Wardove's Rumble in the Jungle

Game Master Laithoron

There is a sudden commotion outside the door, a cry of pain and the shrill voice of a woman scolding someone using excessively verbose vocabulary. Eyebrow raised, Mal opens the door just in time for Professor d'Adora to enter — all 15 feet of her.

Nodding to the tall warrior, the half-serpentine wizardess exclaims, "Truly, were I a viper, or at the least possessed of the temperament of one, this vessel's physician should have an infirmary at capacity with louts who haven't the sense to watch where they tread!"

"OOH!" Sasha's eyes light up as an idea comes to her. "Maybe you should put a rattle on the end of your tail! I bet that would work!"

"I–" Ieana's face falls and her shoulders slump. With a grumble she admits, "Such an inelegant solution would almost certainly have to produce results, wouldn't it?"

With a smirk, Priyya agrees, "The indignity of it would assure its success." After pausing for effect, she adds, "You'd be too embarrassed to come near where others might trod upon you!"

Sasha gives a short hop, smiling in satisfaction at her problem-solving prowess, and declares, "OK, let's see what Ellie's been hiding in her shirt already! Open 'em up Lissi!"

"Patience Sasha," Alis says waving her hand to the redhead to settle down. She slips the lambskin pouch containing her lockpicking tools free and says with a perfectly straight face, "I don't want to go setting off any booby-traps, you know."

With that, she carefully gets to work probing the three heaping chests with a deft touch and delicate instruments.

Humming happily, the princess seems to delight in taking her sweet time, meticulously inspecting each coffer before expertly picking each lock. By the time she has finished, Sasha has nearly gone out of her mind with anticipation.

At long last, she steps back, and dusts herself off with a cantrip before hooking her arm thru Tyralor's. You notice that she looks even taller that Aerys at present, no doubt wearing boots with tall heels the environs of a sailing ship comfortably familiar to the princess.

"Mister Aberwhinge, any words before the three ladies who accompanied you on this dig reveal the contents of these... coffers?"

"Ah! Why yes, your Highness, I was just going to explain–" The gnome rubs his hands together with excitement before he suddenly gets the look of a man who knows someone is treading upon their grave. Without needing to turn, Gelik can feel Sasha's burning green eyes threatening to pierce him thru the temple. The short-statured scholar gives an uneasy laugh and confesses, "–that I was actually planning a written treatise on the matter so that it might be enjoyed at one's leisure. Ladies?"

Wiping his brow with a small handkerchief, he quickly gets out of the way before he can get bowled out of the way.

Hah! Not my problem anymore!

Grinning ferociously, Mal leans over and whispers to the dwarf, "Sure you don't want to found that Lightbringer outpost on the Shiv, Hellhammer?"

Darvesch responds, simply, "I seriously considered it. The idea isn't off the table just yet, though."

Noting Alis' behaviour, he lets out a sigh and waits for the big reveal.

The Zephrys: Just because I thought it would be cool, I went ahead and mapped out the area of the Zephrys we're in today. The large aft room is the Ready Room. It is dominated by a large table around which are placed 12 very comfortable chairs upholstered with red leather (currently pushed out of the way). In the center of the forward bulkhead is a cabinet containing maps, bottles of spirits, crystal tumblers, and silverware. In the lower half, two doors open up revealing a dumb-waiter that leads down to the galley below.

Large bedroom just forward of it on the port side is Tyralor's room. On the starboard side of the hallway, are Nimniel's room and a private washroom. Apparently even though Nimniel is fastidious about how she handles her post, she leaves both the bath and her own room kind of messy.

Access to this level is gained from the outside. There are is a set of stairs up from the main deck to a small deck overlooking the ship. At the back of that deck is a door leaving to the executive cabins. From the small overlook deck, another set of stairs leads up to the poop deck which is directly over the executive cabins.

MAP: The Zephrys - Executive Cabins, (0:45et)

The prince stands back and watches the interchanges between all assembled with a decidedly amused expression but does not join in. He remains silent for much of the interchange when he pipes in, "Hmmm...the air is rife with the scent of innuendo! Such over ripe puns would cause an outsider to think chests and booby traps to be quite an uncommon occurrence. In fact, it seems much of this assemblage has at least two in their possession at present. Some just happen to be a little more full than others. For my part, I'd prefer a good sized trunk." Casts a sidelong glance at Alis's rump with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

He continues,"All teasing aside, I should like to extend an invitation to all assembled to partake with me of a much needed repast. Good company is enhanced when one breaks bread together."

He looks to Isaac and Lilyana with a glowing smile, "After all, we have much to rejoice about! And I think it fitting that my lady Lilyana shall have use of Nimniel's chamber since she will not have use for it. The Marshall of Eldarion can share those quarters, if it be your pleasure, and I shall make certain a comfortable cot shall be readied for you so you can be near your dear sister."

He regards the fair princess with a soft smile, "I would consider it a high honor indeed should My lady Alis choose to make use of my personal quarters for the remainder of the voyage. "

Alis raises an eyebrow at the prince's comment about good-sized trunks and simply shakes her head in amusement. She casts a knowing look at Malandraenas and beside him Priyya snorts in amusement as she recalls the fit Mal threw over having to help Alis' extra-dimensional trunk across Reaver's Shiv.

At the prince's offer, her smirk softens into a smile, and she replies, "My lord, that is quite generous. Yet, I should not wish to inconvenience you after all the aid you have provided already. Perhaps just a short nap, I would not wish to keep you from your own bed on my account."

He whispers to Alis, "I would also consider myself highly favored should you wish to talk at length with me in the privacy afforded by my chambers. There you do not have to veil yourself with such a formal facade and can allow your inner spirit to connect with a like-minded soul. Be assured I will comport myself with respect and discretion. Your honor is quite safe with me."

To Darvesch, "And to you most honorable friend, I should like to offer my financial aid to the founding of a chapter of the Lightbringers in Dafar. I will admit that your cause echoes the very calling upon my spirit!"

Lilyana's dark green eyes light up with the tall and handsome prince speaks her name.

Did he just speak to meee?!

"Oh why yes, that would be wonderful, your Highness! We should be in your debt!"

Alis smiles at Lilyana's reaction. She nods her head demurely and whispers in reply to the offer Tyralor made to her. "I should like for nothing better. Perhaps..." she looks up, eyes hopeful, "perhaps with your own pilot commanding another vessel, the helm might find itself free for a few hours? I grew up sailing and this is such a grand ship.""

At mention of the Lightbringers, the princess perks-up and says, "Indeed, so you heard then that my Frænka aims to start a chapter in Port Eldarion to aid in bringing Justice to Dafar? Combined with the temple Priyya intends to dedicate to Alíta here on Reaver's Shiv, we may yet banish the darkness that has fallen upon it!"

His amber-hued eyes dance in amusement, his voice a husky whisper, " My Lady, I should think the Zephrys would be highly honored as well to have such delicate hands upon her helm. In turn, The Prince would find it quite pleasantly diverting to watch such a rare beauty as the wind sets her tresses aloft like trails of molten gold."

Even as Lilyana makes an 'aaaww' sound just a few feet away, Alis cannot help but blush slightly at the prince's honeyed words. "Be careful, my Prince, or The Princess might very well change course for Wildethar on a selfish whim to hear more of such poeticism."

Noticing that the room is now oddly silent, she purses her lips for a moment before holding up a finger, changing subjects as if she suddenly just remembered something. "Speaking of molten gold," she pats the coffer still laying unopened on the table in front of Lureene, "let's see what Lureene and her group brought back to our base this afternoon, so we can clear it away and make room for our repast, shall we?"

"Oh..." Sasha looks up, decked out in pearls, golden bracelets, and a circlet studded with white moonstones, "were we supposed to wait?"

Priyya narrows her eyes at the eerily stealthy huntress and says, "One of these days, I am going to tie a silver bell around your neck, woman."

Lureene rolls her eyes at the theatrics between Alis and the Prince telling herself, I will not be jealous...I will not be JEALOUS...

When Sasha shows off some of the trinkets, she smiles and whispers to Sasha "I cannot blame you for NOT waiting...so let's see what we have here..."

Cast Detect Magic.

Seemingly unaware of what is transpiring around them, Tyralor takes Alis' hand, brings it to his lips as his eyes lock with hers. Swirling within his golden gaze the princess perceives a myriad of emotions,"My lady, you have but to ask and I shall let poetry freely drift from my lips to caress your delicate ears...Let us hope you are a skilled navigator, for this prince could well find himself lost in the depths of your violet eyes. "

The flighty ranger doesn't seem to be paying much attention to either the cleric, the prince, or the princess. Lost in her own world shes goes, "Hmm," as what might pass for a serious expression takes form on her face. Lifting the circlet from her own head, she squints one eye and holds it at arm's length, cocking her head as she looks at Lureene. With a little chirp, she scoots next to her and sets it down on the succubus' golden-brown curls.

Stepping back to admire her handiwork, she says, "There, that works! So, what's in yours anyway?"

Malandraenas groans as sparks continue to fly between Alis and Tyralor. It had been a long day and more than a few hours now since he had eaten anything. With a growl nearly rivaling his stomach, he says, "Just open yours snow-mane, could probably walk out of here and buy a better island without anyone noticing at this point."

Damn isn't she supposed to be a sacred... courtier? courtesan? consort? Crap, I can never remember the difference until I get slugged for it. Why doesn't she just heed her own advice and jump him alrea– Oh... right... that was just in my head.

Even as Alis makes some manner of sugary reply to the prince, Priyya casts a bemused grin up at her own secret lover. "After all the work it took to clear out all the riff-raff on this island? Oooh no. This prematurely white-haired priestess has staked her claim and shan't be relinquishing it anytime soon."

She pauses for a moment as it occurs to her that she's not actually on the island at this instant. "Promises of wine and food fit for royalty not withstanding, of course. Alright, Aerys, help this decrepit old woman see what the good pirate king squirreled away for her early retirement."

Lureene adjusts the circlet on her forehead, clearly not used to wearing such fancy jewelry. She stands up and glances at the reflection of her face framed by the circlet, admiring how the moonstones reflect the glittering lights. She gives Sasha a questioning look, "Do you think it makes me look...pretty?" Shrugging, she turns her attention to her own chest, an excited look on her face.

"Let's find out together!"

Isaac can't help but notice his sisters face as she lights up when he addresses her and nudges her playfully, leaning over to whisper to her in a language that seemingly no one else understood.

Straightening up his shoulders, he nods to the prince and smiles at him, "Thank you my lord, you're very generous to us, and we are in your debt." He said politely, putting the joking matter's aside, obviously able to drop the playful demeanor, and be respectful.

"Do you think it makes me look...pretty?"

Even though Isaac's sister had obviously stomped his toes the last time he flirted with the beautiful succubus woman. "My Lady Lureene, I believe that you make the jewelry beautiful." His tone wasn't teasing, he was being honest and complimenting her, offering her a charming smile, and giving Sasha a wink, "You're lucky to have her."

Even though Isaac's sister had obviously stomped his toes the last time he flirted with the beautiful succubus woman. "My Lady Lureene, I believe that you make the jewelry beautiful." His tone wasn't teasing, he was being honest and complimenting her, offering her a charming smile, and giving Sasha a wink, "You're lucky to have her."

Lureene turns to look at Isaac, the look on her face at first surprised and pleased. As Isaac turns to wink at Sasha, he cannot help but notice Lureene gazing at him with an intense look in her eyes, framed by her sooty lashes.

She does not respond immediately but the look on her face is admiring of the handsome Major. Only a swift elbow in the succubus' side from the redheaded huntress managed to break the spell.

She winces in pain but does manage to return his smile with one of her own, matched by a sultry look in her sparkling blue eyes."Why, Thank you, Major! I am quite flattered by your compliment! You are quite skilled with your praise!"

She winces in pain but does manage to return his smile with one of her own, matched by a sultry look in her sparkling blue eyes."Why, Thank you, Major! I am quite flattered by your compliment! You are quite skilled with your praise!"

"I've been told I'm good with my words, a bit of a sliver tongue if you will." He can't help the bad innuendo, and winks at her in return. Scooting his shoes away from his sister just in case she takes offense again. He missed the days when his subtle flirting would go over her head. Though if Isaac had to be honest with himself, he had never enjoyed such an admiring look from a woman as he did from Lady Lureene, and a part of him wondered if that was because of what she was.

Alis is glad to see that Priyya and Mal are keeping Aerys occupied. She was well aware that of all those who had been stranded on the island together, the quiet, sullen sailor had not been as easy to engage as the vivacious redhead, the witty (if perverse) gnome, or even the old priest Jask. Alis had even had longer conversations with Ieana regarding archaeology and mythology among other things.

Isaac and Lureene seemed to be getting along famously (much to Lilyana and Gelik's chagrin). She had to admit, it was tempting to suggest to the Prince that they leave the baubles and gold to the others and enjoy a private dinner elsewhere aboard the massive ship. The stained-glass windows encircling the ship's ready room was presently afire with the light of the setting sun, and it reminded her of the fiery aura Tyralor had displayed when he flew to their rescue only a few short hours before.

Holding his hand in hers, the Princess looked up at the taller man before her, blue-violet eyes intense as an evening sky in the summer with rain threatening. "In all the excitement," she whispers, "I cannot honestly recall if I thanked you for what you did earlier. You left your own ship to come to the aid of strangers you had only barely met wearing the fiery raiment of an angel. And yet your sword does not radiate vengeance against the wicked... Well, not like Priyya's or Frændi's anyway... It seemed to instead resonate only with the conviction to protect. Tell me, does it have a name?"

As Isaac replies to her, Lureene face gets flushed as he regards her. She knew he was attracted to her as she also felt attracted to him..

Is this right? I...I don't know here...I have to be careful...

She brushes a stray lock of hair from her face which had slipped out of the circlet, and takes a calming breath trying to relax herself. She then turns to look at the Major. "I do look forward to hearing more of your tongue, and the thoughts behind it. But Isaac, would you like to help me look at the contents of this chest with me?"

What was Gel looking at me like that for?

With Sasha presently absorbed with Lureene, who was in turn engaged in mutual mesmerization with the much younger and taller Marshall, Gelik turned his attention to Ieana. With a strictly internal shrug, he pulled his footstool over to where Sasha's chest lay open and hefted an old, tarnished goblet seemingly carved in the likeness of a skull. Catching the professor's eye, he asked, "Do you suppose this was a lost-wax casting performed upon the skull of some defeated adversary? The proportions are off, but I have heard of techniques that can make bone more malleable or even shrink its volume."

"Oh, why yes, you may have something there." She slithers closer and points to a small statuette of what appears to be a cat-headed woman. "Actually I was myself preoccupied with this curiosity. Prior hi-jinx notwithstanding, it is at once fascinating and disturbing the preponderance of imagery one finds dedicated to the maternal function of the female archetype. Eight teats, really! So much for the notion of the 'noble' savage!"

Tyralor's eyes are alight with a gentle, yet fiery intensity and the fading rays of the sun set his coppery hair aglow as he softly utters, "Atharos, My lady. Its resonance and power are but a reflection of the intent contained within my soul. I live to serve the Heart of Heaven and wield my blade as extension of the love Illuvatar has for all who draw breath upon this broken world. The flame it brings is purifying not vengeful."

"And there is no need to thank me for my actions earlier, dear Lady. I could not let such darkness consume any living being much less those with whom I had just spent a good portion of the day. You already know the other... impetus... compelling my spirit then and now."

Isaac smiles as Lureene asks him to come help her look into her chest to see what she had gotten. "It'd be my pleasure." he said looking down at his sister with a smile.

Walking over to where Lureene and Sasha were, standing to Lureene's side, he smiles at Sasha and looks down at the little wooden box. "Lets see what we have here."

Alis nods knowingly and places a comforting hand on Tyralor's strong arm. "We all have our own darkness to fight... even those who don't show it. For my part I simply try to do the best I am able to inspire others to live up to their potential..."

She glances over towards where Darvesch, Mal, Priyya, and Aerys are clustered around a chest brimming with gold and platinum. "Even when I wonder if they believe in mine."

Shaking her head, looks over to Lilyana and smiles, though the prince can tell there is a hint of sadness in her eyes. "It was a heroic display worthy of that old hymn, was it not, Lady Hlokenar?"

Lilyana nods her head eagerly, elbowing her brother in the stomach just below his breastplate as he walks past her to stand next to the succubus. With him out of the way, she slips closer to the two royals, stars in her eyes. "Most certainly, your Highness! It felt good to inspire our brave champions with Lyria's blessing! Do you think you might join the temple in Port Eldarion? It would be so wonderful to have an actual princess grace our halls! Perhaps all of the muses might have the opportunity to perform for Prince Tyralor, wouldn't that be something!"

Even as Alis bites her lip a bit a Lilyana's youthful enthusiasm about their shared faith... even as Isaac and Lureene's eyes light up when they open the lid of Lureene's chest to reveal a massive purple diamond on a white velvet pillow, Sasha glances between the handsome major and his adorable little sister.

"Aww, I bet that would be something to see alright! You should see how Lissi can dance when she means it! Why back where that lighthouse was, it used to be FULL of cannibals... Oh and not just normal cannibals but giant ones!"

"Well Gel, and Rys, and this old guy named Jask went and got captured, so while the rest of us snuck in to get them, the little princess went and distracted the whooole village herself doing this sexy dance! It was amazing! Even I can't move like that!"

"Of course then this witch turned Mal into an eel and started barfing wasps so– HOLY SH1T is that thing a diamond?!"

The prince smiles warmly at the young girls' eager declaration, "Indeed, Lilyana, I would consider that quite a blessing to experience such lilting tones. Your voices matched one another so well that it seemed to me as if a portal were opened to the brighter realms in the midst of the heat of battle. In fact, I would be most eager to hear a duet once more if you would be so kind as to grace us with a performance after dinner. Yes, dinner...which is soon to be served once the spoils of battle are cleared from the table."

Darvesch remains quiet through all the banter, until Tyralor speaks to him.

To Darvesch, "And to you most honorable friend, I should like to offer my financial aid to the founding of a chapter of the Lightbringers in Dafar. I will admit that your cause echoes the very calling upon my spirit!"

"I'm thankful for any aid you can lend. The Lightbringers are always welcoming any and all who support their cause to lend aid when and where they can. We operate almost purely on donations, so your offer is much appreciated."

Darvesch, seeing the Princess and Tyralor getting along as they are, simply states, "I'll be making use of myself elsewhere, or sleeping," and walks away, looking to help anyone that needs it, or a bed to sleep in.

Seeing Darvesch's discomfort Tyralor makes a point to look for a cause. It does not take long for the Prince to ascertain that the brave warrior felt somewhat out of place in such raucous and flirtatious company. Tyralor calls out to the dwarf's retreating form, "Pray noble warrior, stay with us but a bit longer and you shall have a repast worthy of your heroism and effort. Your presence among us is necessary for this gathering to achieve greatest level of enjoyment. I see in you a kindred spirit and would hear of your exploits and of the Lightbringers were you to grant me the honor."

As Darvesch pauses at the doorway, "Sorry, Prince. What happens in the Lightbringers, stays in the Lightbringers. Some things need not reliving." And continues on his way.

"Sorry, Prince. What happens in the Lightbringers, stays in the Lightbringers. Some things need not reliving."

"Oh Darv..." She rolls her eyes a bit, a rosy smile on her cheeks. "Don't worry, we'll save some supper for you. Well... unless Mal clears the table," she jokes. (Or does she?)

Blushing a bit as her cousin closes the door behind him she confesses quietly, "He never has had much of a stomach for hand-holding and fluttering hearts..."

Whispered words then... "Indeed, Lilyana, I would consider that quite a blessing to experience such lilting tones. Your voices matched one another so well that it seemed to me as if a portal were opened to the brighter realms in the midst of the heat of battle. In fact, I would be most eager to hear a duet once more if you would be so kind as to grace us with a performance after dinner. Yes, dinner...which is soon to be served once the spoils of battle are cleared from the table."

Tyralor's words, whispered in the musical language of angels, causes goose-bumps to surface on Alis' arms and chest and she has to suppress a shiver, albeit a good one. Allowing the prince to hold her hands, she replies in kind. When he answers Lilyana, the Princess smiles at her and says, "I think I would enjoy that as well... sister."

She then turns her attention once more upon the Prince as the younger woman notes the heavy bar of gold that Aerys is gawking at. When the sailor hefts a second bar in her other hand Lilyana hurries over, peering over Priyya's shoulder at what they've found.

She turns toward to the side to look at Lureene for a moment.

Alis squeezes Tyralor's hand and releases it to open one of the aft windows. Looking westward toward the diminishing glow of the sunset, back towards the room, she takes a deep breath, golden tresses rustled by the salty breeze.

"HOLY SH1T is that thing a diamond?!"

Tyralor, Lilyana, and Alis had largely ignored Sasha's rambling story, right up until her exclamation silences the room. The Princess turns, cut-off in mid-sentence to give Sasha an incredulous look before her eyes fall to the pear-cut stone that has the boisterous huntress transfixed.

Upon seeing the blue-violet jewel, the princess' eyes go wide. She looks once to Tyralor then Lureene, eyes scanning the room for her Frændi only to recall that he had left a few minutes prior. "It... it can't be a diamond, it's... nearly the size of a baby's fist! And the color..."

Seemingly in a daze, the princess walks up to it, Isaac and Lureene wisely backing out of her way.

"Mumazhapaa..." Able to utter only a nonsensical mumble, she waves her hand and the stone floats up off the moldy, once-white velvet pillow it had been resting upon.

While it takes no arch-mage to note her use of mage hand, only those who have traveled with the Princess the longest plus Prince Tyralor recognize that Alis is being neither dramatic or silly but testing something. However what that is seems to escape everyone but Gelik...

"Good gods in Heaven!" The gnome hurriedly rushes over to Alis' side dragging his footstool behind him.

"So it's not magical then," he murmurs. Cracking his knuckles he waves for her to float it closer whereupon he dusts it off with a prestidigitation. Looking into the chest that Lureene had opened he whistles and reaches inside, removing a dagger with a bejeweled hilt, its blade dark with long-dried blood and mold. "Someone knocked off a jeweler of no small talent!"

Pulling the chest closer, he rummages around for a moment. "Ah, here it is!" Blinking, he fits a monocle from the coffer over his left eye and casts a light cantrip on the tip of a smaller lens on a long shaft.

"Oh my, oh my, oh my..." He begins sweating and reaches into the box, removing a few small shards of a similar stone, sheered flat on one side and still rough on the other. Finding some tools tipped with tiny stones of various types, he experiments on a small facet.

"Quartz doesn't scratch it... garnet and emerald don't either... not even sapphire?!"

Breathing hard, the gnome steadies himself on the edge of the table for a moment. With trembling hands he reaches up and takes hold of it with the silk sleeve of his robe and examines it staring into the light for some time. "There's some whitish graining but that's to be expected with a diamond of such exotic hue..."

"That is a diamond?" Ieana asks in disbelief. "Why... it should be priceless!"

"Yes. It IS!"

Gelik strips off the monocle and carefully places the jewel in Alis' palm, but only after tapping her rings and wagging a finger. With a nod, she quickly removes her signet and ducal seal and holds it as if it were fragile as a quail egg. Even as she marvels and holds it alot, it catches the last rays of the sun thru the open window and sets the room afire with blues, and purples.

Priyya sets down the gold bricks she was holding and blinks the radiance mesmerizing.

Have to make certain...

Although none can see it for the wonder they are witness to, Priyya's eyes glow with a holy light as she stares intently at the Princess and her jewel. After a few moments, she breathes a sigh of relief.

"Well, it is neither cursed nor home to any manner of malefic presence. It's just simply..."

"Amazin'... I bet you could buy a ship like this one with that!"

"More like a fleet with enough to commission every officer and sailor for a full-out naval campaign."

"Oh wow," Sasha whispers, quiet for once in her life, yet only for a moment. "LISSI, she exclaims, "you can't SELL it! It's the same color as your eyes, you have to keep it!"

Looking at Lureene, she whacks her in the arm and hisses, "Go on, tell her El!"

Theme: Queen

Inexplicably, tears begin to stream down the Princess' cheeks at Sasha's words, but none of you know for certain why. None save for the woman who has traveled with her for the longest of anyone present.

Even as Sasha looks about nervously, worried that it was something she said, Priyya circles the table and nods with understanding, opening her arms and allowing Alis to bury her face in her shoulder, holding on tightly.

For several minutes priestess and princess stand weeping in plain sight even as the ship's bell tolls in announcement of this evening's supper. Quietly, respectfully, the rest of you clear away the rest of the treasure and place the chairs around the table where they will fit leaving the two friends to their moment of compassion...

Treasure: See OoC thread.