While he was not unaware that such arcane Name-Givers as Nethermancers existed, it nonetheless drew a shiver down his spine as T’veyn saw another flickering shadow of darkness pass across his vision and strike one of the sand creatures.

Finding the spirit of the jaguar, he took to trying to force the giant lobster in front of him to flee. He struck fiercely, though not nearly as cleanly as before. Now his breath came in rasps. Darkly, he hoped these creatures weren’t too robust, and darker still, why no other fool here had bothered to help….

OOC: 17:38, Today: T'veyn Streamtrail rolled 12, with a step number of 16 on the Earthdawn (3rd ed) system.  Claw shape Damage vs lobster.
17:37, Today: T'veyn Streamtrail rolled 15, with a step number of 13 on the Earthdawn (3rd ed) system.  Unarmed Combat aggressive vs lobster.
17:34, Today: T'veyn Streamtrail rolled 6, with a step number of 7 on the Earthdawn (3rd ed) system.  Initiative .

Typical for a stupid creature like a lobster to press its attack on its prey while it was being sliced apart. J'Rass would show it no mercy, pushing his body through the magic of his Discipline and jumping into position to land the perfect strike between its segmented armor!

"Let her go foul beast! You have greater concerns!"

---

OOC:
Initiative: 5
Simple action - Maneuver: 13 (2 successes)
Standard action: Aggressive attack Melee Weapons (+4 maneuver, +3 aggressive): 23 (+3 successes)
Damage (+3 aggressive, +6 successes): 20

Modifiers on J'Rass:
-3 PD, MD (aggressive)
+6 PD against attacked lobster
2 strain (maneuver, aggressive)

Current damage: 5

23:25, Today: J'Rass M'ron rolled 16, with a step number of 20 on the Earthdawn (3rd ed) system.  Damage (+3 aggressive, +6 attack successes(3)).
23:24, Today: J'Rass M'ron rolled 23, with a step number of 18 on the Earthdawn (3rd ed) system.  Melee Weapons (+4 maneuver,  +3 aggressive).
23:20, Today: J'Rass M'ron rolled 13, with a step number of 9 on the Earthdawn (3rd ed) system.  Maneuver.
23:20, Today: J'Rass M'ron rolled 5, with a step number of 7 on the Earthdawn (3rd ed) system.  Initative.

In reply to J'Rass M'ron (msg # 13):

The sand lobster you're picking apart T'veyn shudders as you carve into it again.  Then there's another one of those little splotches of darkness and...the lobster erupts into a gooey confection, covering your knees with a slick blood that smells oddly like lilacs and undigested oysters.

J'Rass, if the lobster understands you, it doesn't pay much mind.  But then it probably has less class than smarts.  It tries scuttling backwards, the lady's ankle in tow, as you land upon it again.

KA-SPLOOSH!

You also are covered in oddly pleasant and unsurprisingly unpleasant lobster goo.

The lady doesn't pay any mind to her ankle. Instead, she quickly opens the sack she is carrying and peers inside, as if checking if everything is still there.

"Everyone hold!"  A deep voice barks from behind you all.  A large T'skrang in the livery of Jaspree's Questors strides up, a fairly well used sword on his belt.

It seems the Cops have arrived.

"Thank you Gentlemen for stepping up but-"

Before he can get much further, there's a gasp from the crowd.  Someone is on the deck of the ship, struggling towards the rail.

It's a human.  Or what's left of a human.  His sides have been crushed open and there's a sort of shimmering black fire twisting along the length of his right arm.  He's clenching his teeth and shambling forward.  "Lahylla!  You...bitch..."

There's a whistling noise above your heads and several arrows strike into the man.  He pin wheels his arms and suddenly topples backwards, landing on the deck with a thud.

A few more in the Questor garb rush forward, weapons drawn.  They begin to scale up the sides of the ship, obviously intending to confirm that man is dead.

The Officer standing by your group looks at the Lady with a measured gaze.  "Seems we have a lot of questions that need to be answered."

The Lady snaps her sack shut.  "I'm not tainted."

"I hadn't asked if you were.  Yet."

The Lady gives him a sheepish grin and then gestures at the lot of you, "You will let me make arrangements to settle with my saviors won't you?"

The Officer doesn't comment but doesn't stop her when she gestures for you all to take four steps to one side.  The Lady waves at you as well Azud.  "You Sir.  The Windling.  You were casting to help me as well, weren't you?  Come here."

Once you are all gathered, she says, loud enough for the Officer to hear,

"First, my thanks.  You saved me from quiet a bit of trouble.  I can give you coin now, but you may not want them until after I have been cleared of any worry of being tainted-"

"They can collect their coin after we've made sure all of your belongings are clean."

She nods at him, then turns back to you.  "Anyway.  I have booked passage on a river boat at the docks here.  The Farther The Murkier.  I didn't name the ship.  I should be there tonight-"

"Assuming everything checks out."

She sighs.  "I will be there tonight.  Because I am not Tainted," she adds pointedly glancing at the Officer.  Then she faces you all again.  "Anyway.  Come tonight.  I will give you your reward there.  And...if you are looking for work...I may be able to help with that too.  Oh! My manners.  Please forgive me.  This one is Lahylla O'ma.  I am pleased to know you now."

Her name...it sounds a bit familiar for some reason.  And not just because a dying man who may have or may not have been Horror Marked was just shouting it out a moment ago.

Lot to throw at ya'll.  Sorry. Questions?  If you want to try a Knowledge roll or something similar to place her name, please give it a go.

Thanks

The windling sighed. Any hope that he would be able to sneak toward the front of the line was gone if he went with the woman. But he couldn't really afford not to take any pay she was willing to offer. He had no idea when he would find more work. Grey Beard's stolen wealth was hardly going to last him forever.

He sighed again and made his way to the small group of Name-givers. For his part, he wasn't much concerned with whether she was Horror-marked - what could Horrors do that the Therans hadn't? Do you really want to know? He scowled. It's hyperbole, he answered himself. The loss of his wings had been a horrible blow, an unconscionable monstrosity committed by a wicked creature. Perhaps Kurgul had been Horror-tainted. Perhaps he had been mad. Perhaps he had simply been exceptionally cruel. Regardless of the truth, his tortures had been worthy of the Horrors.

Given his druthers, and had he not been forced to stand in a line for refugees, the Nethermancer would have preferred to investigate the body of the man on the boat. That, at least, held some potential to enlighten him. But that was not an option.

He realized he had only been paying half attention when she mentioned the name of a ship and said she would be there that evening. Now paying close attention, the windling perked up at the idea of not only being able to avoid the refugee line but also obtaining work. "I will be there," he replied even before she had the chance to introduce herself. Then, looking around, he repeated more calmly after she had finished her introductions. "I mean, I will be happy to assist."

With battle concluded J'Rass flicked his sword to clean it of what passed for lobster blood and gracefully sheathed it. In the meanwhile Lahylla O'ma struck him as a woman who needed little help. T'Skrang were of course matriarchal but her no-nonsense attitude reminded him of a Lahala.

"Naturally, I shall be there." The Swordmaster replied, and then he bowed with a flourish before he continued with charismatic pomp.
"J'Rass M'ron, at your service. I would be honored to hear the tale of how you came to be here."

A twinge of remorse passed through him as he killed the lobster, it was just an animal doing its thing. As it’s odd scented insides coated T’veyns shins his chagrin deepened, it seemed he wouldn’t even be able to use much of the meat.

His moping around had no place here though. He kept his head down out of deferring manners as this lady spoke, she was female and his senior, so he showed due respect. As things became more complex with the arrival of a judicial patrol, and both the implications of taint and criminal possessions were raised, the young Tskrang found himself both curious and excited. He was pretty certain he’d committed no crime yet, so all this quite fascinated him.

The…. wingless Windling spoke his assent to the invitation first. Now that was something that warranted a quest or two. But first things first, you need to climb a tree before you raid the bees nest. Then the showman swordsman, a more wordy man than he.

“T’veyn Streamtrail. Tonight.” He bowed. Those words should be enough for now.

Lahylla nods to each of you.  "Until tonight then.  May your legends grow bolder."

The Officer watches her walk towards him, and then flips a glance at the three of you.  "You should have let the archers handle things.  They couldn't take a shot because you charged in.  But I can't fault you for acting to help someone in distress.  If you want work, you can also find me in the security office here at the outpost.  I'm D'rahn.  Just ask for me."

He turns to one of the soldiers.  "If these three have business with the administrators, make sure they get to the front of the line."

And with that, he nods at you, and he and Lahylla walk off.

There are some shouts from the ship. But it doesn't sound like combat.  The Questors seem to be securing the ship.

I will let you all decide if you want to interact further now or later that evening when you arrive at The Further The Murkier.  I will assume that you all head out to complete the business that brought you here after you're done.  Thanks

T’veyn nodded his understanding to D’rahn. He thought to suggest the archers might announce themselves next time, but D’rahn was a big guy, and so far seemed to be on their side. To an extent. He watched him leave without opening his mouth, better stay meek when you’re a small fish in the Serpent river.

Turning instead to those he’d found taking a hand to help Lahllya he said,
“Well, I’m thinking ale n smoked fish. Got some time to kill. You want to share a table?”

Azud-del thought, initially, to make a comment in response to the t'skrang, but ultimately shook his head. Tucking a stray strand of bone-white hair behind one ear, he offered what might have been mistaken for a smile. "I have business." His Throalic was accented, clearly not that of a local. Without further words, he turned and strode off with one of the tall security officers.

"A peculiar fellow.." J'Rass commented to his fellow T'Skrang as he watched the Windling depart. It was hard not to pity a wingless Windling but this one seemed almost impossibly dour for its kind.

As for D'rahn's offer, J'Rass showed no interest. Other matters had greater concern to him but none of them could be seen to at the moment, so he turned to his fellow T'Skrang.
"Another adept, I take it? Interesting trick that, with the claws.. And a drink after a fight sounds like just the thing along with some smoked lobster perhaps, hmmm?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:11, Thu 05 Jan 2023.

T’veyn looked at the spattered lobster gloop adorning his shins and knees.
“I’m not sure about smoking this. Best to start with a quick wash before we get turned away at the tavern door. Yes, by the way. I’m a novice though, nothing to make talk about.”

Cautiously he paddled into the river and began rinsing off his legs. The smell might not be bad now, but rotten seafood usually stung the back of the nose, or worse.
“Odd, you think?” He mumbled to J’Rass. “Her turning up like that. Then these lobsters springing up in a populous place. Feels….  Something fishy?” He grinned at the pun.

J and T, feel free to continue this conversation as you wish.

The older T'Skrang looked at the ship that had run aground and he replied with good mirth.
"Oh, I'm sure something odd is afoot. But it reeks of possible adventure and fame, ha ha! What Swordmaster would resist the call of the damsel in distress? Not I, oh no."

T’veyn smiled. It did seem a bit like adventure, didn’t it. And he wasn’t really going to touch his dreams without a bit of adventure.

He admired the older Tskrang, who clearly seemed to have his mating plumage fully engaged.
“Wouldn’t know much about damsels in distress!” He admitted.

J'Rass raised an eyebrow at the youth in mock surprise.
"Well you should! Every tavern loves a good tale about a rescued damsel. Especially the human youths, they go wild for it. And what better way to spread your fame than to have it carried as a good tale, eh? Won't become a legendary adept if no one hears your Name!"

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “Or maybe I just let you become the fireside tale of dashing romance. Think my Name might be less glamorous.” T’veyn frowns for a moment. “You say you are from V’strimon, you had a good life there? I heard it’s good. Never been.”

While his companion seemed of a more timid nature, J'Rass was anything but and grandly gestured as he replied.
"Ahh, my young friend. You simply must visit! Of all the Aropagoi the Floating City has the grandest markets, and the trade brings sights and delicacies from all the corners of Barsaive, and even beyond! In fact, a young adept such as yourself should travel all the corners of the Great Serpent one day. Now that the war is over it isn't nearly half as dangerous as it used to be. And all the danger that remains, well, that is what an adept is made for, no?"

T’veyn began to pull down his rough three quarter trousers to wash and wring them. It was ungainly as Tskrang with their tails had a bit more complications with dressing the lower half of their bodies. Not for the first time he wondered if this was why the senior females and high ranking males wore robes and dresses.
“Yeah, you’re right. I should pay it a visit. Even with my modest purse!” He chuckled.
“Not sure about the war being over. Thinking that war is a constant. Just that sometimes it’s worse than others. Awful lot of Name Givers feel entitled to prey upon others. Gets big enough, it’s called a war. Wouldn’t say Thera is gone. Wouldn’t say the Scorchers or some of those in the Twilight Peaks are far off starting a war.” He shrugs, and looks a little embarrassed to have over spoken so.

J'Rass laughed, a loud bellow to frighten away worries.
"Oh, how glum! No that can't do! Such skirmishes are no war. It will be long before we see conflict on such a scale as the Theran War again. They were soundly beaten. Long will they have to lick their wounds, oh yes."
He stepped slightly in the river, letting the water flow past him and soothe his legs as he counseled the youth.
"It is alright to be wary of conflict, and there surely will be some. But the scorchers will not brave the jungle, nor can they cross the Great Serpent. The Crystal Raiders will raid around their peaks as they have always done, but those are far away. And our own chief concern will once again be river pirates, to keep our lives interesting. But there will be no more floating cities raining fire and great armies marching to cause death by the hundreds or thousands for a good time. Everyone is tired of war now. This is a time of smaller concerns.."

J'Rass looked pensively over the water. He hoped what he said was true. The war had brought him no small share of grief. He hoped no one felt like repeating the experience for some time.

Dressing awkwardly, he frowned in thought at the elder Tskrangs words.
“I hope you’re right. I mean, yes we are hopefully rid of floating siege engines. But for those who are subject to disputes on land and goods, I’m not sure being crushed by the Theran Military, or having your village razed by those with a nature to do so is much different.

And we must always be prepared for Horrors to turn our leaders to thoughts of anger and conflict.

Did you fight? I was still too young.” While the question is genuine, there is something else behind the statement of his age being a barrier to enlisting in the war.

J'Rass stirred into memories he preferred to leave alone. While at the time there was much comradery among his kind, it was also a frightful period.
"A few times. At the start of the war I returned to my Aropagoi and was assigned to protect our riverboats for most of it. We were on Throal's side from the start and the Therans knew it. We did a lot of smuggling. That was no easy situation with Fort Triumph sitting on the shore of Lake Ban. The Therans liked sticking their noses into everything which made tensions high. K'Tenshin also felt empowered to attack our vessels on occasion. At the end I was on a warship for the assault on the fort too, but the Therans didn't board it so I could only watch. To be honest I was just hoping a lucky fire cannon shot didn't take me out. That would have been a poor way for a Swordmaster to die, eh?"

T’veyn paused, visualising the account retold by J’Rass. It did sound like a dramatic yet awful time. To be at the whim of a generals decision to strike, or not.
“It doesn’t sound like a great way for anyone to die.” He said after a moment.

“But, at least there is a statement of defiance. I know it’s not the same as falling valiantly to impossible odds….” He grinned, “I wonder how it compares to watching your family and clan falling to the corruption of a horror. The tales I heard of the Scourge, of fallen Kaers. I dunno. To die standing tall against the Theran empire, at least it’s clean.”

He chuckled, buckling his belt.
“Cheerful conversation, right?”

"Isn't that right?"
The Swordmaster chuckled.
"But take heart of my advice. Go see the world. I know of no greater beauty than the Serpent, but Throal is a sight in itself. Once you're past the stinking pustule at its gates that is. The other great cities might be worth it too, but I confess I have not seen them yet. But if my travels would take me near, I would not hesitate to make the effort. Ahhh, and the people.. Other Namegivers are strange in their ways, but some of their customs are quite amusing. Words cannot describe sitting in a dwarven drinking hole, and the songs they sing. I will admit to having a liking of their ale, even if it is a tad strong. And then there's the elves and their wines. Stay away from hurlgh though. Ork thing. Not good unless you wish to purge your stomach."
He looked back towards Trosk.
"Speaking of drink, let us sample the local offering, shall we?"

”Yes, I confess I’ve taken a liking to the dwarfs dark ale too, since leaving…. home. Not seen Throal. Not actually seen much other than some of the Serpent river and southern reaches of the Servos. Met a few humans and orcs, they’re quite a forceful bunch it seemed. Ambitious? I dunno. Less flair than the Aropagoi.”

As he strides clear of the rivers edge, a gleam enters his eyes.
”Speaking of Name Givers, I would politely ask if you’ve ever met a Dragon?”

"Ahahahah! No! I have no reason to speak to one, and they have even less reason to speak to me, I'd wager. Besides, there is the risk that some would sooner eat you than speak with you. The one over there in the Mist Swamp is notorious for it I heard.."
J'Rass gestured downriver, where the serpent would flow into the swamp.
"No, best to stay well clear I think."