The journey from Magnimar to Eleder is a long one, taking on average just over a hundred days each way. Captain Alizandru Kovack and his family have been making the North-South run for generations. His ship, the Jenivere, has a reputation as a solid vessel and has a healthy capacity for cargo and passengers. Kovack has skillfully captained the vessel through many runs. He always seems to avoid any kind of trouble or entanglement in spite of the troubled waters he must sail through. Some of his sailors, although grateful for his record and his abilities, wonder if the Jenivere may have had just too much good luck.
This journey has been an average run for the Jenivere and her crew. There haven't been any unfortunate events. The ship has taken on passengers at a number of ports. The only really unexpected event took place in Corentyn when a Sargavan agent asked Captain Kovack to transport a prisoner back to Eleder for trial and conviction. Captain Kovack agreed, and Derindi was placed in the brig belowdecks. By captain's request, he is left alone and undisturbed.
The other passengers for this voyage have their own little quirks. Ieana tends to keep to her room and her books, but the joke among the crew is that she's the captain's secret lover. Gelik Aberwhinge spends a lot of time writing in the common areas, but is always ready to set his pen aside to tell a long-winded story or other. He boarded the Jenivere in something of a rush at Magnimar. Sasha Nevah came aboard at Ilizmagorti. Although depressed for the first day or two of the voyage, she perked up considerably once the ship was out of sight of the island. Several stops later, there was an interesting incident involving a Half-Elf woman and one of the sailors. It resulted in her throwing him into the harbor. The woman was Aerys Mavato, and it seems the sailor had made a fairly crude suggestion to which she didn't take. At the next stop boarded Ishirou, a quiet man who nonetheless seems eager to reach Eleder.
About a week out from Eleder, the captain called for a course change. Over the two days since then, the crew has been getting progressively more edgy. The mutterings among the sailors have increased. Speculation about Ieana and her connection to the captain begin to take on a harder tone. Some suspect her of being a Chelish agent, others of being the Jenivere's secret owner. Many, though not all, agree that there is something odd about the bookish Varisian woman. Regardless of the truth about the woman, the general mood about the Jenivere is tense as you all take your seats in the galley for supper. The meal is soup, again, although slightly less watery than the cook's normal fare.
"Must be the worlds smallest book of recipes," Kias says to the crew man sitting next to him. He swirls the liquid around with his spoon. "How I long for some proper meat.
Aerys Trajyon stared at the bowl of soup before him as if sizing up an opponent in a tavern brawl. “After yesterday’s meal, how bad can it be?” he mused. A sinuous white form curled on his shoulder stretched and yawned, displaying an impressive, if tiny, set of sharp canines. Nyx joined his master’s contemplation, sniffing with trepidation at the meal before them.
Aerys fished out a chunk of what he hoped was meat, and held it up for the ferret to sample. Nyx looked at the offering, and then stared critically up at his master in refusal. “Fine,” Aerys muttered to his tiny companion. “You can go kill a rat in the hold later.” Dropping his voice even lower, he whispered, “If the menu doesn't improve, you might need to bring me one back as well...”
Finally working up his courage, Aerys manfully sampled the cook’s latest attempt at palatable soup. He gave a slight nod. “You’re missing out, Nyx. It’s actually far less… gritty than yesterday’s meal.”
As he dined, Aerys curiously examined the other diners in the low-ceilinged galley, hoping to strike up a conversation with his fellow passengers.
Despite the taste, or lack thereof, the gnome tcuked into the soup with gusto. It was new this time, and less boring. Even if it was worse, it would be worth it. He'd seen what the Bleaching did to his kin, which was half the reason he was aboard anyway.
Anything to stave off the boredom. Sitting next to the only other gnome on board, there was a journal next to him on the table, which he was alternately reading, and making notes in from time to time between mouthfuls.
He'd listened to the concerns of the crew, but paid them no mind. Zarz was sure the captain knew what he was doing...
"Must be the worlds smallest book of recipes," Kias says to the crew man sitting next to him. He swirls the liquid around with his spoon. "How I long for some proper meat.
Kias looks up as the man speaks to his ferret. "The rats may be more tasty, but they also might try to make a meal out of your weasel." Kias says with a chuckle.
Aerys laughs. "I wouldn't worry about Nyx. He fights dirty." He gestures to the bowl of soup. "Although, if the rats have been living off food such as this, they're not to be underestimated. The name's Aerys - what draws you to Sargava, friend?"
On hearing the call to supper Asasha gave a smile, she knew that most of the passengers, and even the crew compplained incessantly about Cook's meals, but she had known far worse growing up on the streets of Korvosa. Patetiently the young girl waited for her relief to make his way slowly up to the crows' nest atop the Jeneviere's mainsail, it seemed to take an age and, as soon as he arrived she vaulted over the rim of the platform and deftly slid, climbed and then dropped to the deck of the small ship. Quickly she scirted her way around some busy deck-hands, slipping through the cabin door and making her way to the galley where her steaming meal waited. Without ceremony she jumped into her seat and began noisily slirping the greyish liquid, glancing around the table to see which of the passengers were joining her for dinner tonight.
Captain Kovack stands next to the porthole, looking out into the gloom. He waves away the bowl the cook offers him. "No, thank you Rambar. I'm not hungry now. Perhaps later."
Several moments later, he seems to relent. "Rambar, bring me two bowls of that soup. I'll take some to our absent guests, see how they're faring." Once he has the two bowls in hand, Captain Kovack sketches a brief bow to the table, then heads out the door.
Kieran sips the soup slowly. 73 days and the food isn't getting any better! First thing I'll do in Eledar; getting a nice roast lamb, that's for sure. "Nice soup ain't it?" says Kieran to the young girl, noisily slurping her soup. "I'm sure there's enough for extras." Without waiting for a reply Kieran adds,"Asasha's your name yes? Any idea where's the captain headed to by any chance?"
Kieran sips the soup slowly. 73 days and the food isn't getting any better! First thing I'll do in Eledar; getting a nice roast lamb, that's for sure. "Nice soup ain't it?" says Kieran to the young girl, noisily slurping her soup. "I'm sure there's enough for extras." Without waiting for a reply Kieran adds,"Asasha's your name yes? Any idea where's the captain headed to by any chance?"
"Yeah, it's OK i guess." replies the girl, I wouldn't know where he's going. To see the others i guess?"
Well, I meant by the change in course. As a member of the crew surely you're more privy to the ongoings aboard this ship?
"The change in course?" Asasha replies as she wipes her mounth on her sleave. She then leans forward slightly and lowers her voice to a whisper. "No, I don't know anythin' about that. Between you and me some o' the crew are a bit worried. I've only been aboard since Magnimar but those as have been on the crew a bit longer say its not like 'im to change course without explainin' why."
Rumors from the horse's mouth such as this somehow lessens the blandness of the soup to nothing at all. Kieran lifts up his spoon and notices his bowl, nearly empty. Hmm. Hmm. Hope its nothing to do with the prisoner in the brig I've been hearing about, or that Varisian woman too.
Slowly, almost softly, the entire world fades to black as unconsciousness claims you all.
Asasha - 20
Aerys - 7
Kias - 19
Zarsuket - 7
As you open your eyes, you see blue sky overhead. When you look toward your feet, you see a yellowish-brown segmented body half-sitting on your legs. One of its claws holds your boot. It seems like a lobster, but it has some features slightly more in common with scorpions.
Init:
free action to release spring-loaded wrist sheaths (daggers) then slash at the "lobster" with one of the two knives.
Attack: (+4 mod, -4 prone)
Confirm Crit:
Damage:
The creature recoils at being stabbed by what it thought was inanimate prey. As you move, you feel a wave of nausea rolling out of your stomach. The creature hisses, then lashes out at you with what turns out to be a stinger in its tail. The sting itself doesn't hurt too much, but then it burns with a small fire.
Map link doesn't seem to be working.
Fort: (was that save vs. being sickened?)
Kias hears the sound of surf. He stretches and reaches for his blanket, not quite ready to wake, but finds only. . .sand? He sits bolt upright and instantly reels from the pain throbing in his head.
"Where in all the hells am I?" He looks around trying to take in his surroundings.
Aerys wakes slowly, his mouth and throat dry and gritty as if they were filled with sand. His eyes fly open as he realizes, ironically, his mouth is actually filled with sand. He clears his throat with a blurted "What the..." as he sees a chitonous horror scuttling towards him. He attempts to wildly roll away a few feet and gain his footing.
Asasha stares in horror at the strange creature and pulls herself to her feet then slashes at the creature with one of her knives...
Asasha slashes at the creature as she stands, and the creature snaps at her with its claws, but neither strike.
Kias, coming to the realization that not only is he on a beach, but there are creatures attacking, stands and reaches for his weapon.
Kias, a few feet away from the scene that has so far played itself out, stands and draws a longsword.
The creature between Asasha and Kias, startled by the movement behind it, turns and lashes out with its stinger, striking the sand near Kias's foot. Its nearest companion circles the combatants without getting closer, while the further ignores the fight and moves forward to investigate the remaining bodies on the beach.
Asasha sways away from the creatures strike then takes a step to her left, putting her immediately behind it, opposite Kias she then slashes at it with her two knives..
attack 1:
damage 1: , sneak attack:
attack 2:
damage 2: , sneak attack:
(not sure if i should reduce sneak attack damage also for sickened? Not that it matters with those rolls!)
Kias dodges the beasts attack, and does one of his own.
Aerys, tries to roll a few feet from the hideous creature and gain his footing. Shaking off his confusion, he desperately tries to call forth the energies that constantly seem to flow through him.
Magic Missle
Asasha shifts, getting behind the distracted creature. Its constant skittering prevent her twin daggers from striking, however.
Kias, face to face with the thing, slashes at it with his sword, but it glances off the thing's carapace without doing any damage.
Aerys, waking up, rolls five feet and stands. His spell drills a small, neat hole in the side of the creature next to Zarzuket.
The first creature goes after Kias with claws and stinger, doing everything it can to hit him. One of its claws manages to snag a corner of fabric on his leg briefly, but the fabric tears and the creature is left with nothing.
The second creature, who was just drilled by the spell, turns to face this new menace that just hurt it. It steps forward and lashes out with its stinger. Unfortunately for it, it doesn't connect.
The third creature, seeing this new action playing out in front of it, stands its ground and prepares to strike anything that comes near it.
Initiative:
The sound of fighting laced with intermittent sounds of waves gradually nudges Kieran awake. Tasting the edges of bile on his throat, Kieran manages to hold it in with a gag.
Move: Rolls to North-West
Standard: Cast Bless 50ft blast - +1 to attack and save vs fear - 1/6 rounds
"Damn beast! Kias swings again.
:
Gritting her teeth Asasha steps in and slashes at the creature again...
attack 1:
damage 1: , sneak attack:
attack 2:
damage 2: , sneak attack:
Confirm critical (attack 1):
Aerys spits a curse, seeing the creature still standing. He skips back another step and again slams a bolt towards his foe.
Magic Missle
Asasha steps in and manages to connect solidly with one of her daggers, punching a hole in the creature's carapace. The other dagger skids off the hard substance. Almost at the same moment, Kias swings his longsword, bringing it crashing down on the creature and opening a long gash in its upper side. The creature collapses to the sand, leaking.
Aerys, stepping back to get enough range for his spell, casts another dart of energy at the creature in front of him. This one punches a hole in the top of the creature's head, and it sinks to the sand looking nearly untouched, but for a small amount of fluid leaking from it.
The remaining creature moves forward to strike at Aerys, knowing on some instinctual level that this one was responsible for its companion's collapse. Its tail connects with the sand at Aerys's feet.
Kieran rolls backward and to his feet. Surveying the situation, he casts a spell to help his companions in the fight against the small creatures that are attacking them.
Kias moves towards the remaing creature.
Seeing the sole critter threat, Kieran takes a step towards it whilst drawing his long spear. An attempted jab tries to pierce the caraspace and strike the soft innards within.
To Hit:
Damage:
Hoping to conserve some of his arcane energies, Aerys pulls his shortspear lose from its shoulder strap and stabs it between the creature's glassy, unblinking eyes.
Seeing Aerys in trouble Asasha runs over to take up a position on the oppostite side of the creature from Aerys. Hardly pausing she slashes downward,...
attack 1:
damage 1: , sneak attack:
Asasha darts forward and slashes at the creature, but she doesn't quite manage to strike it.
Kias moves toward the remaining creature, weighed down by his armor.
Aerys rather spectacularly fails to hit the creature with his short spear. The creature just stares at him with its inscrutable arachno-crustacean eyes.
The creature lashes out again with claws and stinger. One of its claws connects with Aerys's ankle and squeezes hard. It only manages to leave a bad bruise, though.
Kieran shifts position, getting his hands on his spear. He jabs at the creature, but misjudges the creature's height and hits a spot two inches above its shell.
Fumble Check
Jabbing at air Kieran adjusts his aim a little and hopes for the best.
attack 1:
damage 1: , sneak attack:
attack 2:
damage 2: , sneak attack: