Chapter 9: A Primitive Sea

[Ken]

In each of the last couple of days, Belarin has spent an hour or so studying the black candle, sometimes by himself and sometimes with Histra. He looks slightly exhausted after these periods, as though he's just finished climbing up a steep hill.

This day, he's on the deck without his cloak -- a concession to the change in climate, perhaps, but he also seems to embracing the feel of the warm breeze against his skin.

Nov 23, 2011 1:04:05 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak can't contain his joyous grin, when he sees Morsha come on deck. When she looks his way, he smiles warmly and nods in her direction.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Captain! You have been sorely missed."

"That's for certain," Belarin says happily to Morsha. "Glad to see you looking so well." Purposefully shifting his gaze for a moment to her exposed skin and the dragonmark, he continues with a smile, "I sensed that you were a person with many layers. A tale for another day, I hope?

"But yes, we have been busy. I'm not sure how much you've heard about our underwater adventure. It was remarkable and terrifying... and most importantly, successful." He glances over toward the sahuagin "navigator," then adds with a more serious tone, "Your crew does you honor, Captain. Lesser folk would have panicked in the situations that we've faced recently. Magnificent work by brave people."

____________________________
Jeff, I forgot to ask in the private thread: Did Histra like her souvenir?

[Darren]

Standing a bit apart from the group, Kal chimes in, "There may be a problem with an angry kraken. Sorry about that."

[Brian]

Condign works hard at whatever menial labors that he is given. The work helps loosen up muscles that had tightened during the battle with the fish-folk.

At other times, he stands alone aft of the ship, staring over the gunwales. Occasionally, his hand strays to the braid of hair at his belt.

After two days, he finds his friends. "I assume we are approaching Stormreach. We may want to gather together a list of items we want to do or procure once we are ashore. Before we are dragged off on this quest for which our failed professor has recruited us." He briefly scans the sky. "And I fear we have not seen the last of Major Krez."

[Jeff]

Shorak:

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Captain! You have been sorely missed."

"It feels like I've been away on land too long." Quieter, she says to him, "Thank you for your visits. I don't..." A pause. "Recall very much."

Belarin:

"I sensed that you were a person with many layers. A tale for another day, I hope?"

Morsha laughs. "Not likely, no!"

"But yes, we have been busy. I'm not sure how much you've heard about our underwater adventure. It was remarkable and terrifying... and most importantly, successful....Your crew does you honor, Captain. Lesser folk would have panicked in the situations that we've faced recently. Magnificent work by brave people."

"I know my crew very well."

Kal:

"There may be a problem with an angry kraken. Sorry about that."

Morsha's smile fades. "Yes, so I hear." She throws a glance at the railing that was broken by its tentacles. "That can be problematic. I'd appreciate it if you told me everything you know about it."

At first, Belarin found that Histra was saying nothing about the souvenir, and even changed the subject when he asked about it, leaving him to suspect that she didn't care much for it. But today, out on deck, he sees what's become of it: Her ivory staff is now adorned at the top with the intricately placed bones of Sarquaa's arm and hand. It forms a gruesome but exotic design and it makes it look like the skeletal claw is grasping at the staff near the top, with talons flared partly outward.

Histra offers Belarin her usual ghostly smile and lightly taps the staff on the ground, and nothing more.

Condign:

"And I fear we have not seen the last of Major Krez."

Larest merely shakes his head, while Sem chuckles.

But Histra turns at this. "No, we have not. A vampire's pride has been scratched. He will scratch back, even against his better judgement. He sees himself as superior to every one of us by far. He cannot abide the insults we have given him...by slaying his spawn, by stealing the elf, and by not dying at his hand."

[Dave W.]

Nov 22, 2011 21:50:18 GMT -4 Jeff said:

[Spindrift] cocks his head sideways. "If you need someone more discreet, well... Whenever we pull into port, I seek out a human named Gajun for any repairs neede for the Merrow. He used to do shipwright work for House Lyrandar; now he just tinkers on his own. He can't always help me out, but he's well-connected. Perhaps you could join me when I visit him."

"I’m not sure I have any great need for discretion but I would be greatly pleased to join you. If you trust this Gajun, that would seem the best recommendation available. Thank you Spindrift, as always, I am at your disposal."

When Morsha comes above deck, Adamant adds his good wishes. When talk turns to the Kraken, the warforged will start in on his story, "Well, let me say, the important thing was that we found the chest for the shaughan… did you hear that I was Prophesied to open the chest? In truth I believe most any warforged could have done it, but it provided a vision… really nearly a memory but altered. The vision was intended to decide if I were a proper Cyrian warforged but it also provided some deep insights for me. It was all a very exceptional experience… though I could have done without being gnawed on by dead fish-men at the time…"

"Ummm, where was I? Oh, yes, the Kraken. It destroyed the chest! I was hoping to explore it's workings a bit more. Pity."

Nov 23, 2011 13:42:47 GMT -4 Brian said:

After two days, he finds his friends. "I assume we are approaching Stormreach. We may want to gather together a list of items we want to do or procure once we are ashore. Before we are dragged off on this quest for which our failed professor has recruited us." He briefly scans the sky. "And I fear we have not seen the last of Major Krez."

"Well, about that… I, umm," Adamant nervously scratches his bald metal head a moment, "I know we have no formal agreements between us, but well, perhaps I could arrange a loan of some galifars from one or more of you. I have these dents you see."
__________________________________

I really don't know how you guys have been splitting treasure…

[Ken]

Nov 23, 2011 18:02:32 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Morsha's smile fades. "Yes, so I hear." She throws a glance at the railing that was broken by its tentacles. "That can be problematic. I'd appreciate it if you told me everything you know about it."

Belarin replies, "Only general things. It popped up from an abyss very close to the Cyran chest. I don't believe it was linked to the chest in any way -- its reaction seemed more like 'You're in my territory -- pay the toll.' Pulling the chest into the abyss was the kraken raising its middle tentacle at us. But I have no evidence of that.

"No question, though, that it was malevolent, intelligent -- it spoke to us -- and operating under some obscure, ancient set of rules. The Blue Fin who was in charge sacrificed himself, as did his shaman, so that we could escape." He looks around at his companions before continuing. "And the kraken left us with no doubt that more would die if we entered its waters again. The tricky part is, what in Khyber does this arrogant squid consider to be 'its' waters?"

Histra offers Belarin her usual ghostly smile and lightly taps the staff on the ground, and nothing more.

Belarin gives the staff an appraising look, as though he were judging a work of art, then he returns the light smile. He doesn't add anything to Histra's rebuke to Sem regarding Krez -- she said it all.

[Brian]

Condign leans in close to Adamant. "'Raised its the middle tentacle at us'? Is that a euphemism for something? Like waving goodbye?"

[Dave W.]

Nov 25, 2011 15:57:39 GMT -4 Brian said:

Condign leans in close to Adamant. "'Raised its the middle tentacle at us'? Is that a euphemism for something? Like waving goodbye?"

"I can't follow half of what he says sometimes." Adamant says lightly. The warforged lifts and examines his three-fingered hand. "I know theres a lot going on in his head," Adamant whispers back, "It must be hard to get all of it out in a sensible way."

[Jeff]

Another day passes.

Sar, the 7th of Aryth

On this day, most of you are roused from various activities as one of the crewmen calls down from the crow's nest: The Patriot has been sighted in the east along the same latitude as the Merrow. It's quite distant, but you can see it with your own eyes.

When you gather to see, though, you find Histra speaking with Larest, and Sem. Lerrhana and Syrdan are standing to the side, listening intently and without pretense. You're only just catching the conversation:

"—there is no precision in the link between Krez and the elf." This is Histra explaining to Larest, speaking as casually as if about the weather. "Especially not for one as inexperienced with vampirism as he. Her presence can lead him to the vicinity of the ship, if she is on it, but it cannot pinpoint her location on the ship. She will find it easier to hide from him in the city."

"When we reach Stormreach," Lerrhana interjects. All eyes turn to the elf. "I will not endanger you."

Histra glances only briefly at the elf, but speaks directly to Larest. "The point is irrelevant. When we go ashore, we should be rid of her. I do not think she should be joining expedition. Indeed, she would endanger it. Why would she wish to come, anyway?"

Lerrhana's expressions darkens. "I will not allow Krez to find you because of me."

Histra pauses, seeming reluctant to go on. But when she sees Belarin approaching, she continues. "In Stormreach...I have kin. If we absolutely must, they can shield the waif from Krez, somewhat. Even a master vampire would be unwise to infiltrate my family's estate."

Sem's eyes widen. Larest stares into space, then seems to snap out of it. He looks at Histra and frowns. "I did not realize the ir'Serells have a presence in Stormreach."

Histra's expression is neutral. "No, you didn't."

"They keep a low profile, then," the professor said, then a note of optimism creeps into his voice. "Are they an asset, Histra? A resource for us?"

"A risk," she states matter-of-factly. "If you wish to involve yourself with my kinsmen, then you are inviting their attention, and your expedition may become theirs. As it is, you are only paying me, and there is little risk in that. They don't even know I am visiting yet."

At this point, the rest of you have gathered and may join in.

[Darren]

"I can only imagine a family reunion in that house," Kal says. "Which is to say, the most I WANT to do is imagine it. No, Larest, I think visiting there would be a last resort for all of us. But we do need a plan, and this is a conversation you have been putting off for some time. We have already agreed on a few things. One, we would stock up on supplies. Two, we would look into rumors about the Eye's location. Three, we would spread our on misinformation to try to throw others off. Are we all still agreed that this last is part of the plan? If so, we need to establish what rumors we plan to spread. The more kernels of truth they contain, the more believable they will be...."

[Dave B.]

Shorak, having been exercising in the cargo hold, grabs his clothes and gear before rushing up to the ship's deck. Seeing no immediate danger, he takes a moment to wipe the sweat from his body before getting dressed. Then he stands quietly taking in the different conversations, noting reactions and opinions.

[Jeff]

"That is agreeable, Lord Kalarian," Larest says. "I will leave you to decide how to go about misinforming our rivals, and help if I can. Things will happen quickly once we reach the city."

"Speaking of rumors," Sem Darlesh speaks up. "Kal, we have at least time enough to teach you one more ritual...if you've the fortitude for it. The one I have in mind may become essential to our purposes in Stormreach and it would be helpful if you and I both use it in different parts of the city."

______________________

Sem will teach Kal the Seek Rumor ritual, if he wishes it.

[Darren]

Hearing what Sem is offering, Kal nods. "Agreed. This could be very useful. Belarin, I will leave you to work out the details of the rumor we will spread? Shorak, if you would help to fill in details appropriate the continent? Excellent. Streko, I think a list of provisions we must obtain would be in order. Perhaps Condign and Adamant can help you to work that out." Kal peers off at the distant form of The Patriot. "I assume we can continue to outrun them, yes?"

[Dave B.]

Shorak nods. "I can supply any details you require, but how do we know that I won't accidentally send people our way? Without knowing where we are headed, I can hardly assist in creating rumors that will send our competitors in directions other than ours."

[Darren]

"For now, we can create the skeletons of our rumors. Belarin can give them flesh once we have more details." Realizing what he is saying, Kal looks at Histra, then grins. When he sees her unamused look, the grin slowly slides off his face and he clears his throat a bit more nervously than intended.

[Dave W.]

Nov 26, 2011 11:08:21 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Lerrhana's expressions darkens. "I will not allow Krez to find you because of me."

"Lerrhana, we knew what Krez was and we choose to set ourselves in his path. That is done and you must consider that it was done by our action not yours."

When Histra explains about her family, Adamant ventures his opinion. "No offense, Histra, but it would seem we have enough briars already entangling us. We should, as a group," Adamant glances at Belarin and returns his focus to Histra,  "stay clear of your kin."

"I would like to raise the question, do we seek out Krez? Lerrhanna is correct about one thing, I believe he will not be content to let us alone."

[Brian]

Adamant:

"I would like to raise the question, do we seek out Krez? Lerrhanna is correct about one thing, I believe he will not be content to let us alone."

Condign rubs at one horn. "While I would like nothing better to hunt down that fiend, I do not think trying to board the Patriot--especially while it is docked at Stormreach--would be a good idea. We would attract the attention of the city watch. That type of delay would simply give the other parties a head start. And I do not think Krez will attack us while in port, for the same reason. No, Krez's designs would be best served by attacking us after we have left to find the Eye, at a place where our bodies would not attract too much attention." He grins broadly. "Or where his body would go unnoticed for many sun lit days."

[Ken]

Nov 26, 2011 20:06:26 GMT -4 Darren said:

"For now, we can create the skeletons of our rumors. Belarin can give them flesh once we have more details."

Belarin gives an appreciative nod to Kal for the vote of confidence. "Not a problem. I'll begin fabricating falsehoods today. With the professor's assistance and Shorak's knowledge of the area, I'll have several irresistible tales ready by the time we make port."

He looks with concern at Histra, and says, "Thanks for the suggestion. As you say, though, your relatives may decide to become very much involved in the expedition, perhaps understandably as compensation for sheltering Lerrhana... and would that then place you in an awkward situation?"

[Jeff]

Belarin:

"Thanks for the suggestion. As you say, though, your relatives may decide to become very much involved in the expedition, perhaps understandably as compensation for sheltering Lerrhana... and would that then place you in an awkward situation?"

Histra offers a tight smile. "Things are seldom simple with my family. It depends on precisely what I ask them."

Larest ir'Zathyran briefly recaps what's been said days ago about the Eye of Azalar's alleged location, and summarizes it for those who may have missed it the first time.

"For those who know about the Eye and will be searching for it, the location of Gerhest will be all the talk in town. Every ten years, when the ruins appear, they have done so in one of two locations on Xen'drik. Some of our rivals will take a gamble and set our early for one of these sites—may, in fact, already be gathering there for its arrival. Others will split their forces and send a team to each site. But there is always a chance that Gerhest will arrive somewhere new. It's a clouded prediction.

"Speculation will be rampant, and therein lies your opportunity for misinformation. But...as Shorak has pointed out, until I have my best guess as to which is the correct location, you might just be sending our rivals ahead of us. When we reach Stormreach, I will do all that I can to discern the true location. You may all play a part in that. I have some ideas on where to begin.

"Still, you may be able to come up with some obviously false locations and send our rivals there through whatever method you find efficient. It cannot hurt to brainstorm some ideas."

At this, Sem speaks up. "Right, so let's focus not so much on where to send the competition just yet, but how."

He looks pointedly at Kal, then at Streko. "Something to consider: it's very possible that House Deneith and House Jorasco, among others, will be our competition. Will that be problematic for you two gentlemen? Where will your loyalties lie?" The gnome asks this with a sly tone, as if hoping for some drama to unfold as a result.

[Darren]

Kal's brows draw down a bit. "It's an interesting question, Sem. My loyalties don't necessarily lie with the professor on this one. We were, after all, brought on this mission against our will. But I'm not here as an official representative of Deneith, either. I don't know if I want Larest to have the Eye, but I also don't know if Deneith should possess it." Kal grins. "Not everyone in my house is as honorable as I am." Kalarian again grows serious. "I guess, for now, my loyalty is to myself and to those who travel with me." Kal laughs and adds, "Luckily for you, good Zil, you now travel in my company."

[Jeff]

Kal is saying this in front of Larest, right?

[Darren]

Nov 27, 2011 10:46:52 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Kal is saying this in front of Larest, right?

Yeah, I suppose so. It's not really anything we haven't said to the professor before.

[Ken]

'I don't know if I want Larest to have the Eye,..."

I think THAT part might be news to him...

[Joe]

Streko nods at Kal's words. He looks directly at Larest as well.

"I agree with Kalarian on all counts. Larest has proven deceitful in his methods for obtaining our aid, despite, prehaps, what he believes are honorable intentions and his assistance throughout this voyage. I have little trust or faith in his wisdom and not a person aboard this ship can possibly think I believe otherwise.

"However, House Jorasco WILL use such a treasure as a way of increasing its power and financial foothold across Khorvaire and the other lands of Eberron. The Haves will have more, the Have Nots will have less. My dragonmark is a part of what I am...not WHO I am.

"Thus, I suggest we do our best to keep the Eye out of the hands of any of the larger Houses, as well as the numerous enemies we have encountered along the way. If that means assisting Larest, then so be it."

[Jeff]

"Well said," Sem says to Streko with a smile. He looks around and raises his hand. "Who else will side with our twisted professor here simply because it would keep a powerful and potentially dangerous artifact out of the hands of marginally more nefarious agencies?"

Larest, meanwhile, has quieted.

[Brian]

"Possession," says Condign, "is still an abstract. Discerning its location and finding our way there alive still stand before us. As to who ultimately gets the Eye. . .well, we shall see. I would not be surprised if the Ebonfire tribe makes a play for it."

He turns to Larest. "After we put ashore, how long will it take you to make your 'best guess?'"

[Darren]

Kal claps a hand down on Condign's shoulder. "As usual, the tiefling cuts to the heart of the matter. There is no sense in talking about what will be done with the Eye before we have found it and know what we're dealing with. We have more practical matters before us. Sem, perhaps you could stir up less trouble and do a bit more teaching?" Kal raises an eyebrow at the gnome.

[Jeff]

"I don't know if I want Larest to have the Eye"

"Sem, perhaps you could stir up less trouble and do a bit more teaching?"

Sem Darlesh raises an eyebrow right back at Kal.

[Darren]

Kal clears his throat. "Yes," he says. "Well. Okay, about that ritual.....?"

[Dave W.]

"Well, I have said before that I would not trust any mortal individual, organization, or family with the power of the Eye. Not any House, not any of us, nor any church. It is too much for any but the gods."

"I would advise finding a way of destroying it if it comes to us. That is my wisdom on the subject."

Nov 27, 2011 22:39:11 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal clears his throat.  "Yes," he says.  "Well.  Okay, about that ritual.....?"

Adamant leans in to quietly add to Condign, "I think Kal is now looking for a ritual of silence."