You find yourselves standing in the dock ward this early morning, following the instructions of your now new captain. Among all the vessels currently in harbor, one stands out - The Dark Siren. A sleek, dark, ship with furled, gray sails, she rides low in the water, as if already heavy laden, though no obvious signs of loading appear on the surrounding docks. Indeed, though the harbor is crowded, the other ships are docked as if to give the stranger additional room. Your host, tall and foreboding in his tarnished wraps, waits on the deck expectantly.
"Ah, so you have chosen to join me. Very well. Your payment, if you please. There are but a few last preparations to make, and we will sail. Place your belongings in any of the aft rooms - they are for your convenience during our travels. If you wish, join me on the deck as we depart. I will have more instructions for you at that time."
As you file aboard and drop the fourteen coins into a waiting coffer, he directs you to your rooms - down a few stairs to a hall of simple, bare, but surprisingly spacious rooms. The inside of the ship is similarly wrought in dark wood, dimly lit by a few oil lanterns on hooks. Further down the stairs as you turn back towards the center of the ship, you find an open area for dining and passing the time, placed just below the waterline, if the clamminess of the walls are any indication.
Further exploration must stop for the moment, however, as the captain gives out a shrill whistle, and with an odd pulse, the sails unfurl and the ship moves underway, sluggishly pushing through the harbor waters.
Yudvahn walks into her cabin, placing her pack on the cot. She decides to make a prayer to Torm, burning a stick of incense while she kneels. She prays for guidance and for the success of her voyage. She also asks for the blessing of the god, that she might smite any evils that lurk within the far lands. After she prays, she decides to go topside and become better acquainted with the sailor and her crewmates.
As the two of you head up, you see that the ship has picked up speed, and already leaves the harbor receding towards the horizon.
"My Siren is eager for travel..." Announces the captain. He has removed some of the wrapping on his face, revealing skin of a darkly shaded copper tint. The roots of curving horns can just be made out at the top of his brow. A tiefling, then. Looking towards you all from the cockpit, he waves a greeting. "Welcome aboard the ship of Ahumm... Once our final traveling companion settles, we must divide the duties of the ship. The Dark Siren requires... less, than most other craft on the seas of the worlds. Yet, she must be kept clean - within and without. She must be watched, to give warning, from dawn til dusk, for her eyes do not see well in the light. And at last, we must all be fed each day, no? Consider these tasks a part of your payment - and perhaps, an experience to remember."
With a laugh, he approaches midship, where the two of you stand.
Mirn waits patiently for the captain to reach them, one mustn't be too overly eager. "Captain, I'd be most obliged if I could keep watch over your Siren. I've been told that I have a keen eye, and if I am being honest would prefer to stay above deck." Mirn turns to leave, but remembers that she didn't actually wait for an answer, she turns back almost sheepishly and offers a wink. "Of course as long as that's not an imposition of sorts.
Albin stumbles up the stairs and nearly falls onto the deck. He is holding a small flask, though the top is missing--and so are the contents. He flashes a sheepish grin and unconvincingly yelps, "Sorry for the hold-up! Had to get...unpacked...."
The captain nods as Albin stumbles to the deck. He doesn't take note of the flask, or at least he chooses not to.
"Good. We are gathered. Mirn has volunteered for watch duty. Decide amongst yourselves who will clean and who will cook. If you wish to stay above deck after nightfall, you must speak with me - though I recommend it, since it is your first night on the Siren. The cook will want to be familiar with the storage spaces and galley on the first level. The other two will report to me here at dawn tomorrow."
With instructions given, the captain leaves you to your duties (yours to choose...) and returns to his position at the helm. He doesn't seem to be doing much there, though his eyes constantly seem to peer into the distance. The seas shine with reflected morning light, casting your surroundings in a deep, rich blue. Similarly, the skies above are clear, with a sharp wind blowing in from the north across the coast near Waterdeep's receding walls. Looking back, you catch the last few glimpses of the harbor on the horizon before it slips over the edge - your home is now this small floating vessel, your family a few strangers brought together by the promise of adventure.
The sails catch some of the cool northern wind, though they seem to hang fairly loose, shifting and blowing without having much effect on the direction or speed of the Siren.
Yudhvan looks around at the other gathered adventurers. "Well, I'm not much for cooking. But I've scrubbed more than a few floors in my life, and I can keep things neat." She thought back to her training as an acolyte. The priest had been found of quoting proverbs and aphorisms; one of his favorites had been Service Above Self. Yudhvan spoke again: "I can clean the ship, at least for now. Who wants to cook?"
Mirn claps Albin on the back and smiles "Looks like the prize for showing up late is the job nobody else wanted, please tell me you have some semblance of cooking experience... Anyway I suppose such is as such is." She gives his shoulder a quick squeeze before beginning to make her way up to the helm of the ship. She sets her shoulders and give a quiet clearing of her throat "Captain I do apologize, you must think that I had been raised in a barn to forget to ask such an important detail of my employer and captain, what is your name sir?" Leaning over the railing she adds, "I suppose I should be asking you two lot your names as well then."
"A sailor goes by many names... perhaps it is best if you call me Creideki, or simply Ahumm, though this was my father's name. As you please. Indeed, if you call my name upon the Dark Siren, I will hear it. Now, to your duties. I will see to most of the sailing for the day - ah, Mirn- a hand, if you please."
"My name is Yudhvan." She spoke, as she knelt down to start scrubbing the deck. "I'm an acolyte of Torm. I'm travelling..." she pauses for a second, thinking of a reason to be travelling among such company. "I'm travelling to spread the Holy Faith," she said, looking down at the deck.
"Ah - Yudhvan - deck is clean. I finished it yesterday. Begin below - go down until you cannot go further. You will need a knife - perhaps a chisel. Let me know if the work is difficult and I will show you."
He turns to Albin.
"You will find what you need - as well as the recipe book - in the galley. Get familiar. We will all need a hot meal before sunset."
“Well captain, I must say you have found yourself in a spot of good luck! I have not just one hand, but two!” Mirn follows the Captain across the deck to where he’s currently standing.
With swift motions, Captain Ahumm wraps Mirn's left hand in a tight, complicated knot, the silvery threads crossing and recrossing like spider-silk on his skin. Mirn feels an acrid burning flare against his skin, rapidly fading as it is replaced with a coolness, like the touch of a light sea breeze. The threads seem to fade, catching only a portion of the light they should.
"This is... ghost rope, we will call it. I will show you how to use. While on the ships of Ahumm, this rope binds you to. Now, follow." Taking you hand, he points it towards the ships prow. "Imagine that the rope is locked against the end of the deck there. Now, with that image in your mind, pull with your left hand, like so."
Outstretching his own wrapped hand, Creideki performs a light flick-gesture and... disappears.
"Over here, Mirn." He calls, from the far side of the deck.
Taken aback by the sudden heat and coolness, Mirn flinches for a second before letting out the breath she had been holding in. She twists her hand and admires the ephemeral light of the thread dancing across it and the light reflects of the thin, intricate ghost rope. Raising her hand towards the end of the deck, Mirn imagines the rope extending from her finger tips, flying forward and latching onto the rail near the edge of the prow. She pictures the spider-silk retracting back around her hand and pulling her towards the touch point across the ship.
You find yourself blinking for a moment in front of a glassy blue surface before tumbling into the water. Submerged, your open eyes make out a ghostly trail of the threadlike rope hanging taught back towards the ship. Another sudden tug, and you find yourself soaking wet but gasping for air on the ships deck. Creideki laughs.
"I remember my first time. A gentle pull... gentle. Here, try again."
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You find yourselves standing in the dock ward this early morning, following the instructions of your now new captain. Among all the vessels currently in harbor, one stands out - The Dark Siren. A sleek, dark, ship with furled, gray sails, she rides low in the water, as if already heavy laden, though no obvious signs of loading appear on the surrounding docks. Indeed, though the harbor is crowded, the other ships are docked as if to give the stranger additional room. Your host, tall and foreboding in his tarnished wraps, waits on the deck expectantly.
"Ah, so you have chosen to join me. Very well. Your payment, if you please. There are but a few last preparations to make, and we will sail. Place your belongings in any of the aft rooms - they are for your convenience during our travels. If you wish, join me on the deck as we depart. I will have more instructions for you at that time."
As you file aboard and drop the fourteen coins into a waiting coffer, he directs you to your rooms - down a few stairs to a hall of simple, bare, but surprisingly spacious rooms. The inside of the ship is similarly wrought in dark wood, dimly lit by a few oil lanterns on hooks. Further down the stairs as you turn back towards the center of the ship, you find an open area for dining and passing the time, placed just below the waterline, if the clamminess of the walls are any indication.
Further exploration must stop for the moment, however, as the captain gives out a shrill whistle, and with an odd pulse, the sails unfurl and the ship moves underway, sluggishly pushing through the harbor waters.
Mirn laughs and quietly whistles in harmony with the captain. "Guess I'll be heading up topside then."
Mirn | The Seven Seas Voyage
Yudvahn walks into her cabin, placing her pack on the cot. She decides to make a prayer to Torm, burning a stick of incense while she kneels. She prays for guidance and for the success of her voyage. She also asks for the blessing of the god, that she might smite any evils that lurk within the far lands. After she prays, she decides to go topside and become better acquainted with the sailor and her crewmates.
As the two of you head up, you see that the ship has picked up speed, and already leaves the harbor receding towards the horizon.
"My Siren is eager for travel..." Announces the captain. He has removed some of the wrapping on his face, revealing skin of a darkly shaded copper tint. The roots of curving horns can just be made out at the top of his brow. A tiefling, then. Looking towards you all from the cockpit, he waves a greeting. "Welcome aboard the ship of Ahumm... Once our final traveling companion settles, we must divide the duties of the ship. The Dark Siren requires... less, than most other craft on the seas of the worlds. Yet, she must be kept clean - within and without. She must be watched, to give warning, from dawn til dusk, for her eyes do not see well in the light. And at last, we must all be fed each day, no? Consider these tasks a part of your payment - and perhaps, an experience to remember."
With a laugh, he approaches midship, where the two of you stand.
Mirn waits patiently for the captain to reach them, one mustn't be too overly eager. "Captain, I'd be most obliged if I could keep watch over your Siren. I've been told that I have a keen eye, and if I am being honest would prefer to stay above deck." Mirn turns to leave, but remembers that she didn't actually wait for an answer, she turns back almost sheepishly and offers a wink. "Of course as long as that's not an imposition of sorts.
Mirn | The Seven Seas Voyage
Albin stumbles up the stairs and nearly falls onto the deck. He is holding a small flask, though the top is missing--and so are the contents. He flashes a sheepish grin and unconvincingly yelps, "Sorry for the hold-up! Had to get...unpacked...."
The captain nods as Albin stumbles to the deck. He doesn't take note of the flask, or at least he chooses not to.
"Good. We are gathered. Mirn has volunteered for watch duty. Decide amongst yourselves who will clean and who will cook. If you wish to stay above deck after nightfall, you must speak with me - though I recommend it, since it is your first night on the Siren. The cook will want to be familiar with the storage spaces and galley on the first level. The other two will report to me here at dawn tomorrow."
With instructions given, the captain leaves you to your duties (yours to choose...) and returns to his position at the helm. He doesn't seem to be doing much there, though his eyes constantly seem to peer into the distance. The seas shine with reflected morning light, casting your surroundings in a deep, rich blue. Similarly, the skies above are clear, with a sharp wind blowing in from the north across the coast near Waterdeep's receding walls. Looking back, you catch the last few glimpses of the harbor on the horizon before it slips over the edge - your home is now this small floating vessel, your family a few strangers brought together by the promise of adventure.
The sails catch some of the cool northern wind, though they seem to hang fairly loose, shifting and blowing without having much effect on the direction or speed of the Siren.
How will you pass your day?
Yudhvan looks around at the other gathered adventurers. "Well, I'm not much for cooking. But I've scrubbed more than a few floors in my life, and I can keep things neat." She thought back to her training as an acolyte. The priest had been found of quoting proverbs and aphorisms; one of his favorites had been Service Above Self. Yudhvan spoke again: "I can clean the ship, at least for now. Who wants to cook?"
Mirn claps Albin on the back and smiles "Looks like the prize for showing up late is the job nobody else wanted, please tell me you have some semblance of cooking experience... Anyway I suppose such is as such is." She gives his shoulder a quick squeeze before beginning to make her way up to the helm of the ship. She sets her shoulders and give a quiet clearing of her throat "Captain I do apologize, you must think that I had been raised in a barn to forget to ask such an important detail of my employer and captain, what is your name sir?" Leaning over the railing she adds, "I suppose I should be asking you two lot your names as well then."
Mirn | The Seven Seas Voyage
"A sailor goes by many names... perhaps it is best if you call me Creideki, or simply Ahumm, though this was my father's name. As you please. Indeed, if you call my name upon the Dark Siren, I will hear it. Now, to your duties. I will see to most of the sailing for the day - ah, Mirn- a hand, if you please."
"My name is Yudhvan." She spoke, as she knelt down to start scrubbing the deck. "I'm an acolyte of Torm. I'm travelling..." she pauses for a second, thinking of a reason to be travelling among such company. "I'm travelling to spread the Holy Faith," she said, looking down at the deck.
"Ah - Yudhvan - deck is clean. I finished it yesterday. Begin below - go down until you cannot go further. You will need a knife - perhaps a chisel. Let me know if the work is difficult and I will show you."
He turns to Albin.
"You will find what you need - as well as the recipe book - in the galley. Get familiar. We will all need a hot meal before sunset."
"Now, Mirn. That hand."
“Well captain, I must say you have found yourself in a spot of good luck! I have not just one hand, but two!” Mirn follows the Captain across the deck to where he’s currently standing.
Mirn | The Seven Seas Voyage
"Yes... I see. Perhaps I am not clear. Which hand do you prefer?"
With fluid motions, he holds a length of pale, worn rope in his hand, idly twisting and looping it in a mesmerizing pattern.
"Oh. I um would prefer my left hand, I think..."
Mirn, surprisingly hesitant, offers up the aforementioned hand.
Mirn | The Seven Seas Voyage
With swift motions, Captain Ahumm wraps Mirn's left hand in a tight, complicated knot, the silvery threads crossing and recrossing like spider-silk on his skin. Mirn feels an acrid burning flare against his skin, rapidly fading as it is replaced with a coolness, like the touch of a light sea breeze. The threads seem to fade, catching only a portion of the light they should.
"This is... ghost rope, we will call it. I will show you how to use. While on the ships of Ahumm, this rope binds you to. Now, follow." Taking you hand, he points it towards the ships prow. "Imagine that the rope is locked against the end of the deck there. Now, with that image in your mind, pull with your left hand, like so."
Outstretching his own wrapped hand, Creideki performs a light flick-gesture and... disappears.
"Over here, Mirn." He calls, from the far side of the deck.
Taken aback by the sudden heat and coolness, Mirn flinches for a second before letting out the breath she had been holding in. She twists her hand and admires the ephemeral light of the thread dancing across it and the light reflects of the thin, intricate ghost rope. Raising her hand towards the end of the deck, Mirn imagines the rope extending from her finger tips, flying forward and latching onto the rail near the edge of the prow. She pictures the spider-silk retracting back around her hand and pulling her towards the touch point across the ship.
"OH!"
Mirn | The Seven Seas Voyage
Make a dexterity saving throw to not accidentally throw yourself across the prow and into the waves.
Dex check to not get thrown off the boat: 17
Mirn | The Seven Seas Voyage
You find yourself blinking for a moment in front of a glassy blue surface before tumbling into the water. Submerged, your open eyes make out a ghostly trail of the threadlike rope hanging taught back towards the ship. Another sudden tug, and you find yourself soaking wet but gasping for air on the ships deck. Creideki laughs.
"I remember my first time. A gentle pull... gentle. Here, try again."