We'll treat this as a rescue mission with the possibility of them being some kind of bait. Get your arms ready just in case, we'll provide cover when we pull alongside or send a boat out. Torgue scratches his chin. Chell! We'll need water and healing when they get onboard.
Astrianna exchanges the cigar for the bottle of port, and gulps down a few mouthfuls. She wipes her mouth off with the handkerchief she had used to blindfold Thalios at one point.
She chuckles. "Ah, of course, of course... Well Sam despises my bardic magic and refuses to do anything other than take my money, so I won't be learning the truth from him." She sighs and shrugs. "I suppose we'll learn if it's the real treasure once Perrin comes back."
I wonder if he knows why the Commandant ran off last night...Still pissed about that.
"Speaking of which, I heard there was some kind of commotion at the Fort late last night, know anything about it?"
"Chaplain...Well spoken...inspirational, truly." the Captain nods approvingly.
Only Jenkie, who is at the wheel, is in the small chart cabin with you and the Captain. "Sailors need inspiration, the sea is scary and death lurks in the sky, on the water, and certainly within the depths below. Besides the Captain, You as Chaplain, and as Surgeon until you grow this crew, are the most important person on the deck. Do you understand why? He pauses, "You are the faith, the hope, and the healer. They will look to you for spiritual guidance and physical healing. I don't know is never an acceptable answer in front of the crew. You ALWAYS know, you ALWAYS guide or we all shall perish." He pauses. "Sailors need strength from their spiritual leader. Quell always knows.
He smiles, "Do you understand the message that I'm saying?"
Chell is a little taken aback at the responsibility. She wasn't naive enough to have not expected this but she wasn't expecting it now of all times. And she wasn't without inspiration either. Her grandmother, the one who first instructed her in Quell's tenets and glory, was a also wonderful chaplain herself. But she was among family on her ship. Chell was among people she didn't know. "I...I understand. Quell is right but his faithful are not as infallible. But that doesn't matter. Officers need to remain confident at all times or...discipline falters. And that can mean accidents and death. Its just," she falters a moment. "It's just that Xander is leaving. And I couldn't stop him."
Sorrin repeats the Captain's words. Quarter sail! Get ready to come about! Men at the ready!
Quieter, Chaplain, when we are closer... Can you bless them with a dose of divine healing? Torgue, healing before they are on board. We need to see if they... respond to it.
Sorrin's mother is an oracle of Seranrae. At a very young age, he'd learned the basics about the effects of positive energy on the living and undead.
It seemed natural enough to educate the boy, after all he has inherited... the gift of the Sacred Touch.
We'll treat this as a rescue mission with the possibility of them being some kind of bait. Get your arms ready just in case, we'll provide cover when we pull alongside or send a boat out. Torgue scratches his chin. Chell! We'll need water and healing when they get onboard.
Chell moves to the railing to get a closer look at what is causing the commotion. Even at this distance she could see the condition of the men at sea. Instantly she is calling commands to those not helping maneuver the ship. "I need canvas, cots, bowls, wash rags and food. Set up the canvas as a shaded area for the cots on the deck. Soft foods and fruits only. Get stretchers and and lash rope to them in case we need to haul someone up."
Chell nods at Sorrin and waits for the boat, as well as its bottom, to get within 30 ft. When it is close enough she pulses positive energy twice. The first is flush out possible undead. If nothing happens then she sends a second to provide those on the little rowboat a boost of strength to get aboard.
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Astrianna exchanges the cigar for the bottle of port, and gulps down a few mouthfuls. She wipes her mouth off with the handkerchief she had used to blindfold Thalios at one point.
She chuckles. "Ah, of course, of course... Well Sam despises my bardic magic and refuses to do anything other than take my money, so I won't be learning the truth from him." She sighs and shrugs. "I suppose we'll learn if it's the real treasure once Perrin comes back."
I wonder if he knows why the Commandant ran off last night...Still pissed about that.
"Speaking of which, I heard there was some kind of commotion at the Fort late last night, know anything about it?"
"All Sam needs is an afternoon of you in bed, and he'll be singing dixieland praise." He lets out three smoke rings each bigger then the previous one.
"No news from the fort other than the handing a couple days ago...you remember that guy that didn't like me on the ship. What was his name...the surgeon fella, well, snapped his head clean off it did. I paid a few gold to watch that one. but Nothin' last night." he begins to nestling in for four four.
"It's just that Xander is leaving. And I couldn't stop him."
"Good fella...very opinionated regarding his arcane arts. If it's not studied from a book or scroll it's not real magic to him. Need to use it honorably too. Damn good wizard, best I ever seen...better than that Sam, just not as lucky I suppose. But don't you worry 'bout him out here, here you have 10 crew and 5 officer souls, including yourself that you need to focus on. No distractions on deck that can maim or kill."
As he speaks the warning of the dory port side is raised.
"On ship focus is everything...stay focused."
He then barks out the orders.
The dory comes broadside and you see four disheveled, tired looking souls, one is holding a scrawny looking cat. The men them selves have boils and blisters on their bodies. Chells healing channel washes over and helps the obvious wounds but the boils persist.
"Water...food, help please, help. Bring us aboard....Please."
Astrianna scoffs, though she is impressed by the smoke rings. "I'd rather lick a sphere of annihilation than I get anywhere near that wizard's staff."
Astrianna sighs about the fate of Hawkins. "Dirk was a piece of work. Never quite figured him out, but I knew his mouth and nose were going to get him into trouble. So it goes." She pauses for a few moments. "Adriel is dead as well. Bit off more than he could chew, killed five men and then ended up magically cooked shark food. Darius left on the next ship out, after that business with a price on his head. Sath simply vanished one day, I assume she took to wandering the coast."
The bard takes another long drink of port before passing it back to Thalios and motioning for the cigar. "Embrianna and I are the only ones left. This new group has a lot of potential, at least. Just have to keep Chell and Sorrin from sticking their nose in the wrong places, keep taking jobs cleaning up monsters, slavers, the like, and coming back alive. They were right- the adventure here in the Razor is unlike anything else."
She takes a long draw from the cigar and blows out smoke, not coughing this time. "This business with The Ring has got Chell's nickers in a bunch. They're kidnapping priests of Quell, killing them. We're certain of it, found evidence in fact. If I knew I might get kidnapped and killed by a powerful shadowy cult I'd probably just leave, but she's determined to stop it. I'm afraid she's going to do something brash and put us all in danger with the Ring. She's running full speed forward with a bag over her head, target on her back." The half-elf takes another long draw from the cigar, too much this time, and coughs out the smoke.
Torque looks to Chelly for confirmation and then nods to the mates looks like they are genuine. Ahoy! We'll get you aboard but we need to ask if you got a pox.We got a healer here that can take care of that
The Ring is the big monster under the bed. It's what mothers tell their children. Reality is it's nothing more than some organized crime, the survival of the fittest as Thalios always says." he draws a long deep gulp of port wine. "My that cigar's end would taste rich dipped in the end of this wine." He smiles as he becomes alive again.
"So Captain Longplank's ship been overhauled putting to sea day after tomorrow. Gonna make some local runs before the cross ocean journey. Not looking forward to the crossing the sea again."
"Chaplain those men ok to fetch and bring aboard?"
"So what have you been doing since my last fight that you've watched? Any good stories or souls saved?
"I've a fight tonight, you cleared my head. My f*$king miserably piece of shyte deity sent you to strengthen my spirit and fists. Come be my guest at Skull tonight and watch me pulverize Varion Drakemoor into sissydom bet heavy." He then buries his face in...well you get the idea.
Astrianna nods, that was also her belief before she saw the Sucker Scar. Perhaps Thalios was right and all of them were seeing boogeymen where there were none. "I hope that's the case, and we're just up against regular thieves instead of kraken-worshipping thieves. Still, they're killing priests of Quell, for whatever reason. Probably because they go around sticking their noses in the Ring's business."
The half-elf frowns, sitting up a bit. "You're leaving Shaw? That's a pity. I suppose I'll have to find some other dashing scoundrel to keep my bed warm." She teases him, but in reality she is disappointed. She considers the Son of Mordekai to be an important, and sexy, friend. "If you want a send-off, come to the Skull tonight. I'll be fiddling- I don't think you've ever heard me play, and I promise it will be a treat."
She hands the cigar stub over to Thalios for stewing in the wine. "We're heading into the Blacksink Marsh for a few days to look for some missing persons, so I doubt I will be able to see you and the Mother's Blessing off. Slaves keep getting snatched off of Hargrove's planation... They thought Bonegnaw was the cause, but he's out and people are still vanishing. It's either some monsters that need to be put down or the Nightslinks, who probably also need to be put down if rumors of their slaving are true. We'll sort it out. You heard anything?"
Astrianna stretches and gets out of bed, starting to put her clothes and gear on. "I'm going to head over to the Explorer's guild and ask if they have any information or maps on the Blacksink. Place sounds grotesque, and a deathtrap for the unprepared." She beings to put on her full adventuring gear- she has to look like a veteran, going in there.
He sits straight up, "Oh be careful there...both places. Thalios hears bad bad things about these Nightslinks...evil Bring silver if it is true. Hunting for goods, supplies to stock a ship again."
He shivers a bit then shakes it off, "Hargrove is rich, he is powerful, his dagger is faster than his age would appear. Not even Thalios as quicker with a blade as that old man."
He shakes his head back and forth. "Non, no, no...you don't go there. Blacksink Marsh has always had an ill reputation. The thorns that grow there are poisonous, beasts and changed things rove the waters lurking in wait for foolish travelers, and the twisted descendants of an accursed tribe hunt beneath the dark canopy of black willow trees. Explorers tell of strange crumbling buildings suddenly happened upon at dusk that vanish with the last red rays of the sun, and gators who walk on two legs and drown men from afar with a mere glance. Those are the stories that await in the Blacksink Marsh."
"Oh the pole arm man, Darius, jumped ship five days ago he feared the price on his head."
[Dice=heal, untrained]1d20+1
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Chell you are concerned and actually quite baffled that the boils have not receded. It is quite odd to you at this point, suspicious even.
Where have I seen that before, Chell wonders. Boils that resist positive energy healing? But they aren't undead? And what was with the cat? Caution overrides caring instinct. "Do not let them on board yet," she says to the captain but not loud enough for the men in the boat to hear. Then louder. "Get them food and water, half ration and half a canteen each. Too much too quickly will only make them sick. Lower it down to them."
Then to the men in the boat. "I need you to listen very carefully and answer honestly or you are staying out there. If you try and force your way on I will send an water elemental to push you away. We are lowering food and water. You are going to want to eat and drink as fast as possible but resist the urge. Too much too quickly will make you sick so take it slow. Once you are ready I need you to tell me what happened to you. Specifically why you are out here and how you got those boils."
Until they answer she keeps them in the water.
He sits straight up, "Oh be careful there...both places. Thalios hears bad bad things about these Nightslinks...evil Bring silver if it is true. Hunting for goods, supplies to stock a ship again."
He shivers a bit then shakes it off, "Hargrove is rich, he is powerful, his dagger is faster than his age would appear. Not even Thalios as quicker with a blade as that old man."
He shakes his head back and forth. "Non, no, no...you don't go there. Blacksink Marsh has always had an ill reputation. The thorns that grow there are poisonous, beasts and changed things rove the waters lurking in wait for foolish travelers, and the twisted descendants of an accursed tribe hunt beneath the dark canopy of black willow trees. Explorers tell of strange crumbling buildings suddenly happened upon at dusk that vanish with the last red rays of the sun, and gators who walk on two legs and drown men from afar with a mere glance. Those are the stories that await in the Blacksink Marsh."
Astrianna steps into her breeches while she listens to Dondrel. "Silver... got it. The Nightslinks seem an unpleasant lot. I haven't heard anything good about them. What ship are they trying to stock? Are they some kind of were-creatures? I have silver arrows and a silver dagger, but I don't know about the rest of the group. Thank you, Thalios, you might have just saved one of our lives in the future."
With breeches and blouse on, she starts putting on her thicker explorer's gear, starting with her jacket and its many pockets. "Well. That's unfortunate, on both accounts. Hargrove personally "requested" us to go into the Blacksink. I don't think we have much of a choice. He's paying peanuts, but I know not to refuse if we want to keep in business in Shaw." She whistles at the impressive list of dangers Thalios names off, starting to tighten the buckles on her shining mithral breastplate. "That.. is quite the list. I see why Hargrove is sending us. Capable and expendable, all rolled into one package. I'll make sure we don't get in over our head."
She sighs. "I have the feeling I'll be writing a song about this one when we get back."
Not much worth coin in the swamp unless we find some rare plants or have to knock over some gator-men. Drown men from afar with a mere glance? S~!%.
Torgue doesn't raise his bow but keeps his eye on the boat and mutters to his men. Don't get your weapons up, but they might have the sick. Might have to to them to port and have Chell heal them when she can.
"Beginning to think I need a wand of Cure Disease now."
She takes a long draw from the cigar and blows out smoke, not coughing this time. "This business with The Ring has got Chell's nickers in a bunch. They're kidnapping priests of Quell, killing them. We're certain of it, found evidence in fact. If I knew I might get kidnapped and killed by a powerful shadowy cult I'd probably just leave, but she's determined to stop it. I'm afraid she's going to do something brash and put us all in danger with the Ring. She's running full speed forward with a bag over her head, target on her back." The half-elf takes another long draw from the cigar, too much this time, and coughs out the smoke.
"Our ship was overtak'n by pirates, we were set adrift. We be good crew, can work the ship with you." As the eagerly take the food and water and begin to gulp it down. The scrawny cat squirms in the man's arms but laps up some water herself.
Sorrin looks around at the horizon. What's the name of your ship, its purpose? And which pirates, what flag?
In a quieter tone, The cat could be the familiar to an arcanist.
"Miss Nelly was our ship, the pirate's hit three days ago at dawn out of seafog...never saw it coming, like ghost. They flew the black skull drippin' with blood."
She takes a long draw from the cigar and blows out smoke, not coughing this time. "This business with The Ring has got Chell's nickers in a bunch. They're kidnapping priests of Quell, killing them. We're certain of it, found evidence in fact. If I knew I might get kidnapped and killed by a powerful shadowy cult I'd probably just leave, but she's determined to stop it. I'm afraid she's going to do something brash and put us all in danger with the Ring. She's running full speed forward with a bag over her head, target on her back." The half-elf takes another long draw from the cigar, too much this time, and coughs out the smoke.
Torgue is lost in thoughts of his invisible beer canteen.
Torgue is lost in thoughts of his invisible beer canteen.
This would be the perfect place and time for an invisible beer canteen.
"And when did the boils start?" she asks again. They were deflecting for some reason.
the look at each other, "right around when we were put in the dory."
Astri what are you going to do now
"Thalios knows nothing more but I will scour the streets for you. Now Thalios needs to sleep to rest up for the evening events."He winks then quickly falls to sleep in your bed.
Chell turns to the Captain for a decision. "They aren't giving us the full story and their wounds are resistant to positive energy. I won't be able to tell what it is or what is going on until I can get a closer look but I wouldn't do it out here. Can we tow them back?"
Astrianna chuckles as Thalios settles into her bed. "Thank you, Thalios. I'll see you tonight." She puts her haversack on her back, belts on her sword, and slings The Brightening over the shoulder opposite her bow case.
Heading downstairs the bard grabs some bread and cheese, eating it on her way to the Explorer guild campus. She seeks out Jasmine Rose on arrival.
Chell turns to the Captain for a decision. "They aren't giving us the full story and their wounds are resistant to positive energy. I won't be able to tell what it is or what is going on until I can get a closer look but I wouldn't do it out here. Can we tow them back?"
"Are they contagious? If so, they that would endanger the port and us." He ponders and waits for a reply.
Safest we play it that way. Good of the many and all.
Right. Confidence. I am ALWAYS right. So we can't bring them on board, especially with a new crew. We can't leave them here. Or at least I can't. We could probably bring them back and keep them isolated. Either wait for more spells or get the scrolls necessary. They might panic or sneak away though. I could go to them. "We are not leaving them out here to die if there is something we can do to help. But I realize we can't bring them aboard or back to Port Shaw without knowing what they have. I need a closer look for that." While speaking, Chell drops her pack and begins searching through it for her healer's kit. There should be a mask and gloves in there for infectious diseases. She also ties a rope around her waste and hands one end to Torgue. "Anything bad happens, pull me up as fast as you can. My life is in your hands."
She then scans the men one more time, this time with Detect Magic. If nothing comes up she casts Water Walk and hops overboard to take a closer look at one of the men. She makes sure she is fully covered before approaching.
"These boils concern me and I need to know if they are infectious. Are you sure there isn't anything more you wish to add about how you got out here? Maybe about these pirates?" she asks them, hinting that she knows they are hiding something. "The faster we can figure this out the faster we can get you back to Port Shaw."