JesseLowe/PirateMonkeySession05

TonyC materializes out of thin air.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Greets.

You say, "Word"

You say, "David's gonna be about 15 minutes late."

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Well, how do you want to me to pretty up the logs?

You say, "I haven't really had a chance to look at them. What I was doing was cutting out all the command echoes from me, the extraneous banter (unless there was a good quote) and the like."

TonyC [to Apollonian]: I, for one, would rather be able to see the OOC stuff rather than have it rewritten to be one continuous narrative. Likely I'm the minority though.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Oh, David's probably right about his anima ability affecting Deathknights.

You say, "Re: Anima + Deathknights + ? How so?"

TonyC [to Apollonian]: No in-game justification. Just straight reading of the ability as written.

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, re-reading the thingy... 'cause this might come up... soon. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Goddammit, when in the HELL will WW get a decent indexer?! )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Keep in mind that the Zenith caste exists before the Primordials was defeated.

You say, "What does that have to do with indexing?"

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Nothing. It was having to do with the Zenith caste anima ability.

You say, "Anyway, how does this sound: Abyssals and deathlords are affected by the Zenith caste anima ability, but can soak it with their Permanent Essence. It still qualifies as aggravated damage. This would automatically subtract the target's Essence from the damage. Alternately, Abyssals could "defend" with Essence, each success subtracting a die from the attack. I don't like this last as much because it doesn't follow the same system as combat for damage."

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Why Essence? Why not the standard damage soak with Stamina?

jetman has arrived.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hi, I'll still be a bit. )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: I'm hating the WW site, since it wouldn't let me download the Errata.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Glad you kept power though Jesse. )

The Storyteller tonyC Because this models the idea that it's more spiritually powerful Abyssals can better resist a spiritual attack -- i.e., the attack is based on Essence, so I think the defense should be as well. It sort of reflects the metaphysical conflict between Solars and Abyssals.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Ah, in that case, why roll essence? A Soak=Essence would be more elegant.

You say, "Incidentally, a counter-argument: The Abyssal Midnight Caste ability affects mortals only, not magical beings such as Exalts. Of course, Abyssal abilities seem a little skewed in general towards the "killing lots of things" end anyway."

You say, "I did propose Soak=Essence. The rolling thing was a less-favored alternate."

TonyC [to Apollonian]: You did. Count me as supporting the soak=essence.

You say, "Okay, that's how we'll do it."

You say, "I'll stick it in the house rules."

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Btw, I'm going to be afk for approx 5 minutes once coffee is gone. Which I estimate will happen in <eyes cup> oh, ten minutes or so.

The Storyteller . o O ( Sadly, I forgot to get half-and-half today... no coffee for me. )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Bah. Black is the One True Way!

The Storyteller . o O ( Whatever. I'll stick with my cafe au'lait and beignets. )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: You sound almost... <sneer> French. :P

The Storyteller . o O ( Well, I've still got milk... but it's just not the same. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Pssh. N'awlins, thankyewverramuch. )

Monkey . o O ( Heh. :) )

The Storyteller kicks himself every time he remembers that he left Louisiana cuisine voluntarily.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Just tell yourself that once this gig is over, you'll go back and have cajun every day.

The Storyteller . o O ( Not likely -- after this gig is over, we're heading back home in the Pacific Northwest. But I'll definitely have to visit NO every so often. )

The Storyteller is thinking he's gotta pick up Dogs in the Vineyard. And My Life With Master. And Dead Inside. Mmmm, indie RPGs.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Gimme a review afterward.

The Storyteller . o O ( Reviews on all three are pretty much fantastic. DiV is this really neat looking western thingy... URL is http://www.septemberquestion.org/lumpley/dogs.html )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Back, terribly sorry. )

The Storyteller . o O ( NP. Lemme get my notes in order really quick and we'll get started. Before we do, though: what kind of traits are you guys wanting to buy up with XP? )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Unfortunately, I just swallowed the last drop. AFK-time.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Be right back.

TonyC decides that saving the world takes priority over chatting and disappears.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( For the future? Nothing this session... saving up for some Melee charm. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And it looks like you were discussing the Zenith power vs Deathknights? So Essence is soak for that? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yeah. It's on the Wiki now. )

The Storyteller will brb -- he must yield, and make coffee.

TonyC materializes out of thin air.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Back. Ready to go.

jetman [to TonyC]: He just went to get coffee.

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, one second. )

TonyC [to jetman]: Hah.

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Go. )

When we last left our heroes, they found the mysterious woman from the black yacht waiting for them in their inn. What does she want, and how did she know they were staying at the House of Jade Seafoam? Does her presence have anything to do with the rumors that Mask of Winters has declared war on the Marukani Alliance? Could she know of the daring robbery the Captain and Monkey have just perpetrated? Is she friend... or foe?

Captain Kaizoku 's hand drifted towards the hilt of his Daiklave, resting beneath his rich, cobalt coat. "May I help you?" he aked in a firm, neutral tone, keeping one eye on her as he signalled possible trouble to his crew.

The Storyteller . o O ( working on a description of the inn. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and present tense please... )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( OK> )

Monkey looks back and forth between the woman and the captain.

The inn is arranged thus: One enters from the street into a common room, square and large, with a raised and open stage in the center for amusements. Around this stage are set tables, mostly round with seating for seven or eight. To one's left is a bar, behind which can be found the kitchen. To the right are stairs, which lead down to a cellar and up to the second level of the common room, a balcony that encircles the room and is the demesne of better-paying customers. In the back are sleeping quarters, bunks on the first floor and private rooms on the second.

At the moment, Kace and Master Jaff are seated at the table the bridge crew has habitually claimed during its stay here, near the stairs going up. Two of the crew are with them

The woman is seated at a table directly across from the entrance to the inn. She is of average height and build for an Easterner, dressed in the robes of a well-to-do wife of a merchant, orange and brown silks and cotton. Her hair is graying, and her face lined, but her green eyes sparkle with an energy that belies her apparent age. She appears fit, and carries only a small pack on a strap.

The Storyteller . o O ( Ah, she's on this side of the stage, near the front door, as is your table. )

The woman stands and gives a deep bow, as to one slightly superior in rank. "Captain, I am in need of your aid." She pauses and glances up at you. "And I believe you may need mine, as well."

Monkey says, "Hey, wait! What about me?"

Captain Kaizoku returns the bow, one suitable to a slight inferior. "An interesting opening gambit madam...? But let us cut through the pleasantries. What is it that you need, and what do you offer?" he says in an even, curt tone, waving Monkey to be quiet.

The woman, barely pausing in the motion, bows to Monkey as well. "While your feats are known throughout Creation, it is the Captain's particular talents that will aid me most."

Captain Kaizoku lifts an eyebrow at that last comment, but bides his time to hear more.

The woman gestures toward the other chairs around her table, and motions a serving girl over. The girl sets down a tray bearing wine and other refreshments suitable for a business transaction, then vanishes towards the kitchen. "Please, sit, and let us bargain."

Master Jaff thwacks Monkey's head, crosses his arms, and looks solemnly disapproving for a moment or two. Then he scampers off to join Kace.

Captain Kaizoku moves the chair out with a booted foot and sits in it, leaning his left arm on the table with his right in his lap. "Very well, though I have a pressing engagement outside of Nexus." he says.

Monkey rubs his sore head, mumbles something about Master Jaff, but subsides and goes looking for something cool and soothing to drink.

The woman sits back down, places her pack on the table, and pours herself a goblet of wine and takes a piece of poppy-seed bread. "My identity is unimportant, but people here call me Suda. You, of course, are Taiyo Kaizoku, lately captain of the Unconquered Sun -- a presumptous name -- and sworn enemy of the Realm." She takes a drink, and smiles. "I, too, am an enemy of the Realm."

The Storyteller . o O ( brb -- coffee done. )

Captain Kaizoku pours himself a glass of wine, but does not partake as of yet, resting the goblet near his hand. "You have the best of me then Suda, for many know my actions against the Realm, but I fear I have not yet heard of yours. I do have a notion or two of your problem and your need."

Suda gives half a smile, then grows serious. "My deeds are the quiet, unnoticeable sort. I am primarily a broker in information, and a dealer in secrets. This information I will share with you, if you will use it well against the corruption of the Realm."

Master Jaff meanwhile has found some salted nuts and, inbetween munchings, is flicking the shells at Kace.

Suda continues, "As proof of my good faith and my talents, let me inform you of the whereabouts of your nemesis, V'neef Barada. He is bound for Great Forks, with a cargo of slaves, wine, and other luxuries that he wishes to trade for certain permissions. His enmity with you is strong. You should be wary of it."

Captain Kaizoku nods his head. "You need have no fear of that. Any weapon I can use to cut way the corrupt flesh of the Realm, I will. And in exchange, you will be requiring transportation?" he asks.

The Storyteller . o O ( V'neef Barada was the admiral of the fleet you plundered at the beginning of the game. )

Meanwhile, in another corner, Monkey is starting a Three Shell Monty gambling game. "Alright. Who's feeling lucky? No tricks, you just need to be alert! You! Good Master, you seem like you have a sharp eye. Care to test how sharp it is?"

The Storyteller cackles.

Captain Kaizoku 's eyes narrow. "It will not outlast his death... I think you" he says gravely. "Permissions from whom, or will that come later?"

Suda shakes her head slightly. "In exchange, I ask that you listen to my advice with an open mind, and perhaps do me a favor upon occasion. V'neef Barada seeks permission to launch the Wyld Hunt from Great Forks -- he believes you have fled further upriver, not knowing that you landed here." She smiles again. "His eyes and ears are not so sharp as he would like to believe."

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I thank you... gah, typo. )

A couple patrons glance over at Monkey, but appear disinterested. After a few minutes of patter, though, one mark approaches, an obvious hayseed in Nexus to see the big city.

The hayseed stands opposite Monkey and says, "Walp, I've always been pretty sharp-eyed... I guess I'll give it a try." He lays a small coin on the table.

Monkey says, "A half-dinar? Oh, come on, certainly you can afford more, here, let me make it interesting."

Captain Kaizoku hmms thoughtfully. "And perhaps they are fogged by the wrong things reaching them from the right people?" he asks. "Very well, our causes seem to travel on the same tides."

Monkey says, "Barkeep, a glass of your best ale for the Good Master here. On me."

Suda nods and raises her goblet. "At least, the stars smile on them. Let us toast a partnership, then."

A serving wench, grinning, brings over a glass of ale. "Here you, sir. Good luck in your gaming, then."

Monkey says, "Now, there, win or lose, you'd already get your money worth, right?"

The rube looks a little uncomfortable, then grins. "Eh, by the thumb of Luna, why not?" He picks up his coin and lays down a full dinar.

Captain Kaizoku feels a half-remembered twinge of danger at the talk of astrology, but holds it back, lifting his goblet and toasting. "To partnership then."

Suda clinks goblets with you. "To partnership -- and success."

The Storyteller . o O ( roll Wits + Larceny at difficulty 2 and tell me what you're trying to do with the shell game. )

Monkey says, "Now, as you can see, one of the shells are painted red on the inside. The others, plain old shells."

The hayseed nods, eyes sharp -- well, sharpish -- as he takes a sip of wine.

Captain Kaizoku drinks a small sip of the wine. "To victory" he adds. "My enemy is reaching far... I will have to see he reaches beyond his grasp."

Monkey . o O ( We'll start with three shells for three games. Pure luck. And I'll be buying him ale after each game. After three games, and three glasses of ale, I'll add another shell, go really fast, and start cheating. )

Monkey rolled 4 dice on Wits + Larceny >>> {10, 8, 9, 5}.

Suda nods in agreement. "Do not underestimate V'neef Barada. He did not rise to his position through luck or nepotism, but through dogged cunning and ruthlessness. You have humiliated him and his House, and he will pursue you to the ends of Creation to destroy you."

Though he makes a game try of it, the hayseed isn't sharp enough to pick the right shell. He gamely tosses Monkey the dinar, but immediately digs out another one and lays it down. He tosses back his ale and says, "I like this. Let's play again."

Captain Kaizoku says, "Were I his only enemy, I would be truly concerned. Yet he is one viper in a hungry nest of them, each striking at the others at the least sign of weakness. He and his house will go too far to stop me and what I represent, and another house will take advantage of that weakness."

Monkey says, "Certainly!"

The Storyteller . o O ( Roll again -- with two successes, you can dictate whether he wins or loses. )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Eventually the dice will roll against me, but hey!

Monkey rolled 4 dice on Wits+Larceny >>> {8, 2, 8, 8}.

Suda smiles and pours herself another glass of wine. "That, you can probably count on. Let us hope that they do so before V'neef Barada catches you. But... I know of an advantage that would benefit you tremendously." She lowers her voice to almost a whisper. "I see by your panoply that you have found some items of the First Age. But every pirate needs a ship most of all..."

The Storyteller . o O ( does he win or lose? )

Monkey says, "Very likely it's the ale affecting your judgment, Good Master. Now, don't blame me, I bought it, true, but you chose to drink it."

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Lose.

Captain Kaizoku leans forward, hearing more than he expected from the woman, yet slightly wary of it. "Indeed, and plans are in motion to acquire one... though perhaps someone has whispered of one to you?"

Monkey says, "But let's make this even better."

The rube sighs, and pushes his dinar forward, but draws out three more and lays them down one at a time -- clink, clink, clink. "Third time pays for all, they say. I'll try once more."

Suda leans forward. "Not a ship. A squadron. A very... old... squadron. And the haven where it rests. If you take my meaning."

Monkey says, "Excellent! And from now on, I shall drink before every game. Let's see how many tankards it will take to slow my hand down! Barkeep!"

TonyC [to Apollonian]: No cheating for the next three games. If I lose, I lose. If I win, I win. If he's still playing at the fourth game, I'll up the ante.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Shall we just roll once to determine the net result of the no-cheating games?

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, just roll Wits, then, opposed by his Perception. )

Captain Kaizoku leans closer still, an eyebrow raising with curiosity. "Indeed. That would be a fine find indeed, though almost too good to be true" he says with an even tone. "Perhaps you have a relic from such a haven?"

Monkey rolled 3 dice on Wits >>> {1, 10, 4}.

Suda shrugs. "Alas, I know of such a thing -- but not where it is. However..."

You rolled 3 dice on something >>> {5, 9, 6}.

Of the next three games, Monkey wins two and the hayseed one, to the net loss of 3 dinars for the hayseed.

Monkey burps.

Captain Kaizoku turns his hand over several times, signalling her to continue even as he says "But you know someone who does know?"

The hayseed looks down into his ale and weighs his pouch in his left hand. "Well, I suppose I can risk one more. Five dinars." He puts his ale down and looks hard at the shells as Monkey's hands drift over them.

Suda says, "So to speak. The haven of which I speak is a lost depot, a salvage and repair facility, a storage yard for ships not needed or wanted at the height of the Deliberative's power. As such, it was a backwater facility, far from the Blassed Isle... and so, its commandants were those who either desired solitude or were out of favor for some reason."

Monkey squints at the rube and smiles broadly. "Excellent! Now let's see if I can match it." He reaches down a picks up a jade piece. Peering at it, he says, "My, I think that's an obol. Perhaps it's a sign! Very well. I bet you an obol, Good Master. Care to match wits with me?"

She continues, "One such was a loving father who desired to both amuse his children and to remind them of his existence while he was in that far-off place. Being a craftsman, he made a toy. Being a Solar, it was a minor wonder."

The hayseed nods. "Aye, let's see which is faster -- my eyes or your hands." (roll wits + larceny to cheat)

TonyC [to Apollonian]: He'll have to add a dinar or two, I think.

The hayseed adds enough money -- reluctantly -- to match the obol.

Captain Kaizoku says, "Such a facility would be a treasure far beyond price... You must have a powerful reason to turn it over to one who would use it rather than mere profit."

Suda says, "I have heard much of your exploits. I think it is your destiny, and one who follows destiny profits. Let us say that I anticipate good fishing in your wake." She reaches into her pack and draws out a cloth-wrapped object.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: 1 WP for auto-success. There's money involved here!

Monkey rolled 4 dice on Wits+Larceny >>> {2, 7, 4, 4}.

You rolled 7 dice on something >>> {10, 10, 2, 10, 5, 6, 6}.

The hayseed grins wickedly as he turns over the red-painted shell. "I think this be the one, eh?" He scrapes the money over the table and into his waiting purse. "Better luck next time."

Captain Kaizoku straightens up to look at the object... carefully. "Though fishing in a large wake can be turbulent. You must enjoy fishing more for the act than the fish?" he asks casually.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: He counter-cheated? Or is he just sharp? (in other words, did he roll Awareness or Larceny?)

Suda carefully unwraps the object, which is apparently heavy and about the size of an apple, but rectangular in shape.

Apollonian [to TonyC]: Larceny. Monkey tried to take on a sharper in his own territory. Hence the wide grin on the barmaid...

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Aha. I suspected.

Captain Kaizoku carefully studies it with his eyes, reaching back to his past life to see if it is familiar.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Monkey can't prove the other person cheated, so....

Monkey says, "Wait a moment, Good Master."

Suda whispers, "Behold a vanished wonder -- or at least one-fifth of one. I found this buried in the tombs of Sijan many years ago, wrapped in a scroll that told me the tale I have just recounted. It says that this is one of five parts of a puzzle the Solar commandant made for his children. When put together, they somehow explain the path from the Blessed Isle to the lost depot. And you have another piece."

The "hayseed" turns, tossing his winnings in his hand. "Aye, lad? Do you be wanting another game?"

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Does the captain recognize another piece of the artifact as being in his possession? )

Monkey holds the rube's hand as he gathers the money. Making a pat-patting motion, he plants the shell he palmed earlier in the game and goes, "Aha, as I suspected!", takes his hand away and lo, the planted shell fell clattering to the table from the rube's sleeve.

Suda continues "And so does V'neef Barada. In fact, up till your encounter with him, he had two. Do you recall a scroll entitled "Meditations on the Water Dragon" in the plunder you seized from his treasure fleet?"

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Do I get a stunt die for the planting attempt?

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Was that one sold in the auction? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Roll Dex + Larceny for the planting. One stunt die for the attempt. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. It was in the lot of Immaculate texts you sold to the Deathknight... )

Monkey rolled 7 dice on Dex + Larceny + Stunt (Go, dice, Baby needs a new pair of shoes!) >>> {5, 8, 4, 5, 8, 10, 8}.

You rolled 5 dice on something >>> {10, 8, 2, 6, 2}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( If he got his goods after the riot... )

The Storyteller . o O ( Success. )

The Storyteller . o O ( brb )

Captain Kaizoku has a slightly sour look on his face, but hides it. "Indeed I do, one of a lot that was just sold this morning, I fear, though perhaps not actually acquired."

Monkey says, "Gentlemen, Ladies, Freemen, be my witness. The game of chance has been spoiled. Thus the bet is forfeit."

Suda says, "Sold? To whom? There are some in Nexus who might put this to much worse use than V'neef Barada."

Monkey says, "Friend, it was a good attempt, but you've been outwitted. Why not concede rather than risk being tossed from this fine establishment?"

The inn patrons (who, incidentally, have been completely ignoring Kaizoku and Suda thanks to Monkey's game) are generally looking on and muttering amongst themselves. (Monkey, make a Wits + Socialize roll to get the tenor of the crowd.)

The Storyteller . o O ( No, wait, Perception + Socialize. )

Monkey rolled 2 dice on Per + Soc >>> {1, 5}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Ouch. )

Monkey . o O ( Woohoo! Trouble! )

Captain Kaizoku looks as if the wine has turned sour. "A Master Termagant, though his real name has more death in it..." he says thinly.

Oblivious to the fact that the crowd seems to favor the local, Monkey continues on... (make a Charisma or Manipulation + Performance roll to sway them to your side.)

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Manipulation? You're kidding me. Monkey relies on his natural charm and big heart. :)

Monkey rolled 3 dice on Charisma >>> {5, 3, 8}.

Suda sits back in her chair suddenly. "This I did not foresee. We must get that scroll." She grimaces. "Or rather, you must. I cannot act against 'Master Termagant' in person." She holds up her hand. "Nor can I tell you why. Still, my agents may be able to assist you in finding him and the scroll." She re-wraps the artifact piece (I'll put a desc on the wiki sometime this week) and stows it in her pack.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( It did look like something that would go with a scroll as part of a puzzle at least? )

The crowd is starting to look ugly, and the barmaids are clearing the area of breakables. A few onlookers seem to take Monkey's part, but the majority favor the hayseed.

The Storyteller . o O ( Not really, but then, it's only one piece out of five. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Both of you make Perception + Awareness rolls. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 4 dice on Per >>> {9, 7, 10, 9}.

Monkey rolled 3 dice on Per + Awa >>> {7, 2, 7}.

You whisper, "You realize that, for the last few minutes, the usual street noise has changed in tenor to more like that of a crowd of onlookers." to jetman.

jetman whispers, "The outside noise, or just in the inn?"

You whisper, "Outside only, not in the inn." to jetman.

Monkey harangues the local's friends, "What is this? You all saw what happened! By the Five Maidens, the game was rigged, how could you let it pass?"

As Monkey steps up the table, making a spectacle of himself, Master Jaff sneaks under and....

Captain Kaizoku thinks to himself he should have attacked the Deathknights when he had the chance, but the back of Oak and her monks were too tempting to pass up. He stands suddenly and pounds his palm on the table with a resounding thud. "Monkey! Cease your grifting and come with me!" He motions whichever crew is at the table over as well.

There's a cracking noise from the front of the room, and suddenly the inn's double doors fall inward, shattering as they do so. A passel of Immaculate acolytes follow a towering Dragon-Blooded monk in.

Monkey stops his speechs and scratches his head. "Ooops, sorry boys. Time to go."

The monk is clearly Earth-aspected, as his body bears the semblance of stone and he carries a huge white jade tetsubo on his back. He is clad only in trousers and his head is shaved like any monk's.

Monkey jumps down from the table, sweeps the money from the table, waves to Master Jaff "Come on, Master Jaff", and saunters away in the middle of the heavily armed crew of Unconquered Sun.

The acolytes spread out around the room. They are armed with bows and clubs, but they do not make any aggressive movements. So to speak.

Captain Kaizoku is icily cool as he regards the monk. "Your bretheren have spilled enough of their blood in the streets today. WIll you spill more in the inns now?" he asks.

Meanwhile, the Exalt steps forward and points at Captain Kaizoku. "You!"

Master Jaff jumps on to Monkey's shoulder, turns around, and with one finger pulling the lower lid of an eye down, gives the rube and his crowd a raspberry.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( What's the skill for facedowns? )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: I suggest Presence.

The Storyteller . o O ( Presence, but make a quick Perception roll first. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 4 dice on something >>> {3, 4, 3, 9}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I didn't finish the crew writeups yet, but I have their stats and skills mostly done. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Umm, add Occult to that. )

Monkey rolled 2 dice on But if I'm not supposed to, just ignore the result. >>> {9, 6}.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 3 dice on something >>> {3, 4, 8}.

Monkey . o O ( Hey, look at the bright side. I still got the money. )

The Storyteller . o O ( You realize two things. One, this guy has some serious Charms up. Two, he's a powerful exalt, or at least, powerful for a DB. Oh, and three, he's pissed, but it didn't take a roll to see that. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Does Monkey have his guns on him? )

TonyC [to jetman]: Why, of course.

The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey? And gimme a sec, I'm trying to figure out some good kung fu dialogue here. )

Monkey . o O ( The usual "Evil Villain, you've killed my second brother and dishonored my temple. For that, you must pay with your life! Prepare to meet The Fire Eagle of North Mountain Style!" is serviceable. )

The monk says "I am Kahlun, master of the Earth Dragon Style. You murdered my comrade Graceful Oak. Though your kind deserve no more grace than a dog, honor demands that I face you in righteous combat so that the Elemental Dragons may find your guilt without error. Do you accept this challenge?"

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Ouch, and here I am thinking about challenging him instead.

TonyC [to jetman]: Your call.

Captain Kaizoku narrows his eyes as he tosses back his long coat, revealing his sword. "Time and again, the Sun burns the serpent. You can accomplish nothing here but an ignoble death. You may turn and leave and live, or come forward and die a meaningless death."

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Intimidation time, with Harmonious Presence! )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And did any essence get recovered from the last fight? )

The Storyteller . o O ( I should point out that from the body language -- and the fact that he's using that great big tetsubo like a willow wand to point at both of you -- he's challenging you both as one. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Say an hour's worth. (Checks) )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I was down to two personal. )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Given the stunt dice being thrown around, I'm sure we all have enough essence.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I want to see if I'll start glowing from just the staredown. )

The Storyteller . o O ( damn index. )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: At least Captain is. Me... I used two stunts to recover WP, so maybe I don't have full Essence.

The Storyteller . o O ( Shoot. BRB, nature calls. Um, if you accept the challenge, you can fight outside or in the inn. Either way, you have enough time to power up a couple of scene-length Charms. )

Monkey crouches down on all four and then straightens up all the way until he's tip-toe-ing, thus getting good view of the Dragon-Blooded Monk from the bottom and all the way up. Well, at least chest-high, given Monkey's height. He then turns around, face scrunched in serious thought while tapping his feet.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 6 dice on Wits + Lore tactical instincts >>> {6, 7, 1, 9, 6, 2}.

Monkey . o O ( How does Monkey rate this guy? About even? (Of course, he'll never admit the guy's better.) For tactical purpose, you can probably just tell me whether his claim of being a master is true. )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: You may want to whisper that.

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, back. It's been about 3 hours since you mugged Graceful Oak, so you've regained 12 essence, not counting stunt bonuses. )

The Storyteller . o O ( If you wish to decline the challenge, roll Valor. )

You whisper, "He is a master, and probably has a few other tricks up his sleeve." to TonyC.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Oh, no, there's no question of declining it. That was an intimidation attempt, which I"ll now roll. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Strength + Presence. )

Monkey whispers to the Captain, "Captain, the guy's good. He's probably better than you and almost as good as me in a stand-up fight."

Captain Kaizoku rolled 10 dice on Pre + Str + charm >>> {4, 5, 6, 4, 3, 1, 4, 10, 8, 1}.

Captain Kaizoku waves the hand by his side at the door, indicating the fight will be outside.

The Storyteller . o O ( What would be a good opposed roll to intimidation? I'm thinking Valor + something... but can't figure out the something. )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Willpower?

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hmmm... Cha? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Willpower would be too big. Charisma might work. Maybe I'll split the difference and say 1/2 willpower + Charisma for now. )

The Storyteller grumbles. Doesn't like inelegant solutions.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: I'm thinking straight willpower, no additions.

You rolled 7 dice on something >>> {2, 8, 1, 8, 6, 3, 7}.

The Storyteller . o O ( I know, but that would allow a compassionate, temperate character to resist as well as one with 5 valor. Which might be appropriate... Eh. I'll think about it. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( says on p 242 that Valor id the difficulty. )

The Storyteller . o O ( In any case, he matches you for successes. 242 doesn't say explicitly, but that's one way to do it. I just like opposed rolls. :) )

Captain Kaizoku sees that the monk is made of sterner stuff than average. "Very well, you will come to your death then. But outside. None may disrupt the business in Nexus, and this is a fine one." he says calmly, drawing his sword and waving it in an encompassing gesture to the inn.

Kahlun walks outside over the ruins of the inn door. You can see from here that the onlookers have cleared a _wide_ space for the upcoming duel. A few monks are waiting around, keeping the crowd back. Kahlun walks to the far side, turns, and plants his tetsubo on the ground, awaiting your pleasure.

Monkey says, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Am I not the First Mate? Captain, before someone fights you, he must prove himself worthy first by defeating me!"

Near the center of the cleared space, an old man in elegant robes stands. He holds a red cloth in one hand. You recognize him as some sort of magistrate, probably making sure the fight is legitimate in the eyes of the Council of Nexus.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Durability of Oak, please.

The Storyteller . o O ( How far away do you want to start combat? )

Apollonian [to TonyC]: Rack 'em up. You've got plenty of time to get your soak charms up and running, this time.

Captain Kaizoku points to Monkey, then Kahuln, then upwards, indicating where he wants Monkey fighting from. "On the contrary Monkey. This poor man feels he must challenge the captain and crew at once, so we will do him this last favor."

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( 6 yards away I think. And I have no scene charms but Harmonious Presence, which has failed along with negotiations. )

The Storyteller . o O ( You can't talk to a man/with a goremaul in his hand )

The old man nods at you, and says, "Are you ready?"

TonyC [to jetman]: That's contrary to both my Valor and Conviction trait _and_ my flaw.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( It's an artifact then, not a vanilla one? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh hell yeah. )

The Storyteller . o O ( 24L baby. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( But the captain knows monkey was nearly cut in half, and is far from recovered... )

Monkey says, "Ow, but Captain, that'd be way too easy!"

Captain Kaizoku brings his sword up over his shoulder. "Nevertheless, I am the Captain" he replies.

Monkey says, "I'm wounded, true, but that'll make it an even fight. If you and the crew help out, it'll be over in a flash!"

Monkey has been trumped.

Captain Kaizoku says, "Then just you and I Monkey."

Monkey marks up at least one limit break from Valor and looks up Conviction to see if he should mark one up for it too.

Monkey . o O ( Nope. Just Valor then. )

The Storyteller . o O ( If you like, you can make an opposed roll -- your Conviction vs. your Valor. :) )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Any interesting features in the cleared area of the street? )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: No. It's quite clear.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Taiyo Kaizoku is the captain and he played the right card to trump my argument.

The Storyteller . o O ( Let's see. The area's about fifteen yards in diameter and is largely clear, though there is a large fountain on one side. It's up against the wall of a nearby building, and mostly clear water flows through it. All the buildings are at least five stories tall and mostly of First Age construction. Plenty of hand-holds for hopping around on. There's a cart nearby, hastily abandoned, that holds several barrels of something -- wine by the look of it. And, of course, lots of onlookers. )

The Storyteller . o O ( That was a joke, son. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Anyway... )

The old man nods at you, and says, "Are you ready?"

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Between previous usage and Spirit Strengthen The Skin, Monkey is down 6 motes and 3 WP.

Captain Kaizoku brings his sword down to a two-handed guard position and gives the man a short nod.

The old man says, "Begin when the cloth touches the ground." He throws the red cloth up in the air and makes a respectable sprint for the safety of the crowd.

Monkey limbers up, cracks up his neck joints, and checks his staff.

The Storyteller . o O ( Roll Initiative. Add weapon bonuses. )

On 1d10, you rolled 8.

On 1d10+21, you rolled 30.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+14 and got 17.

Monkey rolled 1d10+6 and got 10.

Monkey pushes off the staff and lands on the tetsubo. Still upside down, his right foot reaches down for one of the Flame Piece stashed in his belt while his hands shuffles up the tetsubo until he's face to face with Kahlun. Grinning, he bends back until he's upright again, and fires the flame piece before jumping back to his staff.

Monkey . o O ( One action was spent on dodge. The other for drawing the flame piece, and the last firing it. The rest is just movement. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, that's a 3-die stunt. )

Monkey . o O ( Yay! )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Can I spend WP to add Valor?

The Storyteller flips pages.

The Storyteller needs to get sticky tabs for this thing.

The Storyteller . o O ( yes. )

Monkey rolled 7 dice on Dex + Arch + 3 stunt - 5 multi - 2 wound + Valor. >>> {9, 8, 6, 9, 3, 9, 4}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, he dodges. )

Monkey . o O ( Darn penalties. )

You rolled 10 dice on dodge >>> {7, 5, 7, 8, 5, 1, 5, 6, 1, 1}.

The Storyteller . o O ( One success. You hit! Yay! How much damage? )

Monkey . o O ( 8L + 3 extra successes = 11L. )

Monkey . o O ( Can I argue given the circumstances and the nature of the attack, it bypasses armor? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, so that's Essence dice, since Kahlun's got 15L soak from Perfection of Earth Body... And he's not wearing armor, he's got rocky skin. )

Monkey rolled 3 dice on Damage >>> {7, 1, 4}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Describe )

The jet of flame licks Kahlun's face, leaving him with a blackened face. Despite that, Kahlun's injury is minor, as the Essence he channels made his skin as hard as rock.

Monkey scritches his ear with his other foot.

Turn 2

The Storyteller . o O ( Roll init )

On 1d10+21, you rolled 26.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+14 and got 17.

Monkey rolled 1d10+14 and got 23.

Initiative Order is Monkey 23, Kahlun 21, CK 17. Kahlun will take two actions.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Two actions. )

Monkey . o O ( Three actions again. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Incidentally, has Monkey considered going after Righteous Devil style martial arts? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey, go. )

Monkey simply rolls forward, letting his weight pull his staff loose. Trying to repeat the same trick he pulled against White Soul Weeping, he tries to jar the tetsubo loose from Kahlun's grip.

Monkey smashes the tetsubo near Kahlun's grip.

flip flip flip

The Storyteller . o O ( Dex + Melee, dif 3. He'll parry )

Monkey rolled 5 dice on Dex + Melee - multi - wound >>> {6, 3, 9, 9, 4}.

The Storyteller . o O ( failed, but he does burn a parry action. )

Monkey lands without having effected anything, shrugs, and swings around trying to smash Kahlun's legs.

Kahlun sees the move coming and shifts his grip so that the staff strikes between his hands. He moves with the blow and turns to face Captain Kaizoku, bringing his weapon up in a formal stance.

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, he's not going to defend. Roll it. )

Monkey rolled 4 dice on Dex + Melee - multi - wound >>> {2, 7, 4, 5}.

The Storyteller . o O ( And damage... minus 15 soak. )

Monkey is surprised, and quite frankly, insulted that Kahlun ignored his attack. "Curse you, Black Face! Don't take me so lightly!"

Monkey rolled 3 dice on min damagae >>> {8, 9, 9}.

Monkey . o O ( Wow! )

Monkey . o O ( LOL. )

The Storyteller . o O ( v. nice. He noticed that. Describe. )

Perhaps The Sun too was insulted, and the curse effected, for somehow Monkey's wild swing struck a vulnerable joint, making Kahlun lose his balance and stumble a few steps.

Monkey . o O ( Last action for defense, just in case. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Good thing. )

Distracted from Captain Kaizoku by Monkey's successful attack, Kahlun whips his tetsubo around in vicious low blow, coming up toward Monkey's face from the ground.

Monkey . o O ( Incoming! )

Monkey frantically tries to hug the tetsubo and lets his whole body be borne upward by the force without actually being hurt by it.

The Storyteller . o O ( what kind of defense is that? And a two-die bonus. )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: Reed in the wind.

Monkey . o O ( You know, go with the blow etc etc. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Got it. )

Monkey rolled 15 dice on wild monkey defense! >>> {1, 4, 3, 10, 10, 4, 10, 7, 5, 8, 4, 8, 6, 10, 1}.

You rolled 8 dice on grand goremaul attack >>> {5, 1, 9, 5, 5, 10, 9, 7}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Ah, reed in wind does not bow to mighty oak. )

The Storyteller . o O ( CK, your turn. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( What happened with the blow? )

Monkey . o O ( It flung Monkey up in the air. Don't worry, he'll land next turn! )

Monkey leaps on the tetsubo as it comes toward him like the fist of a mountain and uses it as a springboard to launch himself a good forty feet in the air, flipping like an acrobat as he does so.

Monkey says, "Whirling Wheelwind Avoidance Kata!"

Monkey . o O ( Must make self look good for Kace. )

Captain Kaizoku notes that the foolish dirt monk has turned his back to him, annoyed by Monkey's capering. He dashes forward, running low to the ground, sword held out in a straight line from his body, arm fully extended. He flips it over so the dull edge is up, running past Kahlun and bringing his sword against his wrist hard to knock the massive weapon from his grasp, then spins on a heel and brings himself up to a guard position in front of the Earth master.

The Storyteller . o O ( 2 die stunt )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Disarm attack, six motes in Excellent Strike, which puts him four into Perhipheral. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and since you haven't used any actions yet, I think it's legit for you to make this your only action this turn if you want. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I'll make that so then. )

The Storyteller . o O ( No defense, so roll it. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 23 dice on sword + dex + charm +stunt >>> {2, 4, 1, 1, 8, 2, 8, 3, 9, 8, 2, 9, 8, 7, 6, 1, 4, 7, 3, 1, 1, 6, 2}.

The Storyteller . o O ( 7 successes, so he makes a quick check... )

You rolled 9 dice on Wits + MA >>> {4, 3, 3, 3, 10, 7, 6, 9, 5}.

The Storyteller . o O ( You're successful. Describe. )

Captain Kaizoku 's golden crescent digs into the big man's wrist and he feels the muscles beneath give under the pressure. Angling his daiklave down, he catches a stud of the maul on the guard of his blade and adds his running momentum to it, flinging the massive club end over end to crash throw three barrels of wine and a wagon wheel of the cart that holds them.

Turn 3

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, initiative time. The big man is now disarmed. )

Monkey rolled 1d10 and got 8.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+14 and got 18.

Monkey . o O ( Gonna go for another flame piece. )

You rolled 9 dice on Kahlun init >>> {2, 5, 1, 6, 10, 4, 4, 3, 5}.

On 1d10+9, you rolled 12.

Monkey . o O ( 4 actions. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Two actions. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Kahlun takes 2 actions. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Strike that, 3 actions. )

Initiative order: CK 18, Kahlun 12, Monkey 8

The Storyteller . o O ( Wait a sec... Monkey's init should be higher, shouldn't it? )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: It would, except that 1. I'm applying wound penalty. And 2. I'm planning to use flame piece, thus staff's speed doesn't apply.

Monkey . o O ( Waitaminute, what happened to the +6? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Exactly. So 14, not 8? )

Monkey . o O ( Ah, I think the roller doesn't like the brackets. 14. )

Initiative Order: CK 18, Monkey 14, Kahlun 12.

The Storyteller . o O ( CK, lead off! )

The Storyteller . o O ( Sitrep: CK is facing a disarmed Kahlun from the side, Kahlun is assuming a barehanded stance, and Monkey is on his way down from the air trip. )

Captain Kaizoku brings his daiklave up to a guard position again. "I have yet to see the power of the Dragon. Or perhaps I have!" he exclaims, shooting forward as if flying to land in a crouch at Kahlun's feet. He puts his free hand on the trailing edge of his blade and then jumps upward, pushing the keen edge to the monk's throat, and hopefully through it.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Seven motes for Excellent Strike. )

The Storyteller . o O ( 1-die bonus... He parries. With his bare hands. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Roll? )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 21 dice on sword strike >>> {10, 9, 10, 1, 8, 10, 1, 7, 7, 7, 7, 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 5, 10, 9, 3, 6}.

You rolled 15 dice on parry >>> {8, 4, 8, 4, 10, 8, 10, 2, 4, 2, 10, 6, 5, 2, 9}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Holy CRAP! )

The Storyteller . o O ( 19 successes for CK minus 10 for Kahlun gives you 9 total... you hit. :) )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 18 dice on damage >>> {5, 7, 8, 7, 6, 4, 9, 1, 10, 4, 6, 4, 5, 4, 2, 10, 10, 6}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Whoops, forgot soak. )

The Storyteller . o O ( No, roll 3 dice on damage... )

The Storyteller . o O ( Him got _serious_ soak... 15L )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Can I just take the 3 10s from there? :) )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 3 dice on damage >>> {9, 4, 9}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Second action saved for defense. )

The Storyteller . o O ( describe the effects. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( How badly does he look hurt? )

The Storyteller . o O ( he's lost about half his health levels, so -- a bad bruise on his knee, a nasty cut on his neck, and a burnt face. )

Captain Kaizoku was not quite fast enough to avoid Kahlun's guard, the crescent of his golden sword cutting into his thick wrists instead, and pulling free with twin trails of blood. He whips his sword down to the side, cleaning it off, and raises it to a guard again.

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

Monkey lands on all fours. He looks up and the crowd near him took a step back as they see the glowing circle that is the Dawn's symbol. He lifts his right hand up and catches the staff that was also flung up with him earlier. Standing up, he draws another flame piece with his left hand, takes aim, and fires. The jet of flame shoots forward with a thunderous sound, but Monkey is already letting the flame piece go and drawing another one and firing it as the first one clatters on the ground.

Monkey . o O ( Action 1: Draw. Action 2: shoot. Repeat. Catching the staff is just SFX. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Workable. Drawing is automatic, no roll. )

The Storyteller . o O ( 2-die stunt. )

Monkey rolled 3 dice on flame piece >>> {8, 2, 10}.

Monkey rolled 1 dice on flame piece >>> {4}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and he dodges the first attack )

You rolled 6 dice on Kahlun dodge >>> {7, 7, 5, 2, 10, 2}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Successfully, as it happens. )

Kahlun hears the oncoming rush of flame and throws himself back into a somersault, flipping over the first gout of flame and rolling under the second. As he rolls to his feet, he leaps forward, aiming a vicious kick at Captain Kaizoku's head.

Monkey is not a very good distance shooter, apparently.

The Storyteller . o O ( Defense? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Six motes for Golden Block )

Monkey shrugs and tosses the spent flame piece away.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 24 dice on something >>> {6, 1, 5, 6, 2, 7, 2, 4, 6, 7, 7, 8, 3, 2, 5, 2, 2, 5, 10, 9, 8, 6, 2, 8}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Uh, I don't think you can do that... )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( It's a parry, right? )

The Storyteller . o O ( IIRC, one charm per turn unless Combo )

The Storyteller . o O ( Checking )

TonyC [to jetman]: What he said.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I thought it was one per action unless combo, one instant per instant. )

The Storyteller . o O ( It is, but there's the additional rule that you can only use one Charm per turn unless it's reflexive. If it's reflexive, you can use the same Charm multiple times in one turn, e.g. use Excellent Strike on two seperate attacks (which would count as separate "instants") )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( GEB is reflexive, so I can use it then? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Or not, because Excellent strike is supplemental? )

The Storyteller . o O ( No, because you used Excellent Strike earlier in the turn. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( OK, got it. So just base defense then. I have to stop rolling early... Wasting good results. :) )

The Storyteller . o O ( My bad. I thought ES was reflexive. A better example would be using GEB on multiple parries in one turn. Legal, because you're using the same reflexive charm multiple times. )

The Storyteller is learning more about Exalted combat every day.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 12 dice on parry >>> {4, 10, 3, 5, 10, 6, 3, 5, 8, 10, 2, 9}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Anyway... )

You rolled 15 dice on Kahlun Kick! >>> {8, 4, 4, 6, 5, 7, 2, 3, 9, 1, 1, 6, 9, 3, 1}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( You're not the only one. )

The Storyteller . o O ( You successfully parry... describe. BTW, I put the narrative control rules on the house rules in the wiki. )

From among the crowd's feet, a small blur darts out over to the flame pieces and pauses to collect them before darting back into the forest of wool, linen and silk. It's Master Jaff, picking up each piece as it was dropped and depositing it to Kace before fetching the next one.

No fool, Kace is holding them at arm's length. He's seen what happens when they go off.

Captain Kaizoku is clearly in control of the situation now, looking at the raging monk with contempt as his anima banner surrounds him. He brings his sword up and swings the trailing edge at Kahlun's ankle, speeding the kick along that it misses the captain's body by a good distance.

Turn 4

The Storyteller . o O ( Roll Init. )

On 1d10+19, you rolled 24.

Monkey grabs his staff with both hands.

Monkey rolled 1d10+14 and got 23.

TonyC [to Apollonian]: That's fast. Are you sure you aren't ending the now-disarmed tetsubo?

Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+14 and got 15.

Monkey . o O ( ending -> adding. )

The Storyteller . o O ( He's got Perfection of Earth Body up -- unarmed attacks gain a speed bonus equal to his Essence x2 )

Monkey . o O ( gulp )

The Storyteller . o O ( No kidding. )

Think Kahlun will take three actions, again.

The Storyteller . o O ( Kahlun will take three actions, again. )

Monkey . o O ( 4 actions. I'm going all out. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( 2 actions. )

Kahlun lands from his kick, spins on his heel, and slides forward, reaching toward Captain Kaizoku's daiklave in a disarm attempt. His anima flares as he burns Essence on some sort of Charm.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Now I can use Golden Essence Block, right? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Soitanly! )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( But it's limited to a bonus of Melee + dex, right? )

Monkey . o O ( 4 attacks. relying on charm for defense. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yes, but you can't add the daiklave's defense bonus to the parry. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( OK. Five motes, +9, one mote lost in that case. )

The Storyteller . o O ( That's a power combat change, p. 208 of the player's guide )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 18 dice on parry >>> {8, 7, 7, 4, 5, 6, 8, 6, 10, 6, 1, 9, 9, 6, 1, 8, 8, 9}.

You rolled 10 dice on disarm attempt >>> {3, 6, 6, 3, 5, 1, 6, 1, 2, 6}.

The Storyteller . o O ( oooh the pain... )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I should have let him do it... it would have saved essence. )

The Storyteller . o O ( that's why you declare _first_, not after the attack. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I thought of a clever plan after the fact... )

Lunging toward the orichalcum daiklave, Kahlun critically misjudges the distance... and forgets the effects of his own might. His fingers close over empty air as he plunges into the pit Captain Kaizoku clambered out of a few moments ago.

Captain Kaizoku had been expecting a Dragon-Blooded to copy a Solar's actions and was prepared for a disarm, but even he is surprised that the monk is unable to avoid his own pit.

You rolled 8 dice on jumping out >>> {2, 5, 9, 6, 10, 4, 7, 1}.

Captain Kaizoku 's anima banner flares brighter as he waves his sword in an arc, burning like a torch with the power of the Sun.

Showing no sign of humiliation, Kahlun leaps out of the pit, flipping onto its edge and assuming a defensive posture.

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

Monkey takes a deep breath and starts twirling his staff. Slowly, a golden glow starts spreading from his Dawn symbol, suffussing his body and seeping into the staff. As the staff whips around Monkey faster and faster, it's as if a globe of light and wind surrounds Monkey. Suddenly, with a wordless battlecry, surrounded by the image of a raging white gorilla, Monkey charges and jumps after Kahlun. Bits of rocks and metal flew upward, and then there's silence as the dust settles and the image fades.

Monkey . o O ( 4 attacks. 6 dice of Excellent strike each. )

Monkey . o O ( WP spent on auto-success on the last one. )

The Storyteller . o O ( OK, got it. He chooses not to dodge any of these attacks, so roll it. )

TonyC [to Apollonian]: any penalty or bonus?

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, sorry. 1-die stunt bonus. (Still refining my Righteous Stunt Awarding Technique) )

Monkey rolled 11 dice on Left arm! >>> {6, 7, 7, 8, 10, 2, 9, 6, 5, 1, 9}.

Monkey rolled 10 dice on Leg Sweep! >>> {8, 1, 2, 6, 4, 1, 3, 5, 9, 3}.

Monkey rolled 9 dice on Solar Plexus! >>> {4, 5, 3, 5, 6, 5, 1, 8, 5}.

Monkey rolled 8 dice on Head bonk! >>> {10, 2, 1, 3, 5, 3, 4, 9}.

Monkey . o O ( Let me guess. Minimum damage each? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Do wound penalties subtract from damage? )

Monkey . o O ( Not that I know. Damage is straight ST+weapon+success. Wound penalties is already accounted by subtracting from attack roll, thus reducing the number of successes. )

The Storyteller . o O ( In that case, damage dice are 4, 3, 3, 3 )

The Storyteller . o O ( All bashing, though. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Oh, if he puts the guy down, I have the coolest finishing action! )

Monkey rolled 4 dice on Bash! >>> {5, 2, 7, 2}.

Monkey rolled 3 dice on Thwack! >>> {4, 3, 3}.

Monkey rolled 3 dice on Kapow! >>> {7, 2, 3}.

Monkey rolled 3 dice on Bam! >>> {6, 3, 8}.

Though badly bruised by Monkey's flurry of blows, the earthen monk remains standing.

The Storyteller . o O ( CK, go. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( How far out of the pit is he standing? )

You rolled 4 dice on something >>> {9, 6, 8, 1}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I'm guessing a foot or so, so just his head. )

The Storyteller . o O ( He's on the ground, about a yard from the edge of the pit. )

Monkey says, "Not bad, Black Face. I must admit, you're almost as good as I am."

The Storyteller . o O ( He spent one of his actions to jump out entirely. )

Captain Kaizoku calls out to the crowd of other Immaculates. "Do you see your champion, battered and ready to fall? Is THIS what you want to follow?" he booms out, launching a forward swing at the Earth fighter, then flipping his blade over as it reaches full extention and bringing it back for a second strike.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( So I can use Excellent strike on the first one, but not the second? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Um, you declared two actions, and already used one as a defense. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Whoops, never mind then. It's just a fancy cut. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And since ES is not reflexive, can't use it? )

The Storyteller . o O ( You can use ES because you haven't used any other Charms this turn yet. )

The Storyteller . o O ( I'll break it down for you after combat. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( OK, 6 motes on ES then )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 17 dice on something >>> {1, 4, 1, 2, 10, 6, 10, 9, 8, 6, 4, 3, 7, 7, 3, 4, 3}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and he parries, My bad. )

Monkey . o O ( Should have added "Holy Barrels of Monkeys, Batman!" or something like that after the Bams! and Kapows! )

TonyC thinks that would've been funny.

You rolled 14 dice on parry plus a nasty trick >>> {10, 8, 4, 10, 9, 5, 3, 9, 6, 9, 3, 10, 5, 3}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Attack is 9 successes minus 10 for a successful parry. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( He counter-attacked? )

Kaizoku's blade. "I may die today, Anathema, but you will rue opposing me nonetheless!"

Kahlun's anima flares with the colors of earth as he shifts slightly and claps his hands around Captain Kaizoku's blade. "I may die today, Anathema, but you will rue opposing me nonetheless!"

TonyC groans.

The Storyteller . o O ( no, used Weapon-Breaking Defense Technique )

You rolled 15 dice on Weapon-Breaking Defense Technique >>> {1, 2, 6, 3, 1, 3, 7, 6, 8, 2, 7, 1, 8, 4, 8}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I was going to ask about breaking weapons, but I figured it would be easier to just disarm... and artifact weapons must be tough, no? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yes, he needed 5 successes to snap it. Which he got. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Damn. )

With a sharp CRACK, Kahlun twists his palms with the strength of an avalanche, and Kaizoku's blade snaps in two, flying out of his hands as it does so.

The Storyteller . o O ( Roll init )

Monkey rolled 1d10+14 and got 18.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 9.

Monkey . o O ( 2 action. Attack + Defense. )

On 1d10+19, you rolled 20.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( How much is left above the hilt? A functional, if shorter, sword? Or just junk? )

The Storyteller . o O ( It's certainly not usable now. If you can find an artificer, you could probably fix it, though. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And two actions... I have a stunt idea that may or may not work. )

Initiative Order: Kahlun 20, Monkey 18, CK 9. Kahlun takes two actions.

Monkey . o O ( Is it coolness beyond cool? 'cause if it is, I'll forego my remaining action and watch the show instead. )

Kahlun grins nastily and aims a knife-hand strike at Captain Kaizoku's throat.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Well, I don't know if it's that cool, and it involves charm abuse. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Defense? )

The Storyteller . o O ( That's what Charms are FOR! )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Can't block with no weapon, right? So dodge is my only choice? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yes, pretty much. )

Monkey . o O ( Stunt! )

Captain Kaizoku leans backwards to dodge the swift blow.

Monkey . o O ( You can block without weapon with stunt and get bonus dice! )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 8 dice on dodge >>> {2, 7, 1, 5, 8, 7, 1, 8}.

You rolled 13 dice on knife-hand strike >>> {1, 10, 5, 6, 2, 2, 6, 1, 5, 5, 2, 3, 2}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( It involves the blade-summoning charm on the blade, and a last minute dodge to impale this guy with it. )

The Storyteller . o O ( You a lucky puppy. Describe his miss. )

Captain Kaizoku leans back until he is parallel to the ground, bending with the wind of the blow as he might a gale, the fist merely tugging at his cravat.

Monkey . o O ( Ooo, Matrixy.... )

The Storyteller . o O ( Captain Kaizoku wears a cravat? Gaaaay.... ;) )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Even the manliest pirates wear lace! )

The Storyteller . o O ( Good point. Says a lot about pirates. Still can't Johnny Depp out of my head, actually... )

Monkey . o O ( Not Monkey! Oook ook aaak aaak aaak! )

The Storyteller . o O ( He's saving the second action for defense, so it's Monkey's turn. )

Monkey . o O ( Pass. I want to see CK try his cool stunt. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Holding action, then? )

Monkey . o O ( Hmmmm, what's the mechanic for running interference? That is, inhibiting his defense. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Hmm... Lemme take a look. In the meantime, CK, describe your stunt. )

Captain Kaizoku pushes the broken hilt of his sword up against the massive arm above him as it passes overhead, then gathers his essence and calls his blade to him... the length of the blade that had fallen to the ground rises up and begins flying back to the rest of itself, whirling back like a raptor... despite the wall of flesh in its path!

The Storyteller . o O ( No rules on it, so I'll make some up. Oh, and that is a cool stunt. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Thanks! )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, for the running interference. Make a standard attack roll. You can add half your successes to an ally's attack roll, for the purpose of punching through a defense only. )

Monkey jams his staff sideways between Kahlun's legs, hindering his movement.

Monkey rolled 6 dice on Dex + Melee - wound - multi >>> {10, 10, 3, 4, 1, 4}.

Monkey . o O ( Kaizoku gets two extra successes. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Aight. For the stunt + attack, roll Dex + Melee. Damage will be Strength only, though, minimum Essence. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Base melee, without sword specialization? )

The Storyteller . o O ( And Kahlun will attempt a dodge. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Correct -- this is a touch unorthodox for sword use... :) )

Monkey . o O ( STR only? Maybe sword only instead? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Time to invent a new style then! :) )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 7 dice on Dex + Melee >>> {3, 4, 5, 8, 1, 1, 2}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Too close... )

The Storyteller . o O ( Good call. Make that sword only, which is 6L )

You rolled 7 dice on Kahlun dodge >>> {10, 5, 2, 7, 2, 7, 9}.

Kahlun hears the clatter as the blade jumps from the flagstones, and curves aside, doing a handspring and rolling to his feet. The blade perches on the handle for a moment, then falls back to the ground.

The Storyteller . o O ( and we're back to init. )

On 1d10+17, you rolled 20.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+7 and got 8.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Gah. )

Monkey rolled 1d10+14 and got 19.

Monkey . o O ( two action. )

Monkey . o O ( attack and defend )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( One action, for defense. Total dodge. )

Initiative order: Kahlun 20, Monkey 19, Captain Kaizoku 8. Kahlun takes two actions, one attack and one defense.

Kahlun leaps in the air toward Monkey, swinging an axe kick down toward the pirate's collarbone.

The Storyteller . o O ( defense? )

TonyC [to jetman]: Let me point out that there's plenty of weapons all around Monkey and Kaizoku and at least one very good one among those.

Monkey . o O ( Reed in the Wind! )

Monkey rolled 16 dice on Dodge + Charm >>> {7, 9, 10, 7, 10, 2, 3, 1, 7, 8, 7, 8, 5, 6, 6, 3}.

Monkey . o O ( 10 successes )

The Storyteller . o O ( heh, good point. You could make a dash for that tetsubo... (checks) and you can wield it at a -1 penalty for strength. )

Monkey . o O ( No, 11. )

You rolled 15 dice on Kahlun axe kick! >>> {1, 2, 3, 1, 10, 7, 8, 2, 5, 4, 6, 6, 2, 2, 8}.

The Storyteller . o O ( 5 successes, describe please. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Thing is, he could probably disarm and grab the thing... messy. )

The white gorilla flares up into existence again. It rolls aside at the last moment. Kahlun's kick struck the wall behind Monkey, punching through. Kahlun turns around, shakes his leg to clear off the dust from his shoe, and resumes the Earth Dragon stance.

The Storyteller . o O ( Nice. Monkey's turn. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Can the captain speak out of turn? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Sure! )

Captain Kaizoku calls out "Monkey! Take him up in the air, as high as you can!" as he hatches one of his many plans.

Monkey says, "Aye Aye!"

The Storyteller . o O ( brb. He'll parry. )

The Storyteller . o O ( back )

Monkey rushes Kahlun and feints a swing, but as Kahlun brings his hands up to parry the staff, Monkey lets go of the staff and grabs Kahlun's body instead. The white gorilla leaps, carrying Kahlun with him.

The Storyteller . o O ( Huh. How am I gonna call that one? )

Monkey . o O ( The feint is SFX. The grab is a Brawl/Martial Attack. I'm adding Valor to this because with ST 2 and Brawl 0 / MA 1, attacking an Earth Dragon Style Master is balls out foolhardy. The leap is movement. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, we'll call that three actions, but let the stunt eliminate the extra penalties instead of providing a bonus. First roll is a Dex + Melee roll to fake him out. His parry applies to this one, and extra successes from this roll add to the next one. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And casting a Terrestrial circle spell is a 2 turn action, right? activate this turn, unleash next turn? )

The Storyteller . o O ( three action, but for a cool stunt like I think you're doing, I'll let it go. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Rule 1: If it's cool, it works. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Ah, you've divined the plan? :) )

Monkey . o O ( Okay. Valor will be added to the real attack, the grab. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Anyway, second roll is Dex + MA or Brawl plus extra successes from that first roll. Finally, Strength + Athletics, adding successes from the second roll for the throw. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Begin. )

Monkey rolled 5 dice on Fake-out >>> {7, 2, 8, 6, 6}.

You rolled 10 dice on parry >>> {4, 5, 2, 4, 7, 7, 9, 2, 3, 4}.

Monkey rolled 9 dice on Grab! >>> {6, 1, 5, 1, 7, 1, 3, 4, 4}.

Monkey then activates Monkey Leap!

The Storyteller . o O ( No extra successes, and his successes spill over to oppose the grab... so that's a successful defense. But no weapon break this time. )

Monkey swings his staff down in a vicious strike. Kahlun goes to parry, but sees the Solar shift at the last moment and realizes that it's a feint. As Monkey reaches for Kahlun's wrists, the Dragon-Blooded drops to the ground, letting the pirate sail over him, the staff clattering to the ground between the two fighters.

The Storyteller . o O ( CK, your turn. Monkey, I'm assuming you land on your feet. )

Monkey kicks off the wall behind Kahlun and somersaults up high in the air.

Monkey . o O ( Next turn, yes. 20 yards up and 20 yards down. )

Captain Kaizoku walks towards the door of the inn, where the crew is gathered, then holds out his hand, meets the arms master's gaze and says "Sword!"

The arms master presents a sword, still sheathed, hilt-first to the captain.

The Storyteller . o O ( Chopping sword or straight sword? )

Captain Kaizoku takes the hilt and pulls the chipping sword free of the scabbard, then turns in the direction of the monk.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Chopping... )

The Storyteller . o O ( got the stats or want me to rack 'em up real quick? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( I've got the book in my lap. )

The Storyteller . o O ( 'kay. )

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

On 1d10+19, you rolled 29.

Monkey . o O ( Crap. Leap distance affected by wound penalty. Make that 8 ft up. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+11 and got 21.

Monkey . o O ( 8 yards up. )

Monkey rolled 1d10+14 and got 20.

Init order is Kahlun 29, CK 21, Monkey 20. Kahlun takes 4 actions.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Two actions )

Monkey . o O ( One! )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hmmm... chopping swords are crap for defending. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay... all attacks )

Kahlun lunges forward, fists pumping in a furious series of attacks on the Captain.

The Storyteller . o O ( defense? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( All out parry. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay. Remember, you can add GEB to each one. )

The Storyteller . o O ( I think. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. )

The Storyteller . o O ( first, his attacks. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( OK. )

You rolled 14 dice on First punch >>> {2, 2, 4, 1, 5, 4, 5, 5, 10, 5, 2, 1, 7, 8}.

You rolled 13 dice on second punch >>> {4, 2, 4, 6, 4, 9, 2, 10, 8, 2, 4, 2, 2}.

You rolled 12 dice on third punch >>> {7, 4, 4, 4, 6, 5, 8, 2, 8, 6, 3, 8}.

You rolled 11 dice on fourth and final punch >>> {6, 2, 4, 3, 2, 7, 6, 10, 8, 10, 2}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, parry away. Successes are 4, 4, 4, and 6. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Parry 1, 2 GEB )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 13 dice on something >>> {3, 5, 4, 3, 4, 5, 10, 6, 6, 7, 7, 6, 10}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Parry 2 2 GEB )

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and you can't parry the last one. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Chopping swords have rate 3. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( If I'm using GEB, I don't get the def bonus... would the rate count? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Good point... )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 12 dice on parry >>> {6, 9, 4, 4, 6, 6, 10, 4, 5, 8, 8, 3}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Parry 3, same as before. )

The Storyteller . o O ( yeah, you can ignore rate for this one. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 11 dice on Parry >>> {5, 7, 2, 10, 9, 9, 8, 3, 6, 7, 7}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Three motes for this last one. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 13 dice on parry >>> {3, 1, 6, 7, 2, 6, 3, 10, 3, 1, 3, 2, 3}.

The Storyteller . o O ( all successful. Describe. )

Captain Kaizoku 's borrowed sword moves in a series of blinding counterthrusts, slapping each oncoming blow aside in a terribly beautiful display, the captain's other arm held akimbo at his waist, his anima banner flowing higher with every slap to the monk's body until the swings trail golden clouds behind him and a raging storm of sunlight surrounds the mighty pirate.

The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey's turn )

The white gorilla roars as it lands on Kahlun. Grabbing onto him, it rears back and BITES Kahlun before letting him go. It then shuffles on all fours, circling Kahlun warily, baring its teeth, snorting and grunting occassionally and slowly fades away revealing Monkey underneath.

Monkey . o O ( Channelling Valor. And yes, it's a bite! So bite me! )

Monkey . o O ( Hmmm. Dex only since Monkey doesn't have brawl? And if successful, ST damage only? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Uh... we'll call that a punch for mechanical reasons, then. )

The Storyteller . o O ( and basically, yes. )

Monkey rolled 8 dice on Monkey bites! >>> {4, 7, 4, 3, 3, 4, 10, 2}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Hit, roll damage w/3 successes )

Monkey rolled 3 dice on Min coz 15L soak >>> {6, 3, 6}.

Kahlun ignores the monkeyshines behind him and focuses on the true object of his wrath.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Hey, with the daiklave broken, I get back the committed essence, right? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yes. ) Monkey . o O ( Not immediately though. At the same rate spent Essence comes back. )

The Storyteller is getting sleepy.

The Storyteller . o O ( Anyway, roll Init for round 8. )

Monkey . o O ( Okay, okay, I'll finish him quick. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 1d10+10 and got 19.

On 1d10+19, you rolled 28.

Monkey rolled 1d10+6 and got 14.

Initiative order is Kahlun 28, CK 19, Monkey 14. Kahlun takes 1 action.

Monkey . o O ( 2 action. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Two actions. )

Kahlun aims a straight punch right at Captain Kaizoku's solar plexus.

The Storyteller . o O ( defense? )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( parry, GEB 2 motes )

You rolled 18 dice on Kahlun punch >>> {7, 3, 6, 4, 5, 1, 4, 4, 8, 3, 3, 4, 10, 5, 9, 6, 5, 10}.

Captain Kaizoku rolled 13 dice on Parry >>> {7, 4, 3, 8, 3, 10, 3, 7, 9, 6, 9, 6, 5}.

The Storyteller . o O ( 7 successes minus 7. Barely succeed. Describe? )

Captain Kaizoku puts the cutlass directly in the way of the punch, bringing up his hand to the blunt edge of the sword and putting his strength behind it to push the blow away.

The Storyteller . o O ( And it's Kaizoku's turn )

Captain Kaizoku bats Kahlun's hand away with his borrowed blade and raises it straight up, looking down the bronze edge. "Your weapon is gone and you have not laid a finger on me. You are bleeding and battered. Your power is spend and the sun is still burning brightly!" he calls out over the raging storm of his anima banner. "You have nothing... you ARE nothing!"

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Intimidation, or at least distracting him for a big Monkey blow! )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Can I use conviction for it? )

The Storyteller . o O ( okay, Strength + Presence, but I don't think so on the conviction. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( And Harmonious presence is still on. :) )

The Storyteller . o O ( I am totally not sure that Charm qualifies for this. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( It's pretty open sounding, any one on one thing, the character sounds more impressive and weighty... )

The Storyteller . o O ( yeah, why not. Diff 3, anyway. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 10 dice on Str + Pre + HPM >>> {6, 10, 6, 3, 6, 1, 5, 8, 1, 7}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Successful intimidation check -- he gets a -1 penalty to defense for the rest of the fight. (This is not precedent setting.) )

The Storyteller . o O ( Monkey's turn? )

With his anima banner subsiding, Monkey slows down his shuffling. His eyes clear up and his stance becomes more upright. Realizing that he needs a weapon if he ever want to do anything to the Earth Dragon Style Master, he pulls out a knife from his boot. Flipping it once to change his grip, he closes Kahlun and strikes with an overhand stab.

The Storyteller . o O ( roll it -- no defense. )

Monkey . o O ( Wait. I'm spending max ES and a WP for auto-success. )

Monkey . o O ( Dang. 4 motes left after this. This had better succeed. )

Monkey rolled 16 dice on Knife >>> {1, 6, 5, 9, 4, 5, 5, 4, 5, 4, 3, 4, 10, 2, 10, 9}.

The Storyteller . o O ( six successes. Roll damage. )

Monkey rolled 3 dice on minimum damage >>> {3, 2, 3}.

The Storyteller . o O ( Gah. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Just reroll that. )

Monkey . o O ( Why? If you're going to do that, why not have Kahlun admit defeat and gives up a cool nemesis? )

Monkey . o O ( gives us a cool nemesis. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Because I'm too tired to come up with good dialogue. Although that is what he'd do now. So... )

You rolled 4 dice on something >>> {9, 10, 2, 8}.

The Dragon-blooded monk steps back. "You have defeated me, Anathema... for now. I shall have my vengeance." He drops his guard and bows, then walks toward his acolytes. A pair of them grab the tetsubo, and the Immaculates vanish into the crowd.

The Storyteller . o O ( What do you do now? )

Captain Kaizoku raises his sword high and hops up on the broken wagon to address the crowd. "Let none of you forget what you have seen this day! The power of the Dragon is nothing compared to that of the Unconquered Sun!"

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, of course. What was I thinking? :) )

The Storyteller . o O ( Make a Cha + Performance roll, with a +2 bonus for just kicking ass. )

Captain Kaizoku rolled 7 dice on something >>> {9, 2, 1, 3, 6, 7, 4}.

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Cripes, 7 peripheral left. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Well, y'all are pretty much into iconic territory. The crowd is duly impressed with your prowess, but don't seem to go much for your ideology. )

Monkey looks around in surprise and, quick-thinking for Monkey, yells, "Hurray for Captain Taiyo Kaizoku!" and throws his silver dinars and jade obols at the crowd.

The Storyteller . o O ( Meanwhile, Suda slips up next to Monkey and tells him that the crew had better leave Nexus ASAP. Like, within moments. Displays of power like this draw all kinds of attention, very little of it good. )

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and the crowd perks up a lot with the addition of money to the mix. Looks like you could have a riot on your hands in a matter of minutes. )

Monkey whispers to White Soul Weeping, "Pssst, lend me your cloak while the crowd's busy."

Monkey turns around to the crew. "Bring The Captain his cloak."

Captain Kaizoku remarks that he was well aware of that to her, and would have been gone by now if not for this interruption. "We must track down the missing artifact though..."

The Storyteller . o O ( WSW looks extremely reluctant, but steps into the inn and throws the cloak out to Monkey. You notice that he's staying out of the sunlight. )

Monkey . o O ( Well, we must be quite painful to him at the moment. )

Suda says, "The artifact will do little good if you are dead. You are too valuable to lose." She glances around. "In any case, the deathknight must consult with his master ere he does anything else... and that means he and the artifact will go east, toward the Spires of Pyrron. We may follow."

Monkey whispers to Suda, "Can we find you before we leave? Say, sometime tonight? I can be bring you messages back and forth."

The Storyteller . o O ( All right. Wrapping up here, I think... that combat took rather longer than I thought. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Well, he was TOUGH. )

Suda whispers back "I can do better than that. You should take my yacht, though I'm reluctant to lose it in this fashion. Go, quickly. I will arrange things here."

You see another familiar figure on the edge of the crowd -- a Dragonblooded woman in red armor with a long spear. She sees Monkey and waves, then blows a kiss and vanishes up a side street.

Captain Kaizoku picks up his broken daiklave, feeling a moment's regret before he hides both regret and blade from sight, signalling the rest of the crew to close in. "The loss will be made up" he tells her.

Monkey tells the crew to form a wedge with Captain Kaizoku in the middle. He arranges the cloak to contain the essence glow as best as he can. Rolling his eyes at Norio, he waves the crew "Go" and leads.

The Storyteller . o O ( Okay, so you're only glowing like a blast furnace now... )

Captain Kaizoku makes sure the crew brings the money!

The Storyteller . o O ( You make it to the yacht okay... and we'll pick up there next session. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Whew! Long but fun! )

Monkey . o O ( Length is partially my fault for trying to vary my offense every turn. )

Monkey . o O ( I also realized just now that I've been forgetting to add Accuracy bonus to every single darn roll. )

The Storyteller . o O ( before i log off, here's 4 xp, plus Monkey gets an extra one for that 3-die stunt. Also, what are you guys planning on doing next? Email me with it so I can plan a bit more for next week. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( Well, no hit would have done more damage than any other hit. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( OK! Though it depends on how long the trip takes... to the east? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, and one more thing -- when you mess around on the wiki, please don't forget to sign your changes. )

Monkey . o O ( Add -TonyC at the end of things? )

The Storyteller . o O ( Yeah. You might want to sign in, too, otherwise you'll broadcast your IP every time you make changes. )

The Storyteller . o O ( And now I'm gone. Any further stuff by email or wiki comments. CYA. )

Captain Kaizoku . o O ( NIte! )

The Storyteller . o O ( Oh, added teh XP to your wiki sheets. )

*** Disconnected ***

On to Session 6: River Robbery

Comments

Sweet Jesus, Earth Immaculate masters are tough SOBs. That fight went for about 3 hours. -- JesseLowe

JesseLowe/PirateMonkeySession05

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