[CCrusaders] Bert says, "Log on."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Bert has saved us from my bad puns"
Eben says (to Wanda), "That pun doesn't port-end well."
Wanda says, "hehehe"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "There is no salvation."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Thanks everyone for starting late for me! I appreciate it.)"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So everyone is already here?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yep"
GM exclaims, "Welcome back to the latest installment in the continuing adventures of the Crownsford Crusaders!"
GM says, "Our heroes have been exploring a spooky old witch's house. They just found their way into a back part of the basement. There are scattered papers on the floor, an elaborate diagram with post-it notes and string on it hanging on the back wall, and a table in the middle with a huge arcane book and a feather quill on it, any of which could be the vital clue that they're looking for to unlock Astrid's plans."
GM exclaims, "But when Jacob opened up the Tome of Spellcasting to read it, it suddenly came to life and began casting spells at them! Jacob is hit by a barrage of magic missiles, and everyone needs to refresh their fate points and roll for initiative!"
GM sets his current fate point total to 3.
Jacob sets her current fate point total to 3.
Jacob rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Fantastic (6)
Jacob registers Jacob at init 6.
[CCrusaders] GM says, "https://jamboard.google.com/d/1OLKqcn6I5_OZAc4RL5iQE5eVLrYBhS9A33cQVrNV3EQ/viewer?f=0"
Wanda rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 +1 | Good (3)
GM clears the initiative.
Wanda registers Wanda at init 3.
Wanda asks (of JAcob), "re add init?"
Eben rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 +1 | Superb (5)
GM rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 0 | Terrible (-2)
Eben registers Eben at init 5.
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 +1 | Great (4)
Eben sets their current fate point total to 2.
GM registers Tome at init -2.
GM registers Q at init 4.
Jacob registers Jacob at init 6.
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Not the continuum!"
GM advances the initiative: JACOB(6) Eben(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) Tome(-2)
Wanda sets her current fate point total to 2.
GM exclaims, "You're in the basement. The main part of the basement is filled with animal cages and an old photocopier. The back part is filled with a malevolent book!"
Wanda sets her current fate point total to 1.
[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "All empty cages, at this point?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "ISTR dropping off the owl and mouse (?) at home."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes! Although you do notice that the portal you used to evacuate the animals has disconnected from the portal in your basement!"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, so we still have the blue one open on the wall?"
GM says, "Jacob! Your turn is first."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "You have the blue one, but it's not connected to any place."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Right."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm thinking and also finding the right episode of Sesame Street for the kiddo"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I presumably dropped the book when I dodged"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Before I got to the end of that sentence I thought for a moment you were looking for something to play in the background for appropriate ambience."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ha"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "E.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnBlIuJdJxE"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(total aside: the indie radio station I listen to announced 'International Bath Day' the other day, then played 'Rubber Ducky'.)"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, um. I'm at a loss for ideas."
[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of Jacob), "Do your 'tell me about the room' stunt?"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I can't"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Not in initiative"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "That takes more time than a combat turn, unfortunately."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh! OK."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And I never have time to do it not in initiative!"
[CCrusaders] Jacob :D
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "but I can try to create some sort of advantage, hm"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Just a normal create advantage, then."
Jacob grabs the book from wherever it is currently (on the pedestal or floor) and, uh... where is one zone away? I thought the back room might be seperate from the rest of the basement
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "But it looks to be a single zone from the jamboard"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "I simplified it by making each floor one zone. So the main floor is one zone away."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I think I just want to get the book out of here so we can look at it later? and then come back"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "However that can happen"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "So you're trying to force the tome up the stairs? That sounds like a contested Physique Overcome!"
Jacob rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Superb (5)
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 -1 | Fantastic (6)
[CCrusaders] Jacob will fail
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, also:"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Dun dun dun"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Any aspects on the map can be tagged once by each side. So I'm going to tag the animal cages."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Dang, one second"
GM says (to Jacob), "As you struggled to move backwards toward the stairs while clutching the tome, you keep crashing into and knocking over the cages."
[CCrusaders] Eben | https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h88N6VTO6dtQ2RVzk1tqx4NdA5PNyShAjpXcoVjhU8M/edit#gid=1689105620 for those playing at home.
[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Ah. So I'm gonna take stress, or?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Which would make that a success with style for the tome, giving it a boost, if you don't tag anything."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Nothing feels like it makes sense here, except for a joke about walking library and books wanting to go with me ;)"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "So take the boost"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) EBEN(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) Tome(-2)
GM exclaims, "Eben!"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Is Jacob literally holding the book? Did it pull away from him? Does it seem to be floating?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(and what's the boost?)"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Boosts don't get names"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "At the moment, he's holding the book."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "But it seems pretty strong and able to propel itself."
[Crows-Nest] Jacob will next convince the book to let me photocopy it and spend the entire combat doing so
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "OK, I'm going to try to portal a cage at it to capture it, telling Jacob to let go at the last second. Does that seem reasonable? And Overcome or Create Advantage?"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hee."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "That would be a Create Advantage! You would be using Shoot, and it would defend with its Physique."
[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) Book (to Jacob): 'I bet you're just going to feed the photocopy to a neural network, arent you'
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK!"
Eben fires new portals, dropping an animal cage through a floor-to-ceiling portal, accelerating it a bit before aiming it at the book, shouting, Jacob! Now!
Eben rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Average (1)
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary+2 (10)
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh my."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I am, uh, going to Just Fail ;-)"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "The dice do not like your plan."
[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "The GM is throwing the book at us"
[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "What a way to book-end this arc"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "For a 'failed' Create Advantage, I'm going to say that you *do* succeed in creating the Aspect 'Caged'!"
Eben watches forlornly as the animal cage is smoothly deflected by the book's cover, tossing it into a corner!
[CCrusaders] GM says, "On Eben."
Eben watches forlornly as the animal cage is smoothly deflected by the book's cover, tossing it at Eben himself!
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) Eben(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) Tome(-2)
GM says, "On the table where the tome was, the feather quill in the inkwell stirs."
GM exclaims, "It lifts itself into the air, rotates until the pointed nib is aiming at Wanda, and strikes at her!"
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 0 | Epic (7)
Wanda exclaims, "Eeeeagh!"
GM exclaims (at Wanda), "That's a melee attack!"
GM says, "You can defend with Fight or Athletics."
Wanda rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 -1 | Superb (5)
[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "My attempt to dodge fails!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "So I take 2 stress, but they do too?"
GM says (to Wanda), "You're stabbed by the sharp point of the pen! It's even mightier than a sword! And you take two stress."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh yes, so they do."
GM says, "Your flames singe the feather. It looks much worse for the exchange."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Wait"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I take no stress"
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Armor 2!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "from Super Toughness"
GM exclaims, "And then it suddenly vanishes in a puff of firey smoke!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh, nice."
GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 2.
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) Eben(5) Q(4) WANDA(3) Tome(-2)
GM exclaims, "It's Wanda's turn next!"
Wanda asks, "Where's the book?"
Wanda asks, "Jacob, did you see it go somewhere?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "The quill disappeared; the book is still next to Jacob."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Oh oops"
Wanda says, "Wait, there it is"
Wanda says, "My eyes were watering from my own flames"
Wanda attacks the book!
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"
Wanda rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 +1 | Superb (5)
GM rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 -1 | Poor (-1)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Fortunately, I have two boosts from succeeding with style twice in defenses!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "So 4+2=six stress total then?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Unless you spend a boost on a reroll"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Just one? The other one created 'caged' for me."
[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Yeah, that's fair."
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Which, yes, makes it six stress! And this is attacking it with fire?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Well, it's just Fight, with 2 of that being just the heat off of me"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, OK."
GM exclaims, "The book now has the moderate consequence 'Charred Pages'!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Fire was involved in some capacity"
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Yay!"
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) Eben(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) TOME(-2)
Wanda bites the book and shakes it a bit, leaving char marks when she lets go
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Fire fangs!"
[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "The book cries out "TO ME!" to the quill."
GM says, "The book turns to Wanda, and the pages flip until they find an undamaged spell: 'Frostbite'."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Haha yay"
GM exclaims, "A stream of freezing ice and hail flows out of the book at Wanda!"
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 +1 | Fantastic (6)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "A ranged attack!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Uncanny Dodge!"
Wanda rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 0 | Epic (7)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You succeed!"
Wanda sproooing onto ceiling to avoid the frosty blast!
Wanda says, "Phew! That was close"
GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND
GM advances the initiative: JACOB(6) Eben(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) Tome(-2)
GM exclaims, "Jacob!"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I... hm."
Jacob looks around for an improvised weapon? (advantage, maybe? I dunno)
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Like an athame or a candle and lighter, or whatever"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds like Create Advantage with Investigation!"
Jacob rolls Legendary (8) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 0 | Fantastic (6)
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Vs. +4, since you would have noticed anything obvious."
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Yes! What do you find?"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I think some sort of blade, because I think it would be funny to stab the book shut, and I'll leave the fire to Wanda :)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Stapler, to staple the book shut?"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Haha, would need to be some stapler"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "True"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Maybe one of those construction ones, left over from finishing the basement"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Dagger's more dramatic"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "or that"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "You know what, GM, you pick"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "I admit a staple gun does seem funnier."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It does!"
GM exclaims (at Jaco), "Hey, behind the photocopier there's a staple gun!"
Jacob aw yiss!
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) EBEN(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) Tome(-2)
Eben tries to get out of his cage!
GM asks, "Eben! You're trapped in a cage! What do you do?"
GM asks (of Eben), "It locked when the door closed; are you going to try to force it open with brute strength, or...?"
[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "(athletics? Physique? Both are 3)"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Forcing it open would be Physique, vs. +3."
Eben figures these were created to house animals, not people, so gives it a good kick.
Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 0 | Good (3)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success with a minor cost!"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'll take it? 1 stress seems simple, if not super creative."
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "For a cost, how about: you have the cage open, but you're still inside of it until your next turn?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "s/?/!/"
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims (at GM), "Sure!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I.e., I still have a turn to tag your aspect in :) )"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "But it's no longer a free tag for the opposition?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, ha."
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) Eben(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) Tome(-2)
GM exclaims (at Eben), "There's another puff of smoke next to you, and the quill re-appears inside your cage!"
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 0 | Great (4)
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ha, oh no"
Eben Hey! Get away!
Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 -1 | Superb (5)
GM says, "And it attacks you, tagging your Caged aspect to get a 6."
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Cage fight!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, and I forgot something with Wanda:"
Eben manages to mostly dodge, but does get his arm poked for 1 stress.
[CCrusaders] GM says, "It's a *poisoned* pen, so it has Weapon: 2 (i.e., two extra stress if it succeeds)."
Eben falls out of the cage as he fights with the floating quill.
[CCrusaders] Wanda ticks a 2 stress
Wanda feels the effects of the poison now
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "The poisonous ink seeps into your veins, making it three stress!"
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) Eben(5) Q(4) WANDA(3) Tome(-2)
GM exclaims, "And it's Wanda's turn!"
Wanda wants to make a fire cage for the book!
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Provoke Create Advantage"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Overcome, sorry"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Ooh. What are you trying to Overcome?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Oh, you said a fire cage.)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yep"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I imagine it's a high difficulty"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Are you trying to trap it? Of so, I think that's a Create Advantage."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Well my stunt doesn't say anything about Create Advantages with fire stuff but I'm happy to do it like that"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, let's do that."
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Woo!"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And it will try to oppose you!"
Wanda rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 -1 | Fantastic (6)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "But it tags its aspect Tome of Spellcasting!"
GM exclaims, "The pages flip to another spell: 'Shield'! And a field of force appears around it, repelling the flames!"
GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 1.
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you tagging anything?"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of Wanda), "Do you want to tag 'animal cages' for free?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I could"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I was thinking more 'Photocpier' because maybe the components are flammable"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "or can add electric fire to mine"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So I'd do that then if the GM allows it"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yay"
Wanda focus her flames, then sees the photocopier, and sets off a secondary fire in there! Acrid black smoke and the beginnings of an electric fire starts out, then is siphoned into Wanda's fire cage
GM exclaims, "And the tome is trapped within the Fire Cage!"
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) Eben(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) TOME(-2)
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Woo!"
GM exclaims, "The book can't go anywhere now, but it can still cast its spells. The pages flip until it finds one headed 'Acid Arrow'. And a green-tinged ethereal arrow appears in the air and fires toward Jacob!"
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 -1 | Fantastic (6)
Jacob will dodge with athletics, he supposes?
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sounds good."
Jacob rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 -1 | Mediocre (0)
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oog."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Welp. One second."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah, I got nothing useful to tag for a re-roll, I think..."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Thinking, though"
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "First Hydrolix, then Jacob. Will all the Quaesitores people get melted down?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You could defend with your stapler, or tag the cages."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Thinking how to use the cages, yeah"
Eben Could be as simple as dodging behind one.
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "^:^;"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's a cage, it's got holes in it!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "That is a good point."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It has a solid base, and it's been toppled."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hmmmmmm. Well, ok, if the GM agrees."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Because it was the one I broke out of ;-)"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "But I am a sucker for any good dramatic narration."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "So I will certainly allow you to tag them if you describe it entertainingly :)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Parkour!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh."
Jacob makes a run for the cage (will roll and if it helps, you get some narrative :D)
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I don't suppose I can reroll and also tag a FP to use Lore as my reroll? (parkour!)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "If you have the fp to spend"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "If you're tagging it, then you get either a +2 or a reroll! And, yeah, I'll allow that!"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I do!"
Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.
Jacob rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Great (4)
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, better!"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That makes it only two stress!"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Typing out something cool"
Jacob freezes for a moment, and then dodges this way and that as the arrow targets and follows him. Finally he lands behind the turned-over cage, receiving a bit of acid splash as the arrow crashes into the bars of the cage.
GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND
GM advances the initiative: JACOB(6) Eben(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) Tome(-2)
GM exclaims, "And speaking of Jacob, it's Jacob!"
[Setting the zoned flag.]
[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "One sec, kiddo wants yet another different Sesame Street, and also I'm taking a mild consequence about acid, I think. Mild is one scene after it starts to heal, right?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Acid Splash, I guess"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, so the book is in a fire cage that I can't easily get past, I guess, huh"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I *was* gonna try to staple it shut :D"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I can open up a hole in the cage"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "If you're okay about trying to run the fire gauntlet"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Staple the quill to the wall?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "It's a staple *gun*, so if you want to Create Advantage with Shoot, then you can try."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ooo, ranged, that's better"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That's... not how staple guns work, is it? But sure."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Staple guns do indeed shoot staples across the room, if you don't fire them into something."
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Jacob read a cheap novel where the protagonist McGyvers a stape gun?"
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Poor Jacob. First the radiation suits, now the staple gun. He's gotta learn that he's in a comic book, not real life."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Spending another FP to use lore instead of shoot."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Though they're not likely to go into a wall on the other side if you do so."
Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 1.
Jacob rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 0 | Superb (5)
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Unfortunately for the Tome, I think it has to defend with Athletics."
GM rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 -1 | Mediocre (0)
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Muhahaha"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And you succeed with style!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Its only weakness: NO LEGS"
[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "Do you want to narrate, or should I?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "it kneeded knees"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "You should"
Jacob was just gonna say something about aiming the staple gun like a Nintendo light gun
GM exclaims, "And ka-chunk ka-chunk ka-chunk the front cover is stapled shut!"
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) EBEN(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) Tome(-2)
GM exclaims, "Eben!"
[CCrusaders] Eben is going to use his 'confuse with portals' stunt for the first time ever ;-)
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Woo! Remind me how that works?"
[CCrusaders] Eben | Have a nice trip! See you next fall!: Eben gets a +2 to Deceive when confusing enemies with portals (i.e. when suddenly opening one under their feet) (Can be used in a Contest where the goal is *not* to attack, or as a separate precursor action to an attack.)
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Neat. What will you be doing?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "In this case, I think I'm going to start a train of random detritus that flies around the room, making it hard for these poor inanimate objects to see what's animate and what's not."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Create Advantage)"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Cool. Create Advantage?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's see. If you're just sowing general confusion, rather than targetting a particular enemy, then that'll be vs. +2."
Eben opens a portal under a cage and the knocked-off lid of the photocopier, lets it fall through the ceiling portal, then gradually adds more stuff to the flying cloud of debris, mimicing our own movements so the book and quill don't know where we're coming from! (particularly Wanda).
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sold!"
Eben rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 +1 | Epic (7)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Style!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Two free tags (or a special effect)."
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) Eben(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) Tome(-2)
GM says, "The quill is going to keep trying to attack Eben, although the debris cloud is certainly making that harder for it."
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 0 0 -1 | Superb (5)
Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 0 0 0 | Great (4)
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I will use one of my tags!"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Then you succeed in your defense!"
Eben dodges behind his flying debris at the last second, causing the quill to stab ineffectively at a flying ream of paper!
Eben advances the initiative: Jacob(6) Eben(5) Q(4) WANDA(3) Tome(-2)
GM exclaims, "Wanda!"
Wanda leaps through her flame cage, unharmed, and tackles the dreaded tome!
Wanda rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 +1 | Good (3)
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Woo! An attack with Fight?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yep"
GM rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 +1 | Poor (-1)
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll grab a free tag from the debris for a 5 overall"
[CCrusaders] GM erases what he was just typing.
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You take it out!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I assume you'll want to narrate that.)"
(From Wanda) As Wanda grabs the book and slams it into the ground, the fire cage around her shrinks and condenses into a concentrated fireball center on her, that implodes!
GM exclaims, "The book is now ashes!"
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) Eben(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) TOME(-2)
GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND
GM advances the initiative: JACOB(6) Eben(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) Tome(-2)
GM exclaims, "And it's Jacob's turn!"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hmmmmmmmmm. I have an idea, but it's wicked difficult, lol."
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "You're a superhero!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Embrace the challenge"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(says the fire spider who has a ridiculous powerset :D )"
Jacob takes aim at the quill with the staple gun, and fires a barrage of staples, trying to attach it to a wall or some other sort of stationary object.
[CCrusaders] Jacob hopefully doesn't hit anyone else!
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That's a Create Advantage with Shoot!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "And it'll defend with Athletics."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm so going to fail this."
Jacob rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 +1 | Poor (-1)
GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 0 | Great (4)
[CCrusaders] GM says, "It does, alas, succeed with style and gain a boost."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "But it was a very cool idea!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And you raised the stakes too"
GM advances the initiative: Jacob(6) EBEN(5) Q(4) Wanda(3) Tome(-2)
GM exclaims, "Eben!"
Eben attacks the quill with the flying debris!
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I thought about using my last fate point to lore it, but that seemed potentially a waste"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(straight shoot attack, I think.)"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sounds good."
Eben rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 0 -1 | Good (3)
GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Average (1)
GM says, "It's already moving so quickly while dodging the staples that it's difficult to get a clear shot at it! (Spending the boost to make it a tie.)"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I tag 'he's got a staple gun!' to say it was dodging out of the way of Jacob's attack and dodged into mine?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sure, if Jacob is cool with it."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sure"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Jacob is always cool ^^"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Unlike Wanda ;)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "True haha"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Then how do you take it out?"
Eben coordinates with Jacob to whack the quill with a flying photocopier lid, which slams it into the wall! The lid falls to the floor after a second, with the imprint of a sooty quill feather on it, then the quill itself slowly peels off the wall, and drifts to the ground, lifeless once more.
GM says, "This basement is now a mess. Smoldering ashes, upturned cages, a wall full of industrial staples. But you've defeated the witches traps and are now safe! As far as you know."
Eben says, "It might have been nice to study those spells, but it's nicer to survive. Good work, team."
GM says, "In the inner room, you still see the elaborate diagram on the wall, which looks like an annotated map of Crownsford, and the loose papers littering the floor."
Eben says, "Wait, I have an idea."
Eben inspects the map with the shadow portal sites, and compares it to the map they got from Dr. Nichols. He's looking for a site on the map on the wall that's *not* marked on the Nichols map, on the assumption that that's the site they're heading to now...
GM exclaims (at Eben), "Hey, look at that. There it is!"
Eben says, "Gotcha."
GM says, "It's a lot downtown where you remember there's been some construction work going on."
Eben exclaims, "Let's go save a white cat!"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you exiting via the chimney, the way you came in?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hunh; I didn't remember that."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, not the basement; the house."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(All the doors and windows are magically warded.)"
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Then yes!"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"
GM says, "Getting back out via the chimney is a bit more difficult than getting in, but with the power of teamwork (and portals), you all manage it."
Wanda exclaims, "Woo!"
Wanda is very worried about Cuddles
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Emotional whiplash"
Eben exclaims, "That soots me!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "What soots it, if Cuddles is dead"
GM says, "It's well into the evening now, and the stars and moon are out. But as you get closer to your destination, you see that part of the sky is blacked out by dark clouds."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We drove here, I think? Let's drive to the construction site."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "We abandoned her in her hour of chimneed"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "*thwap*"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That was *terrible*! I love it."
GM says, "It's not long before you pull up to the curb outside of the location on the map. The entire lot is surrounded by a tall wooden safety fence, and the roiling stormclouds are hovering directly above it."
Eben says, "If we wanted to announce our presence, I guess we could burn the fence."
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Have it spell out letters?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I can do that"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha"
Eben asks (of Wanda), "What do you think--burn through, or climb over?"
Wanda says, "Burning through's faste"
Eben exclaims, "After you, then!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Meteor Strike through like the Koolaid Man?"
GM exclaims, "Ha. OK!"
Wanda exclaims, "For... Cuddles!!!!"
Wanda boooooshh
GM says, "You smash through the fence and reveal the scene on the other side:"
Wanda comes right out the other side in flames, leaving a huge opening behind
GM says, "It's a large construction lot, with various pieces of machinery and piles of materials arranged as the workers had left them for the day. But in the center of the lot, there's a large rectangular cement block."
GM says, "On top of the cement block, there are two dark-robed figures standing. You recognize them both: Astrid and Melificent."
GM says, "Arcane runes are painted on the sides of the block, and there are torches surrounding it letting off colored smoke."
Wanda telepathically to Astrid: LET MY CAT GO OR YOU WILL BURN IN FIRES GREATER THAN THE SUN
GM says, "That's in the center of the lot. In each corner of it, you see more robed figures standing in smaller groups, each in a chalk circle drawn on the ground, marked out with candles."
GM says, "All of them were chanting when you arrived, but when the fence is blown down, they all stop for a moment to stare at you."
GM asks (of Wanda), "Can you give me a Notice Overcome vs. +2?"
Jacob waves awkwardly.
Wanda rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 0 | Average (1)
Wanda says, "oops"
Wanda rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is the second one the real roll?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yes"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "the firts one was me forgetting how overcome TNs work"
GM says (to Wanda), "In one of the far corners of the lot, you see atop a stack of bricks, a cat carrier."
GM exclaims, "Melificent, seeing you appear, snaps her fingers. Four-armed rock monsters like the ones you faced before emerge from the ground!"
GM exclaims, "And that will be initiative!"
GM clears the initiative.
GM sets his current fate point total to 3.
Jacob mutters, "This is getting old.
Jacob rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 +1 | Fair (2)
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Wait--can Jacob do his investigate stunt before we start?"
Jacob registers Jacob at init 2.
[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Oooooh, Can I can I can I?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(if he wants--it's his last fp, I think.)"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It would be yeah"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"
[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "TN?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I support that move, since Wanda did do loads of collateral damage and then attempt to intimidate Astrid and spotted the cat carrier, so plenty of time"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I'm still setting up the map.)"
[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "+4"
Jacob rolls Legendary (8) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 0 | Legendary+2 (10)
[CCrusaders] GM says, "https://jamboard.google.com/d/1mJjH723jMTrW8PrjyZwNicervMvafzrMbBcTJP1K6nM/viewer?f=0"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "..."
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Uh, how much do I need to produce for that?"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "10-4 = 6"
[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "ChatGMPT"
[CCrusaders] (from Eben) GM says, "I changed my mind; there's not enough time, sorry."
Eben rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Superb (5)
Eben registers Eben at init 5.
GM says, "So, first, in the center of all of this there's the Cement Altar."
Wanda rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 -1 | Good (3)
Wanda registers Wanda at init 3.
GM says, "In the back left zone, there's a Half-Built Framework of Steel Beams."
[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "You'll all be starting at the bottom of the map."
[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Let it be noted that I can't remember the last time I didn't roll exactly 3 for my init"
GM says, "There is, of course, also the Charred Remains of a Fence."
GM says, "In the back right zone, there are Piles of Construction Materials."
GM says, "In the front right zone, there's an Excavated Pit that's been dug out of the ground."
GM says, "And in the front left zone, you see several parked trucks and Miscellaneous Heavy Equipment."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Is that six?)"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ya"
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Looks like it!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "You'll all be starting in the Street zone."
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 -1 | Superb (5)
GM registers Astrid at init 5.
GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 +1 | Fantastic (6)
GM registers Astrid at init 6.
GM rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 +1 | Average (1)
GM registers Medusae Guardians at init 1.
GM rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 -1 | Terrible (-2)
GM registers Cultists at init -2.
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Astrid's on there twice."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Whoops."
GM removes Astrid from the initiative list.
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Find the real Astrid."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "One is a projection."
GM registers Melificent at init 6.
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Mel's the kid we talked to, right?"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Also, what was her cat's name?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "She is! She's the one who is, after talking to you, unsure whether she should trust you or Astrid."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Uh, erm.)"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Right."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Fluffy!"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "W00t; thanks."
Wanda displays the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) Wanda(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
GM says, "The Medusae Guardians are blocking you from reaching the cement altar from their zones."
GM advances the initiative: MELIFICENT(6) Astrid/Eben(5) Wanda(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
GM exclaims, "And Melificent is first!"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Is this cement altar also small enough to fit through a portal? ISTR that the previous one was? Or am I thinking of something else?"
Melificent says, "Don't try to stop us! We're the Disciples of Shadow, and this rite is our right!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "No, this is much larger. It's big enough for two people to stand on with plenty of room to spare."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Got it."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OTOH, nice flat surfaces ;-)"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"
GM says, "Thunder rumbles, and the clouds begin to flicker with latent lightning, as Melificent summons her power."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Create Advantage with Will!"
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Legendary+1 (9)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That's a success with style: she has two free tags on her Roiling Stormclouds aspect!"
GM advances the initiative: Melificent(6) ASTRID/EBEN(5) Wanda(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
Astrid looks at Wanda.
Astrid says, "*Your* cat? *YOUR* CAT? This cat is mine! I marked her for this ritual years ago, before you ever laid eyes on her!"
Wanda says, "You're right, she's not my cat"
Wanda exclaims, "She's her own person!"
Astrid Not anymore, it would seem.
Jacob asks, "Why don't we ask the cat?"
[CCrusaders] Jacob can, in fact, do that ;)
Astrid points her finger at Wanda. A black spear, made of shadowstuff, appears in the air and sails toward her.
Astrid says, "That won't be necessary."
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "The cat is on the altar with them? Or still in the carrier?"
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 +1 | Great (4)
[CCrusaders] GM says, "In the carrier, in the back right zone."
Wanda rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 -1 | Epic (7)
[CCrusaders] GM says, "https://jamboard.google.com/d/1mJjH723jMTrW8PrjyZwNicervMvafzrMbBcTJP1K6nM/viewer?f=0"
Wanda uncannily dodges
[CCrusaders] GM says, "The rectangle in the middle is the altar."
GM advances the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) WANDA(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
GM backs up the initiative: Melificent(6) ASTRID/EBEN(5) Wanda(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And it's Eben's turn now!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "The carrier is up on a stack of bricks, not on the ground, FYI."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(So you don't have immediate line of sight to the surface it's on at the moment.)"
Eben gets a running start, fires a portal on the upper inner edge of the tall fence, and then opens and dives through a second one at his feet!
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I would like to create advantage on myself 'flying', and move to an upper zone; I guess lower left."
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! Where are you placing those portals, exactly?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Wait, I got it. It just took me a moment.)"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Put 'em on the map."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! That's a tricky angle for the fence one, so it's Shoot vs. +4!"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I forgot to spend my FP"
Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 0.
Eben rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 -1 | Great (4)
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "So, flying boost?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "A boost, but not actually flying."
[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Horizontally falling"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "So you can get through the portal, but you'll land on the ground unless you tag something to make it a full success."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Also, before you decide:"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "I'm going to declare that, in additon to the free tag from Jacob's stunt, both sides *also* get a free tag on each of those six aspects."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Intriguing"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'm in the lower/left/upper zone, falling awkardly? With a 'falling' boost? That's fine."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"
GM advances the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) WANDA(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
GM exclaims, "Wanda!"
[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Right"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "The medusae are a pain"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "How can I help Eben or Jacob"
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Go help Cuddles!"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You could also use my portal if you want."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's not going to help me move two zones"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "You might get a better trajectory over their heads if you're fast enough?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I like the idea of hopping from medusae to medusae"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "You can use your action to move a second zone on your turn. It'd be an Athletics Overcome."
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims (at GM), "I'll do that!"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Street -> SE -> NW ?"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! It's a big lot with lots of stuff in the way, so it'll be vs. +4!"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Street -> SE -> NE, I mean."
Wanda rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 +1 | Legendary (8)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success with style! Tell me about it!"
Wanda leaps from giant to giant, running along their heads as they try in vain to swat her! Then she lands protectively atop of the cat carrier.
GM says (to Wanda), "When you reach the cat carrier, a little white furry face peers out at you."
Cuddlepaws says, "Meow?"
Wanda says, "Cuddles! Awww you're okay"
GM advances the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) Wanda(3) JACOB(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
GM exclaims, "Jacob!"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm considering calling forth a flock of birds to do something or other, maybe confuse and scare the cultists, maybe screw with the guardians, I don't know yet"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That sounds good to me."
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Sound good. Create Advantage, vs. +2?"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sure"
Jacob rolls Legendary (8) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 -1 | Legendary+1 (9)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Very success! Great birding! Much flock!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Birdings of great joy"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Tell us about the birds if you like, then init next."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm thinking... there's already a dark storm going on, so maybe.. are we near anywhere there might be seagulls? I just want something not dark-colored, maybe. The sun's already been blotted out, I imagine."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sure!"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Seagulls are the classic flock."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hehe"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Green parakeets"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Also, it's night time, but the stars and moon are mostly blotted out.)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(We have them in France)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(They migrate from goodness knows where)"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We have them in the US in regions where pet shops have previously burned down and the parakeets escaped ;-)"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah, we've got some feral flocks of parakeets and stuff in the U--timing"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(init next, or are you still describing?)"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Typing, yeah"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Cool."
Jacob is amused by the cultist's reactions to the sky suddenly filling up with angry, loud, white birds.
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Astrid may be too cool to be distracted, but I imagine the others are like "AHHHHHHHH""
Jacob advances the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) Wanda(3) Jacob(2) MEDUSAE GUARDIANS(1) Cultists(-2)
GM exclaims, "The Guardian near Wanda tries to pummel her!"
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Legendary (8)
Wanda rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 -1 | Fair (2)
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Oh noooo"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh. That's gonna hurt."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Those are pretty disparate rolls."
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Tag to re-roll!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I will tag 'Family First' for a reroll because Cuddles needs me to stay alive"
Wanda rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 0 | Epic (7)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yay!"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Does that reduce it to just a boost?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(With your new toughness.)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I mean, it's 1 stress and I have Armor 2"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Right, that's what I mean."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I don't know how it works sorry"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I guess it was a succesful roll so boost"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(and it gets fire damage?)"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "2 stress of fire (which ignores armor)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "for the big guy"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, it ignores armor? Neat!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yep, Piercing Damage"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Punching me is like punching a small sun"
GM says, "The mighty stone fists strike you repeatedly, but it seems to be doing more harm to itself than to you."
GM says, "Another Guardian tries to attack Eben, similarly."
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 +1 | Legendary (8)
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I'm a zone away from it?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Wow, some good rolls here.)"
[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "I think you're in the same zone as it? The SW zone?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'm in USW ;-)"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(upper)"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Without Flying, I don't think the fence is high enough to get you up to a separate zone, sorry."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, fence is short? OK, I was envisioning your initial description as like three stories tall; OK>"
Eben dodges on his way down!
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Not short, but also not multiple stories high."
Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 +1 | Superb (5)
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "It's more probably between 10-15 feet?"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "And I'll tag my falling boost for 7; 1 point of stress?"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds good!"
GM says, "It fails to make direct contact, but Eben still slightly pulls a muscle while dodging away from it."
GM says, "The other two guardians each prepare themselves by grabbing whatever large chunks of earth or stone they can reach."
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 0 | Superb (5)
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Superb (5)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Both succeed at their Create Advantage and are now Armed!"
GM advances the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) Wanda(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) CULTISTS(-2)
GM says, "Most of the cultists resume their chanting. It's important that this ritual be completed."
GM exclaims, "But the ones near Wanda realize that she's after Cuddlepaws, and they try to wrench the carrier away from her!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I won't let them!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Contested Physique! And there are several of them, which will let them use teamwork."
Wanda spends a fate point, leaving her with 0.
GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 0 -1 0 | Good (3)
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(Forgot to spend fp earlier)"
Wanda rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 -1 | Mediocre (0)
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "oh nooo"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do they... succeed?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We have several free tags of Stuff."
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Piles of Construction Materials, say?"
Cultists says, "Hey, stop it! The Shadow Queen needs that!"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Because you're on the top of the bricks and that makes it easier to defend?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I'm going to tag Construction Materials! I kick some pipes and bricks down at them and make them stumble!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK, that brings it to 3 vs. 2 so far."
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "No, re-roll!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll reroll"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"
Wanda rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 +1 | Superb (5)
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "See"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You succeed!"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you want to narrate it?"
Wanda defends the cat carrier fiercely, her many legs kicking out and knocking cultists down piles of Construction Materials.
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Also, it's six o'clock and the end of a combat round, but it's also been a short session so far. Do we want to stop here or keep playing a bit longer?"
GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Keep playing"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'm free to continue, but am fine if ggg must go Sesame Street her kid."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I probably have a little bit longer ,but not a ton"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! Let's see if we can do at least one more round."
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "One more round?"
GM advances the initiative: MELIFICENT(6) Astrid/Eben(5) Wanda(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Timing."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Melificent!"
Melificent says, "I can't let you take that cat!"
Eben exclaims (at Melificent), "That cat is our friend! Like Fluffy! Who misses you!"
Melificent calls down lightning from the skies on Wanda!
GM rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 -1 | Legendary+1 (9)
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Is this ranged? Also isn't Melificient going to hit Cuddles by accident?"
GM exclaims (at Wanda), "That is a ranged attack!"
Wanda rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: 0 -1 0 0 | Fantastic (6)
[CCrusaders] GM says, "And this attack is just against you, unless you want to use CP as a human^Wfeline shield."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I take 3-2=1 stress"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "She's also going to tag her two free tags on the Thunderstorm!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "No, wait."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yes, she is."
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Five stress?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Oh so I tick a 3 stress and take a Mild Consequence"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What's the consequence going to be called?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Fried?"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"
GM advances the initiative: Melificent(6) ASTRID/EBEN(5) Wanda(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
GM asks (of Wanda), "Hey, remember how way, way back at the start of this arc, you got bitten by a venomous shadow snake thing while trying to break the chain to one of the shadow portals?"
Wanda says, "Oh noooo"
GM asks, "And you got Shadow Poisoned, so that there's dark shadow venom flowing through your veins, filling all of your limbs?"
GM asks, "Wouldn't it be terrible if that let Astrid physically control your body?"
Wanda says, "(See Issue #35)"
Wanda says (to GM), "That would be terrifying"
GM asks, "Do you think it might happen?"
Wanda says, "And also deeply ironic given the Raxiss' powers"
Wanda exclaims (at GM), "I think it could!"
GM gives a fate point to Wanda.
GM says, "Astrid raises her hands, with her fingers oustretched, moving them like a marionette's strings."
GM says, "And Wanda gently sets down the cat carrier."
GM says, "And walks calmly back to the southeast corner of the lot."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Eben!"
Eben exclaims, "Wanda! Wake up! come on!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Your mind is fine; by the way. It's only your body that's under her control.)"
Eben meanwhile twists a dial on his portal gun and the blue portal disappears from view, though re-appearing in the shadow realm to anyone who can see there. Then just before he hits the ground, he opens an orange portal below him flinging himself into the shadow realm!
Wanda telepathically to Eben: SHE'S CONTROLLING MY BODY!
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Shoot Overcome, vs. +2!"
Eben rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 +1 | Great (4)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success!"
GM exclaims, "As far as anyone can see, Eben appears to have left the fight entirely!"
GM asks, "Really, I thought he was more courageous than that, but what can I say?"
Eben . o O ( ..Wanda I'm here! I'm going to try to distract Astrid! )
GM says (to Eben), "In the shadow realm, the chalk circles and painted runes are glowing brightly."
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Is my move basically 'now in shadow realm zone'?"
GM says (to The), "torches surrounding the cement altar also take on an ethereal nature, as if some of them were more than just flames."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, I'd say so."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sounds good! Flying through the air in the shadows, thenm."
Eben advances the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) WANDA(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
GM says, "They don't look like normal flames that could be extinguished easily. But three of them five are glowing more brightly than the other two, which are noticeably dimmer."
GM advances the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) Wanda(3) JACOB(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
GM backs up the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) WANDA(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
GM exclaims, "Wanda!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So I can make a wall of flames to make it impossible for the cultists to take Cuddles to the altar"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Can you create flames in an adjacent zone?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Hm, not explicitly."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Maybe I should just mind control a Medusae to save Cuddles"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "In this case, I'll say it's fine, but I'll reserve the right to decide otherwise depending on the situation :)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Pick her up, and move a zone"
[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "How deep is that pit? Like, if someone were to fall in, they'd be ok, ok eventually, or ok never?"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "You could just up the difficulty or something?"
[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "They'd be OK (unless someone tagged it as part of an attack, of course), but they'd need to Overcome to get out."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Cool, ok"
[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "I'm fine with her creating the fire normally this time."
[CCrusaders] Eben nods.
[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "Okay then fire wall it is"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "because the medusae could always refuse to do stuff and take damage"
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Provoke, TN?"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "+4 Create Advantage to block them from reaching the altar!"
Wanda rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 -1 | Great (4)
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Just barely!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "That would only be a boost, rather than an Aspect, with a tie."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I.e., they wouldn't actually be blocked, but you could still tag it in the future.)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That works unless there's a free tag somewhere"
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Bird?"
[CCrusaders] Alex says (to Wanda), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that the bird is the word."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "There's still a free tag on construction materials if you want it from jacob."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I used construction materials"
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Only once!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Can I use a bird tag"
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "oh once?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "You *did* just get a fate point, as well."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We got an extra tag from Jacob's stunt."
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I'll spend an fp!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yay."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(to be spent on one of the six)"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Then tell us about your flames!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "On Dark Princess, because I'm infuriated by somebody controlling me"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Excellent."
Wanda is a Dark Princess of flame, and Astrid's control only fans the flames into an inferno that spreads from her body into a tall wall lighting up the night, blocking the cultist from reaching the altar! The heat rolls off of it, intense like the mid day sun
GM advances the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) Wanda(3) JACOB(2) Medusae Guardians(1) Cultists(-2)
GM exclaims, "Jacob!"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "So my thinking is that if I remove some of the cultists from play, it's harder for them to complete their ritual, so maybe I want to have the birds attack the ones in the lower right and swarm them into the pit? The other thought, is to use them to protect Cuddelpaws, if I can do that from here."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Could birds work together"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Where is the flock of birds right now?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Swarming them into the pit sounds cool."
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "and carry off Cuddlepaws' cage?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Seagulls are decently good at stealing"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I kind of imagined them as a sky thing, like the roiling stormclouds, at the moment"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "But I wonder if they could carry off CP"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Now that it's been suggested"
[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "In that case, I'm OK with them reaching any one of the ground zones in their turn."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, I think I want to attack the cultists, because the other thing seems... kind of fantastical and not a thing we've done before, unless I was physically a bird involved in it."
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "At least for now"
Jacob calls the birds down to attack the lower quadrant cultists, with beaks and claws and general chaos, and ideally backing them into the pit.
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! The ones near Wanda? Is this an actual attack, or are you just trying to get them into the pit?"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Attack with Rapport!"
Jacob rolls Legendary (8) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 +1 | Legendary (8)
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "woo!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "If you succeed with style, you can subtract some stress to get them into the pit."
GM rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 -1 | Terrible-2 (-4)
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I vote for actual attack)"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Or you could just take them all out. That works too."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(also, wow)"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "YES"
Jacob owes those birds an entire box of french fries
GM says, "The entire group of cultists in the southeast corner are knocked into the pit and completely out of the fight."
GM advances the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) Wanda(3) Jacob(2) MEDUSAE GUARDIANS(1) Cultists(-2)
GM says, "And the Guardian in that corner is going to attack what it thinks is still a threat: Wanda. And it'll do that using the boulder it picked up last turn."
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 -1 | Fair (2)
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Tagging the boulder to reroll:"
GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 -1 | Great (4)
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Wait can I still dodge"
[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "You can still reflexively dodge the attack."
Wanda rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 0 | Legendary (8)
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "With style, even!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "The other Guardians who aren't armed will try to arm themselves. The one who is armed will do nothing."
[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "oooh, maybe the reflexive dodging can start to break Astrid's control?"
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 +1 | Epic (7)
GM rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 -1 | Superb (5)
[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Can I Force Movement myself into a zone?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Since that was super agility"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "and I succeeded with style"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Is that a special effect from your super agility? Then yes!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(And the Guardians get a success with style and a success.)"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I assume I can't force movement myself into Astrid's zone but at least back into Cuddles'"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You can!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(To Cuddles, I mean.)"
[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "Did the NE or SW guardian get the success with style?"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "NE."
[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I'm rolling them in reading order: left to right, top to bottom.)"
Wanda dodges and briefly becomes pure flame, flowing along the fire wall and then back into Cuddles' zone
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Noted."
GM advances the initiative: Melificent(6) Astrid/Eben(5) Wanda(3) Jacob(2) Medusae Guardians(1) CULTISTS(-2)
GM says, "And the Cultists will just try to get the ritual back on track, letting the boss deal with you guys."
GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do we want another round today?"
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "woo!"
[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I need to get the kiddo ready for bed in a few minutes."
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I feel like the next round is going to be more involved and a bigger cliffhanger, so now seems good."
GM says (to Eben), "Oh, as they chant, you can see the runes painted on the altar glow more brightly in the shadow plane."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "This is a good cliffhanger"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "it's the dark night of the soul"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "but on the verge of turning things around"
GM says, "And so we leave our heroes, one under the control of the Shadow Queen, another vanished into another dimension, and the third trying to save them both and Cuddlepaws as well."
GM asks, "Will Cuddlepaws be rescued? Will the ritual be completed? Will any of our heroes, or even the city itself, survive?"
[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Find out in the next, climactic issue of this storyline!"
GM exclaims, "Find out next time, in the ongoing adventures of the Crownsford Crusaders!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Wooo! Timing"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "This was so cool"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Depending on how things go, next one will *probably* be the end of the arc."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Yay!"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yay! Thanks again; this was great."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "It's probably good that the final fight is in two parts because it'll give us time to RP at the end"
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "True!"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Also, July is on the schedule, in case anyone hasn't filled it in yet."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Do we play next week? Or the week after"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "I'm assuming the week after, for ggg's sake. (July 1)."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "OK! That works"
[CCrusaders] GM says, "Unless she wants to do next week, which is fine with me."
[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Thanks for playng, everyone!"
[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I'm actually not free next week anyway. Graduation!"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "July 1 then"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Congrats! What degree are you getting?"
[CCrusaders] GM asks, "A Master's in Empty Nesting?"
[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'm getting a degree in getting all my kids through high school."
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yay"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Anyway, awesome game everyone"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I loved the seagulls just yeeting cultists"
[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "anyway goofnight"
Eben exits stage left.
Eben has disconnected.