"Yes, it's a bit... different," she says. "I came to help because I heard about the crypt, but I guess that's over and done."
A dark shadow crosses Jaed eyes when he hears the word necromancer.
But after a few seconds he burst into laughter: "You look nothing like our old friend Asar! I am very happy to be around someone who can shoo away any damn skeletons we come across."
"Especially since I couldn't." Sato adds.
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"I have tried many times to sneak past our foes to prevent starting a fight but it's not easy with the loudest dwarf in the country and a fighter wearing so much armor that sounds like a rattle,"
The final member of the adventuring party who had remained silent, prehaps regretting that last Belgium waffle in the light of a boat ride, finally introduces himself as Etam. He then nods towards the ship where Cygar and the dwarf he had been conversing with seem to be waiting. "I think it's time we get started on our journey. We can talk more on the trip to Tamran."
The group wanders over. Cygar simply states, "This is Captain Walren," before walking away away.
The dwarf in question blinks a few times, mouth open and closing. "Ne'er get used ta that." He shakes himself once before turning to you all with a big grin. "As our friend said, I be Walren, captain o' this fine vessel: the Black Mist." It's not a large vessel, but his chest puffs out, clearly proud of her. "Cygar said ye be travelin' ta the great city o' Tamran? Ne'er fret for ol' Walren'll get ye thar. We be headed thataways ta sell our cargo o' ingots from Skelt anyhows. All I ask is that ye lend a hand should any trouble arise. But come aboard! Let me show intraduce ye to yer home fer the next 6 days."
He leads you all up the gang plank and on to the ship. It's a very boxy looking thing, running 60 feet long and 20 feet wide with small sails to help propel it. The back third of the barge is a cabin-like structure. This is where the dwarf leads you. Inside the structure there are 8 cots. Kneeling next to one of them is a heavily scarred Kellid man pulling some rope into a coil. The captain waves at him. "That there's Ewem, me deck hand. Ewem, say hi ta our guests!" The man looks up, silently raising a hand in greeting. In a loud whisper, Walren explains, "His Common ain't so great, so he's not much o' a talker."
Back in his normal voice, he continues. "Well, that's about it. We got a privy out back and a kitchen b'low deck. No need ta go there though; Ewem'll take care o' yer meals. She ain't much ta look at, but she's reliable and she's mine. Were there any questions afore we set sail?"
"Looks cozy." Sato observes. "Is this bunk free? I like this one." he gestures to a bed that is farther from the doors.
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"No, thank you, captain," says Lily. "I'll just... get cozy somewhere." She clutches at her satchel as she makes her way aboard.
"So, if we do run afoul of animated skeletons, I can try to drive them off. It's a hit-or-miss kind of magic but yes, I can do that," she says after she climbs gracefully onto the ship, continuing the conversation from before.
Jaed has never lived a life of opulence so the ship looks good enough to him.
He thanks Walren in Dwarven and continues speaking in Common. "Let's hope no trouble arises. And if it does, don't you worry, our friend Sato can hypnotize any fish that may attack us," he says winking at the sorcerer.
The sorcerer chuckles, patting his belly.
"If I pull that off, perhaps I can have them cook themselves and hop onto our plates too!" he laughs. "Would make for fun fishing, I think."
"I have never been on a ship before," Finnrick says with a smile taking off his pack and laying it next to one of the bunks. "Why, that would be a sight to see." Finnrick laughs, referring to Sato's comment about fishing.
Lily sits down on a bench and smiles. "We may be aboard ship a while, so we might as well get to know each other! What brought you all to a life of adventure?" she asks.
UGGGH, a boat. I like solid ground...
"Well, you can always take a walk and we'll meet you there," Jaed says before sticking out his tongue at the dwarf.
He then proceeds to answer Indileth's question as he places his belongings on one of the beds. "Actually, I grew bored of life in a small town so I joined to this flame finding mess. But that made me realize that one can actually make some good gold while being well away from this sink hole."
"What about you? How did someone like you wind up involved with dark magic?"
"That's always the question," says Lily. "I had a good aptitude for magic as a young elf, but I had a lot of trouble with the kinds of tricks and enchantments that are the usual staple of elves looking to keep outsiders away from our homelands - misdirection and charms and things. For several years my mentor had a hard time trying to get me to master those kinds of spells, and it was very frustrating. But we eventually discovered that there were some bits of magic that just... came naturally to me. The first was a small cantrip, a spell usually used for fighting undead. I just seemed to grasp it so easily. It's all about the interface between this world and the realms of pure energy, the shade or the void or whatever you want to call it and the source or the stream or whatnot that is its opposite, and how power flows from one to the other like a river running downhill. Um, anyway, it was an area of study that came naturally to me."
She shifts uncomfortably and continues, "...as you might imagine this caused some consternation. Usually this is kind of a taboo subject. There's just so much damage that someone can do with that kind of magic. But I kept persevering, and I was sure that I would never fall into the trap of becoming one of those kinds of wizards."
"Eventually my mentor said he couldn't teach me any more. He said that his kind of magic just didn't align with my predilections and I should look for a new teacher. But I think... I think really he was concerned that if he kept teaching me that I might... start to try using the kinds of dangerous spells that are best left aside."
"I never wanted to have any kind of 'power over death' or 'undead minions' or anything like that, and I still don't. I study magic because magic is one of my talents and I like it. But I never want to use it to... chain up people's souls or turn their bodies into monsters. That would be awful. There's no beauty or art in it. So I don't."
"I learned some things that complement my talents," she finishes. "I spent a few years working as a mortician, of all things. It's sobering - elves, you know, we don't quite age the same way that people do. I mean, we do age, we get frail and eventually go away, but it's not as... hard for us as it is for... other people. And I saw how that process is something meaningful and I never wanted to... to defile what that means for people."
Sato flops down on the bed and winces when he does so. How is this less comfortable than a mattress on the floor? he wonders, sitting up and rubbing his back. He listens to the conversations and his companions' stories with a smile, but doesn't offer anything until they're done.
"Where I come from... Dtang Ma... sorcerous blood is an indication of strength. Fey magic is quite potent in me. Traveling around, helping others... it's just good public relations, as far as the family is concerned. I have done so with their blessing."
The young silent warrior, even more stiff than his usual self, moves towards the bed closest to the door. He is tall and muscular, with short dark hair and beard. He wears the ancient chainmail that belonged to Asar, now spotless clean, with a heavy spear on his back and some chakrams tied to his belt. Despite his weapons and armour, he gives off a simple and unassuming air, though some faint disturbance seems to linger around him. "I will stay close to the entrance, in case the situation takes a turn for the worst."
After meticulously inspecting the bed and putting down his backpack, he turns to Lilly and Sato. "Excuse my manners, mistress Amaneldth and master Shisui. I am afraid our incursion into the crypt has left me in a taciturn mood. I am Etam Rethgifner, spearman." the fighter says, bowing towards his new companions. "I aim to uphold the tradition of my family and continue studying the art of the spear. It has been decided that collaborating with the society is a good way to proceed with my studies, and thus here I am."
After saying that, he starts listening to Lilly's story. The humming that has haunted the warrior for the past days grow louder and clearer. He catches himself whistling it and stops immediately, not demonstrating his concern with yet another small act that for a brief moment seemed out of his control. More than once, during Etam's daily sparring with his sisters, there were moments when he felt his hands were commanded by something else; on others where he would reminisce about things that did not happen to him. He refocuses his attention on the elf.
The first 3 days pass without much incident and in good weather. Many of you take the time to enjoy the sun and last remnants of warmth before winter sets in. Soon the barge leaves the Tourondel River and enters Lake Encarthan, marking the half way point of your journey. Here the weather takes a turn for the worse as your journey is plagued by steady rain. It lets up a few times, just long enough to stretch your legs and avoid going stir crazy in the cabin in the back, which seems to get smaller and smaller with each passing day. It's not quite clear who has it worse: you or the two merchants, who have to take turns standing in the cold rain to make sure you remain on course.
After almost another 3 days, the captain announces that you're nearing Tamran and should arrive that night so long as you push onwards. He seems a bit edgy but brushes off any queries he gets. Perhaps the long voyage as started to get to him.
Nothing much happens the rest of the day. It's about an hour after sunset when Ewem comes in looking grim. He converses softly in a foreign language with Captain Walren. Once this is done, Ewem runs below deck as Walren comes over to the rest of you. "Ewem spotted a small sailin' vessel headed our way. Could be nothin' but...these waters ain't 'xactly the safest, iff'n ye catch me drift. Ewem 'spects we have mebbe a minute 'r two afore th' ship reaches us. May be best ta prepare fer th' worst." He looks at you all expectantly as Ewem returns carrying a crossbow for the captain and him.
"Ah! Pirates?" Sato concludes. "Better go out and see if they're anything like the ones I find in Tian."
He'll go out to the deck and put his hands on his hips, looking around for the pirates.
Finnrick abandons his training of Millsy and the both rush to where they can see the ship. "oh I do hope that it's not pirates." Finnrick looks out into the sea trying to judge how far off they are and how long it will take for them to ob us.
Of course we can't have a nice and easy trip, Jaed thinks as he readies his swords and attaches the daggers to his belt.
"Let's go wave at those pirates," he says following Sato outside.
The rain makes things cold and unpleasant. It also makes it hard to see.
Sato will glance around the deck and sigh, heading back below. "I'm sorry, I don't see anything. Which direction were they coming from?" he asks.
"Damn rain! I cannot see anything either."
Let me try:
Looks like a small sailing vessel. Maybe 'bout the size of a couple of larger row boats. About 600 yards off the bow, and closing...
"I see it too," says Lily. "Four people? No flag."
Would there be a bonus for dark/low-light vision on this check?
Good eyes, elf.
Etam gets his weapons and goes to the deck. 'Well, the Rethgifners never were good sailors anyhow', he thinks, failing to see anything beyond the rain.
Once Artair points the direction, the warrior turns to Jaed: "Master Zandorias, try to position yourself somewhere where they cannot see you. This might give us an edge, if it gets ugly."
He then runs to Sato's side: "Master Shisui, it might be best if you handle the negotiations. I will be by your side in case things get out of hand."
Why do I feel it is going to get ugly? I will take your other side.
"Sure thing. I will hide on the other side of the ship."
Lily, if this turns ugly would it be better for you to be out of sight? The dwarf is a bit unsure how the elf best fights.
Finnrick, what about you and Millsy? Do you want to have the element of surprise?
Sato moves back onto the deck and stands, with his hands on his hips. Once the sailors come into view, he gives a jaunty wave and grins.
Artair stands to the left of Sato debating if he should use his crossbow or his axe...
"Where did you see them lady elf?" Finnrick asks following lily's gaze. He squints in the direction of where she had apparently seen the boat.
Are they getting closer?
Lily points in the direction of the boat, then says, "Better safe than sorry..."
Jaed hides as Sato and Etam await the oncoming vessel. Meanwhile, Lily prepares herself as Artair and Finnrick stand about. The ship in question is now a couple hundred feet closer as Sato finally sees the target of interest and waves. The people on the ship give no indication of noticing. Three of the four seem thoroughly engaged with manning the small vessel as the fourth directs them.
Captain Walren moves up on deck with his first mate, both pointing their crossbows at the oncoming men. "They'll be right alongside us in mebbe 'alf a minute, give 'r take."
Finnrick sends Millsy to hide among creates opposite of Jaed and then positions himself to greet the incoming ship.
He casts Enhanced Diplomacy on himself
Etam gets closer to Sato and hands him the magic missile wand the group had found in the crypt: "Master Shisui, this might be useful considering how our fellow travellers do not seem to be here to talk."
He then grunts to Artair: "This is not looking good, is it?"
Can we make out yet any details of the other crew, weapons, armor, cargo, etc?
Crouched under the deck railing at the bow of the ship, Jaed observes everyone getting into position.
For once it's not me doing all the talking. This may even end well.
At least it is not me doing the talking...
Nope! The dwarf takes up position on the other side of Sato. And readies his Crossbow.
Should we move towards where they are coming from, or take up position on the sides of the ship?
"Just wait a bit." Sato advises. "And try not to look *too* aggressive. I'll go talk to them."
Sato makes sure he's visible on the deck. He looks in the eye any of the men who look his way and gives them a smile. A knowing, predatory smile... almost as if he held all the cards, all the control of the situation.
Captain Walren looks at the rest of you, apparently waiting to see what you will do as Finnrick waits to follow the captain's lead. When it becomes obvious that you're at a stalemate he finally calls out, yelling to be held over the rain. "Ahoy!"
The voice finally prompts some of the men on the other ship to look up. Judging by his gesticulations, the man not engaged in running the vessel seems to speak rapidly to his companions. They move rapidly about and the ships seems to course correct slightly to avoid a collision though it still appears that it will pass right along side you. Once he's done giving them orders, the man who is presumably their captain puts his hands on either side of his mouth to yell back, "Ahoy there!" before also waving.
Artair lowers his crossbow, and trys to look just a little intimidating, while waiting for the events to play out.
"Ahoy fellow seafarers,"Finnrick yells over the sound of the storm not sure if seafarers is the correct term. "Who might you be and where might you be headed?"
He turns to the captain and adds I know that I don't speak for the ship but if we can avoid an altercation it would be for the best. We are not pirates either after all."
Well, at least these are polite pirates that say hello before boarding. If they are actually pirates.
Jaed continues to watch how the events unfold from his hiding.
"We was jus' in town ta drop off a few remainin' trade good afore winta an' hava lil' fun. 'Supposed ta leave earlier but ol' Johnny 'ere swore ta us tha the weather'd clear up if we jus' waited a tad."
"I don't like the feel of this one bit. They are clearly lying think I see armor under their cloaks, but it's hard to tell with All this rain," Finnrick says loud enough for his companions nearest him to hear.
"It seems like Johnny was mistaken,"Finnrick says with a nervous laugh trying to buy time while he contemplates his next move. "Maybe we can travel together two ships are safer than one. Though if we are to convoy in this storm it would be best to keep more distance between us, wouldn't want the waves to crash us into each other.
"These men look like bad news I don't think they are hear to talk" Finnrick thinks to himself as he runs through a list of possible spells if it came down to a fight. "I do hate cloudy days Saranrae's will is so much harder to discern."
Jaed awaits, nervously squeezing the hilts of his swords.