Tageru's body starts to glow as soon as it is obvious that the battle is inevitable. A faint, green aura quickly turns into a full green beacon of elemental energy as he performs the holy katas taught to him by his masters at the temple. He closes his eyes for a moment and when he opens them, he starts to knock, draw and loose arrows almost mechanically, and each shot a perfectly fluid motion. Green-lit arrows fly in long, graceful arcs and fall onto the unsuspecting foes, each carrying the essences of life and death combined. He just stands there silently, shooting one arrow after another onto the hateful Lintha and their demonic servants, as the ships approach.

[Private to GM: OOC: ok, so I just shoot, shoot and shoot some more. I start with one arrow at a time, and if they seem like easy prey, I start shooting two at a time, flurrying. If not, I remain focused and just shoot on. :)
I won't use any Charms for now, and instead will save Essence in case we come across something more powerful or dangerous. I activate the wood dragon form, but that's it...]

This time Jadira holds fire with the cannon, realizing the range is still too far and the blast does not affect the mist.

She turns to her people. "Those of you not at a catapult station, ready bows!" Those men (and, rarely, women) of the gunnery crew who can respond do so immediately, arming themselves with quality longbows and arrows. "Ballistas, aim! We want to disable the weapons on their artillery ship. Everyone, they'll fire on us for sure so take cover if you can!"

"Will we flame 'em ma'am?" asks one of the men standing close to her.

"You bet, we'll hit'em with all the fire we've got. Come on, get the oil passed around, the striker..." She nods approvingly as the man who spoke before designates himself 'the firestarter' while other crewmen wrap their ammo with rags. "Anyone with hands free, grab a torch! The mists despise fire -- even if you can't hit 'em with it, we might be able to force it into a physical form." Which of course wouldn't make the eristufa any safer... but she'd be able to bring more powerful weaponry to bear on it.

[Private to GM: Jadira and her crew will use 3 ticks to aim, concentrating on the artillery ship. To keep things coordinated, I'll have Jadira's archers (there would be 7 of them, as Jadira has 19 followers and 3x4 of them are manning the ballistae) fire on her next tick after the ballista fire.]

Unfortunately for Kareth, the mist is ready for him this time, shifting apart to let his blazing bolt pass through it harmlessly. His mind still feels frustratingly addled.

Tageru fires, and keeps firing, not particularly concerned at the target as long as it's Lintha or demonic. His first verdant arrow flies straight for the flagship, arcing into the cloud of limbs and weapons guarding there. The creature, certainly some form of demon, lets out an angry screech and attempts to beat the arrow away with its spear-arm. [Private to Cynis Tageru: If you're just going to fire and keep firing, I'll keep randomly choosing your targets. Your first hit the many limbed demon on the flagship. 13 sux -2 for visibility, -1 for distance, so 10 sux. The demon has total of 9 DV. in with 1, I'll presume you use broadhead since its armor is all natural.] It strikes nonetheless, stabbing through a weak point in its carapace. (2L)

"Ha ha, just trying won't cut it in these waters, eh cap'n," replies Donnegal to Lasuri, grinning fiercely. "I'll get to it imme... dia... tely..." His eyes unfocus suddenly; something in the mist has distracted him, and his hands grow still on the wheel. The Dryad is still moving forward, but drifting from the course Lasuri suggested.

The Lintha war galley and supporting artillery ship continue their approach toward the Dryad and Marlena. The galley does not appear to have any long-range weapons, but the deck holds a mix of rowers, a few auhzian swordsmen, and pair of large hulking shapes, their blood ape support. [Private to Cynis Tageru; Kiana Makohgn: You see more Lintha underneath the waves. The figures aboard the galley are not enough to overtake the Dryad. The majority are actually underwater, clinging to the belly of the ship, waiting till they are close enough to arise.]

The artillery ship lets fly with a ballista barrage, aiming to take out the Marlena quickly. [Private to Peleps Zeru: Attack successes are 2, 1, 1 after penalties for distance and visibility. Coordinated attack puts you at -4 DV. Ship DV is half (round up) of your Wits+Sail-2 (the -2 is from courier stats). Your raw total is -1 right now (effectively 0 DV). If you have sail excellencies, or want to buy one with your xp, you can add to the DV. You can also use appropriate Virtue channels or WP to help. Marlena may help also but I'll let you post first :)] Jadira's ballista teams return fire, the javelin-like ammunition sadly falling just short of their marks. "Damn this mist!"

Exposure to the mist chills the crews of both the Dryad and the Marlena. Those with a source of fire close by manage to repel it, but those who do not feel the cold seep right through to their bones (1L). The Dragon-blooded find the mist's touch uncomfortable but take no damage.

---

OOC: Sorry this was so slow. We can try speeding up toward boarding if people give me an idea of what they'll do (actions, charm use, etc.) over the next few actions.

actions
tick 11 - Kareth, Tageru
tick 12 - Lasuri + Dryad Crew, Lintha flagship (stationary at 425 yards), Lintha war galley (approaching at 350 yards), Mist-demon
tick 14 - Unknown Lintha ally (aka the artillery ship, approaching at 490 yards)
tick 15 - Kiana, Zeru + Marlena

Zeru + Marlena need to defend before their next action.
Jadira's next action won't come till the turn cycle after this.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:53, Mon 02 Feb 2009.

Zeru's hands grip the wheel tightly. His eyes are desperately searching the mists for anything that could impede their progress. "Mau!" he hears from his pocket. He looks off to his right to see a form in the mist launch some projectiles at them.

"Oh my lady grant me speed." He prays as he cuts the wheel, using his dragon graced strength to set it spinning hard to port, then again to catch it harmlessly. Da'naad seemed to be with him as the currents pushed along the stern, seemingly disturbed by the unnatural mists. "Twins... please grab the sail lines." He quickly puts his finger in his mouth gauging the wind.  "Curran three strides to me, Brogan 2 strides straight back. Cinna Antov please reciprocate, I want them scurrying." Despite his protestations he falls easily into the squad leading role. Especially in a tense situation.

"There are Lintha under water! They'll board us as soon as they get near! Prepare yourselves!" Tageru shouts, and turns his attention to the ship coming towards them. He breathes in deep, to calm himself, and goes through the Five Heartbeat Meditation, like he used to when he trained back in the Cloister. Within moments, his arms are steady, and his aim is perfect, and he calmly starts shooting at the Lintha approaching them, as if on target practice, and not in a life-or-death battle. The arrows fly toward the approaching ship, and soon, the dying screams of the demon-bloods can be heard on the Dryad.

[Private to Storyteller: OOC:
Okay, I need an estimate of how close they are, how soon they'll get to us, and how many rowers there are. If I think I can kill their rowers before they reach us, I do so, slowing them so we can destroy them with our cannon. If there are too many, or they're too fast and too close, then I start killing the Blood-Apes on board. I still do not activate any Charms, unless I think they could make a big difference. Also, I attack twice/action, since they're rowing and cannot defend themselves properly, so I can afford to lose a couple of dice. :)
And I use the appropriate type of arrow, depending on their armor.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Sun 01 Feb 2009.

Despite his confusion, Kareth could see the crew getting injured by this living mist and he barely managed to realize that something had to be done.  In a fit of righteous anger, he begins to concentrate with all his might, pushing the Mist's power from his head and molding his Essence, once more, into a ball of energy.  Suddenly, with an unintelligible grunt he, thrust the hand holding the sword out and once again throws his ball of flame into the demonic mists.

[Private to GM: Same gig,  but this time I'm spending a point of willpower to break the confusion and then I'm using the Elem Bolt again.  I'm also goin to buy 2 sux with my Archery Excellency this time.   That puts my anima banner at 4m.

01:36, Today: Isole Kareth rolled 7 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,10,1,3,7,2,6,10,9,8. Elem Bolt Dmg.
01:35, Today: Isole Kareth rolled 9 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,8,2,10,7,8,1,1,7,8,8. Elem Bolt Attack.

Attack: 9 sux
Damage: 7 sux ]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:40, Sun 01 Feb 2009.

Struck by the angry blast of fire, the mist roars in agony, drawing away from the ship. It coagulates together, sinking lower, lower into the sea, forming into tendril-like shapes that further define themselves into the solid shape of a sea-monster.

[Private to Isole Kareth: You actually did 5, not 7 damage, since 10s don't count twice for damage... still a good hit though!]

The mist is gone... and in its place, the sea around the Spring Dryad writhes with a mass of eyes, tentacles and grasping claws (several of its appendages have been scorched black, though, useless and charred.) Any normal ship would be lacerated by its grip, but the Dryad's hull holds firm, dragging the monster along with it. With the creature clinging to the ship, however, its speed slows considerably!
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:26, Mon 02 Feb 2009.

Tageru's arrows start raining down on the war galley, focusing first on the biggest targets -- the blood apes. One arrow slams into the sternum of the first erymanthus, so hard it staggers back, roaring its blind wrath at the distant attacker. The second slams into the skull, dropping it immediately. [Private to Cynis Tageru: You nearly one-shotted a blood ape, haha! Just 2 HLs off.]

The screams that come are not so much dying screams as howls, the large creature crashing onto the deck as the Lintha on board crouch for what cover they can find. Except the rowers -- they have no choice but to row, and the spike-armored bosun is visible on board, heavy with the whip as he strides back and forth, forcing them to keep on moving!

[Private to Cynis Tageru: Ok, there's about 22 rowers. And they're going at a rate of 15/tick, while Dryad is approaching at roughly 7/tick. So 110 per 5 ticks, that means they'll be within a reasonable distance to board in 3 turns. With your rate (2) you wouldn't actually put them below their minimum for rowing at normal speed. So... I'll have you hit the blood apes first.

Also, stunts.. you got +2 last time and +1 this time, not sure I said before.]

Zeru's natural instincts as a sailor prove true, as does the loyalty of his crew... and his ship. The heavy ballista shots strike the water on either side of the Marlena as she bravely skips between them, guided by her Captain's hand. [Private to Peleps Zeru: +2 stunt was enough to keep you safe!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:29, Mon 02 Feb 2009.

The trimaran flagship remains distant, holding its position. Without the mists in the way, though, the Cobalt Alliance force sees the distant flare of dark, infernal essence emanating from the flagship deck. The Lintha's sorcerer is casting a spell, guarded by the shape of the many-limbed chitinous demon holding weapons in every hand.

The Wavecrest Navy is still fighting bravely, two ships against two, perhaps bolstered by the arrival of 'reinforcements' -- whomever they may be. They do not ask questions for now, but use the confusion roused by the mists dropping away and the sudden arrival of their allies.

Curled around the Dryad, the materialized eristufa continues to seize Donnegal's mind while the pilot struggles to throw off the illusion.

The artillery ship reloads, sending another barrage flying, this one not nearly as organized as before. They do not aim for the ship's hull -- perhaps realizing from Zeru's quick maneuvering how closely he and the Marlena are tied -- but fire directly at captain and crew. Two ballista shots arc toward Zeru's place at the wheel; the others toward Cinna and Brogan, who duck for cover as best they can! [Private to Peleps Zeru: Oops, disregard my first series of rolls, used the wrong dice. It's 5 and 4 dice on you, 7 on Brogan, 6 on Cinna.

You've got 3 choices here...
1) Defend individually. The ballista shots miss you, but Brogan and Cinna are on their own to defend.
2) Use sail skill to avoid all the shots, like last turn. This time your DV starts at 3. But you'll need 3 more DV to cover Cinna and 4 more to cover Brogan.
3) Ask Marlena to take over the ship and dodge it herself.

Also, you're moving over 2x as quickly as the Dryad now that they're tentacle-trapped. Are you going to head toward boarding the war galley, or the artillery ship?]

---

OOC: Annnd there we go. The galley is just continuing to row, for now, they used their turns taking cover. I'm holding on the eristufa's action for Lasuri.

Seeing this as his chance to finally clear the demon from this battle, Lasuri doesn't hesitate once he sees the opportunity. He takes a step on the railing, watching the beast down below, before turning back to the crew for a moment - Donnegal is obviously affected by something, and the tentacles keep the Dryad from moving at its normal speed, and so clearly, something has to be done.

"Keep your wits, people! We'll soon get company up here. Show them how we receive people we don't want as guests, and don't let up. I have to go swat a big fly, but I'll be back in just a moment."

And with that, he takes another step... This time towards the side of the ship. Strangely enough, gravity seems to ignore him as he walks on the side of the ship, walking downwards towards the water - as if the side of the Dryad had suddenly become the floor for him. With practiced stride, he crosses the distance between himself and the waterfront... And the demon grabbing the ship. He faces the creature, sword and axe pointing downwards, and meets the demon's gaze evenly.

"I'm the Sea Drake." He announces, without fanfare. "This is my ship. That up there is my crew, and my people. I'm a forgiving man... But messing with either's the best way to earn no quarter from me. You're two out of two." His stance shifts slightly, his weapons raising only a bit from their original position.

"You'll have to go."

In a surge of black, watery essence, he surges forward - downwards, as most people would see it - and lets loose with one attack of each weapons that seem to crash upon the demon with the strength of a Tidal Wave.

Jadira rallies her crew during the reloading process. "Keep it up, ammo ready on the double! The faster we shoot 'em down, the better!" Without the mist, they'll have a chance to really make a difference in this battle. And if the ship would just get a little closer... she'd hammer the galley with their cannon, as well.

For now she takes up the strongbow she'd been keeping in reserve. If the blast wouldn't reach right away, she would contribute to the arrow volley first -- and if she could, help Lasuri do something to finish off that tentacly mess below!

(OOC: she isn't actually acting since I didn't get a tick. Just preparing!)

"YOU THINK TO HIT MY CREW!?" Zeru shouts in mad glee towards the artillery ship? He Cuts the wheel again, "Brogan, Curren, back to your original positions." His smile grows wider, as his voice grows hushed. All the fury of Da'naad coursing through his veins. "My lady help me guide us through this volley that we may strike back at our foes." As he says the words his voice rises from the trickle of a mountain stream to the volume of a roaring waterfall. In a crescendo he shouts towards his men. "BOYS PREPARE FOR BATTLE! WE'RE GONNA SEND THEM BACK TO WHATEVER HELL SPAWNED THEM" He laughs loudly into the wind and the salty spray.

He lets the wind and currents push the ship back in line with the artillery ship so that the beasts aboard can feel their death approaching on black wings.

[Private to Storyteller: Another stunt attempt, although this one is more about his voice seeing as he's gonna channel valor into it. Whatever I don't get from the stunt and the channeling I'll use sail excellency for]

The Dryad crew hardly blinks an eye as Lasuri disappears off the side of the ship. It's not the first time they've ever seen it, after all. Some of them even cheer!!

Come then, Dragon-child. Lasuri hears the voice of the eristufa penetrate into his mind as he runs along the side of the ship to meet the sea-monster. It feels like cold fingers penetrating through his skull, like being dashed suddenly with cold water. I will savor the taste of your ill-thought valor.

The clawed tentacles rise to fend off his weapons, but it's not enough to stop him. Both wavecleaver and axe come away dripping with the demon's ichor. As he takes a step back, he sees the eyes of the eristufa blink as one, rising on tendrils to gaze at him balefully.

Enough. Lasuri feels the demon's presence pushing forcefully into his thoughts. Seizing for what is important and discarding the rest, like a child careless with toys. His mind is filled with delusions of what could be. The Dryad captured by the Lintha, brought courageously to Bluehaven. His crew put to slavery, his woman made Lintha cousin, forever his enemy. Despair. The Realm had turned from him and so would everything else he loves crumble to dust.

As the images rush dizzily through his mind--so does the eristufa's tentacles rouse themselves, slashing at Lasuri from either side, and finally grasping at him tight! [Private to Lasuri Leomaris: One tentacle slash in with 1 sux, and a clinch with 4 sux.]

As Lasuri fends off the sea-demon, the ships continue to encroach upon each other.

Tageru fires at the next blood ape, the first arrow sinking into the shoulder, the second deep into the chest, but displaced just enough not to be fatal.

The men on the galley just keep on rowing -- or crouching. Waiting their turn. The Lintha clinging to the hull beneath the galley do not care if they've been seen or not. The time for battle will soon come.

Again, Zeru's piloting skills and leadership ability help steer the Marlena away from the second barrage. The courier captain is at the top of his form, his crew perfectly in time with his commands as his words stir them to action! [Private to Peleps Zeru: Your last post was great! I'll give it a +3, and I'll let your stunt carry over for the next ballista attack I just rolled. This means you have a DV of 6 for this turn, too.] Seeing the Marlena speeding their way, and the strength and solidary of Zeru and his crew, the Lintha on the artillery ship do their very best to use distance to their advantage while they can. A third ballista volley comes arcing for the courier ship, but even with Marlena's aid, one of the shots tears into and splinters part of her hull! [Private to Peleps Zeru: You and Marlena dodged all but the 12 successes one. I'll roll your Sail excellency, which added 5 successes, but Marlena still got clipped!] (3L damage)

"No, no, NO!! That's not how it should go at ALL!!" Marlena fumes, feathers ruffled by the damage. "Zeru, get ready, we're going to pick up speed NOW!" And with another flare of the spirit's pale purple Essence, the black-winged courier begins to fly across the waves toward the artillery ship! [Private to Peleps Zeru: Marlena is now using Landscape Travel, double speed.]

---

OOC: actions [Private to Cynis Tageru, Isole Kareth: I've been using the wrong spd for both of you, should be 6 each. Tageru has the green jade bonus, not general jade bonus. So I'm starting to adjust to that from now on.]
tick 17 - Kareth, Tageru, Lasuri + Dryad crew, Lintha flagship, Lintha war galley
tick 18 - Jadira + Dryad weapons, Unknown artillery ship
tick 20 - Kiana, Zeru + Marlena

distances (at tick 17)
Lintha flagship (395 yards from Dryad)
Lintha war galley (240 yards from Dryad)
Artillery ship (442 yards from Dryad)]

distances (at tick 20)
Lintha flagship (280 yards from Marlena)
Lintha war galley (85 yards from Marlena)
Artillery ship (311 yards from Marlena)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:52, Tue 03 Feb 2009.

"Ah, captain, my captain,"  Kareth thinks to himself as he sees Lasuri walk down the side of Dryad.  Truth be told is that he was impressed with the man so far, not that anyone could tell from his sulking glares.  It was for this reason that the new engineer walks to the edge of the boat, took his piece, and begins to take careful aim on the tentacles of the demon where were attacking Lasuri.

[Private to GM: One attack with very small essence cannon.  +2 sux from Excellency 00:18, Today: Isole Kareth rolled 6 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,6,7,5,7,7,2,7,4,10. Essence Cannon Dmg.
00:17, Today: Isole Kareth rolled 3 successes using 9d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,9,3,5,3,2,5,8,9. Attack with Very Small Essence Cannon.

Attack:  5 sux
Damage:  6B (piercing)
-1 DV
Oh and I forgot to ask about it on the last one so I'll ask here... stunt? (probably not, but it doesn't hurt to ask.)  BTW, if I spend another 2m my anima is at the 8m level which means it would be noticeable to everyone.]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:33, Mon 02 Feb 2009.

The images assail him, and force him to take a step back as the violence of their precise nature invade his mind. For but a moment, he is forced to contemplate all the scenarios the demon wishes him to see, and to feel their horror as the feelings associated with each and every one threaten to overtake him.

But somewhere, deep down, at the core of his being, the Captain continues the fight. This source of will and determination, small as a seed within his psyche, gradually grows bigger and bigger, until it threatens to overtake the images the demon would play for him. It spreads across the nightmarish scenes like hair-thin lines scattering across glass following the breaking of a windowpane. And then, in one burst, it explodes in a million glittering shards, revealing new images within the Sea Drake's mindscape.

The Dryad, proudly surviving against odds it shouldn't, in various scenery from West to East.
The crew of the ship, Donnegal in the lead, recruited from all walks and all areas, fighting against things that would normally scare mortals into complete submission, pride and courage swelling their hearts.
The members of the Cobalt Alliance, shoulder to shoulder as they cover each others' backs in a sea of flames, refusing to give in even an inch of their precious ideals even in the face of overwhelming odds.
A brown haired girl, spirited and care-free, maturing into a hardened combat veteran, keeping up her spirits and fierce determination through almost-impossible situations, from combat to imprisonment - no matter the scene, she remains only a touch away from Lasuri himself, never straying.

The images of his people swell his heart with pride, and no demon-induced despair can take hold of him in the face of such.

"...You're wrong if you think that's all it takes." He finally says, his stance firm and his mind unbroken, as he swiftly sidesteps the first attack by the beast, deftly jumping aside on the Dryad's side. "You think I'm the only thing that will keep these people going? You could kill me right here, and it would only make them fight harder, and make their spirits grow fiercer. It'll take more than a few scares to keep the Alliance down, with or without me."

The Sea Drake himself is as unpredictable as the sea, using the advantage of his otherwise impossible position to step and weave away from the monster's attack, his eyes never leaving that of the beast's. "We're not bound like you, Demon. We don't break from a world of enslavement into another sort of slavery like you do. Contrary to your kind, we've not accepted our fate. We fight for it. Every damn inch of it." He moves almost as if he had the knowledge of where the tentacles would strike next, putting himself in positions where the appendages would have to work against one another in order to catch him.

"You might set us back, kill some of us, make us taste defeat and sorrow... But you're never going to kill our will. And as long as there's only a single breath in our collective bodies... You'll lose. As long as one of us is standing, you'll be sent screaming to that forsaken abyss that spawned your sorry carcass."

Before Kiana could shout the warning to the Captain about the Lintha under the waves, Tageru was ahead of her.  Contrary to some sort of fleeting jealousy, she was grateful--knowing that his senses were also sharp took the edge off of her apprehension.  She was happy that she was given the role of the Dryad's eyes and ears, but knowing that did put a small weight on her shoulders.

She marveled at the bravery of the Captain as he dove at the demon.  The creature was easily the most immediate threat, as they hadn't been boarded just yet--but could the Captain take the demon all on his own?

She flirted with the idea of following the Captain's example and diving at the demon.  True, the water was not her element, but in that same regard, Earth was not Water's element either.  Maybe she would have an advantage against a creature whose home was the waves?  Then again, they had cannons and arrows to support the Cap'n, so maybe jumping into such a mess wasn't the most intelligent thing for her to do.  For now, she would wait.

As the Marlena grants the ship speed Zeru's smile grows even faster. The speed the chase, the dodging of ballistas, it all added to his excitement as his battle with the artillery ship grew to a climax. Through the wind brought about by speed he shouted to his crew. "KEEP STEADY, AT THIS RATE WE'LL CLOSE IN NO TIME!" Zeru's body, and grinning face, stands unmoving as if the ship was still in calm seas, and yet the sea was moving at unbelievable speeds. His connection with the Marlena, and with Da'naad kept his hands on the wheel and his feet firmly on the ground. He carefully kept the ship on course... flying straight at the artillery ship that hounds them. The Lintha may use demons to add power to their ranks but they'll have never seen the like of Peleps Zeru, for he was a maelstrom of destruction.

[Private to Storyteller: 11:53, Today: Peleps Zeru rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,6,4,7,10,4,5,3. Wits+Sail High speed sailing!. Going for the artillery-ship ]

Lasuri simply cannot be beaten by the eristufa's dark illusions. The captain bravely dodges the tentacle slashes, his feet still planted firmly on the side of the Dryad's hull. But the third spiny tentacle grasps hold of him and starts to squeeze, the barbs piercing the joints of his reinforced armor to sting at his flesh! (1L damage)

The grasping tentacle yanks Lasuri high into the air, holding him tight, clearly intending to harry the rest of the crew now that their leader is held fast. But in its weakened state, the eristufa's reflexes are too poor to avoid Kareth's firearm. The essence blast scores a direct hit, and the tentacle holding Lasuri blasts right off... sending the captain plunging right into the water.

The demon's body begins to flicker, as if once again going indistinct. But rather than reforming into mists, it appears to simply be ... dissolving! A heavy mist colors the sea a dark shade of green as its form in Creation dies and fades away, swallowed back up into the the bowels of Malfeas it was born in. I will remember this, Cobalt Alliance... my mother and brothers and sisters will ever despise you! One day... ONNnee dAAyyy...

As the Dryad regains its mobility, and its pilot his senses, Zeru masterfully controls the Marlena's incredible advance. The spirit of the ship shares in his exhilarated laughter, the courier moving entirely too fast and at too direct a course for the artillery ship to get another shot! [Private to Peleps Zeru: Yay! I loved the avatar you made. :) Also... another +2 stunt for you, and you manage to keep control AND make yourself a very difficult target. Next post (I'll have the next tick count in soon) you'll have to make a boarding action while at speed. So give your crew some directions, and then do a Dex+Athletics roll. Basically... you're jumping on!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:16, Tue 03 Feb 2009.

The torsion cords and pulleys of Jadira's Lookshy strongbow shift, supplementing her strength as she effortlessly draws back the bowstring. She has prepared a trio of arrows -- two of them normal, blazing arrows, and a third 'special' round consisting of a glass ball with flammable resin.

"Archers, on the rowers, ballistas, on the ship!" With the artillery and bowmen armed, loaded and organized, there's only one thing left for the armswoman to order. "FIRE!" she yells, and a volley of flaming arrows and ballista ammo flies toward the approaching war galley! She wasn't in time to help with the demon, but she doesn't worry herself over Lasuri submerged in the sea -- not yet, anyway. He is, after all, a chosen of Danaa'd; for him, the ocean is home.

She, too, is in her natural element, handling the bow as if it were an extension of her own body. Sextes Jylis, guide my aim! Jadira prays fervently, and then aloud, "Let's do this, Darling!"

Whoever 'Darling' may be is unexplained, as Jadira lets the arrow shafts fly with incredible speed. Imbued with Wood Essence, they join the volley already arcing to meet the galley and its crew. The twin burning heads dive down to pierce the striding Lintha subofficer, the incendiary head following a split second later to impact right at his feet! [Private to GM: Swallows Defend the Nest for 3 shots at once. I'll put 2m Archery excellency into each. Next turn she'll definitely use the cannon, though.]

Tageru's arrows join with the Dryad's volley. The second blood ape topples and dies with another arrow driven into its brain, but the second arrow finds no mark, the Lintha subofficer cutting arrows aside with slashes from his auhzian blade.

Four rowers perish where they sit, their bodies engulfed in flame. Another arrow from Jadira nicks the subofficer's side (2L), and he hisses, spewing out a string of curses in some mangled form of Old Realm that (to those who understand the language) allude to violent copulating of their enemy's mothers and kin. The incendiary arrow collides with the galley's deck, immediately spreading flaming resin that ignites the surface ravenously!

The screams and the fire disturb the other rowers, and the subofficer fumes and spits at them, stamping at the flames. "Steady course! Keep rowing, keep rowing you fools! Move clear of the path of their cannon!" He makes a sharp gesture, insisting on haste, refusing to duck even with the arrows coming at him. Addressing the Dryad, he calls out, "I am Lintha Dara-Said Brother Juza, Third Son of Father Hazhain Sul! You will regret the day you have crossed the Lintha of Dara-Said!"

The galley keeps rowing, closing the distance toward the Dryad. The Marlena speeds right past the galley, while the artillery ship continues its course to intercept them, taking aim for the Dryad's archers and artillerists instead! One archer and one ballista operator are struck by the spear-like ammo, deeply wounded. Tageru simply swats the shot away, but Jadira is in danger of getting struck... [Private to Jadira Thornbloom: 1 sux in, choose how you'll add to defense.]

Further away, the sorcerer on the flagship completes her spell, summoning an icy blue-grey fog that engulfs part of the deck. Apparently further protection against projectiles, with the mist demon now gone. They remain for now a distant threat, while the Wavecrest Navy continues to hold their own against the other two Lintha warships.

---

OOC: actions
tick 22 - Lasuri + Dryad crew, Lintha flagship, Lintha galley
tick 23 - Kareth, Tageru
tick 24 - Jadira + Dryad weapons, Unknown artillery ship
tick 25 - Kiana, Zeru + Marlena

distances (at tick 22)
Lintha flagship (328 from Dryad, 200 from Marlena)
Lintha war galley (130 from Dryad; Marlena is pulling away from it)
Artillery ship (340 from Dryad, 217 from Marlena)

current speeds
Dryad - 15/tick
Marlena - 40/tick
Lintha flagship - 0/tick
Lintha war galley - 10/tick (moving toward Dryad)
Artillery ship - 7/tick (moving toward Marlena)

Zeru grips the wheel with a smile on his face and a song of battle in his heart. He turns his head to his crew. "Prepare to board men." He says calmly his words soothing the anxieties of his crew. "The Marlena will guide us to the enemy, and the momentum will be on our side." His voice starts to rise. "We are with the Cobalt Alliance, and this artillery ship is harrying our brothers. We shall show these demons what it means to attack our brothers. The captain has vanquished the demon of the mist and now we will vanquish it's summoners." He strengthens their resolve with more of the captain's Zeal than his own. "Remember your tactics, watch each other, and take them down one at a time. I will be watching."

"And my lady, do stay out of harm's way. It would not do to lose our home, I could find no ship to match your spirit, or heart." "MAU!" "Coral will stay behind." He adds letting the cat drop from his pocket. "She's grown rather attached to you."

With that he prepares to board himself. His eyes narrowed in a dangerous fashion, his grin more maniacal, and less warm. His muscles tense like those of his partner and wait for the precise moment to unleash their fury on his enemies. His blue chain spinning like the maelstrom from which he ascended.

[Private to Storyteller: 16:07, Today: Peleps Zeru rolled 3 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,6,1,8,8,5,7. Str + Ath BOARDING!. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:08, Tue 03 Feb 2009.

The blast sends him plummeting in the waters below, but it is with the knowledge of the defeat of his enemy that Lasuri dives, and his pride in his crew and comrades could not be greater. For a moment, the Sea Drake is nowhere to be seen, the waters around where he fell becoming quieter. It is after a short moment that he finally reemerges, walking from the bottom of the Dryad all the way up its wall, slightly ruffled but mostly undamaged.

His stride his quick and his pace hurried, and he does not wait to be at the top of the railing before he shouts more commands. "The demon has fallen!" he announces, to confirm the kill, and he nods towards Kareth's leaning form as he says so, saluting the crafter with a smile and a salute with the tip of his Wavecleaver. "But our watchers are right, there's a lot of Lintha dogs down there. Mister Kareth, lead the operations as follows - crew, listen to this and follow mister Kareth's instructions to the letter. I want all the netting we can find brought immediately to the middle of the ship, and I want it as soaked in oil as you can get it. We'll toss the netting around the ship, and mister Kareth will set it ablaze... We'll teach those short-sighted freaks what it costs to dive without knowing what you'll emerge into."

He takes a moment to look to the side, and sees the galley coming, furrowing his brow. "Miss Kiana. I might have to take the bar to make sure we match the galley ahead. When I do, the infantry is under your command. You might not have led people in battle before, but I know you can do it; I trust your eyes and your ability to assess the situation, and it's only a short stretch from there to apply that to what you know of combat. Think of the crew as a single person, apply the same principles you would in your battles, and you'll do fine." He smiles encouragingly towards the girl, then turns towards the gunners.

"Miss Thornbloom, Mister Tageru... keep our ranged cover under control, and make sure that galley doesn't move to where it's going to be disadvantageous. Keep your fire focused, and make sure it knows it will need to move where you allow it to move."

"It's about to get heated up here, so get to work, people!"

Kareth raises his piece to his brow returning the informal salute, but looks incredibly displeased at his orders.  He stares at his hands momentarily obviously deep in thought and conflicted.  If one could hear his thoughts, they'd hear "I've used all my personal essence already, too much more and my anima will flare.  If it were just the Captain, the girl, and the monk, then it might be okay but..." here his thoughts cut off and he glances at Jadira manning the guns.  "Perhaps she's too busy to notice," he thinks to himself.  He then calls out to the men who he would be directing, "You heard the captain.  Move!  I need every shred of netting you can find along with any spare rope.  You there, go find all the oil the archers can spare.  If it's too small to be of any use or has holes which are too large, then bring it to me."

Already, the crew had started to respond to their captain's orders.  Kareth sheaths both his weapons, thankful that he had already activated his bracers.  He knew that he couldn't possibly create new netting in such a short period of time, but he did think he could get the smaller nets tied together into several larger blankets which could be easily thrown into the water at different intervals.

As the material came in, he immediately set to work putting the scraps together into larger nets.  His bracers glow with a light blue liht momentarily as the essence projections extend and nimbly begin to manipulate the ropes into tight knots.  "Men, be ready with the oil and begin soaking the larger pieces," he said trying to sound authoritative, but knowing that when the crew acted on his word, it was merely due to the respect they had for their Captain.  He had the men connect several of the nets together with oiled rope.  He knew anything in between the two nets would not be caught by the rope but he hoped to cut down the time it took to deploy the nets and on the essence spent igniting pieces.  Lastly, he made sure each net was properly waited to ensure easy deployment through throwing.

When the nets came together and were both properly oiled and weighted, Kareth called back to Lasuri "Ready on your orders, Captain."

[Private to GM: 23:40, Today: Isole Kareth rolled 3 successes using 4d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,6,7,8. Int + Craft(Wood):  net prep.

Sux: 6 (3 from roll + 3 from bracers)

Stunt for the net prep?]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:44, Wed 04 Feb 2009.

Jadira manages a last-moment dodge through sheer determination, the enemy ballista shot landing uselessly on the Dryad's deck. She snaps immediately, "You two, help the wounded out of the way. You, take over Tarim's place at ballista number two! All right, we're going to blast 'em with all we've got!"

She hardly has the time to register Kareth's displeasure, but directs another of hers to help the engineer. Along with the wounded and those bringing them away to sickbay, she has only three of her archers left to her, but this time she can bring both the main cannon and the onagers to bear.

Putting aside the bow now she grasps the controls of the large essence cannon, swiveling the barrel on its turret to follow the progress of the galley. Oh no you don't, she thinks, her emerald eyes bright and fierce, you aren't getting away this time.

"Onagers, ready firepot payloads, aim for their starboard bow! We'll time this together, force them to dodge right into the cannon blast. Ballistas, load up, aim for the body of the ship! Archers, keep harrowing the rowers!" A flick of Jadira's thumb and a keystroke arms the cannon, and the barrel begins to pulse visibly with blue energy. She is the picture of intense concentration, her mind working to align the trajectories, to predict the movements of the galley, waiting for that perfect, crystal clear moment where it all comes together... "Now! FIRE!"

[Private to GM: so.. I guess I'm splitting 3 times ;.; switch weapon, coordinate attack with 2 onagers, then fire the cannon at the galley. I'll put 6 dice into the attack with excellency. Also channeling valor!

and sorry, added the dodge of the ballista attack! Used a WP there to defend, before my action.]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:45, Thu 05 Feb 2009.