Mariners of the Red Tornado

[Fredricus]

Iyapo

The boy seems puzzled by the questions about his appearance, people tend to note them but not ask of their origin.

"Don't know, I haven't heard any of my family known to have samekind of appearance. I think it's from a distant branch of family. Haven't lately thought about it, just accepted the fact."

Iyapo looks at her weaponry and smiles. "May I bless you?, you will need it in the battles ahead." he says raising his hand

[Fuzzball]

Xu

Xu hid the frown that wanted to come to her face. Iyapo had a wonderful attitude, though she wondered why he would aviod others if he felt as he seemed to. It was wonderful for him, but a pity for her. For a moment she had thought to have found a kindred spirit. They were rare...

Xu nodded, "I would not reject a blessing. Every bit of help is welcome." A blessing would answer her next question, which was what talents he posessed. She waited with interrest.

[Fredricus]

Iyapo

He smiled a warm boyish smile. "It's good to meet people who haven't heard of me" he says as he makes mystical gestures and finally touches Xu. She feels the weather not too cold or too warm for her.

"It will only last a day" he says a little dissapointed

[Fuzzball]

Xu

Xu smiles back, a rare thing. "I know the feeling. Thank you for the blessing," she bows in an elegant manner. "I would be honored to accept the blessing again tomorrow, if it is still available."

[Nomad5]

Baka

Having been looking for an opportunity to engage the leaders of this crew, Baka will greet Jondalar warmly. "Good fortune to you, Stormlord. I am Baka, a freeman of Tawonga, son of the Priestess of Osiris, and protector of the jungles." Bowing slightly, I have not sailed on a ship before, but I do not fear the heights of your rigging and I am quick on my feet. I will work to learn the task you assign."

"My friend, Chigani, has not told be much of your mission. He has given me information about the crew compliment to consider our travel through the jungle at the next port. But I am curious, what is the nature of the quest and the heavy burden that seems to be carried?"

[Rapscallion]

Jondalar

Jondalar wil smile as speaks "Our quest is twofold for we must recover an ancient artifact in order to remove he dark forces that taint this land. The burden is that we cannot fail or this land and many other will be lost. Out of the original crew that started only a handfull remain. We have had losses enough during this trip. We will see where you can best fit in and are you a priest of your people, if so then you are healer first and foremost"

[Nomad5]

Baka

"I did not have the same calling upon my life. Though the gods have blessed me, and I fight to preserve and restore their creation, especially against the unnatural and undead. I can tend a wound well, but I cannot yet heal it with a prayer. Chigani has told me that my tracking, jungle survival skills, and familiarity with the land will be valuable to the coming expedition. But I can see now that my bow and spear will be welcome.

"If I knew more about our destination I may be able to call a friend from the wild to help guide us through the jungle. Where will this expedition be taking us?

[Rapscallion]

Jondalar

"From your desciption, are you a Paladin or Ranger of Osiris ? Perhaps a wild paladin ?. As to our destination I know it is a fabled structure deep in the jungle sealed off from the rest of the world by both barriers natural and unatural."

Jondalar will lean on his spear as he talks to Baka.

[BlueWizard]

Chigani should have informed most of the people on the mission: That first they were involved in obtaining an artifact, that would eventually aid in battling the prophesied guardians of the Sceptre of the Scorpian. The sceptre is a legend in many cultures, but this crew has a map. The sceptre is said to be able to save the earth.

The Antarian people {some of them} know that there was a lost sword from Captain Allie's lands. It was dropped by a knight crusading against evil within the temple, and it there lies now in the temple, which seals in its own great evil. Likely undead. This is where Chigani leads the ship, only some will go, Chigani won't allow all his men. And Captain Allie has to stay with her ship....

Discussion on who goes can happen as the ship travels.

There will be a mystery as to what Chigani and Allie are doing late at night for the lamps burn long in the Captain's quarters as he becomes her special guest during the voyage along the coast of Antaria.

[Fredricus]

Iyapo

"I will be honoured to bless you tomorrow" he says and climbs up to the crows nest, a familiar place for him.

[BlueWizard]

{OOC- I'll be pushing us ahead a few days... I'll be back very late tonight. Just wanted to make sure all these conversations were had, before I jumped too far past them. I do love role-play and give XP for it. }

[Rapscallion]

Jondalar

Jondalar will ask Ayla to do a buzz by the crow's nest. "Well looks like we have a volunteer for that job. Baka, please let me know who is the preeminent spearman among your people when you get a chance. Enjoy your time here."
Jondalar will don the armored gauntlet to allow his mfamilar to land after the flyby. He will then patrol the ship looking around until he finds Chief Wrick.

"Mister Wrick, I think you're about to get promoted again. How do you feel about Chief of the Crew ?"

[Nomad5]

Baka

"You are correct. I am what you have named a ranger, and I can see the calling of Osiris in this mission already. He has led me through these jungles often in search of ruins that hold the unnatural and undead so that they may be held back from tainting his creation. They have claimed the life of some friends and gravely injured my dearest brother in arms." Baka reflects for a moment as he gazes out into the sea.

"I am also a Horizon Walker of the jungle, which is why I desired to join this mission. I saw opportunity to experience many other places in this world, such as this brief encounter with the ocean spirits now." Baka smiles widely, which may be the first time you have seen him do so. "If you have more information on the crew that will be joining us in the jungle, I am glad to listen. I know that the warrior barbarian Rikaan and the boy Iyapo will be Chigani's choices, and I believe they will be assets. I have seen the fighting skills of Rikaan's people before, and they are fierce."

[GNUsNotUnix]

Wrick

"I feel pretty good about it, assumin' I end up fillin' the position longer than those who just left most of our 'newly vacated' ranks. Titles and command are fine, don't get me wrong, but I fancy livin' a great deal more!"

For those who've been with the ship long enough to remember Wrick's first steps on the Tornado, the change seems quite complete. Wrick seems to have decided as a matter of preference that he's now an experienced sailor.

[ChrgGrl]

Gwen

Gwen will smile at overhearing Wrick's words as she approaches.

She will meet everyone's gaze in turn with a smile, but it brightens considerably for Jondalar.

As she reaches for Jondalar's hand in welcome, she will ask, "So, has the planning for the away mission started yet?" The question needs to be asked, but her tone is light - she is asking out of curiosity.

[Rapscallion]

Jondalar

"Well Chief then the helm is yours, I must go and seek divine inspiration and query the Captain as to her wishes."

Jondalar will squeeze Gwen's hand and wink as he heads to the captain's cabin.

((OOC:Team charisma bonus is now in charge.. Yea for the non-wizard arcanists.))

[BlueWizard]

As far as spearman, Baka is probably the best among the Antarian crew. However, Chigani carries a golden spear upon his back, and he is quite a fighter.

With the more powerful members of the Antarian crew {Rikaan, Baka, and Rikaan} beginning to warm-up to Jondalar and others on the Red Tornado, the rest of them open up as well.
By the time the High King's City is sighted, the old crewmen are playing all their drinking games with the Antarians. Jondalar is quick to insure this happens appropriately, by keeping it to off-hours, and below decks.
No rule against this on Allie's ship, as long as they function as a team in the morning, or whatever shift is drawn for the day. So far not one has been thrown into the 'cage'.

When the Red Torndao pulls into the great stone port of the Antarian High King, it is decorated in the full regalia of the High King with dark purple and silver streaming everywhere. Citizens from all over Antaria throng the port to glimpse these brave adventurers. Many gold armored men are in attendence keeping order of the whole chaotic affair. The gated port could easily hold ten thousand ships of the Class-A Cruiser variety, that the Red Tornado official was. Half of gated port was full of large barges all done up like a fancy market.

The coastal jungle here was city and forest with many pyramids and a distant few mountains as the backdrop for the whole scene. The colorful city was hard to see almost, because of the masses of people. Perhaps 100,000 people were filling this area up. The excitement of the approaching city and setting sun, caused the crowd to erupt in a thunderous cheer when the ship drew near.

Chigani says to all and his men, laughing almost in disbelief, "It is as the seers spoke. When Ra has drawn low in the horizon, angels riding Ra's red rays shall purge the land of the dark lord." He looks at the reddish sky out to sea and the way its light played off the waves and red-white swirls of the ship. "It is beautiful."

The ship is guided to the port entrance by men with golden flags standing on various canoes out at sea. They will wave and direct the Red Tornado through the main port. Many of the young Antarians have never seen their High King's city before, and stand amazed as much as the Imperial crewmen at the huge spectacle and display.

Chigani pats Allie with firm friendly blow on her shoulder, "My King."

He points to a golden mini-pyramid on a large barge in the middle of the carnival of activity. On top of this pyramid is a throne with a very important looking man in gold armor, with long white dreadlocks and beard. To his right and left were 20 women presumably queens or princess of varying ages. And even ethnicities, 2 look like light-skinned Imperials

You will have to dock the boat to reach this King, but already gold armored soldiers were lining up a pathway through the Market on the Barge. The King bows his head distantly, when he sees the crewmen on the Red Tornado's deck.

{BlueWizard World Note: Allie's home empire, is known as the Empire, it takes on many names depending who is ruling, so non-natives call it the the Empire, simply.}.

[Nomad5]

Baka

As the Red Tornado sails into port, Baka move toward the front of the ship. So many people. Out of habit, Baka looks toward the sky, the tree tops, and the bay looking for anything that looks out of place or gives any further clues about things unseen in the area.

After watching the festivities for a bit he will walk up to Chigani and Allie. "Are there any instructions for the festivities and ceremonies that will be happening today?"

[Fredricus]

Iyapo

Iyapo looks in wonder at the High King's City. He had never seen it before, only heard of it. The sight he witnessed from the crow's nest was more magnificient than any of the stories he heard, he nearly felt as he belonged here. Soon his thoughts where dragged down by past memories and the people gathered.

So many people, so many heard of him, so many he didn't know. His mood sank. He couldn't let down the chief or the king, he climbed down on to the deck with the others gathered and took his place close to Chigani.

[Mornir]

Rikaan

Rikaan looks around the city with a predator's gaze, appraising the fortifications and soldiers. He lopes towards the entrance of the boat and grins as he gets there.

So big city, many many people. These warrior must bring big food back to keep no one hungry. Me think that maybe they as good warrior as they shiny. Me should find out.

[ChrgGrl]

Gwen

Gwen will stare in awe at the shining city. Memories of a former life surface briefly, and will cause her to murmer to Jondalar, "Not even Seagate was this glorious." They had talked in the past of her other life memories; usually they made her sad. Today they didn't seem to diminish from her awe.

She looks nervously down at her armor. While it gleams from a recent polishing, she is not quite certain that she did a good enough job to adequately represent Ehlonna.

She will whisper a prayer, "Great Lady of life, help me to show these people of you. Not my words but thine; not my deeds but they will."

She will seek out the comfort of Jondalar's arm until they dock.

[GNUsNotUnix]

Wrick

Ain't that the way; here I am at the helm, navigatin' the ship, and the first thing I wanna do is get lost in the city.

Wrick is on his best behavior, eager to keep the ship's movements nothing short of majestic as it approaches the port.

[androgial]

farlgort

farlgort finaly emerges from his cabin slowly walking with the aide of a quarterstaff. leaning heavily upon the staff as he nears the railing, he looks out over the city.

[Rapscallion]

Jondalar

Jondlar will encircle his arms around Gwen and lok over the majestic city and it's people. His eyes finally resting on the the king. "Elhonna here our prayer and be with our cause."

[BlueWizard]

Chigani pats Baka on the shoulder, "You have dwelled long in Nature. How do you greet the Gorilla in his grove?... With utmost respect." Chigani smiles, "Relax my friend, the High King is kind. He'll want your honor. Baka, he'll like you. He was a great ranger. Perhaps the greatest ever."

Chigani seems pleased that Iyapo stands at his side, among his personal guard. In fact, he askes Baka and Iyapo to go along with him to the King. Not everyone would go, but a few of his guards, Rikaan included would be in Chigani's train. Captain Allie would actually leave the ship on this one.

The Red Tornado, with Wrick's added flair and Jondalar's crew moving like a well-oiled machine, will look spectacular as it slows to a stop at the indicated dock beyond the port's main gate.

Allie will expect most of the specialists to go with her to the High King. It was a special occasion. Olmeric the cook and officer Fulbert would look after the ship and men. But, many went to go to meet the High King. Even Zhako, the ship's artist poked, his hooded head outside to be part of the entourage to meet the high King of all Antaria.

{OOC- Basically Chigani, Allie, the PCs, and a couple other NPCs. Unless you'd rather saty on the ship. }

[Nomad5]

Baka

Baka bows his head slightly in respect to his new chieftain and smiles warmly. He has not often felt at ease in large cities, but he is encouraged by the strength and compassion given by Chigani. "I am honored." Chigani has become a wise chieftain over these years. I believe I will enjoy this service. His final anxieties about leaving his family and friends behind seem to wash away.

"I will be ready momentarily." Baka returns to the cabin to collect his equipment and spend a few solitary moments in prayer. Upon returning to the deck he is wearing his suit of dark leather armor. It is not noteworthy compared to the regalia seen on shore, but it compliments his movements. Slung across his back is a strong compound bow that is crafted as if two snakes were wound about it from the middle. In his left hand he is carrying his father's spear which can be seen as well crafted, and well used.

Baka strides confidently, as a warrior, across the deck of the ship to take his place beside Chigani.

[Toxic Avenger]

Ramose

Over the last few days, Ramose has spent much of the daytime meeting the new crew members, when he wasn't providing navigational assistance, praying, or helping Farlgort wounds to heal. To cut the darkness while moving about at night, he has taken to carrying about an orb of light, which he seems to be able to brighten or dim with a mere thought.

Ramose emerges from the cabin just a few moments after Farlgort, relieved to see that he is up and about again. Once above deck, he quickly finds Serasita and takes her hand, then looks out over the water with her toward the approaching city.

The young priest proudly displays RA's symbol over his ceremonial outfit. Every few moments, a ray of his Lord's glorious light reflects off the mithril shirt that he wears beneath the white robes.

[Fuzzball]

Xu

Xu had no particular desire to go along, but Allie had requested it. The shade covered her and she watched emotionlessly as the ship progressed hiding her destaste for such lavishness. She had cleaned herself up a bit, but compared to the others had put no particular effort into preparing. Her armor, while well care for, had not been polished, and did not shine. She carried her usual longbow, towering over her head, sword, and shield.

Four royalty in two weeks. They're breeding like rabbits.

[GNUsNotUnix]

Wrick

Having neither armor to polish nor brilliant robes to display, Wrick strides in a comfortable confidence, in a way that says not that he is unaware of the smell of saltwater on his clothes or the dirt on his feet, but that he is, perhaps, proud of it, as if, out of all the possible conditions in which to arrive, he chose this one, simply because it suited him. Those close enough to hear him whistling will find the new chief exuding such charm that perhaps even he himself has fallen victim to it.

[Rapscallion]

Jondalar

Jondalar will emerge from the his cabin still dressed as the remebers him, simple monks robe, green silk cloak and carrying his spear with a heavy leather glove on his arm. He will await Gwen and walk with her to the King's ceremony as he passes Olmeric, he cast a spell of bulls strength on Olmeric and then again on Fulbert in quick succession before either man can protest. As he feels Elhonna strength, the same strength granted to bears and bulls alike flow into the cook and officer. "Men, guard her well and the stenght will last 8 hours, so be gentle on the crew."

Jondalar will wait until he's before the King to summon Ayla and she will desend from the sun's glare to alight on the sorceror's arm. "Your majesty, a pleasure to meet you. We have come from the upper planes to meet with you and recieve your wisdom." Jondalar will bow and smile to the King.