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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Stryde" data-source="post: 3153311" data-attributes="member: 46938">...The taste of salt plays on my tongue and nose as steady crashes of harmless waves slap against a wooden hull.  Daylight pierces a smattering of clouds far above unfurled sails.  A wave of nausea passes over me as the spell comes to completion.  Many humanoid beings surround us on the upper deck in a state of shock.  I hold a gaze of appraisal on my surroundings that brokers no nonsense nor unease.  I hide my ill feeling as the vessel lofts from side to side at a fairly consistent rate.  I realize now the folly of this idea, I’ve never been to sea.An alarm blares for battle stations as the denizens of this ship struggle to break the surprise of their panic-ridden brains.  I make a motion for Sir Bright to call for the commander of this vessel and he does so as eloquently as he possibly can.  “Take us to your leader!”  Imbecile.They have drow onboard.  Good.  One responds to the greeting with a snide remark I choose not to remember and then complies.  I have not commanded my men and women to draw weapons yet, though I regret not going into the teleportation already having done so.  A monstrosity towers over us that I can only describe as “Minotauresque”.  Blue scales covering his hide and a snout horn only demonstrate that my coin purchased some wizard’s idea of a good time.  I hope it doesn’t eat the knight.Several moments pass as the crew assembles a semblance of readiness.  I catch a glance at several winged fiendish types, some elves aside from the drow, one having longer and nastier teeth than usual, and goblinoids, most likely deck hands.  A man approaches my knight’s call as the large beast prepares for combat with a look toward this new arrival.  “The Baron Brant Dracos and Countess Lola Von Stroker request the presence of the captain of this vessel!”  Sir Bright, ever vigilant in the face of a mighty adversary.  <Groan>Pleasantries were quickly made as this man clad in light armor introduced himself as Captain Xavier of the Setting Sun.  As I began taking the conversation over from my servant, he handed me my blade to be easily replaced at my back.  I explained my position immediately to him and his crew to alleviate any hostilities they may take against us.  I own this ship.  Well, basically, I’ve placed the bulk of the finder’s fees, intelligence services and equiping costs down for all present here.  There were other investors in this endeavor which I need not mention to those present at this time.  I also explained to him that my retinue could be placed under the ship’s service if so warranted.  I made several easily accommodating demands which the captain promptly complied with.  Strangely, the Captain seemed not to reveal any sort of emotion or surprise upon my initial contact.After meeting the command structure which included several unsavory types, they seemed malleable enough to allow for our abrupt arrival.  Only time will tell whether my currency has discovered a measure of competence.  I must make one note; a strange metal constructed humanoid was observed stalking the lower deck of this vessel, very peculiar.  Perhaps the Countess could remedy my confusion on that matter.My wares placed in storage, I sought out the captain once again.  We had an almost pleasant conversation about their recent discoveries concerning the mission at hand.  The mission being a very secretive and dark one at that.  The retrieval of strong magic or the thwarting of those ahead of us grasping for it.  Having not the patience of recounting tales which held none of my involvement, I press forward to our next discussion.Apparently, this crew came across a cache of aberration destroying weapons.  One of these weapons being quite haunted, has guided this ship to (or back to, I’m impressed) a small deserted island inhabited by dread illithids.  I’ve never faced a ‘mind flayer’, as they are called commonly, in single combat before and having learned of the challenge presented, I excitedly pronounced myself and my contingent toward this endeavor wholeheartedly.  I love nothing more than a grand challenge to hone and honor my mighty heritage.  Delia had better be taking notes.The ship dropped anchor just off the island and began ferrying a landing party over to investigate the island.  It was then that I learned the minotaur had wings.  Amazing.  This creature lifted and flew with an ogre, who held onto my knight across the expanse to the island.  As I crossed the stretch to the beach, I watched the great blue beast drop them into the sand, literally, and then landed himself ready for battle.  As we neared shore, a horde of pesky kobalds, short and wiry humanoids weilding tiny spears and pointy teeth, made their presence known by slinging stones at us.  I’ve never seen such a pitiful and vast group of vermin before, and I certainly rued this day of extermination.  Such a waste of my lineage.  At this time, I let a great howl out as my body reshaped into a grand half-wolf half-man and drew my blade.As combat was met, I waded into a flank of these revolting little creatures, swatting them aside tirelessly as more poured on.  I felt no need to wet my blade on these whelps and so let my claws and chops trounce them.  Smelling a difference in the air, I looked behind to see some of the ship’s crew yelp and freeze in place, most likely astonished by the sheer amount of these pitiful beings.  Turning back, I heard a shriek from a foolhardy crew woman ahead of me, too deep in the sea of foe.  A ball of flame shot through the air over to my right and decimated a score of the filthy little things.  Against my cruel nature, I felt my capacity to lead take over.  Letting out a howl of derision, I bowled over many of these kobald creatures to arrive at the fallen woman.  Easily lifting her to my shoulder, I hauled her back to the safety of the central landing party and returned to the flank.  And as quickly as it had begun, it was over.Finally having a chance to observe my surroundings more fully, the kobalds remaining retreated into thick bush.  Apparently, the other flank was falling apart as the blue winged-minotaur and ogre had been frozen in a stupor.  Scores of broken kobalds lay around them as most assuredly they had destroyed them as I had.  And then it approached.  A humanoid came quickly toward us through the brush asking for our leader.  I quickly stepped up and claimed such, but stated that the captain of the vessel would be hailed.  This, thing, spoke to us through a purple tentacled maw in a dialect of common I have never heard.  It’s milky white eyes seemed to yank on my mind as I fingered my blade finally incase it thought better of itself.The captain ferried across and with his aid I came to a diplomatic agreement of non-intercourse from this day forward.  Apparently, this thing had somehow disrupted the two large warriors and several of the other crewmembers, scaring them into such a decision.  We also claimed some spoils of victory by collecting ‘Mage’s Stone’ powder from this being.  I will write this for later perusal, I do wish to return and take what may be rightfully ours.  Unfortunately, we did relinquish the aberration destroying weapons as part of the deal.Upon returning to the vessel, we took not one casualty in battle, which is a great cause for celebrating in my opinion.  I also learned that some sort of underwater force was ready to attack the ship at a moment’s notice.  Another thing I must remember, the ocean is not yet my element...</blockquote>

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