Chapter 19: Endless Nights

[Jeff]

Chapter 19

Endless Nights

Wir, the 25th of Vult 998 YK

Twilight has deepened, and with the fading of the sunlight, the stars overhead should be brightening. They're not gone, but they are dim. The Ring of Siberys itself is barely perceivable. But three moons are quite evident, and in fact are quite full in the coming night:

Zarantyr, the Storm Moon, normally pearly white, is gray. Aryth, the Gateway, is more red than orange tonight. Dravago, the Herder's Moon, shines pale lavender, but so close to the Aryth tonight the two seem to draw a haze of purple across the few darkling stars.

In the crow's nest, Shorak looks upon the so-called Asperii now that it's getting closer. In length it's half again the size of the Dragonfly and quite a bit taller, since the rails raise its hull above the water-line; it's not a juggernaut of a ship, but medium-sized. The numerous sails, however, give it an appearance that in the daytime would appear majestic. But now its many coldfire lanterns swaying in the breeze remind him of the floating restaurants in Stormreach, like the Leaky Dinghy. Through his spyglass, he can make out no fewer than thirteen people on the top deck; and there are sure to be many more below. He even spots a couple of warforged standing like sentries. He spots only two ballistae—each at least as large as the Dragonfly's, but the men who stand at them do not appear to have them loaded.

Then he spots the Asperii's own crow's nest, and the shape of a person peering back at him and the Dragonfly. The figure waves.

Even to those on the Dragonfly without a crow's-eye-view, the core working of the wind galleon seems apparent: the tower-like structure at the stern appears to be surrounded by constantly-moving air; though it is invisible, it created a blurriness around the elemental-binding structure. Then the wind is being channeled elsewhere throughout the ship, pushing to whichever of the many sails are needed.

When the Asperii is one hundred feet away, from hull to hull, it gets no closer but slows down to match the Dragonfly's paddling speed.

Histra keeps the ghoul near the bow.

Calirataia shyly has vanished. Brack stands proudly at the helm. Kurra looks on with a friendly face from the port side.

You can all see some activity at the edge of the other ship. There is a soft green glow there.

What do you do?

Attachments:

[Dave B.]

Shorak, still looking through the spyglass, waves back at his counterpart. He turns to call down below, "At least 13 on their deck, but they do seem to be friendly."

[Joe]

Streko moves to Kal's side. "Two dragonmarked heirs are better than one, they say." He frowns in thought. "Who are 'they,' I wonder?"
____________________________________________________________

Streko will take his cues from Kal.

[Brian]

Frowning, Melethos moves to stand next to Captain Brack. The shifter doesn't look alarmed, but neither does he look necessarily calm.

"I will stand with you," the tiefling says. His sword is sheathed, and he makes no threatening gestures, but his eyes are sharp and his ears keen for any indication of danger. "I'm sure Calirataia is keeping watch of the ship. If she notices anything unusual, I would like to know." In the dark, the new crystal at Melethos's neck seems to flash a deep purple in the glow lights. He shakes his head. "The familiar is named Mischief and still they openly trust strangers. Sometimes I question my friends' sanity."

[Ken]

Belarin whispers to Histra. "Let's stand on the other side. No sense in all of us being nicely clustered together if this visit isn't as polite as it seems. Yes, I'm paranoid."

He moves over to the port side of the Dragonfly.

[Darren]

Kal stands tall next to Streko. "Let's remember who we are, Streko d'Jorasco," he says, placing a hand on the halfling's shoulder and gently straightening Streko's posture. He grins down at his friend, then returns his gaze to the ship across from them and plants a warm smile on his face. "Greetings to you, Sanne d'Vadalis and companions. I am Kalarian d'Deneith, and this is Lord Streko d'Jorasco. It is good to see a fellow traveler in this inhospitable place. What brings you down the river?"

[Jeff]

After Kal's shouted greeting, you can make out some discussion across the way, but it's too far to discern any of it.

Then a moment later, two shapes rise into view: a human and a gnome. Both are standing, one more comfortably than the other, on soarsleds.

"No way," Kurra breathes.

They are seemingly green crystalline platforms, circular in a rough-hewn sort of way, that float in the air—ostensibly steered by thought. None of you have ever seen a soarsled outside of Sharn (and Shorak has never seen them at all), for their magic is normally operable only within a manifest zone to Syrania, the plane of the Azure Sky, which in turn is the only way the architectural heights of the City of Towers are possible. To see soarsleds functioning here can only suggest it's powered by alternative means.

The two figures drift across the span between the two ships. "Greetings to you!" the woman calls out as both people approach. You can see Mischief perched on the woman's shoulder.

"Kalarian?" she says when she draws closer. She appears to be no older than five or ten years than Kal or Belarin, an intelligent and friendly face framed by curly light brown hair. She is dressed in a hunter's leathers, has a quiver slung over her shoulder, and a shortbow in her left hand (with no arrow nocked). "I swear I've heard that name, once or twice. I am Sanne, formerly of the Handlers Guild, now an agent of the Twelve. This is Erdonn d'Sivis, our senior diplomat."

"Oh, great," Sem whispers to Melethos. "A gnome."

The gnome gives a nod. He is much older than Sem, dressed in a severe, well-tailored burgundy suit. Wrinkled face, a collar, a shock of thick white hair flowing up, and black eyes peering through spectacles. He is holding what appears to be a bottle of wine. You can also see a very faint haze of light around him, which suggests a protective spell is in place around him. The human has no such thing.

Erdonn d'Sivis nods his head, though his lips seem to have trouble forming a smile. "Agents of House Deneith and House Jorasco, truly?" he asks his companion and looks up at her. "Convenience or coincidence?"

The two soarsleds stop ten feet from the edge of the Dragonfly.

"We are on an expedition," Sanne says with a light laugh. "As you appear to be as well." She clears her throat and says, quieter, "Erdonn?"

The gnome holds up the bottle of wine.

Sanne says, "We bring wine as a gesture of friendship among travelers in dangerous places. A fine red from the vineyards of Varna." (The very place Strreko's parents named his sister in memory of.) She adds, in case the name is unfamiliar to any, "In the Eldeen Reaches."

---

Soarsleds are illustrated only in a few places. Here is one of them.

[Dave W.]

As the larger ship pulls over and slows, Adamant steps away from the crossbow a few paces. He stands on the top of the steps. Trying to appear alert, proud but not haughty, an experienced bodygaurd perhaps.

[Darren]

Kal smiles. "I know Varna well," he says, laughing inwardly at his joke. He nods his head at at Sanne. "I suppose I have been making a name for myself." Kal swipes his hand through the air and a sigil of the Audairian crown appears. "I am a personal friend to the royal family of Audair, and my name is oft repeated in the halls of many Deneith enclaves." Kal passes his hand through the sigil and it dissolves away. He takes a step back and extends his arm. "But I am being rude. Please, you are welcome aboard the Dragonfly. You have my solemn vow that no harm will come to you here if you bring none with you. Your gift is most welcome and we ourselves have been fortunate enough to procure some fresh boar meet these past few days. Despite his prominent status among healers, Lord Streko here is also an exceptional chef."

__________________
Will pause here to see if they accept the invitation.

[Brian]

Melethos listens to Kal while his attention remains focused on the woman, Sanne. She seems friendly enough, but she also bears a weapon. He watches her, the way she interacts with Kal, the way she holds herself, to see if he can glean something about her skills and abilities.

_________________________________________________

Melethos uses his Know Your Enemy class feature to determine if Sanne is inferior, the same, or superior to him in hit points and total class levels.

[Jeff]

"Thank you," Sanne says, as her soarsled glides forward and down to the deck. The Sivis gnome follows suit, and when he steps off his magic platform, he holds up the wine to Kal and bows.

The gnome's eyes, and for that matter the woman's, take in every detail they can around the deck in so short amount of time. Given the diversity of Her eyes linger on the hunched shape of the ghoul, lurking in the corner by the bow. Then over to the tauth.

On her shoulder, Mischief says, "Thank you," in imitation of the gnome's words.

"Are all introductions in order?" Sem says, moving to stand between Kal and Belarin.

---

By the time a minute has gone by, Melethos feels confident that he is superior to Sanne d'Vadalis in battle prowess, hit points and levels.

[Joe]

Streko stands tall. He awaits Kal's cue before making any move or sound.

[Dave B.]

Shorak watches the other ship while initial introductions are made. When the soarsleds bring the visitors to the Dragonfly, he takes a relaxed stance. He watches from the crow's nest, his arms resting lightly on the railing, looking down on the Dragonfly's deck.

[Darren]

"Of course, Sem," Kal says. "Would you do the honors?" Kal turns to look at the deck of the ship and take in the stars appearing overhead. "And perhaps we can enjoy this wine here on the deck? Captain, are there chairs and table we can bring up top?"

_______________
Not trying to make Jeff do the work, but I also think Kal would leave it to a "subordinate" to introduce everyone.

[Ken]

Seeing that the friendliness of the visitors is apparently not feigned, Belarin steps forward. "No need for others to make introductions," he says. "My name is Belarin Malizia." He smiles. "Welcome!"

[Jeff]

Brack just gives Kal a look when he asks for chairs and a table.

"Of course, Kal," Sem says with a wink and a gleam in his eye, emphasizing the familiar nickname instead of a formal name or title.

But then Belarin steps forward, and annoyance flickers through his face. "But I wish to, Belarin."

Sem bows with a flourish. "Ignore him. I am Sem Darlesh, scholar of Xen'drik lore, originally from Korranberg, lately from Sharn." He indicates the minotaur behind him. "Starg here is my arcane colleague. I assure you, he doesn't bite, or even growl. He's smarter than all of us, maybe."

"The gentleman above keeping crow-eyes on you and your ship, making sure you do nothing untoward, is Shorak. He and his brethren belowdeck—who I will not rouse for mere introductions—are our native guides. It can't hurt to thwart the Traveler's Curse, eh?

"This is Belarin and Histra, mages of no small mettle." He notably gives no surnames, and though Belarin has already given his, he leaves out Histra's. "Their powers and servants are best not spoken of.

"Here is the noble Adamant, a paladin of Dol Arrah and the heart of this expedition. He will be our beacon during the nights of Long Shadows, to be certain.

"Over there is General Thul of Karrnath. He won't say much and probably doesn't like you. He doesn't like us, either, but that sword-arm..." Thul lets out a small cloud of smoke and just looks at Sem, eyes smoldering quietly. There is no sign of the Hammer of Syndra around him.

"Here is Condign, my bodyguard, a mighty warrior of the uttermost north who has passed through labyrinthine mires and living flames to be here with us. He is my greatest asset, but also our friend."

He indicates Kal and Streko. "And of course, you have already met our resident betters, and they are exemplars of their respective houses."

Sem pauses here, and Sanne d'Vadalis seems to rock back on her heels at these descriptions. She does look impressed. The other gnome just looks at each of you with shrewd eyes.

"Captain?" Sem then calls up to the bridge. "I will not speak for the crew. Would you please?"

The shifter shrugs and clears his throat. "I am Brack. That's Kurra Wedreth. The true owner of this ship may introduce herself, if she deigns to appear."

"This is the Dragonfly!" the older gnome says with a small amount of wonder. He looks around. "I know of your reputation, Captain, and I am honored to have stepped aboard."

"I'll get some chairs," Kurra says, heading below.

[Darren]

Kal keeps his face smooth during Sem's introductions, particularly when he mentions Shorak's brethren, but inwardly he smiles. This was why he wanted Sem to make the introductions.

"Thank you, Kurra," he says, looking over his shoulder at the retreating dwarf.

"Now, Sanne," Kal says, turning his attention back to the woman and giving her his most winning smile, "let's speak of your expedition. What could the Twelve be looking for out here?"

[Dave W.]

Adamant bows at his introduction, “A simple warrior, really. a pleasure to meet you both.” he says in his deep bass voice.

Sept 1, 2020 22:18:04 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"I'll get some chairs," Kurra says, heading below.

“Please Kurra, allow me to help.”

[Brian]

Satisfied with what he thinks he knows about the woman, Melethos shifts his gaze to the gnome. Erdonn d'Sivis appears less threatening, which may make him more of a danger. We watches the gnome as their gnome makes is remarkable and, admittedly, clever introductions, hoping the newly arrived diplomat gives away some of himself.

_____________________________________________

Okay, let's try Know Your Enemy on Erdonn. Melethos is looking to glean some information about the gnomes total class levels and hit points.

[Jeff]

Melethos continues his silent observation.

Adamant is soon in the cargo hold with Kurra. She opens a grate where there are some stools layered in there. "So what do you think of them?" she asks Adamant quietly as she starts to pull out the stools.

Sept 1, 2020 23:32:36 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Now, Sanne," Kal says, turning his attention back to the woman and giving her his most winning smile, "let's speak of your expedition. What could the Twelve be looking for out here?"

"Ahh, right to business," Sanne remarks with a grin.

Erdonn says, "We are traveling not under a single purpose, and will not all disembark when we've reached any given location. The Twelve is an organization founded on cooperation and mutual trust, but each house has its own reasons for voyages like this. There is no singular answer."

"Lord Kalarian," Sanne then says. "Lord Streko. May I ask: who leads your expedition? I take it you have hired Captain Brack to deliver you somewhere. I will answer for myself first: On board the Asperii we have ten houses represented, and so each house has its own lord or lady. Yet we are captained by the Lady Alfinas d'Lyrandar, who in the day-to-day carries greater authority."

[Darren]

Kalarian inclines his head at Sanne. "I'd rather get business out of the way so that we can enjoy ourselves afterwards. As to your question, I lead this expedition, although I greatly value the wisdom and council of my companions." Kal takes Sanne's arm and leads her towards the main mast of the ship where they can sit. "Only ten houses are represented on your ship right now? Which two are missing? And that ship that passed us earlier? Are they with your expedition? It seems the Twelve are well funded..." Kal gestures at the Asperii and the soarsleds lying quietly on the deck.

[Ken]

"By the Host, Kal is in his element now," Belarin whispers to Histra. "We are all doomed."

[Jeff]

Sanne allows herself to be led toward the mast, though slowly. Kurra and Adamant have not brought up the chairs yet, though.

Sept 2, 2020 13:13:13 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Only ten houses are represented on your ship right now? Which two are missing? And that ship that passed us earlier? Are they with your expedition? It seems the Twelve are well funded...

A smirk. "Deneith and Jorasco. The latter only by happenstance; we had a healer intent on joining us in Stormreach, but..." She shrugs, allowing that to trail off. "And Deneith by design. For reasons I'm not permitted to speak freely of, we cannot—at this time, anyway—allow members of House Tharashk and House Deneith to interact on the same ship. We have Tharashk, so we can't have Deneith. The Peryton has agents of Deneith, and not Tharashk." She shrugs. "It is what is. My turn: Is your voyage directed, and funded, by Lord Greigur or Lord Iriakan? A Karrnathi general, a paladin of the Host, a..." Sanna gestures around and doesn't know what to say when her hand moves in Histra's direction. "Well, I don't see Blademarks here."

Kal doesn't know the name Iriakan, but Streko does: only by name, though. Lord Iriakan is the current (and recent) head of the House Jorasco Enclave.

Erdonn and Sem begin to speak of Zilargo affairs, seeming to be nothing of consequence but the state of the nation in recent times. A few Gnomish works intersperse, but then soon both are speaking quickly, yet unexcited, in Zilargo's dominant language.

[Dave W.]

Sept 2, 2020 9:40:05 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Adamant is soon in the cargo hold with Kurra. She opens a grate where there are some stools layered in there. "So what do you think of them?" she asks Adamant quietly as she starts to pull out the stools.

View Attachment

Adamant stacks as many stools as he thinks he can safely carry, then looks at his glaive a second and sets it against a wall. "I'll come back for that in a bit."

"It is of course early," he answers Kurra, "but they seem pleasant enough. A bit of a showy display gliding over like that. Or maybe a show of power? Or wealth? I suppose that comes with a Dragonmark."

"I do admire caution, but I like to think well of people until they prove themselves otherwise."

"I don't have a lot of experience with Lords and Ladys, but it seems to me that there are… complications… for them to be long-term allies. "

"You are a very level-headed dwarf, what is your initial impression?" Adamant gathers up a bunch of stools.

[Darren]

"We left our Blademarks some time ago," Kal says, nodding at Sanne's observation. "Lord Greigur is aware of our movements and our expedition has his support, but we are not sanctioned directly by House Deneith. My presence here is in a less," Kal waves his hand as if considering the right word, "official capacity." Kal gestures towards the front of the ship. "The Peryton? That was the other ship? And what is your role here, Lady Sanne? Why were the two of you chosen to represent your ship?"

[Jeff]

Sept 2, 2020 13:52:18 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"I don't have a lot of experience with Lords and Ladys, but it seems to me that there are… complications… for them to be long-term allies. "

"You are a very level-headed dwarf, what is your initial impression?" Adamant gathers up a bunch of stools.

Kurra shrugs. "I have a problem with anyone who thinks their blood gives them greater value in this world, be they royal, dragonmarked, or otherwise 'noble' . . . but they don't all." She straights. "For example, Streko seems as down-to-Eberron as most of us. Also, I doubt that ship's only nobles. Servants and sailors are doing most of the work."

With a total of six stools between them, she starts to lead Adamant back up. "My gut tells me they're no threat, but not that they can't become threatening. Let's just hope Kal doesn't say the wrong thing, eh?"

Sept 2, 2020 15:55:33 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal gestures towards the front of the ship. "The Peryton? That was the other ship? And what is your role here, Lady Sanne? Why were the two of you chosen to represent your ship?"

"Yes," Sanne answers. "It's piloted by Alfina's brother, another Lyrandar, of course. They don't always get along, and so we don't exactly sail close together. But they're also never far." Those listening feel like her last words are simply a courteous reminder that they have allies nearby.

"Why us? Erdonn is a diplomat. And the crew trusts me to speak well of them, plus Mischief is a good judge of character. Where is the 'sweet-smelling and pretty lady' he tells me about? One of those below?"

Adamant and Kurra come up with some stools now, and space them close, but not too close together. The artificer inclines her head to the two dragonmarked humans, then produces a pair of functional, if inelegant metal cups for them. "As good with wine as with water," she says.

[Joe]

"If I may," Streko says, briefly interrupting Kal. "I had no idea that Lord Iriakan would be willing to spend any of House Jorasco's wealth on something so...unclear. I had always heard of him as a true example of Jorasco business acumen. His involvement would seem a bit out of character. He would not fund such an expedition, even with assistance, unless he was sure to get something out of it as well. To answer your question, my Lady Sanne, we are not funded by any house."

He leaves his comment with that, then nods to Kal. "My apologies for interrupting."

[Jeff]

Sanne looks puzzled. "Unclear about what, Lord d'Jorasco?"

[Joe]

"Lord Iriakan is not known for his gambling nature, nor his progressive attitudes. I was under the impression, and please, educate me if I am incorrect, that most authority figures tend toward actions that are more likely to succeed than fail. A leader of House Jorasco most certainly so, for the Mark of Healing is not a gift to be squandered on what is unknown, or even guessed at. The idea of funding such a quest, at least without some mitigation of risk, seems, uncharacteristic. Of any House, not just mine."

He smiles the entire time he speaks and nods deferentially, ensuring he follows all the protocols of dealing with other Houses as he has learned throughout his life.

"But, I have spoken out of turn, and I must apologize again. Please go on, Lord d'Deneith." He turns and winks conspiratorially at Lady Sanne. "He really is much better at civilized discourse and proper understanding of others than I. I hope to not have offended you, my Lady."

[Dave B.]

Shorak offers a casual salute to their guests when Sem introduces him. He continues to keep watch and listen to the goings on below.