Chapter 21: The Razor's Edge

[Jeff]

Chapter 21

The Razor's Edge

Far, the 6th of Zaranytr 999 YK

Dawn brings greater visibility to the land, and it's like the Dragonfly has drifted into an true tropical paradise. The ship has crossed through the "bay" of the river, where the Hydra is fed from both the west and the southwest; were a ship to sail further south, there may yet be another place to land, but it would be far from the road your expedition has chosen. The water is a wonderful shade of blue today, only slightly browned near the riverside, where silt colors it. Birds of all sizes flit about over the distant jungle that surrounds the river, and plenty swoop low over the water, too, hunting for breakfast. Nothing comes close to the Dragonfly itself. But with the Mounts of Fangs of Argarak close by to the south, there is plenty of winged life venturing down to hunt the lowlands.

A plateau rises before you where a great waterfall pouring down into the river sits astride a formidable cliff* that rises a thousand feet above the river proper. The land is still few hours away so you can't hear the waterfall yet but you can see the spray around it; the whole rocky coast creates a kind of natural, crescent-shaped cove.

Breakfast is fish, but those of you eat mostly don't mind. There may not much fish in your immediate future.

Behind the Dragonfly, the longship continues in the same direction—no closer, no further. It's keeping pace with the Dragonfly. This time, however, there is plenty of daylight by which to see it. Anyone looking in a spyglass from the bridge or the crow's nest can make out some more detail. The front of the ship is carved to resemble a griffon’s head: an eagle’s beak with a lion’s mane behind the head-crested feathers. The sail is unadorned and you see no flags or emblems, but when you look through the spyglass long enough at the figures in the ship, you can see they are a mixed crew of tieflings and bugbears manning the oars. Possibly even some hobgoblins. No humans to be seen. Small tents protect the bow and stern from the open sun, where others sit or stand within—probably the leadership.

High overhead, a large winged shape flies around, always outpacing the longship but then circling back around. It takes a few minutes looking through the sunlight to make out what it is. An actual griffon. And it has a rider.

Histra rises somewhat later, groggy and grim. She murmurs apologies to Belarin, then with her spellbook ventures out to see what's going on. Starg is already up, and Sem, too, looks like he's been awake for hours. He has a nervous energy about him. "Well, my friends, today's the day. Are we ready?"

---

Think Cliffs of Insanity + a few hundred more feet + way more trees and plants.

Attachments:

[Dave B.]

Shorak wakes feeling somewhat refreshed and a little excited. He is looking forward to being back in the jungle. Their few forays into the jungle to hunt or explore was lacking and he always knew they'd be back on the water fairly quickly. This time it will be different. They'll be in the jungle foe a while this time and with know idea of how they might be returning to Stormreach. After washing up and grabbing a quick breakfast, Shorak packs up all his gear and makes his way on deck. He seeks out Kurra first to see if she ever found out anything about that drow wizard's knife and the gold bolts. "And thank you for all that you've done for us on this journey." he adds.

When he gets a moment with Captain Brack, Shorak thanks him as well for his strength and excellent captainship, if that is even a thing. He looks seriously at the captain and says, "I would like to ask you a faver, captain. If you are able, Captain Morsha of the Merrow Down was taken just before we left Stormreach, possibly by orcs. I never had a chance to further investigate. My favor is this..Please just keep your ears open for anything you might hear regarding her or her ship. When I return to Stormreach I will seek you out to see if you may have heard anything. I will certainly compensate you for any information you may have."

[Dave W.]

Adamant does his dawn chants but afterwards is mostly quiet. He goes about making sure everything is ready... in particular making sure there are enough waterskins... he has never actually seen a desert but does know enough about surviving in the wild to know that water will be a primary concern.

---

btw, the Rekkenmark blade is still in Addy's inventory but I'm pretty sure he gave that back to Kal a while ago

[Dave W.]

Oh, one more thing... Adamant will cast a 2nd level cure wounds in the ring of spell storing...he should have done that last night but Calirataia distracted him...

[Darren]

Kal rises and dresses, checking everything about him twice to make sure he looks the part of a leader, even if he doesn't feel it on the inside. He smooths his cloak one last time, then retrieves his staff and squares his shoulders with confidence as he opens the door to the cabin and strides onto the top deck. "Good morning, captain," he says as he approaches Brack. "I see our friends are still there." He takes the glass and sees the deck full of tieflings. "Wonderful," he says. "I'm sure they're looking to make new friends." Kal turns and spots Sem. He jerks a thumb over his shoulder. "Safe to assume they will use whatever means necessary to slow us down?"

[Brian]

The next morning, Melethos rises, dons his armor, and eats some bits of fish and bread for breakfast. The fish tastes a little bland, but he's sure he will miss it after they've departed the Dragonfly. Finished, he climbs the ladder up to the main deck.

The sun shines brightly. He sees Shorak speaking with Captain Brack. Of the dryad, he sees nothing.

Remembering the trailing ship, Melethos moves to the stern and uses the Captain's spyglass. He stares long and hard, then notices tieflings manning some of the oars. Frowning, he searches the area, notices something flying.

A griffon? With a rider?

He peers locks his focus on the griffon, follows it, and tries to determine who or what is riding the beast.

______________________________________

Melethos: D20 + 1 #wisdom ( Perception ) check → 9(8 + 1)

[Jeff]

"Ahh, see, that's why I told you to remind me. I'd have remembered them five days from now, when it's no use for you." Kurra fetches the two small gilded crossbow bolts and hands them over. "There's no recovering these, ones you loose 'em. Make them count." She briefly describes the thunderous explosion they cause to him. She also reminds Shorak that the returning certainy of his boomerang will only last for another couple of days, now that he's separating from Kurra. She will eventually need that temporary store of magic for her own. She points to the distant cliffs. "But at least if you throw it around up there, you won't be losing it." 

Jun 21, 2021 9:48:42 GMT -4 Darren said:

He takes the glass and sees the deck full of tieflings. "Wonderful," he says. "I'm sure they're looking to make new friends." Kal turns and spots Sem. He jerks a thumb over his shoulder. "Safe to assume they will use whatever means necessary to slow us down?"

Sem is all packed and ready to go now. He comes up onto the bridge to discuss the matter. "Let's ask Melethos, surely? We met them, or some of them before, and they helped us out with our yugoloth problem, didn't they?" He stares at the ground a moment, in thought, then he looks back to Kal. "Hold to your cynicism, Kal. We're going to need it. But if we can avoid turning indifferent or neutral parties into hostile ones, let's do that more."

The spyglass is needed to even determine that the flying creatures is a griffon at all. Nothing more can be learned while it stays as far away as it is.

---

The gold-colored bolts are magical bolts, and when they strike their target (or anything, really), they deal an additional 2d6 thunder damage on impact. If it's a creature, the target must make a successful Constitution saving throw (DC 13) or be pushed 10 feet away from you.

The Sulatar mage knife was assessed by Belarin, who determined only that it was enchanted but didn't seem to have any special properties beyond that. Over time, Shorak has determined that it while it is a +1 weapon, the addition +1 damage that it deals is fire damage.

I've added all this to Shorak's inventory. Removed Rekkenmark blade from Adamant's. Cure Wounds 2nd level now in Ring of Spell Storing.

[Ken]

In their cabin, Belarin dons his feyweave garments. The looser, lighter fabric will certainly be more comfortable than the spiked leather. When Histra emerges, he speaks softly and reassuringly to her, telling her there's no reason to apologize. "Believe me, you were magnificent last night and did not embarrass yourself. As a necromancer or a guardian of the forest, you are formidable, ir'Serell."

He overhears the tail end of the discussion between Kal and Sem. "Is this about our tiefling tag-alongs? Kal, let's leave them alone. Right now, they're rivals, but not enemies. That's a huge difference."

[Joe]

Streko rises and greets the dawn with a glint in his eye, a reflection of the joy he felt last night telling his story to friends. It remains with him, this positive energy, and he knows, instinctively, that Olladra continues to find favor with him.

He rises, dresses, donning the black scale he was so covetous of earlier, and goes to the galley, where he indulges in fish and coffee (admittedly not the best combination of flavors), before climbing to the deck and meeting the new day headlong. "Our final day aboard this wonderful vessel," he whispers softly.

The others are here, Histra looking the worse for wear, although he says nothing. By the activity around Captain Brack, and Melethos looking back with the spyglass, Streko assumes their followers remain behind them. Everyone else appears busy, preparing. Only Calirataia is not present.

"Happy Farday, my friends! Now, is there anything I can do to assist?"

[Jeff]

Everyone has noted that although the illusions have all faded, the garland around the ship has not. And well after everyone is up and making preparations, Calirataia reappears. Now she looks solemn at last, and merely sits alone for a time, watching everyone as if trying to remember you all this way.

Brack and Shorak are the first to spot the Asperii. The wind-galleon looks to be idling well away from the shore as if to avoid any other who are there for disembarking. Its captian, Alfinas d'Lyrandar, had offered to wait until the Dragonfly arrived so it could sail back downriver together. She seems to have kept that offer, and Brack looks glad of it. It also means that the expedition from the Asperii has already gone onto land and ascended. They would have done so two days ago, most likely.

There is another ship lurking toward the southwest, not approaching the waterfall region. Even in a spy glass you can't make out what it is. Just a shape and a sail from here.

Histra says, "The skeleton and tauth will come with us. They are both sentry and shield, as needed. Sem, what dangers do we expect from the climb?"

The gnome comes over. "None of my notes are clear on that. I think the Razor Stairs may pass through or around some caves or crevasses, and that means anything could be lurking. But for such a remote place, the fact that these stairs are the best way up for anyone going west, they're bound to have seen plenty of foot traffic already. Our friends in the Twelve will have already passed them by, so it can't be that bad."

Brack points out that the landing area is shallow and has plenty of rocky shoals, so he cannot bring the Dragonfly in too close. The dinghy will be needed, probably in two trips, to bring everyone to the shore. Kurra offers to go on the second trip, so as to bring the boat back.

Sem reminds you all that the soarsled is also to be taken. He offers to cast a minor transmutation spell to activate its floating disk function for now. The effect lasts for 24 hours.

If there's anything else you wish to do before prepping for the trip, now's the time. I'm gonna jump to that moment soon.

Attachments:

[Brian]

Stowing his gear, Melethos again feels a momentary sadness at the thought of leaving the Dragonfly behind. In the few weeks since he's known her and her crew, he has grown fond of them.

Back topside, he helps anyone who needs it, then awaits the final goodbyes before disembarking.

[Darren]

"Thank you, Sem," Kal says in response to his offer. "We can use it to carry any of our supplies that are more than we can easily hold. Speaking of which, captain, have the contents of the chest we captured been divided to your satisfaction? I would not wish for you to be unsatisfied with our arrangement." Glancing back over his shoulder again, Kal says, "Agreed. We will not be aggressive towards them, but we will slow them down without harming them, should the opportunity present itself."

[Dave B.]

"Of course, I don't expect you to go out of your way to find out anything. Just to make a mental note if you do hear anything by chance." Shorak adds to his request of Captain Brack.

Didn't see a response from Brack, so I just thought I'd add another comment to nudge one.

Shorak goes over to Sem after speaking with Brack. "I don't think I'll need to carry this." Shorak says, holding the gold and black coffer. "Can we add it to the bag of holding?" After that he stands ready, waiting for any more goodbyes and the time to finally disembark.

[Joe]

Streko moves to the front of his congregated group. He calls out (and uses Thaumaturgy to amplify his voice for all to hear): "To the crew of The Dragonfly. May the wind be ever at her back and good fortune forever flow your way!"

He takes a deep bow and uses his sleeve to wipe the tears from his cheek and is able to rise with a smile on his face.

[Jeff]

Sorry, Dave! I totally meant to respond to that, then forgot. Thanks for the nudge.

Jun 20, 2021 23:28:31 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

"I would like to ask you a favor, captain. If you are able, Captain Morsha of the Merrow Down was taken just before we left Stormreach, possibly by orcs. I never had a chance to further investigate. My favor is this..Please just keep your ears open for anything you might hear regarding her or her ship. When I return to Stormreach I will seek you out to see if you may have heard anything. I will certainly compensate you for any information you may have."

"I know the name," Brack says, nodding at Shorak. "I've heard of her. Both Captain Morsha and the Merrow Down. I think I've even met her some years ago. I remember some of your friends have spoken her name. There was some concern that she may have been taken captive? I hope that is not so. In any case, I promise I inquire when I return to the city. I need no compensation for a bit of discreet investigation. You have my word."

Jun 21, 2021 21:24:39 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

Shorak goes over to Sem after speaking with Brack. "I don't think I'll need to carry this." Shorak says, holding the gold and black coffer. "Can we add it to the bag of holding?" After that he stands ready, waiting for any more goodbyes and the time to finally disembark.

While the coffer isn't too heavy to go into the Bag of Holding, it's a bit too wide to fit into the opening easily. One could attempt to squeeze it in with force, but Sem is very nervous about damaging the magical storage.

But also, it has been in the hold, presumably donated to Kurra since it has some magical properties.

Jun 21, 2021 19:37:47 GMT -4 Darren said:

"Thank you, Sem," Kal says in response to his offer. "We can use it to carry any of our supplies that are more than we can easily hold. Speaking of which, captain, have the contents of the chest we captured been divided to your satisfaction? I would not wish for you to be unsatisfied with our arrangement." 

"Aye," Brack says. "We're squared."

The Dragonfly sails on, and the time to disembark on the dinghy is drawing near. Kurra fusses with the ropes, and as the ship slows down, everyone looks to the west: there is a small sandy beach ideal for landing a little ways rowing, though one must navigate past some rocks. Then the land rises slightly and grows wilder. The waterfall is already becoming noisy now, dominating your view of the northwest and filling the shoreline with mist. The Razor Cliff looms high overhead, sheer and gray.

Jun 21, 2021 22:24:44 GMT -4 Joe said:

"To the crew of The Dragonfly. May the wind be ever at her back and good fortune forever flow your way!"

He takes a deep bow and uses his sleeve to wipe the tears from his cheek and is able to rise with a smile on his face.

Starg, Histra, and Sem all gather in with their gear and traveling clothes, ready to go. None of them speak. After Streko's words, there is silence. It's hard to know what to say.

Calirataia goes up to each person, taking her time, and gives one a gentle hug. To some she whispers words for only them to hear, but she doesn't linger. Even Histra is embraced, and you see the woman seem to freeze up, as if confused, but she then returns the dryad's affection briefly, stiffly. Her eyes flare with emotion, almost! The glimmer of tears, and then it is gone, pushed away to a deep place to keep herself safe.

Then at last she turns and walks up slowly and hesitantly to Adamant, as though she were still a young and shy woodland spirit in a deep wood and approaching a stranger for the first time. Her eyes water but she doesn't wipe them away, nor does she look away. She just locks onto his aquamarine gemstone eyes with her own, like shining green jewels. She struggles for words.

Attachments:

[Brian]

Melethos methodically packs the company's gear onto the soarsled as he watches the dryad approach Adamant. The improbable relationship formed between the woodland fey and the construct has shown Melethos that love can happen anywhere. And that, for some reason, he finds quite hopeful.

Finished with the soarsled, he stands idly by, waiting for Kal to order the disembarkation.

[Ken]

Belarin gets his gear organized and then waits with his companions, resisting the urge to flee from the awkwardness of the moment. When Calirataia comes over to him, he bows his head and says in Sylvan, "Thank you from my heart."

As the dryad moves on to Histra next to him, he discreetly holds Histra's hand, giving her the opportunity to squeeze something really hard as she swallows back her emotions.

[Dave W.]

Adamant faces Calirataia and returns the look, eye-gem to fey eyes. For the moment, at least in Adamant's awareness only the two exist. "Ah, I wish I could smile," he tells her. He reaches for her and pulls her in for a hug.

Quietly into her ear, "I refuse to be sad, I have found love. What a remarkable thing," he adds brightly, "and what a glorious universe to allow such absurdity as a warforged in love."

He releases the hug when she is ready.

More seriously now, he says to her, "The joy of meeting you, singing with you, just being near… I will always carry those with me."

"No matter where you go, Calirataia of Aerenal, when you see the dawn you can be sure I am thinking of you and you are loved. By the Light of this day and with the Grace of Dol Arrah, this is my Oath to you."

Adamant tries to convey the firmness… the solidity.. of the oath.

[Darren]

Kal watches Adamant and Calirataia for a brief moment, then turns away, allowing them what little privacy he can. He goes to Kurra and says, "You have been very gracious with us, and it is appreciated. I have one more request. Might we take a few empty barrels with us?" He gestures to the soarsled that Melethos is loading. "It would be helpful to have them for Adamant to fill with food and water so we can store it for the journey through the desert."

[Jeff]

Histra returns Belarin's grip, even when Calirataia has moved on.

Jun 22, 2021 11:20:54 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"No matter where you go, Calirataia of Aerenal, when you see the dawn you can be sure I am thinking of you and you are loved. By the Light of this day and with the Grace of Dol Arrah, this is my Oath to you."

Adamant tries to convey the firmness… the solidity.. of the oath.

Calirataia blinks, and sobs, and then just lets the warforged hold her in silence for a while. When she pulls free at last, she places something in his three-fingered metal hand. He looks down and sees a small thin cloth pouch. "Save these for when you need some shelter, or just some comfort. Plant one in the soil, provide a little water, and then wait." Then she leans up tall on the balls of her feet and kisses him right on his metal mouth. "My love goes with you, Adamant of the Rising Sun. Now go and live your life. Then when you are wiser and stronger, find me again. I will demand new stories and songs from you." Then the dryad disappears into the wood beneath his feet.

Sem lets out a sigh, and holds up another pouch. "She gave me some Goodberries as well, for us all, which we are to save until tomorrow morning, or if there is need sooner." The gnome opens the pouch and holds out a bright purple cherry-sized berry for each of you (even Adamant).

Jun 22, 2021 11:42:52 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal watches Adamant and Calirataia for a brief moment, then turns away, allowing them what little privacy he can. He goes to Kurra and says, "You have been very gracious with us, and it is appreciated. I have one more request. Might we take a few empty barrels with us?" He gestures to the soarsled that Melethos is loading. "It would be helpful to have them for Adamant to fill with food and water so we can store it for the journey through the desert."

Kurra thinks. "Let's see. I can spare one big barrel"—she holds a hand up to her own height—"or two smaller ones"—she holds her hand at her own waist level. A large barrel is 70 lbs. and can hold 40 gallons of liquid or 4 cubic feet of solids. (A small barrel is 30 lbs and can hold 20 gallons of liquid or 2 cubic feet of solids. Going with two smaller would allow Adamant's conjured food and water to each have one receptacle. There would be some spill over, but it's enough for all 9 of those of you who need food and water.)

What sort of things do you guys want to have on the soarsled-as-floating-disc? Aside from the barrels? Even when you opt not to have it carry something, keep in mind that activating it each day is important, because if you don't, it's too heavy to drag with you. It's super heavy when un-magicked. In general, while traveling on land for long periods of time, I am going to pay attention to encumbrance. So if you're almost reaching your max carrying capacity (before being hampered), you might want to place some things on the floating disc. 

My suggested is some loose ropes (only one person's 50-ft. rope will suffice) are used to lash any gear to the soarsled, so that if someone needs to use it to ride-fly on a whim, they can easily push it all free.

Attachments:

[Ken]

Belarin reaches into his backpack and slowly withdraws a length of rope. "This should help with holding any barrels or other things in place," he says, offering the rope to Melethos.

"You know, once we get on shore, we should redistribute some of the items that are in the bag. For instance, I think it's safe to say that most of us have used whatever healing potions we may have been carrying -- but I'm certain we put a few extra vials in the bag."

[Darren]

"Thank you, Kurra," Kal says, nodding. "The small barrels will be great." Kal turns to his friends, nodding at Belarin at the offered rope. "Listen, my friends, travel through the desert is likely to be exhausting. Anything you don't need on you, place it on the sled. We should travel as light as we can, but don't place anything on there that you might need in a hurry. If we have to move fast, we may need to abandon it."

_____
Kal doesn't actually have a lot of extra stuff on him, so he's good.

[Jeff]

Does Belarin have rope? I don't see any on his sheet anymore. However, there is currently a 50-ft. silk rope in the Bag of Holding, which Sem can bring out to use on the soarsled pack, if that is so desired?

Kurra fetches two small barrels and lashes them loosely to the soarsled, just tight enough so they don't fall off easily.

Kurra looks in the direction of the distant longship. "This is Khyber shit. Never mind two trips on the dinghy. Why make this so time consuming? You all need to get going." She pulls out a small cubelike metal container, flicks a lid open, and pours some kind of blue powder into her hand. Then she walks over to Adamant, Melethos, Kal, Shorak, and Thul, and places a dash of the blue powder on their arms. It seems to dissolve right into their clothing and body. "You five, you're walking to shore." She winks. "The rest of you climb into the boat."

Sem casts a spell on the soarsled and it lifts up into the air, hovering 3 feet above ground. "It's going to stay immobile until I'm some distance from it, then it'll follow me."

---

Adamant, Melethos, Kal, Shorak, and Thul have gained the ability to walk on any liquid as if it were solid ground for 1 hour.

[Dave W.]

Jun 22, 2021 13:04:58 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"My love goes with you, Adamant of the Rising Sun. Now go and live your life. Then when you are wiser and stronger, find me again. I will demand new stories and songs from you."

"I will" he says softly to space where she just was.

He quietly puts the seed pouch in his pack and pulls it on.

He makes his goodbyes to the captain and Kurra. There are simple but heartfelt thank yous.

Finding Melethos with the sled, "Do you mind if i store my shield on the sled for now? Once we're past the mountains I will call for Lucatrent. But it would be difficult for him on the stairs I think." There is a gentle but stiff note to his voice and posture... relying on formality as a defense.

[Joe]

Streko goes to the boat and climbs in. "Or if you would rather have me on the soar sled, I'm okay with that, too! Might even be fun, as long as we are not attacked again. Let's be going. That other ship isn't going to wait for us. I don't think."

[Dave B.]

Looking at the opening of the bag and then at Sem, Shorak almost smacks himself. "I totally forgot. I was going to leave this with Kurra." Shorak quickly runs down to the hold with the coffer and leaves it there.

Yeah, I remember now that the coffer was being left for Kurra. I just saw it on his inventory and immediately just thought, 'Shorak's not carrying that through the deset!"

When Shorak returns he waits with everyone else as they get closer to leaving the Dragonfly. He smiles warmly at Caliarataia when she comes to say her goodbyes. "Be well and thank you for everything."

When Kurra uses the blue powder on him and the others, Shorak smiles, this time in anticipation. "Oh. Walking on the water. I did that before." He looks at the others who have been imbued wtih the magic. "It's lots of fun. At least, this time we aren't running towards a battle. That we know of, anyway." Shorak than slings his backpack and moves to climb down to the water, waving goodbye before he descends.

[Jeff]

Your party begins to go down into the boat. Only when Sem reaches the dinghy and Kurra (who also now walks on water), splashes over to it and pushed it a short distance away from the ship, does the soarsled follow. Someone has to push it over the edge, however, as it doesn't naturally follow when there is a 10-foot gap to cross. But then it glides smoothly over the water. The two barrels are secured to the soarsled, and Histra orders her skeleton to stand with them.

Starg, Belarin, Histra, Streko, Sem, Starg, and Tangat fit snugly into the boat. It leans a little bit toward Starg's side, the minotaur's weight bearing it down. The rest of you climb down to the water, standing upon the surface and feeling it lap against your boots. Thul gives Brack a warrior's salute, then climbs down.

You look up to see the Dragonfly looking so empty. So vulnerable. Only Brack stands there now. "Good luck to you all, damn it. Stay alive or I'll kill you when I see you next." He looks a little bit angry, as if upset that you all got under his skin enough that he cares.

"Are we ready?" Kurra says. There are oars to be used, and Starg takes one up, but the dwarf also intends to push the boat as she walks beside it. Thul braces the opposite side. Anyone else walking on the water can assist to guide the dinghy.

[Dave W.]

Adamant helps shove the sled over the side and then climbs down to stand on the water.

“Ready.”

[Darren]

Kal gives Brack a formal bow before hopping over the side of the ship. "We will meet again, Captain. May fortune favor you until then."

[Ken]

Belarin climbs into the longship, offers a final wave at Brack and Kurra, and settles in.

____________

Oh yeah, I do recall Belarin using his rope for... something earlier in the voyage. Well, we can use the rope from the bag for the time being.