31: My only regret is being eaten

[Ebiris]

[14:07] <@Ebiris> Atop the deck of the Fisher Princess, the party confronts Vanthus with the sound of Henrietta's remarkably comprehensive accusation ringing in their ears! The younger blonde who just landed edges slightly away from the devilishly handsome bearded aristocrat, while her older and more militant looking counterpart turns a wary eye towards him...
[14:09] <@Rudy> "I don't think this boat can handle so many people. One of us will have to go," remarks Rudy, flexing his palms. "I vote for the murderer."
[14:09] <@Lucie> "We're here for Vanthus," Lucie announces for the sake of the other women. "No quarrel with either of you. Don't care what you've done or where you go after all this. But if you think of taking his side, well, might want to look at these letters he wrote first. Got him in his own hand bragging about a plan to burn you all."
[14:20] <@Ebiris> "I don't know what you're talking about," Vanthus replies smoothly, keeping his face amazingly straight, turning to the blonde beside him. "These people are from a rival organisation, you can't trust them," he warns her.
[14:20] <@Ebiris> For her part she looks almost indecisive until the drunkard you rescued calls over from behind Lucie, "They's right, comrade! Saw 'im fighting Cap'n Poirot right before everything went to shit!" which causes her eyes to widen and take a step back while Vanthus's facade slips in undisguised vexation, hands twitching towards his blades...
[14:21] <@Henrietta> "You killed your own parents!" Henrietta cries out, drawing her flail. "You murdered them for money! Scum like you should not be allowed to live!"
[14:21] <@Rudy> "Even your sister signed your death warrant! There's nobody left in this world who'd help you!"
[14:22] <@Henrietta> "It's not a death warrant," Henrietta spits, countering Rudy. "He is a rabid beast that needs to be put down to stop him killing everyone he tricks!"
[14:23] <@Ebiris> "Lavinia- what?!" Vanthus actually looks shocked, eyes widening at Rudy's words. "She would never... you! You work for her. Bring me back to Salerno and we can straighten this all out," he offers, apparently deciding the odds are stacked considerably against him. "Don't think I'm without my own resources to reward you," he adds, almost desperate.
[14:24] * @Henrietta scoffs at his plea. "No more tricks, Vanthus Vanderboren. No more lies! Today, you will pay for all your crimes!"
[14:24] <@Lucie> "We been rewarded plenty already. Took what we found in your last lover's vault. That'd be the Lotus Lady, not the shark girl you left to die. Lavinia's not interested in seeing you again, Vanthus."
[14:24] <@Rudy> "Your words are nothing but empty talk that will never sway me," retorts Rudy, levelling his crossbow.
[14:25] <@Ebiris> "You betrayed the Collective," the blonde who landed with him steps back and raises her arms, while her little sister scampers away from the impending explosion of violence. "Face your crimes with some dignity."
[14:27] <@Ebiris> With a growl of pure thwarted rage, Vanthus draws his sword and a dagger in his other hand with lightning speed, "Try your best, but don't think you'll all walk away even if I fall!" he scorns, face twisting viciously into near bestial fury!
[14:28] <@Henrietta> "We'll see about that!" Henrietta proclaims, lashing out with her magic!
[14:28] <@Ebiris> OOC: lets roll init!
[14:28] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+6 first again?
[14:28] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+4 yessir!
[14:28] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+6 first again? and gets 8." [1d20=2]
[14:28] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+4 yessir! and gets 16." [1d20=12]
[14:28] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+5 m
[14:28] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+5 m and gets 8." [1d20=3]
[14:28] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+2
[14:28] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+2 and gets 7." [1d20=5]
[14:28] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+4 vanthus
[14:28] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+4 vanthus and gets 5." [1d20=1]
[14:28] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+1 commisar
[14:28] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+1 commisar and gets 20." [1d20=19]
[14:29] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+3 trucy
[14:29] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+3 trucy and gets 8." [1d20=5]
[14:29] <@Glenn> roll d20+4
[14:29] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+4 and gets 12." [d20=8]
[14:30] * Ebiris changes topic to 'Commisar > Rudy > Glenn > Myra > Trucy > Henrietta > Vanthus'
[14:31] * Ebiris changes topic to 'Commisar > Rudy > Glenn > Lucie > Myra > Trucy > Henrietta > Vanthus'
[14:32] <@Ebiris> The blonde in the natty hat steps away from Vanthus towards Myra, globs of lime green starting to form and spiral around her weaving hands, "Die like all enemies of the revolution!" she declares, the blobs manifesting into a blazing green arrow that sizzles and lances forth towards the vile aristocrat!
[14:32] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+3 ranged touch
[14:32] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+3 ranged touch and gets 15." [1d20=12]
[14:33] <@Ebiris> roll 2d4
[14:33] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2d4 and gets 4." [2d4=2, 2]
[14:33] <@Ebiris> The acid arrow splashes into his shoulder and melts into his flesh, clinging to his arm and sizzling away, an acrid stench of burning flesh emanating as Vanthus hisses in pain, almost dropping his sword!
[14:33] <@Ebiris> OOC: Rudy
[14:34] <@Rudy> Rudy's cold eyes fall upon Vanthus Vanderboren, and his crossbow bolt is only one of many injuries the man will suffer today...
[14:34] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7
[14:34] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 and gets 26." [1d20=19]
[14:34] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7 crit
[14:34] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 crit and gets 14." [1d20=7]
[14:35] <@Ebiris> OOC: regular hit
[14:35] <@Rudy> roll 1d8+1
[14:35] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d8+1 and gets 4." [1d8=3]
[14:35] <@Ebiris> The bolt partially punctures Vanthus's breastplate, hopefully drawing blood beneath but making him flinch nonetheless!
[14:35] <@Ebiris> OOC: Glenn
[14:37] * @Glenn moves in closer, drawing a dagger from one of his many pockets, and just tries to slash at the fiend with his weapon. It lacks the savagery of alchemy, but there's been enough alchemical hazards faced in this island already...and besides, bombs are probably a bad idea on a boat and he still hasn't had a chance to really brew another mutagen.
[14:37] <@Glenn> roll d20+4
[14:37] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+4 and gets 11." [d20=7]
[14:38] <@Glenn> ooc: +6 actually, but surely 13 misses anyhow
[14:38] <@Ebiris> Glenn's strike doesn't have enough venom in it, only glancing off the murderous noble's breastplate without finding flesh!
[14:38] <@Ebiris> OOC: Lucie
[14:39] * @Lucie hefts her mace and moves in to earn her pay! (OOC: not taking the flanking position, will leave that for Myra)
[14:39] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+4
[14:39] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+4 and gets 7." [1d20=3]
[14:39] <@Ebiris> Again the value of Vanthus's breastplate is proven, Lucie's strike not even managing to dent the steel that protects its owner!
[14:39] <@Ebiris> OOC: Myra
[14:40] <@Rudy> Myra lopes towards Vanthus, reaching out with one of her many mouths to try and grab the fiend about the chest!
[14:40] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+6 GRAPPLEZ
[14:40] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+6 GRAPPLEZ and gets 18." [1d20=12]
[14:41] <@Ebiris> "Grah! Get off!" Vanthus growls, shaking himself loose and kicking Myra away before she can latch on! Trucy draws a dagger but doesn't risk throwing sharp objects into a melee that's more crowded with her allies, hanging back for now.
[14:41] <@Ebiris> OOC: Henrietta
[14:42] <@Henrietta> It is the briefest of choices between flail and magic, and in the end, her mother's legacy prevails! With a snap of her fingers, a pair of roses appear, held by their stems. Henrietta judges their balance, and then the two are off to perforate the abominable Vanthus!
[14:42] <@Henrietta> roll 2d4+2
[14:42] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 2d4+2 and gets 7." [2d4=3, 2]
[14:43] * Quits: Wayland3 (~Dis@c-71-194-208-215.hsd1.il.comcast.net) (Ping timeout)
[14:45] <@Ebiris> The roses pay no heed to armour, slamming into Vanthus and making him flinch! Deciding Myra is the greatest threat close to him, he lunges at her, leading with fast sword strikes and following up by jabbing the dagger in under her guard!
[14:45] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+8 sword
[14:45] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 sword and gets 26." [1d20=18]
[14:45] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+3 sword
[14:45] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+3 sword and gets 16." [1d20=13]
[14:45] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+8 dagger
[14:45] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+8 dagger and gets 16." [1d20=8]
[14:45] <@Ebiris> OOC: AC?
[14:45] <@Rudy> OOC: 17
[14:46] <@Ebiris> roll 1d8+3
[14:46] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d8+3 and gets 8." [1d8=5]
[14:46] <@Ebiris> He gets one good stab in, puncturing Myra's guts, but she's able to lean back and avoid the follow up strikes safely!
[14:46] <@Ebiris> roll 2d4 more acid damage
[14:46] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2d4 more acid damage and gets 5." [2d4=2, 3]
[14:47] <@Ebiris> The acid continues to sizzle and dig deeper into his wounded arm, however, making him sag weakly - just in time for the Collective mage to hurl a pair of glowing golden fists straight at his face, smacking his head back!
[14:47] <@Ebiris> roll 2d4+2 magic missile
[14:47] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2d4+2 magic missile and gets 8." [2d4=3, 3]
[14:48] <@Ebiris> OOC: Rudy
[14:49] <@Rudy> Another bolt flies towards the scornful mastermind, Rudy loading and firing with mechanical precision!
[14:49] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7
[14:49] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 and gets 26." [1d20=19]
[14:49] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+7 crit
[14:49] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+7 crit and gets 13." [1d20=6]
[14:49] <@Ebiris> OOC: normal hit
[14:49] <@Rudy> roll 1d8+1 5% deviance
[14:49] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d8+1 5% deviance and gets 5." [1d8=4]
[14:51] <@Ebiris> This bolt strikes Vanthus in the leg below the protection of his armour, clearly drawing blood and making him stagger! "Hades damn you all!" he hisses in pain, fighting through his wounds to stay up somehow!
[14:51] <@Ebiris> OOC: Glenn
[14:51] * @Glenn just tries to stab Vanthus again. He has no witty words or fancy actions, only cold sharpened metal in his hand seeking an enemy's blood.
[14:51] <@Glenn> roll d20+6
[14:51] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+6 and gets 7." [d20=1]
[14:52] <@Glenn> ooc: alas
[14:52] <@Henrietta> "Your only mercy is that there is no afterlife for you to suffer in for an eternity!"
[14:52] <@Ebiris> The metal only finds air, Vanthus stepping back to avoid it... and getting closer to Lucie in the process.
[14:52] <@Ebiris> OOC: Lucie
[14:53] <@Lucie> "I don't care where you go after you die," Lucie says as she swings again. "Just as long as you die."
[14:53] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+4
[14:53] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+4 and gets 21." [1d20=17]
[14:54] <@Ebiris> He brings up his dagger just in time to turn Lucie's swing aside, saving himself some blunt cranial trauma! "Not yet... not yet!" he gasps, holding on!
[14:54] <@Ebiris> OOC: Myra
[14:55] <@Rudy> Myra begins to put her sharp bits to work, assailing Vanthus from impossible angles and threatening to tear off scraps from his extremities!
[14:55] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+9
[14:55] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+9 and gets 23." [1d20=14]
[14:55] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+9
[14:55] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+9
[14:55] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+9 and gets 27." [1d20=18]
[14:55] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+9 and gets 12." [1d20=3]
[14:56] <@Ebiris> OOC: first two hit
[14:56] <@Rudy> roll 1d6+4
[14:56] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d6+4 and gets 10." [1d6=6]
[14:56] <@Rudy> roll 1d4+4
[14:56] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d4+4 and gets 5." [1d4=1]
[14:57] <@Ebiris> And so Vanthus falls at the hands of a monster, though perhaps one more innocent than he... or perhaps a greater threat by far. His eyes widen in shock as Myra severs his acid-eaten arm, coughing up a spurt of blood and gasping, "I regret nothing!" before her jaws find his throat and silence him forever!
[14:57] <@Rudy> "Neither do I."
[14:58] * @Lucie puts her weapon away. "Well, that's that."
[14:58] <@Henrietta> "A villain to the last," Henrietta agrees, staring at the smear that used to be Vanthus.
[14:59] <@Rudy> Rudy walks towards the body, looking for some personal effect he can rip off to present to Lavinia upon their return.
[14:59] <@Ebiris> Vanthus collapses bonelessly to the deck once Myra lets go, staring sightlessly to the cloudy sky above... "Knew there was something off about him," the pirate spellcaster spits, before turning to the group. "Thanks for the save."
[15:00] * @Glenn sighs. "Well, at least that's over with. I'm sure our fishing captain will be glad to know it's time to go home now."
[15:00] <@Ebiris> On his right hand he wears a signet ring like the one Lavinia used to open her vault.
[15:00] <@Henrietta> "We could not, in good conscience, let you perish to those terrible monsters," Henrietta tells the pirate.
[15:00] <@Ebiris> "Aye... be glad to leave this sort of violence behind," Calum nods weakly, while his son just gapes open mouthed.
[15:01] <@Rudy> "The man is a murderer who killed his own parents, betrayed his sister, betrayed his friends, and betrayed you, too," responds Rudy, reaching to take the ring. "This isn't what I expected to be doing with my life either, but you take what happens, don't you? At least I can say I was responsible for some sort of justice."
[15:02] <@Lucie> "You're welcome," Lucie says, leaning back against the railing. "You lot going back to Salerno, then? Where we're headed."
[15:03] * @Lucie idly examines Vanthus's corpse for anything proftiably magical.
[15:03] <@Ebiris> "I didn't like the way he looked at us," the younger pirate adds from where she's been cowering behind the slowly sobering one.
[15:03] <@Ebiris> "It's a start," the taller blonde nods. "Name's Samarintha, that's Eleanor. We can get back in contact with our comrades from Salerno... damn shame about this place, though," she looks up at the island and shakes her head sadly.
[15:03] -> *Lucie* Vanthus has a glass vial on his belt next to two clay jugs, which radiates magic.
[15:04] <@Henrietta> "The women he got involved with all met a sorry end," Henrietta commiserates with Eleanor. "Just be glad he didn't have time to lure you into his web."
[15:04] * @Lucie kneels down next to Vanthus, removes a glass vial from his belt and examines it critically. (OOC: spellcraft?)
[15:04] <@Ebiris> OOC: go for it
[15:04] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+6
[15:04] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+6 and gets 12." [1d20=6]
[15:05] <@Ebiris> While Lucie can't figure out the magic, the label says 'Cure Serious Wounds'.
[15:05] <@Rudy> "I'm sorry we didn't catch up to him in time to stop him. But we had no idea he was planning something this monstrous..." Rudy sighs. "But it's good to hear you still have comrades back home."
[15:05] <@Lucie> That's helpful! Lucie stands up, looks around. "Her ladyship care any what happened to his body? Make an awful sticnk to keep it with us all week. Toss it over?"
[15:06] <@Rudy> Myra obediently shoves the body overboard. "We've got proof. I don't want that thing anywhere near us, you know? Gonna be a sober enough trip home as it is."
[15:06] <@Henrietta> "The likes of him do not deserve a proper funeral."
[15:06] <@Ebiris> OOC: anyone have survival?
[15:07] <@Lucie> OOC: not I
[15:07] <@Henrietta> OOC: I do, for +3
[15:07] <@Glenn> ooc: I do
[15:07] <@Ebiris> OOC: if you have it, roll it
[15:07] <@Rudy> OOC: myra
[15:07] <@Rudy> roll 1d20+4 myra!
[15:07] * +Hatbot --> "Rudy rolls 1d20+4 myra! and gets 9." [1d20=5]
[15:07] <@Glenn> roll d20+8 survival?
[15:07] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+8 survival? and gets 21." [d20=13]
[15:07] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+3
[15:07] * +Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+3 and gets 20." [1d20=17]
[15:08] <@Lucie> roll 1d20+2 untrained why not? Glenn dared me.
[15:08] * +Hatbot --> "Lucie rolls 1d20+2 untrained why not? Glenn dared me. and gets 4." [1d20=2]
[15:08] -> *Glenn* Given the number of passengers currently aboard the Fisher Princess, there's a concern that your water stocks will run out about two days short of Salerno unless you either get more or ration yourselves severely. Food at least is no problem since you can fish.
[15:08] -> *Henrietta* Given the number of passengers currently aboard the Fisher Princess, there's a concern that your water stocks will run out about two days short of Salerno unless you either get more or ration yourselves severely. Food at least is no problem since you can fish.
[15:09] <@Henrietta> "We must ration ourselves," Henrietta announces with a frown, "or return for more water. Unless you can create it, Samarintha?"
[15:10] <@Lucie> "Water? I can manage that. Not food, though."
[15:10] <@Ebiris> She shakes her head, "I'm a navigator, not a provisioner. There's a freshwater aquifer on the island, but getting to it could be risky..." she trails off and smiles at Lucie's interjection, however.
[15:10] <@Henrietta> "We have food covered from all the fish. That settles things, then!"
[15:11] <@Rudy> "Let's get going! Oi, Cap'n! Got any grog? Know any seafaring songs? Do we have anything to lighten it up a bit?"
[15:12] <@Henrietta> "Ghost sounds, Light and Prestidigitation?"
[15:12] <@Rudy> "What does that last word even mean?"
[15:12] <@Henrietta> "That you will always be perfectly clean and your food would taste delicious."
[15:13] <@Rudy> "Does it make booze?"
[15:14] <@Ebiris> Between the fishermen and pirates lots of seafaring songs are known, and much noise is made as the Fisher Princess sails safely out of the cursed reefs, setting sail North back to Salerno... There's little scope for privacy with how crowded the ship is now, and the paranoid pirate wakes up - but thankfully the presence of other unbitten comrades calms him enough to prevent him making much trouble...
[15:14] <@Henrietta> "Not as such. But I suppose it could take one sort of alcoholic beverage and make it taste like another entirely!"
[15:15] <@Rudy> "I could see a market for this- wait. Wait. How hard is this to learn?"
[15:15] <@Henrietta> "I could teach you, if you'd like?"
[15:15] <@Lucie> Lucie would be more than glad for a stiff drink after recent events, but would refrain if any were present given circumstances--she'd rather not be in a drunk stupor if that one pirate decides to cut everyone up in their sleep, just in case.
[15:15] <@Rudy> "No, that's not what I mean. I mean every time I go to a fancy restraunt, there's a chance some apprentice mage with a part-time kitchen job is just macking up some grog to taste like vintage?"
[15:16] <@Ebiris> There is a small supply of grog, but not really more than enough to give everyone one stiff drink.
[15:16] <@Lucie> "There's something wrong with grog now?"
[15:16] <@Rudy> "There is if I'm on a date!"
[15:16] * @Lucie just shrugs. "I guess, if you're particular."
[15:17] <@Ebiris> "If it tastes good and gets you drunk, what does it matter?" Trucy asks, confused.
[15:17] <@Henrietta> "If your date can see through the weaves of magic, you will be fine!"
[15:17] <@Rudy> "Of course you be particular about it! The whole point is to be particular!"
[15:18] <@Henrietta> "How about we all go for drinks after we get back? I can check that they are authentic."
[15:19] <@Lucie> "I thought the point was not knowing which way was up by the end of the evening, but if you say so, Rudy." Another shrug. "Sounds fine to me, Henri."
[15:19] <@Rudy> "Why don't we buy some bottles and throw a party at my place?"
[15:20] <@Henrietta> "It would be a nice chance to dress up, either way."
[15:21] <@Ebiris> OOC: Glenn, make a fort save
[15:22] <@Glenn> roll d20+6 (+2 vs poison)
[15:22] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+6 (+2 vs poison) and gets 20." [d20=14]
[15:22] <@Ebiris> roll 1d2
[15:22] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d2 and gets 2." [1d2=2]
[15:24] <@Ebiris> On the second day of the journey, Glenn finds himself feeling particularly irritable, which is only excarbarated by the cramped and overcrowded conditions on the ship... he especially doesn't like the way those pirates keep looking at him...
[15:24] -> *Glenn* 2 int damage
[15:29] * @Glenn just sits quietly glaring at the pirates.
[15:29] <@Ebiris> Fortunately no one deigns to provoke Glenn further and the day passes peacefully...
[15:29] <@Ebiris> OOC: fort save x2
[15:29] <@Glenn> roll d20+6 fort #1
[15:29] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+6 fort #1 and gets 16." [d20=10]
[15:29] <@Glenn> roll d20+6 fort #2
[15:29] * +Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+6 fort #2 and gets 7." [d20=1]
[15:30] <@Ebiris> OOC: oh, I really just meant number 2. Anyway, first one counts.
[15:30] <@Ebiris> roll 1d2
[15:30] * +Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d2 and gets 2." [1d2=2]
[15:31] <@Ebiris> Today Glenn feels like he's absolutely goddamn sick of eating nothing but fish and shoddily preserved vegetables that have absolutely no taste. The food is terrible, everyone smells and keeps LOOKING AT HIM and STANDING TOO CLOSE. Life aboard ship is nothing but an endless stream of annoyances one after the other!
[15:32] <@Rudy> "Hey, hey. Hey guys. Watch this!" Bored to tears by the same songs over and over again, Rudy opts to summon a dolphin, on which he can go for a ride!
[15:33] * @Lucie leans her elbows on the rail, watching. "We're not turning around if you fall of, you idiot!" she hollers.
[15:34] <@Ebiris> Trucy and Eleanor seem quite taken with Rudy's dolphin friend, despite the cold alien intelligence that gleams in its black eyes as it frolics playfully.
[15:35] <@Ebiris> The big pirate happens to nudge Glenn slightly as he walks past to join everyone at the side watching Rudy's antics.
[15:35] <@Rudy> "I'll probably beat you back home!" retorts Rudy, using the summoned floatation device to circle the boat with surprising swiftness.
[15:35] * @Glenn just scowls at Rudy's idiocy and turns away from watching the ocean, nodding with Lucie's statement. Sadly, the damn stupid boat is so cramped and there's nowhere to really go!
[15:35] <@Glenn> "Hey, watch where you're going!" Glenn bites off at the pirate with his scowl still plastered.
[15:36] <@Lucie> "Fine, go on and try! More room here for the rest of us!"
[15:36] <@Henrietta> "How did you, well, become a pirate?" Henrietta asks the older of the sisters, finding herself secretly just as bored as Rudy. "That is, were your parents pirates, too?"
[15:36] <@Rudy> "Admit it, Lucie! You'd miss me."
[15:36] <@Ebiris> Although no longer pirate and panicking, he still remembers getting his ass beat by most of the people here and thus backs down from Glenn's scowl with a mumbled apology.
[15:37] <@Lucie> "I'd miss having Myra walk in front to take the brunt of attacks, sure," Lucie admits.
[15:38] * @Glenn just harumphs at the apology, but doesn't take things further, though he continues to just scowl at everything.
[15:38] <@Rudy> Rudy's vessel manages to paddle back to the boat, and he hauls himself back in before it melts into an oily fluid. "Oh, come on! I'd miss you if you were gone, and not because 'oh no, our combat efficiency might go down by twenty-five percent!' or any of that pragmatic crap."
[15:38] <@Lucie> "Only twenty-five percent?"
[15:40] <@Rudy> "There's four of us. So you make a quarter." Rudy puts his hands on his hips. "Simple. I'm not even counting Myra."
[15:40] <@Ebiris> "I met a recruiter a few years ago... things were pretty bad in Anowia with the drought, but of course the rich never had any problems," Samarintha frowns at an old grudge. "We made up leaflets, gave speeches... it was pretty innocent, but felt like we were making a difference. Till we all got arrested," she rubs her arms and shivers. "There was a riot in the prison and I got out, though. Grabbed Eleanor and went out to sea. It's too hard to beat the system where it's most entrenched, but out here we have a chance."
[15:41] <@Henrietta> "Arrested? For speaking?" Henrietta asks incredulously. "That's so horrible!"
[15:42] * @Glenn rubs his forehead as everyone keeps talking. "Ugh...how much longer until we get back to land about?" Glenn asks randomly, looking towards the captain's son, in an irritable voice.
[15:42] <@Ebiris> "Two, maybe three days?" Grant replies with a helpless shrug. "'Bout the same amount of time it took us to get down in the first place."
[15:42] * @Lucie shrugs, listens in on the others. "Yeah, well, leaflets? You're better working out here anyway. Can hit 'em where it actually matters, more likely to take notice when you're actually costing them income."
[15:43] <@Rudy> "Or you could, you know, get jobs," opines Rudy.
[15:44] * @Glenn just grumbles quietly, and tries to ignore the others and how perky and upbeat they seem to be.
[15:44] <@Ebiris> "They don't want people to know they have alternatives," Samarintha shrugs, reaching up to adjust her cap. "Seventy odd years ago, when the movement first started and Toghm had its revolution? We might've had a chance if other countries rose up as well... instead everyone made sure to strangle it in the cradle. It could take decades or centuries before Collectivism truly triumphs now, but I believe it's still inevitable. The few can't rule the many forever."
[15:44] <@Henrietta> "Not everyone with money is someone you should, you know, 'hit'," Henrietta tells Lucie, edging away slightly. "And it's not like every noble is rotten. Just, well, just look at the Vanderborens! Vanthus was horrible, but his sister is very nice, and her parents sound that way, too. They gave a lot of money away to help others when they needed it."
[15:45] <@Lucie> Another shrug. "Just saying, if you're looking to grab your piece, well, someone's not gonna give it you just for talking at them."
[15:46] <@Rudy> "Why bother?" asks Rudy, shrugging. "Most people get by fine the way things are. A bunch of ordinary folks going up against nations? That's not gonna end well for you."
[15:46] <@Ebiris> "We persevere," the blonde pirate replies grimly to Rudy. "Strangling foreign trade is just one step on the long road ahead of us."
[15:47] <@Henrietta> "I can understand that part, at least," Henrietta muses. "It's very important to think for yourself and, and look at things how they are. Just following all the time can't be very good. In fact! I'm sure things would be a lot better for everyone if the nobles had to experience life the way it really is for everyone else, first."
[15:48] <@Rudy> "But... it sounds like a miserable life," replies Rudy, uncertainly. "You'd see enemies everywhere. In fact, you have enemies everywhere. Everyone who benefits from how things are now is your enemy, and that ain't no small number of people."
[15:48] <@Ebiris> "So what happens when you win?" Trucy asks, "Everyone can just do what they want? That sounds like it'd be fun for a week and then fall apart."
[15:48] <@Lucie> "Try suggesting that to a few, Henri. See how it goes."
[15:49] <@Henrietta> "Certainly!" she agrees with Lucie. "And yes, Trucy, that does sound like a problem. Isn't it better when everyone comes together to talk and listen and meet each other halfway?"
[15:49] <@Ebiris> "Doesn't matter if we've got enemies everywhere," the now quite sober pirate called Seamus speaks up, "That just toughens us up! They ain't killed us off in nearly a century, and they've tried their damndest!"
[15:50] <@Rudy> "Yeah, but they've marginalized you and nobody thinks of your movement as anything but a bunch of rowdy pirates," replies Rudy. "I only heard about it last week."
[15:50] <@Henrietta> "I have to admit I only heard of it then as well."
[15:51] <@Ebiris> "It's not like that," Samarintha shakes her head, "We want government by collective agreement. Instead of one king saying how it is because he was lucky enough to be born that way, everyone decides collectively what the best way to do things are, and we all work together for it. If we all want and work for a just and prosperous society, it can be done - we just need to topple the established one first."
[15:51] <@Rudy> "But people are selfish. Come on, nobody cares about society. People just care about themselves. Most of 'em, anyway."
[15:52] <@Henrietta> "And it would just take too long to ask everyone, even with magic," Henrietta agrees. "There need to be people who decide for others, still."
[15:52] <@Lucie> "How's that working out for you?" Lucie wonders. "Seen poor folks get together before. Usually winds up with one top dog no matter what they planned at first."
[15:53] <@Ebiris> She sighs, "The smart and the charismatic rise up and make their opinions carry more weight, it's true. But at least we're trying - kow-towing to people just because they were born to a certain family or have lots of money isn't any better. You think kings and emperors are intrinsicly better or more qualified to rule than anyone else?"
[15:55] <@Henrietta> "I wouldn't go that far," Henrietta allows. "I wouldn't be here if I thought that much, at least."
[15:55] <@Rudy> "Don't they get taught how while they're princes?"
[15:55] <@Lucie> "Nope. Nobody's special just 'cause of when and where they're born. Just not sure how much you can get done when they've got the armies on their side."
[15:56] <@Ebiris> "Maybe... or maybe they get taught how to go hunting and throw fabulous parties and dress in clothes that cost more than the average person's house," Samarintha snorts dismissively. "In the Collective the ones with authority earn it by being the most talented. And even then they can't just decide by fiat - everything has to be agreed by the majority."
[15:57] <@Rudy> "You guys said you were from Anowia, right?" asks Rudy, raising an eyebrow.
[15:57] <@Ebiris> "I'm from Tanagra," the big pirate interjects. "Isernia here," Seamus waves, while the two blonde sisters nonetheless nod.
[15:58] <@Lucie> "Makes sense enough," Lucie acknowledges. "How much of the Collective is left now, though? After the whole island went nutty like that."
[15:59] <@Henrietta> "You would go a lot farther if you didn't, you know, oppose all nobles. But just the really awful ones," Henrietta tries suggesting. "Like that Vanthus, or the creepy one that keeps a dungeon back in Salerno. Then people would support you! And the decent nobles would understand you, at least, while the rest of them will try to act better to not become targets themselves."
[16:00] <@Ebiris> "We've got dozens of hidden ports like that all across the oceans, and countless more hidden into mainland society. This was a tragedy, but one we can endure," Samarintha declares stoicly. She then smiles at Henrietta, "Divide and conquer? It's a good tactic."
[16:00] <@Ebiris> *more people
[16:01] <@Rudy> "I ain't never got oppressed by nobles or whatever back home," replies Rudy, with a shrug. "I mean... most of the people who'd like this movement are the ones who have problems with how things are, right? Because they're hungry or whatever and you blame the nobles? It's not like they can wave a hand and just make things better. Me, I don't have time to think about every little issue and give an
[16:01] <@Rudy> opinion on it. 'slong as the people up top do a good job and stop the other nations messing around with us, it was fine by me."
[16:01] <@Rudy> "Anyway, if you do get some sorta uprising or whatever, won't you just get mobs of people with different ideas fighting? It won't be pretty. What happens when a bunch of folk disagree on what everyone else thinks is right?"
[16:01] <@Rudy> "Like what you're doing here?"
[16:01] <@Henrietta> "It could really work for you!" Henrietta responds, happy to have Samarintha listen to her. "And then, maybe you could even take some of the positions nobles normally hold. Like harbormaster, for example. With the people on your side, and decent nobles remaining, they might be more than willing to give you consessions like that!"
[16:05] <@Ebiris> "Hmph. They've got you good, haven't they?" Samarintha looks Rudy up and down. "That's the propaganda they love to put out - that we're too stupid and disorganised, that we *need* the strong guiding hand of our 'betters' or else we'll all collapse into anarchy. I don't buy it - people aren't monsters, we can work together and we can make a peaceful society where everyone gets a say. Even if people disagree, just having the chance to do so would be an improvement over how it is now where all we can do is bow our heads and accept whatever shit the upper classes drop on us."
[16:08] <@Rudy> "Come on! You're building, like, an army? You think that's gonna lead to some sort of peaceful society? Only way you'll get rid of the nobles is by forcin' 'em to leave." He shrugs. "Society seems pretty damn peaceful as it is, 'part from the criminal psychopaths, and I'd bet they love your ideas."
[16:08] <@Henrietta> "I think you are right about this. At the same time, any sudden and large-scale changes in government would, you know, lead to anarchy. You see it happen with every conquest and war. That's why, if you really want to succeed and make people's lives better, you really need to work gradually."
[16:09] * @Henrietta glances at Rudy, considering for a moment. "A better society doesn't have to be, well, peaceful."
[16:10] <@Rudy> "It don't? So a warlike one's better? All full of bloodlust and conquering spirit?"
[16:11] <@Ebiris> "If we could change things peacefully we would have. But since our enemies do have the armies, as you say, they don't particularly care to give up their hold on power without a fight. We're a product of the age, Rudy - peaceful revolution failed, but we'll be damned if that means we're just going to give up."
[16:12] <@Rudy> "It's a shame you think that way. I work for a noblewoman, you know. Nicest girl you'd ever meet. Sensible. Knows the score." Rudy shrugs. "But she'd stand to suffer from what you want, wouldn't she?"
[16:12] <@Henrietta> "It does not really have to be one or the other. The way I can see it, if you have military power, you have a deterrent and an incentive all at once. You do not actually have to use it to cause a bloodbath, but certainly, you cannot influence the nobles and the government without a sense of strength. The key is to not turn it against the people whose lives you are trying to improve, and build
[16:12] <@Henrietta> up on your achievements while ingratiating people to you"
[16:13] <@Ebiris> "Besides," Seamus speaks up, "Wars are always driven by the nobles. They get to hide in their palaces while their soldiers, the common folk, go out to fight and die. You think there'd be so many wars if everywhere was governed by collective will rather than royal fiat?"
[16:13] <@Ebiris> "You mean she'd suffer the perils of living on the same level as everyone else? My heart bleeds, it really does," Samarintha rolls her eyes at Lavinia's hypothetical plight.
[16:14] <@Henrietta> "That part... probably would not actually change," Henrietta muses. "Considering that decisions like that would still only be made by a select few, and they could easily trick the rest into following."
[16:15] <@Lucie> "Henri's got a point. So if you Collective folks got into a war, you and all the leaders, they'd march into battle with the rest of the ranks, huh?"
[16:18] <@Rudy> "She ain't done anything wrong, but you'd wanna drag her down anyway. Guess that bothers me some."
[16:18] <@Ebiris> "Everyone serves where they're most able. Don't think we're naive to strategic limitations, I know a war needs generals and a supply chain just as much as soldiers on the front," Samarintha huffs, "But Seamus's point was that the Collective is an international organisation - we're all people united by our common struggle and bond of civilisation. Distinctions like Isernian and Anowian don't matter for us. Why would we care to wage war on people living over the next hill who live and work the exact same way we do?"
[16:19] <@Rudy> "Aha. So what you actually want to do is conquer the world!"
[16:19] <@Ebiris> "All she's done is get lucky enough to be born into the right family. How does that make her deserve to live better than us?" Eleanor asks Rudy.
[16:19] <@Henrietta> "I would not be so quick to dismiss Lady Lavinia," Henrietta muses to Rudy. "If everyone serves where they're most able, well, nothing precludes her from doing the same, don't you think? Plenty of decent nobles are very knowledgeable and qualified!"
[16:19] <@Rudy> "So what if you had kids?" asks Rudy, eyeing Eleanor.
[16:20] <@Rudy> "It ain't an invitation, but say you work hard and raise 'em well, give 'em every advantage. Wait, you can't! Because that would be unfair to all the kids with shitty parents, right?"
[16:21] <@Ebiris> "Liberate," Samarintha corrects.
[16:21] <@Ebiris> Her little sister just looks confused, "Well... why can't I just raise them to be smart and hard working without spoiling them?"
[16:22] <@Rudy> "Nothing stopping you. But plenty of parents wanna spoil their kids. You gonna crack down on them?"
[16:23] <@Henrietta> "It is the sort of extreme that would turn many people away," Henrietta agrees. "There is nothing wrong with adventurers leaving their children the fruits of their labors, is there?"
[16:23] <@Rudy> "Inheritence, in other words."
[16:24] <@Ebiris> "If they're unfair about it, yeah!" she nods fiercely. "Why should they get to give their kids more than I can give mine? What did they do to earn it that my kids didn't?"
[16:24] <@Rudy> "So why should they work hard?"
[16:24] <@Henrietta> "Fight hoardes of zombies to save women from being eaten alive?"
[16:25] <@Rudy> "I mean, you ain't gonna get much benefit out of it anyway. Your kids won't do better. By the sounds of it, you won't get much luxury anyway. Might as well slack off, right?"
[16:26] <@Ebiris> "Because we work best when we work together!" Eleanor clenches her fist and pouts up at Rudy. "If you've got ten thousand gold and you want to spend it all on buying stupid things for yourself instead of having a hundred gold for yourself to buy useful things and letting a hundred other people buy useful things as well, you're a horrible person!"
[16:26] <@Lucie> "So I guess you just ignore the part where maybe their parents did do something to earn it? What, parents aren't allowed to care enough about their kids to set them up proper now?" Lucie shakes her head. "You know, I think you lot would be a fair bit happier if you just settled down somewhere and looked after yourselves."
[16:27] <@Rudy> "Why should I give it to those hundred people? What've they done for me?" asks Rudy. "How do I know they won't just spend it on beer and whores?"
[16:27] <@Henrietta> "But that... is not, you know, working together. It is the exact thing some nobles do! There are people who work hard, and they just rest and collect their money from taxes! Why should I risk my life and then give this tax to people who are too scared to risk theirs?"
[16:28] <@Ebiris> "Because you're not better than anyone else!" she looks about to kick Rudy's shins. "Don't discount others! How do you know they won't make something incredible tomorrow?"
[16:28] <@Ebiris> "Or how do you know they didn't do something to benefit you in the past, even indirectly?" Samarintha asks. "Your example is a nice thought experiment, but society isn't a vacum."
[16:29] <@Rudy> "Experiment? This is how people think, lady," replies Rudy. "People do things because it benefits them. You wanna make society better? Make it so doing things for other people is good for the guy who does it, too. In a way they can see. Hell, that's why we have money, right? I build a house for you, you pay me, we're both happy. I get what I deserve for my work, you get a house."
[16:34] <@Ebiris> She heaves a long suffering sigh, "And that's what we've been trying to get at. People are benefited by Collectivisation - they get to be fairly compensated for what they produce. People can work for the benefit of their village or town or country or the whole planet just as much as they can work just to benefit their own flesh and blood. You might not believe it, but lots of us do - for us, our fellow man is our family."
[16:36] * @Lucie shrugs. "It's a nice idea. Just think it's too much taking on the whole world." She shakes her head. "Changed my mind: why isn't there anything to drink on this ship?"
[16:36] <@Ebiris> "We drank it all," Trucy groans.
[16:36] <@Henrietta> "If they like it... it's alright. Really, the problem is if, well, if you force others to do the same."
[16:36] <@Rudy> "Probably good that there isn't. Might've come to blows over a bunch of words," replies Rudy, slumping by the side. "I'm gonna nap."
[16:36] <@Henrietta> "I wonder if there is a spell for that...."