3rd Day of Ascending Water, RY 768
Towards Evening

Zeru pilots his courier (which he has discovered is named Black Marlena) to join the the Tya merchantman. Captain Tya Rothalga welcomes him and all crewmembers aboard the Dryad, and extends her deep thanks for the Cobalt Alliance's aid. As soon as Rothalga is handed over former Captain Kossuth, she does not hesitate: she has him swiftly beheaded, his body tossed out to sea. She takes his daiklave, stating that Bloodeye was a notorious criminal that had been hounding Wavecrest for some time and had a sizable bounty on his head, which she intends to claim for her troubles. His other artifacts have been stripped and left on the deck.

The Tya that are healthy and able to move have already begun to busy themselves dispassionately stripping the dead corsairs on their ship of what useful equipment they might have, and dumping them into the ocean to join their broken Captain. Their own dead have been set aside, most likely for more respectable rites.

At Jadira's urging, Donnegal maneuvers the Spring Dryad toward the corsairs' -- and now Treon's -- custom yacht, the Hammerhead. As soon as the two vessels are close enough, Jadira leaps aboard the latter to join her Captain. She looks relieved but worried, looking over the wounds and burns on his body.

Unfortunately, it is not yet time to rest. There are a few important things to be done: deal with the corsairs still alive on the Hammerhead, take care of the dead, distribute the spoils, and communicate with the Tya Captain. There is also the matter of the now unconscious first mate, whom Tageru decided to spare. As the crews busy themselves with the tasks at hand, the sea immediately surrounding the four remaining vessels turns dark with blood. A group of ravenous sharks has come to feast on the fallen corsairs -- perhaps an omen by Siakal herself.

(Spoils are posted in the OOC game talk thread.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:21, Mon 24 Nov 2008.

"I think you can stop trying to disconnect the cannon now, Miss Dove" he quipped, half-jokingly as the men around them surrender.  Oh damnit, Alvers, he thought, the humour of the previous statement draining from his face as he looked around, noticing the body of the sturdy Westerner being laid out by Rowe and Quinn.  He murmured a short prayer for the Immaculate Dragons to watch over his soul, to guide it onwards to its next cycle of existence.

A command again, so soon? he looked around as Lasuri addressed him.  That was not something I expected. He nodded sharply though, to the question.  "Thank you, Captain," he says, formally.  And wonders what to do with the corsairs and their ship.

Tageru disarms his captive archer and strips her into simple garments, making sure she's got no weapons or hidden tricks up her sleeve. He ties her hands and feet behind her back with manacles found on the corsair's ship, and ties her to the mast, covering her eyes with a blindfold so that she can't see what's going on.

"She'll regain consciousness soon. When she does, call me. She is my prisoner, and she is not to be harmed unless she tries to escape. Anyone who hurts her will answer to me.", he says to one of the crew members and then goes off immediately and starts patching up the wounded and helping however he can. He's actually a great doctor, and he manages the lighter wounds without a bother, and even some more serious ones. He first helps those that need him the most, and heals even the wounded corsairs that they took captive.

"Damn Siakal-worshiping fools! I don't know why I bother patching you up!"

Jadira busies herself looking over Lasuri's injuries, stubbornly providing him at least basic care before she relinquishes him to meet formally with Captain Rothalga, or any other task.

While Lasuri takes a moment to recover from the battle with Bloodeye, she orders all available hands of the Dryad crew to help with stripping the other corsairs of equipment and binding them securely. Then she has them assembled, bound and kneeling, on the deck of the Hammerhead for either Treon or Lasuri to deal with personally. "I don't know if you'd prefer to send them away, but if so... the second courier could still function with a little bit of repair," she suggests to them quietly.

The armswoman leaves the enemy archer to Tageru, but takes her time examining the woman's powerbow, quite fascinated with the prospect of a new 'toy'. The strange shards found in one of the other vessels interest her as well... these 'capacitors', she's seen before in the construction of other First Age weapons. So she pockets one, and also diverts a smaller subset of her men to claim some of the reinforced buff jackets for the Dryad crew.

Lastly, the dead men. Jadira has Alves' body brought back to the Dryad to join Gatti. She believes that to be the Captain's right to send them off... but in the meantime she has their bodies placed somewhere away from the crew, so they may concentrate more on victory than loss. Having a decent measure of knowledge about spirits and prayer, she has attended to the funereal rites before, but if anyone else is better qualified she will defer to them.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:43, Sun 09 Nov 2008.

Zeru joins the crew of the Dryad. "There are a number of small wonders in the Captains quarters of the captured courier." He mentions to the captain. To the fallen crewmembers of Both the Tya and the Dryad Zeru offers a solemn nod and a quick prayer to Da'naad accompanied with the removal of his hat. With that he replaces his hat and salutes the fallen warriors.

Once all the immediate tasks are dealt with or delegated, Tya Rothalga will invite the captains and trusted crew members of the Dryad, Hammerhead, and Marlena to join her for a somber dinner meeting.

In the meantime, Tageru provides medical care for the wounded. He cannot heal their wounds directly, but he is at the very least able to staunch bleeding, and ensure their wounds are clean. Unfortunately, the man that Treon burned is much too injured to be saved by anything short of a miracle, and he dies before the sun sets.

The corsairs (including the wounded, within reason) are tied up and presented, as Jadira orders. Around then, the woman Tageru tied to the mast of the Hammerhead begins to struggle weakly in her bonds. "Cobalt dogs! Release me immediately!" she calls out, despite the obvious exhaustion in her voice and her heavily injured state.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:41, Sun 09 Nov 2008.

Properly bandaged, and with his left arm in a wrap tied carefully around his neck, Lasuri surveys the situation with a serious, focused look. His coat is draped over his shoulders, swaying softly in the wind as he surveys the situation with an appraising look in his eyes - the aftermath that occurs when the elation and adrenaline of battle finally dies down.

He nods towards Zeru, smiling at him as he inclines his head slightly. "Good work out there, Mister Zeru. As for the items... Well, arrange for them to all be brought in the same spot, and we'll decide together what to do with them. I'm sure one of your crewmen can arrange that." He smiles, hinting at the fact that his assigned team would remain with him on his new ship. "Congratulations on your promotion by the way, Captain." He nods and smiles again, then turns towards the Tya Captain with a polite bow.

"Lasuri Leomaris." He introduces himself, without pomp or fanfare. "Sorry for being so late, Captain." He pauses, casting a glance to the fallen. "Your troops were brave even in the face of tremendous adversity, and I think you should be proud of them. It might not be much, but I've got a Chaplain on board, if you'd like your fallen properly sent off. We can move our own fallen over and give them the proper blessings."

"I thankee kindly Captain, but I'd prefer you keep the title until I'm sure she'll have me. I'm not bringing men out in a boat that don't love me." Zeru says with a warm smile, his hand brushing the hair on the back of his head. "I'll have them move it all except for the bombs... I'm not too trusting of them."

Zeru meanders to Cinna and the others. "Alright lads we're to haul the spoils from the ship. Leave the Ballista and the plates. The rest we can bring out." He goes with them and helps move the things, after all being captain does not excuse one from work, and he hasn't even accepted the position.

Tageru sits cross-legged in front of the archer he captured and removes her blinfold.
"Hello. My name is Cynis Tageru, Immaculate warrior following the way of Sextes Jylis. I am the man who captured you. I also am the man who intentionally spared your life when I could have easily killed you. You're very injured, so I'd suggest not struggling too much, or you'll open your wounds. I'd also suggest some manners, or else I'll have to knock you out. Are we clear on that? Good. Now...", he turns and brings a cup of water to her mouth. "here, you must be thirsty, you lost a lot of blood. So, what is your name, corsair?"

"That is an excellent suggestion, Lady Thornbloom," Treon says softly, looking up from the railing of the ship, where he had been contemplating the fate of the corsairs, and other, perhaps less relevant things.  "It seems a better suggestion that leaving them this ship, or attempting to keep them prisoner."

"I will have to talk to them though.  Perhaps some of them are salvageable," he nods, and then with a final glance to the eastern horizon, he turns and strides towards the captured crew.  He makes sure he is still wrapped in the Aura of Invulnerability as he strides over to them.

"I am Treon," he begins.  "I am trying to decide if you should live or die, but the question is: How many of you want to die?  To be cast into the arms of your goddess?" he gestures out to the churning sea.  "Or perhaps I should ask things a different way.  How many of you are willing to change?  How many of you are willing to put aside your life of cruelty and murder and work for something bigger, something better?"

"I'm going to be talking to you.  I expect honest answers."

On the merchantman Sea's Bounty:

Up close, Captain Tya Rothalga cuts an impressive figure. She is a couple inches taller than Lasuri is, muscular with strong, hardened features and short-cropped dark blue hair with streaks of silver. Her chest is bound tight with a bandeau of dark leather, knotted at her back, and she wears sturdy, side-laced leather breeches and boots. The traditional whorled tattoos of her people cover the entirety of her left cheek like some sort of stylized waterfall, looping down around her neck, splitting to grace her shoulders and sides to meet in a circular pattern around her navel.

"I appreciate your kind words, and the assistance of you and your crew, Captain Leomaris," she replies to Lasuri, steel-grey eyes regarding him with genuine respect. The daiklave Rothalga had used to great effect in battle is sheathed across her back, while Bloodeye's daiklave has been buckled to her belt. "Without you we would surely not have outlasted Kossuth and his men. Our thaumaturge perished in the battle, so the services of a Chaplain would be much appreciated. We have lost half our men... it is a tragedy, but they fought with pride."

On the Hammerhead:

When the blindfold is freed from the woman's eyes, Tageru can see they are a dark aquamarine. Her black hair is shoulder-length and mussed, but even in her disheveled state, she is attractive.

She very nearly looks like she would spit in the cup Tageru offers her, but thinks better of it. Perhaps she has wised up, recognizing her currently helpless state and the reputation of the Immaculates as peerless combatants. Very grudgingly she accepts a sip to wet her mouth, but little more. "I am Tethia," she answers coolly, though her gaze is anything but subdued. "So why does an Immaculate monk travel with pirates? And what would you do with me? I did not think monks could... have such pleasures."

At the same time, Treon addresses the captured corsair crew. Given a chance between death and cooperation, few sane men would refuse the latter. However, the 'change' the Fire Aspect is suggesting is not one easily embraced by men who have been gathered together under the same ideology. These are men who have likely lived cruel lives from a young age -- whether truly sociopathic or pushed to a murderous lifestyle by circumstance, thrust early into a reality of "kill or be killed."

They murmur amongst each other as they consider Treon's words. There is an undertone of derision from those who find a lifestyle change preposterous. Another man calls out, "For the right price!" followed by a few cackles. One man, one of the surviving elites, gives Treon a considering glance and says, "Explain what you mean by 'better'."

[Private to Cathak Garel Treon: I'll need a couple rolls from you. First, Perception+Socialize to sense motive/emotion and determine the salvageable among them. Then a Charisma+Presence to try and convince them of the benefits of the Alliance. If you want to you can stunt both in the same post!]

On the Spring Dryad II / Black Marlena:

The crew continues to gather the various minor artifacts and equipment from the other ships, bringing them to the Dryad for anyone who may wish to examine them. Soon the Marlena is all but empty but for the implosion bow, the odd disc shaped explosives Zeru found, the navigator's maps, a few musty provisions and basic supplies.

[Private to Peleps Zeru: Still may take a post or two to finish what the others are trying to do. If you want you could start trying to communicate with the Marlena now... or wait till after the upcoming meeting.]

Zeru notices an oddly shaped and well decorated bracelet among the items counted as the spoils of this battle. He picks it up gingerly and starts looking it over. It appeared to be a time-piece or a compass of some sort, either of which would help his navigating greatly. Intrigued Zeru glides over towards their most knowledgeable member Miss Dove. "Pardon me Miss Dove, would you happen to know what this trinket is, and if it works?" His half-grin falling warmly upon her. "It has caught my curiosity, and is holding fast."

"Well, Tethia, I never said I was an Immaculate monk, I said I was an Immaculate warrior..." He laughs at that and continues. "And you obviously don't know much about what a monk of Sextes Jylis is allowed to do. I was a monk, but I gave up that life for my own reasons. Enough to say that I think I could do more good like this. As for what I'm going to do with you, that depends on what kind of person you are like. No, don't worry, I will not rape you. No one here will. I'll make sure you're treated well as long as you behave well."
Tageru takes another cup of water and gives it to her to drink.
"Now, I can see that you are a faithful, loyal person. That is good when that loyalty is well-directed. Not so good when your loyalty lies with a ruthless murderer like Bloodeye. But, for now, what I want from you is to rest and heal. I stitched your wounds, so you should recover. You will not be allowed to escape, and if you try to do so, I will take it as a sign of your unwillingness to change and cooperate and I will surrender you to the authorities. Are we clear on that? Also, if you promise to behave, I'll try to provide you with a better place to rest, below deck. If not, it's being tied to the mast for you."

"That thing there?"  Dove noted, looking at the device he handed her.  "Looks like a Resplendant Personal Assistant to me...  Basically acts as a handy little timekeeper--as well as being able to help you determine where we are in relation to the Pole of Earth, and how far above or below normal sea level we are--the last one might not sound too useful, but it does have a certain amount of utility when you're dealing with vessels that can maneuver underwater...  aside from that, it's capable of precisely keeping time, and determining when the next sunrise and sunset are... More or less."

On the Hammerhead

"For the right price, eh?" he asks of the assembled prisoners.  "Not the worst of reasons."

Treon looked out over the assembled men, his black eyes apparently looking deep into the heart of all of them, burning away all the barriers that were set in his place, seeing right to the core, judging.  He took note of those who flinched and those who did not, those who had murmured and those who had been silent.  And then he started to speak, and as he spoke, his eyes started to glow, dimly at first, and then like coals in the heart of the fire.

"'Better'?" he questions.  "That is a good question.  Just what do I mean by better?  Tell me, how many people have you killed?" The answers came back to him, at least in a few cases.  "Tell me, how many lives have you saved?  What, none?  You would not even lift arms to save the man next to you?" Treon shook his head, sadly.

"I'm sure you must have, at least once.  So, which one felt better?  Sticking a sword in a boy half your years as he tried to defend his family, those he loved?  Or defeating someone, a true warrior, who threatened the man beside you?" his eyes, glowing from within, rake over the crowd, trying to catch each person's eyes in turn.

"What does stabbing a young boy prove?  What does stabbing a fat merchant prove?  What does forcing yourself on a woman and then stabbing them prove?  That you can prey on the weak?  A mighty achievement," his voice full of scorn.

"What does standing firm with those who care for you prove?" He smiles.  "That is that is the sort of change for the better I am talking about.  Working together with your compatriots.  Working not for your own selfish desires, but for those who need protecting.  Working for a future, instead of a trip into the wine dark sea filled with teeth."

"Who wants to take hold of their future and change?"
[Private to GM: Sorry, post took a bit of writing.  Per+Soc is 6 dice + stunt +wp, Cha+Pres is 16 dice + stunt, spending 3m on 1st Presence Excellency]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:41, Mon 10 Nov 2008.

"Interesting trinket indeed..." Zeru says thoughtfully. "Can you tell if it works or is it damaged?"

Tethia glares balefully as Tageru speaks, though she gives all of his words a fair listen. "You did not know Kossuth as I did. Despite what even he said about himself... he was not always the kind of man you saw today. I loved him before the madness overtook him. The curse of Siakal -- he ran afoul of her, and in retaliation awoke the fires of bloodlust in him."

"I will be honest. If Cobalt will execute my men, I would rather die with them than stay with you. If you will send them away, I would rather join them than join you." Then she sighs, bowing her shoulders in what looks more like resignation than a genuine desire to agree. "But if you will not allow me to accompany them, I will at least cooperate until I am healed. That much I can promise."

"After that, though..." Tethia shakes her head vehemently, a motion she soon regrets as her wounds twinge. "I would ask to disembark at the next major port the Cobalt Alliance will dock."

Addressing the men bound on the deck of the Hammerhead, Treon gives a speech that would have moved the hearts of many decent men. However, Bloodeye's men were deeply loyal to him -- for whatever reason -- and some appear unaffected. The group looks split about half at this point between those who would join with Treon and those who would rather not.

"Can't speak for the others, sir," speaks up the same elite who questioned Treon previously. "But I'll say the life of a lowly criminal is a tiring one. If sticking with the Alliance'll keep me from gettin' hunted down like a dog, I'm willing to give it a shot." Jeers and catcalls and the expected 'traitor!' come from his peers, but several actually nod and murmur assent with the senior crewman's words. Even some of the previous naysayers start to listen to Treon with renewed interest.

"We're ready for something different," another crewman announces, and another: "We don't wanna die!"

[Private to Cathak Garel Treon: Of the 23 corsairs present, Treon feels sure of 12 of them, including the elite. Including Treon himself, that would make a crew of thirteen. It'll take some work to earn their respect completely, but it's a start.]

[Private to Platinum Dove: To check Zeru's artifact, you can roll Int+Craft. If you get 2 or more success you'll be able to tell that the timekeeper is off by several hours, and needs to be recalibrated. Now and then the jade display is a bit unreliable, too. It would take maybe four hours of work to get it into full working order.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:23, Tue 11 Nov 2008.

"Alright, then. You will sleep in my bed in my cabin." Tageru says and starts to unlock her chains. "And, no, it won't be like that. I'm sleeping on the floor. You're still chained to the bedpost, but at least it's a bed. And don't try anything, you're unarmed and hurt, and I'm just as good with my hands and feet as with my bow. We'll talk some more when you've rested. I suggest you do a lot of that. I'll come visit you every now and then, so you can ask me for food and water, and... when I need to untie you..." He unlocks the chains and practically lifts her up in his arms like a feather and carries her to his cabin.

Treon smiles at those who accepted his offer, nodding approvingly of their choice in turn.  "Well done, each of you for having the courage to accept something new.  I'm not promising you will have an easy life in the Cobalt Alliance, and I am not saying that you won't be put into danger, but you will not face such dangers alone.  You will not have to work without hope."

"As for the rest of you ..." he looks over those who had stayed loyal to their captain, however misplaced that loyalty might be.  "I, certainly, am not going to have you put to the sword and thrown to the sharks, nor marooned on a lonely isle for showing loyalty to one who lead you, even if you could not make the harder choice.  The second courier will be repaired, and you will be given supplies, water and a compass.  I hope that we will not cross paths again, I will be less forgiving a second time."

He turns, then, to look at the twelve who had given their assent.  "Now that you know you do not face swift death, I make the same offer to you.  If you leave with them, I will not think less of you, but I think you would be better staying."

He waited until they made up their minds, and then turned to the assembled men.  "You will each of you have my trust, which is not given lightly," he says, solemnly.  He didn't feel had to say the other half of that sentence.

"It's a bit off"  Dove notes after few minutes of looking it over.  "Give me a couple hours though and I should be able to fix it though, it's not an overly complicated device."

"I would appreciate it greatly." Zeru says with a bow.

"That they did, Captain. I've heard a lot of tales about your people, when I first sailed these waters. A lot of them seemed embellished and exaggerated - you know as well as me how reliable some sailor tales are. But then, as I managed to see some of the tales first hand - I realized that all of them were true." He smiles, then nods towards his fellow Captain, a touch of deep respect in his dark eyes.

"Don't worry about thanks, Captain Rothalga. The Alliance defends those who would decide to exercise their right to freedom - you and I might have drastically different stories, but at the core, our goals're pretty similar. You also fight for your ideals of freedom and choice, and I can only have deep respect for that."

"Mister Donnegal's a good chaplain. You can leave the fallen to him without worry - he'll do what's right for them." He pauses, letting silence fill the air a moment - traces of a superstition saying that when talking about the fallen, one must give them time to speak, should they desire to make their voice known to mortal ears.

"How's the ship holding up? You think you can make it back to where you were headed, or would you like to have an escort? No pressure or anything, of course. But if you need anything else, feel free to ask, Captain."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:38, Tue 11 Nov 2008.

On the Hammerhead:

Tethia does not struggle or protest as she is carried off. But her dour expression shows her far from pleased with her predicament. "A strange Alliance yours is," she observes to Tageru bitterly. "Your comrade in the coat there offers men lowlier than I the chance for freedom, and I am to be a prisoner in your bed. Rape or not, it is injustice."

Several crewmembers, both Alliance and corsair, poorly hide their surprise (and in some cases consternation) at Tageru's actions. They have not heard the entirety of his conversation with Tethia, and can only speculate amongst themselves what the disturbing Wood Aspect will do with her.

In the end, the twelve that expressed favor for Treon's words do not change their mind, preferring a chance with the Alliance. "Some of these men'll need work," says their spokesperson, who finally introduces himself as Black Reed. "They're used to a heavier hand. But we'll stay with the Hammerhead, and we'll see for ourselves how you folk live and thrive. We've served on this vessel for years... even with a new captain, it's still home. Maybe now a new life too." Then Reed lowers his voice for Treon alone. [Private to Cathak Garel Treon: "But I sure hope your archer knows what he's doing, putting Miss Tethia in chains like that. Hers is a slow-burning revenge, and her heart was ever our Captain's."]

On the Sea's Bounty:

"You're a good man, Leomaris," Rothalga says with a smile that almost looks warm despite her severe features. "For many of us it's not even choice, but simply truth. The sea called to us, despite odds, despite expectation. So we answered her, and took her as bride."

"What a life, eh? And yet sometimes it is such a short one." Her grey eyes gaze down at the broken bodies of her compatriots with a heavy sigh. "I'll admit, Captain Leomaris, the Bounty is woefully short-handed now. I'd dare not ask more than you've already given out of free will and generosity, but it'd ease my heart if we at least had a escort back to Wavecrest."

"There's time to discuss, though. We've another matter to deal with in these waters, and it may be of interest to you and yours. If you would... after the ceremony, let your men know they are invited to my table for an evening meal." The tall Tya nods, tersely but respectfully, and leaves Lasuri to his own duties for a time while she continues coordinating the cleanup and arrangement of the deceased on her deck.

While Dove takes a couple hours to fiddle with Zeru's Resplendant Assistant, Donnegal assembles with much of the crew of both the Dryad and the Sea's Bounty to preside over the funereal rites. Several boxes used to store ammunition and weapons have been made into crude coffins, and the twelve Tya and two Cobalt members that lost their lives have been laid in them.

With a few short and poignant words, he closes each of their eyes and presses a coin to each of their eyelids, crossing their arms in front of their chests. In his sermon he speaks of the bravery of the fallen in their last moments, and beseeches both the Ocean Father and the Lady of Souls -- the former to accept the bodies of the deceased peacefully into his domain, the latter to ask that they be peacefully reincarnated into a safer and healthier future.

---

OOC: Anyone else who would like to add anything to this ceremony may do so, then I will skip to the dinner/meeting with Rothalga.

"Heh! Those lowlier men aren't as dangerous as you, even wounded as you are." Tageru says and laughs, looking at Tethia. "That's why. Also, I never said there would be no chance for freedom for you. But for now, it's for your own good, as well as ours, that you just stay in bed for a couple of days. We'll discuss everything in time, worry not. Life at sea is mostly boring for a former monk, so you'll find me quite talkative, you'll see." He puts her down on the bed and takes her wrists and feet and binds her with manacles. "There. I hope you're not too uncomfortable. I'll be back to check up on you soon. Oh, and, I've marked you with my Charms while you were knocked out, so I'll know if you leave and where you left, so please, spare us both the trouble of chasing you down. Just lie down and rest, you'll feel much better in a couple of days." With those words and a pretty disturbing smile, he leaves the cabin.


[Private to Storyteller: I used Soul-marking strike on her, and one of the effects is that I can locate her for the next 24 hours. It's magic! :) And the disturbing smile is unintentional, Tageru is actually trying to be nice. :D]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:33, Wed 12 Nov 2008.

"I hear you." He smiles, and his nod speaks volume about his understanding of the woman's words, even though their fates were very different. "Wasn't a choice for me either - well, at least not all of it was. Kinda got a lot of the initial choices taken away, if that makes any senses. Of course... I'm like you. I have no regrets." He smiles to her, then nods at her request.

"Well... I can say that it would be pretty bad for us to help you out with a threat and then leaving you undermanned and stranded in the same spot. I'll speak with my people, they've got as much of a say in this as I do, but if it comes to it, I'll escort you to port myself." He smiles and extends a hand, a gesture meant to seal the deal before the captain leaves. Once she does, he watches in her direction for a moment, then turns back to the deceased.

He listens and watches Donnegal's service, making certain to acknowledge each and every fallen in turn. He nods approvingly to Donnegal's choice of words, and grants the man with a thankful nod and a clap on the arm as he steps closer to the bodies, pulling out a bottle of liquor from inside his coat.

"Not much to say that Mister Donnegal hasn't... And I'm not as good with words, so I'll be brief. Like any sailor worth its salt, I have my array of superstition and charms and beliefs - and that's one." With his teeth, he pulls the cork open then walks to the first body in line.

"No one should be sent back to the Great Blue without one last sip of good liquor, and a bottle for the road. Cheers, mates. You've all fought bravely to the end. If we're lucky, we'll all go as proud and dignified as all of you when it's our time." With that, he starts pouring a small amount of liquor above each and everyone's head, making certain everyone, including those not of the alliance, has its share. When that is done, he raises the bottle, takes a swig himself, then nods. "One last sip..." He puts the bottle down next to the last body, instructing one of the crewmen to send it under when they send the bodies at sea. "...And a bottle for the road. Rest easy, folks"

With that, he turns back, letting the personal acquaintances of the fallen step forward to say their last goodbyes.

Jadira has even less to say, but she does attend the ceremony, keeping a respectful silence while Donnegal speaks the rites and the captains and various crewmembers add their own touches.

She places in Gatti's and Alves's coffins what few prized, sentimental items she found among their belongings. A rolled up letter, a ring, a lucky feather, a prized weapon... these sorts of things, that they may take with them on their final journey. Later on, she and Lasuri would do their best to send word to family, if they had any to contact.

It's not the first nor the last time they would have to do such a thing.

Several of the Tya step forward, to give the bodies of their comrades one last look. Some have small objects to send them off with, much as Jadira had done, while others speak soft words, confirmations that they will be missed, or avenged. Many are unhappy at the sparing of the corsairs by Treon, but while the corsairs remain tied up or watched on their own ship, far away from the ceremony on the Sea's Bounty, they keep their protests mostly quiet.

Rothalga does her best to calm any frayed emotions, and utters a short eulogy of her own. "Brethren, brothers in arms," she concludes, "rest easy in the embrace of the sea for whom you gave up hearth and home. We will remember you."

The sky has darkened into dusk by the time the coffins are boarded up and lowered one by one into the sea. The sharks have thankfully had their fill, and the seas are calm and empty but for the oblong boxes carried steadily away by the tide. Not wanting to dwell too long on mourning what cannot be regained, the Tya Captain orders her men to eat well and rest until the morning, and retires to her private dining area.

It's a modest cabin, functional rather than decorative, though spacious enough to fit Rothalga, her one remaining officer and the Cobalt Alliance outcastes (Donnegal as well, if Lasuri wishes). Lasuri and Jadira are given spaces near the head of the table while the others are allowed to choose their place.

Once everyone is seated, Rothalga rises briefly to address the Cobalt members as a whole. "Again, I would like to take this moment to thank you formally for your aid in repelling the corsairs' attacks, and bringing to justice a criminal who has preyed on our trade lines for months. For those who do not know it, I am Captain Tya Rothalga, and this is my First Officer, Tya Niakuni." She gestures to the shorter, wiry Tya seated next to her, her dark green hair in small braids adorned with beads.

[Private to Platinum Dove: Oh, right. Dove should be done by now tuning up Zeru's Assistant, so she can give it back to him.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:46, Wed 12 Nov 2008.

Treon nods, pleased that even being told it was no longer life and death, they still decided to go with him.  He nods to accept Black Reed's words, something in what was said making him look round to take note of Tageru, his face furrowing.  "I shall take your words under advisement, Black Reed.  For the time being you will have to remain like this.  I don't want the Tya to provoke you, nor you to provoke the Tya."  He sounds sad for the necessities of the situation, but makes it clear on this, there won't be an argument.

He then departs for the remembrance service, saying a few short words for Alves, who had died under his command, giving those who muttered about the corsairs sharp glances.  It was one thing to kill a person in battle, and quite another to butcher them.

The evening meal found Treon a sitting amongst the other officers of the Alliance, and he nodded in response to the Tya's thanks, though it was surely the Captian's place to accept them formally.

"The Alliance is grateful for your thanks, Captain. I'm sure I speak for everyone here when I say this." Lasuri smiles at the Tya and her second in command, then turns his gaze towards the people who have decided to sail under the Cobalt banner. He inclines his head, then nods to each and everyone of them personally.

"If you ask me, they're the ones that deserve the thanks. Good and dependable people are not always easy to come by, so I can only give praise where its due." He smiles warmly to his brethren, then turns back towards the Tya. "Me, I'm only glad anything I could do managed to help you out. That's all. We've been called many names in our young history, but we're not simple bandits or corsairs out to take from everyone but our own. All we are is a group of people who offer a place to those who don't have one. That's all."

"As for introductions - I'm Lasuri Leomaris. Pleasure to meet you all. My first mate is Miss Jadira Thornbloom. And here you have Mister Peleps Zeru, Mister Treon Fireblade, Miss Platinum Dove, and Mister Cynis Tageru. Over here is my Chaplain and Pilot, Mister Hermann Donnegal." He takes a moment with each name to gesture towards the introduced person, so a face can be appended to each name he gives.

"These are the people who give the Alliance its name, and its heart." He concludes, gesturing to the others with a smile.

Jadira nods when her name is indicated, speaking up only when Lasuri finishes speaking. "Pleasure to meet you, Captain, Officer Niakuni. How I wish we could have met in kinder circumstances. However, I'm glad that our chance intervention could have at least saved some lives."

"So I hear you were returning toward Wavecrest when the corsairs attacked?" she asks politely.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:30, Thu 13 Nov 2008.

While the Cobalt officers dine, the corsairs very grudgingly remain tied for the moment. Some of them have rather... colorful words to say about the Tya. They are at least allowed to rest below deck rather than be open to the elements above, separated between the men who would join Treon and the ones who would be sent away.

"We have heard of the Cobalt Alliance," Tya Rothalga says carefully, reseating herself. "but we have also heard that you are allied with Coral. I admit that if you had not come so handily to our rescue, we would be more... cautious in our dealings with you."

Then she smiles a little wryly. "Meeting you in person, I realize you're driven by an ideology that would get most people killed at sea very early. Misfits very often end up hunted down. Even we Tya realize that, and tried our very best to assimilate wherever we would be accepted."

"But they are strong, Rothalga," adds Niakuni enigmatically. "They may be the ones..."

"In any case," Rothalga continues, speaking over Niakuni as if she had not said a word, "We feel obligated to pass on some information to you. When we came across the corsairs, they were not actively pursuing us--at least not at first. They were anchored perhaps a half mile northwest from here... preparing, I am quite certain now, for a deep sea dive."

"They aborted their operations to chase us. I do not know whether it was to keep us from discovering what they had found, or simple bloodlust, or both. But I am sure there is something of importance beneath the waters in this area. Perhaps you've found something indicative of this in one of the ships you've captured?"

Her suggestion is followed by a crisp crunch! as she bites into an apple. The meal laid on the dining table is an eclectic mix of imported fruit, cheeses and fowl -- likely taken straight from the cargo they are transporting to Wavecrest -- as well as seafood pulled in by the fishermen onboard.

"Don't worry about us," Niakuni continues for her Captain, popping a round grape into her mouth. "We're not treasure hunters ourselves, and we already paid with our lives. But... we may be able to help with the dive, IF you think it's worth investigating."

Tageru keeps mostly quiet during the ceremony. When the captain introduces him, he just bows slightly and continues as before.

Zeru thanks the captain for his words with a silent nod. He holds his tongue to decide if the captain sees fit for to reveal the true purpose behind this voyage. He would have spoken but he dicides that conversation had become too delicate for his clumsy tongue.

"Ah, and to answer your question, Miss Thornbloom," Rothalga adds belatedly, "yes. Our intent is to return to the port of Gateway, Abalone... assuming no more unpleasant interruptions." A heavy sigh accompanies these words, and another emphatic crunch!.

"You're well informed - and I won't lie to you. We do have a letter of Marque from Coral. They're the first ones that decided to give us a hand, and accept some of the cargo we had to sell. So we do have a connection." He pauses, then smiles. "However, we're in no way part of the Coral navy. We can't get drafted for any of Coral's military campaigns, nor do we have to support any conflict they have with other nations directly. Not with Wavecrest, or anyone else."

He pauses, then rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Some people think that makes us even more suspicious, suggesting we're just spies or opportunists. I say let them speak. You're free to pass judgment as you see fit too, of course."

At the mention of the new information, Lasuri listens intently, pondering the facts carefully. "I admit things have happened so quickly, I've not had time to hold a proper council with the other members of the Alliance, yet. But you've decided to venture that information to us, so I don't see why we should hold anything back from you - trust for a trust, I've been taught in my youth."

He turns towards the others, then tilts his head slightly. "Mister Treon. Mister Zeru. Miss Dove. Was anything discovered on those ships that corroborates what Captain Rothalga is speaking of?" He pauses, then nods. "You're free to talk about our own purpose in this area too, if you wish and if that has any relevance."

"On the courier I commandeered it appears that the lieutenant in charge was an essence user and fancied himself a collector of artifacts. He may have known of artifacts in the area and convinced Bloodeye to locate such." Zeu starts, trying to get everyone's attention "Along with their ballista, They had some round plates of magical material. He planned to use one to sink the ship before I stopped him. You may have seen the plume of water. It could be used for the excavation of ruins underwater. One could place the plate and charge it to explode opening any kind of ruins that one might find. his of course holds true anywhere, it may not be underwater."

"Fascinating," Rothalga remarks to Zeru's description. "If that lieutenant had a map, it'd make the search even easier, but I do not think we would have to look long. It's definitely within a mile radius from here, whatever they were searching for."

"We have some equipment on board to aid with deep sea diving. It is an art the Tya are known for," Niakuni adds proudly.

"However," concludes the blue-haired captain, "it's up to you to decide if it's worth your time. An excavation would likely take an entire day, or more depending on what you may find there. We have enough supplies to anchor here a short while, even help you repair the second courier... Vengeful Riza I believe it is called." Rothalga utters the name with an unpleasant expression on her face, and starts to spear a few slices of fowl onto her plate.

"Whenever you are prepared to depart, though, I must beseech all of you as I asked Captain Leomaris... We are currently lacking in manpower, and it's still a few hundred miles from Abalone. Would any of you be able to provide us an escort?"

---

OOC: couple things to decide... 1) dive in search of what is likely the workshop manse Dove studied about? or save it as a task for later? 2) escort the Sea's Bounty to Wavecrest, or continue proceeding to An-Teng?

Lasuri isn't a "I decide for everyone" sort of leader, so try not to leave it for him alone to decide. :D  If you do want to stay and dive I'll post next about the equipment the Tya have.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:48, Fri 14 Nov 2008.

"Well, I don't have a problem with staying a bit longer. I think we should at least check for these supposed ruins, if we've got the help we need right here." Jadira has a handful of berries and a thigh of chicken on her plate, which she consumes with gusto. "I think we can trust the Tya not to give away the location at this point."

"As for an escort... we've three ships now. We could potentially spare one, though perhaps we're still too small a force to be splitting up. What do you think?" The armswoman looks to Lasuri and the others.

Captain Rothalga's mention of the map reminded Zeru. He reached into the pocket of his duster and pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment. He rubbed the back of his head. "I put it in my pocket while we were clearing out the captains quarters." He says sheepishly unrolling it on the table.

"I'd not prefer to leave the our brothers here in the lurch so at the very least I vote to go, if the Black Marlena will have me I'd be happy to help."

"I don't think it would be very wise of us to split up.", Tageru says, speaking for the first time since he came here.

"While I would hate to see someone stranded and undermanned, I believe that the only way we could help right now is to let..." Tageru pauses for the slightest moment "Mr. Rothalga's ship travel with us, lend them some of our crew members, and then escort them to the nearest harbor when we're done. I'm certain they can hire some sailors there to continue their journey, and it shouldn't take us long to finish what work we have here."

Tageru looks at the Tya captain "No offense, Mr. Rothalga, but we've lost some men too, and some are hurt, and unable to work. I, frankly, still don't trust our new... recruits enough to let them on our ship without the men we can trust, and I don't think you do either. So I believe this really is the only way. We cannot split up. It's not practical and it's not very safe."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:45, Fri 14 Nov 2008.

"I, on the other hand, do trust those men, Mr. Tageru," he spoke up as the man ventured his rather cautious opinion.  "If I did not trust them, I would not have accepted their conversion.  There are a great many things I do not know, but I do know people.  The Spring Dryad II set out alone and I do not see why it would be in undue danger for it to continue on alone for a time whilst Captain Rothalga and his men are escorted to Wavecrest and back, especially if this Manse can be located before we depart."

"Even with myself and Mr. Zeru split off from it, it still boasts a large and skilled crew," he explains further.  "And with the cannon from the Hammerhead, a quite impressive armament."

"Of course. But we've lost some men in the last fight, and I'm not sure just how ready we should be to trust those who have converted after only a couple of hours. For all we know they could be planning to steal a lifeboat and run away right now. Or try to slit our throats in the dark... While I'm not afraid to face the potential mutineers in battle, I am too cautious to let them man the ship and sail it, at least unattended and until they've had at lest some time to prove themselves. Any man can beg for mercy and accept any deal if it means he will live longer. Not every man fulfills his words. And some are very good liars as well..."

Tageru takes a small sip of his wine and looks at his crewmates "But, as always, I will comply with the wishes of the others. I cast my vote, the rest should do the same. If you vote otherwise, I will not complain."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:11, Sat 15 Nov 2008.

"If I may... I'm really not a fan of titles, just Zeru will do if you don't mind."

"I don't doubt your abilities at leadership, Mr. Fireblade... but the men you've spared have yet to be tested. So I do think Tageru has a point..." Jadira shoots an apologetic glance toward the Fire Aspect, and shrugs a little helplessly. "It might be a bit too sensitive a situation to escort the Tya with the same men they just recently did battle with."

"Both sides lost lives. Winners or losers, it's still a fresh wound..." The Wood Aspect inclines her head sympathetically toward Rothalga and Niakuni.

"I don't see a problem with us all detouring toward Wavecrest once we're done excavating here, though. One fortunate perk to Cobalt being an independent force..." She flashes a grin. "We set our own deadlines."

"This table shouldn't be used as a forum to decide who is worthy or not to join the Alliance. I have left the fate of the yacht and her crew to Mister Treon - and I trust in his judgment and decision implicitly. We of the Alliance will not condemn a man or woman who has chosen to give up their past lives and chose to serve. Not until said person has given sufficient reason to cast suspicion on their actions. And so until proven otherwise, these people are members of the Alliance, and they are Mister Treon's responsibility. Anyone who does not agree or has misgivings will be free to express them to me... When we're not partaking in the hospitality of guests."

"That said... I do see wisdom in the other points raised as well. We choose to give these people another chance, and that is our choice. Captain Rothalga and her men should not be expected to agree to nor face the consequences of a choice that is ours and ours alone. That's why they shouldn't be expected to work alongside those they called enemies only a short while ago. If we just make our choices and then expect everyone to keep up and accept them, we're no different than any other nations out there - we're still trying to impose our ideas on others, and I don't believe in that. So to make a long story short, I also think we should take a moment to dive and check this location, and then all move out to escort the captain to her port of choice."

He smiles, then nods slightly. "That's my take on the affair, anyways."

"I thank you for your understanding our situation," Rothalga says, nodding to the assembled Cobalt Alliance members. "While I am wise enough to consider that the corsairs may very well have had a change of heart, I do not know my crewmembers will so easily feel the same. And I admit apprehension on my own part to let them too near."

"Simply admitting that one is turning a new leaf does not erase all the sins of the past. They have killed many men. They may thought it out of fear or necessity, but they still followed Kossuth." The Tya Captain shakes her head vehemently.

"His sins are theirs as well. So no. There will not easily be forgiveness."

She sighs, then, leaning back in her chair as Niakuni reaches over to squeeze her shoulder -- a familiar, almost tender gesture. The green-haired Tya continues where Rothalga left off. "Your aid will be greatly appreciated. We will inform the Tya Elders of what you have done. There are many Tya guildhalls in Wavecrest and throughout the West, and they will be more inclined to welcome you."

"As for the excavation, we can start in the morning." As the meal continues, Niakuni explains a bit about their equipment, which is fairly crude: weighted ropes and pulleys, swim fins to aid in moving through the water. The most exceptional diving aid, though, is what Niakuni calls "maruera gum" -- a Tya secret, she claims, which allows them to breathe underwater and even surpass the negative effects of water pressure for a short time.

---

OOC: If you've any more to say for this scene, go ahead :) Or you can post what you will do tonight. Then I'll move things to the next day.

The equipment the Tya have actually removes underwater penalties (assuming you're not already a water aspect), and lets you breathe as normal.

"That I can understand," he nods to Lasuri, the flames that had been building quenched with an effort of will.  After all, if he had read them wrong, he wouldn't be around to bear the consequences of their actions.  "I also agree with that course of action.  I am curious to see this manse, I will admit." And less sure sailing into wavecrest alone with a ex-pirate crew is the best of ideas.

"So am I," Jadira agrees with Treon, "assuming it's really what we're looking for. You'd think Dove would be piqued, seeing that it was her research that brought us here..."

"Guess she ran off with that artifact Zeru showed her." She chuckles, and returns her attention to her food for a moment, swallowing a few mouthfuls before nudging Lasuri playfully. "Shame you got so battered, though. Deep sea exploration for us, bed rest for you, Captain dear.

"Anyway, we're grateful for your help, Captain Rothalga, Mr. Niakuni... and for the meal." The brunette bites into a strawberry as if to illustrate that point, her plate now mostly empty.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:35, Mon 17 Nov 2008.

"Yeah, I'll be staying put for now, it seems. But you don't need my supervision for all this, do you? I'm sure you'll do fine. I'll just say topside and be a nuisance to everyone who stays up here." He smiles, then takes a sip of his drink.

"Miss Thornbloom's right, though. Thanks a lot for having us on board, Captain. And you as well, crewmen of the Sea's Bounty." He takes a moment to look at and acknowledge the rest of Rothalga's crew as well, favoring the Tya with a smile and a grateful nod.

"It is the least we can do in exchange," Rothalga says, nodding graciously. "And a small price for our lives."

The meal comes to an agreeable end, and the crews return to their respective bunks and quarters for a well-deserved rest.

It is a calm and peaceful night, a relief after such a momentous battle. The corsairs are the only ones who don't sleep quite as calmly, kept under watch throughout the night -- though perhaps for their own safety as well as for the Tya.

And the next day dawns...

---

OOC: Decided this will be an intermission thread, so we end here... :) Small bit of XP awarded for the participants.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:24, Mon 17 Nov 2008.