When the crab appeared, Beatrice was in ther cabin, reading up on sorcery and training her eyes, unused to reading, on the ancient tomes. Some notes scribbled in an uncertain, unelegant calligraphy were scattered around the table, detailing the Merciful Hand's most basic rituals.
Books, notes and singer all went flying on the floor as the ship suddenly turned, and her melodious voice let out several undignified espressions.
A hand stained with ink, Beatrice climbs on the deck to find out the reason for all the commotion. "Oh, we are up against a giant crab? Is everything out for our blood? I suppose we should be thankful it's not a necromancer crab surrounded by undead seagulls, at the very least!"
Her fingers get cloaked in darkness with her words, and she lets out a blast in the creature's general direction. "Well? Seafood time?"
After the ship has changed course, Jebat snaps his fingers and calls lightning on to the crab.
The lightning bolts in the crab's area start striking eerily more accurately.
Listrana takes the claw on her shield, deflecting the worst of the damage, and shrugging it off.
"Captain, can you have some crew rig some of the smaller cannons to fire on the crab!? Not close enough to the water to fall in when it hits the ship, or to be hit by a claw! Captain, it's damaging the ship, in a castle, I'd have repair crews shoring up the wall from the inside, can that work on the ship? Also, if I go down, don't risk anyone to pull me out. This thing can't kill me." She grins fiercely, obviously in her element.
"You can risk someone to rescue me!" Her sword says in a loud voice. "I can't swim! And I don't want to spend a decade or five in a crab's belly!"
"Hush! Deeper cutting, less talking!" Listrana responds to the sword.
Beatrice's voice is a shrill, crystalline cry as motes of darkness fly against the giant crustacean. "Johohoe!"
"Jalak, fire at will!" Jebat commands and floats over the crab to distract it from the ship.
"Follow me!"
With an unladylike grunt, Beatrice tries to move as far as possible from the claws before unleashes another volley of pure darkness.
Listrana takes the claw on her shield again, shrugging it off.
"Follow me, crab!" Jebat commands the crab and trying to kite it.
Jebat commands his ship to heave to and send boats to collect crab supper.
He asks Kostya nicely if he can repair the ship.
Listrana spits the blood out of her mouth, and resheath's her sword. "I've always had a personal rule to never eat anything that tried to eat me. Figured it's stupidity might be contagious. You're all more than welcome to eat it though." She puts her sword away, silencing it with a tap of her finger before it can get started. "I'd save it's shell as much as possible. Seems to me that might be good armor for the ship, if steel is too heavy."
"What an uncivilized beast. Let's hope it's tasty, at least. If you'll excuse me, I have to salvage my notes. Looks like healing magic could be useful in the future, if I can get the hang of it."
Listrana gathers up her troops. "Alright now, when we dock, you are to guard the ship against theft and attack. Split up, two per watch, three watches a day. I'll know if anyone attacks you and return as needed." Once that is worked out, she turns to her fellow gods.
"So, only a fool makes battle plans without information. I assume our eventual goal is still to carve out a defensible base and begin eliminating slavers, yes? If we're going to do this, we'll need to build our base faster than the Empire sees us as a threat. This is the last chance if you want to change our plans, once we start, we'll either have to push through to the end or die, the Empire won't let us simply slink off into the night. For now, we need information. That seems to be a source."
Khatef spends the long trip contemplating his place in this world. He realizes he's been treating his godhood the same way as the rest of his life; Shrinking from the reality and trying to hide and cringe away from any strangers who might do him harm.
The man that walks onto the deck to view the harbor is a different one than the one too afraid of the ship's sailors to even let them know of his presence. He strides confidently, though still views many of them with suspicion, and turns his eye to the city before them to assess it as a resource to be used.
"We should get a feel for the local politics first. If we can win the hearts of the common people we can go unnoticed for longer. Words of our deeds would spread if we became monster hunters or looked to improve their lives, but as long as we are viewed as heroes and hide our true aspirations until the groundwork is laid, we shouldn't come under fire until we wish it."
"To that end I believe we should move slower, not faster. Worm our way into the local governments, gain the trust of the populace, but never overtly tip our hand as to our growing influence. If we want to make a lasting nation it needs to look like a natural, logical progression, as if things never could be any other way. Not a bloody coup."
Beatrice pulls her starred cloak away from the filth lining the harbor grounds, a slight grimace on her face. Her sharp ears listening to her companions, she cocks her head to the side as she hears Khatef's words. Assertive. Lucid. Sure. He's growing. Perhaps he'll even grow a heart.
"You do make it sound like we're tricking them. It's not like our true aspirations are vile in any way."
She pulls back her hood, coppery blonde locks framing her delicate facial features, a soft glow radiating from her skin. "Getting the love of the populace shouldn't be hard, if there's something the Dreaming Nightingale can do, is making love grow. We'll proclaim this place to be under our aegis, turn it prosper again. There must be monster hunters too, they may make for good allies, as they know the place."
Listrana taps her chin. "The important thing, I think, is which locals to help first. We need to find a nice combination of chafing against the Empire, mixed with a defensible position. Then we should see about building up our army quietly. Perhaps talking to some of the more honorable mercenary groups. I'm fairly certain I can talk them into joining my forces, especially in exchange for legitimacy and land."
Along the way, they make several calls at ports in the Kasirutan Archipelago where Jebat renews his friendships and his crew spreads the word of the Storm Captain.
Jebat is genuinely sorry to see Kostya go. He ensures that Kostya can contact his network of former crew. And his former crew have orders to keep an eye on Kostya.
Arriving at Raktine, Jebat is unfazed with Listrana's giving orders. He knows his crew know their jobs. He listens to his companions' ideas and then pronounces, "Well, I intend to accompany the first of my crew to relax and reconnect with some former crew. So, I'll hear what's going on from the Docks point of view. How about we meet back at the ship tomorrow noon to swap stories?"
Striding through the streets, Beatrice is sure to turn some heads as she moves towards the largest building she can find, looking for anything resembling a town hall. Gaining entry is not hard as she reaches into her abilities to twist the patrolling guards' hearts into blind love and devotion.
"My good lads," she asks the enthralled guards with a smile "wouldn't you bring me to whoever is in charge of this nice city?"
Listrana looks around the city as she walks into it. The city seems peaceful, but that is because it has enough defenders to keep monsters and demons out of it. The countryside is likely to be much more dangerous.
She smiles, still, this is a land racked by internecine conflict between petty nobles with more pride and ego than common sense. That means there will be mercenaries. And there will be lots of them, all waiting to earn some coin. Where there are mercenaries, there are recruiters and servicers. She asks around, letting enough 'oomph' into her voice to get common answers, and begins finding out about what mercenary groups are currently in the city looking for work.
She asks around until she finds out who the most honorable mercenary group in town is. Mercenary honor being taking their coin and staying bought, not killing non-combatants, and showing mercy to surrendered enemies. Honorable mercenaries sometimes have more trouble getting work than murdering thugs, but they are usually worth it.
Once she finds the best of the them, she seeks them out and asks for an audience with the leader of the company. A little 'oomph' in her voice should get underlings to at least let her speak to the mercenary commander.
Khatef, in a desire to be taken seriously going forward, begins at a high end tailor's shop. If they're going to be here for any length of time he needs to establish a persona.
Once he finds one, he sweeps in like he owns the place, snaps his fingers, points at the tailor, and puts on his best pompous accent.
"You there. I am Lord Mutaswil of the Oasis States. I have an important meeting to attend and my clothes are rags from the trip. You will outfit me in clothes befitting my station. Quickly."
So, Jebat debarks with a third of his crew to enjoy the dockside taverns and dives. Sections of his crew enter each establishment, as well as walking further into town for a higher quality establishment.
Jebat spends time with each of the sections moving place to place collecting the information that his crew had gathered. Every new person he meets, Jebat puts some divine power into the introduction to recruit new loyal followers every where he goes. In addition, he reconnects with some of his retired crew who had opened chandleries and a mariner's mission.
Besides collecting information and enjoying themselves, the crew share stories of the Storm Captian who they are very proud to follow.
"Consider this a test, boy." Khatef says to over his own ignorance on the subject.
"Bring me samples based on your best judgment. Please me and I will reward you. I expect you to fail, of course, but the peasantry can sometimes surprise with unexpected bursts of competence."
Listrana narrows her eye, and takes a seat at the bar. "Do I look like I need help with vermin?" She asks, letting her aura of command descend on her like a mantle... along with an aura of menace that cuts like a blade.
"There are changes coming to this land, Arack, Leader of the Black Sabres. My job is long, and hard, but will come with the reward of a land cleansed of demonic taint. A land filled with those who lead not by right of blood but by right of competence. A land without slavery. The question you have to ask yourself, Arack, of the Black Sabres, is if you will follow a Blood Red Blade." She pats her sword with one hand, her eyes burning into Arack's as she speaks.
"Don't you worry, dear, he'll want to meet with me. Show the way, please?"
Several minutes later, Beatrice is waiting in the antechamber of the Boyar, sipping tea, as a smitten clerk has gone to announce her. No ordinary guard could resist her charms. I could have just walked in, but it may pay to be polite. Enchanting his heart might fade in time, I'd rather have a willing collaborator.
"Ah, you must be Boyar Tiborc. I am Beatrice," she introduces herself once presented to the nobleman "the Dreaming Nightingale. I have a proposition for you. You see, I represent a group of especially powerful and talented people. Powerful beyond mortal ability, you may think of us as budding deities. I know, it does sound bizarre and unbelievable, but it is so, and I can prove it, if you wish."
"Now for my proposal. We intend to get a foothold on Arcem, and Orsova looks like an excellent place for beginning. We will protect you, we will make you prosper. In return, you will start spreading the word about us, and build a temple. What say you?"
"Metal things? Black Academies? Tell me more." Jebat asks for more details.
He continues to create a thousand loyal crew.
Khatef thinks back to the conversation he had with Beatrice weeks ago, and starts looking at an assortment of colors, looking for something that represents as many as possible. When the boy brings him the outfit he blinks in surprise, as it's very close to what he was imagining. After trying it on and noting his appearance in the mirror, he comes back out hiding how much he likes the fit and look of the clothing.
He affects a haughty, begrudgingly impressed voice.
"Passable. I suppose this is the best I can expect on short notice." true to his word he pulls out a handful of coins and gives them to the boy.
"These are for you." to the tailor: "My men will be by soon to pay you for the outfit. I am in a hurry and will now take my leave. Give them whatever price you deem fair for it."
"Here have another drink, my friend.
"So, the wizards hold the power here? These Black Academies? Who were the invaders that they drove out?
"Are the mercenary groups employed by the city to defend itself from the metal things from Nezdohva? Which are the most powerful mercenary groups?"
"They won't turn away me, dear. Oh, I look forward to a profitable cooperation... Now, would you be a sweetheart and tell me all about these Black Academies? Who they are, where they are, what they want, everything you know?"
"Depends on how you define vermin." the Mercenary answered with a shrug. "But if you're asking for our help, seems pretty clear to me it's not something you could just do yourself." He took a long drink from his cup. "On the other hand, you seem capable enough to make it interesting... got the money?"
Listrana stands up, smiling. "If money is all you're interested in, then I've been led astray. I asked for the most honorable mercenary group in the area, a group concerned with not just money, but also ensuring that monsters are eradicated. My job is not for the crass, or the greedy. My job is no less than the utter eradication of all monsters in Raktine, the destruction of the Black Academies, and an end to the internicine warfare between the city states that makes the lives of the common folk miserable. I am Listrana Redblade, Knight Commander of the Kingdom of Korelia. I have fought demons in battle, I have died fighting demons in battle." She flips up the eye patch, showing an open and bloody wound, never healed and never healing, still fresh. The orb that used to be there has a burning bloody light now. "Even demons could not stop me, and I will end those who summon that trash into our world. If it takes me a thousand years, I will. The only question I have for you, Arack of the Black Sabres, is if you are merely a mercenary, or if you have ambitions. Once the Academies are destroyed, and the fighting halted, there will be need for people of vision to build a new order. There will be rewards beyond your wishes in the coffers of the Black Academies. The only question, Arack of the Black Sabres, is if you are to be a part of this, or if you'll be out of a job in a few years, once I've found others if you decline the job."
She turns to Arack's men, her eyepatch still up, staring at each one of them. "This world will be changing, and it will change with you or without you. This is your chance to be a part of that change, or you can watch the world change around you." She flips the eyepatch down again, covering the wound, and then casually flips a knife from the bar up in the air, before catching it and driving it into her own chest, just above her armor. She withdraws the blade, letting blood flow from the wound. As the mercenaries watch, the blood flow slows, then stops. Finally the wound begins to close up. "This world has been found in need of changes, and me and my fellows intend to see to that change. That change starts with the destruction of demons, and those who follow them. It starts with an end to slavery, and the beginnings of a land where a man is judged by his actions and ability. Your choice now is to lead that change, follow it, or get the hell out of my way. Which do you choose?"
Listrana turns her eye back to Arack, waiting to see if he will acquiese to her banner with promises of payments later, or if he's just a greedy mercenary and her information was wrong about him and his group.
Khatef bristles, subsumed in his role for a moment.
"You are trying my patience." he says, as a chill fear runs through everyone and the light in the shop dims. His eyes glow with an eerie blue light, shadows cast to resemble a black skull.
"Many a lord and ambassador have met with fitting ends for lesser transgressions against a Sorcerer Prince. Do not presume to tell me what I may or may not do, lest I be forced to think of a creative punishment for your hubris."
"You are fortunate I understand the limitations of a commoner's intelligence, and am a merciful man. If you are brave or foolish, test me again. If you value your life I am willing to overlook your slip of the tongue this once. Nod your head if you understand."
Listrana sits back down, and smiles, taking an ale. "You have one Knight Commander, slightly battered, and pissed enough to move heaven and earth. Three more... highly impassioned and powerful people who are also willing to move heaven and earth. Six former Knights of Kotelia, a kingdom within Alciana. I believe the reputation of the Knights may have made it even this far." "A ship that may or may not have been a pirate in it's former existence, and a crew both strong and empassioned." She frowns, a sadness descending upon her. "I also have several sets of Knight's armor, their former owners no longer in need of them, and things too desperate at the time to bury them with their former wearers."
"She also has me, the most marvelous blade ever made." Her sword says from her side, sounding smug, earning it a thump with the palm of her hand. ALthough the thump is light.
"Ignore that, please. We also have the shell of a crab we killed on the way here." She holds her hands apart, pointing to two tables far enough apart to indicate the size of the crab. "I believe that such an item would be worth money, although I would need an expert in monsters to tell me what the worth of such a hide is."
She draws a finger on the bar, using a few drops of ale to make a drawing of the confederacy, dropping her voice so as not to carry too far. "The first thing to do, I think, is to find a defensible place to start from, clear out the current vermin in it, and use what they had to move forward. I suspect one of the lesser Academies would be ideal, given what I've heard of them. It gives us a good start, with monsters to kill for bounties, a wizard or two to slaughter for their crimes of summoning demons, and whatever resources the wizard had. What I really lack is information on the surrounding areas, and where to find such a place to start from." She smiles. "I had hoped to find honorable soldiers who would have such information, and be willing to risk to gain greatly."
Listrana then straightens up. "I realize I am promising more than you think I can provide. Allow me to prove it. Swear yourselves to me for one mission, a bounty you may have been reluctant to take on, I and my 6 knights will join your soldiers to help with the battle. After that, if you do not think we can succeed, you may keep the bounty and I will seek others. Otherwise, you and your group joins my ranks, and we will move forward as we discussed."
Jebat nodded along with the sailor, "Interesting, my friend. Have another drink."
"How do you think we could knit this part of the continent together? Tame the magical beasts that the wizards called? How could we rebuild this nation? Is there anything that people here share in beliefs?
"Oh, but I do have truly incredible resources, dear." As Beatrice smiles cockily, light shines from her, bathing the entire room in sunlight for a few seconds. As the light fades back to normality, she's chuckling. "You've really been a treasure, my good Boyar, and I look forward to cooperating with you. One last question, where can I find a liaison for these Academies, that I may speak to them?"
Listrana looks over the map, and nods. "So, you're saying we either need to take out 5 or 6 of them in short order, or we need to go find the biggest one and then send body parts to the others, to give them something to think about? I assume getting the head or hand or spleen of the guy, or gal, that scares you shytless would get your attention and convince you to lay off? At least long enough for us to go knock off the second biggest. The thing is, once we get rolling, we'll have other people knocking on door to join in. A lot of them will be legitimate people who want to be rid of them forever, and the rest will be double agents. We have ways of figuring those out, I think, that most groups wouldn't have. It's been my experience that politics and war are similar, cut the head off and everything else panics a bit. And I doubt the wizards are very good at banding together, they've spent decades infighting, they won't trust each other any farther than they can throw the continent. Who's the biggest badded wizard around?"
"Knit, like a sail. Instead of pieces of cloth, what could knit this land together to make, how you called it, a nation? It would need to be something simple and shared by the people here. Something that almost everyone could believe in."
"Have another drink. What are these rising threats, that you mention?"