Dargon continues minimize his interactions with the crew, which likely adds to the fact that he looks as out of place on the ship as he feels.
Kyson, in a rare expression of backbone, stands his ground as Seka makes his case for not being a pre-exploding infected monkey-zombie by acting like a being a pre-exploding infected monkey-zombie.
Kyson keeps the ball of fire in his hand for a few moments before tossing it overboard.
Still keeping aglare at Seka, Kyson addresses Khaz as he takes a few steps back. "Yeah, we'll see, Seka. I'll be watching you."
Kyson gives Seka the "I'm watching you" gesture...then does it again for good measure.
"You watch out Khaz. He's acting weirder than usual...talking about things that can't be right."
Kyson goes below, grumbling about exploding monkeys and that "I tried to warm them."
Sekathral turns to Khaz, after Kyson has stomped off below
"He has been drinking your perfume, or Silvio's, more likely. Turning into a bleedin' inquisitor, ain't he, and confusing boyish high spirits and harmless banter with whatever poor old Zstelian came down with to boot"
He frowns for a second, as if remembering something.
"Yeah! And what do you mean, "language"? What's wrong with my f***ing language?"
Sekathral turns to Khaz, after Kyson has stomped off below
"He has been drinking your perfume, or Silvio's, more likely. Turning into a bleedin' inquisitor, ain't he, and confusing boyish high spirits and harmless banter with whatever poor old Zstelian came down with to boot"
He frowns for a second, as if remembering something.
"Yeah! And what do you mean, "language"? What's wrong with my f***ing language?"
Her spine straightening as her brows draw low, she bites back a little language of her own.
"We have 80 plus days with these people, Sekathral. Surely you could wait a day or two before bathing in your usual blue streaked profanity. I know better than to expect you'll clean it up for any of us, *snif*, but for our new traveling companions, perhaps you could save a little mystery for week two!."
Clearly incensed, she moves to stalk off, but turns around at the last minute from the far side of the ship, "But if you insist, you blue Baboon, then perhaps you should look like one!" She calls the sands into her palm before she even thinks about it, Seka's profanity -right to her face!- still echoing in her ears.
Sekathral seems mildly surprised (but not visibly displeased) on seeing himself turn a beautiful blue.
"Well, spay me with a frigging shark-gaff. Blow me down, I'm blue, like some sort of anaemic f***ing drow, and it sets off my silver eyes just wonderfully! Ooh, thankyou!"
He makes a mock curtsey to Khaz, grinning at her unsettlingly as he does so, then scuttles off before she can respond, or Amelia can scold him for neglecting his duties.
Right. So that's how it is, is it? Well, I've got a pot of red paint with your name on it, my lovely. Let's see how you like *that*!
Zstelian continues to get the horse settled in its stable.
As Kyson leaves the discussion to go downstairs, he's interrupted by the form of the mustachioed man emerging, actually hitting Kyson in the shoulder. "No, absolutely unacceptable. You can't really think I'll bed down with more than a dozen other people as if I were some ... common ... barracks rat!"
He's followed by Amella, who's face is growing dark with anger, and his two servants, who seem more concerned.
Sekathral seems mildly surprised (but not visibly displeased) on seeing himself turn a beautiful blue.
"Well, spay me with a frigging shark-gaff. Blow me down, I'm blue, like some sort of anaemic f***ing drow, and it sets off my silver eyes just wonderfully! Ooh, thankyou!"
He makes a mock curtsey to Khaz, grinning at her unsettlingly as he does so, then scuttles off before she can respond, or Amelia can scold him for neglecting his duties.
Right. So that's how it is, is it? Well, I've got a pot of red paint with your name on it, my lovely. Let's see how you like *that*!
"Now look what you made me do!" More horrified by her own behavior than the ill-mannered elf's (because really, what did she expect?), Khazmia stomps off in any direction not filled with people. This is going to be a very looonnng trip! You have to do better, Khazmia, be better.
Kyson does not receive the bump from the man with good humor, already set off by Seka's insults that he doesn't understand.
"WATCH IT! Don't you try me too!" Kyson says as he bumps the guy back.
Kyson turns over his shoulder and yells at the entire crew.
"You people better start being nice and polite or this is going to be a *long* voyage. I expect a better start tomorrow! First prayers begin at dawn!" Kyson says as the storms down the hold, trying to slam the door emphatically as he goes.
A bunch of mean people on this ship. It was much nicer in the monastery.
When Dargon spots the half-orc and elf go at it, a small flame deep inside all dwarves lights up as he secretly thinks maybe they'll take each other out. But with a sting of guilt at the thought he quickly over comes it and sets out to address the squabble before it grows out of hand.
"Be careful of getting on his bad side out here. He's likely more at home here than any of us," Dargon warns as he approaches Khaz.
When Dargon spots the half-orc and elf go at it, a small flame deep inside all dwarves lights up as he secretly thinks maybe they'll take each other out. But with a sting of guilt at the thought he quickly over comes it and sets out to address the squabble before it grows out of hand.
"Be careful of getting on his bad side out here. He's likely more at home here than any of us," Dargon warns as he approaches Khaz.
Her back to the dwarf and her arms crossed tight over her chest to still the huffing, it is a moment before the young woman can answer, "I know, Dargon. It was not well done of me. But does he have to be so... soo... crude?"
She turns to face him, blinking her eyes to clear them, though she'd swear it was the salty air and nothing else that made them burn. "I realize I am no fancy "damsel" to impress, not that *he* makes much change for them either, but a little, just a *little* consideration wouldn't be amiss, would it?"
She gives a "delicate" sniff (allergies) and forces a smile. "It's all fine, friend. I'll give him my share of tonight's rum and maybe he'll forget about it."
Silvio has taken a masculine stance at the front of the ship, staring with a determined absence at the horizon. The chelaxian hero is able to keep his pose through out the ruckus but when Kyson slams the door his concentratio falters. As Silvio reenters reality he to is face with the rapidly deteriorating situation. Tention as thick that you could almost touch it. It was clear the the crew could use a negotiator. The crew could use some Silvio.
The chelaxian captain adjusts his hat, spins around quickly to send his cape waving in the wind for dramatic effect and approaches the source of disagreement.
"Whoa, what is this. Silvio can sense the tention from his place at the prow, from where he keeps a unwavering vigil watching for the unknown dangers of the deep. Now tell Silvio what has drawn him from this most important duty."
The man looks back, his face suffused with rage as Kyson hollers. "See? This. This is exactly what I can not and will not be expected to put up with. How very ... common. I thought this was meant to be respectable people on this ship!"
He gestures toward Silvio. "Sure you can see I can't be expected to bunk down with a dozen other peoplely in the bowels of the ship!"
Kast ignores the man and goes to his bunk to stew and pout.
Eventually, he'll calm down enough to want to practice his scribery, breaking out some fresh parchment and calming his mind by practicing his strokes.
*grumble*...buggery...*grumble*...
"How is is that human nobles get away with crying about everything?" Dargon asks retorically. "You'd not see that belly achin' with me kin."
Straightening her shoulders, Khazmia approaches the 'belly achin' man with a smile, speaking with a smooth, soothing voice normally reserved for tantruming tots and the mentally absent elderly, "and we were expecting brave adventuring companions. It appears we will both be disappointed with the trip. But don't worry, if you don't irritate him too much, when a giant beast eats your horse and nearly takes your leg off trying to carry you overboard, I'm sure Kyson will put it back on for you."
Khaz heads below as well, thinking it safer for everyone if she gets settled and finds something soothing to do with her hands. This new hobby may save more than one life on this trip.
The man looks back, his face suffused with rage as Kyson hollers. "See? This. This is exactly what I can not and will not be expected to put up with. How very ... common. I thought this was meant to be respectable people on this ship!"
He gestures toward Silvio. "Sure you can see I can't be expected to bunk down with a dozen other peoplely in the bowels of the ship!"
"Of course Silvio does", the chelaxian anwsers slightly confused. "The main room is reserved for the captain of the ship, and if there was another one it would surely be reserved for Silvio, great sea captain and hero to all", he continues to explain. "And Silvio being the gentleman would concede the room to the Lady Khazmia. You see?"
Sekathral, having returned to the deck, is concentrating on getting the anchor raised, and chooses this moment to join in with a slightly inappropriate capstan shanty at the top of his horrible, scratchy voice:
"Oh, they say, old man, your horse will die"
"And we say so, and we hope so!"
"They say, old man, your horse will die, oh poor old man!"
"And if he dies, after much abuse"
"And we say so, and we hope so!"
"Then we'll salt him down for the sailors' use, oh poor old man!"
Kyson puts his pillow over his head and tries to drown out the atrocious noise from above.
Ha! Stupid blue elf! Dumb pirate and their dumb pirate songs! And jerk nobles wishing they were special. None of us are going to be special when we're dead.
Amella, apparently annoyed by the disturbance, spits out "If you don't like it, you can stay here in Eleder!"
That seems to prompt the bald man to try to make peace, but he almost immediately scurries away as the noble snaps, "You're the problem! Do you think I really want to sleep in the same room who can't even groom himself?! Look at that ear-hair! It just makes you look even more bald than you are!"
Finally, the woman Kyson was talking with earlier offers to share her bunk with the man, which seems to soothe him at least enough for the ship to get under way.
The sun has fully cleared the water as Amella orders Sekathral to raise anchor. A bit of labor by the elf finishes the task and the Sea Wyvern sails off into the ocean.
The next morning, you get a message via a rowboat piloted by one of the sailors from the nearby Blue Nixie, inviting you to join Lavinia for a meal on the Wyvern to celebrate the start of the voyage. She says they'll set up a net seat to make it easy to travel between the two craft.
Kyson arises the next morning before sunrise, eager to re-begin his day with a heard of Sarenraens who wish to honor the Goddess.
Kyson dresses not-quietly, hoping to rouse some of the forgetful-but-sleeping faithful to action by 'accident' but not quite assertive enough to wake anyone intentionally...except Sekathral who finds his sleeping hammock jostled by a farflung elbow.
Emerging to the deck, Kyson looks to the bow and stern trying to figure which is closest to the soon rising sun. Proceeding to that spot, Kyson eagerly looks to others who might have already marked out the spot.
Kyson will pray to sunrise like he's never prayed before (except that time when he found out of that cave with the dead pirate, that sucked).
Not one to want to anger the Goddess of Fiery Redemption, Khazmia wakes early and joins Kyson on deck for prayers.
Dargon prays with Kyson. At first glace he appears to be following the priest's lead but Dargon is actually whispering dwarven prayers to Torag.
At breakfast Dargon attempt to recruit a few sailors to participate in a freindly brawl at nightfall.
Dargon is mostly absent for the afternoon, though sailors will periodically catch him doing strange things like balancing on a barrel while fighting a dangling rope.
Dargon attempts to hold the aforementioned brawling match. He begins with an open invitation to any sailor willing to challenge him.
Dargon is effectively trying to keep in practice so he fights below his ability as he tests out some new techniques.
Then, win or lose, he moves on to gambling on sequent matches, up until the sailors lose interest or the captain breaks up his fun.
Kyson nods happily to both Dargon and Khaz as they join him for morning prayers. Kyson makes a special effort to include Torag in his quick and brief sermon, arguing for the faithful of all good gods to work together to make the world a better place.
"...and so that's Sarenrae wishes us to be. Hail the Sun!" Kyson concludes.
Today will be better than yesterday.
* * *
After breakfast, Kyson will spend time watching the sail rats (like Sekathral) do their buggering (or whatever it's called up there managing the sails and lines) and trying to learn a bit about boats, ehm, ships!
As Kyson wakes the crew, he hears many complaints and groans, including from the older, bald man, who rolls back over, muttering.
He suddenly shoots upright -- bumping his head on the person in the hammock above him -- and exclaims "No, wait, prayers. ... Um, right, let's go."
He treks to the deck with the rest of Kyson's flock, where he participates in the prayers.
His prayers seem to be directed toward Iomedae.
He doesn't seem all that happy about having to do morning prayers.
He seems ... hesitant about the prayers, as if he doesn't know them well.
Sekathral has been up long before anyone else, seeing as he only needs to trance as opposed to sleep, and as he has the morning watch. He does attend prayers, although his devotions only go so far as standing to windward and not scattering flayleaf ash over the rest of the congregation. He watches proceedings with vague interest ; , but soon the idea of breakfast overcomes any religious impulses he might have and he slopes off towards the galley.
Perception
Sense Motive
Know (Religion)
As he is praying with the old, bald man, Kyson also interjects a bit of love for Iomedae, another "not-so-bad" god into his morning sermon and worship, happy to have another person in the flock.
After they are done, Kyson will talk to the man despite his bad experiences yesterday with the other passengers (and Seka).
It's a new day and Sarenrae calls us to rise anew each time.
"Thanks for coming out this morning. What is your name? Will you be coming out every morning?" Kyson asks earnestly.
"Ah, they call me Father Feres, priest of Iomedae, the Inheritor. And of course I'll come out every morning? Why wouldn't I?"
An attractive Mwangi woman waits in the gallery, surprisingly slender considering most cooks you've seen, Sekathral. She greets you with a wide smile, and quickly produces a helping of gruel with orange slices.
Dargon, the captain watches a couple of the bouts, yelling if she thinks you're going to do any harm to any of the crew.
"Well met, Father. Perhaps you would like lead the prayer tomorrow?" Kyson asks earnestly.
Kyson will pass on the bouts and gambling, but will watch and cheer Dargon as well as heal any 'accidents' that befall the crew due to Dargon's administrations.
Sekathral thanks the cook in Polyglot, and chats with her for a few minutes, finding that they have a few acquaintances in common, and also (surprisingly) that they are very distantly related, seeing as some of Seka's half elven relatives were members of her tribe. After she politely excuses herself as the rest of the ship begins to file in, also demanding breakfast, he goes back aloft and returns to his duties.
In the evening, while he doesn't participate, he does do a great deal of furious gambling (and drinking) during Dargon's tournament
"That's perhaps the least enthusiastic priest I've ever meet, I guess Iomedae is not an easy god to worship."
"Don't worry captain, I'll toughen this lot up for ya fur sure, but I won't break any of 'em".
Silvio does not rise with the sun in the morning. In fact he barely even rises at noon. His chest heaves up and down in content and relaxed breaths until awakes at brilliant spirits towards noon. Shaking the slumber from his eyes in two quick shakes of his head, is hair of course follows following almost in slowmotion with the movements, and heads up deck. He takes in a big breath of sea air. "A glorious day at sea, is it not?", he says with a warm smile to the closest person to listen.
"Oh, no, um, you did a great job," Father Feres replies to Kyson. "I wouldn't want to, er, deprive you of ... doing it."
Amella shakes her head at Dargon's pronouncement and stares grimly at the festivities, but does nothing to break it up.
The horse appears to be fine, though it wants to be out and running. It snorts and tosses its head as Zstelian tells him that won't be possible.
That evening, the Blue Nixie pulls up alongside the Sea Wyvern, and the crew quickly sets up a net seat to let you transfer easily between the two ships.
On the far side, you can see both Liamae -- dressed in a form-fitting silk gown -- and Lavinia -- in a silk shirt, jewelry and flowing skirt -- looking lovely as they wait for the six of you to cross for dinner.
Sekathral appears to have embraced his new condition and presents a rather surprising sight when he turns up to the meal. His clothes are blue, as is his hair; he has also (and it's not quite clear how) managed to dye his teeth blue. His face is a blank mask, and he seems to have toned down his language completely. He bows to Lavinia upon arriving on the Blue Nixie (after saluting the quarterdeck), thanking her politely for the invitation and even extending a gentlemanly hand to Khaz to help her out of the hoist, if required.
Khaz blinks once, then twice, before taking Sekathral's hand. B-b-but... it's only supposed to last a bit or so. Tis been over a day and... I will definitely have to keep better control of myself. "I uh, thank you Sekathral. That's very gentlemanly of you."She says shyly.
Kyson looks at Father Feres, happy.
"Well, I'll lead tomorrow morning, then you can have a turn. I'm sure these won't mind a change of voice for a bit," Kyson offers helpfully.
"Maybe later we could sit and discuss some aspects of deities that we don't understand. Like Norgorber? How do people really know he exists? He's like secretive and all that..."
It's good to have a nice calm priest on board...reminds me of home. Kyson already feels better about today than yesterday, which was stupid.
* * *
Kyson looks strangely at Sekathral as he gets in the boat with the pirate.
Wha...? It should have only lasted...
Kyson, confused and worried moreso for Seka, who has lost yet more of his precious few marbles. Kyson is doubly quiet on the way over to Lavinia's ship, still worried that Seka is going to try to eat his flesh and then explode.
* * *
"Thank you for having us over, Lavinia," Kyson says politely as he tries to secure a seat as far from Seka as possible at the table.
Noticing Zstelian for the first time in a while, Kyson offers a few kind words. "Where have you been? Horsing around?" Kyson titters at his own joke.
"So...Lavinia? This journey is 80 days away? Really?"
"Suitable attire, Sekathral. A wonderful celebration of the sea", Silvio commends the elf before leaping gracefully onto the Blue Nixie barely disturbing the netting under his feet.
"Lady Lavinia, Silvio is happy to visit your ship", Silvio says and throws his hands in the air enthusiastically. "And the lovely Liamae. You have occupied Silvio's mind since we parted but Silvio's memory does not do you justice. You put the starlit sky to shame", he says with a pearly smile that threatens to do the same.
Sekathral behaves faultlessly throughout the whole meal, seemingly oblivious to the odd looks he's getting. He tries to get a bit more info about the Isle of Dread from Lavinia and the other Ravens, and otherwise spends his time making polite small talk. So intent on being sociable is he that he doesn't notice when he spills his wine on his hand, washing away the dye and revealing a patch of coppery skin.
Father Feres seems not as excited as Kyson might have thought by his offer. "Um, yeah, sure, we can do that, I suppose. But I don't want to disturb any usual practices. I bet all your Sarenraens wouldn't be that happy with a service for Iomedae."
Lavinia blushes prettily at the ranger's words. "Thank you, Zstelian; I think being away from home suits me well. I feel ... free."
Kaskus and the other two male Ravens burst out laughing as they see Sekathral appear in all blue. "Looks like living on the water don't agree with you," the dwarf says, through his chortles. Lavinia and the other folk on the Blue Nixie seem to not know what to say, as the elf attracts a number of stares during the first part of the evening before his slip reveals how he blue himself.
Liamae does not blue at Silvio's words, but smiles widely. She takes the Chelaxian's arm and pulls him toward the center of the ship. "Let me show you the ship," she says. The two return a quarter-hour later, the sorceress' hair somewhat mussed, though as usual not a strand is out of place on Silvio's head.
As the dinner -- featuring grouse and peacock, as well as an elven wine -- is served, Lavinia responds to Kyson's question: Yes, it should be about 80 days as long as the weather holds, which I'm told it will. We'll have a few stops, however. We need to resupply in Fort Blackwell and Fort Greenwell, but I also promised Urol that we would stop for one day so he could explore some ruins he discovered a map to the other week."
Dargon suddenly gets up and runs out topside... coming back about ten minutes later, just as Lavinia responds to Kyson.
"I can't wait! Dargon exclaims. "Shore leave is my favorite part of traveling by water."
"Oh good, I look forward to both of those stops, as I need new supplies to further my..." Khaz breaks off, eying the clean spot on Sekathral's hand, "work."
She laughs silently at Seka's obvious humor, smiling as she continues, "What can we expect to find at Fort Greenwell?"
Lavinia laughs at Khaz's obvious distraction as well as Dargon's joke.
"There are two forts, dear: Blackwell and Greenrock. Neither are very large, just a couple thousand people. We should be able to resupply our water and food and then hopefully we'll be back on our way after a day."
<Seka>...reveals how he blue himself.
"How long until we reach the Forts or ruins, Lavinia? I'd like to know..." ...in case I need to make my escape. Kyson asks as he pokes at his food. "...for planning purposes."
When Seka's slip is discovered, Kyson gives Seka a weird look.
I wonder if that is part of the disease...some sort of zombie-camoflague reflex? To better hide on the water?
Feeling adventurous (and since Zstelian isn't responding), Kyson decides to ask Seka something.
"Sekathral, are you feeling okay? You seem nicer, uh, politer." Kyson offers a weak smile, still worried.
Kyson tries to make polite conversation with Dargon (with whom he has gotten along well enough...ever since the rolling-out-of-the-sun incident).
"So...Dargon...make any friends yet? I met this Priest of Iomedae, Father Feres. Seems nice enough. We do morning sermons together."
* * *
"So Khaz, what kind of stuff are you planning on working on? Is there anything I can watch you do?" Kyson continues to make nice.
"Sekathral, are you feeling okay? You seem nicer, uh, politer." Kyson offers a weak smile, still worried.
"Mate, I'm always nice - since Silvio's got lucky and I ain't, I thought a slightly different approach was called for, though"
He raises a glass to the Great Sea Captain in tribute, then addresses himself to the cleric again.
"Not that I want to kill the mood completely, but do you know any way I can get this blasted dye off my teeth?"
"Ooops, my apologies, Lavinia. I'm not sure where my mind was..." She laughs a little and shakes her head, "But will there be at least a little time to look around?"
"So Khaz, what kind of stuff are you planning on working on? Is there anything I can watch you do?" Kyson continues to make nice.
"You can if you like. I picked up a bit of quartz before we left and was working on a set of earrings. I'll show you when you have time. They won't be as useful as your lovely scrolls, I'm afraid, but still useful in their own way, I hope."
"Not that I want to kill the mood completely, but do you know any way I can get this blasted dye off my teeth?"
"Here, let me see if I can help, Seka. That is, uhhh, if you don't mind? " she pauses, her fingers twitching, but clearing observing etiquette protocols (this time) before casting a spell upon a member of the party.
"...do you know any way I can get this blasted dye off my teeth?"
Kyson's eyes widen with potential answers.
"Have you tried bathing?"
"Brushing your teeth? Ever?"
"Any sort of personal hygiene?"
"Knock your teeth out."
"Gargle with that awful rum. Then light mouth on fire. Instant blackmouth."
"Dye it another color. Like red."
"Soap. Really, soap. I know it's foreign to you...but soap is a wonderful dentifrice."
Kyson goes back to pushing his peas from one side of his plate to another, saying nothing.
"Here, let me see if I can help, Seka. That is, uhhh, if you don't mind? " she pauses, her fingers twitching, but clearing observing etiquette protocols (this time) before casting a spell upon a member of the party
"Feel free, mate. I had to use wood stain, 'cause the stuff I used on my skin kept washing off me teeth and it tasted 'orrid. If your glimms don't work, it's wire wool or nothing."
He grimaces and scowls.
"I'm not giving up pesh before a long voyage again. I've been going a bit mental, I think"
He pauses and thinks for a few moments.
"Here, Khaz - if you want a job, why don't you make us all rings or something? If we all chip in a couple of gold pieces, that ought to give you enough metal to work with - Kyson could design us a symbol..."