Ashnabis session 66
Summary
Session
Session date: January 16, 2022
Fair Cycle date:
Introduction
<AshnabisNarrator> Kaskind has always been an Omban town. After all, before the fos rush, this wasn't a town at all, just the place where the North Kaskos, then the mere Maripak, met the sea. All the population, the local population, was in Timiil, in the lower-lying lands to the west, along the east bank of the mother Kaskos herself.
<AshnabisNarrator> Here in Kaskind, where the waters rarely overflow the bank, the harbour facing the bay has always been the main appeal, and of course, the main way that people from the old Empire still get here. The overland route, over the mountains and down the Kaskos, is still the harder way.
<AshnabisNarrator> But this year, and maybe even this month, in Dezhiri, it's felt especially Omban. Until now most of the newcomers at least seemed to feel the need to adjust their dress and housing to suit the local style. But more and more Kaskind is starting to feel like any other Omban town. Worse, maybe more like a Choradani '-kind', a fortress city like Kindi Nasku or Kintezra.
<AshnabisNarrator> It's growing harder to find land in sight of the fort to build a home, as the city - surely it must now merit the title - grows past five thousand, with more every day. And while there are now some Aummesh who live here, they must surely be outnumbered ten to one in Kaskind itself.
<AshnabisNarrator> Is it home? Yes, a kind of home, but the kind that feels like it has yet to be broken in, yet to figure out what kind of place it is to become. But then again, for the Aummesh clans, it is still that high patch of ground west of the Maripak, where once blue flowers grew.
Balinteze informs Daifan that Kikhash has disappeared
<AshnabisGM> Daifan, you are at home one morning, thinking about lazily heading out into the fields to gather firewood, when Balinteze bursts into the house unannounced. They are dressed in the familiar garb of Kemai.
<Balinteze> He's gone! Kikhash is gone!
* Balinteze announces breathlessly, looking around the room only momentarily to see if anyone else is here.
* Daifan looks up from where they were just putting on their dashi
<Daifan> hone in a bad way?
<Balinteze> I don't know.
<Daifan> like, kidnapped by his wife's peopel kind of gne, ranther than ran off with a prostitute?
<Daifan> WHat do you need?
<Balinteze> He left a note, one page, on his desk, resigning. His personal things are gone from his office. I went to his house but no one was there.
<Balinteze> So he, his wife, and his children are all gone, in the middle of the night, with no warning.
<Daifan> did it look planned? everything packed UP?
<Balinteze> They left a lot behind. It seemed hasty, but they had time to take some personal things. Not like they were dragged away after a fight.
<Daifan> okay
<Balinteze> Yesterday I heard him arguing in his office with a woman - she sounded Daligashi, but I never saw her. It wasn't Zesel, his wife.
<Daifan> it wasn't Zefa was it?
<Daifan> what do you need from me, though
<Balinteze> I'm not sure - it could have been. It wasn't an expected meeting, he didn't have something on his schedule or anything. I didn't see her leave.
* Daifan will go take their hands
<Daifan> did he leave with her?
<Balinteze> If it's connected with Zefa, even if they didn't leave under duress, they could be in danger. I guess I need you to talk to Junan and let him know about this - I don't want to go to the fort right away. If this is some kind of ... situation where Kikhash isn't operating of his own free will, then it would ruin his reputation there.
<Balinteze> And I'd have to find a new job :p
* Daifan grins
<Daifan> okay. do you want to come with me?
<Balinteze> But seriously... he's been good to me. I'm worried about him, this is unexpected behaviour.
<Balinteze> Sure, I can go with you.
<Daifan> I understand. It doesn't seem liek him. And there are lots of ways o get someone to comply under duress that can make them cooperative
<Daifan> okay
<Daifan> good things I'm ready to go out!
* Daifan says, just giving their clothes a final adjustment, and will go find Junan
* Balinteze will accompany you
They go talk to Junan and perform a Sending to Kikhash
<AshnabisGM> Where do you figure they can find Junan?
<Daifan> How about this. YOu can explain to Junan what's happened, and I can try and send him a Messsage?
<Daifan> (I'll try his place first)
* Balinteze nods
* Junan is home practicing forging Basain documents
<Daifan> Junan?
* Junan looks up
<Junan> Oh high
<Junan> hi
* Daifan smiles, but looks somewhat serious
* Balinteze wears a concerned expression.
<Daifan> Sorry to disturb you but this might be of concern....
<Junan> well ok, out with it then
<Balinteze> Kikhash left in the middle of the night last night, with his family.
* Junan quickly stashes the papers he was working on
* Daifan nods
<Junan> That is odd for sure
<Daifan> mmhmm
<Balinteze> He left a one-page note behind, stating that he was resigning for family reasons and had to return to Daligash.
<Balinteze> Yesterday he had some kind of argument with a woman - it could have been Zefa, but I didn't get a look at her.
<Daifan> I'm going to try contacting him with magic
<Junan> that sounds prudent. Do you have the note?
* Balinteze takes it out to show you.
* Daifan will step aside and let them talk while they work on castng sending
* Junan will examine it for authenticity
<Balinteze> I didn't want to take it to the authorities at the fort... if there's something wrong here, it would cause him a lot of trouble.
<AshnabisGM> Junan, you believe it's his handwriting. You can't tell of course if it was written under threat or some kind of magical compulsion, but you think it was written hastily.
<Junan> looks like his hand writing if done hastily
<Junan> the conversation happened yesterday?
<Balinteze> Yes.
<AshnabisGM> Junan, you can make a Perception roll.
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 18 ]
<Daifan> (fail by 2 -_-)
<Junan> !roll 1d20+30
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+30 ] getting [ 12 ] which, after the modifier [ 30 ] totals [ 42 ].
<Junan> (ill use moment of precience for it)
* Daifan rolls [ 2d100 ] getting [ 59 15 ] for a total of [ 74 ]
<Daifan> (I'll take the stunned for a round unless GMs wanna say that the 'auditory effects' mean that other can hear K's response as well :V)
<AshnabisNarrator> We do not want to say that. Stunned for a round it is, then.
<AshnabisNarrator> OK, your spell goes off then, what's your message?
<AshnabisNarrator> (the message in your sending, of course I mean ;p)
<Daifan> "Junan and Kemai are concerned and asked me to contact you. Are you okay? What should I tell them?"
<AshnabisGM> Junan, looking more closely at the note, you do detect something unusual. A few of the words are spelled incorrectly, which seems out of character for someone well-educated like Kikhash. Examining those words more carefully, you piece together a hidden message with the mistaken letters - it just says 'Zefa' and 'petrel' and 'help'.
<AshnabisNarrator> The response: "At port in Charadip, leaving soon sailing west. I and mine are well. Don't want to go. For the best. Tell Junan, read the letter."
<Junan> you were right to be worried... based on the code in the note, it was Zefa and he needs help... the other clue is 'petrel' but I dont get the reference
* Daifan shakes their head clear after a moment, and will relay what he said
<Junan> so specifically it was "Zefa... petrel... help
<Daifan> petrel?
<Daifan> (can I make a K local?)
<Junan> (yeah is it a place, a name?)
<AshnabisGM> (it's a bird name? you don't know of any local like... landmarks or businesses or anything by that name. You might have to ask people :)
<Daifan> maybe its a boat
<Junan> we can ask around
* Daifan nods
<Daifan> I can go see Jimba - I know he has a lot of local contacts
<Junan> maybe there is another clue left at Kikhash's place
<AshnabisGM> You can split up if you want - someone go to Kikhash's place and someone go find Jimba? or you can do those things in sequence.
<Junan> lets talk to Jimba then head over
<Daifan> okay
<Junan> stick together so we dont miss anything
* Balinteze nods
<Daifan> (off to the menagerie!)
They go see Jimba, Llillilli, and Katenzhi, and Scry on Kikhash
* Jimba is presumably doing admiral things ;)
<AshnabisGM> You can head to the Menagerie, where you can find Jimba and anyone else who wants to be there ;)
* Katenzhi will be around, playing with the puppers.
* Llillilli is there just hanging out
<Junan> (jimba is trying on hats)
<AshnabisGM> (hee)
* Veznara is... checking supplies or something? I don't know. :P
<AshnabisGM> (dropping off a bottle of homemade preserves ;)
<Daifan> Oh this is convenient...
<Junan> some good luck at leat
<Junan> least
<Daifan> mmmhmmm
<Daifan> Jimba?
* Daifan calls up
* Llillilli looks over and waves
* Daifan waves back
* Katenzhi looks away at the sound and is tackled by doggos
<Jimba> Hey folks.
<Jimba> Come up on board.
<Llillilli> Why are you here?
<Jimba> How's things?
<Daifan> we are here for help, and they are concerning
* Llillilli frowns.
<Daifan> Jimba, do you know of any fleets or ships called the Petrel?
<Jimba> (Do I?)
<AshnabisGM> You know that the Cormorant fleet has (had?) a ship named the Petrel. You aren't quite sure what happened to it after the various battles and conflicts.
* Jimba conveys that information.
<Daifan> That could be it....
<Junan> it would make sense
<Junan> if she is on that ship, away from Charadip, this is a great opportunity... there may be people that need help on that ship too
* Daifan nods
<Daifan> Kikhash, the envoy at the fort, has some kind of confrontation yesterday, with Zfa, and was cooerced to leave with his family in the middle of the night
<Daifan> He is about to leave from Charadip, on a ship sailing west, and he has asked for help.
* Jimba frowns.
<Junan> in his rapid goodby note, he left a code with the words: Zefa, petrel, and help
<Jimba> Well, let's get to it, then.
<Jimba> (I'm assuming this is more a Fortune endeavor than a Menagerie one, yes?)
<AshnabisGM> (yes - it's a much faster ship and if you need to give chase to another fast ship it's the better choice)
<Veznara> But why did he go with her? Did he indicate what leverage she has?
<Daifan> No.
<Daifan> We don't know
<Junan> I did want to quickly check his home to see if there are other clues left.
<Junan> I assume it will take a few minutes to be ready to go, assuming we can locate this ship.
* Jimba nods.
<Jimba> We can meet you at the Fortune.
* Daifan nods
<Daifan> Thank you
<Katenzhi> I'll try to scry and see if I can locate him.
<Daifan> Would it help to have the letter?
<Katenzhi> Yes, or something of his.
<Veznara> If his family is there too...
<Daifan> his wife and Zefa are connected through their faction
<Daifan> so she may be the point of influence, one way or another
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+19
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+19 ] getting [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ 19 ] totals [ 29 ].
<Llillilli> Mm.
<Katenzhi> (For scry)
<AshnabisNarrator> (that should do it)
<AshnabisNarrator> The scrying takes a while, of course, but eventually a clear image comes into focus. Kikhash is on a small but seaworthy-looking ship, a two-masted merchant ship, you think. He's sitting abovedecks on the deck, with his wife and two sons nearby. They don't appear to have been harmed or to be bound / captive in any way.
<Katenzhi> (Can I make out anything from the surroundings? And landmarks in the distance or anything?)
<AshnabisNarrator> You can only see the immediate vicinity of where he is - about 10 feet in all directions. I don't think that would let you see in the distance / see landmarks.
<Katenzhi> (Right)
<Katenzhi> Well, his family is with him and he seems ok. Not harmed or tied up at least.
<Veznara> Is anyone else there?
<Katenzhi> (I assume not that I can see?)
<AshnabisNarrator> You don't see anyone at first, within the range, although of course someone must be sailing that ship.
<Katenzhi> No one I can see.
<Katenzhi> But I assume the ship has a crew.
<AshnabisGM> Ok, you want to go to Kikhash's office? or his home? to check for any other clues or relevant info?
<AshnabisGM> who all is going and where are you going?
<Jimba> (I'm just going to go get the Fortune ready.)
<AshnabisGM> ok
<Katenzhi> (I'll go)
<Junan> (to the office! bring a caster!)
<Katenzhi> (To the office!)
They investigate Kikhash's office and find a clue
* Balinteze can take you to Kikhash's office at the fort.
<Balinteze> I should probably make some kind of excuses for why he isn't around... say he's fallen ill or something.
* Daifan nods
* Balinteze will head off, leaving you to look around the office.
* Junan searches for clues
<AshnabisGM> Ok, you can make a Perception check.
<Junan> (moment of Prescience again)
<Junan> !roll 1d20+30
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+30 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 30 ] totals [ 47 ].
<AshnabisGM> You think that he's taken some things from his office, like papers, documents, and so on. The materials that are left seem to be mainly just unrelated business. So maybe he had time/reason to clear out anything that might be sensitive.
<Junan> nothing here immediately helpful, that I can tell
* Junan shows what he found
* Daifan nods
<AshnabisGM> There are also traces of some ashes in the fireplace, maybe he burned some papers too? That's a bit harder to tell, but a possibility.
<Daifan> Kat can you try looking back on that conversation?
* Junan will also point that out
<Katenzhi> Yeah, I can try. Give me a minute or two...
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+19
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+19 ] getting [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ 19 ] totals [ 29 ].
<AshnabisGM> Okay - so if I'm reading this correctly, you can detect detailed info going back an hour at a time (so you might have to go back like... let's say 14 hours?) or you can more quickly detect thigns up to a week back. I'm guessing you want to do the first?
<Katenzhi> (Yeah, I think we can afford 15 minutes)
<AshnabisGM> Ok. You can go back through the previous half a day or more, and you pick up impressions of stress, fear, guilt, anxiety, a sense of urgency - like someone hastily putting things together to leave in a hurry. Earlier than that, you can pick up anger, resentment, feelings of being trapped, having no good options before you, and protectiveness - like someone being pushed into a corner, forced
<AshnabisGM> to make a choice that they don't want, but they're doing it in order to protect someone they care about.
<AshnabisGM> A confrontation, with someone they don't like but who has some kind of leverage over them.
* Katenzhi will relay all of that to the others.
<Katenzhi> She definitely has something on him.
<Katenzhi> Or someone does
* Veznara frowns
<Veznara> Or on someone he cares about.
<Junan> unfotunately no more details on
<Junan> 'petrel'
<Katenzhi> So what now?
<Daifan> we go after the ship, I think
<Junan> yeah
<Veznara> And then? We have to remove the threat...
<Daifan> hopefully, things will become clearer
<AshnabisGM> Ok, you want to go rejoin the others at the docks?
<Katenzhi> (Sure)
<Daifan> (yes!)
<Junan> (yes)
The group sets off on the Fortune in pursuit of the ship carrying Zefa and Kikhash
<AshnabisGM> Jimba can have gotten the Fortune ready to go in this time, so you can set off whenever you're ready.
<AshnabisNarrator> The bay is calm as you speed off in the Fortune in pursuit of the ship. Catching up will be difficult but not impossible for a skilled sailor like you, Jimba, as long as the weather holds like this.
<AshnabisNarrator> There are one or two other ships along the way, heavy-laden merchant craft. They give you a wide berth - although they couldn't possibly recognize her from her time with the Cormorants, the Fortune is surely a craft not to be trifled with.
<AshnabisNarrator> (Jimba, I'll have you make a Profession:Sailor roll)
<Katenzhi> (I'lll assist)
<Jimba> !roll 1d20+18
* Daifan rolls for Jimba: [ 1d20+18 ] getting [ 18 ] which, after the modifier [ 18 ] totals [ 36 ].
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+20
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+20 ] getting [ 2 ] which, after the modifier [ 20 ] totals [ 22 ].
<Katenzhi> (Or not...)
<AshnabisNarrator> (that's some fine boating)
<AshnabisNarrator> (Katenzhi was also there)
<Jimba> (Hey, she just needs a 10, right? ;) )
<Daifan> (yup)
<AshnabisNarrator> Jimba, of course the Menagerie is always your first love. But you have to admit that sailing a fine, speedy ship like the Fortune is a remarkable thing. You make excellent time.
<AshnabisNarrator> Of course, no matter what it's still going to take a while, given that they have a head start, so you folks have some time to chat during the long chase.
<Junan> I've never tried to take another ship... how is this going to work?
<Daifan> we dn't want to sink it....
<Daifan> just stop it
<Daifan> maybe we can steal their wind when we get close?
<Jimba> Well, I understand it in theory...
<Jimba> What are our intentions here? What are we doing with Zefa?
<Veznara> Yes, what about the people on the ship?
<Junan> Help Kikhash and his family. If Zefa is there... maybe she takes a long walk?
* Llillilli frowns
* Jimba frowns, but nods.
<Daifan> maybe that question will resolve itself in the struggle.
<Junan> true enough
<Daifan> As for the people on the ship - let them decide how they want to escalate once we try to disable their ship?
<Junan> do we just get close enough and teleport over and try and take the ship>
<Junan> ?
<Veznara> They're going to assume we're pirates or something ourselves, aren't they? They'll likely resist... unless we can think of something.
<Jimba> (How big is the Petrel?)
<Daifan> I still thing we can disable their ship completely before we board - we can call on them to surrender and see what they do
<Katenzhi> I can fly over and warp their rudder. Make it unusable.
<Jimba> Veznara...we *are* pirates in this instance.
<AshnabisGM> (Jimba, you think probably a bit smaller than the Fortune but not a lot smaller. it's a fair-sized ship.)
<Jimba> We have absolutely no authority to do what we're about to do.
<Jimba> And I don't think Kat can teleport enough crew all at once. Can you?
* Jimba looks at her.
<Katenzhi> I can teleport 4 people with me.
<Katenzhi> If I can get over there I can teleport him and his family back here but that doesn't really solve the problem.
<Jimba> Yeah...we're gonna need more than that.
<Llillilli> I can swim
<Katenzhi> I can make us all fly
<Jimba> Define "all."
* Katenzhi shrugs "Over a dozen people."
<Veznara> Can you ask Kikhash what hold Zefa has on him? If she has incriminating papers or something, he probably isn't going to leave until they're destroyed.
<Jimba> That's...more workable.
<Daifan> its likely more complicated than that
<Jimba> But still not ideal.
* Daifan says to Veznara
<Veznara> Perhaps. Whatever it is, don't we have to neutralize it? We need to have an idea of how to do that.
<Llillilli> Where do you think they are going?
<Daifan> we can figure that out once we have them
<Veznara> Better to figure it out before, if we can.
<Daifan> So - we can chase their ship into an area with no wind, then fly over there... demand ther surrender, subdue resistance, separate Kikhask and his family... and possibly him for them, deal with Zefa depeding on her response....
<Daifan> if she is there
<Junan> yeah that works
<Daifan> and once we better understand the situation, regardng whose ship i is, and what is going on, we can decide what to do ith it and its crew
* Jimba sighs.
<Jimba> We're lacking a *lot* of information here, but it is what it is.
<Veznara> Why not just Send to Kikhash again?
<Daifan> what kind of resistance can they put up on a ship lie that? Does their dhip have any weapons?
<Jimba> (Do I know the answer to that?)
<Katenzhi> No real way to know. I could only see about ten feet.
<Daifan> I dn't think it is somethig he can explain in 25 words or less, but we could warn him
<AshnabisGM> (not really - it depends very much on what kind of crew it might have)
<Jimba> (I mean, the Fortune presumably has my 50 sailors, and this is just a bit smaller, so I'm assuming like 40 or so)
<Jimba> (Is that a reasonable estimate?)
<Veznara> He knows what's going on - he can say what we should do to help him.
<Katenzhi> Yeah, sending first.
<AshnabisGM> (yeah, that's probably reasonable - but I mean, like, whether they have archers or spellcasters or whatever other skills among them, or just 'regular' sailors')
<Jimba> (*nod*)
<Veznara> I mean, he does *want* us to rescue him, doesn't he? We aren't doing this just on our own initiative - he *asked* for help in the note?
<Katenzhi> He did, yeah
<Jimba> I just want to specify, you all seem to be talking as though our usual team of 6 is going to handle this, but the Petrel probably boasts a crew of around *40*.
<Jimba> And we have no idea what their capabilities might be.
<Llillilli> We could put a hole in it. They'd be distracted.
* Llillilli shrugs
<Veznara> So instead of going in as attackers, can we try something else? What if we find them becalmed, and approach to 'help'?
<Jimba> That's certainly an option.
<Jimba> I meant the hole, but that, too.
<Veznara> A combination of both?
<Veznara> Would Zefa or her people recognize any of us, other than Junan?
<Daifan> yes, we have all met her
<Jimba> She's met us.
<Daifan> and she is an envoy
<Daifan> she will know us all immediately
<Veznara> Ah, true. :/
<Katenzhi> Let me cast a sending first and we can go from there.
<Veznara> Still, it depends on whether she's the captain, or just a passenger.
<Daifan> she's certainly not a ship captain, but she may still be in control
<Veznara> They were leaving from Charadip... does that mean anything?
<Daifan> it might, dependng on who else is with them
<Daifan> they may have magical defenses
<Daifan> maybe Kikhash can tell us that
<Katenzhi> What should I send him?
<Katenzhi> "On our way. Will intercept ship. How many crew? Ship weapons? Casters? Is Zefa in charge? How best can we help?" Something like that?
<Daifan> that sounds good
<Daifan> maybe 'what kind of resistance can we expect' can cover a lot of that
<Veznara> Are we definitely attacking, then?
<Daifan> no?
<Jimba> We don't know yet, but I'm hoping we won't have to.
<Daifan> we are accosting them
<Daifan> it doens't have to be the same
<Veznara> Kikhash *did* get on this ship voluntarily, as far as the crew knows.
* Katenzhi will go ahead and cast sending
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+19
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+19 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 19 ] totals [ 25 ].
* Jimba nods.
<Veznara> As Jimba just said, this is piracy.
<Veznara> What exactly is our justification for this?
<Jimba> That Kikash and his family have been taken against their will.
<Jimba> This is a rescue, but it's *also* piracy.
<Daifan> mmhmmm
<Veznara> But how do the crew of the Petrel know that? As far as they're concerned, he just got on board.
<Jimba> Well, hopefully we can approach and try to explain the situation.
<Jimba> We're the bigger, faster ship. We can try to flag them down to meet up, and chase them if we have to.
<Veznara> Are you proposing to accost their ship, attack if they resist?
<Veznara> What then?
<Jimba> Eh, not so much accost as just approach.
<Daifan> What is your concern, Veznara?
<Jimba> Look, we have Junan. We'll try diplomacy as far as it will get us. After that, I'm following his and Daifan's lead.
<Jimba> They have the best understanding of the situation as far as I can tell, and I trust them.
<Veznara> And then we tell their captain that Kikash is there against his will... and what if under Zefa's glare, he denies it?
<Veznara> Do we just leave? If not, are we going to take them by force?
* Jimba shrugs.
<Jimba> You can stay onboard the Fortune if you prefer.
<Daifan> There are so many factors in this scenario that are unknown, we cannot plan for all of them
<AshnabisNarrator> "Crew of twenty or more Cormorant castoffs, disorganized but loyal, few weapons. Obin Zhunda mystic in charge, heading for Daligash. Zefa is guest, not leader. "
<Jimba> Oh, that's much easier to deal with.
<Daifan> is it?
<Veznara> No, Daifan. But better to know what lines we're willing to cross before anybody has to make a split-second decision.
<Daifan> Is that the mystic that was with their fleet before?
<Jimba> We outnumber them more than 2 to 1, and I have faith Kat can deal with whatever mystic.
<Jimba> Veznara, Zefa is a known murderer who is unlikely to face any sort of justice and she has just kidnapped a family. If you do not want to dirty your hands, I can respect that.
<Jimba> But we're the ones who are here, and there is a point at which I feel like we have to make a choice to do something.
<Jimba> In this instance, I'm leaving that choice to Junan and Daifan. ;)
<Katenzhi> From the sound of things, they may not be in a mood to fight anyway. They're disorganized and not well armed.
* Jimba nods.
<Daifan> yes, hopefully many will surrender
<Veznara> I'm less concerned about that, and more about the consequences of whatever we do. As you say, we have no official authority.
<Jimba> Maybe we show up, make big noises, get Kikash and company and be on our way.
<Jimba> Well, Junan has *some* authority.
<Jimba> We don't have authority to do this right this moment, but Junan might can make it so we retroactively do.
<Jimba> I don't think anyone is going to be too upset if Zefa is gone.
<Veznara> I just hope it does go smoothly...
<Jimba> Won't know until we try it.
* Veznara sighs
<Jimba> (Hopefully that can lead to trying it :P )
<Daifan> [Terry isn't here, but I do think Junan can reassure us that the fort will not be upset at anythign that happens a: to Zefa or b: to remnants of the cormorant fleet]
Upon catching up with them, the group uses Control Winds to stop the other ship and board
<AshnabisNarrator> Not too late in the day, you find yourself rapidly gaining ground on a ship that matches the description you were given. Jimba, you do think you recognize it as one of the former ships of the Cormorant Fleet. She's made good time considering that it doesn't have a full complement of crew, if Kikhash is right.
<AshnabisNarrator> You're coming quckly up her stern on the port side.
* Daifan will prepare to cast Control WInds
* Jimba will order the crew to signal for them to come to a heading so we can meet.
<Jimba> (Whatever that looks like with flags or whatnot)
<Daifan> (I'm waiting to set my zone until I know where they are going)
<AshnabisNarrator> OK, you set your flags appropriately.
<AshnabisNarrator> As you close to a reasonable distance, as if from nowhere the Fortune is enveloped in a bank of thick, viscous fog. You can't see past a few feet, and the ship itself feels like it's dragging through the dense moisture.
<Veznara> Magic, no doubt.
<Jimba> Kat, if you would?
<Llillilli> Mm.
<Jimba> Daifan, prepare to return fire, as it were.
* Daifan nods
* Katenzhi will cast gust of wind to clear out the fog.
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+19
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+19 ] getting [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ 19 ] totals [ 29 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> A great gust of wind disperses the solid fog almost as quickly as it appeared.
<AshnabisNarrator> The crew of the Petrel (if indeed it is her) are continuing to sail the ship to try to prevent you from closing the distance.
<Katenzhi> You'll need to do a bit better than that...
* Daifan will cast their Control Winds in the path of the other ship
<Daifan> (Like catch them in the edge ofcylinder and have it extend in front of them)
<AshnabisNarrator> (got it, ok, make your roll)
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+15 ] getting [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ 15 ] totals [ 24 ]
<AshnabisNarrator> (that'll be fine)
<AshnabisNarrator> All right, the wind falls instantly out of the Petrel's sails and she'll begin to slow.
<AshnabisNarrator> (OK, now what?)
<Daifan> (how close are we?)
<AshnabisGM> (I think this is where Junan's plan for mass suggestion comes into play)
<Daifan> (yeah, if he ahs the range)
<Junan> (assuming we are close enough I will shout out!)
<Junan> It would be best for everyone if you all would just lay down your arms and surrender before anyone gets hurt!
<AshnabisNarrator> The Petrel is now maybe 150 feet away - pretty close, really.
<AshnabisNarrator> You can close as much as you like, really, now.
<Junan> (hence mass suggestion, DC 23)
<AshnabisNarrator> !roll 24d20
* Daifan rolls for AshnabisNarrator: [ 24d20 ] getting [ 19 6 12 8 11 20 18 1 18 18 7 15 9 9 13 16 2 3 20 20 15 6 3 19 ] for a total of [ 288 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> Many of the crew immediately comply.
<Daifan> Now we need to get them out
<Daifan> we can expect more resistance - Kat this might be the time to fly over
* Katenzhi will cast mass fly on all the PCs in case they need it too.
<Katenzhi> !roll 1d20+19
* Daifan rolls for Katenzhi: [ 1d20+19 ] getting [ 17 ] which, after the modifier [ 19 ] totals [ 36 ].
<AshnabisNarrator> OK, you can all fly now.
<Katenzhi> (Who all is heading over to the ship? I assume not just me.)
<Junan> (me)
<AshnabisNarrator> As you do that, the Fortune is buffeted by high winds blowing it away from the Petrel, and even causing some damage.
<Llillilli> (sure)
<Daifan> fly carefully >.>
<Jimba> (Presumably I have a first mate I can leave in charge)
<Jimba> (So I will accompany folks, because I don't want to be left out :P )
<AshnabisNarrator> If you try to fly now it will be quite challenging, with the high winds.
<AshnabisNarrator> And yes, I would think Aptan or Kayibir would be available.
<Jimba> (Dang, that's a hard choice.)
* Llillilli grunts in annoyance.
<Llillilli> I could still swim...
<Daifan> you could, if you want to go try and diasbe their ship if they dispell the calm
<Daifan> that woudl be helpful
<Llillilli> Alright.
<Jimba> Give them something else to think about, at least
<AshnabisNarrator> OK, the winds dissipate so you can act freely.
<Junan> (or we just fly over!)
* Llillilli will pick up one of the grappling hooks to take with her to jam in the rudder or whatever
* Katenzhi will first fly over to the back of their ship near the rudder and cast Warp Wood on it.
<Llillilli> (why not both)
<Llillilli> (or not)
* Junan will fly over with a grappling hook
<Jimba> (Can we see Zefa or Kikash?)
<Katenzhi> (Oh, or you can do that)
* Daifan will flow over with all their misfortuned for the day on hold >.>
<AshnabisGM> Llillilli can jump into the water to go try and disable the boat. You can make a Swim check I guess, just to make sure.
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+21
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+21 ] getting [ 6 ] which, after the modifier [ 21 ] totals [ 27 ].
<Daifan> (Yeah, let Llillilli do it, we might need you for other counter measures)
<Llillilli> (I am aquatic, anyway)
<AshnabisGM> yeah no trouble making it over
* Veznara will fly over after the others to cover them, despite any misgivings
<AshnabisGM> You can start to work on jamming up their rudder, it will probably take a few minutes of work to do, so we'll come back to that in a moment, after seeing how things are going on deck.
<Llillilli> (kk)
<AshnabisGM> So Kat, Junan, Jimba, Daifan, and Veznara can fly over to the deck of the other ship, correct?
<Katenzhi> yes
<Veznara> yep
<Junan> nod
<AshnabisNarrator> The rest of you fly over to attempt to parlay. One or two of the crew halfheartedly throw rocks at you but there is no concerted attack, since most of the crew has given up.
A confrontation with Zefa ensues, in which she tries to escape but is captured by Llillilli
<AshnabisNarrator> You land on the deck of the Petrel. Jimba, some of the crew are giving you nasty looks but they frankly look terrified of you. It is as if a dark creature from childhood stories just flew over and landed on their ship.
<Jimba> (Gonna have some misgivings about that later, but it works for us right now.)
* Junan looks for someone who might have some sort of standing above general 'crewmember'
<AshnabisNarrator> Two women emerge from behind them, keeping a distance. The first is a tall woman of about forty, a northerner by appearance, with her hair bound in a thick cloth. You haven't met her before but you can presume she might be Obin Zhunda, the mystic who once worked with the Cormorant Fleet.
<AshnabisNarrator> The other is Zefa, whom of course you've all met before.
<Obin> Who speaks for you?
* Jimba chuckles and nods towards Junan.
<Junan> That would be me.
* Katenzhi stands with her arms crossed looking cool.
<Daifan> (While we are talking, can I make a stealth roll?)
<Obin> This is the one you were telling me about, then?
* AshnabisNarrator is now known as Zefa
<Zefa> That's him.
<Zefa> (sure go ahead)
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+14 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 14 ] totals [ 17 ]
<Obin> You have not requested permission to board my ship. Shall I presume that is because you are an uncouth boor who knows no better, and not because you intend me any offense?
<Zefa> He knows.
<Junan> It's your companion that brings offence to me and required such dramatic action to prevent her from evading me. This need not escilate if you step aside.
<Obin> This is my ship and my passengers enjoy my protection.
<Obin> What are your intentions here?
<Junan> My intentions are to return her to Kaskind and bring her conspirators, Kikhash back with me as well.
<Junan> your advice and meddling has already brought one you aided down. Learn from your mistakes and back off.
<Obin> We are bound for Imperial lands. Leave us, and you will never hear from any of these people again.
<Junan> That will not be allowed to happen.
<Junan> You can still untangle yourself from her schemes.
<Junan> Is she has something on you, I can help disentangle you.
<Obin> So your proposal is, what, that I give you Zefa, I give you Kikhash and the family, and then you leave me alone?
* Zefa shifts uncomfortably.
<Junan> Why couldnt you walk away? Its easy just say you only offer advice to Yeggun. His actions and crimes are his own. Take it as a learning experience and go home.
<Obin> Because next time you just come back hunting for me.
<Junan> I don't want a war with the mystics. I'm sure the Fort doesnt either. If they heard how you, in realization of the horrible schemes that Zefa had involved you, turned her over to us...
<Junan> why would we have a reason to hunt you?
<Zefa> You think that Usuf will forgive you such a betrayal, Obin? Even if he does, his kin will not!
* Obin turns to you.
<Obin> Very well, I accept your offer. You will leave us unmolested, and these ones I return to your custody.
<Junan> Jimba, you should let you cousin know she can stop scuttling the ship
* Zefa turns to run away towards the starboard rail.
* Jimba will nod towards Kat.
<Junan> Please, Zefa make me shoot you!
* Junan draws his bow
* Zefa goes to dive overboard.
* Junan fires... and also is curious how she is gonna escape the hithkindred.
<Zefa> Make a Will save, please.
<Junan> ah yes
<Junan> (moment of prescience)
<Junan> (im assuming this Sanctuary... which im pretty sure is a compulsion effect)
<Zefa> (yes, of course it is)
<Junan> !roll 1d20+19
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+19 ] getting [ 4 ] which, after the modifier [ 19 ] totals [ 23 ].
<Zefa> (dangit!)
<Zefa> (OK roll to attack)
<Junan> (is it one shot or do I just get to unload into her?)
<Zefa> (just one shot Terry, we're not on initiative so it can't really be a full action)
<Junan> (np... it affects the to hit roll regardless)
<Junan> !roll 1d20+17
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d20+17 ] getting [ 19 ] which, after the modifier [ 17 ] totals [ 36 ].
<Zefa> (she's got like a 15 AC)
<Junan> !r 1d8+9
<Junan> !roll 1d8+9
* Daifan rolls for Junan: [ 1d8+9 ] getting [ 3 ] which, after the modifier [ 9 ] totals [ 12 ].
* Zefa winces but still dives overboard.
<Zefa> (OK, Llillilli, you certainly hear the big splash)
* Llillilli will swim to investigate, quickly in case it's someone important
* Zefa seems to be swimming for freedom (?)
* Llillilli frowns, and swims after her
<Llillilli> (swim grapple :v)
<Llillilli> (I want to come up from underwater and scare the shit out of her)
<Zefa> (sure, well make a swim check first)
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+21
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+21 ] getting [ 14 ] which, after the modifier [ 21 ] totals [ 35 ].
<Zefa> (ok so now you want to grapple her?)
<Llillilli> (Yeah, like come up from below and grab her. Like one of the deep ones :v)
<Zefa> (OK, you do so, and can make a CMD roll)
* Zefa looks at you, startled, as if this shouldn't be happening.
<Llillilli> You should have stayed on the boat. It's dangerous in the water.
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+30
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+30 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ 30 ] totals [ 31 ].
<Llillilli> (lol... destiny)
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+30
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+30 ] getting [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ 30 ] totals [ 37 ].
<Llillilli> !roll 1d20+11
* Daifan rolls for Llillilli: [ 1d20+11 ] getting [ 18 ] which, after the modifier [ 11 ] totals [ 29 ].
<Zefa> !roll 1d20+10
* Daifan rolls for Zefa: [ 1d20+10 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ 10 ] totals [ 11 ].
<Zefa> (womp ... womp)
<Zefa> (OK, you have her fully pinned - if that's what you like ... and now what?)
<Llillilli> (wither her unconscious & swim her back to the boat)
<Zefa> (ok, wither nonlethal until she's unconscious?)
<Llillilli> (yeah)
<Zefa> (ok there's no point in rolling anything further, she's hopeless)
* Zefa falls unconscious.
* Llillilli hauls Zefa back up onto the Petrel.
<Llillilli> Someone dropped some trash in the water
* Llillilli drops her on the deck
* Obin seems impressed and somewhat annoyed at the same time.
<Obin> Very well.
* Obin calls out to one of her crew.
<Obin> Bring up the others. And their things.
<Veznara> (Does that include Zefa's things?)
* Zefa is now known as AshnabisNarrator
<Veznara> (Guess we'll see...)
<AshnabisNarrator> The crew bring up Kikhash, his wife Zesel, and their two sons. Their possessions - quite substantial - follow shortly thereafter.
<Obin> Admiral Jimba, would you like to bring these across by rowboat?
<Daifan> (sense motive)
<AshnabisNarrator> (go ahed)
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+21 ] getting [ 1 ] which, after the modifier [ 21 ] totals [ 22 ]
<AshnabisNarrator> (ahead)
<AshnabisNarrator> (nope)
<Daifan> (ffs.... is this worth a destiny?)
<Daifan> (Yeah I will, I have 3)
* Daifan rolls [ 1d20+21 ] getting [ 16 ] which, after the modifier [ 21 ] totals [ 37 ]
* Obin seems deeply aware that she is completely outclassed here - seems defeated and pissed off.
<Daifan> (Cool, I mostly wanted to make sure she wasn't planning anything spiteful and was tryng to set up for it)
<Obin> (she seems to have noticed what happened to the last person who tried something stupid)
<Daifan> (good good ;)
* Jimba nods.
* Obin motions to her crew to ready the rowboat for the short trip over to the Fortune.
<Obin> I hope to never have the opportunity to cross paths again.
<Jimba> Likewise.
<Daifan> Your plan of never being seen or heard from again... seems wise.
* Llillilli drips quietly
<Obin> There are forces at play here still, far greater than my role in this game. Be aware of that.
<Daifan> do you have anythig useful to share?
* Daifan asks, very dubiously
<Obin> There are those who are addicted to fos for what it does to reality, and those who are addicted to the wealth it provides. The latter are far more dangerous.
<Jimba> I'm inclined to agree.
<Obin> Very well. Then go.
<AshnabisNarrator> All right, you haul everyone back over to the Fortune and set sail for home.
