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Raven's response was not at all what Remington had expected. Sure, there seemed to be a lot of loot stuffed in the hold and a fairly small number of shot raiders, but that didn't seem enough to justify the fact that Raven seemed to be in a mood somewhere between "great cat fat and happy after a meal" and "schoolgirl contemplating her first love." He had been braced for an argument on why carting around chemical weapons was a terrible idea, and how raiders who obliterate the communities they raid will go broke, but apparently he was not going to get the argument he was expecting. Instead he's receiving a "friendly" manhandling and his advice is actually being followed without complaint. He's not quite a miserable enough human being to think it's all an act on Raven's part and she's about to pull the rug from under him, but he does take the view that the universe has a nasty sense of humor.

Since Raven seems to be in such a good mood, Remington shifts mental gears from shouting match to explaining when a gemstone isn't a gemstone. Before launching into that rambling dissertation, he senses that this might be a time when a quiet word of thanks is in order.
"Raid Leader, I appreciate that we're disposing of the Lewisite (at least I'm assuming that's what Ingrid will be shooting). Frankly, I anticipated that it would be given to the Lord and Lady as a Very Big Stick with which to threaten other Oghmans who didn't want to play ball. I know I am only, strictly speaking, responsible for the jump drives, but I appreciate that my advice is at least considered in areas outside my formal assignment. I recognize I might be... unruly, in how I give my advice, but I do give it out of a sincere concern that we all make it back alive. So thank you."

With that done, it's time for the sales pitch:
"While you were in the cellar of that warehouse, I tried to keep myself occupied helping the looting crew. I was on packing duty. I'm certain that at least one of the 'gemstones' set into something I packed was actually a data storage crystal. Given that there was one, it's entirely possible that there's more. These crystals can jam absolutely colossal volumes of information into tiny physical dimensions. A crystal the size of your thumbnail could hold an entire library's worth of books. Identifying which of the gems are actually storage media is the easy part, unfortunately. The hard part is reading the data. But, that's a problem for when we've actually found storage crystals. This is all a very winding, roundabout way of asking if I can borrow anyone on the crew with any experience with computers to go over all the loot with a fine tooth comb looking for storage crystals. They certainly look pretty as gemstones, but the data they contain could be of infinitely greater value. We might get find an entire sector's worth of cookbooks, or we might find schematics for a prototype Sindalian J-3 drive. We won't know until we look, and if we sell the pieces without looking we might never know at all. And, if we're really, really lucky, it might turn out that there's a data reader in the loot or on board that can actually interface with the data format of any crystals we find."

OOC I totally intend to start a brain trust of everyone on board with the computers skill to identify storage crystals and then beg, borrow, steal, or build a reader for them. Oghman R&D Division go!

Sveinn and Bjartr listen to Raven’s words, acknowledge Remington with a respectful nod, and depart with the cylinders, heading for the personnel airlock by the Bridge.

Áshildr, who has been staying close at Raven’s side, comments Lucky you didn’t encounter those in the trap these Skeaping-ites will have laid. We’ll have to make a note. That they have that.

As the raiders depart with their cargo: Nasty stuff. No use to us. Ruins the stock. Speaking of which, I’ve got four cold berths waiting, who’d you want in them, and what’ll we do with the rest?

Leon walks up the ramp and into the hold of the Serpent, he whistles through his teeth at the impressive haul. He then heads up to his gunnery station on the bridge. Nodding hellos he sits at his station. For something to do he tunes into coms, seeing if he can pick up any coms traffic.

After a bit he hears a fait buzz ......... hears a faint something, seems so far away. He tries to tune in to pick up the signal...

He hears a brief sentence, no statement.

And England go into the lead, they lead Italy 2 goals to nil and then nothing...the signal goes blank.

Leon shakes his head, it was so faint he felt he almost imagined the signal.......almost! It's been a busy day.

Sigmundr, with Yngvildr and Dagný, finish securing the last of their cargo at the top of the hold and descend to join Raven and Kar. They still have the look of pride in their work Raven’s words instilled in them earlier.

The loot is secure, Raid Leader, Captain.

Dagný eagerly adds Can I go and organise the war-gear you took?

Ingunn and Sverrir are putting the Doomsayer to bed in the hangar deck, Gulbrandr and the remaining raiders are taking the food and drink to the Mead Hall.

Raven replies to Remington “Though I fear nothing that I can see on a battlefield a Raid Leader is often matched against the unseen - which now also includes my Lord's favour. Therefore I am still handing him a bound Sindalian demon recovered from the deep. I rely on him being too thoughtful a man to release it. However, we will dispose of the vættir named Lewiste”.

She turns and dragging him close again and speaks in quiet confidentiality “I am not enough of a fool to count myself so wise that there is nothing that I do not know. The gods create all men unknowing of their wonders and reveal them rarely. However, a crew who believe the gods are with them can perform the impossible. This is why I need a shaman to inspire the warband and why your duties now extend to the whole ship and beyond just tending the drives. I will speak to the Captain and stand responsible for you”. She adds “I also require your loyalty and for you not to grovel...it is unbecoming for a conduit to the gods. I much preferred unruly”. There may be a hint of humour in her dark eyes but it's difficult to tell and possibly dangerous to find out.

She amiably shoves Remington back to conversational distance and says “Perhaps I know more of Sindalian lore than you think? Look to the pieces I have already taken – the dragon's eye and the keystone. Perhaps the stone may be a thinking stone? Eshargamelat knows of all the sea treasures and how to clean them – work with her. The bridge crew may have knowledge of computers. I will ask if any will help”.

Picking up that the mood is reasonably pleasant (until he finds a way to torpedo it,) Remington flashes Raven a vaguely amused smile.
"Oh Raid Leader. If you think that's grovelling I don't know how you'll ever get on when you aren't kicking in doors. That wasn't grovelling, that was called being diplomatic. You know, being nice so people will be nice back? I'm sure you've heard some variation on the expression of catching more flies with honey than vinegar. It would certainly explain your handling of Eshargamelat. Grovelling and diplomacy are two totally separate things. You'd know if I was grovelling, because I'm pretty sure you'd shoot me then and there to spare me the indignity of ever trying to regain the crew's respect. Diplomacy gets you places, grovelling just gets you and everyone nearby embarrassed and possibly angry."

Remington acknowledges Raven's permission to search for data crystals and suborn Eshargamelat's help to do so and then hovers. He thinks the conversation is wrapping up, but he isn't quite sure he's free to wander off and doesn't want to simply turn his back on the Raid Leader if she still has something to say to him.

Raven shrugs “Oghma doesn't deal overmuch in diplomatic but I fear it is what our Jarl would have us attempt as we go about his task”.

She continues “I made deals with Eshargamelat. We both got what we wanted but I'm not sure it was diplomatic. She will be useful - as will you. Find this hidden knowledge and we will truly be Heirs of the Dragon!”

Then she gives a wry smile and adds “Shaman, in your great wisdom, remember that when dealing with what has been lost there is much hidden in plain sight that you are too learned to see”.

Raven takes her leave of her Shaman with a hearty clap on the shoulder and goes to check that Manfred is done at the Temple.

Manfred is still leaning on the doorframe chatting to someone inside as Raven walks the short distance from Serpent to Temple (with Rúna at her side). He has removed his suit's helmet and only has his respirator/filter mask on. As Raven nears he reacts to something, looks around and sees Raven, steps into the doorway, says something to his interlocutor, then turns with a big smile. Standing in the middle of the portal he greets Raven:

Raid Leader! Successful day I gather.?

Welcome to the temple. Older than the rest of Skeaping by a few thousand, I'd say. Might be some stones of whatever the place was called then in the walls though.

There is a splash inside the building. Manfred smiles and relaxes his posture, limping to lean on the frame again.

Happy to show you 'round. Fascinatin' place. Got lots of the old stuff, but there's a new cult with a new deity bossin' the joint. Classic overlay. Adapted the original lore, made the first god consort of the new one. 'Cos, of course, after yer world gets stomped by Ortillery and plague-bombs yer old gods are out of a job, but people still want to pray for help. Market opportunity. That's my retirement plan. Find a nice little world, sign 'em up for a god that scratches their itch.

Raven still wears the trace of a smile as she approaches Manfred.

As she hears his patter and the splash from within she lengthens her stride and her black eyes snap into focus as she shows her teeth in what could be mistaken for a grin but is simply an instinctive reaction to being kept from what is hers. She doesn't slow at all but accelerates and uses her momentum and superior strength to drive Manfred back through the threshold where he can not support his wounded leg.

Raven speaks as she shoves "You overstep your guest rights. I am indeed Raid Leader and I will not be turned aside by a farþegi!* It seems that you now prove yourself sentimental as well as older and slower than me, Manfred. By the way, the man who shot you is in the Corpsehall - you are welcome".

She growls "His new gods favoured him as well as every other excuse for a warrior I met today!"

She keeps their separation close, well within the brutally short range of her sawn off and Battle Hag's terrible reach, and stares him down. "Now, if your pride hurts more than your leg, reach for your rifle or challenge me and we will make the square! Otherwise leave your weapon on the ground. Do so and you will both live to tell lies as a priest and also tell me who you are protecting. I'd hurry up. After a successful day Rúna and I like to relax by fishing Oghman style - with grenades".

She orders "Rúna, our guest has aided the enemy. If he misbehaves anymore feed him to the ocean".

She then keys her comm "Ingunn bring the Doomsayer back out - I've lost a swimmer out of the temple".

(OOC: * Trans: passenger. Raven seems to pack a certain amount of invective into the term. It is also possible that Raven and Manfred may have fallen into a certain theological dissonance...

Manfred may have been in company of the "Oghman Outreach" school of thought at the Jarl's Court for a while but it seems that Raven was the most freethinking Old Skool Raider they could get on the programme... and that's your problem right there!

Having been caught in flagrante actively aiding and abetting the enemy (waaay past mere consorting!) he's only got the Jarl's apparent favour and Raven's new found diplomacy to thank for not already being in melee. He may currently be just a fag paper short of getting the good news...

Opposed Str roll?
Roll(2d6)+0:
2,6,+0
Total:8
Str 9 / +1
Raven is more than twice as strong as Manfred and she knows he is weak and wounded and will instinctively leverage both. Her aggression may also surprise him.

Tactics
Roll(2d6)+2:
4,5,+2
Total:11).

Manfred sees the danger coming, indeed appears to expect it, and does not resist Raven in any way, allowing himself to be moved aside without offering any hint of challenge.

The temple is empty. The structure curves away on either hand, and the there is a circular colonnaded shrine opposite.

There are only columns supporting the roof on the seaward side, allowing a view of the ocean and glimpses of the curving arcades and the inner sanctum beyond. There are large, brightly painted double doors sealing the entrance to the shrine. They depict a huge woman with long entwined tentacles in place of legs towering over two male figures.

The spaces between the columns allow glimpses into the interior, which contains strangely shaped figures.

The water to the left of the painted doors is disturbed, but there is no sign of a swimmer.

Manfred, still smiling, addresses Raven: No disrespect intended, I assure you. Thought your raid had filled the Serpents gullet, so one little fish wouldn't matter. Anyway, you'd already let her go once. Probably wise, or just lucky. I think these cultists've pulled off the big trick. They've got a god that turns up.

Ingunn replies: On my way, Raid Leader.

Sverrir, Hrafn, chocks away, get in place. Bjartr, fancy a ride?

Remembering her comm she utters an oath and switches to receive.

Raven notices a familiar shape at 11 o'clock on the inner door. A Marduk Dragon.

Raven glares at Manfred “My pond, my fish” and then keys her comm “Ingunn, stand down – it was a straggler”. In defiance of all the evidence apparent before her she snarls defensively “You can't create gods!”

Then, recalling a very recent conversation about diplomacy and because Manfred seems intent on giving her nothing further on which to vent her ire she tries a different tack. Indicating the doors she says “You should get back aboard the Serpent – unless you want to start your new calling as a liar here? However, before you do give me the tour. Since you are an expert on new gods who is this kraken lady?”

Keying her comm again on the tactical channel she says “Serpent, the Temple is interesting, send Many Names down with my rifle and ammo. I might be about to offend the Temple spirits and those inhabiting his head will outnumber them”.

(OOC: My last's a veiled invitation for any who wish to come and join at the Temple (of Doom). If the GM's got his crayons out and done a map then we're obliged to interact with it under "Gamer's Lore" . Back aboard directly).

Raven glares at Manfred “My pond, my fish” and then keys her comm “Ingunn, stand down – it was a straggler”.

True, sorry. Pretty little fish too. Maybe not your type though.

I mean, not the obedient servant sort. Wilful. Bit full of herself. More trouble than she's worth.

In defiance of all the evidence apparent before her she snarls defensively “You can't create gods!”

Maybe not. You can certainly create belief in a god though. If it helps, I think this cult's deity was just kind of here when the old ones weren't. Big, powerful, mysterious. Present. Even helpful, sort of, sometimes. That's the checklist. Well, present's an optional extra, but.

Then, recalling a very recent conversation about diplomacy and because Manfred seems intent on giving her nothing further on which to vent her ire she tries a different tack. Indicating the doors she says “You should get back aboard the Serpent – unless you want to start your new calling as a liar here? However, before you do give me the tour. Since you are an expert on new gods who is this kraken lady?”

Here? Rotten prospect. Poor people, bad neighbourhood. Nah, I'm looking to carve out a niche somewhere civilised.

Haven't done the full tour myself yet, but I've picked up some things. This outer bit, that's full of the old gods. They're sort of vassals now, I think. Main one's that fish-looking guy. Bods with the feet might be priests, or they might be the god on land. Rubati wasn't too clear on that herself. I'd bet on priest. The inner temple is Sabitum's now. Looking forward to seeing that. She's the bint with the legs that go all the way. Seems like she sends gert big beasties to protect the place in dire times. Guess you don't count as dire times, strange to say. Next time, eh?

Ingunn keeps the APC ready for take-off, just in case, and is sitting at her controls chatting to Bjartr and her crew if anyone wants a ride to the Temple.

Maps just mean displacement activity. I'm an inveterate doodler and creator of more detail than is strictly necessary, don't think the presence of a sketch implies plot-significance. I drew a plan of the whole of Zinat's house, even though I couldn't imagine anyone going up into the attic servants quarters....

Images here: viewtopic.php?f=978&t=10565&p=559543#p559543

Remington's sigh isn't as heavy as one might expect when he hears Raven call for him as a weapons gopher, but it's certainly still there. His brisk amble into the safety of the ship turns into a brisk, irritated amble as he heads towards the armory. As he walks he comms Ingunn:
"Hold the APC for me, the Raid Leader has appointed me rifle gopher. She wouldn't have left that in there with you on the ride back, would she? It would certainly save me time if she had, Lords know all these rifles look the same to me."

Assuming it will take Ingunn a moment to check the hold (or find someone to do it for her), Remington opens a direct line to Raven:
"You know, leaving your toys lying around is a great way to lose them. Did you bring your rifle when you left the ship, or should I be able to find it in the armory?"

I went looking through the old posts to see if I could find the last reference to Raven's rifle (say that five times fast). The last reference I'm seeing is page 11 when Raven slings it, so presumably it got dumped in the APC with the rest of her gear when she stripped down to play tunnel rat.

I went looking through the old posts to see if I could find the last reference to Raven's rifle (say that five times fast). The last reference I'm seeing is page 11 when Raven slings it, so presumably it got dumped in the APC with the rest of her gear when she stripped down to play tunnel rat.

Raven did recover her rifle to stand against the potential appearance of the dragon, then left it in the care of Áshildr when the APC returned to the Serpent. Áshildr still has Raven's war-gear with her in the hold, where she is assessing the remaining prisoners.

Note: the APC hangar and hold are separated by the (sealed) engineering compartment. At present it is quicker to walk around the ship between the two, in flight there are two lift shafts, one either side of the Longhouse.

Raven speaks to Manfred projecting her voice to carry about the temple “So you'd say she was pretty? Already you have a priest's eye, Manfred. I first noticed she was determined and then agile”.

She adds “And troublesome? Then I will offer her the chance to trouble the stars themselves!”

Raven then raises her voice to the volume that carries through the battle noise of fire, blades and death. “You in the water! Here's one chance to change the course of your life. You are watchful so know it was my word that let your people fight the fire under our guns. You have seen me in my war glory. My name is Raven Sorrow and I lead this raid. I came up from little and I will likely die in battle but while I live I have much. I ride a dragon between the stars and now I journey away from Oghma and Marduk both. Step forth and ride the stars with me of your own freewill and you will neither be harmed or enslaved but taken on as crew. You will become only what you make of yourself. I so swear it on my name and blade”.

She then turns to Manfred “Well, go on ahead and shove open the inner temple door “nearly priest”. Surely as a false god Sabitum has little more magic than your yet to be invented religion? I see no kraken set against us!” She eyes up the illustrated door and looks about for an approaching Shaman as she says “That's unless you want me to blow holes in it?" By way of critique she adds "Her legs are indeed long but I prefer mine without suckers on them”.

She keys her comm and replies to Remington "Áshildr has my war gear and my rifle - don't fiddle with it! I'll need it if there's a kraken". She then adds "Use your powers to ward us from the false gods in the Temple".

(OOC: Love that Manfred's looking for that elusive Father Ted “Beverly Hills” parish!

Apols for confusion re: Raven's kit location - she should have been more specific

At least she included some focus this time round! ).

Hearing Raven's reply, Remington abruptly redirects from the armory to the APC and breaths a quiet sigh of relief he won't have to guess which weapon is Raven's. In his mind they should be interchangeable, but he's quite certain that they aren't. On his way to the APC, he comms Áshildr:

"The Raid Leader needs her rifle. She might want the rest of her gear as well, she didn't actually specify. Can't hurt to bring the whole kit and caboodle though. I'm apparently the delivery boy, so I'm hitching a ride with the APC. Any chance you can meet me there with the goodies?"

Áshildr responds to the call, after a brief pause. She sounds a little surprised at first, then cheerfully helpful.

Remington?

Yes, I have the weapon. I will bring it to the Doomsayer.

Arriving in the hangar she hands Remington the rifle and gestures for him to enter the vehicle. Following, she addresses Bjartr: Raid Leader Sorrow may need to reload, fetch another magazine.

To Ingunn, Sverrir and Hrafn, indicating "helmets on": Comms check and pre-flight.

Once everyone is distracted she settles in very close to Remington and speaks in a quiet, friendly tone: Thrall Remington, you do well for yourself. Lady Vigdis has shown you great favour, and now even Raven Sorrow allows you some recognition. You appear to have the knack of charming people. Perhaps you ought to exercise that talent on me. Her tone becomes suddenly icy: Before you publicly address me again in such a familiar manner as you did just now, Thrall. The ice melts instantly and the warmth of friendly advice returns: Discipline and respect are vital with young learners like these, as I expect you understand. I'm sure I'll hear you show both from now on. You walk a fine line, you know. Your abilities earn you privileges, but you remain property. Remember that. Privileges can be revoked.

Raven finds you useful, and I will not spoil her opinion of you by mentioning the matter. It never happened. It never will. Now, let us go and be useful to Raven together, eh?

Remington, finding himself uncomfortably close to a potentially murderous woman for the second time in approximately half an hour, shuffles as far away as he thinks he can get away with (which isn't far, but enough that Ashildr isn't in physical contact). His response comes in a surprisingly conversational tone, though there's certainly a tremulous quaver running through it:
"I certainly understand the need for discipline. It wasn't my intent to show a lack of respect, simply a failure on my part to know how to do so. In short, I don't exactly know how to address you, my lady." This title is given tentatively, and Remington watches closely for Ashildr's reaction. "I apologize for my failings, but I simply don't know what your proper title is. I imagine the first name basis is not a two-way street. If you would be so kind as to relieve some of my ignorance, I will do my utmost to give you no further reasons for these... little talks."

There's an awkward pause here, and Remington's eyes roam the inside of the Doomsayer nervously. He visibly steels himself and fixes his gaze somewhere near enough to Ashildr to be clearly addressing her, but not actually looking at her.
"I imagine I'll live to regret asking this, but if your goal here is the development of proper respect and discipline among the younger crew, I don't understand your teaching methods. I've been forced to teach in the past, and while it would certainly be an exaggeration to say I've had to teach discipline, I have been required to inculcate a certain... scrupulousness. The kinds of devices that can simulate the environment within jump space, which are not identical to a jump drive" here Remington's eyes narrow into a glare, despite their dangerous proximity to Ashildr "are not the kind of devices which one takes apart lightly, especially not while in operation. Any research aid of mine who got at all close to a maintenance panel while the devices were powered up received a direct and thorough screaming at. I didn't always give them the boot, but I certainly implied it was an option."

Remington pauses, realizing he's starting to drift from his point. "My point here being that the young are a lot like dogs: if you want to train them, you need to punish them for behaviors promptly, and have a clear link between the punishment and the behavior. If you're trying to teach these raiders the importance of discipline, a private chat like this won't meet your goal. From their perspective, I got mouthy and nothing happened. I imagine you know all this already, which means you've got something planned. I'm not volunteering to be made an example of, but if I know how you're planning on teaching these raiders discipline I could... play the part you need. Of course, I don't mean to imply you need any help. I'm certain you've got things all mapped out. I'm just offering to help, if you'd like it. Feel free to tell me to shut up and slap me around a bit, it's what Ridley would do."

Áshildr lets Remington get his space, having achieved her aim in unsettling him. After letting him speak she replies;

Thank you for your thoughts on discipline, I will add them to my own. You’ll be relieved to hear I don’t intend to take up your offer on punishment though. I prefer encouragement and good example anyway. These whelps are already housebroken, after all, someone else did the basics. Obedience they understand, Raven and I are here to teach them to think.

No, I don’t need to teach them discipline, and it’s neither my place nor my desire to teach you by physical means. She smirks at Remington before teasing him with: You and Ridley might enjoy that, but it’s not my thing. Becoming confidential again: Really, though, it’s for Raven’s sake. She has plans for you that require the youngsters to think you special. It would tarnish your shiny new status as spirit-touched ship’s mascot if I beat or berated you. So, advice this time, but, I will remember that you owe me something.

Settling into her seat and relaxing: It is not that I want you to use a title when you address me, I have never felt that titles suit me. It was more your tone. Too familiar. You seem to be starting to think of yourself as equal. That is dangerous. As I say, Raven finds you useful, but do not think that means you can talk to other Oghmen freely, or she will be forced to do something about it, and that will spoil your usefulness.

I see your problem though. Everyone has a title, even these warriors. They are Blades, or Raiders if you want to flatter them. What to call me? Some call me Segja frá Áshildr, but that is a little too... nuanced. Lærimóðir? Or perhaps þjálfari is better on this job.

In Imperial she adds: I like to think I'm more a mentor than a coach though.

Edited to add the title lærimóðir (mistress, now softened to teacher)