Raven leaps upon the closest pirate, ripping out the unfortunate man's throat with his claws. One and Two team up to take down a second pirate, but Thomas's attack is just short of striking true.
The remaining pirates each pair off to take on one of the melee combatants. Several score hits with their cutlasses.
Beside Anne, the ship's sorcerer casts a spell, sending unerring darts of force slamming into Kris. Anne then takes aim with her pistol and fires on the naga!
Kris is hit hard with the spells and gunshot. Ooowwww! she screams internally. At the same time, her analytical side thinks, So that's how it feels to get shot! But it was quickly shut down by the pain. She hurries forward to join Ven, Thomas, and the gang.
Unable to take advantage of her Even the Scales magic, she instead focuses on shutting down that Sorc. Holding aloft her cosmic egg, she focuses on him and drains him of his magic.
Spell durations:
Blessing: Round 3
Consistency: Round 2
Even the Scales: Round 1
Through the graze of his right arm, Ven felt the familiar surge of power from Kris. She had taken a nasty shot from Anne, Raven would be sure to draw her attention away and make her focus on him.
As Raven weaved his way through Anne's men toward her, his visage took on an even more animalistic look as his claws, fangs, and hair seemed to grow.
"We have hunted after you for a long time, Anne. You've caused no end of trouble with those cursed items you kept digging up.. Now it's time you were brought down. Maybe we'll give you to Freeport... or even give you to the Necromancer you took the Queen of Gold from!"
"Show her the strife she's put us through Raven!" Thomas snarled as he fought.
Raven's instincts had been to ready himself against attacks or get out of the way... but Thomas's command triggered something that had been ingrained in him long ago. His days as a lowly peasant conscript had forced him to heed such commands given to him, overriding his basic survival instincts.
"For the empire!" he had always hated saying that.
Krislyx drains Anne's sorcerer of his magic, and he gasps as he finds himself devoid of power! As One slices into one of the pirates in melee, Raven suddenly dashes towards Anne, ripping into her with his claws! Thomas exhorts the rogue to strike again, and he lands another hit, tearing bloody furrows across her chest.
"Argh! I'll make you pay for that, you scabby sea bass!" Anne snarls. She stabs at Raven with her sword as she shouts a dire threat to shake his resolve, but Kris's blessing has rendered him immune to being frightened.
Anne's wizard focuses his willpower and manages to throw off Kris's magic.
The pirates continue to slash and stab with their cutlasses. Both One and Two take a hit.
Kris directs all the damage to one of the injured pirates near her, hoping to bring one of them down.
The breath was blasted out of Raven as he was shot but he managed to keep his feet.
Raven tilted his head, standing up tall for a moment and holding out a hand as if about to engage in thoughtful conversation. "So, tell me, Anne. What do you fear more, capture..." but without waiting for a response, he dropped down on all fours, leaping forward and aiming for her left leg as he suddenly darted past her. "or death?!"
Raven moved away from her and to one of her men.
"What about you?"
It's time to surrender, Anne! Your men are dying and you are outclassed!
Kris focuses on her, drawing faith and energy through her cosmic egg to stop Anne in her tracks.
Look, crew of Anne! See how she stays her hand!
Thomas grit his teeth and prepared to cut down the number of pirates
One pirate falls as Kris redirects some damage back towards him. Raven's claws rip open Anne's leg, and she staggers but remains on her feet. The rogue leaps to another pirate, swiftly eviscerating him before returning to Anne. Thomas and his men each take down a pirate with several brutal blows, and now only a few remain standing.
Anne opens her mouth to exhort her men to fight to the last, but she suddenly goes rigid as Kris's magic immobilizes her! With their captain taken out of the fight, the metaphorical wind goes out of the remaining pirates' sails. Realizing they've been beaten, they cast their blades down and surrender!
"Run! The rest of you aren't who we came for." Raven growled at the remaining crew members.
He then moved over to Anne and began disarming her and rifling through her pockets for anything dangerous or valuable while she was still held in place.
Other than her sword and pistol, Anne doesn't seem to have much gear on her. Folded up in her coat pocket, though, Raven discovers a map that shows the way to the distant cotinent of Eremeä! This is exactly what you need to ensure the Queen of Gold makes it back where she belongs.
Now, you must decide what to do with the still helpless pirate captain...
"Not what I was hoping for... but this will be helpful for later." he said, pocketing the map and looked back at Anne.
Raven's demeanor changed again. The thief retreated, replaced by his more beastial side. "And now to deal with you, Anne." he said, letting a claw draw along her neck, slicing her skin to let a drop of blood run down. "You know, red really is your color. I say we end your legacy hear and now."
Anne the Red! Kris declares. I hereby place you under arrest. You shall be escorted back to Freeport to face judgement The madness and chaos you have spread throughout the pirate isles, the lives you have cost, the devastation you have left in your wake - for all of these you shall be judged by the Freeport authorities.
Confess here and now so that all present may know your crimes! When she orders Anne to confess, her voice is enhanced with power, compelling the woman to speak the truth or suffer terrible harm.
Raven grimaced in begrudging acknowledgement of Kris's declaration.
"Looks like you get to live for a while longer. Not how I'd have it, but who know what might happen later. Now speak!"
"All gathered here know who I am and what I've done," Anne sneers. "I've plundered and pillaged up and down the Pirate Isles. But I ain't to blame for the madness currently plaguing these waters! I've been merely selling the booty I gathered when a storm blew the Orphanmaker off-course and miraculously brought us to the shores of lost Eremea! How was I to know that the necromancer that lived in that mountain would send a fleet of ships crewed by the undead to try to win his prized possessions back?
"My ship was badly damaged battling those scurvy skeletons, so I came here to get it repaired. I was planning on going back to the island where I hid that accursed Queen of Gold and sail it right back to Eremea so them damn undead will leave me alone!"
You robbed a necromancer and you didn't think he'd try to get his wife back?
I know she talked to you! For she told us so! And yet, you didn't listen. You kept her, knowing what would come!
What kind of fool are you?
You must be a great one, for you've been spreading corruption and pain all throughout the pirate isles! You boarded the Islander, leaving behind a ghost ship full of literal ghosts! I saw your visage in the window of the captains quarters! You murdered them all over a stupid watch!
I rescued your crew, suffering from Shavra-knows-what, cursed from th artifacts you stole, because you couldn't leave it well enough alone! Turned into beast-men and covered in weeping sores after sailing with you!
We found the corrupted snuffbox to Wrecker’s Roost, where people became horrific lobster men, killing anyone they came across.
We found the Phallus of the Eelwives to Arctan Holbrin, and the Eelwives nearly consumed the entire village! His records show it was you who sold it to him. Many a good man lost their phalluses that night. Isn't that right, Ven? she says, looking at her friend for confirmation.
You sold the snake idol to the Naga enclave in Freeport, leading to their entire destruction! I love my brothers and sisters to you! My people died because of your greed!
We are taking you back, and you will face justice for your murders and piracy, Anne the Red! Kris finished her speech with righteous anger.
Come on, guys, let's cuff her and take her back to the ship. We're going home, and then we're going to return the queen.
Raven was momentarily uncomfortable at the mention of the Eelwives phallus. But he recovered when Kris finished her trade against Anne for chaos and death her actions had caused.
"Right, let's take her in."
Anne sneers but remains impassive in the face of Krislyx's fury. "Do what you will with me, then. I'm not afraid to meet my maker!"
You sail back to Freeport with Anne the Red as your prisoner. Once you reach the city, you turn her over to the Captains' Council to face trial for her numerous crimes. Soon, the time will come to set sail for Eremea to try and return the Queen of Gold from whence she came, but in the mean time, you've earned at least some downtime...
Chapter 9: She Who Eats the Sky
The journey to Eremea has been long and arduous. You have spent weeks at sea, trusting in Anne's map to guide you in the right direction. Weathering storms and dodging patrols of undead sailors, at last your lookout spots land in the distance.
You pull up to a sandy shore bordering a dense jungle, which climbs up a mist-covered range of foreboding mountains. Eremea, at last!
This place does not look friendly, Kris says, looking at the island. Where do you suppose we go?
She pats her satchel, double checking again that she has everything she thought she'd need to go up against a necromancer.
"A good question. Through the jungle and up in those mountains would give us a good view of the valley." Raven said, hopping off the boat and hoisting a travel bag over his shoulders. His voice was deeper now, his hair had rapidly lengthened down to his mid back over the weeks of travel, his body hair had thickened, and his keen eyes were now completely yellow. "But we might have another option..."
Grabbing the golden statue he picked up and turned her to face the island.
"Golden Queen, we have finally made it to your home. Where do we go from here?"
"We are close now. The mountains! My beloved dwells within one of them!" the Queen of Gold says to Raven.
As you disembark, Raven notices a young woman standing a few hundred yards away, naked but for the flowers in her hair, the paint on her body, and the spear in her hand. Her eyes widen a she meets Raven's yellow gaze, and she turns and quickly darts into the jungle, obviously frightened!
Raven's eyes narrowed and beastial instincts suddenly kicked in when he saw the distant young woman begin to run.
"A Human, here?!"
Prey a primal part of him thought.
"She might know things." he announced, in justification, to the others. Not turning his head to the others for fear of missing where she might go, he began to give rapid chase.
After weeks of being cooped up on a boat, the ability to stretch his muscles and test his endurance was a profound relief. He had no intention of letting her get away.
The woman shrieks when she sees Raven chasing after her. She crashes through the underbrush, and though she has a large lead, Raven quickly closes the gap between them. She continues to flee until she stumbles and trips over a root, sprawling face-down in the dirt.
She sobs and holds her hands up to ward off attack as Raven prowls closer. Just then, a great roar echoes through the forest. Turning, Raven can see an enormous spotted cat with teeth like sabers emerge from the foliage. It roars again, preparing to pounce on the woman!
The chase ended, but any satisfaction Raven might have felt melted away as the spotted cat appeared and began to roar.
I won her, not you. his inner thoughts challenged the mighty cat. Then he began to move
He struck again, before Darting back and away from the cat.
"Defend yourself but do not leave! I have questions." Raven growled at the woman
Raven misses with his first swipe, but his second tears deep into the great cat’s flank. He moves to protect the woman, who simply cowers in terror!
The cat yowls in pain, and though its wound cause it to limp, it still musters the strength to pounce on Raven! It lands a glancing blow.
Raven winced in pain, he knew this thing could tear him to pieces but he held his ground.
"Come and find me then."
As he cast the spell, Raven seemingly vanished for the cat but not for the woman.
The cat recoils as Raven seemingly disappears. It swipes blindly in front of it, trying to claw the rogue.
Now camouflaged from the mighty cat's sight, Raven went in for the kill.
"You're mine now!"
When Kris sees the danger, she at once knows that Ven perfectly has it in hand, but is also worried for her friend. The worry wins over.
She casts her Rainbow spell, pulling the light in a multitude of colors to create a long bow.
With the light comes her own glow, the light shining out from underneath her scales.
Drawing back the invisible string, an arrow of light appears ready to fire. She looses the string and let's the arrow fly.
Krislyx's rainbow arrow burns into the great cat's side, causing it to glow with light. Raven pounces on it, ripping and tearing with his claws, and the beast collapses, its lifeblood spilling out onto the forest floor.
The young woman looks up at Raven with a mixture of fear and awe. She speaks in a shaky voice, gabbling in an unfamiliar tongue. There are elements of Old Edene in and the Common Tongue in her language, though, enough that you might be able to pick out a few words if you pay close attention.
As the beast fell, Raven felt a moment of exultation over his victory. It was further accentuated by the gaze the young woman gave to him, he found it very preferable.
"Say that again."
After a moment, he tilted his head and grimaced and picked up a stick, then began to draw in the dirt. He pointed at different objects, himself, and make gestures. Going slower and using words he heard her say which he recognized.
"Say. It. Slow."
Between lots of gesturing and repeating words slowly, Raven is able to learn that the woman's name is Xochitl. She was gathering healing herbs when she spotted you, but your strange appearance frightened her. She offers to lead you back to her village.
Raven nods to Xochitl, indicating her to lead the way, then looks back at the others. "This woman is Xochitl. She says she lives in a village nearby. She can lead us. It might be good to see if we can speak to them."
Nice work, Ven! Kris says, cheerily. A welcoming village is not what I expected coming here; thank the Shavra for small blessings!
Xochitl leads you through the jungle for a couple of miles until you reach the village, which she names as Maztaca. Maztaca consists of nineteen thatched-roof family huts. The huts are huddled on the banks of a wide river flowing fromthe distant mountains that twists and turns through the jungle until it reaches the sea. The village stands atop the ancient remnants of a ruined city. Exposed patches of a bedrock road dot the clearing and small rock walls jut from the earth, the skeletal remains of age-old buildings.
Of particular interest is an enormous stone disk. Across its surface are concentric circles made from dots, dashes, and other geometric shapes. Carved within the circles are the depictions of humanoids performing daily activities such as gardening, building, worshipping, and tending to the young.
Not far from the disk looms a 12-foot tall statue, carved from rock, of a monstrous being with scores of sagging breasts and a yawning mouth.
Several people emerge to stare at you as you enter the village. They wear little clothing, and what they do wear incorporates feathers, bones, and semi-precious stones. All of the adults have elaborate tattoos, especially on their faces.
Though wary of your appearance, they seem more curious than afraid, especially with Xochitl to vouch for you.
Raven examines the people of the simple village and their strange statues with Keen interest.
"Xochitl, what is that statue of? A demon?"
Kris smiles and waves excitedly, almost forgetting the reason they are here. She's just as curious of the new people as they are of her. And though she frowns slightly at the statue, her smile comes back twofold at the villagers.
Hello! she says.
Thomas sneers at the tribals he sees "Primitives." he mutters under his breath. He'd heard there was civilization so close to their landing, but was unimpressed with what he saw. I suppose this is what i should have expected.
The older man left his bodyguards with their golden prize, not trusting the foreigners of this land.
While the simple huts of the current residents provided no interest to Thomas, he was quick to investigate the much older stonework.
When asked about the idol, Xochitl's eyes widen. "Chutliatl," she says, nodding.
The other villagers hold up their hands in greeting to Krislyx. After a few moments, Xochitl leads you to the largest hut in the village. There, Maztaca's leaders invite you for an audience: Chief Coatl, a strong-looking warrior, and Xiatl, a kind, venerable medicine man. Xiatl invokes a spell to allow him to comprehend your language, and he is able to translate between you and the chief.
"Outsiders. We are grateful that you saved Xochitl's life," Coatl says. "That is the only reason we will tolerate your presence here in Maztaca. For now. Dark times have fallen upon the world, and your arrival is a dark omen."
Dark omen? Why?
”The Maztacans have a prophecy about Chutliatl, a malevolent goddess who dwells deep within the earth. It is said she will one day rise from her slumber in the depths to devour the sky and plunge the world into darkness, an event which will be triggered by the appearance of a sea beast who gives birth to a new people.
“Already one such group of new people has come, lead by a woman with hair of flame. The shaman Tihuican led these outsiders into the mountains and nothing but evil has come from it since.When they left, the walking dead began to come down to attack our village. We have been fighting them for many moons, and there seems to be no end to them.
“Now, you are here, birthed by your own sea beast. Will more darkness follow in your wake? Will you awaken Chutliatl?”
Raven leans back from the Chief Coatl and the medicine man, Xiatl. Tilting his head and scowling. "Alright, look. We aren't about to do anything that'll cause more darkness to come down on you or for Chutliatl to awaken. That already happened when Anne, the fire haired woman, showed up here before. Your prophecy already happened... or hell, maybe it's just a story."
After a moment, he straightened up, letting his fangs show with a half-grin. "Hell, if anything, we're a group of strong individuals here to help you. At least stopping those undead monstrosities from attacking you. You should thank us! Right, Xochitl?" he said, eyeing the young woman.
The old man smirked, it was time to put these backwater savages in their place. Raven could be useful tainted as he was, at least sometimes. "I would not anger him, for he is posessed by the spirit of a great beast."
Kris was about to respond, telling them of their plans to stop the necromancer, but Raven stepped up to the plate. She smiled when he started talking, but the smile became less so as it went on and turned into a grimace when he subtly threatened the girl.
But still, she didn't interrupt. Rather, she tried to ignore it and give her own input. Yes, we're here to stop the damage caused by Anne the Red! Where are these walking dead coming from? We need to go to the source!
Xochitl's eyes widen when Raven turns his yellow gaze upon her. She nods enthusiastically, though it's hard to tell whether she is motivated by awe or fear.
"Hmm," Chief Coatl muses. "If you are truly as strong as you claim to be, then we would be grateful indeed for stopping the monsters that attack our people. Tihuican knows the way into the mountains. He is consulting with the spirits for guidance now, but he will return to the village soon. I will speak to him about taking you to the same place he took the other outsiders."
"This, Tihuican is speaking to the spirits of the land now... and he will take us to the lair of the Necromancer, Rudebendius Mal?" Raven asked Chief Coatl for clarification. "So other than direction, what else can you offer us for doing this... extraordinarily dangerous mission for you? Surely you don't just ask others to risk their lives for nothing."
Raven found his rhythm now and began speaking quickly.
Raven pressed immediately following his first request.
"Perhaps... perhaps you even have something useful to give us, to better our chances at succeeding here."