The rear portions of the SSRS Kostroma have been cleared. The Boiler room draws near. Still that sound persists. Calling them.
706 replies and 68 files omitted.
>>195628Posey would tell you that constructs can never regenerate, only fast-heal, were she not preoccupied with her moment of glory.
>>195629She can feel the oil on her hooves. And probably a bit on other parts of her coat, splashing from the collapsing oil
>>195625Mala walks up to Silver, as does Zara
Zara: "Are you okay?"
>>195628>>195631Cavaliere also approaches the now badly-injured Silver.
"How hard were you hit? You may want to lie down on a soft surface." >>195631Luckily, for the next several hours Posey will look spotless and beautiful, thanks to her glammer spell.
>>195629>>195631>>195632Silver chuckles wryly along with Posey as he looks towards his attentive friends. "Heh, nothing I have-" he's interrupted with a couple more coughs, each of which bring up plenty of blood, and perhaps at least one small piece of viscera. "-ow...gone through before." He pulls out a small knife, and starts to cut away at the oil keeping him stuck to that spot.
>>195635He waves over Patient Pipette.
"Doctor, don't be afraid! He needs your help over here. Might be a punctured lung." >>195635Silver is indeed still stuck there and must free himself. There should be some health potions remaining, although this might be the remainder of the supply. Silver can feel that he has indeed been seriously injured
>>195636Pipette, not far from the two, widens her eyes, and comes towards Silver
She inspects him
[1d20+3 = (10+3) = 13] >>195637It's very clear that he's suffered significant blunt force trauma, causing immense muscle strain and breaking multiple bones including several ribs that likely have punctured his lungs and risk injuring other organs as well. His breathing is raspy and unsteady, and putting any pressure on...well, really most any part of his body causes him to wince in pain. How he's still standing is a mystery to her, but very clearly a pony of lesser consitution would be at least unconscious or more likely dying by this point.
>>195628He inspects the dead remains.
"None of the others had before, but they dissolved on death. I think this creation was using the oil as a sort of skeleton. I would burn this oil if it was safe, but here it might be a better idea to douse it with some sort of chemical to dissolve it.">>195629Now that there's some time, Cavaliere makes an arcane knowledge check to figure out what kind of spell would not only heal and clean a pony but also dramatically change her appearance.
[1d20+7 = (13+7) = 20] >>195640Patient Pipette
"There are chemicals... not enough, not here."
>>195639If you actually had broken ribs or punctured lungs, you would have taken Constitution damage/drain. This is just HP damage; you will be fine after some rest.
>t. is still recovering from existential manecare emergency >>195640Magic. Possibly glammer subschool. Very pretty.
>>195642>>195641scrunchWell, regardless of the actual mechanics of Silver's significant internal injuries, he's enough of a stallion to admit: "...I may actually need some help to heal."
Kira raises her hoof. "Would it help if I wrapped around you? You know, like a splint?"
Somehow, Silver has his doubts that would work.
"We should go kill that hippogriff immediately. The longer we wait, the more opportunities it has to send monsters to harass us. Another creature could appear at any moment."
>>195644Zara Zama:
"When does a giant snake thing wrapping around you help anything? Except to die."
Patient Pipette
"Rest and magic..."
>>195645Blackheel:
"For once, I agree with the white unicorn."
>>195645>>195646Silver shakes his head. "Rest later. Magic now."
Kira keeps her hoof raised. "I'd still like to go explore and free as many of the poor possessed ponies as we can, if that's a possibility. Can we at least do my thing first though, even if we don't have enough resources to keep going on?"
>>195645>>195646The griffon shakes his head dismissively.
"We would be going upstairs in close quarters against not just Bearer and other monsters, but the various crew that have been enslaved. It would be a bloodbath. Afterwards, we would still have to fight that thing which will be attacking us, and we can't be sure it would be blind either. If we go after the source instead, we eliminate the monsters, the crew would no longer be forced to fight us, and Light Bearer would be helpless." >>195648Blackheel:
"The griffin
does raise an interesting point"
>>195648>>195649Kira keeps her hoof raised, and bounces up and down excitedly. "Oh! Let's do my thing! It will make everything super easy!"
>>195650Blackheel points a hoof towards Kira:
"Yes, overgrown garden snake, what do you have to say?"
>>195651Kira stops bouncing, and tilts her head at Black Heel. "Garden snake? I'm a Hunter, not a Farmer. Err, Gardener? Anyways, I don't know how much I can really say, because I'm fairly certain that the Traveler can hear us, or maybe even hear our thoughts, but basically I have a way I'm going to try to remove him from the minds of the possessed creatures. If they're free, not only will they not be fighting against us, but maybe it will also weaken the Traveler and, as a consequence, Light Water, if it draws power from its followers."
>>195652Silver: "Something to heal, like potion. Or maybe even just something to get me up and going again." Another cough, and more blood comes up.
>>195653Blackheel tilts his head
"A hunter of
what?"
After a moment, he says
"Surely, we have some possessed creatures to try it on."
>>195654"Well, mostly gazelle, wild hogs, anything that could be found out in the savannah really. Oh, anything
non-sapient, we don't do anything like that to creatures like zebras or...well, there aren't really any back home, but we wouldn't do it to ponies either. Plus the rise of agriculture a long time ago means that we aren't actually the main food producers for the tribe anymore and we're more like soldiers now, but...sorry, got off track. I don't know if I'll be able to do it multiple times, so I'd like to try to get as many possessed creatures together as possible before I do it."
>>195655Blackheel:
"I see..."
He relaxes. Some inarticulable aspects of tone and body language suggest this was the right answer, and he seems to have some sympathy.
"Very well. Try it. when you can."
>>195653"Did you bring healing potions?"
"I have none. I am allergic."
>>195656Kira smiles. She's happy to see more ponies start to relax around lamias like her. "Yay, thank you! Okay, let's go gather some more creatures like it's some sort of pocket creature collection game!"
>>195657Silver: "Huh, I am sorry to hear. At least you seem to be doing well." Another cough. "We have small amount. I do not want to take all of them up, but I am very hurt."
>>195656This would be a great time to resolve that Arcana/Religion roll from months ago when Posey checked to see if that Strand Of Prayer Beads we found was actually magical.
>>195658"Take them now then. We need to leave."
Did the oil monster drop any treasure?
>>195660Kira: "It isn't? I feel like it should be a thing, though. There's a lot of appeal in cute creatures, like ponies."
>>195662Silver definitely agrees on that.
I just don't know who has the potions, or how much they'll heal. >>195664At this point, Kira has definitely lost Blackheel, who stares at Kira, mouth hanging open
Silver should have a potion bottle of Cure Serious Wounds from Cargo Hold 4
3d8+5
>>195665Kira just tilts her head at the pony. "Did I say something wrong."
Silver absolutely takes the potion, making sure to drink every last drop.
[3d8+5 = (14+5) = 19] >>195666>66610% of randomly rolled items are cursed btw :p
>>195666>>195667It definitely doesn't taste the freshest of all potions that he's taken, and it's not enough to heal all of the damage from even just this one fight, but it's definitely better than nothing.
>>195669Posey takes out her Tiara and polishes it.
>>195670Unlike Posey, it is not covered in oil
Now... Who wants to roll Spot?
>>195669Silver looks to the others to see if he should take it or not.
>>195673Spot: Kira's keen snek eyes come in use here.
[1d20+8 = (1+8) = 9] >>195675Patient Pipette looks especially friendshaped
>>195677Now this, this is true. Kira would give her a hug right about now, if she wasn't so covered in oil.
>>195664You never specified how many we had, other than that we had "at least one" large potion
>>195673Cavaliere's careful, practiced eyes look around....
[1d20+5 = (9+5) = 14] Are we ready to leave to attack light water now?
We have nothing left to do here, right? Nopony is going to grab my tail when I leave to attack Light Water, right?
>>195680>>195681I know I sound like a contrarian but I really do think it's better for us to go after the Fellow Traveler first. It's just the three of us players so whatever Silver/Kira's player would prefer, we should go do (unless if it's a third option).
>>195685I explained it in-character here
>>195648If Light Bearer is getting his power from the Fellow Traveler, then by defeating the Fellow Traveler we can deal with Light Bearer with minimal risk.
Posey takes 10 on Diplomacy (modified 22) to convince all of the NPCs (who are not already charmed by her) to follow her to attack Light Water now.
>>195689Kira flicks her tongue while looking at Posey
||
>>195690 →||
"Well, Blackheel and I agree, so that makes two of us, and Blackheel commands the sailors so it looks like we already know where to go next."
I made a mistake in describing the ship. The cargo holds the party went through are not on the lowest level of the ship but are above a lower level. The engine room, however, is on the bottom of the ship, thus when entering the party would have to go down a stairway.
>>195689Black Heel:
"Would you believe me if I told you that not a one of us wants this deranged, mutinous foreigner who has caused us so much grief to continue living?
The only question is if we kill him or his pet first."
Stained Sand:
"Both a Communist
and a non-pony? What an unfortunate combination. No, he cannot be suffered to live." After glancing at Blackheel, "Excuse me, a political lunatic even by Communist standards."
>>195695I don't know exactly where Light Water is, but if I had tio guess, he is on the bridge, looking out into the darkness, waiting for the light of the GRU ship to appear through the fog. He may feel in control up there. Or he may be in the radio room. Above us one floor is the storage of the ship for provisions and the like. Above that is the deck level of the ship, and the Crew Deck, the largest structure in the ship. It has the cabins of most of the crew, the galley and the crew mess. Above that one level is the Boat deck. Part of it is open deck where the lifeboats were, and part of it is the cabins of the officers, and the officer's mess. Above that is the bridge deck. It has the Captain's cabin, the navigation room, the radio room, and the bridge.
In front of us is cargo hold 3. It should be completely empty. Beyond that is cargo hold 2, mostly empty but carrying some lumber and ore taken back from Skynavia. But below that is the converted lower level of Cargo Hold 2... The Ice Box. That is where "Our Fellow Traveler" was placed. I would assume that is where it still sleeps and dreams. But I can't say I've checked recently."
>>195700>I made a mistake in describing the ship. The cargo holds the party went through are not on the lowest level of the ship but are above a lower level. The engine room, however, is on the bottom of the ship, thus when entering the party would have to go down a stairway.Tbh, my brain was too tiny to properly absorb the descriptions anyways, so don't worry about it.
>Black Heel:>The only question is if we kill him or his pet first.""Between the two of them, Light Water is the one capable of moving in on his own, so it would be better to deal with him first to avoid surprises." Posey says
>Stained Sand:"Yes, yes, and a mad mage it seems; the kind that all of our arcana textbooks warn us about. The hornless bird got a taste of power and let it control him, many such cases. I would like to neutralize him immediately, before he does something ludicrously... stupid."
>Light Water is, but if I had tio guess, he is on the bridge, looking out into the darkness, waiting for the light of the GRU ship to appear through the fog. He may feel in control up there.Posey nods
"I suggest trusting your hunch and conquering the bridge first in the absence of any other leads. Even if he is not there, it will benefit us to have the high ground when we continue our search. If the need arises, my minion map be able to smash through the windows on the bridge to attack him, which should at least keep him distracted for long enough for the rest of us to approach."
>>195695>>195705Kira continues the looking at and tongue flicking in the direction of Posey.
Posey sets out in the direction of the bridge, still looking fabulous from her glammer spell
>>195700"Are there any notable obstacles on the way to the bridge? Any choke points or narrow stairwells we should anticipate? Any windows through which fliers might enter or escape?"
Posey asks Blackheel
>>195711Kira interrupts Posey. "B-but what about my idea? De-possessing all of the possessed creatures?"
Pic unrelated
>>195705Stained Sand:
"Like making a pact with some kind of alien demon thing?"
Blackheel
"The Entity cannot move. Until it does." Raising an eyebrow, "Minion?"
>>195711"Yes. The entire path up four floors is nothing but choke points and narrow stairwells. There are no open areas like this up there. None. Think of it like a hotel without a lobby. Just little rooms and corridors, with a few somewhat larger rooms that still have lower ceilings. There are dozens upon dozens of portholes, windows, and multiple doors to outside of the ship. You don't need to fly to get there from the outside, you can walk up the steps to get to the boat deck."
Sorry, I was busy DMing
>>195713>Minion?"The whale skeleton I brought to life with the powers of my mentor." Posey clarifies
>"Yes. The entire path up four floors is nothing but choke points and narrow stairwells. There are no open areas like this up there. None. Think of it like a hotel without a lobby. Just little rooms and corridors, with a few somewhat larger rooms that still have lower ceilings. There are dozens upon dozens of portholes, windows, and multiple doors to outside of the ship. You don't need to fly to get there from the outside, you can walk up the steps to get to the boat deck.""Excellent description. Let us hustle then." Posey says, still walking.
>>195714>"A criminal must be brought back to face justice for his crimes. We are not judges, and to deliver him is the best we can do."Posey chuckles dryly
"Of course we are none to judge; we
are pirates, afterall..."
Bluff check to keep Cavalier from blowing our cover
[1d20+14 = (13+14) = 27]>casualties"There will be casualties no matter what we do. Narrow corridors means we will only have to fight them one at a time though. I will lead the way, and you can follow if you wish." Posey says, with a toss of her glammered mane.
>>195712"How would you even do that?"
>>195715Cavaliere shakes his head as he stays put.
"With all those portholes and doorways, it would be a shooting gallery and we would be the target. The narrow space would work against us here, and we would likely be attacked from the rear again. In the mostly empty lower hold at least, we could cover each other with all our firepower. >>195716Blackheel:
"The portholes face outwards, towards the ocean"
>>195714>>195715Kira: "Well, I'm worried that if I say too much, it might alert the Traveler to me plans, but let's say I'm gonna call upon a...little bit of help to do so."
>>195716"There is no path available that does not involve being shot at." Posey says, still walking
>>195717Posey turns to Blackheel
"If you would be so gracious as to lead us towards the bridge, that would be appreciated. Once our ascent begins, I can take the lead."
>>195718>the ranger has planar allies somehow Nobody wanted to let me summon any demons to help us...
>>195717Turning to Blackheel, he asks,
"Are you sure these puppets won't be waiting to shoot us from outside?">>195718"We need whatever edge we can get beforehand, and it might just save some crew as well. Let's try it.>>195719He stares after the neurotic-yet-overconfident pony.
"The only benefit to you taking the lead is that you'll be shot at first. You can go and I won't stop you, but I would have to be a fool to follow. >>195718Blackheel looks suspiciously at Kira
>>195715Blackheel looks suspiciously at Posey
>>195722"No, though they could only really shoot into a singular cabin. Perhaps they could shoot into the bridge, or be waiting on the lifeboat deck."
>>195723Kira: "Oh, don't worry! It's not like demons or anything evil. He's...let's just say that He's close to me."
She grasps the pendant around her neck with a hoof as she says this. It glows golden faintly.
>>195679In the corner of Cavaliere's vision, he thinks he sees movement on the upper level, on the railings
>>195725"Over there!" he cries out, pointing in that direction. He also pulls out his revolver, ready for a fight.
>>195724Rolling Arcana to tell what kind of magic item this is
[1d20+11 = (15+11) = 26] How long would it take us to get to the bridge?
>>195728If you encounter absolutely no resistance or obstacles, the same amount of time as it takes to walk down a couple hallways and go up the stairs from ground floor to the top of a five, perhaps six story building.
>>195729Well, Posey starts walking.
Once she gets close, she is going to stop to cast some buff spells.
>>195729Also, can she get the results of that Arcana check?
>>195727It seems to be an item of either cultural or religious significance to Kira and her people. Kira seems to use it to cast her spells (blessings from her god Ouroboros, as she described them earlier) without the aid of a horn. The shape of it is what's odd: despite everything about her religion suggesting snake, the shape of it is actually a leopard.
>>195732So you are saying that's a holy symbol for your Ranger spells?
>>195723Does Blackheel follow Posey towards the bridge?
>>195726On the level above, not far from the door, Cavaliere sees four figures. Far end, dark brown griffin in a jacket brandishing in the ready position a rifle. Seems to be Griffonian make. Second, a pony of grey color in a blue uniform, holding a vlazhnyy rifle. Then a white pony, likewise in blue and holding a vlazhnyy. At the end, a red griffin in green uniform, wearing a green cap with a red star, brandishing a Stalliongrad Automatic.
>>195735Oh
Rolling Spellcraft to identify the spell that was just cast
[1d20+11 = (3+11) = 14] >>195736Does Posey also see this?
>>195738She only barely misses out on seeing it in her peripheral vision, but she was not looking in that direction and is busy with Kira and Blackheel. Only Cavaliere is aware.
>>195736Cavaliere lowers his revolver, but still keeps it in his claw. He snaps his talons at Zara and waves her over to his side.
>>195739Okay
Posey keeps moving then, trotting at full speed.
"This way, quickly."
>>195740Zara looks towards Cavaliere
"What is it?" she asks
>>195726>>195736Silver, upon Cavaliere's warning, draws his new LMG and gets set up to provide cover fire.
>>195737There doesn't seem to have been any actual spell cast, rather she was just channeling magic through the pendant.
>>195741Cavaliere ignores her and stays where he is.
>>195742"I need you over here right now." He says this in a low voice with a hint of urgency.
>>195743>>195741>>195742>>195740The Red griffin speaks:
"What a diverse lot we have here? Only two forces could do that. Solidarity, and Greed. And I know it isn't the former."
>>195744Zara looks up... and does not like what she sees
>>195745Silver decides that honesty is the best policy in this instance. "Listen, they were transporting something horrible on this ship. It needs to be destroyed, and creature responsible for unleashing it needs to be destroyed along with it."
Is there any way for Kira to sneakily climb up to the group opposed to them like a snake without being seen?
>>195745Posey turns
How far away is this griffon?
>>195743Then what did you actually do?
>>195746Maybe if she went kind of underneath the railing, or possibly around it? She'd need to climb up equipment or the walls to do it, however. The only way to access the set of creatures is with either a ranged weapon, or by going around and up the stairs. But the stairs would require a small delay
The griffin speaks back
"No. This ship carries something powerful. Something that can undo all of the bindings set upon us by those who wish to exploit others. Something that can revolutionize the world the same way the steam engine did. And you wish to take it for yourselves, don't you?"
>>195747Up a set of stairs, turn left, go a few feet, turn left again, some more feet, then the other griffin and two ponies in the way, then finally you have the griffin. It is at least already the direction Posey was going, meaning she's technically the closest in terms of walking.