This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Dex save: 25
The wave moved past Yusko and he just bobbed up and down in the same spot barely registering it moving past him. Then looking back, he realized that island seemed to be sinking... and the boat would be the only safe-ish spot to be. Sighing, Yusko, slips away from the the fish man, grabs the hunter and begins pulling him back to shore. "Sorry, not sorry" he calls to the fishman and turns his head to the hunter. "Our ship is setting sail, best we be on it.
Bonus Action: disengage
Action: pull the hunter while he moves
Move action: move towards land. Will use a ki point for step of the wind (90 feet) if it lets him pull the hunter more.
The waves were pounding the shore, forming dangerous swirls between the island and the mainland, crashing the huts closer to water and washing over the wooden docks. Two out of three ships already left, with a few people hanging from the sides (the passengers were helping them to climb in). The last one - "Relentless" - the biggest and more suited for the long sea travel, was still picking up strugglers with the captain (you saw that brown-red-fur tabaxi around) yelling commands and a couple of sailors helping people in.
The evacuation went surprisingly smooth, whether because the mercs were chosen well and knew what they were doing, or because that particular crowd was not the cream of the spoiled spectators of blood sport but more bound to reality lot, but no one died (yet) under the crashing beams or left to the sharks (not counting dead hunters).
The live defence line on the beach, that kept the deadliest foe - sahuagin - literally at bay most likely helped too. But it was time to move - that much was clear. Hunters were running toward the ship, keeping their wits about them, though and not leaving their saviours behind either.
As the mighty turtle seemingly effortlessly turned the wave around and crashed two fish-men at the thorns, a young hunter touched the amulet on his neck and made a strange jest, probably warding himself from evil spirits. He looked at the ship, back at Trudie and with a shaken voice carefully begged the strange but powerful creature to go too. "Please? There can be more. And sharks too!" The boy was clearly unsure whether that turtle even needed to leave but could not just run away.
The bus-girl flew like a squirrel to the top of the breaking roof, sending two more bolts at the giant octopus that was crawling towards the ship. The eight-limbed mollusc stopped moving. "Down, you fool! We are sinking!" The voice belonged to Quinnie watching girls exercises with the mixed look of annoyance and admiration. "Wish you were so quick with the tables!" The girl knew her employer well enough to understand Quinnie is out of her mind with worry and lashes out to cover that. "Here you are!" That was to the heavy injured Donjah but she did not forget her last remaining employee either. "I said get down! The ship is leaving!"
Still wounded Donjah, accepted Yusko's help on the beach but insisted on walking himself later on. He breathed hard but pressed on. "Run, I have to check on my sister." He rushed to the breaking apart tavern and let his sister hug him."They are coming, the sea devils. I swear I saw the giant shark in the open water and a demon riding it!" The boy did not lie, at least about the shark - many saw the fin at least twice the normal size. "Are the houses clear?" Quinnie assured him, that all who could move were already on board and Donjah allowed to pull himself to the boat as well.
Meanwhile, Hansel was followed into his room - what was left of it - with another hunter, offering his help to transport the young cleric's stuff. If he was surprised to see that the jolly guest had a set of armour and a weapon, he did not say anything - after all, he witnessed parted waters, healing light and the appearance of the spirit of some weapon. The only question one could ask here is why would such a person need any kind of armour? He did not ask that either. The hunter would probably agree to carry Hansel's perfume collection, but Hansel did understand, as big as the ship was, it was not made of rubber and definitely had some weight limits. Considering the number of people already on board, some sacrifices were expected. ((Keep the armour and the weapon(s)))
Davis and the girl hunter, whose face froze in a challenging stubbornness, were the last to leave the treacherous waters (the waters followed but they could hope to outrun the flood). Huge sahuagin - the one attacked by the spiritual weapon - did not run after them. Did not return to the waters either, casually shrugging off the spiritual attack. "Waiting for the island to sink," stated the girl obvious through the clenched teeth, stumbling after Davis. "They were not that bold last year!"
An ear-piercing whistle from "Relentless" cut through the wind and crashing waves. The island shuddered again and sunk deeper. The dock beams seemed to be giving up too. People needed to hurry up if they did not plan to meet sahuagin and their sharks in the water.
The bus girl glanced around, seeing that everyone seemed free and clear and were rushing for the Relentless, decided it was indeed time to join them. She rushes across the roof of the tavern, and reaching the edge, turns and lowers herself down. She drops to the shifting ground and rushes across the island for the ship. (action dash, full move, and bonus action dash)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
At the young hunter's plea, Trudie would nod her head. "Common then." She'd gesture for him to come with her. "Still got two feet and a heartbeat. Off we go." The tortle would use her staff to help her walk through the sand alongside the hunter. "Snack for the road sweetheart?" She'd tap her staff on the ground and mutter something in druidic under her breath as she'd tilt it forward, tucking a part of it under her arm for reinforcement. A pile of goodberry(ies) would conjure at the end of her staff. "Go on now." Gran would gesture them forward to encourage the young hunter, as well as anyone else the passed as they trotted along, to grab one. "Eat up!" "Get your daily vitamins you whipper snappers!" "Only one each, unless you're going to share the other with someone." "What do you say?" ...
Grateful for the young hunter's help, Hansel gathered his staff, shield and pack over his shoulder, and the two of them hefted the armor chest between them and lugged it toward the ship, stumbling along barely as fast as the old tortle. As they clambered aboard, Hansel looked back wistfully at the island, watching this holiday paradise turn into a catastrophic battlefield, and thought again of all the stuff he had to leave behind. Oh well, it wasn't a complete tragedy... at least he knew his pack held at least one or two spare mirrors...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"The question is why." Davis says to the hunter with him. "This all to sink an island?" He shakes his head in confusion. "Attacking the hunters I understand." he gives the woman a smile. "No offense intended, just these are shark-men, so killing and blood make sense for them to do." He glances back to the water. "This though makes no sense. Why sink the island, and even more, how sink the island..." He is moving as he speaks, his twelve-foot-tall body towering above the others as he heads for the last boat. (Not doing much else other than moving, so, unless something changes, he is going straight for the boat, as long as everyone else is headed in that direction as well.)
Bogging down in the sand, knee-deep in water, people were running to the last ship. Davis and the girl were the last to get on board and not a moment too soon - the water reached the center of the island. Captain yelled another command, the wind filled the sails and "Relentless" almost jumped towards the open sea, trying to get as far from the sinking island as possible.
Passengers were cramped on the upper deck doing their best to stay out of the way of the busy crew. Most of the people here knew the danger of being too close to the sinking ships and were watching with fear buildings and trees disappearing under the water. Everyone was quiet, speaking when needed in nervous whispers. The sharks continued circling around the island as if guarding its passing down to the seafloor. Not one followed the ships but now everyone could see - though very far away - a gigantic fin of a pale shark with a passenger on its back. As the island sank, the giant shark dived down as well. Before the tops of the palm trees disappear under the water and the gap left by Hansel's spell filled in), the wind brought barely heard (the ship was quite far from the island now) words whispered in a monotonous tone "You are next".
The girl hunter (her name was Sylsa, as Davis eventually remembered) sat on the deck hugging herself and shivering under the hot sun. "They never were so bold!" She said it before but kept repeating, not knowing what to answer to the merc's question of "why?". The hunter that kept by Trudie (he hold the berries as a guarding talisman against demons and managed not to lose a single one) was about to nervously squash the precious gift but caught himself in time and now shared the talismans with others (most likely instructing not to eat them but to hold on to them). People were slowly recovering from the initial shock and getting to the more hurtful stage of "what's now?"
Some heads began to turn towards those who demonstrated wanders of magic and fighting skills. But before the passengers formulated the questions, the crew distracted them with a good mug of black rum (courtesy of captain) while the first mate - very serious never-seeing-smiling half-orc - tapped the shoulder of each of you, quietly inviting into the captain's cabin. "Cap wants a word with you." He did not say anything more but by the look of him, "no" was not expected.
"Sylsa, please rest." Davis, now normal-size again, says to the hunter, laying a hand on her bare shoulder. "You are correct, they have not been so bold before." He thought it an understatement, but wanted to give the lass some closure if possible.
Upon getting the tap on his shoulder, Davis would rise from where he had been kneeling near Sylsa, and nod to the sailor. "I will be with you shortly." He informs the sailor, before turning back to Sylsa.
"I have to go and speak with the captain it seems." Davis informs her with a friendly smile. "You did very good today, continue to be brave and careful in equal mesure while I am gone, ok?" He would wait a moment, to see if there is any other response from her. When the mug of rum was pressed into Sylsa's hands he would nod to the sailor who delivered it, then he would head off to this meeting.
The bus girl attempts to slip into the crowd of wet and worried refugees, finding a spot to sit on an overturned bucket just behind a group of people. All the same, the people providing cover part like an ocean for the first mate as he asks after her. He motions towards the captains quarters. With a mildly displeased look, she nodded. She stood up, boots still squishing with water and sand peppering her wet pant legs, and made her way into the captains quarters. She immediately found herself a solid wall to put her back against, somewhere where the shadows seem deepest, and waited. She mostly focused on the unexpected old turtle woman who'd so brazenly emerged as one of the unexpected heros.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
“You’re doing great sweetheart.” Trudie chimes, plucking a berry and sending the young hunter a pat before wondering off with a hum. He guarded the heck out of those berries.
As granny padded by the big man and Sylsa, she’d backtrack. Slow waddling her way forward, the wise woman would offer a warm reassuring smile as she’d offer her the berry. “Perhaps something made them bolder.” She’d respond to the hunters mutterings. “Now we must be too.” And she saunters off.
Slowly and surely, Trudie made her way down to the Captain’s quarters. She’d take her time looking around for a good spot, craning her neck as she did, only to eventually settle herself down on the floor.
After having drug the hunter away, he let him go but not before memorizing his face. He had to collect his fee later. Quickly, he rushed to grab his pack and then off he went before the island became a sand bar. As he left, he practically ran across the water to the ship. Once there, he used some of the ropes hanging off the side to climb up and then set him self up on the back end of the ship.
"Over here! If you're hurt come over here. I'm a doctor. That's right. Hey you, that's gonna need stitches." he yelled out. After a bit he was summoned to see the captain. "Yeah... sure I'll be right down."
Yusko did find the patients, practically everyone was hurt one way or another. Not seriously, for most cases, buses and scratches, but he had to attend a couple of broken limbs too. No one was paying, but to be fair, most run away with only their clothes on them. The hunter with berries gratefully nodded to Trudie and in the most respectful tone he could master said "Rhan, ma'am. My name is Rhan." He nodded again several times before diving into the crowd to deliver the berries to those worthy of the gift. Donjah - the most injured hunter, brother of the tavern owner - watched Sylsa's after-shock reaction with a sneer. "I thought you are a hunter." He did not add anything but the girl's face flushed dark red, she stopped muttering and tried her best to suppress the shiver, finally standing up and walking to the rails. The young man had a point - blood sport is not for the fainthearted - but he immediately got a slap and a temperamental quick delivered scorn from his sister. Happy to be distracted passengers joined the growing scandal.
--------------------------------
Leaving all that commotion behind, the group one by one went to the Captain's quarters. The cabin, though definitely the biggest on the ship, was not that huge. Six people could fit in but the place immediately felt crowded. Still, it looked impressive, fitted out in beautifully finished mahogany or camphor wood, with chunky brass corners and even more exotic decor.
When the group came in, the captain herself - that red-brown furred tabaxi you've seen around - was hunched over a wide table, puzzling over a map pinned to its surface by a half dozen knives and daggers. Several golden rings, each with a different stone, decorated her ears, and the hilt of the wave-bladed sword on her side was gem set and gilded as well. She raised her head and watched the group with big emerald eyes, waiting for everyone to find the place according to the character. Then she smiled with a sharp-toothed smile, equal parts cheerful and unsettling.
"Ah, welcome,' she had in her voice the low purr of her feline relatives. “Welcome aboard Relentless. Glad you agree to join me here. Some wine? Anything lighter? Stronger? We have much to discuss and I'd like you to feel comfortable.”
"But let me introduce myself. They call me Kalis," she put her hand on the sword and smiled again. "Captain Kalis. I know your names," Kalis looked at the old turtle, sending a personal smile, and added with a hint of regret "but not much about you. You are not just simple spectators or betters, are you? You are not. And that means opportunity. For me, for you and for the islands around. Sahuagin did get bolder all of a sudden. One sunken ship can be bad luck, two - still just a misfortune, but six in a month - this is targeting, I say, a war. Never heard of them sinking islands before but you saw that pale shark, did not you? It's them, the sea devils. We need to answer and answer fast. You are those who can do things, I am the one who knows things. One of them - a man who can pay for the things. See the picture? You stop the devil and get whatever you want for that - money or fame or both, I get my safe waters, they," she pointed with her head towards the deck, "get their entertainment back. Everyone's happy. What say you?"
"This cannot be allowed to happen again." Davis says, standing next to the table, his eyes on the map. "If you know things, then tell us how you intend to stop these water devils from doing what they did here elsewhere." His eyes move up from the map, holding the captian's eyes. His own are calm and gray, looking solid and dependable. "I will aid in your work if you have a plan that has a chance of working. If you do not, then I would rather return to the mainland and find someone who can put together a plan to stop these things."
The bus girl stands back, neither agreeing, acknowledging, nor disagreeing with anything being said. She keeps her eyes down, avoiding eye contact and acting as if she doesn't quite belong in this den of warriors and sea captains. That said, her eyes do scan the map, committing it to memory as best as she can. She listens intently to everything being said. She also watches those around her, examining their equipment, the way they handle themselves, and studying how they react to the thing and act around each other.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
After some slow going and a couple cracks, Trudie would eventually settle into a cross legged position with her staff resting across her lap. It was just in time for the Captain to begin. Wasn't she just purrfect? Heavy lidded eyes watch while wrinkled lips are pulled back in content smile. She was listening. Grandma would consider, but politely turn down the drinks. Intoxicated Trudie, a tired tipsy tort could truly terrify these tough youngins. Though as the adrenaline from the initial excitement would fade, the old woman's mind would wander off from time to time, and it wasn't because their Captain wasn't striking or motivating.
Trudie's smile would slowly curl just a bit more, and her eyelids would lift just a smidge. "Ouu hoo hoo!" Davis' enthusiasm sparked delight. "He's a go getter that one!" Bringing a hand up, the tort taps her temple. "With a contingency plan." She'd animate a little more, as in, her brows would raise a titch. "Brawns and brains." There was a little bob.
The wise woman's mind was already made up, but she'd bring her hand down to her chin to look thoughtful. "Carry me, and I'm in." She'd grin. Even if she was blatantly denied, Trudie would chuckle, keeping her smile. It'd be worth a try. The old hermit would be in regardless.
There was a clear unbalance in nature. Sinking islands? That has consequences.
Yusko listened carefully to it all. Sinking islands, secret missions, regional, if not global catastrophe. Yusko shifted back and forth as he thought about the implications. A smile came to his lips when he thought about the potential income. Then a frown as he thought about where to spend it? With a sigh he chimed in, "Payment is good and all, but I suppose if every port is shut down, every ship is sunk, transport of goods will come to a standstill. Global econemies will stall and collapse, people will be without the means to survive and panic will overtake the world ending in it's ultimate destruction. I suppose it's only right to step in to save the end of the world."
Davis glanced to Yusko with a raised eyebrow. "I think that is a bit much. Sinking a single island is one thing, taking out ships even less than that, but global destruction, doubtful." He shrugs though. "Bad enough though, an entire island's population is now homeless, that should not be allowed to happen to anyone else." He turns to the old tortus woman with a friendly smile. "Carry you?" He asked with a twinkle in his calm gray eyes. "I can do that, if you wish it."
The bus girl clears her throat, "It was a very small island. The people didn't live there. The actual village was on the mainland, across that bridge. The island was really just a few rental rooms, the bar, and the docks." She shrugs and looks apologetic for opening her mouth and then looks down at her feet again. She seems more sad about potentially saying something out of turn, than for the loss and destruction of the island.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Once on the ship, with the injured apparently being cared for and none in critical shape, Hansel stands at the stern, still dripping wet, and watches as the island sinks. Such a beautiful place - gone! And those horrid fish-creatures! Such ugliness, such waste. When the call to the captains quarters came, the carefree cleric quickly consented to the council with Kalis.
Hearing the tabaxi's suggestion, despite the lack of any specific details, Hansel agrees to help. By Sune's ruby lips, this deed must not go unanswered. The young man looks around at the others, studying their expressions (or perhaps just their faces). Nor be repeated,he adds with a nod to Davis. Responding to the quiet busgirl, he says: Small and unpopulated it was, but all the more tranquil and charming. The loss of a single one from the world is a tragedy.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Splendid," murmured Kalis. She was quietly listening and attentively watching the conversation, not rushing with explanations. "I have a feeling we might even do it. Or, better say, you might. But I will tell what I know." She turned her eyes to the humble girl in the corner. "Curious about my map? Then look. See those marks? They mean sunken ships, those six that we - captains of these waters - know about." The marks formed a half-circle in the open ocean above Peara Tira. Kalis crossed the island with a dagger. "A pity. True, people did not always live there but if one spends somewhere all the time one has, and so do hundreds of others, would you call that place unpopulated? Still, I heard that voice. Was it meant for us? For the village? For other islands around? The devils attacked openly! They have to be put down." Kalis's eyes became hard and cold as the real emeralds. She plunged the dagger in the spot in the middle of the hypothetical circle the sunken ships formed.
"They are here! Deep down there is a trench. For years sahuagin tried to take it and then fight people off the coast. The last time they made an all-out attack, it was more than fifteen years ago. I was just a kitten, but know that they were wiped out. Now the word is, they returned and not to their usual place. The clan is led by a new Baron who would not mind becoming a prince. Or a King for all we know. His own would kill him but he's got something, that keeps other clans away and makes his own almost worship him. Something magical. I bet that thing drowned the island, whatever it is."
"Even villagers did not believe the rumours. And those in the cities did not care either. Now they will, and I'll take you to the man that can help us."
Meanwhile Relentless was still sailing away from the sunken island but now it seemed the coastal line got closer, the ship was turning to another village. The word already got there, the ship was expected. Refugees and hunters dissolve in the crowd but Kalis gave you a sign to stay. The crew helped the newly formed group to get to the small boat and brought them and the captain to the secluded cove, leaving at the beginning of a stone stairway, leading to the huge house on top of a beautiful low cliff. The doors were open, welcoming the company, and the owner, surrounded by the servants, was already waiting. A huge man with a belly of a true gourmet reeked of alcohol and a calm balsam and had the face of someone close to the heart attack. "IS IT TRUE?! Are these them?!" Kalis semi turned to the group to explain "I sent the word" and nodded to the man that exhaled with a relief "Thank goodness! This is a catastrophe, a true disaster!"
The next ten minutes were a chaos of tragic exclamations and very practical explanations. The gist of it was the already stated notion of necessity to act quick, with the addition of request to be discreet (think of the guests! the tourists! the reputation of the whole coast is at stake!). The man (you did learn his name - Brados Queira, head of the gold trading company) was ready to spare no expenses to send off an expedition to - preferably! - return the island (if they sink it, they should be able to return it!) but mostly, to make sure the sahuagin are gone (he was glad to skip the details) and the Annual Games could still take place in time.
"How can I help you with your difficult task? Please, anything I can do, just name it!" Kalis nodded - think and ask, quietly adding: "He was never into weapons or armour but does collect some magic items. Might be something that would help even you."
The place, you agreed to go to, promised to be cold, dark and very wet (in addition to already expected danger). The bottom of the sea is rarely a welcoming place. But maybe some potions and/or a few magical trinkets could solve at least some problems.
Dex save: 25
The wave moved past Yusko and he just bobbed up and down in the same spot barely registering it moving past him. Then looking back, he realized that island seemed to be sinking... and the boat would be the only safe-ish spot to be. Sighing, Yusko, slips away from the the fish man, grabs the hunter and begins pulling him back to shore. "Sorry, not sorry" he calls to the fishman and turns his head to the hunter. "Our ship is setting sail, best we be on it.
Bonus Action: disengage
Action: pull the hunter while he moves
Move action: move towards land. Will use a ki point for step of the wind (90 feet) if it lets him pull the hunter more.
The waves were pounding the shore, forming dangerous swirls between the island and the mainland, crashing the huts closer to water and washing over the wooden docks. Two out of three ships already left, with a few people hanging from the sides (the passengers were helping them to climb in). The last one - "Relentless" - the biggest and more suited for the long sea travel, was still picking up strugglers with the captain (you saw that brown-red-fur tabaxi around) yelling commands and a couple of sailors helping people in.
The evacuation went surprisingly smooth, whether because the mercs were chosen well and knew what they were doing, or because that particular crowd was not the cream of the spoiled spectators of blood sport but more bound to reality lot, but no one died (yet) under the crashing beams or left to the sharks (not counting dead hunters).
The live defence line on the beach, that kept the deadliest foe - sahuagin - literally at bay most likely helped too. But it was time to move - that much was clear. Hunters were running toward the ship, keeping their wits about them, though and not leaving their saviours behind either.
As the mighty turtle seemingly effortlessly turned the wave around and crashed two fish-men at the thorns, a young hunter touched the amulet on his neck and made a strange jest, probably warding himself from evil spirits. He looked at the ship, back at Trudie and with a shaken voice carefully begged the strange but powerful creature to go too. "Please? There can be more. And sharks too!" The boy was clearly unsure whether that turtle even needed to leave but could not just run away.
The bus-girl flew like a squirrel to the top of the breaking roof, sending two more bolts at the giant octopus that was crawling towards the ship. The eight-limbed mollusc stopped moving. "Down, you fool! We are sinking!" The voice belonged to Quinnie watching girls exercises with the mixed look of annoyance and admiration. "Wish you were so quick with the tables!" The girl knew her employer well enough to understand Quinnie is out of her mind with worry and lashes out to cover that. "Here you are!" That was to the heavy injured Donjah but she did not forget her last remaining employee either. "I said get down! The ship is leaving!"
Still wounded Donjah, accepted Yusko's help on the beach but insisted on walking himself later on. He breathed hard but pressed on. "Run, I have to check on my sister." He rushed to the breaking apart tavern and let his sister hug him."They are coming, the sea devils. I swear I saw the giant shark in the open water and a demon riding it!" The boy did not lie, at least about the shark - many saw the fin at least twice the normal size. "Are the houses clear?" Quinnie assured him, that all who could move were already on board and Donjah allowed to pull himself to the boat as well.
Meanwhile, Hansel was followed into his room - what was left of it - with another hunter, offering his help to transport the young cleric's stuff. If he was surprised to see that the jolly guest had a set of armour and a weapon, he did not say anything - after all, he witnessed parted waters, healing light and the appearance of the spirit of some weapon. The only question one could ask here is why would such a person need any kind of armour? He did not ask that either. The hunter would probably agree to carry Hansel's perfume collection, but Hansel did understand, as big as the ship was, it was not made of rubber and definitely had some weight limits. Considering the number of people already on board, some sacrifices were expected. ((Keep the armour and the weapon(s)))
Davis and the girl hunter, whose face froze in a challenging stubbornness, were the last to leave the treacherous waters (the waters followed but they could hope to outrun the flood). Huge sahuagin - the one attacked by the spiritual weapon - did not run after them. Did not return to the waters either, casually shrugging off the spiritual attack. "Waiting for the island to sink," stated the girl obvious through the clenched teeth, stumbling after Davis. "They were not that bold last year!"
An ear-piercing whistle from "Relentless" cut through the wind and crashing waves. The island shuddered again and sunk deeper. The dock beams seemed to be giving up too. People needed to hurry up if they did not plan to meet sahuagin and their sharks in the water.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
The bus girl glanced around, seeing that everyone seemed free and clear and were rushing for the Relentless, decided it was indeed time to join them. She rushes across the roof of the tavern, and reaching the edge, turns and lowers herself down. She drops to the shifting ground and rushes across the island for the ship. (action dash, full move, and bonus action dash)
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
At the young hunter's plea, Trudie would nod her head. "Common then." She'd gesture for him to come with her. "Still got two feet and a heartbeat. Off we go." The tortle would use her staff to help her walk through the sand alongside the hunter. "Snack for the road sweetheart?" She'd tap her staff on the ground and mutter something in druidic under her breath as she'd tilt it forward, tucking a part of it under her arm for reinforcement. A pile of goodberry(ies) would conjure at the end of her staff. "Go on now." Gran would gesture them forward to encourage the young hunter, as well as anyone else the passed as they trotted along, to grab one. "Eat up!" "Get your daily vitamins you whipper snappers!" "Only one each, unless you're going to share the other with someone." "What do you say?" ...
Goodberry: Trudie berries give 4hp!
just an unstable unicorn.
Grateful for the young hunter's help, Hansel gathered his staff, shield and pack over his shoulder, and the two of them hefted the armor chest between them and lugged it toward the ship, stumbling along barely as fast as the old tortle. As they clambered aboard, Hansel looked back wistfully at the island, watching this holiday paradise turn into a catastrophic battlefield, and thought again of all the stuff he had to leave behind. Oh well, it wasn't a complete tragedy... at least he knew his pack held at least one or two spare mirrors...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"The question is why." Davis says to the hunter with him. "This all to sink an island?" He shakes his head in confusion. "Attacking the hunters I understand." he gives the woman a smile. "No offense intended, just these are shark-men, so killing and blood make sense for them to do." He glances back to the water. "This though makes no sense. Why sink the island, and even more, how sink the island..." He is moving as he speaks, his twelve-foot-tall body towering above the others as he heads for the last boat. (Not doing much else other than moving, so, unless something changes, he is going straight for the boat, as long as everyone else is headed in that direction as well.)
Bogging down in the sand, knee-deep in water, people were running to the last ship. Davis and the girl were the last to get on board and not a moment too soon - the water reached the center of the island. Captain yelled another command, the wind filled the sails and "Relentless" almost jumped towards the open sea, trying to get as far from the sinking island as possible.
Passengers were cramped on the upper deck doing their best to stay out of the way of the busy crew. Most of the people here knew the danger of being too close to the sinking ships and were watching with fear buildings and trees disappearing under the water. Everyone was quiet, speaking when needed in nervous whispers. The sharks continued circling around the island as if guarding its passing down to the seafloor. Not one followed the ships but now everyone could see - though very far away - a gigantic fin of a pale shark with a passenger on its back. As the island sank, the giant shark dived down as well. Before the tops of the palm trees disappear under the water and the gap left by Hansel's spell filled in), the wind brought barely heard (the ship was quite far from the island now) words whispered in a monotonous tone "You are next".
The girl hunter (her name was Sylsa, as Davis eventually remembered) sat on the deck hugging herself and shivering under the hot sun. "They never were so bold!" She said it before but kept repeating, not knowing what to answer to the merc's question of "why?". The hunter that kept by Trudie (he hold the berries as a guarding talisman against demons and managed not to lose a single one) was about to nervously squash the precious gift but caught himself in time and now shared the talismans with others (most likely instructing not to eat them but to hold on to them). People were slowly recovering from the initial shock and getting to the more hurtful stage of "what's now?"
Some heads began to turn towards those who demonstrated wanders of magic and fighting skills. But before the passengers formulated the questions, the crew distracted them with a good mug of black rum (courtesy of captain) while the first mate - very serious never-seeing-smiling half-orc - tapped the shoulder of each of you, quietly inviting into the captain's cabin. "Cap wants a word with you." He did not say anything more but by the look of him, "no" was not expected.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Sylsa, please rest." Davis, now normal-size again, says to the hunter, laying a hand on her bare shoulder. "You are correct, they have not been so bold before." He thought it an understatement, but wanted to give the lass some closure if possible.
Upon getting the tap on his shoulder, Davis would rise from where he had been kneeling near Sylsa, and nod to the sailor. "I will be with you shortly." He informs the sailor, before turning back to Sylsa.
"I have to go and speak with the captain it seems." Davis informs her with a friendly smile. "You did very good today, continue to be brave and careful in equal mesure while I am gone, ok?" He would wait a moment, to see if there is any other response from her. When the mug of rum was pressed into Sylsa's hands he would nod to the sailor who delivered it, then he would head off to this meeting.
The bus girl attempts to slip into the crowd of wet and worried refugees, finding a spot to sit on an overturned bucket just behind a group of people. All the same, the people providing cover part like an ocean for the first mate as he asks after her. He motions towards the captains quarters. With a mildly displeased look, she nodded. She stood up, boots still squishing with water and sand peppering her wet pant legs, and made her way into the captains quarters. She immediately found herself a solid wall to put her back against, somewhere where the shadows seem deepest, and waited. She mostly focused on the unexpected old turtle woman who'd so brazenly emerged as one of the unexpected heros.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
“You’re doing great sweetheart.” Trudie chimes, plucking a berry and sending the young hunter a pat before wondering off with a hum. He guarded the heck out of those berries.
As granny padded by the big man and Sylsa, she’d backtrack. Slow waddling her way forward, the wise woman would offer a warm reassuring smile as she’d offer her the berry. “Perhaps something made them bolder.” She’d respond to the hunters mutterings. “Now we must be too.” And she saunters off.
Slowly and surely, Trudie made her way down to the Captain’s quarters. She’d take her time looking around for a good spot, craning her neck as she did, only to eventually settle herself down on the floor.
just an unstable unicorn.
After having drug the hunter away, he let him go but not before memorizing his face. He had to collect his fee later. Quickly, he rushed to grab his pack and then off he went before the island became a sand bar. As he left, he practically ran across the water to the ship. Once there, he used some of the ropes hanging off the side to climb up and then set him self up on the back end of the ship.
"Over here! If you're hurt come over here. I'm a doctor. That's right. Hey you, that's gonna need stitches." he yelled out. After a bit he was summoned to see the captain. "Yeah... sure I'll be right down."
Yusko did find the patients, practically everyone was hurt one way or another. Not seriously, for most cases, buses and scratches, but he had to attend a couple of broken limbs too. No one was paying, but to be fair, most run away with only their clothes on them.
The hunter with berries gratefully nodded to Trudie and in the most respectful tone he could master said "Rhan, ma'am. My name is Rhan." He nodded again several times before diving into the crowd to deliver the berries to those worthy of the gift.
Donjah - the most injured hunter, brother of the tavern owner - watched Sylsa's after-shock reaction with a sneer. "I thought you are a hunter." He did not add anything but the girl's face flushed dark red, she stopped muttering and tried her best to suppress the shiver, finally standing up and walking to the rails. The young man had a point - blood sport is not for the fainthearted - but he immediately got a slap and a temperamental quick delivered scorn from his sister. Happy to be distracted passengers joined the growing scandal.
--------------------------------
Leaving all that commotion behind, the group one by one went to the Captain's quarters. The cabin, though definitely the biggest on the ship, was not that huge. Six people could fit in but the place immediately felt crowded. Still, it looked impressive, fitted out in beautifully finished mahogany or camphor wood, with chunky brass corners and even more exotic decor.
When the group came in, the captain herself - that red-brown furred tabaxi you've seen around - was hunched over a wide table, puzzling over a map pinned to its surface by a half dozen knives and daggers. Several golden rings, each with a different stone, decorated her ears, and the hilt of the wave-bladed sword on her side was gem set and gilded as well. She raised her head and watched the group with big emerald eyes, waiting for everyone to find the place according to the character. Then she smiled with a sharp-toothed smile, equal parts cheerful and unsettling.
"Ah, welcome,' she had in her voice the low purr of her feline relatives. “Welcome aboard Relentless. Glad you agree to join me here. Some wine? Anything lighter? Stronger? We have much to discuss and I'd like you to feel comfortable.”
"But let me introduce myself. They call me Kalis," she put her hand on the sword and smiled again. "Captain Kalis. I know your names," Kalis looked at the old turtle, sending a personal smile, and added with a hint of regret "but not much about you. You are not just simple spectators or betters, are you? You are not. And that means opportunity. For me, for you and for the islands around. Sahuagin did get bolder all of a sudden. One sunken ship can be bad luck, two - still just a misfortune, but six in a month - this is targeting, I say, a war. Never heard of them sinking islands before but you saw that pale shark, did not you? It's them, the sea devils. We need to answer and answer fast. You are those who can do things, I am the one who knows things. One of them - a man who can pay for the things. See the picture? You stop the devil and get whatever you want for that - money or fame or both, I get my safe waters, they," she pointed with her head towards the deck, "get their entertainment back. Everyone's happy. What say you?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"This cannot be allowed to happen again." Davis says, standing next to the table, his eyes on the map. "If you know things, then tell us how you intend to stop these water devils from doing what they did here elsewhere." His eyes move up from the map, holding the captian's eyes. His own are calm and gray, looking solid and dependable. "I will aid in your work if you have a plan that has a chance of working. If you do not, then I would rather return to the mainland and find someone who can put together a plan to stop these things."
The bus girl stands back, neither agreeing, acknowledging, nor disagreeing with anything being said. She keeps her eyes down, avoiding eye contact and acting as if she doesn't quite belong in this den of warriors and sea captains. That said, her eyes do scan the map, committing it to memory as best as she can. She listens intently to everything being said. She also watches those around her, examining their equipment, the way they handle themselves, and studying how they react to the thing and act around each other.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
After some slow going and a couple cracks, Trudie would eventually settle into a cross legged position with her staff resting across her lap. It was just in time for the Captain to begin. Wasn't she just purrfect? Heavy lidded eyes watch while wrinkled lips are pulled back in content smile. She was listening. Grandma would consider, but politely turn down the drinks. Intoxicated Trudie, a tired tipsy tort could truly terrify these tough youngins. Though as the adrenaline from the initial excitement would fade, the old woman's mind would wander off from time to time, and it wasn't because their Captain wasn't striking or motivating.
Trudie's smile would slowly curl just a bit more, and her eyelids would lift just a smidge. "Ouu hoo hoo!" Davis' enthusiasm sparked delight. "He's a go getter that one!" Bringing a hand up, the tort taps her temple. "With a contingency plan." She'd animate a little more, as in, her brows would raise a titch. "Brawns and brains." There was a little bob.
The wise woman's mind was already made up, but she'd bring her hand down to her chin to look thoughtful. "Carry me, and I'm in." She'd grin. Even if she was blatantly denied, Trudie would chuckle, keeping her smile. It'd be worth a try. The old hermit would be in regardless.
There was a clear unbalance in nature. Sinking islands? That has consequences.
just an unstable unicorn.
Yusko listened carefully to it all. Sinking islands, secret missions, regional, if not global catastrophe. Yusko shifted back and forth as he thought about the implications. A smile came to his lips when he thought about the potential income. Then a frown as he thought about where to spend it? With a sigh he chimed in, "Payment is good and all, but I suppose if every port is shut down, every ship is sunk, transport of goods will come to a standstill. Global econemies will stall and collapse, people will be without the means to survive and panic will overtake the world ending in it's ultimate destruction. I suppose it's only right to step in to save the end of the world."
Davis glanced to Yusko with a raised eyebrow. "I think that is a bit much. Sinking a single island is one thing, taking out ships even less than that, but global destruction, doubtful." He shrugs though. "Bad enough though, an entire island's population is now homeless, that should not be allowed to happen to anyone else." He turns to the old tortus woman with a friendly smile. "Carry you?" He asked with a twinkle in his calm gray eyes. "I can do that, if you wish it."
The bus girl clears her throat, "It was a very small island. The people didn't live there. The actual village was on the mainland, across that bridge. The island was really just a few rental rooms, the bar, and the docks." She shrugs and looks apologetic for opening her mouth and then looks down at her feet again. She seems more sad about potentially saying something out of turn, than for the loss and destruction of the island.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Once on the ship, with the injured apparently being cared for and none in critical shape, Hansel stands at the stern, still dripping wet, and watches as the island sinks. Such a beautiful place - gone! And those horrid fish-creatures! Such ugliness, such waste. When the call to the captains quarters came, the carefree cleric quickly consented to the council with Kalis.
Hearing the tabaxi's suggestion, despite the lack of any specific details, Hansel agrees to help. By Sune's ruby lips, this deed must not go unanswered. The young man looks around at the others, studying their expressions (or perhaps just their faces). Nor be repeated, he adds with a nod to Davis. Responding to the quiet busgirl, he says: Small and unpopulated it was, but all the more tranquil and charming. The loss of a single one from the world is a tragedy.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"Splendid," murmured Kalis. She was quietly listening and attentively watching the conversation, not rushing with explanations. "I have a feeling we might even do it. Or, better say, you might. But I will tell what I know." She turned her eyes to the humble girl in the corner. "Curious about my map? Then look. See those marks? They mean sunken ships, those six that we - captains of these waters - know about." The marks formed a half-circle in the open ocean above Peara Tira. Kalis crossed the island with a dagger. "A pity. True, people did not always live there but if one spends somewhere all the time one has, and so do hundreds of others, would you call that place unpopulated? Still, I heard that voice. Was it meant for us? For the village? For other islands around? The devils attacked openly! They have to be put down." Kalis's eyes became hard and cold as the real emeralds. She plunged the dagger in the spot in the middle of the hypothetical circle the sunken ships formed.
"They are here! Deep down there is a trench. For years sahuagin tried to take it and then fight people off the coast. The last time they made an all-out attack, it was more than fifteen years ago. I was just a kitten, but know that they were wiped out. Now the word is, they returned and not to their usual place. The clan is led by a new Baron who would not mind becoming a prince. Or a King for all we know. His own would kill him but he's got something, that keeps other clans away and makes his own almost worship him. Something magical. I bet that thing drowned the island, whatever it is."
"Even villagers did not believe the rumours. And those in the cities did not care either. Now they will, and I'll take you to the man that can help us."
Meanwhile Relentless was still sailing away from the sunken island but now it seemed the coastal line got closer, the ship was turning to another village. The word already got there, the ship was expected. Refugees and hunters dissolve in the crowd but Kalis gave you a sign to stay. The crew helped the newly formed group to get to the small boat and brought them and the captain to the secluded cove, leaving at the beginning of a stone stairway, leading to the huge house on top of a beautiful low cliff. The doors were open, welcoming the company, and the owner, surrounded by the servants, was already waiting. A huge man with a belly of a true gourmet reeked of alcohol and a calm balsam and had the face of someone close to the heart attack. "IS IT TRUE?! Are these them?!" Kalis semi turned to the group to explain "I sent the word" and nodded to the man that exhaled with a relief "Thank goodness! This is a catastrophe, a true disaster!"
The next ten minutes were a chaos of tragic exclamations and very practical explanations. The gist of it was the already stated notion of necessity to act quick, with the addition of request to be discreet (think of the guests! the tourists! the reputation of the whole coast is at stake!). The man (you did learn his name - Brados Queira, head of the gold trading company) was ready to spare no expenses to send off an expedition to - preferably! - return the island (if they sink it, they should be able to return it!) but mostly, to make sure the sahuagin are gone (he was glad to skip the details) and the Annual Games could still take place in time.
"How can I help you with your difficult task? Please, anything I can do, just name it!" Kalis nodded - think and ask, quietly adding: "He was never into weapons or armour but does collect some magic items. Might be something that would help even you."
The place, you agreed to go to, promised to be cold, dark and very wet (in addition to already expected danger). The bottom of the sea is rarely a welcoming place. But maybe some potions and/or a few magical trinkets could solve at least some problems.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice