Jade and Cattle log, 2/10

[leticia]

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: You've regained one health level, btw.

Storyteller says "We are out of combat time. Your ship's marines have boarded the demon-worshipper's vessel, and between you and the last survivors of the merchanter, which, by the by, is still on fire, their crew is cut off. However, Liu and Diamond may have a problem... The Worm is starting to sink."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: And you need to make a Dex + Ath check, dif 2.

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 6 dice: <1 1 2 2 6 9> for 1 success.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Your feet get caught on something as you're moving around the helm and you trip forward as the sea swells up and whatever it is goes taut.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: You do clock yourself a nasty one on the chin on the way down, but for no damage.

Storyteller [to Diamond; Borealis Liu;]: Pose whenever you want to btw.

Phoenix Maiden picks herself back up with a cat's dignity (I meant to do that, really!) and looks for a rope to throw to her friends in the water.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Your legs are tangled up in some strange, shimmering strands that are stretching out into the sea-- about the thickness of a cord, but you can't see any end to it. There is some rope below, on a hook.

Diamond Borealis feels the creature begin to sink. He glances at the merchant vessel already on fire, then to Liu who is on the creature as well. "Liu!" As he speaks, he spins his massive axe in his hand so that he grips it up near the head and the handle is extended outward toward the Night. "I'll pole vault you toward the ship!" He yells over the crashing waves and the chaos caused by the dying Worm. "Just don't let go." Hopefully that will give her the idea to get them both onto the ship.

Phoenix Maiden ignores the strands for now, if they don't hamper her movement overmuch, and heads for the rope to toss an end to her companions.

Liu vaults towards the Old Man and wraps slender spidery fingers around the end of his axe. She gives him a sharp nod to say 'Understood', and settles her body into a pose that will extend her leverage.

Storyteller chuckles. "Give me Dex + Ath + 4 Liu; 2 point stunt plus bonus from Diamond helping."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "I am thinking that rather than the Fish Swimming Technique of my new toys, that the Auto-Success Unsurpassed Celestial Grace will be more useful. That one is 8motes+1wp."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "ST-may-I? :)"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Sure. :)"

<ROLL> Liu rolls 14 dice: <1 1 1 1 1 2 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 10> for 4 successes.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "can I also get a little bit more detail about the logistics of this move, Mark? I didn't quite understand, but Liu did, 'cause she was there."

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Phoenix Maiden's rope-toss makes it to you with no trouble, by the by, once Liu is done.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "OK, I can add 3 successes to that 4. So whatever I rolled for, it appears to be successfu- oh, damnit, wait, I'm at -2."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "I should have rolled 12."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Liu, the idea is that she grabs the end and Diamond hauls it upward as if she were using the axe as a pole vault. Then once she's in the air she pulls on it, and he pushes off with his feet, sending them both carwheeling onto the burning boat."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Sorta like a seesaw on steroids."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Consider the penalty waived, again, for good description.. So you're at 7."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "I think that works as long as Liu's feet touch the ground. She's got the Athletics to push us both up and out, but I don't see a fulcrum in what you're providing, and though this is Exalted, can't quite accept the physics. Master Newton does not approve. ;-) Is that okay? I'll pose it pretty."

Storyteller [to Liu]: You sail through the air with even greater ease than you normally do at the circus, the power of your newly-awakened Essence patterns flowing through your limbs and sending the both of you skyborn. Apparently rendering Phoenix Maiden's aid somewhat superfluous. You and diamond land on the deck in two thuds, one light, one cracking what's left of the timbers once again. In the background, the merchanter is still burning, although the sailors not guarding captives are trying to put it out.

Diamond Borealis grins at Liu as they both land. The rush of flying through the air making him show a little teeth. "We've got to put that fire out. Then we can deal with the Linthan prisoners."

Phoenix Maiden watches Liu and Diamond arc through the air and drops the rope to the deck, turning her attention to scraping the clinging stuff off her legs.

Liu lands smartly on her feet, arms extended behind her to keep her balanced. She gives Diamond a somewhat relieved smile, and follows his gaze to the fire. "Well the water will just put it out, Old Man." Realization dawns. "Ohhhh." She looks about to see what the sailors are doing, to join a bucket brigade if one's been started.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Some of the strands shimmer purple; others, yellow. As you push them away from your legs, they try to warp and weave around your hands, looping and pulling over the sides; oddly, when they do so, your -ship- is physically moved closer to the Lintha vessel, dragged straight into the sinking carcass of the worm.

Storyteller [to Liu]: If you'd like, you can pose nimbly walking over the grappling lines to the other ship; given the Charms you've got in play, no need to roll.

Phoenix Maiden tries to trace the cords with her eyes - and see if any of them have caught the ship.

Diamond Borealis starts to try to figure a way over toward the other vessel when he notices the strange strands wrapped around Phoenix. He moves closer, going slowly and avoiding any of the strands to make sure he doesn't become entangled. "What in Malfeas..."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: They're definitely heading over to your ship and... they just tried to tighten, like wire trying to slice cheese.

<DAMAGE> Storyteller rolls 2 damage dice: <8 10> for 2 successes.

Liu crouches beside Phoenix Maiden momentarily, examining those icky strings attached to the woman's limbs. She touches one, very delicately, and then looks up at Phoenix Maiden. She swiftly pulls in the line Phoenix Maiden threw to them, and wraps it around one of her wrists. "Don't know Old Man. Don't care. Gonna use it."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: The pull of the cord snaps your wrists back in a hurry- they're immensely strong- breaking them. You do have an opportunity to snatch them away right -now-, and let the stone heal you.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Just one health level.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "...All I can say is that I'm glad I have the damn gem on me. >_<"

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: As the lines snap over Phoenix Maiden's wrists, you see your ship hauled closer.

Phoenix Maiden bites on her lips with a cry of pain as her wrists crack unpleasantly, and jerks her hands free. "Something nasty. And it's caught on the ship, too. If it pulls the ship down..."

Storyteller says "The Lintha vessel bucks and rocks as the merchanter is slammed into it; it seems like the other end of the cords are tied to -it-, too."

Liu winces as Phoenix Maiden cries out, and hops up on the cords, trotting across to the Merchant ship like the cords were a broad avenue. She nimbly leaps off and fastens the end of the rope she carried with her to the railing of the Merchant Vessel, then skips off to help put the fire out, leaving the other end of the rope with Phoenix Maiden on the Lintha ship.

Storyteller [to Liu]: You're going to be out of action for a bit, so feel free to Heroically Pose Putting Out Fires. The fires are big, green, and sulphurous.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: The fight is over at this point, and should only require clean-up. However, your ship has been somehow physically -tugged- towards the Lintha ship, slowly but surely. Give me a Perception + Occult roll.

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 4 dice: <5 6 6 8> for 1 success.

"Thrice-damned Linthans." Diamond's anger grows as the lines draw their vessel closer. "We've got to figure out how to get it to stop hurting you." He leaves Liu to handling the putting of fires out. He studies the lines, stepping around them carefully. He's trying to discover what is generating them. Concentrating for a moment, he taps into the essence around him, activating his Sensory Acuity Prana, to heighten his sensory input.

Phoenix Maiden eyes the cords distastefully. "I'm more concerned with the boats sinking."

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: As the last tug settles, you see strange sparkles as the water of the ocean is flung by something that seems to be wound over your ship-- something with strange purple and yellow coloration. It seems to be coming from amidships.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Perception + Awareness, and I believe you either get bonus dice or autosucesses from SAP?

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "raises Awareness by Essence"

Kanfi [to Storyteller]: Does it look like it's ATTACHED to the ships? Like where i could touch it, were I so foolish to do so?

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 10 dice: <1 2 3 5 6 6 7 8 8 8> for 4 successes.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: Well, it definitely comes over the side, yeah. And it's somehow pulling the ship closer.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: You see the strands running between all of the vessels. The purple one seems to be trembling, straining, as though it's carrying some heavy load, whereas the ... Oh, wait, hang on, I may have the color wrong. >_<

Kanfi wrinkles his nose, grabbing Seven by the arm and tugging him over to take a look at the shimmering strands. "Seven, do you see that?" Seven is far less likely to be damaged by it, after all?

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: You see the strands running between all of the vessels. The purple one seems to be trembling, straining, as though it's carrying some heavy load, whereas the yellow seems to be slacking.

Seven dutifully inspects the area that Kanfi points him at. "O Wondrous Destruction of All That Is Holy and Good, I see, er, the mast of the ship that brings your exquisite foulness across the once-pure waters?"

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "The purple one runs from the Linthan ship to the Merchant On Fire one? Or our Merchant one? Or all three?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "All three are attached by strands of both types."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "There are perhaps ... 5 purple strands, and 3 yellow."

Liu assists the sailors who are trying to douse the flames. They have formed a bucket brigade, and Liu leaps to the front of the line, because with her small size and super athletic abilities, she can get the water to the source of the flames more easily than anyone else. She almost defies gravity with her absolutely stunning ability to wield the heavy buckets of water gracefully and accurately. She's very, very pretty while doing it, also.

Phoenix Maiden favors her wrists and waits for them to heal.

Kanfi groans. "Not what I mean. There's something shining, wrapping around the hull." He grabs his skycutter from where he'd strapped it on his back at the end of the battle and smoothly slices it down, across the side of the hull when the strands are, to see if he can cut them.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis is drawing a blank.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: Boooooiiinnnnnggggg.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: You're good. Completely healed.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Int +Occult.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 9 dice: <3 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 10> for 4 successes.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Purple is the color of Saturn, whose name you have heard mentioned recently. Yellow is the color of Mercury.

Kanfi jerks back in surprise, hand feeling a little numb from the shock of his blow being stopped so forcefully. "What in the name of the Unconquered Sun?" He turns towards Seven. "Did you see that? Try and touch it."

Phoenix Maiden makes an attempt to slice the cords as soon as her wrists recover - not being there to watch Kanfi's attempt fail.

Seven bows deeply before Kanfi. "As you command, O Perilous and Dire Tool Of Unspeakable Demons From Beyond the Neverwhere. Whatever your delusional madness desires." Seven waves his hand where the strands are-- or rather, tries to. Whenever his hand comes near it skips-- almost like jumping across the 8 strands without touching them.

Diamond Borealis studies the colored strands for a moment. "The Five Maidens; but why are the purple, representative of Saturn pulling tight and the yellow representing Mercury being slack..." He swings his axe tentatively at one of the purple ones, trying to slice through it with the sharp, orichalcum edge.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: What's your strength again?

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Str is 4"

Storyteller hmms.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden pokes Brian and wonders what came of her attempted cut? :p

Storyteller says "Roll Strength + Occult."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: ... Roll Strength + Occult.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 9 dice: <1 3 3 3 4 6 7 9 10> for 4 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Probably bounced, but."

Storyteller says "PM and Diamond Both."

Kanfi bites his lip, watching Seven's hand skip through the strands. "I'd protest that, if I thought it would do any good. It's like your hand went through them..."

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 5 dice: <2 9 10 10 10> for 7 successes.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Bounce! You barely manage to hold onto control of the...

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: ...

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Which were you going for? Purple or yellow or both?

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Your hand's gonna fall off. That's how successful you were."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Umm. The ones pulling us down. Purple, I guess."

Storyteller [to Liu]: You notice the strands as well, by the by-- except where you are, they're not strands, they're huge -knots-, snarling and weaving together, larger and larger around the fires you're trying to fight. Just as one of them seems to be starting to synchronize its glow with that of the flame, -all- of the knots suddenly loosen...

Storyteller says "As two of the purple strands are sliced clean through, causing them to -SNAP- midair. The backlash sends shockwaves throughout the ships, knocking sailors and Lintha alike down."

Diamond Borealis has to grab the handle of his axe with both hands and tighten down hard, the head bouncing backward dragging him a half circle. "Mercury's Calloused Feet!" Real anger in his eyes as he studies the lines again. He takes another look around, to see if the lines emerge from any central location. He leaps back from the snapping strands.

Storyteller says "Everyone but Liu give me Dex + Ath rolls to stay up. Anyone who smacked a line, successful or not... so everyone but Liu, really, give me a dodge or parry roll to avoid getting caught by the whiplash."

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 3 dice: <1 7 10> for 3 successes.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 4 dice: <4 8 9 10> for 4 successes.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 9 dice: <1 2 4 5 5 7 9 9 9> for 4 successes.

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 6 dice: <1 1 3 4 7 8> for 2 successes.

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 12 dice: <1 1 2 3 5 5 5 5 6 6 10 10> for 4 successes.

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 8 dice: <1 1 2 2 4 5 6 9> for 1 success.

<DAMAGE> Storyteller rolls 2 damage dice: <1 7> for 1 success.

Liu keeps her balance gracefully as the sailors and marines around her stumble and fall, though she does have to lift one leg a little out to the side as counterweight. She sets her empty water bucket next to the sailor struggling to stand next to her, and scampers on all fours to Kanfi's side, clambering halfway up Seven.

<ROLL> Storyteller rolls 9 dice: <2 4 5 5 5 6 8 8 9> for 3 successes.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: You -were- about to take a stinging slap to the face, but it seems like Seven FINALLY figured out that something was going on, even if he can't see you, and leaps heroically into the way. Wherein he is promptly clambered on by Liu, and he starts to run around you, screaming that the Yozis have finally come for his sweetly bedeviled lord.

Storyteller says "Everyone else is okay."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "Heee. Oh, Seven. Thank you for saving my gorgeous face."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Seven would be devastated if Kanfi got a scar on his pretty face. :p"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "He's ... okay. >_> Other than being in terrible ow."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "He's being all stoic and stable and waiting to be taken care of. >_>"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "So what's happening with the strands? Are we still being towed down to the depths, or did my moment of incredibly dicelove fix that?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "You're not being towed down."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "You were being towed towards each other-- all three ships."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "That seems to have stopped for now, though."

Phoenix Maiden mutters and glances around to see the current situation.

Kanfi yelps and tries calm Seven down before he knocks Liu off of his back or something. "They aren't! We'll be fine. Well, as fine as we can be when we've just finished fighting a bunch of demon-bred pirates."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: The Lintha ship and the damaged merchanter are grinding up against each other. Your ship is within leaping distance. There does seem to be something odd going on the merchanter near the remaining fires.

Storyteller says "Oh, and Seven's panicking."

Diamond Borealis watches one of the cords snap and fly through the air. "Why are the ships being drawn together, and who or what is behind it?"

Seven pauses. "Rivals! Rivals to your demonic and hellish glory!"

Liu yelps softly in Seven's ear as he starts making a fuss, and leaps from his back onto the deck, giving Kanfi a visual once-over to ensure he's okay.

Phoenix Maiden heads for the damaged ship to investigate - and help put out the fires, as necessary.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: I'm sorry, I missed your earlier pose; the lines are traveling across the ships, to huge knots on the merchanter which seem drawn to the hellfire, and then over and -past- your ship, into the ocean.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Salright"

Kanfi is perfectly fine, if a little frazzled. A couple of his braids have come loose and as he dances in and out trying to calm Seven down, a bead slides from where it was woven into his hair and goes sliding across the deck and into the water with a soft splash. "Relax. We're mostly finished here! There are no rivals trying to smite us here! I think."

Liu gives Kanfi a frankly disbelieving look, and looks pointedly at the hellfire. "There's very, very large knots of this stuff" gestures at the cords "all in that fire. I think it might end up being a bit problem, unless the Old Man has it all under control." She looks out towards the Lintha ship, trying to figure out what Diamond and Phoenix are doing about it over there.

Diamond Borealis calls over to Kanfi. "Hate to tell it, son, but someone is able to call on the power of the Maidens. And who ever it is, is beneath the waves on the other side of the ship." He points toward the other side of the burning ship and where the strands lead. He leaps nimbly up to one of the lines and runs toward the other ship and once there he lays the handle of his grimcleaver along one of the yellow lines and then starts moving it, trying to wind the mystic cord around the haft. "Let's drag 'em up and see who's coming to dinner, hmm?"

Kanfi rolls his eyes. "I'm not in the mood to deal with a panicking robot. We may not be finished, but the Yozis were not trying to kill me just then. It was backlash."

Liu huffs at Diamond, as if to say "What'd I drag that rope across for if you were just going to scoot across yourself on the evil-cords?" But she keeps silent, and pays attention to what he's doing, to help if she can.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Welcome to another round of RPGs = Murder in the media again. >_<"

Seven calms down, a bit fussily.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: You're about to take a drag on the cords? o.o

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Last night was the return of Lady Heather."

Kanfi pets Sevens soothingly and makes calming little sounds.

<<OOC>> Kanfi heard! Wanted to see!

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is investigating the fires.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis is trying to take one of the slack one, use his weapon to wind it up and drag whoever is down there up.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis can't go to whoever the sorcerer is, so if Mohammed can't go to the mountain...

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Lady who now?"

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Make an Essence check.

<<OOC>> Kanfi will help, even though he's not very strong, and grab one of the other slack ones.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 3 dice: <2 5 5> for 0 successes.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Make an Essence + Occult check.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: Also make an Essence check.

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 5 dice: <3 4 7 8 8> for 3 successes.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "By grab, I mean using the skycutter."

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 3 dice: <4 4 8> for 1 success.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Right, I assumed."

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: You feel a moment's hesitation before trying to yoink. Do you go ahead?

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: You feel no hesitation whatsoever. Roll strength + occult again.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "I'm going to regret this but yes."

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: ... Roll strength + occult.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 9 dice: <1 1 3 5 7 7 7 7 9> for 5 successes.

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 2 dice: <4 8> for 1 success.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis winces. I'm gonna suffer.

<<OOC>> Kanfi is gonna DIE.

Storyteller says "Okay, checking back..."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Okay, you notice that the snarls are forming dangerous-looking loops around the hellfires; like the world is trembling where the snarls grow larger.

Phoenix Maiden attempts to use the shaft of her spear to slip the loops off the fires.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "...PM is totally over her head here. >_<"

Storyteller considers the case of Kanfi and Diam...

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Make an Essence roll.

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 3 dice: <1 1 3> for a botch!

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "...well, crap."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis whimpers. Rocks Fall. Everyone Dies.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "This is revenge for that 7 successes on 5 dice thing."

Storyteller says "Uhm."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, ""But..." "ROCKS FALL. EVERYONE DIES.""

Storyteller says "Everyone pause a moment, please."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: You, make Strength + Occult roll.

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 5 dice: <2 7 8 9 10> for 5 successes.

Storyteller needs to decide the results here.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden SO DEAD.

Storyteller says "Okaaaay.... Hmm..."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "Brace for impact."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Liu, I bequeath everything to you! ...of course, you'd look silly in the breastplate, and the spear's not your thing, but they're yours anyhow."

Storyteller says "Everyone make Perception + Occult rolls. Kanfi, Diamond, you guys are at -1 to this roll. Phoenix, you're a -5, but +3 because you're at the source of the disturbance, so just -2."

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 3 dice: <2 7 10> for 3 successes.

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 3 dice: <2 2 5> for 0 successes.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 9 dice: <1 1 1 1 4 4 4 6 8> for 1 success.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "I got nothin'."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "ERr. Wrong number of dice."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Reroll, then; this is important."

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 8 dice: <1 3 6 7 8 9 9 10> for 6 successes.

<<OOC>> Storyteller notes OOCly that, for transgressions against your places in the...

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "heh."

<<OOC>> Storyteller coughs. RIGHT.

<ROLL> Liu rolls 4 dice: <3 9 10 10> for 5 successes.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "No occult. *sigh!*"

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: You're clueless; you just feel strangely ill.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "The dice are feeling their oats. >_<"

Storyteller [to Liu]: ... You just got 5 successes on 4 dice, and you're complaining?

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Um, yes? :)"

Kanfi isn't sure why he feels sick suddenly, but just adjusts his grip on the skycutter and tugs a little harder.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: You hear a terrible gong go off, like a vast warning bell. Yanking on the strand seems to be a mistake-- the snarl suddenly TIGHTENS, and the entire knot vibrates! The vibrations grow faster and faster but they are utterly irregular-- horribly, horribly wrong-- a nausea-inspiring, unreal set of arrhythmic movements. The fire around which the knot has formed hisses and goes out in a cloud of unclean steam; a terrible wound has just opened in the fabric of reality and foul green seawater opens up, pouring out of it.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden twitches.

Storyteller [to Liu; Diamond Borealis;]: You two notice this, though it is afar. Liu, you suddenly realize in the pit of your -soul- that this is KIMBERRY. The Sea That Marched Against The Flame; the unholy ocean-Yozi that surround the parts of Malfeas not trapped by the eternal desert-Yozi. She has somehow violated her prison and is seeping out.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: You know all of that... and why.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: These are literal strands of fate-- weavings of the Loom of the Maidens.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Oh, Good. And me, I just gave 'em a yank."

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Whoever wove them did so irresponsibly, in an attempt to draw all of you to your deaths.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Phoenix CUT ONE!!"

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "Oh holy crap, we have a Sidereal after us."

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: They were accursed from the beginning, but cuts and such did not befoul them-- it is your right to try and defy Fate, for you are Solars.

Storyteller says "But to tug on them is blasphemy against the different spheres of influence granted by the Maidens."

Storyteller says "Doing so has cursed you and Kanfi painfully-- a -1 to all spiritual-related rolls until I say otherwise; this definitely includes sorcery."

Storyteller says "Phoenix Maiden did so and she did so with such force that it ripped open a hole to the home dimension of the Yozis, compounding the taint."

Storyteller says "She is at a _-5_ now."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "..."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "I... but... Oh god. Oh well, good thing I don't have sorcery. XD"

Storyteller says "Again, until I say otherwise. This does not include physical actions, of course, even charm-boosted ones, unless you are rolling for the Charm's success."

Storyteller says "You may all act again, now."

<<OOC>> Kanfi weepeth.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: And, yes, your flaw triggers. Spend a willpower or speak unwholesome prophecies.

Storyteller says "If you guys need like 15 minutes to discuss things, it's fine."

Storyteller says "It's a bit of a kibbitz, but you're Solars in Hyper Crisis Time."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "Oh bloody... I might as well speak the damn things. XD I got off free for a good while."

Storyteller says "I should note, Kimberry, like all the Yozis, does violate her prison once in a while. It's usually sealed up right quick-- but by the aerial legions."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Wow. Hrm."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Well, I think we should -stop- tugging."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Liu has no Occult. She doesn't especially like the occult, either -- it's all sorts of complicated and doesn't make near as much sense as a sword or a knife. Ah, shit and I scared that pretty little sprite away."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Wow. Well, frankly, PM is and has been totally out of her league all session, so I have no ideas at all."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "And then, we should start trying to slice some of these damn strands. And then figure out a way to try to summon the legions and seal the hole back up. And we'll deal with those 'Maidens' at a later date. Oh yes."

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: You find yourself compelled to speak in dire tones. The language you can't even understand entirely. You scream about burials and wedding shrouds, and siblings neither dead nor alive but in horrible chains. The wedding guard, the blasphemy of the high priestess-- your words are in and out of Old Realm and some other fucked up language that seem to take everything pure in Old Realm and twist it against itself. You fall on the deck, thunderstruck, with Seven ducking down by your side as you gasp out, "Spiders, bones; gods to my own. Moon shadows night, and the High is blotted by the elder ones."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is stumped. Has no actions.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Do we get our penalties attacking the strands?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Afraid so."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "However, this counts as an act of Valor or Conviction."

Kanfi is used to speaking oracular truths that upset people, but has never been struck by a prophecy this hard before. He'll be absolutely no help for a good little while as he's gasping for breath and feeling chilled down to his bones from shock. Not so much with the attacking anything right now.

Liu crouches down by Kanfi and strokes his arm reassuringly; ready with the fearsome attacking, but not very willing to attack. "Old Man, we're not going to put down this beast. Should we flee?"

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Still stumped, though. Mmm, can we nicely ask the Aerial Legion to show up again and do the patch? *meep*"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is seriously in "OKAY SO NOW WHAT" mode. Has been struggling all night to figure out what to do and has obviously not been doing very well. >_>

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "We don't have any mehods of running away, either..."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Actually, you do."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Although you should probably think of the slaves on the Lintha vessel, and the remaining crew of the merchanter."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "The one thing I do have in mind to do is to tell the crew here to get away."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "I mean WITH the crew."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "If you can get yourselves (and them, if you wish), back onto your ship, and can cut the strands free, you can sail away."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis is inclined ICly to fight. He's...well, he's pissed, actually. At the Maidens.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden doesn't have a damn clue what to do, except ...to do something.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Right, the Maidens obviously allowed some serious hijinks here."

<<OOC>> Storyteller suggests that saving the remaining non-Lintha (and perhaps, even the remaining Lintha) and getting them safely away from a _Demon Prince_ is heroic. If you want to fight Kimberry, you can try.

Phoenix Maiden jerks her spear back, cursing herself silently for stupidity. "Get away!" she orders the sailors around, edging her voice for unquestioned command. "Go to the other ship! Take your fellows!"

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Cha + Pre roll. Difficulty 4, they're panicking. No penalty, +2 stunt bonus; you may add Valor or Compassion to this roll by spending a willpower.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Hrm, can I use a Charm? *checks her Charms*"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Yup, if you've got one applicable."

Diamond Borealis curses under his breath, realizing the extent of the trouble. "For the sake of Sol Invictus, don't yank on the strands any more. They are the literal strands of Fate. The bitch Maidens have cursed us." There is a fire in his eyes, a fury at -anyone- daring to defy him; the unmitigated gall of a Solar. He tries to wrest free his Grendel's Claw and he turns to Liu, as she speaks. "Leave the Lintha. Let them die with the unholy power they serve. It's not as bad as they deserve. Get everyone to the ship, and lets be out of this damn place." His jaw tightens, teeth audibly grinding.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Hmm."

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Diamond, take a point of limit and get a point of Experience."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "TAoG?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "If you do so, they won't be able to think much but they will pretty much mindlessly obey your commands, sure."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Obey your commands right into the brig, hopefully."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Are you saying that's a bad idea?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Nope!"

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: You've got control of your axe, completely. What will you do with the Claw?

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: You're back to your senses. Shit is going down.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Meh. Using TAoG, then, and ordering everyone I can onto the boat for flight."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "I can start cutting our escape vessel free, yes?"

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Yup. Strength + Occult rolls; -1 to start with, + stunt bonuses. Diff is 4; every success past 4 is one strand cut.

Liu gives Diamond a Very Serious Look, but does not reply. She checks to make sure that rope she drew across the water is still tied firmly to the railing, and strides stiffly back to the bucket brigade, where she takes up her water bucket and hopes to, by example, spur the sailors into more earnest fire-dowsing. Her body nearly becomes a blur as she takes over the head of two lines, dumping two buckets of water into the center of the flames as rapidly as she can.

Storyteller [to Liu]: No bucket brigade right now-- well, you could be the bucket brigade if you wanted. Everyone is clambering across ship to get to the Lintha ship to get to your ship.

Kanfi shakily pulls himself to his feet, still a little disoriented. He shakes his head, planning to consider his words carefully at the next opportunity. Those of the crew still on the merchant vessel he begins to try to calm down, calling out to them, to rally the men. They need a few non-mindless people to sail the ship, after all.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Stunting."

Storyteller notes that the slaves are currently trapped in the hold; the snarls are getting more tangled (only one has opened up so far); and Kimberry's toxic seawater is beginning to eat through the deck of the merchanter.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Liu will take over bucket running then, if everyone is under Phoenix Maiden's spell. She'll order them to help eventually. Ewwww, but Liu is not putting her hands in Toxic Seawater."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Oh d'oh, RIGHT, there's Three ships."

Phoenix Maiden follows the sailors to the Lintha ship and tries to find a way to get the slaves out of the hold.

Diamond Borealis gives Liu a brief, but steady gaze. "Get as many of the slaves out of the Linthan hold as we can. I'm going to work on these Strands." As he speaks he starts to swing. Moving with spinning leaps and twists, his feet weaving through knots as he swings the grim cleaver. He aims Grendel's Claw at a strand, striking solidly not with the blade but the haft, using the rebound to increase the force of the blow, channeling it toward a different target. He moves with a fury and purpose that borders on the demonic, single minded in his attempt to give the ship a chance to flee.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis also wants to channel some Valor.

Phoenix Maiden will, if necessary, drop down into the hole Diamond chopped and bash her way through whatever doors barricade the hold.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "2 point stunt, plus your Willpower."

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 14 dice: <1 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 8 9> for 2 successes.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis ...

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: BoOOoiinnng. What's your Virtue Flaw, out of curiosity?

Storyteller says "Actually, what's -everyone-'s Virtue Flaw?"

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Foolhardy Contempt!"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "...Red Rage of Compassion."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "...Ohgod."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, ""...directly attack the most immediate source of suffering...""

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Deliberate Cruelty"

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "...Overindulgence."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Well.. Kimberry isn't causing suffering! The SLAVERY of the slaves is causing suffering! Right? *grin* Kimberry is just being creepy!"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "...She has to smash SOMETHING if it triggers. :p"

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "There's not much for me to indulge in here."

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: As long as you can save lives, it doesn't trigger.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: You, however, are definitely in a major point of stress. Conviction roll, please?

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden ponders the fun conflict where PM and Diamond both hit limit break. >_<

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 3 dice: <2 7 10> for 3 successes.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: ... Ow. 3 more points of limit. You're at 4 now.

Storyteller [to Liu]: Okay, you're putting out fires...

Phoenix Maiden herds slaves out of the hold?

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: You're in a lot of frustration...

Kanfi tries to rally the sailors on the ship so they can get out of the area as soon as everyone's on board.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Okay. Give me details here? The ship's deck is caved in; you can get directly to the pits there, where they're chained, or try to go through the hatch to approach from outside.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: Alright, you're getting control of your ship. Roll Charisma or Manipulation + Sail or Presence.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is going to drop down directly. Can break through doors from the inside if needed.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Pose it. :)

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 4 dice: <2 3 4 6> for 0 successes.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says, "ARGH."

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Diamond told Liu to go get the slaves out of the Lintha hold, after I'd decided to run off and play firefighter. So in a minute, I'm going to pose running back over to the Lintha ship to help Phoenix with the slaves. OK?"

Phoenix Maiden drops through the hole in the deck, knees bent to take the strain of the landing. Looking around in the gloom, she looks for the exit and the state of the slaves.

Storyteller [to Liu]: Sure, take your time.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: They're filthy. Covered in sores and packed in tight against the sides. Only a few are free-- trustees, women, those who they didn't expect trouble from. Most of -those- are bloodsoaked from when they ripped the sorcerer who fell amongst them to shreds. Most are chained. They look up at your glorious, awe-inspiring radiance with both fear and hope.

<ROLL> Storyteller rolls 8 dice: <1 2 4 4 5 5 9 10> for 3 successes.

Diamond Borealis misses despite the grace of the move. His frustration grows immensely as he only splinters wood. His shoulders rising and falling as he surveys the deck and the intricate strands holding the ships fast together. He looks to the ship once more and at the strands. Though the frustration causes his heart to pound furiously in his ears he does not stop his attack on the strands. He leaps onto a strand, feeling it give and then shoot him upward to strike again at another strand, the muscles of his shoulders and arms rippling with the strength and anger pushing him to refuse to give up.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: Thankfully, the captain, who'd been panicking at the sight of Kimberry, manages to get enough self control to get planks across. Unfortunately, the sailors are a bit berserk at the moment; the only person who listens to you, rather than the captain, is Seven. Seven, on the other hand, is quite sensible-- and strong. He's grabbed some of the grappling hawsers and is hauling the ships towards each other -- much slower than the strands, and only as they float forward, but it makes the other sailors' lives easier.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: Seven obeys you, successes or no. ;)

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: 2 point stunt again. You may take the willpower you just spent back.

<ROLL> Storyteller rolls 4 dice: <2 8 9 10> for 4 successes.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "..."

Storyteller says "Okay, TAoG worked better on those sailors than I thought. They're all off the merchanter and making their way across the hold in one ordered, if someone awestruck body."

Phoenix Maiden's eyes narrow slightly, the only outward sign of a rolling sensation of ill-ease at the reminder of the institution of slavery. She points at one of the free people. "Do you know where they keep the key for these chains?"

Kanfi calms himself down too, and, though he doesn't really know much about sailing, does his best to help Seven, hoping that by making a good example of themselves and looking in control people will calm down and get their asses to work.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 11 dice: <1 1 1 1 3 3 4 5 7 8 10> for 4 successes.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: The woman raises a trembling, bloodsoaked hand and points at a table nearby some torture racks, obviously kept for the punishment of slaves. The table, unfortunately, has the remains of one of the slaves on it-- and the serrated knives that the Lintha had been carving snacks out of him with when they heard the call for another ship to capture. The scene is horrifying-- but one of the keys is still there, left by its user in a hurry. The only thing that stands in your way is stout iron bars.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Fray... fray... *SNAP!* One of the purple lines goes wild as you cut. Dex + dodge again. No one else need do so.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 9 dice: <1 1 1 1 5 6 7 8 10> for 4 successes.

Liu touches Diamond's arm briefly as she runs past him to the planks the sailors have begun to place across the ships. She leaps onto one plank as three crewmen are lifting it, and sort of coasts along it as it's being placed. Her weight is light, and she leaps from the plank to the ship before the plank actually slides home, landing on one foot, her arms out like a bird, one knee bent ever so slightly. She comes to stand at the edge of the hole in the deck, looking down on where Phoenix Maiden labors to free the slaves.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "Nice pose, Liu"

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: You're a calming presence; even if you can't direct them, you do manage to soothe them, and you keep them under better control for the captain

Storyteller [to Liu]: Exce- right, what Diamond said. :) PM is down there, and one of the slaves is pointing at something.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "How many strands total?"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "3 down, 5 to go."

Phoenix Maiden snarls, the blood pounding in her ears in rage, disgust, and uncomfortably close sympathy. She brings her spear forward, runs a finger along the bladed edge of the point in blessing and request, and then lashes out with it; legs, back, shoulders, and finally arms, turning, swinging, the momentum and strength of each feeding the next as she attempts to swing the blade through the bars in order without stopping.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Eep. 3 point stunt. Roll Strength + Damage + Melee + 3; it's obviously not trying to get out of your way.

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 17 dice: <1 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 8 8 8 9 10 10 10 10> for 12 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "...I didn't roll enough dice. Oops/."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "...I only added Melee. Oh well! ^^"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Should I roll again, or is 12 successes quite adequate? :p"

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Uhhhhh."

The force of Phoenix Maiden's blow is _TREMENDOUS_. The entire -front barrier wall- is smacked off its hinges, goes flying into the air, crashes into the side of the broken hole in the deck and falls against it on its side, forming a ladder-way out of the hold. Oh, and the keys fall off the table and slide against the wall, to the left.

Diamond Borealis dances back out of the way as the strand is cut and it flies in two, frayed and deadly. He cartwheels backward, feet kicking through the air and avoiding the edges. He spins in midair landing in a wide stance. He swings the blade at his waist level, aiming for one of the knotted strands. He gives the haft a spin at the last moment, to bring the blade in at an angle. The touch to his arm by Liu causing him to blink. The bit of kindness seems to return some rationality to him, but not deterring him in his mission to free them of the mess he has created.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: You've just reaffirmed your Solar Nature. Drop your curse level to -1.

<<OOC>> Liu laughs! Yay Phoenix!

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says, "Woohoo!"

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: 3 point stunt. You guys seem to be doing well in a crisis!

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Penalty still applies, though.

Storyteller says "Oh."

Liu calls to Phoenix Maiden, "Do you need me down there? Or do you need me up here?"

Kanfi hums softly, as though this were perfectly normal, brushing hair from his eyes and ignoring the ruckus from the Lintha ship. He touches shoulders and smiles at the sailors, encouraging them to return to their duties and have the ship ready for departure. Even the explosion from deep inside the belly of the Lintha ship only garners a worried look in that direction. Time enough for nervous breakdowns later. First things first. We try not to die.

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 12 dice: <1 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 9 10 10> for 5 successes.

Storyteller says "You all hear a horrible, squealing HISS as a foul stench hits the air-- more of the polluted steam as Kimberry's acidic waters swamp another fire-snarl and force it to open another portal, thus increasing her rate of assumption. You hear more alarm gongs going off."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says, "And nice pose, PM."

Phoenix Maiden calls to Liu, "Some of them are probably going to need help getting up. You might want to come down."

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: SNAP! SNAP! Two strands go off, but you've control of the weapon this time, so it doesn't fly back in your face. 5 strands cut, leaving just the 3 "slack" yellows. difficulty is dropped to 3, since the journeys ones -want- you to travel.

Phoenix Maiden walks calmly to the key, spending a mote of Essence to consecrate the remains of the slave lying there and grant the mangled body some respect. She begins unlocking slaves as quickly as possible.

Liu leads the first of those unfettered to the ladder/stairs ((same thing on a ship)) that Phoenix Maiden just opened, physically assisting anyone who needs it, and encouraging the most able-bodied of the slaves to assist the others.

Storyteller [to Liu]: Phoenix Maiden's right. A lot of these guys are definitely not too well; many of them are missing limbs with poorly applied tourniquets or brands to cut off the bleeding. Roll Cha + Pre + 1 for your 'managing'... And +2 to more for personally helping.

<ROLL> Liu rolls 9 dice: <1 5 7 8 8 8 10 10 10> for 10 successes.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "I help good!"

Storyteller says "... Okay, since when did Liu get the ability to get -more successes than she has dice-?"

<ROLL> Storyteller rolls 6 dice: <3 5 6 6 9 10> for 3 successes.

Diamond Borealis doesn't cast a glance over his shoulder to see the progress being made. Trusting his circle mates to continue the evacuation. "Three of you left." He balances the heavy, glowing weapon for a moment, ducking a spray of acidic water. Rising up, he holds the axe at an angle, the blade low near the deck, as if he plans to use it as a paddle. He makes a sweeping motion, drawing the blade upward and behind him, before bringing it down in a hard, flat descent.

Storyteller says "Between Phoenix Maiden's unlocking and Liu's manic scampering to and fro, the Night and Zenith work very well together. You manage to get _ALL_ of the slaves up, even the infirm and crippled, in almost no time at all. Most of the merchanter's sailors have made it onto your vessel, now; those remaining, inspired by the awe generated by the Phoenix Maiden of the Unfettered Sky and Liu's supernatural cheerfulness, actually endanger themselves in order to remain behind and help the weakened slaves across. Women, children, elderly, crippled, and men-- you are rapidly getting them all away."

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: 2 point stunt. Swing it!

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Yay, we are the heroes! "Everybody lives, Rose!""

<ROLL> Diamond Borealis rolls 11 dice: <1 3 3 4 6 6 6 8 8 9 10> for 5 successes.

Storyteller says "It's a good thing you're making such good time, too. Kimberry's befouled steam rises over the _melting_ merchanter; more and more portals are opening from the flamesnarls, giving the Demon Prince more access to our world. Soon, she'll have consumed the merchanter and spread out into the sea."

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: You can choose to snap 2 and have some control over it, or all of the last 3 and potentially buck the connection between your ship and the Lintha while slaves and sailors are still coming across.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden holds hers pose for the moment. >_>

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis goes for the 2.

Phoenix Maiden helps carry the last of the slaves up the ladder, and scowls across the unclean sea as she boards the ship.

Storyteller says "The two yellows you slice free slide away. There is another SCREAM of rage from the rapidly growing Kimberry; as the lines of Fate are freed from your polluted interference (and the illegal, unwholesome designs of whatever Sidereal screwed up his or her attempt to kill you), the snarls begin to lessen. Indeed, some of the recently opened portals actually close!"

<ROLL> Storyteller rolls 6 dice: <2 5 6 6 7 8> for 2 successes.

Storyteller waits on Kanfi and Liu poses before going on.

Kanfi sees the crowd making their way towards the ship, and goes to the captain, to murmur in his ear that they should organize the sailor to get the oars ready. Without waiting to see if the captain acts on his advice, Kanfi makes his way through the merchants and sailors, talking to those who seem most in control of themselves, working to convince them that we're almost free, and that they need to get oars gathered so we can make our swift getaway, and assist the poor slaves in getting to freedom as soon as possible.

Liu scampers to Midnight-With-Stars' side as the last of the slaves make it over to her Circle's vessel, and leads the good old son across the planks gently, minding both of their wounds now since she's aware of his. She nickers softly to him and rests her head on his side as they make it across.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden imagines PM's pretty well healed by now? From the combat owies as well?

Diamond Borealis finally takes a moment to look up. "Phoenix! Liu! Kanfi! Give me the signal when everyone is aboard and I'll cut the last line." He brings Grendel's Claw up over his head, holding it there. Muscles bunched, he spins, twists and leaps to avoid the spouts of acid that still erupt, dancing from damaged planks to secure ones with a grace a man with bronze skin should not have.

<<OOC>> Storyteller says, "Completely, si."

Storyteller [to Liu]: Midnight is surprising able, despite his wounds; his god-nature has sealed them up and he bleeds not. He makes it all the way across right on time.

Phoenix Maiden removes the Wood-Manse Hearthstone from her spear and offers it to Liu without comment as the small Night crosses onto the ship.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden stops herself from typing a comment added on after posing doing it without comment. >_<

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: With the last of the sailors aboard, the boat sinks low in the water. Thankfully, your captain and Liu's circus had forethought; they've thrown every piece of replaceable cargo except for food and water, keeping only the circus exotics and the personal possessions of you Solars, as well as various important ship-shrines, tools, and supplies over the edge. You're not quite as bad off as it could be, but it's a good thing you've got plenty of sailors to double-bank those oars; you're -heavy-.

Storyteller [to Diamond Borealis]: Everyone's aboard.

Storyteller says "Kimberry has swallowed the merchanter completely; a hissing, steaming cloud of noxious gas rises as it "sinks", devoured by the toxic Yozi. Off in the distance, coming from the West but gaining speed rapidly, you see the passage of an awesome storm. Hundreds of miles off, but you can _see_ the rapidly approaching storm-- no, HURRICANE, tinged with immense shattering bolts of lightning, and what are certainly aerial legion dragons, racing across the sky towards the point of prison violation. Once, those spirits were under the command of Solars like yourself; but it seems, whatever else has befallen the Celestial Hierarchy in the absence of your Shards, the Legion remembers its duty."

Storyteller says "On the minus side, they probably aren't going to stop to recognize your inherent divinity, shinies or no shinies, in their haste to contain Kimberry."

Liu accepts the hearthstone gratefully and places it, with some discretion, into one of the settings on her swords ((OOC, that's where that has to go, right?)) She waves a sharp gesture to Diamond as she sees that the last of the evacuees are aboard.

Storyteller says "On the third tentacle, hey, at least it's more wind."

Diamond Borealis sees the gesture and with a last spin he drops the blade down. It arcs in the lightning, aimed at severing the last line and freeing them all to flee before the storm.

Storyteller says "With the final SNAP, despite the added weight, your ship lurches aside. The sailors on the side nearby the Lintha ship use their oars to shove off, hard, forcing away and past as the other side digs in and the captain moves the sails about to catch the wind blowing east and south off the oncoming typhoon. It's just in time, too, for Kimberry has spread to the waters around the Lintha vessel, hungrily devouring those of her children left alive on it."

Diamond Borealis severs the line and then makes a mad dash toward their escape vessel. Grendel's Claw goes onto his back as he makes a leap from the rail. He pulls his legs up, knees in his chest arms flailing to keep balance as he aim for the vessel. His hand grabs hold of the ship and he uses it to pull himself up and over.

Storyteller says "Your ship barely makes it free of Kimberry, driven by wind and oars past the reach of her waters. In any event they're coalescing as best they can as she prepares to defend against the rage of the Aerial Legions."

Phoenix Maiden goes among the slaves and helps get them settled and calm, arranging for whichever need help to have help from their more able-bodied companions.

Liu settles Midnight-With-Stars back in his sort-of comfy stall in the cargo-hold, and fills him a feedbag with oats. He's been so good. She gets his curry brush out and brushes him down before heading back up to find Diamond.

Storyteller [to Liu]: Remember that PM gave you the hearthstone; you can attune it into Midnight's halter for now.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Unsurprisingly, they're frightened. Many of them can't stand to be belowdecks unless you or Liu are with them, and they're in the way up to.

Phoenix Maiden does her best to calm the former slaves to the point where they're able to wait patiently, using all the words at her disposal to reassure them.

Storyteller [to Phoenix Maiden]: Cha + Pre + 1, unless you're still using TAOG.

<ROLL> Phoenix Maiden rolls 10 dice: <1 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 8 10> for 4 successes.

Liu does settle the hearthstone in Midnight-With-Stars' halter, whispering strict instructions that he shall not let that go astray. He huffs, as if such instructions were necessary. As she goes back abovedecks, she sees Phoenix Maiden surrounded by frightened slaves, and takes her juggling scarves out of her belt pouch, giving a few of the ex-slaves a shy smile by way of asking if they'd like to be entertained.

Diamond Borealis gets on the deck. Wiping a hand from his brow, he gives one glance back at the coming strike between the Aerial Legions and Kimberry. Shaking his head the turns to find Kanfi. "Can you see if you can get some medical supplies from the Captain? Just some clean cloth and alcohol if nothing else. We've got to get people below deck so the sailors can get us out of here. And we need to setup triage; determine who is in the worst shape, but will be helped by treatment."

Kanfi leans against the railing, sighing, but goes to Phoenix Maiden, to see if she needs any help soothing the slaves.He smiles his sweetest, most harmless smile, arms down at his sides, and hands palm up. I don't want to hurt anyone, his eyes say.

Storyteller [to Kanfi]: Cha + Soc + 2, please.

<ROLL> Kanfi rolls 10 dice: <2 2 3 3 4 6 8 9 9 10> for 5 successes.

Liu hears Diamond's request for medicine, and catches his eye, asking silently if he wants her to leave Kanfi and Phoenix to comforting the ex-slaves, and help him set up the medical work.

Diamond Borealis gives Liu a nod of his head, and the faintest of smiles.

Storyteller says "Between the attention of three separate Solars, the frightened ex-slaves and merchanter sailors are brought under control. Diamond, unfortunately, you're left alone to arrange medical treatment at this point."

Liu catches up to the Captain as Diamond had mentioned to Kanfi, who is sort of busy maybe getting the ship out of harms way, but she inquires about the ship's bandaging and medical supplies, letting him know that Diamond will be taking care of running a sort of quick-fix cleanup.

<<OOC>> Liu says, "Well, Rigging is very useful for climbing. So it does make sense. :-P"

Storyteller says "Ah, Liu. Not native to the oceans, but taking to the ship like a rigging-master born."

Diamond Borealis starts moving amongst the former slaves. Though his manner isn't friendly, it's a sort of dispassionate, clinical manner. He speaks quietly to each person, jotting notes for himself and arranging an order of who is in the greatest need of treatment, particularly those who have lost limbs or other serious injuries. He then goes about treating them one at a time. When Liu brings him supplies, he touches her shoulder with a firm pat. "Thanks. You did good back there, kiddo."

Liu beams up at Diamond with all of the sincere intensity of a teenager in idol worship. Of course, she KNEW she did a good job, because she doesn't do any other kind of job. But it's so wonderful that he noticed.

Storyteller says "Okay, it's getting late, and this is a natural scene-break. You've got the refugees under control, for now, and you're going to be blown off course a bit; the wind shifts to -pure- south once it really gets going, but you may have to make landfall before Chiaroscuro to get enough supplies."