[rpg] PerrySimm says, "Log on."
KitLeeds says, "'ello, Professor"
Roberts says, "Afternoon."
katreRPG has disconnected.
katreRPG has connected.
Morgana arrives, looking for booty.
Morgana asks, "hm, so who am I playing again?"
Clem arrives, looking for booty.
[rpg] Emily says, "ok, stupidly I forget how to go to the rpg room"
[rpg] GM says, "'theah'"
Roberts asks, "Mother West Wind?"
[rpg] Storme says, "plank"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "walk the plank"
Clem asks, "Okay, so which characters are left?"
MotherWestWind says, "sure"
GM says, "http://www.drizzle.com/~dans/rpg/oneshots/pirates.html"
Clem says, "I guess Kit and Roberts are taken."
Clem says, "And Mother West Wind."
MotherWestWind asks, "Emily's being Lady Darla, right?"
GM says, "yeah"
ShanksWilson says, "I'll take Shanks Wilson, then."
ShanksWilson <- Iain
KitLeeds grins. "Excellent."
GM says, "it will take some work to outdrink lno as Shanks, I'm just telling you now"
ShanksWilson says, "Wow, I didn't realise they all have additional writeups."
GM says, "I expanded them a little to give people some more obvious hooks, yeah"
ShanksWilson says, "My 'weakness for the bottle' is only 1 compared to my 'cutlass' of 4."
ShanksWilson says, "So I won't be hittin' the bottle until I've carved a few fellows up, is all I'm going to say."
GM says, "that's a skill list, not a to-do list"
KitLeeds asks, "it is?"
KitLeeds says, "drat, I was looking forward to all those knives"
Roberts says (to KitLeeds), "But you'd still have to 'do' the Master Rogue first."
GM says, "Rogues Do It From Behind"
KitLeeds says, "Oh, that part's easy."
[rpg] GM says (to Emily), "psst, you're holding us up"
Perpetua has connected.
[rpg] * Roberts has joined the channel.
GM says, "there we go"
[rpg] Emily says, "oh, hence my asking how to get there, but then you didn't answer"
[rpg] GM says, "we did too"
[rpg] Emily says, "but then I remembered that if I looked up my other -- oh"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Keelhaul that GM."
[rpg] GM says, "yarrrsploosh"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Oops, I meant put him in irons."
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Oh, well, let's find another GM."
[rpg] GM says, "yarrrclunk"
[rpg] Emily says, "well, anyway, there"
[rpg] Emily says, "sorry"
[rpg] GM says, "no biggie"
[Crows-Nest] KitLeeds is imagining equal parts Kaylee, Starbuck, and Haley.
GM says, "ok, so, system first"
GM says, "wushu is a little different resolution-wise than most other systems we've used"
GM says, "the usual way is you roll the dice and then based on that, you narrate something saying how well you did"
[Crows-Nest] MotherWestWind says, "I am going to end up playing this as lecherous old woman because all my characters are sorta flirty"
GM says, "if you roll bad you narrate missing, and if you roll well you narrate hitting"
GM says, "in wushu, you narrate *first*"
GM says, "and whatever you say happens, happens exactly as you say"
GM says, "the purpose of the roll is just to see how much difference this makes in the overall scheme of things"
GM says, "this is action-movie logic, basically, where the hero and villain exchange a bunch of blows and get knocked back into walls and off ledges and stuff, but none of the earlier actions are decisive"
GM says, "furthermore, the narration affects the roll -- the number of "pieces" in your description determine how many dice you roll"
GM says, "and then your skill determines the number you're trying to roll at or under"
GM says, "so Kit has a Knives 3 skill, which means that if she says something like "I whip out a pair of knives from my belt / and send them twirling across the room / until they thunk into the guy's shirt, pinning him to the wall""
GM says, "then that's three parts, so she rolls three dice"
Roberts asks, "Do we include the /'s?"
GM says, "and each dice that has a 3 or less is a success"
GM says (to Roberts), "yeah, I think it'll be helpful for counting purposes if you do"
KitLeeds nods.
GM says, "so I've made dice to do this -- you can 'roll 4 vs 2' to roll 4 dice versus a target number of 2"
[rpg] ShanksWilson rolls 4 dice, target 2: 2 3 1 3 | 2
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "The | 2 means 2 successes, I guess."
[rpg] GM says, "right"
GM says, "the other part of the deal is that you actually divide those dice into two piles and roll twice"
ShanksWilson says, "It seems like there are a lot of 3s in that example, for different reasons."
GM says, "in the 3-die example, you might divide them up 0/3, or 2/1, or whatever"
GM says, "yeah, ok, let's say it's 4 dice, target 5"
Roberts asks, "For all rolls, or just for combat rolls?"
GM says, "which is probably more realistic"
GM says (to Roberts), "for all "conflict" rolls, although -- actually, hold that a sec"
GM says, "anyway, the two piles are "offense" and "defense""
GM says, "offense successes knock down defense successes"
GM says, "or otherwise damage the person"
ShanksWilson says, "Just like in Hero Quest."
GM says, "defense successes block offense successes, and can also be used to accomplish goals"
GM says, "like in a fight we might have something where your ship is sinking, there's a fire in the hold, and pirates are swarming over the top deck"
GM says, "a usual everyday occurrence"
ShanksWilson says, "Heh."
GM says, "the sinking goal might require 5 successes, the fire goal 3 successes, and then there's the pirates to deal with"
GM says, "so people can use defense successes they're not using to hold off pirates into accomplishing those goals"
GM says, "anyway, if an offense success isn't blocked by a defense success, the defender loses a point of karma"
GM says, "(you all have 3 karma to start)"
GM says, "if this drops them to negative karma, they're out somehow"
ShanksWilson asks, "But 0 is okay?"
GM says, "needless to say nobody will be dying in this game until possibly at a dramatic moment for the game"
GM says, "right"
GM says, "but you might be knocked unconscious or trapped under a chandelier or whatever"
GM asks, "everyone with me so far?"
KitLeeds nods.
MotherWestWind says, "absolutely not"
GM says, "I imagine it'll get more clear once it shakes out"
ShanksWilson says, "Somewhat, I guess I'll pick it up."
MotherWestWind says, "I got totally lost with all the 3s, so"
GM says, "hee hee"
Roberts asks, "Does it matter which details go to which pool?"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "I actually cheated and read up on the system beforehand."
GM says, "no"
LadyDarla says, "hm"
GM says (to MotherWestWind), "ok, so you've got Headology 4, and you're trying to convince somebody to give you something"
[Crows-Nest] ShanksWilson says, "Yay Headology."
[Crows-Nest] ShanksWilson says, "I have a feeling this character is going to end up as Nanny Ogg."
GM says, "so you say "I get up real close / and pull down his shirt collar so we're looking eye to eye / and remark casually "You know, some people say that getting turned into a newt would be unpleasant. What do you think?"""
[Crows-Nest] Roberts says, "I hope you stocked up on boiled sweets."
GM says, "so that's 3 things, so you'll roll 3 dice, versus your target number of 4"
GM says, "so I do roll 3 vs 4"
[rpg] GM rolls 3 dice, target 4: 3 4 4 | 3
GM says, "three successes, hooray"
LadyDarla exclaims, "smack!"
ShanksWilson asks, "Why would you choose to narrate three sections rather than one, or eight?"
GM says, "but in almost every situation I'd want to split those up into an offense and defense pool first"
GM says, "so I might roll '2 vs 4' and then '1 vs 4'"
GM says, "good question"
Roberts says (to Shanks), "More sections => more dice."
GM says, "for the second part, you have a max limit of 4 dice you can roll"
GM says, "so the ideal is to shoot for things with 3-4 sections because that'll give you the most dice"
ShanksWilson says, "I walk up to the pirate and stab / stab / stab / stab / stab / stab / stab / slice / feint / stab"
GM says, "but if you're not feeling creatively inspired, doing some 1-2 part actions isn't going to hurt much"
KitLeeds says, "hahaha"
ShanksWilson says, "It seems like it's always going to be 4 dice, but okay."
ShanksWilson says, "I guess this means there's an incentive to say something interesting."
GM says, "yeah, sure, it's just the point is to come up with so-- right"
GM says, "like your example there isn't really that interesting"
ShanksWilson says, "Tell that to this guy's remaining kidney."
GM says, "hee hee"
GM says, "do not look into cutlass"
GM says, "at all, really"
MotherWestWind says, "okay, it's a bit easier to follow this now the example isn't all 3s"
GM says, "let's see"
GM says, "I think the other thing worth mentioning is a lot of the time we'll be doing minion fighting"
GM says, "which is the thing where there is a horde of pirates or whatever coming all over at you guys"
GM says, "this would make me nuts if I had to do a huge amount of rolling, so in this system I don't roll for them at all"
ShanksWilson says, "One of these days we ought to get some minions of our own."
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "where 'whatever' actually means 'ninja', of course"
KitLeeds says (to ShanksWilson), "they'd just get themselves killed."
GM says, "instead, we just assume they get some fixed number of offensive successes per turn (usually 1 or 2)"
GM says, "so you lose 1 or 2 karma unless you get that many defensive successes"
Roberts says (to Kit), "They're probably pretty cheap."
GM says, "and instead of them rolling defense, we just say "they have a pool of 10 defense successes for the whole fight, which the whole group can wear down""
MotherWestWind asks, "okay, so it seems like we split up the dice before we roll?"
GM says, "right"
MotherWestWind asks, "is there any reason not to always do four actions and divide the dice 2/2?"
ShanksWilson asks, "Offensive successes negate defense and reduce the other guy's karma, whereas defense successes negate offense and perform other tasks?"
GM says (to Shanks), "right, exactly"
Roberts says (to MotherWestWind), "You might be more interested in taking out the enemy than defending yourself."
Roberts says, "Or vice versa."
ShanksWilson says, "Seems reasonable."
LadyDarla says, "I guess if we're fighting a pool then it might make sense to target what most needs doing after everyone else's fight"
GM says, "anyway, I think that about wraps it up -- the main thing to remember is that, in fights and conflicts in general, whatever you narrate goes"
ShanksWilson says, "Hmm, hang on."
GM says, "if somebody feels like your narration is tonally or genre-wise off they can veto it, but I imagine everyone is in the same general boat"
GM says, "or at least the same general ocean"
ShanksWilson says, "If we're using a skill, that's the number we're aiming for to get a success, right? Like I need to roll 4 or under for a cutlass success."
MotherWestWind says, "so when would we roll against things like 'weakness for bottle'? or 'old and frail?'"
GM says (to Shanks), "yeah"
ShanksWilson asks, "What if I'm not using a skill, or my narration fits several skills?"
ShanksWilson says, "Plus what she said."
GM says, "if it fits several skills, you can pick which to use"
GM says, "maybe I'll bribe you with karma or something to use your weakness"
ShanksWilson says, "Heh."
GM says, "if it doesn't fit any skill on your sheet, you can assume you have the skill at 2"
ShanksWilson says, "Aha."
GM says, "(but you can justify a lot as 'Pirate Captain')"
Roberts says, "I assume the GM could set up interesting situations where you have to use your weakness to do the thing you want."
ShanksWilson says, "Arrrr"
Roberts says, "Like if you're tailing someone, and they go into a bar."
GM says (to Roberts), "I thought that was about Pirate Captain for a moment, and figured it was going to turn into the driving-me-nuts joke"
Roberts says, "We can only hope it does."
KitLeeds says, "I don't think I know this joke."
GM says, "A pirate walks into a bar with a steering wheel in his pants. The bartender says "Hey, do you know you've got a steering wheel in your pants?" The pirate says "Arr, it's driving me nuts""
MotherWestWind says, "I don't think it's vital to the game"
GM says, "right then"
KitLeeds says, "ah, that."
GM says, "so our story opens on the docks of Pirate City"
GM says, "which as we are all aware is a large independent city ruled by the Sea Prince, unaffiliated with any country and consequently a hub of trading and double-dealing"
ShanksWilson says, "Arr! Smell that hearty, welcoming piratey reek of Pirate Market, me hearties!"
GM says, "not to mention single and triple dealing"
KitLeeds keeps a sharp eye out for an easy mark.
GM says, "You are all down by the docks, relatively deserted this time of night, though the Rusty Maiden over there is still full of drinking patrons"
GM says, "(you can hear the singing all the way down the street)"
GM says, "Lady Darla, in particular, is walking along when she notices a pair of shadowy figures glide out from behind a pile of crates."
ShanksWilson says, "Hrm, I wonder if the Rusty Maiden still has Ye Auld Peculiar Cider on draught."
LadyDarla slows down just a little and has her hand ready at her hilt.
[rpg] KitLeeds asks, "out of curiosity, are we all already comrades?"
GM says, "The pirate's yellow teeth gleam in the moonlight. "'Ey, pretty lady, whatcha doing all alone at night?""
MotherWestWind exclaims (at ShanksWilson), "Cider? That's no kind of drink fer a pirate!"
ShanksWilson says, "Not what ye'd call a session cider, but fine for a quick eight or ten pints before the lunchtime grog."
[rpg] GM says, "if you want to be, sure -- this is presumably going to turn into an opportunity for you to meet"
LadyDarla asks, "Enjoying the solitude. Yourself?"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "ah, i see."
[rpg] Roberts exclaims, "Be careful! Something tells me there may be violence at some point coming up!"
ShanksWilson says (to MotherWestWind), "Well, it's not exactly made with apples, ye see."
GM says, ""Soli--what? Anyway, I don't got time for fancy words here, I got a message for you.""
GM says, ""Hartwood Nash don't like girlies turning him down.""
LadyDarla smiles slightly.
LadyDarla says, "I believe he expressed that message already when he threw his tankard at my head."
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
LadyDarla says, "However, I appreciate the clarification. Er, that is, say thank you to him for making his message plainer."
LadyDarla exclaims, "And good night!"
GM says, "His companion pulls out a wicked-looking blackjack."
ShanksWilson checks to see if he has enough doubloons to do full justice to the Rusty Maiden's ales.
LadyDarla sighs faintly.
KitLeeds is busily peeking in the windows of the tavern, making sure there aren't any guards she has to worry about.
GM says, ""I guess you didn't get the message. He *really* doesn't like it.""
ShanksWilson asks (of MotherWestWind), "Mother, ye're good with figures -- how many ales could I get for zero doubloons?"
GM says, "(people in the tavern can see various shadowy figures creeping up behind Lady Darla)"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "yay"
LadyDarla draws her sword / stabs the black-jack wielder / withdraws the sword / and says to the second guy, "sorry: I didn't quite hear that clearly."
[rpg] GM says, "excellent"
MotherWestWind says, "depends on if'n yer sending me up to the bar"
[rpg] LadyDarla rolls 4 dice, target 5: 4 5 2 1 | 4
[rpg] GM says, "nice"
ShanksWilson says (to MotherWestWind), "If I recalls correctly, that's why I ain't got no doubloons!"
[rpg] GM says, "although rememebr that once the fight gets started, you'll want to put some aside for defense"
GM says, "Ok, so, Darla is getting into trouble out here, so the fight's going to be starting"
[Crows-Nest] MotherWestWind says, "clearly Shanks and I come from the same dialect region of piracy"
GM says, "People elsewhere can arrive as dramatically appropriate"
KitLeeds hears noise, turns, and observes Darla in what must be her element.
ShanksWilson says, "Arr, look, there's a fight startin' over there."
Roberts, passing by on the street on his way to meet his own shadowy figures, stops to observe.
[rpg] * LadyDarla has joined the channel.
ShanksWilson says, "Maybe we can start a bit of a wager going."
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "sorry, I assume since he'd drawn on me that I was allowed to strike back"
MotherWestWind says, "yeh, but looks like plenty of folks is joinin' in already"
ShanksWilson asks, "4 to 1 on the lady! 4 to 1, I say! Any takers?"
MotherWestWind says, "s'hardly a fair fight, really"
ShanksWilson says, "Beer or doubloons accepted!"
GM says, "for people in the fight, the total danger number here is 16/1 -- you're trying to score 16 successes to get rid of them, and you need to get 1 defense success per turn or lose a point of karma"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, certainly"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "okay"
[rpg] Roberts says, "It seems that the police thing to do in a pirate town is to wait to see if someone wants assistance before interfering with their brawl."
[rpg] Roberts says, "Er, the *polite* thing."
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "I'm old and frail, surely I shouldn't actually *fight*"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "just hang around on the margins and cuss"
ShanksWilson says, "5 to 1!"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I guess I would've defined at least that last threat thing as defensive"
[rpg] LadyDarla asks, "which might be fair, yeah?"
MotherWestWind asks (of Shanks), "'xactly what would you be betting with?"
GM says, "Lady Darla is certainly doing a credible job of holding off the two (well, one) pirates, but with a roar, more of Nash's men jump out from behind the crates"
[rpg] GM says, "sure, that seems fine"
[rpg] GM says, "so I'll hang onto those 3 extra successes in case you want them later in the fight"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "ok"
GM says, "Some with pistols, which hardly seems quite fair in a swordfight"
ShanksWilson says (loudly), "Why, I'll be bettin' this here pouch of rubies, won't I?"
Roberts . o O ( This seems hardly fair. )
KitLeeds sneaks sneaks sneaks up behind one of the shadowy folks (one of the ones with a pistol) / puts one of her knives up to his throat / and says 'Now, that's not exactly neighborly, is it?'
[rpg] KitLeeds asks, "would I want Master Rogue for this, or just Knives?"
ShanksWilson says, "Hey, there's another one!"
[rpg] GM says, "feel free to use whatever is better, if they're both relevant"
[rpg] KitLeeds rolls 2 v 5 dice for the highest: 2 1 | 2
ShanksWilson says, "You know, I'm sensin' a shortage of good honest gambling bystanders here, and a longage of blackguards with guns."
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "I don't think I did that right"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "but that was two offensive successes"
MotherWestWind glances back at the fight / sighs deeply / rolls up her sleeves / and begins to weave an ancient curse to jam pistol triggers
[rpg] KitLeeds rolls 1 v 5 dice for the highest: 4 | 4
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "and one defensive"
[rpg] GM says, "let me fix the action so v works"
[rpg] KitLeeds asks, "sorry, what was I supposed to use?"
MotherWestWind says, "(or at least to scare any pistol-wielders who might see me waving my hands around)"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "aha, vws"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "er, vs"
[rpg] GM rolls 3 dice, target 5: 3 5 4 | 3
Roberts steps up behind one of the men with guns / and taps him on the left shoulder. / He asks, "Pardon me, but do you know the way to Church St.?" / and uses the distraction to snap his whip at the gun, disamring him.
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "okay, so if I divide mine 2/2"
GM says, "meanwhile, a stray shot whistles through the window of the tavern, smashing Shanks' tankard"
ShanksWilson says, "!"
[rpg] Roberts says, "I suppose I'll do 2/2 as well."
GM says, "The other tavern patrons look on with interest"
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 2 dice, target 4: 1 4 | 2
[rpg] Roberts rolls 2 dice, target 4: 3 2 | 2
[rpg] Roberts rolls 2 dice, target 4: 3 2 | 2
ShanksWilson says, "!!"
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 2 dice, target 4: 5 6 | 0
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "I have no defense but my offense is good, I guess."
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "unlike roberts' who is suspiciously consistent"
ShanksWilson says, "Billions of blue buggered barnacles!"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "he's all scientific"
[rpg] Roberts says, "I brought my own dice from home."
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
MotherWestWind says, "that'll teach you to drink out of a fancy glass tankard!"
GM says, "A pirate climbs up on a large pile of brandy barrels, and leaps with a whoop into the general melee, while another pirate starts trying to pull a mesh net off some crates."
MotherWestWind says, "I told you no good'd come out of drinking from something with yer name on it"
GM says, "A third and fourth pirate crash through the doorway of the tavern and look around in some confusion"
ShanksWilson stands up / hefts his bar stool in his one remaining hand / charges into the middle of the melee with a blood-curdling yell / and SMASHES SOME RUFFIAN HEAD IN
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I'm assuming I should not act again until everyone else has had a chance to do so"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, you'll be up in a sec"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "ok"
[rpg] GM says, "(once shanks rolls)"
[rpg] Roberts says, "I'm not sure whose side these pirates are on. But I'm going to guess they're on the side of chaos."
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "not impatient, just making sure I have the etiquette here"
[rpg] GM says (to Roberts), "I'm using 'pirates' and 'Nash's men' interchangably here"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "I'm going to yell ARRRRRRR as I do this so that it can reasonably fit under Pirate Captain."
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "hahaha"
[rpg] GM says, "go for it"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "And all offense, I guess."
[rpg] ShanksWilson rolls 4 dice, target 4: 3 3 5 2 | 3
[rpg] Roberts asks, "Does using all offense mean that you automatically lose one Karma this round?"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "I lost one karma for my crappy defense rolls, then, I assume"
[rpg] Roberts asks, "And we only gain Karma through roleplaying, or can it be earned back by other means?"
ShanksWilson struggles out from under a pile of three unconscious blackguards, looks around for his hat.
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so at the close of round one, I have Mother and Shanks with 2 karma remaining, and the bad guys with 11 defense successes left"
[rpg] GM says (to LadyDarla), "you're up"
[rpg] GM says, "and Kit next"
LadyDarla slashes the wrist of the nearest man with pistols / neatly slicing off his hand / and knees him hin the groin for good measure / before gliding backward to get the wall at her back. (3 offense)
[rpg] LadyDarla rolls 3 dice, target 5: 3 3 3 | 3
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "(and 1 defense)"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "nice"
[rpg] LadyDarla rolls 1 die, target 5: 1 | 1
[rpg] Roberts asks (of GM), "So we're using a pseudo-initiative order?"
[rpg] GM says (to Roberts), "yeah, not that it matters, but it helps to give people some lead time to write descriptions, I think"
LadyDarla says, "The knee is for your master, if you get back to him."
[rpg] GM says, "I guess Mother's up after Kit, then Roberts, then Shanks"
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"
KitLeeds looks about thoughtfully / then applies some pressure to the pirate's neck / while relieving him of his pistol / and smashing him in the head with it.
[rpg] GM says, "(witty remarks are also good for a die if you do them as part of your action, of course)"
[rpg] KitLeeds rolls 3 dice, target 5: 4 2 4 | 3
[rpg] KitLeeds rolls 1 die, target 5: 5 | 1
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "(I figured, but then I had to set it up with the kneeing and that took a full four by itself)"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, no biggie"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "3 offensive, 1 defensive"
[rpg] GM says, "nice"
[rpg] GM asks, "Mother?"
MotherWestWind hoists Charles from her shoulder / and sends him into the melee / to bite a pirate in painful places / and also steal some doubloons while he's at it
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha hooray"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "2/2 again, I think"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "yay"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "throwing monkey --> best attack ever"
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 2 dice, target 3: 2 4 | 1
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 2 dice, target 3: 6 6 | 0
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "DAMN MY DEFENSE"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "yay"
[rpg] GM says, "well, you're old and frail, you're always getting hurt"
[rpg] GM asks, "Roberts?"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "apparently so!"
[rpg] GM says, "although since you haven't left the tavern, I guess it's mostly emotional scarring"
Roberts cracks his whip at a precariously-stacked pile of barrels / sending them tumbling into the melee. / One of them smacks into the skull of a pirate / cracking open and splashing rum over everything.
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "NOT THE RUM"
[rpg] Roberts asks, "One defense, three offense. Is there a standard order for which to roll first?"
[rpg] GM says, "offense first"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "WHERE HAS ALL THE RUM GONE"
[rpg] Roberts rolls 3 dice, target 4: 4 6 5 | 1
[rpg] Roberts rolls 1 die, target 4: 4 | 1
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "also, I hope someone has a torch."
[rpg] GM asks, "Shanks?"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "enh, I have voodoo skillz, who needs real fire"
ShanksWilson backs off as two ruffians approach, wildly swinging clubs at him. / He catches one club on his hook and deftly directs it onto the point of the other ruffian's jaw, / then detaches his hook and leaps monodextrously over the tumbling barrels towards safety / and his hat.
[rpg] LadyDarla read this as the skull of the pirate cracking and spilling rum
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "which would be apt enough in its way"
[rpg] Roberts says, "Ha."
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "2 attack, 2 defense."
[rpg] ShanksWilson rolls 2 dice, target 4: 3 3 | 2
[rpg] ShanksWilson rolls 2 dice, target 4: 1 1 | 2
[rpg] GM says, "excellent"
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla asks, "also, is anyone else fighting the urge to make their attacks / into haiku?"
ShanksWilson asks, "Hat, ye be smelling of rum! What witchcraft is this?"
[Crows-Nest] MotherWestWind says, "yes"
GM says, "Pirates are being smacked right and left"
[Crows-Nest] Roberts exclaims, "But then you'd only get three dice!"
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla exclaims, "that's why it must be resisted!"
GM says, ""Let's get out of here!" calls one, and soon they are in full retreat, or at least the ones who are still conscious are"
[rpg] LadyDarla exclaims, "woo!"
GM says, "soon the street is empty except the four of you and the monkey"
KitLeeds says, "And don't you come back!"
LadyDarla courtsies to the others. "Thank you kindly for your assistance."
ShanksWilson palpates his haul of money-pouches to gauge the takings.
MotherWestWind says, "I'm gettin' too old fer this sort of thing"
KitLeeds says, "Ah, it was nothin'."
Roberts nods politely. "Quite welcome."
KitLeeds blinks and checks the bodies for any remaining coin.
LadyDarla says, "Some men in this town have now sense of gallantry. Please, help yourself to the, er, spoils."
ShanksWilson asks, "Anyone seen my hook?"
ShanksWilson shrugs and screws on a spare.
KitLeeds points at a metal hook snagged atop a stack of barrels.
Roberts asks, "Do you know why these men were after you?"
[rpg] GM says, "I hope Shanks has a bunch of different hook attachments"
MotherWestWind nudges Shanks in the side / and grins innocently / and says 'hey, you still owe me a drink'
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "I was coming to that."
[rpg] GM says, "excellent"
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 3 dice, target 4: 3 4 5 | 2
[Crows-Nest] MotherWestWind says, "I WANTS A LARGE RUM"
[Crows-Nest] KitLeeds says, "POKEY THE ITALIANS HAVE STOLEN OUR RUM"
ShanksWilson takes a deep breath / widening his eyes as the hat-fumes reach him / mentally envisages his new-found pile of doubloons rapidly dwindling, to be replaced with / ALE
[Crows-Nest] MotherWestWind says, "ha ha hat-fumes"
[Crows-Nest] KitLeeds asks, "what would you do with a pile of ale?"
[rpg] ShanksWilson rolls 4 dice, target 1: 1 1 6 3 | 2
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Wow, two successes."
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "so much weakness"
[rpg] ShanksWilson asks, "Wait, is that good or bad?"
LadyDarla says (to Roberts), "Some men in this town lack the ability to accept a ladylike refusal of their company."
[rpg] Roberts exclaims, "You have resisted your weakness twice!"
Roberts says, "Ah. The scoundrel."
ShanksWilson says (to MotherWestWind), "You know, for once, I don't feel like celebrating our victory with drink!"
ShanksWilson says, "My willpower must be improving!"
ShanksWilson asks, "Who fancies an ale to celebrate my willpower?"
MotherWestWind says (to Shanks), "either that or yer sickening for something"
GM says, "Kit digs up some coins on the bodies, plus a note with a description of Lady Darla and orders to get some men"
[Crows-Nest] (from LadyDarla) Shanks says, "What will I do with this straw attachment now?"
[Crows-Nest] MotherWestWind says, "I was hoping he had a cocktail shaker attachment"
GM says, "curiously another body has a piece of paper with both Kit's and Roberts' names on it, plus a few others you don't recognize"
KitLeeds keeps that paper secret, but hands the first note to Lady Darla. "Curious business, isn't it?"
LadyDarla scans description. "Tall, skin and bone, snoot full of own importance..." she mouths to herself. I can't say I think much of the author's way with words.
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
katreRPG has disconnected.
katreRPG goes home.
LadyDarla says (to KitLeeds), "Indeed so."
GM says, "the same body has a small silver amulet worn beneath its clothes, with a curious design of a snake biting its tail, looped around a star"
LadyDarla says, "Perhaps at some point I should pay a visit to Hartwood and discourage any such further creative writing endeavors."
KitLeeds says (to GM), "the body with the note featuring me? If so, I pocket it stealthily."
GM says, "yeah"
ShanksWilson catches the gleam of silver.
KitLeeds says (to GM), "and if it's from the body with the note featuring Darla, I also pocket it stealthily. To sell."
ShanksWilson asks (of Kit), "What's that you've found, lass?"
KitLeeds asks, "A bit of coin. What say we go celebrate that victory of yours?"
ShanksWilson says, "Well, it was mainly a victory of our lady o' the sword, here."
[rpg] (from Roberts) KitLeeds says, "And if any more plot hooks show up, I lock them up away from the rest of the party too."
[rpg] GM says (to Kit), "c'mon, this isn't d&d, don't make too big a production of hiding plot points"
[rpg] GM says, "timing"
MotherWestWind says (to KitLeeds), "looked to me like it might be more like something to do with that paer you ferreted away earlier."
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "hmm, maybe I should have made this into an action to roll vs headology"
[rpg] GM says, "(although that said, being sneaky is part of Kit's shtick, so try not to stomp on it too much)"
[rpg] MotherWestWind asks, "can I still roll 1 vs headology?"
KitLeeds shrugs, and pulls the amulet back out. "If you think a public street is the place for jewelry appraisal..."
Roberts's eyes narrow.
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "(or not bother)"
KitLeeds flicks it back and forth between her fingers, not letting anyone get too good a look at it.
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "but you can get enough of a good look, if you need to."
ShanksWilson says, "This particular alley has fewer thugs and layabouts than any other square foot of Pirate City, at least for the next few minutes."
ShanksWilson says, "Exceptin' your presence, of course."
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
MotherWestWind sighs / mutters in Charles' ear / and the monkey swoops in and grabs the amulet / bringing it back so she can take a good long look at the amulet with her old eyes.
KitLeeds says, "Hey, is that any way to speak to a lady?" I elbow him in the stomach."
KitLeeds looks at her hands with shock, then shakes a fist at the monkey.
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 4 dice, target 3: 1 5 6 5 | 1
GM says, "There's the sound of distant shouts and running men -- apparently the city guard is arriving, late as usual"
LadyDarla manages to look as though she has not seen or heard any of this and they could all be taking tea with royalty.
Roberts peers over MotherWestWind's shoulder. "That symbol..."
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "yay a success"
MotherWestWind asks (of LadyDarla), "I don't suppose you recognise this symbol, since you were the one these folks were sent after?"
ShanksWilson frowns, screws on his fake hand to avoid recognition.
LadyDarla glances at symbol, frowning.
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "hahaha"
LadyDarla says, "The snake is in some cultures an ancient sign of, ah, potency, but I am not sure that it has done its wearer any favors."
ShanksWilson asks, "Hey now, hearties, what say we saunter over to the Lusty Mermaid, yonder?"
GM says (to Roberts), "you recognize it as an ancient cult, dead for three centuries, that worshipped some mysterious deity"
KitLeeds looks from Professor to Voodoo Woman and back. "Now what is this all about?"
ShanksWilson says, "Best not to linger here too much longer."
LadyDarla asks, "Into the tavern, perhaps?"
MotherWestWind says, "this look sorta religious to me"
GM says, "(guards tromp tromp)"
[rpg] Roberts says, "I cannot type fast enough for this game, I think."
ShanksWilson says (to LadyDarla), "No, that's the Rusty Maiden. The Lusty Mermaid is entirely different, much more upmarket."
ShanksWilson says, "Er... that one next door, see."
LadyDarla says, "Ah, I see"
KitLeeds says (to GM), "if the guards show up, I hide behind Roberts."
LadyDarla slips into the Lusty Mermaid
[rpg] Roberts says, "Or rather, I can't think of cool multi-part stuff before the plot has already started to move forward."
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I assume this has, like, a primitive version of the Starbucks sign"
[rpg] GM says, "well, hang on a sec"
MotherWestWind also hobbles into the other, unbrawled tavern.
ShanksWilson ushers everyone in, browbeats a few lowlives out of his favourite table at the Mermaid.
[rpg] KitLeeds says (to Darla), "yay"
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, "Ye Olde T-Mobile Hotte Spotte"
[rpg] GM says, "the multi-part stuff, and skill rolls in general, are not super-useful outside of formal conflicts"
[rpg] GM says, "(in this system)"
ShanksWilson says, "So that'll be... five pints of Foamy Ruin, I think."
ShanksWilson asks, "What'll the rest of ye be drinking?"
[rpg] KitLeeds says (to ShanksWilson), "damn you, timing"
[rpg] GM says, "if there's a time limit or NPC opposition we can roll -- otherwise there's not really a need for it unless it'd be interesting"
MotherWestWind says, "a pint of rum. with an umbrella. and maybe a saucer o' grog for Charles."
Roberts says, "I've seen this symbol in several books. It represents a group who used to perform heinous acts of barbarism in the name of their reptilian god."
KitLeeds says, "Ey, Professor, there's drinking to be done!"
KitLeeds sneaks one of Shanks's pints away while he's not looking.
GM says, "Kit turns her face away discreetly as some guards poke their heads into thetavern, inquire if anyone saw anything, then leave again after the patrons shrug their shoulders"
Roberts shakes his head. "I'm sorry. It reminded me too much of the nightmares I've had. Perhaps a drink would be the best thing."
MotherWestWind grins very widely and cheerfully at the barman as he serves her, so that he forgets to ask for actual money.
ShanksWilson returns in a surprisingly short time with eight or ten flagons of varying sizes cradled in his fake hand (the reason for its large size and unusual positioning now explained).
Roberts says, "To take my mind off of it."
MotherWestWind says, "Hey, nothing wrong with reptile gods"
GM says, "The bartender scratches his head after Mother West Wind leaves, trying to remember whose tab she was on"
MotherWestWind says, "or acts of barbarism, either"
MotherWestWind says, "as long as they're done right"
ShanksWilson asks (of MotherWestWind), "Hey, why do you always get table service here?"
LadyDarla says, "I do not recollect Hartwood having any special interest in ancient religions."
ShanksWilson says, "The Lusty Mermaid don't even have waiters!"
MotherWestWind says (to ShanksWilson), "I have my ways"
LadyDarla says (to ShanksWilson), "It's amazing how much a footman's jacket can improve a monkey."
ShanksWilson screws on his tankard attachment.
KitLeeds raises an eyebrow at Shanks. "Now I've seen everything."
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, "yay"
MotherWestWind says, "So, now then, let's see"
KitLeeds says, "Violence, check. Mysterious notes, check. Booze, check. I think we've got everything!"
Roberts says (to ShanksWilson), "How do you remove that when it's not empt-- no, sorry, foolish question."
LadyDarla sips politely at a drink so complicated that no one else quite understood her instructions to the bartender.
MotherWestWind points at Lady Darla. "Ye've got some silly young fool of a cap'n all angry at yer, right? But you say you don't think he's the type ter be involved with religious types?'
LadyDarla says, "I would not have imagined Hartwood troubles himself with deities of any kind, no."
MotherWestWind asks, "so, it's a religious group that hires itself out to anyone, maybe?"
ShanksWilson asks, "A captain, is it? What vessel?"
LadyDarla says, "He is something of an organizer to the criminal element, actually."
LadyDarla says, "Hartwood Nash."
Roberts says, "From what I know, no one has been involved with this group for hundreds of years."
[rpg] ShanksWilson asks (of GM), "Would I know what Hartwood's ship is called?"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Assuming he's a naval captain."
Roberts says, "If the cult has survived to this day, then it is by *not* being obvious about who is involved."
MotherWestWind asks (of Roberts), "aside from the dozen or so that were trying to shoot us not ten minutes ago, you mean?"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I assumed he was just a landbased ruffian"
[rpg] GM says, "well, this is pirate city, so I figure he probably owns some ships, yeah"
Roberts says (to MotherWestWind), "Aside from them, yes."
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "oops, did I make that up? oh well."
[rpg] GM says, "for smuggling or trading or pirating or something"
LadyDarla says, "I can imagine Hartwood being interested in something that gave him power over others, even if he didn't believe in it himself."
[rpg] GM says, "I am totally happy for you to make up stuff"
LadyDarla squints again at the amulet
[rpg] GM says (to Shanks), "anyway, so yeah, go for it"
KitLeeds pulls out the other paper and slides it over to Roberts. "Know any of these folks?"
ShanksWilson says, "I think Hartwood may be the fellow that owns the Phoebe and the Andromeda."
LadyDarla glances over Roberts for good measure.
ShanksWilson says, "Right pair of sag-bellied sloops they are."
[Crows-Nest] MotherWestWind says (to LadyDarla), "you shameless strumpet, you"
LadyDarla asks, "Whereabout have they been sailing?"
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla exclaims, "my character sheet says I have to!"
GM says (to Kit), "actually on a second look, you *do* recognize some of them -- there are a couple prominent antiquity dealers there whose shops you've cased before"
Roberts says (to Darla), "There is very little social advantage to being associated with this cult: they were generally ostracised and reviled even during their peak."
ShanksWilson says, "Well, I wouldn't call it sailing, more slack-witted tacking and scraping their arses on reefs the whole way."
GM says, "(and Roberts recognizes more of the names)"
Roberts says, "The only 'power' involved was in the form of dark magics fueled by unholy artifacts and blood sacrifice."
ShanksWilson says, "But if you mean what direction have they been travelling in, hmm..."
LadyDarla says (to Roberts), "You seem remarkably well-versed in this matter."
Roberts coughs. "According to legend, that is."
MotherWestWind says (to Robert), "ah, hmm. Interesting."
ShanksWilson says, "I haven't the foggiest. Maybe after a few more drinks."
KitLeeds says, "Hmm, that was where I found that locket... Interesting."
LadyDarla says, "Perhaps it would be wise to visit one or two of these shops."
MotherWestWind says, "'course, lots of folks wouldn't mind bein' ostracised fer some dark magic power."
KitLeeds says, "Can't! A couple of them have burned down since, or so the rumor on the street gows."
Roberts says (to Darla), "I researched them thoroughly several years ago, after my discovery of a sacrificial knife bearing the same symbol as this locket."
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "goes, dammit."
MotherWestWind says, "if'n they was foolish enough to think that blood sacrifice and unholy artifacts was the easiest way to attain same, anyways"
LadyDarla asks (of Roberts), "Indeed! Do you suppose you might have unintentionally aroused their interest?"
Roberts says, "Which I eventually sold to..." He points at the paper. "This man here. Derek Harris.""
Roberts says (to Darla), "Until tonight, I had not realized there even *was* a 'they' whose interest might be aroused."
MotherWestWind asks, "think he's the type to be into blood sacrifice with unholy, knife-like artifacts?"
LadyDarla smiles in a just-slightly-salacious way at this remark, and then sips more drink.
ShanksWilson asks, "What, you mean Derek 'goat's blood' Harris?"
[Crows-Nest] MotherWestWind says, "ha ha ha ha ha"
KitLeeds asks, "Why do you call him that?"
ShanksWilson asks, "One eye, bit of a squint, left-handed?"
Roberts asks, "You know him?"
LadyDarla says, "For myself, I am interested first in informing Hartwood that his further advances are undesirable, and second in discovering what can be done about these folk."
Roberts says, "The very same."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hee hee"
LadyDarla says, "Some dark magic power if you can't get your other hand back."
LadyDarla says, "or eye."
ShanksWilson says, "Wow, I haven't crossed cutlasses with that cove for many a year."
LadyDarla says, "er, meaning no disrespect"
LadyDarla glances at the tankard-hand
MotherWestWind says (to LadyDarla), "From a personal view, I'm sort of keen on stopppin' folks messing about with dark forces they don't understand"
LadyDarla says (to MotherWestWind), "some things are best left to experts"
LadyDarla says, "I understand entirely."
ShanksWilson says, "Well, not that we crossed cutlasses exactly last time, but he did help a bunch of us escape from prison using only a bucket, a goat, six clean sheets and a toothpick."
MotherWestWind says, "right. Dark forces is fine if you know what you're doing."
ShanksWilson says, "We'd dressed the goat up in pirate gear, see, and they'd chucked it in along with us."
MotherWestWind says (to ShanksWilson), "feh, who needs a bucket."
LadyDarla asks (of ShanksWilson), "And, er, what role did the dark forces play in this escape?"
ShanksWilson says (to LadyDarla), "Well, he made us swear never to tell a soul what transpired that night."
ShanksWilson says, "Also none of us actually saw a thing because, you know, it was night."
ShanksWilson says, "But I will tell you this: *we never saw that goat again*."
KitLeeds laughs.
LadyDarla says, "so more 'forces of darkness' than 'dark forces'"
[rpg] GM asks, "ok, I'd like to cut ahead here -- do you want to go somewhere to try to find Nash, or go to Harris's shop, or go somewhere else?"
LadyDarla says, "I see."
MotherWestWind mutters something about amateurs, and gulps down some rum.
[rpg] Roberts says, ">TURN TO PAGE SEVENTY-THREE"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I'd be up for beating the crap out of Nash, then searching his place for clues about the religion"
[rpg] Roberts says, "Yeah, sounds good to me."
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "yeah, that works"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Sure."
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "I'm game."
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I can say 'crap' here because it is OOC"
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"
MotherWestWind says, "well, seems like your man Nash might be able to point us towards more information."
LadyDarla stands.
LadyDarla says, "I believe I'm off to visit him now."
[rpg] GM says, "ok, he's got a gambling den/bar place in a somewhat more upscale section of the city you could head to"
LadyDarla says, "Your company would be more than welcome, if you wish, and then I would assist with the other matter as well."
MotherWestWind says, "then I think I'll be comin' with you"
ShanksWilson asks, "Rich, is he, this Nash chap?"
KitLeeds liberates another pint from Shanks and stands up also. "Well, let's get going!"
LadyDarla says, "Very rich."
Roberts asks, "Would you mind if I joined you?"
LadyDarla says, "Large quantities of tasteless gold lying about."
LadyDarla says, "Please feel free."
ShanksWilson says (to Kit), "Hey, give us my hand back!"
MotherWestWind downs the rest of her rum.
KitLeeds says, "Oh, all right."
LadyDarla heads off to the gambling den, tidying her clothing to make herself look a bit less like she's just been in a tussle
MotherWestWind bends down to scoop the comatose grog-addled Charles from the floor before leaving.
GM says, "You guys find yourself a stagecoach or something and head over there"
Roberts leaves his pint on the table, still half-ful.
KitLeeds hides in every shadow along the way.
GM says, "it's fairly late at night, but the place is understandably still full"
ShanksWilson asks (of Roberts), "Are you feeling okay, matey?"
MotherWestWind says, "classy place"
GM says, "Guys are playing vingt-et-un, blackjack, and spanish hold 'em"
MotherWestWind says, "bet they even put bits of fruit in their drinks here"
ShanksWilson screws on his card holder.
Roberts says (to Wilson), "The idea of these cultists still being alive and active in this modern age has put me a bit off, I admit."
LadyDarla glances around for Nash.
GM says, "Not to mention a roulette wheel or two"
GM says, "Nash is talking to the bartender, his enormous moustache wobbling as he gestures"
MotherWestWind eyes the blackjack tables wistfully
KitLeeds looks for someone to scam.
GM says, "he is wearing an extremely tasteless suit"
LadyDarla slips up to Nash. "Hartwood. I received your love note."
LadyDarla says, "I thought perhaps we should speak.""
LadyDarla lowers eyes demurely.
GM says, "His face purples. "Why, how'd you -- I mean -- what are you --""
GM says, "He swallows. "How nice to see you!""
ShanksWilson mutters (to Mother West Wind), "God's blood, he must be rich to afford a moustache like that."
KitLeeds asks (of GM), "hey, is there a game here I can run a system on in this short of time?"
LadyDarla glances up through lashes. "You did want to see me, didn't you? That's what the gentlemen said."
MotherWestWind elbows her way up to the bar near Nash, and eavesdrops shamelessly.
[rpg] GM says (to KitLeeds), "do 'roll 5'"
[rpg] KitLeeds rolls 5 dice for the highest: 6 5 3 3 5 | 6
LadyDarla says, "That you missed me terribly, and I thought perhaps I had been a little unkind at our last parting."
Roberts stays with Darla.
[rpg] GM says, "ok, a 6 is your high die, so that means you can narrate something good happening and take a free die for use later"
LadyDarla lowers eyelashes.
LadyDarla's hand rests, where it cannot be seen, on her sword-hilt
KitLeeds cheats the house scandalously, winning a good deal of coin, and two fancy jackets.
GM says, "Nash looks frantically from side to side, gesturing with one hand for the guards to come over"
LadyDarla sighs faintly and steps backward.
LadyDarla asks, "So it was not a reunion you desired, then?"
GM says, ""Now, er, I don't want any trouble," Nash says"
Roberts asks, "Interesting guards you keep. Where do you hire your men?"
MotherWestWind casually takes hold of a couple of empty rum bottles left on the bar.
KitLeeds gets up from the table, and peeks at the guards over Roberts' shoulder.
LadyDarla says (to Nash), "If you don't want trouble, it's best not to send trouble an engraved invitation with gilt edging on scented papers."
GM says, ""Oh, er, here and there. Mostly anyone who's looking for a job and can carry himself in a fight""
GM says, "Nash laughs nervously, glancing around at the fancy surroundings. "That's quite a good way of putting it.""
LadyDarla draws her blade in a flash / presses it to Nash's throat / orders the guards to back off if they don't want to find themselves unemployed by reason of a sudden death / and says, "I would like to speak with you in private."
ShanksWilson says, "Yeah, we're here to put the arrrr into RSVP."
[rpg] LadyDarla rolls 4 dice, target 5: 5 1 1 2 | 4
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "er, sorry"
[rpg] GM says (to Roberts), "the guards here are clearly a better class of folks than the ones down at the docks"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "meant to divide that 2/2"
[rpg] GM says (to Shanks), "hee hee"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "roll 2 vs 5"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "dammit"
[rpg] LadyDarla rolls 2 dice, target 5: 3 2 | 2
[rpg] GM says, "don't worry about it yet"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "oh"
[rpg] GM says, "(but we'll hang onto those dice)"
GM says, "Nash coughs nervously, and says "er, perhaps we could step into the back room, then""
LadyDarla says, "That's very kind of you."
ShanksWilson asks, "Hang on, is this a gambling den or a brothel?"
GM says, "The other patrons look on with interest, as Nash gestures to the band to play louder."
MotherWestWind asks (of LadyDarla), "you need any help in there?"
ShanksWilson coughs.
MotherWestWind asks, "or should we stay in here and wait for him to stop screaming?"
LadyDarla says, "If you would like to join me, you're welcome."
LadyDarla says, "Nash always did enjoy a *large* party."
KitLeeds says, "I gotta see me this."
Roberts stays at Darla's side.
ShanksWilson says, "Perhaps I'd best stay out here and keep an eye out for trouble."
[rpg] Roberts says, "A large neon sign points toward the back room. It reads 'Plot: This Way'."
MotherWestWind says (to ShanksWilson), "naw, best not to split up"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
ShanksWilson says, "I'll be right here at the bar if ye needs me."
[rpg] GM says, "I'm not exactly sure where Darla is going with this, but I am sure there will be some plot there"
MotherWestWind grabs Shanks by the collar, and tows him through into the back room.
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
LadyDarla waits until they are all in the back room who are coming, maintaining a close contact between her blade and the softest point of Hartwood's throat.
KitLeeds follows everyone, grinning widely.
ShanksWilson curses half-heartedly, but follows and hands Mother a bottle of something.
LadyDarla says, "So, Hartwood, I can understand how your blood went, as usual, somewhere other than your brain and gave you foolish ideas about revenge."
GM says, "He gulps"
MotherWestWind thumbs the bottle open one-handedly, sniffs it absently, and recorks it hastily.
LadyDarla gives a faint, contemptuous glance to the crotch of Hartwood's ugly suit.
MotherWestWind says, "not all of us can drink triple-distiled gin neat"
KitLeeds says, "I can! I think."
GM says, "Nash's office has a little bar against the wall"
KitLeeds reaches for the bottle.
ShanksWilson asks, "Hmm, I picked up some kind of fizzy kiddy grog. Swap?"
LadyDarla asks, "What I find very interesting is the particular collection of thugs and bandits you assumbled for the purpose. Did they come to you, or did you find them?"
MotherWestWind says, "I think I'll just pocket this for later"
MotherWestWind says, "you know, in case we get cold"
LadyDarla asks, "and did they know one another in advance?"
[rpg] Roberts says, "(He could ask you the same thing, of course.)"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I'm the one with the sword"
ShanksWilson hands the fizzy grog-pop to Kit.
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"
KitLeeds frowns, but chugs it anyway, and flushes.
GM says, ""er --" Nash says. "Johnson has some, er, connections down at the docks, he does most of the arrangements for these little deals of mine""
LadyDarla says, "Ah, Johnson."
GM says, ""I believe he has some regulars he uses""
LadyDarla nods thoughtfully. "I see. Regulars. And you never heard anything out of the ordinary about these regulars?"
GM says, ""Er, they've always been very satisfactory before ..""
ShanksWilson asks, "Is this Crooked Johnson or Johnny 'fatlegs' Johnson? Or some other Johnson?"
GM says, "Nash starts to nod, then bumps his chin on the tip of Darla's sword. "Crooked Johnson, just the one. He's always been the man for the job.""
MotherWestWind asks, "didn't fatlegs die last June, anyway?"
LadyDarla says, "Let me explain to you what has happened, Hartwood, and then perhaps you will in the future keep your activities confined a bit more to the realm of what you can handle. In order to dispatch me -- unnecessary and entirely foolish -- you allowed Johnson, whom you apparently don't know as well as you think, to assemble you a group of bandits. Who are, apparently, in league with dark powers, and very likely working out a plot of their own. I would not be in the least surprised if their ultimate intention was to remove you from command of your own holdings."
ShanksWilson says, "Oh, that's right. Fell into quicksand and couldn't walk out."
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "whoa, that was longer than it seemed while I typed, sorry"
GM says, "Nash looks shocked. "That's -- that's impossible!" he sputters."
KitLeeds says, "Not that you're in command in the first place."
ShanksWilson says (to Nash), "Oh, come on, you must have seen quicksand before."
Roberts says, "If that's impossible, then the alternative is that you are the one in league with dark powers."
Roberts says, "By a simple process of elimination. Which Lady Darla may be about to use herself in a moment."
LadyDarla says, "Did you never notice any of these men perhaps smelling of strange incenses, arriving covered in dark blood or bile that didn't seem human, muttering incantations, or professing an unhealthy desire for the company of goats? Think carefully."
[rpg] KitLeeds says (to Roberts), "yay"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "excellent"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Hee hee."
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"
ShanksWilson asks, "Or do anything really tricksy and clever with six clean sheets, like breaking out of prison?"
LadyDarla gestures to the others that they might want to start searching Nash's back room to see whether he has any more interesting ornamental snake doodads.
GM says, "Nash looks around confused. "I -- er -- think I would remember any of that if I'd seen it""
MotherWestWind starts rummaging through the desk, and bats away Kit's sneaky thiefhands
KitLeeds looks outraged, but manages to pocket some shiny trinkets anyway.
Roberts checks the shelves for any incriminating texts or knick-knacks.
ShanksWilson says, "You know, you smell a bit like a goat yourself."
LadyDarla nods. "I suppose we'll have to see for ourselves, then."
ShanksWilson says, "It's not polite to sweat so much when a nice lady's holding a sword to your throat."
GM says, "You start searching Nash's office and back rooms, but don't find anything too out of the ordinary, beyond the usual marked dice and gold and stuff"
KitLeeds pockets some of the dice too!
LadyDarla says, "Then perhaps Johnson is the one to speak with on this matter."
GM says, "Suddenly, there are shouts and crashes from the front room"
ShanksWilson says, "Dammit, I knew somebody should have been keeping an eye on the bar."
MotherWestWind also lets a few knickknacks fall into her own pockets.
LadyDarla says, "Out the window"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned on the Plot sign."
LadyDarla nods toward the back window
LadyDarla says, "I'll deal with Nash"
ShanksWilson says, "Hmm, that seems wise."
Roberts nods.
KitLeeds clambers out the window and looks around for inconvenient people.
MotherWestWind breaks the window with a handy chair.
LadyDarla does this by kneeing him quite hard, then stripping off his belt to bind his hands
[rpg] Roberts asks, "Which story are we on?"
[rpg] GM says, "got me"
[rpg] Roberts says, "I mean, which floor."
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I think we want to avoid meeting these people and -- oh"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "ground, I was assuming"
ShanksWilson quickly attaches a screwdriver to his stump, and removes the minibar from the wall.
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I assumed ground"
[rpg] GM says, "oh, yeah, ground floor"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "ha ha"
[rpg] KitLeeds says (to Shanks), "my"
[rpg] GM says, "in the sense that I don't care, and it would be sad if you fell to your death"
ShanksWilson says (to MotherWestWind), "Quick, you get the gold!"
[rpg] Roberts says, "OK. Just wondering how exciting 'climbing out the window' would be."
Roberts climbs out, but waits by the window for Darla, in case anything happens.
LadyDarla hits Nash on the head just for good measure.
LadyDarla says, "Don't try this again," she remarks, just before he passes out."
LadyDarla climbs out window.
MotherWestWind stuffs a good few handfuls of gold into her pockets, irects Charles to grab a few bagfuls, and hoists herself over the windowledge
ShanksWilson follows, clutching the bar.
[rpg] GM says, "I guess it'd be cool if you had to climb down, but no biggie"
GM says, "Nash kicks ineffectually, and then goes limp"
LadyDarla says, "That won't hold him long, but I don't want him being able to sound the pursuit too immediately."
KitLeeds checks her pockets to see if she still has the pistol she liberated from the pirate earlier.
MotherWestWind says (to LadyDarla), "you could have made him drink this triple-distilled gin to knock him out, o' course"
KitLeeds says, "That'd be a waste of good drink!"
MotherWestWind says, "but hey, I guess I'll hang onto it some more"
LadyDarla says (to MotherWestWind), "alas, a bit of finesse that did not occur to me"
KitLeeds hands the pistol to Shanks. "Here, figure out something fun to do with this."
GM says, "you're on a back street behind Nash's place -- the fighting and crashing in the front room is still going on"
LadyDarla says, "I suggest we move with some speed away from this area and towards Johnson, if anyone knows his likely whereabouts."
MotherWestWind asks, "which way to this other man, then?"
LadyDarla says, "The faster we do this business, the less time they will have to warn one another."
MotherWestWind says, "possibly we might want to stop off at a fence on the way off to, uh, convert these acquisitions"
ShanksWilson says, "Last I heard, Johnson had a place round the back of Pauncey's Thoroughfare."
Roberts says (to Darla), "I agree. If the men who ran away earlier returned to their leader, then he may already guess that we're coming."
LadyDarla says, "Quite so."
ShanksWilson says, "Let's see, yonder down Kipper Street should bring us right there."
[rpg] GM says, "this is named just like london streets"
LadyDarla heads in direction Shanks points out
GM says, "Johnson has a small but snug place"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "I was just complaining the same thing"
KitLeeds lets Shanks lead the way.
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I decided that comments about the number of brothels on Pauncey's Thoroughfare would be out of character"
Roberts asks, "Do we confront him, or use subtlety?"
ShanksWilson asks, "What's that?"
LadyDarla says, "Hm."
Roberts asks, "Perhaps feign interest in hiring our own mob?"
MotherWestWind fiddles with the door, and it swings open.
LadyDarla says, "I suppose we could try saying we wish to -- exactly."
LadyDarla says, "Though we may seem an odd assortment of customers for this desire."
MotherWestWind asks, "how about we get out of the street before we decide?"
ShanksWilson says, "Let's just say we're looking for a crew."
LadyDarla listens to what Mother tells her.
GM says, "You can hear loud snoring when you open the door"
ShanksWilson says, "Which, in sheer point of fact, I am."
MotherWestWind says, "I think he's either asleep or has a very expensive and bored parrot"
KitLeeds peeks in the door.
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "hi there, we seek to hire some general pirates and brigands, and we like long walks on the beach and goat blood"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "also serpent-gods"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "also a lot of alcohol"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "man, Shanks is still carrying a bar"
ShanksWilson strides in boldly.
[rpg] GM says, "it's a mini-bar"
GM says, "Johnson is asleep in his bed"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "If we get into a fight, this'll make an awesome molotov cocktail."
KitLeeds takes the time to strip the room of anything valuable.
GM says, "you also have to steal a pillowcase"
GM says, "which is tricky without waking him up, but you manage"
KitLeeds wrinkles her nose at the pillowcase, but puts the loot in it anyhow.
MotherWestWind fishes some string out of an inner pocket, and gently ties Johnson down firmly.
MotherWestWind says, "*now* we wake him up."
KitLeeds suggests that Charles have that honour.
ShanksWilson asks, "Wait, are we just robbing him blind, or do we have a plan here?"
MotherWestWind sends Charles in to bonce up and down on Johnson's head until he wakes.
KitLeeds asks, "What's wrong with robbing him blind?"
MotherWestWind says (to Johnson), "WAKEY WAKEY"
LadyDarla says, "I thought Shanks was going to claim he wanted a crew"
LadyDarla says, "but we seem to have gone a different direction"
KitLeeds says, "Trust me, he won't notice."
ShanksWilson says, "Well I wasn't planning on sneakin' into Crooked Johnson's house and waking him up in the middle of the night."
GM says, ""Gah!" Johnson says, trying to sit bolt upright, then discovering he's tied down"
ShanksWilson says, "I was sort of just going to get drunk then hang around the docks and holler a bit."
MotherWestWind says, "it seemed like he'd notice all the missin' stuff if we jus' *woke* him."
KitLeeds says (to Shanks), "You'd do that anyway."
ShanksWilson asks, "Well, that's why I'm the captain, see?"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I assume in the extensive robbery of all his worldly possessions we did not find any more snake-themed artifacts"
GM says, "Johnson eyes you all nervously"
[rpg] Roberts says, "I love how everyone's standing around arguing and ignoring the man with a monkey jumping on his head."
MotherWestWind asks (of Johnson), "so. anything you feel like telling us about reptile gods?"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, so far you have found no snake-like stuff"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "bwahaha"
GM says, ""Hunh wha?""
Roberts takes a look around the room for any tell-tale signs of cult activity.
MotherWestWind says, "goat sacrifice? blood rituals." She waves her hands vaguely. "Dark forces from beyond the veil."
MotherWestWind says, "or, you know, people you know who might be inter that sort of thing."
ShanksWilson says, "Like Mother West Wind here, she's into that sort of thing. Sometimes."
[rpg] Roberts asks, "Hey, was Johnson's name on the list?"
ShanksWilson says, "I mean she don't usually tie people up and terrify them like this."
MotherWestWind asks (of ShanksWilson), "now, what have I told you about giving folks the wrong idea about me?"
Stacey arrives, looking for booty.
[rpg] KitLeeds says (to Stacey), "arr"
[rpg] Gunther says, "Arr"
GM says, "You interrogate Johnson and search his place, and decide that 1) he doesn't know anything about a cult himself 2) he hires people by passing the word at the docks that he's looking for people to do a little rough stuff 3) he's mostly worked with these people before, but a few of the guys are new each time, and by describing the guy with the note, he was one of the new ones who just showed up"
[rpg] Stacey exclaims, "arrrrrpg!"
[Crows-Nest] (from Roberts) MotheerWestWind says, "it's not true at all. I DO usually tie people up and terrify them."
[rpg] GM says (to Roberts), "nuh-uh -- it was all antiquity dealers and rich guys and stuff"
MotherWestWind says, "if'n you keep telling people I do dark magics then I'm gonna have ter sew your tongue to your nose until you learn better."
ShanksWilson says, "Aw, not again."
MotherWestWind says, "have to be cruel to be.. well, cruel."
Roberts asks (of Johnson), "So where'd you meet this one?"
[rpg] Stacey says (to Kit), "I had fun being Kit yesterday; wanted to come see what you did with her."
[rpg] GM says, "this Kit is doing better financially"
[rpg] GM says, "at least so far"
[rpg] KitLeeds says (to Stacey), "I'm robbing everyone blind."
ShanksWilson puts down the mini-bar.
[rpg] Stacey says, "I hardly got a chance to rob anyone"
ShanksWilson says, "Them little bottles doesn't hold much."
GM says, "This guy came recommended by Edwards, who's somebody who works for Nash"
GM says, "Johnson doesn't know where Edwards lives, but he can tell you where he'll be tomorrow"
Roberts says, "If he works for Nash, then perhaps Nash will know where he lives."
ShanksWilson asks, "Where'll he be tomorrow?"
LadyDarla coughs faintly.
GM says, "at work at Nash's shipping outfit down at the docks"
LadyDarla says, "I believe it would be unwise to visit Nash again for a bit."
LadyDarla says, "He may not feel inclined to receive guests."
[rpg] GM says, "(mostly I am just thinking it is getting weird to keep hassling people in the middle of the night)"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "(I assumed that pretty much everything goes on in the middle of hte night in a disreputable pirate town)"
ShanksWilson says, "I haven't heard of this Edwards cove before, but he sounds like a rough, underhand, villainous, dastardly no-good blackguard of a fellow."
ShanksWilson says, "I mean, if he lives in Pirate City."
[rpg] GM says, "well yeah, but you're in the nicer bit"
[rpg] GM says, "which supports guys like Nash"
MotherWestWind asks, "well, how 'bout we all repair to our respective lodgings for the rest of the night, if there's nothin' more we can do until tomorrow?"
MotherWestWind says, "give us a chance to stash our booty, and so on"
MotherWestWind says, "I mean, get some sleep"
KitLeeds asks, "You mean 'drink', right?"
LadyDarla glances curiously at Roberts at the phrase "stash booty", but then looks away.
[Crows-Nest] MotherWestWind says, "yikes"
LadyDarla says, "That sounds wise."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, "I believe Darla is likely not to try to pick up a member of her own crew for real"
Roberts says, "I suppose I do have some reading to do."
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, "only leads to complications"
ShanksWilson says, "Well, since I still haven't found a new crew, ye're all welcome to bunk down in my ship for the night, if ye don't have anywhere else."
LadyDarla says, "That sounds wise. Someone may be looking for me."
[Crows-Nest] Roberts says, "But if she were, I do have the distinct advantages of A) being male, and B) having two hands."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "hee hee"
KitLeeds asks, "Let me get my things and I'll be there. What was the name of your ship again?"
ShanksWilson leads everyone to a delightful little ship, neatly labelled FELICITY - CAPT JONATHAN PEABODY
[Crows-Nest] Roberts says, "Of course, if she knew what *other* attachments Shanks had hidden away, the advantage might shift the other way."
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "hahaha"
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, "yikes"
KitLeeds asks, "So, uh, what happened to Captain Peabody?"
ShanksWilson says, "Jonny 'nosebreak' Peabody may be a capital brawler, but he can't play bridge for toffee. Won this little lady after six hands."
ShanksWilson says, "Er, I mean, blackjack."
KitLeeds says, "I see."
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "man, I am going to turn out to be your bridge partner"
ShanksWilson says, "As soon as I find a crew, the first thing I'll get the lazy buggers to do is paint the ship."
GM says, "ok, skipping ahead to the next morning, you get up and have a hearty breakfast and then start looking for Edwards"
KitLeeds picks a few pockets while looking around for Edwards.
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, "I take a spoon / fill my bowl / and eat the cheerios"
Roberts makes a note not to agree to join Wilson's crew.
Roberts exclaims, "That's her!"
MotherWestWind takes a seat on some convenient bales of tobacco, and watches the passing crowds.
ShanksWilson asks (of Roberts), "Hey, you're a booksy man, you'll be good with names -- I was thinking of calling my ship THE BLACK MAMBA or maybe THE HOODED COBRA. What do you think?"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
Roberts asks (of Shanks), "Yes, fine, whatever-- did you see that coach go by?"
[rpg] Roberts says, "Fortuantely, I have other things on my mind."
KitLeeds asks, "Where?"
MotherWestWind chats casually to some dockworkers as they try to convince her not to sit on their stock, and gets someone to point out exactly where Edwards is.
GM says, "Another driver pulls up his coach and hops off to head into a tavern"
Roberts says, "The green one, it just went down this street. I know that woman who was inside it -- and I think she's in trouble."
Roberts says, "Perfect timing."
KitLeeds says, "Well, come on, I think I can drive this thing."
ShanksWilson says, "In the family way, eh? You dirty dog."
Roberts jumps on board. "Follow that coach!"
LadyDarla slips into the coach.
[Crows-Nest] MotherWestWind says, "Shanks is too clean-mouthed for a pirate captain"
[Crows-Nest] ShanksWilson says, "Well, it's the morning, he's almost sober."
KitLeeds hops into the seat and tries to make the horses go. 'Avast ye, glue-horses!'
MotherWestWind hefts herslf into the coach.
ShanksWilson hangs onto the side.
GM says, "You guys race down the street after the other coach, scattering pedestrians everywhere"
KitLeeds narrowly escapes crashing into a building, but makes the corners well enough.
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "man, we're all about the random taking of other people's possessions"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "It's what I do best"
[rpg] Roberts says, "Almost like pirates."
GM says, "As is practically required in these situations, once you get close, men in black hood lean out of the other coach and start shooting at you"
KitLeeds ducks low and urges the horses faster.
Roberts exclaims (at Kit), "See! I told you!"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "jewellery? MINE. bar? MINE. coach and horses? MINE TOO."
LadyDarla ducks down
ShanksWilson says, "Avast, snakey cultists! And they've got shooters!"
GM says, "ok, so this is going to be run as another conflict"
Roberts doesn't actually duck, but does sway from side to side while leaning forward.
[Crows-Nest] KitLeeds says (to Shanks), "don't forget, I gave you a pistol last night!"
GM says, "you need to get to 25 in 3 rounds to catch them"
[rpg] Roberts asks, "25 offensive or defensive?"
[rpg] MotherWestWind asks, "so we're narrating actions that will speed us up?"
[rpg] GM says, "offensive, right"
[rpg] GM says (to Mother), "or getting rid of cultists in the other coach"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "or ones that will.. okay"
[rpg] Roberts asks, "Will we be taking regular damage like before?"
LadyDarla swings open the near door / bangs it into the other coach / shouts to Kit to keep the speed even / and leaps onto the back of the other coach.
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "man, if so I'm totally doomed"
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, "(I'm taking this as "graceful", if that's okay)"
GM says, "you need to get one defense success per round to avoid damage from the pistols or low-hanging beams, and people need an additional two to keep the coach stable"
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, "er, ilac"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "(what I said on #crows-nest)"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "2 defense and 2 offense"
[rpg] LadyDarla rolls 2 dice, target 4: 3 6 | 1
[rpg] LadyDarla rolls 2 dice, target 4: 5 4 | 1
GM says, "(and if people would rather leap onto the other coach or onto the rooftops and run along or something, that is ok by me)"
[rpg] GM asks (of Kit), "you next?"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "currently wondering if coach-driving would legitimately fall under my rogueishness"
[rpg] GM says, "sure, what the hell, it's a stolen coach"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "it is only in the universe of a pirate movie that you could run along rooftops and thus keep up with speeding horses"
[rpg] GM says, "totally"
Roberts says, "The adherents of this religion are notoriously superstitious." / He leans forward off the front end of the coach / and shouts a curse involving hailstorms / and rapid mongeese.
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "ha ha ha ha ha ha"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "ha ha ha"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "yay"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "now roll so I can go"
[rpg] LadyDarla exclaims, "I did!"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "no, Roberts"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "oh"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "or, uh, I could just go."
[rpg] GM says, "go for it"
KitLeeds loosens two knives from her belt / speeds the coach up slightly / hurls the knives at the most obvious cultist / and shouts 'Hey! That's dangerous what you're doing!' at them.
[rpg] GM says, "he'll catch up when he reconnects"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "two offensive, two defensive"
[rpg] KitLeeds rolls 2 dice, target 5: 5 1 | 2
[rpg] KitLeeds rolls 2 dice, target 5: 4 2 | 2
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "oh, I didn't notice he'd dropped."
[rpg] GM says, "there wasn't a message, but that's usually the deal"
[rpg] GM asks (of Mother,Shanks), "you?"
[rpg] Roberts rolls 3 dice, target 4: 3 6 5 | 1
[rpg] GM says, "(also, you guy's karma is back to 3)"
[rpg] Roberts rolls 1 die, target 4: 5 | 0
MotherWestWind begins chanting in tongues animals will comprehend / making entreaties to the horses to speed up / and not make the coach sway too much / lest she be forced to send charles to inflict pain on their nether regions
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "excellent"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "from painful experience I have learned nothing and am again doing 2/2"
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 2 dice, target 4: 2 3 | 2
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 2 dice, target 4: 4 6 | 1
[rpg] Roberts says, "(Sorry for stepping on toes: I typed this before the GM called initiative, but I'm so lagged it took this long to come through.)"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "it's okay"
[rpg] GM says, "by my count Shanks needs one extra defense success (total 2) or the coach will tip over"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "I thought I got an extra and Darla got an extra"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "but maybe hers didn't count"
ShanksWilson climbs onto the top of the coach, unleashing a torrent of piratey abuse at the cultists / as bullets puncture his hat. / 'Arrr, ye filthy motherfumbling bilge rats! Come here and I'll slice yer rotten gizzards!' / Clutching his cutlass in his teeth, he leaps onto the other coach, just barely managing to hang on for dear drunken life.
[rpg] GM says, "(or I guess he could lose a point of karma and not have the coach tip if he only gets 1 success)"
[rpg] GM says, "she didn't get an extra, I don't think"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "no, she didn't"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "ah, okay"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "I got one offense and one defense"
[rpg] ShanksWilson asks, "So I need two successes?"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, ideally"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "3 defensive insults, then, and one attack."
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "If they're firing at me they're not firing at our horses!"
[rpg] ShanksWilson rolls 3 dice, target 4: 5 6 1 | 1
[rpg] GM says, "that's the spirit"
[rpg] ShanksWilson rolls 1 die, target 4: 5 | 0
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha oops"
[rpg] GM asks, "do you want to lose a point of karma, or let the coach tip?"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Oh I'll lose the karma."
[rpg] GM says, "okey doke"
GM says, "ok, they're at 19 after one round -- you have two rounds to get them or they'll get away"
GM says, "and, oh man, there's a big pile of baskets of fruit sitting in the middle of the road"
GM exclaims, "the lead coach crashes into them, sending fruit everywhere!"
LadyDarla says, "mmmm frrruuit"
GM says, "meanwhile, a cultist climbs out onto the roof of the coach to administer a biff to Shanks"
ShanksWilson says, "Argh! Swine!"
[rpg] GM says (to Darla), "you up"
[rpg] GM asks, "?"
GM says, "also, I feel obliged to mention there is a low-hanging pedestrian walkway above the road coming up"
LadyDarla flings herself into the coach, sword in hand, / skewering one cultist through the ribcage / and slamming him backward into the next one. / "Hi, boys. Either of you have a goat I could borrow?"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "two and two, again"
[Crows-Nest] ShanksWilson says, "Hee hee hee."
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "but now swordplay rather than grace"
[rpg] LadyDarla rolls 2 dice, target 5: 6 1 | 1
[rpg] LadyDarla rolls 2 dice, target 5: 1 6 | 1
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "man"
[rpg] GM says, "man, they're going to get the wrong idea about you guys if you keep mentioning goats"
[rpg] GM asks, "Kit?"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "you'd think it was difficult to skewer a bunch of pirate occultists in a moving carriage"
KitLeeds grabs a flying fruit / while steering around the wreckage / and lobs the fruit at a convenient cultist / followed shortly thereafter by a knife. / 'That was a waste of good fruit!'
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "2o, 2d"
[rpg] KitLeeds rolls 2 dice, target 5: 6 2 | 1
[rpg] KitLeeds rolls 2 dice, target 5: 3 6 | 1
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "guess my luck had to end sometime"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "but the cultist does look pretty surprised with a kiwi pinned to his sword-arm"
[rpg] GM says, "Roberts, if you're not too lagged"
Roberts swings his whip at the wheels of the lead coach. / It catches and starts to wrap around the axel, / almost yanking his arm out of its socket, / but instead the axel breaks loose, / and the rear end of the coach is is left skidding against the ground, / throwing out splinters of wood as it goes.
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] GM says, "oho, nice"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "nifty!"
[rpg] Roberts says, "All offense:"
[rpg] Roberts rolls 4 dice, target 4: 3 1 1 4 | 4
[rpg] LadyDarla exclaims, "woohoo!"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "kickass"
[rpg] Roberts says, "Apparently, I roll much better with the whip than with the lore."
GM says, "A stray piece of wood flies off and clonks Roberts on the forehead, but he shrugs it off"
[rpg] GM asks, "Mother?"
MotherWestWind invokes the powers of ancient gods / haitian and african and whatever random pagan ones she can think of, and maybe the virgin mary / to hex these guys good and proper / and make the steering pirate drop his reins.
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "2/2 again, I guess"
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 2 dice, target 4: 2 5 | 1
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 2 dice, target 4: 5 3 | 1
[rpg] GM says, "good work"
[rpg] GM asks, "Shanks?"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "(I was going to make a wheel drop off but someone already did that!"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, ")"
ShanksWilson stabs a cultist through the foot just as he's about to stomp on Shanks' real hand, / thus fixing himself and the cultist to the carriage roof / then whips out his cutlass and disarms the cultist with a tricky flip of the wrist. / The cultist whimpers, clutching his injured hand and foot, then looks round and sees the low overhang swooshing towards him...
GM says, "BONK"
[rpg] Roberts says, "You've got to be quick in this seadog-eat-dog world."
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Hmm, 2/2 this time."
[rpg] ShanksWilson rolls 2 dice, target 4: 4 4 | 2
[rpg] ShanksWilson rolls 2 dice, target 4: 2 5 | 1
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "I think our carriage is all betipped"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Well, so is theirs."
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "oh dear"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "but we still have wheels, dammit!"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Possibly."
GM says, "The horses on the lead carriage rear up, whether by Mother's incantations or the flying fruit, sending the carriage tipping unsteadily from side to side"
[rpg] Roberts says, "I imagine we can all take our 'jumping from a tipped carriage' actions now."
GM exclaims, "Kit tries to stop in time, but no, your carriage smashes into theirs, sending cultists flying everywhere!"
GM says, "A group of them have grabbed the girl and drag her onto one of their coach's horses, while the rest wait to slow you down"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, third turn -- you need 10 to catch up"
LadyDarla uses the body of the skewered pirate as shield / slashing the pirates in the backseat of the enemy coach / forcing them to one side to unbalance the load / and make the rear axle drag worse.
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "all offense"
[rpg] GM says, "you don't need to spend an extra to keep the coach tipped, but you do need to spend one to defend yourself"
[rpg] LadyDarla rolls 4 dice, target 5: 4 5 6 4 | 3
[rpg] GM asks, "Kit?"
KitLeeds whips out a couple more knives / wondering where she's going to find replacements now / and hurls them towards some cultists eyes. / "Them's two gold each! Enjoy!"
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "(this assumes a bit of remaining movement, which possibly is wrong, but, er)"
[rpg] KitLeeds rolls 2 dice, target 3: 2 3 | 2
[rpg] KitLeeds rolls 2 dice, target 3: 5 1 | 1
[rpg] GM asks, "Roberts?"
Roberts jumps from the tipping coach onto the back of one of the horses. / He frees it from its harness / and cracks his whip, urging it forward. / "Geeya! Don't let the black horses show you for a nag!"
[rpg] GM says, "yay"
[rpg] Roberts says, "All offensive, again."
[rpg] Roberts rolls 4 dice, target 3: 4 1 6 1 | 2
[rpg] Roberts says, "(Assuming this is more Athletic than Whip.)"
[rpg] GM says, "that brings you down to zero karma, but I guess it won't matter"
[rpg] GM asks, "Mother?"
[rpg] LadyDarla asks, "we've got 7 offense now, right?"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah"
MotherWestWind sends in Charles ahead of the fight / he spooks the horse the girl's been dragged onto / the horse rears, tipping her onto the floor into a heap with the pirates / and then Charles takes a bite from one of the pirates too.
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "3 offense and 1 defense"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "yay"
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 3 dice, target 3: 4 2 4 | 1
[rpg] MotherWestWind rolls 1 die, target 3: 2 | 1
[rpg] GM says, "ok, Shanks has to get two offense to seal it"
ShanksWilson, leaving yet another hook behind / clasps his cutlass in his teeth, shakes his head, and leaps off the roof of the enemy coach! / He lands on entirely the wrong horse, knocking off a cultist, / and ends up hanging onto the panicked horse's saddle for dear life (again).
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Oh, hell, 4 offense and bugger the karma."
[rpg] Roberts says, "Yay"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Er, I'm assuming this is still 'pirate captain'."
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "you can lose the karma to the cutlass in your mouth"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Or 'cutlass' since I did mention my cutlass in there."
[rpg] ShanksWilson rolls 4 dice, target 4: 6 1 3 3 | 3
[rpg] GM says, "hooray"
ShanksWilson . o O ( arrr, ow, me tongue )
[rpg] LadyDarla exclaims, "woo!"
GM says, "The cultists, on foot now, are trying to drag away the girl, when Shanks's horse crashes into them"
[rpg] Roberts asks, "Hey, aren't crashed coaches supposed to burst into flame?"
GM says, "One goes for her with a knife, but just then Roberts swoops in and grabs her up onto his horse"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] KitLeeds asks, "were you dousing it with alcohol?"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Not intentionally!"
[rpg] GM says, "well, Shanks was nearby, so yeah"
GM says, "the remaining cultists scatter into the crowd, except for the trampled ones and the ones stuck under their coach"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "nah, he left the bar on the ship"
KitLeeds steers the coach over the trampled ones, and looks for a good place to abandon it.
Roberts says (to Girl), "Let's get you someplace a little less exciting."
GM says (to Kit), "ASAP, probably, since the guy who owns it is coming up now"
MotherWestWind checks some trampled cultists for amulets, just to double-check.
ShanksWilson gallops away, hollering "Helllll - lllll - llll -lllp!"
[rpg] Roberts says (to Kit), "Perhaps the coach was, by sheer luck, parked outside the bar last night when I dumped the rum barrels."
GM says, "Yeah, they've each got an amulet under their clothes"
GM says, "probably plus some other stuff, which you can discuss wherever Roberts decides to take you"
KitLeeds jumps out of the coach, rolls, and hides, while the owner chases after his coach and horses.
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "and here I'd forgotten that the coach wasn't ours"
GM says, "unless his plan is just to have a private tete a tete with the girl"
MotherWestWind asks, "so, where to now?"
ShanksWilson eventually succeeds in steering the horse into Circe's Boudoir and thus to a noisy and destructive halt.
GM says, ""At last!" says the man in the room you crash into. "I ordered this an hour ago! Did you at least bring the cream puffs?""
[Crows-Nest] ShanksWilson says, "Ha ha ha ha."
[Crows-Nest] KitLeeds dies.
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, "ha ha ha ha ha"
Roberts takes her back to the ship and, since Shanks isn't there to complain, comandeers the captain's bed.
LadyDarla says, "rowr"
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, "er whoops"
ShanksWilson says, "Arrr, no, I'll be fetchin' them directly."
MotherWestWind says (to Roberts), "I hope yer planning just to let the lady get some sleep"
Roberts lays the girl on it, and like a gentleman politely tries to rouse her with smelling salts or the like.
ShanksWilson eventually gets back to the ship, smelling faintly of powerfully exotic perfumes.
GM says, "The girl blinks awake eventually. "Wha--where am I? Mr Roberts! But I wasn't supposed to meet you for another -- oh, I had the most awful dream about these men in black masks""
KitLeeds keeps an eye on things on the deck, giggling occasionally.
ShanksWilson strides into the room at exactly this moment.
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, "curses, I clearly have competition"
Roberts says (to Girl), "There, there." He places his hand on her arm to reassure her. "It's all over now."
ShanksWilson asks (of Roberts), "What are you doing with that woman in my bed, ye scurvy dog, damn yer eyes?"
Roberts says (to Shanks), "Allowing her a bit more comfort than she'd have in those hammocks you offered us last night."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "well, there's you and her, and there's Roberts and Shanks, so it seems like it all works out"
ShanksWilson says, "Aye, but it's the captain's privilege to comfort his lady friends in his own -- oh, er, right, I see what you mean."
[rpg] Roberts says (to GM), "Um. I'm fine with that first pairing, but I don't like the looks of that second matchup you're working on there."
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "haha"
ShanksWilson says, "Perhaps she'd like to replace that torn clothing with something from Cap'n Peabody's collection."
ShanksWilson says, "In yonder rosewood chest, 'neath the silken drapes."
Roberts says (to Girl), "Are you hurt? You've been through a difficult ordeal, I'm certain."
GM says, ""No, wait, I remember now," says the girl, "I was going to meet you to bring the artifact to show you, and I was walking to the cafe, and this man stopped me, and then I don't -- there was a room, and they were saying something about .. what was it?""
KitLeeds wanders in. "Peabody dressed in dresses, did you say?"
GM says, ""That they'd taken the first ship, and they'd bring it to meet the second ship at anchor isle""
GM says, ""And something about gold, and cannons""
ShanksWilson says, "No, not him, but he liked to keep his midshipmen looking trim."
Roberts asks, "Did they say what the ships were called?"
GM says, ""Oh, I don't -- I think they said they were going to get them from a Mister .. Nash?""
MotherWestWind says, "that man does seem to be more involved that we first thought, don't he"
ShanksWilson says, "Don't he just."
KitLeeds says, "Maybe they're just stealing his ships."
LadyDarla says, "That does seem the less obvious explanation, however."
Roberts says (to Girl), "I assure you, we will find the men who mistreated you thus, and we will deal with them."
ShanksWilson says, "Anchor isle, anchor isle. Clear off this table and let me check Cap'n Peabody's maps."
Roberts asks (of Girl), "Did they take the artifact you were keeping as well?"
MotherWestWind asks (of LadyDarla), "he seem bright enough to be this organised to you?"
GM says (to Shanks), "it's a pretty small island, but you manage to locate it on the charts, about a day's voyage from here"
KitLeeds collects the bottles of booze from the table, slides the scattered coins into her pocket, and clears off the rest of the table.
GM says (to Shanks), "you recall it's got some weird rumors about some old temple or ghosts or something on it"
ShanksWilson pokes the map with his backup hook.
ShanksWilson says, "Here be the place. Arrr, but it has a grim and eerie reputation, does Anchor Isle."
LadyDarla says, "Perfect place to keep a particularly rich hoard, then"
LadyDarla says, "if no one wishes to visit it."
GM says, ""I -- I'm afraid so," says the girl. She pauses. "Wait, but I made a rubbing of it first -- that might still be at my house.""
ShanksWilson says, "See here, there's a vast dragon writhin' in the ocean just nor-noreast of it."
ShanksWilson says, "Hmm, unless that just be artistic licence."
Roberts asks (of Girl), "Would you like us to take you there, or would you prefer to rest here a while first?"
GM says, ""I think I'm strong enough to stand up," the girl says, doing so a little dizzily."
Roberts takes her arm promptly to steady her.
[rpg] KitLeeds says (to ShanksWilson), "man, that's great."
KitLeeds opens one of the bottles, sniffs it warily, and takes a swig. "What is this stuff?"
ShanksWilson asks, "Here, girl, why don't ye put on this midshipman's uniform, and ye won't be recognised?"
Roberts says (to Girl), "Don't push yourself -- we'll go slowly."
MotherWestWind says, "ink."
[rpg] GM says (to Mother), "hee hee"
[rpg] Roberts says, "Man. Shanks just wants to get her out of her clothes one way or another."
GM says, "you make a detour to the girl's house, then, and collect the rubbing she'd made of the artifact"
KitLeeds hands the bottle to Charles, then.
GM says, "It's a silver plaque covered with runes, the most prominent of which being the circular-snake-and-star design"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "I yam what I yam."
[Crows-Nest] Roberts says, "Also, curse you inky and your monkey. Not once have I seen that name go by this session that I haven't done a double take."
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "(afk briefly)"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"
LadyDarla says, "Subtle."
GM says, "Roberts is able to identify the rest of the runes as a prophecy describing how to raise a creepy deity"
GM says, "and describing his sacred place in a way which is unmistakably anchor island"
[rpg] Roberts says, "First, invest in holy diapers."
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[Crows-Nest] LadyDarla says, ""Thar be a dragon just nornoreast of the deity's isle""
MotherWestWind says, "well, hmm, seems straightforward enough"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha"
Roberts says, "Our path seems clear."
KitLeeds says, "Yeah! Onwards to the taverns!"
MotherWestWind asks, "so we just get some goats, one of these fancy blades, and live as gods?"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "ha ha ha"
Roberts asks (of Girl), "Will you be alright if we leave you here alone?"
GM says, ""I think so," she says. "I think I'm going to eat something and then go to bed.""
LadyDarla says, "Well, sounds like gold, adventure, and apocalypse -- something for everyone."
KitLeeds says, "You forgot 'drink'."
LadyDarla wonders, but does not ask, whether the creepy deity gives out goodlooking consorts as well.
[rpg] GM says, "islands are surrounded by stuff to drink"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "oceans of rum!"
LadyDarla asks (of ShanksWilson), "Is your ship prepared? could we take it in chase?"
ShanksWilson says, "If we're planning on sailing to this haunted isle, we'll need a stout ship, a bold captain, somebody who's good with ropes, a couple of fine wenches, six hundred bottles of alcohol, and perhaps twoscore brawny seamen."
[rpg] Roberts says, "Mmm, crude saline solution."
ShanksWilson says, "So, the only thing we're missing is the brawny seamen."
MotherWestWind says, "time to send you down to the docks to holler, then"
[rpg] Roberts says, "We never did check on Edwards, but I suppose he will be a convenient Loose End for later."
GM says, "luckily you guys have picked up a little gold to flash around"
MotherWestWind says, "if we can wrestle it from Kit's grip"
GM says, "hee hee"
GM asks, "ok, so the plan is to get some crew together and sail out to the island to look for cultists?"
ShanksWilson heads outside and starts hollering: "SAILORS NEEDED! QUEST FOR GOLD! ALSO A LITTLE BIT OF GOLD UP FRONT! ACTUAL SEA EXPERIENCE NOT REQUIRED, THOUGH BENEFICIAL!"
KitLeeds says, "Well, I can always get it back, if I need to."
Roberts exclaims, "Aye!"
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "LFG ANCHORISLE"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "I notice nobody complained about the 'fine wenches' remark there."
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "In pirate tradition, silence equals assent."
[rpg] KitLeeds says, "I figure if you wanna call Mother West Wind a fine wench, go for it."
[rpg] LadyDarla says, "yeah, man, it's your funeral"
GM exclaims, "right! you get sailing!"
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "it's alright, I'll just curse him into painting the ship himself"
GM says, "the sailors sing lusty sea-shanties"
GM says, "like "ten thousand bottles of grog on the wall""
[rpg] MotherWestWind says, "they're put off slightly by Shanks getting through two of the bottles for each verse"
GM says, "you heave anchor at anchor isle"
KitLeeds keeps a sharp lookout. And an eye on some of the better-looking sailors.
[rpg] ShanksWilson asks, "Isn't that 'weigh anchor'?"
[rpg] GM says, "picky picky"
[rpg] GM says, "you ought to know how much it weighs by now"
GM says, "there don't appear to be any other ships nearby, although there are a bunch of other islands within a few hours they could conceivably be at"
GM says, "and obviously there could be other people on the island"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "Beggin' yer pardon, cap'n sir, the first mate says beggin' yer pardon but the anchor still ways a feckin' hundredweight and he's done 'is back in."
GM asks, "do you want to disembark? or hang out?"
[rpg] GM asks, "what does the pirate code say about workman's comp?"
LadyDarla says, "I suggest we stealthily investigate"
LadyDarla says, "we know nothing of the power or situation of those who might be before us"
Roberts says, "I'd say 'beware' and 'this is a dangerous and violent cult who would not stop short of slitting our throats and other bodily appendages', but I suppose this is all well-known by now."
ShanksWilson says, "Mother West Wind will put her standard curse on the ship to prevent the men from sailin' off with it while we're away."
[rpg] Roberts says, "#include <stdcrs.h>"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] GM says, ""Arr, we be taking yer pay aboard shore with us""
ShanksWilson says, "Well, they can sail off if they don't mind their manly bits droppin' off piece by piece."
ShanksWilson says, "They usually stay."
MotherWestWind waves her arms, casts some bones around, etc etc
Roberts asks (of MotherWestWind), "Whose were those?"
MotherWestWind says, "this time they get to be cursed with visions of me dancin' nekkid if they sails away"
[rpg] ShanksWilson asks, "Do we want to take half a dozen strapping men with us?"
[rpg] ShanksWilson asks, "Like, in red shirts?"
[rpg] Roberts says, "Good idea."
KitLeeds says, "A formidable curse."
MotherWestWind says (to roberts), "my last monkey'"
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "See, I told you we should get minions."
[rpg] Roberts says, "But, being sailors, they have to be red *striped* shirts."
[rpg] GM says, "from yesterday's session, at the island: | ShanksWilson says, "We could use some sailors - put your red vests on, me hearties!""
[rpg] ShanksWilson says, "HA HA HA AH"
[rpg] Roberts says (to GM), "Excellent."
[rpg] GM says (to Mother), "ha"