ic What the Kraken Released

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

 

The Chariots all lined up next to one another.  On the furthest ends were the two most experienced racers.  One end a group of former Atlantean soldiers.  The other end a trio of Atlantean barbarians.  The race organizers apparently did nothing to turn away barbarians, but thought ahead enough to keep them separated from the soldiers on the starting line.  Their sides filled with a less experienced grouping of athletic Atlanteans.  Two of which seemed to be practicing holding the reigns.  And in the middle sat Tsunami, Temperance, and Thaelia in their overly ornate royal chariot.

 

In the distance the blonde woman in the 'VIP' boxes began whistling in appreciation and waving towards the racers.  A celebratory habit more known on the surface.  The sound managing to get Thaelia's attention long enough for her to look up.  A spear clutched in hand.  "Oh Thet-"   An Atlantean woman holding a large conch began blowing into her oversized shell.   The sound of a horn bellowing out signaling the start of the race.

[Thevshi]

Giang took a moment once they were up at the starting line to consider the other competitors.  She thought it was interesting that the two most experienced racers were positioned to the outsides of the group to start.  She wondered if that was so they would immediately be facing off against one another, to provide for more dramatic moments when they finally did until later in the race.

 

She noted Thaelia waving to someone in the crowd, recognizing her friend's half-sister, who had also attended Claremont.  But the Asian teen had little time to consider Thetis' presence when the horn sounded and they were off. 

 

Having been given at least a seemingly advantageous position of being in the center of the group, Giang simply urged the giant sea horse forward, trying to make as much speed as possible to begin, before she began trying to position herself for the first turn.

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

 

The experienced Atlantean at the reigns of the side most chariot was a muscular long haired man with a hook hand.  Despite this disability, as he pulled on the reins with a single free hand his sea horse was able to match Tsunami's maneuvering beat for beat.  His passenger was a portlier man clutching a giant ball and chain weapon.  Spinning the chain overhead the Atlantean launched the chain towards the nearest competitor's transport.  Hoping to uproot it from beneath

 

Instead of hitting his mark, the Atlantean's weapon curved to the side missing his target due to the difficulty in attempting to maintain visual acuity at a distance.  In close pursuit was the  other pair of racers whom seemed to know what they were doing.  Well, they were in close pursuit with the nearest stadium wall.  Freaked out by the sudden flash of movement from the giant ball and chain on the opposite end of the track the sea horse actually began ascending (which would have been in violation of the rules if not for the sudden descent and immediate crash scene afterwards, sending both its riders off the chariot.

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia took a defensive posture on her side of the Chariot.  As long as she could prevent Tsunami from getting overturned by the other racers they would be in the clear.  Even in a race track, the Atlantean princess was familiar enough with her strengths to know the most straightforward approach.  Take a beating or give one.  This wasn't a fight, her best course of action was taking one so their driver didn't.

 

As the chaos of the race began to unfold there was the accompaniment of a joyous laugh from Thaelia.  Clutching onto the side of the chariot she postured outwards.  "A princess of Atlantis welcomes your challenge.  Ride onwards to meet thy defeat most agonizing!"  Suffice to say she was hamming it up.  And moment's away from flat out chewing the scenery.

[trollthumper]

Eliza tried to figure out how to respond here. Not necessarily from an offensive standpoint - someone had just swung a gigantic melee weapon at another rider. If they were in cars and not on chariots, she would have opened fire by now. No, it was more a matter of retort. The people obviously wanted a show, and she was expected to perform. Somehow, the grandiosity that came so naturally when she assumed the Temperance persona was a little stoppered up when the audience she was performing for expected over-the-top. The fact that Thaelia had been the one to launch the first volley added the extra angle that she might risk upstaging her host, which could be truly awkward. 

 

In the end, she realized stewing over her words would help no one. She instead focused her effort on sending a curtain of water to the floor of the track, letting it spread thin before freezing into black ice. "Let us see how well your steeds hold up under pressure."

 

It wasn't one for the books, but it would have to do. 

[Thevshi]

So far things had been going fairly well for the three teenage girls. Giang had managed to keep their chariot neck and neck with the other leaders, avoiding any mishaps that had befallen some of the other racers. Then the orange spheres shot up, floating toward all the racers. Giang had prepared to try to dodge one coming toward her, when Thaelia stepped into its path, getting trapped in whatever it was.

"Thaelia!" The Asian teen cried out, taking some of her focus off the track and controlling the reins, as their chariot went off course, looping around and failing to make much headway.

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

 

Various racers lost control of their craft.  With even less managing to avoid the first trap on the course to reveal itself.  A strange set of spheres shot out of the ground engulfing racers in a thick glue.  The audience cheered in raucous unison as the race really heated up.  Then came an obstacle not expected in the coliseum.  A series of canon fire erupted around the coliseum.  Large blasts of energy based weaponry striking all about with Atlanteans.  

 

"Invasion!"  Nereid called out before swimming into action.  Moving with the aim to try and defend the city from the attack she quickly took on her water form and began actively circling the coliseum.  Deflecting blasts of energy as they came.

 

The cause of the commotion?  Three spaceships had floated down from above.  The ships for some reason had masts with open wind sails each baring a jolly roger that was of a squid like skull and bones.  Each was filled to the brim with weaponry and firing them wildly about the Atlantean city.  Soldiers were scrambling to grab spears and shields with civilians looking for cover.

 

The largest ship in the trio of pirate vessels would begin to call out.  "Avast, ye scurvy bilge rats!  No quarter shall be given t'the unfortunate soul who dares to stand in the way of Captain Kraken.  Famous scurge of the seven seas.  Lay down ye arms if ye ain't got the heart to meet your watery grave.  Arrr, Captain Kraken shall have what's starboardfully his. A bounty without comparrrg!"

Edited January 7, 2015 by HG Morrison

[Thevshi]

Just as everything seemed to be going wrong with the race, energy blasts began to rain down from above, causing Giang to look up at the sight of the spacecraft which were made to look like old sailing ships, making their way down as a voice was transmitted from the largest ship demanding surrender to Captain Kraken and his crew. Pulling the reins hard, the Asian teen brought them to a stop as she considered the attack briefly before looking back to her friends.

"Not another pirate." She commented with a small shake of her head before swimming up from the coliseum to begin aiding in protecting the city.

[trollthumper]

Pirates. There would always be pirates, in some form or another. Ghost pirates. Space pirates. Perhaps even octopi that evolved to be bipedal and started raiding ships. One of the perils of one's talents drawing them to the sea, I suppose, Temperance thought. She realized that Kraken's forces were massing out into the city at large, attacking various large structures. The castle was an obvious target, but such a thing would likely be heavily defended. Some of the other targets, however, might be less guarded and more populated by civilians.

She drew the water around her into her familiar ice sled, following out after Tsunami. "They're moving towards sensitive targets," she said. "The Atlantean forces may need some support. Where should we strike first?"

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia flexed her muscles with as much force as she could muster.  The hardening goop was tough.  But, not nearly tough enough to even have a hope of slowing Thaelia down.  Roaring out her muscles tore the goop apart.  Sending it flying all over the track.  That was when she noticed the Atlanteans starting to flee.  

 

Her friends floating overhead were also worth noting.  Shooting off like a torpedo, Glamazon rocketed through the water.  Catching up after Temperance.  Fully seeing the massive attack upon doing so.  The very vocal Atlantean could only manage a single word in shock.

 

"What?"

[Thevshi]

Giang looked out over the unfolding scene with a seemingly calm eye, noting the pirates moves and trying to determine what might be the best course of action in trying to turn them back. As John would say, it was a "target rich environment." It was then that the Asian teen spotted the alien pirate himself, leading a small group toward a target well away from where the main forces were concentrated. Giang recalled very well how Natas had used a similar tactic a year ago.

"For the moment we leave the main forces to the Altlanteans and Thaelia's family." She stated to Temperance and Thaelia as they caught up. "Captain Kraken is over there." Giang pointed off in the direction she had spotted the pirate. "So it stands to reason the main objective is there as well."

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

 

Led by Tsunami the trio made their way towards the direction Captain Kraken had swam.  Their chase had led them inside of an Atlantean temple.  The inside was very similar to Ancient Roman architecture.  The inside was an odd cultural blend.  The circular chapel was dedicated to multiple sea gods from a myriad of patheons.  The faith practiced inside this temple clearly an eclectic  one.

 

The golden statues and green tinted wooden pews were an interesting sight.  Especially as the green fungus lit up the circular service room with an effulgent light.  An interesting sight missing one little detail.  Captain Kraken was nowhere to be seen.  There was no immediately visible trace of where the alien skid had skedaddled. 

 

If not for the fact that Tsunami had tracked his movements to the temple they might have been forgiven for thinking they had mistaken where he had gone.

[Thevshi]

Giang came to a halt as she and her friends arrived at the temple entryway, concerned that there was no apparent sign of Captain Kraken or any of his men. The Asian teen was certain that she had seen him make his way here, so whatever he was up to, he was not wanting to draw undue attention.

"They could not have gotten far." She said to Glamazon and Temperance. "We should spread out and see if we can figure out where they have gone. Do not hesitate the call out if you find them."

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

The three teens searched the area.  Canvasing every square inch of it thoroughly.  Unfortunately, their efforts were slow going taking minutes to uncover a hidden tunnel access underneath a podium.  It was a long and winding path that provided no aid in catching up to Captain Kraken.  At the end the trio found themselves in an undersea culverts.

The Atlantean sewer system wasn't as sludge filled as one would expect.  The unexplained waste management system of the Ancient Atlanteans managed to maintain a somewhat clean undersea environment.   Hospitable enough that even smell wasn't a real concern.  The heat, on the other hand, was problematic.  The water in the culvert system was practically boiling.

The tunnels in the culverts acted as a maze.  Making the trek.  Finally they found what seemed to be a prisoner storage facility.  The guards outside were wounded one by blaster fire the other with puncture wounds.  Atlantean barbarians, all too familiar mercenaries, and even Deep Ones stored inside spherical metallic cells with only a small window to reveal the prisoners trapped inside.  In the center of the room Kraken happily openibng up one of the cells.

The prisoners were furiously banging on their cells.  Warning Kraken not to open the cell.  "Come me bounty.  You belong the greatest pirate in the land.  Together we plunder all who dare stand in the way of the great Cap'n Kraken."

What emerged from the cell was a large, green, reptilian beast.​  Lunging forward it pinned Kraken down and attempted to viciously maw away at his tentacled face.  "Aghh.  Get off ye bloomin' beast.  Obey yer master!"  Before it could bite off Kraken's head it reared up and stared directly at Thaelia.  It's eyes glowing red.

 

Edited May 20, 2015 by HG Morrison

[Thevshi]

It took the trio a bit of time to locate the direction Captain Kraken had gone, but eventually they had located the hidden access to the tunnel system underneath the temple.  The heat of the water was intense, but Giang did her best to preserver, wondering what the alien pirate could be after down here. 

The answer was uncovered soon enough, as they arrived at an Atlantean prison, just as Captain Kraken released one of the captives, despite the warnings of the other captives.   

What emerged was a massive green monstrosity, which quickly turned on is liberator, trying to tear apart Kraken with its powerful jaws. 

"It appears that this thing is well beyond your control."  Giang stated, as she brought her hands up in front of her and sent a jet of twisting coils of water at the green monster.  The blast of water struck true, slamming into the creature's side.

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

As soon as the large green monstrosity locked eyes with proper prey it forgot all about Captain Kraken.  Tsunami's blast of water slowed its charge momentarily.  But, the creature finally made its way to its intended target.  The Atlantean princess was manhandled far more than she was used to being manhandled.  Pushed downwards into the floor of the culverts she was held firmly in place.

Its power was ridiculous.  Its clawed arms actually pushed Thaelia through the material.  The structure fighting a losing battle as the contest of strength pushed the boundaries of construction.  All the while Dakuwanga simply growled.  The primal creature was an engine of destruction.  One seemingly unconcerned by the fact that it was surrounded by three others.

Brandishing its teeth, it became exceedingly obvious what its intent for the Demigoddess would next be.

[Brown Dynamite]

Thaelia struggled as hard as she could.  Trying to muster up the strength to free herself from the beast's clawed grip to no avail.  It wasn't so strong as to completely overwhelm her.  In this power contest Thaelia was clearly the lesser of the two.  It infuriated the princess to no end.

"Strike this vile creature while it holds me!  I know not what it is.  Surely if the King had it imprisoned for a good reason."  The monster attempted to bite off Thaelia's head.  Missing solely because she slammed her own head back through the floor.  Tearing into the ground as an exit strategy.

Minus the actual exit.  Seeing as she was still pinned to the ground by a creature that had Atlantean on the menu.

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

"Aye lass.  There be a reason why this beautiful bounty was buried beneath the city.  The oldest in a series of Atlantean bioweapons designed to kill Lemurians.  Birthed by combining Atlantean DNA with some ancient creature, a deenosaur?  Completely unkillable.  Resistant to being sliced or hit by brute force like ye fists.  Ain't she a beauty?  Dakuwanga will belong to Kraken!"  Captain Kraken called out explaining what he knew about the now named crature.  Notably abstaining from mentioning how it happened that he acquired such information.

"Bwahaha.  Don't ye just love the irony?  Kings of old hid the rest of the creature in vaults miles away from civilization.  But not Dakuwanga.  Never know when you'll need that firepower again.  And now, it seems to have an ire for its masters."  Captain Kraken drew his signature cutlass and blaster pistol.  His tentacles flowing through the water all the while.  "Today is the day dread pirate Kraken saves a princess.  Before making his grand escape."

Kraken's glorious declaration completely abstained from taking any blame for the situation.  

[trollthumper]

Eliza was stunned to see the creature surge through the waters and seize Thaelia in its grip. Was what Kraken was saying true? Ancient bioweapons, designed as weapons of war and stuck down in the dungeons for years when they were no longer useful? She couldn't exactly say she was happy about that... but moralistic pronouncements would have to wait. And the longer this thing ran rampant, the more of a chance that Kraken could actually get it to listen to him. 

"Amazing when you can claim renown for fixing your own mistakes," she said. The salt water at these depths took a little while longer to freeze, but she was still able to whip up a strand of ice. "If only we could all reach such heights of daring and bravado." The strand flew out, seeking the feet of Dakuwanga and expanding into a thick sheet on impact. 

[Thevshi]

Giang found Captain Kraken's explanation about the nature of the creature before them somewhat upsetting, assuming any of what the alien pirate was saying was actually true.  Having been roommates with Thaelia for over a year and a half, Giang knew that the Atlanteans had a long history of war in their past, so there would have been many opportunities to use such a weapon. 

Whatever it was, they still needed to stop it and keep it out of Kraken's hands.  "You appear to be getting ahead of yourself somewhat pirate."  The Asian teen replied calmly.  "Both in terms of how much aid you will be able to provide, and whether you are able to escape from here at all."

Giang then sent another blast of water at the monster, but with it locked in melee with Tahelia, the teen’s blast missed its mark, shooting past to blast a small chunk out of the opposite wall.

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

Dakuwanga tore through the sheet of ice in the act of charging directly into Thaelia once more.  It didn't acknowledge Eliza's efforts to ensnare it.  The creature didn't rush for Giang when its blast missed its mark.  No, Dakuwanga had its eyes set on Thaelia.  Much like Kraken had proclaimed it did have a seeming focus on hunting Atlanteans.  Somehow able to tell the near human apart from her human allies.

Its teeth tore into Thaelia's abdomen with ease.  Her resilient skin cut through like a chainsaw using butter.  With Thaelia still held in the mighty grip of its jaw Dakuwanga actually began shaking the girl around.  Showing off its strength its red eyes darted back and forth between Eliza, Kraken, and Giang.  With a look that just screamed perfectly content with one kill and looking for the next.

The vicious growl as it treated the Atlantean akin to a dog's rubber chew toy was sadistic more than it was predatory.

[Brown Dynamite]

Despite the creature's confidence in the strength of its jaw, Thaelia was not dead.  Far from it.  For a moment she was thrown for a loop.  The pain coursing through her body almost made her want to pass out.  Yet, the Daughter of the Seas was too stubborn to leave things lying so simply.  A sharp knee to the side of Dakuwanga's head forced the creature to release her from its jaw.

Immediately after Thaelia twisted around in the water rounding back right into Dakuwanga.  "If you wish to prove your might against the Daughter of the Seas, know that my fist are the mightiest in the Seas!"  Not pulling any punches she swung with a wide uppercut that actually snapped its head back.  Moving back a small distance from the Glamazon the monster seemed to need a moment to reorient itself.

It was hurt, but so she was she.  Her slightly gold gold hued blood escaping through bite marks.  Being underwater Thaelia was going to heal far sooner than later.  The question was how big of a battering could the three of them take.  Not to mention the wild card factor that was Kraken.  He had given them a temporary treatise.  But, that wasn't a true ally.  He would no doubt betray them at the first turn.

Edited May 30, 2015 by HG Morrison

[Brown Dynamite]

GM

Captain Kraken had been watching the three teens with mild fascination.  From Temperance being able to actually stop Dakuwanga's movements in some way for a moment.  Made more impressive by the fact that the flash freezing occurred in their heated environment.  Tsunami was the first to harm the creature and judging by the chunk of wall she took out it wasn' t hard to see how.  Then came the Atlantean.  Her fists were comparatively the most ordinary sight around.  But, the way Dakuwanga's head snapped back made Kraken's prehensile face tentacles jump back. 

"Avast, this noise ye wee lasses.  When dread pirate Kraken makes a declaration all should listen.  After we fell Dakuwanga, I will be taking me prize."  Dakuwanga quickly pressed the trigger on his blaster pistol  Not even coming close to hitting Thaelia, despite her being adjacent to the monstrous weapon, Kraken hit Dakuwanga right in the face.  Only the creature didn't seem to care in the slightest.

Predicting an unimpressed look on the girl's face he immediately blubbered out an excuse.  "Dakuwanga's hide is tougher than you think.  I was simply exampling the danger you face.  It is still waking up from its slumber"

[Thevshi]

Giang watched with a slight feeling of horror as the Dakuwanga shrugged off her attack and closed with Thaelia, biting into the Atlantean's stomach with its powerful jaws.  But Thaelia was as durable as she appeared, probably even more so, and was able to withstand the savage attack and launch a counterattack of her own. 

The Asian teen ignored Captain Kraken's continued boosting on how he would make off with the creature, choosing instead to focus on stopping the bio weapon and then dealing with the alien pirate. 

Another blast of twisting coils of water slammed into the Dakuwanga.  While Giang's attack appeared to hurt the creature, it was still far from subdued.

[Brown Dynamite]

Glamazon swam to the opposite end of the cells.  Her course circling around and accelerating with the force of a cruise missile as she struck the beast dead center.  It did not budge from it's position.  The bubbles of air that escaped its lips hinted that Glamazon was able to slow the bio-weapon further.  But, it was merely yet another dent in a hefty frame.

"Gods.  If this creature truly is a weapon, it was not designed to fall without a fight."  The secret holding facility hidden inside the culverts were already plenty cramped as far as fighting like the Atlantean would prefer.  But, Thaelia suspected that location played no large part in their difficulties at actually slowing down Dakuwanga.  It was just that resilient to taking a beating.  Even in the four on one situation they found themselves in.

It was a rare moment in which Glamazon expressed uncertainty at her chances of coming out on top in a fight.