Session Summary in Song & Quotes

Session Three Quotes:

Out of Character:

"Did you have no personality? Er, the other way around?" - Maggienotmegan, in reference to Spock in the pilot episode.

"We've got low levels to take care of the ship, and not get taken over by monkeys" - Artemis

"Um, I think we're past that point." - Qwerty

"What about being taken over by monkeys? Says the monkey?" - Pitrsaprentice

"Was that in my fake australian accent? No.... therefore it was out of character." - maggienotmegan
"Bear in mind that wolf three is immobilized" - Pitrsaprentice
"Bears? wolves? what!" - Qwerty
"What are bears?" - Pitrsaprentice
-later-
"Oh" - Pitrsaprentice(not entirely sure on the in-characterness of this one. Qwerty wasn't speaking in character, and I'm not sure how confused Pitrsaprentice was)
"That's #1 and #2?" - Oddysey
"No,that's #1 and Halden" - saganatsu
"Halden at half health" - Artemis
"Yay! And he's next to a wolf he can't see! And it's the wolves turn!" - Oddysey
-later-
"Oh good! He rolled max damage!" - Oddysey
"It... disappears in a puff of smoke." - Oddysey
"Ice smoke." - Qwerty
"No more wolf corpse?" - Maggienotmegan
"No." - Oddysey
"No wolf corpse to loot?" - saganatsu
"No." - Oddysey
"No caltrops? no wolf pelts?" - Artemis
"No." - Oddysey
"No random silverware or napkins?" - Qwerty

"I don't need to roll for that. It's there!" - Artemis (referencing Fire Elemental)

(looking at character sheet) "What I'm wondering is how I survived gang life in chorral." - maggienotmegan
"apparently they're not very badass in Chorral." - Artemis

"I gave halden use rope! he can do that!" - Artemis
"So halden is our dungeon bitch?" - Qwerty
"But I gave him 'getting into trouble' stuff." - Artemis
"Yeah, exactly!" - Oddysey
"Oh god." - Artemis

"If we get trapped we can just use the farspeaking amulets." - Qwerty
"You really want to call your mom to bail you out?" - Artemis (to saganatsu)
"Well Ax could just call Blank, his boss." - Qwerty
"Yeah, call blank and say "everybody's dead". And then not respond. Because I'm dead." - karen

"So when should we run away?" - Qwerty
"How about before we're blinded?" - Qwerty (shortly after being blinded)

"I'm going to give Halden CPR." - maggienotmegan
"He doesn't need CPR!" - Artemis
"But he does need restraining." - Pitrsaprentice
"I can do that." - maggienotmegan

In Character:

"Oh that's what a tarrif is? Oh! I got it confused with the one where you kncok them unconsious, tie them to their boat, chum the waters, and sink their ship! " - Qwerty, Commandant Blank

"I do not fully understand the ways of these northerners, but in my homeland, this would not be considered a very cohesive team" - Qwerty, Stavros

Session One Tracks:

1. Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance (Sigrids Summit)

2. Andrew W.K. - It's Time to Party (Blanks Party)

3. Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party) (Sigrid breaking up Blanks Party)

4. Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire (Janan + Fire + Sex)

Session Two Tracks:

5. Electric Six - Danger! High Voltage (Again, Janan + Fire + Sex)

Session Three Tracks:

6. Matt Uelman - Cave (From Diablo 2) (Tomb of Ozymandias)

7. The Prodigy - Run With The Wolves (Fighting Grave Wolves)

8. SSX - Slayboarder (Fighting Ice Golem)

I'll continue the tracks as the progress, and then present a final, edited version (as some tracks will be removed or condensed, possibly)

Diplomatic Log 1

Mission remains questionable. Soon after having arrived in Xanadu opportunities presented themselves. Upon arrival to the summit, we were greeted by the Lady of the New Hora Quan Empire. Once preliminary talks ended, she stormed off to put an end to another gathering that apparently was called by Commandant Blank and/or the younger prince. A mere two decades in, and already the empire seems to be suffering power struggles. 

After the Lady and Commandant returned, Kheriim was sent along with the presumed heir on his trip to calm the empire's Commandant, presumably with alcohol. The reliance of such a highly placed officer on this substance may prove to be an opportunity to be exploited later if necessary.

Lord Gannen was suspiciously absent for the entire greeting ceremony. He did appear for the dinner but barely spoke or moved. He did not seem well, and preliminary observation suggests that he may not last long. Dinner was interrupted by the sudden entrance of a man claiming to represent the rebels of Skaraven. Lady Sigrid avoided making any promises but seemed sympathetic to their plight.

That evening the Lady created a group to hunt down a relic related to the Heart of the Sea. This group consists of both princes, along with the Skaraven representative and the magister's apprentice. Kheriim was also sent with them, she seemed reluctant but it will allow her to develop a closeness to the heir. The Commandant's child was also sent along in order to keep the princess distant. Hopefully the child will not be a negative influence on Kheriim, though she will likely be smart enough to keep her distance.

Sigrid's Journal 1: Another Dollar

Sixthmonth 1

Why do I bother spending weeks making elaborate plans? It's all for naught. Someone will always ruin everything anyway. And by "someone" I mean Commandant Blank. He knew I was having a peace summit and just couldn't leave well enough alone. He decided it would be an excellent time to throw a crazy party. I may have let it slide and written it off as another of his acts of idiocy, but he had to involve my son and create a nuisance in my city.

So, I left my summit and shut down the party. It had to be done. I dragged Blank to the summit, seeing as he was *supposed* to be there in the first place, but quickly sent him away with Leif and the human ward of the Verrik representative. Leif will never understand why Gannen and I tolerate Blank in our Empire. Leif wasn't around 22 years ago, and I doubt I'll ever be able to fully explain to him the kinship of adventuring. Blank was essential in bringing back the Hora Quan Empire. Without him, none of this would have happened. Without him, I wouldn't have Gannen.

So, anyway, after I sent Blank away, I left to double-check on dinner and get Gannen. He had to make an appearance at dinner. It would look bad if the delegates who came to the summit never saw him, after all. Gannen seemed less than thrilled to see me. I know he doesn't like these dinners, especially now. We argued a little about why I'd had to have this summit anyway and why he had to go to this dinner. Unfortunately, we both knew he had to go.

I wish I could say that dinner went off without a hitch, but of course it didn't. Blank and Soern had to go launching themselves out the window. I could have probably laughed that off and been fine, but then some guy burst into the banquet hall and started ranting about harrid. After some confusion, I figured out that his name was Stavros. He lives in Skaraven, where they've apparently been having a lot of problems with the harrid lately. I told him we could discuss the matter further after dinner, and order once again reigned supreme.

Soern returned, followed shortly by Blank, Anika, and a teenage boy. Soern and Blank then decided it would be a good idea to start loudly telling a story about Anika and the boy (Janan, apparently Blank's son) "hooking up" on his boat and somehow lighting it on fire. Yes, they decided to interrupt my dinner and bother my guests with this. If they're mad at my daughter for something, they could have come to me in private. I felt myself growing increasingly angry at Blank. Why does he insist on making my life even more complicated than it already is? I was about to explode. I was shaking with anger, about to just let Blank have it. Gannen must have sensed this and reached over and held my hand. It was a comforting act, and it was a restraining act. I looked over at Gannen and he slightly nodded, letting me know everything was fine. I calmed down. I invited Blank and Soern to take their seats again, effectively putting the subject to rest for the time being.

At the end of the evening, Gannen and I talked to Soern, who has been trying to arrange a meeting for awhile. Apparently there's something not-quite-right with the Heart of the Sea (though he doesn't quite know what). Whether this is related to the giant incursion last year remains to be seen. Soern thought we should try to find another artifact tied to the Heart (like the Aur Xica).

Consulting Ghalib, we discovered that there are at least four, though the only specific one he knows about is a magical cup. It's a relic of power and can heal, kill, and answer questions. (Note to self: Healing ability could be useful) Unfortunately, he doesn't know where the cup is.

I'd love to go myself, unfortunately, that's out of the question at the moment. Instead I formed a task force. Leif and Halden are going. They have got to work through their problems with each other. And even if they don't, if they're away at sea, at least I won't have to deal with the problems between them for a time. Besides, adventuring together might bring them closer. I've also sent Janan. I don't want him near Anika. Sending him away on a boat accomplishes that. I'm also sending Aed for some additional magical talent. I'm sending Stavros to give him a chance to prove his loyalty. I will be more than happy to assist him with his problems once he helps us with this. I've also sent Kheriim, the human ward of the Verrik, to give them a chance to prove their honest intentions. They'll be going with Ax.

I've given them the only leads we have. I suggested they talk to Taevin Brightfind. He's good at finding things. I also told Halden he could talk to Halas as an absolute last resort. Hopefully these kids are as talented as I think, otherwise, we'll be needing a lot of pearls.

Session 1: Captain Blank's Guide to Parenting

"Just because they're stupid, doesn't mean they're worthless." Commandant Blank

"Okay, Mr. Pirate, what's one of the greatest dangers at sea?" Sigrid
"Kraken." Blank
"Fire." Sigrid

"I followed you." Blank
"I flew!" Leif
"I didn't say I did a very good job." Blank

"Nobody like harrid. Not even harrid like harrid." Stavros Xanthis

"Commandant Blank. It means I own the ocean. The entire ocean." Blank

"You clearly don't understand the principles of piracy, if you think it's better sober." Blank

"So, any ideas?" Blank
"Well, could you unfreeze my boots." Janan
"Oh, uh, can I? Huh, maybe a strength check?" Blank/AJ

"Oh, I get it. I'm Gannen's long lost brother." Blank

"Right. I am . . . listening to you." Blank

"You just need storm over just his boat. It happens all the time." Sigrid

"Alright, you. Rum. It's good." Blank to Janan

"Yes, yes, I scratch your back, you scratch my back, only we don't scratch each others backs we just do favors for each other." Stavros

"Magic sex would be pretty awesome if you ask me," Janan

"You said you've divided the sea into four quadrants. Is there a reason for this, besides the directions?" Janan
"I've got four admirals." Blank

"A flaming ship! Makes it look like it's going faster!" Kaperi

"Don't they all look alike? Human, human, human, they all look the same to me." Kaperi

"Oh yeah, she's the one who's already getting kidnapped. She inherited that gene from Gannen." AJ

My Parents Are Ruining My Life

So, I think mom's mad at me again.

Yeah, I probably should have told Blank to buzz off and find his own place to trash, and just gone to the stupid party and talked to mom's stupid enemies. She says it's a peace talk or something but it's pretty obvious that everyone there hates us. We keep fucking their stuff up, of course they do. But they don't even hate us enough to make it interesting. I mean, like, if war was going to be declared there or something, I would have gone. But it's all just "of course the giants respect Xanadu's sovereignty" and "Xanadu engages only in lawful border actions." Boring. And stupid. If people would just say what they meant it would be over a lot faster.

Anyway. I "let" Blank throw his party and get drunk and trash the place, and that was pretty cool, even when mom showed up because at least it's a ruler of a small country who's shut down your party. Not everyone can throw a party like that. And then I got grounded again, which I was pretty much expecting but they always forget about it halfway through, and it doesn't matter anyway because I don't have any friends. At least it got me out of that stupid official dinner. Although that did end up being interesting, so that sucked.

I wasn't there (duh) but this guy Stavros showed up from Skaraven or something, looking for help overthrowing whatever oppressive dudes hang out in the south. Mom'll probably figure out some way to get out of doing anything other than maybe sending a boat or two down, "because we have our own problems." (But mostly because Dad's stopped saying anything about stuff like that. Used to be every so often he'd sponsor a revolution or something just to get the fuck out of the city. Skaraven's too far away for him to do that, but still. I can see why he'd want to.)

Oh, and Blank's ship caught on fire. Anika's fault. (Got to admit, that's better than some party. I need to find a way to upstage her.) And she was with this other dude Janan who claims to be Blank's son. Wouldn't surprise me.

Figuring it out'll keep me busy. Mom drafted him into some task force along with that chick who came with the Verrik, Aed, Stavros, and Leif. And then she went and stuck me on it, too. I'm supposed to "get along" with Leif. How am I supposed to "get along" with someone who doesn't want to get along with me? He treats me like an idiot when he pays attention to me at all. (Hells, that was another reason to stay away from the reception/party/bullshit summit/thing.)

Yeah . . . probably shouldn't have thrown that party. Getting stuck on a boat with Leif is way worse than getting grounded. At least Ax's there too. Ax is okay.

Kheriim's Notes 1

1 of 6month

Teleporting tickles. This was discovered today while travelling with Kaperi to Xanadu. Magical sensitivity could explain the tickling. Xanadu is large, magical, and made of floating rocks. Magical sensitivity in Xanadu induces headaches. The people of Xanadu eat fish. Fish tastes like death.

There are many human-types here of many sizes. The small ones are Faen. The large one is a giant. There are also lizard people, cat people, monkey people and many other not-people type people like in the books at home. There are many people with many titles. What purpose do these titles hold?

Glowy Lady came with a man. She called him Damn Pirate. He was sent away with Prince. Then there was a boat with Prince and Damn Pirate. Damn Pirate imbibed much alcohol. Alcohol is bad. Prince encouraged him. Prince is bad? Prince must be treated nice, even if Prince is bad.

There was a dinner. There was more fish. There were other dead animals too. Damn Pirate and Scary Mage left through the window. They are very unorthodox. There was a man who came in who talked about Harrid. They eat people just like these people eat animals. The man was Strange. Strange also ate dead animals. Damn Pirate and Scary Mage came back with Trouble and Likes Fire. There was much yelling.

Later, Glowy Lady formed a group with Trouble, Likes Fire, Priest, Strange, and Prince. Kaperi says to go. A magic cup must be found.

Kaperi says to go. To go with these people is scary.

Session 1: In Which Sigrid Holds a Summit, Captain Blank's Ship Catches Fire, and a Quest is Begun

5/29
Recap:
Sigrid's summit begins.
Much boring small talk.
Sigrid meets Verrik representative Kaperi and Kaperi's human companion, Khariim.
Soern is late, but arrives. Aed is off doing apprentice-like stuff. Ghalib was invited as a Litorian representative, and, lacking anything better to do, is preventing the drowning of small children. ("Where are your fathers and why are they not watching you?")
Younger twins (Anika and Halden), Captain Blank, and misc. npcs are surprisingly not around.
This turns out to be because Captain Blank is holding his own party in Xanadu's Pleasure Dome. Sigrid is Not Amused. Particularly when it becomes a public nuisance. She yells at both Captain Blank and Halden, who was apparently "supervising". Halden gets sent to bed without supper, poor kid. Janan tries to introduce himself to Captain Blank, but his claim of kinship is not nearly as interesting as rum.
The official dinner of the summit is interrupted first by Captain Blank's ship being caught on fire, and second by the loud entrance of Stavros Xanthis, representative of the human resistance to Harrids on Skaraven.
Blank and Soern discover that Blank's ship was set on fire by Anika and a young man named Janan. After disturbing Janan and Anika's makeout session, Blank finally finds out that Janan wanted his attention because his dead mother claimed Blank was his father. Blank is Not Amused by Janan's choice of methedology.
Soern tattles on Anika to Sigrid, with much added embellishments--"Completely naked. With explosions." etc.
Sigrid is Not Amused, but plans to deal with this later.
Soern tells Gannen & Sigrid that "something" is wrong with the Heart of Sea, wondered if there were other artifacts like the evil sword that might help.
Sigrid decides to ask the closest scholar of Xanadu library (Ghalib! You're knowledgeable! C'mere!) if he has read anything about similar artifacts.
Ghalib is confused by the question, and by the Emperor & Empress talking to him, but answers to the best of his ability.
From what he's read, there are at least three other artifacts of similar origin, one a cup with powers of healing, killing, and prophecy. (lots of power for one cup) They may also be evil.
Sigrid creates a task force to go forth and investigate the matter.
Blank is sent due to his dubious contacts, Leif to make sure the task force actually investigates, Halden to get him out of trouble (and to make he & Leif get along), Stavros to prove Skaraven's intentions, Kheriim to prove Verrik intentions, Aed to provide magical assistance, and Janan, mainly to get him out of her city and away from her daughter.


Quotage:
"It's like Texas. If Texas were a jungle." -Oddysey, re: Verrik lands

"Do you know how hard it is to ride a horse in a dense jungle?" -Artemis, Kheriim
"Do you know how hard it is to save a horse and ride a cowboy?" -Qwerty, Captain Blank
"...You're not allowed to talk anymore." -Artemis

"I don't know where you've been, but mafia bosses are totally good people." -Qwerty, Captain Blank

"Does she understand the younger kids?"-Maggienotmegan, re: Sigrid not understanding her weird older kids
"Yeah, totally. She used to be a terrorist." -Artemis

"The Verrik are all New Yorkers." -Oddysey
"From Texas?" -Qwerty
"Yes...Wait, I can't condone that." -Oddysey

"Okay, Mister Pirate, what is the greatest danger at sea?" -Artemis, Sigrid
"Kraken." -Qwerty, Captain Blank
"Fire!" -Artemis, Sigrid, re: fire safety

"Is there a problem here?" -Rae, Sigrid
"No, no problem. Just that he's never going to catch himself a velociraptor." -Qwerty, Admiral Axe
"But they have caught velociraptors." -Artemis, Sigrid
"Have they? Or are the velociraptors luring them into a false sense of security?" -Qwerty, Admiral Axe
"Well, I don't know about that. I have seen them riding velociraptors." -Artemis, Sigrid
"And I've seen them being eaten by velociraptors." -Qwerty, Admiral Axe

"Ah, he'd float. He's a witch!" -Foole, re: throwing Captain Blank into the ocean

"You're human. You can eat fish if you like." -Foole, Kaperi
"It tastes funny. Like death." -Artemis, Kheriim

"You're the one who set my boat on fire!" -Qwerty, Captain Blank
"And you're the one who let your boat be set on fire!" -Maggienotmegan, Janan

"We were totally just necking, mom; it's okay." -Oddysey, Anika, re: Soern's assertion that Annika and Janan had been sexing it up on a burning boat

"I scratch your back, you scratch mine, except with no actual scratching of backs, instead we do favors." -Qwerty, Stavros

"Stavros is available for all backscratching that is not actual backscratching. All metaphorical backscratching." -Qwerty, Stavros

"I don't get it." -Saganatsu, Soern
"It's nothing. They're pirates." -Artemis, Sigrid
"It's called innuendo. It's when a remark, seemingly innocent on the surface, is actually a reference of a sexual nature. Or about drugs, or death, other adult topics, but usually sex." -Maggienotmegan, Janan
"...Yeah, that flew right over my head." -Saganatsu, Soern
"Well, you are a biter, aren't you?" -Maggienotmegan, Janan

"Well, hello again." -Maggienotmegan, Janan, looking Halden up and down
"...Janan, meet my son, Halden." -Artemis, Sigrid
"Son? Good to meet you. Like the name. Anyone ever tell you you look very like your sister?"-Maggienotmegan, Janan
"No, really?" -Qwerty, Captain Blank, re: twelfth night twin syndrome

Rumors in Xanadu on the Eve of the Summit

"You heard about that ship, the Merchant's Behest, got just past Mixastomere but hasn't been heard from since? I got a cousin who sighted it, he says no way it was the dragons -- it was whales. Giant, ravenous whales. Whole horde of 'em. Any time you sail that far down south, be careful." Tony Sola, down at the docks

"Have you heard who the giants are bringing? Only Mekhel Raghon -- the most gorgeous man in the Diamond Throne. And he's available, and he's royal. Human royalty doesn't count for much back west, but it does count for something." Mira Trai, host of the most fashionable salon in the Red canton

"The Free Faen aren't coming! Probably the Diamond Throne launched another raid to keep 'em out of it, that's smart politics, that is. Wouldn't want the Harrowdeep resistance muddying up their nice pretty party, now would they?" Fezzy Turnbite, quickling faen and full-time resident of the Seafly Saloon

"Gorzam's got hit hard by scurvy this year, harder than most. It's those damn Diamond Throne ships, blocking the trade. Can't get the rum to put their limes in." Oa-Betash, captain of the Midnight Star

"I overheard Ma last night saying -- well, I shouldn't be telling you this, she'd just I was stirring up trouble, but there's a harrid in the city, just this last week, folks have been citing it all over, sneaking around. Wears a cloak, but you can tell. And you know what it must want, coming to Xanadu." Peter Caslingan, errand boy and son of Loretta Caslingan (who owns the best bakery on Xanadu, he'll have you know)

"You know you haven't seen Gannen in a couple of months, right? Yeah, that's right, nobody's noticed it yet, but they will. See, one of his kids did him in, but they're keeping it secret until they can get the succession cleared up. Wouldn't do any good to have the giants know we're defenseless at a time like this. So don't tell any giants, okay?" Erri Blackstone, bookseller

"One of those delegates, just arrived, they've been marked by the assassins. No, I don't know who, and I don't know why, but they have. Heard it from old Tom, and he doesn't tell lies. No, sir." Xayqua, Verrik blacksmith

"I heard from my Aunt Kell last week, her son Zan's gone missing. Whole bunch of the men in those Chak Itzin settlements have, she says -- you didn't know I was from there? Oh, man, the stories I could tell you." Jayne Teller, glassblower

"You know why the giants are so interested in this summit, huh? Why aren't they aren't just staying home, like they belong? I'll tell ya -- 'cause they're about to declare war. The summit'd be just the place to do it, too. It'd have everyone all distracted-like. The element of surprise. So be ready! Don't let any of them giant bastards get away, when the time comes." Irrian Millhouse, veteran