SWRPF Archive Casino Royale

Stent Kannat
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Stent let his smile die as he could tell that Markus did not appreciate his joke. It seemed that Markus was not much into acting or jovial conversation. He imagined that the human had quite a large repository of effective verbal barbs that could render most beings speechless. But Markus did touch on something of interest - honestly, he will probably out live them all with his attention to detail.

Curious, Stent chimed in as well. "Yes, Mirana, what is it that you do? Striking out on your own as well, investors already in hand?"

TAG: lightwarden, livi, twinky

 

IC: Halon
Shinkai Abyss

Scrambling to his feet again, Halon managed to steady himself, beginning his retreat towards the stern of the vessel.

Crouching down even as the yacht shook again, he sifted through the equipment they had brought along and found the medpac, intent on using it to treat his wounds...

Tag: Light, (Ryn?)

 

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"You said you weren't using your own money- are you here on behalf of someone too?"

"Yes, Mirana, what is it that you do? Striking out on your own as well, investors already in hand?"

"No need to read so much into it, I'm just one of the thousands of idle layabouts aboard this vessel whose sole redeeming quality is holding the affections of someone with enough credits to finance a life of leisure."

Her voice was temporarily muted as she stepped out of the noise-dampening field surrounding the sabacc table. As the other agents left the now-empty table, she continued.

"But then, what about you three? Your talk about collegues, group funds and excursions makes it sound as though you're here on business... How are you three related?"

---

[b]Shinkai Abyss[/b]

Collecting himself, Halon rummaged through his possessions, retrieving the medpac. There was only a limited supply of bacta, bandage, synthflesh, coagulants and medicines- it was unlikely that he'd be able to fully recover from his injuries. This was doubly important given that if he returned to the [i]Empress[/i], excessive injuries would draw attention from the ship's staff that could only be described as [i]unwanted[/i].

Below the surface of the water, Salek Zaron hadn't fully recovered from the effects of the grenade, firing a bolt at Ryn that once again went wide as the human shot through the water on some sort of back-mounted thruster system (which seemed to be still intact after the damage), moving to another hiding spot on the underside of his ship.

[b]OOGM:[/b] Halon finds the medpac, but it takes a full round to apply it, so he can't do it this post.

Since he's below 1/2 HP, I'd assume that this would be an opportune time to use his Second Wind. Hit Points are an abstract measure of your ability to survive damage, both in terms of actually taking injuries, and parrying, dodging or rolling with attacks to minimize injury and turn it into only a grazing injury (with damage then representing either fatigue or your luck running out). Your Second Wind is usable once per day when you're below 1/2 HP, and sort of represents some sort of inner heroic drive to push past your injuries and/or fatigue from all these close calls. Eh, it's an RPG, expect the bizarre. Anyways, assuming Halon uses his Second Wind, it will restore 1/4 of his maximum HP rounded down (31 total), putting him at 90/124. He can still use the medpac next round to restore more HP on top of that.

Fair warning though- to actually use the medpac to some degree require a DC 15 Treat Injury check. Failure means that the medpac is wasted with no HP regained because you aren't really sure how to treat the thing. Since none of you are actually trained medics, that means you simply rely on basic MI5 medical training, and roll 1d20+ half of your level (+6 for most of you), + your Wisdom modifier (+1 to +3). In Halon's case, that's a total of 1d20+8. However, you take a -5 penalty when treating your own injuries, because let's face it- you're [i]pulling a spear out of your back[/i]. No matter how tough you think you are, it's still not that easy, and [link=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BlackJack]Black Jack[/link] you ain't. So odds are not great.

 

IC: Boz

Boz had kept himself quiet, but agreed with Stent's reasoning that the more people in the tournament the better. He also found Markus' lack of usual snark to Stent's comment about love odd, obviously it stuck a nerve but it wasn't important to the mission as far as Boz was concerned.
It was when Mirana asked what connected them that he jumped in.
"It's all down to me my dear. My father got a little tired of me spending his money without "focus" or without "direction" or something petty like that. Anyway, I'm looking to set up a custom speeder firm back on Alderaan and for that I need investors. Mr Stent is here in an advisory position and My Hunt is.......my financial leash as it were. However, why just be business? I intend to enjoy myself on this little trip, as my entrance in the tournament will show."
He gave a smile and took Mirana's hand gentlemanly.
"Although I wouldn't be a good businessman if I didn't expand my resources. I don't suppose I could persuade you to help me in that respect could I?"

TAG: any

 

IC: Ryn Solass
Shinkai Abyss

Moving forward he swam through the water after Zaron and as soon as he got as close as he dared or was able he aimed, and pulled the trigger on the spear gun.

Sending a silent prayer to any powers that be to help his shot find it's mark.

TAG: Halon, GM

 

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"So, a custom speeder shop..." said Mirana. "Well, I happen to be something of an enthusiast myself."

She leaned against the railing overlooking the lower levels of the casino.

"So tell me, what do you plan on offering?"

---

[b]Shinkai Abyss[/b]

There was a great gulf between the movement capabilities of Ryn and Salek Zaron. The latter's propulsion pack enabled him to dart through the water with a speed and maneuverability that even exceeded his capabilities on land, while the Balosar was stuck slowly attempting to propel himself through the water on his own power. Kicking his way to the bottom of the boat, he fired off a blaster bolt from the sporting rifle, winging his target. Above them, Halon attended to the injuries he'd been dealt, painfully removing the spear from his side. Creating a synthskin patch soaked with bacta, coagulants and some painkillers, he adhered it to his side, the medicine quickly going to work on the bleeding.

Back beneath the surface of the boat, Salek fired another bolt at Ryn, but his attack missed and shot off into the open sea. He seemed to be taking care not to damage his ship.

[b]OOGM:[/b] Ryn shoots and hits for 16 points of damage, while Halon uses his turn to heal himself to 102/124 (the medpac heals 14 points of damage, but I forgot to record the 2 points of bleeding from last round, which the medpac has also stopped).

 

Stent Kannat
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"Really, you an enthusiast," the zeltron responded with pleased inquisitiveness as he rested a hand on the same railing that Mirana leaned against. "We are aiming towards the younger age group - well, not to call you too 'young,' Master Tyler - the more upper-level, luxury speeders that beings like to 'trick out' in the style sense. We have several concepts for bodywork, paint designs and other stylings geared towards some chassis of SoroSuub models at the moment, since those are quite popular as you would know. If that proves fruitful, we may branch out to other companies' chassis, and maybe even start investing in after-market speeder perfomance enhancement ideas. We are starting small scale for now, though."

TAG: lightwarden, livi, twinky

 

IC: Ryn Solass
Shinkai Abyss

Feeling another bolt whiz by, he quickly re-aimed moving up closer under the boat as he took aim and fired again at Zaron. The disadvantage in their differences of speed and maneuverability between them was greatly bearing on his mind as he moved through the water.

This is so not my day.

TAG: Halon, GM

 

OOGM: I don't feel like waiting any more for Jango to post so I can get everything at once. Time to make sure that people haven't lost interest.

---

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"Really now? But I believe you'll need to explain to me what you intend to gain from this trip. If it's a small-scale, limited variation shop that's only operating on Alderaan, wouldn't you be better off without going to such an expense? It's not as though there are many here who'd be willing to travel too Alderaan for such a low-grade experience."

"Really," she said, "it seems strange that you'd be working on a little project like that while aboard this vessel when the three of you are such uncommonly talented liars..."

[hr]

[b]Shinkai Abyss[/b]

While his partner does... something... Ryn fires another bolt at his target, but Salek darts out of the way by the time Ryn pulls the trigger.


[b]OOGM:[/b] Ryn misses. JANGO hasn't logged in in over a week, so I assume he's going to sit up there and wait for a shot that thus far doesn't seem to be coming.

 

IC: Halon,
Shinkai Abyss


Feeling somewhat better now, Halon found the strength he needed to rise again on steady legs.

First he tossed the blood-soaked spear he'd tortuously extracted from his flesh over the side of the yacht, casually hoping that the scent of the blood in the water might draw some of Spira's famous deep-sea predators to the surface, then took a step back and fired at the lock of the door to the cabin in an effort to gain entry...

Tag: Yacht people

OOC: My apologies.

 

Stent Kannat
Aspre Plunge Casino

What a... "charming" response. Damn. If they had only stuck to the original plan, developing new technology, that would have been so much more appropriate for this scenario. Now to get themselves out of this hole - or dig deeper.

"You flatter us, my lady," Stent responded, accompanied by laughter. "You found us out. We have discretionary funding in our 'war chest' that drove us to the conclusion that such a cruise as this was affordable, whether the passengers cared for our podunk venture or not. Those of us that work hard are entitled to entertainment once in a while, are we not?"

TAG: livi, twinky, lightwarden

 

IC: Ryn Solass
Shinkai Abyss

Missing his target he quickly snapped off another shot.

Barely noticing the bloody spear an idea began to form in his mind, but it would take a little longer to form. Something he hopefully would survive.

TAG: Light

 

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"Working hard, you say? You're sitting in a grand casino on one of the most exclusive resort worlds of the Core, having debarked only a few hours ago from the largest and most luxurious cruise liner in the galaxy. On what world would this be a realistic vacation for the owner of a small speeder shop?"

She shook her head.

"Who am I to critique a wealthy man's hobby?

She paused for a moment, turning her gaze from one man to the next.

"Still..." she said slowly, "I do wonder what sort of lifestyle a man of privilege would lead that would result in both him and his advisers to be so impeccably skilled at bluffing."

---

[b]Shinkai Abyss[/b]

Continuing to weave back and forth to take advantage of the maneuverability that was denied to his opponent, Salek Zaron aimed his rifle at the Balosar agent. Unfortunately for him, his earlier injuries seemed to have been aggravated by his motion, and his shoulder suddenly spasmed, sending the shot wide as he fumbled with his weapon, nearly losing his grip on it entirely as he lurched forward to regain it... right into the path of Ryn's blaster bolt.

Above them, having disposed of the spear, Halon approached the yacht's door, putting a bolt from the blaster into the lock. It seemed to be made from decent stuff, however, as the bolt wasn't quite enough to put it out of commission.

[b]OOGM:[/b] Salek misses with a natural 1, Ryn hits him for 19 damage. Halon shoots the lock for 13 damage (8 after the lock's strength is taken into account), one more shot will do the trick.

 

Markus Carfax
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Markus smiled thinly.

"You give us too much credit. We won a single game of chance, that's all. I'm sure that the tournament will prove that there is nothing special about Mr. Hunt, Kannat or myself."

He'd winced internally at her inquiries. Maybe Stent had been right after all about their cover story. Not that Carfax'd ever tell the Zeltron that- he didn't want his colleagues getting ideas. Look at what had happened with Halon. He wondered if the other two were faring any better in their vendetta against Salek Zaron. He sighed. Probably not.

[TAG Any]

 

IC: Halon,
Shinkai Abyss

"Echuta!"

Pausing only to mutter an ugly Huttese curse at the quality of the cabin's lock, Halon raised his weapon and fired again at the door.

Tag: Light

 

IC: Ryn Solass
The S. Abyss

Seeing himself finally land a hit he seezed the moment and fired again.

TAG: Light

 

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"Now, now, Mr. Hunt, I've played more than a few games of sabacc in my life. To be so thoroughly taken in by bluffs by not one, but three individuals in one group is a rather rare occurrence.

But really, what sort of answer was I expecting?"

She shrugged her shoulders, then waved her hand dismissively.

"Keep your secrets and your lies then, they'll serve you well aboard the Empress."

---

[b]Shinkai Abyss[/b]

Salek Zaron recovered quickly, swinging his rifle around to point it at the Balosar. For a split-second the two eyed each other through their rifle sights. Then, they fired.

Ryn's world exploded into a splashing whirl of light and pain as a burning sensation shot up and down his side. Salek had managed a solid hit, but it wasn't a lethal one. As his vision cleared, he looked for his opponent, and spotted him slowly sinking through the waters, his limbs slackened, a blackened circle in the center of his chest.

Unaware of what was going on below them, Halon fired another shot at the cabin door, disintegrating the locking mechanism. The door opened easily.

[b]OOGM:[/b] Salek manages a critical hit for 40 points of damage, leaving Ryn at 45/90. Ryn retaliates with a hit for 23 points of damage and drops Salek. Halon breaks the lock and now has access to the interior. We are now out of combat.

 

IC: Boz
Casino

Boz could see an edge of hostility in Mirana's posture and quickly moved.
"Come on now Mirana, you of all should know how fickle Lady Luck can be. My friends here are amatuers and that, my dear, is how the Lady gets them. Big wins to begin with and once they're hooked she leaves them our to dry."
He smiled. This woman had confirmed to him, however indirectly, that there was definately something to find on the Empress.

TAG: any

 

IC: Ryn Solass
Shinkai Abyss

He felt like screaming, and in fact he probably did, though how he managed not to loose the breathing apparatus was beyond him.

Seeing the foe who had shot him sinking he quickly began making headway to swim after him, he had to either verify the kill or bring him up for Halon to deal with. As he swam down with only one arm forcefully working as his wounded side performed a more feeble attempt he kicked with all his might to reach his target.

TAG: Halon, Light

 

IC: Halon,
Shinkai Abyss

Halon slipped through the open door, seizing up the interior of the cabin...

Tag: Light

 

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"Yes, yes, you've convinced me. All three of you are all perfectly normal individuals and there is nothing suspicious about you in the slightest."

She looked back out over the railing at the casino levels below.

"That would be a rarity. The Empress is a ship full of liars. Double-dealings, infidelities, jealousies, betrayals, sorrows, humiliations, secret lives, destructive hopes, illicit longings, weaknesses of all stripes, or even criminals and predators. Everyone has something to hide. An honest man is simply a skillful liar or a tool for a more nefarious individual. The only ones you can trust are those whose secrets you already know- those are the ones whose lies will be predictable."

She turned around and laughed mirthfully.

"Really, my travel agent's advice borders on paranoia. There's nothing more than petty bickering or the occasional con aboard this ship, and all it takes is a level head to avoid them."

---

[b]Shinkai Abyss[/b]

The helm of the ship was a sophisticated layout worthy of a man with money to burn and an eye for the latest and greatest. The yacht was clearly designed to be driven by one man, and by the looks of it, at extremely high speeds with a reckless disregard for his surroundings. Given the fact that Halon had to shoot his way into the locked vessel, it was extremely unlikely that Salek Zaron had opted to leave the yacht ready for Halon's immediate access.

Below him, Ryn chased after the sinking body of their target. It was a slow process, given that he had to swim closer, and wasn't very quick at closing the distance between them.

But even further below [i]him[/i], Ryn spotted something that might have chilled any recreational diver to the bone. A massive dark serpentine shape was undulating up from the depths. And unlike him, this one had no trouble moving through the water.

[b]OOGM:[/b] Jango, you can plot more than a single action ahead and tell me what you're going to do, so this doesn't take all day.

 

IC: Ryn Solass
Shinkai Abyss

It was slow going to say the least and he couldn't help but grimace at the pain of each movement to get closer to the body. Then something else put a grimace to his face, something was coming up...quick.

Best to shoot first and then save the body he thought grimly, lining up he squeezed the trigger. He did nothing to stop his descent but he hoped against hope that he wouldn't have to get up close and personal with the approaching creature.

TAG: Light, Halon?

 

IC: Halon,
Shinkai Abyss

Tucking his slugthrower away, the Ubese agent began rifling through the cabin's compartments, hoping that Zaron had not thought it necessary to bring all of his personal effects along with him on the dive.

Tag: Light

 

Stent Kannat
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Stent found himself feeling guilty for deceiving Mirana. She had the air of legitimacy about her, and her frustration seemed real enough. But of course they would continue to lie to her, if only for her own safety. Although, how safe was she now that she was simply associating herself with them?

"Is your travel agent working on the inside for them to know so much of the Empress," he quipped, trying to follow along with her laughter. He quickly turned more serious.

"But really. We have not been on this ship for that long and you already have such an opinion? The entire ship giving passage to liars? We knew that this voyage was likely to attract such sentients, as they usually go hand-in-hand with wealth, but you are giving me an image of something worse than something one would encounter at, say, a night at the theatre on Coruscant. Why did you not listen to your agent's advice, then, if you knew what this voyage would be like?"

Stent sounded more concerned. "Has anyone 'bothered' you?"

TAG: lightwarden, twinky, livi

 

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Mirana laughed again.

"Don't take things so seriously Mr. Kannat, you'll burn yourself out too early. I believe that I'm allowed the odd piece of hyperbole."

"Though..." she said thoughtfully, "... now that you mention it, you still haven't told me how the three of you became such capable liars."

---

[b]Shinkai Abyss[/b]

Continuing after the sinking body, Ryn fired the sporting rifle at the shape, hitting it right between the eyes. The creature didn't even register the impact, but merely kept swimming upwards at a speed far greater than even Salek Zaron had achieved during their underwater duel. It was a massive eel of some kind, perhaps ten meters long, easily big enough to swallow a man whole or rip him to shreds with the arm-length fangs that jutted from its closed jaws. At its current rate, the eel could close the distance between itself and Zaron within seconds. Or itself and Ryn, if the Balosar was inclined to attract its attention.

Blissfully unaware of the danger below, Halon rummaged through the cabin, searching for anything of interest. Unfortunately, the human seemed to be in the habit of locking up his vessel, perhaps to stop things from being knocked about while sailing the oceans at high speeds. Aside from the two locked cabinets below the console, Halon noticed an odd resonance as he walked across the floor, and discovered a decent-sized concealed compartment beneath his feet. Predictably, it was locked.

[b]OOGM:[/b] Ryn hits for 0 damage. Ryn still is at 45/90 HP.