[CCrusaders] Bert says, "Log on."

Taleslinger arrives from the east.

SATSAM has connected.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I'll be back in five."

Taleslinger shouts, "You havent seen the last of Taleslinger! Now goodbye forever."

Taleslinger has disconnected.

Wanda says, "That Remba, still hopping from universe to universe"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks (of GM), "Unspecified units! Nanoseconds, minutes, years, hours, days?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(oops, should be on #crows-nest)"

Cuddlepaws says, "They see her cruisin', they hatin'"

Wanda pets Cuddlepaws. 'Who's a cute kitty with an unexpectedly dark and gruesome backstory? You are!'

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Thanks, gruesome fiery space spider mum!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "So are we 100% it's Wanda's people in those egg-things?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Not yet."

[D&D] GDorn says, "I guess this is really a heist scenario and I need to think about adding non-combat elements to make it more difficult. More moving parts."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(It's more of an OOC suspicion)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(Be prepared to act surprised)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Did someone who had seen Wanda's egg see the space eggs in the vision?"

[D&D] GDorn says, "the tsochar's power of inhabiting other things and driving them (dead or alive) means I can bring in all sorts of other monster mechanics..."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Weeks, of course."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Welcome back!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is everyone here?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Hello, mighty and fearsome GM"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yes"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Eben), "they're egg-shaped, not eggs"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And does anyone want to give a recap of what happened last time?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "No"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK, then we'll jump right in!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "'twas Jacob's birthday"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "and NEMATeX"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Wanda), "Don't make me waste letters"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hehe"

GM says, "We last left our heroes at NEMATEx, where they had just thwarted the attempted theft of a fancy new PayneTech helmet powered by a fancy new crystal thingummy."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "At NEMATeX, there was a weird lady who tried to abduct me, and a chair that enhanced people's powers."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Also hippies and nanotech."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "And then cavepeople tried to steal but ... what the GM said"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Then we had a vision"

GM says, "The blue cavemen and women responsible have been stopped, and are just standing there dejected, as Jacob has the helmet they were after."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Did they hand it back to me?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I gave it to the woman in charge to do her thing with it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That works."

GM says, "And are just standing there dejected, with their leader still wearing the helmet, but with the heroes blocking their exit from the convention center."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Are we letting them go?"

GM says, "The woman who was giving the PayneTech presentation earlier strides up to the group of you."

Presenter says, "Thank you! That would have been a disaster if they had been able to make off with that."

Eben says, "OK! So, let's get you guys somewhere safe and you can tell us the rest of the story."

Presenter says, "Could you please give it back to me? Unfortunately, we're going to need to get the prototype back someplace safe before another incident happens."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Hmm, maybe I need a recap after all. What did they need?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "The stone from the helmet?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "The crystal in the helmet, IIRC"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "yeah, it's apparently crucial for the survival of their planet?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "or their settlement, whatever"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "matter of life and death"

Cuddlepaws says (to presenter), "Back off, lady! We're giving the crystal to those weird spacecavemen"

GM says, "She's taken aback."

Eben asks (of Presenter), "Who can I talk to about a deal where we borrow the stone in exchange for the potential new technology we can get from a relationship with these people?"

Presenter says, "I thought... are you... are you helping them to steal it?"

Eben says, "What? No, we're buying it or leasing it or something."

Presenter says (to Eben), "That's well above my authority -- you would need to meet with the research and development director."

Eben asks, "Well, let's do that, then! Is it still Randolph, or did he retire?"

GM says, "She snaps her fingers. Her assistant hurries over and hands you a card. On it is Randolph's name and phone number."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Randolph & Denise"

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "(In another universe, it's Rose & Daneel)"

Presenter says, "In the meantime, though, I *will* need to have it back."

Cuddlepaws asks (of presenter), "No way! (to Eben) Right?"

Eben says, "Geez, I dunno."

Eben calls the number on the card.

Cuddlepaws asks (of Jacob&Wanda), "What do you think?"

Wanda makes jazz hands.

GM says (to Eben), "You get a department secretary."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "AFK. need to help change some lightbulbs."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Ah, a lightbulb moment."

GM says, "Meanwhile, as you're all discussing this, the main doors swing open and a pair of police officers enter."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "How many pregnant women do you need to change a lightbulb?"

Wanda asks, "....! ...?"

Officer says, "We got a call. What seems to be the problem here?"

Eben tries to talk to Randolph, or, barring that, to make an appointment.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Oh, a department secretary, not a Department secretary. Sad."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "The latter would have been so helpful."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "(In our present situation)"

GM asks (of Eben), "Randolph is, of course, *very* busy right now, but she would be happy to make an appointment for you. How does next week work for you?"

Cuddlepaws says (to officer), "No worries, we have it under control, I think."

Eben asks (of cavepeople), "You guys have a week?"

Presenter says, "Thank goodness your here, officer! These... unusual people here tried to steal a valuable piece of PayneTech property. Fortunately, they were stopped, but we still need them to return that helmet to us."

GM says (to Eben), "They don't seem to understand English."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Didn't we communicate with them before?"

Officer says, "Alright, hand it over, then."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Apparently I forgot how that worked, too."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Back"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The prototype helmet has ability to project images from someone's mind."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Nobody's handing anything to anyone!"

Eben asks for the helmet so he can communicate with the people.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Which you somehow managed to get the cavefolk to understand, letting them communicate crudely in a series of images."

GM says (to Eben), "Whom are you asking? Their leader is wearing it right now."

Eben is gesturing to the cavepeople leader person.

GM says, "She hands it to you."

Eben projects some images of a few days and nights to see if that'll work.

Officer says, "Sir, do you deny that this item is PayneTech property? If not, I'm afraid that you do need to give it back."

GM says (to Eben), "Hmm. That seems like a pretty abstract concept to convey -- an Overcome with Rapport, opposition +4."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "How long does my muteness last, btw?"

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 0 +1 +1 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Until you've rested, I think."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "E.g., a good night's sleep, or similar."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's fun to RP anyway"

GM exclaims (at Eben), "Nice!"

Eben then hands back the helmet to the leader.

GM says, "That's success with a minor cost -- let's say the cost is that while you're busy trying to communicate, the presenter takes the opportunity to come up behind you and take the helmet."

GM exclaims, "But the leader of the cavefolk seems to understand you!"

Jacob says (to presenter), "Hey, hey, hey."

Cuddlepaws levitates the helmet high into the air!

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(or tries to, anyway)"

GM says, "And, while she's not happy about waiting, she seems to accept it."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If that's OK with the leader, I am OK with that being a minor cost, but if they're on a deadline, i would prefer a different minor cost."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OOC, I will say that it's not a specific deadline."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "The dead(line) speak!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "So our understanding is that it's a different stone that was stolen, but very similar so that this one would substitute? Not that PT stole their stone?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Trying to remember from last time"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, or their original was broken or something."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Jacob is correct"

GM asks (of Cuddlepaws), "Are you going to be fighting her for the helmet?"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "You bet!"

GM exclaims, "OK -- she has it in her hands, and you try to take it away from her!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Cuddles! I have the high ground now! It's over"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "ilac"

GM says, "Give me a TK roll, which she'll oppose with Physique, with help from both police officers."

Eben says, "CP! We got this; they're OK waiting for now."

Cuddlepaws rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 -1 | Great (4)

Wanda waves her arms, gesturing at Cuddlepaws to stop. '...! ....!'

GM says, "You rip it out of her hands! The police try to help her, but you're too quick, and it's hovering in the air above all of you."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Back off, humans!"

Officer says, "Hold it right there! I don't want to have you arrest you."

Wanda exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "...!"

[D&D] GDorn says, "ugh. I'm skimming Dragon Heist (5e's big heist adventure set in Waterdeep) and remembering just how much I hate the Forgotten Realms"

Wanda mimes a pleading gesture

Cuddlepaws looks at Eben, looks at Wanda, mutters something that sounds suspiciously like "stupidbipeds" and drops the helmet in the presenter's hands.

[D&D] Gunther says, "the realms forgotten for a reason"

Presenter says, "Thank you."

Cuddlepaws sits down and starts cleaning herself. "Whatever."

Jacob says, "But PayneTech needs to seriously, in good faith, consider our request."

GM says, "Without waiting to talk this time, she immediately turns and brings it back to the PayneTech booth to get it packed up for shipment back."

Jacob says, to the presenter.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I'm not a stupid biped! I'm an intellectually challenged octoped."

[D&D] GDorn says, "the vertical integration from books to comics to videogames to twitch streams isn't helping; this thing is littered with characters from all of those"

Presenter says, "I'm sure the director will give it all due consideration!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob doubts that.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "When has a faceless corporation ever let you down"

Officer says (to the group of you), "Were these... ladies and gentlemen... the ones responsible for this situation?"

Jacob doesn't want to respond.

Wanda noncommittal shrug.

[D&D] GDorn says, "DMing this thing must be painful for anybody who doesn't invest dozens of hours a week staying on top of current developments"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Argh; what's our name?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Like, our official city name?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "Crownsford?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Crownsford!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "No, our group."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Crownsford Crusaders?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "That's what the city hired us for?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "/as?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "we give lectures on religious tolerance and stuff"

[D&D] Gunther says, "ugh"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, I see. You're basically sorta registered superheroes."

[D&D] Gunther says, "cross-media is a blight"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Was that part of the whateveritwas Initiative?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Until we refuse to sign the Sockovia Accordions"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(version 2)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And have more leeway than the average citizen, but don't have the full authority (or consitutional restrictions!) of police."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The LEAD Initiative was the plan to roll out robot police officers under the mayor's control."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Which was scrapped after we kicked the mayor's ass"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You thwarted that plan when you discovered that the mayor was corrupt and was planning to use them for his own goals."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "Right! My vague recollection was that there was a replacement initiative."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "The GOLD Initiative?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "just kidding"

[CCrusaders] GM | GM says, "'Well, frankly, if this city is going to have a project to stop crime, I'd rather see someone like you behind it than someone like Fine. So if you're up for it, I'd be willing to give your team official status.'"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And then he asked you for your team name."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK! With that, then:"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And, out of the many suggestions you provided, he ended up writing it down as 'Crownsford Crusaders'."

[D&D] GDorn says, "I think I've actually located the portion of the adventure containing the titular 'heist' and it's a four-page dungeon crawl containing 9 rooms (and 1.5 pages are the conclusion and follow-up events) so it's not exactly what I'd call a detailed heist scenario"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "My headcannon is that Eben had a grandpa moment there and looked confused for a few moments"

[D&D] Gunther says, "a shyst scenaro"

[D&D] Gunther says, "+i"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Before he remembered"

[D&D] GDorn says, "it's basically a matter of collecting some macguffins from other adventure snippets, using them to find and unlock the doors to this particular dungeon, dealing with a couple traps / trap monsters, a guardian dragon, and then emerging with 10,000lb of gold to be attacked by other treasure hunters."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I assume Eben is typing?)"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "(The long pause makes me worry he's actually writing down the Sockovia Accordions)"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hee"

Eben asks (of Officer), "As these people represent a supranormal diplomatic delegation, as members of the Crownsford Crusaders, we have jurisdiction to meet with them as official city representatives, insofar as there are no areas of immediate safety concerns better handled by officers of the law. We'll be filing a full report with the mayor later. I presume that will suffice for now?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I was! Thanks for waiting ;-)"

GM says, "The two of them exchange glances. They excuse themselves to confer for a minute."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Going AFK in about 15 minutes, just for a moment, but giving a heads up, so maybe we don't end up in the middle of combat then :D"

GM says, "After a bit, one of them comes back with a paper form for you to sign, about remanding them into your custody, and you taking personal responsibility, etc., etc."

Officer says, "Alright. If you sign this, we can hand them off to you. And put your phone number here; we'll be contacting you with the follow-up later."

Eben in the meantime has called Frances letting her know that we're having extra guests over again.

Eben happily signs, and shepherds the group outside.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "How many are there?"

GM says, "You now have four crusaders and six neanderthals and one rental car."

Eben assumes that not everyone will fit in the city car, so portals some of the group back through the basement.

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Clown car time."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Wait, did I move that portal to the base?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You did not!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Phew."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I remember that I expected you to and was surprised that you opted not to!)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "How big is our car?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I imagine it would seat four normal-sized humans comfortably, or four neanderthals snugly."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "What if Eben places a portal here, and I drive him home, and he places the other one there?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "He's already portalling them"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Oops"

GM says, "So you end up with several confused out-of-towners in the basement for a bit, and a slightly surprised -- but honestly, knowing Eben, not *that* surprised -- Frances looking after them, and eventually manage to all reconvene back at the house."

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "So what now? I understand you worked for PayneTech, but we can't trust these guys"

Eben says, "Well, let's get to where we can communicate again, at least."

Wanda is annoyed she can't speak, and leans against a wall, flicking small flames about and watching them die away.

GM asks, "What do you plan to spend the next week doing?"

Eben happily mimes with the group over biscuits and gravy, and works with one of them and Wanda to try to put together a translator device.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can they type? Are they literate?"

GM says (to Eben), "Ooh -- a translator device sounds like the sort of thing that would take you at least, say, a week to build."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "If The Neandemperor had a TTS Device"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sure!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "CP would like to find out more about the symbol she was on the projection of herself."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "They don't seem to recognize a keyboard at all. When you show them a book, they seem to be able to grasp the concept of it, but don't seem to get any meaning from it."

GM asks, "So, Eben will be working on the translator -- which will be a multi-part Challenge. CP will be looking into the symbol. Is anyone else going to be helping either of them?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(maybe after we cleared up that translator business)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'm surprsingly good at Investigation, but some help would be nice."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Presumably, Wanda's help will be instrumental in the translator, since she was the one that originally connected with them."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yeah, my telepathy can help calibrate it at least. Although we'll have to watch out, since that has side-effects"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "Can CP and I take breaks from our main projects to help the other?"

GM says, "For the translator, of course one part of it will be Crafts. But before that, I think you'll probably want some amount of Rapport or Empathy or similar to work with them on it, and either Will or Lore to try to decipher what you can of the language."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Telepathy would work great for the 'Rapport or Empathy or similar' part."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Sure!"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I have Rapport 3; can Wanda do the Will roll? Do you have Will?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You're on a deadline, so the opposition for each of those parts will be +4."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I can help with Will"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(it's 4)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, nice."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "My telepathy is powered by Notice (+2) but I also have Empathy (+2)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "This is a situation where your telepathy could assist with that roll, even if it's technically not using the same skill."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Oh, nice"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Assisting gives a +1 to the person making the roll.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The.. OK, that was my question."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Did Jacob go AFK?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(Because he's a pretty Lore-y guy)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "So, Wanda helps me with Rapport via telepathy; I help CP's Will (with Lore, perhaps?), and then someone help me with Crafts?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I think so -- do we want to hold on the Lore/Will roll until Jacob gets back?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Or, sure, Jacob can help CP with Will?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Multiple people can assist with the same thing -- normally, it would use up your action, but given that this is spread out over a week, I'm not worried about people helping with multiple things."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, OK."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Back, sorry. My connection was wonky."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(If you needed people to be actually doing other stuff simultaneously, such as one person navigating while someone else drives, that'd be a different story.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That sounds good for me"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I can assist with will, sure."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Or whatever else is needed."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "So, I'm up for Rapport and Crafts with whoever helping me that possibly can; CP is up for Will with us assisting, too."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I can also assist with Lore as well (I'm a uni student)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "How does assisiting work again?"

GM says, "Let's do the rapport/empathy/etc. roll first, then the lore/will/etc. one, hen the crafts one."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It just gives a +1"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Every assist gives the main roller a +1."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ah"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If you have the approrpiate skill, and it makes sense for you to be able to help the person making the roll, you can use your action to give them a +1 to it."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "So for Rapport, Wanda can assist with Telepathy; do the rest of you have Rapport and/or a similar justification?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(do you just need it at +1?)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You just need it at +1."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I have a +1, but I'm also bad with people, so I will sit the rapport assist out."

Cuddlepaws has disconnected.

Cuddlepaws has connected.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I have Rapport at +2"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Aw."

GM gives a fate point to Jacob.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yay"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK! +3, with +2 assists!"

Eben rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Legendary (8)

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "woooo!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Speaking of which, did we all refresh FP?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success with style!"

Jacob sets her current fate point total to 4.

Eben sets their current fate point total to 2.

Wanda sets their current fate point total to 2.

GM sets his current fate point total to 4.

Cuddlepaws sets her current fate point total to 3.

GM exclaims, "Montage your rapport!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "What exactly is Will used for here?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Will will be used for trying to decipher the language -- figuring out things like grammar, syntax, etc."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Thinking out of the litter box"

Eben ends up establishing a great sign language conversation with one of the neanderthals, who turns out to have a lot of mechanical aptitude, especially for someone who hadn't been exposed to it their entire life. Within a few days, they're happily signing to each other in the shop, as Eben works on his translator.

GM exclaims, "Someone overcome that Will!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(you want to give him/her a name?)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(or I can)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "The mechanical one or the leader?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Or do you want them to be one in the same?)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The mechanical one."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Go for it!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I have a name for the leader, but had to move the cat off my notes to find it.)"

[Crows-Nest] (from GM) Cuddlepaws says, "Lay off, they're comfortable!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hee"

Eben exclaims (at Batyi), "(in sign) Yes, that's it!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The 'with style' bit I'll take as 'Batyi assisting', perhaps."

GM says, "Batyi seems skeptical about all this machinery and such, but he's willing to try, and he is indeed a quick learner."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Excellent."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And for the Will overcome?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "That Cuddlepaws!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "With assist from Jacob?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Can I assst with Lore? I don't have Will."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(hence all the unfinished projects in this basement)"

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) Will exclaims grumpily, 'What now again? These folk, calling my name and claiming they 'have' me, what rubbish'

[CCrusaders] Jacob says (to CP), "yes"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Unfortunately, this one is either Will or Lore."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "(The telepathy was kind of a special case, since telepathy is too cool not to allow.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK!"

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) Will grumbles, 'hey, my wife's name is Laura, not Lore'

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "So +1?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Cuddlepaws rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 -1 | Good (3)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What will you do?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "it was +4?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Do you want to tag the Batyi assist now? Or do something else?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It was."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "If that's okay?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sure!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Ok!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent. Roleplay that linguistical puzzle solving!"

Cuddlepaws says, ""Cuddlepaws sits on a doormat, and one of the aliens looks at a picture in his hands, and the writing underneath. "The cat sat on the mat." The alien looks confused. "Sit? Sitting?" / CP and an alien are hunkered in a doorway. CP points at a picture of a sleeping human. Then she points at Eben asleep in his armchair. Aliens nods, "Aha, drooling!""

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Haha"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yay."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And now Crafts!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Who's helping?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Not I"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Nor I"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Is it only Crafts? Or something else?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Just Crafts."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Nope, sorry"

[CCrusaders] Eben gets help from Batyi instead.

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 0 | Good (3)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh. Almost..."

[CCrusaders] Eben spends a fate point!

Eben spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What are you tagging?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Tagging 'Adopted or not, you're all my kids'"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Aw!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Roleplay your craftiness!"

Eben, after finally figuring out enough to form a basic plan, stays up late three nights in a row putting together the translators. Batyi and Frances end up trading off staying up with him listening to his rambling as he works out various difficulties he's encoutering, and keeping him well-sandwiched.

Cuddlepaws is asleep on a shelf in the background all the time.

GM exclaims, "Congratulations!"

GM exclaims, "It's taken all week, and it needed the help of all of you working togethr, but you've done it!"

GM says, "You're now able to crudely communicate with Batyi, Thuma (the leader), and the rest of your new friends."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Woo"

Eben finally comes out one morning, successful! He hands out portable earpiece/mike/speaker devices to the seven (?) of them, each equipped with the ability to (crudely) translate English to their own language through the earpiece, and to broadcast (either via speaker or via cellphone hookup) what they say back.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Whoops, I spoke slightly too early :)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Nah, that's OK."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I thought I was done and then I had more ideas ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "They're blue, they put these things in their mouth, let call them ... Blueteeth"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Cuddlepaws's contribution: the name."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Well, and the grammar, but surely that was the easy part)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Not according to my roll!"

GM says, "In the meantime, life has gone on outside of the Morris household -- e.g., petty crime, such as your standard break-ins and such, and a new mugger on the loose who goes around in some kind of weird silver costume -- but that's obviously not as important as this."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "!"

GM asks, "Your meeting with Randolph is tomorrow. What will you be doing today?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "And CP's investigation!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at gm), "What he said!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(assuming that was happening in parallel?)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Do you want it in parallel? We can do that."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I was going in series for narrative simplicity, but I'm fine with whichever you prefer.)"

Cuddlepaws says, "A mugger dressed in silver? *looks directly at camera* There goes the neighborhood."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "let's go in series."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What are you doing?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "First looking online, and after that maybe a trip to the library, or maybe the local tattoo artists. I have a feeling these are the kind of cultist who'd wear their symbol on their skin."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(So Investigation)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! That sounds like Investigation."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Timing."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Who can help?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you looking to get some particular info (e.g., an Overcome)?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Maybe Lore is useful here?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Or just something you might be able to use later (e.g., Create an Advantage)?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I don't have Investigation, but if you can think of something I can build to help, I'm happy to do that."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "I'd like to find out where they are hiding out, maybe?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "Ooh, interesting. That's going to be a difficult one. Let's call it a Challenge as well!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Oh, okay, maybe I'd rather Create Advantage for now? What do the others think?"

GM Investigation for the basic Internet/library work, plus Lore for a bit of background knowledge, plus Rapport for talking to people (like the tattooists).

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That's also an option -- you can always tackle the bigger challenge later if you want."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'm fine with doing your thing now, if you want."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Or post-conversation?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "UGH. AFK."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Okay, let's go with the challenge!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! Who's helping out?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Those will also all be +4, by the way."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Because, y'know, secret cults don't advertize their secret locations.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I can't help with Investigate; can assist for Lore, and can be point for Rapport if you want."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I will be accompanying Cuddlepaws everywhere, since I'm a little overprotective"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Lore +1; Rapport +3)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I will lead the investigate and help with rapport"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Can assist with Rapport, Lore (both +1), no Investifate"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Jacob has +4 Investigate, by the way."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "I like 'investiFATE'"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Oh, he will lead the investigation, if/when he returns"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "In hindsight, doing all this in parallel might have been a mistake"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Maybe we roll the investigate last and start with the others?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Does anyone have Lore, though?"

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "Maybe Rapport first?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Uh. Jacob has it at +3."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "the detective is out"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Rapport it is! ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Let's go with Rapport"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I can assist"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Me too"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "With two assists again!"

Eben rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Great (4)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Tie! Minor cost!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Uh-oh. It sounds like in order to befriend these tattoo artists, Eben might have to become a customer."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "He gets Frances' name on a buttcheek"

Artist says, "Oh, yeah, I got a few folks who came in lookin' to get that symbol. You want I can give you the same one?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Wait, do I have to get the same one for the cost, or whatever I choose?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Your choice!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I was just giving you a conversational 'in' to roleplay against.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Got it."

Eben says (to Artist), "Hmm, tempting. But no, for now I think I'd like a couple portals on my biceps. In one, you can see a spider, cat, and bird looking at you, and in the other, they're looking through it, away from you."

Eben says, "Wait, no, not biceps; outside of my arms, near the shoulder."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Minor cost? More like free advertising"

GM says, "He's happy to oblige you, and it comes out looking pretty good. And in the process, while making small talk, you find out that A) those folks with the runic tattoos are kinda weird and creepy, and B) they seem to hang out near the outskirts of the west side of town."

Eben asks casually about the symbol-getters as part of a general ramble while the tattooing is going on.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is Jacob back?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And if not, did you want to do any other tasks while waiting for him?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If not, I'll do my next thing for the impending conversation: I'd like to Create Advantage; 'tales of advanced technology' from talking to the blue crew."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What sort of technology are you thinking of?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "We should also talk about what we're gonna do if Randolph is unsympathetic to our demands."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I wanted to do a bit of city-prowling"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "ilac"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The tech of the egg ships; the tech of whatever technique they used to get here; the tech that let them find the stone..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I'm actually interested in all of them myself, too.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I'd like to know who man the egg ships?"

[CCrusaders] GM looks at Eben's sheet, decides that he's going to be nice and *not* choose Investigate or Will for this.

[Crows-Nest] Eben exclaims, "who man? Hu-man!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's go with Rapport, +2 opposition."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 -1 +1 +1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Nice!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Now I try to figure out a way to present information such that it's useful to you!)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(Doesn't have to be useful, just has to be a good story)"

Thuma says, "Flying eggs belong to Raxiss, not to Umawa. Umawa not use... you call them, 'machines'. We use mind for moving."

Eben, now that he can finally talk to people without signing, talks to the Blue People Group about how they got here; what the tech of the egg ships is; how they found the stone.

Thuma demonstrates by using her telekinetic powers, along with the help of the others, to lift the sofa that you're all sitting on.

Eben exclaims, "Oh, nice!"

Wanda exclaims, "Cool!"

Eben asks, "So, the Raxiss are your enemies?"

Cuddlepaws yawns. "Old hat"

Eben asks, "All of them? Some of them?"

Wanda asks, "What are they like?"

Thuma says, "Yes, Raxiss bad. They use hitting, and -- what was word? -- 'weapons'?"

Thuma takes one of the pieces of paper you were using during the language lessons. On the back, she draws a simple picture.

GM says, "It's a creature with a lumpy body in the middle, and fangs, and eight long jointed legs."

Wanda says, "Oh."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "dun dun DUUUUUUNH"

Thuma says, "This is Raxiss."

Eben says, "Oh."

Thuma says, "Umawa use Chagakor for defending. It makes minds stronger. With more minds, much much stronger. But Raxiss took Chagakor."

Eben asks, "We've met just one of them, but they weren't mean. Are they kind of a mixed group, in your experience?"

Thuma says, "We try not to meet Raxiss. Only Raxiss I saw, were Raxiss trying to break through with flying eggs. With weapons."

Thuma says, "Without Chagakor, defenses very weak. Raxiss will break through. Raxiss take and destroy."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "#tangent I am amused by 'Thuma' because when I created a primitive-ish guy that met my Numenera group, and called him 'Thuul'."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I keep imaginging Uma Thurman in caveman getup"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "So am I"

Thuma says, "They do not care about plants and animals and natural places. Raxiss only take things to use, and destroy what they use."

Cuddlepaws gives the humans significant side-eye, but says nothing.

Thuma says, "But we can sense the Chagakor -- we have lived with it, and know it well, and could tell there was a second one, far away."

Eben nods, and puts his arm around Wanda during the conversation.

Thuma says, "We knew that if we found it and brought it home, we could use it to defend us. So we came here. And..."

Eben asks, "How exactly did you get here?"

Thuma looks ashamed.

Thuma says, "gestures at the floating sofa that you're sitting on."

Thuma pauses, then erects a forcefield surrounding it.

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "Eddies in the space-time continuum?"

Thuma says, "Like this."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Hey, I have similiar powers!"

Thuma says, "Oh?"

Thuma says, "Is that unusual here?"

Cuddlepaws creates a forcefield between Thuma and the couch.

Wanda says (to Thuma), "Very unusual. Cuddles is special and we love her."

Thuma says, "Very good!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So, for your aspect: how about something like 'Experts with the cerebral resonator stone'?"

Cuddlepaws levitates a blanket and drapes it over Wanda. "Shutup, Eight- Wanda."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "That just rolls off the tongue."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, I expect you could phrase it better."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "But, for the Create Advantage: something that indicates that the Umawa are experienced with the stone, and potentially have a lot to teach PayneTech about it?"

Wanda shakes off the blanket too hastily. Part of it catches fire. 'Oh, pfft'

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "Well, that's not going to help a lot if the Umawa have it. What are you imagining?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(sigh, only here)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Is this stone and their original the only ones they can sense?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Well, what's your long-term goal here?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "For PayneTech to permanently give them their stone, and for them to leave and you to wash your hands of the situation?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Or to try to help them retrieve their own stone, and then return PayneTech's afterward?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Or something else?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I was hoping to trade the stone to the Umawa in exchange for some sort of tech; either tech we found along the way or from the eggs or from the Umawa or something."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "No, we can't give PayneTech some Alien Tech."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I could see borrowing it in pursuit of getting their own back, in exchange for teaching them about it when they gave it back?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Nobody trusts them but you."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Another option would be borrowing it, then using it to go back and try to steal some Raxiss tech to bring back to give to PayneTech."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Or, say, if maybe you already *had* some Raxiss tech, you might be able to convince them to trade for that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I mean, if CP doesn't want to give PayneTech *anything*, the only option is to steal it, which is going to be Highly Suspicious."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of wanda&Jacob), "Maybe weigh in on this?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Trade Wanda to them? Sounds good!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Well, right now I'm still reeling a bit from this discovery"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Wanda's egg ship that we have in our base)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Could the Umawa potentially sense Yet Another Stone in the future?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Just knowing that the one they have is a one-off may make them not as excited about it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Potentially, yeah, if another one were discovered or synthesized."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Short break for Jacob, then? To weigh in on this, and then to do the Lore/Investigate?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Probably a good diea"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That works."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "If I'm honest with myself, the idea of going to space to help them retrieve their stone is tempting. Because I still am curious about the Raxiss. Are they really that bad?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Retrieving their Stone also means handing no tech to Payne, so I'm for it"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, I think that's the end of the interruptions. Though I'm completely lost and in a really bad mood now."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Aww."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Oh dear. Is there anything we can do?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Just catch me up quickly?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I see we went to a tattoo shop to inquire about the cultists."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Well, TL;DR the Raxiss (aka Wanda's species) have stolen the Umawa (telekinetic cavepeople)'s protective power crystal and they sensed another one of its kind on Earth."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "PayneTech has a stone that the Umawa (who we can now talk to) want to replace the one the Raxiss (Wanda's people) stole from them. Or we could do nothing with Payne and just try to retrieve the original stone directly."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ah"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It turns out Wandas are pretty destructive and not very friendly."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh no"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or we could trade something to PayneTech for the stone, like Wanda's original egg ship, or some other tech we stole from the Raxiss."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Agreeing with CP. Not sure we want to give PT stuff like that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "They could also be taught more about the stone in exchange for us borrowing it."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Plus, the egg ship is my mom's! It's all I have of hers"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm amenable to that exchange."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Teaching them."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Wanda), "yeah, I figured that was the worst of our options."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I think I could live with teaching them"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I mean, what's the worst that could happen"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee hee"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "*cut to Remba's bad robot future*"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Yay."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Now a Bad Robot feature film"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "So, ask to borrow it in exchange for information about it; use it to retrieve original?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Works for me"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I demand a spacesuit that's only a helmet."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Excellent. So for the moment, do you want to A) continue this conversation with Thuma, B) finish investigating the cult, or C) skip to tomorrow's meeting to see how Randolph reacts to that suggestion?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I want A), then B), then C)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at gm), "I'd say that's a good order!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Or D) something else entirely! You're the players. You decide what to do. I'm just here to make life difficult.)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Thuma is here and happy to copperate with your questions!"

Cuddlepaws asks (of thuma), "Do the Racists have any weaknesses you know of?"

Thuma says, "Greed. No foresight. They just expand, and consume, and expand. They will be their own downfall someday."

Cuddlepaws gives the humans another side-eye.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Maybe we could investigate egg to find out more"

Cuddlepaws asks (of thuma), "And do your powers work against them? Forcefields and throwing stuff?"

Thuma says, "Yes, our... 'forcefields', as you say, can block them, but without the Chagakor, it is difficult to keep them going."

Thuma says, "It is only a matter of time before they fail."

Wanda starts edging away slowly. 'Thuma, I'm sorry, that's-- I'm sorry for what happened to you and the Umawa -- I think I just need to step outside for a moment--'

GM says (to Wanda), "Thuma seems grateful for your sympathy."

Eben asks, "Are they... coming here? How far away are they?"

Cuddlepaws follows Wanda outside.

Eben asks, "And I'm still not sure about how you got here. Just flew on a sofa through space? At sub-light speeds?"

Eben asks, "Are you from a different planet here in our own solar system?"

Thuma says, "I don't know measuring, but it took us a day -- no -- what you call a week? To come here."

Eben asks, "Same star?"

Eben asks, "Or a different star?"

Thuma says, "Yes, the same star, but further from it."

Thuma says, "There is a large, flat stone. It works well for travelling."

Eben says, "Oh, wow."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Is this the 2001 monolith?"

Thuma says, "It is large enough for all of us, if you wish to come with us."

Eben asks, "Are the Raxiss also from a different planet from the same star?"

Thuma says, "They live on the other side of our world."

Wanda asks (of Cuddlepaws), "I don't know if I should tell them. I mean, if we're going to help them, I'm probably going to be more useful as the real me... than as this, you know?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Women are from Venus, Space Spiders are from Jupiter"

Wanda paces outside restlessly.

Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "Remember that time I peed in Frances' best shoes? That told me that the truth will come out eventually, and if you don't choose when to tell it, it will come out at the worst possible time."

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

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Ha"

Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "Maybe you're right. I can't hide it forever."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "The next time that happened, CP knew to just tell Frances 'oh, hey, by the way, the litterbox was full so I just peed in your sock drawer, you're welcome for telling you'."

Cuddlepaws says, "I'm sure the weird blue cavepeople will understand. We helped them so far."

Wanda says, "That's true. You're the best, Cuddles."

Cuddlepaws says, "I know."

Cuddlepaws rubs against Wanda's leg.

Wanda says, "I'm going to go back in there and explain the truth."

Wanda strides back inside, a little more confident thanks to Cuddles' pep talk

Cuddlepaws says, "Hey, you maybe be a fiery space spider, but you're OUR fiery space spider."

Wanda asks (of Eben), "Hey grandpa, I'm not interrupting anything?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "hee"

Wanda says, "Because, you know, since we're helping them and they've told us everything, I think they deserve to know everything too."

Wanda says, "Like the fact that, even though I've been raised as one... I'm not actually human."

Eben nods.

Thuma and the others wait, uncertain what this is leading to.

Eben says, "We found Wanda when she was basically an infant. She's been raised here, by my daughter, since she was very small."

Wanda says, "Yeah, my adoptive mother designed a special human disguise for me, so that I wouldn't be out of place, since I looked so strange"

Cuddlepaws says, "And Wanda raised & saved me, too."

Thuma says, "So you are... like Cuddlepaws, not like the other two?"

Wanda says, "Well, not exactly. I'm kind of scarier."

Cuddlepaws licks her front paw and cleans her head. "Cute and deadly, that's me."

Thuma says, "If you do not wish to show us your face, we will understand and accept you as you are."

Wanda says, "Well, if things get violent out in space, I may have to show my face anyway to help you."

Wanda says, "And for reasons which will be obvious in a moment, my face might startle you if I waited till the last moment to show you"

Thuma and the others exchange a look.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws teleports the fire extinguisher over to Jacob.

[Crows-Nest] Jacob snerk

Wanda says, "Oh, bother, I'm just babbling because I'm nervous."

Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "C'mon, take off your clothes in front of all these adults."

Wanda exclaims, "Rude!"

Wanda says, "Besides, they're not clothes, not really. I don't think my kind are clothing compatible"

Wanda carefully extricates herself out of her skin suit, until she is finally revealed as the giant spider with small flames dancing along her fanges that she really is

Wanda backs away a little and tries to look as nonthreatening as possible

GM exclaims, "There are gasps!"

GM exclaims, "Involuntary recoiling!"

GM says, "Whispers of '...raxiss...'"

Thuma says, "I... I see. I understand why you did not want to show us. But... you are a friend?"

Thuma says, "And not like the others?"

Cuddlepaws says (to thuma), "She's the best."

Cuddlepaws asks, "When I was young and hurt and scared, she saved me. Would the Raxiss do that?"

Wanda says, "I am a friend. I protect my friends. I try not to destroy stuff too much."

Eben says, "We didn't know anything about the others at all until you told us."

Thuma says, "You've already been helping us -- we'll trust you. And I thank you for your honesty."

Eben says, "It's a little startling, to tell you the truth."

Cuddlepaws gives a "ennnnh" paw-motion at the not too much destruction statement.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is this a good point to move on to B) or C)?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Probably?"

Eben does at least try to work out which planet they're from.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sure"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(and then yes)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Except that we should take bets first. I'm guessing Venus ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM stops typing and waits for the bests before the reveal.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm betting on Mercury or Mars."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I say Jupiter, just because of 2001."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "No opinion"

GM says (to Eben), "At some point, you manage to get a drawing from one of them. It looks like a banded, colorful Easter egg, with a big red spot in the middle."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of Jacob), "So, Pluto?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Cuddles wins!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Suck it, humans!"

GM says, "(There are several smaller dots surrounding it -- it seems that they were probably indicating one of those.)"

Cuddlepaws has disconnected.

Cuddlepaws has connected.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "So! Cuddlepaws is trying to investigate the location of the cult that the shadow lady from the other day was from."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Eben already did some chatting and found out that they're somewhere around the west side (and got some cool new tattoos in the process)."

Eben sighs, and scritches Cuddlepaws's belly while getting his hand attacked.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "whoah, lag."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "But they're hoping you can do an Investigate overcome on the Internet for the second part of this Challenge."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(+4 opposition.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sure"

Jacob rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 +1 | Superb (5)

GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "You get +1 from me!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws lies on the keyboard. That has to help somehow, as all the cats online do it.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hee"

GM says, "Between the runic thorn symbol, and what you remember from last time about 'The Disciples of Shadow', you're able to find some information suggesting that *if* they were to have any kind of a 'headquarters', they would probably base it on certain intersecting patterns of ley lines."

Jacob mutters, "Nerds" under his breath.

GM asks, "And the last part of the Challenge is Lore -- do you know, or at least know enough to be able to research, what the ley lines around Crownsford look like? And where there might be a suitable pattern that would fit the bill?"

GM exclaims, "This is a Lore overcome, also +4!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I can assist with a +1!"

Jacob rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Fair (2)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "So that's a 3, with Eben"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Uh, I tag walking library"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 3.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you want to roleplay this, or should I describe the result?"

Jacob tappity tappity tappity. Aha!

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm good :D"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Isn't that a minor cost?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I don't know if that means 'I am happy to roleplay it' or 'I am done my part of the roleplay'!)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's a 5 to a 4"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And I'm done"

GM says, "Jacob grabs a few of his favorite arcane texts from the Crownsford library, prints out a few maps of the city, and goes to work marking them up with a pen."

Cuddlepaws sits on the table, checking the map imaptiently.

GM says, "Before long, you've narrowed it down to a particular area just outside of town that's at the center of a pentagram of ley lines."

GM says, "If they've chosen any place nearby as the center of their seat of power, that's got to be it."

Jacob points triumphantly.

Cuddlepaws stares at the map, and the pens and markers and rulers on the table start to lift around her.

GM asks, "It's now the evening before the planned meeting at PayneTech. You have a map with a marked location. What do you do next?"

Cuddlepaws whispers, "Soon."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "We should probably focus on one plot thr - I mean problem for now."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I have my Create Advantage set; anyone else want to set something up?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's not like the cult can follow us into space."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "OR CAN THEY"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I can't think of anything."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Neither can I."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Cut to tomorrow?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Or, perhaps..."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "...what if on your way home from the library, you heard a scream?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh gosh."

[CCrusaders] GM points to 'Crusaders, Converge!' and holds out a handful of fate points.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Dun dun DUNNNN"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "wooo"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "it's just Jacob and me?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sure!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "It's as many of you as want to be there!"

Cuddlepaws gives a fate point to Cuddlepaws.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Unlikely. Wanda follows CP everywhere."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Yeah, we're all there!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Everyone gets a fate point!"

Jacob gives a fate point to Jacob.

GM exclaims, "Naturally, you being heroes, you run toward the scream!"

Eben gives a fate point to Eben.

Wanda gives a fate point to Wanda.

GM says, "It brings you to an alleyway behind an apartment building."

Wanda spiderfies in a burst of flame (and an acrobatic toss of the skin suit into Eben's backpack)

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "How many of us now have 'There's no fate point pool set up for 1.' on their screen?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I had that"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Not me"

GM says, "The streetlight is flickering, and in the intermittent shadows you see several things:"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "then I typed fp add Wanda and it worked"

GM says, "At the far end of the alley, a young couple standing in front of their beat-up Prius."

GM says, "A Fire Escape overhead."

GM says, "And between you and them, a silvery figure who looks kinda like the T-1000 mid-transformation."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "SATSAM!"

GM says, "The figure's right arm slowly extends to form a long, sharp blade as it turns to look at you."

GM exclaims, "Initiative!"

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "Are we rolling?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "Do we roll Notice?"

Wanda rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 -1 | Great (4)

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "What they asked!"

Eben rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

Cuddlepaws clears the initiative.

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "Oh yeah -- do we want to go with your usual 'every uses their straight Notice' or do we want to experiement with rolling?"

Jacob rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 0 0 -1 | Mediocre (0)

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Given that we're all +2, I think rolling is interesting"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Looks like rolling"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Let's roll. Otherwise we just all go at the same time."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "Let's be fun!"

Cuddlepaws rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 0 | Mediocre (0)

Eben registers Eben at init 5.

Jacob registers Jacob at init 0.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "(And I'm not just saying that because I rolled a 4)"

Cuddlepaws registers Cuddlepaws at init 0.

Wanda registers Wanda at init 4.

GM rolls Average (1) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 +1 | Mediocre (0)

GM registers GM at init 0=Figure.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ah, that's why I thought 'fp add 1' would work: 'init add 5' works."

GM removes GM from the initiative list.

GM registers 0 at init Figure.

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Heh"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "You'll get there"

GM registers Figure at init 0.

Cuddlepaws displays the initiative: Eben(5) Wanda(4) Jacob/Cuddlepaws/Figure(0)

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

GM exclaims, "Eben acts first!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Good thing we rolled and not most people go at once :-)"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Ha ha."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I would like to set up an escape route with portals for the couple."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Excellent."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Is that create advantage, or overcome or..."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That seems like an Overcome, I think."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And +2 opposition."

Eben fires a couple portals, one at the wall by the couple, and another in the opposite direction, as far as he can see. "Quick! Through this! We'll get the silver whateverthisis."

Eben rolls Great (4) + 4dF: -1 -1 0 0 | Fair (2)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "A tie!"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "How do we know they weren't ganging up on the silvery figure? :D"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "The exit portal is in a semi-precarious position?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sure, that works."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It was a ways away, so I couldn't place it very well."

GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(also, looking at my sheet, I see I forgot my '+2 crafts when building a complex device' earlier. Oh well!)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Aw. Did you end up needing to spend a fate point to succeed?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If so, I'm willing to let you have it back."

Wanda darts around the silvery shape, creating a tall, blazing circle of flame to trap the silver guy inside

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Provoke, to do some pyrokinesis"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Probably a create advantage"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "With Provoke"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds good -- roll it!"

Wanda rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 0 | Good (3)

GM rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: -1 -1 +1 0 | Average (1)

GM exclaims, "It tries to move away, but Wanda's flames are too quick -- it's hemmed in!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh yeah, let's start a map."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I did; if you're OK with it, I'll take it back! ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "I am!"

Eben gives a fate point to Eben.

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

Jacob does that thing he does where he assesses the situation to create aspects.

Jacob rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 +1 | Legendary+1 (9)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "What's the target? (higher means you create less :D)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "wow"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh. Oh, man."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "To be fair, I really shouldn't make it more than +3 opposition."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So, um, let's do this thing:"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Jacob wins battles by being incredibly perceptive"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I've got fight at +1, so.. yeah :D"

GM says, "First and foremost, you notice that this guy seems familiar. You've Seen This Material Before."

GM says, "Second, the lights seem to be flickering in response to its movement. It's Influencing Electricity."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h88N6VTO6dtQ2RVzk1tqx4NdA5PNyShAjpXcoVjhU8M/edit#gid=1689105620, for our aspect scratch pad."

GM says, "And the vehicle? You realize that it just happens to be an Electric Hybrid."

GM says, "And the alley is a dead end, so if you arrange things right, the metallic figure is Nearly Cornered."

GM says, "You also realize that the blade coming from its arm is very sharp -- it's alreadyvery Dangerously Armed, even without any actual weapons."

GM says, "And finally, the way that blade extended from it suggests that it the metal might be a Malleable Semisolid."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is that six?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "All right, y'all. Have at it. Free invoke on one of these aspects."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yes"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Phew!"

GM exclaims, "Cuddlepaws!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Nearly cornered might be good"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "So any self respecting alley has a dumpster, right? Could I use it to trap the T-1000, since he is nearly cornered anyway?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "There is a dumpster!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "How would you like to trap it?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Slam it against the back wall of the alley, using the dumpster (and hold it in place there)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "(Attack with TK, I guess?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! If you're trying to trap it there, that's Create Advantage."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(If you're just trying to damage it, that's an attack.)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Either way with TK, and it will actively defend."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Hm. I guess we already have enough advantages. I shall attack!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 -1 | Fantastic (6)

GM rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 0 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, ". tags "Stubborn bugger!""

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "For three shifts?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah"

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 3.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Do we get a free tag for every one of Jacob's aspects?"

GM exclaims, "You hurl the dumpster at it with the power of your mind! The figure raises its blade arm to defend itself, extending it out several feet, to slice the dumpster in two! But sliced or not, the two broken halves smash into him!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Just one of them."

Cuddlepaws picks up a dumpster and slams it into the T-1000. "Sure hope you are a bad guy!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "But they're all true? OK."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yes. They're all taggable, with a fate point."

GM asks, "...but the pieces seem to glance off its metallic skin? As if it only took one point of physical stress?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Next is... the NPC's!"

GM says, "The young man and woman, grateful for your help, quickly hurry through Eben's portal..."

GM says, "...and find themselves suddenly stuck on a ledge several stories up on a building across the street."

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at couple), "Sorry! He's really old!"

GM says, "Meanwhile, the metallic figure extends its other arm into a second blade, which reaches out about eight feet to pierce the hood of the car behind it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Create Advantage with Physique, against opposition +2."

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

GM exclaims, "The blade must have pierced the cars batteries, because electricity crackles up the blade and all around him/her/it. It is now Charged Up!"

GM exclaims, "Eben!"

Jacob oh shit.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "We all went?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Fiddlesticks!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "What the action to cancel someone else's advantage?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Overcome."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I want to dump water on them so they're no longer charged up!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Er"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! Where is the water coming from?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "You do know that won't work"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "All you'll get is a puddle of electrified water"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I was going to say 'a nearby puddle' but maybe it would be funnier if it was the ocean."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha ha."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK, that'll be opposed by its Physique."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "This is a recipe for electrolytes (also, disaster)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And uses Shoot."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "So, sure! I'll pummel him with my ocean hose!"

Eben rolls Great (4) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 0 | Great (4)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 0 0 0 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you tagging anything?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hrm hrm."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Or succeeding at a cost.)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws cost: Whale stuck in portal

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I can propose a cost if you're up for that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, do that; I'm not thinking of anything great."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you OK with having an Aspect created against you?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Electrolytes, c'mon"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Or Dolphin flapping pathetically on the ground"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(No free invoke.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "They can't tag it, but it's a Thing In The Scene? Sure."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(er, tag it *for free*, that is)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(actually a thing they could tag for free would also be reasonable)"

GM exclaims, "As Eben aims his portal gun, the metal creature turns and extends one of its arms toward him, trying to take out the gun the same way it stabbed the car! But Eben knows better than to let his portal gun get disabled again!"

GM says, "Eben holds it up out of the way just in time, as he zaps a portal right above the thing! Water pours out, short-circuiting the electricity and discharging its CHarged Up aspect."

Cuddlepaws says, "Good work, old man"

GM says, "And the thing's blade merely slices into Eben's arm instead, leaving him with a long scratch, which is bleeding a bit -- and, oddly, sparkling a bit with flecks of silvery metal."

GM says, "Eben is now... Infected."

GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oho"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "So who's gonna cut off his arm?"

Eben says (to arm), "Oh, now *this* is interesting..."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I think I might try to find out if there's someone in there before I attack"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! How will you do that?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Telepathy, Notice, detect unfamiliar minds"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Probably an overcome"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks (of Jacob), "Are you gonna try and help those people stuck up their with bird powers, or should I?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Excellent! Overcome, +1 opposition."

Wanda rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 -1 | Average (1)

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Oh, man. I forgot about them. Haha."

GM asks, "Tie! Are you good with a tie?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I think I'll spend a fate point. Redemption's Always An Option!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And if there's someone to be redeemed inside..."

Wanda spends a fate point, leaving them with 2.

GM exclaims (at Wanda), "You reach out with your mind, and you feel... there *is* someone in there!"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "I guess I could call in a flock of large birds to kind of coast them to safety or something, if that isn't *too* farfetched :D"

GM says, "But you don't find any conscious thoughts. It's as though they might not even *be* conscious right now."

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Hey, can I shout out at least?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Not too farfetched at all. Just a slightly high-ish opposition :)"

GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Yes!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(Animal Control is Rapport, right?)"

Wanda exclaims, "Guys! I sense someone inside that thing! Someone who's unconscious! We've got to stop it without killing whoever's trapped inside!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Now over to Jacob"

Jacob reaches out telepathically to a nearby flock of pigeons, and asks them (rapport check in a moment) to help out that couple on the ledge. (Hoping that with enough of them, they could carry them to safety, maybe with a blanket? I dunno, haha.)

[CCrusaders] Jacob only gets a +3 to this roll, so lol. This is gonna be fantastic.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I was going to say Overcome with opposition +4, but I like the blanket so much, it's +3."

Jacob rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 -1 +1 0 | Good (3)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "If I need to break a tie, I can"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Maybe they could find A Route Down?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Cost: The couple gets pooped on"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you fine with a minor cost?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "I was literally going to suggest that, except Jacob instead of them :)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I think we've inconvenieced them quite a bit, and I have fate points to burn"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Tagging good with animals"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 3.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Also I can't type apparently."

GM exclaims, "The pigeons, already on alert when they noticed Jacob walking nearby, fly into action!"

GM says, "The couple are losing their footing, but the pigeons swoop in, bearing a blanket between them! And also apparently a coconut on the blanket."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ha"

GM says, "They catch the couple just as they start to fall! And lower them safely to the ground."

GM exclaims, "Cuddlepaws!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Hm, I wonder if I should just keep attacking and knock him/them/it out?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, by the way:"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, that seems reasonable."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Earlier, Wanda surrounded it with fire."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "More recently, Eben doused it with the ocean hose."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, oops ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I'm thinking they latter cancels out the former?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "alternately, I could try and lift the car with my telekinetic might, and drop it on him next turn"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "Create Advantage with your TK?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I totally forgot about the fire. If I had remembered, I maybe would have tagged it instead of getting infected?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(And it looks like the rules say a car is +4.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That kind of a big retcon."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Definitely too late for that!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah, but we just have enough of those. I'll just attack with TK"

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 -1 | Fair (2)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Wow."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh man"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "That seems like a jacob-tagged re-roll to me!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "This is a basic TK attack, throwing debris at it?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I literally covered my eyes and winced."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Half a dumbster, yeah"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "With a roll like that, I think *you're* the dumbster."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Opinions requested:"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims (at GM), "Seven or more!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you think deflecting half-dumpster style debris that's TK'ed at him would reasonably be considered 'Fight in close quarters'?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "Fair"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'd say so"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

GM rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 0 | Legendary+1 (9)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "This is fine."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Welp."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "*This* is an enemy worthy of the Crusaders."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Maybe *don't* tag something for a re-roll ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So, assuming you don't tag anything, I'm going to forego the usual Boost from succeeding with style and Inflict Condition instead."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'd like to tage for a reroll"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! His or yours?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Wait, though--he used the 'close quarters' thing."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Which means any inflict would have to be at close quarters, i.e. just on the dumpster itself."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "So?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I will argue)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'll tag Nearly cornered"

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 +1 | Epic (7)

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Hee. OK, sure."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Nice!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Phew."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "So just a boost or whatever"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Not even that!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Right, I just failed"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Since it only succeeded by 2 in its defense."

GM exclaims, "It tries to deflect the pieces away, and is forced back and back further into the corner in the process to keep itself from being struck!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, and it's its turn now!"

GM exclaims, "Somehow realizing that CP's power is coming from her collar -- as if it had some kind of sixth sense about energy sources -- it rushes toward CP and strikes out with its blades!"

GM rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: +1 0 -1 -1 | Fantastic (6)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That's a physical Attack!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It's up to you to defend."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Athletics!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Does Cat's grace help me here?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm. I feel like that might be a stretch."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Ok."

Cuddlepaws rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 0 0 | Good (3)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Ouch."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Six shifts -- how are you taking that?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Badly, for one."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "aw"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "That would be 2 physical boxes and a moderate consequence?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you have a physical stress box #3 available?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Er, not six, surely? Just 3?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "I do not"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Er, right, three."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Sorry, misspoke.)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "just two"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "So, a Mild and the '1' stress box?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Sorry, I have 3. Misunderstood my cheat"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "Then you could absorb two with a minor consequence and -- what Eben said."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "*sheet, sheesh"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, if you have three, you can just use box #3."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It's too late! Now we know you're cheating."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Allright"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

GM says, "And meanwhile, the couple flee to safety."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yes, I chated myself into damage"

GM exclaims, "Next round!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Before we start the next round:"

(From Cuddlepaws) A single drop of blood falls from a cut in CP's side.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It's just after six. We can try to finish the conflict today, or we can put it on hold until next time. (Or you could concede OOC if you wanted, and make up some IC justification for it.)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What's your preference?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'm up for some more."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I don't want to concede!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yet, anyway."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben, Wanda), "Are you both good to keep going today?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I would agree with Cuddles, but if it does go on for too long, conceding can always be a way to up the stakes"

GM exclaims, "Eben!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, I'm OK with continuing."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Then it's your turn!"

GM advances the initiative: EBEN(5) Wanda(4) Jacob/Cuddlepaws/Figure(0)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I forgot I could do that.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Do we have any advantages left?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at gm), "So does Quarion. A lot!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "You mean with free invokes?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I have no idea!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Did anyone actually use the free invoke on the aspects? CP used a FP to tag one."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(That's your job to keep track of.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think people have been spending fate points insted of tagging Jacob's list."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yes, the free invoke is still there."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, I think I'm going to use Hello Ocean as it was intended, and cause a mild consequence on the guy, and add 'flooded' to the zone."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Maybe 'drained'?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What if some of the metallic material began to wash off? 'Wearing Thin'?"

Eben realizes that grounding the guy with ocean water might work great, since he's an electricity-based fighter, and floods the whole area with ocean water!

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sure, I like it!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at eben), "YOU BASTARD!"

Cuddlepaws says, "EW ew ew ew I'm wet I'm wet I hate this"

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "Oh, come on; you can jump on my shoulders."

GM says, "A silvery scum floats in swirls atop the water."

GM advances the initiative: Eben(5) WANDA(4) Jacob/Cuddlepaws/Figure(0)

Eben . o O ( That doesn't look good. )

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can consequences be tagged for free? Why can I never remember the rules of this game?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yup!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "One free invoke."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm thinking of trying to pin down that thing, grapple it or something"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yay, so that's 2 free invokes available."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "If you're doing a straight grapple, that'd be Create Advantage, Physique vs. Physique."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I like how simple these grapple rules are"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Me too!"

Wanda rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 +1 -1 0 | Superb (5)

GM rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 -1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Tie! If you leave it at that, it'll just be a boost rather than an Aspect."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you going to tag anything?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Boost should be fine."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "IMO"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Okay, then, boost it is!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Just means we need to tag it soon."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "I imagine the water is steaming around her?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Boost means you can take advantage of it for a +2 later, but you're not actually pinning him in place.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Oh"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'd rather pin him properly"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you want to tag something?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I thought it meant that when you tag it it goes away."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Family First! He hurt Cuddles and infected grandpa!"

Wanda spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "No, it needs to be a real Aspect to be a thing that defines something specific in the scene. A boost is just a generic ephemeral '+2 on something related'."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "Success! Roleplay it?"

Wanda has way more legs than the silver villain can cope with! And she's pretty angry, too, pinning down the nameless figure, water steaming right off her, holding its head firmly (but non-lethally) in between her fangs.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And what do you call your aspect?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "In The Spider's Web"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Nice!"

GM advances the initiative: Eben(5) Wanda(4) JACOB/CUDDLEPAWS/FIGURE(0)

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hm. So what I had in mind was creating an aspect by doing lore on whatever the material his suit is made of, since I've seen it before. Is this still maybe useful, because I'm not sure what else I can do right now."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sure!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "That sounds good to me!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "In hopes of finding a better way of taking him down"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Nice idea"

Jacob rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 0 -1 | Fair (2)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Bleh"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I was going to say +2 as the opposition, so that's a boost."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you good with that?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Gonna use that free invoke finally on "you've seen that material before""

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Since nobody else was tagging them"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Where *did* we see it before?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! That'll bring it up to a full new aspect!"

GM says, "Jacob thinks about the properties that he's seen this being exhibit and wracks his brain and then realizes:"

GM exclaims, "This is the same material that you saw Bob using at the Quicksilver booth at NEMATEx!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Oho!"

GM says, "It's the nanotechnological goo that let him heal so quickly from his injuries."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh man."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Oh no!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And what would you like your aspect to be called?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Beating Up Bob Again"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Something about nanobots, maybe, because then that can be tagged while we try to figure out how to disable the f*ckers."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "'Something About Nanobots' it is!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hehe"

GM asks, "Cuddlepaws?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I'm trying to come up with a Bob Dylan-related pun for this aspect"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(AFK for a moment.)"

Cuddlepaws jumps on Eben's shoulder, shaking her paws in disgust.

Jacob asks, "Hey, Eben. What do you know about nanobots?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "I'd like to try another attack on him, using random debris."

Eben exclaims, "They're super small!"

Eben says, "And can either be controlled by an external source, or they're self-organizing."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(waiting for my roll until he gets back)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Back.)"

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 0 | Epic (7)

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Whee!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "OK! So is this in a form that would or wouldn't count as close-quarters fighting, for his defense?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "I was imagining an inverse shrapnell attack of lots of small stuff hitting him at once. So ... not sure? maybe not?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK, let's say not!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "In which case, he'll be defending with Athletics."

GM rolls Fair (2) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 +1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Do we have free invokes left?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you planning to invoke anything?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I think three."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I'll use the boost!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Wearing Thin, In the Spider's Web, and Something About Nanobots."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Which boost? I thought they were all aspects."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Oh, In the Spider's Web ... my bad."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, we spent extra to make them aspects."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "that's 4 shifts of damage, or with his armor, 2!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you tagging anything else?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Is that a hint? ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Okay if I take another one? Wearing Thin perhaps?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "It seems like it might be wise, yeah."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "In that case, tag 'em all!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Tagging Wow, oh...okay?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of Wanda&Jacob), "Is it okay?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So how do they each apply?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think tagging them when you started off at an advantage on a straight attack is numerically the most efficient use of them."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Also, they'll create consequences that we can then tag."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sure"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Indeed"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I agree"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Wearing thin: the sharpnel has an easy way penetrating him (uh...let's ignore that phrasing and move on), he's held down by Wanda so it's easier to hit him, and CP knows a thing or two about nanobots, so she can him where it hurts"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Excellent! Are you spending any fate points?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Can we spend enough to take him out entirely? We're at +8 right now."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "OOC: Right now, he would take a 2-stress box and a moderate consequence."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "He has 2, 3 and 4 stress boxes available, and moderate and serious consequences."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "I could tag Electrical Hybrid and say I use TK switch the car to gas-operation?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "OK! Is your idea that this would reduce the amount of power available for him to drain?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Indeed!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Excellent! Are you tagging anything else?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(So far this would bring him to a moderate and his 4-stress box.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "We're at 10 now, which is a 4-box, and a Serious?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "He also has Armor, so he gets to ignore 2 stress for free."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Three tagged aspects at +2 each, won the roll by 2, and a fp for a total of 10."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh! OK."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Okay, fine, tagging one more "Stubborn bugger! BECAUSE THIS GUY IS STAYING DOWN"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "And that's all my FPs"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "CPs FPs"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Excellent! That brings him up to a Serious Consequence and a 4-stress box."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "BOOM!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And he's only allowed to use one stress box per hit."

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 1.

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 0.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So, is anyone tagging anything *else*?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "'Nanobots, Disassemble'?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Is that an aspect?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "As the serious consequence."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, ah. Good name."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I like it"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Of course, it won't be taggable until after the attack.)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So are we going with the 12 shifts? Or tagging anything more?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I didn't think we could do things not on our actions."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "But if we can, I can spend a fate point, since that'd take him out, right?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or, use all their consequences."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "I'm fine with someone spending a fate point to tag an aspect on someone else's behalf, as long as they're not taking an actual action."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "It would!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "So, sure!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! What are you tagging?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I am going to spend a fate point to tag Flooded and say that the nanobots start to float away!"

Eben spends a fate point, leaving them with 2.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "This will give him all the consequences and take him out!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Roleplay your victory!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "woohoo"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "(And yes, 'Are you tagging anything else?' *was* a hint :) )"

Cuddlepaws hunkers down on Eben's shoulders and sees the metallic beast held down by Wanda. She focuses her telekinses and energy crackles around the three antenna from her headband! All sort of debris - stones, pieces of wood, squashed cans slowly rise and float above the two struggling bodies! "Hey, metallic dude! PICK ON SOMEONE YOUR OWN SIZE NEXT TIME!" And the debris crash into his body with amazing speed! The metallic form struggles to reassemble, but is quickly born away by the flood water.

GM exclaims, "The body collapses, as the nanobot shell washes away. And you see the unconscious form of... Bob!"

Jacob gasps.

Cuddlepaws gasps.

Eben ooohs.

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I'm still wet, by the way."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Speaking of which, did you dismiss Hello Ocean at any point? Or is it still flowing?"

Eben sighs. "OK, you can use the electric fluff dryer when we get home."

Eben cancels the ocean hose!

Cuddlepaws says, "Thanks."

Cuddlepaws aggressively head-butts Eben's face.

Wanda exclaims, "We need to make sure Bob's okay!"

Eben picks up Bob and carries him out of the water.

Wanda says, "At least I didn't toss him through a wall, like last time"

GM says (to Eben), "As you pick him up, he starts to come to."

Bob says, "Wha... what happened? Where am I?"

Eben asks, "Hi, Bob! How are you feeling?"

Eben says, "Your nanobots have apparently taken your body on a crime spree while you slept."

Bob says, "Confused? Tired... wet."

Bob says, "Oh -- oh no!"

Eben says, "Enh, it's OK. Property damage, nothing more."

GM says, "He looks down at the Quicksilver tattoo on his arm. It's still there, even after the goo washed off, but it's static and unmoving at this point."

Eben asks, "The more interesting question is: who programmed them to do that?"

Eben says, "and..."

Eben asks, "How do I get them out of my arm?"

GM says, "TO BE CONTINUED"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yay, that was exactly what I was hoping for, for the close ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Aw"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "What an adventure"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "I appreciate the dramatic line!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "That was a lot of tags in that last move!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Also, if you're OK with it, I'd like to rename your aspect now from 'Infected' to the more evocative 'Quicksilvered'."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sure!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Nice"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I hadn't want to drop that reveal just yet earlier.)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Next week, we'll be back with another installment of Crownsford Crusaders!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "dun dun DUN"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Woohoo!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "In the meantime, you're all encouraged to update the schedule for February."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "There's a mistake in the schedule for February"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I have to check with my IRL group, who wants to meet on the weekends"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "All the dates are wrong?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, whoops."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Feb 11 isn't on a Saturday, etc..."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of Wanda), "Can you fix it, or do you want someone else to?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I just did, I think."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yeah, looks good now"

Wanda Thanks

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Wow, Jota has a lot of free time on his hands"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Jota is waiting to schedule other stuff in February until he knows which days are good days for CC."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Savvy"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Oh"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Unfortunately, my other group has only planned till the end of January as well"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "But I have nothing else planned so far"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm usually free by default"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to GM), "Thanks for this! Some intriguing plot threads going on."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Space, cultists, nanobots!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Alien nanobot cultists, the new foe to face"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "You're welcome!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Oh, and you're welcome too, mischanneled or not :)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "but now I sleep. It's 1 am"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "nightnight"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, so you can know for planning purposes: I think 'first contact with aliens from Io' probably deserves a stage bigger than 'Crownsford', so I'm going to talk to Red about what he and his family thinks might be the best way to bring this to the attention of the federal government."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Oho, interesting."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Goodnight Crusader! Don't let the Bedspacespidernanobotcultists bite!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hehe"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I think they have a special ... Department for that"

Jacob goes east.

Wanda goes home.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Especialy since the spiders are almost certainly a global threat that we should be prepared for."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Good night, sleepfolk."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "'night! Thanks again!"

Eben exits stage left.

Eben has disconnected.