[CCrusaders] Bert says, "Log on."

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Deka is up a tree"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "(obscure music recording studio-related pun)"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "I just talked to a lot of plants in a game"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "Did they talk back, though"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, I guess Eben is nearly thirteen hours idle. So he may not actually be quite so here yet as he looks."

Cuddlepaws has disconnected.

Cuddlepaws has connected.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "No, but my character said they were good listeners"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks (of wanda), "How packed was your cinema, though?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Hee"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "No more than 5 seats occupied out of 90 for any given room"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Imagine, we had Tenet and it was the least successful film! Nolan's boast of saving cinemas clearly did not apply to us"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Aw"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I'm still pondering wether I want to see that in the cinema or not"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "Good question."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "I'm planning to wait for video, but I'm afraid that it might be impossible to avoid being completely spoiled before that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "No, I'm here."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Yay! And are Jacob and Deka here too?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Here"

[CCrusaders] Deka exclaims, "I AM HERE!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Woo!"

GM exclaims, "Welcome back to another episode of CROWNSFORD CRUSADERS!"

GM says, "If any of you acttually have fewer FP than your refresh, then this would be a good time to refresh. But if you had extras left over last time, then you should keep the extras."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(Will be a bit distracted for 10 min., sorry. I'll read everything but might be slow to reply)"

GM says, "Also, while most of you just had a Minor Milestone last time, Deka gets a Significant Milestone (to help her catch up to the rest of the team). That basically means that Deka gets an extra skill point that that she can use to raise one of her skills (keeping with the pyramid) or to add a new one at +1."

GM says, "And now that the bookkeeping is over: After finding yourselves in a strange shadow dimension, you followed a heavy "iron" chain past the river into a familiar cave, filled with debris from another battle that took place months ago. The end of the chain is shackled to the leg of a young man sitting on a charred crate."

Tyler Prince says, "Oh. I recognize you. You're the people who killed me."

Wanda says, "No... they're not."

Wanda says, "*I* am."

Tyler says, "Yeah, fair point. So are you dead too, now?"

Wanda sets his current fate point total to 3.

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "You didn't have an extra one leftover last time?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That's the leftover: I usually have 2"

GM says, "As you look at him, you notice that Tyler looks slightly ethereal, much like the elderly woman you met earlier. And if you look closely, you might notice soemthing else: there's a symbol on his back."

Eben says, "We're here by accident."

Jacob eyes the symbol from a safe distance.

Eben asks, "But we're here to help--why are you chained?"

GM says (to Jacob), "It's a thorn -- the same symbol that you saw on Cuddlepaws."

Cuddlepaws cocks her head at it.

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) Cuddlepaws fires!

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Wait, that's not how heads work"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "It kind of *is* how CP's head works."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "he"

Tyler says, "That's a great question. These people -- like some kind of cultists -- did this to me and then left."

Cuddlepaws asks (of tyler), "Did they give you that symbol?"

Tyler tries to crane his neck around to where you're pointing on his back.

Eben asks, "Did they seem less dead, like us? Or actually dead, like you?"

Tyler says, "Huh, I didn't even see that. Maybe?"

Eben tries to take a picture of the symbol with his phone.

Eben shows it to Tyler, and then takes a look at the shackles, to see if they can be undone.

Tyler says, "Hmm. I think maybe more like you? They didn't stay very long. I just woke up here, in the middle of the circle. They were all chanting, and then the snake thing, and then they left like they had someplace better to be."

Tyler says, "Can't really blame them, though. Any place would be better than here."

Eben asks, "Uh, the snake thing?"

GM says (to Eben), "The shackle is one solid piece of iron (or at least, some material resembling iron). There's no apparent way to open or close it."

Eben cocks his head.

Eben says, "How did they get this on you in the first place? There's no obvious clasp."

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "It only looks smart when cats do it"

Tyler says, "Yeah, like a big black metal snake, with a chain for its body? It bit my leg and turned into this."

[Crows-Nest] Eben asks, "Could you get out if it was funny?"

Cuddlepaws asks (of tyler), "And they didn't say anything at all?"

Tyler says, "Well, they were chanting when I first woke up here. But I don't think it was English. And they wouldn't talk to me or answer my questions, even though I'm pretty sure they could see and hear me."

Eben asks, "Hmm. Did it seem like you came here immediately after you died, or do you think some time had passed?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "So, he's chained, and the chain went in the other direction.. is there anything else keeping him here that I forgot/missed?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Since I presume we want to follow the chain, could he just.. come with?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "That seems like a reasonable question to ask."

Tyler says, "Well, you were all here when I died, and there was fire and stuff, I remember. But everyone was gone, and the fire was out, by the time I woke up."

Eben nods.

Eben says, "Hrm."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That does indeed seem like a reasonable question to ask IC."

Jacob has been kind of quiet in the corner, but speaks up now, "Can you walk? Like, is something physically keeping you here, given that the chain goes out that way?"

Eben says, "So, apart from this... purgatory-type place, I guess, I really don't have any data about the afterlife. But we'd like to help you get out of this chain, at least, and it seems likely that you'd... move on? Afterwards? Is that something you want to do? You, uh, might feel like you need to balance the scales of your life a bit, first, given the opportunity. I mean, it's up to you."

Tyler says, "That's a weird thing. I can, but the further I go from here, the harder it is. Like... my best guess is that maybe there's something tying me to the place where I died? I think I once heard that's a thing that happens to dead people."

Deka says, "I'm gonna break it"

Eben says (to Deka), "Sounds good to me."

Jacob says, "Go for it, I guess."

Eben says, "I would *love* to move on. I've been here too long."

Deka reduces the mass of the chain

Tyler winces, apparently in pain.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Amen to that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(also, I assume Tyler said that ;-)"

Tyler says, "I've had a lot of time to think here. About life and stuff. ANd religion and all that. And I think I've made my peace."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Argh, yes."

Tyler says, "I would *love* to move on. I've been here too long."

Eben nods.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "('..Eben ...' is not the same as 'ns Eben=...')"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

Jacob says, "I think we'll need to see what's at the other end of this chain if we want to get you free."

Jacob says, "Assumign there is another end."

GM asks (of Deka), "You need to touch something to reduce its mass, right?"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "yes"

[Crows-Nest] (from Wanda) GM says, 'Take 2d10 magic damage'

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "Hee"

GM says (to Deka), "As you touch it, you feel like it's sucking the strength out of you. It doesn't hurt too much at first, but you feel that if you held onto it too long -- e.g., long enough to shrink it or try to break it -- it would come at a cost."

Wanda asks (of Deka), "Are you okay?"

Cuddlepaws says (to deka), "What are you waiting for? Do your thing"

Deka takes off her jacket and increases the mass of that to wrap around the chain and break it.

Wanda exclaims (at Deka), "Wait!"

GM says (to Deka), "OK! To increase the mass of your jacket, that would be a +3 Overcome. (But Wanda might want to say something first?)"

Deka says, "yes"

Wanda says, "I... I mean, not that I mean to stop you... but there's something."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "actually I don't need to increase its mass, I just need to not touch the chain."

Wanda says (to Deka), "I don't want you to hurt yourself. This is all my fault, ultimately."

Eben puts a hand on Deka's shoulder, in the vague hopes that if anything is drained from her, they can share the draining instead of it hitting just her.

Eben asks (of Wanda), "Maybe the two of you can try pulling it without touching it first, and then if its mass needs to be changed, we can all try to help?"

Wanda says, "Maybe... but there's one thing."

Deka says, "I don't think I need to be drained by this thing. If I put my jacket around it, I won't be touching the chain, but I can still break it."

Eben asks, "Yes?"

Wanda says, "Tyler. You didn't have to die. Back then... that wasn't an accident when I went too far. I told the others that it was because I had venom I didn't know I had."

Wanda says, "But I'm not a poisonous spider."

Wanda says, "This is hard for me to say."

Eben watches, feeling a little sad but also proud.

Eben gives Wanda a little nod.

Tyler waits to hear where this is going.

Wanda says, "But in that moment, when I thought that Grandpa and the others were in danger of being killed, I purposefully went too far. I broke through your dragon hide with my fangs and sent fire under the skin, where I was counting on it spreading inside and killing you. In that moment, I could have held back, but I didn't. And... I wish I could say that I'm a superhero who does the right thing, who never gives in to the dark. But I'm a lost princess, heir to destruction and fear. Defending my loveed ones wasn't reason enough to deny you a second chance, because unlike most people I was strong enough to be able to stop you without killing."

Cuddlepaws rubs against one of Wanda's legs and purrs.

Tyler says, "Huh. Well. Honestly, I can't say that I didn't entirely deserve it..."

Tyler says, "So. I guess I forgive you?"

Wanda says, "Thank you. But I haven't done everything I could."

Tyler chuckles. "It's a little late to do much more for *me*. I'm already dead."

Eben exclaims, "Besides break your chain!"

Tyler says, "If you think that you guys can really do that...?"

Wanda says, "There's a power inside me that comes from Yulorias, remember."

Eben says, "Well, we can try."

Eben says (to Wanda), "Can you heat it up without touching it, or without it draining you? That might help."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "does putting my jacket around it stop the draining"

Wanda says (to Eben), "It's okay."

Wanda says, "If it drains me, so be it."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Deka), "Yes, but you'll only be able to hold it on one place that way. You'll need someone else to hold a different part of the chain if you want to pull it apart."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I mean, so the two of you can pull against each other, like a tug of war.)"

Cuddlepaws says, "I could try and use telekinesis"

Cuddlepaws says, "To lift it, I mean, and tug-of-war with Deka"

Wanda approaches the chain while the others discuss.

Eben asks, "So, let's see. Deka holds one part, Wanda holds another (you can use my jacket), and CP helps with telekinesis, Wanda tries to heat up one link, and Jacob and I touch Deka and Wanda, in case they get drained anyway, and try to help with that?"

GM says, "If Deka and Wanda are pulling on it, then CP could 'assist' (give a +1) with TK."

Eben wraps his jacket around a bit of the chain by Wanda.

GM asks (of Wanda), "Are you going to heat it up before you start pulling?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "tee hee hee ahem"

Wanda says (to GM), "Flame on."

GM asks, "Create Advantage with Rapport?"

GM says, "Opposition +2."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Um, firstly firebending uses Provoke"

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "That's what I said. I just misspelled it."

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "They have a lot of the same letters, you know."

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

GM exclaims, "A tie -- that's a boost!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "You *can* spell Provoke without Rapport, but it's hard work"

GM exclaims, "You've warmed the chain, but only briefly -- it'll cool off soon if you don't take advantage of it now!"

Eben exclaims, "Now!"

GM says, "If Deka and Wanda are breaking the chain, they'll both need to succeed at a +6 Physique Overcome (and Super Strength applies)."

GM says, "And CP can apply her +1 to either of them, as needed."

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

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "Boost!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Boost --> 5 overall"

Deka spends a fate point, leaving them with 2.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "+1 to Wanda from me!"

GM asks (of Deka), "Which aspect are you tagging?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I hear crying. BRB."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "It's the wailing of the damned."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Hmm, it looks like you might have a couple of blank Aspect slots left on your sheet, so you could even invent a new one on the spot, if that's the case.)"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "my bad attitude would not be able to handle being the "weak link""

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

[Crows-Nest] (from GM) Jacob says, "It's OK, Amdi was just having trouble opening a jar."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So with CP I tie"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Deka), "Sounds good!"

GM says (to Wanda), "You tie, which means that you have a complication."

Wanda exclaims (at GM), "Oho!"

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

GM asks, "Like, maybe your grip slips a bit, so that you're no longer holding the jacket and touch the chain directly?"

Wanda says, "Makes sense..."

GM exclaims, "Deka and Wanda, both super strong, pull with all their might. The chain, already weakend by Wanda's fire, begins to stretch, and then... *snaps*!"

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

GM says, "Immediately broken ends of the chain begin to unravel, as though it were actually made of thinner cords and filaments that were braided together. And the frayed ends are dissolving into a greasy, black, shadowy smoke."

Jacob ew.

Cuddlepaws says, "Crusaders 1, Cult 0"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "I'm guessing it will turn into the snake again"

GM says (to Wanda), "But you realize that as you were touching the chain, it was draining you. You feel like you're strength has been sapped away."

Wanda wobbles on her eight legs.

Eben exclaims, "Tyler, are you good? We have to follow this chain before it disappears!"

GM exclaims, "But as Deka suspected! That black, shadowy smoke begins to reform! Just outside the cave opening, over the river, the chain lifts up, and the shadows converge into a shape like a snake's head, with jaws like a bear trap!"

Eben says, "Oh, never mind, it's still here."

GM exclaims, "It hisses at you, spitting black spikes into the cave! Roll initiative!"

GM clears the initiative.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Snakes on the Shadow Plane!"

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

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

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

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

GM registers GM at init 3.

Eben registers Eben at init 0.

Wanda registers Wanda at init 3.

Wanda registers Wanda at init 4.

Wanda displays the initiative: Wanda(4) GM/Wanda(3) Eben(0)

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

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

Cuddlepaws registers Cuddlepaws at init -1.

Wanda removes Wanda from the initiative list.

[Crows-Nest] GM says, "Hey, Wanda can't go twice."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Sorry I made a mistake"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I should be at 4, not 3"

GM removes GM/Wanda from the initiative list.

GM registers GM at init 3.

Wanda registers Wanda at init 4.

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Phew"

GM displays the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) Eben(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_knc9HSM=/"

Deka registers Deka at init 1.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Does everyone have access to that? I'm guessing Deka might not yet."

[Setting the zoned flag.]

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, Deka just requested access."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Invitation sent!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "I like the way Miro shows the mouses of the people along with their names, running about the map"

GM exclaims, "You're in a big cave full of debris. There's a massive chain snake just outside the cave opening. And it's Wanda's turn to go first!"

GM advances the initiative: WANDA(4) GM(3) Deka(1) Eben(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

Jacob registers Jacob at init 1.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oops :)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I was like "why am I not on that list. Oh.""

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I'm amused by how we're all different random shapes."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I chose a star, b/c I'm awesome."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "yay"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "This is gonna be a tough one what with the extra hard rolls"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Question: are the fallen boulders shadow boulders, or RL boulders?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(or a mix)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to CP), "The chain snake is a shadow thing, though."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hmm. Logically, they should be real, but it sounds like you have an interesting idea, so let's say they're somehow a mix."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "Heh ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(It's, uh, a consequence of the chain snake snapping and somehow... breaking them into... shadow debris?)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of eben), "I don't understand re: snake is a shadow thing?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to CP), "Trying to interact with the real world from the shadow world is extra difficult."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "But interacting with shadow things from the shadow world is generally normal difficulty."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Hm... the chain was super hard to break, though?"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "True!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Because it was soooOOOrceryy"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Anyhow, it's my turn?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I mean, could *you* break an iron chain with links as long as your forearm with your bare hands?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Indeed."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "No"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'd need to wear gloves"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "Also, I think in general some real-world elements end up with shadow components over time. I mean, we're not falling into the center of the earth or anything."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "I am happy to handwave that as being true."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yay"

GM asks, "Wanda?"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "The souls of our shoes have fallen into shadow, that we may not fall into the center of the Earth"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Random suggestion: have the init add command automatically de-capitalize any all-caps entry to the list."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I hope Wanda is typing right now, or else she might lose her turn ;) )"

Wanda says, "I am Wanda, lost daughter of Princess Zrizana and the rebel Azikek, grand-daughter of Empress Xilasi of Ganymede. If you do not quietly walk away from this, shadow snake, then I will have little choice but to fight you."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "The shoe soul line really took it out of her."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Also, does the snake have a mind?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "While we're waiting, is anything in here, apart from the rocks, obviously made of Shadow?"

GM says (to Wanda), "The snake peers at you -- it hears you speaking, but it doesn't seem like it understands your words."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims (at Wanda), "It doesn't seem to!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Not even if I attempted telepathy?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I think you'd have to attempt telepathy to find out."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Attempt it, then."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Huh! You could try!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That would be... hm. Notice roll, I guess"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "+1 passive opposition."

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

GM says (to Wanda), "You reach out and feel something that's not quite like an actual mind, per se, but more like a fundamental hunger. And it seems to be directed most toward Tyler and, apparently, Cuddlepaws."

GM advances the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) Deka/Jacob(1) Eben(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

GM asks, "Who's closest to the cave mouth?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Looks like CP and I."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Well fiddlesticks."

GM exclaims, "The snake opens its mouth and hisses, spitting a stream of black spikes at Eben!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Ranged attack!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Which Athletics is the normal defense for, unless you have some special stunt/power to change that."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I have portal dodge."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Woo."

Eben dodges out of the way with Portals!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Then defend with Shoot!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Success with style! Narrate?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "OK, let's see..."

Eben randomly shot the second portal, but it ends up perfectly positioning him behid the snake on the other side of the river, but where he still has a good view of the cave.

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Oh, you're using your Forced Movement?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Clever."

GM advances the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) DEKA/JACOB(1) Eben(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

GM exclaims, "Deka or Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "Hyper Mode"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I'm gonna do my investigation trick."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "B/c I know GM loves it :D"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Target before I roll?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Woo! While Deka is narrating her hyper mode transformation, Jacob can roll Investigation! +3 opposition, since this is a weird and strange environment."

Jacob rolls Fantastic (6) + 4dF: +1 +1 -1 +1 | Legendary (8)

Jacob looks around with his enhanced eyesight.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK! That's... five shifts!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Can't wait for the duel between Jacob and Sherlock"

GM says, "First, you detect several aspects on the snake creature..."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Can someone else record these: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h88N6VTO6dtQ2RVzk1tqx4NdA5PNyShAjpXcoVjhU8M/edit#gid=1689105620 I've got a baby."

GM says, "It's clearly not a natural entity. This is somebody's Shadow Minion."

GM says, "And from people's reactions when they've touched it, you realize that the thing Thirsts For Your Soul."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "This is all giving me an idea"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Jacob), "On it."

GM says, "You notice that the chain around Tyler's leg is still dissolving -- provided you can keep him safe, he should be Destined To Depart soon."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Thinking -- Deka can jump in with her narration at any time.)"

Deka grows to a massive 50 feet tall and tries to pick up the snake by the end of its tail and slam into the ground like a whip.

GM says (to Jacob), "You also realize that, based on the way the chain was unravelling after Deka and Wanda broke it, that it's not as solid as it looks -- it has Weak Links."

GM says, "And you also realize that the face isn't exactly a snake's -- it reminds you of an illustration you once saw in a book about mythical creatures."

GM asks, "And you realize this may be designed after the Soul of a Hydra?"

Eben looks at Deka and shakes his head. "Man, they grow up so fast..."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "OK! So, hmm. Is Deka allowed to do the transformation and attack in the same turn?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "We don't know ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM | Converting to your super-form requires an action, but while you���re not super it���s impossible for anyone or anything to detect that you have a power at all.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(From https://fate-srd.com/venture-city/super-form)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob catching up.

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Jacob), "Did I get them all?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I see five on the list, so yes. Thanks."

GM says (to Deka), "So, based on the rules at https://fate-srd.com/venture-city/super-form, it appears that turning into your superform uses up your whole action."

GM asks, "But that you'll be able to atttack with it on your next turn. Is that OK?"

GM says, "(You can also move into the snack's location on this turn, since you get both an action (transforming) and a movement.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "I think it's a collateral damage thing, not a superpower per se."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Oh, but it's a CD *of* super form. Good enough!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "'Growth' and 'Shrinking' and the 'Hyper-Mode' CDE are all part of the Super-Form theme, though."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Right."

Wanda displays the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) DEKA/JACOB(1) Eben(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Just waiting for Deka to confirm that."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "confirming"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

GM advances the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) Deka/Jacob(1) EBEN(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

GM exclaims, "Eben!"

Eben moves a portal to the wall above the cave, and another under some shadow boulders, to pelt the snake with boulders!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Attack with Shoot!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Straight attack, I think."

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

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Eben is boulder-ing! Also, balding."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Two stress -- are you doing anything to add to that?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "This fight is off to a rocky start"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "We shouldn't take Eben's powers for granite!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "No, I think that's fine. I could tag a Jacob thing, but I'll wait, I think."

Eben advances the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) Deka/Jacob(1) Eben(0) CUDDLEPAWS(-1)

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, ""Grandpa time" made me think of: https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=4344"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Then it checks off a 2-stress box -- narrate?"

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Those black spikes it shot, were they objects? Are they still lying around?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says (to Jacob), "that content is... questionable :D"

GM asks, "Cuddlepaws?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Oh, missed your question.)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "I thought we would have narration?"

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to GM), "Do not follow random player URL's while people are talking to you."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I did too, but Eben advanced the initiative and hasn't said anything, so?"

Cuddlepaws says (to snake), "Hey, you know my favorite Elvis song? That's right - RETURN TO SENDER"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(shooting spikes back at her, straight attack with shoot)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "er will"

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

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Success with style! Are you doing anything special (tagging stuff, using a special effect, etc.?)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(whoops, sorry--I figured my narration in the setup was sufficient.)"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Eben), "Yeah, I was just giving you an opportunity if you wanted to do more."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Using special effect - Inflict condition (one aspect, with one free invoke)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "Hm, would you allow "lockjaw" - one spike got logged in its open mouth?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yes! And the snake absorbs this by checking one stress box and talking a Mild Consequence."

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Would you like to name it?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Um, sure : Slight Impalement"

Cuddlepaws advances the initiative: END OF ROUND

Wanda spends a fate point, leaving him with 2.

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "This is effectively two conditions? And a stress box?"

GM says, "Cuddlepaws' spikes nick and scratch the chain snake, with one of them becoming lodged in its mouth. But the place where a different one hit it starts to unravel again..."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yes :-)"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sweet."

Wanda displays the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) Deka/Jacob(1) Eben(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

GM exclaims, "And the loose ends there shift into shadowy smoke, and then reform again... into a second head!"

Jacob groans.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Mechanically: still the same creature for purposes of taking damage/consequences, but the second head can take actions independently of the first."

GM advances the initiative: WANDA(4) GM(3) Deka/Jacob(1) Eben(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

[CCrusaders] Jacob *was* gonna spout some lore about hydra, but yeah. Saw that coming.

GM exclaims, "Wanda!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "And are they different minds?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Nah, it's the same creture. It's like if you grew some extra arms."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Excellent"

Eben asks (of Jacob), "So hey! Is the lore about fire damage for hydras true? it can't grow new heads from it?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Though may still want to see whether... certain elements.. work against shadow creatures :)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Uh. Wait. Bad example in Wanda's case.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Timing."

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

Eben asks, "And, uh, if we break the chain behind it, will *its* soul be free to move on? You talked some birds out of purgatory, right?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "That was St. Francis"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "He was a sissi"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Hee! Also, you're up."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I feel like I need a lore check for the first, and presumably a "no" on the latter, becaues I was thinking familiar sort of minion rather than actual dead hydra/snake minion. But we'll see what comes out of that roll."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I sometimes wish the MUD had a "...typing" indicator like other messengers"

Wanda stares the snake down, wreathed in flames. There is a greater weight to her words: "I have spoken, and you have not listened. Your hunger must end, or else I will have to hurt you.

Wanda says, "THE HUNGER MUST STOP"

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "Reroll!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Invoking Lost PRincess"

[Crows-Nest] GM asks, "OK! Tagging what?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I assume (based on a whisper from Wanda) that this is an Influence attack!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Which will be defended against with Will."

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

Wanda spends a fate point, leaving him with 1.

Wanda's flames are a fire of the mind now!

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That's one shift of stress! (This NPC doesn't have separate physical/mental tracks.)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Are you adding anything to it?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Hmm, are there boosts hanging around"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "There are at least two Aspects with free invokes, IIRC>"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Actually, I think it already used up its 1-box and its 2-box, so one stress already counts as a 3."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "I has a mild consequence already"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Intimidate it to death, I say!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So there's the mild consequence that can be invoked for free, along with one of Jacob's aspects"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Three free invokes, I think: Lockjaw!, Slight Impalement, and one of Jacob's gets a free invoke too. Which one did he pick for that?)"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "And mine!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Not to mention Lockjaw."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "Oh shut it"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Shadow Minion seems relevant, it'll obey a princess"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "BOW BEFORE WANDA"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I don't pick until it gets used."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oho."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "One of my favorite things from Bastafore is still that I named the prison Lockjaw prison, thinking it was the opposite of what it actually is"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "We can use any of the five, but then the rest are just situational without free invokes."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Wanda), "So, are you tagging stuff, or just going with the one stress?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Which, as Eben said, will be promoted up since it already used its 1 and 2 boxes.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Tagging all the free invokes! So that's 7 shifts"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Princess Mode"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "The snake checks off its 3-stress box and takes a moderate consequence! What is that consequence?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Also, go ahead and narrate that -- along with its growing a third head :)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "It grew a third head from being intimidated?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It grew a third head from taking damage."

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "OK!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Specifically, its power is to grow a new head each time it takes a consequence.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Would it be taken out entirely if I spent my last fate point?"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "re: consequences https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwniA7txeAs&t=5s"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "No, but it might take a different consequence."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Nah, I'll save the fp"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Severe rather than Moderate."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "OK, narrate, then advance the init when you're ready."

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 4.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Forgot to do that."

Wanda's thoughts grow in intensity like a wildfire, and those around her who are psychic to some degree sense a searing wind ripple out in their minds. The thought NO MORE HUNGER barrels into the hydra's limited consciousness. It staggers, and takes noticeably longer to grow a new head in response to the psychic onslaught. In that moment, you think you almost see a hint of Xilasi in her imperious eight-legged stance before the shadow hydra's cowering form.

Wanda says, "My patiences ENDS HERE."

Wanda advances the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) Deka/Jacob(1) Eben(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

Wanda advances the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) DEKA/JACOB(1) Eben(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "oops"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Hey, I get a turn too!"

GM backs up the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) Deka/Jacob(1) Eben(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

GM exclaims, "The chain snake's second head sways from side to side, taking aim. Then it darts into the cave and lunges at Cuddlepaws!"

GM exclaims (at CP), "It's attacking with Fight!"

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

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

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws asks, "Defend is Atlethics, right?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yup, or Fight."

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Or if you've got a stunt to use something else."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Clearly the snake is shaken"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "I want to spend a point to rereoll!"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Also reroll"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "You could get a +2; it rolled a 0 itself."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "And so do I -- spending a fate point on Thirsts For Your Soul -- because Cuddlepaws is one of its particular targets in this fight. Reroll all around!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Or just take the boost."

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

Cuddlepaws spends a fate point, leaving her with 3.

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 4.

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

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hee"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Oh no"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "ha ha ha"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "poor hm"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "er gm"

GM exclaims, "It misses! And you succeed with style on your defense!"

GM says, "Feel free to describe it while, meanwhile, the first head..."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Clearly it was less hungry"

GM exclaims, "It might just be responding to the pain stimulus, but it's focused directly on Wanda. It can't close its jaws, so it can't bite her, but it can still try to spit more spikes in her direction!"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Dodging things I can see coming, eh"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Indeed!"

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

Cuddlepaws says, "One of the snake heads lunges in and barely misses Cuddlepaws, who does a straight-up-sideways-paws outstretched jump, and the snake snaps after her, but it misses CP and now "one head (is) exposed" (a boost)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Another success! I need to make these monsters harder!"

GM exclaims, "And finally the third and newest head lets out another barrage at the biggest target in view: Deka!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Tagging Shadow Minion here to re-roll that..."

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Well. Better, I guess?)"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Took away the success with style!"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Deka), "And unless you have a stunt that changes that, it's Athletics to defend against Shoot."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You succeed!"

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 3.

GM advances the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) DEKA/JACOB(1) Eben(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

GM exclaims, "And now it's Deka or Jacob's turn!"

Deka grabs the tail and tries to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_QLzthSkfM

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha ha ha."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "That was not what I was expecting"

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

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

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "That's a success with style! Are you adding anything to it?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Wanda gave it a Moderate Consequence, which I think you have a free invoke on. But I don't remember what she called it?)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Stamp of Royalty"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "It will be grappled and disoriented as I snap it across the ground"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(just made it up right now)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Deka), "Is that using Inflict Condition?"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "yes"

GM says, "It absorbs the three shifts of damage using its last stress box (the four-shift one)."

GM says, "And it's writhing in confusion, as its 'tail' is held in the grip of a a giant."

GM asks, "Jacob?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(Ellric is also narrating)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Jacob deduces that the snake is defeated."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, cool."

Deka grabs it and after spinning it around to hit its head on the ground steps on the base of its heads and tries to rip it in half

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(after me badgering him to do that ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Deka), "Yay."

Jacob spouts some lore about hydras at (create advantage with lore, to help someone finish it off with what I think is one last consequence?)

GM exclaims, "+1 opposition!"

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Jacob's talking is the only kind of talking that's not a free action ;)"

GM asks, "Success! What's your aspect?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "It's your monster! But I hope it's "Kill it with FIRE!""

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Works for me!"

GM advances the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) Deka/Jacob(1) EBEN(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Though that's less useful to Eben or CP"

GM exclaims, "Eben!"

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Eben whips up a fire portal real quick."

[Crows-Nest] GM says (to Wanda), "Says the spider who just talked it into taking a moderate consequence."

Eben, seeing Deka grapple the thing, notices that one of its weak links is just next to where it was grappled. He portal-slings a boulder at that exact spot!

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says (to GM), "hehe"

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

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

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "Hannibal Legter"

[CCrusaders] Eben tags 'grappled by Giant'!

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Two shifts of damage!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "You deal it a Severe Consequence! Would you like to narrate?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I will take it! And yes."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "After this consequence, a single shift will be enough to defeat it."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And, of course, it grows another head."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "So I could literally kill it with a hug"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "because of my CD"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "A warm, firey hug :)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to wanda), "ITYM BO"

[CCrusaders] Wanda boops Cuddlepaws with a leg.

Wanda displays the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) Deka/Jacob(1) EBEN(0) Cuddlepaws(-1)

Eben's boulder smashes it in the back, given Deka a golden opportunity to yank it the other way, leaving it Extra Frayed at that spot! The snake roars in response, and the head inside the cave splits in two!

Eben advances the initiative: Wanda(4) GM(3) Deka/Jacob(1) Eben(0) CUDDLEPAWS(-1)

GM exclaims, "CP!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(splitting in two meaning it gets Yet Another Head.)"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "is the boost still in play? One Head Exposed?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims (at gm), "More spikes! Straight attack!"

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "I forget what caused that boost, but probably?"

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yes"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(You get a +6 to attack? Man.)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(the boost came from me defending and makes this a +8 :D)"

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws (to gm) |

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws (to gm) |  Master Telekinesis: You gain +2 to Will when attacking with telekinesis.

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I'm going to tag Shadow Minion -- it has a purpose to fulfill!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "So your total is 8 right now?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Yeah"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Then also tagging Moves Like a Snake -- it is sinuous and sneaky."

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 2.

GM spends a fate point, leaving him with 1.

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

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Then I tag Kill it with fire!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Do you have fire?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I fly the spikes over Wanda and set them ablaze"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Excellent!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "You defeat it! Describe your victory!"

Cuddlepaws telekinetically picks up a few spikes! They circle over her head once then swoosh close by Wanda, being set ablaze. Then they shoot straight at then snake. It is hit in all its exposed and weak and frayed spots and collapses in a mass of black fire and ash and smoke.

Wanda exclaims, "Yes! Go Cuddles!"

GM says, "And so the heads each, one by one, dissolve. And you realize that the part of the chain that was attached to Tyler has also dissolved while you were busy fighting."

Cuddlepaws cleans her front paw. "'twas nothing."

Tyler says, "Wow. That was pretty impressive."

Tyler says, "It feels... really, really good to have that thing off of me. Thank you."

Eben says, "I hope what's next for you is better than what was."

GM says, "He seems to be growing more transparent as he speaks."

Eben says, "And *now* we have to follow that chain. I think. Assuming it didn't all dissolve at once."

Tyler says, "Thanks. I do too. Sorry for the bad stuff I did. Maybe I'll see you again, in some other pl--"

GM says, "And he's gone."

Wanda says, "Goodbye, Tyler."

Deka says, "scarf" then puts the snake around her neck after making sure that it is dead."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "yay"

GM says (to Eben), "The chain is dissolving, but slowly. You have plenty of time to follow it if you so choose."

GM says (to Deka), "Excellent."

Eben says, "OK, let's follow this thing."

Wanda says (to Deka), "You know what? You're cool."

Deka says, "I know"

Cuddlepaws says (to jacob), "Thanks for all the info, bird nerd. Er, bird guy."

Eben says, "If Jacob's right that it's a minion of something, that something is probably the other side of that chain."

Jacob says, "The cultists, presumably. But yes."

GM says, "You head back through the city -- I assume that Deka's Hyper-form wears off before she tries to get back on Singularity again."

Deka shrinks down to a more reasonable 16 feet

[CCrusaders] GM says, "And this seems like a good time for a 5 minute break."

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "Whee!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Feel free to RP travelling meanwhile if you want.)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "And now for a word from our sponsor"

Wanda asks (of Cuddlepaws), "Did you feel... *that*? What happened when I tried to reason with that thing?"

Wanda says, "Now that I think of it, I didn't even directly attack it at all."

Cuddlepaws says, "It reminded me of ... Xilasi"

Cuddlepaws looks uneasy.

Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "Don't worry, Cuddles! I'm sure it's okay."

Cuddlepaws says, "I'm not."

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "She was an evil Empress, and you have her blood!"

Cuddlepaws says, "Just be careful."

Wanda says, "I will."

Cuddlepaws says, "I'd hate to have to mercy kill you! Like ... this! *"

Cuddlepaws says, "*playfully chomps on Wanda's leg*"

Wanda says, "Heehee! Stoppit Cuddles"

Wanda says, "Or keep on, I'm not ordering you psychically or anything"

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

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I never left"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "*dun dun DUN*"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Here!"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Deka and Jacob?"

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "yep"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yup"

GM says, "You travel back through the city, dodging traffic that ignores you completely, going to less and less used roads."

GM says, "You're driving out of the outskirts of down on an old street that hasn't been kept up, with broken pavement and potholes, which eventually becomes a rutted dirt road, and then that ends, and you're following the chain through barren, dsolate fields."

GM says, "Until eventually you come to a large, steel hatch set in the ground. And next to it is the opening of a steel pipe, into which the chain runs."

GM says, "The pipe is about the same width as the chain itself. And you notice strange markings etched into the hatch."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Is this anywhere near where we had tracked the cult to before?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(the general area)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yes."

[CCrusaders] Eben nods.

Cuddlepaws examines the markings.

Eben says, "So, do we go in, or make them come out? We could try yanking the chain..."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(I think your earlier tracking, IIRC, got you to a part of town. The chain ran through that part of town and continued a little ways outside of town.)"

Cuddlepaws says, "Worth a try, but I don't think it'll work"

Eben tries touching the chain briefly to see if it's still draining.

GM says (to Eben), "It is."

Eben asks (of Deka), "Want to try yanking it out of there? With a jacket?"

Deka says, "lets do it"

GM says (to Deka), "You wrap the jacket around the chain and give it a tug. You feel resistance. You could try giving it a good yank, but depending on what it's attached to or tangled around, you might be as likely to just break off another piece as actually retrieve anything from the other end."

GM asks, "Do you want to try?"

Wanda says, "I'd help... but I think that super strength I had is gone now."

Wanda says, "I feel lighter, though. Like something's out of my system."

Eben says, "Yikes."

[CCrusaders] Deka says, "yes"

Wanda says (to Eben), "That dragon blood probably wasn't good for me, anyway"

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

GM exclaims (at Deka), "OK! Physique Overcome, +6 opposition!"

GM exclaims, "Deka pulls on the chain, and you hear a *crack*! And several yards of iron chain come flying up out of the pipe, due to her great strength!"

Eben says (to Wanda), "Maybe the strength is still in the chain? If Deka can.. oh, she did."

GM says, "The end that comes out is broken, and looking down into the pipe, you no longer see any chain blocking it."

Eben touches the now-broken chain.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(to see if it's draining anything, and to see if it might have some power left in it.)"

GM says, "The broken-off piece seems inert."

GM says, "Aside from the fact that it's also slowly dissolving from the broken end."

Cuddlepaws asks, "Into the pipe?"

Jacob says, "I guess so.."

Jacob peers in.

Cuddlepaws takes another look at the markings.

Eben peers down the pipe, then tries firing a portal down it. If it's straight enough and there's a wall at the other end, it might let us in that way...

GM says (to Jacob), "It's dark, but not 'magical shadow' dark. You can see that it goes down a ways, and then turns toward the direction of the hatch."

GM says (to Jacob), "You're also not sure if a human could fit down the pipe or not."

Deka says, "I can shrink us all"

GM asks (of CP), "How close are you getting to the hatch?"

Jacob looks at the markings with Cp.

Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Close enough to get a good look at the markings?"

GM says (to Eben), "You try firing a portal down there, but alas, there's a bend in the pipe, and there's not enough for the portal to attach to."

Eben says (to Deka), "That might be worth doing. Hmm, let's see..."

GM says (to CP), "They look like magical runes, but as you approach, you feel something strongly warning you back."

GM asks (of CP), "Are you going to try to resist that to get closer?"

GM says (to Jacob), "And likewise for you."

Cuddlepaws hisses and jumps back a way. "No no no no."

GM says (to Deka), "If you do decide to shrink to fit down the pipe, that would be a +3 to shrink one person, and an extra +1 for each additional person you wanted to shrink at the same time."

Jacob can see them from a little further away than CP, but yeah, I would have gone right up and tried to touch them, but presumably stopped and retreated before doing so.

Eben says (to Deka), "Shrink me, and I'll find a place to portal the rest of us."

Cuddlepaws says, "No, no, no. I'm not going in there."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "If she has trouble shrinking us, I'll *order* her to try harder :P"

GM says (to Jacob), "OK! If you do want to study them further, with your Vision, you can do that without getting close enough to be affected."

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Sure. Investigate?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Let's go with Lore. +3 opposition."

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "Great!"

Deka will shrink Eben

GM says (to Jacob), "You recognize some of these symbols! They seem to be a kind of warding spell, to keep people away from the hatch."

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Wanda, I Shrunk Grandpa"

GM says, "You think there might also be something embedded in them to make it possible for the right person to turn them on or off, but unfortunately there's no obvious way to tell what would trigger that."

Deka says, "darn, how about cuddles takes the portal gun in with him."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can I spend a fate point for the shrinking to succeed?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "I presume it would be a very high will resist to go touch them?"

GM says (to Deka), "You could invoke an Aspect if you'd like to raise the 2 to a 4 and succeed."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Yes!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "If you have an appropriate Aspect."

Eben spends a fate point, leaving them with 2.

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "It would be a +4 Will resist."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "What are you tagging?"

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

Jacob is feeling PROTECTIVE towards CP, because this is probably that cult that tried to steal her.

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 3.

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "So that's a 5"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "aww"

Eben realizes that some of the energies from the portal gun are blocking Deka's attempt to shrink them. He wires up a couple transistors in parallel, and suddenly the energies work *with* the transformation instead of against it, and he suddenly shrinks!

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "The magic is fighting you! But you are stronger than magic! And you manage to lay your hands on the handles of the hatch!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(tagging 'I can build something')"

GM says, "(And having overcome the wards, their effect on you vanishes -- you can still feel that they're there, but they're no longer holding you back.)"

GM exclaims, "And now Eben is the same size as Cuddlepaws!"

Jacob tries to open the hatch, just in case it was just the wards keeping people out.

Eben sets up a blue portal on the ground outside the pipe.

Eben exclaims (at Jacob), "Good going!"

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "Now it's nearly as easy to open as a refrigerator door!"

GM says, "(Which, uh. You might recall from the last session...)"

Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "Want to come with me down this pipe? I understand if you want to stay out here..."

GM says (to Jacob), "+5 Physique overcome."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "One sec, oven"

Cuddlepaws paws at Eben. "Hee hee"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims (at Jacob), "*Another* bun? But it's too soon!"

Eben gives Cuddlepaws a low-five.

Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I don't want to, but... I have to. *narrows her eyes* And I can't let them harm any of you. Well, maybe Deka."

Jacob steels himself, using an ancient technique that he's read about to focus his strength on getting the hatch open. (spending a fate point to use lore, if that's cool)

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

Jacob spends a fate point, leaving her with 2.

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

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Tie! Success with a minor cost?"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yup"

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "You strain yourself and take two physical stress, but you manage to pry open the hatch!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Sounds good"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "So this was a real-life hatch, then? With no/little shadow components?"

GM says, "On the inside of it, you see more strange symbols, but you quickly deduce that those are probably just for controlling the magic on the outside. (E.g., to 'unlock' or 'lock' it.)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It was a real-life steel hatch, but with magical spells inscribed that Jacob had to overcome in order to touch it."

[CCrusaders] Eben nods.

GM says, "Looking down where the hatch was, you see a shaft leading down, with a ladder set in one side."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Can we tell if the spells were set in RL or in shadow-realm?"

Jacob is totally gonna split the party :D

GM says, "It's dark down there, but with your eyes, you can see that it leads to a room with a steel floor, and you can see the broken end of the chain down there."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Jacob), "We'll probably join up in a second ;-)"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Have you gone down the pipe yet?"

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

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "CP and I."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda points to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEHsqM7bq94

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Well, the hatch was in the real world, but Jacob was affected in the shadow realm, so the magic probably affects both."

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "This adventure has gone down the drain!"

GM asks (of Eben), "Are you just going to drop down, or are you using anything to climb down safely?"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "If we stay in this pipe, we might all get smoked by a wizar"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "*d"

Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "How deep is it?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to GM), "I'll have Deka lower me on the fraying inert chain, how about."

Eben has Deka lower him on the fraying inert chain.

GM says, "It's 'dark down there' deep, but if you ask Jacob, he'd tell you about 20-30 feet."

Cuddlepaws also holds on to the chain

Jacob may have said as much when he looked down it earlier.

[Crows-Nest] Cuddlepaws says, "in that comical cat way cats hold on to stuff"

GM says (to Eben), "At the bottom, the pipe makes a bend to run horizontally. Assuming you follow that, just a few feet later it opens up into a dark room."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "No forks?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Only knives."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "It's the villain's lair, after all."

GM says (to Eben), "But somewhere up above you there is a circular lit opening, through which you can see the late evening sky."

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "No forks!"

Cuddlepaws asks, "Anyone in the room?"

Jacob was probably on his way down, so presumably.. yes?

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Just waiting to not confuse the GM"

GM exclaims, "The view upward is obscured by someone climbing down -- it's Jacob!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "With too many threads at once"

Eben fires the orange portal in the wall of the room, letting light and air into the room.

Deka will enter the portal

GM asks, "And as Jacob enters, symbols on the wall flicker with light -- perhaps triggered by the movement of a full-sized human?"

Jacob oh.

GM exclaims, "And electric fluorescent lights in the ceiling activate!"

Cuddlepaws says, "That's probably not good"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "Where am I, actually?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I got distracted by jokes"

GM says, "This is a relatively small room, with steel walls, floor and ceiling. There's a ladder in the wall leading up the shaft to the hatch, and there's an opening in the wall that leads into the pipe that Eben just climbed through."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Probably still up in the field with Deka."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Eben and Jacob just entered a new room, and maybe CP too, if she went with Eben."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Wanda shouldn't hang out with her too much, she's a bad influence! Or is it the other way around"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "There's an open hatch leading to a shaft with a ladder, but magical wards will try to stop you if you approach."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "But Eben also just opened a portal into this new room if you wish."

Wanda exclaims, "Hey, Grandpa's made a portal!"

GM says, "The broken end of the chain is lying on the floor here, and it extends through an open doorway into a larger room."

Cuddlepaws peers into the doorway once everyone'e arrived.

Eben peeks into the door.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "If Eben is still tiny, CP swats him to the floor at least once."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "CUDDLES"

GM says, "You see a long room leading away from you. It's dark, but from the lights in here, you can see that there are several doors on either side of it. And you can't see all the way to the far end, but you think there might be something reflective that the light is glinting off of."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "STILL A CAT (It even says so right on my sheet="

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

GM says, "Oh, and you see the chain, of course, extending into the darkness."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Slowly dissolving, one presumes."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Right."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks (of gm), "Can I try to make out what that glinting is?"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Investigate, +2"

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

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

Eben asks (of Deka), "(quietly) Can you make me larger again at any time?"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of CP), "Tie -- minor cost?"

Deka says, "yes"

Eben says, "OK, I'll stay small for now, then..."

Wanda says (to Eben), "I'll make sure no one walks on you, Grandpa"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws asks, "er, um, it's so taxing to make it out in the dark I take a mental stress?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "OK!"

GM says (to CP), "You make out what looks like a wall made of smoked glass."

Cuddlepaws cocks her head. "That's weird."

Jacob was looking at some random other thing, but looks over, "Hmm?"

Cuddlepaws asks, "Like a wall of smoked glass, over there. Can you see it?"

GM asks (of Jacob), "Are you going to use your magical darkvision to check out the other room?"

Jacob peers (yes)

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "But Jacob has no peers!"

Jacob says, "(investigate)"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I don't even need to set an opposition to know that would succeed."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Hehe"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Jacob's kryptonite is... chopped onions."

GM says (to Jacob), "You can see a reflection of yourself in the glass, but you can also see past the glass into the rest of the room. It extends much further -- the glass is about the halfway point -- and on the far wall, you see what looks like a portal."

Jacob huh.

GM says, "But unlike Eben's portals, this one is black, and it's filled with shadows, so you can't make out what's on the other side from here."

Eben exclaims (at Jacob), "Oho!"

Jacob relates this to the others, pointing at something they can't see.

Deka says, "looks like fun"

Eben enters the room, a bit cautiously, but very intrigued with the portal.

Cuddlepaws asks, "So the glass is presumably some sort of barrier?"

Wanda clicks her mandibles impatiently. Sparks fly.

Wanda exclaims, "It's probably the way back out into the real world!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "By the way, how long are people comfortable going tonight? The official end time is in 40 minutes, but there's a chance it might run either early or late depending on your preferences. (And based on what you all do, of course.)"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Does the chain, if there's something left of it, go all the way to the portal?"

GM exclaims (at Jacob), "It does!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "I can do longer!"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I shouldn't go too late if possible."

GM says, "It appears to go right through it."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I could also go longer"

Hunter disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, on time or finishing early would be my preference."

Hunter arrives at home.

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Okay, let's humour the quitters"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Hee."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "You don't have to stop *now*."

[CCrusaders] Jacob lets the baby yank on CP's tail.

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "hehe aww"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "I just need to know which cliffhanger to aim for :)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "hehehe"

Eben follows the chain!

Wanda follows Eben.

[Crows-Nest] Jacob watches Eben walk right into the glass.

GM exclaims (at Wanda), "As you enter the room, more fluorescent lights in the ceiling come on, just as they did in the previous room!"

GM says, "(They don't trigger for Eben, but he's probably just too small to activate them.)"

GM says, "And you get a good view of the room. It's basically the same as I described to Jacob."

Cuddlepaws tk's a pepple and bounces it off the glass wall.

GM says, "The glass wall is mostly transparent, but with dark occlusions like wisps of smoke running through it."

GM asks (of CP), "How hard are you trying to hit it?"

Cuddlepaws says, "Just seeing if it's sold."

GM says, "There's a slight 'donk' noise as the pebble bounces off."

[Crows-Nest] (from Jacob) Susan says, "Why, did you want to buy it? ho ho ho"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Honestly Susan is just me IRL. Minus the big dog and the Death stuff."

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

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "And in French."

Eben examines the glass when he gets up to it.

Eben also looks at how the chain gets through.

GM says (to Eben), "Very smooth. And you can see through it well enough."

GM says, "The chain seems to glitter as it passes through, as if perhaps the chain is somehow specially enchanted to be unaffected by the glass."

GM says, "(Or perhaps vice versa.)"

Jacob touches the glass, or tries to anyway, half expecting the wisps to move like one of those plasma balls.

Eben tries shooting a portal at the wall on the other side of the glass.

GM says (to Jacob), "It feels normal."

Jacob looks disappointed.

Deka says, "how bout I just break it"

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Assuming we're using the rules from Portal, normally glass blocks portals -- but I assume you're trying it anyway to experiment and see if this glass is normal or not?"

Jacob turns around. "Is that your solution to everything?"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "If so, then give me a Shoot roll!"

[CCrusaders] Eben exclaims, "Indeed!"

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

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "Break the glass ceiling, Deka! Wait, it's not a ceiling"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "(also if the glass is in the real world and we're not, the portal energies might pass through it like the chain)"

GM exclaims, "Eben fires his portal gun at the glass, and the portal beam strikes it -- and the glass shatters!"

Eben blinks.

Eben asks, "Well, that... works?"

Eben turns to see if any doors opened at the sound.

Jacob says, "All right then."

GM asks, "It falls to the ground in chunks, each one crashing and pulverizing when it hits the steel floor! Athletics vs. +2 to dodge?"

Cuddlepaws has disconnected.

Cuddlepaws has connected.

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

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

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

Deka says, "fudge +3"

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

Jacob jumps back, as the wall comes crashing down around him.

GM says, "Meanwhile, while you're dodging, the flakes of pulverized glass rise up into the air like smoke -- making it difficult for you to breathe."

Jacob says, "s/wall/glass/"

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

GM says (to Eben), "Each shift you miss by is a shift of physical stress."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Did the portal actually form on the other end, or no?"

Jacob pulls up his black t-shirt.

Wanda spiderleaps out of the way.

[CCrusaders] GM says, "It did not! Also, still describing :)"

GM says, "And some of the smoky glass dust coalesces into the shape of a man."

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Erm. That should be "pulls up his black t-shirt to cover his nose and mouth""

GM says, "He reaches his hand towar Eben."

Eben is smashed by a falling piece of glass! It seems like it would have hurt him worse than it does, but he's apparently more solid at this size than normal. Still, it stings.

GM says, "And a black shadow mass forms in his palm..."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Jacob), "I just assumed it was fanservice"

GM exclaims, "Which he then reaches back and throws at him!"

GM exclaims, "Next session: Initiative!"

[Crows-Nest] Jacob swears. Glass pieces all over his favorite shirt? He taks it off, sweaty muscles glistening in the shadows.

Eben exclaims, "Woo!"

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

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "yay"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "*swoons*"

Deka has seen better

[Crows-Nest] Jacob says, "You know it's fanservice, because he doens't have muscle :D"

Cuddlepaws exclaims, "But we already fought the Initiative!"

[Crows-Nest] Wanda says, "indeed"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "Ha"

[CCrusaders] Deka exclaims, "bye!"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "Thanks for playing!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda exclaims, "thanks Deka!"

Cuddlepaws exclaims (at gm), "Thanks, it was a lot of fun!"

Wanda exclaims, "Thanks GM!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(and now to update my sheet)"

Cuddlepaws says, "What kind of Milestone is this`"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Oh, and Deka gets another Significant Milestone."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(Everyone else just gets a Minor one.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "meanwhile, we get an Insignificant -- danr"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "*darn"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "(So Deka gets a skill point. Everyone else just has the option to do regular tweaks.)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I think I will swap Rapport and Physique, even if it means losing that 4-stress box."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "That makes sense."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Also, I hope you guys weren't confused by the power set reshuffling I did"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I really like having a non-attacking character. Not that he's opposed to it, he's just not *very good* at it."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Can I do nothing, if I'm happy with those aspects of my character?`"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "Yup"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(hehe, aspects)"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Jacob), "Ha."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to CP), "Sure. I've seen you do it lots of times before."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "In FATE, the non-combat people are often surprisingly strong"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Wanda), "I think Eben was confused, but I whispered to him to clear it up."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "Aw, thanks"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Eben), "My apologies"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Man, I think I still haven't used Ninja Vanish"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to CP), "That stunt may be about to lose its ninja varnish"

[CCrusaders] Jacob says, "I flailed a bit with it early on."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Joke's on you, you can't see a ninja varnish"

[CCrusaders] Jacob asks, "Varnish on, varnish off?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "honh honh"

[CCrusaders] Wanda asks, "anyway, next game on the 26th?"

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "No problem! It was an in-game thing anyway."

[Crows-Nest] Eben says, "er, ilac. but still."

[Crows-Nest] Wanda exclaims, "Eben likes all channels: they're all his kids!"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Yes! And the calendar is extended through October."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I already have a rough idea of October"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to gm), "I have no idea what that means. Bye, goodnight."

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

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Good, good. I suspect that the ideal weeks would be October 10 and October 24, but we'll see which ones people can actually make."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I'll try to keep them free, but it's just impossible to plan this far ahead."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM), "I should be good for those weekend; I'll try to keep them free"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "That said, I still have no idea about next weekend. Family stuff is pretty hectic. I think it'll be best if you plan something without me."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I noted the weekends that are not as good for me with a -1, but I'm still technically available."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Also, I'm expecting this scenario/arc to be another 1-2 sessions long, so it won't be long before we're looking for another game to play (since I'll need some time to plan the next arc)."

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Cuddlepaws), "It turns out I'm out next weekend anyway."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "My schedule is wide open. Maybe I'll find something socially-distanced to do with the baby on Halloween, but right now, it's free."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of GM), "So, cult but not quicksilver?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "About that. I've been roped into DMing for my IRL group, so I won't be available for a while."

[CCrusaders] GM says (to ggg), "Woo."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of Eben), "Who's to say?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Heh."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to GM&3g), "So, virtual Mexican standoff next Saturday? :D"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I jest, we don't need to play every week"

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of ggg), "Do you think that the Alice thing could be played on-MUD with channels/whispers in place of texting?"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "Yeah, though it'd be easier to do on the Discord I have set up for it."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "But either way."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Oh, that would work, too."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks, "Is there whispering on Discord?"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Discord works for me"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "Oh? Is there any link to learn more about this Alice thing?"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Discord has private messages, so the DM can DM you."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "The Discord has channels and roles set up so that every two characters has a private channel to use for their "texting", plus a "group chat" channel for everyone. And the voice makes it easier to explain the rules."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "It's called Alice is Missing. http://aliceismissing.com/"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "There will also be a playingcards.io component"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "And I can set up timers in Discord that I can't do here"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to genericgeekgirl), "I recall you mentioning that! I'm interested."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "Since things are time-based."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "It runs over exactly 90 minutes, post-setup, and then debriefing afterwards."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Nifty"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Interesting."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Color me intrigued"

[CCrusaders] GM asks, "When that page says it's 'without verbal communication', but then says thatit's through text messages, I assume that means that it *does* have verbal communication, just not spoken out loud?"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, I'd definitely be up for tha."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Okay, that's one session down."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "Sounds like everyone is interested, so let's hold off until we're done with CC and need something else. It's very much a one-shot and not really replayable with the same people."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Perfect."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says (to GM), "Correct."

[CCrusaders] GM asks (of ggg), "Cool. And I take it only the GM needs the PDF?"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "Yes. Please do not read it, if you did happen to own it :)"

[CCrusaders] GM exclaims, "I do not and will not!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "No problem."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I hate reading."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Ha."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "I'll share what y'all need to know, but the cards are kind of spoilery, even though it's randomized."

[CCrusaders] Eben asks (of ggg), "At this point, I think you're the only one of this group that hasn't GMed for us (since I did a Numenera thing while you were baby-ing). Would you be interested in running something after Jota's done and before Tale is up again?"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "I don't know!"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "I'd more comfortable with one-shots and facilitating GM-less things, so I can fill some gaps."

[CCrusaders] GM says, "That works."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "Baby makes it difficult to commit to a regular thing that requires prep outside of game time."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Sure."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "There are definitely prep-light games out there."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Just get the baby to do the prep for you. Delegating works"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "Hehe"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "I won't believe anything that baby says."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Drool for initiative"

genericgeekgirl disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.

[CCrusaders] Eben says (to Tale), "Also, I understand you not having enough time right now, but I've definitely been starting to feel Bastafore-y. Those were some fun characters, and I'd love to visit them again when you're ready."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Sure. There's just a lot going on right now."

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Absolutely."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Totally."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "Seconded. I don't really like D&D, but I love our campaign."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Aw."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Shabor-squeee"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "Quar-wheee-on"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(I have a serious problem not using ideas for Bastafore in the campaign I'm running.)"

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "I think I have some bad experiences with players, but y'all are great, and Tale is doing a really good job."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "(Though someone was swallowed by a giant toad, just like Shaborys)"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "aww"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Yeah, that can be no fun."

[CCrusaders] genericgeekgirl says, "Idling to make dinner. Thanks, all!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "You're welcome :)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "Thanks for the kind words, ggg!"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "I might be able to do something, too--I also just agreed to do run a thing IRL, so I'm not sure how much prep that's going to take."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says (to eben), "I have not met a single person who has not regretted running two groups"

[CCrusaders] Eben says, "Ha."

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws exclaims, "If you chase two rabbits, you're not gonna catch either one!"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "By the way... when I get a bit of time... I'll make you an even nice Bastafore musical suite"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Ohhh."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "(Still have the musical motifs in my folder of sheet music!)"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "That was the choir I imagine."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "I think there are like 3 different things I wrote at various points for the game, so I actually don't know"

[CCrusaders] Cuddlepaws says, "Also, I have taken very few notes for Bastafore, but since players forget everything anyway, I'm not too worried"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says (to Cuddlepaws), "haha"

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "also the magic of the setting makes reality itself mutable"

[CCrusaders] GM says, "Once I'm back to playing Rashawndra again, I'm sure it'll all come back to me."

[CCrusaders] Wanda says, "blame the continuity errors on Astaforth"

[CCrusaders] Taleslinger asks (of gm), "Was she the druid or the assassin?"

[CCrusaders] GM says (to Taleslinger), "Yeah."