Murleena disappears into the hatch-and-ladder nearby.  Belowdecks, the are sounds of people moving things, shouting, running back and forth.  With the rattling noises that were going on, it was easy to guess what was happening - they were scrambling to remove precious objects from the ship.

But that could only be a part of it.  How many 'precious objects' could this ship really be carrying?

Maybe it was a treasure ship!

There were other noises.  Clattering of something, like rocks, being carried up.  Muffled noises, of someone asleep being woken up.  Metal banging on metal.  A weird sound she can't identify, like rope grating on wood.

And a really alarming noise - faint 'tap tap tap' of running feline feet, bigger and heavier than her own, and to her right.  Right and down, beyond a slatted wooden 'window' to the ship's hold...

Light sees the ...thing... headed towards himself, the smoke, and the villagers.

He looks about for Rosa, and then points at the boiler.
'What in the Isles is that thing!?!'

His other hand goes to his skull dial as he switches his eye lense to Blue, the Eye-Lash... Just in case he needs it.

If it threatened the villagers still trying to get away or went for anyone else he knew, he might have to use it.

But he wouldn't be the first to resort to violence, even against some weird looking furnace on legs.

[ooc: Hold half action to maybe attack, but only if it makes a hostile move first]

Murleena stays in the shadows, invisible to all as long as she was in them. She would continue to the hold be weary of the sound of the cat on the move, even she did not want to meet that one. She just needed a..couple objects. One for herself to sell, and one for the others to use to figure out what this group was after.

Tylluan, watching over the captain (and chaos) was in an excellent position to recognize the other problem.  The lifeboat... they needed more.

There was the other lifeboat that the priests had brought out.  From a look-around, Tylluan can see it... in the water, about a hundred feet from the ship.  Weird, there was no one in it.  There was a couple of the priests, swimming towards it, while most of the others were gathered... well, by the shore, watching the state of their ship.

But while they were watching, they hadn't done more than get their lifeboat at the ready, setting it in the water with a few priests in it.

Maybe they were waiting to see what might happen.

Oh, but there was another one, wasn't there?  There was the lifeboat Rosa had used to bring the group ashore... the one that was currently floating in the water, not far from the enemy vessel.  Plus whatever else her ship, the Darkmaiden's Dance, might have.

Mayhaps he could abscond with a lifeboat or two that way?  Or get her crew to send one?

---

Light and Rosa had a little problem.  Which was a big problem, boiling hot and sloshing about.  And it was sloshing - Light was close enough to hear it, as the thing moved to and fro.  Moft ran down to the villagers without a word, rejoining the villagers hurriedly lowering the lifeboat and raising his little shield.  If nothing else, he didn't intend to let that monster through...

Assuming he could do anything at all...!

Light readies his Eye-Lash as the boiler slides erratically across the deck.  Two villagers hurriedly lower the lifeboat, but the thing's flaming 'eye' is now on them.  It lurches forwards... and is banged upwards!  As if it's chin cracked right into Moft's shield.  The halfling is knocked backwards, right as Rosa's gun fires.

Readying a shot, Rosa takes a crack shot at the thing.  The powerful Dragon Pistol catches it in the side, the whole thing lurching as a hiss of steam escapes out of the thing's side!

---

Murleena was belowdecks, still sneaking around.  It wasn't hard to find the priest-crew.  Murleena sees a doorway spilling light into the dark hall of the ship, the sounds of cursing and rattling coming from inside.  A small storage room was here - three people were moving around it, two filling up sacks while another rattles keys on a chain.  On the sides of the room are a couple of crates with a number of small chests - strange ornate ones of various sizes, all set inside these half-crates filled with straw.  Padding for delicates?  Most of the chests seemed to be gone, though, with only these ones here dealing with it.

Up the hall, another door opens.  And a tall, cloaked figure steps out, holding an emblazoned satchel under his arm.

It's the fur-foot she heard about.

...
A lynx.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:32, Wed 25 May 2022.

Seeing the boiler advance, Light whips his head 90 degrees, a blue rush of energy sprays from his eye, and seems to arc in mid-flight, as if someone swung a bucket of water sideways in an effort to splash in a slight arc, before the blue energy smacks into the construct.

[ooc:
17:37, Today: Light Vessel rolled 19 (with 5 body) using 6 with the Hero (Champions) system with rolls of 3, 4, 4, 1, 2, 5.  Energy Blast Eye Lash.

17:35, Today: Light Vessel rolled 7 using 3d6.  Eye-Lash at Boiler OCV 4. (hits up to DCV 8 if I figured it right)
]

Rosa gasps as the thing runs into Moft's shield. She's glad that her bullet pierced its shell, but by the looks of things it's going to need a hell of lot more holes in it for this thing to run of steam. But to make steam you need water, she thinks, so maybe if she shot it it the belly she could drain the water out it? Maybe it has some sort of valve to drain the water – maybe an arse with a plug? This is going to require closer examination.

She leaps over the balustrade and down on to the main deck. She scuttles around and heads for its backside. On the way she calls out "Moft, are you ok?" Then to the escaping prisoners, "There's another boat over that side. Get to it, or get in the water if you can swim. We'll rescue you!"

As she gets closer to the Boiler, she examines it, looking for any valves or oven-like doors, but she's and also just admiring the artifice of it. But it's also a monster, so she shoots it, aiming for the belly. She only uses a normal charge to gauge how tough it's metal hide is.

---

OCV 5
DCV 7
Perception roll (with +1 overall skill level) 14-. Rolled 10 using 3d6.

Attack roll: rolled 9 using 3d6. Hit 7 DCV
Damage roll: rolled 20 STUN & 6 BODY using 6d6 with rolls of 6,4,3,1,3,3.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:28, Wed 01 June 2022.

She didn't just hear about this furfoot, she saw him and was the one warning everyone about him. She was hoping she'd NOT be the one to meet up against him. A frown crossed her lips as she looked around for a moment considering if there are enough shadows for her to sneak in and grab something. Then she caught eye of that satchel. Something about it stood out to her.

Finally the girl would stay Melded with the shadows, and skirt the wall. Staying out of the light for as long as she can she will sneak behind the Lynx, then attempt to steal the satchel from him. If she has to go into the light she will stay low, and near the wall. If need be, she will use her claws to cut the strap.

22:33, Today: Murleena rolled 10 using 3d6.  Sleight of Hand 13-.
22:34, Today: Murleena rolled 12 using 2d6.  Luck Roll. 22:34, Today: Murleena rolled 12 using 2d6 ((6,6)).

Tylluan spies the drifing boat bobbing gently on the water near the enemy vessel. Clacking his beak with satisfaction, he swoops down and clamps his talons on the back of the boat. Using his wings, he propels the small craft toward where the prisoners are crowding the rail, waiting for their turn. "Get in, get in, get in!" he calls out. He looks up to where Light and Moft are holding the big crab machine at bay. "Once the first boat is full, I can push it away to get the people to safety."

A beam of light erupts from Light's cyborg eye, his head moving to snap the light into the bulk of the Boiler like a whip.  It cracks across the bulk of it, the thing careening again.  The villagers gasp at the sight... but the row boat is deployed.

Rosa hurries across the ship, maneouvering past the yardarm and racing across the main deck.  To where Light was... and the villagers.  "A second boat?  Back there??  We're coming."  Villagers look up from Rosa to Tylluan... and the group moves for the back of the ship.  "Bring the other boat around!  Get it around!  We'll board from back here!"

The villagers who lowered the boat look back to the moving crowd, but apparently aren't going to ask anything further!  They scramble down the ropes used to lower the rowboat to begin with.  As they do so, the rest of the villagers reach the side where Tylluan (and 'his' rowboat) is by...

...And while all this was occurring, the Boiler was finding purchase under its 'feet'.

Rosa doesn't get a chance to shoot, not yet, as just getting around to the other side of the ship... and eyeing up the boiler, takes valuable seconds.

Valuable seconds that were well-spent.  The crowd moves past her and Light, escaping the proximity of the boiler.  From looking at it, she can see that the front is only the flashy part of the thing.

It's belly was sloshing with water, and there was something below (on its belly?) that must be some kind of feed or pump or emergency drain.  Getting down there would be hard, but would get rid of all of the water inside...

The top has numerous valves and vents - some openings that look like they are meant to take-in water.  There should be pipes or tubes connected to these things, but they must have been yanked free... and each has some sort of safety seal that looks to have closed.

If anything, this Boiler doesn't have long to operate.

Except... it was moving.  That much was pretty abnormal.  Really abnormal.


[Light and Tylluan have another chance to act, to bring things up to phase, and then I'll handle Rosa's shot]
[I'll tackle Murleena tomorrow]

Light wondered briefly if he hadn't made a mistake. Was the Boiler alive? Did it have a choice? Was it simply protecting the crew?

What if he was making a horrible-

*LASSSHHHH!!*

No, there were Faqu Villagers at stake. He just hoped that if there were some innocence in the thing, that it didn't hold a grudge.

13:29, Today: Light Vessel rolled 9 using 3d6.  Eye-Lash agaiiiinnnn. (Hits DCV 5)
13:30, Today: Light Vessel rolled 23 (with 5 body) using 6 with the Hero (Champions) system.  Eye-Lash Blastoooo!!!

Tylluan flaps his wings impatiently as he waits for the last of the prisoners to drop into the first boat. Once it's loaded, he clamps onto the stern, sinking his talons into the wood, and begins flapping harder, moving the boat away from the priests' vessel and heading toward where the Dark Maiden lies bobbing at anchor. "Stay low and keep still as much as possible. The last thing you want is to find yourselves capsized and having to swim to shore."

Murleena was nothing if not daring.  Or maybe greedy.  And seeing the lynx-foot was the worst thing... but it still didn't stop her from trying!

And she had something else - the advantage of surprise.  She reaches out, managing a cut with her claw that makes the strap fall limp.  And with her greedy fingers...

Murleena snatches the satchel!  Claw marks rip through the exterior fabric as the lynxman snatches at the bag, wide-eyed.  He had been in such a hurry, he was caught flat-footed.  But his SNARL fills her ears as she turns and runs!

Oh, he was in hot pursuit.  And she was running like a mad thing, dashing through the cramped confines of the ship's dark halls...

---

With a sudden lash of light, Light hammers at the shape once more.  Meanwhile, villagers are getting down the rope.  It gives Tylluan the entertainer plenty to do - wide-eyed people are scrambling into the rowboat.  Thankfully many seem experienced with the water, and were settling down in the boat quickly.

The metal bulk creaks on its feet - it's taking a pummeling, but most of it is superficial.  Keeping it unsteady, and keeping it off its feet.  Rosa takes aim... and her shot crashes into her side.  It was nowhere near the blow of her first shot, sending it staggering.  Staggering, and now careening!  It slides into the yardarm, while half its legs slip and twitch in the open air.

Truthfully, it getting tangled in the yardarm is the only thing keeping it on the deck anymore.

As it turns though, its grated 'face' billows... and fire pours out of its its front!  It washes over the deck, smouldering and scorching!  Fire crashes over Rosa and Light, just reaching them...


[Rosa takes 10 stun, and is barely not stunned!  Light takes 11 stun.  Neither take any body.]
[And now, you guys are up. :3]

Light backpedals slightly from the flame breath of the boiler, -the pain more like burning his hands on a hot oven surface than anything that might leave a serious burn he thought- before drawing his Meat Tenderizer mallet in his right hand, for use next time. With the Captain also caught in the flash of flames, it might be time to change his attack method.

He'd blast it one more time, another neck swinging blue-glowing tendril streaks out and is bent in mid-air into the boiler.


20:14, Today: Light Vessel rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,1,5.  Another Eye Lashing.
20:15, Today: Light Vessel rolled 24 (with 8 body) using 6 with the Hero (Champions) system with rolls of 2, 6, 3, 2, 5, 6.  Eye-Lash III.

Rosa scrambles backwards and rolls out of the way as she avoids being incinerated from the blast of fire from the boiler. She feels the heat on face, and in a bit of a panic she pats her her head to make sure her hair isn't on fire. She looks over at Light Vessel and grins when she sees that he's all right too. "Close one!"

She calls out to Light Vessel, "Hit it again on the count of three. Push it overboard!" She fills the firing chamber of her pistol to the brim, then blasts it with both barrels into the belly of the beast.

---

Rosa is trying to synchronise their attacks and give the beastie a big shove overboard. They might not get their timing right this time around, but it will still hurt the thing.

OCV 5
DCV 8

Attack Roll: rolled 11 using 3d6. Hit DCV 5.
Damage Roll: rolled 9 BODY 30 STUN using 10d6 with rolls of 5,1,2,2,2,5,2,4,3,4.

"Lynx-boy's so mad at Murleena aren't you! But you'll never catch me, the darkness is my home. The Shadowcat lives in the darkness and the shadows!" And with that she would step into the darkness, becoming one with it only to reappear at the end of the hallway! Then she would round the corner and use her Shadow Meld to hide.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:09, Sun 12 June 2022.

Light was at least used to the heat - the Boiler was bad, but was it THAT bad?

Not if he didn't touch the thing!  He lashes out with his Eye Lash...

Rosa, meanwhile barely weathers the blast, but comes up with nary a burnt hair.  Just a little smouldering?  The shock of the heat is passed, but the thing was definitely still furious and fiesty.

As Light's eye lash hammers into the thing, Rosa aims another shot.  The attacks, while not together, level heavy dents into the thing's curved surface.  It was sturdy, heavy, but slow - each hit drove it backwards, knocked it around on its unsteady feet.

It was clumsy, dented, and it was leaking steam.  Whatever it did, it wouldn't be doing it any time soon... but it still belched fire just the same.

--

Murleena ran!  She was fast, but the lynx was just as fast!  He lunged after her, racing liek the wind... until she slipped around the corner.  With an angry roar at her words, he storms and slashes wide with his claws, cutting into wood with a crunch... and missing her, aiming further than she actually was.

Coming around short, he dashes down the hall further, snarling as he runs past... did he assume she's gotten ahead of him?

--

His talons are full - helping with the boat, helping the old people get down to it.  They were quickly loading it, while the others - more daring and more young - were hurrying down the boat alongside the Boiler.  There were still too many people for that little rowboat!

The group down there begin to push off, moving the rowboat around... to join the other at the larger ship's aft...  There, they clearly intended to help pick up more.

Rosa reaches for another cartridge of dragon-powder for her pistols, but her pockets are empty. "Shit! I'm out of shot!" she says to Light. She holsters her pistol and draws her cutlass. "Keep on hitting it - force it overboard! I'm going to..." What is she going to do?

First thing is she is going to get away from front and its fire-breathing mouth. She quickly circles around to its side and looks for anything still entangling it. She slices any ropes holding it back and dislodges any broken beams blocking it, but all the time she is ready to dive out of the way if it turns to look at her again.

Murleena lifted a brow as he ran past her. She would wait there for a long moment to ensure he was gone before she would move herself quietly. She had to get to the deck, and back to Rosa. This incursion was over, it was time to leave.

Light nods at Rosa, and his eye lens colour is switched to red before he places both hands about his Meat Tenderizer this time, swings his right leg behind him to steady himself then charges towards the boiler, EyeBorg eye glowing fiercely red as he sees guide lines visible only to himself plotting optimal paths for his Meat Tenderizer to follow through his swing, as it attempts real time course corrections for his arms to adhere to.

'Captain wants you overboard! Bon Voyage!' he says as the large Meat Tenderizer mallet, -crafted from Panaka Ironwood from the neighboring Panaka Isle not far from Hammerhead, known for its decent tradeoff between density and weight- smashes into the side of the Boiler.

[ooc]
21:05, Today: Light Vessel rolled 6 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,4,1.  Move Thru, OCV 5.
(using +2 from Red-Eye Overall Levels, and +1 for the Meat Tenderizer, -2 for the Move Thru Maneuver. Roll should therefore hit DCV 10 or less. Current DCV is now 2)
21:14, Today: Light Vessel rolled 30 (with 8 body) using 10 with the Hero (Champions) system with rolls of 2, 3, 5, 4, 2, 1, 5, 1, 6, 1.  14m velocity move thru with Meat Tenderizer and 20STR.
21:16, Today: Light Vessel rolled 5 using 2d6.  knockback (deduct from 810?16? body).
*Because he has only bought Double Knockback on the weapon, does that mean only the 2 BODY rolled using the Tenderizer is doubled?
(hence why the DB total calculated as 10 rather than 16 if so)
Either the boiler got Knocked back for 10-5=5(x2m) or 10 meters, OR 16-5=11(x2m) or 22 meters before any knockback resistance or mass reduction etc.)[/ooc]

Murleena heard a furious snarl ahead of her a moment later.  The lynx was spinning about, charging back for her!  But she was still well ahead of the game, already moving off quietly while the 'beastman' tried to find her.

By the time he rounds the corner... she's already gone.

----

Up stairs and on the deck, Rosa and Light take on the struggling Boiler.  Moft was near the ship's aft, the last line of defense should the boiler (or any priests) come for the evacuating villagers.

The Boiler was slow, and that gave Rosa and Light the chance they needed.  Its legs were tangled against the fallen yardarm, and Rosa attacks the ropes and legs.  As the limbs push and scrape and twitch, they slip free of the deck...

And Light slams into the Boiler.  The mallet sends it sliding back just a few meters... which is far more than enough!  It's long legs slip past the edge, and there's a horrendous splash and hiss of steam...!

Just before this moment, Murleena gets up to the deck.  She sees the last brutal blow on the Boiler, sending it over the side... and the clouds of steam coming up after.

Silence.

The deck is clear - Rosa can see priests peering from the doorways and hatchways to below decks, but they all have improvised shields held up and are in no way attempting to come any closer.  The Boiler sunk like a stone, disappearing in the water.  The ship creaks, and even the frantic priests are silent.

A few long moments later, with the help of the second lifeboat, Tylluan gets the last of the villagers off the ship.  He can help the ships work their way away from the large craft, and as he does... he sees the priests ashore gathered and watching.

Just... watching.

Without a lifeboat, they were marooned on the edge of the island.

Rosa holds her breath as the Boiler teeters on the edge, then lets out a mighty cheer as it falls into the water. "Yes! A mighty blow! Well done."

She looks around and sees Tylluan getting the last of the villagers off the ship. "Ok, Moft, Light, Murleena; time to go. Get on the row-boats and start rowing. I've got you covered. I'll swim back." She stands by the railings and nonchalantly waves one of her (empty) dragon-pistols at the cowering priests as she waits for the boats to be loaded and to get away.

"No no! You come too! Murleena made big kitty mad! He catches he won't be nice! She took this from him, it must be important because he's been chasing me all over the ship! We all should go, and very very fast!" She nodded quickly, and pointed.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:23, Wed 29 June 2022.

Light looks a bit worried for the Captain, but she had survived thus far more or less unscathed (not counting a slight scent of burnt leather and singed skin reminiscent of intense sunburn).

With the boiler gone, the fight -if there was any in the first place- had fled the Priests and crew aboard faster than the Owl Man could fly.

The Hammerhead Battle Chef got into the second lifeboat and did as instructed, gripping the oars and then rotating them with all his might to get the rowboat moving. His eye shone green as he kept a watch on the Captain as he attempted to put distance between the evacuation vessel and the metal ship.

Rosa manages not to be startled by Murleena suddenly talking to her from the shadows, and she doesn't see what Murleena's invisible finger is pointing at, but she heeds the cat's warning. "Ok, go, go!"

She holsters her pistols and then nimbly leaps up on to the railing. She gives the priests a bow, then does a backflip off the ship, and after a single turn and a twist she enters the water with barely a splash. She swims beside the second row boat, easily keeping pace with it.

When Rosanhi leaps from the boat into the water Murleena will leap down onto the other rowboat. She then sits down, and peaks into the satchel as she drops her shadowmeld.