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Post by Baron Sir Katzu the Farquestor on Nov 19, 2012 7:57:00 GMT -5
The crew was of a mixed mood. On the one hand, they had turned aside a Kraken and had preserved the Neverwinterese treasure in the hold, on the other, it had inflicted so much damage to the hull that she was hopelessly taking on water and would barely make Crimson Moon without lightening the load.
Morale was low and Katzu was running out of options. scanning the deck as disenchanted sailors moved about their tasks, he wish he knew where this feeling was coming from.
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Post by Lord Master Godric Greywolf on Nov 19, 2012 13:23:32 GMT -5
As Godric sat with his back to the mast that he fought so hard to keep mended and whole, he realized that he was physically exhausted. He looked up and seen the amount of damage to the ship. It was a miracle they were still floating. He looked at katzu as he walked up. "Well, we have it hell and came out on top. But I fear how far we will get before we sink. I'm all out of mends and I used all my heals on the crew. I hope you aren't too disappointed." Godric started to get up but fell back down. "but at least we have the bragging rights of killing a kraken." then godric smiled and fell asleep.
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Post by Ambellina Farseer on Nov 19, 2012 14:28:35 GMT -5
Ambellina approached Katzu with a quizzical look. She spoke barely louder than a whisper, "Captain, the crew seems excessively weary and troubled. I have made many quiet inquiries, but none admit to being distressed. I don't understand."
Katzu chuckled and gave Ambellina a good-humored slap on the shoulder. "Ah, young lass, men are very delicate beings, they are. They'd often rather succumb to death from worry than ever admit to each other, least of all to a lady, that they fret at all. They've too much pride for that."
"Well then, Captain, what is there to do?" Ambellina asked. "The tension here is so thick and hangs so heavily over the crew, it alone could sink the ship."
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Post by Vlad na Scrath on Nov 19, 2012 19:35:06 GMT -5
Against the twisted and mangled wreckage of the bow Vlad stood, weiry from the struggle. As the sun settle on the rim of the see he could feel his rage subsiding and his want...no...need...nay thirst for blood emerging as his body longed to replenish and heal itself. He knew that the Farquester would at best reach the barrier islands of the Marsh ridden coast, and he'd have to wait till then to replenish himself, lest he face the captain wrath...damn those articles! The wind on his face he rested and watched the stars begin to glimmer as he settled in for a long night and the day to come, hoping he wouldn't have to swim.
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Post by Ambellina Farseer on Nov 20, 2012 8:41:47 GMT -5
Ambellina began a slow, deliberate walk around each crew member on deck. As she wove between them, she sang a song about a beautiful woman waiting on the shoreline, watching the horizon for the ship that would bring her lover home. She intended to start a fire in the men, fueled by love and by lust, in hopes of reminding them of what awaited them once they returned home.
She saw their eyes all turning to glass as their gazes went to a distant place. She knew she'd gotten them right in the feels when, from the wheelhouse, she heard "This be time wasted here when there be ready wenches on shore, men! Step lively! It's time we be back to port!"
The men shouted a cheer back, and doubled their efforts in the attempt to make the Farquestor ready for the journey home.
Ambellina looked at Katzu, and through the commotion and the chatter, she said "Some things remain ever true about men."
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Post by Ambellina Farseer on Nov 21, 2012 15:29:53 GMT -5
Indeed, the crew had found its second wind. Each man moved as if the entire crew were engaged in a lively dance. The Druids continued to mend the gaping wounds in the ship's hull and the fractures in the masts. The deckhands scurried cheerfully to and fro putting the ship's cargo to rights. Some men busied themselves mending the tears in the sails. Ambellina scarcely found a task with which she might be of assistance.
Once the sails were repaired and hoisted, Katzu himself took the helm and, thanks to a welcomed wind, the Farquestor lurched forward sluggishly toward Crimson Moon. Toward home. At the first sign of forward motion, the crew exploded into a fit of laughter, cheering, and congratulations to each other. It seemed that the White Light had answered their call.
The crew sailed on through the night, finally resting well after all that had befallen them in the last few days. Not a single man moved about. Even the helmsman had fallen asleep in the corner of the wheelhouse.
All were at peace...
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Post by Ambellina Farseer on Nov 21, 2012 21:34:52 GMT -5
Ambellina is stirred from her deep slumber in the hold of the ship. She was unsure if the sound shed just heard was in a dream or not. It sounded like a scream. A deep, piercing bellow like that of a predatory animal in immense pain.
Before investigating, she thought it wise to arm herself, just in the slight chance that something dangerous had managed to board the Farquestor. She found the key to her chamber door, tucked safely away, and unlatched her barred door. She moved slowly and silently about the ship, careful to not wake the crew unnecessarily, but also fully on her guard.
After the ship was thoroughly scrutinized, Ambellina decided that the monstrous scream she'd heard was simply a dream. She returned to her safe little corner of the ship and locked herself securely inside. Now, she was sure, she could sleep until sunrise.
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Post by Vlad na Scrath on Nov 23, 2012 20:35:01 GMT -5
Vlad awoke with the first beams of the sun. He had slept on the bow of the ship. His thought drifted to the days in the gulf and the kraken that had found them unsavory neighbors. His thought were interrupted by the sound of birds, the mating call of the Marsh hen and such,'Wait a Marsh hen?', Vlad thought. 'They don't come this far into the gulf!' With that he mustered his strength and climbed to the crows nest to find Master Greywolf sleeping. Looking out over the water he could see the faint outline of the small Marsh trees! "LAND!!", he yelled startling Godric to consciousness and nearly making him fall out of the next. "Godric, we made it...and not a moment too soon I'd say!"
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Post by Ambellina Farseer on Nov 25, 2012 0:42:49 GMT -5
As the sky grayed with the rising sun, and the gulls took to the sky, Ambellina was again jerked from her deep, dreamless sleep. The icy fingers of the ocean aggressively lapped at her, then flooded the floor of the cell in which she slept. Her garments and bedding began to float around her. She heard no sounds from the decks above her. The crew did not know the Farquestor was going to sink.
Ambellina reached into her boot and found the key to her cell. She quickly unlatched the door and flew up the stairs.
"All awake! The ship's going down! Step lively men, lest you go with her!"
She ran through the crew's quarters, making as much noise as she could find to make. She grabbed a spoon and a tin cup and clanked them together furiously as she yelled her warning over the sleepy, dazed men.
As they woke and heard her message, the men fled their beds, grabbed their weapons and a few grabbed certain personal items of great value, and headed above deck. Ambellina then made her way to the Captain's quarters, expecting to find Katzu still abed. Ambellina began her warning before she'd entered the door, "CAPTAIN! WAKE, SIR--" she stopped when she entered his chamber. He was sitting at his table, head in his hands and a bottle of rum in front of him. He turned his head to face her slightly. "Lass, you alone bring more racket than a team of screaming banchees. Hush now. Here, have a seat."
"But captain," she started, "the ship is sinking!"
"Do you think I've not known this? I'm well familiar with my own ship, m'lady. I know how she dances with the sea when she is lively and limber. She lost her grace the day we took the Neverwinterese ship. She lost her will to dance in her standoff with that damnable Kraken. Aye, I've known. I've danced the farewell dance with her." Katzu's eyes glistened with the tears he refused to shed. He looked distant, and Ambellina knew not how to rescue his mind. Slowly, she sank into a chair next to him and poured a glass of rum for herself. She placed the bottle back in front of the forlorn captain. She took a drink. Another. 'How, in the name of the White Light, do I convince this man to abandon that which he holds so dear?'
Just then, the door to the Captain's quarters burst open, and Vlad hurried through, exclaiming victoriously, "Captain! There's land ahead! We've made it home!"
Ambellina reeled in her seat. "Again?" She demanded, "Best be sure of your words. Report that again." There was as much caution as threat in her voice.
Vlad stared at her incredulously, but began again, careful to articulate the words through his thick accent, "I said I've seen land. It is close! It will be no time at all and we will be again docked safely!" The victory shone on his face. Both for reciting the words so smoothly and for being a part of the crew that made it home.
Katzu chuckled. "Boy, have you not noticed that the deck beneath your feet is much closer to the water this morning?"
Ambellina stifled a laugh and turned away from Vlad. She knew well how the vampire hated being called "boy" as much as he hated being spoken to as a half-wit. Even in jest. She could feel his anger radiating from him, and in hopes of diffusing the potentially ugly outburst, she interjected, "Vlad, the ship is taking on water, and fast. Would you please find Godric and meet us on deck in a moment?"
Vlad did not respond. He nodded silently and left. Ambellina was glad he had left without word. He might have otherwise lost his temper.
"So Captain, shall we join your crew on deck?" Ambellina offered gently.
Katzu raised one shoulder in a pathetic resignation to what must be done. He stood and started toward the door, then without warning, he turned back to the table. He snatched up the bottle of rum, wearing the defiant face of a toddler in a tantrum, then paced out into the deck, swigging the rum as he went. Ambellina couldn't help but smile after him. She picked up her swords and strapped them to her waist as she walked out the door.
The whole crew had gathered upon the deck, eyes peering beyond the bow, to the land they were approaching. Some looked over the sides of the ship at the rising waters. Some closed their eyes and prayed. Katzu and Ambellina found Godric and Vlad, and fell in line beside them. They all looked at each other and nodded gravely. It needn't be said that the Farquestor would not make it fully in to port.
As the ship sluggishly moved forward, the waves began lapping up onto the deck. Anxiety hung as a dense fog over the crew. No one dared move. No one wanted to speak. Then just as the water began to flood the deck, all of the crew took to the frigid water and began to swim. Ambellina guessed that they'd all shared her current thoughts of home and family. She swelled with pride to see the determination in these men. Some of them held on to pieces of wood that had broken off and floated to the surface of the gulf waters. Some of them simply swam with the fierce determination of fathers and husbands set on returning to their families. Some of those around her simply stated "teleporting" and disappeared. She envied them at that moment. She knew she would have to brave the icy waters in order to see her brothers and sisters and hold her husband again. 'Well, here we go,' she thought as she eased herself into the water. Her breath caught in her throat as her body tried to manage the shock of the cold Gulf. She set her mind toward the shore and willed that she would be warm and dry soon enough.
She looked nowhere but straight ahead, into the promise of solid ground and a fire and dry clothes. She focused so intently on that thought, she scarcely noticed the small boat that paddled up next to her and the hands that reached into the water and hoisted her into the boat. She looked around at the faces of those that shared this small boat. Most of them were shivering and wet, the crew of the Farquestor. The one man at the bow and the man rowing the boat were as familiar to her as her own face in a looking glass. Bren paused in his rowing to offer a warm smile and a big wave "Hello." Gremio smiled at her from the bow and offered, "Fitz is on his way. The obsidian wall showed him the ship in the gulf and he summoned the smaller boats for rescue. He will be on the shore when we get there, I'm certain."
Ambellina knew nothing to say. She was as relieved and grateful as she was cold.
She watched as three small boats paddled about and picked up her fellow crew members and friends and carried them all to shore. To the comfort of family and friends...and dry land.
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Post by Vlad na Scrath on Nov 25, 2012 1:47:17 GMT -5
Sitting in a skiff, surrounded by the sailor with which he fought, Vlad could feel nothing but a deep seated sorrow and annoyance with most everyone. There is no reason or driving force behind his anger, it seemed almost natural; after all he had lived this way since that night...
This was no way to live, angry all the time. He knew that he needed peace, the peace that only those who followed the white light seemed to posses. But how could he convince one of them to show him the way, most were his brothers in arms or friends with which he had fought who have witnessed his....vampiric tendencies. Perhaps though there is one, one unscathed by the brutality in the wars he has witnessed, one slow to anger, quick to compromise, quick to find the good in people and most of all has an unwavering dedication to spreading the message of the white light--Master Chunko Char.
Yes, his shield brother Chunko, he decided within the place where his soul used to be. He would seek him out and ask for his aid in learning the way of the white light and would hopefully in this journey find the peace he so longed for......
Just as he made up his mind he felt a jolt as the skiff he was in landed on the sand. He stood looking around as he saw so many along the shore, many from the Hand and other people from the duchy. And there he saw the ever present healer doing his work to help the crew of the now sunken Farquestor, and behind him as a guard was Mr. Smilee, Vlad couldn't help but smirk. He hopped out of the vessel and made his way through the shallow surf to the one he hoped would teach him.
"Master Chunko!", said Vlad as he approached," How far you and your happy friend? I have a request to make of you. I need to learn the ways of the White Light as you have. The turmoil in my mind has over taken me and I find it harder and harder to control my rage, a barbaric monster I feel I am becoming, and that is something that I cannot let happen. Please take me on as your student and show me the way..." Vlad stod and waited for a replay, hoping that hope was not lost for him...
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Post by Lord Master Godric Greywolf on Nov 26, 2012 10:27:47 GMT -5
As Godric arrived on dry land, he looked around at the area. It was starting to be full on winter. He looked back to the gulf and tried to see the farquestor. the only thing that could be distinguished as the ship was the two large trees sticking out of the water. at least it would be easy to got the treasure in side of her. But then it would be easy for others to get it too. As more and more boats began to come ashore he recognized a few of the people. Gremio, Chunko, and a few of the servants from the tavern. 'Man what i wouldn't do to see my Lady Artin again' Godric thought to himself. "Gremio my good man. I think we should have words when we get back to the Duchy." Gremio looked at Godric and smiled. " Its good to see you alive Godric. What sort of words are we to have? Dark ones, evil ones, friendly ones?" Godric smiled and shook the man's hand and said " Profitable ones."
On the ride back to Crimson Moon, Godric rode with with Gremio. As they rode on Godric told Gremio of the attack on the Neverwinterese ship and the brave efforts of the crew. "And you should have seen Ambellina cutting away through that crew. It was just..... well it was Beautiful Art. that's what that was . Beautiful, bloody art." Gremio smiled and said almost wish that i was there" then godric told him about the kraken attacking. after that they rode in silence for a while until Godric broke the silence "Greimio, tell me what has all happened since we took to sea. Any word on my Lady Artin?" Gremio looked at Godric and shook his head. " The last i heard of your Lady was that she was going into the untamed wilds in search of a werewolf. she said that she had to. something about it being her brother of something as she sprinted off into the wilds." godric sat there and thought. if she went into the wilds, then she was searching for Valmir. He was her brother, well her brother in arms. but he was unstable at the best of times. damn right viscous even. Godric looked at Gremio, "I need to get back as fast as possible. I need supplies and a horse. And I'm going to need a lots of weapons. Gremio smiled and said, "I thought you would never ask"
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Post by Lord Master Godric Greywolf on Nov 26, 2012 20:24:59 GMT -5
::Godric is continuing on to the sword and sphere tavern::
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Post by Vlad na Scrath on Nov 26, 2012 22:28:20 GMT -5
::same for Vlad::
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Post by Baron Sir Katzu the Farquestor on Dec 6, 2012 9:46:59 GMT -5
Every one had left the shore. Many to home, a few to Kyuden Onishi. Most of the Red Hand home to lovers and brothers. Katzu sat on the beach watching the sunset, bottle of rum in one hand and his mind filled with memories.
Maera gone, Galron gone, the Crimson Moon he had birthed and fought and bled and sacrificed a part of his soul for... gone. Now his ship, which had been there ever under his feet battling gods and monsters from his early days until the Kraken just a few days ago.
Most all of his allies had started ignoring his changes, still seeing the silly little Asian man with the strange swagger and the way he'd carry himself. They looked past the fiery golden eyes, past the changes to his face after his body had reconstituted so many times, past the constant smell of burning incense and most importantly past his usual indifference towards the comings and goings of the common man.
"Common man," he scoffed. Katzu had stopped being a common man years ago; the day he took up his burden as a peer and an Angelic Hero. Nearly a decade of constant warfare, and while he still stood, everything around him - everything he touched - burned.
"Or sank," he added, his face dropping. Raising a toast to the sea, Katzu drained the bottle, sucked in against the burning in his chest, pulled his cloak over him, and fell asleep.
((OOC: Awesome thread. Thanks, guys and gals!))
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