Tale of the Clueless - Chapter 1: On the Seas of Air [IC Thread]

[Nalfeshnee]

'All things i have been thinking fo myself. the man who spoke said he had 'sources'. I am not sure i like the use of that word. Well i suppose it is easy enough to find out about an artefact. The next step would bring the name and whereabouts of its owner. I do not make a habit of advertising my dealings, but i make no effort to hide them either.

'As i said, i am not a man of the Cage and faction politicking is centred in that city. My knowledge is limited - what a trader would learn in his travels, you could say. As a faction, the Sons of Mercy - or Martyrs, as most bloods call them - beleive in good and the existence of justice to uphold that good. But cells exist in all factions, and what these mens' beliefs are, and how they diverge from the factions' core, i cannot say.

'It may be strange to your ears, but despite its infinite scale, the Great Wheel is a small place and news travel quickly when it wants to be discovered. As regards how they found me; I procured the weapon off a dealer in Tradegate - a border town in the Outlands that leads to the plane of Bytopia; which, if my knowledge of planar geography serves me correctly, is the home of the Martyrs. The gnomes of tradegate are not a particularly scretive posse. If paid for information they would give it. If they got my name, it would have been a (relatively) simple matter of following me all the way here. That is one way the story could ahve unfolded,' says Beni, exhaling. 'I do not think they will be pleased to hear this, but... like you, i feel we should take this to the Sheikh. From there i will personally try to persuade him to lend them the weapon. I only hope he is in a good mood when we meet him. He is not known for wanton generostiy, especially to folk not of his realm.

'But that is a problem for the future. We have enough to think of now,' he says, nodding to the Martyr's ship. He waves to Kergal who is looking attentively, and whispers. 'Be peery. if things escalate into blow i want you ready. try not to draw blood - i have no quarel with these men and the last thing i want is their souls on my concience. Drive them off the ship... should it come to that.'

Drahluut and Derrick nod their approval, though the nerra seems suspicous of his captains trust in what he would call no more than 'mercenaries'. He regards you (the PC's) and turns to the crew, whispering commands. Derrick stands beside Beni as the Martys board the ship

They are unaccompained, and, for the moment are not hostile.

OOC: any last minute actions, now is the time - i will give everyone a chance to post now, to make sure no one is left out

 

[Ambrus]

Sitting on Terrathoin's broad shoulder, Vor discreetly whispers a few words of power as he watches the two Martyrs begin to cross the plank joining the ships. Unfurling his wings, the little dragon glides over to perch upon the gunwale closest to the other ship while keeping his attention focused on the two men and his posture unthreatening.[sblock=Nalfeshnee]I'm going to try to pick up a copy of Dragon Magic tomorrow; the first day it'll be for sale at my FLGS. I'll look it over and post my proposed character changes if I have any ASAP after that. Taking that into account, my combat options may change significantly between now and then. For now I'm just going to say that Vor has cast mage armor to prepare for a possible fight.[/sblock]

 

[Eva of Sirrion]

Mir has a pensive look on her face. I don't think our captain sees us getting through this without it coming to blows. I hope he's wrong, but in case he isn't...

She grasps her holy symbol, with the blue figure-8 displayed prominently forth.May the Blue Lady bring hope, guidance and courage in our time of need.

[sblock=ooc]casting bless spell[/sblock]

She stands aside Terrathoin and Vor, and addressing the tiny wyrmlike creature. Maybe once things settle down a bit we could sit down and talk more about that steel export business you had in mind?

 

[Dichotomy]

Idim shakes her head. "It is not for me to decide what we should do for these people," she says resolutely. "I will do what I have said I will do."

The Shaaryan girl, outwardly calm, waits for what is to come.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

Drota simply waits quietly, one hand on her stone holy symbol, the other on her spear. What would happen next would determine the fate of all... "Stay near me if battle breaks out, Luthic's power will protect my children," she says in a low voice.

 

[Saloric Windrunner]

Thrumgall stands next to Mir, He holds his bow in one hand. If fighting breaks out stay close together. If I see anyone trying to cast a spell on us I'll put an arrow in him.

OOC: I'm leaving on a business trip for a few nights. I should have internet access in the evening but just in case I don't, here's my plan. I'll use my bow as much as possible. If I see someone casting spells at us then he'll be my primary target. Otherwise, I'll target people not yet in melee. If I am forced into melee I'll use my axe and try and protect Drota and Mir.

 

[Ambrus]

She stands aside Terrathoin and Vor, and addressing the tiny wyrmlike creature. Maybe once things settle down a bit we could sit down and talk more about that steel export business you had in mind?

Vor gifts Mir with one of his long saurian smiles. "I'd be happy to. I don't suppose you recall whereabouts was your portal to Krynn do you?"

 

[Gli'jar]

"If it comes to it, I'll handle the footmen, but you gotta keep the spellslingers busy." Terathoin replies, "Not too close either, they'll catch us all in one spell. We should move back to our positions. Cover the treasure. He says in a lower voice as he begins to move.

 

[Nalfeshnee]

Kargal and Liomann return, their helmets held tightly in their hands. Slowly, they walk over the gangplank, with their crew overing them from behind. Some weild crossbows, and stand, their postures not entirely threatening, just prepared. Others cling to their rigging, knives in mouth and eyes peery.

The sails on both ships flutter madly in the wind, though do little actual moving. Despite the wind, the air is still, filled with a palpable tension. Perhaps it is fear, or the acceptance that what you were hired to do may actually come to take place, not at the hands of pirates or wandering monsters, but a group of (supposedly) god men and women, whose goal is (supposedly) a just one. It is a strange multiverse, indeed.

The two armoured figues find themselves standing upon The Sea Breeze, their demenour outwardly calm. Kergal nods to Beni in respect. 'You have conferred with your crew, I hope?

Beni returns the gesture. 'Yes. And i will not delay my response - We all agree: the weapon is not our to lend. If you truly want it, follow us to the its destination and petiition its owner. I will offer to help as -'

'What!'scoffs Liomann, speaking aloud for the first time. He turns to Kergal; 'This cannot be tolerated, brother. we must take the weapon, by force if need be.'

Kergal is quiet for a moment. 'No. The elemental is right. Give us your world, Beni al Gumain, and we shall follow you to your destination, only if you decide to help us in our endevaour. The time wasted following you must be retificed somehow.

Beni hesitates for a moment, visibly surprised by the decision. Ne nods finally. I will help you, but it is up to the others to decide for themselves what they wish to do.

Kergal nods 'So be it.' and returns to his ship without further word. Liomann does not seem pleased by this and his gaze lingers for a while before he too leaves for the ship. The crew of the martyred Justcie heckle Beni as their leaders return to the ship, though Kergal gestures for them to stop.


'Is that is? you are just going to let them follow us? Is that wise captain?' says Drahluut.

Beni turns to him and the rest of the crew. 'Would you prefer a fight?'

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"Let them follow us and ask the shiek on his home ground. They will not be so eager to take it by force then," Drota comments to the others.