Well, the players just got entry 12 last night. You guys are in for a good laugh! There's a particular sceane that was writen up pretty close to how it was RPed.
*shrug* I thought it was the most entertaining entry to date. All be it a short one.
More fragments of the Lidu diaries
. . .
I’ve decided to keep the bullywug crown. It seems everyone was interested in the moonstone gems mounted in the thing, but once they got those out, they were simply going to throw the wooden crown away. The crown is still valuable to me without the gems. It serves as a reminder of our greatest victory to date and I think it will make a fine souvenir/trophy. I think I may have it fitted, wearing the massive thing adds about half a foot to my height, but I need to keep it from dropping down over my head and eyes. Perhaps it can be enchanted . . . I shall have to look into that possibility when I get a little more cash together.
. . .
We’ve made plans to sail back to Kraken’s Cove, and this time I’ll take Churtle with me. I didn’t want to leave her behind the first time, but after hearing the exorbitant rates the fisherman was asking to transport each of us out there the first time . . . well it didn’t feel right to take Churtle on Lavinia’s dime. But now we had our own ship. We could go pretty much anywhere we please. As soon as Lavinia seems stable enough to be left on her own we’ll take the five day round trip to Kraken’s Cove and look for clues as to Vanthus’ whereabouts. Also I think we should look for traces of that black pearl and make sure that smuggling ring is out of commission once and for all. Let’s just hope those creatures are dead or have moved on. I pray that whatever condition they had is not transmittable.
On a side note: I decided to head over to the Azure district to make sure James paid whatever fees were owing and to ensure that he filled out the proper paper work and I discovered that he omitted our names on the registration! Perhaps it was an honest mistake. I’ll have to think of a careful way to bring this to his attention. I do hope the others don’t catch wind of this.
Also: James’ last name is Kidd.
. . .
Lavinia has taken to reading her mother’s diary. She doesn’t know Sylvan, but she reads elven well enough, and she’s been slowly translating the book using some horrible Sylvan/Elven dictionary. I think the thing might have been written sometime after the great migration. I offered to translate it for her (having recently picked up Sylvan myself) but she turned me down. She wanted to do this herself. I think it helps make her feel closer to her mother.
She did ask me to look over her translations, but as I said, the dictionary she was using was absolutely antique. I did my best not to mark her work up too much.
I hope this work will help her cope with her recent losses. Poor Lavinia, she has been through a lot in these last three months, but she is a strong woman. I know she will prevail, but it doesn’t stop me from worrying.
. . .
It’s not that I don’t trust Churtle’s skill as a cook; it’s just that I don’t trust her ability not to get things mixed up, especially after her admission when we first met. When you’re dealing with poison there’s little room for mistakes. Churtle seems happy as my personal chief. I do try to make a big deal about everything she cooks for me, which isn’t hard as she truly is a talented cook, but I’m nervous about what ingredients she’s adding. Kobolds might eat all sorts of things that a human can’t. I want to keep her on as my personal chief but first I need some sort of insurance that what she prepares for me is safe to eat. I’ve been using an old cantrip that detects poison on her meals but I need to find a magic item that does that instead as I may need those cantrips for other things. Perhaps I’ll stop by Blenak’s Bazaar tomorrow and see what Blenak recommends. Meanwhile I’ll keep this from Churtle, I think she might be insulted (and rightly so) if she knew I didn’t trust her cooking.
. . .
In lieu of our upcoming trip James and Kale found a young lad to act as our cabin boy. His name is Tavey and he seems to have taken an immediate liking to Kale (for some reason). I wonder what it is with boys and swords? It’s probably something deep seeded and sexual. Tavey and Orlani (the ‘wench’ who’s taken to following around James) will likely make ample crew for our upcoming trip.
I hate to admit it . . . but I’m almost looking forward to sailing again.
. . .
Kraken’s Cove was completely peaceful when we returned. No monsters, no beasts, no fires, and not even a surviving smuggler. The cove was almost completely quite when we arrived. A stark contrast to the cove we had left. We explored the smugglers caves. Kiki explored the dark watery floor of the cove. Churtle ran about the beach searching for sea shells. All in all it was a relatively peaceful day . . . if you could put the horrors of our previous visit out of your mind, and of the eight of us, only Churtle, Tavey, and Orlani have had the benefit of not witnessing the savagery the fell upon this cove less then one week ago. The latter two stayed on the ship anyways.
Kiki was able to find the remains of the shadow pearl. It didn’t radiate magic. Whatever magic it once held was completely expended with that wave of evil, that savage tide, which wracked the cove after Vanthus activated the thing. Still, the item might yet hold secrets, and my colleges, the witchwardens, maybe able to gain some knowledge from the thing. With any luck, it was a one of a kind item, and we shall never have to worry about its ilk ever again. I’ll ensure that we take every precaution though, make sure we alert all the relevant authorities, and I’ll have to scourer the library for any reference of this cursed item. Legends of an item this destructive must be hidden away somewhere. I am eager to begin my research.
The smuggler’s caves held a fair amount of wealth. There were silks, spices, jewelry, coin, trade goods, a few magical items, and the greatest find of all: a set of high quality maps and charts. It was an impressive amount of wealth, but there was so much more that had been destroyed in the chaos, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret over the silks and paintings that had been destroyed. It wasn’t the money. I was more then satisfied with the amount we had tallied. I felt sad to see things of beauty needlessly destroyed.
We spent the night aboard ship . . . even though the cove was completely peaceful. We didn’t want to chance on anything still lurking about.
. . .
Great uncle Worrin seemed quite surprised when I pointed out the pirate caves for him. Even more so when I explained that the entire operation had been completely wiped out by one great cataclysmic event. I didn’t tell him about Harliss Javell. If she was a known pirate in Sasserine it wouldn’t do him any good to know that his grand niece had let her escape. It also wouldn’t do him any good to know that his grand niece had also negotiated a quasi-alliance with her. The less he knew about our involvement with Harliss the better. I did tell him about Vanthus and Drevoraz. The attempt on the life of a Dawn Council member and the continued evil and depravity of Vanthus Vanderboren were events that great uncle Worrin had to be kept up to date on.
Great uncle Worrin wanted me to present my information to the Dawn Council but I declined, I still wasn’t pleased with them, and I still had no desire to talk with them. The Witchwardens had at the very least offered me a position . . . the Dawn Council on the other hand had to ‘consider’ my membership application behind closed doors. The decision to grant me membership hadn’t been unanimous though, even after all I had done for the city, and the anger and resentment on great uncle Worrin’s face after that meeting told me that he wasn’t pleased either. It’s been over a week and I still can’t bring myself to talk with them. I know it was only politics but it still makes me furious. I’d rather not talk with them yet because I’m worried what I might say.
. . .
I can’t believe that the tower’s top people aren’t studying the black pearl fragments! I can understand why I couldn’t speak directly with Lux, she’s undoubtedly a very busy woman, and simply hasn’t the time to speak with each and every witchwarden under her command. That’s why we’re organized like a proper military force. The Black Dagger that I gave the report to didn’t even seem to realize the gravity of this threat though. He practically rolled his eyes when I suggested that the top researchers look into this. He put a single apprentice on the task. Even after the report I gave. I give him the remains of an item capable of leveling towns and cities and he puts his apprentice on the job. I’m beginning to understand why Lux Seoni is the most famous member of the witchwardens . . . I think that perhaps a good portion of them must be incompetent . . . especially if that fool made black dagger!
. . .
Lavinia’s office was piled high with maps and charts, her account books, old weather worn log books, history books, ecology books, dry city management stuff, trade reports, her translation work, and there was even a fanciful picture book about some ‘island of doom’. I only remember the latter because Lavinia went to such great lengths to hide it as I entered. My girl’s been busy while we were away. It looked like a book shelf had exploded all over the room.
“Hello Lavinia,” I said as I entered, “you look as though you’ve been busy!”
Lavinia smiled as she saw it was me, “you made it back in one piece,” she said with a slight laugh, “I don’t suppose you found any thing out about . . .” she let the rest hang in the air. There was no need for her to finish, I know who she was concerned about, the same person I had vowed to see dead.
“No,” I said, trying not to let the anger creep into my voice, “but I’d like to follow some more leads before I give up.”
“Forget him,” she said with that steadfast determination that I’d come to love her for, “he’s finished. He’s got nowhere to run. He’s got no one to turn to. Everyone he’s touched is dead or destroyed. I can’t imagine he’s got much left to live for. The only one he can hurt now is himself.”
“I know,” I said, “I know, but I still want to see him brought to justice.” I didn’t tell her that I was concerned that he may be involved with these black pearls. There was no reason to worry her needlessly concerning her brother.
“As do I,” she said with that steely cold look in her eye, “and should he rear his head again I will stop at nothing to see him quashed, but I can’t let him rule my life. I’m making plans Tristan,” she said tapping her notes and papers in front of her, “something positive. Something you and you’re friends can help me build on. Vanthus has taken so much from me, I need to look past him, and start living my life again.”
“Well said,” I said with a truly joyous smile, “we’ll help you in whatever way we can. You forget about that creep. I only want to look into a few more loose ends and then I’ll help you, full force, with whatever endeavors you have.”
“Loose ends?” she asked.
“You said Vanthus was sent to live and work at a plantation, I want to visit it, look around, and ask some questions.”
“That plantation is run by family friends. When the news of Vanthus’ betrayal reached them they sent a full report. I can’t believe that there’s anything more to learn . . .”
“I believe you, and I don’t mean to sound as though I question the loyalty or integrity of family friends, but I would like to check things out for myself. Sometimes being familiar with something can cause you to overlook the obvious. Sometimes we can’t see something that’s right under our noses. I would like a letter of introduction if you don’t mind.”
“Fine,” Lavinia said as she reached for some blank paper, “but I really don’t think you’ll find anything.”
“I pray you’re right,” I said, then after glancing at some of the papers on her desk asked “is there anything you’d like for me to look over while I’m here?”
“I’ve completed my mother’s diary, thanks; you’re welcome to read it though. She was an amazing woman,” Lavinia said as she finished the note.
“Well the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” I said taking the note. Lavinia blushed. For a moment I hadn’t realized that I had said that out loud. “When I return I’ll be able to give you more of my time,” I said glancing at the maps and books, “I know a bit about navigation and history. Feel free to pick my brain.”
“Thank you Tristan,” she said cleaning away a bit of the clutter, “I may well do that.”
. . .
The plantation was a dead end. I talked with the owners, the workers, and even examined Vanthus’s old room. I checked every single floor board. Moved and looked behind every piece of furniture. Vanthus had talked with no one. He had seldom left his room. He drank. He slept. He had only proved to be (according to the plantation owner) a complete waste of space. Save for the character assessments, I found nothing of interest . . .
. . .
I was scarcely back from my three day trip long enough to unpack when Kiki came bounding into the room. “Lavinia wants to meet with us.” She said.
“Hello Tristan,” I said, “how was your trip Tristan?”
“Hello Tristan,” Kiki echoed, “how was your trip Tristan? Lavinia wants to see us Tristan.”
“My trip was fine,” I said, “thank you for asking. I didn’t learn anything new though.”
“Ya,” Kiki said with a smile, “Lavinia said you probably wouldn’t. She said ‘Tristan should be back sometime today, and it’s unlikely that she’ll have learned anything new, so please tell her that I’d like to see her along with the rest of you when she gets back’. So I said ‘she might be in a bad mood. You know how these wizard types can be when they’re wrong about something. You still want us to come over? Maybe we should give her some time to unknot her panties?’
“‘No,’ she says, ‘I imagine if she is at all upset that she’d have had enough time to compose herself on the ferry ride back to Sasserine. I’d like to speak with everyone as soon as possible. I have some big plans and I’d like to get started immediately.’ So I say ‘you got it! Soon as she comes through the door I tell her to get her butt over to your place.’
“‘Oh there’s no need for that,’ she says, all embarrassed and stuff, you’d think I said arse or something, ‘no, just tell her that I’d like to see everyone as soon as possible. Please give her time to unpack and refresh herself after her trip. But please tell her that I’d like to see everyone as soon as possible!’
“So you’re unpacked,” she said looking at my bag, “so as soon as you’re ‘refreshed’ we can head over to Lavinia’s and start doing stuff.”
“I take it you haven’t had a lot to do?”
“I’ve been climbing the freaking walls! There’s nothing to do in this part of the city. How can you stand it here?”
“Well let me get washed up and changed and we’ll go over to Lavinia’s and see what she’s up to.”
. . .
Lavinia’s manor was bustling with life. Over the last few weeks Lavinia had been slowly adding to her staff till her household once again resembled one befitting her station. The old house once again breathed with new life. It was a welcome change.
Buffy, James (with Orlani), and Kale were already waiting in the garden when we arrived. Buffy and Kale sat under a tree, Buffy silently meditating, and Kale was whittling away with an old pairing knife. Unfortunately Kale whittled about as well as he sewed, and despite the amount of wood shavings on the ground in front of him, it seems he had scarcely managed to carve a small stick out of a much larger one. James was on the lawn practicing his acrobatics. Orlani was patiently suffering his instructions. She was clearly more agile and adept then her mentor, but she smiled and nodded, and desperately tried not to laugh when he inevitably ended on his back after attempting a one handed cartwheel. James was terribly clumsy . . . but in a charming way.
“Look whose back.” Kiki said to get everyone’s attention.
“Oh good,” Kale said, dusting the wood shavings off of himself, and tossing the knife back on the breakfast tray from where he had borrowed it, “you’re back are you Tristan? I trust your trip went well?”
“Well enough I guess,” I said with a sigh, “I didn’t learn anything new I’m afraid.”
James dusted himself off. “Well a safe round trip is a good trip . . . even if the stuff in the middle and along the way wasn’t to your liking.”
“Yes,” Kale said glancing over at James, “I guess that’s true. Anyways, let’s head inside and see what Lavinia wants.”
Kale summoned one of Lavinia’s new servants and asked her to direct us to her mistress. We found her in the main dining hall (still) surrounded by charts and maps with her mother’s diary to one side. Lavinia was so caught up with her work that she didn’t even notice us enter. It took Kale repeatedly clearing his throat for her to look up.
“Oh,” she said, “you’re all here at last! Please come in. Sit down and make yourselves comfortable.” she waited for us to sit down before continuing. She pointed to her mother’s diary "do you recall this journal being recovered from my family vault? It turns out that it was my mother's. My parents, may the gods rest their souls, were brave – foolish and rash some would say, but I have never been one to criticize an adventurous spirit. On the contrary --" she paused to look us all over with a wry smile, “I admire it. In any event, it would seem that about four years ago, my mother and father undertook a risky endeavor. They sailed the Blue Nixie, along with a ship full of colonists, down south and across the Vohoun Ocean to a place they refer to as the Isle of Dread.
“You may have heard of this place -- if you haven't, it seems apparent from reading my mother's journals that the place is aptly named. A jungle covered hell infested with immense reptilian monsters, feral savages, and peril at every turn. Yet the southern peninsula remains relatively sheltered from the menaces on the isle mainland, and it was here, among the villages of several friendly locals, that my parents founded the colony of Farshore.
"The Isle of Dread represents an untapped trove of resources -- exotic lumber, spices, animals, foods, and even minerals like silver and gold. Once Farshore was up and running, the influx of trade would have guaranteed my family a relatively uncontested flow of wealth. Yet before mother and father were able to return to Farshore with more supplies and colonists . . . my brother made his move and left me in the state you found me in a few short weeks ago.”
Lavinia gently touched her mother’s journal. “Sense we recovered this journal, I have not been idle. If Farshore fails, then my parent’s last legacy fails. I intend to carry on their work, and have planned for a journey south to the Isle of dread to resupply and join the colonists at Farshore for the rest of the year. I have the Blue Nixie readying in the harbor to take fresh supplies to the colony, but I find myself a vessel short." Lavinia’s face broke into an infectious grin as she continued, “you wouldn't know of anyone with stout hearts who might happen to be interested in helping me mount this expedition, do you?” For a moment I didn’t realize it was a rhetorical question. I began thinking of famous captains or crazed adventures . . . then I realized that Lavinia was still staring at me (all of us really) like a mad woman, worse still, I realized that the others were staring back with that same insane glean in their eyes.
“I fear the journey itself might grow dangerous at times, and there’s no way of knowing what state or condition Farshore is currently in, but I suspect that danger is a vice you have.”
I suppressed a sigh. This wasn’t going to end well.
“We’ll do it my lady,” Kale said, almost before Lavinia had finished speaking.
James chimed in with “I was born with salt water in my veins and my one true love is the sea. Getting a chance to sail the Vohoun Ocean is almost reward enough. Count me in.”
“Spices? Exotic foods? Gold and silver,” Kiki squealed, “Oh wow, I can’t wait! Let’s go.”
Even Buffy was rubbing her hands together . . . perhaps eager to spread her religion to the colony and native Olman villagers. Everyone started making their plans at once. It seemed I was the only one not thrilled at the prospect. I felt like trying to sink under the table.
“I’ve taken the liberty of buying supplies and looking for proper crew . . .” Lavinia said.
“I can help with that,” James said, “I know all sorts of people . . .”
I perked up at that. James may well be a rogue and a pirate, he was a likeable fellow if you could see past that, but I wasn’t about to let him fill our ship with like minded individuals. Orlani was bad enough. Actually I shouldn’t say that, Orlani was also somewhat likeable. I didn’t want the ship populated with people James knew on the off chance he actually was a pirate and was filling the ship with loyal crewmen for the mutiny he was planning. It was unlikely . . . but why take the chance?
“I’m sure the crew you have selected will be fine,” I said looking at Lavinia, “all I ask is that we be allowed to interview them before we accept them.”
“That will be fine,” she said with a laugh, “I plan on setting sail at the start of the trade season in two weeks. I do hope that’ll be time enough time to get your ship ready and your affairs in order? I don’t dare delay any longer as the trip is lengthy and dangerous. There’s no telling what unexpected delays we might encounter.”
. . .
“I nominate myself as captain,” I said, the others looked up from what they were doing.
“I didn’t know that’s how it works,” James said with a laugh, “I always thought that . . .”
“I’m serious,” I said, cutting him off, “I think I should be captain. I’ve studied everything there’s to be found on sailing. I’ve studied geography and map making in school. I come from a class of leaders. I’m the one who’s best suited to be captain of the five of us; therefore I think I should be captain. Kale, do you have a problem with me being captain?”
“Well . . . no,” Kale said scratching his head, “I guess not . . .”
“Kiki,” I asked turning to the halfling.
“You gonna wear one of them big captain hats?” she asked.
“I might.”
“That’s worth the price of admission!” she said clapping her hands, “Sure, you can be captain.”
“What about you Buffy?” I asked the cleric of Pelor.
“Um . . . yes?” she said. Her answer sounded more like a question. “Is that all right?” She asked looking to the others.
“Then that only leaves James,” I said turning towards James, “would you have any problems with me being captain of our ship?”
“Ah, I, um,” James’ seemed to be at a loss for words.
“Good,” I said, “Then it’s unanimous. Let’s get back to work.”
. . .
Amella Venkalie looked like a woman destined for great things. Even though she was dressed in men’s clothing, and her face was marred with a thick scar under her right eye, she was clearly an attractive woman. She carried herself with poise and confidence. Her cold calculating eyes roamed the room and seemed to measure and judge everything they fell upon. Lavinia had selected her as a possible first mate, but according to what I had heard, her experience and knowledge of the sea probably surpassed that of Buffy or myself. I imagine that her knowledge surpassed even that of James. She would make a fine captain, but, for the time being, I would fill that roll. Her eyes eventually fell on us and I knew immediately what she was thinking “they’re young!” James, at the ripe old age of twenty two, was our eldest.
“Greeting Amella,” James said as she walked over to our table, “Please have a seat. Let me introduce everyone, I’m James, this is Buffy, Kiki, and Kale, and that,” he said pointing to me, “is Captain Tristan Lidu.”
“How old are you,” She immediately asked me.
“Slightly younger then Captain Rothschild the far seer when he took command of his first ship,” I said, displaying my knowledge of navel history. “But old enough to understand that being captain doesn’t automatically earn you respect, I’m old enough to respect the fact that I don’t know everything, and I’m old enough to listen to the advice and opinions of others.”
“What experience do you have?” she asked.
“Sailing? Little. That’s why we need an experienced first mate.” I said quickly, “Lavinia tells us that you have quite a bit of experience in that regard. Please tell us about it.”
“Well,” she said, sounding a bit more at ease, “my late husband and I had a small freight service not far from here. Only one ship but with the right cargo it was lucrative enough. I’ve spent almost twenty years on the sea, and a good number of those were working as me husband’s right. I know the sea (or as well as she’s willing to be known) and I know how to run a ship. You’ll not find another first mate of my experience without a ship anywhere in Sasserine. The devil take me if I’m lying. I’ll take the job, only because I need the work, but I don’t tolerate incompetence or fools. I’ll give you some leeway because you’re young, but the sea is no place to be playing, and if I feel you’re not up to the task I’ll take my leave at the first friendly port. Acceptiable?”
“Yes,” I said, shaking her hand, “Let’s draw up some papers.” It wasn’t until Amella left that I realized that it had been her conducting the interview and not the other way around.
. . .
After Father Feres left I made it clear to the others: “I want another priest for the ship.”
“What’s wrong with Feres?” Kale asked.
“Nothing,” he didn’t feel quite right, but most priests seemed a little odd, “but I want another one, another priest in addition to Father Feres.”
“Why?” Buffy asked . . . her eyes narrowing.
“Pelor and Hieroneous are all well and good, but I’d like a priest of Wee Jas.” I was never particularly religious but I liked the Stern Lady well enough. Having a priest of Wee Jas might be comforting to me on the long voyage.
“A death priest on a sailing ship?” James asked, “That’ll make us popular with the crew.”
“I’m not good enough for you?” Buffy asked, “This other priest is for the crew.”
“I’m not sure Lavinia can afford another priest,” Kale said.
“I mean it’s not like I ever saved your life or anything,” Buffy mumbled, “why should I expect any kind of loyalty?”
“Priests of death might be seen as bad luck is all I’m saying,” continued James, “sailors are a superstitious lot . . .”
“Why don’t we hire some wizards?” Buffy asked, “there’s a whole tower of them somewhere in Sasserine, I’m sure there’s a couple of illusionists or necromancers in need of work somewhere.”
“Fine!” I finally snapped, “No priest of Wee Jas, but it’s going to be a long trip, and if something happened to either of you, well I think we’d miss a priest more then we’d miss a wizard.”
. . .
I recognized Fredrick immediately. Fredrick Norrington, of the East Brook Norringtons, His family had holdings along the Thunder and Emerald rivers but almost nothing in Sasserine herself. He was a fellow graduate of the House of the Dragon. We had even had shared some classes together even though he was almost four years my senior. His studies had been strictly academic however, he was studying to be a navel officer, and he only stood out because he was so pretty. Handsome I guess, men prefer to be called handsome, but he wasn’t a big man and not at all rugged. I think pretty was a better descriptor.
“Fredrick!” I said as he entered, “its Tristan Lidu!”
I watched his eyes nervously dance about as if he were trying to remember something vital. That’s when I remembered that he had a reputation of being a lady’s man.
“We’re both alumni from the same Alma mater: The House of the Dragon. We had some classes together. Cartography if I remember correctly.
“Oh yes,” he said with some relief, “Tristan Lidu, how have you been doing?”
“I’ve been asked to join the Witchwardens, I’ve been made a member of the Dawn Council, and now I’m captain of the Sea Wyvern: a ship that’s part of a dangerous expedition to the Isle of Dread.”
“Hello there,” Said Kale, “I’m Kale Silverthumb, That’s Kiki, James, and Buffy. We’re the ships officers and owners. I’m sure ‘Captain’ Tristan was just about to introduce us.”
“Pleased to meet you all,” Fredrick said, “I’ll be blunt Tristan: I want in. I need to be part of your expedition. I can’t tell you why, it’s nothing underhanded or nefarious, but I really can’t stay in Sasserine for much longer. I’ve been told by all accounts that I am a first rate navigator, a skilled diplomat (as long as they speak the common tongue that is), and I’m handy with a pair of swords. Those are good skills to have where you’re going.”
“I agree,” I said before the others could object, “welcome aboard Fredrick. Get your things together we’re leaving in less then two weeks.”
. . .
“Where did you say you were going Tristan?” ask Blenak incredulously.
“The Isle of Dread,” I said, I was getting tired of this reaction, “believe me if I didn’t think my friends would get into trouble without me I wouldn’t be going. Kale seems to think with his sword, Kiki is far too rash . . .”
“I think I read a book about that place once,” Blenak said, scratching his nose, “seems to me the name is entirely deserved.”
“Yes,” I sighed, “I’ve been reading the journal of Larissa Vanderboren, she and her husband made a successful voyage there a few years ago, and now her daughter, my new patron, wants to follow in their footsteps.”
“You know there’s always work for quality alchemist,” Blenak said helpfully, “the pay’s not as good, but for the most part it’s less dangerous . . . well the danger is predictable.”
“I thought you said you got a new assistant?”
“Oh but he’s terrible Tristan,” Blenak moaned, “can’t find anything, needs help putting things together, and the conversation . . . forget it. That stuffed wombat over there is more entertaining to talk to. I’d rather talk to customers.”
“That’s not nice,” I laughed.
“But it’s true,” Blenak snapped, “customers Tristan; I’d rather talk to customers! Anyways, getting a new lab monkey is more trouble then its worth, I scarcely get one broken in to how I like when they get snatched up by the competition or find work in another field. When this dull little twerp leaves or retires I’ll just buy wholesale from Blisker. The whole business is going his anyways these days.”
“Well I think I’ll feel safer now that I got these glasses,” I said holding up the spectacles, “my cook is good, but I’m not going to take any chances with her mixing up ingredients.”
“Those glasses might come in handy when you get to the island as well,” Blenak said with a smile, clearly pleased to see his handiwork put to good use, “if this little lizard of yours is going to be ship’s cook then you’ll make good use of those on the trip over . . .” Blenak’s head popped up like he had heard a beaker breaking, “wait here,” he said running to his upstairs apartments.
“What the heck is he up to Hop-Toy?” I asked my toad.
‘Who knows’ said my familiar, ‘you warm bloods are an excitable bunch. You’ll never catch any flies hopping around like that. You need to learn to wait. Learn to wait and the flies come to you.’
“I thought you liked slugs best.”
‘Oh yes,’ said Hop-Toy, ‘slugs you should chase down. They don’t move fast so it’s no good waiting. Or you should find someone to chase them down for you. It’s better to have someone else find and feed them to you. However if you don’t like slugs I’ll eat yours.’
“Very kind of you,” I said as I heard Blenak return. He was carrying a backpack. “What’s that,” I asked.
“It’s a haversack!” Blenak snapped, “What’s it look like? What are they teaching you kids these days? Long ago, when I had hair on my head and a spring in my step, I thought about exploring the world, but I knew there was no way a scrawny . . . er, a person of my unique physical stature would have difficulty transporting everything I might need for travel. So I got this, a haversack, or more precisely, Heward’s Handy Haversack! It’s something akin to a bag of holding, only cheaper. I never did do any traveling, and now I know I never will, I don’t like bugs you see,”
‘Insanity!’ burped Hop-Toy.
“And people annoy me,” continued Blenak, “so I think you could make better use of this haversack then I could. I know how we intellectual types are often at a physical disadvantage, and if you’re not smart enough to get some brute to carry your things for you, this is the next best thing!”
“You’re giving this to me?” I pretended to ask as I made a mock grab for the Haversack. “Very generous of you.”
“Give?!” Blenak gasped predictably, pulling back the haversack, “give? I’ll do no such thing! This is vintage! And it’s never been used. I’ll charge you the regular price only because you’re a good customer and friend. Otherwise I’d have to tack on extra because of the rarity and sentimental value attached to the item.”
. . .
With all the work done, the supplies secured, and all of the check lists gone over twice we could finally rest. We had finished not a moment too soon either, the setting sun was casting long shadows across the bay, and in the morning we would be setting sail. I’m not sure what I felt at that moment. The morning would bring the start of our journey, in truth I still didn’t really want to go, but I didn’t really want to be left behind either. The Isle of Dread really sounded like a horrible, dangerous place, a place no sane person would want to visit, and yet Kiki, Kale, Buffy, and Lavinia seemed dead set on going. I didn’t want anything bad to happen to any of them. James, Orlani, and Fredrick were also going, and seeing as I was acting as captain, I took their personal safety as my responsibility. I cared about them as well, but I really didn’t know them as well as the others.
And lastly Churtle, the settlers, and the rest of the crew: they were my responsibility as well. The crew and settlers had chosen to travel to the island knowing the risks, but Churtle, I wasn’t as sure about her. She was smarter then she acted. Pretending to be stupid was likely some sort of defense mechanism. I imagine she learned to play dumb when she was brought to the Lotus Dragon’s lair. It was safer to be stupid in a den of murders and thieves. Still, despite explaining to her numerous times that she was no longer a slave and a free to come and go as she pleased, she still did anything I asked of her. I tried to make it clear to her that this trip could be extremely dangerous, and I was giving her the choice to stay or go, but she agreed to come along with me without putting any thought to her options. Perhaps she thought I was some kind of monster akin to Rowyn Kellani, that despite what I said about her having choices, I fully expected her to do as I wanted. That I was playing twisted mind games with her . . . If that was the case, then the only option I had was to treat Churtle with the kindness and respect any sentient being deserved, and hope that one day she came to see I was nothing like Lady Lotus. Hope that she lived that long.
There was an awful lot of responsibility with being captain. I don’t think the others realized this. I now have new respect for my great uncle and I fully realize why he made the decisions that he made. If being a captain of a ship was this much responsibility I couldn’t imagine ruling over a city.
I seem to have become side tracked again . . .
I can’t really describe what I’m feeling: fear, anger, love, joy, despair . . . all emotions . . . and yet none of them. I wanted the night to last forever and I wanted it over now. I wanted the journey to start, end, and to never begin.
I wonder if I’ll be able to get to sleep tonight?
Tomorrow we sail,
Cthulhu Dreams
‘Insanity!’ burped Hop-Toy.
This line has become a bit famous within the play group. I will quote it from time to time whenever Hoy Toy is mentioned.
Today we began a voyage of over 3000 miles and Osprem, in her infinite wisdom, set to test us early.
The day began simply enough. People arrived, unpacked, and went about their duties. As they stepped on board Amella and I checked them off in the personal logs. There were the officers, including Amella and myself, Kiki, Buffy, Kale, James, and Fredrick. Then I entered the upper crewmen including Orlani, Churtle, Father Feres, Skald, Urol, Lirith, and our Dwarven engineers Dorent and Morlond. Then we entered the ordinary crewmen including Davey, Rodger, John, Anne, Mary, and young Tavey. Then we entered our passengers, the Carpenters (Mike, Lane, and Merriam), and the Tailors (Mitch, Wynona, and Will). We were three names short.
I didn’t need to look to know who we were missing but Amella did a quick scan before growling “Avner . . .” He and his two servants had yet to arrive.
“He’ll probably be an hour or so,” I said to Amella, “nobles like to show up fashionably late.”
“Bloody n . . .” Amella said, catching herself.
“Nobles?” I finished. Amella scowled. “Yes we are a pretentious lot – some worse then others. It’s how we were taught to behave. We’re all about pomp and circumstance but we’re hardly the only class or occupation with it’s idiosyncrasies. I also fancy myself a scholar; we tend to bandy about large and possibly obscure words to make ourselves sound smart. But again it’s all pageantry, some of us are no smarter then your average street thug. The main difference is the vocabulary. We can talk for hours without resorting to obscenities! We act according to the roll we are expected to fill. That’s one of the reasons you’ll find the crew to be an ill-tempered uncouth lot, that doesn’t mean that they’re all filthy uneducated savages, it just means that’s the rolls and serotypes that they’ve come to expect and try to fill. Really, the secret to understanding people is getting past all that.”
“I’m sorry,” Amella said after a few moments, “were you saying something?”
“Oh I was just agreeing with you,” I said with a sigh, “Bloody nobles!” I said shaking my fist at the only other noble aboard: Fredrick. Unfortunately, at that moment, he looked up from his charts. I can’t imagine what he was thinking, but I know he saw two women talking privately, and one (his captain) was shaking her fist at him. He gathered up his charts and went below decks. I caught the hint of a smile on Amella’s face.
Avner arrived half an hour late. He attempted to make a grand entrance riding on his grand horse in all his finery. He hadn’t changed much in the two years sense I’d seen him last. He’d grown a mustache, perhaps put on a few pounds, but he was still the most self-centered, pompous ass that I had ever had the misfortune of meeting. My date with Avner was hardly the worst experience in my life (being bitten by the rhagodessa was slightly worse). I had (by this time) gotten past the lions share of the anger and resentment. Still, seeing him again did bring up emotions . . .
I was scarcely fifteen when my father, making one of his rare visits, explained to me that he had arranged for a courtship between the Lidus and the Meravanchis. If all went well, he explained, a union between our two houses might be possible. He seemed to suggest, without actually saying it, that marrying into the Meravanchis family might be the best thing I could hope to achieve in life. Then he left, leaving my mother and me to deal with his handy work. Despite my earlier experiences, I was still willing to meet potential suitors, but my mother was more apprehensive. I think that was likely because my mother had heard some of the stories surrounding Avner before my father made his ‘arrangements’. She knew that Avner was no catch.
Looking back, my mother and Aunt Mary May did everything to prepare me for Avner’s groping hands, except actually warn me! Aunt Mary May showed me how to throw a punch and tried to give me a dagger to wear in my belt, and mother gave me very explicit instructions not to venture away from the chaperon. Naturally, because that was the advice I got from my mother, and because I was fifteen years old that was exactly the first thing I did. Neither seemed surprised when I returned bawling three hours later. Nothing happened. Nothing serious anyways. Apart from some groping and a forced kiss it had simply been the worst date of my life.
If one good thing came from my date with Avner it was that I never had to suffer being courted ever again. Even father didn’t dare make any more arrangements after that fiasco.
“See that you don’t bruise her,” Avner was saying to my crew as they secured his horse in the special pen we’d built below decks, “and be extremely careful as you lower him down. He’s worth more then ten of you could make in a lifetime.”
“Avner,” I said, “don’t worry about your horse, see to your men and secure your belongings, we have a long trip and all these delays are making it longer.”
“Tristan,” he said with that practiced toothy smile, “I had heard you’d be acting as captain, but to be honest I thought Lavinia was joking! It’s good to see you . . .”
“Get below,” I said turning away, “everyone else, prepare to cast off as soon as the horse is secured!”
I could tell right Amella didn’t like Avner. She didn’t even attempt to hide her scowl as he smiled at her. Amella was an older, more experienced, and had likely seen Avner’s ilk before. I wish I had been as wise on our first meeting. The others gathered around on the stern castle with Amella and me, discussing Avner, and wanting to know what I knew about him.
“We only met once,” I tried to explain, “a couple of years ago. My family knows his family of course and we live relatively close to one another so we see each other all the time.”
“Is he always such an ass?” Kale asked.
“Well . . .” I began, but was thankfully interrupted by shouting from below deck.
“This is an outrage!” Avner was shouting, “How dare you treat me this way! Who do you think I am? I’m a Meravanchis! I demand a personal room!” Avner stormed topside and attempted to get to me and Amella but Kale and James blocked his route. “Tristan what is the meaning of this? You put me in the hold with the rest of this common rabble? How dare you! I’ve never been so insulted in all my life!”
“What’s the problem Avner?” Kale asked.
“Ask her,” he said pointing at me, “this is her doing!”
Truth be told, I had no idea what he was talking about, but I imagined that it had something to do with his accommodations. That was something I had entrusted to Amella. I could only imagine that Amella had put Avner and his men in a cabin with the rest of the settlers . . . or worse, put him in a cabin with the crew!
“All right,” Kale snapped, “Calm down, talk to me now, and don’t point . . . its very rude.”
“Your harpy of a captain put me in a room with peasants!” Avner snapped, still ignoring Kale, shouting through him (rather then talking to him), and still trying to slip past him and James to get to me. “I won’t be treated in this shabby fashion! I’ll have your cabin Tristan and you can room with these . . . vermin!”
At that point pandemonium broke out. Kale, James, Kiki, and Amella started shouting with Avner. Father Feres tried to calm everyone down, but after some truly mean spirited insults thrown by Avner, he retreated below deck. Urol came topside to partake in the ‘discussion’, but he was only interested in the breeding of Thunderstrike, Avner’s horse. I tried to remain out of the fighting until Avner had calmed down some. The pointless shouting was going nowhere.
“Tristan, I demand to know what you’re going to do about this,” Avner finally snapped, “I’ll not be ignored!”
“Avner,” I finally said, “we are terrible overbooked, and I myself am sharing my cabin with three other people. Perhaps we can jury-rig you up something to allow a little more privacy. A curtain perhaps?”
“Unacceptable,” Avner snapped.
“Tristan,” Kale asked, “what about that small room in the hold?”
“The sails locker?” Amella asked, “We need that room for storing the rope and sails! We can’t give him that . . .”
“Avner,” I said, “a room may have just opened up, and the good news is that it’s very close to your horse Thunderstrike so you won’t have far to go to see him every day.”
“That’s more like it,” Avner said with a smug smile.
“Tristan . . .” Amella said trying to interject.
“Amella,” I said cutting her off, “see that someone clears the room for our guest.”
“Yes mam,” snapped Amella, she was clearly not happy.
“Unfortunately you’ll have to share your room with your servants though,” I said to Avner, “I hope that’s acceptable?” I said without really caring what he had to say about it.
“Fine, fine,” said Avner with a wave of his hand, “that would be more convenient to me anyways. I’d rather not have my men mixing with this lot.”
It took a half hour to secure the horse and clear the room for Avner. Amella returned topside grumbling. I decided to let her calm down before I tried talking to her again.
When our final preparations were made we cast off our lines, raised our anchor, and set sail for the open mouth of the harbor. Soon the Wyvern was dancing across the open sea. The Blue Nixie waited for us at the harbor mouth and when she spotted us she opened her sails and headed east. I turned back to Sasserine as we sailed towards Kraken’s Cove, I wondered if I’d ever see my home again, and then I looked east to the Nixie. Our journey was finally underway.
The rest of the morning was uneventful. Amella eventually stopped grinding her teeth . . . in fact she seemed to calm down considerably once we hit the sea. I waited till Sasserine disappeared behind us before asking Amella to take the wheel. She gladly took over for me.
“Amella,” I said after some time had passed, “in your old transportation business did you ever have to transport people?” I carefully asked.
She glanced over at me, then back to the sea before answering. “I don’t have a problem with people if that’s what you’re asking,” she said.
“That’s not what I’m asking,” I said. She shrugged.
“we took on passengers from time to time,” she said, “it’s not what we did, we were a cargo ship, so that’s what we shipped: cargo. The few people we took new their place though . . . they didn’t go lookin’ ta stir up trouble.”
“There are three reasons I put Avner in the hold,” I said, “and if you can figure out why I think you’ll make a fine captain so day.” She snorted at that, seeming to think that my judgment was beneath her, but as she thought about it (and seeing as there was little else to do on the calm ocean waters) she decided to play along.
“You gave him the room to shut him up,” she said with a laugh.
“Yes,” I said, “he wanted to have his own way. It seems to him that I relented and he got what he wanted.”
“And you think he didn’t?” Amella asked.
“There’s a horse in the hold,” I said, “It won’t take a week before it smells like a stable down there. Nobody wants to be down there at the best of times, it’s dark and damp, but in a few days I doubt we could pay people to live in the hold. Avner might try to move after he realizes his mistake, but by then we’ll be leagues from Sasserine, and he won’t have his daddy to cry to. I’m not renegotiating with him. He’s got what he’s got till we get to Farshore.”
“Makes sense,” she admitted.
“Ok, what else?” I asked.
She thought for a moment longer. “You put him in the hold to keep him away from the rest of the crew.”
“Exactly!” I said with a smile, “he’ll have limited contact with the others down there, and if he wants to complain he’ll have to come up two or more sets of stairs to do it.”
Amella nodded, silently agreeing that giving Avner the sail’s locker was a good idea. Amella thought for a long while after that. “Ok, I give up, what’s the third reason?”
“Avner’s a letch, a philanderer, a liar, and cheat,” I said, “and an embarrassment to his family name. His father probably sent him on this expedition to get rid of him for a few years. Well, a few years best case scenario, sent him off to die worst case scenario, either way Zebula Meravanchi would not be pleased if Avner returned home after the ship refused to meet his needs. I doubt there’s much Zebula could do to me, but there’s plenty he could do to ruin the career of a woman looking to make captain. Trust me Amella, we nobles are not the kind of people you want to piss off, we have money and power, and all kinds of idle time. Ruining other people’s lives is almost a sport amongst some of us.”
Amella seemed to meditate on what I’d said for a while. I think I liked her, she was smart and charismatic, and I didn’t doubt that she would make an excellent captain some day. I wanted her on my side for the rest of this voyage. I needed her to understand why I had made the choices that I had made. I didn’t need her second guessing me. I have no idea why she put one of our sponsors in a common room, perhaps it was to test me, but if Amella thought she could usurp or question my authority I would come down on her hard. She was my senior in many ways, but I was captain, and she would have to lean to live with that.
Perhaps I’m over-thinking things. Maybe Amella really didn’t know Avner would throw a tantrum . . .
That night, after we dropped anchor, the Blue Nixie sent a boat over. Lavinia wanted to celebrate the beginning of our journey and she sent a boat over to invite us, some of our crew, and Avner over to her ship. Naturally we accepted. Amella saw to maneuvering our ship while I changed, I had brought my entire wardrobe with me in my haversack, and I was anxious to show off my new grey silk dress to someone other then Kale, Kiki, and Buffy. When I had changed I found that the two ships were moored side by side and a cable was run between the ships. A net seat was attached and one by one we were hoisted over.
Lavinia’s ship was almost twice the size of our ship. The extra space was most welcome. Our ship had thirty people on board. There weren’t even enough beds for everyone so our crew slept in shifts. Being on the Blue Nixie gave everyone some breathing room. Lavinia met us on the main deck. She wore blue silk accentuated with slender gold and silver rings, earrings, gold chains, and topped off with a bold sapphire necklace. Although I lacked the jewelry I felt confident standing next to Lavinia in my grey silk dress (with its red and gold trim).
When all the guests were aboard Lavinia led us down to the mess where a feast was laid out for us. The main course was grouse and peacock, the grouse was a tad dry, but the peacock was wonderful . . . and although I normally don’t care for fatty foods, I found myself very much enjoying the meal. The conversation wasn’t bad either . . . except for Tolin, whom I found unpleasant and disagreeable as per usual. Much of our upcoming voyage was discussed and plans were made, seems Urol wants to visit some ruins hidden on an island somewhere along the journey south, and Lavinia had agreed to make time for their exploration in place of Urol’s pay. Kiki, Kale, Buffy, James, Fredrick, and I were asked to accompany him and everyone else readily agreed. Am I the only one in this group with a sense of self preservation?
Another interesting exchange happened towards the end of our meal. I can’t recall how it came about (I was giving my full attention to the chocolate mousse) but I was suddenly brought back into the conversation with Avner’s remarks:
“I think you and I had something special Tristan,” Avner drawled out, he was clearly feeling the effects of the Celene wine, “I seem to remember you weren’t like the other woman I dated.”
“Is that because I slapped you?” I snapped back.
Avner’s face went red. “Oh I’m sure that’s because I had an insect on my face or something . . .” he sputtered. But the damage had been done. The entire table roared with laughter.
The experience hadn’t been at all amusing to me. Avner had been drinking that night as well. The more he drank, the less charming and amusing he became, and the more uncomfortable I felt. Things had gotten progressively worse: at dinner his conversation became crude and boorish, while dancing I had fought to keep my distance and to keep his hand above my hip, and during the opera he repeatedly tried to fondle and kiss me till I couldn’t stand it anymore and demanded to be taken home. Avner seemed to comply . . . but once we were alone in the back of his carriage he was all over me again. I managed to push him off and when he came at me again I slapped him. I slapped him hard. I slapped him hard enough to knock all the taste out of his mouth. He sat there looking at me with shock and surprise, clutching his cheek, looking hurt; almost like a child. I found the door to the carriage, screamed for the driver to stop, and then I climbed out and walked the rest of the way home. It had been the worst date of my life. After that night I swore off men.
Avner looked as he had in that carriage all those years ago . . . and for some reason, at that moment, I felt sorry for Avner. He really was a clueless dolt. He had neither brains, nor charisma, nor common sense. His father was sending him away because he’s an embarrassment: and he really had no idea. Humiliating Avner was really like kicking a puppy . . . except nobody wants to kick a puppy.
“Yes of course . . .” I said trying to alleviate some of the laughter . . . but that only made it worse. Avner sunk in his seat and didn’t say anything else for the rest of the meal.
Something peculiar happened after supper. We had drinks and a toast on the main deck of the Blue Nixie, we then prepared to return to our own ship, and Kiki climbed up into the net chair first . . . when the cable snapped! Kiki fell into the water (twisting into a dive at the last second) and at the same moment a water mephit, seeming to materialize from our own ship, attacked our crew with its caustic breath. I attacked the thing with my magic; it took a few hits and dove under the water, and for a moment that seemed to chase the thing off. The others were at a disadvantage without their weapons and there was a mad scramble to find something to use against the horrid beast should it return. The monster appeared again (I explained to the others that it could regenerate underwater) and cast a spell at us. The monster was more of an annoyance then a true threat, even without our proper weapons, we forced the little imp back under the water again. The creature wasn’t so lucky this time as he dove into the water right next to Kiki. Kiki made sure it didn’t have the chance to heal this time.
When all the excitement had died down, and we were sure there were no more of the little monsters lurking about, we decided to ferry everyone back to their own ship rather then try setting up a cable again. It was late – and it was the quickest solution.
We discovered that the cable had been cut from our side. Sabotage! But who and why? I thought that I had seen the mephit originate from our ship, although mephits are not native to our plane, so it might have been possible that the mephit had cut the cable as an act of mischief. How or why the mephit had come to be on our ship was another mystery. It was a water mephit, and although rare, portals to the elemental planes have been known to form in the right conditions . . . very deep waters for example. I would think that along the coast line wouldn’t meet these conditions but stranger things have happened. Mephits are also sometimes summoned to serve as familiars or as fodder by powerful magic users and priests . . . that would likely mean someone else’s involvement . . . unless a wizard somewhere near the shore suddenly died (freeing her familiar) and the creature suddenly free choose to fly out to our ship to reek havoc. Not a very likely scenario. Most likely someone on board summoned that thing. We shall have to keep our eyes open. There may be a traitor on board.
Suspicion runs high on the first night,
Cthulhu dreams.
Nice entry. :)
I don't have the time to write up the campaign I'm running (beyond the bare bones summary I provide for the players so they don't forget important stuff), and it would be from DM perspective anyway.
But I know that if I did write something I'd want some feedback on it, whether it's criticism or a pat on the back...just to know that people are indeed reading it.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 32
|
I'm loving this journal too, Tristan! Between this and JollyDoc's on enworld, I've got plenty of ideas for my own fortnightly campaign. I really like your characters and the effort you've put into the backstories - keep it up whenever you have the time :)
I'd post my own story (10,000 words and they've just left Parrot Island) but it's in Dutch and takes too long to write as it is without doing it bilingually :)
|
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
|
Wow: Tristan and Avner . . . who would have thunk it! I guess that explains Tristan's "filthy groping hands" comment in the very first entry. I wonder if Avner has truly ruined all men for Tristan . . .
Snerk.
Sorry, just remembering some earlier entries. I'll keep my mind out of the gutter now.
These journals are pretty entertaining! Keep it up!
By the way, is James a PC or DM ran?
The dead rise and walk the earth once more.
The day started out simply enough. Avner began complaining about this or that, I steered him towards James, and James in turn steered him towards Lirith. Avner spent a few moments complaining to one of our leading seamen before he realized that he was wasting his time. He stormed back to his room. He did return afterwards asking to take his meals at the table in my room . . . it took me a moment to come up with a clever response, I eventually told him that he couldn’t use my room by himself, but he was welcome to share his meals with Kiki and Churtle if he liked. That caused him to storm off again.
The rest of the morning was relatively peaceful. Amella was anxious to get our crew in ship shape before we hit the open ocean and I readily agreed with her. Now that we’d been at sea for a few days she wanted to start regular shifts (even though we didn’t sail through the night) and she wanted to work the crew, as hard as I would allow, to break them in. I let her to it. The crew grumbled, but many of them were seasoned sailors, and were no strangers to hard work and long hours. I continued my notes . . . Amella’s approach might be interesting to future readers should I write and publish that book.
The afternoon brought with it two surprises:
The first was a Sahuagin raid. Around mid-afternoon a large group of sea devils scaled the starboard side of our ship in a misguided attempt to seize our ship and steal our cargo. They caught us by surprise but they vastly underestimated our abilities. Kale, Kiki, James, and Buffy sprung into action. The Sahuagin were soon on the defensive. Fredrick proved himself more then capable, I had thought it odd to see him carrying two rapiers, but after seeing him in action I knew those weapons weren’t just for show.
Safe on the stern castle I was free to work my summons. I had learned a great deal from Lord Theodran, he had filled in many of the gaps missing in my understanding of the planes and the universe, and now, finally, I felt ready to test this knowledge. From somewhere beyond the fabric of space and time I called forth an entity completely alien to this or any world. It had a rudimentary understanding of organs and flesh, it knew the basic shapes and forms, and using this rather poor understanding of our universe it attempted to form itself into the creature I called. It was horrible. It was magnificent. It was my first successful summons of an alien and I knew in my heart I could easily do it again. I summoned my first pseudonatural creature. It was loosely in the form of a Hippogriff, but with its flesh all twisting and writhing, and as it appeared on our world it immediately went to work tearing into the sahuagin with unnatural rancor. The battle turned from a raid to a route in an instant.
Then came our second surprise . . . as the Sahuagin fled for their lives . . . from somewhere below deck our old nemeses and stowaway made her move. Rowyn Kellani was back from the dead! We had come to suspect that we had a stowaway on board for some time, Kiki (who acted as our quartermaster) noticed that rations were going missing, and we noticed the odd mishap or accident (nothing serious but far more then one should expect). We honestly didn’t believe the two events were connected. Rowyn was probably responsible for the accidents and that mephit!
She had probably heard the sounds of battle and hoped to use our confusion or misdirection to her advantage but by the time she made it from her hiding spot to the main deck the fight was over. She managed to stab Kale before she realized her mistake. Everyone, weapons already drawn and ready, quickly turned on the former Lady Lotus.
“Rowyn surrender,” I shouted to the beleaguered villainess, “it’s your only hope. We want information about Vanthus!”
The woman didn’t reply, but she did catch me with her cruel green eyes as if to say ‘I’ll never surrender!’
Then the hippogriff pounced upon her. The unnatural beast tore her from limb to limb before I could call it off. Rowyn was dead again. My heart sank. She might have been one of the few people who could have told us of Vanthus’ plans.
“Tristan, what the hell is that thing?” Kale asked looking at my summoned horror.
“A creature not of this world,” I replied.
“You’re summoning monsters from other worlds now?” Kale asked. He looked disgusted. The sheer naivety of his statement was staggering. Did people really know so little of the planes and the nature of the universe?
“Anything summoned comes from other planes of existence Kale. Demons, devils, angels, and celestials, they all come from different planes of existence. None of them exist naturally on our world. This thing,” I said pointing to my hippogriff, “you might say comes from even further away, if you could apply a concept such as distance regarding the planes, but otherwise this creature is like any other.”
“It’s horrible!” cried Kiki.
“Yes,” I said with a smile, “yes it is. It was very difficult to summon as well. But I think I’ve got the knack of it now. I think I can now summon these creatures instead of the usual fair from now on. From now on all my summons should be these pseudonatural creatures. This will aid us greatly because they are far more powerful then any of the creatures I could summon from the upper or lower planes.”
“It looks evil,” Kale said.
“These things are far beyond our silly little concepts of good and evil, in fact they come from a place that’s far beyond our understanding of space and time, it’s possible that they are formed from the pure chaotic essence that shaped our universe.”
“Well I don’t like them.” Kale said.
“Your concern is noted,” I said as I dismissed the thing to its native plane. “But I don’t tell you how to swing a sword, so maybe you should leave the spell casting to me?”
After our little exchange I ordered the deck cleaned. Then I went to find something to store the Lady Lotus’ body in, I wasn’t sure how far the next port was, and I didn’t want her body stinking up the ship while we traveled to Farshore. Bellow deck I found a barrel that we should have been able to fit her body into when it had been emptied but when I returned topside I found Kale Hoisting Rowyn’s stripped body over the side of the ship.
“Kale! Stop!” I shouted, “What do you think you’re doing? We need that body.”
“What for?” he asked, resting the corpse on the railing.
I glanced around at the crew. I didn’t want to reveal too much in front of them. “We can use magic on her,” I said as quietly as I could, “she may have secrets yet!”
“Nuts to that!” He said dumping her body overboard.
“Noooo!” I shouted. I ran over to the side of the ship just in time to catch a glimpse of Rowyn’s body sinking bellow the frothy white waves. “You fool!” I snapped, “She might have known something about Vanthus!”
“And how were you going to get anything out of a corpse?” He sneered, “You practicing death magic as well?”
“No,” I snapped, “such things are vile and unthinkable to me. I don’t practice necromancy and I don’t have any spells of that disgusting school in my repertoire. But Buffy, being a priestess, knows how to commune with the deceased, and given time, she would have been able to get Rowyn’s secrets out of her!”
“Oh,” was all he said. Clearly he thought I was some sort monster. Nice to know Kale thinks so highly of me.
I quite literally wanted to strangle Kale after that exchange. He didn’t seem at all concerned with wasting our one opportunity to find Vanthus. His complete disregard for my opinions and feelings was another matter . . . I retired to my cabin before I said something that we’d all regret.
By supper my rage had subsided somewhat. Still, I think it’d be best to avoid Kale for the next few days; I’d rather not risk another confrontation with him. This is a small ship and I pray I don’t end up bludgeoning him to death with my rod of metamagic before this trip is finished.
My Lidu blood boils,
While Cthulhu dreams
|
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
|
Turns out that Kale was being a jerk to Tristan for a couple of reasons, one turns out to be that IRL Kale's player thought that Alienist has to be evil, and seeing as Kale is (quasi) LG he had that alignment conflict in the back of his head.
Quite honestly, if you don't look at the requirement, one'd think so too. Alienists are creepy as f***.
Just wait until you get the tentacles or eyes. ^_^
Just wait until you get the tentacles or eyes. ^_^
Heh heh ... being an alienist, she might well be able to do something about her 'girl crush' with that tentacle ... brush her hair maybe ...
|
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
|
Anyone else have thoughts on the possiblity of Tristan/Lavinia thus far? Remember no spoilers please!
Yes.
... What?
Anyways, I know that having the love interest angle on, well, anyone, but especially Lavinia, makes this AP more interesting (not to mention that she just plain kicks arse), but I can't remember any specifics.
Well, no idea about her chances, but the whole "loveboat-angle" is currently rather getting out of hand in our STAP, so maybe you might want to reconsider ? The maintank keeps falling for Lavinia and at the same time snuggling up to the nubile (cohort) elvin wizard, the Beguiler trying to get her hooks into everyone even remotely attractive and in power, the swashbuckler/dread pirate working her way through the crew's available 'manpower'....
But I guess, why not ? There have been stranger couples, although my instinctive bet would still be against it --- > since (our) Lavinia is pretty much wary and angry at outsider forces for corrupting her brother - her take on it for now, especially after the recent demonic involvements, my judgement may be skewed. Which might IMO really affect Tristan's chances - being a summoner (and an ODD one at that).
I also have the nasty feeling she might just think in dynastic terms, keeping the family line alive etc.
Whatever floats the boat and does not distract from the mainplot toooooo much, hehe
aehh, no, actually Lavinia (around here) really blamed some "demonic influence" on her brother for much of his exploits - and that only after she received the (second-hand) report from Harliss about his shennanigans at Kraken's Cove ( especially his possession of the "dark magic" Black Pearl ).
More of a standard explanation - "why is XYZ" such a villain ? Demonic Influence, I guess..." So no spoiler, because, actually I wouldn't know better.
don't know how much your group delved on and into the Vanderbooren background, the following refers to it, plus some stuff from installments #1 + #2
Lavinia then finally got shown some of his gloating correspondence from TinH concerning their parents demise, too - before then she considered him innocent or rather everyone mistaken and prejudiced.
Also, this is simply an ingame extension of his years spend on that undisclosed plantation while she was off to the "Lady's Academy" , everybody assumed he had gotten into spirit worship there and made some unfortunate "deals" - blasphemous vodoo etc.
And with Lavinia's less than sterling Wisdom this explanation is far more bearable atm then possible alternatives, like blaming her brother.....
BTW, great journal, I am gonna shamelessly nab the explanation of Tristan's for the pseudonaturalism for some ingame philosophy here....
Afterthought - are all your group's characters in their teenage years ? Kale at around 17, Tristan shy of her 17th birthday even ?
|
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
|
It's funny, but all of the original characters (save for the Buffy), completely on our own, all decided to make young characters. Kiki's player seemed to want to play a street youth and I loved the idea of playing a crazy, perpetually eighteen (with timeless body) Alienist. I can't speak for Kale though. After the original 3 PCs the rest of the group has gotten older, Buffy is 20, James is 22, and Fredrick is in his 20s as well (he may be the eldest character). Our youth hasn’t really become an issue as of yet though.Afterthought - are all your group's characters in their teenage years ? Kale at around 17, Tristan shy of her 17th birthday even ?
Kinda makes it into an adventure of growing up, eh? Besides, this adventure's timeline is intended to take (at a minimum) a year in game time (what with all the travelling), depending on how quickly it goes. Who knows, Tristan might actually hit twenty by the time it ends.
|
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
|
Quick reminder to everyone: no new update Lidu diary this week.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Next week: underage drinking, Avner goes a courting, and Tristan gets a little 'emo'
Huzzah! Adventurers gone wild!
All this and more in entry 12!
Same yugoloth time, same yugoloth channel? Can't wait!
Awesome journal! Keep it up.
|
Any chance you could do a brief writeup of Tristan's stats? Something along the lines of her levels in various classes, AC, HP, Magic Items, Feats, and any other information you want to toss in with it would be really cool. Reading her adventures is fun, but having an occasional update on her basic stats and such would make it even better IMHO.
If you don't want to bother with that, or don't have the time no big deal. I figure it doesn't hurt anything to ask.
|
Well, I've spent the last two nights (and more than a little time at work) getting through this thread, and I have really enjoyed it. Anyway, please take this as my endorsement of this thread. I am at the edge of my seat waiting to see how you and your group will handle things!
Have you come up with a name for your company yet? I'm thinking Tristan might suggest something that evokes images of the dark tentacled depths of the sea. Perhaps something like "The Krakens", or "The Company of the Azure Depths", but only creepier.
Oh... and Tristan and Lavinia... that would be hot. She should totally go for that.
|
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
|
You know, it might just be me being crazy, but isn't it a little... I dunno... creepy that we're talking about how hot it is for Tristan and Lavinia to hook up, seeing as Tristan's player is standing RIGHT THERE! ::points in a random direction:: and the fact that, as far as I can tell, Tristan's player is a guy?
... Well, it IS hot, but there's my point.
|
|
Based on Tristan's leadership role and her obsession with the far realm, maybe something like The Company of Cthulu's Coils or the Eyes of Madness. Not sure how some of the characters like Kale would feel about that. Since there is a Cthulu element and the Sea Wyvern is so important, how about the Wyvern's Tentacles or The Wyvern's Madness. Since Tristan always ends her journal with Cthulu Dreams, perhaps something like the Company of the Dreaming Wyvern.
Meh, what do I know about group names anyway. Just thought I would brainstorm a few ideas on the off chance something sticks.
|
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
|
You know, it might just be me being crazy, but isn't it a little... I dunno... creepy that we're talking about how hot it is for Tristan and Lavinia to hook up, seeing as Tristan's player is standing RIGHT THERE! ::points in a random direction:: and the fact that, as far as I can tell, Tristan's player is a guy?
... Well, it IS hot, but there's my point.
hehe,
One of my biggest concerns with the Tristan/Lavinia love angle is making it seem real. I don't want this relationship to come across as some kind of "lipstick lesbian" relationship from pulp fiction or porn, I want to portray a real loving relationship (that just happens to take place between two women). One of the HUGE concerns I have is the fact that you have pointed out: I am a man.I think I've done a fair job portraying a female character, getting into her mindset, and showing her fragility as well as her strength. If a relationship forms between Tristan and Lavinia I want it to seem "real" (in a manor of speaking). I want people to think "aaww, they really do make a cute couple," rather then "wow that's hot! Now make them kiss!" (Not that that getting that kind of a reaction would be an entirely bad thing. I just want the relationship to come across as more then simple heterosexual fantasy, and part of that problem is that I think it’d be hot as well ;)).
Not exactly the point I was making, but you speak true.
The thing is, I bet you that if you had not created these diaries, and just created a third person journal, we would not give two s!*$s about Tristan's and Lavinia's relationship. (Except for the usual girl on girl action type parts).
I would like to see more about the other characters, actually, if only to see how the entire group relates to one another. For instance, all we've seen of James is that he's a clutz, has a girl, and might be a bit dishonest. We know jack about Fred (not even what is character concept is!). We're led to think Kale's a hypocritical jerk at times. We know that Kiki's just plain cool. And we know that, personality wise, Buffy's as flat as plywood.
I'm done rambling. Naptime.
|
|
I think I've done a fair job portraying a female character, getting into her mindset, and showing her fragility as well as her strength. If a relationship forms between Tristan and Lavinia I want it to seem "real" (in a manor of speaking). I want people to think "aaww, they really do make a cute couple," rather then "wow that's hot! Now make them kiss!" (Not that that getting that kind of a reaction would be an entirely bad thing. I just want the relationship to come across as more then simple heterosexual fantasy, and part of that problem is that I think it’d be hot as well ;)).
Point taken, and for what it's worth I think you've done a pretty good job at portraying a female character as well, but (being a heterosexual male) I'm in the same boat as you are. Truth be told, at this point if Tristan put it all on the line only to be shot down, that would be pretty sad. It might also make for some great roleplaying too ;) I'm not sure what that kind of rejection might do to Tristan, but I have an idea that it could push her over the edge and she might take solice in an increasing commitment to things otherworldly.
On the flip side I wonder if (given a relationship between the two) Lavinia would have more of an affect on Tristan, or Tristan , and her Far Realm obsession, would have more of an affect on Lavinia.
Regardless of how it works out in the end, I think there are some great possibilitis here and I am eagerly waiting to see howthey play out.
Now... make them kiss!
so, keep on writing, we are definitely looking forward to the "diaries"