Side One, Ep.1 "Holey Ship!"

[Reaver]

I look up toward the ceiling where Mr. Ender is pointing. A steady rivulet of blood is cascading down onto a nearby table. I grab a passing couple: "Go back to your cabin and stay there. NOW!!"

The man and woman see that I'm not joking and rush up the stairs leading to the cabins.

I say to Pale Jackal and Mr. Ender: "I need your help getting these people to safety."

 

[Ireth]

Vincent

I jump a little at the thunderous boom from behind, and wince at the rush of air that passes me by. My mouth drops open in horror when the fat man beside Beatrice is reduced to a bloody pulp. No one else is hurt, but a table is demolished. I turn to the sea, my heart racing. Are these pirates attacking us?

Diana

Before I can blink, the man beside Beatrice is brutally killed. Somehow both she and I escaped the cannonball that struck him and destroyed a table. I look up at Vincent, terrified that he might be hurt, but I sigh in relief when I see him on his feet. I snatch up my sword and shield, looking out toward the ship that looms closer, and move to place myself in front of Beatrice.

 

[SeverinR]

"We are under attack!" Shan turns, "Seek cover! Those that can fight remain, all others get below deck!"
Turning back to watch the ship, best to know their actions, there will be a warning before when the next cannonball hits.
"One ship approaches!" He calls out over his shoulder.
Looking at the railing, he looks for a more sturdy section, bulkhead, or reinforced section to seek cover behind when the next cannonball flies.

 

[Philip Overby]

I prod some people to safety, giving reassuring word when possible. "It will be fine. Don't worry. Blood falling from the ceiling is normal in most cultures."

Once I've managed to get some of them out of the way, I look up to where the blood has come. "I have to find the source."

I flip a coin. Hmm...

"Never mind. I'll stay here. Just in case someone, I don't know, shows up looking for their missing blood or something."

 

[Reaver]

Once I'm satisfied that the casino deck has been cleared of all passengers and non-essential personnel, I run over to where Pale Jackal is standing. "We should go topside. The main assault force of our enemy will board there. Are you coming or not?"

 

[Ireth]

Vincent

I rush down from the raised stage on which I was performing, opting to stand at Diana's side, in front of Beatrice, still facing the approaching ship. How can I be of use in this fight? Telekinesis, definitely, and... fireworks? Maybe, maybe. We'll have to see once someone tries to board. I know it's inevitable.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Meet the Sidekicks

Diana ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Vincent ♥♥♥♥♥♥
Shan Mai ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Reaver ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Pale Jackal ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Cookie ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥


Upper Deck
Most of the audience flees the moment Shan Mai snaps them out of their state of shock. The blonde-haired twins have trouble coaxing their man to leave. "I'm a Golden Boot Champ, not a Dogshit Boot Chump. I'm gonna kick somebody in the ass! Not a dog though. Dog-kickin's for chumps." The twins leave.

A man calls out to the redhead, "Sister Annie! You coming?" She pauses in her prayer to reply, "Father, I am a fighting nun. It is time I do what The Painter wishes me to do. Paint this deck with the blood of my enemies, so it won't be painted with the blood of…" She gestures to her right. "…that guy." The preacher draws two single shot pistols from his pockets. As the woman next to him runs way screaming, he says, "Then it's time I practice what I preach!"

Beatrice says to Diana, "I have nowhere to run, but I feel safe with you."


Casino Deck
Mr. Ender responds to Reaver, "I'll help. Let me choose my weapon." He contemplates the two largest wine bottles. "White or red…?" He takes neither. "I'm not wasting the good stuff. I'll use my fists. More fun that way."

Sashi and Jiro stand back to back. Jiro says, "It's time we stop fighting as rivals, and instead fight as allies." Sashi replies, "I am my gods' oar." Jiro frowns. "You always say that."

"Men! Cannons!" is all Cap'n Bob says to Blue Lou and Sheriff Bart. They salute their captain and head in opposite directions. Cap'n Bob says to Cookie, "If you can shoot as good as you cook—"


A strange deep guttural sound cuts off the Cap'n's words. Reaver, Pale Jackal and Cookie see the source of the sound. Everyone on the upper deck heard it.

Spoiler: what you can do…

I'm still giving Sparkie until the 48 hour limit to post before I start throwing more danger at you, but since I have players posting conversational bits, I'll keep that part of the game moving since it doesn't mess things up for players who can't post often.

The two samurai took command of the NPCs, so I want to confirm that your efforts were not in vain. You got the pesky innocent bystanders out of the way. Now only those who can fight remain.


What you can do now:

• Talk to any character; player or NPC.
• Choose a sidekick—an NPC you can order around—if you want to.
• Reposition your character if you want to.
• You can TRY to leave the room, but you're all more than six squares from the edge of the screen, so you'll still be on the same map next turn.

 

[Ireth]

Vincent

I turn at Beatrice's words, and smile at the trusting look on her face when she meets Diana's eyes. Diana pulls Beatrice close to her side, then looks to me; I paraphrase her thoughts aloud.

"Thank you, dear heart. Just stay close to us. We'll do everything we can to protect you, along with everyone else." I lay my hand on Beatrice's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

((If it wasn't clear, Beatrice is Diana's and/or Vincent's sidekick. ^^))

 

[Reaver]

I give Mr. Ender a solemn nod. "Thank you. Please stick close to me, watch my back and I'll watch yours... Be ready for anything and please do what I say when I say it."

 

[SeverinR]

"Try to find a reinforced section of the ship to protect you from the cannon balls. Won't help if it explodes but you might not end up like that guy." Points to the puddle that once was a man.
"Prepare for a fight, pray to your gods if you believe."
"I want the person that cooked up this scheme dead."

 

[Sparkie]

After being complimented by the Cap'n, Cookie blushes deeply. "Aye, thankee Cap'n. I jes be tryin' tae put a smile in evr'one's belly!"

When the ship is spotted and Cap'n Bob gives his orders, Cookie salutes with his rolling pin (and accidentally whacks himself in the forehead in the process.) "OW! Aye aye, Cap'n! Ow! Let's be joinin' the gunnery crew! Oy, my head! You follow Lou an' I'll head over with the Sheriff! Speaking of heads, mine hurts! C'mon now, let's fire at will! Someone gets me some aspirin!"

(OOC: In case I didn't make it clear,[clarity isn't really Cookie's thing] Cookie heads over to one of the cannons by the Sheriff. I'm assuming it'll take a bit to get there, so I won't roll just yet unless LS wants me to.)

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Diana ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ / Beatrice ♥
Vincent ♥♥♥♥♥♥
Shan Mai ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Reaver ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ / Mr. Ender ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Pale Jackal ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Cookie ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ / Cap'n Bob ♥♥♥♥♥

---

Our passengers, crew members and even the old Cap'n himself prepare to fight for the ship. Cookie agrees to take the cannons, but his exit is blocked by large frog men—dripping wet and armed with spears that have warped shafts and rusty tips. There are more outside, and the Sheriff faces them alone. But Cookie sees the Cap'n's personal guard grab two of the frogs and mash their skulls together, then he tosses one of the now dead frogs at a third. It looks like the man can handle the crowd outside.

The Cap'n finds his exit is blocked as well, but the old man's determined to follow Cookie's advice. With two gunners, the enemy ship's going down.

[COOKIE'S SIDEKICK: CAP'N BOB]

Reaver and Ender stand back to back. "Want me to take orange, boss?" he offers, though it's clear to Reaver that the barkeep will trust a samurai to give the orders.

[REAVER'S SIDEKICK: MR. ENDER]

The Pale Jackal doesn't bother looking for the fight, and find the fight has come for him instead. Jiro wonders if the pink-haired man didn't ask of this help because of his disappointing performance in the ring. Sashi is satisfied with himself. He prays to his gods in a language only he understands.


On the upper deck, Shan Mai organizes several fighters to group up.

A man who was enjoying some hot rolls and a drink with his wife leads the women downstairs. He asks his wife to bring the golden-haired twins with her. As the frog men hop aboard he stalls them. He doesn't have much fight in him, but he keeps the enemy busy long enough that his wife and the other women flee to a safe place. In the next instant, he sees a spear tip tear through his abdomen.

Sister Annie looks back in horror as blood sprays from the man's torso. "What a horrible way to die." The golden boots champ agrees. "Killed by a frog in pink pantaloons. That's not how I'm gonna go." He sees the nun grimace, then adds, "Nor you, sister."

Diana is fortunate in the sense that she cannot hear the agonizing scream from behind her. Beatrice tugs at the hem of her gown and points out the impaled, dying man. "Avenge him," she says. Though her eyes well with tears, there is no quiver in her body or voice. Just bravery. Calmness. A sense of command that catches Vincent's attention. He senses something about the child. Something he's never encountered before.

[DIANA'S SIDEKICK: BEATRICE]


BANG-BANG! Father Warbucks fires his single shot pistols.

He grazes the frog man across the table from him, then tosses his pistols aside. He reaches into his coat, contemplating whether to draw two more of his little guns, or back off.


The ship draws closer. No cannon is fired.

…yet.

 

[Reaver]

"Yes," I reply to Mr. Ender, "and I shall handle the vile beast dressed in light green."

I charge the garishly-dressed frog-man, execute a forward flip over Captain Bob and unleash my Mae attack.



I am satisfied with my technique during this strike.

 

[Philip Overby]

"Well now, this is unexpected." I look out the window to see the frog man peering at me. "Hmm...I don't like your face."

I punch through the glass. "Quit peering at me. No free shows."

 

[SeverinR]

((I quick draw the Katana and attack the pink one on the bar.))

"There is no dancing on the bar, this is the respectable deck. You might get away with that on the casino deck, but not here."

 

[Ireth]

Diana

I turn when Beatrice calls my attention to the dying man, and set my jaw as I nod in reply. My grip on my sword is steady, and my shield-arm is braced for defense. I turn to the frogs clambering over the railing of the ship, and raise my sword to attack the one closest to me, standing on the stage and wearing pink.

Father, I pray, be my Protector, and let me protect those here in turn!

((Awwww yeah!))

Vincent

Beatrice's plea for vengeance is full of an unexpected calm. I can't help but admire it; she reminds me very much of Ariel. All the more reason to protect her, and everyone else. I look at the approaching frogs, wondering what my magic can do against them. If I can focus my fireworks enough to send them blasting toward the enemy instead of into the sky, that could prove devastating for them. It's worth a try. I aim at the one on the far side of the bar, near the dying man.

Not enough! I let the fireworks spell charge, and pray for success with my next try.

 

[Sparkie]

Upon seeing the pale man punch through the window, Cookie cocks his head to one side in confusion. He then shakes it off and starts toward the cannons, but before he can get there...

"Sands o' hell! What be these critters?!? Cap'n, be careful fightin' these yurr fiends!"

Brandishing his rolling pin, Cookie shouts at the frog-men "Come an' meet yer doom, ya stinky web-footers! Oy! What color is that yer wearin' there? Looks tae me like a mix of Pepto-Bismol and vomit! That's the uggiest color I seen since Blue Lou last tried his hand at makin' flapjacks!"

Practically rolling up to his pink-clad amphibious enemy, Cookie takes a mighty swing with the rolling pin...

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Here are my rolls. Description and map coming.))

Player-commanded sidekicks:

Other good guys:

Bad guys:

((@Severin, I hope you don't mind. Since Diana and Shan Mai went afar the same target, I had your guy strike the nearest available. Even though you posted first, Diana was actually facing the enemy giving her a slight head start. This actually works out, since the shield guy would have blocked your attack, but the shield-less orange guy not only failed to block, but he also has better offense than a shield guy—his 13 would've hit you!))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Diana ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ / Beatrice ♥
Vincent ♥♥♥♥♥♥
Shan Mai ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
/ Sister Annie ♥♥♥♥♥ / Father Warbucks ♥♥♥/ Guy in Golden Boots ♥♥♥♥♥

Reaver ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ / Mr. Ender ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Pale Jackal ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Cookie ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ / Cap'n Bob ♥♥♥♥♥
/ Sashi ♥♥♥♥♥ / Jiro ♥♥♥♥♥

---

Upper Deck
Diana leaps onto the stage, thrusting her sword into her nearest foe. He tumbles over the railing. A wet thump is heard on a lower deck.

Shan Mai, seeing that his target is dead, draws his blade—twice striking the frog man that was shot by the preacher. The horizontal slash send the frog staggering back, and the overhead strike finishes the job.

The Guy in Golden Boots drop kicks the remaining shield bearer. Another corpse tumbles over the rail.

Sister Annie elbow punches the frog with a man impaled on his spear. The frog strikes back, clubbing the nun while flinging the unconscious, dying man behind the stage. Beatrice watches him fall. Father Warbucks draws two more One-Shots.


Casino Deck
Reaver's Mae technique severely wounds his foe with the first strike. The second opens his skull. Mr. Ender throws a keg at his target, cracking both the barrel and several frog bones.

Pale Jackal rams his fist through the glass. He hears a deep, guttural scream followed by a muffled splash. All he sees of his fallen opponent is the eye skewered on his cestus.

Cookie leaps onto a keg and puts a small lump on his enemy's head.

Sashi's oar misses his opponent. Jiro backs up his rival-turned-ally with a mighty blow. He gloats—"Guess I'm the better fighter when it counts. Ow."—but is whacked upside the head with a spear.

Cap'n charges out the door to aid Blue Lou.


Both Decks
More frog men leap into the fray. These appear to be stronger than the others.

The ship is getting closer. No shot is fired, but there is a sound coming from the ship.

Wild laughter can be heard on the upper deck and through the shattered window in the casino deck's bar room.

 

[Ireth]

Diana

When my target tumbles backward over the railing, I turn around to seek another target. A frog in purple stands nearby; I jump down from the stage to accost it, my sword still dripping with the blood of my first foe.

Vincent

I turn slightly and release my magic, willing it to shoot toward the frog now standing over the remains of the fat man. I don't know if it will work, but I pray that it will. It may be all I can do.

((Not too sure what strength that will have; it's similar to my first try at using fireworks, so if I can choose to make it strong, AND if shooting the fire toward the frog will work, I'll do that.))