No.759115[View All]
>>759054Sir Pent slithers off of your arm and crawls over to Sparkler, and bumps his head against her arm until she relents and gives him a pat. Sir Pent soon bites off an old scale, one already on its way to falling off, and holds it out to her. Curious, Sparkler takes it, and after some deliberation, starts to mash it in a pestle while her healing takes its effect.
>>759052>>759053*Click click* the beetle continues, patiently awaiting your questions with its forelegs folded up together in a professional posture.
>>759056Your shark senses tell you there's something worth taking in this room… but it might be a nap.
Juniper flings herself into the pool outside the room, and Cycle follows suit. Juniper then climbs out and steps through the doorway with no issue.
"Looks like the Mechpriests would have had to purify themselves with a ritual bath before entering here," Juniper says. "But for our purposes, just stepping into the pool is enough to enter one of these kinds of chambers, I suppose."
>>759057"Yeah…" Chiu mutters, but she does not sound very sure.
714 posts and 3 image replies omitted. Click reply to view. No.765059
>>765055Willow doubles down his attempt to learn the trade, while Two Tons goes right to work on his own!
[2d10] Willow
[1d10] Two Tons
Roll #1 9, 1 = 10 /
Roll #2 7 = 7 No.765060
>>765055I see, Cutlass thinks to her nearby crewmates on the same sticker network.
The sun was their enemy, or perhaps a tyrant. So, they conspired against him with some deity in the water. I'm thinking something went wrong, though. It's worth noting that these thieving beasts are dressed in garb designed for water travel. It THIS what they accidentally summoned? And, now we are summoning the one that stole his divinity?I should like to speak with whatever fish we summon, she thinks as she pensively touches the amulet that allows her to talk to marine life.
"Let's go catch some lobster," she says out loud as she heads toward the good lobster spot.
No.765061
>>765057>>765059>>765056>>765058Some of the adolescent monkeys lose their patience, and go off on their own to catch more fish. However, the older, grayer crowd, having more patience, stick around to demonstrate the fundamentals once more. It seems that a number of younger monkeys, perhaps the grandchildren of the older ones, are around as well. They catch small things like shrimp, and the occasional goldfish, though mostly as an amusement, and with a gentle touch.
As the old and young monkeys go back to teaching, Cerulean, Two Tons and Cloud set about catching a haul of fish.
>Fishing lesson can be defaulted on at the cost of taking 'til the mid-afternoon>>765060To add to that, Captain, Ossie replies.
Kukulcan was light on the specifics of the legend, but I overheard him talking to Hollow Promise. As Kukulcan tells it, a mortal hero stepped in to fight the Fish Who Devoured the Sky, presumably after the Fish defeated one, or more, of the Serpents we see flying in the sky now. But, on the mural, I didn't see any mention of this hero…Wait… Make-Believe thinks.
Are you suggesting Kukulcan's getting 'his-story' wrong?It's worth considering, Ossie adds.
As the theorycrafting goes on, you head down to the southern end of the town, where a huge monkey, accompanied by smaller, yet still tough-looking monkeys, are catching crustaceans. They look to you with a little jealousy– they'll not give up their good spots easy.
>fishing lesson, and fishing attempts, can be rolled here No.765062
>>765061Cerulean dives into the lake to fish, perhaps to get a fresher mind on what she was taught and maybe how to better adapt it to her style of fishing.
>Fishing Lessons[2d10]
For now, she opts on locating some fish and swim slowly as to not immediately spook them.
Roll #1 5, 3 = 8 No.765063
>>765061Willow was content to sit and learn for the time being, tinkering on a fishing device as he watched and observed.
Two tons meanwhile had a more novel idea for fishing, realizing his lack of need to breath and waterproofing offered a rare opportunity. He grabbed some nets, one large, one small, and proceeded to run under water, trying to use the large nets like a kite through forward momentum, while trying to catch other things with his small net.
[1d10+1] Fishing? Attempt
>Willow defaults and tinkers.Roll #1 3 + 1 = 4 No.765064
>>765061Perhaps the hero came later? Or, this "hero" is only a hero from the perspective of the sun serpent. Thus, he doesn't get a place of honor in the mural.When the monkeys eye Cutlass, she gives them a small, gentle, respectful nod. "I'm here to share," Cutlass says, using her aura in her words. They might not understand them, but they can still get the intent with help from her aura.
>Whisper in Your Ear>[1d10+2]Roll #1 9 + 2 = 11 No.765066
>>765061"Wonder how well this would work on the ship when we're sailing…"
Cloud ponders aloud as they work on gathering their haul.
>Default Fish No.765067
>>765065>>765066>>765063>>765062https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D91QjjwYqFIAlder's underwater dancing-doggypaddling-dabbing attempt ends in him nearly drowning. If only he were more alert during the aftermath, he'd have gotten to witness Cerulean and Splendid, a pair of beautiful lifeguard sirens, rushing to his aid. The mishap in the water scares off some of the fish, and pickings are slim for some time, as Alder recovers, propped up in a recovery position in Splendid's lap.
Fortunately for Willow, the older monkeys had already moved him further up the shore, where he was able to observe and work in relative peace.
Your fish haul is moderate, but hardly enough to summon a god yet…
>>765064That's a plausible explanation, Ossie says.
But what I'm getting at, is if Kukulcan really is a fraud… we'd catch him on the true happenings of the tale.The tough-looking monkeys, perhaps sensing a kindred spirit in Cutlass for her directness of approach, make some room for her. Lobster is a bit trickier than shrimp, even more than trout, so is Cutlass up for the catch?
No.765068
>>765067Cerulean gives Alder a pat on the head before going back into the water. Watching where the fish swim to, Cerulean attempts to swim in a sort of 'herding' fashion as she tries to bring fish back towards where everyone else is fishing.
>'Fishing'[1d10]
Roll #1 5 = 5 No.765069
>>765067Absolutely, Cutlass nods.
I do like it when one's lies unravel themselves. All we need to do is know what to look for."How hard can it be?" Cutlass says as she telekinetically raises the harpoon she took with her. If all those bragging fat rich oafs that her grandfather surrounds herself with can do it, so can she.
>[1d10] to catch lobster!>Master Thief???Roll #1 9 = 9 No.765070
>>765067Alder certainly isn't conscious enough to witness Cerulean and Splendid pulling him from the water, but he does get to wake up in Splendid's lap, which is a very nice place to be. He flushes with a bit of embarrassment and squirms around "Uhm, ah… thank you, both of you- I-I suppose I am not one for… monkey business?" He offers, giggling nervously. "Hmm… perhaps not the best time to mention it, but you look and feel a bit, ah… healthier. I am happy for you, Splendid. N-Now, ah, perhaps we ought to aid in fishing?"
>Fishing roll, if allowed [1d10]Roll #1 2 = 2 No.765071
>>765067Cloud looks at the pile of fish they got. While he has started down the path of fishing enlightenment, he is still a lazy bat at core. He looks at his fishing rod, pondering, then gets an idea.
"Think we need to spread this a little wider, that should get it!"
He sets the rod down. Focusing his magic, he grows out vines from the ground to spread into the lake, crossing over each other to form a plant net to entangle all it can.
>Earthen Grasp Fishing [Crits 9+] [1d10+1]Roll #1 3 + 1 = 4 No.765072
>>765067With his new knowhow and device, Willow went to work as well, with Two Tons continuing his master plan under the sea.
[1d10+2] Willow
[1d10+1] Two Tons
Roll #1 7 + 2 = 9 /
Roll #2 1 + 1 = 2 No.765073
>>765070As you make ready to head back to the fishy grind, Splendid catches you by the scruff, and yoinks you back with a blank expression.
"Don't make me save your life twice in one day now," Splendid says. "Else, I'll be ahead in score!"
Still, despite your teasing, Splendid permits you to sit near her at the shoreline as she makes an attempt at fishing.
>>765072>>765071>>765070>>765068This time, it's Two Tons who gets too enthusiastic, from seeing Willow bringing in a big haul, armed with technology and knowledge as he is. Two Tons ends up falling into the water in his victory cheers. Cerulean has her work cut out for her, as she swims around near the center of the lake, trying to keep the fish corralled near the shore for her allies to catch.
As Cloud and Willow struggle to hook Two Tons back to shore… Cerulean can get the sense that she's being watched from the depths, though not precisely from where…
>>765069There's no other way to describe it justly– you're absolutely filching these lobsters out from the rocky waters, completely pickpocketing the sea-beneath-the-sea. You take in a good-sized haul of lobster, now that you've had enough time to dredge up that old knowledge, stolen from your grandfather's old fishing buddies.
Ossie fails to catch much, to her chagrin, so she steps back to watch Make-Believe, as he hangs out with a little octopus that has crawled near the shore.
No.765074
Willow resisted the urge to nail Two Tons with a hoof to the back of the head and instructed him to be more careful. He wasn't looking to dredge metal equines out of the depths today.
With that both dedicate themselves back to the haul once more.
[1d10+2] Willow
[1d10+1] Two Tons
Roll #1 7 + 2 = 9 / Roll #2 2 + 1 = 3
No.765075
>>765073Cloud sits back at the shore after the latest attempt. He then takes up his rod and casts the line out again.
"Maybe its better to go slow and steady."
>Fishing [1d10+1]Roll #1 5 + 1 = 6 No.765076
>>765073Make Believe, how well do your stickers work on animals?Either way, once she has a hefty haul of shellfish, Cutlass approaches the nearby monkeys, telekinetically displaying a few of the lobsters to them.
"Take me to your leader," she says as she does so.
>Whisper in Your Ear>[1d10+2]Roll #1 1 + 2 = 3 No.765077
>>765073Alder yelps as he's pulled back and lifted by the scruff of his neck by the other, larger griffon. "A-Ah! I suppose you would be correct, unless allowing you to eat your fill counts… but, I do not think it is so." He offers, giving her a peck on the cheek and settling down to fish. His first attempt… well, doesn't go anywhere. He flicks his tail in annoyance, before curling it around Splendid's and making another attempt.
>Fishing Attempt 2! [1d10+1] (TBP)>Master Thief: What progress is being made? Is something lurking? [1d10+1]Roll #1 4 + 1 = 5 /
Roll #2 8 + 1 = 9 No.765078
>>765073Cerulean does her best to keep up with keeping the fish corralled, but her instincts keep setting off some red flags. She gave a big swish of her tail to try and propel some fish towards the shore…or possibly launch a few out of the water and in that direction.
>Slam to fish, take better, DC -1[1d10+2]
[1d10+2]
With her tail swish giving her a bit of momentum as well, she decides to dive down deeper into the depths, trying her best to sense out any movement the darker it gets.
>ElectroceptionRoll #1 9 + 2 = 11 /
Roll #2 10 + 2 = 12 No.765079
>>765076Dunno, never tested on 'em, Make-Believe thinks.
I'm very much against any and all forms of animal cruelty.You recall that Make-Believe is widely feared for being a serial killer.
The huge monkey, evidently the leader, folds his arms and scoffs at you. Ossie stands at the ready, just in case you need defending…
>>765074>>765075>>765077>>765078With your efforts combined, and Cerulean's small tidal wave, you've gathered up quite the haul of fish. This could sustain a crew of meat-eaters for weeks, and only the most haughty of divines would be hard-pressed to overlook an offering like this…
Though, just as your thoughts turn to whose blood will have to stain the water, Cerulean senses something's amiss… she dives into the water, to scout ahead.
The lake proves surprisingly deep, and light from above cannot illuminate its depths. Cerulean, however, can feel with certainty that something approacheth… crustaceous in form, and mighty tall and wide, almost as big as a cog. And, with the demonic power she gained from her bargain with Stone Cold Classic, she senses a particular spiritual power, imbued into this gargantuan crustacean.
Could this be the god of the lake, beckoned so quickly…? No.765080
>>765079"So do we do anything special with the fish? Or just leave them in a heap like this?"
Cloud questions while Cerulean checks the lake.
No.765081
>>765079Willow set his machine aside and moved to comfort Two Tons as he was down over his failures.
No.765082
>>765079There were even more red flags going up in Cerulean's predator brain, enough that it made her start swimming up towards the surface with exceptional speed.
>Earthly AffinityWhen Cerulean eventually reaches the surface, she launches herself out as she breaches.
"DEMON!" She yells out before splashing back down into the water.
No.765083
>>765079Alder receives a rather unsettling feeling himself- whether it's the result of his aura or something else entirely, he scrabbles up from the shore and pulls Splendid back- or tries to, at least. "Ah! Something is in the water- something powerful, I think."
No.765084
>>765082"C-Cerulean, wait! The rest of us cannot be so quick to follow!"
No.765085
>>765079Is it cruel to talk to animals? Cutlass retorts.
Cutlass gives the leader a nod of recognition. "My apologies," she says quietly and calmly. She then proceeds to slowly and gently place the lobsters with in arm's reach of the big simian.
>Whisper in Your Ear>[1d10+2]Roll #1 3 + 2 = 5 No.765086
>>765085Make-Believe stares up at you with his blank, colorless eyes. Then, he goes back to hanging out with his octopus friend. The octopus looks incredibly annoyed with your attitude.
>>765085The big guy takes a lobster and appraises it. He doesn't seem super impressed with the size of each one, but the number you've brought in gives him pause. You sense that if you hadn't done so well, you'd have been chased off by now. So, there's a start.
>>765080>>765081>>765082>>765083https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IseIMORZJNMAs Cerulean tries to dive back down below the surface, a powerful current flings her back into the shallows! Monkeys scatter for dry land as a great wave crashes onto the sand! A great crab, bigger than some small ships, emerges from the water! Those of you with keen spiritual senses can tell this is no ordinary organism– despite its corporeal appearance, it is of significant spiritual power; some kind of magical beast, or perhaps even a demon, or god.
Yet… you haven't spilled the blood of a hero into the water – the key to drawing out the legendary Fish Who Devoured the Sky. Could Alder's mishap earlier have fulfilled that part of the legend? However, Alder didn't lose any blood earlier. Who knows what this giant crab might be?
>Paused No.765406
>>765086Cloud looks ahead as the lake breaks as the crab emerges, backing up as he expects it to start snipping quickly.
"I-Is that the fish we're looking for? Do crabs count as fish?"
He asks in confusion and shock at the size of the sudden creature. His eye glows as he aims his magic to the crustacean, trying to shrink it down to be more manageable.
>Wax/Wane [Shrink] [1d10+1]Roll #1 4 + 1 = 5 No.765407
>>765086"There's more where that came from if you help us catch what we're looking for," Cutlass promises.
>Whisper in Your Ear>[1d10+2]Roll #1 4 + 2 = 6 No.765408
>>765086Both Willow and Two Tons began to charge their magic in response, preparing to barrage the crab.
[1d10] Homing Magic Willow
[1d10] Homing Magic Two Tons
Roll #1 2 = 2 /
Roll #2 6 = 6 No.765409
>Recap
In order to free the sunken Island-Turtle of Cuauhtemoc from the eldritch phenomenon known as the Vault, the crews of the Hidden Dagger, the Beesting, and the Thunder Serpent had temporarily banded together. The Captain of the Thunder Serpent, a Vola by the name of Kukulcan, claimed to be one of the gods of the island, as did Two Reeds, his Krikral first mate, stripped of their powers owing to the Vault's partial devouring of Cuauhtemoc.
In order to facilitate a raid on the Vault, Kukulcan suggested enlisting the aid of the Sun Serpent, the divine being who, along with the Moon Serpent, provided light to Cuauhtemoc all these years. In order to win the Sun Serpent's favor and prove their capabilities to the god, Kukulcan suggested reenacting a myth from Cuauhtemoc's past. It was the story of the Fish Who Devoured the Sky.
However… exact events of the story were… murky, to say the least. According to the version that Kukulcan told, the Sun Serpent, normally distant from the earth due to the heat of his scales, was summoned by a mighty hero, who sought his help to save the people from an arrogant and voracious sea-monster. Yet, an art mural found by Captain Cutlass tells another version of the story: One in which the Sun Serpent, possessed by vanity over its mighty light, burns the earth and the people upon it, until a great hero conjures a mighty sea-monster to bring them salvation from the earth-scorching heat.
Whatever version of the story was true, Alder, Cerulean, Cloud and Willow had just managed to fish a giant crab out of the lake, quite ready to pinch and snap at anything in arm's reach!
No.765410
>>765407The monkey scratches his chin, contemplating the offer… then looks down at some of his crew. With a few ooks and gestures, he calls over three of his fishers, then motions to you. They size you up, then approach. Looks like you've got some temporary help recruited.
No.765411
>>765410"Excellent," Cutlass says with a gracious curtsy. "You're quite generous."
"Now," she says as she turns to her new cohorts. "We're going to fish… the big one…" she says with a dramatic flourish and a showy smile.
No.765412
>>765409>>765086>>765409"Ack! I, ah… does it count as a fish?" He asks, looking to Kukulcan and cocking his head to the side in confusion. It's nice to see that the monkeys seem to wish to help, and Alder offers a friendly, if waterlogged wave.
He'll try shooting at with his Spellslinger, with a lack of anything better to do.
>Spellslinger: [1d10+1]Roll #1 5 + 1 = 6 No.765413
>>765409>>765086Cerulean lets the current push her away, then uses the momentum to do an Immelmann turn in the water and go back at the crab.
"As soon as I get past that shell, I'll be eating good tonight!," she declares as she looks set to try and get the first crack on the crab with the use of her tail.
>Slam, crits 8+, DC -1, +2, take better[1d10+2][1d10+2]
Roll #1 2 + 2 = 4 /
Roll #2 6 + 2 = 8 No.765414
>>765412With all the commotion and noise, Kukulcan has strode over from where he was in town, in order to watch the fight unfold. As you ask your question, Kukulcan strokes his chin…
"…It's a start, is what it is," he says.
>>765412>>765406>>765408>>765413As one of Cloud's spells hurtles toward the spirit-crab, it pinches at the aether, snipping it up into ribbons! Two Tons charges his magic, but as Willow does the same, the crab lunges in, and cuts up his spell with a claw. But, before the crab can follow up, Alder opens fire with his magic flintlock, stunning the crab as the bullets plink off its shell. Cerulean rushes in and slams the crab back into the deep end with a well-placed swipe!
The crab seems only energized by the opening of combat, and retaliates with two clawfuls of that energy! It swings back at Cerulean with one claw, and with the other, it scoops up water, then takes aim at Alder!
>Slam vs Cerulean[1d10+3]
>Marksman Shot vs Alder[1d10+3]
>>765411As you try to intrigue your new help, they seem a little… confused by your attempt. Then, you hear a commotion coming from the east side of town. You quickly surmise that progress is being made by the other group. Still, more lobster always helps to have on hand.
Roll #1 3 + 3 = 6 /
Roll #2 10 + 3 = 13 No.765415
>>765414A combination of the commotion and the lack of enthusiasm from the monkeys makes Cutlass sigh. "Let's go see what's going on…" she sighs as she turns to make her way back to where the others are.
No.765416
>>765414As the claw comes in for a swipe at her, she tries to meet it head-on and use her jaws to try and crunch into the shell.
>Jaw (Great Weapon)[1d10+2]
Roll #1 4 + 2 = 6 No.765417
>>765414Willow, feeling annoyed at the outcome of this, tries even harder to summon the magic, failure driving his annoyance.
Two Tons meanwhile lobbed his orb at the Crab, letting the magical sphere of lava sail forward.
[1d10] Homing Magic Willow
[1d10] Homing Magic Attack Two Tons
Roll #1 3 = 3 /
Roll #2 10 = 10 No.765418
>>765414Alder scrabbles around in his pack for other magic bullets… maybe the shock rounds would do a little better? As he loads one in and brings it up to fire, he sees the Crab ready to fling water at him! Realizing he's
probably not going to be able to dodge that in time, he'll try to help a little bit instead! He lets out a mildly-panicked screech, laced with aura to try and bolster the others!
>Spellslinger (Shock Round): [1d10+2] (+1 TBP)
>Rallying Cry (Instant): [1d10+1]Roll #1 3 + 2 = 5 /
Roll #2 8 + 1 = 9 No.765419
>>765414"It can do that?"
Cloud says in surprise as the crab snips his spell apart in the air. Concerned, but seeing the others push it back a bit, Cloud focuses on the lake bed this time. His eye glows, focusing on the sand as he loosens it up to sink the crab and at least keep it from approaching.
>Earthen Grasp [Crit 9+] [1d10] Roll #1 1 = 1 No.765420
>>765415>>765418Alder's battlecry rings out as he's shot. The impact flings him back to the middle of town with a stinging wound, where he rolls up at the hooves of Cutlass and her new cohort. Make Believe stops to render aid, while Ossie stands guard in front of Cutlass and the fisher-monkeys. From here, Cutlass can see the fight with the Rather Large Opponent Crab unfolding.
>Alder 0/4>>765416You take a bite of the claw's shell, and before the whiplash can hurt you, you grab ahold with hooves and tail to secure yourself.
>>765416>>765417>>765419The crab, seeking to slap Cerulean off, improvises with the situation, and slams her into Willow Wisp, disrupting his spellcasting.
>Willow loses 3 HitsBut, Two Tons drives the crab back with a well-placed sphere of lava, and the crab staggers back. Cloud tries to press the advantage with a trap, but the crab rewards his efforts by picking him up!
>Cloud 0/5The crab reels back the claw he grabbed Cloud with, and skips him like a stone across the surface of the water, toward Two Tons!
[1d10+2] basic attack
Meanwhile, it tries to shake Cerulean off again.
[1d10+2] basic attack
Roll #1 4 + 2 = 6 /
Roll #2 3 + 2 = 5 No.765421
>>765420Cloud grunts as the crab snaps him off the ground, again caught up in some trap at this lake. He squirms in its grasp, trying to avoid getting split or crushed.
>Recover [1d10]Roll #1 9 = 9 No.765422
>>765420>All allies gain +1 to any rolls made this round!"Ack!" The griffon shouts, flailing a little bit as he tries to get up off the ground. "I-I had not expected water to hurt so much…"
>Recover: [1d10+1]Roll #1 10 + 1 = 11 No.765423
>>765420Cerulean hangs on as best she can, looking really determined to get at this giant, walking meal.
"C'mon guys! Seafood soup is on the menu tonight!" While certainly not an Alder-level rallying cry, it rallies her enough to bring her tail up to swing at its BIG. MEATY. CLAW!
>Slam[1d10+3] [1d10+3]
Roll #1 10 + 3 = 13 /
Roll #2 7 + 3 = 10 No.765424
>>765420Willow wheezed in pain, and slowly stood up, grunting, as he tried once more stubbornly, trying to get his magic to finally answer.
Two Tons meanwhile moved to evade and answer by rushing in to bash at it.
[1d10] Willow Cast Homing
[1d10] Dodge
Roll #1 10 = 10 /
Roll #2 7 = 7 No.765425
>>765424>>765421>>765422>>765423As Cloud and Alder get themselves back up, Cerulean uses the crab's swing against it! She plants her hooves in the sandy water and makes her tail a counterbalance, using the momentum of the swing to pick the very crab up into the air! She lets go, and flings the crab through the air! Willow seasons it with a well-placed homing shot, and all there is now is to throw it on the barbie!
The crab, despite spinning through the air, makes one last attempt at turning the tide–!
[1d10+3] Barrage vs. All
Roll #1 5 + 3 = 8 No.765427
>>765425Willow moved to evade before letting his barrage of orbs fire at the crab in a return volley of burning magma.
Two Tons Similarly Dodged before he switched stances and prepared to attack it.
>Stance change to Stance of the Tiger[1d10] Dodge Willow
[6d10] Magma Orbs
[1d10] Dodge Two Tons
Roll #1 1 = 1 /
Roll #2 7, 10, 10, 1, 1, 4 = 33 /
Roll #3 8 = 8
