The drums were beating slowly in the row deck and the twenty slaves rowed at the same pace. Among them was a large man with strong muscles and long black hair. Like his fellow, Gou Jira was only clad with rags and his powerful body was marked by whip's scars.

As the galley sailed in the warm water of the Bay of Fire, the sun slowly set behind the western horizon, and the crew lit lantern around the deck.

But suddenly, a shout was heard from above.

-Pirates!

Gou and his comrades exchanged a glance. They all knew stories about pirates who freed slaves, but other stories were not as nice, and it was without counting the ones about the demon worshiping Lintha.

The drums began to beat faster, and the slaves rowed with it. But as the minutes pass, the beat accelerates, and Gou was savvy enough to know what it means. The pirates were gaining on them. Several news shouts were heard, this time in Low Realm, a language not talked by the slave.

PUM-pum-pum-pum.

The pounding of the drums resonated within him like an external heartbeat. Gou didn't know what the shouts in Low Realm were saying - or even that it was in a language called Low Realm - but he knew the rhythm of the beats.

"W-what's happening?" a young man said from beside him. His name is Drifting Ray, a new addition to the galley's crew to replace Sand Star, who had passed away from overwork. The man is frightened and it triggered Gou's big brother instincts.

"When the drums pick up, it means that the masters want speed, and the masters only ever want speed when it comes to battle."

"S-so, we're going to fight?" Ray muttered nervously.

"No, we're going to row," Gou replied. "They won't give us weapons and whoever's on that vessel is probably going to enslave us too, so better the devil you know and all that nonsense."

He doesn't add that even if they tried to make a fight of it, everyone would probably end up dead. While there was a certain nobility in dying free, living free is better, and everything would be over once you were dead.

Gou is going to wait, and hope.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:04, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

As the slaves rowed with all their might, they could hear the commotion and the shouts from the deck of the galley. They were in Low Realm but every slaves could recognize an order when they heard one.
The shouts were replaced suddenly by whistling sounds followed by cries of pain. News orders were shouted followed by more whistling sound.

-What happening? Asked Drifting Ray with a shutter.
Gou never had the time to respond when a whip lashed out at the young man.

-No talk! Row! Barked an overseer.

Before he could add something, a cry was heard, and a crash shook the galley sending several people on the ground.
Above a war cries were heard followed by the clash of metal against metal.

-Go back on your bench slaves, bellowed the senior overseer as he rose on his feet and drew is sword. He began to ascend the stair to the deck but a kick end in back and three men appeared. They were tall and dressed in leather armour with cutlass.

But what froze Gou’s blood was their pale green skin and the bronze tattoos. These men were Lintha, a race of demon-blooded pirates. One of them gave a cruel smile before cutting down the senior overseer as the other began to attack the other overseers barking in a strange tongue.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:32, Tue 30 Mar 2021.

The death of an overseer should have been a cause for celebration, but Gou knew the invaders. They were Lintha, the infamous green-skinned demon cannibal pirates of the seas, and while they had killed the taskmaster holding him, Gou was fairly certain it was only so that they could visit some other cruelty on them.

"Don't move," Gou whispered to Ray. On his part, he was planning his next mov, probably some variant of getting free and jumping overboard so he could swim to shore. But it would be hard to do that if those three Lintha chopped him to bits first.

The overseers in the rowing deck were dead less than one minute after the appearance of the three Linthas, and the battle sounds on the deck above were more and more quiet.
The leader of the three pirates gave a toothy grin to the slaves who were chained at their bench.

-Rejoice slaves! He spoke. You are now the property of Lintha T’Narr. Obey and you will be feed. Resist and your death will be painful like couldn’t imagine.

[Instil Fear: 7 dice > 2 success. Success against slaves (Resolve 1), Failure against Gou (Resolve 3)]

The slaves were silent, fear written on their face. Each of them heard rumours of what the Linthas would do.

-But since some of you could doubt of our greatness, I will make a little demonstration.

His eyes watched the slaves for ten long seconds before he pointed his sword toward one of them and Gou could sense his blood freeze. The sword was pointed toward Drifting Ray.

"No. You will not have him," Gou said as he moved in front of Ray as best as he was able. Even chained, he was a big man, and the interior of the rower's cabin seemed to get dimmer as he took up the space within.

Almost immediately he cursed his rashness, but he knew that if he let Ray die, then there would be no point in escaping. Besides, if the Lintha would kill to make an example of people, then they would kill them for any number of infractions.

Gou waits for the Lintha to approach him. When the time is right, he will attempt to have him bring his blade down on the chain holding him, and if that works, he'll be a step closer to freeing everyone.

-Oh, said the Lintha with amusement. It seen like we have a rebel here. Then I will have to show you what happen to rebellious slaves. You and your friend will be an example for everyone else.

He approached Gou slowly and pointed his sword toward his neck.

[The action is a Strength + Athletics, 2 dice stuns, difficulty 3. You can expend a point of willpower. If you succeed you can roll initiative and launch a surprise attack against him. The Lintha will roll initiative for the second round.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:11, Wed 07 Apr 2021.

The entire ship trembled all of a sudden. The other slaves flinched, wondering what was going on and one of the Lintha boarders had a curious look on his face - was someone else attacking them?

No, the source of that sound was not a ship, but a man - Gou Jira had stomped down so hard that it shook the entire vessel, and even that was only part of the mighty effort he was using to tear his chains loose from their moorings. His muscles bulged as he strained to break the metal, forged by other slaves so the sympathetic resonance would further bind their prisoner.

But even the mightiest chains could not hold against the power of hope, and these ones only put up a moment of resistance before they creaked and tore apart.

Before the shards of metal could even strike the Lintha, Gou's eyes narrowed and he threw himself forward, bringing his massive fists down on the Lintha's head like a battering ram of meat. A sudden shadow spread over the pirate and he realised his previously-bound target was now loose and lunging at him like an angry gorilla...

OOC:

Str 5 + Ath 3 + Spec 1 + Stunt 2  = 6 sux

08:32, Today: Gou Jira rolled 6 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Gou: Mighty Strength.

Join Battle is Wits 3 + Awareness 3 + Fast Reflexes 1 + Stunt 1 = 5 successes

08:46, Today: Gou Jira rolled 5 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Join Battle.

HE rolls Dex 2 + MA 3 + Stunt 1 for his (decisive) attack, spending 1 WP on it = 3+1 = 4 sux.

08:47, Today: Gou Jira rolled 3 successes using 6d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Attack.

Surprised by the attack of a suddenly free slave, the Lintha lieutenant never had the chance to protect himself and took a violent blow right in the head.

[8 dice of damage giving 3 bashing damage. The three pirates use the lintha reaver template (Core book, p497). The lieutenant lost 3 of his health levels and is at -1.
Round two: the two litnha are at 6 initiative, then the lieutenant at 5, the Gou at 3.]

Reacting to the attack on their leader the two other Lintha charged with their sword draw and war cry on their lips. But the lieutenant was not pushover and, unsurprising for a pirate, had experience with being punched. Spiting the teeth broken by Gou’s blow, he attacked the large man with his sword. Being still groggy from the punch, his strike was slow and clumsy.

[The two other linthas are now at short range. The lieutenant miss his attack with 1 success, inferior to Gou MA parry.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:08, Sun 11 Apr 2021.

After miraculously avoiding the pirate leader's blade, Gou decides to keep him off balance with a rapid series of hits. He kicks brackish water into the pirate's face right before following up with a blistering combo of bunches to the man's torso.

OOC:
Withering attack on the Lintha.

Dex 2 + MA 3 + Stunt 2 + Acc 5 = 12 dice = 7 sux

Assuming that's a hit, he does 12 + successes damage - the Lintha's soak.

Going a little off stance with his failed strike, the Lintha lieutenant could not evade the counterattack of Gou. A spray of salted water in the eyes blinded him long enough for Gou to launch a flurry of punches and kicks, forcing the pirate to take a step back and offer to the large slave the initiative.

[With a Parry of 4, the Lintha Lieutenant is touched. I rolled damage for you and you have 3 success on 7 dices (5 Strenght + 7 weapon damage + 3 threshold success – 8 soak).
You gain 4 initiative (going to 7) and the Lintha lost 3 (going to 2). You go first for the third round.
A little thing, unarmed is 4 in accuracy but as you use Tiger Style you have +1 for the speciality, so it’s fine. Good appreciation for the stun rating.]
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 16:00, Thu 15 Apr 2021.

Seeing that the barrage is effective, Gou decides to go for the kill. Lessons remembered from sparring under the decks come to mind as he rushes in, launching himself at the lead Lintha like a massive predatory mountain of meat and roaring loudly enough that Ray and some of the other prisoners have to clasp their ears shut from the sound alone. The desure to protect his fellow rowers fills him, speeding his movements as his paw-fists drop on the Lintha like falling maces.

OOC: Sorry for the delay, I thought I replied to this.

Dex 2 + MA 3 + Spec 1 + Stunt 2, +1 WP

09:17, Today: Gou Jira rolled 4 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Gou Decisive Attack.

So 4+1 = 5 successes and I think the Lintha's DV is lowered by wound penalties.

Damage is 7d10, I think.

09:18, Today: Gou Jira rolled 6 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Gou: Decisive attack damage.

Should probably be 4 successes, though, since the dice are (10,10,7,6,6,4,8)

The Lintha tried to parry the massive fists descending on him, but it was not enough and with a loud crack, the devastating punch in the jaw knocked the pirate to the ground where he did not rise again.

But the victory of Gou Jira was short lived as one of the other Lintha came charging, shouting curses in a unknow language. His sword already in movement, but invigored by his first win Gou could easily turned the strike aside.

The second Lintha didn't arrive near him, a rowing slave moved his oar in his path making him fall to the floor. Another slave dragged him in his row, where him and his fellows began to beat him.

[You do four bashing damage (no double 10) to the lieutenant which with the three before incapacitating him.
The first Lintha made only two success on his attack. Normally you can only parry lethal unarmed with a stun, but for going quicker I consider that you made one.
The Second botched his roll.
For Round 4, the Lintha and you are at 3 ini.
I changed a little the stats of the two lintha, they have parry 4, soak 6, and a attack of 6 dices (12 damage, min 2)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:34, Tue 20 Apr 2021.

Gou is a big guy and he's used to hard rowing, but fighting for his life (and that of many others) for the first time is still enough to leave him panting. Fortunately, the Lintha that he dropped was a vain man and kept his auhzian polished, because Gou sees a movement in the shining brass and manages to sidestep a blow which would have hacked into him. The other pirate goes down and the rowers in reach begin to stomp him, which gives Gou an idea.

Just as the Lintha tries to get his feet back under him, he feels the deck planks squeak under his feet, and when he looks up he sees Gou blotting out the sun as he descends from the heavens, delivering a jumping elbow to the pirate's neck in an attempt to drop him to the ground.

OOC: Sorry for the delay, things got hectic last week.

Anyway: Smashing attack on the Lintha, using a withering attack. Sacrifices 2 initiative and reduces Defense by 1.

Dex 2 + Skill 3 + Spec 1 + 4 Acc + Stunt 2 = 12d


08:41, Today: Gou Jira rolled 3 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,4,3,3,1,3,9,10,1,4,6.  Smash attack other dice.
08:41, Today: Gou Jira rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9.  Smash attack.

Total of 4 successes. Gou's plan is to knock the Lintha down so the nearby rowers can stomp him while he frees everyone else.

08:43, Today: Gou Jira rolled 7 successes using 12d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,10,1,6,9,1,3,7,7,5,10,2.  Smash Damage.

He gains 7 init, though it's not too relevant since he's going to start freeing as many people as he can.

Acting at the same time Gou and the pirate attacked each other. Sword and fist stroke and the fist found its target first. With a mighty crash, the powerful impact reverberated in the slave bones, brushing his flesh, and sent the Lintha backward, right into a row of slave.

Completely stunned by the punch, the pirate did not have any chances against the three slaves who descended upon him and beat him to death, not giving him an instant of respite.

Gou could see that the same fate had already claimed the second lintha, leaving only their leader alive but unconscious. As the screams of the Lintha ended, silence fell in the deck and every eyes were turned toward the massive man. Many were awe by the display of strength, other were calculating and some fearful. But all awaited the next action of Gou Jira.

[Normally unarmed cannot do smash attack, but cestus (armoured fists) can, so I accept the move and you take 1 bashing damage for bruising your fist with so much force.
It’s a clash between Gou and the Lintha. You win with 4 success vs 2 success. Damage are 8 dices (12 + 2 threshold – 6 soak), you forgot the soak. I rolled for you and you 4 success, so damages are 1 for base + 4 for success + 3 for clash, equal to 8. You go up to 9 initiative and the Lintha go down to -4. Since you crash him, you gain 5 more initiative (totalling to 14). But since you won handily it don’t matter.]

Gou doesn't waste any more time. He immediately begins pulling apart all the chains he can find, enough to start freeing the men he considers trustworthy, and then he instructs them to help free the others.

"Use the keys if you can, try and hack the chains apart if need be. I don't know what's waiting for us out there but we're better off on our feet than chained like cattle down here."

The first slaves free by Gou immediately began to help others and one of them discovered a set of keys on the body of the lead overseer. The process was going rapidly but only three quarter of slaves were free when Gou noted finally the lack of battle sound from the upper deck.

The reason appeared when someone jumped from the opening in the ceiling. The figure was a well-build and muscular man with pale green skin decorated by intricate bronze tattoos. White spiky hair and blood-red eyes completed his feature. A steel breastplate was covering his torso and shoulder and his forearms and shins were protected by steel bracers and greaves. Two richly decorated cutlass were hanging from his hips.

As four others lintha followed him, his gaze scanned the room before stopping on his dead men then on Gou.

-I am Lintha T’Narr, capitain of the Sea Thieve, he declared with a baritone voice. You seem the instigator of this little revolt. Your fellows think you can free them, prove it to them against me.

Drawing his two swords he began to advance toward Gou. All slaves in the rowing turned to Gou, wanting to know what to do.

[OOC: Sorry, I was really bussy at work this week.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:50, Sat 08 May 2021.

Gou is halfway through helping the others to free the slaves when Lintha T'Narr makes his appearance. He turns to size up the man. The pirate doesn't sound cocky or swaggering, and his gear is very well made - a sure sign that he's hardcore.

Even so, Gou can't let himself fall behind here. He turns to Ray and the others and tells them to keep freeing the rest, then find a way out themselves. Then he turns back to T'Narr, pausing only to pick up a length of loose chain.

"I am Gou Jira," he replies, slowly wrapping the chain around his hand and forearm as he walks over the boards toward the Lintha. "I have no quarrel with you. Take this ship and its riches if you want, but my brothers are free and I do not wish to see them in chains again."

He narrows his eyes as he tries to size up the Lintha captain. Going up against them is certain death, even for him. He'll need to buy the others time to escape and if that means distracting him, then so be it.

"That IS why you came here, right? To capture the ship and its treasures?"

OOC:
Gou's Resolve is 3
His Guile is 1
His social JB is 3
His pool for Read Intentions is... 1 (heh).

13:09, Today: Gou Jira rolled 2 successes using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10.  Read Intentions.

Well shit.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:10, Sun 23 May 2021.

T’Narr eyed the free slave tyring to bargain before him with mild interest, but his thoughts were a mystery for Gou.
At the end, the Lintha only answer to the large man was amused laugh.

-You are a bold one, he said. But a if you want to bargain, surrender be granted a quick death, or don’t and I will kill 1 of three of your friends painfully while keeping the rest.

He smirks grew more sinister.

-So, what is more important. Your pride or the lives of your fellows?

[OOC: I didn't really thought you would win a social fight but it was good experience.

T’Narr attempt a Threaten action with 3 successes on 7 dice. Which beat your resolve of 3, but you can overturn the influence by spending your last Willpower with your intimacy ‘Always fight for your people’.]

But how do I know he'll keep his word even if I surrender? Still, if he has friends, I won't be able to do anything about them... So I'll just have to keep him too busy with me.

Gou isn't going to surrender. He doesn't trust the Lintha not to torture him to death if he does. But neither is he going to sacrifice his friends...

"I notice you didn't say anything about letting them go free," he deadpans, finishing the wrap around his fist. "So I say... Get out of here, Ray! Take the others and go!"

With that, Gou lunges at the Lintha. Now he must buy time for the others to escape, and the only way he can do that is by occupying the Lintha until they get away. The loose end of the chain clinks as he swings at the pirate, aiming for his fine brass blade...

OOC:

Sorry if this is tedious, but really, I didn't think the pirate would let them go and Gou wants to at least die trying, even if it's useless.

13:44, Today: Gou Jira rolled 2 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,8,1,4,6,6,6,3.  Join Battle.

Init 5

He'll go for a punch with a chained fist - does that count as improvised Medium? If so that's 2 successes, probably a miss, doing


13:45, Today: Gou Jira rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,9,3,7,4,5,4.  Chainfist punch.

13:48, Today: Gou Jira rolled 1 success using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,1,2,3,1,2,1,4,5,1,1,1,1,8.  chainfist damage.

Well that was super botched, just assume he hits himself and falls off the boat or something.

Trying to win the initiative and score a good hit from the start, Gou launched himself at the pirate but T’Narr was not surprised. The lintha smirk grew bloodthirsty as his opposant approached him and just stood here without reaction.

At the last second, as Gou’s chained fist was near his face, T’Narr drew his twin swords and with a perfect timing deflected the punch with a shower of sparks when metal met metal.

Using the weight of Gou, the pirate tripped him, leaving the slave completely open. Ruthlessly pressing his advantage, T’Narr launched several strikes at Gou with blinding speed, cutting away muscles and tendons like hot butter. Gou fell to the ground in agony, pain wrecking every fibre of his body. T’Narr crouched next to him.

-You feel that. It is the poison of the Great Mother, my blades are coated of it. It will burn you slowly from the inside, assuming you live that long. Enjoy your torment little slave.

The pirate got up and began to address the slaves around him. The words never reached Gou, who was lost in his pain, but his unyielding spirit had caught the gaze of the Moon. And on the thirtheen day of Ascending Fire of the Year 768, on the rowing deck of a trade galley of the Realm sailing the water of the Bay of Fire, a miracle happened, and Gou Jira took his second breath.

[OOC: First your Chain Fist will be a Cestus improvised, so you need to spend 1 initiative to attack.
Second T’Narr has Evasion 3, Parry 5 and a Soak of 8 (a medium armour). For attack he has dual slashing swords (attack 10, damage 12 and 2 overwhelming)

T’Narr was on guard so he did a Joint Battle at the same time as you (with 4 successes, so 7 initiative), he chose to delay and let you come (losing 2 init) and clash with you. He rolls 5 successes against 2 for you and win (and gain 3 init), then he rolls 12 successes of damage (on 12 dices!!!). So, 11 initiative damage (8 actual + 3 for the clash). This sends you at -7 in crash and he win 17 init going to 22.

Round 2: T’Narr launch a decisive attack (8 success against a parry of 2) and do 7 lethal damage (on 22 dices), which is just enough to normally kill you.

But you have now took your second breath. You get back all your health and willpower, is cured from poison and have a full essence pool. I let you describe the scene.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:27, Tue 06 July 2021.

Gou didn't really expect the hit to connect, really. He's strong and tough, but strength and toughness aren't enough against an opponent who's all of that, and swift and skilled to boot.

The end comes sooner than he imagined. One moment he's standing there, a mocking vicious smile on his face, and the next he's gone, lines of pain and fire opening up all around him. Gou collapses, unable to move as the agony sears him, but as T'Narr whispers his mocking words into his ears, a quiet, gentle voice drowns it out, drowns the pain out, and although there is no face to the words, he can almost imagine someone like his mother touching him on his forehead, and a cool wave of reshaping Essence washes through his body, chasing the venom and wounds away like they were never there.

"Gou, my dear Gou, your care for those you love touches me. For that, I give you my blessing. Go, my warrior of love, and do battle as you see fit."

The idea of being a warrior of love is so teeth-shatteringly cringy that it breaks through the delirium of pain addling his mind, but as he draws in a thunderous breath of both physical air and ephemeral Essence, Gou realizes that he is very much alive. His body is not just flesh, but an extension of his indomitable soul that radiates out from his core. Where once were two now are three, where once was dross is now light, where once was a mere man is now one of the Exalted.

And as his fingers, toes, arms and legs twitch, he knows that everything has only just begun.

If someone asked why T’Narr gave a one-on-one duel to the slave upstart, he would have said he did set an example, to show how pointless trying to fight was, it was a pragmatic choice. But the true, the Lintha captain loved to see the despair on the faces of people, to see them understand how powerless they were. And nothing could accomplish that quicker than crush the champion people looked-up to protect them.

-Your champion his defeated, as will be anyone who stand against the great Lintha, he declared. I promised to kill one third of you if he did surrender, and sadly I am a man of my words. You can curse Gou Jira for forcing my hand. Remember well that rebellion will be meet why consequences for everyone.

He did a dramatic pose and to savour the despair of the slaves, but it was not anguish but surprise that was on their faces. And their gazes were not on him. Turning around to see the cause he came to face with a scene who left him surprised like the slaves and his two bodyguards.

Gou Jira was not the body barely alive he left instants before. His slave rag was torn but under it the skin he cut open was intact once more, without even a scar. And more surprising was the halo of silver light who surrounded him.

[OOC: If you decide to attack, you have the first round for you, T’Narr and his men are too socked to react so you can make a surprise attack (-2 defence penalty).
The two guard are Lintha Veteran (Eva 2, Parry 2, Soak 6 and a Slashing Sword: 8 dices, 12 damages)
Even if they don’t play the turn, they have initiative: 8 for T’Narr and 4 for the two others.]

Eyes blazing silver, Gou slaps the deck with both hands, cracking the wood and throwing his immense frame into the air. Yet, as he touches down again, his feet are silent as they settle comfortably on the deck. The rest of his body shifts, but his head remains as still as an owl's, his eyes remain locked on Lintha T'Narr and silver fire blazing in their depths

"You were right. I did not surrender. Why should I surrender when I am not yet beaten?"

His mighty arms ripple and compress before he casts them forward like an Eastern cowboy roping a stallion, his massive paws seeking T'Narr's throat to draw him into his embrace. They curve and twist through the air like living snakes whose mouths are grasping hands, knocking aside the auhzians of T'Narr's flunkies as they home in on their target.

"Do not think your blades or poison will save you if I lay my hands on you but once."

OOC:

5m on Wits Excellency

Join Battle: Wits 5 + Awareness 2 + 1 Fast Reflexes +2 stunt + 5 Excellency = 15 dice.
13:58, Today: Gou Jira rolled 3 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((4,7,4,5,8,5,6,3,8,5,1,4,4,5,4))

Initiative of 6.

Total 18m on decisive attack roll: Dex 5 + MA 3 + Spec 1 + Stunt 2 + 5 Excellency = 16 dice

5m Dex Excellency
Grizzly Bear Embrace (2m; add extra sux on attack roll to Initiative roll for grapple gambit, and to control roll if target has lower Init (before the gambit cost is paid))
Mangling Grasp Might (6m; when savaging/slamming/throwing a target, double 9s on a withering damage roll or add 1 die to a decisive damage roll. Number of forfeited rounds she can benefit from on a throw or slam is doubled and she can throw her target out to short range)
Kraken-Arm Lash (5m, 2i; make an unarmed grapple gambit against an enemy within medium range and pull him into close range if successful. May then end the grapple immediately by throwing him 2 range bands.)
Finding the Needle's Eye (3m; reroll up to 3 1s and -1 Defense for T'Narr)


14:03, Today: Gou Jira rolled 7 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((1,4,5,3,2,5,7,8,10,10,9,4,1,2,3)).
14:04, Today: Gou Jira rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((8))
Rerolling 2 1s with FtNE -
14:05, Today: Gou Jira rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((5,9))

Total of 9 successes vs a Parry of 5 (-2 surprise, -1 FtNE for a final Parry of 2).
Initiative roll for the gambit is 7 + 6 = 13 dice

14:07, Today: Gou Jira rolled 13 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,1,8,9,10,7,9,8,10,9,9,1,10.  Initiative roll for grapple gambit.

After -3 init for a grapple attempt, Gou' has Initiative of 3.

Grapple control roll: opposed Strength + Martial Arts roll.

Str 5 + Martial Arts 3 + Spec 1 + Stunt 2 = 11 dice.

14:15, Today: Gou Jira rolled 8 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 6,6,10,8,3,4,10,2,10,1,8.  Grapple control roll.

Gou has control of the grapple for 8 - T'Narr's result on a Str + Brawl/MA roll.

Gou ends by exercising Kraken-Arm Lash's option to throw T'Narr 2 range bands into the side of his ship, expending all his init (3, +1 for Mangling Grasp Might, +however many total rounds of control he can forfeit (up to 8)). The idea is to hit him with (lethal?) damage from hitting a spiky part of his ship and make him bleed when he hits the water so the sharks which follow Lintha vessels around eat him in a feeding frenzy.

This message was last edited by the player at 06:22, Tue 13 July 2021.

Under the gaze surprised of everyone, Gou was on his feet again, without any injuries and a silver aura surrounding him. T’Narr meet the eyes of his victim and the dangerous light who shined within made him feel fear for the first time in years.

Then the aura of the new-born Chosen exploded and took the form of a mighty Titan Lizzard glaring at his prey. Gou launched his arms toward T’Narr, protean essence reshaping them and extending them far beyond their limit. Even in his surprise, the Lintha drew his swords to parry but the two arms slithered pass his guard like it didn’t exist and closed on neck.

With a strength beyond the one of mortals, Gou sent T’Narr against the wall of the deck, and directly on one of the metal picks used to chain the slaves. The pick was not sharp, but the force of the impact was enough. Lintha T’Narr, feared Lintha pirate and scourge of many lives, gazed on the metal pick impaled through his chest with incomprehension before giving a last breath.

The silence who followed was deafening. Everyone tried to grasp what just happened. Even two Linthas were lost as they gazed on the corpse of their leader. But they were the first to come back to theirs senses and turned as one toward Gou and charged with war cry. In rage they swung their sword toward the large man, but the Exalt deflected every blows coming his way with a grace and deftness he never knew he had.

[OOC: I hope I got your anima banner correctly.

So too resume Round 1.
You make a grapple with 9 success (on 16 dices) beating the Parry 3 of T’Narr. You win the Control roll with 8 success (on 11 dices) against 3 success (on 5 dices), which make 5 rounds. Then you immediately choose to throw with 3 success (on 6 dices) you paid 2 init for Kraken-Arm Lash.
But since you launch T’Narr he takes fall damages (the rowing deck is not that large so short distance), which make 3 levels + 5 dices (3 success), so in total 9 level. Good use of the scenery so lethal damage, T’Narr is dead in one shoot. Mortal meet Exalt.

Round 2: The two Lintha make withering attack with sword (8 dices). The first has 4 successes against your MA parry of 5 and the second has 3 against 4. Two misses. Again, Mortal meet Exalt.

Your turn. Don’t forget you are at 1 Initiative. And it was 21 motes in charms, since I suppose you take from peripherical you have 16 internal and 17 external (22 after the end of Round 1).]

The Lintha seem to be moving in slow motion as they swing at Gou, and it is almost child's play to swat the first swing aside and backhand the second away. The Lintha brass blades ring in distorted slow motion, the weapons wobbling wildly as Gou stomps hard on the deck's boards, launching one of the pirates into the air and at just the right distance for him to punch him in the gut with all his might.

OOC:
Standard punch
Dex 5 + MA 3 + Spec 1 + Stunt 2 + Acc 4 = 15 dice

09:41, Today: Gou Jira rolled 9 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,8,7,2,2,7,10,10,4,9,6,4,8,6,1.  Gou Punch .

So 7 overflow successes. Gou's fist hits for Str 5 + Light Weapon 7 +7 overflow -6 soak = 13B.

09:43, Today: Gou Jira rolled 7 successes using 13d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,5,10,6,2,7,4,3,6,6,9,10,6.  Gou Damage.

That's 7 Init + Break Bonus of 5. Gou goes to 13 Init, one pirate is still at 4, the other is at -3.

The two Lintha were not bad warriors, after all they were handpicked by their captain to fight at his side, but in the end, they were mortals while their opposant was not.

Their attacks were meet by a swift and brutal retribution and one Lintha was send to the wood deck by powerful fist who dented his brass armour.

[OOC: You have 14 initiatives, you gain 1 + the success on the damage roll (+5 for the crash. Round 3 you are, followed by Lintha 2 at 4 ini then Lintha 1 at -3 ini.
And I made a mistake, they have a Parry of 4 not 2. Since it’s my fault, no re-roll needed. I don’t think it will help them.]

Gou doesn't spare the Lintha a second glance before turning to his friend, the ship's floorboards creaking under his feet as he steps forward and launches a thrusting kick with such force that the air ripples around the luckless pirate as he soars through the air.

OOC: Decisive Kick at the Lintha.

Dex 5 MA 3 Spec 1 Stunt 2 - 11 dice

10:01, Today: Gou Jira rolled 5 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,5,9,10,4,1,1,1,5,10,5.  Smashing Kick .

Damage is 14.

10:02, Today: Gou Jira rolled 5 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 7,2,5,6,3,6,9,3,7,4,9,5,3,8.  Decisive damage.

Gou resets to 3 init.

With a surprising speed for his size, Gou pressed his attack and kicked the second Lintha. The pirate was a split of second to late in his parry and the exalt foot connected with his ribcage with a crack.

But the Lintha was clearly a veteran and tried to counter-attack while clenching his teeth. His sword stroke toward Gou, but his cracked rib dulled his speed and his opposant easily deflected the blow right in path of the sword of the first Lintha, who was again on his feet.

[OOC:
Round 3: You do 5 level of bashing damage on Lintha 2, dropping at -2 penalty. The two try withering attack against you but you parry easily.

Round 4: It’s Lintha 2 with 4 init, then Gou with 3, the Lintha 1 who is still at -3.
Lintha 2 try a new withering attack but miss again.
Your turn. Don’t forget Lintha 2 has a -2 penalty (so his parry is at 2) while Lintha 1 has none (parry of 4).

You regained 15 motes since your first turn, your peripherical pool is now at 27 motes.]

The air whistles as Gou brings his hand around in a spinning backfist. It's more of a brute force attack than anything, but he seems to have remembered the lessons he learned under the deck reasonably well as he connects with the other Lintha's jaw.

OOC:
Change of plans, Gou will simply punch the wounded guy to get enough init to splat his buddy.

14:07, Today: Gou Jira rolled 7 successes using 15d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 2,10,2,6,2,5,7,3,4,6,8,10,8,4,6.  Gou Withering Punch.

Vs a Parry of 2 is 5 spillover sux.

Damage is Str 5 + Sux 5 + 7 base damage - 6 soak = 11B

14:11, Today: Gou Jira rolled 6 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,7,9,1,9,5,7,5,6,10,1.  Gou Punch Damage.

So Gou gains 6 + 5 init (Crash bonus) and Lintha 1 is now at -2 (since he was at 4 before, IIRC). He should be at 14.


This message was last edited by the player at 06:13, Sun 01 Aug 2021.

The battle was not even worthy to be called one, Gou Jira easily parred the blows coming his way and each of his strikes found their target. One punch ended knocking the already wounded Lintha in the jaw, stunning the pirate for a brief instant while Gou parried yet another sword strike.

[OOC:
Round 4: You crash the wounded Lintha at -2 and set yourself at 15 init (1+6 from the attack +5 from the crash). The Lintha not wounded try another attack but win 1 success.

Round 5: Your turn, the the wounded Lintha, then the not wounded. If the not wounded live, he reset to 3.]

Gou jumps at the wounded pirate with a ferocious knee leading the way. However, the ship shifts under his feet and the strike glances off his side, saving him a deadly blow...

OOC: Gou will put half his init into taking out the wounded Lintha, so 8 init.

Decisive attack:
09:36, Today: Gou Jira rolled 4 successes using 11d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7.  Decisive Attack.

Damage is 8d

09:36, Today: Gou Jira rolled 2 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,3,4,10,5,6,5,1.  Decisive damage.

So 1 success since decisive damage doesn't normally double 10s.

The punch from Gou was maybe a little off but the blow was enough to crack a rib. The lintha bellowed in rage and swung his sword quicker than a man in his state could, but it was not enough to pass Gou defence who deflected the blow and moved to parry the second Lintha.

[OOC:
Round 5: You manage to send the Lintha in his -4 level, he has one health remaining. It’s really bad luck. The Lintha riposte and manage 2 successes on 2 dices, the other make 2 successes on 7 dices.
The non-wounded Lintha reset to 3 init, and you have now nearly all your motes back.

Round 6: Gou (at 7), Non-Wounded Lintha (at 3), Wounded Lintha (at -2)]

For a while now, Gou has been coming to grips with the mystic power inside him. He felt it empty out when he went all-out on T'Narr, and felt it come back to him when he fought T'Narr's minions without

I need to end this fast, Gou thinks, and his arm distorts as he casts it forward like a fishing line, fingers engorging and distending bonelessly as they wrap around the unhurt Lintha and cast him off the side of the vessel.

OOC:
Decisive Grapple gambit with Finding the Needle's Eye and Kraken-Arm Lash (8m, 2i)

09:30, Today: Gou Jira rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 1,6,9,2,6,8,7,5,3,3.  Grapple .

Rerolling 1s

09:32, Today: Gou Jira rolled 2 successes using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10.  Reroll 1s.

The other Lintha is also at -1 Defense due to Finding the Needle's Eye, so the grapple should land.

Establishing grapple: 5 init (-2 for Kraken Arm lash)

09:34, Today: Gou Jira rolled 3 successes using 5d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,9,8,4,8.  Establishing grapple .

Controlling grapple is Strength + MA, or 8 dice.

09:35, Today: Gou Jira rolled 5 successes using 8d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,2,5,9,4,7,2,7.  Grapple Control.

Assuming he succeeds, Gou will throw the Lintha off the side of the ship where he will hopefully die.

The energy flowed againt at Gou command and his arms grappled the Lintha like two snake and throw him on wall. The pirate was lucky enough to not take any dangerous objects like his late captain, but the impact was enough to knock him out and probably crack a bone or two.

The other Lintha hesitated two seconds but never had the chance to attack. Drifting Ray finally acted, knocking the weak Lintha on the ground. His action shook the free slaves out of their awe stupor and two of them strangled the Lintha with their chain.

As the battle ended, every slaves, free or not turned their eyes to Gou Jira who stood at the centre of the deck a silver aura blazing around him. The new Exalt could see many emotions on their faces, from awe to surprise and even fear. But all were showing anticipation.

[OOC: No problem for the grapple.
For the control roll you score 5 against 1 for the Lintha (on 4 dices) which mean 4 turns.

You throw him so attack with 3 init (you reset to base after the gambit) + 4 for each turn, so 7 dices and you score 4 successes. Then you throw for two range band to short, so 3 bashing + 5 dices (2 success). He suffers 9 bashing level, which mean he end with 2 lethal and 5 bashing, incapacited but not dead.

I ended the second lintha with a narrative, he couldn’t offer you any challenge at this point. What do you want to do now? Try to win the loyalty of your fellow (instil loyalty) or motivate them (inspire) or another things?]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:54, Tue 03 Aug 2021.

Gou turns to face the former rowers. It is only then that he begins to feel the burden of being responsible for all these lives - something that he never felt before, when he was only fighting for himself. It's obvious enough that he needs to take care of them, but what will he say?

After what seems like an interminable delay, Gou finally speaks.

"Brothers, the chance for freedom is at hand. But I am afraid I must ask you to hold off on seizing your freedom. In fact, I must ask you to go back under the decks and row once more, because the Lintha may return, and while I might be able to fight them off, it would put you at risk, and I do not wish to do that. Whether or not we wanted to be here, circumstances have seen fit to put us together as a crew, and it is as a crew that we will escape this. Now, who here has the best eyes? Does anyone here know how to navigate?"

OOC: Gou is going to try and inspire loyalty, because without loyalty all virtues serve your enemy.

Charisma 5 + Presence 3 + Excellency 5 + 1 stunt = 14 dice.

A lot of people take part in

A silence fell on the deck at Gou’s words. The slaves exchanged glances with some murmuring. Finally, an old man with long white hairs and beard spoke.

-Young Gou is right, he declared with surprising strength. We are in this together, the Lintha will not forgive any of us for their captain death. And the gods would not have given you the strength to win this fight if they didn’t want our freedom

Every slave murmured in agreement, Moro was the oldest of them and was respected for his wisdom by everyone. As former priest he always took time to give advice to his comrade, even if he loved to be a little cryptic.

-True words, approved another. But you will not fight alone. Blessing of the gods or otherwise, I would loathe stand aside as someone fight for me.

It came from Ajima, a large man nearly as tall as Gou Jira and as muscled. He was a bit of loner in the slave crew and rarely spoke or showed any kind of emotion, but he was a good fighter.

-I was sailor before my capture by the scarlet dogs, said a third man. I can take this ship anywhere you want, he finished with a flurry from the sword he took from the body of T’narr.

Gou recognized Lurys, a slender man with black hair and fair skin. He was a recent addition but was social and loved game of chance and lamented the lack of alcohol.

[OOC: Since it’s a group of slaves, resolves will be at 2.
Normally you have a penalty of -3 but since you made five successes even if cut three success you win so no need to reroll.
On the thirty slaves, twenty are willing to fight. You can try to convince them to let you handle the fight, but it will more difficult than win their loyalty.]

Gou wants to tell them to stand down, that he can handle it... But deep inside he knows that is not the way. Freedom is not given - it must be earned. Perhaps... perhaps that silver moon goddess gave him and them a chance, and now it is time for them to earn it.

"Very well. If you wish to fight by my side, I welcome your aid. But first, we must find food for ourselves. Is there a navigator here?"

It suddenly occurs to Gou that there might still be Lintha on the ship. As Lurys steps up, Gou turns to the man.

"Plot us a course to the nearest land and we will decide out next move from there."

He then turns to the other rowers. "I will be clearing the ship of any more Lintha. Anyone who wishes to come with me may do so."

Without surprise, Ajima was the first to joint Gou to fight the Lintha. He was soon followed by others and in less than one-minute thirties slaves, half of them, were ready to storm the deck. Several took example on Lurys and took the sword of the fallen Linthas, but everyone was forced to rely on improvised weapons.
Moro came to Gou while everyone readied themselves.

-Young Gou. I don’t know why the gods gifted you, but I doubt it was only to free us. You have a destiny ahead, greater than just a slave crew. Don’t ruin their gift by dying just after receiving it.

On the upper deck, the Lintha were throwing the corpses of the Realm soldiers in the water while laughing, ignoring what was happening bellow them.

[OOC: They are 15 rows on each side, each operated by two slaves. 60 slaves in total.
I let you describe the battle, the Lintha’s ship is still docked with your so part of them are here. They are two access points between the two decks, one at prow and one at the stern.]

Gou nods to Moro.

"I won't cark it so easily. Won't let the others die either."

There is a determination in his voice; these people are the closest thing he has to family now, and he won't lose them again.

Gou peeps up at the upper deck from below, making sure everyone can get a look if they want.

"Okay, so... the way I see it, we want to cut ourselves off from them as soon as possible. That means we'll start by rushing the side where we're connected to them. Lurys, we'll need everyone with a blade to hack off the ropes as soon as possible. We might have a better chance if we split up; I'll handle either the bow or stern, while you take the other side."

He notices the some of the lads looking disappointed that he won't be leading them, and he smiles.

"Hey, don't worry. I'll be right there with you. And as for the Lintha ship... I've got a plan for it. But you really, really don't want to be on it when it works, so just focus on keeping control of ours."

OOC:

Which side would be easier for the rowers to handle? Gou's plan is to clear the deck of Lintha, then he'll go onto the Lintha ship, take Sea Lizard form, then cut the two vessels loose before jumping up and down on the Lintha vessel and generally causing all sorts of havoc on it.

As Gou finished to expose his plan, Ajima came forward.

-Try to not sink their ship. We can’t take it, not enough people to crew the two, but better take the ration and treasure on board. We may need them.

-You better take the bow, interjected Lurys. The stern has the officer’s quarter and helm, you will have more space for your magic at the bow.

-Gou, called another slave. I took a look at the deck. I saw twenty or twenty-five Linthas, plus a group in the officer’s quarter. Some are on their ship, but I don’t know how many.

"Don't sink their ship... Yeah, I can do that. May make things a little difficult but I'll try. Part of my plan involves chucking them overboard, so if we go with that, I'll need people on poking duty. You know, to keep the Lintha from climbing back on. Apart from that... I think it's doable. We'll start once everyone is ready."

OOC:

Gou will follow their plan, so you can segue into it whenever you're ready.

With the plan approved by everyone got in position. Gou was near the access at the prow with four others who would guard the rowing deck in case of a Lintha escaped Gou. The other slaves got at the stern access, Ajima at head, ready to attack.
The large slave exchanged a gaze with Gou and reached for the hatch when it opened on his own.

-Captain? Called the Lintha on the other side.

He only got a second to look surprised before Ajima’s fist crashed in his face.

-Attack! Screamed Ajima before charging out of the hatch followed by the rest of the slaves.

Gou mimicked his fellow and stepped on the deck of the galley. A full moon hanged high in the sky and illuminated the two ships docked side by side. The Lintha’s ship was at portside and was larger than the trade galley, a deck taller and maybe and one and half longer. They were twenty-three Linthas on the desk. Nine were near Gou while the others were either at the stern or between them.

[OOC: A little game, you can make an attack roll, the number of successes will be the number of dead Lintha. Each turn after the first you keep attacking the Lintha on board, three others arrive from their ship.

Stern: 25 slaves / 8 Linthas
Middle: 6 Linthas
Prow: Gou / 9 Linthas]

Gou begins with a swipe that mimics the clawing strikes taught to him under the decks,  but his Lunar Essence and instincts take over halfway, reshaping his hand into the claw that the martial art he was taught attempts to emulate. And so with a bestial cry, Gou's sharpened fingertips streak through the air like silver lightning, throwing a spray of corrupt Lintha blood over the decks.

OOC: Start with a simple attack roll with a 5-die excellency boost.

Dex 5 + Abl 3 + Stunt 2 + Spec 1 + Acc 4 + Exc 5 = 20 dice.

09:40, Today: Gou Jira rolled 6 successes using 20d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((6,4,3,3,10,2,1,4,5,9,4,10,6,4,8,6,5,2,2,5)).

Three Linthas were killed by Gou’s claws before they even had a chance to draw their weapons. A fourth was had his sword half draw when the slave opened his throat. Two others quickly followed; their swords were useless against the fury of an Exalt.

On the other side the slaves took advantage of the surprised Linthas and half of them died before drawing their sword. Lurys and a group of slaves charged the pirates at the centre of the ship with war cries. But the effect of surprise vanished and the Linthas began to fight back. A group of three pirates appeared from the officer’s quarter and killed one of the slaves, causing a cry of rage of Ajima who charged them. Two other slaves fell in other places and the Gou could see the Linthas on their ship began to move. Time was ticking.

[OOC: 22 slaves (3 loss) vs 15 Linthas (11 loss / 3 renfort)
Stern: 13 slaves / 7 Linthas
Middle: 9 slaves / 5 Linthas
Prow: Gou / 3 Linthas]

"Get off my ship," Gou says, and his scything backhand metamorphoses into a gigantic crocodile's tail as it swipes the Lintha out of his path. The last thing pirates see is their distorted reflections in the silvery scales as the massive limb sweeps them away.

He's not bloodthirsty enough to ensure they're slain, but he does do his best to minimize their threat.

OOC: Using 2m on the first excellency and Finding the Needle's Eye.

Dex 5 + Abl 3 + Stunt 1 + Spec 1 + Acc 4 + Exc 2 = 16 dice, rerolling up to 3 1s.

13:50, Today: Gou Jira rolled 8 successes using 16d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((4,6,9,9,2,7,4,4,8,1,4,7,4,2,8,10)).

13:50, Today: Gou Jira failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((6))

If he can, he'll assist his colleagues in the middle of the ship before moving onto the Lintha vessel itself.

The battle cries of the slaves and the pirates echoed in the night as they battled each other. Still shining with silver light, Gou swept away his remaining foes with frightening ease.

The Linthas at the centre of the ship were his next victims has he charged them. It was obvious that none of them were ready to fight even a young exalt. The swords were useless against Gou and his hitting quicker than a snake and stronger than an ox. In mere seconds they were all defeated.

A brief survey let Gou knew than another man under Lurys was dead, like two others from Ajima’s group, but the Linthas at the stern were reduced to four. The deck was nearly clean of pirates.
A battle cry caught his attention and Gou turned to see several Linthas running on the large gangplank between the two ships.

-Gou? asked Lurys, obviously asking for instructions.

[OOC: I transferred yours success to the centre.
19 slaves (6 loss) vs 4 Linthas (22 loss / 3 renfort)
Stern: 11 slaves / 4 Linthas
Middle: Gou + 8 slaves
Prow: - ]

"Mob up and push them off the sides! Remember, don't get stuck in too deeply!"

With that done, Gou turns toward the main gangplank and takes it in both hands before violently wrenching it to one side. Hopefully, it'll dump the men running down it into the ocean...

OOC: If I roll Strength + Ath for this, then...

Str 5 + Ath 3 + Stunt 1 + Exc 5

11:20, Today: Gou Jira rolled 5 successes using 14d10 with the White Wolf Exalted system with a target of 7 ((1,3,9,3,4,8,9,5,4,6,2,10,5,5)).

The Linthas charging on the gangplank were not expecting to be charged back, and they were not expecting their enemy to be capable of swipe them aside like flies. But Gou did exactly that and the four Linthas ended in the water while a fifth who was only taking a step on the plank was send flying by a punch.

Gou was now standing on the pirate’s ship, surrounded by Linthas armed to the teeth, but the silver essence in his veins erased any fear he could feel.

Back on the Realm galley, the slaves finished the last of the pirate by throwing him overboard.

[OOC: You are clear to transform. No need to roll for damage, you can go full narrative.]

Gou throws his head back, roaring to the sky like a storm, and as he does, his entire body swells and grows, his skin becoming coarser and darker even as his face lengthens and deforms into a reptilian shape. His clothes split off him as he soon defies a human body pattern, becoming a leviathan of the sea.

The first thing he does is snap off the Lintha vessel's main mast, using it and his tail in tandem to sweep as many of the demon pirates off the vessel as he can. Actually eating the Lintha is in bad taste, but he picks out one bosun-looking pirate trying to rally his men and chews off the top of his body in a gory display before throwing the remains at a pair of pirates trying to turn the deck's swivel ballista on him. His casual motions crunch up the deck with every step and a full swipe of his tail nearly overturns the ship, but he still does his level best to stamp, crush and hurl away every individual Lintha that even thinks of moving toward his ship.

The pirate’s ship shook as Gou took his Spirit form for the first time. His friend could only watch in awe the looming form of most emblematic creature of the region. And terror sneaked inside the Linthas when the Titan Lizard turned toward them. Then the massacre began.

The deck squeaked in protest at each movement of the behemoth but managed to hold, for all their fault Linthas were excellent shipwrights. The pirates didn’t have the same chance and were crushed, throw overboard or in some case cut in half by massive jaws. Completely caught by surprise and outgunned, they were rapidly overwhelmed and soon the only sounds in the night were the waves.

When Gou turned toward his ship, he saw that the slaves who took part in the combat were joined by the other and they all watched him with awe and even reverence. Some of them were even whispering prayers to the Father of Titans, the mythical ancestor of the Titan Lizards, who was often worshipped as a protector in the region.

[OOC: Even if it’s appropriate for your clothes to be damaged they go to Elsewhere when you shapeshift.]

Gou lets the silver Essence drain from him and he slowly shrinks back down to his merely mortal stature. THen he turns to look back towards the slaves and raises his arms.

"Come brothers. We have all won today. Let's load up on supplies before we discuss what to do next. "

As everyone began to move to the Lintha ship, Gou could see how his relationship with his brother in chains changed. They stopped seeing him like one of them and treated him as sacred being, someone to treat with reverence and ritual to not offense his patron. Some of them were clearly uncomfortable with him.

The pillage of the ship did not last long. T’Narr was obviously meticulous, and his hold were organised to help unloading.
As the other ex-slaves were busy, Gou was called by Moro and Lurys to the cabin of their ship. The former sailor was observing maps.
-We are here, he said. Between the Whaea Archipellago and the city of Saphir, from where we come.

-We can’t return to Saphir, stated the priest. Not a chance that the Realm will miss one of their ships coming back without their men.
He rubbed his chin. The Bay of Fire could be divided between six regions. The Est coast with Saphir, the West coast, the South coast with Omuyira Rainforest full of beastmen. Inside the bay was the island of Lawai to Est, the island of Kawaha to the South-West, and Whaea Archipellago to the centre and North.

-Lawai was our destination, they trade with the Dragons, thought Lurys. Kawaha is in civil war from my understanding. Whaea trade with everyone if they have coins but distrust the Realm.

-And The Omuyira is the stronghold of the Devil Princes, finished Moro. Anathema who stole the power of Moon if we believe the Monk of the Realm.

He was giving Gou a pensive look. Obviously, he didn’t believe the Immaculate and was thinking that Gou could maybe claim kinship with the Three Devil Princes who harassed the Realm for decade now.

-What do you think? Asked Lurys. The Archipellago is the nearest. We could be here in three or four days.

[OOC: If you have questions don't hesitate to ask. I am finishing a resume on all locations.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:14, Thu 07 Oct 2021.

Gou spends a long, long time thinking about their next move. One thing he doesn't want to do is dictate a course of action; that would make him no different from the Realm captains who had them in chains. At the same time, somebody has to decide something.

He addresses Saphir, Moro and Lurys.

"On the surface, the Three Devil Princes seems very attractive. If I am, in fact, like them, then we are automatically united as enemies against the Realm. On the other hand, if they are, in fact, like me, it means they are older and stronger than me and contain much more territory. A mighty whale can sweep up countless minnows in its wake (a saying which roughly means "the powerful cause great disturbances in the lives of those around them whether they want to or not")."

"Kawaha seems more volatile, which means it's easier for a group of unknowns like ourselves to move in. Once we get stronger, maybe put down roots, we can consider more long-term measures like joining the Devil Princes, perhaps. And it would be better to go to them as equals rather than poor cousins."

"In short, I think we should head for Kawaha, but I am open to other ideas."

Moro nodded at Gou.

-I see. Not a bad idea. The rebels will probably want help against the Realm, this give us something to negociate. Good thinking Young Gou.

Lurys took a look  at the map.

-Kawaha is nearly on the other side of the Bay. But with the Lintha's supply I think we can make it.

The door oppened to let Ajima enter.

-Moro, Gou. We have finished to transfert the Lintha's haul in our ship. We are waiting for your descision.

[OOC: Saphir is a city, not a person. I let you a last post to adress to your crew and anonce the destination (or let them vote), then I will conclude the prologue.]

Gou nods to Ajima, then leaves the cabin to address the others.

"Brothers, thanks to your courage, we have freed ourselves. But simply winning our freedom is not enough - we must live free. I have spoken with Moro and Lurys about our next move, and we intend to head for Kawaha, where the Realm will not dare tread carelessly. Hopefully, the rebels there will recognize us as kindred spirits and grant us a place to rest our heads and build up strength for our next endeavor."

Then, he moves on to the elephant in the room.

"The goddess Luna has favored me with her touch. Yet I know that in the eyes of the world, it makes me Anathema, a moon-mad monster that rends the flesh of men even as it bewitches their souls. Some among you may not wish to keep my company, and that is acceptable - it is not my way to insist that all must love me and despair. If you wish to go now, or when we make landfall at Kawaha, you are free to leave. But for everyone who wishes to stay, for everyone who will continue to stand with me... Know that we ARE brothers, in spirit if not in blood, and I will spend my last drop of blood to safekeep you."

He waits for anyone to speak up, trying his best not to be intimidating.

OOC: I thought the priest was Saphir... oops.

The first statement of Gou was received by roar of approval from the ex-slaves. When silence came back, the Exalt began to tackle the issue of his newfound powers. When he finished talking, everyone was silent.
On one hand nearly every slave came from the region and where not Immaculate, but every mortal in Creation had an ingrained nervousness about the supernatural. The silence was broken when a young man took a step.

-You saved my life from that Lintha, said Drifting Ray. I will follow you.

-Is right, said another. We all heard the stories about Linthas. Without Gou, we would have been in their monstruous hands.

The dam was broken, and the assembled ex-slaves began to shout their loyalty to Gou.

Half an our later, the Forest Scent, ex-galley of the Realm, began to move once more, leaving in her wake the burning hull of the Lintha’s ship. Everyone on board had one goal in mind, secure their newfound freedom.

At prow, Gou Jira gazed at horizon in direction of their objective, the island of Kawaha. The light of the full shined on him and he could swear that sometime, a reassuring touched his shoulder.

[OOC: Took longer than expected. The galley will be a Kawaha in two days (300 miles at 6 knots).
You win 5xp and 4 lunar xp (2 for expressing a defining intimacy and 2 role bonus). In addition, you win a 3 dots artifact and 2 dots followers.]