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She guides you all to grab a slight hold of her and after making sure everyone is secure, Alkyd closes her eyes, says the magic words, and not even a second later, you are all whisked away and find yourselves standing on the middle of a ship's deck. As you find your footing, you can hear Alkyd curse in Osirion and quickly cast another spell. Almost immediately she vanishes from sight, but those who were holding onto her can still feel him. "I almost forgot, most people wouldn't bare the sight of a vampire." You hear her say, as sailors peer over at you, shrug and tell the Captain that you've all finally arrived. "We shouldn't be here for too long. I will be hiding in the cabins, just be sure to find me when we dock so I can guide you there." With that you can feel him let go of you and scamper off. Now if there is something specific you want to do either on the ship or once you get to the shore, tell me now. You WON'T find Alkyd until you actually get to shore.
"I prayed to my goddess for guidance, and though I could not find much... I think that there is a chance for redemption on this island. I do not know where I could find it, or how long it would take, but I just KNOW that my goddess wishes to see me there."
She simply smiles at your observation. "Sarenrae was the light in my life since far before I was afflicted with vampirism. In fact, I used to be one of her priestess', swinging a sword and channeling positive energy with ease... then I ran into a den of vampires. "You see, long before the Shadow Lodge had called for better conditions for us Pathfinders, there was an... unfortunate habit of sending Pathfinders to complete missions alone. About two hundred years ago, I was sent on a mission that was supposed to be my last one. After that, I was scheduled to spend out the rest of my days spreading the Dawnflower's word. "Armed to the teeth with my scimitar, positive energy, and dozens of bottled sunlight grenades, I thought that I was going to clear the den without problem. I was able to mostly complete my mission, and was fighting off the master vampire when I had the stroke. "For the crime of killing his brethren, he thought it deliciously ironic to turn me into a vampire rather than a mindless thrall. ?When I woke, I was able to kill him... but found that my transformation into an undead was already complete. Interestingly enough, I was able to retain my humanity, and owe this thanks to the Dawnflower. I have dedicated my unlife to helping those in need, and trying to find a way to redeem myself in the eyes of my Goddess, for being what some may call a 'monster'. Thus far... I have been unsucessful, though hopefully this island may allow me this opportunity, even if my repertoire of spells may be limited. I'm a diviner, you see, and have not been able to use my spells concerning the island."
The person you see in front of you appears to be a young woman... save for the fact that her smile quite literally contains fangs. She gives a small bow and says, "Welcome. My name is Alkyd Bier. I am a servant of the Dawnflower, and subordinate of the Ten. It is a pleasure to meet all of you."
After a moment you here a female voice reply, "Yes, yes send them down. I want to inspect them with my own eyes, not through this blasted crystal ball."[/b]
Thank you guys! I certainly did have a really fun time roleplaying with you all. Maybe someday we'll meet again... but remember what I said. We are all destined for greatness!
Alkyd peers over at the trouble looking Travis. "Are you alright mate? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I wish I could say that I did more in the past few years to fight against House Thrune. Hopefully soon I will see my chance to get a ship and gather a crew and cause them a bit of trouble. Sure they might send Hellknights my way, but I think the pirates I think I will make enemies of will be inclined to help me rid the Shackles of those lot. I plan to help the Shackles through plunder and privateering the 'appropriate' targets. Folks that good folk won't miss. My new allies here heard this story just last night."
Alkyd nods, understandingly, and yet, a bit sadly. "I would not call it escaping Chelaxian rule, so much as I would say that I escaped becoming a monster. Grandfather was a diabloist and Cleric of Asmodeus, my mother a Hellknight from the Order of the Rack, my father a sorcerer and slaver. My brother... Well my brother became something worse than even my parents could accept."
Alkyd thinks for a bit. "To be honest. I probably should go about the same route you are thinking. Find a crew, and work my way up the ranks until I can own my own ship and inspire my own crew... But I am too impatient and want to jump straight to the top somehow. I suppose that Ive been a serf in Cheliax for so long that I want..." She trails off, remembering the man's accent was that of a Chelaxian's. Seven hells this was one of her countryman! What if he was an inquisitor.... No, that can't be.
"So you are looking for a vessel as well? I may not have to gold to purchase one, but I hear that in these parts, if you can gather a good and trustworthy lot, you could... Commandeer one. Just a thought of course."
"It's rare that I find someone so open about their intention to become a, ahem, 'privateer'." She gives a small wink after looking around a bit for anyone she knew to be a pirate. "Perhaps I should learn to keep my mouth shut at times. But to be honest, most people in this town, even the pirates just laugh me off as a buffoon. I'll show them how serious I am when I'm standing in the bridge of my own ship, ready to dispense justice at the bad side of a cannon." She finishes her oats and pats her stomach. "Aye, that hit the spot. Anyways, the plunder is a nice incentive as well. As long as I keep saying I will be swimming in gold and my crew being known from here to the Worldwound, it's sure to happen, right?"
Alkyd raises an eyebrow upon seeing the fangs, but shrugs. After all, in this strange world known as Golarion, she had seen more unusual things. "My name is Alkyd Bier, currently a minstrel and adventurer, and future privateer in the Shackles. Pleasure to meet you Sir Aizubike."
"I see." Alkyd gives a disappointed huff. "Perhaps I should start learning more about the lore of that land... think of all the stories I could tell me crew if I only knew more!" A thought passes over her. "I think the Captain's quarters is going to have an obligatory bookshelf. After all, knowledge is power!"
Alkyd spins around to face Ri'el. "You've met one? Please, tell me what they are like! Can they really fly like the stories say? And what about their beaks? Are they really as sharp and as deadly as a sword?"
Alkyd's stomach rumbles slightly and so orders sweetened oats for her and whoever else wanted. "You see, some may call it horse food, but I see it as both nutritious and good for my sweet tooth." She smiles and digs in before offering some to Suny. "Good bit of food here for the elf that magically falls from the sky." Before Suny could protest this fact, Alkyd gives a knowing wink. Still eating, she thinks for a moment. "And actually, now that I think about it, there a race of people in Tian Xia who have wings... Tengus! Yeah, they are bird people. Sort of like crows from what I've heard."
Alkyd frowns a bit at Ri'el's sense of realistic approaches. "You do have a point... though the heroes in song and legend tend to be bold, and take what they want... then again, they also tend to be lucky. Ah, you're right. I suppose this is why when I officially become Captain, a ruling council will be good. I sure can lead the men, lead diplomacy talks and inspire morale, but I am lacking slightly in wisdom... perhaps not too much, as I realize this, but enough, that I need help sometimes." She bares a bright smile. "Of course, What I lack in wisdom, I make up for in knowledge! As a bard we had to memorize many stories that would be practical in a variety of situations" She gives a concerned glance to Suny. "Are you okay lass?"
"I didn't know it was so popular there... might make it worth raiding Chelaxian ships at that, though they do tend to be better manned and better defended than simple merchant ships." Travis takes a sip of his hot kaf and sighs with satisfaction... "Now THAT's good." She nods grudgingly. "Yes, my countryman certainly are more prepared for fights than the norm. Perhaps there should be a hierarchy of ships we could potentially attack. Corrupt merchants and petty slavers on the bottom, my countrymen in the middle along with unaligned pirates and at the very top being pirate groups, and corrupt lords. Yes... Perhaps she was enjoying the thought a bit too much. She had no problem doing this... But she had to keep focussed! Justice came first, and then riches and fame... Though those two things certainly helped.
"Aye, Tis true, but you see, Chelaxians are quite fond of it. You stick with me and we might be seeing it quite a bit whilst raiding their ships." she shakes her head. Only a year ago she was living there, and now she was describing how joyous it would be to pillage from them.
Alkyd nods to Ri'el. "That's true! It's a new day, which means a new adventure or story awaits. Let's hope the gods shine favorably on us, eh?"
Aye, the people here are indeed awesome. This bard here definitely has stories to tell about everyone she met.
Alkyd plays with a lock of her hair, almost as if pondering exactly how to steal a ship. Finally she perks up with a smile. "Ask around I suppose. Make it seem like we want to get in on the trade and then while we are 'browsing the merchandise'', free the slaves and steal the ship!"
The bard gives out a small chuckle. "Well, if we stick together, well find a ship in no time... Perhaps we may have to commandeer one from a few slavers, but once that's done, we could grab a crew and hit the high seas!"
Something in the air you say? That sounds a lot like the start to an adventure. Me personally? I'm always up for an adventure."
Maybe if that doesn't work as a character motivation in the long run, Aklyd would slip further and further into neutrality when she realizes that she LIKES pillaging and not only against the aforementioned targets. A privateer's descent into pirating. :) roll20.net ~~~~ Waking up after a relatively short night, Alkyd stumbled from her bed upstairs all the way to a nearby stream to freshen up. After this, she stretches, now fully awake, and with only the slightest of hangovers, and heads back to the tavern where she surprisingly sees that some of the new members were still here. Perhaps the gods are telling me that this is to be my crew... Or perhaps my ruling council. "Ahoy there! What keeps you all here for so long? Normally people leave by the time I'm done with two night of drinking." She sits down with a smile. "Not that I mind of course."
"Let us hope it is the gods of good that are laughing, and not those of hellish or abyssal origins..." she raises an eyebrow when she feels Travis' back and sees him shy away, but says nothing. It was none of her business to be honest.
Alkyd frowns. "If you would like to see your sister and mother again, perhaps we should journey together. I'm sure in the midst of dispensing justice throughout the seas, we would be able to visit many ports to hear rumors about them. Only a suggestion of course. I know for certain that if I saw my brother again, it would not be a good time, but, not all family relationships are as hostile as one, from what I've heard." She pats the man on the back. "I'm sure you'll say more when you wish to. Not everyone in the world is as loud mouthed as myself."
"Inconsequential? Humbug, I'm actually interested in hearing more about yourself. I've been doing a bit too much talking about myself for my liking." Shecsmiles at the elf's offering of affection, returning the embrace.
Alkyd is about to order another glass when she notices how tipsy she is. Perhaps she would wait until tomorrow before having more ale. "Aye, well, the one good thing that came from that place was that the horse drawn carriages ran on time. As for the time before Thrune... I wouldn't remember it as I was not yet born. Shame too. Living there might have made for an interesting story. As for this gathering, Ri'el, I think the gods have brought us all together for some reason. I can't quite put my finger on it yet, but there is something brewing in the world."
In Cheliax, the only time it ever rains is when the high priests allow it to. Otherwise, they just control the weather with their magic. Apparently, anything more extreme than cloudy skies is a potential factor of rebellion." She noticably shudders. "Oh how I wish I get to see rain more often. Gozreh, thankfully is all too happy too comply, even if I'm not a cleric of his. it's not so great when on the open sea, and the winds are trying to kill you, but Gozreh works hand and hand with Shelyn to create beauty in nature."
She grins as her tune ends. "Can you blame me for the spooky tune in the midst of Lamashan? A bard must have a song for every month, and every occasion, I think, whether that be to inspire, frighten, be merry, or hone the fallen."
Alkyd nods her head at the request of a song and starts to sing Sing bards and tell us what you know of that awful land filled with woe,
"Only the gods can decide whether or not I will have my opportunity any time soon. However, I can promise you all this. No matter who here finds themselves in the midst of adventure, and how soon... you will all be in my heart as I start my own. We are, after all, the heroes of our own journeys, and no matter who ends up where, I can tell that we will all have our moments of glory and greatness."
"That sounds fair enough. Start off with the smaller fish in the sea, and work your way up the food chain... It also works in a practical way as well, as we could gain more supplies and better equipment before taking on the other targets. As for as targeting those who are deserving, I just see it this way. There are those out there who are sheep -the innocents- and the wolves. Not only is it more satisfying to attack a wolf, but you are also more likely to leave with allies. There are those who would be grateful we are dispensing justice. If we become a wold ourselves, we would have to rely on either untrustworthy sorts, or no one at all." She turns to Suny. "I don't think I would say so too loudly. We are surrounded by pirates right now after all."
"In a sense, a captain and his officers are like a leader with a ruling council. Ultimately though the captain gets the credit for success and the blame for failure. Ah, the joys of leadership! I applaud you your intent to be such a leader." "The joys of being such a leader indeed. While it is true that the risks are great, I see the rewards as worth that risk." She lowers her voice and with absolute joy on her face, says, "Being able to hunt pirates using their own tactics, helping people, and becoming rich and famous all while at it? Those are the joys of being a privateer. I can tell now, that you know your way around. Perhaps we could be a part of this plan, eh? I may not have a ship yet, but it's only a matter of time before I do, and I will be able to get a charter from some small settlement to attack pirates, and then expand out into the rest of the Shackles."
Alkys nods. "I think I understand. I am definitely one who could be the public face the crew, but I think that I would need a small ruling council which is competent, stern, and talented. That way, the crew could still have its likable public leader, yet still have a stern ruling body that allows me to avoid mutiny. All and all, I think that combination is what is best for morale."
Once she is finished speaking the words of her sonnet, she continues the tune on her lute and turns her gaze to Travis. "I've always been the kind who wanted to command. Call it a symptom of my Hellish upbringing. However, my goal is to command in such a way that we are striving towards a noble goal, and the people under my lead have as much say in the decisions of the whole as I do. Really, I see my role as my of a guiding hand that would need to take charge, and steer the wheel to safety should our metaphorical ship be sailing too close to the rocks."
She smiles at Travis. "I've been living in this tavern for the past few weeks now. Soon enough I'm going to have to pay a citizenship tax!" Before she starts singing, she shrugs to Ri'el. "Perhaps I am outlier... or perhaps I am the norm. I am not one to play the philosopher until I have seen sufficient evidence with my own eyes." She picks up her trusty lute and starts to play a tune, whilst starting up a sonnet. We bards arrive in the middle of night,
All at once, our voices will fill the air,
We’ll sing of brave men who lived far from here,
Once we leave, none shall ever know our names,
Alkyd smiles and shakes the man's hand. "The name is Alkyd Bier, future captain of me own ship, minstrel, and part time adventurer." Once she brings her hand back to her mug, she takes a swig and clears her throat. "As for me, I've seen what heritage could do to a man. Growing up in Cheliax with a grandfather who was not only a slaver, but a diabloist, I watched as his tainted roots spouted trees of ambition and vice amongst my parents' generation and my own. I watched my brother..." She stops short, looking into her mug, for once the smile on her face gone. "I have my reasons to hold heritage in high regard. I may be wrong, but that's just a part of life eh? Live and learn?" At once, she is grinning again and calling for stew.
Well in the end, heroes are defined by their actions, not their birth Alkyd nods in agreement. "Aye, but birth certainly helps things quite a bit in the grand scheme of things."
As Jack walks into the tavern, and the place starts getting filled with all sorts of interesting people, Alkyd simply raises her glass in greeting. Aye, this is certainly an interesting sort. Two of angel blood in the same town? That's a curious coincidence I haven't heard one before... Perhaps Gozreh is suggesting I put together a divine crew!"
After that exciting burst of energy from the elf, and the bits of conversation in which Alkyd seemed like she could not get a single word into, she finally laughed openly. "I like you Suny. You've got a right proper energy about you, that you do. And what about you good sir, this is no private meeting, though I reckon that this is a meeting of future privateers. Step right up and have a drink sir." She whistles to call over Barkeep for more ale, and points to the stranger. "He'll be needing something." She turns to Sven, the skald, and gives a standing ovation. "Aye, it's been quite a long while since I heard anther talented in the musical arts. I'm a minstrel by trade, but you could mostly hear me either signing or playing this here lute. It's a good way, I find, to Inspire courage with the men and women under your command." "And though I have not said anything earlier... To family. To the good and true in your family... But curse those members who smear your good name with their evil."
Alkyd shakes her head and raises her glass. "I think this will be my last one for the night. I think you've thoroughly frightened me with your talk of people throwing people who have had too much to drink on ships. Its all fun and games until someone is sold into slavery. My brother was one of those unfortunately souls who have decided to walk the path of a slaver." She shuddered at the thought of her estranged family member. When her family found out what he had been doing with his life, those were bad times... Hopefully no one recognized her namesake, or they might question her owning a ship, let alone trusting her with the title of privateer. Perhaps she should not have mentioned him... It was hard to kill her storytelling habit.
Alkyd gives a grin of her own. "Why the names Alkyd Bier, and I am going to be known as the most feared privateer within the Shackles. Why, I won't rest until justice is served anywhere and everywhere within my reach. Tell you what, once I get myself a ship, you are welcome to join me in my most noble quest." Once again, though said with a smile, you get the strangest feeling that she is being sincere.
Alkyd looks from Carious to this newcomer (Travis) and gestures the Aasimar to follow her to speak with him. "You seem quite friendly with Barkeep. I've seen you around here often, but I guess I'm just so new in town I haven't been able to learn everyone's name. And who might you be?" She then turns to respond to Carious. "Ah, trust me friend, drinking is not my area of expertise, though it is a damn enjoyable time. I'm much more of a storyteller. Someone who could get a crowd riled up in a jiffy. That's how I survived most of my adventures... Of course a bit of luck always helps."
Alkyd gives a nod of approval. "Aye, that's a respectable profession if I haven't ever heard one. You're a worshipped of Cayden Caileen aren't you? I saw your holy symbol; quite a fair god to worship in my own opinion. I spread my worship evenly amongst Shelyn, Gozreh, and Cayden, depending on the situation." She shrugs, and noticing that her drink was almost empty called for another one. She gave a wink to the bartender, "Just put it on my tab for now. I've been here a few weeks, you know I'm good for the money." She then turns her attention back to the Aasimar. "The name is Alkyd Bier, minstrel, adventurer, and future captain of me own ship." She says the last bit wi a smile, but you have the feeling she is being serious with her words.
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