Seltyn is angry and still in shock over the loss of his friend. He'll let others argue with the intractable elder.
Obviously a Yale man!
Master Bopart speaks as he gathers up the witch's body. A black raven lands near him and begins to speak. He stops and seems to concentrate on the raven.
"The master hag from the ship is signaling she wishes to meet with me. I hate when people use magic or creatures--what happened to letters or just stopping by. I was given an official complaint for violations of neutrality. We have a claim from the Black Citadel for damages and reparations, and they are quite extensive. I am told one of our ships will be deemed sufficient if we cannot restore those lost to their prefight condition."
He looks at Seltyn--"Do metamagic devices truly cost almost a thousand platinum?"
The warchief of the elves speaks up. "The witches provoked this fight. They should not profit from it."
Master Bopart nods, "They were given my assurances of their safety. Unfortunately, I think they are manipulating this situation to their advantage. I did see the fight from my vantage point. The witch did taunt and threaten you."
Yes, they can.
Azlain returned in time to hear the last of Bopart's discussion. His mask was still off, but his face was no longer bleeding and his bad eye had cleared and now matched the other. His scars, while still disfiguring, were somehow much less horrifying. He shook his head at the Master and his council in frank disbelief.
"You people are idiots. First, you let a Hag from a place called the Black Citadel come to your island. You literally invited evil to your doorstep, and then you gave them assurances of their safety. Now, after violence ensued because of their actions, you have decided to pay them?"
"What the f!$# is wrong with you?"
Master Bopart looks at Azlain.
"You shall have a ship to keep the balance. This I can do for you. I will make it ready."
He adds
"We have evil in our abbey; these hags were nothing we can't handle. We are required to treat with all."
"Well, if you think about, you come out significantly ahead now. "
A ship for Seltyn and Company is being prepared in the harbor.
The 'Slipstream' is a three masted sailing vessel, the middle mast is of 'living wood' and is rooted in a dark, hardpacked soil with the consistency of the hardest clay. The vibrant semi-living green tree in the center supports a captive wind spirit that furls the main sail in the deadest calm (adds to ships speed at all times). Asleep with the ship for years, the guardian druid borne to care for the ship until its return for service is aboard. He seems to groggy and somewhat disoriented. His friendly ape companion seems to be easily moving up and down the large mainmast of green wood.
As you look at the ship, its sleek lines show that it was built for one thing, speed.
"That is a ship I would have given my right arm for. What are we waiting for?"
Not a damn thing, sir. Let's get this ship moving. We follow your command. We can lay Talon at rest on the sea, and give him an accustomed farewell. I would not rest him here.
May the gods bless him as he blessed us.
Seltyn looks to our warriors.
Suny, Talon and Wil, would you please conduct his body to the ship? We can honor our departed as elves at sea.
Suny stays away from the party at the moment. Cowing and shivering and staring back rather teary eyed at her companions....
Wil bows to Master Bopart before nodding to Seltyn, quietly and obediently following his order. He turns and approaches the teary-eyed Suny, not quite sure what to say to her and looking very awkward as he hesitated. "I'm not sure what I can say to make this better but can you help me carry Talon for now? I promise we can talk about what is bothering you as soon as he is taken care of."
Suny hesitantly nods and creeps over to help lit the burden that is her fallen friend, though her eyes stay either down cast or not looking at the others in the group.
He gives her shoulder a light squeeze with his free hand, trying to reassure his estranged comrade. He felt down that this day was going to be a long one and a lot of damage had been caused, he just hoped that it could be repaired. "Come brother, it's time we ready you for your final journey into the woods." He made a makeshift stretcher from two of the bastard swords and used his remaining blanket to wrap around the blades and sowed it shut. With that down he grabbed the end of the scabbards and let Suny have the hilts. He took his upper body, heaviest portion and made their way solemnly to the Slipstream...
More of the monks from the monastery come out to investigate the 'incident' and gaze at the gathered elves and the bodies on the ground. Including Master Bopart there are 10 total. It is quickly apparent that the monks wear a common set of 'robes' that the war chief says they call a gi. Master Bopart wears a grey gi along with three others. Three wear white gis and three wear black gis.
One of the three with the black gis look disapprovingly at Master Bopart as they gather up the remains of the witch and her dead companions. He is covered in a large body tatoo that gives him the appearance of a red devil.
The leader of the three monks in white robes approaches. He appears human except for an angelic look and presence about him. They help gather up Talon and prepare him for the rites of passage.
The angelic figure approaches. "You have defeated evil on this spot, that is to be commended. You have much more to accomplish. I will deal with the consequences."
Wil looked ready to resist but when they pulled off his meager attempts to cover Talon in a respectful way. He realized then that they were giving him final rites and reluctantly didn't protest. He took the sword off of Talon's chest and laid his hand on the rangers chest before they carried him away. [b[]"Merry meet and merry part brother, we will meet again in the woods of our fathers domain and we will travel together again. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you again."[/b]
As they take him away he held back his sadness as he knew deep down they would take care of him far better then he could. He turned to the War Leader then, removing his helm and bowing to him. "Thank you so much for your aid cousin, if we are parting here then I will personally see to it that your words reach the Queen's ear and I will advocate your position to their court. Even if it costs me their good graces. You have my word on that." He offers his hand to him and gives him a firm handshake solidifying his oath.
He bows deeply to Master Bopart in thanks. "I regret we didn't attempt the physical challenge but it has been an honor meeting you and your fellows despite the events of today. May you continue to live with grace Honorable Elder." He bows to the other elder's and lets them speak their piece before turning to Suny and offering her his arm.
"Shall we see the Slipstream then?"
The discussion with Elder Bopart and the monks apparently resolved, Thalas made his way down to the harbor to see the Slipstream. Even one untutored in the ways of ships could recognize her sleek beauty and potential for speed.
As the enchantment dissolves off of his body and that of his companion, Eirel stretches slowly. He wasn't sure how long he was asleep for, but if now was when he and his skills were needed, then he would answer the call.
The fine lines of the Slipstream all around him, and the rigging and the deck seemed sound and well cared for.
Why wouldn't they be? She went under much the same process as you did you fool!
He smiled for a moment. It was good to be alive and moving once more
After all, 150 years of inactivity can give you such a crick in the neck
He rubs his neck slowly, making the rounds of the boat, double checking the lower lines that he could reach there.
Upon coming to the port side of the boat, he notices the party of elves wandering towards him, some overcome with grief, others with a far more stoic and determined gaze, and then another slowly smouldering with anger and passions. What surprised him most however was the package they were bringing aboard.
Looking at them more closely, they seemed tired, battleworn. There were splashes of blood on the armour and clothes, and the very fact that they were carrying a rather large package of white cloth between swords implied that the battle had not gone as well as perhaps they had hoped for.
The Slipstream is no funeral boat, nowhere to put the things. There are other boats more suited to that role if you would care to talk to the Harbour Master. Although if its just speed you need to get you somewhere then I guess there is no better boat.
Come aboard, if you need a hand then give me a call. Then meet me at the wheel, we have a course to plot and I would like to know what your plans are for the future.
Seltyn will suggest that we rest and prepare spells, then leave at first light. He wants to coordinate spells with everybody, so we get more bang for our buck, so to speak.
Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Dancing Lights*, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Flare*, Ghost Sound, Light*, Mage Hand, Mending, Message, Open/Close, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost*, Read Magic
1st level (DC 16):
Burning Hands*, Color Spray, Comprehend Languages, Enlarge Person, Feather Fall, Floating Disc*, Grease, Identify, Mage Armor, Magic Missile*, Protection from Evil, Shield, Silent Image
2nd level (DC 17):
Blur, Glitterdust, Gust of Wind*, Invisibility, Scorching Ray*
0:4, 1:5+1, 2:3+1
If you can cast Prot. from Evil, have one prepared for yourself. Seltyn will have one ready for Windfavor and himself.
Cantrips and orisons: Nobody prepare Detect Magic. Elorin knows that, already. Our divine casters should prep Create Water to help with fires.
Unless he hears better ideas, his spell list will be:
0: Dancing Lights, Message, Open/Close, Resistance
1: Prot. Evil (x3), Mage Armor, Magic Missile (x2)
2: Invisibility (x2), Gust of Wind (x2)
We can either run or attempt a boarding action. Seltyn wants revenge. It's piratey. Maybe he should be talked out of it.
One idea is to have our warriors ready to board the enemy invisibly. We close quickly with our speed, and then jump on their deck uninjured, slashing people before they're seen. Hellooooo!
Elorin can inspire courage, and Thalas can buff and channel. Eirel can summon some animals to screw with their casters, and grant himself a flank or 2.
He'll try to learn the Monster II spell tonight, but he won't memorize it tomorrow. Thalas could, though. Maybe See Invisibility to track our invisible people and see any witches who try to go invisible, too.
A little early, but if we think about coordinating spells and stacking effects, our frontliners can jump on their ship and plow through those _itches. Orisons like Guidance can even help a little. Thoughts?
DC 17.
"I assume we are giving a lift to the wood elves. Should be no problem to stop off and save them some time. This is probably one of the few modes of transportation that moves faster than they do."
He muses and then continues.
"I took some time to do some scouting, and looked from the other side of the hill while you were making preparations and looked at the witch ship. With their rowing vessel and the new ship from the monks, they will probably have to split their crew. Their new ship requires no rowers and is way better, so they may just tow it. I saw them fixing tow ropes between the two vessels."
You immediately notice the deck on this vessel is extremely high, and the draft on the ship is extremely deep given the large keel needed to keep it stable while underway. The keel can be raised when sails are lowered to allow 'creeping' in shallows, but the Slipstream is an open sea, deepwater ship.
The way I see it, if you have just come out of heavy combat and lost a man. If you want to fight this one out then thats fair enough, but what is the enemies strength like? Do they have more like those that took one of the lives of your companions? Are there wounded aboard their boats? If you don't know these things, then it might be better to bide your time and wait for a better time to lay a trap to destroy them utterly, if that is your goal.
In the meantime, come aboard and we can chat more
Admiral, do you have any idea of their numbers?
Eirel's idea is better. We can take the wood elves and high-tail it back to Elfhome while they can't catch us, and deal with the Citadel later. Revenge is nice, but our job was to get the ship and bring it back. We'll let the wood elves plead their case, and take it from there.
If it goes well, we might make some new friends.
I'll instead prepare spells better suited to fighting sea monsters, then.
I agree with Seltyn. Remember, to, that our current "greater goal" is stopping the Rovagug cult in the jungle and rescuing the Dryad. We can take care of the Black Citadel later.
Wil waved at the newcomer and shrugged. "I must disagree, we lost one man and they lost three, one of which was a strong caster. Their ship will be less maneuverable and more vulnerable to attack at sea due to its lost mobility. The next time we meet them they will fight us on that ship." He points to the one they are towing. "They will have more casters, the next time they will have the advantage and they will burn us to the water line. If the Wood Elves would aid us in the fight then we can take them and come out of this with three ships. They also have slave rowers, if we can turn the tide they may rally behind us and the battle would be more then even. We won't get another chance like this again."
He looks to the war leader of the Wood Elves, not really caring about diplomacy or negotiations. "I would be more then willing to give you the second ancient vessel if you aid us brothers. Because what they don't have saves us from yet another evil power coming to stab us all in the back..."
The seasoned sea elf assesses the situation soberly, "We have a great vessel that has the main advantage of speed. Much of that advantage will be lost in a stern chase. Going against a foe with known magic and siege weapons and some experience with naval combat is highly risky. I would not choose this as my first engagement, but I am extremely averse to risking what is now 90% of the elf navy. Realistically, I say it is a 50-50 shot."
The wood elves discuss things and add their input. "The pick of the lot is still in the monks shipyards--my queen has made that ship a huge priority. I would prefer to return to my queen and see if our scholars can translate and solve the riddle. Since you managed to do it, I will have our mages push to use magic and risk the curse. Although if you wish to pursue the vendetta with the witches, we will support you."
Why would magic use risk a curse onto the mages themselves? Are there other challenges that need completing? If there are, then perhaps I can be of use. I know a couple of things, and whilst being stoned for 150 years wasn't massively fun, I could face worse.
Wil corrects the war leader, shaking his head when they mention that there is a Vendetta in the mix. "No Vendetta drives me my friend, only the true belief that if they are allowed to keep the vessel they will come to rain death and evil down on others. If there was a chance to stop yet another evil from rising out of our lack of vigilance then I would strike out at it like a smiths hammer to heated metal. Talons death was avenged when the man that struck him down was defeated in combat. But knowing you will help us is a great boon."
He looked to Windfavor then. "Did you get a good look at their numbers and do you think we could match them?"
Aye, any allies in times of need. I take it Talon is the elf under those cloths then? Glad to hear that he was avenged. Besmara bless his soul.
I might not be a tactical genius, but what about using tools such as poisons? It's a dirty way to fight, but if you want to do this so desperately then maybe it is something that it is worth looking into? What say you?
On the other hand, I haven't a clue where I would start looking for such a thing, would need to look around a while
Seltyn's almost broke, but he throws a silver out into the water. May she bless us all.
Delegation = 18 (16-20 accepted with apology)
Windfavor speaks of the witches.
"Their new ship was finely made, but definitely not as fast as this. It had a source of fire to make it go and caused smoke to emerge from the rear that quickly dissipated in the air. Their ship was larger, maybe because their delegation was larger. Curiously, the number of slaves I was expecting to see manning the oars was much diminished. This I found curious, but could explain why the rowing boat is being towed."
As the preparations are underway, and the harbor has a single exit channel that is well marked on a chart included with the ship, the anchor is ready to be raised. A single figure in grey robes rushes down to the pier. Waving his hands he speaks in a raised voice, "If you are headed to the wood elves, I would like to ride along."
He felt like he had assumed wrong and the words of the wood elf war leader were weighing heavily on him. Upon seeing the grey clad figure he lowered a rope latter and allowed them to climb aboard, while they climbed though he scrutinized them with his ability to search for evil...
As he scrutinized this newcomer he spoke to the War leader. "What challenges do you still have to best for your ship? Just the scrolls correct?"
Seltyn is trying to learn more from Windfavor when he sees Wil, and the stranger boarding the ship. Pardon me.
He speaks briefly to Elorin and Thalas. Help Wil figure this guy out. Tell him to submit willingly to all your magics, or we have cause to kill him where he sits. Charm, detect, whatever you can do. We can scarce afford a saboteur. We're at war.
Join us when you're done. We have much to discuss. The new enemy ship is strange. It makes no sense, and it can't be good.
He heads back towards the Admiral, with many questions.
As Wil concentrates on the newcomer, the barely perceptible aura of evil is found on the middle-aged human, well before he is admitted aboard the ship.
The war chief nods at Wil's question, "We need to decipher the scrolls. Now that you have shown it can be done, I think that will encourage our wise ones to try harder. The curses stopped our mages early, but we may need to ask the queen to get involved."
Windfavor has been shown to be perceptive. He was the only one who noticed the assassin's deadly attack on Elorin. But he has little more to reveal about the new ship of the witches.
As the party decides how to handle the newest passenger, who has a faint aura of evil and waits to be allowed aboard, Windfavor looks over the ship with Eirel. Given Eirel's familiarity with the ship, Eirel can use a move action to keep the wind spirit adding to the speed of the ship as well as maintain a general feeling about the ship's health and status. With Windfavor at the helm (and Eirel using a move action), no further crew is needed. In just a few minutes the ship is ready to sail.
Thalas will share with the Warleader everything he learned from the scrolls as well as the deduction process used to solve the riddle.
"I was born to the Wood Elf people in a time scarcely recalled in song or legend. I know little of what has gone between then and now, yet let it not be said that the bonds of blood and kin between us, however distant, have been sundered by the span of time. May the stars in the sky light your path and the flowers of the earth be ever fragrant, Cousin, that our people flourish despite these difficult times."
The warleader speaks to Thalas, "Well, I don't even need to decipher the scrolls. I can just answer the riddle."
At that realization, the perpetually dour warrior then genuinely beams at Thalas,
"You can call me Variel holy one. I think I need to see if it is too late to turn in this answer."
"It appears that our departure may be delayed. Go, now, Variel, and see if you may yet submit your answer. I will make sure we don't leave without you," Thalas replied, happy for the War Leader's chance to win another source of protection for their people.
Wil nods glad that yet another step towards unity among their kind was occurring before him again. It was a sign that not all was lost for their fallen people and that to him it was a sign that something greater yet lay before them. He looked around for a moment with his good eye, looking for any carrion creatures nearby. especially of the winged kind. As he waited for the man to respond he spoke quietly to the others. "Before we discuss more plans out in the open we should make sure we don't have anyone listening in. We should drive off any birds that are here and those that prove strangely persistent in staying should be shot. Lest the witches be listening in on us..."
With that said he turned his attention to the grey clad monk on the dock before him, his turned steely when the man's aura bore an evil tinge. The man could have done something petty recently or something heinous long ago but Wil wasn't ready for yet another betrayal. He wouldn't fail again.
"State your business with the Wood Elf delegation. You will do this before your allowed to board The Slipstream. If you require a private audience, now is the time to request it."
Valias and Variel (the two wood elves) call down to the gray-robed man. "We are headed to the abbey. You can come with us to the abbey, but plans may be changing."
Variel asks of Thalas, "Please hold of your departure till we meet with the monks."
The ascetic and warrior wood elves approach the bridge and meet Master Bopart. After being shown a painting, the two elves disappear to reappear shortly afterward. They seem quite excited, and it appears they are invited to the abbey. Windfavor takes his leave to scout the witches ship some more, as Eirel has the ship well in hand at anchor.
At first the wood elves are very skeptical, but it appears they can follow Master Bopart across to the abbey by walking on the very air well away from the precarious span of disks.
After approximately one hour, Windfavor informs you that the witches are departing up the coast in the approximate direction of Elfhome.
Windfavor speaks, "We could probably catch them later unless we wait too long and they continue to travel at night. I do not know if they would need to travel illuminated or not, but if they do not, we could miss them."
Elorin waited patiently for the discussions and talks to end and for everyone to be where they needed to be.
"Death, it seems, has found us intersting. It has taken many from us and has given us reason to mourn more than most. However Death made one mistake. One vital error. When it took Talon. It made me think and when I start thinking, things start fitting into place." She pauses for a moment.
If death follows us with such vigor then let us introduce this powerful follower to our enemy. Let us show these so called enemy's what happens when you push the patience of Elves. I swear to what ever god is listening, TALON WILL BE LAST FRIEND I MOURN!"
A look of complete calm and grace is upon Elorin throughout everything she says. The look is of ice and steal, any that didn't know her would feel very intimidated by her calm anger. Rovagug himself would be jealous of her aura right now. Those that do know her can see that she truly has reached her breaking point.
Thalas turns to Windfavor, "We may miss them, yes, but if they are truly bound for Elfhome then it matters not if we miss them at night, so long as we are able to arrive at the same destination. I suspect, to, that the black cloud issuing forth may provide us an easier way to find them again on the morrow. Peace, then, until Variel and Valias return."
As Elorin speaks, Thalas feels the intensity of her passionate vow radiating off of her.
Suny pads quietly out onto the main deck...though she still seems to shy away from the group. She listens to Elorin's words, her eyes though staying fixed upon the shroud draped from of their fallen friend...
After a short while Suny wanders over to the railings and her eyes gaze out over the rolling sea.
After two more hours after the witches get under way, there is a series of bubbles coming to the surface in the middle of the large natural harbor. A ship bobs to the surface in a shower of water and settles down after it is hastily raised from the bottom in a series of air bubbles. This ship, made of steel, the same material used for armor and shields, floats on the surface of the harbor. This ship is unlike any you have ever seen.
The two missing wood elves and Master Bopart resurface next to the strange craft and board it. The craft appears to be about a hundred feet long and has no discernable method of propulsion. As you curiously await developments, the two elves and what appear to be a gnome are in discussions as a fine smoke cloud begins to appear behind the metal craft as it gets under way. It coasts next to the Slipstream and stops, somehow maintaining its position against the slight current.
A single large metal mast dominates the center of the vessel, but it becomes apparent that the majority of the space for the crew is below decks. At the top of the large mast is what appears to be a large metal cylinder that extends at an angle slightly above the horizontal.
As the ship pulls alongside, the two elves shout, "It appears your answer was correct, the wizard in the painting was quite friendly."
The gnome looks as confused as Eirel, and seems to somewhat dazed as he moves around the strange vessel.
Suny stares in amazement at this strange new development.
"I've never seen anything like it," quietly states Thalas to no one and everyone as he process the sight of the... ship.
Gathering his thoughts once more, he shouts back, "Congratulations, Variel! May she ever defend your people!"
Turning back to Windfavor, he speaks a bit more wryly than was normal for him, "It appears that we won't have to wait for them, after all. And we'll be setting sail, now, I imagine."
Eirel looks at the metal ship, more than a little confused as to how it stays afloat despite its weight. Wood he can understand as it is naturally buoyant, but metal? He would need to commune with Gozreh about this.
So then, what is the final plan, where am I setting course for?