ZEITGEIST (Inactive)

Game Master Whack-a-Rogue

As Alice comes back on the main deck, having cleaned her face and changed her shirt, she's feeling great for the first time in years. Despite her burns stinging, her muscles aching from the exercise, and the sorry state of her hair, she feels her blood pumping strong in her veins, her mind sharp as ever.
Danger. A scuffle on the sea, dancing with death, fighting to the last breath. I thought that memories of the war were haunting me, regret for those I lost and what I had to do. But it wasn't that. It wasn't guilt. I was missing those days, those fights where moving two seconds too early meant death by gun salve and two seconds too late meant death by sword.

Beaming with pride for having acted yet again in service of her country, for having made a difference, she sets to listening to the speech. And as she listens, her heart sinks deeper than her old ship.
Pointless wars? How would the last war be pointless? We sacrificed so much for it, we fought so hard, shed all that blood... How could he call that pointless? I believed that war was just. I believed in fighting for Risur, for Stars and Victory. He did too! He led the war! He was a hero in the Third War!

As the speech ends, she's in complete shock. There's a voice in the back of her head saying rational things like how many lives will be spared, and what a job it will be to make the peace summit safe, but those objections are drowned in a roar of blood and gunfight, and a burning memory of the day she joined the Navy. She had been so young, so easily swayed by the destiny that, she was told, awaited her on the sea, the need to strengthen Risur against the demonic Danoran influence. And she had believed fiercely. Until this day.

Her gaze lost in the distance, she doesn't say a word until questioned by Minister Lee.
"As we asked the Duchess to join the party, she tried to refuse, making suspicious excuses. I climbed the ledge outside the ship to check on her from the window, but she jumped out, landing in the sea. There, a fey on an enormous squid grabbed her and carried her away. In the following fight we knocked out an assassin who had been smuggled on board and followed the elven handmaiden of the Duchess to the Engine room, where two men had wounded Technician Luckshore and were sabotaging the engine."
"The handmaiden and one of the men were killed, the other was captured. I take full responsibility for the death of the elf, I thought there were more pressing priorities and when I got to deal with her she had died. Afterwards, after trying to buy some time for the boiler, most went upstairs to fire the Brand, relieving excess energy. It was Tabbit's idea, and it seems to have worked perfectly."

"Commanded by whom....specifically?" Corynne continues.

@Corynne: "Duchess who will be Queen" As you can see, I tend to ignore the Will Save because short cryptic answers are fun. ;-)
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@Alice: "You did well, Madam Constable. Don't worry about the bodies; our mages will loosen their tongues."
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After his speech but before leaving with his escort, King Aodhan takes a few minutes to personally thank each of you. He specifically asks for your names and if you have any family in the city, as you've definitely caught his eye. He also grasps your hand in a firm handshake of genuine gratitude. Controversial though the peace treaty may be, you get the sense that if anyone can make it work, it's His Majesty. "Your actions today almost certainly prevented civil war. Risur is in your debt."

"I believe I speak for us all when I say it was our duty and honour to serve," the Machinesmith said with a curtsy, and glad for both the healing and the time to make herself presentable. Well, more presentable. Nothing short of a scalding bath and a new uniform were likely to get the sweat and grime out of her clothing.

While the King was talking, Ellena grabbed a drink and some finger-food and sat near the bridge. She didn't bother trying to hide it this time - she figured she had earned it. After his Highness was done, she stood to applaud with the others. Nice speech, and he makes a lot of sense - even if Dad and, well, everyone at the Battalion is gonna be furious. Mom would've liked it, though, and Albert will - lots of business to be done soon. I should write them a letter.

Afterwards, in the meeting with the Minister, Ellena stood near the back and didn't say anything. She did nod, once, when Alice mentioned her though.

When the King came up and shook their hand, though, Ellena found herself blushign like she was thirteen again and far to flustered to say much of anything. Thank the Titans for all those hours of drills at the Battalion; muscle memory had her heels clicking together in a smart salute while her brain pulled itself back together. "T-t-thank you, Si - your Majesty. We wer- I mean, it was an honor." She could feel Fabian chuckling, it only made her cheeks burn more.

At the sight of the King, Alice steels herself, although she is still shocked by the speech. Leave to rest the past. Let Lieutenant Kildare rest with her frigate, you're Constable Kildare now. You're fighting another war.
Then, pride for the King showing interest in her overwhelms her feelings of betrayal. Standing on attention to salute, she smiles fiercely.

"Constable Alice Kildare, Your Majesty, formerly of the Royal Navy, frigate Impetuous. My parents live in Flint, as do my brother and my sister. He's a physician, she's a maidservant. And serving Risur is, and has always been, my duty, honor, and pride, Sir."

It's not about the war, now, is it? I know I'm good with a sword, not so much with the bigger picture. His Majesty did good to this country, I'll dutifully trust him as I did. I just wish my heart didn't hurt this much.

As her interrogation concludes, Corynne lets out a soft sigh, the mists around her swirling from the meeting of hot and rapidly cooled air. The resisted, those who would take their wicked secrets to the grave, but at least she had something.

Heading back upstairs, she catches the tail end of the king's speech, not even having the time t run brush through her hair as she finds the rest of her team.

As the King meets them personally, she manages a tired curtsy. "No no living relatives your highness." she says unconsciously touching the locket at her neck. "I am Corynne Durande, and it is an honor to serve."

Doing his best to look the part of a worthy constable, Jeb is flattered by the attention of the king.

"Jebediah Goodfellow, Sir. You may know of my father, Prefessor Alexander Goodfellow from Pardwright University. My only family."

"Azaghal Flintbreaker, Your Majesty. It is honor to have served, sire! I an only glad that we could save the Coaltongue, also! It is amazing ship; seeing the Brand fire off was so beautiful, it nearly made Az weep!"

"If I have family in city, it is news to me. Dwarves are not common sight in Flint, or Risur in general."

*time passes*

Over the next few days, more information gradually comes out. Corynne assists with the interrogation of the prisoners (both living and ... otherwise), and the rest of you are kept busy filling out search warrants, conducting interviews, and other low-level tasks. Although a few people try to defend the duchess' actions (claiming that Risur is going in the wrong direction and that Danor is not to be trusted), they are denounced. Most of the more prominent supporters end up relocating to Shale, and at least one leaves the country in protest. A few journalists seek to interview the six of you, and anyone with local family receives an official letter of commendation concerning your heroic actions. Still, the hubbub dies down quickly, and life rapidly goes back to normal.

About a week later, you're filling out some paperwork as part of your routine duties when you're summoned to Assistant Inspector Delft's office.

Padding past the secretaries' desks and the imposing door of the Chief Inspector's office, Ellena stops at the slightly-less somber door next to it. Ink-stained fingers knock, softly, and from the corner of her eye she catches the others approaching and offers a small smile.

Called to Delft's office, Alice gladly abandons the form she'd been filling and puts on her new frock coat, walking towards the Assistant Chief Inspector's office with slightly more energy than usual. Please be an assignment. If I had to evaluate another potential recruit I'll ask to test their skill with a blade.
As she reaches Ellena, she nods to her and smiles.

Sauntering down the corridor, his mind lost in thought about a possibility for streamlining the RHC's creaking administrative processes, Jeb nevertheless looks up as he approaches the Assistant Inspector's Office.
"Ladies," he murmurs politely as he spies Ellena and Alice.
I hope we get a field assignment. I need to stretch my brain. He thinks to himself.

Having spent much of the time since the launch, putting her former detective skills to use under the supervision of some of the HRC's finest interrogators, Corynne enjoys the opportunity to encounter some of her companions somewhere other than a poorly lit chamber underground. She was beginning to lose track of the days herself.

Running her fingers through her hair she makes her way to the Assistant Chief Inspector's office, offering the others a quiet smile when she notices them.

Miselle had spent her time finishing off a project at home, at least when she wasn't working. She'd gotten a couple of ideas from the recoil mechanism in the Coaltoungues guns, and now she hoped she had something that would both fire a slug large enough to destroy most enemies and, of course, not shatter her shoulder. She had no interest in firing off a shot that would leave her in dire need of healing.

Thankfully, hiding in her workshop meant she had avoided the worst of the media coverage.

And the bulk of her time had been hard at work, interviewing and gathering evidence to help the investigation.

When called to Delft's office, Miselle headed right up, nodding to the others as she arrived.

Az spent those few days trying to write down as much as he could remember about the weapon systems on the Coaltongue and ideas for miniaturizing the systems on the ship; such a weapon would definitely be useful if it could be made man-portable, and as great a love for firearms as the dwarf had, it seemed a very good use of his time.

When summoned, Az looks dejectedly down at the research he'd have to leave behind, but quickly packs it up and hides it away from any prying eyes, then heads off to Delft's office.

@Miselle: By the way, you've had enough time to make your Big Freakin' Gun. ;-)

Assistant Inspector Delft is not alone in his office. With him is a tiefling clad in a rich formal coat of red and purple. The more martial-inclined of you notice that it's tailored to allow great freedom of movement - ideal for a swordfight. The sword on her hip is a rapier of sorts but appears to have been modified with a thicker-than-usual sheath and a tiny mechanical device attached to the guard. "Constables, this is Lya Jierre. She's Danor's 'Minister of Outsiders.'"

Lyra Jierre

Without so much as a nod in greeting, Jierre directs your attention to a strange collection of items on Delft's desk: three ivory towers, each three inches tall with a steel plate on its base. Next are three stone rings - one red, one blue, and one green - each just slightly larger in diameter than the towers. Each ring has three strands of thread clipped to it, and each of the nine strands ends in a small silver magnet that can be stuck to the bases of the towers.

The tiefling says, "The three towers are about to be attacked. They must be reinforced with magic that flows like water from three portals - fire mana is red, water is blue, earth is green. The wires are canals through which the mana flows. But if the mana streams cross, they'll destroy their respective portals. How do you arrange the portals, towers, and streams of mana so that each tower gets all three types of magic, without any of the streams crossing?"

Puzzle
Everything in the image is editable, so don't feel bound by the positions, sizes, or orientations of anything. In other words, you can make the strings longer/shorter and move them around the rings as needed. You can also move the rings and towers around. Good luck!

Typical Danoran arrogance! Alice thinks as Jierre ignores them. But that rapier looks very, very nice indeed...

Then she turns her attention at the puzzle, feeling lost as no apparent solution feels right. "Wouldn't fire and water, uhm, cancel each other out?" she whispers to Jeb.
No, there must be a trick. "Who's attacking them, Minister Jierre? Can we ambush them? Anticipate their strike?"

@Alice: The corner of Jierre's mouth twitches upward very slightly. "You know that an attack is coming, but you been unable to determine any other information. As such, it's been decided to 'turtle up' until your enemy reveals itself."

Jeb smiles at Alice's confusion. "It's an abstraction. You can call them Tom, Dick and Harry if you like, the only important thing is that they mustn't cross each other. He begins moving the towers, portals and strings around."It's not a real strategic test, just a logic problem."

"As an abstract, we're looking at this on a flat level. Do the energy streams have to be on the same plane?" Corynne asks after looking at it for a few minutes.

After a few trials, Alice explodes, slamming her hand against the desk. "Fine! If we can't do it perfect, we cut our losses. Hook up two towers, evacuate the third. You have to make sacrifices in war."
You smarmy snob, don't think it's the first time I face Danorans on a tricked field.

After standing and looking at the problem for a while, Jeb responds when Alice voices her frustration, "No, Alice it can be done. Of course, it's easy in 3 dimensions, but in two, you have to take advantage of the fact that the streams can cross the towers, so long as they do not cross another stream. If you line up two of the towers with a portal then one stream can go to the first tower and another across the first to the second tower - like so." Jeb rearranges the towers confidently until the puzzle is completed.

At your creativity, Jierre huffs a laugh. "When faced with an impossible challenge, you change the rules. Well done."

Delft takes over for a moment. "We'd originally feared that the duchess' attempt at His Majesty's life would cause a civil war, but that doesn't seem to be materializing. Instead, we've discovered that she and some of her allies have seized an island in the Yerasol Archipelago. It's known as Axis Island. Unfortunately, as of seven years ago, it's Danoran territory."

Jierre chimes back in. "There's a mining project on Axis Island, as well as advanced steelworks, a shipyard, and a coastal military fort. To be frank, the island is one of our key military holdings, and if our people find out that Risuri nobility have captured it, they'll probably consider it an act of war. Unlike the more hotheaded members of congress, I agree with your King's desire for peace and have no desire to start another costly war. However, I'm not authorized to command military forces, and (even worse), a counter-attack risks causing the death of King Aodhan's sister.

"As a result, your King and I are changing the rules. Risuri forces are going to remove the duchess and her followers - and then hand control of Axis Island back over to Danor. As long as this is done within the next three days, there'll be no serious repercussions."

Delft speaks up. "Our marines are currently preparing to assault the island. Your job is to leave on the RNS Impossible tonight to meet up with them. Our advanced infiltration squad will take point, and the marines will handle the heavy lifting, but I want you present as you're the last people to interact with the duchess and her forces. Maybe you'll spot something that the others miss."

Alice lets out a low whistle. "I remember Axis Island, it was a bloodbath. To take it in three days we'll have to be very skilled and very lucky. The Impossible is the fastest ship we have, however, so we start with an advantage."
"I believe that we'd be more effective together with the infiltration team. What are we looking at, in terms of enemy forces? Can you provide us with maps? And I guess that our directive is to extract the Duchess alive."

"I mentioned in my report that there were fey involved with the Duchess. Has the Unseen Court said anything about their involvement? If we face them on the battlefield, should we use special caution?"

I've spent 25 gp for another CLW potion.

"Not impossible," Miselle agreed. "The Duchess' men will not have the numbers Danor does, nor will they have much training or skill with the fortress defenses. I cannot imagine such men willfully manning the wall guns." Thinking on the orders, Miselle added, "So we are to be observers? Simply look for clues as to the Duchess' plans and possible insight into her motives?" It seemed a little too easy.

"Constable Fitelle is correct: the Duchess' forces won't be familiar with Danoran tech, and few have any real martial training. Our marines will almost certainly have the advantage in both numbers and skill. The main hurdle is getting onto Axis Island in the first place, as we need to avoid a prolonged military engagement."

Miss Jierre seems to have already considered that issue. "Spells at Axis Fort will alert the duchess if anyone sets foot on the island, so simply landing on a secluded beach is infeasible. However, I know of a vulnerability. There's an offshore cove that contains a sea cave leading to a mine. I'll provide the infiltration team with its location, although I'm unfamiliar with the precise layout of the mine itself. With the aid of magic, a small team should be able to infiltrate the area and gain access to the fortress. From there, they'll secure and open the a sea gate to the harbor so your marines can enter. Once there, capturing the duchess should be a relatively simple matter - especially if you hit hard and fast."

Delft again. "We plan to execute this operation under cover of darkness. Fortunately, there's been no report of fey activity in the area, and the Unseen Court's been silent regarding the matter. Pack some cold iron just in case. We'll be keeping the six of you in reserve until the dust settles. Then you'll be in charge of looking for clues and interrogating the duchess and her associates. If they choose not to surrender ... well, that's what Constable Durande is for. Oh, you'll also be the backup for the infiltration squad, but we don't anticipate any major trouble in that area. The team I've picked has been around the block a few times." (they're higher level than you) "Of course, if you do find yourselves in a fight, you have approval to defend yourselves, but try to take prisoners whenever it's feasible."

"Hmm. Blitzkrieg approach does seem appropriate in this situation, but I am no fan of being left on sidelines. Though perhaps Az should not look gift horse in mouth. Let us hope that infiltration team is able to get in and do their work well."

"Az will need to go pick up some cold iron bullets before we leave, just in case. When is this asssault scheduled to take place?"

Corynne nods quietly, already beginning to frame what questions she would ask were they unable to take the Duchess alive. One way or another, they would not only stop this treason, but find it's root cause, and in the process, prevent an international incident.

An... an island attack? Gulping, Ellena's fingers begin to play nervously over Fabian's hilt. She nods, and stays quiet.

Miss Jierre ponders for a few moments before reluctantly speaking up again. "Actually, ... there is one thing you could do. It's of a personal nature, so I can't ask you to do this, but my cousin Nathan works on Axis Island. He was just a teenager during the last war and didn't participate, but I fear that the duchess or her followers might have harmed him simply because of his race. If he was kept safe until the island is handed back over to us, I'd be very grateful."

If anyone has any other questions, let me know. Otherwise, here's the conclusion of this scene.
Once the tiefling leaves, Delft motions for you to linger for another minute. "I have a hunch there's more going on here. After all, the island is one of the closest Danoran military institutions to our border, but it's definitely not the only one. Why'd the duchess pick Axis Island? Granted, it may just be coincidence, but keep your eyes peeled for anything unusual - and I'd appreciate it if Miss Jierre doesn't find out."

You're then let loose to requisition supplies and conduct any necessary preparations. You'll board the Impossible this evening.
Each of you receives the following:
Sunrod x2
Potion - waterbreathing
Potion - aid x2
1000gp

As a group, you're also given some scrolls. These have been specially-crafted to be activated by any character - even a nonspellcaster. No UMD or caster level check is required.
Scroll - pyrotechnics x4
Scroll - silence x2
Scroll - passwall x2

At the conclusion of your mission, as per standard protocol, all unused equipment (and money) is expected to be returned to the RHC. You're strongly encouraged to acquire some sort of healing items and anything else you may need for an extended mission. Once the infiltration/assault begins, you may not have an opportunity to rest or replenish spells for a couple days.

Before we leave Delft's office

"Given the nature of the mission, is it recommended that we operate in standard uniform sir?" Corynne asks just before they are dismissed.

That evening, the Impossible leaves Flint's harbor and turns west toward Axis Island. Captain Rutger Smith is quite pleased to see you again. "I'll be counting on you to make sure nobody blows our boiler," he chuckles. Aided by a skyseer to keep the course at night and a druid to keep the winds favorable, he expects the 500-mile journey to take just under two days. If all goes as planned, you'll reach Axis Island shortly before sundown.

On the way, you make a brief stop at Slate to collect the infiltration team. Delft's clearly investing all available resources into this expedition, as the four-person team has garnered quite the reputation for their exploits.
- Tanya: half-elf druid with a hound companion. Group leader. Known for her caution and attention to detail.
- Letmas: human illusionist. Excellent at faking accents.
- Seven-Foot Dan: towering human fighter specializing in the spiked chain. War veteran. Expert at sundering and demolitions.
- Burton: goblin rogue carrying a surgical kit filled with exotic blades. Once camped out in a Danoran latrine for three hours in order to assassinate a high-ranking commander. Keeps himself fastidiously clean.

On the large frigate, Alice feels home again. She walks on the floorboard, breathing deeply the salty air, then crawls up the masts to look at the expanse of sea running under the large ship.
Up there, where the wind can keep the crew from hearing her voice , she merrily starts singing one of the most morbid war songs she knows.
"Aye! A duty and an honor for the captain to go with the vessel, as she's going down!
That's the perfect job for me, since when it comes to sink or swim, I think I'd rather drown..."
Would Smith manage to go down with this ship? A philosopher at the helm of the RHC's fastest vessel, while I was discharged with a medal, a handshake and a swift kick in the nether regions.

Back on the deck, she approaches the infiltration team, chatting amiably. "On the island, is there anything you'd like us to do, besides standing by and looking for clues?"

Jeb is fascinated by the running of the ship. The previous visit was pure business, with VIPs on board, but this was a Naval vessel at sea with full crew at work; he spent the first few days crawling around every nook and cranny, observing the crew at work ,listening to the ebb and flow of orders carried out, the banter and politics of life on board ship, and the application of modern technology. After a few complaints from some of the crew about 'that nosey constable', however, he was forced to be more discrete and confine his activities to those places where he was less unwelcome. Every day at Mess, he enthused about some aspect of the ship, such that even his colleagues began to find it a bit tiring. Nevertheless, he is clearly enjoying himself.

Ellena spent most of her time on the ship being quietly seasick; a slow leisure cruse was night and day to a ship on the open ocean and her stomach didn't appreciate the difference. She came out of her cabin only to choke down some food and mostly just smiled wanly at whatever was being said.

Quiet and a bit pensive as is her norm, Corynne barely notices the vague discomfort some of the crew exhibit when she is near, reacting to the random, faint noises or minor freak occurrences, an object knocked over, a buckle suddenly coming undone, randomly tripping over nothing, eventually, the more astute begin to notice.

She keeps to herself, yet remains approachable to the rest of the team, taking to the deck to enjoy the view and the feel of the breeze. The ship being new, the time on the ocean offers her something rather unique.....quiet...with very few lost souls in sight.

Grateful for the extra equipment, Az offers his two sunrods to anyone who might feel the need for a third. "Dwarves have excellent night-vision you know! I am having no need of them."

Azaghal delights himself with exploring the ship, watching for the differences between the design of this vessel as compared to the Coaltongue. When he spots Alice conversing with their primary insertion team, he quickly joins her, with particular interest in Seven-Foot Dan. "You are demo-man, yes? Azaghal is wondering if you do much experimenting on charges. Do you use standard powder or have own mix? Az is always looking for ways to make rifle charges have more punch!"

Miselle perked up at the mention of a boiler, before remember the Impossible was a clipper. Well, she could tinker with gun a little instead, if the trip turned out to be dull.

Wandering over to the team with the others, Miselle smiled. "I still say you need a finer grain to the powder you use. It burns better and quicker, and the energy is released more effectively."

Overhearing their conversation, Jeb pipes up,

"That is what my father says, too. He also says that we need a new powder that produces more gas and less smoke. It is one of his ongoing research projects at Pardwright."

"Is well and good to say finer powder is needed, and Az is in agreement that finer grain is better, but care must be taken in how you produce it. Is not many steps from stable powder to one that blows up in face!"

Gunpowder Discussion: Seven-Foot Dan grins at the question and subsequent discussion. "Ah, so you're interested in breaking stuff? I like that! Different powders for different jobs. Fine grain burns quicker - good for speedy breaking. Large grain burns slower - good for delayed breaking. Smoky powder is bad for stealth breaking but good for signal breaking. All have their uses." It's immediately evident that, while the man has next to no formal education, he's incredibly talented within his area of specialization.
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The infiltration team's been formulating a plan, and before too long, they're ready to brief you. "According to Captain Smith, we'll reach the cove around 9pm. We'll be flying black sails and limit communication to only what's necessary for added stealth. It will be low tide, so entering the sea cave will be fairly simple. Letmas will cast water breathing on the ten of us before we go in. It'll last for an hour or so - plenty of time. According to the intelligence we've been given, the submerged tunnel into the mine's about 200ft-long. We're carrying 500ft of rope just to be safe. The four of us will go first to secure the entrance.

"Once you've linked up with us, we'll move together to the mine's exit, cross over to the north shore of the island, and stealthily move to the fortress. We'll use passwall to get inside before moving to open the sea gate. Once that's done, pyrotechnics will signal the navy. After that, we'll hole up and wait for the fighting to settle down. Intelligence reports we have a five-to-one manpower advantage, so it shouldn't take long. Afterwards, you can conduct your investigating, interrogate the duchess, and go through any evidence that's been left behind. Of course, if anything comes up, they'll be calling on us to help, so stay flexible."

"Tugging seems the most efficient, unless something goes wrong. A tug followed by a short delay, then a second method of your choice if we fail to respond? It'll likely be a simple case of the line getting caught, but..." Miselle shrugged. She glanced around. "What is the approach to the fortress like? I cannot imagine they leave much cover."

Alice listens to the plan carefully. "Sounds good. We follow you and stand ready for any trouble. Beware of the Duchess, however, she's slippery and has the support of some fey."
Taking off her frock coat, she starts applying a small amount of black pitch to her armor and clothes, darkening them to a deep brown-black. I hate acting out of my uniform.

"Aye, is good plan. Be ware, though. I mean no insult to reports, but there is reason many think 'military intelligence' to be oxymoron. No plan is surviving through first contact with enemy."

After hearing the plan, Corynne heads back to her cabin, locking the door to remain undisturbed. Needing to be comfortable, she changes out of her clothes into a simple shift, removing all of her jewelry except her pendant and anti-teleportation ring. Lighting a single candle, she sets parchment on the bed along with a pen, and sits cross-legged, closing her eyes and beginning her deep meditation.
Her awareness both expand and diffuse, her consciousness giving way, leaving her body a partially vacant vessel, and invitation extended to the Spirits of Knowledge, for whom time was immaterial. Her hand begins to write, a script far different from her normal handwriting, recording a steady stream of information over the course of the next hour, her body perfectly still except for her hand, barely breathing as the temperature in her room drops notably.

Automatic Writing (Su): Once per day, you can spend a full hour in uninterrupted meditation. During this period, your hands produce mysterious writing that pertains to the future. At 1st level, the prophetic writing manifests as an augury spell with 90% effectiveness. At 5th level, the writing takes the form of a divination spell with 90% effectiveness. At 8th level, the writing manifests as a casting of commune with no material component required

Augury.. Is the planned approach likely to go well or poorly? Success: 1d100 ⇒ 13 Holy crap that was close

@Corynne: the intelligence is accurate ... 'no plan is surviving first contact' ... (Woe and Weal)

Coming out of her trance, Corynne opens her eyes, rubbing her eyes at the chill in the room, mist escaping her mouth as she begins to once again breathe regularly. Reading the information on the parchment, her eyes roaming the words, filtering their meaning she sighs softly, before getting up and once again getting dressed.

Going up above-decks she seeks out Alice. She wasn't really sure if she considered her the group's de facto leader, though definitely the most vocal with her ideas on how things should be done, but with her military record the woman was likely to have the most experience in scenarios where a plan went to #!$@.

Jeb pulls out a small, pitch-lined bag.

"Put anything delicate that will get ruined by the seawater in here. It should last 200 feet ok, and I can hand them back after." He proceeds to put a scroll, some sheets of paper, his formula book and some trail rations in the bag.

Alice puts her pistol and ammunition in Jeb's bag, her face more relaxed than should be likely for someone going on a covert operation. "I'm taking one or two of these babies for myself once I get some more money. Heurender Manufactures' Snapdragon, fires either bullets or pellets, mahogany and dark steel. Kicks back like a boar and it's a pain to reload, but it can make for a nice backup weapon when targets aren't in sword range."
"Ah, Corynne, you're here. Ready to head into danger?"