Chapter 5: Blood and Fire

[Jeff]

Chapter 5
Blood and Fire

Far, the 13th of Rhaan 998 YK

It is nearly dawn in the depths of the Whisper Wood. Just how deep in the forest you really are, you aren't yet sure. Your time among the fey has disoriented your sense of time and geography.

The night sky begins to lighten as you walk through, and then back out of, a shallow ravine. The dark leaves of the dense canopy fades into a more verdant green. When you crest the edge of a boulder-strewn ridge, at last you are coming to your destination.

Through a break in the trees, you can make out the shape of the Thunderhead—lying on its hull, at a 45° angle, on the forest floor. Numerous branches, shorn from trees on the airship's alleged descent, litter the ground around it. An attempt has been made to clear some of the branches away, and much of it has been turned into firewood. In fact, it looks like it's been at least a day or more that it's been this way.

The ship looks more or less intact, and the hull remarkably undamaged, but the binding struts—through which the elemental is meant to propel the ship—are clearly damaged, splintered and bent.

Ralsor once explained to some of you that airships are meant to dock only at docking towers; they can't normally touch down anywhere, certainly not the ground. Seeing the Thunderhead at its current angle is a bad thing. The elemental itself is not visible, clearly not moving through the binding struts at all right now.

But you do see activity. Crouched by the hull and the lower binding strut is Leverage, the warforged artificer, working to repair the struts. Fherina, the gnome chronicler, is sitting on a rock nearby, scratching idly in a book. You see no sign of Ralsor or his caustic girlfriend, Misha. Of the others—

Charis and Grafth both suddenly spy a slender, dark figure crouched in the branches of a just above you. The shape moves the moment you they see it, though, sliding down branches and then the trunk itself in a long, graceful motion.

The black figure drops to the ground, startling everyone but Charis and Grafth. Even Tangat barks in sudden surprise.

It's Mist! The black-enameled "female" warforged. Her short bow is strapped to her back, and she has her scimitar in hand, but she speaks without any sound of warning.

"We thought you lost," she says, her tone matter-of-fact. "The dwarf is not with you—has he fallen?" Her head swivels slightly from one of you to the other, seeming to take obvious note of your new armor.

Tangat barks a couple more times in excitement. Fherina looks up from her spot, and Lever stands up and turns around to see you. They, and the ship itself, are only a short distance away. Mist gestures toward them, encouraging you to enter the repair site. "Your absence has been long," she says.

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Belarin Perception check (1d20+1=8)
Charis Perception check (1d20+8=27)
Grafth Perception check (1d20+10=20)
Kal Perception check (1d20+1=18)
Streko Perception check (1d20+7=18)

[Darren]

Kal reaches up as though to place his hand on the warforged's shoulder, then stops, and nervously returns his hand to his side. "It is good to see you ali...ah...well, Mist." Kal clears his throat, then moves further into the clearing, his business with Mist clearly finished.

Kalarian looks up at the fallen airship and calls out, "Dammit, d'Lyrander! Couldn't you keep your Hells-damned ship in the air for one day without us around?" He lowers his voice and looks at Fherina and Lever. "It is good to see you both," he says, though his voice is matter-of-fact and business-like. "Where is Pellorien?"

[Jeff]

Couldn't you keep your Hells-damned ship in the air for one day without us around?"

Mist's rigid face offers no expression, but her eyes spark with light. "It has been five," she says, then turns and walks toward the ship herself. "You will need to speak with the Captain regarding your friend the changeling. It is not my place to speak of her fate."

You see no immediate sign of Ralsor.

[Josh]

"Mist, can you tell me how the ships food supply is holding up? If we are running low, it may be good to do a bit of hunting... provided we keep close for the time being." It is clear to all that the shifter would delight in such an endeavor.

[Ken]

"Five days," repeats Belarin. "Well, more than I expected, but less than I feared, so I suppose we've found what some would call the 'happy medium,' even though mediums are notoriously tetchy."

He moves toward the ship as he continues talking. "So, what happened? A battle?" He addresses Leverage directly. "Is there any way I can help repairs ... well, from an arcane perspective, that is?"

[Marcy]

Charis gives the others an odd look, then asks Mist, "Was anyone hurt in the crash, or the battle?"

[Jeff]

"Mist, can you tell me how the ships food supply is holding up?"

Mist replies to Grafth, "I am accustomed to hunting for the members of my regiment who are not warforged. I have done so again, in your absence. But with your return, we will need more food. I would be pleased to hunt with you, should the Captain grant me permission."

"You'll have the time," the gnome Fherina says, standing up at your group's approach. She looks tired, her spritely face smudged a bit with dirt but looking brighter with your arrival, as if you offer a break from tedium. "This ship isn't going anywhere soon."

At this, Lever walks over. "From my point of view, it will be soon indeed."

Fherina rolls her eyes.

Lever continues. "The damage to this airship is superficial. The core is fully intact, the elemental containment sufficiently operational. Only the binding struts present a problem. But I believe I can restore even these within 24 hours. We might be airborn again by noon tomorrow."

"So, what happened? A battle?...Is there any way I can help repairs ... well, from an arcane perspective, that is?"

"I...am not sure. I had not considered assistance. I am not familiar with your expertise concerning elemental binding or vehicular artifice."

"Was anyone hurt in the crash, or the battle?"

Both warforged and the gnome fall silent at this. Then Mist says, "Yes." She walks closer to the ship and calls out for the Captain.

In a moment, Ralsor climbs out of the hatch at the bottom of the hull—a hatch normally accessed by a rope ladder, but now only feet from the ground at the ship's sideways angle.

He is grim-faced, but smiles wearily when he sees you. "It's about time," he says, then takes in all of you with appraising eyes. "Better delayed, rested, and newly-amored than never, I always say."

Then he sighs. "Yes, there was a battle. Your friend, Pellorien....she did not survive. And...Misha....is gone. Malov has taken her."

[Darren]

Kal listens quietly, his face grim. At this last bit of news, he swings his fist hard into the side of the ship. He says nothing, and shows no sign of pain, but when his hand returns to his side, it is red and perhaps a bit swollen. He takes a step closer to Ralsor. "I am sorry, d'Lyrander. We will do what we can to get her back. I promise you."

Kalarian begins to walk away, then turns and regards the ship. "We are returning to Fairhaven in order to find Malov and, if the gods favor us, kill him. We are expected there in two days." He directs his next statement at Ralsor, but his eyes dart between the half-elf and Lever. "Can you fix the ship and get us there by 12 bells in two days time, or do we need to begin walking?"

[Ken]

Belarin's banter fades quickly after Ralsor's grim news. He didn't know Pel or have a chance to talk to Misha, yet he stays silent.

Jun 23, 2009 7:29:37 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"I...am not sure. I had not considered assistance. I am not familiar with your expertise concerning elemental binding or vehicular artifice."

"Ah, that," says Belarin after a moment. "Well, as for the second topic ... next to nothing, I'm afraid. As for elemental binding, I may be able to steer you away from any missteps. Let's see what we have...." He examines the area while he silently calls upon the voices that float around his consciousness. Come out, my friends, he thinks. Seated you were during the Mistress' audience, but now it's time to dance.

OOC: Belarin invokes otherworldly whispers to see what information he has about elementals and binding. He'll also take a minute to use his Arcana skill to detect magic in order to determine if there are any "leaks" around the ship's elemental.

Arcana roll about elemental binding (1d20+16=23)

[Josh]

Grafth remains characteristically stoic as Raslor relates the various fates of his companions. "Yes, despite our delay and apparent good health, affairs are as dire as ever. Let us do what we must to continue onward. I am at the disposal of our captain, as before."

[Joe]

Streko's eyes harden. "I would like to see Pel, if you don't mind." He speaks to no one in particular, bu tloudly enough for all to hear.

"Once I have offered Olladra's blessings on Pel's new journey, I shall also be at your beck and call, Captain, but not until."

[Jeff]

Ralsor eyes Kal with a mixture of intense emotions, not the least of which is anger. "You've been gone for days....and now you're in a hurry? I am sorry if my damaged ship has inconvenienced you."

Fherina sucks in a breath, watching the two dragonmarked men.

"No...I don't think we'll get Misha back," he says, calmer. "Unless you've discovered a cure for the sickness of Malov's possession?" Before anyone can reply, Ralsor continues, his voice a little hoarse. "It's her own fault. She got too close to Pel, to Malov who was possessing her. He did something...and infected her with his sickness. So I guess he abandoned Pel for Misha. But we didn't discover Pel's body until after the crash.

"I woke up in the middle of the night....the elemental was calling to me." Ralsor absently taps his shirt, beneath which he bears the Mark of Storm. "Mish....Malov was in the elemental core room, sabotaging the integrity of her binding. So we went down. I got to the helm and did what I could. She...the elemental...is obedient to me, but her manipulation of the ship isn't easy without the binding. She responded to me just enough so I could keep the ship from becoming kindling on the forest floor....

"In the crash, Misha disappeared. But by this time, Malov knew where we were...where we are. He knows we're in the Whisper Woods."

At Streko's request, Ralsor nods. He leads your party around the ship to the edge of the clearing that the ship made in its descent. There you see a small mound of fresh earth, framed by hand-sized stones. A grave. "We've been here a couple of days now," Ralsor says, "So I thought she deserved some peace."

Ralso looks to Grafth. "Thank you. I'm very tired...but this isn't over, not for me. I'll help you with whatever you need to do against this bastard. Once we get this ship in the air again, just tell me where you want to go."

Belarin looks at the damaged binding struts. He knows nothing about elemental binding, but the otherwordly whispers in his mind suggest that he may be able to allow the warforged to move more quickly...possibly shave a few hours off his efforts.

Fherina keeps a respectful distance from Pel's grave, but she makes her way to the edge of the group. Looking at Grafth and at Charis, she clears her throat softly. "What happened to you?" Her eyes fix on your party's new armor and clothing. "Do we know anything more about this enemy?"

[Darren]

Jun 24, 2009 10:43:48 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Ralsor eyes Kal with a mixture of intense emotions, not the least of which is anger. "You've been gone for days....and now you're in a hurry? I am sorry if my damaged ship has inconvenienced you."

Kal places both of his hands on Ralsor's shoulders and forces the man to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry, Ralsor. I truly am." His voice is soft and sincere. "I do not mean to be harsh. But we finally have some information, some hopeful way to make Malov pay for what he's done to all of us. For Pel, and for Misha, we MUST do whatever we can. And that means being in Fairhaven in two days time." Kal's voice hardens, but it is not anger directed at Ralsor. Rather, it is meant to rouse the other man's anger and stir him to action. "So I ask you again, d'Lyrander, can you get this ship airborne in time so that you and I can exact our revenge?"

[Ken]

"I'm sorry for your loss, friends," calls Belarin. "I'll make myself useful here with ... Leverage, yes? ... so that we can get this ship aloft soon."

Aware that he is still a stranger to Ralsor's crew, he turns back to Lever. "Shall we get to it? Again, binding isn't a familiar topic, but I do have skills and senses that may speed your repairs. Someone should mark this event on a calendar -- it may be the only time this year I volunteer for manual labor."

OOC: Belarin uses his Arcane knowledge as best as possible to guide Leverage's craftmanship.

[Josh]

"What happened to you?" Fherina's eyes fix on your party's new armor and clothing. "Do we know anything more about this enemy?"

"Indeed, we know more... and in a way, we have some new allies," the shifter says, indicating his new garb. "It will make sense to discuss these revelations once we are back in the air." He looks over at the ship, quietly adding, "Or however we plan on traveling."

Walking toward Mist, Grafth suggests once again that they might do some hunting nearby. "Ralsor seems to be understandably preoccupied, and I'm sure we will all be very hungry before morning. Let us find some provisions, unless you are needed elsewhere."

[Jeff]

Lever looks to Belarin. "You are more than welcome to assist me, and I would thank you for it. However, I have been retained by the Captain for such maintanance and repair, and I cannot promise you would receive payment for such services."

Ralsor waves away the notion. "I think we're past worrying about payment right now."

"Very well," Lever replies, then looks between Belarin and Grafth. "If you have the energy for it, perhaps we can make some progress. I would be useless on any hunting expedition, so please do pass the time as you see fit."

Mist nods, and swaps her scimitar for her bow. "Let us go. I should confess that I am not a skilled forager, only a hunter. I know little about the plants that would be safe to eat by humans and shifters. But I am a proficient hunter.

"We must have care, though, for I know that fey beings dwell in these woods. It is the gnome's suspicion that they may be friendly to us at this time, that they may, in fact, have shielded us from another airship. Even so, I do not wish to provoke them by yielding too much."

With that, Mist departs with Grafth.

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Josh: foraging and hunting is handled by a Nature check. If you're willing, go ahead and roll a Nature check using the dice roller as described here. You can just roll the d20 if you want and I'll add the rest, or you can factor in Grafth's modifier.

Grafth is the superior hunter, so the base roll will be yours and I'll roll her Nature check as an "aid another" for you.

[Darren]

Kal is still looking at Ralsor as Mist speaks. He lets one hand drop and turns his head to regard the warforged. "Yes, that would make sense, wouldn't it? How else would that other airship have no spotted you?" He returns his hands to Ralsor's shoulder and again fixes the man's gaze. "Okay, I think we're safe for now, then. The fey are, indeed, aiding us. For now, anyway. But we saw the other airship that managed to bring you down, and I think it's safe to say that as soon as you get airborne again, we'll have a running fight on our hands. So, again I must ask, how quickly can you get in the air, and once you do, can you either outrun these others, or fight them off?"

[Marcy]

Charis waits until Kal has moved away from Ralsor before extending her own condolences.

"I know Misha did not care for me, but I am truly sorry she has fallen under Malov's sway," she says softly, leaning closer to him and reaching out a comforting hand to the captain's shoulder. "I, too, have felt that violating touch, and I am hopeful that exorcists of the Silver Flame may be able to cleanse the foul memory from me. Perhaps, when we find Misha, they will be able to do the same for her. When we reach Fairhaven, I will try to enlist their aid."

She pulls her hand away and straightens. "In the meantime," she continues, her voice resuming its normal volume, "what can I do to assist?"

[Joe]

Streko stands over Pel's grave. He recites a prayer of good fortune over the mound. Olladra, he promises, shall watch over Pel in her new journies and bless her with nothing but favor and guidance.

He cups his holy symbol and then quickly opens his hands, first palm down and then turning them palm up, lifting them over his head before calling out Olladra's name.

Streko lowers his head, closes his eyes and remains silen for a moment longer, then turns to Kal and Ralsor.

"Captain, you say that Malov knows we are in the Whisper Woods, yes? Then, might I ask a favor, one which could possibly help us understand his needs a bit more."

He steps up to the two men. "You carry the infernal book with you, hidden, to protect our location. I might ask that, once we are ready to fly, you let me read the book. The language and the symbols may be foreign to me, however, with your help Kal, and with Belarin and Charis at our side, I believe I will be able to create a ritual that will unlock the words. Perhaps those words will offer meaning to those more versed in the arcane arts that I. Either way, I believe it is worth an attempt."
____________________________________________________

Crap, did I miss out on what happened to our friendly little dragon???

[Jeff]

Perhaps, when we find Misha, they will be able to do the same for her. When we reach Fairhaven, I will try to enlist their aid."

Ralsor smiles grimly. "Thanks, Lady. I'd like that."

"Captain, you say that Malov knows we are in the Whisper Woods, yes?"

Ralsor nods. "He must. Within half a day after Malov took over and Misha disappeared, that ship—the Dissolution seems to be its name—came over us, right here, searching. And once again a short while ago."

So, again I must ask, how quickly can you get in the air, and once you do, can you either outrun these others, or fight them off?"

Ralsor shakes his head. "Maybe. Thunderhead isn't, and never was, a war ship. We can't fight off a monstrosity like the Dissolution. I don't know its weaponry—but I know ours, and it isn't much—and I'm guessing its crewed by plenty of his henchmen. But my ship might be faster. If your friend Grafth can be persuaded to let me borrow that Siberys shard...the one Aldronivus gave him to show me...well, I might be able to coax even more speed from the elemental." Ralso looks hard at Kal. "So we might be able to outrun most other ships."

The half-elf looks between Kal, Charis, and Streko. "There is another matter you may have forgotten about. The incident in Passage....we're wanted for murder. Flying openly into Fairhaven is going to be more complicated than you think."

"The fey are, indeed, aiding us. For now, anyway."

Fherina approaches at this. "Who did you meet?" she asks, eyes shining eagerly. "Was it the Wood Mistress?"

__________________________________

Joe, yup, you missed it. Just read this post and the next few after it.

And yes, I modified Fherina's picture. Gnomes in 4E look a little different; they're more fey now, and I like that. The gnomes of Eberron (how cool is this pic?) are originally from Thelanis, the plane of the fey, but they've lived on Eberron as a people for so long now, they're still among the civilized races.

[Darren]

"Right," Kal says to Ralsor. "I had forgotten that." Kal begins musing, but as Fherina speaks he fixes her with a hard glare. "Still thinking of your story, then?"

Kal turns to the rest of the group. "I do not wish to abandon the captain, but we have a hard decision to make. If we stay, we risk being delayed and missing our rendevous. More importantly, we might not escape from Malov's ship, and even if we do, we may not be able to fly straight into Fairhaven, anyway." Kal sighs and turns his eyes to Ralsor. "I hate to ask it, d'Lyrander, since you've given so much already, but I think I may have a plan..."

Kalarian begins to pace. "If we head out now, on foot, in the direction of Fairhaven, we should be able to shield ourselves amongst the trees from the eyes of the Dissolution. As soon as you are able, you could take to the sky and run in the other direction. With any luck, the Dissolution will follow you, and we may throw Malov off our trail temporarily." Kal grins at the captain. "It will be dangerous. What do you say, d'Lyrander? It could be fun."

[Josh]

Grafth is distracted from his thoughts of food by Kal's suggestion. "Are you serious, Kalarian? The captain has risked his life and livelihood for us countless times based only on the word of a man we have never met, and you ask him to become a decoy as we walk unaided through unknown territory? I think not.

"Ralsor, of course we can use the shard to gain an advantage on the Dissolution. I, for one, would like to get us all out of here, strong in number and spirit, together."

[Ken]

Jun 24, 2009 21:11:50 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Fherina approaches at this. "Who did you meet?" she asks, eyes shining eagerly. "Was it the Wood Mistress?"

"Huh, what?" says Belarin, his head whipping around. "You know of her? Hmmm... yes, it was her, and she's magnificent, beneficent, and frightening at the same time. We'll have to talk more once we're airborne...."

Jun 24, 2009 21:45:13 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kalarian begins to pace. "If we head out now, on foot, in the direction of Fairhaven, we should be able to shield ourselves amongst the trees from the eyes of the Dissolution. As soon as you are able, you could take to the sky and run in the other direction. With any luck, the Dissolution will follow you, and we may throw Malov off our trail temporarily." Kal grins at the captain. "It will be dangerous. What do you say, d'Lyrander? It could be fun."

Belarin raises an eyebrow. "That sounds insane, my lord. I like it! It's up to the Captain, naturally, but I also prefer not to engage in aerial combat or be arrested upon landing in Fairhaven." He pauses to examine his fingernails. "It wouldn't be proper for a man of my high standing to be seen fraternizing with wanton criminals such as yourselves. Ha! My 'credentials' as a confidante of Prince Adal..." -- he pats the pouch containing the ID papers that he showed to Lady ir'Turien -- "...might get us past some unsuspecting guards within Fairhaven, but against an armed squad waiting for the skyport...? Probably not. So, yes, traveling on foot ironically appears to be the most expeditious route."

[Jeff]

Ralsor's widen slightly. "Walk, Kal? I'm not crazy about the idea of making my ship a decoy, especially when it's not in the best shape it can be. But if you're concerned about a rendezvous with your fey friends in Fairhaven, think again. If you make a straight path to the city from this distance—which I doubt you can do from the ground—you do realize it would take you several days on foot. If you had horses...maybe. We're also not even at the edge of the forest, you know. You'd have to make your way out of here first."

Fherina nods at this. "I wouldn't recommend it. If there is going to be a fight with the Dissolution, we'll need all the people we can get. Hey...where's Torhak?"

________________________________

Darren, remember this post?

[Joe]

"Tohrak has returned to his homeland, as is his right. I am more concerned, however, with Mattheu's fate. Our pseudodragon friend is missing and he is an essential part of our union. He has helped us on numerous occasions."

Streko takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out. He appears to be massaging his holy symbol and staring into it's numbered spots, as if lost in another place. He finally glances up at the group.

"Having said that, I dislike the idea of separating yet again. If Captain Ralsor, with good Grafth's aid, can help us fly faster, we should do so. Avoid the enemy or outrun them at the very least. Once we near Fairhaven, we can always depart the ship a few hours from the city itself and walk the rest of the way, thereby allowing the good Captain to dock or hide as he wishes. I would suggest planning a rendezvous point at a later time outside of Fairhaven, or even within the city's borders.

"Time is of the most importance, my friends. We must get to Fairhaven and Captain Ralsor's ship and crew are our best hope of achieving that goal."

[Darren]

Right. My bad. Should've looked that up, first.

"Okay, so walking is out, unless we plan to miss our meeting with the Emissary's messenger. But flying straight to Fairhaven isn't going to work, either. If we stop far enough out that we won't be noticed by the Fairhaven authorities, chances are pretty good that Dissolution will catch up to us and destroy us out in the open, anyway. So if we fly out of here, we should be prepared to fight." Kal looks again to Ralsor. "It's your ship, Captain. What do you want to do?"

[Jeff]

"I haven't seen the pseudodragon," Ralsor says. "He chose to go with you, when you left."

The Lyrandar half-elf nods at Streko and Kal. "That's a better plan, better. Once we're in the air again, we can simply try to outrun our opponents. If there's a fight, then there's a fight. Was going to happen anyway, right? Now, if we drop you off outside the city limits, there's still the fact that my ship will be seized if I try docking. So...what do you think? Should I not too close? It'll be hard to receive word from you....unless the pseudodragon shows up again and agrees to be a messenger between us."

He looks hard at Belarin. "Do you really think that if enter the city on foot, they won't apprehend you anyway? There's a good chance they'll be looking at identification papers, maybe travel papers, too."

Fherina, who Belarin notices did not reply to his question, steps forward. "I'm a chronicler, and as far as I know I'm not known to be involved in the 'incident.'

"If you want, I could slip into the city and snoop around for you, then come back out. I could find out if news of your, err, 'crime' is really out there. Find out if the guards are being thorough at the gates." She shrugs. "I can't fight....but I'd like to be helpful somehow.

Ralsor clears this throat. "One other thing. We still have Relith, our resident Emerald Claw commander. If we can get him to cooperate, he might be able support the truth behind the 'murders' in Passage, or of the Emerald Claw's involvement with Malov. Something to support what's going on....to support our case, to the Queen's court."

__________________________

Josh, want to do that Nature (hunting) roll? Or would you prefer me to?

[Marcy]

"I also am not wanted in Fairhaven," Charis chimes in, "at least, to the best of my knowledge. I could go with Fherina, if that is the plan we choose to follow."

[Ken]

"I'm not wanted for arrest in Fairhaven, either," says Belarin. "Not that I haven't done anything worthy of arrest, just that it hasn't been noticed. I could go as well if necessary, but we'll have time to figure out the specifics once we're in the air and assuming we survive the flight.

"I had forgotten about our good Captain, to be honest. I can talk to him -- we came to an 'understanding' of sorts and he has no love for Malov, that's for certain. But for now, I'll see what I can do to help Leverage with the repairs."

[Josh]

"Alright, I shall return with food, hopefully enough to last another day... though our group is rather large."

With that, Grafth pulls his short spear from the loupe in his pack. As he heads into the forest, a wind kicks up around him, his posture sleek, his gait decidedly more animal than usual. Those who have traveled with him may correctly assume that he has shifted.