All of passengers of the Jenivere gather at the mess-deck for dinner for the cook's ever so popular soups. As usual, it is as bland and watery as ever as they ever tasted on this ship. It is still a couple more weeks before the ship reaches Sargava as planned. The crew looks a bit agitated and there have been rumors that the ship is going off course. Not that it matters to the passengers, the days are mushing together and is really difficult to know how long they been sailing without asking. For now, it is dinnertime and the soup won't eat itself.
Cloony had eaten the soup since he was caught in the storage. No more quality snacks, as far as anything was passable for such.
Not quite the fair he was used to, Baelir ate the soup a bit begrudgingly.
Well, mother did warn me about some of the food on the high seas. I can't say she was wrong.
Lormo was surprised by this soup, but it was long-long ago. Several month left since they left Cheliax and he was missing normal food a lot. He could not remember any of reagents that could make ship's kitchen prepared food taste like something edible. Today, the soup was specific...
So far Kasia had spent much of the voyage on the deck. When the call for dinner echoed up from below, she resigned herself to another of the chef's ... simple meals.
Nothing in this gruel is fresh, or of any real substance. Blech, sickening year old beats and whatever they pulled up from the bilges.
Maybe they're growing mushrooms down there...
Using the tiny spoon the very large half orc finishes his soup. And looks around at who else is a passenger and not a crew member.
"Ah, another fine meal. So who else is getting off at Sargava? The so called lost colony. The jungles, the beasts, the adventures that await. Anybody?"
Lormo raised an eyebrow and looked over half-orc speaking.
"Hello, fella! I'm planning to spend some time in Sargava. Do you have some specific ideas: places to visit, beasts to tame, treasure to be find or just looking for a companion?" Elf was smiling looking at big guy. Leaving his empty plate on table, he changed his seat to get closer to Baelir and talk more comfortably.
"Lormo, Imperial Bookwyrm of her Magesty Science and his Magesty Knowledge, at your service", he offered thin and gentle hand without any trace of sun tan.
Cloony grimaced at the once again untasteful soup.
Really, the academy had better soup and was at average standards.
His canary got our of his jacket's front pocket and flew up.
"No, nononononono, you come back here this instant."
The canary landed on the half-orc's shoulder, turned around at Cloony and started short chirps.
Coming to a halt in front of the, compared to him, towering half-orc, he looks up.
"Erm..greetings, would you mind passing me that little bird that has taken your shoulder as its perch please?"
With across his face he replies to the gnome.
"Oh it's not doing any harm at all, but if you insist."
Reaching up to his shoulder the man holds out a finger for the bird to perch on and lowers it down, very low for the gnome to reclaim his birdie.
Turning towards the elf looking, the half-orc raises an eyebrow, his deep but warm voice responds with a hint of sarcasm.
"The queen you say? The same queen who's navy continues to be bested at every turn by pirates whenever they try and plunder Sargava? If I were you I'd be careful."
With a tip of his hat he continues with a more serious tone.
"All joking aside, Baelir Reddington at your service. And what am I looking for? First things first, a feather for my hat. I'll see where I go from there."
With a chuckle he eyes the bird once more.
"No, no you are safe my little friend, your feathers are far too small for my hat."
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After Mosi finishes her soup she walks amoung the tables to see if anyone wants a little bit more.
She stops in from of the Baelir.
"Would you like a little more soup?
I heard that Sargava was a fancinating place? I am egar to explore the area and see what is out there." Her easy maner and bright smile seem infectious.
Cloony hadn't seen catfolk before in the academy, the allotment stuck to humans, halflings, elves, gnomes and an occasional dwarf or half-orc.
The canary dived back into his front pocket, not showing its face.
"Wow.....a..catlady? I've never seen your people before,...what can you tell me about your culture?"
Turning to see the lady catfolk, the half-orcs smile becomes a devilish grin. Grabbing her fair hand with a quickness unlikely for someone of his size he gazes into her eyes for a moment before quickly responding.
"Oh, no more soup, the only thing that could make things better would be a smile and your name fair lady."
Knowing that catfolk can have claws he releases her hand before he can find out.
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AS you grab her hand the sleave of her outfit falls back a bit and you notice the scars on her arm. She quickly pulls her hand back and covers her arms.
"My name is Mosi." she then looks at Cloony
"I dont remember my culture. I was taken when I was very young.
But that was the past. I am free now and my life begins now!" She says with a smile.
Rubbing his chin with 1 index finger..
"Ah.....ok. I'm Cloony, raised in a magic academy in Magnimar.
My past's not entirely like what you're saying, but some similarities here.
That's a good attitude, i like to see and know new things as well."
"Wow, a cat lady... And not the one, which is hundred years old, dropping sand around"
Lormo get closer to the talk site:
"Lormo Shashud at your service, madam" he lifted his fancy hat, made according to latest Cheliax fashion design.
"Nice to meet you Cloony! Looks like, even in distant lands of Sargava we can find some common friends: Is elven magister of Transmutation still wearing his stupid yellow hat and drink that smelly tea every morning? I remember him leaving Westcrown with two crates of that smelly herb." Lormo easily brought a memory of old colleague.
"Master Baelir, you are only partially right about Cheliaxian fleet," he started, but than decided that talking three-way is totally confusing and paused for a moment. But a moment latter new idea come to his mind and he continued, totally switching theme: "Have you already selected a bird type, which you'll be chasing?"
Cloony did remember the magister.
"Well...his hat has turned a different colour after he was startled by a rat. It's yellow with firm black tea stains now. But i overheard he might pull out in a couple of years, even elves get to their old age category at some point."
A mere ghost sound prank Cloony pulled during class...see the bio :)
Albawar was used to this kind of ships food having often suffered such tasteless and revolting meals during his many years serving as a ship's guard. He ate away at the unsavoury soup knowing full well he would get nothing today.
He sits quietly during his meal, listening to the other's banter and noting what he can about this new batch of 'companions'. After thirteen years aboard a ship fighting of pirates, monsters and Cailean knows what else it is always best to know who you can count on.
The gnome lady and the large half-orc elicited the most interest from him. He had not often crossed gnomes since his departure from home and was intrigued and wary of her possible connection to magic. As for the half-orc, he lacked trust for him on principle having grown up with stories about their fully fledged ancestor's cruelty as well as having experienced it himself. However he reserved judgment for the moment as it wouldn't do to antagonize a ship's passenger.
Hearing the offer for a second bowl of soup he raises his own and calls "Aye I'll take another if ya be offerin it pretty miss" before settling back into his seat, content for the moment to remain away from the others.
Smiling at the catwoman's name he pats his stomach, the sound of his metal ring against some kind of metal can be heard faintly.
"And I am satisfied completely, the smile didn't hurt either.
Returning his attention to the elf and gnome his head turns fast enough for his earrings to jingle a bit.
"You see there lies the problem with what kind of feather I want in my large red hat. I don't know, there will always be a brighter feather, a larger feather, a different colored feather etc. So I think I'll know it when I see it, that or I will collect many feathers and change them out whenever I feel the need. I haven't quite decided yet."
The canary shows its head slightly but goes back again when it sees Miso.
Cloony widens the entrance of the pocket with 2 fingers and looks down at the bird.
"Well Puffy, it seems you are in the clear, the big man wants really big feathers."
Kasia is very slow to sip her gruel. It doesn't seem she's enjoying it overmuch. At the offer of seconds, she gets a sour look across her face, but says nothing.
Then she offers her two cents."The feathers you are looking for usually come attached to claws of equal measure. I wish you luck m'lord. The Roc and his compatriots are more than simple game."
Svishanan Sviglonaiis.
"What do you think yellow one?" Kasia turns to the canary. She doesn't cast talk with animals, but seems to be gauging the Canary's intelligence.
"Would you like to meet the Roc? She smiles broadly, then glances back and forth between Cloony & Puffy.
Cloony looks fascinated, the bird just has its head out of the pocket, showing that quick look-from-a-different-angle behaviour.
"Puffy here is not quite a familiar. He is a pet i was given once as a birthday present. It sticks with me, but sometimes it can drive once nervous. Despite that, it is quite a singer though.
But you just mentioned a roc, i have only heard tales about those birds, it would be amazing to see one for real."
She nods twice.
"He must be a brave little bird. I'm glad they hauled you up from below. Canaries can be such sensitive creatures. Very brave to travel so far. You must treat him very well."
She turns to the table at large. "Isnt big Puffy a brave bird?"
"Ah, Puffy is a brave bird indeed to hop up on my shoulders, usually the tusks scare people away. People would rather rush off to some fake appointment than give me the time of day."
Seeing the dwarf and Mwangi woman finally speaking up he extends his hand over the table towards the dwarf.
"My apologies sir, but I don't think I've caught your name, Baelir Reddington of Taldas Isle.
"Your words speak true, Baelir of Taldas."
She raises her right hand in a customary Varisian circular gesture of greeting.
"Call me Kasia Rainscar of Bielefeld... You know, quite often I find these little ones are better company that people who are so easily fooled by wounds and differences." She indicates Dear Puffy.
"Friendships can be such fickle things among persons."
"Have any of you ever met anyone from Bielefeld?"
Albawar looks at the proffered hand, unsure of how to proceed. Long has hatred for orcs been a part of his life, inborn as it was in his race and taught by warriors of old and new alike. Yet his travels had given him a different view on things, one not so set in stone as the rest of his race, when it came to these half breeds. It was not their fault that they were born as they were and so it was left up to them to choose their destiny and up to him to give them that chance.
All this he thought in less than a second as he pondered what his reaction should be before grasping the proffered hand with a solid grip and answering back in his gruff voice:
"Well met and no apologies are necessary. The name's Albawar Grizzlemane, wandering mercenary and currently guardian of the Jenivere as it were. What brings you to this tub's plank if I can ask ya?"
"Roc?", Lormo smiled all his Elven teeth, "rocs are great creatures, that can be a mastodon size, so their feather will weight couple of pounds. It will be quite hard to keep your head straight with a load like that ", he answered Kasia's greeting with informal hat gesture. "We can bring up a nice team, but I think we should keep our focus on more in smaller breeds: albatrosses, eagles, owls, herons. I heard that there are quite many of running birds, with big legs and long necks. Their feathers are not very fancy, but getting one might be interesting as well."
Hesitantly Puffy looks at Mosi. It's slightly less hesistant, as the big cat didn't try to grab it. Cloony picks up the bird and holds his open hand with Puffy near Mosi's. Puffy hops over and eats some of the birdseed before starting to sing.
Kasia's longer name had Cloony wonder if this dark lady was of some noble blood.
"Say miss Kasia, are you nobility? Somehow it sounds like some sort of title, or is it a town i have not yet heard of?"
"Now why on earth would I want a roc's feather in my hat? It would be far too large and impractical. I believe I will know what feather I want when I see it. Well, I also am looking for good times to add a few more of these."
Baelir points to his left eyebrow which is pierced four times. Back to Albawar's question he turns to the dwarf.
"I am travelling, for the sake of travelling. Explore the world, see some sites before settling down, meet the right girl, etc. The only condition is that I write home every now and then of my journey. Not every one of my kind is raised by orcs."
Kasia nods to Lormo, then turns back to Cloony.
"My friend, have you ever met anyone from Bielefeld?"
"No miss, cannot say that i have. I have spent many a year in the Magnimar arcane academy and have only for a year or so graduated."
"Then I don't think I would worry about it were I you. It can be a very angry place."
I wonder if it can top my teachers' rage when they could not find out who did a joke on them.
"I shall keep it in mind, thank you. But please indulge me, what is it like? Is it mostly nature or is it rich in arcane energies?"
Albawar nods at Baelir's comment about how he was raised, knowing that his reticence had appeared somewhat for him to mention his heritage
Aye 'twas a good move not judging the man on his looks alone, I should know better by now not to always judge a book by its cover
To Baelir he answers:
"Aye tis as good a reason as any to wander the high seas and just so happens to be mine own as well. What better way to travel than to be paid to do so eh?" he lets out a hearty laugh and smacks the table before unstopping his wineskin and taking a brief swig before offering it to Baelir with an encouraging smile.
As you converse among yourselves, you suddenly feel nauseated and cannot keep your balance. Before you know it, everything went dark and the sounds went silence.
The next thing Albawar hears are the sounds of the gulls and the waves hitting the shore. He feels the sand underneath him and the water lapping against his feet. All of a sudden, he felt a searing pain racing up his leg and bolts up. At his feet are two scorpion-like animals about three feet long. Looking around, he sees four more of them crawling towards at his unconscious companions from the ship.
What in the god's names happened to me? Must be something in that accursed stew I can't believe - YOWCH
Albawar comes to much faster due to the pain, his mind and eyes focussing rapidly and taking in the creatures, his position and the lack of his precious weapons. He growls in frustration and anger, directing his wrath to the disgusting creatures at his feet.
"You've messed with the wrong Dwarf, laddy!"
Albawar moves quickly to the nearby pile of gear, despite the need to turn his back to his foes, and retrieves his dorn-dergar or dwarven waraxe if they are visible, otherwise he grabs the first weapon on top of the pile as he prepares to face the scorpions.
One of the critters tries to take a bigger chunk out of Albawar.
The first claw takes another nip from him while the second claw was not as lucky, getting the protected part instead.
The other scorpions are looking cautiously at the unconscious bodies, not sure if they are dead and won't get up like that dwarf. One of them takes a nip at the gnome to test it out.
The little figure jolts up.
"Yoww! What is the big idea stabbing an intellectual in the foot? Who...oh man...."
Cloony 5ft steps back quickly,
Kasia scrambles through the sand, flinging up sand everywhere as she books it towards Albawar and the pile of equipment.
She takes a look around, and yells out a strange hiss,
Talking with animals
"LEAVE US ALONE. We will not be easy food for you. They are all alive, and will kill you."
Standing next to Albawar and the pile of gear, she asks the dwarf "Have you ever wanted to be larger, m'Lord?"
As he passes, Albawar flinches as the little critter slices through his skin again and draws blood. His mood changes quickly as he reaches the pile of gear and picks up his dorn-dergar and a savage smile spreads on his lips. Now he could protect himself and give a good reckoning of his strength to the vile creatures
As he hears the dark skinned human let out a hiss he raises an eyebrow before shouting out
"This ain't the time ta be hissin at em lady, this is the only language they comprehend!"
And he punctuates the end of his phrase with a twirl of the weapons chain and before smashing it's flanged head down on the nearest creature
EDIT: "Aye that may not be such a bad idea missy" he says
Lormo opened his eyes and saw a scorpion face nearby.
"Damn", classification lines, types of poison and other interesting details from books run through his mind. Split between all possible ways to react in this situation, he moves closer to grab a trusty longsword from a pile, but as he discovers a scorpion nearby, he prepares to defend himself.
The sea scorpions ignores Kasia's pleas/threat and continues on the offensive. Albawar's attack missed one of the critters and it retaliates with it's claws again.
It got lucky and hit Albawar again.
Cloony's creature is not as lucky and got hit by the cold. It focuses on the gnome and attempts to take it's prey down.
Cloony got nipped by one claw and avoid the other, but could not avoid getting hit by it's stinger.
One of the scorpions takes a nip at Baelir's feet. Another one does the same for Mosi.
Albawar growls a curse as his weapon swings wide and attacks again with renewed vigour as he grows in size due to the dark skinned female's spell. He smiles down at the others, marvelling at the view he has from such a height and calls out:
"Let's see what kind of damage I can do to these here beasties eh?"
Waking up and still feeling groggy, Baelir looks for his gear and spots it along with the scorpion before him. Rolling over onto his stomach he stands up and hurries over to the pile of equipment.
"Sonuva lich!"
The creature that was causing Albawar some trouble is now a bloody plup.