The SSRS Kostroma lies idle in the southeastern bay of Mended Horn Island. Only the front portion, the two forward masts and the front of the superstructure that sits in the center of the freighter's hull, is illuminated by a pair of dim lights that glow orange-red, a sure sign that the boilers of the Kostroma are dying, and the lights will soon go off. The remainder of the ship's funnel, and the mast behind the superstructure are visible only in silhouette. The gibbous moon and starry night that would have provided a clear backdrop to the black hulk of the Kostroma have been smothered by the overcast skies and light rain.
A sound comes, not from the Kostroma, and indeed, not from anywhere at all. A low, vaguely tinnitus-like sound that drains out the sound of silence. It calls to you. It calls to everyone.
"Come to the Kostroma, good soldier. Join us here. Come."
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
1320 replies and 56 files omitted.
>>194524
Okay, Silver can break down the door this time. Let's investigate the adjoining door before we move into the cargo hold, but I really want to help myself to some gold bars right now.
Okay, Silver can break down the door this time. Let's investigate the adjoining door before we move into the cargo hold, but I really want to help myself to some gold bars right now.
>>194522
Kira blinks, and flicks her tongue. She finds the haul to be...well, honestly kinda impressive considering the description of the room. She has no idea what type of rifle it is, much less how to use it, but she imagines someone in the party might know. She silently laments how no one seems to carry anything for bows on these modern style ships. She looks to the adjoining room, hoping she might find the missing ammo for the rifle and the missing gun for the ammunition.
Open Lock: Using the knife and lockpick she got from the dead griffon outside, Kira attempts to pick the lock to the adjoining room.
[1d20+3 = (6+3) = 9]
Kira blinks, and flicks her tongue. She finds the haul to be...well, honestly kinda impressive considering the description of the room. She has no idea what type of rifle it is, much less how to use it, but she imagines someone in the party might know. She silently laments how no one seems to carry anything for bows on these modern style ships. She looks to the adjoining room, hoping she might find the missing ammo for the rifle and the missing gun for the ammunition.
Open Lock: Using the knife and lockpick she got from the dead griffon outside, Kira attempts to pick the lock to the adjoining room.
[1d20+3 = (6+3) = 9]
>>194521
Use your Greatsword to break down the door. With Power Attack, you are basically guaranteed to succeed on the first try unless you roll a 1.
Use your Greatsword to break down the door. With Power Attack, you are basically guaranteed to succeed on the first try unless you roll a 1.
>>194527
>>194528
Kira scrunches, finding that locks are just a bit outside the range of her apparent skills. Before she can attempt to make this one listen to the will of her God, Silver steps in, sword drawn, and nudges her aside. "This, I think I have."
Power Attack: Channeling his strength into a single almighty blow with his sword, Silver attempts to bust the doors down or in.
[1d20+7 = (13+7) = 20]
[2d6+20 = (3+20) = 23]
>>194528
Kira scrunches, finding that locks are just a bit outside the range of her apparent skills. Before she can attempt to make this one listen to the will of her God, Silver steps in, sword drawn, and nudges her aside. "This, I think I have."
Power Attack: Channeling his strength into a single almighty blow with his sword, Silver attempts to bust the doors down or in.
[1d20+7 = (13+7) = 20]
[2d6+20 = (3+20) = 23]
>>194530
The sword seems to glow as its wielded. It hits the door, and its hinges snap until it barely remains in place. A single kick or tug and it is out of the way
The sword seems to glow as its wielded. It hits the door, and its hinges snap until it barely remains in place. A single kick or tug and it is out of the way
>>194524
>No magic detected in the armory
Magehold will be thrilled when Posey reports to them that a single CR 3 Shadow can kill off the entire Stalliongrad Navy, or so Posey thinks to herself.
>>194529
>>194524
Waiting to see what's behind the door Silver broke down before Posey proceeds into the cargo hold.
>>194531
Oh, there we are.
What's behind it?
>No magic detected in the armory
Magehold will be thrilled when Posey reports to them that a single CR 3 Shadow can kill off the entire Stalliongrad Navy, or so Posey thinks to herself.
>>194529
>>194524
Waiting to see what's behind the door Silver broke down before Posey proceeds into the cargo hold.
>>194531
Oh, there we are.
What's behind it?
>>194534
>>194533
>>194532
Boom
Assuming Silver gets it before Cavaliere is done. I can almost imaging Cavaliere starting on it, then Silver bucks it. Or maybe not
Inside, it is another armory. This one focuses on small arms as opposed to anti-aircraft. It also does not appear to have been raided. At least not to the same degree.
Clearly visible is more ammunition, a couple Stalliongrad Automatic Rifles, a submachine gun, and a light machine gun. Besides nets, rope, pink tipped cannon shells, a harpoon, flare guns, and a grapple hook launcher
>>194533
>>194532
Boom
Assuming Silver gets it before Cavaliere is done. I can almost imaging Cavaliere starting on it, then Silver bucks it. Or maybe not
Inside, it is another armory. This one focuses on small arms as opposed to anti-aircraft. It also does not appear to have been raided. At least not to the same degree.
Clearly visible is more ammunition, a couple Stalliongrad Automatic Rifles, a submachine gun, and a light machine gun. Besides nets, rope, pink tipped cannon shells, a harpoon, flare guns, and a grapple hook launcher
>>194535
Silver immediately feels himself drawn to the light machine gun. It speaks to him, almost as if it was like the Traveler, as he picks it up to inspect it.
Silver immediately feels himself drawn to the light machine gun. It speaks to him, almost as if it was like the Traveler, as he picks it up to inspect it.
>>194535
>Clearly visible is more ammunition, a couple Stalliongrad Automatic Rifles, a submachine gun, and a light machine gun. Besides nets, rope, pink tipped cannon shells, a harpoon, flare guns, and a grapple hook launcher
I'm not proficient in guns (or am I?), but we should take all of these. All of them. I will add them to my sheet if no pony takes them.
Posey, as the party arcanist, checks for any inscriptions or runes to suggest magic weaponry or ammo.
>Clearly visible is more ammunition, a couple Stalliongrad Automatic Rifles, a submachine gun, and a light machine gun. Besides nets, rope, pink tipped cannon shells, a harpoon, flare guns, and a grapple hook launcher
I'm not proficient in guns (or am I?), but we should take all of these. All of them. I will add them to my sheet if no pony takes them.
Posey, as the party arcanist, checks for any inscriptions or runes to suggest magic weaponry or ammo.
>>194539
Silver looks for a sling for it, and adds it to his inventory. Kira meanwhile calls in Black Heel after giving the machine gun ammunition she found to Silver. "Hey, I don't know much about firearms, but...are these any good? Could these be enough to arm everyone?
Silver looks for a sling for it, and adds it to his inventory. Kira meanwhile calls in Black Heel after giving the machine gun ammunition she found to Silver. "Hey, I don't know much about firearms, but...are these any good? Could these be enough to arm everyone?
>>194535
Arcana, to check for signs of magic weaponry.
[1d20+11 = (15+11) = 26]
Posey levitates a couple flare guns into her satchel, since they're simple weapons. If the harpoon has a launcher, she takes that too, since it's an archaic weapon. If any of the weapons look masterwork/antique, she grabs them.
"Warriors had best arm themselves. We have a lot of fighting ahead of us. I will continue to scout ahead." she says, moving to the next room.
>>194539
I take it that means not magic? Okay. Posey moves on, pocketing her flares.
Seeing a golden opportunity, Posey proceeds down the stairs into the darkness to where she saw those metal ingots, eager to help herself to gold before Blackheel can object.
"~Come to mama." she whispers, her golden eyes glowing in the dark
Arcana, to check for signs of magic weaponry.
[1d20+11 = (15+11) = 26]
Posey levitates a couple flare guns into her satchel, since they're simple weapons. If the harpoon has a launcher, she takes that too, since it's an archaic weapon. If any of the weapons look masterwork/antique, she grabs them.
"Warriors had best arm themselves. We have a lot of fighting ahead of us. I will continue to scout ahead." she says, moving to the next room.
>>194539
I take it that means not magic? Okay. Posey moves on, pocketing her flares.
Seeing a golden opportunity, Posey proceeds down the stairs into the darkness to where she saw those metal ingots, eager to help herself to gold before Blackheel can object.
"~Come to mama." she whispers, her golden eyes glowing in the dark
>>194542
Posey leaves the weapons to the characters more familiar with them as she looks for those metal ingots she saw earlier.
Posey leaves the weapons to the characters more familiar with them as she looks for those metal ingots she saw earlier.
>>194542
After getting set with the light machine gun, Silver decides to inspect one of the SARs.
Kira nods at the commissar. "I think we should get the rest of these out to the others who don't have a weapon. I just wish you had some bows and arrows. I know they aren't really the style, but..." She lets out a wistful sigh. "...I don't know, I still like them. They're...elegant. And they can still pack a punch. I mean, you need a lot of strength to pull back a drawstring, and that results in a lot of power behind the arrow when you loose it."
After getting set with the light machine gun, Silver decides to inspect one of the SARs.
Kira nods at the commissar. "I think we should get the rest of these out to the others who don't have a weapon. I just wish you had some bows and arrows. I know they aren't really the style, but..." She lets out a wistful sigh. "...I don't know, I still like them. They're...elegant. And they can still pack a punch. I mean, you need a lot of strength to pull back a drawstring, and that results in a lot of power behind the arrow when you loose it."
>>194544
Good thinking. Take as many as you can find.
>>194545
>shinny, and silvery
Posey reflexively recoils at the sight of polished silver, her vampire heritage kicking in, if it is silver.
Nevertheless, she approaches.
How much do these ingots weigh?
>>194547
Just take 10. You have like three characters assisting you. Blackheel probably knows where everything in the armory is anyway, so ask him.
Good thinking. Take as many as you can find.
>>194545
>shinny, and silvery
Posey reflexively recoils at the sight of polished silver, her vampire heritage kicking in, if it is silver.
Nevertheless, she approaches.
How much do these ingots weigh?
>>194547
Just take 10. You have like three characters assisting you. Blackheel probably knows where everything in the armory is anyway, so ask him.
>>194548
Cavaliere is at carry limit. He’s not taking anything. He does converse with Blackheel, however.
Cavaliere is at carry limit. He’s not taking anything. He does converse with Blackheel, however.
>>194549
Posey appraises, taking 10 to judge its weight
This is silver, right? How many are there?
(I repeat what I said about wanting to know how much money I have)
Posey appraises, taking 10 to judge its weight
This is silver, right? How many are there?
(I repeat what I said about wanting to know how much money I have)
I need to sleep soon.
Pisst cautiously investigates the cargo hold. Picking up the silver ingots while looking for those gold bars that Captain Waters mentioned.
Pisst cautiously investigates the cargo hold. Picking up the silver ingots while looking for those gold bars that Captain Waters mentioned.
>>194554
Okay. Posey takes as many as she can carry, which is about 390 pounds.
>white metal
The pic you linked is an iron ingot. Is this actually silver?
Okay. Posey takes as many as she can carry, which is about 390 pounds.
>white metal
The pic you linked is an iron ingot. Is this actually silver?
>>194546
The Stalliongradian Automatic Rifle is a battle rifle a larger and heavier bigger than the Lavender's Silver is familiar with. It uses the same rimmed ammunition the vlazhnyy bolt-action rifle does (or the same as the light machine gun for that matter), but the five round stripper clips feed into a 10 round detachable box magazine rather than a five round internal magazine. Steel heat shield and wooden furniture make it more stylish than anything else Silver has seen out of Stalliongrad.
>>194546
Blackheel shrugs
"Would you believe me if I told you that most of our sailors don't have as much muscle as you do? And we expect to engage from long ranges. It doesn't actually work like that, but... those were the specifications set by the Navy when they set their orders. Weapons that would allow a conscript with six weeks of training who has only just seen the ocean for the first time be effective against pirates or boarding actions or entering hostile foreign ports. Oh, and they have to use the same factory lines the army uses.
Bows are a hell of a lot quieter, I'll give you that. And probably just a little less dangerous to hurt yourself with."
>>194555
Iron?1?!?!?
No, this isn't iron. This is much harder than iron. Denser. Shinier. This is what Iron wishes it were. And it doesn't provoke Posey's silver allergy either
The Stalliongradian Automatic Rifle is a battle rifle a larger and heavier bigger than the Lavender's Silver is familiar with. It uses the same rimmed ammunition the vlazhnyy bolt-action rifle does (or the same as the light machine gun for that matter), but the five round stripper clips feed into a 10 round detachable box magazine rather than a five round internal magazine. Steel heat shield and wooden furniture make it more stylish than anything else Silver has seen out of Stalliongrad.
>>194546
Blackheel shrugs
"Would you believe me if I told you that most of our sailors don't have as much muscle as you do? And we expect to engage from long ranges. It doesn't actually work like that, but... those were the specifications set by the Navy when they set their orders. Weapons that would allow a conscript with six weeks of training who has only just seen the ocean for the first time be effective against pirates or boarding actions or entering hostile foreign ports. Oh, and they have to use the same factory lines the army uses.
Bows are a hell of a lot quieter, I'll give you that. And probably just a little less dangerous to hurt yourself with."
>>194555
Iron?1?!?!?
No, this isn't iron. This is much harder than iron. Denser. Shinier. This is what Iron wishes it were. And it doesn't provoke Posey's silver allergy either
>>194556
Kira just shrugs in response. Silver, meanwhile, lets out a whistle. "These must be new. Last I knew, Stalliongrad did not have semi-automatic rifle like this."
Kira just shrugs in response. Silver, meanwhile, lets out a whistle. "These must be new. Last I knew, Stalliongrad did not have semi-automatic rifle like this."
>>194556
>>194546
Bows are also more useful if you have high strength, like Kira and Posey.
What's useful about machine guns is that they're AoE attacks.
>Denser. Shinier
For a second I thought that meant platinum and got exited, but
>harder
So probably not that...
This does not tell Posey how much an ingot is worth. Can she appraise this?
>>194546
Bows are also more useful if you have high strength, like Kira and Posey.
What's useful about machine guns is that they're AoE attacks.
>Denser. Shinier
For a second I thought that meant platinum and got exited, but
>harder
So probably not that...
This does not tell Posey how much an ingot is worth. Can she appraise this?
>>194557
Blackheel:
"It was designed a few years ago. The roll out has been slow because of the high costs of the rifle, but with potential threats from Nova Griffonia, and now even the Changelings and the Fascists, more are being made."
>>194560
>>194559
Exact values? No. Obviously it must be worth something if it's worth placing in a ship and sending thousands of miles. But neither will a few ingots pay of your mortgage.
>the remainder of the hold
Empty air, mostly. Barrels. Steel oil drums. They seem to be empty, or mostly empty. Most of them anyways. They are stacked especially along the starboard and port sides. More ingots. And some kind of rock.
>>194550
"Grenades? I believe so."
Blackheel:
"It was designed a few years ago. The roll out has been slow because of the high costs of the rifle, but with potential threats from Nova Griffonia, and now even the Changelings and the Fascists, more are being made."
>>194560
>>194559
Exact values? No. Obviously it must be worth something if it's worth placing in a ship and sending thousands of miles. But neither will a few ingots pay of your mortgage.
>the remainder of the hold
Empty air, mostly. Barrels. Steel oil drums. They seem to be empty, or mostly empty. Most of them anyways. They are stacked especially along the starboard and port sides. More ingots. And some kind of rock.
>>194550
"Grenades? I believe so."
>>194562
>Exact values? No. Obviously it must be worth something if it's worth placing in a ship and sending thousands of miles. But neither will a few ingots pay of your mortgage.
So what you're saying is that it's not treasure, at least not for an adventurer. Okay then.
>some kind of rock
Posey examines the rock before signaling to Kira that this room is clear and moving to open the door to the next room.
>Exact values? No. Obviously it must be worth something if it's worth placing in a ship and sending thousands of miles. But neither will a few ingots pay of your mortgage.
So what you're saying is that it's not treasure, at least not for an adventurer. Okay then.
>some kind of rock
Posey examines the rock before signaling to Kira that this room is clear and moving to open the door to the next room.
>>194564
"Some of them have, certainly. We took what we could on our way out of the ship. The Navy hasn't exactly prioritized stocking grenades. Explosives in enclosed spaces, and all."
"Some of them have, certainly. We took what we could on our way out of the ship. The Navy hasn't exactly prioritized stocking grenades. Explosives in enclosed spaces, and all."
>>194562
Silver takes one of the SARs and some ammo for it, before telling Black Heel, "See about arming whoever needs weapons with what is left. Someone must have lost key to this room and we can use that to our benefit." He then goes over to see how Mala is doing.
Kira, meanwhile, makes her way down into the cargo hold. She inspects the chromium ingots, and has a look around for ventilation and other possible entry points into the room, as well as trying to get a feel for how strong the Traveler's influence is in this particular part of the ship.
>>194566
I think you're already in 5, and the next you're going to is 4.
Silver takes one of the SARs and some ammo for it, before telling Black Heel, "See about arming whoever needs weapons with what is left. Someone must have lost key to this room and we can use that to our benefit." He then goes over to see how Mala is doing.
Kira, meanwhile, makes her way down into the cargo hold. She inspects the chromium ingots, and has a look around for ventilation and other possible entry points into the room, as well as trying to get a feel for how strong the Traveler's influence is in this particular part of the ship.
>>194566
I think you're already in 5, and the next you're going to is 4.
If GM is not prepared to show us the next cargo hold room and/or just doesn't want Posey wandering ahead alone, Posey instead comes back to stock up on grenades in the armory as she hears Blackheel mention them.
"Nothing in the next room." she reports
"Did I hear there are grenades here?" she asks
"Nothing in the next room." she reports
"Did I hear there are grenades here?" she asks
>>194571
The sable-clad griffon talks to Posey, aside. "While we have a breather, let's be clear on something. Interrupting an attempt to negotiate without good reason is not just counterproductive, it's dangerous for all of us. We don't know how affected those griffons were, but if they were still conscious your threat may have given them good reason to attack. Let's decide beforehand on who speaks, but I will not interrupt and I expect the same from you."
The sable-clad griffon talks to Posey, aside. "While we have a breather, let's be clear on something. Interrupting an attempt to negotiate without good reason is not just counterproductive, it's dangerous for all of us. We don't know how affected those griffons were, but if they were still conscious your threat may have given them good reason to attack. Let's decide beforehand on who speaks, but I will not interrupt and I expect the same from you."
>>194591
"I was negotiating, and analyzing the enemy." Posey replies
"I clearly stated the reality of their situation clear to give them a chance to respond. Based on their reaction, or rather lack thereof, it was obvious that they were already under the command of the Intruder. Free-willed creatures who valued their lives would have either immediately made verbal attempts to negotiate, or defiantly shouted in anger: these birds did neither; they were silent without so much as a squak, as apathetic to our arrival as they were to their bisected comrade in the next room over, whom I will point out they did not even afford the courtesy of closing his eyes. To top it off, they were simply standing here alone doing nothing, attacking us with knives instead of helping themselves to the armory was so close by; no true pirate would waste time like that." she continues, still with her stoic, professional expression, as she rummages in search of grenades
"I served on the northern shores of Farbrook as a Necrologist and warmagus repelling slave-takers from across the watelands. When you have fought vampire thralls and shambling corpses in the dark as many times as I have, you learn to quickly tell the difference between a creature that is free-willed and a creature that is not, because your survival depends on telling the difference before they charge you."
>>194565
How many grenades are there? Posey takes as many as she can.
"I was negotiating, and analyzing the enemy." Posey replies
"I clearly stated the reality of their situation clear to give them a chance to respond. Based on their reaction, or rather lack thereof, it was obvious that they were already under the command of the Intruder. Free-willed creatures who valued their lives would have either immediately made verbal attempts to negotiate, or defiantly shouted in anger: these birds did neither; they were silent without so much as a squak, as apathetic to our arrival as they were to their bisected comrade in the next room over, whom I will point out they did not even afford the courtesy of closing his eyes. To top it off, they were simply standing here alone doing nothing, attacking us with knives instead of helping themselves to the armory was so close by; no true pirate would waste time like that." she continues, still with her stoic, professional expression, as she rummages in search of grenades
"I served on the northern shores of Farbrook as a Necrologist and warmagus repelling slave-takers from across the watelands. When you have fought vampire thralls and shambling corpses in the dark as many times as I have, you learn to quickly tell the difference between a creature that is free-willed and a creature that is not, because your survival depends on telling the difference before they charge you."
>>194565
How many grenades are there? Posey takes as many as she can.
>>194605
>>194591
Blackheel walks up
“How many griffins do you know speak Equestrian as a first language? You stated your threat in a language they obviously could not understand and long before you knew they were in the thralls of ‘Our Fellow Traveller’.”
Stained Sand follows shortly thereafter,
“What does it matter? They are pirates of Haukland. They are vermin. We’re told to sink their vessels when we see them, if we can and if they can’t we’ll shoot us back. It’s a wonder there isn’t a bounty on them.”
Blackheel:
“Well, there are a couple griffins among my crew. Well, among the crew. They are with the Skynavian contingent. I don’t really trust them much. They would be in blue and white uniform, not like the pirates. I don’t know if they survived.”
Stained Sand:
“Why save the Hauklanders at all?”
Blackheel’s eyes move towards Cavaliere
“Honor among thieves.”
Then to Posey
“Or not.”
>>194605
Two. The container seems to have held 6, and most have been taken.
>>194591
Blackheel walks up
“How many griffins do you know speak Equestrian as a first language? You stated your threat in a language they obviously could not understand and long before you knew they were in the thralls of ‘Our Fellow Traveller’.”
Stained Sand follows shortly thereafter,
“What does it matter? They are pirates of Haukland. They are vermin. We’re told to sink their vessels when we see them, if we can and if they can’t we’ll shoot us back. It’s a wonder there isn’t a bounty on them.”
Blackheel:
“Well, there are a couple griffins among my crew. Well, among the crew. They are with the Skynavian contingent. I don’t really trust them much. They would be in blue and white uniform, not like the pirates. I don’t know if they survived.”
Stained Sand:
“Why save the Hauklanders at all?”
Blackheel’s eyes move towards Cavaliere
“Honor among thieves.”
Then to Posey
“Or not.”
>>194605
Two. The container seems to have held 6, and most have been taken.
>>194606
"Whether or not they understood the language, their silence spoke volumes." Posey said
"I will admit, the well-being of our competition in crime is not my priority. Securing the escape of my crew and the hostages is what is on my mind, as well as what is necessary for our alliance, which is why I am risking life and limb to destroy the Intruder instead of taking that ship and leaving right now."
Rolling Diplomacy to improve the attitude of these NPCs
[1d20+10 = (15+10) = 25]
Posey takes one of the grenades, levitating the other out for whoever wants it.
"Whether or not they understood the language, their silence spoke volumes." Posey said
"I will admit, the well-being of our competition in crime is not my priority. Securing the escape of my crew and the hostages is what is on my mind, as well as what is necessary for our alliance, which is why I am risking life and limb to destroy the Intruder instead of taking that ship and leaving right now."
Rolling Diplomacy to improve the attitude of these NPCs
[1d20+10 = (15+10) = 25]
Posey takes one of the grenades, levitating the other out for whoever wants it.
>>194605
>>194607
"You may well be right. Still, it's our duty to determine whether they are free-willed or not. If they are, to get them to work alongside us we may have to threaten them, but we should avoid provoking them considering these conditions. They would respond better to an offer of help, but either way talking over each other won't help us. Let's decide beforehand who gets to speak."
>>194606
To Stained Sand Cavaliere responds, "The boat of these 'vermin' as you call them is your best bet to get out of here with body and mind in one piece. They may have yet more to offer. We all have one goal in common and playing fast and loose with life is not going to help us to reach it."
What language do Hauklanders speak?
>>194607
"You may well be right. Still, it's our duty to determine whether they are free-willed or not. If they are, to get them to work alongside us we may have to threaten them, but we should avoid provoking them considering these conditions. They would respond better to an offer of help, but either way talking over each other won't help us. Let's decide beforehand who gets to speak."
>>194606
To Stained Sand Cavaliere responds, "The boat of these 'vermin' as you call them is your best bet to get out of here with body and mind in one piece. They may have yet more to offer. We all have one goal in common and playing fast and loose with life is not going to help us to reach it."
What language do Hauklanders speak?
>>194608
"If we want to take their ship, that only puts us at odds with them later. They will not simply give it to us. It is not our job to rescue them either. If the Intruder already took care of the pirates, that makes our work easier."
She leans in, her face stern
"Surely you know that in this line or work. You are a pirate, right? You took ships before. You killed anypony who in your way. You even came here to take those airponies hostage."
Bluff, for the NPCs listening (since apparently I am the only pony who is taking Captain Waters's pirate cover story seriously)
Bluff
[1d20+14 = (12+14) = 26]
"Some of us, myself included, would like to finally retire from this line of work when all of this is done, but that does not mean we should let up now. Or profession, hesitation means death. Always strike first."
"If we want to take their ship, that only puts us at odds with them later. They will not simply give it to us. It is not our job to rescue them either. If the Intruder already took care of the pirates, that makes our work easier."
She leans in, her face stern
"Surely you know that in this line or work. You are a pirate, right? You took ships before. You killed anypony who in your way. You even came here to take those airponies hostage."
Bluff, for the NPCs listening (since apparently I am the only pony who is taking Captain Waters's pirate cover story seriously)
Bluff
[1d20+14 = (12+14) = 26]
"Some of us, myself included, would like to finally retire from this line of work when all of this is done, but that does not mean we should let up now. Or profession, hesitation means death. Always strike first."
>>194608
>Language
Herzlandish (Imperial), Equestrian-Ponish, Feathesian, Aquelian, other griffin languages
>Language
Herzlandish (Imperial), Equestrian-Ponish, Feathesian, Aquelian, other griffin languages
>>194612
That's not too much of a language barrier.
Cavaliere is not deterred. "And there are others who would like to take up your mantle. As you know, experienced crewmates are at a premium and we've been rather short. We'll have proven our mettle by the end of this which will prove to most of them who's the better employer. As for troublemakers there will always be the bottom of the sea."
That's not too much of a language barrier.
Cavaliere is not deterred. "And there are others who would like to take up your mantle. As you know, experienced crewmates are at a premium and we've been rather short. We'll have proven our mettle by the end of this which will prove to most of them who's the better employer. As for troublemakers there will always be the bottom of the sea."
"I am going to go check the next cargo hold room now." Posey says, walking off with her new grenade
>>194613
The Arcturian Order, near Magehold, is composed of a multi-national order of griffins, with Imperial/Herzlandish presumably dominating. Further to the West are the Everfrost and Cubrian ponies, who speak what we could call "snow pony." To the East and south are the various nations of the River Republic. The three nations to the north of the main Riverlands, and bordering the Arcturian Order, are of a single linguistic group referred to as the Hill Ponies. Below the Hill Ponies are the nations of the River Republic, who are south-slavic coded and speak languages like serbo-croat, or greek, or in one instance, a variation of the hill pony language. To the West of the snow ponies are the Vedinans, and two griffin nations that are colonial states created by refugees from the Herzland. Magehold definitely has ponies of Equestrian origin, and I would assume, ponies, griffins, and zebras from elsewhere. This is besides geographically close nations of diamond dogs and changelings that are fairly isolated.
The Arcturian Order, near Magehold, is composed of a multi-national order of griffins, with Imperial/Herzlandish presumably dominating. Further to the West are the Everfrost and Cubrian ponies, who speak what we could call "snow pony." To the East and south are the various nations of the River Republic. The three nations to the north of the main Riverlands, and bordering the Arcturian Order, are of a single linguistic group referred to as the Hill Ponies. Below the Hill Ponies are the nations of the River Republic, who are south-slavic coded and speak languages like serbo-croat, or greek, or in one instance, a variation of the hill pony language. To the West of the snow ponies are the Vedinans, and two griffin nations that are colonial states created by refugees from the Herzland. Magehold definitely has ponies of Equestrian origin, and I would assume, ponies, griffins, and zebras from elsewhere. This is besides geographically close nations of diamond dogs and changelings that are fairly isolated.
I apologize for the lack of posts, work for me has been brutal and the schedule does not provide much time for playtime.
>>194615
Kira notices in the middle of checking out this hold for air passages that Posey is moving to go to the next cargo hold with her grenade. With a flick of her tongue, she slithers behind her in line. "So, how did you become so stabby-stab kill-kill? I thought ponies were creatures of Harmony. Isn't it harmful to you to be like that?"
>>194615
Kira notices in the middle of checking out this hold for air passages that Posey is moving to go to the next cargo hold with her grenade. With a flick of her tongue, she slithers behind her in line. "So, how did you become so stabby-stab kill-kill? I thought ponies were creatures of Harmony. Isn't it harmful to you to be like that?"
>>194618
Okay, I will revise Posey's languages to be more appropriate for her background and career as a scholar/spy later. Thank you for clarifying.
>>194619
>I thought ponies were creatures of Harmony
Posey chuckles momentarily, a rare sight on her otherwise paralyzed face
"We like to tell ourselves that in Farbrook, but we are surrounded by creatures who want to kill us on a daily occurrence . In Farbrook, Harmony is the utmost ideal, but with enough pressure everypony only cares about survival."
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0XEgAkvcVAk
She puts on a subtle, unsettling smile
"And yes, it is harmful, in more ways than one. " she says, a bit too a-matter-of-factly for comfort
"But nopony ends up in my line of work if spiritual health is their priority. When your opponents are vampire slave-takers and eldritch horrors from across the ice ring, you learn to suppress your herbivore instincts and strike fast." she continues, tossing her glamorous mane as she resheaves her now-clean sword
Okay, I will revise Posey's languages to be more appropriate for her background and career as a scholar/spy later. Thank you for clarifying.
>>194619
>I thought ponies were creatures of Harmony
Posey chuckles momentarily, a rare sight on her otherwise paralyzed face
"We like to tell ourselves that in Farbrook, but we are surrounded by creatures who want to kill us on a daily occurrence . In Farbrook, Harmony is the utmost ideal, but with enough pressure everypony only cares about survival."
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0XEgAkvcVAk
She puts on a subtle, unsettling smile
"And yes, it is harmful, in more ways than one. " she says, a bit too a-matter-of-factly for comfort
"But nopony ends up in my line of work if spiritual health is their priority. When your opponents are vampire slave-takers and eldritch horrors from across the ice ring, you learn to suppress your herbivore instincts and strike fast." she continues, tossing her glamorous mane as she resheaves her now-clean sword
>>194620
Cavaliere will be following Posey. His flashlight will be off if she's still sighting for the party.
"That is the sad truth for all creatures, that desperate circumstances will make them do desperate things. It's important to never lose sight of oneself and a moral compass or else survival itself will lose meaning. For those creatures, they become hollow, pitiful things."
Cavaliere will be following Posey. His flashlight will be off if she's still sighting for the party.
"That is the sad truth for all creatures, that desperate circumstances will make them do desperate things. It's important to never lose sight of oneself and a moral compass or else survival itself will lose meaning. For those creatures, they become hollow, pitiful things."
>>194620
>>194621
Kira's tongue flick seems to come from a place of concern. Or...did it? It's hard to tell, she seems to respond to most anything with a tongue flick. Just one of those things that helps give away that she isn't a pony. "You helped me out with this neat little...cutie mark thing? That's what they're called right? Anyways, if you wanted I could ask Ouroboros to give you a blessing to help with your spiritual health. He cares deeply about all of His children, not just lamias." She smiles widely at the most certainly not prey animal pony. "I'm sure He'd love to help you and see you succeed!"
>>194621
Kira's tongue flick seems to come from a place of concern. Or...did it? It's hard to tell, she seems to respond to most anything with a tongue flick. Just one of those things that helps give away that she isn't a pony. "You helped me out with this neat little...cutie mark thing? That's what they're called right? Anyways, if you wanted I could ask Ouroboros to give you a blessing to help with your spiritual health. He cares deeply about all of His children, not just lamias." She smiles widely at the most certainly not prey animal pony. "I'm sure He'd love to help you and see you succeed!"
>>194618
Posey puts her ear to the door of the next room to the cargo hold and listens for any creatures/movement on the other side.
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]
Posey puts her ear to the door of the next room to the cargo hold and listens for any creatures/movement on the other side.
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]
Having established that Posey speaks Imperial...
"If you all insist, I will try speaking to them a bit more clearly this time." Posey says quietly, her ear to the door.
"If you all insist, I will try speaking to them a bit more clearly this time." Posey says quietly, her ear to the door.
>>194646
A distant tapping, and the sound of drops of water. A smaller clang. But what is more notable is what is not heard. Posey has only been in this brave new world a week or so now, yet she is familiar with its ubiquitous sounds. Outside, always the moving of vehicles, the sounds of engines. Every building has the sound of the moving of air. But none of that can be heard here. Like an old house it makes random noises in the night, but where houses of wood make creeks and cracks, the cold steel of the vessel make taps, clangs, and drops. And much like an old home, those unexplained noises are a little unsettling when no one else is around to make them.
A distant tapping, and the sound of drops of water. A smaller clang. But what is more notable is what is not heard. Posey has only been in this brave new world a week or so now, yet she is familiar with its ubiquitous sounds. Outside, always the moving of vehicles, the sounds of engines. Every building has the sound of the moving of air. But none of that can be heard here. Like an old house it makes random noises in the night, but where houses of wood make creeks and cracks, the cold steel of the vessel make taps, clangs, and drops. And much like an old home, those unexplained noises are a little unsettling when no one else is around to make them.
>>194731
So, you are saying that the next room is devoid of ambient noise, as if it were supernaturally silenced?
Posey knows she is at a disadvantage as a spellcaster if this is the case, so she brainstorms to see if she can deduce the meaning of it:
Arcana:
[1d20+11 = (4+11) = 15]
Architecture and Engineering (untrained):
[1d20+3 = (4+3) = 7]
Earth and Life Sciences (Untrained):
[1d20+3 = (3+3) = 6]
Dungeoneering (untrained):
[1d20+3 = (7+3) = 10]
Spellcraft:
[1d20+11 = (16+11) = 27]
Religion (because Silence is a Divine spell)
[1d20+11 = (2+11) = 13]
She also carefully steps away from the door (taking 10 on stealth), to communicate this information to the rest of the party.
So, you are saying that the next room is devoid of ambient noise, as if it were supernaturally silenced?
Posey knows she is at a disadvantage as a spellcaster if this is the case, so she brainstorms to see if she can deduce the meaning of it:
Arcana:
[1d20+11 = (4+11) = 15]
Architecture and Engineering (untrained):
[1d20+3 = (4+3) = 7]
Earth and Life Sciences (Untrained):
[1d20+3 = (3+3) = 6]
Dungeoneering (untrained):
[1d20+3 = (7+3) = 10]
Spellcraft:
[1d20+11 = (16+11) = 27]
Religion (because Silence is a Divine spell)
[1d20+11 = (2+11) = 13]
She also carefully steps away from the door (taking 10 on stealth), to communicate this information to the rest of the party.
>>194732
>>194733
It's not supernaturally silenced, it's just quiet relative to what you would expect from the same vehicle, but with its engines on. And it's not even entirely quiet, there are still sounds that could ambiguously be hoof steps or doors opening/closing with the movement of the ship, or other sounds
>>194733
It's not supernaturally silenced, it's just quiet relative to what you would expect from the same vehicle, but with its engines on. And it's not even entirely quiet, there are still sounds that could ambiguously be hoof steps or doors opening/closing with the movement of the ship, or other sounds
>>194734
Oh, okay.
"We can only go forward..."
Having extracted all of the information she can, Posey readies an action to draw her sword, and opens the door with her horn to proceed to the next room.
Oh, okay.
"We can only go forward..."
Having extracted all of the information she can, Posey readies an action to draw her sword, and opens the door with her horn to proceed to the next room.
>>194735
Oh, Posey gives everyone else opportunity to have their weapons drawn and actions readied before she opens the door.
Oh, Posey gives everyone else opportunity to have their weapons drawn and actions readied before she opens the door.
>>194737
"I heard nothing. Be ready to engage with whatever appears." Posey says, before she opens the door
"I heard nothing. Be ready to engage with whatever appears." Posey says, before she opens the door
>>194737
There is a light on in the room, to the left of center, closer to the end of the cargo hold. It flickers off, and for a portion of a second the room is dark. The light comes back on, though the shadow made by a stack of barrels seems to grow.
>>194736
>>194738
The door is heavy steel and latched down, but unlocked
There is a light on in the room, to the left of center, closer to the end of the cargo hold. It flickers off, and for a portion of a second the room is dark. The light comes back on, though the shadow made by a stack of barrels seems to grow.
>>194736
>>194738
The door is heavy steel and latched down, but unlocked
>>194740
Cavaliere will be behind Silver and will take up one of the flanks. His flashlight will be out but turned off, in case they need to see. He wishes somepony had brought a flare.
Cavaliere will be behind Silver and will take up one of the flanks. His flashlight will be out but turned off, in case they need to see. He wishes somepony had brought a flare.
Hmmmm.... I'm unsure if I should wait, or just make things happen
>>194741
>>194740
Silver and Cavaliere are not in complete darkness, as the light casts a dim glow. There's the sound of rainwater coming through the open hole in the deck, clinging to the roof of the hold, and then dripping down, sometimes in tiny streams, sometimes in isolated dropplets.
>>194740
Kira might just wonder to herself, is Darkness supposed to grow like that? Move and grow in defiance of the light, like it's some kind of plant, growing and moving in real time, a thousand times faster than the quickest plant?
>>194742
The door creaks as it is opened. Like its loose in its position, and gravity drags it down, making a sound as the top hinges moves and grinds. Dare she open it all the way?
>>194744
Eh, fair enough
>>194740
Silver and Cavaliere are not in complete darkness, as the light casts a dim glow. There's the sound of rainwater coming through the open hole in the deck, clinging to the roof of the hold, and then dripping down, sometimes in tiny streams, sometimes in isolated dropplets.
>>194740
Kira might just wonder to herself, is Darkness supposed to grow like that? Move and grow in defiance of the light, like it's some kind of plant, growing and moving in real time, a thousand times faster than the quickest plant?
>>194742
The door creaks as it is opened. Like its loose in its position, and gravity drags it down, making a sound as the top hinges moves and grinds. Dare she open it all the way?
>>194744
Eh, fair enough
>>194743
I will be leaving work momentarily, and it takes me about 30 minutes to get home.
Considering how long it takes to post some descriptions or do one turn of combat, I encourage you to keep going without me. I will rejoin shortly.
If I am not present for my turn, assume Posey followed orders to assess the situation before attacking, and took the Total Defense Action.
>>194745
>Dare she open it all the way?
She peeks inside to see what's there before she opens it all the way.
I will be leaving work momentarily, and it takes me about 30 minutes to get home.
Considering how long it takes to post some descriptions or do one turn of combat, I encourage you to keep going without me. I will rejoin shortly.
If I am not present for my turn, assume Posey followed orders to assess the situation before attacking, and took the Total Defense Action.
>>194745
>Dare she open it all the way?
She peeks inside to see what's there before she opens it all the way.
>>194746
Peaking into the room, Posey can see that it is busier than the previous, being defined by smaller objects rather than larger ones. From the color of what is inside - tinted red and orange, with a splotch of blue - she can tell there are internal sources of light, besides the black and white of her dark vision. Two are blatantly visible, lighting up as a dim red, and a dim, yellow, pair of orbs, hanging down somewhat near the center. Close to these are a couple tables, a mattress on the ground, a couple hammocks hung between boxes, and assorted items not necessarily easy to see from this angle. Broken glass on the wooden floor shimmers blue. The far end of the room extends beyond her dark vision, although a portion of the wall is visible, reflecting red light.
Peaking into the room, Posey can see that it is busier than the previous, being defined by smaller objects rather than larger ones. From the color of what is inside - tinted red and orange, with a splotch of blue - she can tell there are internal sources of light, besides the black and white of her dark vision. Two are blatantly visible, lighting up as a dim red, and a dim, yellow, pair of orbs, hanging down somewhat near the center. Close to these are a couple tables, a mattress on the ground, a couple hammocks hung between boxes, and assorted items not necessarily easy to see from this angle. Broken glass on the wooden floor shimmers blue. The far end of the room extends beyond her dark vision, although a portion of the wall is visible, reflecting red light.
>>194745
Kira shakes slightly as she speaks to herself. "Keep it together, Kira...it's just a trick of the mind...you'll be okay..."
Kira shakes slightly as she speaks to herself. "Keep it together, Kira...it's just a trick of the mind...you'll be okay..."
Back from work
>>194747
So no visible creatures?
Posey cautiously enters the room, curious about these light sources.
>>194747
So no visible creatures?
Posey cautiously enters the room, curious about these light sources.
>>194749
They seem to be from lightbulbs. Basic, 40 to 60 watt incandescent light bulbs. They hang low, not close to the ceiling, and can't possibly have been intended to be there as a part of freight carrying operations.
A creaking sound, and the door behind Posey seems to be closing.
>>194752
Some kind of glass vessel seems to have broken on the floor. The lights are electric. More so, they are under powered. Or at least the one on the left is.
>>194748
It extends outwards in tendrils. Like smoke, really
>>194744
>>194740
Posey goes through the doorway, and either she closes it behind her, or it starts to close itself
They seem to be from lightbulbs. Basic, 40 to 60 watt incandescent light bulbs. They hang low, not close to the ceiling, and can't possibly have been intended to be there as a part of freight carrying operations.
A creaking sound, and the door behind Posey seems to be closing.
>>194752
Some kind of glass vessel seems to have broken on the floor. The lights are electric. More so, they are under powered. Or at least the one on the left is.
>>194748
It extends outwards in tendrils. Like smoke, really
>>194744
>>194740
Posey goes through the doorway, and either she closes it behind her, or it starts to close itself
>>194754
Kira is most certainly unsettled by the development of the creeping darkness. "...meep..."
>>194755
Silver assists Cavaliere in holding the door open against whatever force is trying to close it. Though Silver does wonder if it's being closed by an outside force, or just by the boat leaning to one side. If it even is leaning to that side.
Kira is most certainly unsettled by the development of the creeping darkness. "...meep..."
>>194755
Silver assists Cavaliere in holding the door open against whatever force is trying to close it. Though Silver does wonder if it's being closed by an outside force, or just by the boat leaning to one side. If it even is leaning to that side.
>>194756
Blood wets the floor next to the door.
Looking inside, posey can see that there is clearly some sort of improvised sleeping arrangement, with mattresses and blankets on the floor, and crates used to help hold up lights and hammocks, as well as lamps that seem to be turned off.
>>194757
The tendrils harden, and become longer. It's more like darkness moving than the texture of smoke.
>>194755
>>194757
Are silver and Cavaliere standing in the doorway
Blood wets the floor next to the door.
Looking inside, posey can see that there is clearly some sort of improvised sleeping arrangement, with mattresses and blankets on the floor, and crates used to help hold up lights and hammocks, as well as lamps that seem to be turned off.
>>194757
The tendrils harden, and become longer. It's more like darkness moving than the texture of smoke.
>>194755
>>194757
Are silver and Cavaliere standing in the doorway
>>194758
>improvised sleeping arrangement
"Did the boiler workers sleep here full time? I thought Stalliongraders prided themselves in their good labor conditions." Posey ponders out loud, her paralyzed face making it impossible to tell if she is being sarcastic.
She moves deeper into the room
Unless of course she sees those tendrils
>>194759
"Broken glass and some hammocks. Blood on the floor. A fight broke out here, possibly between the boiler workers and the pirates. Anyone who was asleep here you have already fallen to the Intruder. Look for the wounded, we want the workers alive."
>improvised sleeping arrangement
"Did the boiler workers sleep here full time? I thought Stalliongraders prided themselves in their good labor conditions." Posey ponders out loud, her paralyzed face making it impossible to tell if she is being sarcastic.
She moves deeper into the room
Unless of course she sees those tendrils
>>194759
"Broken glass and some hammocks. Blood on the floor. A fight broke out here, possibly between the boiler workers and the pirates. Anyone who was asleep here you have already fallen to the Intruder. Look for the wounded, we want the workers alive."
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