Finally leaving his observing post on deck (where he didn't observ much), Guard goes below to inspect the situation.
He finds a puking Avner, a puked upon Captain, and some other people with green faces (and clothes), who are about to puke or try not to.
"Yeah," Guard responds to Toxim's comment, "and I seem to miss the most interesting parts... like the fight with the stilt-walkers back home, remember?"
Thoven winces noticeably as Toxim assists him in removing the bits of tentacles from his arm. He gags and nearly loses his balance as he fights off another wave of nausea. He finds repose as he leans against the wall like frame of Guard for a moment before regaining his strength. He pats the warforged on the shoulder and smiles before turning to the wounded father. He kneels warily and moves his hands about the man's wounds as just barely visible silver flames jump and lick upon the man's flesh.
Things on the ship calm down a bit,the scuttlebutt seems to be The father had some kind of beast in him that had to be cut out and the crew worries over the water and food supplies of the ship. Avner and his men decide they like the hold better then upper deck and do not resurface for the rest of the evening.
Urol seems taken by the "left overs" and asks to keep some samples to study, Lirith pesters Toxim for all the details of his "Brave action" and Amella Brings up that checking the food and supply's with magic, might not be a bad ideal. She also says to Ardanto that the weather is shifting maybe bad weather moving in soon she thinks.
Finn
Ardanto makes a point of seeking out Avner, "Greetings my Lord, I have a feeling that we should continue to bury the hatchet, how about I offer you a berth in my cabin, of course you will be sharing with mey self, Daurros and Finn so there will be no room for your servants, but it will be more fitting for a man of your station." He smiles like a shark. Either way, after offering this olive branch he ensures he gets his "other" sword back (assuming that Avner took it and did not leave it on the cabin floor when he threw up.
He waits for an opportunity to get Toxim, Daurros, Thoven and Ural together so they can question the good Father to try and shed some light on what the hell happened. Does anyone have an idea what the hell it actually was? Can either of the spell casters check the food magically?
Finally he calls Amella and Toxim for to consult the charts and makes a decision on if it is best to run through the storm, to try and ride around it or to anchor up for its duration in a sheltered cove.
Ardanto:
Before we question him, we should all be briefed on any theories as to what it is. That way we go into the questioning all on the same level.
As far as the storm, I think we should run through. At least it'll give the ship something else to think about for a bit. Besides we're bound to run into bad weather at sometime. This way we're only a few days out from our destination.
The food will get a thorough inspection. I'll ask Guard if he can help with the detecting of things.
Lirith:
I'll tell her all about it. Though I do leave out Finn's hasty departure or at least play it down.
Finn:
Finn
** spoiler omitted **
To Amella
He seems emotionally exhausted.
To Toxim
"...that thing...the thing inside Father Feres...merciful Flame...that could be me..."
He looks at Toxim. "I was raised by a clan in the Demon Wastes, a clan of degenerates and scum. My father is a horrid man, but my mother -- she's a half-mortal abomination. And my grandfather..." He shudders. "They've left a poison in my blood just as Father Feres had something putrid growing within his body."
Finn holds his hands in front of himself and flexes his fingers. Wicked talons come springing out of his fingertips and then retract back. "See? I'm already a freak. I thought I had come to terms with it, but..." He shakes his head, then fixes Toxim with an imploring look.
"If the time comes when something within me becomes a danger, I want you and the others... -- promise me that you'll strike it dead with no hesitation."
Before questioning Feres, Daurros explains to everyone what he thinks. "I have read of many Daelkyr cults who have done things like this. I believe this was some kind of Xoriat spawn, that was implanted in him. I do not think it was anything naturally occurring. I feel it is imperative that we find out exactly who Feres is, and what he did in both Sasserine and the Fort."
"And yes, I agree that he is not very likely to be an actual priest, as the first thing he would have tried is to heal himself. Oh, and speaking of that, that thing had its tentacles in you, Thoven. You may want to try a spell or two on yourself, just in case."
The food will get a thorough inspection. I'll ask Guard if he can help with the detecting of things.
"Sure thing. If any food detects as evil, I can help you. Other than that though,..."
Upon hearing Daurros' explaination Guard wonders aloud: "How long do you think he had that thing in him?
Would such a spawn normaly show up as evil taint?"
Turning to Lord Thoven Guard offers to try detecting a possible evil spawn in his body.
Ardanto scratches his head, having no idea what the heck a [/i]"Xoriat spawn"[/i] is, but listens intently to the conversation and ideas.
"Right, I do not pretend to be a learned man, but we have a plan it would seem," he looks at the others. "Guard will detect evil on the crew once more and the food to see if it is 'tainted'" he looks at Guard for acknowledgement.
"Daurros and his apprentice will detect magic on the food and crew to see if that turns up anything," he turns his gaze at Daurros and Toxim for them to agree.
"Thoven, I am told you can detect for poisons with the power of your god, if this is true, can you do the same to the food and crew,"
"Karkella, Daurros, Toxim and who ever wishes to accompany them should question the father in detail, find out why the 'good' man did not heal him self and where this thing came from, but be gentle, the man has just been through hell and if this was against his knowledge, then he should talk freely." he pauses thinking a while, "but if you don't believe his story then he goes overboard at the first opportunity." he places his palms down on the desk as he stands up.
"Amella and myself will calm the crew down, by now they must be thinking this voyage is cursed, but to be fair I am beginning to think the same as well." Ardanto leaves to let the others work out the finer points and spends the rest of the time preparing the ship for the storm, battening down hatches and working along side the crew, singing as his does so.
Ardanto
Avner seems taken with the ideal of getting out of the hold 'Well captain, I would be delighted to share your cabin. After all I am sure your better company then the ship rats.' He seems pleased, but Ardanto thinks he may be more pleased to be out of the hold then for the company
Upon talking with Amella she does say there are a few nice coves and harbors to anchor in case of a storm. Looking at his charts Ardanto can see a river close by only a day away. Might work for the storm and to refill the ships water stores, after all you had planned to refill at the marked rivers anyhow
Finn
He one eye becomes somewhat steely at Finns words "We all ave' things that drive us Mr. Finn" She says somewhat stiffly "It as' nothing to do with te ship or te crew. If'n ye wish to wallow in ye own fears I'll be leaving ye to it then' she says as she walks off somewhat angrily
While the plan is to ask Father feres some questions the Priest is weak and seems with drawn "What do you wish to know?" he weakly asks
As you are below the deck, and Avner is having his coat and items moved into the cabin, Amella stands on the deck at the wheel seemingly in deep though as Ardanto shouts orders and sings merrily the crew soon joining in.
"Feres, if that is your real name, we know you are no priest. So tell us who you really are. Tell us how you became impregnated by the spawn of xoriat. Tell us why we should not toss you overboard during the upcoming storm."
Toxim doesn't believe a word of what he's saying. "I see. Well, make peace with your god, liar. I'll let the Captain know you should be tossed overboard."
Looking at Toxim with a bit of confusion he says "How could I heal myself? I didn't feel good over the last few days, yes. But I guessed it was just the sea or some spoiled food. I have travel at sea before these things happen at times. I thought it was nothing worse then that is all or I would have sought out help " The priest calmly but weakly reply's
"Uh Toxim" Karkalla whispers as quietly as she can "I think the fella is tellin the truth."
"I'm with Karkalla on this one." Guard speaks. "There are enough priests out there, who are unable to use divine magic. They are still priests though. They work for a certain god, but he didn't grant them clerical powers."