Watching Horatio retract his hand and leave the coin Variel calls out after him. Merely touching the coin should not cause any of the issues previously noticed. Then again there could be other affects that we are not aware of. If no one does pick up the coin then Variel will to keep it safe.
Horatio nods his head.
"I thought it might, but wasn't sure..." he says slowly.
"What I'd like to find out now is who made it - where did it come from, how old is it... Was it made by some bygone and forgotten race of ancient creatures long past, or is this some modern tool fashioned here as some sort of weapon?"
He rubs his chin as he thinks.
"Of course, this assumes the coin is even from our Plane," he muses slowly.
As Rain gets afflicted by the same pain Variel rushes to her side to make sure she is ok. As it seems that she is ok and no permanent damage is done Variel breathes a sigh of relief and stays with her until she reaches the wheel and has Amen's help.
Variel's quiet presence beside her, and that of Neko's, settled Rain's chaotic thoughts and emotions. Arcane magic was more familiar to Variel, so she allowed him to get on with the matter at hand - figuring out the protected coin, and, she would concentrate on driving them safely forward.
"Begging thy pardon; would thy have me at thy side now, or is it better for me to be at helm to watch the water below the waves?" she asks, not sure if Rain would like her nearby to aid her checks, or if she should be near the front of the ship where the keel still has a Light spell cast on it so it can shine light below the surface of the waves to help illuminate any potential threat.
"At the prow, once again, little sister. With the light spell upon the keel, it grants us better view afore us." Rain wanted to rub at her eyes, to remove the affliction, but she continued to keep her eyes partially downcast and not keep eye contact as she was known to.
"I believe that the problem is the coin has magical properties beyond our ability to fathom or contain. Such power comes at a price. It may be that is what happened to Jiro and Rain."
Rain could hear the conversation between Flynn and Variel. She quietly called from the Wheel, "There was a reason it was sealed away in the scroll case before we disturbed it. Lesson learned."
Interrupting - but not rudely mind you -, "I beg your pardon, but, would anyone desire wielding this cutlass?" he offers, holding it up for all to see. "I must say, it is quite a fine weapon if there ever was one."
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Ah my dear Rain. That is another problem as well. Do we dare inspect the scroll case for magic as well? It may well be as potent as the coin if it was indeed protecting or hiding the coin. I suppose there is not 1 way to find out of course. We will also need a stronger and more reliable way of determining a magic items potency for future items.
With that Variel braces himself mentally for the onslaught as he detects magic on the scroll case.
Know arcane to determine safe method of identifying the magic coins properties.
If he comes up with an idea he will gladly share it with Horatio.
Sighing, "Alas, good Captain, as much as I would love to take you upon your offer, my weapon is also one that is attuned to my liking. Well, if none other wishes to lay claim to it, I would gather we stow it away with our other findings," he says, shrugging.
Hearing Variel's plan, she added, "Make sure the coin is not within range of your detection spell on the scroll case. It will activate and you too may suffer this affliction or worse."
Adding to Rajah's resolve, "I have my own weapons. Stow it, as you say, and we may sell it in one of our known trading ports."
Horatio glances between the others at the mention of the cutlass.
He looks at Rajah -
"We typically craft our own gear. It's very unusual that we find something through mere chance that eclipses the value of the gear we make for ourselves."
"Selling it to get money to get supplies to craft our own goods is generally better in the long run," he adds with a shrug.
"This reminds me; if we're going to go on a rather dangerous quest, is there any way we might be able to get the rest of the gear we required crafted first? If we're pressed for time, I understand, but I would still rather have that headband finished sooner rather than later," he says with a glance at the others.
gm question
You take a look at the coin and see that it is extremely old, a least several hundred years, if not more. There is a stylized eye on one side and a many branched tree on the other. You don't recognize the symbols.
You manage to make it to the bay without further incident. The coin only responded that way when detect magic was cast upon it. It is a golden color but is not gold. You're not sure what kind of metal it is but it's very strange.
Dhaavan chats with Variel about the magic the coin may or may not have to assist in ID-ing it
With the affliction to Rain and Jairo when they reach the bay Variel is ready to have everyone sleep and get ready for the morning. However if Horatio and others want to explore that is fine with him. He does get the magical hammock out if Rain wants it.
Horatio turns an eye to Variel -
"Metal looks gold, but it isn't... and the magic's pretty potent... Could fetch a fine price if we sold it. What do you think?"
"Also, begging your pardon; we got a tough thing that needs doing and I'm still waiting on a bit of crafting on that charisma headband. Do you know how long it would take to fashion? It could be useful on this tango is all," he adds.
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The coin is extremely powerful and that makes it risky to sell and risky to herself do on to. Until we know more about it I am thinking we just hold it safe.
As for your headband, I can't make it myself but dhaavan I think can in about 4 days time. Perhaps once we are done with finding this gem we will have some time for it.
"It nearly blinded me... It owes me... I'd just as soon hang onto it than sell it." Seijiro says with a little grin.
As for your headband, I can't make it myself but dhaavan I think can in about 4 days time. Perhaps once we are done with finding this gem we will have some time for it.
"Fair enough, but my thinking was that the headband might ease that process a bit is all," Horatio says.
"But if I must do without it, then let's do it! I'm ready for some action," he says with a grim smile.
The coin is extremely powerful and that makes it risky to sell and risky to herself do on to. Until we know more about it I am thinking we just hold it safe.
Horatio's eyes flick around at the others, not entirely sure of this plan...
"It nearly blinded me... It owes me... I'd just as soon hang onto it than sell it." Seijiro says with a little grin.
Amen-set glances at Horatio, then Jiro, but she speaks before Horatio can.
"Well spoken! And, to my heart, thy need say no more on this matter, for are we all not as kindred now?" she says with a grave yet courteous voice to Seijiro.
"Indeed, thy have declared that this thing has wronged thee and thus thy deem it justice to avenge thyself upon it, or else learn its purpose before deciding on its Fate. Therefore, it is clear to my mind that we shall all aid thee in this plan, even as we aid my senet in such recourse, for she, too, was grieved by this thing."
She nods to Rain and then turns back to Seijiro.
"As thy have said, then, this coin shall not be bartered like some mere trinket in a den of iniquity; yet rather, its true purpose shall be discerned and then both thyself and my senet shall determine which justice shall befall it," she adds in a very matter-of-fact voice.
Horatio says nothing, instead he is simply watching Amen-set with a thoughtful expression.
"There are many dark and fell things in this world and the realms beyond; yet we who stand here are forged by the fire of battle. And though it is true that we hail from different sires, even so, our blood has now been merged together into one."
"Aye, for though we may look askance on each other at times, yet when we stand arrayed against our enemies then it is clear to my heart that we have thus been wrought into something greater than ourselves alone; indeed, through our deeds together we have thus been shaped into family," she adds with a proud voice.
Her voice lowers to a more intimate tone, though it still carries over the deck.
"With this is mind; what, then, would we not do for family?" she says to Seijiro, then bows to him, then Rain, then folds her arms and says nothing more.
You manage to make it to the bay without further incident.
The crew and officers worked together, with any sightings, obstacles and depths called out as the Lady made her way further north. Even with her impaired sight, Rain turned/manned the Wheel with a practiced ease. Still, she was agitated for she wanted her sight returned to normal.
With the aid of those being her second and multiple eyes, and using her own sailor skill, Rain positioned the ship at the most secure part of the bay, ensuring she and her occupants were safe as could be.
"Drop anchor!", she called out. Rain tied off the ship's wheel and made her way, Neko beside her leg to assist her, to the others as they talked.
He does get the magical hammock out if Rain wants it.
She answered Variel's question quietly, "Mayhap Jiro can take the magical hammock for it will be of some comfort to him and I shall sleep in the cot with you in the Captain's quarters." They were at least permitted to sleep beside each other, she and Variel, for Neko was still staunch defender of their chaste relations. Until the wedding night, she mused privately.
"Metal looks gold, but it isn't... and the magic's pretty potent... Could fetch a fine price if we sold it. What do you think?"
Flynn's question to Variel filtered into her thoughts. Her eyes remained slightly downcast for it was easier that way for they were still over-stimulated. She heard both Variel's and Jiro's opinions on the matter and then added her own voice,
"It would be wise to first seek out a magical elder or priest to examine that coin, so we know exactly its value and danger. So, I too elect to wrap and secure it below deck until we make for Quent or some other prominent port once we are done, here."
"As thy have said, then, this coin shall not be bartered like some mere trinket in a den of iniquity; yet rather, its true purpose shall be discerned and then both thyself and my senet shall determine which justice shall befall it," she adds in a very matter-of-fact voice....Her voice lowers to a more intimate tone, though it still carries over the deck. "With this is mind; what, then, would we not do for family?" she says to Seijiro, then bows to him, then Rain, then folds her arms and says nothing more.
Rain caught Amen's conversation with Jiro and thought she could make out the girl bowing to her. Rain inclined her head to Amen, "Aye, we are family, born from our trials and triumphs on the sea and our passions," smiling at the thought of Variel and becoming his wife in a matter of months, connecting them all further. The officers and crew would then become part of her greater Elven blood family.
"As to justice, time will tell if the dreaded coin will aid or hinder us, and we shall then know what must be done, indeed, little sister."
"Good idea, Rain!" Seijiro wraps the coin in a spare bit of cloth and readies to take it below to lock it up in a strongbox. "I wouldn't mind a bit of company. If this is that powerful, it might not want to be locked up and might do something to avoid that fate... I'd prefer not to be alone with it."
Rajah raises a hand emphatically, "I shall go with you, good Seijiro! You know, who would've thought a mere coin possesses the power to nearly blind one?" he says, dumbfounded by it all. "I shall stow the cutlass away as well while we are down there." Rajah will accompany the kitsune as they head for the strongbox.
"Thanks, Rajah!" He heads down below to stash the coin. On the way, he chats with Rajah. "You've made such an excellent addition to our crew, Rajah. It's a pleasure to know you... Do you mind if I ask about where you're from? What it's like there and why you left it in the first place? I mean, what first set you on the course that eventually brought you to us? If I'm prying into private matters, tell me to mind my own business of course. I'm just curious."
"As to justice, time will tell if the dreaded coin will aid or hinder us, and we shall then know what must be done, indeed, little sister."
Amen-set waves her hand, almost dismissively.
"We two have our steel, our wits and our hearts - what need of we for such trinkets, be they filled with the might of dragons?" she responds in a matter of fact voice - clearly more confident than anything Rain can already do than any power this coin might have.
"As for the time of choosing, I commend to thee the choice; for myself, I am not pleased with anything which may sully thy mood, or injure thy person - but wisdom is thy ally and thou art wise to elect to search rather for answers before acting."
She looks around the harbor thoughtfully, peering at the water and scanning the shoreline for threats. Her eyes then flick to the starboard deck even as the vessel has rounded the north eastern edge of the bay and she looks long on the small island to the north eastern edge of the bay, then turns back to Rain.
"For myself, thou has shared the command of our ship with me, and for that honor my heart still swells with pride. I thank thee for that and I pray that my efforts have pleased thee," she adds with a courteous voice, but friendly and sincere smile.
"Thanks, Rajah!" He heads down below to stash the coin. On the way, he chats with Rajah. "You've made such an excellent addition to our crew, Rajah. It's a pleasure to know you... Do you mind if I ask about where you're from? What it's like there and why you left it in the first place? I mean, what first set you on the course that eventually brought you to us? If I'm prying into private matters, tell me to mind my own business of course. I'm just curious."
Grinning modestly, "Thank you, good Seijiro. It has been a pleasure to be a part of such a crew," he says, nodding in thanks. He then thinks back a moment, to a time that seems like an eternity ago before responding, "Well, I originally hail from Korvosa. As far as what it is like... I suppose it is no different than another city," he shrugs.
Pondering the kitsune's next question, he finds his response, "I left due to 'unfortunate' circumstances, let's say. I was caught in a terrible web - figuratively speaking of course - and had to find my way out. When the time was right, I did just that - found my way out," he says with a grin of relief. "Once I was free, I joined the first caravan to wherever. Didn't matter where, as long as it was not Korvosa. They would eventually discard me and I would join another, and then another, and then another... a cycle that was finally broken when I found myself off the west coast of Garund. Port Peril was mentioned by many and so I made my way there and joined the first ship that would have me and have been at sea ever since. We were a good crew. Well, they didn't kill me so in my mind I considered that 'good'," he grins, shrugging. "And due to my ability to 'fix' people I was... 'tolerated', you might say. Anyway, after a time we had finally met our match within the water and it was not our fellow pirates. It was - yes, you guessed it - the mighty serpent. Well, him and his brother. Or sister. Possibly both. Anyway, needless to say, we were overwhelmed and had to abandon ship. Unfortunately, the life boats were full - as full as one who has eaten in days, mind you - and they could find no room for me so I dove in and started to swim. I mean, what was I to do? Death was sure to find me either way," he says matter of factly. "One thing leads to another and the next thing I know, I'm being cut out from the belly of the beast. I do not know how long I was within the beast but I thank Sarenrae that you fine lot found me when you did," he grins, nodding.
"And the mere fact I have yet to even be threatened with death by you all must mean I have been quite fortunate to find a crew that I can easily say surpasses that of my previous one," he winks, grinning.
"So, what about yourself? How did you end up with such a fine crew?"
"And the mere fact I have yet to even be threatened with death by you all must mean I have been quite fortunate to find a crew that I can easily say surpasses that of my previous one," he winks, grinning.
"Nah," Horatio responds amicably "It just means we're slipping when it comes to our threatening skills," he adds with a grin.
Looking over at Horatio with a grin, "And here's hoping those skills continue to worsen, my good man! For my sake of course," he winks.
"I left home early... I was still a child really, but I loved the sea and took a berth on a merchant ship.. We sailed here from the far east, a land called Minkai. It was thrilling for me, really... unusual for one of my folk, who tend to be land-bound. Still, I loved it. But our ship ran afoul of pirates and I ended up in Port Peril, hoping to find another berth somehow. I got press-ganged onto a pirate vessel, one captained by a thoroughly evil man and his two lackeys... We... Me, Variel-san, Rain, Flynn, and a few others, may the gods guard their souls, managed to take a ship from them and get away... the Dread Lady is that very ship, though she's been squibbed and enhanced. We've been sailing together ever since. This wasn't the life I'd imagined, all those years ago in Minkai, but I'd not trade it for anything, though I must admit, I miss my family. My brother, Hijiro, my parents... they must think me dead by now. It makes me sad to think they mourn my passing. And being without Hijiro is like missing a piece of myself, for we are twins, as alike as two can be. Surely he must sense I'm not dead, as I'm sure I'd know if anything had befallen him." He smiles a little half-smile, shrugs. "Nothing as exciting as getting eaten by a great beast and cut loose in the nick of time, but it's what happened."
Looking over at Horatio with a grin, "And here's hoping those skills continue to worsen, my good man! For my sake of course," he winks.
Horatio laughs merrily at the remark and claps Rajah on the shoulder.
"You're good people, padre," he says to him with a grin.
"Once you get the gear stowed, meet me aloft - my Hobbit lads brought aboard a few kegs of beer; we can have a cold one if you've a mind," he says.
Pointing at the man, "I shall be there," he says, nodding.
"I left home early... I was still a child really, but I loved the sea and took a berth on a merchant ship.. We sailed here from the far east, a land called Minkai. It was thrilling for me, really... unusual for one of my folk, who tend to be land-bound. Still, I loved it. But our ship ran afoul of pirates and I ended up in Port Peril, hoping to find another berth somehow. I got press-ganged onto a pirate vessel, one captained by a thoroughly evil man and his two lackeys... We... Me, Variel-san, Rain, Flynn, and a few others, may the gods guard their souls, managed to take a ship from them and get away... the Dread Lady is that very ship, though she's been squibbed and enhanced. We've been sailing together ever since. This wasn't the life I'd imagined, all those years ago in Minkai, but I'd not trade it for anything, though I must admit, I miss my family. My brother, Hijiro, my parents... they must think me dead by now. It makes me sad to think they mourn my passing. And being without Hijiro is like missing a piece of myself, for we are twins, as alike as two can be. Surely he must sense I'm not dead, as I'm sure I'd know if anything had befallen him." He smiles a little half-smile, shrugs. "Nothing as exciting as getting eaten by a great beast and cut loose in the nick of time, but it's what happened."
Rajah gives a friendly laugh at the kitsune's last words. "Good Seijiro, trust me when I tell you, there is truly nothing exciting by getting eaten by a great beast! I highly do NOT recommend it," he winks.
"And I do find your tale quite fascinating. Port Peril? You too? That is quite interesting how we both managed the same stop, yet, found our way upon a ship in far different ways. Absolutely fascinating. And Minkai was it? I confess I've never had the honor of visiting such a land." He rubs his chin in thought a moment, "You know, at some point in the future when the time is proper, if you ever ponder of returning home, I would be more than willing to travel along with you to Minkai so you could reacquaint yourself with your family. And while we're at it, I could see this homeland of yours. I love to see new lands, you know. I find them quite fascinating. And yes, you may have guessed, it is a bit of an ulterior motive for me. What can I say? I love new lands," he shrugs, grinning. "But I would still aid you even if it were just down the road, let me be clear," he nods firmly, giving a wink.
"Returning home someday has always been a hope of mine... but I fear my wanderlust would have me visit and then leave again, off to see new things. I guess, like you, I need to travel. But it would be my honor to show you my homeland and introduce you to not only my family, but my people and my land. I would ask the same of you. As I recall, my travels took me to Korvosa once, though I never saw anything of the city - just the docks. However, would it be safe for you to return there?"
All of a sudden a massive semi-transparent sphere surrounds your ship, it is impenetrable, but allows air to flow through. It appears out of nowhere as soon as the coin is brought below water level, at which point it jerks out of your grasp and shoots towards wherever the black stone box is held and embeds itself in what you think is the top. As soon as this happens a black stone doorway appears on the upper deck of the ship, just behind the wheel and radiates strong magic.
"Returning home someday has always been a hope of mine... but I fear my wanderlust would have me visit and then leave again, off to see new things. I guess, like you, I need to travel. But it would be my honor to show you my homeland and introduce you to not only my family, but my people and my land. I would ask the same of you. As I recall, my travels took me to Korvosa once, though I never saw anything of the city - just the docks. However, would it be safe for you to return there?"
Pondering that a moment, he taps his chin in thought. "That is a good question, Seijiro, a good question indeed. That is one I fear I do not have the answer to. One part of me actually wonders the same thing while the other part never wants to return. Like you, my friend, my wanderlust combined with my curiosity wants to take me everywhere... even to the point of returning home. But, I fear, that curiosity might be a poor decision and with it, the potential to be my last," he says ominously.
Not a second later, the coin flies out of Seijiro's hand and toward the strongbox, and the healer finds himself shocked by the events. "Oh dear. I am going to guess, good Seijiro, that that is probably not a good thing. Let us go check on the others." Rajah immediately turns and heads topside, wondering what may have occurred on deck.
As he reaches the deck, he looks around and notices the door. "I must warn you all that this coin is slightly more powerful than we have possibly given it credit for. And I'm going to take a crazy stab in the dark and say that it created that." He points toward the door behind the wheel.
All of a sudden a massive semi-transparent sphere surrounds your ship, it is impenetrable, but allows air to flow through. It appears out of nowhere as soon as the coin is brought below water level, at which point it jerks out of your grasp and shoots towards wherever the black stone box is held and embeds itself in what you think is the top. As soon as this happens a black stone doorway appears on the upper deck of the ship, just behind the wheel and radiates strong magic.
Horatio's eyes narrow, knowing the coin has now mixed with the box that Amen-set and Rain managed to liberate earlier.
He gives Amen-set a quick whistle, points to the door and nods.
Then he bounds up the stairs and enters the door.
Amen-set rushes to follow him; then she pauses, lingering on the top stair and turns to the Rain.
"It is a certainty that this passage leads to another place; assuredly if we enter it we may be there for long moments of time, yet my heart tells me that it shall be as if only a moment in this reality has passed when we return."
She cocks her head and studies Rain for a moment, then grins -
"Why should thee linger, senet - do ye wish to live forever?"
Then she turns and follows Horatio...
"Well, my curiosity has taken control of my senses and I find it a mite unfair that they know what's behind that door and I currently do not," he says with a grin. Rajah heads to the door, looks it up and down a moment, "Here goes nothing," and jumps through to see what is on the other side.
Neko's telepathic exclamation echoed in Rain's mind as soon as the ship was surrounded by a semi-transparent sphere. What is happening now?, Rain mused silently, aware of her current shortcoming.
But even with her impaired sight, Rain could not miss the black stone doorway which appeared behind the Wheel closest to her and Neko. She had to look at it more keenly to make her eyes focus and keep it in focus, even for a second. It was then Rajah and Jiro came up from below deck.
"I must warn you all that this coin is slightly more powerful than we have possibly given it credit for. And I'm going to take a crazy stab in the dark and say that it created that." He points toward the door behind the wheel.
"I thought the two of you were going to put the coin away somewhere safe? What happened down below? How did it activate this portal?"
As she waited for a response from either Rajah or Jiro, Flynn wordlessly entered through the magical doorway. Amen followed behind him, but turned to her before crossing the threshold,
"Why should thee linger, senet - do ye wish to live forever?"
And then without waiting for an answer, Amen, too crossed through the doorway.
"Here goes nothing," and jumps through to see what is on the other side.
They've gone mad. Rain could not stand idly by and not aid her friends. She turned to Variel and the remaining officers, "We cannot leave them on their own in there," Wherever there is.
She called to Sandara and the crew on deck, "Sandara, mind the Wheel and ship. Do not permit anything or anyone to take her. I hope we will return soon." Once Rain was sure the ship was in the good hands of the crew and secure, she grabbed her weapons and pack and holding her magical pike in hand announced, "I am entering. Come Neko." The golden cat looked at the strange, black stone doorway and pressed once more against Rain's leg, guiding her mistress through the portal.
"Can't them have ALL the fun, now can we, Tomo?" Seijiro slips through the portal, monkey on his shoulder.
oh, Hells... Can't have my mates dying when I'm not there to stop it... Dhaavan mutters as the portal takes him
Just as Lady Dasha finishes speaking, the whole room goes utterly still. People freeze in place, a fly is perfectly still in midair, caught in a beam of sunlight. Looking around you see that the only things not frozen are you and your companions from the ship.
A bright light shines forth from behind you near the wall, a vertical line opens sideways into a brilliantly lit doorway. You feel an irresistible pull towards the doorway and begin to slowly slide towards it. It is frightening at first but then you hear the sound of waves lapping at wood and realize you are going home. Conflicted, you want to help these people but then you get the feeling that you will see them again.
Stepping through back onto the Dread Lady, you see that the dome that previously encompassed the ship is gone and the crew have continued what they were doing when you left as if nothing had happened. After a few moments you realize why that is. To them you were never gone, you stepped through the doorway and out the other side.
Cutting his eyes from left to right, he double checks his surroundings and surely enough finds himself back on the ship. "Well... now... that was a bit odd. Interesting, to be sure, but odd. Note to self: Do not fiddle with coins that possess strange markings upon them. You just never know what may happen. Oh, by the by, is Horatio with us?" he asks, looking around a moment.
OK, wow... Good lesson, Rajah, I agree. Or the lesson is to make a point of fiddling, depending on one's perspective. Oye, Flynn, where were you this whole time? Dhaavan asks, a little scattered by the whole thing
"That was different and not just a little curious, but damn it's good to be home!" Seijiro stomps his feet a few times on the deck of the Lady and grins... "Now that's a sound I can't ever get enough of!"
As Rain was about to respond to the Tyrells, a portal suddenly opened up and gathered them toward and through it.
She then felt the familiar boards beneath her feet and the sway of a ship as the portal closed. Rain looked up and noted the dome was no more. She shook her head as if attempting to clear her mind and gather herself. By her legs was Neko, who was staring up at her with brilliant emerald eyes. Through their mental link Rain spoke, //What will our new allies think of us now?// Neko's tinkling voice replied, //It matters naught, mistress, for we are returned to our rightful place.// Rain tilted her head at the statement from the golden cat, but said no more. What will the kobolds and the Samsaran think of our sudden departure? Mayhap they will not remember us, Rain privately mused.
Taking the pack from her back, Rain moved toward the Captain's cabin to deposit it there before heading to the Wheel. She kept her weapons on her person. Neko had moved to the helm in the meanwhile, knowing her mistress would come to stand there soon enough (as was her way).
Gesturing to Sandara, whom she left command of the Wheel to, Rain asked, "Is all well, Sandara? Did anything new and out of the ordinary happen while we were gone?"
Sandara looks at you strangely and says What do you mean while you were gone? You never left. You went through one side of the portal and came right out the other. Are you feeling alright?
oh, good. There was a time effect too! Um, well, I guess it might not matter too much, not something to feet over at least, Sandara. Dhaavan says with a reassuring smile.
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Variel feels the sudden pull towards the portal. Trying too hold back ever so slightly he calls out to the Lord and Lady. We will not forget this aid. We will hold off Cheliax on our end if at all possible.. Not able to resist any longer Variel blis and is back on the Dread Lady.
Variel was about to ask how everyone was and the sate of the Lady when he heard Rain inquire to the same thing. Seeing that Sandara's answer was indeed correct Variel gathered himself. Excellent then. Onward to the other bay if I recall correctly. We have an island to explore, a gem to discover, a fort to cleanse and a couple parties to prepare for. Lots to do and not much time.
Variel feels the sudden pull towards the portal. Trying too hold back ever so slightly he calls out to the Lord and Lady. We will not forget this aid. We will hold off Cheliax on our end if at all possible..
As you feel the pull of the magic you can see the people before you begin to flicker and fade; as if they were growing out of focus. You can see Lord Tyrell leap from his seat as if he worried and trying to aid you; the manservant seems to cower at the door but the guards rush forward to help, the wind from the spell blowing in their faces and pushing at their clothes and gear.
His wife, however, has not moved from her seat at the table, but instead she merely nods her head at you. The last thing you see before the people before you fading completely is her giving you a knowing smile as her thick, dark hair blows forward over her shoulders.
”And now you know the rest of the story…”
Cutting his eyes from left to right, he double checks his surroundings and surely enough finds himself back on the ship. " Oh, by the by, is Horatio with us?" he asks, looking around a moment.
Turning from the quarterdeck behind the gate which had opened Horatio stares at you.
”Aye, I am here,” he says slowly, as if he is distracted by some dark or mysterious thoughts.
He glances at the everyone, almost suspiciously, but he is quickly startled from the examination as Amen-set rushes up to him and – somewhat impulsively – embraces him.
He seems startled at her reaction, but does not say anything but merely holds her as he looks past her to the rest of you.
”So – I’m guessing what happened wasn’t a dream?” he says, then glances at the rest of you.
Amen-set pulls back from him and shakes her head.
”If it was a dream then we all dreamed the same; I deem,” she says, then glances at the others to confirm this ”yet it is a truth that thy were absent from it, at least in my mind…” she adds.
Horatio looks at her for a moment, then the rest of you.
”Well, I can say this; I have no idea what happened to you all, but I know that none of you were there in my journey, or vision, or whatever it was…” he says as he wipes his hand over his face, as if to clear it.
He glances at the ship, the shore, then the rest of you and seems to frown as he thinks a moment.
”When I got there I thought it might be some damnable trick of that stone we’re trying to find. Wasn’t it possessed with some bewitchment of the mind or some such devilry? I mean, it's called the “Dreamstone”, right? That can't be a coincidence... Perhaps we all endured some sort of enchantment as we draw nearer to it…” he says, but then shrugs and glances at Adular.
”Oye, Padre, you mind checking on us now and in the morning to see if there are no lingering effects?”
Then he glances at the rest of you.
”That said; we were a few hours from the bay we were to anchor in. I assume we’re still headed there…”
He turns to Rain and Variel.
”Well? What orders, then?” he asks the Captain, and the Pilot-Major, waiting to see what the plans were for sailing as they had only a short while until sunset.