dotting
Found it.
Regardless as to where you boarded, this has been a VERY long journey. 3400 miles is an extremely great distance to travel, after all. The crew and other passengers make the trip at least somewhat bearable, but you'll definitely be glad to be on dry land again. According to Captain Kovack's most recent announcement, you're just under three weeks from reaching your final destination. That's cause to celebrate! Naturally, he's planned yet ANOTHER formal dinner party and everyone's expected to dress in their finest formal wear. Those Taldans - always ones for finery ... and beards.
Your dinner is rudely interrupted by sudden cries of "Man overboard!" The First Mate has spotted a lifeboat aimlessly drifting on the waves. Its sole occupant is severely dehydrated but still alive, and after a night in the infirmary seems to be making a speedy recovery.
As Keith delicately picks at a large slab of meat, his attention was drawn to the screaming man. "Oh dear." He then patted his lips, put his napkin on the table, and stood up, looking over. With a small flick of his perfectly groomed hair, he goes to aid the men attempting to bring the man over board... back on board.
At the first cry of man overboard, Amy stood up and excused her self from the captain. Once the sole occupant of the lifeboat was brought on board with the help of Keith. Any starts her examination of the man. " Some one bring water, we have a server case of dehydration! " Any continues to look over the man for any other signs of illness or wounds.
"Man-over ...*hic*... board?" Boram (wearing what is almost certainly the suit of a Taldan child) attempts to get up and help before being knocked back into his chair by his friend, Crimson Cogward.
"Best ye' wait a couple o' hours, eh Boram? We don't need ye' joinin' 'em!" Crimson pats the halfling on the back, offering him a consolatory bottle of grog instead (which readily Boram accepts), before getting up to help with the rescue.
By morning, Boram has forgotten all about the incident (not to mention most of the dinner!).
Around the time Boram finally passes out Gleus, drunkenly, makes his way to the infirmary. It does not take him long to find Amy and Silvio. Gleus plops down on an adjacent cot, still a mug in his hand. "So this was the man lost at sea? Im surprised such a scrawny fellow survived so long. Then again, I probably wouldn't look much better after baking in that sun. Huh ha!" Gleus takes a drink and then lays down on the cot.
Gleus turns to Amy, "It's a noble thing to look after him for so long...oh, and where are my manners!" Gleus sits up, seeming to instantly sober up. He holds out his large hand, "My name is Gleus Hightail of Linnorm.
Keith walks over and sits down on his bunk too. "I must admit, This Gleus is right. Staying with someone you don't even know to keep an eye..." Keith took out a brush and began to brush his hair, getting it ready for his cap. "I don't have the patience for that if its someone I don't know..." He smiles softly at everyone and finishes his routine. "Good night. All that excitement has worn me out. Perhaps we can get to know each other better in the morning." With that, Keith slid under the covers and began to snore gently within 10 minutes.
Chaney observes the excitement surrounding the rescue. He admires the professionalism of the crew as they bring the man aboard. He nods to himself with approval as the priestess moves quickly to aid the drying man.
"Good, well in hand. No need to involve myself. I wonder what his story will be."
Simply to pass the time Chaney inspects the newly acquired lifeboat...
Over the last few weeks....
.....Chaney has been quietly interested in Sasha. Or rather her 'accident'
.....How do we know about Jask? What has the Captain/crew said about him/her? Do we lowly passengers have assess to Jask?
Oh and Hmmm can't seem to concentrate. Well clothes brush it is...
While the man in the life boat looks worse for wear it is a good worse for wear. His teeth are still pearly and his hair is stylishly unkempt. If the stranger had washed up in some fancier street district his look would soon sport a fad among the fashion crowd. Simply put, he makes looking bad look good. Surprisingly good. The man has obviously been lost at sea for some time and his stay has taken much out of him. He is mostly incoherent and almost only mumbles escape his winning smile, which he by some miracle has kept intact.
After a night of sleep, some water and food the man recovers the spring in his steps. The following morning the man bursts out of the borrowed sleeping quarters and announces loudly to the rest of the ship. "Hello, you have the pleasure and good luck to earn the favor of Silvio Callgari Pazzi, great sea captain and hero to all!"
The following weeks Silvio will spend befriending the crew, concentrating on attractive females first.
You notice the unusual lack of provisions, survival gear, or anything else that someone might grab while abandoning a sinking ship. There's also no sign of other occupants. In other words, there's a good chance that Silvio didn't enter the lifeboat of his own volition.
The Red Mantis Assassins are a heavily matriarchal society/organization and are considered the best assassins in the world. They'll take any job that doesn't involve the death of a rightful sovereign. This is due to their religion; they worship the Mantis God - who was created by the other major deities to destroy those who would oppose them. All Red Mantis members are marked in some way - often with a tattoo. Like several other organizations, members are sometimes forced to sever a finger as a mark of penance - although the Mantis take care to never remove a finger from a member's dominant hand as it would negatively affect bladework. From your observations, you can deduce that Sasha is left-handed.
Your cleaning spell proves to be rather more vigorous than you'd intended, and your fine robes are going to need a fair bit of mending. Fortunately, you brought a spare set of clothing.[/ooc]
' Blessing, Gleus Hightail of Linnorm. I am Amy Eir follower of Sarenae. It is for HER blessing that labor over the sick and injured. " Amy takes Gleus's hand and states " Sarenae blessings to you " Amy spends the rest of the night watching over man found over board until he jumps up and anncouncing loudly over the rest of the ship.
WIth the raising of the sun, Amy walks out to the deck. Pulling out a red and yellow bandana, Amy places it over her eyes. Once it is secure in place, Amy looks for the sun. " Sarenae! One of your faithful stands before you. I give you thanks for the light and warmth that shines on this morning." Amy continues her morning worship for the next hour. After a small nap, Amy goes to back to infirmary where she has been working since the journey started to see if she was needed.
Normally an early riser, Gleus gets up and wanders to the front of the boat to look out over the sea as the sun rises. Gleus tries not to stare as Amy performs her morning ritual, but curiosity proves too tempting. He watches as she asks her god for her blessing. All the while Gleus looks at his own hand and thinks over the blessing he received the night before. Can a king ever earn such devotion...
Gleus wraps his cloak around him to fight against the cool ocean breeze. He silently ponders to himself and waits for the rest of the crew to get up.
Keith woke up to the prayers of Amy. Why did he have to sleep closest to the deck? Annoyed, he got up and looked for his brush. When he finds it, he goes to a mirror and starts his morning devotion.
After about an hour of vigorous grooming, perfecting each strand of hair, Keith decided to get back at the cleric who woke him up. It was supposed to be a sleep in day...
He stalked Amy, waiting for the perfect time.
He whispered; "Alright Amy, Clumzify!"
He used his magic to make her trip over thin air, constantly. Creating an annoyance for her. If she was carrying something, she would drop it. If she was running, she would fall. Anything mundane, she would probably fail. He left her spell casting alone, however and made sure she would stay safe, no tripping overboard or falling and banging her knee, etc. Healing people was important, life was important. Things, not so much.
He chuckled quietly as he slipped away, eagerly awaiting the chaos that would unfold.
Gleus's perception of Amy's pious grace that she has built over the entire trip is shattered in one morning. Gleus laughs loudly as she flounders about, "Hitting the bottle hard this morning, eh? Your god must be one for both healing and drink!"
Noting the priestesses sudden change in behavior Chaney at first assumes poison or drugs.
Skin not flushed, breathing normal. Eyes respond to light and are not overly bright. Speech not slurred. Smile even. Word choice makes sense. Emotions under control. Clearly motor impaired but not in a systematic way. Common poison unlikely, too targeted an effect. Expensive poison unlikely, she is a low value target.
But that assumption was swiftly discarded.
Known caster. Performing magical/religious rite immediately before exhibiting effects. Backlash? Error? Angry god? Curse? Two other known casters on board, ritual contamination?
"...worth checking"
. Chaney will casually sweep the ship and all on board, including Jask, if he can reach him.
"Silvio can tell that this vessel is on a mission. You are all in luck to wander upon " " Silvio's humble lifeboat. You see, Silvio is a experienced seaman and a valued member of each crew Silvio has ever been apart of. Now, tell Silvio of this mission, and Silvio will tell you how Silvio can help."
"EXPERRRRIENCED SEAMAN, ARE YE'? VALUED CREW MEM-*hic*-MEMBER?" Boram, clearly still drunk (belligerently so), shouts down at Silvio from the crow's nest. "Let's see ye' work the riggin' for the... for the day then!"
The limber little halfling jumps suddenly, snaking an arm around the mainsail clewline as he slides down gracefully (even when drunk). Halfway down the rope though, trouble strikes: the knot unravels from the spar (never rig while drunk!), the clewline goes taut, and...
The halfling goes flying overboard, like an unusually small and hairy arrow.
As is his wont, Keith weaves his magic to teach Amy the folly of interrupting his beauty sleep. Hair gets frazzled when you wake up too early, and that just won't do.
Unfortunately for you, the first person you approach is a half-elf named Aerys. She tells you, in no uncertain terms, where you can go take your attention. Clearly, she doesn't see your greatness. As you mingle, you overhear the flamboyant Gnome singing a song about you. Something about "too big for his britches; hearing his name leaves people in stitches." It's extremely poorly-written but very catchy.
Amy notices that she keeps bumping into things for some strange and figure out why. Amy activates her Guidance Rote, to see if her Goddess could give some clue in what do do. I am sore, keep running door frames and other objects.
Sarenae. Please give me a sign of what I should do. If I did something wrong, please forgive me.
@Amy: Sarenrae's ankh appears before you and indicates the area where everyone sleeps before disappearing. That's when you miss a step and begin to tumble down the ladder - until a strong arm pulls you back to safety.
Keith, coming around the corner, watches as Amy starts to fall. Oh sod it... He grabs her before she falls. "Be more careful, squint." He decided to call her squint because of how she is always looking to the sun for guidance. Feeling good about his little nickname, he chuckles.
" Sarenrae's peace to your Keith. Thank your for saving me. I also know that you put other spell on me. Did we not talk about this last time.... i have to do my morning worship with the sunrise. To make it up to your for disturbing your beauty sleep, want to pull a prank together? I can activate the Telepathy again. It was a lot of fun to pull that one prank last week. And please not with that nickname again." states Amy after the amazing save by Keith.
"Captain. How much longer until we reach our destination? Your vessel is fine and your crew, entertaining, but my legs ache to be on solid ground again."
Boram goes flying overboard with a KERPLUNK!
"Captain. Your hafling...flew into the sea."
"... I also know that you put other spell on me. ...
Silvio is quick to act upon seeing the shouting halfling tumble down out of control. A fancy rapier with a ornate hilt appears in his hand with practiced ease. In the same motion the chelaxian nobleman cuts a rope holding a counter weight and grabs onto the opposite end, using it to propell himself towards the falling Boram. Midflight Silvio sheaths his blade leaving his hand free to grab hold of the halfling when the two trajectories meet. Swinging around the mast Silvio and his accidental passanger touch down in the middle of the ship accompaniment of "ooh's" and "aaah's" of the crew witnessing he heroics.
Unfortunately for you, the first person you approach is a half-elf named Aerys. She tells you, in no uncertain terms, where you can go take your attention. Clearly, she doesn't see your greatness. As you mingle, you overhear the flamboyant Gnome singing a song about you. Something about "too big for his britches; hearing his name leaves people in stitches." It's extremely poorly-written but very catchy.
"You should not be so hostile, lady Aerys. Silvio means you no harm. Silvio will leave you to your duties, but Silvio can tell there is a relationship forming here."
"Oh, a minstrel! Luck shines upon you friend as you have the perfect subject in Silvio Callgari Pazzi to immortalize!"
Uncomfortably sober after his early morning flight, Boram slumps down onto the deck, wide-eyed and shaky.
"...Thank ye'..." gasps out the Halfling between pants.
After taking a minute to breathe, he addresses Silvio: "I owe ye' lad. we're sailin' te' Sargava, an' we're a little less'n three weeks out, too. Now ...How'd ye' end up out here? In a dinghy no less?"
Chaney spends the remainder of the day/next day repairing his robes and fishing with a light line if time permits.
Keith sighed. "Last time we almost got caught because you wouldn't stop giggling. That's the last time I teach you how to spike the high priestess' drink!" He laughs softly. "But... Since you offered so sweetly, how about we do something to the captain? He likes throwing lavish parties... I can think of a few things to make him look like more of an imbecile."
" What if i used my light rote on the main buffet table for the next dinner? An item I touch glows with divine light, about as bright as a torch. It gives off no heat or sound and requires no fuel but is otherwise like a mundane torch. It would no burn the food or the table I have complete control of the color of the flame, so we could have it change colors at we desire. The spell lasts as long as it is in my presence. " explains Amy, ' Or do you have another idea? "
Amy starts the telepathy with Keith.
Keith sighs. "No Amy. That's not a prank, that's table decoration. You've never been good at this. Now, I could pretend to set his hair on fire when he gets too close to a lantern. Illusion has always been a forte of mine. THAT would be funny. Think about what his face would look like! Ha!" Keith snickers under his breath.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Keith is then struck with a brilliant idea. " Amy, what-if I made the 'fire' visible to only him!! Oh my gods that would be hilarious! I just need you to get him close to a real flame. Sound fun?" Keith looks at her with puppy dog eyes.
-Posted with Wayfinder
" Aww... I thought my idea was funny." whines Amy. Looking at the puppy do eyes,Amy sighs and says," Want to pull the prank now? I think just heard the Captain head to breakfast. "
Keith shook his head. "At the next big dinner he throws. It will be appreciated by more people then."
" Always one to get the most of a prank. " smiles Amy at her friend Keith.
Captain Kovack has an important announcement to make around midafternoon. "I have wonderful news for everyone! Because our celebratory dinner was interrupted yesterday, I have decided to host another formal meal tonight! Make sure to dress in your finest; I'll tell Chef Kroop to prepare the finest foods. Oh, yeah, in case you didn't know, we took on another passenger, so that's something, too, I guess. Anyway, I look forward to seeing you tonight!"
Keith, plan on for tonight? Amy telepathically sends out.
"Yes. But by my count. I dont want a repeat of last time." Keith smiles.
Uncomfortably sober after his early morning flight, Boram slumps down onto the deck, wide-eyed and shaky.
"...Thank ye'..." gasps out the Halfling between pants.
After taking a minute to breathe, he addresses Silvio: "I owe ye' lad. we're sailin' te' Sargava, an' we're a little less'n three weeks out, too. Now ...How'd ye' end up out here? In a dinghy no less?"
"Do not mention it, my friend! It is all in Silvio's nature to aid his fellow man if need be. As for how Silvio ended up in the life boat? Well, not long ago Silvio was a well liked and respected member of the crew of The Maiden's Kiss. How ever, Silvio felt that the ships undertakings was missing something. It was mundane at best. It lacked excitement, significance, a sense of purpose. Silvio addressed these shortcommings but do you think Silvio was greeted with concent? No! While the crew was very positive towards Silvio's heroic ideas the ships captain, a horrid petty man named Mortimer Redpants rejected them all. He ordered Silvio to be exiled from the ship and placed into the life boat, much to the dismay of the rest of the crew Silvio may add. You see, Silvio was very beloved onboard. But the narrow-minded captain had made up his mind and Silvio was exiled. After some tough days at sea Silvio floated upon your ship, much to the delight of the crew. That is but a small part of Silvio's story. How about you, friend? How did you end up on this ship?"
Captain Kovack has an important announcement to make around midafternoon. "I have wonderful news for everyone! Because our celebratory dinner was interrupted yesterday, I have decided to host another formal meal tonight! Make sure to dress in your finest; I'll tell Chef Kroop to prepare the finest foods. Oh, yeah, in case you didn't know, we took on another passenger, so that's something, too, I guess. Anyway, I look forward to seeing you tonight!"
"And Silvio looks forward to dining at the captains table. There you will be able to ear many stories about Silvio's extravagant past!"
"Same as any ol' sailor's story I suppose: Lookin' fer a better life, an' un-us-ually low standards!" Boram nudges the nobleman, eyes twinkling.
"Anyway, that's quite the tale! We'll 'ave to keep an eye out for this 'Redpants' bloke!"
"And Silvio looks forward to dining at the captains table. There you will be able to ear many stories about Silvio's extravagant past!"
"Wishin' I could join ye', but I've been shafted wit' watch duty..." the Halfling leans in, voice dropping to a whisper: "Ye' see, we 'ave a crimmminal on board!"