Chapter 16: Against the Chaos

[Jeff]

Chapter 16

Against the Chaos

Far, the 20th of Aryth 998 YK

The next morning is clear and bright. Only a few clouds scud across the sky. The air is warm but cooler gusts from the northeast temper it. Huge rises in the land far away shape the jungles of the southern horizon, while to the north and east lies open sea. The Dragonfly is sailing probably just a mile away from the coast, staying clear of huge rocks that seem to ward the shores.

When everyone is eventually up and about, Captain Brack calls everyone to the main deck.

"We're headed due east now," he says, and then places one of his Xen'drik maps down, weighing down the corners with various objects. He once agains indicates the route the party has chosen, the short-cut. "In about four days, we'll swing south and start down the Ubuden—that is, the River of Intruders, as the Giants used to call it. And maybe for good reason. We'll be heading south through the river for about a week, if we make good time. If our short-cut proves successful, we will emerge..." He squints, thinking. "...somewhere in or around the Marsh of Desolation, here..."

He presses a finger on the map and swishes it around the Marsh. "...thereby saving ourselves at least two full weeks of travel. Maybe much more than that. But as this journey will likely be measured in months, all told—for you and your rivals—that's not nothing."

Brack holds a hand, two fingers splayed. "There are a couple of things you should know."

He then points to one finger. "One, the cave at the end of this river is geographically close to the Obsidian City, which some of you may have heard of."

Shorak certainly has, so none of what the shifter says next surprises him. But it does concern him.

"Ostensibly, it's a giant ruin. Gundrak'ul it was called, now just a great sprawl of crumbling buildings older than anything in the Five Nations. Think Stormreach but without the civilization, and plenty more vines and overgrowth. Only the drow known as the Sulatar are believed to live there now, though I've heard it's just a remnant of their larger population, which has migrated elsewhere. So now the Obsidian City is more of an outpost for them. I don't know how familiar you are with the Sulatar..." He looks at Shorak. "But they're the least friendly to anyone who isn't Sulatar. If it weren't for them, well, I think the dark elves might actually be well regarded in some circles. I've known a few fine Vulkoori, in my day. Far more hospitable, even when they're...not. The Sulatar are isolationist, but when they are forced to deal with outsiders, they are merciless.

"Well, we aren't going to the Obsidian City," the shifter goes on. We're going in that cave. But it's close enough to the source of the river that we'll need to be cautious as we approach."

He looks to his second finger, but waits to see if there are any comments about his first one.

[Brian]

Melethos gazes at the map. "Cautious about what?" he asks. "What about the city makes it dangerous?"

[Jeff]

"The Sulatar who live there."

[Dave W.]

---

skipping back a few
In the morning, in addition to his normal prayer of thanksgiving for the dawn, Adamant has several intentions to add this morning. He asks the Host to care for the Sentinel Marshal of House d'Deneith whose name he doesn't know. He prays they watch over the tiefling Damaia. And finally for Professor Larest ir'Zathyran.
back to the meeting with the Captain

---

"You suggest we will need to be quiet; and possibly all but Shorak should remain below decks when we near the city? Are these drow sea-faring? Will we encounter them before the cave?"

"We will follow your orders of course."

[Darren]

"How long will it take us to pass by the city?" Kal asks. "If we simply remain on board and sail past as quickly as possible, do we face much danger? Do you know anything about the types of defenses the Sulatar might possess?"

[Jeff]

"The city is near the river's source, which is where the cave lies. We may see some of its taller structures from afar, but there is no harbor. The only question is, will the Sulatar have sentries watching the river? The answer is maybe. The one time I came this way before, there were none, but there were signs of the drow."

Jul 31, 2018 15:37:09 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Do you know anything about the types of defenses the Sulatar might possess?"

Shorak* speaks up at this, and is sobered by them. "Fire. The Sulatar are the Firebinders. That is literally what the name means. They are masters of flame in all its forms."

Sem raises a hand. "They don't like to admit it, but the Zil elemental binders are no match for the Sulatar, at least not with fire."

The Sulatar are worthier of me, Sindra says in Adamant's mind.

*Since Dave is away.

[Brian]

"I am at home with fire," Melethos murmurs. "Though I suspect their fire is potent." The tiefling continues to stare at the map, memorizing the terrain, the flow of the river, possible ambush spots. "Captain, when we were fighting on the beach, I could not see your ship. It may have been the dark, or it may have been something more. Are you able to hide the Dragonfly from view? Can you make her invisible?"

[Joe]

"Is there a way to, if not conceal the ship as you did back in the harbor at Last Chance, make it less attractive to any who might wish to cause harm?"
_______________________________________________

Brian and I simul-posted.

[Darren]

"As they say," Kalarian gestures to Streko and Melethos, "can we run past there? Invisibly, if possible, but quickly nonetheless."

[Jeff]

Melethos finds the map isn't quite detailed enough to provide strategic positions; the river winds faintly even in the drawing, but the terrain is mostly sketched in; in most places, rather abritrarily. The river begins as wide as a strait, then gradually narrows to a tapering point near to where Brack has marked the cave. The Obsidian City is very near it on the western side of the river.

Jul 31, 2018 20:57:55 GMT -4 Brian said:

Jul 31, 2018 20:59:55 GMT -4 Joe said:

"Is there a way to, if not conceal the ship as you did back in the harbor at Last Chance, make it less attractive to any who might wish to cause harm?"

Aug 1, 2018 9:14:03 GMT -4 Darren said:

"As they say," Kalarian gestures to Streko and Melethos, "can we run past there? Invisibly, if possible, but quickly nonetheless."

The captain still has his hand held up with this two fingers. He then points to the second finger. "Aye. Well, I suppose both 'yes' and 'no' apply. Invisible, aye, but not without limitations. The Dragonfly has a few tricks that have kept us alive before, and I think it's time you met the true owner. In a manner of speaking, she is the ship."

Brack looks around conspiratorily. "It's time," he whispers, speaking to someone you cannot see. "Please."

There is a long moment of silence, where you hear only the ambient sounds of the sea and a gust of wind sweeps across the deck, blowing capes, cloaks, and hair.

Then a figure steps into view beside Brack, emerging from the wooden wall (behind which lies the captain's quarters). A woman with skin the color of the rich brown wood of the Dragonfly itself; it has the same swirls and texture of the wood grain, yet it looks smooth. Her hair is only a few shades darker, but hanging thick and long like many willow tree branches. Green jungle vines wrap wind themselves around her in a manner that approximates clothing, though it is sparse, and she is barefoot. Her face is beautiful, narrow, and her eyes are vivid green—and like a gnome's eyes, there is no pupil. If her ears are pointed like an elf's, you can't see them; her hair conceals much.

The woman stands there, her face lowered, but she seems to be looking up. Her face reddens, making her cheeks appear to be smoothly-carved rosewood.

Right away Belarin recognizes this woman as a dryad. None of the rest of you ever seen one, though every community near a large forest throughout Khorvaire has stories of nymphs and dryads living in their depths (and most of you don't really know the difference). Even Thul has heard of frost-loving fey women living amid the trees deep in the cold Karrnwood.

"This is Calirataia," Brack says. "I would name her the true captain, if she'd let me." He smiles. "And she is the power behind the Dragonfly's secrets, for it was made from her trees in Aerenal long ago, and she is bound to them."

---

Calirataia is pronounced kah-LEER-ah-TY-ah.

Note that I did update the map above; should be clearer where things are now.

[Ken]

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Calirataia," says Belarin in Sylvan as he executes a deep bow. He then switches to Common and adds, "Your home is magnificent. Thank you for sharing it with us."

[Dave W.]

"Ah, Calirataia is your name." Adamant makes an awkward imitation of a courtly bow. "I have wanted to tell you how I enjoy singing with you. It brightens my day beyond words. Thank you."

[Brian]

Melethos's eyes widen slightly as the slender woman appears. Belarin apparently knows who or what she is, as he speaks in a language he believes the woman would understand.

When the warlock has finished, Melethos follows Adamant's lead and bows. "My lady," he says. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

[Joe]

Streko, too, performs a deep, low bow to the lady. "We are honored and grateful for the use of your home." He glances over at Belarin and mouths <Do you know her?> before turning back with a smile and bowing again.

[Ken]

Belarin smiles. "Calirataia is a dryad," he explains to his friends. "Dryads are members of the fey and they have an intimate bond with nature. Each dryad establishes a unique bond with a tree. The tree allows her to make her home within it, and the dryad in return acts as the tree's protector. It seems that Calirataia's bond is not with a tree, per se, but with the wood that makes up this ship. This LIVING ship. "

He looks at the dryad again. "Remarkable." He asks Brack in wonder, "How...?"

[Darren]

"Remarkable, indeed," Kal adds. "As the others have said, it is an honor. But tell me, Captain, how is her presence a problem? It seems she is our greatest advantage..."

[Jeff]

Brack frowns. "I didn't say she was a problem. She is usually a solution. She is the reason you can pass through the walls below, and only with her awareness and permission."

The dryad doesn't answer Adamant's words. She only meets his eye-gems for a moment and looks away. To Belarin, she says in Sylvan, "Thank you," and nothing more. Her voice is soft, barely perceptible over the lap of the waves against the ship.

Aug 1, 2018 22:21:09 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin smiles. "Calirataia is a dryad," he explains to his friends. "Dryads are members of the fey and they have an intimate bond with nature. Each dryad establishes a unique bond with a tree. The tree allows her to make her home within it, and the dryad in return acts as the tree's protector. It seems that Calirataia's bond is not with a tree, per se, but with the wood that makes up this ship. This LIVING ship. "

He looks at the dryad again. "Remarkable." He asks Brack in wonder, "How...?"

"Her story is hers to tell," the shifter answers but from his expression he doesn't seem to think that will happen. "As for

"Livewood," Histra says. "It does not die when it is cut. But it also does not grow." Belarin can tell from her expression that Histra seems to be considering magical applications. She looks on the dryad as though she were a potential specimen. "She cannot have wanted her trees turned into a ship," she says quieter, only to Belarin.

Brack shrugs. "She can, of course, understand you all. But she speaks very seldom in the Common tongue, or even at all."

Sem walks up to Calirataia, smiling his friendliest smile, and then gives a bow. "From one child of Thelanis to another, I greet you," he says. The dryad gives him a nod. When he pivots away, he gives your party a wink. "This is going to be so much fun. Larest won't—" He catches himself, then just shakes his head and stands off to the side.

Starg also comes forward and bows low. "I would be very interested in learning more of your home," he says to her. "And to offer the knowledge of my forest home as well." No one's heard him talk of any "forest" home before.

Kurra holds up a hand. "Glad that's done. You can call her Calira, if it's easier. I do. She doesn't mind. Rather, she never lodges any formal complaints."

[Darren]

"No," Kal says, shaking his head, "you didn't say she was a problem, but you did say there were limitations. So let's start there. What limitations?"

[Jeff]

"Calirataia has developed the ability to hide the Dragonfly, render it invisible to casual view. At the present time, she can only do this with those very familiar to her"—he indicates himself and Kurra—"on board. Anyone else with feet on deck, above or below, and it simply can't happen. Which is why we had to wait for you to go ashore at Last Chance. This kept that demon from noticing us. Not to mention that other boat. I suspect the dragon turtle would have been able to smell us, but we didn't disturb it."

The dryad says something quietly, and you can't make it out. Brack nods, though, and explains. "Only time, familiarity, and trust might alter this. So it's...possible. The more she trust you, the better the chances." He points to the map. "But I don't think that's very likely by the time we draw near the Obsidian City."

[Darren]

"So if we were to travel along the shore opposite the city while you took the Dragonfly further down the river and we met up with you....?"

[Brian]

Aug 2, 2018 11:51:38 GMT -4 Darren said:

"So if we were to travel along the shore opposite the city while you took the Dragonfly further down the river and we met up with you....?"

Melethos nods at Kal's words. "I like that idea," he says and points to Shorak. "Our friend here is familiar with this country. He may be able to lead us just out of site of the shore, while you sail by invisibly, until we pass the danger of the city. Does that sound feasible?"

[Ken]

Belarin fidgets. He's obviously eager to learn more about the dryad, but he realizes this isn't the time. He waits for Brack's response to Kal's suggestion.

[Dave W.]

Adamant is having trouble focusing on the conversation but manages to add, "Yes, we should do what we can to allow Calirataia to pass unseen."

[Jeff]

Aug 2, 2018 11:51:38 GMT -4 Darren said:

"So if we were to travel along the shore opposite the city while you took the Dragonfly further down the river and we met up with you....?"

Brack considers this. "Aye, quite possibly that could work. But we might be talking a few miles. There's no telling where they might be keeping watch...if at all." He waves it away fro now. "Well, we have quite a few days to think about it."

[Ken]

Belarin nods. "Say, since we do have some time, can we take a closer look at the contents of that bag? She - the Orien heir - seemed to believe it could help us."

Between him and Streko*, they line up the contents: the four potion vials labeled Celerity 1, Celerity 2, Celerity 3, and Celerity 4, and the bauble. Belarin then shifts his gaze to detect arcane emanations.

"Kurra, Histra," he says, "any ideas about the potions?" He hopes to redirect Histra's attention away from the dryad. She can be a little sensitive about his unspecified past relationships with female fey.

_______________________

*Belarin had handed the bag to Streko, so I hope Joe doesn't mind if I "hand-wave" Streko's agreement.

Belarin invokes his Eldritch Sight.

[Joe]

Aug 3, 2018 12:45:45 GMT -4 Ken said:

Belarin nods. "Say, since we do have some time, can we take a closer look at the contents of that bag? She - the Orien heir - seemed to believe it could help us."

Between him and Streko*, they line up the contents: the four potion vials labeled Celerity 1, Celerity 2, Celerity 3, and Celerity 4, and the bauble. Belarin then shifts his gaze to detect arcane emanations.

"Kurra, Histra," he says, "any ideas about the potions?" He hopes to redirect Histra's attention away from the dryad. She can be a little sensitive about his unspecified past relationships with female fey.

_______________________

*Belarin had handed the bag to Streko, so I hope Joe doesn't mind if I "hand-wave" Streko's agreement.

Belarin invokes his Eldritch Sight.

"And then there is this bauble," Streko says, picking it up in his hands. "What do you suppose this does?"

[Elvis]

Thul finishes the ale.

He walks over to the dwarfwoman and hands her the stein. "It deserves it reputation."

He then unfastened the knife sheath from his belt and hands it to her as well.

[Jeff]

What reaction to the dryad does Thul have?

[Jeff]

The "bauble" from the bag of Soranda d'Orien turns out to be a large brooch of gleaming electrum and in the shape of some variety of beetle. The grooves between each segment are set with vivid green stone and the legs are actually rather sharp. It's quite striking, though it's hard to imagine what sort of outfit this clasp would complement.

Kurra looks at it and the four Celerity potions. "I can take a look." She holds out a square wicker basket for the items to be placed in. "Anything else that needs identifying?"

[Brian]

At hearing Kurra's words, Melethos remembers something...something he had forgotten about for several months. From his pouch he withdraws a leather packet held together with a leather cord. He unties the knot and unfolds the packet. Inside are a set of artificer's tools.

"I had forgotten about these," he says to Kurra. "I have had some exposure to using them, but I do not know them well. Can you help me learn more about their uses, during out down times?"

____________________________________________________________

I'd not known that one of the Battle Master class features is a proficiency with an artisan tool. I discovered this about a month ago. Jeff and I talked about it, and I decided on the artificer's tools. I'm working it into the story now.