Hayday - On Set (IC)

Selena notes the spider pony, then tosses her package to her, "Oh yes, I think I got what I needed out of that."

Vari raises an eyebrow in curiosity as she catches the package. She quickly reads over the letter and skims the newspapers, then she says, "Let's see what we have here." and opens the box.

Ramsus wrote:Vari raises an eyebrow in curiosity as she catches the package. She quickly reads over the letter and skims the newspapers, then she says, "Let's see what we have here." and opens the box.

You rip off the wrapping paper and open the present, only to find a small, crudely carved jade sculpture of a spider. It occasionally glows a dim green for a second...

Vari pokes The Jade Spider a couple times.

Ramsus wrote:Vari pokes The Jade Spider a couple times.

As you tap the figure, you feel a very slight power course through you, but the more you touch it, the more it breaks apart...

Vari stops poking The Jade Spider and waits for the two ponies who would understand this kind of thing to come out and look at it.

"Yes, I think we all know not to mess with each other- not to mention that we shouldn't as we have bigger things to worry about. I'm sure Jill was just testing your hearing, Selena. It's good to know each others capabilities, if we're being forced to work together for our unknown benefactor."

Jade went out to where Vari had stopped poking at her strange new jade spider statuette.

"What have you got there? Mind if I take a look?"

The statue looked crude- but was obviously magical, and probably fragile. Jade looked it over thoroughly before deciding whether or not to gingerly pick it up and examine it more closely.

Spoiler:

Curunir wrote:

Spoiler:

The statue isn't an artifact per say, but you do know what it is based on. This is based on miniature totem poles crafted by an ancient buffalo tribe know as the Hideatsa tribe. Before gathering food, the creative members of the tribe would quickly craft a small totem pole for the gatherers, believing that if the gather ended up in trouble and needed the blessing of the spirits, they could break the tiny pole, and the spirits will quickly aid them for whatever they need, be it helping a fellow tribe member or escaping a dangerous situation. Of course, whether it worked or not is debatable. This statue has been made with surprisingly weak jade to allow it to be easily crushed, but also enchanted with some sort of magic to boost the strength of the user. It was most likely made out of jade to grab your attention, and the gift itself was not designed to be all that useful, but rather as a small little gift to show that your new employer is capable of providing such things...

(The statue provides the following utility talent:)

Spoiler:

After seeing that the Spider had such a stature she went to check if she had one in her box as well...

Xel Unknown wrote:After seeing that the Spider had such a stature she went to check if she had one in her box as well...

You open your own present and find a similar statue inside, although it is a in the shape of a flask and not a spider...

Jade stopped inspecting the spider and turned to the rest of the group to explain what she found. No point hiding anything- the magically sensitive would be able to tell it had some minor magic, and the perceptive members of the group would note the occasional faint glow. No need to exaggerate it's importance either, though.

"Hm. Looks like a Hideatsa Totem. Not an original, derivitive. Careful- they're fragile, and supposed to be that way. Break one and the spirits are supposed to aid you in your present endeavor- don't know if these run on 'spirits', but certainly seem to have some magic to them. Might be worth breaking it if you're in a spot of trouble- but it's a one-shot deal, so if you'd rather have a keepsake or save it for a rainy day I'd be careful with it. I would guess we all got one- a trinket "

Jade saw Jill opening her package, and checked her own, expecting she got a figurine as well.

Curunir wrote:Jade saw Jill opening her package, and checked her own, expecting she got a figurine as well.

Indeed you do. Well, kinda. You have a lump of jade which hasn't been carved into anything, but it still glows...

"Interesting... I wonder what other values this mystery employer might be able to give us..." Jill wonders to herself.

Jade pondered her figure- or chunk of Jade for a moment, wondering what it meant that hers hadn't been carved.  It seemed like it could be still used like the others- she could see if she could make something with it without damaging it later.

"Alright.  We've got what we came here for.  We should get going back to the ship- if it's still there, and hasn't been noticed."

Jade started walking back towards the docks.

Selena, having been bored enough to fall asleep, wakes up and silently pads after Jade, "I do believe you're right dear."

"Fascinating. I wonder if mine follows the same pattern... " Bullion opens the box, quite curious as to what it contains.

Retrokinesis wrote:"Fascinating. I wonder if mine follows the same pattern... " Bullion opens the box, quite curious as to what it contains.

Your box contains similar things to everyone else. Objects of personal value (most notably your suit, hat, and a good chunk of your jewellery), newspapers, an envelope with a letter same as everyone else's, and a present containing a block of jade carved into the shape of a bar of gold...

(I assume at this point everyone is now ready to head back to the docks?)

Bullion grins like a maniac at the sight of his personal effects. "HAHA! Finally. Now I'm somewhat presentable, at least". He dons the scarlet suit, slips the golden bangles over his limbs and neck, and flips the wide-brimmed hat onto his head. He takes the contents of his box - jade bar and letter in particular - and slips them into an interior pocket of the jacket. "I suppose that means we are going to be working together for a while longer. Jade, are these statues rare? If so, our mystery employer either has access to stores of artifacts or a means of crafting them. Quite a bit of expense to go through, not to mention breaking us out... "

"Yes- I would say arranging for our breakout, and the convenient deposit of our possessions and these 'gifts' are better indications of our new patron's power than the artifacts themselves- again, they are magical, but simple enough- one-time use, and not original- these were likely crafted specifically for us. So you are probably right that they made it themselves- or have influence with someone else who could."

Paper Shadow wrote:(I assume at this point everyone is now ready to head back to the docks?)

(I believe we are ready to go)

Finished with retrieving your items (both new and old), you return to the docks. When you arrive, you spot two bemused pier security guards talking in front of the prison transport ship. They haven't noticed you yet...

Vari looks around to see who else is around that might be watching.

---

Perception: 10 + 19 = 29.
I cannot remember if we have instant party or grandeur or any such things. Either way, with that roll I suggest someone aid me?

Jill tries to help in looking around for anypony else... She wouldn't want any witnesses if they're going to do what she hopes they'll be doing to these two security guards.

---

Perception: 1D20+4 => [ 18 ] +4 = 22... Something told me to roll... Like the fact that nobody else did yet. And the dice said, yes, get a good roll... XD

I've been meaning to do Instant Party with us... But it's IC flavoring kinda makes everyone else not wanta allow the Mad Science pony to do things to them.

Ramsus wrote:Perception: 10 + 19 = 29.

Xel Unknown wrote:Perception: 1D20+4 => [ 18 ] +4 = 22...

You both don't see anypony watching specifically, but you do see a ship which is being unloaded, the sailors doing so making passive glances around as they carry boxes off the ship on their backs. They are easily within hearing range though. A yell, scream, or cry for help will grab their attention for sure...

Jill tries to then stealthily approach the two guards to get an understanding of that they were doing at the moment.

stealth roll:

Xel Unknown wrote:

stealth roll:

You sneakity sneak up to the guards and listen in to their conversation...

"So, what, do we just stand here until the owners of the ship comes back?"

"Seems like it."

"And if they don't?"

The green pony shrugs. "We lock the ship up and report it to be moved. Can't keep it here, it's just wasting space. It isn't scheduled to be here and the owners didn't check in with us to see if the space was booked."

"Was the space booked?"

"Well, no, but it's a common courtesy, you know?"

"...Do you think it's a ghost ship?"

"It ain't a ghost ship."

"It could be! It had that huge web around the mast, and there was nopony onboard."

"There weren't any webs anywhere else on the ship."

"Because of the ghost cleaners, duh!"

The green one just sighs...