2. Skyway Robbery - Faces In The Dark

[Zwiche]

Orkan sighs. [Imperial]-"Ah, would that my wings were hale as the day they first sprouted from mine square-set shoulders. A quick journey along the zephyrous air would surely shine light upon our current predicament. Man is meant to be more than ants, crawling among the muck as swine."

He winces as he turns to Judy, [Imperial]-"Milady, I mean not to disturb thy ministrations, but couldst thy loyal hound not follow the scent of this squish-ed and crush-ed creature?"

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Ah, that's right Henry, can ye get a whiff of that black smoke so ye can remember it for later? Be careful if ye start feeling unwell."

Henry, also curious, moves towards the dead insect like a dog drawn to shit. When he gets close enough smell it though, his tail instantly droops.

Henry - [Dog]: "Whew, I don't even know how to describe it..."

[Interovegas]

[The party has achieved 'Making a Bonfire']

---

Henry-[Dog]: "Smells worse than the boat, actually, smells kind of like the boat."

[Dekaru]

Finch examines the smoke armor around him; lighter than he thought it would be.

[Imperial]-"Here's hoping this keeps bugs from stinging."

[Corenat Rovarnus]

[Imperial] "Incredible," Andrea remarks as she trots around, the thin layer of smokemass continuing to envelop her generous form. "This smoke sorcery 'tis the same as that used by that man Hobounen on our first voyage." She pokes at it with sword and lance and finds it quite unyielding. "Quite a formidable foe they would have made."

After the novelty of the situation wears off, Andrea sighs. [Imperial] "We must retrace our steps 'til I regain our bearings, unless someone hath a better idea."

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"Lemme see if I can't get a sense of where we are."

(did someone say direction?)

[Interovegas]

By the time the casting process is complete an hour has passed. The passage of time means two of the smoke armor enchantments have decayed significantly.

[Finch - 1 hour]
[Andrea - 2 hours]
[Orkan - 3 hours]
[Judy - 3 hours]
[Barkov - 3 hours]
[Henry - 3 hours]
[Vala - 5 hours]

---

[Finch roll for Sense+Direction+Double Time Bonus: 1,5,6,6,8,9,10 Result: Success]

---

Henry sniffs about the ground for a bit and barks once to mark he has found a trail.

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"The hounds have found the way. Let's hope it's to source of corruption."

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Vala watches Judy intently as she weaves the smoke magic around everyone. Not to be outdone, Andrea starts showing off her own spells at the same time, the casting of which mostly involve various neighs, grunts of exertion and flexing that sends strange muscular convulsions rippling across her body. [She does Water Stride, Cloudy Canter, and finishes off with Equine Might.]

[Imperial] "It doth not seem like much hath happened," Vala points out at the end.
"The changes art mainly on the inside," Andrea replies, miffed. "But tell me true, do I not look any larger or harder to thee? At all?"
"No." Vala makes a snide aside glance, as if to some hidden observer. "And that do be'est what he said."
Andrea clutches a hand to her chest in mimicry of a heart attack. Not even her smoke armor could have protected her from this savagery.
"Thou hast gotten the best of me," she admits between gales of laughter.

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Aye, Henry, yer amazing. Lead the way my friend!"

Henry - [Dog]: "Let's go let's go!"

Henry plod's forth at an even pace while Judy follows.

[Interovegas]

[Water Stride - 9 hours]
[Cloudy Canter - 3 hours]
[Equine Might - 3 minutes]

Andrea casts her enchantments and indeed no obvious visual changes manifest themselves.'

Henry leads the group between the trees for a time. The increasing frequency of aggressive wasps is noticeable. Soon the party is swatting down a wasp every minute. Henry stops in an unassuming spot with nothing important nearby.

Henry futilely woofs out:
Henry-[Dog]: "That way. But, the smell is strong, seems dangerous."

[Xenoe]

Judy sees where Henry's nose is pointing, but doesn't quite understand what he's trying to convey.

Judy - [Imperial]: "It seems that Henry's found the source of the smell just ahead, but he doesn't seem too happy about it."

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"Then prepare yer selves. I know not what magics or monsters we may find."

[Zwiche]

Orkan moves to the middle of the group. His wings keep twitching under their bandages, and he raises his nose high, wishing for a clean breeze to wipe away the filth and sweat he so rarely has to experience.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

[Imperial] "Just ahead? Then why delay any further?" With lance and shield Andrea canters forth in that direction.

[Interovegas]

Andrea goes on ahead on her own (as no one else declared they follow).

With a spare torch in one hand and her weapon ready she gallops fowards along the clearest path she can find. Approximately one hundred and fifty forwards she discovers the likely target of Henry's tracking. A creature the size of a cow with the appearance of an ant eater with dull purple tendrils coming from its ear canals lies on the ground nearly twenty five feet from Andrea. Her torchlight catches the gaze of its four eyes and its short trunk bends towards her in its excitement. It pulls itself along the ground on its two front limbs. As it edges several inches closer Andrea can tell that the back half of the thing has been bound by webs and injected with head sized barely luminscent eggs, more than twenty by her count. She takes another second to scan her surroundings and realize that webs reach between trunks and roots all around the path. Andrea stands ten inches past her ankles in mud.

[Dekaru]

Finch approaches behind Andrea and upon seeing the creature audibly gasps

[Imperial]-"What abominable sight is this?! The beast 'ill be eaten inside out!"

[Interovegas]

A a thick web cord hits Finch in the back with great force ... and begins pulling him upwards into the trees.

[Dekaru]

Finch swings his sword about (probably ineffectively) and yells

[Imperial-]-"I be grabbed! Cut me down for I become a spiders diner or worse!!!"

[Interovegas]

A pair of boar sized spiders rush at Andrea from the sides. Eight dark orbs reflect Finch's torch from the canopy. Finch feels his enchanted armor fade away.

[Encounter Begin, Round 1: Andrea+Vala, Finch+Barkov, Orkan, Judy+Henry, Declare Actions]

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"Can't count on magic when you need it."

(Finch will attempt to swing/climb to gain purchase and ability to cut the string pulling him to certain doom. He will also dodge with no extra penalty for multi action. Barkov will dodge)

[Zwiche]

Orkan pushes with his wings for a second, before remembering his predicament. He shakes his head in disgust and spits out a curse. The words catch in his throat before transforming into a stroke of lightning, aimed at the spider closest to Finch.

[Xenoe]

Judy attempts to light a piece of nearby brush on fire, with Henry at her heels.

Henry - [Dog]: "It's a spoder! Ahhhh!"

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea is transfixed with horror by the corpulent monstrosity crawling her way. [Oh? You are approaching me?]

[Imperial] “Watch thy flanks!” Vala calls as she rushes to catch up, drawing her longsword. Andrea spots the other spiders. “The one on my right, together!”

[Andrea double attack and Vala single all on the aforementioned spider. Shield on 4 and 6]

[Interovegas]

[Finch roll for Coordination+Climb & Coordination+Dodge -1d: 5,5,8,8,10 Result: Success]
[Barkov roll for Coordination+Dodge: 1,4,4,4,6,6,10 Result: Success]
[Orkan roll for Knowledge+Sorcery: 2,4,5,8,9,10+MD:10 Result: Success+3 Killing Damage to Head]
[Andrea roll for Body+Fight: 1,3,7,7,9,10 Result: Failure - Immobile]
[Henry passes the turn - also Immobile]
[Vala autofails to hit her target]
[Judy uses her torch to try and set fire to a bush]
[Large Spider #1 roll for web snare on Andrea: 1,1,1,4,4,8 Result: Success]
[Large Spider #2 roll for web snare on Henry: 2,5,6,6,9,10 Result: Success]
[Huge Spider roll for stage 1 cocoon on Finch: 1,1,7,8,9,10 Result: Failure]

The adept captain uses his bonds to his favor. He pulls himself up the spider's threads while his half avian comrade strikes it squarely in the face with a quick bolt of lightning. The two smaller ghastly spiders on the ground shoot webs from their abdomens and tie up Andrea and Henry at their legs, denying them movement. Vala valiantly tries to strike the spider nearest Andrea but fails. Judy begins burning a bush.

[Encounter Round 2: Declare Actions!]

[Dekaru]

Finch will attempt to avoid being wrapped up in a finch burrito by the spider while stabbing at the beastie

(Dodge and saber attack)

Barkov will continue watching as Finch is pulled away from him

(Dodge)

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Sometimes I really wish I paid attention during my dance lessons... Henry, get behind me!"

Henry yelps in surprise and attempts chew through the webbing/struggle free.

[Zwiche]

[Imperial]-“Judy! Take care and watch thyself!” Orkan spits another bolt of lightning out in Judy’s direction, looking to help spark a flame.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

[Incoherent rage] "Rahhhh!!" Andrea shouts as her assault is stymied by the presence of this sticky substance.
[Imperial] "Hold on, I'll get thee free!" Vala moves to cut away the webbing.
[Imperial] "No need, this cannot hold me long!" Andrea tries to break free of the webbing and penetrate the perpetrating spider in one Great Leap Forward [©1958 CPC, all rights reserved]

[Andrea Escape/Attack, shield on 4 and 10]

[Interovegas]

[Finch roll for Coordination+Weapon Skill(sword) & Coordination+Dodge -1d: 3,8,8,8,10 Result: Success]
[Orkan roll for Knowledge+Sorcery: 4,6,6,8,8,10+MD:8 Result: Success]
[Barkov roll for Coordination+Dodge: 2,4,5,5,5,7,8 Result: Success]
[Large Spider #2 roll for Body+Bite: 1,3,4,4,5,8 Result: Success+2 Killing Damage to Left Hindleg]
[Large Spider #1 roll for Body+Bite: 2,3,3,6,8,10 Result: Success]+2 Killing Damage to Left Foreleg]
[Huge Spider roll for Body+Bite: 1,1,1,4,4,6,8 Result: Fail]
[Henry roll for Body+Fight: 1,2,3,4,7 Result: Fail]
[Andrea roll for Body+Athletics & Body+Fight: 3,5,6,9,10 Result: Fail]
[Judy passes turn]

Judy continues to shove her torch at the nearby shrub to no avail when Orkan's blinding bolt cracks through the air and sends the bush bursting in flames and smoke. A small campfire's worth of smoke fumes up from the fresh fire. Henry realizes his teeth are ill suited to tearing him free from these binds but he struggles to bite at the webs regardless. The spider responsible for Henry's situation jumps forwards and bites at Henry's left hindleg but punctures no flesh thanks to Judy's enchantment [1 shock damage]. 

Finch waves his arms and turns his center of mass to swing out of the way of a vicious bite from the huge spider in the canopy. His feet have found purchase on a thick branch but the dimensions are much like fighting from atop a tight beam, one careful mistep and he could be sent plummeting to an untimely demise.

Vala bounds back to free her master from bondage. Simultaneously the spider alongside her jumps forwards and sinks its teeth into Andrea's left forleg but is rebuffed by the thin layer of smoke armor encasing the horsewoman [1 shock damage instead]. Andrea tries to bite off more than she can chew. The crowded space and the awkward webbing around her legs causes her to fumble all her efforts.

[Encounter Round 3: Declare Actions!]

[Dekaru]

Finch continues his desperate fight against the biggest spider while Barkov moves over to aid his fellow hound and attacks the spider biting at Henry.

[Imperial]-"Pull out a blade and fight back at the very least Judy! I don't know how long I can hold this one back here!"

Finch whistles and takes a split second to yell at Barkov

[Ob-Lob]-"Barkov Dok!"

(Finch will continue his tactic of trying to not die and stabbing at the spider. Barkov will try attacking the spider attacking Henry)

[Corenat Rovarnus]

[Imperial] "Milady, calm yourself! A cool mind will win the day!" Vala cautions against the use of archaic Dindavaran policies.

Her squire's voice grounds her back in reality.
Andrea [Imperial]:"Right! Knowing thy foe is the latter half of discretion!"
Vala [Huh]: "Huh?"
Well, sort of, anyway.
Andrea ceases her frenetic motion to calmly brace her shield while couching her lance point at the spider that bit her, watching it intently.

[Aim on spider, Parry on Andrea, Shield on 4 and 3, cleanup on aisle 5]

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Thank ye my good friend! That was very opportune!"

Judy sucks in some fresh dank smoke and blows it out as an arrow towards the spider attacking Henry.

Henry, now able to reach the spider, bites back at it.

[Zwiche]

Seeing Andrea’s predicament, Orkan shifts his focus back to the main combat. He carefully waits for a clear shot before spitting forth another line of lightning. [Lightning Stroke! Lightning Stroke! Lightning Stroke!]

[Interovegas]

[Judy roll for Knowledge+Sorcery: 1,2,5,6,7,7,7,10,10+MD:10 Result: Success+3 Killing Damage to Head]
[Orkan roll for Knowledge+Sorcery: 1,2,6,6,8,9+MD:9 Result: Success+3 Killing Damage to Torso]
[Henry roll for Body+Bite: 1,1,7,10,10 Result: Success+2 Killing Damage to Head]
[Andrea roll for Body+Parry: 2,4,5,8,9,9,10 Result: Success]
[Barkov roll for Body+Bite: 5,6,7,7,10 Result: Success+2 Killing Damage to Torso]
[Huge Spider roll Body+Bite: 2,3,4,4,5,7,10 Result: Success+3 Killing Damage to Left Arm+Envenomed (Left Arm is paralyzed, torch is dropped)]
[Large Spider #1 roll Body+Bite: 5,5,6,7,9,10 Result: Fail]
[Large Spider #2 roll Body+Bite: 2,3,3,5,6,7 Result: Fail (Dead)]
[Finch roll for Coordination+Dodge and Coordination+Weapon Skill(Sword)-1d: 2,3,7,9,10 Result: Fail]
[Vala faffs around]

In a flash of magic and gnashing teeth Henry's assailant is reduced to a bloody steaming mess. The second spider on the ground thrashes against Andrea's shield.

In the canopy above the largest threat sinks its fangs into Finch's arm and unloads a dose of paralyzing venom. The captain loses feeling in his left arm and his torch falls to the ground. (Note this means no one below can see Finch or the Spider).

[Encounter Round 4: Declare Actions!]

[Dekaru]

Finch's arm slumps to his side and takes note of the lack of magic being flung at the spider that just bit him.

[Ob-Lob]-"What in the Abyss is the point of payin' enchanters if you spend the time making a Johny Dory?! About to be a dog's breakfast up here ya blokes!!!"

(Finch will dodge and attempt to free himself from the web. If he manages to free himself he'll be jumping down from the tree and trust his fate to lady luck and not a giant spider. Barkov will go and attack the other spider.)

[Zwiche]

Unable to make out a clear target, Orkan begins the rhythmic chant to excite the spirits of the air beyond compare [preparing Greater Lightning Stroke.]

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Having successfully rebuffed its attack, Andrea lunges at the remaining spider with great force.
Vala squints at the struggle that is surely happening above. [Imperial] "Miss Judy, dost thou possess a sorcery to allow we groundlings a foothold among the treetops? I fear our captain is in dire need."
[Andrea Attack/Attack! on spider. shield on 4 and 6. Vala will activate Hinokami Kagura style to fly up behind the huge spider, decapitate it in a single stroke with her now flaming black katana and cure Finch's paralysis while lowering him gracefully to the ground all in a single action...because that has the same chance of succeeding as anything else she might do.]

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "I do, but I don't have enough smoke! Captain, start screaming constantly so we know where you are!"

Judy, bewildered by the low light conditions, decides a bigger fire should be in order.

She says a few magic words, and charges her hand with electricity to give her meager bush fire a boost.

Henry - [Dog]: "Where'd they go?!?!"

Henry bounds over to help Andrea by biting her assailant.

[Interovegas]

[Judy roll for Knowledge+Sorcery: 1,3,6,7,7,9,9,10,10+MD:10 Result: yes we can]
[Barkov roll for Body+Bite: 2,9,9,9,10 Result: CHOMP]
[Large Spider roll for Body+Bite: 1,4,5,9,9,9 Result: Success+3 Killing Damage to Torso+Envenomed]
[b][Henry roll for Body+Bite: 1,5,7,9,9 Result: CHOMP+2 Killing Damage to Torso][/b]
[Huge Spider roll for Body+Bite: 1,1,1,1,4,4,8,8 Result: Success+3 Killing Damage to Torso+Envenomed]
[Andrea roll for Body+Fight-1d: 2,2,5,7,8,9,10 Result: Success+2 Killing Damage and 5 Shock Damage to Front Left Leg]
[Finch roll for Coordination+Dodge & Coordination+Weapon Skill (Sword): 1,3,7,7,10 Result: FALL]
[GM roll for 50 feet falling damate to Finch: 1,3,4,5,6,7,7,10,10,10 Result: 2 head, 1 torso, 1 right arm, 1 left arm (accounting for proper fall)]
[Orkan prepares his Greater Lightning Stroke (1/2)]
[Vala faffs hard]

Judy grips another piece of foliage tightly and forces a magical current through it. The charge burns the greenery and makes it start to smoke. Judy lobs the piece into the rest of the fire to bolster her bonfire.

Barkov pierces through the spider's chitinous torso and leaves a painful wound just as the creature futilely clashes its fangs against Andrea's armored and enchanted midsection (1 shock damage). Andrea retaliates with a powerful stab that hinders the spider's movement.

Finch's chest armor blocks out the impact and venom from a pair of fangs to the chest (1 shock damage). He struggles in the dark and miraculously lands a clean cut against the web tether on his armor. He hurtles towards the ground and hits hard earth. He does not wait for the pain of the fall to catchup to him before he snaps to his feet, ready to rumble.

[Endless Encounter Round 5: Declare Actions!]

[Dekaru]

Finch mid leaping up from his fall becomes dizzy and immediately falls down again (considering he just suffered a concussion from falling 50 ft this is still a small miracle by real world standards). The sound of the giant spider above him provides more than enough motivation to move; albeit very wobbly.

(Finch will move over to attack the smaller spider having had enough of "fighting" the bigger one: dodge and saber attack. Barkov will continue its biting of the spider as well.)

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea rushes over to Finch. [Imperial]"Cap-tane, you ought to take it easy, as thy descent looked quite the the ordeal. Let us dispatch these foes for thee!"
Vala helps Judy grow the bonfire, and throws a torch up into the canopy to try and shed light on the huge spider.

[Andrea Attack on spider, Parry on Finch, shield same as before.]

[Xenoe]

Judy throws also a stick of incense into her bonfire, and begins to focus her efforts on the spider attacking Andrea.

She attacks with another arrow of smoke.

Henry continues his dogged pursuit.

[Zwiche]

Orkan continues chanting, growing louder as he does. Small sparks begin dancing across his skin as his hair begins to rise. He aims his eyes to the trees, hoping to catch a glimpse of the large spider.

[Interovegas]

[Huge Spider roll for Coordination+Web: 4,4,4,5,6,8,8,10+MD:4 Result: Success]
[Judy roll for Knowledge+Sorcery: 1,1,2,4,4,6,7,10+MD:10 Result: Failure]
[Barkov roll for Body+Bite: 1,1,5,7,7 Result: Success+2 Killing Damage to Torso]
[Finch roll for Coordination+Dodge & Coordination+Weapon Skill (Sword): 4,4,5,7,8 Result: Success+2 Killing Damage to Left Foreleg]
[Andrea roll for Body+Fight & Body+Parry: 2,3,3,4,5,6,10 Result: Success+2 Killing Damage and 5 Shock damage to Left Foreleg]
[Henry roll for Body+Athletics: 5,6,9 Result: Failure]
[Large Spider roll for Body+Bite: 1,5,5,6,9,10 Result: Failure]
[Orkvan prepares Greater Lightning Stroke (2/2)]
[Vala tends to the fire]

Judy makes to inhale a lungful of smoke but is yanked up by a thick tether of web that attaches to her right arm. She is pulled upwards at terrifying speed and dangles forty feet above the ground by her right arm (with all the penalties hanging by your arm entails). Being so abruptly pulled up her right arm makes her drop the torch she was holding in that hand (result of coin flip).

On the ground Henry still tears at his bonds. Barkov flinches the remaining large spider with a violent nip and Andrea and Finch lay down a barrage of blows that continue to tear away at the creature's chitin and flesh.

[Encounter Round 6: Declare Actions!]

[Dekaru]

Finch takes a moment to look up at the soon to be Judy burrito and shouts to Orkan

[Imperial]-"Put that big'un down!"

(Finch will continue to stab the last of the smaller spiders with some help from Barkov)

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Vala looks up at their last foe, shrouded in darkness. She couldn't hope to reach it, but... [Imperial] "Milady, toss this up to her!" she waves the torch around.
Andrea turns at the mention, puts away her shield and receives the torch from Vala. [Imperial] "Orkan, hold thy storm 'til the foe is in sight. JUDY, CATCH!"
She flings the torch upwards at Judy to illuminate the monster, while Vala will free Henry from the webbing.

[Xenoe]

Judy hears Andrea but has no confidence that she can catch a flying torch.

Instead she holds her breath until the spider inevitably pulls her to become level to it, then unleashes her lung full of incensed smoke at the spider's face, before performing spark as loudly as she can manage, and screaming inanely whenever it's unnecessary to speak.

Henry rubs his back against some rocks in an attempt to dislodge the webbing.

[Interovegas]

[Large Spider roll for Body+Bite: 1,5,5,5,5,8 Result: Success+4 Killing Damage to Right Arm+Envenomed]
[Judy roll for Knowledge+Sorcery-1d: 1,1,1,2,3,5,6,8,9 Result: Success - but nothing is in range]
[Finch roll for Coordination+Weapon Skill (Sword): 5,6,6,8,10+ED:10 Result: Success+3 Killing Damage to Right Foreleg]
[Andrea roll for Body+Athletics: 2,4,6,8,9,9,10 Result: Success]
[Orkan roll for Knowledge+Sorcery: 3,5,6,7,7,8+MD:7 Result: Success+6 Killing Damage to Torso]
[Henry Body+Athletics: 6,7,9 Result: Failure]
[Barkov roll for Body+Bite: 2,3,4,5,8 Result: Failure]

Finch forgets caution as he comes so close to finishing off the second of the spider beasts. The beast seizes the opportunity. It skitters to Finches side and lunges up at his arm. Its fangs pierce armor and flesh and inject poor Finch with more paralyzing venom. The captain retaliates with a quickly fading slice to one of the beast's many limbs before his arm seizes and then loses sensation. His prized dinda saber falls to the ground (Finch is now paralyzed in both arms).

Barkov fails to intervene on his master's behalf while Henry flails wildly in the mud searching for rocks to break the thick webbing off of.

In the pitch black above Judy flails blindly with an electrically charged touch. Down below Andrea gives a short look and a nod to the bloody feathered stormtongue who has become a nexus of magical energy. Her bicep ripples gloriously and she hurls the torch upwards with a mighty throw. At the very apex of the throw the torch hangs in the air between Judy and nightmarish predator drawing her ever closer to its hungry maw. Orkan acts on the opportunity Andrea has created and fires off a wide ray of lightning into the nightmare's underside. The creature's pain is marked by the shifting of branches and thrashing of exoskeleton against leaves.

The huge thing pulls Judy to within range of its fangs.

[Encounter Round 7: Declare Actions!]

[Zwiche]

[Uldish]-“Vhy von’t you DIE!” Orkan howls, punctuating his roar with another vicious stroke of lightning. [Lightning. Stroke.]