3. Skyway Robbery - Genesis 18:32

[Interovegas]

[22.2.343]

The party resumes tucked away in the jungle that skirts the battlefield between Confederate and Imperial forces. They have discovered deep in that dark place a wagon full of meal and airfuel burying a partly eaten confederate corpse. On their return they come across two still breathing imperials and ferocious, feline, sorcerous beast. The monster blasted the group with an unknown enchantment with the only apparent effect of disrobing them of their smokematter defenses. As they exchanged words with the terrified imperials they failed to notice that where their touch eroded their smokematter wagon wherever they touched it. Judy is first to take note of this after seeing Andrea's hand nearly tear a hole through the conjured vehicle.

[Dekaru]

Finch chuckles and replies to the Imperials

[Imperial]-"Mayhaps this offensive is stalled indefinitely and war goes on without end. Plenty of opportunity in such a situation, 'specially for the ambitious."

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Wait, my dame. Halt yer hand! Something's happening to my enchantment." (to andrea)

Judy touches the smokematter vehicle gingerly to see if she also corrodes the structure, before attempting the same thing with her clothed foot.

[Interovegas]

Both of Judy's experiments yield the same result. Her touch erodes the smokematter.

[Zwiche]

[Imperia]-“Milady, canst thou still weave the vapors? Or hast this monster taken the very magic from our souls?”

Orkan tries a simple Updraft, launching a nearby rock, just to test his connection to magic.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea backs away from the wagon. [Imperial] "Forsooth, what hath that beast done to us?" She attempts to cast Walk on Two Legs.

[Interovegas]

Andrea takes her stance and flexes her rippling muscles to bend the flows of magic. Rather than dispense of her two hindlegs an intense nausea overtakes her. Its all she can do to hold back the vomitting.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

[Suffering] "Hrrrk....gack...augh!" Andrea staggers aside. [Imperial] "It is as thou sayest, Orkan. Did this beast do the same to thee?" she asks the Imperials. "Where did thou encounter it?"

[Dekaru]

Finch, not being one particularly connected to magic, looks the three enchanters in his employment puzzled

[Imperial]-"What manner of magics would have the power to do that? These woods get stranger still. Why anyone would fight over this place is beyond me."

[Interovegas]

Unknown Souls-[Imperial]: "A trail in mud by wayward wagon led our party to the nightmare's den. Strange powders left unattended raised many questions. Yet they were answered only with claw and death."

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"You say there be more wagons full of the stuff?"

Finch realizes he hasn't asked the two scouts names in the entire time he's been talking to them. Must be the concussion

[Imperial]-"Pardon, but it seems my own injuries have me fogettin' my manners. I'm Finchroscuma Kokadamurinsapantuheno and you two are?"

[Interovegas]

The masked person brushes off some of the dirt from the sides of their outer layer skirt and takes a more defensive posture.

Masked Person-[Imperial]: "Mine call be starlight 'gainst the piercing illumination of luna to an occurence as this. Deznon's Scryers twas our honored title ... Thou art no bannerman's blade. Thy lavish garb and ensorceled entourage indicate other origins. We lay weak at thy mercy stranger and would know what fate thou dream on our behalf. "

[Dekaru]

Finch shrugs and says

[Imperial]-"Under normal 'stances I'd tell ya to hand over every coin ya got. Though, as said already, in these woods the enemy is nature not men. If think ye can make to safety on yer own then ya can get going. If'n not then ye can come with us. Make yer selves useful an' I might be able to say you were with us all along. Either way, we headin' back ta camp."

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "It seems that the beast has enchanted us to become unable to enchant, we must find a way to overcome our trials without mystics, for now."

Judy tries to find a couple of long solid sticks that she can string through the two handles of her smoke matter box and carries the box through the leverage of plant matter.

[Interovegas]

[Judy roll for find stick: 10,10,10,10,10,10,10 Result: Success]

Judy rigs together a system to hold the box.

[Interovegas]

Unknown Souls-[Imperial]: "Thy graces shall not be forgotten Ob Lobber. We would accompany the mistress of fortunes 'fore bein prisoner to the iceblood general."

Each of the pair puts their palms together and give a slight bow to Finch. They head off into the darkness.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea: [Imperial] "A shame, but we all have our ties that bind."

[Interovegas]

The party returns to camp without further interruption. No patrols or posted soldiers approach them but several curious looks are directed towards the translucent box being hoisted up on two sticks. Darkness envelopes the land and blots out the hazy reflection of the ocean past the horizon and perpetuates the need for torch light. Finally the party returns to the familiar sight of the Espiegel docked safe and sound in the confines of the war camp.

At the sight of Finch stepping on the ship Edmond exclaims.

Edmond-[Imperial]: "Augha cap-tane komm-it baknah ta wez! Giz uem prawnpah greestin!"

To which the present crew respond by giving the captain a rowdy hello.

[Dekaru]

Finch gives what greetings he can muster but quickly goes to collapse in his bed in his quarters

[Xenoe]

Judy dumps her findings into an empty box in the hold, and dispels her smoke structure.

She then rests the night and attempts to medicate everyone the next morning.

[Interovegas]

[23.2.343]

[Judy roll for Knowledge+Healing: 1,1,3,5,7,10 Result: Success+2 Shock Damage Removed]

Judy does what she can to mend some of the injuries in the group.

After the healer has finished her work the party is gathered at the cabin in what remains of the morning hours to conclude what they will report to Marcutio. They know a summons will come for them soon since they did not relay their findings yesterday evening.

[Zwiche]

[Imperial]-“Captain, we already have been most grievously savaged and yet our quest lies no closer to its end. What are we to do to end our time in this cursed land? I would we finish our mission quickly, that we might return to the fair reaches of the blue sky.”

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea [Imperial]: "Agreed. We must convince the general to send a war party yonder with us that we may strike down the root of this evil with the full force o' Confederate might."

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"We have ascertained the cause an' if the general is genuine he will see the value in the information. Let us not forget what we are here for, however."

[Zwiche]

Orkan gives Andrea a look. [Imperial]-“Indeed, we should convince the General to send a war party that we might complete our task and leave victorious. I care not for this squabble amidst mud and beast.”

[Dekaru]

Sighing Finch stands up and cradles his head as the motion still causes his head to hurt

[Imperial]-"Let us go to the General so that at the very least I can rest my head some more."

[Interovegas]

The group moves through camp to report their findings directly to the general. Tension is palpable throughout the camp. Every soldier the group passes is at least somewhat visibly anxious.

Outside the command tent the guards bid the party to wait while the general is informed of their presence and request for audience. A familiar voice calls out to the party from behind.

Marcienne-[Imperial]: "Thou haft taken the healing of rest and doth appear ready to speak to the discoveries of thy quest."

Marcienne approaches with two female soldiers walking behind her.

Marcienne-[Imperial]: "Haft general Marcutio not risen? I should expect him to be waiting eagerly to learn that which thou know."

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea [Imperial]: "I knowest not. By the by, what hath transpired in our absence? The camp seems to be on edge. Is the Empire on the move?"

[Interovegas]

Marcienne-[Imperial]: "Stirrings of further Imperial reinforcements. Only stirrings. The soldiers art so unshakeable in this belief that I am of a mind that these foul rumors are seeds of discord nurtured by spies among us."

The command tent guard resurfaces and gives a nod towards Marcienne.

Marcienne-[Imperial]: "The general is prepared."

Marcienne leads the group into the tent. A sweet aroma radiates from a small wooden bowl held in Marcutio's hand. He is feeding an exotic wing clipped bird close in size to a hawk. He lays on his side propped up by his forearm with a comfortable half robe exposing his left pectoral.

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "The servants fulfill their obligations of service in many ways. Yet, t'was mine father that laid this responsibility upon me in my early youth. 'The responsibility to life' was his phrase. So oft he would speak it that mine elder bird wouldst mimic the words. The creature mandates regular feeding. Speak on the matter thou investigated, pay this feathered subject no heed."

The party notices the warm sludge in the bowl matches the vibrant yellow color of the powder mixed in with the airfuel bags back in the jungle.

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"'spite resistance from the beasts in woods we found source of our woes.

Gesturing towards Judy Finch continues.

[Imperial]-"A wagon filled with the material carried here by mine crew. All beasts eagerly eat it an' would be the cause of their madness. The wagon was burned an' on way back 'countered two Imperial rangers bein' chased by an enormous feline. When the creature was dissuaded the 'perials confessed they were sent with more in search of cause of curse. They lost most of their soldiers in a cave they say also containing another wagon."

[Interovegas]

Marcutio gives more attention to his bird than the group.

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "And where hath the captain kept these prisoners?"

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"They were released after being forthcoming with information."

[Interovegas]

Marcienne scoffs.

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "If an Imperial tongue can speak truth ... who originated this curse?"

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"Haven't a clue. The 'perials want it gone as much as we. Mayhaps the cave mentioned holds the truth. Though if twenty men were repelled before many more will be needed."

[Interovegas]

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "Thy crew were offered pay to root out corruption."

Marcutio idly looks around the canopy of the tent.

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "Commander, are soldiers in such number available to this task?"

Marcienne-[Imperial]: "Plainly not, general Marcutio."

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "Then tell me captain what other services thou offer."

[Dekaru]

Finch smiles

[Imperial]-"You hired me to root out corruption but not get my crew killed. Triple the pay and I'll send my crew in. Problem solved."

[Interovegas]

Marcutio-[Imperial]: "Thy proposal shall receive due consideration. If thou haft revealed all to me then retire to thy vessel. Perhaps further discussion will be had later. Presently I must rise to tend all my soldiers."

Marcutio softly pets his bird's crownfeathers, rises, and returns it to it's gilded cage.

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"I shall await your response"

Finch turns to leave

[Interovegas]

In the early afternoon Judy is looking all around the warcamp and the valley beyond from atop the Espiegel. She spots the jagged yellow-orange glimmers of three more airships arriving from above the Imperial camp. She's certainly not the only one to make the observation. Small clusters of soldiers from the warcamp below gather in the main paths to point and gawk at the doubling of Imperial air forces at the battlefront.

When vessels come within two miles of the Imperial camp across the valley something unsettling happens. Judy's sense of the eerie and her ability to draw upon it return with a shock. At the very same time Andrea, Finch and Orkan are similarly jolted by the sudden return of their sixth sense. On the Imperial side, two of the three vessels from the back seemingly unload cannonfire into their third reinforcement and begin to pick up speed as they rush towards the Imperial warcamp.

A minute later, from the bottom of the docking ramp a confederate messenger calls up:

Confederate Messenger-[Imperial]: "The general has urgent request! sixty three confederate pounds to the captain of the Espiegel shouldst they join the immediate battle and aid in achieving victory over so suddenly weak a foe!"

[Dekaru]

Finch who was casually eating an apple and watching the ensuing fight from the side of the ship grins at the news

[Imperial]-"Ye heard him scalawags! Get us in the air there's a fortune to be made! Grab yer blades and fill the cannons with powder fer we be sinking Imperial sky ships today!"

Finch immediately begins barking out orders. Looking at his three enchanters he shouts from the aft

[Imperial]-"Prepare any magics ye need for there be no parlay today! We sending 'em crashing to down!"

[Corenat Rovarnus]

[Imperial] “Hark! Our powers art returned!” Back aboard the Espiegel Andrea orders the crew to take off and casts Cloudy Canter.
[Imperial] “Methinks it odd they would fight amongst themselves. Perhaps we might find an unlikely ally?”

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-"Or madness spreads among their ranks as it does with beasts."

[Zwiche]

[Imperial]-“whatever the case may prove to be, we must take wing and seek it out. Let the Espegiel fly once more, O Cap’n!”

[Xenoe]

Judy calls a few helpers and hurries to produce an array of four bonfires and creates an auxiliary crucible that is featured in all Western March ships for smoke sculpting purposes.

Judy - [Imperial]: "To utilize my most powerful enchantments, I need a way to channel smoke!"

She then uses her new facility to layer the sides of the balloon with two deflecting panels attached from the deck.

[Dekaru]

[Imperial]-“Get lines secured! Aredfln I want wind direction once we’re aloft!”

Looking at Judy and her growing array of fires on deck

[Imperial]-“Ye best not be lightin’ my ship ablaze. Keep them plumes ‘nder control. We need to see where we be goin’”

[Interovegas]

Every soul takes to their stations. Finch at the helm, Orkan and Andrea assisting in the ascent and Judy stoking a great flame in her smokematter crucible. Aredfln gives out wind readings for the others to manage their rigging and course. Edmond's shouts his commands at a steadily increasing pace. Quickly his instructions become chants and frenzied intonations. Under the cover of Edmond's black speech and the reinforced barriers of Judy's smokematter enchantments the Espiegel leaps skyward.

When the Espiegel reaches level with the combat ahead Edmond pauses for dramatic effect, poses in a wide stance with his fists at his sides.

Edmond-[Imperial]: "Fuir Guul'ore'eed uned Guul'O'uuld!"

The crew yells back emphatically:

Crew-[Imperial]: "Fuir Guul'ore'eed uned Guul'O'uuld!"

Forwards into battle they sail. The three Confederate sky galleons organize themselves in a wide line east of the Espiegel. One of the scouting vessels takes the far left and the remaining two ascend to the high rear position. From what Finch can tell the Imperial reinforcements have tethered themselves to one war galleon. The Imperial command ship and two accompanying vessels are trying to get a steady rotation on the boarding combat. Thunderous cracks of cannonfire and their accompanying flashes shows the Confederate forces their approach is not unnoticed.

Aredfln queries Finch as the Espiegel is just about to cross cannon range.

Aredfln-[Imperial]: "Direct us according to thy stratagems captain!"

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea [Imperial]: "Fly us closer! I want to hit them with my lance!"

[Zwiche]

[Imperial]-“Indeed, let us make haste! Ah, would that my wings were not besought with injury, that I might soar ahead and claim the first kill.”

[Xenoe]

Judy creates a 100 foot smoke lance extending from the fore of the ship, counterbalanced by the same length to the aft.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Andrea turns her nose up at Judy's lance creation. [Edmond] "Hmph! Tay the amoshin 'pon oshien thar the difreen aught maek, ah saed it troo. Nah geeet yawn....dohzin o' assortied flith inna cundoosin tha bhu-um steecks gigantacular!" She orders a full complement to man the cannons while casting Equine Might.

Vala sighs and goes to help with the rigging.