[Unsetting the zoned flag.]

[CCrusaders] Bert says, "Log on."

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

GM sets his current fate point total to 4.

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "We are here!"

Jacob sets her current fate point total to 4.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yes"

Wanda sets their current fate point total to 2.

Cuddlepaws sets her current fate point total to 2.

Eben sets their current fate point total to 2.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Welcome back to the next exciting issue of CROWNSFORD CRUSADERS!"

GM says, "It's just after dawn in the center of the Raxiss Empire, and the four of you are all squeezed into an extremely narrow ventilation duct near the top of the towering palace."

GM says, "At least one of you -- I imagine probably CP -- is peering out of a vent high in the wall of a large throne room. To the left is a set of double doors guarded by a group of three soldiers. To the right is an array of empty seats facing an elaborate -- but also presently empty -- Raxiss throne."

[Crows-Nest] Eben exclaims, "Oh, nice! It's been months since the last one!"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "(ba-dum tish)"

GM says, "Behind the throne, in the far wall, there's a smaller door guarded by a similar group of soliders. And in the far corner, there's a set of Raxiss stairs leading upward."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Guys, the Empress is invisible!"

GM asks, "What do you, the heroes, do now?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "It's the Empress' new clothes"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "How many guards are we talking?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You can see three to the left and three to the right, but you also remember that when you were exploring the vents, you saw more of them in teh hallway outside."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So it's likely that they could easily call for reinforcements."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "And the vent doesn't go any further, up to her personal chamber?"

Eben says, "Hmm."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Correct."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Boo"

Eben asks (of CP), "Could you telekinetically open that door enough that I could shoot a portal behind it?"

Cuddlepaws has disconnected.

Cuddlepaws has connected.

Cuddlepaws says, "Possibly."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Depending on wether the DM deems this possibly :D"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Which door are you talking about, the big double doors at the left, the smaller rear door to your right, or the stairs (which don't actually have a door blocking them)?"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "The small rear door"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The small rear door"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you have long-distance TK yet?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "No."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "...oh. Darn."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Is the throne room one zone? Like, if I snuck into the room would it be possible?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That means you could spend a refresh on it now, if you really wanted it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's say it is one zone after all, which means you can."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Well hey"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "But then I would have only one FP left."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Since you can TK stuff in adjacent zones.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "Stealth or Will? Not that it matters"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "This isn't a massively heavy thing, so if you're trying to be unnoticed, stealth."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Any ideas for Create Advantage before I do this?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, let's think."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I was going to try some Create Advantage for my subsequent shot, like 'get comfortable, line up shot, take easy breaths.'"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Physique? Athletics? I dunno.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "For you... we could create a distraction, but that might be more trouble than it's worth..."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "My intuition would be Will, vs. +2."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Will? "You can use Will to place aspects on yourself, representing a state of deep concentration or focus.""

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Right, that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ah, there we go."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of CP), "Maybe you could do the same, then?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "We both take a Will round?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sure, that's fair."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Sure!"

Cuddlepaws hunks down and initiates butt-wiggle.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Clearly, we both get comfortable, and I scritch her ears ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Which is calming for both of us."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "headbutts he he"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Excellent."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "TN?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "+2"

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Boost!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, I only have a 2, but I'll try it..."

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Aww."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Oh noes."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oof."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Hmm. Fate point for a re-roll? Or let it stand?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I'm afraid that the Aspect you're creating might be 'Claustrophobic', if you leave it."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah, this would the guards get an invoke."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Any opinions?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Dunno. Could be interesting, but we failed at stealth last time already."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "And having replayed NOLF 1+2 lately, I want succesful stealth."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Stealth is good."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, I'll spend a fate point. I hope it actually works..."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "So do we!"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sigh."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "paws crossed. Claws crossed?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh no!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Well, I got a +2 at least."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "Hm?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "So: do I spend CP's boost on my roll?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Hey, at least you're getting the bad rolls out of the way early in the session?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "Ha ha, sure"

Eben absently scritches Cuddlepaws as he's lining up his shot, which throws off Cuddlepaws's concentration, but in the end it seems like he's in the zone now.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "One might call this stealing my boost, but we'll say it just ... portalled .. somewhere else"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Stealth!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "So: your door-opening stealth will be actively opposed by the group of guards next to the door."

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

GM rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: 0 0 0 +1 | Fantastic (6)

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Tagging inconspicious!"

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 1.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It would be funny if you tagged my 'in the zone' ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Oh right, free invoke"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "But you'll probably need that"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Maybe!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "You could always spend your fp on my roll if I do?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "So I suceed with +7"

GM exclaims, "The guards are chatting amongst themselves, and seem to not have their full attention on the door, which slowly creeps slightly open!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "too late"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "np"

Eben, as soon as the door is open juuuuuust enough, fires a portal through the crack!

GM says, "To zap a portal through that small gap across the large throne room without being noticed by the guards, that's an Overcome with Shoot, opposition +5."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Another active resistance?"

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Nope, just +5. Since this is at least as much about the trick shot as anything else."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "What the..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "omg"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK, tagging in the zone for a re-roll!"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And my last fate point, tagging 'in the zone' again; why not."

Eben spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

Eben spends a fate point, leaving them with 0.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And you made it!"

Eben motions to CP to close the door again.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Now to compel Eben's aspects..."

GM says, "You can see a swirling portal appear on the wall on the far side of the door, just before it closes."

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "Good work, old guy"

Eben says, "Whew."

Eben says, "I feel like I've used up all my luck, but OK."

Wanda says (to Eben), "Good thing you're not alone, then."

Eben moves back down the vent slightly, and opens the matching portal back here, then peers through.

Eben says, "That's the truth."

GM says, "You see what appears to be a service corridor back there."

Eben, if he sees nobody, steps through.

GM says, "It doesn't look at all lavish or well-decorated, so it's probably just used by servants and maintenance workers."

GM says, "You shimmy through the vent and out the portal, where you finally have room to stretch your limbs."

Wanda says, "Ahhhh"

Eben asks, "Oh, for... this doesn't actually go to her quarters?"

Wanda says, "This is better."

Cuddlepaws arches her back and shudders.

Jacob stands up straight.

Jacob oof.

GM says, "On one side of the corridor, you see the door to the throne room. On the other side is another door. Both have signs on them."

Wanda tries to read the signs.

Eben >READ SIGNS

GM says, "Further down the corridor in one direction is a narrow set of stairs leading up, and in the other direction, it turns a corner."

GM says, "'THRONE ROOM - NO ADMITTANCE WITHOUT OFFICIAL BUSINESS' and 'JANITOR'."

Wanda says, "What a funny contrast"

Eben exclaims, "Well, up it is!"

Cuddlepaws peeks around the corner.

GM says, "You ascend the narrow staircase -- built to Raxiss design -- and find a door at the top. The sign there says 'PRIVATE'."

Eben cancels the nearby portal, but leaves the one in the vents on in case they need to escape.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "We should probably do another psychic scan for the gem"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "In case the Empress is sleeping with it or something."

GM says (to Wanda), "Thinking about the gem, you sense that it's very nearby, somewhere on the other side of that door marked 'PRIVATE'."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Good idea"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "If we do that, since my telepathic ability is rapport with birds, do I take the +2? I didn't last time and still succeeded, but just in case."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "If we do roll for it in the future, anyway"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It's close enough now that you can detect it without a roll."

Wanda says in a hushed voice: 'I can feel the Gem. It's right through that door.'

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(You and Wanda and CP all can.)"

Cuddlepaws says, "Yes, I can feel it."

Jacob nods.

GM says, "You also notice that this door has a socket in it for a keyorb."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Do we just storm in there?"

Wanda asks, "Well, I think we have a hackable keyorb?"

Jacob listens at the door.

Eben whispers "Let's be as cautious as we can, and then do a fast immobilize when we have to.

Wanda says, "But yeah, if she's right behind the door, it's going to be... awkward."

Eben readies the polydyne emitter.

GM says (to Jacob), "You hear nothing too close to the door."

Cuddlepaws asks, "What do we do to the gem to incapcitate it?"

Cuddlepaws says, "I think it just needs to be near to use it."

Eben asks, "Use its power to create a shield?"

Eben says, "I guess I could try wrapping it in tinfoil. I think I still have some around my sandwich..."

Cuddlepaws says, "I'm not sure Shielding blocks psychic powers"

Wanda says, "I doubt it."

Eben says, "If my theory is correct, it has a certain amount of energy it can supply, so the more everyone uses it, the less that's available for everyone else."

Eben says, "I... could be wrong about that."

Cuddlepaws says, "Excessive use of powers. Got it."

Wanda says, "We've come this far. We can improvise."

Eben says, "The other option is that it actually bends reality around itself, so that the psychic... phlogiston, I guess, is easier to wortk with in its vicinity."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "You always told me my powers work through the ether"

Eben readies his tin foil, just in case that helps.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Modern geeks, ancient Greeks, what's the difference"

GM asks, "So what do you, the heroes, do now?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Any sufficiently arcane psychic power..."

Wanda says, "We open the door with our hackable orb"

Cuddlepaws says, "Someone orb that door."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "Would our +2 'identifcation armbands and keyorbs' be useful in the 'hacking the door' attempt?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I was gonna try the lockpicking orb, because I doubt any of those guards have a keyorb to her private chambers"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I mean, you made the lockpicking orb *out of* those keyorbs."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Well, ok"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Burglary!"

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) Jacob muses, 'unless she has affairs with the guards...'

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "haha"

GM says, "+4 is the usual opposition for these orbpicks."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Can anyone help, incidentally? I only have a +2"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hmm, not I."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Nor I"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Burglary? Sure!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "But you do have some free tags."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok"

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to jacob), "Slide it in slowly and then twist it around."

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, that's with the help"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And I'll tag.."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "'Identification armbands and keyorbs'"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, so +2"

GM says, "The door swings open! On the other side, you see a room filled with cabinets, work counters and strange appliances."

Cuddlepaws says, "This is a strange bedroom."

Eben starts looking around for a window to the outside.

GM says, "There's dawn line shining through the windows, and an open archway leads to another room."

Wanda asks, "I guess she has... hobbies?"

GM says, "Dawn light, even."

Eben identifies the appliances.

Cuddlepaws peeks through the doorway,

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) Eben concludes, 'These appliances are all fascist, strangely enough.'

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(from Gadgeteering: " You have an intuitive understanding of machines of all types. Just by seeing a device, you can tell what it does, at least in general.""

GM says (to Eben), "Well, that one looks like it would be used to chop things up finely, and that one would mix fluids togetther, and this one is for heating things up..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, ")"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "It's a torture room!"

Wanda asks, "Or a kitchen?"

Eben asks, "I don't suppose the gem is in this room?"

GM says, "It's not -- it's in the direction of that archway."

Jacob stealths over and peers through the archway.

Eben rigs up a device so that he can turn it on remotely as a distraction, in case we need a distraction.

GM says, "You see Raxiss seating, all surrounding a central console. There are arches all round the room, and you sense that the gem is *just* on the other side of one of them."

[Crows-Nest] (from Jacob) Eight eyes peer back.

GM asks (of Eben), "Is that a Create Advantage thing?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, with Crafts."

GM says, "If so, +3 Crafts opposition. (And to your next question: yes, it does.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "There we go!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Nice"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "One sometimes forget what high rolls look like"

[CCrusaders] (from Wanda) Quellin looks sad.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Woo! What's the aspect (that you get multiple free invokes on)?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "'Kitchen Distraction', I think."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I could use Notice to create advantage by identifying the flammable parts of the room?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Also, when I said 'Raxiss seating', I meant Raxiss as an adjective, not a noun.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Nah, not interesting."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "Of the room you're looking into?"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "The arches have doors in them, or are they open?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yes! +2 opposition."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "They're open."

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "that's a boost, I guess. Cool."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That Ceiling Ain't Made Of Asbestos"

[CCrusaders] Eben puts 'those seats look flamable...' on the list.

[CCrusaders] Eben changes it ;-)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hehe"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "What kind of console is that?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It looks kinda like the hologram-emitter from the pod you flew here."

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) GM adds, 'It seems to control the geopolitical situation on Ganymede. There's a END FASCISM button.'

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Oh, this is where the Empress later mocks us for knowing our plan all along."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "caught in her Macchiavellian web"

GM asks, "Are you entering the room with the seating and the console and all the arches, one of which you realize has the chagakor right behind it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "whispers "Cuddlepaws; you're the stealthiest--go look at the archway?""

Eben whispers "Cuddlepaws; you're the stealthiest--go look at the archway?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "The arches are open, right?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Right."

Cuddlepaws sneaks towards the archway.

GM exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "Stealth!"

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

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Hmm, this active opposition suggests we are not alone in the Universe."

GM says, "You sneak up to the room, and inside, you see much of it is occupied by an elaborate structure that looks like it's made of silken webbing, huge fluffy cushions, and some kind of draped sheeting or blankets."

GM says, "In the center of it all is an older-looking female Raxiss."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Asleep?"

GM says, "And *also* at the center is -- you can't see this but can definitely feel it in your collar -- the psychic resonator."

Cuddlepaws narrows her eyes and sneaks back to tell the others.

GM says, "At the moment she is, so far as you can tell, unconscious."

Wanda whispers, 'Oh, well, that makes it easier. I gueeeess...'

Cuddlepaws says, "Let's sneak over there and grab the Chakachaka or whatever"

Eben hangs out in the back, but is ready to charge in if need be.

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "If I look around long enough, could I maybe find if there's a call mechanism when she needs help? Rather than shouting?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Because if so, we should disable the shit out of that."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Jacob Fisher"

[Setting the zoned flag.]

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That sounds like a great idea."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Investigate?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Hmm. That seems possible -- if you do, then presumably that would mean that the mechanism summons the guards quickly, and that shouting would bring them more slowly?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I.e., does that sound like a reasonable outcome to you?)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I feel like we can maybe deal with shouting more easily, as well, but yeah."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's not empress-like to shout."

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Except maybe here :D"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws gets ready to TK a pillow over her mandibles

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Exactly :D"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Jacob), "This *is* Wanda's grandma we're talking about here."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you looking in the bedroom or the room with the console or just everywhere?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to ebene), "Wanda only shouted you didn't allow Peter Smith to take her to the drive-in cinema"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I think all over, in case it's voice-activated, though the bedroom will be the most difficult to be certain."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "That place was filthy!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! +4 opposition."

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

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

GM says, "You look around, and in each room, you spy a distinctive red pullcord hanging rom the ceiling. Each one is tagged with the same 'alarm' symbol you recognize from the elevator."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Was that an overcome?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It was."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Do you get a boost from a success with style on that?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sweet."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Or, since it's using Jacob's power, he could use a special effect.)"

Jacob mhm. He points around, mostly at the one in the bedroom where she is, and says, "We should do something about that."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "My special effects are extra movement, which is not useful, and inflict condition, but.. I dunno. Unless I can be like "she's REALLY knocked out.""

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Is Inflict Condition limited to NPC's?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Might be more useful to have the boost towards disabling the thing."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, hmm. 'Securely sleeping'?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh, I dunno."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I've never used it before :)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Nope, it's just 'the target'."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So you could use it on the pullcords."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ah"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "To upgrade your boost to an appropriate aspect."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Maybe just 'obvious red pullcords' as an aspect?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Given that I'm probably not the one screwing with the pullcord, what do folk think would be useful there? "just out of reach?" or "easily dismantled" or.."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Or that"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That works."

Eben whispers (to CP) "TK the pullcords out of reach?"

Cuddlepaws asks, "Can we maybe cut them off?"

Wanda says, "Yeah, in case Cuddles accidentally pulls on them."

Jacob says, "If someone wants to sneak in there and do it.."

Wanda says, "Oh."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Here's a map, in case it helps: https://www.webwhiteboard.com/board/ewfcf728"

Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "This sounds like you"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm ever so slightly stealthier, I think (2 versus 1)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to oh,), "go for it"

Wanda says (to Cuddles), "I'm really not that sneaky! Jacob is stealthier."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "*Possibly* the empress!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "dun DUN dun"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We haven't been formally introduced yet."

Jacob probably has a pocket knife, unless there are scissors around in the kitchenette-like area.

GM asks (of Jacob), "Are you going to hunt around in there to look for some?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "It's a space opera, so the odds are that it's actually a handmaiden disguised as the Empress"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Were there drawers? I was hoping for a pair just lying around :D"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "But I think Jacob has used a pocket knife before in game."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Are other people imagining this differently than I? I would think it would be super simple for CP to tk the cord up out of the way and tuck it behind a tapestry or something."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, hey, that seems pretty reasonable."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I agree with Eben, yeah."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Me too"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Except here."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "But somehow we got off that line of thought."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I was half expecting you to try to get Wanda to burn them."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "What an amazingly terrible idea. Also, hilarious."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh; fair enough."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "I'll TK them out of the way, sure."

GM says (to CP), "+1 opposition to do it without accidentally pulling the cord."

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Just barely made it!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "haha"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Ah, I'm sure that +8 would have not come in handy some other time"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Who needs Legendary rolls, honestly? It's overkill"

GM says, "The pullcords are now inconveniently tucked away."

GM asks, "Now what?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws resists the urge to swat at one of them.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Maybe the boost is that he replaces them with other cords that look similar?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Will, opposition +4."

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "You've given him bad ideas!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "We're doomed"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "You just made a big mistake. Because you are Still A Cat."

[CCrusaders] GM sets a fate point in the middle of the hypothetical table.

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "How bad would this be for us? Like trigger the cord or would the others have a chance to intervene?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Oh, man, you have to spend a fp to resist, right?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Trigger the cord."

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Damnit"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Ah, I thought this would be a compel."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "It is!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "It is!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It is a compel"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Compel, it is"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "I thought then I *get* an FP?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's always "take the point and do it or give a point and don't do it""

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You can spend a fp to resist a compel."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "ah!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or you capitulate and get it."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "How angry would you guys be if I don't spend it? :-)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "In or out of character?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Option A) You are Still A Cat, and cannot overcome the desire to play with the cord, setting off the alarm. Receive a fate point for your trouble. Option B) You resist! And spend a fate point to do so."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "OOC"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Feel free to be angry IC."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Well, I mean, the GM offering a compel means OOC that he thinks he has a fun scene ready if you accept it."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "OOC, I'd find it hilarious"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Me too"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sure"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Though Jacob might skin you IC :D"

GM gives a fate point to Cuddlepaws.

Cuddlepaws tugs away all the pullcords, except for one. She looks at it. Looks back to the rest of the Crusaders. Looks back at the cord. Then she pounces on it!

Jacob says, "CP!"

GM exclaims, "An alarm screams out! All eight eyes of the figure on the bed snap open!"

Wanda psychically 'Nooooooo'

Wanda says, "Oh crappity crap crap CRAP"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "There were so many of them! You don't understand!"

Eben shoots the polydyne emitter!

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Someone with a higher fight might want to rush the empress and grab the gem"

Cuddlepaws says, "YOU DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Because that's better than me doing it :D"

GM exclaims, "She leaps up -- and clutched to her thorax is a golden scepter, at the end of which is firmly mounted the Chagajor!"

Empress says, "<WHO IS IN MY PRIVATE CHAMBERS?>"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Let's call this initiative!"

GM clears the initiative.

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

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

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

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

Jacob registers Jacob at init 3.

GM registers GM at init 2.

Wanda registers Wanda at init 1.

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh man. I guess that's me, and I'm going for it."

Eben registers Eben at init -2.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "CP?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I mean: CP, add yourself to the init board?)"

Cuddlepaws registers Cuddlepaws at init 1.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I forgot the syntax :D"

GM advances the initiative: JACOB(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) Eben(-2)

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "My athletics is 3"

Jacob panics and runs over to the bed and makes a grab for the scepter.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "I'll let you go first"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Fight? Athletics? I dunno. I don't really want to hurt her."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I just want the damn thing."

GM exclaims, "She tries to jump away -- Athletics vs. Athletics!"

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "NO"

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Haha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hahaha"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee hee"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yay"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "She literally just woke up, to be fair"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "You're both holding onto it now! Do you want to narrate that?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We've rolled more -4's this session than we have the entire time we've been playing, it seems like."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "That's the third one!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And one +1 +1 +1 +1 for CP."

Jacob grabs hold of the scepter and tries to wrest it free, but the empress is stronger than she looks.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Also, adding yourselves to the map would be good at this point."

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) Eben(-2)

Empress says, "<LET GO OF MY SCEPTER!>"

Jacob responds in Raxiss, "That gem isn't yours!"

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "As she shouts, you feel something sticky wrapping itself around your mind... it's a mental attack!"

GM says, "Which you can defend against with Will."

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

GM rolls Legendary+1 (+9) + 4dF: -1 +1 +1 0 | Legendary+2 (10)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "OH MY GOD"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, one second."

GM exclaims, "You have a choice now!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Yeah?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "That's probably not good."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Is it let go versus take damage, or should I be spending some points?"

GM says, "After any invocations, etc., you can decide to either A) do as she says and take no damage! or B) resist and take all the relevant shifts as mental stress."

Jacob lets go and backs off.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Wait"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Waiting?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Getting that thing away from her is priority #1."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I do have an extra stress box, so maybe I'll spend a fate point to bump it up to just 3 damage and take the 3 box"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! What are you invoking?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Because I am tough on bullies"

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 3.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Nice!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws updates Jacob to tough, weird bird guy.

Jacob does not, in fact, let go, though he winces in pain.

Empress says, "<What?!? You dare resist ME, EMPRESS XILASI, OF THE RAXISS EMPIRE?!?>"

Jacob says, "<I SAID. IT'S NOT YOURS.>"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Badass."

GM exclaims, "And you see through one of the other archways as guards swarm up the grand stairs from below!"

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) WANDA/CUDDLEPAWS(1) Eben(-2)

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to CP), "You first"

Cuddlepaws throws up Shielding to block the guards approaching from the staircase.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Neat!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Have you added yourself to the map?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Just now"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Strudelpaws, in the German dub"

GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

Eben exclaims, "Wanda! Get the stone away from her! Or, you know, get Jacob away from her, but make sure he still has the stone. Or whatever! You got this!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Physique or Fight?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What are you trying to do?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Wrestle Jacob and the stone out of her clutches"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Physique!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Schmusepfoten would be more accurate and equally cutesy"

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

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

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Fight your grandma like a true hero!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You succeed!"

Wanda's super-Raxiss strength is no match for the Empress, and she pulls Jacob away, sceptre and all!

Xilasi says, "<You! WHO ARE YOU? You look just like... but you can't be...!>"

Wanda says (to Xilasi), "<It's a long story, but unfortunately this is the worst time!>"

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) EBEN(-2)

GM exclaims, "Eben!"

Eben shoots an orange portal just under where the Empress is about to land, after being thrown off by Wanda!

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I missed an opportunity to do a 'I am your granddaughter. Search your feelings, you know it to be true.' there, hehehe"

Eben exclaims, "And our allies are showing up about now, too!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What kind of action are you going for here? An attack, or...?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Deceive!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hoping for a forced movement."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "But in general, I guess a create advantage? Or just 'portal placement'? Whatever you like."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK, so you're not attacking or trying to create an advantage explicitly, right?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(The opposition will be higher for CA than Overcome.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yup, just Overcome."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Also, I looked it up, and you combat Deceive with Empathy)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "snrk"

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) It later transpires that the Empress has +4 Empathy.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Delay while I'm thinking through what we're doing.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sure."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So Deceive is to, what, trick her into thinking you're doing something else?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "(Eben has a knack for thinking up things that I need to think through...)"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "tell me about it"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I am using my stunt: "Have a nice trip! See you next fall!: Eben gets a +2 to Deceive when confusing enemies with portals (i.e. when suddenly opening one under their feet) (Can be used in a Contest where the goal is *not* to attack, or as a separate precursor action to an attack.)""

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Which we've been trying to figure out exactly what that means, but anyway ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Excellent -- so you just need to tell me what you are trying to trick her into thinking :)"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I'm not sure if Eben is typing up what he's trying to trick her into thinking or if he's waiting for me.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Since she's never seen this before, I think the best thing would be to have her think that I'm trying and failing to shoot her with something, but I'm aiming too low... but it turns out to be a portal under her feet."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(was typing)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Sounds good!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Roll it, and she'll oppose with Empathy!"

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

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

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Maybe female Raxiss are traditionally scared of tiny humans they find in their home"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You succeed!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "She has more Empathy than me"

Eben also triggers the kitchen distraction!

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

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Makes you think, doesn't it. Who is the real monster here."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Who Is The Real Monster would make a great Trouble"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "or Aspect"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "true"

Eben pretends to attack the Empress with his portal gun, but his aim is obviously way off. Just as the Empress is about to laugh at him, the blender goes off in the kitchen startling her, and she falls through the portal into the wall vents!

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "But it's usually Us, isn't is"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(and hang on; one more thing:)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I tag the Red Pullcords, and say that she grabbed for one that would have been there on her way through?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "To what end?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "To succeed more, to get to a +6 for two effects instead of just one."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Er, if that's a thing? Is that a thing?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It's not, alas, a thing."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I don't think so"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Indeed."

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM advances the initiative: JACOB(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) Eben(-2)

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I cancel the portals?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "As your next action, you can! :)"

Eben exclaims (at Jacob), "Turn this thing off!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Eben), "You do realize that the portals are our way out"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Nah, there's a window."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I don't think Jacob's hair is THAT long"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "The gem?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Turn it off, I mean"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Or the alarm?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "No, my portal gun ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If we can get it off, we'll trap the empress in the vents."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I have crafts at +1, but I don't think I've ever touched the thing before!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "By the way, as I mentioned in the first session: each 'side' gets one free invoke of the gem. (I think you used yours up in the fight with the Umawa.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "This is a different gem!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Also I'm holding protectively onto the scepter."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Also, the portal gun is *your* power, not Jacob's."

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sorry :)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Have the guards arrived?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Like, in the room with us?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "They're behind CP's forcefield right now."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Nah, CP went 'You shall not pass!' at them"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Some of them -- no doubt more are on the way.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, cool."

Jacob looks out the window, trying to figure out a way out and down safely.

Eben exclaims (at Jacob), "Jump! I'll portal you when you land!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(if that works)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "minor caveat"

Jacob uhhhhh.

GM says (to Jacob), "The windows are reinforced, with no obvious mechanism to open them (non-destructively). Outside, you can see the ground far below you and other tall buildings, but they're all about four zones away."

Jacob glares angrily at the windows.

[Crows-Nest] Jacob melts them with his anger

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "hee"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Smash 'em?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Definitely an option!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or investigate a way to get them open."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Not an easy one, but hey, you've got fate points."

Jacob swings the scepter at the window.

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "Physique, vs +4!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "This feels like a Wanda thing."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I am going to invoke my "I've read about that", to use lore (in exchange for a fate point), because while I haven't played baseball or things like that, I've read tons about proper technique and such. Or something like that :D"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Nice!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "oooh, cool"

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And then I'll spend.."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Well, walking library fits nicely. For a +5"

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 1.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Roleplay your smashy-smash! And are you moving as well?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I think the window was in the sitting room?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Or am I misremembering?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "it's on the map :-)"

Jacob swings the scepter at the window and watches as the glass falls apart in the way that car windows do when you smash them.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The kitchen and bedroom had windows. The sitting room has arches leading to the other rooms."

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

Jacob does not jump out the window, not that he doesn't trust Eben, but seriously?

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

Jacob advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) Eben(-2)

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Clearly the better option is to hold on to Wanda as she spiderclimbs down"

GM exclaims, "The Empress claws her way back up through the portal!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I try to resist?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Hmm. Alright. I assume you're trying to quickly deportal before she can get through?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Right."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "This seems like your Notice vs. her Athletics."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I just realized... my grandma is a web influencer."

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Would that leave us with half an empress?"

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Now here's the tricky part from our previous discussion:"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "We decided before that these side effect things would mean that you achieve the effect, but that you don't get to narratively use the benefits until the next action, right?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "So, you've stopped her from moving through, but the portal doesn't actually go away until you use your action on your next turn, right?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I don't remember that, but that seems reasonable."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

GM exclaims, "The Empress struggles to get through the portal, but it's already starting to dissolve!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "So, with her half in and half-out of the portals, I can scootch them around, but they're not quite off yet?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "But it keeps resetting her progress?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yeah, that seems like a reasonable description."

GM says, "She looks through the portal at Wanda, shouting to her:"

Xilasi says, "<I don't know who you are -- some rebel trying to impersonate my daughtter? But you are a Raxiss, and so you are MY SUBJECT! Get my scepter, and RETURN IT TO ME!>"

GM exclaims (at Wanda), "You feel the webbing wrapping around your mind! She's mentally attacking you!"

GM exclaims, "Defend with Will!"

GM rolls Legendary+1 (+9) + 4dF: 0 +1 +1 0 | Legendary+3 (11)

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Oh fiddlesticks"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And, for fun, I'm going to tag the Psychic Resonator, since she gets a free invoke of it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So she's up to 13."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That's eleven stress to absorb -- or you can accept her domination and do as she asks."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(If you do, it'll last until either you complete the task or the scene finishes.)"

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda asks, "I can't tick more than one box at a time, right?"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "No"

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

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "Can one even absord 11? Tick the 4 box and take a severe consequence?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That's 10"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "She doesn't have a 4 box. But you can take multiple consequences."

Eben pssts to CP "If we get the stone out of the sceptre, Wanda can give it to her!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Just not multiple stress boxes."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says (to Eben), "ooooh loophole"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "So, Wanda accepts; CP gets the stone, Wanda gives it to her, I close the portals."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Supposing I can get it out, of course. How is it fastened to the sceptre?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm sure there's a quick release mechanism"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Bands of some gold alloy are wrapped around it."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee hee"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to ccr), "That might complicate matters. I'll steal the whole thing, if it comes to it"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Take it and throw it out the window :D"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It feels a bit sad to concede so easily."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "We'll deal with it later ;)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to jacob), "That would be a thing CP would do :)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Remember, this isn't conceding the *fight* -- as soon as you get the scepter to her, you'll be back in control of yourself!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Or you could resist and take the stress!)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or, yeah, Wanda can take multiple consequences."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I feel this isn't worth it taking debilitating consequences"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Even from a narrative standpoint?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "But yeah, I see the point."

GM exclaims, "Meanwhile, while you're struggling to fight off the Empress' mind control powers, the guards draw their guns and begin firing at the forcefield!"

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And CP defends with style!"

GM says, "Another group of guards also arrive on the scene, but they're just as blocked as the first group."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Boost, right? Since this was an attack?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "Can we whittle away the effects of her compulsion?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup."

[CCrusaders] GM (to Eben) | Anyone you give a task to will try their best to accomplish it until they succeed or the scene ends, whichever comes first. The tasks you assign are short-term objectives, such as ���Give me that gun,��� or ���Go away.��� Because even the weakest-willed are driven by self-preservation, you cannot force someone to directly harm themself or put themself in an inevitably fatal position, such as jumping off a building, but you can force them to take riskier actions than they would like to.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I call it, hmm... HOLD THE LINE"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "So, what's your call?"

(From Cuddlepaws) Raxiss' blaster bounce of CPs forcefield harmlessly. "Try harder, losers!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Have the free tags on Kitchen Distraction been used up?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Only one of them."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll tag that, reducing the damage to 9 stress. Then I'll spend a fate point on my high concept because I'm a *mutant* Raxiss! So only 7 stress. Which can be absorbed by a 3-stress box and a Moderate Consequence (because mental scars are always good for RP)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Yay! What would you like to call your Consequence?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "We are a bunch of tough guys & gals"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Split Psyche?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Red-pilled"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you want to roleplay your resistance?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I do!"

Wanda has never had to deal with this much mental strain. It seems like her will is about to be irrevocable crushed beneath that of the Empress... but somehow, she doesn't give in. Was it the racket coming from the kitchen that disrupted the Empress' focus just a little? Or was it the fact that Wanda was no ordinary Raxiss -- she was a *mutant*?

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) WANDA/CUDDLEPAWS(1) Eben(-2)

Wanda says (to Empress), "<I'm not giving in.>"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Wanda or CP!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Hm, I'm thinking."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "You want Wanda to go first?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "If she has an idea what to do."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Wanda?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Might be good. I can talk to the Empress a little, before doing my action"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "On my turn, I'm planning to jump out the window ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Eben), "Grandpa! Noooo"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(it'll probably be good for me to go first, so there's portals in place for you all to fall through.)"

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Eben), "Man, it must have been weird for you to go through so many sessions without spending a combat scene falling through midair."

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "I know, right?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Is there like "hold action" so I can elt Eben go first?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Sure, if both you and Wanda want to do that."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Let's do that!"

Cuddlepaws concentrates on upholding her force field.

GM exclaims, "OK! Since you get one move and one action, and moving from the sitting room to the bedroom takes movement, you'll need to use an Overcome action to get through the window!"

GM says, "No one is blocking you, so it's a simple +1 Athletics overcome."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "At this point, do the portals finally close? If not, I will do that as my action."

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "um, I was hoping to talk to the Empress, but..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You can still do that before they finally close."

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "They don't close unless you close them -- are you doing that instead of jumping?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "They don't close unless you close them -- are you doing that instead of jumping?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ah, jumping is an action."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "Yeah, if you've already used up your movement."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of Wanda), "Do you want your discussion to be an actual action?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Depends on how it goes, but possibly"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Then do that first."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK, Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And then I'll cancel the portals."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I assume Wanda's typing?)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "He's French. he probably accidentally entered into a love triangle."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That would be worrying, given how many of the major Raxiss NPC's are related to Wanda."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Webs of Love, Webs of Lies"

Wanda says (to Empress), "<I know you think you need that scepter. But there are innocents out there who need it more. I didn't come 601 million miles to pick a fight with you. But I'm not going to kneel before you just for the sake of an idea.>"

Xilasi says, "<601 million miles... you mean there's another world out there? With people? And resources...?>"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Don't put ideas in her head!"

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

Xilasi grins broadly, perhaps even hungrily, with a hint of saliva dripping from her spidery maw.

Wanda says (to Xilasi), "<That's really all you can think about? No wonder my mother left.>"

Xilasi says, "<Your mother? Are you... are you Zrizana's daughter?>"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Why don't you give her your credit card PIN while you're at it!"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I have to say, this bit is going great so far from my^H^HXilasi's perspective."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Wanda has no experience talking to intersolar dictators"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I assume Wanda is thinking about her response.)"

Wanda says (to Xilasi), "<What do you think? Not that I expect you to care, anyway. You have all these worlds to conquer, after all, why would other people matter to you?>"

Xilasi says, "<Oh, but you do matter to me. You're my granddaughter! And you've been so alone, on another world, with no one like you, for all this time...>"

Xilasi says, "<But now you're back! You're *home*. Join me, and we can be a *family* again! And *some* day you can rule in my place!>"

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at Xilasi), "She has been like a mother to me, you intergalactic bastard! You know nothing about us!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "So, what *is* your action going to be?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Since we do need to move the conflict along for the benefit of the other participants.)"

Eben exclaims, "OK, kids, as nice as this conversation has been, I think it's about time to get out of here. Bye, Xilasi! I hope you stop oppressing your people, or, barring that, that you fail!"

Eben shoots a new blue portal out the window!

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What are you aiming at?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(cancelling the one in the vents)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I was thinking of maybe putting the seeds of doubt. Rapport or Provoke?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! Cancelling it should be easy -- just a simple +0 Overcome with Shoot."

Cuddlepaws says, "<SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS!>"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "Go ahead before I shoot, then!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Did I just speak latin in Raxiss? Yes! how does that work? ... Phloigston."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Ha"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "Are you trying to plant seeds of doubt as her ally, or as her enemy?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(The former is Rapport, the latter is Provoke.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "As her enemy, I guess"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And I assume this is a Create Advantage, so roll Provoke vs. her Will!"

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

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Holy Moses what are we rolling these days"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "That... that works."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oooh! Give me a good closing line of dialog to support that, and you'll have your asspect with two free invokes!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Flip a coin. Heads, you get +1 +1 +1 +1. Tails, -1 -1 -1 -1. For any other roll, it must have landed on its edge."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "And you can roll your +0 Overcome with Shoot as soon as she does."

Wanda says (to Xilasi), "<You're wrong. I was never alone. Because, you see, I was lucky to be born on a world where people were willing to accept me in spite of how different I was. Because, deep down, whether you're Raxiss or Umawa or human or cat, it's what you are inside that matters. And I'm sad to see that it's something you could never understand.>"

Eben says (to Wanda), "Good work, kid."

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

GM says (to Eben), "As you work the controls of the gun, you notice something."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "That was beautiful."

GM says, "There seems to be something -- possibly the Quicksilver? -- draining power and making those controls sluggish (tag)."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to CP), "I got a little teary eyed writing that, yeah"

GM says, "And if you were younger, you're sure you could fight it off easily, but you're really Feeling Your Age these days (tag)."

GM says, "All together, it's just a real challenge to try to control this Unpredictable Basement Tech! (tag)"

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 3.

GM gives a fate point to Eben (queued up for the next scene).

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And your opposition is suddenly +6!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Heh"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hrm hrm."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Wait, was that a compel, I guess?"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Like, I can't tag things to counter it?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Nope, just three tags."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "The third was a hostile invoke, so you'll get the fate point at the end of the scene. The other were normal ones."

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

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "What's a tie on an Overcome?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Success with a minor cost."

[CCrusaders] Eben nods.

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Oh, hey!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of Wanda), "Are you OK with my tagging one of your create advantages here? To say she's stunned by your statement, so ends up giving me more time to cancel the portal?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That sounds good. We'll always have that Aspect, anyway, for the future."

Wanda spends a fate point, leaving them with 1.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(I forgot to spend a fp earlier)"

Eben whaps his portal gun. "Work, darn you!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And as soon as Eben is done, it's CP's turn!"

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I've heard it happens to all men some time! It's okay."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I"

Eben has a little extra time to futz with it, as Wanda's speech stuns the Empress. Has *anyone* talked to her this way before?

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "For a minor cost, maybe 1 mental stress?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "So we have a portal to the outside or not?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "That sounds good to me!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "Not yet, but you no longer have a portal to the Empress, either!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "Do we? I was shooting blind, basically, since either it would hit and cancel the other, or go off into nowhere and cancel the other."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Also, are you using your move to go from the Sitting Room to the Bedroom?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yes."

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

GM exclaims, "CP!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Hm, I need to stay to keep up my forcefield. So I'll use Rapport to Create Advantage for Eben's portalling."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! +2 opposition."

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Boost!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to Eben), ""YOU CAN DO THIS"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I have a thought that I will not share until this scene is over, so I don't give the GM ideas :D"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha ha."

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) EBEN(-2)

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of jacob), "Aw, when did that ever go wrong for us recently, like in this scene?"

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Haha"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I don't know what to do! I'm still not convinced I should be jumping out a window without a safeguard."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Though yay updated map"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You can delay your action and let other folks go first, if you want."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That's what I'm thinking, yeah"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

GM advances the initiative: JACOB(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) Eben(-2)

GM exclaims, "CAMERA CUT TO: Empress Xilasi, squirming her way out of a ventilation duct!"

GM exclaims, "CAMERA CUT BACK TO: the Imperial Guards, trapped behind CP's shield, madly firing their energy guns at it!"

GM rolls Legendary (8) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 0 | Legendary+3 (11)

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Wow"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(All six of them are assisting.)"

Cuddlepaws rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: 0 -1 -1 +1 | Superb (5)

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "What do you do about that?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You're at 7 with your boost from last time."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I have a boost that bringe me to +7! I'll tag Stubborn bugger for +9 and take a 2 box of mental stress."

GM says, "(While they're shooting, another gang of guards make it up the stairs, too late to do anything this round.)"

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 1.

Cuddlepaws winces as more and more blast hit her shield, which flickers, but hold. She bares her teeth and yowls. "We have to get out of here! NOW!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo! It'll be your turn next, and you can narrate your way into it!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Should I go first?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yes, I wait for Eben (actually, for everyone, I want to go last)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! Wanda, or are you waiting for Eben too?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm waiting for Eben."

Eben leaps out the window!

GM exclaims, "Eben!"

GM exclaims, "You are now in mid-air, four zones above the ground!"

GM asks, "That can be your movement, so what would you like your action to be?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I think portal range is three zones, right?)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I will shoot the blue portal as far away as I can, which I think is one zone up from the base of the building."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "On the side of either this building or the one next door."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK! A little tricky when falling, so +2 opposition."

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success with a minor cost!"

Eben exclaims, "It's in a slightly awkward position, but it's there!"

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

Jacob dives through the window, too.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "How does falling work in FATE? If he jumps through and falls, does anything happen?"

Jacob clutches the scepter.

GM asks, "Woo -- are you taking any actions while you're there?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Though actually, where is the red portal?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Jacob), "you could jump through the orange portal and end up closer to the ground."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "There's nothing explicit in the rules about it, but I'm going to say that you each fall one zone at the end of the initiative round."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "yeah, that"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It's in the room with you, right."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Can I retcon and say I step into the portal?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob isn't a window diving sort.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "And damage?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I don't have an action right now, I think."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "I'll figure that out if I need to!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Just so long as I don't lose the thing I'm holding"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "OK -- so you're now effectively jumping out of a second-story 'window'?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah"

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) Eben(-2)

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) WANDA/CUDDLEPAWS(1) Eben(-2)

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I'm tempted to jump out after Jacob and grab him so he doesn't get hurt if we hit the ground?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That sounds perfect, actually."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! That sounds like a Create Advantage with... Athletics, you think?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "+2!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Wooo!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Opposition.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Darn these rolls."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Still a boost."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Whee!"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yep"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(if I may be so bold: I added 'Jacob: safely Webbed' to the aspects list ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Not a full aspect, though -- so she's helping some, but he's not quite *safe* yet..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(yeah; boost)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "That raises an interesting question: does Wanda simply not manage to produce proper webbing because it gets burned by the fire she wields?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "But yeah, it's a boost, I'll take that into account"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That seems plausible -- or if her webbing glands make fire *instead* of webbing -- but that seems like it's largely up to you."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you still narrating, or is it CP's turn?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'd go with the webbing glands producing the fire. BTW, I'm typing"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Cool."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "Would you say "landing safely from a 2 story high portal is a catlike thing to do? (Meaning, +2 athletics?)"

Wanda sees Jacob leap out of the window! Her protective instinct overwhelms her and she leaps after him! She catches Jacob with several of her eight legs, but doesn't quite manage to swivel around in mid air so as to plunk him safely on her back.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Init next"

GM exclaims, "Cuddlepaws!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "See my question."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

Cuddlepaws runs towards the portal and jumps through. Behind her, her force field collapses!

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Athletics:"

Cuddlepaws rolls Superb (5) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 -1 | Fantastic (6)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Woo -- hold that roll for a moment."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(You can keep the result.)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Eben already went first, so:"

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) EBEN(-2)

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

GM exclaims, "Jacob, Wanda and CP hit the ground -- and each need to defend with Athletics against a physical attack from the ground!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I sense GM shenanigans"

GM says, "Its attack is a static +3 for every zone you fell."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "Cat's Landing (You know just how to land after even the highest fall. When you fall, you land on your feet and take no damage, regardless of the height you fall from, as long as you are conscious.)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "You, of course, already succeeded in your defense with style!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Excellent! You succeed!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "UGH"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "You can tag 'safely Webbed'!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "You have a boost from me!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Jacobs learns the hard way what those extra legs are for."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Falling from second story window? So that's one zone or two?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "One."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok, I'll tag the boost for a tie."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Minor cost: you're now kinda sticky?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sure"

GM advances the initiative: JACOB(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) Eben(-2)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Better than oily."

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks (of GM), "How about 'singed'?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Ooh, that oil that he's got all over him is burning up!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "darn"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Ok, so, we're on the ground. Where are we compared to the-- OW OW OW-- map from last week?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Like my intention is to run somewhere with the scepter, I guess, but I don't know where"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "We need a vehicle"

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Perfect"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You're at street level, let's say on the side of the building facing the viewer."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "So we can still get to our pod?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "That was my hope"

[CCrusaders] Wanda is driving.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Unless we find out it's been compromised in the meantime"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Which we won't know until we get closer, I guess"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Pick a pod, any pod"

GM exclaims, "You can see the pod, and it's a zone away!"

Jacob runs towards where we came in.

Jacob shouts "C'mon!"

GM exclaims, "Jacob is now within reach of the pod!"

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) Eben(-2)

GM exclaims, "Meanwhile, inside the building, the guards rush forward! You can see them gathering just on the other side of the portal!"

GM exclaims, "And you hear a voice from inside!"

Xilasi says, "<GRANDDAUGHTER! RETURN TO ME!>"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "Oh no! She's doing it again!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "oops"

GM rolls Legendary+1 (+9) + 4dF: +1 0 +1 0 | Legendary+3 (11)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Hey, she doesn't have the scepter, how is she rolling so high"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That's one scary lady."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think that's her superpower."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Unfortunately for us, she realized the power was inside her all along."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The sceptre only gives her a +2 once."

[CCrusaders] GM | Influence

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(which she happily already used)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "ah yeah fudge"

[CCrusaders] GM | * Master Influence

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you defend with Will?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Web influencers are so tacky!"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha, sigh."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Nine shifts!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Should I yield?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "It would be more dramatic if you did!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Except I dunno how to stop you."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "haha aw"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at wanda), "Go for it!"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I guess I could do some forced movements?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "My psyche has been split into two already! I cannot resist"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Shall I RP"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Please do!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Fortuantely, you won't get to take an actual action/movement until your turn."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Also: what the heck is her range? That's crazy.)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "But yes, please, RP!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "I'm using 'earshot'."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "What happens if we get her out of earshot?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Then she won't be able to issue any more commands to you."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "But you still have to follow the old ones?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(And if you get past the end of the scene, the effect will wear off entirely."

[CCrusaders] GM says, ")"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Also, I should note: at this point, the people on the ground are only hearing her voice *through the portal*."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Right!"

Wanda stops in her tracks. She looks at Cuddles, at Eben, at Jacob. They all hear the same mental message, one whose tone is echoed by the sadness in her eyes: 'I'm sorry, guys. I'm not strong enough. I'm so sorry.'

Wanda coils her legs, ready to leap through the portal....

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "init next"

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) WANDA/CUDDLEPAWS(1) Eben(-2)

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "WANDA! NO!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "CP or Wanda first?"

Cuddlepaws throws up shielding in front of the portal.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Nice!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "CP has a higher raw Athletics anyway"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you moving as well?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Nope."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Wanda? Or do you want to let Eben go first?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll attempt my jump through the shielded portal"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can she?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Well, I'm on the same init as CP"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "She can attack through it, not move through it. She can attack *it.*"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I've been letting you go before each other all along."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "Right, but right now she's under the influence of the empress."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Well, I jump onto the wall right under the portal, and try to break through"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Well, if you *want* to talk me out of it..."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Probably lighting myself on fire in the process"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at wanda), "You attack, and I defend with Will!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

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

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "This is an emotional moment! Heroes against heroes!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at wanda), "You get a boost!"

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) EBEN(-2)

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Yes... but at what cost?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Eben!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at eben), "SHUT IT DOWN! SHUT IT DOWN NOW!"

Eben, falling, calls out "Iiitttt's OOOOkkkkaaaay, CCCCC PPPP! Sheeee beeelloooonnngggsss wiiiith heeerrrrr biiioooolllooogicallll fammillllyyyyy!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "wut"

[Crows-Nest] GM exclaims, "Shocking twist!"

Eben then sneakily moves the red portal to next to the pod.

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "aha!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Woo"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "classic fakeout"

GM advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Eben falls another zone!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Deceive vs. Wanda's empathy? Or just let that stand."

Eben also falls one zone and moves one zone, one presumes.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "I'll let you decide that question."

GM advances the initiative: JACOB(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) Eben(-2)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Why not see what happens. I'll roll it"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "If Eben puts a portal on the ground ... won't he have that Portal (video game) effect of coming out at a very high speed?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "Speedy thing goes in!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "It's even written on his sheet."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hee"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Aha!"

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I can barely remember my own sheet!"

Eben rolls Good (3) + 4dF: +1 +1 +1 +1 | Epic (7)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yay"

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

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Wow, +4."

Wanda doesn't realize where the portal really goes until it's too late.

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Are you just taking the boost, or using a special effect?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, can I forced movement? I will totally do that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Unless, hmm."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Hmm. Does this count as using your power?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Actually this way she'll move herself."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "So, no, I'll just take the boost."

GM exclaims, "Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Did we lock the pod? :D"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "And is anyone guarding it?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Like from the baddies"

GM says, "I don't remember you locking it, and no one's guarding it. But presumably you did shut everything off before leaving it."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Because otherwise I'm going to climb inside and wait for y'all to join me"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "cut to : VENT : (in a dusty corner) ... SOME KEYS."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You could probably power it up."

Jacob may have been out of earshot to know what was going on

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I can try"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Powering it up is a +2 Drive overcome!"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Maybe leave it to the drivers."

Jacob has no idea.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Like me and CP"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Jacob has not flown stick before"

GM says, "The pod's engines make some strange noises that can't possibly be good for it."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "He's flown feather, though"

GM says, "Some of the guards near the prison entrance turn to look in your direction."

Jacob ducks.

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) Eben(-2)

GM says, "A few of those guards start to walk slowly in your direction."

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) WANDA/CUDDLEPAWS(1) Eben(-2)

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "CP?"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Oh no! her attack is too strong for my shield! Poor me! She destroyed it!"

Cuddlepaws drops her shield.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you also move?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah, I run towards the pod."

GM exclaims, "CP is now just outside the pod!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or through the portal yourself."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I guess it's the same."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Can CP jump/climb up the wall?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Doesn't matter, really."

GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm going to hurry to the pod and start it up"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Aren't you trying to get back to your grandmother?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ooops"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You believe your grandmother is through the portal, though."

Wanda goes through the portal, believing that her grandmother is on the other end!

GM exclaims, "You're now right next to the pod and CP!"

GM asks, "Are you going to take an action, or are you too confused by Eben's deception?"

Wanda exclaims, "I've been tricked!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Init next, or...?)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So, the logical thing to do is to go back through the portal, using an Athletics overcome. But since Eben was so stylish in his Deceive..."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I don't want to hold up the action"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Init next?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'll just stand there, hesitant and divided internally"

GM advances the initiative: Jacob(3) GM(2) Wanda/Cuddlepaws(1) EBEN(-2)

GM exclaims, "Eben!"

Wanda's troubled psyche makes her hesitate!

Jacob whispers from where he's ducked down, "GET IN".

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, this is what I would like to do, and you tell me what to roll ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I would like to move the portals such that I fly through the blue one, then out through the red one into Wanda, propelling us both into the pod ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "YAY"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "First question:"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "You have boots to help you with *falling*, but if you go *sideways* thought a portal while speedy, are you still going to potentially get hurt crashing into stuff?"

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) Eben groans, 'Argh! My hip!'

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "If I can land on my feet, I'd be OK (even if I land sideways on a wall), but falling into Wanda would probably cause damage to either me or her or both."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Is she still on fire?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK -- and if you're trying to use Forced Movement, then that's probably going to happen."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Or did that end up not happening?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I don't think that ended up happening"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And if you're OK with that, then that's a +3 opposition to pull that off!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Since I didn't need fire to fight the portal"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "I am OK with that!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And you'll have fallen four zones, which is effectively a twelve-shift attack -- but I'll split it between you, so you can each defend against +6."

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Style -- so you get forced movement!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Woo!"

Eben exclaims, "Waaaannndaaaaa!!!!!!"

Eben crashes through the portal, wraps his arms around Wanda, and both of the fly into the pod, smashing into the ceiling!

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I'm defending with Physique, without any super strength bonus (so just +3)?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And you'll both defend with Athletics against +6 shifts of flying Eben damage!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Ah!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(To roll with the blow.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Does uncanny dodge apply?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "It's always family that hurts us the most"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Only if you want to dodge him and not get pushed into the pod!"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Nah"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Five shifts for Eben! Unless he has anything to tag?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "One shift for Wanda!"

GM clears the initiative.

[CCrusaders] Wanda ticks a box

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "And you?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Hey, I still have YOU CAN DO THIS"

[CCrusaders] Eben takes a 3-point physical stress box!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I have no idea now what that's from!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's Cat Power"

GM exclaims, "The prison guards who heard the engine earlier pick up their pace! They realize something is going on here!"

Eben says, "Oooof."

GM exclaims, "But you're also out of initiative!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It's from CP's pep talk."

Cuddlepaws jumps into the driver's seat.

Eben closes the door!

GM exclaims, "Drive +2 to take off!"

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

Wanda says, "Where are we going? I'm... I'm confused"

Eben says (to Wanda), "We're taking a roundabout way back to the Empress; hang on."

Wanda exclaims, "Oh, okay. Cuddles! Let me help!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That's a +1, CP"

Cuddlepaws asks, "We still have a tag on that journal? Maybe it contained pod flying instructions?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "to Drive"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Which journal is that?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "only here"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha, I think we do."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I don't think Nichols knew anything about driving alien craft.)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Oh, didn't we take it from the Raxiss?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Nope"

GM exclaims, "The guards are surrounding your pod!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I mean, it was the Princess's."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims (at CP), "You have my +1!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Maaaaybe the pod takes a keyorb and that makes it easier?"

Guard says, "<Open up!>"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Was it? Ithought it was the doctor's notes about her."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Right, that."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "We still have | Identification armbands and keyorbs"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It was Nichols' notes about her."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to CP), "You could tag Stubborn Bugger and use my +1"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "Didn't you just tag that to pick the door lock?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "To succeed without a hitch"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "We may have, but it's still on here"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We had two tags on it."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Aha!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And only needed one for the door lock."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If you can narrate a cool enough way for it to help, then yes."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "So that brings me to +3 and a success!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "Okay"

Cuddlepaws realizes she misses at least 2 legs to fly this thing properly, but she puts in the keyboard that helps with startup, and swiping the identification armband brings up a helpful Raxiss' paperclip "<Hello, disabled pilot! Let me help by pre-heating the engines for you!>

Cuddlepaws says, "keyboard/keyorb"

GM exclaims, "The pod powers up fully and lifts off the ground!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Ha!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Also, yay!)"

Jacob breathes a heavy sigh of relief.

GM exclaims, "The guards on the ground surround where you just were! They're drawing their guns!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "We have incominG!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Also the thing I didn't say earlier: why didn't the guards go downstairs and come back up the way we did, where there wasn't a shield in the way? :D"

Eben says, "We're not out of here yet. We still have to, uh, fly back to the Empress. For Wanda."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws always wanted to say that.

Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "What?"

Eben exclaims, "Let's go!"

Jacob asks, "We have to what now?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Through the portal? I don't think they realized that was an option -- they couldn't see the portal near you, and even if they could, they wouldn't know where in the ducts the other end was."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "No, I meant when they came up the grand staircase"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "No, the doors."

GM asks, "Are you hovering here in place, or...?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And we came up the back staircase"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, right! Yeah, that would have been smart of them."

Cuddlepaws puts the pedal(s) to the metal(s) and flies away from the palace.

Eben keeps up a running commentary for Wanda's benefit so that she continues to think we're going back to the Empress.

GM says, "Energy blasts fly by through the air where you just were! But you're flying, and they're on the ground, so you're able to quickly outpace them."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Where are we going? With the palace on alert, do we want to lead them back to the Umawa?"

GM says, "You've got a head start so far on any air-based pursuit! And Wanda... you feel the webbing in your brain falling away."

Wanda asks, "I feel funny... What was I doing?"

Eben says, "Oh, thank God."

Eben gives Wanda a huge hug.

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at wanda), "The empress controlled you!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "It's okay, you are just weak-willed and easily influenced!"

Eben says, "I can't believe I gave away the psychic faraday cage! Argh."

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "Straight back to the Umawa! Nowhere else is safe."

Wanda hugs Eben back. 'I felt all confused and powerless. I'm glad I'm back.'

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "But we may lead the Raxiss straight to them"

Cuddlepaws asks, "Is the Chakagor enough to hold them off?"

Eben exclaims, "it's not like they don't know where they are!"

Hunter disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

Eben says, "It's been enough for many years now."

Hunter arrives at home.

Wanda says, "The Raxiss are already actively invading, it won't matter if we lead them there"

Eben exclaims, "And now we have two of them!"

Eben asks, "Hmm. Can... can one of you use the stone to tell the Umawa to let us through?"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Someone check the sensors for pursuers!"

Wanda says (to Eben), "I could send a mental message, maybe... but that'd be hard."

Eben grins.

Wanda says, "I've never even tried this before, and my mind still feels fuzzy"

GM says (to CP), "You detect some pods moving in your direction, but they're still some distance away. They're not in weapons range yet."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Does our pod have weapons?"

Eben says, "That's my granddaughter! You've just shown how strong you are. That speech to the Empress was powerful."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That sounds like a great thing to Investigate!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "+3 opposition to figure it out."

Jacob takes a look.

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at jacob), "Find out if we can defend ourselves! We have bogies on our six!"

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

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws heard that in a movie.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Success with a minor cost?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "+1 help from CP?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I should have asked first"

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success! You found the guns!"

Wanda says (to Eben), "I'm really glad I didn't grow up under her shadow, that's for sure."

Jacob says, "These appear to be guns..."

Eben exclaims, "Oh, hey!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Is it clear that there's a button to aim/fire?"

GM asks, "You've been flying for a while, and you're getting close to the Umawa continent, but the pursuing pods are getting close too! Are you going to take action first, or let them get within firing range?"

Eben tries out the controls on the guns.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Captain Morris, on the Raxiss Front"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You've got a pretty clear handle on how to operate them and can share that info with the rest."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Wanda, her mind webbed."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Well, can we do something else? We can't fire on them when they're not in range."

GM says (to Eben), "Pretty smooth! The HUD lets you aim behind you without even turning around."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "If only we had a technical genius or something."

Eben lays down some covering fire so they can't approach directly!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Eben), "Create Opposition, Shoot!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Let me know if you want me to do a barrel roll!"

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

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

GM says, "Eben's Covering Fire keeps them at bay for the moment -- they're still there, but they're not getting closer just yet."

GM asks, "You've bought a little bit of time -- what now?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(I assume that was 'create advantage'?)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Could I try to boost the speed of the craft a bit?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup, I assumed the same."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Sure! How?"

Wanda says (to Cuddles&Jacob), "We should figure out how to pool our psychic energy into sending a message to the Umawa. It'll take preparation."

GM says, "Ooh."

Wanda says, "We've got the scepter. Might as well use it."

Eben quickly puts together an app that will analyze the terrain from the map and output an optimal course to the Umawa, given projected prevailing winds and thermal uplifts.

GM says (to Eben), "+4 Crafts, and yes."

GM says, "(Overcome.)"

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

Cuddlepaws says, "I don't have that kind of powers! I'm just an apex predator, irrestibly cute, stealthy as a ghost, a telekinetic badass and creator if invincible shields. But I'm not psychic."

GM asks (of Eben), "Success with minor cost?"

Wanda says (to Cuddles), "Come on, you were able to sense the stone. And Jacob too."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Sounds good. Hmm; maybe we have to fly upside down for a bit?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I like it!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I guess we've abandoned our, uh.. shaggy oxen-like creatures. Are the Umawa going to be upset?"

Cuddlepaws says, "HALF A BARREL ROLL! STRAP IN!""

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "They're still inside the shield."

GM exclaims, "Your extra speed lets you leave the pursuers in the dust -- and you can see the dome up ahead!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "In fact, I remember Jacob making a point to make sure they'd be OK before leaving them."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah, they went to do their own thing, but I assumed we'd pick them up again to take back to the people."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "And now we're not"

GM exclaims, "But the Raxiss must have radio'ed ahead, because the scout pods that were patrolling the border are massing in front of you to block your path!"

GM asks, "You're hurtling toward them at high speed, and they're right between you and the dome! What will you do?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Can I find some pterodactyl friends?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says (to GM), "(the 'and yes' makes me laugh every time)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "What would you like them to do?"

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

Jacob calls out telepathically to whatever pterodactyls are in the area and asks them to help us by swarming the other pods (with a sidenote that ours is friendly) to block them/distract them.

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And the enemy's opposition:"

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success! There's an opening in the formation!"

Cuddlepaws speeds towards the opening.

GM asks (of CP), "Immediately on the other side is the edge of the dome. Are you steering straight towards it, or flying over it?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "The Umawa could open it, right? Would they need to disable the whole thing or could they make an opening?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You expect they should be able to make an opening."

Eben exclaims (at Wanda), "No time like the present! Tell 'em we're here!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If they knew you're coming."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Also, I like Wanda's idea of using the Chagakor to focus your powers together."

Cuddlepaws heads straight towards it. "Now would be really good, 8legs."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Very Shazm"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That sounds to me like a good justification for a +1 assist from each of you for telepathy."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "All right"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "yay!"

Eben tries to steady the craft as everyone else closes their eyes.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do the rules give a skill to use for *speaking* with telepathy?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If not, let's call it a Will overcome."

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

Wanda exclaims (at CP&Jacob), "I'm holding the scepter. Hold it with me! Focus powers!"

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

Jacob does so.

Cuddlepaws climbs onto Wanda and puts a paw on the sceptre.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(that included the +1's)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Success with a minor cost!"

Cuddlepaws We all switch voices for a minute!

GM says, "A moment passes. Nothing happens..."

GM exclaims, "...but then, suddenly, a gap appears, just large enough for you to fly through!"

Wanda exclaims, "Yes! It worked!"

Wanda says, "Thanks guys"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "How about: the gap is small, so it's hard to get through?"

Cuddlepaws grabs the controls from Eben and heads for the gap. "Little help here, Wanda."

Wanda says, "I'm on it, Cuddles."

GM exclaims, "If so: Drive +4 opposition to avoid destroying the pod in the process!"

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

Eben fires warning shots at the pursuing craft to keep them away.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "Are you tagging anything? You'll get through the gap either way."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "We could try to stop that, but the craft disintigrating inside the dome sounds kind of epic."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I must admit not tagging anything is more dramatic ... yeah."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Shall I narrate"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Agreed! Please do!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Narrate at will!"

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) Will says, 'I'm trying to sleep here, and these people keep narrating at me!'

Cuddlepaws heads for the gap and Wanda taps on some extra controls, but at the last second a huge pop-up blocks the screen <DO YOU WANT TO UPDATE YOUR FIRMWARE NOW? y/n> and the pod screeches horribly along the edge of the gap. They make it through, but one side of the pod is now open. And on fire. Alarms starts blaring.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ha"

GM exclaims, "What's left of the pod spirals out of the air, smoke pouring out of it, and crashes into the ground!"

GM exclaims, "Fortuantely, you all manage to get through the crash uninjured!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "omg I'm dying laughing."

GM says, "And you end up in a a burnt crater at one end of a large field."

Eben asks, "Is... is everyone OK?"

(From Cuddlepaws) There is a smoking heap of metal and burning bits of computery stuff, which flies up into the air and reveals a ruffled but unhurt CP.

GM says, "A short ways away, a herd of Ubo are startled."

Jacob asks, "I... think so?"

Wanda says, "Ugh. Firmware updates suck."

Cuddlepaws says, "Let's ... let's not do that again."

Eben says, "Well, we won't be able to in *that* craft."

Eben asks, "That's not the same herd of Ubo that we left our originals with, is it?"

Wanda says, "That was pretty epic, though."

GM asks (of Eben), "Would you recognize them if they were?"

Eben says, "I *think* we came through somewhere around here."

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at wanda), "It was! High-five!"

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah, that"

GM says, "One of the Ubo looks at Jacob."

Ubo says, "<Oh. You're back?>"

Jacob says, "Yeah. We did the thing."

Jacob says in Ubo.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I imagine a giant spider high-fiving a small cat is the most adorable thing ever."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Indeed :-)"

Ubo says, "<Good jobbbb!>"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "We need to commission someone to do comic-book panels of scenes from this game"

Ubo says, "<Are we gooooing back noooow?>"

Cuddlepaws asks, "I think so?"

Jacob says, "<Yes, we need to head back.>"

Cuddlepaws asks (of jacob), "You grabbed the sceptre, right?"

Wanda exclaims, "Mission: accomplished!"

GM says, "You mount the Ubo and begin the trek back to the Umawa central village."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I am very confused about the world, apparently. If we left them inside the dome, how did we get out of it earlier?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Are there entrances that aren't in the sky?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's a one-way shield"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ah!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Ok."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Eben forced a portal through a tiny weak spot in the shield."

Jacob waves it at CP, "Yes."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Oh"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Ooopsies"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Right, ok, I remember that."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "In fact, I think Jacob helped by spotting the weak point for him to use."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I seem to have spread misinformation, sorry"

GM says, "It's a long ride, but they're expecting you when you arrive, because of your psychic call ahead."

Wanda exclaims, "We're back!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "We brought the Cakagor!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Also, we totally did not need the helmet CP stole"

Gutha says, "<This is wonderful! How were you able to do it?>"

Wanda says, "<We broke into the Palace, freed some rebels, and took the scepter from the Empress' hands by force>"

Eben says, "And with your permission, the rebels would like to live with you here, as they try to consolidate their opposition to the Empress."

Eben asks, "Also, Wanda is the Empress's granddaughter! Crazy world, hunh?"

Gutha says, "<Raxiss rebels? Are they like your Wanda?>"

Eben exclaims, "Yup!"

Eben exclaims, "One of them is her dad!"

Cuddlepaws says, "Nobody is like Wanda. But they're similar."

Eben says, "Well, that's true enough."

Gutha says, "<Then they would be welcome here. We'll keep a watch for them.>"

GM says, "You also find that they've prepared a feast for you! Roasted vegetables and fresh bread and both soft and hard cheese, and some kind of nutty fungus and other things you don't recognize. (No meat, though.)"

Eben asks, "Did the Umawa we freed arrive yet?"

Wanda asks, "They're with the rebels, aren't they?"

Gutha says, "<Not yet -- how long ago was it? It's a long trip on foot.>"

Eben says, "Yeah."

Eben says (to Wanda), "Ah, I think you're right."

GM says, "At the feast are all the Umawa that you met in the village so far, and many others. And Harry Jenkins is there as well."

Eben apologizes to Harry about the helmet, and returns it.

Cuddlepaws sniffs the cheese distrustingtly, but then nibbles on it.

Harry says, "<Ah. I was about to ask you about that. Thanks...>"

Wanda is very hungry and has had a rough time.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Harry speaks Umawa now? :D"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "He's become a native"

Eben exclaims (at Harry), "Wow, you learned Umawa quickly!"

Eben says, "Must be a side effect of the psychic resonator. I wonder..."

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I still think it's horrible and irresponsible to give the helmet back to them."

Harry says, "<Oh, heh, yeah. I've made a lot of friends here. And Batyi helped me kludge together some new gadgets so I could keep taking readings without the helmet.>"

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "I hear you, but I have a feeling we'll need all the help we can get if the Raxiss decide they want to invade Earth."

Harry says, "<To be honest... I really do like it here. Do you think, when you go back home... you could bring all the PayneTech gear back for me?>"

Eben says, "You want to stay? Absolutely."

Harry smiles. "<Thanks!>"

Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "You know how when a dog chases you, and you jump into a cellar for safety, and then you realize you can't get back up the cellar wall?"

Eben asks (of Cuddlepaws), "I... can imagine that?"

Cuddlepaws says, "At some point you probably thought the Cellar was a safe idea."

Cuddlepaws says, "And if Harry wants to stay, that is our number one chance to grab that gear. But once we give it to PayneTech, it's done. No going back."

Wanda says, "And if we grab that gear, we're making a new enemy. Maybe one we'll have to fight later on, anyway. But still... I'm torn."

Jacob says, "They won't know that he gave it to us to return.."

Jacob plays devil's advocate.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(AFK a moment while you ponder your next steps.)"

Eben sighs, and sits down with a chunk of fungus and cheese, which he nibbles on.

Wanda wolfs down fungus and other tasty things! Nom nom nom (it's been a long day)

Eben says, "Look, guys. Every step that Wanda's grandma took probably seemed reasonable to her. Her empire needed to be safe; he people needed to be defended; the resources were there for the taking...""

Cuddlepaws jumps on the chieftain's chair once he gets up to get food and rolls up into a ball.

Eben says, "But without a moral center; without principles you believe in, pragmatism will walk you over the edge of a cliff."

Eben says, "We promised to return the stone; we promised that we'd let them take readinds."

Eben asks, "If we're not good for our promises, what else won't we be good for?"

Eben says, "And besides, people become trustworthy by being trusted."

Jacob says, "I suppose. But speaking of having an ambiguous moral center.."

Jacob trails off, but the implication is PayneTech.

Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "I know - but there is a bigger evil. Do you really think a corporation won't use it for evil? Can you really tell us that?"

Eben says, "There are good people at PayneTech. And some crappy people. A corporation is more--and less--than the sum of its parts."

Eben exclaims (at Cuddlepaws), "Of course I can't!"

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "What if ... what if we give it back under the condition that YOU personally oversee all the readings and projects? Because you I trust"

Eben says, "So we'll have to be there to encourage that to not happen, and to be there to stop it if they do."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I'm back, but I'm keeping quiet until you're ready for me.)"

Wanda says, "The Corporation and the Empire are basically the same kind of thing."

Eben sighs. "I'm... kind of enjoying retirement, to be honest. But if it'll make you happier, I could work for them again."

Wanda says, "They're held together by ideas. But they can also be changed from within."

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "You're not really retired anyway. And Martha would love to have you out of the house in the while, especially since that incident with the portalling microwave."

Wanda says (to Eben), "You can change PayneTech from within. I believe in you."

Cuddlepaws says, "I can agree to this deal."

Eben says, "OK, OK, you all drive a hard bargain."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I assume at one point Gutha comes back, picks up and indignant CP and puts her on his lap."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "*her"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Oops!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(But yes, of course.)"

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "We learnt from the best."

GM says, "Gutha eventually come back, picks up an indignant CP, and sits down, putting her on her lap."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "yay!"

Gutha says, "<Harry has told me that he'll be staying here. And of course he is very welcome. Are the rest of you going to join him as well?>"

Cuddlepaws tenses up and looks at Wanda weirdly.

Jacob says, "I.. that's very kind of you, but... " and then he trails off and also looks at Wanda

Wanda says (to Gutha), "It's a lovely place. But our home is elsewhere. Back on Earth..."

Jacob says, "Right, that."

Wanda says, "But I can say that I will be happy to return someday."

Gutha says, "<I understand. You will always be welcome to visit us.>"

Wanda says, "Thank you."

Eben says, "I think we can get back directly with my portals, so we won't need a lift. But before we go, I'd like to try to set something up so that you can visit us directly, or at least contact us if you need anythying."

Cuddlepaws stretches out lazily and rolls on her back. "(to Gutha) Don't touch my tummy.´"

Harry says, "<Hey, yeah, I was wondering about that. Maybe there might be some way to build some kind of interplanetary radio -- but we'd need Raxiss resources for that...>"

Gutha scratches behind CP's ears.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'd like to build something portal-y like I did for my other permanent protals that will let them (maybe just once?) open a portal to my basement."

Eben exclaims (at Harry), "When the rebels get here, work with them!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "or, alternatively, let them send a message through it."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Them... or the Empress ? dun DUN dun"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "That sounds reasonable. And we can assume that the exact details of how it works will depend on what's appropriate to the plot when it eventually comes up?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(basically, set up something that you can use as a plot hook in the future ;-)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Perfect."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "That sounds great to me!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Automatic success -- feel free to RP it if you want.)"

Harry says, "<You bet! I bet they know a lot of fancy alien tech they can teach me about.>"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And after you finish, do you want to narrate the portal home?"

Eben works with Harry and Batyi (the next 'day') to set up the interplanetary portal/communicator/thing. In the end, they're not entirely sure how/if it'll work, but it at least looks cool, and the Umawa clap politely at it's unveiling.

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Sure!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Maybe everyone narrates a one last thing for their character before when they go through?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes, please do!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(And then I'll take over with the *other* side of the portal.)"

Jacob finds some of that fruit the Ubo like and gives them each a piece, with an especially big one for the one who led Harry on a merry chase.

Cuddlepaws says (to gutha), "Always remember : The Raxiss' have been your enemy for a while, but some of them are pretty nice people. And if Wanda's father is half as tough and kind as her, you have nothing to worry about. *rubs against her leg* And remember : We will always be glad to come back to help. *jumps through portal*"

Ubo nuzzles Jacob's shoulder in gratitude.

Jacob pats them all and then says an akward goodbye to Harry and Umawa, and heads through the portal.

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "*the* Umawa, also awkward, because how does typing work?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I hear you, man."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I assume Wanda and Eben are typing.)"

Eben cheerily waves and hefts all of Harry's notes and devices back through the portal.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Wanda?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "While we wait for her, a question for everyone: Who here would like to start the next session (after the intermission) with a compel of Unreliable Basement Tech?"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha ha sure."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "And everyone else?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I like GM shenanigans"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Jacob?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sure"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I'm suspecting Peregrine may have lost his Internet connection."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "So we can move forward for now and have Wanda retroactively play her final farewell afterward."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "I was typing a message I was leaving with Gutha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "for Azikek"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Oh, OK! Please go ahead, then!"

Wanda leaves a message with Gutha for her father. 'Tell him that I tried what little I could to change the Empress' mind. Maybe my only victory there was making it back out in one piece. But even if ideas are fireproof, at least they can be changed. People can change. Good luck, father that I never got to know. Whatever fate brought my mother to Earth, that fate has shaped me for the better, I believe. So I'll keep fighting for those I love, for those who need help, because that's the responsibility that has fallen on me. Not a princess' responsibility perhaps... but maybe that of a heroine.'

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "*superheroine"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Awww"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Aw"

Gutha says, "<That's wonderful. I will tell him that, word for word.>"

GM says, "As you file into the portal, you notice that it's different from usual. For one thing, it's not instantaneous: there's definitely a delay as you pass through the 'tunnel' back to Earth. And everything feels a bit wobbly and slightly chilly."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "Oh, and do you accept the compel?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Of course!"

GM exclaims, "But you make it out the other side, into Eben's familiar basement!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Oh, wait."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I think I know what happened."

GM says, "Well, *mostly* familiar. Something does seem a bit different. It's daytime, by the light outside the window, but yet it's dark and shadowy here."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "I'm guessing 'time passed'?"

Eben asks, "Frances?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I was guessing 'bodyswap' :P"

Eben runs upstairs.

Cuddlepaws follows closely.

GM says, "And Jacob in particular notices: these are no normal shadows. He can see through normal darkness. But these shadows have substance..."

Wanda rushes after them

GM exclaims (at Eben), "You grab the basement doorknob to go upstairs -- and it won't turn! It won't even budge! You're trapped!"

GM says, "<TO BE CONTINUED>"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "YIKES"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Suspense!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "So much suspense!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "A malfunctioning door is the great cliffhanger? Pfft"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And this was a Significant Milestone! (Skill point, not refresh.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "And yay! Thanks for a fun session yet again."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's true that I expected a temporary bodyswap"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "but that would have been silly"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Woo, that was awesome and a very satisfying end"

GM exclaims, "And I'll be happy to see you all back after the intermission for the next scenario in this arc!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "thanks :-)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at CP), "Yay!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Woo!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You're all welcome, and thank you for playing!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at jacob), "Good luck with YOUR upcoming signifcant milestone!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Thanks!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha ha."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "heh"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I bet you'll be wishing for some extra refresh soon."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Jacob), "best wishes"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "don't be cruel"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "What, babies are hard work!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yeah, speaking as an eldest sibling, they are"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "but anyway, we should let Jacob rush off to dinner"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Speaking as a DM, yes they are"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Cuddles), "aw"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha ha."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hm. I think my plan is to bump up either rapport or fight to +2."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I posted earlier that dinner ended up at 7:45"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Excellent."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Jacob), "oops sorry"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Especially since we ended up running 15 minutes over anyway.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Though I suppose I should go be social and not just listen to them from the other room."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "That's the price of writing emotionally impactful snippets"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "A price I think we're all willing to pay!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "aww"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'm not sure what to bump. My options are Physique, Contacts, Stealth, Resources, or Investigate. Or 'any of my 0's', I guess."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I'm going with Rapport, because wow I have become an inspiring figure"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah, I think I will Bump Buglary."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Are any of those things that nobody else has? Resources, maybe?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(Which I will bump to +2!)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Wanda), "w00t"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Resources"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Eben), "If I'm to shed my skinsuit sometime in the future, I'll need to be very charismatic"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Aw. I raised rapport, but still to be mainly just used with animals and not people."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "I'm going to need to rename my 'Split Psyche' moderate consequence to indicate that it's healing. Suggestions?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And I want to rename my Trouble too."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(To reflect how things have changed for me after this adventure)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of wanda), "For the consequence "Suggestible"?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hehe"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I mean, you were mind controlled. Maybe Wanda actually cleans her room when Eben asks her."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "'Highly Suggestible' seems like a possibility."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "As for the trouble..."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I forget, does the free invoke go away when it starts recovering, or does that stay until it's fully recovered?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda |The opponent who forced you to take a consequence gets a free invocation

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "so I think the free invoke goes away"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Malleable Mind seems like a cooler name for the consequence"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "because it alliterates! So comicbooky"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I agree!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "When Wanda Webb got herself turned all upside down."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(WW -> MM)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "neat"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I remember somebody was talking about 'Who Is The Real Monster' as a cool name for an Aspect, but I'm not sure how this would become Wanda's new Trouble"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "The trick to a good Trouble is that it's not redundant with the High Concept"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "I mean, what troubles Wanda right now?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "It's summertime -- she doesn't even have any classes to worry about!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Was she maybe more fascinated by the Empress than she is comfortable with?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "A fascination with the power that she is heir to?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Something like that"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "A tiny voice that says 'you have the might, you should be calling the shots, you're rightfully a Princess'"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Oh! Maybe I can steal the scenario's title."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "The opposite of "We will never be Royals, it don't run in our blood""

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "What's cooler, Lost Princess or Dark Princess?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ooh. I think Lost, in this case."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Yay"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Seconded"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's a great trouble because it's both a backstory thing and something that can alter her judgement/behavior"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "And it can be used to help her achieve things too, by taking on a dominant frame of mind."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's got nuance."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Thanks guys for inspiring me"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "It will also be the name of the Wanda-centric hardcover collection of all her stories."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hee"

genericgeekgirl disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.