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
1220 replies and 37 files omitted.
>>194056
>What does a god need with a ship?
"You refer it it as a 'god'... I was under the impression that Stalliongrad's propaganda had all but eliminated the pious types. Still, I would hold your speculations. Fear is the strongest weapon of the mind benders, and the Intruder surely seems to make you believe that it is stronger than it really is,God or not..." She says
"My masters before me once encountered a godling, or so they claimed. They described her to be so frail, delicate and helpless in appearance, like a newborn child, but the utter destruction she unleashed told its own story, an entity more than capable of wiping out entire civilizations as it arrived on earth. Its shrill scream shook the cosmos themselves. I can only imagine the glory." she ponders
She puts a hoof to her chest and grimaces in sudden discomfort, her chest heaving
"But it was destroyed all the same, after untold efforts and works of brilliance by an entire school of mages, even if fragments of it refused to st-stay b-buried." she continues, panting oddly
"My point is, whatever kind of entity the intruder is, it is still a creature with limits. As far as we can tell, it has been fully reliant on its summons and its flock for all of its activities, and despite its immense Conjuration abilities it seems to be incapable of teleportation, or else it would not still be here. If we know of its plan, we may be able to control its movements."
She looks up at Monstro above her head
"If the GRU vessel were to be compromised, it is possible that the Intruder would have no choice but to use this ship, if it ever wants to leave. That gives me an idea..." Posey says
>What does a god need with a ship?
"You refer it it as a 'god'... I was under the impression that Stalliongrad's propaganda had all but eliminated the pious types. Still, I would hold your speculations. Fear is the strongest weapon of the mind benders, and the Intruder surely seems to make you believe that it is stronger than it really is,God or not..." She says
"My masters before me once encountered a godling, or so they claimed. They described her to be so frail, delicate and helpless in appearance, like a newborn child, but the utter destruction she unleashed told its own story, an entity more than capable of wiping out entire civilizations as it arrived on earth. Its shrill scream shook the cosmos themselves. I can only imagine the glory." she ponders
She puts a hoof to her chest and grimaces in sudden discomfort, her chest heaving
"But it was destroyed all the same, after untold efforts and works of brilliance by an entire school of mages, even if fragments of it refused to st-stay b-buried." she continues, panting oddly
"My point is, whatever kind of entity the intruder is, it is still a creature with limits. As far as we can tell, it has been fully reliant on its summons and its flock for all of its activities, and despite its immense Conjuration abilities it seems to be incapable of teleportation, or else it would not still be here. If we know of its plan, we may be able to control its movements."
She looks up at Monstro above her head
"If the GRU vessel were to be compromised, it is possible that the Intruder would have no choice but to use this ship, if it ever wants to leave. That gives me an idea..." Posey says
Recognizing how long it had been, Silver gives Mala some more scritches.
>>194059
Blackheel looks back to Cavaliere, and exhales
"Well, I hope so, or like to think so. Yes, the aft deckhouse is sensible. It will have some kind of trick or surprise for us, I am sure."
>>194060
To Kira:
"I suppose we'll see if your snake god thing has any actual power to smite 'Our Fellow Traveller'."
To Silver
"The weapons would be with the Petrushkas. They were mostly for the guard. There were not as many weapons as ponies on the ship."
>>194061
Blackheel scrunches
"That is its best move going forward, I would bet."
>>194061
>>194055
Stained Sand speaks up
"Or, maybe it's a dumb monster and it doesn't know how to operate a freight ship, nor does it care to. Last night we noticed that the front part of the ship didn't turn off its lights. That was the part that you said was under the control of the mutineers. You knew to turn off the lights. Anyone should have. It let us track you easily. We may have lost you if they had turned off the lights, but they did not. That thing and its minions don't know any better."
Blackheel
"You did indeed follow it. You followed it right into the side of a mountain, and it got your captain in the process, and a few more. It may still get you. Don't underestimate it."
>>194075
The line of a god and a ship was spoken by Captain Weary Weeks, who is one of the airship ponies. He is/was the highest-ranking officer of the K19 and one of its pilots. He is at least partly under the influence of the Traveller. This is the one that Posey kicked in the balls.
>>194075
"Well..." Blackheel is silenced. "I can't say I'm familiar with any other instances of something like this happening. I know it is limited. But you should still be extremely grateful it can't even open its own eyelids.
More ships will come if they are given the time. The only reason the Fascists haven't sent their planes already is because of the weather. They'd be here already but for the fog. The Nova Griffonians are sleepier but they will be here by the dawn."
>>194076
While the long, black mane that runs down Mala's back is covered by his flak jacket, his neck, head, and ears are mostly open. Mala smiles and closes his eyes as he accepts the scritches.
Before Silver did this, he alternated between staring upwards into the dark windows of the midship, and across the deck to the aft deckhouse.
Blackheel looks back to Cavaliere, and exhales
"Well, I hope so, or like to think so. Yes, the aft deckhouse is sensible. It will have some kind of trick or surprise for us, I am sure."
>>194060
To Kira:
"I suppose we'll see if your snake god thing has any actual power to smite 'Our Fellow Traveller'."
To Silver
"The weapons would be with the Petrushkas. They were mostly for the guard. There were not as many weapons as ponies on the ship."
>>194061
Blackheel scrunches
"That is its best move going forward, I would bet."
>>194061
>>194055
Stained Sand speaks up
"Or, maybe it's a dumb monster and it doesn't know how to operate a freight ship, nor does it care to. Last night we noticed that the front part of the ship didn't turn off its lights. That was the part that you said was under the control of the mutineers. You knew to turn off the lights. Anyone should have. It let us track you easily. We may have lost you if they had turned off the lights, but they did not. That thing and its minions don't know any better."
Blackheel
"You did indeed follow it. You followed it right into the side of a mountain, and it got your captain in the process, and a few more. It may still get you. Don't underestimate it."
>>194075
The line of a god and a ship was spoken by Captain Weary Weeks, who is one of the airship ponies. He is/was the highest-ranking officer of the K19 and one of its pilots. He is at least partly under the influence of the Traveller. This is the one that Posey kicked in the balls.
>>194075
"Well..." Blackheel is silenced. "I can't say I'm familiar with any other instances of something like this happening. I know it is limited. But you should still be extremely grateful it can't even open its own eyelids.
More ships will come if they are given the time. The only reason the Fascists haven't sent their planes already is because of the weather. They'd be here already but for the fog. The Nova Griffonians are sleepier but they will be here by the dawn."
>>194076
While the long, black mane that runs down Mala's back is covered by his flak jacket, his neck, head, and ears are mostly open. Mala smiles and closes his eyes as he accepts the scritches.
Before Silver did this, he alternated between staring upwards into the dark windows of the midship, and across the deck to the aft deckhouse.
>>194077
Kira smiles proudly. "Of course he does! This is his realm, after all. His world, his children, all of it is from him."
Silver frowns, concerned about the force they may be walking into. He knows it must be done, but it still worries him. "What kind of armament should we expect?"
Interestingly, petting Mala seems to be having the same effect on Silver as petting a dog would, releasing serotonin in his mind and calming him down.
Kira smiles proudly. "Of course he does! This is his realm, after all. His world, his children, all of it is from him."
Silver frowns, concerned about the force they may be walking into. He knows it must be done, but it still worries him. "What kind of armament should we expect?"
Interestingly, petting Mala seems to be having the same effect on Silver as petting a dog would, releasing serotonin in his mind and calming him down.
>>194077
>The line of a god and a ship was spoken by Captain Weary Weeks
Oops.
Well, reimagine that post in a way that makes sense.
>This is the one that Posey kicked in the balls.
Posey putting the fear of god into stallions.
.
"Anyways, we should keep moving. I am mostly uninjured so I will lead the way. One of you sailors can tell me about the path and any upcoming turns as we go. We can debate the monster's capacity for tactical thought after the boiler is repaired." Posey says, stepping into the dark.
Does Posey see or hear anything of note as she proceeds towards the aft deckhouse?
>The line of a god and a ship was spoken by Captain Weary Weeks
Oops.
Well, reimagine that post in a way that makes sense.
>This is the one that Posey kicked in the balls.
Posey putting the fear of god into stallions.
.
"Anyways, we should keep moving. I am mostly uninjured so I will lead the way. One of you sailors can tell me about the path and any upcoming turns as we go. We can debate the monster's capacity for tactical thought after the boiler is repaired." Posey says, stepping into the dark.
Does Posey see or hear anything of note as she proceeds towards the aft deckhouse?
>>194077
Cavaliere questions, "Your cargo didn't include very many weapons, and you didn't sail under escort. What were your plans for repelling boarders? Did your superiors understand the gravity of what you were transporting?" He pauses for a second.
"I agree that we should be out quickly. This was why I suggested getting one of the boats of here so some creatures would have better chance of escape. What's important for us is dealing with this threat before any other groups come to meddle."
Cavaliere will follow the group if it's unanimously agreed upon to start moving.
Cavaliere questions, "Your cargo didn't include very many weapons, and you didn't sail under escort. What were your plans for repelling boarders? Did your superiors understand the gravity of what you were transporting?" He pauses for a second.
"I agree that we should be out quickly. This was why I suggested getting one of the boats of here so some creatures would have better chance of escape. What's important for us is dealing with this threat before any other groups come to meddle."
Cavaliere will follow the group if it's unanimously agreed upon to start moving.
The lights on the forward masts of the ship again shine their dim, reddish lights across the forward deck.
The portholes of the superstructure in the center are mostly black, though a small few have lights on within. Hard to say if anyone is inside. And if anyone is looking down on them...
The aft deck is overwhelmingly dark, wet with the mist and rain. The fog has reduced greatly, You can see from one end of the ship to the other. But the fog still blocks off the island, and the end of the harbor, as if the ship is isolated from all of space and time. The rain now forms larger droplets.
>>194079
Blackheel to Kira:
"Riigghht... That's what we're missing. A snake god."
He turns to Silver
"Mostly bolt action rifles, but there were submachine guns. Shotguns. Automatic rifles. Hard to say what is lying on the island and what is still on the ship."
Mala is pet
He opens up his eyes, still smiling. He seems calmed by it as well.
>>194080
A simple sound of steel bending, presumably from a wave moving under the ship. Waves may be picking up. Perhaps the weather is getting worse, perhaps the tide is coming in, perhaps it is the wake of an unseen boat.
There is a blood spot on the deck.
The portholes of the superstructure in the center are mostly black, though a small few have lights on within. Hard to say if anyone is inside. And if anyone is looking down on them...
The aft deck is overwhelmingly dark, wet with the mist and rain. The fog has reduced greatly, You can see from one end of the ship to the other. But the fog still blocks off the island, and the end of the harbor, as if the ship is isolated from all of space and time. The rain now forms larger droplets.
>>194079
Blackheel to Kira:
"Riigghht... That's what we're missing. A snake god."
He turns to Silver
"Mostly bolt action rifles, but there were submachine guns. Shotguns. Automatic rifles. Hard to say what is lying on the island and what is still on the ship."
Mala is pet
He opens up his eyes, still smiling. He seems calmed by it as well.
>>194080
A simple sound of steel bending, presumably from a wave moving under the ship. Waves may be picking up. Perhaps the weather is getting worse, perhaps the tide is coming in, perhaps it is the wake of an unseen boat.
There is a blood spot on the deck.
>>194081
"A dozen marines and many anti-air gunners. And we have more guns than that. That is enough for most threats, especially since the anti-air guns may be used against surface targets as well.
I don't know what my superiors thought. They didn't say much about what the cargo was or what they thought it could do. They said it was the corpse of a fantastic beast and that they wanted to examine it. They spent far more time talking about the cooperation with science elements and with foreign governments. That is more in line with what my duties were anyways. I am certain the Fascists intelligence officers in Trottingham were told more about the entity than I was by my superiors. But the Skynavians liaisons, by contrast, wouldn't shut up about it. They told all sorts of stories and promised all kinds of great things. Those who had actually been to the village and had been around the creature did not wish to say much about it at all and did not like it.
I was under the impression that it was some kind of hoax or salemanship to get us to send them items for free. I actually thought my superiors thought the same. Most of what we sent in payment was fuel oil. Basic heating oil for smaller structures, diesel for remote generators, bunker oil for larger heating systems and ships. In the Winter. We may have had to send it anyways for mercy. Most of the rest was land clearing equipment like bulldozers and front-end loaders. At least this way we could say we got something out of it.
Did they know it was this magical? With the number of science personal sent, maybe. I think they may know now. I certainly did not."
"A dozen marines and many anti-air gunners. And we have more guns than that. That is enough for most threats, especially since the anti-air guns may be used against surface targets as well.
I don't know what my superiors thought. They didn't say much about what the cargo was or what they thought it could do. They said it was the corpse of a fantastic beast and that they wanted to examine it. They spent far more time talking about the cooperation with science elements and with foreign governments. That is more in line with what my duties were anyways. I am certain the Fascists intelligence officers in Trottingham were told more about the entity than I was by my superiors. But the Skynavians liaisons, by contrast, wouldn't shut up about it. They told all sorts of stories and promised all kinds of great things. Those who had actually been to the village and had been around the creature did not wish to say much about it at all and did not like it.
I was under the impression that it was some kind of hoax or salemanship to get us to send them items for free. I actually thought my superiors thought the same. Most of what we sent in payment was fuel oil. Basic heating oil for smaller structures, diesel for remote generators, bunker oil for larger heating systems and ships. In the Winter. We may have had to send it anyways for mercy. Most of the rest was land clearing equipment like bulldozers and front-end loaders. At least this way we could say we got something out of it.
Did they know it was this magical? With the number of science personal sent, maybe. I think they may know now. I certainly did not."
>>194082
Kira scrunches slightly, but she knows it's not their fault. To them she's just some weird snake-pony hybrid monster from a faraway land worshipping a foreign god. But she'll show them. They're all Ouroboros' children, and he cares for them whether they worship Him or not.
Silver's eyes widen slightly. "Any specifics on those weapons? What models of weapons exactly are they armed with?"
Kira scrunches slightly, but she knows it's not their fault. To them she's just some weird snake-pony hybrid monster from a faraway land worshipping a foreign god. But she'll show them. They're all Ouroboros' children, and he cares for them whether they worship Him or not.
Silver's eyes widen slightly. "Any specifics on those weapons? What models of weapons exactly are they armed with?"
>>194084
A small pool of blood on the deck. It is wet, but the rain and mist has obviously disturbed it and it has run towards the edge of the deck with the water running off the deck. There is no trail and there is a single claw print stepping in it. Only a single second claw print of blood exists, going in the direction of the aft deckhouse.
Blackheel:
"You could say that. To keep morale, to act as a liaison between the multiple nations involved in the operation, and to make sure that operations were consistent with the interests and ideology of the Stalliongradian Communist Party.
>>194085
Well... He isn't fleeing in terror. So there's that.
Blackheel:
"SVETA rifles, PSH-11 submachine guns, a light machine gun, and a number of vlazhnyy rifles."
A small pool of blood on the deck. It is wet, but the rain and mist has obviously disturbed it and it has run towards the edge of the deck with the water running off the deck. There is no trail and there is a single claw print stepping in it. Only a single second claw print of blood exists, going in the direction of the aft deckhouse.
Blackheel:
"You could say that. To keep morale, to act as a liaison between the multiple nations involved in the operation, and to make sure that operations were consistent with the interests and ideology of the Stalliongradian Communist Party.
>>194085
Well... He isn't fleeing in terror. So there's that.
Blackheel:
"SVETA rifles, PSH-11 submachine guns, a light machine gun, and a number of vlazhnyy rifles."
>>194086
Obviously Cavaliere has to make sure he wasn't the one who stepped in it. Is he able to know? Also, can he get any more precise indication on how old the bloodstain is?
"Watch out for the bloodstain here. It's still fresh, but if it was left by a body I can see no signs of it."
Obviously Cavaliere has to make sure he wasn't the one who stepped in it. Is he able to know? Also, can he get any more precise indication on how old the bloodstain is?
"Watch out for the bloodstain here. It's still fresh, but if it was left by a body I can see no signs of it."
>>194086
Silver nods, though the concern shows through his expression. "Those submachine guns have frankly absurd rate of fire. If one of those gets bead on us it will shred straight through us."
Silver nods, though the concern shows through his expression. "Those submachine guns have frankly absurd rate of fire. If one of those gets bead on us it will shred straight through us."
>>194089
Silver looks to Mala with his fancy new shotgun. "I want to try to save all that we can, but if one of those petrushkas comes around corner armed with one of those submachine guns...well, you are best armed to deal with it."
Silver looks to Mala with his fancy new shotgun. "I want to try to save all that we can, but if one of those petrushkas comes around corner armed with one of those submachine guns...well, you are best armed to deal with it."
>>194089
I'm guessing Cavaliere did NOT step in it, then.
"It's possible this bloodstain was left behind by either Dr. Light Water or one of the pirates less than an hour ago. Something caused a large volume of blood to spill, but it was stopped by the time the victim moved or was moved."
I'm guessing Cavaliere did NOT step in it, then.
"It's possible this bloodstain was left behind by either Dr. Light Water or one of the pirates less than an hour ago. Something caused a large volume of blood to spill, but it was stopped by the time the victim moved or was moved."
>>194090
Mala takes the shotgun, which is slung over his shoulder, and with his right paw moves it forward. The shotgun is very large, with the bayonet the size of a short sword and making the weapon almost a polearm. Mala moves his head forward, evidently attempting a curt nod, though it doesn't seem quite right, perhaps because his head is lowered from his shoulders.
"Uh, yes, I can do that."
>>194091
It was not him.
The creatures take note, and Mala comes up and seems to sniff it.
Mala takes the shotgun, which is slung over his shoulder, and with his right paw moves it forward. The shotgun is very large, with the bayonet the size of a short sword and making the weapon almost a polearm. Mala moves his head forward, evidently attempting a curt nod, though it doesn't seem quite right, perhaps because his head is lowered from his shoulders.
"Uh, yes, I can do that."
>>194091
It was not him.
The creatures take note, and Mala comes up and seems to sniff it.
>>194092
Silver looks back to Black Heel. "It can happen that during mutiny one side will set traps. Did you and other survivors come across any as you made your escape?"
Silver looks back to Black Heel. "It can happen that during mutiny one side will set traps. Did you and other survivors come across any as you made your escape?"
>>194086
>a single claw print stepping in it. Only a single second claw print of blood exists, going in the direction of the aft deckhouse.
As in, like a hippogriff's claw?
Posey continues moving in that direction.
>>194088
>>194086
>>194089
What even is the rate of fire for machine guns in this game? How do they work? Do they interact with the rapid shot or burst fire feats? Are they AoE?
>a single claw print stepping in it. Only a single second claw print of blood exists, going in the direction of the aft deckhouse.
As in, like a hippogriff's claw?
Posey continues moving in that direction.
>>194088
>>194086
>>194089
What even is the rate of fire for machine guns in this game? How do they work? Do they interact with the rapid shot or burst fire feats? Are they AoE?
>>194078
^^
Vir rubs the back of her head with her hoof.
"I don't recall. It was some fancy pants stuff. She brought out just for me to sip. But don't worry about me, I'm already a moocher on the church's hospitality."
Then she smacks her lips.
"Then again, I could go for some milk."
^^
Vir rubs the back of her head with her hoof.
"I don't recall. It was some fancy pants stuff. She brought out just for me to sip. But don't worry about me, I'm already a moocher on the church's hospitality."
Then she smacks her lips.
"Then again, I could go for some milk."
>>194083
Posey scoffs
Transporting an unidentified magical cadaver without properly briefing the transport crew and taking proper containment measures, or even making sure it was fully dead? I have met smugglers and pirates who were more responsible with such cargo, and even they had a grisly margin of error when transporting Somnambulan relics without a seasoned Necrologist foal-sitting them. This would not be the first time the husk of dead demigod enslaved the crew transporting it."
Posey, still walking, turns to Blackheel
"Were you the only mage tasked with overseeing this mission? You clearly have other responsibilities aboard this ship other than commitment to practicing the arcane, so you could not have been the esoteric consultant on this ship. Does the Kostroma have any dedicated magewright we might run into?"
>>194089
Posey, ever the sanguine sommelier discreetly levitates a droplet of blood and samples it in the darkness.
Is that hippogriff blood?
Posey scoffs
Transporting an unidentified magical cadaver without properly briefing the transport crew and taking proper containment measures, or even making sure it was fully dead? I have met smugglers and pirates who were more responsible with such cargo, and even they had a grisly margin of error when transporting Somnambulan relics without a seasoned Necrologist foal-sitting them. This would not be the first time the husk of dead demigod enslaved the crew transporting it."
Posey, still walking, turns to Blackheel
"Were you the only mage tasked with overseeing this mission? You clearly have other responsibilities aboard this ship other than commitment to practicing the arcane, so you could not have been the esoteric consultant on this ship. Does the Kostroma have any dedicated magewright we might run into?"
>>194089
Posey, ever the sanguine sommelier discreetly levitates a droplet of blood and samples it in the darkness.
Is that hippogriff blood?
>>194096
Blackheel slightly narrows his eyes and his ears go down.
“Right….”
His ears go back up, and he relaxes his lips.
“You’ve repeatedly voiced frustration at your lack of understanding of how to kill it, what it can do, what its limits are, or even what it is, and you’ve been dancing with it the better part of a day. I think our scientists in Petershoof, who had never seen or interacted with it and still haven’t, can be forgiven for being unprepared. “
He looks down.
“Or maybe they can’t. Maybe they did know what they were dealing with. But no, I was not in charge of the scientific operations, rather morale and political coordination. The military command was split between Schattenwechsel as the military advisor and Captain Salted Watch in command of operating the ship.
He smiles
“But yes, we had an arcane scientific advisor, and I would venture to say that he quickly became more knowledgeable on the entity than anycreature else. I believe you’ve spoken to him.”
The blood is griffin blood.
>>194093
“No. We were in charge of the rear half of the vessel at the time, the half you now wish to go through.”
Blackheel slightly narrows his eyes and his ears go down.
“Right….”
His ears go back up, and he relaxes his lips.
“You’ve repeatedly voiced frustration at your lack of understanding of how to kill it, what it can do, what its limits are, or even what it is, and you’ve been dancing with it the better part of a day. I think our scientists in Petershoof, who had never seen or interacted with it and still haven’t, can be forgiven for being unprepared. “
He looks down.
“Or maybe they can’t. Maybe they did know what they were dealing with. But no, I was not in charge of the scientific operations, rather morale and political coordination. The military command was split between Schattenwechsel as the military advisor and Captain Salted Watch in command of operating the ship.
He smiles
“But yes, we had an arcane scientific advisor, and I would venture to say that he quickly became more knowledgeable on the entity than anycreature else. I believe you’ve spoken to him.”
The blood is griffin blood.
>>194093
“No. We were in charge of the rear half of the vessel at the time, the half you now wish to go through.”
>>194095
"Oh very well. Saves me the effort of boiling the water. Starting a fire." She gets up and walks towards a refrigerator in a not-actually separate kitchen area. "Oh my nephew hated the church. Never quite understood what his issue was. It's good to see little... big mares like you still appreciate it. Or at least their tea."
"Oh very well. Saves me the effort of boiling the water. Starting a fire." She gets up and walks towards a refrigerator in a not-actually separate kitchen area. "Oh my nephew hated the church. Never quite understood what his issue was. It's good to see little... big mares like you still appreciate it. Or at least their tea."
>>194097
>I think our scientists in Petershoof, who had never seen or interacted with it and still haven’t, can be forgiven for being unprepared.
"Oh, I can easily forgive the crew for being unprepared. It is the higher-ups who should have known better. I have seen enough times in my career." Posey replies
>But yes, we had an arcane scientific advisor, and I would venture to say that he quickly became more knowledgeable on the entity than anycreature else. I believe you’ve spoken to him.
"You mean Light Water? He was your leading expert on the Arcane? That comes as a surprise. I never heard of a hippogriff so precocious with the arcane. What sort of mage was he? It is better to know before we face him."
She looks towards the puddle of blood and squints
"This coagulation... Low PCV... This was the blood of a griffon, not a hippogriff. Unless there were griffons on the crew of the ship, the pirates went this way." She says
>I think our scientists in Petershoof, who had never seen or interacted with it and still haven’t, can be forgiven for being unprepared.
"Oh, I can easily forgive the crew for being unprepared. It is the higher-ups who should have known better. I have seen enough times in my career." Posey replies
>But yes, we had an arcane scientific advisor, and I would venture to say that he quickly became more knowledgeable on the entity than anycreature else. I believe you’ve spoken to him.
"You mean Light Water? He was your leading expert on the Arcane? That comes as a surprise. I never heard of a hippogriff so precocious with the arcane. What sort of mage was he? It is better to know before we face him."
She looks towards the puddle of blood and squints
"This coagulation... Low PCV... This was the blood of a griffon, not a hippogriff. Unless there were griffons on the crew of the ship, the pirates went this way." She says
>>194098
"Oh, I appreciate it more than for just its tea," Vir says and turns to display the faded sun emblem that covered her cloak's back. "I was raised on breast-wine and communion bread when I was tiny like a mouse. Squeak. Squeak."
"Oh, I appreciate it more than for just its tea," Vir says and turns to display the faded sun emblem that covered her cloak's back. "I was raised on breast-wine and communion bread when I was tiny like a mouse. Squeak. Squeak."
>>194097
>>194099
Cavaliere remarks, "Many unicorns believe they have a special affinity with arcane science, but there is nothing preventing another species from at least having a book knowledge of the field. In the end it doesn't matter how knowledgeable an arcane scientist is—the entity would have shown him exactly what he wanted, and a more skilled magician is only more dangerous under his thralldom."
>>194099
Cavaliere remarks, "Many unicorns believe they have a special affinity with arcane science, but there is nothing preventing another species from at least having a book knowledge of the field. In the end it doesn't matter how knowledgeable an arcane scientist is—the entity would have shown him exactly what he wanted, and a more skilled magician is only more dangerous under his thralldom."
>>194103
"I am well aware of the widespread and diverse practice of The Art. There are countless arcane traditions across the many creatures of this land; all of which are fascinating in their esoteric ways. We unicorns, however, have innate sensitivity to magic in our horns, and an ancient tradition of astronomy that formed the foundation of our eldritch prowess, which is why all of the mightiest mortal mages in history have been unicorns." Posey says
(This is not reflected in game mechanics)
He cannot be that skilled if he allowed himself to be enslaved. The results speak for themselves." Posey continues, turning up her chin
(t. is currently enslaved)
"A responsible arcanist would have taken precautions before the mission, and should have first determined if the cargo was safe to be transported at all with the given resources. It seems as though he got too enthusiastic believing he had found something special and forgot years of training in the blink of an eye. Not a mistake a trained and gifted unicorn such as I would have made."
(yeah, there was that thing with the cursed Tiara... but it was retconned :D)
"I am well aware of the widespread and diverse practice of The Art. There are countless arcane traditions across the many creatures of this land; all of which are fascinating in their esoteric ways. We unicorns, however, have innate sensitivity to magic in our horns, and an ancient tradition of astronomy that formed the foundation of our eldritch prowess, which is why all of the mightiest mortal mages in history have been unicorns." Posey says
(This is not reflected in game mechanics)
He cannot be that skilled if he allowed himself to be enslaved. The results speak for themselves." Posey continues, turning up her chin
(t. is currently enslaved)
"A responsible arcanist would have taken precautions before the mission, and should have first determined if the cargo was safe to be transported at all with the given resources. It seems as though he got too enthusiastic believing he had found something special and forgot years of training in the blink of an eye. Not a mistake a trained and gifted unicorn such as I would have made."
(yeah, there was that thing with the cursed Tiara... but it was retconned :D)
So, do we see anything in the deckhouse as we pass through it?
A detail of the stern half I forgot to mention:
A hatch on the cargo hold is open, but there is nothing remarkable. A boon has been lowered from the mast, but it isn't consistent with any clear intent, it seems like an accident.
The stern deckhouse is a single level. On top of it is a deck with railings holding a single, very large gun, elevated above the level of the roof. Likely a 4 inch gun. Somewhere behind it are two more guns, presumably 20's.
There are no lights on, inside nor outside. The door to the aft deckhouse is unlocked.
Inside, there is a small hallway with indistinct green painted walls to either side that stretches only 15 or so feet, and leads to a perpendicular hallway
A hatch on the cargo hold is open, but there is nothing remarkable. A boon has been lowered from the mast, but it isn't consistent with any clear intent, it seems like an accident.
The stern deckhouse is a single level. On top of it is a deck with railings holding a single, very large gun, elevated above the level of the roof. Likely a 4 inch gun. Somewhere behind it are two more guns, presumably 20's.
There are no lights on, inside nor outside. The door to the aft deckhouse is unlocked.
Inside, there is a small hallway with indistinct green painted walls to either side that stretches only 15 or so feet, and leads to a perpendicular hallway
>>194104
"Sure you wouldn't have"
Blackheel looks at Posey with a degree of annoyance and skepticism, like a child hearing stories told by his grandfather and doubtful of their veracity, or like a man listening to the fishing stories of his coworker.
>>194102
"Oh, you're a silly...." She leans forward and looks at the sun emblem. She is silenced by it, breathing out, then back in, slowly.
"Oh yes, he wouldn't have liked that. He wouldn't have liked that at all. i haven't seen a sun like that... In a while now..."
"Sure you wouldn't have"
Blackheel looks at Posey with a degree of annoyance and skepticism, like a child hearing stories told by his grandfather and doubtful of their veracity, or like a man listening to the fishing stories of his coworker.
>>194102
"Oh, you're a silly...." She leans forward and looks at the sun emblem. She is silenced by it, breathing out, then back in, slowly.
"Oh yes, he wouldn't have liked that. He wouldn't have liked that at all. i haven't seen a sun like that... In a while now..."
>>194129
Vir nods solmnely.
"It's the day star. I followed it from my homeland to this land, which we shall call... This land."
She looks out the window.
"I learnt at my home away from home that the equine egalitarians had told their statue of the sun goddess a joke so funny she lost her head."
Vir sat down in a chair at the table.
"The body without the head just did what felt right, and joined the rebellion. The head without the body didn't have anything to live for anymore, so it jumped off a bridge.
"I had to dive a thousand leagues and fight a furious amoeba. When I brought it back me and my sister's rejoiced with tea and biscuits.
"I set off after the body thinking a headless horse can't have walked too far. Expecting to find it repeatedly headbutt a wall. Sadly, it was not to be and I had to seek the aid of her assassins, the poners who dip their hooves in ink to hide her blood on them.
Vir turned her head to the mare.
"That's why I'm looking for that colt of yours. Its suspected that he fraternized with the body, saying something along the lines of, 'Sweet Celestia, you make me rock hard.'"
Vir nods solmnely.
"It's the day star. I followed it from my homeland to this land, which we shall call... This land."
She looks out the window.
"I learnt at my home away from home that the equine egalitarians had told their statue of the sun goddess a joke so funny she lost her head."
Vir sat down in a chair at the table.
"The body without the head just did what felt right, and joined the rebellion. The head without the body didn't have anything to live for anymore, so it jumped off a bridge.
"I had to dive a thousand leagues and fight a furious amoeba. When I brought it back me and my sister's rejoiced with tea and biscuits.
"I set off after the body thinking a headless horse can't have walked too far. Expecting to find it repeatedly headbutt a wall. Sadly, it was not to be and I had to seek the aid of her assassins, the poners who dip their hooves in ink to hide her blood on them.
Vir turned her head to the mare.
"That's why I'm looking for that colt of yours. Its suspected that he fraternized with the body, saying something along the lines of, 'Sweet Celestia, you make me rock hard.'"
>>194129
Posey puffs out her chest proudly as she passes, her perfect white chest fluff fluttering in the sea wind.
>>194128
Posey checks for any magical ammo in the guns before proceeding down to the hallway, furtively peering around the corner. She looks left and then right for any signs of creatures or other things of note, comfortable with her darkvision. She waits until she has made sure the coast is clear before waving the rest of the herd through.
Posey puffs out her chest proudly as she passes, her perfect white chest fluff fluttering in the sea wind.
>>194128
Posey checks for any magical ammo in the guns before proceeding down to the hallway, furtively peering around the corner. She looks left and then right for any signs of creatures or other things of note, comfortable with her darkvision. She waits until she has made sure the coast is clear before waving the rest of the herd through.
>>194131
>Posey checks for any magical ammo in the guns
Is the implication supposed to be that Posey will carry a 65 pound 4-inch shell if it is magical but will leave it behind if it is non-magical?
These are not machine guns. The 4-inch gun is an artillery piece weighing two and a half tons, larger in size than the main gun of a tank (but smaller in size than the main gun of a destroyer or heavy field artillery pieces) designed to shoot a 33-pound projectile accurately out to 3 and a half miles. The two 20-millimeter cannons are automatic canons that shoot several hundred explosive projectiles each four times the size of a .50 caliber bullet. The 4-inch gun is not directly on the deck but is raised on a platform above, and may move in most directions by a hydralic pump that isn't working at the moment. It may elevate straight up, but also below the horizon to allow it to shoot at submarines and fast attack craft. The two 20mm canons are not on the deck house, but platforms down and behind the main deckhouse on separate platforms. The guns are loaded, yes, but they are fed by an elevator from a magazine located below them. No, the ammunition is not magical. You have to take a detour to go on a set of stairs to go above the deckhouse to get to them.
>Posey checks for any magical ammo in the guns
Is the implication supposed to be that Posey will carry a 65 pound 4-inch shell if it is magical but will leave it behind if it is non-magical?
These are not machine guns. The 4-inch gun is an artillery piece weighing two and a half tons, larger in size than the main gun of a tank (but smaller in size than the main gun of a destroyer or heavy field artillery pieces) designed to shoot a 33-pound projectile accurately out to 3 and a half miles. The two 20-millimeter cannons are automatic canons that shoot several hundred explosive projectiles each four times the size of a .50 caliber bullet. The 4-inch gun is not directly on the deck but is raised on a platform above, and may move in most directions by a hydralic pump that isn't working at the moment. It may elevate straight up, but also below the horizon to allow it to shoot at submarines and fast attack craft. The two 20mm canons are not on the deck house, but platforms down and behind the main deckhouse on separate platforms. The guns are loaded, yes, but they are fed by an elevator from a magazine located below them. No, the ammunition is not magical. You have to take a detour to go on a set of stairs to go above the deckhouse to get to them.
>>194131
There are three dorm rooms, each with bunk beds. The beds and rooms vary from complete messes with even mattresses on the floor and clothes strewn about, to made up beds and clean rooms. The fourth room is an infirmary, with an empty bed and open, raided cabinets.
There are no creatures present, no locked doors, no lights turned on, no blood, and no bullet holes. There is a set of stairs going deeper into the ship.
There are three dorm rooms, each with bunk beds. The beds and rooms vary from complete messes with even mattresses on the floor and clothes strewn about, to made up beds and clean rooms. The fourth room is an infirmary, with an empty bed and open, raided cabinets.
There are no creatures present, no locked doors, no lights turned on, no blood, and no bullet holes. There is a set of stairs going deeper into the ship.
1769996603.png (361.1 KB, 640x536, look-ma-im-a-intimidating-pony-now-v0-yqsrfb8rg4df1.png)
>>194132
>Is the implication supposed to be that Posey will carry a 65 pound 4-inch shell if it is magical but will leave it behind if it is non-magical?
Posey would take it if it were magic.
>>194133
>The beds and rooms vary from complete messes with even mattresses on the floor and clothes strewn about, to made up beds and clean rooms. The fourth room is an infirmary, with an empty bed and open, raided cabinets.
"Somepony has been here. I suspect the pirates in the torpedo boat. The wounded griffin likely ransacked the infirmary for healing potions in desperation before moving on..."
>no blood
"And it seems he was successful, having stopped bleeding before he left here. I doubt there is anything left of value here, but those of you who are desperate enough could check." She says, strutting into the hallway
She proceeds towards the stairs, looking down the passageway as she makes way for the herd to enter the hallway and search the rooms if they do please.
I may as well roll to Search too, since I'm the one with darkvision. Posey searches the rooms for any items of value or interest.
[1d20+5 = (1+5) = 6]
I assume Monstro cannot squeeze into the deckhouse. Posey orders it to guard the entry behind them, and to slam its body on the deck to make noise in case a fight breaks out so that the herd will know they are being followed.
Pic unrelated
>Is the implication supposed to be that Posey will carry a 65 pound 4-inch shell if it is magical but will leave it behind if it is non-magical?
Posey would take it if it were magic.
>>194133
>The beds and rooms vary from complete messes with even mattresses on the floor and clothes strewn about, to made up beds and clean rooms. The fourth room is an infirmary, with an empty bed and open, raided cabinets.
"Somepony has been here. I suspect the pirates in the torpedo boat. The wounded griffin likely ransacked the infirmary for healing potions in desperation before moving on..."
>no blood
"And it seems he was successful, having stopped bleeding before he left here. I doubt there is anything left of value here, but those of you who are desperate enough could check." She says, strutting into the hallway
She proceeds towards the stairs, looking down the passageway as she makes way for the herd to enter the hallway and search the rooms if they do please.
I may as well roll to Search too, since I'm the one with darkvision. Posey searches the rooms for any items of value or interest.
[1d20+5 = (1+5) = 6]
I assume Monstro cannot squeeze into the deckhouse. Posey orders it to guard the entry behind them, and to slam its body on the deck to make noise in case a fight breaks out so that the herd will know they are being followed.
Pic unrelated
>>194134
>Nat 1 as she's walking towards the stairs in the dark
"W-woah!"
*Slips* BOINK CRASH "Owie..."
>Nat 1 as she's walking towards the stairs in the dark
"W-woah!"
*Slips* BOINK CRASH "Owie..."
>>194133
Search: Silver knows it's a long shot, but he checks to see if the ransackers left behind any combat drugs. Adrenaline, methamphetamine, etc.
[1d20 = 2]
Search: Silver knows it's a long shot, but he checks to see if the ransackers left behind any combat drugs. Adrenaline, methamphetamine, etc.
[1d20 = 2]
>>194134
>Posey would take it if it were magic.
It's a fuck off artillery shell. Either you want to use it as an IED or you don't want it at all. It's too big to carry. Also if there were magic shells, they'd probably be in the magazine below deck.
Posey does not find very much at all.
Monstro cannot fit inside the ship.
>>194135
clack
tick tick
tap tap tap
>>194136
Not even coffee or cigarettes
>Posey would take it if it were magic.
It's a fuck off artillery shell. Either you want to use it as an IED or you don't want it at all. It's too big to carry. Also if there were magic shells, they'd probably be in the magazine below deck.
Posey does not find very much at all.
Monstro cannot fit inside the ship.
>>194135
clack
tick tick
tap tap tap
>>194136
Not even coffee or cigarettes
>>194138
Oddly enough, Silver doesn't feel too bad about the lack of cigarettes. He hasn't felt the need to light up since becoming young again, though some coffee would be nice about now for himself and the others.
Survival: Somewhere in the darkness, a tongue is flicked out to try to pick out scents of hostiles.
[1d20+11 = (14+11) = 25]
Oddly enough, Silver doesn't feel too bad about the lack of cigarettes. He hasn't felt the need to light up since becoming young again, though some coffee would be nice about now for himself and the others.
Survival: Somewhere in the darkness, a tongue is flicked out to try to pick out scents of hostiles.
[1d20+11 = (14+11) = 25]
>>194138
If u find my post unrealisticly long and obnoxious, then I can write something simpler.
Vir slaps the old bat (not the one from before) and yells like batman, "Where are they?!"
"When did you see a sun like this last?"
Or something like that. ^^
I don't wanna make it too annoying for you.
If u find my post unrealisticly long and obnoxious, then I can write something simpler.
"When did you see a sun like this last?"
Or something like that. ^^
I don't wanna make it too annoying for you.
Roll initiative, guys. Seaponies are boarding the SSRS Kostroma. They be plunderin' you landlubbers clean, argh matey! Also, ahoy.
Meta note: This is a kill or be killed kinda encounter. Let blood spill! ^^
Meta note: This is a kill or be killed kinda encounter. Let blood spill! ^^
"Oh dear, look at me, flat-footed and prone at the bottom of these stairs, isolated from my party. I sure do hope some kind of horrifying monstrosity does not rush to the noise I just made and lunge out of the shadows at the edge of my infravision to attack me while I am vulnerable... I might lose my composure."
>>194246
This is an actual invitation to prompt serious, immersive, fear-based roleplay in the way DM expects based on whatever situation unfolds. Idk why I phrased it like a cheesy porno intro when I meant to say "I'm ready to take things seriously now", but multi-leveled irony is one hell of a drug.
This is an actual invitation to prompt serious, immersive, fear-based roleplay in the way DM expects based on whatever situation unfolds. Idk why I phrased it like a cheesy porno intro when I meant to say "I'm ready to take things seriously now", but multi-leveled irony is one hell of a drug.
I may not be able to play comfortably for about a week or so due to travel. I will try to check in anyway. If you can proceed without me, please do so and simply assume that Posey helps out in whatever way she can without expending spell spots.
My apologies for the inconvenience.
My apologies for the inconvenience.
>>194246
When I first saw this post, I was going to write something like the following:
Posey hears a clop, clop, clop growing slightly louder as she hears the sound of hooves clanking down the metal stairs. The sound pauses next to her, then continues. Blackheel comes into her peripheral vision, looking down toward her as he walks into the room.
“Honestly? Ask me later. When we are free of all of this mess, and can have time alone together.” He walks past into the room. More clopping, and Stainnd follows, though he does not stop to speak to her.
This would have been followed by a description of the contents of the room. The problem with this response is that something said in OOC
>these weeks long hiatuses are destroying my immersion
Is all too true. It would make more sense to back up the action
>>194248
> Idk why I phrased it like a cheesy porno intro
Yes you do
When I first saw this post, I was going to write something like the following:
Posey hears a clop, clop, clop growing slightly louder as she hears the sound of hooves clanking down the metal stairs. The sound pauses next to her, then continues. Blackheel comes into her peripheral vision, looking down toward her as he walks into the room.
“Honestly? Ask me later. When we are free of all of this mess, and can have time alone together.” He walks past into the room. More clopping, and Stainnd follows, though he does not stop to speak to her.
This would have been followed by a description of the contents of the room. The problem with this response is that something said in OOC
>these weeks long hiatuses are destroying my immersion
Is all too true. It would make more sense to back up the action
>>194248
> Idk why I phrased it like a cheesy porno intro
Yes you do
>>194263
>Is all too true. It would make more sense to back up the action
How far are we looking? I'd prefer if we have only a brief recap of "last time..." so we don't lose too much time.
>Is all too true. It would make more sense to back up the action
How far are we looking? I'd prefer if we have only a brief recap of "last time..." so we don't lose too much time.
>>194263
If it were possible for Posey's blood run any colder, it certainly would have as she realizes that she was being observed, the embarrassment worse than any monster that might have kept out of the darkness.
>would make more sense to back up the action
What do you mean by that?
If it were possible for Posey's blood run any colder, it certainly would have as she realizes that she was being observed, the embarrassment worse than any monster that might have kept out of the darkness.
>would make more sense to back up the action
What do you mean by that?
>>194265
continues scrunching
>>194268
What I meant by that was that after a long hiatus, the atmosphere needs to be reestablished. This takes or or two long posts to describe the sights, sounds, and other aspects of the environment. Ideally there should be two or three posts for the feeling to sink in, and then begin action. Or at the very least, the lead up to the action should not begin in the same post or at the same time as the reintroduction to the scene. The problem is that the party is entering into a new room, possibly one of only four before they reach the boiler, inclusive of the boiler room itself. Action can’t begin immediately in the room and the atmosphere be reestablished, nor would there be any time or room to build tension. Obviously not every room can or even should have any kind of action, but allowing the room to at least have the possibility of maybe not being empty like the last one is, I think, desirable. So I wanted to go back to the previous room to do the reintroduction, so that action could happen in the lower room, or at least, that the players should have some fear or concern or suspicion that action may occur in the lower room, and they don’t already know it to be empty.
continues scrunching
>>194268
What I meant by that was that after a long hiatus, the atmosphere needs to be reestablished. This takes or or two long posts to describe the sights, sounds, and other aspects of the environment. Ideally there should be two or three posts for the feeling to sink in, and then begin action. Or at the very least, the lead up to the action should not begin in the same post or at the same time as the reintroduction to the scene. The problem is that the party is entering into a new room, possibly one of only four before they reach the boiler, inclusive of the boiler room itself. Action can’t begin immediately in the room and the atmosphere be reestablished, nor would there be any time or room to build tension. Obviously not every room can or even should have any kind of action, but allowing the room to at least have the possibility of maybe not being empty like the last one is, I think, desirable. So I wanted to go back to the previous room to do the reintroduction, so that action could happen in the lower room, or at least, that the players should have some fear or concern or suspicion that action may occur in the lower room, and they don’t already know it to be empty.
>>194272
I second this. Two or three posts is nothing and they'll grease the wheels, so to speak. When would you like to start?
I second this. Two or three posts is nothing and they'll grease the wheels, so to speak. When would you like to start?
The fog that for so long had blanketed the island and smothered the field of view has retreated, if only somewhat, and instead forms a low hanging cloud that hides all light of the moon and stars. Should some creature look over to port, past the midship superstructure and towards the freighter's bow, they could see as far ahead as to the bow gun deck some 300 feet, illuminated by the dim and dying flood light atop the forward mast. But this orange and red glow is visible only past a haze, a white haze that from this distance looks almost like looking at the bow through fogged glasses. Or it would, were it not for the sheets of small, slowly moving raindrops that likewise crowd the field of view at far distances.
The bow is the only direction any one may see far. To port and starboard, and to the stern, there is only blackness. The bottoms of white tufted clouds sometimes dip into the field of view, reflecting the orange-yellow light, but not always, and they move out of view swiftly enough. Mostly the sky is just another dimension of black. To port, occasionally a small light of a cigarette lighter, or a flashlight will shine from the deck of the torpedo boat, and always a weak light shines through the dirty and half-blinded windows of the pilot house. They illuminate the black painted deck, the green wheelhouse, the grey sides of the freighter, and green-blue waves next to both vessels. But these lights only do so much to break up the blackness of the night. When any party member moves away from the side of the ship, and further onto the deck, the distant ocean becomes one with the licorice black sky, as does even the painted steel of the ship's railing.
The fog has retreated but it is not gone, and the surest sign is that the island shore, presumably only a third of a mile away - hopefully still only a third of a mile away - is completely invisible from the ship. Surely some activity of the GRU, be it the flashlights of search parties, campfires, or... something would shine through the darkness. It does not. Something must be obscuring their activities on the island from view. The Kostroma and the torpedo boat next it are alone in the night. Or at least, they seem to be.
But the party is not concerned with the horizon, even if what is beyond sight will soon enough concern them. Their concern is the aft deckhouse before them. The flood light on the aft side of the midship deckhouse, as well as the light atop the aft mast, are off. Only the silhouette outlining the stern of the ship, the aft deckhouse, and the gun and its platform above the aft deckhouse are visible against the black sky, when even that much can be discerned. But under the narrow cone of directed light from a flashlight, more can be seen. Little pools of water that trickle and flow towards the sides of the ship atop the dark-vanished hardwood deck, and still more small puddles of dark liquid. An open cargo hold revealing only a black, gaping rectangular opening in the deck. A crane lowered from the aft mast. A door cracked open at the entrance of the aft deckhouse. And droplets of falling rain reflecting the light everywhere the light points.
The wind picks up, coming as it often does in rain-laden gusts that roll over the hill of which the Kostroma is presumably still in the leeward, and bites at the wet fur and jackets of the party members. It creates the perception, if not the reality, of freezing temperatures that are one more inconvenience to ponies, griffins and friends who are surely already exhausted and tired from the day's events. The wind blows at the ears before just as quickly calming down, and small waves hit the side of the grounded vessel. But the waves are timid, calmed by the confines of the harbor, and even the sound of the wind does only so much to interfere with the calm of the night. The rain is too soft to make a sound as it settles upon every surface. Chatter from creatures atop the torpedo boat, or even in the boarding party, sometimes breaks through the silence and the wind. The clatter of a single wave moving with determination into the harbor overpowers the sound of so many of its smaller brethren. It must be the tide rising as it enters the harbor. It is this wave that is the best evidence that the Kostroma is still in its harbor only twenty miles removed from the mainland and not transported by some malign or mysterious will through a portal to some dimension where it is isolated in space and time.
The smell of salt water dominates. Salt, and the stinging smell of diesel fuel, though it is harder to perceive here. Most may not smell it at all.
The bow is the only direction any one may see far. To port and starboard, and to the stern, there is only blackness. The bottoms of white tufted clouds sometimes dip into the field of view, reflecting the orange-yellow light, but not always, and they move out of view swiftly enough. Mostly the sky is just another dimension of black. To port, occasionally a small light of a cigarette lighter, or a flashlight will shine from the deck of the torpedo boat, and always a weak light shines through the dirty and half-blinded windows of the pilot house. They illuminate the black painted deck, the green wheelhouse, the grey sides of the freighter, and green-blue waves next to both vessels. But these lights only do so much to break up the blackness of the night. When any party member moves away from the side of the ship, and further onto the deck, the distant ocean becomes one with the licorice black sky, as does even the painted steel of the ship's railing.
The fog has retreated but it is not gone, and the surest sign is that the island shore, presumably only a third of a mile away - hopefully still only a third of a mile away - is completely invisible from the ship. Surely some activity of the GRU, be it the flashlights of search parties, campfires, or... something would shine through the darkness. It does not. Something must be obscuring their activities on the island from view. The Kostroma and the torpedo boat next it are alone in the night. Or at least, they seem to be.
But the party is not concerned with the horizon, even if what is beyond sight will soon enough concern them. Their concern is the aft deckhouse before them. The flood light on the aft side of the midship deckhouse, as well as the light atop the aft mast, are off. Only the silhouette outlining the stern of the ship, the aft deckhouse, and the gun and its platform above the aft deckhouse are visible against the black sky, when even that much can be discerned. But under the narrow cone of directed light from a flashlight, more can be seen. Little pools of water that trickle and flow towards the sides of the ship atop the dark-vanished hardwood deck, and still more small puddles of dark liquid. An open cargo hold revealing only a black, gaping rectangular opening in the deck. A crane lowered from the aft mast. A door cracked open at the entrance of the aft deckhouse. And droplets of falling rain reflecting the light everywhere the light points.
The wind picks up, coming as it often does in rain-laden gusts that roll over the hill of which the Kostroma is presumably still in the leeward, and bites at the wet fur and jackets of the party members. It creates the perception, if not the reality, of freezing temperatures that are one more inconvenience to ponies, griffins and friends who are surely already exhausted and tired from the day's events. The wind blows at the ears before just as quickly calming down, and small waves hit the side of the grounded vessel. But the waves are timid, calmed by the confines of the harbor, and even the sound of the wind does only so much to interfere with the calm of the night. The rain is too soft to make a sound as it settles upon every surface. Chatter from creatures atop the torpedo boat, or even in the boarding party, sometimes breaks through the silence and the wind. The clatter of a single wave moving with determination into the harbor overpowers the sound of so many of its smaller brethren. It must be the tide rising as it enters the harbor. It is this wave that is the best evidence that the Kostroma is still in its harbor only twenty miles removed from the mainland and not transported by some malign or mysterious will through a portal to some dimension where it is isolated in space and time.
The smell of salt water dominates. Salt, and the stinging smell of diesel fuel, though it is harder to perceive here. Most may not smell it at all.
1774581400.png (916.8 KB, 3569x2214, d810i7z-5702b9ed-f32d-498f-ba85-0cd05a8be08c.png)
Hooray, I knew check-in my phone and 11:00 PM would be worth it.
>cigarette lighter
"No smoking until the oil is cleaned up!" Posey shouts
>lights go out
Posey pauses, alarmed by this development
"Either the generator on this ship has faltered, or it has been sabotaged. The only way to tell will be to investigate. Beware, the monsters summoned by the intruder can likely see in the dark, but meeting them down there barely more dangerous than waiting for them to pick us off up here..."
She gives a raspy huff and raises her head sticking out her chest, seemingly not bothered by the frigid winds. Despite her pose, a subtle hint of concern creeps across her stoic expression, betraying cautious uncertainty over how to proceed.
"... This is hostile territory. The enemy will surely be waiting to strike from around corners. Those who know the ship, keep speaking. The better we know the lower deck, the better prepared we will be for the eventual ambush. My nightvision spell can guide us forward, so stay beside me..." she says softly, slowly walking towards the center of the ship
>cigarette lighter
"No smoking until the oil is cleaned up!" Posey shouts
>lights go out
Posey pauses, alarmed by this development
"Either the generator on this ship has faltered, or it has been sabotaged. The only way to tell will be to investigate. Beware, the monsters summoned by the intruder can likely see in the dark, but meeting them down there barely more dangerous than waiting for them to pick us off up here..."
She gives a raspy huff and raises her head sticking out her chest, seemingly not bothered by the frigid winds. Despite her pose, a subtle hint of concern creeps across her stoic expression, betraying cautious uncertainty over how to proceed.
"... This is hostile territory. The enemy will surely be waiting to strike from around corners. Those who know the ship, keep speaking. The better we know the lower deck, the better prepared we will be for the eventual ambush. My nightvision spell can guide us forward, so stay beside me..." she says softly, slowly walking towards the center of the ship
The door to the aft deckhouse opens with a pull. Inside no light is on. Only darkness, and what is illuminated by what lights may be provided. The white paint of the steel walls has chipped away in some locations, though mostly it holds, darkened to an off-white by years of dirt, the marks of rubber soled boots, and soot from cigarettes and who knows what other sources. The floor is mostly dry, wetted in a few locations by tracks of what seem to be claw prints. Cabins dominate most of this level, deck three, of the aft deckhouse, which are on either side of a hallway that runs perpendicular to the entry hallway. At the end of the hallway is a set of metal stairs that go downwards. While the door is open, air moves through past the party and towards the blackness of the lower level.
Inside of the cabins, some beds are made. Some have covers pulled back and disheveled. And some have the sheets completely removed and mattresses cast on the floor. There are also lockers. Some are closed. Some are open. And some have clothing strewn onto the floor. One of the rooms - the one down the hallway to the far left of the entryway and the ship's starboard - is the infirmary. The bed is disturbed with the sheets partly pulled off. A couple cabinets are open. A few little brown glass bottles are empty and first aid kits are open. There are small rust-colored stains on the floor.
When the door is closed, only the hint of whistling wind can be heard, and this quiets deeper inside of the deckhouse. The same is true of the waves, which can be scarcely heard at all. Once or twice, the creaking of bending metal can be heard, and then the whole floor can be felt to push against your hooves and claws, pushing you upwards, before falling slightly. The vibrations or sounds of fans, or the buzzing of electronics that ought to drown out the sound of silence in any large vehicle are conspicuously absent. Instead, the party can only hear silence, occasionally broken by unknown sounds bleeding out from beyond the dark lower floor.
But of course, there is no sound of silence. Instead, there is always that dominating sound. That same sound, or rather pair of sounds, that have haunted the party since they first arrived onto the island. It's a sound most similar to a muffling effect, like being under water, combined with a high-pitched ring underneath similar in tone to tinnitus. It could be dismissed as the lingering effects of the machine guns earlier, were it the first time tonight it were heard. Instead, it is all too familiar. Two things, however, are different. One, the ringing sound is oddly quieter here than in the more quiet moments on the beach, or even on the deck. And second, the "muffled" sounds are less the generalized noise that has been so long heard, but are something closer to recognizable. Like the sounds of people talking heard through walls.
Inside of the cabins, some beds are made. Some have covers pulled back and disheveled. And some have the sheets completely removed and mattresses cast on the floor. There are also lockers. Some are closed. Some are open. And some have clothing strewn onto the floor. One of the rooms - the one down the hallway to the far left of the entryway and the ship's starboard - is the infirmary. The bed is disturbed with the sheets partly pulled off. A couple cabinets are open. A few little brown glass bottles are empty and first aid kits are open. There are small rust-colored stains on the floor.
When the door is closed, only the hint of whistling wind can be heard, and this quiets deeper inside of the deckhouse. The same is true of the waves, which can be scarcely heard at all. Once or twice, the creaking of bending metal can be heard, and then the whole floor can be felt to push against your hooves and claws, pushing you upwards, before falling slightly. The vibrations or sounds of fans, or the buzzing of electronics that ought to drown out the sound of silence in any large vehicle are conspicuously absent. Instead, the party can only hear silence, occasionally broken by unknown sounds bleeding out from beyond the dark lower floor.
But of course, there is no sound of silence. Instead, there is always that dominating sound. That same sound, or rather pair of sounds, that have haunted the party since they first arrived onto the island. It's a sound most similar to a muffling effect, like being under water, combined with a high-pitched ring underneath similar in tone to tinnitus. It could be dismissed as the lingering effects of the machine guns earlier, were it the first time tonight it were heard. Instead, it is all too familiar. Two things, however, are different. One, the ringing sound is oddly quieter here than in the more quiet moments on the beach, or even on the deck. And second, the "muffled" sounds are less the generalized noise that has been so long heard, but are something closer to recognizable. Like the sounds of people talking heard through walls.
>>194290
As Posey looks around her, in the little bubble where her eyes may pierce the veil of darkness, Posey realizes one thing, and one thing very well. Should the GRU appear through the fog with their long-range guns aimed and readied; should Our Fellow Traveler send another one of its "seraphs," or some other flying creation from beyond her bubble; should some pirate or Light Water himself snipe at her and her posse through the windows of the midship deckhouse - then Posey will have relatively little time to react. Posey's magical and physical talents are more favorable to her in closed spaces than on deck.
As Posey looks around her, in the little bubble where her eyes may pierce the veil of darkness, Posey realizes one thing, and one thing very well. Should the GRU appear through the fog with their long-range guns aimed and readied; should Our Fellow Traveler send another one of its "seraphs," or some other flying creation from beyond her bubble; should some pirate or Light Water himself snipe at her and her posse through the windows of the midship deckhouse - then Posey will have relatively little time to react. Posey's magical and physical talents are more favorable to her in closed spaces than on deck.
>>194289
>>194291
Silver grimaces, a mixture of the cold and the utter blackness of the hostile location they're about to enter getting under his floof-covered skin, but he stands back up straight and resolute, knowing that this is what he was born for. He is a warrior, a soldier, and just like his ancestors he will stand firm against the icy chill.
Kira, meanwhile, while having been born a Hunter in her clan, is more out of her element here. Salt and sea are a far cry from the tall grass and acacia tree which she finds at home in, hiding from both predator and prey. She grips her bow tightly and reassuringly, and continues to offer up thanks for the protection Ouroboros is granting her from the cold in this frozen wasteland. "Well, we're raw-dogging this ship, then...I don't remember it being this spooky when I was hiding in that crate of bananas..."
As they travel down the metal-clad hallways, Kira flicks her tongue in the air, trying to catch scents but mostly getting metal and oil. When they pass near to the infirmary she does catch the whiff of what the rust-colored stain is: blood.
>>194291
Silver grimaces, a mixture of the cold and the utter blackness of the hostile location they're about to enter getting under his floof-covered skin, but he stands back up straight and resolute, knowing that this is what he was born for. He is a warrior, a soldier, and just like his ancestors he will stand firm against the icy chill.
Kira, meanwhile, while having been born a Hunter in her clan, is more out of her element here. Salt and sea are a far cry from the tall grass and acacia tree which she finds at home in, hiding from both predator and prey. She grips her bow tightly and reassuringly, and continues to offer up thanks for the protection Ouroboros is granting her from the cold in this frozen wasteland. "Well, we're raw-dogging this ship, then...I don't remember it being this spooky when I was hiding in that crate of bananas..."
As they travel down the metal-clad hallways, Kira flicks her tongue in the air, trying to catch scents but mostly getting metal and oil. When they pass near to the infirmary she does catch the whiff of what the rust-colored stain is: blood.
>>194289
>>194291
Cavaliere's motions seem more deliberate than usual. One may ascribe this to fatigue, but the more perceptive will notice that he is paying close attention to his surroundings, listening to the air as he avoids the pools. "The creatures here left in a hurry, and I suggest we don't linger any longer than needed," he states softly. "Some of the lockers are sealed; if you want to break into them, I recommend being quick and quiet."
>>194290
"You are the only one of us with that uncanny ability. If we're not to stumble our way through this place, you have to describe everything to us. A light in a closed room isn't particularly dangerous regardless."
>>194293
Maybe Kira wouldn't know what "raw-dogging" is
>>194291
Cavaliere's motions seem more deliberate than usual. One may ascribe this to fatigue, but the more perceptive will notice that he is paying close attention to his surroundings, listening to the air as he avoids the pools. "The creatures here left in a hurry, and I suggest we don't linger any longer than needed," he states softly. "Some of the lockers are sealed; if you want to break into them, I recommend being quick and quiet."
>>194290
"You are the only one of us with that uncanny ability. If we're not to stumble our way through this place, you have to describe everything to us. A light in a closed room isn't particularly dangerous regardless."
>>194293
Maybe Kira wouldn't know what "raw-dogging" is
>>194294
Kira looks to the tip of her tail. "Well, I'm not really trained in it, but I could see if I could hit the tumblers."
You'd have to ask her about it to find out.
Kira looks to the tip of her tail. "Well, I'm not really trained in it, but I could see if I could hit the tumblers."
You'd have to ask her about it to find out.
>>194292
As a crypt-dwelling monstrosity and touch-spell specialist, Posey realizes this as her instincts kick in, and makes a more resolute pose, fondling her sword handle ready to draw it
"Come quickly. We are sitting ducks if we stay in the open." she says to the party, gliding through the aft deckhouse
>>194291
Nice description
>always that dominating sound
"That damn noise... What could it mean?" Posey grimaces, flickering her sensitive vampony ears
As the party occultist, Posey puts the gears in her head to work Jimmy Neutron style trying to figure out what this sound effect is. She pauses and closes her eyes to concentrate before she asks herself the following questions:
Is this a real physical sound, or an ambient psychic/telepathic noise?
What threats might it pose to Posey or her allies?
If so, how might she counter them?
Can she discern the source of the noise?
Could she discern any useful messages or information from the sounds like muffled speaking?
Arcana (knowledge check)
[1d20+11 = (15+11) = 26]
Listen (to make out the message/noise)
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]
Sense Motive (to discern intent)
[1d20+1 = (16+1) = 17]
Concentration (to focus on any mental affects)
[1d20+13 = (8+13) = 21]
I guess I'll also roll Search to investigate the room
[1d20+5 = (10+5) = 15]
As a crypt-dwelling monstrosity and touch-spell specialist, Posey realizes this as her instincts kick in, and makes a more resolute pose, fondling her sword handle ready to draw it
"Come quickly. We are sitting ducks if we stay in the open." she says to the party, gliding through the aft deckhouse
>>194291
Nice description
>always that dominating sound
"That damn noise... What could it mean?" Posey grimaces, flickering her sensitive vampony ears
As the party occultist, Posey puts the gears in her head to work Jimmy Neutron style trying to figure out what this sound effect is. She pauses and closes her eyes to concentrate before she asks herself the following questions:
Is this a real physical sound, or an ambient psychic/telepathic noise?
What threats might it pose to Posey or her allies?
If so, how might she counter them?
Can she discern the source of the noise?
Could she discern any useful messages or information from the sounds like muffled speaking?
Arcana (knowledge check)
[1d20+11 = (15+11) = 26]
Listen (to make out the message/noise)
[1d20+3 = (17+3) = 20]
Sense Motive (to discern intent)
[1d20+1 = (16+1) = 17]
Concentration (to focus on any mental affects)
[1d20+13 = (8+13) = 21]
I guess I'll also roll Search to investigate the room
[1d20+5 = (10+5) = 15]
>>194296
>Arcana
>Listen
>Sense
>Concentration
It sounds muffled - some more normal sound disrupted and disharmonized by some physical impediment, or failure of the senses. She seeks to hear with greater clarity. And what she hears....
She knows it by analogy. This is not the form that the music takes, mind you, but the form molded by Posey's mind so that she may understand through analogy.
A filly walks in a clearing in the forest gathering the flowers that grow wild, and the edible varieties of mushroom. She hears music coming from the tree line. It is of an older style, maybe known to her ancestors, but not often played by the old folk of the village. At least, not outdoors. She knows what it is. She sees silhouettes dancing round through the tree line. She moves closer, and her eyes confirm. The Fair Folk dance to the melody, a melody so harmonious and full of whimsy that the filly wishes only to lope in and join their circle, dancing with them under the sun and moonlight for all eternity as the mundane world passes through its cycles around them. One of the fair folk takes notice and looks back to her with its black eyes, offering a hoof. It beckons.
But Posey isn't like that little filly. She is not a youthful mare full of lust and wonder. She has not sought the beauty in things for many years. She is old and tired. tired of the world. Stressed and pushed by needs. And neither does the melody passively reflect the rhythmic revelry of the old ones. It calls to her. Promises to her. Promises that she too, may be a filly again, with youth and wander for new things. That she may see a world - a wonderous, new world, free of woe and envy. No need to prove who you are. You may have peace in being, little filly.
Take my hoof. That reflection you see in my black eyes isn't you as you are. It's you as you could be. As you should be. Full of love and wonder, and hardly a care. Come with me little filly. We shall dance under the light even as all the world withers away.
>Arcana
>Listen
>Sense
>Concentration
It sounds muffled - some more normal sound disrupted and disharmonized by some physical impediment, or failure of the senses. She seeks to hear with greater clarity. And what she hears....
She knows it by analogy. This is not the form that the music takes, mind you, but the form molded by Posey's mind so that she may understand through analogy.
A filly walks in a clearing in the forest gathering the flowers that grow wild, and the edible varieties of mushroom. She hears music coming from the tree line. It is of an older style, maybe known to her ancestors, but not often played by the old folk of the village. At least, not outdoors. She knows what it is. She sees silhouettes dancing round through the tree line. She moves closer, and her eyes confirm. The Fair Folk dance to the melody, a melody so harmonious and full of whimsy that the filly wishes only to lope in and join their circle, dancing with them under the sun and moonlight for all eternity as the mundane world passes through its cycles around them. One of the fair folk takes notice and looks back to her with its black eyes, offering a hoof. It beckons.
But Posey isn't like that little filly. She is not a youthful mare full of lust and wonder. She has not sought the beauty in things for many years. She is old and tired. tired of the world. Stressed and pushed by needs. And neither does the melody passively reflect the rhythmic revelry of the old ones. It calls to her. Promises to her. Promises that she too, may be a filly again, with youth and wander for new things. That she may see a world - a wonderous, new world, free of woe and envy. No need to prove who you are. You may have peace in being, little filly.
Take my hoof. That reflection you see in my black eyes isn't you as you are. It's you as you could be. As you should be. Full of love and wonder, and hardly a care. Come with me little filly. We shall dance under the light even as all the world withers away.
>>194297
Posey grimaces before shaking her head and biting her lower lip with her fangs to rid herself of the feeling, letting out a low pained hiss. She knows better than to engage with the voices, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant to resist.
"Keeping moving, everypony. Keep talking too if you can, about anything. The enemy will appear out of thin air when it feels like it, so being covert is less of a priority. Focus on anything but that noise." she says to the group
she turns to Blackheel
"Which way to the boiler?"
Posey grimaces before shaking her head and biting her lower lip with her fangs to rid herself of the feeling, letting out a low pained hiss. She knows better than to engage with the voices, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant to resist.
"Keeping moving, everypony. Keep talking too if you can, about anything. The enemy will appear out of thin air when it feels like it, so being covert is less of a priority. Focus on anything but that noise." she says to the group
she turns to Blackheel
"Which way to the boiler?"
>>194298
Kira sticks a hoof in her ear, turning it around as if to clean it out. "Yeah, that noise is annoying. I wonder if it's just a natural passive result of the Traveler's presence or if it's an ability the Traveler is actively using to try to make us all go insane. It's kinda like that thing the kirins use, that water torture thing where they hang a bucket above your head and let the water slowly drip onto you, except this is sound instead of water. Can you even call this sound? It's like it just bypasses my ears entirely to try to mess with my brain."
Silver tilts his head. "You are hearing something?"
Это место занято, Демон.
Kira sticks a hoof in her ear, turning it around as if to clean it out. "Yeah, that noise is annoying. I wonder if it's just a natural passive result of the Traveler's presence or if it's an ability the Traveler is actively using to try to make us all go insane. It's kinda like that thing the kirins use, that water torture thing where they hang a bucket above your head and let the water slowly drip onto you, except this is sound instead of water. Can you even call this sound? It's like it just bypasses my ears entirely to try to mess with my brain."
Silver tilts his head. "You are hearing something?"
Это место занято, Демон.
>>194298
Blackheel points his hoof down the corridor perpendicular to the ship, towards an open door that is on the left relative to Posey's perspective and offset to port relative to the ship. Posey can see metal steps going down, out of her field of view. She could feel - before the door was closed - a draft passing by, from outside and down, inwards, into the ship. And she can hear the call reverberate up the stairwell, and out the open door.
Blackheel points his hoof down the corridor perpendicular to the ship, towards an open door that is on the left relative to Posey's perspective and offset to port relative to the ship. Posey can see metal steps going down, out of her field of view. She could feel - before the door was closed - a draft passing by, from outside and down, inwards, into the ship. And she can hear the call reverberate up the stairwell, and out the open door.
>>194300
Posey slowly proceeds towards the door, checking for any tripwires before she moves through.
Posey slowly proceeds towards the door, checking for any tripwires before she moves through.
>>194300
Rolling basic perception for what she finds as she proceeds:
Spot
[1d20+3 = (4+3) = 7]
Listen
[1d20+3 = (10+3) = 13]
Rolling basic perception for what she finds as she proceeds:
Spot
[1d20+3 = (4+3) = 7]
Listen
[1d20+3 = (10+3) = 13]
>>194295
Cavaliere shines his flashlight over to one of the lockers.
"You could try one of them. When it comes to these locks you want to match the numbers that were used to set the lock. There is a mechanism inside and if you have patience and sensitive feeling, you can tell what the right combination is. Sophisticated locks can take years of practice, but these look simple enough for a beginner to try."
Cavaliere shines his flashlight over to one of the lockers.
"You could try one of them. When it comes to these locks you want to match the numbers that were used to set the lock. There is a mechanism inside and if you have patience and sensitive feeling, you can tell what the right combination is. Sophisticated locks can take years of practice, but these look simple enough for a beginner to try."
>>194303
Kira slithers over to the locker, inspecting it and especially the lock which keeps it shut. She holds her pendent with a hoof and it glows with a slight golden light, which she uses to look inside the lock with her keen snake eyes.
Open Lock: Using the very tip of her tail, Kira tries inserting it into the keyhole and turn the tumblers with it such that it unlocks.
[1d20+1 = (11+1) = 12]
Kira slithers over to the locker, inspecting it and especially the lock which keeps it shut. She holds her pendent with a hoof and it glows with a slight golden light, which she uses to look inside the lock with her keen snake eyes.
Open Lock: Using the very tip of her tail, Kira tries inserting it into the keyhole and turn the tumblers with it such that it unlocks.
[1d20+1 = (11+1) = 12]
>>194304
Her tail is just a bit too fat and not quite dexterous enough to move the tumblers. It does not open.
Her tail is just a bit too fat and not quite dexterous enough to move the tumblers. It does not open.
>>194305
Kira scrunches, and stares intently at the lock. She grabs onto the locker and tries to shake it back, forth, and around violently, thinking that maybe she can tumble the tumblers into position if she just adds a bit of percussive maintenance.
[1d20 = 11]
Kira scrunches, and stares intently at the lock. She grabs onto the locker and tries to shake it back, forth, and around violently, thinking that maybe she can tumble the tumblers into position if she just adds a bit of percussive maintenance.
[1d20 = 11]
>>194307
The snake becomes scrunchier, and she even lets out a "reeeeeee" as she shakes it a bit more for good measure. Eventually she halts the shaking and slumps down with legs crossed and face frowning. However, she looks up and raises an eyebrow as an idea crosses her mind. She stares intently at the lock, sticks her legs out towards it and moves them in circles, calling out, "In the name of Ouroboros I command you to open!"
There's no magic actually involved in this act and her pendent doesn't glow, it's not even certain if she even knows a spell to open locks with, but there's nothing wrong with just seeing if either the power of the mind can cause it to open or if the universe decides to give her a freebee.
[1d20 = 13]
The snake becomes scrunchier, and she even lets out a "reeeeeee" as she shakes it a bit more for good measure. Eventually she halts the shaking and slumps down with legs crossed and face frowning. However, she looks up and raises an eyebrow as an idea crosses her mind. She stares intently at the lock, sticks her legs out towards it and moves them in circles, calling out, "In the name of Ouroboros I command you to open!"
There's no magic actually involved in this act and her pendent doesn't glow, it's not even certain if she even knows a spell to open locks with, but there's nothing wrong with just seeing if either the power of the mind can cause it to open or if the universe decides to give her a freebee.
[1d20 = 13]
>>194309
flicks tongue indeed, as she pouts at the locker. "Well, you're no fun."
Strength: With a sigh, Kira sees if she can force the locker open through brute strength.
[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17]
flicks tongue indeed, as she pouts at the locker. "Well, you're no fun."
Strength: With a sigh, Kira sees if she can force the locker open through brute strength.
[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17]
>>194310
Kira slams against the locker. It bends and folds in odd ways, clearly damaged. It hurts to hit, as it must be made of steel. Kira is making quite a bit of noise doing this.
Kira slams against the locker. It bends and folds in odd ways, clearly damaged. It hurts to hit, as it must be made of steel. Kira is making quite a bit of noise doing this.
>>194313
Kira smiles at the griffons concern. She drapes the end of her tail around the pretty catbird's shoulders. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just this silly locker." She looks side to side as if someone close by is listening in on them, before leaning in towards Garv and whispering, "I think the Traveler put an evil hex on the locker to keep it from being opened."
Kira smiles at the griffons concern. She drapes the end of her tail around the pretty catbird's shoulders. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just this silly locker." She looks side to side as if someone close by is listening in on them, before leaning in towards Garv and whispering, "I think the Traveler put an evil hex on the locker to keep it from being opened."
Sorry, I've been busy.
We're trying to open a door?
Posey attempts to bisect the lock with her mind samurai style using iajutsu focus. She rapidly draws her sword and strikes, taking 10 on her focus rule.
Rolling sunder against it's AC (5?)
[1d20+7 = (10+7) = 17]
Damage
[1d8+5 = (2+5) = 7] [2d6 = 4]
We're trying to open a door?
Posey attempts to bisect the lock with her mind samurai style using iajutsu focus. She rapidly draws her sword and strikes, taking 10 on her focus rule.
Rolling sunder against it's AC (5?)
[1d20+7 = (10+7) = 17]
Damage
[1d8+5 = (2+5) = 7] [2d6 = 4]
>>194314
Cavaliere has to brace himself against the heavy tail. He remarks, "If it was important, the crew would have opened it before leaving. It was a good attempt but let's try to avoid making more noise than necessary."
Cavaliere has to brace himself against the heavy tail. He remarks, "If it was important, the crew would have opened it before leaving. It was a good attempt but let's try to avoid making more noise than necessary."
>>194315
Yes. Soon (TM)
>>194316
To clarify, Kira and Cavaliere are in one of the cabins trying to break into a locker. It's a smaller locker made of steel. Kira was able to severely damage one, and likely would have shattered it open if she hit it again. But it's steel. Thin steel. It will give way if you hit it hard enough with something like flesh or a sharp weapon. But doing more damage to it than it does to you does not mean it does not damage you.
Yes. Soon (TM)
>>194316
To clarify, Kira and Cavaliere are in one of the cabins trying to break into a locker. It's a smaller locker made of steel. Kira was able to severely damage one, and likely would have shattered it open if she hit it again. But it's steel. Thin steel. It will give way if you hit it hard enough with something like flesh or a sharp weapon. But doing more damage to it than it does to you does not mean it does not damage you.
>>194318
Posey is attacking it with a +2 weapon and ki focus: harder than normal steel or even tempered steel, so it should overcome the hardness of the locker. Can she not hack it open by striking it repeatedly?
If Posey takes 20 using one of her nonmagical weapons or her slam attack (she doesn't care if it hurts her), she could eventually hit a 19 on iajutsu and deal +4d6 damage to it, which I think should be enough to meet the break DC.
If we have no way to open it, we should just keep moving towards the boiler. We can always come back for this later.
Also, this is a case for Silver to learn Mountain Hammer (the Fighter's Lockpick) if he rebuilds after this mission.
Posey is attacking it with a +2 weapon and ki focus: harder than normal steel or even tempered steel, so it should overcome the hardness of the locker. Can she not hack it open by striking it repeatedly?
If Posey takes 20 using one of her nonmagical weapons or her slam attack (she doesn't care if it hurts her), she could eventually hit a 19 on iajutsu and deal +4d6 damage to it, which I think should be enough to meet the break DC.
If we have no way to open it, we should just keep moving towards the boiler. We can always come back for this later.
Also, this is a case for Silver to learn Mountain Hammer (the Fighter's Lockpick) if he rebuilds after this mission.
"We do not have time for this. The boiler is about to die. Onwards."
Posey gives up on opening the locker and proceeds towards the boiler room.
Posey gives up on opening the locker and proceeds towards the boiler room.
>>194320
The locker is visibly damaged, bent towards the right, and with the door appearing stuck in its frame. Maybe Kira could have broken it open, if only she struck a second time.
Posey lines up her sword before taking the strike. When it comes down, it comes downwards and to the right. There is a very loud "CLANG," and viewing in slow motion, the sword hits, bends the steel, bounces, bites and slides back down before the frame of the locker breaks, and then bends. The sword moves backwards, stabs into the wooden panel of the wall and hits the steel hull of the ship behind it with another, smaller "clang," before coming to a rest partly in the wood of the paneling. The door falls over, before falling out on the floor with still another clang. Some fabric item falls out, followed by a porcelin something that hits the floor and breaks.
Distantly, and downstairs, there is a "Tap tap," as if metal tapping against metal in reply.
The locker is visibly damaged, bent towards the right, and with the door appearing stuck in its frame. Maybe Kira could have broken it open, if only she struck a second time.
Posey lines up her sword before taking the strike. When it comes down, it comes downwards and to the right. There is a very loud "CLANG," and viewing in slow motion, the sword hits, bends the steel, bounces, bites and slides back down before the frame of the locker breaks, and then bends. The sword moves backwards, stabs into the wooden panel of the wall and hits the steel hull of the ship behind it with another, smaller "clang," before coming to a rest partly in the wood of the paneling. The door falls over, before falling out on the floor with still another clang. Some fabric item falls out, followed by a porcelin something that hits the floor and breaks.
Distantly, and downstairs, there is a "Tap tap," as if metal tapping against metal in reply.
>>194331
The porcelain figure is a small statuette of Celestia. Princess Celestia. It was solid, and Cavaliere can tell that because it has broken. While most of the statuette is now in two pieces, little flakes have broken away in such a way that it can't exactly be put back together again elegantly.
The porcelain figure is a small statuette of Celestia. Princess Celestia. It was solid, and Cavaliere can tell that because it has broken. While most of the statuette is now in two pieces, little flakes have broken away in such a way that it can't exactly be put back together again elegantly.
>>194332
"That is interesting. Tell me, why would a communist crewpony sailing from a communist country be keeping a statuette of his former alicorn 'oppressor'?"
"That is interesting. Tell me, why would a communist crewpony sailing from a communist country be keeping a statuette of his former alicorn 'oppressor'?"
>>194332
What if somepony were to cast Mending?
Defiant Dust didn't prepare his orisons, iirc. He could take 10 minutes to prep that.
Anyways, time to keep moving. How much further to the boiler?
What if somepony were to cast Mending?
Defiant Dust didn't prepare his orisons, iirc. He could take 10 minutes to prep that.
Anyways, time to keep moving. How much further to the boiler?
>>194330
>Distantly, and downstairs, there is a "Tap tap," as if metal tapping against metal in reply.
Posey rushes to investigate the sound.
>Distantly, and downstairs, there is a "Tap tap," as if metal tapping against metal in reply.
Posey rushes to investigate the sound.
>>194320
Blackheel:
"What are you doing?! Kill the hippogriff, banish that Chernobog, and let us be gone from here."
>>194333
Blackheel:
"Ugh... the same reason some keep gambling dice or alcohol, I assume."
>>194334
Presumably it is a scarf, though it is thin for that purpose. The fabric is black with a golden floral pattern on it. It may be gold stitched into silk. It may also be dyed thread on thin cotton. Hard to tell. The statue was pretty
>>194335
>distance to the boiler
Hard to tell in doors
>>194336
Steel and wood separates Posey from the sound. It's coming from downstairs. Downstairs and in the direction of the bow.
Blackheel:
"What are you doing?! Kill the hippogriff, banish that Chernobog, and let us be gone from here."
>>194333
Blackheel:
"Ugh... the same reason some keep gambling dice or alcohol, I assume."
>>194334
Presumably it is a scarf, though it is thin for that purpose. The fabric is black with a golden floral pattern on it. It may be gold stitched into silk. It may also be dyed thread on thin cotton. Hard to tell. The statue was pretty
>>194335
>distance to the boiler
Hard to tell in doors
>>194336
Steel and wood separates Posey from the sound. It's coming from downstairs. Downstairs and in the direction of the bow.
>>194337
Cavaliere smiles subtly and nods at Blackheel's chagrin. "Never underestimate a soldier's ability to smuggle contraband under your nose."
"Are we ready to go?" he asks the others. "We should be quick."
Cavaliere smiles subtly and nods at Blackheel's chagrin. "Never underestimate a soldier's ability to smuggle contraband under your nose."
"Are we ready to go?" he asks the others. "We should be quick."
>>194337
Kira wraps the scarf around her neck for extra warmth, before both her and Silver join the others in their journey to the boiler.
Kira wraps the scarf around her neck for extra warmth, before both her and Silver join the others in their journey to the boiler.
>>194341
As far as she can get towards the boiler, unless obstructed or distracted by something interesting along the way.
As far as she can get towards the boiler, unless obstructed or distracted by something interesting along the way.
>>194341
I think I misunderstood the question.
Posey proceeds downstairs, in whatever direction she needs to move to reach the boiler.
It's not super easy for me to visualize the path without a grid map, so please just assume by default that we are following a logical route based on Blackheel's instructions, or just following Blackheel.
I think I misunderstood the question.
Posey proceeds downstairs, in whatever direction she needs to move to reach the boiler.
It's not super easy for me to visualize the path without a grid map, so please just assume by default that we are following a logical route based on Blackheel's instructions, or just following Blackheel.
Are we able to make it to the boiler? Does anything get in our way?
>>194346
>>194346
Going down the stairs and into the hull are one or more small rooms of unknown purpose. Heading towards the bow from there is Cargo hold 5. From there towards the bow is Cargo Hold 4. And then from there, in the middle of the ship, under the midship deckhouse, is the boiler room. The cargo holds have an upper level and a lower level. Going down the stairs places you more or less on that upper level. But there are rooms under the stern deckhouse, and before Cargo Hold 5
>>194346
Going down the stairs and into the hull are one or more small rooms of unknown purpose. Heading towards the bow from there is Cargo hold 5. From there towards the bow is Cargo Hold 4. And then from there, in the middle of the ship, under the midship deckhouse, is the boiler room. The cargo holds have an upper level and a lower level. Going down the stairs places you more or less on that upper level. But there are rooms under the stern deckhouse, and before Cargo Hold 5
>>194352
Posey travels down the stairs immediately.
(I thought I said that already. Sorry.)
What does she see at the bottom?
Posey travels down the stairs immediately.
(I thought I said that already. Sorry.)
What does she see at the bottom?
>>194339
Posey, evidently, is on her way down the stairs
>>194342
Kira may or may not go down the stairs
>>194321
Zara is in the hallway of the deckhouse, peaking into one of the rooms where Stained Sand and another pony are walking in and investigating it. Mala is behind her in the hallway, though he is occupied by Patient Pippette, who seems to be trying to directly engage with him by... examing the patterns of his fur? It's not obvious.
Zara turns her head to look back towards Silver.
"I'... Yes" She answers, simply
Posey, evidently, is on her way down the stairs
>>194342
Kira may or may not go down the stairs
>>194321
Zara is in the hallway of the deckhouse, peaking into one of the rooms where Stained Sand and another pony are walking in and investigating it. Mala is behind her in the hallway, though he is occupied by Patient Pippette, who seems to be trying to directly engage with him by... examing the patterns of his fur? It's not obvious.
Zara turns her head to look back towards Silver.
"I'... Yes" She answers, simply
>>194353
Looking down the stairs, Posey can see a steel wall that curves backwards as it comes closer to the ceiling. This must be the backside of the ship. There are a couple shelves, and in the center of the room, and to the left of the stairs (but starboard for the ship) is a large, gear mechanism. Or like half of a gear, connected to other machinery.
Looking down the stairs, Posey can see a steel wall that curves backwards as it comes closer to the ceiling. This must be the backside of the ship. There are a couple shelves, and in the center of the room, and to the left of the stairs (but starboard for the ship) is a large, gear mechanism. Or like half of a gear, connected to other machinery.
Cavaliere reluctantly turns off his flashlight and follows Posey down at a short distance. He looks up and says, "We shouldn't lose sight of each other. Let's form a file so none of us gets lost and we can respond to anything we find."
>>194357
>>194356
The room is mostly empty. Oddly empty, in a way. Unlike the rooms upstairs, where the walls were covered in wood paneling, here the walls are naked steel. It's the structure of the ship, only three quarters of an inch separate from the exterior with nothing between. There are steel "ribs" every twenty inches or so, which protrude three or so inches. Everything is painted white, and it almost seems to glow in Posey's field of vision. The room is shaped to the end of the ship, curved in a not-quite half circle with rounded edges. The floor seems to be a sort of grated metal, presumably to prevent slipping when wet. There are two shelves on the left and the right. There seem to be boxes on them with lubricating oil and rope, if Posey could guess, but she can't really know for sure, and there is more empty space than filled. The great gear-mechanism that occupies the center of the room seems to be its purpose. It still only occupies perhaps a fifth of its area.
Turning around and towards the bow of the ship is a wall, not all that many feet past her. It has two doors. The door on the left is closed. The door on the right is cracked slightly open, though she cannot see past the darkness into that room. To the far left on the left wall of the room is a duct - not hidden behind a wall but on top of the wall, completely exposed. It emits a slight sucking sound.
But the most interesting sight in the room - even more than the gear mechanism, is what lay on the floor a foot left of, and perhaps four feet in front of the right door.
There is a pool of blood, partly dried, which covers a three foot radius area of the floor. In the center of that radius is... to be blunt, part of a griffin. "Part," because the hind quarters, the hind legs and the like, are completely missing. The griffin - it seems to be a male - has outstretched claws reaching forward as if in the direction of the stairs. Its beak is closed, its golden eyes remain open and in the direction of the stairs, its tan jacket has some blood on it but is mostly intact, its dark red feathers and wings remain close to its body, and it lies on its belly, as if crawling to the stairs. Everything below its ribcage is missing. No entrails are strewn behind it.
>>194356
The room is mostly empty. Oddly empty, in a way. Unlike the rooms upstairs, where the walls were covered in wood paneling, here the walls are naked steel. It's the structure of the ship, only three quarters of an inch separate from the exterior with nothing between. There are steel "ribs" every twenty inches or so, which protrude three or so inches. Everything is painted white, and it almost seems to glow in Posey's field of vision. The room is shaped to the end of the ship, curved in a not-quite half circle with rounded edges. The floor seems to be a sort of grated metal, presumably to prevent slipping when wet. There are two shelves on the left and the right. There seem to be boxes on them with lubricating oil and rope, if Posey could guess, but she can't really know for sure, and there is more empty space than filled. The great gear-mechanism that occupies the center of the room seems to be its purpose. It still only occupies perhaps a fifth of its area.
Turning around and towards the bow of the ship is a wall, not all that many feet past her. It has two doors. The door on the left is closed. The door on the right is cracked slightly open, though she cannot see past the darkness into that room. To the far left on the left wall of the room is a duct - not hidden behind a wall but on top of the wall, completely exposed. It emits a slight sucking sound.
But the most interesting sight in the room - even more than the gear mechanism, is what lay on the floor a foot left of, and perhaps four feet in front of the right door.
There is a pool of blood, partly dried, which covers a three foot radius area of the floor. In the center of that radius is... to be blunt, part of a griffin. "Part," because the hind quarters, the hind legs and the like, are completely missing. The griffin - it seems to be a male - has outstretched claws reaching forward as if in the direction of the stairs. Its beak is closed, its golden eyes remain open and in the direction of the stairs, its tan jacket has some blood on it but is mostly intact, its dark red feathers and wings remain close to its body, and it lies on its belly, as if crawling to the stairs. Everything below its ribcage is missing. No entrails are strewn behind it.
>>194358
"Somepony drag Silver down here do we can put that zegro to wor-"
Posey pauses as she sees the griffon, cautiously approaching the corpse to examine it
"Bisected cleanly... A conjuration effect? Could it be a portal mishap? Or baleful discorporation? "
Arcana to think of what sort of magical effect or monster may have caused this
[1d20+11 = (14+11) = 25]
Posey looks at the pool of blood for any pony or monster tracks, that might indicate activity, and then looks into the darkness on the opposite side of the griffon to see if whatever sundered it still lurks there.
Search
[1d20+5 = (15+5) = 20]
Spot
[1d20+3 = (10+3) = 13]
"Somepony drag Silver down here do we can put that zegro to wor-"
Posey pauses as she sees the griffon, cautiously approaching the corpse to examine it
"Bisected cleanly... A conjuration effect? Could it be a portal mishap? Or baleful discorporation? "
Arcana to think of what sort of magical effect or monster may have caused this
[1d20+11 = (14+11) = 25]
Posey looks at the pool of blood for any pony or monster tracks, that might indicate activity, and then looks into the darkness on the opposite side of the griffon to see if whatever sundered it still lurks there.
Search
[1d20+5 = (15+5) = 20]
Spot
[1d20+3 = (10+3) = 13]
>>194358
>>194359
With his light off, Cavaliere and the others cannot see their surroundings. He pulls out his flashlight, but refrains from turning it on. "Ms. Ring, what is bisected cleanly? What are we dealing with in here?" He says this softly, but perhaps his voice reverberates anyway off the metal walls. Even for the grizzled griffon, the oppressive darkness is a strong disincentive to talking at all, let alone loudly.
>>194359
With his light off, Cavaliere and the others cannot see their surroundings. He pulls out his flashlight, but refrains from turning it on. "Ms. Ring, what is bisected cleanly? What are we dealing with in here?" He says this softly, but perhaps his voice reverberates anyway off the metal walls. Even for the grizzled griffon, the oppressive darkness is a strong disincentive to talking at all, let alone loudly.
>>194360
Posey puts her hoof out to halt Cavalier and shushes, slowly pointing towards the body.
"Something anonymous happened here. The question is whether or not it has passed..."
Posey puts her hoof out to halt Cavalier and shushes, slowly pointing towards the body.
"Something anonymous happened here. The question is whether or not it has passed..."
>>194361
"This is a life-or-death situation and you have to be specific," he whispers sternly. "If you won't be, we cannot trust your eyes and we will use our own."
"This is a life-or-death situation and you have to be specific," he whispers sternly. "If you won't be, we cannot trust your eyes and we will use our own."
>>194359
Posey goes around to the other side, to look into its bisected torso.
This doesn't seem quite right. Posey knows what portal mishap looks like. Clean slices through intestine and bone. But that isn't exactly what we have here. Some of the intestine is outright missing. It's like predation, almost. But some of the intestine is indeed sliced, and some is hanging out, albeit not by much. Never more than a few inches. The bone is cracked, suggesting that it was broken with force. The thing likely was cut or sliced, albeit probably by more conventional - or at least, less precise - means.
There are no tracks, but there is a trail of blood going towards the right door. It seems the griffin probably was crawling or dragged from the door. Likely it was cut in half right there, right where it lay, after being mortally wounded earlier, in the other room. Hard to tell, though
The door is in the way, too closed to see past
>>194360
The vent makes a sucking noise from negative pressure
Posey goes around to the other side, to look into its bisected torso.
This doesn't seem quite right. Posey knows what portal mishap looks like. Clean slices through intestine and bone. But that isn't exactly what we have here. Some of the intestine is outright missing. It's like predation, almost. But some of the intestine is indeed sliced, and some is hanging out, albeit not by much. Never more than a few inches. The bone is cracked, suggesting that it was broken with force. The thing likely was cut or sliced, albeit probably by more conventional - or at least, less precise - means.
There are no tracks, but there is a trail of blood going towards the right door. It seems the griffin probably was crawling or dragged from the door. Likely it was cut in half right there, right where it lay, after being mortally wounded earlier, in the other room. Hard to tell, though
The door is in the way, too closed to see past
>>194360
The vent makes a sucking noise from negative pressure
>>194358
>>194359
>>194364
There are certain things that, when one sees it, it has an extreme negative effect on the mind. Kira has seen plenty of dead things, eaten things, and by virtue of being a lamia has seen (and participated in) things get eaten alive, but this...this is messed up. The lamia freezes for a moment, staring at the gore, before she slowly points to the room the griffon had come from. She speaks, though her voice is a bit shakey and she continues to stare at the half-griff. "Some...s-something bit this griffon in h-half. He w-was trying to crawl away, and it...it got him. Pulled his...his guts...out with his l-lower half. I think it's s-s-still in there. It left this out here. As a lure..."
Silver unsheathes his sword. Unfortunately, the light from his horn and his magic reflecting off of his blade casts a blue light upon the scene, making it more visible.
>>194359
>>194364
There are certain things that, when one sees it, it has an extreme negative effect on the mind. Kira has seen plenty of dead things, eaten things, and by virtue of being a lamia has seen (and participated in) things get eaten alive, but this...this is messed up. The lamia freezes for a moment, staring at the gore, before she slowly points to the room the griffon had come from. She speaks, though her voice is a bit shakey and she continues to stare at the half-griff. "Some...s-something bit this griffon in h-half. He w-was trying to crawl away, and it...it got him. Pulled his...his guts...out with his l-lower half. I think it's s-s-still in there. It left this out here. As a lure..."
Silver unsheathes his sword. Unfortunately, the light from his horn and his magic reflecting off of his blade casts a blue light upon the scene, making it more visible.
>>194365
There is no blood between the griffin and the stairs, save for what has pooled on the floor.
There is no blood between the griffin and the stairs, save for what has pooled on the floor.
>>194366
Kira tries to sneak up to the door on the right, where the griffon must have came from, and tries to use all of her senses - sight, sound, and smell - to figure out what's inside.
Hide: [1d20+14 = (9+14) = 23]
Move Silently: [1d20+14 = (18+14) = 32]
Spot: [1d20+8 = (20+8) = 28]
Listen: [1d20+8 = (16+8) = 24]
Survival: [1d20+11 = (9+11) = 20]
Kira tries to sneak up to the door on the right, where the griffon must have came from, and tries to use all of her senses - sight, sound, and smell - to figure out what's inside.
Hide: [1d20+14 = (9+14) = 23]
Move Silently: [1d20+14 = (18+14) = 32]
Spot: [1d20+8 = (20+8) = 28]
Listen: [1d20+8 = (16+8) = 24]
Survival: [1d20+11 = (9+11) = 20]
>>194367
>Hide
flicks tongue
>move silently
flicks tongue
>spot
It's dark
>Listen
There is a sound, though not especially loud, and somewhat damped by the door. The sound is like some kind of repeated clicking. It corresponds to no animal nor machine known to Kira. The constant pace seems more mechanical than animal, but Kira does not know for sure
>survival
Kira suspects that the griffin fell down after opening the door, or perhaps was let down, based on patterns in the blood.
>Hide
flicks tongue
>move silently
flicks tongue
>spot
It's dark
>Listen
There is a sound, though not especially loud, and somewhat damped by the door. The sound is like some kind of repeated clicking. It corresponds to no animal nor machine known to Kira. The constant pace seems more mechanical than animal, but Kira does not know for sure
>survival
Kira suspects that the griffin fell down after opening the door, or perhaps was let down, based on patterns in the blood.
>>194368
Damn, really thought a nat 20 for the Spot check would let her see *something*
Kira looks back to the group. "Only mechanical noises. Unless whatever was inside is super quiet." Kira goes quiet for a moment as she has a thought. "Machines can't hunt down creatures...right?"
Damn, really thought a nat 20 for the Spot check would let her see *something*
Kira looks back to the group. "Only mechanical noises. Unless whatever was inside is super quiet." Kira goes quiet for a moment as she has a thought. "Machines can't hunt down creatures...right?"
>>194369
the darkness stares back
Was that a smell check?
The smells of the room are, frankly, more subtle than those of the torpedo boat, with its smell of sweat, feathers, equines and the like. But Kira can smell something. Brass, explosives, griffin - more griffins, and that blood. She can smell oil and rock. Saltwater and mildew.
the darkness stares back
Was that a smell check?
The smells of the room are, frankly, more subtle than those of the torpedo boat, with its smell of sweat, feathers, equines and the like. But Kira can smell something. Brass, explosives, griffin - more griffins, and that blood. She can smell oil and rock. Saltwater and mildew.
>>194370
Kira has another thought as she turns to where Zara is. "Hey, Zara? Was the boarding party mostly griffons?"
Kira has another thought as she turns to where Zara is. "Hey, Zara? Was the boarding party mostly griffons?"
>>194374
Then Silver goes back to get her. It's not safe to be alone, here. Meanwhile, Kira gives her theory. "I think something ambushed the pirate boarding party in this room."
Then Silver goes back to get her. It's not safe to be alone, here. Meanwhile, Kira gives her theory. "I think something ambushed the pirate boarding party in this room."
>>194378
"Ah, so it is just normal frightened." Silver sits down next to the poor zebra mare, and pets her. "We have reached boiler. There is griffon in front of door who, uh...it is not pretty. Kira was going to ask you if boarding party was mostly griffons."
"Ah, so it is just normal frightened." Silver sits down next to the poor zebra mare, and pets her. "We have reached boiler. There is griffon in front of door who, uh...it is not pretty. Kira was going to ask you if boarding party was mostly griffons."
>>194379
Her mane is corse, and he feels her shake.
She raises her head
"The boiler? No, you can't have. Unless- have you gone very far?" She turns her head and her black muzzle to Silver "Yes?"
Her mane is corse, and he feels her shake.
She raises her head
"The boiler? No, you can't have. Unless- have you gone very far?" She turns her head and her black muzzle to Silver "Yes?"
>>194380
Silver tilts his head at the shaking mare. "I...do not think so? I do not have much frame of reference for ship layouts, but they must have entered some type of room with mechanical equipment and got ambushed by...something. I just assumed boiler because they might have been trying to turn on lights, themselves."
Silver tilts his head at the shaking mare. "I...do not think so? I do not have much frame of reference for ship layouts, but they must have entered some type of room with mechanical equipment and got ambushed by...something. I just assumed boiler because they might have been trying to turn on lights, themselves."
Sorry, I fell asleep.
>>194364
Posey checks if the body has any interesting items or information on it, before she carefully approaches the door, using her horn to open it from a safe distance. She readies her sword.
>predation
Can Posey identify the monster that could have done this?
Arcana
[1d20+11 = (7+11) = 18]
>>194363
Posey points at the griffon again making a bright flashing arrow with her magical glow.
"Dead griffon. Sliced in half through unknown means. Most likely monster activity."
>>194364
Posey checks if the body has any interesting items or information on it, before she carefully approaches the door, using her horn to open it from a safe distance. She readies her sword.
>predation
Can Posey identify the monster that could have done this?
Arcana
[1d20+11 = (7+11) = 18]
>>194363
Posey points at the griffon again making a bright flashing arrow with her magical glow.
"Dead griffon. Sliced in half through unknown means. Most likely monster activity."
Oh, it looks like the party already went through the door.
>>194370
Posey examines the additional bodies. As a sommelier, Posey is well familiar with blood splatters and the scent of fresh blood. Looks for tracks or anything else that might indicate what caused these wounds, as well as checking if the dead have any interesting items on them (armor that might be magical, rods, wands, rings, etc). She picks up any severed griffon talons, eyes, feathers or other loose parts to use as spellcasting components later.
(This is in the direction of the boiler, right? Posey is moving towards the boiler)
"It appears as though these poor souls found the attention of the monsters conjured by the Intruder. Caught flat-hoofed in the dark against physically powerful opponents with only ranged weapons in a close space and no clue what they were up against, they stood little chance against the beasts. With no visible tracks, it is likely that the monsters demanifested as soon as their work was done, gone as quickly as they came. The question remains as to why they were attacked seemingly randomly, when we as explicit enemies have been left alone this far...? Surely, they would have attacked us just as readily as they attacked these creatures, unless they are leading us into a trap... Or could it be that the Intruder has limits to th frequency of its summons? Whatever the case, we should press forward quickly while we can. Even if there is a trap, retreating or showing weakness now would only provoke it to summon beasts behind us." Posey ponders out loud, before trotting in the direction of the boiler
>>194370
Posey examines the additional bodies. As a sommelier, Posey is well familiar with blood splatters and the scent of fresh blood. Looks for tracks or anything else that might indicate what caused these wounds, as well as checking if the dead have any interesting items on them (armor that might be magical, rods, wands, rings, etc). She picks up any severed griffon talons, eyes, feathers or other loose parts to use as spellcasting components later.
(This is in the direction of the boiler, right? Posey is moving towards the boiler)
"It appears as though these poor souls found the attention of the monsters conjured by the Intruder. Caught flat-hoofed in the dark against physically powerful opponents with only ranged weapons in a close space and no clue what they were up against, they stood little chance against the beasts. With no visible tracks, it is likely that the monsters demanifested as soon as their work was done, gone as quickly as they came. The question remains as to why they were attacked seemingly randomly, when we as explicit enemies have been left alone this far...? Surely, they would have attacked us just as readily as they attacked these creatures, unless they are leading us into a trap... Or could it be that the Intruder has limits to th frequency of its summons? Whatever the case, we should press forward quickly while we can. Even if there is a trap, retreating or showing weakness now would only provoke it to summon beasts behind us." Posey ponders out loud, before trotting in the direction of the boiler
>>194382
>>194384
Cavaliere looks to the vent, then turns back to Posey. "Thank you. Keep telling us about our surroundings, and tell us if there is something worth taking a picture of. We shouldn't be hasty, either. For all we know, these things need light to appear. It seems some machinery in here is still working, or otherwise there's a pressure differential compared to outside."
>>194384
Cavaliere looks to the vent, then turns back to Posey. "Thank you. Keep telling us about our surroundings, and tell us if there is something worth taking a picture of. We shouldn't be hasty, either. For all we know, these things need light to appear. It seems some machinery in here is still working, or otherwise there's a pressure differential compared to outside."
>>194385
"We cannot afford to wait. The boiler is dying." Posey says, still walking in the direction of the boiler
"I will lead the way. Be ready to respond it anything attacks."
"We cannot afford to wait. The boiler is dying." Posey says, still walking in the direction of the boiler
"I will lead the way. Be ready to respond it anything attacks."
I really feel like the physical layout of the ship is just not getting across. It's a cargo ship. It's purpose is to carry cargo. most of the ship is taken up by big cargo holds. The middle of the ship has a big structure on top to hold the crew and underneath it is the engine and the boiler. The bow has equipment in it. And then the stern, which is where the party is, has a little structure on top of it like a poop deck in an old sailing ship. It houses the anti-aircraft gunnery crew, has anti-aircraft guns on top, and has the armory and the rudder under it.
Between the boiler room and the stern are two of the ship's five cargo holds. I want to repeat: this is a cargo ship. It is built to carry cargo. That's it's purpose. That's why it exists. It is a part of an international economic order designed to transfer large quantities of raw materials or finished products great distances safely and economically. It isn't a yacht. It isn't a warship. It is, however, armed.
The party is at the back of the ship. The back. They are at the rear most possible room that you can be in on the ship. If you go forward, you encounter two doors and two rooms. beyond that, is cargo hold 5. Beyond that, is cargo hold 4, which the party knows was made into a makeshift barracks. Beyond that, is the boiler and engine room.
Besides the choice of which of two doors to go through, there is only a single direction of travel: forward. Beyond that, there are only about three rooms in total separating them from the boiler room, and the boiler room itself is massive and open.
Between the boiler room and the stern are two of the ship's five cargo holds. I want to repeat: this is a cargo ship. It is built to carry cargo. That's it's purpose. That's why it exists. It is a part of an international economic order designed to transfer large quantities of raw materials or finished products great distances safely and economically. It isn't a yacht. It isn't a warship. It is, however, armed.
The party is at the back of the ship. The back. They are at the rear most possible room that you can be in on the ship. If you go forward, you encounter two doors and two rooms. beyond that, is cargo hold 5. Beyond that, is cargo hold 4, which the party knows was made into a makeshift barracks. Beyond that, is the boiler and engine room.
Besides the choice of which of two doors to go through, there is only a single direction of travel: forward. Beyond that, there are only about three rooms in total separating them from the boiler room, and the boiler room itself is massive and open.
>>194384
No. No one has gone through the door. Kira has looked through the door, but no one has turned on any light/otherwise established a source of illumination, nor opened the door.
No. No one has gone through the door. Kira has looked through the door, but no one has turned on any light/otherwise established a source of illumination, nor opened the door.
>>194384
Ship layout is this
Rudder control room > unknown room > cargo hold 5 > cargo hold 4 > boiler room
It's that simple and straightforward. There is only a single dimension involved here. There is only one direction of travel. You can technically go through a leftward door and the cargo holds as well as the boiler room have upper and lower levels, but for simplicity it's "walk forward."
Ship layout is this
Rudder control room > unknown room > cargo hold 5 > cargo hold 4 > boiler room
It's that simple and straightforward. There is only a single dimension involved here. There is only one direction of travel. You can technically go through a leftward door and the cargo holds as well as the boiler room have upper and lower levels, but for simplicity it's "walk forward."
Room
I should have made a map of the island a year ago. Here's a bad attempt at it, though it isn't so relevant anymore
>>194393
Silver leads the scared zebra mare back to the group. Before they leave, Kira also takes the gruesome time to see if the griffon had anything on his half-person worth taking.
Silver leads the scared zebra mare back to the group. Before they leave, Kira also takes the gruesome time to see if the griffon had anything on his half-person worth taking.
>>194399
Kira does look a little shaken up still, but she waves off the worry. "No no, I'll be fine, it's just..." she grimaces, "...really nasty. I mean like, I'm a hunter. I've hunted animals, both to eat and to harvest materials from them, and that usually involves things like skinning, gutting, removing meat from bone, but this is something else entirely. Brutality for brutality's sake, I guess." She looks down at the corpse as she looks for stuff to pilfer. "So is this what adventurers normally do? Go into spooky places and loot things off of dead bodies?"
Kira does look a little shaken up still, but she waves off the worry. "No no, I'll be fine, it's just..." she grimaces, "...really nasty. I mean like, I'm a hunter. I've hunted animals, both to eat and to harvest materials from them, and that usually involves things like skinning, gutting, removing meat from bone, but this is something else entirely. Brutality for brutality's sake, I guess." She looks down at the corpse as she looks for stuff to pilfer. "So is this what adventurers normally do? Go into spooky places and loot things off of dead bodies?"
Is anyone turning any sort of lights on, or is the hope that Posey will be able to see everything for the whole party and no one else will stump their toes in the dark?
>>194384
>>194397
Still grasped in the griffin's foremost claw is a pistol/carbine of an older model, known for its comparatively long range. The griffin wears a leather jacket. A tan color. in its larger pocket are multiple chains of silver. Jewelry, evidently. He carries several notes of stalliongradian paper currency, and several coins, also of stalliongrad. He has one battery, a utility knife, rope, a lock pick, and several stripper clips for the pistol.
>>194397
Still grasped in the griffin's foremost claw is a pistol/carbine of an older model, known for its comparatively long range. The griffin wears a leather jacket. A tan color. in its larger pocket are multiple chains of silver. Jewelry, evidently. He carries several notes of stalliongradian paper currency, and several coins, also of stalliongrad. He has one battery, a utility knife, rope, a lock pick, and several stripper clips for the pistol.
>>194404
A lockpick! Kira realizes that if they find another locked locker, they can safely unlock it using it and the knife. The rope and battery will also be useful. She holds up the pistol/carbine to the members of the party. "Anyone need a weapon?" She leaves the jacket behind, it's not her style anyways. Finally, she takes the jewelry and the money, and goes to ask the Kostroma survivors, "Are any of you missing these?"
A lockpick! Kira realizes that if they find another locked locker, they can safely unlock it using it and the knife. The rope and battery will also be useful. She holds up the pistol/carbine to the members of the party. "Anyone need a weapon?" She leaves the jacket behind, it's not her style anyways. Finally, she takes the jewelry and the money, and goes to ask the Kostroma survivors, "Are any of you missing these?"
>>194405
Blackheel walks down the stairs, arriving later than the others. He scrunches
"Uck... someone is. Damn pirates..."
Rustling pine moves his head closer and looks at the jewelry. He says a single sentence in his foreign language at a lower volume.
Blackheel walks down the stairs, arriving later than the others. He scrunches
"Uck... someone is. Damn pirates..."
Rustling pine moves his head closer and looks at the jewelry. He says a single sentence in his foreign language at a lower volume.
Characters without darkvision should consider investing in some spent ion stones with continual flame cast on them. They're nifty. You can even wrap them in cloth to dim the light.
>>194403
I was under the impression that other characters had their flashlights.
Posey has a flashlight that she could give away if anypony wants it.
>>194404
I thought I looked him earlier. Oh well.
Does that older gun look antique/masterwork? It might be magical.
>>194406
"Looting before securing the area. A common mistake." Posey chides
"His greed consumed him... That or whatever took his hind legs. He cannot alone be blamed for his fate though: he had no idea what he was up against." she continues
"Let us not make the same mistake. To the boiler. Follow me." she says, walking through the door on the right
>>194403
I was under the impression that other characters had their flashlights.
Posey has a flashlight that she could give away if anypony wants it.
>>194404
I thought I looked him earlier. Oh well.
Does that older gun look antique/masterwork? It might be magical.
>>194406
"Looting before securing the area. A common mistake." Posey chides
"His greed consumed him... That or whatever took his hind legs. He cannot alone be blamed for his fate though: he had no idea what he was up against." she continues
"Let us not make the same mistake. To the boiler. Follow me." she says, walking through the door on the right
>>194406
Cavaliere takes nothing. Assumedly no lights have been turned on, and he follows Posey
”Lead the way,” he says.
Cavaliere takes nothing. Assumedly no lights have been turned on, and he follows Posey
”Lead the way,” he says.
>>194408
Kira does have a hooded lantern and oil for it, should additional light sources be requested.
Kira does have a hooded lantern and oil for it, should additional light sources be requested.
>>194408
Posey opens the door. While there is some weight to it, it opens relatively easy.
Looking side, Posey can see shelves. Shelves, and a dumbwaiter like mechanism. She can see artillery shells, cannon shells, and empty racks. And a door. And at the two, two shapes that almost instantly shine bright lights onto Posey. It almost blinds her, though surely her eyes fair better than more light dependent eyes.
>>194409
>>194407
Posey opens the door. Perhaps as long as a second passes, then she is lit up by bright lights. The ponies can see the individual bones on her barding, tufts of wet fur, individual water droplets in her mane turned dark red by the water, and bright, white spots reflecting from her eyes
Posey opens the door. While there is some weight to it, it opens relatively easy.
Looking side, Posey can see shelves. Shelves, and a dumbwaiter like mechanism. She can see artillery shells, cannon shells, and empty racks. And a door. And at the two, two shapes that almost instantly shine bright lights onto Posey. It almost blinds her, though surely her eyes fair better than more light dependent eyes.
>>194409
>>194407
Posey opens the door. Perhaps as long as a second passes, then she is lit up by bright lights. The ponies can see the individual bones on her barding, tufts of wet fur, individual water droplets in her mane turned dark red by the water, and bright, white spots reflecting from her eyes
Pardon the delayed reply.
>>194412
>And at the two, two shapes that almost instantly shine bright lights onto Posey.
Posey hisses at the light, shielding herself with her cloak taking a moment to adjust before confronting this new peculiar room.
What are these shapes?
>>194412
>And at the two, two shapes that almost instantly shine bright lights onto Posey.
Posey hisses at the light, shielding herself with her cloak taking a moment to adjust before confronting this new peculiar room.
What are these shapes?
>>194413
The figures are quadrupeds, about the same approximate shape and size as normal creatures, if slightly larger. Posey cannot see them well at all because of the light, though she can make out the shape. The best guess? Griffons. Possibly hippogriffs or ponies with extra equipment on, or something similarly shaped
The figures are quadrupeds, about the same approximate shape and size as normal creatures, if slightly larger. Posey cannot see them well at all because of the light, though she can make out the shape. The best guess? Griffons. Possibly hippogriffs or ponies with extra equipment on, or something similarly shaped
>>194415
[color 111]”We mean you no harm,”[/color] Cavaliere calls out. ”We are not with the thing in the ship. Identify yourselves.”
[color 111]”We mean you no harm,”[/color] Cavaliere calls out. ”We are not with the thing in the ship. Identify yourselves.”
>>194415
Are there any dead bodies in the room?
Posey readies for combat, looking for any sign of weaponry as she readies her sword.
She takes a step into the room, intent on not showing weakness. Readying her sword.
"Who goes there?" she hisses
"Drop your weapons. We have you outnumbered."
Are there any dead bodies in the room?
Posey readies for combat, looking for any sign of weaponry as she readies her sword.
She takes a step into the room, intent on not showing weakness. Readying her sword.
"Who goes there?" she hisses
"Drop your weapons. We have you outnumbered."
(is there at least 10 feet between us? That will decide if I charge or 5 ft step)
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