Jack flits up the stairs to take a look around for Dhaavan as the sourcerer rouses himself and comes to the deck.
cause with that nat 1, even Jack isn't going to see crap. so someone's going to have to tell him, or Dhaavan what's going on once he gets on deck.
Seijiro points to a section of railing, and calls out, "Over there by Shix... Reevah's been pulled over the side..."
The crew rushes up on deck, weapons in hand. Valeros tosses a coin lit with the light spell into the water in the hopes of seeing Reevah's abductors.
With no idea what could have abducted my comrade, I growl in rage.
Holstering my pistols hard, I jerk my mother's dagger and cast "light" on it; kiss the rose emblem on the hilt, than press it between my teeth and dive over the side where the creatures and Reevah were last seen.
Hey, hell - Milani be with me...
Rain spies the scale on the railing where Jiro pointed out that Reevah was pulled over.
"The scale looks like one from the Sahuagin. If they feel the need for reinforcement, they can telepathically communicate with sharks. So double the threat."
Looking down into the swirling dark water now lit by Valeros' coin, "Can anyone see Reevah or the Sahuagin?"
When she hears the splash and notices Flynn is no longer on deck, Rain grits her teeth in frustration. Reckless man!
Valeros, seeing Flynn going over the side, rushes to jump in as well. Can't leave him to die alone!
---------------------------------------------
Horatio, you can't see anything within the range of your light spell. A moment after you dive in though, Valeros swims up next to you, looking around as well. He looks at you in the water and shakes his head.
My eyes flash dark fire at this sign from Valeros.
I stab my finger in one direction, and kick off in the other direction to swim about ten feet more out - looking one last time to see if I notice any signs of my comrade who was taken...
Horatio is mentally cursing the move; knowing his stabbed shipmate is certainly trailing blood into the water and that alone is dangerous - never mind what came for them...
Even so; if he can help - he will do so...
Arriving on the scene moments before Flynn dives into the water, Dhaavan cracks his neck in frustration, "The Hells is going on here? Oh, not again, Dammit all to the Nine!"
During the round Dhaavan summons a small water-elemental via Summon Monster II. It apears as Flynn starts swimming.
Valeros kicks for the surface and heads back up the ladder that is tossed over the side. Reaching the deck he says The sahuagin are much too fast. We cannot catch them in the water. Also they can go to depths that none of you but I could withstand. Reevah is gone.
After a few rounds the Elemental comes back and reports that it caught up to them and said that the human looked dead and there were three Sahuagin swimming straight down into the ocean depths, the humans body spitted on a trident.
Seijiro finishes tying off the helm and stands by the wheel, but ready to move if needed. He watches the action at the railing, expressionless for the time being. Flynn was as impulsive as ever. Maybe something good would come of it... Gah! THere goes Valeros, too. He sighs and continues to watch, one hand on the well-secured wheel.
Sensing no sign of their comrade, Horatio curses mentally.
Gods damn it…
Turning, he kicks his legs hard and swims to the surface hard and bursts through the chop, the dagger tight in his teeth.
Swimming through the waves he eventually reaches the rope and grabs it, hauling himself up, hand-over-hand until he reaches the main deck.
Once he reaches the main deck he shakes his hair hard in the rain, pulling the dagger from his mouth and stabbing it hard into the sheath.
He turns to Valeros.
”My thanks,” he says, his voice raw over the storm and reaches forward and grips Valeros's hand slightly above his wrist tightly, shaking it as a brother might.
Noticing the water elemental that had moved past him, and able to guess its source, he turns to Dhaavan –
”And you – good thinking… sir,” his face hard, and he adds the last word with no touch of irony or sarcasm; only sincerity for Dhaavan's quick thinking and assistance.
Running his hands through his hair he moves forward to the other side of he ship, searching the gunwales for any other sign of encroachment.
To aid in the task he quickly casts “Light” again – only this time on scuppers of the opposite side of the ship.
When Valeros reaches the surface and makes his way back on deck, Rain listens as he tells of the Sahuagin's victory and the death of unfortunate Reevah. "Valeros, you did what you could. None of us expect you to travel deeper into the sea and risk your own life to attempt further pursuit. We must accept the terrible deed done and organise words in Reevah's memory. We must be vigilant from this point on. The Sahuagin may return to retrieve more bodies for food." They were short-manned by one now -- making their crew even smaller. Besmara, take Reevah in your embrace.
Rain notices Flynn's return to the ship after she has finished speaking. The rain slides from her dark hair into her eyes and she looks hard at him.
Watching him move to the opposite side of the ship, she holds her rebuke for another time, and follows and offers, "If you need more light, I can cast it too. If you are looking for signs of the Sahuagin, then I can aid you in that as well."
Seijiro sighs, shakes the water out of his hair and eyes, which does little against the continually falling rain. He walks over to the side railing of the sterncastle and drops a few coins in the water, muttering a short prayer in Minkaian, then returns to the helm. He seems... smaller than usual, diminished somehow, by the events of the evening. He unlashes the wheel and takes it back in active hand again, using it simply to maintain their heading, preventing too much drift and keeping to the current.
If Variel looks his way, he sighs deeply and shakes his head sadly, motioning the captain over to talk for a moment.
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Not seeing anymore of the creatures attacking the crew or the ship, Variel walks over to Flynn and Valeros. The is nothing more we could do given the circumstances. Come in and dry off. No sense getting sick. In the morning we will honor Reevah. Until then go and relax. This is not an order, but a suggestion from a friend.
When he turns away from them, Variel's eyes glance up to Jiro. He sees Jiro shrug his head and motion for him. Moving over quickly in case there is an issue, Variel stands before Jiro with an eyebrow raised in question.
Seijiro speaks softly to VAriel, barely heard over the driving rain. "I'm sorry, Variel-sama... this was my responsibility as the officer on watch... I should have seen... warned them... something.. I.. well.. I can't say more than 'I'm sorry'." He hangs his head for a moment, shakes it sadly, but does meet Variel's gaze as he speaks. He looks for a second like he wants to say more... but then shakes his head again, blinks water from his eyes... rain or something more?
Not seeing anymore of the creatures attacking the crew or the ship, Variel walks over to Flynn and Valeros. The is nothing more we could do given the circumstances. Come in and dry off. No sense getting sick. In the morning we will honor Reevah. Until then go and relax. This is not an order, but a suggestion from a friend.
When he turns away from them, Variel's eyes glance up to Jiro. He sees Jiro shrug his head and motion for him. Moving over quickly in case there is an issue, Variel stands before Jiro with an eyebrow raised in question.
Horatio turns from the waves, his eyes red with both fatigue and frustration to regard Variel.
"Very well, captain," he says, and straightens his back.
"What are you orders for the crew at this time? Do we return to our bunks until morning with a deck watch, or would you prefer that we use all hands to sail from these accursed waters?"
He says nothing else, though - waiting for a response before he reacts.
Hearing Variel give instruction for Flynn and Valeros to head below and get dry lest they turn sick, Rain makes her way up to the wheel where he is standing with Jiro.
"Would you have me keep searching the ship? Looking for signs or tracks of these creatures, Nikerym?"
Before Variel answers, Rain turns to Jiro and speaks to the kitsune, "You reacted wisely when the danger was present, tying off the wheel to hold it true. Do you require my aid for anything, Jiro?"
Seijiro shakes his head slightly to Rain. "N-no, Rain-san. Your words are too kind. I..."[b] he looks to Variel with a question in his eyes. [b]"Unless the captain sees fit to replace me... I guess I'm alright... but Flynn's question is a good one, Variel-sama. They know where we are and where the currents will take us. Would you have us continue as we are, or be under sail for a while?"
There is a lingering sadness in his eyes that no amount of kind words seem to erase.
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Flynn:
As much as I want to leave these waters, let the crew get the rest they can and at first light all speed ahead. Tomorrow night we will have a service for her. If the crew asks, tell them the truth of what happened. They have a right to know. Variel places a hand on his shoulder, Yu did your best Flynn. The gods were not with us tonight is all. Be thankful it wasn't you that they targeted or you might be under the water instead.
Jiro:
There is nothing to apologize for. We did not know this was going to happen. We had a watch on the ship and that failed us as well. Sometimes Jiro, we must accept what has happened and move on. Do not linger over what could have been done or should have been done. Reality is that there is nothing you or I could have done to prevent this. We do what we can with what we are given. Remember that. Remember also that as the pilot you are responsible for all on board. You acted wisely and quickly tying off the wheel. Anything else and we would have had other issues to worry about as well. Would you want me to replace Reevah and keep watch in the night? I trust your abilities, just thought you might want a friend to share the night with.
Rain:
If you want to make another pass I will not stop you. Though, We will need your skills tomorrow in the rain to make all haste away from here. I don't want you sick or tired either. I will stay up with Jiro to replace Reevah if it is ok with him. It was a short day for me since I slept this morning.
Listening to Jiro's words and hearing Variel speak of remaining hale to weather the storm tomorrow, Rain nods her head, shaking more droplets onto her already wet face.
"I will make one more round and, if I do not see or discover anything, I shall return below to dry off and sleep. I will be ready on the morrow, Nikerym."
Seijiro brightens slightly but still looks upset. When Variel offers to stand watch with him, he smiles and nods. "That would be welcome if it's alright with you, we do need another on watch, Shix alone isn't enough. But are you sure you want to stand a watch in the rain?... it's ... well... wet and cold, and we can't afford you sick any more than Rain or Flynn."
Flynn:
As much as I want to leave these waters, let the crew get the rest they can and at first light all speed ahead. Tomorrow night we will have a service for her. If the crew asks, tell them the truth of what happened. They have a right to know. Variel places a hand on his shoulder, Yu did your best Flynn. The gods were not with us tonight is all. Be thankful it wasn't you that they targeted or you might be under the water instead.Jiro:
There is nothing to apologize for. We did not know this was going to happen. We had a watch on the ship and that failed us as well. Sometimes Jiro, we must accept what has happened and move on. Do not linger over what could have been done or should have been done. Reality is that there is nothing you or I could have done to prevent this. We do what we can with what we are given. Remember that. Remember also that as the pilot you are responsible for all on board. You acted wisely and quickly tying off the wheel. Anything else and we would have had other issues to worry about as well. Would you want me to replace Reevah and keep watch in the night? I trust your abilities, just thought you might want a friend to share the night with.Rain:
If you want to make another pass I will not stop you. Though, We will need your skills tomorrow in the rain to make all haste away from here. I don't want you sick or tired either. I will stay up with Jiro to replace Reevah if it is ok with him. It was a short day for me since I slept this morning.
"The gods?" Horatio responds.
"One day they might come for me - one day they will come for me."
"But not tonight, I think," he adds with the driest of smiles.
Then he glances at the dark sky, and the churning waters around him, giving the sea a baleful look.
"Very well - I will return to my bunk," he adds, his tone stiff and wooden, as if he is nearing exhaustion.
He rolls his shoulders a bit, his hand easing comfortably on the hilt of his mother's dagger.
He turns for the hatch to head below than pauses, glancing over to Dhaavan and Valeros on the main deck - and his eyes turn to the quarterdeck to observe Variel, Seijiro and Rain standing next to each other.
His eyes linger, watching the three on the quarterdeck for a moment, as if considering something.
Than he shrugs.
"Aye - I will tell the men," he says, almost as if it was an afterthought; his voice tired and worn.
"You are right - they have a right to know," he continues, as if speaking to himself - the lack of sleep seeming to weigh heavily on him.
Soon after he has entered the hull of the ship, Horatio has stripped off the clothes he might wear for warmer weather and now has on the modest clothing he had when he started this journey; dry, and better able to protect him against the chill.
He exits his cabin and moves into the space where the hammocks lay.
The men who would have been sleeping had been awakened for this senseless attack; and they were curious as to what had happened. Horatio moves toward them, knowing that he was tasked with explaining the incident.
He does not care about details though – for him, it is enough that one of his mates died; a fact further punctuated by his own spiritual upheaval which had gnawed on him so lately and had driven him to seek peace on the deck under the night sky.
But he did not find peace on the deck that night...
Now he has moved forward to the men; his damp locks hanging low around his haggard face, his dark eyes made ethereal in the light of a single candle which he holds in front of him in the darkness of the hull before the men.
The flame sputters dimly.
The men move to him, the rumors of the attack and the death of one of their own already made evident by his expression. At this time, sleep cannot take them when they see Horatio with this dark mood on him.
He looks to the others and in the dim light he recognizes them all; Shivikah, Ratline, Piper, Jak – and even the new mates; Hajen, Makeem – and all the rest.
He knows that the other officers are above – either at the helm, or in their quarters.
Yet now – in the darkness – with the rain still pouring and dawn close by, Horatio simply stands before them, his face bleak and ethereal in the dark shadows cast by the candlelight.
The other crew mates watch him silently, and he says nothing for a moment, as if considering what had happened.
Then he lifts his voice softly in memory of their fallen, and sings slowly.
Fallen star and darkened sky –
- our brethren true has died.
Pharasma we petition thee –
- to take their soul to guide.
When from us they were taken thus
- their death we greatly rue.
Their bodies rent with bloody wounds -
- Pharasma guide them true.
Once blooded; bound to us they stood -
- in battle they were kith and kin.
Yet sundered now from life they are -
- Pharasma guide them in.
Gone now from us to other side -
- they’re sundered from their brethren.
And we their brethren of the blade -
- sing thus to honor them…
At the end of the song, he extinguishes his candle – blowing it out softly and returns to his cabin, walking in the darkness.
"Well, I'll leave Jack up here to keep a look-out. He can wake me up if he sees anything following us, and he's nearly invisible. So that should be enough."
Dhaavan heads below decks before retiring, and sees Flynn giving his blessing, and nods after seeing the others reaction, and appreciation. he quietly heads back up and into his bunk for an uncomfortable sleep, as one of this crew was taken. Taken from his home, his safe haven.
"Be safe Jiro. can't wait to get the hells away from this place. but don't worry too much, Jack'll keep an eye out for ya." Dhaavan gives a weak smile and gets himself to bed, hoping to have time to recover hi spend spell just in case he needs magic tomorrow.
Tired and angry, Dhaavan returns to the officers cabin and bids them a good night.
Or toss a DC 13 sense motive.
Seijiro nods to Dhaavan, "Thanks, Dhaavan-san.. rest well and thanks for the extra eyes."
Then he spends the night quietly, keeping a close watch and holding the wheel steady against the current in the silence of the night... He occasionally sings softly to keep himself company and fight the boredom of the night watch at the helm. The songs are in a mix of languages as he remembers bits and pieces of various laments, as most of the songs are tales of lost loves and shipwrecks... Probably not the most uplifting of songs, but they're what seems to match his mood this night.
The next day dawns and though the rain breaks and the sun is shining, a heavy pall descends on the crew. The loss of Reevah, and in such a senseless way, has dampened their spirits. They go about their tasks in a subdued but effective manner, the events of the night before plain on their faces.
About midafternoon, a cry goes up from Ratline in the crows nest. Sails! Sails off the starboard bow!
Horatio squints off the starboard bow, his eyes narrowing.
Turning, he hurries below to his kit and retrieves his armor; which he buckles on quickly; than fastens his weapon’s belt around his hips; buckling it grimly.
His pent up stress and frustration is hard on him – and he did not sleep well the night before.
Yet it seemed as if at least one god had heard his heart.
Indeed, his heart deemed that this ship was providential – sent to his angst like a leech for his spirit.
Aye, indeed! For this vessel, it would move toward him – and than; through the inevitable battle which his shipmates desired so hotly – there would be a means to draw out the foulness in his spirit through the healing process that came from bloodlust and slaughter.
As his weapons are on, and he has finished fastening his armor he moves swiftly back above decks.
Perhaps it is today that the gods will come for you?
He grinned somewhat viciously at the thought.
Perhaps, aye.
But if so, what does it matter? Piper will mourn you, and you’ll have met your destiny. Be content with that – for that is no more than any man may endure.
He ponders the gear he had been working on a moment, knowing that – as it is not complete – it shall avail him little. He does not mind, though.
He knows that if he lives, there would be time enough for their use later.
And if not?
If not, well; than that was his destiny…
But for now, he will do nothing but wait for someone to give orders.
No - not nothing... not quite nothing...
Pausing a moment he draws his dagger and his mind races, words forming in his head which he will not speak.
Milani - by thy will I shall be a weapon for thy arm; and an instrument for thy use. If by thy will I should die a martyr to thy cause this day, know that I welcome death and beg it takes me swiftly to your arms...
Than he kisses the crest and sheathes the blade.
Battle and death are coming; but what of it?
He no longer fears death.
Seijiro, bone weary and still wet and soaked through every stitch of clothing, heads straight to his quarters when Rain relieves him. He strips down to his smallclothes before crawling into his bunk. When he hears the call of sails on the horizon he groans softly and closes his eyes again and lays in his hammock, too tired to get up at the sound of the lookout.
He waits until there is a second call, napping fitfully until then. When it comes and the other ship is considerably closer, he rolls out the hammock and begins to dress, winding on the wrappings of his haramaki, then donning the new clothes he acquired at the market in Rickety's for the first time, since they are the only dry things he has.
When he looks down at himself, he blinks in shock and surprise... finally he shrugs and accepts it for what it is. If I were in Minkai, I'd be killed on sight wearing these... but here, no one will know what they mean. That's a very good thing. Well, might as well get up on deck and grab some breakfast. There'll be no more sleep this morning.
He slips out of his cabin and heads off to see Fishguts since it's now long after breakfast.
Till then, Dhaavan whispers to Jack in
Rain was prepared when she had taken over the wheel from Jiro. Her weapons were in place (trident and pike lashed to her back, cutlass at her hip) and she wore her studded leather vest.
Keeping the Lady steady, she calls up to Ratline on the lookout, "How far away is she and are they flying any colours?"
If Ratline cannot hear her (or answer her), then once she spies Jiro on deck, she will ask him to climb to the lookout and determine those things, if he can.
Rain will attempt to see what she can from her position at the wheel while she awaits further information from the lookouts and instruction from the Captain.
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The night was long and uneventful, but Variel was glad that he chose to be the one to replace Reevah. It was just another way to show the crew that he was willing to do what it took to ate this a successful venture. Periodically, Variel would pass Jiro and give him a nod and some reassurance. Each time he passed, he would try to help the lad out by drying him off a bit.
Once the morning came, Variel relinquished his duties and went to grab some sleep. Before he does though, he has everyone that was on the night shift line up so he can dry them completely before they rest. Without much else besides informing Dhaavan to wake him only if they need him Variel sleeps the morning through..
Waking up somewhat refreshed, Variel goes about his meditations, stretching both mind and body. A slight cramp in his neck still persisted from straining his eyes on watch. Nothing that would prevent him from his duties, but a nuisance nonetheless. Grabbing a light lunch from Ambrose, Variel climbs up to the main deck. He is hardly out there a half hour when the cry of 'Sails' resounds from the crow's nest. Immediately the tempo and attitude of everyone around him changes. Gone is the morose lethargy from the long night before. Anticipation and adrenaline are the rule of the day.
Variel did not have to give an order, Rain was looking at him ready to do as he asked. With a single nod she changed course and every man and woman was at their post giving The Dread Lady all the speed they could.
Just in case:
Seijiro climbs up to the nest to join Ratline for a few minutes and observe the other ship, glean what he can about her. Is she running heavy in the water? How many crew does she have? Is she turning to fight, or trying to run, or just sailing on without paying attention to the red sails on her trail?
With your eyes you can barely make out that they are flying colors but other than that the flag is bronze colored you can't tell what it is. You'd say it's about 2 or 3 miles away and seems to be turning to run from you all. You can tell that it looks like a single masted longship.
First opposed Profession Sailor check
The ship seems to pull away a bit as they push for speed.
Seijiro calls down what little he knows to the helm and lets Rain take over from there... He assumes that Variel can aid Rain's seamanship as well as his own, so he's not needed at the wheel to assist.
He turns to grin at Ratline. "Good eyes, there. You spotted our first prey. Whether we catch them or not, I owe you a drink when next we have the opportunity. A little excitement is just what this crew needs." He claps Ratty on the shoulder and flashes him a wide grin.
Ratline smiles back and says Just happy to still be useful, Sir.
Second and Third Profession: Sailor checks.
So Rain's three Prof Sailor checks are as follows:
Check 1: 23+2=25
Check 2: 23+2=25
Check 3: 28+2=30