Marcus had retrieved the net just as Mithralan landed and sprayed him with water. Not that it mattered in the downpour. The paladin raised an eyebrow at the greeting "Maybe for fish." he retorted and prepared to lower the makeshift ladder for Sybilla. "And this should work better." The waves and the wind did not make the task easy, and Marcus struggled not to lose the grip on the drenched ropework.

15:39, Today: Marcus rolled 7 using 2d6+3.  Defy danger? Hold the net for the climb. Well, that's marginal.

Sibella just shook her head and sighed in defeat. She would have a few things to say to their new castaway addition once she got back to the ship. Something about him did seem familiar, strange as it was she swore she had seen that exact seabird before. She swam swiftly back to the boat, grabbed ahold of the netting Marcus was holding and made her way up. When she was nearly all the way up she shouted to Marcus in a cynical tone "See what happens when you do something for the greater good!"

promptly letting go of the rope and grabbing onto the netting Marcus was holding instead, Mithralan whistled a jaunty tune to himself, before stopping to listen closer as Sybilla neared the ship's railing.

"Hmm, I know that grouching... Is that you Sybs? HI SYBS!" He yelled happily, almost letting go of the net to wave when she got onto the ship, only barely remembering that holding on to the net would probably make it easier for her to actually get aboard without falling into the water again.
"Thanks for trying, friend! Is this your latest posting? it's a nice ship, though a bit of a downgrade from your last posting, ya? Who's your sister friend, by the way? Didn't know you had other druids. Might almost feel hurt if we weren't in a open friendship." He jabbered on.

He usually wasn't mmore of a talker than the next guy, but two weeks with no one to talk to except fish, whose favourite subjects where limited to other fish and the eating of such, he was in a surprisingly dire need of stimulating conversation.

As Marcus and Mithralan worked to help pull Sybilla up out of the sea, everything went pretty smoothly considering the situation. The only real complication was that by the time the net was drawn all the way back up, the ice shards on Marcus's arm were thoroughly tangled in with the netting. It would be a minute or two before the paladin would be able to untangle himself and get his hand free again.

Now that their rescue attempt looked to be complete, an old grumpy dwarven officer limped over to the crew. Nobody in the party had officially met him before, but it was quite obvious this was Officer Dorian Gravelborough, the greedy bookkeeper. "You people just insist on bringing in more mouths to feed, don't ya!" He eyed Mithralan up and down, judging him. He did not seem impressed. "Well, I'm not going to allow all y'all to cut into our bottom line any further. His rations are coming out of your group's allotment." He gave one last look of disapproval before adding, "Now get back to work. All of you. We don't pay you to stand and suck your thumbs." Of course, the party wasn't being paid at all.

Down below decks, Eryn investigated the mysterious figure she had seen. As she reached the end of the hall and turned the corner, she happened upon a person trying to climb atop a large crate and hide under a tarp. It was a small person, and only their feet were still showing, but Eryn still instantly knew who it was. Because you see, the feet belonged to a halfling that had needed to replace their shoes only a few hour earlier. And Eryn saw those new shoes, shortly before the halfling decided to disappear and wander off on their own without so much as a toodaloo.

Eryn had discovered Mouse.

For whatever reason, the halfling had decided to sneak aboard the ship on their own, separate from the rest of the party. And now Eryn had discovered them. Although Mouse hasn't realized it yet.

What do you do?

---

Eryn
You have discovered that Mouse the thief has snuck onto the ship as a stowaway. Mouse doesn't know that you have spotted them yet though. It is up to you if you reveal yourself or keep it your own personal secret.

Marcus
Your arm got pretty tangled up in the fishing line. If anything happens in the near future, it could be a hindrance to you.

Everyone
You have been told to get back to work on the bucket line. If you comply, you can feel free to talk among yourselves as you work, or skip ahead to after you are done with the bucket line and back in your quarters. Then, when you decide what you want to do, we can go from there. If you want to cover some distance before you try anything, we can do Perilous Journey rolls for part or all of the trip. If you want to do something right away, we can move on to that.

Sybilla shook her head when she saw who the damned shapeshifter was. "Lan? It's been a while. Eh, this job's not too bad. What it lacks in quality, I have reason to believe will be made up in adventure." She made sure the officer especially heard the quality comment. She was used to ship bookkeepers and their hardnosed attitudes and she couldn't help but poke a little fun att them. She took Lan aside and helped him get to work. She made sure to work in a place that provided them a little privacy so she could catch the druid up on what she knew of the plans in motion.

---

OOC: I'm leaning toward putting some Perilous Journey rolls behind us and looking for a better opening.

Eryn weighed the options in her head. Making Mouse aware of the fact that she had spotted him would ruin any potential surprise which she could make use of later. On the other hand, not informing him was likely to make him go through her bag at night. Or something. The warrior honestly wasn't certain of how thieves like him would operate.

"Mouse," she finally said, loud enough to be heard over the storm but hopefully not so loud anyone else would hear. "What are you doing on board, you rascal? I though you had decided to ditch us in Markhain."

She watched the halfling warily, in case he decided to run off again. What could he be doing in this place anyway? There wasn't anything useful on the ship, and the road ahead would only be dangerous, as far as the warrior could tell.

---

21:05, Today: Eryn rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Discern Realities (Mouse).
What is about to happen?

After (mostly) regaining control of her belly, Ilura retook her place in the bucket line, now extended by the newcomer.

"I'm not a druid I'm afraid.  I just recently gained the power of shifting forms.  I don't know many though, and less still of the creatures themselves."

I'm happy to make one of the rolls

Marcus started untangling the net from his arm as he watched Sybilla and Mithralan greet each other, smiling. "What does happen when you seek to help others?" the paladin almost teased "You find old friends? There are worse things to do than show you're ready to put the good of others before your safety."

Still struggling with the net, Marcus moved back down to continue the efforts to remove the water from the ship, although it might be a while before he could actually get the work done.

"Eh, what can you do? Sometimes you just end up sailing with people you don't mesh with. That's life. Like my last crew, the craven gits. They gave me right up fer their own safety when we got boarded by pirates and they decided that a druid would make for some fine extra booty." Mithralan grouched as he worked. "I mean sure I get it, it was the wiser thing to do in the situation.... Didn't have to be so quick to agree to hand me over, though."

He watched with interest as Ilura settled her stomach and raised an eyebrow at her explanation of her shifting power.
"Huh, didn't know non-druids could shift now. Guess you'll be just a step-sister then. I'll be darned... Though a few more people who can see things from the viewpoint of the beasts are ne'er a bad thing, I suppose. Might make more people appreciate nature."

He helped hoist buckets in silence for a moment, simply taking in the sound of people around him, before letting out a happy sigh.
"Tell the truth, though, I'm just so happy to have someone to talk to again. There's only so much ye can do to entertain yerself for a fortnight with naught but fish to talk to. Terrible at coming up with things to talk about, the are. Especially since I ain't on speakin' terms with the dolphins since they stole my shirt and said my antlers make me look fat." He gestured to his bare chest, a fair bit burnt from being out in the open sun for days on end. "I tell ye, refuse to play with the beak-nosed little bastards just once and they get downright vicious in their pranks."

As the others conversed among themselves, Eryn confronted the stowaway, Mouse.

After Eryn spoke Mouse's name, the halfling paused before slowly turning around. "Dang it, you found me," they said sheepishly as they lowered their self to the floor. "And I did decide to ditch you. But, well, I wanted to see the jotunir before the ship left harbor. When else would I get that chance?" The halfling shrugged, as if sneaking aboard a ship to see some giants was nothing out of the ordinary. Then, holding up the magical Skyhook Bow the thief had been gifted at the bazaar, they continued, "I was going to use this new magic bow of mine to shoot over to the lighthouse on our way past, but apparently it is a lot further away from the harbor exit than it looked like it was from the docks. Now I'm stuck on this ship until we get to its next stop..."

"You're not going to rat me out, are you?" The thief looked as if they were trying to decide if they should bolt or attack the one person who knew they were on board, but seemed reluctant to do either.

What do you do?

---

Eryn
What is about to happen?
Mouse is considering if they should run off or attack, but hasn't decided which yet.

Everyone Else
Carry on.

"Tell the crew? No, I don't see the point." Even as she said this, Eryn had positioned herself to block the doorway - the only exit she could see - in case the all too flippant stowaway made a run for it. Even so, Eryn took one glance at Mouse's uneasy stance and sighed. He was more tense that she had first thought.

"Relax, buddy," she said, "I promise I'm not going to say a word unless you give me a reason to, and even if you run there is nowhere to go; we're in the middle of the ocean. If you fight me, I can easily break you in half. Well, I guess it would be a quarter, given your height." The warrior waved her hand and averted her glance, unsure if the joke could be misconstrued as insensitive.

"In any case, you need to be more careful," she continued. "If someone as distracted as I was could spot you, I'm sure the regular crew would have been able to as well. Everyone on this ship has some business with the overlord - whether good or bad - and tension is rising. They'll be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary."

Eryn reached into her pocket and withdrew one of her paper-wrapped rations. She extended her hand towards the halfling and offered the little packet to him. "Here. The ship's supplies are already limited to the known number of people on board, so don't try grabbing any of the food for yourself. I bet Captain Frost would keelhaul you without a second thought if she caught a stowaway doing that."

A friendly smile crept across her lips. "Of course, since I'm so lenient as to not tattle on a known thief, perhaps you could do me a favor in return?"

---

Offering a Ration to Mouse in an effort to calm him down.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:57, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

Mouse visibly relaxed at Erin's words and reached out to take the ration. But their hand paused just before grabbing it. The thief's eyes squinted up at Eryn suspiciously. "What kind of favor?"

---

Eryn
Asking for a favor sounds like a Parley, with keeping Mouse's presence secret and the promise of food being your leverage. If that is your intent, go ahead and give me a roll. You could also try to hire Mouse as a hireling instead. (Because 4 isn't enough yet, right? ;-) )

"Since no one else knows you are here yet," Eryn said, in as low a voice as possible, given the circumstances, ", you are much freer to sneak around on this ship than I am. I need to know as much as possible about the jotnar, the captain, and the rest of the crew -- particularly the officers. We need to know what the giants will be used for, and we need to know who's allied with Captain Frost and who's not. Any plots against us... we would of course like to know about those as well."

"If you overhear something important, tell us at night after we've gone to our cabin." She indicated the room where they were staying. "Write on paper and stick it in that crack next to the door, if you prefer that. In return I don't tell anyone else about you - including the rest of the gang, if you so wish. What you do once we get to shore is your own business. I'll also share some food with you, if you need it."

"Sounds good?"

---

20:59, Today: Eryn rolled 12 using 2d6+2.  Parley w/Mouse (trade intel for my silence).

I will still offer one or more rations, and I'll give Mouse something to write with/on from my adventuring gear if he prefers to leave us messages that way.

Mouse looked up at Eryn hesitantly, then grabbed the rations. "I suppose I could do that for you. Just until we reach another port though." The halfling began climbing up under the tarp again. "Don't tell anyone I'm here who would rat me out, and I'll get you the information you need if I can." Now within the shadows, they added one last request. "And if you find any more spare snacks, those are appreciated as well. Saves me some extra risks. Just hide them in here and I'll take care of the rest."

The next morning, with the worst of the storm past, Ilura shifted form again and took to the air again with her avian friend.  Though flying came naturally in her new form, she wasn't nearly as adept as Thomas - and the crow delighted in pointing it out or demonstrating it repeatedly.  In truth, though, the ranger suspected that the bird enjoyed the company on his flights.

quote:

02, Today: Ilura rolled 12 using 2d6+5.  Scouting.

In the morning Sibella scanned the horizon and checked the coastlines for landmarks. Perhaps it was the storm or some other strange shifting of the land but it all didn't quite line up with what she remembered. She thought maybe if she could see under the waves maybe something would jog her memory. Putting her gear in a safe spot she tied a line around her and jumped into the water for a better view.

Eryn's negotiation with Mouse had gone well. It was a stroke of luck that the halfling had decided to sneak aboard, for Eryn doubted that any of them would have been able to search the ship in full without being detected. Someone who wasn't thought to be on board in the first place could move much more freely. She had given him a couple of rations to keep him fed for now, and planned to swap another packet of food for whatever message Mouse left her each night.

She had planned to ask the thief to repay what he stole from her in the past, but decided that his service in these matters would be valuable enough as repayment. Eryn hadn't mentioned this matter to him, but she didn't really expect to see Mouse again after making landfall either. He was likely to skitter away once he was no longer required to be near them.

***

During their travel, the warrior busied herself with assisting Silas and the others for the heavy lifting, and took up the job of keeping track of food and equipment. Luckily they were well off for the journey ahead, so the main concern was the conflict ahead rather than supplies.

The storm abated, but the unease Eryn felt while on board didn't pass with it. Her two - no, three - companions who were able to travel the sea by themselves seemed to be doing fine, particularly the newcomer. She had yet to speak to the elven druid and get to know him, but the man appeared to be in a good mood, so she decided now was as good a time as any. She looked after Ilura and Sybilla as they went their respective ways, both overboard, and approached Mithralan with some questions in mind.

"Are you going to jump after them," she asked with a smile, "or have you had enough of the sea for some time, perhaps? I know I certainly have. Saltwater disagrees with me after recent events. Can't imagine sailing anywhere unless I have to, really. Where were you going before being cast away, if you don't mind me asking?"

---

09:17, Today: Eryn rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Perilous Journey (Scout Quartermaster).

I've subtracted two rations that I've given to Mouse, since I assume he eats one during this travel and will need one for later.

Marcus spoke his prayers to Lusiny at dawn, while the silver disc was still visible in the brightening sky, thanking among other things for the safe first part of the journey. He remained on the deck, greeting his companions as they came up and staying out of the way of the sailors.

He watched Sybilla dive into the water again with a slightly curved eyebrow. As the tritoness swam the paladin noticed Eryn talking with the druid and he strolled over to join them.

“Oh, I could never get tired of the big blue. It’s been my home long enough to be in my blood by now. I Can understand a landlubbers distaste though, bein’ caught in a storm on yer first trip. Few people Can weather a storm like a druid, tho, and I’m quite used to it..” Mithralan retorted with a wide smile. He then glanced back at the rigging he stood at, clicking his tongue and shaking his head before loosening a into and retying it into a tighter one. “I’ll let the other do the divin’ fer now, tho. Gotta do a little work around here, earn my keep. Can’t be a layabout when I board the ship unannounced, or I’ll just get thrown off again.”

The chipper druid then stretched and scratched his antlers vigorously, before grabbing a deck brush and joining the sailors scrubbing the deck. All the while he never took his attention of Eryn, other than to give a friendly nod to Marcus as he neared. He clearly had lots of practice in working while focusing on something else, his movements practiced and easy.
“Can’t rightly remember the name of the port we were to stop in when I was on the Lioness. It were a tradin’ Vessel, so it had stops in almost every port of note up and Down several coasts. Not that it matters to me now. I’d say that givin’ Me up to pirates is a pretty big breach o’ contract, so I’m a free sailor at the moment.”
This message was last edited by the player at 13:50, Thu 31 Jan 2019.

It was a few days time before the ship finally made it to Cliffport and the storm had long since passed. With Sybilla's guidance and knowledge of undersea currents, they technically made it there more quickly than they normally would have, but one of the triton's suggested deviations from the pre-planned route led them straight into a reef that put a brand new breech in the hull. By the time it got repaired, they were actually slightly behind schedule, and Sybilla had felt the captain's icy scorn because of it.

Fortunately though, that was the extent of the ship's misfortunes during the trip. Ilura was able to give enough warning for any threats above the waves, and Eryn was able to make the ship's rations stretch between them at least as far as one might expect, even with the occasional scrap going to Mouse.

The thief stowaway made good on their promise of information too. Eryn received a couple notes from the halfling thus far. The first said that they sedate the jutunir twice a day, at sun up and sun down. It is a duty the captain has taken on personally after the events at Markhain. The second note was a warning that much of the crew doesn't seem to have a lot of respect for the "overcrowding adventurers." It seemed many thought they overstepped their authority since they weren't "real seafarers," and Mouse suggested taking steps to improve their opinions.

Up in the sky, Ilura had a great view of their surroundings. At this point Cliffport could just barely be seen behind them on the horizon. They had never stopped there and merely turned the ship seaward when it came into view. Now, out in the distance in the direction they were going, Ilura could spot a two other ships. One was broken and destined to sink soon. The other was damaged, and sailing away from the wreckage. It flew the black flags of piracy. With her high vantage point, Ilura could see them but knew her own ship could not yet be seen.

What do you do?

---

Everyone
The storm has ended. Everyone who was seasick is no longer seasick. At least, not to the extent where you have the Sick debility. Feel free to continue your conversations from before. Everyone should be at full health now too, except maybe Sybilla (see below).

Sybilla
Captain Frost punished you in some way for leading her ship into a reef. Choose one:
- Take 1d6 damage, ignoring armor. You have been flogged.
- Take -1 forward with any of the ship's crew. You have been publicly berated.
- Take -2 XP (a net total of -1 after failed roll). The captain has expressed disappointment in you, making you doubt your own abilities.

Eryn
Mouse has suggested trying to improve relations with the sailors. Apparently most only tolerate the adventurer's presence, but don't actually enjoy their presence. Also, Captain Frost personally sedates the living jotunir at sun up and sun down.

Ilura
You have spotted a recent pirate attack. They don't know of your ship's presence yet though.

Ilura wheeled in the air, trying to determine the best course. Not seeing an obvious answer, she decided to reach out to her Godess for guidance.  Our mission is urgent, and the captain will not slow easily.  Would you have me guide us around this threat or would it be better for our long-term success to intervene?

quote:

09:57, Today: Ilura rolled 12 using 2d6+3.  Cast guidance.

"I see," Eryn replied, grabbing a deck brush of her own. "Were your traveling companions druids as well, or were you the only one? Can't imagine your profession is all that common in a harbor town. They tend to be made mostly of cobblestone, after all."

---

Game Master:

flogged

I can say with certainty that if Eryn witnessed this, the mutiny will start immediately. No one hurts my companions with shit like this, captain or not.

Speaking of, how many crew members are on board, exactly? It will affect how I go about improving our reputation among them.

Though she kept seeing things that she though had changed since she had last come this way she kept her undeniable confidence strong. She did well enough  until she came to a certain fork in the current she swore that it hadn't been split before. She made the decision to go the way she felt was right... it was a decision she grew to regret. Things could have been worse, they ultimately fixed the damage but the captain blamed her purely for it and as time went on it made her quite bitter.

All in all Captain Frost made her life a living hell. Sybella was used to working under hard task-masters but this was beyond that. When two women with as much confidence as these two had continued to butt heads nearly every moment, it was a lit powderkeg waiting to explode. Eventually Sybilla made the mistake of making a snide remark and that was all it took.

The captain had her men grab her, strip off her top and tie her to the mast. The lashes that came after stung like a manowar's tentacles, the Captain clearly had done this before. Sibella struggled to not scream out with each hit as it tore through her blue skin.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 19:33, Thu 31 Jan 2019.

The whipping didn't last long before Eryn noticed the commotion, and the warrior was having none of it. She dropped the brush, strode across the deck with a dangerously determined gait, and grabbed for the whip when the sailor next raised his arm to strike.

---

If I can, I wish to lay him out flat, but we'll see if I need a roll.

As the storm passed and normal sailing resumed inspirations, likely divine, struck Marcus. First was a possible way to solve the infernal contract, but he wanted to run it past someone experienced in arcane arts. Like Hiran. Or like someone who dealt with dark magic and wanted to live forever. Fortunately, he remembered there is a way to contact such a group. Retreating to the cabin, he noted down a few lines in the twin diary.

To whom it may concern,

Are you aware of possible ways to break a Devil's bargain without forfeiting the soul?
Would a possibility of the signee being in a stasis bag during the breaking help?

Regards,
Marcus, servant of Lusiny

---

With the trouble in navigation and the repairs, Marcus didn't find time to check for an answer in a while. Then the lashing came. Marcus followed few steps behind Eryn, no more liking the cruel punishment than starting the mutiny before other actions were explored.

If it comes to rolling, Marcus will hinder Eryn.
11:40, Today: Marcus rolled 5 using 2d6+1.  Interfere with Eryn's attack.
Or not...