JesseLowe/PirateMonkeySession53

jetman has arrived. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yo ho! ) "Hallo! You say, "Hallo!" Admiral Kaizoku says, "What's up?" "Not much. You say, "Not much." "You? You say, "You?" TonyC materializes out of thin air. Admiral Kaizoku says, "Also not much. Looking forward to the repint of Games of Divinity though." "Ah, yes. You say, "Ah, yes." Admiral Kaizoku says, "And I acquired a quest item I've been seeking for years." "? You say, "?" TonyC [to jetman]: The Blue Crystal? TonyC [to jetman]: KOR TV series? Admiral Kaizoku says, "Adam Warren's sketchbook, printed as a doujinshi in Japan." TonyC [to jetman]: Woot. "Ah. You say, "Ah." Admiral Kaizoku says, "My friend in Japan found a copy for me after quite some looking and mailed it without emailing me first. It was indeed quite a surprise." "Well, first off: This is going to be a short short session because I need to be up at 8:00 am EST to register for next semester's classes. You say, "Well, first off: This is going to be a short short session because I need to be up at 8:00 am EST to register for next semester's classes." Admiral Kaizoku says, "OK! Good luck getting them!"

knocks on wood.

The Storyteller knocks on wood. TonyC [to Apollonian]: Already? Wow, time flies fast.. "We get to register pretty early, it seems like. You say, "We get to register pretty early, it seems like." "I just hope I have a connection at the time... it's online... You say, "I just hope I have a connection at the time... it's online..." Admiral Kaizoku says, "Oh oh..." TonyC [to Apollonian]: Well. In about 30 minutes I'll have to disconnect for about 5 minutes or less. This shouldn't affect the game. TonyC [to Apollonian]: So what's the second thing? "Uh... save vs. death? You say, "Uh... save vs. death?" "Actually, that was the only thing. You say, "Actually, that was the only thing." "Lemme just grab a frosty beverage and we can get rolling. You say, "Lemme just grab a frosty beverage and we can get rolling." Monkey . o O ( You finally got Xenosaga and thought, man, why didn't they just made an anime out of it? Guess what? They did! 13 episodes, and covering like the first half of the game. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Heh. ) "No, but I did pick up God of War. Pretty damn good. You say, "No, but I did pick up God of War. Pretty damn good." Monkey . o O ( The slammer? The game's FMV is prettier than the anime. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Games do have a bit longer of a schedule to work with than anime... ) Monkey . o O ( In other news, the twinked out 500 XP Solars beat First & Forsaken Lion. Disclaimer: No custom charms, meaning Lion's hobbled by the lack of high essence charms while the Solars are working at full efficiency. Was really close though. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( How close? Did they all survive? ) think Back. Do share! The Storyteller . o O ( Back. Do share! ) Monkey . o O ( They all survived, undamaged except for HL charm costs. ) Monkey . o O ( That doesn't mean anything though. At that level, you're pretty much doing perfects, because if you got hit, you're dead. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Point... ) Monkey . o O ( Key point: Stunts are your best friend. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Any 3-die ones? ) TonyC [to Apollonian]: Luckily for you, you won't have to worry about us two repeating the same feat. The combination of Sidereal MA and Solar Sorcery are the pincer attack that worked. Technically there's a possibility that the Earth Dragon MA's paralyze attack might work, but it never got a chance for testing. TonyC [to jetman]: Not really, although one cooperative stunt got 2+1 dice (2 for one guy and 1 for the partner). 'TonyC Also, of course, there's only 2 of you, not a full circle. Apollonian [to TonyC]: Also, of course, there's only 2 of you, not a full circle. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Hey, is there a multi-body technique in any sidereal martial arts? Shadow dopplegangers, etc? ) think Not in the SMA, but I think there's one for at least one Celestial art. The Storyteller . o O ( Not in the SMA, but I think there's one for at least one Celestial art. ) Monkey eyes the mysterious Peleps Leden and the fastest sail in Creation Shen. think Wolf and Raven for one. The Storyteller . o O ( Wolf and Raven for one. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( So we could have multiple Monkeys to take up the slack! ) Monkey . o O ( If it's custom MA, there are several. ) think Like multiple Monkeys would be worth the trouble they'd cause? The Storyteller . o O ( Like multiple Monkeys would be worth the trouble they'd cause? ) Monkey . o O ( It all depends on who's closer to the Monkeys. You or the enemy. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( If we put a thousand of them to work at a thousand typewriters, who knows what we'd get? ) think The Internet. The Storyteller . o O ( The Internet. ) Monkey . o O ( The Secret Diary of Mnemon. ) TonyC [to Apollonian]: teh win. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( LOL! ) think Same thing. Lotsa ranting and slashfic. The Storyteller . o O ( Same thing. Lotsa ranting and slashfic. ) Monkey . o O ( LOL. ) think Anyway, starting things off. The Storyteller . o O ( Anyway, starting things off. ) TonyC [to Apollonian]: Okay, okay, let's get going. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( We had stowed the survivors in a secure building, the jeweler or silversmith's place with a vault or reinforced basement. ) TonyC [to jetman]: Hmmm, we should all have the same BP, right? think Okay. We'll say you put them somewhere safe... or at least as safe as you can get in this doomed metropolis. Your merry band is standing outside the silversmith's shop, which is on a side street. A main street is a block and a half away. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. We'll say you put them somewhere safe... or at least as safe as you can get in this doomed metropolis. Your merry band is standing outside the silversmith's shop, which is on a side street. A main street is a block and a half away. ) think Take it away! The Storyteller . o O ( Take it away! ) Admiral Kaizoku says to the group "We will find and quietly eliminate as many of these patrols as we can find... that will draw out the Deathlord master of this city from his den... then we will take him and question him about this place and Still Moon." think Man, the Admiral's SUCH an optimist. The Storyteller . o O ( Man, the Admiral's SUCH an optimist. ) Monkey . o O ( He is? I thought he's just delusional. ) think There's a difference? The Storyteller . o O ( There's a difference? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( If you're strong enough to make your delusions true, is there a difference? ) Monkey . o O ( Depends on whether you're a Fae or not. ) think In this case, yes. But it'll be fun to watch him try. The Storyteller . o O ( In this case, yes. But it'll be fun to watch him try. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Besides, if a few dozen of his best ghosts vanish, he's not just going to sit back and say "Gosh, that's swell!" ) Monkey . o O ( So, do you actually mean Deathlord master or just a deathknight master? ) think That's what I was wondering. The Storyteller . o O ( That's what I was wondering. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Whoops, yes Deathknight. But can a mere knight rule a city? He must be a brevet deathlord! ) Monkey . o O ( Depending on his answer, I'm thinking maybe I should start a new character. :) ) Monkey . o O ( Ah. ) think Yeah... "Lure out the Mask" is not a plan per se... But anyway. The Storyteller . o O ( Yeah... "Lure out the Mask" is not a plan per se... But anyway. ) think Y'all started at nightfall, yes? The Storyteller . o O ( Y'all started at nightfall, yes? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yep. ) Monkey . o O ( Okay, questions. Is this still the first day or are we on second night? ) think it's getting close to sunrise -- about three am, as it were. The Storyteller . o O ( it's getting close to sunrise -- about three am, as it were. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Should still be the first day. ) think And in fact, you may want to scout for a hiding place soon... just in case you need to hole up and rest. The Storyteller . o O ( And in fact, you may want to scout for a hiding place soon... just in case you need to hole up and rest. ) Monkey . o O ( I don't. Or at least Monkey doesn't think so. But the survivors do need a hiding place. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( That will also be on the agenda as we kill patrols... ) Monkey says, "Admiral, do you want us to focus on taking out as many of the patrols as possible or on finding as many survivors?" think posing descriptive text. The Storyteller . o O ( posing descriptive text. ) Admiral Kaizoku says, "The patrols first... once we deal with the best troops and the Deathknight, it will be easier to call out the survivors..." Monkey says, "Sounds good. We'll take care of it." Monkey . o O ( Going to disconnect. BRB. ) TonyC decides that saving the world takes priority over chatting and disappears. @emit East of your current position, a faint glow on the low-hanging clouds marks the Autocrat's palace. Based on the old map Suda obtained, you'll need to trek through three separate walled neighborhoods to get there, the first two poorer crafting areas and the third a bazaar and merchant's neighborhood. South of you is the old mercantile and cloth-making district. North, a wealthy residential area, where once Guild princes and Realm patricians dwelt. At the moment, you can hear no tramp of boots or clash of weapons. The only movement is the inconstant breeze and the occasional flutter of a crow's wing or scratch of a rat's foot. East of your current position, a faint glow on the low-hanging clouds marks the Autocrat's palace. Based on the old map Suda obtained, you'll need to trek through three separate walled neighborhoods to get there, the first two poorer crafting areas and the third a bazaar and merchant's neighborhood. South of you is the old mercantile and cloth-making district. North, a wealthy residential area, where once Guild princes and Realm patricians dwelt. At the moment, you can hear no tramp of boots or clash of weapons. The only movement is the inconstant breeze and the occasional flutter of a crow's wing or scratch of a rat's foot. think Should I re-post that when he gets back? The Storyteller . o O ( Should I re-post that when he gets back? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yep. ) think In the meantime, any details you want? The Storyteller . o O ( In the meantime, any details you want? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I'm guessing the "king's" tower is northward? ) think No, that's the Autocrat's palace, to your east. The Storyteller . o O ( No, that's the Autocrat's palace, to your east. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Whoops. ) TonyC materializes out of thin air. Monkey . o O ( back ) @emit East of your current position, a faint glow on the low-hanging clouds marks the Autocrat's palace. Based on the old map Suda obtained, you'll need to trek through three separate walled neighborhoods to get there, the first two poorer crafting areas and the third a bazaar and merchant's neighborhood. South of you is the old mercantile and cloth-making district. North, a wealthy residential area, where once Guild princes and Realm patricians dwelt. At the moment, you can hear no tramp of boots or clash of weapons. The only movement is the inconstant breeze and the occasional flutter of a crow's wing or scratch of a rat's foot. East of your current position, a faint glow on the low-hanging clouds marks the Autocrat's palace. Based on the old map Suda obtained, you'll need to trek through three separate walled neighborhoods to get there, the first two poorer crafting areas and the third a bazaar and merchant's neighborhood. South of you is the old mercantile and cloth-making district. North, a wealthy residential area, where once Guild princes and Realm patricians dwelt. At the moment, you can hear no tramp of boots or clash of weapons. The only movement is the inconstant breeze and the occasional flutter of a crow's wing or scratch of a rat's foot. Admiral Kaizoku assigns Leden to take the point and Monkey to guard the rear. "We go east... keep an eye open for the buildings of the wealthy. They will have secured areas, should we need to fall back to one, or put other survivors there." Monkey nods. Monkey . o O ( Speaking of which, come daytime, you need to worry about immaterial ghosts. ) think Not in a shadowland, though. Right? The Storyteller . o O ( Not in a shadowland, though. Right? ) Monkey . o O ( No. Shadowland is half-half. Daytime shadowland acts like Creation. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( We can ward wherever we hole up in against that. ) Monkey . o O ( And that will attract suspicion. ) think As opposed to what, wandering around in the open? The Storyteller . o O ( As opposed to what, wandering around in the open? ) think Oh, never mind. The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, never mind. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( There can't be THAT many ghosts wandering around the city, to hit every building every day... ) think parsed your sentence wrong. The Storyteller . o O ( parsed your sentence wrong. ) think So you head out. The Storyteller . o O ( So you head out. ) Monkey . o O ( So we head out East, keeping an eye for possible hide-outs and bad guys. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yep. ) Monkey . o O ( We want to bypass one and run into the other. ) @emit The streets are dark and silent until you reach the intracity wall that divides this district from the next. It is a mere ten feet in height, crafted of the same old stone. The gate itself is shattered, dangling from its hinges. The damage is old, probably from the Mask's invasion. Set in the center of the gate is a small pyramid of skulls. The streets are dark and silent until you reach the intracity wall that divides this district from the next. It is a mere ten feet in height, crafted of the same old stone. The gate itself is shattered, dangling from its hinges. The damage is old, probably from the Mask's invasion. Set in the center of the gate is a small pyramid of skulls. @emit Through the gate, you see a poor neighborhood, of apartment blocks and family homes and crude industry long silent. Through the gate, you see a poor neighborhood, of apartment blocks and family homes and crude industry long silent. Monkey eyes the skulls suspiciously. Monkey rolled 5 dice on Per+Awa/Occ+tiara and got 1 success. Admiral Kaizoku pauses at the mound of skulls to put his palm on it, reducing it to ashes with the power of the Sun. He points his sword down the direction of the main street through the neighborhood, looking up along the apartment windows. Monkey . o O ( Not suspicious anymore. :) ) think Well, nothing but ash! The Storyteller . o O ( Well, nothing but ash! ) Monkey . o O ( Keep going East until we reach destination (whatever it is) or we run into something unusual. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Or a patrol to kill. ) @emit Based on your map, this neighborhood consist of about twenty or so blocks, divided into quarters by two major streets (north-south and east-west) with a fountain in the middle. The blocks are divided by smaller streets, no more than alleys. The main streets are open to the sky, but the buildings hang over the alleys and all but cover them. Some doors show signs of combat -- chips and broken planks -- and you see the ruins of a fire on one block. Based on your map, this neighborhood consist of about twenty or so blocks, divided into quarters by two major streets (north-south and east-west) with a fountain in the middle. The blocks are divided by smaller streets, no more than alleys. The main streets are open to the sky, but the buildings hang over the alleys and all but cover them. Some doors show signs of combat -- chips and broken planks -- and you see the ruins of a fire on one block. think Roll Per + Awa The Storyteller . o O ( Roll Per + Awa ) think occult does not apply The Storyteller . o O ( occult does not apply ) Monkey rolled 4 dice on Per + Awa] and got 1 success. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 6 dice on Per and got 1 success. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Glee. ) Monkey rolled 1 dice on tiara and got 2 successes. @emit Something's bothering you, but you can't place it. Something in the area seems different from the neighborhood you were just in. Something's bothering you, but you can't place it. Something in the area seems different from the neighborhood you were just in. think roll for the rest of the party, too... The Storyteller . o O ( roll for the rest of the party, too... ) Monkey . o O ( Tiara gave me 1 die plain Awareness. 3 for Occult related awareness check. ) Monkey . o O ( So 5 dice, 3 successes. ) think Ah. Okay. The Storyteller . o O ( Ah. Okay. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 6 dice on Leaf Per and got 4 successes. @emit As you approach the central fountain plaza, something catches Monkey's eye. He looks to his left and sees a small group of crows perched on the apartment block there, watching the group pass. One bird flaps away to the north as he watches. As you approach the central fountain plaza, something catches Monkey's eye. He looks to his left and sees a small group of crows perched on the apartment block there, watching the group pass. One bird flaps away to the north as he watches. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Oversight... No one's a ranged-combat expert in the group. ) Monkey says one word to the group, clear but succint. "Crows." think Shen is... but he's not here. The Storyteller . o O ( Shen is... but he's not here. ) Monkey . o O ( Monkey can take care of it. How far? ) think 30 feet. The Storyteller . o O ( 30 feet. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Exactly, and we can't call in long-range fire support with his bow. ) Admiral Kaizoku replies "Bodies. Or..." As he sees the one start to move... Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Waiting for Monkey to react first, as he saw it first. ) With one fluid motion, Monkey reaches for the knife on his belt and throws it at the flying crow. think +1 dif because it's a small target The Storyteller . o O ( +1 dif because it's a small target ) Monkey rolled 8 dice on Thrown knife and got 1 botch. Monkey . o O ( Ah, typical Monkey. ) @emit Monkey's knife glances off an unseen cord across the street and spins off at an angle, clattering in the square. Monkey's knife glances off an unseen cord across the street and spins off at an angle, clattering in the square. Monkey . o O ( Your turn, David. ) Admiral Kaizoku turns to glare at Monkey, even through his helmet and blindcloth. Monkey . o O ( I don't mean that kind of turn. :) ) Admiral Kaizoku holds his palms above each other and sends out a ball of Solar wind towards the fleeing crow! Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Anima flare for damage. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Figuring it's an undead one. ) think roll? The Storyteller . o O ( roll? ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 4 dice on something and got 2 hits. think I don't remember... The Storyteller . o O ( I don't remember... ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Hits automatically, so 2 agg, if it is. ) Monkey . o O ( Forget what? ) @emit The fleeing crow vanishes in a ball of solar light -- the rest of the flock, startled, rises in a cacophony of squawks and flying feathers, whirling in a flock and then scattering. The fleeing crow vanishes in a ball of solar light -- the rest of the flock, startled, rises in a cacophony of squawks and flying feathers, whirling in a flock and then scattering. think If you have to roll for that. The Storyteller . o O ( If you have to roll for that. ) Monkey . o O ( Hmmmmm, how many crows are there, roughly? ) think Too many to count quickly. At least a dozen. The Storyteller . o O ( Too many to count quickly. At least a dozen. ) Admiral Kaizoku has a bitter expression on under his helmet at the results. "Go!" he says and jumps ito the air to cleave his daiklave through the leading edge of the murder. think buh? How high can he jump? At least 20 feet? The Storyteller . o O ( buh? How high can he jump? At least 20 feet? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Well, 15 feet? ) think Close enough if you stretch. The Storyteller . o O ( Close enough if you stretch. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( It's a long sword! ) Monkey . o O ( Okay. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Stunt bonus? ) think Roll the attack... but they are scattering, so you can't kill them all sans charms and stunts. That counts as a one-die stunt, btw. The Storyteller . o O ( Roll the attack... but they are scattering, so you can't kill them all sans charms and stunts. That counts as a one-die stunt, btw. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 11 dice on Hit 1 and got 8 successes. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 10 dice on Hit 1 and got 7 successes. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 9 dice on Hit 1 and got 4 successes. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 8 dice on Hit 1 and got 6 successes. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 7 dice on Hit 1 and got 3 successes. think Uh, how many attacks are you doing? The Storyteller . o O ( Uh, how many attacks are you doing? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Five. whoops. ) Monkey . o O ( Let's see if my luck is better. Str+Ath=8. Meaning leaping distance is 8 yards = 24 feet. Posing. ) think Okay, say you've taken out four -- difficulty to hit is three, a hit is an auto-kill, and the max you can hit in one leap is four this round and one next round. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, say you've taken out four -- difficulty to hit is three, a hit is an auto-kill, and the max you can hit in one leap is four this round and one next round. ) think waitin' for Monkey's pose... The Storyteller . o O ( waitin' for Monkey's pose... ) The greatest of martial artists are said to be capable of capturing a flock of swallows with their bare hands without harming them. Monkey, of course, is the equal to any of those so-called greatest and he has no compunction about harming the crows. So how hard could it possibly be? With an effortless leap he jumps straight into the middle of the murder and lands on the other side, arms and feet full of crows. think # of attacks? The Storyteller . o O ( # of attacks? ) Monkey . o O ( Hmmmm, Q: does Wolf Form still up or this count as new scene? ) Monkey . o O ( 5 ) think new scene... The Storyteller . o O ( new scene... ) Monkey . o O ( spending WP to channel Valor. ) Monkey rolled 5 dice on First and got 3 successes. Monkey rolled 4 dice on Second and got 1 success. Monkey rolled 3 dice on Third and got 4 successes. think Unless its specified for a charm, I'm not sure Valor applies to this action... The Storyteller . o O ( Unless its specified for a charm, I'm not sure Valor applies to this action... ) Monkey . o O ( Auto success on the last then. ) Monkey rolled 2 dice on Fourth and got 2 successes. Monkey rolled 1 dice on Last and got 1 success. think Okay. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. ) think Two hits. The Storyteller . o O ( Two hits. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Init? What does Leaf's Five Dragon Force blow do? ) Monkey . o O ( Double damage. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Darn, hoping it was like elemental bolt. ) think The birds go last... and that's six crows out of a bunch gone. The Storyteller . o O ( The birds go last... and that's six crows out of a bunch gone. ) think You've knocked out about a third of them. The Storyteller . o O ( You've knocked out about a third of them. ) TonyC whispers, "Am I being penalized for something here?" whisper Eh? No. to TonyC You whisper, "Eh? No." to TonyC. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Do the rest of the gang get any? ) whisper This is a notably unimportant combat at the moment... to TonyC You whisper, "This is a notably unimportant combat at the moment..." to TonyC. think Um... rolling. The Storyteller . o O ( Um... rolling. ) xl 10 Other guys! You rolled 10 dice on Other guys! and got 4 successes. @emit Around you, the rest of your raiders do what they can to take out the birds. Knives fly, Suda leaps up and manages to punch a few -- all told, six more feathered corpses fall to the cobble stones. The few remaining birds circle upward on panicked wing beats. Around you, the rest of your raiders do what they can to take out the birds. Knives fly, Suda leaps up and manages to punch a few -- all told, six more feathered corpses fall to the cobble stones. The few remaining birds circle upward on panicked wing beats. Admiral Kaizoku descends from his leap, skewering one last bird with his jade daiklave as it passes directly overhead, landing in a crouch and swinging his sword to the side, point down.

notes to himself that local color is never to be inserted without a tag...

The Storyteller notes to himself that local color is never to be inserted without a tag... TonyC whispers, "Cheat then. I was not worried about the flock flying away, but once Kaizoku decided to take them out, Monkey couldn't possibly ignore it." whisper Okay. to TonyC You whisper, "Okay." to TonyC. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( A city of the dead does promote paranoia... ) think No, being PCs promotes paranoia... The Storyteller . o O ( No, being PCs promotes paranoia... ) Monkey . o O ( Where are my clones then? ) think I think that would be an Autochthonian game, actually... The Storyteller . o O ( I think that would be an Autochthonian game, actually... ) think But! Moving on. The Storyteller . o O ( But! Moving on. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 15 dice on to-Hit and got 3 successes. @emit Onyx mutters under her breath, "I hope that didn't attract more attention." Onyx mutters under her breath, "I hope that didn't attract more attention." Admiral Kaizoku waves the party up the street, eastward. "Find ambush positions..." he calls after advancing a few blocks. Monkey shrugs and collects his knife before moving on. @emit Once the crows fly out of sight, the street is quiet again. You pass the fountain unmolested. It is dry now, no water flowing through it. A single shattered pot sits on the edge. By the time Kaizoku gives his command, you are about halfway between the gate and the plaza. Once the crows fly out of sight, the street is quiet again. You pass the fountain unmolested. It is dry now, no water flowing through it. A single shattered pot sits on the edge. By the time Kaizoku gives his command, you are about halfway between the gate and the plaza. think What's your plan? Waiting for attack? The Storyteller . o O ( What's your plan? Waiting for attack? ) Monkey says, "Admiral, it'll be sunrise soon." Monkey says, "If there's somewhere we have to be before sunrise, maybe we should just move on instead of waiting." Admiral Kaizoku consults his internal clock to confirm that. "Yes... make for the next gate and we will find a secure point to wait..." he says after a few moments with no sudden attack. Monkey says, "Assuming one of the escaped crows are indeed a spy and not just that first one, it'll still take some time before a patrol can be dispatched." Monkey brings up the rear again as the group moves on to the next gate. Admiral Kaizoku looks for the most solid building at hand. @emit This gate is intact, and closed from the other side. Again, the wall is a mere ten feet in height. A narrow alley runs alongside it, and the buildings nearby are all only one story tall. This gate is intact, and closed from the other side. Again, the wall is a mere ten feet in height. A narrow alley runs alongside it, and the buildings nearby are all only one story tall. think Questions or pose? The Storyteller . o O ( Questions or pose? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( All the buildings are in the same shape? We'll pick one for the camp. ) think Pretty much. All empty, all silent. A quick bit of scouting reveals that the nearest one has a garden inside with a still working fountain, while one just a little further has a basement. The Storyteller . o O ( Pretty much. All empty, all silent. A quick bit of scouting reveals that the nearest one has a garden inside with a still working fountain, while one just a little further has a basement. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The fountain one then, with the basement one as the fallback. ) Monkey . o O ( OMG, did you realize what just happened? Monkey just stopped Kaizoku from being distracted. Quick, borrow as much money as you can and spend it, because the end of the world must be near. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I blame the dead for being slackers... an interesting force should have shown up much faster. ) TonyC clicks on the Rest button. ZZZZZ. think settle in, then? The Storyteller . o O ( settle in, then? ) think Don't forget the watch schedule! The Storyteller . o O ( Don't forget the watch schedule! ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yep, with a watch in the great tradition. ) Monkey . o O ( Okay, full hp, full mp. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Lose one tent. ) think And don't forget to pick out spells for the day. The Storyteller . o O ( And don't forget to pick out spells for the day. ) think but seriously, folks.... The Storyteller . o O ( but seriously, folks.... ) think How long do you rest, and who's on first and second watches? The Storyteller . o O ( How long do you rest, and who's on first and second watches? ) Monkey . o O ( Seriously? Okay, we rest for the whole day. I'll take first. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( As wasteful as it seems, yes, till dusk. Second. ) think 13 hours of daylight. But it's a moot point, as you are disturbed after about four hours. The Storyteller . o O ( 13 hours of daylight. But it's a moot point, as you are disturbed after about four hours. ) Monkey . o O ( By a Revlon lady? ) think No, LDS. The Storyteller . o O ( No, LDS. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Roughly 2 hour watches... right at the end of the Admiral's shift then. Oooh, combo time if it's Jehovah's Witnesses! ) @emit The sun has risen and is a few handsbreadths above the horizon when Suda is due to relieve the Admiral. The Admiral is just laying down when she says, "Listen! Something is coming!" A tense moment later, he too can hear it -- something large dragging itself down the street to the east. The sun has risen and is a few handsbreadths above the horizon when Suda is due to relieve the Admiral. The Admiral is just laying down when she says, "Listen! Something is coming!" A tense moment later, he too can hear it -- something large dragging itself down the street to the east. TonyC will refrain from making snarky comments (amazing feat of will!) and waits for Jesse pose. Monkey snores. @emit The dragging sound is coming closer. Suda moves to wake the others. The dragging sound is coming closer. Suda moves to wake the others. think Admiral's pose. The Storyteller . o O ( Admiral's pose. ) Admiral Kaizoku draws his blade and nudges Monkey in the side. "Wake everyone..." he instructs Suda, going to a windo and peering up over the windowsil. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Bone Spear Artillery! ) think Hey, good idea! The Storyteller . o O ( Hey, good idea! ) Monkey . o O ( Ice Cream Vendor! ) think Zombie Ice Cream! With ichor swirls! The Storyteller . o O ( Zombie Ice Cream! With ichor swirls! ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Mortos wants rubber pants! ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Presuming anyone else saw that Invader Zim ep. ) Monkey stretchs and yawns as he wakes up. "It feels like I just fell asleep. Are you sure it's time to go yet?" @emit At first, the Admiral sees nothing. Then he smells something, the stench of death that he is now all too accustomed to. The dragging sound is accompanied by a regular scraping sound and the occasional footfall. They grow louder, then stop -- by the sound of it, they are at the gate. A few still moments pass, then the gate swings open, and a corpse-machine moves through it. At first, the Admiral sees nothing. Then he smells something, the stench of death that he is now all too accustomed to. The dragging sound is accompanied by a regular scraping sound and the occasional footfall. They grow louder, then stop -- by the sound of it, they are at the gate. A few still moments pass, then the gate swings open, and a corpse-machine moves through it. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( We HAVE to bring the Essence Cannon on these trips... ) Monkey sniffs. "Okay, I know we didn't have time for regular baths, but man, we're going to take a quick dip in that fountain, now." Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( I'm presuming more description is coming about said machine. ) Monkey . o O ( Pfft. Essence Cannon does nothing. ) Admiral Kaizoku turns and waves back to Monkey in a shushing motion. Monkey's eyes light up because he knows that something interesting is going on. He jumps on his feet and quickly walks over to the window. He looks over Kaizoku's shoulder and whispers, "What is it?" Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( True... Monkey could handle the Lt. Implosion Bow with his great strength... that could have taken down the flock at once. ) Monkey . o O ( I am not a light artillery platform, thank you very much. ) Admiral Kaizoku whispers "Something large and dead coming this way." @emit It is a bloat creation, resembling some pale insect from the deeps of the earth. Rotting flesh has been crafted together to form a slug-like body. Supporting and surrounding it is a soulsteel exoskeleton, The body drags on the ground and moves forward with a sort of undulating motion. At its "head" is a gaping maw of soft flesh and a growth of some kind that looks vaguely flower-like. A quartet of zombies and a single nemissary accompany it, the nemissary dressed in the usual garb. The zombies surround it, while the nemissary rides in a saddle atop the thing. It is a bloat creation, resembling some pale insect from the deeps of the earth. Rotting flesh has been crafted together to form a slug-like body. Supporting and surrounding it is a soulsteel exoskeleton, The body drags on the ground and moves forward with a sort of undulating motion. At its "head" is a gaping maw of soft flesh and a growth of some kind that looks vaguely flower-like. A quartet of zombies and a single nemissary accompany it, the nemissary dressed in the usual garb. The zombies surround it, while the nemissary rides in a saddle atop the thing. Monkey says, "Ah. No problem. You want me to beat it until it stops moving or are we going out stealthyly to avoid trouble?" Admiral Kaizoku replies "We want to get the right kind of attention, and this is it. We take out the rider first, and fast." Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( The neat thing about the Zenith power is that you can make a whole patrol vanish, bodies and all, easily. ) think after this combat we'll have to quit for the night. But before that, roll init. The Storyteller . o O ( after this combat we'll have to quit for the night. But before that, roll init. ) Monkey rolled 1d10+8 and got 18. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 9. think And for everybody else, too... The Storyteller . o O ( And for everybody else, too... ) Monkey . o O ( Hmmm, how many turns do we get before contact? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Now that's REALLY weird... Monkey going first! ) think Up to you. They're right outside. The Storyteller . o O ( Up to you. They're right outside. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( What should I roll? Seperately, or for the party? ) Monkey . o O ( 2. First turn. Increasing Strength Exercise. Second turn. Wolf Form. ) Monkey . o O ( All personal. ) think Seperately for suda, once for everyone else. The Storyteller . o O ( Seperately for suda, once for everyone else. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10 and got 8. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10 and got 7. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 12. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 1d10+9 and got 10. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Group and Suda respectively. ) think Okay. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. ) Admiral Kaizoku clamors up through the roof hatch of the building and lays flat on top of it, waiting for the best moment to jump on the Nemissary. think Order is Monkey, Group, Suda, Kaizoku, Dead. The Storyteller . o O ( Order is Monkey, Group, Suda, Kaizoku, Dead. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Full move first turn. D'oh. ) A blur of red streaks from the window where Monkey was watching the dead procession and the horror it accompanied. Moments later, there's a small crash many yards away as he crashes through an old stone mason wall. think ? The Storyteller . o O ( ? ) Monkey . o O ( Monkey Leap. Str 11 -> 220 yards max. Call it 100 yards. Grapple/clinch attack the nemissary. ) think Okay. So you're jumping the guy. Kaizoku, did you allow time for him to charge up? The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. So you're jumping the guy. Kaizoku, did you allow time for him to charge up? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yes. ) Monkey . o O ( If not, action stands and the rest of the group can duke it out for the first two turns. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Everyone's got things to power up, so he took the chance to move into position while it was going on. ) think Okay. Monkey, roll an attack for the nemissary. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Monkey, roll an attack for the nemissary. ) Monkey . o O ( In that case, the relevant question is whether the dead gave us enough time to power up. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Yes. If they knew where we were, they would have gone through the wall, not the gate. ) Monkey rolled 10 dice on No stunt. and got 3 successes. think Yeah, they did -- remember, it only takes 12 seconds. So by the time it's fully through the gate and the zombies are closing that, you're buffed. The Storyteller . o O ( Yeah, they did -- remember, it only takes 12 seconds. So by the time it's fully through the gate and the zombies are closing that, you're buffed. ) think Sorry! Take a pair of stunt dice. The Storyteller . o O ( Sorry! Take a pair of stunt dice. ) Monkey rolled 2 dice on stunt and got 1 success. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Second turn, Fivefold Bulwark for me. ) think 4 successes is enough to grab him, since he's surprised. Roll Strength to yank him from the saddle on your way to the wall. 2 successes needed. The Storyteller . o O ( 4 successes is enough to grab him, since he's surprised. Roll Strength to yank him from the saddle on your way to the wall. 2 successes needed. ) Monkey rolled 13 dice on Str+stunt and got 6 successes. Monkey stands up from the rubble and dusts himself with one hand, holding the nemissary with the other hand. Monkey rolled 14 dice on Clinch damage and got 4 hits. think Okay, stunt goes as planned. Nemissary is momentarily stunned, and has lost his halberd. Plus, he's clinched! The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, stunt goes as planned. Nemissary is momentarily stunned, and has lost his halberd. Plus, he's clinched! ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Four party members, for zombies... ) think Admiral, give your orders for the rest. The Storyteller . o O ( Admiral, give your orders for the rest. ) Monkey . o O ( Oh, this is going to be a fast one. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( As above... the Admiral will deal with the beast, the walking dead, one per person. Leaf and Leden the ones on the far side of the creature. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Need more? ) think Okay. Leaf and Leden dash out at high speed, each taking a side, weapons out. Onyx and Suda follow. The zombies are quickly dispatched. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Leaf and Leden dash out at high speed, each taking a side, weapons out. Onyx and Suda follow. The zombies are quickly dispatched. ) think So it's your go. The Storyteller . o O ( So it's your go. ) Admiral Kaizoku smiles thinly at the precise way the dead are taken down. He throws himself off the roof, daiklave glowing blue in the sunlight as he swings it from behind his back, overhead and down through the flowery "head" of the unwholesome thing, cleaving through it. After landing, he thrusts his blade back in an underhanded blow into its torso. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Two attacks, Hungry Tiger on each. ) think Okay. It has no defense, but soak of 7L The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. It has no defense, but soak of 7L ) Monkey . o O ( Avoiding combo to avoid glow? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Stunt? ) think So roll it up! 2-die stunt. The Storyteller . o O ( So roll it up! 2-die stunt. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Also, it's not dramatic enough to use the combo yet. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 15 dice on Head! and got 9 successes. Admiral Kaizoku rolled 14 dice on Chest! and got 5 successes. Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( 22 on the first, 14 on the second. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Extra, I presume, or roll damage? ) think Cuisinart! No, don't bother to roll. The Storyteller . o O ( Cuisinart! No, don't bother to roll. ) @emit Under the admiral's blade, the creature separates into three neat sections. An awful stench spills out of its gut, and looking back the admiral sees that it is full of corpses in various stages of rot... or digestion. Under the admiral's blade, the creature separates into three neat sections. An awful stench spills out of its gut, and looking back the admiral sees that it is full of corpses in various stages of rot... or digestion. Admiral Kaizoku scowls at the sight of the bodies his attack reveals He whips his sword around and walks towards where Monkey has the leader pinned. think posing? The Storyteller . o O ( posing? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Does Monkey still have him under control? ) think Yes. The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. ) Monkey . o O ( I'm looking something up. Go on. ) think Very much so, actually. He is unresisting. The Storyteller . o O ( Very much so, actually. He is unresisting. ) Admiral Kaizoku walks right up to the Nemissary and holds his blade point down at his side, a passive threat for now. "Will you talk, or will you be dispatched?" he asks the creature sternly. @emit There is no answer. There is no answer. Monkey . o O ( Okay. Done looking something up. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( A Nemessary is a ghost controlling a dead body, right? ) Monkey . o O ( David, either the nemissary's unconscious or gone. ) think AK -- yes. The Storyteller . o O ( AK -- yes. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Rats, I thought they were stuck inside, not able to move around. ) Admiral Kaizoku makes a disgusted noise and puts his palm to the head of the creature, burning it up. think Roll Per + Awareness. The Storyteller . o O ( Roll Per + Awareness. ) Monkey . o O ( I did Bashing damage, so maybe they're KO-ed. I don't know. But if they aren't, then it run away. ) Admiral Kaizoku rolled 6 dice on Per+Awa and got 3 successes. Monkey rolled 7 dice on Per + Awa and got 1 success. @emit The silence after the battle is broken by applause. The Admiral spins around and sees a woman, clad in black and red, standing atop the gate. She is clapping, a mocking tilt to her head. "Admiral Kaizoku. Welcome to Thorns. Let us teach you to fear the night!" The silence after the battle is broken by applause. The Admiral spins around and sees a woman, clad in black and red, standing atop the gate. She is clapping, a mocking tilt to her head. "Admiral Kaizoku. Welcome to Thorns. Let us teach you to fear the night!" think Which is where we'll wrap up. The Storyteller . o O ( Which is where we'll wrap up. ) Monkey . o O ( Ah, Perfect Rose of Thorns? ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Tsuzuku. ) think Thpppt. The Storyteller . o O ( Thpppt. ) Monkey . o O ( But think about it! Now you have a whole week to think of a clever riposte! ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( It's daytime, right? ) think Okay, 1 bp each and think about tactics for the entire group, 'cause I can't manage your raiding party and the antagonists. The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, 1 bp each and think about tactics for the entire group, 'cause I can't manage your raiding party and the antagonists. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Since it is, and she's saying that, many good ones come to mind. ) Monkey . o O ( And I claim "And you shall learn to respect the day." :p ) think And with that, I'm gone. G'night. The Storyteller . o O ( And with that, I'm gone. G'night. ) Admiral Kaizoku . o O ( Does she have friends with her? "Stay back, she's ours" )