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Bo-dan smiles gratefully to the Halfling woman and expresses her thanks, she also offers Paera's and her names and inquirers the same of the small animal handler. Before any of the others begin to move the best though, not wanting to injure the magnificent creature further Bo-dan calls to them "Hold a moment! I think this will work much easier for all of us if I call upon the spirits of my kin for further healing aid." and so saying, once the Griffon is calm, she uses a few charges from her medallion, hoping to heal at least the injured animals wing and back. CLW1; CLW2 (1d8+1=7, 1d8+1=5).
Once the Griffon is safely lowered to the deck and the rider is freed, wanting to make sure the creature stays as calm as possible Bo-dan speaks again to the halfling "Please make sure the beautiful creature stays calm, perhaps you can distract her while we take her rider to the infirmary?" she then turns to one of the sailors who had helped them lower the large avian "Perhaps you might find something in the kitchens which could be fed to her? After her experiences and injuries, I am sure she needs it." Unconsciously the young Monk's hand goes out to touch the beautiful beast but at the last moment she thinks better of it and reluctantly withdraws her hand.
When the commotion breaks out on their way to the infirmary with the rider Bo-dan, not having witnessed the events in question, is at first somewhat confused. Quickly sussing the matter though she makes sure Paera has a firm hold of their paralyzed patient and then takes a protective step in front of Milhar. She does not yet say anything though and her features are calm and her hands are open at her sides while she waits to see how the situation unfolds. She does ready herself though to act quickly on any overt threat.
Upon hearing the commotion Vik turns around and watches the scene play out before doing anything.
Vik steps up behind the smaller man. declaring This one has a deep value for the greater good. as he points to Milhar. Yes, many lives were lost due to his actions, but have any of you seen what the Horde does to their captives? Huh? If we had stayed there many of us could be dead right now, and others much worse. This one is strong to make such a choice but you all should know that he does have to live with the memories and knowledge of the consequences of those actions. And to add, I would have done the same thing in his position. At least you are alive to have those feelings of hatred and anger toward him for having the ability to feel is better than death. Now if any of you want to harm this man, you must make it trough me first.
He places an arm around Milhar and guides him to the deck to try to avoid anymore confrintation. On his way out he looks back with sort of a snarl across his face.
DC 10 perception (listen)
As he gives his speech there is something behind his voice not the power or seeming anger but more of a hint of anguish and remorse behind those words.
At first the Gharund's seem to be taken aback by Milhars admission and seemingly meek acceptance of their accusations. Some of them start to mutter about it not being worth the trouble, but the man at he front again speaks "You admit your act of murder, then I'll bring the Emperor's justice to you dog!"
He goes to step forward, but Bo-Dan and Vik both move to intercept him. The presence of the big Ulfen alone unsettles some of the people behind the antagonist. Bo-Dans calmly stated words and Viks growled comments seem to turn the majority away, whether they believe them or are merely frightened at the thought of more violence is hard to tell.
The man in front again calls out at Milhar, though his shoulders have slumped, and he has clearly lost the intiative and urge to attack. "I'll not forget this dog! Aye, and you two as well. I'd expect nothing less from a mixblood and a beast. You keep an eye on yourselves murderers. We're the children of the Empire here and we'll ensure justice is carried out for the souls of those you damned on those docks" He spits on the deck at the feet of Vik and Bo-Dan, then turns his back and stalks into the milling crowd of refugees.
Milhars requests for help in the kitchen seem to fall on deaf ears now, and the looks people give the group are much less certain. It is only the small group of Tien huddled near the Stern that greet them with anything like friendliness. Again the young man who translated for Milhar earlier organises some of the women folk to go and help in the kitchen
******
Algret wiped at her brow, the sweat starting to form there as a consequence of both the lingering effects of poison and the now cramped quarters. She successfuly set Mjobos arm and strapped the big mans ribs before turning her attention to the woman with the split skull. The bleeding had stopped and her colour had returned, but the woman couldn't speak properly and her recollection of events was very poor. The priest determined she would need to be kept under close observation in case she relapsed. She had watched men in her mercenary unit succumb days after a blow to the head. The bone would split and despite her magic stopping the bleeding and the soft tissue below being healed, the slightest bump would cause internal bleeding and the brain would shut down.
As the dwarf worked with the girl, Mjobo came around. He groaned and tried to sit, but fell back heavily to the makeshift bed. The young Tien girl moved to him and provided him a drink, clucking over the man in a quietly admonishing tone. He ignored her and looked to the priest "The children I brought on board. They mother were dead when I gathered them up. Someone needs te gather them younglings and take em under a wing. Aint no one going to be seeing to them elseways." His eyes bore into those of the dwarf before he again passes out, the pain too much for even his great constitution.
A lump forms in her throat at Mjobo's words, the loss of a mother a sting with which Algret is all too familiar.
Orphans. Like she was, like Vik, like all too many people in this world with more every day thanks to this damned war. As much as the clang of a hammer was a call to battle, there were times wen Algret felt very tired. She had seen and suffered much in her young life, and there were days where it threatened to overwhelm her.
As always she took a deep breath, clearing her mind and asking Torag for the resilience of The Mountain.
"Keep an eye on them,"she said to her yougn assistant. "I'll be back in a minute."
Algret heads towards the crowd of refugees searching for the children the first mate had rescued.
Paera will still in awe over how light the griffon really was. Must be hollow bones...never thought about that... She admired the beast more than she should have at the time. It was easier to keep her mind on that. Better to keep from thinking about the city they were leaving behind. The people they left behind.
She watched curiously as Bo-Dan used her strange medallion, wondering again what it's exact nature was. She was burying herself in other distracting thoughts later, as they carried the rider into the ship.
Once what seemed to be the beginning of a fight started, Paera was actually caught off guard when Bo asked her to hold on to the rider and then stepped forward. It took her a moment to catch on, but her eyes narrowed once it became clear why the strange man Bo and that even stranger man were defending was so hated.
"Well you're going to be popular, I can tell already." she said, venom just under the surface of her voice. As far as she was concerned, he was no better than the captain. She was grateful Bo had left the rider in her arms; it had spared her from having to defend the man.
The fact that what he had done had likely saved them infuriated her even more. She couldn't help but feel like her life had been bought with the blood of innocents.
At first the Gharund's seem to be taken aback by Milhars admission and seemingly meek acceptance of their accusations. .....
..The man in front again calls out at Milhar, though his shoulders have slumped, and he has clearly lost the intiative and urge to attack. "I'll not forget this dog! Aye, and you two as well. I'd expect nothing less from a mixblood and a beast. You keep an eye on yourselves murderers. We're the children of the Empire here and we'll ensure justice is carried out for the souls of those you damned on those docks" .....
At the man's final words, Milhar slows Vik and turns, trying to read deeper into the man's words and understand his threats.
Milhar speaks out loud, "you are wrong to hold this anger and hate. Do not feel ashamed that you lived and they did not. Do not blame me for your breathing."
He then leaves to continue organising. The slim warrior looks up at the massive Vik, "who ever you are, I am sorry that I have put you in harm's way. That man will not give up his revenge easily and by your actions, you are marked. I shall go and work in the infirmary, perhaps I can save lives."
I am the one who should be hurt or punished, to expiate my crimes against these good people and their friends left behind. For my deliberate actions were evil and I have beget more evil in that man, and maybe his friends.
As upset as she was, Paera didn't have the heart to hurl any more bile at the apparent pariah. He was hated enough as it was. After he left she quietly said to the others, "Gonna be a lot of trouble for that one on this ship. If someone doesn't watch his back he's likely to wind up with a knife in it."
She softened her voice and spoke to the griffon-rider. "Hey, just relax alright, we'll get you some help in no time." she tried to reassure her as she beckoned for Bo to help her continue to the infirmary.
Bo-dan marked well the face and appearance of the hate filled man as he threw his final insults and threats and moved off into the crowd 'That one will bear watching, this is not the end of trouble from him' she thinks with certainty.
She hardly noticed that the man who was the object of all that hate seemed to only thank the savage barbarian for his help in defending him, for that was not why she had done it. Although she was still unsure of the exact details of what had happened, she knew without doubt that, with as many people in as cramped a space as they all were and with the situation already as dire as it was, keeping order aboard the ship was of paramount importance...regardless of what the man who had rescued the baby may have done before that.
As she moved to rejoin Peara in bringing the Griffon rider to the infirmary and the hated man moves off towards the kitchens with the Barbarian, the young Monk couldn't help but catch her lover's angry look comment directed towards the quiet man. Frowning Bo-dan wonders 'Gods! Even Pae seems ready to bite him! What could he have done exactly to "be responsible for the deaths of all those ashore"? I shall have to remember to ask Pae next chance we get to have alone. Ha! Alone! On a ship overcrowded 10 times it's normal compliment! Still, I Will speak to her. Passionate and quick to temper sometimes as my dear Sweet Pea can be, her heart is always in the right place...' turning her own frown towards the back of the stranger as he moves off toward the kitchen Bo-dan asks herself 'Did I perhaps pick the wrong side in the confrontation? But no! Still, Order MUST be kept...'
Her thoughts weighing on her, Bo-dan continues helping her soul-mate bring the rider to the 'infirmary'...
Algret moved out into the crowded cargo deck, weaving between the seemingly haphazard arrangement of families and single refugees. The sheer number of women and children that make up the crowd stuns her for a moment. Many of the children are clearly upset, with the youngest crying and clinging to their mothers. Some of the women also cry, lamenting the loss of husbands or brothers or fathers, left behind when the ship wrenched free of her moorings.
At last, the cleric finds the two young orphans that Mjobo had rescued from the dock. A boy of maybe seven winters huddled with his younger sister at the front of the ship. The space they had was tiny and by far the worst position on the deck. The boy had his arms around the girl, gently stroking her hair while she stared unseeingly into a distance none could fathom. A small rag doll, representing the Empress Shina was held loosly in the girls hands. The boy was crooning a Khellish bedtime song to her, as tears streamed down his face. The colourful cotton robes he wore were stained crimson with blood, though it was obviously not his. As Algret approached, the boy looked up into her eyes, and she saw nought but desperate hope there.
*****
Milhar preceeded the others into the medical bay, hoping to provide assistance where possible. When he arrived, most of the patients were getting ready to leave, their wounds having obviously been teneded by the now absent dwarven cleric. Only three were still bed ridden. The first mate had his arms and ribs strapped, and was unconcious on the bed. A human woman sat propped against the bulwark, her head wrapped and nursing some water. The helmsman lay on his back, awake and seemingly unharmed, yet not moving except for his breaths. A young Tienese girl was moving amonst the wounded, helping them where possible.
A noise behind him made the young sorceror turn. The two half elves carried the Griffon rider between them and gently placed her on a freshly vacated mattress. The girl had many wounds, though most of them looked superficial. Her paralysis was clearly caused by the sheer quantity of poison that had enered her system during the attack.
None of those in the room could quite place her ancestry. While she looked to be Khellish at first, there were subtle differences in her bone structure and eyes that made it hard to pinpoint her ancestry. The gear she carried and wore was easily worth a small fortune, the pendant hanging on her neck alone could buy a small home in any of the cities of the great Empire. All for nothing now, as she lay helpless before them.
The big Ulfen stood hulking in the entrance to the room. looking around forlornly at first, before grunting and turning to leave. Algret was obviously not in here so he left to try and find her again.
Milhar looks at the injured rider briefly then turns to Bodan and Paera. "I do not know who you are but my thanks for showing such courage. How is the beast? Did you manage to save it? I have been busy with the refugees so could not help you. Perhaps it would be wise for the Captain or one of you to take this wealth, so that no thieves remove her amulet, for example."
His eyes are elsewhere at the moment, he looks straight through the pair at the bulkhead wall.
Eventually Milhar again seeks to find a kernel of goodness in the noble rider. Then he calls on the healing energy to reach out to the patient.
"The griffon's fine." Paera said with more of a snap than she would have liked. It was clear in her voice that she was trying to rein herself in, at least. "And to hell with the captain. We'll hold onto her belongings. She probably saved my life up there earlier and I'll be damned if I trust that bastard with that amulet." Whatever anger towards Milhar she had managed to hold back found a much easier target in the captain.
She looked to Bo-Dan with an apologetic glance, she knew her temper was running high, but her eyes showed that she meant what she said. She did fully intend to keep the rider's amulet safe. There was no larcenous intent in the offer. Bo-Dan had a knack for making her feel guilty whenever she so much as thought about backsliding towards more casual theft.
Bo-Dan's eyes soften with love as she observes her heart-friend try to reign in her temper and act protectively of the unknown rider. As the perceptive Monk catches the brief flash of guilt in her formerly larcenous lover's eyes she smiles with genuine mirth and nods her head in approval at Paera's stated intentions regarding the rider's belonging's.
Noticing the young Tienese girl attending to the patients, Bo-dan calls her over saying "Can you spare a moment for this one? I do not know how injured she is but she seems to be paralyzed from the Goblins poison. Do you know what we can do to help her?" grabbing her medallion she says without much sense of hope "I can heal her wounds, but I do not think I can affect the poison. Do you think she will be ok? Whatever you need to help her, just let us know." Her earnest desire to help and frustration and not being able to do so plain on her face.
Suddenly she has an idea "Pae, help me search her, maybe she has something on her that could help" Turning to the quiet man she says "We can save the niceties for later but I am Bo-dan and this is my dear Paera. If you'd still like to help, I just remembered I saw some sort of potion on the Goblin captain, maybe it was something to fight their poison, could you go check?"
After making her plea she'll turn back to helping search the rider while still attending the words of the young Tien girl. She also notices the first mate and smiles to herself that he seems to be on the mend.
"I should get the possible anti-toxin yourself. I am a healer and should be in the infirmary, and will try to ease the poison myself. My place is here. But thank you for the suggestion."
Milhar makes a detailed investigation of the nature of the poison overload in the rider, then he starts the process of healing the worst of the effects. "This may take some time."
"Hmpf. I'll get it then." Paera said sharply. She knew it was smarter to keep the man in the infirmary if he was indeed a healer, not to mention it would keep him away from the passengers who wished him harm, but she still couldn't keep from taking that last shot at him as if she was stepping up to a task he had shirked. Even as she did so she silently cursed herself for behaving so before Bo.
She reached out and held the monk's hand briefly, sharing a look to reassure Bo-Dan that she would be right back and that the wounded would be better off with her stepping out for a moment rather than Bo. Paera had no real talent for healing, but her love's medallion would certainly be a blessing to those down here.
She then stepped out, picking up her pace once she was away from the wounded and breaking into a run to get to the spoils of war before someone else took the bottle.
After an hour of hard sailing, everyone aboard Vixen is aware when the persistant shuddering finally stops. The ship has a slight lurch as it begins to decelerate, but then the full rigging of the ship catches the wnd and again she sails at speed through the blue waters.
The wails and weeping of the refugees eventually fades to be replaced with hushed conversations, or just dull stares as the enormity of what has befallen them hits home.
Eventually the efforts of those in the galley result in a soup kitchen of sorts being organised. The Tien women who serve are tireless in their work and they offer smiles to all whome they serve. This, more than anything begins to bring around the people from their their shocked stupor. Before long, some children are even heard to be playing impromptu games with those near them.
By days end, all that is left visible of the fallen empire is a red glow on the darkeing horizon. As the light of Sarenrae begins to fade, and the first gleaming stars of Novarish, the guiding arm, light the sky, the Captain calls all his passengers and crew to the main deck.
The place is crowded, with many pf the crew actually perched amongst the ropes and guide lines of the rigging. As the Captain moves to the top of sterncastle, a hush falls over the ship. The man looks dog tired, and walks with a noticeable limp despite the magical healing he had recieved earler in the day. His little monkey sits forlornly on his shoulder, carelessly playing with the curls of his hair. Beside him, the giant Mjobo stands quitely, his arm and ribs heavily strapped but showing no outward signs of the pain he must be in.
The captain began to speak, his voice easily cutting across the sound of the sails thrumming in the breeze.
"I am Nicjolas Venn, captain of the Chelaxian trde vessel Vixen. You are hear through tragedy and circumstance, none can doubt that. Yet, despite the fact we have left behind an enemy intent on our destruction, or worse." his eyes linger significantly on many of the women when he says this, "However, we are not out of the storm yet. We are short on supplies by a significant amount. As of now, I have ordered strict rations for all those on board. We have a tally of 238 souls on this ship, and even with tight rations we'll have maybe 2 weeks of food, slightly more for water assuming we get rain on the journey. Unfortunately, it is a seix week journey to our destination." His shoulders drop briefly adn leans heavily on the rails as he says the next part of his speech. "I have set course for Pirate Isles, some week and a half's sailing from this point, where I hope to make landing at an island I know of where we should be able to repair and resupply"
A murmer had spread through the people at the mention of this. The Priate Isles were the haven of Varisian privateers and self proclaimed princes of the seas. Although rich with rare timbers and exotic goods, the place was dangerous to sail, and expensive for merchants with legitimate business. Often ships would go missing, the crew slaughtered and the passengers either ransomed or worse. Some told of merchants hwo had bought their way free of certain pirates, using an old custom of Baksheva or tithing. This was a ship of refugees fleeing a dead nation. it was unlikely to get either ransom or enough coin to mount a decent Baksheva. Some of teh crowd began to protest but the captain cut them off with a shout.
"We are in this together gods be damned! Do you think I would risk my neck, my crew and my ship if it was avoidable! While you are on this ship you follow my decisions. Anyone who causes trouble will be left on the nearest rock to live or perish as the gods will. You need to be strong over the next week and more. Things will be hard, particulalry for the young ones Show strength and we'll all live through this!." He looked around at the gathering, his face set hard. "That is all, back to your berths."
With that he urns, and Mjobo begins to organise people below decks again. The presence of the big Mwangi seems to ensure the process is quiet and smooth, despite his obvious injuries.
Paera had thrown herself into whatever activity she could to help the crew and passengers, anything to keep her from thinking about the city they had left behind. She knew she had to keep moving or the full weight of what had happened would crush her.
She kept to that defense mechanism even after the captain made his announcement. "This isn't good." she whispered to Bo. "If we run into pirates, and where we're heading we will, the only way we're going to last without fighting it out is to pay them off." She looked around at the crowd for effect. "And we don't have much to spare except people."
She knew she was quick to become suspicious, but she had already painted the captain in a negative light in her mind.
Time aboard ship passes with slow drudgery, boardering on misery. After only a few short days, the cramped quarters and short rashions lead to even shorter tempers. The motion of the ship and the poor food also quickly lead to a spread of illness amongst those on the ship. Surprisingly, it isn't the children who seem to suffer, but the mothers, who sacrifice even their meagre food so their children do not wail with the hunger.
Within the first day, rain pelts the great ship and the captains fears for water are fully laid to rest. The barrels that were empty or spare are now laden with fresh water, and so only food becomes an issue.
Within this brief period, life on board is quickly broken into simple, yet clearly designated areas.
Galley {Cooking}
The galley quickly becomes one of the busiest places on the ship. The small amount of food supplies are carefully measured and prepared by the big Ulfen, Jaekal. The man is a tireless workhorse, who lives as much on the enervating beverage Chufa as he does his own prodigeous strength. The small group of Tienese girls who originally helped on the first day are quickly allocated jobs and a working roster is set by the big man. The girls are industrious but their incessent chatter is occasionally grating in the cramped and hot quarters, particularly since they mostly use their own language.
Though Jaekal is usually full of gruff humour and crude jokes, there are times when he slips into a melancholy mood. At these times he is seen to glance at those in the hold and his face seems to fill with sadness.
On one of the many trips you take into the lower hold for supplies, you are suddenly confronted by a noise within the stacked cargo. Someone or something is in the hold with you, though it was locked when you went in. You can hear a womans voice quietly humming a lullaby, and the sounds of someone rummaging though the cargo.
Working the rigging (The Captain calls for assistance to help with the ship, as he is short handed.)
Life in the crew is by far the most pleasent aboard the ship. The fresh air, the joys of climbing the rigging and the sights of the ocean from on high are far better than those below decks. Each night, you are invited to join the crew for a meal, no better than what those in the cargo hold recieve, but at least served sitting at a table and also with a small portion of grog, allocated by Mjobo. A nighly dice game is also held, though the stakes are for smokes and grog allotments, rather than coin.
One of the duties of the crew is the take the captains supper to him, and this rostered on a rotational basis. As you approach his cabin on your night, the sound of Mjobo and the Captain can be heard through the door. [/ooc]Two rolls required - 1st is stealth, to get close enough without tipping them off. The second is Perception (sound) to hear what they're saying when you are close enough. I'll post a response when I know your rolls.[/ooc]
Medical Bay
While the initial few days of the medical bay go without too much incident, the work quickly becomes exhausting as illness and fatigue rush through the passengers. Along with the woman with the head injuries, and Mjobo's regular visits to check his arm, you are also dealing with at least six to seven people every day with vomiting, hunger and exhaustion. The greatest concern at the moment is disease starting as a consequence of this illness.
On the morning of the third day, the lady with the head injury starts going into a seisure. Her eyes roll back in her head and she bites down through her tongue, spirting blood across the sheets. Her body twitcehs and thrashes about, while the sick people around her stand back and make the warding sign against evil. "She's possessed!" one of the Gharundi women states with horror.
Griffon and its rider. (The girl recovers some of her strength the next day, and moves immediately to teh griffons side)
The area of the boat allocated to the great hunting beast is quickly designated a no go area by the crew. The great bird is cantankerous, and snaps at anyone approaching it that isn't its rider, or the halfling woman Tilayaharra. She has brought her children up with her, and a one armed Chelaxian merceneary, who she claims saved her life back on the docks. If you thoguht the bird was bad, her sharp tongue and unforgiving nature are nearly as bad. The woman doesn't suffer fools at all, and unless you know something about animals, she won't have a bar of you.
What makes this situation even more tense is the presence of teh rider herself. She introduces herself only as Emallion, but talks mostly to the great Griffon. Her tone with everyone else is quite haughty, thogh for some reason, when she asks for something to be done, everyone rushes to complete the task, even Tilayaharra.
A third complication is the captain himself. The man is very unhappy about the presence of the cat bird on his ship and has clearly stated that if it causes trouble, he will order it destroyed, noble steed or not. Given that rations are short, and it is already eating food that people could use, everyone knows that trouble is only a short step away.
Keeping the Peace with the Passengers
The passengers quickly become disgruntled with their lot on the ship. With only short amounts of time allocated to them for time above decks, they quickly grow angry with the captain adn the crew. In short, they splinter inot a number of factions, and a tension quickly becomes palpable when one travels through the cargo hold. There are four main factions
Tien - There are maybe thirty Tienese on the ship, mostly women. They seem to be following the orders of a young man by name of Bien-Ma. He is a charasmatic man, always smiling and seemingly happy no matter what obstacles the group faces. These people were the first and only group to offer assistance to those on the ship and so mostly they work in shifts around the gally, the rigging, or witht eh medical bay. They are not being affected by any illneess as far can be told.
Gharund - After the incident with Milhar, the Gharundi people keep to themselves. They are quietly polite to those around them, but offer no friendship. The man Rafiki, who first confronted Milhar seems to have taken a position of leadership amongst them, and you occasionally see him throwing angry looks around, or speaking to groups of his people in small huddles.
Khellish- By far the largest group of refugees, the khellish are being riven by illness and hunger. They have large families, mostly with 4 or more children and so many of the mothers are starting to suffer from exhaustion and hunger as they desperately try to feed their children. No one has taken any leadership amongst these people, and despair is quickly taking hold amongst them. Alarmingly, Rafiki occasionally visits some of these people, and the air of anger after his departure is quite recognisable.
Paying Boarders - Before the ship was forced to flee the docks, 50 people had paid for board upon the ship. They have the most belongings as they were already prepared to leave, and some of them are in quarters separate from the rest of the refugees. Some of these people are starting to complain about the fact they're on short rations. Many of them seem to be quite wealthy, either merchants or minor nobles. Neary all of them are returning to the Chelaxian nation.
[ooc] I'm leaving this one fairly open on what you want to do. Diplomacy, gather info, intimidates, bribes - all of these are useful, but its up to you how you use them and who with. This is a bit of a seething hotbed of intrigue. Be creative :)
Paera (and Wrath of course)
Hey Val, I'm assuming Pae will be hanging around the rider. Bo might do that too, as she would be interested in the rider and care about her well being, but I'm also getting the feeling that our Monk is starting to really get a feel for this sailing thing and might really enjoy spending time in the rigging. You think that's cool if we do thing separately or would it make more sense to be doing the same thing?
Also Wrath, I know you said we can just pick one, but would it be possible for Bo-dan to just 'hang with' the rider that first day just to see how she and the griffon are since she she did help rescue them and Then move on to the riggings?
Bo-Dan(and Wrath):
Paera's stomach growled, having given most of her rations away to the ailing mothers who seemed to need it most. Her initial hesitance towards the captain's plan was eroding because of the hunger.
While milling about on the deck, she saw the griffon and its rider up and about on their designated part of the ship. She made her way over to them, noting how everyone else seemed to be keeping their distance. "Hiya!" she waved as she approached, as cheerful as she could be under the circumstances. She had heard about the rider's attitude, but paid it little heed. When dealing with such people, she tried to charge right in, accepting the fact that if she didn't manage to be disarming enough to get close she would be hitting a stone wall. "We met earlier. Kind of. I've been holding onto this for ya, too." She held out the amulet she and Bo-Dan had taken for safekeeping.
She whistled at the sight of the beast, even as she kept a healthy distance. "Is he good to fly again? He had taken a really nasty spill before we could get him out of the rigging." She tried to keep the conversation in motion, to avoid the proud woman simply writing her off. "Good job on that by the way!" she smiled at the halfling woman.
"Gods, it must be wonderful to be able to ride him. Useful too! We sure could use an extra pair of eyes scouting for the ship, lookin' for islands or watching out for pirates." she went on, staring at the griffon in genuine admiration. If it was going to take flattery to get the rider in the air again, she was certainly ready to flatter.
Bo-dan pays a visit along with Paera to the infirmary the next day to check on the rider but is pleased to see the woman had already recovered and left. Joining Pae on deck at the Griffon's area, Bo-Dan exchanges greetings with the rider, introducing herself and asking after the rider and her mount's well being. Seeing her lover to have the matter in hand though and knowing of Pae's yearning for the skies, Bo-dan leaves her beloved and goes to join the crew in the rigging.
Bo-dan truly begins to love the life a sea and in the rigging. The fresh air, the beautiful ocean vistas sing to her soul. When the ship is flying under a strong wind and she is perched on the highest mast she feels as if she could take one step and leave the earth forever. The physical work also agrees with her and she enjoys the challenge to her acrobatic skills.
The only cloud in her blue skies is when the lumbering and savage barbarian decides to join the crew as well. Her frown evident on her face it is not hard tell Bo-Dan's doubts about the big man's ability to haul his ungainly bulk through the rigging. For a moment a vision of the warrior falling only to crush some poor hapless soul beneath him fills the monk's vision. Shaking her head though, Bo-dan mentally shrugs her shoulders and carries on with her duties. The Gods knew the Captain needed all the help he could get and the strictly trained Monk was nothing if not fair. If the beast-like man proved his ability for the work she would judge him on his present actions and not his past mistakes. She certainly did not go out of her way to warm herself to him though. She did though try and spread what charm she had amongst the rest of the crew. Diplomacy (1d20+1=12)
Her efforts were perhaps hampered though by the fact that she did not join them in their nightly games, much preferring to spend her time with Pae, oftentimes finding a quiet area and moment to show her beloved some special sight or area of the ship she had found.
Bo-dan as well more often than not took her portion of food below decks to share amongst any who were more needy. It truly warmed heart and made her fall in love all over again to observe her dear Sweet Pea to the same.
On the night of her duty to take Mjobo and the Captain's the meal, Bo-Dan hears what seems to be an interesting conversation and she attempts to make her way forward more silently (1d20+6=15)to try and better hear it. (1d20+10=24)(+2 for sound included)
The quiet and servile man tries hard to blend in and help cure with what little there is onboard. He always spends time each morning doing a few exercises with his twin swords. Aside from that, Milhar does not initiate conversation, he tries to keep the atmosphere polite and friendly.
When the woman goes gaga, Milhar quickly moves over and tries to calm her with his healing ability. He looks around for some of the camomile tea desperately wondering how on earth to get it inside her body, before she throws it everywhere.
Bo-Dan
Bo-Dan slips quietly up the companionway near the captains quarters. A plank creaks under her foot, but the sound of the ship moving through the water obviously helps to drown out this noise as the conversation doesn't seem to break.
As the monk gets to the door, she gently presses her ear to the wood panelling and catches the last of the conversation between the captain and Mjobo.
"Capitaan, dese people will be as chaff on the wind if we don't give them de assistance dey needs mon. You know what da law says in Gergythia. Without de means to support demselves, dese folk will become property of de state.". Mjobo's voice sounds both plaintive and angry at the same time, an odd mix from the big Mwangi.
"There's not a gods bedamned thing i can do about that my friend" the captain says, sounding more annoyed than anything else. "I'll be happy if I can get these poor wretches to port alive, let alone keep them from the meat pens. If we get lucky, the Varisians won't find us and we'll be in Gergythia before the onset of Autumn. If they find us, we'll be in the nine hells before the month is out. Let's worry about these people when the time comes for it."
Again, Mjobo's deep voice echoes through the door "And if we do come across de Pirates, what den mon? We dan't have nary a coin for a baksheva, not with half de lot as was meant to board not havin' made de docks in time. Unless ye plan on openin' de chest we made from our sales dis trip?". The last question was definietly loaded, both humour and possibly hope.
The captain snorts in derision "Not likely. I've got people as wants that money when we get back home. If we're taken, the pirates will ransom you and me, and possibly our little gnomish friend as well. The others will need to take their chances. Of course, I don't plan on being taken. I have an...Is someone at that door!"
The sound of booted feet make Bo-Dan quickly retreat a few steps boefore noisily approaching the door again. The door is ripped open by the scowling captain, before he takes the food off you with a curt nod of thanks and sends you on his way.
Paera
As Pae approaches the young woman, she notices again just how striking she is. There is something aobut her, maybe the bone structure, maybe the skin tone but the half elf found it....enticing.
The girl was still weak from the poison, having recovered enough strength to move and get around the ship, but still obviously shaky. As Pae hands her the pendant, the girl seems to relax visibly, the smile she turns on the young rogue is almost dazzling in its effect. Her eyes sparkle with a life Paera didn't realise human eyes could possess. "Oh thank mighty Sarenrae you have it" the girl gushes, unleashing waves of proud joy through Pae. "If It had been lost, as I had feared, I fear I may have gone crazy. But you, I saw you fighting on the ship whe I first charged their wasp riders. Please, you must tell me about yourself". Again the girl turned thos stunning eyes on Pae, and she found herself suddenly speaking of her past. A sound of disgust draws both of the womens attention to the side, where the halfling woman stands attending the griffon. She has her face turned from the two of them but her words carry clearly enough "If you two are quite finished gushing over each other, I have a beast to tend. Take your conversation where the beast can't hear its rider talk. The animal gets fractious when you're here girl". As ususal the tone is brisk and no nonsense, though Pae thinks she can detect a slight undercurrent in her voice. Sense motive DC 15. Will spoiler at end of post.
The noble young griffon rider turns to Pae, the pendant now clutched to her chest as if a toy of some small child. "Come Paera, we wil talk of your life, and I shall tell of you what it is to ride". The girls takes the half elfs hands and leads her with almost no resistance to the small shelter the group has set up on the deck.
Milhar
Milhar's tirelessefforts in the medical bay seem to pay fruit. A mahor outbreak of disease is certainly not imminent, though the young sorceror can tell teh Khellishite population on the ship are teetering ont he edge of a major problem. Without more food, many of the oung women trying to keep their children healthy will certainly start to succumb to fatigue. Plus, the ship will eventually sail to cooler waters, and the chances of severe illness striking there will be much higher.
When Margaret, the girl with head injury, starts to convulse, Milhar is almost too tired to think properly. There was something Algret had mentioned about head wounds but the young man couldn't put his mind to it. As he tried to force the tea into the woman, he noticed one side of her face was starting to go slack, the eye there had dilated very wide, while the other was a pin prick in the throws fo the seizure.
Vik
The sea air in the high rigging was superb, reminding the big Ulfen of the few times he had ridden in his fathers rading longboats. The salt, and sea breeze brought memories of his past thudding back into his mid, often at times when he should have been focusing on the work at hand.
One of the crew hands, a big Chelax man by name of Schorl, was showing very little tolerence of the new crew. While the half elf girl who had snapped at Vik when the golbin fight was finished seemed to be getting only minor problems, the big sailor was riding Vik hard.
As the Barbarian moved along the mast of the second Mizzen cross beam, he was suddenly confronted by Schorl, coming the other way. "You great Oaf!" he bellowed. "What do think you're doing playing at sailing. Get out of my way before I rganise an "accident" for you.". The tone is beligerent, and definitely goading. A small noise below makes Vik glance down. He realsises that a small group of Schorls mates have moved to the lower mast and are watching intently.
DM
While thinking, Milhar looks around the room his eyes vacant, hoping they will fix on the answer. Even so, his hand reaches out to her, his hand grips hers tight.
Milhar
With the help of Sieu-Dien, the little Tien lady also working the infirmary, Milhar manages to hold down Margaret long enough to get a final diagosis. With a start he remembers Algret mentioning the dangers of another bleed starting in the brain after such an injury. Some earlier instinct kicks in, and as the sorcerors hand touches the girls arm, he is suddenly plunged into her body. His mids eye races alog bloodvessels, the sound in his head throbbing with pounding of the struggling heart. Arteries and veins rush past his visiosn, unitl he asses through the great pump in her chest and moves unerring upwards towards the head area. In here, Milhars unconcious mind readily takes in the residual damage from teh blow to the head. While the magic of the celric repaired the soft tissue of the brain, the small suture fracture from the bloow was repairing unevenly. A spur of bone had cut into a cpillary in the girls head, causing alsow bleed that was pplying pressure to the right side of her brain.
Milhar suddenly staggered, his conscious returning to his own body with a sudden shock. He tried desperately to find something he could use to relieve the pressure on the girls brain. Turning to Sieu-Dien, he begs her to race and get a ships screw, used for drilling new holes and cauking the the ship.
Algret moves into the room as the Tien girl rushes past him. The dwarven priestess has her two young charges in tow as usual .The little girl had modified her doll somewhat, so now it had longer braided hair, and crude "armour" had been made for it from paper and food wrappings.
The priestess moves to help Milhar, and the sorceror feels the refreshing touch of magic wash over the room as the dwarf unleashes some of her divine magic. "I Have stopped the bleeding, Milhar, but we need to remove the pressure or she will suffer permanent injury, maybe even death."
Paera was taken a bit off-guard by the rider's reaction, but didn't hesitate to bask in the gratitude. "Ah, it was nothin'! You probably saved my life up there. The least I could do was make sure no one swiped your stuff!" The woman certainly had a charm that Paera both envied and found attractive, but she kept her thoughts restricted to admiration. Like the Tien lily entwined with the Varisian rose tattooed over her heart, Bo was likewise never far from it.
As they left at the halfling's request, Paera subtly motioned with her thumb. "So, uh...what's wrong with her? Pretty protective of your mount, huh?"
The request to tell of her past might have been considered a mistake by most people. Paera was only too happy to oblige. "Ha, that's a long story! I was raised by Varisians back in the old country after my parents died fighting a dragon that was terrorizing the countryside. They may have fallen, but not before taking that overgrown lizard down! They had me sent away by a servant to keep me safe, since the old wyrm had a lot of followers that would be looking for any way to get revenge. Anyway, I stayed with the clan that adopted me for a while before striking out on my own, like my parents. I've been all over the place since then. Oddjobs and sailor's work mostly, but me and Bo are gonna hit it big one of these days. She's my friend, by the way. She helped get you down too. I don't know if you managed to see her or not with the poison...anyway..."
She rambled on, bouncing back and forth between various points of her life, embellishing a bit here and there whereever the facts were a tad too mundane. She managed to sidetrack herself onto the subject of airships and flying animals with some frequency.
[ooc]I literally cannot type everything Paera will say unless someone stops her. She really will keep going until the listener has had enough. :)
DM
Time and the help of the two healers, the Tien and dwarf, is good enough to provide succour. She lives but to monitor the situation, Milhar moves a chair beside her bed and stays with her. He uses the time and opportunity to meditate over the magic of the Source.
Paera
As Paera lets her tongue run with the story of her past, the girl in front ofe her seems to frown, as if concentrating very hard on something. She seems particularly irked when the young rogue mentions her love of Bo-Dan. "Ah yes, the love of another Half-Elf is surely a marvelous thing, but don't you wonder sometimes if it is just loneliness that brought you both together. Is there not something greater in love than just each others company becasue you share a heritage?". As the words are spoken, Paera can feel a pressure behind her eyes, as if something is gently probing them.
Beyond them, the hlafling woman suddenly staggers and grabs the railing for a moment. The Griffon stands and ruffles its feathers, showing its great plumage to the maximum effect. Some of the nearby sailors also seem to stop what they're doing, their furtive glances in your direction and the way they try to tidy themselves up almost comical. What was happeneing here.
Milhar
With the fantastic work of Milhar in the meidcal bay, the attitudes of many of the people begin to warm to the young man. No longer is he greeted with mistrustful glances, as was true after the confrontation with the Gharundi earlier in the trip. Now, many of the people call greetings to him as he walks amongst them. Some even go out of their way to speak to him, thanking him again for helping with their ills, and those of their children.
When he arrives back at the infirmary, a man and his two daughters are standing near Margaret. The woman was sleeping deeply, her head bandaged heavily around the new wound they were forced to inflct to save her life. Algrets magic had certainly come into play after this event to help save the woman.
The man steps forward as Milhar approaches, his hat is held in his hands before his chest, and he rings it slightly, as if embarrassed to be talking to Milhar.
"My deepest gratitude to you sir. My wife would be dead if it weren't for you and the dwarf, I'm told.". He reaches down into a small bag hanging at his side and brings out a parcel wrapped in brown grease paper and string. "I don't have much here on the ship to repay you sir. But this was something I was comissioned to make for someone who...well she's back in amongst what we left behind really. Anyway, it's all I can offer for you sir. I'm a toy maker by trade and this ones for you. I gave its partner to the dwarf sir. I'm afraid it isn't quickened yet, but once it's been with you for a while it will do."
As he talks, his hands are busily unwrappping the parcel. Before you lies what at first appears to be a puppet or doll. The toy is carved from a dark grained wood, its clothing painted in the bright colours of the Khelleshite people. A small gem, the colour of the morning sun is set in a choker at the base of the things neck, and it glints briefly at you. The thing is a work of art. Something of rare beauty and skill.
"Margaret is the one with the knowhow of the crystal lattice sir. She delights when the things quicken for their masters. They call them Shii Arean down here in the empire, but back home in Cheliax, we know them as Companion Dolls. My appologies I can't offer more sir"
Realizing he is out of place Vik makes for the end of the beam and decides that if a confrontation is going to take place, might as well be more to his favor. Well good point, maybe I'll organize one for you on the deck he says with a wicked grin. He grabs the rope and ziplines down to the deck before any more trouble happens.
acrobatics 1d20+8=14+8=22
Vik, Bo-Dan and Paera (who can see this from her position near the griffon)
Schorl snarls his anger as Vik abvioulsy fails to be cowed by the threat. As the big Ulfen warrior skillfully slides down teh rope to the deck, Schorl's friends catacll from below, abviously ribbing the solid sailor for the failed game.
Vik rubs briefly at his hands when he reaches the deck, to help dissipate some of the heat that penetrated the glove as he slid down the rope. The sound of bare feet striking the deck behind him makes him turn. Schorl had landed ont he deck and was stalking towards him, his fists were balled into tight knots of unrestrained anger. Vik had height on the sailor, but the two were nearly a match for strength. This would be interesting.
Milhar continues his healing, revelling in the good works and the way his life has turned since he was set free.
My master was right. This is the right path and I hope that I can find the battlefield and the soldiers of peace. By the Source, my life is blessed but this is a house of cards, I have not bloodied my blades and how would I have killed a goblin? I do not know the answers yet.
DM
Keeping her face passive despite her concern yet obviously not cowed by the Captain's beligerence, Bo-dan hands over the food nods her welcome to the similar thanks from the commander of the ship.
Before he can close the door she says calmly "You seem upset Captain. Is everything all right? Pae and I were just discussing the other day how stressful it must be to have the care and responsibility of so many people on one's shoulders. We were comforted though by knowing the Captain to be a good hearted man who will do right by his desperate passengers."
She nods again and begins to turn away but then turns back as if with a last minute thought and, with a slight tilt to her head asks. "Might there be anything I can help you with Captain?"
Keeping her face passive despite her concern yet obviously not cowed by the Captain's beligerence, Bo-dan hands over the food nods her welcome to the similar thanks from the commander of the ship.
Before he can close the door she says calmly "You seem upset Captain. Is everything all right? Pae and I were just discussing the other day how stressful it must be to have the care and responsibility of so many people on one's shoulders. We were comforted though by knowing the Captain to be a good hearted man who will do right by his desperate passengers."
She nods again and begins to turn away but then turns back as if with a last minute thought and, with a slight tilt to her head asks. "Might there be anything I can help you with Captain?"
The Captain stares intently at Bo-Dan for a long moment, before nodding his head and offering her a smile.
"I thenk you for your offer m'lady. Certainly you have proved useful in these last few days, and our daring escape was something that could not have happened without you and a few of the others. Could come a time when I will indeed be calling on your services again. But for now, work with the crew, learn the rigging and the sails and help me get this ship to safety." He nods his thanks again before closing the door to his cabin, effectively ending that conversation.
As Bo was returning to her own meal, she notices a small, brightly dressed figure standing on the forecastle, lleaning out over the rail. It was the little gnome she had seen on the first day of the trip.He hadn't come out on deck since that day as far as the Half elf was aware.
Wrath:
She shivered at the troubling thoughts. She wanted to find Bo-Dan and speak with her, to have a moment alone with her on this crowded ship, but if she really wanted to, why was she staying by the rider's side? The beautiful rider who knew what it was to soar so free in the sky...
"I..." she looked absolutely lost before she heard the commotion on the deck. She was almost thankful, and somewhat regretful that her moment with the rider had been interrupted. She was afraid to dwell on which she felt more. "What's going on?"
Wrath
Ohh a challenge. I am going to love this, while you friend might not like it so much.
Noticing the Gnome and quite curious, Bo-Dan makes her way over to the forecastle. Making sure this time to make her presence known so as not to startle the Gnome she says nothing but simply moves near him to share in his view and appreciation of the evening and magnificent view (but not so near as to be crowding him) she will be content to remain in silence for some time unless he says something to her first.
After a suitable time, if nothing has still been said, she will turn to the magic user with a calm smile and say "It is the wise who, even in times of trial and tribulation, still seek to appreciate the vast wonder and beauty of our world." If still he says nothing, after a short while longer she will say " I am Bo-dan, a monk of the Whispering Wind Way. I am a-ship with my heart mate Paera. I do not believe you and I have yet had the pleasure of meeting?"
Paera
Paera's head swam with the events circling around her. On the far side of the deck, she watched as Vik started a vicious looking fist fight with one of the sailors.
Behind her, the young noble again spoke "Focus on me now Paera, I would ask a boon of you". The words were so compelling, the young rogues head turned to face the girl. Her eyes, what was it about her eyes?.
A form rose up behind the griffon rider and raised its hand to strike the girl. Pae lept to her feet, the dagger from her belt leaping to her hand before she knew what was happening. With a start the young half elf realised the person attacking her new friend was the halfling woman Tila. As Pae went to intercpet her, halflings hand snapped forwards and struck a stinging blow to the girl on the deck. At the same time she screamed into her face "Stop it now you Istiatch! Is this how you repay those who save you, by exerting your will over them". Again her hand snapped forwards and slapped hard into the face of the now cowering girl before her, this time splitting her lip.
Paera stumbled as the ship rolled with a eave and she suddenly felt as if a veil had lifted from her. The pressure behind her eyes was gone, to replaced with a slowly throbbing headache. An almost hollow feeling filled her, like an ache in the joints of her bones, only centred around her head.
Gentle hands grabbed her shoulders and the concerned face of Tila came into view. "Come girl, to the rail. If I'm not mistaken you're about to lose your breakfast". Unsurprisingly, she was right.