[CCrusaders] Bert says, "Log on."

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I have my dinner on me lap"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Eben will be right back, but otherwise, I think we're all here."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And a craft beer"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "called Volcelest"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'm eating some honey waffles"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "The biscuit kind? Delicious!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, i'm here."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo! Welcome back, everyone!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroopwafel"

GM exclaims, "To our next exciting issue of the Crownsford Crusaders!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "*paper rustling*"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "oh, we have them in France too! I'm a fan"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Though these are honingwafels, I guess"

GM exclaims, "Last time, our heroes fought their way down to the deepest, dankest level of the Raxiss prison, leaving behind a crew of confused Umawa and numerous unconscious prison guards, only to find themselves surrounded by locked cells filled with the worst rebels and traitors known to spiderkind!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "worst, but also irresistibly rugged"

(From GM) Eben asks, "Who's up for taking down an Empress?"

GM says, "There are some rumbles of agreement and good cheer, and one of them -- who is looking at Wanda -- suddenly shouts out:"

GM says, "<Zrizana!>"

Wanda says, "<Who?>"

Rebel says, "<No... that's impossible. You're much too young to be her...>"

Rebel says, "<You have her eyes. But... who *are* you?>"

Wanda says, "<I'm... My mother landed on another planet, and I was born there... she died, but I was adopted by the natives...>"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "I know we have umawa translators, but do we now have Raxiss translators, too?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yes! You built it while Wanda and Jacob were interrogating the pilot, back in the Umawa central village."

GM says, "He seems to be doing some calculating in his head."

Eben says, "My daughter adopted her! She's amazing."

Rebel says, "<The math would work out, but... no. This is some kind of a trick. Everybody knows that Princess Zrizana died years ago.>"

Jacob says, "Princess!"

Cuddlepaws meows in surprise.

Eben asks, "Wow, what?"

Wanda asks, "Princess?"

Rebel says, "<I don't know how they found someone with those same blue eyes, but whatever you're trying to get from us, you're not going to fool me that easily.>"

Wanda looks bewildered

Eben says, "OK, what's the backstory here? All we know about is the Umawa, who came to us for, uh, help, when the Empress stole their Chagakor, which the Empress then put in her staff or something."

Eben says, "We're not here to rule you or anything; we're just here to get the rock back."

Rebel looks surprised.

Cuddlepaws asks (of rebel), "Sir, please. Why would the Raxiss disguise themselves as weird humans and one adorable cats? Wouldn't we all be Raxiss if this was a trick?"

Rebel says, "The Empress has the Umawa's Gem of Thought? That's terrible!"

Eben says (to Rebel), "Yes. And we need your help getting it back to them."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "Are you trying to Overcome his skepticism with your Rapport?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Yes!"

Cuddlepaws sets her current fate point total to 2.

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I can help!"

Eben sets their current fate point total to 2.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

Jacob sets her current fate point total to 3.

GM sets his current fate point total to 4.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Anyone else want to help?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Me"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(or you can help me; my Rapport's at 3)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "It's better than mine..."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Okay, change of plans : We all help Eben"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The rebel leader will actively oppose, and I'll be tagging 'Rebel Leader' because of his skepticism."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK! A total of 5 for me:"

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That's 5 *after* the tag."

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 3.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I will spend a fate point on 'adopted', since it's Wanda, after all ;-)"

Eben spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

Eben says, "I mean, whatever you want to ask Wanda to do after is up to her; she's old enough to make her own decisions. But we're not here to take over your society or anything."

Eben says, "We never knew who Wanda's mom was; only that she must have loved her daughter very much to leave her own home."

Cuddlepaws rubs against Wanda's leg for emotional support.

Rebel says, "<Maybe... could it all be true? But if so... if your mother... could you somehow actually *be* my beloved Zrizana's daughter?>"

Cuddlepaws asks (of rebel), "Were you two lovers?"

Eben asks, "Wait, wait, wait... your beloved? Are you Wanda's *dad*?"

Wanda says, "Whaaaaat"

Cuddlepaws says, "Awkwaaaaaard"

Rebel says, "<We were... and, I had now idea that she was with child, but... yes, I think I may be.>"

Jacob aw.

Wanda says, "I don't know what to say"

Rebel reaches one forelimb through the bars toward Wanda.

Cuddlepaws opens the cell.

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "How?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Didn't we take over the control station?"

Eben says, "Here, I bet one of these orbs will work."

Rebel says, "<My name is Azikek.>"

Eben rifles through the guards' pockets, gathers orbs, armbands, and guns.

Eben tosses the orbs to CP.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You took over the one upstairs, but that didn't unlock the doors on those cells."

Cuddlepaws orbs the door.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Burglary overcome is +4 for a normal cell door."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, wait, but you took the one from the guard!"

Cuddlepaws tosses the orb to Jacob.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Never mind -- that will open it."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "oh?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "This scene is becoming unintentionally hilarous"

Cuddlepaws says, "RETCON"

Cuddlepaws orbs the door. (II)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Sorry, forgot you actually had the *right* key to the door available to you.)"

GM exclaims, "It opens!"

Azikek says, "Thank you!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "No problem, Wanda's dad!"

Azikek says, "What's your plan for getting out of here without being caught?"

Jacob . o O ( Plan? )

GM asks, "There are half a dozen rebels all together, and they all seem to know each other -- are you releasing them all?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "When the brains of the gang is making . o O faces at the idea of a plan, you know you're in trouble"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "If Azikek can vouch for all of them."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "== Jacob"

Eben asks (of Azikek), "I assume we can trust all these people?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "If we do, CP sits in the middle of the hallway and just zigzags the orb around with TK."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "He can and does."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Then yes, I don't see why not."

Azikek says, "Yes -- I've worked with all of them personally."

Eben says, "Well, a large part of the plan involved finding you all, on the assumption that you'd have more information about the palace and the situation than we do."

GM says, "He proceeds to introduce J'nixe, his lieutenant, and the others who all also have names."

Eben says, "But we have an armband printer, and the guards' keyorbs, and a thing I rigged up to help use this keyorb as a sort of generic skeleton key for the doors it wouldn't normally unlock."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "No, no, we need all the names."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hehe"

Wanda exclaims, "He can do anything with technology!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "There's two-days from retirement, just had a daughter, totally-not-a-traitor, and token daddy long-legs spider race guy"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Pardon me while I roll an alphabet die a few times."

Azikek says, "<We've all been in here for years -- I can tell you some things, but my intel is woefully out of date by now. What would you like to know?>"

Cuddlepaws asks, "It might not be the most pressing question, but do you think getting rid of the Empress will be enough?"

Eben says, "If there's time, I'd love to know how the empress came to power and why Zrizana escaped, and who exactly Wanda is."

Wanda says, "I feel a bit overwhelmed, yeah"

Azikek says, "<If it were even possible to get rid of the Empress, I can't see the rest of the noble houses accepting any leader who didn't follow the Imperial philosophies.>"

Eben asks, "And, like, do we need to escape, or can we effectively depose her?"

Eben asks, "Do you think she's using the mind stone to rule?"

Azikek says, "<The Imperial family has been in power for generations, ever since they first united the many Raxiss noble houses. But that was long, long ago.>"

Azikek says, "<If we want change, I believe it will have to be a gradual process. The people are dedicated to her, and it will take time to change their minds.>"

Cuddlepaws says, "So this sounds like we should try to escape first"

Azikek says, "<She has been ruling with an iron fist for decades *without* the Gem of Thought. With it, she'll only be able to expand her influence to cover the rest of the world.>"

Azikek says, "<Or beyond.>"

Cuddlepaws says, "Oh."

Wanda says, "Then we need to take back that gem."

Eben asks, "Is it a cult of personality? If we kidnap her personally, will that help?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Hypothetically speaking, let's say we steal the stone back and return it to the umawa and go home. What's to keep the Raxiss from stealing it again?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "If the rebels live with the Umawa?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hm."

Azikek says, "<It's the Empire that they're loyal to, and it's philosophies. Control, power, superiority. If she's gone, another noble lineage will just step in to seize power in the vacuum, I fear.>"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "So we're all thinking it ... Wanda needs to become Empress"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Well, ideas are fireproof"

Eben asks, "OK. So, if we take you back to the Umawa with the stone, do you think you'll be able to start to effect change from there?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "yay"

Eben says, "<Do you think they would be willing to cooperate with us? With their greatest enemies?>"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Argh."

Revel says, "<Do you think they would be willing to cooperate with us? With their greatest enemies?>"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(I give up!)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Getting closer."

Jacob says, "They seem to have accepted Wanda."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Uh, maybe I said "this one", I don't know if he got a name for you."

Rebel says, "<Then, with their help, and their protection... maybe. Yes.>"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If he hadn't before, I assume your gesures and context would have made it clear."

Eben asks, "OK, sounds like a plan. So, armbands for everyone. You want the guards armbands, or new ones?"

Azikek says, "<Do you have enough of the guards' identifications for all six of us?>"

Cuddlepaws asks (of Azikek), "So why does Wanda have these fire powers you guys don't?"

Azikek says, "<Fire powers?>"

Eben says, "Actually, yes. There were exactly six guards, and a pilot for Wanda."

Eben says, "Yeah, she can set things on fire with her mind."

Azikek says (to Eben), "<That would be perfect, then.>"

Cuddlepaws asks (of Azikek), "Didn't the princess have those?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I think Nichols told us that no, she didn't"

Azikek says, "<That's amazing! I've never heard of such a thing. Is this something that all creatures who live on that other world can do?>"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'm thinking Nichols *created* the powers."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "He seemed surprised though"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Given that he gave other animals powers."

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at Azikek), "No, but I can do something cool! Pick me up and drop me from any height!"

Eben says, "Having powers like that is somewhat unusual. We ended up together in this group partly because we were able to do more unusual things than most of us."

Azikik -- somewhat confused -- goes along with Cuddlepaws' request.

Cuddlepaws always lands on her feet.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "ha ha ha ha ha ha ha"

Azikek says, "I see. And this is your 'power'?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, man, that was perfect."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "lololol"

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at Azikek), "One of many!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Anyway, I should probably stop holding up the plot"

Azikek says, "<You are clearly remarkable individuals. We would be happy to work together.>"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cat_fall_150x300_6fps.gif"

Azikek says, "<Is there anything else you'd like to know that we can tell you?>"

Eben asks, "Do you know the layout of the palace? Is there a good way to sneak into the throne room?"

Eben says, "And back out again, I guess."

Azikek says, "<The lower floors of the palace -- from ground level, not counting the prison -- are mostly for staff. Kitchens, maintenance, storage, and so on.>"

Eben gives Azikek a quick rundown on our powers, in case he has a request later, and so he won't get confused if we ask him to jump through a portal, etc.

Peregrine arrives at home.

Wanda is happy to demonstrate her firebending abilities.

Azikek says, "<The middle floors are used for imperial bureaucracy. It's where the offices are for the civil service are.>"

Azikek says, "<The upper levels are for nobility and the courts. That's where the Empress' throne room is.>"

Azikek says, "<And the Impress' personal quarters are at the very top. But there's no elevator leading to them: you can only reach them through the throne room.>"

Eben asks, "Can you take an elevator straight to the upper floors?"

Cuddlepaws asks (of Azikek), "What kind of people get to see the Empress?"

Azikek says, "<Yes, if you have the right keyorb. None of the guards' orbs would let you up that high, of course.>"

Eben says, "The elevators seem to have hatches; maybe we can just climb up the shaft."

Eben says, "Or we can use my hacked keyorb."

Azikek says (to Cuddlepaws), "Nobles, high-ranking imperial officials, powerful guild leaders, some political prisoners, and of course anyone she demands an audience with."

Cuddlepaws says, "And what was her relationship with Zrizana? Maybe we can use Wanda as bait to get up there"

Azikek says, "<Empress Xilasi is Zrizana's mother.>"

Wanda says, "Oh."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Heh. Is Jacob the only one who figured that out?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yes"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Totally"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "we feel totally d'oh"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I had guessed ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I figured either mother or grandmother, depending on how old the empress was."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I thought it was a Princess Leia situation and she would be from one of the other houses"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Me too"

Azikek says, "<Wanda... I'm sorry that you had to return to such circumstances as this. But I am glad that you've come home.>"

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "I'd rather not let anyone know we're here, if we can help it."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Hmm, Wanda is a mentally-influenceable heir apparent with impressive powers that correspond exactly to the destructive Imperial philosophies in place... this doesn't sound like a great situation"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "For us, that is"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "For the Empress, it's the best possible outcome"

Wanda says (to Azikek), "It's crazy. I lived nearly all my life not knowing where my mother came from, not knowing this world existed."

Wanda says, "It's a lot to take in."

Cuddlepaws looks at Wanda for a moment, but says nothing.

Wanda asks (of Cuddlepaws), "What?"

Azikek says, "<I understand. And after I lost your mother, I never knew I had... a family.>"

Cuddlepaws says, "Nothing. As you said, it's a lot to take in."

[CCrusaders] Eben checks something:

Eben rolls Mediocre (0) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 0 | Terrible (-2)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, nope ;-)"

[Crows-Nest] (from GM) Eben confirms that his dice are still cursed.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "haha"

Cuddlepaws asks, "So we use the skeleton key orb to get to the upper floors and then what?"

Eben pats Wanda on the shoulder and says brightly but somewhat unhelpfully, "It's OK, kid, you got this!"

Cuddlepaws says, "I hardly see us fight our way through the guards"

Eben says, "Find the stone; get out; fly back."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Not with rolls like these, at least."

J'nixe says, "<How will you get to the elevators without being seen?>"

Jacob looks around. "Frankly, I'm surprised nobody has noticed the guards all being knocked out..."

Jacob asks, "Don't they ever need to report in?"

Eben says, "If we can get me out, I can let the rest of you through with portals."

Eben asks, "Is there any way out of here other than the elevator?"

J'nixe looks up at the camera lens in the hallway -- which apparently no one has done anything about on this floor.

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Jacob), "Also, hush; you're giving the GM ideas ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I know :D"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "But still curious."

[Setting the zoned flag.]

Wanda says, "Oh, crappity crap."

Cuddlepaws says, "That's probably not good."

J'nixe says, "I thought you had already done something about that... if you haven't, then time is short."

Eben asks (of CP), "Can you redirect it now, at least?"

Cuddlepaws does so,

J'nixe says, "<We can get out of the prison by the back stairs, but we'll surely be seen by the guards on every other floor. And you'll still need to walk through the main foyer to get to the main palace elevators.>"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "How about I make an overcome roll for whoever is watching the cameras and waiting for guards to check in, to see if they've noticed anything..."

Eben exclaims, "So, elevator to the level we already dealt with!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Which was -4?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "-6?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Given that you've been talking for a while and neglected to adjust the camera, this is going to be a relatively easy roll -- +2 active opposition, unless someone invokes something OOC."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "It was -6."

Azikek says, "<You've already been to another level?>"

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "(I'm imagining an idea which would be both epic and probably highly unrealistic.)"

Eben says, "Yeah, that's where the other 3 armbands came from."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "IC, none of you know anything about that roll I just made. But OOC, do any of you want to invoke anything to affect the opposition to it?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "There are no bad ideas in brainstorming"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Not me"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Also, sorry, I meant *passive*, not *active*.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hmm, just a sec."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks (of Cuddlepaws), "How about the Endless Stair of Flames?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Now seems like a good time to tag 'Camera: seems like a genuine malfunction'."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "You want to set the stairs on fire?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Oh yeah!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "It's a little more subtle"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, do I still have my 'singed' mild?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I want to create a moving column of flames ahead of us as we go up, providing a deterring buffer for guards trying to stop us"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "We create the aspects, Eben remembers we have them"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Hee"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Which completely fills the stairs ahead of us"

GM says, "ELSEWHERE: A guard sitting in front of a panel of screens suddenly notices something. He looks closer at one of the monitors... <Hey, it looks like the camera down on level -6 is on the fritz. Send a maintenance team down there to fix it, stat!>"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "This can be reinforced with a shield from CP"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "That sounds awesome, but more like a a plan B"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "yeah"

GM says (to Eben), "You notice that the place where you *had* been singed is now... covered with a thin, reflective layer of Quicksilver."

Cuddlepaws says, "So we move to level +4"

Cuddlepaws asks, "And then the rest via stairs?"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says (to Quicksilver), "Thanks, but don't get any ideas."

Eben says (to Quicksilver), "Thanks, but don't get any ideas."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "How're your prostrate problems?"

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

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "If I can sneak open the doors in the lobby just a crack, I can try to get a portal placed to somewhere inconspicuous."

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "Sounds good"

Eben says, "OK! Everyone in the elevator; we're going up."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Let grandpa go alone ahead. Sounds foolproof."

Wanda exclaims, "No time to lose!"

Cuddlepaws sits under Wanda.

Jacob hustles.

GM says, "You go to the elevator and see the two unconscious guards lying on the floor."

Eben flips the manual lever and takes the elevator to just below the top floor, riding on the top of the elevator until he's level with the lobby doors.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I assume the guards are just shoved aside"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "As a reminder: this elevator brings you up to the top level of the prison section, but not to the main palace lobby proper. Is the prison entrance where you're aiming for?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Maybe some of the rebels kick them in the spiderparts"

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "The palace lobby is up the stairs from the prison level, right?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(except here()"

GM says, "The nine of you (minus Eben, who's on top) squeeze into the elevator car. It's kind of a tight fit, but you manage alright."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Right -- I'll draw a diagram."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "https://www.webwhiteboard.com/board/y35xg99q"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "It's like watching Bob Ross"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is that relatively clear?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yup!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Am I right about the pod?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Perfect"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(assuming it's still there)"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Yup."

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "Can you come with me? You have a better sense of how to keep out of people's way."

Cuddlepaws says, "Sure thing, old guy"

Eben places cuddlepaws on his traditional spot on his shoulders.

GM says, "As you recall, there were guards milling about in the prison lobby area before."

Eben scritches his ears absently.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "er, her."

Cuddlepaws drapes around Eben's neck and purrs softly.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Does the elevator open directly into the prison lobby?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It does."

Eben asks (of Cuddlepaws), "Can you crack the doors open enough that we can see out?"

Cuddlepaws says, "Sure."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "If I want to TK the doors very gently, would that be Will or Stealth?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Wait, doesn't matter. :-)"

Eben places one portal in the elevator wall below him.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Stealth -- vs. active opposition."

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of Eben), "Can you assist?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's see... multiple guards, so they get an assist too."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I can!"

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "We're at +4 oh fiddlesticks"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I can't assist *that* much, though."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Tagging, failure, or success at a great cost?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Hmm; just fail and we figure out a different way?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I *could* tag inconspicuous and bring us to +6"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "This is a failure of *Stealth*... there are consequences."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'm for failing. Failing in FATE is always fun."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "TbH, I'm not quite sure where the others are"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "Failure it is!"

GM says, "You crack open the doors just enough to see... a scruffy looking giant spider carrying some kind of case, staring back at you."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "so, the doors open a crack, but are very loud about it?"

Cuddlepaws asks (of spider), "Um, Meow?"

Worker says, "<HEY! This elevator isn't just broken! There's someone inside it!>"

GM exclaims, "And you hear alarms go off!"

Eben shoots through the crack with the polydyne emitter!

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Where is the rest of the team?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is that an attack?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "In the elevator, I think."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Okay. So no sense getting back up the hatch."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I was hoping for an area effect? I guess that would be a create advantage?"

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at team), "We've been made. Kill them all!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "We're all packed into the elevator with the rebels, I believe"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "You *are* up the hatch."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to CP), "They're just under our feet."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "We could just take the elevator down again!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "A straight attack would be fine, too."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! It'll be with Shoot. And since it's an area, instead of aiming at an individual, let's say it'll be +4 opposition for a general impeding effect."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK!"

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Captain Morris, gunslinger of the galaxy, here to save every one of us"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "A tie is a boost!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Roleplay that?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "So the plan is to get out of the elevator and give'em hell, right?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And then once you do, roll initiative!"

GM clears the initiative.

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Certainly Wanda is more than capable of giving them hell...fire"

Cuddlepaws registers Cuddlepaws at init 4.

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

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

Wanda registers Wanda at init 4.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "We're all rolling 4:"

Jacob registers Jacob at init 4.

Eben shoots the polydyne radiation through the doors, but the doors kind of block it, giving him a wedge of radiation in the lobby, which can be moved around.

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "What was the tiebreaker? Athletics?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yeah"

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

Eben registers Eben at init 3.

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Fantastic (6)

GM registers GM at init 6.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's use https://www.webwhiteboard.com/board/t75u6jya for the combat. So we have a bit more room."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to Jacob), "I'm at +3"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah, me, too."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm at +2, (+4 if you include my stunt)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If it's just us, we can decide."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Feel free to invoke pregnant :P"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ha"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I think that slows me down"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(You can go first, it's fine)"

Wanda sets their current fate point total to 2.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Place yourselves as appropriate on https://www.webwhiteboard.com/board/t75u6jya"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Also, Rebels and Traitors is an Aspect -- feel free to invoke it.)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And yeah, if the init is just tied between you guys, you are free to resolve the tie however you like."

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) Cuddlepaws/Wanda/Jacob(4) Eben(3)

[Crows-Nest] Roger says, "that's Rebel Scum to you"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "So is that half of a portal in the elevator?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "The red"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Oh this is in 3-D?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda puts on 3D glasses

GM says, "Half of the guards run to block the doors leading outside, and the other half run to block the ones leading into the palace."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, it doesn't have another half yet."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok"

GM says, "Create Advantage: 'Blocked Exits', opposition +2."

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is anyone tagging anything against them?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Are the doors closed or just blocked by people?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Closed, locked, and if this succeeds, *also* blocked by people."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I don't see any particular problem with them also standing there, then ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'm not tagging anything"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Unless anyone else thinks this would be a good use of the polydyne?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "The polydyne should be kept for emergencies and actual combat"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sounds good, then."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Let's see how this shakes out first"

GM exclaims, "Meanwhile, the maintenance guy opens his case and takes out some kind of tool and opens up a maintenance panel, trying to take control of the elevator!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "This is effectively trying to overcome Eben's Manual Control aspect, so he can actively oppose with Crafts."

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

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Do I get the gadgeteering bonus here, or just straight crafts?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I think this one is straight crafts."

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

Engineer says something that you think must be a Raxiss curse.

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) CUDDLEPAWS/WANDA/JACOB(4) Eben(3)

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "Clash of the Maintenance Technicians!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Who's first?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can they delay action so I can shoot a portal they can go through?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That would be helpful"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If they want to, sure."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Where are you aiming it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Just wondered if 'delay action' was an actual thing in FATE."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "I have no idea! And I think you probably don't want me to check! :)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I can probably go through a cracked door, though"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "But I'll be happy just to wait"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "So yeah, anyone who wants to go post-me, I will open the other half of the portal on my turn."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "Are you going now?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I will shoot the portal in the ceiling over the clustered guards by the left heavy locked doors. Overcome, I assume, and if I succeed with style, I'll make the boost something like, 'death from above'."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(assuming cp 'happy to just wait' means she's not going)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! You're shooting through a small gap, so opposition +4."

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah, sorry"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Tie -- minor cost. Maybe 'it's super obvious to the guards what you're attempting?'"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sure."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "init advance back to the others!"

Guard says, "<Look! They're using some kind of interdimensional portalling technology!>"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! Who of the tied people is next? CP?"

Eben . o O ( Hey, they know about it! Maybe they have research about it I can steal. Uh, borrow. )

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'm happy to let Jacob go first"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Yeah me too"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Athletics to jump through the portal and land on my feet, maybe kicking someone in the head in the process? :)"

Cuddlepaws displays the initiative: GM(6) CUDDLEPAWS/WANDA/JACOB(4) Eben(3)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Or not, just landing safely is fine"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That'd normally just be a move, I think."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm not a cat!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha! Jumping through is a move, and kicking someone is an attack."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And conveniently, you get a move and an attack on your turn!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah, but this only works for me if I can attack with athletics instead of fight :D"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I guess I can make a shitty fight roll, if need be."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Create advantage, maybe?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, mm. If you have a relevant aspect, I'd let you spend a FP to tag it to declare that you can do this."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Dodging weird kicky person?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah, an advantage might be good here."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Or, sure, if you have an idea for a way to make it a create advantage, that's a good idea too."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! What kind of advantage are you aiming for with your athleticism?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "They're a little distracted by a crazy guy falling from the ceiling and making an impressive landing."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! That sounds like something they'll defend against with Will!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Complete with weird ninja noises from some movie Jacob watched."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Hero landing! Hero landing!"

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

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh ma-- haha."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "GO JACOB!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "SUCESS WITH IMPROBABLE STYLE!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Jacob is so cool once he learns to believe in himself!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Would you like to narrate that?"

Jacob jumps through the portal right in front of him in the elevator, and doesn't really do anything particularly fancy other than land perfectly on his feet without stumbling, but the guards are like "holy sh*t, a two-legged" and freak out a little.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "CP? Or Wanda?"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "It's raining men."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'll go, if that's okay"

[Crows-Nest] Eben exclaims, "Hallelujah!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Whee! Go Cuddles"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "Also, don't forget to update the map and aspects sheet."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "CP!"

Cuddlepaws also jumps through the portal.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I updated the aspects list."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Which is https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h88N6VTO6dtQ2RVzk1tqx4NdA5PNyShAjpXcoVjhU8M/edit#gid=1689105620 for those playing at home."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "Since you were on top of the elevator, that requires two movements."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And to do a second movement in a turn, you to use your action for an Overcome -- are you OK with that?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to CP), "unless you can make it through the cracked door ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Can I?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Given what I have seen from my cats, yeah, I have to admit yes."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "And by going through the door I would use stealth and create advantage?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "If that works."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

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

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 +1 -1 -1 | Average (1)

Cuddlepaws jumps down the elevator and slinks through the impossible small crack in the doors.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Style!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I was considering spending a fate point, but... nope, you succeed with style!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I call this SURPRISE CAT!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Updated!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks (of CP), "Don't you get 2 free invokes?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "I do, I think, because style?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, I put it in the +2 column."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Good!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I will go through the portal and flame on as I land, attacking the guards with my fiery presence!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "descending like a meteor"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Do I need to roll anything?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Now that the guards split into each group, consider each one a mob of 3."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "If you're attacking, I hope you'll roll an Attack!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I assume Provoke"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(but as an attack)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Provoke is a mental attack."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do the flame rules mention using Provoke to attack with fire?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Are you trying to intimidate them?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Ooh."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws | Whenever possible, identical nameless NPCs like to form groups, or mobs. Not only does this better ensure their survival, it reduces the workload on the GM.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Eben), "Provoke is the skill I use for firebending"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's a special use"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ah, got it."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "from my stuny"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "*t"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, I don't see anything in there about attacking with Provoke."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ah, it's getting flames to spread where you want them to"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Right."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "But it seems illogical that spiders who are NOT fire proof should not take stress from fire spreading at them"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sure, but you'd actually roll 'fight'."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You can use a Fight attack to deal stress t-- right."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Unless, as mentioned, this is a mental attack."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's the same either way"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I have Fight at +4 too"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So you jump through the portal, flame on, and attack with Fight, raining down hellfire?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "So, the GM must now roll to defend?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "correct"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, you already rolled!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "That would be one stress -- but IIRC do you do extra stress from being flamey?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That's 1 stress + 1 extra stress from fire (since they can't take consequences, being nameless)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "That's two stress -- are you invoking anything?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Feel free to tag my polydyne."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And maybe Jacob's startlement."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Well, my flames provide a cool backdrop for Jacob's Heroic Landing"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And the polydyne applies too"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Good, good. What's your total roll after that?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Something like 8 stress if I use all the invokes"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "8 stress, or a roll of 8?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "2 with two tags is 6."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "There are two free invokes on Jake"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, you're tagging both of them?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Well, only if I need to"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Then I'm going to tag Elite Guard! These guys are better than your average random Raxiss schmuck, and they don't go down that easily!"

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 2.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Which brings my roll up to 5!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "How much stress does that leave?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "6"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I can also tag Surprise Cat"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "That can't be right"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Two of them go down! But the third one is still unharmed!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "How is SURPRISE CAT related?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "It was a joke :P"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(mischanneled)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh phew."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "Don't you take like 3 stress? Because we are at +8 and you at +5?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "8 is the amount by which we won"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "She tagged Polydyne for +2, then Jacob's awesome surprise landing twice for +4."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says (to CP), "tagged polydyne for 2, landing x2 for 4, success for 1, flames for 1, minus 2 for Elite."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Oh wow"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Nice! :-)"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Bringing her +4 up to +10 total, vs. my +5. And then got +1 for flame."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Now, may I RP?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Flame on!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Please!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(And I have to AFK for just a sec, but when Wanda finishes, it's Jacob's turn.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Why?"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "(it's actually the GM's turn; Jacob already went)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Right"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(as did I)"

(From Wanda) The three elite guards were slightly taken aback by the arrival of the two-legged intruder, but nevertheless were confident in their own eight-legged superiority... until what appears at first to be a flaming meteor comes crashing down through the portal, right at them! A meteor... with eight legs? Who rushes at them furiously like a demon!

(From Wanda) Two of the three guards are tossed aside like rag dolls, their unconscious bodies smouldering!

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm done."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "So are they!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Oh, he went?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) Cuddlepaws/Wanda/Jacob(4) EBEN(3)

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) Cuddlepaws/Wanda/Jacob(4) Eben(3)

GM exclaims, "The guards at the far end of he room open fire on Wanda!"

GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: -1 0 -1 0 | Good (3)

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

GM exclaims, "But they are no match for her agility!"

Wanda dodges and darts about like St Elmo's fire!

GM exclaims, "Meanwhile, the other guard -- the one Wanda didn't quite kill yet -- realizes that there are more prisoners hiding through the portal in the ceiling and fires on them -- injuring several of the rebels and traitors!"

Jacob!!!

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I defend with Shoot to move the portal?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm going to try and block the shots with my body, of course"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Oh no those guys whose names we didn't get!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm. You know, why not."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Which of you is doing the defending?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Let me! I'd like to."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Okay, Graaaandpa"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Thanks, kid."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "it's cool"

[CCrusaders] Eben defends:

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I also had a defense idea :_)"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! But, if you fail, you'll end up taking the damage."

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "But you succeed with style!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Good thing we gave the GM our die this session"

[CCrusaders] GM will let Eben RP before moving on.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "How about 'Surprise rebels behind you!'"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is that the name of a boost?"

Eben sees the guards about to shoot through the portal, so he quickly moves it behind them. As they stare at the ceiling, the rebels are poised at their backs!

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah."

GM says, "The hapless maintenance engineer, who has no path of escape, relentless keeps working on the elevator doors."

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

Eben's old hacking tries to resist!

Eben rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 0 | Fantastic (6)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh man."

Engineer never signed up to deal with prison breaks and superheroes!

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) CUDDLEPAWS/WANDA/JACOB(4) Eben(3)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK, out of this crazy mess, who's first?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Was it the right group that was firing?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I guess I am. I.. am thinking."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The right group fired at Wanda. The left group fired through the portal."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'm still not sure if this is a top-down view, meaning there is a small hallway above the elevator."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "This is a side view."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, I think it's a side view."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "But it's all one zone."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Ohhh! Oh."

[CCrusaders] Roger says, "Elevation, the kids call it"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "The elevator shaft (where you are) and elevator car are separate zones."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Is there something in here one could use to attack with TK? Say, like a piece of art that's a long metal rod with a wire mesh on top?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "right; I meant the left and right of the elevator."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "Sure! Prisons always have lots of avant garde art on display!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Aha, yes."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I can either try to stop the poor maintainence worker from what he's doing, or maybe sneak past the fighting and then start working on the locked into the palace. Or did we want to go outside first for some reason?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "*locked doors"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "If you could take him on, I could focus on the other guards"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The doors are still being blocked by that one guard, at the moment."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "But you could do an Overcome to try to get past him."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "And even Jacob can hopefully deal with one maintenance dude :-)"

Jacob shrugs and sucker punches the maintenance worker.

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

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

Wanda has left.

Wanda has arrived.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ha"

GM says, "He is... no longer a concern."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha ha"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Who's next?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Either CP or me"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Me, I thinK!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Go cuddles"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "CP!"

Cuddlepaws pickes up that piece of art (or something similiar) and whacks the guards who have been shooting at Wanda with it.

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Weirdly, in FATE it's usually best for the fighter PCs to be lower on the init than the others."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Ready to tag one or two of my free invokes"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Because they can tag more stuff"

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 0 +1 | Superb (5)

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "and wreck everything"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Two it is!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "bringing me to +8"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Three shifts takes out one guard!"

Cuddlepaws whacks one of the guard with the suspiciously flyswatter-shaped art piece and smacks him into a wall!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Time to disarm the guard who's facing me!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, just a disarm? Interesting!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Wresting away his weapon seems like a Physique vs. Physique roll!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's the heroic moral stuff kicking in belatedly"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Create Advantage)"

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Does he succeed at holding onto his pistol?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Hm, he might, but he'll take a shift of damage anyway..."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "As it turns out, he is pretty well trained for dealing with this kind of situation -- he tags Elite Guard to succeed with style on his defense!"

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 1.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Which means *he* gets the advantage, with two invokes..."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Gasp"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Sometimes having the moral high ground comes at a price"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "He still gets a shift of fire damage"

Guard wrestles Wanda for his weapon -- he gets a bit burned in the process, but she winds up with the barrel pressed right up against her!

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I put 'gun aimed right at wanda' on the list)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Aspect: Point Blank Range!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Or that too."

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) Cuddlepaws/Wanda/Jacob(4) EBEN(3)

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Noo, just when she was about to get some answers!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Eben!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "With no maintenance guy interference, can I make it through the doors?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(The elevator doors, I assume you mean.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yes."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK! I would like to use 'Gotcha' to use portals as an attack on the group of two guards."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And probably invoke the rebels."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! That was a boost from your earlier reportaling, right?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "It was!"

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

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

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 0 +1 +1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you using the one boost to turn it into a tie, which would be a new boost?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Were the rebels an invokable aspect in general? When you put them there?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup. Taggable but not free."

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

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Sure, I'll swap the boost and say that the rebels are now fighting the two guards?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you want to RP?"

Eben squeezes through the elevator door, and calls out, "Go, go go!" to the rebels below, who tumble through the portal and start attacking the two guards from the back!

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) Cuddlepaws/Wanda/Jacob(4) Eben(3)

Guard who's pointing his gun at Wanda... pulls the trigger!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Invoking both of his free invokes on Point Blank Range!"

GM rolls Epic (7) + 4dF: 0 0 0 +1 | Legendary (8)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Wanda, how will you defend?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Ouch"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(+8 is his total roll after invokes.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Whoa"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Could I throw up shielding between them?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "At this range, I don't think so, sorry."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The barrel is pressed right up against her thorax."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Can I still dodge with Athletics at this range...."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You can try!"

Wanda rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Legendary (8)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Man."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I am a fucking superheroine. I DODGE BULLETS"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Holy Moses, what is going on here"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You take no damage, but the guard will get a boost, and you need to roleplay how the heck you just did that."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks (of GM), "Are these energy weapons or bullet ones?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Energy."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(This is high tech SF on an alien planet. Of *course* they're energy weapons.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "heh"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "give me a moment to imagine how the f*** she did this"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "https://giphy.com/gifs/shot-matrix-4bpgqEqmOTwuk"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Twist out of the way, but he ends up on top of you?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Really, CP's Matrix gif is the only thing I can think of"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Go for it."

Wanda senses the very slightes hint of heat begin to unfurl from the muzzle of the gun pressed against her thorax. In the tiniest fraction of a second, she bends backwards until she's on her back, and the energy blast just narrowly misses her.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Now the boost is that I'm on my back."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I was super fast."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(to have anticipated that shot in the first place)"

GM exclaims, "Meanwhile! The guards on the other side of the room are engaged in a firefight with the rebels and traitors! Energy blasts are flying, and people might be getting injured, but it's happening so quickly, it's hard to tell!"

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) CUDDLEPAWS/WANDA/JACOB(4) Eben(3)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You must have spider-y senses!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hm."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Gonna go for that stealth overcome, since remaining guard seems a little distracted with Wanda. And I don't like my odds of trying to take him out or anything."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "To reach the locked doors into the palace."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "(remaining guard over here, I mean)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds good!"

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You succeed in overcoming the Blocked Exit, and are now behind him!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Woo. Ok, CP?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "ok!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "So that guy who just tried to kill Wanda is gonna get whacked!"

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 0 0 +1 | Legendary (8)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woah!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "A lot of 8's here"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I assume that's an attack with TK? Did that include any tags in it yet?"

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "No tags"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You have taken him out completely."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(rp'ing)"

Cuddlepaws yells "WANDA! NO!" The piece of art flies all the way across the room and swats the guard off her and into the ceiling, from where he falls down to the floor after a second.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "We wanda get through the locked doors or finish off the other guards?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "You finish off the guards; I'll turn off the alarm?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll leap at them and save the rebels with my great fiery warrior princess asskicking awesomeness"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

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

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

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "They have a boost, at least."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, they *are* going to tag their boost -- the fact that Wanda had to get up off her back first is going to slow her down."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ah yeah, the one I'm naming 'Close Shave'"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Which raises their defense to a 6!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "Is a spider on her back like a turtle on her back?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If you tag 'surprise rebels' that brings you up to a 7."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "The biggest difference I can think of is that I would be much more inclined to help one of them up thant he others."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yeah, is that free though"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It is."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Didn't you tag that already?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda holds back on that 'Wooo!'

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I did, and it turned into a new boost with the name 'surprise rebels'."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, right!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda's Wooo! is back in business

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Because I'm creative like that ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "7 vs. 6, for a total of two stress of damage?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "If so, then one is badly injured, but they're both still standing!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "So that brings me to 1 stress (+1 fire damage), I can then spend a fate point to invoke Family First since my newly-discovered father is amongst the rebels who could get killed by those guards!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So 4 stress"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo! One is taken out, and the other is injured!"

Wanda spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you want to RP?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Of course!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(Unless you had something)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Go ahead!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "My only 'something' is just to advance the init :)"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws | Can spiders love humans? An important distinction is that unlike humans, spiders don't really mate out of love. They do it out of necessity. I personally believe that they can, sometimes, recognize humans in their environment and associate them with positive feelings over time (getting fed/cared for and so forth)

[Crows-Nest] Olly asks, "'Necessity'?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I find it disturbing that this person initially interpreted this question as being related to mating."

[Crows-Nest] Olly says (to GM), "Maybe the person only knows about romantic love."

Wanda soars through the air with a titanic bound, blazing like a comet! 'I won't leave you behind!' she says to Azikek, then battles the two guards fiercely, sending one flying backwards in an explosion of flames, and snapping (some of) the other guard's limbs with her powerful fangs.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm done"

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) Cuddlepaws/Wanda/Jacob(4) EBEN(3)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Eben!"

Cuddlepaws has disconnected.

Eben Can I use crafts to overcome the alarm?

[Crows-Nest] Olly says, "It might also be true that mating is the only interaction a lot of spiders have with members of their species."

Cuddlepaws has connected.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "s/:/;"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "You can, but the fact that it's already gone off means that people are already aware something is going on."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Maybe a counteralarm?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Like a 'problem sorted' signal"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "'Incident terminated successfully'"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That seems like the sort of thing that would involve someone actually reporting in."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hmm, yeah, or a 'prison riot on -10'."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Ooh."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Changing the parameters of the alarm seems pretty reasonable."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I would like to do that, then!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! Crafts Overcome, opposition +4!"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(assuming no gadgeteering)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You succeed!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "roleplaying!"

Eben futzes with the console on the desk, and manages to convert it from a general 'panic' alarm to... oh, crap the Umawa.

Eben exclaims, "Oh, crap, the Umawa!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee hee."

Eben sets it to 'prison riot on -10', then jumps in the elevator to take it down to -4, leaving a portal in the room!

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

Cuddlepaws says, "Oh crap, his senility has finally set in"

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) Cuddlepaws/Wanda/Jacob(4) Eben(3)

GM exclaims, "The one last guard standing between the forces of law and chaos resolutely fires his gun at the flaming mutant criminal monster who just attacked his close friends and allies!"

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

Eben exclaims, "I'll be right back!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "This is an attack against you!"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "An 'attack'? Don't make me laugh."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's barely a warning shot"

GM says, "The shots go wild, and the poor guard is shaken, fearing that he'll never see his family again -- and, worse than that, he may have *failed the Empire*."

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) CUDDLEPAWS/WANDA/JACOB(4) Eben(3)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Jacob?"

GM says, "Be aware, reinforcements will be arriving soon to quell the riot on level -10."

GM says, "And they might be suspicious if they see piles of unconscious bodies lying around."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Finally sees the Warhammer 40.000k inspiration"

Eben calls through the still-open portal "If you toss the guards through, I'll leave them on -4!

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "So my intention was to get this door open so we can get out of here, but I wonder which direction guards are coming from."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Not that I would know that"

Jacob swears under his breath.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says (to CP), "You hadn't? LOL"

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Also 40.000k is really far far into the future of 40k itself"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Humanity probably dies out long before then"

Cuddlepaws Yeah, in that setting everyone's a spider

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "You Europeans and your ./, mixups."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "So, thoughts? (from folk other than the GM!) Should I try to get this door open into the palace further, or get out of here and go outside and hide?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I vote the former."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Waiting now will only make it worse, I think."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think we'll need to get both doors open, actually."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "The next time they'll know what to expect"

Jacob pulls out the lockpicking orb, which he was still carrying from earlier, and tries to get the door into the palace foyer open.

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Burglary?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Overcome, Burglary, +4!"

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "We still have a boost, it looks like, on the lockpicking orb."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Woo! Are you going with the tie?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And if so, do you have a suggestion for a mild drawback?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I could probably invoke walking library somehow, despite never having really seen a lock like this before. Or.. maybe I'll take a drawback, but I'm not sure what it might be."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "If you have something in mind, I'll go with that"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Mild drawback of the door being obviously picked if someone looks carefully?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, ""Hands covered in disgusting spider door oil""

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That works!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Either one -- your pick.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "To Eben's? I'm fine with that."

GM says, "The doors open, and you see a broad staircase leading up. There's no one else on the stairs, and at the top is a matching set of (closed) doors, just like the ones you just opened."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "CP!"

Jacob says, fairly quietly, "C'mon" to the others.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of CP), "TK the bodies through the portal?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or take out the last guard."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I thought we had dealt with all the guards"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I thought there was one last injured one."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Who failed to shoot at Wanda."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "There's one left, although he's busy fighting the rebels and traitors."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Okay, I'll try to knock him out"

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 0 | Good (3)

GM rolls Good (3) + 4dF: -1 -1 -1 +1 | Average (1)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "...yeah, you got him."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(For such an incompetent guy, how did he manage to survive longer than all the others?)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It's a reverse Last Ninja."

(From Cuddlepaws) The guard is shooting everywhere, when a shadow falls on him! Then the art piece that threw the shadow falls on him.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Maybe his strength was Friendship all along!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Take out all his friends, and boom, he's nothing."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I see the way up where Jacob is! I'll lead the rebels there!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) Cuddlepaws/Wanda/Jacob(4) EBEN(3)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Eben!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Am I at -4 yet?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "On your last turn, you used your movement to get into the elevator, right? Were you using your action to activate the elevator then?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "My last action was to subvert the alarms."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I dunno how much of an 'action' hitting the '-4' button counts, but I can do it now if need be."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yeah, fair point. Yes, you're there!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(By the way... is it -4 you intend to be on or -6?)"

Eben arrives on -4 to find a bunch of nervous Umawa. "OK, we're getting out of here! We found more Raxiss allies on -10, and they're helping us with the stone. Everyone through the portal, and toss any unconscious raxiss back through behind you!

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, -6; sorry."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I dunno why I always think -4."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Why do we need to clean out the unconscious guards from the lobby?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Maybe Rapport to inspire them to do this quickly?"

GM exclaims, "If you want to get all the Umawa into the elevator *and* through the portal in one go, that's a Rapport overcome!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "So when the guards arrive they'll go to -10."

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 0 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I was going to give you a +3 opposition, so you succeed!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "yay!"

GM exclaims, "Umawa pour out of the portal in the prison lobby!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you also using your movement?"

Eben pushes the '-10' button when the last Umawa is through.

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) Cuddlepaws/Wanda/Jacob(4) Eben(3)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I guess I'll move back into the lobby."

GM exclaims, "You hear a crackly voice come from a grille next to the door leading outside!"

Voice says, "<This is Support Officer Tevi'ch. What's the situation in there?>"

GM advances the initiative: GM(6) CUDDLEPAWS/WANDA/JACOB(4) Eben(3)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And it's Jacob's turn!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Unless he wants someone else to go first.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That was quick."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If we can get all the bodies through the portal, and all the friends into the hallway, I'll cancel the portals and we can hide in the hall."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Jacob), "The alarm was going on earlier."

Jacob follows Wanda through the doors into the foyer.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Or..."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Nah, my pronounciation probably sucks, but I guess I could try to respond."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "Are you in the stairway, or are you trying to open the doors at the other end?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Stairwell. I thought that's where Wanda said she was going?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That's cool, just wanted tto make sure I understood you right."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "If you're doing that (and not responding to the voice), then... CP?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh, the other end of the stairwell, you mean. Not the other door."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Right."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I could try that, yeah."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Should I try and stall them? Deceive et al are not my specialities"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Could I possibly hear something through them with notice? Or are they too thick?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I think I'll better help move guards"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! If you do, your opposition will be lower, since you just managed to open the same kind of lock at the bottom of the stairs."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think our best bet is to remain silent, yeah."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "You might! That would be an overcome."

Cuddlepaws (waiting for Jacob ofc)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, rolling notice."

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Vs. +2"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Tie!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Bleh."

GM says, "Now you've got the spider oil all over your ear, too."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Haha"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That's a success with minor cost, I think. Hee hee."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah"

Guest1 has arrived.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'll take whatever"

Guest1 says, "@recap dtt"

Jacob says, "Hi Guest. Guests can't use commands like that."

Guest1 says, "Sorry, my bad"

GM says, "But you do hear voices -- from what you can gather, it sounds like there *are* guards in the lobby, and they're aware of the recent alarm, but they're not too concerned, since it's only a riot on -10, and not a jailbreak like they initially thought."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "CP!"

Jacob makes a general handmotion to be quiet, but that we're sort of ok right here for right now.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I help move guards!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Telekinetically!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "How many bodies are you going to move?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "One at a time ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "One is, IIRC, +2. Each additional one adds +1 to the opposition."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Would a bunch of them in a heap count as car-sized...okay"

Guest1 says, "fi gm"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "In that case, two"

Cuddlepaws rolls Great (4) + 4dF: +1 +1 0 +1 | Epic (7)

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or, you know, all of them ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "You could have moved nearly all of them with that roll"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You easily get two bodies through the portal, and you either get a boost or a special effect!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "A boost to make it easier for the rest of us to get the remaining ones?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Boost ... I have moved the other guards closer, so they'll be easier to move the rest of the way?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Convenient Pile Of Guards"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "RP, and then it's Wanda's turn!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(There are seven bodies altogether.)"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "This guest appearance is kind of odd"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I kind of goofed by being in a rush, I guess, and now I can't really move bodies"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "yeah, I dunno"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Unless I backtrack"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You get a move and an action."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "true"

Cuddlepaws hunks down, and guards begin flying around like billard balls! 2 fly through the portal, and others slide across the floor towards the portal.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "But we need to be out of here by the end of the turn, I think."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ah, yeah"

Cuddlepaws asks (of guest1), "What brings you here?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Maybe a rapport or something to inspire me?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I'm whispering to them."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "If I were evil, I'd burn the bodies to ashes"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Fortunately I am not"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "There are, I believe, 5 bodies left."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And Wanda would get the same opposition as CP, but with Physique."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And she has the boost."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "But she can"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "er"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "She can't move into the lobby and then back again."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(They opted to stay and watch and remain quiet.)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "True!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Without the channel, they won't get much out of this"

Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "It's OK, I got this! Get ready to close the door!"

Wanda exclaims (at Eben), "Okay!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I can try to say something inspiring"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So Wanda is delaying to let Eben go first?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yeah"

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Eben!"

Eben shoots the blue portal under the bodies so they fall into the elevator on -10!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Same opposition, with Shoot!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "How many?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "All of them!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "+6!"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Tagging Convient Pile of Bodies, and spending a fate point to tag the Rebels to help!"

Eben spends a fate point, leaving them with 0.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo -- RP your success!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Crownsford Janitors FRW"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "*FTW"

Eben moves the blue portal right under Cuddlepaws' convenient pile, and most of the bodies fall through. Azikek and J'nixe help push the final body through, and Eben cancels the portals, scootching through the door, leaving behind an empty lobby just as Wanda closes it behind him!

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "BTW, did you go through the door at the end of your turn?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I did!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(totally, did not just realize that would be the thing to do)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Well, there's nowhere to go but up"

GM exclaims, "Assuming Wanda closed and locked the door behind you... you're out of initiative!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "AFK"

Eben sags against the door, exhausted.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I have an OOC question:"

Wanda says, "That was... intense."

Cuddlepaws rubs against Eben's leg. "Good job, grandpa"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Narratively, after everyone catches their breath, this would be a good sttopping point. But scheduling-wise, it looks like there's only one more week before we run into people being unavailable."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I vote for continuing."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "The stakes have never been higher"

[CCrusaders] (from Wanda) And now there's the risk of ending up impaled on them

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "How much longer would we go?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "How much longer are you comfortable with going?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I have some extra time today, and could keep going--an extra hour, maybe? Would that help enough?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "An hour sounds good to me."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Works for me."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I can exceptionally stay up, so yes"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! I now return you to your regularly scheduled roleplaying!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "We should wait for Jacob :D"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh yeah! I forgot Jacob was AFK."

GM says, "You now have half a dozen blue cavepeople, seven giant spiders, two human beings and a cat hanging out in a stairwell."

GM says, "Several of the Raxiss rebels have minor injuries from the scuffle, but nothing life threatening."

Wanda exclaims, "We're alive!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Back"

Eben looks around for a grille or window or anything.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you good with going on a bit longer tonight?"

GM says (to Eben), "That seems Investigate-y."

GM says, "Given that anything like that is less likely in a high security area, the opposition for finding one is +5."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Well, is there anything obvious? I'll help with an actual investigation if we need that."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "timing!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sure"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Woo."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I took Investigate at 1 just so I could help with rolls like this ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Haha, ok"

Jacob rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 0 0 -1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Plus 1, is +6"

GM exclaims, "Success!"

GM says, "There's a hidden recess that some architect must have thought he had concealed very cleverly, but Jacob and Eben spot it easily."

GM says, "It conceals a grill with a ventillation duct behind it."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "How large is the duct? Can a human traverse it? A spider? A cat?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Definitely a cat. But a human or spider would need an Athletics roll to fit through."

GM sets his current fate point total to 4.

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "OK, let's see what we can find."

Cuddlepaws says, "I'll go first"

Eben shoots a portal as far down the duct as he can, and a second one in the hallway wall, then pokes his head in and looks around.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Let the wizard go first"

Cuddlepaws sneaks down the duct.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "(See, it's funny because Tale is a wizard -- oh, never mind. :P )"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "So are lps and Jota"

GM says, "It's pretty dark in there! After a little ways, this shaft joins with another one, like a T connection."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "It's just I'm the one that makes people angry for being one :)"

GM says, "From one direction, the air smells fresher."

GM says, "In the other direction, the shaft gets darker."

Cuddlepaws goes to the fresh air.

[CCrusaders] Eben | http://www.cinemacats.com/wp-content/uploads/movies/catfromouterspace01.jpg

GM exclaims (at CP), "You find an other grill that's facing the outside!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Like outside outside?"

GM says, "If you crane your neck, you can just barely see the pod you arrived in from there. You can also see several more pods that must belong to the security forces who showed up to help with the riot."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Right!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Woo, we have an escape route"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Now to find the throne room"

GM says, "Also, it looks like dawn is just breaking."

GM says, "Also, Eben's portal is just at the point where the shaft you started in joins this main one."

Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "Let's call in the others and then follow the other direction?"

Eben says (to Raxiss,), "Umawa OK. I think I can get some or all of you outside, if you want to hide out there for now."

Eben says, "A stealth mission is probably not the best idea with this large of a menagerie."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Just noticed I forgot I had +6 to dodge, not +4 :P Thankfully I took zero damage"

Cuddlepaws says, "Good idea"

Azikek says, "<With the identifications and other equipement you gave us, I think we can probably get the Umawa to a safe hiding place.>"

Cuddlepaws says, "You could steal one of the police pods"

Azikek says, "<Indeed. And some of our old safehouses are probably still secure.>"

Eben says, "Oh, hey, that'd be nice."

Eben asks, "Should we meet up again once we have the stone, or do you want to make your own way back to Umawa territory?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Mostly asking the GM how many NPCs he wants to keep track of ;-)"

J'nixe says, "It would be safer if we made our own way back."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Good luck, weird space spiders and blue protohumans!"

Eben nods. "Well, it was an honor meeting you, and we'll see you again soon."

Wanda exclaims, "We'll won't let anything stop us from coming back!"

Azikek says, "<Thank you! And, Wanda, if I don't get to see you again before you go, please stay safe!>"

Wanda says (to Azizek), "<I will. You too!>"

GM says, "He awkwardly tries to give her a sort of spider hug."

Wanda spider hugs back.

Wanda remembers just in time to stop being fiery

Wanda says, "Nearly singed you there, sorry"

GM says, "And then the Umawa and the rebels squeeze their way through the ductwork and outside of the building (and out of this part of the story), leaving the four of you alone again."

Eben asks, "OK. Through the ducts ourselves, the other way?"

Cuddlepaws says, "Yes"

Jacob nods.

Wanda says, "Let's do this."

Eben exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "Lead on!"

Cuddlepaws leads on, MacDuff or not.

GM says, "Then everyone but CP needs an Athletics overcome, opposition +3! (And no, this is not an Agility situation :) )"

Eben follows CP, using his portals to help the group get past any awkward corners.

Jacob rolls Good (3) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I create advantage with portals?"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yes! Opposition +3 for that as well."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Portals first:"

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Boost!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Athletics:"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And Jacob also gets a boost for succeeding with style!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Everyone succeeds but Wanda -- are you tagging anything?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I can't believe this, only a +2! I must have grown too big"

Eben Tag the portals!

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "s/:/;"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll have to use the portals, I'm too big"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Too many legs"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "Told you to lay off the donuts"

[CCrusaders] Wanda spiderslaps Cuddles

GM says, "You all wiggle your way through, with only Wanda getting stuck and needing to be freed by Eben at one point."

GM says, "Exploring the ductworks, you find one path that leads to what looks like a kitchen, another one that leads to a kind of garage-like area for pods, another one that goes straight up, and a final one that overlooks the lobby."

Cuddlepaws asks, "We want to go up, I think?"

Eben (quietly) "Yup, seems good to me."

Eben fires a portal straight up the shaft, not feeling like reverse-santaing just now.

Cuddlepaws still goes first.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Can I telepathically check for unfamiliar minds, to anticipate any incoming guards/etc"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I think that's some sort of Overcome with Notice?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Or Create Advantage...?"

GM says, "OK! You shimmy and/or portal your way to the next level. There are more ducts here, and they lead into fairly boring looking places like hallways and janitorial storage areas. Another duct leads upward from here, but it's narrower than he one you're in."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Yes! Overcome seems right."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "OK!"

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

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Success!"

GM says (to Wanda), "You sense some people moving around, and glancing at their thoughts suggests that they're basic staff doing their jobs. You don't detect any guards in this vicinity."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Further up?"

Wanda relays this info to the others

GM says, "If you go further up the narrowing ducts, it'll need another Athletics overcome, vs. +4."

Wanda says, "Those ducts look narrow to me"

Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "Move it, chubby"

Jacob hisses, "CP!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Sorry, that was mean even for me!"

Wanda exclaims, "Hey, I'm a spider with long legs, they take up space!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Hmm, can I do another portal help thing?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, OK."

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

Eben can't find anywhere to actually fire helpful portals for this part.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "The opposition was the same as the one for the Athletics, so that's failing by 2 unless you invoke something. Do you?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "If not, this is a Create Advantage, so you still get the aspect either way!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Unhelpful Portals"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Hmm. could I invoke Jacob's previous ability to make it through the ducts amazingly well?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Like, he squeezes through somewhere, and shows me where to fire?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If Jacob wants to spend his boost on that, he can turn your failure into a boost."

[CCrusaders] Jacob shrugs

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Either way"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Though if I fail my athletics check, I expect to steal that new boost right back!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Let's do it. We still get the +2, and don't have a looming -2."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Indeed!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! Who wants to roll some Athletics overcomes?"

Eben tries to squeeze up around higher.

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

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is anyone tagging anything?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We have one portal tag for one of us, but I have no fp left."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Other players can tag things if they want, to assist you."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Since I don't have to roll, I'll use a FP"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What will you tag, and on whose behalf?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "The portal tag for EBen."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I personally will have to succeed at a minor cost?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, hey--can we tag 'not entirely fireproof' from Jacob's Investigate to say that Wanda can melt her way past one part?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! If Eben gets the free invoke *and* the one CP is spending an FP on, that brings him up to 5, which is a success!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims (at Eben), "great idea!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "You rolled 3 vs. opposition of 4, so succeeding at a cost would mean a major cost."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's a +4. I'm at a minor cost. The +3 is a fail, and means serious cost."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "What he said."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 1.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And Jacob, with a tie, gets a minor cost."

Wanda grumbles about these ducts being the wrong shape, and melts the walls slightly with the fire rolling off her back.

GM says (to Jacob), "The bit you squeezed through was a bit too tight for you, but *luckily*, it was a bit lubricated with that same icky spider oil you keep finding everywhere..."

Jacob grimaces a little.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "he he"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Maybe Wanda is going through spiderpuberty"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "First hands, then ear -- what's gotten oily now?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I bet it ruined my jeans."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "All over my knees."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Though they're black, so.. :D"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "They were designer jeans!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Can you see Jacob wearing designer jeans?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Or just incredibly old"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "you know, the nostalgia factor"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Jacob), "you're right"

GM says, "You make it up to the next level. From here, you can see vents leading into hallways and -- well, rooms with round 'desks' similar to the ones you saw in the prison, except nicer (more white collar). They must be offices."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It is SO hard to find jeans that fit right over this skinny ass."

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "Thanks; never would have seen that corner on my own..."

GM says, "There are also more ducts leading upward, similar to the ones you're already becomming accustomed to."

Cuddlepaws says, "Looks like this goes all the way up to top"

Eben whispers, "Well, keep going until we get blocked?"

Cuddlepaws says, "Indeed"

Wanda says, "We don't want to go too high..."

Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "We want to go to the throne room!"

Eben asks, "And that's on the top, according to your dad. I think?"

Wanda asks (of Eben), "I know, but what if a duct goes up beyond the throne room?"

Wanda says, "To the Empress' quarters..."

Eben says, "Well, maybe that goes to, right."

Wanda says, "Let's just be careful"

Eben asks, "Oh, can you sense the mind stone yet?"

Eben asks, "Are we close enough?"

Wanda says, "I'll try."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Overcome again?"

GM says, "Give me an Overcome with your psychic skill, +2 opposition."

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Psucky psychic pskills"

GM exclaims, "Oh no! You're not even sure if you're in the right place!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Anyone else with psychic-related skills can try the same, if they want.)"

Wanda asks, "I'm not getting anything. Cuddles?"

Wanda asks, "Jacob?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I guess I did sense something the first time we encountered the helmet?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You did!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "What would I use here, though? Will?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Me too, though I don't really think of my powers as psychic in that sense"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Your psychic power is bird-communication-related, yeah? And you use Rapport for that?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think the stone boosted all of your skills, though."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah, ok."

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

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Yup -- when you're close to it, it's an Aspect that can be invoked. (I don't remember if you used your free invoke in the first session or not?)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'll roll Will"

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "You do sense it! It's some distance above you, but you're definitely going in the right direction!"

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

Jacob nods. "This way."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Good thing Jacob rolled well. :-)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "With my +1, lol"

GM says (to CP), "You also succeed, and your minor cost is that a stupid human managed to beat you to the punch."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That bird brain of his has never failed us yet"

GM asks, "Do you keep squeezing through the ducts?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Though when I use it with teh birds, it's a +3, so *shrugs*"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Up, up and away!"

Jacob up up up.

GM exclaims, "You proceed upward! Through several more floors. You see vents leading into more offices, as well as rooms that might be conference rooms, staff kitchens, etc. You're in the civil service center of the Raxiss Empire!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oooh, eeeeeevilllll"

Cuddlepaws says, "Who knew evil empires could be so pedestrian"

GM exclaims, "You're starting to feel a bit cramped and a bit worn out from all the climbing, but you can sense the stone growing ever closer, and you are resolute heroes. You keep going until... the ducts get even *narrower*!"

Eben frowns.

Wanda says, "Oh, you have got to be *kidding* me"

Eben says, "OK, let me see here."

Cuddlepaws says, "Even I feel cramped now"

Cuddlepaws folds down her ears.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You can try to keep using the ducts, at a +5 opposition -- which even CP would have to make -- or you could exit the ducts and try to find a different route."

Eben tries to build a remote triggering device that will let him fire the portal gun from a distance.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "+5 for CP, too?"

Cuddlepaws looks for a good exit in the mean time.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Mmm. Let's call it +3 for CP."

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oof."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Also, I am being mean to you guys -- so I'm going to arbitrarily call that a compel."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, my idea is that we send CP up with the portal gun, to where I can trigger it in a room that CP finds."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Could I widen the ducts with super strength..."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And give everyone a fate point for what I'm putting you through."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "w00t"

Cuddlepaws gives a fate point to Cuddlepaws.

Eben gives a fate point to Eben.

Wanda gives a fate point to Wanda.

Jacob immediately spends it on, uh, tough with bullies? He just really wants to get to the empress and take back that stone.

GM says (to Eben), "Completely unrelatedly: normally, I think doing that with your power is beyond what should be allowed, but *if* you were to, say, tag an aspect to declare a narrative detail, I would be fine with it as a one-off."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Well, now that I have a fate point, I could do that ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks (of GM), "How do you feel about using super strength to bend the ducts into shape?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Make them a bit wider?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "I think that sounds like Create Advantage!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Create Advantage with Physique!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK, +4 opposition."

Wanda rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 -1 | Fantastic (6)

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Success!"

GM asks, "Is Eben doing the one-off remote portal thing? And if so, which aspect is he tagging to declare that?"

Wanda pushes against the walls of the ventilation duct, bending the metal outwards to make room!

Wanda exclaims, "Hngggnh!"

GM exclaims, "Wide Ducts -- the opposition to get through this bit is now only +3!"

Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "Good job. Someone didn't skip leg day, leg day, leg day or leg day"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Re-thinking, what if I put together a mirror that CP could carry ahead, that I could fire at to get a portal around a corner?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh. I'm going to unspend my fate point, then."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Or Jacob, who already made it)"

Jacob gives a fate point to Jacob.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "So mine is +1?"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "And I make it through the duct too!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Are you thinking of this as being like the Create Advantages you did earlier, to help people squeeze by, or as something else?"

GM exclaims, "Jacob and Wanda are now through!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, a Create Advantage that I can use for my subsequent 'normal' create advantage. If that's not too weird."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That's weird and perfectly reasonable."

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yay ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "+4 for each."

GM says, "CP, on the other hand, is finding this harder than she expected..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, a crafts/build thing for a portal-reflecting mirror that can be carried ahead."

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success on your portal mirror!"

Eben then uses it to get portals into convenient places!

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And success on your Convenient Portals!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And are you going to overcome to climb through?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And I can tag the first to get success with style, for +2 convenient portals."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Now, athletics:"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "which gives me barely enough!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(phew)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Since Wanda widened the path, you only need one invoke!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, everyone gets it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I thought that only worked for her."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup, she forged a path for you."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "To be fair, I'm totally confused at this point, so I'll let you guys figure it out."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Yay! Thanks, kid!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Because I4'm super nice"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Does that help CP as well?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yeah"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Because that would drop his target of 3 to a target of 1."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "You need a +3 to fit through! You rolled a +1! But Eben has a spare invoke on his Convenient Portals!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or, right, that."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Minor cost: Dusty fur"

GM exclaims, "You all make it through, with varying degrees of difficulty, and lots of problem solving skill application!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "Two out of four Crusaders are now unfashionable! What horrors will come next?"

Cuddlepaws says, "Ew! Gross! my lovely fur."

GM says, "As you get higher, the rooms you see on the other sides of the vents become more plush. You see some rooms with soft sitting furniture and entertainment devices, sleeping chambers with lots of silk and pillows (and Raxiss sleeping in them!), dining rooms..."

GM says, "Assuming you keep going, you eventually reach a point where there are no more ducts leading up. But you do see two vents that draw your attention:"

GM says, "One, on a hallway full of guards, who are standing in front of a big locked door."

GM says, "And two, around the corner, looking into what must be the locked room:"

GM says, "A vast chamber -- *also* containing guards -- with copious seating facing one huge velvet-y unoccupied chair..."

GM exclaims, "You've found the Empress' Throne Room!"

GM says, "<TO BE CONTINUED>"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Woooo"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ooh"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Unoccupied?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Unoccupied!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "That can only mean ..."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "She's probably in the little spider's toilet."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "She can turn invisible!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "w00!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Nice! Woo! Exciting!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ehh she's a spidergranny, she's probably baking fascist cookies"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Milk and cookies! For the Empire!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I do not think anything can ruin cookies, but "fascist cookies" comes close"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "they have RAISINS"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Man, I feel like we've reached a major plot points."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Eh? Eh?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "Mmm, you certainly are on the cusp of one alright."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I wonder if CP remembers getting a Significant Milestone *just last session*.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Funny how we assumed it'd be as simple as defeating the Empress in combat, like we did the Prince."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "But that's not how Empires work"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "I do. Don't see the connection. :P"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Thanks for playing, everyone!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "So next week will be the grand finale of this arc?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "Thanks! This was tons of fun."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "For this scenario."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It was intense and epic"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Then the hiatus, and we'll finish the arc after baby recovery."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Woo"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "In all seriousness, what kind of milestone was this? Minor, I assume."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Right. The kind where you can swap stuff out, but not add anything new."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(I must confess I did consider the possibility of becoming Empress, but it's clearly not what a superhero does)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "But then we'd have to fight Wanda"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Mmm."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to CP), "You do know that I'm basically the combat specialist, while you are defense-oriented, Eben is mobility/tactics and Jacob is recon/intel oriented"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That's why we're a team"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Aside from the Family First thing ;)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Anyway, I would never fight you guys."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "It will be interesting to see what happens with the political situation."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "But now I must sleep."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Goofnight dear fluffball from Germany"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Don't let the space spiders bite"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Dors bien, étrange araignée spatiale"

[CCrusaders] Wanda -)

[CCrusaders] Wanda::::)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yay."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Yay!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "thanks again for the game"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You're welcome!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And now... to bed"

Wanda goes home.

Cuddlepaws has disconnected.

Eben exits stage left.

Eben has disconnected.

Guest1 exclaims, "what a ride!"