Flynn: Your ministrations are well received and are able to get her to look at you in a more considering light, rather than pure animal lust.
Rain: This close to the Eye is pretty much constant storms.
Adistan: You feel a strange but very very mild tugging sensation the closer you get to the Eye. You can't explain it. Almost like you sense something but then look and nothing is there. It is a very odd feeling.
Flynn: Your ministrations are well received and are able to get her to look at you in a more considering light, rather than pure animal lust.
He leaves the resence of the imp so it can stash it's loot and prep to talk to Adular and Amen-Set in private. Well, there's that then, eh? he says. I'm sure you what to know what in the 9 Helps that was about?[/b] He asks.
By way of explanation he tells them, this was always my destiny, I don't want to get into the details of that, but after what's happened to me, all of us, since the beasts... And Ana bringing me back, I see an opportunity to change that Destiny. And I know, he asmits, looking at Adular thinking you know your fate at 17 is absurd, but far too many for younger than me, and... Well... Anyway, what I'm saying is that I've always run from my fate, and suffered for it. Then I hopped a ship to Port Peril and it lead me to the Dread Lady. I died, fighting for my crew, and gleaned insight to an overwhelming darkness on the horizon. he pauses, a dramatic silence then suggests, Fate finds us all, and fighting it only delays the inevitable and leaves you scarred. But embracing, and controlling it, using your fate, I think it has real power...
Look, I don't know if you both can really understand he confesses, on a roll now but I don't think I want it out yet. Not till I have a better handle on things. For the first time, he shows his youth, the uncertainty, not knowing if he's right but desperately hoping he made the best decision. Needing to have.
Adular, I would appreciate if you can Send a message to my wife, maybe once we get to Quent, so we can give her news.
Dhaavan would ask adulation to cast a Sending to Agasta
Sending: Darling, Missing you terribly. Fairwind encourages entering Free Captains Regatta at Cauldon Rock, prizes Island, Council Seat. Honing power Newly acquired without transformation. All affections, Dhaavan.
Words are at such a premium with that spell. I hope she appreciates my using a few of them on sweet nothings, in addition to the news... Dhaavan mentions to Adular.
"You make it look so easy. Glad you're at the helm again, Rain." he says with a wide smile.
"I've had more practice is all, Jiro. But, thank you for the praise and for the assistance," she replied warmly/earnestly to the kitsune.
[dice=perc]1d20+15=14+15=29
"There he is, Rain... " he says, pointing.
As Jiro pointed out Harrigan's ship, Rain's gaze moved to the location.
As Jiro pointed out Harrigan's ship, Rain's gaze moved to the location.
Horatio lounges easily against the gunwale as he stares where Jiro directs.
He squints at the ship that was indicated for a moment.
"If you'd like, I could put a shot between his eyes right now," he says easily as he pats the cannon absently.
"Just say the word," he adds as he pulls a cheroot from his pocket and cups it in his hands, pausing to light it.
”Fate finds us all, and fighting it only delays the inevitable and leaves you scarred. But embracing, and controlling it, using your fate, I think it has real power..."
Amen-set gives Dhaavan a look of surprise.
”All men struggle with their Fate – but none can ever control that which is already written,” she says with a matter of fact voice and a wry smile.
Then her eyes soften as she realizes that her tone may seem discourteous and she attempts to rephrase what she meant.
”One may attempt to control Fate, yet it is said that we are but players in a play writ by beings beyond our reckoning; we may not change that, no matter how much we seek to.”
Look, I don't know if you both can really understand he confesses, on a roll now but I don't think I want it out yet. Not till I have a better handle on things. For the first time, he shows his youth, the uncertainty, not knowing if he's right but desperately hoping he made the best decision.
With that in mind, she thinks about things for a while and studies Dhaavan.
”You have bound that creature to thee; a thing that if another man had done, I would have already slain him outright and left his corpse to rot for the carrion fowl to gorge upon,” she says as she pulls a few dates from her pouch and pops one in her mouth, chewing it thoughtfully as she pushes an errant strand of golden hair from her face.
”Yet I deem that there is a noble purpose behind thy policies, though it is true that they may seem dark to those who are - as yet - untutored in thy true motives, and so my heart is not overly troubled"
"Further, I yet find thy features pleasing to the eye; and therefore I deem that there can be no conflict between us at this time,” she says with a somewhat saucy curve to her lips as she pauses to pop another date in her mouth and chews it with relish.
" Well... Anyway, what I'm saying is that I've always run from my fate, and suffered for it. Then I hopped a ship to Port Peril and it lead me to the Dread Lady. I died, fighting for my crew, and gleaned insight to an overwhelming darkness on the horizon."
Then, rethinking what Dhaavan said earlier, her eyes grow thoughtful as she considers things.
”You say you seek to struggle against your Destiny, yet perhaps it might be said that your struggle is merely a piece of the Destiny that was woven for you long ago? Indeed, who can truly know what that Fate which has been prepared for them shall be until the end?” she says with a bright smile, her absolute confidence in Dhaavan’s ultimate destiny makes her believe that it shall be greater and more honorable than either of them might already know.
I don't think I want it out yet. Not till I have a better handle on things.
Suddenly, a strange voice echoes in the depths of your subconscious.
”Wait - I don’t want it out… until I have a better handle on things??"
"Um, can we say - phrasing?”
Then a ridiculous giggle sounds from somewhere you can’t quite fathom.
”Oh come on Tall, Dark and Devastating! I mean, summoning creatures from the Deep Hells to do your bidding by using some twisted ritual filled with evil powers all so that you can eventually cry to the heavens above – Come on! Let’s do some good!…”
More peals of laugher, coupled with a slow, dramatic clap.
”By all the gods, I love it!”
Then a whisper can be almost be heard, but clearly it’s so quiet that it can not be truly understood, though somehow you think you're able to hear the sound of eyes rolling...
”Okay, okay – I got it,” the voice mutters with a petulant tone.
”So like, this isn’t my formal “quest-thingy” and so now I must say…” the voice pauses, as if listening to something ”Huh? Wait, what did you call it?... No, I’m not saying that… What?.. No; I’m not saying that either… Seriously? Okay – fine…”
The voice returns.
”So I must “go now” – It seems Daddy’s not happy with me dropping by (surprise, surprise, right?) Anyhow, how lame is that? But seriously, you should have heard the melodramatic crap I was supposed have said just now when I leave... But of course, I’m all like – “Uh, no, that’s lame!”, and so on… But ANY-who... So – my point is; it was super-duper catching up with someone who knows that you can’t spell “Dark Arts” without “Dee…lightful! Know what I mean, Hot Stuff?”
”Right! So, if you want – like, tell everyone else I miss them – and you totally know who I mean when I say that? Yeah, you totally do… Totally, totally…”
”Meantime, with all these piraty things? You all are rocking the place – keep on keeping on and stay Shiny!”
Then, as mysteriously as it started the voice slowly fades…
Adular would of course send the sending...
but he is worried for Dhaavan,
"Lad, I'm afraid I'll never understand the willingess to risk chains on your very soul. The body maybe born into slavery, but your soul is yours... I worry you barter it too cheaply when you risk it so even if you mean to aid others by it. It's a not a matter of just fear, it's a matter of treasuring the most sacred part of you...but.." A sigh "You're still our crewmate. I'll help you anyway I can. Hope you don't mind me seeking an escape for you."
Amen-set tenses a bit at Adular’s words.
Despite her earlier confidence, it now seems clear his statements have awoken a small flicker of doubt.
However, true to form, she pushes past the doubt with bravado and bluster.
”Hearken to my words, priest; it is a certainty that thy heart may be aligned to righteous deeds, but I say that in this matter that it is a manifold disservice to name my Imi-ib as naught but a mere member of thy crew,” she says with a proud voice.
”Faugh on such judgments and fears for his soul, for he has no need to trouble himself with such matters.”
”The Lord of the Rock Tidewater is mighty among men and beasts. On our vessel he sits at the right hand of thy Master-and-Commander; of all officers he is named First – I tell the truly, priest – such recognition is given to few, and he has no doubt earned these titles with the skill of his guile and his cunning besides,” she adds sincerely, but it seems as if she may be trying to convince herself more than Adular that Dhaavan is in no real trouble.
She looks at Dhaavan sidelong.
”He has made the dark creatures of other Planes to be his skivvy; to work what shrift he demands to the betterment of us all. That he has prevented them from pursuing evil on our person and that he has used his strength to convince such wretches to serve his noble purposes is a covenant we should be aligned to, rather than gainsay,” she also adds, but again, her tone seems to suggest she is trying to convince herself rather than anyone else….
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Variel hears Rain indicate her wishes about his possible preparations. What she said was true bat her focusing on sailing and him on other aspects. It still did not sit easy with him though. You are right as usual. We can only do some much planning until we reach the harbor and get the exact rules and route of the race.
Variel hears Rain indicate her wishes about his possible preparations. What she said was true bat her focusing on sailing and him on other aspects. It still did not sit easy with him though. You are right as usual. We can only do some much planning until we reach the harbor and get the exact rules and route of the race.
Horatio turns from his position by the cannon and looks at Variel.
"Well then... what are we waiting for?" he calls out.
The priest does not look convinced, "Does seem to me that many great men have come to bad ends dealing with the Fell. Smart ones, charismatic ones so on. I just worry is all."
Amen-set's young features tighten somewhat as she considers Adular.
"An honorable death can never be ill," she says with a proud tone, but her eyes flick to Dhaavan, and then soften somewhat.
"Still; it is said that the gods gave us allies so we would have a pair of eyes to watch our backs..."
She nods her head briskly, as if deciding.
"It is a certainty that my Imi-ib has plans which reckon beyond our ken - and though we may not guess his ultimate designs, it is good wisdom to suggest that when he travels the path which Fate has prepared for him we shall stand beside him to watch his back and so slay the things which may vex him even in the slightest," she adds.
She smiles at Adular.
"You are a goodly sort to concern thyself with his destiny, and I honor thy suggestions in this matter. Aye! It is good, then; he shall advance to challenge dark things while we shall stand ready to aid him should he need it," she says, then bows in respect to Adular.
Sobering he adds, Asmodeus is said to have written the laws that bind our world's existance in reality, and defying accords he has signed is not an easy task. But if you can find a way, I'd not say no. And at the very least, maybe we can help Adistan
"Aye, Adular. A great many have lost much. But I got no intention to loose anything else to the Fell, and in our current situation, there's a lot to gain, from information to influence. And I'm in a unique position to exploit this opportunity, and I still got the least to loose from it and the best chance to land on my feet." Dhaavan says, then to both, and with you at my back my odds are nine helps of a lot better."
Amen-set's eyes widen and gleam with pleasure at this.
"Well spoken!" she says, pounding her young fist against the wood of the beams.
"With the goodly priest on one side, and I on the other - we need fear nothing; and in truth, that we should die matters little," she says, then suddenly recalling what had happened to Dhaavan recently, she cocks her head and studies him with an almost coy expression.
"After all, is it not written - What is dead may never die?" she says to him with an almost sly smile as she moves to him and studies his eyes.
Sobering he adds, "Asmodeus is said to have written the laws that bind our world's existance in reality, and defying accords he has signed is not an easy task. But if you can find a way, I'd not say no. And at the very least, maybe we can help Adistan."
She shrugs at this, waving her hand to the side as if not very interested.
"Mayhap ye speak the truth; yet what is that northman to us? We have saved his life and honor demands that he should show his thanks, yet methinks that before we seek to succor him better that he should reveal more of himself to us. Aye, indeed - helping an ally in grim straits is our duty; but how can you call a man "ally" in truth if you do not truly know him?"
She reaches a bold hand to Dhaavan and brushes a strand of his dark locks from his face as she studies him, her eyes watching him intently but her lips still wearing that same knowing smile.
"Thy ritual is performed and thy have under thy heel a creature that shall aid thee in thy noble plans; perhaps now would be a good time to seek out our new shipmate and discover more of who he is, as well as the presence that vexes his soul, and what may be done about it?" she adds, glancing from Dhaavan to Adular, curious to know what they think of that plan.
As you get closer to Cauldron Rock you finally spot the colors of Harrigan's ship, the Wormwood in the distance ahead among the mass of ships. The giant storm looms ahead beyond the approaching island, a massive wall of whirling black stormclouds shot through with arcs of red lightning. As you approach you see the ships of the flotilla have begun to anchor a short distance from a small sandy beach. The frequent rainstorms in the area stop as you get there. The ships seem to be settling in for the evening, you suspect there will be an announcement of some sort in the evening and the race will start in the morning.
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Variel tries to get a pulse of the crew as they keep getting nearer to the giant storm and of the officers as they sight the Wormwood. It would not do to cause a scene this close to so many other ships. This time instead of trying to boost the crew into preparations Variel tempers them and brings some cool rationale as well.
diplomacy
Alright men, we made it here is the best time possible and you all did everything in your power to get us ready for whatever happens tomorrow. We still don't know what this race is all going to entail but I can tell you that this is going to possibly be the most dangerous and most fun we have ever had out here. But to do that we need to stay sharp and stay alert.
Now, we have made some friends out here but we have made many more enemies. Harrigan is one of those that would be willing to slit our throats in our sleep if he had the chance. That is why we are going to have double watch tonight. Too much is at stake to have Harrigan or some other person with an agenda try to sabotage the Lady.
Realizing that he is putting too much of a damper on the mood Variel continues on with a smile. IF fortune smiles upon us and we do win this race. I will personally double your pay this month.
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To the officers as they are gathered around Variel speaks openly to them about his thoughts. We have arrived but no naught of what we face tomorrow. If you are all in agreement then I believe that a few of us should head to the island proper to see what information we can gather there. Also as Tessa indicated there is an entrance fee that must be paid.
Looking around at the group, Who wants to go with me and who wishes to stay here and keep the ship safe? We can take the longboat there and if we have any trouble bring Besmara's Tricorne along as a back up if that is acceptable to you, dear. Variel suggests looking at Rain.
Dhaavan will go, but I gotta post tomorrow
Looking around at the group, Who wants to go with me and who wishes to stay here and keep the ship safe? We can take the longboat there and if we have any trouble bring Besmara's Tricorne along as a back up if that is acceptable to you, dear. Variel suggests looking at Rain.
"I'll join you, Variel. I will not be taking off the tricorne, so I shall have it on me."
Looking to Neko, she added, "If you'd rather, you may stay on the ship. We shouldn't be too long, Neko." The golden cat licked her paw and gave a nod nefore replying through the telepathic link, //I will be watchful in your absence. Be vigilant among the other pirates.//
Rain ensured the ship was securely anchored among the other vessels near the sandy beach before designating someone to watch over the Wheel in her absence.
Flynn: Your ministrations are well received and are able to get her to look at you in a more considering light, rather than pure animal lust.** spoiler omitted **
No worries, but to clarify a bit, this is the reason behind Horatio’s question...
Initially I thought her response was going to be a fun sexual fling, a good time and some amusing RP.
At this point I had elected to prompt Variel for some upcoming Social RP regarding the sexy encounter.
My intention was to see if she found Horatio sexually satisfying – COULD Horatio use her enthusiasm to try to bilk her out of some funds for our ship? In short – could he use her as a “Sugar Momma?”
If so, Horatio would have asked Variel (before we left the island) if he had anything in particular he wanted to finagle from her, and – if so – then Horatio would try to sweet talk it out of her.
However, as I read your initial "sexy response" after I told Variel to expect some Social RP after the encounter was done, then it occurred to me that if I was really playing Horatio "correctly" then he might actually not want to do that at all; he may want to do something else completely, but that would depend on what kind of "vibe" he got from Tessa during their time together.
To clarify a bit more, as of now, Horatio is understandably pretty lonely on the ship.
The only woman he is sailing with that he had found attractive was Rain, and while he no longer feels attracted to her like he used to, there is a certain sense of longing for something more when all he has been hearing about is wedding plans – not to mention the fact that he keeps remembering that Dhaavan is already married, that Rain and Variel WILL be married – and that both Jiro and Adular have also sort of found someone special, too.
In any case, what I was trying to figure out via Horatio's earlier responses (and why he used both a Spell and a Hero Point to up his chances via the Diplomacy Check) is to gauge if Tessa liked him as MORE than just a “One Night Stand”.
To be fair, she’s kind of exactly Horatio’s type – she’s passionate; she’s dangerous; she’s exciting; she has good taste and is well-educated (or at least, she speaks intelligently) – these are all things that he finds appealing, and more than just a “One Night Stand”.
So if (for example) I had heard that the results of my checks ended up in her ONLY being interested in Horatio as a casual sex partner, he would have talked to Variel via the Ret-Con Social RP and asked what was important to the ship, then tried to get it from her (as he has little problem with trying to Con someone who is just using him for sex).
But if it felt like she liked him MORE than just a sex partner, that there was a “spark” or some chemistry that he felt went beyond just some passionate sex, then Horatio would not want to “Con” her.
Despite his lack of scruples regarding killing people (though to be fair, he doesn’t mind those killings only because they’re “bad people”) it's also true that he has a fairly strict (though unusual) moral compass (via his LN alignment, and something I’ve tried to RP out with things like Slavers, for example).
He would not want to Con her, he’d want to see if she might not want more (he’s not intending on “proposing”, but instead of being "slick" with her, his words and emotions with her would be sincere; he’d be honest with her about how he feels, including his desire to see what might happen next; again - not planning on a relationship at all, he’d enjoy it for what it was - still, he wouldn’t feel “Right” about hustling her if he felt her feelings for him might be more than just a casual fling).
So – basically – depending on how that turned out would have effected my RP with Variel, and then it would have led to additional RP with Tessa (possibly) leading to adjustments in equipment (possibly).
At this point I feel like too much time has passed for those thing to happen; but ultimately Horatio (and me, too) are still interested in one basic idea:
Did she see him as just a casual sex partner, or did he feel there was something more that night? Does she see him as a possible relationship per se, or just a casual fling (again, he clearly likes her, else he wouldn't have used the spell and Hero Point to seem more Charming with her, but he's trying to get a vibe about how she sees him)?
At this point, that's pretty much all I'm looking to discover, if you have a chance to let me know, I’m open to it :)
Horatio stares at Rain and Variel for a while, his expression neutral as he ponders things.
That they were eager enough to take Rain’s hat, to the point that they mentioned it more than once… To him this suggested that they had high suspicions that there would a reason to have the hat with them; as opposed to simply returning to the ship without trouble.
While he had a few suggestions to make about that, it occurred to him that in the past many of his own hunches on certain things tended to be completely wrong.
Further, after the tussle with the Caster when they rescued Dhaavan, Horatio had now resolved to ignore those hunches and instead, he would instead put his trust in the gut feelings of the others that he sailed with.
That said, he rethinks his opinions, keeps his mouth shut about what he thought before, and now is very happy to see that they are taking the longboat and the hat.
Normally he’d be just as eager to head into town with the others, but given that Harrigan was spotted in the Flotilla – and given that Horatio had been (possibly) less cordial with Harrigan during the council with the other Pirate Lords – it was very possible, however unlikely, that Harrigan might want to take a personal interest in correcting those insults if he saw Horatio on land with the others.
Rubbing his chin he considers things for a moment, then glances at Rain and Variel.
”You’re taking the longboat? Good,” he says with a nod.
”In which case I’d like the ship to be moored roughly 500 feet back from the shore, away from any potential threats or saboteurs,” he says, recalling clearly the damage that happened when an enemy had attempted to cut their rudder cable in the past.
Then he turns the crew on the deck and addresses them in a loud voice.
”I want lanterns lit on the bow, stern and amidship and I want a deckwatch of eight men posted – two amidship, two on the foredeck, two on the aft deck and the other two aloft on the Fighting Top,” he adds with a nod aloft.
”While I’m at it,” he says with a glance at Amen-set ”Once we’ve properly moored the ship I’d like some Light Spells cast on some rocks and then drop those rocks over the side in case we need to see anything swimming at us in the water – remember; we’ve had issues with Sahuagin in the past, let’s not give them an opportunity to sneak up on us in case there are some milling about here.”
He loosens his pistol in his belt and pulls it out, checking the priming and continues to address the crew as he frowns at what he sees and takes a moment to clean it while talking –
”Also, I want to do a full check on all weapons; as well as supplies and gear – and I want things prepped in case we need to reef sails for a storm,” he adds, peering at the darkening sky.
He scratches his beard absently as he glances at the shore, then turns his gaze back to the other lads on the ship.
”In short, I want everything cocked, locked and ready to rock so that when the Captain-General, the Pilot-Major – and whoever else is going with them – get back we’re ready to go in case we need to make a hasty retreat or in case they need some cover when they’re returning to the ship.”
He glances at Variel –
”You know I’m down with doing those bets; hell, we may not win this race, but I say there’s nothing like gambling on ourselves, just in case…”
”That said; if at all possible, see if we can’t get cash from interested parties, instead of just promissory notes; after all, dead men don’t pay debts,” he adds with a wry smile.
He glances over the ship with a critical eye, pondering their next move, then turns to look at Variel again.
”Is there anything else you’d like to add? If so, let me know – for now I figure that will cover things; but if I’ve missed something, just say the word,” he adds with a cheerful expression.
As soon as he gets any further orders he’ll make sure that the crew act on those orders (and his own) even while Variel and Rain (and whoever else is coming with them) head ashore to get the rules, place the bets, and take care of business.
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VAriel can see and hear Flynn's enthusiams and smiles at him. Don't worry Flynn, nothing bad is going to happen to us. It is just going to be a quick trip there and back. Everything here will be fine as well. The crew has made sure of that on the way here and Jiro keeps us well stocked with supplies. We purchased the extra shot already and that is secured as well.
"I'll be joining you and Rain, VAriel, if there's no objections... I could use a little walk... "
VAriel can see and hear Flynn's enthusiams and smiles at him. Don't worry Flynn, nothing bad is going to happen to us. It is just going to be a quick trip there and back. Everything here will be fine as well. The crew has made sure of that on the way here and Jiro keeps us well stocked with supplies. We purchased the extra shot already and that is secured as well.
Horatio nods his head at Variel's words.
"Sure, no worries - and don't mistake me, I'm not worried so much as supplies on hand as much as I want to make sure we're ready in case you run into trouble," he adds.
"Still, as for going ashore? Well, I kind of figure I'm on Harrigan's "list" of people he'd like to payback, you know - on account of the words at the council," he says with an embarrassed scowl.
"Still, do what you got to do - we'll be ready for you when you get back, and anything you can find out about those racing rules would be great."
"I'll be joining you and Rain, VAriel, if there's no objections... I could use a little walk... "
Horatio nods to Jiro.
"Sounds good, Jiro-san," he says to the kitsune with a friendly smile "besides, I'd wager you might be able to pick up some tidbits about the competition without them even knowing you're listening," he adds, confident that whatever Jiro decides to do, it will be helpful to the crew.
Then he glances to Dhaavan.
"Say Dhaavan - if you're thinking of going too, maybe you can rustle up some better odds on any bets? I mean - the way I see it, we probably got pretty good odds in general... You know, seeing that we're the new guys in town," he says with a wry grin.
"Anyhow, I'll leave it to you, if you're going," he adds.
Horatio ignores Amen-set's frustration about being stuck behind as nothing but "guard duty" and turns to the others smoothly, almost as if he's not really interested in dealing with any of her comments now.
"How about you all? You planning on going, or staying here?" he asks Adular, but his eyes flick to Adistand as well, curious to know what the new addition to the crew will be interested in doing.
Seijiro gives HOratio a nod and winks.. "That's the general idea, mate."
Over the past few days, since leaving the alchemist's lab, Dhaavan has been subdued and haggard. Bags under weary eyes, locked in the secure storage for hours on end. Then finally, after the better part of the week, having arrived at cauldron rock, Dhaavan appears as his old self. Guess we'll have to show that heart-eating sonofab&@@# what we've become then, eh? Dhaavan chuckles, having walked up just as Harrigan was spotted. Wont he be supposed to find the swabs he left with Plug on the ship the bastard was supposed to squib for him.
About heading into port,
Aye Flynn, I'll get the layout of things, listen for the word around town, as it were Dhaavan agrees.
Guess we'll have to show that heart-eating son of a bich what we've become then, eh? Dhaavan chuckles, having walked up just as Harrigan was spotted.
Wont he be supposed to find the swabs he left with Plug on the ship the bastard was supposed to squib for him.
Horatio turns a glance at Dhaavan.
"You never know," he says with a small smile, not sure if Dhaavan was with them when they met Harrigan recently when they received letters of marque from the Pirate King, and when he himself had apparently reminded Harrigan of who they were in less than the most polite terms, just in case the villainous rogue had forgotten - and all of that in front of witnesses and peers that sat in on that very same "Pirate Council".
"But I guess we'll find out," he adds, giving Dhaavan a quick "thumbs up".
About heading into port,Aye Flynn, I'll get the layout of things, listen for the word around town, as it were Dhaavan agrees.
Horatio nods at that.
"I figured you'd do alright with that," he says agreeably.
"But given the race is going to be pretty important it'll probably attract a lot of spectators, I figure placing some bets on ourselves couldn't hurt. Hell, if we can get five to one odds on us surviving, never mind winning - and we win... Anyhow, I figured you've got the honeyed tongue to get the best odds if we do make some wagers," he adds with a since and polite tone.
Glancing at the crew members scurrying about to get the ship ready, he turns back to all the officers in the Away Team and nods.
"Good hunting," he tells them, then puts his hand to his forelock as if saluting and turns to make sure the ship is ready to repel boarders and cover his allies should they need it.
As the officers give instructions to be prepared, Temmer scurries to his duties, hoping to make a good impression. Checking first the ship, at Mr. Flynn's command he also checks his personal weapons, making sure his cutlass is free of entanglements in its scabbard.
Finding himself by the long boat as Capt. Nightstorm, Helmswoman Taneththir, and Sejiro arrive, he scambles onto the craft, setting himself at the oars to bring them to shore when they're ready. Well-callused hands find purchase easily on the leather grips, strength from long months at sea apparent as he bends toward the task.
Finding himself by the long boat as Capt. Nightstorm, Helmswoman Taneththir, and Sejiro arrive, he scambles onto the craft, setting himself at the oars to bring them to shore when they're ready. Well-callused hands find purchase easily on the leather grips, strength from long months at sea apparent as he bends toward the task.
Horatio watches Adistan hop into the longboat and takes a quid of tobacco from his pocket and cuts off a piece, putting it into his cheek.
As the longboat eases away from the ship he calls out to the lads by the winch and they haul the anchor up.
He glances aft at the helm and gives Amen-set a nod, who salutes him in return and takes the wheel - the ship drifting a bit from the shore and eases the bow to the leeward, causing the ship to slide slowly across the bay until it had sailed a little more than half a furlong.
At which point the depth was checked and a good sandy bottom about fifteen fathoms deep was discovered. The anchor was dropped and the lanterns lit, and the Light Spell was cast on two rocks - one dropped at the bow and the other the stern, casting an eerie luminosity which refracted under the movement of the gray waters and prevented any aquatic menace from approaching the ship unmarked.
Then the men were dispatched to their watch positions and Horatio spat a stream of tobacco juice over the port gunwale as he stared hard at the coast.
He turned to Amen-set, who come down from the quarterdeck.
"Send Horus aloft and keep an eye out on Harrigan's ship - if that poxing, sow-gutted, whoreson opens her gunports, or if she even moves an inch toward us, I want to know about it," he says with a flat voice.
Amen-set's eyes narrow a bit at the somewhat excessive profanity but she says nothing, instead nodding her head once and then sends her Familiar aloft to scout the various ships in the bay.
The Halfling gun crew he had recruited from Port Peril had also came aloft and saw what was happening. Realizing that there was little for them to do but wait, they took out pipes and lit them, then lounged about near the cannon and began to sing a shanty about platinum blondes with legs so long...
Horatio grunted at this display, then spat out another stream of tobacco juice as he turned his gaze to stare at the shore and then waited to see what would happen next.
Those of you who are going make your way across in the longboat to the narrow strip of beach. A roaring bonfire is going and there is lots of drinking and wenching going on. There is an atmosphere of extreme revelry and almost manic fervor in the celebrations. You get the general idea from talking to most of them that they are here not to participate but to see the race get underway. You also find out that the Master of Gales will be announcing the rules and course that the race will take shortly from the deck of his large greyish-green xebec style ship the Kraken moored out in the cove.
At about that moment, several hundred feet above the Kraken a ball of light and fire as brilliant as the sun lights up the sky and briefly turns night into day. Blinking back purple spots of the afterimage, you see that long boats are beginning to be deployed and surround the Master of Gales ship. Heading over that way yourselves, it doesn't take long to reach. Minutes pass in relative silence, the respect and fear of the Master of Gales is palpable. Bobbing up and down on the gentle waves, you begin to wonder if something is wrong when the Master of Gales himself appears at the side of the ship.
The Master of the Gales is an aged man with a lean, bronzed frame and leathery skin—the product of a lifetime of hard work under the open sky. The years have not worn away the grizzled captain, but condensed and distilled him, making him tougher, more tenacious, with an unyielding manner and bearing. A wild mane of dark gray hair and a long, f lowing beard swirl around his head and shoulders like an imminent storm cloud, and his sweeping, iron-blue gaze feels like stiff icy wind blowing off a roiling ocean.
His voice when he speaks booms across the sea like a thunderclap, obviously magically amplified in some way.
Greetings racers and spectators! For those that do not know me, I am the Master of Gales and I will be officiating this most glorious race. The Free Captain's Regatta is a grueling test of captain and crew made even more so by this years course which should now appear upon all of your longboats. Looking down you hear gasps of shock as a rolled piece of treated parchment now lies in your lap where before there was nothing. The race will take you through the fringes of the Eye of Abendego before finishing at Coaming Point. When I say "race" I mean it. This is not a battle or an opportunity to avenge past sleights. I will be monitoring the race and any ship that unduly interferes or attacks another's ship will be disqualified. I hope I make myself clear to everyone. The race will begin at dawn!
Everyone then begins to disperse back to their ships and make ready for the morning. When you look at the map, it is very crude, only giving the vaguest of outlines in terms of points that must be visited and in what order, how the ships get there is part of the fun.
At about that moment, several hundred feet above the Kraken a ball of light and fire as brilliant as the sun lights up the sky and briefly turns night into day...
Horatio turns his gaze into the sky and his eyes narrow.
”Did that come from The Wormwood?” he asks, naming Harrigan’s ship.
The lads on the Fighting Top call down to him and relay that it did not, and that instead it came from a vessel near the coast.
Horatio peers at shore for a moment, studying the activity and ponders any possible threats this may portend for the ship.
Seeing no immediate dangers forthcoming a thoughtful scowl filters over his eyes, but he says nothing at this time.
Some of the Halflings, upon seeing the display, begin to whistle a merry tune and sing a few verses.
” The finest rockets ever seen”
”they burst in stars of blue and green,”
”or after thunder golden showers”
”came falling like a rain of flowers...”
Horatio turns a glance at the Halflings and rolls his eyes.
”Oh for the god’s sake! Hey - why don’t you try singing something original,” he calls out to them, then he turns back to continue to study the terrain.
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On shore Variel does his best to obtain any information about where to go to pay for the entrance fee and also any side bets that may be going on.
Gather info
It seems that everyone was heading to the Kraken though for information and Variel went along with the tide. The awe and reverence given to the Master of Gales spoke more to Variel about his power than anything. Listening carefully Variel heard what he needed to. This was a race and that was it. No attacking other ships at all.
When the map appeared in the longboat Variel quickly scanned it with magic before anyone could touch it making sure it was safe to touch.
Once deemed safe Variel looked at it with the others. Well looks like we might have some work to do to it before we sail in the morning. Let's compare this map to our charts and figure out if there is any areas that we can shave off some time.
”Oh for the god’s sake! Hey - why don’t you try singing something original,” he calls out to them, then he turns back to continue to study the terrain.
The Halflings glance at each other and chuckle at their "Chief's" response to their songs.
"Aye, then, sir," one of them calls out in response with a hearty smile, then they halt their singing and merely begin to chit-chat with each other.
Amen-set moves from her earlier position at the helm and moves closer to him, her eyes still on the coast.
"Oh my hatey-a'; thy eye has beheld such a great feat of sorcery from the far shores, as have we all... I ask of thee; why do thy not bend thy will toward the solving of this mystery? Why, rather, is thy mind fixed instead on the ship of thine enemy solely?"
Horatio does not bother to look at Amen-set, his gaze roving over the coast to the ships near it.
"We got a Captain-General who knows more about written spells than I've ever pretended - you know; spellbooks, scrolls, that sort of thing, and he's damn good at knowing that stuff."
"We got a First Officer that's rose from the grave by the power of something I ain't got a knowing on, but we all know it's some kind of magic - so you could say that magic's in his very being."
"We got a priest with them that's been able to do supernatural feats that have literally gave health to us when we were near death and other things far more canny, so I figure he knows what's up on that count."
"And that doesn't even count the combined general lore on the concepts meta-magical held by the rest of the folk who're on the Away Team such as the Pilot-Major and Jiro-san, which will likely far eclipse anything I got to field on the subject," he adds with a dry voice.
"So for now I'm leaving that mystery to them; as for me and us here?"
He turns to look at her.
"Yeah; see, I said I would do something - in this case I'm watching the enemy ships, specifically that bleedin' bugger Harrigan's."
Amen-set frowns at his words, but says nothing, as Horatio continues to speak.
"And as I said I'd do it, I'm going to do it, and keep on doing it, until I know that things are good and all our mates get back to us safe, savvy?"
Amen-set looks abashed at his answer, but says nothing.
He sighs a little and then turns t continue to study the other ships.
"Look; the others are bound to find out what that bit of magic is, if it matters, or if it's bad, or whatever you like; I'm sure they'll get the jump on it sooner than we - as well as placing the bets, figuring out the rules for the race, where we're supposed to sail, and all the rest of it."
"Meantime, we got our own thing to do now, so let's just stand fast and make sure things go steady on that account and when the others get back they can tell us all about it," he adds.
"Meantime, we got our own thing to do now, so let's just stand fast and make sure things go steady on that account and when the others get back they can tell us all about it," he adds.
Amen-set gives Horatio a hard stare, but salutes briskly in response.
Then her eyes turn to study the shipping for a while.
”It is a truth that thy hate yon corsair who is named Harrigan, so much so that thou hast purchased a myriad of devices with which to slay him, if it needs come to that, on this race which thy are eager to pursue.”
She turns to study their ship, her eyes ranging over it, then they linger on the cannon for a moment and then she turns to look back at Horatio.
”If thy two assailed each other on the sands as charioteers from my homeland then it is a certainty that there would be blood spilled, aye – yet perhaps in this competition such contests of steel shall not be tolerated?”
Horatio grunts and then spits a stream of tobacco juice into the sea, dimly lit by the stones with the Light Spell illuminating them.
”I don’t think it’ll matter much; that whoreson will likely not pay attention to the rules, but even if he does – so what? We’ll have a chance at him on the waters when we’re racing. Besides, accidents happen,” he says with a dark smile.
Amen-set’s full lips twist into a small frown.
”I do not doubt such trials shall be full of difficulties beyond direct action,” she adds with a tight voice.
”Yet in this matter I am not concerned overly much for the villain we are pitted against as opposed to - other issues...”
Horatio turns a glance at her but says nothing.
”Aye! Have thy not put much consideration to my senet, and – if thou would prefer – the rest of thy shipmates?”
Horatio ponders this for a moment and she presses on.
”It is a truth that my senet has no love for this dog who thy would slay, yet beyond her love for justice against this wretch is her honor,” she adds.
”Indeed, she is hard and fierce in many matters, aye; yet the success of this voyage is testament to her skill. Surely she shall not wish thee, or any other, to succeed by the use of sly tactics? It is a truth that such base chicanery might darken the light of her reputation, and that cannot be endured,” Amen-set continues as she watches him, but her tone suggests she is speaking rhetorically.
Horatio frowns.
”So you’re saying you think Rain’ll be upset if we attack Harrigan on the race on account of the fact that she’d want to be beat him sailing fair and square? Oh, and also, if we win only because we blow that miserable basterd out of the water - especially without cause - then maybe she’d still be pissed because she wouldn’t be able to beat him with merely her skill?” he says with a doubtful tone.
Amen-set lets out a deep sigh, as if trying to master her impatience with Horatio's slow unraveling of the obvious.
”Aye! Now, know that my heart needs no evidence to demonstrate that her skill is superior; yet if thy, or another, would seek to press unjust advantages simply to secure a win would suggest that thy might doubt the magnitude of her skill – Faugh on such considerations!”
”Further; should thou choose to act impetuously and fire on the rogue without orders from the other who she is trothplighted to, the one that thy name “Captain-General” – then she, and perhaps others, may take such actions ill...”
Horatio looks at her for a moment, then gives her a small, dry grin and turns his gaze back to the beach to study the ships.
”Aye! Now, know that my heart needs no evidence to demonstrate that her skill is superior; yet if thy, or another, would seek to press unjust advantages simply to secure a win would suggest that thy might doubt the magnitude of her skill – Faugh on such considerations!”
”Further; should thou choose to act impetuously and fire on the rogue without orders from the other who she is trothplighted to, the one that thy name “Captain-General” – then she, and perhaps others, may take such actions ill...”
As Horatio watches the ships for a moment, he is aware that Amen-set is continuing to give him a hard stare, so - sighing somewhat melodramatically - he turns to look at her.
"Okay, so let me just clarify..."
"I'm not going to be shooting any ships, unless the word is specifically given by the Captain-General, or - failing that - the First Officer."
She watches him for a moment and so he elaborates.
"To be fair, you're plan's good sense anyhow, because if it turns out firing on each other's not "allowed" by the lads running this thing - and we get fired on - and we don't return fire then maybe they'll have cause to make Harrigan dance Danny Deever," he says with a easy smile, then seeing her look, he amends his words - "It means they'll hang him, like as not, if he breaks their rules."
She considers this, but her young eyes narrow and she gives him a stern look.
He sees the look, sighs, and continues.
"Oh, and also, I won't be firing on my own on account of the fact that we're a team, and we act as a team, so no more of this "unilateral attacks" if it can be helped, because it's not taking their thoughts or ideas into account, and even it turns out to work okay in the end, it's kind of unfair to them as they're stuck waiting for me to do my own thing, so I should really stop doing that if I can help it," he adds, but though she gives him a curt nod he can see that she's still giving him the glare.
"Oh yeah - and finally, I won't even need to be shooting them, or anything like that, because the Pilot-Major is so good that she won't need me to be doing that, and anyhow, if I do take some shots and we win then folks might say something like - Oh sure, they won, but not on account of their Pilot-Major, but only because they just killed the competition, as they're naught but cheats! - or something like that?"
Her eyes soften and she nods her head in satisfaction as he finally spells it out.
Horatio merely rolls his eyes, though he can't help smile a little at this young girl who claimed that she somehow saw him like a father, but at the same time she was treating him like he was a fool who didn't know anything unless she personally explained it to him.
However, in this case Horatio felt she may be worrying about certain things too much.
Sure, a race exists to prove who's the best sailor, not the best ship-mage, marine or gunner; and if they won then it would be true that Rain's reputation as Pilot-Major would be huge - but meantime Amen-set was so hung up on her worry about "honor" that it felt like she was missing the point!
Hell, it was pretty likely that Rain would care more about beating Harrigan, or possibly killing him outright, then something as esoteric as her "honor"... but then, Amen-set didn't seem to see things that way for some reason.
Still, she's from another culture and she's said over and over that her 'Honor is her Life' - or something like that... Also, she'd rather die than be dishonored... and she sees Rain like a big sister, or something... So yeah, I guess it makes sense that she's going to do everything she can to protect her big sister if I'm not doing the job properly - and I guess by doing things "proper" that really means that she needs to make sure I'm doing things the way she wants me to do them...
Hell, sometimes she makes no sense at all... Everyone knows when a young lass gets to be roughly her age they're supposed to show their fathers naught but respect and courtesy without being so pushy and uppity all the time...
He chuckles at the irony of the thought, then turns a glance to her.
"You do realize, of course, that a group of Pirate Lords may see us as better suited to join with them if we're the sorts who are willing to take a few risks... You know, the sort of lads that "play by our own rules" just to get the job done? I mean, they may actually be impressed if we decide to kill the competition outright, on account of the fact that would show everyone that we're not the sort to be intimidated by some stodgy old busy-body telling us how to sail a race, and how to run our ship - as if we're bleeding Royal Navy?" he adds, seeing what she has to say to that.
Amen-set opens her mouth to protest, as if considering this, but then she glances at the helm where Rain would typically stand and her mouth shuts and she turns her gaze back and gives him a hard look.
Horatio looks to the heavens and sighs, then looks back at Amen-set.
"Yes - but however, seeing as I'm part of a team and as how the honor of our Pilot-Major as the best sailor in these waters might be jeopardized by me taking random shots, then yes - I'll cheerfully abstain from doing so," he adds and she seems mollified by this and nods and moves away, but turns and gives him a glance as if daring him to change his mind.
Horatio sees the look and laughs out loud, then continues to study the coast.
She admired the sunburst spell used to gain the attention or start proceedings. When the Master of the Gales mentioned Coaming Rock, she thought back to recollect anything of value that she knew of the spot/area.
Seijiro scowls as he recalls what he can about Coaming Rock, and he whispers this information to Rain.
Then he'll duck out of the area, returning as a random looking pirate (someone he's seen before who was rather non-descript) and he'll circulate among the crowd, learning what he can about the things Rain has shown interest in:
-what odd or dangerous things have happened in previous races, esp. last year's race
-who is the favorite this year.
-which captains might use sneaky tactics to win
-what is the most hazardous part of this year's race
-what kind of bets are people placing on the race (hundreds? thousands? what's kind of normal for this sort of thing?), who is taking the bets, who's holding the money, and so forth (is there organized betting, or is it all individual and based on trust?)
Coaming Rock is a tiny flat rock island 25 miles north of Cauldron Rock. There isn't much important about it.
As Amen-set waited for more information from the Away Team she moved to the quarterdeck and scanned the waves intently, studying them for any issues. Satisfied that there were no immediate threats, her gaze drifted to the flotilla of ships bobbing on the eddying surf for a while.
She thinks back of her youth, and the strange dreams she had of a time before she had lost her memory and was found as orphan.
She thinks of a time when she could remember nothing clearly; only vague images of bright fire streaking through the night sky; the startling illumination of fires suddenly igniting to drive back darkness and with it all was the whispers of stars.
Suddenly she considers the strange box that they had found; what is inside it, where it came from, and what they may discover about it with more study.
As of all these things go through her mind, she begins to sing softly –
”Sing me a song of a Ship that has gone”
”To sail where the gulls don’t cry”
”Over the waves and the surf and the spray”
”It sailed from the Sea to the Sky”
”Stars were astern; Moonlight on port”
”Sunlight on starboard bow”
”Sailed through winds; through silvered clouds”
”Where is that fair Ship now?”
”Sing me a song of a Ship that has gone”
”To sail where the gulls don’t cry”
”Over the waves and the surf and the spray”
”It sailed from the Sea to the Sky”
”Give me again the Sky o’er the Sea”
”Give me the Stars and their songs”
”Give me the Sun and give me the Moon”
”Give me the Ship that’s gone…”
”Sing me a song of a Ship that has gone”
”To sail where the gulls don’t cry”
”Over the waves and the surf and the spray”
”It sailed from the Sea to the Sky”
”The Ship is the Light which shines in the Night”
”It sails from the Dusk to the Dawn”
”It sailed from the Seas; it sailed to the Sky”
”My heart craves the Ship that is gone…”
”Sing me a song of a Ship that has gone”
”To sail where the gulls don’t cry”
”Over the waves and the surf and the spray”
”It sailed from the Sea to the Sky ”
As the song comes to a close her voice gradually grows softer until it is nothing but a whisper of some forgotten memory…
Well that's impressive
During the trip from the Apocathary's Dhaavan has been withdrawn, growing increasingly worn. Then, upon their arrival, DHaavan appears, his old self, wicked smile on his face. He pets a pitch black Raven sitting on his arm, while Jack naps atop the mage's hat I'll see if there's anything I'm able to pick up here too, eh?
Dhaavan looks for information about what's gone on with past races, rules and stories. He looks into what's happened to prior rule-breakers as well as rumors about cheating that's gone on, under the radar.
”Sing me a song of a Ship that has gone”
”To sail where the gulls don’t cry”
”Over the waves and the surf and the spray”
”It sailed from the Sea to the Sky”As the song comes to a close her voice gradually grows softer until it is nothing but a whisper of some forgotten memory…
As the song comes to a close it seems that the Halflings have stopped their shenanigans to listen to her and now applaud loudly at her work, causing Amen-set to blush and turn away, but there is shy smile of pleasure on her face.
Horatio, too, has turned from his place at the gunwale and studies her, wondering if the song is a myth of how the cosmic bodies were born - ships sailing through stars, not unlike the sun being a golden chariot...
Ships sailing through the heavens seem almost laughable, yet he knew enough about magic and engineering that it seemed... possible... if there was ever a good reason to do so.
Yet he ponders that, he suddenly realizes that he knows very little of her background - her history or origin - and wonders where she learned it, or where its origin heralded.
He sees her look from the Halfling's applause and joins in with a slow, steady clap until the others stationed on deck watch join and stares at her steadily.
"Well done, lass," he says sincerely, and he watches her eyes gleam with pride at his words.
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As it seems that no more information was being given to them Variel decides to head back with the others to the Lady and immediately heads to the cabin to pull out all of the charts that they have of the waterways along the race path. Let's se if we can chart a course that is favorable to us. This close tot he Eye is going to be tricky but if anyone can do it it is going to be you Rain.
prof sailor aid
know geography aid
know nature aid
With the crew and officers he informs them of what they discovered. The rules strictly forbid anyone attacking another person or ship. I do not want to lose this race from a technicality. No attacking anyone. We are going to rely on Rain and the rest of you to sail the Lady so fast that there will not be an opportunity to be attacked.
Now lets get some sleep for in the morning we race to win.