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14:18, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.

Posted by GM StarMasterFor group 0
Rrger
player, 138 posts
Cygnaran Trollkin
Bodyguard/Arcane Mechanik
Mon 6 Apr 2015
at 18:00
  • msg #51

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

"You heard her. Where were you supposed to meet when the job was complete?" Rrger waits for the answer to his last three questions, figuring that more would confuse the creature.
GM StarMaster
GM, 154 posts
Mon 6 Apr 2015
at 19:09
  • msg #52

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

"No island. Boss-boss meet boss in water." the sahuagin replies.

The sahuagin just doesn't have a great command of his own language of Aquan.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:48, Tue 07 Apr 2015.
Rrger
player, 139 posts
Cygnaran Trollkin
Bodyguard/Arcane Mechanik
Mon 6 Apr 2015
at 19:33
  • msg #53

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

"I think their boss is the strongest warrior in the group, makes sense I guess. They didn't have a meeting place, they 'just go home' after the attack, and the big boss gives orders in the 'middle of the sea'. I doubt we could find that without one of them leading us... Unless maybe it's one of the islands on your map. He looks back to the captive, "Is there an island or something in this 'middle of the sea'? We would like to meet the boss boss."
Capt Milo Grant
Captain, 2 posts
Sailor
Marine
Mon 6 Apr 2015
at 19:53
  • msg #54

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

"No islands on my maps... none out this far. The captain of the Seacutter might have had something on his rutters, but that didn't get passed on... yet," Captain Grant replies to Rrger.
Rrger
player, 140 posts
Cygnaran Trollkin
Bodyguard/Arcane Mechanik
Tue 7 Apr 2015
at 20:44
  • msg #55

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

"Well? Is there an island or something? Where would we meet the boss boss?" Rrger watches the sea devil, awaiting a reply.
GM StarMaster
GM, 155 posts
Tue 7 Apr 2015
at 21:50
  • msg #56

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

"No island. Boss-boss meet boss in water." answers the sahuagin.

By now, you get the idea that the sahuagin doesn't have a very good command of his own language of Aquan.
Rrger
player, 141 posts
Cygnaran Trollkin
Bodyguard/Arcane Mechanik
Wed 8 Apr 2015
at 00:17
  • msg #57

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Rrger steps back and looks to Captain Grant, "Captain, I don't think we're going to get much more out of him. Not that we've gotten much so far. Any more questions or ideas?" He turns to Dany and shrugs, "I don't think he does much speaking. He talks like someone who doesn't know his language very well, unless he's just toying with us." He glances back to the creature and then back to his teammate, "I don't think he is though. Is there anything else you want me to try asking? And what do we do with them when we've finished here? We could kill them our let them go, this ship isn't really made to hold water creatures."
Danyka Ydrasyl
player, 123 posts
Rynnish/Llaelese Human
Gun Mage/Morrow Initiate
Thu 9 Apr 2015
at 04:06
  • msg #58

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Danyka nodded in agreement to Rrger's assessment, "Flunkies.  Nothing more."  She pursed her lips as she contemplated their options.  "We are unlikely to find the meeting place without a lot of luck.  Or a lot of help." she mused aloud, then making a slightly plaintive sigh.  The tall Rynnish brunette glanced at the Captain, then continued speaking, "We'll review the map's legend once more, but I am not hopeful."

Dany pulled the tricorne hat from her head and ran her fingers over her hair pensively for a moment as she looked over the captives.  Rrger and the others of the Iron Fist seemed to be looking to her for orders.  She'd never considered herself a leader of men; so, the mantle he'd have her wear rested uneasily upon her shoulders.

Still, she could give guidance.  The Llaelese gun mage placed the curved-brimmed hat back on her head before she spoke again, "As Morrow preaches to us all," Danyka intoned quietly, "Mercy is one of his main blessings."  She smiled slightly, before adding, "But only for the truly repentant..."  Knowing that at least one of the sahuagin could understand her words, she spoke slowly and clearly once more, "If they can promise to leave us in peace, acknowledging the power of Morrow, then I can see no reason to keep them further..."

She started back towards the cabin's to review the map further, but turned once more and spoke very deliberately.  "But," the comely brunette added with a touch of menace, "if they prove false or unwilling to commit to peace ... then they cannot be permitted to leave."  Which, as her trollkin companion knew, meant only one thing, since the sea devils couldn't travel with them and remain alive.
GM StarMaster
GM, 156 posts
Thu 9 Apr 2015
at 05:22
  • msg #59

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

In Iron Kingdoms, sea devils would probably be evil, but they aren't portrayed that way in all sources. On the other hand, they can promise not to attack you again, but that is only in the current situation. If they get another boss that tells them to attack, they will. There's no correlation to them between the two events.


The sea devils are living creatures, intelligent by most standards (though not overly so) and undoubtedly sentient. So it isn't as if you can kill them like they were just fish.

The captain thinks they should be killed... one less threat in the sea. However, at the moment, they aren't a threat.

Of all the Iron Fist, Gorren is probably the more blood-thirsty. He equates the sea devils to orcs.

Otherwise, the rest of the Fist and crew thinks they should be let go.
Rrger
player, 142 posts
Cygnaran Trollkin
Bodyguard/Arcane Mechanik
Thu 9 Apr 2015
at 17:01
  • msg #60

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Rrger turns to the creature he's been speaking with, "If you and all your friends here will promise to go home and leave us alone, we can let you go. Translate to them and when they make the promise I will put them back into the sea." Rrger keeps his word and as each of the sea devils agrees he will throw them back into the ocean. His translator goes last and the tall trollkin looks back to the captain, "Maybe we can take on more fuel on those islands you were talking about. Otherwise we probably wouldn't have enough for the side trip anyway, right?"
GM StarMaster
GM, 168 posts
Thu 16 Apr 2015
at 07:30
  • msg #61

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

The sea devils all agree, and are released back into the ocean, though Rrger is dubious about their ability to keep their word, assuming they have such a thing in their culture.

"Islands? What islands are you talking about?" the Captain replies to Rrger. "As far as I'm aware, there's no coal between here and Zu, and we aren't even sure there is coal in Zu!"


About fifteen minutes later, the lookout in the crow's nest calls down.

"SHIP AHOY! AFT PORTSIDE... UP!"

The call is strange, and when you spot nothing on the sea, you do, indeed, look up! There's some sort of flying... ship! There's a quite large sack floating through the sky with a small basket-like 'ship' hanging beneath it. As it nears, it is clear that it is some sort of giant oval-shaped balloon with a carrying structure suspended beneath it.

Several upper torsos appear over the top edge of the ship, and they wave down to you, while a friendly flag is run out on the bowsprit.

"WE HAVE SOME RECRUITS FOR YOU! THEY CAN EXPLAIN!"

Once this flying balloon is over the ship, a rope ladder is uncoiled down to the deck. It is quite difficult for the balloon to maintain position, so Bosh grabs the ladder and holds it steady.

A minute later, two people climb down the ladder. No sooner are they onboard than a strong crosswind pushes the balloon away and nearly drags Bosh overboard before he can let go of the ladder.


Welcome aboard Alexander Orlandus and Ioelenna Winterspire!

Also, we have new players taking over the characters of Nicollo and Gorren! Everybody, jump right in and start posting!

Rrger
player, 143 posts
Cygnaran Trollkin
Bodyguard/Arcane Mechanik
Fri 17 Apr 2015
at 17:11
  • msg #62

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

"New recruits, hey? Name's Rrger." A tall trollkin in an armored greatcoat smile (which might be disconcerting to some) and offers his hand in greeting.
Ioelenna Winterspire
player, 12 posts
Nyssa Winter Warwytch
Adept/Warmage
Fri 17 Apr 2015
at 17:20
  • msg #63

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

In reply to Rrger (msg # 62):

Ioelenna is attired in leathers and is obviously a Nyss. She strides almost feline toward the Trollkin who spoke.

"I am Ioelenna Winterspire, Warmage of Cygnar and Nyssor."
Danyka Ydrasyl
player, 124 posts
Rynnish/Llaelese Human
Gun Mage/Morrow Initiate
Fri 17 Apr 2015
at 21:25
  • msg #64

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Danyka hadn't actually gone inside, instead waiting until the prisoners had been freed and had left.  Though she had watched impassively, the tall Rynnish brunette's demeanor made it fairly clear that she'd taken a keen enough interest in the sea devils' fates.  Her mere continued presence enough of an indicator of her stance on the matter.

Once they were gone, she looked out over the side, seemingly lost in watching the water wash up against the side of the moving ship.

Dany's head snapped up to the crow's nest when the call rang out.  Then her eyes quickly moved off in the direction indicated by the lookout.  She watched warily as the airship approached and then relaxed once the colours were seen and the Resolute's lookout indicated that the ship had given the right code to approach.

She stood back the the new arrivals disembarked from the ladder and were deposited upon the deck of the ship.  Given the wind and her lack of strength, she had no desire to be swept away or in Bosh's way, trusting the ogrun with the mechanikal arm to pull his own weight - or not at the breeze's whim.

The Llaelese gun mage touched her hat in a greeting and a salute as introductions were passed around.  "Danyka Ydrasyl." she noted simply, giving her own name before prompting the newcomers, "How's Captain Flagg?  And did he give you any further orders to convey?"
GM StarMaster
GM, 169 posts
Mon 20 Apr 2015
at 23:28
  • msg #65

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

What the two new arrivals are able to convey is that word had reached Captain Flag about the attack at the wharf just as the ship was sailing. He'd made some inquiries and discovered that some faction of Menoth is behind this. Apparently they believe that the existence of Zu undermines their belief system.

Fearing the worst, Captain Flagg took the two best recruits he had and decided to send them out to rendezvous with the Resolute in an experimental new flying ship. It was at the limit of its range when it spotted the ship. It was at the point of no return; any further and it would not have been able to make it back. That was the reason it couldn't stay.

The Resolute has reached its point of no return as well. It's at the halfway point to Zu. It does not have enough supplies to make it back; it is closer and easier to reach Zu. Of course, that was before encountering the enemy ship.
Rrger
player, 144 posts
Cygnaran Trollkin
Bodyguard/Arcane Mechanik
Tue 21 Apr 2015
at 17:03
  • msg #66

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Rrger listens intently to the new people's information. They'd suspected that the church of Menoth was behind the attacks but now that it was confirmed it really hit home. Their enemies had no shortage of men or equipment to send after them and were serious about stopping the mission. "At least they got information on the first attack, there were divers around our ship in these breathing suits. The ship that attacked us was more of a threat, if the captain hadn't rammed them they probably would have taken us. And you probably saw the Sahaguin we just threw back into the water. They came with a serpent that would have torn us up if not for our gunner's good aim. I think that about catches you up. Did you see anything as you approached from the air?"
Danyka Ydrasyl
player, 125 posts
Rynnish/Llaelese Human
Gun Mage/Morrow Initiate
Fri 24 Apr 2015
at 06:31
  • msg #67

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Danyka watched the waves on the water as the silence dragged on for a bit.  "I suspect that it matters not..." she intoned quietly, in answer to Rrger's query, even though she hadn't been the original target.

She pursed her lips for a moment and then sighed slightly, "Since we have passed the Point of No Return, we are committed."  The tall, Rynnish brunette glanced in the direction of the Captain of the Resolute, before continuing, "We have little choice but to try and make the best time to Zu.  Speed is our ally and our best hope ..."
GM StarMaster
GM, 170 posts
Mon 4 May 2015
at 20:08
  • msg #68

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Once again, sorry for the delay. I kept hoping the other three people would post, but apparently they aren't going to.


The next couple of days pass uneventfully for the most part. The ship gets caught on the edge of storm but it passes to the east.

On the fourth day, you spot a bird flying overhead, indicating that you aren't too far from shore, even if it's not yet in sight.
Rrger
player, 145 posts
Cygnaran Trollkin
Bodyguard/Arcane Mechanik
Wed 6 May 2015
at 18:55
  • msg #69

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Rrger spends the days tinkering with his 'jacks and teaching them some combat tricks. None of them were designed or built specifically for war so it's a little hard to get through to them. They eventually start to get the idea though, storing the new tricks for later use.
Danyka Ydrasyl
player, 126 posts
Rynnish/Llaelese Human
Gun Mage/Morrow Initiate
Fri 8 May 2015
at 06:46
  • msg #70

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

After making sure that the new arrivals had quarters and were settled in, Danyka spent the next couple of days settling back into a routine.  Early mornings were always filled with vespers and receiving the Lord of Light's first blessing of the day.  For the Rynnish brunette, that meant time spent on the aft deck, facing the morning sun since they were travelling westward.

Dany was readily willing to have anyone else on board join her, in fact nothing seemed to please her more, and as lay clergy she could speak the prayers and led others in song.  But she wasn't one to preach nor was she overly zealous about her faithfulness to the Healing Teacher, Morrow; she simply tried to let her acts speak for herself and for Him, forgoing any sermons or proselytizing.

After morning prayers, Danyka would eat and then 'make the rounds' - ensuring that the horses and other animals on board were healthy and that the other members of the Iron Fist were hale.  She tried not to be too intrusive, but did appear to feel it was her charge to tend to the flock, of sorts.  Late morning usually found the Llaelese gun mage practicing with her new thinblade.  Dany seemed adamant that she needed to prove worthy as its new owner.

At least one hour in the afternoon, usually the one after lunch, were spent meeting with the captain and going over the map once more.  Although their course clearly plotted, there were still portions of the parchment that defied interpretation.  And even though, Danyka could read magical dweomers and writing, the mundane coding of the map rebuffed her attempts to unravel its mysteries.

Exasperation usually forced her to yield by mid-afternoon.  Which generally meant that she could be found playing her mandolin on the foredeck in the warm afternoon sun.  Weather permitting.  When the birds were spotted, Danyka knew that their time on the Resolute was coming to a close.  The tunes that emanated from her instrument that day, had a touch of gentle melancholy in them; her concession to the calm before the storm.
GM StarMaster
GM, 171 posts
Fri 15 May 2015
at 19:10
  • msg #71

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Birds flying overhead become more frequent, even to the point where a few gulls stop and perch on the yardarms. Land is spotted while still a long way aways, a gray speck on the horizon that slowly grows in size.

In a few more hours, you start to spot small islands dotting the oceanscape. As you pass nearby one or two, you can see that they are uninhabited coral atolls or rocky outcroppings, with sparse or no vegetation, though they are resting and nesting places for the various birds.

Closer to the landmass, about 5 miles out, you can start to make out details. The land looks like it's probably some sort of peninsula, as you can clearly see both sides of it at this distance. At three miles, you can see topographical, landscape and building details.

It's a rocky coast, with towns and at least one city built upward on the hillsides. You also pass a larger island that has a fishing village on it. The buildings are of two types: wooden shacks or white-washed adobe with colorful tiled roofs. There are far more shacks, though, that white buildings in the fishing village.

On the mainland, shacks or shanties are only along the water. None of the buildings on the hill are wooden, but all are white-washed with colorful tile roofs.

At this point, the captain slips the wind out of the sails until the ship is barely moving.
Danyka Ydrasyl
player, 127 posts
Rynnish/Llaelese Human
Gun Mage/Morrow Initiate
Fri 29 May 2015
at 06:35
  • msg #72

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

As the Resolute approached the land, the Rynnish brunette stopped her blade form exercises.  And as the housing became more distinct, Danyka moved to stand at the railing near the prow of the ship to watch the continent of Zu become bigger and bigger.  She was quiet for pretty much the entire time.

Noticing the disparity in building types and quality, the Llaelese gun mage shook her head slightly and mused to no one in particular, "Haves and have nots..."  Her burgundy lips were pressed into a slight, disdainful moue as she added, "Seems class separation is not a purely Immoren construct..."  Perhaps not surprising really, but Dany still felt that the sentiment bore expression.

When the ship's progress ground to a halt, Danyka moved to talk with the Captain.  She handed a wax-sealed envelope to the leader of the Resolute's crew, "Captain, this is the preliminary report for Captain Flagg of the Iron Fist.  It details our encounters with both the Menite ship and the sahuagin - and the basis for our conclusion that the Protectorate is the Immoren player behind the attacks.  Please see that he gets it."

"We, of course," the young Llaelese woman reiterated, gesturing to encompass her fellow Fisters, "have been tasked with trying to determine in as much detail as possible the fate of the previous expedition.  Assuming they made it this far."  She prompted the Captain for some information on timing, "How long will you remain before heading back?" which gave her the first deadline they would have to report in, "And if and when should we expect resupply?"  Which presumably would give them a secondary deadline for additional information gathering, should the Resolute be returning to Zu.
Capt Milo Grant
Captain, 3 posts
Sailor
Marine
Sat 30 May 2015
at 00:33
  • msg #73

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

"As I told you before, Miss," the Captain replies to Danyka as he takes here report, "I have my orders, of course, but they are also subject to circumstances. If we make landfall without any sign of the ship, I'm expected to wait 30 days while you investigate. That would be at each port, if there is more than one."

"Beyond that, it's at my discretion. We might have to sail to a number of islands. How long I'll wait at each island depends on the size of the island and the size of the port, as well as what you find out."

"I doubt very much whether this or another ship will be sent back. If you don't return with me, and I have no information about the lost ship, then the mission will be considered a failure."

"If a return to Zu happens after that, it is likely to be a fleet, especially with this report to them."

Ioelenna Winterspire
player, 13 posts
Nyssa Winter Warwytch
Adept/Warmage
Sat 30 May 2015
at 04:45
  • msg #74

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

In reply to Capt Milo Grant (msg # 73):

Seems like the right and proper military move.
Danyka Ydrasyl
player, 128 posts
Rynnish/Llaelese Human
Gun Mage/Morrow Initiate
Thu 4 Jun 2015
at 05:37
  • msg #75

Re: The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

"Thirty days..." Dany mused softly to herself as she looked out at the sprawling coastline revealed before her.  The tall Rynnish brunette took in a deep breath which caused her light frame to shudder slightly, before Danyka turned back to face the others.  "Of course, Captain." she noted off-hand, "I do remember you saying that.  It is not much time.  A month to learn all that we can..."

Another deep breath followed.  "All right, people." the Llaelese gun mage intoned, her tone taking on a touch more finality and authority, "Let's get saddled up and ready to move once we hit the shore.  We need to hit the ground running; so, let's be ready to start digging."  She wasn't sure what kind of legwork would be required or what type of diplomacy.  Dany didn't know a lot of things about the situation.  But, waiting off shore wasn't going to give them the answers either.

"Do we know the name of the natives or this port?" she prompted the Captain of the Resolute; he'd obviously been given slightly different orders than they had - since there was potential trade involved.  Given their martial focus, Danyka wasn't really sure what level of diplomacy they were supposed to engage in.  She preferred not to fight, but Fate had always seemed to have other plans in mind.
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