Complete 18+ Private Ilmea's Lament Pirates of the Lament: Rising Tides

[Ayna Nietzsche]

ILMEA'S LAMENT
Isle Squama

Spoiler: Theme

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Ahoy, me hearties!

Aboard the Mizar, a cool breeze drifts from the Isle Squama, mingling the sweet scent of flowers with the salty tang of Ilmea's Lament. It has become a familiar greeting to the ship's captain, Ayna Nietzsche, formerly of Lyrwick and now of the seas. As she let her crew of three, excluding herself, tangle with the ship's anchor and ropes, the purple-haired Beastfolk looked on as well-tanned locals stared at their arrival on their makeshift dock. There were no sunburned visitors sitting in wicker chairs and sipping cold drinks, only half-a-dozen nearly naked shark hunters preparing to venture forth down the shallows of the southern shore, armed with harpoons and their wits. If they weren't on official Adventurers Guild business, she would have joined them, eager to tussle with the underwater predators.

"Ship's anchored, Captain. Want me to come with? Shirley and Mickie should be enough to watch the Mizar."

Sally Hudson, Ayna's lander first mate, was as loyal as they came. She seemed hellbent on keeping her captain alive, oblivious to the fact that said captain can come back from the dead. Her? Not so much. With a smile, Ayna gripped her shoulder firmly, locking eyes with the young woman whom she has come to know as a dear friend.

"I'll be fine, Sally. Just a quick talk with our friends. Brought enough gold for the merchants' safe release."

Sally Hudson did not look like she believed it would be a quick talk. Knowing her captain, it would be much more drawn out, maybe with two or three bodies left unconscious on the ground. But Sally had faith in Ayna that she would return to them safe and sound. She always has. With a sigh, Sally simply nodded—what else could she have done?—and the pair exchanged tight hugs. Ayna then made her way off her ship, a covered wheelbarrow of gold and other bags of goods for trade.

Fortunately for them, there would be no robbing or mugging at Isle Squama, for the pirates that controlled the tiny island made sure that it was a place of peaceful trading between like-minded individuals. Unfortunately for them, for Ayna in particular, when she arrived at the island's main encampment, the makeshift public square, she saw the merchants standing with their hands tied behind their backs and each a noose resting around their necks while the pirates jeered, all excited at their supposed execution. More unfortunate than that, one of the merchants currently scheduled for execution was a very familiar face, a stupid face. What the fuck, Chrys?!

@Chrys

 

[Chrys]

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About to be executed.

It'll be fine, Chrys.

You're just escorting the merchants on their single ship through recently reported pirate-infested waters, Chrys.

Don't be such a wuss, Chrys.

There will be a lot of gold rewarded for such an easy job, Chrys.

Although he appeared stoic and calm, inside his head, Chrys was everything but. The words of his supposed handler, the tiny drunkard bard that he's allowed to accept quests on his behalf due to his newly busied schedule in the mines of Lyrwick and the streets of Stokbon, rang repeatedly in his head. It was intentional: Chrys wanted to remind himself of why he was there and whom he would beat the fuck up if he somehow managed to escape this predicament, or most likely return from his first death, which would be an obviously unnecessary death. Perhaps it wasn't the smartest plan, trusting a bard, drunkard or not, but it was the most efficient at the time. The bard had proven himself quite adept at sniffing out high-paying quests, which contributed greatly to his recently resurrected wealth.

Still, I am going to knock you unconscious and throw you out of my second-floor window, bard.

As the pirates cheered and jeered and celebrated his impending doom, he unexpectedly caught sight of a familiar face dragging some sort of wheelbarrow behind her, something he would have never even thought would be close to possible, though he should have. @Ayna Nietzsche was spending more time out on the seas these days. She was bound to sail to his rescue. Sure, Ilmea's Lament wasn't exactly a straight road, but what did he know about sailing? He wasn't a sailor.

Without even a second thought, his lips curled into a smile as he locked eyes with her, even going as far as giving her a brief nod, expecting the bard must have found her, somehow, and sent her to save him from the stinky peasantry of these seafaring criminals. He was important, after all. Not unlike these sea brigands that reeked of salt and fish. Who even still wanted to play pirates? It's 2033, for Chrys' sake!

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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Introducing more one-off NPCs because all life is suffering.

Heaving a sigh, Ayna made the decision to ignore @Chrys, for now, just because she had no real idea if doing otherwise would help them both or just put her life in danger as well. Instead, she decided to call out the attention of the pirates, hoping their leader was around so that they could do the negotiations right away. She didn't really want to spend more time on the accursed tiny island. Ayna felt the more time she spent there, the more brain cells she was losing. It was not unlike some guy's mancave back in her original world, a manly escape that reeked of hormones and impracticality.

"Avast me, hearties! Pardon the intrusion, but I was wondering if your leader was interested in a fair trade? These useless merchants for more valuable loot?"

She dragged her wheelbarrow closer to where the public executions were staged, drawing attention to its mysterious contents. Before she'd unveil the bounty, she first wanted to confirm the attendance of the supposed leader. Dealing with lesser men, his grunts, would be a disservice to them both and would barely pass as an official parley. Her eyes wandered over the area, catching glimpses of a strange-looking girl and a scowling boy beside Chrys, more captives, before arriving at the imposing body of a man that looked as bad as he smelled. Ugh. Use some soap, you fucking neanderthal.

"A trade, eh? Ha! What kind of valuable loot? And more importantly, are you part of the loot?"

The savages interrupted in more cheers and jeers, embodying toxic masculinity like it was their only personality. Maybe it was. That would explain why they all looked like they don't shower for months. The body odor was a dead giveaway. The humor was just icing on top.

"That's enough, Julius, you piece of shit. Ain't no bigger whore on this island than you. Less of a loot, more of an unwanted scrap, though."

The laughter became even more raucous when a woman came onto the scene, surprising Ayna. She seemed to hold more sway over the rest of the pirates than the man called Julius. Maybe she's the actual leader. Either way, she seemed to have more influence, so Ayna decided to make that bet. Unfortunately for her, two other voices interrupted her before she could even speak.

"Filthy, disgusting pirates! I'll skin you all!"

"Before that, can someone loosen my binds a bit? It's starting to wound my wrists, and I need my wrists. I'll pay a hefty sum of gold!"

The woman rolled her eyes and walked over to the boy, slapping him hard on the face, surprising Ayna even more. As blood trickled down the side of the boy's mouth, the woman seemed to relish in her own viciousness, her violence, as Chrys looked very annoyed beside the kid. She then proceeded to walk toward the girl, who squirmed where she stood, but did not lift a finger against her. Instead, she mocked her before turning to Ayna, seemingly unimpressed.

"We already have all your gold, merchant! Now, let's focus on this newcomer: What kind of loot do you have, darling?"

Wincing, Ayna hesitated for a bit, but when she opened her mouth, the ground beneath her feet trembled and cracked. From the corner of her eyes, she saw waves, a dozen feet high, crashing into the shore, and the sound of screaming filled the air as a stampede of pirates fled the sands. Ayna instinctively turned to Chrys, confused as to whether it was his doing. Could he cause an earthquake like this? She's seen him do worse.

 

[Chrys]

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270 / 270

"We're breaking free." -Zac Efron

From where he stood, bound and shackled by his now-panicked captors, Chrys could do nothing else but endure the chorus of shrieks that added to the cacophony as sea bandits ran from the water. He was rather annoyed at that, to be honest. No, not at the panicking but at the shrieks. Priorities, am I right? He then caught a glimpse of what pursued the pirates, what seemed to be humanoid creatures with fish-like heads and slick, rubbery skin. Gross.

Heaving a sigh, Chrys watched as the other pirates began to run away from their makeshift execution square as well, some to fight the fish monsters but all leaving him and the other captives to their own. Why would they stay and unbind them? They weren't their people. They were just hapless pawns for trade and negotiation. Rude.

With @Ayna Nietzsche busy with that dumb piece of shit called Julius and the sexy pirate dominatrix everyone else was afraid of, Chrys nonchalantly broke himself free. Just...pulling off his chains like they didn't even bother him. Not one bit. He could have escaped much earlier, perhaps even saved that one guy the pirates made an example of, but where would be the fun and gold in that? Also, that guy was a dick and he deserved his death, sexually harassing the female merchants with them.

"Greetings, Ayna, though it may not be the appropriate time to catch up. Let's free the other merchants and get off this island with all that gold, shall we? Did the bard send you, by the way?"

Chrys ignored the other merchants and the pirates that were still around, pushing off the ones that tried to stop him and easily breaking the chains and shackles of his fellow captives, much to their surprise. In his defense, he wasn't hired as a bodyguard or an enforcer. He was there as another merchant, trying to gauge whether he could sell his rocks from Lyrwick to others that may be interested. If he died, he would just respawn. Easy.

But now that Ayna was here, with all that trade and gold, he decided he didn't want to die. Maybe he could get a piece of that action first or whatever. From one good friend to another. All right, bard, you're forgiven. The next time we meet, I'll just punch you out cold once.

---

Rolls

Expertise Check
1d100 (21) + 90 = 111
Fitness | Chrys | 1378

Play Sheet Link

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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Yeah, you pirates are on your own!

As everything went to shit, and Julius and the pirate lady both got the hell out of there, screaming for their men to either fight or head to their respective ships, Ayna quickly rushed toward @Chrys to try and help him out of his binds. He was the only one that he truly knew on that roster, so her instincts forced her to go save him...just in case he survived and blabbed to Kamala or something. Surprisingly, the handsome but dumb oaf broke himself free even before she could figure out which part of his shackles had the keyholes. Ayna glared at him in complete disbelief.

"You goddamn asshole! You could've broken yourself free much earlier?! What the hell's wrong with you?!"

The other prisoners seemed to echo her sentiment, though Ayna quickly refocused her attention on saving them instead, using a random prisoner's hairpin to zoom through unlocking their chains. At that exact moment in time, Ayna found herself having to make a choice: Run back to her ship with the prisoners AND the gold OR stay and help the pirates fight the surfacing fish monsters. The fuck I'm helping my competition! Ayna hurriedly herded the merchants, and Chrys, to the direction of her ship while she grabbed her still-covered wheelbarrow. Can't forget these!

"Everyone! To the Mizar! My ship's that away! Let's go!"

She had already taken two, maybe three steps when she realized maybe it was best to have Chrys handle the wheelbarrow. He was the big strong boy, after all, and a little punishment was in order.

"Wait, Chrys! You drag this back to the ship!"

Her hands freed, Ayna was able to zoom back and forth ahead and behind their group, making sure there were no strays left behind. The ballsy but maybe racist boy from earlier helped herd the others, screaming at them to run and pushing away the other pirates that tried to get in their way, even beating some up. Unnecessary but mkay. A stray pirate tried to come up behind the boy but Ayna knocked him unconscious with the blunt end of her weapon. The boy then stared at her, realizing that she had saved her life again, and gave her a quick nod of acknowledgment before returning to his self-given task of shepherding the merchants.

The tiny girl merchant? She was sitting in the same wheelbarrow Chrys was dragging behind him. Smart. If Ayna had the time, she would've even gone as far as high-fiving the kid. But time wasn't on their side at the moment, and the fish monsters were fast taking over the island. Why did it have to be fish monsters?!

 

[Chrys]

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270 / 270

Literally carrying everything important on my back.

As their rag-tag group of merchants and civilians, all former captives of the pirates of this island, hastily made their way toward the east, where the Mizar was supposed to be, Chrys heaved a sigh of relief when he spotted the one ship still moored to the waterlogged docks. Ayna's crew members appear to be battling the fish monsters, more like fending them off the ship, as well as giant crabs with orange shells and vicious pincers, all of which were attempting to board the vessel. A young man wearing a bloodstained white robe was still standing on the shore, still a bit far from the ship, and screamed what sounded to Chrys like an incantation. Almost immediately after, a burst of golden flame came down on one of the giant crabs. As soon as the evacuees came close, the man in white turned to them, visibly shaken.

"Are any of you wounded? Those women need help, I think, but I can't get close enough to heal them. But if I heal you, will you please help them?"

Chrys took a second to look the man over from head to toe, making sure he wasn't a fish monster in disguise. No scales anywhere. Good enough for me. He spoke up, gesturing toward the ship's captain in the back before screaming for her attention. Ayna loved hearing him scream.

"Yes, we're with them. The ship captain's not too far behind us. Ayna! Is this boy yours? Did you add another orphan to your crew? You need to stop abducting orphans for cheap ship labor, Ayna! That's not very Ucey."

Chrys waited for the captain's response because, well, she's the captain. She had full control of the one ship that was taking them out of there, and he did not want to risk his boarding pass. The goal remains, however, to have the other merchants and civilians board the ship to safety first. He and Ayna could handle themselves, that's what he knew for certain. If need be, he would take out his sword and start smashing some crabs. I do like the taste of sushi near the sea.

---

Play Sheet Link

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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70 / 160

-90 HP from Fish (x3) Retal
VULNERABLE

Ayna didn't have time to deal with @Chrys and his new friend. The moment she saw her ship getting boarded by the fishy fiends, she brandished the Spear of Stormy Night (Polearm) and ran to her vessel and crew's defense. Fuck Chrys and his jokes. Fuck the boy in white. No one fucks with the Mizar and live to tell the tale.

"You fucks get the fuck off my ship! You don't know how long I worked on her! She is irreparable!"

That was a lie. The Mizar was reparable. She's repaired it more times than she could count. Ayna was actually more pissed off at the fact that her crew's lives were in danger, even though they were doing a pretty good job of defending themselves. Sally wasn't missing anyone with her marksmanship, Shirley was doing her shinobi thing, and Mickie's magic was helping.

But Ayna could not be denied, especially not her pride. Like thunder, she roared as she charged at the unlucky fish monsters in her way, stabbing and electrocuting all those that stood in her way.

❰ True Teachings of Enlightningment: Sky Wandering ❱

Although her rage was destructive, it was also pretty careless. Ayna focused all her attention on taking out the invaders that she ignored their counterattacks. She didn't even notice they were stabbing her instinctively until her vengeance was complete. It was only when she was already panting, trying to catch her breath, at the end of her combo that she realized they had done a number on her as well. Damn, these scaly fucks.

Ayna heaved a sigh of relief as she realized the assault was over. Chrys wasn't even necessary. She began to walk aboard her ship, greeted by her first mate Sally's smile, when the vessel moved. Not intentionally, no. Something else had caused it to move. Seawater then rained down on everyone as a giant hulking crab broke through the waves. With wide eyes and jaw dropped, Ayna realized that maybe, just maybe, Chrys was still necessary, after all.

---

Rolls

Burst Attack
15d20 exploding (16 + 5 + 20 + 9 + 3 + 8 + 10 + 4 + 18 + 9 + 3 + 2 + 16 + 11 + 5 + 6) = 145
145 damage (Explosions: 1)
Gain the Vulnerable state
Dynamism | Ayna Nietzsche | 1378

Play Sheet Link (Playtest Packet 2)

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❰ 0 / 1 ❱

FISH MONSTER
Retaliation Damage: 10
DC: 30
Knife Trick. Upon defeat as a last act, a Scout tosses a ratty old boot knife (or maybe a cool rock they picked up) at their killer. Take an extra 5 Retal upon killing a Scout.

❰ 0 / 1 ❱

FISH MONSTER
Retaliation Damage: 10
DC: 30
Knife Trick. Upon defeat as a last act, a Scout tosses a ratty old boot knife (or maybe a cool rock they picked up) at their killer. Take an extra 5 Retal upon killing a Scout.

❰ 0 / 1 ❱

FISH MONSTER
Retaliation Damage: 10
DC: 30
Knife Trick. Upon defeat as a last act, a Scout tosses a ratty old boot knife (or maybe a cool rock they picked up) at their killer. Take an extra 5 Retal upon killing a Scout.

(✦✦✦) Slimodiles Giant Crab

❰ 4 / 4 ❱

4 70 40

Gore Twister. After attacking this enemy, make a Save (Reflex - 60) to avoid getting a limb or two snapped up by the Slimodile Giant Crab, which will try to spin to twist your limbs out of their socket. If you fail, you can consider yourself narratively held by this enemy. Take 70 damage (before modifier) instead of 40 the next time you attack and the DC increases to 90 (it's just so much more difficult to hit them when they have taken a hold of you).​

 

[Chrys]

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230 / 270

-40 HP from Crab Retal
+15 to Save Rolls next cycle/turn through Savior

Oh, for fuck's sake! Chrys groaned as he saw @Ayna Nietzsche sprint past him and toward the fish monsters trying to board her ship. He should've expected that, though. She was captain of that ship and Ayna has never been not reckless when it came to these things. Tch-ing, she called for the salty boy from before, the one who tried to mouth off to their captors and ended up getting punched in the face, not realizing the girl merchant who tried to bribe the very same captors earlier was already on the same wheelbarrow.

"Kid! Get this on that ship once we clear out the fish monsters. Everyone, stay here and wait until we clear the path before getting on that ship. It's morbing time to throw the bad catch back to the sea."

Holding his hand out beside him, Chrys' Auric Geomancy through his Thousand Sparkling Gold manifested the Claymore of the First Loyalist (Greatsword). Without missing a beat, he swung at the giant crab, sending jagged shards of earth at it. Like a batter hitting tinier baseball bats at their competition, except the projectiles were magically formed through his own aura. Upon impact, the now grains of sand quickly floated around Ayna, boosting her defense.

❰ Thousand Sparkling Gold: Armillary Sphere Screen ❱

"Heads up, Captain!"

The Excelled Crystal of Loyalty (Focus), Chrys' focus for his Geomancy, which was now embedded in his Claymore of the First Loyalist (Greatsword), then glowed a golden shade. As if on cue, the protective barrier of barely visible grains of sand and earth surrounding Ayna glowed a golden shade as well, signifying the aura's resolve to keep his ally safe. At the same time, a similar barrier appeared around Chrys and glowed in turn, both of them receiving the same protection.

❰ Excellent Jade Outshining Eclipses ❱

But that wasn't the end of it. Chrys got too close, and the giant crab took the opportunity to pummel him with a direct jab from its giant claws. The Stalwart Defender felt the impact, though he simply shrugged it off. He was, after all, the mountain, and mountains don't bow to crustaceans, no matter how massive they may be. Chrys even proved his own point by quickly ducking the creature's attempt to crush him in between its pincers. Lucky for me, I'm immune to crabs.

---

Rolls

Protect
1d100 (35) + 25 + 20 = 80
80 damage
Give 1 ally in your zone the Protected State
Aura | Chrys | 1378

(BA) Savior | Aura S | Chrys
@Ayna Nietzsche & @Chrys have their defense raised. +15 to Save Rolls next cycle.

Save
1d100 (77) + 0 = 77 (Gore Twister avoided!)
Reflex | Chrys | 1378

Play Sheet Link (Playtest Packet 2)

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(✦✦✦) Slimodiles Giant Crab

❰ 3 / 4 ❱

4 70 40

Gore Twister. After attacking this enemy, make a Save (Reflex - 60) to avoid getting a limb or two snapped up by the Slimodile Giant Crab, which will try to spin to twist your limbs out of their socket. If you fail, you can consider yourself narratively held by this enemy. Take 70 damage (before modifier) instead of 40 the next time you attack and the DC increases to 90 (it's just so much more difficult to hit them when they have taken a hold of you).​

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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30 / 160

-40 HP from Crab Retal

Ayna simply gave @Chrys an approving nod when he called out to her, ducking his projectiles by forcing herself backward with a leap. Twirling the Spear of Stormy Night (Polearm) around to reposition the lightning-charged weapon, she closed her eyes and heaved a sigh, entering a state of pseudo-meditation. When she opened her eyes again, she charged at the giant crab and attacked with a refined thrust to its girth.

❰ True Teachings of Enlightningment: Abyssal Traversal ❱

As her blade made contact with the crab's hardy exterior, it threw a claw at her, sending her back to her original position. Ayna winced in pain but could not give up. Her ship was under assault and she was its captain. She would sink with it first before she'd allow something monstrous to board it. A captain always goes down with her ship, or best case scenario, goes down with her ship's attacker!

She was, however, running out of breath. Maybe she should take a step back for a bit, and regain her bearings? She would be of no help to anyone if she couldn't help herself. Maybe even let Chrys take the helm for a while. Yeah, maybe.

"Cover me, Chrys!"

But at what cost? Rather, for how long? She could only hope that the greedy adventurer wouldn't use her cry for assistance as an opportunity to get ahead of the others, though knowing him, he would betray his own grandmother for a few coins of gold. Why would she even trust him? Gotta work with what you got, and at the moment, he's all I've got.

---

Rolls

Sharp
1d100 (86) + 20 + 20 + 15 + 25 = 166
166 damage
Dynamism | Ayna Nietzsche | 1378

(BA) Duelist - Dynamism A - Melee attack gains 30 (B, A) extra damage.

166 + 30 = 196 total damage

Save
1d100 (34) + 45 + 10 = 89 + 15 from Chrys' Savior = 104 (Avoided Gore Twister!)
Reflex | Ayna Nietzsche | 1378

Play Sheet Link (Playtest Packet 2)

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(✦✦✦) Slimodiles Giant Crab

❰ 2 / 4 ❱

4 70 40

Gore Twister. After attacking this enemy, make a Save (Reflex - 60) to avoid getting a limb or two snapped up by the Slimodile Giant Crab, which will try to spin to twist your limbs out of their socket. If you fail, you can consider yourself narratively held by this enemy. Take 70 damage (before modifier) instead of 40 the next time you attack and the DC increases to 90 (it's just so much more difficult to hit them when they have taken a hold of you).​

 

[Chrys]

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190 / 270

-40 HP from Crab Retal
+15 to Save Rolls next cycle/turn through Savior
GORE TWISTER

As soon as he saw, @Ayna Nietzsche get thrown back by the giant crab's powerful pincer, Chrys ran to her defense. He brandished the Claymore of the First Loyalist (Greatsword) as a makeshift shield to deter the creature from attacking further, which seemed to worked, either because it found itself intimidated by his sheer bulk or because it found itself confused that the idiot wielding it was trying to use it defensively instead of aggressively. Swords were meant to slash, Chrys' was additionally meant to crush, but from the looks of it, it did well as an impromptu claw blocker.

"That's all I've been doing, Cap."

With even turning to Ayna behind him, he then pushed forward the unnecessarily large clawymore, manifesting his Thousand Sparkling Gold through his Auric Geomancy. Jagged shards of earth once again pelleted the massive sea monster, hurtling themselves at its thick shell like they were a barrage of exploding artillery. As soon as they collided against the crustacean's defense, however, they transformed into grains of sand that returned to Ayna, surrounding her as a way to boost her defense. Cover her, she said. Cover her, he would. With the earth's remains if he had to.

❰ Thousand Sparkling Gold: Armillary Sphere Screen ❱

Chrys then bolstered both their defenses, as the Excelled Crystal of Loyalty (Focus), Chrys' focus for his magic that was embedded in his claymore, glowed its familiar golden shade, signifying its activation. The protective barrier of barely visible grains of sand and earth surrounding Ayna and himself both glowed the same golden shade in turn, heralding their strength, a challenge to their oppressor's folly.

❰ Excellent Jade Outshining Eclipses ❱

Alas, it wasn't enough to deter the angered giant crab this time. Annoyed by the rocks being thrown its way it seemed, the massive crustacean snapped up Chrys' left arm, trying to twist it out of its socket. Chrys winced in pain, caught surprised by the move. He had hoped his brute strength would be enough to take his arm back, but it seemed finesse was needed to escape the enemy's grasp this time, something he didn't really have. Looks like it's gonna be much harder to counterattack now. Mr. Krabs seems to have grown quite attached to me.

---

Rolls

Protect @Ayna Nietzsche
1d100 (31) + 25 + 20 = 76
76 damage
Give 1 ally in your zone the Protected State
Aura | Chrys | 1378

(BA) Savior | Aura S | Chrys
Chrys, Ayna Nietzsche have their defense raised. +15 to a Save Roll next cycle.

Save
1d100 (20) + 0 = 20 + 15 (from Savior) = 35 (Failed!)
Reflex | Chrys | 1378

Play Sheet Link (Playtest Packet 2)

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(✦✦✦) Slimodiles Giant Crab

❰ 1 / 4 ❱

4 70 40

Gore Twister. After attacking this enemy, make a Save (Reflex - 60) to avoid getting a limb or two snapped up by the Slimodile Giant Crab, which will try to spin to twist your limbs out of their socket. If you fail, you can consider yourself narratively held by this enemy. Take 70 damage (before modifier) instead of 40 the next time you attack and the DC increases to 90 (it's just so much more difficult to hit them when they have taken a hold of you).​

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

⋇⊶⊰✦⊱⊷⋇

30 / 160

+20 HP from previous Crab Retal that should've been halved because of @Chrys' Protection
-20 HP from current Crab Retal
PROTECTED by @Chrys

Ayna was caught surprised when she saw @Chrys get snapped up by the Giant Crab. Never in a million years did she imagine anything of the sort would happen, especially to a big beefy boy like him who was in a sense a giant crab himself. Figuratively. Or maybe literally? Chrys does seem hard to penetrate. With a weapon, with words, and sometimes even with emotions. Just like a giant crab.

"Chrys! God damn it, stop playing with the crustacean!"

Even when concerned about her close friend, she still managed to find a way to blame said "close friend." Probably deserves it anyway. Why? She'll find a way to figure something out. Reasons are a dime plenty, but never when you're in the thick of battle against a crusty heavy hitter.

Giving up on her initial plan of resting for a bit while Chrys covered her, she instead crouched low to the ground, hurling herself closer to the creature's belly with a baseball slide, though she barely avoided its free pincer. Ayna had never been good at sports, or so she believed, with her quick reflexes and agility that were now saving her butt all because of this game. It's all about fighting fire with fire. Or in this case, killing this game's giant crab using the gifts and skills this game has given me. Once she was in prime position, the scowling duelist thrust her lightning-charged polearm upward, straight into the crab's belly, and pumped it with 1,000 volts of raw electricity.

❰ Imperial Ritual ❱

Ayna screamed maniacally as she basically cooked the giant crab from beneath its hairy, spindly legs. If she knew anything about her seafood, it was that when you pump something with 1,000 volts of raw electricity, technically more, if all that maniacal screaming was letting anyone in on anything, it usually doen't take long for that damned thing to explode. And explode it did, sending pieces of shell, pincers, legs, innards, and crab meat all over anyone who was close enough. But, hey, at least everyone else was safe, right? Might stay away from crab for the next few weeks. Ayna groaned before laughing maniacally again.

---

Rolls

Sneak Attack
1d100 (21) + 20 + 15 + 25 = 81
81 damage
Sneak Attack unsuccessful!
Dynamism | Ayna Nietzsche | 1378

Save
1d100 (76) + 45 + 10 = 131 + 15 from Chrys' Savior = 146 (Avoided Gore Twister!)
Reflex | Ayna Nietzsche | 1378

Play Sheet Link (Playtest Packet 2)

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(✦✦✦) Slimodiles Giant Crab

❰ 0 / 4 ❱

4 70 40

Gore Twister. After attacking this enemy, make a Save (Reflex - 60) to avoid getting a limb or two snapped up by the Slimodile Giant Crab, which will try to spin to twist your limbs out of their socket. If you fail, you can consider yourself narratively held by this enemy. Take 70 damage (before modifier) instead of 40 the next time you attack and the DC increases to 90 (it's just so much more difficult to hit them when they have taken a hold of you).​

 

[Chrys]

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Once the giant crab let him go, Chrys instinctively braced himself for the easy drop, landing square on his two feet. What he couldn't brace himself for was the explosion of crustacean guts, all courtesy of @Ayna Nietzsche's maniacal aggression. Ugh. I hate sea quests. Chrys wiped off the remains on his face and chest before turning to the other refugees and calling them over. The path was now clear, and all they had to do was run to them, and climb aboard Ayna's ship.

"COME ON! RUN, YOU FOOLS! RUN AND CLIMB ABOARD!"

Chrys caught a glimpse of the man in white helping the rest toward the ship. He envied him, mostly how he managed to keep his robes clean. Not like the armored adventurer who was standing with crab guts all over that same armor. But his attention was soon stolen by two members of Ayna's crew shouting their thanks and running up the gangplank to prepare the ship for immediate departure, and depart they did. Chrys could almost heave a sigh when the ship slowly sailed away from the island. There were still a few stragglers aboard, but not too many that he found it any difficult to just punch them in the head and push them back to the sea.

Isle Squama, the horribly named island that was just beset by fish monsters and giant crabs, grew ever smaller on the horizon as Ayna's ship cut through the choppy waters of Ilmea's Lament. Several refugees from the island, most of them the previously captured merchants, were huddled on the deck of the ship, while the crew tended to the vessel. Chrys stood against the side of the ship, holding himself aloft with the railing. He watched everyone without saying a word, relishing the breeze despite his discomfort with sea travel.

Soon, they would be back on land, on proper land, away from Ilmea's Lament and its strange, numerous, unknowable islands. Chrys would never return to this place ever again. At least that's what he vowed then and there. He was rock, a mountain, stones. He was better left alone in Lyrwick, not testing his fate, risking himself sinking deep beneath the waves of the Lament.

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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Hearing @Chrys urge the merchants aboard the Mizar also urged Ayna to get back up to her feet and help whoever she could. She didn't get to do a lot of that, though, as the geomancer, the stubborn boy, the girl merchant, and some guy in white did most of the herding. Seeing that she wasn't needed there, she immediately bolted toward the helm, catching a glimpse of her first mate who was shooting arrows at the unfortunate fish monsters that stupidly tried to climb the side of their ship.

"Anchors aweigh, Captain! The Mizar is free to depart this gods-forsaken island!"

Ayna simply gave Sally a nod, certain that if anyone were to catch that, her first mate definitely would. Without further ado, the Captain of Mizar began to steer them all away from there, with the rest of her crew doing their part to ensure that the sailing would be as smooth as ever. Of course, it wouldn't be perfect or peaceful, as some of those fish monsters continued to try and get to them. Fortunately for Ayna, her crew was one of the best in the Lament. The scaly fiends had no real chance.

Soon, they were at sea, mostly at peace, on their way back to the nearest port, away from the islands of sea bandits and closer to the kingdom's grace. Ayna caught a glimpse of the same quartet of strange people on her ship and decided to surrender the helm to Sally without a word. Her first mate simply nodded in turn, already used to her Captain's way of doing and seeing things. Freed from the responsibility of steering the ship, she approached the geomancer, the stubborn boy, the girl merchant, and the new guy in white, gesturing for them all to follow her in her cabin.

"You. Follow me."

Ayna did not wait for any of them to reply and simply assumed they would do as they were told. It wouldn't be just because she was Captain of this ship. It would also be because their curiosities would have been piqued by such few words. With everything that happened on Isle Squama, curiosities would be at their strongest. No one could deny the Captain's directive.

Inside her cabin, the magia towered over a wide table, arms crossed over her chest while she squinted over a map pinned to its surface by a half dozen knives and daggers. Several golden rings glistened on the same table as she traced potential paths through the Lament. Once everyone was inside, she glanced up at all of them, ending with the familiar armored adventurer, Chrys, with her purple eyes.

"Take a seat. Or stand, whichever you prefer. Welcome aboard the Mizar. We have much to discuss regarding what just happened on that isle. Anyone care to start?"

The tiny girl merchant wasted no time in taking a seat and introducing herself, even purring at the opportunity to make the acquaintance of whom she perceived would be a great asset in her economic pursuits.

"I'll start! The name's Dolly, a humble but genius sea trader. I'm sure everyone has noticed but I'll just mention it myself: Isle Squama is sinking, which means that if we return once it has sunk, we can find oodles of treasure in the aftermath!"

The tiny girl merchant, Dolly, leaned forward as she emphasized that last idea, almost drooling at the prospect of treasure. Ayna wanted to punt her right then and there, but that wouldn't have been the best course of action to take. Despite the greediness of the tiny girl merchant, a sea trader on her team would be very useful for whichever path they'd take next. Almost immediately, an argument ensued, as per usual.

"We should go back and save Isle Squama then! We just can't let those people die...and then come back for their belongings!"

"Save them? Those pirates? Those filthy, disgusting bandits of the sea who pillage and murder unsuspecting seafarers? If you ask me, they're getting what they deserve!"

"You can't be that callous! They're still people!"

"Pirates are not people, you idealistic bleeding heart! Pirates are nothing more than scum!"

"...which means going back after the isle has sunk and taking all their treasure would be justice! We can split it evenly! And still have some to give to charity or whatever you guys fancy!"

The bickering continued for a few more rounds, most of it just circling the same argument: Guy in white wants to save the pirates, stubborn boy hates pirates, little girl merchant just wants to loot. Only one person hasn't spoken up, which made Ayna quite curious about his stand in all this. She squinted at Chrys, waiting for him to say something, anything. Did he know about the isle's sinking? Wouldn't he, a geomancer, have felt it?

"Chrys. Would you like to share anything to the class?"

Ayna hoped that little push, even if it came from out of nowhere, would inspire the man to share what he knows of the sinking, of the isle, of anything really. After all, Chrys wasn't supposed to be there, was he? She could see the tiny girl merchant, the stubborn boy, and even the guy in white having been part of the merchant ship that she and her crew were sent to trade for, but Chrys? Sure, he had that tavern in Stokbon and that mining thing in Lyrwick, but he could've saved him and the rest of them any time he wanted. What's your play here, you blockhead?

 

[Chrys]

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Chrys knew exactly what happened in Isle Squama, thanks mostly to his proficiency in Geomancy. It also helped that he had been observing the island and the nearby trench for the past few weeks. His original plan was to weather it out, but he had not expected the fish monsters to attack so soon. He definitely did not expect @Ayna Nietzsche to be anywhere near the place. He probably should have, considering she did tell him about her frequent sailing on the Lament.

"Oh, uhm, what is there left to share? The tiny girl merchant is right, or was right: Isle Squama has sunk. It should already be deep into the nearby trench, if my calculations are correct."

Calculations, sure. It was more the strong connection he had with the earth around the island. Despite the strong currents of the Lament, if Chrys focused enough, he could feel the vibrations surrounding the Isle Squama, the same vibrations that dragged it into the aforementioned trench.

"Hey, I'm not a little girl! I'm 19!"

"Oh, gods! We're too late!"

"If I remember correctly, that nearby trench is called the Razortail Abyss, and it's home to a clan of shark-herding humanoids."

Oh? That part, Chrys didn't know. What even were shark-herding humanoids? He didn't have time to lose himself to that curiosity, as the stubborn little boy continued sharing everything he knew about this place, and he seemed to know a lot. He wasn't part of the merchant ship that Chrys and Dori were on. If memory serves him correctly, Chrys remembered the boy was there before them, already getting beaten up by the pirates who all seemed to hate him so much.

"The Razortails and the Squama pirates have been at odds for generations, especially since the pirates frequently hunt sharks."

"You seem to know a lot about these...folks, Mister...?"

Although Chrys waited for the boy to give his name, he already had a suggestion for their dear captain's next course of action. It wasn't like him to take control of a given situation, especially if no certain coin was involved, but he reckoned that if they did what he thought they should, he'd be swimming in coins for the next few weeks, months even.

"May I suggest, Captain, that we dock in a nearby port or island, so we can unload the refugees for their safety? If you want revenge on these shark herders, then perhaps we can even find gear that could help us loot, I mean rescue the survivors of Isle Squama in the Razortail Abyss?"

Chrys tried to appeal to Ayna's more helpful side, though at the same time, he also tried to lure out her vengeful side. Either should make for someone useful enough to bring him more wealth. Besides, it was a just game, right? No one was going to get hurt. No one who breathes air at least. Hehehe.

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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The Captain of the Mizar carefully weighed in her options. @Chrys' suggestion was pretty rational, and if she needed to come clean with all of them, it would be the most appropriate of lead-ins. She wasn't just there to rescue the captive merchants. She was also there to investigate the Razortail Abyss, specifically the shark herders who had been tagged as threats to the sailors of the Lament. Judging from the information presented by the stubborn boy and her own friend, those concerns were very rational.

"The name is Cymry and I am a pirate hunter, so I would need to know a lot about these...folks, Mister Chrys."

Ayna did not waste time focusing on whatever was going on between Cymry and Chrys. She had to make a decision fast. Time was not on their side. It never was. But they were going to make the most of it, the most of the time remaining. Or at least she was.

"There is a nearby port where we could procure some equipment to help us breathe underwater, if we're all decided to go back to the sunken isle for...reasons?"

She didn't have to wait long for the positive feedback. Chrys and Dolly were both interested in looting the remains of Isle Squama. The guy in white wanted to play the hero. Cymry, however, she wasn't quite sure if he'd come with them. Either way, she was the captain of the ship, and the ship goes where she goes. Her crew understood that and had the utmost faith in her. Cymry can get off the same port if he wasn't interested in joining their expedition.

"First thing's first, though, I feel that I must reveal this to you, folks, since the next part of this journey's going to be very interesting: the crew and I actually have a secondary objective in sailing here, and that's to retrieve a scepter from the Razortail shark herders."

The rest of them looked at each other in confusion. Ayna already expected the same reaction. She, too, would have been confused, though mostly at why she was sharing this information with them. One only needed to remember that she was Captain and they were now de facto members of her crew. She needed everyone to know everything, so they could work as a well-oiled machine. Secrets can be quite harmful to a team.

"According to our employers, there was a recent shift in leadership with the Razortail shark herders. Their new leader has been seen with a scepter of sorts, one that is a conduit for unearthly levels of magical power, perhaps even the cause of the sinking of the Isle Squama. Regardless, now more than ever, it seems the need to separate that leader and their scepter has grown."

Ayna turned her back to everyone else in that room, choosing instead to face the massive glass window that gave her a good view of the sea. With hands clasped behind her back, one could think she was vulnerable. One would be a fool. She was the Captain of this ship, and this ship is her own weapon. Anything done against her, any attempt against her will be a fool's errand, with that fool immediately swallowed by both sea and storm.

"I reckon we can split the reward three ways: A third to me and the ship's upkeep, a third to my crew, and a third to the adventurers. What say you?"

She waited for them to give her a positive response. She already knew most of them would say yes, but she wanted them all to say it themselves. Although some of them were greedier than others, they could not deny the split was fair. Once everyone was in agreement, she'd have the ship head to the aforementioned nearby port, procure their equipment, and immediately sail back to where Isle Squama had been. Well, maybe after a few more hours of rest. They all needed to be in top form to fight underwater, after all.

 

[Chrys]

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To @Ayna Nietzsche's question, Chrys can only say a resounding yes. Everyone else did, apart from the undecided Cymry who simply kept quiet. The armored adventurer shared a look with Dolly, the tiny girl merchant, who seemed to be on the same page as him: The page of money, money, and money. Doesn't matter if they'll only get a third. Without Ayna's ship and her crew, he wouldn't even see a single coin. It's a fair deal for someone landlocked like me.

Soon, they each went their separate ways, as the ship set sail for the nearest port. Chrys spent most of the journey alone, plotting his financial gain. What he would find down there, he could use to bolster his two businesses. Well, one business. Technically, the tavern had gone under and was now shared with the bard who shared with him quests for profit. It was bad enough he had to share it with the lander woman beforehand, but with another person? Maybe I should just sell my part in that place and focus on my mining company. Hmm.

Arriving at the port, Chrys was surprised to realize where they were. Port Damascus? Although Chrys didn't do as much sailing as Ayna, he was familiar with this specific port. Well, with someone here. Someone who had a contract with his mining company.

"Captain, do the equipment you need perchance come from the smith Azorn? If so, I may be able to leverage a deal, considering that man procures ores from my miners."

A pipsqueak butted in from out of nowhere, interrupting the conversation and surprising Chrys.

"Miners? You have a mining business? How much do you guys make? Maybe we can make a business deal of our own here, eh? Eh?"

Chrys squinted at her, arms crossed. There was a height requirement for anyone that wanted to talk to him, but since the half-pint was speaking his language, he decided to give her an exception. This time.

"Yes. In Lyrwick. Golden God. And what benefits would that deal include?"

The tiny girl merchant's face switched from greedy excitement to a look of horror and disgust.

"Lyrwick?! But isn't that place dangerous? Well, as you already know, I am a very proficient sea trader, so I can move your wares over the seas for a more advantageous pricing for the both of us. It would be a win-win situation."

Hmm. Chrys considered his options for a bit. Having a proficient sea trader could boost his sales over the Lament. Gods know Azorn was only the single clientele he has in this area, and delivering his ores from Lyrwick all the way to Port Damascus has been a pain in his butt. With Dolly, he could potentially minimize his expenses, his costs, while increasing his income, his revenue. Hmm. It might be best to think all this through further, though. I've only met this tiny scammer. How can I even trust her if she's too short for people to notice? Hmm.

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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Adventurers Guild

The Mizar, Port Damascus, Ilmea's Lament

Ayna took a moment to take the rest of Port Damascus in. From the boisterous laughter of the nearby dock workers to the aggressively salted ocean breeze that wafted in and around the port, she could tell from her many trips to this place that this was the appropriate option to sail to after their close brush with a watery death. In fact, it was the only option. She turned to @Chrys with a look of surprise but then realized that perhaps his mining business had been fruitful after their conversation those many weeks ago. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.

"That would be ideal, Chrys. We'll need all the help we can get. Take Dolly with you. She might be able to help as well."

Was it a risk to have two of the greediest soul she has ever met be on the same team? Perhaps. But, as she said, they needed all the help they could get. Both Chrys and Dolly had potentially great minds in the art of business, and Azorn was nothing if not a businessman. She'd done business with him before as well but the smith was way above her paygrade. They'll do good, and if not, Azorn deserves the punishment of having both of them on his ass.

She laughed at the image. Internally, of course. Outward, she maintained a visage of discipline, so as not to betray the faith of her crew in a focused captain. When the rest of them agreed to her earlier proposal, the division of loot and economics, she immediately had her crew set sail for this port. They were all on the same page from there on out. Well, most of them. The man in white, after introducing himself as Aurelius, declined the possibility of more adventures with their lot, instead choosing to depart the ship with the refugees, so that he could help them find their way back to their feet.

Ayna admired his devotion to his deity and its tenants, oaths, to help those in need but also scoffed, internally once more, at the naivety of the man. No doubt he'd get taken advantage of by someone else soon enough. She immediately agreed with his decision, not even hesitating to give him his leave of her ship. When Cymry tried to get off without a word or two, however, that's when the captain put her foot down, figuratively, and stopped him under the guise of a private conversation. The boy was stubborn but he would be of use to them.

"You won't join us, Cymry? Your vast knowledge of the Razortail Abyss and its shark herders would be really useful to us. Why not stay?"

The boy scoffed at the idea, crossing his arms over his chest. He didn't look in the magia's eyes, however, opting to look out over the railing and into the blue waters of the sea.

"As I've said, I'm a pirate hunter, and though you won't call yourselves pirates, going back there to loot the herders makes you no different than those filthy scum."

Ayna squinted at the defiant boy. She found it quite amusing for someone so young, someone who had been captured not too long ago, slapped in his arrogant but youthful face by the pirates he was supposedly hunting, to judge him on his make-believe high horse. Yet she lifted no finger, especially not her lightning-charged spear, against him and his privileged opinion.

"The difference is, the priority isn't greed but the safety of the rest of the Lament, perhaps even of the entire Arcia itself."

Ayna gestured for him to move with her, away from where the crew assisted the refugees to get off her ship. Closer to the railing, she stood, waiting for him to join her, as she watched people get on and off her ship. Cymry warily joined her, curious as to what else she had to say.

"The leader of the herders is dangerous, especially with that scepter of hers. Today, it's an island of pirates. Tomorrow? Who knows? Could be Port Damascus. Could be a town off Dunnstads' coast."

She watched him furrow his brows, a clear indication that he was now considering her words as seriously as possible. Why wouldn't he? It has happened time and time again. Subjectively, sure, the herder-leader took more pirates off the board, an agenda similar to his. Objectively? He knew nothing of the limits of the herder-leader's ambition. Evil triumphs when good men do nothing, and all that jazz.

"You may not trust us, not me, but would you trust a stranger who has already committed an atrocity they can repeat against innocent souls?"

She gave him a pause. Intentionally. So as to let those words sink, fester in his head, until he finally gave in, caved to the possibility of more tragedies under the whim of an unknown aggressor. Ayna reined in her smile, especially after Cymry explicitly bent to her own whim.

"You have a point, Captain. Seems I'll be staying longer on your ship then. Do you have spare quarters?"

Ayna nodded, gesturing forth a member of her crew, the ever-reliable Shirley, to help him settle in. The Mizar had a cramped but comfortable spare cabin he, Chrys, and Dolly could use as sleeping quarters. It wasn't much, but it was all they needed. Once Cymry had left, she turned her full attention toward the horizon. When was the last time she had fought underwater?

 

[Chrys]

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Adventurers Guild

Azorn's Smithy, Port Damascus, Ilmea's Lament

Chrys was surprised when @Ayna Nietzsche requested for him to bring the pipsqueak along but simply responded with a quick nod at the Captain after squinting at the little merchant. Without even speaking to anyone, especially not to Dolly, he swiftly turned around and began to leave the ship. Dolly, of course, grinned before following the larger man to the smithy.

"So, do we have a deal, eh? Eh?"

Chrys heaved a sigh, clearly annoyed by the persistence, though part of him respected her hustle. In the real world, he's done the same, so many years ago. Sometimes, it was the only way people would hear you out, especially in fields where everyone did the same. So many voices, so little time to listen to each and every one of them. He softened at that thought, though he replied without turning to the girl.

"Let's focus on our mission first. Afterward, we'll talk more in length and with finer details."

Dolly nodded with glee and the pair commenced their trip in silence. Well, Chrys did. Dolly kept talking throughout, mostly whenever she saw something interesting, like other merchants' wares, which happened a lot. May the gods have mercy on my soul. Eventually they did, as the pair finally arrived at Azorn's Smithy, which was as he remembered it: Nothing special on the outside, easily missed, but on the inside? With regard to Azorn's wares? The motherfucker was a genius.

"Greetings, Azorn."

The ram Beastfolk that had been hammering down on something steel stopped. He paused for a second before turning around with rage in his eyes, throwing his hammer straight at Chrys. "I know that fucking voice," Azorn yelled, almost at the same time that the hammer hit Chrys straight in his face. And yet, Chrys never faltered. He just stood there, only his head turned to the side to keep the hammer's momentum foiled. But would he remain the same after the ram Beastfolk charges him? Only one way to find out. "Fuck you, Chrystopheles!"

"Oh, gold! What the heck's happening? He seems really pissed—"

Before Dolly could finish her sentence, Chrys pushed her away from him before Azorn tackled him into oblivion. Or at least the ram Beastfolk tried. Chrys readied both hands to intercept the man by grabbing his horns, and when the armored adventurer succeeded, he immediately lifted him up and threw him on his back over his head. Easy. Peasy. Chrysy.

"Ah, such warm welcome. Listen, Azorn: I'm here as a customer. Use your connections to help me and my friends obtain a number of experimental diving helmets that would allow us to breathe beneath the waves...and I'll squash our beef right here, right now. Deal?"

Azorn groaned on the floor, feeling the pain of having been manhandled. Or ramhandled. When his eyes fixed on Chrys, he squinted hard at the man, as if trying to burn a hole in his face with an imagined laser beam. He muttered something unintelligible, grumbling at his defeat, which made Chrys smile. "Deal."

---

Rolls

Save
1d100 (4) + 120 = 124
Fortitude | Chrys | 1378

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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Adventurers Guild

Port Damascus, Ilmea's Lament

Ayna swiftly dodged Cymry's spear as the pirate hunter thrust his blade right toward her face. Taking a step back, she was able to create some distance between them before brandishing Stormy Night, her spear, and flipping forward while slashing with the weapon. Cymry dodged her attack as well, which was all according to Ayna's plan. The forward slash was but a feign, a gambit to force him to move where she wanted him to, and when everything fell into place, Ayna was able to thrust the spear's blade inches from his throat. Oh, they're back.

"Are those the helmets we need?"

Ayna eased up, her full attention on @Chrys and Dolly who just returned with a wheelbarrow filled with experimental diving helmets. Most people around here didn't know how to make fully functioning diving helmets, but Ayna had Magitech on her side. Stowing her weapon away, she almost seemed to forget about Cymry, who himself was caught surprised by the interruption and her change of demeanor. Ayna walked past him and to the newly arrived pair, dead set on inspecting the items. Damn, she's scary.

"Ahoy there, Captain! We got such a deal for you! Azorn didn't even know what hit him!"

Cymry remained where he was, eyeing the trio, while Ayna simply took a quick look over the wheelbarrow's contents, picking one of the helmets and inspecting it rather quickly. Like the rest of them, it resembled a helm of steel and glass not unlike a cage wrapped around a fishbowl. These will do. In her head, she was already thinking of ways to better them, make them less clunky and more mobile. She had no doubts she'd succeed with that goal.

When she returned it to the wheelbarrow, she nodded at both Chrys and Dolly and gestured for them to bring all of it aboard the ship. A quick glance at her crew told them they were ready to depart. She was already following the two traders as they made their way into the ship when she called out for the pirate hunter who appeared still frozen in place. Was it the first time he lost a spar? He needs to fight better foes then.

"Everything looks to be in order. Seems we're done in Port Damascus. Come, Cymry. Time to set sail."

"A-aye, aye, Captain!"

The words felt strange to the pirate hunter, as if they were not his own. He felt a little awkward after saying them but followed after the others aboard the ship. The last thing he wanted, at the moment, was to be left behind, especially since all his stuff was already onboard.

Port Damascus had been a beautiful and lively city, but its docks were smelly, weather-beaten, and dangerous. She had others from her crew visit the apothecary and the general goods store to resupply, but they were much quicker than the traders to return. In fact, they were already resting aboard the ship when Ayna and Cymry started to spar. The Mizar was more than ready to return to where Isle Squama had been, to carry out the next phase of their mission. It wouldn't be easy, but things were never easy on the Lament.

 

[Chrys]

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Adventurers Guild

Port Damascus → The Mizar, Ilmea's Lament

Chrys simply gestured to the contents of the wheelbarrow as a response to @Ayna Nietzsche's question. He watched her with interest as she observed the helmets. Unlike her, Chrys was not well-versed with technology like this within the game. He barely even knew the appropriate diving gear in the real world. Yet he trusted her with all his heart, for this was Ayna's domain, and he was only here to support her goals. That and loot the island's remains, hehehe...

Without hesitation, he followed her will when she gestured for them to board the ship first, giving her a quick nod before gesturing for Dolly to go first. Not because she was a lady, no, but because if he stumbled backward, which he would never do, her tiny frame would get crushed by the wheelbarrow he was pulling, with all the helmets on it. He didn't really care about the lander's life, only that he might be forced to pay for her funeral services if he was the one who accidentally crushed her tiny little limbs. Besides, what if her business proposal was actually useful? I need all the contacts I can get.

Once Chrys surrendered the wheelbarrow to the Captain and her crew, and after the ship finally left Port Damascus, he took to the private quarters and took a quick nap. When he stirred awake, he saw Dolly snoring, already fast asleep, while Cymry seemed to be meditating. Chrys smiled at the sight of his interesting party mates before deciding to take a quick stroll outside, not wanting to bother the stubborn boy. I don't think I'll ever get used to this life, but Ayna seems like she actually enjoys sailing. Good for her.

He was already on his way back when he notice the Captain's door was slightly opened. Chrys tried to take a peek but realized that might be weird, so he instead knocked on her door and waited for her to invite him in before actually going in. She might be hiding some tasty treats. They've already had dinner together, the travelers and the landers, but who knows what other delicious morsels Ayna could be hiding from them? Some delicious pirate snacks, perhaps?

"Penny for your thoughts, Captain? Or is it doubloon? Not much of a sailor, to be honest, but I'm a pretty good listener."

He was, wasn't he? He'd make a terrible lawyer if he wasn't, and based on his earnings, he was far from a terrible lawyer. Terrible in terms of ethics, maybe, but not terrible in terms of practice. Definitely not terrible in terms of results. Chrys was one of the best all over the real world.