Session 6
The next day, the party decided to set off for the various shipwrecks. The first two they investigated bore some paltry treasure, and no usable wood. The third wreck was massive, and appeared to be a watership, as bizarre as that sounded. Trance poked around stealthily and confirmed there was no threat. The party milled about inside the tipped ship, noting a huge skeleton in a cage, something appearing quite alien- somewhat like a four-armed gorilla.
There were many other skeletons laying about, and Sylas searched them for firearms, finding a few destroyed pistols. Exploring the upper deck with some difficulty, Sylas peered out the cavernous hole in the ship at the plateau it was resting on. He called for a rope and Trance supplied her own. Just as she was unwinding it for use, Alarac attempted to open a large chest, activating the dormant skeletons, which rose up all around them, ready to fight.
Sessions 7-9
A battle ensues between the party and several groups of skeletons. Sylas quickly blessed Trance's drawn arrow, and her shot tore through two skeletons which were menacing Umi. She proceeded to wipe out the remaining three in that group, whilst Alarac swiped ineffectively at his own group of animated remains. Bullets fired and ricocheted, ice flew, and Sylas swapped places with Mischief in order to cause confusion. Alarac gathered himself and roared, pulverizing the clawing bones around him into dust. One by one, the remaining skeletons fell, until all lay in true death.
The party took a collective breath in relief, and set about healing themselves with potion and spell. Guncat sauntered nonchalantly out of the woodwork, where he had apparently been napping. Attention then turned to the massive chest which sparked the conflict.
No one had a thief's kit, so imaginative measures were tossed around. Trance gave several bad suggestions, leading to the destruction of the lock. Then, Mischief fired on the lock, causing a sound of shattering glass as the bullet ricocheted around inside the chest. Swearing was uttered.
Trance and Sylas left the chest to return to the rope, fastening it and dropping it to the plateau below. They climbed down and looked around for a moment, but then, the rattling of bones was heard as several more skeletons animated. Sylas, caught unawares, was set upon by a skeletal pirate captain, which grasped Sylas's arm and sucked the life force from him.
Immediately, Trance scampered for high ground, leaping and clawing back up the side of the ship with feline speed. She shouted warning to the rest of the crew before taking aim and firing at the offending captain. The others scrambled to the rope, except for Umi, who stood by Trance to fire on the enemy from above. It was a close fight, but the crew managed to re-kill the unquiet bones.
Trance collapsed, pulling out her catnip pipe, lighting it, and taking a long drag. Since joining this group of shaveskins and lizards, she had been in more conflicts and had been closer to death with more frequency than ever before in her life. She wondered if this was normal for them, and hoped desperately that it wasn't. It was exhausting.
The crew commenced their exploration of the captain's quarters with great caution. Umi cast dancing lights, and Sylas and Alarac ventured into what seemed like the map room. Trance crept silently into the bedroom, and quietly picked among the wreck of a bed. She found a small, ivory-inlaid cigar box, and tucked it into her bag. The rattling of nearby bones caused her to leap in place. Another reanimated skeleton was shackled to the wall. It shivered and cowered.
Alarac wandered in, just then, and began to draw his sword at the sight of another potential enemy. Trance motioned to stay his hand, telling him that this one appeared harmless and terrified. They tried to communicate with the bones, but it could not speak. Alarac and Trance were hesitant to set it free to use its hands to communicate, and were at an impasse. Sylas stepped in and a similar situation ensued- namely the drawing of sword and the cautioning against violence. Sylas stepped closer to the skeleton and also attempted to communicate. He managed to get it to rattle twice for yes and once for no. (Session was cut short due to technical difficulties)