Wren hunkers down where she can watch others and work on her jewelry.
She is content with herself and Plumie at the moment, needing nothing more than more time to work on some items for sale at the next port.
The early afternoon on the Jenivere sees a curious assembly boarding. Four gnomes, dressed in expedition garb and wearing matching pins in the shape of an unusual symbol, board the ship, appearing at once familliar with the ship and absolutely fascinated by it.
At the forefront of the group, a tan-skinned gnome with a fiery red beard and hairstyle leads the way up the boarding catwalk.
"I must say, state, and affirm, friends, though I have boarded this ship many times," the leader affirms, "This fine ship will never cease to impress me."
His companions are just as fascinated.
"Truly." "All the same for me." "Very much so! Have you seen the size of those sails? Fascinating."
After some idle chitchat, and having left their baggage in the cabin they have reserved, the four gnomes agree to part ways until dinner, and to mingle amongst the crowd.
Later that afternoon, the fiery-haired gnome finds himself on a stroll across the deck, until an elven women in particularly striking garb catches his attention.
"Ah!" Osmillar jubilates. "What elegance and dignity! What striking colors! What beautiful plumage!" He cntinues, politely approaching Wren. "Your bird is a fine specimen as well," he adds with a playful smile.
Then, realising that he is forgetting his manners, Osmillar steps back and bows. "Ah, but please forgive me for being so forward," he apologizes, bowing humbly. "My mouth has a tendency to run in the face of marvelous sights. Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Osmillar Vendeltray, of the Sargavan Gnomish Initiative. To whom do I owe the pleasure?" he asks politely.
Wren looks up from her crafteries to smile toothily at the gnome.
"Why hello!" Wren says, looking down at her feathers and blushing. "You mean this old thing? I've been meaning to remake it for ages..."
Wren flops out a hand as if to wave off the compliment.
"Well met, Osmillar. My name is Wren. It is nice to meet you...you have a keen eye for colors," Wren says, admiring the orange beard of the gnome, which mirrors a wide stripe in her armor.
"Oh, where are my manners. This here is Plume, my feathered companion and the source of many of these feathers. Say 'hi' to our new friend, Plumie," Wren prompts the bird, trying to get him out of his shell.
The bird says nothing. Wren espies the rest of the gnomehorde.
"Oh my, there seem to be a lot of you...what are all you going?"
"A pleasure, an honor, and a joy to make both of your acquaintances. My companions and I are bound for Sargava; we are returning from presenting our findings at various academies, and off to make some new ones! What about you, Wren?"
Wren readily accepts the invitation to talk, chittering excitedly.
Wren relates a past learning experience to Osmillar.
"Oooh! That would be fun," Wren announces, assuming that Osmillar was going to present everything to her as well. "I do love a good learning! Like that time...blahblah...untold cavity searches...blahblah...the butler in the library with a shoanti bola wrapped...blahblahblah...left organ, untouched, while the right was colorfully bound....blahblahblah...and so, it was him all along!"
"Hahaha! That's absolutely fascinating, especially the part about the escaped geese." Osmillar replies, absolutely delighted by the story. "That reminds me of that time a few of my colleagues tried to go into the jungle to study a rare subspecies of toucans and ...blahblahblah...nearly fell off the bridge...blahblahblah...the camp's only container of mustard...blahblahblah...and that's why we don't try to study lemon trees anymore. It's astounding what will happen when one least expects it, isn't it?"
;)
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Shilyn greets Travis and watches a bit as he slips into his routine. She quickly falls into her own, starting with a series of stretches then uses some of the deck fixtures as props as she practices moving from one to the other, developing her sense of balance and timing her movements to the motion of the ship. She culminates her routine with a hand stand and gracefully allows her arms to bend as she rolls to her feet.
"Ah, that felt good. Sure beats staying cooped up below deck, as they say." She wipes a bead of sweat from her brow and reaches up to untie her hair, letting the breeze blow through it. "Time to get something to eat." With a wave to Travis, she heads off to find something to calm her growling stomach.
Apologies to all for any songs that might have brought into your head.
After stopping in Quent (the Shackles) you stay over in Port Peril (Also the Shackles). A hardened woman in armor comes aboard and stands off on her own. She is introduced as Aerys Movato. Aerys is a trim, athletic woman with short dark hair, tanned skin, and fierce blue eyes. She dresses in tightly fitted leather armor and favors dark clothing and tricorn hats.
Soon after one of the crew is overheard shouting that he had "dibs" on her, and that his bunkmate was going to have to find somewhere else to stay, because of (the one thing and the other)... The next few minutes consisted of Aerys on top of the man as he had probably envisioned- but he probably didn't imagine her raining down blows so expertly on him with her fists that when Alton finally was able to get to the scene, it looked like his face was doing a look alike contest with Rambar's "raw meat pie" (which only the most daring have actually eaten). Aerys didn't seem to even notice after she was pulled off. She got up, looked for the nearest container of alcohol which she grabbed, pulled off the cork with her teeth, and went into the nearest open room and boarded herself inside.
Alton sent the sailor to the "hospital ward," which was basically just a second storeroom, smiling all the way. "A real barrel of powder that one. Lit fuse and all." And then double checked where she was just in case she had overheard him.
The captain, who would normally take delight in this sort of thing, was looking vaguely into the distance, seemingly at nothing. He had a frown on his face, and was seen to mutter something under his breath, sweating a little.
Travis watched the entire encounter with a bit of amusement, though he almost stepped in just before Alton pulled her off the crewman. In the end, he simply shrugged, kinda glad he didn't interfere... let the First Mate deal with it. He turns his attention to the captain, watching the man for a bit before going back reluctantly to his own duties... It wasn't his place to approach the Captain to see what was troubling him, perhaps he'd be able to speak with Alton again later.
In the meantime though perhaps he had a chance to overhear what the captain was muttering?
" It's astounding what will happen when one least expects it, isn't it?"
Wren smiles, delighted to have a talkin' partner on the boat.
Unlike the Halfsie, this one can really talk!
Wren will trade stories with the gnome all the way to Quent (and beyond) or he hangs himself he disappears with 'other things to do'.
"...so unlike that zombie bartender, we have so much to talk about!"
Shorga, as is his custom, takes Ursa into town for her exercise and took explore the place a little. When he returns later that day he finds the small group of gnomes, included one who seems a match for the talkative feather lady. They just seem to talk to and through and over each other, and none the wiser. he thinks to himself, clearly unable to follow their conversation for long.
He happens to be learning on a rail near the rude sailors when the woman Aerys begins to deliver swift justice. Shorga can only watch in deep respect and admiration as the uncouth seaman is hauled off to be treated. "What a woman." he states quietely, watching Aerys head off by herself.
You all pass through the shackles without any problems, at least any of the pirate kind. The mood on the boat is nervous and somber.
You stop into Bloodcove in the Mwangi Expanse and pick up the latest passenger, Ishirou. He seems to be about middle aged, and always has a sour look on his face, and a snide comment. It is a running joke amongst the ship wondering which person is the most dismissive, Ishirou or Ieana.
To ease the tension, now that you are "out of danger" the crew has decided to throw a "100 days into the voyage!" party, which will include a "formal" dinner (I am wondering how formal watery soup can get) and then music and dancing/telling stories.
It is required that everyone on the boat RSVP for morale purposes and come up with a game or a talent they can show after dinner, and it is considered mandatory, even for someone as anti-social as Aerys, who has spent the last week and a half of the voyage drinking heavily, and slurring what sounds like lines to a sad song song.
Alton will be gathering in the RSVPs and also annotating what talents each person has, and arranging the order.
Shorga initially is resistant to the required 'talent show', but after some thinking comes up with an idea and approaches Alton to talk about it.
Wren is delighted by the invite and the chance to share her many talents.
Wren offers to speak on a wide variety of topics, but eventually settled on a long diatribe about the differing types of undead.
If that doesn't interest, she will offer to do a jewelry show, showing her pieces and eliciting sales.
"Talent show"? Not sure if I have any demonstrable talents, really. Weapon maneuvers they see every day, and I'm not exactly flashy in the first place...Hm.
Oh! A talent show! Fascinating!
Travis thinks long and hard on what to do to amuse the crew and passengers. Finally he settles on one thing and wonders how he'll ever practice it without everyone seeing it in advance. He decides that down in the hold with the horse will do and he spends a little of his downtime from working in the hold 'rehearsing.' He responds to Alton that of course he will attend.
All your talents sound good! To those that asked very specific things with rolls, I will pm you before it is your "turn" to present with details you need.
So am I to understand that you are spending some time practicing and preparing for the event? (Thus allowing for performance bonuses?)
- It might be a good idea to let me know the amount of time that you spend leading up to it practicing... You have known about the show for a couple days leading up to it. do you intend to spend most your time, a little time, or almost no time (winging it instead).
I'm excited for this. :)
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"Oh, great.. another dinner party," Shilyn mumbles as she pulls her only pair of clean clothes, a dark green shirt and tan pants, from her pack and puts them on. A careful sniff of her current shirt convinces her that a change is needed. "And here goes my only set of semi-clean clothes," she mutters as she unceremoniously stuffs the dirty ones back in her pack.
She keeps her hair down and finds her old, ratty brush and gives it a quick go over.
The party is here, and you all feel that you have prepared well enough. Dinner is bread and *not* watered down soup. It looks like they pulled out all the stops. Alton makes a speech, and excuses the captain who isn't well.
You each get a note. It reads: "Please see me before you all take the stage. There are dangerous mechanisms in operation aboard this boat. Tell no one of this note, I don't know whom I can trust. Alton will take you to me."
- Alizandru Kovack
In the captains quarters captain Kovack is lying in his bed. He motions you to come around and whispers that he thinks that some one here means to do damage to the ship and the people in it. He tells you that he has been having strange dreams, and that it seems like he has been sleepwalking for the last couple weeks.
I have proof of my claim. Wait here and let me go into my privacy chamber and I will get it for you.
He walks out the door, and it shuts. And then the door behind you shuts. Followed by the window covers. All you can see is the stars from the cracks in the ceiling. Not too long after, you hear a voice that sounds dulcimer sweet, but has a little hiss to it.
"Just assss you have been preparing your actsss for the last few dayssssss, this room has been prepared for the last few dayssss. There isss no way out for you except up. I have been watching you curiousssly, but I think that you are more dangerous to me alive on the island, sssssso now I must dissspose of you.
Some words are spoken in a language you don't understand, and a thick yellow smoke starts to descend, weaving its way through the holes and cracks in the roof above.
You choke on vapors and struggle to hold on to consciousness. You feel your body seize and rack itself, fighting the smoke now within you. You do fight it, but it takes everything in you. You lay there, and as your vision starts to shrink down to nothing you hear the captain yell out "Starboard port yield way to Smuggler's Shiv! THAT'S AN ORDER!"
Wren looks at the yellow smoke, her elven face twisting to one side in confusion.
What is this?
*cough*
I was so looking forward to my *cough* presentation.
*cough*
Ps, you don't actually need to roll initiative. I just need you to post something so that I know you are ready, because we go directly to combat from here.
If you want to roll it, go ahead. Otherwise ust let me know that you are choking (and ready) ... :)
Alphonse collapses to the ground slowly, fighting to remain conscious.
He mulls over the words as he collapses.
A...threat? Why..? he manages to think before dropping to the floor, unable to rise.
"W-what is the meaning of this?" Osmillar declares, outraged. The captain had taken him away from his companions, perhaps to ask about some things troubling him, and, clearly, he'd fallen into some trap.
"W-what is this? I don't think-" and he hits the ground with a light "thud".
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Shilyn's eyes dart around the room as she tries to suppress her raising sense of panic looking for a way out. The sight of smoke brings to mind a conversation with one of the deck hands about fires at sea and she can't help but feel the raising anxiety.
She watches as some of the others collapse, wondering what is happening. Her legs feel weak and she suddenly finds herself kneeling on the deck. Her struggles to raise and sense of growing panic cause her to breathe in more of the smoke.. "I'll just lay here a bit, gather my strength.." she thinks as her eyes start to drift closed..
TRavis fights the smoke at first by holding his breath. He's lived through worse on the edge of the Worldwound, he's sure of that, whatever this might be. He tries to break out of the room, following the advice of the sibilant voice, by going up while holding his breath. However, eventually, even with a fairly good constitution, he has to take a breath and soon succumbs to the vapors.
Even as he slips into unconsciousness, he calls out once in the language of his youth.
Ps, you don't actually need to roll initiative. I just need you to post something so that I know you are ready, because we go directly to combat from here.
If you want to roll it, go ahead. Otherwise ust let me know that you are choking (and ready) ... :)
Throat burning and eyes watering, Shorga's last thoughts as the darkness closes in is of Ursa, down in the hold, and wondering what will become of his beloved equine friend.
Quick update.
I have gone through all your character sheets, and am in the process of making your master map and some gm quickie sheets. Check back later tonight and I should have it all put together :-)
EDIT: I had my schedule change a little today, and got to it quicker.
You wake up with a small pinch on your foot, and wake up to see sea scorpions poking and prying at you.
They aren't looking for a fight, and quickly scuttle away as you all wake and they realize that you aren't all unconsious or dead as they believed.
You are on an island. It is humid even on the coastline. You are on the beach in something of a cul de sac. If you look off to the North, you see the wreckage of the Jenivere. Your gear is still on that ship, what you have here is what you wore to the banquet.
The 6 of you are there, along with the 5 passengers: Jask, Aerys, Gelik, Sasha and Ishirou, all in varying conditions. Jask looks to be non-moving and his hands are still cuffed behind his back.
Shorga kicks at the fleeing sea scorpion, cursing at it in orcish. Groaning deep in his throat he stands and checks himself for injuries, and starts to try and rouse the others, including Jask. "Ish everyone alright!?" he calls, and looks around for any supplies or things that may have washed ashore.
He tries to keep a careful eye for hoof marks, "Doesh anyone shee Ursha?!?" he asks, growing frantic.
Alphonse coughs up some seawater as he sits up and rasps "I'm fine, I think...mostly."
He too looks around to check on their situation.
"Everyone else okay?"
At Shorga's words and obvious panic, he rushes over.
"Calm down, take a breath. I'm sure he's fine. Let's focus on who we see here, make sure everyone's all right, and then I will personally go with you to track Ursa."
Ow.
Ow.
OW!
Wren bolts straight up, looking to strangle gently reprimand Plume for biting her toes. Opening her eyes, she realizes several immediate things about her condition that were very different than what she thought before.
"Plume? Plumie?! Are you here, dearie? PLUMIE?" Wren wails, frantically looking around her and the water for her bird.
"Nevermind about your damn horse! Have you seen my bird?" Wren struggles to her feet, still looking about. Her eyes go to the others on the shore, briefly weighing what they might need against what her immediate worries are.
Perception
If her bird is not readily around, Wren will go check on Shilyn, Gelik, & Osmillar, the few that she knows from the ship.
Given enough time, she will eventually help Jask get to being upright and out of the sun.
"What the heck happened?! Does anyone know? My bird! Has anyone seen my Plumie?"
"Oh, my. What happened? Who was that speaking to us? Where are we? When did I end up on this beach? Why would anyone do this to travelers?"
Looking around himself as he struggles to his feet, Osmillar slowly becomes aware that his companions are gone. "Oh... dear... Boshwald? Shella? Somaruk? Oh... this is awful, this is terrible, this is horrible!"
Then, as he notices the others, he immediately rushes over.
"Is anybody injured? I am quite practiced in first aid, I assure you."
Travis wakes and shakes his head, running his fingers through his hair to tame it and get it out of his eyes. He rubs his eyes. THen he paws at his eyes, trying to get the sand out of them. Finally, he looks about, able to see again clearly.
"What in the 999 levels of the abyss...???" he shouts as he kicks at a scorpion. THen, he looks over at the others as he rolls to his feet in a fluid movement.
Standing, he walks over to help anyone who looks to be in need of assistance getting to their feet.
Since Jask looks to be unconscious still, he walks over to him. He examines the manacles with a little scowl and tries to manipulate the man's wrists out of the bonds while he asleep and unfeeling of possible pain.
Whether that works or not, he stands again and stretches, cracking his back and then his neck gently.
"Don't know who or what gassed us or exactly why... but I'm curious too as to how the ship got wrecked...and what happened to the rest of the crew, and the captain"
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Shilyn awakes suddenly when her leg kicks out at something. In her dream, a goblin was trying to bite her foot off. Eyes open, she spots a strange, crab like creature rushing away. "Uh.. what?.. Where am I? Definitely not on ship.." she mutters as her eyes and brain slowly adjust.
Sitting up, she sees the others beginning to rouse and a couple of the other passengers still out of it. She looks around for her weapons and pack, or any other items of use.
Struggling to her feet, she goes to help the others. Upon seeing Travis bending over one of them bound in shackles, she stops in her tracks. "What is he doing in those things? If I can find my gear, I'll get them off." "Frist, let's get everyone off this sand and find anything we can use.. hopefully, something to eat.."
"Wait!" Osmillar approaches Shilyn and Travis as they attempt to get the man free. "Isn't he the prisoner from the ship? Surely he wasn't bound for no reason!"
"We have more pressing matters at hand right now, I think. Leaving him bound could be a death sentence out here if we need to move quickly or defend ourselves. And I see no sign of civilization anywhere nearby."
"Since everyone seems to be all right, or well enough, I'm going to scout around a bit, see if I can tell where we are. Shorga, come with me if you like, let's see if we can find Ursa."
"I think that reason no longer exists... While I am fond of the law myself, I think now is not a time for such concerns. I was thinking more about his and our survival on this remote piece of land."
He points to the wreckage of the ship. "I think those who were charged with keeping him prisoner are probably no longer with us, and have no care to his condition. I have no desire to deal with such things here and now. He seemed a calm enough fellow when I could get him to talk on the ship. I sense no real danger from him."
Probably unable to free the fellow , he stands and shrugs. "Can't seem to free him anyway, my skills are not up to it. He may have to free himself, if he can. Or perhaps we can find the keys to those manacles on the wreck."
"I'll check the ship for Ursa, while you scout here, Shorga."
Travis pulls off his shirt and places it on a rock to dry, and dives into the water, heading to the Jenivere with strong strokes.