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

[Nalfeshnee]

After a while, the ship – aptly named the Martyred Justice – moves beside The Sea Breeze. Sailors sling rope and plank over the ides to allow access to the two ships. Two heavily armoured figures moves across the planks, their hands raised in a peaceful manner. Beni moves in front of them, with Derrick and Drahluut close behind ‘Welcome aboard the Sea Breeze, I trust the news you bring is good?’

The two men remove their helmets, revealing fine features that belong to a human and a celestial-blooded humanoid. Both are good-looking, with tanned skin and blue eyes and fair hair. In fact, they could easily pass as brothers but for the obvious diffrence in their bloodlines (which coulnd mean nothing in the planes). They bow together once they set foot upon The Sea Breeze, and the latter figrure speaks in a clear, strong voice.

‘that depends on what you mean by good news, my friends.

I am Kergal, High-Factor of the Sons of Mercy. This is Liomann, my half-brother and closest aide. I will be brief for time is ever an issue. We come here beseeching aid. We are currently seeking to deliver justice to an evil tyrant, the killer of many innocent dryads and druids in the Outlands. This tyrant has in his possession a suit of magical armour - The Armour of Al Hassid; an artefact of great power said to be immune to the blows of all but one weapon. It is the companion peice to a Hammer that our sources tell us you carry on board this ship.

The only way this tyrant can be killed is with that weapon. We do not seek to steal it – it is yours to with as you wish, and we do not wish to deprive yo of that, however we need this weapon. We ask to borrow it and we are here to negotiate such an end.'

 

[Nalfeshnee]

Beni scoffs at this remark, barely beleiving what he is saying. Drahluut seems unsettled by what he hears, while Derrick shakes his head slowly, turning to you guards with a look in his eye as if to say - poor sod must think were barmy!.

After a moment Beni replies, moving forward, offering his hand to the other speaker,'Your cause is most commendable, though the Hammer is not mine to give; even so, she is but an oramental weapon, not designe dfor battle.

'Were she my own i would offer you not just the weapon, but the hands of all my crew, not to mention my own talents, which are not inconsiderable. But, alas habib The Hammer of Al Hassid is not mine to share. You have come here for nothing...

The man who introduced himself as Kergal nods slowly, digesting the half-janns' words. 'These are difficult words to hear and you will understand me if i push the matter. The procurment of this weapon is not only in the best interests of the Sons of Mercy, but the Great Wheel itself. Would you turn a blind eye to the murder of the keepers of balance in the Outlands? Rilmani, fey and others, have all been massacared by this man. The Hammer is the only way to stop him and we will have her... forcibly, if that is what it takes.'

Beni turns to Derrick and Drahluut, and his crew behind him, and finally to you - those hired to guard the ship in case of an attack. 'At least give me the chance to speak with my brothers.'

Kergal nods and bows once more. 'We would want nothing else. Send a signal when you are ready, we shall await on our ship,' he says, turning around to head back to his ship. Liomann whispers something to him as they leave, but whatever he says is obscurred by Beni moving before you all.

'I would hear what youm guards, have to say. If it should come to blows, it is your back that will bear the brunt, not ours 0 though we will defend our ship with our lives if need be.'

 

[Eva of Sirrion]

Mir speaks first, If I read your engineer's expression correctly, he doesn't seem to take these fellows at their word. I don't think any of us are fit to judge, seeing as we're "clueless berks," so I'm content to let you decide on that.

My first thought was to see if they'd be willing to travel with us to our delivery and negotiate with our buyer to use it, but on further thinking I don't think they'd be too keen on that idea. On the other hand we're only three days into a 3-week voyage. Could we afford to let our buyer wait a couple more days?

 

[Nalfeshnee]

'If we were to accompany these cutters, that would be a trip to the Outlands - the hub of the Outer Planes. It could take a matter of hours, or days or weeks, depending on what routes they know. Days we could manage, weeks... and the Sheikh will not be pleased. At all.

'Amd the rest of you? You are as much aprt of the crew now as the others.' he says gesturing to Drahluut and the others.

At the motion, Drahluut cried out, his voice exasperated.'You cannot be serious about this Beni! that Hammer is our... responsibility to protect. you cannot think about giving it to Martyrs!'

Derrick is largely silent, though nods his head slowly. 'I have no reason to think thy're using any spells. Yet.'

 

[Gli'jar]

"This is no small ale here. If what they say is true, " Terrathoin points in the direction of the other ship, "Then the hammer is their only hope, but as you said it is not yours to give. No good will come of them attacking us and taking the weapon by force. Like any ruler, 2 gold says this Shiekh will hunt them down for stealing his property. I say we can help represent their case with the Shiekh and help them with this tyrant. A benevolent act on his behalf would raise his status with his own subjects, with the Sons of Mercy, and outside his realm."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

"Magic... Is there a way to speak with this Shiekh with magic? A way to let him know what is passing here? Or a way to know if they speak the truth? Much can be eased with magic, the shaman always said so," Drota puts forth.

 

[Nalfeshnee]

'Not at this distance I am afraid. It is likely the Sheikh's vizier could contach us if need be, but I am afraid my training did not benefit from such a prestigious benefactor.' asys Derrick

 

[Saloric Windrunner]

"Something just doesn't sit right with me about them. Just to coincidental, I think we need to deliver the hammer. They can follow us and petition the Sheikh." Looks over to the Martyred Justice and tries to guage how many fighting men they have on the ship. Captain, what do you know about the Sons of Mercy? Would they act as common pirates?

OOC I'm going to try and determine how many men they have and what are chances are to repel them if they attack us.

 

[Nalfeshnee]

Beni nods. 'An interesting dilemma. No, the Martyrs are, to my knowledge at least, a good party. I do not know much about the factions of the Cage, but from what I now, they are truly good... not like the Harmonium,'' Beni sighs.

'I think i agree with Thrumgall. The Hammer is not mine to lend, though i fear the Sheikh will not be too pleased about the Martyrs' goals.' Drahluut and Derrick both nod at this remark.


[sblock=thrumgall]From what you can see, the ship is roughly the same size as the one you are on, and there may be 20-25 crew; though some may be hiding below deck[/sblock]

 

[Ambrus]

The little dragon perches on the yardarm just above the group while listening to their exchange before dropping down to alight nimbly on Terrathoin's broad shoulder. "I agree with the dwarves; the proper thing to do is deliver the hammer as we've been contracted and allow the Sons of Mercy to petition the Sheikh for it themselves. His reaction will help us to see what cut of a man he is.

Although their tale begs sympathy, I question their sincerity and motives; they've already threatened to use force to take it from us if we refuse to hand it over willingly. Though it might be forgivable if their cause is indeed righteous and desperate, I can't say their approach helps to inspire compassion in me at the moment. Captain, can you tell us more about these men? Who are they to be on this mission, how did they know you'd have the hammer they seek and how did they manage to locate your ship in the boundless blue?"