That Book of Dancing might be a good idea. BenKii may have to trade out his current book for that book of Dance before the next mission.

Aeshma seemed interested about the dart competition but asked about some "stakes or dares". BenKii thought for a moment and said, "Well, we could keep it simple and put stakes on 2 orders of Heal Wounds Bandages. If I win, then the the order is half price but if you win then I pay double." BenKii thought for a moment about making it a drinking competition where the loser of each round had to take a shot of rum but went against it when Aeshma purposefully stayed away from alcohol during their first date. Besides, he wasn't much for drinking either. Then thought to just ask Aeshma, "Perhaps you had some ideas? I'm open to whatever "dare" you have in mind." he said while raising his right eyebrow Quizzically. He hopes it doesn't involve skinny dipping in the cold waters.

Later, after BenKii shook hands with Frosty the Snowman, a snowball hit the back of his shoulder. Turning around he sees Cap'n Rummyfangs and Devin were the perpetrators. BenKii leans down, picks up a ball of snow, looks back at his attackers, then yells, "SNOW BALL FIGHT!!!". He throws the first right back at Devin and performs a duck and roll maneuver toward one of the cannons for cover. BenKii will throw snow balls at either Rummyfangs or Devin (whoever seems like a better target of opportunity) but if he sees Aeshma is the target of a snow ball will attempt to block the attack with his body. If BenKii sees Count Karnstein on deck then he'll toss a snow ball his way to get him to join in the fun. He also calls out to their new snowman friend, "Hey Frosty! Come join in the fun! Let's see what kind of snow-ness you possess."

additional note: If Aeshma doesn't agree with the proposed stakes then he will regularly order 2 Heal Wounds Bandages.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Devin will take his winnings and step away, foregoing Round 3.

He will participate in the snowball fight, dodging and throwing at targets of opportunity. (Devin will not try to hit the ladies until they choose to enter the playful fight and throw at him first.)

He will order a Cure Poison potion from Aeshma, and Smoke Marbles from Refyx.

Other actions and priorities as previously posted.

I hope you all had a great Christmas!

After having won Round 2, Gilius goes in for round 3, not afraid of risking his personal money to add to the stakes. He'll risk as much as he can to try to win the maximum he can, and if he loses... well it doesn't matter at all !

Then he will prepare for the dart contest training a bit.

If Aeshma is still free for some orders, he will ask her a pair of Heal wounds Bandages.
Otherwise, he'll ask Refyx for another Weapon Oil.

And a Merry Christmas to everyone !

Mission 6 - End
*Turn Ends 11:59PM UTC, 30 December 2024.*

NOTE: This next turn will be tying up Mission 6, opportunity for camaraderie, practice or using items and Crew flavor. Next turn will be a Crew party and the Dart Contest.

In order (this post, not done by initiative but by timing and story): Argy, Gilius, Devin, BenKii, Count, Aylar, Rummyfangs, Count
-----

Argy:
"In fer round 2," you declare. Leaning on the table, you place your newly earned gold coin down as your bet and grab the dice again. You've heard it said by others that halflings have luck. Might as well see if it's true.

Gilius:
You order a pair of Heal Wounds bandages from Aeshma.

You go in for Round 3, playing for fun and not afraid of risking your personal money to add to the stakes. You risk it all to try to win the maximum you can, and if you lose, well it doesn't matter at all! You take the dice again, seeing where luck takes you.

As you are delighting in the magical snowman you all made happen, a snowball fight ensues, started by Cap'n Rummyfangs and Devin. Captain BenKii returns fire, urging the snowman to join in. Suddenly a lightly packed snowball hits your staff and breaks open, dusting magical snow over your hair and beard, making you look like a dwarven Father Christmas in your new green robes. You see Clíodhna's eyes twinkling at you as she laughs and darts behind Frosty.

Afterwards you practice for the dart contest and do some training.

Devin: (roll dice*3)
You take your winnings and step away, foregoing Round 3. Instead you place an order for a Cure Poison potion with Aeshma and Smoke Marbles from Refyx.

"SNOW BALL FIGHT!!!" Captain BenKii yells out as he quickly packs a snowball and throws it right back at you. *Success* You successfully dodge, and throw another one, *Fail* but Captain BenKii dives behind one of the cannons for cover. The next thing you know another snowball comes curving towards you. *Success* You hear Aeshma's musical laugh as you barely dodge it in time. Your senses tell you there was magic involved. As you watch you see your lady lightly pack a snowball and suddenly turn and toss it at Gilius, then dart away behind the snowman.

Captain BenKii: (roll dice*4)
Aeshma seems interested about practicing with you for the dart competition, but also asks you about "stakes or dares." You think for a moment, then suggest, "Well, we could keep it simple and put stakes on 2 orders of Heal Wounds Bandages. If I win, then the the order is half price but if you win then I pay double." You think a moment. "Perhaps you had some ideas? I'm open to whatever "dare" you have in mind," you say while raising your eyebrow quizzically. You really hope this isn't going to involve skinny dipping in the cold waters.

Aeshma smiles sweetly, but the gleam in her eye is still there. "So tame, Captain BenKii. I thought you were an explorer with a sense of adventure. How about this? If I win, you dance with me. If you win, you win a kiss." You can almost swear you hear the barest whisper of a giggle somewhere behind you.

Later, after returning from the casino and greeting Frosty, you are hit by a snowball. Turning around you see Cap'n Rummyfangs and Devin both grinning and immediately understand. "SNOW BALL FIGHT!!!" you yell out as you lean down to pack a ball of snow and throw the first right back at Devin, *Fail* who manages to dodge.

You perform a quick duck and roll maneuver toward one of the cannons for cover *Success*, then build up your ammo, aiming for targets of opportunity between Cap'n Rummyfangs and Devin. You spot Cap'n Rummyfangs throwing his snowball at Aeshma and are about to dive in front of it to block it with your body when you notice it will fall short. The snowball splats at Aeshma's feet, perhaps as a tease. Your own throw at Cap'n Rummyfangs hits ... sort of. Actually it goes right through the spectral Felinoid captain, and he bares his fangs playfully at you while bouncing back and forth in a taunting manner. Another snowball actually hits him and you turn to see Aeshma laughing as another magically appears in her hand. Her next one curves after Devin, who barely manages to dodge it, and you realize she throws like a baseball player!

Count Karnstein returns to the Ship from the casino and you toss a snow ball his way to get him to join in the fun. *Success* While he seemed to be distracted making eyes and gestures at Cap'n Rummyfangs, your snowball hits him right in the chest, marking him with a large snowy white patch. You also call out to your new snowman friend, "Hey Frosty! Come join in the fun! Let's see what kind of snow-ness you possess."

Count Karnstein: (roll dice*4)
After Cap'n Rummyfangs' exit, you look at the door for a short while. Are all ghosts senile or what?, you wonder. Well, you'll just have to see.

Meanwhile you grab a quill and some paper and examine your Potion of Clairvoyance. Blast, how the hell does it work? Didn't come with a manual. After a moment of hesitation, you drink the potion and grab your quill, closing your eyes. Oh, the most honorable Madam Claire, 'tis I, Klaus Karnstein, who humbly asks fer yer assistance. Hoping that does it and the spirit(s) are properly appeased, you concentrate fiercely on the numbers, ready to write them down. You do not seek lottery numbers, casino numbers or coordinates. No, your concentration is on measurements, specifically the measurements a skilled seamstress would write down if she were to make an outfit for Aeshma. Sure, perhaps there is an easier way. Clíodhna likely knows all the needed parameters already, but you, as Count Karnstein, can't appear before her like some helpless schmuck, explaining and asking for aid with such a trifle. What would she think of your competencies as a crew member? No, you will present her with a precise order in a businesslike manner. It's a matter of principle.

*Success* A vision comes before you of a string ... and various knots .... Oh. You seem to have forgotten your own measurement taking by Clíodhna. [:P] However you then see a series of symbols and runes(?) which you quickly copy down. The vision fades. Looking down you can't understand a thing, except maybe a few arrows. Well, the potion did something, but did it really work or not? You guess you'll have to take the paper to Clíodhna to really know.

"What are ye lookin' at? Pish posh! 'Tis a casino or a bloody nursin' home? Havin' a spot o' emotions not allowed anymore? Warm up the dice, mister, I'm on a roll!" you tell the ghost Dealer at the casino later. You decide that for Round 3 you will raise with 3 gold of your own and hope your luck holds.

When you return to the Ship afterwards and first see Captain BenKii shaking hands with the snowman while Aeshma smiles happily, you start to panic. If that is Captain BenKii's gift for Aeshma it will be a tough one to beat. You calm down as you see Gilius with his magical druidic Orb and realize it's fortunately not the case. Seeing Aeshma busy having fun you try to make eye contact with Cap'n Rummyfangs, impatiently making questioning gestures as the spectral Felinoid tosses a snowball, then bounces back and forth in a taunting manner as another snowball passes through him. You are so concentrated on trying to attract Cap'n Rummyfangs' attention and get an answer that you are startled when a snowball hits you right in the chest, dusting your torso and cape with bright white magical snow.

Aylar:
The inquiry you send to the Ship reveals it is a snowball fight on deck. Nothing to be concerned about, the Crew is having fun after the previous missions. You settle back to resume reading your book. With the mischief you feel in your link with Clíodhna, you figure the Captain's Cabin is a safer option for you. [:P]

Captain Rummyfangs: (roll dice*3)
Your planned prank is working beautifully. The Crew on deck are involved in a playful snowball fight. Captain BenKii's snowball passes through you and after a moment's startlement, you grin and bounce back and forth, daring him to try again.

You notice Count Karnstein come aboard. He makes eyes at you and gestures impatiently. What now? You've never been good at charades. You stop to try to figure it out when you are hit with a snowball. Musical laughter rings out and you look up to see Aeshma summon another magical snowball to her hand. Purr-fect! You grin and spit another rumball into your paw, then aim it right where you want it to go.

Count Karnstein:
Obviously the spectral Felinoid captain doesn't understand plain eye contact inquiries or gestures, you think to yourself later. You are on your way to your cabin after warming up with some drink and food, finally having dried off near the galley fire from all the snowball flinging. You open your cabin door and barely miss stepping on another blasted rumball left just inside. Only this one looks flattened. What the? Then you take a good look. In the middle of the soggy snow dusted rumball is the perfect imprint of a small feminine boot.

-----
*Orders are open for Aeshma and Refyx. Preference will be given to those who didn't have orders in Rounds 1, 2 & 3, but overages will be pushed into next turn orders.

[Reveals of the study of the charts, maps, forgeries and documents, and any Dreams, will come later.]

-----
Casino Results:
Dice:
Round 2 -
Argy = 9; Dealer = 5. Argy wins 1 Gold!
Round 3 -
Count = 20 (Don't need a 2nd throw with that!); Dealer = 2. Count wins 3 Gold, 2 Silver!
Gilius = 15, 6. Dealer = 13. Gilius wins 5 Gold, 8 Silver, 6 Pieces of 8!

Gilius exclaims : Woohoo ! I'm rich ! (Not that it matters much anyway...)

On the deck, Gilius decides to up the ante ! Time to get serious ! He decides to summon Rocky on the deck to help with the snowball fight !
Rocky kneels in order to let Gilius climb on his shoulders. Then he grabs snow on the deck and packs it then show it for Gilius to take it and focus on aiming and throwing the ball. With this, it should improve significantly the firing speed rate. Gilius does the shooting while Rocky does the "reloading". Occasionnally when a snowball Goes dangerously close to Gilius, Rocky will try to intercept it with his hand to protect his rider.
Gilius decides to focus on Clìodhna to reward her for her trick on him. To help in the battle, he uses the cat o' nine whip to scrape the deck and spray all his opponents with snow.

After being exhausted by the fight, Gilius goes near Aeshma and agrees to help her make holy water if she agrees to dispel Clìodhna's magic and give him back his appearance.

That's not ideal. Looks like gibberish to me. Maybe it's in a different language or some kind o' tailors' code? Count Karnstein examines the symbols on paper from each side before giving up. He could try to bluff his way by simply handing it to Clíodhna, hoping it really is what he think it is, but if it isn't, he would only make a biggest fool of himself.

When hit with the snowball, he is outraged by the insolence of it at first, but then sends a few snowballs towards the opponents himself. He retreats after a while when situation gets too intense or awry for him.

After finding the imprint, he smiles and immediately proceeds to compare it with a red thigh boot.

Late at night, Count roams nearby the Great Cabin wishing to catch Clíodhna alone on her way back for night. If that fails, he will repeat it early in the morning before she leaves the cabin. When catches her alone, he goes towards her and says:

"Madam Clíodhna! So glad to see ye. Ye simply wouldn't believe what sticky wicket I got caught in this time. 'Tis downright embarrassin', really!" Count says in an overly dramatic tone, then continues more quietly. "My betrothed got 'erself this new garb from some ill-reputed folk I heartily advised 'er 'gainst, but she ain't listen. Such a silly goose that one, I tell ye. An' now it's all wrong! Can ye imagine? She nags me 'bout it day 'n' night, but what am I s'pose t'do now with no tailor in sight fer who knows how long? Ma'am, I wouldn't ask normally, but y'are my last resort." Count unceremoniously pushes the bundle in Clíodhna's arms. "All's there. Oh, an' can ye make heads or tails outta this scribble, perchance?" He gives her paper with the symbols. "I believe it should be right useful..."

If the scribble proves to be useless, Count will reluctantly suggest Aeshma as somebody of desired physique.

"Oh, 'bout those pants, I 'ave an idea. If it's not too much t'ask, please, get rid o' the laces an' replace 'em with an elegant seams. Then make a design of a silver serpent wrapped upward around the entire length o' the seam, like on those pharmacy signs."

If the boots turned out to be either too small or much too big, Count will ask Clíodhna if she can alter them as well. If she doesn't do cobbler's work, he will have to ask Refyx.

"When ready, please, send the stuff 'n' the bill directly to my cabin. Worry not, I just won a hefty sum at the casino. Toodle-oo!"

Devin snatches his lady out of the line of fire, blocking any snowballs aimed her way. He will help her retaliate, tossing several rapid fire at Gilius and others while dodging.

After the snowball fight he will bring her hot cinnamon tea to her cabin and stay to discuss the upcoming dart contest and his theories about the Lighthouse while his fingers work the patterns of his wooden cube.

Kyp being upset that he missed the 3rd round of gambling somehow (probably for the better)
goes up to Argy.
"Hey can me have some hot drink of some sort if you can make any, this cold is really slowing me down"

Argy will reply to Kyp, pointing behind him: "Aye, matey. I just prepared some hot cocoa mugs and left 'em o'er there."
At the moment he turns back, she'll hit him with a snowball and sneak away, going to Refyx to order another flask of fire weapon oil. She'll join the snowball fight for a while and then retire in time to prepare some hot beverages and a few (non explosive) cupcakes.

'A kiss or a dance?!' thought BenKii 'Sounds like a win win to me. Get to dance with a beautiful woman or kiss her.'

With a smile, BenKii agrees to Aeshma's proposition. He heard giggling coming from behind him and instinctively turned around to see who it was. Was someone watching them? Was it the Admiral? Did she set this all up? Most peculiar indeed.

During the snowball fight, he will stick by Aeshma and Frosty and target Rummyfangs (yeah, i know he's non-corporeal but it still counts as a point), Devin, and Count Karnstein. When BenKii sees Argy join in the the snowball fight, he'll call her over to their team (He didn't want to throw one at her while she was unaware. Don't want to make her upset. She is the cook after all. :P ). Seeing how well Aeshma can throw, BenKii could clearly tell that she can most certainly hold her own. However, being the gentleman that he was, would still block any snowballs that may hit her or pull her behind cover (either behind Frosty or a canon). Whichever action seemed the most appropriate and opportunistic would be the one he'd perform.

Afterwards, he will retire for the night in his cabin and get some reading done before going to bed. If it is possible, BenKii will trade out his Extraplanar Hoax book for that Book of Dancing in hopes of being a decent enough dancer in the case he loses the dart competition with Aeshma.

In the morning, he will return to Aeshma to go on their "2nd Date" and do some dart throwing practice. BenKii has had plenty of hand eye coordination training with his phaser and various old school FPS games. Not to mention actual dart throwing experience during his brief time aboard DS9. However short that was since the board seemed to have always been occupied by that station's Chief Engineer and Doctor.

If orders are still available and it won't affect BenKii's upcoming date with Aeshma, he will continue to stock up on healing items and order 2 Cure Disease Bandages.

(Hmmm... What's the difference between Cure Disease Bandage and Cure Disease Potion? Besides price?) [question for GM]

edit: Upon further contemplation, BenKii swaps his order from 2 Cure Disease Bandages to 2 Cure Disease Potions.

Potions work from the inside, but do not stop bleeding right away or bind or heal wounds immediately. Bandages bind wounds and help stop bleeding. Cure Disease Potions cure diseases from the inside; those inflicted by overall exposure, through magical environs or spells, drinking, being doused or breathing them in, or deeply wounded like being shot with something that penetrates deep within the body, but cannot treat the wound itself. Cure Disease Bandages are for wounds with disease; things like the Vampirate ash's necrotic disease that lands on the skin causing a festering wound, things that break the skin like a weapon that is diseased or a claw, tentacle, thorn that can scratch, prick or otherwise infect via a wound. Otherwise you would have to use both a bandage for the wound and a Cure Disease potion for the disease.

NOTE: You can always use a regular bandage and a Heal or Cure potion to make that type of bandage. One potion can make 2 of that type of bandage: 1 Heal Potion + 2 bandages makes 2 Heal Wounds bandages; 1 Cure Disease Potion + 2 bandages makes 2 Cure Disease bandages; 1 Cure Poison potion + 2 bandages could make 2 Cure Poison bandages. So don't think that having some regular bandages on hand isn't useful. Even pouring an alcohol (ale/rum) on a bandage can help stop a wound from becoming infected if the party is out of Heal Wounds bandages. ;)

Crew Party & Dart Contest Announced
*Turn Ends 11:59PM UTC, 10 January 2025.*

NOTE: TURN EXTENSION
Currently 3 members of Crew and myself have RL circumstances that are requiring attention, so I am extending this 'party' turn to 10, January 2025.

In order (this post, not done by initiative but by timing and story): Kyp, Argy, Gilius, BenKii, Devin, Count, Dart Contest Announcement.
-----

Kyp (roll dice*2)
"Hey can me have some hot drink of some sort if you can make any, this cold is really slowing me down," you say to Argy once you are back from gaming at the casino.

She points you to some hot cocoa she's prepared. Thinking about the nice hot drink, you don't notice Argy grabbing up some snow as you turn to go grab one. Suddenly you are hit by a snowball in the back! Spinning around, you see the Crew engaged in a snowball fight, including a giant snowman and Gilius perched on Rocky, but you have no clue who actually threw one at you.

Argy: (roll dice*8)
Kyp asks if you can make him a hot drink. "Aye, matey. I just prepared some hot cocoa mugs and left 'em o'er there." You point him towards the hot cocoa you've brought out for the Crew. The moment he turns his back you quickly make a snowball and toss it at him, hitting Kyp in the back.

You sneak away to order a Fire Weapon Oil from Refyx, then go and join in the snowball fight. Your smaller stature is perfect for sneaking up the fore stairs and taking cover behind the longboat. Your aim is good and you manage to hit Captain BenKii's rear as he's bending over to grab more snow. He spins around, but by then you have snuck into another position and throw one that hits Count Karnstein's shoulder. Seeing this, Captain BenKii calls for you to come join his team. You miss Devin as he dashes across the deck to snatch Clíodhna out of the line of fire, but almost knock Gilius off his perch on Rocky. You even manage to throw one right through Cap'n Rummyfangs' spectral hat! He turns and grins at you before dodging back away. After having your fun, you retire to the galley to prepare some hot beverages and a few (non explosive) cupcakes.

Gilius: (roll dice*5)
The snowball thrown by Clíodhna breaks apart on your staff and the magical snow drifts over your hair and beard, turning them white. Your friend, the admiral, has made you look like a dwarven Father Christmas! You decide to up the ante and summon Rocky to help with the snowball fight! Rocky kneels and you climb up on his shoulders, then he grabs snow and packs it into a ball before passing it to you to throw. It is a lot of balancing up and down as Rocky repeatedly bends over to grab more snow, but that also helps you 'duck' snowballs coming your way, those that Rocky doesn't intercept with his hand.

You decide to focus on Clíodhna to reward her for her trick on you. Devin dashes across the deck and snatches Clíodhna, spinning her out of the way, then swiftly throws a snowball back at you, which Rocky intercepts. Then Frosty gets into it, focusing on Rocky as a worthy opponent of his size, while also defending Clíodhna. It's too bad the loaned Cat O' Nine Tails has returned to its place on the Ship, you think to yourself. You could have used it to o scrape the deck and spray your opponents with snow. A snowball hits you from the side, almost unseating you. From your perch on Rocky you barely catch sight of Argy ducking back behind the longboat as she packs another snowball, this time aiming for Cap'n Rummyfangs.

After being exhausted by the fight, you go near Aeshma and agree to help her make holy water if she agrees to dispel Clìodhna's magic and give you back your appearance. Aeshma smiles at you in delight. "It's just the magical snow," she tells you, winking as she reaches to brush some snow from your beard. "Your regular appearance will return to normal once it melts." You accompany Aeshma to her shop, where the two of you manage to make 6 more holy water for the Crew from the magical snow and your blessing.

Captain BenKii: (roll dice*7)
'A kiss or a dance?!' you think to yourself. 'Sounds like a win win to me. Get to dance with a beautiful woman or kiss her.' With a smile, you quickly agree to Aeshma's proposition. You hear quiet giggling coming from behind you and instinctively turn around to see who it is, but nobody is nearby. Is someone watching you? Could it be the Admiral? Did she set this all up? You look around and see Clíodhna further away, involved in a conversation with Aylar, Devin, Grog'tial and Refyx. Most peculiar indeed.

During the snowball fight you call out, "Hey Frosty! Come join in the fun! Let's see what kind of snow-ness you possess." The snowman produces grapefruit sized snowballs and begins throwing them at Cap'n Rummyfangs until Gilius brings out Rocky and focuses on Clíodhna, then he throws them at Rocky. Ducking quickly, you are dusted with snow as snowball thrown by Count Karnstein explodes across the top of the cannon.

You see Devin dash across the deck to snatch and spin Clíodhna out of the way of Gilius's snowball, almost like a dance, which reminds you to check into borrowing that Book of Dancing if you can. Just in case Aeshma wins the dart practice dare. You hope with it you can be a decent enough dancer. Your thoughts are on that as you are bending over to grab more snow and get hit in the rear. Spinning around, you don't see who threw it, but later you spot Argy joining in and scoring one on Count Karnstein's shoulder. You call to her to join your team, not wanting to throw one at her while she is unaware. She is the cook after all. You wouldn't want to make her upset with you.

Seeing how well Aeshma can throw, you can tell she can most certainly hold her own. However, being the gentleman that you are, when you see another snowball tossed her way you quickly dive to block it with your own body, then pull her back behind the cannon with you, as Frosty and Rocky's duel has erupted into more of a free-for-all of snow. Aeshma smiles at you, then summons another snowball and sends it chasing after Cap'n Rummyfangs like some seeker torpedo. You begin to get the idea that you might not win that dart dare after all.

Later that night you do manage to borrow the Book on Dancing. It may not help you with dodging during the next mission, but studying it closely does show you a few steps to use with Aeshma. Which, as it happens, turns out to be fortunate as you meet Aeshma for your dart practice "date" after a late breakfast while her potions are distilling. You have plenty of hand-eye coordination training with your phaser and various old school FPS games. Not to mention some actual dart throwing experience during your brief time aboard DS9. Aeshma insists you go first, to show her the correct stance and how it's done. However when it is her turn, you could swear you detect slight nudges in flight, curving throws and even increases in speed as it hones in on the dartboard. Woodkett certainly seems more agitated and alarmed with her throws.

Aeshma turns to you with a wink and a mischievous teasing smile. "I believe you owe me a dance at the Crew party, Captain BenKii," she says. "Oh, and you don't have to worry," she confides. "I'm not allowed to compete in the contest." Once again you hear a very faint giggle as the merest hint of a breeze ruffles her hair.

Good sport that you are, you concede to the dance, then order order 2 Cure Disease Potions.

Devin: (roll dice*3)
Seeing Gilius focusing his aim on Clíodhna, you dash across the deck to snatch and spin her out of the line of fire. You block any snowballs aimed your lady's way, then help her retaliate. Soon you are working together with perfectly coordinated and familiar movements, just as you both used to for so many decades before the Council's interference. She summons, you toss in a rapid fire manner, dusting Gilius and others with snow while dodging and continuing to block, until you realize she has managed to shield you both. You are close to the Lighthouse. It is a sign her powers are returning.

After the snowball fight you bring hot cinnamon tea to the admiral's cabin. You discuss the upcoming dart contest and inform her you do not think it fair to compete yourself, but suggest a prize you can award instead. (per PM) She agrees. You also discuss theories about the Lighthouse while working the patterns of your wooden cube.

As night swiftly falls, she summons Sensei to bring you both food, He also hands you hot mulled wine and your lady motions to your herb pouch. It is the middle night of moondark. She will not have you spend it alone.

Count Karnstein: (roll dice*6)
You examine the symbols on the paper. That's not ideal. Looks like gibberish to me. Maybe it's in a different language or some kind o' tailors' code? You look at it from each side before giving up. You could try to bluff your way by simply handing it to Clíodhna, hoping it really is what you hope it is, but if it isn't, you'll only be making a fool of yourself.

At first when you are hit by the snowball, you are outraged by the insolence of it. But then you send a few snowballs towards the opponents yourself, managing to make Captain BenKii duck quickly behind a cannon as he is dusted with snow in retaliation. You are hit again, in the shoulder this time, and turn in time to see a small figure dart back around the longboat. You send a snowball that direction as a deterrent. As the snowman and Rocky get involved and things get intense, you decide you've had enough and retreat while your dignity is still intact.

After finding the imprint, you smile and compare it with a red thigh boot. Your smile changes to a frown as you note the imprint is quite a bit smaller than the boot. You'll have to find a way to alter the boots as well. If Clíodhna can't do it, you'll ask Refyx. After all, he's a gnome. They do things like that, don't they?

You've seen Devin visit the admiral's cabin carrying tea earlier so decide to wait, hoping to catch her alone on her way back to her cabin for the night. Instead, as you roam near the Great Cabin later that night, you see that darn ghost cook deliver two meals and mulled wine and realize Devin hasn't come out yet. You repeatedly watch, but neither emerge. Finally as you repeat it early in the morning you see Devin leave and go to his own cabin. Later that morning Clíodhna emerges, dressed to go on deck to check for the bird messengers.

"Madam Clíodhna! So glad to see ye. Ye simply wouldn't believe what sticky wicket I got caught in this time. 'Tis downright embarrassin', really!" you say in an overly dramatic tone, then continue more quietly. "My betrothed got 'erself this new garb from some ill-reputed folk I heartily advised 'er 'gainst, but she ain't listen. Such a silly goose that one, I tell ye. An' now it's all wrong! Can ye imagine? She nags me 'bout it day 'n' night, but what am I s'pose t'do now with no tailor in sight fer who knows how long? Ma'am, I wouldn't ask normally, but y'are my last resort." You unceremoniously push the bundle in Clíodhna's arms. "All's there. Oh, an' can ye make heads or tails outta this scribble, perchance?" You give her the paper with the symbols. "I believe it should be right useful..."

Clíodhna gives you a long look, then glances at the paper and smirks. "Why Count Karnstein, when did Aeshma become your betrothed? I'm quite sure she would have mentioned it. Although I'm rather certain she would not like being called a 'silly goose' or a 'nag' any more than she liked being called a 'vixen'." She looks back at you again and her eyes begin to glow. "Perhaps I should be reminding YOU, Count, that I am the admiral and a sorceress, not a common seamstress for hire. I may do alterations and Crafted the armor to benefit Crew for these missions, but I do that for Crew's purpose, not hired for gold. These markings are Aeshma's magical sizing in Aasimir. Before you make another grave mistake, perhaps you should be thinking to ask what Aeshma may want or prefer, rather than what you wish to push upon her. First clue, Aeshma is Elysian and Aasimir, she does not wear black - EVER. Second, her garb consists of natural materials that are magically woven to attune to her own magics, not tainted by vampirate energies. Third, she prefers light and airy and free movement, both in her clothing and her relationships. Fourth, she has a weakness for gentlemanly captains, trying to get someone to invade her cabin and her private things isn't being a gentleman." Clíodhna dumps the bundle right back in your own arms. "And if you think Cap'n Rummyfangs would actually be manipulated into invading a Crew member's privacy that he is responsible for as a captain of this Ship without truly good cause, or that he wouldn't discuss it with me along with his alternate idea for your request, then you very much don't know him or how this Ship works." She leaves you standing there as she proceeds to the bow to check on any messenger birds.
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Later that day, at mid-day meal, Clíodhna announces the Crew party and Dart Contest for the following evening. Devin has information that Commodore Beckett will be hosting an important official dinner party the next night. Since through Woodkett and the hexed dartboard, Beckett can feel those darts, she is announcing a contest with prizes. Each Crew member will have 3 darts to throw. The dartboard will be set to a 75% range of motion ... enough to allow Woodkett to turn and run. The winner will be the Crew member(s) who can get Woodkett to turn and run (scare him, trick him, whatever) and dart him in the rear, basically a game of "pin the tail on Woodkett" to hopefully make Beckett jump out of his chair and embarrass himself at his dinner party. Only thrown darts will count, not bolts, daggers, needles or axes. There will be 3 prizes, with the winner getting to choose their prize first and the next two closest Crew choosing in order afterwards. Feel free to describe what you do to get him to turn and run (within reason!).

DART CONTEST AND PRIZES: 3 darts = 3 tries.
Each contestant will get 3 darts, basically 3 chances. I will roll dice for a number 1-100 to establish the perfect "win", I have rolled dice 1 time for each Crew member for a random chance 'dart'. For the other two 'darts' each participating Crew member will get to pick and post the numbers they wish, or else I will dice roll for them at the end of the turn. Crew selected numbers may be edited until turn deadline. No repeats on the numbers picked. Those Crew who have been practicing will get a slight bonus to their dice rolled number to come closer to the target roll. If there is a tie, there will be a tie-breaker dice roll for the "most perfect" dart, even if more than one Crew technically dart him in the behind. Luck cards will not be drawn for the Dart Contest.

Prizes:
Devin will give you the Best Dream Ever (No need to tell us what it is unless you want to); +10HP for the next day after the dream.
Refyx offers an alchemical potion of Gnome's Luck; +2 to Luck for 12 hours after drinking.
Aeshma offers Aasimir's Blessing Talisman; +2 Resist/Against Evil for 12 hours after activating.

Darts: r = Dice Rolled dart
Argy = 23r, 38, 53
Aylar = 39, 62, 74r
Bellandra = 44r, 77r, 96r
Captain BenKii = 24, 31, 42r
Count Karnstein = 16, 50r, 72
Durik = 18r, 85r, 92r
Gilius = 15, 66r, 88
Grog'tial = 56, 68, 80r
Kyp = 19r, 37r, 71r

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*Orders are open for Aeshma and Refyx. Preference will be given to those who didn't have orders for the past 4 turns.

Happy New Year everyone!

Kyp decides to be the first one to try his hands at darts and throws his three towards the target.

Kyp asks Aeshma if he can have his Teal/Dark Teal Spidersilk Jacket enhanced with a spell that allows for either better protection or better swimming.

After the old forest gnome delivers the verdict of it taking 5-10 years to get good at making halfway decent bolts, Grog'tial dejectedly returns to his cabin. He knows that of course the gnome can't be considered to be a trustworthy source, as he has the market cornered here and wouldn't want competition, yet somehow all the energy he felt at the idea of taking up a creative endeavor and becoming even more self-sufficient than he already is, has fled from him. He throws himself with renewed vigor into his various other tasks, trying to work off the disappointment, thereby completely missing the snowball fight.

When it's nearly time for the darts contest, he returns to Refyx to order another batch of regular bolts. Once those are delivered, he'll visit Gilius to ask for a blessing for all his unblessed bolts, figuring that they'll probably encounter plenty more enemies against whom the blessing will be beneficial. He also visits Aeshma for a Heal Potion.

When his turn at the darts contest comes up, Grog'tial will saunter over to Woodkett, expecting to be recognized after all the fruitful practicing. He sets woodkett's range to near-zero, and slowly holds each of his darts next to each of Woodkett's limbs and face, as if measuring. He tsks a few times while peering at woodkett from up close. Then, he wordlessly pulls the fire oil from his pocket, and eyes it critically, even taking a careful sniff. Next, he pulls out the bag of caltrops, shaking it about with a considering look. He turns his back on woodkett, jiggling things about for a minute before returning the oil and bag to his pockets, carefully and clearly shielding the points of the darts from Woodkett's view. Turning back to fully look at Woodkett once more, he grins broadly, grants 100% motion, and jauntily strides back to the throwing line. Once there, he seems to pause in thought, before slightly reducing the granted movement to the 75% called for by the contest. He holds up the first dart, takes a deliberate sniff, and as his grin grows even broader, he gets ready to throw...

Grog'tial takes a deliberate sniff, and as his grin grows even broader, he gets ready to throw... and is suddenly tightly hugged by Argy, losing good part of his balance. "Good luck, matey. Ye'll need it!" She winks at him in a mischievous way and goes to her place, ready for her turn to throw the darts.