IC: The Fall of Marcus Vinova

[Lilithgow]

Kālarāti paced around her side of the room. She checked the windows were bolted and that the doors locked properly for the hundredth time. Was the whole journey going to be this tense? Finally she sat down again, and Devi took this opportunity to jump into her lap, tail wagging.

"Thank goodness you are here Devi, you are such a good girl! I have a treat for you but only if you can show me what you have been practicing!"

Excited (in no small part due to the smell of the lamb coming from Kāla's pocket), the dog jumps down, spinning once on the spot. She then sits back on her hind legs, then lifts a front paw up in a tiny canine salute. Two seconds pass, and then Kāla salutes neatly back. As soon as her master's hand snaps back to her side, Devi starts WUFF excitedly, her paws tapping in excitement.

"So good Devi! So good! But you must be quiet now." A huge grin on her face, Kāla retrieves the wrapped lamb from her pocket and gives it to the eager puppy who wastes no time in digging into it.

Suitably relaxed, Kāla quickly changes to her night robe, makes ready for bed at the small sink and climbs into her bed.

"Good Night Maliik - I shall see you at dawn."

'Hopefully tomorrow will be easier?' Thinks the bodyguard as she quickly slips off to sleep, her dog falling asleep on her small blanket to the side.

[Mazeburn]

Marcus gave a grunt of good night, and after changing into his loungewear, settled in at his desk to read. It had been a full two years since he needed to sleep, and nowadays he relished the quiet solitude that night brought. It felt like reclaimed time when he didn't have to be on his guard nearly as much a in daylight hours.

But as it happened, that night, he did sleep - or at least, dream. Darkness. Water. Lamp-like eyes. That sensation of full-body vertigo when you feel like something is swimming beneath you.

Ocean take us.

With a sudden jolt, he woke at his desk, drenched in sweat but feeling ice cold. His book had fallen to the floor and there was actually tears in his eyes, which he wiped away angrily the moment here realised they were there. The clock read 3 in the morning. Had that been just a memory, or something else? In an instant he was on his feet, feeling shaky yet decisive. He threw on a coat over his loungewear, grabbed the key and headed up on deck. The night air would do him good. In a little time, focussing on his breathing and the dark waves before him, Marcus had stilled the feeling of fear and returned to his usual composure.

Ocean take us, indeed. The words of weaker men than he.

[Lilithgow]

As Marcus looks out over the dark waters, trying to calm his nerves, something pulls at him, something seeming off from just out of sight, just out of hearing. An extra crash on the sound of the waves breaking against the Fletcher.

He turns, more on instinct than insight and there, just behind the Fletcher - the shape of another boat just behind them!

How did it get so close? The outline seems to be around the same size as the Fletcher, but even in the dark, the thick red sails are a striking difference to that of Marcus' Vessel. None of the few crew on deck seem to have noticed the other ship, busy with their own tasks. It just be within 50ft now.

Marcus can see that there seem to be a huge number of men, standing aboard the deck of the other vessel. They are a foul group of people, eyepatches, thick scars, unkempt hair and the heavy muscled frames of those who make a living at sea. Judging by the assortment of cruel looking cutlasses, harpoon, daggers and other weapons - it does not appear that they make their living through legitimate means. They are clearly belong to Red Dawn - a feared gang of Pirates who make a brutal living preying upon the trading vessels, with the Fletcher being their latest quarry!

Spoiler

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Includes information from history and perception rolls and Devil sight.
Please roll for Initiative!

[Mazeburn]

Spoiler: Initiative

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12+2=14

Marcus saw the sails and gave a out a sound somewhere between a snarl and a sigh. Pirates were to be expected, but why the hell was he the first to notice them during a chance stroll up on deck? He glanced up at the crow's nest, trying to see if anyone was even up there.

Spoiler: Perception

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8

Someone was slumped at the top of the mast. Asleep or drunk, or dead. Whatever. His sword was below deck, but Marcus alone was plenty of an arsenal these days. Not that he planned to use most of those abilities here and now; there were enough rumours about what he could do among the crew without him tearing an entire pirate ship apart. Besides, Kala would be silently chastising him for weeks if he took these on alone.

Action: Cantrip, message to Kala.
Message: I'm up on deck, get here now. We're about to be attacked by a rather motley contingent of Red Dawn. Bring my sword and ring the bell.

[Lilithgow]

Spoiler: Initiative Check

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4+9=13

Kālarāti leaps out of her bed, instantly awake as Marcus' words appear in her head. Devi leaps down from her master's legs, surprised at the burst of movement, unsure to yap or bark, follow or stay.

Sword. She grabs the well polished blade from a chair in the room and sprints upstairs, aggressively kicking doors open as she runs.

"PIRATES! PIRATES! WAKE UP AND DEFEND YOURSELVES!"

The bodyguard, still in her robe bursts onto the main deck, her eyes still adjusting the extreme darkness of the open sea. She runs to the ship's bell and starts to ring it, hopefully waking up as much of the crew as possible.

"Marcus! To me, now!"

Kāla has been in enough fights with her principle to know that Marcus won't go below deck no matter her demands. The man has always found would be assassins some thing of a personal insult rather than a hazard and any attempt to get him away from a fight usually led to him getting into more danger.

As the bell rings out, the sounds of the crew below deck rushing to action can be heard, and those on the deck run towards the cannons.

From the other ship however, their ambush sprung, lanterns and lights flare to life. The boat, slightly smaller than the Fletcher draws level and a hail of arrows, battlecries and bloody threats fly across the now short gap between the vessels.

Heavy metal hooks fly across the water, landing and catching into the deck, gouging thick chunks of wood as the attached chains yank the boats closer together.

An arrow flies down from the enemy crows nest, grazing past Marcus' leg, dealing 12 points of damage.

Spoiler: Details of Init

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Marcus- 14
Kālarāti- 13
Red Dawn- 12
Fletcher Crew- 8

So it's Marcus again!

[Mazeburn]

Cursing at the sting of the arrow, Marcus saw Kala emerge above deck and hurried over to her. He grabbed his sword from her - it was a rapier with a look more of the ceremonial, but an edge honed to do real harm. With the crew already on deck, it would be best to let his bodyguard defend him than to show any of his true potential, though he was ready to strike if the moment arose.

Spoiler: Delayed action

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Attack any pirate who comes within melee range

[Lilithgow]

Having passed the blade to Marcus, Kālarāti sees the red dripping from his leg. Damn. Too slow. Too willing to sleep. Perhaps she...No, not now. Marcus has seen worse and now that she is by her side, he'll see no more.

She glanced around, trying to divine the situation.

Spoiler: Standard Action - Perception Check

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17+13=30

Pirates, around 10 of them, poorly cared for swords clearly hungry for blood. A couple in the crows nest, cruel arrows notched in longbows. Then, at the back - a better dressed class of scum. A long coat, the obvious sign of a pirate with delusions. Kāla had seen his kind before. Kāla had killed his kind before.

No weapon. Probably some kind of mage then. It would explain how the boat had gotten so close, the alarm so late. Currently, he seemed content to bark orders to his crew, seemingly unaware of just how poorly the situation was about to turn for him.

Over the side the pirates vaulted, the two vessels pulled close together. The deck, suddenly a series of tiny, vicious skirmishes as both crews set about each other. A couple, larger and more scarred than the others raced towards Marcus, cutlasses at the ready.

Marcus nimbley lunges forward to meet the man mid pace, his rapier flying in before a defence can be raised, years of practice and experience showing themselves. The blade pushes easily into the man, who stumbles, screaming.

Spoiler: Readied Action

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Melee Attack Roll - 17+7=24
Damage - 6+2=8 Piercing Damage

The second, either undeterred by his companions suffering, or hardened by a criminal lack of empathy swings at Marcus, cutlass almost slicing true, but just nicking his arm. His cut, thrown off by the thundering weight of his target's bodyguard, her training throwing her in the way of the blow, retaliating viciously. Her hands slip in and around the man's arm, before neatly coming together, shattering his forearm.

Spoiler: Series of attacks

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Pirate 2 -
Standard Action Melee versus Marcus -
14+5=19
Dealing 4 slashing damage.

Kālarāti's Sentinel feat triggers -
Reaction Attack of opportunity - 6+9=15
Dealing 11 bludgeoning damage.
Pirate 1 is still alive, Pirate 2 has gone down.

[Mazeburn]

Marcus had never had any doubts about Kālarāti's ability to defend him in he first place, but time and time he had proven her ability. Still, it had been a while since he had been in a fight and the sting of fresh injuries was a little fiercer than he remembered. Looking the wretched thief dead in the eye, he draws power into his voice and simply says, "Turn your back on me and walk away."

Action: Suggestion spell

[Lilithgow]

Unable to resist the hypnotic tone of Marcus, the pirate turns away, eager to get as far away from the pair as possible. He takes a single step forwards before the point of Marcus' blade pierces straight through him, killing him instantly.

Spoiler

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Pirates Wisdom save vs suggestion-
4+1=5
Reaction: Marcus' AoO vs pirate -
Attack: 11+7=18
Damage: 1+2=3

Kālarāti barely blinks an eye at the pirates death. While others might have found the 'trick' distasteful, she does not. In a fight, you do what is needed. And what is needed is that the crew survive.

"Maliik - I will assist the crew, please keep yourself safe from those archers-" she gestures to the crow's nest of the enemy vessel. "I will deal with them after these boarders are repelled."

With that, she leaps into the fray. A blur of trained movements, she sets about the rabble, descending on the vagabonds and dropping several before they even know of the danger. Strikes fly into pressure points, kicks aimed at vital areas and short brutal pressure. There is an almost savage quality to her actions, each blow so expertly thrown that it seems almost cruel - like a lion taking down it's prey. To those that are no strangers to battle, her movements are sterile, almost mechanical - lacking in bloodlust.

In a matter of seconds, an attacker is sent flying, his unconscious frame smashing into the side of the boat before toppling into the sea below. The second pirate turns too late as the bodyguard sends a vicious flurry of blows into him while grabbing him by the scrappy clothing, stopping him from being knocked free of the onslaught. She drops the lifeless body to the deck, deep red on her fists, looking close to see who she will pursue next.

Spoiler: Kālarāti's Assault

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Move to within melee of two targets.
Standard Action: Melee Attacks
Bonus Action: Flurry of Blows [1 Ki]
Attack on Pirate A
17 to hit. 8 damage.
Extra Attack on Pirate B
16 to hit. 10 damage.
Flurry 1 on Pirate A with Pushback
24 to hit. 9 damage.
Flurry 2 on Pirate B with Trip
28 to hit. 5 damage.
(No saves rolled as both targets killed.)

Seeing the huge figure set upon their crew, the Archers quickly turn their bows on Kāla. One arrow flies wide, embedding itself into the deck of the Fletcher. The second flies true, and stops just short of Kāla's chest. She snatches it out the air effortlessly, before hurling it back at the snipers. The archer falls from the nest, a look of shock and disbelief on his face.

Spoiler: Archers!

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Archer 1:
14 to Hit, misses.
Archer 2:
19 to hit.
12 damage. Triggers Deflect Missiles.
Damage Reduced by 20, bringing it to 0. Spending 1 Ki to return the projectile.

Kālarāti's Reaction:
24 to hit
12 Damage, kills target.

This does not sit well with the leader of the pirates - he utters several draconic words, each heavily accented and unrefined, but nonetheless powerful. Fire explodes from his hand, burning the air and nearly blinding all who see it as the volley of rays launch from his fingertips.

They blast into her, burning her and the air around her, a brutal blow. The woman manages to hold her footing, though it winds her deeply. She manages to also restrain a deep and great number of curses, instead controlling the pain into a cold and focused fury.

Spoiler: The Mage

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Scorching Ray cast at 4th Level, all rays targeted on Kālarāti!
28 Critical!
14 miss
24 hit
23 hit
17 hit
(ARGH!)
Kālarāti takes 34 fire damage!

The doors to the hold explode open and Elstabeth charges out, her sword drawn and rushes straight into the pirates, taking advantage of their shock at the magical attack. "RALLY LADS! RALLY! WE'LL THROW THESE MAGGOTS INTO THE DEPTHS!" She cries out. The crew, glad to see the First Mate cheer loudly and fight renewed against the boarders.

[Mazeburn]

Watching Kala fight was like observing a surgeon at work; no passion, no emotion, just precision. It was like a masterclass in discipline. In barely the blink of an eye, she had downed three pirates. And yet...

As the mage stepped towards her and began to speak words of fire, Marcus made to shout a warning - but it was too late. Flames engulfed his bodyguard and though he could tell from her stance that she was trying not to feel it, the damage was immediately apparent. Good thing she wasn't wearing her suit, not like they could find a decent tailor out here... Flesh could be repaired, cloth required more skill.

Well, he wasn't going to be the first to use magic tonight, but if these foul delinquents were going to play with arcane forces that they so clearly did not understand, he would rise to meet them with his own. Summoning his fury into magical force, he outstretched a hand and shot three blasts of fierce blue energy at the mage.

Spoiler: ELDRITCH BLAST

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14+10=24
DMG: 9+5=14

12+10=22
DMG: 2+5=7

CRITICAL 20+10=30
3x2=6
DMG: 6+5=11

32 DMG YOU ****ING WIZARD

[Lilithgow]

The air is alive with magic. Both Marcus and the Pirate Mage, having thrown huge blasts of arcane energy, you'd have to be dead not to notice the tangible tangle in the air. It hangs to you, like a bramble to a coat.

Marcus' blasts have almost a smell and taste to them, something that Kālarāti is familiar with. It tastes like opening a room that no one has seen for years, only to find some long lost relative's remains in there. At first it was unnerving, but she's gotten used to it. If anything, following the scorching heat of the mage's attack, it's almost comforting.

Her eyes focus on the caster, his breaths staggered and heavy - Marcus' magic has that effect on people. But his eyes were still alive - and they burnt with fury.

"I've got to get to him." thought the bodyguard coldly, keeping her mind from her injuries. "I've got to get to him before he burns the boat down.

Like a rocket, she launches herself at the other boat. Ignoring all obstacles, she races towards the edge of the boat. A pirate swings a blade at her, cutting into her side - she keeps going and leaps over the gap with ease - landing almost on the mage - shocked for the second, and if Kāla has her way, final time for the night.

The blows rain down on the man. He was dead somewhere between the second and third punch, but mages have away of cheating such things, so Kālarāti makes sure.

Spoiler: Actions

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Bonus Action: Spending Ki point to gain Dash action, doubling Jump Distance.
Move and jump across between boats - jump distance is 26ft, halved because no 10ft movement before jumping.

Attack of Opportunity from Pirate during movement:
To Hit - 18+5=23
Damage - 3+4=7 to Kālarāti

Action: Melee Attacks on Mage
To Hit:
11+9 = 20
13+9 = 22
Damage:
4+4 = 8
3+4 = 7

Kālarāti turns back to the Fletcher, her work done. Burnt and covered in blood - only some of it hers, she makes for an unnerving figure. It seems that Marcus would not have to worry about being the disconcerting one on the crew.

She moves and starts to disconnect the grappling hooks.

Their leader dead, the pirates on the vessel start to panic - why was this boat so well protected?! Who are these people?! The survivors try to get back to their boat, others desperately try to flee, stuck between the Fletcher's crew and the sea. The Fletcher's crew, inspired by the blasts of magic from Marcus and their first mate set upon them, quickly dispatching the last few.

"Well done men! Throw those damned pirates overboard, then a measure of rum for you all!" - Elstabeth quickly manages to gain control of the crew - her words serving as to break the crew from the heady state of combat. They cheer and quickly throw the bodies over the edge, into the black below.

"That was better than I expected, Mr Vinali." - the words come from behind. The Captain, a sword still in scabbard by her side, a crutch under her arm. Quite how she got there is unknown.

"I would have words with you, but they will wait till morning. You should rest. I shall see to the vessel now. The same of your guard." She moves past Marcus and looks out over the vessel. She speaks with a couple of the crew, before gesturing to the crow's nest.

[Mazeburn]

The brief chaos was dying down into celebration and Marcus slowed his breathing down, pushin the electric feeling of magic back into the darkness within where he contained it. It always felt like has hands had been soaked in oil after he cast, like it had left behind some kind of intangible residue from a darker and stranger place that soon melted into the night. He glanced around at the crewmen on deck; a couple of them were looking at him with curiosity or alarm, but he suspected they had simply never sailed with any kind of a mage before. If one thing was certain, this voyage was going to get a whole lot stranger for all of them once they entered the Sea, so perhaps it was best they adjust now.

He thought to argue with Anjiris as she spoke, but she was right - that could wait till tomorrow. Hopefully this time she would set a half-decent watch. Heading over to the side of the boat, he looked for Kala, soaked in blood and still smoking from the blasts she had endured. The sight of her made him smile; sometimes he didn't need to contact other planes to make contracts with demons - here was one in his permanent employ, and her only price was a fair wage and permission to keep a puppy. And the sword, of course. But that would come.

Whisper to Kala: Nice work. You alright? If you aren't bleeding too badly - check their hold for anything with Vinali Shipping stamped on it, would you? Those bastards have hounded after my ships for years.

[Lilithgow]

Kāla stops untying the last of the grappling hooks as Marcus' words echo in her ear. She turns and makes a gesture to her master before quickly moving down below deck of the pirate ship.

Spoiler: Perception Check

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19+15=34

The boat is a mess, a collection of poorly maintained hammocks, filthy food rations and foul looking weapons. However, in what must be the Captain's quarters, Kālarāti finds a small treasure chest of obvious value.

The boat is devoid of any other goods or loot outside of basic supplies, this boat has clearly only recently set sail.

Chest in hand, Kālarāti quickly knocks over large barrels of ale and tar before throwing several of the lanterns on the mess. The boat quickly starts to catch fire. She makes her way back to the deck, throws the anchor over the side, disconnects the last of the hooks and jumps across back to the Fletcher.

Still reserved, she walks over to Marcus as the pirate ship burns behind her.
"Nothing of yours, Maliik. I took this, looks like it might be valuable. I need to get cleaned up, so I will leave this in your cabin."

Silently, she moves below deck. While Marcus might not need to sleep, Kālarāti is still tired and now bleeding. She enters the room and puts the chest on the floor. She retrieves her tools, quickly attends to the chest and opens it, entirely uninterested in the contents. A small needle juts out and jabs into her hand, presumably with some level of poison. With a slight sigh, she pulls the needle out of the hand and tosses it aside. Marcus can deal with whatever is inside.

The whole time, Devi is lying on her bed, eyeing her cautiously. Kālarāti does not pay any attention to the dog, instead moving to the washing quarters and locks the door behind her.

She strips down, surveying the damage she took from the mage and the cuts from a few of the pirates. She cleans her cuts and is careful to make sure none of her now ruined night gown is stuck to her burns.

She thinks back to what her mother taught her. She thinks back to those painful lessons, now painful memories. She tends to her wounds quickly and efficiently, her knowledge of her own frame allowing her to do more than most doctors could.

Spoiler

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Using 'Wholeness of Body' to heal 42hp. Back to full health.

Finally, she turns her attention to her hands. She washes them, over and over till they're clean again. Her knuckles are unbruised, conditioned over the years. But they're still dirty. More water. More scrubbing. Finally they're clean. A last deep breath.

Kāla leaves the room and moves over to her bed, eager to get a little bit of rest before the sun is completely up. Devi looks up excitedly as her master joins her on the bed.

"Normally you aren't supposed to be up here, but you can stay for a while, ok Devi? You are such a good girl..."

The pup, excited at the prospect of sleeping along side wiggles and circles, before settling down under one of Kāla's arms. The pair drop off almost immediately.

Spoiler: The Chest!

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In the chest are the following items:

A small drawcloth leather bag. Inside are four large brilliant emeralds, each well worked and polished, a little over an inch in size.

A small vial of some unknown liquid - enough for a single gulp.

A scroll, with magic runes written on them. Marcus can read this and see that this is a scroll of Sending.

A small orb on chain, roughly the size of a large marble. The orb is a deep crimson, waves of orange constantly swirling just beneath the surface. The chain is roughly the size of a man's wrist.

A wand, two bronze metal swirls curling towards the tip from which a small bell hangs.

A piece of parchment with a description of a boat that exactly matches the Fletcher. It also has a date matching the day it set sail.

To identify what any of these items are will require some study over a short rest. The potion is an exception to this, but can be identified with a tiny taste if Marcus is so inclined.

[Mazeburn]

While Kala cleans herself up, Marcus kept a wide berth; he knew her in this mood, still total concentration until the danger is truly gone. Once she has gone to bed, he tended to his own wounds - cleaning off the half-congealed blood first, then drawing up the address to certain powers within his soul. With a little focus and a stab of pain, the flesh knitted itself back together leaving only the barest scar. Certain patrons Marcus had courted had proved themselves useful enough that he gave them permanent connection to him such that he could use them at will; the price was never cheap, but it was worthwhile.

Spoiler: Heal 2d8+4

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16hp

With that regretfully mortal issue completed, Marcus settled back down at his desk where Kala had laid down the small chest and began to look over the contents. The note was the first thing that took his attention. Well, that much was to be expected... It was unlikely that the spy was one among his own crew, though. There had been enough people involved in their send-off back in port that of course there would be a loose tongue or two. Still, he would bring it up with Elstabeth in the morning. Setting aside the note, scroll and emeralds, he turned his attention to the other items - largely magical by nature, or at least appearing so. Surprisingly interesting fare for that tattered pirate mage to have in his possession - but now it was all Marcus's, as it should be.

Action: Short rest, spent studying objects

[Lilithgow]

Spoiler: Items!

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The crimson orb is a single orb from a Necklace of Fireballs.
As for the wand, that is a Wand of Secrets

As the sun rises and the day begins proper, there is a rap at the door. A crewman is on the other side and calls out. "Mr Vinali sir! Captain requests your presence."

Kālarāti, back in her suit looks to Marcus, and follows him as the pair make their way to the Captain's chambers. The crewman knocks twice, then pulls the door open. All things considered, the crew has returned to an impressive level of professionalism.

Inside the room, Anjiris is sat behind her desk, looking at a large map while Eyrie seems to be in the middle of explaining some theories concerning last night's attack. Elstabeth is sat in another chair, looking disinterested.

"Ah, Mr Vinali, Ms Kālarāti." The captain looks up, gets to her feet and gestures to the chairs opposite her. "Thank you Miss Saddiq, we can continue this later. I trust you were able to sleep after last night's disturbance?"

[Mazeburn]

Marcus greeted each of the women by name, then took a seat. He had dressed long before dawn, choosing to take suits with heavier fabric against the chill of the ocean than those he wore in Tabasci. He gave Anjiris a long look, letting the silence in the room show his displeasure.

"Well enough, Captain," he said finally. "But seems it was fortuitous that I was awake in the night. I had Ms Kālarāti alert the crew, but it was actually myself who was the first to see the Red Dawn, on a chance wandering up on deck for air. If I had not been awake, they would have been on upon us before we were even out of our beds. I must ask, Captain - what became of the watch?"

[Lilithgow]

"Yes, the watch. There will be a burial at midday for our late watchman. I would request you attend the funeral. The pirates managed to sneak up far closer than I would like. We will be doubling our guard as well as towing a lantern boat so as to prevent such problems from occurring again."

She holds Marcus' gaze, no mean feat.

"Now, Mr Vinali. I do not want us to have an antagonistic relationship. We are on the same side here. If I had my way I would have everyone of those pirates keelhauled. This raid made no sense. The Red Dawn are smart and have spies everywhere. They would have known we didn't have a cargo and they aren't in the habit of taking prisoners."

[Mazeburn]

"Of course. My sympathies," Marcus said, few enough of them as there were. Why did they hire such bloody useless crew if they were only going to get themselves killed? But she was right, antagonism would get them nowhere. Even though he was the one paying every person in this room, even though he owned the whole damn ship, Anjiris was the captain and in many ways he was at the mercy of her good graces. Better to keep the calm, at least for now. "Forgive me. I had not realised there had been a death; most ungracious of me. I will see to it that his family receive his pension."

Turning his attention to the matter of the Red Dawn, Marcus retrieved the note and laid it down on the desk. "Spies indeed... The little cargo we are carrying would not be worth the risk of an attack. Frankly, we can only assume the bounty they wished to take was myself. This is not the first attempt on my life in recent years," he said, glancing at Kala. "Business rivals, I suspect, though I know not who despite some efforts to find out. The question we must consider is whether this was to be the only attack, and if they have some means to know our location."

[Lilithgow]

"I've seen plenty of business disputes in this line of work" chimes in Elstabeth "Not many with pirates though. Must have some really mad rivals..."

"Be that as it may" interjects the captain, cutting her first mate off before her mouth gets her into trouble.
"We will need to be cautious. If someone has made a deal with the Red Dawn I doubt they'll have just made one deal with scum. Eyrie, if you would be so kind as to tell Mr Vinali what you were saying to me about next week's travel?"

Kālarāti had been keeping an eye of Eyrie. She seemed out of her depth in the clashing personalities of the Captain and Marcus, but that was normal. Being in a conversation with Marcus could be like trying to swim against the current. In this room it felt more like trying to swim against the tide itself.

"Yes, yes, that's right. Haka and I have been scouting up ahead. We are coming up on the Shark's Teeth - it's a large area of rocks that generally sailors avoid. We were thinking of going through. Haka and I can scout it easily enough and there's no way the Red Dawn could follow us through. It should cut a few days off our journey as well."

"Thank you, Eyrie. Now, based on recent events, I asked for suggestions on how to avoid future problems. But this is, after all, your boat, Mr Vinali. How would you like to proceed?"

[Mazeburn]

Marcus took a long look at the map, then at Eyrie.

"Well, we're courting danger either way, so I say we take the Shark's Teeth. Red Dawn are conniving bastards, so I fancy our chances more against the rocks instead. The Fletcher is light and easy to manuever, and while I'm no expert on sailing but the fact you're suggesting this tells me it can be done," he said, very glad to have Eyrie along. They hadn't spoken much since setting sail, but to him it felt like she was the only one of his employees who wasn't constantly suspicious of him in some way - her and Kala, anyway. Marcus raised his eyes to the other two - Elstabeth sardonic as usual, Anjiris stone-faced and sharp. "But what do you both say? Can you get us through that reef? And how long would we be making passage through it? Correct me if I'm wrong, Ms Sireen - but I believe we would need half the crew on night shift to ensure we have full control of the ship."

[Lilithgow]

"Not a problem." Remarks Elstabeth. "I was going to increase night shift anyway, so we can do that. This crew can easily handle us through the Shark's Teeth as well."

"As for how long...a day and a half, both night and day?" Adds Eyrie "I would want to be up for the whole time, Haka would have the best view and be the most useful."

"Well then. It is settled. I shall inform the crew of our new plans." Anjiris concludes. "We will be on the Teeth within the day. Eyrie, if you intend to be awake for that part, you will go to bed now. Do not worry about the funeral, I shall explain to anyone."

The meeting ends, the business concluded. At midday, the funeral takes place. A body, wrapped in cloth is tipped over the edge of the boat in front of the crew. Both the captain and first mate say a few words. No tears are shed, everyone on board knows the risks and how dangerous this work can be. Still the affair is sobering.

[Mazeburn]

At the funeral, Marcus stayed silent - distracted and staring out to sea for the most part. The Ocean had claimed its first from their crew. Marcus felt that as a loss, though more a loss of possession or even dignity than emotional in any way. His dream last night had felt like his challenge had been acknowledged, and this was the first blow.

The rest of the day passed quietly; Marcus retired to his chambers as well, saying that he too would sleep to wake when they began to pass through the Shark's Teeth. While he was no hawk, he could see farther than most in darkness, and after last night he didn't want any more surprises.

Action: Long rest

[Lilithgow]

Night comes round, and both Marcus and Kālarāti are on deck for the start of the journey into the Shark's Teeth.

The boat is alive with sailors, far more than normal for a night shift. Lanterns point in all directions, with powerful alchemical bullseye lanterns sweeping the sea and jagged rocks ahead, manned by a full crow's nest.

All the officers are present and Haka flies overhead. It's quite the sight. A constant stream of question and answer - "How fares port?" "Port is clear!" "How fares starboard?"

Eyrie sits at a table - seemingly brought up from one of the offices. A candle burns, illuminating a huge map, in progress of being drawn. Her hands dart back and forth, drawing more and more details onto the parchment.

Elstabeth strides up and down, keeping all the crew in line and on just enough edge. And finally, at the wheel is the Captain. Effortlessly, she adjusts the wheel based on a constant stream of information.

Kāla turns to Marcus.

"Maliik, it seems the crew is ready for this. But I worry. I fear the council may have had a hand in the pirates, from what the Captain said. If they have a spy...this might be just what they need. No one would question the loss of a boat in the Shark's Maw..."

[Mazeburn]

Marcus had stationed himself near the prow of the ship, watching the waves and the outlines of rocks in the half-darkness granted by his nightvision. He was twitchy, eyes strangely catlike - avoiding meeting the gaze of any of the crew, as the deck was illuminated well enough to see something was differebt about him. Still, Kala knew him like this well enough. The price of his pacts were uncanny at times, and at other times downright surreal.

"I appreciate that, Kala, but we're sailing away from danger as well as into it," he said, giving her a look. He had been soft with her lately and her questioning his decisions was probably a sign of this. "What I need you to concern yourself with is this spy. There are... various magical means they could be keeping track of our ship, but I think it far more likely that there is someone aboard. I need you to keep watch for anyone tracking my movements, or those of Anjiris, Sireen and Eyrie. Of course - one among them could be our man - but for now, let us only lightly entertain that possibility. I don't need paranoia tearing this crew apart."

Frankly, he couldn't help but feel distrust towards Elstabeth - though that was irritation at the way she seemed to be trying to pick a fight with him at any opportunity. That in itself dampened his suspicions - spies, in his experience, tended to keep quiet. But given what he knew of his rivals, nothing would be unexpected.

Actions:

Knowledge history roll for ideas on how they are most likely to be attacked while moving through this region (aka, how other ships have been destroyed, any raiding parties in the area, monsters, etc): 16

Knowledge arcana roll for ideas on magical methods of spying on the ship: 23

[Lilithgow]

Spoiler: Results of Actions

Show

Knowledge Roll - The Shark's Teeth are unforgiving. Those who have made it through pad their stories with extra bouts of heroism, but wreckage from those less successful has always just appeared to be from the rocks.

Arcana Roll - There are several methods for spying on the boat from a magical perspective.

There could be an arcane mark on the crew or boat itself - though that would have required significant time to have been cast.

Scrying is an option, high level and powerful magic. But looking in on such things always leaves a trace. Amongst Marcus' arsenal there are several vestiges who could aid with such a task- though they tend to ask a lot for their services.

"Yes Maliik, I will keep an eye on them. I have not seen anyone who has paid us much heed this far, but I will redouble my efforts."

Kālarāti had long known that it was unwise to upset or push Marcus too far, his temper was easily stoked though hard to calm. She glanced around the crew - no one was paying the two any mind, Elstabeth for all her provocations was good at keeping the crew focused.

"Do you need my aid with anything else at the moment, Maliik? Perhaps if you have some other tasks that need tending to?"

With all the raid earlier, Kālarāti knew that Marcus had not had much time for his...patrons. She herself had not managed to complete her meditations since they had set sail, but while that was an annoyance for her, it wasn't nearly as dangerous as Marcus' obligations going unaddressed.

[Mazeburn]

At Kala's question, Marcus looked up and gave her an odd smile, made odder by the curious dilation in his eyes.

"Yes, well, since you ask. Where's that dog of yours?" he said, then read her expression. "Don't be silly, I'm not going to hurt it. There'll be a reward for it if it can help me find a rat."

He'd seen a few skulking around the hold - yesterday Elstabeth had caught sight of one and thrown a yard of chain at it, but it was long gone. All ships had rats. Not the usual sort of game for his hunts, but it would do. Every now and then, he had to appease the vestiges that gave him powers in the longer term - things became most unpleasant for him if he did not. This vestige in particular required blood sacrifice, of a sort - in the form of a hunt. Back in Tabasci, he did what any self-respecting member of the nouveau-riche did every few months and form a hunting party. He wasn't especially interested in the sport - his life had provided him enough death and danger that he didn't care to play at it - but it fit the image he'd worked to create. Usually his quarry was desert stags or ground drakes, from time to time a lion. Quite recently, on a rather petty whim, he'd paid to have a tiger brought in to be hunted - but in the end he'd thought better of killing it and just kept it in an enclosure on his grounds to observe.

Anyway, on the ship his prey would be rather less grand - a rat, a bird, perhaps a fish. Any of those would do, just as long as he didn't raise too many questions from the crew.

[Lilithgow]

"Devi is not that kind of dog!" The words come out far to quickly and far too casually. Kāla quickly tries to recompose herself - the thought of her darling companion hunting for rats! But quickly she returns to her professional side - it was rare for her to act so...unguarded in front of Marcus. And while she trusted the man, she did not believe that he was the mins of person you wanted to show weakness in front of.

"That is to say, I am sure I can assist you better. Plus if there is a traitor aboard, I would be deserting my duties if I let you go below decks alone, Maliik."

The two head below deck, any sailors giving the bodyguard as wide a bearth as the thin corridors will permit.

"Maliik, if I may be so bold, I was wondering about the Spire. Do you intend to take the crew with us when we arrive? I have no doubt that they would if ordered, but while they are a good crew, I have my doubts as to their worth as warriors and explorers."

Before any reply could be given, with Kālarāti's keen eyes and Marcus impeccable vision, it was not long before the two found some vermin - attempting to get into a bag of supplies. Kālarāti taps Marcus on the shoulder and silently gestures towards them.

She readies herself. While this prey appears to be just a rat...could you ever be sure with Marcus?

[Mazeburn]

"Oh, they will remain on the ship. Even I am not truly prepared for what we may find in there; I don't intend this voyage to cost more lives than it has to," Marcus replied. "No, Kala - we enter together, and we leave together. Besides, whatever we find in there is mine, so I don't need the others getting in my way."

Hunting rats. Well, vestiges had certainly led him on more unusual tasks in the past, but this wasn't exactly dignified. Marcus tried to keep more or less out of sight of the crew; it would be easy enough to explain needing a rat for some form of magical experiment, but he would rather not unnerve anyone more than he had to.

As they chance upon the rats, Marcus keeps back. He crouches down then extends a hand and addresses one of them in harsh, unintelligible language.

Action: Suggestion spell, saying 'walk into my hand' in vermin

[Lilithgow]

The chattering was most unsettling - the vermin tongue was so inhuman that it was easy for Kāla to see why Marcus was so insistent on secrecy.

The rat, turned and quickly darted into the Binder's open hand, what tiny traces of will it had completely dominated by Marcus silvered but guttural tones.

[Mazeburn]

The moment the rat rushed into his hands, Marcus grabbed it, twisted hard, and in an instant tossed down its little corpse with a broken neck. He stood and looked to Kala.

"Alright, we're done here. Leave the corpse," he said, then turned to make his way back above deck. The hunter was sated, for now. He didn't bother to look around; if anyone had seen him, they would probably be too disconcerted to mention it to anyone.