The last week on the Jenivere has been peaceful after the storm. Captain Kovack informed you during last night's supper that there should be another week before arriving in Eleder - lest a storm brews up again. The skies today, however, haven't a single cloud in the far-off horison; the sun bathes the Jenivere in its warmth.
After departing from Senghor, the Jenivere accomodates twenty in a mixture of crew and passengers. Having spent over a hundred days since its initial departure from Magnimar, you have all gotten to know each other and are likely on first-name basis - though not every passenger seems too well intent on conversing, and some of the crew members focus almost solely on their job.
The sun is ascending its highest peak. The waters are calm and the Jenivere is drifting ever forward. The deck is pleasantly cool, and it is here most of the crew and its passengers spend the afternoon.
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Kythas awoke late in an exceptionally bright mood in his comfortable hemp hammock, his dreams of the better times in his distant youth filling him with hope and happy thoughts.
Smiling wistfully at the memory of some event long past, he rose from his twisted netting of a bed and hastily slid on his leather britches, grabbed a pocketful of small lemons, limes and a particularly fat pomegranate and made for the main deck.
Unusually cheerful, he even wished Alton a hearty "Good day!" as he passed the irritating man on his way up the stairs.
The bright sun and cool breeze of what promised to be a truly beautiful day of sailing lifted the wild elf's spirit to even higher elevations as he stepped out on the open deck, the wind catching his loose,vivid green hair.
Alternately peeling and eating a lime, he caught the familiar sight of Dantes laboring steadily on the starboard side of the Jenivere and readily approached the fastidious dwarf, "A fine afternoon for a voyage on the open seas my hardworking friend!" the barefoot and shirtless elf exclaimed brightly, tossing his crew-mate the hefty pomegranate he had gathered earlier.
Dot
To Kythas, Dantes greets with a Good morning. You seem... quite cheery. I would have thought after last night you'd be head over the railing for some hours.Dantes continues his work, even as he makes eye contact and speaks to his fellow crewman.
"For once my rest was not disturbed by horrific visions, good dwarf," the strangely pleasant wild elf explained as he absently set to inspecting the knots along a nearby row of belaying pins bewteen mouthfuls of ripe citrus.
"As for last nights foolery, I took heed of your wisdom and sought cool water and a meal of hearty bread to help pass the fog of rum from my head and tongue."letting out a sharp laugh as he continued, "Thats not to say that I didn't spend a few minutes below deck heaving my guts out into one of Rambar's cauldrons!"
Kystra begins this day just like all the others on the journey. She finds her nice secluded place on the deck where she gets a good view of the ocean, yet is not in the way of any of the ship's crew. With her back to a barrel, she rumages around in her sack for a significant amount of time, taking items in and out until finally she finds her notebook. Oddly, the inability to find her book seems to be a daily ritual for her.
As she opens the notebook an ink pen rolls out, across the deck and into the sea. Kystra, emotionless, simply sighs as she scrambles around for a few minutes in her backpack looking for another pen, muttering something about "fifth one".
As she records her daily journal entry, she will cheerfully greet any passenger who happens to walk by. Otherwise, she seems happy to just stare out into the sea and day dream.
Having made sure that the rigging was properly secured, Kythas takes note of the scholarly-looking half-human as she goes about her routine of note-taking. Stifling a laugh as he watches her lose yet another writing pen to the briny depths and hears her appraisal of it being the fifth one to so visit the sea. "Heh, more like eighth." he noted to himself.
"Greetings and good afternoon Lady Silverstar!" Kythas begins with a boisterous smile, setting a fresh lemon and wooden bowl upon the barrel top behind her, indicating it is for her. "I see you've sacrificed another token to Gozreh." his smile not fading, as he continues, "You should take care not take a spill over the rails yourself. It is a journey I have taken several times, usually by chance or choice of poor words, and I can assure you that as pleasant as the blue waters look, the experience is less than refreshing."
Avarthiel is stood by the rail near the prow where the breeze of the ship's passage somewhat reduces the heat of the day. He is half engaged in an idle conversation with Gelik, something about the history of magic. An observant passer by might notice him occasionally glancing about as if looking for someone to interrupt the conversation and rescue him.
Kystra looks up and smiles at Kythas' words. While nodding, she replies "I suspect I would fare far worse than you in those waters. Alas, that would be far too easy of an end to it all -- therefore I know I will be kept safe by the same force which ensures I give ample tribute to the waters below."
Unconciously Kystra's smile fades and she becomes serious, "I can feel that my time for suffering is not near its end."
Realizing her change of mood, she quick returns the smile to her face, "Thank you for the fruit, that is very kind of you." Kystra begins peeling the lemon.
"I hear we should be reaching our destination in a week's time. I've enjoyed your presence on this journey. You are certainly a lot more jovial than most of the wood elves I have met in the past."
"You are most welcome." Kythas responds with a broad grin, already peeling his third lime. "It is true that we are nearing the end of our voyage, it seems that the last hundred days have been but a blink of the eye to me. I feared I had spent too much time in the haze of drink to make much of a meaningful impression on anyone, and I am pleased to hear I have not tarnished myself beyond redemption due to my previous antics."
The elf drops into a relaxed crouch before Kystra, resting lightly on the front balls of his feet and toes as he continues. "I will endeavor to see the rest of your journey a memorably positive one." His casual smile forming into a full smile as he returns gracefully to his feet. "I will leave you to your writing and go get some boots on at least. Take care Lady Silverstar."
Kythas finishes his last wedge of lime, tosses the left-over peels over the railing and disappears below deck to make good on his claim, not noticing Avarthiel's silent plea for rescue or the nagging desire for a swig of rum...
Avarthiel's eyes follow Kythas heading below deck as he replies politely to Gelik. "Really? I wasn't aware that the schools of magic went back that far. The elven tradition explains it another way... Yes, yes, I'm sure you're right that the Gnomes invented many of the common illusion spells... Interestingly, illusion is considered a lesser school by my order, as the discipline of deceit and betrayal."
Avarthiel looks mildly surprised as the gnome sniffs in quiet rage and stalks off to find a more congenial companion.
"Must have been something I said." And then looking around, "Ah, Lilly, how are you on this fine day?"
Dantes will approach Gelik at the railing. My apologies, sir. My duties called me away when you were sharing your lore with me. Can I beg your forgiveness and ask you to indulge me once again? He gives a smile to the beseiged elf and adds Have you gotten fruit yet this morning?
Not really liking confined spaces too much, Lilly has laid out her bedroll under one of the suspended ships boats (or anything else she can get a little shelter from, to catch some shelter from the mist, and some shade from the mid-day sun.
As she lies in her blanket, half away, Eyeball now fully awake and ready for more fish heads, begins to butt her with his head, buffet her with his wings, and nip at her ears with his small sharp teeth, trying to awaken her. "Stop"! "I need more sleep", Lilly says her notorious early morning temper at it's highest. "Go"! "Hunt"! She says in a sleep muddled shout. Eyeball eagerly jumps into flight and flies a few yards before realizing he is at sea, and can't hunt. He returns to badgering his master until she finally gets up wiping the sleep from her eyes, and yawning, her blanket wrapped about her shoulders. Eyeball head buts her once again.
"Allright", Allright", I'm awake". "Just let me do my stretches and we'll go scare up some breakfast". Lilly steps onto a clear area of the deck, and begins a routine of stretching, stopping to push her eager pet out of the way every now and then, and making note of the activity on deck.
The gnome mutters under his breath, undoubtebly gnomish, as he leaves Avarthiel with his head held up high; he walks with grace up to the bow, taking off his great purple hat. Statuesque, he starts to recite some lines from what appears to be a play - or a sonnet - something richly cultural, if you were to guess. No doubt his pride was wounded.
Up by the ship's wheel, Aerys is engaged in minuscule conversation with Captain Kovack. Her expression is blank, though her eyebrows hint at amusement - or possibly envy. From a certain angle she might even look angry.
Ishirou is sitting in the shade behind one of the stairwells leading up to the stern. He is polishing his beautifully-crafted blade with a piece of silk cloth stained with oil, with a soft, strange song in his throat. He doesn't sing well, but he is in good spirits.
Sasha is laughing merrily as she stumbles out of the forecastle, a tankard in her hand. Behind her, the first mate is laughing with half a groan in his throat. "Cheers for a beautiful sunny day!" she bellows, and some of the other sailors call out to her in agreement.
The only ones not out on the deck today is the cook Rambar, and the prisoner, Jask.
Kythas returns to the main deck with boots on and slipping into a gauzy white open-breasted shirt. His pack, blade and bow secure in a bundle at hand.
Must be almost time to replace the sod in the crow's nest
His sharp, almond-shaped eyes cast a hasty review of the assembled crew and passengers as they go about their early afternoon activities under the unusually forgiving midday sun. Taking note that the strange half-orc and her pet had joined the waking world at last and that the lone elf and gnome on the journey were also up and about. (having missed both him and the gnome on his initial foray topside)
Kythas breathed a sigh of relief as he didn't see the Crazy-Eyed human woman lurking around the deck, wondering if perhaps she had finally leaped or fallen overboard in a fit of random elation.
The mere notion of it bringing another smile to the wild elf's face.
Sadly, the elf's smile was short-lived as his nemesis of the voyage crashed up from the below-decks behind him, a jolly, yet somewhat unhinged look on her countenance and a swinging about a rather large tankard of that foamy swill humans and most dwarves loved to partake so much in.
He barely had the time to leap out of the annoying womans way before she crashed into his lithe form, threatening to bowl him arse-over-head into the open sea.
Kythas gave the red-haired female and her companion a *hopefully* unnoticed scowl of disapproval as she boisterously loosed her exclamation of cheer.
"So much for that." he whispered quietly, resigning himself to his fate.
Seeing that Lilly hasn't really woken up yet, Avarthiel crosses his legs under him, tilts his face toward the sun, and just enjoys the splendor of the day. The storms and struggles of the past weeks seem almost unimaginable, as if the sea could never be other than calm and the sky never anything other than blue. All danger is far away, and so so are his superiors. Truly a blessed day.
As Kythas crashes into Sasha, she sports him a grin filled with white teeth. "Ah, if it isn't my sour-faced elven friend! You need to lighten up, it's a beautiful day."
The tone of her voice is playful, close to mocking. She takes a swig from the tankard, wiping her mouth with her sleeve shortly after. "What say you, hm? Are you going to scowl or smile?"
Cornered between the wild-eyed human and the sea, and with the First mate looking over the manic woman's shoulder as if taunting him for a response, Kythas takes the briefest second to compose himself and flashes a large, hopefully not too apparently forced smile and says with a pronounced wink,
"Why smile of course, milady." quickly producing a heavy glass bottle of rum from the pack at his feet and tapping her tankard lightly with it in an attempt to appear merry. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to relieve our friend on lookout."
The bright-eyed elf offers a second, less pleasant smile at Alton and brushes past the pair, heading as hastily as possible to the main mast and grumbling softly to himself as he considered draining the entire bottle in his grasp with a single swallow, before hesitantly stuffing it back into his pack without as much as a sip.
"I don't know who is going to be the death of me faster," he wondered aloud, "The Cap'n with his ever-watchful eye, Stone-Chewer and his pious preaching of purity or..." chancing a glance back at the fiery-maned passenger that all the men on the ship, excepting himself, appeared rather smitten with.
"Well, at least in a week I'll be free of that one."
Kythas smiled true at the thought of watching Sasha depart the Jenivere once and for all.
Pleased at having escaped from Sasha relatively unscathed, Kythas notes Avarthiel sitting peacefully nearby, apparently enjoying the afternoon's warmth and breeze.
"An auspicious beginning to the final week of our voyage, eh Brother?" the wild elf quipped, pitching his final piece of fruit (a small tangerine) dextrously at the reclining wizard. "it is sad that our time together must come to an end."
Kythas paused for a moment to withdraw a slightly curved bone-handled dagger from his pack, placing it securely in his left boot. Looking up at the waiting crows nest above him, he exhaled a reluctant sigh.
Dantes comes up on deck with a box of carpenter's tools. He starts a permanent fix on a section or railing that was only temporarily fixed before.
To the gnome Gelik, he'll ask as he works What brings an educated gentlefolk as yourself to these parts? Not that I don't appreciate the enlightening company, but you're not the captain's usual fare.
Next time Dantes sees the captain up on the deck, he'll slip down to the brig.
To the prisoner Jask, he'll say We're a week out from our destination. Can you tell me the Chelaxians have you in chains.
Avarthiel opens one eye and lazily catches the tangerine in one hand. "Are we really so close to port? I have grown so accustomed to this voyage that it seemed to be ... timeless. I suppose I will at last have to consider what to do when the journey is over. Or rather, when my journey starts it's next stage."
Avarthiel opens both eyes and looks up at Kythas for a long moment. "And what of you, Kythas? Will you sign on for another leg with the Captain? Or are you yet tired of life aboard ship?"
Kythas decided to hold off on duty for the time being and attempt to relieve the Cap'n of his current problem at the wheel.
Lacking any more fresh fruit, the wild elf withdrew the one thing he knew the half-elf warrior woman liked... RUM!
"Good afternoon Aerys!" Kythas shouted boisterously, stepping close to the occasionally violent female, but stopping short of physical contact less she visit some of said violence on him! Lifting the unopened bottle of sweet rum up and shaking it lightly in her direction with a smile, "Care to join me in a toast to calm seas and clear horizons?"
A rare mishcheivous grin playing across the bright-eyed elf's face.
Avarthiel smiles in good natured understanding as the green haired ships-elf ignores his question and bounds off. It was only idle chit-chat anyway, and it was good to see Kythas in high spirits. Good to see him not drunk, hung-over, or concentrating on getting back to one of those states as fast as possible.
Still, his meditation ended for a time, Avarthiel looks round for who else he might talk to. Spying the friendly first mate, Avarthiel approaches. "Afternoon Alton! Kythas tells me we're only a few days from our destination. So tell me, will we see any more sights before we reach port - any mysterious islands or pirate dens?"
Kystra will find Ieana and approach her.
Politely, Kystra speaks to Ieana, "Pardon me Ieana, I am sorry to intrude on your solitude. I too have been enjoying my private time on the ship, so I will be brief. I have heard that you have been studying some ancient ruins. I have recently begun my studies on Azlanti culture to learn more of my Azlanti ancestors. I have never traveled to Sargava before and I was wondering if your studies may have revealed any Azlanti ruins at all? I would greatly appreciate any information you have might have on the Azlanti or the location of any of their ruins. I have left everything behind and am following a deep yerning in my soul to seek out this knowledge."
As Dantes approaches Gelik, the gnome turns to him with half a grin, and half an odd expression; he pertains to upset, yet he speaks with as much gusto as he always has, his voice almost like oil. "Ah, I am glad you notice my intellect! No doubt you have a keen eye, my friend, if you can't take the time to notice someone's extravagance, no one will take what you have to say seriously - and they'd be right not to! After my trip to Magnimar, I was overcome with wanderlust and thought, 'Sargava is likely to appreciate my presence!' And so it came to be."
Afterwards, when Dantes heads under the deck, he finds the prisoner, Jask, shackled to the wall. He raises his head at the dwarf's appearance and smiles faintly. "A week away from Sargava? Why am I in shackles, you ask? I was betrayed and framed for a crime I didn't commit, and after running away, I was caught."
He looks anxiously at the door from which Dantes arrived. "You'd best go. I'm not supposed to talk to anyone."
Kythas raises the bottle of rum to Aerys, who eyes it with a glimpse in her eye. She gives a soft bow to Captain Kovack before she slides down the staircase in your direction - no doubt she is as nimble as she looks. She approaches with surprising haste, and as her eyes meet yours, she snatches the bottle from your hands. "Don't mind if I do," she smirks, opening the bottle with her teeth before she takes a swig.
First Mate Alton is chuckling at Aerys's mannerisms when Avarthiel approaches. "Ah, afternoon, Avarthiel! Yes, Kythas is right, should only be a week now... there should be a cluster of islands approaching us from starboard side, and we won't be closing by any pirate dens - they're swift to set sail for looting and pillaging, after all."
Ieana looks up at Kystra as she approaches, and seems to cower ever slightly. "Pardon?" she replies. "Azlanti ruins? I ... yes, there are some in Sargava, I believe... Recently uncovered, a letter I received a year ago said, deep in the wilderness. I... I don't know where, but somebody in Sarvaga should know..."
Dantes positively beams when Gelik mentions his wanderlust. Yes! Absolutely! There is no academic substitute for going to the destinations and meeting the people. You would be amazed how many tutors I had that just couldn’t understand that! With a freshly approving nod and a relieved sigh, Dantes adds You are truly enlightened. Truly. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help make the remaining week more comfortable for you. I’m just a humble ship’s hand here and now, but if I can help, I will.
Does Dantes believe Jask when he talks about being framed? Sense Motive . From his pouch, he’ll slip Jask a day’s worth of iron rations. Keep your strength up. With that, he’ll move away.
Dantes will go to Kythas when they are isolated, probably up in the crow’s nest. He’ll take up some ropes on the pretense of splicing in new measures of rope into some of the netting. Kythas, you have some of the most keen senses on this ship. Have you heard anything about that prisoner below? Any rumors or discussions by the captain or first mate?
Something in the way Aerys moves down the stairs towards him reminds Kythas of the beautiful, but deadly, leopards that stalked the jungle of his island home. Her low, purring voice and perfect white teeth only deepened the resemblance.
The wild elf stood fixated on the lithe woman as she drank deeply from the bottle, unaware of how long he might be staring as he admired her slender form and soft skin.
She would probably tear me apart with those claws and teeth just like a leopard too, he reminded himself, trying to shake his head free of any ideas that might see him visiting the ocean, or worse, the infirmary in the next few moments.
Not that it wouldn't be worth it... the nagging voice from the "bad" azata on his shoulder whispered in his thoughts.
Hurriedly composing himself as she handed the bottle back, Kythas couldn't help but notice how considerably drained it was. He knew the girl could drink, but Damn!, this one could probably put him under the table with ease. Flashing an impressed smirk, Kythas concluded their toast with as close to an equal pull off the bottle as he could muster.
"I must say Aerys," he spoke with a bit of a frog in his throat from the powerful swill, handing the rapidly emptying bottle back to the half-elf, "Seeing you at the helm with the Cap'n, I can't help but wonder how long it will be before you are at the wheel of a vessel of your own." Kythas nods back up at the rear castle, "You have all the bearing of a person born of the seas. It is too bad that you couldn't have made it topside more often during our voyage."
The elf gives the rugged woman a broad smile, happy that he didn't manage to stumble over too many words or give a pronounced "hic!" during his attempt to impress Aerys, as he feels the effects of the drink rush to his head.
Kystra becomes quite excited at the mention of there being ruins where she is heading to. With a broad smile and a slightly higher pitched voice, Kystra exclaims, "Really? That's wonderful! I can't wait to get to Sargava." Then Kystra regains some of her poise, "Oh, I suppose wilds of Sargava are quite vast. Do you know of anyone that might know where they are? Perhaps the sender of the letter?"
Perception
"When the man first boarded, I overheard a part of the conversation with the Cap'n that the 'prisoner' should be kept away from the crew and other passengers and should not be allowed to speak with anyone. The fellow who turned him over also stated that it was of little importance that the prisoner be returned to his destination alive, and should he be of any trouble... Well, he dropped it at that."
Kythas pauses as he sees the growing look of concern on the stout dwarf's face, hesitant to continue with his own opinion on the matter.
"What do you think Pebble-Crusher?" he winced at the dwarf, recognizing that look on his face, "You've been talking to the human, haven't you?"
The wild elf had suspected that his friend wasn't sneaking off to devour some real food instead of that vile stew he so often consumed, but had figured he was either feeding the gnome or making sure that Aerys had something more solid in her gullet than strong drink.
Now he was beginning to suspect differently...
"That's good news about the lack of pirates in our immediate future, Alton. Do let me know when we are going to be passing those islands you mentioned. I'd like to borrow a spy-glass and have a look at them. It's always interesting to imagine the secrets and ruins, the strange creatures and stranger adventures, that may lie on these islands that we so quickly sail past."
Avarthiel thinks for a moment, then asks Alton, "Who on the ship should I talk to about Sargave, and what I might find there?"
"Of course," Gelik says with a grin. "You certainly know what you're talking about, I can appreciate that, and if you can't take the time to appreciate the good qualities, no one will take what you have to say seriously - and they'd be right not to!"
He hands you a gold piece with a wink. "Make good use of it, my friend."
Aerys licks her lips at Kythas's smooth words, and she gauges him from head to toe. "You agree, yes? I always wanted to command a ship, and sweep through the seas."
She grins at the hic!, taking another swig. "Not bad rum, this!"
Ieana glances at Kystra nervously at the cheery outburst and she cowers slightly. "The letter was... was from some scholars in Sargava, I'm looking for directions as much as you are..."
Alton rubs his chin stubble at Avarthiel's inquiries. "Well, I know a fair bit about Sargava as a city, but not its wilderness. I think Jask, the prisoner, is a native, but we're under strict orders to not speak with him..."
"Alton, I need you here, now!" Captain Kovack bellows from the wheel of the ship, and Alton throws a nervous glance.
"I'll be happy to talk to you about Sargava during tonight's supper - just enjoy the weather today."
He pats Avarthiel on the shoulder before he makes his way to Captain Kovack.
'Thank you Alton. I shan't keep you from your duties." Avarthiel looks after the departing first mate, wondering what was so urgent. Probably something complicated and nautical that I don't need to worry about.
The sun shines high overhead in the brilliant blue sky and sparkles on the white capped waves as the elven wizard walks carefully towards the prow of the ship. Weeks of sailing nearly over. Finally I will arrive at Sargave and start my first task from the Order. A mixture of nervousness and determination war in Avarthiel's heart at the thought, and he wonders what will come at the end of the voyage. Still, he schools his face to calm and proceeds slowly up the ship to the prow, using his carved staff to aid his balance as the ship rolls over the waves.
"Of course," Gelik says with a grin. "You certainly know what you're talking about, I can appreciate that, and if you can't take the time to appreciate the good qualities, no one will take what you have to say seriously - and they'd be right not to!"
Dantes smiles at the coin, not wanting to correct his intent and insult or embarrass the gnome. Thank you kindly. But I would be just as well rewarded with more tales of some of the places and things you’ve seen… Dantes will continue to look for excuses to work on areas around the gnome, allowing him ample opportunity to listen to the gnome or overhear what he may be telling others. He can make basic repairs on almost anything, and I’m sure there is plenty around a working ship that can use it.
"I picked up a few bottles for the rest of the voyage while we were docked in Port Peril," he noted, hinting at the rum. "It beats the watered-down grog they ration us onboard, plus," he adds with a sly grin, "You can fault a pirate for a lot of things, but certainly not their capacity to brew a good, strong drink fit for the sea."
Kythas silently wondered if his cheeks were flushing a slight tinge of green as the potent liquor coursed through his blood, noticing that his companion was also beginning to show signs of its effects. As he tried not to stare too much at her mouth as she licked her lips, the elf began to wonder if it was just the rum that was causing his intoxication.
"Beautiful and dangerous." he reminded himself before continuing the conversation, trying to shake the creeping sensation of attraction from his thoughts.
"As for your query, Yes, I agree that you would make a fine Captain." Kythas continued, genuinely offering his sentiments, "Are you destined for Sargava in search of a vessel to command Aerys?
The wild elf was definitely finding himself enjoying the raven-haired woman's company, despite her human lineage. Perhaps even because of it, he mused, as it added a certain touch of the exotic to her graceful elven features... not the least of which was a fullness to her lips which seemed damnably impossible to withdraw gaze from.
"Hmmmm..." Kythas thought, a bit sadly, "I really should have sought this one out earlier..."
Somehow forgetting the "dangerous" part of his earlier assessment and overlooking the fact that she hadn't handed the quickly emptying bottle of rum back.
"Well, thank you for your time Ieana. If you would be interested in working together on this, just let me know. I'm out here all alone also and am quite scared about going to such a foreign place. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know." Kystra smiles kindly, and backs away slowly.
The hours pass. The warmth of the sun, and the breeze of the wind leaves the day a memorable one as the sun begins its descent into the horizon. The chef's announced supper to be served shortly, and Captain Kovick ushered you all under the deck to where the great longtable stands. Settling down, you find that Rambar surprisingly has managed to make more than soup, as the ship's cook comes striding into the room with a large, black cauldron.
"Ah made sum' boilt salm'n wif sum' spicy sauce! Eat up!"
The meal is surprisingly tasty - salmon with curry and white sauce - and its with great cheer that some of the sailors begin to sing a shanty. After a while, the song slowly descends into a blur...
Dantes enters the room a bit hesitantly. Dinner in the captain's room? He figures he was invited because of his willingness to keep the gnome from driving others crazy. And surely the captain didn't suspect his dealing with Jask. He'll shoot a smile to Kythas and sit next to Gelik.
Discreetly to Gelik, he'll say Let me apologize in advance for the food. What Rambar produced after the storm was definitely unusual. After tasting the salmon dish, he'll add Hmm. Perhaps not what you are used to in more civilized lands, but quite good for shipboard.
Does anyone mind discussing their plans for when we reach port? Captain, do you know if the Jenivere is headed back to the Inner Sea after this?
For when it matters, Fort save
Please add 2 if it is vs. Poison, Spell, or Spell-like Ability.
Kythas was already adding the finishing touches to his third driftwood carving of the afternoon when Dantes returned to the Crow's nest to inform him that Rambar had apparently made a meal that just might be fit for consumption.
"I thought I could smell curry up here," he smirked, tossing the tiny carving of a badger with exaggerated claws and teeth to the stout dwarf, "I was beginning to wonder if Cookie would ever realize that we had a good stock of spice in the cabinets below, only fitting he discover them when we're seven days from port of call." he added sarcastically as he roused himself and joined his ship mate in the promise of fair eating.
As soon as he got below deck he could sense his pious companion's growing nervousness as he rolled off to speak with the gnome. "Probably wondering if the Cap'n pinched him for talking with the convict." the elf mused.
Shrugging off the notion, realizing the Cap'n could care less one way or the other, Kythas sought out a suitable spot on the bench.
Preferably near his kinsman Avarthiel or beside the moody half-elf pugilist.
"Well, it certainly smells good!" he quipped with a smile, to nobody particular.
Fort:
The long hot afternoon faded slowly into a cool evening. Almost before Avarthiel realised the time, the captain was inviting guests and crew to sit and eat. A few men stayed aloft in the rigging, or watching the tiller, but for the most part the whole ship's complement were gathered to dinner.
"Interesting. You say this is called 'curry'? Not a style of food I have tried before," Avarthiel comments to his companions as the chef brings out a large cauldron. "This will be an adventure, and we the brave band of brothers exploring new and dangerous territories. Well, new cuisine, hopefully not too dangerous. Perhaps our band needs a name - what does anyone think to 'The Order of the Cauldron'? - or perhaps 'The League of Jenevive'. Any other suggestions?"
The normally staid elf is clearly carried away by a rare flight of fancy. Perhaps the long day of sun has gone to Avarthiel's head?
Taking a seat to the left of Avarthiel, Kythas laughed lightly at his mirth and grabbed an extra-large helping of the potent-smelling food.
"I'd call it the Fellowship of the Poorly Fed up until the Last Supper, myself. the wid elf said bewteen mouthfuls of fish and spicy broth, apparently enjoying the unusually good fare.
Avarthiel takes a long drink of cool water, and replies, "A most excellent sugggestion, Kythas. You are clearly gifted at this, and I will seek your aid if I ever form an adventuring company. That is much better than my only other idea ... 'The Soupfinder Society'."
Delicately eating from his small portion of the salmon, Avarthiel turns to his other side, and replies to something that Dantes had said earlier. "Plans on arrival? Yes, I too would be interested to share plans. We may be able to remain companions, at least for a little while. As it is said, 'A foolish man walks needlessly alone'."
Kystra will try some of the salmon while making general polite conversation with anyone seated near her.
"Well, we dock in Eredar for a fortnight," Kythas replied to Avarthiel, not looking up from his task of soaking up the thick chowder with chunks of hardtack, thinking the elven wizard was still addressing him. "Of course I plan to hit the dock bars for a few of those days," he rambled on, between mouthfuls of grog and biscuits, "The Jaded Giant, perhaps... maybe the Drowned Wench for old times sake...hic...can't say that me or Meadbeard here would be much of a guide apart from the taphouses and jail... Well, the good dwarf could show you to some monasteries I assume, he never invites me to accompany him on such visits, but I suspect he'd be happy to allow you to..."
Finally the elf realizes that his companion isn't even remotely looking in his direction and shrugs in resignation. Stuffing the last bit of broth-soaked ship-bread into his mouth, the sated Kythas stretches and looks eagerly about the assembled group in hopes of finding someone more willing to listen to his tales.
Avarthiel belatedly realizes that he has been rude as Kythas' tale trails off. Oops. What was he saying? Something about taverns?
Turning back to the green haired elf he says, "I'd be happy to visit a bar with you when we make land. But then my path will take me out of the city. I have been asked to investigate. Or well, rather to travel, observe, and report. Which is much the same. So I will travel, hopefully with stout companions, if necessary alone.". Avarthiel is addressing Kythas, but talking loudly enough to be sharing his plans, such as they are, with anyone else at the table who cares to listen.
Turning back to Avarthiel, Kythas continues speaking as he draws his legs up under him on the bench and slowly works on draining the large tankard of grog in his lap.
"I cannot say that, apart from Eleder, I have seen much of Sargava. I have heard many tales speaking of the dangers of the place, but then I have heard similar tales of Chelliax, Qadira, Varisia and a hundred other lands. pausing for a drink, the elf explains further, "One thing I can tell you though, I have been sailing on this ship for nearly 20 full seasons now. In that time I have noted that of all the places we call to port, we tend to drop far more passengers off in Eleder than we pick up in return. While I would like to think that this is because Sargava is a great place to build a home and raise a family, I strongly suspect that many of those who leave the Jenivere there do not live long in those lands."
Seeing that his words seem to be catching the attention of other crew and passengers, the wild elf switches to his native tongue.
"No, no you are fine," Avarthiel replies to Kythas, still in common, and raises his hands in a placating gesture. "That's sound advice, and nothing secret. In fact I'd welcome anyone else's thoughts? Lilly, do you have plans to travel overland on our arrival? Or Kystra, have you considered acquiring a native guide?"
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Lilly comes a bit late to the dinner, looking a little less green than she had the past few days. Waddling along behind her is Eyeball with a band around his beak, to keep him from uninvited nibbles...and he looks none to happy about it, glancing up at Lilly with aggravation.
"Hello everybody". "Is there a seat for me"? "Sorry for being so unsociable, but I feel a bit better now, and am ready for some solid food I think". At the mention of the word food, Eyeball dances excitably, and hops up onto the bench right where Lilly was beginning to sit down, resulting, in a slightly comedic act of re-positioning before she took the seat, and he the area under the table beneath her.
Fortitude Save.
Ummm"! "This is quiet good".
Lilly would probably sit next to Sasha on the journey. Seeing a kindred missing body parts person, and her happy go lucky attitude, she would be a natural at Lilly's attempt at friendship.