A new game of mystery and snakes.
The stars are unfathomably bright tonight. The tropical air blows in your face as you stand on the deck of the The Jenivere. You have known for some time that the Captain has been taking an unusual course...
Ivar stands on the deck, his shift over; enjoying the warm air blowing across his muscular frame, the smell of the sea, the sound of the waves, the noise of the gulls:
Julian awakens in the hold that he smuggled himself into. Well, the first mate has been kind enough to keep the food coming at least, Besmara bless him.
He stretches his arms, the old wound finally healing. Once we get back to the Shackles I will be evening a few scores ... sending a few souls to Besmara for judgement.
Freedom! Merelinda was not one of these naive people who would compare their lot in life to the flesh traded on Misery Row, but there were restrictions to being born into a noble family. As she stands at the railing, feeling the warm air kiss her exposed skin, she imagines those tethers, those restraints, falling away. Not one person on the vessel knew her as noble, only as Merelinda the priestess of Calistria.
She closes her eyes, inhaling the briny air, exultant. She had always loved experiencing new things, and soon she would be in a new land. A fledgling land ripe for a follower of Calistria with a fervor to make a name for herself.
Albrecht gazes beneath the ship's rail, arms folded pensively behind his back. The wind ruffles the panther-black fur mohawk atop his cap and tugs at his mustache. A panther dozes at his side.
My, ships sure do take forever getting anywhere.
Seko emerges from the cabin with his eyes averted toward the deck. The warm air told him that he was getting close, and he was afraid of looking out toward the land he once called home. He saunters over to Merelinda and nods to her. "Priestess." he says, still looking down. "I bother you now because I want guidance, and I crave revenge."
He looks up now, his golden eyes set on hers. "My dream was to return to the land of my birth and retake what is mine: the birthright stolen from me when I was taken as a slave to Cheliax. I thought reclaiming it would be revenge enough, but now I wonder if I should have stayed..." his voice lowers, "And killed them."
Seko looks around, clearly afraid he may have said that too loud. 'The closer I am to Mwangi, the further I feel from my revenge. What must She think of me?"
The woman turns away from the rail, instinctively smiling at the sound of the voice. Her pale skin has not been darkened in her time at sea, yet, though it threatens to burn if she spends too long in the sun. She arches a dark red-tinged brow, tilting her head to the left as she speaks in her husky voice.
"And to what end, sir elf? Doubtless those that captured you are long dead, and those that came after were following the way of things. The Savored Sting is a goddess of revenge, yes, but to those that deserve Her retribution. Think back and decide whether these you would visit death upon are truly worthy of your grace."
She leans back against the railing at this point, relaxing. "If your answer is that they did not deserve such a fate, then you are better off looking forward, to your future and this birthright you speak of."
Ivar hearing the stately auburn-haired priestess' answer to the elf; he decides to approach them and put in his two-pennies worth; giving the priestess a smile that does not reach his cold blue eyes and then turning to the elf he says.
"All slavers deserve punished, if they are long dead they probably have spawn still in the industry that one could visit retribution on"
Merelinda swivels her head to regard the large sailor. Her yellow dress flutters gently in the breeze, the tops of her breasts exposed as well as a generous portion of her legs. Slits in the thing offer fleeting glimpses of her stomach and thighs, as well. The slight upward curl of her lips indicates her approval of his form, at least, even as she shakes her head.
"Nay, good sir. One should not visit the father's punishment upon the son. Calistria is the goddess of revenge, it is true, but not mindless violence. If people started to use familial ties to inflict revenge, practically everyone has been wronged by someone if you look far enough back." She chuckles, white teeth flashing in the night air. She turns back to the elf, waiting to hear if he has anything else to offer.
Knives takes the time to examine his possesions once again.
Thankfully I was half expecting betrayal... I still have my knives, a few alchemical flasks, my cane, and my net. My armor is still servicable, and my clothes need washing.
Julian sighs and offers a quick prayer to Besmara for a continued safe journey.
As the priestess speaks he gives her a long look, something between respect and assessment; he then looks again, for a different evaluation. This time with a smile that does reach his eyes. When she is done speaking and is turning her attention away, he leans in, using the opportunity to take in the smell of her and whispers.
“I care little for your goddess’ opinion, however, I did not say mindless violence visited on sons, I said to kill slavers who for generations have brought pain and suffering on generations of others. If the descendants, of those who took our fine elf here slave, have become bookkeepers or bartenders or priests, they are of no concern. But you and I know better: predators’ begat predators. If a white bear learns to eat human flesh it teaches it's young to eat human flesh.”
Ivar, stepping away, also turns and gives attention to the elf
You have all become aquantances on board this ship. The voyage has been 3 months. You should have reached your final port of call by now. But the captain turned West, into the Shackles, 3 weeks ago. Now, God knows WHERE the hell you are!
Group Knowledge Geography or Survival DC30
Noting the silence of the elf, she turns her emerald gaze back upon the Ulfen man. She smiles confidently, looking somewhat amused.
"So, those who practice a legal and condoned trade deserve death? Our elven friend was not referring to those who took him captive, but rather those that traded him as they might trade a favorite horse or home decoration." She puts a hand up to forestall him. "I am not saying that I agree with the practice of slavery, good sir. Merely offering a counterpoint. As we say in Cheliax, playing Devil's Advocate." She flashes him a toothy smile.
Her eyes go back out to the ocean around them and the stars above. She had a vague concern about the Captain's unexpected course change from weeks ago, but it didn't bother her overmuch. She didn't much care where she ended up, as long as she was free to be who she was...whenever she decided what that was.
Still, it would be good to know where they might be. She tries to recall her lessons as a child about the placement of the stars on the horizon to get a bearing on their location.
Albrecht approaches the group forming on the deck, arms still folded behind him. He wears a green coat with gold edges and a leather cap. Atop the cap rests a pair of darkened goggles and a strip of black fur that appears to match his panther runs down the middle.
My good man do you blame zee white bear for its upbringing? Would it not be better to take charge of a predator and teach it better ways?
He smirks at the Devils's Advocate in Cheliax comment. The panther raises its head to watch but does not otherwise move.
Group check stands at: 11.
Julian heads to the surface, having finished his potatoes for the day. Hm... I was under the impression that we were going to the lost colonies, not back to the Shackles...
"The stars... we're going into the Shackles. Why would that be?"
Ivar listened to the intriguing priestess, when he heard the Cheliaxian reference he nodded knowingly. He smiles and says
"Such a dichotomy, a priestess of Calistria defending Cheliaxian rhetoric; some laws make sense some do not. Having said that I earned my name raiding into Cheliax with a privateer from Absolam, and it was legal, at least from the privateer’s perspective.”
Nodding, giving a toothy grin of his own, he turns to Gnome, his cold blue eyes going iceberg grey
”Just the opposite good man, better to be the bear than the seal, but if the bear mistakes me or mine as lunch he will be sorely disappointed, and if you’re going to train that bear, you better get him young.”
Ivar nods to the gnome then to his impressive pet.
Walking over to Bayani
”you are right sir, the stars seem to be wrong as well as direction of the wind, as a consolation we are close to land fall, too many gulls otherwise. But trust the Captain, he is a good man and a better sailor.”
The priestess can not suppress a giggle at the man's logic, or lack thereof. She just shrugs, turning her attention out to the light chop of the waters while listening in on the conversation around her. She missed her brothers, but besides for that, she couldn't remember being more happy.
Landfall? She peers into the gloom around her, but sees nothing but ocean. Still, the two men likely did know more about seacraft than she did, so she heeds their words with a bit of nonchalance. It would be good to get off the ship and be on something that didn't tilt about all the time.
Group Check is at: 26 So you guys do know a little something about the area you find yourself in! Anyone can RP it, the check value applies to all of you...That's how the group checks will work in Rhea-games:)
Her brow furrows as she spies what could possibly be land in the distance. Any settlement would likely have lights of some sort, torches or magical. The lack thereof starts to unsettle Merelinda. She looks to the others, pointing in the distance. "Is that our destination?"
She was not a sailor, but making port in the dead of night with no lighting seemed like a foolish idea. She was going to find the Captain to finally ask what all this was about.
Julian looks where the priestess is pointed. "Nay lass, it cannot be. This is not an area that most would venture in... much less attempt to moor by."
He leans in to Ivar and whispers.
Ivar nods to "Knives" knowingly, subconsciously rubbing the tattoo on his chest, whispering back
Is this anything weapons will prevail against? Should I go bellow and get ax and shield? My two boot daggers are not as affective as those in your hands.
"No... I don't think so, I'd have to check a map. Um... I don't think I have one of this area."
Bayani looks worried and ill at ease. He takes a step closer to Motobu, feeling more comfortable with the other dark-skinned elf than the humans, whom he still regarded as strange even after the long voyage.
Vat is zis? Are vee is some sort of danger?
The panther stands and lashes its tail uneasily at the sound of Albrecht's voice.
Knives thinks a minute, then nods. "Best be prepared. Don't be obvious about it though. No need to worry your normal passengers, eh?"
He looks up at the stars, attempting to discern a better idea of where they are precisely.
The priestess's face darkens, and she starts towards the Captain's cabin, her stride purposeful and irritated. While she might not care so much about where they were going, her continued safety and well-being should be near the top of the man's priorities! She bangs on the door of the room, impatiently tapping her bare foot.
Ivar interjecting an answer to Merelinda's question, trying to not panic the passengers,
we do not know the captains mind, but have faith, this is not the first time a captain has kept his destination close to the vest.
Ivar looks questioningly at "knives" and whispers
I trust your judgement in this.
Ivar makes like he is going to follow the priestess, then he goes to his bunk and pulls his ax and shield from thier oiled covers
no time for the breastplate, not very discreet, anyway tough to swim in, sure hope it doesn't come to that
he takes them back up to the deck, discreetly placing them nearby.
Albrecht silently watches Merelinda go to the captain's cabin, a frown of concern on his face.
Knives nods in appreciation to Ivar. His mask hides most of his features, but his eyes still belie the dread of the island approaching.
Keeping her eyes on the door, the woman snaps acidly, "We paid for a specific destination, Goldilocks! He can sail for wherever his sorry ass wants once I am safely off this ship at a port of call!"
The door to the Captains cabin swings open...
The door to the Captains cabin swings open...
Her stomach still churning with anxiety, Tusara enters the deck of the ship. She just manages to catch the end of a conversation about slavers, but arrived far to late to hear what provoked the topic, and her anxiety continues. Crossing to the bow of the ship, she looks out across the water, attempting to see any signs of a pirate ship in the area.
Tusara (and anyone else helping) on the bow looking forward, Perception check please. (Julian's you can use Profession Sailor).
Yes, the door to the Captains aft-castle cabin opens. A VERY angry man is accosting the Captain. I did not book fair for my cargo and I on a ship headed for a suicide mission! You will turn this ship around at once or so help me...
The angry man pulls a knife from his fine Varisian jacket...
Albrecht rushes aft upon hearing the shouting. The panther rises and follows.
Finally, someone with some sense confronting the captain about this. Never mind, he pulled a knife, this man is quite mad.
Bayani is distracted by the argument in the captain's cabin, and when a knife is pulled, he reaches for the dagger in his belt.
Merelinda, still angry, is quite surprised at the goings-on in the captain's cabin. She steps in hesitantly, holding her hands up, palms out, in a conciliatory gesture. "Here now, good sir...our captain owes us an explanation, this is true. Please put away your knife so we can discuss this." She smiles at the man as she edges closer.
Knives attempts to again to discern where they are, leaving the gnome and the priestess to deal with the man in the cabin.
Besmara help me to see where on Golarian the fool has steered us.
The bottom of Knives' stomach seems to drop somewhere below the waterline as he recognizes the dark shapes for what they are.
The words spring to his mouth before he can really stop them, years of being a pirate first mate coming out.
"Impact? What?!"
Bayani isn't sure how to brace for impact so he grabs the nearest rope he can find and holds on tight.
Well oh dear, knife guy later then. Good luck captain.
Come on Bartimaeus!
Albrecht and panther try to dive belowdecks or into the captain's cabin, whichever is closer.
Tusara peers deeper into the night, but is unable to discern anything of importance before a dark haired elf cries a warning, yelling something about Reefs. Horror-struck, Tusara takes him at his word, looking around for somewhere to wedge herself into, trying to brace herself if impact should occur.
Reefs?! She's unaware of the importance, but the man sure sounded serious. She backs to the door, placing a hand on either side to steady herself for whatever impact the man was talking about.
Julian grabs hold of the rail and assumes a bracing position.
"Besmara be good, save your servant if it be your will. Save me from death until I find my ship again and take it from that treacherous harlot."
So praying, Knives hopes that the crew of the Jenevire is able to avoid the imminent collision.
Seko had found himself lost in thought, and appreciated the priestess leaving him. He had gotten everything he had ever wanted, and there his troubles begin.
After spending some more time staring into the empty water and being an sad sack in general he is suddenly snapped out of the past. Things were happening around him. Lots of things he didn't quite understand. Burt once he saw everyone grabbing hold of whatever they could, he resolved to do the same.
Seeing Merelimda has the captains situation well in hand, Ivar quickly goes below deck and gathers the rest of his gear, placing it beside his weapons.