Nautical Nonsense - The Life That's Ahead of Me

[Bounty Hunter]

Talia Kailani "Well that would depend on the ship we end up choosing and how hard each of us is willing to push ourselves. But even so, we still need supplies, time to stock, time to make sure she's sea worthy, and so many other concerns..."

[CaoimhinTheCape]

Therlynn, you were quite... underwhelming in that fight. Unless you were aiming for me, in which case you did quite well.

Therlynn coughs as she picks up the lost dagger. "My apologies."





As your party finishes up, you hear the sound of boots running, and a party of four seasoned sailors are charging at you. You don't recognize them from your time in town but Talia and Searil can both tell that they have the same markings on their hands that are now on Batal, Devlin, and Seagull.

Their weapons are drawn, ready for a fight but as soon as they see the Sea Spawn carnage, they relax a little bit.

[Mangles]

"That mark on your hand, it is the same as ours. Truly it is fated that we meet." Devlin reveals his mark. "We should stick together, we can handle these spawn better that way."

[Bounty Hunter]

Talia Kailani "I wonder what determined if someone got a mark or not..." Talia comments to Searil as they begin to recuperate from the sea spawn attack. She'd, unfortunately, been in the thick of things and wasn't particularly aware of how those around them had performed. She'd been particularly impressed with both Devlin's magic and the transformation of her aven friend into a giant spawn-grabbing octopus. Her thoughts are interrupted as the group of sailors arrive, bearing marks of their own. It seemed this issue was more wide-spread than she'd feared and now her questions seemed all the more like drops lost among the sea. "Were there more of them throughout town?" She asks the other sailors, seeking common ground among the two groups. "Are there more that need dealing with?"

[CaoimhinTheCape]

"That mark on your hand, it is the same as ours. Truly it is fated that we meet." Devlin reveals his mark. "We should stick together, we can handle these spawn better that way."

A scrawny looking man in the back of the group groans. "That'll do it."

The woman you assume to be the leader of the group, a half-elf woman with a gold chain earring steps forward. "Are there any others with the mark?"


(After the response, she listens to Talia)

Talia Kailani "Were there more of them throughout town?" She asks the other sailors, seeking common ground among the two groups. "Are there more that need dealing with?"

"There were more, yes. But we took care of them. It should be the last of them but to be safe we send some of our crew back to the ship." She pauses and looks out toward the ocean, where the dancing lights still trace the sigil in the air.

"On that note, I think you all should come back to our ship with us. The captain will want to meet you."

[Mangles]

"I've never seen this mark before, but three of us now have it. How do we get rid of it?"

[RickAllison]

Have you tried inking the mark, cutting under the skin, or burning it off? I doubt those would work, but they might. My fellows back home might know more about this, but our systems are r
primarily set up for communicating to field officers rather than reporting back.

[Bounty Hunter]

Talia Kailani "We certainly won't complain about having more able bodies around in more of those things return." Talia says, looking around at the aftermath of the fight, then to her companions, and finally back to the newcomers. "How far to your ship?" She asks, using her magiks to begin closing some of her wounds as well as seeing to any of her allies in need. Once everyone was fit for travel she'd follow the new Marked sailors toward their ship if the group was inclined to do so. Spoiler: Action Show I'm gonna be healing myself and others but I'm at work and will need to get home and figure out my hit points, who else needs voodoo, etc. I'm also willing to go see this captain if the group is.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

The woman with the gold earring beckons to the group and leads you toward the ship, talking as you walk.

"I've never seen this mark before, but three of us now have it. How do we get rid of it?"

"As far as we know, there's no way to get rid of it."

One of the other crew members speaks up, "Chopping your arm off might work but no one's been willing to try yet!"

The woman rolls her eyes and continues on.

Have you tried inking the mark, cutting under the skin, or burning it off? I doubt those would work, but they might. My fellows back home might know more about this, but our systems are primarily set up for communicating to field officers rather than reporting back.

"I haven't tried any of those personally, but there have been others before us who resorted to... similar measures. Nothing that we know of works."



As Talia finishes her healing, the group reaches a rowboat, not far from the ship with the lights over it. "At this point, it won't take long to get there."

[RickAllison]

If you all do not mind, and if Therlynn can keep from shooting me, I would like to fly instead. I do not intend to insult, but I find all sides become much more peaceful when a fight breaking out results in a whale falling from the sky. Especially an intelligent one coming out of a precision, high-speed divebomb.

[Bounty Hunter]

Talia Kailani "You should take it easy on her Searil; we've got a long way left to see this through I feel." Talia keeps her eyes locked on the dancing display of lights above the ship anchored in the dark waters ahead. She wondered what any of this meant, what the captain they were going to see would have to say, and what it would take to remove the cursed marks of her companions. She had thought herself here to simply find a new ship and new adventure but it seemed she'd be sailing on stranger tides.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

Therlynn whispers to Devlin, "He's never gonna let me live that down, is he?"


The group of you gets on the small rowboat (sans Searil) and the group rows out. As you near the ship, you can see that it is large - from what you can tell it looks sturdy but worn - the ship has a number of years under its belt.

Climbing aboard the ship (named The Rising Tide, it turns out) the group of you see a large crew, you guess at least 40 sailors. Some are on alert, some fresh from the shore, and others still seem to have just woken up. You are led to the captain's quarters, a room that seems to be outfitted oddly, with stone chairs and small sculptures. The captain is sitting in her chair, a badly scarred and grizzled Dwarven woman. She looks you over, taking particular notice of the marks on some of you.

"I'm Haegala Stonesight. Welcome to my ship."

She leans forward in her chair and makes it obvious that she has the same mark on her scarred left hand (you guess the scars come from fire, though any source may be a fair guess).

"From what my mate tells me, at least some of you have been initiated into the same predicament my crew is in."

[Mangles]

In the row boat Devlin nudges Therlynn and gives him a wink. "We'll just find something that he can't live down."


In the Captain's quarters, Devlin holds up his mark. "Apparently we unwittingly called and the deep answered. Nice ship. What do you plan to do with us?"

[Bounty Hunter]

Talia Kailani "Don't take his teasing to heart. We still very much want, and in fact need, you along with our little venture." Talia tells Therlynn if she happens to hear the whisper the woman had intended for Devlin. She hadn't seen how well, or poorly as it seemed in this case, the new hire had performed in combat but her knowledge of the seas and of this whole sea spawn debacle would certainly be a benefit in the long run. If the whisper wasn't loud enough though, the genasi simple keeps to herself and watches the glowing dancing lights that loom over the ship ahead of them. She wondered what this meant for their prospective employer; would they now be sailing under a different flag and toward different goals? It was hard to say. As they climb aboard The Rising Tide she breaths a sigh of relief; it was nice to be standing on deck of a proper ship again-especially one as worn and used as this one. She watches the bustle of activity and tries to gauge if everyone here bore the marks or if it seemed like only some had been resigned to such a fate. She manages to pry herself from watching the activity and quietly follows their escort to the captains quarters. "Thank you miss Stonesight... thank you for seeing us. Several among us and more still among the town has succumb to the strange marks--but I'm afraid we're naïve in exactly why or what to do from here. We'd hoped you might help in that regard..."

[CaoimhinTheCape]

Talia Kailani "Thank you miss Stonesight... thank you for seeing us. Several among us and more still among the town has succumb to the strange marks--but I'm afraid we're naïve in exactly why or what to do from here. We'd hoped you might help in that regard..."[/B]

The captain nods at your words and turns to look out the back windows of the room. They stretch from floor to ceiling and look out upon the land. "You know, I grew up in the mountains. I was a miner, eventually owning my own company. One day I went to the shore, to sell our ore and come night I find myself with this mark." She looks down at her hand.

"On that day I found the cursed Sea Spawn coming after me, I thought it was a coincidence. But night after night they continued, even as I went back inland. I asked around about the mark and learned that it attracted the spawn, probably to bring me down to the depths.

"Now, I couldn't well live inland, attracting all manner of creatures toward me. So I had to board a vessel for the very first time.

"I've been at this for decades, no closer to finding the cause of my curse. But I've tracked down others with the same mark, offering them haven aboard my ship. Make sure the creatures come after us in one place. Over the years we learned that if there are many of us nearby, the creatures will come after the larger group - with your new marks factored in, it seems as though we sent too many people to shore."

In the Captain's quarters, Devlin holds up his mark. "Apparently we unwittingly called and the deep answered. Nice ship. What do you plan to do with us?"

Captain Stonesight chuckled, the lines on her face lifting. "I plan to off your advice, at least. Those of you with the mark, it would be best for everyone that you take to the seas as soon as possible. You're marked and will keep having those creatures after you. Those without are free to leave.

"You're welcome aboard my ship as long as you can earn your keep. Preferably hold your own in battle. But if you have your own ship, you'll need a crew who are able and willing to fend off regular attacks. I've known many a-sailor to shun those with the mark so if you're in need of any crew and can pay them, I'm sure some of mine would be willing to join you."


She sits back down and waits for your response.

[Gryndel]

"You're welcome aboard my ship as long as you can earn your keep. Preferably hold your own in battle. But if you have your own ship, you'll need a crew who are able and willing to fend off regular attacks. I've known many a-sailor to shun those with the mark so if you're in need of any crew and can pay them, I'm sure some of mine would be willing to join you."

She sits back down and waits for your response.

A man who was talking with some of the crew when the group boarded walks into the Captain's quarters as she speaks this last bit. He's slim and just over 5 feet tall, with silvery hair tied back in a tight ponytail which stretches halfway down his back. His skin is dark brown and his eyes are the color of a deep blue sea or sky. He’s rakishly handsome and clean shaven, and very obviously a half-elf. The most striking thing about his appearance is a tattoo of a lightning bolt that originates in the middle of his forehead, down across his left eye, and terminates at his left jaw. (Close inspection reveals that it covers a long, slim scar there.) He bears the same mark as two of you, and the Captain, on his left hand.

Dressed in clothes common to sailors, loose fitting with a color scheme of various light blues, over which he wears a dark purple cloak. His shirt is only buttoned about halfway up, and there's a lavender crystal on a silver chain dangling from his neck. He also sports a floppy, wide brimmed, dark purple hat, and wears black leather boots that come up to just below his knees. The only equipment seen is hanging from a wide black belt: a pouch, a light crossbow and case of bolts, and a single dagger.

The half-elf walks over to a sideboard and pours himself a cup of wine, clearly demonstrating he either has some position of authority aboard or is simple taking liberties. With a bit of biting sarcasm and a hint of playful banter in his tone he says, "Well, well, more of the spawn cursed, Cap'n?"

Downing a big gulp, he grins at the new arrivals, "I'm bosun Yorkin, also the navigator in a pinch. I see some of ye sport the cursed mark, and I presume it's a recent thing for ye. Quite unsettling at first, isn't it? I used to wear sharkskin gloves to cover mine, but I found it too hampering and just downright inconvenient. Besides, there's no hiding the curse when the spawn come to get ye!"

He laughs and finishes the wine, then comes to stand next to the Captain's desk. Setting the cup on the desk he brushes the fingers of his other hand lightly across his own mark, a sparkle of mischief in his eyes as he glances around the group. "Not many of ye look very salted to me, though I could be mistaken. So ye thinking of joining the crew, or just here skimming off the barnacles for a crew of yer own who can stand to be around ye?"

[RickAllison]

It is foolish to judge the experience of a sailor by his clothes. I'm Searil, a medic and rigger by trade. Searil offers his hand for a handshake. The true mark of a sailor is his hands. The calluses of a sailor are different from those of a farmer or a lute-plucker.

[Gryndel]

Shaking Searil's hand, Yorkin chuckles, "Aye, true that, though I wasn't basing it all on clothes. Happy to meet ye Searil."

His grip is firm, but not overly strong, and he certainly has the calluses of a sailor. "Medic and rigger eh? Interesting combination of skills. I've been in need of medical attention more often than I like, what with fighting off the sea spawn so often, and for a few years now. Nearly lost an eye in a bar brawl once too, nasty business that was! Some bugger broke a bottle and jabbed it at my face, cut me good too. Worst part was, the bottle wasn't even half empty at the time, and it was some good hooch I bought!"

He winks the eye with the tattoo/scar as he holds up his right hand, a flash of lightning sparks playing around his fingertips, "But these days few pub ruffians give me much trouble, at least not for long. Of course, I don't go ashore much anymore. Wouldn't want to endanger the unmarked too often, ye see, gets them all riled up. Then the authorities get involved, a right bloody mess that can be!"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Just prestidigitation, no biggie

[RickAllison]

I picked up medicine in my temple's training. Working in the rigging started on my first vessel I was crew on, press-ganged. We were in a storm and the man who was up in the rigging fell off. Popped a Goodberry in his mouth and tried to fill in his shoes. Turns out that having wings means it is really easy to get up in the sails and it is very difficult to fall. So when I don't need to fix up busted bodies, I survey the sails.

Searil puffs up a little with his final words: I also moonlight as a rescuer in even deep waters and storms, as a backup propulsion source in still weather, a forward scout, and a variety of other odd jobs.

[Gryndel]

Yorkin smiles, "Ah, deep water and storms, two of my favorite environments. I could even join you in the air, on occasion. I like the cut of yer jib, so I think we may soon become good friends, Searil."

He returns to the sideboard and gets the bottle, more cups, and offers everyone a drink, "Manners Cap'n, as we've discussed before." He winks at her and chuckles.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

Captain Stonesight sighs and shakes her head at the display. Despite her exasperated look, she looks upon the boy with a certain warmth - one of a parent to their misbehaving child. "Aye, Yorkin, we have discussed manners often. Such as coming into a room uninvited, unless that particular lesson may not have stuck?"



"As I said, I'm sure some of my crew members would be willing to join your crew if you are in need of sailors. Do you already have your own ship?"

[Gryndel]

Yorkin chuckles softly, "Hmm, seems that one always slips right through my mind, Cap'n."

Though he says no more at the moment, he looks hopefully at the visitors and smiles. The expression on his face clearly displays his hope that they have a ship, are looking for crew, and would invite him to join in some capacity.

[penanghill]

Seagull dashes out of the tavern and follows the sounds in the street, becoming alarmed at the excitement, and disturbed about the recent events.

He turns left down the street, calling out to his friends - "This way!" There seems to be a crowd running in that direction, so he followed it until a melee came into view, not looking to see where his friends were, and not sure if they heard his cry. He turns down various streets, following the cries of "Here!" and "Oh no they're coming!"

A group of four sailors brandishing weapons with some skill are in combat with a group of seaweed covered creatures with lashing tentacles.

From behind him, Seagull hear's cries of "By the gods ... giant octopus! We're doomed! The lightning strikes!" or at least that's what it sounds like. It's a bit hard for Seagull to hear in all the commotion. In any case, he's focused on the fight in front of him. He unslings his bow and readies an arrow in the string targeting the horrific foes ahead of him, but they are already expertly dispatched by the sailors, who then dash off in another direction.

More sailors run up to Seagull. "Show us your hand!" A shriek from one of them reveals their dismay at the cursed mark there, Devlin's magic having worn off. "You are not safe on land, there are more about. This way!" They point down to the docks where a small boat is being rowed towards the harborside. "Climb in, our ship is in the harbor, The Rising Tide. Captain Stonesight will set you right. There's other's also marked, already aboard."

Once aboard, Seagull is escorted to the Captain's cabin where he sees his comrades and the Dwarf Captain and Half Elf Bosun.

To his friends:
"Good to see you again, and all in one piece too. Well you look like you have been in a fight though, how did you fare against those evil marauders?"

To the Captain and the Bosun:
"Well met, I am Seagull. Sadly I too bear the mark, what can be done about it?"

[Bounty Hunter]

Talia Kailani "You've been at this for decades?" Talia asks, a slight twinge cracking at the edges of her voice giving a small tell to shock, despair, or perhaps an odd mix of both. "I wasn't expecting this matter to be something that blew over so quickly I just... I ... suppose I never really thought about it." She glances around the strange captains quarters for a moment but refocuses when the matter of a crew is brought up. "Suppose we hadn't thought to talk that one out just yet; we were set to purchase in ship come morning and start looking to hire out a crew. We even had paying work lined up but now I suppose there's a kink in all those plans. We'll have to sit down as a group and sort things out once we have a safe moment to do so." When Yorkin enters the room and begins to make himself at home Talia pauses and observes the interaction between the new person and Captain Stonesight. He seemed so bold as to impose himself and she couldn't gauge whether that was simply his personality, if the circumstances of everyone being aboard led to a more relaxed chain of command, or if this was one of those silly 'actually I'm the real captain' scenarios that she knew certain sailors to play. It seemed like something out of a bad play, but she did see to some degree how it might protect a person from certain ... unexpected circumstances. "I feel those assigned to such a fate would likely be best off working together even if it were as basic an agreement as that common shared destiny." She grits her teeth and glances back out toward the deck of bustling work happening outside. "One we've had a moment to sit, think, and talk I'm sure we can come to an agreeable set of terms. At the very least, like you said, if we still opt to fly our own colors I think some sort of ...er... alliance ... might be in order. Two ships sailing for the same goal should make quite a bit more headway. How often do you come upon new peoples freshly branded? Is it a common occurrence...or?"

[CaoimhinTheCape]

Talia Kailani "You've been at this for decades?" Talia asks, a slight twinge cracking at the edges of her voice giving a small tell to shock, despair, or perhaps an odd mix of both. "I wasn't expecting this matter to be something that blew over so quickly I just... I ... suppose I never really thought about it." She glances around the strange captains quarters for a moment but refocuses when the matter of a crew is brought up. "Suppose we hadn't thought to talk that one out just yet; we were set to purchase in ship come morning and start looking to hire out a crew. We even had paying work lined up but now I suppose there's a kink in all those plans. We'll have to sit down as a group and sort things out once we have a safe moment to do so."

"I've drawn a bad lot, you can be sure of that. If you're ready to pay, I'm sure some of my crew would be willing to join you, get to experience a ship other than our girl here."

Talia Kailani "I feel those assigned to such a fate would likely be best off working together even if it were as basic an agreement as that common shared destiny." She grits her teeth and glances back out toward the deck of bustling work happening outside. "One we've had a moment to sit, think, and talk I'm sure we can come to an agreeable set of terms. At the very least, like you said, if we still opt to fly our own colors I think some sort of ...er... alliance ... might be in order. Two ships sailing for the same goal should make quite a bit more headway. How often do you come upon new peoples freshly branded? Is it a common occurrence...or?"

"You all do seem to have good heads on your shoulders, we would certainly meet on friendly terms. You and your friends are welcome on this crew here or to make your own. Just know that if you're looking for outside sailors, they should be aware of what they're in for.

Take some time to think about it, but you should try to be on your ship before tomorrow night - the Sea Spawn will sure as the sun come again. Generally not a problem when you're on a moving vessel but when you're docked they do their best to climb aboard.

Meeting people who are branded is rare - you're the first ones we've met in a long time. This has been going on for years and the secret has been kept under wraps. Some of the higher ups in the Sea Hawks know - our signal was to let them know we were nearby.

But it is a vast ocean, so there may be more out there who we just haven't met."

[Bounty Hunter]

Talia Kailani "Well we certainly appreciate the hospitality and the openness of sharing information." Talia says with a respectful half-bow before Captain Stonesight. She allows any of her companions to speak their minds before she moves to wrap up the conversation. "We're glad to see you survived the evening as well Seagull--we didn't know where you'd gone off to and things happened so fast. It's good to see you alive and unharmed even if you bear the mark." In closing, Talia will ask Captain Stonesight if they might spend the remainder of the night aboard the ship in hopes of remaining safe from the sea monsters. And will remind the captain and her allies that there is much to discuss about where the group intends to go from here.

[Gryndel]

To the Captain and the Bosun:
"Well met, I am Seagull. Sadly I too bear the mark, what can be done about it?"

"Pleased to meet ye too!" Yorkin shrugs, "As to the mark, nothing I know of, Seagull, other than fight off the sea spawn when they come."

He continues in a very business like manner,, "If ye lot intend to get yer own ship and need some able bodied sailors, I can recommend some from our crew. Most bear that cursed mark as well, and know how to fight those scurvy sea spawn. In fact, I'd be honored to join ye as well. I'm quite certain the Captain here will send me off with an outstanding recommendation! After all, I've worked my way up from lowly seaman to bosun under her command. I've learned quite a lot here, most of it thanks to her stern tutelage and loving guidance."

He chuckles as he glances at the dwarf, "This ship has been home for some time to me, and while I do appreciate all ye've done for me, Cap'n, it's getting a bit stifling to be here under yer watchful eye. Besides, I think it's time to set my feet on some new planks and take more responsibility for my life, see some new shores, have some new friends, drink some new rum, and generally sail another tack."

Looking back at the group, he adds in a serious tone, "Much of the crew here already know and respect me, and I have considerable experience with seafaring, and with fighting off those sea spawn scum. I also have more than a few coins saved up, and I'd be willing to invest as a partner in a new ship. Nothing like breaking in a new deck and getting to know new friends at sea!"

[CaoimhinTheCape]

Talia Kailani In closing, Talia will ask Captain Stonesight if they might spend the remainder of the night aboard the ship in hopes of remaining safe from the sea monsters. And will remind the captain and her allies that there is much to discuss about where the group intends to go from here.

The Captain is happy to let your group stay the night - there are extra bunks below deck if needed. She can be found around the ship to answer any questions but unless there is anything outstanding, she lets the party leave.

[penanghill]

To Talia:
"Thank you Talia, it was a close call. The next time we meet those Sea Spawn, I hope we're better prepared. I wouldn't want to meet them on my own."

To Yorkin:
"It will be good to sail with you Yorkin. I'll improve my skills aboard ship, and I learn fast. We have a list of positions to fill aboard our new ship. Captain, Quartermaster, Sailing Master, Gunner Master, Boatswain. Can we set about filling those from your crew?"

Seagull takes his leave of the Captain with a bow, and makes his way to the bunks.

[Gryndel]

To Yorkin:
"It will be good to sail with you Yorkin. I'll improve my skills aboard ship, and I learn fast. We have a list of positions to fill aboard our new ship. Captain, Quartermaster, Sailing Master, Gunner Master, Boatswain. Can we set about filling those from your crew?"

Seagull takes his leave of the Captain with a bow, and makes his way to the bunks.

Yorkin grins, "I could fill any of those positions, though I doubt I'd make a good captain. I'm Bosun here, or boatswain as ye call it. I sometimes also serve as sailing master, when ours is too drunk to do his duty. If yer getting yer own ship I'd think each of ye'd fill one of those positions.

I have a small room in the officers' quarters. We could have a discussion there with a little more privacy, out of earshot of the crew ye know. I'm on duty now, but while in port there's little for me to do except watch for spawn. Since they've already attacked tonight, there's little chance we'll see any more until tomorrow. But if ye lot wish for some privacy from me, I'll leave ye be."