Looking out at the fog, Jabril sighs loudly. "Well, if I die--as spectacular as it will be--it will evidently be a lonely death for me. And I was so hoping to have a rather large gathering at my funeral."

He turns to glance at the others. "As for tactics, my main goal will be keeping you all alive when the monstrous spider tries to devour you or the local cannibals try to kill you with their poisonous darts."

"I'm a security consultant and engineer. My expertise lies in locks, traps and other mechanisms, in installation and bypassing, in gaining entry and extraction of items. So I don't expect to have to do much unless until the Professor finds an ancient trapped ruin in the jungle to explore." Lambrac explained. "In combat, I make a better engineer, to be honest, but I can assist the rest of you." He patted his rapier and crossbow, and added with a glance to Fareeda. "We Lantanna are lovers, not fighters."

"I could not agree with you more, Sir Lambrac." Fareeda purred softly.

It was fortunate that there was to be no sky battle. She dreaded the thought of the Scilandar destroyed and she falling to the water like a stone. Nevertheless she kept her bravado in the presence of such handsome males.

So many men, so little time.....

"Well then, i am a singer of tales and a right good belly dancer. However i have certain skills and magics that would aid if needed."

Shifting slightly to the side to keep an ear free for advance warning of the other airship, Abbas nodded to each of the party members that noted their strengths and weaknesses.

"In the situation we faced back in the streets with the assassins, working on quick sidesteps to open a path for our allies charging past can allow us to maneuver significantly more smoothly in support.  We did well in maintaining a defensive line, but some of the movements could be the quick 'click-clack' that opens for a fast strike while keeping defensive lines.

"The monitoring of where people and surroundings are, adjusting that to the flow of combat, knowing what type of response we can expect from each other also carries over into our camping coverage of sightlines, where people rest, and so forth."  The elf demonstrated the quick half-sidestep from an "armsweeping forward" ally, and back without losing the protection benefit to defence for himself or other party members.

"We can also use this in the front lines to put the target's distraction from being outflanked to an even better distraction by timing off each other's attacks." This time Abbas tilted back and forth in a shuffle-step, weave timing to demonstrate the benefits of improved flanking techniques the melee-inclined could use to advantage.

"There is another technique I can work with you to learn - that is the mental focus mediation elvenkind use to remove the necessity for deep sleep.  In a hostile environment as we anticipate ahead, a lighter rousing and shorter rest times for the rest of you may make a significant element for our travels."

Krogan chuckled.
Me?   Learn to sleep like an elf?  If only my father could see me now, eh?    I'm game.   And some fighting practice would be a good thing, since we might have some time to spare.

As the evening went on, the rolling banks of fog around the Scilandar began to dissipate - whatever strange magic that had conjured them long since faded. With visibility cleared and the light of the moon as a guide, there was no sign of land in any direction, nor of the pursuing ship. Glittering water was all that stretched out on every horizon, mimicking the glittering sky above. It seemed strange that the other ship had not simply followed behind the cloud of fog, but you suspect there was far more to the Professor's escape than met the eye.

With the moon rising fast towards its zenith and fatigue beginning to creep in after a long day in Calimport, the sleeping chambers below decks begin to beckon. Ham and Jens seemed to have no problem staying awake to watch over the ship's progress and so the rest of the expedition headed in for the night.

The Scilandar's hold was never going to be the most comfortable place to sleep, but after the fight with the assassins and the Calimport heat you are soon fast asleep and wake up feeling refreshed to the sound of the Professor's excited voice two decks up.

Slowly the adventurers arose from slumber and began to head up on deck. The Professor's mood had definitely returned to normal - he was buzzing around the ship's helm, mumbling away to no one in particular, a map in his hands.

And then the cause of his excitement was recognised. Dead ahead, over the prow of the ship, huge pillars of stone were visible rising from the ocean. Green with vegetation, the rocks seemed to have been standing for thousands of years as the Shining Sea slowly eroded through them, each one rising hundreds of feet out of the water. Beyond the rocks, something even more amazing, its details blurred by the haze of the morning sun - the cliffs of the Chultan peninsula...

Jibril wraps his vermillion morning lounging robe around him tighter, as he peers out towards the distant cliffs with bleary eyes.

After a few moments of obligatory sightseeing, he turns to the professor.  "Do you have any strong ka'hwa brewing in the galley of this ship? I need some before my morning prayers."

Though he'd slept in his armor, as was his normal custom, Krogan had taken a thorough bath and cleaned everything before sleeping.   Since leaving the orc caves, he'd become very fastidious about such things, and knew that the jungles of Chult, though unknown to him, would probably offer little in the way of similar luxuries.

He slept well, though, dreaming of flying over Calimport and the nearby orc mountains, and awoke refreshed, even if he was a little out of sorts as he struggled to get his "air legs".

It didn't affect his appetite, though, as he headed to the galley to break his fast.
He paused, though, to take in the grandeur and glory of the jungles ahead of him.  The big orc smiled, his well cleaned tusks gleaming.
He already felt at home.

Nodding, as if in approval, he went to eat something.

Rising gracefully from his position near the prow, Abbas nodded polite greetings to the re-awakened party.  The elf returned a small jar of wax back into his pack, restrung the treated bowstring, and redonned the golden burnoose worn in the city battles - apparently being the focus of negative attention was something he maintained in more than his daily constitutionals.

"Good morning.  How did you find the breathing exercises we spoke of last eve?  It is but an aide in bringing the mental focus, but is beneficial even in normal slumbers."

The elf did not note that the same skill that gave him the additional time to treat his armour and bow would serve the party as well - both awake and rest - but spoke to issues directly dependent upon his explanation.

"The view was spectacular at sunrise over the water, but this is something so rarely seen.  Another luxury provided by the good Professor," Abbas complimented quietly.

Lambrac emerged yawning and late from the cabin, rubbing his red hair. He looked startled at Abbas's mention of breathing exercises, having quite forgotten them and not paid much attention to the concept in the first place. "Hmm? Sorry, too tired." he mumbled.

He moved to look over the prow, impressed by the sight of the Chultan cliffs, but filled with dread for what those leafy green fastnesses held. He grimaced, and sighed "Why did it have to be Chult?"

Krogan grinned at the elf.
I've been doing my own meditations, but since I learned about them from an orcish priestess who looked like a crushed foot, so some new ideas were welcome.
I like your elf sleeping stuff.   I know I'll never really get the hang of it, but it's fun to work at it.


The orc eats a hearty meal, and sighed happily.
Yep.  Heading into the vast jungle with a full belly and a pack full of weapons.  Life is good.

The Professor continued to buzz around the deck, his attention darting anxiously over the pillars and more distant cliffs. He barely noticed the arrival of his newly employed adventurers and only when Jibril addressed him regarding the ka'hwa did he snap out of his apparent daze.

"Hmm? Ka'hwa you say? A kind of spicy green tea yes?" he pulled on his moustache, "Never been a fan, must admit - too much spice in the morning. Does have certain 'awakening' properties I will concede but heavily outweighed by unpleasant side effects. Much prefer turnips. turnip tea, turnip broth, fried turnips and occasionally if I'm feeling brave parsnips."

He coughed awkwardly and gestured towards the galley, "Ham and Jens will see to your ka'hwa."

Thaniel reached the top deck having logged a good night's sleep, the first in some time. His spirits were lifted when he saw the green below, glad to be at least in sight of familiar landscape even if its contents were unknown. He joined Abbas to admire the watered sunrise. "I have given some thought to your combat inquiry, and am happy to contribute to the discussion, if it still interests you."

Jibril looks at the Professor like he has five heads. The early morning hour was not helping his mood either.  "Ka'hwa is not tea!  How long have you been in Calimport?" He lets out a loud sigh, trying to remember a word the gnome might know.  "Coffee? Never mind, I'll just have Ham and Jens to show me what's what in the kitchen here," he mutters as he departs to find some caffeine. This was going to be a long day.

"Besides that it is in the interest of all, in survival if naught else, one is wise to learn what can be learned from our travels.  By all means..."
A smooth half-circling hand invited Thaniel's observations.

Abbas paused after his reply, choosing his thoughts and words, then added to his response.  "If you are agreeable, I would also discuss your training in the use of the arcane studies in battle.  I knew others of our kin skilled in use of both.  I have been told I have the aptitude, but my focus has been limited to the dance of steel, and that limited sight is something I wish to correct."  The swordsman acknowledged his faults openly, but matter-of-fact rather than dwelling upon them.

Krogan shrugged.
My combat style is fairly direct and frontal.   I can be the wedge, while others use magic around me.

Thanial nods gratefully and moves a little closer. "Both? Do you mean archery? The longbow is far from ceremonial, but I have greater powers at my disposal than feather and shaft. Still, when I am daily spent I might be tempted to loose an arrow or two at the enemy, though I do not have the accuracy of some of my brethren."

"The Art arcana is to which I referred - my archery is passable, although secondary to the sworddance.  During the battles with the assassins, I noted your use of magics in hindering our foes.  Like my defensive martial training, the application of arcana provided timely protection, and I would learn more on how to incorporate the use of magics in battle - both my own personal engagements, through tactical, strategic, and operational expansion."  Abbas clarified his interest was in improving his knowledge of magic.  Like Thaniel, Abbas' bow was of fine quality, although he had not been able to avail of it during the close quarter city fighting...

...although such situations might well be different in the jungles before the party.

Thaniel nods in understanding. "My magic is largely debilitative. In my studies I found explosions to be too unpredictable and hard to control, so I focused on magic which attacks the body and its senses. Krogan and other more hands-on combatants will likely appreciate the effects of my magic more than those of us out of the melee."

Linni seemed disappointed as the cloud rolled over the ship, clearly unhappy at not being given the opportunity to try and light up the opposing ship. She sat quietly with the others and giggled to herself as she watched Abbas try and incite some combat training from the others. As the night wore on and it seemed interest was limited to Krogan Linni took the opportunity to have an early night, climbing down to the captain’s cabin to curl up on a spare cot.

Linni was up before dawn, as was her usual custom, and was standing at the prow admiring the site before them. She frowned as Jibril stalked off to the kitchens in a huff. ”Ka’hwa.” She muttered to herself , testing the word.

Her curiosity was piqued as Abbas mentioned arcane combat training. Turning from the prow she walked over to the elf. ”I am no novice in the arcane arts myself, I am quite happy to help you in training.”

She looks up to Thaniel, ”Unpredictable true, in inexperienced hands. However the raw destructive power of fire will never be matched by steel or sword.”

Turning back to Abbas Linni hesitated for a moment and asked, ”Last night you mentioned you can teach how to meditate like elves do.” She could certainly see the benefit in sleeping less while not being so groggy she could barely cast a simple cantrip. ”Perhaps you could sit with me tonight and show me.”

Lambrac listened vaguely to the discussion about combat styles, his attention more on the dreadful Chult that lay before them. "I prefer to get in there and just stab it. Then get out again without being stabbed in return. Pretty simple, really." he offered with a shrug.

Abbas inclined his head to Linni.  "It would be my pleasure, Linni.  The meditative trance may take some time to adapt and adopt, but we can work with it."  The elf tilted his head ever-so-slightly to the side in thought at the sorceress' offer, considering, then again nodded slowly.

"My blades are here to protect others, but it would be foolish to ignore their edges."  His tone and a glance at both arcane instructors indicated a similar view in learning magic would be wise in his view.  "I thank you, in said case."


Tilting his shoulders subtly to open up his body posture to widen the conversation to include Lambrac, Abbas picked up the previous conversation thread.  "Something we can work towards in providing you protection in the movements in and out, and taking advantage of each other's positioning to distract from the flanks."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Thu 03 Nov 2011.

The Profeesor arched his eyebrow at Jibril's outburst and stood perplexed as the priest walked away. "Not tea...but..." He seemed to forget his train of thought and simply shrugged, turning back to the panorama unfolding before them.

"Smell the air my friends!" he snorted loudly, "Nearly there, so very nearly there!"

Moustache twitching, he gestured over at Linni, "Matton is going to murder me you realise, he shook his head but did not seem overly worried, "Ah well at least we're in the once place he'll never find us!"

Linni beamed when Abbas agreed to teach her the meditation, "Sure! OK then, we will teach each other."

She looked over to where her uncle stood on deck, ”Ah, well...” she rubbed the back of her neck nervously, ”He does know where we are going. I did leave him a goodbye note.” She quickly adds, ”But fathers just a shipwright, he’s not an adventurer.”

Jibril lets out a chuckle at Lambrac, as he returns back to the group sipping on a steaming mug of...something. He looks bored as the others discuss combat tactics, so he decides to gaze upon the approaching jungle.

"So, where are we going exactly, Professor, and what is it that you seek us to accomplish for you?"