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Penelope hee

Talbert says, "ty"

[7thsea] Bert says, "Log on."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Welcome back!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Well thankfully my silly goofy statement is not on the transcript"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Although adding it in would constitute appropriate punishment"

[7thsea] GM says, "I have a big ol' summary of last session, and then we can ask questions/spend XP/play."

[7thsea] GM says, "Ha."

GM exclaims, "When last we left our intrepid adventurers!"

GM says, "Everyone had trooped out into the woods to search for the source of the strange sorcerograph readings. Eventually, they stumbled on it, realizing as they did that the day it was likely to be used again was indeed that night! There was a clearing with a stage on one end, and a hidden tree platform on the other, behind which was a small shack built around a firepit, not unlike a sauna."

GM says, "However, after waiting around in the increasingly-strong rain, the group finally realized that the actual meeting was taking place across the valley, closer to the village. Running off as fast as they could, the eventually reached the second clearing, a sort of small parody of the first: a stump instead of a stage, a couple planks in the tree, and no sauna-shack. They nearly rushed off to follow the signs of the scores of people that had been there less than an hour previous, only to realize that a figure was still in the tree-just as she tumbled out of it."

GM says, "Don Miguel managed to catch her as she fell, saving her from certain harm, who then realized that the freezing-cold young girl was none other than Floriana's younger sister, Estela, who mumbled something about Felipe before passing out."

GM says, "Your assets and liabilities include: your three stalwart allies (with you), El Vago (somewhere), your horses, wet but thick cloaks, your masks, your steel, a frozen El Fuego Adentro-weilding child, a bunch of riled-up townspeople heading to La Reina, some sort of cult leader with an unknown plan, a rogue demolitionist (whereabouts unknown), a battalion of Montaignian soldiers, and a midnight storm that seems to be rapidly turning into a hurac�n."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Question time!"

[7thsea] Talbert says (to GM), "What do you think about One D&D--- wait, wrong question."

[7thsea] GM says, "Hee"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I guess a lot of the things I think of are really things to ask Floriana"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "as opposed to OOC"

[7thsea] GM says, "Some of you are partially injured, but any flesh wounds are now gone."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I seem to have 2 dramatic wounds with a question mark after it"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Curse me and my lack of detailed notes"

[7thsea] GM says, "Hmm, I can scan the transcript. And sure, ask away IC if you like."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Also, last count I had on group xp totalled 24"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I assume that's changed"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "My notes say 'Total earned: 34XP'."

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Mine says 35?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Wait, hold on"

[7thsea] GM laughs.

[7thsea] GM says, "I really should have kept track on the spreadsheet."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Forgot to add unspent on my end. 24+8=32"

[7thsea] (from DonMiguel) Talbert says, "Now I have 38XP."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I wrote down three from last session, because fulgencio"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks (of Penelope), "Did we get another background XP last time?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Tijing."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yeah"

[7thsea] GM says, "Ah, yes."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "m"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "So that 3 xp must be the one I'm forgetting"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "from last session"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "bringing us to 35"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Cool."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Puts me at 11 unspent, then. Woo."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Feel free to spend mid-session if you need it. We are actually closing in on the end of the adventure arc!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Ooh."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Also my sheet claims I still have two extra drama dice? I'm just gonna assume that's true :D"

[7thsea] GM says, "That sounds legit, actually."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I racked up a bunch last session"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I will not make the obvious pun here"

[7thsea] GM says, "argh ;-)"

Penelope looks so innocent. "I have no idea what you mean."

[7thsea] GM says, "Looking innocent is a TN 35 for you."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ha!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn this way."

[7thsea] GM says, "yay"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Oh, what's an act? Unrelated to right now, but in a general 7th Sea sense."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I haven't used my dagger at all, but it's got destiny dice attached to it."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Which refresh at the start of a new act."

[7thsea] GM says, "Oh! Uh, hmm."

[7thsea] GM asks, "I guess for us, it'd be 'coherent adventure sessions in between longer in-game timeskips'?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ok!"

[7thsea] GM says, "So if you had used it last session, you wouldn't be able to use it this session, but if you had used it before heading into the woods, it would have refreshed."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Makes sense"

[7thsea] GM says, "I think the word 'act' is supposed to convey a sort of narrative coherence, which can be a bit fuzzy, so if you use it and think the narrative has moved on sufficiently, feel free to argue that we're in a new act, and I'm unlikely to object ;-)"

[7thsea] GM asks (of Talbert), "I have a dramatic wound for you from getting struck by lightning, but I didn't find another, unless it was from earlier, perhaps?"

[7thsea] GM says, "Like, if you started the session with one, you'd now have 2."

[7thsea] Talbert asks (of GM), "Hmm, would I have healed up from the previous adventure?"

[7thsea] GM says, "You definitely healed up in the infirmary; I forget if you re-injured yourself in the escape."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I'm pretty sure I played things safe"

[7thsea] GM says, "Let's say you have just one! There's always more where that one came from."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "hehe"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "In the sky?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at DonM), "Yup!"

[7thsea] GM says, "OK! Off we go."

GM says, "Lightning flashes overhead, and the rain pours even harder, which you would find unplausible were it not soaking your trousers."

DonMiguel holds out the child toward Floriana. "Can you help her? Warm her somehow?"

Floriana says, "I can try. I can manipulate flames, not create them from nothing, but skin contact is the best for this anyway..."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I imagine it's too wet to start a fire."

Floriana strips off her cloak, and while you hold it above her, she nestles Estela in the folds of her clothing, shivering when the child's skin touches hers.

GM says, "Estela's breathing calms, and slowly she stops twitching."

[7thsea] GM says, "Yeah, probably."

Floriana quietly murmurs, "Estela, what were you *doing* out here?" There is no response.

Tristand says, "She was in the tree, out of sight of the crowd. Just like at the last clearing."

DonMiguel says, "Some of us should follow that crowd."

Floriana says, "Help me on my horse. I will come as well."

Floriana says, "Someone's been using Estela, and I intend to find out who."

DonMiguel helps Floriana mount up, presumably with Estela in front of her.

Talbert's hair goes bzzpt. 'No time to lose'

GM says, "You manage to get the two of them up on the horse, and wrapped back up in Floriana's cloak. It's a very well-trained horse, and seems to sense the need for care."

Talbert says, "'Time... to win'"

Tristand asks (of Talbert), "That's your new catchphrase?"

Tristand grins, and swings up on his own horse.

GM exclaims, "And you're off!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "*coconuts*"

GM says, "Unlike the previous clearing, where it was clear that a lot of people were *there* but not where they came from nor where they went, this one is obvious: a large mob, heading through the trees to the town. From where you are, they seem to be making a beeline (modulo trees) towards the Montaignian HQ."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Uh oh"

GM says, "You make good time on your horses, but the rough terrain means you're only going slightly faster than the mob."

[7thsea] GM says, "(Unless someone wants to try Ride to sprint ahead or something. That would come with the danger of injuring you and/or the horse, especially in this weather.)"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "I have Ride!"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Would you like to Try A Thing with it?"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Yes!"

[7thsea] GM asks, "What would you like to try?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "A daring shortcut"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Through where the ground is drier but the trees are tightly packed"

[7thsea] GM says, "OK! Let's say a TN 20, or 25 if you want everyone to be able to follow the trail you blaze."

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "25 it is!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 10+1 2 8 8 3 | 30

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Boom"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "You succeed! RP!"

Talbert gallops to the forefront. 'Follow my lead!' he says, and veers through tightly packed trees, side-saddling when the branches get low and kicking them aside, clearing the way through drier ground.

DonMiguel follows behind Floriana's horse, watching to make sure that she and Estele are able to handle the shortcut safely.

GM says, "You emerge from the forest to an utterly chaotic scene: the entire Montaignian headquarters is engulfed in flames, and some parts have collapsed entirely."

[7thsea] GM | https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gN-bRG8PgxHYnsD19zC13cFZRYIFXM-JmG9nx6Lhm24/edit#slide=id.p

Penelope whistles quietly. (In like a "wow" way, not a tune!)

[7thsea] GM says, "(the orange bits are collapsed)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Needs access"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "thanks"

[7thsea] GM says, "Whoops, fixed; thanks."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Ta is me! Tatatataaa"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "So, I'm not sure that this is a problem exactly."

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Same, but maybe we can rescue people in the jails who might not deserve to be there and/or die?"

GM says, "In general, there are people running everywhere, but there are a few situations (in red stars) I'll describe in more detail."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "We just evacuated the jails pretty recently -- do you think they've refilled them already?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Oh!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ok then"

GM says, "A1-A3 are concentrated groups of people fighting, and the townspeople have definitely been on the losing end of things: several of them lie dead in the mud."

GM says, "(accompanied by a few Montaignians, it must be said)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(I'm thinking of when we rescued that kid who was falsely imprisoned for 'helping' us, and the other team rescused Fulgencio.)"

GM says, "But people armed with heavy things aren't really a good match for trained soldiers with swords."

GM says, "On the other hand, many Montaignains were injured from the fire, so it's not quite as bad as it might have been."

GM says, "For 'B': Fire blazes around an open window, framing the scared faces of a handful of people who seem to be trapped upstairs."

GM says, "And for C: Several Montaignian soldiers are running, faces and clothes covered with black soot, towards the training yard. Talbert realizes they're all unarmed, and are running to where the swords and other weapons are kept."

GM says, "The high wind seems to be keeping the flames burning in the heavy rain."

DonMiguel rides toward A, to help the villagers! And perhaps to find out from them if they have any special goals aside from the obvious.

[7thsea] GM says, "As far as people in the jail--I think a Gossip roll would be apropos to see if you've heard of anyone getting arrested, TN 15."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Panache?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "I can answer any other questions, and then we can roll init!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sure!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 4k3: 5 8 10+7 4 | 30

[7thsea] GM says (to DonM), "Two days ago, they arrested someone for public disorder (yelling drunkenly about the Castillians in the street); they usually only keep people for a day when that happens."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Actually, with a 30, you realize that you also heard someone from this morning mention doing something with him, so he must be out!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Yay!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "If I had rolled a 40, I'd have seen him in A2 swinging a 2x4 around."

[7thsea] GM asks, "Oh, and: I think I'll have your NPCs go at the same time as you all, maybe one each? Floriana with DonM, and Ricco/Tristand with Talbert/Penelope?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Can we tell if the faces in B look like soldiers?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to GM), "Makes sense."

[7thsea] GM says (to DonM), "That's a Notice roll! TN 15."

[7thsea] GM says, "(anyone who wants to check)"

[7thsea] GM says, "(keen senses/wits)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 2 4 9 | 15

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k3: 5 10+3 1 5 | 23

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Jacob is back!"

[7thsea] GM says, "You both see a couple Montaignians and a Castillian up there. Penelope recognizes one of the Montaignians as a nurse from the infirmary."

[7thsea] GM asks (of Talbert), "Johann?"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I think b/c Jacob also has good vision."

[7thsea] GM says, "Got it ;-)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "yep :)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "A shame he's not here: he'd probably be ideal for helping rescue people from high windows."

[7thsea] GM says, "OK! Initiative! Which I'm saying is 3d10 for everyone; you go on the phases that you roll, starting at 1."

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3d10 dice: 8 8 9

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 3d10 dice: 5 6 2

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 5d10 dice: 10 6 7 4 5

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 3d10 dice: 4 8 7

GM exclaims, "Phase 2: Talbert!"

[7thsea] GM says (to Penelope), "Oh, and are you OK with letting Talbert say what Ricco or Tristand are doing? Do you have a preference? They're your NPCs ;-)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims (at GM), "I thought Tristand was *your* NPC!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Sure, that's fine"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Right, so I feel like I should prevent the unarmed soldiers from getting to the weapons, probably by riding circles and doing horse-fu"

[7thsea] GM says, "I mean, you are *all* my NPCs, in the end."

[7thsea] GM asks, "Sounds good! Ride, then?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Yep"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "OK, this will be easy-ish to start with: Ride, TN 15!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 4 9 3 2 10+4 | 30

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Wow, OK. You succeed! RP!"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Also, is Tristand helping you, or doing something else?"

Talbert didn't hesitate for a moment: he rode on, cutting off the path to the weapons, and kicked up dirt into the unarmed soldiers faces as his horse made circles around them. Fairplay be damned.

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Hmm, having two horses will be nice, he can circle in the other direction"

[7thsea] GM says, "Sounds good; done."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Penelope!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Phase 4."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "The longest phase of the MCU"

[7thsea] GM says, "Ha."

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Hmmmm. So, do we care to rescue the folk in the window? There is the one Castillian.. Also, do we feel like the nurses *knew* they were poisoning/sedating the patients when the attack was supposed to happen?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Or were they legit like "No! Why do they think that?""

[7thsea] Penelope says, "(i.e. what would Talbert have told us)"

[7thsea] GM says (to Penelope), "From Talbert's description, the doctor was the one in charge, and was rather unhappy about the whole situation. The nurses were defintely not in on the plan."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ok, then sure. I guess I want to figure out how to help the folk in B (?)"

[7thsea] GM says, "(Also, sedating patients is a normal-ish thing to do for people who are recovering, so there wasn't a ton of 'something is wrong' vibes.)"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "In their food, though?"

[7thsea] GM says, "The food came from the kitchen pre-doctored."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yeah, I know. But just saying :) It's not a normal thing, maybe."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Heh. True!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Though some times, that's the only way to get a feisty soldier to take his medicine."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ok, so. They're upstairs, in a window, and the building is on fire. Thinking how I can best help from out here. Ha, can I break someone else's fall with break fall? Though I suppose that risks injuring me."

[7thsea] GM says, "So! Do you want to try something, or try assessing something or something else? Also, you have Ricco to assist."

[7thsea] GM says, "(timing)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I guess I want to look around for something to help.. ropes, training trampoline (lol), I dunno."

[7thsea] GM asks, "Break Fall is a skill/knack/something you have?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Floriana might be able to help with the fire, when her turn comes around, but if she's with me, that'll be a while."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "It is! I have acrobat"

[7thsea] GM says, "Nice! In that case, yes, you could totally use it to break someone else's fall."

[7thsea] GM says, "And sure: notice, TN 15! Raises to make what you find more effective. It could be a rope to throw up to them, or a patch of soft mud they could jump to, or whatever else."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ok, let's go with notice and... one raise to make it 20 (fingers crossed here)"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k3: 9 5 9 2 | 23

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "boom!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "rp!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Whew."

Penelope looks around, quickly but with a careful eye. She finds a few bundles of hay that were left out in the rain (yes, I know the stable is on the other side of the building). She gestures to Ricco to help drag them over and to slice through the twine holding them together.

[7thsea] Penelope says, "They're still Montaignains... they don't get to be *comfortable* when they land."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Nice! OK, NPCs!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "brb"

[7thsea] GM says, "(rolling for randomizing, not effectiveness, just so you know:)"

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

GM exclaims, "Group A1 fights to a standstill!"

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 7 | 7

GM exclaims, "As does group A2!"

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 1 | 1

GM exclaims, "But in group A3, the Montaignains corner a Castillian, dealing him a fatal blow to the heart!"

GM exclaims, "Everyone roll Notice, TN 35!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 2 10+9 4 | 25

[7thsea] GM says, "(there will be other Notices)"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 2 7 | 9

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "It's Wits, right?"

[7thsea] all_NPCs exclaims, "It is!"

GM says, "In the meantime, something happens in the upstairs group:"

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 5 | 5

GM says, "Someone peers through the flames to try to see what Penelope's doing, but can't quite figure it out."

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 7 | 7

GM says, "And the group trying to get weapons fails to rally, remaining confused by the circling horses."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Penelope might notice something, but in the meantime, Talbert's turn!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Keeping them away again is another TN 15; still as easy as last time."

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "If I raise the TN, can I knock out some of them?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Just to whittle things down"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sure!"

[7thsea] GM says, "That seems like a +10, but you also have a +5 from Tristand."

[7thsea] GM says, "So you have to roll a 20 or better."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "OK! I'll do that"

[7thsea] GM says, "(or another raise to take out a second one)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Back, sorry. Had to sunblock a child."

[7thsea] GM says (to Penelope), "NP"

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Another raise is another +what?"

[7thsea] GM says, "5"

[7thsea] GM says, "(everything works in increments of 5 in 7th sea.)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I'm aiming for the 25"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Go for it!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 5 6 10+4 4 10+10+5 | 50

[7thsea] GM says, "wow."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Whoa"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "With that, I'm saying you take out three of them!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "rp!"

[7thsea] GM says (to Penelope), "(Also, Notice, TN 35. This is for a thing that happened the last phase; there will be other Notice checks.)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks (of Penelope), "Did you catch the call for Notice earlier?"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k3: 7 2 8 4 | 19

Talbert and Tristand coordinate to lean over the side of their saddles to boot soldiers in the face! Tristand knocks out one, and Talbert knocks out two in one go as he sends one soldier careening into another, skulls impacting each other.

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "None of you particularly notice anything in the fight!"

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "I haven't rolled?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "oh I did"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "ignore me"

[7thsea] GM says, "OK, NPCs go again:"

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 9 | 9

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "I'd like to think the soldiers are just a little startled by two men who are supposed to be dead kicking them in the face."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel asks, "Isn't Talbert at least in disguise?"

GM exclaims, "The Castillians in group A2 manage to rally and take down a Montaignian! One clubs him in the back of the head as he's focused on a second!"

[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "Yeah, probably. That's why it's here and not in #7th :D"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "They are, but they'd recognize that kick anywhere."

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Hee."

GM exclaims, "And, another Notice TN 35!"

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 2 | 2

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 9 9 | 18

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 4k3: 2 3 4 7 | 14

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 6 7 1 | 14

[7thsea] Penelope glares at these dice.

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Should I spend DD?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Just so that the suspense ends? Or trust that Penelope will eventually suceed"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "If you want, but it feels like we're probably all a little distracted with other things to notice."

GM exclaims, "Meanwhile, the flames on the upstairs window get stronger, and engulf the window even more than they did!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Except maybe DM"

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 8 | 8

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I have 3 DDs"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Going from 18 to 35 could take a lot of DD's."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "True."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I'll pre-emptively spend one of mine next time!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Good idea"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "And the TN might get easier each round, if this is something that gradually becomes less subtle."

GM says, "And the soldiers in the training yard retreat, some of them grouping, but others just noping out of the whole situation."

[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "GM over there dropping the TN to 5 "please, please just notice this thing I wrote for you""

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Ha"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Phase 6: Talbert once more!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(the other fighting groups fought to a standstill again)"

[7thsea] Talbert says (to GM), "I no longer need to stop the soldiers from getting to the weapons, I guess"

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Right?"

[7thsea] GM says, "About half the previous group are still nearby: there were 10, you took out 3, and 2 left."

[7thsea] GM says, "They'd return if you left entirely; they seem to be considering what to do next."

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "I'll finish them off!"

[7thsea] GM says, "OK! You can take out one with a 15, and an additional 1 with every raise above that."

[7thsea] GM says, "(and Tristand can give you a raise)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "How much for taking all of them out? I'm feeling lucky"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "roll a 30!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(TN 35 less Tristand)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I'll try my best."

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 3 10+5 3 1 6 | 27

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "DD!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 9 | 9

[7thsea] Talbert says, "It's a done thing"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Success! RP!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Woo!"

Talbert, flanked by Tristand, charges at the five remaining soldiers. His horse bites at the closest one, and dramatically kicks its front hooves up silhouettes against the lightning'd sky. Talbert swivels on the reins and swing kicks the soldier out of his horse's mouth, sending him spinning screaming onto the others.

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "And the NPCs!"

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 7 | 7

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 8 | 8

GM says, "The various fighting groups all continue to fight to a standstill, but from the window, you see that the Montaignian has taken off his coat and is beating down the flames at the window."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Bringing us to Penelope!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(phase 7)"

Penelope stands below the window and calls out "You need to jump" as persuasively as possible.

Penelope gestures at the hay

[7thsea] GM says, "OK, some sort of Rapport-ish roll, with Panache, TN 20 to be heard/seen in the confusion."

[7thsea] GM says, "Given that the person at the window is a guy, I'll let you have your Dangerous Beauty bonus as well ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] (from DonMiguel) Penelope asks, "How about a roll in the hay, big boy?"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "This isn't *really* oratory, but maybe like.. I'm good at being heard and saying the right things to avoid confusion?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sounds good to me!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Oratory includes learning how to project your voice and be noticed, so sure."

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 7k3: 8 8 10+2 9 5 9 3 | 30

[7thsea] Penelope says, "That's with the DB :D"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Excellent! RP!"

Penelope looks up, waiting just a moment until she's made eye contact with the man in the window ("eyes up here, please"), and shouts, "Jump! It'll be all right." She smiles encouragingly and winks, "I might even catch you."

[7thsea] GM says, "Nice! OK, NPCs:"

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 7 | 7

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 3 | 3

GM exclaims, "In the third fighting group, things continue to go badly for the Castillians, and another falls. Which means everyone gets another Notice TN 35!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 8 7 | 15

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 10+3 4 1 | 18

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Let's gift Penelope all our DDs"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "All our sharing ones? Alright."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "(if she still doesn't make it, that is)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I'm rolling with one of mine as a start, and then we'll see"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says (to Talbert), "The suspense is really getting to you, I see."

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 5k4: 6 3 9 3 3 | 21

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Grump."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "You have my DD"

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "And Don M's too?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Sure. Although the odds aren't good..."

[7thsea] GM says, "14 is kind of high, yeah."

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 1k1: 4 | 4

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

[7thsea] Penelope says, "GAH"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "It was worth a try"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "One sec"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "That is.. 21+10... I'm committed to this now"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "And I've got extras"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Yay!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "YES"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Woo!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "This better be good!"

[7thsea] GM says, "OK! I'm going to do the window group first, and then say what you see."

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 8 | 8

[Crows-Nest] Penelope says, "You see a kitten stuck in a tree"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel asks, "Is it a white kitten wearing a mysterious collar?"

Upstairs_guy calls out "Thank you!" to Penelope and grins rogueishly. Then, gritting his teeth, he spreads his coat over the window sill, leans over it, and calls behind him, "Hector! Crawl over me and jump!"

GM exclaims, "From behind him, the Castillian servant (Hector, apparently) climbs over the Montaignain. Grabbing his hand for balance, he leans over the courtyard, spies the hay, and leaps!"

GM exclaims (at Penelope), "Break Fall, TN 10!"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says (to upstairs_guy), "You know, the chivalrous thing would be to let the nurse escape first."

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "+ brawn, I'm guessing?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "(not my favorite stat, lol)"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Hector is clearly the expendable human pillow"

[7thsea] GM says, "Hmm, I could see Finesse, too, if you did it more in a twist-so-you-don't-injure-yourself way."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I'll take tht"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 5k4: 4 3 9 2 9 | 25

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Success! RP!"

[Crows-Nest] Penelope tosses Ricco under the falling body

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Ha!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Hm. I'm not sure actually how I should RP it."

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Let's just say it happens?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Sure, that's fine."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I'm sure my womanly curves help somehow."

[7thsea] GM says, "(except here)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Extra padding."

GM says, "Snrk."

[7thsea] GM says, "Here, I'll incorporate it into your Notice:"

[7thsea] all_NPCs says, "(typing, sorry...)"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "All of them? Really?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "All on the same keyboard. That's why it's taking so long."

GM says, "Penelope and Ricco stand by the hay, and gracefully catch Hector as he leaps from the window. It's a long way down, so Penelope expertly twists and rolls, breaking Hector's momentum and rolling off to the side. As she does, she gets a ground-eye view of the fight to her north, where the frightened and angry Castillians are trying desperately to fight up the group of soldiers. Her heart pounds as a Castillian dodges out of the way of one sword, only to impale herself on another, and with a strangled cry, she falls to the ground, lifeless eyes staring at Penelope. And then, a inky black smoke emerges from the dead woman's eyes and mouth, swirling in the wind and rain, twisting around itself, then snaking across the ground towards the forest, disappearing around the corner of the building."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Which brings us to phase 8: Don Miguel twice and Penelope!"

DonMiguel dismounts and joins the fray!

[7thsea] GM says, "(A1, I think you said earlier?)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "A3 seems to be doing the worst, so that's the group I'll help."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "A3 it is!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to GM), "I think I just said 'A' earlier."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "I'm thinking that since Penelope and Talbert have their situations in hand, Floriana would most likely be using El Fuego to subtly give the Castillians an advantage in the melee?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "If you are doing a straight fight, that's vs a Brute Squad of 10 people!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Sure, that works."

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "OK! I'm going to attack and take some raises!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "How many can I take out with a TN of 35? (30 with Floriana's help.)"

[7thsea] GM says, "(sounds of a PDF being opened and frantically scanned through)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Hee."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Base TN of 20, each raise takes out an additional one, so 4!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "Sounds good! Rolling a fencing attack!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 7k4: 10+9 3 8 8 7 9 3 | 44

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sucdess!"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Also: is this non-lethal or lethal damage?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "If they're armed and uniformed Montaigne soldiers who are lethally killing Castillians, it's lethal damage."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "They are, so it is!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "rp!"

DonMiguel enters the fight just as another Castillian is about to be skewered, but Miguel's blade appears just in time to deflect it! He fences that soldier back toward his countrymen, backing four of them up against the wall. He stabs one, and as the others reflexively take a step further back, he the reaches up and smacks a part of the collapsed roof with his pommel. Debris rains down, burying the other three.

GM exclaims (at DonM), "Notice, TN 10!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 3 8 8 | 19

GM says, "As you pull your sword back from the downed Montaignian, you also see the black smoke Penelope saw earlier, coming from the man's mouth and eyes, and twisting into a coil. It's then joined by smoke from the pile of debris, and twists off towards the forest."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "And you get to go again!"

DonMiguel asks (of Nearest Castillian), "That black smoke! Did you see that?"

DonMiguel continues to fight while talking.

Nearest_Castillian, eyes wide, nods dumbly.

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "I'll go for another four of them!"

DonMiguel asks, "Do you know what it is?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 7k4: 2 10+8 2 9 7 3 8 | 42

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Another four fall!"

Nearest_Castillian backs away, desperately reciting a prayer of protection.

Nearest_Castillian exclaims, "No, signor!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(also, rp!)"

DonMiguel sees the Castillian he's talking to is about to be stabbed from behind, so he slices the throat of the assailant before he can strike. Flames burst out of a burning part of the building, sending more Montaignes running from it -- directing into Miguel's blade!

GM says, "And with each Montaignian you strike down, more smoke emerges from them as they perish."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Penelope!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Do the Montaignes I'm fighting seem to be acting like normal soldiers? Not, say, zombie-like or mind controlled anything?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "They do!"

Penelope has been watching the fighting, waiting to see if the smoke appears again or if she was just seeing things, so she notices that it's happening repeatedly, and to both Castillians and Montaignians. She looks back and forth between the forest and the folk in the window, weighing her options, and--frustrated--decideds to remain here to help Ricco with the others.

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Hm"

GM says (to Penelope), "Now that you've got everything set up, we'll say you can do another Break Fall TN 10 to catch a second person (or raise to 15 to get both of them!)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Sounds good"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I'll try the raise"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 5k4: 9 10+2 9 10+9 10+9 | 59

[7thsea] Penelope says, "HA!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Holy"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Talbert's 50 has been beat"

Upstairs_guy asks, "We have injured here! Can you catch them as well?"

[7thsea] GM says, "(and with a roll like that: absolutely.)"

Penelope shouts in the affirmative.

Upstairs_guy and the nurse work together, managing to get three more people you hadn't seen through the window, and into your arms!

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "And we go to phase 9, DonM!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "I'm thinking that the A3 villagers can probably handle two brutes, so I'm going to help A2!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sounds good!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Same TN? If so, same raises."

[7thsea] GM says, "Indeed."

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 7k4: 8 9 4 5 7 6 4 | 30

[7thsea] GM asks, "Isn't that your exact TN?"

[7thsea] GM says, "(if so, success, and rp!)"

DonMiguel climbs up atop the rubble that he previously brought down and calls out, "Over here, you Montaigne sons of aardvarks!" Several turn, offended at this, and come at him. But he has the higher ground, and continues tossing insults at them as he duels several more soldiers to the death.

[7thsea] GM asks, "Aardvarks, hunh?"

GM says, "(smoke, smoke, smoke, smoke)"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Last phase: the NPCs!"

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 1 | 1

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 1 | 1

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "They're new species from the Midnight Archipelago, as I understand it. No one quite knows what they are, but they're rumored to be particularly ugly."

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 2 | 2

GM says, "Things go terribly for the Castillians this round: One each perishes in groups 1 and 2, despite DonM's help with the latter, and even group 3 can't rally themselves to overcome the remaining soldiers. In fact, a couple Castillians, spooked by the smoke, have run back into the forest again."

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 8 | 8

GM says, "The ones at the window, working together, are all leaping out of the window this round! Penelope, one more Break Fall, TN 15 total to get them both."

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 5k4: 6 9 7 2 7 | 29

GM exclaims, "Success!"

Upstairs_guy says, "I thank you, madam! We are all safe, thanks to your quick thinking."

Upstairs_guy looks around.

Upstairs_guy says, "Um."

Upstairs_guy asks, "What the hell is going on?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Trying to figure out how I want to respond to this."

[7thsea] GM says, "Heh."

[7thsea] Penelope says, ""Oh, some villagers are trying to kill y'all" seems... blunt."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "But feigning ignorance leads to more questions"

[7thsea] GM says, "You could counter with a question of your own, perhaps."

Penelope asks, "Did you hear anything before the fire started?"

Guarin suddenly gets a name.

Guarin exclaims, "A series of explosions!"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Always startling when NPCs get names. Like drawings suddenly becoming 3D"

Guarin says, "Then there was a lot of yelling. My manservant and I ran to the makeshift infirmary to see if they were OK, which is where you found us."

Penelope mhms.

Guarin says, "Hector! Are you safe? Let's get these people away from the flames."

Penelope abruptly changes the subject. "Listen, is there any other way I can be of help right here, or..." (timing, I guess)

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Might take Ricco and wander around in the woods until something kills us or we find something interesting."

Guarin says, "If you need to help others, go! We'll set up a place for the wounded over (he searches around, then point) there."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "There's also the big smoky area in the courtyard."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "I'm not sure if we have any idea what's going on in there."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Good point. But but but.. black smoke.. :D But yeah, I'll head over there."

[7thsea] Guarin exclaims, "Heh. OK!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Whoops, except me."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "OK! And between rounds, one last thing happens!"

GM exclaims, "In group 1, 4.A Castillian woman armed with a cast-iron pot swings it wildly at a soldier, slips in the mud, and falls to the ground! The soldier grins, and moves to run the woman through, when a high-pitched "No!" emerges from the forest, followed by a young girl with a sword and an El Vago-style mask, who throws herself between the woman and the soldier. Her voice wavers, but her sword remains steady as she shouts, "You shall not take her! She is under my protection!" Penelope recognizes her as the bragging girl with the sword from the alley!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Ooh."

GM exclaims, "Roll init!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 3k3: 6 8 7 | 21

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 5d10 dice: 7 3 6 9 3

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 3d10 dice: 10 5 2

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 3d10 dice: 2 5 8

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Oh shit."

Penelope also out loud.

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Phase 2: Penelope and Talbert!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(Talbert technically first, but up to you)"

[7thsea] GM says, "You can declare actions simultaneously."

[Crows-Nest] Talbert asks, "I've forgotten where I was; would I have seen the girl?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at Talbert), "You do!"

[7thsea] GM says, "You were in the training yard, but we'll say you can see/go wherever, since the groups between you and them were whittled down a bunch anyway."

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Then I'll gallop to the rescue, try to stomp the soldier and scoop up the would-be El Vago?"

Penelope makes a bee-line straight for Ximena, pulling her knife out its hidden sheath as she runs (maybe Talbert gets there first, but she's going ot do that anyway)

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Sorry, was already typing :)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "No worries: if you want, we can coordinate"

[7thsea] GM says, "No problem. I think it seems slightly more dramatic if Penelope gets there first, if that's OK with you all."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I'm happy with that"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Great!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "she's actually met Ximena after all"

[7thsea] GM says, "(also, points for remembering her name!)"

[7thsea] GM says, "And since points in this game translate to:"

GM tosses a drama die to Penelope.

Penelope sees Talbert out of the corner of her eye, whew, thank goodness. She tries to scoop up the masked girl, just as Talbert swoops in to protect the fallen woman (how's that for you?)

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Ha. Nice."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "That works :)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Some sort of scooping up roll, I guess"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "I imagine she wishes to stay and protect her.. mom?"

GM says (to Penelope), "Let's say some sort of Rapport to let the girl know you're helping? something/Panache, TN 15."

[7thsea] GM exclaims (at Penelope), "That seems likely!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Or some sort of acrobatics if you prefer to lead with that."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I like that. So, I'm going to spend some XP, but do you thinking stunt or lifting, or? All sorts of fun advanced knacks I hadn't purchased yet."

[7thsea] Penelope | Acrobat: Circus, Contortion, Juggling, Leaping, Lifting, Rolling, Stunt, Swinging

[7thsea] Penelope says, "says my sheet"

[7thsea] GM says, "I mean, 'stunt' sounds awesome."

[7thsea] GM says, "Or 'Circus'."

[7thsea] GM says, "(though I'm not sure of the effective difference)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Circus is like.. performing"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Stunt isn't in the player's guide, so I dunno!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Must be in one of the supplements."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "In that case, it can mean what we want it to mean!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Ok. I'll roll (took two levels), and I'll see how that goes before I RP :P"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Finesse?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sounds good! TN 20, since she is armed and doesn't want to leave!"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 6k4: 9 2 7 3 8 2 | 27

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Success! RP!"

Penelope grabs the girl, quickly disarming her in the process so no one gets sliced or stabbed by accident, and pulls her into a tuck and roll, as we dodge out of the way. She whispers in her ear as she does, "She'll be ok. I promise you."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Nice!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I'm expecting her to recognize, at least my voice, if she didn't get a good look at me right now"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "And, Talbert! Ride, TN 20 to scoop up the mother, 30 to additionally knock out her assailant!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "How old was Ximena, again?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Old enough to punch sharks"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "I'm going for the 30 TN!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 3 3 5 8 7 | 23

Ximena's eyes go wide behind her mask, and she breathes, "El Vago!" Then she buries her head in your shoulder.

[7thsea] Penelope says, "But I'm not sure"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "So probably old enough to get some proper fencing lessons after this is all done."

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Spending DD!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "I have one more DD left!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "See if you can roll at least a 1!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Well, the thing is, she's not supposed to *have* a weapon, so I don't know where to get her lessons, unless you're offering in private"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 5 | 5

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "And that's a success! RP!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "If you asked Talbert, he'd probably teach her how to fight without a sword"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to Penelope), "Yeah, that's what I meant. From one of us, or from someone else in Los Vagos."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "thus reducing risk of discovery"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to Talbert), "Also a good idea."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yeah, that sounds good"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(AFK a moment.)"

[7thsea] GM says, "(I assume we're still waiting for typing?)"

[7thsea] GM says, "(from Talbert?)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "arg lost my text"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "retyping"

[7thsea] GM says, "o no"

[7thsea] GM says, "No problem, just wanted to make sure you saw."

[7thsea] GM says, "(On phase 3, the NPCs go twice! I'll have the groups go, and then Ximena/mom.)"

Talbert holds on to the reins with one hand, and leaps out of his saddle as he rushes past, dropkicking the soldier in the face. Talbert get dragged in the dirt a little, but he whistles to his horse who makes a turn, dragging Talbert back towards the woman and slowing down so that he can help her and himself back up into the saddle as quickly as possible, using the soldier's body as a step

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Ximomma"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Nice!"

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 4 | 4

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 6 | 6

[7thsea] all_NPCs rolls 1k1: 2 | 2

[7thsea] Talbert says, "That RP also accurately depicts how many DD's it took to succeed."

GM exclaims, "The soldiers in group 1 are rallying, but there's a madman on a horse in the middle of the group. They attack Talbert!"

[7thsea] GM rolls 6k2: 4 3 7 1 5 4 | 12

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Which is not enough, with your Ride of 1!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "The other groups continue to fight to a standstill, with the soldiers in group 2 trying desperately to avoid the madman in the mask!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Ximena:"

Ximena says (to Penelope), "Oh, you made it! I was praying you would. My mom..."

Ximena buries her head in your shoulder again, and quietly cries tears of relief.

[7thsea] GM says, "(You can ask her something if you like; it's a relatively quiet moment.)"

Penelope strokes the girl's hair. "Is that your mom? Talbert will protect her." She motions to Ricco to go help if he hasn't already jumped into action. "What are you doing here?!?"

Ximena says, "My mom kept sneaking out at night, so I've been following. They've been doing crazy things in the woods, and it was scary. Felipe used to be so nice, but he's... different."

Ximena asks (of Penelope), "Does being on fire make you go crazy?"

Penelope blinks. Huh. She shakes her head, "I think it doesn't... have to."

Ximena perks up. "Did you see me stop the soldier? He was going to attack mom, and he totally stopped! Because of me!

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says (to Penelope), "I assume she means this *literally*, and not as a professional inquiry.""

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Yeah, but Penelope is like... wtf? I was there when Floriana said Felipe doesn't have the gift."

Penelope looks torn between admiration and fear/concern. "I did! You were so brave! But you could have been killed!

[7thsea] GM says (to Penelope), "Would you like to make a Wits check to put something together here? Totally optional."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "yes!"

[7thsea] Penelope rolls 3k3: 3 5 10+10+6 | 34

GM says (to Penelope), "You close your eyes and imagine the scene from the clearing: dozens of people watching the stage with Felipe striding back and forth, riling them up. Bringing out a torch, waving it dramatically... and Estela, hidden in the tree behind everyone, making it come to life around him."

Penelope ohhhhs a little. (BRB)

GM says, "NPCs again on 2, then the Talbert/Penelope show on 5:"

[7thsea] Xi_mom rolls 1k1: 3 | 3

[7thsea] NPCs rolls 1k1: 8 | 8

[7thsea] NPCs rolls 1k1: 9 | 9

[7thsea] Penelope says, "(Back, sorry. The kiddo wanted blueberries RIGHT NOW)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "To be fair, blueberries are pretty nice"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I went to a blueberry fair once"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Was everybody dressed up as blueberries?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Haha, I wish"

GM says, "The tide turns for the fighting Castillians in groups 2 and 3! With Don Miguel's support, group 2 dispatches another Montaignian, and the remains of group 3 finally swarm the two remaining soldiers, dogpiling on them in the mud, the pile a flurry of kicks and blows. From the base, unnotices, more black smoke emerges and twists into the trees."

GM exclaims, "And in group 1, they attack Talbert again!"

[7thsea] GM rolls 6k2: 2 7 4 9 9 6 | 18

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Slipping past his defenses this time!"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "Ouch!"

[7thsea] GM says, "(unless you want to spend an action for an active defense vs. 18)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Just to clarify: Ximomma is on the same horse, are the soldiers attacking her as well? Because if so I'd prioritize my actions on preventing that"

[7thsea] GM says, "She is! But she is not in immediate danger of being hit; your flashing sword is too fast."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "OK good"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Take the hit or spend an action?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Take the hit"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "OK! A sword makes it past your defenses and rakes your side!"

[7thsea] GM rolls 4k2: 3 10+2 6 7 | 19

[7thsea] GM says, "19 flesh wounds! Ow."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Brawn check to see if that turns into a dramatic wound!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 2k2: 10+7 9 | 26

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "It does not!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Nice."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "And now it's your turn!"

Talbert, having shielded Ximena's mom (and taken a blade to the side), will counterattack!

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "TN 20, plus five for every additional person you wish to take out!"

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "How many total people?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "9!"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "I'm trying for two people since I don't have any DDs left. 25 it is!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 5k4: 5 5 3 2 1 | 15

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Oog."

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Penelope? Please, a giftable DD?"

[7thsea] GM says, "10 is a hard target on a d10."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "You'd need to -- timing."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Oh right sorry"

[7thsea] Talbert exclaims, "I miss then!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I mean, you're wel-- ok."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "That's true"

[7thsea] GM asks, "Oh, you could tag your helpers, perhaps?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I do still have Tristand"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Would that have been a +5"

[7thsea] GM asks, "And maybe borrow Ricco?"

[7thsea] GM says, "(Penelope already told him to go help)"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "That'd be cool"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "If they both help, does that make it a 25?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "So sure: the two of them manage to take out one apiece, while you distract them with your antics!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "rp!"

Talbert feints while his horse kicks up dirt into soldiers' faces and confuses them enough for Ricco and Tristand to seize their respective opportunities!

GM says (to Penelope), "Ricco catches your eye as he slips behind someone and grabs their neck, and quirks and eyebrow in a 'should I kill this guy? I don't like that black smoke' sort of expression."

Talbert probably refrained from too much swordplay because he felt he might expose his passenger to harm

[7thsea] GM says, "(er, quirks an eyebrow)"

Penelope shrugs and nods, thinking that we "might as well and sort it out later."

[Crows-Nest] Penelope asks, "What's one more soul or whatever it is?"

GM exclaims (at Penelope), "Ricco nods, and breaks the guy's neck. He steps back with a slight shudder as the smoke from the man emerges and makes its way past you towards the forest. And it's your turn!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Got a toddler trying to close my laptop while I type. But:"

[7thsea] GM says, "(And we're at our time--Penelope, then DonM, then wrap up for the day?)"

[7thsea] Penelope asks, "Was Talbert's plan to leave the fray and come meet us?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Sounds good to me"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Oh yeah, I forgot it was an early one."

[7thsea] GM says, "You've taken care of most of the immediate threats; it's a reasonable time for a transition."

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I don't really have anything that needs to be an action left to do. Just want to see to Ximena and her mother getting safely back together and then we can talk to them if needed next time, and also investigate/discuss the smoke."

[7thsea] GM asks (of Penelope), "Do you want to follow the smoke sidling by you right now?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "If the girl is safe, yes!"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Like, I'm not going to just leave her alone to do it"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Sure!"

[7thsea] GM says, "Yeah, you can set her up with Talbert and have them both hide in the woods or whatever."

[7thsea] GM says, "(Or, heck, she could come with you.)"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "I didn't really want that! It's probably dangerous."

[7thsea] GM says, "Got it ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "'Hey, kid, wanna see where your Mom was going to go?'"

Penelope signals to Ricco that she's going into the woods, and ignores his "are you fucking kidding me? Alone?" look to do so.

Penelope runs off, hopefully to be seen again.

[7thsea] GM asks, "That's actually a great cliffhanger. DonM, any final action?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "I want to make sure that the villagers all have the upper hand before I leave the battle. How many Montaigne brutes are left in each group?"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(But I can do my attacks next time, if we want to pause mid-init.)"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(If we want to do it now, I could burn both my DD's and take another +10 to my TN.)"

[7thsea] GM says, "Hrm hrm."

[7thsea] GM says, "If you want to go now, go ahead and go now."

[7thsea] GM says, "It's just you and the NPCs this phase and next."

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "OK! Whichever group has the most Montaignes, as many brutes as I can take with a TN 40 and Floriana's help!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 9k6: 8 9 3 4 2 6 10+4 3 4 | 45

[7thsea] GM says, "Wow, nice."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "That's all the Montaignians in group 1!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "rp!"

DonMiguel sees Penelope leaving for the forest and realizes he'd better finish this up quickly. He leaps off the rubble into the back of one soldier, slamming him into another soldier's sword, and then fights his way through the mob until he realizes there's no one else here to fight.

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "And I'll go for another four of them (TN 30) in group two!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel rolls 7k4: 5 3 10+7 10+10+3 10+7 10+5 10+2 | 72

[7thsea] GM says, "Holy crap."

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Uh, does that automatically turn into an extra raise?"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Wow"

[7thsea] GM says, "Yeah, you take out that entire group as well."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Epic"

[7thsea] GM says, "(also, geez, you didn't even get to keep one of those 10's)"

DonMiguel runs back to group two, but the soldiers there have gotten smart: they're all reading for him, facing him down as a group! Sparks from the burning building illuminate his face -- he's not sure if he can take them all. But then one of those sparks explodes! A fireball engulfs the entire group of them. They run in all directions, clothes and bodies aflame. A little ways away, Floriana smiles.

[Crows-Nest] Talbert asks, "Is this a meme?"

[Crows-Nest] Talbert says, "Joking aside, that was awesome"

GM exclaims, "And with that, there's nobody left here but Castillians. They let out a ragged cheer!"

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel exclaims, "Thanks!"

DonMiguel exclaims (at Penelope), "I'm coming too!"

GM says (to DonM), "Tristand mimes "We should get these people out of here!" at you."

GM says, "And then you leave, and he looks at Talbert."

[7thsea] GM asks (of Talbert), "A rousing 'we have won, and should skedaddle' speech for them?"

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Sure! Panache?"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Indeed!"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 3k3: 4 1 2 | 7

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Does Tristan help?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Or"

[7thsea] GM says, "He does! And we'll say Penelope can share her final share die, too."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "yay"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "her perfume is still in the air or something"

[7thsea] Talbert rolls 1k1: 2 | 2

[7thsea] GM says, "Heh."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "The smoke does drown it out a little"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "RP your speech!"

[7thsea] Talbert asks, "Did it succeed?"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "I never got a TN"

[7thsea] GM says, "Not *well*, but yes."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "OK"

[7thsea] GM says, "In my head it was a general 'higher == more rousing' thing."

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "(Is Talbert typing his speech?)"

Talbert is not at all a public speaker and in addition to this he also tries to disguise his accent. So it's more along the lines of 'Well fought. Now go home, gather strength, patch up your wounds. Seriously, get those checked. This has been... this has been an El Vago public service announcement.'

[Crows-Nest] DonMiguel says, "Hee."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Imagine it said in the tone of Ferris Bueller in that post credit scene"

[7thsea] DonMiguel asks, "Are we leaving Ximena here with her mother and the other villagers?"

GM says, "And with that, the Castillians retreat into the forest, congratulating themselves on a successful attack--surely the Montaignians will leave now! The rest of you follow Penelope a bit more subdued--because without your intervention, the attack would have been a slaughter. Who would do such a thing, and why? The whole situation seems organized to cause as much death as possible--on both sides. The rain pours down and the thunder crashes again as you try to find out what's going on."

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "And that's a wrap!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Woo! That was fun"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says, "Yay."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Finally got to (ab)use Ride"

[7thsea] GM says, "Heh."

npc1 goes home.

npc1 has disconnected.

npc2 goes home.

npc2 has disconnected.

[7thsea] DonMiguel exclaims, "And next time, we get to find out how much damage I did by killing all those soldiers!"

[7thsea] GM exclaims, "Yay!"

[7thsea] DonMiguel says (to GM), "Thanks! It was a fun one."

[7thsea] Talbert says, "Wop wop"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Thanks!"

[7thsea] Talbert says, "uh, woop woop"

[7thsea] Penelope says, "Or as Lizzy would say, "Woof woof.""

[7thsea] Talbert says, "aww"

Penelope is running away.