Antero keeps his nerve as he orients himself in the water and tuck his axe away.  Swimming up he stops a moment.

In reply to Cap'n Will Kill U (msg # 179):

Ooc-i thought the wound balance talent could be used to stay upright when you might fall over. Despite the name, it allows you to keep standing over other conditions. That's why it's based in strength. If you wish I can roll just strength.

With there being only one source of light, and it being near to where the chest with, hopefully, the canteen in was, the younger Tskrang swims through the flooded darkness to get to it. On the way he keeps a good eye out for any shapes that might be friend or foe.

If the chest floats, so much the better, for T’veyn has almost reached the point where he’d be happy to leave with it and open it later without the scary things.

Rather than helping the others, Azud-del backs away from the now-flooded hold. Aside from being unable to swim - although that was certainly a thought - he wasn't strong enough to help any of the larger Name-givers in their efforts to avoid drowning. The best he could hope for was to get out of their way.

Get out of their way, and consider what he'd seen. It was strange. Not that he wasn't glad it was gone now, of course. But it was certainly strange. Had an elemental decided to make its home in the hold? That seemed unlikely, but the best of all possible worlds, given that it appeared to have vanished. More concerning, had the questors left this as a trap - likely just in case they'd missed some Horror-tainted monstrosity been missed... but equally useful against overly inquisitive adventurers. Or had this been a protection place on the hold by the original crew? And if so, why had the questors, in their investigation, not set it off - either accidentally or on purpose?

And there were more concerns raised by the trap, as well. Ultimately, it likely didn't matter in the moment. What mattered was - had the guards heard them? It wans't as if they'd been terribly quiet in their battle, particularly that thundering fool of a Swordmaster, J'rass. "Quiet," he hissed, backing toward the door, spell still readied. If the guards had heard, they would no doubt come to investigate. Blinding them before they could act, or even see what was going on, would be vital.

J'Rass had no concern about the rushing water, odd as it was. And he might as well be a fish in the water for how easily he swam around. Thus he just mostly made sure the others would be alright and didn't need a hand. It was then he spotted something sparkle. He quickly grabbed it and wrapped it around his wrist so the water couldn't wash it away..

---

17:55, Today: J'Rass M'ron rolled 9, with a step number of 6 on the Earthdawn (3rd ed) system.  Strength test.
18:01, Today: J'Rass M'ron rolled 5, with a step number of 8 on the Earthdawn (3rd ed) system.  Swimming.

To Wungarr:  Ah.  Sorry.  I misunderstood what you were asking Wungarr.  Yes.  You would use Wound Balance in any knockdown test.  This would qualify.  You made it in either case.  But feel free to use Wound Balance when you think it is called for.  No need to ask me.  It's not a talent that I think can be readily abused.


Wungarr and Billyandar, you both break surface.  There's a good foot between the top of the water and the ceiling.  So you have it in you to gulp in some air, sweet air.

T'veyn, this chest you're seeing now is not the canteen chest.  That one is under the stairwell still.  It was lashed down, so it shouldn't have floated away.  This new chest isn't floating either.  But it doesn't look that heavy.

J'Rass and Antero, you both see the trinket before the swordsman adorns himself with it.  A necklace with a central medallion and shells hanging off it.

So to get us up to speed as far as objectives:  J'Rass has the object Lahylla was looking for.

The canteen is still in a chest under the stairwell.  Someone just needs to swim down and either force the lid off (STR 4-) or lock pick it (2-).  The canteen should be fine, but anything else in there would get exposed to water.  If it hasn't already.

T'Veyn has found a new and important looking chest as well.  It's water sealed and locked up tight.  So it will take a little more doing to get it open.  STR 10- or Lockpick 7-.  That is, once someone gets it out of the water.

Meanwhile, back at the top of the stairs...

Azud, you nervously listen.  Any sign you can hear those guards?

Azud, make me a PER check.  You may substitute any talent/skill you feel is appropriate.  Just trying to listen/sense if those guards are coming.  I'll let you know the results once I see your roll

Questions?

In reply to Cap'n Will Kill U (msg # 185):

The troll looks around, having corm down to the hold for his own reasons. Assuming his heat sight shows him T'veyn looking at the chest, he swims over.

"Oi, I can bring that to the surface of you like. I need soemthing down here, it might be in the box."

Wungarr swims over and lifts the chest out of the water, assuming his fellow party member is willing.

Antero helps Wungarr get the chest out of the flooded hold.

Billyander does not appear to be trying to escape the hold.

T’veyn nods at Wungarr, shoving the floating chest towards him.
“It’s locked. I’m going to get the other one, it’s lashed down. Is everyone ok?…

Think it’s about time we just left with the chests and open them when we’re clear.”
He hoped he sounded confident. He wasn’t exactly feeling it.

Dropping his nose he flicked his tail and sped down to the other chest. He hoped to find his dagger there too, seemed a shame to lose it!

OOC: Trying to retrieve my dagger, then either jimmy open the chest, or cut it free, whichever is easier.

Examining his prize, J'Rass spoke up sounding rather pleased as he casually thread water. The keen eye might notice that the T'Skrang tail made for rather easy swimming.
"I have the necklace. All that's left is the canteen. Shall we try to lift that chest lad?" he asked of T'veyn, knowing his fellow T'Skrang would have no trouble holding his breath.

In reply to J'Rass M'ron (msg # 190):

Alrightie.  Sounds like both chests are making their way up the stairwell

The soggy among you make it up the stairwell and can crack open the two chests.

The first contains the canteen as described by Lahylla.  There are also four pouches:  two containing some kind of odd looking dried stalks, one filled with fishing line, and the last containing some kind of dried herb.

The other chest contains two books, a compass, and some paper.  A couple of quills and inkstones are laid in there as well.

There isn't enough time to examine things closer.

At the door out to the deck, the anxious Azud is keeping a watch.  Azud, you hear someone moving around out there.  A peek through the crack in the door shows the two guards are coming over the side of the rail.

Time for a hasty exit.  Azud, you throwing the dark at 'em?

In reply to Cap'n Will Kill U (msg # 191):

Wungarr grabs up the books, compass and paper without reading them. He was in a hurry now. Then he grabbed up Azud and put him back on his shoulder. Right near the troll dagger so he had soemthing to hang on to. "We are going!" He hissed at the others, and proceeded to do just that.

The younger Tskrang nods in response to the troll. Deftly scooping up the contents of the other chest, he hissed.
“We can sort all this out back on the ship.”

It hadn’t really occurred to him till now that there may be some dispute over the spoils of this adventure. He certainly didn’t want to appear piratical in taking the items here.

Antero helps carry as needed and follows Wungarr.

Azud-del was about to hiss for silence again when, suddenly, he was being hoisted in the air. He squeaked his surprise at that, and glowered at the side of the troll's head. True, he was what he would have wanted anyway - but a little warning was not uncalled for. Rather than saying anything about it, the windling informed them, "It will get dark." It was all the warning they would get; either they would grab hold of one another, or they would potentially fall prey to his magics. It was their choice.

16:37, Today: Secret Roll: Azud-del Wind-Dancer rolled 10, with a step number of 9 on the Earthdawn (3rd ed) system.  Spellcasting: Ethereal Darkness. He will cast it on the door as it opens, but not before. It probably won't provide much protection beyond the edge of the boat, but hopefully it will blind those boarding the vessel long enough to escape. I can't imagine the door has a Mystic Defense higher than 10, but... *shrugs*

Anyway, since he can see clearly through the darkness, he will whisper directions in Wungarr's ear. If the others choose to play follow-the-leader, they may get out without a fight. If not, they may end up fighting blind.

In reply to Azud-del Wind-Dancer (msg # 195):

Let's get this wrapped up

Under the direction of the always astute Azud, the lot of you slip through the darkness that envelops the guards.  You can hear them cry out a warning.  As you go over the side of the ship, you can see the archers on the roof of the watchpost stare at you.  It must still be the ones who were bribed.  They don't fire a single shot and quickly look away.

You scurry down the river bank and soon mix into the late night crowd that clogs the area of the dock the bars are located.  Soon, in an alleyway, you get a chance to catch your breaths and open your prizes.

You have the necklace Lahylla is seeking.  And you have procured the canteen she told you about.

The dried stalks are unfamiliar to any of you on first glance If anyone wants to make an appropriate knowledge or half magic test to identify them, the DN is 7-.  But there are 14 of them total.  Each as long as Wungarr's forearm but as thin as Azud's wrist.  They are also sort of plump and spongy.

The dried herb matches the mahogany trinrose tea powder Lahylla had given some of you.  4 doses of trinrose tea which adds +3 step to one recovery test

The fishing line seems to be just that.  High quality fishing line.  But a good amount of it.  About 40' worth.

The other chest contains a good quality writing instruments basically three portions of paper, two quality quills, and quite a bit of ink,a compass, a chart of the stars navigation chart as described in the equipment section of the rulebookand two odd books.  Neither of which appears to be a ship's log book. But...

One of the books seems to be some kind of record of an expedition into the Mist Swamp.  It contains a map of where it went, notes on what they encountered, and some other notes of interest.  It includes information about the trip into the swamp as well.  Wungarr and Billyandar, it might be enough to satisfy the Captain's request since you didn't find the log book.

The other book seems to be an old book of tales. From a quick glance through, they seem to be about some wizard named Eno.  But you don't have the luxury at the moment of reading it in any detail.


I'll let you guys ask any questions/talk amongst yourselves.  We will return to The Further, The Murkier and a new thread tomorrow. I will also post XP for what has gone on thus far.  Thanks

Azud-del eyed their winnings from atop the troll's shoulder somewhat ruefully. He was actually a little surprised that the questors had left anything of obvious value. A skull was of no interest to most, and the hand-drawn map he'd taken were likely worthless compared to those owned by the kaer - but there was never enough paper and ink for a magician, and the navigation chart, well, that had to be worthwhile to somebody.

He leapt down from the troll's shoulder, using a wall to sort of parkour to the street. There, he gathered up the paper, quills and ink. After the briefest moment's hesitation, he also claimed the compass, navigation charts, and both books. The others could share the rest of their spoils.

Feeling suddenly overloaded and unsteady on his feet, the windling steadied himself against the wall. "We should return to the ship," he suggested, nodding in the general direction of The Further, The Murkier.

OOC: How should I list the skull and map that I claimed earlier? Anything to help you remember them? For me, "skull" and "hand-drawn map of the Serpent" will probably be sufficient.

As far as this stuff, Azud-del is claiming the paper, quills, ink, compass, navigation charts, and both books. He has little to no interest in the plant matter or fishing line. Obviously, anyone can stop him from taking any of those objects with a sufficient argument...

Like most of those items being too large for a windling, being average namegiver-sized? :) Not that I want any.

"Hahaah! Another adventure brought to good end, another story to tell in a crowded tavern!"
J'Rass looked at the necklace, seeming quite pleased with the results the group achieved. He watched the loot being laid out and discussed but nothing caught his fancy. Except maybe the books, for a boring day.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 19:20, Sat 18 Feb 2023.

Antero looks at the little windling trying scoop up things and stash them away when he interrupts, "We all shared the risk equally, I think we should divvie the spoils as fairly as well.  We can sort this out back at the ship."

OOC
Just have to laugh at the idea of an 18 inch tall faerie trying to carry what I presume are two normal sized books not to mention the weight of other normal sized objects (the equivalent of carrying at least a gallon or two of ink;-).  I imagine windlings have extra dimensional storage in their cheeks like a chipmunk;-).
This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Sat 18 Feb 2023.

T’veyn wasn’t exactly sure of the courtesy and protocol regarding ‘loot’. Being possibly the youngest here, and remembering well his confusion in the darkness, he didn’t object to the Windling diving in to grab stuff. Eventually he kind of vaguely waved the canteen at J’Rass, then at Wungarr, Antero and Billyander in a socially awkward way.
“Shall we see what Lahylla has to say about this, then see who wants it?”

The only thing he felt on edge for, was the accounts of the misadventures of this vessel in the book Azud had taken. He assumed the Windling would digest and brief them rather than refuse. Though his tail twitched uncomfortably at the thought of a conflict there. In the end he just smiled a bit stupidly.

In reply to Cap'n Will Kill U (msg # 196):

Wungarr grunted at the lack of an obvious log book. Hopefully this other record of the mist swamp might be enough. Or it might be worth nothing. Ether way the four gems he snagged may provide him with the extra funds he needs for his various bits of equipment. Still, they all took chances on this job.

"Here." He said, revealing the gems. "Its only fair we all get a share."

The windling eyed Antero at his words. He disagreed with his fellow Name-giver. Not that he'd taken more risk, however. If anything, he'd taken less. But that might have been, at least in part, because he was wiser than those who had leapt without looking. Regardless, the man had a good point. And he couldn't carry everything by himself, regardless of his desire to do so.

Azud-del lowered his gains to the ground and, peering up at Wungarr suggested, "Maybe you carry to the boat? Worry later." He had no interest in the gems the troll revealed. He had long ago learned that wealth could be taken or destroyed; only knowledge that one memorized could be lain claim to forever.

J'Rass looked pleased at the gems. "Ah, our fortunes improve! Splendid. Let us finish up with the matter and then divide our spoils over a flagon of ale! Building one's legend builds a thirst!"

"I fear that 'here' is not the place to be..." Back to form, Billyander follows a short pause with, "Let's get back; I can help carry if needed."