3. Skyway Robbery - Genesis 18:32

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea huffs in impatience. [Imperial] "Agreed, as it seems our crew art ill prepared for boarding action. If we are to be reduced to a mere hit and run, might I suggest changing the smoke-spear to a sword or scythe blade that cometh from our side, as some war chariots do. Twould be difficult to get free from a head on assault, as I well know."

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"The damages from flying right through so massive a balloon could be catastrophic. Make whatever preparations are needed. It will take some time for eyes to adjust and allow us to see even the smallest amount."

[Zwiche]

"Judy, thy shapes of smoke have still the same weight as the vapor of a flame, is it so? Thus simply dropping them would have no effect. But if we could fill a sharp smoke container with objects of sufficient mass, we would need only to aim our projectile. Their eyes surely cannot pierce the shadows to see smoke coming towards them at terminal velocity."

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "I can cover the ship with a thick shield of smoke to block out the light, but that will prevent us from seeing outside as well. As for sharp shapes, probably anything that can be reasonably imagined can be produced, such as blades protruding from the sides of our ship, although any projectiles will be as needed to be weighed down, as conjectured by the feathered friend."

[Interovegas]

Aredfln-[Imperial]: "A reserved tactic is to the liking o' thine sky sailors o' Captain. Narily enough souls to ply the ropes with agility."

Indeed, the lot of officers see the remaining crew scattered to the essential posts while the cannons are unmanned.

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-“We be needin’ yah see where we’re sailin’ so no smoke to block us out. Maker yer preparations, we strike in half an hour.”

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Vala [Imperial]: "Milady, we could use thee on the ropes!"
Andrea wheels around, then suddenly flicks herself on the head. [Edmond] "Ach, Bee'out useen tha oshun-baras tuoungue! Flopabout na!"
She renews Equine Might and goes to help with the rigging.

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "It'd be best to armor up seeing our penchant for boarding actions."

Judy tries to smoke armor everyone important in the sailing time.

[Zwiche]

Orkan takes a moment to drink a soothing tonic for his throat.

[Interovegas]

Finch commands his crew to press on. A great deal of blood has been spilled but the fight is not yet done. The crew strains against their own inexperience as they endeavor to turn the Espiegel to a course towards the thick of the battle.

Judy conjures smokematter armor for Henry, Finch and Andrea before the Espiegel crosses into range of the fight. Two ships are engaged to the south but here at the main event the Confederate flagship and assisting sky galleon are locked in an overwhelming boarding action against the amalgalm of Imperial vessels. From a few hundred feet away Aredfln makes out a peculiar detail of the erratic Imperial reinforcements.

Aredfln-[Imperial]: "Forsooth! Our foes art endowed with iron hide! Mayhaps tis cause for our Confederate comrades precarious tactic!"

The Confederate vessels have positioned themselves askew to the mass boarding complex of four Imperial ships. Other than the commotion of men and women steeped in armed combat Aredfln cannot make anything of what he sees.

Aredfln-[Imperial]: "Reveal to us thy will and stratagem Captain!"

[Dekaru]

Finch, holding onto some of the rigging and leaning over the side of the Espiegel to get a better view, shouts his orders to the sky sailors

[Imperial]-"Ascend! We use the darkness to mask our approach and descend to deliver the Espiegel's makeshift blade to their balloon! It's destruction will send em crashing to the forests below!"

[Interovegas]

A lone crewwoman holding dearly to the incinerator fumbles about for the powder pan in the dark. A few muffled scrapes later she mewls back.

Crewwoman-[Imperial]: "Thy command sounds of completion!"

Indeed by relation to the boarding action ahead the Espiegel is gaining altitude. Three minutes of "stealthy" ascent later and the Espiegel dangerous near the combat. The ozcrows of the engaged vessels obscure most of the unfolding battle but there are a few gaps through which the party gleans a few more details. The Imperial forces are split into two camps, a couple dozen at most and nigh over a hundred. The larger battalion is flanked by the intervening Confederates and the smaller force of Imperials is not only standing their ground but surging forward with great momentum. It appears only the sheer number of the largest battle group is the only reason for their continued survival.

[Dekaru]

Witnessing the fight below Finch will focus his senses to try and determine if any powerful magics are being worked below. The smell of sulfur, goosebumps, anything that in his experience he has learned to take as a sign of the enchanters art.

(Eerie test to try and sense any magic being performed that Finch is in range to sense)

[Zwiche]

Orkan will start the festivities with a whoop and a sparkling lightshow [Greater Lightning Stroke].

[Interovegas]

Ornvinge inhales, does the required movements and manipulations and out from his mouth comes a great ray of lightning. His magic crashes against the armored shell of the ozcrow below. Several arcs scatter to adjoining plates but the vast majority of the destructive force burns a cannonball sized hole through the armor (not to be confused with the size of a hole produced by a cannonball).

The scant remaining crew cheer loudly and take the enchanter's action as signal to relight the flames on the deck.

From below, a thick javelin pierces the hull of the Espiegel and comes sticking halfway through the deck. To everyone's great fortune the javelin came through towards an unmanned edge.

Edmond-[Imperial]: "Ai urd da suhad clade pruhtize uh najeek tad 'ake um sdrung a keemahns!"

[Dekaru]

Finch's eye twitches at hearing whatever Edmond just said. His nose is probably bleeding from the aneurysm he suffered from hearing the blasphemy that is Edmond speaking but the dim lights prevents anyone from seeing it. Looking at the immense rod that now pierces straight through the Espiegels hull Finch shouts out orders.

[Imperial]-"Bring us above their ozcrow! Enchanters stop whoever thinks it funny tah put a hole in my ship! We're in the thick of it now!"

[Zwiche]

Orkan keeps blasting, I guess?

[Xenoe]

Judy attempts to patch up any holes that are in the ship right now right her smoke.

[Interovegas]

Each one works at their stated task. Orkan's bolts have a limited but certain effect. Given enough time the metal plates will do nothing to protect the balloon from spewing out gas. Judy makes portable patches of smoke matter that a singular crewperson runs down the stairs to cover the gaping holes in the lower deck. Another sequence of javelins fly up from between the balloons with deadly force. This time Orkan spots the source: a tank of a man covered in white tattoos positioned in the larger battalion of Imperial soldiers. He locks eyes with Orkan for a moment and gives a scowl before slinging a javelin at the winged enchanter. Orkan tumbles back from the railing and avoids instant impalement.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea continues attending to the ropes and rigging with Vala, with crew strength halved their hands will be needed.

[Dekaru]

Finch yells out as the javelins go flying past the railing

[Imperial]-"Where from the abyss are they shooting them from?! I'm not sensin' any powerful enchantments from below!"

[Interovegas]

Andrea catches a glimpse of a familiar face among the smaller battalion of Imperials down below. Undoubtedly, Houbonen is in the midst of the engagement.

[Zwiche]

[Imperial] - "O Captain, my Captain, I have seen the source of these wicked thorns, that spring of suffering from whence they fly true as an arrow striking the frozen flank of a foot-fixed fawn. Behold, below a giant stands, skin pale with artistry, face twisted with hate. Fear not, O Captain, my Captain, for I shall smite him down with great vengeance and furious anger, for he threatens my brothers."

Orkan moves back to the railing and begins chanting as he summons up the strength for a [Greater Lightning Stroke]

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"If one of them hits the ozcrow we'll be landing in the middle of an Imperial army. Judy, can you block their vision of us with smoke?! Sailors get tah maneuverin' the ship to make the ozcrow a harder target!"

Finch will work to coordinate maneuvering the Espiegel to make the ozcrow as hard a target as possible

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea: [Imperial] "Hark, is that Hobounen I spy? I hath not expected to encounter him again."
Vala: [Imperial] "He serves the Empire! Ugh, we should not have let him go."
Andrea: [Imperial] "Nonsense Vala. Though we be'est enemies now, we had no quarrel with him then. If we are to clash in the natural course o' battle then so be it, but I will not give undue chase to the man... though that javelineer could stand to be taken down a notch."

Andrea moves to the railing and will try to deflect any more projectiles that come Orkan's way.

[Interovegas]

[Tatooed Warrior: 9,9,9,8,6,5,4,3+MD:9 Result: 6 Killing Damage to Torso with 6 AP]
[Orkan: 10,9,6,2,2,1 MD:10 Result: Fail - Canceled Set]
[Andrea: 8,7,6,4,3,3,1 Result: Fail - Timing]

In the blink of an eye the tatooed warrior lets loose a javelin and sends it thrusting at Orkan's chest. Even Judy's enchantment fails before this augmented strike. Andrea barely finishes raising her shield to protect Orkan before she realizes he has already been struck solidly. Below, the warrior beats his chest and growls. A comrade of his nearby takes note of his target and spots the Espiegel above. They motion elsewhere in the battle, although the recipient of their hand gestures is blocked off completely by the Ozcrows.

[Dekaru]

Finch notices Orkan damn near get skewered and runs over to pull him away from the railings. As he does so he yells over to Andrea

[Imperial]-"I ordered no boarding actions but it be lookin' like our options be limited. If'n this keeps up we're dead. We need some heroics from you knight and that void damned bastard tah quit or we'll never send this behemoth sinking!"

Speaking to Orkan

[Imperial]-"Look out for any more throws from that one down there. Keep workin' to send em sinking but don't throw your life away, and no we can't vote on that order!"

Finch whistles for Barkov to come and scoops the dog up under one his left arm. Nodding at Andrea Finch yells to Edmond

[Imperial]-"Ye have the deck Edmond! We'll be doin' what we can to keep the Espiegel afloat!"

With his order given Finch grabs hold of the end of a long piece of rope and will try to swing down to the enemy deck without getting himself killed in the process (emphasis on try, and hopefully without pulling his arm from its socket).

[Xenoe]

Judy: "Aye, this isn't going quite how I wish it would!"

Judy waves her hands and attempts to run through the entirety of balloon housing the spear tossing troglodyte with her smoke scythe.

[Zwiche]

[Imperial] - "Fear not, O Captain, my Captain! I shall smite down that magical monstrosity, that tattooed terror, and teach him his proper place. Do you hear, fiend!" Orkan calls over the edge. "I, Orkan Ornvinge, the Living Lightning, the Oncoming Storm, shall strike thee and put the in the dust where you belong."

Orkan army crawls his way to the edge of the deck and carefully peeks his head over the edge. He spits the lightning (Lightning Stroke).

[Corenat Rovarnus]

[Imperial] "Aye, cap'n," Andrea salutes.
"What is he doing?!" Vala yells in confusion.
"Leading the charge," her liege responds simply. "Await my return."

Andrea jumps off the railing towards the enemy's deck, using Leap of the Nightmare to instantly close the remainder of the distance as soon as she is able.

[Interovegas]

---

[Tattooed Warrior: 10,8,5,5,5,3,2,1+MD: 10 Result: 4 Killing Damage to Head + 4 AP]
[Orkan: 10,9,9,8,8,7+MD: 10 Result: 3 Killing Damage to Head]
[Finch (Coordination+Climb-1d+1d): 9,9,5,4,2+ED:10 Result: Success]
[Andrea (Body+Sorcery-1d): 7,7,6,5,4+MD:7 Result: Success]
[Judy: Success]

---

Judy stills her mind, banishes the chaos of the situation at hand and focuses on the form of the scythe. The smoke from her crucible bends to her will and coalesces into cutting form held in her mind's eye. She sends the conjured form flying through darkness against the armored ozcrows. She picks up the faint but distinct noise of smokematter on iron and can tell she has created a gap in the plating where her scythe has struck.

Orkan creeps his head above the railing and stares down his foe. The tattooed warrior returns the glare and commence their showdown. Lightning and javelin fly through the air and both find their mark. Orkan is badly grazed across the neck and begins to bleed. The electricity chars the warrior's face. Both stay their ground and continue the fight.

Barkov gives a distressed bark as he's hoisted up by his captain and taken on a sudden ride through the air into the chaos below. Finch slides down off the opposite railing, swings under the Espiegel and down into the melee. He lands with a stumble but swiftly regains his posture and prepares to face down the chaos around. Andrea gallops off the Espiegel and pulls off a last second enchantment to thrust herself onto the enemy deck right alongside her captain. Down in the thick of things the captain and equine enchantress can tell something is terribly amiss. The Imperial soldiers fighting alongisde Hobounen are mortally impaled by spears and piercing blades but each fight with the vigor of ten souls and the ferocity of predator from the lightless jungle. A couple dozen paces behind Hobounen three more stand guard around a soul obscured by a black robe standing over a great bonfire. It's apparent to Andrea now that the ship Hobounen fights from is infact the vessel they ran down several weeks ago. Andrea and Finch's sudden arrival is surprising enough to those clashing on the deck to afford them just a moment to gather themselves before they are beset by steel blades.

[Dekaru]

Finch lets Barkov down and gives an overly extravagant flourish as he readjusts his hat hanging from his neck to his head. Drawing his sword Finch gives a grin at the Imperials before him and shouts

[Imperial]-"Ye be facing Captain Finchroscuma Kokadamurinsapantuheno! I have raided and killed more Imperials then I can remember, and I will be accepting your surrender now!"

(Finch dodges and intimidates the crowd of Imperial soldiers while Barkov will be also joining the dodge party)

[Zwiche]

Bleeding profusely, Orkan knows that now is the time to end things.

[Imperial]-"Enough of this!" he calls out to the tattooed warrior. "Let us end this struggle. I shall reveal my secret technique, famed far and wide, for all those who see it shall surely perish."

[Updraft this punk]

[Xenoe]

Judy: "Ah, please, why must we engage in mortal combat? Well, too late to complain I suppose."

Judy see that a possible former comrade is in the enemy midst and takes it upon herself to distract him.

She performs another smoke scythe, except this time raking through horde of men about to gang(bang) Finch and Andrea.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Vala gulps, beads of sweat forming from the exertion of working the riggings as well as worry for Andrea and the Captain. Of all the situations to recklessly charge into this may be the worst one yet. She clears her throat and addresses the First Mate and crew.
[Edmond] "Oi, lettoice be'at thareedy fuir luuwarein ouh'er skaiagallaih lest-" she stumbles a bit almost slipping into Imperial, "lessen Cap-tane Fanch uned Andrew bibi-reft o' heckstraction!"

--
Meanwhile Andrea shares her Captain's enthusiasm. [Edmond] "Keepen tha heindfazins ta me oir tah raylain," she advises him before striking at the nearest foe.
[ATTACK!!!]

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"We need to have a serious talk about language on my ship if we survive this!"

[Interovegas]

[Tattooed Warrior: 9,7,7,5,5,4,2,1+MD:7 Result: 5 Killing Damage+5 AP to Torso]
[Orkan: 9,6,6,5,5,3+MD:6 Result: Success]
[Andrea: 9,7,6,4,2,1,1 Result: Failure]
[Finch: 9,9,7,6,3,1+ED:10 Result: Success-Dodge]
[Barkov:10,10,5,5,4,4,2 Result: Success]
[Judy: Success]
[4x Soldiers vs Andrea: 10,9,8,6,6,5,4 Result: Choppy Chop for 3 Killing Damage]
[4x Soldiers vs Finch: 7,6,6,5,3,3,2,1 Result: Choppy Chop for 3 Killing Damage]
[4x Soldiers vs Barkov: 10,9,8,6,2,2,2,1 Result: Failure]
[Soul in Dark Robes: ???]

Judy turns her attention to Andrea and Finch. She casts out a smoke scythe that cuts down two soldiers in the back lines. Sheer numbers overwhelm the trio in the melee. The best Finch and Barkov can manage to do is dodge the mess of stabs aimed their way. 

Orkan peeks out from behind the railing again and casts updraft against the tattooed warrior but not before a javelin crashes through the side rail of the ship and into Orkan's chest. The warrior is flung upwards off the deck but catches nearby rigging and drops himself back down into position after the spell's effect is concluded.

The strange soldiers fighting at the behest of the figure in black robes continue cleaving their way through the Imperials and entry to the same deck Finch and Andrea stand on. Their goal appears to be the below deck of the warship.

The figure in black circles their hand around their crucible and begins a spell.

[Dekaru]

As Finch ducks under a sword swipe from one of the soldiers he makes a feinted swipe with his won blade and hops back a short distance to make a small amount of space. Barkov growls as the hound also deftly avoids sword strikes from the Imperial soldiers. The thud on the deck as the large spear throwing man lands catches Finch's attention and notices him preparing to throw another javelin. Gesturing towards the imposing individual and the several soldiers between the Espiegel crew and him Finch shouts to Andrea

[Imperial]-"Andrea take his head off! *Whistles* Barkov Brii!"

Barkov moves to Finch's side putting himself between Finch and some of the surrounding attackers. Finch feigns a charge at the group of Imperials between Andrea and the javelin thrower in an attempt to scare them into making space yelling at the top of his lungs.

[Imperial]-"Are ye all so piss poor at fighting that ye can't cut down one man! Run back to yer mothers crying and take yer swings at me when ya all learned tah fight!"

(Barkov dodges while Finch dodges and intimidates prioritizing intimidating the crowd between Andrea and the javelin thrower)

[Zwiche]

Orkan coughs up blood, knowing that these next few minutes will determine the course of his life.

[Imperial]-"Is that all you have, dog! Your mother bites harder than that!" He spits another stroke of lightning, along with various curses and insults.

[Xenoe]

Judy shakes her head at the sad sight of the heedless bloodshed and continues attempting to keep the minions around the captain at bay with her smoke scythes.

[Interovegas]

[Tattooed Warrior: 8,8,8,5,3,3,3,2+MD:8 Result: 6 Killing Damage+6 AP]
[Orkan: 9,8,6,5,4,4+MD:9 Result: Dead]
[Andrea: 9,9,7,6,6 Result: Success]
[Barkov: 7,7,7,4,3,1,1 Result: Dead]
[Finch: 9,8,8,8,7,1 Result: Success]
[Judy: Success]
[4x Soldiers vs Andrea: 10,9,8,5,4,4,3,1 Result: Strikes at air]
[4x Soldiers vs Finch: 10,10,8,4,3,2,2,1 Result: Choppy Chop for 3 Killing Damage]
[4x Soldiers vs Barkov: 10,10,6,5,4,3,2,1 Result: Choppy Chop for 3 Killing Damage]

Andrea applies her magic and bolts through the air, leaving another volley of blows to limpy strike where she once stood. Finch menaces at those around him and sends two stumbling on their asses and fleeing backwards into the crowd. Another smokey scythe cuts its way through the ranks around him. From outside of his view one of the soldiers manages to land a timely strike: A stab right through Barkov's eye and out beneath his jaw. The loyal canine isn't even able to let out a cry before death claims his innocent soul.

------------------------------------------------ Barkov Is Kill ------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile Andrea lands right before the burned and very nearly dead tattooed warrior. She can see he is nearly out of javelins, only two remaining at his side. She hadn't arrived in time however. The warrior lets loose another toss. The disturbance in the eerie washes over Andrea as the lethal throw ascends. The javelin comes hurtling and does not stop at Orkan's chest. It bursts through the winged enchanter's back and punctures the Espiegel's ozcrow.

------------------------------------------------ Orkan Is Kill ------------------------------------------------

The soldiers fighting alongside Hobounen throw two Imperial's clear off the boat as they proceed to the below decks. Hobounen yells something to them but the message is lost in the cacophony of battle. Hobounen and the others descend. The figure in black robes continues their chanting and another warhorn sounds off, this time from the neighboring Imperial vessel. Andrea and Finch both see some of the Imperial soldiers begin a retreat across towards the horn.

[Xenoe]

Judy could only silent lament for her fallen comrade as she sends another scythe of smoke, this time once again through the balloon of the enemy ship.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

[Imperial] "I'll take that head of yours!" Andrea follows the advice one bringer of balance once gave to a thunder god.

[420 noscope on tattoo man]

[Dekaru]

Finch does his best to ignore the blow to his head and push forward to help Andrea against their target. No longer hearing the growling from Barkov Finch looks back to see his loyal hound dead to an Imperial sword. As the Imperials close in around him Finch does his best to avoid their attacks and retaliate

(Dodge and attack, RIP Barkov. Still moving towards Andrea and the big mage)

[Interovegas]

[Finch: 10,9,7,6,5,3+ED:10 Result: Failure]
[Andrea: 10,6,5,5,4,4,1 Result: Stabbin for 2 Killing+5 Shock to Right Arm]
[Judy: Success ......]
[Tattooed Warrior: 6,5,1,1 Result: Failure]
[2x Soldiers vs Andrea: 9,8,3,1 Result: Failure]
[6x Soldiers vs Finch: 10,9,7,7,7,7,6,6,6,6,2  Result: Choppy Chop for 5 Killing Damage to Torso and Right Arm]

Andrea rears up upon the tattooed warrior with her weapon ready. He bellows at her:

Tattooed Warrior-[Imperial]: "I AM INEVITABLE!"

He tries to leap around her blow but resoundingly fails. He is viciously stabbed through his right arm. The trauma is so severe he nearly loses use of the limb.

Several more of the soldiers retreat out the back. However, those facing off against Finch see him as an easy, isolated target and press their attack against him. Without Andrea and Barkov to cover his flanks he is engaged by six at once. He fails to muster the agility required to avoid the storm of Imperial steel. It's only thanks to Judy's enchantments that he is able to endure.

The figure in black continues their spellweaving.

Up above Judy redirects her attention to bring dramatic change to the situation. Between Vala's orders and the new hole in the Espiegel's ozcrow the ship is descending rapidly. Judy looks to make the same of the enemy ship Andrea and Finch are fighting on. She looses her next scythe at the opening she created earlier in the encounter and rips a gaping hole in the armored ozcrow. The enemy ship lurches from the sudden burst of gas and begins drifting downwards slowly.

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "We're leaking too much powder! I have a way to plug the breach, I just need lot's of smoke going into the powder intake!"

Judy attempts to convince a few of the remaining crew members to help her in either moving her bonfire to the powder intake, or failing at that, starting a fire inside, and uses her smoke magic to create solid spheres of smoke inside of the breached compartments to plug the holes using a combination of pressure difference and fabric tension.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

There is only one response to be had to such a proclamation. [Imperial] "And I...am Andrea Halsey," she says, and finishes him off.

[Called shot to the head, for real this time. Shield on 4 and 6]

[Dekaru]

Finch curses under his breath as he is so violently repelled by the literal wall of blades that separates him from Andrea. As the ship lurches beneath his feet Finch maintains his footing thanks to his considerable sailing experience while other sailors go for a tumble. His path blocked Finch lashes out at his attackers relying on the considerable armor afforded to him by Judy's magic to protect him from the hail of blades more than his own fleet footwork. Blood sripping from his earlier head trauma down onto his face Finch grins at his attackers and yells

[Imperial]-"Looks like yah all finally grew a spine! Shame ye waste time fighting one man when yer below decks are being stormed!"

(Attack and dodge. Trying to carve space back towards the rope Finch swung down on since a wall of people prevent reaching Andrea)

[Interovegas]

[Andrea: 9,5,4,2,2+ED:10 Result: Failure]
[Finch: 10,10,8,6,5,2+ED:10 Result: Failure, too slow, gets a kill though]
[Tattooed Warrior: 8,7,6,3 Result: Failure]
[4x Soldiers vs Andrea: 9,7,6,5,5,4,4,1 Result: Success, 3 Killing Damage to Right Front Leg]
[6x Soldiers vs Finch: 10,9,8,7,5,4,3,3,3,3,2 Result: Success, 5 Killing Damage to Left Arm]

Andrea prepares a felling strike but she is distracted by the increasing numbers of soldiers assaulting her from the rear. She loses her focus and her perfect strike flails off to the side her quarry.

Finch tries to barrel his way through the surrounding soldiers to his exit strategy but he too is hindered by the sheer numbers of the enemies. It is all he can do to take the blows properly upon his armor and cut down one of the more unwary attackers surrounding him with a lucky swing. 

Judy imagines a long detailed series of steps to try and salvage the situation but realizes time is finite, and she is especially time poor in this present situation. She resolves to fix the gas leaks in her ozcrow through an ingenious plan. She begins casting minor smoke form, which will take her three moments to complete.

The figure in black continues weaving their spell.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

[Frustration] "Tch!" Andrea turns and strikes at the small fry who dared to step on her moment of triumph.

[Attack, shield same as before]