Chapter 18: Where the Mighty Rivers Roam

[Ken]

Belarin says to those around him, "Let me look first. Histra, walk with me, please." He gets closer to the raven and examines it - and the scroll - for arcane auras.

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Eldritch Sight time.

[Joe]

Aug 29, 2020 10:05:54 GMT -4 Jeff said:

It's soon obvious that this is a raven. Large for its species but hardly unnatural. Calirataia watches calmly, and even makes a soft trilling sound.

The raven settles onto the port-side "wing" of the ship, about five feet out from the gunwale. It makes a few gurgly sounds, like a raven does; more musical than a crow's harsh croak. Then it says, as if in imitation of another, "Friend? Friend?" Those standing on this side of the ship can see the bird has a something tied to one of its legs, like a tiny scroll case.

"Blast! I like this bird already! This may just be the first good omen we've come across since we arrived at this continent! Be careful, Belarin. Let's not make a corpse of it just yet! I believe it is simply a messenger and apparently, one attempting to ascertain our intentions. Allies, perhaps?"

[Jeff]

Histra stays close to Belarin, and he can see she's ready to conjure a ghostly, chilling hand at a moment's notice. Belarin sees the glimmer of transmutation around the little scroll, and a gentle haze of magic around the bird itelf.

The raven hops closer until it's within reach of Belarin. Its head turns this way, then this way, and it rasps, "Message, friend!"

[Ken]

"The bird's likely a familar," he announces, "and the scroll has an aura of transmutation magic. Most of those spells are harmless. Most. I recommend only one person approach and touch it."

[Brian]

Melethos eyes the bird. "We are competing for a valuable prize, one where others would do anything to reduce the competition. Just because the bird squawks friend doesn't mean it's either friendly or considers us friends. I do not like unsolicited offers of kindness, especially here." He gestures to the river and jungle surrounding them. "I advice we send it away. We can make friends the old fashioned way--let them come close and speak to us."

His gaze shifts to Kal, knowing it's the sorcerer's call.

[Darren]

Kal rolls his eyes. "You are all so suspicious," he says. "I wonder what has happened to you to make you so?" He grins and chuckles as he reaches out to take the scroll case from the bird.

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Kal will take the case and open it and read the message, assuming it doesn't blow up in his face.

[Jeff]

The bird is quiet and still as Kal removes the scroll from its foot. It looks silly as he goes to unwind and unfurl the scroll. The moment it is fully unrolled, the parchment crumbles into nothing in his hand...

But then hears a message in his head (and only his), a feminine voice that comes to him in a pleasant whisper: "Greetings from the Asperii. I am Sanne d'Vadalis of the Twelve. This bird is my friend, Mischief. It is good to see a friendly-looking vessel on the Hydra. There aren't many, as I'm sure you know. If you are a friend, perhaps we can exchange tidings, food, and cheer on the eve of Long Shadows?"

Kal understands instinctively that the scroll has functioned like the Message spell. The raven's scroll has merely extended the range. He thinks he can respond to her with a whispered message of his own.

"What has happened?" Starg says with some concern, reaching out and touching Kal on the shoulder.

But Tangat's wagging tail sets everyone else at ease.

[Darren]

"A message from one of the Twelve," Kal says. "She identifies herself as Sanne d'Vadalis, and this here is Mischief," he says, gesturing towards the bird. He could almost swear he saw the raven take a small bow. He looks again, then shrugs. "She claims they are friends and wishes to exchange some Long Shadows Eve tidings." Kal looks to Brack. "This is your ship. I would now allow another vessel to come alongside without your blessing, but if you will allow it, I see no reason to deny a peaceful exchange, even if it is among competitors."

[Brian]

It is Melethos’s turn to give a hard eye roll. “The last time we accepted an invitation to an unexpected party, the Professor drugged and kidnapped us. You’re really that eager to take a similar chance again?”

[Ken]

"Oh, let's do it," says Belarin. "I have a couple of extra medusa medallions to give away." He looks teasingly at Kal.

[Jeff]

"I'm with the Redman," Thul says matter-of-factly. "Do we need to do this? If don't have to make nice with rivals, why should we."

Brack looks to Kal. "Ships far from port can benefit from one another. This voyage is one you lot have paid for. It's your expedition, and your time. If you say it's okay, aye, it's fine with me to let them draw near. With all caution."

"It wouldn't hurt to find out if they've encountered the Cogship," Sem says, pondering. "Like, was it still run aground when they came by."

"Or if they know who else is on this route," Kurra adds.

Mischief, by this time, has hopped over by Calirataia, and soon he or she is perched on the dyrad's wrist. She looks delighted by the bird.

[Dave W.]

“If any one cares for my opinion, I think it might do us some good to meet friendly people for a bit. And if there is something worth sharing, even information, I think we should be careful of course. But on the eve of the Long night, it would be a good omen to meet kindly people.”

[Joe]

"And, I agree. With myself and Kal representing Great houses, I think it's an opportunity we can't afford to ignore. So many times before, we've been harried and hurt, but not by those who have offered the hand of friendship. Deceived, yes, Melethos. Indeed. However, we need allies, if allies these be. Let's meet them, but, as good Captain Brack said, with all caution."

[Dave B.]

Shorak, up in the crow's nest, listens to what he can of the conversation below. He stays silent, but continues watching for any potential threats.

[Darren]

Kal smiles. "It will be good to see someone who's not you lot, anyway. Maybe some of them are pretty women," Kal winks at Belarin. He walks over to where Mischief is perched, and even though he knows it's not necessary, he leans down and whispers to the bird. "It is good to see a fellow traveler. Pull alongside and welcome. Let us pass a pleasant hour or two together."

[Jeff]

"Maybe a lady minotaur, too," Sem says hopefully.

Aug 30, 2020 17:26:32 GMT -4 Darren said:

"It is good to see a fellow traveler. Pull alongside and welcome. Let us pass a pleasant hour or two together."

Mischief cocks his head this way and that, makes a warbling sound somewhat uncharacteristic of a raven, and then flutters up into the air. And speeds off towards the other ship.

"Are we taking a battle stance?" Brack asks, "Or should we be more relaxed (and quietly ready)?"

Before the black bird even disappears from view in the growing dusk, Shorak can see the other ship veering towards the Dragonfly.

[Darren]

"The latter," Kal says. "They started with a friendly gesture. Let's not attack them without provocation. That said, everyone be ready." Kal calls up to the crow's nest, "Eyes on that ship, Shorak. If you see anyone looking like they're ready to fight, I want to know about it." Kal pushes his sleeves a little higher and grips his staff firmly, a warm smile on his face as he awaits the arrival of the other ship.

[Ken]

Belarin waits for Histra to "recall" her eyesight from the tauth. "I'd position the harpy downwind of our guests," he says to her.

[Jeff]

Ohh. From earlier:

Aug 27, 2020 21:02:37 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Histra has the tauth return.

Once the tauth returned from spy-work, she releases that undead-o-vision of hers.I just didn't state it expressedly.

[Jeff]

Histra nods at Belarin. "Yet is best that we try not to conceal it. If we desire no deceit, and no hostility."

As the other ship draws nearer, Adamant finds himself distracted and turning west. The sun is sinking now, almost out of sight. The horizon is a dark, uneven silhouette of a jungle canopy...and a single tall spire of rock far, stabbing into the air far, far away that resembles a stalagmite. In the daylight hours, he hadn't noticed it, and based on the captain's map he'd seen last, Adamant doesn't think it's part of the Titan's Teeth. The Dragonfly is much too far south for that. It reminds him, perhaps appropriately, of the twisted, obsidian tower that is the symbol of the Shadow.

The paladin recalls last year's Long Shadows and only a few before that: the sun never quite shows itself: either weather or brooding clouds always keeps directly sunlight from reaching the land whenever the plane of Mabar, the Endless Night, is coterminous with Eberron. He knows it will be three days without Dol Arrah's illumination.

Okay, now I'm about to close up Chapter 18 here, with the last of 998's usual daylight hours. Feel free for any final things, but it'll pick up in Chapter 19, in any case.

[Dave W.]

Adamant tries to absorb the ill omen of the spire but makes an effort to conceal his concern. Don’t concern the others, I will stand between them and even this.

Suddenly he remembers his plan from earlier in the day, “I need one minute before the dark arrives.” Adamant rushes to use the last of the sunlight to summon clean water and mana. “We will wait until the parley is done to wash.” He tells Streko.

---

spend a minute to cast Create food and water.
Am i right that Long Shadows doesnt start until midnight or do I need to start the chant when the sun sets?.

[Jeff]

The dark has begun, but yes, technically Long Shadows is a few hours off still.

[Joe]

Aug 31, 2020 21:58:00 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

Adamant tries to absorb the ill omen of the spire but makes an effort to conceal his concern. Don’t concern the others, I will stand between them and even this.

Suddenly he remembers his plan from earlier in the day, “I need one minute before the dark arrives.” Adamant rushes to use the last of the sunlight to summon clean water and mana. “We will wait until the parley is done to wash.” He tells Streko.

"Agreed. I stand ready to assist you, my brother, but first, we must see to our new friends, if friends they be."

[Jeff]

When the water is conjured, Kurra seals up the barrels tight. "I'll miss that when you're gone," she says to him.