[2026/04/19 13:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me opens up NCs
[2026/04/19 13:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: while waiting for Joe/Jassie... what hare-brained schemes are you going to do?
[2026/04/19 13:58] Mecha: Learn to breathe underwater
[2026/04/19 13:59] Sapphire: /me hums, spins
[2026/04/19 13:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: ah, getting to sane ideas
[2026/04/19 13:59] Sapphire: yeah, breathing underwater would be super useful
[2026/04/19 13:59] Mecha: figuring out how to save Sonja and then drag that bardic bitch down
[2026/04/19 13:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: Joe :-)
[2026/04/19 14:00] Joe: Hallo all
[2026/04/19 14:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: g'day!
[2026/04/19 14:01] Mecha: hi Joe
[2026/04/19 14:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: Jassie will be here in 10
[2026/04/19 14:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: we got ten minutes to plot and plan I guess
[2026/04/19 14:03] Joe: If I recall, we are currently sinking as the ship we were previously standing on is now matchsticks from the explosion
[2026/04/19 14:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: are you wearing metal armour?
[2026/04/19 14:04] Joe: I am un-clipping my plate-mail
[2026/04/19 14:04] Joe: as fast as I possibly can
[2026/04/19 14:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: that takes 7 rounds if you take care
[2026/04/19 14:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: you can rip it off in 3, but the armour is ruined
[2026/04/19 14:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: then again... you'll still be alive to worry about it
[2026/04/19 14:05] Joe: Does ripping it off with a dagger to cut the leather straps count as combat?
[2026/04/19 14:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: it counts as your action as you dive like a submarine
[2026/04/19 14:07] Joe: sinking like an anvil
[2026/04/19 14:07] Sapphire: Oh dearl
[2026/04/19 14:08] Joe: well my plan is to remove the armour and then while I'm down here under the water, to look around and find out where that dragon is so I can cut her free of the net
[2026/04/19 14:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sapphire... you've been quiet
[2026/04/19 14:09] Sapphire: hmmmmmmmm
[2026/04/19 14:10] Sapphire: trying to ponder what our best option here is
[2026/04/19 14:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouse:_P.I._for_Hire
[2026/04/19 14:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: probably "not die"
[2026/04/19 14:11] Sapphire: well, the mission objective is a bit more ambitious than that
[2026/04/19 14:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay... Jassie should be here in mere moments
[2026/04/19 14:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me cracks knuckles and sorts out NCs
[2026/04/19 14:13] Sapphire: ah ah
[2026/04/19 14:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: Well. Welcome to Scales of Fate II: Daikatana, Act Two
[2026/04/19 14:15] Sapphire: I see Jassie brought their katanas this time
[2026/04/19 14:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: The very last thing that happened... well, -things-... was you got to see Sonja y Ddraig Aur pulled under the sea, chained to a barge rigged to sink.
[2026/04/19 14:16] Jassie: lol
[2026/04/19 14:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: You also had an undead dragon explode right in front of you, with a score of kegs of blasting powder strapped to it.
[2026/04/19 14:17] Jassie: never know when might need it
[2026/04/19 14:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: It was quite a blast. Your ship got turned to matchwood.
[2026/04/19 14:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: So were the crew on board.
[2026/04/19 14:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: Everyone, roll a D6
[2026/04/19 14:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: we'll divide the result by 2
[2026/04/19 14:18] D6: Jassie rolls 1
[2026/04/19 14:18] Jassie: now we owe the whole crew lol
[2026/04/19 14:19] D6: Mecha rolls 6
[2026/04/19 14:19] D6: Joe rolls 5
[2026/04/19 14:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sapphire?
[2026/04/19 14:19] D6: Sapphire rolls 5
[2026/04/19 14:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: in the wake of that -huge- explosion.... you're all literally at the point of death
[2026/04/19 14:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: Everyone has 1 level of Exhaustion (ability checks at disadvantage)
[2026/04/19 14:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: The sea is on fire. Debris floats everywhere - planks, bodies, torn canvas. Far off, the masts of a ship sailing away.
[2026/04/19 14:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: Talia. You're underwater and have a mouthful of sea water
[2026/04/19 14:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: A hook on a pole rams into your back and hauls you out, and yeets you onto a swaying wooden surface
[2026/04/19 14:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: Roll D20 - CON check
[2026/04/19 14:22] Mecha: Still letting the weight of the armor drag me down towards the Ship Sonja is on, faster than swimming
[2026/04/19 14:22] D20: Mecha rolls 15
[2026/04/19 14:22] Jassie: im probably sinking also
[2026/04/19 14:23] Jassie: plate armour
[2026/04/19 14:23] Jassie: oh chain at least
[2026/04/19 14:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: Success: you spit out the mouthful of water and can breathe again
[2026/04/19 14:24] Sonja Bikergrrl: Joe! You're haulled out of the water. You look really blasted.
[2026/04/19 14:24] Joe: huh?
[2026/04/19 14:24] Sonja Bikergrrl: Jassie! Likewise hauled out of the water.
[2026/04/19 14:24] Sonja Bikergrrl: Emily: Black Bart has your bottle, so, you're safe too.
[2026/04/19 14:25] Mecha: thought Talia had Emilys bottle?
[2026/04/19 14:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Black Bart. "Ahoy! YOU!" He gestures broadly at the devastation - the burning sea, the wreckage, the absence of his ship. “Is there somethin’ ye forgot to mention? Somethin’ that just slipped yer mind?”
[2026/04/19 14:25] Sapphire: oh, do we not get a chance to try and save Sonja?
[2026/04/19 14:25] Sapphire: and yeah, Emily's bottle has been on Talia for ages
[2026/04/19 14:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: How are you going to do that?
[2026/04/19 14:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: It's now in Captain Barts' hand.
[2026/04/19 14:26] Sapphire: My plan was to get a spell into her chains before she sank all the way down
[2026/04/19 14:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: That is probably several rounds too late... she sank before you got an exploding dragon in the faces
[2026/04/19 14:27] Mecha: considering last game Talia was already under water she is continuing this path
[2026/04/19 14:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: Anyone going to answer Captain Bart?
[2026/04/19 14:27] Joe: She can't be sinking all that fast, she's strapped to a wooden ship. The wooden ship will be wanting to float up again
[2026/04/19 14:28] Jassie: leans back and takes a breath
[2026/04/19 14:28] Sonja Bikergrrl: The ship had a cargo hold full of rocks. How fast do you think it'll sink?
[2026/04/19 14:28] Joe: I am going to dive in and find out
[2026/04/19 14:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: You realise you'll drown, right?
[2026/04/19 14:29] Joe: obviously not
[2026/04/19 14:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay
[2026/04/19 14:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: You'll drown.
[2026/04/19 14:29] Joe: sucks
[2026/04/19 14:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: Anyone going to answer Captain Bart....?
[2026/04/19 14:30] Sapphire: ah
[2026/04/19 14:30] Sapphire: "That the two dragons are fighting?" she looks to bart. "We said that at the start didn't we?"
[2026/04/19 14:30] Sapphire: Her memory is perhaps a bit rattled by the explosion
[2026/04/19 14:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart: "I distinctly recall ye not sayin’ anythin’ about dragons - or gettin’ my damn ship blown to smithereens!”
[2026/04/19 14:32] Jassie: "noone really asked or mentioned it i guess." says breathlessly
[2026/04/19 14:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart: “You hired passage for a quiet sail, not a dragon war that ends with the sky exploding!”
[2026/04/19 14:33] Joe: "By the power of the light, from this moment onward, let it be known the Order of WinterShard formally identifies Kobolds as Demonic entities."
[2026/04/19 14:33] Jassie: i can say thats what i expected, quiet sail into this...
[2026/04/19 14:33] Sapphire: "Well I was hoping to catch up to them and it be a standoff on their ship, not... I wasn't expecting Emberclaw to show up on his own so fast!"
[2026/04/19 14:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart glares at you. “I’ve sailed forty years without losing a vessel and ten minutes with you lot and the ocean’s chewing on the pieces!”
[2026/04/19 14:34] Sapphire: "How much more would you have charged if we told you?"
[2026/04/19 14:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: Black Bart does a fair impression of a man having an epileptic fit.
[2026/04/19 14:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: There’s a long pause. Then, quieter - but colder: “Now. Which one of you is goin’ to start explainin’... before I decide this voyage just got a whole lot more expensive?”
[2026/04/19 14:36] Joe: "Forty good years though. Don't let such a good run be marred by one unfortunate incident." (Attempt to consolation)
[2026/04/19 14:36] Sapphire: "You want to hear the story from the start then?" She looks down at the water, thinking if she has any hope to dive down and do something to help Sonja at this point instead of being in an argument with a pirate captain.
[2026/04/19 14:36] Jassie: punches Joe slightly
[2026/04/19 14:37] Joe: grins at Jassie
[2026/04/19 14:37] Joe: "Hey can anyone see any oars floating around here?"
[2026/04/19 14:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: As you look, a slick of blackness wells up and spreads out. A few barrels bob up... and a spar comes up to the surface, trailing canvas and rope, like some huge jellyfish.
[2026/04/19 14:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart tosses a plank at Joe. "Best thing ye said all day. All of you! Get rowing, we might make land today."
[2026/04/19 14:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: Talia - you're too quiet
[2026/04/19 14:39] Sapphire: Emily shivers and gets to rowing, paddling with her hands until a suitable plank comes by
[2026/04/19 14:39] Mecha: Talia is underwater
[2026/04/19 14:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: No you aren't.
[2026/04/19 14:40] Jassie: grabs a plank to begin rowing even when exhausted
[2026/04/19 14:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: you're all in a very badly burnt and battered skiff. The odds that it'll be floating still by the time you get back to land is... not high.
[2026/04/19 14:40] Mecha: Where is Meghan
[2026/04/19 14:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: Funny you should ask that
[2026/04/19 14:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: she's curled up in a bedraggled ball in the bow of the skiff, behind Captain Bart. She looks... kinda shocked.
[2026/04/19 14:42] Mecha: She'd better look kinda scared as Talia is approaching and pissed.
[2026/04/19 14:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart is in the way and he holds out a hand. "Leave her be - and get rowin' - we're not out of this yet."
[2026/04/19 14:42] Jassie: i can try to cast bless on everyone? might help lol
[2026/04/19 14:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: you can try... not sure why a +1 to saves and to hit rolls for the next six minutes will help, though
[2026/04/19 14:44] Mecha: Talia gets a plank and begins rowing."Friend died and the bitch who caused it gets to hide behind the captain."
[2026/04/19 14:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart growls in obvious annoyance. "I don't know what your problems are, and frankly I don't much care. You hired me to take you to sea, meet your friends. I did that. You hired me to take you back. I'm trying my best."
[2026/04/19 14:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart: "And this is MY ship! You don't like it - fine, go overboard and die out here. But the law of the sea is, out here, we work together to survive. Once back on land - you're not my problem any more."
[2026/04/19 14:47] Mecha: "I WENT OVERBOARD!"
[2026/04/19 14:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart: "I'M NOT GONNA WATCH YOU COMMIT SUICIDE!"
[2026/04/19 14:48] Mecha: Talia leans in real close."That's.not.your.call.to.make." Before she picks up the plank."Too fucking late now anyway."
[2026/04/19 14:48] Jassie: sighs to herself while rowing
[2026/04/19 14:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart: "You hired me, I'm the captain here. That makes it my call, missy!"
[2026/04/19 14:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: Joe, Sapphire?
[2026/04/19 14:50] Sapphire: Emily is rowing as best she can, studying the waters for any sign of the dragon that attacked them.
[2026/04/19 14:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: well... there's plenty of signs
[2026/04/19 14:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's scattered rotten dragon parts bobbing about everywhere
[2026/04/19 14:52] Joe: ... rowing ...
[2026/04/19 14:53] Sapphire: Emily is increasingly shell shocked as she realizes that with Sonja presumably dead, she doesn't really have anyone above her. and the Power Gems are still loose.
[2026/04/19 14:54] Jassie: well, just keeping herselfawake while rowing
[2026/04/19 14:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: The sea foams some distance away, as large bubbles break the surface. There's a strong, intense vibration, the sets the sea churning and the boat rocks. You feel the vibration in your bones. It's over quickly, fading to a vague bubbly sound.
[2026/04/19 14:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart: "Fuck. Even dragons can’t breathe the sea.”
[2026/04/19 14:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: Meanwhile, Meghan blinks and looks round. "I... justice... finally...."
[2026/04/19 14:58] Sapphire: "Fuck. I thought we could have done something to help...." She grips her plank tightly. "My magic wasn't fast or strong enough to do the job...."
[2026/04/19 14:58] Mecha: Talia begins to cry then hears meghan."You had best hope you hit the ground running once we arrive because if I catch you, my head will be on the block days later.
[2026/04/19 14:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: Meghan: "What... why... she was a monster! She killed my man!"
[2026/04/19 14:59] Jassie: turns back from a moment, reaminging silent for most of it, "you really are an idiot..." sighs to herself
[2026/04/19 15:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: Meghan: "She killed my man! And many more besides! What is wrong with you!"
[2026/04/19 15:00] Sapphire: "And Emberclaw has killed far more!"
[2026/04/19 15:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: Meghan: "So! He didn't kill my man! She did!"
[2026/04/19 15:02] Mecha: Talia begins to row again."How about you tell me about this. because she went through hell. Emberclaw took her fucking body and made her look like a red dragon. He did shit while looking like her. we JUST got her back to her old body and brought her children back to life." As I pause."I have to go tell them about this."
[2026/04/19 15:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: Meghan blinks and stares at you. It's clear she can't believe what she's hearing, and, there's a growing horror that she might, just might, have killed the wrong dragon.
[2026/04/19 15:04] Jassie: as i said, you really are an idiot
[2026/04/19 15:04] Sonja Bikergrrl: lol, such sympathy
[2026/04/19 15:04] Mecha: Talia just looks at her tears in her eyes but a cold look."Like I said. we get to land...run." This is most definitely not CG behaviour
[2026/04/19 15:05] Sapphire: "How'd Emberclaw find you?"
[2026/04/19 15:05] Jassie: (hahaha, since when has Jassie had much sympathy)
[2026/04/19 15:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'm not sure Meghan is going to be in much shape to do anything. You're watching as her world for the past year or two is turning out to be so much honk.
[2026/04/19 15:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart: "...I lost a good crew today."
[2026/04/19 15:07] Jassie: well... i guess the question is probably what we can do
[2026/04/19 15:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: What, indeed.
[2026/04/19 15:07] Mecha: Talia looks at him."For that I am truly sorry. none of us expected things to happen the way that they did."
[2026/04/19 15:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Bart growls. “Every man on that deck trusted me to bring them home. Just... row."
[2026/04/19 15:08] Sonja Bikergrrl: You're a good few hours from shore. If there's nothing else to say/ask... we'll press the fast forward button.
[2026/04/19 15:09] Mecha: *Nods*
[2026/04/19 15:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: It is apparent long before you reach land that something is wrong.
[2026/04/19 15:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: On the docks, crowds have gathered - sailors, dockhands, townsfolk - all staring out to sea, arguing in low, urgent voices about the enormous explosion on the horizon. Rumours swirl and collide: forts under siege, villages raided, the dead walking. No one seems to know what is true, only that something has gone terribly wrong.
[2026/04/19 15:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: When Black Bart’s skiff finally grinds against the quay, the murmuring swells. Seeing the pirate captain — now literally blackened by soot — and the battered, half-drowned party only fuels the speculation. Dock officials shout conflicting orders, while messengers run and bells toll without rhythm.
[2026/04/19 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: Captain Black Bart says nothing as he helps you ashore. At last, he turns, fixing you with a hard look. “Whatever ye lot are mixed up in,” he says flatly, “don’t involve me anymore, aye?” With that, he turns and disappears into the chaos of the docks.
[2026/04/19 15:11] Mecha: Meanwhile I look at Meghan."Run."
[2026/04/19 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: As I said before... she's... not really in any condition to go anywhere
[2026/04/19 15:11] Sapphire: Did Black Bart return Emily's lantern?
[2026/04/19 15:11] Sonja Bikergrrl: Yes, he has no need of a lantern
[2026/04/19 15:12] Sonja Bikergrrl: he has no ship to hang it from, after all
[2026/04/19 15:13] Mecha: Talia will walk up to Emily and lift her face to face."YOu had better give me one damned good reason not to rip you to pieces."
[2026/04/19 15:13] Jassie: I really thought he was gonna join us on this journey
[2026/04/19 15:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: Meghan blinks. “About those gems... and the kobolds. They mentioned a barrow mound. Old. Pre-Mercian.” She swallows. “Sutton Hoo. Other side of the country.”
[2026/04/19 15:14] Sapphire: "Um?"
[2026/04/19 15:14] Sapphire: Emily gulps as Talia grabs her.
[2026/04/19 15:14] Mecha: *Sorry that was grabbing Meghan not Emily*
[2026/04/19 15:14] Sapphire: *Oh!*
[2026/04/19 15:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Also: Joe! Are you going to just stand by?)
[2026/04/19 15:15] Joe: exhausted from rowing.
[2026/04/19 15:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: O_O
[2026/04/19 15:15] Mecha: *Lol*
[2026/04/19 15:16] Joe: ((I'm not fully in the picture with the backstory yet - i will have to read the whole campaign notes)
[2026/04/19 15:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'm pretty sure even an exhausted paladin would stand by as an act of murder was comitted
[2026/04/19 15:16] Mecha: *If I may. Joe, your character is a Paladin right?*
[2026/04/19 15:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me tosses up the missing "NOT"
[2026/04/19 15:16] Jassie: dont look at jassie, shes a questionable enough cleric as it is hahaha
[2026/04/19 15:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me didn't.
[2026/04/19 15:17] Joe: Hmm ... ? Seeing whats going on, I step in between Talia and Meghan. "Stop."
[2026/04/19 15:17] Sapphire: "What, you want to put her on trial or something? That'll take forever."
[2026/04/19 15:18] Mecha: Talia just glares."Give me one reason and I swear to whichever god you serve, if you say demons you're going to meet that god."
[2026/04/19 15:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: Meghan (no longer sounding so sure): "She... killed my man..."
[2026/04/19 15:18] Joe: I cast Detect Evil on Meghan.
[2026/04/19 15:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: You do not detect any sign of evil.
[2026/04/19 15:19] Joe: "She may be an idiot but she is not evil." To Meghan; "I expect you will dedicate the rest of your life to making amends."
[2026/04/19 15:20] Jassie: i think she needs to solve this problem she proliferated first and foremost joh
[2026/04/19 15:20] Mecha: "She did not kill your man, but you killed her." before Talia throws her away towards the nearest wall, putting some extra strength behind the throw
[2026/04/19 15:20] Jassie: Joe*
[2026/04/19 15:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: Megan shakes her head and nods, making her head jiggle in all directions, not really sure what she's agreeing and disagreeing with
[2026/04/19 15:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me blinks
[2026/04/19 15:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay... STR check... 1 is a crit which carries Consequences. Roll D20
[2026/04/19 15:21] D20: Mecha rolls 17
[2026/04/19 15:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: You pushed her 1' towards the wall. She trips and falls with a -thud-.
[2026/04/19 15:21] Mecha: *Not going for a kill more of a keep her away and if she hits a wall and is stunned mores the better*
[2026/04/19 15:21] Mecha: "If I ever see you again Meghan , make no mistake.. I will kill you."
[2026/04/19 15:22] Mecha: Before she walks away
[2026/04/19 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: Lines are being drawn in this discussion.
[2026/04/19 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: Looks like you got a few possible directions, if you want me to list them.
[2026/04/19 15:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: Some are obvious, some not. The list is not exhaustive.
[2026/04/19 15:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: let me know :-)
[2026/04/19 15:23] Sapphire: Someone is going to have to deliver the news to Sonja's hatchlings
[2026/04/19 15:23] Mecha: How far is Sutton Hoo from Sonjas lair?
[2026/04/19 15:24] Sonja Bikergrrl: there's two of the options.
[2026/04/19 15:24] Mecha: Talia nods."She asked me to do it."
[2026/04/19 15:24] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sonjas' lair - a good few days march north. Sutton Hoo... over a week east.
[2026/04/19 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: it's your only current lead on the power gems, and, if you delay, you might lose it.
[2026/04/19 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: But, you did promise to tell her family... that might mean something.
[2026/04/19 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: You also might want to check in on Queen Astrid... again, that might involve a bit of a delay.
[2026/04/19 15:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: Each choice is possible, and each path brings their own risks/rewards. Your call which.
[2026/04/19 15:27] Jassie: what do u reckon then Talia?
[2026/04/19 15:27] Sapphire: "Maybe that should be Meghan's pennance."
[2026/04/19 15:28] Mecha: Talia pauses."We kill those bastards then I go and deliver the bad news and then off to Queen Astrid." she sighs."Not sure I'm in the right mindset to be making choices like this."
[2026/04/19 15:28] Sonja Bikergrrl: which bastards are they?
[2026/04/19 15:29] Mecha: the kobold, Emberclaw and any bastards on their side.
[2026/04/19 15:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay. Do you know where they are?
[2026/04/19 15:31] Mecha: Figure Sutton hoo if they are not there already then they are heading there for the gems.
[2026/04/19 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: well... that's the furthest, certainly. A week there, a week back... that's a fair delay, but, it does at least ensure a good chance at a power gem.
[2026/04/19 15:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: And, it's fairly obvious there's an uproar going on.
[2026/04/19 15:32] Sapphire: Emily takes a moment to listen to what the Uproar seems to be about.
[2026/04/19 15:33] Jassie: i reckon u should possibly tell her family first?
[2026/04/19 15:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: told you already: there seem to be uprisings going on everywhere. Bands of kobolds, the dead rising. No one has a clear idea what's going on.
[2026/04/19 15:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: That's a valid option, but, it'll almost certainly cost you that power gem.
[2026/04/19 15:34] Mecha: Talia looks at Jassie."If we had a chance to do it and still get the power gem I would but right now we've been a step behind the whole way, like some deity is fucking with us
[2026/04/19 15:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: DM looks innocent.
[2026/04/19 15:37] Jassie: "haha!" lqaughs to herself some as she looks up to the sky, "the Mother of the moon does love to fuck with us
[2026/04/19 15:37] Sapphire: "I'd really love to get there first to one of the gems. Emberclaw's armies have been causing problems all over from the sound of it."
[2026/04/19 15:38] Mecha: *We're on good terms with Queen Astrid right?*
[2026/04/19 15:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: More like: Emberclaws' armies are starting to cause problems
[2026/04/19 15:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: Last time you saw Queen Astrid: you were being publically congratulated for defeating Emberclaw.
[2026/04/19 15:39] Mecha: *Good.*
[2026/04/19 15:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: These congrats look like they may have been premature
[2026/04/19 15:39] Jassie: no need to rub it in lol
[2026/04/19 15:40] Mecha: "One of you who is good at writing write up a message to Queen AStrid. I'll pay for it to be delivered. we can give her the rundown before we go."If you need any supplies in the mean time... get them now"
[2026/04/19 15:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: there's no postal service...
[2026/04/19 15:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: Meanwhile: Sutton Hoo. Location: East coast of Britannia, just east of Colchester and south of the Great Nef Desert. It's about 240 miles.
[2026/04/19 15:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: at 20 mph... it's 12 days there. 12 days back. That's a -huge- delay. Just making -sure- that is in fact what you want to do.
[2026/04/19 15:41] Mecha: Is there travel we can take to right outside it so no one else gets blown up.?
[2026/04/19 15:41] Sapphire: No postal service at all?
[2026/04/19 15:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: well...
[2026/04/19 15:42] Sapphire: granted, even if there was, secret dragon caves are not in most service areas
[2026/04/19 15:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: you can probably hire a messanger
[2026/04/19 15:42] Sapphire: "Get me some paper I'll prepare a message."
[2026/04/19 15:42] Jassie: maybe message to queen
[2026/04/19 15:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: whether they make it to the Queen during an uprising... YMMV
[2026/04/19 15:42] Jassie: and then, message to fam
[2026/04/19 15:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: that definitely won't arrive.
[2026/04/19 15:43] Jassie: well asking to deliver... hmmm 1 sec
[2026/04/19 15:43] Jassie: ah I dont have sending
[2026/04/19 15:45] Sapphire: is the power gem to the west overland or over water?
[2026/04/19 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: what powergem to the west?
[2026/04/19 15:46] Mecha: to the east, sutton hoo
[2026/04/19 15:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: oh that
[2026/04/19 15:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: About 240 miles east, over south Britannia. No seas involved
[2026/04/19 15:47] Jassie: so just lots of walking and hiking
[2026/04/19 15:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: About 12 days of it, yes.
[2026/04/19 15:47] Jassie: wonder if anyone wants to allow us transport?
[2026/04/19 15:47] Jassie: horses, camel, donkeys, whatever
[2026/04/19 15:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: Whether they do or don't... still 12 days there, 12 days back
[2026/04/19 15:49] Jassie: awww
[2026/04/19 15:49] Mecha: Just let's grab supplies and go. send a messenger and then we're off.
[2026/04/19 15:49] Sapphire: Horses are faster if you have a way to buy feed for them as you go... we might be better off walking
[2026/04/19 15:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: That's 20 days out of the start of... whatever is happening.
[2026/04/19 15:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: horses are still 20mph.
[2026/04/19 15:49] Sapphire: are the uprisings here something we can do anything about? I suppose we'd need to actually ask around
[2026/04/19 15:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: Hard to say, right now you're just hearing people shouting different things.
[2026/04/19 15:50] Jassie: and what about her fami?
[2026/04/19 15:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: Good question. That's a few days north, at least
[2026/04/19 15:51] Sonja Bikergrrl: probably five days.
[2026/04/19 15:52] Jassie: sigh
[2026/04/19 15:52] Jassie: so not even on the way
[2026/04/19 15:53] Mecha: Talia is angry so she just heads to start getting supplies for the trip."The longer we debate the close they get to these gems and I am tired of falling behind."
[2026/04/19 15:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: I'm afraid this is Choices... it's your call which way you go, with different outcomes depending on your path. You can't do all at once.
[2026/04/19 15:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: Looks like Sutton Hoo it is
[2026/04/19 15:53] Sapphire: that's my general take too
[2026/04/19 15:53] Joe: Agreed
[2026/04/19 15:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay.
[2026/04/19 15:54] Jassie: alright then
[2026/04/19 15:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: There are several villages to stop off at, so supplies and rest is not a problem. Encounters: None. (The road is mostly in the interior of Britannia, so, fairly "safe".
[2026/04/19 15:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: It's ten days before you come close to an old, small port city on the River Thames, called London.
[2026/04/19 15:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: You hear of strangely half-hearted forces moving west, from out of the Great Nef. That's further North, though... and the reports are pretty vague.
[2026/04/19 15:56] Sapphire: Anything important there?
[2026/04/19 15:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: are you diverting North to see?
[2026/04/19 15:56] Sonja Bikergrrl: Or do you mean London?
[2026/04/19 15:56] Jassie: London lol
[2026/04/19 15:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: docks... merchants... sailors... probably prostitutes
[2026/04/19 15:57] Jassie: sounds like london yes
[2026/04/19 15:57] Jassie: but!!
[2026/04/19 15:57] Jassie: with that i'll have to loves u all and leaves u
[2026/04/19 15:57] Jassie: sorry sorry, super busy week and need to get back to work
[2026/04/19 15:58] Jassie: carry on without me for now Sonja😘
[2026/04/19 15:58] Jassie: just send me the logs
[2026/04/19 15:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: *GIGGLES*
[2026/04/19 15:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: they'll be on the site, we likely won't go too far
[2026/04/19 15:58] Sapphire: i meant london, yeah
[2026/04/19 15:58] Joe: stay safe Jassie
[2026/04/19 15:59] Jassie: yup, and Mecha or sapphire can utilize me hehe
[2026/04/19 15:59] Sapphire: interesting phrasing
[2026/04/19 15:59] Jassie: see u all hugs all around!
[2026/04/19 15:59] Sapphire: *hugs*
[2026/04/19 15:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: Moving on another two days, and you arrive at a small village not far from Colchester, another old settlement
[2026/04/19 15:59] Jassie: lol so we literally in England
[2026/04/19 16:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: Best place.
[2026/04/19 16:00] Jassie: (continue travelling east, we might cross over to Dublin)
[2026/04/19 16:01] Jassie: oh thats west
[2026/04/19 16:01] Jassie: I mean france
[2026/04/19 16:01] Sonja Bikergrrl: A small settlement called Witham. What do you want to do?
[2026/04/19 16:01] Jassie: anyways
[2026/04/19 16:01] Jassie: bye all!
[2026/04/19 16:02] Mecha: do we need supplies?
[2026/04/19 16:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: I don't know... do you?
[2026/04/19 16:03] Sapphire: Probably, though I haven't been tracking supplies closely, since it sounds like we can manage those as we go
[2026/04/19 16:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: pretty much, yes, so... what do you think you need?
[2026/04/19 16:04] Mecha: food
[2026/04/19 16:05] Joe: lantern oil to fill my flask again
[2026/04/19 16:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: you have food.
[2026/04/19 16:06] Sapphire: a supply of throwing daggers to replace these stone ones
[2026/04/19 16:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: lamp oil... call it a gp
[2026/04/19 16:06] Sapphire: also spells but i'd be amazed if there's any promising sources out here
[2026/04/19 16:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: daggers... 5x for 12gp, a bargain
[2026/04/19 16:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: where are you going to get spells from?
[2026/04/19 16:08] Joe: any spears, bow and rrows?
[2026/04/19 16:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: let's see.... 80gp will see you have a spear, a bow, 20 arrows
[2026/04/19 16:10] Joe: i have 74 GP
[2026/04/19 16:10] Sapphire: ok, i'' take those 5 daggers
[2026/04/19 16:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: I make it 75gp, but, we'll call it that and you'll have... 20sp, 10cp left
[2026/04/19 16:11] Mecha: Talia spots them ten GP
[2026/04/19 16:11] Sapphire: well, purchase
[2026/04/19 16:11] Joe: hmm maybe a bow arrows and some food instead
[2026/04/19 16:12] Sapphire: as a mage there's not many weapons or armor i can use
[2026/04/19 16:12] Joe: i had some apples but we probably ate them along the way
[2026/04/19 16:12] Sonja Bikergrrl: it's going to be much the same price.
[2026/04/19 16:12] Sonja Bikergrrl: Spells aren't generally for sale anywhere
[2026/04/19 16:12] Joe: ah who needs food anyway when you can have ranged attacks
[2026/04/19 16:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: indeed
[2026/04/19 16:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: so... now what?
[2026/04/19 16:14] Joe: ask around if there are many mages around these parts?
[2026/04/19 16:14] Joe: to learn new spells from if they are wiling to teach
[2026/04/19 16:14] Sapphire: during that travel time, would it have been reasonable to research the other spells out of the ice queens books?
[2026/04/19 16:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: that's like asking are there many quantum physicists about
[2026/04/19 16:14] Sapphire: maybe if we had stopped by Oxford or Cambridge...
[2026/04/19 16:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: I seem to recall it was 55% chance per spell?
[2026/04/19 16:15] Sapphire: sounds about right
[2026/04/19 16:15] Sapphire: in this case Invisibility seems like the one most worth looking into, followed by Chill Touch
[2026/04/19 16:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: 50%
[2026/04/19 16:15] Sapphire: want me to roll a d% or a d20 ?
[2026/04/19 16:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: call the spell, roll 2D10
[2026/04/19 16:19] Sapphire: Invisibility
[2026/04/19 16:19] D10: Sapphire rolls 2
[2026/04/19 16:19] D10: Sapphire rolls 4
[2026/04/19 16:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: success
[2026/04/19 16:19] Sapphire: Chill Touch
[2026/04/19 16:19] D10: Sapphire rolls 1
[2026/04/19 16:19] D10: Sapphire rolls 10
[2026/04/19 16:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: success
[2026/04/19 16:20] Sapphire: ,,,,,,huh
[2026/04/19 16:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: 24, and 10
[2026/04/19 16:20] Sapphire: is the version of the Shield spell in the Ice Queens book a different one from the one I already know?
[2026/04/19 16:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: Same.
[2026/04/19 16:20] Sapphire: ok, the fast notes are slightly different
[2026/04/19 16:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: Ice Bolt is functionally same as Magic Missile, but, cold based.
[2026/04/19 16:21] Sapphire: might as well try to learn it too
[2026/04/19 16:21] Sapphire: might make a difference
[2026/04/19 16:21] D10: Sapphire rolls 3
[2026/04/19 16:21] D10: Sapphire rolls 6
[2026/04/19 16:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: yes, they factor in spell duration
[2026/04/19 16:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: also success
[2026/04/19 16:22] Second Life: Sapphire gave you Emily Genie L7 C.
[2026/04/19 16:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: so... while you're in the settlement?
[2026/04/19 16:22] Sapphire: so we're in his town, we wanted to track down Sutton Hoo and talk to him?
[2026/04/19 16:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: Roll D20, IN check
[2026/04/19 16:24] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sapphire.
[2026/04/19 16:27] D20: Sapphire rolls 4
[2026/04/19 16:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: you recall: Sutton Hoo is a king’s grave
[2026/04/19 16:28] Sonja Bikergrrl: so... now what. Joe? Talia?
[2026/04/19 16:28] Sapphire: Hmmmm. Well, that means they aren't going to hide from us when we go looking at least.
[2026/04/19 16:29] Sapphire: was the intention to talk to the kings ghost?
[2026/04/19 16:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: Since you didn't enquire exact details, it's hard to answer that one.
[2026/04/19 16:29] Mecha: Talia is ready to continue the trip
[2026/04/19 16:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: to where?
[2026/04/19 16:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: Joe? Any ideas?
[2026/04/19 16:30] Mecha: to Sutton hoo the kings grave
[2026/04/19 16:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: do you know where it is?
[2026/04/19 16:32] Joe: we could ask around
[2026/04/19 16:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: you could! Who you going to ask?
[2026/04/19 16:32] Joe: locals
[2026/04/19 16:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: go ahead and ask one
[2026/04/19 16:33] Joe: "hey you"
[2026/04/19 16:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's a guy loading crates onto a cart. "Whaddya want?"
[2026/04/19 16:33] Joe: "Hi, where is Sutton Hoo?"
[2026/04/19 16:34] Joe: "The Kings Grave at Sutton Hoo"
[2026/04/19 16:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: He pauses, blinking. "The Kings Grave? Whaddya want there?"
[2026/04/19 16:34] Joe: "To pay our respects"
[2026/04/19 16:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: Guy loading cart: "Yeah, right, not to go graverobbing while the kingdom goes to shit."
[2026/04/19 16:35] Joe: "Im a Paladin of the Order of WinterShard. My companions and myself have travelled far. We have no intent to desecrate a grave."
[2026/04/19 16:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: (That's not strictly true, is it...)
[2026/04/19 16:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: The guy looks at you all with obvious doubt. "Fuck it. You want to go get et by the guardians, you go do that, not like we aren't going to hell in a handbasket. Mile out to the east, take the coast road. Now if you don't mind, I'm fixing to leave town."
[2026/04/19 16:38] Joe: "Thank you good sir. You have been most helpful."
[2026/04/19 16:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: Guy shakes his head and dumps a crate on the cart, and ignores you
[2026/04/19 16:39] Sapphire: "Guardians?" Emily asks
[2026/04/19 16:39] Joe: I return to the others. "Coast road. A mile east."
[2026/04/19 16:40] Mecha: Let's go
[2026/04/19 16:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: Everyone roll a D20
[2026/04/19 16:40] D20: Mecha rolls 18
[2026/04/19 16:40] D20: Joe rolls 15
[2026/04/19 16:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: it's a save vs.... mmmm.... let's say spells
[2026/04/19 16:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: Emily
[2026/04/19 16:42] Sonja Bikergrrl: Sa-pphire....
[2026/04/19 16:42] D20: Sapphire rolls 19
[2026/04/19 16:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: For a moment, for the very briefest of moments... some wave of mental static washes through your heads. You think, but you aren't sure, that you hear.... cackling?
[2026/04/19 16:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: And then it's fading.
[2026/04/19 16:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: And this.... looks like a good point to say "cliffhanger"
[2026/04/19 16:46] Mecha: Interesting ending
[2026/04/19 16:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: mmhmm
[2026/04/19 16:46] Sapphire: uh oh
[2026/04/19 16:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: Consequences of Choices made
[2026/04/19 16:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: or is it foreboding?
[2026/04/19 16:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: Or... is it just... red herrings...
[2026/04/19 16:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: Guess you'll find out next week, when we break into the Sutton Hoo burial mound :-)
[2026/04/19 16:48] Sonja Bikergrrl: I got to dash... hope you've found this... "fun" ;-)
[2026/04/19 16:48] Joe: have a good week DungonMistress
[2026/04/19 16:48] Sapphire: thanks for running!
[2026/04/19 16:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: /me reads ahead a bit, chuckles
[2026/04/19 16:49] Mecha: Sleep well Mistress, see you tomorrow.
[2026/04/19 16:49] Joe: whispers: cackles more like
[2026/04/19 16:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: yes, that too .... heheheheh