Nef smiles up at Oren as he walks through the Galley. "You're up early. I'll happily remind you about the rum... the next time you propose we go drinking." Her eyes twinkle. "Glad you're feeling better, Opu. Want to give me a hand getting breakfast ready? I could use your help with this batter. I've never made flapjacks before... Is it supposed to be this goopy?"
She rereads the recipe one more time, frowning. "Only one way to check, I suppose..." She tests the pan's heat by throwing a droplet of water at it. As it sizzles off, she adds the grease. "Kaleo, Pete and Buttterfly all seem good, though none of them are exactly happy about us heading to Dolentla."
"Something seems to be bugging Maka, but I can't quite put a finger on it. Maybe he'll open up to you as a fellow Kamu?"
She pours the thin, goopy batter into the hot pan, swishing the pan quickly to get an even coating of pancake. Although her first flapjack comes out looking more like Anchor Bay than like a true circle, it's golden brown and smells lovely.
"Huh. Opu, I'm starting to get the hang of this!"
As she makes the other flap jacks, she says, "I talked with Reknar last night. He's scarred and likely as stubborn as Zem, but he's got a good heart. He's battled horrors that you and I have only heard about. I asked him to help us on Dolentla."
She hands Oren a bite of the test flapjack. "Is this as good as I think it is?"
Reknar stands on board, arms crossed over his chest as the priestess moves away - "What is she up to then Captain?" - he asks Jacinth.
"Now those flap jacks look good enough to eat, Nef!". Oren's stomach rumbled as he hadn't eaten much in the last couple of days.
"I'll try to talk to Maka. I certainly don't blame the others for being nervous. If the tales they have heard are true, there's dark spirits there on the island. I'm not looking forward to disembarking myself, to be honest. But if we find these kids, this can set us up for life. That's what I keep telling myself. I figured there was a story behind Reknar....you don't end up tied up on a ship in the middle of the ocean if you've been a boring good boy all your life. It sounds like he might fit in well with us."
"Now, let's get everyone together and eat!"
Reknar stands on board, arms crossed over his chest as the priestess moves away - "What is she up to then Captain?" - he asks Jacinth.
Nef snorts at Oren's "boring good boy" comment. "No, Reknar's anything but that. And he's pretty open about sharing his stories... Why don't you ask him for some? He shares a duty shift with Aikane, Dirty Pete and Maka, and none of them have been super talkative. I bet he'd love a chance to chat."
She grins as she starts flipping flapjacks, these with a somewhat more round shape. "You know, it's a beautiful morning. Maybe we should do one big breakfast on the deck for the whole team, and then we can have a group meeting about planning for Dolentla. I know this good weather will hold until 1000 hours..."
"Slice up some fruit for me, and we'll have a breakfast feast!"
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"I think a group breakfast would be great for morale." Oren grabs some honey for the flap jacks, and finds whatever citrus fruits he could come up with. "Oranges are always good with honey," he mutters more to himself than Nef, as he grabs several out of a storage container.
As they head above deck with their bounty, Oren bellows out to the others. "Breakfast time, boys and girls! Can't give proper observance to Whale on an empty stomach, you know. Come and get your flapjacks and fruit! If you don't get here quick, I might eat all of your helpings!"
Amused at Oren's enthusiasm, Nef drafts Kaleo and Butterfly into helping her carry the rest of breakfast up, along with tin plates and cutlery.
"You heard Oren," she says in a normal speaking voice that still somehow carries... "Flapjacks and fruit! Who can resist that?"
She passes out plates, grateful that Oren with his prestidigitation was able to keep breakfast piping hot. Happily pouring honey and citrus on her flapjacks, she digs in once she's sure everyone has some.
Ooh... this is so good! Maybe being a cook isn't that bad a skill to learn...
"Captain, once everyone's eaten their fill, can we have a meeting to discuss our plans? We're a day out from Dolentla."
Nef blushes at the 'breakfast and geography' comment. It was amazing how many of her flapjacks looked like Razor Coast islands...
But when Jacinth asks for questions, she has one. "Captain... those man-beasts. Do you remember if they looked native or colonial? The legends of the island had members of the people turning their backs on the old gods and worshipping this dark spirit, correct? Still other legends had Pele killing off everyone on Dolentla..."
Nef breaks off.
"I have a theory, and I don't like it one bit," she admits.
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Reknar stands on board, arms crossed over his chest as the priestess moves away - "What is she up to then Captain?"
"Do you remember the whale I told you about earlier, the one that destroyed the Dulcimer? Nef seems to believe that perhaps the Tulita's Whale god is angry or maddened in some manner...or at least that this particular whale that attacked my ship is," Jacinth murmurs as she watches the priestess shimmy out onto the bowsprit. "And so every evening she has been climbing out there to...speak to this Whale, sharing her story...and ours. She seems to believe that it may make a difference."
Turning back to Reknar, she shrugs. "Personally, I do not put much stock in such things. However, considering what happened before...I decided that it could not hurt to allow her to do this." The elven woman's lips twitch as she tries not to smile. "And to be honest, I suspect she would not listen to me even if I cared to try and stop her."
"Guess faith is like that" - Reknar replies - "One just believes a God works his or her way through you, and trust that to make a difference? Doubt any whale will care much for that though" - he shrugs.
Even though he would prefer something more substantial, the breakfast prepared by Nefertiti and Oren is quite a treat, so he dives into it as the others talk - "Good chow" - he comments at the cooks.
At Jacinth's mention of questions, he does pipe in, still chewing - "If a fight breaks on the island, and I've got a feeling it will, how do you plan to go about it? Who takes the front line? Who guards our flanks? Who protects the casters? Who has ranged capability?" - he pours out a torrent of questions, taking a large drink to push the food down, before adding - "Actually, what is the plan overall? If there is an hostile force, we're going to scout them out first, right? Intel is half any fight" - the man leans back on his seat, arms crossed over his chest.
"Or we're playing it by ear?" - he asks finnaly.
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Oren didn't know much about Nef's theory, but he could discuss tactics. "Well, Aikane is quiet as a whisper. And Nef riding on that big chicken could scout as well. Those two would be our intelligence gatherers, I'd think. I'm no good at any of that stuff. Let me stand back and throw fire at things...that's what I do. If a fight breaks out and so,etching gets in my face, please come running, because it's about to eat me. I need a bit of space to operate. Other than that, I haven't really thought of a plan. Other than go find those kids, get them to safety, get back home and collect our gold!"
Wedjat flies behind Oren.
"Screeeee!?"
Giant Chicken!?
He hops up and down and fluffs himself up to look intimidating, and instead just looks cute.
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At Jacinth's mention of questions, he does pipe in, still chewing - "If a fight breaks on the island, and I've got a feeling it will, how do you plan to go about it? Who takes the front line? Who guards our flanks? Who protects the casters? Who has ranged capability?" - he pours out a torrent of questions, taking a large drink to push the food down, before adding - "Actually, what is the plan overall? If there is an hostile force, we're going to scout them out first, right? Intel is half any fight" - the man leans back on his seat, arms crossed over his chest.
"Or we're playing it by ear?" - he asks finally.
She goes through Reknar's questions, one by one, holding up fingers as she goes.
"Our frontline will likely be you, and possibly Aikane, Ke'ahilani or Wedjat." She gestures to her fluffed up eagle, who is still attempting to intimidate Oren. "I don't know how much you know about Haast's Eagles, but give them a charge lane and they are some of the scariest creatures on the coast."
"However, if we're facing a lot of foes, Wedjat might find better use as my mount, allowing me a chance to position for my channel." She looks at Jacinth and Reknar. "You're both new, so you haven't seen me do this in a fight yet. When I channel, I can daze most of our enemies and take their actions from them. This can tilt the odds in our favor."
She brings up a second finger. "Flank duty? Rata and Jacinth. They're both ranged, so it'll work well. Rata does damage with thrown daggers that I've never seen before. He's scary with them. Jacinth has a bow."
The fhird finger comes up. "Who protects the casters? That's... Zem. She breaks off, then recovers. "Wedjat usually has my back, and I'm usually airborne. We''ll all have to watch out for Oren."
The fourth finger. "Ranged. We've already mentioned Oren, Rata and Jacinth, but Ke'ahilani also has those bombs he throws around."
Finger five. "Oren covered who scouts. Moving on," she says with a grin.
"There'll be things we can't plan for, yes. With those we'll have to improvise. But I believe firmly in intel, and you already know that I'm one who's happiest with a plan." She turns back to Jacinth. "Those man beasts... they were dragging your people back to the island, right? That means that they wanted them alive."
Now is not the time to mention that they may have only kept them for a blood sacrifice...
"If they meet up with us, that may be how they proceed at first with us as well. And that could be a distinct advantage for our side."
Nefertiti looks at Jacinth. "Another question... How far out from the island did you meet the Whale? Where did he attack your ship? Can you show us on a map?"
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Oren reaches out and pats the posturing chicken on the head. "Good boy."
Wedjat, gathering what is left of his dignity, hops away.
"Screeeeee!"
Good? I'm AWESOME.
He heads towards Reknar, and fluffs himself up to show just how intimidating he can be.
"Screeeee!"
Yes, he once again looks.... adorable.
Nef tries not to laugh at her bird.
She covers her mouth, but can't help the laughter that just bursts forth from behind it.
Still smiling, she turns to Reknar. "What about you? What weapons and fighting tactics do you normally use? I know you've got a little wizard training... What are your go-to spells in a fight? Also do you carry message spell normally? Communications in battle, or with a scouting party, can be very useful."
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Reknar throws a sidelong glance at Wedjat - "Yep, you're definitely the biggest eagle I have ever seen - I can imagine those claws putting out some sweet damage, that's for sure"
At Nefertiti and Oren's recount of the group's skills, and the question about his own, he adds - "My arcane training is as basic as it comes, and completely non functional in armor" - he replies - "Except for the wand itself, I am unable to tap into any other spells most of the time, unless I am butt naked. It seems the metal causes some sort of interference and whatnot" - the man reasons.
"I'm used to being in the thick of it, or at least that's how it used to be back in the day. The bardiche is my weapon of choice, it offers me added reach, which means that if we stand fast, and make them come to us, they'll have to eat steel before they are upon us. But if the line is broken, it is a useless tactic" - Reknar frowns - "Which usually happens when the scuffle begins. People tend to lose focus - some think they are the kings of the world, and they usually die first. Others don't really know where to stand, and just fiddle around... Hold the line, shouldn't be hard to memorize. But it is" - he shrugs.
Looking at Rata, and then at Jacinth, he follows up - "If you can seriously lay down the pain from range, then they will be forced to come to us, and when they do, we make them regret it... Hard" - the man smiles.
"The wand offers me additional magical protection, so I should be able to step up front and take the spot, but that only works if they come at us from a single direction. That is why shaping the field will be to our advantage, if we can. In the end, each fight is different, I agree, so adaptation is the name of the game"
Raising his voice slightly, he finishes - "Bottom line, remember you are in a group. Take a split second to think about what the man or woman next to you will do, and act in accordance. Opening up an opponent to make way for your rogue to stab him in the lungs is not about losing the glory, is about being intelligent. There's no glory when you're dead, or someone else because of you" - his eyes gleam - "And remember, if I shout out your name, and call on me, it's because it's safe to move away from an enemy through where I'm standing - I'll make sure you don't get hit as you move away"
He again shrugs - "That's about it I guess. Just fight smart, as a whole. And those beast men, or what the hell they are, will be scurrying back home to their momma's skirt, or fur, or whatever"
Reknar throws a sidelong glance at Wedjat - "Yep, you're definitely the biggest eagle I have ever seen - I can imagine those claws putting out some sweet damage, that's for sure"
Mollified, Wedjat preens.
Finally someone appreciates me...
As the Rita sails along the spirits of the crew remain high, despite the news of your final destination. To the west of you are signs your journey is indeed coming to an end as several islands preceding Dolentla island are passed by you. The morning clouds burn away leaving the sun to shine down brightly upon you. The temperature also rises, leaving the feeling of sailing through a sauna.
As the sun crests the sky, one of the Tulitan crew stationed in the crows nest cries out to those topside. "Ahoy, somethin' off the port bow! Looks like...wreckage?" A closer look does indeed reveal a makeshift raft drifting several hundred yards off the Rita's port side. You also make out what looks like a ragged torn sail covering something on the raft. Peering through your spyglass reveals the sail is definitely being used as a shroud here covering several bodies, most likely to protect them from the burning sun.
Nef looks at Jacinth and raises an eyebrow. "I could take myself and one other if they don't mind hanging from Wedjat's claws. Permission to scout ahead, Captain, with Reknar or Aikane if they're willing?"
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Ker-whumph!
On the morning of Day six, Ke' appears at the breakfast meeting with a rack of potions and his hair growing down to his ankles.
"Had a little mishap cooking up a healing potion."
He put the wicker rack down.
"Anyway, here's my little contribution. I think we should all have one potion of Cure Light Wounds, for defense, and one flask of Alchemist's Fire, for offence."
He points out the seven bottles of lemon yellow fluid as healing.
He points out the eight bottles of red fluid as alchemist's fire.
He gets some breakfast and chows down with gusto.
"The thing is" - Reknar retorts at Jacinth - "Its all sunshine and flowers while the gods are on your side. You risk getting used to rely on them instead of yourself" - he frowns - "That's when you begin depending on their whims - if they fail or let you go, you're left in the hole" - you notice the man is now gritting his teeth - "I've seen it happen. It's not pretty"
------------------------
At Jacinth's words about Rata's ranged abilities, Reknar nods - "Guess you're our mobile artillery then lad"
"Had a little mishap cooking up a healing potion."
He put the wicker rack down.
"Anyway, here's my little contribution. I think we should all have one potion of Cure Light Wounds, for defense, and one flask of Alchemist's Fire, for offence."
He points out the seven bottles of lemon yellow fluid as healing.
He points out the eight bottles of red fluid as alchemist's fire.
He gets some breakfast and chows down with gusto.
"These will come in handy" - Reknar takes one from each flask without hesitation, and places them on his bandoleer, in prearranged positions - "Thank you" - he nods at Ke'ahilani.
------------------------
Nef looks at Jacinth and raises an eyebrow. "I could take myself and one other if they don't mind hanging from Wedjat's claws. Permission to scout ahead, Captain, with Reknar or Aikane if they're willing?"
"Logic says you should take Aikane, he is lithe and fast on his feet" - he turns to Aikane - "Ready to fly? Time for some intel gathering" - then back to Nefertiti - "And are you 'sure' I wouldn't weigh down your eagle, armor and all?"
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Oren also takes one vial of each provided. "Many thanks, Lani. Hopefully, neither of these will be needed. Better safe than sorry, though. If we get through today, I can help with that hair problem, I think. Burning hair doesn't smell the best, but I think I can fry them right off, if you want a quick resolution to the problem..."
"Why not just steer closer? What is the worst that could happen. Oh, wait. I know."
"I'd rather know what's over there before we take our boat and saddle right up against it. If we can find out from the air, why take the risk of drawing closer to a trap?"
"No, no, no...if they took them alive then there is a chance that they may yet live. They must be alive..." she whispers.
"I think they are," Nef says gently. Though in what shape they'll be with a dark spirit messing with their heads is another question...
The small priestess gets up, pacing. "This is only a theory, but I think the shipwrecks and the dark spirit of the island are linked somehow. If the dark spirit lost all of its followers to Pele, it may be seeking to replenish them."
On the morning of Day six, Ke' appears at the breakfast meeting with a rack of potions and his hair growing down to his ankles.
"Had a little mishap cooking up a healing potion."
Nef raises an eyebrow in appreciation. "Lani, the new hair is glorious! Can you replicate that? If so, we could make a fortune selling this to the dandies in Port Shaw!" She thanks him for the potions, storing hers in her pouch. "If you want," she says shyly, "I can braid your hair like I used to do for my sister. I'd rather not have Opu burn it off."
"Logic says you should take Aikane, he is lithe and fast on his feet" - he turns to Aikane - "Ready to fly? Time for some intel gathering" - then back to Nefertiti - "And are you 'sure' I wouldn't weigh down your eagle, armor and all?"
Nefertiti grins. "That depends on whether you and your armor weigh less than 500 pounds. Do you?"
Nef looks out at the wreckage, and frowns. Those could be people in need, or as Oren says, it could be a trap... If it's a trap... what sort?
"This close to Dolentla.... And a potentially mind controlling dark spirit..." She eyes Reknar. "I'm going to cast Magic Circle Against Evil on whichever one of you is coming with me, and then we'll take off. Let's treat this as a full practice run for scouting maneuvers that we'll do later."
"Opu, want to put a message spell on us?"
Nef turns to Aikane, and asks, "Are you coming, friend, or am I taking Reknar?"
________________________________
Oren waits until they were set to fly off, and casts his Message cantrip as they head off. "Be careful up there. No risks now. If something looks off, get back here asap!"
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Nefertiti grins. "That depends on whether you and your armor weigh less than 500 pounds. Do you?"
Reknar whistles in appreciation - "Yep, biggest and strongest eagle I have ever seen"
Ke' waived off offers of help with his hair as he still wolfed down his breakfast.
"No, no, I'll cut it off and use it for materials."
He swallowed.
"Now, I know you wanted some of the stat boosters, but I would only have been able to make two or three.
"Also, I've used up almost all my materials on this batch; to make more for you all I'll need cash to get more." He looked at you all significantly.
"For the red one, you just take aim and throw it, correct?"
Ke'ahilani nodded.
"Yes, just make sure the glass breaks and it will blow. If you accidentally land it in the water or mud or some such, just have someone throw a rock or something to break it and you're good!""These mishaps...they do not occur often, correct?"
Ke' shook is vast mane of hair.
"Nah. We hardly ever blow the ship apart when cooking up a potion." He said offhandedly.
"I've had enough of flying. Why don't you give it a try, Reknar?" Aikane plants his feet on the deck.
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Reknar stares at Aikane for a second - "You're lighter, more agile, probably faster, and much less likely to sink like a rock if you fall on the water" - Reknar grumbles as he takes off his armor, setting it to the side - "But hey, I wouldn't want you to do anything you don't feel like doing. So yeah, I'll go"
Again reaching for his wand, he zaps it, summoning the invisible force shield for added protection - "I'm ready" - he nods at Nefertiti.
After Reknar prepares himself for the flight, he slides behind the priestess upon Wedjat. Thanks to the magical spell the Haas eagle is under, the bird is easily able to carry both passengers.
As the eagle soars off the topdeck of the Rita, he flies upward for a few seconds to gain altitude before circling around to get a closer look at the makeshift raft. As the others look on, Nefertiti and Reknar do indeed see the raft is covered by the remnants of a sail being used as a shroud to cover three bodies. Your sharp eyes do pick up movement coming from them so they appear to be alive...
The sensation is unique, even if Reknar is not given to such abandonment. He just remains silent, sucking in any comments he may have to offer about the amazing flight.
"There's movement - we need to pull closer and hail them" - he comments to Nefertiti.
Nefertiti looks at Ke'ahilani's vast mane of hair wistfully. "Are you sure you want to cut it off? It looks nice on you." She sighs, knowing that as one who keeps her hair short, she really can't dictate how others wear theirs. "As for money, let's talk after I get back. We'll of course pay you for whatever you expended making those potions."
She looks at Aikane, and nods.
She says gently to Reknar, "Not everyone is as enamored of flying as I am."
It amuses her that Reknar divests himself of armor after asking if Wedjat can carry the weight.
This is a man who always prepares himself for the worst case scenario. We're going over water. If he gets dropped, he'll want to be able to swim.
Wedjat gently grips Reknar and the trio takes off across the water whille Jacinth and the others steer the boat closer. The rush of flight, the wind in her hair, the feeling of Wedjat's strong feathered body beneath her, the steady beat of his wings... All of these feel right. She is a child of the sky, flying above the gorgeous green waters of the Razor. Despite the seriousness of their potential rescue mission, she can't help the expression of joy on her face. She looks at Reknar, pleased to see that the big man is soaking in every moment of their flight together.
"There's movement - we need to pull closer and hail them" - he comments to Nefertiti.
"I see it too," Knowing the message spell is in place, she says, "Oren, tell the others we see three bodies, alive and moving, under that shroud. We're pulling in a little closer and hailing."
As they fly in closer, she calls in common, knowing her voice will carry, "Ahoy the raft! May we assist you?"
Despite multiple yells and hails, none of the inhabitants of the raft acknowledge your cries for assistance.
"We need to rip that sail away, and look underneath - something is wrong here" - Reknar suggests.
"They're not responding at all, though from their movement they appear awake. Reknar's right. There's something off about this," Nefertiti says aloud for the benefit of those listening on the Message spell.
"Captain, I'm swooping lower so that Reknar can rip the shroud away."
"Screeeee!"
Ripping could be fun!
Oren keeps the others updated on Nef's information. "Looks like three bodies moving underneath a tarp. Nef's and Reknar are closing to investigate further."
As he does so, he renews his False Life spell, adding hit points for five hours.
"I don't want to set foot in that raft unless I have to" - Reknar answers Nefertiti - "So keep your eagle as steady as possible" - he adds, sliding from his position downwards and to his left, hugging the eagle's massive body, and turning around at the last moment to lash out with an arm, and hold fast onto one of Wedjat's strong legs, just above the talons.
Swinging, he grabs the other leg, steadying his position, and then pulling himself upwards, making sure the mighty beast feels his shoulders against her claws - "Grab hold!" - he shouts, wincing at the eagle's strength when she does as requested. Testing once, twice, and then a third time, he finally lets go, hung aloft by Wedjat, her claws drawing blood from his shoulders - 'Damned smart bird, I gotta give you that' - he thinks to himself.
Drawing his bardiche, and using it more as a pendulum/hook than anything else, he waits for the flyby, to try and grasp at the sail, and drag it to unveil what lies below.
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As Reknar positions himself so he can rip the shroud away from obscuring the bodies on the raft, he feels Wedjat's claws dig into his body drawing a small amount of blood.
He deftly snags the shroud on the first pass, pulling it away from those it was concealing...and immediately wishes he had not. Laying on the raft are three emaciated bodies, with hair the color of rotting seaweed draping each of their forms. Loose, algae-colored skin sags off of their starved frames.
As the priestess and the mercenary stare in horror, a wave of revulsion strikes you at their sight along with a crippling weakness that spreads through each of your bodies...
Nef feels a wave of revulsion ripple over her body. Gasping, she says over the message link, "Monsters! Emaciated, seaweed-draped monsters! Opu, can you hit them?"
To Wedjat, one ugly humanoid looks pretty much like another. The wave of revulsion that rolls over the humans pretty much bounces off the bird. In Nefertiti's case, the revulsion is visceral and strong, and she has to take deep breaths, hoping to hold off the crippling nausea.
1. Is this a FEAR effect?
If so, Flag Bearer Feat kicks in for an additional +1 morale boost to the save.
2. Are these skinny jerks EVIL?
If so, then the Magic Circle Against Evil offers another +2 to our saves.
"Damn! What the?!" - Reknar blurts out as soon as he looks upon the creatures.
He coughs away the revulsion, hoping that Wedjat won't simply drop him at the sight of whatever they are looking upon. Which in the midst of it all, still gets him thinking if he ever saw anything like that.
"Sea Hags!" - he shouts at Nefertiti - "Fought a coven of one of those once! Just looking at them will make your knees go weak, avoid it if you can! And get us out of here, they can curse you with their foul magic - saw more than one man wither away and die because of it!"
'What the hell are they doing in open waters?' - he ponders, again shouting at Nefertiti when hearing her words - "Yep, best try to take them from afar, or move the ship away"