With the assistance of the crew and a few fabricate spells Sparel creates a rather odd contraption attached firmly to the deck. Though quite sturdy and firmly attached Sparel assures Aiesha that he will remove it with magic and it will be as if it was never there.
It's a flat platform that extends over the side of the ship, but with the pull of a switch violently flips from horizontal to vertical. Essentially anything on the platform when the lever is pulled will be unceremoniously dropped over the side of the ship. As part of the building process Sparel pulled a strip of cloth off his glove and unwound it to a flat piece of cloth. He then dismissed the magic and allowed it to return to it's original shape. It grew from the cloth into a large stone tablet with an incredibly complex mosaic built into one side.
"Unfortunately this will need to be done in the middle of the day, preferably when the sun is hottest and at it's peak. I'm going to use that to my advantage. Though if you watch from that alcove. You'll understand why shortly."
...
"Eh, I have ... *troubles* with the Alkenstar auzority. Sparel might be safer off wizout me. If it makes you feel better, I can send Lima wiz him ?"
She gives a quick laugh at the though.
... Sparel continues his work and makes sure the mosaic stone tablet is thoroughly connected to the platform with strong metal brackets.
Also, he has the unseen crew bring up several empty barrels and line the side of the ship near the circle, but outside the chalk mark.
Once finished and ready to go Sparel draws a line in chalk on the deck of the ship several feet away from the platform.
"I need one person to volunteer to man the lever that will turn the platform. Everyone else must stay behind that line (pointing at the chalk). No one is to speak to me or the creature unless I speak to you first. What comes next is a negotiation and I "
To whomever is manning the lever "Watch the creature. If it passes over the calling diagram (pointing) before I give it leave to do so, pull the lever. If I tell you to or give you this signal (shows hand signal), pull the lever. This is your only job. Right now nothing else matters. Understand?"
Once everyone gives an
Sparel prepares several of the appropriate spells (dimensional anchor, Magic circle, Planar binding, and just in case Dismissal)
Sparel turns a specially prepared piece of the mosaic so that it comes into line with the rest.
When this piece is turned the circle is broken, when aligned it is not. If the creature has to be thrown over the side Sparel will turn this piece with telekinesis if needed. Purpose being so that the creature can fall as opposed to being trapped by the circle. Also Ringwald, below, has the job of breaking the circle with his stick also if the summoned creature has to be dropped over the side. Essentially just laying the stick on the circle. Ringwald is keeping a readied action for just this purpose.
Ringwald also sits near the circle with a stick. He knows his job.
Once ready Sparel casts the spells in rapid succession, though the summoning spell takes 10 minutes. A creature composed entirely of water materialized in the circle.
Sparel speaks in a strange language to the creature
"I have need of your services and I offer you the following bargain. This ship is traveling to a river. You will wait in those barrels until we arrive. (points) Once at this river you will serve by pushing the ship down the river to a destination of my choosing. You will wait at this destination until I inform you my business is finished. Then you will push the ship back up the river to where we started. Further you will follow all my instructions regarding this task and in the remote chance it's needed you'll defend the ship according to my instruction. Once the task is complete you are dismissed to return to your home plane or remain if you wish. If the task cannot be completed within 6 lunar cycles we will consider the bargain complete. However, you will not harm this ship or it's crew during the bargain and for a year and a day beyond the end of the bargain. Your reward for this will be your continued existence. If you do not agree you will be dropped to the desert below. If you manage to survive the fall the desert heat and dryness will most likely evaporate you within the day. You have to the count of 20 to decide. "
Assuming this goes as expected Sparel intends to repeat this process until we have an abundance of elementals to carry us as quickly as possible down and back up the river. Sparel has no intention of staying in the waste an longer than absolutely necessary.
Huge water elemental Str 24 Swim speed of 90
1 metric ton -> 1000 kilograms, 1 kilogram ~ 1 litre of water
So we have:
8200 litres of water
160 litres is one Barrel (42 gallons)
8200/160= ~51 barrels
The first time he casts the spell, the creature looks at him, and the crew around him, and the little air mephit closest to him. Then, the elemental looks at the ground below him, at the circle surrounding him.
Then the creature's "face" (a group of flotsam within the water in the general center of it) contorts into an expression of anger and it lashes out at Ringwald.
Unfortunately for the water elemental, Sparel prepared for this eventuality and the lever-operator drops the elemental to the sands below. It survives the immense fall to the ground, but you can see it quickly evaporating.
Ringwald deftly hops back and up into the air to avoid the elemental's attack.
Sparel indicates a rope and several unseen crewmen begin to pull on it, effectively "resetting" the platform.
"Well, that could have gone better. Lets see if the next one has more of a sense of self preservation."
Sparel resets and tries again with the same speech. He casts Eagles splendor to give his "negotiations" a slight edge.
Charisma roll (DM decided bonus up to +6)
As the platform is being reset Sparel turns to Aiesha and says slightly sardonically,
"Have you considered putting in a sail or oars?"
Again, the elemental enters a rage and attempts to crush Sparel's familiar with a watery fist.
Aiesha turns to Sparel and raises an eyebrow. "Why would I? I built this thing to fly. Putting a huge sail up here would only make her slower, and filling the hold with oars is a whole lot less gold than we can put in her."
"You ever consider using spells that work?" She smiles.
Again, the elemental enters a rage and attempts to crush Sparel's familiar with a watery fist.
[dice=Slam vs. Ringwald]1d20+15-4
[dice=Damage]2d6+7Aiesha turns to Sparel and raises an eyebrow. "Why would I? I built this thing to fly. Putting a huge sail up here would only make her slower, and filling the hold with oars is a whole lot less gold than we can put in her."
"You ever consider using spells that work?" She smiles.
" The spell is working. I'm just a terrible negotiator. Apparently, 'do it or die' isn't sufficiently motivating. I rather thought it would be."
"Noh, it seldom is... Unless zey surely know zat zey will die."
She peers over the railing at the two dumped elementals.
"If I beat ze snot out of one of zose *creatures*, you zink ze ozer one will comply ?"
Clearly annoyed Sparel speaks while healing his familiar
"I need to adjust my tactic. Clearly these things are too stupid to know they're going to die. Let me try something else. "
Same basic plan, but using Protection vs Chaos to summon a Marid.
Same basic speech, but the thing should be trapped in the circle and smart enough to be reasoned with.
Still speaking Aquan Sparel
"I have need of your services and I offer you the following bargain. This ship is traveling to a river. You will wait in a manner I decide, but it'll be pleasant I assure you. Once at this river you will serve by pushing the ship down the river to a destination of my choosing. You will wait at this destination until I inform you my business is finished. Then you will push the ship back up the river to where we started. Further you will follow all my instructions regarding this task and in the remote chance it's needed you'll defend the ship according to my instruction. Once the task is complete you are dismissed to return to your home plane or remain if you wish. If the task cannot be completed within 6 lunar cycles we will consider the bargain complete. I sincerely doubt it will take half that time, but i'm covering my bases. However, you will not harm this ship or it's crew during the bargain and for a year and a day beyond the end of the bargain. Your reward for this will be your continued existence. If you do not agree you will be dropped to the desert below. If you manage to survive the fall the desert heat and dryness will most likely evaporate you within the day. Further if you manage to survive the fall we'll shoot you from the ship until you are thoroughly dead, though I really think the fall and the desert conditions are more than sufficient. Do you understand you situation and that the platform with which you sit will simply drop you. If you're thinking about fighting your way out I assure you that won't happen. You're outmatched and your situation is otherwise hopeless. Do you understand and do you accept?"
Sparel looks at the creature and awaits a response.
Charisma
Ringwald stands farther back, but still readies an action to jump forward and break the circle.
Edt:
Tar'jub settles down on the railing of the ship as he watches Sparel assemble his contraption and the circle. When it's all prepared he takes a position off the side of the ship so he can have a clear view if the elemental gets thrown overboard.
When the first elemental goes overboard, he cackles with delight, waving at the watery mass as it plummets toward the ground. The second brings even more joy to the little imp, and he races the water elemental down for a while, taunting it ruthlessly.
"Those elementals not so good for pushing ship now, but worth it for entertainment!" the imp exclaims before bursting out in high-pitched laughter.
He settles down after a few moments and resumes his place on the railing as Sparel re-thinks his strategy. When the summoning finishes this time, Tar'jub is not quite as enthusiastic as he was with the elementals. The imp looks over at Sparel and makes a telepathic comment to the elf quickly.
"Tar'jub warn Sparel to be careful with Genies like Marid. They hold grudges for long, long time. Especially if caster shows no respect. Marid also able to go home at will, unlike elementals. Marid very vain, like pretty things, art, music. Better to offer than death."
In response to The telepathic message
"I've included dimensional anchor in the casting. He's not going anywhere. "
The imp looks visibly relieved at the news, but still eyes the Marid warily.
The marid that shows up is just as large as you'd expect an elemental giant to be, nearly twelve feet tall and with completely blue, fluid-looking but solid skin, and pure white, long hair down to his shoulders. He's naked save for a pair of white cloth, Roman-styled shorts and his muscles ripple in the sunlight.
He regards Sparel coldly. "What I am hearing from you is a demand for eighteen months of servitude in exchange for nothing but the threat of death. If I drop, I will be free of the magic circle and can run for as long as I wish, yes? What is to stop me from merely denying you your bargain and escaping? And since you have so few qualms about killing those above your station, what is to stop you from simply murdering me at any time?"
Lu looks from the marid to the elf and back with laughter in her eyes, clearly finding the situation funny somehow.
"Ze goodness in your hearts?" she suggests jokingly.
Still with a glimmer of mischief, she continues with something more substantial.
"Noh, but you want to get paid, yes? Let's make it interesting ... Are you familiar with chess? I have a Tian Chessboard somewhere wiz me. I'll give you a platinum coin for each white square, and an opal for each black. How does zat sound, genie?"
For example, the squares are not coloured black and white ...
The marid that shows up is just as large as you'd expect an elemental giant to be, nearly twelve feet tall and with completely blue, fluid-looking but solid skin, and pure white, long hair down to his shoulders. He's naked save for a pair of white cloth, Roman-styled shorts and his muscles ripple in the sunlight.
He regards Sparel coldly. "What I am hearing from you is a demand for eighteen months of servitude in exchange for nothing but the threat of death. If I drop, I will be free of the magic circle and can run for as long as I wish, yes? What is to stop me from merely denying you your bargain and escaping? And since you have so few qualms about killing those above your station, what is to stop you from simply murdering me at any time?"
*sigh* Sparel grabs the bridge of his nose and squints his eyes in an act of irritation "This is getting tiresome. The elementals are too stupid and this is too haughty. "
Turning to the Marid and speaking as if to a child, "We have to go pick up some cannons. Down the river, load them up, then back up the river. That's it. Firstly, your not above my station, I assure you. Secondly, I don't care enough about you to kill you if you cooperate. My only goal is to get the damned cannons on the damned ship which unfortunately means going through the damned mana waste. You can imagine how this is not something a caster such as myself is looking forward to. Thirdly, I only threaten to kill you so you understand that surviving the fall is not a means of escape. If I have to drop you then I will finish the job. Frankly, it won't even be that difficult. Though now that I think about it you'll probably just plane shift. *thinking to himself* I suppose that wasn't as good of a motivator for you as it would have been for the elementals if they weren't so stupid. I suppose I'll have to dimensional lock you as well. Fourthly, You're not in service for 18 months. It's a max of six months, though its most likely closer to one or two. Getting in and out is my main goal. I simply wanted to make sure the bargain had a cap on it. It's the polite thing to do. The only restriction for a year and a day is that you don't attack us. When we part ways I intend to never see you again. It's a preservation from you as much as me. If you attack then we'd have to kill you and I don't feel like taking the time to do that."
*Deep breath*
Speaking to himself, but clearly also to the Marid
"So here we find ourselves. I have to call planar help that isn't so stupid as to understand it's predicament, yet with far less hubris, yet still strong enough to actually do the job. Of course one Marid won't do it. It'll have to be more. I'll have to do this another 3 to 5 times. "
**Thinking**
Turning his back to the Marid as if he's completely irrelevant and speaking to the crew,
"Taking the whole ship is quite an undertaking and we'd need many Marid to pull it. You can see that's going to be difficult at best. Though perhaps one would be enough to swiftly pull a barge with a cannon or two on it from the city back to the ship. They move very fast on water, so it shouldn't take that long. That way once this one agrees, or we murder him and try with another, we'll only need one. "
"Of course if we use a barge we could simply hire a bunch of oarsmen and be done without this nonsense (motioning to the Marid). It won't be as fast, but it'll be far less difficult."
Turning to Aiesha, but speaking loud enough for the captains to hear. "You know, I can turn the whole ship into a construct with with the ability to propel itself across the water on it's own? Or across the ground as well if you like. I did the calculations last night. It'll cost about $30,000 and take two months to complete. Then you'll never be stuck in the doldrums or this predicament. If I make it as a construct it won't be subject to anti-magic areas. Of course a smaller construct to simply carry one cannon would cost half that in both gold and time. (aka Huge construct as opposed to Colossal)"
Still talking to the crew "I thoroughly hate the situation that I'm in. Summoning is so much easier because they just do what you say. It's short lived, but it's usually enough to get the job done. Elementals are too stupid and this thing has a chip on it's shoulder. It it doesn't cooperate we may need to revisit earlier plans or create a construct. A costly but permanent solution. Alternately, all we have to do is get the cannons out of the anti-magic zone. I can then teleport even in primal magic zones with a little preparation. So what do you want to do?"
Sparel muses further possibilities out loud,
"Given the simplicity of what we actually need Simulacra may be an option. The duration is instantaneous, so I don't believe it's affected by wild or anti-magic once created. Naturally, this is something I'd want to test before hand wit ha simple simulacra, but it could work. If it does I'll create a large loyal beast of burden. Perhaps even something large and strong enough to fly out with the cannons. One at a time, naturally, but still. Their will be a cost, but minor all things considered. Simulacra would be ideal, but only if it actually works."
"Further this can't be a new issue for the cannon makers. Surely they have some contingency to get their wares out into the world. Regardless of anything else we do I recommend sending an emissary to collect information. Hell, Ringwald would be an excellent choice for this. He's intelligent enough to send with a note for your contact and take a reply back. He can even speak common. Once we reach the river mouth all he'll have to do is follow the river to find both the city and us. Captains, do you have a specific contact? If so, please pen a letter with details of the transaction and request information on how to get the cannons to us. Also, Ringwald will need a name and description of whom to ask for."
Belor has been enjoying the show put on by Sparel and his Elemental friends.
"We don't know anyone within Alkenstar and for all we know they won't even want to sell us cannons. I think it would be inadvisable for you to send it in your familiar because it could be very dangerous. Maybe I have a bit of bias towards this method, but I would suggest that we sneak in and either convince all the right people that we need cannons, or failing that, murder enough people until they feel like they are taking unacceptable loses."
The genie that Sparel's summoned crosses his arms during Sparel's rant, and asks, "So, are you going to let me go or do I have to fight my way off of this ship?"
Belor has been enjoying the show put on by Sparel and his Elemental friends.
"We don't know anyone within Alkenstar and for all we know they won't even want to sell us cannons. I think it would be inadvisable for you to send it in your familiar because it could be very dangerous. Maybe I have a bit of bias towards this method, but I would suggest that we sneak in and either convince all the right people that we need cannons, or failing that, murder enough people until they feel like they are taking unacceptable loses."
"Humm, Well, that's unfortunate." ... "Wait. So we haven't even put an order in for these things yet? SO we're going to all this trouble and we have no idea how long it will even take. "
"Ok, lets start over. I will rest and prepare to test my Simulacra theory tomorrow. Aiesha, unless you'd like to leave it for some reason I'll remove the platform tomorrow as well."
Looking over his shoulder toward the Marid, who is standing with arms crossed in the circle looking angry.
"You have no intention of being helpful, correct?"
"I didn't think so. Our business is done then. I'd recommend planeshifting before you hit the ground."
Sparel makes a gesture even as he speaks and the lever moves of it's own accord out of the hands of the volunteer. (telekinesis) That same instant the platform flips down dropping the Marid toward the ground.
"This wasn't nearly as productive as i'd have hoped."
The plan for the next day is to create a river drake (4 hd) simulacra using blood money to compensate for the material cost. Then Sparel will teleport (along with whomever wants to go) to the mouth of their destination just outside the mana wastes. Sparel will use Snapdragon fireworks to determine the borders of the antimagic along the river.
Sparel will then instruct the drake to swim down the river into the antimagic zone then back. Assuming the creature survives unscathed.
The genie that Sparel's summoned crosses his arms during Sparel's rant, and asks, "So, are you going to let me go or do I have to fight my way off of this ship?"
"Not without some sort of compe- WHAAA!" The marid shouts as its upended over the side of the ship. Tar'jub, who is watching, witnesses a multicoloured film coat the giant as it falls, and after a moment the genie disappears, mid-fall.
Local
"Not without some sort of compe- WHAAA!" The marid shouts as its upended over the side of the ship. Tar'jub, who is watching, witnesses a multicoloured film coat the giant as it falls, and after a moment the genie disappears, mid-fall.
Just after the sound of the Marid scream stops Sparel nonchantly turns to the captains in their shadowy alcove.
"Now that I think about it isn't the production from Alkenstar notoriously slow with most of their product staying in the city? Before we go to all of the trouble to get there we need to send an advanced party to set up our purchases. I'll see what kind of mounts I can make that either fly or swim the fastest. "
"How long would it take for us to simply fly to the city in the dark of night? if its more than the night time or cutting it close then something might have to be come up with"
"Perhaps you should fly with heavy cloth sacks just in case we need to go during the day."
There is no trace of joking in his voice. He's legitimately problem solving.
Tar'jub watches the Marid go overboard and hovers there for a while after it disappears with a frown on his face. Must make time to check with home if Marid will cause problems. Better to not trust Genie to leave the ship alone, he thinks to himself.
After a minute or two pass he wanders back over toward deck, polymorphing himself into a raven before landing on the railing. He cocks his head, turning one eye towards Sparel and Belor before letting out a loud "CAW!"
"Without magic disguises Captains maybe not so safe in daytime. Tar'jub is able to see them as Vampires, others will too. Tar'jub can pose as familiar, and if magic fails as imp familiar. Sparel and Tar'jub can go see who to meet and arrange meeting at night for Captains maybe," the imp-turned-raven suggests.
Tar'jub watches the Marid go overboard and hovers there for a while after it disappears with a frown on his face. Must make time to check with home if Marid will cause problems. Better to not trust Genie to leave the ship alone, he thinks to himself.
After a minute or two pass he wanders back over toward deck, polymorphing himself into a raven before landing on the railing. He cocks his head, turning one eye towards Sparel and Belor before letting out a loud "CAW!"
"Without magic disguises Captains maybe not so safe in daytime. Tar'jub is able to see them as Vampires, others will too. Tar'jub can pose as familiar, and if magic fails as imp familiar. Sparel and Tar'jub can go see who to meet and arrange meeting at night for Captains maybe," the imp-turned-raven suggests.
"That could work. Though clearly i'm not the best negotiator. I can act as emissary though. With my raven or Imp familiar if you like. It'll be good to have the muscle along. "
At some point on the trip Sparel finds one or both of the captains.
"Captain(s), I couldn't help but notice that your inability to walk in the sun creates some logistical difficulties. I have an idea for an item you may like. I'm still working out the technical specifics and therefore cost, but I believe it's something that you'll both want one of."
"Presently I'm considering making it a ring as I think that'll be the most pragmatic thing. Of course I can make it as some other item, but I'll need to adjust a few things. If you have a preference we can discuss it. However, i'll be using a ring as the base example."
"Now then. First and foremost it'll protect you from the suns rays identical to the penumbra spell I've shown you. However, as I'm sure you noticed that spell is a bit obvious with the clinging shadows and what now. This ring will give you the protection without the outward effect."
"In order to overcome this I've incorporated a minor illusion. While I was doing that anyway i thought i'd enhance the ring to make you appear a bit more human. Essentially it'll make you appear as a live version of yourself assuming you don't pull out your fangs or what not. Your skin will appear less pale, your irises will not be black, etc. "
"Now you're probably wondering what happens if the magic is temporarily dispelled. I've taken a small measure to prevent that. The inner band of the ring has an extra dimensional space that will accommodate you should you need to flee the sun with haste. You'll have to go gaseous to get in and it'll only be big enough for one body, but it'll do in a pinch. When you go in the ring itself will fall, but when you exit you can do so with the ring on. As a matter of course I recommend doing this as you won't know if you're in the sun or not until you come out. I tried to do some calculations so the ring could come with you, but all the calculations indicate that it'll cause a tear in space-time. Until I can figure out the correct magical matrices the ring will not be able to go inside itself. "
"Additionally, As a matter of course I'll make the whole thing appear non-magical. No sense in having a secret hiding place if it looks like a hiding place."
"The base ring can have essentially any look you'd like. Would you prefer a signet ring to indicate it's you or would you prefer the anonymity of something mundane looking? I'd recommend the latter as a simple gold band. Nice enough that anyone would feasibly wear it, but not so nice that they'd look too closely."
"I'm still working out the exact cost for reagents, but I believe it's going to be somewhere around 15 thousand gold. Though perhaps less or more depending on market price of newt tongues."
"As time goes on we may be able to incorporate more into this ring to negate your vampiric weaknesses, but the cost will go up. I wanted to make a base item from which to work with. I initially considered something that prevents wooden stakes from harming you, but all the calculations indicate that you'd corrode any wood you stand upon. Meaning you'd put a hole in the ship and fall through. Clearly more thought will be needed to overcome the more complex weaknesses. "
A shine gleams in Belor's eyes.
"Walking in the sun again. Yes I would pay a great deal for that. When you have the opportunity please begin work on this. I have gold to pay for it's creation."
A shine gleams in Belor's eyes.
"Walking in the sun again. Yes I would pay a great deal for that. When you have the opportunity please begin work on this. I have gold to pay for it's creation."
"I've got a baseline list of ingredients. I can begin to purchase them and get started as soon as you'd like. The exact time required will depend on the ingredients. I'll let you know more specifically once I narrow down the formula needed."
Tar'jub amuses himself while Sparel and the Captains discuss magical items by standing on the platform and coaxing Ringwald into pulling the lever, launching him overboard.
Maniacal laughter can heard as the Imp is launched and plummets overboard repeatedly.
Tar'jub amuses himself while Sparel and the Captains discuss magical items by standing on the platform and coaxing Ringwald into pulling the lever, launching him overboard.
Maniacal laughter can heard as the Imp is launched and plummets overboard repeatedly.
"Briefly glancing at the pair. I figured those two would get along eventually. " Sparel says to himself, though anyone nearby can hear.
A few days out from the landing site at the north of the river Sparel prepares all the necessary spells.
A few hours before dusk Sparel finds Tar'jub.
"Tar'jub, remember that favor we talked about. It's time. "
Finding the Captains,
"I'm going to procure our means of ingress and egress for the city. I'll meet you at the mouth of the river where we discussed. Near the big lake on the map. See you in a few days."
Sparel touches Tar'jub as Ringwald holds Sparel's leg. With a word and a gesture the trio vanish only to reappear on a distant mountain top. The air is thin and the weather unpleasant, but it's perfect for the spell casters needs.
Waving his hand in a scooping gesture Sparel casts and clears the snow from the immediate area. Instead of vanishing it forms itself into to Giant statues of ice. One appears to be a cresting wave with an angry face. The other is similar, but more bulbous and cloud like.
Pulling a large ruby the size of his fist from his pocket. Looking at Tar'Jub, "As we discussed i'm going to take over your body and use your strength for a minute. Don't worry, I'll restore it shortly after. I'm simply not strong enough to do this myself."
Handing the Gem to Ringwald to hold Sparel casts a spell and his body falls limp. Moments later Tar'Jub feels a presence forcing it's way into his mind. Knowing it was going to happen Tar'jub allows the presence to take over. Tar'Jub finds himself trapped in a red windowless room with no obvious exits.
Wearing his new Tar'jub suit Sparel reaches over to his own unconscious body and withdraws an ornate bejeweled dagger. Tar'jub/Sparel drags the dagger painfully across his chest allowing gouts of blood to spew forth. Even with obvious pain on his face arcane words of great power continue to form. The spewing blood transforms into piles of powdered red gems at his feet.
Sparel/Tar'jub hands the dagger to Ringwald nearly dropping it in the process and staggers to his feet. Sparel/Tar'jub begins chanting and casting the newly formed powdered gemstone at the ice statues. The power of the arcane words causes the gem powder to drift to the sculpture and briefly stick to the outside before glowing slightly and sinking in. Throughout the casting more and more powder sinks into the statue. As the last of the powder disappears the wave shaped ice melts suddenly and begins to move of on it's own.
"Wait there." Sparel/Tar'Jub says weakly while pointing to a spot just out of the way.
He repeats the process with the bulbous statue. However, instead of turning to water at the end this one appears to instantly and violently turn to steam before settling into a cloud shape.
Addressing the elemental creatures and pointing to the limp elf body nearby,
"This is your master. He inhabits this body temporarily to bring you to life. You will obey him as such." Sparel/Tar'jub repeats the phrase in Auran and Aquan to drive the point home. He doesn't think it was entirely necessary as the magic of the spell should compel them to obey the right person, but wanted to eliminate any confusion the newly formed creatures may have.
Laying on the ground arms over chest Sparel vacates Tar'jub's body. The eyes of his original elf body open seconds later and he stands.
Casting a minor cure spell the wound on Tar'Jub's body closes. Then taking the dagger from Ringwald, Sparel casts the same spell and opens his own vein, though not nearly as much. Some blood rolls down his arm and into his hand. When it reaches his palm it crystalizes into white dust. Quickly sprinkling this dust over Tar'jub and casting yet another spell.
Tar'Jub felt momentarily weaker but after the final spell was cast all his strength comes rushing back.
Looking down at the little imp Sparel says
"There, good as new."
Cleaning and putting away his dagger and Gemstone Sparel continues,
"Lets get to the meeting site and spend the next few days drinking until they arrive. Everyone place your hand on mine and we'll be off."
Sparel holds his hand out and the elementals obey. Ringwald and Tar'Jub do the same.
With a word and a gesture the world falls away from the group. They find themselves at the large lake on the outskirts of the mana wastes.
Casting again and opening what looks like a rip in the air Sparel motions to Tar'jub and Ringwald. "This is where we'll be waiting for the ship."
pointing to the elementals "You two stay hidden, but within earshot."
The massive water elemental heads toward the lake and sinks beneath the surface. The air elemental zips off into the sky at amazing speed.
With a nod of satisfaction Sparel steps into the hole in the air and closes the "door." He'll tend to his wounds while they wait for the ship.
"Well I guess we are meeting Sparel in a few days, In the mean time Lu id love it if I could get to know your ravishing companion Tris a little more intimately"
Sparel's preparations are good ones, and the elementals that he's summoned speed away into the distance to wait for him to call them. His magical mansion is expansive and quite...magnificent, and the pair of Sparel and Tar'jub spend several good days whiling the hours away within the massive magical conjuration.
Meanwhile, the rest fly along the border of the Mana Wastes. Aiesha's decided to do away with energy conservation and flies at maximum speed, returning below deck twice during the trip to re-charge the engine to full with her lightning bolts. The ship hums happily as it soars, skirting the edges of the Wastes, and in just a few days reaches Sparel's and Tar'jub's meeting place.
Floating off of the edge of the ship to meet them, and leaving the ship stationary in the air, Aiesha approaches Sparel. "So, this plan of yours. We submerging the ship, or what?"
"Really?" she raises an eyebrow. With a smile she continues "I zought ze ozer Captain was ze charmer, but I might be mistaken. I can always ask ..."
//
Lucrecia hurries to the railing, curios as to what the imp and the elf have managed to accomplish. But another thing is nagging her from the back of her mind, causing her expression to not be a 100% positive. I should probably take the chance and leave for a while before we hit the wastes. Probably ...
Trisiphione was pacing back and forth in their small cabin. Lu was seated on the one chair and Lima perched in one of the hammocks, out of Tris path. The hafling observed the situation with curiosity in her eyes, and the shorter woman seemed mostly amused.
"He wanted what?" the tall woman repeated once more.
Lu laughed. "You heard me..."
"But you know it wont work!" Tris snapped back.
"I know, I know. But you always go on how you love to dance ..."
Tris stopped in her tracks. It was true - she did love to dance. And back home in Nidhal, she very infrequently got a chance to express that (banned on the pain of death and all that). She sighed, but both the other two knew she wasn't really annoyed. It could be fun ...
"One dance then. Lima - fetch your lyre!..."
//
A sudden tug at the bottom of his shirt distracted Praetorius from whatever he was doing. It was Lima, Lucrecia's halfling handmaiden and servant. The tiny woman was dressed in a finely crafted dress fit for a noble, much nicer then her usual attire. A lute was slung in a sling over one of her shoulders. Her other hand is hidden inside one of her pockets, clutching something fiercely. When the vampire turns to face her, she pales visibly and swallows hard.
"M-mister Ser Captain, Lady Trisiphione says she awaits you at the front of the ship. This way!"
The halfling hurries trough a curtsey and rushes away towards the ships fore, pausing only briefly to see that the vampire is actually following her.
There, Trisiphione herself awaits. She is dressed in an enchanting emerald green ballroom dress, complimented by elbow long gloves and soft shoes in the same colour. Still with her usual aura of reservation, she manages a friendly smile and offers a hand towards the vampire.
"A dance?"
As Praetorius steps closer, pavilion springs up around them - merely a pleasant illusion, but the willing mind could travel easily from the airship to a pleasant meadow under the midsummer night. Lima sat down in a corner, and started playing her lute. Her music was soon accompanied by an invisible orchestra and Tris raised one eyebrow invitingly.
As the ship approaches those aboard can see Ringwald appearing then disappearing at a distance. One of the captains gets out a telescope to get a better look. Ringwald appears to be flying into then out of a door in the air. As the ship gets closer Sparel and Tar'Jub step out and wait for the ship.
"Hello everyone, I have a partial solution to our issue."
Sparel turns toward the nearby lake and raises is voice in a strange burbling language.
Initially the crew sees movement under the water, then a small crest, then a large crest, then a Huge wave that doesn't stop on the shoreline, but keeps moving. The water stops about 5 feet from Sparel looking like a huge cresting wave with sea foam forming a rudimentary face that looks from Sparel to the group.
Sparel then whistles at the nearby tree line and pats his leg as one would for a dog. A four legged draconic creature the size of a horse comes bounding to the side Sparel patted. The creature barely touched the ground as he bounded. It lays on the ground and curls its head up under Sparel's hand. Sparel obliges the creature and scratches it's frilled ear.
While still petting the Drake Sparel addresses the crew
"This is a River Drake, very distant cousin of true dragons. I made him a few days ago to test the affects of the antimagic and primal magic zones. As you can see he's still in tact. He's not particularly strong, but he's a fast flyer and smart enough to follow some basic commands. I felt he would be handy to keep around for a bit. "
Sparel motions to the giant living wave
"This is an elemental. It is quite strong, through incredibly stupid. Just barely smarter than an animal. It's loyal though. It can carry barges up and down the river at great speeds and drown nearly anything that gets in our way."
"I have an air elemental of similar size flying far overhead. He'll come if I call him. I thought to keep him as an emergency escape backup plan. "
"These creatures are born of magic, but not maintained by it. As such they are entirely loyal to me as well as remaining unaffected by the mana waste issue. I made them by borrowing the Imps strength. By the way, his tiny body is far stronger than I could have imagined. That'll come in handy I imagine. "
"Now, my suggestion is to leave the ship here, high in the air and otherwise out of sight. We'll take a small craft with a secret compartment large enough to fit two bodies in case the captains need somewhere to go if daylight is near. Then we go to the city and find out if we can even buy the cannons. Once we purchase them we can get a barge and the elemental can ferry them out to the airship to be installed. No sense needlessly risking the ship if it's not necessary. Also, On that note if the boat with compartment is not available for some reason the Captains may want to carry light tight sacks of some kind they can retreat to if needed. The Air elemental can take you back to the ship. It's not exactly dignified, but it's a good tertiary backup plan and far preferable to true death. "
"I'm not happy about losing my power in that city. However, I read that there may be some within the city that can use magic in a limited way. Mana fonts or some such. The details were sketchy. I'm intrigued enough to willingly go. However, if I must go I will need a proper disguise. I'm an elf so disguising myself as an archer will be easily believed. I'll craft what I need from the surrounding trees. "
"We'll want to draw as little attention to ourselves as possible I think. Going under the cover of darkness is a necessity, but it also helps our plans. I suppose I could make the craft submersible. Getting enough air will be a problem, but one that can be worked out."
"Thoughts? Questions? Concerns?"
"Come to think of it if we can't buy the weapons we may need to steal them. We're pirates after all. Just something to keep in mind. "
"I would prefer to remain with the ship." Lu simply stated and searched for Sparels gaze. "My presence within Alkenstar will cause ... troubles. She gives the elf an knowing nod. "But never despair! I shall send Lima with you - and I think Tris can make the trip too."