Chapter 8: Wistful and Weathered

[Dave B.]

"An artifact that useful would also be very dangerous. That means it is very likely in one of the Giant's ruins and that ruin in turn will almost definitely be protected by a Drow tribe at the very least. If the ruin is guarded by the Sulatar or the Umbragen, I can understand his need for adventurers of your mien. It would be quite the challenge, which makes me that much more interested."

Is there any chance that Shorak has ever heard of the Eye of Azalar?

[Darren]

Putting his head close to Syrdan's, Kal asks, "What next? I'd love to find that bastard professor's cabin and toss his stuff, but I'm guessing he's got the room warded. And this ship isn't big enough to do too much sneaking around without getting caught. What do you think? Head back up top?"

[Brian]

Sem:

"Perhaps you can tell me, Condign? What do tieflings want in the world? Who would sympathize with the tiefling condition? What is their condition?"

"Tielfings," says Condign, "do not have a condition, if by condition, you mean plight. They are mostly treated as aristocracy among the barbarians of Fah'llrg. As to who would sympathize with tieflings, or more accurately, who would tieflings sympathize with? My best guess would the Ebonfire, one of the largest and most violent of the Carrion Tribes. I have heard that they look beyond the wastelands of Fah'llrg and see the wealth of the Five Nations. Recruiting may not be far off." Condign smiles grimly. "I intend to find out more when I meet one of these tieflings."

[Jeff]

Shorak hasn't heard of the Eye of Azalar before...at least not by that name. Many of the legendary treasures of Xen'drik are known by different names in different cultures. There's an old story his father used to tell him about: the story of a giantess named Razyrri who, to usurp her father the king, ventured to the lair of a powerful, but hermitic seer (also a giant) and cut out his remaining eye. With it, she was able to find and learn her father's secrets and undermine his power.

This Eye of Azalar sure sounds similar. But in the stories, the seer, a prophet among giants, was never named.

Shorak:

"If the ruin is guarded by the Sulatar or the Umbragen, I can understand his need for adventurers of your mien. "

Sem's eyebrows go up. "Ah, see, I'd have thought the Vulkoori tribes would be those we encounter the most. They are the most common. But yes, as it happens, ir'Zathyran told me he expects the Sulatar may occupy the regions we pass through. May I ask...Shorak, what tribe you are from? Your armor looks Vulkoori."

These names: Vulkoori, Sulatar, Umbragen...these mean nothing to any of the rest of you.

Condign:

"I intend to find out more when I meet one of these tieflings."

The gnome bobs his head. "Stormreach is racially diverse. You may find them there, too."

[Dave B.]

"I remember hearing an old fairy tale that describes something like your artifact. Except in the story, it was an actual giant seer's eye."

Feb 12, 2011 10:55:24 GMT -4 Jeff said:

May I ask...Shorak, what tribe you are from? Your armor looks Vulkoori."

"My tribe worshipped Vulkoor the hunter, yes." Shorak's eyes sadden slightly and he seems to be looking back at an old memory. Then with extreme pride and maybe a slight touch of anger he says, "I am Arus'tar!"

There is obviously some story there, but he does not elaborate.

[Dave W.]

Feb 11, 2011 11:59:54 GMT -4 Joe said:

Streko grins.  And joins in, his voice a warm alto reaching above Adamant's lower modal range.

"Oh that was brightly done Streko," Adamant's voice is light and musical. "You have a fine singing voice. We will have to sing together again later."

Adamant lays a three-fingered hand on the halfling's shoulder. "What do you say? Is it time to rejoin our friends? I believe I saw Condign and Belarin speaking with the drow."

[Jeff]

When Adamant and Streko turn away from the railing, they find a few crewmen looking their way. Most of them quickly look away.

One of them says, in his defense, "Ain't never heard a 'forged sing before.". He goes back to his work. "And not bad, too."

[Dave B.]

Shorak is obviously a bit nervous about sharing so much to people he has just met. "Excuse me," he bows slightly, "I think it's time to start earning the captain's trust." With that he goes in search of Spindrift to see if there is any way he can be of assistance to the crew. Even if it's just coiling rope.

[Ken]

Later that evening, Belarin ponders much of what he's heard. Then, picking what seems like the right moment when everyone is back in their shared room, he shares what Sem has told him, Condign, and Shorak about the Eye. "Truth or rumor -- who knows?" he says after he finishes. "But if what Sem said is accurate about the legend, then we know WHY Professor Scalawag claims that many powerful forces would want it. And no, I don't trust Sem. I like him, but I don't trust him. For all we know, he's a close ally of Larest, planted to tell us things that would make us more willing to help. That's what I'd do in his situation."

He pauses, then says, "Another thing -- something of great importance to all of us, especially you, Good Streko.

"We've made good progress with Captain Morsha today. And she apparently gave Larest a tongue lashing last night. She told me today that she may be able to arrange for us to go back to Sharn. Soon. In three or four days, another ship -- captained by a friend of Morsha -- will sail past us, heading north. It would likely present the only opportunity to any of us to leave this expedition." He lets the news sink in for a moment.

"I'm leaning toward staying. Curiosity and a deep, dark desire for revenge are vanquishing any more sensible feelings within. But I know that you, Streko, were perhaps most injured by what that bastard did. I wouldn't be a good friend if I failed to give you the option. At the very least, perhaps we could pay this other captain to bring messages back to your family....?

"Keep in mind, however, that if we pass up this opportunity and stay on the ship, we can no longer pose as the aggrieved parties. We'll now be in this affair willingly. Larest is by no means free of the suffering I intend to inflict for the way in which he brought us here, though."

_______________________
Aside from this, Belarin is ready to move to the next day.

[Brian]

Condign nods to Belarin. "I too am inclined to stay. I suspect Larest has already considered the possibility of our . . . abandoning ship, I think is the phrase, and planned for it. Besides, this Eye of Azalar, I do not believe it is Larest's ultimate goal. Of course, he can be trying to find it and sell it to the highest bidder, but that does not seem his style. No, I believe he is looking for something. Something he cannot find without the Eye. Something even more powerful." He smiles. "I would like to find out what that is. Or, at the least, keep him from getting it. That would be a fit revenge for how he treated us."

___________________

Ready to move on.

[Dave B.]

"I know I said I would like to be a part of this, possibly very dangerous, expedition. But, I grew up in the ruins. Most drow tribes feel it is their duty to protect them and what lies within. It may prove impossible to retrieve the artifact, if not fatal." Shorak settles into his hammock and closes his eyes, listening to responses to Belarin before drifting off.


Ready to move on.

[Darren]

I was waiting to see if Mike wanted to do anything else. Kal wanted to talk to Sem at some point, but that can wait until tomorrow. If Mike is good with moving on, I guess Kal has done enough for today.

[Dave W.]

The only other important intention for Adamant is to help with whatever Spindrift wants to set him to. Adamant will make it clear that he is fine with mopping the deck or polishing brass or watching from the crows nest.

[Mike]

Feb 13, 2011 12:45:55 GMT -4 Darren said:

I was waiting to see if Mike wanted to do anything else. Kal wanted to talk to Sem at some point, but that can wait until tomorrow. If Mike is good with moving on, I guess Kal has done enough for today.

I'm good with moving on.

[Jeff]

Spindrift gives Adamant and Shorak, who have both volunteered their services, several menial tasks, from rope management to deck swabbing to dish washing in the mess. The other warforged promises to bring Adamant to the crow's nest early the next morning. In fact, he bids Adamant seek him out just before dawn.

And the rest of the day remains uneventful. Professor ir'Zathryan steers clear of you. He seems keen on giving you some distance, though at one point, when passing by Shorak, he asks the drow, "Has the Captain told you what she intends to do with you, yet?" To which Shorak can only say "not yet" or shake his head. The professor looks like he wants to say more, but he doesn't.

Of the necromancer woman you see and hear no sign this day.

[Ken]

Feb 13, 2011 7:12:28 GMT -4 Brian said:

Condign nods to Belarin. "I too am inclined to stay. I suspect Larest has already considered the possibility of our . . . abandoning ship, I think is the phrase, and planned for it."

After Condign finishes, Belarin says, "I don't agree necessarily that he's anticipated the possibility of another ship coming by to take us back to Sharn. Still, I agree that he has a broad 'fallback' tactic -- is it strategy or tactic? I always get those mixed up -- in mind. And that's where what Kal and Syrdan found below* makes me a little twitchy.

"A necromancer setting up cooking experiments in the hold? That's not good. She might not have undead walking around now, but who knows what's in those chilled crates you found? Corpses? Animated soldiers would be handy in dealing with any traps in the search for the Eye. But.... the sudden appearance of, oh, twenty zombies would give Larest some leverage in dealing with Morsha if she started getting in his way."

He looks at Streko, Syrdan, and Adamant. "It might be a good idea for those of us better trained to deal with the undead to devise our own backup plan to quickly neutralize Larest's backup plan, if it exists. Zombie dust makes me sneeze."

________________________________
I'm assuming we've all compared notes by now. And Mike had posted that Syrdan inteneded to tell Belarin what he had found.

[Jeff]

And the day comes to a close without incident.

Adamant

In the dark hour before dawn of the next morning, Adamant finds Spindrift on the main deck. A number of crew are already out and about, the last of the night shift, but everything's quieter. Adamant can smell, even without a proper nose, the cool air of morning twilight.

"Come with me," the other warforged says, bidding Adamant follow him up the mainmast. Metal rungs have been bored securely into the thick wood. And he follows warily, knowing his weight can sometimes be a problem in places meant for skinnier, softer people than he.

But the rungs bear him without protest.

When Adamant reaches the top, Spindrift helps him into the small cylindrical metal-framed "basket" that makes up the crow's nest. There is only room for two, and the two warforged together just fit without much squeezing. The ship below looks small indeed. Adamant's not sure how high this is. The creak and sway of both the ship and the mast is unnerving, but curiously intriguing. It's like nothing Adamant has experienced before.

"I noticed you were a priest. Your symbol?" Spindrift indicates the device nestled within Adamant's chest. "That is...Dol Arrah?"


The Rest

When Adamant has left the cabin, Syrdan is the first to rouse. As an elf, he requires only a few hours of real sleep. When he looks toward Shorak, he sees the drow seems to require more slumber than he. Syrdan can't help but wonder at the physiological differences between their races. Skin color aside, the drow have spent countless centuries among the cataclysmic ruins of the elves' former giantish masters. What has remnants of their ancient magic done to their bodies? Of course, the drow/elf spit began before the fall of the giants' empire.

Of course, Shora is clearl mixed blood. What's the other half? Aereni elf? Hard to be sure.

[Darren]

Kal awakes slowly, stretching and yawning. Sitting up on the bed, he rubs his eyes and looks over at Belarin. It's not surprising to see the other man mumbling to himself. "Crazy warlock," Kal mutters.

Reaching out, he shakes Belarin. "Wake up, Belarin. Those fairy breasts you're squeezing are only in your dreams. The only one here is me, and though I am quite something to look at, I must admit that my breasts simply aren't what they used to be." Kal grins at the other man as his eyes snap open. "Good morning, beautiful." Kal laughs. "Now that you're awake, I want to hear more about this gnome. He sounds interesting, and like he might be a valuable ally."

[Dave W.]

Adamant climbs slowly being careful at each rung. But once atop the mast and secure in the basket he relaxes visibly. He turns to face where the sun will rise.

Feb 14, 2011 16:42:24 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"I noticed you were a priest. Your symbol?" Spindrift indicates the device nestled within Adamant's chest. "That is...Dol Arrah?"

"Yes," Adamant nods. "My Lady the Sun, which all living things need. Truly not only the Sun in the sky, but the Sun that lights every good heart."

"She also is the patron of those who serve and sacrifice for the betterment of others; bringing Light to their lives you see. Truly, this is the aspect of Her that drew me first. You will understand better than even my friends that I was created to serve others."

"That and the singing." Adamant adds lightly.

[Dave B.]

When Shorak wakes he bids good morning to his cabinmates.

The professor's comment to him yesterday is still strong in his mind.

After some stretching and weapons care in the hold, he grabs a quick breakfast and goes in search of captain Morsha.

Depending on her mood he wishes to ask her if she has some specific use for him or if she would prefer him to keep up with the simple duties Spindrift has been assigning him. He will mention that he is not opposed to the idea of learning more of what it takes to be a good sailor. You never know when these skills might come in handy.

Of course, if she looks like she's in a bad mood, he'll just seek out Spindrift and do whatever is asked of him. He doesn't want to do anything to upset her, even talking to her.

[Jeff]

Adamant:

"She also is the patron of those who serve and sacrifice for the betterment of others; bringing Light to their lives you see..."

"Well then, she sounds busy," Spindrift replies when Adamant finishes, a light-heartedness in his tone. Then he sounds more serious. "Myself, I have not decided what to believe in. I have seen things on my voyages which can only be explained by the gods, and other things that should not be if gods exist. Out here, on the sea, people fear, and respect the Devourer. Do not judge them harshly. As I understand it, even the Dark Six are part of the Host."

Adamant knows this to be true. The Devourer is one of the Dark Six, the gods cast out of—and yet still sometimes considered part of—the Sovereign Host. He represents the violence of the natural world, the savagry to challenge Balinor's calm.

"Would you stay up here a while, then?" Spindrift asks. "Enjoy the sunrise. I'll send someone up to relieve you in a few hours. If you see anything of note, simply call it down. Real loud."

Spindrift nods his head in farewell, then climbs down.

For the first few minutes, the twilight dark is ominous. The whole world seems to be moving. Nothing is stable. There is only the expansive gloom, the waves, the ship, the shifting and creaking mast. The cool wind.

And then gradually, Dol Arrah's work paints a line across the horizon, directing Adamant to the east. He's seen it many times, but never quite like this. The sun rises over a vast blue dome of water, with land a faint cluster in the far north.

[Ken]

Feb 14, 2011 18:32:04 GMT -4 Darren said:

Reaching out, he shakes Belarin. "Wake up, Belarin. Those fairy breasts you're squeezing are only in your dreams. The only one here is me, and though I am quite something to look at, I must admit that my breasts simply aren't what they used to be." Kal grins at the other man as his eyes snap open.

"AHHH! Beavers and ducks!!" cries Belarin, nearly headbutting Kal as he jerks to a sitting position -- and nearly spins out of the hammock.

"Good morning, beautiful." Kal laughs.

"Kal?" he looks around, then groans. "Owlbear's balls, we're still on the ship, aren't we? By the way, you ever fight an owlbear? I need advice."

"Now that you're awake, I want to hear more about this gnome. He sounds interesting, and like he might be a valuable ally."

Belarin places his feet on the floor and takes a moment to steady himself. "There is no swaying without alcohol... there is no swaying without alcohol...." he intones, rubbing his palms against his face.

"The gnome... Sem? Sem Darlesh, he calls himself. Yes. Interesting fellow. He's clearly a collector of arcane trivia, which seems to be how he drew Professor Scalawag's interest. He also possesses a knack for casual insults. You'd like him, Kal. Anyway, he and I have scholarly interests in common, but as I said last night, I like him, yet I don't trust him. For all I know, his talk of the Eye of Azalar could be false information intended to sway us to continue on this quest." He smiles. "If so, I'm afraid it's working.

"He seems more likely to chat when people show interest in what he's doing, so keep that in mind if you talk to him. Damn you, Kalarian, if you're going to make me talk so much, you could at least offer me a drink first." He playfully pushes Kal toward the galley before moving forward to follow. "Something strong. For some reason, I have the image of a harlot's hairy breasts stuck in my mind..."

[Darren]

Kal pitches his voice high, like a woman's. "Of course, my dear," he says, as he walks with an exaggerated sway of his hips away from Belarin. Laughing, he heads for the galley. "Okay, first we eat, then we go talk to Sem," he says, returning to his normal voice, though laughter still courses through his words.

[Jeff]

Condign is the first to notice, when he goes topside, that Adamant is standing in a metal cylindrical, cage-like metal basket at the top of the mainmast. The warforged seems transfixed by the risen sun, which colors the eastern sky and reflects brightly in the open sea. Of course, if Condign wanted Adamant to hear him, he'd have to shout. The warforged is really high up.

Meanwhile, Shorak has gone in search of the captain. He sees her busy working with a few crewmen, so he thinks this isn't the moment to approach her yet. Sem Darlesh, however, approaches him. The gnome looks sleepy-eyed, but he waves in greeting up at Shorak.

"It's going to take me weeks to get used to this movement, I swear. I've been on this voyage, aboard a different ship each time, and still I've got no sea legs.". He sighs. "Shorak, did I offend you yesterday? I confess, while I have studied the old civilizations of Xen'drik, I haven't spent half as much time studying the existing civilizations half as much. I know of the Vulkoori, but I don't know each tribe. So I do not yours."

Syrdan, with breakfast behind him, has also gone to the upper deck. He sees a female dwarf working the lines in front of him. When she sees him in turn, she beckons him over.

"I've seen quite a number of your people in Stormreach. That town brings all sorts in, so that don't surprise me. But I do wonder...what draws the elves back to Xen'drik? Your people ain't like the drow, ain't about sticking around where the giants used to be slave masters."

She sounds genuinely curious. "Mostly the elves I've seen keep to themselves. Haven't seen any keeping the company of 'forged before."

Kal and Belarin are the last to get up and out. As the two men work their way toward the galley for breakfast, they reflexively stop short as another person turns the corner in front of them, heading toward the stairs.

A woman. The woman, thin black robes draping her skinny frame, swaying as she stops. She has a wooden staff in her hand which she carries like a walking stick—it's capped with a strange shaped piece of ivory. There is a dry rattle of bones sounding from beneath her robes. They sound almost like wind chimes.

As a gentle breeze drifts through the hold from an opened porthole, and Belarin and Kal catch the scent of bitter herbs and something not unlike roses.

The woman looks both men over, and her eyes linger on Belarin. "Belarin," she says. "That's your name." There is no questioning tone, though her voice is slightly husky, almost as if she's out of practice speaking to other people. She ignores Kal completely.

Tangat woofs softly. Not quite a growl yet, but Kal senses it building.

[Brian]

Condign, gazing up at the massive warforged perched in the small crow's nest, mutters, "One good breeze and he will find getting down from there much easier than it was climbing up."

Trusting that his friend knows what he's doing, Condign wanders about the deck, looking for a way to help out. He is also hoping to spot Starg and maybe make another attempt at drawing the minotaur out.

[Darren]

Kal stops short, his face stone. He does not speak, but he crosses his arms and stands impassively a few steps in front of Belarin. It is the same stance that many bodyguards have taken over the centuries, an expression that says, "If you want to get to him, you'll have to go through me."

[Jeff]

Condign locates Starg without trouble. The minotaur is standing near the bow of the ship, watching the open sea to the south. Come to think of it, Condign hasn't seen the minotaur go belowdecks yet. Does he even have a cabin?

[Dave W.]

Feb 14, 2011 23:08:55 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"Well then, she sounds busy," Spindrift replies when Adamant finishes, a light-heartedness in his tone.

Adamant makes a light, musical snort in reply.

When Spindrift discusses the Devourer, Adamant nods. He adds in his musical tones, "Well out of respect for the crew I will avoid proselytizing them. Words are not always my friends anyway; you'd want to enlist Belarin or Kal if you want to see words dance."
 

"Would you stay up here a while, then?" Spindrift asks.

"I will stay as long as you need me to. I promise I won't get hungry."

When Spindrift leaves Adamant watches the sun rise. He quietly prays for Dol Arrah to light their journey. He does his best to watch from his post. Occasionally he will break out a song to help the time pass merrily.

[Ken]

Feb 15, 2011 1:31:19 GMT -4 Jeff said:

The woman looks both men over, and her eyes linger on Belarin. "Belarin," she says. "That's your name." There is no questioning tone, though her voice is slightly husky, almost as if she's out of practice speaking to other people.

Belarin pats Tangat's head reassuringly as he steps forward, and then he rests the hand on Kal's shoulder. With a guarded smile, he says to the woman, "Yes, it is. And what is your name? Since we likely will not be trying to kill each other again -- for several days, at least -- let's speak on friendly terms as fellow practitioners. Please, join us for some coffee. It makes a person feel alive."

[Dave B.]

Shorak, did I offend you yesterday? I confess, while I have studied the old civilizations of Xen'drik, I haven't spent half as much time studying the existing civilizations half as much. I know of the Vulkoori, but I don't know each tribe. So I do not yours."

"No. Do not fear, I was not offended. I sometimes become emotional when speaking of such matters. I do not make a habit of discussing my past. I surprised myself, when I started prattling about the subject."

"What are your plans for the day?"