2018-12-21: Graveyard of Boats
- Log: Graveyard of Boats
- Cast: Josephine Lovelace, Catenna, Jacqueline Barber, Fei Fong Wong
- Where: Ships' Graveyard
- Date: December 21st 2018
- Summary: Josie heads out to the Ship Graveyard to take a look around, bringing a few familiar faces along. Takes place before the Photosphere sequence.
DG: A party led by Josephine Lovelace is now entering Ship Graveyard. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
==============================<* Ship Graveyard *>============================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - A Dangerous Approach *>===================== |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The edge of the graveyard is a patchwork quilt of ruined, rotting vessels. Most of them are wooden, but a handful are shod with metal, indicating more recent--or, perhaps, more ancient--construction. Finding a place to disembark will be difficult. Setting anchor is one option, but if the graveyard drifts, then it might just drift away from your ship. Docking is another option, but which of these wrecks is sturdy enough to do the job? =Dungeon Conditions: Bad Luck=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
PREVIOUSLY, OVER A WEEK BEFORE THE ATTACK ON THE PHOTOSPHERE
Apparently, or so Josie has learned from the residents of New Arctica, the currents see fit to dump a lot of debris on a certain part of the coastline, not terribly (as the crow flies that is) far from the settlement. Still in process as to the finer elements of a certain terrible ARM and in need of distractioninspirationwhatever it is that a Josie requires, the archaeologist had proposed setting out.
You know, to take a look at it all. See if any of the wrecks are of archaeological interest.
...See if any of the wrecks contain interesting things to salvage.
It's not stealing if it's from an abandoned ship.
"Whew. Now that's a tombstone to make anyone proud," Josie comments as the massed wrecks come into view.
She's commissioned (borrowed) a small boat. It might have been a fisher's boat at some point, though by the look of it it's had been some time since it's been out to sea.
Still, they haven't sprung a leak yet.
The rowing, she's left to others. Josie points now at a likely-looking inlet formed by a trio of shattered ships.
"Try there. Looks a little protected, eh?"
Penelope remains perched atop her shoulder.
The pigeon's gaze remains on the owlet, as it has since it first crossed paths with the other bird...
DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, A Dangerous Approach.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
This place is less new to Catenna than you might think: She passed it by coracle once, a couple of years ago. "I see a couple of ships are missing," she murmurs as she looks out over the edge of the little boat, towards the inlet Josephine has indicated.
The Moon Shaman sits up with care, doing her level best not to rock the tiny boat. One hand grips the edge. "If we can bring it in closer to the larger one there, I believe I see a rope. We can climb up that way." Once again she takes an oar in hand, beginning to maneuver that way.
Catenna's actually quite comfortable in a small boat, to tell the truth. Her oar dips through the water as she does her part to steer their little arrival craft into that artificial inlet. As the rotting ships loom around her, she tenses ever so slightly.
From atop Catenna's head, Saarda-Shanta - the Owlet - tilts her head and looks back at Penelope. Her large yellow eyes have not blinked once.
<I am not sure she likes me very much,> she observes in a low feminine voice more felt than heard, before taking off with a flutter to take a look at the rope in question.
<...It should hold, Catenna.>
DG: Catenna has used her Tool Saarda-Shanta toward her party's challenge, A Dangerous Approach.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline has been out to the appropriately-named 'Ship Graveyard' once before. It had been...a rather exciting adventure, but not too much so that it kept her away from it. And she liked Josie, so when she heard she was looking for people to help her out, she readily agreed.
The boat, though...is not one that she would've chosen. Still, it's what they had.
However, Jacqueline is not much of a rower. In lieu of that, she's rigged up a makeshift sail and, in a technique borrowed from Cyre, uses a wind-based Crest to help push them along faster. She's used to powering vehicles, and combined with those rowing it should allow them to sail into the Graveyard quickly and easily.
It sounds like Josie and Catenna have spotted a place to land, so Jacqueline begins carefully lowering the power output of her spell so they don't overshoot and collide with the wreck.
That would be unpleasant.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, A Dangerous Approach.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
OVER A WEEK AGO
Fei Fong Wong is in a much better state of mind but that doesn't mean he's doing great. He has been having difficulty sleeping as of late and frankly takes these digs just to get away from Elru, which seems to do him some good. He has taken to wearing that scarf Elly had given him full time and it keeps him warm and protected from the mist.
"Changes every time, huh." Fei murmurs. "Just so long as we don't have to deal with the kraken again..."
He takes a moment to look at a sketch he had made earlier before looking back towards the graveyard.
"That area should be stable," Fei agrees, looking over to the owlet. He blinks.
He blinks again.
"Um." Fei says, stepping closer to Josephine and leans in to murmur to her.
"Is that bird talking?" He whispers to her.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool Artist's Toolkit toward his party's challenge, A Dangerous Approach.
==============================<* Ship Graveyard *>============================== =====================<* CHALLENGE - A Dangerous Approach *>===================== |Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The edge of the graveyard is a patchwork quilt of ruined, rotting vessels. Most of them are wooden, but a handful are shod with metal, indicating more recent--or, perhaps, more ancient--construction. Finding a place to disembark will be difficult. Setting anchor is one option, but if the graveyard drifts, then it might just drift away from your ship. Docking is another option, but which of these wrecks is sturdy enough to do the job? =Dungeon Conditions: Bad Luck=================================================
=========================<* Ship Graveyard - Round 1 *>========================= =======================< Results - A Dangerous Approach >======================= Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catenna 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Saarda-Shanta 1 Wits Effects: Cleanse -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacqueline Barber 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Investigate 0 Wits Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fei Fong Wong 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Artist's Toolkit 2 Wits Effects: Enlighten -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Josephine Lovelace 0 --(20)--> 20 Pass Conditions: Bad Luck(2) Effects: Cleanse|Enlighten(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace 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> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
Josie, it should be noted, has no practical experience with boats, whatsoever!
(The Fereshte is an airship and thus doesn't really count.)
Still, someone has imparted to her the importance of not standing in a boat, so there's that.
It does explain why they've ended up with the most dubious-looking boat possible, though.
At least they've got ways of making that work, thanks to Jay's spellcraft. "Gotta say, I didn't even think about a sail. Nice work," she comments, glancing back over her shoulder to look at the billowing cloth.
"Easy. Hang right," she says to Catenna, gesturing with her left hand towards the likely-looking makeshift dock. "--Yeah, it does look like there's a rope there. Think it'll hold?"
This is followed by a sidelong glance, over at the owlet.
She raises an eyebrow, but gamely doesn't make a comment.
"Kraken, huh?"
Josie... considers this for a moment.
"I heard they eat ships."
josie that is not helping
Which is the point -- as the owlet takes flight to inspect the landing more closely -- that Fei leans in and asks something.
"Seems like it. Unless you've got a magic tapeworm you didn't mention?"
Goodnaturedly, she claps Fei on the shoulder and flashes a grin.
Between some careful windwork, steady sailing, and the measured approach of what has been against what is, they ease the boat into the inlet. Tied in place, it should hold against the tyranny of the tide.
"Well, let's see what's on around here," the archaeologist declares, making landfall herself.
Penelope's eye remains on the owlet.
As if to say, 'soon'.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has drawn a new Challenge.
=============================<* Ship Graveyard *>============================= ==================<* CHALLENGE - Automated Defense Turret *>================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- As you make your way through the hulk of an older, metal-hulled derelict, a high-pitched chirp splits the air. Moments later, a panel at the far end of the corridor slides open, and a three-barreled turret shudders to life. Judging by the unhealthy noises it's making, it's not in good shape, but the lead it's spitting at you is still plenty dangerous. On the upside, if you can get to the turret and disable it, there could be some valuable parts inside! =Dungeon Conditions: Injure, Treasure=========================================
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline smiles appreciatively at Josie's compliment, offering her a nod.
"It's something I picked up from Cyre...I see him doing this a lot, so I figured I'd try it out myself." She replies as they pull in. Once the boat has been safely tied into place, Jacqueline approaches the rope Catenna spotted.
She does an experimental tug on it, but Saarda-Shanta is correct - it should be able to support their weight. Jacqueline carefully and cautiously climbs up. It appears to lead into the interior of an older, metal-hulled derelict, through a hole in its side that appears to be a result of weapons-fire.
"There's something about this place...that makes my hair stand on end." Jacqueline comments with a shiver as they make their way through it. Soon after, there's a high-pitched chirp, tapering at the end in an unnatural fashion. This is followed by a loud grinding noise, like metal being forced against metal, and the sound of something winding up.
Ah. An automated defense turret.
With a cry Jacqueline jumps to the side behind a wall outside of the turret's point of view as it sends a hail of leaden ammunition into the wall on its opposite side. It's taking a lot of effort for the ARM to keep firing and the panel concealing it was unable to open all the way, resulting in only two out of its three barrels being able to fire at once. Even so, it's clearly dangerous.
"There wasn't anything like this last time..." Jacqueline mutters, rummaging through her bags. She eventually draws out a bottle of bright-orange liquid and peeks carefully around the corner once more.
"It doesn't look like there's any way around it. Hold on, let me..." Jacqueline quickly steps out, hurling the bottle at the turret. If her aim is true, it should splatter over the ARM, gumming up its insides even further and giving them a wider window of escape...!
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Rapid Remedy toward her party's challenge, Automated Defense Turret.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
"There is always a kraken," Catenna points out to Fei with a shrug. "It is just a matter of how far beneath you it is. And yes, she can communicate."
<Hello,> the Owlet says with a bob of her head towards the Fei in question.
Into the metallic hull they go. Catenna winces as her boots click against the aging metal, and she slows her pace a little to try and keep from echoing. The offensive smell of saltwater and rust reaches her nose, and she covers her mouth with a fold of her scarf, wincing a little.
She feels you, Jay. Oh boy does she feel you.
She does not feel the turret, though. When it pops to life, Catenna widens her eyes and lunges.
Bullets shred the human-shaped patch of air in which she'd been standing a moment ago. "Who even puts a turret in a ship like this," she mutters as she uncoils the grappling line she brought along. Whirling it as she runs, she stops just long enough to cast the grappling hook towards the turret.
Then she grips the rope and runs. Bullets pelt the floor and wall around her as she dashes past a rusting support beam. Snapping back around it, she spools the rope out to catch it against the beam, like the wheel on a pulley - and she grips the rope and yanks, trying to pull the turret out of alignment or off its rotary mooring!
DG: Catenna has used her Tool Grappling Hook toward her party's challenge, Automated Defense Turret.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"Um." Fei says. "Well, not any magic tapeworm I know about at least."
He might have a magic tapeworm he doesn't know about. He didn't exactly check and sometimes the cooking in New Arctica can be pretty suspect... Still, while he is startled, he might be less startled than his behavior might imply as he adds, "Cool, cool. Was a little worried i was imagining it." It's just a somewhat different problem.
Fei rubs at his eyes and gets moving through the derelict. He is a little slow to react to the turret but upon hearing the cry instinctively moves for cover and gives it a bit of a stare as he peaks around a corner.
"This is something." He says. "Don't think I could really make it, truth told." He looks towards Catenna who has the power of GRAVITY on her side.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Automated Defense Turret.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Cyre, huh? Guess he's got his uses after all," the archaeologist comments, glancing back at Jay. "That's the kind of thing that'd probably drive the graybeards back home nuts..."
At Fei, Josie just grins unhelpfully. "Don't worry, they've got a magic pill for those."
Once inside, there's a tiny little chirp.
There's also a gaping absence where Penelope once was, even before the moment metal grinds against metal and Josephine draws back, hopping behind nearby cover as the automated turret winds itself up.
"--Should've known!" she calls out as bullets sing against the nearby hull. "Guess it's all types."
Pause.
"Don't suppose anyone got a good look at the wind-up on that thing? Damn, and it's still holding up after all this..." Pause. Vague gesture. "However long!"
Another pause.
"...Still working, huh?"
She crouches down, scooping a bit of rubble from the floor. "Let's see what your wind-up's like--"
Only to pause as Jay tosses something at it and Catenna breaks into an all-out dash for the turret, apparently hoping to rip it right off its mounting. Josie tosses the rubble away.
"If you break it -- give me a second to take a look at it!"
Before rushing in to try and speed past the device before it can manage to get a shot in.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Automated Defense Turret.
=============================<* Ship Graveyard *>============================= ==================<* CHALLENGE - Automated Defense Turret *>================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- As you make your way through the hulk of an older, metal-hulled derelict, a high-pitched chirp splits the air. Moments later, a panel at the far end of the corridor slides open, and a three-barreled turret shudders to life. Judging by the unhealthy noises it's making, it's not in good shape, but the lead it's spitting at you is still plenty dangerous. On the upside, if you can get to the turret and disable it, there could be some valuable parts inside! =Dungeon Conditions: Injure, Treasure=========================================
========================<* Ship Graveyard - Round 2 *>======================== ====================< Results - Automated Defense Turret >==================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Josephine Lovelace 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Catenna 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Grappling Hook 2 Agility Effects: Quicken ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jacqueline Barber 0 --(5)--> 5 Fail Rapid Remedy 1 Agility Effects: Cleanse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fei Fong Wong 0 --(5)--> 5 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Josephine Lovelace 20 --(25)--> 45 Pass Conditions: Injure(2)|Treasure(1) Effects: Cleanse|Quicken(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has passed this challenge! The party gained 25 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> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"Oh, he's been quite useful to have around!" Jacqueline comments. "...But yes, I imagine it would. That might be part of the reason he does it, honestly..."
Jacqueline's potion slows the turret down somewhat...but only somewhat. Still, it's more than enough time for Catenna to swoop in, tossing her grapping hook around it and bolting past it - and around.
The structure of the turret has detoriated enough that, when Catenna yanks, there's a little resistance...but it's not enough to prevent the ARM from being pulled out of alignment, twisted in a way that damages it enough that it isn't going to be firing at them again anytime soon.
If it could feel fear, however...it would be trembling at the way Josie looks upon it. For it is full of parts that would be very useful and interesting to anyone who may or may not be in the process of devising a great and terrible weapon.
Jacqueline emerges from behind the pillar, exhaling. Like Fei, she didn't think she'd be able to make it, so she elected to stay behind. She's still a little spun up from the scare, but she seems ultimately alright.
"Did anyone get hurt?" She asks.
DG: Catenna has drawn a new Challenge.
===============================<* Ship Graveyard *>=============================== ===========================<* CHALLENGE - Hopscotch *>============================ |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | ----------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------- While it rests in a patch of relative calm, the graveyard is far from static. Many of the newer, less-anchored ships drift around relative to one another, leaving gaps in the 'land' that are difficult to cross. The one ahead is at least twenty feet across, but hypothetically navigable--barrels have spilled from the hold of a nearby ship, and form a series of stepping stones. Can you make it across without falling in? =Dungeon Conditions: Reckless=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
The good news is, Catenna doesn't pick the turret clean, or at all. She defers to Josephine there. Turns out Catenna doesn't care much about selling pieces of technology - but then, that's kind of been the standard with her all along.
"Should we wait for you?" she asks Josephine. And indeed, she does. She hangs back for the other woman to take what she will.
Boosting her way up a nearby ladder, Catenna climbs up onto the deck of the ship. It turns out to be an old ironclad warship, somewhat older than its neighbours, but moored fairly close to them. There's a gangplank nearby, and the Moon Shaman moves to it --
<Something seems to have gone missing,> Saarda-Shanta understates as the two look out over the twenty-foot gap between ships. The cold, dark sea churns between the ironclad and the bulk freighter on the opposite side.
Catenna presses her lips firmly together. "...I thik there is a way across," she says, gesturing down towards the water. Several crates and barrels bob slowly in the waves, sturdy and buoyant - and theoretically navigable.
<Those will probably sink,> notes the Owlet. <At least if you stand on them for too long.>
The Moon Shaman uncoils her rope and shakes her head. "I did not plan to," she admits as she casts the rope across towards the other freighter, aiming for an outcrop on what's left of the mast. She seems intent on swinging across.
DG: Catenna has used her Tool Grappling Hook toward her party's challenge, Hopscotch.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei smiles at the teasing but doesn't respond, just offering up that fond smiles of his. He isn't the type to get sour over some mild ribbing.
Fei says, "I think I'm okay." Of course you're okay you didn't even make for the run! Nevertheless, Fei steps away from his hiding place once Catenna rips the beam free. It didn't seem to use GRAVITY like he expected, but he reminds himself to not take Catenna's upper body strength for granted again.
"Seems like they're alright too." He smiles again. "Guess we can keep moving." Somehow this is still better than staying on Elru so far. Maybe...he's just getting used to derelict ships.
"Times like this, I wonder what it'd be like to be a man--"
"--of the--"
"Sea." Fei says as he blinks at the barrels between them. He takes in a deep breath and jumps--
--the disc starts whirring as he's in midair.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Hopscotch.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
That turret may be right to sweat.
Josie descends upon the freed turret, screwdriver in hand.
There's a dramatic glint off the screwdriver in the low light.
"Should only be a few~" she calls over to Catenna.
INDEED, A FEW MINUTES LATER
"Well, that was useful," the archaeologist comments. There may be no <3 in the text but it's certainly implied by the lilt to her voice. "It's not every day you get to take apart an ancient turret. And in such good condition, too! And these pieces might work a treat."
Perhaps not in her current project as such -- outside what fell secrets she has learned this day from the turret's inner workings -- but still the sort of materials any decent ARMs Meister could stand to have in their possession.
Then it's up onto the deck.
"Looks a little sunk, huh?" Josie comments, hand on her hip.
Somewhere, on the other side, a familiar black and white bird sits. Waiting.
(Waiting, but for what?)
"You know, I once knew a guy who did barrel rolling," Josie comments, approaching the floating 'platforms'.
"I think he died."
This sober, tragic tale of woe does not dissuade her in the slightest for making the leap to the nearest one, however she might wobble atop it in the aftermath. Or attempting the next jump, and the next, and the next...
DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Hopscotch.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline is content to let Josie disassemble the turret, as well. She could probably sell the parts, but she was sure there'd be other treasures along the way.
Jacqueline follows Catenna out and onto the deck of the ship, following her toward th gangplank...but stops and frowns, folding her arms in front of her as she looks out into the open sea.
"...Oh dear..." She murmurs. While Catenna swings across Jacqueline joins the others hopping across the barrels down below. She takes her time, slowly and carefully. She'll be the last one to make it across(barring an obnoxiously-high encounter rate, of course), but on the bright side that'll put her in the perfect position to catch anyone who might be in danger of slipping.
...Of course, if she ends up needing help, then...well, that can be dealt with if it happens.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Rapid Remedy toward her party's challenge, Hopscotch.
===============================<* Ship Graveyard *>=============================== ===========================<* CHALLENGE - Hopscotch *>============================ |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 2 | ----------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------- While it rests in a patch of relative calm, the graveyard is far from static. Many of the newer, less-anchored ships drift around relative to one another, leaving gaps in the 'land' that are difficult to cross. The one ahead is at least twenty feet across, but hypothetically navigable--barrels have spilled from the hold of a nearby ship, and form a series of stepping stones. Can you make it across without falling in? =Dungeon Conditions: Reckless=================================================
==========================<* Ship Graveyard - Round 3 *>========================== =============================< Results - Hopscotch >============================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catenna 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Grappling Hook 2 Agility Effects: Quicken ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacqueline Barber 5 --(0)--> 5 Pass Rapid Remedy 1 Agility Effects: Cleanse ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fei Fong Wong 5 --(5)--> 10 Fail Rush 0 Agility Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------- Leader: Josephine Lovelace 45 --(20)--> 65 Pass Conditions: Reckless(2) Effects: Cleanse|Quicken(1) ================================< Dream Chasers >=================================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace 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> Catenna has posed.
Good thing Catenna's more than happy to let people scavenge! She also has tricks that aren't gravity-based. Besides, Jean's teaching her to dance, and that doesn't lead to weak muscles.
Touching down on the mast of the ship across the way, the Owlet looks back to watch the various squishy humans cross the gap.
The little bird then locks eyes on Penelope. They narrow, ever so slightly. Two birds on a wire.
Cheater that Catenna is, she simply swings her way across, touching down to the far deck in an elegant landing. She collects her grappling hook and turns to trail the rope out for those down below.
The hopscotch routine isn't that difficult. Josephine makes it with relative ease; one of the crates is a bit unsteady but she doesn't linger on it long. Jay too brings up the rear easily, by now a good enough Drifter to manage.
She does end up having to stop and pick up Fei, though. One of his jumps results in him landing atop a barrel - and the lid gives way and he plunges into it. On the one hand, it's watertight and above the waterline. On the other:
Fei Fong Wong got Rice x9999999999999999
DG: Fei Fong Wong has drawn a new Challenge.
=============================<* Ship Graveyard *>============================= ========================<* CHALLENGE - Drop Anchor *>========================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- The remains of this great galleon lie perilously low to the waterline, and list to one side. The ship's anchor dangles from its rust-coated windlass, and it appears to be what's weighing the ship down. With a little care and a lot of elbow grease, you might be able to get the rusty windlass working again--and if you drop anchor, the ship should bob up a bit, allowing you to continue. =Dungeon Conditions: Overzealous==============================================
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei lands inside the barrel.
He is now covered in rice and will be finding rice on his body for the rest of the day. He is going to want a shower too because this isn't....... new rice. It's...old rice. And that's not very nice. ... at all.
Luckily Catenna can fetch him but now she has like 50xrice just by doing that.
The next area is a lot more reasonable as far as Fei is concerned. It's a big great galleon and it's listing to one side, its anchor swaying back and forth lazily in the wind.
Fei examines the anchor for a bit. Firing chi at it might have the opposite effect so he says, "I think for this one we just want to knock it down then jump onto the galleon."
He looks towards Catenna. "Can you use your power to pull the anchor down? I can try chiselling away at the rust too. It's going to be a delicate job, this one, I think."
He makes his way towards the windlass and starts turning it.
Very.
Slow...
...ly.
DG: Fei Fong Wong has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Drop Anchor.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline is a little relieved that everyone seems to have made it through just fine. Fei seems to have encountered a bit of trouble, but fortunately it seems as if he managed to...
...rice to the occasion.
Ahem.
Soon enough, they encounter a tilting galleon. Jacqueline looks at it nervously. This one...might be a little difficult to handle. Fortunately, Fei has some ideas!
"Hold on, before you get started..." Jacqueline says. She hurries over to the device, drawing out a bottle of some kind of liquid and beginning to apply it to the windlass. It should help get rid of the rust, as well as make it run a little more smoothly - hopefully making everyone's job that much easier.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Brewte Force toward her party's challenge, Drop Anchor.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna brushes rice off of her dress with a little huff.
When Fei whisks them along towards that enormous galleon, Catenna blinks, pressing her lips together in thought. "I can try, but with the rust holding it there, I am liable to sink the entire ship and us with it," she points out as she moves towards the windlass. "What we need to do is break it free of this mass of old rust and metal."
When Fei starts turning the windlass, Catenna moves to help out, drawing a small chisel and a little mallet from her toolkit. With a bite to her lower lip, she begins trying to chip away some of the rust before she outright starts in with gravity tricks. She'll start casting, to be sure - but only when the worst of the rust has been cleared.
DG: Catenna has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Drop Anchor.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
Similarly Penelope's eyes narrow, turning what passes between the pair of birds into, perhaps, a standoff of sorts. Who will strike first--
At least, so the question stands before the group of Drifters passes across the unstable bridge of crates (or finds less difficult means of passage) and diverts Penelope's attention.
All is well. For now.
"You okay there, Junior?"
Josie reaches over the prod his shoulder... and withdraws a fingertip coated in rice. ...Seems like dubious rice, too.
Also dubious: that anchor.
"Huh." Dropping her pack, Josie slides an old familiar tool from the depths of her bag. "Hold up a moment," she tells Fei, before approaching with the mattock in hand.
"Let's see if we can get this thing here unstuck first. --Read my mind, Jay."
With the pick head, she should be able to chip away at some of the rust along with Catenna as the solvent works its magic. Might be enough to get it rolling for the big push. So to speak.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Well-Used Mattock toward her party's challenge, Drop Anchor.
=============================<* Ship Graveyard *>============================= ========================<* CHALLENGE - Drop Anchor *>========================= |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute |Challenge Rating: 2 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- The remains of this great galleon lie perilously low to the waterline, and list to one side. The ship's anchor dangles from its rust-coated windlass, and it appears to be what's weighing the ship down. With a little care and a lot of elbow grease, you might be able to get the rusty windlass working again--and if you drop anchor, the ship should bob up a bit, allowing you to continue. =Dungeon Conditions: Overzealous==============================================
========================<* Ship Graveyard - Round 4 *>======================== ==========================< Results - Drop Anchor >=========================== Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Josephine Lovelace 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Well-Used Mattock 2 Brute Effects: Strengthen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Catenna 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jacqueline Barber 5 --(5)--> 10 Fail Brewte Force 1 Brute Effects: Fanfare and Strengthe ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fei Fong Wong 10 --(5)--> 15 Fail Force 0 Brute Effects: BASIC ----------------------------------< Party >----------------------------------- Leader: Josephine Lovelace 65 --(20)--> 85 Pass Conditions: Overzealous(2)|Reckless(1) Effects: Strengthen(1) ==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace 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.
Fei says, "Oh." to Catenna. "....That would be bad." So much for that. "Man, every time..." He rubs the back of his neck. "Maybe I should just keep my trap shut... Or maybe I'm not really a man of the sea yet."
THE THAMES? COMING SOON???
Fei grimaces as he tries turning the windlass and fails so he steps back and lets Josie doing it. "Today's not my day." He admits. "...Though that's sure one handy pickaxe."
He didn't even blush at Junior this time. He must be getting used to it. Or too tired to protest.
RICE TO THE OCCASSION JAY??? Luckily he's already went nuts in the future so Jay is safe from that affecting the true ending.
Of course when Jay also applies her solution, the anchor just tumbles down on its own. and Fei awkwardly scuffs his foot along the deck. "Well it worked!"
DG: Josephine Lovelace has drawn a new Challenge.
==============================<* Ship Graveyard *>============================== ==========================<* CHALLENGE - The Kraken *>========================== |Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The wreck you're standing on shudders violently beneath you, and starts to sink beneath the waves--as though something had grabbed hold of it, and is slowly pulling it under. Massive tentacles erupt from the water, groping and thrashing. A moment later, even more of the beast breaks the surface. It's /massive/. Those tentacles are merely feeding tendrils, and they surround a mouth full of grinding, crushing bone. The rest of its body is covered by shell-like armor plates. Drive it off before it drags you under! =Dungeon Conditions: Wound, Exhaust===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Mattock," Josie corrects, straightening after her work. "It's all about making use of what you got, eh? Besides, if this thing can break rocks and dig a hole, a little chipping rust's not out of the question."
The anchor drops. The next ship over bobs up. "Well, let's keep on keepin' on! Maybe we'll find something really--"
The ship shudders, no doubt sending the lot of them reeling to keep their footing. Is it coming apart? Did they hit something keeping this afloat?
The water ripples.
Penelope is once again conspicously a dotted-line outline.
Josie glances at the water's surface. Reaching for her jacket pocket, she withdraws a flask as she steadily watches tentacle after tentacle rise, entangling the ship upon which they stand in a greedy embrace.
She swallows a mouthful.
Then the great squid's beak makes an appearance and Josie swallows a mouthful more.
"So, that kraken. Any good plans, kids?"
She shoves the flask in a pocket and draws her rifle.
"Because I'm just going to shoot it."
Ideally in one of those great golden eyes, but she'll take what she can get.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Liquid Courage toward her party's challenge, The Kraken.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Saarda-Shanta takes off from the mast to flutter her way back towards Catenna. As for the Moon Shaman, she smiles at Fei, reaching out to lay a hand on his shoulder. "I promise I will gravitate something before we go home, Fei."
When the ship shudders beneath her, though, Catenna squeaks and jerks backwards, staggering before finally managing to catch herself. As she grabs the mast, she looks up at the Owlet.
<You said it,> the bird remarks. <There is always one.>
The huge beak yawns open, and Josephine has the right idea. Catenna blinks, then unshoulders her bow, drawing an arrow. "You have perhaps the best idea," she agrees as she rushes to the edge of the ship, letting the arrow go to soar down towards the eye Josie is not shooting.
Catenna doesn't loose a second arrow. Instead she holds her hands out and chants. The Medium at her hip shimmers a little.
The churn and roil of the sea flattens out, wavelets collapsing back into themselves as gravity multiplies. The ship rumbles a little more insistently. An enormous pressure begins to press down upon the Kraken as Catenna fights to drag it back down into the depths.
DG: Catenna has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Kraken.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
...Well, it worked out, in the end! Jacqueline isn't going to complain. She steps back as the ship bobs up, thanks to their efforts. ...And then it shudders. Jacqueline has to take some effort to retain her footing as massive tentacles take hold of the ship they're standing on.
And then the owner, an equally massive Kraken, appears with hunger in its eyes. In response, Jacqueline quickly draws a book from her bags - the Lifeweaver's Codex, full of plenty of information on all sorts of living things.
"I think I can come up with one! Hold on a second..." Jacqueline says, flipping through the pages. Fortunately, there is an entry on krakens already! "Let's see...durable shell, vicious beak, gripping tentacles, vulnerable insides..."
Jacqueline frowns.
"O-oh, um...I guess shooting it really is the best option..." She concludes, shutting the book. Jacqueline may not have anything to really shoot with, but she does have the power of Crest Sorcery at her disposal - which she takes advantage of by swinging her right hand down like a blade, bringing a bolt of lightning crashing down from the sky and toward the Kraken's open mouth.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool The Lifeweaver's Codex toward her party's challenge, The Kraken.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei brightens when Catenna offers to gravity something for him. Maybe that's all he really wanted. To see someone use the power of Gods to move a relatively small object about. He is from a small town. He can get amused by small things like that!
And then he says, "Are you moving the boat now?"
And then he falls over as it becomes apparent, looking up, towards the kraken's beak. He looks towards where Penelope was. Yep, he thinks, that about sums it up.
Fei unfortunately can't run away. He stands himself up, dusts off some gunk off his trousers, and he looks towards the bird. "Well, the only way to make an omelet...is to kraken a few eggs."
The kraken rumbles out a groan at Fei's pun.
He grips his hand around his own magic feather--the RPS Badge--as he punches fire at the beast. He doesn't know how to do lightning yet despite the fact that he's done it before so fire is the next best thing. That's the deathblow system for ya!
DG: Fei Fong Wong has used his Tool RPS Badge toward his party's challenge, The Kraken.
==============================<* Ship Graveyard *>============================== ==========================<* CHALLENGE - The Kraken *>========================== |Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 2 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The wreck you're standing on shudders violently beneath you, and starts to sink beneath the waves--as though something had grabbed hold of it, and is slowly pulling it under. Massive tentacles erupt from the water, groping and thrashing. A moment later, even more of the beast breaks the surface. It's /massive/. Those tentacles are merely feeding tendrils, and they surround a mouth full of grinding, crushing bone. The rest of its body is covered by shell-like armor plates. Drive it off before it drags you under! =Dungeon Conditions: Wound, Exhaust===========================================
=========================<* Ship Graveyard - Round 5 *>========================= ============================< Results - The Kraken >============================ Player Exhaustion Pass/Fail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Josephine Lovelace 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Liquid Courage 3 Combat Effects: Rally -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catenna 0 --(0)--> 0 Pass Fight 0 Combat Effects: BASIC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacqueline Barber 10 --(0)--> 10 Pass The Lifeweaver's Codex 2 Combat Effects: Embolden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fei Fong Wong 15 --(0)--> 15 Pass RPS Badge 3 Combat Effects: Rally -----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------ Leader: Josephine Lovelace 85 --(35)--> 120 Pass Conditions: Exhaust(1)|Overzealous(1)|Wound(2) Effects: Embolden(1) ===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has successfully explored Ship Graveyard!
==============================<* Ship Graveyard *>============================== =========================<* CHALLENGE - Kraken Nacre *>========================= |Type: Discovery |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- Bested, the Kraken lets go of the vessel and flees into the depths. Bits of its shell bob up to the surface, floating in the brackish, debris-filled water. Their inner surface is coated with a beautiful pearlescent material--nacre. Jewelers absolutely love the stuff, and so do craftspeople who make carved ornaments. A valuable and interesting prize! =Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.
"Soft insides?" Josie glances over her ARM as the ship trembles, as the kraken hauls ever more of its bulk over the ship to which it clings. "I can work with that. Thanks, Jay. Just have to find the hole in its armor!"
Which may just be those big old luminous eyes it's got.
"Junior," Josie says as she takes aim, "that's an awful pun."
Says the woman fond of occasionally making absolutely wretched puns. She's even grinning as she decries his sense of humor. What's up with this woman?
One shot rings out; the kraken is messily blinded in one eye.
Then the other as the arrow strikes true.
It thrashes in rage and pain, a dangerous combo--
Which is met by flying fiery fists, losening its grip on the ship to which it clutches.
Then a single bolt of lightning, which prompts it to release its hold entirely.
And the gravitational force that drags the beast down into the depths. Josie warily lowers her gun.
The sea bubbles.
A few pieces of its shell, coated in a pearly nacre, float to the surface.
They're pretty big pieces at that.
"Huh. That'll sell for a pretty gella," is Josie's summary of the matter.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna exhales shakily as the Kraken sinks back into the deep. "...There is always one," she mutters, grimacing a little.
The pieces of shell, however, leave her eyes widening. Hopping down from the ship, Catenna lands on a floating crate and reaches out to begin collecting shell pieces. "These would do more than that. They can be used for many things," she says, her normally dignified cadence still dignified, but with a spark of liveliness to it.
When she does begin to climb back up, she pauses up and looks to Josephine, then smiles quietly and begins to divide up the shell fragments. "...But yes. They would earn much."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
With everyone working together, the kraken is chased off. Jacqueline can't tell if it's dead or if it just retreated, but other way, it seems to have left some pieces of its shell behind...and they're shiny things, indeed. As Josie said, they'd sell quite well. But...
"Oh? Like what?" Jacqueline asks, approaching Catenna as she surfaces to divide out the fragments. Sure, selling them was tempting, but there was a rare spark of liveliness to Catenna's voice that had Jacqueline curious. She was always interested in learning more when there were things she didn't know.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei looks down at the shells and says, "Sweet. Money." Pause. "...Man.... to think I started with commissions and now it's giant monsters, for about the same result." Well no the shells are probably worth several factors more than the commissions but, to be fair, he didn't have to fight a giant kraken to draw Penelope or anything.
That came with its own dangers, its own terrors.
"But at least you can't beat the company. Thanks guys, I really needed this."