Chapter 9: A Primitive Sea

[Darren]

Kal nods. "Now that is a sensible idea. Hiding in the open, as it were, is our safest course of action right now."

[Brian]

Scratching absently at his arm, Condign says, "Let us be done with this bickering. The stress is giving me a rash. See?"

He holds up his arm. Then he pulls his face into a comic frown. "By Khyber, my whole arm is red! Wait, look at me. My body!" He grins up at the others. "Do you think it is spreading?"

Feeling the tension in the room, he sighs and makes a vague gesture with his hands. "When you deal with a half-devil--and it is devil, not demon--you have to occasionally deal with temper issues. In other words, my mouth can get me into trouble."

He heaves himself off his crate and walks up to Kal. "Come, my friend. Let me buy you a mug of sea water. I understand it is in abundance. We can discuss what we will do in broad daylight."

[Joe]

"...we could use Histra's new halfling toy as a decoy, and good riddance to it..."

Streko waits until Condign has finished inviting Kal for a mug of sea water before speaking.

"You seem to know exactly how large a foot and how many it takes to fill your mouth in an effort to insult someone. As one who has fought on the Talenta Planes with Halflings, I'd expect a bit more respect from you...even if the Necromancer is devoid of such a concept...no offense, good Belarin. This entire journey has been a farcical trial of one blunder after another. It is ONLY by Olladra's, and our dear Captain's, good graces that most of us have survived this long. Some of us even unscathed. Bah, Streko, watch your tongue before it gets snipped off."

He looks to Condign, shakes his head and smiles. "You, Tiefling, are OBVIOUSLY not the only hot-headed, mouthy one in this group. I shine far brighter in both aspects than you should ever hope to, despite your devilish pedigree. Be greatful, or you would be apologizing as much as I seem to. these days.

"And, no, Kalarian, I am not angry at you or anyone else on this boat. I am simply tired of this forced journey across the sea and wish to get back on dry land with the least amount of difficulty in the least amount of time. Whichever plan we adopt to do so has my complete support."

He goes to Belarin. "Pehaps you can teach me some things while we are still on this ship...a way to keep my mind and mouth occupied on things that can help us. In return, perhaps I cna show you a ritual or two that I know. It never hurts to have others capable of assisting."

[Dave W.]

Adamant shows no sign of his friends' irritations, but his eye-gems shine noticeably brighter after Condign's 'rash' comment and brighter still after Streko's devilish one, "Well, as for planning, I find it difficult to plan knowing so little of this other place we are headed; I knew little enough of Sharn."

"if he arrives by the air, Krez will not have his full strength. He may want to wait for the Patriot before attacking us. I did not see the airship, how many people do you suppose he will land with."

"Or perhaps general orders would be more useful; like we should never travel alone in the city."

[Darren]

Kal grins at Condign and begins to walk out of the room, but is stopped short by Streko's outburst. His brows draw down in real anger. "Might I remind you, Streko, that I was the only one who questioned the necromancer's intentions with the halfing's body? I do not wish to see ANYONE re-animated to serve as a slave in what should be their eternal rest, much less a halfling. And I'm a Kaarn, dammit!" Kal jabs a thumb at his chest and leans down closer to Streko. "*I* questioned, and all others were silent, and I was ignored. And now...now you have that...thing wandering this ship. And you accuse ME of offering insult?"

Kal stands straight, waving his hand dismissively and making an irritated "bah" noise as he stalks out of the room. He moves through the ship, seeking either Larest or Histra, depending upon who he comes upon first.

[Jeff]

I plan on jumping ahead again to the next "event," but if you want to speak with Larest, Sem Darlesh, Starg, Histra, or Lerrhana first, go for it. Assume you've found a few moments of calm amidst the storm. Say what you wish to say, or ask what you wish to ask.

But do it now before I move us on.

[Ken]

Belarin says, "I'd be happy to give you useful advice, Good Streko." He addresses the group again, "Now, as for what Shorak suggests, I might tweak that to propose 'just before sunrise.' We're having this discussion because we don't know what to expect. Let's fix that. A small bit of stealth and reconnaisance upon our arrival. I volunteer myself and Shorak. You don't mind, do you, Shorak?

"If we can time our arrival properly, then right at dawn, Shorak and I sneak off the ship as it docks. I haven't had much reason to use my talent for disguise lately -- after all, why cover up this face? -- but I can make myself look as hideous as a scarified orc or even Kalarian. We stay in the shadows, get some information, return to the Merrow. A simple plan, one that we could use with or without use of the Lerrhana ruse I mentioned before."

__________________________________
Ideally, Belarin would say this before Kal gets out of earshot, but it'll work either way.

[Dave B.]

Shorak listens to the different ideas and suggestions being offered. After Belarin finishes speaking, he nods in agreement. "I'd be happy to join you in that plan. I can certainly make better use of my skills that way."

He just shakes his head at Kal's outburst.

[Joe]

Aug 30, 2011 22:58:56 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal grins at Condign and begins to walk out of the room, but is stopped short by Streko's outburst. His brows draw down in real anger. "Might I remind you, Streko, that I was the only one who questioned the necromancer's intentions with the halfing's body? I do not wish to see ANYONE re-animated to serve as a slave in what should be their eternal rest, much less a halfling. And I'm a Kaarn, dammit!" Kal jabs a thumb at his chest and leans down closer to Streko. "*I* questioned, and all others were silent, and I was ignored. And now...now you have that...thing wandering this ship. And you accuse ME of offering insult?"

"Great Goddess, Kalarian! You actually sound wounded!! And here I thought melodramatics were my forte..."

Aug 30, 2011 22:58:56 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal stands straight, waving his hand dismissively and making an irritated "bah" noise as he stalks out of the room.

"...and obviously, theatrics are yours. Humans. Sometimes I wonder why I bother with them. Oh well...yet another apology to express and another ego to soothe. Olladra's work is never done."

He turns to the others. "I shall return...or perhaps need rescuing from the sea. In either case, I shall speak with you later, my friends."

Streko takes off after Kalarian.

[Darren]

Kal can wait to talk to any of those people until after we move forward. I'm ready when you guys are.

Should we discuss the plan from the Q&A thread in character?

[Jeff]

"Aye, there are places to reach shore other than Stormreach," the helmsman says when the topic comes up. "but they aren't entirely out of sight, and they're not close enough to the city to be useful to you. No matter where we make landfall, we will be observed. There's no hiding this ship for long."

By the end of the three storm-wracked days, the Merrow Down has done well for itself. You're hungry and tired, but not starving and not without sleep altogether. Major Krez has certainly added days to your voyage with his assault, but the wounded have recovered and you're getting by. A lesser crew might have mutinied by now or leveled blame at its passengers.

However, Captain Morsha took a turn for the worse a short while ago. While her body had strengthened enough for her to walk (with help) around her cabin, and to commune with the elements in limited capacity, only hours ago she lapsed into a deep sleep and she has not awakened. Comatose.

Histra studied her grimly. "She walks the razor's edge now," she said quietly. "She will come out of it strong again, and perfectly well again...or she will die. We will know in a day or two, at most."

The mood of the crew has darkened as well. Tension has crept back into each man and woman, and they speak very little to your party or to Larest's.

It is morning of Aryth* the 3rd, and the worst of the storms has passed. The water is calm by comparison, and the sky is sullen but bright. Discussions of what to do when you reach Stormreach are shelved when you see the final obstacle:

"Rocks!" Lerrhana calls out from the crow's nest.

A short while later, you see them, too: a row of massive stones jutting from the sea all across the southern horizon. So many, even from this distace, that going around them would probably add days, maybe weeks, to the voyage. Other land masses can be seen to the east. Spindrift summons you to the helm, where he and Anng and several crewmen have gathered to talk, along with Larest's group.

"The Straits of Shargon," Anng says, pointing southwest. "And Shargon's Teeth," he adds, pointing due south into the tall rock-isles that fill the horizon. By this time, Spindrift has already showed you the map of the Thunder Sea and the northern reaches of Xen'drik which is pinned to the wall in a room beneath the sterncastle (and in Morsha's cabin as well). It's enough to give you a picture of this part of the world.

Spindrift says, "This part of the journey will be slow, but with good fortune, simple enough. We must navigate through Shargon's Teeth cautiously, for it is filled with sharp rocks and invisible reefs that can scuttle even the strongest hulls. Every vessel that passes through it must bargain with the sahuagin whose territories divide it, to seek safe passage. It's tricky business, but Captain Morsha has contacts among them. We will approach one of the isles and wait for a guide to appear."

The warforged points toward one prominent rocky isle along the perimeter of Shargon's Teeth. "There."

Anng looks at you, and warning creeps into his voice. "When we parley with the sea devils, you stay quiet unless you are asked a question, either by them or by us. Do not be foolish and do not tempt fate. The sahuagin serve the Devourer first; remember that. And if they come close to look at you, do not show your teeth; it is a sign of aggression."

"Any questions?" Spindrift asks.

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* Aryth is analogous to November.

A reminder: this is what you each know about sahuagin. Shorak has seen sahuagin before, though seldom up close; they can be found in and around the docks of Stormreach, and some even maintain a shrine to the Devourer (called Shargon's Talon) in the harbor.

[Darren]

"Of course," Kal says, then he smiles without realizing it. The smile slowly fades and a self-conscious look crosses his face. "Sorry," he says quietly.

[Ken]

"These 'contracts'...." inquires Belarin. He seems to treat the word as though it were a poisonous spider. "Will there be a problem if Captain Morsha is not at the helm? Or are they likely to honor the agreement regardless?"

[Dave B.]

Sept 1, 2011 8:53:07 GMT -4 Ken said:

"These 'contracts'...." inquires Belarin. He seems to treat the word as though it were a poisonous spider. "Will there be a problem if Captain Morsha is not at the helm? Or are they likely to honor the agreement regardless?"

"That's an excellent question." Shorak turns to Spindrift. "How dangerous a situation could we expect without the Captain present?"

[Dave W.]

Belarin:"These 'contracts'...." inquires Belarin. He seems to treat the word as though it were a poisonous spider. "Will there be a problem if Captain Morsha is not at the helm? Or are they likely to honor the agreement regardless?"

Shorak:"That's an excellent question." Shorak turns to Spindrift. "How dangerous a situation could we expect without the Captain present?"

"Lets not look for trouble. I'm certain they will want to honor their agreements," Adamant replies. His had does gently touch his octogram, an involuntary gesture exposing his uncertainty.

[Jeff]

Spindrift looks to you. "It very much depends upon which tribe our guide is from. All of the...less hostile tribes we've dealt with are quite fond of the Captain; they believe she is blessed by the Devourer with power over the sea. They know the rest of us well enough that if she cannot speak to them direct, we can expect little trouble. But there are others...who may not be as understanding."

Sem Darlesh chuckles darkly. "Gosh, which do you think we'll find today?" he asks sarcastically. "The good ones or the bad ones?"

[Darren]

Kal eyes Sem sideways as he begins speaking, his gaze gradually shifting back to Spindrift. "Are there those that would take advantage of the Captain's inability to speak? Those that would see it as an opportunity to eliminate the Merrow?"

[Brian]

Standing with his arms crossed, Condign looks at Spindrift.

"You have not quite answered the question. If things go poorly with the sahuagin, what can we expect? Some kind of attack? And in what manner would it take?"

[Jeff]

Kal:

"Are there those that would take advantage of the Captain's inability to speak? Those that would see it as an opportunity to eliminate the Merrow?"

"Aye, it is possible," Anng says. "There are tribes who cannot be reasoned with, who believe surface-dwellers are merely sport or food for the children of the Devourer. But that is one of the reasons why vessels must find a guide, to navigate through Shargon's Teeth and guard against hostile tribes. It has been some years since the Merrow was attacked, and when it was...it was not out in the open like here." He points toward the mass of small isles. "Sea devils prefer the safety of the rocks, and to attack in ambush."

Condign:

"You have not quite answered the question. If things go poorly with the sahuagin, what can we expect? Some kind of attack? And in what manner would it take?"

Spindrift says, "The sahuagin have little to gain in attacking us. Those we have made alliances with benefit greatly from it." Then the warforged looks squarely at Condign. "It is always possible we will be attacked. It is appropriate that you be ready."

[Jeff]

Before the Merrow Down has gone another mile closer to Shargon's Teeth, you hear soft exclamations and sounds of warning ripple among the crew. Following their attention, you look to the starboard side, near the bow—

Where a creature is pulling itself up over the rail. As tall as a human, broad of shoulder, its rubbery skin a landscape of greens, dark along the back and lighter on its belly. Yellow-blue bands seem to flare up along its hide in certain spots, reminding you of tropical fish. Frills and spins run along its back, all its digits are webbed, and its muscles are quite large.

The sahuagin's face is fishlike, to be sure, but there is a certain alien grimace to the shape of its skull that, you suspect, is part of the reason they're called sea devils by air-dwelling races.

The Merrow's crew grab up weapons but keep them lowered at first; although they were obviously expecting to meet sahuagin, they didn't expect to encounter them before reaching Shargon's Teeth. Spindrift immediately approaches the creature at the bow, his hands empty of weapons.

You remain standing near Anng by the helm, who lets up on the wheel and frowns down at the scene, allowing the ship to just drift.

You catch the sight of several more shapes rising up from the rail along both the starboard and port side of the bow. The crew see them, too, and ready their weapons.

[Darren]

Kal stands passively, willing himself not to grin. He rests his sharrash casually against his shoulder and stands watching the scene unfold. Even for Kal, there's been enough fighting lately, and he thinks it would be nice to sail into port without further trouble.

Some nagging part of him says that that seems unlikely.

[Ken]

Belarin stands near Kal and says softly to those of his companions within earshot, "They're here too soon, judging by the looks of the crew. Either they sense the ship's lack of a water elemental, or perhaps a certain someone got here ahead of us and told them Bad Things. Or maybe they want to sell us some squid."

[Dave B.]

Shorak notes the unease of the crew at the obvious unexpected arrival of the Sahaugin. "Be ready for anything. We should probably take our cues from Spindrift." As he says this, his boomerang appears in one hand right after he clicks home a bolt for his hand crossbow.

[Brian]

Standing behind Kal, Condign quietly watches the arrival of the sahaugin. He nods curtly at Belarin's words, though he wonders briefly what a 'squid' is.

For the moment, he is content to let Spindrift handle the situation.

[Joe]

Streko also stands near Kal, having quickly forgotten what he was going to talk to his friend about. His hands are empty, but he feels the weight, or lack thereof, of the handy haversack on his back.

[Jeff]

Mostly out of earshot, Spindrift speaks to the sahuagin scout at length, while the other sahuagin (you count about eight) linger at the rails remain as watchful as the crew. They carry gleaming tridents.

After a few minutes, Spindrift calls Anng down to join him. You get the feeling the sahuagin don't like dealing solely with a warforged. The helmsman hands the wheel over to another crewmen, then goes down. A couple of minutes in, you see Anng shaking his head, clearly unhappy with this development.

Then he calls up to you and your group, asking you to come down to meet with him by the mainmast. When you've walked down the sterncastle, Anng approaches you.

"This sahuagin—Hras'Ka is his name—speaks for his clan, the Chargask Rariss, or Blue Fin clan. He claims that he has been sent by his clan's priests to await for our ship." He pauses there, letting that thought sink in. "We have dealt with them before, and they know the Merrow Down, and they know Morsha. They have great respect for her and her power. But because she is ill, the Blue Fins now distrust us and will not let us pass yet. And I have forbidden them from going to her cabin." He says this last part quietly, probably out of the sahuagin's earshot.

Then he goes on. "According to Hras'Ka, there is one aboard this ship who is spoken of in one of their prophecies...."

The sahuahin Hras'Ka now steps forward toward your group gathered by the mainmast. His loping gait is heavy and menacing, and the butt of his trident thumps on the deck. He scours you with his massive, fishlike eyes and speaks something in his gutteral tongue which sounds like a series of razor sharp consonants. Only surface-dwellers seem to add vowels when trying to speak Sahuagin. Hras'Ka bobs his head as if in affirmation to what Anng's just said.

"The prophecy," Anng translates and paraphrases, "declares that 'one-who-is-no-she' will come from among the 'five softskin drylands' to open the box given to them by the Devourer."

Sem claps his hands together. "How exciting!" His eyes are eager.

Larest frowns. "I take it this 'prophecied one' is to...go down below the surface of the waves—?"

"Aye, and we're not likely going any further towards Stormreach until this is done," Anng says, face grim.

Spindrift walks over now, too. "As I understand it, about a year ago a ship was capsized right here, at the north edge of Shargon's Teeth, during a particularly severe storm. The ship itself was torn apart, and none of the crew survived. But some of the cargo sank into the depths. Notably, some sort of metal box drifted right down into the Blue Fins' territory. Their high priest believes the ship and its sinking was the Devourer's work, delivering a gift to the clan. They believe a holy relic may be contained inside. It fits an old prophecy of the clans', and our arrival now cinches it."

"The five softskin drylands," Sem repeats. "The Five Nations, no doubt. Well, I'm from Zilargo, so I'm out. Starg's from Droamm. Histra's....a she." Sem looks at Larest. "Zath?"

Larest frowns. "I am part of no prophecy," he says quietly, "I assure you."

Anng looks at your group. "It would be none of this ship's crew. The Blue Fin sahuagin know of us. Hras'Ka says it would be someone...new."

He looks your way, and all eyes are on you to see your reaction.

[Darren]

Kal's eyes brighten, and he almost begins to smile. He begins to take a step forward, then stops, his head sinking. "Adamant," he says quietly. "It has to be Adamant."

Kalarian draws a deep breath, a heavy sigh. "He is the only one here who truly has no gender. And he's the only one here who can breathe underwater." Disappointment laces Kal's voice. "It has to be Adamant."

[Jeff]

"Are you certain you don't qualify, Lord d'Deneith?" Sem asks with a mischievous smirk.

[Brian]

After giving Kal a sympathetic pat on shoulder, Condign adds, "The Demon Wastes are not part of the Five Nations. That eliminates me."

Then he turns to grin at Adamant. "Looks like you may be in for some fun."

[Dave W.]

Sept 3, 2011 13:17:40 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak: As he says this, his boomerang appears in one hand right after he clicks home a bolt for his hand crossbow.

Adamant turns his head towards the drow when he hears the crossbow's soft click. The warforged shakes his head and with as much subtly as he can muster, waves his had down towards the deck, gesturing for Shorak to stand easy.

Sept 4, 2011 9:54:26 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kalarian draws a deep breath, a heavy sigh. "He is the only one here who truly has no gender. And he's the only one here who can breathe underwater." Disappointment laces Kal's voice. "It has to be Adamant."

"Actually, if the translation is correct, 'one-who-is-no-she'could be a 'he', correct? Also technically, I am from Cyre which hardly even exists."

"I'm also finding it hard to believe I'm part of a Prophecy. But they are notoriously unpredictable things. One might not know if one were in it. Do our guests know who they are looking for? Can they recognize the correct one?"

"In any case, if it moves the ship to port I am willing to go and try to open the box." Adamant takes a single step towards Spindrift. "With the Acting Captian's permission of course."

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BTW, As usual on the ship, Adamant does not have his shield on his person. He does have his sword but makes no move towards it.