Fall of nations Chapter 1 - Refuge

Game Master Wrath

The night air caught briefly at Bo-Dans hair, blowing whisps of it across her face as she moves up near the little gnome. He seems almost oblivious to her approach, his eyes fixed on some detail near the waterline of the ship. She was just about to initiate conversation herself, when the little man speaks, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm and good humour "Look closely at the water madam. You see those flecks of light down there!". Followinghis pointing fingures, Bo-Dan cna see motes of light dancing through the waves, skipping across the bow wave and falrig briefly as they touch the woodwork. A particularl large group of them flicker and weave near one of the blue green crystals set in the ship just below the water line.

The gnome turns to her, a broad grin across his face, causing the great mustache to lift proudly. "It would appear as if the elements are bonding again. The crystals are nearly full charged again, and the arcoflagellae dance for my elemental. It's a beautiful sight you'd agree?" the question is almost rhetorical, forhe doesn't wait for an answer before launching into another topic.

"It as a dangerous business, spying on the Captain by the way. He'd put you over the side quick as look at you if thought you'd heard any private planning he and the Mwangi were condcting. He dropped that unconcious goblin over the side right enough. Even waited till the Pleisosaurs were sanpping at teh remains fo teh others you lot had killed. None of you saw that, he made sure you was all under the decks. Goblins are evil little buggers, don't get me wrong, but nothing deserves to be dropped into the waiting maw of a hungry predator while still alive." the earnest one and grim look on the face seems almost out of place. With his bright clothes and almost comically large mustache and beard, this man doesn't look to be serious at all.

As if reading your thoughts, he again smiles broadly, the effect changing his countainence completely. [b]"Christoff Blietzen at your service madam. I never had a chance to thank you and your friends for the assistance you gave us in escaping Azhager. I do so now" he offers a bow then extends his hand in friendship.

After that horrible moment had passed, she still clung to the railing, leaning heavily over it and breathing raggedly. "What-what happened? I was..." Gods, what was I thinking? I was drawing my sword on her...what did she mean? Why did she strike her like that? Why was...why was I thinking about...oh Bo... Her thoughts were in such a storm that she didn't quite notice the tears on her face.

Milhar lay sleeping in the medical bay. Beside him a thick candle burned, its perfumed smell permeating the room and his dreaming mind. Nearby, Algret slept deeply, her arms held protectively around the two orphaned chldren she had taken under wing on the first day.

Sieu-Dien had also taken to sleeping in here, her hammock slung near the end of the room, closest to the small porthole looking out at the night sky. She was lying awake, looking out at the stars, thinking private thoughts. A small tear escaped her eye and drifted down her face.

Milhar went to brush it from her cheek when he realised it was not his physical body looking at this scene. Again he looked down at the sleeping man below him. His body looked tired, and thinner than he remmebered it. The last few days had been hard on them all.

Realising that his spirit was free again, the young sorceror sored free of the room. Behind him trailed a lavender stream of pastel light. The strand connected his spirit to his body in a way he hadn't felt before, and as he focused, he could feel the breating and movement of his chest. It was comforting.

Above the ship now, soaring through a night sky redolent with the magic of the world. Below him he wathced the colours of the ship play out like leaking smoke form an incense burner. Mostly there was teh quiet blues of exhaustion and despair. A colour tinged with the depth of adults. Just below, a brighter yellow, almost golden light of the children. Their fears were mostly behind them now, replaced with the joys of sailing and sea travel in general.

Individual pinpricks of light escaped the ship, bound to those few who were strongly tied to the fates, the pathways fo time that Milhar had seen on his first vision in Azaghur. The two half elves, their lines twined together in love. The great Ulfen, his spirit line throbbing always with the violent shades of red anger, carefully held in check. The changing coloir fo Algret, becoming a Platinum colour of protection and devotion, more and more so now the two children relied on her. Others as well, though from the captains quarters, no light shone at all. It were as if a ward protected the mans rooms from his spirit sight.

All this taken in by the few moments required for his spirit to soar beyond the horizon, back towards the lost Empire. As he arrived in the bay of Azaghur, he could see the city, fires still burning in places. Great streams of souls streamed towards the night sky, their wailing and screams casuing despair in the young man. Their source was teh great pyres the Hobgoblins had built in front of the city gates, into which many of the captured population were being led and sacrificed. His soul chilled as he again felt the presence of a great evil nearby

"You survived then boy? I'm impressed." The sibilent whisper came from behind, and as Milhar turned he could again see the demonic Jackals face of the one who had attacked him the first night. "I see you've learnt to armour your life thread too. Well well. Maybe one day I'll take the time to come and destroy you properly. Until then, I must be satisfied with sending you on your way."

Before he could so much as yell in protest Milhar found himself hurtling through the sky. Desperately he reached out with his mind, trying to guide his way back to his ship. When he first slowed down he found himself floating above an island locked int eh turbulent throws of a tropical storm. In a sheltered bay a large ship was being tossed on its moorings, as great shapes of Pleisosaurs circled the wooden island, waitig for bodies to drop from the ship. On the beach, a small palisade had been built from fresh cut timbers. People huddled in tents and makeshift huts while the storm lashed the camp. All around this vilage, a web was being spun. The strands created from the souls and choices of those living in the place, but all of them linked to a strande leading deeper into the jungles of the islands interior. All the island was a web....a web.

He sat upright, his breathing quickened and deep, as if he had been running for some distance. A cool hand rested on his bare chest and he looked up into the concerned eyes of Sieu-Dien. "You were dreaming" she whispered, trying not to wake the others. "Something about nets or traps? It was hard to hear you. Have some tea, it will calm you. You need your rest Milhar San, for the sick will come again tomorrow."

"You were tricked girl" the firm voice of Tilayaraharra spoke into her fugue. "The girl is scared. Everythig she knows has been taken away from her so she desperately tries to build strength and power around her. Luckily for all of us she is unskilled in the mind games of the nobles. If she had reahed full maturity, we'd all be her puppets, as sure as the sun sets."She reached up to to her neck and removed a small bone fetish that was hung there. The thing was shaped ike a mighty owl, perched upon an Boab branch and staring at a moon in cloud. It was beautiful in its own way, though not something of a classical beauty. Far more functional. "Take this girl, and wear it always when you come near the little Empress. I have her measure now and she'll not try to take me again I am sure. But you, you have a mark now and must be wary. Hopefully she will realise her folly and not try again. But best to be careful."

The wethered hands reach up and place the charm over Paera's neck. The hollow feeling she had suffered for the last few minutes eemed to ease, more of a low hum barely noticed in the background now. [b]"Now go and be useful grl, Catch some fish so the Guidong can be fed.

In the background, deep sobs were coming from Emallion. She was curled up under the feathered wing of the Griffon. The beast was quietly preening itself and looked almost bored as it stared at the bright sea sky.

As she slowly made her way to the edge of the deck, she heard Emallion's sobbing. Her first instinct was to keep walking and leave her to wallow in the misery she brought on herself. She had actually made several steps away before she stopped, her shoulders sagging in defeat against her conscience. Paera never could leave well enough alone.

She slowly approached the crying rider, keeping a healthy distance from the griffon. Any closer and it would be trouble for certain; it would certainly attack if Paera gave in to the urge to break Emallion's jaw. She didn't announce her presence, she simply started to speak, "You know, I got thrown out of my clan when I was younger than you. I was alone for a damn long time, but I managed to stand on my own two feet before I met Bo. Now you're gonna have to. Right now, more than anything I wanna knock your teeth out for what you did to me, but I'm too stupid and soft hearted for my own damn good. You want my friendship? Earn it. You want people to look up to you? Earn it. But don't you ever try to take it like that again. I'm no one's for the taking."

Paera's fists were shaking. She had never felt such a strong mix of disgust, anger, and pity before.

I was going to roll Diplomacy, but I'm not even sure it's appropriate, considering this is half an offer of forgiveness and half a warning. ;)

Always curious, she inquires further as to the source of the lights "Yes...I had glimpsed those lights earlier Mage Blietzen, what are they exactly? Do you mean to say this ship is propelled by a source other than just the wind? "

When she address the other part of the Gnomes speech he smiles fades completely, "As for the Captain, I was not 'spying'...per se" she can't help but flash a quick guilty grin but her face turns grim as she continues "As for 'putting anyone over the side', well, he'll certainly not do so in my presence. Not while I have breath and will in me to stop him in any event. I did notice you exchanging words with the captain yourself the other day though. Might I ask what it was regarding?"

Also, Milhar tackled the problem with the seizure, which I'll explain to you later. As such, I'm going to present you with a unique problem, and let your last roll be for that instead. And yes, it was still the most important one :)

Algret's days were mostly spent tending to the ill in the ships hold. As the days came and went, it was quickly becoming apparent that the lack of food was taking a heavy toll on the young mothers of teh refugees. Many of these women were sacrificing their supplies so their children would not go hungry and weakness was quickly overwhelming them.

However, between the dwarfs knowledge of wartime strateges to deal with fatigue and hunger, and the human Milhar's seeming intitive grasp of healing, the two of them succeded in preventing any serious outbreak of disease. Both of them knew this would only be a temporary reprieve if more food weren't found soon though.

Of greater concern to the dwarven priestess were the two orphans she had taken under her wing o eh frst day. After Mjobo had entreated her to take care fo tehm, she had brought them to the medical bay and brought them food and water. The young boy, Kahir, was a picture of grim rotection for the small girl, Sahba. It wasn't until Algret had provided them both with food that Kahir even spoke to her, and then his words had been nought but a curt thankyou. However, as night settled on the ship and the strange sounds of creaking timbers and the grons of displaced peoples drifted through the chill night air, Algret was forced to smile when she felt two little bodies creep in beside her and fall fast asleep.

By morning of the second day Kahir had seemed to take on a more animated state, talking incessently to the dwarf as she tended the wounded, runnning small errands for her and taking care of his sisters needs. The girl was another matter all together. She often stared aimlessly at the wall of teh ship, gently curling the hair of her little doll, her hazel eyes wide and unseeing. By the third day, when she had not uttered a single word, ALgret realised something was wrong. She checked the unresisting girl for any sign of injury, a hidden blow to the head, or a softer spot in the dones of the skull, but she could find no such signs. She sat down and tried to think of what was causing the issue, something she had heard the professional healers of the army speak of. She was sure she was about to find the answer when the lady, Margaret, went into a seisure.

Milhar was first to her side and seemed to again intuitively gues at the issue. Pressure was building in the womans head and needed to be relieved. Algret sent through the prtective magics of Torag and knit together the rent bloodvessels that had reopened beneath the skull. However the seizure had continued. When Sieu-Dien brought the hand drill to Milhar, the dwarf had nearly protested before realising what the humans plan was. Holding dow Margaret, she watched as Milhar drilled into the side of her head. A great gout of blood surted from the wound suddenly and the seisure stopped. Algret again called on her god to patch up the wounded flesh and bone.Amazingly the woman had survived the procedure.

Margarets husband had come the next day, and presented her with a little wooden puppet. It was beautiful piece, made from darkgrained timber and pinted in the bright patterns and styles of Khellish people. A deep green gem was seated neatly in a coker around the things neck. "It'll quicken for you if you keep it around you long enough" the man had said, though what that meant was anyones guess. It was certainly a thing fo great talent and worth, and he wouldn't accept anything less than her taking the thing.

That mini crisis had been averted, but the problem of Sahba remained. As the days progressed, the little girl seemed to draw more and more into herself. She was even becoming reliant on her brother to feed her and take her to do her ablutions. If this progressed further, she may become catatonic.

Ok another DC 15 heal check required to ascertain what is wrong. If that succeeds I'll tell you what's affecting her and how to treat it :). It will require another roll, but not a heal check. Should be quite challenging.

The little doll is actually a pretty special arcane device. Milhar understands how they work given his knowledge of things arcane. It might be worth asking him about it a little.

Sorry I had to rush you through all of that, it took about a week and a half for Milhar to get his done, but I wanted to bring you up to spead.

As Paera stood above the sobbing girl, her rage evident, the Griffon stood a little taller and trned its avian eyes upon her. The great beak opened and sibilent hiss escaped the creature, but it did not move forward to atack.

Looking up into the eyes of the angry Half elf, Emallion tried to stimy her sobs as she spoke "I am sorry Paera. It is all I could think to do. I have no one...." she pauses as a gulping breath catches in her throat, the last remnants of a sob "None are left of those who once guided me in the ways of my house. Please, understand, I am alone on this ship. I am a daughter of the great god emperor himself, and I am surrounded by Barbarians who would abandon innocents to their deaths on a dock being overrun by Goblin Shi-istis. It was not till I was in your mind that I found the truth of your part in this. I was desperate for protection. I am....I am scared". Her head drops in shame and sorrow, even as the sound of bare feet come up behind Paera.

"All well and good girl, but I warn you now. Try that stunt again on me or the half elf here, and I'll feed you to the damn Guidong you're so fond of.". The venom in the halflings voice was quite chilling, and Paera was sure she meant every word.

"Act as one of your station should girl. You'd not catch a Insha lahallais from my tribe begging for mercy or subverting peoples minds. Earn your title, last of the Sun Gods" She spat on teh deck in her vehemence, before turning to Pae
"I'm still waiting on those fish Paera"

Well, hopefully that gives you a few interesting personalities to work with Paera. You played that particularly well, especially how you handled emallion after the incident. No worries about rolls, good roleplay surpasses rolling in my books so happy enough to have that pass. The necklace gives you a +1 on will saves vs Charms and compulsions by the way.

That pretty much wraps up what I had planned for this section. Feel free to add more NPC interaction and I'll happily reply while we wait for some of the others to get their stuff wrpapped up.

"Is it propeled by any other source she asks?"the irony thick in his voice."I'll have you know this ship was designed by some of teh greatest gnomish elementalists to live in lands of Cheliax. And then this great oaf of a Captain wins it in a bet from the owner."[b]. He seemed suitably outraged, though she could tell that the anger was merely show, and the bright eyes were still gleaming with good humour.

[b]"Anyway, I was not about to see my work wasted on some human, so I signed up to run the Elemental engine here." he bounced up on his toes slighly, his hands behind his back and an almost sef imprtant look on his face.

"I'd show you the room milady, but 'tis against gnomish law to share our secrets. Even the captain cannot enter that sanctum. It's what we were arguing about on the day we fled Azaghur. He was demanding he get access to the room if the thing with the goblins went badly. 'Tis the only safe room in a sinking elemental ship you know."

He looked at Bo, his face again changing to a serious expression almost faster than the half elf could track. "I'd not wish anyone to die you know. But it would happen to any who weren't of gnomish blood if they stepped in there. Surer than a goblin smells of urine I'd say."

Again his face took on a whistful cant and his face turned to the skys. "Now what a beatuful night it is eh? Oh look, a shooting star!" the joy was almost childlike.

Well Bo-Dan, that pretty much wraps up what I was planning for this part of the journey. You got lots of interesting information, more than any of the other charcters actually. Some of it is important almost immediately, some may become important in the future. Of more important note though, you earned the choice of a skill point in either profession (sailing) or Climb, given all the time spent in the rigging and working the lines of the ship over the two weeks.

It amy take me a day or two to wrap up some of the others, mostly Algret. In that time feel free to contiue any NPC interaction you're after and I'll do my best to reply. Cheers

Apparently for grown men, you had to confront the event and force them to relive it and fight their inner demons in order for them to recover. Who knew if the same could work for a child though. All Algret knew was she had to try something, or the little girl would soon be gone from this world.

Ok, nice roll on the heal check. I need you to make a series of Charisma rolls now. Diplomacy can be used instead if you have it. The starting DC is 14 to try and bring her around. Each time you fail the DC increases by one. Each time you pass the DC decreases by one. If you can get the DC to 10 before you get it to 20, she recovers well enough.

Good rollplay in how you tackle this can affect your rolls. As can any magical effects or spells you can think of and are capable of using.

Gotta say, these DC's are not really tested by me, its only a gut instinct thing. Not sure how hard or how easy this is going to be for you. At any stage you can ask others for help if you like. They can assist in the charisma/diplomacy rolls but your rolls are the main ones, theirs are just assists. Also note, if someone trying to assist rolls badly enough, I may make them reduce your chance of success rather than help it.

Feel free to share this challenge and info with whoever.

Also note, if you're worried about the consequences of the failure here, please be aware I'm not going to kill off the girl. At worst she'll become a mute, but quite dependent and clingy on you and her brother. Also, there's always a chance for curing her later as more magic and more abilities become available to you. If this is an issue though, let me know and I'll work something else out. cheers

Bo-Dan slips quietly up the companionway near the captains quarters. A plank creaks under her foot, but the sound of the ship moving through the water obviously helps to drown out this noise as the conversation doesn't seem to break.
As the monk gets to the door, she gently presses her ear to the wood panelling and catches the last of the conversation between the captain and Mjobo.
"Capitaan, dese people will be as chaff on the wind if we don't give them de assistance dey needs mon. You know what da law says in Gergythia. Without de means to support demselves, dese folk will become property of de state.". Mjobo's voice sounds both plaintive and angry at the same time, an odd mix from the big Mwangi.
"There's not a gods bedamned thing i can do about that my friend" the captain says, sounding more annoyed than anything else. "I'll be happy if I can get these poor wretches to port alive, let alone keep them from the meat pens. If we get lucky, the Varisians won't find us and we'll be in Gergythia before the onset of Autumn. If they find us, we'll be in the nine hells before the month is out. Let's worry about these people when the time comes for it."
Again, Mjobo's deep voice echoes through the door "And if we do come across de Pirates, what den mon? We dan't have nary a coin for a baksheva, not with half de lot as was meant to board not havin' made de docks in time. Unless ye plan on openin' de chest we made from our sales dis trip?". The last question was definietly loaded, both humour and possibly hope.
The captain snorts in derision "Not likely. I've got people as wants that money when we get back home. If we're taken, the pirates will ransom you and me, and possibly our little gnomish friend as well. The others will need to take their chances. Of course, I don't plan on being taken. I have an...Is someone at that door!"
The sound of booted feet make Bo-Dan quickly retreat a few steps boefore noisily approaching the door again. The door is ripped open by the scowling captain, before he takes the food off you with a curt nod of thanks and sends you on his way.
------------------------------------------------
“And then I met the Gnome! He runs he ship’s elementals! He told me….”
--------------------------------------------------------
The gnome smiled in delight as Bo-Dan asked about the magic in teh craft.
"Is it propeled by any other source she asks?"the irony thick in his voice."I'll have you know this ship was designed by some of teh greatest gnomish elementalists to live in lands of Cheliax. And then this great oaf of a Captain wins it in a bet from the owner."[b]. He seemed suitably outraged, though she could tell that the anger was merely show, and the bright eyes were still gleaming with good humour.
[b]"Anyway, I was not about to see my work wasted on some human, so I signed up to run the Elemental engine here." he bounced up on his toes slighly, his hands behind his back and an almost sef imprtant look on his face.
"I'd show you the room milady, but 'tis against gnomish law to share our secrets. Even the captain cannot enter that sanctum. It's what we were arguing about on the day we fled Azaghur. He was demanding he get access to the room if the thing with the goblins went badly. 'Tis the only safe room in a sinking elemental ship you know."
He looked at Bo, his face again changing to a serious expression almost faster than the half elf could track. "I'd not wish anyone to die you know. But it would happen to any who weren't of gnomish blood if they stepped in there. Surer than a goblin smells of urine I'd say."
Again his face took on a whistful cant and his face turned to the skys. "Now what a beatuful night it is eh? Oh look, a shooting star!" the joy was almost childlike.
-------------------------
“What do you think Pae?”

I did want to do a bit of IC if you're up to it with Mojombo. She'll approach him first to inquire of his health and recovery. Then, try and very subtly steer him to conversation about the, passengers, the Captain, what kind of man the Captain is, his intentions and what he intends to do about the refugee's. If you'd like me to give more detail or rolls or anything, just let me know.

Paera's emotions were still storming as Emallion explained herself, but pity was beginning to edge ahead of everything else. Oh, royalty then. So we have a pampered princess onboard. she thought bitterly at first before closing her eyes. One who just lost her entire family, probably...gods...

Tila's scolding of the noblewoman broke her out of her thoughts, and she tried to remember the strange words she was using. She would have to ask her about those later... Sun God...she's more than nobility to her people then...

She didn't have the heart to add any further retorts after what Tila had said, and nodded to the halfling as she turned to do as she was asked. She paused after a couple of steps though, looking at Emallion one last time. "If you're so scared, then just ask for help. I'll give it freely, but I won't be taken advantage of." She had managed to soften her tone, though her anger was still under the surface of her voce. Whatever Emallion's response is, she'll go get the fish now.

Would Paera have heard anything about the Sun Gods or how the royalty of this nation worked? Is it a sort of pharaoh-ish thing?

I'm just keeping Paera's mouth shut about the day's events to keep everything smooth timewise until the next day. :)

Paera had stuck close to Bo-Dan the next day, as if she were afraid to let her out of her sight. She was almost clingy. But her expression darkened as her lover told her of what she had learned, even though her eyes had brightened a bit at Bo's meeting with the gnome. "I knew it..." she muttered, quick to leap to judgments where the captain was concerned. "Damn, and we can't just warn everyone because they'll probably panic and kill him and half the crew. And if the ship survives that mess there's no way they'll be able to sail it properly. Not to mention being unable to use the engine at all...damn!"

She crossed her arms as she leaned against a crate. She frowned a bit, looking hesitant to say what was on her mind. "We gotta tell someone, but they have to be able to keep it a secret. People that could work the crowds and keep 'em calm, y'know. Like that dwarven priestess. And this Mjobo guy sounds alright, but I don't know if we should talk to him yet. And...damn...there's something else. We've got royalty onboard, apparently." It was this that she had been avoiding. "You know that griffon rider, Emallion. She's one of the emperor's daughters. I don't know if the captain knows already, but if he does find out she'll be offered to the first pirate ship that finds us. He's willing to trade these people off for his safety before whatever treasure he has locked up in there, at least."

She might have more to add, but I need to know how someone from earlier today answered an offer. :)

Tilayaharra nods her head at the fish Paera brings for the Griphon. the big creature itself seems to perk up as the meal is brought close, a deep purring emanating from its chest like a cat, only one with a barritone drum for a chest. As the halfling woman feeds the animal she happily translates some of the words for Paera. "I forget sometimes that I mix those words with the trade tongue. It really doesn't convery all the messages of my people." She starts the translation by nodding her head at the Griffon. "This majestic thing, and other creatures of similar size are known as Guidong. We have no name for individual creatures like this, as they are not seen in my homelands. Now the great lizards of my plains, each of those have a name, but I'll not see their like again in my lifetime I'm thinking". Her tone does not change, and that is probably more sad than if she had broken down in tears. This resolute way of just accepting what happens.

"Insha lahalla is what we call those of our tribes whose advice we listen to most. The plainsfolk don't have leaders like you other types. We listen to wisdom, but we also adheare to teh words of the god touched. This girl, she is meant to be divine, according to the teachings of the city folk. We would not be listening to her the way she acts now. But they have power. Apparently trained at a very early age to control those around them in subtle ways. It is how their kind remain in power while surrounded by such types as the magelings and great warriors of their armies." her voice quitens a little as she becomes a bit more introspective. "We were lucky she was young and inexperienced girl, or this vessel would have become an extension of her own mind as sure as I'm standing here. Be careful putting your trust in her, and don't take of the Li lahalla while she's on board". She says this last while tapping the pendant arround your neck.

You'd need ranks in knowledge (nobility) to really understad anyhting about the rulers. And you've not spent long enough in the city to gain much insight from knowledge (local). But hopefully the above helps. The idea is similar to Pharoh's but there's more to it.

The captain was certainly correct, for the Ulfen recieved no more trouble from the big sailor. In fact, Schorl seemed to go out of his way to avoid you from that point. Some of teh sailors were much friendlier towards you and you found the occasional one bringing you your serve of the rough grog they drank aboard ship. These men would then sit and you would swap tales of your lives either on the sea or as a mercenary. It was relaxed friendship they offered.

Of more import what was Mjobo offered to Vik. About an hour after the fight, the big Mwangi climbed awkwardly up beside the shifter in the rigging of the Mizzen mast. As he sat balanced on teh cross beam, he grinned at the battered face of the Ulfen "You be lookin' worse than a toads arse mon!" he laughed out loud. "It be a bad idea to be stopping Schorls fists wit your head, don't you know. Dem fists of his are like rocks when e's got de momentum up. You come to me cabbin tonight after we sup, and let Mjobo show you a trick or two about fightin' wid dem big hands of yours, what you say mon?"

Vik had been unsure at fist, but decided to try that first nihgt to see what was going on. Mjobo had gone about teaching him some of teh techniques his tribe used when caught in combat without weapons. It was enlightening and quite enjoyable to the big man. It certainly let him pass the days and nights aboard ship with much more speed, or so it seemed.

Ok, I pushed that through a bit Vik. Made the assumption you'd be happy with Mjobo's offer to train you. You have a choice of taking 1 rank in profession (sailor), with the +3 for it being a class skill. Alternatively, if you keep the training up with Mjobo for the entire time you can add +1 to your unarmed attacks from this point onwards. Cheers

Sahba clung to her little doll tightly, staring out to sea at the prow of the ship. It was the morning of the sixth day of travel and Algret had brought the girl above deck in the hope the fresh air would help her along.

At first, her attempts to cofort and talk the waif through her trauma had met with small sucesses. A smile here, a cuddle there. Her brother had been fantastic, holding her hand throughout and whispering encouragement to the girl. The dwarf had seen him talking to Sahba as held her around the ship. He introduced her to some of the Khellish children also on board and then kept her close while they played knucklebone and chase the fire drake.

But at night, her dreams were rent with nightmares, silently thrashing about in her sheets while a cold sweat beaded her brow. Each morning, Algret had again sought aid from the mighty Torag, trying to banish the fear from the girls heart as well as talking her through some of the many aspects of death and life. It was hard for the priestess, approaching such topics from the perspective of one so young, and one not of dwarven descent as well. But she perservered, not giving up on the girl at all.

As this all passed threough her mind, the little khellish orphan suddenly leaned forwrard, staring through the rail and letting out a small gasp of excitment.

Algret turned to her,asking "What is it you see little one?". With a broad smile, and laugh to her voice, Sahba replied with the first words she had spoken aboard the ship "I see an Island Mahadi. I think we've found our home"

In the distance, a thin plume of smoke and steam could be seen rising from a peak just cresting the horizen.

Paera almost called out for Bo to be careful despite the monk's assurance that she was already. She sat leaning against the crate and watched the sky for a moment after her beloved left, saying a silent prayer for her, and everyone's, safety.

There was something else Bo-Dan had mentioned. The captain had been worried about Varisians... Then she heard the call of land being spotted.

Making sure to lower her voice again she gazes intently at Milhar as she puts the question to him directly "Want to want...what I Need to know Milhar is, will you be with us if we have to make a stand against the Captain to defend these defenseless folk?"

As for Christoff, the little gnome delights in his nightime strolls with Bo around the deck of the ship. He points out constellations and things of magical significance to the woman, who listens with some interest. Possibly the greatest sight he shows her is when he calims the elemental engines to be fully charged at last. Summoning the girl from her sleeping quarters alte one eveneing, he and the monk stealthily slipped onto the deack and peered over the gunnels of the ship. There in the water, riding through the bow wave of teh great vessel, three merfolk were diving and darting, their silver blue tails trailing luminescene as the Archoflaggelae spiralled around them. With each pass, the merfolk brushed their tails to the crystal at the front of the ship, leaving a silver thread of light to dance skip across the waves before being broken apart in the eddying wake of the ship.

"You'll not be able to hear them with your non Fey ears, milady, but the folk are singing to the great elemental within. They offer gratitude to him as he bleeds off excess magic onto their tails and weapons, allowing them to better survive these waters. It is a rare thing to witness the dance of the Merfolk. I am glad I got to show it to you."

He turns a gleeful glance in Bo-Dan's direction, then allows a more serious tone to enter his voice. "Whatever happens, I must remain with the ship. Captain Venn has a love of gold, that is true, but he is not murderous. He is iron willed and shows no mercy for those who would threaten his ship, his crew and his life. I have seen him maroon those who tried to mutiny, but only once. He left them food and water, but they would not have lasted long in the land he left them. It was as good as a death sentence, but far more merciful than I have heard from other captains. The biggest sin the Captain has is his fear of death. I am not sure what he would do when he is truly under threat, but we have already spoken of this, you and I. Ahhh see, they have heard us and now they leave". The little man looks sadly into the waters as the silver tails disapear into the darkened depths of the oceans.

He smiles broadly then, and pats the girl companionably on the back, relying on the fact she is leaning on the rial to reach her shoulders. "You are blessed this night Bo. One in maybe five hundred people get to see that sight in their lifetimes.". With that he bids her goodnight.

The big Chelaxian, Schorl, had a roup of cronies that fauned over him. He was always leading much of the gambling on the ship and was usually responsible for most of the "entertainment" the crew enjoyed when on shore leave. He and Mjobo had a standing rivalry, stemming from Mjobo's beating Schorl for the position of first mate.

The other half of the crew seemed to be quite loyal to Mjobo. He was a big man, mean in a fight, but very good natured and tried to look after the crews interests. No one on board crossed he and the captain though. There had been a muttiny attempt some years ago, and the Captain and Mjobo had basically fought off teh mutinous crew alone )the others having been subdued below decks). None of the crew were sure what happened completely, and Mjobo certainly doesn't speak about it, but since that point, the first mate and Captain had become fast friends as well as work mates.

Interestingly, Schorl and his friends were not part of the mutiny.

Additionally, Milhar was able to find some information about the passengers on the trip.

Feel free to read the spoiler about keeping the peace in the passengers from earlier in the thread. There's some interesting info about the factions forming there, and given your good roll, you'd find bits of it out. Cheers.