Chapter 15: With Uncertain Ends

[Jeff]

Chapter 15

With Uncertain Ends

Mol, the 16th of Aryth 998 YK (Evening)

You all stand aboard the Dragonfly, the "river boat" chartered by Professor Larest ir'Zathryan, though you're not aware of the payment details involved. It's already been determined by group consensus that Captain Bracken, the shifter who seems to own this ship, will take you deeper into Xen'drik by way of the Hydra river system, going as far south and west as possible. From there you'll have to continue your journey on foot. At which point your half-drow guide, Shorak, should prove invaluable with his knowledge of the jungle (if not that specific part of the continent). Not to mention helping to mitigate the effects of the Traveler's Curse, ff that is a real thing (most agree it is).

Down the indicated hatch each of you has climbed into this this storage room at the bow of the lower deck. Unlabeled boxes and barrels surround you, serving as the only "furniture." Portholes are spaced evenly around the outer wall, but a canvas drape hangs in front of each one; these can be simply swished aside. Between each porthole is a single candle sconce. They are lit right now, offering soft and warm light. Although the smell of wood is stronger down on the lower deck, it's not stuffy. It breathes well. There is no trace of the foul odor from earlier. There is even a smell of fresh plants coming from somewhere.

A segmented leather curtain bisects this room without fulling sealing it off, reinforced by metal floor-to-ceiling poles. You can hear rustling on the other side but can't see anything.

When all of you are gathered together, the room seems a little bit crowded—especially with Adamant and Starg taking up more room than your average person—but you can still freely move around down here.

Brack opens a door which leads into a larger cargo hold, allowing you all to spread out a little bit more. But the shifter doesn't yet leave this room. "I'll keep this brief; summarize now, elaborate later as needed. This half of the room is for anyone's use. Stash something here, sure. Need some alone time? Fair use. Just keep it neat, especially the floor." He then points to the curtain that blocks the other half. "That side you never cross to without her permission." He clears his throat.

"Yeah, yeah," a voice murmurs from behind the leather curtain. You hear metal scraping together like shields shifting in an awkward pile.

Then the dwarf you saw earlier winds around the far corner of the curtain. She's got a smudge of dark liquid on her cheek, and her thick hair is bound away from her face. Like most dwarf women, she's got sideburns braided, but no other facial hair (a common myth among those who don't see dwarves very often). You can't quite understand her clothing. Her trappings are all buckles, pouches, slits, hooks, and joints of metal, all bound together in some sort some rough-looking canvas material, but taken altogether it almost resembles armor. Belarin and Kal are the first to notice a number of wands and rods sticking out of some of her pockets.

"This," Captain Brack says, "is my crew."

"Kurra Wedreth, at your service," the dwarf says with a simple nod to your party, "if, in fact, you're one of the good guys on this trip."

Brack shrugs. "Kurra is first mate, second mate, quarter master, sometime lookout, and rigger. But above all, she's my resident artificer and the Dragonfly's boatswain." He repeats that last word, which is pronounced bo-sun.

"My pay indicates almost none of that," Kurra snipes with a roll of her eyes.

"What she is not is a cook," the captain says with a sulking growl. "Except when all twelve moons are full, the Ring of Siberys is properly aligned, swine everywhere take to the air on new-grown wings, Fernia freezes over, and the Draconic Prophecy demands it. Which figures, since she's amazing at that, too."

The dwarf woman shakes her head. "Whatever."

Brack looks to your crew. "Let's drop the illusions. We need to know who you are. Real names and faces, please. Keeping secrets from Kurra and I will get you killed on this voyage. And also make me angry." Despite his words, the shifter's smile is friendly. "I know you're all tired. So let's make this quick."

He waits for anyone to speak up first.

[Ken]

"Fair enough," says Belarin. With a casual wave, he dismisses his illusions, instantly revealing the true forms of himself, Kal, Adamant, Melethos, and even Tangat.

"Belarin Malizia," he says with a smile. "A pleasure to be onboard, Captain."

_______________

The effects of the two seeming spells are gone.

[Elvis]

Quick is good.

"I'm Thul," he says, complying to the captain's request. "An agent of the Crown of Karrnath."

[Brian]

Melethos gives Belarin a nod of thanks. "My name is Melethos," the tiefling says as he faces the captain. "I come from the Demon Wastes. I do not have a rank, or a title. I am a simple fighter, and little more than that."

[Dave W.]

Adamant nods, "And I am Adamant, a simple warrior and servant of Dol Arrah. These are my friends and I have made promises to defend them. It is a pleasure to meet you as myself, Captain and Kurra."

[Darren]

Kal smiles as his true form is revealed. He hates having to hide. Fixing the high collar of his shirt and tightening two of the many buckles around his right leg, Kal pushes up his sleeves to expose the blue dragonmark on his right forearm and then holds it out to embrace Brack's arm. "A pleasure to meet you again, Captain Brack. Kalarian d'Deneith. You have met my companions," he says, gesturing to Belarin, Thul, Melethos, and Adamant. "The small one is Streko d'Jorasco, and the smaller one is Tangat," he says with a grin, pointing to Streko and Tangat in turn. "Both are much more fierce than they appear," he says, leaning in and dropping his voice to a conspiratorial stage-whisper. "You have met our patron, Larest ir'Turian. His companions, Starg, Sem, and Histra," he again gestures to each of them in turn. "We are, once again, grateful to you for your hospitality and will abide by your rules. And we are happy to pull our weight, as well. Simply show us where you need us and we are at your disposal." Kal retrieves his sharrash from Sem and suddenly finds himself leaning heavily on the weapon. "Although, if it's all the same to you, we've had a trying day and could use some rest first."

[Jeff]

Mar 6, 2018 17:21:56 GMT -4 Darren said:

"You have met our patron, Larest ir'Turian—"

"—ir'Zathyran," Larest corrects him, reddening slightly. 

"We'll save job talk and rules, such as they are, for when we're out of this town," Captain Brack says. 

Adamant notices that the dwarf woman's eyes linger on his body. He can't help but feel like he's being sized up for parts. When she notices him looking back, she winks at him.

Brack looks at Shorak, who is still in his human form. 

[Dave W.]

Mar 6, 2018 17:41:33 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Adamant notices that the dwarf woman's eyes linger on his body. He can't help but feel like he's being sized up for parts. When she notices him looking back, she winks at him.

Adamant addresses the dwarf woman, "Oh, I must look a sight... I try to take care of myself but we do get into scraps with some regularity." He dims one eye-gem and brightens it again now that he can no longer "wink".

[Joe]

Streko removes his Tiefling illusion and bows. "Streko Tavven d'Jorasco, at your service, Captain. Should any healing be needed, I am available to assist."

[Dave B.]

Shorak looks back at the captain as he changes back to his half-Drow form. "I am Shorak. Native to the jungles of Xen'drik and one of the last two of my tribe."

[Jeff]

Brack raises his eyebrows. "Two dragonmarked heirs," he says, nodding at Larest. Then he looks to Streko. "Well, d'Jorasco, your skills will likely come in handy in days to come. 'Specially in the marshlands."

The shifter strokes his short, thick beard after Shorak introduces himself. "Ahh, so you're the guide the professor spoke of. Very good. Welcome aboard."

"Ohh!" Kurra suddenly says. She reaches into a pocket and walks over to Brack. She holds out a simple-looking dagger; a small red gem on its pommel, though, glints in the candlelight. "This is what they left. I found it quick. No surprise."

Brack nods and takes it. "Aye, no surprise." He holds out out for all to see. "A scrying focus, most likely. The Coin Lords use 'em a lot. Should old Jonas decide to keep a closer eye on us, it'll be with this. I'll drop it, but not until we're well out of his reach." The shifter sighs and he looks over to Kal. "You mentioned smugglers to him. That's a rookie mistake and I think it gave him the first scent that something's not right with you. Stormreach has only one law: stay out of the Coin Lords' way. There are no smugglers in this city because nothing's illegal. No contraband. This isn't the Five Nations."

He shrugs. "It's not the worst thing you could have said. Now, let's move on. Into there." He points to the larger cargo chamber through the doorway.

[Brian]

Melethos's eyes cut momentarily to Larest--no one can tell for sure why--then he enters the chamber the captain has indicated. He sees several crates and decides to stand along the wall furthest from the door, his back pressed firmly against the wood.

______________________________

I'm assuming that's a wall back there. I can't tell for sure. For the sake of positioning, Big Red will stand in the upper left hand corner of the room as you look at the map.

[Darren]

Kal tugs his forelock and affects the same mumbling accent he used earlier. "Sorry, Cap'n," he says, then grins and returns to his normal voice. "I have limited experience with ships. Most of the time I've ever been on one, it's been in a cabin with a soft mattress." Kal eyes the scrying focus warily. "Need we be worried about that right now?" he asks, looking also at Belarin, Larest, and Sem. "Could he be listening?"

[Ken]

Belarin replies, "For most 'traditional' practitioners of magic, the scrying spell is not one that a mage would have memorized and ready to go at a moment's notice. Very situational. So I doubt he had it ready to use tonight. Tomorrow, however, is a different story. So..."

He looks at Brack as he continues, "...I'd greatly appreciate it if you kept that dagger in a barrel or thick box, or at least well away from us, until we're in a good spot to drop it. Thanks." He turns back to Kal. "That's why I wanted to search Tangat. Wylkes wouldn't have left so easily without leaving something behind."

He follows Brack's direction and heads for the doorway.

[Darren]

"Yes, yes," Kal mumbles at Belarin, "you're very smart...."

[Jeff]

"I'm not going to do anything too crazy with it tonight," Brack says. "On the chance that Wylkes makes use of it somehow. Again, I want him no reasons to be suspicious and board me again."

Kurra says, "There is at least one...mostly reliable safeguard to give us some warning if we're scryed."

Once the party has moved into the central room, Brack follows. You see more crates, boxes, and barrels neatly arranged with plenty of open space on one side. Everything is lashed together and tethered by ropes to rings in the floor to keep them from shifting. On the back wall, stern-side, is a stack of logs running from wall to wall, thirty feet long. Though barked, the lumber appears to be of the same wood the ship is made from. Rich-hued and fragrant, they smell fresh cut. Directly above you is a wider hatch clearly designed for lowering heavy cargo. When you were on the top deck, there was a grill in that hatch, but there appears to be a second layer to it on this side that can be slide shut, blocking the empty squares of that grill.

"Consider the hold to be a common area," Brack says, thumping his foot on the floor. "And you're going to want to find places to get away from one another after enough days have passed. Trust me on that. Now, the general rule is: don't go opening boxes or taking something that isn't yours. If you want to fiddle with something, ask either one of us. That's all you need: permission. Aye?"

Brack points to the wall the logs are stacked up against. "Your cabins are on the other side of this wall. Two ways to get there: If you're on top deck, there's a hatch that leads down. I keep it propped open most days with fair weather. Or..."

Brack walks over to a section of the logs on the right. He places both palms on the outermost log. He waits a couple seconds, then removes them. Then he straightens, winks at you all, then simply steps into the wood and out of view as if it were illusionary.

Attachments:

[Dave W.]

Mar 7, 2018 14:10:01 GMT -4 Ken said:

He looks at Brack as he continues, "...I'd greatly appreciate it if you kept that dagger in a barrel or thick box, or at least well away from us, until we're in a good spot to drop it. Thanks." He turns back to Kal. "That's why I wanted to search Tangat. Wylkes wouldn't have left so easily without leaving something behind."

"I'm not the expert here but if we react strongly to the thing doesn't that tell him something? As opposed to letting it sit a room that none of us goes into? Perhaps it could be "found" while we're underway and chucked over the side?"

"Unless... just a suggestion... but if someone made a show of selling it to someone on the docks? That may be too risky and I'm not sure who can do it."

[Joe]

Mar 7, 2018 11:04:59 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Brack raises his eyebrows. "Two dragonmarked heirs," he says, nodding at Larest. Then he looks to Streko. "Well, d'Jorasco, your skills will likely come in handy in days to come. 'Specially in the marshlands."

Streko bows. "Consider my skills yours as part of our payment for safe travels. I am unsure how strict House Jorasco is in this part of the world in regards to payment for services rendered, but you shall receive no bill from me and I will do all I can to assist with health and safety on your ship while aboard. Thank you, Captain, for your hospitality."

[Ken]

Mar 7, 2018 15:10:47 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Yes, yes," Kal mumbles at Belarin, "you're very smart...."

Belarin shrugs. "Well, yes..."

Mar 7, 2018 16:07:59 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"I'm not the expert here but if we react strongly to the thing doesn't that tell him something? As opposed to letting it sit a room that none of us goes into?"

"And you're smarter!" he says to Adamant. "Yes, stay away from it without looking like we're staying away from it."

Just then, he sees Brack seemingly walk through the wall of logs! "Oh, that's clever..." He steps over to where Brack stood, extends one arm, and attempts to walk through the same spot.

[Jeff]

Belarin feels only solid bark.

“Hand first,” he hears Brack’s voice coming from somewhere beyond. It’s muffled, coming through a solid wall. He’s obviously shouting the words loud enough that Belarin can make them out. “She needs to...feel...you first. Needs to recognize you and accept you.”

[Ken]

Belarin then repeats what he saw Brack do. He places both hands on the wood and waits for "acceptance."

[Jeff]

Belarin feels the solid wood, warm...alive. He has the strange sense that the wood itself is gauging him. Then suddenly it becomes less substantial: not illusory, not nonexistent, just passable.

[Ken]

"Wonderful," breathes Belarin excitedly. He smiles back at Histra, Melethos, and the others. "Let it accept you, and move on through." He steps through.

[Dave W.]

“Ummm.... Thank you, Belarin.” Adamant shifts a little uncomfortably at the suggestion that he’s smart.

Seeing the “door” working, he agrees with Belarin assessment, “yes, very clever.”

“I’m sure you all should go before me. There are sometimes issues with people accepting me.”

[Joe]

Mar 7, 2018 23:26:45 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

“I’m sure you all should go before me. There are sometimes issues with people accepting me.”

"No one with honorable intentions would ever NOT accept such a quality being as yourself, my dear friend. Although your humility is almost as overpowering as Kalarian's bravado at times. Come, we do this together, if she is willing." Streko takes Adamant's arm and escorts him to the "door."
____________________________________________________

Streko will wait until Adamant tries, then will attempt to follow him through and join the others that have already passed.

[Dave B.]

When there is room to do so, Shorak will copy Brack's movements and pass through as well.

[Darren]

The corners of Kal's mouth turn down, but then he, too, walks up to the wooden wall. He kneels next to it, calling for Tangat to come over, then places one hand on the wall to indicate where the dog should place both of his paws. Once his friend has gone through the wall, Kal places his hands against it and follows the others.

[Brian]

Melethos, his back resting against the logs everyone is passing through, shakes his head in disbelief. He then turns, places his hands against the wood, waits for this sense of "acceptance," and then passes through to whatever lies beyond.

[Dave W.]

Mar 8, 2018 0:29:20 GMT -4 Joe said:

"Come, we do this together, if she is willing." Streko takes Adamant's arm and escorts him to the "door."

Adamant allows Streko to lead him to the door. "Thank you." He says quietly. He raises his three-fingered hand and places it against the wood.

---

Assuming he's accepted as a living person he'll head through.

[Jeff]

Each of you feels the same thing—at no point does the log you lay your hands on feel incorporeal, but after a moment, you do feel like it is no longer a barrier to you. And you step through, both the logs and the wooden wall they're pressed up against. Histra follows Belarin.

When Adamant sets his metal fingers and palm to the wood, he can sense the life within. His own wooden framework feels a strange sort of kindship to the material almost as though it, too, was a living construct. But Adamant knows, as many warforged do, that the wooden musculature of his body was never grown from a tree, cut down, and placed upon him. Rather, raw materials of stone, metal, and wood were placed within the powerful creation forges and activated by the Mark of Making. Beyond that, the mysteries of warforged creation is quite unknown to Adamant. And most everyone else.

And then he, too, finds that he can pass through.

Starg follows, then Larest. Sem is left standing alone in the cargo with Thul.

"Wow," he says. "Do you suppose they've all been chewed up by some vengeful tree monster?"

The gnome grins and gestures. "After you, Captain Thul. Pretty sure there are bunks in there. I mean, they might be mimics, but at this point, who cares, right?"