It is soon after dawn, and you stride down the aged wooden planks of one of the many warfs in the busy port city of Atelli – the largest in the nation of Vokrendal. The cries of gulls already fill air as they wheel through still-brightening sky. The sailors on the docks are as busy and raucous as the birds in the air, loading and unloading cargo from many ships, or preparing to go out on fishing vessels to seek the day's catch.
At the end of the pier lies the ship on which you have booked travel to Ottrunval across the Sea of Stones. Wavechaser is a quick ship with – you have been assured – a respected and trustworthy captain. As you near the ship you see sailors (most of them human or drecnan) bringing what look like wine casks aboard. One figure, tall and lean and weather-worn, is barking orders. This must be the captain, Jylla.
As you approach he turns to you and – with a far more polite tone than he was using on his sailors – asks: ”You one of my passengers? What's the name?”
Small, elongated scars on Jylla's earlobes show that he used to wear several heavy rings in each ear.
He nods at your answer. ”You can go aboard now, passenger berths are at the fore. Remember it's a small ship, so you'll be sharing a cabin. We'll be off in another hour.” Turning back to his crew: ”Least we will if these sots get thar lazy asses moving!”
Once on the ship, you quickly find the cramped passenger cabins. A few other people are there, trying to stay out of the crews way until the loading is complete. One is a well-muscled young man in simple clothing, who introduces himself as Vincent. Two others are women, one dressed richly and the other more commonly – though the latter wears chain mail and is armed with a mace. She hovers protectively near the finely dressed woman, who upon closer inspection has bluish skin and rich green-blue hair. The blue woman introduces herself as Yllaine, and her companion as Lara.
Yllaine is an Undine, a human with a touch of Elemental Water in their ancestry.
Yllaine's clothes and insignia show she is a member of House Verad, a successful merchant house that bought their way into the nobility several generations ago.
Lara wears a finely-made silver amulet. Small rune plates are set into the silver links of the chain.
The runes on Lara's amulet protect against mind-altering magic.
Tyrus draws up his new bulk, confident he cuts a more imposing figure in his new explorer's garb.
"Good day captain Jylla? I am Tyrus Regulus Veneficus." he answers the barked question. Seeing the captain is busy he nods and follows directions briskly.
"Vincent. Yllaine. Lara. Good day to you all. I am . Delighted to meet you. I understand we are to be sharing these cabins for some time, and I hope we can all get along."
"This" he announces, as Torble peeks out of the ceramic mug attached to his belt "Is my familiar, Torble." noting the similarity in colour to Yllaine he pauses. "I think she likes you" he lies.
Seeing Toble extending a pseudopod towards Yllaine he deftly jiggles the cup, spilling Torble back into the cup. "She's trying to shake hands!" he exclaims, as one would over a particularly cute kitten trick "Don't actually shake hands with her though. She's highly toxic." he warns.
"Luca Wistor, Captain." a shorter girl said, politely introducing herself and curtsying slightly in response to his query.
With that, the girl wandered towards the passenger cabins, taking a look around as she did so (and carefully staying out of the way of the sailors). This was the first time she'd been on a ship, since her family had never been particularly interested in paying for her passage anywhere, but she'd looked up the information and determined that this was the best way to get to her destination. The price had been wince-inducing for her, but since the expense was necessary, well... that was the way things went. She slipped into the cabin a moment later.
Several things quickly became apparent to the girl. First, they had a very interesting passenger on-board. She wasn't at all scared of most of the near-human races, since they were a natural part of the world. There was also someone from closer to her own status, though she couldn't quite place who they were associated with... which didn't stop her from waiting for the right moment and introducing herself.
At least she knew that much. Some general forms of introduction worked well with the nobility regardless of your relative positions, though Luca was being careful to avoid overdoing it - it wasn't like her family actually wanted her as long as she had her, ahem, little problem. Acting like they did would only get her into trouble later, but it wouldn't stop her from trying to form her own connections. She just hoped there would be another lady to share a room with... or that she could convince the others to let her bunk with them.
As Dante approaches the captain the difference in their characters could not be more profound. Jylla is tall, lean, and ggruff in attitude. Dante is small, scrawny, and all smiles.
Good day to you captain Jylla. I am Dante Florence, here for my first sailing expedition. And what a wondrous day to begin such an expedition no?
Dante spends a moment on the ship looking it up and down and then out to the sea they would be headed for. He breathed in the salty air and thanked the gods for this chance to get away from his family. When a deck hand nearly ran him over he decided to make his way to the cabins.
Good day to you all. Dante appears oblivious to the more subtle things about his companions but the little thing peeking out of another mans mug becomes infinitely more fascinating.
Well hello there little fellow. He says waving a finger before the creature. Is that a torble? Rare creatures those are. How did you ever get one as a familiar? I am assuming you are a wizard or sorcerer yes?
Likely the most armed of Windchaser's guests Logan walks with one sharp sapphire colored eye where he is heading and the other at the shadows. The large and well built human walks with confidence as Bruiser, a large curved wooden training sword, is in hand; greatsword and javelins on back beside his backpack. Two daggers hidden in his boot and at the small of his back for last case emergencies. Being just over six foot and heavily muscled, let alone the scalemail, most would scurry out of his way or not even look him in the eyes. His clean black hair was no longer in his view, it was cut close to his skull leaving maybe an inch on top. It was a time to change not only his location, but self and grow more in his discipline. The blacks of his explorer's outfit matched well with his stark black hair. The brown wide rimmed hat ontop of his bedroll, touching his neck as an alert to anyone messing with his stuff.
"Greetings Jylla, I assume. Logan Elken is the name and one I hope is not on your sailor's lips."
Logan enters the cramped passenger cabins and offers his hand to Vincent, offering his name as well. He slightly bows to the two women.
Logan notices the runes in Lara's amulet, "Good craftsmanship in the necklace, and it compliments your features." He smiles genuinely waiting to hear if there is a story behind it. If not he heads back finding the last bunk hoping it is empty.
Logan offers his hand to Tyrus and Dante introducing himself to both of them, a bit gruff, "Greetings Logans the name and swordweilding is my game."
Then he slightly bows to Luca before introducing himself with a warmer voice than he had with the men, "Greetings Logan Elken, and you my dear?"
Luca stared at Logan for several moments, carefully taking in his appearance. Tall, muscled, multiple weapons, grumpy towards men... that was pretty much the textbook definition of a bandit. At least his hair looked clean, or she would have already bolted into the next room. Violence... was not good. It was not good at all, and she had no problem with staying as far away from it as she could. She did, however, scoot a few steps backwards before introducing herself with a quiet, "Luca Wistor." In the depths of her mind, she could feel them peering out, seeing what she saw... and Luca carefully averted her gaze to avoid looking at the large man. When she was afraid, bad things happened to the people she looked at, and she really didn't want to be kicked off the ship before it even set sail. Or quietly dumped overboard during the middle of the night. Or whatever other horrible plots sailors and bandits could come up with...
He nodded to Luca and gave a charming smile, the best he could come up with, he then moved to the back of the cabin and layed Bruiser on the bed. He pulled of his pack and put it on the ground. Pulling out the whetstone and one of his kits he began sharpening his greatsword, then the javelins, waiting to be approached or for this voyage to off. He had already sharpened the knives and did not want those to be known to the others.
Yllaine smiles charmingly at Tyrus's introduction. "An intriguing little creature, my dear Mr. Veneficus." Turning to Luca as the young woman introduces herself with courtly flair, she smiles at seeing the high manners aboard the ship - and raises an eyebrow upon hearing the name. "A Wistor aboard with us? I had no idea. I am so pleased to meet you! And it is so good to see another lady aboard - you simply must share our cabin. Or our half a cabin, I suppose." Yllaine sighs with a dramatic roll of her deep green eyes. "No doubt you are in a similar position as I am, or else your family would have sent you on one of their own ships, as mine would have if there were more time. Pressing business in Rivettia, no?"
The young lad, Vincent, perks up when he sees the new passengers come aboard. He seems especially interested when Dante questions Tyrus about his magical affinity and familiar.
"My guess is wizard, eh? My cousin's a wizard, and you seem like the same type. Smart, real smart. Can tell from just looking at you," he says.
In response to Logen's compliments, the armed women Lara just looks him up and down in an obvious way. A moment later she smirks and nods. "Yeh, I'll bet the necklace is what you noticed," she says, and winks at him.
Despite Captan Jylla's harangues, the crew seems far from lazy. Their industrious work sees the Wavechaser loaded and readied for sea barely twenty minutes after the last passenger is aboard. Sails unfurl and the bosun cries to the harbor master that they are underway, and long poles wielded by the shoremen shove the ship away from the pier. In an hour, the ship clears the harbor - and in a few more, takes to the open sea.
Due to the way the hull of the ship slopes in the front, there seems to be a small space at the back of the passenger cabin hallway that is walled off by poorly fitted boards. You think that a medium-sized creature could fit in there with a little work and go practically unnoticed by anyone else.
Logan smirks at Lara's response and winks back to her, "We do have a voyage, would it not be best to get to know fellow guests better? I for one would love to get lost in your company."
"Please, call me Tyrus. We are going to spend a lot of time in each others company, after all."
"As for my familiar, I created her when I was young; mixing the oozecrafting alchemical techniques with my own theories on the evolution of complex life. Unlike the common torbles which bond telepathically with any lifeform, Torble is bound inexorably to me. This grants me a loyal and helpful companion and her access to my intellect and knowledge. I can recommend..."
Tyrus starts to lecture at length on the intricacies involved in esoteric lifecrafting and familiar bonding, seemingly oblivious to those passengers who are not listening.
Well, she certainly wasn't going to object to that offer, and her acceptance was just barely on the side of propriety. Besides, she was used to cramped sleeping quarters, and this really wasn't so bad when you thought about it. She felt much safer around the other women, too.
She wasn't really going out of her way to notice things, though... and in all honesty, she may not have cared to investigate all on her own even if she did notice them. One thing Luca did not suffer from was an overabundance of curiosity, since she'd already come to the conclusion that there were plenty of things she'd be much happier knowing nothing about.
Passing the time, at least, was fairly easy. She was actually able to relax when staying in her cabin, and if there was one thing well-bred ladies were generally good at, it was talking. She knew more than enough to hold basic conversations on a number of subjects, though finer details and events tended to escape her. Most of her studies had been on her own, after all, but she was managing well enough - and learning from the other ladies while she still had the opportunity. One never knew when more basic knowledge could come in handy...
Your grasp of the Arcane is impressive Mr. Veneficius. But, and I mean no offense by this, I would expect someone of your age to be much further.
After a most likely extended conversation with Tyrus, Dante would seek out Logan if he isn't busy.
Hello sir. I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Dante Florence. Its a pleasure to meet you. I couldn't help but notice the finely crafted weapon you carry. I too prefer the greatsword as my favored weapon. He smiles almost mischievously as he withdraws the remains of what was obviously a powerful sword in the past.
Logan's comment would have been towards Lara. He would have given Luca her space seeing she was uncomfortable with his prescence.
Logan is just maintaining his equipment and can obviously keep working and talk to Dante at the same time, "No apology necessary. The Florence school is one of the well known schools. Quite interesting, do you plan to restore it? Is this trip for the school or yourself?" After saying no apology was needed he offers his hand in greeting. Logan is noticably more comfortable with Dante than the other men.
Vincent grows confused by Tyrus's longwinded explanation and is unable to politely interrupt the wizard once he's on a roll. He excuses himself from the rest of you and heads out onto the deck, saying something about fresh air.
Yllaine is not quite so shy. After a few more moments of his rambling, she places one graceful hand on Tyrus's shoulder and laughs. "I'm afraid you've strayed beyond my understanding. But let us get out of this cramped space. I don't imagine I'll spend more time in my cabin than I have to. What brings you onto the Wavechaser, Tyrus?" she asks as she begins to lead the way up onto the top deck.
Lara's smirk grows ever-so-slightly at Logan's innuendo. "We'll see," she says, as she follows Yllaine.
@Mercy: for what its worth I tried to help Vincent understand what was being said in my spoiler for the three of us.
I would say this trip is for both. The errand I am running is for the family but I am more than happy to take this chance to see more of the world. Someone like must have been to some interesting places. What's the rest of Eldreon like?
"The world takes nice young men like you and chews them up and spits them out and takes that nice sword from you." Logan says plainly telling the truth from experience. "Make sure you have friends that can handle their own weight and tested with the salt of the world before trusting anyone. Actually I have not been out of Atelli or its neighboring towns for years. Hopefully the salt of the world will not test you as much as it did me." Logan pats the boy on the shoulder.
Chews me up and spits me out huh? he says cheerily.
With a flash, the broken sword in Dante's hand grows to full length. It is no longer broken and appears to be in perfect condition. Translucent armor also appears on his arms all the way to mid shoulder. He hefts the sword onto his shoulder as if it weighed nothing. while those around him are detracted by the flash, Dante takes a quick look around to gauge the reactions of those around him. Specifically for those who aren't surprised. He is still weary of his family and potential attempts against his life.
:
I think I can handle myself Mr. Elken but thank you for the warning. Allow me to return the favor. Don't assume to much from appearances. Now, you mentioned restoration. Obviously the blade is fine but so is the school. I am not sure which you meant though.
Tyrus walks out with Yllaine, Dante and Vincente
Answering Yllaine: "Pursuit of the Art. There are secrets to uncover, Arcanists to collaborate with, monsters to study... and money to earn. It is a sad fact that the Art is an incredibly expensive endeavour. It has been said of it that 'It is the transmutation of gold into words'"
Dante's comment seems to hit him like a blow. He stumbles a little, then straightens. There seems something a little different about him when he stands. Less confidence.
"After graduation I raised five children while working as a tutor. Without time to practice them my skills atrophied. My youngest is just a trifle younger than you, Dante, and just recently accepted into the collegium. So, now I find myself with that most precious of resources: Time."
"Now, finally, I can undertake the practice and study I have put off for twenty five years. I'm sure my skills will return rapidly, and start growing. I was considered quite a promising student in my youth."
Despite her penchant for staying in the room, it wasn't like Luca was in there the entire time, and she was around to hear Tyrus talking. She visibly perked up when he mentioned being a tutor, but deflated when he mentioned that he would be focused on his own practice and studies. It was possible that she could try to talk him into helping her with her own magical studies, but if he wasn't inclined to do so, that would be a difficult task... well, she hadn't been expecting to meet a tutor on the boat anyway, and it really would be better to find a more settled establishment of some kind. With a bit of a sigh, the girl went back to what she'd been doing...
I am sorry Tyrus, if I offended you, Dante says, truly ashamed. But children. A family. I would think would be a worthwhile endeavor in its own right, he says smiling, hoping to take away the sting from earlier. I am sure you treated them much better than my family would.
But lets not talk of such melancholic things. We are on adventure. Well, more precisely a boat, but you get the picture. If Tyrus is seeking knowledge, what are you seeking Miss Yllaine and Lara? he asks, bowing to the two ladies.
At Dante's last comment Tyrus sits down.
He does manage to compose himself enough to listen to Yllaine and Lara's replies.
Logan is caught off guard by the transformation and magic emanating from the lad. Once he shakes it off a moment later, "Perhaps you are far more equipped and prepared. I was meaning the sword for it was broken, I thought the Florence Fencing School was in order, obviously it is from your statement." He smiles at the lad and lightly slaps his shoulder again, mirth entering his demeanor that much more, "No worries you seem to have things in hand and plenty of secrets yourself. Perhaps you can lend me a hand with my problems?"
Logan voices a small opinion smiling at Tyrus, "I commend the act of raising a family and being there for them as any good parent should." He then continues to take a backseat to the conversation listening to the interchange.
'It is the transmutation of gold into words'
Yllaine smiles again. "I have heard the phrase. A favorite of my father's house magician, actually." Turning to Dante: "Oh, my family has some business arrangements to settle in Rivettia. Time was of the essence, so I could not wait for a Verad-owned ship to make port. Fortunately Captain Jylla has long been known to my father."
The captain happens to have been passing by just as Yllaine spoke his name, and he turns to her with a toothy grin. "Aye, known as the captain of the fastest ship on the Sea of Stones. Your father convinced me to leave port a bit earlier than I'd planned, but Verad gold shines just like anyone else's."
Tyrus straightens a little "Thank you - Logan, yes? Can I be of assistance?"
"I gather we're going to be sharing a cabin? Does anyone know how many to a cabin we are? I can promise to refrain from alchemy in the cabin if you wish."
After the conversation Tyrus seeks out the ship's surgeon. He also has Torble sketch a strategic board game , reshape some copper coins into pieces and then plays a game against his familiar, with Torble's pieces sliding themselves around the board. Given the lack of communication as this happens this is obviously something they do frequently.
Tyrus seems much distracted, and loses the game to a surprise move from his familiar. He congratulates Torble, and starts to pack up the game, then stops and asks if anyone else wants to play.
@Yllaine: House Verad. Of course. Why didn't I recognize the insignia? You have quite a few merchant ships don't you?
@Logan: What problems would those be?
At the end of the day Dante would watch the game between torble and Tyrus, both fascinated by the game and torble but he wouldn't play. Never seen the game before.
Yllaine nods at Dante's recognition of her family name. "The gods have been kind to my family. May they continue to be so!"
"Um... I-I'd like to play." Luca said hesitantly, coming out of her shell slightly at the prospect of a game. Among other things, it was something to do, and she was fairly certain she'd grasped at least part of the rules by watching the older man and his... um... thing move the pieces around. Of course, getting around the ship did involve passing by various areas...
Though it seemed she still hadn't noticed anything especially interesting about the overall structure of the ship. The game was a different matter, however, as she tried to focus on what she'd learned and see if she could put it to good use and outwit the wily older player.
Logan smiles lightly, "Just speaking with Dante, I thought it would be rude to stay in the cabin." He leaves it at that.
"I believe there is eight bunks and seven of us." With the comment of Alchemy coming up, "Interesting, as long as your alchemy is not dangerous or smells horrible I am fine with it."
@Dante, in a more quiet voice, "Problems I hope have not followed me, honestly I don't know why men are trying to kill me."
When coming back down for the night or any of his many visits to the cabin to make sure his stuff was not messed with, he is a bit paranoid.
He notices the boards and when no one else is in the cabin, except for Luca most likely, he starts to pry the boards loose with one of his daggers.
Logan already sharpened all his weapons watches both of the games trying to understand how it works, it reminds him of his time with his parents, both his interactions with his father and similar games. Anyone can tell he is fascinated by the game.
Tyrus happily sits down to play against Luca. The Tiny ooze bug wanders over near her as they play. Occasionally it seems to wave at her, or wiggle a piece, but if these are instructions they are far too cryptic.
"You play very well for a beginner. You seem to have a knack for the game. And Torble seems to like you. Strange, she normally only takes to the Gifted."
Perhaps as expected, Luca lost fairly badly... of course, it was her first time playing the game, and any other result would have been legitimately surprising. She was also a bit smarter than the average person, but much less so than Tyrus was, too... and she had absolutely no idea what the small little bug was trying to tell her. "N-no, I'm not really gifted at all..." Luca muttered, glancing to the side. She hadn't looked at her opponent throughout the entire game, a little too afraid of getting too excited and doing something she shouldn't. "But, um, t-thank you anyway." The compliment, at least, seemed to be appreciated.
Well played all the same Miss Wistor. I think I finally understand this game a bit thanks to you. Now let me give it a try. Dante will trade places with Luca if she is willing.
[dice=""Like Chess"]1d20+2[/dice]
*edit I think we can safely say we are almost done for the day.
Tyrus plays well - but Dante is brilliant, and handily wins
"You have a talent as a strategist and tactician, it would seem Mr Florence. Have you played this game before?"
Not this one but my family does play a similar one. Have you ever heard of Shogi. Foreign game that my parents just loved and since it taught tactics and forethought, they adopted as a game for students. Never won the tournament but got pretty close. I think that is quite enough fun for one day though. Where is our cabin again?
By removing just one board you are able to see beyond, into a musty little space between the wall and the hull. Rather to your disappointment, though, there is nothing there. Just a space large enough to fit perhaps two medium-sized creatures. You imagine they could pull the board back flush once they were inside, and remain quite hidden for as long as they cared to stay.
Three days of voyaging sees the Wavechaser leaving land behind and crossing the ocean proper. The weather is fair, the winds steady, and all the crew seem in a good mood. A couple of them even try their hands at Tyrus's game, though none manage to beat him.
Early on the fourth day of sailing, one of the crew calls out: "Captain! Sail to starboard aft!"
Jylla heads aft and takes a spyglass from his coat, peering through it at the shape of the sail just poking over the horizon. He looks for a long time. "Square rigged, probably another merchant. Kulmaran maybe." he says when he finally lowers it again. The rest of the day goes by without incident. On the morning of the fifth day it is obvious both ships are running the same course - and the other ship is much, much closer.
"Ain't nobody should be that much faster than us," Luca overhears Jylla muttering to himself. Despite his attempts to coax a bit more speed out of his sails and ship, throughout the day the ship continues to grow larger and larger in the view from the aft.
Shortly after noon, Lara asks, loud enough that all can hear her: "It's trouble, isn't it Captain. Pirates?" Her voice is calm, and her hands rest lightly on the hilts of her weapons. Some of the crew seem to roll their eyes at her for asking a question with so obvious an answer.
Jylla nods somberly. "Seems likely. And with some kinda sorcery to give them speed. My Wavechaser should be able to outpace a ship like that in any wind. Sodding magic. How are they keeping it up so long?"
An hour later, the assumed pirate ship runs up two flags, and becomes a pirate ship for certain. One flag is the infamous Black Jack, a black skull upon a blood-red field, which calls on the victim ship to surrender itself. Below that, though, is another, somewhat smaller flag. It bears the design of a crowned shark.
This was the flag of the famous pirate lord "Iron Shark" Ferel, who was so successful that he had to be hunted down through cooperation of no less than four kingdoms. He was supposedly killed nearly twenty years before in a battle with several ships from the Belshiran Navy.
The sight of the flags silences Jylla for several moments. After a few moments of staring at them, he turns to the ship, and addresses his crew. "Listen up! Ain't the first time we've had to deal with pirates, it's part of the way things are out on the water. Everyone grab a weapon and be ready to fight, but pray like hell you don't need to. We can't outrun them, but maybe we can make a deal with them."
He glances to the Undine woman. "Yllaine, you should take to your cabin. House Verad can ransom you easily enough. Any of the rest of you with connections who can pay for you, the same goes for you. Any of you too poor for that..." Jylla trails off and shrugs.
Tyrus is happy to play games, but makes a point of practising the arts of alchemy, chirurgeory and magic on the deck every day.
He's happy to help with bruises, cuts and toothaches, but warns that without proper tools his work is limited.
He'll offer to make alchemical items - or even scrolls - for free to those who have the materials.
He's also happy to talk about what he's doing with his magic for those who have a wish for it.
Jylla nods somberly. "Seems likely. And with some kinda sorcery to give them speed. My Wavechaser should be able to outpace a ship like that in any wind. Sodding magic. How are they keeping it up so long?"
At noon he offers to Jylla:
"I can make some educated guesses, Captain, but I am afraid I need more data, or at least to be closer. There are certainly spells that could do it... but as you say that suggests they'd become tired. This long term, consistent effect suggests some sort of item, skill or bound unliving creature, I should think.""If you wish, I could start working on producing Alchemists Fire. It might dissuade them from approaching, if there is time to use it."
He then speaks much more quietly.
"I also know a spell that can dramatically increase someone's swimming speed, but only for a minute."
"I know that flag. When I was just starting as a teacher "Iron Shark" Ferel was the scourge of the ocean. But he died twenty years ago fighting the Belshiran Navy!"
Tyrus starts to move into the hiding, then stops.
"All my life I have avoided things like this. Enough. This time I will "
Logan enjoys sleeping as much as he can be knows that once the voyage is done sleep may not be as easy to find.
He keeps flirting and teasing Lara once or twice a day, if nothing else to make a friend he can be his charming self around.
He tries his hand at the chess games several times expecting not to win but to enjoy Tyrus company and to learn of different strategies. As the days go he does enjoy listening to Tyrus' talks on magic.
Logan does his stretches and exercises every day to stay fit. He offers to help move anything on the ship or help with chores. He puts on a shadow spar show for the crew with Bruiser or to even spar with anyone to help them improve. He does try to get Dante to spar hoping he could learn something from his style.
He collects his fighting gear leaving the backpack and Bruiser behind. With his greatsword with a javelin on his back, daggers concealed, and the other two javelins in hand he heads back up to deck. He whispers to Yllaine and Lara downstairs about the hidden cache just in case.
Logan has been ready. "Come on boys be ready to defend ourselves if the need arises."
This... was not going to end well, Luca thought, shrinking back slightly towards the passenger cabin area. Within the depths of her mind, she could feel them seething, ready to reach out and tear apart everything that frightened her. For other people, this sort of situation was something fairly straightforward - pirates bad, sailors good, fighting okay. For her? She would probably get thrown off the ship, or at least kicked out of the passenger area, by people who didn't understand that she was just trying to find a way to make it stop. Quite frankly, her choices were relying on things that terrified her or hiding away and hoping everything worked out if she did nothing... and while she wasn't arrogant enough to believe her actions would make all the difference, it was possible that she could help protect the others...
Sitting on the strange game board, a tiny little creature waved encouragingly at her, cheerful yet incomprehensible in its instructions.
Aaaaaaah, none of this was really going to work out too well. She really didn't want to see anything had happen to that little Torble thing, though, in which case... Luca headed for the cabin area of the ship, and once everyone who was going to be hiding in a room had, she placed her hands on the ground and started whispering. "Ia, ia, y'stell'bsna shoggor nog nnnhafh'drn..." As she spoke, her voice rapidly lowered in tone and the focus went out of her eyes. Her body was speaking, but her mind was momentarily elsewhere, returning only once the ritual was completed. There, crouching low in front of Luca, was a strange and truly alien being. Dark, eldritch colors rippled across its fur-like hide as it crouched low on four oddly-shaped legs, claws glimmering in the light of the area. Luca quickly scoot back as far as she could, unable to suppress a few large pangs of nervousness. "<O-o-only fight the p-p-pirates, okay? The s-sailors aren't a threat, and I-I need them to help me g-get to shore!>" she asked in its native tongue of Aklo. The creature simply smiled, revealing far too many sharpened teeth, and it turned to face the door. Its apparent agreement with her instructions didn't make Luca feel any better - she didn't even know if it truly planned to listen.
Dante slips his focus several ways along the journey. Part of the time he is chatting with the crew and travelers. Part of the time he practices his limited bit of magic with the help of Tyrus if willing. He plays "like chess" often enough and, in the mornings, tries to practice his swordsmanship but usually grows to weak to continue after a few minutes. This frustrates him to no end but he tries not to show it. When he go no longer with his own strength he uses the power of the spirit to finish. When Logan asks to spar he respectfully declines. He explains he is not sure he could pull his punches well enough in that form and he certainly can't fight for long on his own strength.
I remember reading about the Iron Shark too. Unfortunately they never confirmed his death. Either he is alive or someone is trying to use his name to scare us.
I am sure my family could pay but I would rather not give them the satisfaction. With a determined look he draws the broken blade and it extends to full size. A pair of powerful, armor clad hands grip the hilt over Dante's, adding their strength to his and their resolve.
Re: the Dip checks on Lara: You aren't going for a single success/fail check, so I'm just taking note of how you roll (and applying various modifiers for how you describe your interactions! ;) ). I'll warn you that she'll be a tough nut to... er, crack, as it were. You definitely get the sense that she puts business before pleasure.
The crew of the Wavechaser furls the sails and raises a checkered flag that is the ocean-goer's shorthand for “let's talk.” In reply, the pirate vessel raises the same flag – the third upon their large foreward mast – in agreement.
With the sails down, the pursuing vessel catches up quickly, and before long pulls beside the Wavechaser. It is a taller vessel, larger and longer than its quarry. It's masthead was once a swordfish, but the nose has broken off. The marks of ballista bolts and other battle scars can be seen on the hull. A multitude of crew, all carrying weapons, are gathered on the deck rails. Some of them carry boarding grapples, other hang from long ropes hung from the rigging, ready to swing over. But they are all still, and most look towards the center where two men stand in front of the unrailed part of the deck.
One man is tall and strong. His hair is graying in places and his face is clean-shaven. Most noticeable of all is a prominent scar running from just below his right ear to the edge of his lower left jaw, right across his mouth. When he opens his mouth to speak, you see several of his teeth are gold, the originals no doubt destroyed when he received the scar. He wears odd-coloured leather armor, and weapons hang at his hip.
The other man is weather-worn and has stringy hair. He stands with his arms crossed over his unarmored chest. A pair of daggers seem to be his only armament.
Anyone standing close to the captain hears him mutter, half-shocked and half-resigned: ”Norren. Bugger me.”
The scarred man, unmistakeably the pirate captain, speaks in a booming voice clear enough to be heard by all.
”Jylla. Found you at last. It's time to pay your debts, you slick of pond scum.”
”I've no debts owed to you, Norren.” Jylla calls back. ”But we can pay for our safe passage. Ferel's fare sound good to you? Fifty gold crowns for every soul aboard my ship?”
”Ferel's long dead and drowned, Jylla. I care nothing for the terms he used to offer. And no, the debt is not to me – but I'm the only one who'll collect it. You can't betray a brother and think nobody will remember.” Norren's gaze now wanders over the Wavechaser and the rest of the people aboard. ”Listen! If you value your lives, you'll not raise arms against me. Jylla's is the only death I need today, and I'll have it one way or another. The rest of you place your weapons upon the deck and stand out of my way.”
A moment of silence hangs in the salt air after he speaks. Then another voice answers him – the voice of Jylla's first mate. ”I'll not hand over me captain to one of Ferel's murdering dogs!
Norren laughs. ”How do you think your captain and I know each other, sailor? We were there the day Ferel died, part of his self-same crew. You all have a count of ten to drop - “
The first mate interrupts him with a shout of ”F+@% you!, followed hard with the twang of a crossbow.
The bolt hits “Norren” in the leg, drawing a curse from him. His crew snarl and shout, but they do nothing until Norren looks to them and commands: ”Take the bloody ship. Take them alive, every damned one!"
Grapple's are thrown and latch onto the rails of the Wavechaser as the pirates begin to haul the ships close enough to board. Several of the men hanging from ropes push off from their own ship and swing aboard.
Init Order:
Dante
Luca
Pirates 1-4
Tyrus
Jylla
Yllaine
Crew
Lara
Logan
All the boarding pirates are wearing leather armor and are carrying maces.
If we get readied actions, Logan will throw his javelin at one of the pirates up in their rigging holding a rope.
____________
If there is a pirate adjacent or between Logan and the boarding hooks, he will move to the threat, drop javelins and pull his greatsword, and attempt to trip the pirate.
____________
If not he goes to the grapple hooks falling on the ship, drop javelins and pull his greatsword, and attempts to sunder one hooked to his ship.
with PA,
Luca carefully listened through a crack in the door as the pirates began talking. All right, so they probably had no idea just how many people were in the passenger cabin, and drawing their notice would be bad... Even as she thought that, however, her focus seemed to wander off again and the alien voice began to come from her throat once more, addressing her Eidolon in Aklo. "<No. You must keep them as far from this chamber as possible. Kill anything the priestess recognizes as an enemy, but prioritize her safety. This will help.>" Luca's mouth spoke a series of arcane words, then her hands gently gripped the Eidolon's face.
The Eidolon burst out of the room and onto the deck a moment later, moving in front of Jylla and crouching low as it growled at the pirates, ready to rip them to pieces.
for
Meanwhile, in the cabin, Luca's consciousness returned to her... and she paled as she realized what had happened.
Dante pulls out a bit of leather from a pouch at his side and focuses on it as he mutters under his his breadth. When his hand begins to glow he smacks himself on the chest. The light surges across his body and coalesces itself into armor floating just over critical parts of his body. He then moves to stand between Tyrus and the pirates taking an offensive stance. As small as he is he, doesn't look too imposing but the look in his eye says he is ready for anything.
Dante knows Armour of the Magi? I underestimated him...
I think when they say "if you value your lives" Tyrus would have cast Mage Armour on himself... but I'm okay for him to have missed the cue given his experience... in which case I've got Tyrus First Strategy Lesson: "Cast Mage Armour if people start arguing..." :)
Tyrus casts the same spell Dante did a moment earlier.
Tyrus lays a hand on Dante's back. Closing his eyes for a moment he draws upon decades old knowledge of transmutation. There is no time to craft a full spell, or enchant any item. There is enough time to simply throw Arcane Energy into the strange Matrix Dante is manifesting.
Hopefully the boy knows what he is doing.
"Torble. Protect the girl."
Torble skitters across the boards of the boat like some form of slimy rat, but if his form is hideous, his mission is noble.
Double move (30ft) towards the passenger cabins. Not using stealth, but hard to spot anyway due to his size I believe.
Dante casts his spell and takes up a defensive placement between Tyrus and the pirates, and no sooner does he reach his position than he is set upon by two of the boarders - one of whom looked as if he had originally been headed for the elder wizard.
Luca's eidolan, a strange and otherworldy creature, comes bounding out of the cabin, slipping past Lara and Yllaine who start at the sight of it. It takes position in front of Jylla like some madman's vision of a playful puppy.
The pirates move to gang up on the nearest two defenders. Logan and Dante are the subject of two attacks each:
Tyrus channels his subtle manipulation of magic into Dante, and the lad feels himself invigorated.
Jylla barely has the time to be surprised at the appearance of some four-legged creature in front of him. A shadow of apprehension flits across Jylla's face, and he darts a glance up to Norren, who stares back at the unfolding combat even as he winds a bandage around the wound on his leg. Then the captain shouts "Defend our ship, lads!" The crew - and Vincent - rush forward, swinging their weapons if they can reach a foe - those who can't either chop at the boarding ropes or make for the nearest enemy.
A solid charge leaves a pair of the pirates heavily wounded. Jylla assault nearly kills one man dead on the spot, but somehow the ruffian keep his feet, bleeding profusely from where the captain's curved blade struck him.
After reeling slightly from the blow he took, Logan reaches out and seizes the pirate's wrist, inviting one last swipe of the mace
Logan ducks neatly under the attack and with a quick pull and well-placed foot, he sprawls the man onto the deck.
From within the cabin, Luca can hear Yllaine and Lara speaking in hushed tones to each other, but neither makes a move to leave the enclosed space.
Dante[19] (Mage Armor AC 19, +2 Strength this round | 7 damage to Eidolan)
Luca/Eidolan[18] (Shield on Eidolan)
Pirate 1[15] (11 damage)
Pirate 2[15] (9 damage, Prone)
Pirate 3[17]
Pirate 4[17]
Tyrus[13] (Mage Armor, AC 16)
Pirate 7[13]
Jylla[12]
Yllaine[12]
Pirate 5[11]
Pirate 6[10]
Crew[8]
Vincent[8]
Lara[7]
Pirate[8]
Logan[3] (8 damage)
4 more scallywags swing aboard the Wavechaser, joining the already-crowded melee.
Torble accelerates his skittering towards the open door.
Tyrus holds his hands up in front of him
"I don't want to do this! Leave me ALONE!". He chants a word and a sickly green-yellow aura seems to glow on his fingers. Stepping forward he moves to stop Dante from being overwhelmed.
"Leave the boy alone! Your captain said to take us alive!"
Tyrus steps up to put a hand on Dante - and keep him between Tyrus and the pirates - and continues to channel strength into the young man.
"Dante! Don't we need to form up or something? Castle! Castle!"
Dante manages to deflect one attack but he had never had to worry about multiple opponents before and the other moves in to gash him on the forearm. Strangely enough it didn't hurt though. He spares a quick glance to see the armor overlaying his own arm has taken the damage and is glowing red. An alien angry fills him and he lashes out at the pirates closest to him.
Dante takes a mighty swing but both pirates step back from the massive blow, knowing they were a hairs breadth away from death. Realizing his folly he steps back and prepares for the next attack.