"Well, I was busy helping you get your armor on! I don't recall you offering to help me!" Essa pokes Tane in the chest before stomping below decks to don her hide shirt. Roguk looks at Tane with a sort of blank expression before wandering off to climb up the ship's mast and get into mischief.
Selene check on the pirates. The last one to suffer Essa's wrath is dead.
The two others are barely breathing, but Selene's magic can stop the bleeding.
Lenna tries to pick the box's lock.
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The lock resists Lenna's efforts,but she's sure she can open it, given the time.
Opening the locked box after a few more minutes work, Lenna finds inside a small bag with some valuables
and a rolled scroll
Tane nods to Selene, "Oh sure. I could scuddle it. I scuddle all the time." What the hell does scuddle mean?
He hops over to the next ship and catches up with Lenna as she manages to crack the lock box. He leans down and asks, "How's it going? Anything good?"
Mayla stood and stared for a while before looking at the Captain. "Captain, can you tie them up? I am not the best with knots and we don't want them waking up and accosting us again. I will be right back myself."
Heading below decks she would find Essa after grabbing her own robe and putting it on over her shift. "Essa, do you want one of my shifts to wear at night? It will stop the problem of being naked. I know you are more comfortable natural but I figured I could offer that."
Heading back up she would look over the loot and picks up the silvery vials. Stopping she would call out in Celestial.
"Selene, can you assist me with these silvery vials? I am still a little shaky from the fight."
Sure! I can always try....
Mmmmm.. I don't know. Maybe it's to make your hair silvery when you wash them? You'd better ask Essa or maybe Lenna.
Lenna quickly reappears with a beaming smile:
"Hey guys! Look, I've found shiny stuff! And some paper, but that's less interesting."
"A shift? Whats a shift?"
The Captain grumbles a little when asked to tie the pirates
These folks are the worst lot. It would be good to put an end to their misery, right here and right now. I can do it, if you don't have the heart to. To be honest with you, young ones, I'm not sure the folks in Tamran would show any mercy, after losing people they cared or loved to these Molthuni butchers.Are you sure you want to make prisoners?
"A shift is a light material that keeps you lightly covered and gives a bit of decency. It also helps bugs from biting at your skin a little bit."
"I can take a look at that paper. Maybe its a useful scroll or information." Mayla would take it when the Captain spoke.
Her face steeled itself. "I am not one usually to outright murder someone. I am well aware that some have the stomach to do it and these men may be deserving as you say. I will say if it would be more merciful to put them down here versus being subject to the tortures of an emotionally charged crowd I can understand. Essa, Lenna, Tane, Selene, what are your thoughts?"
The paper seems to be an official document, a charter signed by a Molhuni official.
When Malya unrolls the scroll, a small feather falls on the deck of the Black Mist. It looks particular, shaped as an anchor.
Maybe Essa knows what kind of bird could have anchor-shaped feathers?
"Hmmph, sounds like something I would trip over or rip accidentally."
Essa cranes her neck to the scroll Malya is looking at, being a scroll scriber herself.
"Say... that's a pretty bird.. reminds me of.."
Essa, Lenna, Tane, Selene, what are your thoughts?"
Tane considers the situation at hand. "We've been attacked by animals, undead, and who knows what else in the crypt. We didn't try to save any of those creature that attacked us, did we? These men would sure not show us the same courtesy and easily would have killed us outright."
Turning his palm over, "That being said, how much longer is it to our destination? If it's not too long we can turn the prisoners over, but if it's a long time and we need to waste a lot of supplies on them..." He trails off as he thinks of the consequences.
The captain answers to Tane
We're a few hours from the Port, give or take. I'm ready, as the Captain of the ship, to take the responsability of the act. Your young souls shouldn't be burdened by guilt. I won't take any pleasure in that, but I really think it's better for the pirates if we show them more mercy than they would have shown to us.
"This feather is not natural. I think it may be magical. Malya, can you detect any auras on it?"
"I would insist on mercy. The crypt was different and filled with monsters, excluding the frogs of which we did help. Besides we are liable to create more ghosts if we simply be done with them and push them off into the waters. The world has enough undead as it is let alone vengeful family members and friends that might come looking for them."
Lenna shrugs:
"In other circumstances, I would say we drop them at the port. Wally, you sure they're going to be tortured?"
The dwarf shrugs
They will die, I'm sure of that. Either because they would be sentenced to death or because the crowd will take justice in their own hands. Let's tie them, at least. We'll try to find some guards when we get to Tamran, and give the pirates to them. Do you agree with that plan?
Tane nods, "Sounds reasonable to me."
"Yes let the authorities deal with them. Perhaps providence will provide some sort of salvation for them, and they can be saved or being a new life. Sounds unlikely, but strange things happen."
After the battle, the captain puts as much distance as possible between the Black Mist and the privateers’ drowning vessel.
About 2 hours later, the city of Tamran draws near. In the dark, Tamran glitters with hundreds of tiny lights, emanating from the windows and lamps that dot the city.
It has the look of a new town, built primarily of wood, though some older buildings linger here and there, many showing signs of damage from the war with Molthune to the south.
Cracked walls and burnt remnants can be seen even from this distance, fresh scars from the long conflict.
The Captain speaks to you, while holding the wheel
We'll soon get in Tamran, boy and girls. Not sure if you could find a bed at this hour, so you can stay onboard, get some rest, and start doing your thing tomorrow morning at first light. If you need a room, you should check on the Gar's Last Meal, it's a good inn, if you don't mind eating fish at every meal.
He chuckles.
It's not too far from the port either, and for what it's worth, it's a safe and good place.
"Thanks for the transport Cap'n. You've been a solid fellow. I will recommend your business to any who are looking to hire someone like you."
"I am eager as I can be to track down the people that trespassed so carelessly in Kassens tomb. But at this hour its probably I wouldn't know where to begin. What does everyone else think? Retire here on the boat for the night or try and lodge at the inn?"
"Well, at least beds are free here," Lenna shrugs. "Things can wait tomorrow morning. Thanks for the help and the hospitality, Wally."
Selene nods with Lenna's seconding support, "Right then. With that I am going to bed so we can get an early start tomorrow."
You spend another, uneventful night on the Black Mist.
Early in the morning, you awake to the sound of seabirds, and the happy shouts of sailors and fishermen from nearby-passing boats.
Soon you will be in Tamran, and will start your investigations.
Selene rises with the first morning's light and hurries to lose her sea legs. When she rejoins with her companions she somewhat worriedly asks, "So, where to first?"
The Captain comes to see you
If you don't mind, I'd like you to get these two never-do-well to the guards, and the Molthuni scroll too. Then get to the inn, and have a solid breakfast, young ones, you earned it!
"Molthuni scroll? Is that like a bounty reward or more like a receipt?" Selene asks in all seriousness to the captain before helping gather the Molthuni pirates for delivery.
Just a kind of official document, signed by a Molthuni official. I'm sure the guards will be happy to get it, if it's the real deal and not a forged document, as a proof of their neighbour's involvment with the acts of piracy...
"Right, that makes more sense, Molthuni being a place and not a thing." Selene smiles before disappearing to retrieve the pirates from their holdings. "We'll meet you at the place then after we drop these men off, yes?"
I'll be quite busy with my cargo this morning, but I would be happy to meet you this mid-day and buy you a meal and a few drinks at the Gar's Last Meal.
The Captain points to an house
See that red house on the docks? That's the guard's barrack. You can give your prisoners there. There's always someone. Keep quiet about who these folks are, or the townpeople might want to get their hands on them. It's been a pleasure to meet you, young ones.
He puts his hand up for an handshake
Essa grabs the man's hand and shakes it vigorously, perhaps a little to much so. "Ok Cap'n. We will take care of these guys." Essa lifts one of the men by the scruff of his shirt and throws him over her shoulder.
"Thanks for the ride captain, it was quite interesting that is for sure! We'll be seeing you for a meal later on, that sounds great."
Looking to his group he asks, "Shall we be onour way then? When Essa hoists one of the men Tane just shakes his head. "I swear, that girl."
The fighter grabs the other prisoner and begins to march towards the guard barracks. He leans in and whispers, "I'm not carrying you so you better be marching it fella."
Walking quick, you reach the guards barrack soon. There are a bunch of men, listening to orders from their superior or already getting on patrols.
Finally, one guard sees you and asks
What's your business, folk? And who are these wounded guys?
Lenna steps forward:
"Our ship just docked in Tamran's harbour, and these wounded guys were part of our crew. Thing is, they contribuated to a mutiny. Yesterday night one of our guys lured them and some others to try to take our boat, and well, I guess that greed and alcohol did the rest. As you can see, it didn't end up exactly as they planned," she chuckles. "Thank Desna, we fought back well. Anyways, we were close to town, so we thought best to tie them up and bring them to you. They may be a bit bruised -but hey, on the overall they're fine."
She takes a more serious air:
"Besides, there was something else. -the one who started it all-, we found that in his stuff. Looks like it was signed by a Molthuni. We thought you could be interested."
The guard looks on the bit of parchment, and then give it to his superior, a lean woman in her late twenties
Sarge, we got something here for you. Those damn Molthuni are at it again...
The sergeant read the document, then calls you at her desk, taking a quill and dipping it in the ink.
I'm Sergeant Angua. I got a few questions for you, regarding the situation.
She grumbles a bit while the "mutineers" are put behind bars.
As if it wasn't enough to get the Molthuni pirates, now they try to spread mutiny on our boats.. What is the name of your boat? Which one of you is the Captain, or its second? Private Daryl, close that door!
A guard close the door of the barrack.
Tane was fight letting Lenna do the talking, but when she started speaking he started scrunching up his eyebrows. When she was two sentences in he turned to face her squarely, thoroughly confused. He looks back to the men ahead, but keeps looking at Lenna out of the corner of his eye.
Once they were in the woman's office. "Lenna dear. He just wanted us to get through the crowd quickly to prevent a riot. We should tell the truth here. These individuals are fine upstanding officers and will keep the people's fears in check. There is no need to say falsehoods here to stop undo panic. I know you mean well. Sergeant Angua, my apologies my companion means well and was just trying to keep undo harm from befalling these men before proper justice was seen and also keep from starting a riot."
She curtsies. "Let's start with introductions so when I explain the details you know who I am talking about. I am Malya Vardigan and these are my companions Lenna Swiftfoot, Essa Dwae and her companion Roguk, Selene Vosmus, and Tane Norwind. A few days ago we were on the ship the Black Mist captained by Captain Walren. It was late at night and I was awoken by Lenna's alarm that a boat was coming. Quickly waking the others Selene and Tane raced to don armor before we quietly made our way to the top deck. Lenna and Ewen had taken cover and were hidden from the pirates as they we were boarded after being shot at. The pirates yelled making demands they reveal themselves and didn't notice us coming up from below decks and they were caught in the middle of us all. Essa They were quickly taken care of as Essa and Roguk and Tane here as I supported them with my protection magics. Selene provided her support and helped patch up Lenna from the wounds she had taken from the bolts."
Malya stood tall and poised, like a proper lady would and showed no fear and true sincerity in her story. Malya wasn't the type to lie after all. "We chose to bring them in as prisoner and the Captain explained the troubling times and how the populace may quickly get riled if they knew who these men were. While these men are guilty we could not in good consciousness allow people to let their anger and emotions drive them to stain their hands with blood. Grief and anger are powerful emotions, but killing someone will not get rid of that. We wished to protect the people of this city from hurting themselves."
She bows deeply.""So please forgive us for the lie to get in here."
Lenna whispers in Malya's ear:
"I could have continued like that!... So it's probably best that you do the talking," she added quickly.
The sergeant listen to maybe, and rubs her temples
I hate when a day starts like that. Why don't you kept the things simple? So these two are pirates, you valiantly defended your boat, and you bring your prisoners here, with a precious document signed by a Molthuni official, giving these outlaws the "right" to pillage and kill any Taldane boat.
She points an accusing finger to Leanna
Don't you ever try to lie to me again. Wait here, all of you.
She rises from her seat, goes to a room deeper inside the barracks, and comes back with a heavy sack
Here, takes this. There's a 200 gold pieces reward for stopping piracy. I added a potion and a scroll we found in another Molthuni boat, maybe you could have some use for them.
Selene's tense shoulders fall as Malya clears the air. Then with a friendly and disarming a smile as she can manage she begins, "Thank you for the reward, and your understanding. The trip here was dangerous and had us all on edge, but we have alternative motives for braving the journey here and maybe you might be amenable to telling us if there had been anyone from Kassen through here in the last month or so?"
Not that I know.. People come and go, everyday. Do you look for someone specific, or just enquiring if you can found someone you know in our town?
I'll just muck this up.
Given Lenna's "success" in speaking, Tane decides to let the ladies handle this part. If one of them suddenly posed a physical threat he would jump in, but for now he sat patiently just listening to the conversation.
Essa just stood there as everyone else did the talking. She was confused about the stories, but then understands Lenna's motives. When the air is cleared, she smiles to no on in general and scritches Roguk's hairy head as they change topics to their reason for being here.
"We are looking for a thief that disturbed a tomb and made off with a valuable Kassen heirloom. I don't know if there is much else I can tell you without causing too much concern, but it is for a good cause. So, we believe this thief to have ties to a Razmir or Razmiran faith. Does this perhaps raise anyone in particular to mind?"
There is a Razmiran temple in town. Some people like it, some don't.I am.. suspicious. I guess every temple has its bad apples, but there are quite a few rotten apples in this temple. Then, i've heard they are doing some "charity work", and it's not my turf.I'm in charge of the port, and I got enough to do. Be cautious if you want to keep an eye on the followers of the Living God.