midway between the doors, still looking quite discontented. "Make sure no one disturbs the important work, nephew, and be discreet! This is a library!"
The Storyteller . o O ( So, in the Fane. Admiral, what's your plan? )
You sense that IsawaBrian is looking for you in The Holodeck.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Poke through the Anathema collections to see if there's a spell that can heal the eye damage and research where the last fragment is, in that order. )
The Storyteller . o O ( Got it. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( All up to Suda, since the Admrial can't read ATM and Monkey's not too much for lore... )
TonyC has reconnected.
Monkey . o O ( Dropped connection. Last seen: corridor leading to Anathema room is mere coincidence. )
Admiral Kaizoku feels his way around the wall to someplace midway between the doors, still looking quite discontented. "Make sure no one disturbs the important work, nephew, and be discreet! This is a library!"
TonyC has reconnected.
Admiral Kaizoku feels his way around the wall to someplace midway between the doors, still looking quite discontented. "Make sure no one disturbs the important work, nephew, and be discreet! This is a library!"
Suda says, "Let's begin." She wanders over to the nearest rack of scrolls and pulls a few out, seemingly at random. "Monkey, please stand watch. Akbar, why don't you begin copying some of these with my uncle's advice on which parts are most important. I think you might find them useful, and they fit my current "research." In the meantime, I will see if I can slip into the Anathema section without being noticed..." She hands the scrolls to Akbar, who lays them out on the table.
Monkey says, "Aye aye."
Monkey goes to stand in the corridor. He leans casually to the wall and yawns.
Admiral Kaizoku taps his way over to Akbar and leans in close so no one overhears.
The scrolls are written in an old dialect of Riverspeak, and are all of a piece -- translations of an older work, it seems. Akbar glances over them idly at first, then with a bit more interest. "Sir," he whispers to Kaizoku, "these look to be about the Deathlords..."
Admiral Kaizoku hrrrrs. "Take it all down then. What is the gist of it?" he asks under his breath.
Monkey starts doing one-handed push-ups to pass time.
The scrolls are a five-volume work, of which volume four is missing. Entitled 'Observances of the Lords of the Dead' it describes the Underworld Realms of several princes. By description, Kaizoku recognizes one as the Lover Clad in Raiment of Tears, and another as the Bishop of the Chalcedony Thurible. Five others are described in the volumes you have, though none seem to have survived to the present. (The work dates back to the early 500s.) Tantalizingly, the fifth volume makes a few references to the fourth, which is dedicated almost entirely to the 'Queen of Sky-borne Shadow,' who apparently dwells in the mountains of the northern Underworld.
Akbar whispers, "Which parts should I start copying, sir?"
Admiral Kaizoku whispers back "Any reference to the Queen, for starters, then the Lover and the Bishop."
Monkey finishes up his push-up and rolls over to his back and looks at ceiling. "Hmmm, pretty awful building. Not enough windows. Entirely lacking in high places. A glass ceiling might save the building, but nope, guess stone it is."
He says, "Aye, aye, sir," and begins copying. Every so often he reads off interesting bits to the Admiral. After perhaps half an hour -- he's just finished a description of the Tear Eaters shamanic traditions -- Suda comes back in. Although the Admiral can't see the expression on her face, the tone of her voice tells him that she's worried. She says, quietly, "Someone's in the Anathema section... and they're looking through the books I was researching the artifact in."
Admiral Kaizoku frowns, but is not shocked. "Our late, salty friend had some letters to this effect... I was hoping his interest would have passed along with him. Is it the abbot? Perhaps my fool nephew can create a diversion while you use some misdirection?"
Monkey kips up into a handstand and looks up, err, down, examining the floor. After a quick look, he concludes, "Eh, same as the ceiling."
Suda says, "Not the abbot. If I did not know better, I'd say it was our late, salty friend... but he is dead."
TonyC [to jetman]: Your call.
Admiral Kaizoku's frown intensifies. "He went over the edge of the boat wounded, right before the shadow storm. Yet if anyone could survive, it would be him. I would rather be at my best before fixing this oversight, but we may not have a choice... summon Monkey."
Monkey . o O ( I favor the "Must be a twin" ostrich POV. )
The Storyteller . o O ( That's a hell of a spell right there, isn't it? Summon Monkey. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Nah, you just wave something shiny around. )
Monkey . o O ( <laughs> )
Monkey . o O ( Well, someone spend the motes and cast the spell. Or wave something shiny. )
Akbar is already at the entrance. "Psst! Monkey!" he whispers.
Monkey . o O ( In some respect, Monkey is like Fighter. Mention... Sword-chucks, and lo, he's there. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( If I'm reading it right, blind fighting's only a two die penalty... and Barada went over before he saw the big thing. )
Monkey looks up from his upside-down pose and says, "Yes?"
Admiral Kaizoku whispers "I don't suppose you found any spell to help with my... drawback?"
Akbar whispers, "The admiral wants you."
Monkey says, "I was not, I swear, sleeping. And you can't prove it anyway, Akbar.""
Monkey says, "Oh, that's different then"
The Storyteller . o O ( Not two dice, two successes. )
Monkey lets himself fall into a standing position and walks toward the room. "You called?"
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Ahhh, well, still not too bad. )
Suda says, "No spells, but I did find something interesting. There's a sorcerer in a town south of here, an artificer. He wrote a work on the Wyld Hunt during the late Shogunate, and in the dedication mentions something called a blindcloth, which allows the blind to see."
Monkey . o O ( lag test. )
Monkey . o O ( pretty laggy )
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Much better than nothing... perhaps he will know where one is. In the meantime, how can we subert our friend's quest for information? Can you misdirect him given the chance, or at least get what we need?"
She continues, "It's dated to about a decade ago, so he might still be there. Marginalia indicates that he's made a couple of these blindcloths for local DragonBlooded. Perhaps we can persuade him to make another for us."
Admiral Kaizoku says, "Did he strike you as a progressive sort, or a traditional one? We may need more severe persuasion if the latter is the case."
Suda says, "I can try to misdirect him, but it will be tricky. He's never seen me, so we have that going for us, at least. Do you have the other pieces on you?"
Monkey looks at Akbar, "You aren't pulling my leg, are you? Admiral seems to be busy with Suda. Not that that surprises me. Are you sure we ought to interrupt them?"
Admiral Kaizoku nods. "Of course" he says to Suda. "I will have Monkey provide one of his usual diversions."
IsawaBrian . o O ( "Break things. Sometimes people. )
Suda says, "All right... The room he's in has three entrances, one of which is partially concealed. If Monkey distracts him, I can slip in and filch one or two critical books, ones he can't do without."
Admiral Kaizoku says "That will do. We will meet back at the inn if seperated." He waves Monkey over, as best he can.
Monkey gives Akbar a grin, "Ooo, looks like they're done."
Monkey comes over.
Admiral Kaizoku looks blankly in Monkey's direction. "Our late friend is not late enough, and interested in the same subject we are. Sketch the room and the entract you'll use..." he says to Suda. "Go in the opposite way and divert his attention. We will meet back at the inn if we are seperated. Act like an idiot noble, not a pirate."
The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey's not wearing any kind of disguise, right? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Good thing the Admiral can't see that! )
Monkey says, "Simplicity itself. The nobility are idiots after all. Cheerio then, be right back. Ta ta."
Monkey . o O ( Heh heh heh. )
Monkey saunters out of the room. Ten seconds later, he comes running back, braking right in front of Suda. "Uh, which entrance are you going to use again?"
Suda follows Monkey and overtakes him a few paces on. "Up ahead, the hallway forks. Take the right fork, and then the second left. That leads into the room this fellow is in. I'll be behind the entrance that will be slightly to your right in that room -- whatever you do, don't draw his attention to me. Get him away from the table and that entrance, and I'll swipe some of the books off the table. That should certainly delay him for a while."
Monkey . o O ( Okay, strike that "saunters" bit then. )
Monkey . o O ( and now, for a new saunter. )
Monkey saunters in into the Anathema room.
Monkey examines Barada's twin. "Hmmmm, the resemblance is striking indeed," he whispers.
Monkey clears his throat to attract the twin's attention. "Ehm. Ehm."
Monkey . o O ( Ah, really long pose. Must be a "Mister Anderson" moment. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( A 'burly brawl' with Barada would get ugly... )
It's a wide, circular room lined with bookshelves. In the center of the room are five tables set up for studying, arranged in a rough pentagon around a central light-well. At one of these tables sits a man, probably DragonBlooded, reading a scroll and making the occasional note on a piece of paper next to him. From the back, he looks very like Barada. He is dressed in the uniform of a naval officer, white buff coat and epaulets. At Monkey's throat-clearing he shifts a little, and says -- without turning -- "Yes?" Sounds like Barada, but older and rougher.
The Storyteller . o O ( Er, done posing. )
Monkey says, "Pardon me, good man, but it seems my manservant has gotten himself lost. You wouldn't happen to see someone wandering around earlier, have you?"
The naval officer says, "I have not seen such a person, nor do I care. If there is nothing else, please leave. Your presence is disturbing my peace of mind."
Monkey says, "Ah, sorry then. Hey, wait a minute. I know you."
Monkey scratches his head and scrunches his facial expression.
Monkey says, "You're that V'neef guy. We met at that Cynis party..... uh, rats. Which V'neef are you?"
The naval officer says, "Ah. Do you, now? My name is V'neef Barada, and I do think I recognize your voice. Were you looking for something, perhaps?"
Monkey says, "Pardon me. I should introduce myself first. My name is M-(mumble) Sagara (mumble) Saru. Yes, that's it."
Monkey says, "And yes, my manservant, as I previously said."
Barada puts down the scroll he's been studying and fishes in his coat pocket. "Ah, yes, Sagara Saru. I think you were looking for this when we last met." He holds up a small, golden object. "Weren't you?"
The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey's pose... )
Monkey says, "Nope. Last time we met I think I was just looking for wealth and women. Only got one though. Nice yacht. Still, now that you mention it, mind if I take a closer look at it?"
Monkey . o O ( Hey, he's waving something shiny. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( LOL! )
Monkey approaches Barada and bends down to peer at the object.
Barada says, "Please, do come closer, Monkey." He gets up and turns toward the Solar. "I've been waiting for you, and your master. Where is he?"
Monkey says, "Hmmm, I'm not supposed to tell you."
Monkey places his hand, palm upward, and inquires, "Is that the real thing?"
The Storyteller . o O ( dammit, my dialogue motor just went belly up... )
Monkey . o O ( Hmmmm, if I actually manage to get within arm's length, let me know. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( So it's violence time? )
Monkey says, "Let me test it."
Monkey says, "I do point out, that if the thing passes the test, then I'm supposed to bring it to Mr. Uh, Ragara Sun? Yup, him."
Barada says, "As real as the one you stole from me a year ago. Catch." He tosses it up in the air and it glitters in the sunlight. As the orichalcum piece reaches the apex of its arc, the DragonBlooded lunges at the Solar.
The Storyteller . o O ( And I think we'll end there. )
Monkey . o O ( Okie. )
The Storyteller . o O ( for the night, anyway. I gotta get some sleep. )
Monkey . o O ( I was this close of attempting Larceny. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I hate it when I'm right... Take care! )
The Storyteller . o O ( 3 xp each. )
The Storyteller . o O ( same time next week? )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yep! )
Monkey . o O ( Amen. )
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( What did you think Brian? )
Monkey . o O ( Hah, good thing I took the Perfect Dodge Trump. )
You say, "I'll see you guys later. Good night!"
TonyC [to Apollonian]: Good night.
Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Night! )
On to Session 37
