You've made it this far, right? And look, I don't even have an arrow-head in my lung or a dozen barking blades trailing my tail this time. No this - THIS - softsoul, this is going to be a proper kind of operation.

Quick, clean, quiet, graceful. In, get to the Astrological Stacks, scour the place for the books we need, out, get to the boat and away us before any Watchers come-a-calling.

Just a plain old deft style smash and grab. And with just a touch of luck we won't even need to do much smashing!

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Now, we've brought on some new faces. Please don't mind the spiders. They're. . . Well "friendly" is absolutely a lie. Just... Actually just ignore the spiders. And if you see Eventide, huck a lemon at him. Free bit if you hit.

#callsign, role

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 1 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 1 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 [Style]

Skill1-Rank, Skill2-Rank, Skill3-Rank...

!Perk1
1Perk2

[R]
[L]
[A]
[H]
[Tools]

File: Rules-Roles2.jpg (1.1 MB, 1535x1536)

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I had enough time while shipbound to adjust the logs and file some reports. If we make it through this one, we can expect some downtime for rest and refit. Maybe I'll show you all one of those noodle places the Kalcmiri love? It'll be great.

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Quill and Pen have gone over the supplies in the hold and set aside the extra kit you'll need for this one. I have a Plan. And I spent our time at sea knitting it right up and proper too. You're going to love it. The Luperni won't even know what hit them!

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It just requires. . . A touch of luck. And timing. And a delicate hand. And I hope that my people on the inside has prepared the grounds for us proper. And when I say it out loud like this I can begin to see that it is rather a lot of interlocking parts that have to click together just right. That... Okay I'm starting to maybe think this might not be as smooth as I want it to be.

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Now, I put the word out for some specialists to round us up. Maybe one or two of them will arrive by boat or by dark night. Keep your eyes peeled.

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As for the rest, you know the drill. Maybe. Take a breather, go a few rounds with Quill. It'll be a while before we're close enough to start worrying about being battle-ready...

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So, check in, stow you gear, get some grub. We'll be a while in arriving yet, and there's Prepwork to do - as always. It'll help you later.

For now, once you've gotten your bearings, you have a single Boat Phase where you can take 1 steady action.

We'll get to proper Prepwork when we get a bit closer, ship-wise...

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Oh, it's worth reminding you all that crafting follows the same format as sigildry, but with a few subtle differences. The most salient being that because you aren't fighting the very fundamental nature of reality using the supreme focus of your infinite will and shattering the iron laws of cause and effect, the world doesn't fight back all the time. Items made by simply combining the stuff that's all around you stay like they are when you aren't looking directly at them. That is to say, engineers don't have limits.

( Sometimes, they should )

Now before you get all happy and start pulling infinite nails out of your pockets, there are some things you ought to know. Take a look left-wise.

uncovering Recipes helps a lot in shaping things. But the basics you have on you right now is usually enough to make a fine show of things.

I'm not going to waste valuable charm telling you that a good engineer can make a ladder, a door, a wall, a hole, you know, the basics. I am going to tell you that a smart, cunning mind realises that a Stalker carries a Quiver of Arrows, a Gearblade Kit that provides Traps 1 and a Grass-cloak.

A hidden arrow trap is five minutes of quietly arranging things in a corner, and remember, tools that don't exhaust on use can apply their ratings to more than one thing.

Do note that a lot of 1s means the item is in some way deformed. And keep in mind the general Laws around here: thing higher than your ranks and ratings are difficult to control. If you've got Engineering 2, you probably don't want to mess about with trying to build an Automated clockwork engine with 6Strength. It... won't end well.

>>5632137
I need to stop filling out these forms in my sleep. Look, a Scavenger pays 8 for Speed 5 if they dance there from Speed 4. Since 5 times 1.5 is indeed 7.5 and you round *up*. I swear, it's always the little additives that get you.

Rolled 2, 9, 1, 7 = 19 (4d10)

>>5632145
One whole boat action? Aw, command, you shouldn't've.
>figure out standard Adjustable effects for my pistol and multitool, outside of the accessories i already bought (gearwright+cunning)
If we're gonna be sneaking, I need to take some of the bark out of this thing. But I don't reckon that's gonna last long, rest of us seem pretty bad at the whole deal of... sneaking.
Better to just act fast and move faster, yeah?


#Sapsanolai, Sapper 3

RES 10
STA 6 SPD 3
React 1 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 2 Cunning 2
Brawn 1 Manipulate 2 [Dangerous: Violence 2]

Gearwright-2, Engineering-2, Tactics-2, Pistols-2

!Jury-Rig
!Tools and Tricks
!Tear Down That Wall

[R] Mark IV Vanadian Multitool, 0P, Block 1, Repair 1, Adjustable 2
[L] Chirni M77-B, 3+(Sense*2) Range | Springmag 77-B Urban (12/12), 1d10 Pierce, Jam 2, Burst 3
[A]
[H]
[Tools] Toolkit, 2construct

Inventory:
TwoShot Flickbow, 3+Sen Range, 1Sta Reload *Wireshot
Mk3 Roar-Choke {2-Adj} Half Range, shots hit line
Mk1 MagnoModerns {2-Adj} 3x target Armor, Metal Attract

>>5632130
"I appreciate your optimism, Ms. Ink, but for some reason I'm getting the feeling things won't turn out so simple."
"...Perhaps I'm just more pessimistic than I realize. Here's hoping."

#Harry [Hart], Scourge 2 | Steelsoul 2 | Stalwart 1
Fatigue 0/10 | Wounds 0/10
Sword 2
Bits 0 | Memory 0 | Inspiration 0

Resilience 10 | Stamina 5 | Speed 3
Reaction 1 | Resist 1 | Rebuff 1
Sense 2 | Authority 2 | Cunning 1
Brawn 1 | Manipulate 1 | Edge 2
Limit 4 | Academics 2 | Stance 2
[Type] Open-Minded
[Style] Wild

Attune 2 | Woeheart 3 | Sewing 1

!Beacon (Add your Limit+Rank to any spellcasting action as a third dicepool, +1 Backfire rating)
!Conduit (Take 1 Wound for +1 Magnitude on coming cast, 3 Wounds for +1 AoE, or 7 Wounds to make sigil persist for [1/2 Hits] turns freely)
!Twisting River ([1 Stamina] Hit again for +1 Effect, Roll Weapon+Speed to redirect incoming)
!Inner Calm (Recover [Rank] Fatigue if you performed no violence in a turn, or bank 1 Step if you performed violence)
!Lone Tower (Defend or Overwatch once per turn freely, Defend for adjacent allies or spend [1 Stamina] to take a blow for them)

[R] Bleeder's Blade (Drain 2, "Reservoir")
[L] N/A
[A] Padded Light Armor (Armor 2, Absorb 1)
[H] N/A
[Tools] Silver Needle Kit (1 Magnitude, 2+Sense Range, [Woeheart]) | Shiv (0P, Bleed 9+)
[Pockets (2)] Bottle of Blood (4 Blood)

Reposting from previous thread

Rolled 5, 3, 9, 3 = 20 (4d10)

Well, 'twas only fair Oi introduced meself first, yeh?

>So you wants a touch o' my soul? Well, 'ave it. Oi's still a woild young legend, an'at means Oi's the boss now, see? Reckless2 Authority+Edge 4d, Consummate Professional

Rolled 7, 5, 4, 10, 1, 9, 7, 9 = 52 (8d10)

>>5632145
#Cyrus 'Eventide', Scavager
RES 10
[STA 6] // [SPD 3]
[React 1] // [Resist 1] // [Rebuff 1]
[Sense 3] // [Authority 1] // [Cunning 1]
[Brawn 1] // [Manipulate 1] // [Edge: 5]

{BuzzMind 3} // {Stealth 4} // {Streetsmarts 2}

!Endless Eyes - You can [Sense] from Insects
!Ten Billion Friends - Exert deft control over masses of insects. Directing them to tiles within [Sense] range.

[R] // --
[L] // --
[A] // (Seasilk Coat) // 1 Stealth // Storage 10
[H] // --
[Tools]
(1 => 4 Bits)
(Skitterhouse Jar) // Can contain 6 Insects // Sealed // Reinforced
(Akotin Mothjar) // Can contain (12+Buzz) Insects
--(7 =>5(?) Mothswarm) // Illusion 1
(Webhome) // Can contain 10 Insects // Flammable
--(8 Sea Sultans) // Web 2, Poison 2

> Boat Action: Amidst flapping sail and swaying rope, an entomist perches well above the salt-spray deck of Ink's commandeered craft. From his grand vantage, Eventide scans the horizon in lazy sweeps, monitoring the restless waves for any lurking threat. (Sense3+Edge5)

> Ready to Deploy

File: Lamia.png (245 KB, 955x1351)

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>>5632145
"I'll be sure not dirty the books with their blood."

#Lamia, Scavenger 3(Stout,Energetic)
RES 10
STA 6 SPD 5
React 1 Resist 2 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 2 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 [Energetic: Grace 2]

Wiredancer-3, Kinetikos-3, Woeheart-2
Acrobatics-1, Throwing-1, Tactics-2

[R+L] [Phaseblades] (Force 2/Absorb 2)
[Tool] [Sunwire Filaments] (Length 4,Energy 2)

Inventory:
4 Bits

>>5632236
>Finish sewing the burlapsackbackpacks.

>>5632145
>Boat Action: Learn as much as possible from the most speciallised person here how to Infiltrate The Luperni Library. I want to know the best weay to act, I want to know how to blend in (or how to stand out enough for them to think I can't possibly be up to no good.) I am not sure about the layout but surely theres a map somewhere. Finally I'd like to practice it a bit. Gotta run it a bit to understand what I am doing you know?

>Deploy when ready to PREPWORK

#Max 'Breaker', Scourge 4

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 3 Authority 1 Limit 4
Cunning 1 Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 Focus 2

Attune 3, Tactics 2, Parry 4, Acrobatics 2

!Beacon
!Incant
!Weaver
!Many Voices

[R] Shiv, 0P, Bleed 9+
[L] Messer, 0W, Crits Bleed
[A] Stylish Robes, +1 Fashion
[H] Red Scarf
[Tools] Silver Needle Kit (Magnitude 1, 2+S Range) {FORCE}{AIR}
[Sling Bag]: 6 Bits

>>5632154
"You really like noodles huh? When we visit the noodle place I hope it's not all boiled fish, I'm kind of getting sick of seafood after all this sailing."

"By the way, take this."

>Give Ink the Pytherii Writing Set

"It's a miracle it hasn't been destroyed yet since I've been carrying it around... I hadn't been sure what the best moment was to give it to you but I figured it'd get ruined sooner or later if I kept it for too long. The Pytherii definitely built things differently though."

>Spend the rest of the boat ride hanging out with Ink.

#Toby Lerone, Stalwart (Stout, Dangerous)RES 10
STA 6 SPD 3-1
React 2 Resist 3 Rebuff 1
Sense 1 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 3 Manipulate 1 [Violence] 3
Etiquette-Rank 3, Negotiation-Rank 4, Training 2
+Challenge
+Mountain Motion
+Eloquence In Action
+{Wrecking Ball} 1Sta: Throw yourself forward using Brawn, as a tackle.
[R]
[L]Faithful (2W, Crit Cleave, Blockbreaker 2)
[A]["Determined, Righteously",Sigilplate] 2 Armor, -1SPD !Eaglesoul: Add 1/3 Wounds to all physical acts!One Last War: Armor *also* negates Wound-complications
[H]Nothing
[Tools] 5 Bits, 1 Bottle of Fine Pytherii Flutterwasp Wine, Pytherii Writing Set

>>5632145
I'm awake, I'm awake.

>Boat Action: Recall and analyze my fight with Spc. Bathory. I saw my foe do something odd during that Moth Circuit Superslam, what was it and can I imitate it? Cunning+Pugilism 7d10

Mimic, Student-Squire 4, Sapper 1 (Open-Minded, Disciplined)

RES 9
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 2 Rebuff 1
Sense 1 Authority 1 Cunning 3
Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 Focus 2
Limit 2

+2 Alchemy, +2 Academics, +1 Stance, +2 Connections, Pugilism +3(4), Fateweaving +2, Forensic Theology +2
(+1 Engineering)

Improvise
Pad Resume
Cram Session
Made Up References
I Prepared That Last Week

Adaption Pool 4/4: +1 Pugilism, Furious Fists!, +1 Engineering, Jury-Rig

[R] Martinos' Knuckleduster, Mag 2 {Fate}, {Khorkis} 1Pain, crit-stun
[L] Shiv, 0p, Bleed 9+
[A] Nothing
[H] Pressed Helmet, Barrier 2, Protective/Fragile
[Tools] Herbal Pouch (First Aid 2), Alchemical Field Kit (Poisons 2), 11 bits

Rolled 5, 3, 8, 4, 1, 6, 10 = 37 (7d10)

>>5632145
>>5632341
Helps if I add the dice. Forget that I can't Jury-Rig my way through every steady action now.

Rolled 9, 5, 4, 7, 5 = 30 (5d10)

>>5632145
>Boat Action: Fill Prescriptions. In order of precedence: Coagulants for Toby (looking for bleed resist + bleed decay), Blink for Lamia (looking for +Speed), Berserker for Toby (looking for +Adrenaline). Will fill prescriptions for others while supplies last. If no one else asks, make up some more anti-coagulants with excess hits, because bleed is bad and I won't always be close enough to stitch you up. [Anatomy 3 + Woeheart 2 + Nerve Artisan Tools 2 hits + needle? 1 = rolling 5 dice and using tools for +3? (not sure if the needle helps here)]. Not singing at the medicine because I'm relying on lore rather than pulling energy out of my blood.

#Doc O'C_ean
Scourge 3
RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 1 / Resist 1 / Rebuff 1
Sense 2 / Authority 1 / Cunning 2
Brawn 1 / Manipulate 1 / Focus 2
Limit 4 / Attune 2 / Academics 2

Anatomy 3; Woeheart 2; chronos 2; Fate 2; Anatomy (Toby) 1; Mistspeaker 2

!Incant (fat for hits) / !conduit (wounds for mag/aoe)
!Moist (I am water) / !Currents (I see all between the shores)
!I Know Where This Goes (+2 dice when fixing limbs) / !Oh. I Know Where That Goes (x First do no harm x)

[R] Silver Needle Kit, 1M, 4R, Woeheart / [L] Nerve-Artisan's Tools - Alchemy 2, Woeheart 2, Sedative 1, Stimulant 1, 1R
[B]ag: Seastained Ritual Shiv (so cold, misty +1, cap 4); Ticking Time Piece
Medical Scans: Doc, Toby (bleed res / adr), Fulton, Lamia (speed),
1 Bits

Rolled 8, 1, 2, 6, 9, 7 = 33 (6d10)

>>5632145
No one checked last time to see how much extra time we went sailing about for. Don't worry, I got it.
> 1 month plus 6d10 weeks

>

>>5632503
> 9 months
In my defense, those rocks we beached on looked so much farther away through the spyglass.

Rolled 10, 7, 5, 6, 1, 8, 4, 8, 10, 3, 3, 5 = 70 (12d10)

>>5632145
>>5632154
Boat Action:
>[Improvise] Using my newfound knowledge of Skulker tricks and Gearwright skills, I go through the sizeable pile of Bits and do my best to fashion the metal scraps into an imitation of the Rough Mask that Skulkers use [Skulker2+Gearwright2+7Bits]
>>5632353
Hey Doc, if you still have the "supplies", get me some of that Chronos-laced speed too. I don't necessarily need it, but I want to try some.
>>5632503
>>5632515
I don't think Ink has enough lemons to survive on this ship for that long. Tell Lamia to cut the rocks or something, cause I won't be squeezing under the boards and exterminating hundreds of spiders just so the howling at night can stop.

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Rolled 6, 7, 9, 4, 1, 1, 1, 6, 1, 5, 8, 7, 6 = 62 (13d10)

>>5632503
>>5632515
And those pirates? WHAT an ADVENTURE. And so dashing too. Unbelievable that Doc managed to commune with their kraken though I haven't seen something like that in a while. Ah, I still miss them. I hope they find the Treasure of Captain Glint. That Sawkins boy had some pluck, I tell you what.

And by the void, after nine months on this b o a t I am about ready to find land for a while. Fresh sea air is enough fresh sea after your first Lanternfest and your eight Sea Sultant migration, I tell you. I hope everyone likes the scarves I knit. And the gloves. And the socks. And the woolen sweaters. And the cute hats.

Good thing Fulton is so adept at spear-fishing or we'd have run out of fish a while ago.

Applying ... The Long Way Around-Modifier.

-5d10 Escalation
-3d10 Guard Presence
+5d10 Research Build-Up
Everyone unlocks a set of Woolen Wear (Warm, comfortable)

---

Also, I had Pen use his art talent to help prepare a pictogrammic overview of how not to get shanked so bad.

>>5632145
>Twitchy: +1 React
>+1 Sense, +1 Manipulate
>Disciplined
>>5632134
>Update the Histories
>>5632137
>Gain 14 Bits
>Assign 7 bits to [Memories of Earlier Operations] "What type of operation? Well you're lucky your my superior or else I wouldn't be able to tell you this so do try to keep this hush hush, yeah? Yeah. So it was called Operation Unveil the goal was to send a maybe one or maybe a few of us to go [Undercover] into a Theurges retinue and send back any secret information to command through different types of means. Pigeon, Rat,...fish. A bit unclear how many of us there was? Well actually... ~~They didn't tell us Ink~~. We had to figure out ourselves who was on our side or who we could even turn into allies. In my particular case I assumed the identity of a Pathfinder, a Knight, a Merchant, just another Scragdog Walker. Anything to get as much info as possible. Eventually, when we had gathered all intel of interest before and at the end of the big Conflict it was time to drop all masks and end the 'life' of the Theurge. Killed him? Weeellll Lets just say he's resting in a sunny place right now ;) Interpret it as you will. After that in my case, I got a bit more formal recognition. Got sent to different places: Reikan, Pyther, back Home, Rikovol, under the sea, in he sky that one time. Wasn't always easy but I saw a lot of the world yet not all of it. And now...now I'm here.

#Etch, Scavenger (Operative)

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 2 [Focus 2]

Skill1-Rank, Skill2-Rank, Skill3-Rank...

!Perk1
1Perk2

[R]
[L]
[A]
[H]
[Tools]

Rolled 5, 6, 5, 2, 1, 1, 8 = 28 (7d10)

>>5632588
>>5632137
>roll ;)

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>>5632567
Pen also had a few choice pointers on the arts of physical beatings. This doesn't cover everything but is useful to know.

Most improvised weapons deal Fatigue. Your fists and legs and teeth deal 1/2 Brawn fatigue unless you're quite dangerous. You'll need time and timing and lots of connections to score proper implements. We have a few in the company but even the Woodbreakers I got on mass sale from a Reikan noble-house that got insolvent. It's actually sort of hard to score enough gear to outfit a small army, you know?

That's why it's so useful to sharpen, adjust, or modify your weapons or those of your allies. Scourges are especially helpful here, as Sigils can layer unto Objects to bolster their general capacities. Steady actions and the right tools help here - maybe get your local Sappers to polish up a spear, or some-such.

Also, you might spot that some ranged weapons are a bit variable? Our standard broadheads deal 1d5W, instead of some flat number. Sometimes, ranged attackers strike something that shouldn't be poked holes in. That's a bad, bad time. This goes for most ranged attacks. But keep in mind that ranged strikers have to contend with environmental obstacles and cover a lot more than someone right up there in your face. The best advice I can give for fighting bowmen is don't get shot.

>>5632567
I never could get the hang of it, Fulton's a real theurge at spearing fish through water, a real provider for his spider friend.
Cuddles is so big now!

>>5632588
You actually start with at least 16 bits, since you have 1 Authority, and you get (7+(Authority) ) * 2 bits. You also probably want to buy some equipment.

>>5632503
>>5632515
9 months huh? Cuddles must have grown so much, right?

>>5632145
>Boat Action: Ask Pen to train me and Cuddles on his instincts. Maybe we can learn a thing or two about how he knows what's behind him without eyes on the back of his head.


Fulton, Scavenger

Stout
Disciplined

RES 12
STA 6 SPD 3
React 1 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 1 Authority 3 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 Focus 2

Tactics 2, Handling 2,

Spears 2:
!Lean in, -2 but hit Reach+1 tiles
!Fend, -2, hits>resist force target back
!Fade, -2, step back, half hits build reaction

[R] Sunspot Spear
2Sharp, Pen [2], Reach 2
!crit puncture
[L] Strider's Redoubt
Block 1, counter 10
Front Armour 2
[A]
[H]
[Tools]

{Malichnid, Immature}
"Cuddles"

Web 4 | Venom 2
Sense 4 | Predator 6
(Other Unknown Qualities)

!Quiet Malice: Webs can serve as Traps.

>can try to fascinate and dazzle in a vision-based AOE
>innately a Lightspinner

>Has 24 eyes

>>5632646
If you think I'm good, you should see how Cuddles does it. It's like she doesn't even need to try! If anything, she would be the provider for me.

>>5632647
No worries! We will get to that very soon :). Those Pathfinder Fatigues look pretty appealing afterall

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>>5632588
>>5632609
Good to have you with us, Etch. Fine call for a man of your talents around here. Although the way I hear it, the Alienaus Sky-Scurry team was... Well not's talk about that. Four months in a Theurgical Retinue? That's something. Most people barely last two hours.

I may have a job for you. You must speak High Pytherii. So, we'll need you on point here...

+c7 Service Knife
1W, Traps 1

+3Operations
which covers Tactics + Impersonation + General Fieldcraft

!Under The Covers: 1Sta: Roll to convert a downed hostile to a Disguise

!Smooth Operator: 1Sta: Add Manipulation as a Third Dicepool, 1/turn, hits also Befriend, Befuddle or Bolster

>Befriend is useful if you're among hostiles
>Befuddle misdirects and lies, building stories
>Bolster helps allies get motivated or shake off fatigue

!Good Enough For Government Work: Steady Action deploys a [cache] in a location no one has direct eyes on.

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>>5632675
Also what are you even wearing, take that off, that's some kind of grass-cloak that's not for you. Here.

>>5632190
So, Gearlocks. Finest vanadian tech. Takes a certain knack to make it sing, but when it *does*...

Vanadian gear with Adjustable can be Adjusted by taking a Steady action, re-orienting the ratings into serviceable boosts to the quality of the gear. It also serves as a marker for how many Adj-Slots a piece of gearlock can click on to itself. Obviously if you've got a Magnofling system on your gearlock, you can't adjust it quite as well.

Gear can generally adjust any quality it already has up or down or sideways - so your M77 there might adjust its range, it's damage, it's burst, it's jam. . Because your standard multitool has "construct 2" base, it's a little bit of a wider platform (It's . . . Multi-use). You could adjust it to add +1 Dig on top of the construct, and now the shovelhead digs for 3.

This is an action that requires no rolls. However, you can also attempt to adjust things a little eclectically, with Engineering, cunning or knowledge. Your Multitool for instance can cut, dig, break, block (!), or you can dig out the nozzle attachments for jet, water, fire. These would require 1 Fuel as well, as the energy has to come from somewhere. That follows boost-gear rules, so with Adjustable 2, your standard multitool comes with a fairly useful low-tier welding mode (Fuel 1, Fire 1).*

>*again note that the fire1 is in addition to the construct 2, for a total of 3 fire. It requires a lot of fiddling with the chargers and valves because of the low fuel, but it works.

To restore the fuel, spend 2 AP to rejigger things. Some attachments provide more fuel.

For things (like. . . a gun...) that provides its own "fuel" in the form of ammo, you can try to coat the munitions that pass through the barrel in effects such as adjusting the chirni with it's rating of {2} to also add +2 Fire to the shots that pass through it. This can get rather dangerous.

In general, standard physical qualities provided by either your skills, the environment or your kit in general can be adjusted. Vanadian tools don't deal with metareal effects so well, so you obviously can't fold your multitool in such a way that it grants you sway over Fate itself.

... There's attachments for that.

finally, all Gearwright gear like boostkits and adjusable tools can be Overclocked, taking a normal action to try and buy more Adjustment. With Adjustable 2 you'd need 3 hits to advance to Adjustable 3, for 1 more point... And overstrung in such a way your gear readily snaps and complicates.

>>5632196
Jove, I really appreciate your staring contest with a rock but please understand it takes scourges and theurges months of training to get good at their effects. You can try to use the totem using just your Authority, but the ability to direct the odd energies will be rather limited.

Still, because it's quite a powerful totem, it does provide Mag 3 on its own. So even without the finer points of Attuned control, you could do some damage.

>>5632196
... Also I think you just turned every spoon in the mess-hall into a small metal bird. Looks like Wrenchwind Seagulls--- STOP THEM BEFORE THEY GET AWAYYYYY.

>>5632197
Oh there are threats all-right. Tell you all about them in a second. Good job on being keen eyed, though. It'll let us slide in safer.

>>5632236
Please don't dirty the books with their bone-marrow, skin, brains or organs either I'm watching you!

Looks like your Burlapsackbackpack is nice, flammable and a bit scratchy. Great for bespoke kidnappings.

+Burlapsackbackpack
4 Pockets

>Pockets store Items and the universe doesn't even question how it fits in there.

>>5632252
Breaker, oh, trust me, I'll run you through a special routine. But you being so ahead of your class makes me proud.

>+1 Impersonation [Temp]
!Blend In: Add all targets in same room as +Dice to Diguise if you're not Blown

>>5632282
!!!!
WHA-- UH-- BUT-- LOO-- UHM.

i'llberightbackgottagodosomethingrealquick

>>5632341
That odd masked stranger moved like nothing in this wide world has a right to, disregarding bones both theirs and yours. Their touch seemed to leech the structure of things, eating away at solidity - even Toby's plate was no use. You can't quite improvise your way into possessing physical organs you don't have or strange proclivities provided by whatever source of power that stranger had, but, that said - the fighting style?

That's fit for normal souls.

Upgrade Pugilism to Unarmed, gain:

!Kick, -1, +1 Reach, toggle: Force
>You can choose to deliver a blow with Force effect instead of normal
>Kicking does not use your hands, which makes it quite useful if you don't have them or they're occupied
>Boots can add some effects, but your soft sandals mostly feel like being caressed with a soft hand.

It looks like that stranger was really fond of the speed clinch:

>[1Sta] Unarmed+Speed, Measured: Grab target arm [-1 acc, xd10]
>[1Sta] Unarmed+Brawn+GrabStrength: Twist out of joint.

Getting your hands on your opponent is half the proper way to win a fist-fight. All Grabs add their value as bonus dice to following close-quarters actions. You can also expend them as +Effect if you try to throw someone or bear them to the ground.

It should go without saying, but targets on the ground have remarkably reduced Reactions and dodge.

The other thing that strange Stranger did was put Toby's head through a support pillar. If you can Shift your opponent around with sufficient force, you can slam them into things

>[1Sta] Unarmed+[Pool]: Slam target into that wall/fireplace/hisally/thewater/theground/thatspike.

>>5632353
[5 hits]
Doc that's a fine batch of 5 coagulants you just made. Each 1 has STR 1, and if you slap it on a wound with 1 STA you roll Resist+First Aid to immediately patch up Hits+1 Bleed.

I recommend people thinking they'll get stabbed grab one.

+5 coagulants, staunch 1

>>5632557
Heyheyheyhey those are budget bits I need them for bribes and deliveries and caches and supplies and lemons and ink and a giant present for Toby forget I said that I mean lemons--- Stop, oi, put down my budget accounts!

Here, here, I'll help you sew one up, just s-stop taking from my direct expense account!

[1 crit, 1 hit, +3 from Ink]

+Nightknife' Mask
Stealth 2 in cover, Filter 12
3x3 Smoke, 2 Ammo, Restock 3

>3 STA to restock a smoke-use
>Smoke reliably breaks line of sight, counters as cover and hides things.
>Filter resists gas and particles
> You have . . . Gearwright and a Trap Kit? You could probably modify those smoke charges...

>>5632647
Turns out, there's no magic here. It's down to sheer, bloody competence. Not sure you can train that kind of thing unless you happen to have time to go through two wars and one more in a month. Something about the way Pen moves distils a life-time of Grace into a gentle, irresistible forward motion. With your Focus, Fulton, I just don't think you have the Knack for that kind of thing.

Good news though, if you stick close to your abyssal creation of malicefriendly spider friend, it has very high Sense and Predator attributes which means it's got a dead-read on most dangerous situations.

You can task it with Handling+Authority to perform a task, such as "Guard" or "Watch" or "Find" or "Keep", and because you know the Tongue you don't have to worry much about it misunderstanding you. Then our ... delightful ... friend will use its superior senses to warn you of danger.

You can think of each order by the way as direct control over the Stamina that the Malichnid spends. So if you had told it to "Guard" and "Observe", it'd use 1 Stamina to guard you and 1 stamina to Observe and the rest on its own best judgement. These order are Standing, until you replace them - so no need to tell Cuddles the same thing every minute or so. It's good enough memory to keep several orders in mind.

Because you have Handling, you can also use Supervision with your pet. Then instead of giving it an order and letting it carry it out, you micro-manage the stamina expenditure. You spend Stamina for both of you

>[1 Sta] Supervise: Malichnid moves 111 111
>[1 Sta] Supervise: Malichnid webs my newspaper [Predator+Web]
>[1 Sta] Supervise: Malichnid moves 555 555

Cuddles here is... eerily... intelligent, so unlike most pets you don't have to worry about range when Supervising. As long as she can see you, it seems fine.

Oh, and of course, you have Handling. Tricks are subtly different from orders.

>[1 Sta] Cuddles, Trick! friendly hug mode! [ Handling+Authority] [2hits]
>[1 Sta] cuddles, Order: hug any stranger that walks into this room

The 2 hits on refreshing a Trick become bonus-dice on carrying out your order. It's like using Authority to guide and motivate allies, but for giant twelve-legged omnivore spider-princesses.

Rolled 3, 7, 7, 1, 2, 7, 4 = 31 (7d10)

>>5632675
>>5632680
No problemo Ink. I think forging a path there shouldn't be too much trouble maybe there is something in my pockets that could help... this should do?
>Pay 7 Bits for Worn Pathfinder Fatigues
>Pay 2 Bit to make my Cunning 2

#Etch, Scavenger (Operative-Pathfinder)

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 1 Cunning 2
Brawn 1 Manipulate 2 [Focus 2]

Operations-3, Marksman-3, Secret Pouches-2, Observation-2

!Under The Covers
!Smooth Operator
!Good Enough For Government Work

[R]Model 73 Modenkaini (range 9, 1d10+3, P, Silent, 1/1 ammo, rld 2Sta)
[L]
[A]Worn Pathfinder Fatigues (+1 Spd, [Res] Enviro DR, 12 Filter, 2 Pockets)
[H]
[c7 Service Knife-1W, Traps 1]

>>5632567
They sure were a lot friendlier after Doc started giving their kraken scratches, and I think that old crate of rum helped too! Knew it would be handy, I did.
> lose the spiced rum crate

File: OfficeHours7.jpg (255 KB, 789x1038)

255 KB JPG

Alllriiighty, people. Nudge in close, take a breath, maybe shoo some of the Sea Sultans away. Anyone want a rum sour? Those pirates really knew how to make a drink or three.

This is the Luperni Library. The academy-fortress. The records-vault. The place where all the dogs come to store their tricks.

And we are going to break right into it. We're lucky - our roundabout route and piratical adventures must have thrown our trail something fierce. Pen learning how to use a cutlass to take out eight boarders was impressive. But now it's time to get back to work.

So here's the skinny. . .

File: Officehours8.jpg (436 KB, 1262x1160)

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Agents Log and Note been embedded in the library in deep cover, preparing our way in. I admittedly told them it was going to be roughly four weeks we're now coming up on forty buuuuuut that just means they've had plenty of time to prepare.

Right? Riiiiight. Reminds me of my first Foreign Office assignation in Kalcmiri, was supposed to be a two week check up on some translator corps work, turned into a four year stay. But you can't predict the weather OR Kalcmiri civil wars, so what'cha'gonna do. Note and Log are professionals. Surely, they'll have expected this.

Now, our first point of operation is OH VOID STAR DAMN SPIDERS LEG TABLE MALICE HORROR GET IT OFF WHERE'S MY LEMONS WHY WHY

>1/2

File: OfficeHours9.jpg (570 KB, 1260x1418)

570 KB JPG

I'm going to SINK THIS SHIP AND DROWN ALL OF YOU WITH MY BARE HANDSSSS--- Oh.

Ahem.

Right.

Thank you Agent... Cuddles.

Right. Well. I was going to say that there are some things I' not up to date on, but it seems the predatory instincts of our malign seagull-stalker here has been honed about by Pen to to offer a few webs of advice.

You'll note the softy-glowing silky areas that have been marked by ... agent... cuddles... I'm assuming it's Predatory instincts and marginally improved situational awareness lets it intuit something. Right let's have a look-see.

>>5632783
Unfortunately, since Cunning is an Attribute, it would require 3 * level to upgrade, in this case 3 * (level 2) = 6 bits. It would be 2 bits if it were a skill.

>>5632807
>>5632680
Wooops, fixed on my sheet. I guess I'll keep 2 bits in my pocket

File: LupesLibrary-Prep1.jpg (3 MB, 5681x4244)

3 MB JPG

taking operational advice from a spider what's become of my life ahem

This is the Luperni Library. My plan is quite simple:

We're going to walk right up to the docking area for visitors, ask for a visitor's badge and take our sweet time gently exploring the facility. You see, this is also a library and so distant scholars are welcome to arrive to share knowledge, loan or deliver materials and participate in the debates.

And 9 months of being shipbound has allowed my knitting skills to be put to good use. I have disguises for all of you. If Note and Log have done their work, we'll even be on the schedule as a visiting delegation of Free college students and scholars.

Okay, nine months delayed roundtrip, but still.

We're here for the Records of the Atlas Improbable. Now, the problem is that the Luperni record system is not standardised. We don't know where they store it. So we'll have to find out. Once we know WHERE it is, we'll have to GET IT.

Along the way, given that this is a library, we can make small withdrawals and loans from the stacks as you see fit.

--
It seems our spider-friend has marked three areas of interest. One is a newly arrived shipment of goods, one is the biological material section and one is the faculty vessel. I assume Cuddles, like me, have no desire to face a Luperni Instructor in actual combat. You may all think you're good, quick and fast - and you are - but these are the people who train the people who commit dire deeds. Let's avoid fighting them if we can. We may need to ask them some questions though.

Now, remember, this entire facility floats off of the coast of the Greenspan Belt, so it's actually Pytherii Deep Territory. That means it's under guard and ward by the Pytherii Legion. They have a very small presence - it's likely a manned post in the Warded Stores - of a full Decani. Nine Legios and a Field Theurge. I assume this is a bit of a prestige posting, so it's likely it'll be decorated Legios and an Eaglesoul leading the lot.

That's the bad news.

The good news is that politics means that the House Luperni, inside the Pytherii political sphere, must maintain only as much of a houseguard as Honour allows. So, we're mainly facing scholars, students, researchers, botanists, chefs and material engineers. But there should be almost no slice dogs, biters, mongrels, twist-tails, scardogs or - Void our luck - Hound Knights. And since our NINE MONTHS roundabout, I bet whatever guards have been here on garrison have drunk themselves silly and asked for new postings.

The sliiiiightlyyy worse news is that that doesn't mean the Luperni won't call them in if thing catch fire the screams get loud. There's a few Luperni trade stations within signal reach, so who knows what might show up.

==Luperni==
Escalation 2
Disguise 3


+1 Merciful
+2 Mercenary
-1 Dangerous
+2 Lawbreakers

>>5632827
Our job now is to do PREPWORK, which is a bit like Downtime, but solely focused on GETTING THIS JOB DONE.

We can call in some Favours and see if the Whispermarkets know a thing or two we don't. They could tell us about on-going research projects, arrivals, or caches. Or guard routines. A well-prepared Whisper-agent can also adjust the terrain or solve a few problems.

We can also spend some of these - RYONA - company bits on a few select bribes and preparations. That's generally less effective than simply calling in a favour, but it works.

----

During PREPWORK, you use your Theoretical skills, secrets, cunning and role-ranks to PREPARE.

Tactics helps us uncover QUESTIONS about enemy force disposition
Negotiation helps barter for Favours
connections help find likely coincidences, people who know things, an inside man, or a good link
Academics tells us about the ideas, ideals, places, problems and potentials
Streetsmarts is useful to try to find out what isn't the way it appears.

Since I'm Ink, I have Operations and Acquisitions. I get Two rolls to help you: One Operations roll is a Guidance that lasts the entire map, and provides a slight bonus to skill. For this one I'm thinking I'm going to give you all a flash instruct in how to act like someone else, so the disguises work better.

The Acquisitions roll is for pre-deploying caches on the map. Note and Log will have done their job and stashed some tools ahead of time.

If you have other skills that can be of use instead, perhaps try those.

We'll have about 2-3 Rounds of PREPWORK. Some clever work might also:

Reduce Luperni Escalation
Boost Disguises
Add bonuses
Apply penalties
come up with an entirely new plan.
Arrange extraction
Acquire allies...

---

This sort of stuff takes your full attention, so you only get 1 Prep action per Prepphase. However, you can add Modifiers and Perks as you please.

And if you really want to burn the midnight oil, have a shot of rum sour and a cup of the Bluest Beans. You'll be awake for another Prep action, but, the uhm, the crash will be unpredictable at best.

>>5632827
>>5632835

Calling Dibs on one of the Disguises, I can't lie but if it's just acting like a Knight, I think I'm fairly passable. Besides, I'm not sure a lot of us except maybe Etch are any good at disguises or manipulation anyway.

Maybe as Sir Cavall, Former Squire of Sir Psoglav.

Rolled 9, 5, 1, 1 = 16 (4d10)

>>5632835
The map's a bit... blurry.
Here, we can do a bit better.
>engineering+manipulate+1 favor: source architectural blueprints of the luperni library, hoping to find structural weaknesses or hidden passageways
Someone else (who's way skilled at disguise or something) should prolly try to score something with a bit more clearance than a visitor's badge... and if we can find where this damn thing is before we even enter, it'll be smooooth sailing.

Oh, and a note on disguises. Everyone starts with a strength THREE disguise. I made it myself. I'm very proud.

Obviously, if they bust Toby in his guise of Sir Cavall, that's bad for Toby. But Luperni Records do get a fair amount of visitors. Anyone else won't lose their disguise just because Toby might stumble.

Unless you're right there, in the same room, acting odd.

So you might think of this as a "stealth" job, but it's more apt to think of it as a cloak and dagger play. Move in, move fast, ask questions, get the goods and get out. We can't possibly fight an entire records library and we absolutely cannot fight off a Legion Patrol if the Decani calls for reinforcements.

But for all their flaws, the Luperni aren't mind-readers. They won't know what's happening a platform over if they can't see it. So just because you make a ruckus in one place doesn't mean everyone will suddenly draw knives and converge on us.

Rolled 7, 7, 3, 6, 7 = 30 (5d10)

>>5632839
>I have disguises for all of you

>>5632835
>Uncover the guard locations / rotations. Where are they, or where do they go? Have Cuddles assist me with this task. (Tactics 2 + Authority 3)

Rolled 9, 6, 3, 5, 4, 10, 10 = 47 (7d10)

>>5632835
>-Focus
>Boost Disguises a bit, sure we can do visitors passes but we can also do BETTER! Lets take an exemple from what we have around like the sentries or guards (Operations 3+Sense 2+Manipulate 2 from !Smooth Operator)

>>5632841

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 4
React 1 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 2 [Graceful] 2

CQC-2, Thrown-2, Impersonate-2, Gearwright-1, Streetsmarts-2

[Instincts]
[The Payoff]

[R] Alleyfriend Knife
[L]
[A] Bandolier of Rough Sharps
[H] Rough Mask
[Tools]Gearblade Kit
[Pockets] 8 Bits

>Requesting Smiley Face Mask

File: yikes.jpg (39 KB, 401x454)

39 KB JPG

>>5632849
Ah, a professional. Glad to have you on board, night-knife. This kind of thing is your speciality, isn't it? Sorry about the whole nine-month delay on the pick-up. Or have you been in the hold, avoiding the spiders this entire while?

But now you're here, feel free to get to work. We'll certainly need someone of your talents.

Your Bits might be better spent on Prepwork, as it's somewhat harder to reach proper markets at this juncture. I'll re-imburse you post mission.

Rolled 5, 5, 8, 7, 5, 7, 6, 3 = 46 (8d10)

>>5632869
>Bribe the workers with 4 Bits and try to get a job as a greenhouse worker using Impersonate 2 and Manipulate 2. (Not sure what the bits rules are, I'll roll an extra 4 dice in case it adds)

File: Decimus Octavius Centurius.png (9 KB, 400x400)

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Ave. I am Decimus Octavius Centurius. I was recently reminded that I need to complete my continuing education requirements. What lectures do you have available here, and how many credit-hours are they worth?

Rolled 5, 3, 4, 3, 10, 6, 2 = 33 (7d10)

>>5632841
>Be Sir Cavall.
>Loyal hound of Luperni and former squire of Sir Psoglav.
>Taking a gap year from service to explore the world and hone my skills
>Meet a cute but dangerous stranger and be enamored by her.
>We find ourselves near the Luperni Library.
>Since I know how much she loves Sarethian masquerade plays and books I know she'll love the place.
>Use the Pytherii Wine as a bribe to try to get a private tour of the Botanical Gardens with Inks. Reckless 2, Etiquette 3 + Negotiations 4

>>5632875
Look at you, snakemind! You worked out the bits rules all by themselves!

Rolled 3, 3, 5, 10 = 21 (4d10)

>>5632827
Sounds to me like carrying a big sigilplate spear about this place isn't going to let me blend in well. Sorry mate, maybe next time.

Now I know you said they're bad at sorting books, or at least I think thats what you said, but the atlas book /really/ doesn't sound neither metallurgical or biological, and I don't think even the most unhinged librarian could think otherwise. There's gotta be another library.

There's also no accommodation, so visitors must be staying portside nearby.

> Streetsmarts + Manipulate chat up the bars, try to tease out more information. Hidden collections maybe?
Some of you lot come with me, broaden the net.

Rolled 7, 6, 6, 1, 4 = 24 (5d10)

>>5632835

Hey Ink could you enlighten on subject of strain. I have heard of it but no-one has been willing to tell about it. It kind of bothers me as that... thing always seems like it some how beacons people that piece of palatine armor i mean.

>[Scav3 + Sense2] The Ratfriend Paths: Head to Material Research look for things hidden among research documents. While pretending to look info on materials useful for travelling.

It was time to leave mask and weapons and head to library maybe something interesting could be found books or not she had an good eye after all.

# Rion 'Leone', Scavenger 3 (Twitchy, Dangerous)
RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 2 Manipulate 1 Violence 2
Streetsmarts 2 Attune 1
Skills:
+2 Acrobatics
!Urban Mobility: Get a Jump-stat of 1+1/2 Ranks, Jump this far with 2 SPD when moving or with 1 Sta when standing still.
+2 Unarmed
!Wetwork: Hits give Thrown bonus
!Nervestrike: Half hits, strike Cripples limb.
+2 Thrown
!Wetwork: Hits give Unarmed bonus
!Pocket Sand: Impair front-arc
!Fistful: +1Ammo for +1 Target.
Perk:
Unarmed combat skill
!Havoc: -2, hits also control target hands
Scav skill
!The Ratfriend Paths:[Scav + Sense] to locate caches or Very Hidden Things. 1sta 2Fatigue [Scav + Manipulate] hits to attempt to acquire a consumable
[R] Silkhand Gauntlets
[L]
[A] Shadecloak
[H] Mothmask 2/2
[Tools] Bandolier of Sharp Sharps 6/6
+1 {Sharp, Non-descript Sword}
-2 Accuracy, 4Bleed, Crits Escalate
Fragile 2
1Bit

>>5632827
> Prepwork: By Eventide's estimation, Warded storage would likely be where the most valuable and volatile treasures of the Luperni are contained. Additionally, the fact that the hounds stationed the majority of their manpower is garrisoned there, instead of in a more centralized location, is quite telling. Though, while these details interested the entomist greatly, his chief concern was the fortress's ability to signal distress. Given the temperament and skillsets of his associates, he anticipated an alarm being raised within the first few minutes of the operation.
In an effort to extend the length of this venture, Eventide scrutinized the sprawling infrastructure of the fortress vault searching for internal and external lines of communication and devising methods of disrupting them. (Streetsmarts2+Edge5)

Rolled 3, 6, 3, 10, 1, 10, 3, 9, 3, 6, 5, 5, 2, 7, 2, 1, 3, 1, 8, 8, 5, 8, 1, 6, 1 = 117 (25d10)

>>5632835
>Sillius Soddus, overworked and exhausted foreign academic

These are my people, more or less. Given my academic background, I figure there's a fair chance that I'll be able to access the scholarly circles within the facility and locate the private collections. Cool books to steal, artifacts hidden away, and records concerning The Atlas.

A lot of dice here, but my understanding is that we have the time to leverage all our assets and have unrestricted perk use. Feel free to remove modifiers unfit to the situation.

>Modifiers and Perk use
>Reorganize my Adapt Pool to be: [Quick Study], [Thesis Defense], +2 Academics
>[Quick Study] my Forensic Theology and Alchemy into Academics. +4 Academics
>Push for 8 fatigue or generate it through other perk use
>[Cram Session], taking 4 wounds and a +8 on my roll
>[Thesis Defense] for Academics to my roll, hits also 'provide knowledge'
>Fateweaving+Focus to shunt my complications onto the nearest Sea Sultan 4d10
>Connections (2d)+Student-Squire(4d)+Academics(8d)+Cram Session(8d) for a total of 22d10

>Action: Locate an old associate with information regarding hidden or restricted locations within the facility.

#Mimic, Student-Squire 4, Sapper 1 (Open-Minded, Disciplined)

RES 9
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 2 Rebuff 1
Sense 1 Authority 1 Cunning 3
Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 Focus 2
Limit 2

+2(0) Alchemy, +2(8) Academics, +1 Stance, +2 Connections, Unarmed+3, Fateweaving +2, Forensic Theology +2(0)
Adaptable Pool 4/4: +2 Academics, Thesis Defense, Quick Study

Improvise
Pad Resume
Cram Session
Made Up References
I Prepared That Last Week
Kick

Disguise Strength: 3 (My spectacles are aligned, pocket protector in place)

[R] Martinos' Knuckleduster, Mag 2 {Fate}, {Khorkis} 1Pain, crit-stun
[L] Shiv, 0p, Bleed 9+
[A] Nothing
[H] Pressed Helmet, Barrier 2, Protective/Fragile
[Tools] Herbal Pouch (First Aid 2), Alchemical Field Kit (Poisons 2), 11 bits

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>5632973
Last of the 26.

Rolled 10, 6, 3, 1 = 20 (4d10)

>>5632835
>>5632882

>Borrowing 6 bits to spend on tuition if I need it. I'll bring it back if they don't ask for course money up front or we don't get that far.
>Rolling [Academics + Focus/Cunning] = 4 dice to find out who the teachers are, what they are teaching, when the lectures are, how much they are, how many professional development hours they are worth, and if there are any attendance fees. Also, do they have the license renewal forms here? If the opportunity presents its self, sit in on a lecture while the others are doing their prep-work.

Depending on who the professors are, consider discussing an Ecological Impact Study for the introduction of Rainbow Sleekers to various locales.

Rolled 7, 10, 9, 5, 3 = 34 (5d10)

>>5632907
Roight-o. Oi've suspicions of me own.

>>5632827
>Oi's Jupitah now.
>Campus town? Break out the exotic charm of me stunnin' physique and rough manners barely contained by decorum and academic garb. Try it on in the Observatory, or the bars if I'm not allowed there. Streetsmarts+Brawn 5d

Jove, Striker 2 Sapper 2
RES 10
STA 6 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 1 Authority 2 Cunning 1
Brawn 3 Manipulate 1 Edge 2
Blades 2 Gearwright 1 Unarmed 1 Streetsmarts 2
!Deep Reserves
!Flourish
!Consummate Professional
!Rush Job
[R] Woodbreaker: 2H 1W 1Reach, Crits Cleave
[H] Rikovol Pressed Helmet, 2 Barrier
[Tools] 3 bits, Boostgear Fuel 6 Boost 2+2Sapper+1Jump
QuickreteTank Mod
Messer
Nugget of Palatine Armour, 3Mag Metallic-Terrene, 1Limit, 2Strain
Inspiration

Rolled 4, 6, 7, 4, 7, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1 = 38 (10d10)

>>5632827
>Prepwork: Based on analysis of previous Luperni behavior, they are not beyond using traps. A consequence of this is that areas may not be as they seem. Subtly out possible trapped areas and look for hidden spaces. (Scavenger3+Wiredancer3+Grace2+Tactics2)

#Lamia, Scavenger 3(Stout,Energetic)
RES 10
STA 6 SPD 5
React 1 Resist 2 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 2 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 [Energetic: Grace 2]

Wiredancer-3, Kinetikos-3, Woeheart-2
Acrobatics-1, Throwing-1, Tactics-2

[R+L] [Phaseblades] (Force 2/Absorb 2)
[Tool][Sunwire Filaments] (Length 4,Energy 2)
[Back][Burlapsackbackpack]: 4 Pockets

Inventory:
4 Bits

Rolled 1, 5, 8, 4, 10, 6 = 34 (6d10)

>>5632835
>Actually Breaker but don't tell them that
>Prep: Ready an extraction. This is a big place and despite it having only one main entrance there are more then one way to exfil. Try to find them and figure out at least 1 proper exit. One that may help us lose any possible Heat the fastest to give us some time. Ask the wind for some direction perhaps? Maybe some forgetten Air Holes or gaps? (Sense 3+Attune 3->Air Totem)

#Max 'Breaker', Scourge 4

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 3 Authority 1 Limit 4
Cunning 1 Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 Focus 2

Attune 3, Tactics 2, Parry 4, Acrobatics 2

!Beacon
!Incant
!Weaver
!Many Voices

[R] Shiv, 0P, Bleed 9+
[L] Messer, 0W, Crits Bleed
[A] Stylish Robes, +1 Fashion
[H] Red Scarf
[Tools] Silver Needle Kit (Magnitude 1, 2+S Range) {FORCE}{AIR}
[Sling Bag]: 6 Bits

Rolled 4, 7, 6, 7 = 24 (4d10)

>>5632827
>Assume the alias of Wallace Hearth
>[Academics 2, Sense 2] Go poking around in the Records Metallurgical, if they'll let me. I don't know much about Metallurgy, but blood does have iron in it, doesn't it? Perhaps I could learn something interesting, if there happen to be any documents pertaining to that...? (4d10)

#"Wallace Hearth" (Harry [Hart]), Scourge 2 | Steelsoul 2 | Stalwart 1
Fatigue 0/10 | Wounds 0/10
Sigildry: Sword 2
Bits 0 | Memory 0 | Inspiration 0

Resilience 10 | Stamina 5 | Speed 3
Reaction 1 | Resist 1 | Rebuff 1
Sense 2 | Authority 2 | Cunning 1
Brawn 1 | Manipulate 1 | Edge 2
Limit 4 | Academics 2 | Stance 2
[Type] Open-Minded
[Style] Wild

Attune 2 | Woeheart 3 | Sewing 1

!Beacon (Add your Limit+Rank to any spellcasting action as a third dicepool, +1 Backfire rating)
!Conduit (Take 1 Wound for +1 Magnitude on coming cast, 3 Wounds for +1 AoE, or 7 Wounds to make sigil persist for [1/2 Hits] turns freely)
!Twisting River ([1 Stamina] Hit again for +1 Effect, Roll Weapon+Speed to redirect incoming)
!Inner Calm (Recover [Rank] Fatigue if you performed no violence in a turn, or bank 1 Step if you performed violence)
!Lone Tower (Defend or Overwatch once per turn freely, Defend for adjacent allies or spend [1 Stamina] to take a blow for them)

[R] Bleeder's Blade (Drain 2, "Reservoir")
[L] N/A
[A] Padded Light Armor (Armor 2, Absorb 1)
[H] N/A
[Tools] Silver Needle Kit (1 Magnitude, 2+Sense Range, [Woeheart]) | Shiv (0P, Bleed 9+)
[Pockets (2)] Bottle of Blood (4 Blood)

>>5632827
>>5632841
>Dibs on that loong, pink labcoat. Thank you, Ink.
>>5632835
>Use the whole length of Whispercloth to raise my Stealth by 4 before getting off the ship, if possible.
>[1 Favour+4 Bits] Contact the Whispermarkets and find out what's been going on in here for the 9 month's we sailed, mainly what the Luperni were doing. Is there anything that could indicate what happened to the the Records of Atlas Improbable? This time I have my shiv and smoke at the ready. (If this doesn't work, I pocket the 4 Bits and later tell Ink I got sacked again while she was getting dragged around by Toby.)
>[Stealth4/8(+1hit from Cloak) + Streetsmarts2] Join Eventide on the quest to stop the inevitable from happening: get in the places he can't enter and find ways the enemy could sound the alarm. Try to sabotage them to the best of my ability, otherwise mark them on the map for others.

Oh I just bet you're all going to fit right in. But we gotta work on that accent, Jove. Just a bit.

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>>5632840
[1Hit, 1 Favour]
Bingo - You're right. Cuddles wouldn't feel so odd about that arrival spot unless something was strange about it. And see this gap between the Gardens and the docking vessels? And over here, right by the arrivals bay to Metallurgy? Good place for a crash-team to arrive.


....And my contacts just confirmed it. Wardglass and twice-warded bookholds. You've found a Rainbow Records room. Sigildry, Iconography, Animancy, the Mesh. They are NOT going to want visitors in THERE.

It might not be what we need though, but I am salivating at the thought of what might be in there.

The Theurges have been collecting every free tome on the Icons for centuries. It's a wonder the Free colleges even had any materials to get started.

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>>5632843
[3h]
With Sapsanuloi much better map and some understanding of the values they need to protect, which will be the Rainbow Records and the Warded Stores, I agree with you Fulton. We can know a lot about the Guards without needing to be too advanced. Here. Go brief the team.

>>5632847
[2c, 1h]

Ah, Etch, this is why I need your eyes. With your sense for always faking the right wrong accent and my dab hand at needlework, these moustache will look fabulous. And I think you're right, if we apply to Visiting Scholar badges instead, we can ward away any talk of oddity by saying it's an eccentric post-new-modern sociological humanities experiment.

Go grab my copy of THE THINGS AND THE STUFF AND THE HUMAN MIND-BEETLE by Hans Tullerand, top drawer, my office. We'll brief the team on humanist identicopolitical thinking and they'll be able to talk abstract shop with the best of them.

>Disguise Rating raised to {4}
>Disguises come with 1 Rank in NewPostModern Identicopolitical Philosophy... what? how? what is how? how. . . is what? and why is why?

>>5632875
[3hits]
[-2 Bits]

Good thinking Grin, the Greenhands will know what's what. And it looks like they do - this entire library has been working on a specialised project for the last three months, under the supervisor of Faculty Lead Abitos.

Yeah? What's the project, Grin? what
void-screaming-what

AAAAHHHHH

Yeah, right, sure. Sure. Aaaahhhh. And I JUST got used to the SPIDERS. Fine, fine. cross-pollination of Wrackentrees from the Sarethian coast with Shimmergrass, see if it's a vector for agricultural renewal and can help solve soil erosion. I get that part. Why do they have two colonies of Wratsps, though? Why do they need TWO? What purpose does that serve?

>Pick a side-hustle either as Specimen Tender or a Gardener. Information follows from the picked task.

>>5632888
[1crit]
Wait are you seriously telling me your breach plan is . . .

~~Toby.... No one ever remembers I like Masquerade Plays! I think we can find a rendition of the Stranger in Yellow in the stacks, they must have one, that one is great, I can do all the voices, I'll show you, it'll be fantastic and you can be the Troubled Troubadour and it'll be great because you're so tall and uh. I... I mean.

i-if you want.

>What? Uhhm. uhhh

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>>5632907>>5633034
[2c, 2h]
Good teamwork you too.

Most of the locals or longtermers overnight onshore, you're right Bloom. It's only about two hours away by fast cutter. The facilties grew organically around Greydrip Observatory. And it looks like we've lucked out - they had an accident two months ago when a Wratsp specimen got loose and started Hiving in the dorms, so that platform section has been burned and is being rebuilt.

But that's not the important part - the important part is that the Library has been running up a bill at the Fireglass provider in town. And you only need crushed and refined fireglass for one thing - wardwork on a large scale. I think those Decani guarded stores?

They're not stores at all, they're project facilities for containment and research.

That has to be why there's even a Theurge on this library-float. His job is maintaining ward integrity!

Any snippet of whatever they're working on in there will be worth Loud Day at the whisper markets, that's a secret worth *knowing*. Fantastic work.

Also, we should stay away from that section. Unlikely to be anything we need. Well, other than the fabolous riches in ward gear, research instruments and all the tools and tradecraft of proper theurgical Meshworking. How many bits did you say they'd bought for in Fireglass lately? 40.3 thousand? Oh void...

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>>5633571
The lure of Fyur -- aw, grut.
The lure of Fyur is surel -- stoiks.
The lure of Fyur is surely in detour. There.

That's enugh. I'm hhheading out.

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>>5632958
Strain? Tell you what-what, I'll cover that in a minute...

Oh, but Rion - good eye, I see a small wood Pidgeon near that Material Research section. That's a signal from our friends in the facility, they've hidden something useful under the stacks!

>2 caches marked on map! Goo find!

>>5632962
Along with Fulton's work on the guard rotations, knowing where the signal semaphores and distress works are is important. I'll cover that in a bit...

>>5632973
You understand that Re-organising your Adapt pool is, indeed, your Prep action? As is using Quick Study. But sure, that might take an hour and some book-flipping, we've all been there, it's minor re-adjustment.

But spending the the following twelve hours carefully working Sigildry on a spider? The spider is now linked to your Fate. I... Why.

Why.

Why Mimic, why.

It's a spider it knows nothing but wrath and webs and woe. It will eat your children and lay its eggs in your eyes. You've woven a strand of fate that leads to clutches of this thing using your liver to sustain its empire! Well, at least for now, anything that happens to you happens to the Sea Sultan as well. That's . . . something.

Be careful though, Fate-twisting tends to incur a sympathetic two-way partial. Odds are if something happens to the Sea Sultant....

Get Fulton or Eventide to crash-teach you some Spiderese. Webbian. Spidewebian? Spi...

WHAT IS THIS CREWS GENERAL OBSESSION WITH SPIDERS, ANYWAY?

+[Fate-Bound Sea Sultan] (Trinket)
Linked [7]
Web 2 / Poison 2
1d

+5 conditions of Spiderlinked

By taking on 5 Backfires, you've accidentally entangled yourself in Spider Fate. I... I think you might need to watch out for wasps. Uh. You... You should definitively stay away from the Specimen Section.

>>5632962
You're down a spider, Eventide. I'd say "7" remain but this damn ship is *full* of them by now, you can just collect another fifty.

>>5632992
If you show them the Rainbow Sleeker, they'll be livid and delighted and invite you to discuss improbable Biologies. It looks like we're in luck. There's 9 faculty members in this place. 6 old greybeards, but three that keep the entire place running. They rotate the role of Librarian among themselves and we're hitting the place during Makoti's focus on wildlife, animals and agricultural research. Bel's year has just ended, so the Materials workshops are overflowing with finished projects and detritus in various shapes of almost done.

If you're paying for re-enrollment and licensing, they have a fairly good emergency medical programme. Makoti is an idealist, and during her bouts as Librarian, she tends to set the nominal fee for attending a full day of instruction for at half a Bit, with the rest sponsored by the House Luperni. There's apparently also a grant programme and a fairly rote process to get the Bursary to dispense with any actual fees. I hear it makes the accountants upset.

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>>5632992
Makoti's style is mostly hands on. She concentrates on the wind and the rain and the soil, spends a lot of time talking about geofluvian terrain engineering through limnological case studies.

Last Dance Before The Arrows Land doesn't charge for her lessons, and only offers two grades:

" No " and " Acceptable ". She runs the Physical education, and since most students aren't here for that, she's pretty popular as an instructor because the lack of course-load leads to a jolly time. Apparently she also runs a special lecture series called "Intro To The Structure Of An Unfair Fight".

In the 4 years she has offered this lecture series, two people have passed the final examination.

Dr Bel, Ph, Ag, Or, is not an instructor (but he did write and correct 33% of the syllabus). I think I read one of his articles once! I did NOT understand it.

---

Due to Makoti's ... wildeyed... leadership style, it seems the paperwork at the Library is a little askew. It's fairly easy to sign up for classes and simply not attend. You could even take four classes of medicine, schedule them on the same day overlapping and run through a semester in a week. Then just sit the practical and get your papers signed as Passed!

That's your License recovered, doc!

>>5633054
It's good Sapso got us those blueprints. It doesn't look like they're leaving any traps in the hallways or lying about where people can stumble into them. But I think I have an inkling where we'd need to be careful - you obviously have SOME kind of intruder alarm and defensive system in the Rainbow Records and the Ward Projects, right?

>Likely trapped areas highlighted!

>>5633072
Once we have the information we need we can get out fast. But it'll be faster if we prepare a few boats around the place, and wire up a single-use burn-cant of wind or momentum. I have some iron plates for that purpose around here. Pen will help you find some good spots for the boats. Once we're in them and ready to go, simply grab the plate and finish the incantation on them. And we're off.

>Ink /might/ have a quick getaway here
>Two escape boats added!

>>5633189
Blood has a LOT of iron in it, but not quite so much as some people think. Sadly the Records Metallurgical are closed at the moment - the pups are sitting final projects, and from the sound of the banging and the clanging and the occasional screaming they're building some BIG things in there.

It is still very useful for us to know a little more about the place, though. And it looks like Dr. Bel and his graduate students have just finished a rather large delivery for the Hounds. Something about new model boostkits. That's absolutely worth a look.

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Great work so far, everyone. Almost makes up for all the spiders.

Based on Lamia's general knack and feel, and some of Rions and Eventides scouting we have a rough idea where most of the sigil and mechanical traps will be. clearly, in the defended sections. I'll have Quill prepare some equipment for defusal.

There are, it seems, FOUR Semaphore signal towers. Large mirrors with lights, see, they'll send blinking signals to the shoreside and that'll bring the curious a-coming. They're reliable and great for all weather, but that's because the system is not meant to ward off intruders. They're mirrors - see. Easily breakable. Thanks Ryona. Being able to get a feel for how they work will help us disable them if we need to. Due to a good bit of skulking, I think we have a faultline in their general model we can use if need to.

Our disguises won't get much better than this unless you really push for it. That might take some teamwork.

Now, the green tokens on the map represent the rough amount of unknown information for that section. Larger is more, smaller is less. We've got our points of entry, a better idea of what we're up against, and Breaker is even preparing a way out. Good work.

Now, let's narrow down what we're here for, and what might spring out to surprise us. Speaking of surprise us, our Whispermarket Friends are trying to round up what happened over the last year here, but it'll take a while. And while you're all going through final prep, I should tell you about the guards

==Luperni==
Escalation 2
Disguise 4comes with 2 free ranks of PoliticoIdentiPostwaveLitAnalysis... what?


==crew==
+1 Merciful
+2 Mercenary
-1 Dangerous
+2 Lawbreakers

>Prep Phase 2!

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Rolled 7, 10, 2, 7, 1, 3, 9, 8 = 47 (8d10)

Once again we're ... lucky? The Luperni have only a small allotment of guards, and their job is to watch the Rainbow Records and the Shipping near the Metallurgical Records. Should be about 6 Biters. Swords, light shields, and Luperni Light Boost kits.

The rest is all students and staff! Incredible.

However, I don't think it's going to be all easy because it turns out the Luperni make up by not having that many guards by - for some reason only the bright grand stirling FIRE in the SKY knows - having a garrison-honour-guard of a voidtinged, sigilcursed, sandal-stomping, four-times-over-decorated, Decani of Legion Command's hardest skullcrackers.

WHY

This is so, so, SO far beyond what a normal library needs - even one that stores grand secrets of a hundred years and the riches of the Luperni! - that it beggars my otherwise pretty fanciful mind.

You don't ask Scholae-Palatines with their names written in the pillars of salt in the House of Loyalty to sit and guard a bunch of book-lovers. This guy should be leading three-hundred times as many troops in small bids to take over countries for sport.

I also know that Legio Oculus is not a standard Legio formation. Those lads and ladies are counter-intelligence specialists.

... Which, uh, not to put too fine a point on it, means there's a small diplomatic representation of Legion High Command's finest thiefcatchers just hanging about the library we're about to break in to.

Sometimes, I think the Saints are punishing me for perceived slights.

The only good news I can think to in all this is that there is absolutely no way, utterly preposterously impossible, more likely to find good beer in Pyther, that they're here because of us. I mean, we're pretty slick? But we're definitively not " Ask a Theurge Splendid to make sure we don't steal a book" slick.

I wonder why they're here...

It's a LONG shot, but do we still have some of that Flutter wine?

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Now, the Luperni Biters we know already. Because of all the water and because their main duty is escorting drunk scholars back to bed, these guards won't be wearing heavy armor

(contrast with the Legio - I think they sleep in the stuff).

Like our Strikers, they've got boostkits. But it looks like their models aren't up to spec. I assume that Dr. Bel might have some personal models he hasn't offered them, so maybe they've got a trick or two we don't understand just yet. You've fought this lot before and they weren't that scary then - they won't be THAT scary now, either.

Just... Don't let them surround you! Then they get MEAN!

Rolled 10, 3, 8, 6, 6, 10, 5 = 48 (7d10)

>>5634625
Uhh sure we can look for it later, my mind's not all that solid and I hear the Stranger In Yellow causes some fairly adverse effects on people so I might have to plug my ears but I'd still love to watch you recite it.

>As Sir Cavall, try to see if I can make a request from the library to have them make me gear. Negotiations 4 + Stalwart 3 = 7 Dice
>First request is a Mace, I'll tentatively name it Leal. 0W, 2F, 2 Pain and Crits Stun. Willing to pay 1 Iron Ingot and 6 Bits
>Second request is an incredibly light helmet that won't get in the way at all. Basically non-custom fitted armor with no penalty dice. This one's for Fulton, he's willing to pay the other Iron Ingot and basically a blank cheque on bits so long it's reasonable, the focus is just something with no penalty dice even if the armor's low.

Rolled 3, 8, 10, 9 = 30 (4d10)

>>5634701
Now, if I were to have a gang of badasses guarding a library, I'd put them...
>figure out where guard locations and patrol routes are most likely to be (tactics+cunning)
Now, I'm cooking something of a theory myself (blame that stupid philosophy class Etch made me sit through).
If the guards ain't patrolling where it's supposed to make sense (to me, at least)... wouldn't they be guarding some top spooky shit? They sleep in the damn project containment section, guys; they aren't here to guard against us or other kinds of larceny hearts, they're there to keep whatever is in containment IN.
...
Let's hope whatever we're looking for isn't there.

Rolled 3, 2, 1, 2 = 8 (4d10)

>>5634684
>Use Horizon Tongue to Intuit the location of the astrological records we are looking for from the library. There may not be an organized system, but that doesn’t mean there’s no better way than random searching. Perhaps the library itself might lend us a hand. If Intuition is insufficient to narrow it down, Communicate with the Library. (Scavenger 3 + Manipulation 1)

Rolled 4, 2, 8, 9 = 23 (4d10)

>>5634684
>Figure out a bit more about the Greyside Observatory. Primarily it's structure and how it looks like and secondarily the focus of research for the past year until now~ish. Perhaps they had an announcement put out for the need of researchers for a specific study
>Focus 2
>Use Sense 3 and Cunning 1 to form the dice pool. Not sure what else can add.

#Max 'Breaker', Scourge 4

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 3 Authority 1 Limit 4
Cunning 1 Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 Focus 2

Attune 3, Tactics 2, Parry 4, Acrobatics 2

!Beacon
!Incant
!Weaver
!Many Voices

[R] Shiv, 0P, Bleed 9+
[L] Messer, 0W, Crits Bleed
[A] Stylish Robes, +1 Fashion
[H] Red Scarf
[Tools] Silver Needle Kit (Magnitude 1, 2+S Range) {FORCE}{AIR}
[Sling Bag]: 6 Bits

>>5634831
One on duty, one on de-stress and one on downtime sounds to me like there's one group guarding the boat, one group in the boat, armoured up but playing cards, and one group wandering the library, out of armor (except the legio). 6 biters guarding the loading docks and the room we're after; that platform outside the records looks tight, so maybe only two there? One on the roof? They have boostgears
That half-platforms next to the Arrivals must've been the dorms, look they're taking boats over there to work on it.

>>5634842
In the rainbow archive, I bet. The Atlas is quite rainbow-y.

What if we just got into the rainbow archive and did our vanishing trick? No need to look for one specific book then, just take the whole lot.

>>5634853
Yeah yeah I'm aware.
But we need to know where they are in this library. If we bump into those decani, they might blow our entire cover. Counterintelligence and all. No good.
I'm not too worried about the biters. Buncha chumps, they are.

>>5634853
>>5634859
Good thinking you two - I agree with you. I think we can about work out where the guards will be now we know WHO they will be. But your assessment is fundamentally correct. "Destress" is a Legio term, some-what of a joke. They're both playing cards and destressing and ready to respond to distress. The ones on down time will be wildcards. Hard to know if a Pathfinder likes Poetry and we'll find one in the stacks.

And yes, the they are taking boats over to work on the dorms being rebuilt. Good intuition there, Bloom.

As for heisting a whole building, we could just about manage a boat and make it out in one piece. I don't think I can pull of a building. But. . . Your idea has merit, in a different way.

We have a ship and these are all platforms. They're anchored to each other but fundamentally they're artifice and they float.

We could steal the Rainbow Records if we wire it up correctly and sever it's connections to the library, then make our get-away.

>>5634860
I think we'd need our force and wind scourges working overtime to produce the plates to do that, we'd need to take out the signal towers and the boats they could chase us with too. And that Librarian, I don't want to know what they can do with 'sense every connected like tile' and the entirely wooden platforms (and entirely water ocean).

>>5634866
Luckily, Soilsouls don't do well with water. Unluckily, your other assessment is correct. Makoti would be quite dangerous on any platform she's on.

We could get away if there was some kind of distraction, of course. Like an emergency on shore or something that drew their attention. If we make it to open waters, our ship should be able to outlast any pursuers around these parts.

But what kind of thing would distract an entire Library long enough? I'll have to Think About It

>>5634869
A distraction huh? What if we made whatever was im containment… not in containment?

>>5634890
Sounds dangerous to the students and staff. What if Evens camouflaged some regular wasps as those man-eating wrathps and caused a panic that way?

>>5634890
I hope they're not keeping something in there that shouldn't be in there. If... They were and it got loose?

Yeah. That's a distraction. It'd keep them all real busy. And likely involve the locals and the nearby legion garrison and all sorts of interesting, dangerous people. But that's only if they're keeping something dangerous in there and I don't think they would. I hope they wouldn't. Right. Riiiiight.

Wow I'm not convincing myself at all!

>>5634896
That would spread more localised panick, yes, definitively. They've already had one Hiving incident so they must be on watch for more. It'd make everyone focus on keeping the Wratsps where they're meant to be.

Rolled 3, 6, 5, 5 = 19 (4d10)

>>5634701
>Figure out if anyone is allowed to nap in the banana grove. (Authority2+Cunning1+Manipulate1)

>>5634907
Or our woeharts could alter some local life to *look* like a wrasp, whatever those look like. Might last longer, and frees up the moths.

Rolled 3, 8, 7 = 18 (3d10)

>>5634684
If this is the idea, we'll want to trade those favors for a distraction shoreside.
> Put my Cunning and... Sense? towards planning 3d10

>>5634664
Inks, this is horrifying. Why did you let me do this? I don’t even like spiders, and now one is tied up in my fate. Or am I tied up in spider fate? Really ought to be a manual of things one shouldn’t do with magic, some sort of rules and guidelines.

Am I going to die when it dies? Am I going to start craving bugs and knitting sacred arachnid geometry? I think I’m going to be sick.

>>5634943
Probably you won't die! Uh, but we should get some flies just in case. Fateweaving is one of those wobbley things. I bet there'll be a book on this!

> Infiltrate the Semaphone signal towers, break the mechanisms mounting the mirrors, then fix them *just* enough so that they appear to be functional but will drop from their dangerously loosened moorings when next adjusted - hopefully shattering the delicate mirrors in the process. In Eventide's experience, this tactic is highly effective - destroying a security system while simultaneously providing a believable scapegoat for the downage. While the entomist hasn't deployed this mode of sabotage on such a large installation before, he's reasonably confident that he can wing the specifics. The main hitch will likely be avoiding the notice of the sentries manning these observation posts - but this is a problem which he (and his dust-dappled friends) are well-equipped to handle. (Stealth4+3Buzzmind(Mothswarm Obfuscation)+Edge5)

---

#Cyrus 'Eventide', Scavager
RES 10
[STA 6] // [SPD 3]
[React 1] // [Resist 1] // [Rebuff 1]
[Sense 3] // [Authority 1] // [Cunning 1]
[Brawn 1] // [Manipulate 1] // [Edge: 5]

{BuzzMind 3} // {Stealth 4} // {Streetsmarts 2}

!Endless Eyes - You can [Sense] from Insects
!Ten Billion Friends - Exert deft control over masses of insects. Directing them to tiles within [Sense] range.

[R] // --
[L] // --
[A] // (Seasilk Coat) // 1 Stealth // Storage 10
[H] // --
[Tools]
(1 => 4 Bits)
(Skitterhouse Jar) // Can contain 6 Insects // Sealed // Reinforced
(Akotin Mothjar) // Can contain (12+Buzz) Insects
--(5 Mothswarm) // Illusion 1
(Webhome) // Can contain 10 Insects // Flammable
--(8 => 7 Sea Sultans) // Web 2, Poison 2

>>5634943
>>5634947
But yes, in slightly overdoing it with the Sigildry we have once again violated the strictures of the world. You've Twisted your fate around and into the little arachnid. You're linked, with a strength of [7]. Further, there's a minor alignment problem in your sense-of-self, you've a little too much Spider in you. That's the Spiderlinked condition. That's maybe unfortunate nomenclature but it has little to do with the active Linking with the spider, it's a link between your destiny itself and the fate of spiders in general. Wasps will ... dislike you and flies will be around you and the little quirks of the world conspire to treat you how such things are normally treated.

But at least spiders in general will like you more.

You can let the sigildry defray over time, but that's where the [7] comes in - it's bound up tight in your soul and will be a while in fading, but it will fade over time. It can be actively severed by reducing its effective strength.

Still, until it does, you and your little spider-friend are Twistbonded. Little quirks of fate are shared. Cause and Effect gets a little less set. The strength of the Link ([7]) is how much complication and consequence and complication it can shunt back and forth and displace in one turn. It's a mutual byway, that's how these links work, unless they're tempered and warded. Things that might be your bad luck can be the Sea Sultans, and likewise. But also things that could be your grand fortune might befall the Sea Sultan. And likewise.

You can leave the Link to its own devices, and it'll adjust your luck randomly or actively use it on your turn by Tugging it. That's like this:

>[1Sta] Tug link to SeaSultan, STR 7

Now you're intentionally trying to offload the following complications to the little scurrying thing. It's like a defensive action, but for your gambling addiction. Any further oddities, the link spreads between you and the spider.

You can even do it intentionally if you have some built up bad Luck, simply.

>[1Sta] Tug Link to SeaSultan, shunt over 3 curse.

Now, you might be tempted to try something like

>[1Sta] Tug Link, STR 7: give it my next 7 misses

And that's clever, since by giving it your misses you'll think you hit something, yes? But won't quite work like you think - you perhaps do something, miss, and then pass the miss on. You've already missed, and now your foul luck is also on the Spider. . . who will also miss. The link can't invert reality, or alter time, it can adjust fates of events that are not-yet-resolved.

if your link-contact was sentient, you could try to share luck by one participant giving accuracy to the other. but you're linked with a spider who hates all of creation. That's your other problem? On its turn, the predatory little thing is likely to try and eat your luck.

>[1Sta] Steal critical hits from Link-contact, STR 7

>>5635001
Well, personally I would have asked the sappers or the strikers or the stalkers who understand mechanics how to sabotage the semaphores subtly, but I suppose the man with all the spiders might be... Quiet as he sneaks around four heavily guarded posts, hunted by spiders and moths, in a facility guarded and warded by a legio detachment, and full of very clever engineering students.

I, uh. Eventide, uhm.

They'll have that fixed four minutes from now. They do systems checks two times a day. Half this station is materials research graduates. The other half is apparently improbable biology students. They know the taste-tell of moth-hallucinations.

Good spirit though! We'll have to try something a little more permanent or timed with our operation to knock those semaphores out for GOOD.

But at least with your scouting of the rooms, we now know their contents, scale and how the mechanism looks. That's quite useful. And they really are some what fragile if you simply break the lenses. Not to mention they need a manual operator right there going through the entire system.

It looks they aren't even permanently manned because there's not enough guards.

Rolled 1, 2, 7, 5, 4, 6 = 25 (6d10)

>>5634684
>Ryona attempts to assasinate Last Dance Before the Arrows Land and disappear the body. A liked teacher's disappearance should provide some distraction for when the time comes to infiltrate the library [Stealth4(+1)+Skulker2]

Rolled 3, 4, 5, 5, 3, 8, 9 = 37 (7d10)

>>5634684
>>5634625
>Send a message through the aid of our Spider friends (urgh) to a gullible student. Impersonating a ranking (not High ranking but more then he would be) professor of the facility the message reads: (Message is actually too long for 4chan so I might have to post it after)


>Give this to Ink for review and correction. Perhaps even add-ons and send through Spider via Eventides help with 5 Bits: Use !Smooth Operator for this action: (Operations (Impersonation) 3+Focus 2+Manipulate 2 add a {Beffudle} effect from Smooth Operator)

!Smooh Operator: Add Manipulation as a Third Dicepool, 1/turn, hits also Befriend, Befuddle or Bolster

Befriend is useful if you're among hostiles
Befuddle misdirects and lies, building stories
Bolster helps allies get motivated or shake off fatigue
#Etch, Scavenger (Operative-Pathfinder)

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 2 [Focus 2]
Academics-2

Operations-3, Marksman-3, Secret Pouches-2, Observation-2

!Under The Covers
!Smooth Operator
!Good Enough For Government Work

[R]Model 73 Modenkaini (range 9, 1d10+3, P, Silent, 1/1 ammo, rld 2Sta)
[L]
[A]Worn Pathfinder Fatigues (+1 Spd, [Res] Enviro DR, 12 Filter, 2 Pockets)
[H]
[c7 Service Knife-1W, Traps 1][2 Bits]

>>5634625
>>5635088
"Dear recipient of this message (Do not worry I will know who my spider as chosen to send this letter to. Note: DO NOT PET THE SPIDER),

I beseech you to aid me for a coming lecture and experiment coming this week. As you are probably unaware a retinue of scholars are coming to give a lecture and present an experiment for the eccentric field of New Wave Modern Post Traditional Identifiablecopolitical Philosophical. You do not have to worry too much about how it's said. It eventually rolls off the tongue.

For the purpose of this lecture we at our prestigious establishementhave drafted a list of books, records, archive, memoirs and thesis that they may consult.

For you dear student, your assignement is to simply acquire the location of said books, records, memoirs, charts, etc... that the Scholar Delegation will be able AND unable to consult at the time of their visit, organise a list and send it back ASAP through this spider.
-The Basics of Wards
-Iconotheurgy for losers
-Records of Leviathian sightings (choose both recent and eldest record)
-Atlas Improbable Record (this may be incorrectly spelled)
-The different Icons
-A book written by a Decani
-Lanterns: To slay the dark and kill the monster. A book on the Perfect Circle and Investigation
Note: Add 2 books of your choice

If a person is in possession of said book, please list it too and where they usually hang around. A bit of sleuth work but doesn't have to be too extensive. You are no Lantern and I am not sending you to slay beasts of the Dark. (That would be irresponsible)

I digress, for your labour dear student I am giving you some funds, 2 bits now to get you started and 3 bits when you return with a finished list to the spider. The more detailed your work the more chance to send you additionnal funds for your diligence and recommend you for a grant in one of the subjects you seem to have excelled in. For now I can guarantee you that a commendation from Dr Bel, Ph, Ag, Or is in line and I have already secured you the achievement of the rare rating of 'Acceptable' by instructor Last Dance Before The Arrows Land.

You are welcome to have been given such a task for so much but be aware that I thank you. It's not said enough that we APPRECIATE YOU here at the Library Lupern. (Do not gloat about this around. We loathe such behaviour at here. Gloating will result in immediate arrest, ban off the premises and being failed in all subjects!)

->You have until tomorrow (insert a better delay depending on when we go in) to complete this task with UTMOST AUTONOMY and you are required to not ask for assistance from anyone besides your own soulscrap or an animant of your creation (AS IF!)

Regards

-Professor Magister

p.s. DO NOT PET THE SPIDER and Return your list WITH THIS LETTER WITH YOUR SIGNATURE. I will come to meet you on the day of the visit to congratulate you further bearing gift"

Rolled 4, 9, 2, 1 = 16 (4d10)

>>5634625
>Get a job as a Gardener
>Streetsmarts 2 + Manipulation 2, try to figure out what sort of expensive plants can be stolen. I heard something about bloodmoss that might be useful.

Rolled 3, 10, 3, 1 = 17 (4d10)

>>5634684

>Sing up and participate on Last Dance Before The Arrows class to figure out just how strong she is. (Unarmed 2 + Sense 2)
If someone wants me to act as their guard i think it might make this go smoother but it's most likely not necessary
One way or another this is goin to hurt someone.

# Rion 'Leone', Scavenger 3 (Twitchy, Dangerous)
RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 2 Manipulate 1 Violence 2
Streetsmarts 2 Attune 1
Skills:
+2 Acrobatics
!Urban Mobility: Get a Jump-stat of 1+1/2 Ranks, Jump this far with 2 SPD when moving or with 1 Sta when standing still.
+2 Unarmed
!Wetwork: Hits give Thrown bonus
!Nervestrike: Half hits, strike Cripples limb.
+2 Thrown
!Wetwork: Hits give Unarmed bonus
!Pocket Sand: Impair front-arc
!Fistful: +1Ammo for +1 Target.
Perk:
Unarmed combat skill
!Havoc: -2, hits also control target hands
Scav skill
!The Ratfriend Paths:[Scav + Sense] to locate caches or Very Hidden Things. 1sta 2Fatigue [Scav + Manipulate] hits to attempt to acquire a consumable
[R] Silkhand Gauntlets (2Pain, 2Grab, Cling)
[L]
[A] Shadecloak (+1 Dodge, Length 2)
[H] Mothmask 2/2 (10 Filtration, 3x3 Smoke, 2 Ammo)
[Tools] Bandolier of Sharp Sharps 6/6 (Bleed and Pin, Flurry: -1 Ammo for +1Hit, Restock 1)
+1 {Sharp, Non-descript Sword}
-2 Accuracy, 4Bleed, Crits Escalate
Fragile 2
1Bit

You got space for another?

Rolled 1, 9, 1, 4, 2, 8, 9, 9, 3 = 46 (9d10)

>>5634672
>Bring Stylus to meet Makoti.
>Sign up for the lectures. Actually go if I have Time.
>Set the Ticking Timepiece to alert me so I don't miss the exam.
>Drink some Caffeinated Student Beverage. But just a little bit, and not the blue stuff. Just enough to remind Brain that Exam Time is near.
>Discuss self-contained watersheds and self-recycling irrigation systems with Makoi. Have they tried the old compacted fecal matter trick to push back the edges of the desert? The proto-clay locks in the water to keep it from Descending into the sands and allows the establishment of vegetation.
>If given the chance, also discuss potential locations for Rainbow Restoration and the likely impact on the local ecosystems. Has one of the students already done a theory paper on this?
>Go sit for the exam. [Focus 2 + Anatomy 3 = 5 dice.]
>After the exam, give into the rich dark temptation of Coffee. As a reward. Yes. A reward for doing so well on my exam that I haven't rolled dice for yet. Who needs to wait for grade? I'm sure I did fine.
>Rapidly fill out the License Renewal paperwork and pay the renewal fee. Those license boards don't really care about what classes you took. They just want the money. Pay da monies.
>Monopolize Makoti's time talking about their work here. [Academics 2 + Woeheart 2 + Nerve Artisan Tools 2? - rolling 4 dice]. Get to know Makoti & their works.
>Ask for cuttings of the interesting plants. Especially bloodmoss or another regenerative bio-lattice since I have a use for that. Bamboo would also work.
>If Makoti shows me any Fun Water, store it in Friend Blade.
>Invite Makoti to dinner on our boat for further discussion. (not saying this out loud, but please don't murder Makoti on our boat. She has important bio-restoration work to do).

>>5635227
Always and forever, friend.

>>5635227
Come join in! It's always good to have new people, join the adventure friend.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

>>5635227
Get In while it it's still fresh!

>>5635227
https://discord.gg/asd69k9ssh

Here, join the discord if you want since Trigger's got some real confusing for character creation and having people to ask questions makes character creation much easier.

Pick a class and join up. Feel free to ask questions.

Rolled 3, 8, 8, 1, 10, 7, 6, 6, 9, 2, 2, 7, 5 = 74 (13d10)

>>5634684
All right, spider-related complications aside, we’re in business. Lots of plans in motion, I’m sure somebody else will find the records. If not we'll figure it out on the go. How hard can it be?

I’m heading dockside to stir up some new gizmos. We’ll see if I can’t source somebody that can point out the quality shipments (Connections) and then connive a way for it to end up in my pocket (Cunning). Such a learned man as Mimic ought to have little difficulty determining the application and value of esoteric gearsets or goods (Thesis Defense Academics).

>Search Material Handling/Shipping for cool gear.
>Use Thesis Defense to add academics and shunt complications with the Fateweaver Spider if applicable. Doing this at Reckless 3 if Spiderbro is a go.
>Cunning3+Connections2+Academics8 for 13d10. Knowledge on hits.

>>5635227
As the grinning gaggle of crewmen shout, yes. I could use one more hand. Odds are someone is going to be short on end of the day.

File: Your Squire Needs Replacement.jpg (383 KB, 1636x883)

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>>5634716
Sir cavall, thou grace our forge with fine request and thy bring from distant shores worthy materials to fashion for a Stalwart of you repute and glory a weapon worthy of war.

But I pray it is not imprudent of one forgeheart such as I when one inquires:

Be thy Squire in need of punishment? Thou say he desires, in order:

A helmet so light as to be of no impediment
Yet
It muststh remain protective enough to earn the title "helmet"
yet be nary heavy, not loud nor confining nor indiscrete. And this wonder of the armouring arts thou wishes made from iron and steel, not clouds and skies and hopes and drearms?
But ofth this budget he pledges all that he has yet but so long the price in the end be reasonable?
A helmet that doth not get in the way, yet, armor serves such its purpose when it but does get in the way of impediments on lifes path.

Sirrah, we shall your fine mace have fashioned in but a week and shall at our own cost wright for thee a whip such that you may punish your mendacious squire, for such an accoutrement as he desires does not find its place beneath the Empyreal Eye.

Albeit, having said these words, Mechanical Soul Bel does a challenge adore. I shall forward thy request to him and he may once again astound us all with his cunning.

>I guess they're making a mace, then
>and.. hm.

Rolled 9, 2, 9, 5 = 25 (4d10)

>Discreetly follow the student that receives Etch's letter, expecting that asking about the records of the Atlas Improbable may get them taken in for questioning. If that seems to be happening, cause a "drunken" disturbance to allow their escape. Streetsmarts+Authority 4d
>Or, possibly, make the call to snatch and escape with the evidence. Boost2(+2 Sapper) + React 6d

>>5634831
>>5634842
>>5634851
[5hits]
Bingo.

Dr. Bel has a private collection and guess where he keeps it? Greydrip Observatory. He's not a teaching fellow - so he has time to engage in private work. Guess where the guards are not allowed? Greydrip. Guess where the guards are?

Two Biters Rainbow Outside
Two Biters Rainbow Inside
Two Biters Metallurgy
Igniter #1 - Arrivals
Igniter#2 - Ward Project
Igniter #3 - Downtime.

And guess, finally, what assistance in a specialist subfield Dr. Bel has been asking about for the last year?

celestial mechanics.

I think we have an idea of where the most relevant place to look for the logs we need will be. It looks like Dr. Bel is engaged in private research in the nature of stars and the movements they make. Which is precisely the kind of thing that means he'll have pulled everything else over there and stored for his perusal.

And the guards are not allowed near his private laboratory in the old observatory? Even better. Fantastic work people.

>>5634911
They even provide you WITH hammocks and FREE bananas and there's an inbuilt system for providing balmy temperatures and the water in the fountain is DRINKABLE whaaaaaaaaaa

Those gardens are incredible!

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>>5635045
past the guards, the wards, lie in wait, skulk, approach through the water, up the side of the building. Wait for a clear line of advance. The rain rolls in, storms rocking the boats, distant thunder. Perfect. Muffles sounds, kills evidence. Oh no, someone slipped and fell in the waters, how sad, this happens. Perfect.

Skulk, stalk, away, wrapped in warm winds that keep out the sleet and rain. And then - there - now - the target turns a corner, opens a door, goes out to soak in the spray of the rain and the dance of the waves. Slip out the door, slip in the knife or the arrow and slip away. Easiest day in this job in weeks.

Ah, you are late

draw dagger aim at throat throw-- wait, she's not referring. . . to you?

>1/2

File: Thunder.jpg (437 KB, 1305x994)

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a distant peal of thunder

Silent steps approach,
Raindrops masking the assassin,
Dancer's last duet.

File: Stormdancer1.jpg (415 KB, 1142x1148)

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there are some things worth dying for

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3472Q6kvg0

good. now fight.

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>>5635157
the high sun lends its warmth through the fine glass. nutrients stir in the soil. things sing in harmony.

this facility has a full crop of shimmergrass, inducer of dreams and opener of ways. a single strand of grass fetches no small price on the open market and a full growth field such as this would be a bounty if harvested.

in their little dome the Wrackentree stand majestic, stoic, quiet. Their rule is absolute and in the shadows beneath their heavy limbs the angles are sharper, the soil softer, the world somehow more solid. This is the effect that Makoti is is studying - the innate strainshifiting of Wrackentrees. Somehow they absorb the Strain of the vast Wrackwinds that blow from the Sarethian Deeper Wastes, filtering it, sequestering it, crystalising it in beads of sap that harden into rainbow almost-gems. And in small areas near their influence, both the topsoil and the rules of reality-as-it-ought-to-be survives, grows, thrives. Their hardy demeanour shelters lesser plants and their natural appetite for Strain protects others from mutative influence.

Remarkably peaceful. Beneath those leaves, be assured that Sigildry would be heavily restricted.

( as for Bloodmoss and others, Makoti and the two Garden Supervisors mention The Shed and its many seeds. They have planted a crop of Bloodmoss, to help with medicine. But they are growing slowly. To find seeds for more, one would need to go to The Shed.

No one goes to The Shed
The other gardeners stare at the ground instead
The Shed is two platforms away, nestled in the platform, and it is where they store the Scariest Crows. No one likes to go near The Shed.)

Hard work to get Wrackentrees to take root and grow outside the Kalcmiri coast. Imagine if this trick could be multiplied: Slow and sure, over the years, filtering systems of forestry could dot the landscape and each little growth would aid the great work in stabilsing the world.

Is this the plan?
This is certainly an ambition and a secret worth sharing on the Whispermarkets.

Rolled 2, 1, 1, 5, 10, 6, 3 = 28 (7d10)

>>5634684
>Bother some long lost relation/friend (or someone who does have one of those) within the Library to suss out where the likeliest locations and paths of the guard rotas (especially of the legio) will be come time for the "event". (Connections2+Etiquette3+Authority2?)
I hope I'm doing this right.

#Fleyn, Stalwart 2

RES 12
STA 5 SPD 2
React 1 Resist 2 Rebuff 1
Sense 1 Authority 2 Cunning 1
Brawn 3 Manipulate 1 Focus 2
[Stoic]
[Disciplined]

Etiquette-3 | Longblades-2 | Connections-2

!Mountain Motion (1Sta: Add Resist to Armor or Armor to Wpn Dmg)
!Challenge! (+1Sta adds +1 AoE on social rolls. +1 Glory if you defeat a taunted target.)

[R] Woodbreaker (Regalia, 2Hand, 1W, 1Reach, Crits Cleave)
[L]
[A] Masscast Plate (Regalia, 3 Armor, -1 SPD, Brittle)
[H]
[Tools]
Inventory: 9 Bits

>>5635512
couldn't have done it better myself. And you're in luck - we're about out of time to Prep so it may soon be time for the real job. The big job.

>>5635512
Ahh finally another Stalwart brother, we should duel each other some time.

>>5635532
Two stalwarts and about ten seconds and you have a duel. It's incredible. Never fails.

>>5635419
Uhhh
Uhm
I... what? I t-think she wants you to fight. Ryona, Rion, figure something out.

>You can both take a Response action

>>5635512
Toby cheats and adds etiquette to everything, you should only get two per thing until you copy Tobys notes and get all 'Eloquent in Motion' too.
Welcome aboard! Be very careful not to fall into the water.

>>5635605
>>5635605
Lies, I cheat and add Negotiations to everything. Honestly Eloquence in Action is one of those perks pretty much everyone can take like Deep Reserves and Like Liquid Lightning.

>>5635419
>>5635194
>[Instincts] Not all is lost. Ryona engages Rion in a light spar, using her senses to prod Last Dance's defenses. Once she sees an opening, Ryona will strike the Steelsoul together with Rion, using smoke mask to their advantage and pulling out the hidden Flickerblade.
[CQC2 + Skulker2 + Sense3]

>>5635419

>Seems like a sparring match is about to begin against what seems to be prepared and capable fighter. Put down the sword.
>Gauntlets ready mind clear focused ... excited.
>>5635674
>Encage to battle with probing strikes. Opponent also seems to gauge situation.
>Thrill of battle exchange of blows and smoke? Opponent moved away.
....
>Escape was made mind screams to strike you can feel direction when this close it's towards Last Dance.
>... Strike towards Last Dance YOUR opponent
>Rion you idiot you lost control. You got too excited and let your self run wild
>realize what you did. Come to your senses and apologise what you did.
[Thrown 2 + Unarmed 2] (Sharps: Bleed 2, Gauntlets: Grap2) Assault Last Dance with Sharps and grapple her


# Rion 'Leone', Scavenger 3 (Twitchy, Dangerous)
RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 2 Manipulate 1 Violence 2
Streetsmarts 2 Attune 1
Skills:
+2 Acrobatics
!Urban Mobility: Get a Jump-stat of 1+1/2 Ranks, Jump this far with 2 SPD when moving or with 1 Sta when standing still.
+2 Unarmed
!Wetwork: Hits give Thrown bonus
!Nervestrike: Half hits, strike Cripples limb.
+2 Thrown
!Wetwork: Hits give Unarmed bonus
!Pocket Sand: Impair front-arc
!Fistful: +1Ammo for +1 Target.
Perk:
Unarmed combat skill
!Havoc: -2, hits also control target hands
Scav skill
!The Ratfriend Paths:[Scav + Sense] to locate caches or Very Hidden Things. 1sta 2Fatigue [Scav + Manipulate] hits to attempt to acquire a consumable
[R] Silkhand Gauntlets (2Pain, 2Grab, Cling)
[L]
[A] Shadecloak (+1 Dodge, Length 2)
[H] Mothmask 2/2 (10 Filtration, 3x3 Smoke, 2 Ammo)
[Tools] Bandolier of Sharp Sharps 6/6 (Bleed and Pin, Flurry: -1 Ammo for +1Hit, Restock 1)
+1 {Sharp, Non-descript Sword}
-2 Accuracy, 4Bleed, Crits Escalate
Fragile 2
1Bit

>>5635730
Also just to be sure use
>!Wetwork: Hits give Unarmed bonus, Hits give Thrown bonus

Rolled 2, 2, 5, 1 = 10 (4d10)

>>5634684
>Wake up early before the operation and try to make some snacks for the later. Maybe ask Quill or Pen for help the day before? Or maybe the Strikers? Etiquette 3 + Cunning 1.

Is it dead?

>>5638385
(QM just ran into some IRL stuff, but he's said he'll be processing Soon™ (about 10-12 hours).)

>>5638385
Happens around here with ANNOYING regularity! If it ain't spiders in the office it's scourges flipping up into down and making people hear purple and don't get me started on what about happens every time we have to find a Special Kind of Sword around here.

But that all said, no siree, no one's dead. Yet. I mean, I have my professional doubts about Ryona and Rion...

File: Office Hours7.jpg (284 KB, 1035x817)

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>>5636418
OH HEY DOC, MY FELLOW SCHOLAR, I SEE YOU INVITED A VISITOR ON THE SHIP THAT YOU AND I USE TO TRAVERSE THE HIGH SEAS AND STUDY SCHOLARLY THINGS. YES
WHAT A BRILLIANT IDEA THAT YOU DID THAT BECAUSE I AM OF COURSE ALWAYS WILLING AND HAPPY AND DELIGHTED TO MEET FELLOW RESEARCHERS

getinthecloset.

ME? UH. PROFESSOR EYEI NKAY, VANADIAN FREE, THEOPHILOSOPOSPHY SCULPTURAL EXPRESSION, hah ha ha a ha SO PLEASED TO MEET YOU

push, Breaker, push.

What? You're wondering about all these Sea Sultan specimens everywhere, yes, I wonder about those myself where did it all go wrong in my life I mean, I use them as . . . subjects for my . . . live... sculptures because they're so . . . interesting in the way that they're shaped. Ha ha ha, Spiders, they're delightful--- yes that is a genuine juvenile malichnid, lightspinner strain, and those are the faithful scrag dogs of my loyal assistant Ser Cavall which YES, VERY FINE EYE, is indeed why they're so o b v i o u s l y of Ashfall Island metal-mincer substrain, very distinctive grey hairs you say ha ha, well, you know, he got them from this associate of his, sir Psoglav--- yes yes yes indeed of course Professor Makoti, that is right your close personal friend Psoglavvvvv

how he is doing? He's doing . . .Well, great, fantastic, took up a new hobby in base jumping without a chute I MEAN: got really into decorative needlework.

Oh yes the Rainbow Sleeker, yes, natural interest, new specimen, re-population trials? I .... AM ALL FOR THAT, ha ha ha ha, of course, and the good Doctor there is absolutely too.

Yes. of course, you're right, we're absolutely here to apply for a grant to study the dynamics of rainbow sleeker reproduction and we really hoped you had some way of finding us maybe a viable breeding male?

swear to the Void if you don't all shut up in there I am going to light my office on fire, you won't feel a thing, it's already wired to go

And Doc has you wondering about the feasibility of biolattice and Aberrant Biology developmentssss of course he has I am not even surprise ahem I am so happy to hear you share *common* ground, you know my Doc, real . . . Soft moist squishy man for the wellfare of critters everywhere!

Now if you'll excuse me I have to get back to making live clay models of spiders to study late Hygean Iconographic depictions in her fourth generation invocation, can't spare a minute, all very fun stu--

.. .

. . .

. . Sorry, did you say pre-approved for a House of Hounds Scholarly Grant?

No no. No, I've got a minute. Ha ha ha ha ha, you know, spiders. They'll lie in wait I mean: keep.

File: Officehours8.jpg (289 KB, 1046x797)

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Huphey-huphey-- yes that IS a map of the library

you have remarkably keen eyes, Professor Makoti. Just . . . Frankly astoundingly keen senses.

It's because we were wondering where maybe we'd need to dock to get closest to the observatory and we were worried some other scholars had gotten here ahead of us. Now, when you say pre-approved for a grant is that something I can get in writing?

Yes I always carry pre-signed paperwork on my person. You don't? Saves a lot of time all around I find.

Interested in further idea-sharing and co-planning? With . . . Are you void-damnedseriousrightnowyouinsanemani-- iiiiconoclast. Yes.

I do agree with you that Decimus here is a pre-eminent scholar in his field. What field of study? Well you know, he's pre-eminent, eminent almost, I'd even call him posteminent at this stage, just, eminent all around and so he's not really constrained to the one thing or the other.

And. . . Supply of bloodmoss and chemicae reactants? Right, because you . . . also think. . . the appendix as a design could use some improvement?

Oh in the name of the STARS IN THE SKY, you're BOTH far, far too into changing the baseline physiology of the human species! You mad motherfu--fixers. Fixers. Of mothers. Because.. whole... biology thing. You know what I mean. So anyway, when you say grant you --

Yes that is indeed as a I said a juveline lightspinner malichnid, don't let it get your hands it bites. It... It doesn't bite. Because you're just petting the nightmare creature. Of course you are, Professor Makoti.

Very under developed venom sacs? Oh how can you tell? A h haaaa. No, I don't think we've been very strict on the diet, Cuddles here has mostly been eating the usual. You know. Rats. Seagulls. Fish. The occasional shark. Oh they normally predate on blastrats and meltfoxes? Which they can, you're quite sure of this, eat? Kalcmiri Meltfoxes? The ones that melt?

Ooooh that's how they build up their personal corrosion mixture. So you're saying I should be feeding this one more . . . volatiles. Aha. Yes. Well you're the Professor, professor.

So about this grant--- oh you don't like talking paperwork. Of course not. Tell you what, why don't we . . .

Doc, take Professor Makoti up on an exciting tour of all the horrifying ways the Sea Sultants are nesting in the mess-hall (This excites you?). I'll fill out some paperwork for you to just, maybe, add your name too, if you want, Professor Makoti?

Right, yes, we'll absolutely swing by your office later.

>Scored a Personal Invitation: Makoti's Office
>Scored: Mostly Complete House of Hounds Grant Paperwork

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Rolled 4, 9, 10, 1, 6, 10, 8, 9, 5, 3, 6, 10, 4, 4, 4, 7 = 100 (16d10)

>>5635730
>>5635674
[5 hits]

The platform creaks. Water laps against the boards. Knives are drawn

>1/2

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" No. "

Anyone with a blade can kill. It is, in the end, no harder than so many other slight insults to our fellow man

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Well, I take it no one will be graduating the Structure of an Unfair Fight lecture series this year.

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>>5636418
Well, I do like a good picnic basket. Delicious. I'm sure this will aptly motivating. And if we get ten minutes, we can maybe enjoy the Botanical Gardens?

>>5635391
>>5635111
>>5635088
You know, I wouldn't actually have expected the old " I'm A Rich Sarethian Noble, But Alas , My Funds . . . " trick to work. Let alone work so well.

And as it turns out they actually have a copy of Symmetrion's Wards & Wardens, apparently it's the premier into book on common ward gestures. And look, he even included a notation about where to find it in the reference section. The Luperni Records are hard to decipher but now we have a full listing the most common titles in each section - and that'll allow us to search for the books we DO want so much better.

And with a little bit of archival cross-referencing, we can even narrow down the location of the materials I need. Since our cunning-clever student hasn't included any mentions of any material on Stellar Mechanics at any other catalogue, it's clear to the light that Dr. Bel is hoarding it all in his private research lab.

He must have move them there from the general stacks and is using them to cross reference . . . Something. Etch, Jove, you did it!

That's the most likely location of the materials we need. Now, all we have to do is . . . go get them! Fantastic work!

==Luperni==
Escalation 12
Paranoia 2

==crew==
Disguise 4 comes with 2 free ranks of PoliticoIdentiPostwaveLitAnalysis... what?

Search 3

+3 Mercenary
+1 Dangerous
+4 Lawbreakers
---

>1/3

File: LightLoans1.jpg (5.61 MB, 5681x4244)

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This it, people. This is what all the work and focus and spiders lead to. Preparation all done, picnic basket all packed, shoes all tied, knives all sharpened.

You've done fine work - so we know where we're going. And if you end in a likely looking section, the list of materials Etch acquired for us will make searching much easier.

Now, for the insertion. We're lucky they're fairly happy-go-lucky about who shows up where in this place. Normally, we'd have to be more strict. . . But this time, I think we'll just pull it off the Water Way: Which is to say, drip and drop and wear away the stone.

We even know where the guards are! L for Legio, B for Biters. This . . . This is going to be great, I can feel it. juuuuust feel it.

INSERTION PHASE
check your gear, post final kits, then pick an insertion point and roll SPD.

Red Areas are considered contested - your rolls will be directly opposed by relevant parties. This doesn't mean that you'll die, mind you, it's just going to result in some awkward questions and some long looks.

Green Areas are considered Pre-Scouted - failure to insert successfully will be less problematic.

You can add Streetsmarts if you're being clever or if it's somewhere a little out the way.

You can add connections to insert somewhere by way of knowing a flunky or cashing in a favour. bring a little something.

In this instance, because we're in a library, anywhere with books Academic also helps (The Universe will add these if in doubt)

Tactical Leaders with Tactics can opt to designate a Rally Point - the GM will add your Tactics score as bonus dice to anyone else inserting in the same area. You can also pre-brief your team by rolling Tactics *once* to offer guidance on something.

( Remembering that your hits on Guidance is a direct boost to their skill-rolls to accomplish some directive )

LET'S GO!

Rolled 9, 10, 2, 1, 9 = 31 (5d10)

>>5638716
>deploy in the botanical gardens
>set up rallypoint in gardens
>ready pre-brief...
Righty. I know the stuff we need's out there, at the observatory, but I can't help but notice that there's only a handful of biters protecting the docks. I say here's the plan: me and a few hard souls slam the docks and such, half social deception, half bottled tornado...
Then in the smokescreen of chaos, a few of you sneaky-violent types make for the observatory. Should work out.
Remember, friends: pillage, THEN burn.

So, the plan's summat loik this, yeah? We finks them Atlas papers is in the Observatory, so it's a few of us on lookout while the rest 'it the place loik a sack o' bricks. Disarm traps, knock over the professor, grab us the goods, leg it for the boats Breaker and Ink arranged, job done.

Fings get complicated if we's got a greedy eye on the projects around the campus. Stuff loik the seed shed, the gadgets down in Shippin', or whatever the Legio are guardin'. Oi especially don't see 'ow Ink's new fundin' grant survives our mischief tonoight, but I ain't the bureaucrat type 'oo'd know.

Rolled 10, 8, 9, 2, 10 = 39 (5d10)

>>5638716
#Toby Lerone, Stalwart (Stout, Dangerous)RES 10
STA 6 SPD 3-1
React 2 Resist 3 Rebuff 1
Sense 1 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 3 Manipulate 1 [Violence] 3
Etiquette-Rank 3, Negotiation-Rank 4, Training 2
+Challenge
+Mountain Motion
+Eloquence In Action
+{Wrecking Ball} 1Sta: Throw yourself forward using Brawn, as a tackle.
[R]
[L]Faithful (2W, Crit Cleave, Blockbreaker 2)
[A]["Determined, Righteously",Sigilplate] 2 Armor, -1SPD !Eaglesoul: Add 1/3 Wounds to all physical acts!One Last War: Armor *also* negates Wound-complications
[H]Nothing
[Tools] 1 Bottle of Fine Pytherii Flutterwasp Wine, Picnic Basket (???)

>Insert into the Botanical Garden. SPD 3-ARM 2+Eloquence in Action:Negotiation 4?

>>5638748
Solid plan, Jove. I know this lot is rather tempting. There really is so much stuff here. And imagine it! A grant! Aaah, I wish.

Just . . . Keep it on the low-down. This is how you fail, isn't it - get overconfident that things are half a step too easy, shove tools in bags and fill the baggage with the getting while gettings good and WHAM, something out of sight comes half-a-blindsiding you.

We've got this. We juuuuuust need to avoid tripping over our own feet.

Rolled 3, 8, 1, 10, 9, 4, 5 = 40 (7d10)

>>5638716
>Take on the Disguise 4 with Ranks 2 of PoliticoIdentiPostwaveLitAnalysis
>Impersonation rank 1 (temp) given by Ink
>Deploy at the Arrivals (Speed+Focus)
>Set up the rally point there
>Ready that brief (Tactics 2)
Right, simple as. Whilst Sap and the others slam jam the Gardens in our case we make for the Observatory as convertly as we can. Heck. If I somehow manage to graduate in a day maybe that'll set a new record! In. Don't get caught.Take Record. Take some extra litterature. Out. Watch out for Sigiltraps and remember a modicum of what Etch and Ink taught us about NewPostModern Identicopolitical Philosophy...I think I actually said it right that time. Good? Lets get ourselves 'educated' lads.


#Max 'Breaker', Scourge 4

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 3 Authority 1 Limit 4
Cunning 1 Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 Focus 2

Attune 3, Tactics 2, Parry 4, Acrobatics 2

!Beacon
!Incant
!Weaver
!Many Voices

[R] Shiv, 0P, Bleed 9+
[L] Messer, 0W, Crits Bleed
[A] Stylish Robes, +1 Fashion
[H] Red Scarf
[Tools] Silver Needle Kit (Magnitude 1, 2+S Range) {FORCE}{AIR}
[Sling Bag]: 6 Bits

>>5638682
Rest in peace, great warrior.
>Make sure Last Dance is dead and close her eyes for the last time. Take her blue headband as a trophy and place it deep in my quiver, where no Luperni can see it. Do my best to clean up the murd- assassination scene with the limited time I have left. [Stalker2+Manipulate2]?
Will post my spawn point once I know where others go.
>>5635730
Don't beat yourself up Rion, you did a damn fine job. [React2+Cunning1] if she tries to hit me.

>>5638666
Under-developed venom sacs huh. Say, would Wratsps be included in a healthy Malichnid diet?

Rolled 8, 1, 10, 8, 4 = 31 (5d10)

>>5638716
> Deploy inside the cache in the zone to the [SE] of Arrivals (Speed3+Streetsmarts2)

---

#Cyrus 'Eventide', Scavager
RES 10
[STA 6] // [SPD 3]
[React 1] // [Resist 1] // [Rebuff 1]
[Sense 3] // [Authority 1] // [Cunning 1]
[Brawn 1] // [Manipulate 1] // [Edge: 5]

{BuzzMind 3} // {Stealth 4} // {Streetsmarts 2}

!Endless Eyes - You can [Sense] from Insects
!Ten Billion Friends - Exert deft control over masses of insects. Directing them to tiles within [Sense] range.

[R] // --
[L] // --
[A] // (Seasilk Coat) // 1 Stealth // Storage 10
[H] // --
[Tools]
(4 Bits)
(Skitterhouse Jar) // Can contain 6 Insects // Sealed // Reinforced
(Akotin Mothjar) // Can contain (12+Buzz) Insects
--(5 Mothswarm) // Illusion 1
(Webhome) // Can contain 10 Insects // Flammable
--(7 Sea Sultans) // Web 2, Poison 2

Rolled 4, 6, 4, 10, 8, 8 = 40 (6d10)

>>5638716
>Sillius Soddus, foreign researcher, inserts at Sapsanolai's rally point. I wouldn't want to miss out on Toby's prepared picnic. Speed+Cunning 6d10


#Mimic, Student-Squire 4, Sapper 1 (Open-Minded, Disciplined)

RES 9
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 2 Rebuff 1
Sense 1 Authority 1 Cunning 3
Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 Focus 2
Limit 2

+2(0) Alchemy, +2(8) Academics, +1 Stance, +2 Connections, Unarmed+3, Fateweaving +2, Forensic Theology +2(0), +2 PoliticoIdentiPostwaveLitAnalysis
Adaptable Pool 4/4: +2 Academics, Thesis Defense, Quick Study

Improvise
Pad Resume
Cram Session
Made Up References
I Prepared That Last Week
Kick

Disguise Strength: 4 (My spectacles are aligned, pocket protector in place)

[R] Martinos' Knuckleduster, Mag 2 {Fate}, {Khorkis} 1Pain, crit-stun
[L] Shiv, 0p, Bleed 9+
[A] Nothing
[H] Pressed Helmet, Barrier 2, Protective/Fragile
[Tools] Herbal Pouch (First Aid 2), Alchemical Field Kit (Poisons 2), 11 bits

>>5638739
...Ahh! I almost forgot my gear!


#Sapsanolai, Sapper 3

RES 10
STA 6 SPD 3
React 1 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 2 Cunning 2
Brawn 1 Manipulate 2 [Dangerous: Violence 2]

Gearwright-2, Engineering-2, Tactics-2, Pistols-2

!Jury-Rig
!Tools and Tricks
!Tear Down That Wall

[R] Mark IV Vanadian Multitool, 0P, Block 1, Repair 1, Adjustable 2
[L] Chirni M77-B, 3+(Sense*2) Range | Springmag 77-B Urban (12/12), 1d10 Pierce, Jam 2, Burst 3
[A]
[H]
[Tools] Toolkit, 2construct

Inventory:
TwoShot Flickbow, 3+Sen Range, 1Sta Reload *Wireshot
Mk3 Roar-Choke {2-Adj} Half Range, shots hit line
Mk1 MagnoModerns {2-Adj} 3x target Armor, Metal Attract

Rolled 4, 5, 4, 2 = 15 (4d10)

>>5638716
>[3 Speed + 1 Cunning - 2 Armor + Saps' 2 Tactics] Deploy in Botanical Gardens, still in disguise (4d10)

#"Wallace Hearth" (Harry [Hart]), Scourge 2 | Steelsoul 2 | Stalwart 1
Fatigue 0/10 | Wounds 0/10
Sigildry: Sword 2
Disguise 4
Bits 0 | Memory 0 | Inspiration 0

Resilience 10 | Stamina 5 | Speed 3
Reaction 1 | Resist 1 | Rebuff 1
Sense 2 | Authority 2 | Cunning 1
Brawn 1 | Manipulate 1 | Edge 2
Limit 4 | Academics 2 | Stance 2
[Type] Open-Minded
[Style] Wild

Attune 2 | Woeheart 3 | Sewing 1

!Beacon (Add your Limit+Rank to any spellcasting action as a third dicepool, +1 Backfire rating)
!Conduit (Take 1 Wound for +1 Magnitude on coming cast, 3 Wounds for +1 AoE, or 7 Wounds to make sigil persist for [1/2 Hits] turns freely)
!Twisting River ([1 Stamina] Hit again for +1 Effect, Roll Weapon+Speed to redirect incoming)
!Inner Calm (Recover [Rank] Fatigue if you performed no violence in a turn, or bank 1 Step if you performed violence)
!Lone Tower (Defend or Overwatch once per turn freely, Defend for adjacent allies or spend [1 Stamina] to take a blow for them)

[R] Bleeder's Blade (Drain 2, "Reservoir")
[L] N/A
[A] Padded Light Armor (Armor 2, Absorb 1)
[H] N/A
[Tools] Silver Needle Kit (1 Magnitude, 2+Sense Range, [Woeheart]) | Shiv (0P, Bleed 9+)
[Pockets (2)] Bottle of Blood (4 Blood)

Rolled 2, 5, 8, 10, 8, 3, 2, 7 = 45 (8d10)

>>5638716
RES 10
STA 5 SPD 4
React 1 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 2 [Graceful] 2

CQC-2, Thrown-2, Impersonate-2, Gearwright-1, Streetsmarts-2

[Instincts]
[The Payoff]

[R] Alleyfriend Knife
[L]
[A] Bandolier of Rough Sharps
[H] Rough Mask
[Tools]Gearblade Kit
[Pockets] 6 Bits, Ink Owes me 2 Bits

>Deploy west side, trying to look for the entrance to The Shed using gossip, rumours and Instincts. SPD 4 + Streetsmart 2 + Senses 2.

Rolled 9, 10, 5, 2, 8 = 34 (5d10)

>>5638716
>Deploy into Orchard + Meditation (SPD 3)
>Set Up Rally Point
>Pre Brief Team on the Legios capabilities, aiming to grant bonuses on actions against them (Tactics 2)


Fulton, Scavenger

Stout
Disciplined

RES 12
STA 6 SPD 3
React 1 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 1 Authority 3 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 Focus 2

Tactics 2, Handling 2,

Spears 2:
!Lean in, -2 but hit Reach+1 tiles
!Fend, -2, hits>resist force target back
!Fade, -2, step back, half hits build reaction

[R] Sunspot Spear
2Sharp, Pen [2], Reach 2
!crit puncture
[L] Strider's Redoubt
Block 1, counter 10
Front Armour 2
[A]
[H]
[Tools]

{Malichnid, Immature}
"Cuddles"

Web 4 | Venom 2
Sense 4 | Predator 6
(Other Unknown Qualities)

!Quiet Malice: Webs can serve as Traps.

>>5639077
Also

Disguise 4, NewPostModern Identicopolitical Philosophy 2, Search 3

Rolled 7, 2, 4 = 13 (3d10)

>>5638716
Sure is a lot of strangers carrying weapons about lately. Oh, a murder? Light have mercy.
> Deploy in Arrivals

#Bloom, Steelsoul-2 (Wily, Dangerous)

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 1 Resist 1 Rebuff 2
Sense 1 Authority 1 Cunning 2
Brawn 1 Manipulate 2 Violence 2

Spear-3, Unarmed-3, Acrobatics-2, Stance-2, Streetsmarts-2, Flute-1

!River of Thought
!Twisting River
+Acrobatic Prep

Disguise, 4pts: archeophysicsology studies, 7th era-2
6 Bits

Got a few thoughts 'bout keepin' the trouble local for any bit longer. First off, we don't 'ave to go loud straight away. We's still just students. When Dance is discovered, we's just curfew-breakers. So we 'ave a bit more toim t'prepare before we blow the place open.

Take the Semaphores, yeah? Givem the same subtle sabotage as before, but this toim, stick a strip o' needles with spoider (or sea-snake, Doc) venom on the blind soid of the 'andle. If we can make it, contact paralytic would be 'arder to spot an' better chances for multiple doses 'fore 'e notices. Signal still gets out eventually, but it's a 2-man job now, an' this place only 'as about 15 first responders. If they do summat silly loik send only one guy to the Semaphores, hehehe...

Now we wants the Legios off our backs until the job's in 'and. Two ways that 'appens. One, they never 'ear about us. Fat chance. Two, we makes 'em fink our mischief is a diversion from an attack on the Warded projects. Could 'appen. They ain't 'ere for us, remember. I ain't some intriguer, but some of you lot are. Putchya minds to it.

Ink an' Doc 'ave an in to Makoti's office an' a grant in progress. Now, Oi can't believe Oi'm sayin' this, but... wot if we accepted it? Get some propah backing an' legitimacy, walk up to Bel an' spin 'im a yarn that the stars are involved with the rainbowfish some'ow (moight even be true). Do the research, an' off we go. No extra blood, an' we get fundin' up until we can't cover our tracks anymore. Get the foightin' students on a wild goose chase that Last Dance is makin' 'ide an' seek a new part of the exam, an' they's the seekers...

>>5638785
Oi Ink, where are those escape boats now? On the map or waitin' to swoop in?

>>5639127
It's a fine thought, but I wouldn't hold out hope for mass coordination here. A rather individualistic lot, aren't we? If things should go pear-shaped a bit sooner than expected, it'll serve as fine cover for the more patient agents.

Regarding the semaphore, I think yourself and Agent Etch might play a crucial role in disabling them. If we can't get them sneaky-like, it might boil down to you boosting up to smash the mirrors before activated. Same with Etch and that long rifle of his, the man could sit pretty and gun down the signals or signaler.

We'll play it by ear, eh?

Rolled 4, 5, 6, 2, 7, 8, 10 = 42 (7d10)

>>5638716
60 minutes before the operation, Lamia was already in position, waiting for the violence to start. It was a matter of waking from a nap in the banana grove and strolling over to the nice table at the Records Metallurgical, to eat a meal equal parts banana and coldcat.

>Be in Records Metallurgical, eating my bananas on the table as if I always belonged. (Speed5+Grace2, 7d10)

#Lamia, Scavenger 3(Stout,Energetic)
RES 10
STA 6 SPD 5
React 1 Resist 2 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 2 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 1 [Energetic: Grace 2]

Wiredancer-3, Kinetikos-3, Woeheart-2
Acrobatics-1, Throwing-1, Tactics-2

[R+L] [Phaseblades] (Force 2/Absorb 2)
[Tool][Sunwire Filaments] (Length 4,Energy 2)
[Back][Burlapsackbackpack]: 4 Pockets

Inventory:
4 Bits

>>5639127
Its those two with the plates near the biology section. Just two boats with plates for the... 20 of us.

Stick with Breaker, he can turn any boat into a getaway craft, he can.

So here's my assessment of our objectives and placement so far. Player assignments are a mix of what's been declared and what seems right.

>Observatory. Atlas Records. Dr Bel and engineered defenses possibly present.
>Main objective. All else is in service of this.
Breaker, Ryona, Rion, Bloom

>Semaphores. Short-staffed.
>Silencing these keeps resistance local. If we can't arrange a repeat of Eventide's sabotage, /anyone/ should take a shot at these if it isn't undue delay. While Semaphores are a non-factor, consider these people Floaters.
Jove, Etch

>Chaos, Docks. Caches, new model gear, Rainbow Records. Biters, students, engineering projects present.
>Absolutely necessary if Observatory bogs down, and generally prudent. /Relatively/ easy to take down Biters before they raise the alarm.
Sapsanolai, Lamia, Toby, Mimic, Hart

>Shed. Seeds, wratsps and crows here, potential diversions. Legio close by.
>Whispermarket valuables here, risks mission to pursue. Just pace yourselves right. If the Legio see you off no later than if we had all simply hit the Observatory until they caught wise, hitting the shed has added nothing to our chances of success.
Grin, Fulton

>Floating
>Undeclared or well-placed or -skilled to respond to a changing situation.
Eventide, Doc, Fleyn

Things laid out this way, I think we can have a decent go at it, though Shed team will have be careful, even if a couple more people join them. Get the literature. Silence Semaphores. Keep the various guards isolated, and do not let them link up or spread news. If you steal something, do it sly or so loud they don't look at the Observatory.

>>5638716
>>5638769
>>5638716
>#Toby Lerone, Stalwart (Stout, Dangerous)RES 10
>STA 6 SPD 3-1
>React 2 Resist 3 Rebuff 1
>Sense 1 Authority 1 Cunning 1
>Brawn 3 Manipulate 1 [Violence] 3
>Etiquette-Rank 3, Negotiation-Rank 4, Training 2
>+Challenge
>+Mountain Motion
>+Eloquence In Action
>+{Wrecking Ball} 1Sta: Throw yourself forward using Brawn, as a tackle.
>[R]
>[L]Faithful (2W, Crit Cleave, Blockbreaker 2)
>[A]["Determined, Righteously",Sigilplate] 2 Armor, -1SPD !Eaglesoul: Add 1/3 Wounds to all physical acts!One Last War: Armor *also* negates Wound-complications
>[H]Nothing
>[Tools] 1 Bottle of Fine Pytherii Flutterwasp Wine, Picnic Basket (???), Cogulants x3

>Grab 3x Coagulants
>>5635249
"btw I'm grabbing 3 coagulants, I'm sure you won't need them as much since you can just stitch people."

Rolled 4, 1, 9, 6, 6, 9 = 35 (6d10)

>>5638692
"Well we can both relate to their situation Ink. Days of college with no income to speak of if you weren't already well off or didn't have a rich relative or fiancee... Either way! Lets see if I can't pawn off a bit more assistance from our 'cherished' informa- I mean student contact."

>>5638716
>Insert close to the Greidrip Obsevatory as Professor Magister.
World teacher extraordinaire, replacement teacher sometimes, tutor, soldier of many a campaigns for the flame, the finder of paths, adventurer and multiple other ranks, titles and medals with needless need of mention. Class.Is.In.Session. Subject of the day, the Greydrip Observatory, Post New Modern Sociocopolitcal Philosophy and Introduction to Investigatory Sleuth (not in anyparticular order)
>Speed 4+Focus 2 (Academics 2 to note!)


#Etch, Scavenger (Operative-Pathfinder)

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3(4)
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 2 [Focus 2]
Academics-2

Operations-3, Marksman-3, Secret Pouches-2, Observation-2

Temp: Disguise 4, PPLA 2, Search 3

!Under The Covers
!Smooth Operator
!Good Enough For Government Work

[R]Model 73 Modenkaini (range 9, 1d10+3, P, Silent, 1/1 ammo, rld 2Sta)
[L]
[A]Worn Pathfinder Fatigues (+1 Spd, [Res] Enviro DR, 12 Filter, 2 Pockets)
[H]Disguise [Professor Magister]
[c7 Service Knife-1W, Traps 1][2 Bits]

Rolled 8, 4, 7, 5, 10 = 34 (5d10)

>>5638716
>Deploy to Observatory by climbing cliff nearest to arrivals (Speed 3 + Streetsmarts 2)
Rion did an double check on her equipment there would be no more mistakes on this mission. The whole place seemed to be in chaos and it was no wonder after what had happened. Gauntlets were on and she was ready to scale the cliffside and do a little recon up there

>>5638808
"That's where you are wrong nothing nothing justifies the fact that i went for blood in sparring match. It was shameful loss of control that i have tried to teach myself out of. I failed and this was part of the result that followed." She left back to prepare failing to understand how this other one was willing to take a life so easily.

# Rion 'Leone', Scavenger 3 (Twitchy, Dangerous)
RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 2 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 2 Manipulate 1 Violence 2
Streetsmarts 2 Attune 1
Skills:
+2 Acrobatics
!Urban Mobility: Get a Jump-stat of 1+1/2 Ranks, Jump this far with 2 SPD when moving or with 1 Sta when standing still.
+2 Unarmed
!Wetwork: Hits give Thrown bonus
!Nervestrike: Half hits, strike Cripples limb.
+2 Thrown
!Wetwork: Hits give Unarmed bonus
!Pocket Sand: Impair front-arc
!Fistful: +1Ammo for +1 Target.
Perk:
Unarmed combat skill
!Havoc: -2, hits also control target hands
Scav skill
!The Ratfriend Paths:[Scav + Sense] to locate caches or Very Hidden Things. 1sta 2Fatigue [Scav + Manipulate] hits to attempt to acquire a consumable
[R] Silkhand Gauntlets (2Pain, 2Grab, Cling)
[L]
[A] Shadecloak (+1 Dodge, Length 2)
[H] Mothmask 2/2 (10 Filtration, 3x3 Smoke, 2 Ammo)
[Tools] Bandolier of Sharp Sharps 6/6 (Bleed and Pin, Flurry: -1 Ammo for +1Hit, Restock 1)
+1 {Sharp, Non-descript Sword}
-2 Accuracy, 4Bleed, Crits Escalate
Fragile 2
1Bit

Rolled 3, 2, 7, 7, 6 = 25 (5d10)

>>5638716
>>5639278
>Insert close to Greidryp Observatory. As Dr. Yona, assist Etch in lying through his teeth using my extensive knowledge of late pathopolitics of Meltvoxes under the Mali'Xinid's reign of acid terror, their longlasting effects on the microplastic snow and the regular-ass pine trees in the remote Meluvian forests, and why that thing is not Aurora Borealis, and you should run if you ever see it. Take a closer look around the place while we're at it. [3Spd+2Streetsmarts]

#Ryona, Skulker-Stalker (Dangerous, Twitchy)

RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 3 Authority 1 Cunning 1
Brawn 1 Manipulate 2
Violence 2 Streetsmarts 2

Skulker 2, Stalker 2, Traps 0+1, Gearwright 2,
Acrobatics 2, Marksmanship 2, CQC 2

Range [+2]
Mean-Spirited [2]
Stealth [2|2]+1

Instincts [St]
Harasser's Heart [St]
Sucker Punch [Sk]
The Setup [Sk]
Mothwing Clipper []
Rolling Footwork []

[R]
[L]Flickerblade Knife {Skulkblade, Hidden} [Sharp 1, Fragile 4, Throw=Sense+Throw]
[Q]'Standard Broad' Arrow [1d5W,Crit=pin]
[A]Whispercloth Wraps [4], Grass-Cloak [Stealth 1]
[H]Nightknife's Mask [Stealth +2 in cover, Filter 12] {Smoke [3x3, 2/2Ammo, Restock3]}
[T]Grapnel [Range=none], Gearblade Kit [Traps 1]
[B]Shortbow [Range=Sense+2], Scarf's Marker, LDBTAF's Headband.

File: Decimus Octavius Centurius 0.png (10 KB, 400x400)

10 KB PNG

Rolled 10, 4, 7 = 21 (3d10)

>>5638716
>Insert to the rocks north of the faculty vessel.
[Speed 3, there are no books here on the stones. Rolling 3 dice.]
>Invite Ink to the pre-paperwork prayer
>Invite Dr. Yona & Prof. Magister to the prayer
>Invite Makoti to the prayer. It's an old prayer involving blood sacrifice and asking for freedom from failure. If Yona, Magister, and Makoti attend, let Makoti know that they are interested in applying to become faculty.
>Plan cutting myself with a wet, blunt shiv and casting a sustained circle of Fate on turn 1. The anatomy kit is for fixing my wounds after the ritual.

#Doc O'C_ean (X VIII C)
Scourge 3
RES 10
STA 5 SPD 3
React 1 / Resist 1 / Rebuff 1
Sense 2 / Authority 1 / Cunning 2
Brawn 1 / Manipulate 1 / Focus 2
Limit 4 / Attune 2 / Academics 2
Post-caffeine Hangover

Anatomy 3; Woeheart 2; chronos 2; Fate 2; Anatomy (Toby) 1; Mistspeaker 2

!Incant (fat for hits) / !conduit (wounds for mag/aoe)
!Moist (I am water) / !Currents (I see all between the shores)
!I Know Where This Goes (+2 dice when fixing limbs) / !Oh. I Know Where That Goes (x First do no harm x)

[R] Seastained Ritual Shiv (cold, Mist+1, storage 4) / [L] Nerve-Artisan's Tools - Alchemy 2, Woeheart 2, Sedative 1, Stimulant 1, 1R, horrifyingly expensive
[B]ag: Silver Needle Kit, 1M, 4R, Woeheart; Ticking Time Piece; Woolen Wear (warm, comfortable)
Medical Scans: Doc, Toby (bleed res / adr), Fulton, Lamia (speed), Ryona (speed)
1 Bits

>>5638953
Well I thought it was rather charming. Don’t get dressed for my sake.

>>5638855
While you’re in there see if you can find a clue to my missing people.

>>5638802
You think I have time to sit in on a lab meeting? I hear they have a discussion group on late Vanadian water painting in the Monarchy. That’s uh… obviously mission related?

>>5638808
It would be an afront to your professionalism to stab someone only to have them live - unfortunately Last Dance Before The Arrows Land threw herself off of the platform and into the waters below. Still, an open artery and the ocean? If the blood loss doesn’t get her, the salt induced pain will.

You clean the rugged platforms best you can - this isn’t the first time they’ve been stained. The outside exposure to wild wind and water will wash away most other evidence. Any left will at least be slight anonymous signs of struggle.

The blue headband is a simple strip of soft cloth with a few threads of gold in, subtle. Hold it up and fold it just right and the lines will align to a date and a place and a small coded statement. It’s a honorific for service rendered to the Senatorial Rebus Committee. Rare in the utmost extreme. And they never explain why they grant them and one is not meant to ask.

>>5638813
If you mean by way of how a healthy Malichnid stays healthy by not having Wratsps in its diet then the answer is yes, in the same sense that cyanide is involved in human diet.

>>5638942
It does look delicious. He’s a real dab hand sometimes!
>>5639127
I like the subtle curvature of your brainfolds, Jove. That concussion shook something loose.

The Legion’s job is clearly protecting those stores. Might even be that’s where they head if they scent trouble.

I WILL get this grant so help me Void, I’m TIRED of forging five signatures just to get a good plate of grub.

As’n foh da boat— ahem. As for *the* boats, our friends Droplet and Sketch will bring them in near us when it’s go time. Clean get away.

Huh which reminds me… We… We haven’t heard from our people in this place at all. Other than those two caches. I wonder what happened to them.

>>5639241
Real professionals, us.

>>5639278
… Oh great voidshitspitescorp, Etch - look at this sign-up sheet. You’re running the most popular class of the MONTH

WHY ARE YOU TEACHING SLEUTHING RIGHT AFTER A MURDER

Are you telling me these undergraduates so help me the Saints themselves, the undergraduates, Etch.

*They care about learning*
We are SO SCREWED.

Oi'm trustin' Chaos team an' all their manpower to stop anyone tryin' to reach the soufeast semaphore. Oi'm finkin' to 'it the soufwest, and the one in the Wards if Oi really must. Mostly Oi 'ope the Warders never 'ear a fing.

>>5638716
>Rally with Fulton

Jove, Striker 2 Sapper 2
RES 10
STA 6 SPD 3
React 2 Resist 1 Rebuff 1
Sense 1 Authority 2 Cunning 1
Brawn 3 Manipulate 1 Edge 2
Blades 2 Gearwright 1 Unarmed 1 Streetsmarts 2
!Deep Reserves
!Flourish
!Consummate Professional
!Rush Job
[R] Woodbreaker: 2H 1W 1Reach, Crits Cleave
[H] Rikovol Pressed Helmet, 2 Barrier, Fragile
[Tools] 3 bits, Boostgear Fuel 5 Boost 2+2Sapper
QuickreteTank Mod
Messer
Nugget of Palatine Armour, 3Mag Metallic-Terrene, 1Limit, 2Strain
Inspiration

Rolled 8, 2, 9, 5, 2 = 26 (5d10)

>>5639556
>Oi's just an overworked engineerin' student wot wants to get away from it all in the Orchards, boo-'oo Speed+Streetsmarts 5d

>>5639556
Typo, Should be Snapwings. The Boostgear is scrap by now.

>>5639554
"They want to learn? In a scholary establishement?? This. I've never seen such eager students?! Is...Is it my job to disllusion them?...Oh wait maybe...Maybe I can use this."

File: Lecture.jpg (541 KB, 1301x1208)

541 KB JPG

>>5639346
>>5640053
[4 hits vs 3 escalation hits, 2 paranoia hits]

. . . They even dragged in a table of complementary detective-headwear and I think that one student there is wearing a trench-coat. Also, that guy in the back with the beard who looks like he's sleeping? That's actually a faculty member. Don't be fooled, he can likely sleep with his eyes open, still pay attention and in the name of the void and stars and saints, Etch, try not to give him an opening to make ask too many questons.

Because it'll be a question that's more of a comment and it'll have eight conditionals and reference four papers and take ten minutes to understand and it WILL be about some pet project he's working on.

And LOOK at those students. Eager. Smiling. Two of them making out violently. That guy in front is taking notes in . . . Kalcmiri Glassin. That's a semi-dead language. That girl over there with the intense stare brought a stack of Vanadian crime-venture novels. We, uh... Oh boy, Etch, Ryona.

You may be in for a challenge here. You're up against a force more dangerous than the House of Bonds and the Theurges High, the Vanadian Warmachine and the Legion besides:

You're dealing with the naturally curious.

>>5640115
Oh, hell. You just know blue hat will stir up trouble. Probably even brought their own pipe.

"It's elementary, my dear professor. Last Dance faked her own death. Quite obvious, really."

Keep it together, team.

>>5640115
"The naturally curious are easily distracted whether that's by a clue or the promise of knowledge of the unknown. I can take 'em."

>>5638855
You are somehow carrying . . . Four jars? And a coat? Listen, Eventide - no. You can grab strap one jar to a toolslot - and you have. And you can kinda hold one jar in either hand. Yes. But you're not carrying three in your pockets.

Pick one - it'll go in your toolslot.

>>5638769
Are you bringing that botltle of wine? For... wait, Toby, have you actually made a picnic basket? Aww!

>>5638802
>>5638739
Impressive work for both of you - but you do need to actually tell everyone else what you want them to do with that Tactics bonus. Is it a roll to help them move? Defend? Attack? Spot? Hide?

You get a free tactics roll, skill-roll helps. But you gotta brief 'em with some sort of actual Actual.

>>5639001
Please don't tell me you're bringing a bottle of genuine blood right along with the ... Oh whatever, if they don't question the *spiders* I assume they won't question the *blood*.

>>5639067
It does not seem like we're going to be allowed in The Shed without some kind of trickery. What are they keeping there, you think?

>>5639077
Perfect. That's how you Tactics!

>>5639391
Uh, Doc, just between the two of us, you... you wanna cool with the blood sacrifice in a facility with even a minimal Theurge presence. No, even calling an anthropological research reenactment doesn't work. They have . . . Opinions on Blood Sacrifice. Real.... Real burn the village for heresy opinions.

>>5641005
>Please don't tell me you're bringing a bottle of genuine blood right along with the ... Oh whatever, if they don't question the *spiders* I assume they won't question the *blood*.
(I'm sure it'll be fine, I can just pass it off as wine or something if they ask any questions. Probably. Hopefully.)
(If anything, they'd probably be more concerned with the bloodsword.)

>>5641005
> 4 Jars
???
- x1 Skitterhouse Jar
- x1 Akotin Mothjar
- x1 Webhome

> Leave (Webhome) behind on the ship

---

#Cyrus 'Eventide', Scavager
RES 10
[STA 6] // [SPD 3]
[React 1] // [Resist 1] // [Rebuff 1]
[Sense 3] // [Authority 1] // [Cunning 1]
[Brawn 1] // [Manipulate 1] // [Edge: 5]

{BuzzMind 3} // {Stealth 4} // {Streetsmarts 2}

!Endless Eyes - You can [Sense] from Insects
!Ten Billion Friends - Exert deft control over masses of insects. Directing them to tiles within [Sense] range.

[R] // --
[L] // (Skitterhouse Jar) // Can contain 6 Insects // Sealed // Reinforced
[A] // (Seasilk Coat) // 1 Stealth // Storage 10
[H] // --
[Tools]
(4 Bits)
(Akotin Mothjar) // Can contain (12+Buzz) Insects
--(5 Mothswarm) // Illusion 1
--(7 Sea Sultans) // Web 2, Poison 2

>>5641005
I don't need to be allowed inside The Shed, just using streetsmarts to look for the general area of the entrance for it.

>>5641005
Don't Aww yet. Even with the help of everyone the other agents I'm pretty sure I've made some completely horrible sandwiches, just completely fucked them up like you wouldn't believe.

We can share a glass of wine in the garden if you want although now I'm not so sure about this da- err... mee-... this uhh... I mean this *Operational Placement and Clandestine Cover* since there's probably gonna be so much happening quickly I don't know if we'll have a chance to properly enjoy the atmosphere...

I was hoping we'd have had the garden to ourselves for at least a little bit. Just to forward scout the area I mean...

File: Gardener.jpg (375 KB, 858x1421)

375 KB JPG

>>5641019
That's what I'm saying, Grin. They're not going to allow you in there - so we're going to need to be smart about it. But look...

Hm. They're still working the test-beds and planting some kind of seed. But they're so . . . Eager. And there's not a lot of cover out here. Those Soilsouls are properly Makoti's graduate students. They must have some kind of seeding plan.

I like a good mystery.

Rolled 7, 10, 5, 4 = 26 (4d10)

>>5641005
>Tactics roll, aim is to pre brief team on what we're looking for in the observatory and watch out for traps {Spot/Search} (Tactics 2+Focus 2)

"Traps are confirm to exist within the Observatory too. Some sigilccrafted ones. Nasty stuff all of them are sorta different. I can't expect them to use any very destructive ones after all the observatory as some if not a lot of history behind it. Something to keep you held down and probably to sound the alarm when an intruder or someone who doesn't know how to handle them rolls around. Try to stick with a faculty member who enters at the same time or use the following to disable them:
-Another sigil that counteracts the effects
-Override the Sigiltrap
-Go around it
-Hope the sigiltrap is non lethal and the alarm is not too loud
-If the last one is complete opposite, hope your still alive to keep looking for the Record
Remember people, don't only wattch out for traps. Were looking for the Record of the Atlas Improbable. Wheter it's named that way or hidden under a different one is unknown. Look fro stacks of paper, books, thesiss, etc... Its somewhere there and it's clear it exist. Look for clues. Worst comes to fill your pockets with all you can. Is that clear? Good! Disguises on, heads down and stay frosty in your search."

>>5641057
>>5641005
Also also
>Use the roll in pertinance to Log and Note
"Ink I don't know how your 2 lads look like but can you give a description of Log and Note? They have simply failed to connect so knowing who, what and how they look like would be great if we find them in a not dead state and still very much healthy and alive thanks."

File: LightLoans2.jpg (5.6 MB, 5681x4244)

5.6 MB JPG

Rolled 8, 2, 10, 2, 3, 7, 7, 2, 9, 6, 6, 10 = 72 (12d10)

Allright, we're in, step by step, bit by bit, and no massive problems so far. Looks like Professor Magister's . . . Lecture . . . is pretty popular. And there's a few visitors hanging about the admin quarters. No major shipping meant to arrive today, hence the quiet.

Pretty sunny.

Maybe we'll have time to enjoy that picnic basket in the Botanicals.

--

Doc, it looks like Professor Makoti is off somewhere preparing for a . . . Wrackentree blooming? Huh. They don't seed that often, so it must be a highlight. But afterwards, I'm sure she'll have time.

>>5641065
Yeah, that makes me wonder. They haven't reached out at all and Eventide just searched the cache in the Gardens. Nothing in there but some old hammocks and rope. There's supposed to be a way to communicate, but I don't see any signs of it here in Admin.

If any of you get eyes on a room, try to Sense around for Vanadian clerk code. Subtle items, re-arranged, or things not quite where they're meant to be. It's a coded response. Blue items, usually. Log and Note must have left SOME sort of clue to their whereabouts.

--

Etch, Ryona you've gotta keep that class of pups focused. They're drawing attention from the rest of the Library and might even pull in some more of the students. Although having the class right by Greydrip is a bit of a a wrench in our plans. Foul luck that was the platform they had prepared. Rion you can't climb the rockface with everyone looking like that. We'll have to think of something else. Maybe . . . If Ryona and Etch can distract everyone? Or maybe some other way around.

--

Fulton the Library is not going to allow your enormous pet death spider to crawl along its facilities just all free and clear, even if I tried to say it was an emotional suppression animal. I meant support. I meant suppression. Still, after eating so many Sea Sultants maybe she's worked out how to swim a little. She'll make her way to you as best as she can.

Looks like you and Grin and Jove are all in the Botanical section. Those Pubs and Soilsouls sure are working, huh? Well, if you get a chance to take a few strands of Shimmergrass you can try. It's pretty interesting stuff.

--

>1/2...

File: Active Overwatch.jpg (85 KB, 691x519)

85 KB JPG

Hey that's . . . Peculiar. There'd be no reason for this Umbra Pathfinder to be in active sentry stance. We haven't even stolen anything yet!

I guess Topasto runs a tight ship (heheheeh... sorry)..

But there's tight and then there's actively overwatching two students who seems to just be fishing.

Something is off with this Legion detachment. It's a sunny day and that woman is decked out in full combat kit. Body-blocking the solitary access corridor to the Warded containment. What are they keeping in there worth that? And I mean, yeah, Legion Discipline and Steel, you know, synonyms and all that, but you don't maintain an active guard posture in the middle of a floating fortress city inside your own borders. This isn't some border enclave where raider come swooping in. The worst thing these students will drag you into is a philosophy debate. What's she going to do if they get close? Tag a student with a shot?

... She wouldn't, would she? She sort of looks like she would. What the void.

I still don't understand why a Library has a garrison force of Umbra Pathfinders or a Scholae. Someone's gotta be paying staggering amounts of money for them to hang around and play cards. It's like setting a group of sheepdogs to guard a flowerbed.

Try to avoid getting in their line of sight, it's probably for the best if we just avoid them. if they're this stern about keeping up standards on a random day in the middle of the month I'd hate to see how they'd react to an active threat.