"I tend to agree. I'd rather die in combat than die starving and becalmed. I wonder if he'd be satisfied with one or the other."

Lyriel speaks again to Boil the Hardened. हम मांस है, और हम मछली है. हम श्रद्धांजलि के रूप में कुछ प्रदान कर सकते हैं, लेकिन हम भूम बिछल बनाने जब तक खुद को खिलाने के लिए पर्याप्त बनाए रखने चाहिए. आप पर हमारे अपने भोजन की तलाश के रूप में हम करीब के रूप में अच्छी तरह से लैस नहीं हैं.

[Private to DM: We have meat, and we have fish. We can offer some as tribute, but must retain enough to feed ourselves until we make landfall. We are not nearly as well equipped as you to seek our own food on the oceans.]

As this conversation continues, Maeve beckons Keef down from where he's perched gaping at Boil the Hardened.

Keef, she whispers to the boy, every story I've ever read about dragons says that they are vain, prideful creatures, and the clever hero always escapes by appealing to their sense of pride.  I assume that extends to dragon turtles as well.  Perhaps you could very quickly compose a song in its honor?  And perform it?  I don't know if it would understand, but he would probably get the gist of it.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:59, Tue 25 Feb 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 965):

The dragon cocks its head to one side, nonplussed, and rumbles once more:

मैं कुलबुलाहट और मेरी टकटकी के तहत wriggling, डेक पर मांस का एक बहुत कुछ देखा. उबाल लें आप की बात यह अन्य मांस देखते हैं, और आप के लिए नमकीन मछली छोड़ना होगा.

[Private to Lyriel Vesper: I see a lot of meat on the decks, squirming and wriggling under my gaze. Boil would see this other meat you speak of, and leave the salty fish to you.]

"It's going to eat us out of house and home, and then move on to the crew for the next course," A'tril complains, rolling up his sleeves to allow for better movement.  "We should kill it. That shell is worth a fortune -- $75,000, without breaking a sweat."

In reply to DM (msg # 966):

Oh shut up, A'tril, Maeve says offhandedly to the dark elf, her full attention fixed on Lyriel's interaction with Boil and on Keef, who looks to be thinking hard.  Let's see how this plays out.  Maybe you don't mind fighting one, but I'd just as soon not.  If you provoke it, I'd feel very little remorse about sending you over the side into the briny.  It *did* say it wanted meat.

She gives A'tril a hard smile.

Just because we're colleagues doesn't mean I have to like you.

Lyriel narrows her green eyes at A'tril. That isn't your decision to make, dark elf. Besides... she smiles sweetly, batting her eyes. The food isn't doing you much good anyway, what with you constantly tossing yours overboard and all.

She turns to the chef. He won't take our fish, but if we have any preserved meat, he would prefer that instead.

Alphonse scowls menacingly at A'tril from his position slightly behind and to the left of Lyriel.

Just give me a reason, dark elf.

Besides, says Maeve, a shade more reasonably, sauntering over next to A'tril, if we attack it, then *it* attacks and very likely destroys a good portion of this ship and the cargo in the process.  Not only do I not relish the idea of swimming to Drynn, but I also do not relish the prospect of what Darris would have to say if his cargo was lost at sea.

Just a thought.

In spite of her calm, not-actually-intimidating demeanor, Maeve is still poised to toss A'tril over the side, if absolutely necessary.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:33, Tue 25 Feb 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 970):

I can't believe we're being extorted by a turtle. The wonders never cease.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 970):

The cook heads below the deck, and soon a number of barrels are brought to the deck.

"Meat," he says.  "Mind you, parting even with just this much will make our meals all the less satisfying."

He does not look pleased, and neither does A'tril, though perhaps for different reasons.

"No need to be flippant, Falseblood," the dark elf glowers.  "Lest you forget, it IS my decision to make. This may be Garfunkel's mission, but Darris sent me to supervise. And that means overruling stupid decisions when and if they are made."

He turns to Maeve and nods.

"That much, at least, makes sense. If we were to kill it, we'd need to do it quickly. A full salvo from the ship, followed by 60 arrows and a dash of magic."

The dark elf looks hungrily at the dragon turtle.

"There are so many uses for dragon parts, I'm not certain Darris would mind trading our cargo for a whole hide. Still, we're on a timetable..."

He falls silent, pondering the variables involved.

"We have no rudder," Captain Pri'chard chimes in.  "I would just as soon not lose any other pieces of this vessel. If we were to lose, for example, a mast or the sails, we would be well and truly stranded."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:40, Tue 25 Feb 2014.

Lyriel ignores A'tril's posturing. हम, फोड़ा आप की पेशकश करने के लिए मांस के कई बैरल है. बदले में हम आप अपने इलाके के माध्यम से हमें पारित होने की अनुमति का अनुरोध. हम के रूप में हम जल्द से जल्द दूर हो जाएगी.

[Private to DM: We have several barrels of meat to offer you, Boil. In return we request you allow us passage through your territory. We'll be away as soon as we can.]

Zuriel sidles over to Captain Pri'chard. "If it comes to it," he says quietly, "I can provide a short burst of wind to a main sail. It won't last long, but if you give me a direction I can give a boost."

In reply to DM (msg # 972):

Keef runs to the side and grabs onto the rigging, hanging over slightly like the worlds most inept "king of the world" scene re-enactment.


Great turtle dragon,
Great TURTLE dragon,
oh monarch of the seas!

Your hide is tough,
Your shell is rough,
and you go where you please!

Enormous turtle dragon,
powerful sea dragon,
oh primarch of the waves!

Your eyes see far,
no blemishes mar,
your perfect white teeth!

Wonderous turtle dragon,
glorious ocean-goer,
Oh master of the wet!

Majestic swimmer,
grand meister of surf,
on you these blessings we bequeath!

Great sea beast,
GRAND sea king,
Please don't crush our mast or sails or breech our hull!

This message was last edited by the player at 16:21, Tue 25 Feb 2014.

In reply to Keef (msg # 975):

A'tril wrinkles his nose, "Is he a cabin boy or a bard?"

The rest of the crew, however, awaits the dragon's response with baited breath -- and they do not have long to wait.

"It is... beautiful," the towering creature rumbles in the common tongue, his voice grating like the stormy sea. "But it is not meat. Food first, and I will decide whether to let you pass."

[Private to Keef: Do you fancy this creature, my master?  I have been pondering how I might help.  We could make him obey us for a time, if you wished it. I could lend power to your words, and you could ask him to drag us back to the favorable currents before heading on his way -- with our meats, if it please you.  Everyone is safe. What do you think, Keef? Would that be helpful?]

The cook grumpily nods toward the barrels, and the dragon swims close enough to swoop his scaled head over the rail, where he sniffs the food with large nostrils that crackle with steam.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:11, Tue 25 Feb 2014.

In reply to DM (msg # 976):

Keef clambers down and walks over to Zuriel where he whispers in his ear.

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: Longshank thinks he has a way to convince the dragon to drag us to better currents, then we could give it the meat AND be closer to shore.]

...and breach our huuuulllll. Boreas sings to himself, watching events unfold.

Don't worry, A'tril.  We won't give it all our food.

He turns to the great beast.

But we will give you some meat, great one.  I am pleased to be able to speak to you as well.  It is an honor.

The words aren't entirely empty flattery.  Boreas is truly awestruck by the massive turtle.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 978):

The dragon is silent for a few minutes, as it takes the time to savor the first of five barrels of various cuts of meat -- barrel and all.

A gentle blast of steam erupts from his nostrils in delight, and he moves on to the second one.

While the great creature eats, A'tril's ears prick slightly, and he glances over to where Zuriel and Keef are whispering with suspicion.

Zuriel looks on as Boil devours the meat. Better get used to fish and broth for the rest of the voyage... [Private to Keef: Zuriel shakes his head subtly. "I think your song did the trick, Feek. You're just full of surprises. It would appear that you've saved us, on your own." Zuriel stresses 'on your own,' having noticed A'tril's gaze and not wanting to draw further attention.]

Lyriel waits until Boil finishes eating before addressing him again. ताकतवर उबाल लें, हम शांति में अपने क्षेत्र से विदा करने के लिए अब चाहते हैं. हमारे पतवार टूट गया है, और हम रास्ते पर लाना नहीं कर सकते हैं. अपने डोमेन पर अतिक्रमण से हमें सहन और विकास के लिए हमें लगेगा कि पास के एक वर्तमान है.

[Private to DM: Mighty Boil, we seek now to depart from your territory in peace. Our rudder is broken, and we cannot steer. Is there a current nearby that will bear us from trespassing on your domain and take us to Drynn?]

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 981):

Keef smiles and goes back to watching the dragon.

Chubbs gives the barest glance at the creature as it eats.

[Private to Lyriel Vesper: Chubbs, catching Lyriel's eye for a moment, shrugs dismissively at the dragon as if to say 'It's just a dragon, piece of cake, right?']

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 981):

The dragon snaps up the fifth barrel, savoring it, and then turns to Lyriel.

तुम पास हो सकता है, लेकिन आप नामित जगह मेरे लिए विदेशी है. मैं तुम क्या आवश्यकता होगी धाराओं में पता नहीं है.

[Private to Lyriel Vesper: You may pass, but the place you named is foreign to me. I do not know what currents you would need.]

In reply to DM (msg # 983):

Hope you guys know how to fish.

In reply to DM (msg # 983):

"Depart from my waters in peace," Boil rumbles once he has finished. "Before I forget the taste of your meat."

With a final spray of steam, the dragon lumbers away, eventually submerging entirely beneath the waves.

Lyriel nods, curtsying politely to the dragon turtle. आप उबाल लें धन्यवाद. [Private to DM: Thank you Boil.]

He will let us pass. Though he doesn't know where Drynn is, and cannot direct us to a useful current. Captain, do you know of a particular current that would take us where we need to go? [Private to Keef:  Lyriel shrugs at Chubbs. Just another day.]

In reply to DM (msg # 985):

The Captain sighs with relief as a cheer goes up from the crew -- all but A'tril, who stands near the railing, brooding.

"Not until we know where we are," Captain Pri'chard says, rolling up his sleeves. "Let's get those ropes attached to the canvas.  We have a good breeze, and I'd hate to lose it. We sail southwest until nightfall, when the stars will reveal our location to the navigator."

Emboldened by surviving two near-death experiences in less than 12 hours, the crew of the good ship Cecilia spring into action as one.

Ding!  Boreas, Lyriel, Maeve, Keef, Sazed, and Zuriel have reached Level 8!  Please update your sheets accordingly.

~~ END CHAPTER 07 ~~
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:47, Tue 25 Feb 2014.