"Why so interested in these ruins? Why take people for that reason? What does the trinkets have to do with them? Murleena doesn't understand, but wants to know why." She said as she yanked on Allister's rope a bit to get his attention. "Explain." The last word coming out in a tone with a bit more force then one may want to hear from a shadow cat with very sharp claws who is clearly getting very tired of the lack of details.

Tylluan looks at the captain. "If the rest of those priests are thinking they have a way off this island, they are quite mistaken. I saw lights while I was soaring above and followed them to the beach where this priest was. According to him, the rest of the priests have taken their ship and are sailing back to where they came from." He shrugs his wings. "Whether they'll return I don't know, but it may be that they're cutting their losses on this trip. All that remains is to find the rest that are left and bring them in. It may be they'll surrender once they find out there is no other way off this island except to deal with the village."

Rosa was going to rush off and check on her ship, but she changes her mind after hearing that the priest's ship is sailing away. She sticks with the group since they're heading back to town anyway, though she does encourage them to walk a bit faster.

She perks up her pointy ears when Murleena asks about the ruins. Most interesting. She adds some basic questions: "Yes. Who built them, and how long ago?"

Allister snorts at the question. "The relics?  It's part of our holy purpose... and Bishop Allifet is in charge of THIS particular excursion.  Even"  There was an uncomfortable shuffling from the other priest, who nods towards Rosa and whispers.  "Uh, the 'Light's' Bishops are higher than any of the Deacons..."  ...not as though Rosa would know!

The priest Tylluan brought bobs their head at the tyt's words.  "There's more with Allifet.  Most of the people here... aren't combatants.  Allister's part of the army.  Er, Damasto's."  Brown eyes peek up at the owl-man again, but mostly their eyes are on Allister.  The lynx-foot growls lowly, squirming harder in his restraints... but Murleena is able to keep him still with her claws.  Moft even was tense, holding up a metal rod with a bumpy end towards Allister's knee menacingly.

And nets are promptly thrown over the entire lot.  Murleena, Allister, Moft are covered in them, standing as they are.  Even Allister blinks.  Moft takes a moment before he starts chuckling.

A clanking sound arrives as townsfolk start catching up with chains and manacles.

Murleena can hear him mutter "traitor..." Under his breath as manacles are affixed securely.  Even then, the priest's eyes don't move away.

The other priest shakes off whatever was keeping them tense as Allister is lead off... and looks up at Rosa finally.  Brown eyes peek at her face from under the cowl.  "Oh... the ruins at Faq'u?  I'm not sure.  There's a lot of ruins throughout the Aifla and Belka - most date to early settlement drives from Tronsket or Piquo, but there are further ruins under the water that are even older..."  ...almost like they were reading back a memory from a history class.

Rosa does remember some market goods from divers and treasure hunters before - Rosa always had better luck selling and buying staple goods when it came to money, but a number of 'try your luck' adventurers tried to find old ruins and old treasures along the shoreline... and under it.

"For Army person, Murleena does not think Alister is to tough." She said matter of factly.

"Murleena does not understand why a bunch of priests want these ruins, or any ruins. Normally people go to ruins with a purpose. Adventurers go for treasure, archeologists go for history, then you have those that go because they heard something in them can do something bad. There is always some reason to go to them. Murleena is thinking you guys fall into that last group, because you kidnap, and have all these weird things." She says looking towards Allister, and the other Priest.

Rosa is puzzled. She nods at what Murleena says, then adds, "Relics as a holy purpose? How does that work? Are the relics actually divine?"

She ignores the comment about church hierarchy, but she's interested to find out that Allister is part of the army. But what army? "Damasto's … army? What do you mean by that?"

She's interested in what the priest says about the ruins. She's certainly going to have to ask him more about that later, but at the moment she's still concerned about the other priests still loose on the island. She asks him, "What do you think Bishop Allifet is going to do when he finds out his ship has left and his cat has been caught? What type of man is he? Arrogant and bossy, or kind and caring?"

In reply to Rosanhi the Red (msg # 79):

Light cuts and distributes the bread to whoever wants some, leaving some for himself and his fellow crew and passengers for last (as they seem occupied with the Lynx Man and a new face he likely doesn't recognize without the High Light outfit (if he even wears one).

He keeps watch/lends a hand with arranging means to keep the Boiler (-Spectre) from recovering, even if it means burying the thing and keeping any (rain) water from getting in.

As handy as it might be to discover a way to control or befriend the steam golem like thing, he errs on the side of public safety til they figure something else out.

Tylluan watches things unfold, with the cat priest being securely manacled and taken away on the one hand, and the ship's cook standing near the mechanical crab... thing. Is he... serving food? Where in the world did he get that? Also, is this really the time for that sort of thing? His stomach growls as he watches. Perhaps some food would be advisable. My people become hungry faster when we're active and I have certainly been active tonight. Tylluan sighs. That feast seems like only a memory now. And I was SO enjoying myself.

Tylluan swivels his head around to make sure nothing drastic is impending. He clears his throat as he addresses the captain. "Since things seem to be under control for the moment, I am going to find something to eat and drink. All of this strenuous activity has made me quite hungry."

"Of course, of course!" Rosa says to Tylluan.  "I'm hungry too. There must be some leftovers from the feast. Go grab something to eat and have a rest, then perhaps you could have another scout around? There are still some priests out there... though I doubt they will try anything else tonight. You might as well just rest. I think in the morning we need to send out some foot parties and round up the stragglers. Does that sound good to you, Moft?"

Murleena's words certainly cut into Allister, who looks more sulky and simmery by the minute.  The other priest though just bobs their head a bit, and then looks to Rosa.  "It's more the opposite.  ...'They' think of anything like them as dangerous.  Too dangerous to be left in anyone 'else's' hands."  There was no taking that tone as anything but disapproval.

"...Our mission was 'supposed' to be to build Lighthou- er, libraries, and 'churches'.  And vaults, of a sort."  The priest folds their arms and shuffles slightly.  "...They... are supposed to do whatever they can to recover 'dangerous' relics though.  And information.  For the 'libraries'... or so it is said."

As Rosa continues to ask questions, Light works on making the bread.  Both the outside and inside of the boiler looks clean - not corroded the way an old boiler would.  Then again, this thing did smack of the unusual - in more than one way.  It was specifically the interior - the core water chamber and the chamber where fuel/fire burns looks like some sort of circular orb inside the rest of the boiler structure.  The fuel and water feed into it from a secondary compartment that filled up with flour... and exhausted what water there was inside.

As Murleena, Moft, and several Faq'u villagers pull Allister away (presumably heading for whatever holding cell they have for him), a few more villagers stay nearby with chains and manacles for the other priest.

Meanwhile, Rosa's questions haven't stopped.  The priest she was talking to is focusing on describing Allifet at the moment...  "Aloof.  He's... arrogant, but patient.  He's not like Allister... but he's a, er, fanatic.  He was fine with kidnapping a couple of people out of the town.  Less so with how many Allister grabbed off the docks, but... he's relentless.  But obsessed right now with that ruin... and he's not well armed.  I think."

When the talkative priest explains why they are hunting for relics, Rosa chuckles and says, "Ahh, too dangerous for others but not for themselves. I get it." She turns to Allister and says, "Well Allister, I'm sure you can appreciate the irony of us locking you up because we deem you to be too dangerous. Why don't you dwell on that while awaiting your fate."

Rosa listens as the priest describes She notices the Allifet, then she notices the villages hanging around with chains in their hands and wondering what to do. She's not going to tell the villagers what to do with their prisoners, but she might nudge them a little... "Moft, I don't think this priest... um, what's your name? I don't think he is any threat. He wasn't involved in the attack and he has been most cooperative. I don't think he needs to be chained up in a cell ... but it's up to you. What is your justice system around here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:02, Sat 13 May 2023.

Tylluan turns and struts away, heading back toward the festival area. I wonder. Are all adventures like this? When I envisioned my parting from my dreary homeland, and subsequent experiences, there were no storms, incompetent captains, annoying priests, or bodily injury involved. I was anticipating pleasant voyages, fine food and drink in various ports of call. Perhaps a bit of sightseeing, to give me inspiration to write in my journals. This current captain seems competent, even brave, but she also seems to enjoy sticking her nose into troubles that don't concern her. We should have left port and put this uninspiring bit of land behind us.

In the festival area, Tylluan will strut among the tables, pausing to sample different foods by the simple expediency of flipping them up with his beak and bolting them down. I must admit, the food is tasty. A difficult feat, considering my people have only begun to embrace the concept of 'flavor' in the last century or so.

If there are any townsfolk still present in the area he will call out to them. "You there. I seem to have misplaced my drinking vessel. Be so good as to pour a flagon or two of wine into my mouth."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Sat 13 May 2023.

"Why would Alister take so many of Mofty's friends?" Murleena asked Alistar as she walked along with them. "Priest's, churches, stuff like that are always supposed to be good. Church always gave Murleena food while she was a little kit living on the streets."

Tylluan goes off in search of food and drink.  While he stews on his experiences, of course.  His idea of adventure... and the reality of it?  Very different from reality.

That is troubling to be sure.  How is this journey of his going to go, if this is the sort of thing that happens along the way?

...Still, the food was good.  Someone looks up at his request, wandering over to share his drink.  Another pauses as they gather up food.  "Hey... you are injured?"  People start looking over, and the weathered man talking to Tylluan lets out a whistle.  "Where's the doc?  He got any salves?"

Well, at least they noticed his effort!

-----

"Bel... Bel Miron."  The priest says, brown eyes peeking out from their hood.  They look, and sound, fairly young.

Allister doesn't spare Rosa a glance... he is sulking, for sure.

And well-chained.  Between Moft, the chains, and Murleena, they were making sure he was being marched off well-restrained and escorted.

The rest of the villagers look among each other, and then one speaks up.  "If you wear the chains, you're free to move around for now.  With escort, sorry.  And sorry, but we'll have to check you for weapons."  Bel just nods, a grateful look being cast towards Rosa?  That must have been the expression, but it was hard to tell.

"For justice... it's lockup.  Until we get in touch with Doghelm.  But otherwise our town's leadership will figure it out."  It looks like two of the villagers are staying around with the priest, while the rest are moving to back up Moft and Murleena...

--

Allister doesn't say anything to Murleena's question at first.  Moft grumbles quietly.  Finally, the lynx looks down at Murleena and scoffs a bit.  "Our purpose is an important one.  Most of the villagers were... accidents, and necessary to keep things quiet while we got the ship off the dock."  Moft growls a little but says nothing as Allister mutters.  "We only wanted the old shop owner... and the diver.  We ended up with... inappropriate captures."  Inappropriate was a word.  As was a completely bungled kidnapping.

"Anyway, week or so later, after the Recovery... we'd have left them on the far end of the island.  With some rations."  He adds hastily as Moft idly taps his hammer against the leg of his own armor.

...It didn't seem like Allister had anything more to say after that, and it wasn't long before they were led to a heavy, stone looking building... half sunk into the ground, it looked sturdy at least.  Practically a storehouse or cellar.  Or perhaps it had been.

--

It left Rosa with a last detail or two.  It seemed as though Allifet was up a creek, if what Bel Miron said was true.  On a shore with minimal support and supplies.

But of course, anything like that could be left for later...

[OOC]Any other actions before I kick things to the next day?[/OOC]

Rosa stops lecturing and gloating over Allister; she's had her fun there and she leaves him to his fate. She takes another look at Bel Miron, bending down a little so she can see the priest's face under their hood. She's wondering if the priest is actually a priestess. "I'll check for weapons," she says, "Though I doubt this priest has any."

Rosa hs no other plans for the rest of the night, besides eating, drinking and relaxing, and if the priest turns out to be interesting, talking to them.

In reply to Rosanhi the Red (msg # 88):

After finally finishing up with cooking, serving, cleaning used dishes and cutlery, burying/securing the Boiler and checking on defenses, Light catches up with the Captain to see what has been going on while he's been feeding the folks.

'So what've I missed? Anything important?' he says, as he looks about.

Upon finally seeing that Ty brought back a new face, he looks to the Captain to see if he can read what her intent is.

Tylluan's mood begins to lighten once he has food and drink in front of him again. After downing a bottle of wine he sighs. "Good food and drink are truly one of life's greatest pleasures. I think the world would be a happier place if people didn't settle for mere sustenance and survival."

At the villager's question he raises his injured wing, letting out a pained sound as he does. "Ah, yes. That... that explosion, whatever it was, damaged my wing. It's not life-threatening by any means but quite uncomfortable, not to mention marring the perfection of my feathers."

Light Vessel has been around the captain for awhile now and he has learnt something about her tastes. She doesn't go for the big burly type of guys; rather she likes the handsome, young, scholarly type of person that she can take under wing and, um, tutor for a little while. The student can be male or female; in this day and age it doesn't matter.

"Alistar stupid. Priests stupid. You could have likely just asked them for help, offered them some compensation, and they would have likely been more then happy to help you without question. Many people would be more than happy to help without question in return for things they need." Murleena chastised the Lynx. "Murleena thinks priests overstepped. Now they made Shadowcat upset, made her curious. Gonna stop you at every turn we can."

Rosa was peeking at Miron's face.  Their head tilts back uncomfortably, shuffling a bit.  Rosa... isn't sure.  It's hard to say?  Brown eyes and short brown hair.  Their build isn't entirely slim, just lean.

Hm.

...Further investigation required?

The priest glances up at Light's question, then figits.  Their gaze moves to Rosa again, as if letting her respond to the question.

----

Tylluan gets a bemused look at the phrase 'perfection of my feathers', but the villager doesn't comment.  Tylluan vaguely recognized them from before... but he wasn't sure?  "Well, we'll get you patched up for sure."

There was a bit of a tizzy while the people tended to him - a middle-aged man with a ring of graying hair and a large bald spot was checking his injury.  There wasn't anything they could do other than splint and bandage the base of some of the feathers, but the rest of the work will be time.  And grooming.

And the salve, which apparently helped with healing... and prevented infection.

-------

Meanwhile, as he's loaded into a cellar, Murleena takes the opportunity to chew him out more.  The lynx growls at Murleena.  Then his brow furrows... and he snorts.  "Stop?  Hah."  He turns away in his cell, fumbling at his manacles.  Back to Murleena, he had little interest.

Moft pulls at Murleena, getting her further away.  "We'll keep guards posted.  And then some.  He didn't show any magic of his own... but we can't be too careful.  'Til the ships from Doghelm arrive, we'll have to leave him in there."  He hesitates, then adds. "Thanks for your help.  With everything."

Rosa is distracted by the priest and doesn't answer Light's question straight away. "Hrm? Not relly. Tylluan caught this one, but they seem to be harmless. The head priest, Allifet, is camped out at the far end of the island thinking that the other priests will pick him up when they are done conquering here and stealing my ship, while Allister has been taken away in chains and has been locked up and he'll probably be taken to Doghelm sometime in the future. But not by us! I figure we'll go round up Allifet in the morning. How's the metal beastie? Is it all baked to death?"

She turns back to the priest. "Bel? Is that some sort of title. I wonder if 'Alli' is  title too? You have Allister, Allfet...? Anyway, I have to search you for weapons. Shoudl we do this in private?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:42, Thu 01 June 2023.

Tylluan watches patiently as his wing is tended to, only adding a comment here and there to correct the healers. "No, no. Those feathers don't lie that way. Observe." He uses his beak to gently move the offending feathers to their proper position. Well, what can I expect? They don't have feathers of their own, so they have no idea of the proper care and grooming required. Still, they have eased the pain somewhat, and the wound is clean. Having hands certainly comes in handy.

Once the healers have done their work, Tylluan inspects the results and bobs his head. "Adequately done. You have my thanks." He struts over to a table to pick up another large fish in his beak and, with a practiced flip, swallows it whole. "Now, if you will excuse me I think I will return to the ship so I may rest. It has been a trying evening."

With that, he struts his way down to the docks. If he happens to pass the captain or any of the others along the way, he'll inform them of his intentions.

In reply to Tylluan (msg # 95):
TUTOR??? YOU MEAN SE-! *smashed in face by halibut fired by Atlas Blue GM*

Light looks at the Captain.

Light looks at Bel Miron.

Light narrows his real eye, while keeping his expression neutral.

You can almost hear a small 'ding!' noise when something occurs to the Hammerhead Islander as his real eye widens and then narrows quickly once again.

In his mind he imagines the Captain sort of in a low crouch side on waving her hands at Light while saying 'Shoo! Shoo! Bad Battle Chef!'

He's pretty positive that her lack of reply to his request for more information is one of the Captain's signals to make himself scarce and catch up later.

Yet manners requires him to at least introduce himself before he parts.
'Light Vessel, Galley Cook and Battle Chef of the Darkmaiden's Dance. I'll be in the galley if you need me, Captain.' he says as he pats himself on the left pectoral with his right hand lightly.

He wasn't sure whether he was supposed to look intimidating or protective or friendly, though he preferred the latter with people he hadn't met before. Plus if whoever that person was tried anything funny, he was sure that the Captain would make them regret it without anyone else's help.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:47, Sun 04 June 2023.

In reply to Rosanhi the Red (msg # 94):

'The flour and water clog up plan seems to have worked. I've mentioned that we should try and confine it more permanently to the locals, but somewhere water can't accidentally (or deliberately) get inside its tank.'

Or had he? He intended to...

He starts off to track down Moft and see if the dogman can enlist some able bodies to aid in keeping the Boiler on lockdown in case some more of Alliwhoever turn up to free it from captivity.

He still pondered what it was, possible because he may not have been privy to it being named Boiler Specter or whatever at the time.

Murleena smiled to Moft. "Mofty and the people here helped Murleena, put her up while she was needing a place. It was Murleena's pleasure to return the favor. Plus Mofty hired Murleena. Even though she gave most of the money to those kidnapped."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Sun 11 June 2023.