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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JollyDoc" data-source="post: 3843398" data-attributes="member: 9546">SERPENTS OF SCUTTLECOVEThe two week voyage to the Nelanther islands was tediously monotonous.  To be sure, there was the occasional sea monster or rogue pirate ship to contend with, but these proved only minor nuisances to the puissant skills of the Legionnaires.  Even the weather remained relatively calm.  Tower Cleaver and Octurus were the most ill-at-ease.  The minotaur had spent his entire life on land, and though he could handle the occasional coastal jaunt, the long days of endless sea made him decidedly agoraphobic.  He took to secluding himself in the Sea Wyvern’s hold, where he built a miniature labyrinth out of cargo crates and would pace through it obsessively.  Octurus was not afraid of the water per se, but he had never been away from his home island before, and he could not help but feel that he would never see it again.  The Maztican spent much of his time alone, either inking new, more exotic tattoos onto his already heavily painted skin, or practicing his sword skills on the foc’s’le.  The crew gave him a wide berth, all save Urol, who pestered him with endless questions until the demon hunter’s stoic silence wore down even the loquacious gnome’s persistence.Mandi busied herself with constantly keeping up the magical wards she cast around the ship.  These allowed her to sense other vessels within miles before they ever came in view, and would allow her to once more cocoon the Sea Wyvern in a bubble of air and submerge it if any true threat arrived.  Marius aided her, and in their down time, the two Seekers pooled their knowledge of Scuttlecove.  They knew that the city had been established on Ioma, the largest island in Nelanther, by three ur-priests who called themselves the Holy Triad.  These blasphemers were renegades from the Ebon Triad, who had sought out the desolate island to pursue their vile rituals in peace.  They knew, however, that they would need a society to support their research and decadence, and it didn’t take long for their outpost to blossom into a fat and turgid city.  After all, even pirates needed a place to rest, relax and spend their loot.  Then, just a few years past, the Holy Triad mysteriously vanished from their palace during a tremendous storm of green worms that reportedly left hundreds dead.  Since then, the city had become, if possible, even more lawless and dangerous.  The Legion would have to tread lightly once they reached port.  Even they could not take on an entire city.Only Daelric seemed truly at ease during the trek.  As an adherent of Shaundekal, being on a journey, any journey, only fed his wanderlust.  His enthusiasm was contagious among the crew, and they saw him as something of a lucky mascot, crediting his presence with the relative ease of their voyage.  They even managed to ignore the strange rash of petty theft that had been taking place onboard since they’d left Farshore…As for Sepoto, the goliath brooded.  His sleep had not been sound since they set sail, plagued by vague dreams that he could not recall the following day.  This culminated one evening, when they were still several days from Nelanther, with a dream so vivid, it could only be called a vision.  In it, the crusader found himself back at Kraken’s Cove with his old companions.  Once more they hewed their way through the hordes of savage creatures until at last they came upon the embattled pirate captain, Harliss Javell.  This time, however, the swashbuckler was not besieged.  Instead, she greeted Sepoto with a smile…and a proposition…“’Tis me, lad,” the lady pirate said.  “Though ye be dreamin’, ‘tis my voice yer hearin’.  I’m in Scuttlecove, come to claim some payback from th’Kraken Society for what they put me through.  Turns out, we got us a mutual acquaintance who’s payin’ a visit as well.  That low-life, lint-lickin’…”  The string of expletives was enough to make the goliath blush, even in his sleep.  “…mother-scratchin’ Vanthus Vanderboren!  Saw him meself, I did, though I have t’admit the boyo’s looked better.  Looks like somethin’ dredged up from Davy Jone’s Locker, which is t’say I don’t think he’s entirely among th’livin’ anymore.  Had that uppity sister o’his with’im, though I don’t reckon she came along of her own free will, if ye catch my meanin’.  I figured ye’d want t’know, seein’ as how he caused you and your lot a bit’o trouble as well.  I’ve hooked up with a local group called th’Protectorate.  They’ve promised t’help if ye be wantin’ t’rescue your boss-lady, an’ I’ll help as well, as long as I’m able t’lay low the so-called Kraken Society in the bargain.  If ye’re shipbound, I suggest ye anchor in one o’the coves around Ioma and take shank’s mare th’rest o’ th’way.  If ye want me help, meet me at Red Foam Whalin’.”The dream faded as quickly as it came and Sepoto awoke with a start.  Quickly, he hurried on-deck to tell Mandi and the others what he’d seen.“A Dream spell,” the sorceress said thoughtfully.  “Powerful magic for a pirate.  Seems your old acquaintance has found herself strong allies.  Though we could use all the help we can get, I’m not entirely sure that I trust the word of a pirate, especially one that tried to have Lavinia killed.”“I understand your concern,” Marius replied, “but in this case, I think I tend to believe Captain Javell.  I can assure you she has no love for Vanthus, and as the saying goes, ‘the enemy of my enemy.’”“That remains to be seen,” Mandi said, “but it seems we have few options at this point.  Very well then.  When we reach Ioma, we’ll scout out a safe place to leave the ship and then make for Scuttlecove by land.  Then we shall see what we shall see…”</blockquote>

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