As Valessa fills Brick with history Ruuz take a look at everyone at his table. Brick and Valessa are of course deep in conversation.
Raustikin is sitting half listening and scanning the crowd and out in the water, jumpy thing, reminds me of a rat nervously looking about. Maybe his dominant were blood is wererat that might explain it. Or he is just that way and I definitely don't worry enough so maybe he is good to have around.
Ruuz glances at Beren, he is half listening also it seems probably scanning the crowd for trouble, deciding who to trust and probably the best way out of here if trouble starts. Ruuz thinks back to the confontation early, I'm glade Valessa stepped in before it went to far because I don't know how long I could have stood up to him, especially in a fight. He definitely looks like he would be good in a fight I glad he is on my side..... I think.
"So Ruuz, what brought you to Stormreach and how long have you lived here?" While Ruuz answers, if he answers, Beren will try to feel out his changling companion.
When Beren asks him about his history Ruuz turns to him with half smile "Well I came here about a week ago on behest of a private collector that hired me. He would like me to find some Xendrik artifacts that he is want to add to his collection. So far I have not had a whole lot of luck, I have another week before his retainer runs out and I am on my own."
"How about you what brings you to this city of pirates and explorers?"
“… which in time, of course, led to the establishment of the Kingdom of Galifar,” Valessa hurriedly concludes, realising that only Brick is still really paying attention to her – and she finds his (it’s?) focused attention a little disconcerting.
“Wait, Ruuz,” she says, catching something in the conversation. “You’ve got a lead on some artefacts? Age of Giants? Listen, I might have some skills you could use – if you wanted to take on a partner… We should talk.” She glances at Beren, trying to convey that she’s not disregarding his warning – but this might be the break she’s been looking for. The changeling has a patron, if she can get in on this, a lot of the groundwork and resources are already set up, which takes care of the things she doesn’t really know much about – yet.
"
How about you what brings you to this city of pirates and explorers?"
Beren was about to give a short answer about following someone here. This then gave him an opening to offer a propostion, but then Valessa interjects with stark enthusiasm. 'Well, he thought, I will approach him later.'
“Wait, Ruuz,” she says, catching something in the conversation. “You’ve got a lead on some artefacts? Age of Giants? Listen, I might have some skills you could use – if you wanted to take on a partner… We should talk.” She glances at Beren, trying to convey that she’s not disregarding his warning – but this might be the break she’s been looking for. The changeling has a patron, if she can get in on this, a lot of the groundwork and resources are already set up, which takes care of the things she doesn’t really know much about – yet.
Beren accepts Valessa's glance with a forced smile. He knew they would not be together forever. Besides, if this was going to be her big break-destiny perhaps, then he was happy for her. Most of the time on the voyage over here, all she would talk about was finding great treasures so she could shove them up her professors' ... Well, you know.
As Valessa fills Brick with history Ruuz take a look at everyone at his table. Brick and Valessa are of course deep in conversation.
One-sided conversation, but conversation nonetheless.
Beren sat back allowing Valessa to interview with Ruuz. While he sat there, he listened in on various conversations from the surrounding tables and walkways. He also picked up on several smells. Most of them were alcoholic in nature and body smells. But when he breathed in deeply, he could make out fear, pride, and the overwhelming excitement and anticipation of potential lovers meeting for the first time.
He overheard many deals being made. Contracts between investors and adventuring parties, logging companies and ship builders, and the purchase of something called Dreamlilly that he took to be some type of narcotic. Maybe it was related to the Opius plant that he can find in the wild. It too is supposed to have similar effects if brewed correctly.
He did pick up on a conversation between two men probably also from Sharn, by the looks of them. With interest he listened in gathering as many details as he could. He started to piece together some of this information. Now going from curious to suspicious he steals a glance towards Ruuz.
But then suddenly he holds his suspicions in check and files them away into memory for later use while he listens in on an even more important and immediate conversation.
With this information, Beren surmises that they may be in trouble. Instantly, his eyes get big and he sits up straight. He puts his clawed and hairy hand on Valessa's wrist to get her attention. He looks at them all intensly, starting with Valessa then moving to Ruuz, Raustikin, and Brick. "Sorry for the interruption, but I believe we are in trouble!"
"Sorry for the interruption, but I believe we are in trouble!"
"Trouble? Why?"
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At the request of one of the patrons near your table, the Minotaur begins a rousing rendition of 'The Rivers of the Reaches', a rousing traditional Aundairan folk song.
Almost immediately the table which made the request leaps up and begins dancing, as do several other individuals from around the ship, forming a slowly growing line weaving between the tables.
Although it is apparent that everyone dancing is attempting to follow a predefined traditional movement, alcohol, lack of skill, crowding and the gentle motion of the boat manage to turn the entire procession into a barely organized tangle.
“Wait, Ruuz,” she says, catching something in the conversation. “You’ve got a lead on some artifacts? Age of Giants? Listen, I might have some skills you could use – if you wanted to take on a partner… We should talk.”
Damn Ruuz knew that his cover was a little too exciting, it was useful to attract the attention of the occasional lady but Valessa'a attention was not what he was looking for.
"Yes my employer is looking for some artifacts from the Age of Giants to add to his collection. I will have to see if he is interested in bring in another resource but yes I would like you help."
"I am getting a little bored with doing research on ancient artifacts so I though maybe I would try something else for a couple days. I hear while I was sitting here that the Denneith Enclave was looking for some help and some sort of cave was discovered outside of town." Hopefully this might lead the converstion from me Ruuz thinks.
"But for know lets just enjoy our drinks and company." Ruuz sits back and looks over to Raustikin "So what do you do in Storm..." Before Ruuz can finish his question Beren grabs Valessa's wrist.
"Sorry for the interruption, but I believe we are in trouble!"
Ruuz raises an eyebrow but does sit up and take a quick look around. "What trouble?"
"Sorry for the interruption, but I believe we are in trouble!"
Already on edge, Raustikin immediately sits up, puts his hand on his weapon. He begins looking around for any sign of danger. He locates Heavenly, in case she needs protection.
Valessa listens somewhat impatiently to Ruuz’ answer – he’s really not giving much away – distracted by a familiar tune from the Minotaur – she actually quite likes this song, and is starting to consider belatedly taking Beren up on his earlier offer of a dance, fortified as she is by a little alcohol, when Beren grabs her wrist – “I believe we are in trouble.”
Valessa quickly looks around , trying to see what has alarmed Beren, then joins the general chorus of the table – “What is it?”
Her hand seeks the comforting grip of the dagger at her belt, and her glance goes back to the water, wondering if it has something to do with the shape she thought she saw before.
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A weedy goblin dressed in a purple fez and a jungle exploration outfit sits at the table next to Beren, Ruuz and Valessa. He leans over from his high chair and, extracting a foul-smelling cheroot from his mouth, says in a surprisingly cultured voice, "I say, did someone mention trouble? I've being trying to get into trouble all night! Ha ha!" he giggles, and then burps discreetly behind his hand. "Please excuse me.
"Seriously, though, I've got a few good leads around here and I'm looking for a group to" - his voice drops melodramatically - "plumb the depths of Xendrik. Ha ha! Fancy a bash? The name's Rokko - wizard-at-large." He extends a child-sized hand, slightly wavering under the influence of alcohol, in the general direction of the group.
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Suddenly, a bolt of lightning lashes out of the sky striking near the base of the mast on the forecastle. Having been stripped of most of its rigging and lines, the mast falls thunderously to the deck.
For those on the forecastle
The mast falls towards the aft of the ship, and onto the main deck. Snapping boards and flying splinters scatter about the small deck and many people are injured; one in particular, a fat human who had been making a point of showing of his wealth throughout the evening is crushed by the mast.
For those on the main deck
The forecastle mast comes crashing amid the people on main deck, and nearly a dozen people are crushed instantly, and many more injured by flying debris or winged by the mast. You see one person miraculously saved when the wreckage of one of the chairs suddenly stops its flight towards their head, then one of the hidden half-giants slowly fades into view, spewing blood, before falling to the deck dead.
15+
20+
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning lashes out of the sky striking near the base of the mast on the forecastle. Having been stripped of most of its rigging and lines, the mast falls thunderously to the deck.
For those on the main deck
Balance: 1+4 = 5
Spot: 14+4 = 18
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Another bolt of lightning lances out, this time striking the aft mast atop the wheelhouse. It leans ponderously towards the main deck, and then with a loud snap breaks, and falls to the deck. The repeated strains prove too much for the old, and heavily modified vessel and after an instant of hesitation, the mast breaks through the deck into the extensive kitchens below.
Fortunately you are all too far forward to be directly effected.
Valessa had been half standing, her hand on her belt dagger, glancing out at the ocean, when suddenly, shockingly, a blast of lightening lashed down from the heavens, causing one of the masts to come crashing down into the crowded chaos below.
The deck lurches sickeningly from the sudden re-distribution of weight, and the normally dextrous Valessa is thrown from her feet, landing in a pile against the railing, half under the table she had previously been sitting at – and perhaps a good thing it turns out, as not half a second after she is thrown to the deck, a spinning piece of timber whooshes through the space she had been standing.
A moment later, another bolt of lightening blasts down from above, hitting another mast at the other end of the ship.
Raising her spinning head, Valessa peers around in shock at the carnage, as she tries to pull herself back to her feet – and then pauses as her gaze turns to the deck railings, and another shock hits her. She finds her feet, but stays crouched behind the table, ready to spring up at a moment’s notice, as she fumbles for her bow. “Beren,” she hisses, looking around in desperation for her friend, praying to the Host that he has avoided injury – or worse. “They’re coming up the sides!”
Oblivious to the chaos and lurching of the deck beneath his feet, Brick stands his ground. His bulky form appears to grip the deck like a bizarre magnet.
Hearing Valessa's cry, he turns his attention toward her.
"What's going on?"
Brick appears to have no idea of the gravity of the situation.
"Why is everyone screaming and running?"
Nope, definitely no sense of what the hell is happening.
"Should I do something?"
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On 18: A group of six sharp toothed fish men, which you recognize as Sahuagin, finish clambering over the rail of the ship, near where the stairs lead up to the forecastle deck. Five of them carry tridents, while the sixth carries a short spear in one hand, and what looks like a large flat stone in the other.
On 16: A moment later, another group, this time of nine Sahuagin climb over the rail near the back of the ship. Again, most of them carry tridents, but one of them carries a nearly identical stone object, and another some odd device that seems to combine a crossbow with a holow tube.
His head bleeding from a scalp wound caused by a flying shard of wood, Rokko ducks below his table to hide. He immediately begins casting an incantation.