2017-10-25: Ship of Shackled Souls
- Log: Ship of Shackled Souls
- Cast: Riesenlied, Fei Fong Wong, Noeline, Jacqueline Barber
- Where: Jolly Roger
- Date: 10-25-2017
- Summary: Riesenlied - or rather, a spirit possessing her - leads Fei, Noeline, and Jacqueline through the Ghost Ship, in hopes of ensuring that at least one person remembers the tale of the ship and its crew...
==============================<* Jolly Roger *>=============================== Jolly Roger is the sole natural harbor for the entire Badlands region. Sitting on the southern part of Stark's Island, Jolly Roger is practically a port that misses its town. The ferries in and out of the Badlands congregate here -- as do the larger ships from across Ignas. Supply depots, bars, and a few hotels are more common than homes, as the town attracts precious few residents. The heat and lack of other natural resources make it unpleasant, to the extent that few stay here for long. Nonetheless, it is an important commercial crossroads. Life here is fast-paced and sometimes brutal, as crime is tragically common in this rough-and-tumble port city. Its main building is its largest: the rusted hull of an old ironclad, which some whisper comes from the Zeboim era. It has been rolled onto its side, and now serves as a combination of a port authority, bar, and apartments for some of Jolly Roger's few locals. The outside has a skull and crossbones painted prominently upon it.
DG: A party led by Riesenlied is now entering Ghost Ship EX. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>==============================
========================<* CHALLENGE - Forced Entry *>========================
|Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
There it sits, the Ghost Ship. Around it, the sea has gone completely quiet,
and a stillness fills the air. The clouds hang low like a mist. Only the
ship's shape can be clearly made out, its rotten exterior full of holes -
and that draconic head at its front, red eyes gleaming on it. Climbing onto
the ship can be done through a ladder, but once on the deck, there's only
one way down visible: big, heavy, locked doors. There's still time to turn
back - but if you don't, you'd best knock to announce your presence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pih88NDEw1M
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Overwhelm========================================
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Lo, on a foggy moonlit night, where wolves howl in the distance in fear of cuccos who make to roost in the void...
Riesenlied's back at Jolly Roger to investigate some things related to the attack on Hartwell Gunsmoke, but something's gone completely awry -- the town is covered in a thin black mist, which appears to have gripped her as she starts to resonate with one of those telltale headaches. It's more dire than before, and an eerie, wailing moan thrums through the streets as street mutts scamper and hide, and even the barkeeps close up for the night in anticipation of something going wrong.
By the time the Metal Demon's found, she's standing at one of Jolly Roger's pier, strangely calm in spite of the massive black craft that's found its way to the port town's wharf. Made of rotted wood slicked black with tar and miasma, it menaces with a draconic head speaking of ages past, back to the Metal Demon Wars.
She turns, and her eyes have an unnatural red gleam to them, and a thin aura seems to emanate around her. Her voice echoes softly as she beckons:
"... the pale moon is high over the eternal night.
I beseech thee, travelers of the wasteland. Come with me.
Let not the tale of our tragic end be forgotten."
That's... that's not Riesenlied. Uh oh, Riese, have you gone and gotten yourself possessed by a ghost?
A massive hatch looms overhead, the only way into the craft. It's bolted back with several locks that are equally strong as they are enchanted.
DG: Riesenlied has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Forced Entry.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei is here, perhaps by coincidence, because the fog is kinda spooky and he'd like it to stop. Lo and behold, the source of the fog seems to be a spooky ship in of itself. He's about to climb up himself when he hears...a voice!
It's...Riesenlied? Fei makes his way onto the pier and looks at her.
"......"
Yeah she's totally possessed. What would the Ethos do? Well they'd throw a grenade at her. Maybe...there's another method here that's possible?
"Oh spooky spirit suffering soundlessly," Fei says, he can't manage a spooky voice but he tries. "How the hell do I get you out of Riesenlied?" Oh. "Are you ghost locked out of your ship?" He will give a decent effort at clobbering the hatch.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline had accompanied Riese to Jolly Roger, of course - but the two of them have a very different investigative style, and she'd slipped away from the other Metal Demon's side to begin sneaking her way into the more restricted areas of the port, examining a couple of Hartwell's other warehouses and generally keeping tabs on the comings and goings of the area in hopes she might find something useful.
Her concentration is enough that it takes her a while to realize that the night's a little too dark and silent - no wonder her investigation was going smoothly, if perhaps not what you'd call 'well'. For a moment, she tries to touch the Medium inside of her, a natural action given the pall of darkness hanging over the place - but the only reply from Duras Drum is a light chuckle, and it's with the hairs on the back of her neck raised that she hurries back to find Riesenlied.
It takes a fly-by courtesy of Strife to find the Metal Demon - but Noeline doesn't need to be an empath to tell something is wrong, and she's touched down at a safe enough distance to pace slowly forwards, accepting Riesenlied's intonation with a drawn and solemn frown. "... Riese... what have you reached this time?" she mutters after a moment, her tone of voice rather protective - even if she immediately straightens up to rub at her hair as the others get there. Wouldn't do to be seen being gallant, or anything.
"... at the very least, I suppose I should honour a last request," she comments, the enormous slab of metal she used as Ebon Zero winking suddenly into her hand. While Fei tries to clobber, she squints - and jams the blade under a chain, gritting her teeth as she simply tries to lever it apart. Her tone is light, but-- well, her eyes are lit up somewhat in curiosity. The spirit did promise her an interesting tale, after all, and if there's one thing that Noeline collects...
DG: Noeline has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Forced Entry.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline was at Jolly Roger for completely different reasons. She was expecting a delivery of components, some of which she need for her concoctions. Unfortunately, it seemed to be running late...but a different ship had arrived, just on time.
The world is shrouded in a black mist. There's a chill in the air, a sense of dire peril. Jacqueline wasn't one to shy away from danger, so as she moves to investigate the source, only to find...
Riesenlied?
No, there was something off. That voice...
"If you're going to invite us, it'd be nice if you left the door unlocked for us..." She comments with a slight frown, before reaching into her bag for a bottle full of a red liquid. Unlike her usual bottles, though, the top was a bit different. With just one slight adjustment the liquid inside is released as a mist, and those affected by it will find themselves feeling much more effective at clobbering or levering that which needs to be clobbered or levered.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Brewte Force toward her party's challenge, Forced Entry. DG: Fei Fong Wong has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Forced Entry.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>==============================
========================<* CHALLENGE - Forced Entry *>========================
|Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
There it sits, the Ghost Ship. Around it, the sea has gone completely quiet,
and a stillness fills the air. The clouds hang low like a mist. Only the
ship's shape can be clearly made out, its rotten exterior full of holes -
and that draconic head at its front, red eyes gleaming on it. Climbing onto
the ship can be done through a ladder, but once on the deck, there's only
one way down visible: big, heavy, locked doors. There's still time to turn
back - but if you don't, you'd best knock to announce your presence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pih88NDEw1M
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Overwhelm========================================
========================<* Ghost Ship EX - Round 1 *>========================= ==========================< Results - Forced Entry >========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Riesenlied 0 --(25)--> 25 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jacqueline Barber 0 --(25)--> 25 Pass Brewte Force 1 Brute Effects: Fanfare and Strengthe ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fei Fong Wong 0 --(50)--> 50 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Noeline 0 --(50)--> 50 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Riesenlied 0 --(10)--> 10 Fail Conditions: Overwhelm|Suffer(1) Effects: Strengthen(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Riesenlied has failed this challenge! The party gained 10 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
"... I am sorry," expresses the spirit as her voice drops to a sotto voce.
"... the malice of the lingering spirits of my companions prevents me from reaching them.
This door is not sealed by mere locks, but also their regrets and resentments."
Regrets and resentments, as it turns out, can still be broken down through a combination of a massive sword being used as a lever, a powerful substance that can dissolve the locks, and good ol' fisticuffs.
That much is easy -- but what Fei and Noeline might not be ready for is the extremely powerful wave of negativity and despair that howls on out from within the door the moment it's unleashed. An emanation of tendrils and howling spirits rushes out in an extremely loud burst, touching at Duras Drum's medium within, and the cycle of punishment and regret that reaches so closely to their hearts.
"... I will try to assist you... with this-- vessel? 'Riesenlied', you called her. She was an open vessel, so receptive..."
She tilts her head, breathing a quiet sigh.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has drawn a new Challenge.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>============================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - Ghostly Puzzle *>======================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- You enter a room, illuminated by white lights - ghosts. Ghostly sailors, in fact. They work incessantly, performing the same tasks over and over - but something is missing. They're bare-handed, but obviously gesturing as though working with tools. And all around the room are strewn dozens and dozens of rusty, broken tools. Do they need help getting their work done, or something else? This is a dead end, either way... they might know where to go from there. =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"Yeah, that sounds like her..." Jacqueline comments with a sigh, shaking her head. "We'll help, but we'd like her back once this is all over."
With that said Jacqueline walks through the open doors, into the first room. Spectres of sailors are littered about the room. They're performing some kind of work, but they're not carrying the tools they used in life.
"Is this your crew?" Jacqueline asks, moving over to an old, rusty hammer laying discarded not to a ghost that's trying desperately to repair a crack in the walls, despite no longer possessing tools or a physical form in which to do so. She reaches down, picking up the hammer and offering it to the ghost.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Ghostly Puzzle.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
"... yes," answers the spirit, as she lightly steps with the group with her hands touched to her chest. Her eyes gaze about as she scans over, and quietly murmurs, "They were slaves, taken from their homelands and put to work for no pay. 'Tis a horrid sight. They were worked to the bone until they could work no more, then discarded..."
She lowers her head, full of regret. Riesenlied's Tear shimmers for a moment, emanating with a deep blue that casts her sorrow out. A few of them turn, and look a little shocked at the sight of the spirit...
"... there is little I could do to soothe their pain, both in life, and in death..."
DG: Riesenlied has used her Tool Dragon's Tear toward her party's challenge, Ghostly Puzzle.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"Wait, are you seriously possessed? I thought you were...!"
Fei is suddenly hit by a, shall we say, a doom wave. His hair whips back from the supernatural winds and he lowers his head, his hair drifting to cover his eyes. He says, "....Seriously...? God dammit..." He pushes his hair back though he neglects to tie it up again. "Everything just radiates spoopiness these days, huh?" He frowns and rubs at his forehead with his index fingers. "Okay...Okay I'M GOOD. good to go. Awesome. Fei is here and he's just fine..."
He keeps walking along as Riesenlied continues gabbing. "Slaves, huh?" He shakes his head. "Nothing changes really but.."
He passes be a skeleton wearing a beret painting a spectral sweetie on a canvas and he stops to intercede, finishing the work with his paintbrush. It should be relaxing.
"Tis the season," Fei murmurs. "Do you hand out candy?"
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool Artist's Toolkit toward his party's challenge, Ghostly Puzzle.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline grits her teeth at the wave of energy that flows past them; she doesn't yelp, but she does almost buckle over as if crushed down by a physical weight of oppression, a spike of pain marking the beginning of a dull but persistent headache. "... ... don't call her a vessel," she mutters, a little more angry than she really has any right to be at the moment. "She's-- a shaman, of sorts. She's helping you because she couldn't imagine doing anything less."
With an effort, she pulls herself back up to her feet, trying to clear her vision; she sucks a breath in and out, and then follows the others in. It obviously takes her some effort to focus on the ghosts, squinting one eye as she tries to marshal Duras Drum's power in a place that already seems soaked in eldritch energy. "... I see. And yet-- if all you know is how to perform a task over and over, getting dragged suddenly out into freedom can be a terribly jarring prospect. If you really want to soothe them - at least in the short term..."
She trails off, reaching down to pick up a warped, rotting mop as she watches a ghost try futilely to scrub the floor without holding anything. "... perhaps let them follow their purpose." So saying, she's brought the aged wood down over one knee, snapping the tool in two - and then three, and four.
... is she trying to kill the mop so it can be a ghost, too?
DG: Noeline has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Ghostly Puzzle.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>============================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - Ghostly Puzzle *>======================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- You enter a room, illuminated by white lights - ghosts. Ghostly sailors, in fact. They work incessantly, performing the same tasks over and over - but something is missing. They're bare-handed, but obviously gesturing as though working with tools. And all around the room are strewn dozens and dozens of rusty, broken tools. Do they need help getting their work done, or something else? This is a dead end, either way... they might know where to go from there. =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
========================<* Ghost Ship EX - Round 2 *>========================= =========================< Results - Ghostly Puzzle >========================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Riesenlied 25 --(5)--> 30 Pass Dragon's Tear 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jacqueline Barber 25 --(5)--> 30 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fei Fong Wong 50 --(5)--> 55 Pass Artist's Toolkit 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Noeline 50 --(5)--> 55 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Riesenlied 10 --(20)--> 30 Pass Conditions: Overwhelm|Stupify(2) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Riesenlied has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Fei Fong Wong has drawn a new Challenge.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>============================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - Navigate The Hold *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- This must be the room where every rope goes when it dies. A section of the ship's bottom hold, completely floorless, sits before you, glowing, threatening green waters far below. But there's rope. So. Much. Rope. Massive nets cast across the chasm, leading to the next section of the ship. The ropes are pretty tangled up, though... and wet... and sticky. You're going to need to figure out which ones to use. =Dungeon Conditions: Reckless, Tire===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"That's awful..." Jacqueline murmurs. No wonder they were stuck here. That much pain and torment...that would drag anyone down, anchor them in place.
They work together to try and bring some closure to the spirits, allowing them to complete their tasks. Wordlessly, the spirits start to disappear into the mists. The rusted chains barring them from continuing forward slowly decay and fall away, allowing them to access the next area of the ship...
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
The team shortly comes to a stop because, well, because there's no more ground. There's swaths of rigging and nets that can be used to climb, but they're not in great condition. It might take some architectural knowledge to push through this one.
"I guess it's not as if we can...Just float this," Fei says, rubbing the back of his neck in irritation. "...How do we keep ending up in these situations, eh Fei?" He shakes his head. "Whatever."
He reaches into his artist's toolkit again and draws out some protective gloves hidden away in there. "Yes... still there. Okay."
He starts climbing along the ropes. Hopefully he picked the correct one.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool Artist's Toolkit toward his party's challenge, Navigate The Hold.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied -- under the influence of the spirit -- gazes over towards Fei and bobs her head placidly. There is silence. "Sweets would not hold for very long onboard our ship. But I do recall that they were treats brought from ports when the occasion would allow."
Not a lick of humor in this one, perhaps.
A pause, as she looks towards Noeline and furrows her eyebrow. "... she is dear to you. I can sense it within her. She reaches out to you in worry. I am sorry."
She watches the spirits disappear, lowering her head. "... in many ways, I am no different to them. We know no freedom. Do not make the same mistake we did."
She peers over the ropes and closes her eyes for a moment -- and holds her hand out. An aura begins to emanate over her hand, and several more ropes rise from the depths to knot and make something of a safer bridge for them to attempt to cross.
DG: Riesenlied has used her Tool Dragon's Tear toward her party's challenge, Navigate The Hold.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
On the path forward, they encounter a rather perilous lattice of nets in place of an actual floor. She takes a moment to study the structure, momentarily glancing toward Riesenlied and studying her. Her interest was primarily in the spirit currently possessing her.
Was it hoping to obtain freedom, by working with them? Or did it truly just wish to share its story as a word of warning? ...It was difficult. She looks away, then, turning her attention to the ropes.
"Let's see..." Jacqueline reaches out for one of them, taking hold and attempting to climb up. Fortunately, her gloves were already fairly protective, since they were made for alchemy.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Navigate The Hold.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Ever so carefully, Noeline leans forwards to peer over into the water; the look on her face is a rather distinct mix of cattish annoyance - after all, the idea of her getting sopping wet is somehow hilarious - and uncertain concern. "... I do not think you are getting out easily should you fall into that," she huffs to herself, that being about the limit of her thoughts when it comes to glowing green waters.
Instead, she holds her hand out to summon one of her ARMs to her - and there's a rather uncomfortable pause before Strife completely fails to appear. "... don't tell me you're scared," she huffs to midair, planting the hand on her hip instead before she lets out a rather theatrical sigh. "I suppose it is the lot of a Drifter," she comments towards Fei. "Or, rather, the world simply has it out for you."
"... you could have given me a little warning," she adds to the spirit - no, past the spirit, because she'd never be that fond to a ghost she's never met before. "Just do hold onto yourself, please? I shall be very annoyed if anything untoward happens on your way back to the forefront."
That remarkably soft statement aside, she's - gingerly - selected a less-sticky rope, hopefully nimble and sharp-witted enough to make her way across without too much in the way of untowards problems.
DG: Noeline has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Navigate The Hold.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>============================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - Navigate The Hold *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- This must be the room where every rope goes when it dies. A section of the ship's bottom hold, completely floorless, sits before you, glowing, threatening green waters far below. But there's rope. So. Much. Rope. Massive nets cast across the chasm, leading to the next section of the ship. The ropes are pretty tangled up, though... and wet... and sticky. You're going to need to figure out which ones to use. =Dungeon Conditions: Reckless, Tire===========================================
========================<* Ghost Ship EX - Round 3 *>========================= =======================< Results - Navigate The Hold >======================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Riesenlied 30 --(5)--> 35 Pass Dragon's Tear 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jacqueline Barber 30 --(5)--> 35 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fei Fong Wong 55 --(5)--> 60 Pass Artist's Toolkit 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Noeline 55 --(10)--> 65 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Riesenlied 30 --(20)--> 50 Pass Conditions: Reckless(2)|Tire(2) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Riesenlied has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"Heh, you got a point." Fei tells Noeline. "So how's the kids? Still calling you mamas? I bet if either of you are called 'mom' it'd be you, you've got the tough attitude."
The team climbs and moves across the bridge provided by Riesenlied and can get across without too much trouble. Of course, Jay slips a bit, but the others catch her before she splooshes into the water below allowing the whole group to advance onward together.
"Hopefully something tangible next," Fei murmurs. "But not a door. No, no more doors."
DG: Noeline has drawn a new Challenge.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>============================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - Ghostly Puzzle *>======================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- You enter a room, illuminated by white lights - ghosts. Ghostly sailors, in fact. They work incessantly, performing the same tasks over and over - but something is missing. They're bare-handed, but obviously gesturing as though working with tools. And all around the room are strewn dozens and dozens of rusty, broken tools. Do they need help getting their work done, or something else? This is a dead end, either way... they might know where to go from there. =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Fortunately for Noeline, and unfortunately for everyone else, she manages to avoid getting too damp and sodden; on the other hand, the moment she touches down, the demon is picking at her hands as if the stickiness of age-old tar was somehow more annoying and unpleasant than the still-crushing sensation of spirits around them. Under her breath, she gently huffs to herself, and almost reaches to flick out her hair in an automatic motion before she thinks much, much better of it, and just shakes her hand again.
"Well-- Riese is certainly the 'mama'. Depending on which of the kids you ask, I'm either 'Noemama', 'Miss Noeline' or 'Crimson Noble Lady, raar I'm gonna take you down!'," she marks out with an intentionally clipped sort of tone, even if the amusement is clear on her face. "One day, Janey might manage to surprise me - but she's a little too small for that just yet."
She looks relieved for the chance to joke, striding forward and sucking in another breath as she pushes the next door open - only to hesitate once inside, her eyebrows raising up in curious surprise. "... I see," she notes after a long moment, slowly reaching down to pick up a very familiar - and wholly intact - mop.
DG: Noeline has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Ghostly Puzzle.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied steps forward, in an eerie and unsettling replica of the very same scene they were just in moments before.
"... yes," answers the spirit, as she lightly steps with the group with her hands touched to her chest. Her eyes gaze about as she scans over, and quietly murmurs, "They were slaves, taken from their homelands and put to work for no pay. 'Tis a horrid sight. They were worked to the bone until they could work no more, then discarded..."
She lowers her head, full of regret.
"... there is little I could do to soothe their pain, both in life, and in death..."
Something strange is going on here, to say the least, and the spirit is trapped within it. Within the neverending cycle of their regret.
The Tear shimmers, and Riesenlied tries to reach out and emanate towards the group... to try to pierce the regret and find a path forward for the group.
DG: Riesenlied has used her Tool Dragon's Tear toward her party's challenge, Ghostly Puzzle.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Once the room with all the nets is cleared, they finally climb up to find...an exact copy of the same room they were in before...? Jacqueline frowns slightly, a little confused. Did they go the wrong way...?
Riesenlied, or rather, the spirit, speaks, then...an exact copy of her earlier response, down to the tone. ...Okay, there was definitely something going on here. Was she just being affected so strongly...?
She takes a look around the room. Was there a way they could escape this room, so they could finally move on...?
DG: Jacqueline Barber has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Ghostly Puzzle.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"Pffh, I've seen you during the day." Fei tells Noeline. "You'd be surprised what kids can do if properly motivated."
He makes his way after Riesenlied only to find himself ... in the same room he was just in. He lgances at the skeleton from before and, sure enough, his completed painting is no longer complete. He reaches for his paints but determines that that's not going to solve the problem this time.
"God dammit fei, you've gotten us stuck in a time loop," He mutters to himself before he outright spin kicks the painting away from the skeleton. It's time for more extreme measures.
"You don't have to be slaves!" He shouts. "Your time of service is past! Live free in the afterlife, if nothing else, you are people not some tools of a higher power!"
he is kind of getting into it by the end there.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Ghostly Puzzle.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>============================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - Ghostly Puzzle *>======================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- You enter a room, illuminated by white lights - ghosts. Ghostly sailors, in fact. They work incessantly, performing the same tasks over and over - but something is missing. They're bare-handed, but obviously gesturing as though working with tools. And all around the room are strewn dozens and dozens of rusty, broken tools. Do they need help getting their work done, or something else? This is a dead end, either way... they might know where to go from there. =Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
========================<* Ghost Ship EX - Round 4 *>========================= =========================< Results - Ghostly Puzzle >========================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Riesenlied 35 --(15)--> 50 Pass Dragon's Tear 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jacqueline Barber 35 --(15)--> 50 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fei Fong Wong 60 --(20)--> 80 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Noeline 65 --(20)--> 85 Fail Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Riesenlied 50 --(10)--> 60 Fail Conditions: Reckless(1)|Stupify(2) Effects: Cleanse ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Riesenlied has failed this challenge! The party gained 10 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline cocks an eyebrow towards Fei's speech; it doesn't seem to be getting that much traction, even if the form of some of the ghosts is wavering uncertainly in a manner that might be the ghostly proletariat throwing aside their tools to rise up against the bourgeoisie of the living. Though if Noeline is a Crimson Demon, maybe that shows signs of backfiring, especially when many of the ghost's attention turns towards the way she snaps the mop over her knee again, intending to follow the same path through.
The air changes; something in the conflict between the two approaches seems to have riled up the spirits, though at the very least the shifting of the spiritual energies in the room does seem to waver towards one wall, where a door slowly drifts into being where there wasn't one before.
A piercing howl suddenly starts - and continues, as Noeline dives aside to grab the spirit's arm. "Come on!" she yells over the sudden din, following behind the others as they rush for the door and barrel through.
DG: Riesenlied has drawn a new Challenge.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>============================== ======================<* CHALLENGE - Skeletal Pirates *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- It was to be expected a ghost ship would have a ghostly crew. Skeletons brandishing cutlass and flintlock pistol, ghostly sailors who can hurl water and darkness, and formless specters seeking a new body (or food, who knows?) all surround the party with an obvious goal, and it isn't to make you feel welcome. =Dungeon Conditions: Fright===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
There's a sharp pip and a gasp from Riesenlied as Noeline chases her out of the room, yanked out and hurried down the hallway past where the lament surrounds them. The proceeding room is... larger, like the hull of a cargo bay. Before anyone can do much, however, shimmering flashes of menaces rise from the dark -- and an innumerable amount of ghostly pirates wielding cutlasses and flintlock ARMs emerge, accompanied by formless spectres.
"... they conspired, each of them. They whispered 'mongst themselves.
They each agreed to lend blade and bullet for each other.
But in the end, they only had eyes for the gold that this ship carried.
..."
Riesenlied lowers her head, as she places her hand to her neckline.
"... this vessel deigns to reach to them...
Begone, spirits -- you have no dominion in this border of light."
And for a moment, it's as if the two interact with each other, a familiar surrounding barrier of shimmering photons erupting around the group to shield them from the mental influences of the spectres.
... but the guns and swords are still very real.
DG: Riesenlied has used her Tool Dragon's Claw toward her party's challenge, Skeletal Pirates.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei doesn't seem upset with Noeline in the slightest, he's just kind of a little sassier than normal probably because he got owned by a door again. Look, doors are just the worst. That's a fact. You know it, Fei knows it, I know it. That's just how it is.
But this time it seems there are pirates.
"Men of the sea..." Fei murmurs before shifting into a martial artist's stance. "Let's see... how would we do this. Oh right, can't forget the magic feather--"
He reaches into his pocket and draws out the RPS Badge and holds it up for the spirits to see.
"If you wish to take this from me without an RPS Game beforehand," Fei says. "Then prepare to meet your maker a second time!"
And then he starts launching the chi blasts.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool RPS Badge toward his party's challenge, Skeletal Pirates.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
There's a sense of unrest in the room. Jacqueline quickly decides to follow the others, and they end up right in the middle of a group of angry-looking spirits. She glances toward Riesenlied again, as the spirit explains the situation.
"How awful..." Jacqueline replies, shaking her head. "No amount of treasure is worth all this..."
She reaches into her bags, drawing out a bottle of foul-smelling black liquid and hurling it into their midst. She doesn't know if it'll actually have any effect on them, but with any luck it'll distract them just long enough to draw out another Crest. She invokes it, blasting the spirits with raw energy.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Reliable Repellant toward her party's challenge, Skeletal Pirates.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
With a huff, Noeline skids to a halt; here, at least, she is on somewhat more solid ground. Never exactly sure of what to do when she encounters the metaphysical, the concept of a fight is almost refreshing, and from out of nowhere there's a familiar crimson scythe held in one hand, her other going to the blade to run slowly across it--
"... it is time to rest, don't you think? Move on, and fuss here no longer," she notes, with perhaps a tiny little edge of sympathy buried somewhere at the back of her voice.
--with a touch that seems to ignite the blade in black flame, as if drawn from the miasmic air around them; the metal of the scythe seems to flicker and twist underneath it, and Noeline grins toothily over the top of the blade towards Fei. "Janey particularly likes it when I do this," she notes out of nowhere, if only to stave off the pulse in the back of her head a little longer. "I worry it might be a bad influence, honestly."
Whirring forward, the flickering light seems to cut a line in the air behind her, slicing through the spirits as if they were flesh and blood.
DG: Noeline has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Skeletal Pirates.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>============================== ======================<* CHALLENGE - Skeletal Pirates *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- It was to be expected a ghost ship would have a ghostly crew. Skeletons brandishing cutlass and flintlock pistol, ghostly sailors who can hurl water and darkness, and formless specters seeking a new body (or food, who knows?) all surround the party with an obvious goal, and it isn't to make you feel welcome. =Dungeon Conditions: Fright===================================================
========================<* Ghost Ship EX - Round 5 *>========================= ========================< Results - Skeletal Pirates >======================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Riesenlied 50 --(5)--> 55 Pass Dragon's Claw 1 Combat Effects: Cleanse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jacqueline Barber 50 --(5)--> 55 Pass Reliable Repellant 2 Combat Effects: Embolden ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fei Fong Wong 80 --(5)--> 85 Pass RPS Badge 3 Combat Effects: Rally ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Noeline 85 --(10)--> 95 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Riesenlied 60 --(20)--> 80 Pass Conditions: Fright(2) Effects: Cleanse|Embolden(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Riesenlied has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
The light burns and banishes the spectres, pushing them apart and keeping them at bay -- and then, there's a dramatic showdown between Fei and Skeleton Pirate--!!
The poor law-abiding pirate throws out... scissors!
Fei responds with -- CHI BLAST. Fei wins!
Dodgy games of Rock, Paper, Scissors aside, the foul-smelling liquid stirs and causes them to hesitate in pain, as if it reminds them of something in their lives... and then Jacqueline also plays the Chi Blast move and wins--
--which leaves Noeline to scythe over them, though there's a seeming laughter at Duras Dram at how much energy it takes to channel him in a miasmic place like this. It's his kind of domain, you know?
"... they fought and fought.
Little resentments bubbled into large arguments.
The talk of coin and how to split the fortune became grave.
Their blood spilled over one another's."
Riesenlied steps a bit closer, towards the other end.
"... we are nearly there.
To the apex of this tale.
To the conclusion that consumed us all."
DG: Riesenlied has drawn a new Challenge.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>==============================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Captain's Quarters *>=====================
|Type: Climax |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 3 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
The party catches some downtime. Entry into the captain's quarters reveals
countless ancient artifacts; globes and maps from hundreds if not thousands
of years ago, all critically out of date to the point of looking fake.
Golden trinkets, gems, stolen books from libraries that no longer exist. But
there's something in the air. Unease.
And there it is on the table. The captain's log.
Soaked in blood.
Only one entry has survived the splatters.
"I can hear it now. Its hold on the ship makes the wood creak to its limits.
The crewmembers it killed won't stop howling in my mind. I'm the last. I
won't let it have me. I'll kill that accursed monster so our voyage can have
a tomorrow."
The room shakes. Massive tentacles burst through the wooden floor, followed
by the body of the squid they belong to. The SQUID KING, surrounded by a
ghostly aura of darkness, attacks, with both might and sorcery!
=Dungeon Conditions: Fright, Wound============================================
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
The group enters into a particularly grandiose quarters -- the very image of a fancy Captain's quarters, surrounded in wealth, opulence and artifacts. Globes and maps scatter the room and lay across the table, so out of date that it scarce resembles Filgaia as they know it now...
... and then, the spirit stops to gaze down upon the weathered book on the table.
"... Captain. I have returned..."
She closes her eyes, and there's a deep thrumming that emerges into a powerful rumble -- and the room bursts apart as massive tentacles shatter through the floors, followed closely by the grotesque, ghastly image of the squid that rises from below.
The spirit gazes impassively at it.
"... it's time for us to move on, Captain ...
Your wrath and anguish are misplaced here.
There is no one left to be angry at.
Our souls are hollow and emptied, and our voyage has come to an end."
She holds her hands together... and that barrier comes closer once more, as she looks towards Noeline-- with a glint that seems familiar. "Stay close... to me..."
DG: Riesenlied has used her Tool Dragon's Claw toward her party's challenge, Captain's Quarters.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei Fong Wong says, "Huh. Guess we made it." He looks over to Riesenlied for a while. "We do whatever we gotta do here and you get out of Riesenlied? Is that the deal? Is the pirate treasure here haunted? That's also something you should tell us now before we take a coin as a souvenir and then also become skeletons."
He cricks his neck and hobbles over to check out the book. "...Guess he was overconfident."
He takes in a deep breath, focusing his chi. He knows what's about to happen. The ship is torn asunder as a squid--wait, does this mean he killed the squid or did the squid just become a ghost squid after it took apart the ship or is this the memory of a squid killing the whole crew? Maybe they killed each other? Fei is briefly distracted as he tries to figure out exactly the story here before eventually he says, "Aw screw it--"
He grips the RPS Badge tightly. Can he defeat this squid in an RPS Battle despite him having so many limbs?
Fei grins slightly. Of course he can because all of the squid's tentacles say... PAPER!
He throws out scissors.
He also throws out scissor kicks.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool RPS Badge toward his party's challenge, Captain's Quarters.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Again, Noeline's senses save her; moments before the floor breaks away under them she's dived across the room, catching Riesenleid around the waist as the Metal Demon seems to come back to herself to some degree. A couple of hops send her up to the table, then to an undamaged part of the room where the floor seems more sturdy; the spy sets her partner down, trusting Riese to be able to build a stronger barrier on a more certain footing.
"... I shall do my best, though--" she cuts herself off as a sweep of her scythe tears away a nearby tentacle, only to be replaced by two more; Noeline chuckles rather darkly, as the flame on her blade begins to slowly gutter. She looks tired, and looks like she's been tired for a while, in fact. "--well, this fellow is certainly rather persistent."
DG: Noeline has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Captain's Quarters.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline makes her way into the Captain's Quarters carefully, her eyes falling on the spirit. Jacqueline remains quiet, watching her carefully. There was great sorrow here. And yet...it is soon interrupted, by the appearance of some variety of squid.
Jacqueline can't tell if the creature is truly here, or if this is just a vision of how the ship and her crew met its end. Either way, Jacqueline decides it would probably be best to treat this seriously.
Another bottle of repellant goes out, following by a mid-air lightning strike that strikes the bottle, sending a rain of molten glass and flaming liquid down onto the squid itself.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Reliable Repellant toward her party's challenge, Captain's Quarters.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>==============================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - Captain's Quarters *>=====================
|Type: Climax |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 3 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
The party catches some downtime. Entry into the captain's quarters reveals
countless ancient artifacts; globes and maps from hundreds if not thousands
of years ago, all critically out of date to the point of looking fake.
Golden trinkets, gems, stolen books from libraries that no longer exist. But
there's something in the air. Unease.
And there it is on the table. The captain's log.
Soaked in blood.
Only one entry has survived the splatters.
"I can hear it now. Its hold on the ship makes the wood creak to its limits.
The crewmembers it killed won't stop howling in my mind. I'm the last. I
won't let it have me. I'll kill that accursed monster so our voyage can have
a tomorrow."
The room shakes. Massive tentacles burst through the wooden floor, followed
by the body of the squid they belong to. The SQUID KING, surrounded by a
ghostly aura of darkness, attacks, with both might and sorcery!
=Dungeon Conditions: Fright, Wound============================================
========================<* Ghost Ship EX - Round 6 *>========================= =======================< Results - Captain's Quarters >======================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Riesenlied 55 --(10)--> 65 Fail Dragon's Claw 1 Combat Effects: Cleanse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jacqueline Barber 55 --(5)--> 60 Pass Reliable Repellant 2 Combat Effects: Embolden ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fei Fong Wong 85 --(5)--> 90 Pass RPS Badge 3 Combat Effects: Rally ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Noeline 95 --(10)--> 105 Fail Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Riesenlied 80 --(0)--> 80 Pass Conditions: Fright(2)|Wound(2) Effects: Cleanse|Embolden(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: Noeline is too exhausted to continue! DG: The party led by Riesenlied has passed this challenge! The party gained 0 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw. DG: Riesenlied has drawn a new Challenge.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>============================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - It's Sinking! *>======================== |Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- The ghostly Squid King has been defeated - or perhaps, it simply withdrew back to the depths under the ship. You have no time to double check. The ship rumbles and begins inclining itself. Is it sinking? Can ghost ships sink? The answer is yes, apparently. Water begins filling the captain's quarters and you must escape with whatever you can carry. If you can just remember your way back out fast enough, you might even be able to avoid having to swim and getting your prizes wet. =Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate, Slow===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
The mammoth squid is a creature unlike any monster seen in the Ruins -- there's an ancientness lingering about it that seems jarring and frightening to the regular Drifter. Curiously enough, Jay can spot a shimmering sigil that reminds her of one of the crests that she uses in her Crest Sorcery -- the Crest of Muse. Is it such a powerfully aligned creature?
The battle is joined and swiftly -- Noeline takes a chance and blows past several of the tentacles to protect Riesenlied, perhaps powering herself down in the process; Riese struggles for a moment, and whispers, "... we'll make it through."
Fei launches at the creature and kicks at it, delivering powerful martial blows as Jacqueline creates an explosive concoction through a mixture of flame and lightning that rends through its skin.
The shaking continues, the roaring emanates deeper through the halls... and it descends, the spectral energy and cascade powerful as it shakes the areas around the drifters.
The spirit stares impassively...
"Captain..."
There's a rumbling, as the ship begins to sink -- water starts to gush through the walls and the windows, and much of the treasure is swallowed as the creature disappears into the depths.
"..."
She looks to the Drifters.
"... thank you. No matter what else happens and transpires this night..."
A pause.
"Please remember our ill-fated voyage...
Remember well the tale of our cursed ship.
Forget not the name of the Primarch of Muse, Rahab.
His threat lingers on in your present."
She gazes to the moonlit night.
"I will use the last of my powers, as a hollow spirit, to help you to safety..."
And with that-- Riesenlied suddenly collapses into Noeline's hands as the spirit escapes her body, and a glow starts to surround the Drifters, to repel some of the water and make their escape just a little bit smoother.
"This way."
DG: Riesenlied has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, It's Sinking!.
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline wrenches her scythe around again in another sweeping slash-- but the flame gutters immediately afterwards, and then improbably so does the whole of the scythe. It seems to almost melt back into Noeline, the metal that comprises it suddenly mutable and limp, as if burning away at the same time as she seems to-- reabsorb it?
It's rare for her to look pained - but she's suddenly using Riesenlied's side to support herself, as she desperately tries to find some werewithal amidst the cloying darkness. "This is..." she manages to mutter slowly, then shakes her head in uncertainty - and yelps, as everything around them begins to break and give way under the pressure of the water unexpectedly around them. The way she catches the other Metal Demon is almost automatic, even if it makes her stagger and nearly buckle. She's in no shape to help carry anything else, but can at least seek to get Riesenlied out safely, rather than leave her in the climbing waters.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"Ugh," Fei says. "Not again." as the ship starts sinking. He chases after Riesenlied. At least whatever happens, he'll just get doused and as proven by Xenogears canon, Fei does love jumping into wells. It's sort of his thing. And the worst case scenario here isn't much different isn't it?
He grinds his teeth together but endures this stoically otherwise as one does. Periodically he glances towards Noeline before saying to Jacqueline. "Hey, if they go down, get them outta here." He tells her. "I'll be alright, probably."
P..probably?
DG: Fei Fong Wong has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, It's Sinking!.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
That sigil catches Jacqueline's attention. The Crest of Muse, here, on a creature like this...? It stalls her for a moment, but causes her to attack with renewed intensity. Together they manage to deal with it, but they have bigger problems now.
The ship was sinking. Jacqueline moves after Riesenlied and Noeline, but Fei grabs her attention. She studies him for a moment...and then nods.
"...Right. I will." She agrees, then turns her attention forward before drawing out a Crest. She doesn't invoke it yet, she just moves forward with it in hand, ready to blast apart any debris that might prevent their movement forward.
She had no intention of joining the spirits here...
DG: Jacqueline Barber has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, It's Sinking!.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>============================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - It's Sinking! *>======================== |Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- The ghostly Squid King has been defeated - or perhaps, it simply withdrew back to the depths under the ship. You have no time to double check. The ship rumbles and begins inclining itself. Is it sinking? Can ghost ships sink? The answer is yes, apparently. Water begins filling the captain's quarters and you must escape with whatever you can carry. If you can just remember your way back out fast enough, you might even be able to avoid having to swim and getting your prizes wet. =Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate, Slow===========================================
========================<* Ghost Ship EX - Round 7 *>=========================
=========================< Results - It's Sinking! >==========================
Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riesenlied 65 --(100)--> 165 Fail
Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jacqueline Barber 60 --(100)--> 160 Fail
Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fei Fong Wong 90 --(100)--> 190 Pass
Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noeline 105 --(X)--> X
Effects:
----------------------------------< Party >-----------------------------------
Leader: Riesenlied 80 --(10)--> 90 Fail
Conditions: Fright(1)|Hesitate(2)|Slow(2)
Effects:
==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: Riesenlied is too exhausted to continue! DG: Jacqueline Barber is too exhausted to continue! DG: Fei Fong Wong is too exhausted to continue! DG: The party has failed this challenge! All party members are now Exhausted. This attempt is over. DG: The party led by Riesenlied has been fully Exhausted by Ghost Ship EX! DG: The party will now draw a conclusion.
=============================<* Ghost Ship EX *>============================== =======================<* CHALLENGE - Take a Plunge *>======================== |Type: Escape |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- You've reached your limit. There is nothing you desire more now than to leave this cursed ship - and not all of those feelings are your own. The ghostly screams of crew members warn you to leave before you fall, and you don't doubt one second they know what they're talking about. Through a hole in the ship's hull, it's possible to leap out, though you'll have to swim back to safety. Luckily you can borrow one of the ship's lifeboats and claim that as your prize. =Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
The intensity of the ship's fracturing reaches critical mass before too long, regardless of what everyone tries to do; water washes over them from impossible angles, and hallways become vertical chutes and geometry becomes impossible to understand.
Fei leads onward and crashes through into a room with a big, gaping hole in the bulkhead -- with a lifeboat nearby. There's only a scant matter of time before the ship goes down, so it seems very well the only option for escape.
Once everyone is onboard, the spirit lingers, a gentle, if sorrowful smile on her face.
She concentrates... and a shine surrounds the boat, as if shielding them from the mounting pressure of the dark waters around them. It'll take them to the surface...
"... goodbye..."
The spirit fades into an emanation of light, wisping out and disappearing into the abyssal depths of the ocean as the ship's remnants drags her with it.
Before long, you're back at the wharf, where nothing seems to have changed now that the source of the phenomenon is gone...
Well, save for one lingering...
"... and... thank you..."
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei Fong Wong punches through the wall and jogs towards--yes!--the lifeboat is still there. He hurries to get on. Too bad it's a sea life boat nad not some sort of sand lifeboat or maybe Bart might appreciate it. Or would it be a haunted lifeboat anyway? Well, Fei's not actually thinking about that right now, he's thinking about the spirit, looking towards her for a moment. He glances away and says, "...No need to thank us. We just did what we usually do and make a mess of things." But then the ghost ship is gone, though--well--it'll proabbly come back, but it's gone for now at least.
But still, once they're ashore, the martial artist waves and says, "Any of you can keep the lifeboat. I don't need it." Pause. Beat. Beat. "Anyway, see ya!"
Id starts walking away. That was a close one. Maybe next time Fei will be more careful before opening ghost doors, IDIOT!
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline puts on a burst of speed, but it's hard to outrun something as inevitable as the destruction of the ship. It's only with the spirit's help that they're able to escape, alive and in one piece. And then, before long, everything is gone, and they find themselves on the wharf once more. Fei departs shortly after, and left there on the wharf...
Jacqueline sighs and looks up to the stars, standing there quietly for a moment before glancing toward Noeline.
"...How is she? Is she alright?" She asks, concerned. Had the spirit finally left her? What kind of effect did it have...?
<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.
Noeline-- looks rather dazed, and only lifts her head after a moment, as if she's not really sure when they managed to find themselves on a lifeboat or what happens in the intervening time. It takes her a while to lift her head, and a longer while to cut through the fuzz enveloping her brain as she watches Fei leave in a distinctly abrupt fashion. "M-mm--..." she blurts; something about his mannerisms tugs slightly at her mind - but dulled as she is, all she can do is frown uncertainly.
Instead, she looks towards Jacqueline, having to catch up - and the question visibly sharpens her mind as her eyes jolt open and she looks down at the blonde now resting in her lap. "She--... I don't know," she has to admit after a moment, sucking a breath in and out. "Ye gods, my head. ... it isn't as if I know how spirits work, you realize," she mumbles, but reaches down to stroke Riesenlied's hair carefully. "All I can do is offer some support."