>Advise the captain to turn so you can hit them with the broadsides(D20)
>Fire the aft chase cannons(D20)
>Get a line of musketeers to take shots at the enemy deck.(D20)
>Get a bead on them with the spyglass. (Can be done before any of the above)

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>41894838
>>Get a bead on them with the spyglass. (Can be done before any of the above)
This Then
>Fire the aft chase cannons(D20)

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>41894838
>Get a bead on them with the spyglass. (Can be done before any of the above)
>Fire the aft chase cannons(D20)
Those are the rear ones, right?
I'm not that great with seafaring trivia.

>>41895144
They are indeed, good job anon

>>41895087
>>41895144
Spyglass then aft chasers it is. Writing now.

You slide out the spyglass tucked into your belt, the violent ocean below preventing you from getting a good look. You brace a foot against the rails and steady yourself, focusing in on the narrow beast behind you. The top deck is alive with activity; about a dozen humanoid shapes move about in the dark. The ship has four chase cannons peaking from the bow, the heads of which have been fashioned to look like dragons. Such an aesthetic is is typical of Dynasty made weaponry, but the ship is clearly a mash of various designs from across the oceans.

Suddenly, in a blast of lighting you catch a glimpse of a tall robed figure standing at the very front of the ship. In one arm he cradles a massive lantern, but his left hand is raised and...it's glowing? A feint green radiates from his outstretched limb. Then you notice something very odd; those second set of chasers are not cannons at all, but the clips for massive chains, which lead straight into the water.

“Keep making for the edge of the storm, captain! We can fend them off with our aft guns!”

He looks back at you, then nods and calls out the order.

“Fire rear chasers as soon as we've got a chance!”

The cannons explode directly below you, and you watch their payload (a pair of the new Imperial high explosive rounds) sail directly into the ship
(cont.)

>>41895674
>Then you notice something very odd; those second set of chasers are not cannons at all, but the clips for massive chains, which lead straight into the water.
So did this guy Summon Monster II or something?

>>41895674
A massive fireball erupts at the top of their main mast. Two of the massive, ragged sails break free and splash audibly into the sea. The other strikes their port side at deep angle, and leaves a good gash on them. A roar of success resonates across your ship.

“We might have a chance of running now!” One of the crewmen yells.

You raise your spyglass back to ship, ready to take in the damage. Your grin fades as you look at the wake of the vessel quickly gaining size. Impossible, it's gaining speed! How is this-

A deafening crash sends you staggering back, and the black ship vanishes behind a column of white-water. Tentacles fly from the ocean, as a beast nearly half the size of the enemy ship, and close to the size of yours, breeches from the depths. You recognize it from the pictures at the monastery, it's eight red eyes and pulsing leathery hide. An Elder Reef Kraken, wearing a collar of spiked metal across it's lengthy, angular head.

>”Brace for impact!”
>”We need to get broadsides at that demon! Now!”

>>41896085
>>”We need to get broadsides at that demon! Now!”

MOAR DAKKA

>>41896085
>”We need to get broadsides at that demon! Now!”

File: Kraken.jpg (126 KB, 492x708)

126 KB JPG

>>41896109
>>41896462
Everyone seems to be in a state of shock. Including yourself. You fall onto your back, flailing black tendrils waving in the air not 40 meters from the ship. Suddenly, the eyes of the monster take on a green hue, like of the magician aboard the pirate craft. A deep growl shakes the very ocean, as the beast enters a frenzy. You swallow your sudden fear, and call out.

“Broadsides! We need fucking broadsides now!”

The captain complies, throwing the wheel right and turning the port battery against your new foe. The captain is about to call out the order, but a tentacle about as thick as your waist grabs at the aft of the ship, slapping down barely a few steps beside you. It's a black, translucent thing, red veins bulging as the muscles within contract around the railing. A bunch of mismatched pops come through as some the cannoneers try to fire on the creature.

>Take a shot at it with your rifle(D20)
>Swipe at it with your dagger, and try to dislodge it.(D20)
>Retreat with the rest of the crew to the front of the vessel.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>41896610
>Swipe at it with your dagger, and try to dislodge it.(D20)

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>41896610
>>Take a shot at it with your rifle(D20)

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>41896610
>Take a shot at it with your rifle(D20)

>>41896657
>>41896747
Well, I guess that's settled. Fastdrawing against the octopus with major success.

You twirl the musket off it's hook on your back. It's nothing special; a normal wheelock naval rifle, but it still packs a pretty harsh blast with the refined gundust your crew has access to. You're still on your back, so you use your knee for extra support. With a gentle squeeze, the hammer connects with the pan, and the musket discharges with a powerful boom.

A spray of viscous red fluid sprays around the ship. You lined up with the center of the tentacle, and it seems you've split something important, as the rest of the arm goes totally limp, and withdraws overboard. Another deep roar vibrates through the deck, but this one sounds sharper, angrier. Three more limbs take the first's place. What's worse, the black ship appears to be reeling into it's living engine. It's closing in, but not firing anymore, which is both good and bad.

Your gun will take a minute to reload, but the suckers that have attached themselves are increasing in number. You won't have enough time. And diving in with a knife looks more suicidal than it did with only a single thing to worry about. But there is still one thing you can rely on: your own Clerical abilities.

>>41897353

The city monastery is the best academic option available to anyone on Mala. In order to be ordained as a cleric, you had to learn how to use the Kain, or as Hasserns know it, Magic. At least a little of it. The branch we were taught was:

Tempest: The affinity of storms. The wrath of the lightening, and fury of the hurricane. Destructive arts are taught with discipline, and misuse resulted in an immediate banish from the arts. You made it through without succumbing to it's agonizing energy, and can now channel this wild power into ball-lightning and touch-electrocution.

The Calm: Through constant mediation, an affinity for the ocean's most tranquil state can be achieved. Telekinesis and other psychic abilities present a difficult challenge because of their required concentration. You can use it to move certain objects imbued with runes, or as a compressed blast of mental energy. You can also use it to levitate yourself to augment your martial arts.

Death: Through ancient rituals and dangerous potion consumption, one can become attuned with the decay from the depths. You must submit yourself to the energy emitted from this decay, and from the cycle of rebuilding and rebirth. You can channel death as a powerful corroding force radiating from your body, and can create simple tools/weapons from raw materials if you memorize the plans for them inside and out.

>>41897826
I meant to mark those as options. We only know one as of now.

>>41897826
Tempest, lighting time goooo

>>41897826
>Death
How simple are we talking here?

>>41897970
At first? No more than full-metal swords. With lots of time you could create mechanisms for matchlock guns.

>>41898062
That's awesome, switching from tempest to death

For reference, the Calm would allow us to do Kung-Fu wirefighting moves. It's the most weeb.

I actually wasn't expecting anyone to like death. I've got some fluffing to do.

>>41898159
I just thought of it as radiating corrosion around the body as we punch people, killing their flesh through armor and shit.
It's fucking metal, also there's only like 2 doods playing right now

>>41897826
>Death

>>41898200
Yeah, that was the premise.
Alright, writing Death.

>>41898094
>>41897970
>>41898221
You feel yourself instinctively cringing as you dredge up memories of swallowing putrid potions in order to attune your body to the energy of the eternal cycle. The Affinity of Decay radiates through your hands. It's been a long time since you've found a need for this.

Corrosion eats through your leather glove, which instantly disintegrates into ashes. You make a mental note to work on improving your control over the field. The air around your skin doesn't glow, but feint steam rises from your palms. There are now five tentacles gripping the ship. You rush the closest one, and grab it with a rush of acidic energy. The tentacle flails wildly, as your hands sinks into the wet flesh and sinew of the beast. You press harder, your grip clenching the core muscle. A pitiful flopping follows, as the arm severs in a fresh splatter of blood.

The tentacles disengage, and begin closing in on you. You can't grapple all of them, but you don't intend to down easily. You defiantly reach for your knife, hoping you don't destroy the handle on accident.

>>41898660
A hail of iron balls sail through the bundle of serpentine arms, reducing most of them to mush. The captain leads the attack, quickly trading his spent pistols with the others on his brace. The line of crewmen advances with a roar, rushing the aft deck, striking the quivering mound of flesh with the stock of their rifles.

You turn to the left just in time to watch the massive man-o-war move in beside the 'Tide's Whisper'. It's...a lot bigger up close. It's attacking crew line the top deck; forty or so men in black capes and leather barbarian armor. Some are too scrawny and limber to be normal humans. They've been warped by the same energies that course throughout your body. Fools, who know no control over the power of Death. Their boarding lines and planks begin to descend towards you.

> Swords out, let's charge them!
> Cannon fodder, get another gun and pick them off the lines.
> Join in with your crew, and keep the Kraken off the ship.

>>41899014
>Join in with your crew, and keep the Kraken off the ship.

>>41899014
>> Join in with your crew, and keep the Kraken off the ship.

>>41899014
>> Join in with your crew, and keep the Kraken off the ship.

>>41899026
>>41899048
>>41899123
You turn your attention to the regrouping mass of tendrils trying to get a grip on the ship. You whip out the crude deckhand dagger, and begin channeling the decay into your left hand. You move in to strike with the weapon, but a few steps in, the whole ship shudders as the Kraken rises from the waters. It's spider-like eyes narrow in on you and you feel a deep terror well from within. You grit your teeth and bare it. Forcing yourself to slash at the bloody mass before you.

(Roll two D20s for willpower and damage of the attack)

Rolled 7, 14 = 21 (2d20)

>>41899671
Nat 1 incoming

Rolled 5, 13 = 18 (2d20)

>>41899671

Rolled 70, 28 = 98 (2d100)

>>41899671
fuck you squid

Rolled 12, 3 = 15 (2d20)

>>41899671
Dice gods be merciful.

Rolled 10, 6 = 16 (2d20)

>>41899671
>>41899735
fucking d 100's

File: Sanloss.jpg (93 KB, 600x297)

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>>41899761
>>41899742
>>41899735
>>41899729
>>41899696

>>41899791
sigh, time to re-roll character boys

>>41899806
Or wait until someone bring us back.

Rolled 12, 11 = 23 (2d20)

>>41899791
I've rolled an 18 and a 19 in this thread.
Give me one chance, QM, I've been out and about.
If not, it's okay.

>>41899791
>playing a legitimately insane MC

Sounds fun. The meta-game would be interesting.

>>41900022
>Insane MC
Have you never seen Banished Quest?

>>41900022
It also seems like our only option.
The dice gods have been displeased-
Quickly, sacrifice a d12!

>>41900022
We drank horrible poisons to control decay, of course we're insane.

Rolled 11 (1d12)

>>41900059

>>41900050
Nono, a character being crazy from player stupidity is not the same.

While Mik would be batty, especially with the random bouts of taking off his own limbs, it is because biologically speaking, he is destined to go that crazy naturally. (Plus all the shit playing with his fate and mind along the way.)

It's fundamentally different than someone who suffers in a Lovecraftian way.

I will never accept that HQR exists.

>>41900116
Looks like you failed the SAN check to read HQR

>>41900141
Got to thread 42, I believe. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at any Bleach quests the same way, now. Also, I may have gnawed off some of my tongue.

>>41900099
Sacrifice accepted. We aren't dead.

As much as you try and force your arm, a brief hesitation limits the scope of your attack. Your strike does leave a solid gash in one of the arms, but as you follow through, the knife get's lodged in a mound of dead flesh. You pry at it, but it doesn't want to come lose. You don't see it fast enough, and one of tentacles flies up from below, slamming into your head with immense force. Everything goes bright, and you are thrown over the control wheel, crashing into a box of straw where the musket ammo was kept. A battle between various crewmen and the pirates has turned into total chaos. Blood washes over your face, and wakes you from the daze.

You see the Arms-Master fight valiantly against three assailants, before the barbs of their swords pierce him through the throat and chest. Before he falls, he draws his blunderbuss to the skull of the cloaked scoundrel before him, and blasts him off the edge of the ship. You bolt upright, as a sword jabs in your direction, You stagger away, faintly hearing your name as a short rapier rolls to your feet.

Tharsung slices his way through a couple of dregs, waving you over to him. He's attracting more company, and even his swordplay won't save him from the mob.

>>41899999
You rolled something better than that m8

>>41900206
The death and blood of the battle is beginning to affect your powers. You can feel your hand twitching as you snatch up the rapier. You prepare to take action against those threatening the captain.

“Darmund! You know what you must do! Protect them! Do your duty with honor, brother!”

> Follow your orders, and protect the emissaries. The least you can do is try and salvage something from this nightmare.
>Fuck the Hasserns! Your captain is in danger.

>>41900345
>>Follow your orders, and protect the emissaries. The least you can do is try and salvage something from this nightmare.

>>41900345
>> Follow your orders, and protect the emissaries. The least you can do is try and salvage something from this nightmare.

Fuck, you'll owe us for this, Captain, for when we haul your ass out of hell!

>>41900345
what happened to the squid?

>>41900411
Still there, and it's beginning to kill the musketeers who are shooting it.

>>41900345
> Follow your orders, and protect the emissaries. The least you can do is try and salvage something from this nightmare.

RIP captain, you were too good for this world.

>>41900455
We might want to deal with that first

>>41900534
You're still disoriented from it's attack, and probably have a slight concussion. If you go below deck, you might be able to fire the chasers on it.

You are about the protest, but the captain seems to anticipate this and screams back at you.

“You take me lightly, sailor! I will fight through this horde, but I doubt those drunkards below could even pull a trigger!”

You clench your fist, anger fueling the decay even further. But you know your mission; and failure would haunt your families for a hundred years if you let them die.

“I'll see you at the ocean's floor.”

With that, you charge toward the smoking hole that was the hatch. One of the frothing mutants blocks your way, twirling it's sword and giggling. Your charged hand reaches out and grips his forehead, reducing his whole head to caustic ashes in a burst of soot and smoke. You tunic begins to degrade as you channel massive amounts of the decay through your outlet.

You jump into the hold, and your hand catches the ladder. The crew quarters should be on the third level. After you get the ambassador to safety, you can try putting some lead into that monster with the aft guns. You swing in through the door frame, and arrive at a hall of carrion and fire. The enemy has been through here. You can hear a struggle about five doors down. You swiftly creep to the place, the fire closing in on your path.

Your boot sails through the open door, knocking it off it's hinges and into one of the pirates. The room isn't big, but there are two attackers inside. One of the emissaries is huddled in the corner, while the other two were punching her compatriot. Your sword pierces the stunned one through his heart, he gags for moment, then slumps over. The other screams and lunges, plastering himself on the wall while you duck beneath.

A swift slice across his neck signals his end. You swish the blood off your sword, and look to the two dumbstruck Hasserns.

> “Can you move? We need to get to a life boat.”
> “You stay here, I've got a squid problem to deal with.”

>>41901118
>> “You stay here, I've got a squid problem to deal with.”
Let them notice are clothes dissolving and freak out, it's worth the chuckle.

>>41901118
>> “You stay here, I've got a squid problem to deal with.”

>>41901118
>You stay here, I've got a squid problem to deal with

Could we use our "death" magic to make ourselves an outfit at some point down the line?

Seems it's rather inconvenient for our power to rekt our clothes. So if we ever are able to magic one up, that'd be great.

>>41901267
Hadn't considered that, be amusing if we could just make a new hat out of a sheet of rawhide. You could probably repair your clothes if things get really out of hand. There are special fabrics made by the clerics that are extremely resistant to the acidic energies of the cycle.

>>41901346
When we're a captain of our own ship, we'll carry a bag full of leather of all kinds, and silks and cottons and all that shit.

So we will never run out of majestic hats.

>>41901790
This is.... The best comment on the fucking thread right now

>>41901790
>tfw the captains hobby is tailoring and blacksmithing

Welp, I guess we know what we need to do in order to be the best armed, armored, and most fashionable captain on the sea.

>>41901161
>>41901165
>>41901230
The girl in the corner blinks at you, and tilts here head, while the bruised man you saved looks like his eyes are going to pop out. And you can feel a breeze. Your shirt has been reduced to charred rags, but the rest of the leather strapping is holding up alright. Your sleeves are still dissolving, and there isn't a lot that can be done about that.

“Sir, your...clothes...”

“Latest Malan fashion. I'll be back soon. If the fire gets worse, then get to the second deck and find me. You do have a pistol I hope?”

“Uh, yes, but what is this about a 'squid problem'?”

“We shouldn't leave until the Kraken is crippled.”

“Kraken?!”

The girl suddenly jumps up, removing a small silver pistol from her blue ceremonial robes.

“Allow we to come with you.”

“Daughter-” The old man protests.

“I'll be back shortly father, we're getting out of this alive, I swear it.”

You debate it for a moment. She doesn't look like she'd be much help in a sword fight, but you do need some cover while getting the guns ready.

“Fine. Watch my back, and don't waste that shot.”

She nods, pulling the hood over her shaved head. You both exit the door to find the blaze is growing. You raise your arms, encasing yourself in a protective corona of Death's energy. It should kill some of the flames licking at your skin. The ladder isn't holding up too well, but you both scale it without any collapses taking you down into the fires below.

>>41901958
The second gun deck is littered with bodies from both sides. You and girl make your way to the aft guns, poised towards the shifting mass of monster, which slithers past the ports.

“I've never seen a live one before.” She gasps, reluctant to get any closer to the ports.

“It won't be 'live' for much longer.” You mutter, checking the slender cannons for any damage.

You peak out of the splintered wooden ports. It is then you realize just how huge the Kraken is. A normal five-pound shot won't do shit to that leviathan. You'll have to use the explosive shot, but your so close to the target that the result could be catastrophic if the explosion hits the ship.

Dammit, there looks like there is no other option. You gently pull one of the orbs from it's metal container, and roll it into the cannon's barrel. You begin loading in the gun-dust, carefully measuring the amount, so you don't blow the end of the ship off.

“Sir.”

Just another ounce, and that will be enough power to get it to detonate.

“Sir, I feel if any more come up, this gun will not be enough of a threat to keep them away.”

You look back to the ambassador aiming her gun between four approaching pirates. Too late now, you hear her gun go off, and you drop the match into the chamber.

(Roll a D10)

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>41901981
ooh shit

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>41901981
Here goes nothing.

>>41902012
Have my babies, unless lower is better

>>41902038
I haven't rolled a single number below 10 all night.
I feel like the new patron saint of forum dice.

File: 40keks.jpg (3 KB, 125x108)

3 KB JPG

>>41901981
>“Sir, your...clothes...”
>“Latest Malan fashion

File: explode.jpg (159 KB, 720x405)

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>>41902012
The orb exits the cannon in a roar of white fire, and you hold your breath as the ball sails out over the water, barely missing the web of waving tentacles fighting with the crew. It strikes the Kraken straight in between it's rear eyes, and detonates. Chunks of black meat explode out of it's skull, and rain over the ship with a thick slaps. As the smoke settles, you can plainly see the globular gray mass behind it's now empty sockets (which you guess is it's brain). Suddenly, a row of muskets fire from the top deck, and the soft tissues blow open like a balloon. The green aura in it's eyes fades, and it's pupils dilate. The creature is, undoubtedly, dead. It makes one short flail, before rolling over into the water, guts spilling out into the ocean.

You've killed a Kraken. Your brothers killed one of the greatest hunters in the world. You wonder if there is a medal for that.

>>41902548
The attackers seem to pause mid attack, as the image of their monster's carcass registers in their mind, and suddenly, they find themselves doubting the certain victory they had been assured. You take this chance to strike a couple down without any resistance. The other two withdraw, but the girl manages to shoot another with her pistol.

“Now, we need to leave. Let's get my father.”

You are about to agree with the comment, but something stops you. A heavy thudding fills the cabin, like the steps of some giant. The flames around the cabin seem to dim to embers, as a dark presence fills your senses with cold. The hair on your arms stands on end, and you can now see your breath

The foorsteps near the right door. A huge, cloaked man pushes through the door frame with a ghostly grace. His face is nothing more than a pair of green eyes glowing in the shadows. And he's carrying something over his shoulder. He tosses his prize to your feet, and the whole world freezes as it's eyes connects with yours.

Your captain lays there. His eyes have turned white, his neck has been shredded by...fangs. The creature laughs a cacophonous noise, but it's all just background noise. You find yourself moving away, as a hand pulls at your collar and throws you through the cannon port, and into the cold oceans.

End of Tale 2

>>41902953
Oh blow me three times and call me a whore....

Thanks for running boss this thread was sweet.

>>41902953
Captain!

Awwwww SHIT!

Gonna drag your ass back from the deeps!

But before that, vengeance.

You best be ready for our next encounter you green-eyed bitch!

>>41903018
>>41903131
Thanks mates. This one was great fun. I might run again tomorrow, if anyone is interested.

>>41903199
I'll be here, hopefully. What time?

Also is there a philosophy that goes along with death? I'd like to imagine it's more than drinking special potions.

>>41903239
Probably 3 or 4 Pacific. I'll announce an hour or two before.
There is a deeper way of life for those who use the cycle, and we'll touch on Kain/magic next time.

>>41903418
Sweet, once again thanks for the thread, Even if it was a little low traffic. Your writing is great and the world building so far has left me wanting more.

>>41903466
Ahaha, much appreciated. I've got a lot of expanse to cover once Darmund controls his own ship.

Outline of things to do

>get the fuck out of the drink we just got pulled into
>git gud(er) at magic
>pick up smithing/tailoring (side effect of this, aside from the obvious of understanding our gear and equipping ourselves, is that we'll get both swole as fuck, and increase our manual dexterity
>get our own ship
>find this glowy-eyed piece of shit
>promptly murder him and burn his ship, the faggit
>find a way to bring our ship to life
>waifu the ship