"Well, he likely feels like his kin are kicking him in the guts and head right about now," Priyya commented, getting back to her feet, "but he'll be fine."
Turning to her patient the cheeky cleric says in a somewhat softer voice, "Just try not to fight too loudly, Darvesch."
Even as she receives a reply that sounds like a cross between a grunt and a heave, the white-haired, desert-tanned priestess gives the two royals a hard look and asks, "So are we simply going to wait for the enemy to draw within range and hope to intimidate them, or were either of you planning anything a bit more proactive? Just idle curiosity, honest."
Alis steals a sidelong glance at her friend, finger tapping her pursed lips, blue-violet eyes intense. Even though her youthfulness was evident in the soft contours of her face, her focus added a quality that made her seem less cherubic and more grown-up.
So it was that when she began to voice her plan, you knew that it was not bravado or recklessness that she had in mind, but decisive action. "I think that those of us with the means to do so should steal aboard the galley and disable the crew. With a bit magic and some luck, my hope is that they'll be so preoccupied with the warship blocking their path that we can catch them off-guard."
"Between Ieana, Lureene, and I, we should be able to either fly or swim most of our number down there when they are but a few minutes away."
Looking to the rest of you, she asks, "Thoughts?"
Lureene is glad Darvesch is ok, although from what she was told about dwarves (admittedly another dwarf was the one to tell her this) it was well-nigh impossible for one to get drunk.
She filed this away for future dealings, knowing Darvesch needed some reassurance from her. More urgent matters needed to be handled prior to this one.
As the Princess asks for input, she strokes her hair in thought and almost slides her lock of hair into her mouth, a look from Alis stopping her from further destroying her ends.
I think I need to worry about being more presentable now.
"Yes, both Ieana and I can cloak our passage invisibly which would allow us to fly over undetected but..." she glances to the dark blue surface of the water, a look of distaste crossing her pretty features. "I think swimming to the galley would be a better option. While their lookouts may expect fliers, they would not expect people swimming underwater! Staying undetected is our best option to succeed here! Once we get close enough, I can send Grak to check things out."
"Ugh." Darvesch grunts. "Hey, Prince. Remind me to never drink anything of yours again."
Making an effort to stand up, "My apologies everyone. So, what's the plan, and what can I do?"
Seeing that a discussion has drawn nigh, Ieana approaches glancing with some concern at the mess on the paving stones of the courtyard before taking a deep breath. "The issues with swimming underwater are that is it slower, you will need a means to breath, and an invisible creature will leave a visible outline should any care to look for it. Of course, if an enemy is looking for invisible assailants then the point is moot and the spells wasted. In that case, shortening the window of opportunity our adversaries have to target us would be best."
"Regardless," she crosses her hands behind her back, face impassive, "any such spells we might cast would last only for a matter of minutes. Therefore, if we are to seize the initiative, necessity dictates any stratagem must be set into play when our adversary's vessel is close-at-hand."
"Sooo, does that mean we are or aren't using those disguise pins that tailor guy made? Alis was able to make us into mer-folk with them before and there's no limit to how long the shapechange lasts."
"Sooo, does that mean we are or aren't using those disguise pins that tailor made? Alis was able to make us into mer-folk with them before and there's no limit to how long the shapechange lasts."
"We can use them if need be," Alis replies. "Right now one of them is already in use which leaves us another three: Priyya's, Lureene's, and yours, Mal. Since Lureene can already fly on her own, that frees up hers for Darvesch."
Swallowing with more than a hint of discomfort, the creamy hue of her cheeks growing flushed, Ieana offers, "If it would be useful to y– to our cause, your highness, then the trinket I am wearing should be... repurposed."
With that, she reaches up and removes the pin binding her long brown hair into a bun. Immediately, the wizardess' form shifts and her legs disappear, replaced instead by a thick, serpentine tail long as a grown man!
Nodding her head toward Prince Tyralor, she apologizes, "Suffice it to say that I was not always thus and that it is a story lacking brevity."
Priyya nods, respectful of the reluctant mage's pragmatism. "On the bright side, if we don't survive then your secret is safe. If we do?" She looks about at Alis, Lureene, Sasha, and Nimniel, "There's a chance our good prince might be too d-stracted to hear it."
"Now then," she claps her hands, "do I get the play the part of a wrinkly old mermaid wearing naught but clamshells? That should send any foe fleeing into the jaws of death."
Alis smirks at Priyya's self-deprecating manner and gives a wink. "And here I was going to turn into a mermaid, sun myself on a rock, and sing a soulful love song to enthrall all the sailors!"
"Oooh! You mean like that sexy dance you did last time? I bet that would totally work!"
Even though some of you have only just met her, Sasha is hard-pressed to conceal the fact that she really just wants to see the princess dance again.
Sense Motive Checks:
"Mmm," Gelik puffs on his pipe thoughtfully, "while that would be quite the show, Sash, the spells that really sell the act only work close-up. Better for a captive audience than as a passing attraction."
"Ummm Sash, I think Gel is right. I am not sure such a dance would work in this case, I think the sailors aboard the galley would be less prone to be distracted...although it would be NICE to see again..." Lureene squeezes Sasha's hand in silent agreement with the redheads wishes.
Even as Sasha's enthusiasm wilts, Alis smiles in consolation and says, "Enthralling the whole crew might not work, but I suspect Lureene and I could charm one or two. However I think it best if we try to scout the enemy vessel first. If we turn my pet monkey, King Tut, into an albatross, or make Lureene's familiar, Grak, invisible, then they could relay what they see and we can go from there."
"Failing that?" Her blue-violet eyes swing over to her winged-retainer, "Lureene and I should be able to cause a distraction long enough for the rest of you to slip aboard. Even if we have to retreat, the enemy will still have to contend with the Zephrys and her canons."
Darvesch sighs as the group discusses the merits and virtues of watching Alis dance. Looking to Alis, "Are you certain you don't want me to go ahead and try to talk them down? I wouldn't be opposed to having someone volunteer to join me, if you insist. Lest it was you, of course." He brushes himself off and continues, tired, "What are my orders?"
"A flying mithril-clad dwarf intent upon parlay might give anyone pause, I'd imagine," Gelik says stroking his goatee with one hand as he holds the bowl of his pipe with the other.
"That would certainly get their attention alright, and a dwarf might seem less likely to have conflicting interests compared to the rest of us... shapechanges aside, that is."
"If nothing else, even if they react as poorly you expect, Alis, that's the distraction the rest of us need to get into position. I have no qualms over going with him — invisible or not."
"Fair enough," Alis lowers her chin a bit as she answers, cheeks dimpling slightly with a subdued grin as she teases, "at least that increases your odds of staying alive long enough to fall back to more aggressive negotiations. As if anyone could raise a hand against a sweet old woman like Miss Sarah, right Priyya?"
I don't really want to let on to anyone else that I can take on the form of an animal yet...
"Very well then, Frændi, I'll send Tut over to scout things out and perhaps Lureene can do the same with Grak. Ieana, I would like you to remain atop the lighthouse keeping your eyes open for trouble. Those warships are likely to present more of a threat so please conserve your spells unless the situation is dire. Mal, you know the command phrases for the hair pins. Take Sasha, Aerys, and Gelik with you and wait down near the base of the cliffs so that you can swim out after the galley as it passes. Gelik, you can cast invisibility on them, correct?"
Sense Motive Checks:
Gelik nods deeply and puts a hand to his heart. "I have had quite the lovely and talented mentor these past few days."
"Consider them good as ghosts," he says with a knowing wink at Lureene. Sasha however, just frowns at the remark and rolls her eyes, quiet for once.
Lureene glances at Gelik, a peculiar look on her face before she nods in response, "Yes, 'Lis...err...Princess. I can summon Grak when I get close enough to the galley. He loses his life force the farther he is away from me so I need to get close to the galley before I summon him."
A golden eyebrow arches at Gelik's comment, but Alis offers no comment, at least not to him, "Well, so long as he doesn't appear in a clap of thunder and lightning I'm sure you can delay summoning him. All eyes should be on Darvesch, Priyya, and the Zephrys if you approach the galley from astern. Assuming you don't just summon him now and make him invisible, of course."
"Alright," she clasps her hands together and gives a short sigh of satisfaction, "is there anything we've overlooked? We should have a good half-hour yet to get into position. Prince Tyralor, Nimniel?"
"That won't be a problem summoning him without the pyrotechnics, however I will need to cast my invisibility spell on him right away as he will be visible."
Ieana holds a finger up, "If I may? What orders are contingent should this exercise result in a rout?"
"Huh?" Sasha looks thoroughly confused by whatever the hell Ieana just asked.
Stifling a groan, Mal interprets, "She means what do we do if we get our asses handed to us?"
"Oh..." Sasha shrugs and swings Lureene's hand back and forward looking from her to Alis before offering, "Can we maybe sink them if they do that?"
"The Zephrys' canons are capable of reducing masonry to rubble within a few volleys. If the fight becomes protracted, and you draw within range of our cannons, I would recommend an immediate withdraw if only as a precaution against collateral damage."
"Um, sooo how far do they shoot?"
"Against appropriately sized targets such as another vessel?" She pauses for a moment to consider the question, blue-grey eyes silently sweeping for a point of comparison and landing upon Sasha's magic bow. "I would say they show the same accuracy as a longbow at twice the distance. Again, that is against a capital target."
Even as Sasha bites her lip and looks towards Tyralor with excitement, clearly hopeful for a chance to use a cannon at some point, Alis says, "If we are routed then get clear and circle back to cover near the base of the lighthouse amidst the rocks. That will at least give them multiple targets to think about versus if we retreat to the Zephrys."
As she asks, "Anything else?" the princess' gaze turns to Tyralor, eager to see if he finds any gaps in the plan.
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When Alis looks to Tyralor, the prince looks at her thoughtfully for a few moments before answering. Or at least you presume he is answering as his lips move yet no sound seems to issue from him. Regardless, the princess nods and seems to follow along seemingly speaking to him in return yet with the same absence of sound.
At length, Tyralor and Nimniel take their leave and set out aboard one of the launches that has returned for them. Yet before Alis can say anything to the rest of you, Sasha exclaims, nigh breathless, "Wow! You two are really good at lip-reading! What did you guys talk about, anyway, super secret prince and princess stuff?"
"No..." Alis puts a gloved hand to her forehead and sighs, hanging her head.
Nice one 'Lis, nice.
"I had cast a spell to grant us some privacy in our conversation and neglected to dismiss it. You really didn't catch any of that?" she asks looking to each of you, hand covering her mouth, and eyes pleading.
When not a single response comes back in the affirmative, she nods to herself, lips pursed and says, "Well, to summarize then, the good prince admires our humility in recognizing that success is never assured. At the same time he suggested that in the event that we do succeed, it might be good to have a plan for that as well!"
A wry smile and a short laugh livens her face at the irony. "Sooo, assuming we take command of the galley and the crew are amenable to aiding us, we will continue west, and exit the channel south of Reaver's Shiv. This should provide a screen allowing my ships to exit the channel safely and join in the anticipated battle without getting cut off or piling into us."
"And if the crew doesn't want to help?"
"Well, if asking nicely doesn't do the trick, I'm sure we have enough sailors and mages amongst us to improvise. At the very least we can get her out of harm's way under sail."
"So," she claps her hands in excitement, "let's get on with any long-duration spellcasting we need to do and get into position! Mal, go fetch Aerys if you would, please. I'll get started on modifying my hair pin for her. Priyya, let's show the slavers that you don't mess with Sister Sarah! We have just under half an hour until show time everyone, let's make the minutes count!"
MAP: The Battle of Reaver's Shiv, (Round 00b)
Lureene nods decisively and turns to follow the Princess, chanting a magical spell of protection on herself.
I hope this plan 'Lis came up with works...still we should be able to get into position and Grak should be able to sneak aboard with ease. What could possibly go wrong...
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Time: 1:55md (afternoon, 1:55pm)
Even as the Zephrys maneuvered into the center of the channel south of Reaver's Shiv, starboard side facing the approaching galley, other preparations were being made not far away. Huddled amidst the rocks at the base of the lighthouse, a multitude of spells were being cast in unison, their order planned out so as to maximize their duration.
"I have nothing but the greatest confidence in all of you to handle this situation with the greatest aplomb," the princess said, a warm smile on her face, blue-violet eyes clear and bright. "Time and again you have proven your bravery and dedication and I know that you will show this task no less diligence. Fortune favors the bold, she favors you! Let's go forth and prove to that we are worth of such notice!"
You can each tell that there is no doubt or patronizing in Alis' tone. Indeed you have been thru a great deal, especially these past two and a half weeks. Was that really all the longer it had been since the White Pearl met her end? Looking out across the channel, the sight of Prince Tyralor's ship and Alis' words filled you with hope. Victory over all you had endured was within sight!
With a few more words, these of arcane power, Priyya and Darvesch could feel gravity's hold subside. The priestess of Alíta, now in the guise of a tall, matronly Loxphari woman with deep brown skin, and grey-tinged curls, Sister Sarah, grinned at the sensation. Turning to Darvesch, who had only a few seconds more experience at flying, she said, "Now young man, you had best be on good behavior! No flying circles around me, or I'll bend you over my knee, don't think that I won't!"
"And you two," she said, pointing at Sasha and Lureene and tugging at the front of her tunic, "you girls put those away before someone loses an eye!"
Shaking a finger and doing her best to stifle a grin, she said, "Last one to the galley's an old maid!" And with that, she went zipping off towards the Falcata, eager to see if she and Darvesch could talk their way out of this, or if it would go as well as one of Alis' infamous shopping expeditions.
I'll bet she'll still be a crazy b1tch even when her years catch up to that disguise!
"Alright, Mal? You're going to lead your group straight out into the channel. By the time you make it out about a mile or so, it should be right where you need it. Gelik, start casting with Mal and then follow after me. The moment each of you is turned invisible, get going and remember to stay submerged a good 10 feet or more. If you break the surface of the waves too much you'll attract attention. And no horseplay Sasha! I don't want your invisibility failing because you decided to attack a dolphin or pull Gelik's pants."
"Aww!" Frowning briefly, the red head takes the moment of opportunity left to her to lean down and give Lureene a squeeze and a kiss, lifting the smaller woman clear off her feet.
Whispering into her ear, but not quietly enough for the other four to miss it, she says, "Lissi hurt my feeling... You'll have to kiss it later and make it better!""
Even as Sasha tugs on her friend's earlobe with her teeth, Alis rolls her eyes and smacks the huntress on the rear to discharge her spell. "Good reason to get this done quickly then, now put her down you scamp!"
Gelik nods in agreement as he has to fight a feeling of lightheadedness to concentrate on his spellcasting. "Yes, do behave Sash, otherwise there will be no spankings for you!"
With that, he follows Alis' lead and gives her a good smack that causes Sasha to vanish with a sharp intake of breath, dropping Lureene as she does so.
Raising an eyebrow at the high-spirited antics of the others, Aerys cracks her knuckles and warns, "You two best be watchin' it. Princess or half-pint, go gettin' frisky with me and you'll be needin' to save some of that magic to set your teeth right!"
Lureene lands gently on her feet, thanks in no small part to her wings, resolutely putting any thoughts of hanky-panky out of her mind despite Sasha's best efforts. Oddly, an image of Gelik flashed in her mind.
"Don't worry Sash, 'Lis and I will be fine. They won't even know we are there!"
She then turns to Gelik, adding "You be careful too, Gel. I don't want my knight to get himself hurt!"
"That is a genuine possibility, isn't it?" Sharing a look of quiet alarm, the two bards nod solemnly at Lureene's comment about staying safe and pretend to bite their lips and cower in fear as they reach out and timidly touch the brawny woman on the arm, eliciting a laugh from the grim sailor as she disappears from sight.
With a sigh, Gelik takes both Alis and Lureene by the hand and says, "Should I die in battle or get swallowed by a shark, my one regret shall be that the angel come for spirit shall surely pale before beauties such as you... Goodbye cruel world!"
When Gelik lets go of Alis to put the back of his hand to his forehead, Lureene sees him disappear. Unaffected by his spell, Alis merely smirks and reaches out, mussing his hair as she casts her spell upon him. Yet even though the gnome is now invisible, Lureene can feel as he gives her hand one more squeeze.
"Alright, into the water and get going, Lureene and Tut will be along shortly." Speaking a few words in a melodious tongue, Aerys, Gelik, and Sasha feel their legs meld into one, feet elongating and become a thin, graceful flukes. "Mal? Don't forget to turn them back before you go leaping into any fights!"
"Don't you mean if there's a fight?"
When his query is met with a silent, knowing look from Alis, hands on her hips, he grunts and salutes in acknowledgment.
Right, the only two with harder heads than me and they're doing the talking. As he slips beneath the waves, the others presumably following the hollow outline of his form in the water, he thinks, Finally, maybe some of my kind of diplomacy!