Well, the thing is The Lady was being fired on and was dark. Low-light vision doesn't go beyond 60 feet. How far was The Lady from the Chelaxian ship? You dove out the back, and would have had to move the full length of The Chelaxian ship to move in front of her, than keep moving all the way to The Lady.
The Sandablot was behind tree cover, right where you left her and with lights on to help guide you through the jungle.
The enemy was shooting at The Lady with cannon; if you wanted to try getting in between them, I do not think that is not a good plan.
Vanish lasts 2 rounds for you - you are a second level bard, and cast it on the ship. It took you two rounds to get out of the ship. You could cast it twice, but would you make it to The Lady safely in two rounds? I don't know. Even at a full run, I think "running" on water may slow you down as it's not easy terrain, but that's just a guess.
In the meantime, I am a bit upset that I wasn't there to help Rain with cover - that was my plan.
I am upset that I haven't seen a map of the coast, and didn't know what was going on, and that no map, details, or RP with Horatio and the members of any of the crew could happened this whole time, though I did try to engage the NPC's.
I am a bit upset that I posted three posts that I was ready to help you guys when you got to the ship, and I waited around for you guys, instead of helping Rain like I wanted to - and then I saw everyone ignore those posts and go to The Lady; not only did I do nothing at all in the game, but my deliberate choice to "do nothing" so I could be helpful to you all was rendered useless.
I am a bit upset that in the past three weeks the only RP I have done has been ret-con with Rain (though I do appreciate Rain's posts).
The point is; I am pretty upset; I'm not having a good day, or good week.
Anyhow, if you guys want Horatio to follow now as you are all on The Lady, that's cool with me. He can just follow you. It's okay either way.
In the meantime, I'm sorry for causing any stress. The last 3 hours have been horrible for me via trying to resolve some computer issues and other personal matters as well as some personal issues the last few days.
In any case, I'm sorry my emotions are effecting the game.
Whatever you guys need to do to move forward and have fun, I'll go along with it, no worries.
Just let me know.
The Dread Lady had moved past the cove and was fired upon, took damage and kept moving down the river to the river mouth. Currently the Sanbalot is closer. Seijiro got out first and would have been the only one who would likely go for the Dread Lady as the others came several rounds after him with the possible exception of Dhaavan. Adular and Variel would definitely be closer to the Sanbalot.
Horatio, they don't need to swim as they have a water walking spell up and can run on the water. Also, I think you are confusing Low-light vision with Darkvision. Low light doubles the distances you can see in dim illumination. Darkvision allows you to see without any light sources and is limited by fixed distance like 60'.
Upon Jack's return and information, Rain orders lines to be dropped so any officer close enough to the Lady can climb onboard.
"Help any officer up onto the ship."
Once she has made her escape from the now-rudderless Chelish ship, Rain holds the Lady steady as best as she can at the river mouth, waiting for Flynn and the others to catch up. Hopefully they can pass the Dominator without trouble. May the gods watch over them.
Rain looked down at the broken wheel and sighed quietly, the pain from her various unhealed wounds coming and going. She wonders how they will proceed out in open water with a broken wheel but says nothing aloud at this time. Least the Lady was still moving. Thank the gods.
Calling up to Ratline in the Nest, "What of the Sanbalot? Is she moving through the cove now?"
Upon hearing Jiro's voice, although she cannot see him, Rain is instantly relieved and wonders at the rest. She asks toward the direction of his voice, "Are you alright, Jiro? What of the others?"
"I'm fine, Rain-san.. just a little scratch. Not sure about the others... they were behind me, but Variel kept getting hit, and Adular kept healing him... I hope they're all okay. Last I saw them, they were heading for the exit too. But we did the job and Dominator won't be moving any time soon. You don't look so good, what happened here? Looks like you got fired on, and hit... The wheel looks worse than you do. I hope Flynn can fix it."
Seijiro stands at the railing, not too from Rain, and watches the waters for signs of anyone walking on the surface, .
"I don't see any sign of their passage, and I don't think they're all invisible... maybe they're heading to the Sanbalot. I don't think you should wait for them... let Flynn pick them up... We should keep moving... They know we're here, so no reason for stealth... maybe we should raise full sails and make some speed?"
|
Variel heads in the direction of the ships keeping Adular with him. Once away from the ship he turns to see the Dread Ldy gone and only the Sanbalot there. Climbing up the ropes Variel calls out to Flynn. Cast off Flynn and set full sails for the sea. The rudder is disabled but she may still be able to fire on us. Extinguish the lights and make a run for it.
Once able Variel heads to the helm to check Flynn and get a report. Once done with that Variel offers the chance again to fire once upon the Chelaxian ship as they leave.
Your call Flynn. If you want to stay and pilot you can or if you want to take your shot either is fine by me.
"I hope they reach the Sanbalot without further issue. Amen-set and Flynn can dispense additional healing to those who still require it."
Looking at her own cuts and wounds, Rain shakes her head. "The Dominator decided to send me a gift when I tried crossing the cove. Their cannonball struck the wheel hard and I was in the way. I was flung to the side, so my wounds are the lesser after I gave myself a little healing. I will call upon Sandara to give me some extra healing soon."
She gives order for Sandara to be found and asked to make her way to the helm to provide healing.
"Well if she does that healing that can affect many people, I'd sure like to be here when she does it, as I do have a few wounds that could use help, too. You know, it sure would be nice if she has that spell that fixes things too, though I'm sure it's not quick to cast."
Seijiro continues to watch the water, just in case any of the others are heading invisible to the Lady, but still he sees no disturbances on the surface.
"If we're lucky, they won't be able to target us again as we put them to our stern. I'm sure it was just a lucky shot that hit us the first time... At this distance, in the dark... I hope they can't strike at us again with any success."
He reaches into his pouch and pulls out a few coins and whispers a brief prayer to Hei Feng in Minkaian as he slips the coins into the sea.
"Michibiki, mamoru kono fune o, anzen ni kanojo o mite kudasai."
Variel heads in the direction of the ships keeping Adular with him. Once away from the ship he turns to see the Dread Ldy gone and only the Sanbalot there. Climbing up the ropes Variel calls out to Flynn. Cast off Flynn and set full sails for the sea. The rudder is disabled but she may still be able to fire on us. Extinguish the lights and make a run for it.
Once able Variel heads to the helm to check Flynn and get a report. Once done with that Variel offers the chance again to fire once upon the Chelaxian ship as they leave.
Your call Flynn. If you want to stay and pilot you can or if you want to take your shot either is fine by me.
"Praise Besmara we made it" The invisble cleric says. A brief bit of magic to heal himself still further.
"We are well out of her range now, I believe. I just hope they do not fire on the Sanbalot, although Flynn has the means onboard to defend them. I have a feeling they will attempt to attack their wheel as they did ours. I do not know if Sandara possesses such mending magic but I shall ask her. And aye, you must be healed also, my apologies, when you said a few scratches I believed it was not serious. Please forgive me." Rain runs a tired hand over her brow, slightly mincing due to the aches and pains of her wounds.
"If Sandara cannot fix the wheel with her magic, then we must sail as swiftly as possible to Bloodcove for repairs. And Jiro, thank you for issuing that prayer to your god. I spoke to my gods a little earlier with a similar request of them." Rain bestows a gentle but tired smile toward the direction of Jiro's voice.
The Dread Lady had moved past the cove and was fired upon, took damage and kept moving down the river to the river mouth. Currently the Sanbalot is closer. Seijiro got out first and would have been the only one who would likely go for the Dread Lady as the others came several rounds after him with the possible exception of Dhaavan. Adular and Variel would definitely be closer to the Sanbalot.
Horatio, they don't need to swim as they have a water walking spell up and can run on the water. Also, I think you are confusing Low-light vision with Darkvision. Low light doubles the distances you can see in dim illumination. Darkvision allows you to see without any light sources and is limited by fixed distance like 60'.
Even as his mates are being hauled aboard by the men with the ropes, Horatio is already signaling to the men on the anchor, which is promptly lifted from the water and the ship moves forward in drunken lurch.
One of the lads has a bag of healing potions, ready to pass out any for those who need them.
Horatio, realizing that the enemy is attacking Rain’s ship, puts his plan into instant action even as the lights are covered, but not all extinguished…
Taking a bow in his hand, he casts on the arrow.
As the ship moves down the river, he draws a bead on the enemy vessel, specifically where the burst of smoke near the forward cannon was visible.
He fires the arrow loosely, not aiming for anything specifically; simply lighting up the target with the glowing shaft of light which gives illumination to the forward hull of the enemy vessel.
He bounds up quickly to the stern, gripping the ballista with his hand and sitting the spot where his shot had lit.
”Amen-set; you’re relieved – Nightstorm has the con,” he says briskly, than waves the elf up to the wheel quickly.
"Get us out of here, lad," he says to Variel with a tight voice, concentrating on the task at hand.
Even as he readies his shot, he glances at the mid deck at the five men who had been issued bows.
With the enemy hull gleaming in the light of the glowing arrow, they are now ready to each take a shot at the enemy ship’s forward gun crew.
The men will fire a volley of arrows at the enemy gun crew to distract them. The men are wisely spread out with roughly ten feet between them and they are aiming specifically for men, not guns – as arrows will do more harm against men than a cannon.
As soon as he is able, Horatio will make his shot with the explosive bolt at the enemy’s forward cannon.
fire damage to all creatures five feet from the area hit.
As their ship moves forward and their presence is known, Horatio indicates with a wave that the one un-extinguished light that had been covered.
The man tears off the cover to the lantern and slides down the rigging.
There, in the glow of the light, is the proud colors of the Rahadoum flag, billowing in the wind as they rush for the open sea.
Readying another shot, Horatio glances forward to Variel, hoping they can continue to push ahead hard and fast.
He turns a dark glance at the enemy ship.
"Game's to you, then," he says, watching them intently.
Amen-set looks at Dhaavan being hauled in from the river like a drowning rat and gives him a contemptuous curl of her lip.
Then, noticing he is wounded, she tosses down her gear and quickly rushes to him.
In an instant she runs her hands over his body... searching for wounds, of course... then, seeing he does need healing, she mutters a few words in a strange tongue.
Her eyes open and she stares hard at Dhaavan, then smile a bit.
"Huh! You need to take better care of yourself, magi - your foul blood is sullying my fine clothes," she says in a somewhat haughty tone, her voice sounding careless, but her eyes are still very concerned for him.
Dhaavan takes a brief mement to the bloodstains from Amen Set's garb, and says "What blood?" He glances around and suggests, "Perhaps it would behove us to take cover, my dear," as he makes for the cabin door, having seen cannon-fire and not being interested in getting shot, again...
CST
CST
CST
Attack with bombard against ballista vs DC 20
20% miss chance = does not miss
The bombard is damaged a bit but does not explode as the fiery bolt crashes into it. It is hard to make out but it seems that the crew managed to avoid the worst of it with the exception of one crew member who jumped into the water after being set on fire. More crew rush in to take his place. A returning blast comes through the air and slams into the ballista.
Dhaavan takes a brief mement to the bloodstains from Amen Set's garb, and says "What blood?" He glances around and suggests, "Perhaps it would behove us to take cover, my dear," as he makes for the cabin door, having seen cannon-fire and not being interested in getting shot, again...
"Do you suggest we find deep cover magi?" she says with a coy smile, than she follows to the cabin door.
She watches you move in front of her and shakes her head.
"Unlimitted cosmic power - itty-bitty muscle mass," she says, with chuckle as she pitches her voice to sound like a djinn she had once met...
** spoiler omitted **
The bombard is damaged a bit but does not explode as the fiery bolt crashes into it. It is hard to make out but it seems that the crew managed to avoid the worst of it with the exception of one crew member who jumped into the water after being set on fire. More crew rush in to take his place. A returning blast comes through the air and slams into the ballista.
You all make it out to see, slightly worse for wear but without being diseased and without any major casualties. You struck a blow against the Chelaxian fleet by sneaking onto one of their more powerful ships and disabling it right under their noses.
A few miles out you move the ships together and are able to interact and take stock of what has happened. Sandara gathers the wounded together and sends for waves of healing energy that bring you all to full health.
She does regret to inform Rain when she asks that she does not have any spells for repair memorized.
By now Seijiro's invisibility has long ago worn off and he uses prestidigitation to clean the blood off his clothing and fur, forgetting he's still in kitsune form, which he rarely does in front of the crew. When he realizes he's still in his fox-form, he blushes (unseen under all that fur), and ducks behind Rain before changing his form back to that of his usual human shape.
"Thank you, Sandy, and thank Besmara, for the healing... it is most appreciated. We were successful and apparently," he motions toward the other ship, "We all made it back alive. It was a little touch and go there, as our captain seems to attract enemy steel like a magnet." He glances over at Variel on the Sanbalot nearby and flashes him a smile.
For the crew, he recounts the battle as he recalls it, up until the point he left, so misses Adular's near-sacrifice to musketfire, playing up everyone's contributions but his own, which were small compared to the others, especially Variel's massive blows against the commander and marines, Dhaavan's summons and scorching ray on the rope and Adular's healing.
He uses his acting skill to tell the story and his Realistic Likeness shapechanging to take on the personae of the various parts and to act out some of the more impressive exchanges of attacks and the Commander's final fall.
Horatio wipes the grime from his face and glances to Variel, seeing the elf is still somewhat wounded.
He claps him on the back, placing his hand on his shoulder.
”Damnation – that was close,” he says with a pleased expulsion of air from his lungs.
Considering options, he scratches his chin.
Horatio looks forward to The Lady.
”We can signal her and let her know our intentions…” he says, gauging the wind as he continues to talk to Variel.
”If that’s a standard Imperial ship, fixing their rudder could take about three or four hours at least.”
”You want to try sailing through the night before we hove to and rest a spell, or do you want to pull up now?” he says, looking at the elf.
’Whatever the plan, we can let The Lady know, if you like,” he adds casually.
Looking a bit abashed, he glances aloft at the lit Rahadoum flag.
”As for the flag, there? Well… The Imperial Navy is filled with contemptible scum, this is true – but they have a code, and they have honor.”
”For what we did to them today, I have no doubt that any officer aboard will make it their duty to hunt us down until either we – or they – are dead.”
”I have no wish to be hunted by those folk; not when we can do the hunting ourselves, eh?” he says with a nod.
”I guessed that if they saw a Rahadoum ship with Rahadoum colors which fired on them – they may spend their time looking for Rahadoum enemy, and ignore us; we can use that time to repair our ship and blend in, as we need too.”
”I would have spoken on it sooner; but it did not occur to me until after you left,” he adds with a shrug.
”In any case, I would recommend we sail through the night and put as much distance between them and us as possible; then, after resting – we can meet with the others to talk about what happened, and what we will do next.”
”Of course, that is only a suggestion,” he adds politely.
You all make it out to see, slightly worse for wear but without being diseased and without any major casualties. You struck a blow against the Chelaxian fleet by sneaking onto one of their more powerful ships and disabling it right under their noses.
A few miles out you move the ships together and are able to interact and take stock of what has happened. Sandara gathers the wounded together and sends for waves of healing energy that bring you all to full health.
She does regret to inform Rain when she asks that she does not have any spells for repair memorized.
|
|
Once the two ships are together on the seas Variel signals for them to come abreast to take stock of the situation. The ships are tied off and those injured get healing from Sandara. Variel thanks her and Flynn for the previous healing. Well done everyone. Well done indeed. Now to make the most of time we have gained. We had the crews rest during the day to conserve their energy for tonight. Let us set sail and full speed to port through the night. Tomorrow we can fix the damage done with the help of our priest. Until then those that aren't needed for sailing should get their rest.
"Well, Flynn, if I might say, we're pirates, we're going to have to offend SOMEONE." But he says it with a grin.
At the Captain's orders, he nods, "Depends on what you need me more as, Captain. Bosun or Cleric. As the later, I'm not quite tapped but pert near close."
|
|
Adular I will need you in the morning to sail the Sanbalot. Get some sleep and be ready in the morning then to take the day shift. Flynn, do want the night shift or sleep now so y can help with repairs come daylight? Either is fine and I will fill in accordingly. Those on the Lady I trust to make appropriate precautions and arrangements as well. The damage needs to be repaired tomorrow in case we see any other ships. After tomorrow perhaps a second round of ale for all for the trials the last couple of days. That and when we get to port a round from me as well at the nearest tavern.
"Well, Flynn, if I might say, we're pirates, we're going to have to offend SOMEONE." But he says it with a grin.
At the Captain's orders, he nods, "Depends on what you need me more as, Captain. Bosun or Cleric. As the later, I'm not quite tapped but pert near close."
Horatio turns a look at Adular.
”We may offend many people, no matter what mantle we wear,” he adds with a wry smile, but than his face grows serious.
”But consider – if that ship is repaired they may come for us this very night, tomorrow at the latest.”
”There are only a few decent ports nearby – it would not take an oracle to divine we were damaged and may even now be sailing for a decent port to refit or careen our ships. The closest and most promising is Blood Cove.”
”A wise captain – if they are seeking vengeance for an insult to their crew and ship – may sail in our general direction and assume that; even now – we are heading directly to Blood Cove as it is the best place for us to travel.”
He turns to glance in their wake, seeking for any ships on the horizon.
”That is an Imperial Warship and it is built to hunt. We are its nominal prey, and to add to that, they likely have a personal grudge against us which may prompt vendetta,” he adds patiently.
”A full crew compliment on that ship may mean it can sail day and night even as we rest during the day, and their captain may wish to do so simply to allay a grudge. Further, their normal speed alone may match ours, or even surpass us, even if they do pause to sleep. And I do not know if they have magical propulsion to aid them, or other special tricks to give them greater speed on the water as I was not aboard to examine such things - but I do not wish to find out.”
His eyes grow distant as he recalls the history of his country’s former patron nation; one that Sargava had seceded from, yet not forgotten.
”Men of the Empire of Cheliax may be scum; but they know honor, and they know the value of an oath, even a twisted one – and if they take an oath to hunt “pirates” – and as we identified ourselves as such; and if they feel their honor is offended, which we likely did when we attacked them – than I would guess we will likely have trouble very soon.”
”Finally, this assumes they are only guessing our destination. At this time we do not yet know the compliment of magi, priests or diviners on that ship. All it would take is one decent priest – and with a ship that size there are likely more – and they can discover where we are headed simply by tossing the bones, reading some entrails – or whatever other diabolic practice those folk use to discover the future.”
”Than all they need to do is sail hard after us; and they will find us.”
He shakes his head at the thought.
”When we reach Blood Cove they can catch our ship in the harbor, lay in wait half a league out, and when we sail forth they can simply open their full gun ports and demand that we strike our colors or be sunk. Assuming they wish to give us that choice…”
He glances up at Adular.
”It was a dark and cloudy night; they may have missed the flag and make of The Lady. I did all I could to give them an obvious and somewhat arrogant - in the nature of “pirates” – jibe at their honor with the proudly waving flags of our "nation" which we took from this ship."
"I made sure that their flag was flying on our masthead, and was also happy to give light so they could see this ship, as it is the same ship we plan on selling quickly in any event.”
”I am hoping that bluff will work long enough to distract them so that we can sell this ship, offload cargo, than get the hell out of Blood Cove.”
He ponders for a moment.
”I know that impressing the locals with our talents of ill-repute is something we relish."
"Further, telling a tale on how we urinated on the leg of renown pirate hunter may impress many at Blood Cove. I am in favor of that; but I would ask that we do not share our next port of call with any, not even our own folk, until we are out at sea again.”
”If we are tracked to Blood Cove Imperial forces may not wish to attack us directly, but if they know where we are going next... well, that information may mean trouble later, and if a man does not know where we travel, he cannot admit it by accident over a few drinks…” he adds the last, almost to himself.
”Apologies for talking at length; but I felt it better to explain my concerns a bit.”
Adular I will need you in the morning to sail the Sanbalot. Get some sleep and be ready in the morning then to take the day shift. Flynn, do want the night shift or sleep now so y can help with repairs come daylight? Either is fine and I will fill in accordingly. Those on the Lady I trust to make appropriate precautions and arrangements as well. The damage needs to be repaired tomorrow in case we see any other ships. After tomorrow perhaps a second round of ale for all for the trials the last couple of days. That and when we get to port a round from me as well at the nearest tavern.
Horatio looks at Variel.
”Well, as I suggested already – if the good mister Bluuth was prepared to memorize the spell Make Whole – that will take quite a bit of heat off of the project for repairing the ballista here. Sandara can do the same thing on The Lady with what damage they sustained there,” Horatio says with a brief smile.
”Meanwhile, I can have my girl Piper work on the wheel of The Lady after Sandara casts the spell, and I can easily finish work on the ballista here,” he adds, thinking a bit.
”Given that nothing of note happened to us in what seems like quite a while – if we are willing to sail through the night, I will do what I can to aid in any way possible before I retire.”
”That said,” he adds, pausing to clear his throat…
”Adular – can you and Sandara please memorize the spell Make Whole? Not only for our current projects, but if we are attacked again tomorrow – gods forbid – it will be useful to have at the ready.”
”Next; the Rahadoum folk that were left under my command did well; they did not shirk duty, they were not querulous and they fought honorably against our enemy. I was impressed with them, for what that is worth.”
”And, so that we may learn from what we have done well – what specifically happened on the enemy ship? You were spotted, clearly – but how; why; and what could we do better in the future to avoid such things?”
”I do not know myself, but I would like to know as many details as possible.”
”Finally,” he asks a bit dryly ”I had hoped that we may snatch a bit of prestige by capturing their flag, or some other token of heraldry – but certainly with the cannon and the gunfire – you would have likely taken multiple pistols or a musket or two; not to mention other odds and ends.”
”Given that Seijiro was invisible and stealthy besides – I am certain that something must have been filched?” he says with the ghost of a smile, indicating that he is teasing a bit, but in all seriousness respects the abilities that Seijiro has to procure goods skillfully and quickly and feels confident in all of your talents as "true pirates".
”That said; what “plunder” was taken from their ship?” he asks somewhat pointedly, though politely.
Amen-set exits the cabin for a moment and moves to the prow, seeking you on the other ship.
"Ahoy The Lady!" she says, cupping her hands to her mouth.
Spotting you on the helm, she smiles and waves.
"Senet - I am well-pleased to see you whole and hale; may the Great Father watch over you!" she adds with loud voice, quite confident that - given your talents as a warrior - you would have easily shrugged off any damage from those villains, assuming they may have hit you at all.
"Yet my heart demands the answer to but one riddle - what is the condition of the Keeper of the Dead? Is he equally hale?" she asks, a touch of concern in her voice.
Once Sandara had performed her healing magic and she, Jiro and the rest were restored to full health, Rain thanked the Besmaran priestess for her services. She also gave thanks to Besmara herself for the gifts granted to her priestess. Rain stretched her arm and neck and was happy to find the movement completely returned. I would be hale to drive the ship on the morrow.
Ratline called down that the Sanbalot had signalled the ship. Rain held steady until the ships were side by side and they were tied off so the officers could talk and discuss their next course of action.
Upon Flynn's disclosure that it could take the Chelaxians around four hours to repair their rudder, Rain nods, agreeing that they should travel through the night to ensure their advantage. It would not do to anchor for the night and allow them to catch up and attack, especially with the wheel so damaged.
Rain chimed in when Flynn suggested one of the clerics learn the necessary spell to repair the wheel and ballista. "Aye, if one of you would be so kind to learn the spell come dawn, it will aid me greatly. The wheel is working but it is not as responsive as it once was, so it has slowed us down a little. I need the wheel fully functional so I may be able to outrun any ship on the open water, especially those marines who are even now plotting their chase."
Looking from Jiro, to Variel, Dhaavan and Adular, Rain continues on a different subject, "It was rather dangerous taking them on head to head. I am relieved you all managed to escape with your lives and disabled their rudder in the process. Well done."
"I will organise for Sandara to take the helm throughout the night. this will give Jiro and I a chance to rest and be better prepared and effective on the morn. I have prayers to undertake come morning and then I will take charge of the wheel once more."
Turning her attention to Variel, standing across from her, "Do you still want the Lady taking point with the Sanbalot following closely behind? I await your orders."
"In truth, I do not know where the Golden Cat is at present. I lost track of her after the attack. She vanished the same time the enemy's cannonball flew toward our wheel and I have not seen her since. Yet, I have faith she is alive and well. If you would like, I will send someone to check on the cat or search for it."
"And as for me, I survived my injuries, but as you can see the wheel suffered greatly. Tomorrow it too shall be fixed. Thank you for your concern, titta seler. Are you alright?"
"Well, Rain, are you sure you want Sandara staying up all night when she has to repair the wheel in the morning? I'm fine and can take the night shift, letting you casters rest and get my own sleep in the morning. But whatever works for you is fine with me... I wouldn't mind sleeping now if Sandara will be okay in the morning to do the repair."
He looks from Sandara to Rain with a little shrug, as if to say either way is fine with him.
"Or if you'd like, I can hunt out the cat... chasing cats can be fun." He grins, obviously jesting.
Once Sandara had performed her healing magic and she, Jiro and the rest were restored to full health, Rain thanked the Besmaran priestess for her services. She also gave thanks to Besmara herself for the gifts granted to her priestess. Rain stretched her arm and neck and was happy to find the movement completely returned. I would be hale to drive the ship on the morrow.
Ratline called down that the Sanbalot had signalled the ship. Rain held steady until the ships were side by side and they were tied off so the officers could talk and discuss their next course of action.
Upon Flynn's disclosure that it could take the Chelaxians around four hours to repair their rudder, Rain nods, agreeing that they should travel through the night to ensure their advantage. It would not do to anchor for the night and allow them to catch up and attack, especially with the wheel so damaged.
Rain chimed in when Flynn suggested one of the clerics learn the necessary spell to repair the wheel and ballista. "Aye, if one of you would be so kind to learn the spell come dawn, it will aid me greatly. The wheel is working but it is not as responsive as it once was, so it has slowed us down a little. I need the wheel fully functional so I may be able to outrun any ship on the open water, especially those marines who are even now plotting their chase."
Looking from Jiro, to Variel, Dhaavan and Adular, Rain continues on a different subject, "It was rather dangerous taking them on head to head. I am relieved you all managed to escape with your lives and disabled their rudder in the process. Well done."
"I will organise for Sandara to take the helm throughout the night. this will give Jiro and I a chance to rest and be better prepared and effective on the morn. I have prayers to undertake come morning and then I will take charge of the wheel once more."
Turning her attention to Variel, standing across from her, "Do you still want the Lady taking point with the...
As the ships are still in hailing range, Horatio will offer this suggestion...
"If it matters, we should probably keep The Lady on point; the ballista on The Sanbalot is still facing the rear; and that is the ship the enemy recognize and may hunt."
"If we move The Sanbalot to point, that only means we will have to move the ballista to the forward part of the ship, and all the weapons on The Lady to the rear or the ship."
"That will not be a hard task, but it also means that our best ship will be behind the Rahadoum one, if we see danger in front of us."
"Also, if those Imperial scum hunt us, the first ship they'll see is The Lady, and that will suffer the primary brunt of their attack. As of now, they may not know The Lady, if so, I would like to keep it that way..." he adds, calling out to the other ship from the deck of The Sanbalot.
He looks around for Dhaavan, and remembers that Amen-set had hastily volunteered to "tend to his wounds" and the two of them had gone aft into one of the cabins... for medical reasons, of course...
Realizing that the two are occupied and likely "playing doctor", he merely rolls his eyes.
"I was not sure whether you had the energy to stay up the night, piloting the ship, with all you have endured this evening. But if you are fine to do so, then I have no issue with you taking the helm, my friend."
"The golden cat will make an appearance when she is ready, I am sure of that." Rain runs her hand over her forehead, pushing stray strands of hair back, giving Jiro a light smile.
Calling back across to Flynn on the Sanbalot, "They shot at us as we passed the cove, so they may recognise this ship if they see her again. Who knows what features they saw through the dim light. However, I will keep the Lady on point, Flynn."
** spoiler omitted **
Amen-set smacks her head with her hand.
”Ah, how foolish of me! If a shot of hot lead slammed into the ship, it would be quite unlucky for the Keeper of the Dead to be anywhere near it. Clearly, as luck is strong with this one, it is no wonder we cannot find it now.”
”Nay, you need not send someone to search for the Keeper of the Dead on my account,” she adds with a casual wave of her hand.
”Likely the little one has gone below deck and stumbled on a small fish which just happened to flounder onto the ship and tumble below and land right next to a comfortable cushion for it to snuggle on after it feasted on the fish,” she adds; but you cannot tell if that is her attempting to joke, or if she sincerely believes that such outrageous luck is possible.
”Well of course you survived your injuries,” she adds with a shake of her head.
”You are a Holy Knight to the Pine Dark Seas! You are blessed by both the Maker of Life and the Keeper of the Water; your namesake alone is one of power for it calls you child of Water and of Sky! It would take more than a filthy piece of lead to wound you, and if an attack should even mar your countenance, the one who lifted weapon to you would fall to our joint wrath, if your gods did not smite them first,” she adds in an almost brisk and unsurprised tone, as if it is quite obvious that a paladin of the ocean – for so she sees you – could even be harmed by a mere cannonball; and suspects you are clearly teasing her a little.
She snorts in some derision at the damage the wheel had suffered.
”Huh! What is that? A mere nothing – the mummeries of those two priests can re-knit the cracked wood with ease. And where they fail, my hatey-a' can do the rest with tools and muscle after a brief repose.”
”As for myself?” she asks.
”Ah, senet – it was a fierce battle, as you no doubt know.”
"Though, as we were on different ships - and as folk are not likely to tell you what actually happened, I shall give you the facts, so that you know the truth of it."
She pauses, and you notice that she seems to take on a slightly different posture and tone; it reminds you of the time you told her a story those few days ago.
It almost seems as if story-telling is somewhat ritualistic with her people, if that is the right word for it.
”At the first, I looked forward to your ship and saw you charging for the sea and freedom, and my heart was glad for you."
"But then the sun was made as dark in my eyes, for I saw those dogs dare to fire their weapons on you – and by the Great Father, my fury burned brighter than a thousand stars that they would try such effrontery with my senet; not discounting any undue discomfort it may have caused you directly,” she adds a bit hastily.
”Meanwhile, lights burned hot on our vessel, spurned on with our impotent rage that they would even sully the merest scrap of wood that your shadow might fall upon with their barbaric assault - even so, we were forced by circumstance to wait, for our comrades had yet to return to us.”
”Then, with the speed of a Great Wind; we saw charging from the trees the others and they dove headlong into the waters of the river and swam forward quickly to our ship even as we were prepared to haul them onto the deck!”
”As they rushed through the water and to safety my hatey-a' ordered the sailors on deck to fire arrows to cover the retreat of our comrades and they swiftly obeyed."
"The arrows fell like death among our enemy and our archers smote nearly two dozen of them, slaughtering them in lakes of blood!”
”As the enemy fell to our attack, my hatey-a' sent me from the wheel and gave the helm to the elf. The elf then drove our ship forward with all haste, calling to the men to let loose all sails and drive forth like the winds.”
”As this happened, the priest called his blessings to his gods even as my hatey-a' rushed to take up the mighty weapon which faced the rear of our ship. He fired a great shot at the enemy ship and caused fire and death to reign down on them.”
”Hundreds of their men screamed in terror and awe at our combined might and they begged their dark masters for the mercy of a quick death rather than face our rage!”
”We laughed that they would dare to seek peace from dark powers; yet we show mercy to those who ask it, so we turned our ship to other business and left them on their knees to continue offer their simpering pleas that we might spare their miserable lives.”
”With little else to do, and eager to see how you faired, we made all haste to find you and broke forth into the frothy waves to stab like a stiletto into the darkness of the night, and so join you in our joyous escape!”
She nods her head, as if going over the details, making sure that she didn’t leave anything out and had everything correct.
Her eyes went wide.
”Ah – one other thing; that sly one? The magi from the northlands? He was wounded; his flesh rent with a thousand blades – but he survived, for his heart refused to perish and his lust for life drove him back from the brink of death where he teetered.”
She purses her lips as she recalls some other facts, then continues.
”When I saw him, he was drenched in the blood of countless enemies and only the steel of his spirit kept his back straight and his head high.”
”I deduced instantly that his wounds needed looking after, though he decried such things, being too proud to accept healing. His words to me were – Faugh! I am a sorcerer of great power! I need no leechcraft, for my courage alone keeps me erect! But, as you are a woman and a gentle soul, I shall put your cares to rest and allow you to perform what rites you deem best; if only to quiet your concerns for my safety!”
”I need not tell you senet that I determined that I would educate him promptly on how gentle my soul was, but that tutelage could come on the dawn, for I suspected his words were more bold than his flesh would permit. Even so, I followed him into the cabin, and after much time I was able to staunch the flow of blood and to ease his weary limbs.”
”Now he is well healed, and no doubt dreams of power and the Fate which the Great Father prepared for him,” she adds with a careless wave of her hand.
Looking around the water, and the ship, she nods.
”Well, I suppose that is all,” she says with a casual shrug.
She looks as if she would say more, but something checks her words.
Instead, she gives you a big smile, as if she has something to tell you, but will wait for later.
The sparkle in her eye – which you can see even at your present distance, is enough to suggest she has something special planned… but clearly, it is a surprise!
"Thank you for recounting the moments on the Sanbalot. I was unsure of how it transpired, however I did see the volley of arrows issued from the ship. It is most fortunate that Flynn had the forethought to attack first and waylay them with arrows which would keep their sailors busy. Praise the gods that your ship did not suffer injury like the Lady. But the Lady is strong indeed, even under such hot metal, she gave way only a little. I can still steer her until the priest and priestess can mend the wheel come morning."
Listening to Amen-set speak of Dhaavan, Rain smiles inwardly and keeps her own counsel regarding following the sorceror into his cabin. "It was good of you to offer healing to Dhaavan. I hope he showed you gratitude through his words." Rain wondered how deep was the admiration or affection Amen-set felt for the young sorceror. She would keep an eye on the two of them.
"It is fortunate our two ships managed to escape the cove, and my hopes are we will increase the distance between ourselves and the Chelaxian marines. I hear they are mighty opponents. We must find a safe port soon."
Calling back across to Flynn on the Sanbalot, "They shot at us as we passed the cove, so they may recognise this ship if they see her again. Who knows what features they saw through the dim light. However, I will keep the Lady on point, Flynn."
"Aye; they may have seen The Lady and may recognize her colors and, but then again, they may not. But even if they saw her, I do not know if you had her flags furled, or not - but a ship at range, under an overcast night sky? Well, they say ships are like cats - and they are all gray in the night."
"I am hoping that The Lady moved fast enough that such details as a flag would not even be noticed, as they barely had time for a single shot."
"Even if they thought they saw something I tried to confuse them when I made a big show of putting a light by the Rahadoum flag. I presume that such efrontry to their nation would be what any pirate would do. And with the light so close to the Rahadoum flag, unless they were blind, they likely could not have missed it... I am hoping the ruse confused them enough that we can get away from Blood Cove before they follow, but I suppose we shall see."
"I did not unfurl our flag when I passed the cove in relative darkness. I wanted the ship to appear as nondescript as possible in the cloudy night."
"I did not unfurl our flag when I passed the cove in relative darkness. I wanted the ship to appear as nondescript as possible in the cloudy night."
"Excellent, Rain! Then there is a good chance that the enemy did not recognize us at all," Horatio adds with enthusiasm.
"I am still waiting on the reports for the plunder our allies took; but I am hopeful. In any case, we can offload all of it at Blood Cove soon."
"The spell "Make Whole" does quite a bit to repair something, but not fully. If you need the final touches made, ask my lass Piper, she will be able to put things in order after the spell is cast and you have time to rest for a bit."
"Meanwhile, good job on your sailing; it was well done, indeed!" he adds with enthusiasm, despite his weariness.