Phaern Starspike, Spryte Magister 5
From the crow's nest aboard the Portis, Phaern watched towards the horizon. The sun had set a few hours ago, but the moon and stars shone brightly reflecting off the calm seas ahead. The Portis was due into Ka-Rone any day now having set sail from Caracha a month ago. Phaern had signed on with the ship a year ago to see the world. His contract was up when they landed, and he would be glad not to see the rolling blue for a little while atleast. As he contemplated the wild forests of his homeland in the Harrowdeep, he chanced to look down at the deck of the ship. All the men were below decks except for himself and the helmsman who looked like he was nodding off at the wheel.
Out of the corner of his eye Phaern thought he saw something along the starboard gunwale, looking closer he spotted movement. A dark glistening shape crawled over the rail. Several more began to appear. Phaern grabbed the horn that hung in the nest. He blew three sharp blasts. His little lungs made enough noise to awaken Thom, the helmsman. He grabbed his horn and blew the same notes. Phaern looked again to the deck and saw about 6 dark hunched shapes that looked vaguely like giant mutated frogmen. He quickly summoned a glowglobe to illuminate the decks. Below him the first of the crew came out on deck weilding short spears or bullyclubs. The frog-things lept upon them sending the lead man tumbling back down into the galley.
Phaern summoned his blade and lept over the side. His four wings beat furiously as flew straight down at one of the frog-men standing a little ways away from his mates. The three foot long blade appeared to be made of solid electricity as it cut into the creature. It turned around towards the little flying insect trying to swat it away. Phaern retreated and cast another spell, his short rod briefly flashed with light as an aura of shimmering silver fell around him.
The creature lept towards him trying to catch him off guard. Phaern slashed at it with his light-sword inflicting another grievous injury. He could see that some of the men had managed to fight their way onto the deck and Thom two had drawn his rapier and pressed forward. The creature tried to press the attack, but Phaern had managed to evade his attack, flying above the creature's head.
Three more of the frog men appeared on the port side of the ship, leaping over the gunwale and landing solidly on the deck. Phaern retreated again into the air above the one he had been fighting summoning another protective layer. His skin shimmered and hardened into a tough carapace. It lept into the air trying to reach him, but he was too high. From that vantage point, Phaern could see that the men had gained a foothold on the deck. The captain emerged from his cabin, to the fore, his rapier shone in the moonlight.
All across the maindeck the battle raged. It was clear that the ship's crew were not going to take this attack laying down. The frog men were turned aside at last, most of them retreating back down to the deep from whence they came. A cheer rose among the crew, though it quickly died down when they saw that Thom was slung across the wheel. Hurrying to him, they found that the frog-men had cut him with their horrid claws numerous times.
The next morning a service was held for Thom, his body commited to the deep. Phaern spoke for his departed friend as they lifted the plank. The body quickly disappeared off the side of the ship disappearing below the surface of the water.
((OOC - Well you have inspired me to place myself in battle and at sea none the less. If you want to change it to reflect a more realistic (dice rolled) combat just left me know and I can cut it back to the start of the battle. I just thought it might be a little easier for the other players if it was already concluded. Also if you need me to change the destination of the ship to reflect where the campaign is going to take place let me know))
