Chapter 16: Against the Chaos

[Dave W.]

Aug 9, 2018 22:31:13 GMT -4 Joe said:

Streko smiles at his friend, taking the Celerity 1 potion from Kal. "You sir, are by far, the least common soldier I have ever met or should ever hope to meet. Don't you dare believe otherwise!! You are a gift from the Host itself and Olladra, as well as her humble servant, could not be more happy that you are with us on this journey. Don't you dare forget that, either! Tonight, I shall cook us all a feast, in honor of fallen friends and new friends, as well. Perhaps you can regale us with song. Belarin, I would love to hear some haughty lyrics from your sharp tongue! We continue onward, with a beautiful ship, a strong captain, an inspired artificer and good friends. Some might say, family. I would not argue that point."

"Thank you my friend. Your faith encourages me."

"Yes, we should hold an event to mark the Professor's passing. I said prayers for the fallen this morning with the Sun's rise and he was included. More should be done to mark him."

[Jeff]

Aug 10, 2018 10:15:57 GMT -4 Darren said:

Again, Kal's attention returns to Sem. "If we find the Eye, Sem, what would you do with it?"

The gnome just sort of stares into space for a moment when Kal asks him this. "This isn't exactly like when someone asks you as a kid what you'd do with a thousand galifars, is it? I don't know, Kal. It makes my head hurt to think about it too much. I have a hard to seriously considering the question yet; maybe when we get closer, when it feels like a real possibility. If it does."

He turns the question back to Kal, though. "If you had it, and the only one around was Baron Breven, would you give it to him?"

---

Baron Breven is the patriarch of House Deneith. Kal would have met him a few times, in very formal family situations, in Karrlakton long ago. Breven always seemed an honorable man, and it was easy to regard him as more honorable than any other dragonmarked house's leader. But it's impossible to be unbiased.

[Darren]

Aug 10, 2018 12:17:01 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Aug 10, 2018 10:15:57 GMT -4 Darren said:

Again, Kal's attention returns to Sem. "If we find the Eye, Sem, what would you do with it?"

The gnome just sort of stares into space for a moment when Kal asks him this. "This isn't exactly like when someone asks you as a kid what you'd do with a thousand galifars, is it? I don't know, Kal. It makes my head hurt to think about it too much. I have a hard to seriously considering the question yet; maybe when we get closer, when it feels like a real possibility. If it does."

He turns the question back to Kal, though. "If you had it, and the only one around was Baron Breven, would you give it to him?"

---

Baron Breven is the patriarch of House Deneith. Kal would have met him a few times, in very formal family situations, in Karrlakton long ago. Breven always seemed an honorable man, and it was easy to regard him as more honorable than any other dragonmarked house's leader. But it's impossible to be unbiased.

"If he and I were the only two people left alive?" Kal muses. "Perhaps. But honestly, Sem, I don't think I would even trust myself with it. I have said often enough that I would rather the thing weren't found at all. If it is, I would rather it were destroyed. For all the good it might do, the evil it can do far outweighs the benefits." Kal leans against the wall again. "If I find it, my only concern will be how to make sure no one else ever does."

[Elvis]

"I'm comfortable fighting in very close quarters and that is where I can do the most good. Now, if I had a shadow..." he nods towards the where the halfdrow went, "He could use his blades to cause all manner of havoc on a priority target."

"The warforged." Thul isn't talking quietly, so isn't concerned who is listening. "Is a liability. We know his conscience is going to make him hesitate. We need to mitigate that. If you have any ideas, I suggest we figure that out quickly."

"Let's hear yours."

[Brian]

Aug 10, 2018 12:35:52 GMT -4 Elvis said:

"I'm comfortable fighting in very close quarters and that is where I can do the most good. Now, if I had a shadow..." he nods towards the where the halfdrow went, "He could use his blades to cause all manner of havoc on a priority target."

"The warforged." Thul isn't talking quietly, so isn't concerned who is listening. "Is a liability. We know his conscience is going to make him hesitate. We need to mitigate that. If you have any ideas, I suggest we figure that out quickly."

"Let's hear yours."

"Shorak seems to be his best when one of us provides cover," Melethos says, nodding in agreement. "And I have skills that can give him added opportunities to attack. But the technique is difficult, and it limits my own ability to fight. One tactic should be Shorak and one of our main fighters--me, you, or Adamant--going to the most dangerous foe in sight. Bring that one down as quickly as possible, then go for the next most dangerous enemy. Speaking of Shorak, he should always be in the lead while traveling. The man is eerily aware of his surroundings. I have never seen him caught by surprise.

"I will not consider Adamant a liability, though. His heart may be compassionate, but he does not hesitate in a fight. He is a soldier, through and through. Give him an order and he will follow. You have not been with us long enough to see that. And he has some healing ability. That could prove useful in close quarters fighting, when Streko cannot reach us.

"Our biggest weakness is not knowing what each of us can do, and how our skills can be combined to be far more effective. I like your idea of code words--we do not use them in the Demon Wastes, but I can see how they could be beneficial. One for large, open battles. One for smaller but more dangerous encounters. More for close in fighting, such as a dungeon or cave. But here we may be best served by including everyone. Find out what they do and do best. Discover what we should not do to make their efforts useless."

A cloud passes over the sun. Melethos feels a slight coolness wash over his skin. "We have time," he continues. "We should meet with the others. Share what we have discussed. Kal is also a fighter, but of a different sort. His family has a long military history. His insights would be welcome." Then the tiefling pauses. "You mentioned a mission. Is that something you can share? We may be working toward the same ends, or we may end up on opposite sides. I would like to know that earlier than later."

[Dave B.]

Shorak gently touches the wood of the ship with awe and a bit of reverence when they are introduced to the Dryad. He can only stare and nod an inadequate greeting.

Shorak gladly accepts the potion and goes below to stow it with his gear, since he is without his usual armor, cloak and weaponry. When he returns to the deck, he decides to take a turn up in the crow's nest, so that he can look upon the jungle as well as keep a lookout. It has been so long since he last traveled into the jungles and he still misses his home.

[Elvis]

"King Kaius supports peace in the five nations. We all know how fragile it is. To that end, he understands the need to deal with those who wish to sink that peace and return us to war." Thul sneers at the thought. "The Emerald Claw is my primary purpose. Kaius knows the Claw are after the Eye, and I have been tasked to keep them from getting it." Thul shrugs. "That's why I am here."

"As for everyone's talents. I agree. We need to understand what everyone strengths and weaknesses are, so we capitalize on that in a fight."

"I can cast some spells. Minor ones that give me an edge here and there. Nothing near as potent as what I've seen Deneith cast tho."

"Area effect spells that cause damage is handy for dealing with fodder. But we also need to inventory spells that can give us advantage in maneuvering around a fight. That flight spell is handy. Not just for dealing with flyers, but getting to a priority threat - like a caster or something that can hit us from range. Our formation should allow for Deneith and Jorasco to hit us with spells at a moment's notice."

"I've seen you fight, Redman. You're dangerous. You should definitely be at the tip of the spear, with the Warforged and myself as your flanks."

"Deneith, Joracso and the halfdrow would be our shadows. The focus of our enemies should be us. We break the wave. That will allow the others to keep us standing and cause the enemy some serious problems at the same time."

"Obviously this is a tight formation and makes tactical sense. However, we are going to get hammered by area effect spells if we stay bunched."

[Brian]

"Our group has no love for the Claw," Melethos says, his face grim. "Nothing would make us happier than to find Krez and end his existence, so our goals there match. The Medani inquisitive, Lamara, is another we would dearly love to see dead." The tiefling's expression brightens. "Belarin did something when we last fought her, on the docks of Stormreach. He turned me invisible, only when I attacked the traitorous bitch, I did not become visible. It was astounding. I do not think I am the best recipient of that spell. Kalarain may make better sense. I have seen his cast devastating spells. I have also seen him...how do I put it...I have seen his shift through space and appear dozens of feet across a battlefield. Imagine him hitting a group with a lightning bolt or fire wall, then shifting quickly to another area, only to cast another spell, all the while he cannot be seen. Interesting thought: confusion and panic are as effective in battle as a sword or boomerang."

Melethos watches Shorak climb the main mast to the crew's nest. "I still believe our half-Drow friend will be the key to our success. He knows the jungles, he knows the peoples. He sees traps and threats long before the rest of us. This is his moment to shine." His gaze drifts back to the Karn soldier. "I plan to call a meeting for this afternoon. We need to discuss our strengths and weaknesses. The others..." Melethos pauses. "You have not made any friends since we have met, and I do not think that it matters to you. So be it. War makes orphans of us all, in more than one way. But I know now that your goal and ours lay along the same path. I will not ask you to be nice; good commanders often are not. I just ask that you be courteous. Respectful. Our lives may depend on their trust in you, and trust cannot be earned if it is not given. That is all I will say on the subject. You are your own man and will do as you please. I will talk with Kal, arrange our meeting. Anything you wish me to bring up with him?"

[Ken]

After spending some time studying his new spellbook, Belarin takes a break and walks over to Brack. "Excuse me, Brack? Do you think it would be all right if I struck up a conversation with Calirataia? I'd like to hear some of her story, if she's willing to share it."

[Jeff]

Brack gestures to the wall where the dryad had disappeared into. "Of course. She is her own spirit. But her shyness will make her elusive."

He leans in close to Belarin to whisper, and Belarin can smell the pipe smoke on the shifter's breath. "She is best lured out, not called out. If there is, say, a song she finds pleasing or a sight she finds lovely, she may appear to observe more closely. She has lost much in her life; things that she finds....winsome...can still draw her out."

[Elvis]

Thul listens to the demonkin and nods when he finishes.

"Fair enough."

[Jeff]

Aug 12, 2018 1:33:29 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

When he returns to the deck, he decides to take a turn up in the crow's nest, so that he can look upon the jungle as well as keep a lookout. It has been so long since he last traveled into the jungles and he still misses his home.

As the day stretches on and the sky remains clear, Shorak finds he can see quite far from the crow's nest. It's impossible to spy anything that might be civilization at this point—which is probably a good thing—he does take in plenty of wildlife.

Seagulls cry as they pass the ship by in small numbers, but also pelicans and kingfishers flit by. Later in the day, his heart flutters for a moment when he sees a long reptilian neck stretch well above the water no far off the port bow. A fintail, a large, sleek, and carnivorous dinosaur that tends to hunt along the coastlines. It's not quite as large as that dragon turtle was, but fortunately also not quite as fearless. Shorak feels confident fintails* will stick with eating large fish—and maybe foolish lone mammals that venture near the shoreline. But just the same, he thinks it might be worth warning his friends about the possibility of such creatures at some point. Especially Sem and Streko, who are decidedly bite-sized.

The fintail then drifts back down out of sight.

---

* Think plesiosaur.

[Dave W.]

Adamant is quiet most of the day, as if waiting for something. He does make a point to find Sem at some point. He puts a hand on the gnomes shoulder. Nodding to the circlet. “It looks correct on you.” His voice warm and comforting, “It’s what the Professor would want.”

[Dave B.]

Shorak whistles softly in awe when he spots the fintail. He looks down to the deck, but the fintail drops below the water before he has time to point it out to anyone. Oh well, he'll just let everone know what they missed later. He continues to enjoy the panorama of the jungle, smiling fondly at the world that was his first home. He finds himself relaxing a bit from all the tensions of the recent events, letting the sea breeze pull at his long hair. He knows this is a short respite, but he still relishes it for now.

[Brian]

As the ship makes it way across the waters, Melethos approaches Kal. "When Shorak finishes his watch, I think we should meet. Captain Thul and I discussed our fighting. I would like to have everyone's input on this before we make any kind of formal plans. When you think the time is right, would you please gather everyone below deck?"

[Ken]

Belarin nods politely at Brack's reply. "Thanks for the advice," he says. "I'll keep that in mind."

He looks out at the water for a while, and then he seeks out Histra. When he finds her, he says, "Hey, I just wanted to see how you were doing. Last night ... was difficult, and painful."

[Jeff]

Aug 13, 2018 22:40:26 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Adamant is quiet most of the day, as if waiting for something. He does make a point to find Sem at some point. He puts a hand on the gnomes shoulder. Nodding to the circlet. “It looks correct on you.” His voice warm and comforting, “It’s what the Professor would want.”

Sem gives Adamant an appreciative but sad smile. "Not like he has much of a choice, though."

Waiting to see what else you guys wish to do or discuss.

[Ken]

If Histra doesn't really have anything to add beyond what she said last night, I'm okay with proceeding to the "Tactical Meeting."

FYI: Belarin will want to scry again, about an hour after sunset.

[Jeff]

Aug 14, 2018 9:14:08 GMT -4 Ken said:

He looks out at the water for a while, and then he seeks out Histra. When he finds her, he says, "Hey, I just wanted to see how you were doing. Last night ... was difficult, and painful."

Histra doesn't dismiss him, but she does mildly wave away his concern. "It is merely change, Belarin. It is painful, but...always manageable. If there is one thing we should expect on this expedition, it is more death." She turns and regards the others: Adamant speaking with Sem, Melethos speaking with Kal, Shorak up on the crow's nest, Thul and Streko standing each apart.

"We will almost certainly lose more. Our rivals are too numerous. Whose death can you abide?"

Thanks for the heads-up about the Scrying.

[Joe]

Streko once again begins foraging in the galley, searching for something special to make for their first meal together since the unpleasantness of Last Chance. "I'll whip up something wonderful, something all involved will enjoy, or at least, not despise."
___________________________________________________

Streko will make dinner for all onboard.

[Dave B.]

Shorak really does enjoy keeping watch in the crow's nest. He tends to lose track of time and never comes down unless someone comes to relieve him or calls him down.

Good to move on.

[Darren]

Aug 14, 2018 8:51:07 GMT -4 Brian said:

As the ship makes it way across the waters, Melethos approaches Kal. "When Shorak finishes his watch, I think we should meet. Captain Thul and I discussed our fighting. I would like to have everyone's input on this before we make any kind of formal plans. When you think the time is right, would you please gather everyone below deck?"

"Very well," Kal says, smiling as the breeze ripples his hair, "but let us meet up here where the air is fresh. I shall assemble the troops," he says with a grin. Despite the events of the last few days, he feels a sense of mirth. He remembers this same phenomenon in the Deneith camps, and especially from the Halflings of the Plains, marveling at how men and women could witness and even commit such horrific acts of bloodshed, and that same evening sit around a fire with friends, laughing and singing. Kal began to recognize it as a defense for the mind and the soul, a way of appreciating that which one still holds and a knowledge that it could be stripped away at any time.

As he moves about the ship, Kal sings a song that often began at one Deneith campfire and drifted from fire to fire until the whole of the encampment would raise their voice together.

I once had a Karnathi woman
Back in Karrlakton's where she lay
She loved me quite proper
'Til I'd paid my last copper,
I'm going to go back there some day.

Moving to the front of the ship, Kal does a quick turn around Belarin and Histra.

I once loved a young Brelish lass
Back in Galethspyre's where she lay
"Meeting on deck in five minutes," he says quietly to the two lovers.
Pretty beyond belief
Though she's missing her teeth
I'm going to go back there some day.

Kal's voice floats up to the crow's nest.
I loved an Aundairian woman
Back in Windshire town's where she lay
She called me "m'lord"
Then she showed me her sword
I'm going to go back there some day.
"Meeting down on deck in five minutes," he calls up to his drow friend.

I had me a hearty Plains woman
Back in Gatherhold's where she lay
Kal's voice drifts through the holds of the ship as he approaches the galley.
She did aim to please
Though she gave me her fleas
I'm going to go back there some day.
Kal grins as he pokes his head through the galley door. "Meeting on deck in five minutes, Streko."

I once had a young Thranish woman
Back in Morningcrest's where she lay.
She acted quite pious
'Til her friends both said, 'Try us,'
I'm going to go back there some day.
"Meeting in five minutes Adamant," he whispers as he dances past the idling warforged.

I've had me so many fine woman
All over the world's where they lay
The life of a soldier
Is not what they told ya'
I'll go back and see them some day.

The final notes of Kal's song float away on the wind as he reaches the front of the ship, a smile on his face. He grins at Captain Thul and offers him a respectful nod, thinking perhaps that he even sees a small hint of a smile cracking the already cracked face.

[Elvis]

War songs.

Thul sneers away a smile before it can fully form.

[Jeff]

At some point, Kal's stroll and song take him past Kurra. She doesn't interrupt him, but she gives him a friendly glare that seems to say: Go ahead, add the Mror Holds to your song, see what happens.

After he passes Belarin and Histra, Histra stares at the sorcerer's back and remarks to Belarin, "When I find a new focus, I will return his wand. It seems he's badly missing his."

Brack nods back at Kal, seeming to approve of the singing.

Kal remembers back in the Plains once when a middle-aged Deneith woman, a soldier herself, asked why she wasn't joining in that song and just "be a good spirit about it." She left the drunken questioner clutching himself on the ground.

[Dave W.]

Aug 14, 2018 15:57:54 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Aug 13, 2018 22:40:26 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Adamant is quiet most of the day, as if waiting for something. He does make a point to find Sem at some point. He puts a hand on the gnomes shoulder. Nodding to the circlet. “It looks correct on you.” His voice warm and comforting, “It’s what the Professor would want.”

Sem gives Adamant an appreciative but sad smile. "Not like he has much of a choice, though."

Adamant kneels down to be eye-to-eye-gem with Sem. "No, I suppose not. But it does not diminish the truth that he would be proud to see you take it up."

"I have said prayers on his behalf, if that is a comfort for you to know."

Later when Kal comes singing by, Adamant nods and follows the human. Adamant moves slowly; stepping as gently as his 300 pound form can. Standing tall on the deck he stands statue-like, returning to the contemplative waiting state.

[Brian]

Melethos brings his hands softly together, applauding Kal's song and dance. "It seems we will have a minstrel in the galley tonight," he says with a drawl. "I am sure he will be very entertaining. But for now, we have to talk about war." He looks up at the crow's nest. "Shorak! If you can spare us an hour or two of your time!"

[Joe]

Streko hears the faint whispers of song up above as he finishes the final steps of creating a dinner he hopes all will enjoy. "Is that Kalarian singing? He's...actually quite good. Perhaps we can get Adamant to join in for a sing-a-long. After we have all eaten, of course." He prepares a dozen bowls, filled with a cold fish chowder, a hunk of soft, buttered bread and, to compliment it, a glass of ice wine, reportedly taken from the great vineyards of Sylbaran itself! Only the frozen grapes taken from a short, two-week span in late winter, could produce such a stock and Streko is both amazed and thrilled that he was able to find such a bottle in the galley. "How it got there is a story I would like to hear sometime. Perhaps from our Dryad friend. Such a glorious vintage must have been hard to procure. Or maybe not?"

He smiles at his culinary feat, completed in such a short amount of time. The chowder tastes delightful and the wine is a sweet, perfect compliment to the fish and herbs in the chowder. "Time to provide. Then, I suspect, time to work."

Streko takes the first plate and glass to the area near where he saw the Dryad vanish into the woodwork. "First meal to you, with gratitude and thanks."

He then takes the second plate and glass of wine up to the Captain. "My thanks, Captain," Streko says, with a bow.

He then notices his friends beginning to gather.

"Come get your dinner first. We can eat while we discuss important things, such as strategy and tactics. In the meantime, it has been a long day and everyone needs a good meal. Come, come!"

[Jeff]

Although he works up an impressive meal, Streko finds that the galley could use some restocking. He won't be able to make many refined meals like this for much longer. There are enough grains to last many days, but true to captain's earlier warnings, there is no doubt going to be much fishing needed in days to come.

Streko also finds the dryad nowhere to be found when he tries to bring her a plate.

Brack nods appreciatively at food brought to him at the helm. Kurra also gives Streko a nod. "Go sparingly on the fancy, though, d'Jorasco."

Sem takes only a few bites then hands his plate to Starg, who tries to decline it. "Very good, Streko," Sem says anyway. "My stomach just isn't...up to it right now."

As is not uncommon, Histra declines her meal altogether. Belarin notices she tends to eat privately and salvage sparingly even then.

Tangat, meanwhile, follows Streko around the whole time and ultimately lingers near Starg and starts to give the minotaur his best Kal-never-feeds-me look.

[Ken]

Belarin stares, open mouthed, at Kalarian's retreating, singing form.

Aug 15, 2018 9:15:38 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Histra stares at the sorcerer's back and remarks to Belarin, "When I find a new focus, I will return his wand. It seems he's badly missing his."

"Sunstroke," says Belarin. "Must be sunstroke."

He gathers on the deck with the others and happily partakes of Streko's meal. He knows from past experience that culinary expertise is in his family's blood.

"So," he says between sips of wine, "what are we meeting about? Is this a follow-up to my suggestion, he said humbly?"

[Jeff]

I believe Kal has the floor.