Elven Navy Delta Squad: Thought Taker

[Keia]

Marcus glanced around as the statue impacted on the side of the hull looking for any other threats. Not seeing any, he moved with the rest to look at the strange statue.

"I think we should pull it up. I'm sure it can't do us any good to just leave in on the hull like that," Marcus stated. "Any chance someone could detect magic on the thing before we do that. Also, someone should check the inside of the hull corresponding to the impact of the statue for any breaches."

 

[Mirth]

Marcus glanced around as the statue impacted on the side of the hull looking for any other threats. Not seeing any, he moved with the rest to look at the strange statue.

"I think we should pull it up. I'm sure it can't do us any good to just leave in on the hull like that," Marcus stated. "Any chance someone could detect magic on the thing before we do that. Also, someone should check the inside of the hull corresponding to the impact of the statue for any breaches."

"Sir, I can check it for magic," Chjargal says as he unfurls the leafy wings of his gadabout. "I can also fly down and retrieve it as well. Or if it proves to be too heavy for me, I can at the very least secure a rope to it." Once the druid is ready, he awaits Marcus' orders, suggesting, "Perhaps I should be the only one to deal with getting it on board, thereby reducing the risks to the rest of the crew and squad."

 

[GruTheWanderer]

The object is drifting slowly away from the hull after the collision. When Chjargal examines it, it is surprisingly light for its size and appearance, weighing little more than a adult male human. A stone statue would weigh three times as much. The statue does not radiate magic.

Grillon watches the Flow, but nothing else appears out of place in the swirling colors.

Five minutes after Chjargal begins examining it, the statue begins to change. The color begins shifting from a dull grey to a light green. The surface, while still hard, becomes less stone-like and more like that of a fingernail.

Hector reports that no damage was done to the hull.

 

[Mirth]

Dragging the "statue" on board, Chjargal asks for a rope and tries to quickly bind its six limbs. Looking to Marcus, he says, "I believe whatever magic has bound this creature is fast fading, sir. I will try to hold it for as long as I can." With that, the druid grabs the "statue" in a (bug)bear hug.

 

[perivas]

"I know of a dweomer capable of transforming oneself into a statue for the purpose of preservation, although I am at a loss as to the lack of an obvious magical aura on this one. Regardless, I suspect this castaway to revert to flesh form shortly. Let us hope that it will bear us no ill intent." Amanu listens the upcoming conversation carefully.

 

[GruTheWanderer]

Despite Chjargal's enthusiasm, the transformation takes one hour. At the end of that period, the insectoid twitches suddenly, looks around and tries to stand up. When it discovers that its legs are bound, it continues to scan, reflecting the colors of the Flow in its multi-faceted eyes.

The creature makes a high-pitched whirring, rasping sound, then is silent for a moment, as if waiting for a reply. When it realizes that one is not forthcoming, it speaks haltingly in the Common tonuge, its voice harsh and gritty, with a strange accent.

"For my life, I thank you."

 

[Mirth]

Despite Chjargal's enthusiasm, the transformation takes one hour. At the end of that period, the insectoid twitches suddenly, looks around and tries to stand up. When it discovers that its legs are bound, it continues to scan, reflecting the colors of the Flow in its multi-faceted eyes.

The creature makes a high-pitched whirring, rasping sound, then is silent for a moment, as if waiting for a reply. When it realizes that one is not forthcoming, it speaks haltingly in the Common tonuge, its voice harsh and gritty, with a strange accent.

"For my life, I thank you."

Seeing that the being seems friendly, Chjargal looks at Marcus and says, "I think I should let him go, sir." This has nothing to do with the fact that the bugbear is having a difficult time pinning down the stranger's six arms, nothing at all.

 

[Old Fezziwig]

Cocking his head to the side, Akodo flinches and unintentionally transforms back into his hybrid form (he's spent the last few weeks or so in his humanoid form). "You're welcome?" he offers tentatively.

 

[Keia]

Marcus nodded to Chjargal to release the insect. Marcus had his suspicions but the insect's apparent kind words have deterred him for the moment.

Marcus looked to the others to converse with it while he concentrated on defending the team against, well . . . . against . . . this thing.

 

[GruTheWanderer]

The insectoid creature identifies himself as Tiktitik, a thri-kreen. He is a male warrior of his people. He explains that he fell overboard during a battle when his ship was ambushed. The properties of the phlogiston seem to have placed him in some type of suspended animation. Judging by his accent, Tiktitik has been out of circulation for a long time.

Befoire you get the rest of his story, you are alerted by the shouts of the crew. A set of dusty grey figures coming flying in from off the port bow. Their appearance is human, but you can see through their incorporeal shapes.