Interovegas3. Skyway Robbery - Genesis 18:32
Confederate formations pour past Zwiche, Andrea and Finch to meet the oncoming Imperial legion. Being flanked on all sides by friendly soldiers gives the party a sense of calm amidst the violence.

Judy and Henry sprint from the Imperial fringe and headlong into the remakarbly less hostile Confederates.

Andrea sets Vala down and leaps through a jagged gap in the Espiegel's remains to reclaim some fraction of her belongings. Sweltering heat and choking fumes assault her senses. She does her best to locate anything of hers from the ship but fails. Her skin singes and burns and air eludes her lungs. She is nearly at the end of her endurance when she notices movement from beneath a pile of ash and planks. Lo! Edmond's soot stained hand breaks free. He sputters out:

Edmond-[Imperial]: "Aredfln s'ehint iself aniv gutda shtron gripponem. Yan me oot!"

Andrea gives all her strength to pull her companions free. Dislodging the two makes the ruin further unstable. Andrea tackles at the nearby wall and breaks out into safety as the space behind her collapses completely. After a moment, Edmond struggles to his feet. He gives a thankful nod to Andrea and hoists Aredfln over his back. He makes his way back to camp with Andrea.

One by one each of them make it up the slopes to the safety of the Confederate war camp. From the vantage point granted by the terrain the party can roughly estimate the armies on both sides are fighting at stand stills along the wrecks in the air. The occasional flicker of a battle enchantment can be spotted but it is plain even to those inexperienced with war that neither side is fighting with full force.

Andrea spots a familiar figure looking left and right among the returning injured. A worried young man with his chest wrapped tight in red tinged bandages. Edmond remarks:

Edmond-[Imperial]: "Idntat ya frenedfok?"

There is a small gathering of soldiers stupefied by the enormity of the strange red skinned giant coming from behind the party.
Zwiche strides up to Andrea, his weapons clanking on his hips. He somehow lost his shirt in the fight, leaving his blood soaked chest uncovered. The rain has started to wash him clean, but rivulets still remain.

[Imperial] - “Lo, lady of the horse! Thou art a rare breed. I watched thy fall from heaven. Your strength shows itself in your survival. How art thy comrades? How do they fare?”

His voice rumbles out, low as thunder.
Andea looks the giant up and down with some interest. He may actually be larger than her(including the horse portion)! [Imperial] "Mine squire Vala is stable, though enslumbered yet. Ah! Matyas!"
She canters over and gives her servant a big hug. [Uldish] "Ack! Eet aches steel!" Matyas wriggles out, adjusting his bandages.
Andrea gives a stern look. [Imperial] "Thy injuries persist? Thou should not be out in this battlefield."
Matyas: [Imperial] "Apologies milady, this be'eth a rare occasion when mine heart overran reason. Art we endangered?"
Andrea: [Imperial] "For the time being, no. I estimate we shall be quite safe especially with this one here."
She turns back to the giant. [Imperial] "No small gratitude we owe thee. I am Andrea Halsey of North Hold, and this my scholarly servant Matyas."
Finch looks about the army for members of his crew through bleary eyes. At first he starts to think he is the sole survivor but as he spots Andrea and the other members of the crew he breathes a sigh of relief and worms his way through the surrounding soldiers towards them. As Finch wipes grime and blood from his forehead he instinctively lowers his hand to rest on the pommel of his saber but his hand finds no purchase. Finch bites his lip at the unfortunate loss of his saber and directs his attention to Andrea.

[Imperial]-"Boatswain! Excellent to see you alive and with familiar faces. I have yet to see any others of the crew among the crowds. Tell me this is not all that is left?"
Andrea scratches her chin. Present are the two of them, Aredfln, Edmond, Matyas, and Vala(upon her back). [Imperial] "Mayhaps Judy and Orkan art still out there..."
[Imperial] - "Greetings, Lady Andrea, and to thy serfs as well," Zwiche gestures, indicating Vala, Matyas, and Finch. "I am Zwiche Haokang, bastard son and yet trueborn heir to the Truil throne. I must thank thy company for assisting in freeing me from captivity. The Empire had laid their claim on my flesh, and my strength alone was not enough to break their chains."
Agrina can be heard yelling for Matyas. She spots him among the rest of the party and runs over.

Agrina-[Imperial]: "Thy wound care not for the company of thy master. 'Twill weep tears of blood in protest to any coarse movements!"

She realizes Zwiche's enormity after she takes a second to note the injuries and stains of the party. She decides against engaging with the blood splattered shirtless barbarian. Instead she addresses Finch.

Agrina-[Imperial]: "Captain Finch, what of the Espiegel and our fellow crew?"
Zwiche notices Agrina's glance and looks down at himself. He is almost surprised to see the blood covering his bare chest. He tries to brush it off with the rain, before tearing a strip of canvas clear from the wreckage. A few moments rids him of the worst of the spray, although he'll need to scrub to get rid of all the evidence of his fury. He drops the stained fabric and tears off a larger piece to wrap around himself as a shield from the rain.
Finch's relief at finding some of his crew turns dour as he explains the situation to one of the few remaining crew (who lived because she wasn't there, how lucky is she?).

[Imperial]-"The... the Espiegel has been grounded and today marks what was likely the sky gems last voyage. As we claimed victory by sinking another vessel and the enemy galleon the works of foul magic from an enchanter punctured the Espiegel's ozcrow."

As he mentions the enchanter that sank the Espiegel Finch realises the significance of what the axe wielding giant just said.

[Imperial]-"You say the Imperials had yah captive? Did your captors say what is happening in the Imperial camp? We arrived to the battle to find the enemy fighting among themselves and berserk soldiers seemingly manipulated by a strange enchanter. They rushed below the decks of the galleon as though seeking something. They weren't looking for you were they, prince?"
Zwiche shakes his head sadly. [Imperial] - "The beasts kept me in chains, not privy to their counsel. I heard whispers of their lackluster general. He does not inspire their trust and the men scorn him. Other whispers of airships moving past without inspection. I know nought of what they sought, or of these enchanted soldiers of which you speak. They were taking me to the death pits of the capital, to bleed for their sport. Truly, I am indebted to your timely intervention. I have traveled far to fulfill my destiny and this is not how I end. How shall I address you?"
[Imperial]-"A man in chains is a man in need. I wish I could say the rescue was purposeful but mayhaps our timely intervention is a blessed opportunity in disguise."

Finch extends his hand to shake with the giant

[Imperial]-"My name be Captain Finchroscuma Kokadamurinsapantuheno, though I am temporarily lacking a vessel. If ye be looking for the opportunity to make some coin on your journey to destiny I'm the man to talk to."
Zwiche reaches down, his massive paw engulfing Finch's hand as he meets the Captain.

[Imperial] - "I find myself strapped at this time. My possessions were all lost in that inferno we left behind, save what you see before you. I would join you, but I must make clear: I require adventure and glory. I must prove myself as the long-lost heir to the Truil throne, and no man has ever won the crown while sitting by the kitchen table, begging for scraps. Can you promise a chance to prove myself in battle, to bring my name to every enemies' lips, that I might haunt their dreams and leave them sweating as they wake?"
Finch is obviously skeptical of the Zwiche's claim of royalty but he gives him a big grin

[Imperial]-"I think what remains of my crew can vouch for my tendencies for boldness! You'll not find yourself lacking opportunities for glory if you join this rag tag crew, oh prince."
Agrina's dark skin goes a shade brighter at the news.

Agrina-[Imperial]: "Do our companions still bleed in the field of battle!? We must be there at once to lend our aid! Th-th-this is not the time for introduction!"
[Imperial]-"I did not see any others from the Epsiegel in the field. Andrea did you? You brought Aredfln and Edmond safely, but were any other of the crew about?"
Judy finally manages her way into the safety of the confederate camp, panting, when she spots her fellows aboard the (former) Espiegel.

Judy: "Aye my friends, the Captain, and an unbelievably large fellow! I've finally found ye!"

Henry barks a few times in greeting.

Judy: "Is this all of us? It's sad to see that only so few of us remain."
"Another compatriot?" Zwiche asks. He bends down, carefully petting Henry. "It was truly a great battle. We must thank Rangmut that we yet live, that our bodies are hale and hearty, and that we may be joined by fresh friends."

He straightens up and speaks to Finch. "Where does our new path lead now? Perhaps somewhere I could find a new shirt and armor."
[Imperial]-"And so we are fortunate enough that another soul returns to us. Were you able to see any others of the Espiegel crew among the battlefield?"
Judy sadly shakes her head.

"The feathered gentleman was run through by a javelin, I fear that he is no more. I have not seen any of the others either."

Henry responds to the giant by rubbing the gore on his face all over the giant's hand, revealing a strange grinlike expression.
[Imperial]-"Dammit... While the outcome of the Espiegels last voyage is not what we wanted we still more than fulfilled the task we were hired for. I will go and deliver the news to the general if he is still in camp though I imagine he is on the battlefield. Seeing as our beds are in the middle of a war you all see about finding accommodations because by the void do I need someplace to rest my head."
[Imperial] - "Ah, the first step of any new journey: a solid night's rest." He turns to Andrea, thinking that someone of her odd proportions may know where to find accommodations for another unique individual.

"Lady Halsey, have you managed to find accommodation fitting for those of our stature? The Imperials kept me chained in the cargo hold. A nice feather mattress would be just the remedy for these cricks in my back."
Andrea scoffs. [Imperial] "Peh! A feather mattress? You will not find such comforts on the front lines of battle. Mayhaps in one of yonder vessels, but I doubt its occupant would yield it so easily. I myself need no more than a soft patch of earth to rest upon in the natural way, though..." she wipes her brow slick with rain, "a tent or overhung tarp should be nice to dry off."

She casts Second Wind thrice. [Converting 3 Killing to Shock in head and torso as well as removing Shock]

She then goes in search of the aforementioned accommodations.
All his attempts at cheery conversation and small talk rebuffed, Zwiche will slink away to find his own dry patch of earth. Perhaps there's a small corner of a mess tent, or a big shrub he can crawl under.
[Andrea Second Wind x1: 9,6,5,5,4+MD:9 Result: Flex it]
[Andrea Second Wind x2: 9,7,5,4,2+MD:9 Result: Flex it]
[Andrea Second Wind x3: 8,5,5,1,1+MD:8 Result: Flex it real good]
[Andrea Vigor Roll x1: 10,9,8,7,4,2 Result: Don't heal it]
[Andrea Vigor Roll x2: 9,9,8,7,6,3 Result: Heal it
[Andrea Vigor Roll x3: 10,8,8,6,1,1 Result: Heal it]
[Andrea Vigor Roll x4: 10,8,7,2,2,1 Result: Heal it real good]
[Finch Vigor Roll: 7,5,4,1,1 Result: Heal it]
[Judy Vigor Roll: 10,8 Result: Injuries sustained]
[Judy Healing Roll: 8,8,5,3,2,1 Result: Someone gonna feel better]
[Zwiche Vigor Roll: 10,9,6,4,1 Result: Too big for natural healing]

The party seeks out basic accommodations and finds a semblance of it in the form of thin blankets and open space by a fire. Many injured Confederate soldiers are being assisted back from the battlefield to the treatment tents. Those with lesser injuries are made to wait along the fencing the separates the healers from the soldiers in general. There is word of heroics performed by a female captain at the front with a mighty enchanted shield. They tell that thanks to her efforts they have rebuffed powerful tattooed warcasters from the plains that made it to the combat soon after the ships came crashing down.

The party passes into sleep easily and remain soundly asleep until the mid morning.

[24.2.343]

They return to consciousness feeling refreshed. The soldiers are sympathetic to the efforts made and losses suffered by the party on behalf of the Confederacy and allow them to take from the army food rations. After biting through their bread and drinking down the salt water dubbed "broth" (in an unsatisfying quantity for Zwiche) the group makes their way towards the command tent in hopes of finding the general or at the very least his sister.

Displeased officers come out of the command tent. They exchange glances with the party. Their expressions convey misplaced contempt and ample frustration. A soldier posted by the tent responds to the party's arrival with pleasant shock.

Posted Soldier-[Imperial]: "Fortune upon me. The general seeks thy presence. His lordship tasked me with finding your lot but it appears the hidden gods want my morning to pass in comfort. He is without guests, go on, go on."

He ushers the the party into the command tent.

Inside, the general and his sister are in the same positions as the last time the party spoke with them. Marcienne paces behind her brother's collection of cushions. She wears a scratched and beaten armored kilt on her lower half. Spots of blood on her armor and stains of dirt standing out against her pitch dark skin hint that she has not fully rested since yesterdays combat. Marcutio appears pristine, with his circular shield resting at his back. He looks up from a leather map covered with miniature soldiers and knights to see who entered his tent. His eyebrows perk up for a minute before he returns his gaze to the map.

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "Reward for mercenaries is arranged at the quartermaster's tent."

Marcutio picks another miniature soldier from a basket at the table's side and places it on the markings for the Confederate camp. Marcienne rolls her eyes at her brother's fiddling.

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "The survivors have the sympathy of the army, the casualties art given their prayers. The captain and the surviving souls he commands have lost a great deal. The army will increase their compensation for testimony to the events in the skyship engagements of the previous night."

Marcienne-[Imperial]: "Be plain. There is coin in it for the lot of you in return for detailed report to the events that sent four Confederate skyships tumbl-"

Marcutio slams his hand loudly on the wartable, but says nothing and keeps his gaze trained downwards. Marcienne quiets down and looks at the party expectingly.
Finch's head no longer pounds from the multitude of impacts to his cranium he received the day before. Once again luck favors him and spares his a throbbing headache and allows him to think clearly. Though he still bears obvious injuries and fresh scars from the engagements since arriving and he gives a slight smile as he speaks.

[Imperial]-"Well, do you want the good news or the bad news first? I'll give you a hint to both by first suggesting you get another color of soldiers ready for your table."

When his jest is met with frustrated stares Finch relents and gives the report they ask for.

[Imperial]-"On the surface things are as they appear, the Imperials fight among themselves. Our own engagements went well enough at first as we sank one of the patrolling Imperial sky ships. Seeing the chaos at work we daringly maneuvered the Espiegel unnoticed above the Imperial galleon and began destroying the ozcrow. As magic did its work the extent of infighting became apparent. Rank and file Imperial sky sailors did battle with their berzerked comrades who all bore obvious signs of magic as black spears pierced their chest. These berzerk individuals fought as animals and overwhelmed the Imperial forces at the command of a black robes enchanter who rather obviously was the source of the magics. The individual who undoubtedly is the source of your troubles saw fit to leap through the air with grace and with magic destroy the Espiegels ozcrow after we had destroyed the galleons."

Finch looks at his hand which is both scarred, shaking, and numb but continues.

[Imperial]-"We lost around thirty sailors, an enchanter, and the Espiegel. Though we inflicted significant damage in return this venture to aid you general has turned very sour. The silver lining to our predicament, however, is the Imperial soldiers have no love of their commander. With some luck, their sky ships should be easy pickings for stealing, and it sounds like you yourself have a number of stranded sailors suddenly."

Finch only looks back at Marcutio as he finishes the last sentence but his eyes glisten at the prospect of opportunity and a little revenge.
Marcienne cuts in again.

Marcienne-[Imperial]: "What heraldries did they wear? Which colors? Brother ... perhaps the rumors from beyond Waelass are in some way related to these events."

Marcutio raises his hand as if to wave off Marcienne's suggestions.

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "The Imperial general will beg for reinforcement. Regardless of what truth remains hidden at present, the mere mention of dissent amidst the ranks will be cause enough for support to be given with haste. Yet I am left to make do with the ever deteriorating forces gathered by the Broadlanders. Hm ... I estimate the Imperial reinforcements will be here by fourteen days passing ..."

The general peeks as his enthusiasm for speaking his thoughts grows. He notices the party remains.

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "Ah ... what business do the ground bound mercenaries still have?"
Zwiche carefully raises a finger, indicating he'd like to speak.

[Imperial} - "Lord General, if I might add, there are rumors of you circling around the Imperial forces. I simply relay their contents, but they believe you weak, a 'spineless bookworm.' They underestimate you. Perhaps you can use this perception to your advantage in some way."
Marcienne, yet again, cuts in. However this time Marcutio does not quiet her interjection.

Marcienne-[Imperial]: "Thou doth forget thyself giant. Thou dare advise the general on matters of war? Not only have thou disrespected his station with thy words thou believe it best a Confederate general feign a lack of character? "

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "Ignore the setekant's words sister."

Marcutio moves the newly placed piece from the Confederate camp to a town labeled Waelass.

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "If this lot of mercenaries thirst for vengeance they are fortunate. The opportunity is small, but vengeance may be had. The city state of Waelass would not be known to common mercenaries, yet perhaps a noble daughter of Northhold is well learned. The mud duchy won independence with the assistance of the Confederacy five score years ago. An ambitious lord of the Sunless Plains has amassed many soldiers and the support of other lords to "reclaim" stolen land. As was well expected the plainsdwellers have not stopped their conquest mere with Waelass. They have a hunger for the fields of Broadland. However ... this game ... has shifted."

Marcutio stops himself from continuing his line of speech and switches to a tangent.

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "No scouts or messenger have visited the Imperial front by way of Waelass. Confederate soldiers are too well disciplined to investigate behind the Imperial lines. They have not the cunning for such tasks. A potent band of mercenaries would have the skills to discover why no communications have come from the conquered city. I am of a mind that this anomaly is not unrelated to the prior night's surprises."
Finch rubs his chin at the opportunity but shrugs after some contemplation

[Imperial]-"I will consider the journey. Recent events have left us all battered and bloodied necessitating rest. If you have no further need of us, general, we will take our leave."

As Finch turns to around he gives Marcienne a wink and opens the flap of the tent to leave.
Having left the tent, Zwiche turns to Finch.

[Imperial] - " Well, Captain, where do we go from here? I fear only that our exploits behind enemy lines would need to be kept secret. I hold no special place in my heart for the Confederacy. If this adventure brings us glory, then let us set forth! But if we must hide in the shadows, then..."
[Imperial]-"We have time to consider our options for the moment. I am of mind to liberate an Imperial vessel for our use but recovery is priority at the moment. I personally have need to speak with the generals lieutenant at a later time."
[Imperial] - "Ah, my father always said you could never take an Ob-Lob from his ship! I respect that drive, Captain. A man needs to find his place in the world, and yours is below an ozcrow, floating towards the void. I must admit, that recent captivity was my first voyage in a skyship. I cannot vouch much for the experience. I hope my next time will be more comfortable."
Andrea lingers in the tent for a moment. [Imperial] "Ah, there is one more thing to inform thee of: The second Imperial ship we boarded carried a tattoo'd enchanter, whose thrown javelins could pierce the thickest armor and our ship's very hull. Hast thou any information on his like?"
Marcutio-[Imperial]: "The greatest likelihood would be a plainsdweller learned and well practiced in the art of the unceasing soul. Tis a brutish practice to match a brutish people. Their art is narrowly focused upon imbuing man and material with an unstoppable force. However, often the frame of the practioner cannot withstand the severity of the enchantments."
Judy - "Captain, if I may. Perhaps we can recover parts of a sailing vessel and cobble together a working ship? I believe that'd be a foremost priority."
Andrea thanks the general for this information and excuses herself from the tent, rejoining Finch and Zwiche. Seeing that the debrief is over Matyas also joins the gathering.

Matyas: [Imperial] "I vould prefer that to venturing into the Empire's territory to steal one of theirs, but have we the skill among us to achieve such a task? I am no shipwright myself and neither is milady."
Judy: "Although it would be very crude, I can piece together a ship with my enchantments as long as we have an ozcrow and a powder feed."
Finch raises an eyebrow at the notion.

[Imperial]-"I did not know your enchantments could be made to form an entire ship. An interesting proposition but an ozcrow and feed would have to be scavenged from the battlefield. Mayhaps with some direction from myself a ship could be constructed. If we are to take the general on his offer to 'scout' the city a ship will do us no good."
[Imperial] - "I know I am a new addition to this company, and I do not wish to overstep my bounds, but general's offer has merit. We can perhaps find a ship while in Waelass, and even if not, the coin we gain from the mission will prove most valuable. I would we had time to rest and recover our wounds, but adventure calls."
[Imperial]-"The adventure will wait at least a day. Rushing off to Waelass without supplies or information is a fools errand."

Finch turns to Edmond and Aredfln

[Imperial]-"I will not force either of you to go on this journey. If you wish to remain here until we return then that is your choice. I will ask you two to see about supplies for our journey while I look into our more sensitive business here."
A glistening tear streams down Edmond's eye.

Edmond-[Ob-Lob]: "Yapn jhu crakdaud'oodlu ifn jhu bonceerine ahz ayss tha thane umpiny!"

Aredfln-[Imperial]: "Aye captain, we art incapable of abandoning thyself."

Agrina chimes in from beind.

Agrina-[Imperial]: "W-w-well it is not as if this was my preference, but if Edmond and Aredfln are joining the captain then there is no helping it...."

Edmond drags Agrina and Aredfln into a wide embrace around Finch. Not to be left out, Andrea jumps in and glomps all four of them in her massive embrace.

Aredfln-[Imperial]: "FOR COIN AND GLORY!"

[Chapter End]

[Zwiche gains 3 XP - Attendance, (Attempted) Developing Interparty Relationships, Dramatic Plot Alteration]
[Finch gains 1 XP - Attendance] 
[Andrea gains 2 XP - Attendance, Dramatic Plot Alteration]
[Judy gains 1 XP - Attendance] 


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