** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Horatio’s eyes flash dark fire as the sudden recollection of the disease filters through his mind.
”Gather all hands cough-cough and make haste!” he says with a raw voice.
He speaks rapidly, his eyes filled with a strange light.
”This disease may destroy us all… but for one chance…”
”To the east in the jungles on the coastland there is a flower – cough-cough – if we can find this flower we may make a cure which will save all of our lives.”
”But we must make all speed – though the coast is only a half a day from here, we have little time… We must find it."
"If we fail to find it; this ship - and all aboard, are damned to death!” he adds, his voice a choked hiss.
[dice=Professional, Sailor]1d20+15
”There – to the east,” he adds, stabbing his finger toward the entire horizon ”You need no more landmark than the sun! Turn the prow to the dawn and sail!” he adds, the sickness prompting stress.
”Bah!” Horatio exclaims as he waves his hand in frustration; disease gnawing at him even as he chokes back a coughing fit, angry with himself that he cannot explain more clearly, and that the disease is riling him.
He takes a deep breath, than tries again.
”In half a day sailing east we’ll reach the god’s cursed Slithering Coast; it cannot be missed. No matter what point we reach, that coast is covered with leagues upon leagues of jungles – and in the jungles are plants – and there is a certain plant which may have the flower we seek; for this is the season for that blossom to bloom,” he adds, coughing again; his eyes burning.
”Once we reach the coast, we send an away team to enter the jungle – they must be swift and skilled and know what they seek.”
”Tell all aboard the plan and purpose – but not the nature of the cure; only that we go to find one.”
”If any have delusions of fighting or mutiny – they should know that they will be dead within days if they do not let us help them; so it would be wise not to hinder that act. And if we do help them… cough-cough – perhaps they may thank us better for our help,” he adds with a dry rasp, not caring for matters of protocol or decorum or any of that nonsense - for now, all he is focused on is getting the flower and surviving.
Not sure wether Dhaavanvis sick or not... can we know wether or not we'tr symptomatic?
Horatio turns to Adular –
”Good priest, tell me – this is a true disease; aye – but is it possible that it was spawned by a curse?”
”Could some spell have effected us so that we have been thus plagued? None of the crew we picked up had those symptoms when they fought us – only now.”
”If they had this disease before we found them; they would have already shown before now, I think. That they have it now… and so suddenly… My friend, if there is sorcery or witchcraft afoot; I would know if it sooner… the crew of the Rahadoum may worship no gods; but I have heard that witches can wither crops and cause plagues… is that something that could have happened?”
"Alright, them what's not sick, I say shut yerselves up in the Cap'n's cabin save Rain. If you can get us to the coast, we'll stay the hells away from ya ta avoid gettin ya sick."
To adular and Flynn he recoments, " Mean time i'd say we needs the away team healthy as possible, so if yea treat them what's goin with medicine and get us healthy, yea can, yea can use spells on yerselves, and get Sandara healthy to keep the crew alive while we search. We can't afford ta loose anyone else..."
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Variel listens to what Flynn tells him about the disease. He agrees with everything he tells him except, Why not tell them the nature of the cure? If they know they are sick and what the disease is and the quick outcome if not treated, why hold that piece of information back? Also, how prolific is this plant? Are we sure to find it or would a large port such as the one we are heading to have it in abundance? I am questioning the time it takes to search out the plant versus the time it would take to travel through the night. There would be no rest but if that is our best chance then that is what we need to do. If you tell me that we can find this flower and its not a hope and prayer adventure then we must act quickly.
All of the sick move over to the Sanbalot to isolate those who are contagious. It may not work but its a precaution we must take. Tell the captured crew as well what is transpiring and thier only chance or survival is to help. Move the healthy crew over here as well to reduce the spread. Jiro, continue to pilot the Sanbalot north and look for a suitable landing site. We will be behind you looking as well. Once you find a site signal us and we will do likewise. In the meantime, Adular, you and Sandara do what you can to stem the illness. Use the restful hammock if you think it will help. Once we reach land, the sick take the dead bodies and burn them to remove the disease. Then we have them make two camps while we go in search of this flower and cure. This sounds like a wise course for everyone?
Know (arcane):
Know (dung):
Know (local):
Know (geo):
Know (nature):
Know (planes):
Adular looks lost in thought, death by plague. He'd heard of it, but of all the ways to lose a ship, that was to him among the most horrific. "Hmmm? Beggin' your pardon, twas lost in grim thoughts for a moment."
"I'd have to look back on me lessons for some stories about curses, but whilst I ruminate, aye. It could be a curse. Could be the captain of the ship weren't so much 'honorable' as a vengeful #$### who wanted us dead and called on some magic or somewhat. Course, she'd have doomed the survivors of her crew too, an it would have to be arcane, no priests among em I'd wager given who they are. Could be something in their supplies, grain or the like, but strikes me as odd that we'd come to it afore they did."
Wizard
"Alright, them what's not sick, I say shut yerselves up in the Cap'n's cabin save Rain. If you can get us to the coast, we'll stay the hells away from ya ta avoid gettin ya sick."
"Separation is the best way, aye."
To adular and Flynn he recoments, " Mean time i'd say we needs the away team healthy as possible, so if yea treat them what's goin with medicine and get us healthy, yea can, yea can use spells on yerselves, and get Sandara healthy to keep the crew alive while we search. We can't afford ta loose anyone else..."
"I'll do what I can, I can restore the strength this disease will take, bit by bit, slow it down mayhaps. But its a battle of attrition to be sure," Adular warns, "You need to find that plant, not just good, but fast, or we'll be lucky to sail ONE ship anywhere, let alone two."
In the meantime, Adular, you and Sandara do what you can to stem the illness. Use the restful hammock if you think it will help. Once we reach land, the sick take the dead bodies and burn them to remove the disease. Then we have them make two camps while we go in search of this flower and cure. This sounds like a wise course for everyone?
"Ah, I'm to be missing out on all the glory is it? Much as I dislike it, I cannot argue your point captain. If this goes awry, I maybe the last man living when you get back. If it goes VERY awry, I won't be. Just one thing...what the hell's a restful hammock?"
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Adular, Sandara will watch over the sick while camped. She suggests you go with the group in case any of them fall ill during the search otherwise they will die without help.
Adular nods to Sandara, "As you like lass, kiss for luck?" He grins "Forward o me, I know, but I figure if a man might die on a journey, he might as well strive for a star afore making the trip."
Whether he gets a kiss, a slap, a roll of the eyes, or an amused look, he'll prepare to travel with the others.
"The issue bein' that if we told the exact nature of the cure, there is the chance that they find itthemselves after killing us while we are weak. Where if we're the only ones what know the exact plant we need, then we have the only way ta save em. They'd need us to return, and not harm our crew while we're away. Although, seein as we didn't desecrate their dead, they don't got as much reason ta try an turn on us...". Dhaavan isn't supremely worried, as it's unlikely that the Rahadoumi would trust us not to trick them at this point, or try anything.
"if them with stronger bodies stick with medical treatment, Adular'd have the magic ta cure us without it..." dhaavan suggests, as a disease like this would waste him faster than most, and he'd have almost no chance of shaking it...
Sandara rolls her eyes for a moment before grinning and grabbing you and kissing you more thoroughly than you have ever been kissed. Panting she lets you go and says with a crooked grin, There, now you have to succeed or I will kill myself and haunt you in Besmara's court beneath the waves for the effrontery of kissing me and then going off and dying.
dhaavan suggests, as a disease like this would waste him faster than most, and he'd have almost no chance of shaking it...
Sandara rolls her eyes for a moment before grinning and grabbing you and kissing you more thoroughly than you have ever been kissed. Panting she lets you go and says with a crooked grin, There, now you have to succeed or I will kill myself and haunt you in Besmara's court beneath the waves for the effrontery of kissing me and then going off and dying.
Adular grins, "Were it not for that threat, I could now die a happy man. " The cleric seems quite happy to go off and face a jungle full of dragons if need be now.
.......
"if them with stronger bodies stick with medical treatment, Adular'd have the magic ta cure us without it..." dhaavan suggests, as a disease like this would waste him faster than most, and he'd have almost no chance of shaking it...
Adular looks at Dhaavan, "If it's of any comfort to ye, my every spell will be built on helping combat this. Be it removing it, restoring the muscle lost, or even just finding out its there. With that healing kit to help, I'll have a better chance of it still. Now that means I won't be sending scorching bolts of light into foes but I suppose you'll take up the slack." He winks.
dhaavan suggests, as a disease like this would waste him faster than most, and he'd have almost no chance of shaking it...
This don't kill me, snd yea'll have all the fire I can conjure, I swear to ya." Dhaavan tells Adular, still maintaining his bravado, even as some concern for his safety shows through.
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Consulting with Rain and determining that the best bet would be to follow one of the major river tributaries, Variel continues the orders of separating the crews. Once that is completed Variel gives orders for the ships to be underway. Before Adular goes to the other ship Variel has some quick words with him. Make sure you keep yourself up and about. We don't need you to come down worse or else we all will be screwed. As people get sick or recover we will transfer them accordingly. Have Jiro make for the river. Once there we will have to see how everyone is doing and if we leave people at the ship or take everyone with us to create the cure immediately once we find the flower. Besmara bless us and grant us time to find the cure. Good luck.
but atm it's still morning after plans, and I'm still sick.[/ooc]
Variel listens to what Flynn tells him about the disease. He agrees with everything he tells him except, Why not tell them the nature of the cure? If they know they are sick and what the disease is and the quick outcome if not treated, why hold that piece of information back? Also, how prolific is this plant? Are we sure to find it or would a large port such as the one we are heading to have it in abundance? I am questioning the time it takes to search out the plant versus the time it would take to travel through the night. There would be no rest but if that is our best chance then that is what we need to do. If you tell me that we can find this flower and its not a hope and prayer adventure then we must act quickly.
All of the sick move over to the Sanbalot to isolate those who are contagious. It may not work but its a precaution we must take. Tell the captured crew as well what is transpiring and thier only chance or survival is to help. Move the healthy crew over here as well to reduce the spread. Jiro, continue to pilot the Sanbalot north and look for a suitable landing site. We will be behind you looking as well. Once you find a site signal us and we will do likewise. In the meantime, Adular, you and Sandara do what you can to stem the illness. Use the restful hammock if you think it will help. Once we reach land, the sick take the dead bodies and burn them to remove the disease. Then we have them make two camps while we go in search of this flower and cure. This sounds like a wise course for everyone?
** spoiler omitted **
Horatio, still effected by the sickness, nods, and tries to explain.
”If they don’t know what the cure is; if they know only that they must obey as a unit, or die – that will force all of them, even those who opposed us earlier – to work together as one. This sickness won’t be fatal – not for at least a few days. We have time… but it could help merge the two groups together as one – to find the cure.”
He coughs again, turning his head, angered that the talking was hurting his throat, but wanting to explain his other reason.
”The other issue is - sickness can have many effects on people, not just the body, but it can drive men to panic.”
”If we reach the coast, find the flowers we seek – but not enough for all of them, for example – we may have men desperate for the cure and turning on each other… ”
”They may try something rash; even good friends may fight each other for the cure – if they know what the cure is – and that could cause trouble.”
”If they do not know what the cure is, they will have nothing to fight over.”
”And also, they must believe that we have everything taken care of – that we will save them all; event he Rahadoum folk; we just need to go ashore and find some mundane things to make the cure…”
He clears his throat and wipes his hand over his forehead.
”I think that not knowing the specifics of the cure may help cut down on panic; they won't know what to fight over... and I think we should tell only those we absolutely trust,” he adds, looking at the others, gauging their reaction to his suggestion.
”I am a modest woodsmen, though nothing as skilled as Rain,” Horatio says with a determined growl as they plow to the coast .
”I will come with you into the jungles, if only to help find the plant. But I think we should keep the away team as small as possible, and leave as many trusty folk on the ship as we can... Ships in the river may be a tempting target to locales… we do not know what type of creatures are in the jungle, and I would hate to return triumphantly with the cure, only to find our friends killed and our ships taken and plundered by Shanguin or Grindylows – or whatever other filth are out there…”
”But whoever we take – at the least let us be prepared,” he adds.
but atm it's still morning after plans, and I'm still sick.[/ooc]
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Variel listens to the words of Flynn and nods his understanding and willingness to accompany the search team. Hover there is one thing that Variel would like to change. Flynn I agree that if we do not take everyone with us which is a huge undertaking then we need a small quick search party to find the flower. However I think that we may need Adular to ensure the success of the search party. As you said, who knows what we are to face in the jungle. We may need his healing and divine presence. So we sail both ships up the river, one of which is the sick, the other is the healthy. Once at the furthest point we can go, the search team leaves and the rest stay on guard for any attacks. Besmara be with us we find the flower that day and have the cure prepared that night.
"Don't worry Captain, I will make sure that if I get it, I remove it from me first. I don't mean to preen, but as you say, I'm keeping things going."
"Thank ye kindly, mate. IF this is bad as Flynn says, with my..." Dhaavan looks himself over briefly, and flexes an entirely non-existent bicep "extremely brawny and fit physique, well, i may not even be able to get out of bed in the morning. So I appreciate the healing."
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That is good to hear Adular. What are your thoughts about coming with the search team for the flower or do you think yr talents should stay with the crew and keep them healthy?
After this is decided Variel is ready to get the ships moving quickly in order to give them as much time as possible to find the flower and get the cure. All work on the ship for repairs is halted (3 days should be 60 pts repaired taking ten as we talked about) for the crews to either rest if sick or push for full speed ahead.
”Well, whether we have the disease now, or not – we all will tomorrow, I’d warrant,” Horatio says somewhat bitterly.
”The only difference is that tomorrow those of us who have it will be weaker than today; and those of us who don’t – they’ll have it tomorrow for sure… but for now, our best bet is to get the damn antidote,” he says as he checks the priming on his pistols.
”Who do you want to guard the ship, if Adular comes? Remember, we can pray that the Rahadoum folk don’t mutiny – but I’m not too afraid of that. If they do, than they get no antidote, eh?”
”I’m more worried about two ships moored in a river… that could tempt the interest of the natives, perhaps.”
”Anyhow, just suggesting that the deck watch needs to be tough, smart and they should stay frosty… it is, after all, a jungle out there,” he adds dryly.
That is good to hear Adular. What are your thoughts about coming with the search team for the flower or do you think yr talents should stay with the crew and keep them healthy?
"The lovely lady Quinn can slow the tide, Captain. Truth, Given the odd series of coincidences that lead to me joining this particular crew, I think I'm meant to go with the search team. Jest a feeling there's a higher power that is encouraging me down that path," He taps the holy symbol on his chest, "If you ken what I'm saying there." A chuckle, despite the plague he's trying to keep his sunny disposition going.
Horatio nods.
”Aye – perhaps that is a fair statement.”
”They say that danger brings people together against a common foe; but we shall see what the gods will bring us,” he adds, sliding his sword out to check the edge, the light from the enchanted blade causing his eyes to gleam.
When he can, Adular will cast remove disease first on Dhaavan and then the other on Seijiro. "Meaning no insult in selecting you two first, but as it takes strength, I suspect it were the three of us that might be most vulnerable at first out of the officers. Now don't go touching folks, including me."
"THank you, Adular, and thank Besmara too. I shall endeavor to stay healthy from now on."
Seijiro stays at his post, piloting the Sanbalot, but careful to have no contact with anyone who is sick. He stays away from anyone who has been sick or even had contact with the sick after being cured.
Horatio nods at the choice to heal Seijiro and Dhaavan.
”A wise choice, they will need it more, likely," he adds, but his tone is both a bit concerned as well as sincere.
"Still, if we do not have the cure soon... but no, let us hope that does not happen. Indeed, we should make all haste to find the cure and return in a few hours. I myself would rather be back by noon at the latest, if we can be - for I do not wish to be late for lunch... that is such a bother,” he adds with a weak attempt at a jest, trying to put a brave face on his condition.
Grabbing his things, he will go seek out Piper and Amen-set, and tell them to stay aboard the ship, and do what they can to be safe.
Though it is clear he is uncomfortable leaving either alone with the Rahadoum, he knows that they are both likely infected and he is not comfortable risking either of them in the wild at this time.
As he prepares to set off, he will mention his decision to Dhaavan, but does not mind if anyone else listens in…
”I would take the girl with us at least – but I fear that if we are in the jungles she may not do well. She is a child of the desert wastes and has learned some skill on the waves and in trading outposts on the coast of Osirion I deem… but in a jungle, I fear it may be too much for her.”
He sighs, his eyes scanning the trees as they prepare to leave.
”You know, I was very pleased to find this lass – I thought she would a welcome addition to the crew; and a great help to us all.”
”Do not mistake me – she is skilled indeed; but she is not nearly as hardy as the rest of us, and I fear I will be forced to look after her quite a bit, even if she can help us.”
He considers something and asks Dhaavan in a rather casual way –
”We spoke of you possibly creating gear for me in the past – enchanted gear, eh?” he adds in a rather absent way.
”Though that is certainly useful, now I wonder something else… do you suppose you could create something else for me, too? In time, of course – but I think it could be very useful… very useful indeed… especially if we plan on attacking this “Tidewater Rock” place,” he says with a smile, his eyes glittering suddenly.
"THank you, Adular, and thank Besmara too. I shall endeavor to stay healthy from now on."
"Ah, so no doxies for you next port, good lad," The priest says tongue in cheek.
Seijiro blushes furiously at Adular's comment but smiles coyly too, then whispers something softly under his breath.
Adular smiles at something and makes a mental note, Well now, now I know where to take the lad next port. I think he underestimates the faithful duty of the ladies of Calistria!
Over the course of the next 12 hours you make your way to the coast. Dolphins, a good omen, are sporting off of the starboard bow as you approach. A lush jungle meets your gaze as far as the eye can see, colorful birds flitting to and fro. The river is wide and calm as you approach, massive mangroves, none nearly so large as the one upon which Bloodcove sits but still big, line the river on either side. Various sized coves and inlets dot the banks on either side.
After about 2 miles the river ends in a massive swampy marsh that can only be accessed in smaller boats. Your smaller longboat will work to carry you six into the marsh where you see from the crows nest a forest of mangroves that you suspect would be a great place to start your search about 1/2 a mile into the swamp.
It is about 8pm when you reach the swamp.
Cured, Dhaavan locks himself in the Captains cabin, only Variel and Rain pass through the door, and even as they do, the sorcerer gives them a politely wide bearth, not completely certain that they are in-infected, as he works fervently on his projects.
When Horatio approaches him, Dhaavan nearly trips over himself as he steps back from the man, who is certainly not looking well. "Aye, she'll be safe. Just about everyone's sick, mate, and even if anyone tried anything, there's a few o' our crew what are deadly, even when indesposed." Dhaavan smiles weakly, clearly believing that Amen-set and Piper are safe enough.
"yea'll have ta be a little less cryptic when ya actually want me ta get ta work, but i'm almost out o supplies at this point."
Dhaavan stays the hells away from Adular and Flynn, "relaxing" on the bow of the long-boat, but keeps glancing back at the two to make sure they aren't close to him, having some difficulty maintaining his composure for some reason.
He chitters a strange conversation with Jack, and in a huff, the bird crawls up Dhaavan's sleeve. His eyes open wider, and he scans the area for anything of interest, enjoying this special sort of heightened awareness.