Chapter 19: Endless Nights

[Darren]

Sept 16, 2020 17:20:32 GMT -4 Brian said:

"And by double the guards," Melethos adds, "I mean I will take guard all day, the bow of the ship. We need a second to cover the stern. I suggest a third wander the deck to add another set of eyes, unless Shorak in the crow's nest is sufficient. It's your call, Kal."

Kal considers, then nods. "Make it so, Melethos. Distribute the shifts as you see fit. Meanwhile..."

Kal moves to the edge of the ship, considering how best to contact the Asperii. Shrugging, he cups his hands to his mouth and shouts. "Asperii!" While he waits for a response, he turns and looks at Adamant, then smiles. "Well, we have a built in beacon on this ship, don't we?"

_____________________
I know Adamant didn't say it out loud, but the thought here is that if we DO need a signal light in the fog, Adamant is a pretty good option.

[Dave B.]

Before breakfast, Shorak goes on deck to do his exercises. Today his movements are more dancelike than before, almost ceremonial. His movements almost seem to keep time with Adamant's chanting. When he finishes, he quickly rinses off and goes down below for breakfast with what seems like a bounce in his step. After eating, Shorak checks his weapons and goes to keep watch up in the crow's nest.

[Jeff]

At first, Sem shakes his head at Shorak's spry behavior. Then he shrugs and smiles, looking to whoever's around. "Well, Larest did hire him. Forward-thinking, that one. We would well to emulate our native friend."

When Shork ascends to the crow's nest, it finds it does feel different. The lack of wind is troubling; there was always some kind of a breeze up here, even when it was weak. But the elevation is peaceful, and though the sky is exceedingly dark for this time of day, the prominent moon of Sypheros sweeping steadily across the sky does remind him of Arus'tar festivities.

When Kal calls out over the water to the other ship, he does see a hint of movement among those standing at the gunwale there. Some stirring lights. Then he hears the trill of an answering whistle, an acknowledgment at least. He suspects they're fetching who needs to fetching to answer. Sem walks up to Kal. "I wouldn't want to have to navigate the hierarchies and chains of command on that ship," he says. But that just sounds like an opener. "You know, Kal, yesterday you told the Lady d'Vadalis that you might have been responsible for the slaadi escaping the caves. That's not true, according to what I've been able to learn about our encounters there. You met a green one first, and through your discussions, he became a gray slaad. More powerful, I presume; like a promotion for their kind, I suppose. Then he departed, troubling none of us and allowing you to pass that ice-bridge. But it was the red and blue slaadi that the green-gray slaad left behind that lingered to trouble us. The Cogship brought some of them out. That's not on you. We got through the cave because of you and your friends." Sem shrugs. "Don't dismiss that. We caught up to wind galleons...no, we pulled ahead of them, until now. Think on that, Lord d'Deneith."

In the meantime, Brack mans the helm. Eyes wide and watchful. He checks his spyglass often, and seems glad to have Shorak back up top.

Starg climbs up from the hold. He looks around at the landscape, and steps slowly over toward where Melethos stands watch near the bow. The harpy-ghoul is nearby, but seems to have been ordered to be deferential and to give everyone distance. Yet instead of skulking, she stands as tall as her frame allows. Worse, he long, snaking tongue is out more often. She looks hungry, and does not refrain from eyeing the crew of the Dragonfly at every opportunity. The sheer size of both Melethos and Starg does not intimidate her.

Histra approaches her servant, with Belarin in tow, and the ghoul turns to face her mistress. Histra sits on the ground close, opening one of her books of necromancy. She summons the spectral hand, one of her primary attacks, and Belarin can see it looks more solid than ever before. She smiles. "Most of my spells are stronger already."

The minotaur walks up to Melethos. To the tiefling, Starg seems slightly out of breath. He looks especially tired today. Not for the first time, he wonders how long minotaurs live, and how old Starg really is. "May I speak of dark tales with you, Melethos?" the minotaur asks. "There seems no more fitting time face dark truths openly than a time of darkness."

[Brian]

Sept 17, 2020 8:00:17 GMT -4 Jeff said:

The minotaur walks up to Melethos. To the tiefling, Starg seems slightly out of breath. He looks especially tired today. Not for the first time, he wonders how long minotaurs live, and how old Starg really is. "May I speak of dark tales with you, Melethos?" the minotaur asks. "There seems no more fitting time face dark truths openly than a time of darkness."

Melethos turns to give the minotaur his full attention. "Of course but... are you well? You look tired."

[Jeff]

"I am often tired these last few years," the minotaur answers with his version of a sad smile. "But it feels more pronounced today. Nevertheless, I find as my body feels weaker, my mind is sharpened. As are my memories."

Starg leans against the railing, something he seldom does. And it strikes Melethos that the old minotaur does seem to take a disciplinary approach to most things. When he stands, he stands tall. When he sits and talks with someone, he does so squarely. Seeing him lean so heavily upon the railing is unusual. "I wanted to ask you about your homeland. Is it true that some of its people openly revere ancient powers, the demon-lords of elder days?"

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[Brian]

Starg’s question gives Melethos pause. He stares at the old minotaur, the gentle rocking of the ship making it seem as if the other man’s massive head is floating against the dark sky beyond.

He finally takes a breath as he forms his answer. “Yes, it is true. The tribe I was born into, Ebonfire, was one of the more violent barbarian tribes. They worshiped Rak Tulkesh, an ancient fiend also called the Rage of War. The elders of Ebonfire made sacrifices to the Rage of War. Occasionally, I had to participate in gathering those sacrifices, something I will never forget, nor forgive myself for helping. Too many people died at the hands of Ebonfire and their evil support of Rak Tulkesh.”

He looks up at the minotaur. “That’s an unexpected question. Did you have something on your mind?”

[Jeff]

Starg says. "I had heard as much, but have not known any outside my kind who had been to that land. Until I met you. If I had heard nothing else about the Demon Wastes, and only you knew, Melethos, I would have dismissed the rumors quickly. You are a credit to those who mentored you."

Before the tiefling can respond, he goes on. "In Droaam most clans revere a god that is more widely known as the Horned Prince, a lord of strength, battle, and bloodshed. They believe that in death, they join the Prince's armies in eternal war. Each family has their own name for this entity, and believe they know him deep within. Yet there was a clan that existed many years ago known as the Dawn Harvest. They saw the Prince quite differently. In the Common tongue he would be the Dawn Gorer." Starg dips his head, emphasizing his forward-curving horns. "The god they followed encouraged his people to fight with honor and defend the weak. As you might imagine, these are not popular traits in Droaam today.

"It has long been my belief that the cultures of our world share many of the same ideas, and that we should be more united, as a result, than we are. Just as the Silver Flame in Thrane may be the same force behind the goddess Dol Arrah. When I learned of Dol Dorn and Dol Arrah, the Sovereigns of battle and justice and even sacrifice..." He indicates Adamant where he stands intoning his musical chant alone. "It reminded me of the Dawn Gorer. In the same way, I believe that the Horned Prince is Rak Tulkesh in another guise, and that my people in Droaam are led astray. That your tribes and mines, had they met, would have slaughtered one another and satisfied 'both' their gods. It saddens me."

[Darren]

Kal places a hand on Sem's shoulder. "I appreciate that, Sem. Despite our," Kal pauses, searching for the words, "conflict? Perhaps that's not right...Anyway, I greatly value your wisdom and your knowledge and your opinion. Your value is not lost on me. Nor is your friendship. I know that trust has been hard to come by between us, but I do trust you, Sem." Kal looks at the Zil's black eyes for a moment. Disconcerting, sometimes, but he smiles anyway. "Alright," he says, letting out a breath and pulling himself up tall. "Let's see if we get a response from that ship. Stay here with me, would you? I may say something stupid with regards to ship signalling protocols...." Kal grits his teeth as though he is frightened, then lets out a short laugh.

Kal looks over quickly to where Melethos and Starg stand talking with each other. "Do you think they're forming a club for crew members with horns?" he asks Sem, laughing again.

[Ken]

Sept 17, 2020 8:00:17 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Histra approaches her servant, with Belarin in tow, and the ghoul turns to face her mistress. Histra sits on the ground close, opening one of her books of necromancy. She summons the spectral hand, one of her primary attacks, and Belarin can see it looks more solid than ever before. She smiles. "Most of my spells are stronger already."

"Interesting," says Belarin. "When will be the best time for the ritual you mentioned? Tonight?" He looks around at the sky. "Well, the real night."

[Brian]

Sept 17, 2020 10:32:48 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Starg says. "I had heard as much, but have not known any outside my kind who had been to that land. Until I met you. If I had heard nothing else about the Demon Wastes, and only you knew, Melethos, I would have dismissed the rumors quickly. You are a credit to those who mentored you."

Before the tiefling can respond, he goes on. "In Droaam most clans revere a god that is more widely known as the Horned Prince, a lord of strength, battle, and bloodshed. They believe that in death, they join the Prince's armies in eternal war. Each family has their own name for this entity, and believe they know him deep within. Yet there was a clan that existed many years ago known as the Dawn Harvest. They saw the Prince quite differently. In the Common tongue he would be the Dawn Gorer." Starg dips his head, emphasizing his forward-curving horns. "The god they followed encouraged his people to fight with honor and defend the weak. As you might imagine, these are not popular traits in Droaam today.

"It has long been my belief that the cultures of our world share many of the same ideas, and that we should be more united, as a result, than we are. Just as the Silver Flame in Thrane may be the same force behind the goddess Dol Arrah. When I learned of Dol Dorn and Dol Arrah, the Sovereigns of battle and justice and even sacrifice..." He indicates Adamant where he stands intoning his musical chant alone. "It reminded me of the Dawn Gorer. In the same way, I believe that the Horned Prince is Rak Tulkesh in another guise, and that my people in Droaam are led astray. That your tribes and mines, had they met, would have slaughtered one another and satisfied 'both' their gods. It saddens me."

"Perhaps you are correct," Melethos replies, clearly uncomfortable. Starg's words about slaughter and gods had hit too close. The tiefling had killed too many for reasons he now deemed either selfish or cowardly. And the thought of tiefling and minotaur battling to the death made him feel... lost. "Or, perhaps there are others like you and me, rebels of a sort, willing to defy what we are told is 'normal' for something better. I, personally, would like to think our kind has hope."

[Jeff]

The spectral hand hovers in the air above Histra, even though she's turned back to her book. The fact that the cantrip lingers is different.

"No, we needn't wait," Histra says, but she now speaks quietly to him only. "Each hour that passes is valuable time. Mabar is near, and it will be no more or less during Eberron's night. The first thing we will do is dissolve the body. It is a process, and it will be slow. I will create a 'circle,' though it will be a triangle, and we must keep it within that triangle for an hour. When the circle is ready, I will need you to guard it. It will not be able to stray, but others can interfere."

The harpy-ghoul catches Belarin's eye. Her empty eye-sockets are fixed on him, he is certain. Maybe it's his imagination, or maybe it's the negative energies of Mabar, but he swears he can feel a shift in the undead creature...from hunger and hate to...fear. He wonders how much she understands about what Histra will be doing.

Sept 17, 2020 10:35:33 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal places a hand on Sem's shoulder. "I appreciate that, Sem. Despite our," Kal pauses, searching for the words, "conflict? Perhaps that's not right...Anyway, I greatly value your wisdom and your knowledge and your opinion. Your value is not lost on me. Nor is your friendship. I know that trust has been hard to come by between us, but I do trust you, Sem." Kal looks at the Zil's black eyes for a moment. Disconcerting, sometimes, but he smiles anyway. 

Sem smiles. "And I must continue to remind that you although I'm well aware I've been a nuisance thus far, my true value will reveal itself when we reach any giants' ruins. We're going to have to some problem-solving and trapfinding; and while I may be mostly a book-learner, I've been on a few digs, at least."

Sept 17, 2020 10:35:33 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal looks over quickly to where Melethos and Starg stand talking with each other. "Do you think they're forming a club for crew members with horns?" he asks Sem, laughing again.

The gnome chuckles. Then, in a conspiratorial tone, he says, "I really wish we could use magic freely right now. I would very much like to give both you and I illusionary horns. But I must resist."

Sept 17, 2020 11:21:03 GMT -4 Brian said:

"Perhaps you are correct," Melethos replies, clearly uncomfortable. Starg's words about slaughter and gods had hit too close. The tiefling had killed too many for reasons he now deemed either selfish or cowardly. And the thought of tiefling and minotaur battling to the death made him feel... lost. "Or, perhaps there are others like you and me, rebels of a sort, willing to defy what we are told is 'normal' for something better. I, personally, would like to think our kind has hope."

"I share this hope," Starg says, then lapses into silence for a few moments. "Though I do feel we will see factions clash again soon, in searching for the Eye, far from their respective homelands. We know there are tieflings on the field, and though my kin largely dwell in Droaam, many have joined mercenary companies. I expect we will see some in the employ of House Tharashk, as in the Last War."

He turns and watches Histra, Belarin, and the ghoul, and sighs.

"Thank you for listening," the minotaur concludes. "My sire had a saying: Speak your fears openly in the night. Do not wait until the dawn, for the dark his hiding then cannot be made afraid in turn." He shakes his head. "It sounds better in my people's tongue."

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[Ken]

Sept 17, 2020 11:43:27 GMT -4 Jeff said:

The harpy-ghoul catches Belarin's eye. Her empty eye-sockets are fixed on him, he is certain. Maybe it's his imagination, or maybe it's the negative energies of Mabar, but he swears he can feel a shift in the undead creature...from hunger and hate to...fear. He wonders how much she understands about what Histra will be doing.

Belarin meets the ghoul's gaze for a long moment, then looks back toward Histra. He bends down and whispers to her, "I imagine it's stronger right now, too. Would it resist being 'dissolved'?"

[Jeff]

Histra nods, her tone matter-of-factual. "Yes, eventually. It will not desire this fate. But I chose my subject and am committed to this. In life, this creature was selfish and predatory. I believe she has embraced what you and I would call evil. If I am correct in this, this will succeed. But the ghoul will be unable to leave the magic circle to resist us."

[Ken]

Belarin nods and straightens up. "All right, let me know what you need." He takes a couple of steps away and withdraws his pact dagger. He looks up at the moon of Sypheros and then back down to the blade. He concentrates on it, focusing on its power and on the person he met in the cave.

________________

Jeff, feel free to reply in the personal thread.

[Jeff]

The fog continues to drift onto the river from all sides; they've long since swallowed the horizon. It makes one feel like a demiplane has enclosed a portion of Xen'drik's river. The stillness doesn't help.

The Asperii begins to move closer to the Dragonfly. Shorak sees a small black winged shape rising up from the other ship's deck and begin to fly over: a raven.

When the bird is halfway across the distance, a monstrous shape looms out of the fog from the north, situated almost perfectly between the Dragonfly and the Asperii. The Cogship, wrapped in its customary dense mist. Its passage is fairly quiet, but the water laps up against its hull and sounds loud against the rest of the silence. It's moving fairly swiftly, certainly faster than either the Dragonfly or the wind galleon are going. It's main sail is up and seems to be filled, but there is no wind to speak of.

The raven wheels away, circling back, and retreats to the Asperii.

The placement of PCs and NPCs is not set in stone. Just where I put them on this map at the moment. Not at all reflective of current conversions, etc. It's not like there's battle at this time.

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[Dave B.]

Shorak quickly calls down to the deck. "Cogship, moving fast between the Dragonfly and the Asperii. Be on your guards!" He reaches within his cloak and draws his tri-bladed boomerang.

[Joe]

Streko moves to the port edge of the ship. "Not so damaged as we were led to believe," he notes. "Perhaps what we saw before was all an illusion to trap us, one we didn't fall for." He looks around fro Kal and Melethos. "What now? Do we let it spilt us apart? Do we attack? Do we defend?"

[Ken]

"Leave it," advises Belarin. "Our friends on the other ship haven't seen it in action. Let's not recklessly take the role of aggressors. If the cogship wants to provoke a fight in front of a ship of the Twelve... well, that'd be dumb.""

[Brian]

"Agreed," Melethos calls out. "Leave it... but be ready for battle. We still don't know if the Asperii is allied with the cogship."

He moves to the port side crossbow nearest the bow. He doesn't touch the weapon but wants to be near it in case the situation goes bad.

[Dave W.]

Adamant does not falter in his chanting but does move to a crossbow, also not touching it, just being ready

[Darren]

"Well, that's a new wrinkle," Kal says. "Man the port side crossbows. Captain, steady as she goes. Let's keep that thing between us and the Asperii. If they want to fight us on both sides, so be it. Shorak, I want to know the second you see any movement. Starg, Streko, keep an eye over the starboard side. I don't want anything sneaking up on us."

[Jeff]

Shorak readies himself for a fight.

Belarin stands beside Histra. She turns as if annoyed by the distraction from her preparations.

Melethos stands at the port-side bow crossbow. Adamant is closest to the port-side aft crossbow.

Kal remains where he is (where is he?) with Tangat beside him. Sem stays near him.

Brack holds the course; Kurra and Calirataia are not on deck at the moment.

Thul moves to the port-side central crossbow.

Streko moves to the port side.

At Kal's command, Starg moves to the starboard and remains watchful.

The Cogship churns on, now completely blocking your view of the Asperii. It slows down to keep pace with the Dragonfly, continually barring your view.

Shorak can still glimpse the sails and masts of the wind galleon, but can no longer see the deck or any of its occupants through the unnatural fog of the Cogship.

[Ken]

Belarin keeps himself between Histra and the cogship. He knows that her dedication to her craft sometimes detracts from her attention.

A sudden thought strikes him. "Shorak!" he calls up. "They might make a play for the Asperii! Watch for action on that side!"

[Dave B.]

Shorak alternates between the spyglass and his own sight, trying to make out anything that might be happening between the cogship and the Asperii.

[Brian]

Melethos grimaces as the cogship hides the Asperii from their view. "Two can play at that game," he mutters, then more loudly. "Captain Brack, can you slow us down? I'd like to keep eyes on our new friends." He motions to Kal. "We may want to consider moving to the same side of the river as the Asperii, then speed up to close the gap. The cogship won't be able to come between us."

[Jeff]

Captain Brack looks at Melethos then over to Kal. Both men have requested different things.

But the Cogship now surges forward again, as if pushed by phantom winds. Slowly the Lyrandar wind galleon comes into view again. It appears the same. Its lights are dim; but even the Dragonfly few coldfire lanterns are half as bright as usual. The dimming of all lights is part of Long Shadows; that at least is known.

As you watch, the Cogship, now further ahead and beginning to disappear into the general fog, seems to swerve suddenly, abruptly. As if to avoid something in its path.

Brack, in response, slows the paddle wheel so that the Dragonfly slows its advance. “How’s that?” he asks with a grim smile.



FYI my internet is out so I can’t update the map just yet. If the connection resumes later, I’ll post again with some more to visualize. [/color]

[Joe]

Streko walks up to Melethos. "Do you suppose they wanted to do something to the Twelve contingency without letting us see what? And what good would that do, unless their plan is time-sensitive? Or, are there other Cogships at play here? We did see one grounded and destroyed, didn't we? What if that was an illusion and what if that illusion wasn't meant for us, but for the other Cogship? To enrage them against us. Or perhaps the Twelve fought them and destroyed them? They were way behind us though. Unless, they weren't! Perhaps they were there the entire time, hiding. Gah! Too many questions, not enough answers. I'd say I was being paranoid, but I know better!"

[Darren]

Kal frowns. Once again, he cups his hands to his mouth and shouts. "Asperii!"

[Jeff]

Shreds of fog start to roll between the two ship. But you haven't lost sight of the Asperii yet.

Something thuds against the hull of the Dragonfly on the port side, just below Melethos, drawing his attention downward. He sees...a table? A floating wooden table upside down. Then he sees the shapes of other things in the fog, drifting this way and that. Flotsam. Barrels, crates, pieces of wood. Objects from another ship?

Above, Shorak sees only vague shapes of things in the water; the fog obscures his view on what They are. And he can't see any distance now. No Cogship. Just the shape of the Asperii and some of its lights.

Those standing on deck begin to spot the floating objects in the fog.

Suddenly, mere seconds after Kal calls out, Mischief emerges from the fog and lights on the gunwale near him. A tiny little scroll attached to the raven's leg. Another portable Message, perhaps.

[Ken]

"What...happened?" says Belarin. "I suddenly thought they might go for the Asperii, as it's the most vulnerable as it's ever likely to be now, but..."