Whatis it that you are looking for? I have seen you here a few days now and you are always looking out at the horizon?
Although hesitant at first to respond to the young woman, Thorion found her timing to be palatable. Her curiosity was understandable considering he had demonstrated a reoccurring pattern that might have easily been misunderstood. After considering the woman’s words, he pulled the silver-lined hood of his cloak down, to allow the sun a moment to warm his freshly shaved head.
“I find the sound of the crew, working in balance to keep this vessel on course, to be relaxing. I am not exactly sure why this is, but it seems to help clear my mind. I have also grown fond of the sea air. The ship seems turbulent, with complex interactions between passengers and the crew alike. I find solace here. Peace, with just enough humanity in the background, to remind me that I am part of something larger than my current comfort zone.” Thorion waited a moment after completing his response, then pulled his hood back up over his head in order to covenant his pale complexion from being over exposed to the sun.
Thorion's awkwardness became apparent as the interaction progressed, but the priest seemed more at ease with the woman than he had been with other members of the crew. “My name is Thorion. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Are you generally assigned to work on this part of the ship?” The priest asked while standing unmoved from his current location.
"Well, that's an over reaction." Mischa blurts out. "Half the crew has grabby hands. We'll be adrift at sea before long."
Sasha looks at Mischa incredulously. You think so? Perhaps I will cut off their grabby hands? She says and again without a trace of levity.
"I'm Mischa," she repeats loudly, curious if the woman is hard of hearing or terribly distracted. "I'm a traveller of no real occupation." she adds.
Yes! Yes! Sometimes having no occupation is an occupation. I am a humble varisian scholar!
Rii-Chi continues his normal routine, much reassured by Mischa's support and the positive opinion of the First Mate. After he puts together the rumours about a prisoner he makes a point of watching the First Mate, and follows him into the bowels of the ship - curious to find out about this prisoner.
Mischa stares at Sasha as if she were a mad. "That would be illegal. And foolish. Let's leave maiming the crew off of your to-do's. Kay?"
Aaaaaand they let a psycho on board. I'd best sleep with one eye open from now on...
---
Mischa raises an eyebrow at the strange scholar. "Uh-huh." she remarks aloud. "Yes... You said that already." Mischa smiles awkwardly and extricates herself from the conversation. "Okay, have a nice time... settling in."
---
Mischa watches the First Mate disappear with curiosity.
“I find the sound of the crew, working in balance to keep this vessel on course, to be relaxing. I am not exactly sure why this is, but it seems to help clear my mind. I have also grown fond of the sea air. The ship seems turbulent, with complex interactions between passengers and the crew alike. I find solace here. Peace, with just enough humanity in the background, to remind me that I am part of something larger than my current comfort zone.” Thorion waited a moment after completing his response, then pulled his hood back up over his head in order to covenant his pale complexion from being over exposed to the sun.
Neltji continues to work as she talks to Thorion, she didn't want to be seen as a slacker by the crew. Glad to meet you Thorion. I am glad to here that this is a place of peace for you and not that you are trouble by anything else. Sometimes I look out to see where we are going or where we have come from. It all depends on your perspective I suppose.
Thorion's awkwardness became apparent as the interaction progressed, but the priest seemed more at ease with the woman than he had been with other members of the crew. “My name is Thorion. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Are you generally assigned to work on this part of the ship?” The priest asked while standing unmoved from his current location.
Neltji pauses as she best tries to answer the man's question. That is a good question and not one easily answered. I suppose you could say that I go where I can and do what I can to help. I am not really assigned anywhere in particular but I help out to pay for my passage on the ship.
You can tell that Neltji wants to ask more questions of the man but she has noticed his solitude many times now and isn't sure if she should press her luck with the strange man. Deciding to leave it up to the man she states simply, If you wish me to work here tomorrow I can see about that?
If you wish me to work here tomorrow I can see about that?
Thorion took a moment to consider the woman’s offer. As a rule, he had avoided most interactions with the crew whenever possible, but for some reason he found himself comforted by the woman’s company.
“It would be an honor to entertain your company, if you find yourself free enough from your duties to engage in conversation,” the priest responded while trying to maintain a somber visage. “It will likely be a long voyage. A light conversation from time to time would be pleasing, besides you seem like a very level headed and intelligent young lady. I believe the conversation would prove to be compelling.”
@Rii-Chi: Alton brings the food to a small locked room where the good captain transports things that he does not want the rest of the crew to know about.
Mischa stares at Sasha as if she were a mad. "That would be illegal. And foolish. Let's leave maiming the crew off of your to-do's. Kay?"
Can’t make any promises. Sasha states matter-of-factly.
Mischa raises an eyebrow at the strange scholar. "Uh-huh." she remarks aloud. "Yes... You said that already." Mischa smiles awkwardly and extricates herself from the conversation. "Okay, have a nice time... settling in."
Yes! Yes! I will be studying for I am a varisian scholar!
"Yeeeees..." Mischa remarks slowly to the scholar with a raised eyebrow and heavy suspicion.
What is wrong with this woman?
Neltji beams at the implied compliment from Thorion. Why thank you kind sir. I hope to meet your expectations and not be a droll companion in our talks. I do ask a lot of questions so if I get too carried away please let me know for I do love to learn new things and hear all sorts of things from people.
"Alriiiight. Have a good time... being a scholar."
Mischa nods in farewell and climbs into her bunk to wait for the ship to leave port. She braids strips of her hair, fiddles with the tassels on her scarves, and examines her painted wooden ring in boredom.
Once the ship sets sail again she waits another twenty minutes, giving the sailors time to find their rhythm on deck. Then she unbraids her hair, rolls out of bed, and gets some fresh air on deck.
Noticing Rii-Chi in the rigging, and Neltji Mischa waves at them both in greeting. Then she leans against an open spot of railing and watches the port slowly disappear into the distance.
The ship rocked tirelessly to the rhythm of the waves crashing up against its hull. Thorion found the increase in motion to be soothing, even though it made it difficult to stay afoot. The salty sea air carried the fumes of the oil that burned in the ship’s lanterns, which caused an unusual fragrance that generally christened the beginning of sunset. The priest’s daily routine of posting up on the ship’s bow, and watching the sun fade into the distance, comforted him greatly. The ritual not only brought solace to his troubled mind, it also provided an opportunity for him to explore a human interaction that intrigued him. Like clockwork, he knew his presence would draw the attention of a specific member of the crew. The woman was generally polite when she approached, even though he generally seemed distant.
The conversation usually began with a simple gesture, or basic question, which almost always led to an answer that diverted from the question’s original intent. Over time, the priest seemed to become more and more at ease with the young woman, which eventually brought about a better understanding of his past.
On one particular evening, Thorion stood rigidly at the bow of the ship, while the wind fought relentlessly against the hood of his cloak. The ship jumped and tossed turbulently, while its crew struggled to maintain the vessel’s original heading. On that evening, Neltji began what she thought was going to be another light conversation with the priest, but found the man deep in thought. She knew that he heard her words even though the conversation was absent of his normal diversional response.
Shadowed by the ship’s mast, the priest broke his granite-like expression and then turned to Neltji with a look on his face that cut straight through her. After taking a deep breath, he began to speak in an unusually soft tone. “I was young, when death first found me. It came to my home under the cover of night and showed no mercy. I had a close up view of its unrelenting quarter, and new it for what it was. I can safely say that death has no boundaries, nor does it hold anything sacred. It leaves a wake of pain that cannot be measured. Even as a child, I was able to identify its finality.”
After taking a moment to carefully consider his next statement, Thorion continued. “I was only twelve, and yet I knew my life had changed in a way that could not be undone. I watched as the dead rose up and violated the sanctity of my home. The sheer horror of it alone, was enough to cause most people to pull away. Still, I found myself transfixed on the abomination’s brutality. I remember feeling every ounce of my life being frozen in that moment. I tried to scream, but found no sound. I was helpless, weak, and frozen in place with fear. Every person I ever loved, was stripped from me that night. I remember the devastation that was left behind. The unrecognizable state they left my family, and the sheer damage that was inflicted upon my home. It seemed like my entire life was destroyed within that frozen moment.”
Thorion leaned a little more on his scythe before continuing. It was obvious that the recollection weighed heavy upon him. “The church found me in a vulnerable state. Alone, young, and devastated by the event. It was understandable that I found refuge within its ranks. There were those within the church that understood the finality of death and new how to help me recover from the experience. Unfortunately, I found myself withdrawn from others. Withdrawn to the point that most my childhood was spent alone. To this day, I still find a great deal of comfort in solitude. That being said, there are times, like today, that I find comfort in reminding myself that I am part of humanity. That I am not alone, and that my place in this world represents something more than just simply existing. Our conversations has helped to fill that need, and I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your patients, and how much I value your time.”
Thorion turned back to the horizon and then took another deep breath. “Now that you know a little about my history, perhaps you can share something interesting about yours?”
Perched in the rigging high above Rii-Chi shows uncharacteristic patience when he catches Thorion telling his life story. Swinging quietly down Rii-Chi settles himself against the booms above the priest and hangs quietly while he listens to the story. The story leaves the Vanara somber as he swings away, heading for the familiar figure of Mischa further down the deck.
"Mischa friend. May I ask your help? There is someone being kept locked up in this ship and I don't know what to do about it."
"Of course, Rii-Chi. What is it?" After waiting for him to finish Mischa looks worried. "Tell me what you know."
Neltji waves to Mischa as the Varisian comes out on deck. Good morning to you. Hopefully you slept well?
Moving on from Mischa Neltji started swabbing the deck until she reached the bow where Thorion could be found daily looking at the horizon. Neltji approached him the same as she did every day cautious not to interrupt his reverie if he did not want company. However, he always seemed willing to talk to her. Smiling Neltji asked him how his day had been and if the hustle and bustle of ship life had become mundane yet. She was completely thrown off guard though when that simple question of the mundane turned into the extraordinary.
She quickly stopped swabbing the deck as she stood in rapt attention to his story. The intensity and passion that he expressed told her more than maybe even the words he used. As he spoke multiple questions rose from within begging to be asked. How did the dead rise up, how did you survive, do you have any extended family left... but she refrained from asking those personal questions. Instead she dropped to her knees on the wood over come with grief for the poor soul before her.
when he was finished she tried to speak but found it hard to find the right words. That is... what? Terrible, sad, unfortunate, unfair.. All of those words were options but none of them seemed complete enough to encapsulate the horror that befell Thorion. Instead she simply used, ...so tragic. I am so, so sorry for your loss at such a young age. I am only glad that you survived as you did. Life must have been so difficult for you. Not that I need to mention it as you lived through it. Oh, I am sorry for rambling on like this. With that Neltji jumps to her feet and wraps her arms around the priest before her as she begins to sob silently. she didn't think Thorion would approve of such an intimate act but she couldn't help herself.
--------------------
Eventually Neltji was able to calm herself and could focus on the question that Thorion posed of her. It didn't seem fair though as nothing in her life could equal the experience that he just divulged. I don't have anything like that in my past, she starts. The most meaningful thing to happen to me was the day I met Anthony. It seemed just like any other day as I was collecting shellfish for my momma to cook and sell to make some extra money.
It was Neltji's turn to look off to the horizon as she remembered the day. The place where I went to collect the shellfish was a tiny beach just a 10minutes walk from my house. At the beach there were these large boulders that were close to 8 feet across each. They had been piled up against each other like some giant of years past tried to clear the beach. Well they were right on the edge of the water and if you were small you could squeeze between 2 of the boulders to get inside. Inside it was darker but once the eyes adjusted you could see ok. Well it was that private little area in the shade and calm water that I would find the shellfish. they would come in from the hot sun and cool themselves there. The day in question that I met Anthony I was squeezing myself between the boulders when I saw this scorpion poised just inches from my hand. I knew that if I jerked back it would take the sudden motion as a threat and try to sting me with its tail. Instead I very slowly pulled my hand and the rest of myself back from the boulders. The scorpion moved with me though. It was peculiar as every move I made it did as well. I had never seen a creature do this before. Curiosity overcame my caution and I advanced closer. It did not move not raise its tail. Stretching a hand out very slowly I waited to see if it would approach. Only after what felt like an eternity of it staring at me, judging me I think, it crawled onto my hand.
Since that day I have a connection to Anthony and a connection to...something else. I don't know how to explain it other than I feel like I can tap into reality. I was, and am kind of scared, of this ability so I don't do it too often. Leaning in conspiratorially, However I do know that if I spend tiem with him each day he lets me do magic!
"Oh, as well as can be expected with Ieana always yammering on about being a simple 'Varisian scholar,' " she laughs good-naturedly. "And you?"
After speaking with Neltji, Mischa bids her farewell, but is soon distracted by Rii-Chi.
While Neltji began her story, Thorion continued to enjoy the sunset with a somber expression. The priest’s lack of reaction seemed as if he hadn’t been listening, but then something uncharacteristic happened. Thorion looked down at Neltji, who had been kneeling on the ship’s hard wood deck, and smiled warmly.
Eventually the heavy wind died down, which allowed the ship’s crew a small reprieve from the constant tug-o-war that had been going on. In the distance, Thorion watched as the sun made its final approach to the horizon, while the rough sea settled enough that the ship was able to regain a smooth forward motion. With his granite-like expression in place, the priest offered a hand to Neltji, in an attempt to help the young woman back to her feet before heading back down to the ship’s common room. As Thorion began to walk away, he paused for a moment, and then uttered a simple question. “Do you still entertain the company of the scorpion?”
The Jenivere leaves its second to last port of call and heads to the last port of call - Eleder. One evening the passengers are all gathered together for dinner. All except Ieana who was feeling a bit seasick. The cook, not one known for a strong imagination, feeds the standard fare. Aerys slurs out a 'thanks'. Gelik says a rat he saw earlier would make a better meal. Ishirou grunts. Sasha eyes him balefully. You all eat without much excitement and with the routine small talk until your eyes start to feel heavy...
The same Ochre Eurypterid tries to pinch again.
The rest, seeing its companion have some luck surges forward!
"GYAHHH! Get away from me, vermin! Caine shouts. He instinctively tries to get some distance between himself and the crustacean by standing up and dashing to his gear.
"Hey! Hey, everyone! Wake up!" he shouts to his fellow passengers.
Caine wakes up to the realization that he is about to be some critter’s dinner and backs away from the hungry pest . The Ochre Eurypterid will not let its dinner get away so easily and tries to pinch him again.
The Ochre Eurypterids pursue their escaping prey with three of them trying to pinch Caine and the other three trying to pinch Munkustrap.
The ones attacking Munkustrap do so gingerly and miss completely and do not wake the sleeping catfolk!
Rii-Chi feels the effects of whatever that was and wakes up, but like Caine, is sickened.
Thorion stirs awake at Caine's cries, while Mischa dreams of Caine hunting in some godsforsaken jungle and having the tables turned on him.
Grateful for his armor's protection and beset by lobsterscorps, Caine is about to brave another flurry of attacks to fish his long sword out of the pile when he suddenly remembers he usually has a dagger on him. Just about rolling his eyes at his own foolishness in his panic, he draws it from his belt and jabs at one of his tormentors.
Rii-Chi's ears pick up a chittering noise and the Vanara is almost instantly upright - standing on his hands, but that seems to make almost no difference to the monkey.
He scurries over the sleeping catfolk and lashes out at one of the scuttling insects.
perception Neltji
Hearing the shouts Neltji stirs awake looking around at unfamiliar territory. Blinking rapidly she sees Caine on his feet being attacked. Calling upon some of her abilities from Anthony to hex the creature on Caine.
Standard action evil eye DC 14 will save negate or -2 to AC for 7 rounds. Success is only 1 round duration.
Neltji then stands up to better move around as she needs to.
Thorion stirs awake at Caine's cries, while Mischa dreams of Caine hunting in some godsforsaken jungle and having the tables turned on him.
Tossing in her sleep, Mischa mutters, "Behind you..."
Like a hungry diner, Caine easily slips his dagger under the shell of one of the lobster-scorpion and kills the thing.
Rii-Chi rises from his slumber and goes to the sleeping Munkustrap's aid.
Neltji wakes up and gives one of the critters the evil eye.
Thorion stirs awake to the sound of the clamber of chaos and the oncoming tide. Thorion’s eyes opened quickly, once he grasped the fact that he was no longer aboard the ship. Do to the extreme change in environment, he found himself distraught and full of questions. Questions that had to be put aside, once he realized the immediate threat of the crab-like creatures.
Realizing the danger, Thorion pulled himself to his feet and then began moving to the pile of items that was left on the beach.
Thorion goes to the pile of weapons and pulls his out.
Munkustrap purrs while he slumbers.
Two of the ochre eurypterids attack Caine, two attack Rii-chi and the last think a sleeping Munkustrap is still the better option.
After locating his distinctive weapon, Thorion carefully consider his options. Although the Catfolk and Monkey-man clearly had a larger number of critters descending upon them, Thorion felt uncomfortable moving into combat with the two. In the mix of the chaos, he caught a glimpse of Neltji out of the corner of his eye. Without hesitation, he hefted his scythe over his shoulder and then moved up to engage the crustaceans that posed the greatest threat to the young deckhand.
Neltji sees Caine down one f the things and targets another one with a hex. Hopefully if she can stay out of the way she will be able to hex the things enough to keep them from taking more of his hide.
Target second OE on Caine with evil eye for -2 to attacks. Save dc 14.
Mischa opens her eyes on the beach, wet and ill. She climbs to her feet shakily.
"Where... am...?"
Seeing the strange creatures, Mischa wracks her brain, trying to make sense of her surroundings.
She steps forward nimbly and swings a fist at the nearest eurypterid that's beside Munkustrap. As her fist nears the sea creature it suddenly becomes covered in a thick, tough bark.
Angry at the pinching he just suffered, and the fact that one of the creatures pulled out a tuft of fur(!!) Rii-Chi stamps left and right at the creatures.
Coming to, Munkustrap opens one eye. Rather than the dark, cramped, and odious dining hall of the Jenivere he finds himself lying in a bed of wet sand. Somehow, someway, he can feel it is not the shock of a new surrounding that has him most troubled, or the crustacean that is trying to claw him, but the sensation of sand everywhere. Regaining his senses, he can feel sand, there, right there, of all places.
Trying his best to block out the sheer uncomfortableness of it, he flicks his wrist and a dagger appears like magic
Eyeing the eurypterid closest to him, he flicks out with his dagger.
Somewhat buoyed by being able to kill one of the lobsterscorps, Caine jabs at the second one.
"Anybody know what the hellfire is going on and how we got here?!?
I think that set of damage from OE4 is for Rii-Chi and not me?
Caine is on a roll and kills the second one!
Rii-chi tries to stomp the creatures, but the only thing he accomplishes is an awkward dance!
Mischa realizing that she might be on an island and seeing debris scattered thinks they were shipwrecked! She staggers forward and manages to find the sweet spot at kills one of the Eurypterids.
Munkustrap opens his eyes and is surprised to see a battle raging about him! His dagger is quickly brought into play and he too kills an Eurypterid.
Neltji looks evilly at the remaining one on Caine.
The one Eurypterid tries to attack Caine again but misses. the second Eurypterid ignores the dancing Rii-Chi and tries to attack Munkustrap but also misses.
Mischa circles south around Munkustrap and the dead eurypterid, until she reaches the live one that's pinching the catfolk. As she moves her hands become covered in spiny bark. She winds up and punches the crustacean with her wooden fist.
The creatures were dropping quickly and that was good news for Caine. Yet there was still one remaining that Neltji could hex. Turning her attention to the thing she gives it the evil eye again to reduce its ability to defend itself.
evil eye DC 14 -2 to AC. success only 1 round fail 7 rounds.
After carefully considering his position, Thorion brought his Scythe into a low side swing. The attack was swift and silent.
Exhaling sharply, Munkustrap gleefully pulls his dagger out of the eurypterid armored body to a spray of green blood. He sees one still attacking him interposed between Rii-Chi and himself.
He once again trusts to the luck of the blade and strikes out.
Caine starts to feel a bit less stressed, no longer being the beset by quite so many of the lobsterscorps. But also knowing this is no time to simply rest, he jabs out with his dagger again, hoping to stop the creature continuing to menace him.
His jab, however, is wide of the mark.
Is there anything on the map besides our tokens and a black squiggle to represent water? I don't see a grid or anything. Just curious!
Everyone does their best to put down the remaining eurypterids, but everyone fails to hit the small critters (Even Neltji's evil eye has no effect!).
The eurypterid on Munkustrap feels confident that it can't be hit and doubles down with both pincers.
Adjusting her position slightly so she's flanking with Munkustrap, Mischa winds up and punches the crab monster with a bark covered fist.
Howling in pain, Munkstrap glowers at the critters before him. "Enough already. Get these blasted eurypterid's off of me and into a pot of boiling water!"
It seems that these last two creatures were impervious to anything that the group was doing. Changing tactics slightly she targets the lobstrosity with a different hex hoping to have it fail miserably and protect Caine further.
Misfortune hex save dc 14 or roll twice taking the worst of the 2 rolls for the next round.
Having withdrawn his scythe with little effect on the small lobster like creature, Thorion decided to make a second attempt to cut into the hard shell of the crustacean.