The Savage Tide, Part 2 (IC)

[PSinger]

Spoiler

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Should have been IC, not OOC.

Darrius nods his head. "Thanks, Tom. I appreciate you not saying anything. Go down and make sure that Sadi cooks something hardy and heavy for the crew and passengers ... no weak stew."

Darrius will do what he can to encourage folks out on the deck during the morning and afternoon. He says that they'll need to enjoy it. "Early in the afternoon the weather decks will be secured for necessary evolutions. Sorry, folks."

He'll then have the message spread among the crew to start only the most basic preparations for weathering the decks. He doesn't want the passengers to panic .... yet.

He'll put Eshalyn and Hifestus to what use he can ... dumb work, basically. But once the ship is fully weathered they are to go below decks with the passengers to help them. They don't know how to fight the ship. The crew can't focus on helping them since they don't know what to do; worse, they might become a liability.

[lostsole31]

The morning sky is overcast and grim, which supports Tom's report to the captain. An hour after the report and a large group of passengers come topside (which includes the blustering Lord Avner), Skald gives the most blessed report.

"LAND! LAND OFF THE STARBOARD BOW!!"

The passengers and crew give a great cheer, and even Skald and the cabin boy Tavey come up to see what is seen. There it is. The ragged, jungle-choked peaks of the Isle of Dread loom on the horizon. The first mate verifies what the captain already knows and what the charts show - the Sea Wyvern has nearly reached her goal. All that remains is to sail down the eastern coast to Farshore.

Alas, by the morning becomes noon, it is obvious that fate does indeed have something in store for the ship as the passengers are sent below. "Routine evolutions for rough weather will be conducted." Sadi (the cook) and Hifestus (the blacksmith) assist Tavey (the cabin boy) in stowing for sea. Eshalyn is made to assist Sadi in tying things down.

The rain begins shortly thereafter, and by 2:00 a second storm is in full force. This one is much more powerful than the first one the ship encountered before - not quite a hurricane, but close ... just as Tom predicted. Over the next many hours, with the aid of the souls captains that have plied these seas before, Captain Darrius is able to keep the Sea Wyvern from any life-threatening rolls or washes; they happen, and the crew is exhausted, but no one is in peril as they work their damnedest for their captain to fight the seas.

At sunset, a tremendous lurch strikes the ship and the sound of splintering wood fills the air. The ship comes to a sudden stop, and most of the passengers shriek and fall forward prone. Topside, the doctor and the bo'sun are thrown down to the deck. Waves crash against the ship, which now lists perilously to port. Doc Cohen and Ms. Venkalie are thrown into the water on the port side.

Darrius, you are personally at the wheel (which is why the ship actually did as well as it did). Eshalyn, you are below decks. Tom, you have some (RP only, not game mechanic) exhaustion because for the last several hours you've been working at top form with the rest of the crew.

What is everyone's most immediate action?

[MikelaC1]

The lurching and sound of splintering wood is enough to tell Eshalyn that the ship is in trouble, and she can do a lot more good on the top deck, rather than down in the hold. She heads for the stairs to gain access up.

[Swami Monsoon]

"Man overboard!"

Tom steps off his perch and lets himself drift down towards the deck, making sure he keeps a firm grip on a line so as not to be blown off course by the wind. Once he lands he looks for a length of rope or a buoyant object that could be used as a life preserver...

[PSinger]

"Agnipati!" the captain yells. "Anchor Tom's efforts to draw up Ms. Venkalie!"

"Sadi! Head down below. I want you, Hifestus, and Tavey to give me a damage report. Veldirose, external damage report! Lazer! Since you're down there, as soon as Amella is out, give me an underhull report."

[lostsole31]

Eshalyn moves topside even as she passes the cook (who is heading below). She has to move carefully as the ship is at a good angle to port.

Captain Darrius is keeping on the helm. There is still enough control there that he can keep the ship from rolling or washing on whatever stationary object is there. Tom, with the doc's help, gets Amella back onboard.

Lirith calls out in the howl of the wind and rain, "It's hard to say, captain! But we definitely are going to need a baling party while we shore this up. It seems we hit a reef."

Darrius, you are kind of stuck as the helm desperately needs your top end skill.

Tom, Eshalyn ... what do you do?

[MikelaC1]

Eshalyn will look for something to hold onto to prevent from being washed overboard, and will also look to see if there is any sort of live opponent that is trying to make their lives miserable.

(1d20+9)[25]

[PSinger]

Darrius will make sure he does his best to keep the ship as righted as possible as his crew respond to their orders.

Spoiler

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Just in case you need it. Max E to sailor's bracers (no difference than before), Profession: Sailor (1d20+15)[19]

[Swami Monsoon]

Tom looks to Darrius for orders...

[lostsole31]

Knowing that the captain is focused on the helm, the first mate says, "Tom, start securing some of the lines that have ---"

SPLASH ... KER-THUNK!!!

A huge, eel-like creature bursts forth from the water onto the deck of the ship, but Eshalyn manages to notice just in time.

Luckily, the weather-eyed crew (with help from Tom's aura of presence), seem to be ready as soon as the thing comes aboard.

S1T24: Darrius maintains control of the ship, despite the weight of the monster. The best you can do is a SwA, and anything more than that can put the ship in dire peril since you are putting your all into this effort.

S1T23: Tom, this wormlike fish measures nearly thirty feet from tip to tail. Its face is a terrible maw of grinding teeth, with two beady eyes peering out from the crown of its head. Large spines rise from its sinuous back, shuddering and rattling with menace. The creature can reach nearly anyone on deck, with some of its body trailing into the water as well. You have no idea what this hideous creature is, but it might have some relationship to sea dragons or other fell and mythical beasts.

[Swami Monsoon]

OH HELL NO...

Tom jumps back and exhales a jet of ice crystals and super-cooled air at the creature...

Spoiler

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Breath weapon damage (3d6)[16]
Delay (1d4)[1]

[lostsole31]

S1T23: OH HELL NO...

Tom jumps back and exhales a jet of ice crystals and super-cooled air at the creature. The crashing and shuddering deck against the seas minimizes the blast to only 8 cold.

S1T22: The hideous creature roars in Tom's face, the foul brine and odor of digesting fish (or worse) spraying into his face. It then bites forward, but a faint deflection field makes it's many ringed maw glance off of Tom's armor.

S1T19: Shouting Tree performs a fantastic feat of acrobatics (32) to come up next to the thing, readying his spear at the same time. He easily sinks the spear into its side for 13 with his Spear of Fertility. In anger at the attack, one of the creature's spines quivers and he gets punctured in the right knee for 10.

S1T15: The tall, powerful red-haired woman that Eshalyn was introduced to as Agnipati grabs a spear from a quiver she has and stands before the monster, opposite Shouting Tree. Her form then takes on a strange, humanoid eel-like form with dark skin.

S1T14: "Surely tis only an animal!" calls Amella. "But a right sizeable one like a small barge. Can you imagine the glory you could get for a kill like this'n? Have at 'im mateys! This reminds me of a monologue in a play I wrote a-sea last year..."

She begins a monolog that is about inspiration and courage, but told through a farcical (and bawdy) vein ... and laughter is its own inspiration!

S1T11: The only one out of range, having worked the bowsprit, is Skald. He takes out his bow and fires an arrow, only to have the arrow bounce off of its rubbery skin. "That's right, Ms. Venkalie, it's a masher. Nothing but an animal, but more dangerous than many creatures we've seen."

S1T10.9: "Be careful!" shouts the Doc in warning. "Those quills are poisonous. How are you, Shouting Tree?"

"I am well, Doctor. There was a strong burn, but my blood and my body are as hearty as any beast."

"Good."

The Doc takes out his hammer, and touches one of the beads hanging from a necklace and prays briefly and quietly to Moradin. More good feelings, as the group is filled with courage and skill in warfare.

S1T10.8: A distorting field of force distorts light waves around the first mate briefly before disappearing. From his very hand is formed a sword-like construct like energy ... all very unlike Eshalyn has ever experienced before. Even the former seemed very much like a shield spell, and yet there was something about it that was different ... such as not needing to speak or gesticulate.

S1T10: Eshalyn, you are about 15' from this thing, on the aft side. What do you do?

[MikelaC1]

ESHALYN

Not wanting to start off her new career on this ship with a miss, Eshalyn goes for the less powerful but more sure route of launching a magic missile spell at the beast...at her power level, 3 bolts streak out.

Spoiler

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(3d4+3)[9]

[lostsole31]

S1T10: Not wanting to start off her new career on this ship with a miss, Eshalyn goes for the less powerful but more sure route of launching a magic missile spell at the beast...at her power level, 3 bolts streak out to hit it for a total of 9 force.

Surprise Round Ends, Round One Begins ...

R1T24.1: Overcoming her initial shock, Lirith darts along the uneven decking at full speed despite the chance of sliding into the water, charging into the beast, but with her falchion cutting the surface but not getting past the fat layer.

R1T24: Darrius, while your people fight the masher, you can either join combat and leave the ship to possible wreck further, or you can try to dislodge the ship. What do you do?

Spoiler: Actions

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If the former, it takes 2 squares of movement (as if "uphill") unless you make a DC 12 Acrobatics check if you want to close distance. If the latter, simply make a DC 20 Profession (sailor) check to use your knowledge (and the souls bound in your bracers) of seas and the ship in concert with the raging storm to get the ship off of the reef.

[PSinger]

"Mr. Kahir! You better get that damn thing off my deck!" calls Darrius as he tries to get the ship off the reef.

Spoiler

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Profession (sailor), full E, (1d20+15)[28]

[lostsole31]

R1T24: "Mr. Kahir! You better get that damn thing off my deck!" calls Darrius. Despite the crashing waves, he settles into a trance ... picking up the nuances of the wind, the churning of the ocean, the angle of the ship, even the sounds of the reef to judge where the coral ends and the sea begins. With a rush into the real world, he adjusts the helm as necessary and the ship is free of the reef.

"Aye, Captain!" answers Mr. Kahir. He then orders the crew, "You heard him. We already handled one stowaway, let's show this thing how good we are at it!"

R1T23: Tom, your breath weapon has already returned. Because of it's huge size and the fact that you are standing dead center to its hideous maw, you can breathe without hitting friends. Also, having fought the ship you don't have your shield out, and your aura is still set for draconic senses. What do you do?

Masher on deck, Shouting Tree in the hole ...

[Swami Monsoon]

Tom exhales another blast of cold at the creature and then tries to move out of the way of the snapping jaws...

Spoiler

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Breath weapon (3d6)[14]
Recharge (1d4)[1]
Move to side of creature, trying to get in flanking position opposite Shouting Tree
Change aura to Toughness

[lostsole31]

R1T23: Tom exhales another blast of cold at the creature and then tries to move out of the way of the snapping jaws. It's wriggly nature and skin help it deal with Tom's breath, the latter dealing 7 cold. Agnipati is where Tom would like to have stepped to flank with Shouting (or vice versa), but he finds that he is pinned; any attempt to move more than that might be worse than just facing the prospect of one attack. Meanwhile, everyone's super-enhanced senses diminish to normal, but there is a faint stiffness of the skin.

R1T22: It had spat in Tom's face, only for him to breathe onto it. The incensed (or rather opposite of incendiary) masher rears up and lashes out again, biting Tom in the neck for 21 mod damage!

R1T19: Shouting Tree stabs into the monster for 8 (min). Once again, the spines quiver and slash in a side arc to hit Tom for 8 mod, trading blow-for-blow.

R1T15: Agnipati, on the other side of Shouting Tree, does her classic spear-spin from 10' away, hitting with two strikes for 24.

R1T14: The bo'sun still gives her monologue, but gives a slight break to try to cast a spell - failing when her desire for protection outweighs her need to succeed with the spell.

"Amella, you four-legged Cyrano!" she curses to herself before resuming her monologue.

R1T11: Skald fires a single arrow again, but this time it hits its mark for 9. The masher howl-screeches in pain from that strike.

R1T10.9: The Doc flies around and down to a spot just behind and above Shouting Tree. He casts CMW and reaches down to fully cure the beastmaster.

R1T10.8: Mr. Kahir splits the mindblade into two smaller forms, and does a double-stab with them into the animal for 10. The monster's breathing is labored.

R1T10: Eshalyn, what do you do?

Lirith in the hole, Darrius and Tom on deck ...

[MikelaC1]

Eshalyn decides to bring out a slightly more powerful attack to finish off the monstrosity. She fires off a scorching ray at the eel like thing.

Spoiler

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(1d20+12)[13] Ranged touch
(4d8)[22] damage

[lostsole31]

R1T10: Eshalyn decides to bring out a slightly more powerful attack to finish off the monstrosity. She fires phasers at the thing, but despite the monster's great bulk she has to adjust her shot to not hit her crewmates, let alone blasting rigging, sails, and setting the ship on fire. Her shot goes very wide, exacerbated by the tossing deck as well.

Spoiler

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Remember to roll Concentration checks for casting spells in a violent storm on a tossing ship deck.

End Round 1, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T24.1: Lirith adjusts her body position from side to side like an old salt, but the sloshing deck has her having to adjust too often and she can't get the leverage to get past the fat layer.

R2T24: Darrius keeps the ship from rolling or washing.

R2T23: Tom, what do you do? Your breath weapon has recharged already.

Masher on deck, Shouting Tree in the hole ...

[Swami Monsoon]

Tom breathes at the creature again, this time aiming towards its tail to avoid hitting his comrades...

Spoiler

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Breath weapon (3d6)[12]
Recharge (1d4)[1]
Is it realistic to assume that I'd have my shield with me while working in the rigging? If so, I'll equip it as my move action.

[lostsole31]

R2T23: Tom breathes at the creature again, and its desperate movements in its peril gives it some breathing room again, taking only 6 cold. Already wary of getting another shot to the neck, Tom readies his shield.

Spoiler: Shield

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If you notice, you don't have the bonus for your shield in the shield block of your AC. It doesn't make sense that you'd have your shield on you while working the rigging ... unless you specifically state that. Either you'd have it secured topside (like a Viking ... which may actually make a lot of sense for you), or below. Btw, the lack-of-friends-in-cone is a DM gimme .... but just for this battle.

R2T22: With a wounded cry, the masher withdraws out of Tom's reach. As it moves a little further away, Agnipati tries to stab but misses. Shouting Tree makes no attempt to use an AOO. A little more and Lirith gets in a cheap shot with her big sword for 16.

The creature's withdraw ends, and it no longer seems consious, but twitches and spasms. Shouting Tree steps over a couple feet, says something reverently under his breath, and then stabs the monster somewhere in the nature of the lower end of its "head" and where its "neck" might be. A coup de grace of 24, and the creature lurches in a stiff arc, and then goes limp.

Regardless of Doc Cohen's desire to study the creature to understand it better in case of another attack, the captain's orders are clear, which means the XO's orders are clear .... get this thing off the deck. To keep people from getting accidentally hit by the spines which are flipping and back and forth on the tossing ship, a quick block-and-tackle system with ropes is used to pull the monster off of the deck and back into the sea.

"Captain!" calls Mr. Kahir while the rest of you are set about fighting the storm again. "That was Masher Reef. We've gone off course in the storm. We can use that section there to cull the chop!"

Captain Darrius, you have no idea what your first mate meant, but you trust his navigation thoroughly. After 2 hours of hard navigation, the storm abates very little, but your ability to sail was helped by Ka'Xet's skill.

Now, it's time for damage assessment and control. The bo'sun is also the lead carpenter and directs bailing and shoring with the whole crew having to work just to keep the Wyvern afloat. As the night grows darker, the Sea Wyvern is in poor shape indeed.

The crippled Sea Wyvern limps along the waves. It should be obvious, but the captain, first mate, and bo'sun finally make the announcement to the rest of the crew and passengers: the vessel will not reach Farshore - that they will be lucky to reach any shore. According to Mr. Kahir, the closest stretch of land beckons only 25 miles away, where a narrow strip of beach along a thick wall of jungle might afford somewhere safe to land.

The storm continues through the night. No crew member gets any rest, what with sailing and bailing and cooking to keep up everyone's energy. Even the passengers have been impressed into the bailing party. All except Avner Merivanchi, of course, who refuses to do so because he is a nobleman who helped fund this doomed trip that the captain's ineptitude has failed.

Although the winds abate enough to keep the ship from rolling or washing, the storm is still strong enough that the tattered ship seems in danger of sinking at any second. Caught by the storm and tide, the badly listing Sea Wyvern is driven toward the northern shore of the Isle of Dread. The primeval vista looms larger before the PCs through the driving rain, periodically lit by flashes of lightning. Suddenly, the ship lurches again, this time throwing everyone to the deck. The Sea Wyvern tilts crazily to the side, lurches one last time, and rolls. The cold, dark sea rushes up to meet the group - above and below decks - and in a cacophonous roar of wave and ruin, all goes dark ...

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Skald

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You hear the sound of water, but this time it is no longer a violent sound. Rather, it is the sound of multiple streams and rivers - some soft and burbling, some strong. You wake and stand, and find you are on a tiny sandbar fed by the same. The air is peaceful but for a cooling wind. You look down and see that your old bow is broken, shattered by some distant storm you only half remember.

Slowly, softly at first, you hear the sound of rushing water and you turn to its source. Coming out of the water - not stepping forward, but simply rising until he stands atop it - is a 15' tall man of black skin. He is obviously a Touv man by coloring and build - a race of dark-skinned humans that fight battles against the human-sacrificing Olmans. Despite that and his incredible height, his hair is not tight and curly black but rather is the source of the sound - a cascading waterfall. To look in his eyes is to see they are full of blue as the see, with a definitely laughing quality. You are struck with absolute awe.

"Walk with me, Skald."

There is no question that you do, a testament to your intuition. You find yourself walking across the water to where there is a brook that led into the lake. As you walk upstream with him, you catch glimpses of little eyes here and there. You see creatures darting about, and it isn't long before your own fantastic senses catch the sight of nereids kissing this massive man's feet, of dryad's sighing with relief as some of his steps up the brook displace water to their tree's roots. All manner of pixies, nixies, brownies, and the like look about and giggle or argue or play. This Man laughes heartily in such a manner - all the while his roving eyes look upon ... a trio of nake nymphs bathing in a side pool. You begin to start in fear of blindness or death, but you are entranced by their beauty; that is when you realize that this obvious dream has no power over your life.

You continue with the dark-skinned giant.

"My name is Vogan, and I am worshipped by the Touv as the god of Rain, Storms, and Weather. Whenever you look to a rain cloud, you a piece of me. Like the others of my ilk who have some claim on the sea, you can see that I am a bit ... temperamental. But I needed you and your companions to land where they did. If you land at Farshore too early, the Enemy will gain strength too quickly.

"I have watched you a long time, my friend. You have never had the use for the wanton nature of Procan, Xerbo, and the like. You have a great heart, one that no one saw. You bore prejudice with dignity and endurance; you fought for your fellow crew members with courage. You have endured hardship and in doing so you still feel hunted by a criminal and are called 'Cursed' even among those who should be your friends. I have watched you call on me, even when you did not know me.

"Know me now. I am Vogan and I am the spirit of the rain and storms. Pray to me for necessary rain; pray to me to stave off storms; pray to me to wash away or blow away your enemies. When you are not adventuring - or even when you find time to do so - clean befouled ponds and streams, and arrange marriages between tribes, clans, and families. When next you find them, get bracers of metal with green stones ... this shows water surrounded by your purity, lending you strength. This metal shall not impede your blessings. My Touv people typically arm themselves with spears, atlatls, daggers, short swords, and shortbows.

"However, you are not Touv but I take you into my arms for the fight you may have on my ancient enemy's ground, and your superior weaponry is fair. To aid you, I give you the Starbow. It was fashioned by my son Vundo and my daughter Xanag, and forged in my wife Nola's heart.

"But it is you who have questions of your own heritage. You now so much about the fey, but not yourself. I remove from you the faint sense of fey. Your mind must open more than it did; it will still be strong against invasion, but no longer impervious. Your good heart always balked at taking another's will, even directly with a charm; to that end, you may no longer do so except to put someone to a sleep that does not override their free will. My present to you is that when you wake you will see that I have brought you so much closer to your ancient parents of the rivers - those whom were beloved of mine as you are. You have lost none of the adaptabiity of your human forebears, but you are now a spirit of the natural world ... not just a protector and guardian.

"Awake now, Skald. Take my love with you, and bring it with you in action to the peoples you meet, and teach them to respect the sky and the land it sits beneath."

You drift back into restful sleep before you finally awaken with the others ...

It is early morning, an the storm has subsided. The air is cloyingly hot and humid, and damp sand clings to every surface. You all regain your senses on a lonely beach, desolate save for a scattering of wreckage and a few other survivors. All you have is what you had on you at the time of the crash - all other gear is probably on the ship, which is caught on the rocks some 200' from shore.

What do you do?

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Eshalyn D'Hista

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A Nessian's voice is heard in your head as you are waking up: "Sshhee iss pleeeased. You hhaave braaved much to thisss point. Reeemember your ssspellss, and hhave caare, but Ythimeyt willl hhhellp youu whhenn you wish-sh-sh-sh-sh to taake your enemyy'sss power. Usssed welll, it caaahn aaid your fellowww fated."

[PSinger]

Lazer goes around and starts to wake everyone up. He'll check on Tom first, because Winter Wonderman might have problems in this climate and Lazer has to see how he'll do.

He scoops out a little basin of sand near Tom's head so he has a "container" and he casts create water into it. He dribbles it onto Tom's face near the brow, and then as a healer he will dab about carefully so as not to spook him. He casts endure elements on him to keep him cooler.

"Tom. Tom? Can you hear me?"

The voice is vaguely similar to Rabbi Cohen's, yet there are subtle differences.

He calls out. "Is anyone else here awake?"

[TickleMeTemplar]

A voice drifts over Skald in his slumber. This voice is different from the first, bound in the real world and not his subconscious. It stirs him from his sleep. Skald bolts upright in the sand, moving too fast as the blood rushes from his head, and nearly blackouts again. He steadies himself briefly before doing a once over to ensure all limbs and digits are intact. As the fog clears slowly from his mind he begins to remember bits and pieces of a strange dream.

As Skald surveys the wreckage immediately around him something strange catches his eye: a peculiar looking bow. "My, my. Aren't you the most remarkable thing..." He says softly to himself, recognizing the star-patterned bow from his dream. Skald turns the bow over in his hand several times, admiring the balance and weight. Satisfied, he loops it over his shoulder and collects whatever remains of the rest of his personal affects. When he is put together he walks towards the direction of the voice he heard, searching for other survivors.

[MikelaC1]

ESHALYN
sss ssss sss

Eshalyn shakes her head, looking around.

Over here, I am awake

[lostsole31]

Skald, you are mesmerized by the bow. When you pick it up, the beautiful silver limbs and green riser call to you. In addition, you recognize that the bow is stout enough to act as a masterwork staff (both ends). You immediately have an internal flash, and then it is gone. Once you take real stock post-pull of Starbow, you begin to notice some peculiar things.

There are three items sitting just to the side of the bow: a quiver, a ring, and a set of cords you would put around your waist. Upon handling these, you recognize them for what they are:
cord of stubborn resolve
efficient quiver
ring of sustenance

The ring seems to be pre-attuned to you. The quiver, on the other hand, is tremendously stocked with every possible weapon available in it: 60 arrows, 18 javelins, and 6 spears. It seems that either Vogan expects you to use all of these, or perhaps share with the party or even others at some point.

You recognize another thing ... you no longer have your studded leather armor. As you turn about, you also feel some strange muscular actions about the upper-center part of your back and shoulders. A little twitch here and there produces a buzzing noise. You force your muscles and FWOOP! Craning your neck to each side you see that you have wings. Wings like that of a dragonfly - long and ovoid and translucent but for an opalescent sheen. Beautiful if on a dragonfly, perhaps terrifying on you; for you to decide. As your emotions rise, the wings beat frenetically, lifting you off ground and then with no training you flop unceremoniously on the beach.

Even then, you sense a quickness and suppleness of body you have never realized, and your attunement to the natural world is enhanced.
...............................

Eshalyn senses a figure looming over her. This heavily armored dwarf scoops out some water near your head and casts create water into it to help your parched lips and to cool your face and head. Coppery skin, blonde hair, eyes of beaten bronze, and armor that gleams in a way that can only be mithral. The mithral full plate is highly stylized and is made in a way to be very mobile. There are four wings that come from his back. The "standard" larger pair on top, and a slightly smaller pair that probably comes from just slightly middle of the back. It takes a minute before you finally recognize from the kindness of the newly colored eyes and that of his loving grin that this must be that ship's surgeon and priest, Rabbi Cohen (or Dr. Cohen, or Mr. Cohen, as you would address him aboard ship). The best you can figure is that somehow his patron has changed this half-celestial's skin and eyes for whatever reason ... and gave him armor.

Wait a minute! is a thought in your head as you feel around to try to account for what you have (which is nearly nothing that was on your sheet for sundry items). You feel Ythimeyt and her changes, and then you notice the belt and the rod. Touching them, and you know what they are and what they do.

[Swami Monsoon]

Tom comes slowly awake...

"Hey, I'm OK... thanks, I'm OK"

I think I'm OK... Wow, what the hell happened to the Doc?

He struggles to take in the scene around him and the survivors, several of whom look... different... now. And the ship...

Am I dreaming all of this? I'd better be, or else we are all so, so screwed...

[PSinger]

Eliezer does a head count. Is everyone still here?