There was a sadistic satisfaction in seeing an opponent backing out of an argument due to sickness, but if Eryn was to retain any semblance of honor she knew she should not add any further insults. Kicking a dog while it was down would just be cruel.

"Hiran, if your evening plans have been canceled anyways, I guess we should tag along our devoted friends," she said, and started after the other three. "With any luck this will go quickly, so that we'll still be able to catch a bit of shut-eye before dawn breaks."

After all that had happened recently, it was best not to split the party again.

Hiran cowered in shame from the guard that approached him and with his head hung low nodded toward Eryn. As he did this he held his hands out wide allowing the pus to just drip on the ground away from his robes and belongings.

"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you Eryn, my crystals were caught on that woman's nightwear and I had to roll with the punches to retrieve them.  Then..." he trailed off searching for the right words to describe himself to his mentor. "Well carnal lust took over." Hiran breathed a heavy deep breath. "I am so very tired and weary from everything that has happened today."

Hiran shakes his head again a bit ashamed but also finding a bit of humor in all that has happened. "How are you holding up? I know you are still new to magic and what you saw back in the inn must have been a lot."

Having calmed down, the spearmaiden observed Hiran in silence for a few moments without showing any real emotions on her face.

"Don't worry about it," Eryn finally said, not entirely sure of how she felt herself. "I've already gathered that you carry a lot of weight on your shoulders. Giving in to such a mundane craving is not something I have any right to judge you for."

She stole a glance back at the inn and briefly wondered if it wouldn't be better for a place tainted by demons to be razed to the ground, just to be safe.

"I was going to mention my attitude towards foul magic, but after giving it some thought I'm not even certain that what I saw earlier was truly bad. The unexpected violence of the ritual shook me a bit, sure, but considering what was happening I'd say it was less gruesome than it could have been. I still wish to learn what you know, so that I may have a chance to stop such great magical threats myself." Eryn stayed quiet for a few moments before asking the question that was on the tip of her tongue. "What will you do with the demon you sealed in your book?"

Ilura moved up beside Marcus.  "So what happened with our well-dressed elven friend?"

Hiran smiled over at Eryn. "Thank you for being accepting of my many faults, the trust you all have given me is...unexpected but appreciated."

Hiran grimaced a bit watching Eryn's eyes drift back toward the inn.  He was certain something was eating at her but wasn't sure how to make the reality of this life any easier.

"What parts of the rituals scared you?  Summoning a god is a first for me and honestly was terrifying for...far more than the encounter with the demon.  If you are referring to the physical use of blood, well...blood and arcane power are both fluids that flow throughout practicioners of the arcane and they share a connected bond that can be used as a small resource of power if called upon.  I don't like taking risks when it comes to magic so I frequently require it's presence even if it goes unused"

Hiran clasped his hands together, started to ooze puss on himself then separated them again. He grabbed a loose cloth from his pack to clean himself then went back to contemplation his arms outstretched to avoid making the same mistake.  He nodded thoughtfully and looked up at Eryn. "Unfortunately Magic is a lot like rearing a child...it takes a lot of knowledge and information but no matter how hard you work at it there is an unknown element in what you get as a final result. For better or worse I am always handling the quirks of spell weaving as I go.  This is why I told you it is dangerous, that will never change especially if you wish to be trained by me...I am forever cursed."

Hiran's not sure if its from being run ragged or if he's never faced the truth but he starts to become a bit emotional, tears welling in his eyes. "I will bare that demon with me as long as I yet live just as I bare the souls of those I murdered so long ago...it is the curse which I bare and which powers my abilities."  He takes a large breath, sniffs his nose and wipes his water eyes on his sleeve.  "I am sorry, we should get going and catch up with the others."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:53, Thu 28 June 2018.

"All my training, all my life, has been focused on preventing the enemy from laying so much as a scratch on me. In a fight, even a single injury could spell the end. For that reason, self-harm seems very unnatural to me. Blood should stay inside your body. I understand that a wizard would have a different outlook, however, given how much more control they have over it."

Eryn rubbed her forehead while they walked, trying to distract herself from the nauseating sight of Hiran's spell-marked hands.

"There is a lot of dangers out there," she continued, "and  I'm not too keen on putting myself in danger needlessly... but magic has always seemed like such a powerful and versatile force that I can't help but yearn for the ability to cast it myself. Sure, there is blood and demons and misery, but there is also light, healing, extraordinary abilities and useful tools."

"Marcus and Ilura seem dedicated to such magic as well. Their reasons for learning seem different, however, given how devoted they are."

The warrior looked over at the emotional man with a sense of pity. It was hard to find the right words to comfort Hiran, for his life had been far longer and more arduous in ways she could not fathom. He was also a self-admitted murderer... a fact Eryn would just have to ignore. As far as she could tell the wizard was repentant about it, and no matter what she thought of his past crimes his help would still be desperately needed for future tasks.

With no words of wisdom coming to mind, Eryn walked on in silence besides her mentor.

As the heroic adventurers walked and talked, following Marcus's unwavering sense of direction toward someone or something that could remove Bolen's curse, the streets slowly changed from the dirt and mud of the slums back into the cobblestone paths more typical in this city.  Bolen walked nearby, but flitted from garbage pile to garbage pile rather than contribute to the conversation.  At one point he inhaled sharply and said, "What a find!"  Then quickly stuffed the chipped tankard he found into his raincoat pocket and rushed off to the next garbage pile.

The streets were dark and mostly deserted at this hour of the evening.  An occasional lamp post flickered with a dull flame in the darkness.  A brisk breeze blew by as the team descended a hill toward the harbor, bringing with it the scents of saltwater, horse dung, and the smell of smoke from peoples' fireplaces.  From this vantage point the great harbor of Markhain was in clear view.  The water glistened in the moonlight as far as the eye could see.

As everyone observed the maze of docks and piers in the harbor, it became obvious a fog was rolling in.  By the time the group made their way down the hill and through the empty market district, the water and land near shore were all enveloped in a light haze.

Marcus's senses continued to pull him toward the water out in the harbor, and soon everyone was walking out onto the weather-worn planks of a pier that housed at least a dozen ships.  A few dock workers were still milling about, and an occasional seagull or pelican could be seen roosting on one the barnacle-encrusted posts holding up the platform, but the area was otherwise quite deserted.

The further out on the pier the group got, the further to the right Marcus's senses told him to go.  Which meant they were zeroing in on the source!  It was surely coming from one of the ships docked nearby.  Just when Marcus's senses tell him that everyone should be able to turn to their right and see their destination, he turns and sees an empty docking bay.  Through the fog though, across the water, he can just see the lights of another ship parked at the next pier over.  And what's more, the sailors on board are yelling commands to each other even though it is late in the evening.  It is difficult to make out specific words, but it seems they are preparing to take off soon.  The group will have to hurry and backtrack if they hope to catch it before it leaves.

However, at the same time as the group sees the ship, a bit of fog parts and a figure can be seen floating down among the waves a little further up the dock.  It looks like a young half-drowned man draped over a broken piece of a wooden log, among a mass of tangled nets.  It is difficult to tell if he is even alive until he twitches a hand and a barely audible squeak drifts up to your ears.

Everyone, what do you do?

---

Everyone
The ship Marcus is guided to seems to be about to leave on the next pier over.  If you hurry you could probably reach it before it leaves.

There is also what appears to be a nearly drowned man floating in the water below. He is about ten feet down with no obvious ways to get to him. (Other than jumping in or climbing down one of the large posts supporting the pier.)  It seems he could sink under the waves at any moment.

Ilura dropped her pack and quickly pulled out the knotted remains of rope from their experience at the cavern.  It wasn't terribly long, but it was enough for this short distance.  She tossed the end to Eryn.  "Lower me down.  Marcus, you go to the other ship.  Eryn and I can deal with this"  She kicked off her boots and tied the other end around her waist before lowering herself over the edge.  While waiting for the figher to position herself with the roap, she scanned the area trying to figure out how best to help the man.  It felt unnatural to be able to see so well in the dark, but this was definitely a time to put Lusiny's gift to good work."</blue>

quote:

21:51, Today: Ilura rolled 12 using 2d6+4.  Discern realities w/ Thomas.

What should I be on the lookout for?
What here is useful or valuable to me?
What here is not what it appears to be?

While they walked and Bolen's attention was drawn to the many "treasures", Marcus gave as short an answer to Ilura's question as he could. He spoke of NECRO and it's headmaster, Doderic, and their mission. The paladin reiterated both the danger that lurked within the halfling, and the aid the organization had provided. "I still don't know what to think of it all, but they will certainly play an important part in our work." he paused, and glanced at the diverging moons in the sky "Let's pray it's a benign one."

As they started to criss-cross along the docks, Marcus felt a surge of elation. But then the dual trouble arose. Marcus was halfway to dropping his things and taking off his armor when Ilura insisted to help the drowning man. With a glance at his friend and a thankful nod, the paladin turned and started to double back towards the ship, mentioning for Bolen to follow him. "Can you get their attention?" he shouted back at Hiran, trying not to think of the mage's dripping fingers. Luckily, the closeness to his goal gave Marcus enough energy despite the lateness of the hour.

22:02, Today: Marcus rolled 10 using 2d6+1.  Defy danger (Con) - get to the ship.

"Good call," Eryn said, bracing herself against the pier while securing the end of the rope around her forearm. She felt the rope draw tight under the weight of Ilura's body and confirmed that it would be safe to continue. "Ready to go," she called out, "but keep in mind I'm not entirely sure I can pull you both up at the same time like this."

Ilura let go of the edge of the dock and allowed herself to be lowered.  "We'll worry about that once I've got him safe."

Hiran could do attention getting, what with his newfound capability.  Hiran now free of the pus fingers falls back mentally letting himself be taken by the angry spirits.  He then steels himself and draws out the energy of the trapped spirit, the anger and rage boiling out of him.  Tears roll down his face of blood, but they aren't tears for him but the tears of the trapped spirits.  The scream comes out and it is inhuman and violent but it does the job...


"Stop your vessel!" he screams the impact slamming into the side of the ship and echoing off from there.

OOC: I know this is a bit of an odd use of the ability but im targeting the ship since I don't want to hurt anyone but I want to get their attention.


23:38, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 13 using 2d6+1.  Metal Hurlant towards the Ship.

Ilura manages to lower herself down to the water's surface with Eryn's help without too much trouble.  With her keen eyesight, Ilura can see that the man is in poor condition.  She can also see that the man is not dressed like a sailor either.  There is a crest on his outfit that marks him as a guild member of a different profession.  What's more, the barrel he is draped over is labeled as containing a valuable material that is rather rare in this part of the world.

Ilura didn't have much time to contemplate it though.  As Thomas swooped in to survey the scene, a large fish lunged toward the surface and made a splash among the netting.  It wasn't even close to catching the crow and it didn't pull on the nets in any significant way, but there was certainly a danger that it might get snagged among the nets at any moment and cause significant problems.

Just then Hiran's voice rang out over the water in an unnatural wail.  A path of water between Hiran and the ship rippled violently.  When it reached it's target, the ship rocked to the side and rocked toward the pier it was being unmoored from.  Several ropes we're flung loose and a few sailors were knocked off their feet.  When they got back up the ship seemed to be preparing for an attack from an unknown source.  Several archers took up position along the sides of the ship and started searching for enemies.  Elsewhere in the harbor other ships were lighting lanterns and trying to figure out what the commotion was.

As Marcus neared the ship, he could see these preparations being made.  They seemed to be mostly focused toward the other side of the ship, facing Hiran and the others, but there are a couple on his side as well.  From Marcus's nearer location he could tell that they were having a difficult time relaying orders.  People keep shouting "What" as if their hearing has been affected.  Marcus managed to reach the ship quickly despite feeling the urge to stop and catch his breath a few times.  Bolen was not quite as in shape though, and was still struggling to catch up with the paladin.

What do you do?

Ilura (and Eryn)
What should I be on the lookout for?
There is a large fish among the nets that could cause problems if startled.  And Hiran just startled it with his shout.  Please roll something for keeping it from causing problems (if that is what you want to do).

What here is useful or valuable to me?
The barrel the man is floating on is full of a valuable liquid or material.  You and Eryn can decide what it is.

What here is not what it appears to be?
There is a crest on the man's clothes that mark him as a member of a guild.  Not a sailor as one might expect.  What guild does he belong to?  You and Eryn can decide.

Hiran proceeds to follow marcus at a leisurely jog keeping his eyes wary of the defenses currently on board.

Ilura didn't recognize the patch on the man's uniform.  She wasn't familiar with the local guilds, not being much of a towns-person.  The contents of the barrel was pretty clear though.  Wine from the Sunset Isles was well renowned for its flavor.  A barrel this size would be worth a pretty penny - if it hadn't been contaminated with seawater.

Ilura's hands were rather occupied and her blade and bow were on the dock above, which left her with few options for dealing with the fish.  Stalkerfish could be quite delicious, but their teeth were nasty.  And they weren't something she wanted to have to worry about when trying to rescue the drowning man.  In the shadow of the dock, she was near invisible approaching the water.  As she drew close to the surface, she drew back her foot.  At her nod, Thomas flapped loudly near the water, distracting the fish and giving her a clear shot to slam her heel into the creature's head as it popped out of the netting again.  Her boot made a solid thud as it struck the creature.

Her feet danced across the floating wreckage, positioning herself behind the man to avoid his arms if he decided to panic and also avoiding entangling herself in the net.  She waited for Eryn to release enough of the rope that she'd be able to tie it around the man's torso.

quote:

13:40, Today: Ilura rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  Called shot on fish.
13:41, Today: Ilura rolled 10 using 1d8+2.

That fish is gonna taste a whole lot better than that stupid lizard...

quote:

13:48, Today: Ilura rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  Defy danger - dex (avoid being snagged by net or man).

The sudden howl escaping Hiran's lips startled Eryn, and when she stole a glance over her shoulder at the commotion she couldn't help but wonder what the hell they were doing.

Turning back to focus on the task at hand, the warrior fed Ilura enough rope to wrap it around the helpless man. As she did so, she caught a glimpse of his clothes and had to stifle a laugh.

"He's from the Order of The Ambitious!" she called down to the ranger. "No wonder! They're the only people around who would be stupid enough to ride a barrel out to sea! Or arrogant enough to think they'd be able to pull it off safely, at least..." Having nothing better to do while waiting for Ilura to fasten the rope, Eryn mused some more over the odd situation. "The Ambitious are kinda famous in the taverns around here, since they're all real keen on showing off. I bet this guy thought he'd look cool to his peers if he could carry an entire barrel of wine, but wasn't strong enough to avoid toppling off the docks."

Getting the go-ahead from Ilura, Eryn pulled on the rope and began hauling the man up to safety. He wasn't all that heavy, but wet clothes added a lot of extra weight. "On the other hand..." she continued, in between pulls, "maybe he got a bit drunk... and thought it was a majestic sailboat? The Order's nothing if not pompous."

The warrior eyed the barrel and realized how heavy that might be to get out of the water and up on the docks without assistance. With any luck, however, that expensive wine would be their payment for rescuing the poor sod from a watery grave.



14:37, Today: Eryn rolled 9 using 2d6.  Spout Lore: Order of The Ambitious.
14:38, Today: Eryn rolled 12 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger (Strength): Pull the man out of the water.

Marcus had started to call out to the sailors but he realized that it probably wouldn't do much good and stopped himself. Glancing back to check on Bolen, he caught sight of Hiran and wondered how long would the crew of the ship be affected. It wasn't quite what he had in mind.

Instead, he started waving his hands above his head, palms towards the ship, as he continued to approach the ship, waiting to catch someone's eye. He made a point of not having either his sword or shield ready.

20:27, Today: Marcus rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Defy danger (Cha) - attract attention, not arrows.

Ilura was able to expertly knock out the fish with the heel of her boot and it flopped unconsciously into the waves next to the desperate man.  Using the pier’s support post and the floating barrel to support her, Ilura was able to wrap her rope around the half-drowned man, even using some of the surrounding netting to support him.  When Eryn hoisted him up, the fish was pulled up as well and both the man and the fish flopped onto the deck of the pier at Eryn’s feet.  The man coughed up a bunch of water before collapsing, but he was alive.  Ilura was left down below, teetering atop a floating barrel of expensive wine.  She could tell it would take at least two people to hoist it up to the pier.

Over on the other pier, Marcus tried to flag down the crew of the ship without drawing their fire.  At first nobody seemed to take notice since their focus was mostly on the area across the foggy water, where Hiran’s yell had come from.  But eventually an archer took notice.  ”Hey!  Hey you down there!  Did you see what happened?  Wait, hold on.  We can’t hear very well right now.  I’ll see if we can bring you aboard.  Hey captain!  I think I found someone who might know what happened!”  A few crew members began lowering a gangplank for Marcus to use to climb aboard the ship.

Hiran, since you and Bolen are further away from the ship than Marcus, you can see more of what is going on up on deck.  You can see a thin woman with impeccable posture leading a group of sailors over toward where they are lowering a gangplank for Marcus.  She is undoubtably the captain.  But in the moonlight you can see that the moon reflects off of her a bit differently than the rest of the crew.  Almost like some of its rays refract right through her skin.  It is odd to say the least.  And the fog seems to almost cling to her at times.

What do you do?

---

Eryn
You know that members on the Order of the Ambitious tend to be a few steps away from being anchored in reality.  Which is one of the reasons their members usually come in two forms.  Those who become really influential and famous through innovative means, or those who burn themselves out by trying to be exactly that.  This is a trait that even shows up in the guild’s crest.  A man holding up a mountain.  Their members either move mountains, or get crushed trying.

Hiran
You can see that the captain of the ship does not seem quite normal.  There is something a bit off about her.

Ilura
You got the man up, but you and the wine are still by the water.  You can get back up easily enough if you go alone, but if you want the wine, let me know what you want to do to retrieve it.  (Also, keep in mind that Called Shot is for ranged attacks.  I decided to allow it in this instance though, because I liked the visual of Ilura kicking a fish unconscious ;-)  )

Marcus
The ship is lowering a gangplank for you to board the ship so you can tell them what happened.  Your sense of direction is telling you that the cure is getting close, and moving about the ship.

Ilura grabbed hold of one of the pier supports and shouted up to the fighter.

"Stick a knife in that fish before it wakes up.  Then toss me the net and end of the rope again.  The barrel down here might go well with dinner - or pay for a week or two's worth."

Ah, yes.  Sorry about that.

"You got it."

Eryn worked as quickly as she could, and laid the man on his side to prevent him from drowning on any seawater left in his throat. While pushing him off the net he was lying on top of the warrior took a few seconds to grab the still fish with both hands and crack its neck. Fish and wine sounded very appealing after so much rescuing being done in just two days, after all.

She hoisted the wet, heavy, and unwieldy net with both hands and threw it off the docks, trying to place it on top of the barrel below without getting Ilura caught in it.

"The guy seems to be fine," she informed the ranger. "Good work down there."

Glad to be noticed and welcomed, Marcus took another glance back but decided to move forward and explain the situation as fast as possible, and hopefully have enough time for all of them to rest.

Walking up the plank, Marcus glanced over the ship, but between the darkness and tiredness catching up with him, nothing caught his attention. Not wishing to shout his intentions he decided to climb on board first and then to explain the situation. What he did keep track of was the pull of his quest.

19:34, Today: Marcus rolled 6 using 2d6.  Discern realities.
What could possibly go wrong...

Marcus, what is one of the Discern Realities questions you were hoping to get the answer to?

What should I be on the lookout for?

Hiran paused staring up at the woman thinking back to his past studies and adventures.  This type of being looked familiar, definitely not human but what was she.



OOC: 11:37, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 11 using 2d6+3.  Spout Lore creatures like strange captain.

Eryn and Ilura

As Eryn lowered the rope and netting back down to the Ilura in the water, sailors from the nearby ships were starting to get more and more active aboard their ships.  It was obvious they were trying to identify the source of the noise Hiran had caused.  A small group of dock workers began patroling the pier and quickly spotted Eryn and the unconscious man.  "What is going on here!" a burly older woman asked as she approached, three other dockworkers close on her heels.  She wore a long grey coat, worn thin, and had a head full of curly red locks topped with a bandanna bearing the dock's logo.  "Do you need help, or are you causing mischief?"  She didn't seem too alarmed, but did keep one hand near the club hanging near her waist, just in case.

---

Hiran and Marcus

Hiran was right when he recognized the ship's captain as not being human.  At least not completely human.  Even from this distance he could see the elemental qualities showing through in her bloodline.  Judging by the crystal-like refractions and the way the cold night air vapors fogged up around her, she was probably part ice elemental.  Which meant she probably had potent arctic powers flowing through her veins.  Hiran was unable to relay this to Marcus before the paladin began to board the ship however, since the wizard and Bolen still had a bit of distance to cross before they caught up completely.

When the ship's gangplank was finally ready and Marcus began to ascend it to the vessel, the ship's captain began descending it at the same time to meet him halfway.  She was a thin woman, pale as could be.  She had long straight platinum blonde hair and skin that seemed to almost sparkle in the moonlight.  Her petite frame did not make her look weak, however.  Quite the opposite.  She was built like a viper, ready to strike at any threat without pause.  Her outfit was formal dark blue merchant's garb and a large captain's hat.  On her should sat what appeared to be a miniature albino peacock, calmly preening its feathers.  What Marcus noticed about the captain most of all though was that his senses told him the captain was the source of Bolen's cure.

"What news do you bring of the threat to our ship?" She asked without pause.  Her voice carried a sense of urgency, and was a bit louder than necessary, probably due to the ship's crew being hard of hearing from the sonic blast.

However, before Marcus could answer, a glint of motion caught his attention.  Through one of the ship's portholes he could see something large moving within the ship.  The sound of rattling chains being dragged across the floor reached his ears, but the ship crew didn't seem to hear it.  A huge muscular hand tried to reach an arm through the porthole, but it's large scar-marked muscles weren't even close to fitting.  It withdrew its hand and peeked one eye out of the porthole, then continued on its way through the ship, dragging its noisy chains with it.

What do you do?

---

Eryn and Ilura
A group of dock workers are approaching to see what is going on.  They have not noticed Ilura yet.

Hiran
The captain appears to be a human-elemental half breed.  Half ice elemental by the looks of it.  She likely has supernatural abilities related to ice. [Edit: Also, feel free to have yourself and Bolen catch up to Marcus whenever you feel it fits best.]

Marcus
Your senses point toward the captain as being the source of Bolen's cure.  Also, something dangerous seems to be moving within the ship that the ship's crew seems to have not yet noticed.

Don't forget to add your XP!
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:32, Sun 15 July 2018.