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The mephit's ears perk up when Ember mentions your organization.
"Yes, I am quite familiar with the Concordance. They do such fine work keeping things in order among the planes." She smiles briefly, contemplating working with you, but then her whispy brow furrows after Zephyr speaks. "The thing is, I would be using a Thousand Wings ship for a very risky mission. How do I know you won't cause trouble? Or that you even know of the contract laws I'm bound to?"
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After listening to Jamila's shortened explanation of mana damper repair and the other's inputs, the gnome smiles.
"All well and good, ma'am. You and the rock-man are in. Water-meph too. There's just one thing that's still weighing heavily on my mind...her." She says pointing at Rhyol.
"I mean no offense, but she could burn through my instrument clusters like a magma-mental in an ol' bookshop. Right?"
Ember nods. "I understand your concerns. You have a great responsibility to protect your ship and the property of your organization. Such a mission could bring great reward and renown to you and the Thousand Wings."
"Which is why you need me there, Nix. I'll keep watch over Rhyol during the trip and if she get's a little too hot-headed, I can cool her off!" Octaris gives an uncharacteristic chuckle. The mephit composes himself and then shows off as he conjures water out of thin air.
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Ember lends a knowledgeable presence as she describes what she knows about the Plane of Air and the dangers of travel to the edges of the frontier.
"Fine, fine. Perhaps it it worth it. No guts, no glory, right? The mephit finally circles completely around to face you. "So, tell me, is it just the two of you, or will we have other patrons?"
After listening to Jamila's shortened explanation of mana damper repair and the other's inputs, the gnome smiles.
"All well and good, ma'am. You and the rock-man are in. Water-meph too. There's just one thing that's still weighing heavily on my mind...her." She says pointing at Rhyol.
"I mean no offense, but she could burn through my instrument clusters like a magma-mental in an ol' bookshop. Right?"
Hey! Rhyol says as she props up her sinewy form. I'm not just a 'her' I'm Rhyol. And thoqqua aren't just mindless heat-worms: we can control ourselves. I'm not burning anything down now. I haven't burned anything down my whole time here. Today I had breakfast in a nice restaurant, a wooden restaurant, and look - it is still there. You are a gnome: wouldn't you feel bad if someone assumed you would be unable to resist pushing every button you saw?
And besides, I am a quick learner. I even taught myself how to speak this plane's language! And I may not know a lot about airships yet, but I know that hot air rises, right? So maybe my heat could even help! I channel it, use it the good way, and give your ship even more lift.
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The gnome is about to interject as the thoqqua props up, but halts open-mouthed as Rhyol begins her elegant defense. In fact, with each passing point, the gnome sinks further back into her chair, not in a bullied way, more as if she realizes just how much they share in common. When Rhyol is finished and Krakos adds his piece, the gnome shakes her head triumphantly.
"Yeah, let's do this! I can be ready in three hours if you are."
Ember smiles widely at the mephit. "That's the spirit! Oh, I feel an epic tale coming from this. As far as who would be joining us, there are 6 of us total. Besides myself and Zephyr here, there is a janni, an oread, a water mephit, and a ... um ..." Ember pauses wondering if the pilot will be concerned about the group. "a thoqqua," she says a little quieter with a nervous smile.
"Well, she is here now if you would like to meet her. I'very only known her for a short time but she seems very responsible and is able to control herself," Ember replies.
Jamila smiles. "Excellent. Just tell us which slip your ship is in and we will be prepared to meet you in three hours."
She tries to catch Ember's eye, indicating that her group has secured a pilot.
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The mephit and Ember both notice Jamila.
"Hmm. I'll trust your word on the thoqqua. I'd be willing to risk my ship on your journey, but it looks like your friends are courting Nix, too. I would be remiss if I didn't warn you that gnome can be a little headstrong. It's why she's not in the Thousand Wings. But she might just be the spark you need for your journey. Don't worry, I'll be here if it falls through."
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"Well, Nix. I think you have yourself a deal. We can arrange payment. I hope you're as good as you say!"
"I do not believe I need anything else,"Zephyr says as he prepares to find the docking bay.
Wandering Mistral. 94. Got it! Rhyol internally beams as the party breaks off from the gnome - Nix - to let the others know they have a ship. Once out of earshot, she hisses out quietly.
Hey Octaris, what's a mana dampener?
Octaris flies next to Rhyol as they leave. "Well, you see, the ship uses mana to power many of the functions. It helps keep the sails aloft and is responsible for holding the integrity of the ship together. However, as we fly through the air, the mana constantly dries out, making it brittle and less powerful. Mana dampeners help keep the mana moist and potent. So it's a very important part of the ship. If the mana dampeners fail, then it's only a matter of time before the ship begins to lose power and fall out of the sky." He nods at the Thoqqua, knowingly.
Ember smiles and thanks the mephit for her time before returning to the group.
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The group heads to the docks to seek out their vessel. In the middle of one of the public atriums, a flock of fan-tailed flying mice known as chuspikis buzz excitedly in the mid-day sun. When they see the group of you, the leader turns its fan-like tail into the wind and dives down to greet you. He pulls up at the last moment and shoots a focused breeze at Jamila, attempting to blow up her dress with a sudden burst of wind. Others circle Ember trying to wobble her flight
The remaining chuspikis burst out laughing, as do a few other creatures casually watching as they pass by. Their laughing grows louder as the winds seem to echo it, but they soon disperse as you collectively shoo them away. Several of them strangely hover and bow to Zephyr as they pass, seemingly apologizing for their leader's behavior.
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When you finally reach docking bay 94, you observe what at first looks like a huge pile of scrap metal and crystal shards. The discovery of a large horizontal sail that resembles a patchwork quilt leads you to realize that you have instead found the Wandering Mistral itself.
There is a clang of metallic tools dropping in the center of the ship, and a familiar head pops out from between two shards.
"Ah, you've made it! Wonderful. Well, make yourself at home, or useful, or both. We just need to wait for my navigator to show up, and then we can get out of here, and get you to this mysterious place you told me about." Nix smiles broadly at you, curious as to your reactions to her ship.
When you enter the cramped ship, it is filled with jury-rigged mechanical devices of all sorts that are actually far more functional and stable than they look at first glance.
At about the three hour mark, Nix pipes up again. "Finally! Now let's get this underway."
When you look out from the ship, you see a smallish dragon, with a feathered tail, and scales that shine like polished silver. He wears a set of goggles similar to Nix, and carries a large chest.
"Everyone, this is Kyrthis, he will be our navigator for this journey."
Everyone straps in with Nix and Kyrthis in the narrow open-air cockpit. The main sail suddenly elongates and straightens vertically and the ship lurches forward in the brisk wind. Several neighboring ship crews wave politely as you pass the other docks.
The airship’s journey into the open skies proceeds rather calmly for several days. The dragon's chest contained food-stuffs and reading materials and the days pass without incident. Nix and Kyrthis skillfully maneuver the ship from one high-speed current to another, accelerating it to speeds faster than dragon flight. The machinery on her ship does rattle and whine incessantly, causing the whole ship to vibrate— but eventually the ship finds its way.
Past the borders of Armun Kelisk, the city’s artificial cycle of day and night gives way to eternal midday. Kyrthis uses landmarks such as crystal formations, distant bright spots in the sky, and eternal storms that rage countless leagues away to chart your passage.
Jamila is used to the pranks one experiences on the various planes. She asks Zephyr, "Why do they treat you with such deference?"
The journey seems to be interminable. She passes her time playing with her hawk and reading everything the dragon brought.
Through the days of the journey, the thoqqua is at first a bit uneasy, but then gleefully curious about the airship. Rhyol takes pleasure in slithering about the packed quarters and up on the ship's deck (though always trying to not get too close to the sides) as she watches in wonder at the vast endless sky and the pair of crew the effortlessly seem to be able to make the metal vessel soar.
Ember uses her time to take notes on the ship and the view. When it appears Kyrthis isn't too busy, she inquires how he came to work for Nix. She also asks about his heritage.
Zephyr responds to Jamila. "Perhaps because I am a steward of the winds. They recognize that," he says.
As the whirring of the ship becomes mundane, Zephyr begins to enjoy this mode of travel.
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Although it is very hard to find a time to talk freely with Kyrthis (he and Nix trade time piloting, resting and maintaining the ship), he will sit with Ember during one of his afternoon breaks.
"I grew up on a floating island called Fisylithia at the far edge of the plane. My family were what were known as watchers. Guardians of the Plane of Air if you will. My island was dangerously close to the Plane of Fire and we were tasked with preserving that boundary. My mother and sister were slain in a raid, and I was captured by a merciless efreet bandit named Thraxos and sold as a slave in the City of Brass. It was there that I met Nix..." He stops and peers at the back of her head in the pilot's seat. "...and freed."
Rhyol bides her time and tries to speak to Nix during one of the gnome's transitional breaks between sleep and full engagement being busy piloting the craft. We seem to be making very good time. You and your dragon friend are quite the team!
But I was not just letting loose hot air in the city. Beat. Beat. I am willing to help out. Give me a job on the ship: I'm sure you'll be impressed by what I can do.
Octaris glides around the airship during the flight, looking at this and that. He spends time at the railing, watching the clouds slide by. "Krakos, what is it like to command the earth? Have you ever been this far away from solid ground?" The mephit doesn't seem to have any interest in helping out on the ship.
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Nix takes a sip of tea as she listens to Rhyol's request. After some thought, she finishes the tea with a flourish and hops to her feet.
"Very well, I do believe I owe you an apology for how I treated you back in the city. And what is life without new experiences, right? Follow me."
The captain leads Rhyol back to the aft deck, where a hodge-podge of metal and crystalline parts lie scattered.
"So I was thinking. When we get to wherever it is you are going, those storms may be too strong for me to handle with the Mistral herself. Believe it or not, this ship isn't as strong as she looks. Anyway, I was thinking a more nimble craft might be better suited for your exploration."
The gnome kicks around a few of the parts.
"Only, I haven't built it, yet. But that's where you come in my fine Thoququa friend. If you could use your considerable heat to fashion a basket out of this scrap metal and junk for you and your friends, I'm sure I could spare enough sail to construct a balloon. Normally these sorts of ships would require bringing a dangerous heat source aboard, but with you there, well, you should be able to power this blimp, no problem. What do you think, brilliant?”
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On the fourth day, Kyrthis worriedly grabs the Nix’s attention. "Nix, I've detected substantial irregularities in the currents ahead."
Nix nods and orders the ship to halt. "Yep, yep, yep. Just what I thought. Well gang, it is no longer safe for a ship of this size to progress further, we just cannot turn quickly enough to avoid unpredictable gusts, our wide sails are particularly vulnerable."
Kyrthis pushes a stack of papers towards the captain, excitedly pointing at it with her large claw. Nix takes note and continues.
"I know. I know. We are still about a day away by airship, and natural flight would be extremely onerous and lengthy. Not to be that gnome, but I don't think you all are extraordinarily skilled fliers and I'd hate for you to get separated out there. Luckily, I've checked it over twice and I hereby deem the Mistral 2 ready for service. Many thanks to Rhyol for her diligent workrate."
When you inspect the craft, it appears to be as patchwork looking, but just as reliable, as its namesake. The small vessel contains a week’s supply of food and water, a crate filled with sky charts and the reference books, and an aerial astrolabe capable of detecting air currents in a wide radius.
"Now, you will also need this." She says, handing you a rod-like object. "It's a magical flare and I guarantee it'll make a light so bright, not even a morlock could miss it. So let's get ready to see you off."
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When you have gathered your items and are ready to board the balloon, Nix addresses you again, pointing to a miles-wide cloud bank in the distance, and a spire of yellow quartzite emerging from the near side of the bank.
“The sky charts show you which currents to use. Pass through the clouds up ahead, then seek out a cloud of purple gas. Keep the cloud on the port side, and don’t go into it—it’s quite poisonous."
Kyrthis nods wholeheartedly as Nix continues.
"Once you’ve passed the cloud, keep an eye out for a sea of boulders that ebbs and flows like water. The dangerous skies surround that sea. And remember, take care of the ship and supplies I’m lending you. I’ll be charging more on your letter of credit if I don’t get them back. The food and water are yours to keep, of course. When you leave the area, use the quartzite mountain as a landmark. Set off the signal near the mountain, and we’ll come back to this spot to pick you up. You’ll be able to see us from there.”
Rhyol lowers her head-end in modesty as the gnome calls out her work.
I had good instruction. But the the Mistral 2 should hold. And it was good to get a chance to read those books. So many new things!
Octaris flies around the smaller craft, taking a look at different aspects. He pokes and prods at it a few times. "Interesting. Quite good work, Rhyol." He looks at Nix and Kyrthis, then the others. "So who's going to pilot it?"
Zephyr does not have much experience with mechanical contraptions, and looks to see if the others might want to pilot it.
Jamila says, "I was put in charge of this mission. I suppose that makes me the captain by default." She takes the helm of the smaller craft. "Octaris, you are my backup pilot."
The water mephit nods. "Ok, chief. I'll fly it with you. You could probably use my advice and expertise anyway. I'm sure together we'll be able to manage it."
As she is able, Ember speaks with each member of the crew in order to gather more material for her epic story. She seems disappointed to hear that their time aboard the ship has come to an end. When they are shown the balloon, she seems uncertain. "We have to pilot this new ship now?" she thinks to herself, looking at her companions, wondering who would take up the task. She climbs aboard and looks around, trying to determine how to pilot the balloon. When Jamila mentions she would pilot it, Ember speaks up. "I think I could help. It looks like it might be easier than I first thought."
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The balloon takes flight with all aboard and supplies and instruments for the trip. It's a bit heavy and scrapes along the hull as it catches the winds. Nonetheless, Nix and Kyrthis wave proudly as you embark on your journey (Nix secretly likes the scraping sound).
While the new vessel is a bit unwieldy at first, with everyone helping, the group gets the hang of it relatively quickly. Although the occasional harsh gust of wind blows you off course, you are able to right yourselves without much trouble.
As you pass through the cloud bank, the next landmark - that cloud of hazy purple gas - is nowhere to be seen. There is also no sign of the boulder landmark you are supposed to find after that. Instead, hundreds of small storm clouds, miniature hailstorms, collections of pebbles, and heaps of airship wreckage dot the landscape. In the distance, an incongruously dark patch of sky emerges, serving as a canvas for bright flashes of color, like swirling fireworks.
Many of you can barely make out a white tower against this dark backdrop.
Suddenly, a powerful wind, tornadic in intensity, smacks into the ship, causing you to spin and lurch violently. In an instant, the ship’s aerial astrolabe goes from calmly displaying blue and green ripples (which represent the nearby wind currents) to displaying bright red waves and emitting a high-pitched shrieking sound.
The frame of the ship gives away with a loud CARRANG and you can see much of the vessel’s equipment flying off in different directions. Worse yet, you are all spilled out as well, most of you caught hanging in mid-air about ten feet from the Mistral 2s wreckage. However, due to their smaller size and the wonders of physics, Octaris is tossed about forty feet away and Ember is knocked a full 200 feet from the balloon.
In most parts of the Plane of Air, each individual chooses the direction of gravity’s pull. When walking on solid surfaces, choosing the direction of the surface to be “down” is relatively intuitive and does not require a skill check. In midair, creatures with natural flight can fly normally. Those without the ability to fly, or those who would prefer to move faster, can attempt to set the direction of gravity.
Once per round as a free action, an individual can attempt a DC 16 Wisdom check to pick a new direction for gravity. If she succeeds, she begins falling in that direction, moving 150 feet in a straight line on the first round and 300 feet on each succeeding round. If she fails, she can attempt the Wisdom check again the following round. The DC decreases to 12 until she succeeds. Once an individual starts falling in a direction, stopping requires a successful DC 16 Wisdom check to set gravity in the exact opposite direction. If she succeeds, she continues falling 150 feet in her original direction for 1 round, then stops.
Because an individual in free fall cannot stop quickly, performing actions during the fall is difficult. However, the PCs may ready actions and perform them during the free fall, such as readying an action to grab an object or to attack a creature while soaring past it. Moving past an opponent in this manner provokes at attack of opportunity.
A PC under the effects of a feather fall spell falls at only 60 feet per round and gains a +2 circumstance bonus on the Wisdom checks to change direction.
As best you can tell, the ship’s supplies of food and water and the box of piloting books are heading toward a pile of densely packed pebbles roughly 500 feet away, while the flare heads for a wrecked airship about the same distance. The box of sky charts careens off toward a cloud of ice, while the astrolabe flies directly toward a creature closer to you that is curious and seems to be somewhat happy about its new acquisition.
Octaris
Creature - will catch the astrolabe
Krakos
Jamila
Objects - will just move toward their targets
Ember
Rhyol
Zephyr
Wwwwwwhhhhhhhaaaaaaaa Rhyol hisses in Ignan in surprise as she finds herself drifting off. She looks sadly at the breached hull of the craft. Oh, I guess I might have some more to learn about building an airship.
Looking around to see most of the group nearby, Rhyol is distressed when she notices the dragon and Octaris drift further and further away. Hold on! We'll get you!
The thoqqua only then notice that several other objects are floating and accelerating away. Looking at where their headed, and realizng she lacks both wings and a familiarity with the plane, the fighter thinks really hard to try and 'drop' after the books. At least if I miss, I'll just hit the rock. And that might hurt, but I won't keep going.
Octaris spins around in the air, catching sight of the items spilling from the ship. "Ember! The flare! Get the flare!" The water mephit instead speeds after the astrolab.
"Hey! That's ours! Give it back!"
She will share the answers with the rest of the group.
She shouts at Octaris, "Careful! That thing can deal elecric damage with its natural attacks."
She begins flying towards the sky charts.
Given the warnings from his companions, Zephyr protects himself from electricity with a spell, then looks around, still fairly dazed.