Elvis
Thul (Human)
Thul
Posts: 1,139
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Post by Elvis on Mar 8, 2018 11:26:16 GMT -4
Magical lumber. Everything is always so complicated.
"In my day, we used doors."
Thul copies the actions everyone else was doing.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 8, 2018 11:55:19 GMT -4
Sem says, "Well, you could always—" But by that point, Thul feels something in the wood give way and he steps right through it, hearing nothing more of the gnome's words. One after another, you have all found yourselves in a room that appears to the ship's galley. There's a heavy table with six chairs, a counter, an iron stove (complete with flue pipe that disappears into the wall and presumably vents outside), a few cabinets, and even a cupboard filled with metal plates and cutlery. Leather thongs bind the dishes together so they don't rattle under the ship's movement. The whole room is fairly spacious, though if everyone were gathered in it as you are now it certainly feels more crowded. A ladder leads up to the upper deck. Brack walks across the room and opens the three doors there, each of which leads to a ten-by-ten-foot cabin. Within each has two hammocks, two cots (low to the ground and tucked beneath the hammocks when not in use, and two chests for private storage. "As you can see, there are six hammocks and six cots—spread the cots out and everyone can sleep at once. But at some point you may want a watch in place. Kurra and I may come and go at times but for the most part the galley's all yours. It's already well stocked with enough ingredients and spices for a variety of meals, if you're up for the challenge. But...I hope you like fish, because that's going to be a recurring theme." "When we're out of the city tomorrow, I'll go over the rules and tell you where all the traps are." Brack smiles. "Don't worry, none in here. I'll leave you to decide on who sleeps where. Sorry, there are no maids. Keeping the cabins clean is on you." The shifter looks squarely at Thul and gestures to the open cabins. "Well, agent of King Kaius III, you're free to sleep the sleep of the dead. We're either safe tonight or we're all doomed and you might as well get some rest first." "Any questions before morning?" Brack asks.
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Elvis
Thul (Human)
Thul
Posts: 1,139
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Post by Elvis on Mar 8, 2018 12:26:34 GMT -4
Thul moves to the far left cabin and takes the top-left hammock.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Mar 8, 2018 13:54:48 GMT -4
Kal grins at Brack and taps the wooden wall they've all walked thru. "No smugglers in Stormreach, huh?"
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Mar 8, 2018 14:35:30 GMT -4
"No questions from me," Melethos says as he watches Captain Thul move into one of the cabins. "You know your boat and what is best for her. As for what is best for me, that would be some rest. Tomorrow marks the start of a long voyage that I suspect will test each of us." A sly grin forms on his lips. "Until the morning," he says, then steps into the room Thul had entered. He pulls out the right hand cot and lies down on it. "Pleasant dreams, Captain," he says, and closes his eyes.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 8, 2018 14:52:17 GMT -4
Kal grins at Brack and taps the wooden wall they've all walked thru. "No smugglers in Stormreach, huh?" Brack just points at the ladder leading up to the upper deck. "This isn't a hidden room, d'Deneith. I've just shown you a shortcut is all."
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Mar 8, 2018 15:30:05 GMT -4
Kal winks at Brack. "Got it," he says with a grin.
"Alright, then, everyone. Our host has been more than generous, and I hope the Professor has been more than generous to our host, in return. As for us, we need to sleep. In the morning, we will follow the Captain's instructions and hopefully be free from Stormreach, at last." Kal takes Tangat into one of the empty rooms, chooses a cot, and quickly drifts off to sleep.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 8, 2018 16:58:08 GMT -4
Starg, larger than anyone else, asks the captain, "If it acceptable, I would choose to take my rest in the common areas. I am...less likely to disturb anyone else. My body does not require the...comforts of other kinds." Brack shrugs. "Whatever works for you. If you've got good ears, umm, Starg, then you're welcome as a secondary lookout. Listen-out?" Larest seats himself at the table, and Sem sits as well. "I will take a cot when everyone else has chosen," the professor says. The cots can be moved around, but the hammocks are affixed to posts and walls. Seeing Thul and Melethos take the left-most cabin, and Kal going into the central one (with Tangat behind him), Histra walks into the right-most and claims a hammock therein. She turns around and looks to Belarin through the open doorway. Brack heads up the ladder, pushes through the hatch, and disappears. So technically each cabin can accommodate four people. However, cots can be dragged out into the galley as well, if privacy demands it.
Left: Thul, Melethos
Middle: Kal, Tangat
Right: Histra, Belarin?
Shorak and Streko can choose where to go. Sem and Larest seem fine with waiting to see where they go. Adamant, of course, doesn't need to sleep or even to sit. He can stand and take his 4 hours of relative inactivity anywhere he wants.
That said, a long rest can commence at anytime.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Mar 8, 2018 17:31:31 GMT -4
Belarin joins Histra and, after determining that the hammocks can't really accommodate more than one person, takes the cot closest to the hammock she's chosen. "Yes, very cozy," he says with a shrug. He gives her hand a squeeze. "Perhaps I can add a curtain for you in the morning...."
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Post by Dave B. on Mar 9, 2018 1:50:00 GMT -4
"Streko or Adamant? If one of you wouldn't mind?" Shorak asks pointing to the scratches on his face. "I would hate for them to leave a scar." Waiting for a healing hand, Shorak adds, "I'm fine with hammock or cot." He'll wait to see what is left, but will probably take the second hammock in the room on the left with Melethos and Thul.
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Mar 9, 2018 11:06:26 GMT -4
Adamant steps through the wall, "Quite astonishing." He listens to the captain carefully. "I will stand over there to rest," the warforged indicates the far wall of the common room. "Of course." Adamant replies when Shorak makes his request. He moves over and raises a hand to touch the dark elf's face, "In the name of my Lady..." Lay on Hands (it's all I have left) for 10 hp.
Adamant will stand in the SE corner of the room, near the table, next to the place on the wall marked with a big 'S'...
I'm ready for the long rest unless something happens... 4 hours of standing still followed by 4 hours of watching... he won't leave this room (or even move much) unless something happens...
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Mar 9, 2018 12:29:35 GMT -4
Belarin adds to Histra, "I'm going to stay up for a bit, just in case Wylkes does try something. Get some rest."
___________________
Belarin will take a short rest to regain his two spell slots. If nothing happens, he'll take a long rest after that.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 9, 2018 14:34:16 GMT -4
By this point Thul has already dropped into a heavy sleep. His breathing is loud, but he doesn't snore.* Kal and Streko remove their chainmail shirts before giving in to sleep, as Melethos has to his own heavier mail; such armor is much too heavy to sleep comfortably in. Belarin can see that Histra, even as she reclines in a hammock, just stares at the ceiling for a long time. They don't talk, allowing both to reflect and focus on their own powers and contemplation. Starg remains in the galley, finding a spot on the floor where he sits, leans forward, and just hangs his head low...until sleep overcomes him and he settles into a soft snore. Sem and Larest eventually take the remaining hammock and cot in the right-most room and go to sleep. Belarin and Adamant are the last ones "awake," and though he feels his powers to return to him, Belarin feels weariness settling in fast. Earlier in this very day, he'd visited a cloud giant's castle, allegedly encountered a rakshasa, and clashed with the Emerald Claw. It's really hard to believe all of that right now, but he can feel the heaviness of it all. The last image lingering in his mind as he drifts to sleep is of Captain Thul running through a small horde of wax-formed humanoids with flaming wicks.... Adamant finds that there are portholes around the galley and in each of the rooms (though by default their curtains are drawn). Through the stern-side holes he sees that this boat is affixed with a cylindrical waterwheel in the back—which suggests it has a way of moving through narrow waterways without the need of the sail. As the night passes, he hears only the gentle creaking of the Dragonfly and various distant sounds: sailors talking, sailors walking, occasionally even some dockside singing. The occasional splash has Adamant peer through a window now and again, but no dangers present themselves. Maybe just fish? Or even sahuagin. It strikes him how easy it must be for sahuagin to crawl up and climb onto ships, but he has to imagine they can't just freely do so without consequences. This city has functioned for a very long time even with its current rulership. And then eventually, the blackness of night fades into the light and the nearing of the sun. Adamant can feel the warmth and light even without seeing it. By this point, he has taken his prayers and restored his spells. Few among you wake on your own. Perhaps there will be days when you can sleep in; but today is a day of embarking, and most of you wake to the sound pouring water. Then the gruff yet somehow musical voice of Kurra. The cabin doors have all been opened, and you look out to see her pouring water out of a jug under her arm into a barrel by the galley table. "Rise and whine, little birds," the dwarf woman says, and it strikes those who watch her that the water pouring out of the jug sure seems like a lot more than it should be able to hold. "Wash up, drink, whatever you need to do. Captain says we push off in twenty minutes." Thul is the last to wake. He feels rested, for once in a long time, but the aches and pains of a body that did too much running, and swinging the previous day set in immediately. Belarin finds Histra is already awake, sorting through her spellbook. Sem and Larest, sleepy-eyed, climb out of their cabin. While Sem gets to the fresh water first, before Kurra is even finished pouring it out, Larest just settles at the table and half-heartedly flipping through his own spellbook. His hair is mussed but somehow still looks good, and he's quick to place the circlet on his brow. Streko needs only a short while to make his prayers and select his spells. A long rest has passed. Everyone's back to full hit points and half your hit dice are restored—which I think also brings everyone back to max hit dice.
Adamant and Streko, now's the time to pick which spells to prepare today. As usual, use check marks, and of course your domain spells you don't have to choose; those are always prepared.
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Mar 9, 2018 15:07:14 GMT -4
Melethos wakes, the light filtering dimly in from the galley. Next to him, Shorak opens his eyes. The two friends look at one another, and Melethos gives Shorak a wry grin. He nods at the sleeping Thul, then motions for them to leave the room and allow the captain to rest more.
In the galley, Melethos splashes water on his face, over his head (being careful to wash behind his horns). When Kurra announces they will be leaving soon, the tiefling takes that time to inspect his armor, weapons, and shield. Satisfied that all is in order, he approaches Adamant.
"Did anything unusual happen last night?" he asks the warforged.
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Mar 9, 2018 15:23:44 GMT -4
Through the night, Adamant resists the temptation to peer out of the porthole too much. Occasional splashes are impossible to ignore but he tries to limit it. When the sun warms his workings, he very softly chants a welcome to the sun, but knowing his friends had a long day he tries not to disturb them. He will greet them as they wake and enter the common room; and Captain Barak and Kurra as well. "Did anything unusual happen last night?" he asks the warforged. "Nothing at all. It was very peaceful. I hope your idling was as well." Looking around the room a thoughful moment he adds, "It occurs to me just now that I should learn to prepare food. I am always awake before you. I couldn't taste it of course... Esthryn, Streko's female parent? She once said that tasting was important in the process for some reason." I'm not changing much in spell choices right now... I'm rigged for combat I think for this first day that makes sense... if things start to get desperate, Create Food and Water or Purify Food and Drink might be useful... we're probably not there yet.
I reset my Lay on Hands as well. Sorry if that was out of turn.
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Elvis
Thul (Human)
Thul
Posts: 1,139
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Post by Elvis on Mar 9, 2018 16:08:11 GMT -4
Time is a ravenous whore and she will take every copper you have. Calyree would always say.
Thul makes his way through the galley and heads top-side, dropping a gruff sounding "Morning" to the room as he goes.
Fresh air - not like the spoor he dropped before making his exit from the cabin - and sunshine, and a solid night's sleep, and Thul is ready to go.
Thul surveys the harbour.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Mar 9, 2018 17:17:39 GMT -4
Kal stretches and idles in his bed a bit longer than the others. He reluctantly pulls himself away from a dream about a Deneith serving girl with long red hair whose eyes sparkle when she laughs and who smells like strawberries....With a sigh, Kal pulls himself up from his bed. He scratches Tangat. "I hope you dreamed of a beautiful wolf with auburn fur, as well, my friend." Letting out another sigh, he pulls his chainmail shirt on after changing the shirt beneath it, admiring the purple fabric and high collar. Stepping out to the common room, Kal washes his face the best he can. "I don't suppose you have a tub where one can take a proper bath, Kurra?" he says, smiling.
Kal sits, sighing again. "Oh well." He looks over at Larest. "What's with the thing, anyway?" he asks, gesturing to the circlet on the other man's head. "I've never seen you without it."
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 9, 2018 17:38:40 GMT -4
As Kal readies himself, Tangat places some indistinct visions in his mind as his tail wags; their empathic link is always more emotion than visual, yet somehow Tangat manages to conjure up in Kal's imagination a litter of Tangat-like puppies."I don't suppose you have a tub where one can take a proper bath, Kurra?" he says, smiling. "I have my own," the dwarf answers as she hefts her jug, which still sounds like it's got more water in it. " You have the river anytime." Then she smiles with her white teeth exposed. "Don't worry, the caimans are usually only man-sized. Usually." She winks and climbs up the ladder with her jug and out of sight. He looks over at Larest. "What's with the thing, anyway?" he asks, gesturing to the circlet on the other man's head. "I've never seen you without it." "Oh, this?" Larest says, touching his golden circlet with its pale stone instinctively. "Yes. Well, it's a family heirloom. But it's also a utilitarian device. Helps with spell concentration, before and during casting. I'm out of sorts without at at this point." Kal can't help but think Larest still looks tired. Some lines under his eyes. When Thul climbs to the upper deck, he finds Brack already at work. He's climbing down one of the ropes connected to the main mast. "Morning. We're almost ready. Just lie low for now and don't let anyone else up yet. Oh, and avoid the bolt throwers for now. Let's look like we're more concerned with commerce than combat as we get out of here." Nah, Dave, it's cool. I'd forgotten the Lay on Hands pool.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Mar 9, 2018 19:51:55 GMT -4
Belarin rubs his face, greets the mischievous voices in his head -- More insanity awaits, my friends -- and steps out.
"Good morning!" he says cheerily. "Twenty minutes, huh? Would anyone care for omelettes? Kurra, may I?" He indicates the galley's supplies.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Mar 9, 2018 20:48:52 GMT -4
Kal reaches out a hand and grips Larest's forearm in a friendly gesture. He leans closer to the man. "Despite everything, Larest, I appreciate everything that you are doing for this expedition. Don't think we've forgotten how it is we ended up here in the first place, but I sympathize with the pressure you face. Let's just hope it's all worth it, huh?" He squeezes the man's arm, then leans back in his chair and puts his hands behind his head. "Omelettes, indeed, Belarin. But...perhaps you should let Streko do the cooking? I'm not sure fey cuisine will sit well with any of us."
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
Posts: 3,518
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Post by Joe on Mar 9, 2018 22:09:18 GMT -4
Kal reaches out a hand and grips Larest's forearm in a friendly gesture. He leans closer to the man. "Despite everything, Larest, I appreciate everything that you are doing for this expedition. Don't think we've forgotten how it is we ended up here in the first place, but I sympathize with the pressure you face. Let's just hope it's all worth it, huh?" He squeezes the man's arm, then leans back in his chair and puts his hands behind his head. "Omelettes, indeed, Belarin. But...perhaps you should let Streko do the cooking? I'm not sure fey cuisine will sit well with any of us." Streko followed Kal and took the remaining hammock in the center room. "Who here is a chef? If no one answers in the next few seconds, I shall nominate myself and cook meals for all." Streko begins inspecting the cupboards and taking stock of the cooking supplies. Upon locating all the food, he will write out a small list of the meals he can cook throughout the voyage. "I shall check with our Captain to see if this is acceptable faire and return with what I learn. I hope all are hungry." ___________________________________________________ Refreshed and ready to go.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Mar 10, 2018 0:32:05 GMT -4
"Omelettes, fey cuisine?" says Belarin with mock horror. "Nonsense, Kalarian! For one thing, my omelettes are based on storied Brelish tradition! For another, any scholar would tell you that there are no eggs in Thelanis! All faerie creatures are born from honey and pixie dust." He winks at Histra, and then goes back to his task.
"Give me room, Good Streko! By the Host, how are your elbows so big?"
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Elvis
Thul (Human)
Thul
Posts: 1,139
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Post by Elvis on Mar 10, 2018 0:47:44 GMT -4
Thul pulls up a box near the gunwale and starts filling his pipe.
Watching the shifter work, he looks for the tells that would him away for a soldier.
"What did you do before becoming a river pirate?"
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Jeff
Administrator
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Post by Jeff on Mar 10, 2018 9:47:41 GMT -4
Belarin and Streko both find enough eggs for a round of omelettes but they won't last well beyond today. Where does one get more eggs on the journey?
Up above, Brack answers Thul's question by saying, "In this land, I'm not sure anyone's a pirate anymore. A thief is just someone who takes something. It's not unlawful. The only laws are those you can enforce, more's the shame."
Thul can sense that Bracken is a warrior, and can hold his own, but is probably not a career soldier. If he's a veteran in some way, it seems more likely to be from a militia, not a standing army. Of course, Thul hasn't seen him fight yet. That's when a man's mettle is really shown. Then of course there's the fact that he's a shifter. Most stories he's heard of shifter cultures stem from Aundair and the Eldeen Reaches that seceded from it during the latter years of the Last War; there the Reachers (of whom many were shifters) waged guerilla war against both invaders and the forces of the Aundaurian crown not pleased with a portion of its own nation trying to become independent.
Then again, Thul doesn't really detect an Aundairian accent from Brack.
"But I'm a river rat, to be sure," the captain goes on. "Much preferred to the open sea. But I've been abroad. This boat doesn't come from Xen'drik, for one."
He leaves it at that for now, and then walks over and takes the helm. "It's time."
All of you can feel the sudden churn and hear the muffled splashing of the waterwheel as the Dragonfly begins to move.
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Mar 10, 2018 11:37:45 GMT -4
After breakfast, Melethos feels through the floorboards the waterwheel churning, and the sensation of the boat moving.
"And so it begins," he says softly. He offers to clean up the breakfast dishes, and when he is done with them, he climbs the ladder up to the top deck of the ship. There he finds Brack and Thul talking. He lets the two have time to get acquaint themselves and moves to the stern of the ship. There he keeps an eye out for Wylkes, or anyone else who may want to follow them.
EDITED
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Jeff
Administrator
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Post by Jeff on Mar 10, 2018 12:16:08 GMT -4
"Stay down!" Brack calls out in a harsh whisper that carries to Melethos's ears before he fully clears the hatch. "Your horns will get us stopped before we've begun."
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Mar 10, 2018 12:20:10 GMT -4
Melethos turns at Brack's command. "As you wish, my lord," he says, somewhat stiffly, and climbs back down into the hold.
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Post by Dave B. on Mar 11, 2018 1:24:45 GMT -4
Shorak follows Melethos out of the room. He waits his turn to wash up and joins everyone for breakfaat. When he feels the boat begin moving, he relaxes some. Stretching a bit, he didn't realize the tension he was feeling until the ship started moving away from Stormreach. He helps Melethos clear the dishes, btu doesn't offer to help wash them. He then checks his gear. Cleaning weapons and honing edges while waiting for whatever comes next.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Mar 11, 2018 2:19:12 GMT -4
Kal breathes a sigh of relief as he feels the vibration of the decking beneath him. Away from Stormreach....
...towards a horde of enemies. Out of the jaws of the lion and into the claws of the dragon. Kal sighs again, but not with relief this time. Next to him, Tangat whines, sensing his friend's concern.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Mar 11, 2018 11:57:55 GMT -4
You can feel the boat turning as it navigates the river, presumably heading east around the perimeter of the city. When finished eating, Larest places a hand on Kal's shoulder. "Thank you for what you said." Sem says, "Since I'm not a recognizable criminal on sight, I'll go up and see if we're in the clear yet." Larest says, "I would also like to see our progress." He turns to look at the party still below. "We'll let you know when it seems safe to come up." Starg stays below. Histra didn't eat much, sampling Belarin's omelette only as a matter of politeness. She stays below with him, though. Above, Thul can see the city drifting by. The huge stone foundations and "bones" of the city that rise above the south side of the river block most views, however. Every now and then there's a break in the structures and he can glimpse the taller parts: the House Lyrandar airship docking tower, the spires of Lorsmarch Palace. The sky is blue, the clouds are few, and the air is warm. Thul's not seen a day this nice in quite a while. Of course, it's always been uncomfortably down here in this, the equator of the world. Especially to a Karrn, who is accustomed to long, harsh winters and cooler summers. Sem and Larest mill about on deck, taking in the sights from the river. The jungle looms to the north. The Dragonfly soon enters a tunnel beneath a colossal portion of the city's ruins, though the river flows unimpeded east and west. Plenty of lights within the wide tunnel provide easy navigation. Captain Brack stands at the helm, watching and steering in silence. Kurra is here, too, checking the rigging as she patrols the deck. She seems to care little for the sights. After looking at what lies ahead on the river, Larest walks over and kneels by the hatch. "Lord Kalarian, you may wish to come see. Perhaps use your cloak, just in case."
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