Laitraxa growls at Eclipse. "It's knitting together. Either negotiate or I hit it again. We only have seconds before my breath escapes me, and I cannot summon it again this day."
Laitraxa will be prepared to leap for a final acidic strafing run, feeling the fury begin to subside as the magic runs it's course. She looks at Eclipse."Well?"
OOC Not sure how much time Ihave left on the spell. Bunnni?
To Laitraxa, whispered, while smiling and waving at Theena, “Scorch that whore-begotten, bent-keeled, sodden-timbered, accursed pinwheel to ashes, my Queen.”
Eclipse has never actually used Thieves Cant before, although he's memorized many pages of vocabulary he found over several months in an old archive he sometimes hung out in to meet women. Oh yes-- Izidor la Manche... ('Focus, Eclipe!'). He pauses for a moment, running his hand over his furred brow, then replies to Theena, "Well met, Theena Arveene from Gallow Glens,"and in an 'accented' Thieves Cant, (Hidden code: I would like nothing batter then to burn that sheep to the grown.) "So long as we are not under attack, I am certainly willing to parlez." (Hidden code: 'Blast it, I can't say two things at once' ...Why don't you goat off the sheep and leaf it to dye?)
He turns to look carefully at the prisoners eying him so carefully. Does he have anything to worry about here?
Insight: 22
"That is great to hear!" Theena continued enthusiastically, in part to keep the ruse going and partially because her secret message was actually received (Hidden Code: I think that would be unwise). "Let me know if there is anything you desire..." (Hidden Code: It'll rampage like a dying animal if it feels threatened; and kill the captives.) "...and I will relay that to the Sky." (Hidden Code: Can the dragon set the sail on fire...) "Sound fair?" (Hidden Code: ...or steal it maybe?)
“That sounds tremendous,”(Hidden code: get off the sheep) “and we will quietly await a response.”(Hidden code: dragon will burn that whore-begotten, bent-keeled, sodden-timbered, accursed pinwheel to lashes [OOC: Eclipse actually practiced cursing in Thieves Cant!].) “Our dragon is circling to assess the damage to both ships. And to ensure our assailants do not return.” (Hidden code: Dragon is communing. Coming, I mean. NOW.)
Laitraxa leaps off the side of the Reaver, wings flared, the white acrid smoke trailing from the side of her mouth and swirling around her wings. Oh, if mother could see me now.
She descends, spying the side-sails of the ship. She looks at the pixie and Theena hears a mental message in her mind. "Little one. Climb up near the portside sail. When I dive down, use your strength and fly onto my back. Act as if you attack."
(That'll be a Message cast, 1 round, 4 rounds of breath remaining, Theena can respond and/or make the move)
As Laitraxa continues her circle, she starts at the starboard side, and with a loud roar, sprays the entire steering sail with a gout of acid before climbing up and beginning another long circle around and away from the ship. She appears to be headed for the portside sail next.
Surprised to hear another voice in her head, Theena shifted her head rapidly from side to side looking for it's source (and hoping that it wasn't a second demon ship). When she spotted the dragon making her move, she understood the message and acted accordingly.
"Understood. Please proceed." As she moved towards the portside sail (I'm assuming Theena knows which side that is), Theena responded to the dragon, Okay but we cannot let the ship keep the orcs on board. I think it'll heal itself if it has something to "feed" on...
As soon as she saw the dragon restart it's assault, Theena began to run as called out to those on deck, "Jump! Jump!!" miming the action in case they did not understand her. When she reached the agreed upon location, she prepared herself to jump when the dragon next passed by.
Seeing Laitraxa and Theena in motion, Eclipse continues helping prisoners on board. Perhaps that means bringing up the anchor higher, or commanding the rope of climbing to knot itself to the top of the cage? He's got his eye on the wheel still and is ready to leap to it and begin setting this Word in motion if the Hungry Sky starts moving.
Since the prisoners are onboard, Eclipse will direct them below deck, to the galley or hold in case the ship has to maneuver. “Janear, and Druaz if you would: help me pull the cage over the gunwale so we can release it from the anchor.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The last volley of dragonbreath doesn't burn quite as well, though the bag is shriveled, probably beyond repair. The orcs look at each other, with some readying themselves to jump and some looking hesitant. One has quietly climbed down the side of the ship and is making a break for open prairie.
In the back of Theena's mind she feels the ship again, "Report. What has been agreed upon?"
Perception for Theena 19 The half-orc woman got quiet really quick...
Druaz nods and shakes Jenaer's hand, silently. She seems curt, if civil, and follows Eclipse's order. Assuming Jenaer's help, the cage is brought up relatively easily. Most of the captives go down into the hold as directed, but the first two remain on deck.
The dwarven woman is saying to the blue man, "How can that be a coincidence? We're told we'd be shown the way on the word of a mawn, and the mawn's ship is called the Reaver's Word, it-"
"You're twisting it into what you want to hear. Enough nonsense." he says, cutting her off and walking over to Eclipse. "Captain, we greatly appreciate the rescue. If you can drop us at any of the larger ports I can have payment sent to your account -"
This time it's her turn to cut him off, as she tugs at his elbow and says under her breath, "I don't think these are merchants Noticus. You don't put the 'reaver' in the name if your in shipping..."
Eclipse regards the dwarven woman with a sly smile and responds, “I’d be careful about trusting the word of just any mawn, if I were you. Yet too, while many a reaver’s word is made to be broken, this Word upon which you now stand, has been as true as true-blue.” This last, a pun said winkingly to her companion.“Noticus, is it? I am Eclipse Faraway, and this ship and crew are at your service. We will be glad to drop you at a larger port. Indeed, that is where we were headed following this encounter. Which one is your preference? And may I know to whom we will soon owe thanks for your generously offered reward for your rescue?”
Eclipse then focuses on the other ship.
“I suggest we continue this conversation later. This acquaintance,”motioning to the Sky, “is one I am quite ready to break off, even after having only recently met. If you will excuse me...and I suggest you hold on until we are out of harms way,”and the mawn continues to the wheel, still ready to throw the modified drop-hopper into action if needed, and keeping an eye on Laitraxa to ensure she can make it back to the Word.
"Druaz and Jenaer, thank you! If you would now kindly man the ballistas until we have some distance from that ship!"
Druaz moves back to the ballista, adroit and quiet.
"I'm Noticus Bin Bally." he turns to the dwarven woman, "This is Ruby Sally - "
"Sally Ruby."
"What did I say?"
"Ruby Sally. Again."
"You're sure it's not Ruby Sally?"
By way of response, she crosses her arms and gives him a look that clearly communicates just how stupid a question she thinks that is. Nonetheless, he stares at her for a moment, as if expecting clarification. When none is forth coming, he continues.
"My business partner. I'm a merchant, essentially, and far off my route. I'm most inclined to head to Almantoes*, but my business contacts there are certainly long gone by now, so it hardly matters. Anywhere civilized will do just as well."
*An elven trading hub a day to the south. It's within the boarders of the Gallows Glens, and it's not clear if it's been effected by the war directly yet or not.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
While a very long and enlightening conversation is happening on the ship above, Laitraxa swoops down to the portside sail. She sees the pixie, and flies close. She holds her dash to the moment the small woman jumps on her back, and prepares a very convincing roar of fake pain once Theena has made her move. She will fly as far away as she can from the ship, perpendicularly away from the striken vessel.
In the back of Theena's mind she feels the ship again, "Report. What has been agreed upon?"
Perception for Theena 19 The half-orc woman got quiet really quick...
"The Captain agreed to my terms but the dragon is not cooperating. I'll handle it," Theena lied as she jumped into the air and onto the Dragon's back before miming stabbing her with her diminutive rapier. As the dragon continued to stream ahead, Theena spared a glance towards the ship to see how the remaining orcs were fairing (particularly the woman orc from earlier).
Theena grips Laitraxa as she swoops in, as do a pair of orcs. A third tries and misses her entirely, slamming into the ground just off the edge of the ship. For a fraction of a second Theena feels the ship begin to speak to her, in a hurried, angered tone, but the connection fades abruptly, like a slammed door, as she's carried out of range. The orcs seem to be in some heated discussion as you depart.
Edit: And Druaz is manning the other ballista. I can't remember if I posted that or just planned to.
Eclipseis now completely focused on Laitraxa and will maneuver the ship as needed to allow her to either land on deck, or to catch the rope of climbing still hanging from the opposite gunwale.
Eclipsegrimaces and shouts, "By the gods, learn some manners, wretched vessel: close your mouth when you chew!" "Janear, Druaz, we'll fly over the ship now, perhaps give it that cage as dessert?" and Eclipse guides the Reaver's Word up and above the Hungry Sky long enough for the cage to be released and pushed overboard into the gaping maw, and then sets course for cloud cover to escape from view.
Feeling the pixie woman gripping tight against some of the frills along her neck as she flies to a rendezvous with the descending ship, Laitraxa speaks to her, her voice deep yet still feminine in intonation. "Hello. I am Laitraxa. I have met your Druaz, and I am glad we seemed to have rescued you from... whatever that is."
Laitraxa drops onto the deck, breathing heavily. Surprised I was able to bear all that load... maybe I won't be a runt much longer.
As she releases the two orcs onto the deck, she growls at them. "Common?" and switches to Goblin, "<or Goblin>?". Looking at the two, she snarls at them. "I need to find out some information, and unless you'd like us to drop you back off with the other ship, I recommend you be forthcoming."
You've got about half the duration left.
To Laitraxa, whispered, while smiling and waving at Theena, “Scorch that whore-begotten, bent-keeled, sodden-timbered, accursed pinwheel to ashes, my Queen.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
“That sounds tremendous,” (Hidden code: get off the sheep) “and we will quietly await a response.” (Hidden code: dragon will burn that whore-begotten, bent-keeled, sodden-timbered, accursed pinwheel to lashes [OOC: Eclipse actually practiced cursing in Thieves Cant!].) “Our dragon is circling to assess the damage to both ships. And to ensure our assailants do not return.” (Hidden code: Dragon is communing. Coming, I mean. NOW.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Laitraxa leaps off the side of the Reaver, wings flared, the white acrid smoke trailing from the side of her mouth and swirling around her wings. Oh, if mother could see me now.
She descends, spying the side-sails of the ship. She looks at the pixie and Theena hears a mental message in her mind. "Little one. Climb up near the portside sail. When I dive down, use your strength and fly onto my back. Act as if you attack."
(That'll be a Message cast, 1 round, 4 rounds of breath remaining, Theena can respond and/or make the move)
As Laitraxa continues her circle, she starts at the starboard side, and with a loud roar, sprays the entire steering sail with a gout of acid before climbing up and beginning another long circle around and away from the ship. She appears to be headed for the portside sail next.
Action - Dragon's Breath (acid) 6
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Surprised to hear another voice in her head, Theena shifted her head rapidly from side to side looking for it's source (and hoping that it wasn't a second demon ship). When she spotted the dragon making her move, she understood the message and acted accordingly.
"Understood. Please proceed." As she moved towards the portside sail (I'm assuming Theena knows which side that is), Theena responded to the dragon, Okay but we cannot let the ship keep the orcs on board. I think it'll heal itself if it has something to "feed" on...
As soon as she saw the dragon restart it's assault, Theena began to run as called out to those on deck, "Jump! Jump!!" miming the action in case they did not understand her. When she reached the agreed upon location, she prepared herself to jump when the dragon next passed by.
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM
Seeing Laitraxa and Theena in motion, Eclipse continues helping prisoners on board. Perhaps that means bringing up the anchor higher, or commanding the rope of climbing to knot itself to the top of the cage? He's got his eye on the wheel still and is ready to leap to it and begin setting this Word in motion if the Hungry Sky starts moving.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Since the prisoners are onboard, Eclipse will direct them below deck, to the galley or hold in case the ship has to maneuver.
“Janear, and Druaz if you would: help me pull the cage over the gunwale so we can release it from the anchor.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
“With pleasure.” Jenaer bows before readying himself by the cage. “Druaz is it? Pleasure to meet you properly, fine work on the ballistas.”
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
The last volley of dragonbreath doesn't burn quite as well, though the bag is shriveled, probably beyond repair. The orcs look at each other, with some readying themselves to jump and some looking hesitant. One has quietly climbed down the side of the ship and is making a break for open prairie.
In the back of Theena's mind she feels the ship again, "Report. What has been agreed upon?"
Perception for Theena 19 The half-orc woman got quiet really quick...
Druaz nods and shakes Jenaer's hand, silently. She seems curt, if civil, and follows Eclipse's order. Assuming Jenaer's help, the cage is brought up relatively easily. Most of the captives go down into the hold as directed, but the first two remain on deck.
The dwarven woman is saying to the blue man, "How can that be a coincidence? We're told we'd be shown the way on the word of a mawn, and the mawn's ship is called the Reaver's Word, it-"
"You're twisting it into what you want to hear. Enough nonsense." he says, cutting her off and walking over to Eclipse. "Captain, we greatly appreciate the rescue. If you can drop us at any of the larger ports I can have payment sent to your account -"
This time it's her turn to cut him off, as she tugs at his elbow and says under her breath, "I don't think these are merchants Noticus. You don't put the 'reaver' in the name if your in shipping..."
Eclipse regards the dwarven woman with a sly smile and responds, “I’d be careful about trusting the word of just any mawn, if I were you. Yet too, while many a reaver’s word is made to be broken, this Word upon which you now stand, has been as true as true-blue.” This last, a pun said winkingly to her companion. “Noticus, is it? I am Eclipse Faraway, and this ship and crew are at your service. We will be glad to drop you at a larger port. Indeed, that is where we were headed following this encounter. Which one is your preference? And may I know to whom we will soon owe thanks for your generously offered reward for your rescue?”
Eclipse then focuses on the other ship.
“I suggest we continue this conversation later. This acquaintance,” motioning to the Sky, “is one I am quite ready to break off, even after having only recently met. If you will excuse me...and I suggest you hold on until we are out of harms way,” and the mawn continues to the wheel, still ready to throw the modified drop-hopper into action if needed, and keeping an eye on Laitraxa to ensure she can make it back to the Word.
"Druaz and Jenaer, thank you! If you would now kindly man the ballistas until we have some distance from that ship!"
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Druaz moves back to the ballista, adroit and quiet.
"I'm Noticus Bin Bally." he turns to the dwarven woman, "This is Ruby Sally - "
"Sally Ruby."
"What did I say?"
"Ruby Sally. Again."
"You're sure it's not Ruby Sally?"
By way of response, she crosses her arms and gives him a look that clearly communicates just how stupid a question she thinks that is. Nonetheless, he stares at her for a moment, as if expecting clarification. When none is forth coming, he continues.
"My business partner. I'm a merchant, essentially, and far off my route. I'm most inclined to head to Almantoes*, but my business contacts there are certainly long gone by now, so it hardly matters. Anywhere civilized will do just as well."
*An elven trading hub a day to the south. It's within the boarders of the Gallows Glens, and it's not clear if it's been effected by the war directly yet or not.
While a very long and enlightening conversation is happening on the ship above, Laitraxa swoops down to the portside sail. She sees the pixie, and flies close. She holds her dash to the moment the small woman jumps on her back, and prepares a very convincing roar of fake pain once Theena has made her move. She will fly as far away as she can from the ship, perpendicularly away from the striken vessel.
Deception 15
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
"The Captain agreed to my terms but the dragon is not cooperating. I'll handle it," Theena lied as she jumped into the air and onto the Dragon's back before miming stabbing her with her diminutive rapier. As the dragon continued to stream ahead, Theena spared a glance towards the ship to see how the remaining orcs were fairing (particularly the woman orc from earlier).
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM
“With pleasure captain.” Jenaer grins as he makes his way to the ballista. He tries to keep Laitraxia in his sights in case anything comes for her.
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
Theena grips Laitraxa as she swoops in, as do a pair of orcs. A third tries and misses her entirely, slamming into the ground just off the edge of the ship. For a fraction of a second Theena feels the ship begin to speak to her, in a hurried, angered tone, but the connection fades abruptly, like a slammed door, as she's carried out of range. The orcs seem to be in some heated discussion as you depart.
Edit: And Druaz is manning the other ballista. I can't remember if I posted that or just planned to.
Eclipse is now completely focused on Laitraxa and will maneuver the ship as needed to allow her to either land on deck, or to catch the rope of climbing still hanging from the opposite gunwale.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Out of range of the Sky, Theena dropped her performance and held onto the dragon as tightly as she could.
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM
We can assume Laitraxa, Theena, and the pair of orcs make it to the ship without incident.
With a loud crack the deck of the Hungry Sky caves in, and the rest of those on board disappear into the hold below.
Eclipse grimaces and shouts, "By the gods, learn some manners, wretched vessel: close your mouth when you chew!" "Janear, Druaz, we'll fly over the ship now, perhaps give it that cage as dessert?" and Eclipse guides the Reaver's Word up and above the Hungry Sky long enough for the cage to be released and pushed overboard into the gaping maw, and then sets course for cloud cover to escape from view.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Feeling the pixie woman gripping tight against some of the frills along her neck as she flies to a rendezvous with the descending ship, Laitraxa speaks to her, her voice deep yet still feminine in intonation. "Hello. I am Laitraxa. I have met your Druaz, and I am glad we seemed to have rescued you from... whatever that is."
Laitraxa drops onto the deck, breathing heavily. Surprised I was able to bear all that load... maybe I won't be a runt much longer.
As she releases the two orcs onto the deck, she growls at them. "Common?" and switches to Goblin, "<or Goblin>?". Looking at the two, she snarls at them. "I need to find out some information, and unless you'd like us to drop you back off with the other ship, I recommend you be forthcoming."
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag